ARELYN AURORA

(1,670 words)

Lyn stalked away. She would steal a horse and take her chances in the desert. Find another country to hide in where this infuriatingly ignorant, pompous ass of a king wouldn’t find her. It was tempting to take Thunder but in some cultures it might be a death sentence to steal a king’s horse. That was likely the case in his culture. Besides, she had a feeling that Thunder would dump her on her ass if she tried; that horse was loyal to him. Lyn sighed. She knew she really wouldn’t take a horse; she was just so frustrated and… afraid.

She heard approaching footsteps and she knew it wasn’t Kayden. She whirled around to show the man that she knew he was there.

"What runs faster a horse or a cheetah?" he asked.

“A cheetah,” she said almost automatically. It was an odd question and she didn’t know what to make of it or the young man in front of her.

"Thunder is the only horse here who would have a chance." He pointed at Kayden's horse. “But she won't move without Kayden's permission. Besides, you'll die without water and food."

Lyn almost told the man to back off and leave her alone but she was too curious for her own good. "What do you mean, a cheetah?"

"He didn't tell you?" The man smiled. There was something knowing in his eyes. "Kayden is a cheetah shifter."

Of course he was. Why should that surprise her? "I'd rather die of dehydration and starvation in a desert than whore myself to anyone." Even though she'd come here fully expecting to die, she found that, now that she knew she had options, she wanted to live.

"His attitude will get him killed, but he won't touch you without your consent. I'm Kieran Lionheart, by the way. And I know it's hard to believe, but you're safer with my brother than without him."

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Your brother, I’m not going to entertain you anymore than I will him. If this is some sort of ploy to one up him then I suggest you turn around and...”

"Now I see why you pissed him off," Kieran said in an infuriatingly calm way.

"Pissed him off? I was trying to politely ask for a place to sleep, but instead he… he was presumptuous and rude." She looked him in the eyes, careful not to let any magic surface. "Any man who tries will have an issue. I'm done being used for a man's pleasure."

"First. He won't touch you without your consent."

She muttered, "So you said before." As if she could trust either of them.

"Second, he won't let anyone touch you.”

She rolled her eyes at that. No, of course not. He wanted to see her tits bouncing.

A half-smile crossed his lips and she narrowed her eyes at him. "As for me, I prefer men."

It was nice to hear but it didn’t put her in a better mood. “Well, at least this place isn’t completely barbaric, they allow men to bed other men. I think I’m done with men, perhaps I’ll settle down with a nice woman.” Maybe that would be an option but probably not. She enjoyed the company of men before and, clearly, she still found men attractive if her reactions to Kayden were anything to go by.

Kieran snorted. "Allowed. Sure. As long as I have a woman and children." He shook his head. "There's nothing I can do about it. Maybe things will change. Maybe I'll have a better future. For women it's the same. As long as they provide children, they can fuck other women. Preferably from the same harem."

Lyn knew he was being honest; somehow she knew. “I’m sorry.” Then, because she felt like she needed an excuse for her behavior, she said, “I was a leader once.” Where she’d learned the importance of diplomacy and she’d clung to that while Relskald had her. Maybe it was because she had nothing left to lose that she was acting so out of character. Kayden had done nothing to show that he was going to harm her but she’d let her fear rule her. “Your brother managed to get past my defenses and erode away at my control.”

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"Kayden has the ability to push people off balance, out of their comfort zone. And he uses it to find people's weak spots."

“Well, he certainly found mine.” Her fear of being abused again ruled her actions. Lyn tried for a small smile, hoping it didn’t come out like a grimace. He was being nice and she should try to be nice as well. “I’m Arelyn, but you can call me Lyn.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lyn.” He tilted his head. "You said you were a leader, and from the way you speak with men, I assume you were equal to men.” Lyn nodded and he continued, “He is testing you to see if you really are a leader or not. Running away, choosing death instead of safety will do no good for you. Believe me, I know my brother. I know he’s an ass. An asshole with great power." He winked playfully. "Great combo."

She rolled her eyes again. He wasn't helping his brother's cause.

He leaned closer. "If you want to know him, watch him with his horse. And if you come home with us, you'll see he sneaks away every day for hours to visit his daughter."

Do they not know discretion? “For something that is supposed to be such a secret you and your brother seem strangely free about discussing her with a stranger.”

"I overheard your conversation." He shrugged.

She turned her back to Kieran and rolled her eyes. Lyn promised Kayden she wouldn’t mention the girl again and she’d keep her promise. Maybe he was testing her through his brother? Maybe Kieran was testing her for his brother’s sake. He said he overheard their conversation. She didn’t want to make more accusations so she focused on what he said about Thunder.

Turning back to him, Lyn asked, “You want me to compare myself to a horse?” She snorted. “Never mind, I guess it’s better than being compared to cattle.”

He stepped away, giving Lyn a little more room. "Just come with us to the capital of Ascor. You'll find safety there."

“Safety? In a land where men rule and women are subjugated. It’s only safe if you’re a man.” She knew that to be true. Lyn also knew there were ways to force someone to do something without physically forcing them. She’d seen it happen in Relskald’s kingdom and tears filled her eyes at the memories of being powerless. Lyn forced herself to focus back on Kieran.

“We live in Adasea, this,” he gestured around, “is our neighboring country. They have different laws.”

“One moment you want me to give your brother a chance the next you’re telling me to find safety in this capital.” Was he trying to manipulate her? Well, it wouldn’t be easy. “I was helpless where I ran from and I refuse to be helpless now.” Her voice cracked with emotion and Lyn needed a few moments to lock them down.

When she had more control, she looked at Kieran. “Can you tell me that your brother won’t attempt to wear me down until I give in to what he wants?” Her voice was soft, almost broken, when she said, “I won’t live like that again.”

Kieran looked into her eyes. "He will try. He will flirt, probably not in the most charming way, but he won't do anything you don't want to do. We saw enough women break under our father."

He’d said that several times but the bit about their father was new. Lyn was tired. So tired she didn’t even want to talk anymore, and that was saying something. It had been nighttime where she’d come from and it seemed to be midday here, maybe a little later. Hopefully, they were going to rest long enough for her to get some sleep. “Fine, I’ll go with you and your brother. Is there a place I could sleep here so that I won’t be propositioned by someone?”

"I'm sorry, but you can't sleep before we reach the oasis. As to how and where you'll sleep, it's not up to me."

She just needed a little rest. More to herself than Kieran, she said, “Of course not, it couldn’t possibly be that easy.”

Lyn felt broken and exhausted as she turned back to the camp, walking with Kieran. The idea of getting on the back of that horse with Kayden scared her. Not that he’d been physically violent but because he was the type of man that could wear down her defenses and get her to do what he wanted.

"We need to go if we want to get to the oasis before sunset," Kayden said, barely acknowledging his brother’s presence.

Lyn stiffened slightly when he approached her. Too much was happening. Too much had happened for her to be at ease with him right now. His words, distorted by her own fears, came back to her.

Kayden looked at Thunder and to Lyn. "Fuck."

She froze. This was it, wasn’t it? This was where she’d find out what she’d gotten herself into. Fear hit her. She was so weary that she had no control over her emotions as tears gathered in her eyes, giving them a glassy shine.

He shook his head. "Take my horse. And try to keep up."

Lyn was holding herself stiff, expecting a blow, but he just turned away.

"Come on, let's go." He shifted into a cheetah and started walking towards the oasis.

Keep up? She looked at Kieran, blinking rapidly, trying to dry up the tears. "What just happened?"

Kieran grinned. "He just showed you an act of kindness." Kieran mounted his horse. "Don't be surprised if he'll be a bit raw when he shifts back."