Keeper of the Stars: Part Four Read online

  Table of Contents

  Legal Page

  Title Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  New Excerpt

  About the Author

  Publisher Page

  A Totally Bound Publication

  Keeper of the Stars: Part Four

  ISBN # 978-1-78430-033-3

  ©Copyright Aliyah Burke 2014

  Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright May 2014

  Edited by Rebecca Douglas

  Totally Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

  Warning:

  This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 1.

  KEEPER OF THE STARS: PART FOUR

  Aliyah Burke

  Part four in the Keeper of the Stars serial

  Heaven can be found amongst the stars.

  Attacks from The New Order set everything on edge. Add in visits from a goddess who may or may not want to kill her and Lana is worn out. When she loses something so precious to her, will there be a way to recover?

  Dedication

  Thanks to Totally Bound for giving me the opportunity to try a serial. It’s been a blast. Thanks to my readers who are always ready to come out and show their support for my work. My heartfelt thanks to y’all!

  To my husband who is my rock, always there no matter what comes.

  And as always, to the men and women who protect the country, your selfless sacrifices for myself and those you’ll never meet is something I will never forget. God Bless each and every one of you.

  Trademarks Acknowledgement

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Gulliver’s Travels: Jonathan Swift

  Chapter Ten

  Lian watched Lana as she swung in the sun. She had put on much needed weight since arriving here, and no longer looked like an emaciated child. Her curves and dips had filled out, telling everyone she was all woman. She sat there, lost in her own world, sleeves of the sweatshirt covering her hands. She still didn’t have any shoes on.

  Mark was about five steps from her—he lay bundled up in a play pen. Even now, looking at her from this distance, Lian wanted to strip her bare and explore her body. He wasn’t sure what to do about how she’d dealt with the reveal about Erlik. Yes, she had said it was over but he continued to retain his immense guilt.

  Things were different between them now—he had moved into her room with her and Mark wasn’t that far away, Lian having put him in the first room at the top of the second floor.

  Lana was a hard worker. She studied hard and wanted to learn as much as she could. She also had no fear of trying new things. She’d got much better at riding and he no longer insisted she take a stable hand or him along if she wished to take one of the horses out.

  He scratched at his chest and sauntered in her direction. Before he reached her side, she turned her head and gave him a soft smile. It warmed him through, despite the coolness of the day. This was the smile she reserved for him and Mark. It bespoke of the love she’d yet to vocalize to him but he felt coming from her on a daily basis.

  “Hey,” he said, sliding onto the seat beside her and giving her a peck on the cheek.

  “How was your meeting?”

  He draped an arm over her shoulders. “Boring. I missed you.”

  “You just saw me this afternoon for lunch.”

  He trailed his tongue along her neck, loving how she trembled beneath his touch. Lana was so responsive to him. “So I did. But I still missed you.”

  “Behave yourself,” she said even as she tilted her head to the side, offering him more access to her neck.

  “I promise I’ll be good,” he rumbled as he nipped the skin.

  “I know you’re good. That’s not what I meant and you know it. Stop.”

  “I don’t want to stop.”

  Her hand curved into his thigh. “And I have no wish for you to. However, I see Maxwell is on his way here. I’d rather not give him a show, if we can help it.”

  Lian grumbled but sat back and waved Maxwell forward. “What can I do for you, Maxwell?”

  “That information you requested has arrived, sir. You told me to alert you when it happened.” Maxwell gave a small bow. “Ms Tennesol.”

  “Hello, Maxwell.”

  Lian stopped the swing and stood. “Thank you.”

  His man of affairs gave a nod and walked off.

  “I’ll see you at dinner, then?” He posed his question to Lana.

  She ran her gaze over him and his body responded to the hunger he witnessed on her face. “Yes.”

  Unable to help himself, he stole another kiss then forced himself to walk away. Inside, he strode to his office. Once there, he continued on to the thick envelope that rested in the middle of his large, dark wood desk, which had intricate scrolling. With a swift swipe of his gold dragon letter opener, he sliced through the tape, reached in then withdrew the packet of papers.

  Lowering himself into the high-backed leather chair, he began to read. He was frustrated by the time he’d read through it all, not to mention pissed. The weather outside reflected his mood as more thunder rumbled around them. A knock on his door had him setting down the papers and staring to see who was calling.

  “Come.”

  Lana stuck her head in then entered fully. In one hand she carried a silver tray that held a covered plate and mug.

  “You missed dinner,” she said in response to his questioning glance.

  He frowned and peered at his watch. Eight o’clock. “Why didn’t you come get me?”

  “Figured you needed to finish working. However, I also thought you might be hungry, so here I am.” She placed the tray down then sat across from him in one of the two other leather chairs facing Lian’s desk. “Don’t worry, I didn’t cook it.”

  Lian smiled. She’d definitely not mastered the art of cooking. Lifting the lid, he inhaled the rich aroma of the food there awaiting his taste buds. “Thank you.” He took a bite. “Where’s Mark?”

  She furrowed her brow and expelled a sharp breath. “It’s eight. He’s in bed.”

  “Yes, Mom,” he quipped. Some people were just natural with children and this woman—his woman—was one of them.

  She stuck her tongue out at him and he chuckled, grateful to be joking and laughing with her, as opposed to being unsure of how to act. He finished the majority of his dinner, amazed at how hungry he’d been.

  “I need to tell you something, Lana.”

  “What
?” Her expression became stricken. “Is someone adopting Mark? I mean, I’ll be happy for him, but—”

  “No, it has nothing to do with him.”

  Relief spilled across her features. “Then what?”

  He slid the tray away and clasped his hands. “I did some digging into the name Ala and called a professor associate of mine.” He gestured to the stack of papers. “That’s what kept me from dinner.”

  Her confusion was apparent. “And?”

  “If we’re right, Ala is another name—there are different ones for different ethnic groups and different areas—for Gaia. Mother Earth, Earth Goddess, Terra, Ajsyt, Erce, Ale, and many more.”

  “So I was talking to Mother Earth?” She sounded incredulous.

  “I’m inclined to believe so.”

  Her brows converged, creating adorable wrinkles in the middle of her forehead. “She knew you. Wouldn’t you remember, oh I don’t know, meeting and talking to Mother Earth?”

  He made sure to contain his smile, well aware she’d not approve of his amusement in acknowledging her jealousy.

  “I’m telling you, I don’t know anyone by that name.”

  Her scowl deepened.

  “However, what I’m trying to say is all those names I mentioned… There are more. Including one, specifically. Umay.”

  She blinked at him. “And? Is that one that means something to you?”

  “Unfortunately. Umay is Erlik’s sibling.”

  He’d been expecting her reaction and went to her side immediately when the stricken look hit her. Her dark skin became unusually pale. Lifting her hand, he threaded their fingers, his palm pressing into the back of hers. He brought it to his lips and placed tender kisses on her palm.

  Lian waited for her to say something. She licked her lips a few times before meeting his gaze. He was amazed to see no lingering fear in her features. There was some uncertainty and definitely some confusion.

  “Why would his sister be nice to me and not kill me outright?”

  “If she is as her name says, perhaps she has no wish to destroy her land.”

  “The forest did seem to respond to her. Moved towards her.” A slight shake of her head. “But you never met her?”

  This time he couldn’t stop the smile, not that he would have.

  She glared down her pert little nose at him before she socked him in the shoulder.

  “What?” he asked.

  “What is so amusing?”

  “That you’re still jealous over a woman I’ve told you numerous times I’ve never met.”

  She huffed. “I’m not jealous.”

  Lian blinked slowly before nipping the end of her index finger. With his tongue, he swirled around the digit before drawing it slowly into his mouth. Her shuddering gasp stirred his cock. A final bite before he released her. “Are you sure?”

  She jerked her hand away. “Positive.”

  “My mistake then.” He stared at her nipples, which had drawn tight, through her shirt.

  She crossed her arms. “Yes, exactly.”

  Lian rose and returned to his seat, well aware if he stayed within touching distance of her, she’d be naked and on his cock in mere seconds. He picked up a pencil and tapped the eraser on the desk. “Can you tell me anything else about your meeting with her?”

  Lana had a bit of trouble refocusing on his question and he smirked, glad to know he wasn’t the only one distracted. It took her a bit of time to respond—she hesitated and swallowed hard a few times. She also picked at imaginary pieces of lint on her clothing.

  “She told me that memories would return. When I came out of the shower that day and she was waiting for me in my bedroom—”

  “What?” He slammed his hands on the top of his desk and rose to his feet.

  Lana jumped and watched him warily, with wide discs for eyes.

  “She was in this house? In your room?” His voice had dropped, low and dangerous. Outside, the wind picked up its intensity and lightning cracked along the sky. Dark clouds swirled nearer and the loud rumble of thunder echoed across the land. “What did she want, Lana?”

  Lana had to gulp a few times and swallow some moisture down because there was none in her throat. She’d seen Lian upset and even angry. This was way more than that. His fury was more than she’d ever imagined he would have. The man was just so damned contained and in control.

  “Lana. What. Did. She. Want?”

  “Just to talk a bit more. Tell me some more things about the tattoo thingy she put on my shoulder.”

  She pushed to her feet and walked around the large desk to his side, where she turned him—it took a bit of tugging—to look at her. Smoothing her hands down his face, she stared into his black eyes. She could see spikes of lightning flashing in them and she had to force back her own fear and remain focused on him.

  “You’re scaring me, Lian,” she admitted softly, fingers stroking his jaw line.

  Immediately his entire countenance gentled. “I’m sorry,” he said, kissing her. “I never want you scared of me. They are breaking all these rules and I have to abide by them.”

  “I think,” she said, as he tugged her down onto his lap once he’d sat in his chair. “I think I’m being used as a pawn by her. She has something in mind for me and the look in her eyes when she mentioned how shocked they’d be when it finally happened only makes me think so more.”

  “What about the new mark?”

  She knew he was struggling to rein in his emotions. It wasn’t working as of yet, for the storm outside hadn’t subsided. When she’d discovered he had this ability to manipulate the weather, she’d been amazed and more than a bit in awe. It wasn’t something he spoke about much for, when she’d asked, he’d merely admitted his ability then had dropped the matter. It definitely explained the storms she’d witnessed springing out of thin air.

  “She said it would tell me when the time was right for me to reveal myself.” She lifted her shoulders. “To do what? She didn’t say. But she said that mark was the one I had been missing. Along, of course, with the ones that you and I have together. She told me to keep it hidden for there were spies everywhere.”

  “Is that why you have the piece of leather on your wrist?” He touched the item in discussion, his fingertip trailing over the engraved flower on the dark brown leather.

  “Yes.”

  She rested her head against his shoulder and idly stroked his arm as he continued to trace the image on her wrist. As usual, he wore his shirt open and she could hear the steady beat of his heart in her ear. Hypnotic. Rhythmic. Soothing. Angling her head closer to his torso, she exhaled deeply and smiled when the glyphs appeared and began moving. They rippled and flowed like liquid along his skin when she touched him, as if having a life of their own.

  Arousal—that was what she equated them to. Passion.

  “Lana,” he said, his voice deep and infused with sex.

  “Lian,” she replied, tongue flicking out to slash over his nipple. “I just noticed something about your glyphs.”

  “Did you now?”

  “I did.” She sat up and met his gaze. “Did you know they were constellations?”

  “Constellations?” he croaked as her fingers moved over the one currently sitting over his left pectoral.

  “Yes,” she whispered. She leaned in closely and flicked her tongue over the taut tip. “Constellations. Remember, you’ve been showing them to me at night in that large book you have. I never knew I could study them off your body.”

  “Lana, we need to talk about this.”

  She readjusted in his chair, legs shoved in beside his, bracing against the sides of the seat. Hunger swarmed her as she pushed back the open shirt from his shoulders, exposing more of his hard body.

  “I don’t want to talk.” Her need had overtaken her modesty. He’d always been the one to initiate sex between them—she’d been unsure if she should ever act on her emotions. Now, here, it didn’t matter.

  “This is important.” His v
oice was a gravelled rasp.

  She whipped her shirt over her head and let it fall somewhere—she didn’t actually give a damn where it landed. “So is this. Now, you can talk but I need to see if I learned these constellations.” She traced one with her tongue, swearing she could feel its pulse. “The big dipper, Ursa Major.” Another got the same treatment. “Pegasus.” And two more. “Draco. Equuleus.”

  A low growl filled the room and she hid her smile from him as she continued her exploration. He wouldn’t last long. She licked and named her way as the glyphs, dark and throbbing, moved over his body. Between her legs, his cock hardened and she ensured she ground herself upon it, time and time again.

  Outside, the clouds vanished as the storm was sucked back up into the atmosphere. The moon shone through the windows and bathed them in a silver glow. Beneath the leather wrap she wore, her mark pulsed.

  Lian held her as she licked, lapped and laved along his chest and arms. His fingers dug into her flesh as he did his best to hold still. She bit him and lifted her head at his gasp.

  Staring into his eyes, black as the moonless night, she threaded one hand into the thick hair he had. As always, in his gaze, she could read all his love for her. This time she embraced it, welcomed it with open arms. There was no more fear of an upcoming betrayal or pain. He was it for her. There was no way around it.

  “I love you, Lian,” she whispered as she leaned in to kiss him.

  He stilled and she stopped before actually making contact. Had she said something wrong? As she began to move her head back to see, he sunk one hand in her hair and brought her the rest of the way.

  His kiss was dominating yet gentle. Powerful yet tender. It was all consuming and, as she let herself go, her body went up in flames.

  He didn’t verbalize his thoughts but she understood the feelings moving through him as if they were her own. In the back of her mind she heard the words…