The Two Pawns
Immortal Angel
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The Two Pawns
All rights reserved.
Published by Fallen Press, Ltd.
Copyright © 2016
This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.
ASIN
Other Works by Immortal Angel
Angel Warrior: The Complete Series
Angel Warrior
Angel Betrayed
Angel Awakened
Angel Captured
Angel Forever
Alien Rogue Warrior: Serials 1-5
To Kiss a Warrior
To Touch a Warrior
To Protect a Warrior
To Trust a Warrior
To Love a Warrior
Alien Rogue Warrior: Serials 6-10
To Challenge a Warrior
To Obey a Warrior
To Forgive a Warrior
To Wound a Warrior
To Save a Warrior
Alien Invasion: The Complete Series
Alien Invasion
Alien Intercourse
Alien Insertion
Alien Infiltration
Alien Exile
DEDICATION
In life, we’re often faced with challenges that seem impossible to overcome. I’m constantly amazed by the inner-strength of my loved ones who are braver than any hero or heroines I could write. But, I also know that there are people all over the world who continue to fight even when hope seems to be lost. This book is for all of them: my husband, my children, my sisters, my brother, my parents, my writing partner, and all of you. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, with or without capes. You are all my heroes.
~Immortal Angel
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Preview of Escape
About the Author
Chapter One
The two dark-haired, young girls stared at Syri Moro, their fresh young faces a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I remember my first day in the Garden of Virtue. Everything seemed so magical, but it was hard to leave behind everything I had ever known.
“Please, seat yourself in the grass.” Syri gestured to the bank near the babbling brook. “And we will discuss the most important rule of your new life as a maturing female.”
The two girls sat down, arranging their new matching white gowns around their legs. Thin clothes without undergarments, another adjustment to life in the gardens. Syri smiled, remembering how long it had taken her to not feel naked in the strange gown. But soon they will learn, without men around, there’s no reason for such shyness.
Seating herself in front of them, she ran her finger through the cool waters, smiling as the small fish in the slow-flowing river nibbled at her fingertips. Very gently, she let her powers flow. A small chunk of ice floated to the top of the river, then was swiftly swept away. “Each Sula has a role in your education here. Mine will be to discuss the blue pill with you. The pill that you will take each day until your time here is done.”
“What does it do?” the first girl, with pale brown hair chopped near her chin, asked.
Syri inclined her head. “That’s a good question. The blue pill keeps us from entering our Biryut. Our mating frenzy.”
The girls exchanged a look of panic.
“So, without it we’ll enter our Biryut?” the first girl turned big brown eyes back at her.
Syri nodded. “That’s right. And do either of you know why that might be a bad thing?”
The second girl peeked at Syri from a curtain of dark brown hair. “Because then we must take a mate. Immediately.”
It’s always nice when the girls are taught something about our biology before they come.
“Yes. The reason the Garden of Virtue and other places designed for females only were created is to keep females safe. With men outnumbering us four-to-one, we are treated as something precious, as we should be. It would be too dangerous to allow females among the male population after we have reached maturity. Instead, we remain here while our fathers negotiate proper husbands for us. And when we come of age, and our husbands are ready to take us on as their wives, we leave the Garden of Virtue. Only then do we stop taking our blue pills. Only then do we enter our mating frenzy.” The girls blushed and looked away. “That time, locked away with our mates, is a natural part of our existence and nothing to be ashamed of.”
Syri reached into the pocket of her gown, then held her hand out, palm up. Three blue pills lay for the girls to see. “We shall all take them together this first time. Then, they will be handed to you each morning. It is very important that you never skip a pill. Perhaps we will be able to keep your mating frenzy at bay, but there’s always a chance that it will start…and then you will have to leave the Garden of Virtue early, taking a husband before your ideal time.”
The girls both reached for their pills at the same time.
Syri smiled and brought her own to her mouth.
“Syri, no!” The Mother cried, rushing through the stunning orange and soft blue trees with remarkable speed for a woman of her years.
She froze. “What is it, Great Mother?”
The older woman, with her gray hair falling all around her, leaned forward and closed her hand around Syri’s. “No pill today.”
Syri stared in confusion. The dark blue ring around the old woman’s eyes was nearly black. “Mother…”
Her thin lips twisted into a smile, bringing a breathtaking beauty to the wrinkles gathered at the corners of her mouth. “No pill today, child. Today, you leave the Garden of Virtue.”
Syri froze.
It can’t be. It can’t finally be my time.
I’ve watched girl after girl,most younger than myself leave, wondering why Rayden hadn’t called for me. I’d finally thought he might never call. Hope bubbled up within her chest. Rayden was the most handsome, most incredible man she’d ever met. Fierce, tender, and entirely dedicated to their people.Like me.We will rule our people together in harmony. The Khar and Khara they’ve needed for so long.
Smiling, she felt light as air. He does want me. I was right to wait. Right to believe.
She touched a hand to her chest. “Are you sure, Mother?”
The older woman reached down and cradled Syri’s chin in her soft hands. “Without a doubt. Come on then, let’s get you ready to meet your new mate and introduce our people to the female who will one day be their Khara.”
Her head spun. Today, she would not only see Rayden after seven long years, she’d also become his mate. Which meant one day they would rule all the Elementas together.
But as much as I want to rule by his side, I can wait for that. What I really want, all I’ve ever wanted, is Rayden. Her stomach muscles tightened. The heat of his gaze.The hardness of his muscles.The softness of his lips.
And I didn’t take the pill.
Tonight, we’re going to mate.
It was almost too much to believe.
I guess some dreams do come true.