Mark of the Bear

Chapter Nineteen

Marko tightened his fingers around Kellsie’s hand. After what they’d been through it was going to be a long time before he was going to be comfortable letting her out of his sight. She squeezed his fingers and he knew she felt the same way.

They’d come too close to dying. For all intents and purposes she had died. He’d watched her eyes close and the spark of life drift from her body. They hadn’t talked much about it. Not yet. Later when it wasn’t so fresh and raw in both their minds, he would ask her about the experience.

In the meantime, he was content to enjoy the night air with the woman he loved. He shook his head and grinned. If his fellow warriors could only see him now they would laugh their asses off. He’d always been the most aloof of the bunch, content to be by himself while the rest of them had spent time drinking and sleeping with human females all those centuries ago. He’d told them it was a waste of time, but now there was nothing he wouldn’t do to see to his woman’s safety and happiness.

His grin slipped away as he realized that two of his brothers were lost and one was gone over to the enemy camp. Two were still frozen in time in their prison. Only one other was free, alive like him.

Was Roric still with the female who’d freed him?

Marko couldn’t imagine carrying on without Kellsie. But that was him. Roric’s situation might be different. Marko didn’t think there could be another woman as beautiful and brave as his Kellsie. But whoever she was, the woman who’d freed Roric had enabled him to survive and that had to mean she was special in some way.

There was plenty of time now for him to find his fellow warrior. Together they would try to come up with a plan to free his remaining brethren and the Lady from their captivity.

“You’re awfully quiet. Are you okay?” Kellsie stopped beneath a towering fir tree and tugged him closer.

She was chewing on her bottom lip, her precious face filled with worry. He cupped her shoulders in his hands and eased her up onto her toes as he lowered his head. He touched his mouth to hers, delighting in the feel of her soft lips against his, the slight gasp of her breath against his face and the subtle yielding of her mouth as he deepened the kiss.

Marko knew he owed the others, knew he needed to start working on their behalf immediately. But right now, here in this vibrant forest, underneath the glowing moon, he wanted to celebrate life.

Kellsie sank back down on her feet. “Wow.” She brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “What was that for?”

“I love you.” The words were stark. He had no other fancy words to add to them. He wasn’t a poet. He was a warrior. Suddenly he was worried that wouldn’t be enough.

Kellsie threw herself into his arms, holding him close. “I love you too.” She nuzzled against his chest. “I was so afraid I was going to lose you.”

“You were afraid.” He shifted her away from him until he could see her face and glared down at her. “I was terrified. You can never do that to me again,” he growled. The bears glanced over their shoulders but kept moving until they were out of sight. Marko knew they wouldn’t go far. They were helping him to protect Kellsie, and he appreciated his brothers’ concern and assistance.

“Believe me, I don’t plan to.” Kellsie shifted her weight from one leg to the other.

Marko frowned. “Are you tired? We should rest.”

She shook her head. “I’m okay.” She held up her hand to forestall further comment. “Yes, I’m tired. It must be almost two in the morning, but I’d rather keep going. The quicker we can get home the better.”

Marko was concerned about that. What would happen when they got back to the modern world, Kellsie’s world? He was fine in the woods. They were his domain. But she lived in a city, and he’d seen modern cities as the carnival had passed through hundreds of them around the world.

This world was one he didn’t understand.

“I can carry you.” He hoped she’d say yes so he’d have an excuse to have her closer to him. But he knew what her answer would be even before she said it. She was independent and proud.

“I can make it.”

He supposed it was enough that she was letting him carry her pack with her belongings. The sound of voices raised in song drifted past them on a breeze. They’d been moving steadily toward it for quite some time now. He caught Kellsie’s hand in his. “Come. They are calling us.”

They started to walk again. He could feel her gaze on him and glanced at her. “You can understand them.”

He nodded. “All languages are known to me.”

“Cool.” She scrunched up her nose. “Why can’t I understand it?”

Her disgruntled tone almost made him smile. Almost. He was learning. “I don’t know. Maybe in time that will change or perhaps it is one of my powers you didn’t get in the transformation.”

“That’s not fair,” she grumbled, kicking at a pinecone.

Marko grabbed her and spun her around, lifting her high in his arms as his laughter echoed across the land. Kellsie delighted him. She was immortal but she was pissed because she didn’t have all his powers. Was there any wonder he loved her?

She grinned at him sheepishly. “I know. I know. I should be grateful to be alive. And I am.”

He dropped a kiss on her tempting lips and put her back on her feet. “We’ll discover all your abilities in time.”

“I guess I’ve got plenty of that,” she agreed. “My hearing is much more acute and my night vision is tons better than it was.”

They walked along for another while, their feet silent along the mossy trail. “Do you hear them?” he asked.

She nodded. “Over there.” She pointed off to her left. The chanting had stopped a few minutes ago but he knew she could probably hear the crackle of a campfire and the low murmurs of voices in conversation.

When he started in that direction she dragged her feet in the dirt. “What is it?” he asked.

She shrugged and fiddled with the hem of her dirty, long-sleeved shirt, tugging it down. “Maybe we should just leave them alone.”

He was startled to realize she was afraid. He wrapped his arm around her, hugging her close. “They helped me save you. It is only right and fitting that we thank them.”

“I know.” She sucked in a breath and pasted on a smile. “Okay, let’s do this. I faced demons down, I can do this.” Not waiting for him, she marched on ahead.

Marko shook his head and caught up to her in three steps. He caught her hand and drew her back by his side. “Together,” he told her.

“Together,” she whispered and gifted him with a smile that went straight to his heart before it sank lower into his groin. He shook his head and did his best to ignore his stirring cock. Now was not the time.

Marko and Kellsie stepped into the clearing with the two large bears flanking them. All eyes turned toward them and the voices fell silent. It was a small group of about a dozen people ranging in ages from about eighteen to eighty and everywhere in between.

An old man with black hair streaked with gray stepped forward and inclined his head. “Warrior Bear, it is an honor to meet you.”

Kellsie couldn’t believe her eyes. She gasped. Her hand automatically went to the bear claw resting against her chest and she closed her fingers protectively around it. It was the old guy from the diner, the one who’d given her the amulet. Just when she’d thought all the freaky stuff was over.

He turned to her and smiled. “You both have faced great evil and triumphed.”

She frowned. How could he know that? She opened her mouth to ask but closed it just as fast. Some things were better left a secret. If she questioned them, they’d have the right to question her back. And she didn’t want to talk about what had happened back in that clearing in the woods. She was still feeling too raw, too emotional. It wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge into tears. No way was she crying in front of a bunch of strangers.

All the members of the group watched the bears warily. Kellsie realized she’d gotten so used to them she’d forgotten they were really wild creatures. As if sensing the unease of some of the group, Marko turned to each bear in turn and captured their massive heads in his hands, thanking them in a language she couldn’t understand. When he was done, both bears turned and quietly lumbered back into the woods, quickly disappearing from sight.

“Join us.” The older man motioned them toward the fire.

Kellsie waited to see what Marko wanted to do. She was more than ready to follow his lead on this. It was taking everything she had to stay upright. Adrenaline and her new power had brought her this far, but she was hungry and so tired she was almost sick with it.

All she wanted was to go home.

“My name is John.”

Kellsie blinked at that. Shouldn’t he have a name like Running Bear or something? John sounded so ordinary and this man was anything but.

As if he knew what she was thinking, he grinned at her and added, “Running Bear. John Running Bear.”

Kellsie burst out laughing. She couldn’t help it. She thrust her hand out in front of her. “Kellsie. Kellsie Morris.” The old man’s grin grew wider as he shook her hand and soon he was laughing with her. The others smiled and waited until she wound down. She withdrew her hand and swiped at the tears in her eyes. “Sorry about that. It’s been a long night.”

Marko, who had been watching the scene quietly, suddenly raised his arms in the air. For a brief moment, the bear part of him overlaid the human form. Even she was impressed by the show of power.

“I am Marko. I am the bear, warrior of the Lady of the Beasts, goddess of old, mother of all.” Power pulsed around them. “I thank you for what you did this night. Your words of power, your prayers, aided me when I needed it most. I am in your debt.” Marko went down on one knee and laid his palm over his heart.

John walked solemnly toward Marko. “It is our honor, brother bear. You owe us nothing.”

Marko stood and towered over the elderly man. “You have given me my life.” He glanced at her and back at John. “There is no way for me to repay such a thing.”

John slapped Marko on the arm. “You are both safe. That is all that matters.”

Kellsie was shocked at how easily all these people accepted Marko and his show of power. Why were they even in the woods? How had they known?

One of the younger men stirred the embers in the fire and added another chunk of wood. It caught and the flames flared briefly before settling down. Kellsie eased down beside the blaze, grateful for its warmth and comfort.

Marko settled beside her and lifted her into his lap. The man did like to keep her close at hand. Not that she minded, and good thing too. She had a feeling she was going to spend a lot of time in this position in the years ahead. The thought gave her tingles.

She looked at John and finally had to ask. “How did you know to give me the amulet when you met me in the diner? How did you know to be here? How can you accept all this?” She motioned at Marko with her hand.

The older man smiled. Deep creases crinkled around his dark eyes. “I am a shaman just as my father and his father and his father before him. We are one with the land, the old ways.” He tossed a handful of what looked like dried grass onto the fire and a sweet, clean smell filled the air.

“I had a dream. The dream sent me to you. It told me you needed the magic of the bear if you were to survive. I brought you the talisman, never knowing you’d have the protection of the bear himself.”

Was it truly that simple? Kellsie couldn’t fathom having such faith in a dream, but obviously John was used to it.

“But where did the dream come from?” It hadn’t come from out of thin air and she wanted to know, to truly understand all of this madness.

John shrugged. “From Father Sky. From Mother Earth. From the Lady of the Beasts. Who’s to say? All that matters is it happened and I knew tonight we would need to raise the power of the Earth and the animals to aid a fight against evil.”

Kellsie supposed she’d have to be satisfied with that. John then introduced all the others, who were all related to him in some way or another. She met his sister, several cousins, two sons, a daughter, several grandchildren and his great-grandson. The names whirled in her head and she knew she’d never keep them straight. She was too tired to process all the information coming at her.

Thankfully, they had food and shared it freely. As Kellsie polished off several sandwiches and an apple, Marko and John talked. She didn’t know when she finally drifted off to sleep.

Strong arms enfolded her and she felt herself being carried. She relaxed, knowing Marko would take care of her. He wouldn’t drop her. He ducked down and she frowned as he entered a structure of some kind. She tried to open her eyes but finally gave up when it was too much trouble. She’d worry about where they were later.

Kellsie had no idea how much time had passed when she finally opened her eyes. She was warm and safe and utterly content. She was also stark naked. She glanced at her surroundings, surprised to find they were lying in a tent of some kind with the familiar cloak thrown over them as a blanket.

She tensed. Surely Marko hadn’t carried her back to the carnival.

He soothed his big hand up and down her spine. “We’re still with John and his family. They brought shelters because they weren’t sure how many days they’d be camped here.”

She was amazed at how John knew so much. How he simply accepted his dreams and the knowledge that came from them. She didn’t think she’d be able to do that. But hadn’t she, in her own way, had to accept what she knew in her heart? Hadn’t she heard the voice of the goddess?

It was too early to try to figure everything out. Maybe not all of it could be quantified, but it didn’t really matter. All of it had brought her to this outcome and it wasn’t a bad place to be.

She was sprawled across Marko using him as a bed. She grinned. Her mattress was getting lumpier by the second. He was awake and very aroused.

Kellsie wiggled, rubbing her belly over his erection. Marko gave a playful growl and tipped her onto her side. She squealed and clung to his shoulders as he nuzzled her jawline and neck, leaving biting little kisses in his wake.

She returned the favor, breathing in his outdoorsy scent that pushed her libido into overdrive. He cupped her ass and pulled the cradle of her hips against his groin. She clutched at his shoulders and groaned as her moist heat stroked over him.

When he leaned down to kiss her, she met him halfway. She’d expected a kiss of passion, of driving desire. Instead it was the softest, sweetest kiss she’d ever received. It was one of love.

Without saying a word, Marko shifted position until the head of his cock was nestled against her opening. He lifted her leg and draped it over his thigh, opening her for him.

He kissed her again and again, until the only thing she knew was Marko. His tongue drifted into her mouth and slid against her tongue. Their breath mingled and became one.

She moaned as he began to push his cock into her. Inch by slow inch, he worked his penis into her slick channel. He didn’t hurry. They had all the time in the world.

Except she didn’t think she’d make it.

She reached around, grabbed his ass and squeezed. It was taut and tight and perfect. She flexed her hips, taking him deeper. He broke away from their kiss, his breathing heavy against her ear, his soft hair brushing her face.

“Love me,” she whispered.

“Always,” he returned.

Then he began to rock in an easy rhythm. Given their position, he couldn’t drive deep or withdraw far, but it didn’t matter. He filled her completely, touching every sensitive nerve ending in her sheath.

He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes. She lost herself in his dark gaze. Saw herself reflected there and knew this was a real as it got.

She moved against him in a slow mating dance that sealed their love once and for all. When they came it was together. There was no huge explosion this time, but a flooding of rightness, a sense of belonging, of love that brought tears to her eyes.

“Don’t cry, love.” Marko leaned down and lapped the salty drops from her cheeks.

“I was so scared.” She could admit her fears now that they’d both survived. She clung to his warmth, to the promise of the future. She’d been strong her entire life, was still strong, but now she didn’t have to carry the load alone. Marko would share it with her. Heck, if she weren’t careful he’d carry the whole damn load. Good thing he had her to take care of him.

“I was too.”

Her head rested against his heart and she could hear the heavy thud. His cock still pulsed inside her where they joined although he wasn’t as thick as he’d been. “Really?” She didn’t think he was afraid of anything.

“I thought I’d lost you. Thought I’d failed to protect you.” He buried his face in her neck and they clung together until the sliver of sun creeping in through the door flap told them it was past time to be up.

She moved first and was surprised and happy to see a small basin of water just inside the door. Beside it was a sliver of soap and a washcloth. Kellsie gave a small crow of pleasure and crawled toward it.

Marko gave a moan and she turned her head, only then realizing what a show she was giving him with her naked butt pointed in his direction. She laughed, not at all self-conscious.

It didn’t take her long to wash and dress and grab her tote bag. She wished she had clean clothes, but it was enough for her skin to feel clean and fresh again. With her hair brushed and braided, she felt like a new woman. Of course, all Marko had to do was wave his hand and he was wearing his pants and boots, ready to go. She tried to do that fancy magic poofing business, but it hadn’t work for her. She was stuck getting dressed the old-fashioned way.

When they were both ready, they left the tent and Kellsie made a quick trip into the bushes before joining Marko and John by the fire.

“Good morning.”

“Morning, John.” She sat beside Marko and inhaled the fresh mountain air. “Where is everyone else?”

“They started back hours ago.” John motioned to the pot resting on a rock by the fire. “Help yourself to coffee.”

“Thanks.” She did her best to ignore the heat creeping up her face. Surely John hadn’t heard them making love in the tent. She hadn’t even thought about that at the time. If he had, he wasn’t talking about it, so she could ignore it too.

They ate sandwiches and drank coffee but didn’t linger. It was time to head back. They thanked John, and Kellsie wrote down his address and gave him hers, just in case something came up or he had another dream. She really didn’t want to lose contact with him after everything.

“Walk in peace, child.” John hugged her. “You have great magic yourself now. And with power comes responsibility.”

“I know. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek, grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder as Marko said his goodbyes.

Kellsie was surprised how quickly they reached the former movie set. They’d only been about forty minutes away. She turned in a slow circle. “There’s nothing here.” There wasn’t a bent twig, a piece of garbage, a forgotten prop, nothing to indicate anyone had ever been there.

Marko’s gaze was resting on the far end where the tent had stood. She knew he was thinking about the carousel and the remaining two warriors. She walked up behind him and slipped her hands around his waist to hug him. “We’ll find them.” She kissed the tattoo on his back, loving the way the rest of his body responded to her touch.

He covered her hands with his and raised them to his mouth for a brief kiss. “We will.” He turned to face her. “Does your computer work here?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see if Betsy is here first.” Kellsie wandered around a bunch of low trees and crowed in delight. “Betsy.” Her car was exactly where she’d parked it and there wasn’t a scratch on her. She rubbed her hand over the hood.

Beside her, Marko chuckled.

Kellsie rounded on him and put her hands on her hips. “Hey, don’t laugh at Betsy. She’s going to get our sorry asses out of here.”

“I know. And I truly appreciate it.” He patted the hood as she had.

She smiled and shook her head. It was impossible for her to be irritated with him when he was obviously so happy. Kellsie set her satchel down on the hood of the car and tugged out her phone. Flipping it open, she hit Maury’s number and was shocked when it rang.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for two days.” No such thing as hello, how are you. As always, Maury didn’t waste time on small talk.

“Umm, I’ve been busy, Maury, and cell phone reception is spotty here at best.” She hurried on before he could get into a tirade. “The movie is a bust.”

“What? What?” She had to hold the phone slightly away from her ear and wait for his tirade to slowly wind down.

“The sets already torn down but we get to keep the money already in our account. Right?”

“Of course we keep the money. I made sure there was a cancellation clause. You’re sure there’s no chance at reviving it?”

“Not a chance in hell.” Marko raised his eyebrow at her choice of words, but Kellsie ignored him. She thought the analogy was an apt one.

“Shit.” That summed it up. “Come on back and I’ll work on setting something else up.” That was Maury, always looking ahead and not back.

“I may have an idea about what I want to do next. Don’t do anything until we talk.” Maybe it was time for her to get serious about writing a book. It would give her free time to be with Marko, especially if they had to travel.

“What project?” he demanded.

“You’re breaking up. I’ll talk to you when I get back.” She ended the call before he could ask her anything else. She didn’t want to get into her idea over the phone. Better for her to put something together and pitch the idea of a book to Maury in person.

Marko was staring at her phone, a look of awe on his face. She understood then just how new the world was to him. Intellectually, he knew it was a phone, but he’d never seen one at work before.

“Let’s see if I can get online.” She ignored the netbook in her satchel and hit one of the apps on her phone. She held her breath until they got a connection. “I really shouldn’t be able to get hooked up out here, not without a satellite or something.”

She glanced at Marko and he grinned. “I’m figuring out what my powers can do in this modern world now that I’m back to full strength.”

“Yeah, well manifest a shirt or something. I’m not taking you home half naked.” She ignored his chuckle as she began to type in her search. Having Marko around could be handy in more ways than she’d imagined.

She quickly brought up the website she’d looked at when she was researching the role. “This is it.”

She held out the screen to him and he lifted his finger and gently touched the tiger icon. “It has to be Roric. It’s the same name and the tiger is his other half.”

“I’ll email them. Hopefully by the time we get home we’ll have heard something.” She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to decide what to write just in case they were wrong. “How about this? If you’re the tiger who is searching for a bear please email me.”

“That works.” Marko studied the machine and the miniscule keyboard. “This is amazing. Add, in the service of the Lady.”

She nodded in approval. “Ready?”

“Yes.”

Kellsie hit the send button and the email disappeared from the screen. “That’s done.” She turned off her phone and shoved it into her tote bag. “Time to get moving.”

She slid into the driver’s seat, happy to be on her way home. “Get in. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us.”

Marko went around the front of the car and climbed into the passenger seat. He watched her put on her seatbelt and copied her actions. “I could drive.”

Kellsie laughed. “Good try, but I don’t think so. Not until you do a driver’s ed course and get your license.” She reached out and patted his hand. “Which I don’t think will take you long at all.”

She started Betsy and pulled away, leaving the clearing and the nightmare behind her.