Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) A. Lombardo (best smutty novels txt) 📖

A dark figure stepped through the trees into the sun. Ryker. Kai shook his head. Did the man own anything besides black? He reminded Kai of Riome with their wardrobe choices. Two loners, hiding in the shadows, trying to go unnoticed.

Rayna brought him back with the squeeze of her hand. Kai felt the powerful connection between him and Smoke. His wolf cleared the far corner of the lake and hopped into the meadow. The grass and flowers tickled his belly. Smoke bounced kangaroo-like around Kai and Rayna. He could not restrain his excitement.

Kai patted the air with his hand, and Smoke calmed. Kai knelt on one knee and rubbed Smoke’s neck and head. Smoke greeted him with several licks across the face. For a wolf, Smoke was quite affectionate. Their bond was strong. It felt good to be reunited with his companion.

Ryker made the long walk around the lake. Kai offered his hand. “Thank you for bringing Smoke here to Katori. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”

Ryker nodded. “He’s is a good companion. Smart. Now that Smoke knows the way, he can show you the entrances on both sides. Mind you, the maze changes, so you will need your wits and sight to glean the path. A person could easily get lost in the ever-changing twists and turns between here and Diu. Best to travel at night, when the Stoneking Guardians make fewer changes.”

“What do you mean, changes?” Kai asked. “Like what we saw before?”

“The path is a series of corridors through the mountain. Farther south than the path you take to the waterfalls and through Alenga’s Mountain. This route was created for Guardians and other Katori people to come and go as needed. Take the wrong one, and you’re lost for days. Small quakes tell you the Stonekings are making changes. I find it best to run. That way I never have to double back should their changes close my selected route.”

“When is the best time of year to make the crossing?” Kai asked.

“Each winter, the pass fills with snow,” Ryker explained. “Come early spring, it is a raging river, which feeds many of the lakes around Katori. After the big melt, the water subsides to a trickle. Then it is safe to travel.”

“It means a lot to know there is another way to come and go. I appreciate the information.” Kai shook Ryker’s hand.

Haygan approached them from the lake, fishing gear in hand. “Ryker, you’re back.” The two men clasped arms. “Thank you, by the way, for defending my nephew. Means more than you know.”

Ryker nodded, and Haygan took the hint. They walked a good distance away. Kai wondered what they spoke about, but quickly let it go in exchange for Smoke’s pestering. Although it had only been two days, Smoke acted like it had been a lifetime.

Shiva bounded from the tree line, running in their direction. Rayna joined in the fun, laughing at Smoke’s antics. She rubbed his shiny coat. “Someone is happy that we are all back together.”

Tall grass swayed in the breeze. Kai nodded and lay down in the meadow, and Rayna rested her head on his stomach. Together they watched the white-willowy clouds drift across the sky. Smoke tramped around the area with Shiva. For the first time since they’d arrived, Kai felt a sense of home.

◆◆◆

They quickly eased into Katori life. Rayna often attended the botany lectures, while Kai tended towards the mind and body movement classes. Their centuries-old techniques were very similar to the ones Riome had taught him, although occasionally, he learned something new. While the movements appeared to be slow, gentle postures, he knew that with study and practice, they could quickly become a form of combat. It was these lessons Kai found most useful.

This evening, Kai joined Ryker and Haygan in one corner of the Agora. They practiced moving meditation with a group of young boys and a few other men. Their instructor was an older man named Basil. Streaks of gray littered his black hair. Yet his skin remained youthful. His mannerisms and tone demonstrated wisdom. He was muscular and broad in the shoulders. Kai studied the man’s eyes. Windows to the soul.

To the young ones, Basil offered instruction. “We begin tonight with soft movement.” Basil began moving his arms, his fluid movements controlled and precise. The group stood in five rows and repeated the same actions. Older men who knew the routine moved in unison with Basil. The younger boys were a step or two behind.

“Focus. Your movements should be controlled. Each motion should flow into the next. They are not rigid, quick moves.”

Basil continued to stretch and twist. His muscular hands cupped the air as they rose, then folded together, pressed in prayer, and came to his core. Palm up, he guided one hand out to his side. He followed the same action with the opposite hand.

In a low tone, Basil spoke. “Quiet your mind. Let go of the distractions that pull at you. Listen. Alenga speaks in whispers.”

There were too many worries that pulled on Kai. He knew it. His brother Seth’s sad boyish face weighed heavy on his heart. Kai had left with little explanation, only a promise to return. A commitment he hoped to honor. Still, Seth was broken-hearted by the departure.

He also worried about Riome sailing the open seas with his father. Disguised as a cabin boy, he knew she would do everything she could to protect King Iver. Before leaving Diu, she told him she intended to learn Nola’s true intentions, counter any poisonous potions, and undo Nola’s hypnotic spell.

Yes, his mind was loud. He took a deep breath with the next movement, then released it slow and even. Focused on the moment, he felt his mind let the troubles fade. His body moved in harmony with Basil. Again, this new place felt like home. Peaceful.

Everyone followed Basil’s beginner moves. Most of the group moved in unison, and Basil repeated the base moves. Then Kai