Read Online A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I by Austen Knowles - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Austen Knowles
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a sheer peach gown that he got by gently touching leaves that grew along the wall. The plant shook when he touched it, and then recoiled its leaves as it shriveled up a brittle brown like it instantly died. After Cobaaron took the gown the plant hid, the vines gradually crept back covering the clothes, and again became a healthy green with plump leaves.
“Will I look this way once you’re gone?”
“Yes. You’ll age, but you will never look older. I will never age either, now that I’ve bound to a Star.” He thrust the garment into her hands. “Now quit trying to seduce me. I’m trying very hard, Ky. That can’t happen again. I’m as confused as you. I could say that I wouldn’t mind spending time with you either, but I’ll be honest, I can never do that. It’s not possible. I like my life the way it is. I know the day I run outside this mountain will be all it takes for me to forget this. The magic of unions has centuries of practice making people bond. We must fight this together.”
“So, I really don’t feel lust or feelings for you? It’s the union’s magic?”
“Oh, no. They are very real, make no mistake about that. Once a union is complete the bond never lets the love die while they both live. Some say the feeling is euphoric.”
Ky slid the gown over her head, and let it drop over her body. The form-fitted fabric didn’t hide her curvy figure. It hugged her hips, tugged at her breasts, and wasn’t loose until it hit her knee. Then it flowed as she walked.
“What if I decide I want to go to another city? Could we resist the bond that long?”
“I know I have to. I have to stay away from you,” Cobaaron said, but he didn’t leave. He watched her move, as if he was more interested, now that he no longer had the privilege of seeing her nude. He swallowed, took a step back, and stated, “I should go. I can’t be alone with you.”
“Thank you for saving me. I wouldn’t have made it here if it weren’t for you. I owe you my life.” Ky smiled at him.
“You owe me nothing,” Cobaaron replied, and returned her smile.
“One more thing,” she pointed to an enormous white flower that was shut and grew out of the wall. “That is the bed, right? It’s large enough, so I’m guessing it is.”
“This is a tickling tiger lily, and yes it’s the bed. The leaves belong to this flower. In fact, every flower in this city belongs to this mother. They all share the same roots.” He passed her accidentally brushing her arm, but didn’t stop, even though Ky was certain he felt a sudden urge to embrace her.
“You slide your hand down a petal, and…” The enormous flower shuddered before opening. A tongue-like petal unrolled several feet, as it uncurled to the floor, and then continued to stretch out so far that Ky had to step out of the way. Once the flower was still, he added, “You lay down and it will curl back up. Don’t be afraid. It won’t harm you. In fact, it will protect your light, because it lives off Star’s light. When you tickle it again after you have slept, the flower will open, and you can get out.”
They stared at each other, unsure of themselves. He seemed nervous around her, as if he worried to linger in her presence. Ky was about to ask him another question hoping he wouldn’t leave, and at least try to get to know her, but then the door opened, and Airia wandered in, wearing a smug grin seeing them still in her room together.
“Shouldn’t you be eating or getting your rest, Cobaaron? Your tournament begins in three hours. We spread the word, and the kitchen is preparing a special meal. People are already meeting at the great hall below.”
“You should have let me explain to my men first. You have no right,” Cobaaron seethed.
“Well, there is still time, if you hurry,” Airia interrupted his complaint. Cobaaron didn’t waste any more time talking to Airia. Without a glance in Ky’s direction, he left the room.
Airia smiled at Ky, pleased. “He
“Will I look this way once you’re gone?”
“Yes. You’ll age, but you will never look older. I will never age either, now that I’ve bound to a Star.” He thrust the garment into her hands. “Now quit trying to seduce me. I’m trying very hard, Ky. That can’t happen again. I’m as confused as you. I could say that I wouldn’t mind spending time with you either, but I’ll be honest, I can never do that. It’s not possible. I like my life the way it is. I know the day I run outside this mountain will be all it takes for me to forget this. The magic of unions has centuries of practice making people bond. We must fight this together.”
“So, I really don’t feel lust or feelings for you? It’s the union’s magic?”
“Oh, no. They are very real, make no mistake about that. Once a union is complete the bond never lets the love die while they both live. Some say the feeling is euphoric.”
Ky slid the gown over her head, and let it drop over her body. The form-fitted fabric didn’t hide her curvy figure. It hugged her hips, tugged at her breasts, and wasn’t loose until it hit her knee. Then it flowed as she walked.
“What if I decide I want to go to another city? Could we resist the bond that long?”
“I know I have to. I have to stay away from you,” Cobaaron said, but he didn’t leave. He watched her move, as if he was more interested, now that he no longer had the privilege of seeing her nude. He swallowed, took a step back, and stated, “I should go. I can’t be alone with you.”
“Thank you for saving me. I wouldn’t have made it here if it weren’t for you. I owe you my life.” Ky smiled at him.
“You owe me nothing,” Cobaaron replied, and returned her smile.
“One more thing,” she pointed to an enormous white flower that was shut and grew out of the wall. “That is the bed, right? It’s large enough, so I’m guessing it is.”
“This is a tickling tiger lily, and yes it’s the bed. The leaves belong to this flower. In fact, every flower in this city belongs to this mother. They all share the same roots.” He passed her accidentally brushing her arm, but didn’t stop, even though Ky was certain he felt a sudden urge to embrace her.
“You slide your hand down a petal, and…” The enormous flower shuddered before opening. A tongue-like petal unrolled several feet, as it uncurled to the floor, and then continued to stretch out so far that Ky had to step out of the way. Once the flower was still, he added, “You lay down and it will curl back up. Don’t be afraid. It won’t harm you. In fact, it will protect your light, because it lives off Star’s light. When you tickle it again after you have slept, the flower will open, and you can get out.”
They stared at each other, unsure of themselves. He seemed nervous around her, as if he worried to linger in her presence. Ky was about to ask him another question hoping he wouldn’t leave, and at least try to get to know her, but then the door opened, and Airia wandered in, wearing a smug grin seeing them still in her room together.
“Shouldn’t you be eating or getting your rest, Cobaaron? Your tournament begins in three hours. We spread the word, and the kitchen is preparing a special meal. People are already meeting at the great hall below.”
“You should have let me explain to my men first. You have no right,” Cobaaron seethed.
“Well, there is still time, if you hurry,” Airia interrupted his complaint. Cobaaron didn’t waste any more time talking to Airia. Without a glance in Ky’s direction, he left the room.
Airia smiled at Ky, pleased. “He
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