Free A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I by Austen Knowles

shining brighter.
    Airia smiled. “Do you want Cobaaron?” Airia entreated, hoping Ky would say yes, but when Ky said nothing, Airia continued, “Forget what everyone else is saying, especially him. I’m sure he’s begging you to let him go, but ask yourself, do you want him? Or ask yourself this; do you want to live without him? You could go with him, Ky. You would have scores of men protecting you. There is nowhere safer. They’ll carry you around in a chariot of gold if you wish.
    “I’m not saying you have to fulfill your union or have children. I understand you’re young. I’m simply asking you to be honest. See if you want to travel with him and find out what happens. Maybe you truly don’t want him. Maybe there is nothing in the archives about a Star and a warrior uniting. I don’t know. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, and you certainly don’t have to listen to a warrior who in one minute is undressing you with his eyes, and the next pushing you away. It’s proof the union is working, and as a Star your union with him will not let him escape if that is your wish. Your life depends on him wanting you if you choose to be with him. He will have a hard time resisting you. So, keep your heart open, Ky, and search your feelings.”
     

CHAPTER FIVE
    Two stout warriors ushered Ky through the inner caves of the mountain, down to the great hall. She could hear cheering that grew louder. She followed behind the men, easily keeping up, because they leisurely sauntered while sniffing the air. Their pace slowed to a crawl, as the two men exchanged looks, holding a silent conversation. Their body language was worrisome; they often leered at her.
    “Are we going to the great hall? I’m expected,” she said anxiously when they stopped. The men traded conniving looks again, as if debating if that mattered. “Take me to the hall!” she snapped. They were use to orders, and she was sure of it. The command worked, and they about-faced and descended a spiraling stone staircase that had a solid wall on one side and open carved pillars on the other that revealed a deep well far below.
    “What is taking you so long?” a warrior queried, appearing at the bottom of the stairs. He took one look at Ky, shrank away from her, and locked his hands together as if restraining himself from the temptation of groping her. A moment later, he glared at the two escorts when realizing what the holdup was. “Touch her and you’re dead men ,” the warrior at the bottom of the stairs snarled.
    Ky had never felt more vulnerable. She was in a stairwell with three brawny men who all gave the impression they were fighting an inward battle to ravage her. A councilman came bounding into view. Ky smiled at him in relief. “Come this way. All of you.” They continued down the last few steps, and then filed into the great hall.
    Thousands of townspeople assembled along the two longest walls. The chamber was packed with countless warriors huddled around a large platform. Cobaaron was elevated over the crowd of his men, while he waited on the stage. There was a second, smaller platform where all the council sat in chairs. The cheers exploded into a new round of much louder applause, now that Ky had arrived and her presence meant the tournament would begin. Cobaaron watched her as she was escorted to the platform with the council. Ky’s eye remained on him. Cobaaron wasn’t standing on a stage after all, but on cages. She couldn’t see the wild beasts that waited under his feet.
    He watched her take a seat, and flinched in her direction when his warriors hoisted her by her waist onto the stage. Ky faced him, and couldn’t understand how he was so confident and calm.
    When Ky collapsed in her chair with fear for her friend, everyone in the great hall fell silent. Ky felt sick to her stomach, because he was forced to fight for her . Her skin began to glow warm because her emotions were raw. She sat still, petrified,