Tristaine Rises by Cate Culpepper

Author:Cate Culpepper [Culpepper, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Lesbian, Erotica
ISBN: 9781933110509
Google: yr87AAAACAAJ
Amazon: B004477VWK
Publisher: Bella Distribution
Published: 2006-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Vicar and Hakan carried their queen, seated on their crossed wrists, from the healing lodge to the village square. Shann was displeased, but managed to maintain her regal posture. No easy task, while being bodily handled by two Amazon warriors, however carefully. “It’s never too late to introduce state executions, Jesstin.”

“An idle threat, lady.” Jess clasped Brenna’s hand as they walked down the torchlit path. “You need me to housebreak those two barbarians carting you around.”

“I do not require carting.”

“You’re still pale, Shann.” Brenna threw a sympathetic look over her shoulder. “When you stop looking like cottage cheese in a crown, I’ll let you cart yourself.”

“Time was,” Hakan drawled to Vicar, “many a wench in Tristaine would give their hallowed hymens to perch where our lady now rides. How low we studly have fallen, adanin.”

“Speak for yourself, horse breath,” Vicar muttered.

“They still line up for me.”

“I intended no offense to my brawny escorts.” Shann draped her arms around their necks, regal even seated on a human throne. “Samantha?”

Sammy walked at the edge of their group, her eyes downcast. She looked surprised Shann remembered her name.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Little sister, you might have many questions after this

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CATE CULPEPPER

evening’s council. Sleep on them, then seek me out tomorrow, and we’ll have a nice talk.”

Brenna smiled and felt Jess squeeze her hand. They were both remembering a similar invitation extended long ago by Tristaine’s queen to another scared exile from the City. The

“nice talks” Brenna shared with Shann had been lengthy and far-ranging, and had founded her knowledge of her new clan.

“Thanks, your…majesty.” Sammy paused when Vicar snickered, and Shann rapped her smartly on the head. “I already have lots of questions.”

I hope we’ll have answers, Brenna thought as they entered the center of the village.

They walked into the breathing essence of Tristaine, rows upon rows of Amazons crowded into the circular clearing, awaiting their queen. The odd stillness in the midst of a gathering of nearly six hundred women struck Brenna immediately. In spite of the circumstances, Brenna felt a pleasant déjà vu as she watched Sammy absorb her fi rst real look at her new family. Her sister’s slack-jawed wonder resonated with her own memories of meeting these women, of all colors and ages, living for one purpose—to preserve the freedom and rich cultural heritage granted them by a benevolent goddess. The square was softly illuminated by dozens of torches, and they paused in the shadows outside the reach of their golden light.

“Put me down.”

It was not a request, and Vicar and Hakan obeyed at once, lowering Shann with care and supporting her as she stood erect between them.

“Brenna, you and Samantha stand within my sight, please.” Shann smoothed her robe with her hands, breathing deeply. “Jesstin, be ready with our clan’s sacred weapon.”

Without further comment, the queen walked toward the light of the square. Jess nudged Brenna, who caught Sammy’s

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Tristaine Rises

hand and guided her quickly into the rows of seated Amazons. She saw Kyla’s wave, and they joined her and Dana near the front of the assembly.

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