Changing of the Glads Read Online Free PDF

own and, even with his strong arm nestling the crook of her neck, she was barely able to turn her head to study the lines of his face.
    “Don’t,” he whispered, soft and low like a gentle breeze blowing. “You’ve exhausted your mind and strength helping me. I’ll watch over you until you recover. Sleep now, my love.”
    Zalphia wanted to take in more. Drink him like the cool water that awaited inside the jail for the victorious Glads, but she couldn’t fight the fatigue any longer. Her eyes slid closed, and she let his mind lead her back to the babbling brook, the green grass, and the drooping tree. There, the warmth of the sun bathed her tired body and she slipped away, floating on a cloud of this new and long forgotten emotion.
    The one Maximillion called... love.
     

CHAPTER 4
     
     
    Zalphia awoke. The western sky remained tinged with brilliant shades of pink fading to purple. Across the horizon, a slim line of gold shimmered and danced.  A fire crackled amidst the still, torrid air.  The flames danced, merry sparks popping and jumping high in the air.
    She closed her eyes and let the smell of freedom seep into her before taking in more of her surroundings. The heavy skin of a bear lay over her, and another skin cradled her from below. Her stiff leather breastplates no longer bound her, and peeking beneath the skin she discovered that none of her Glad gear remained. 
    A gurgling stream nearby called to her, and the dryness in her throat drove her weary body from the shelter of the skins. She rose on shaking legs and stumbled over to reach the cooling wetness. Settling across the smooth slippery rocks, Zalphia dipped her parched lips into the rushing water and sucked in the lively moisture, letting it trickle down her parched throat. It soothed as she gulped more and more.
    When the desire had been quenched, she lifted her head and just watched the water as it tumbled over the bed of rocks, sand, and moss. Even the stones against her bare skin titillated her senses. She pushed up and gathered her legs beneath her, resting her naked bottom against the hard ground. She glanced about.
    Sitting so, her bare skin visible to all around, ceased to cause trepidation as she so often had been paraded naked amidst armors, trainers, and even arena authorities. Being a Glad stripped all decency away.
    Brisk, sweet air swirled around, and she closed her eyes, letting it penetrate every nerve and fiber of her being. Like the cold water soothed the ache in her throat, this air purged the dusty feeling that lingered in her lungs, and she noticed a different smell, spicy and sweet.  One she’d never encountered before.
    It is Pine.
    Zalphia leapt into a fighting stance. The voice had been so loud she was sure someone had spoken right behind her. Heart hammering, she glanced about but saw no one. 
    It is just I, Zalphia.
    Maximillion’s mind melded with hers. She sank to the ground, one hand over her thundering heart. He sent waves of calm that washed over her, soothing her shattered nerves. She let her soul drink in his essence like her mouth had the bubbling water beside her. His presence quenched the thirst she just earlier this day realized existed.
    Closing her eyes, she sent her mind rushing back along the pathway already opened to his, hoping to return the feelings. But this was new to her, not the normal way she reached out to another, and never the way she wished to make another feel. She hoped he could sense what she wished to express, in spite of her lacking the knowledge of how to make it so.
    I feel it. Not too bad for a beginner.
    The corners of her mouth rose toward her cheekbones. What was this? With her fingertips, she explored the unnatural position of her lips and probed her stiff cheek muscles. Could it be? A smile? How did it look? 
    A rumbling formed in her throat. She quickly covered her mouth and squelched the noise. Her lips slipped back to their normal position. She often felt pleased when winning