Here is another chapter. Please read and review. Not mine, no infringement intended.
"Promise not to freak out?"
Arizona nodded. Callie gently got off the horse and walking into the middle of the circle she began speaking in a strange language and a rustling was heard and soon a large snow leopard walked out and towards Calliope. Arizona immediately reached for her sword as several more descended down the cliff face. Callie stopped her with a look and she watched in awe as Calliope's brown eyes seemed to glow in the afternoon light. She bent down and several of the snow leopard's surrounded her purring as she petted them and spoke to them. Arizona watched in awe as the animals seemed completely at ease with her. She spoke to them softly then walking towards Arizona she helped her dismount.
"Come."
Arizona hesitated.
"They will not harm you Arizona. Come with me, trust me."
Arizona's blue eyes wavered then taking a deep breath she put her hand in Callie's and walked towards the pack of leopards. The largest male walked over to her and gently bumping her hand with his nose Arizona turned over her palm and gasped gently as the leopard laid his large head into her hand. Her fingers slid through the soft fur and the animal began purring. Arizona gently bent down and the animal came and laid his head on her shoulder his loud purring in her ear catching her by surprise. She relaxed into the large leopard and gently she felt a nudging in her mind a male voice filling her mind.
"You are her soulmate, do not take that lightly persian princess. If you hurt my t'cha I will kill you. Do not betray her, if you do I will hunt you down, play with you like a mouse and kill you. Remember Persian, love is a choice, not just a feeling. T'cha is very special to us, do not harm her and do not tell her this conversation took place. We do not speak to many, but I speak for all of us when we say do not harm her. Now come, come enjoy our young, they are fascinated by the color of your hair."
Arizona pulled slightly back and looked into the grey eyes of the leopard. The eyes conveyed the same message and Callie looked at her softly.
"You ok?"
Arizona hesitated.
"Yes. I'm fine."
A small growl was heard as a cub immediately attacked Callie's leg. Callie laughed and picked the cub up. Her green eyes blinked at Arizona as she bore her teeth and growled playfully.
"This is Delilah. She is a little brat most of the time."
"Calliope what am I seeing?"
Calliope's eyes met hers and gently taking her hand led her over to a small area to sit. The cubs following them and playing around them as Callie began the story.
"Artemis blesses her warriors with the ability to be in partnership with certain animals, both in battle, and in general. Eiraina asked me to bring you here today."
Arizona's eyes flickered and Callie seeing the emotion immediately stopped her.
"This is not our date, its just a stop on the way. Altac and his tribe are my animals. They portray my heart the best and in battle they accompany me. You will have to see us in battle to understand how we fight, though I am sure you will. They are apart of me Arizona, and I want you to know all of me."
"They are beautiful Calliope."
Callie smiled.
"They understand you."
Altac wandered over to Callie and sitting near her his eyes met hers.
" She will take Delilah with her."
Callie looked at the large leopard and raised an eyebrow.
"what?"
"She is your soulmate t'cha, she must be protected. To others Delilah will pose no threat, but she is a fierce little one at her age, she will go with Arizona, as well as your escort will be reassigned to you. The romans are close, and we could not protect you or your loved ones, now we see it our duty and honor. Alia is of age and will escort you and will train Delilah, it is your job to train the Persian to communicate, do not use the ancient tongue, but use the normal tongue. Delilah will understand her. Besides I know how fond of Alia you are, and vice versa."
Callie's eyes flickered and she bowed her head in consent. Alia stepped out of the shadows and walked over to her t'cha. She laid her head on Calliope's shoulder and Callie petted her gently and spoke to her in her tongue. Alia growled softly in response. Callie stood and walking over to Altac spoke gently bidding him a goodbye. He growled in response and she looked over at Arizona, Delilah was asleep in her lap, purring softly. She saw the smitten look on Arizona's face as her hands ran over the little leopards head. Callie leaned up against a tree and just watched for a moment Alia sitting at her side. After a moment she pushed off the tree and walked towards Arizona.
"Come."
Arizona looked down at the small leopard in her lap. "Where can I put her?"
Callie laughed.
"She comes."
Arizona looked at her in shock.
"What?"
"She is coming with us. Alia will train her and I will train you."
Arizona's eyes searched Callie's and Callie raise d her hands in defeat.
"it's not my call. Now come."
Callie took the cub holding her as Arizona got onto the horse and then handing her the cub she mounted behind her and Alia looked at her and growled at her horse softly.
"Alia devals."
Alia swished her tail and Callie chuckled at her. They continued riding until they reached the waterfall where Callie dismounted, set up a blanket and again the cub was traded off and Arizona dismounted. Delilah woke up and stretched her muscles her pink tongue coming up and curling as she did. Arizona made an aww face and callie couldn't help but laugh.
"what happened to the big bad Persian warlord? She get tamed by a little leopard?"
What Arizona did next made Callie laugh all the more as her face scrunched and she stuck her tongue out like a four year old. Callie threw back her head and just laughed. Lunch resumed with laughter as the leopards seemed to enjoy both the attention and the laughter of the two women. Arizona enjoyed the ability to just be with Callie.
"So show me this cave."
Callie chuckled her eyes glinting playfully.
"DO you trust me Arizona?"
Arizona cocked her head to the side.
"I entrust my life to you everyday Calliope, I'm learning to entrust to you my heart."
Callie smiled.
"Then come."
She ran towards the waterfall and jumped, Arizona gasped a smile alighting her features as she watched Calliope seem to disappear. In her mind she rationalized that she was fine, but she also knew it was a leap of faith and trust. Taking a deep breath and looking over the edge she groaned inwardly she hated heights. Taking another breath she calculated her jump and then in one move jumped off and felt the rush of the wind through her hair, just as she thought she was past the point of being caught she felt a strong arm encircle her waist and pull her close. She sighed when she felt the strong body of Calliope beside her. They landed on a ledge and Arizona started giggling.
"Wow that was a hell of a rush."
The roar of the waterfall filled her ears, her blonde hair slightly damp from water, Callie was a little wetter and seeing the water droplets fall off her skin and caress them was too much for Arizona. Calliope's breath hitched as she saw the desire fill Arizona's eyes. Gently leaning down she captured Arizona's lips in a soft kiss, one full of desire and longing, one that seemed to transfuse her soul to Arizona's. She took her time treasuring Arizona, careful to not allow the kiss to get to heated. Arizona had never been kissed with so much love, her heart fluttering in her chest. When air became necessary Callie broke the kiss gently, allowing her forehead to rest against Arizona's for a moment, then pulling away she kissed her gently on the forehead.
"Come, the leopards will be worried."
Intertwining her fingers with Arizona's she led her gently out of the cave and back onto the plateau They kept their fingers intertwined as they sat and talked. Callie smiled as she reached into the picnic basket and grabbing a strawberry handed it to Arizona. Arizona smiled and instead of taking it from Callie's hand she reached out and brought callie's hand to her mouth and let out a small groan of appreciation as she bit into the sweet fruit the juice running down Arizona's chin. She watched as Callie's eyes darkened and she gulped her voice came out in a husk when she spoke.
" You are so not making this easy."
Arizona grinned.
"Maybe I don't want it to be easy."
Callie growled slightly and dropping the remainder of the strawberry stood and walked over to the stream to get some water. She splashed her face and almost groaned when she felt a strong pair of arms encircled her waist as she stood. She felt Arizona rest her head against her shoulder blades and she covered the hands and leaned back against the body behind her. She felt a mouth encircle her earlobe and gently begin to suck, and Callie held back a groan.
"Callie, thank you for today. I enjoyed every minute of it, thank you for trusting me with your leopards and your heart."
Callie struggled to regain her equilibrium.
"Uh.. you're welcome."
"Calliope I think I'm falling in love with you."
Callie chuckled.
"I know I am falling in love with you."
Arizona smiled and kissed her neck then gently let her go. Together they walked back towards the blanket and sat down talking the rest of the day. They laughed as they talked sharing memories, sharing their hearts and just generally enjoying each other. Delilah loved Arizona, she was curled up in her lap, and Arizona's hands stroked the soft fur, Alia had her head resting on Callie's leg and was purring softly. Arizona was currently telling Callie a story of her as a child and Callie was holding her sides she was laughing so hard. Arizona saw the deep smile that covered Calliope's facial features. She was laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face and Arizona determined that she would do anything possible to keep that smile on Calliope's face. As soon as she caught her breathe and looked up at the dimpled features. Arizona reached down and moved apiece of stray hair from Calliope's face. The day passed slowly the two women enjoying one another immensely, and as the sun pushed its last fingers into the sky seeming to want to hold onto daylight they reached Callie's house and walked in. Callie closed the door and met the blue eyes. Callie noticed the look in her eyes.
"What?"
"Tommorow brings a new day for out nations Callie. Another day of negotiations on everything, just so it works. I want it to work. I want to know you and love you."
Callie nodded.
"Me to. We'll find a way Arizona."
Night came and Arizona found herself curled up in bed with a purring leopard cub curled into her side, dreams of Calliope lulling her into a sweet sleep.