“Sweet?” he asked.
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“What?” she replied, emotion lacing her voice.
“Punch me.”
“What?” She didn’t hear him right.
“I didn’t wait and your teeth are clenched. Punch me and you’ll feel better.”
“There’s something wrong with you,” she said, wanting him to know. “And why are you smiling? What the hell is so amusing?”
“You know, Jess, each time you get a little closer. We keep at it and you’re sure to bust soon.”
“I wouldn’t live through it.”
He laughed and she did punch him, although it wasn’t very hard. He gently eased away and when he knelt, he picked her up. He stood, turned and sat in a chair, unconcerned with the pants wadded around his ankles.
Once seated at the table, he removed the cover from a plate of still hot food. She tried to move away but his arm kept her seated on his lap. Held against him, she waited as he fumbled around before a forkful of morn yellows pushed past her lips. The fluffy substance tasted wonderful and by the time she swallowed, he’d managed two bites for himself from the same fork. When she thought to protest and opened her mouth, he stuffed more in. As she chewed, he kissed her forehead and smiled.
“What do you have to be so happy about?” she asked after swallowing and before more food was offered.
When he swallowed his bite, he said, while keeping her mouth full, “A great deal. I didn’t die, thanks to you.” He kissed her nose. “You trusted me and lay with me twice in the last day and you’ve not scratched me eyes out. I’ve much to smile about.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
“I’ve not brought you off properly, hon. I will. Be patient with me and it’ll happen.”
Her stomach flipped and she felt all tingly again. Highly sick of the arousal, she wondered why she’d ever felt deprived. The sensations could also be inconvenient, surfacing without preamble.
She refused to let them steal her appetite and changed the subject. “What did Bragg have to say?”
“You were right in your rumor. Bragg wants his General back and wants Braughmen to fetch him.”
She stiffened and turned away when he offered another bite.
“Jess?”
“He’s on Theazia?”
“Aye.”
“You agreed to go?”
“Aye.”
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After swallowing the remnants of food, her stomach soured and it had nothing to do with desire or a bad breakfast.
“What’s troubling you?”
“I don’t like thinking about you going there,” she said, brushing bangs from his forehead.
“You fetched me for this purpose.”
“I didn’t know exactly what Bragg had in mind. I also didn’t know—you.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You could be hurt or captured or killed.” Envisioning the countless scenarios, she sat straighter in his lap. “Don’t go.”
“Jess…”
“No, I mean it. Turn him down.”
“Oh me Da would be proud of me if I did that. Besides, I have an accord with Bragg. I don’t renege on deals. A shiny man doesn’t go back on his word with Gov.”
“A smart man wouldn’t take a handful of friends and go to Theazia and try to take something from them. You’ll get hurt.”
His hand rubbing her arm didn’t take away the fine tremors coursing her body.
“Do you care for me a bit, hon?”
The slimwit smiled as tufts of hair hung in his eyes. He looked like an amused child. What he contemplated doing would get him killed and he didn’t seem to comprehend that fact. “I care enough. You just got out of a Doxyn prison. Haven’t you learned anything?”
“Easy, sweet. Take a breath.”
“Don’t use that mushy voice on me, Tiernan! Don’t patronize or try to placate me.”
Held still by his hands on her upper arms, she watched his smile vanish. “Don’t worry. No matter what happens I’m leaving men here to look after you. If I don’t come back, you’ll find a home on Braugh.”
“I don’t want a home on Braugh.” I have a home on Blue.
Once she renegotiated with Bragg, she’d go there to find her mother and father and be with her people. Bragg promised her release and he’d damn well hold true to the bargain.
“Then I’ll make sure to come back for you.” When he stroked the side of her face she turned away again. “Sweet?”
She counted to ten, got her heart to slow down before twisting in his lap to face him. “You seem to have some knowledge of Theazians. If you’re taken, I won’t be able to worm my way in to get you out. They aren’t men or even beings. They’re creatures!
There’s no negotiating—”
He shook her hard. “You won’t step foot on that planet, gal.” His low, threatening voice grew menacing. “If we’re taken, you’ll go to Braugh.”
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“Regardless of what happens, I’m going to Blue.” Her own voice became threatening.
“We’ve time to talk about this. We’ll find an accord.”
“Damn!” she said, frustrated with his lack of understanding.
What in the hell was I thinking? Her body finally wakes up and takes notice of a man who’s gentle, incredibly handsome and doesn’t care about her status in the Governance.
Leave it to her to find all that in a man who’s also the biggest slimwit in the universe!
“You’ve an uncommon voice.”
She stared at him, unable to understand why the hell he’d tell her that.
“You sang Undesta Raletstrom.”
She took the fork from his hand and stabbed at food before placing it into his mouth. She might as well since he wouldn’t allow her get off his lap. She aggressively separated food items with the tips of the fork. She hated it when things got all bunched together in disarray. “I searched the data link trying to find out about Braugh.”
“And you listened to the music of me people.”
“Yes.”
“Why music?”
She sighed and fed him more. “The history of a planet is important but I hoped to learn about the people, not what mistakes and advancements they made through the centuries.”
“And what would music tell you?”
“It holds emotion. I searched for the piece of music composed on Braugh having the longest history of popularity. The lullaby came up.”
He didn’t give her a disbelieving look. In fact, he appeared most intrigued and acted as if it made sense. “And what did you learn?”
Why would a warrior care what she thought?
“Sweet?”
“Nothing.”
“You sang it perfectly.”
After grabbing the fork from her, he poked first one food and then another, spearing several all for the same mouthful. Disgusting! He offered it and she sealed her lips. He placed the glob of confusion in his mouth.
“You weren’t supposed to hear.”
“Why?”
“I’m not supposed to sing.” She took the cup of steaming russet-colored caffeine and sipped carefully.
“Ah, I know why. It’s so you don’t make stones weep.”
“What are you talking about?”
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He took the cup from her, placed his lips where hers had been, and sipped. “Your voice. An angel would sing like that. You’re gifted.”
“Yeah, sure.”
The frown on his face came instantly but rather than explain what displeased him, he asked again, “What did the song of the eve say to you?”
With one meal eaten, she pulled the other close and lifted the lid. So what if she told him what she thought? He probably wouldn’t laugh or take offense. What she thought seldom mattered.
“It relayed the importance of your
young feeling safe in their beds. It told of great warriors standing watch over them. Relatives long dead visit homes at night to check on the safety and health of those inside. It spoke of the love of a family, the closeness and tenderness each member should receive. I believe the translated word most often repeated was cherish.”
Fingertips stroked her face and she swallowed. He was back to looking young and handsome. She felt like a fool.
“How did you grasp the words so easily? You don’t speak me tongue, do you?”
“No. I had the computer translate so I could understand.”
“How long did you study?”
“I read the translation and listened to it.”
“Once?”
“Yes.”
“And you sung it, just like that?”
“Amazing, isn’t it?”
“Why do you speak like that, Jess? Your tone says you don’t find worth in your ability. I didn’t lie when I said your voice is uncommon. And you have the right meaning of the words but you tell me about it like it’s some grand tale.”
“It is like a fairytale, right?” She searched his gaze. “I understand the need to make children feel safe but why is the song still popular? Do you really want your young to grow up with those notions?”
“Aye, that’s part of it.”
“Why? Worlds and the universe are filled with nightmares, not loving relatives hovering to make sure nothing bad happens. Why would you do that? Don’t you want them to grow up prepared? How could you instill such lies?”
A large hand brought her head against his chest. He inhaled and released a long breath. After arranging her differently, they both eventually got comfortable.
“That’s how you were raised? Scared? No one made you feel safe?”
She sighed and chose not to answer.
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“In most worlds, sweet, cheld— children are treasured. In normal worlds, beings are prized regardless of whether they’re men, gals, young or old. I think Blue’s not common. Didn’t you ever have a time when you felt loved?”
The question didn’t take long to ponder. She blurted, “Blue gave their very best ship to us.”
He placed a kiss on the top of her head as he stroked her hair. “Aye, that they did.”
His tone relayed sadness. “Jess?”
“Yes?”
“Why aren’t you supposed to sing?”
“They hid me from Governance when I was young. Throwbacks all have the same type of voice and they monitored the planet for those sounds. I was stupid as a child.”
When he hugged her, she couldn’t help another sigh escaping. She didn’t understand his gestures and after a proper eve’s sleep, she didn’t search for answers in his thoughts or emotions. “I was told never to use my voice. I disobeyed and they found me. When I came to the Governance to serve, singing wasn’t permitted. Soldiers don’t sing.”
“They took you when you were how old?”
“Five.”
“Oh, hon.” He squeezed her again and she shifted in his lap.
Even a slimwit could sense pity and she needed none of it. She managed to sit up and get away from his big, warm chest.
“Why did you sing the lullaby?”
“I wanted…” To feel a portion of your history. To know where you came from, why you’re so odd, how you can be so large and fierce and gentle all at once. “I don’t know.”
“Angela and Zoe can sing like you?”
She wasn’t sure about Angela but she’d heard Zoe. Zoe had the terrible habit of humming to herself prior to falling asleep. It’d taken a month in confinement to stop the self-comforting sound. Why hadn’t her parents taught her sooner, broken the childish habit? “Soldiers don’t sing. Or hum.” She had a question of her own. “You’ve mentioned both your father and mother. Are they alive?”
“Aye.”
“Do they love you?”
“They do, very much.”
She placed her palm against his chest and spread her fingers so she could feel his heartbeat. “How do you know?”
Lips trailed her forehead after he pulled her close. She gave up and leaned against him. It’s not like he’d let her do much else.
“You know someone loves you by the way they look at you. Or when their hand touches you a certain way that makes you feel warm inside. Or they give you their very best ship.”
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“What’s the difference between love and caring?”
The silence let her know he pondered the question for a long moment before answering. “When you yelled at Zoe to make her get a grip on herself—that’s caring.
When you bargained to see her and Angela safe and did naught for yourself—that’s love.”
“You think I love them?” She’d know if she loved someone!
“Aye, they’re your sisters. Your fam.”
“We share an affliction, not a family.” Nonsensical musings must frequent his thoughts.
“Your birthright made them so. Your common suffering made them so. Only your blood differs and that’s not of great import considering the rest.”
Anger bled away and she thought considerably about his observations. Eventually, she said, “I never looked at it like that.”
“No wonder. You’ve had a narrow view of the universe until lately. You’ll see in time, there’s much good in life. You only need to reach out a bit toward what you want.”
“And get my hand slapped.”
He laughed and she liked the way his chest moved under her cheek.
“Nay, outside Gov rule, most beings would give you anything you wanted.”
“I do like how you Braughmen tell tales.”
A hand smoothed over her arm. “I need to leave for a time but want to speak on something beforehand.”
“All right.”
“I want a promise from you.”
The last promise she’d made was given to Brianna, a fellow throwback. Jessica had promised to keep her safe in a training exercise. Brianna died horribly before they could get her to medical. A sick and helpless feeling settled into the pit of her stomach with the memory. “I don’t make promises.”
“Not even one of import?”
“No!”
“Why?”
“Things change and much of my life is driven by the whims of others. Promises aren’t mine to give.”
“Will you make an exception? Would you give over just this once and promise me something?”
“I wish I could.” Her voice had hardly any volume. She really did wish things could be different.
“I respect the fact you can’t. So I’ll tell you something instead and hope you take it to heart. When we go to Theazia, I need to know you’re safe.”
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“I don’t understand.”
“You need to listen to Reilly while I’m gone. He and three other Braughmen will stay and care for you, Zoe and Angela. You’ll abide him?”
“I’ll try.”
He placed his palms against her cheeks. Determination lit his eyes and expression.
“You’ll do it.”
She didn’t like his tone of voice. “I need to know you’re safe,” she said, countering his edict. “You won’t go, then?”
“Damn it, Jess!”
“Damn you, Tiernan!”
In an instant, they’d become furious. As they glared at one another, she prepared for the fight. What she got instead was thoroughly kissed. He only managed it because she’d been totally surprised. When it occurred to her she shouldn’t tolerate it, she’d already begun kissing him back. The heat flowing between them could’ve set the napkins on fire.
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Chapter Seven
In the private training room for more than an hour, Jessica, Zoe and Angela continued with the rigorous exercises. Not even a Braughman claim excused them from morn training. Tiernan initial
ly refused Bragg’s order that Jess and her crew commence with the ritual. She eventually convinced him to concede. Conflict over such a trivial activity wasn’t worth the effort. Despite Bragg and Tiernan currently working toward a common goal, she sensed the two men testing each other.
Bragg personally oversaw the drills that morn and Tiernan posted two of his men outside the room to observe. The Braughmen trained in an area close by. She really wanted to watch them. They’d been practicing hand-to-hand and by some of the thuds, it sounded as if the exhibition would be extremely interesting.
Bragg remained in a delightful mood and why wouldn’t he? Tiernan agreed to the foolhardy bargain to fetch the General. It’d see Shane and his tribesmen dead sooner rather than later. She tried not to think about it because when she did, anxiety coursed her veins until she shook. She likely wouldn’t have that problem after the exercise.
Bragg certainly put them through their paces.
The room suddenly dropped to battle lighting and she heard the large metal door lock. Zoe could never focus her eyes in the training situation and ran full speed toward her and Angela. When she neared, she hurled herself into the air. Both Jessica and Angela caught her feet and used the momentum to toss her slight weight up fifteen feet.
Zoe caught the overhead beams in the room and climbed atop one. She’d be more hindrance than help and would serve them best out of the way.
Jessica heard the dispatch of the first knife as it hurled from the wall. Both she and Angela sidestepped and ducked as it sped by and stuck into the opposing barrier. The speed and number in which they deployed would only increase. The next one came from the same wall before three more launched in rapid succession from the area behind. Bragg loved this particular game and probably enjoyed giving them a hard run.
A sickening thud let her know Angela caught a blade and not in a good way.
“How bad?” Jessica asked.
Angela kept moving to avoid the knives. “Thigh.”
The strobe lighting grew intense. Jessica threw herself forward, somersaulted and rolled next to Angela before pulling the knife from her friend’s thigh.
“Up you go,” Jessica said.
“I can stay.”
“You’re in my way. Up!”
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She heard Tiernan bellow something and broke concentration for a second.
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