“Of course. I grant permission,” the girl said with an indulgent wave of her hand that was undermined by an extravagant eye roll.
“Lie down on the couch.”
Davin stood so Kiri could lie down. “Now,” Jaya said to her brother, “make your magic into a golden sheet, soft as silk. Good, just like that. Now let it fall softly into Kiri's belly, here.” She placed her hand low on Kiri's abdomen, between her hip bones.
He obeyed, concentrating intensely. “I don't know what I'm seeing here. I haven't studied women's internal organs that much.”
“Yes, but you know the feel and taste of Kiri, of her magic and her soul.”
“Yes.”
“Find the spot that doesn't feel like Kiri. It's small, like a seed, but you should be able to feel it.”
Jaya watched Davin's expression change from concentration to wonder. “Oh, there she is. So tiny. Kiri I can see our daughter.”
“A girl? I didn't see that. Jaya's magic joined Davin's. “You're right. She does have a female feeling. Congratulations you two.”
Davin scooped Kiri into his arms and kissed her sweetly. She clung to him, both of them overcome as it hit home for both of them exactly what Kiri being pregnant really meant.
Jaya knew she shouldn't watch, but she couldn't look away. What a striking couple they made, Davin with his silver hair, handsome face, and tall strong, body, and Kiri, shorter, slender, and beautiful, but with scars that couldn't be ignored. It was incredibly sexy to watch them, especially when Davin visibly opened Kiri's mouth with his tongue. She would have to interrupt. She was quite sure neither of them wanted her to see more. “Ahem.” She cleared her throat. The lovers broke apart and Jaya said, “Davin, you can kiss your lady another time. She and I have to go. I'm going to dress her up and fix her hair for the festival.”
“Sure, have fun. Make my baby beautiful, Jaya.”
“She already is beautiful, Davin.”
“I know, but see if you can make her believe it.”
“I'll do what I can.”
As they walked down the street, Kiri asked hesitantly, “Did you really mean what you said, Jaya? Do you think I'm beautiful?”
“Yes, so beautiful it almost scares me,” Jaya replied honestly. “I'm afraid to introduce you to my man. He likes strong women.”
“But my scars…” Kiri protested.
“What about them?”
“They're so noticeable.”
“Yes,” Jaya conceded, “but they draw the eye. You can't be ignored. You know, Kiri,” she added with deliberate casualness, “I have a way with scars. I doubt they can be removed altogether, but I might be able to make them lighter, maybe shallower, so they aren't so distracting. If you don't want to, I understand, but if you're interested…”
“You know, it's funny.” Kiri said, stroking the uneven surface of her face, “if you had asked me when I first got them, I would have begged you to fix them right away. They made me feel broken, like even more of a victim. But as time went by, I realized they're symbols of my strength, not my weakness. I don't love them, and I certainly try not to dwell on the time when they were made, but they're part of me now. I don't think it would be right to get rid of them.”
Jaya didn't answer. Kiri's brave words made her want to cry.
Did you know Davin thinks they're beautiful?”
Jaya shook off her emotional state. “That sounds like him.”
“Why?”
“He wasn't there to protect his mother and sister when they became ill,” Jaya explained. “He told me if he had been there he would have hidden them away from the plague, kept them safe. But he wasn't there. His father didn't act fast enough to remove them from the village, because he was busy trying to prevent hysteria. I think Davin likes the fact that you're strong enough to face danger on your own, and you don't need his help.”
“But he has helped me,” Kiri protested, looking perplexed. “In fact, without him, I would have died fighting the creature, or killed myself right after to prevent the poison of the bite from destroying me. He did protect me.”
“I know, and I think he likes that best of all. You're strong enough to defend yourself but you also chose to let him help you. You decided to live because he loved you, and that may have been the kindest thing anyone has ever done for him. You really showed him how valuable he is.”
Kiri didn't reply. She seemed to be digesting that bit of information thoughtfully. As she processed her thoughts, she moved her face…and grimaced. “There is one thing you could help me with, Jaya, if you're so inclined.”
“What's that?”
“I hate the way the scars pull at my lips. I can hardly smile, and it feels terrible. Do you think you could just fix that part?”
“I would be happy to try.”
Jaya escorted Kiri into an attractive apartment building with pretty fall flowers blooming outside it. They climbed two flights of stairs and entered through a heavy wooden door into a sunny yellow main room. As they took a seat on the comfortable leather furnishings, Jaya called, “Be sure you're dressed, Soren, before you come out. I have company.”
“I will,” a deep voice called from behind a door on the left side of the room.
“Is he still sleeping at this time of day?” Kiri asked softly.
“No,” Jaya said, and smirked.
“Oh you're so bad,” Kiri laughed, and Jaya waggled her eyebrows. The door opened and Kiri's jaw dropped.
Jaya couldn't help smirking at Kiri's astonishment. I bet he's the tallest man she's seen, Jaya thought as her man ducked through the doorway. He was massive, over six and a half feet, with a shiny bald head. His expression was serious and stern. “Hey lover, what's with the grumpy face?” Jaya said, wrapping her arms around his waist. He hugged her gently and then tilted her face up. She stood on tiptoe to receive a brief kiss. His expression softened.
“Nothing. I'm just hungry. I'll go get some food now, if it's okay with you two.”
“Go eat,” Jaya laughed. “Kiri and I are going to be busy here for a while.”
He waved and left.
“My gods, is that Soren? He's huge!” Kiri flopped back on the sofa.
“He sure is, and believe me, Kiri, everything is in proportion.” Jaya lifted one eyebrow.
“How on earth do you two…” Face flaming, the warrior woman stuttered to a halt.
She's so adorably shy. “It was difficult at first, but we've been practicing for five years, so we've figured out some things. Now it's amazing. I think I've been ruined for any other man.”
Kiri just shook her head. There was nothing to say to that, really.
“Now hold still a minute while I work on these scars. Just the lips?”
“Please.”
The warm glow of Jaya's magic penetrated Kiri's mouth.
“They're particularly deep here. That's why they pull so badly. Whoever did this must have hated you a lot.”
“I killed her husband. Remember the man I told you about the other day, the one who hurt me?”
“Oh gods, you story just gets worse doesn't it,” Jaya sighed.
“No, not since I met Davin,” Kiri replied.
“Well I'm glad,” Jaya said, only half paying attention as she found the severed ends of nerves and muscles and bound them back together with threads of pure, self-sustaining magic. “No one should suffer like that.”
“The oracle said it was necessary so I could become the weapon they needed to destroy Shara. They also said Davin and I were made for each other, and we needed to commit quickly in order to be effective. That's why we fell in love so fast, and why our bond is so strong.”
“Oh.” Sigh. There's no dissuaded their rush. Even the gods are on their side. Jaya cursed as a slippery bit of flesh escaped her magical manipulation. “Don't talk for a moment, please. I need to see how this severed muscle should reconnect. It's a tiny one, but really important. Got it. I'm done with your lips, but if you'll let me fix the area between your nose an
d your chin, it will really free up your facial movement. Is that okay?”
“Sure,” Kiri agreed. There was a final burst of warmth and Jaya said, “Take a look at that.”
* * *
Kiri walked into the bathroom and looked into a small mirror.
“Oh my gods,” she said. The scars on her forehead, nose and cheeks were unchanged, but the area around her mouth was almost clear. Jaya had stopped in exactly the right place to make it look natural. Kiri hadn't seen her own mouth in years. She had only been able to see the deep cuts in it. She still looked hard and tough, but there was a hint of feminine softness to her now. She opened her mouth, testing its flexibility. A tiny pull, but nothing like the grotesque bunching of scar tissue she used to feel all the time. She puckered her lips into a kissing motion. It was almost seamless. Kiri burst into tears.
Jaya rushed into the room. “What is it, Kiri? What's wrong?” She wrapped her friend in her arms.
“I forgot what I used to look like. You did make me beautiful. Thank you, Jaya.”
“Oh Kiri, I forgot about your pregnancy hormones. You like it though?”
“It's perfect.”
“Great. Here's a handkerchief, and now let's work on that hair.”
Chapter 18
It was sunset when Kiri returned home. Jaya and Soren were walking with her. At her friend's insistence, she had donned a pair of black trousers that were quite fitted at the waist and bottom, but then flowed widely around her legs, almost like a skirt. Jaya had tried to talk her into a dress, but Kiri had refused. She didn't feel safe enough to want to restrict her movement in this way. A few practice kicks had convinced her these trousers would be fine. They did cup her bottom rather indecently, but she was sure Davin would appreciate that. The shirt was a sleeveless wrap, similar to the one she normally wore, but gleaming white instead of tawny. Below the arm holes, it trailed into two long tails that could be adjusted to fit the individual. Jaya had encouraged Kiri to wrap it much lower on her chest than she would have considered on her own, creating a hint of cleavage (helped a borrowed push-up undergarment) that cradled the dangling diamond on Davin's betrothal collar. Jaya had also changed Kiri's normal braid for one that started above her left ear and angled down across the back of her head, to end in a long tail over the opposite shoulder. It was traditional for unmarried women to wear flowers in their hair. Kiri had argued that they were almost married, but Jaya had assured her almost didn't count, and had woven sprays of tiny white blossoms into the braid. At Kiri's insistence, there was also a molded metal striker a little bigger than a man's thumb; not as lethal as the spikes, but useful in a fight. Jaya hadn't liked that one bit, but Kiri refused to be dissuaded. She would not go out unprepared for trouble. That way led to disaster.
She opened the door to her apartment. Davin lay sprawled on the sofa reading a novel. He looked up at the sound of her arrival, and his mouth dropped open.
“Kiri?”
“What is it?”
“Oh, baby, you look amazing. Come here.” He sat up and at her approached grasped her waist, holding her at arm's length and looking her up and down. “There are no words. You surpassed my wildest expectations. Do you think we have time to…”
“Nope. Jaya and Soren are waiting outside.”
“They won't mind.”
She couldn't help grinning. “I mind. Don't be greedy, Davin. We can play later. Besides, if you mess up my hair, I'll never get it right again.” She turned and walked towards the door, giving him a good look at her bottom in the curve-hugging trousers.
When Davin spoke, his mouth sounded dry. “Oh, baby, you had better believe we will play later.” He ran his hand possessively over her backside, squeezing one lovely mound, before settling his arm around her waist.
* * *
The festival was already in full swing by the time they arrived on the city green. Discordant music from a dozen different performers of varying degrees of talent clashed with the yells of food hawkers from what must have been hundreds of stands. It seemed every third stall was a wine merchant handing out samples of his wares. A fortune in wine would be sold in this one evening to restaurants and individuals, enough to last the rest of the year. The smell of fermented grapes, apples, and even honey spiced the air, and Kiri's mouth watered. She dearly loved red wine, but Jaya insisted it was bad for the baby. She had told Davin too. Damn.
As they pressed through the lively and intoxicated crowd, the spirit of the evening began to penetrate the four friends. Each one chose a food stall and they walked through the throng happily munching. Jaya was chewing on a brilliant red apple, one of the first of the year. Davin and Soren had chosen huge meat pies, and Kiri was nibbling on a roast leg of chicken, getting her hands and face all greasy. She laughed at Davin wiped her chin with a napkin, and then leaned forward to steal a quick hot kiss.
Kiri squeaked in half-feigned protest as his tongue swept her mouth, but she soon realized no one cared. In fact, half the people on the street seemed to be kissing, and several were disappearing into alleyways for more intimate action.
“Well,” Soren boomed over the noise of the crowd, “I'm going to get some wine. Jaya?” She took his hand and they headed for a stand on the far side of the clearing.
* * *
Kiri pouted, making Davin laugh. He was happy to see her carrying herself differently this evening. There was nothing like feeling beautiful to make a woman more confident. Tonight she moved like a princess. No downcast eyes, no subservient expression. Kiri took on the world as though she had the perfect right to be there, and if people stopped to take a second look at her face, well so what. In fact, something else seemed to be different about her. Davin examined her more carefully, and drew back in shock.
“Where are your scars, baby?” he asked.
“They're still there.” She gestured toward her cheek.
“Not all of them.” He touched her smooth, seamless lips, astonished.
“No, I had Jaya work on them this afternoon. I hated the way they felt, pulling at me when I talked or smiled. I can move my face freely now.” She smiled broadly, proving her freedom of movement.
He hoped that was the real reason. “You know I never minded them, right?”
“I know. I minded them. They were pretty uncomfortable, but this is much better.”
Well, done was done, and it was her face. I don't want her face to hurt. “What kind of wine do you like best?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Red, but Jaya says I can't have any.” She stuck her lip out in a fake pout.
How adorable. “I have an idea.”
* * *
Davin took Kiri's hand and led her off to one side, where a small table contained cups of deep blood-red wine. He paid for a cup and took a swig, swallowed, and kissed Kiri deeply. She could taste the delicious vintage on his lips and tongue.
“Clever man,” she murmured against his mouth.
“Well, well, well, Davin Colorian. Still a lady-killer I see?” A seductive voice came from behind Kiri. She turned to face a woman of striking beauty; red haired, slim, and sexy.
“Jakiera,” Davin said coolly.
“How have you been, lover? It's been way too long.” She trailed long, scarlet-tipped fingers down his arm.
“Not long enough,” he snarled.
“Ouch. Don't be mean, Davin.” The woman seemed to notice Kiri at last, still standing against Davin's side, his arm around her waist. “And who is this sweet little thing? Another one night stand?” She took in Kiri's scars and her eyes widened.
Davin's arm tightened around Kiri's waist. “No, not at all. This is Kiri Taconowa, my betrothed.” The redhead's eyes widened.
“Betrothed? You? I would never have believed it. When did this happen?”
“About a month ago,” he replied.
“And with the same woman for a month. I think the sun will fall out of the sky next.”
Kiri glanced at Davin's face. He looked sour. “Actually, I stopp
ed living that way five years ago. About the time you left my bed to go to your wedding.”
Kiri went rigid in his embrace.
“What a night that was. Well, the dear old husband is calling, so I won't stay and chat.” She kissed him on the cheek and sauntered away.
“Davin, what?” Kiri breathed, unable to believe what she'd just heard.
Davin shook his head. “I was stupid then. I made a lot of really bad decisions. It doesn't matter anymore.”
“How can it not? Did you really sleep with her the night before her wedding?” he looked away. “Why? How could you do that?”
“It was a mistake.” His jaw was tight.
“If that's all the respect you have for marriage, how can I even consider marrying you? How can I wear this?” She reached for the clasp of her collar.
Davin covered her hand with his, and lowered it away from her neck. “Please, don't do this, baby.”
“Don't do what? This is almost as bad as thinking you were married.” Although their voices were pitched low, people were starting to look at them.
At that moment, Jaya and Soren returned with their cups of wine. Jaya had her face in hers and wasn't paying attention, but Soren's sharp blue eyes immediately noticed a problem. “What happened?”
“One of my old partners came over and said some really crass things,” Davin explained. “Kiri's upset. Listen, I need to talk to her in private. Cover for us, would you?” He took Kiri's hand in his and led her away towards a dark alley. Miraculously, there were no couples necking in the corners. Kiri yanked her arm out of Davin's grasp and leaned against the wall.
“That was a long time ago, baby,” he wheedled. “Please don't be jealous. It meant nothing. You know I didn't lead the purest lifestyle when I was young.”
“I didn't like that,” Kiri said in a small voice, “Looking at that beautiful, slutty woman and knowing she'd had you. I can't compete. And there were others, too, weren't there? Beautiful women who loved you …”
“No, Kiri, there weren't,” Davin said fiercely. “They didn't love me. Only you love me, Kiri. Only you. And you don't have to compete with them. You're here now. You're the one I've chosen, not Jakiera, not Kaeli, none of them. Only Kiri.” He stepped right up to her and kissed her hard, grinding his mouth against hers, holding her until her ribs ached. She started to respond to his kiss, almost unconsciously, and then shook her head and wrestled herself away from Davin.
The Bonding Page 18