“Bet what?” Rainor looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.
“I wonder if he kisses as well as you do.” She brushed her lips against Rainor’s cheek. He jerked.
Drake evaporated the bubble in a hiss of steam as he strode toward her—and Rainor. “Think that’s funny?”
“It was meant to be.” Rainor leapt to his feet, prepared to defend himself.
“What is he doing?” Baldy asked.
“I owed you for the prostitute,” Jelena said, edging away.
Drake grabbed her by the arms and slanted his lips across hers. His kiss was firm, but not punishing despite his anger. She sighed, melting into him, losing her concentration and her shield.
Loud whistles and catcalls drew her from his spell, jerked her out of his arms.
“Do you see that?”
“How long has she been here?”
“He saw her.”
“What’s she doing here?”
“What are you doing here?” Drake glared at her.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
“They haven’t killed me yet. You’re reputation’s safe.”
“Drake—”
Kedar stepped between them, forcing them farther apart. “Return to your studies.”
Drake nodded and walked away.
Jelena stared after him, and shook her head.
“He’s angry for losing control in front them.” The master folded his arms and stared. Eyes like Drake’s, yet so different. They glittered with copper, not of sparkling silver. “You succeeded in distracting my pupil, something they were unable to do.”
“I’m sorry, Master Kedar. That was not my intention.”
“Was it not?”
“I—” Her cheeks filled with heat. “No, not at first.”
“He has much to learn and a short time to do it.”
“Can he do it? The Moon of Acima is only three days away.”
“He has the intelligence to master the power within him, but he needs this time away from you to learn what he must.”
“He’s my ward. I must be near him.”
“Not today. Tomorrow, you are free to return here and do your best to distract him. We will see how much he has absorbed.”
“Tomorrow?” What in heaven’s name would she do until then?
Drake watched her disappear and swore at himself for letting her get to him, here of all places.
Rainor looked at him, a wicked grin on his face. Just as he opened his mouth, Drake shook his head.
“Don’t go there. I’ll rip out your tongue and feed it to you.”
The teasing expression disappeared. “Is that how it is?”
“Yeah, that’s how it is.” Drake sighed and rubbed his hand over his face. The woman drove him insane. “Where’s your staff? I need to hit something.”
“GREETINGS COUSIN.”
Zanera swiveled her chair. The sight of Cordan’s glaringly bright green costume made her want to wince, but she’d never display even that small of a weakness. “What are you doing here?”
“Why, I’m searching for news of what you’re doing, of course.”
“Me? Why?”
With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode around her desk with his pointed nose in the air, acting like he was a supreme being, rather than one of their lackeys. “My avari believes you are the threat to her ward.”
Zanera laughed. “I have no interest in women.”
“I didn’t say her ward was a woman. Quite the contrary.”
She stilled. Drake. “Where is he?”
Cordan’s expression twisted with disgust. “Not you too. What is it about that murdering, half-breed bastard—”
She grabbed him faster than he could blink, pressing her palm over his heart. “He is more man than you could ever hope to be.”
Cordan’s gasp of ecstasy echoed her own as she tapped his life-force and drew it into her body. Only a few seconds passed before the fool had the sense to repel her.
“Zanera, release him.”
“Uncle,” Cordan gasped, his relief only too obvious.
She shoved him away from her, making him stumble, and wiped her hands on her tight leather pants. Her father’s fondness for the little maggot was the only reason she didn’t drain him dry and toss him in the garbage heap.
“Who were you arguing about?”
“The Magician. He’s my avari’s ward.”
“Interesting.”
“You might as well give up on him. Jelena brought him home and, if the council has their way, he won’t leave there alive.”
“Explain.”
“He’s a breed, a half-blood.”
Zanera shook her head. “He has no power. I would have felt it.” She had sensed magic the last two times she’d seen him, but it was his Guardian she’d sensed.
Her father gripped her shoulder, his fingers biting painfully into her flesh. “Half-blooded Udaro?”
“No, he’s one of us.”
“Zanera, call up your image of the Magician.”
The image had barely loaded onto her terminal before he shoved her aside.
“Miranda’s son,” he whispered. “This is not possible. I killed the little bastard with my own hands. Wait! Zoom in on his eyes.”
She traced a rectangle, and in seconds his beautiful blue eyes filled the screen.
“Damn her,” he whispered. “She just couldn’t let the little bastard go.”
“What is it?” Zanera asked.
“She gave her life in exchange for his.”
“How do you know?”
“His eyes. His damned eyes!”
“A five?” she asked. Her father nodded and a thrill of excitement filled her entire being. “If I bound him to me—”
“You could eliminate the only threat standing between us and complete rule over the galaxy.”
“The Nar’galira.”
“Exactly.”
“Now, wait a minute!”
“Oh, Cordan, you’re still here.” She smiled, turning to her cousin. “Good. You’re going to show me where he is.”
Cordan shook his head, backing away. “I can’t do that. I won’t be a party to slaughtering my own people.” His body went rigid, his head fell back, then he disappeared.
“He’s mine, and I will have him.” Zanera looked at her father. “So, what should we do?”
“Draw him out.”
THE DOOR chime tinkled in the rear of the jewelry store as Jelena gently closed the door. As always, she stood in the glittering showroom awed by the talent, the beauty, displayed throughout the room. Each piece was lovingly handcrafted, a work of art, and different from the next.
The workroom curtain parted and Mika stepped through the doorway. “Jelena, what a welcome surprise.” She strode forward and hugged her.
“I was in the area, so I thought I’d stop in and say hello.”
“You want to know if grandmother finished your charm.”
“That too.” Jelena grinned.
Mika laughed. “I’ll see if it’s ready.”
Jelena settled herself into a comfortable chair near the door. Moments later, Mika placed a dark red velvet bag in her hands.
“Grandmother says it will shield his magic from all but you.”
“Wonderful. How much do I owe?” She opened the bag and carefully shook its contents onto her palm.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Grandmother would be insulted.”
“But—Oh, Mika, look at this.”
The ancient symbols of the protection spell were molded into each side of the thick silver cuff. In its center sat a round, inlayed cabochon depicting a shimmering white city at the foot of a glittering goldstone mountain. In the onyx sky, sprinkled with tiny diamond chips, a sparkling blue zircon star stood out like a sentinel, watching over the sleeping city.
“It’s beautiful,” Jelena whispered, unable to look away.
“It’s a betrothal cuff.”
“No, it’s only for protec
tion. He doesn’t wear amulets.” The fact that she hadn’t seen him wearing anything around his neck didn’t mean he wouldn’t, a little voice taunted. She’d never asked.
Mika laughed, shaking her head. “You two. A betrothal cuff that isn’t a betrothal cuff, and a betrothal pendant that isn’t a betrothal pendant.”
“Which one was he holding?” She glanced at the rack holding dozens of glittering pendants of all shapes, sizes and value. It had seemed to enthrall him the same way this cuff held her.
“You tell me.”
Jelena saw a pendant that glittered just a bit more than the others did. Instead of going to look at it, she shook her head and turned away. Pointless.
“If he wears that”—Mika nodded to the cuff Jelena caressed with her fingertip—“everyone will think he’s spoken for.”
Jelena returned the cuff to its bag. “That’s probably for the best. I doubt he plans to stay when this is over.”
Mika raised her eyebrow. “He could have a reason to stay.”
“What?”
“You have that look about you.”
“What look?”
“Like you’ve finally met the man of your dreams. You have, haven’t you?”
Jelena sighed and rested her head against the cushioned chair. “He is the man from my destiny vision, but Mika, this can’t happen. After what Danon suffered, how can I?”
“He will not always be your ward.”
“No, but that’s not what I meant. He was an assassin, just like the man who killed Farran.”
“Is he what he was, or what he is?”
Jelena frowned at her. “You sound like Enola.”
“She was my teacher too.” Mika laughed. “How do you feel about him?”
“I don’t know. I want him so much, yet how can I? He’s done such horrible things.” And such good things. How could she forget about those? “Danon would never forgive me for taking an assassin into my heart.”
“Is Danon going to hold you in his arms at night? Make you feel loved and cherished? Give you a child to hold in your arms?”
“Of course not.”
Mika squeezed her fingers. “No matter how hard we fight her, Destiny always has her way.”
“Yes, she does,” she whispered. Being one of Her Guardians, Jelena knew that only too well—or should know.
“Stay for last-meal?”
“No, I can’t.” Jelena stood. “I need to visit with Enola.”
Mika stood and hugged her. “Give Enola my regards.” At the door, she held onto Jelena’s hand. “Don’t listen to your mind, Jelena. Listen to your heart. It won’t steer you wrong.”
Jelena had been following her heart when she fell in love with his image in the vision. If she’d listened to her head, she wouldn’t have suffered the pain of learning he wasn’t what he appeared. He wasn’t what she’d dreamed. She tucked the jewelry bag into her jacket pocket. “We’ll have to get together soon, just to visit.”
“Bring your ward. I’d like to know him better.”
“Mika—”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Mika laughed. “You’d better make that cuff a real claim on him, or I think you’ll have most of the free women of our city inviting themselves over to make his acquaintance. I don’t think you want that.”
No, she didn’t.
Real fair, she thought as she waved and walked away. You don’t want him, but you don’t want anyone else to have him either.
What if he did decide to stay? Could she handle seeing him with another woman? She refused to answer.
He could have a reason to stay.
Why would he? He was alone in this place, and he didn’t have to be. He had family here. Family that hadn’t been to see him. Ali’ra help him, he needed a friend.
Heaven knew she wasn’t much of one. She was his only support here, and she’d embarrassed him to the point of anger—something he’d probably never forgive himself or her for. She’d never seen him lose his cool in front of other people. She’d driven him to fury, yes, but not in front of others.
She’d been so worried about him. She hadn’t seen him since Master Kedar came to fetch him, didn’t know how he fared, and the not knowing had driven her insane. It drove her insane now! But she would do as the master asked. She’d stay away until morning.
Sighing, Jelena strode through the university gates and took the path that led to the residences in the rear. Enola stood on the steps of her little cottage, a pleasant smile on her face.
“Were you expecting me?”
“I had a feeling you would visit. Join me for last-meal?”
“Of course.” Jelena smiled, and followed her inside.
By the time they walked through the cottage to Enola’s small, homey kitchen, a hot dinner of roasted fowl, spring vegetables, and creamed tubers lay on the table waiting for them.
“My favorites.”
“Of course.” Enola smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Please, sit.” She gestured to a chair, then sat herself across from Jelena. “So, what have you been doing with yourself since Kedar came to collect my Grandson?”
Besides going crazy with worry? “Oh, you heard about that?”
“Your mother joined your father for mid-meal yesterday.”
Jelena groaned. “She told my father all about it, just loud enough for the entire meal room to hear, didn’t she? It must be all over the city by now.”
“Indeed. I’ve had more than a dozen requests for introductions just today.”
“They don’t waste any time, do they?” The pouch weighting her pocket warmed against her ribs, even through her clothing.
“No, they do not.”
“Why haven’t you come to see him?”
“He isn’t ready for me just yet.”
“It’s difficult for you to stay away, isn’t it?”
“Very. I want to hold him in my arms, as I did when he was a child, and rock him until I make amends for every moment I missed, for every hug given to his adoptive mother instead of his own.
Jelena remembered just how loving Drake had said his adoptive mother had been. “Did you see him often during his childhood?”
Enola shook her head. “The containment spell hindered my sight.”
“What about now? Have you looked in on him?” He’d seemed to be doing well this morning, until he’d noticed her.
“He will not allow it.”
“He knows?”
“Yes, he can sense when he is being watched. Kedar has already taught him how to protect himself against it.”
He’d closed himself off from his own grandmother. Jelena was tempted to see if he’d closed himself off from her too, but didn’t want to risk distracting him again. She hurt for him, knowing he refused to feel the hurt himself. She shouldn’t, but she did.
“It is all right for you to care for him, Jelena,” Enola said in a quiet voice. “The gods have approved of this match.”
She shook her head. “No, I—”
“Listen to your heart.”
Jelena lowered her gaze and concentrated on her meal, which had stayed hot despite their inattention. While she ate, her mind and heart warred with each other. She could hardly bear it.
“Draken was seen entering and leaving the Temple of the Three this morning.”
She gasped, jerking her gaze to Enola’s. If The Three hadn’t condemned him for the things he’d done, how could she?
Enola nodded.
“But Danon—”
“Danon cannot live your life, nor can you live his. You each have your own path to follow. Yours lies with Draken. Talk to him, Jelena. That is the first step to laying your doubts to rest.”
“I will. I’ll talk to him.” Just as soon as she had him alone. What did she have to lose? Only her brother’s love. But, what did she have to gain? Her heart’s desire.
“In the end, Destiny always has her way, whether we agree with Her or not.” Enola reached across the table and pa
tted her hand.
“I know.” Jelena sighed. “Enola, how did Miranda come to have a Bellarissian child?”
“Always one to change a troublesome subject.”
“I’m just—”
“Trying to understand. Yes, I know.” Enola smiled. “The destiny vision Miranda received was not what she expected. He was handsome, with black hair and golden skin.”
“Like my vision.”
“Yes, only he was a babe nestled in her arms. Unlike you, she embraced him as her destiny, falling in love with him long before he was conceived.”
Jelena flinched, guilt bringing heat into her cheeks.
“A few years later, a group of outsiders was attacked by razagidor, and their suffering drew Miranda, your father, and other healers to their camp. Miranda saw Draken’s father and instantly fell in love. She nursed him to health and when he left, he left a part of himself behind.”
“Drake,” Jelena whispered. How could Miranda have fallen in love with that abusive monster? Or had leaving her behind changed him? After all the things Drake told her about him, she doubted it.
Enola’s expression turned troubled. “I sensed no malice in the man when I delivered Draken into his arms.”
“Then he was very good at concealing it. The man abused Drake his entire life, and his foster mother was little better. If Prince Morgan’s family hadn’t taken him in, he would have died at his father’s hands.”
“Gods preserve. No wonder he wants no part of me.” Tears shimmered in the old woman’s eyes. “I thought I had protected him by giving him to his father to raise. Instead, I put him in harm’s way.”
“I’m sorry.” Jelena squeezed her thin hand. “I shouldn’t have told you.” The thought of what he’d suffered at his parents’ hands filled her with too much rage, too much hurt for him.
“No, you were right to tell me.” Enola swiped the tears from her cheeks. She stood and cleared their dinner away with a flick of her wrist. “I was so sure… I must consult the oracle.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
“No, this is for me to do alone.”
Jelena blinked, and Enola was gone.
Chapter Eleven
DRAKE YANKED off one boot, the other, then leaned back against the couch and sighed.
“Long day?” Jelena leaned against the bedroom doorframe. She should have been asleep by now.
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