Cherished by Two

by Morticia Knight

“Yeah, you could call it that.”

  “What were you training for?”

  “Actually, I only had one class that related to what I wanted to go into—I had to get my mandatory credits first.” He made a face. “Like math. Anyway, I already speak Spanish pretty fluently, so I’d begun taking French. It was all right, but I really wanted to learn a language like Russian or Arabic or Hebrew.” Chris had become more animated. “I couldn’t wait to get out of that desert town and see the world, maybe be an ambassador or translator or something.” Chris’s features clouded over and his shoulders slumped. “But, I didn’t want to disappoint my dad by going away. Money had been a lot tighter there towards the end, and even though he paid me, it wasn’t as much as a certified mechanic. You see, I only did things like oil changes and tire repairs, and my dad and the other two guys who worked there did the stuff you have to have a certificate for. If my dad had hired someone to replace me, he would’ve had to pay more, since no professionally trained mechanic is going to take some ten-dollar-an-hour oil-change job.”

  Nary didn’t understand everything Chris was talking about, but he did understand the part where Chris had been willing to sacrifice his own dreams to help his family.

  “Perhaps you could learn Alasharian instead?”

  Chris nodded eagerly. “Totally. I’ve been thinking the same thing. Could you teach me?”

  Nary smiled as a way to spend the afternoon presented itself. “I’d be happy to, pet.”

  Chapter Ten

  The meeting with the Nall had carried on late into the afternoon. It was the second break of the long day, and Lasar had sought some time alone to process all that had been proposed. His heart seemed weighted in his chest, as if he couldn’t ward off an impending doom he had no control over.

  Lasar wandered the pathways through a rock garden that showcased a variety of the needled plants and a stone fountain that featured a fish spitting water with a small, chubby human riding it. It held no appeal to Lasar, but something inside him wanted to understand why it had been important to the humans who had once lived where the Nall now resided. His fondness for the race of beings they’d conquered had been growing since he’d realized that Chris was his second soul match. The humans had been unjustly attacked simply because the Nall hadn’t cared whether or not they were evil or dangerous—he’d only been concerned about stealing their world from them. If both races could resist the void, his wish was that the Alasharians and humans could eventually exist in peace with one another.

  A noise alerted Lasar that someone was behind him. He whirled around, relieved that it was only his sister, Mara. His initial reaction was to offer her a wide smile, but it quickly faded at her concerned expression. She drew closer.

  “Lasar, keep smiling, laugh and give me a hug.”

  His gut tightened at the subterfuge, but he immediately did as she requested. While they held each other close, she whispered in his ear, “We must be very careful how we communicate. My mate and his wretched advisors are watching me.” Lasar clapped her on the back as she continued in an effort to keep the moment from appearing odd. “Take your human mate away from here, hide him. The void will eventually lead Yano to him if he stays, and that would be the end of us all.”

  Lasar tensed in her grip. “How do you—?”

  “That’s not important right now. Just do as I say.”

  Mara released him and gathered both of his hands in hers. She spoke loudly and with great enthusiasm. “Oh, my brother. I’ve been thanking the stars all night that you were unharmed in those ghastly attacks. And I also heard the joyous news that Nary survived. How blessed we are!”

  Lasar did his best impersonation of happy that he could muster under the disturbing circumstances. “Yes, it was such a relief. He’s recovering nicely and will be back in top form soon.”

  Mara nodded gravely. “Oh yes, especially now with the terrible threat from the humans. We’ll need all of our best warriors to combat them.”

  In his peripheral vision, Lasar caught one of the Nall’s trusted guards—the same one who had brought the invite to the pleasure party to his door—casually strolling nearby.

  “I agree, Mara. We must remain strong.” He fixed his gaze on her.

  “Yes,” she agreed. “We must.”

  * * * *

  Chris startled awake at the sound of the door to the suite closing hard and Nary abruptly straightened in the bed as if poised to defend them.

  “Forgive me, Nashas. I’m filled with anger right now, but I shouldn’t have made such a loud noise.”

  Lasar paced into the dark room, the only minimal light coming from under Morgan’s door on the other side of the suite. His cousin had never liked the dark. Chris squinted as his eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings and he noted that Lasar was in the process of removing his short robe and non-battle armor.

  Nary tugged Chris to his side then scooted over to make room for Lasar. Once Lasar was naked, he threw the covers aside. He climbed onto the mattress and settled on the other side of Nary. Chris understood. They both craved being close to the mate they thought they’d lost.

  “Can you talk about it, Ahna?” Nary’s voice held a tinge of fear that Chris didn’t care for.

  Lasar let out a heavy sigh. “This is one of those times that I must insist that you trust me to carry this for both of you. When I’ve decided the best course, I will fill both of you in.”

  “Yes, Ahna. I trust you.”

  Chris added his agreement, for the most part. “Yeah, Master. I trust you too, but one question. Do you believe, I mean really believe, after hearing everything the Nall had to say, that we stand a chance against the void?”

  Lasar reached across Nary to take Chris’ hand. “I believe in our love, and I believe in hope.”

  That was an awesome non-answer.

  “I sense your frustration, boy.” Lasar squeezed his hand. “But hope, not giving up no matter what happens, that’s a very powerful force.”

  Chris swallowed past a lump in his throat. “Okay, I’ll do my best to focus on that.”

  He laid his head on Nary’s chest, but didn’t let go of Lasar. They adjusted their positions until they were snuggled together, Lasar and Chris’ joined hands resting across Nary’s belly, Nary embracing them both to his side.

  They lay in silence for a few moments then Lasar spoke again. “I will tell you as much as the Nall will expect you to know and so we can be prepared. I don’t think it will come as much of a surprise to either of you that the Nall wishes to stage a battle against the humans who orchestrated the bombing. To that end, he’s ordering several Rahnas back from their posts as soon as they can get their seconds-in-command up to speed. This includes Rahna Rama, so you’ll need to explain to Morgan that he’ll be expected to live with him.”

  Oh boy. “Yeah, okay.”

  “In the meantime, the Nall has ordered a team to search for the band of humans responsible, although I doubt he’ll differentiate between those who were directly behind it and those who were not involved.” Lasar squeezed his hand again. “I’d say it’s very lucky that your family was found, Chris. It’s a terrible time right now for any human still roaming free. But I need you both to know that I’ve been placed in charge of this investigation.”

  Chris gasped right as Nary growled. “This is outrageous, Ahna.”

  “To the Nall’s way of thinking, it makes perfect sense. Who else but his Sahn’s brother would he send out on such a mission?”

  Chris chewed on his lip as he considered Lasar’s announcement. On the one hand, it could be a good indicator that the Nall still trusted Lasar implicitly. On the other, it could be a way to distract him from other more sinister activities he might be engaging in while Lasar was away.

  “Will we be able to see you?” He wasn’t sure how well either one of them would do without Lasar nearby. Not with so much at stake.

  “We’ll see, Chris. I’m not sure yet.”

  Nary turned his head to place a kiss on C
hris’ temple as he hugged him tighter. “There have been times where Lasar and I were separated during battle. If he wished me to fight as part of a different faction, he would send me where I was the most needed. It’s difficult, but it’s part of being a warrior.”

  Chris huffed. “News flash. I’m not a warrior.”

  “No you’re not, pet. At least not in that sense. You said it yourself that this fight won’t be so much physical, but a war of the spirit.”

  Chris squirmed in Nary’s embrace. Every time it was brought up that he was somehow integral to whatever unforeseen destiny awaited them, he wanted to pretend it wasn’t real.

  “I was hysterical. I probably didn’t know what I was talking about.”

  “You knew, pet.” Nary nuzzled him then placed a second kiss, this one on his forehead. “You know.”

  Lasar stroked his hand and arm while Nary petted his hair. The soft touches of his mates soothed him, but they didn’t bring him calm. Instead, his heart thumped in his chest like a wild bird frantic to escape a certain doom. The only place he found a measure of peace was in Lasar and Nary’s embrace, but even that was being threatened. He didn’t doubt that whatever it was that had happened at the meeting with the Nall would impact him and his mates personally.

  “Sleep, boy,” Lasar spoke softly. “You can’t solve this dilemma tonight. Your rest is important, but so is Nary’s. He still needs to heal.”

  Chris bit his lip. He’d be strong. He’d have to. “Sorry, I’m trying.” Chris snuggled into Nary again, but his mate barely moved. He was likely still exhausted from his recovery. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, boy.”

  After a very long while where he worked with all his might not to wiggle too much and keep Nary and Lasar awake, he finally drifted off.

  Chris floated, weightless. No, that’s not right. He soared, raced past stars and galaxies so fast his stomach flip-flopped and his heart seemed to jump in his throat. Giddiness took over, the freedom from the physical world exhilarating him as he laughed and cried out with glee. This is so cool.

  A dark spot loomed ahead, blacker than the rest of the blackness of space. Panic assailed him. I can’t go near it. His mind screamed at him to stay away, but he was powerless to control his body. He flailed his arms, kicked and shouted at the nameless thing, commanded it to leave him and his mates alone.

  Air whooshed from his lungs as Chris was yanked backward by an unseen force with such violence, he passed out for a moment. At least, he thought it was a moment. Time no longer seemed real and he laughed at the absurdity of the concept.

  His eyes fluttered open and this time he was floating. A dusky pink haze ebbed and flowed around his weightless form. He tensed as the tingle of an energy formed at the base of his spine. It trickled through his veins and the sharp, electric hum of the Healer’s spirit made him shudder. A crazy thought filled him that he could simply shake it loose from his body.

  “You’re such a funny human, but I do like you.” Sha Sha Ar chuckled as he drifted into view, the Supreme Soul Healer’s exceptionally tall, thin frame as different from a typical Alasharian’s as it could possibly be. “The answer is yes.”

  Chris blinked repeatedly. “Excuse me?”

  “You wondered if you could speak to me.”

  “Uh…” He’d sort of assumed that was so once the Healer had materialized before him. In my dreams? In space? What the fuck.

  “Does it make a difference?”

  The twinkle in the being’s black eyes reminded Chris of the first time they’d met. Despite all the dire warnings and talk of imminent danger, the Healer always seemed pretty jolly.

  “I…I suppose not.” He’s right here, idiot. Don’t waste the opportunity.

  “Yes, human. That’s a smart decision.” Sha Sha Ar floated in a circle around him then curled up and did a mid-air somersault. He laughed, the sound like tiny bells, an oddly light noise for so significant of a being. “Speak. I can’t promise I’ll respond, but you’ll feel better if you say something.”

  Great. “It’s the void. It’s not a phenomenon, it’s an entity and it’s somehow taken over the Nall and even some of his advisors. I’m afraid it will keep infecting them all until…” Chris swallowed hard. “Until nothing good is left.”

  “You saw that, too?” The Healer clapped his hands. “Then we must be right.”

  Chris sputtered. “B-but… You… Wait, what? We?” Chris threw his hands out in frustration. He shot through the air, unable to stop himself. “Whoa!”

  Sha Sha Ar appeared and Chris slammed into him. The electric hum of the Healer’s powerful soul surged through his body and Chris shrieked from the intensity of it. He thought he might’ve blacked out again, because once he was aware of his surroundings it had morphed into a forest green hue that pulsed first darker then lighter. The pattern repeated a few more times before it seemed to settle on a shade.

  “Human?”

  Chris started, jerking his head at the sound of the Healer’s voice next to his ear. No one was there and panic filled him. Jetting through space had seemed cool at first, but it had begun to lose its appeal. And the Healer hadn’t exactly been very forthcoming. Does great gymnastic tricks, though.

  Chris almost choked when the Healer materialized in front of him again. “Don’t you realize by now that anger, sadness and fear won’t help you?” He shook his head sagely. “It doesn’t fix anything.” The Healer reached out then patted his head. “Thank you for sharing your soul with me.”

  As the Healer faded, Chris yelled out, “Wait!”

  But the Healer didn’t revive. Instead, his voice trailed off as he continued to disappear. “You are correct, human. The void is a living being.” The Healer’s image brightened. “You will be tempted, but never interact with it. That’s how the Nall fell.” The Healer’s visage ebbed again. “Soon, Chris. We will be each other soon.” Sha Sha Ar vanished.

  Chris sucked in a large gulp of air as he crashed onto the bed he shared with his mates. He clawed at his throat, unable to cry out.

  “Chris! What is it?”

  He slumped against Nary, boneless, but so grateful to hear his voice. It was then that he realized he was drenched in sweat. Bile swam in his stomach and his body seemed as if it were filled with wet cement. Lasar scooped him up and Chris relaxed in his arms, only slightly aware that he was being moved.

  At last, he could exhale, the nausea ebbing. Tiny pricks of light danced in his vision, undoubtedly a result of him not being able to breathe for so long. He gazed up at Lasar. “Your soul is so bright, Master.” He reached for Nary who walked beside them. “You too, Sir. Very powerful. Great color scheme.”

  His mates exchanged worried glances and Chris realized he wasn’t exactly behaving normally. The other dimension he’d just been in had only begun to shed from him. That’s what it was! He giggled, the knowledge so sharp, so real. I can do this. The Healer’s final words passed through his mind. ‘We will see each other soon.’ He chewed his lip. That hadn’t been it. ‘We will be each other soon.’

  He tensed in Lasar’s arms. I’m okay. It’s cool. I can totally do this, right? He wouldn’t stress about the deep inner meaning of the Healer’s final cryptic statement. At least not right now.

  While he’d been lost in his thoughts, Nary had prepared a bath. Lasar climbed in, still cradling him, then lowered him into the soothing hot water. He groaned, the sensation so welcoming. Nary joined them, facing them both as he draped his legs over Lasar’s thighs in order to fit. Chris floated between them with Lasar’s arms around his waist, holding him, keeping him anchored.

  “It was the Healer, wasn’t it?” Nary’s gaze bore into him. “He came to you in a dream?”

  Chris shook his head, and found he had the urge to laugh again. He was grateful Morgan couldn’t see him the way he was. His cousin would think he’d purchased a one-way ticket to Crazy Town.

  “No. Not a dream. I was there with him.”

  Nary straightened a
s Lasar’s voice rumbled against his ear. “Where were you?”

  Chris grinned. “I don’t know what it was called, but it was another dimension. Sha Sha Ar can go there and so can the vo—” It all stopped being amusing in that instant. “I guess the Healer brought me there to confirm that the void was what I thought it was. At least…” Had it been the Healer who’d summoned him? When he’d first realized he was out of his body, he’d been heading straight into blackness. If the Healer hadn’t somehow stopped him…

  “Oh God.” Chris curled in on himself. Did that mean the void could get to him when he slept? Could trick Chris into going to him? Like Freddy-fucking-Krueger.

  “Boy. Talk to us. We’re here to carry your worries, remember?” Lasar rubbed his arms.

  Chris fought the returning nausea. “You might wanna take a pass on this round.”

  “We don’t understand, pet.” The worry clouding Nary’s features filled him with a stab of guilt. Holding back wasn’t doing any of them any favors. They were in it together.

  “This place I was in, this…other dimension. When I first became aware of it, I thought I was soaring through space or something.” He shrugged. “I guess I assumed it was a dream. But I was being hurtled toward the void, and at the last minute before I was sure I’d be swallowed by the blackness, the Healer saved me. Suddenly, I was in a lighter place, and he was there floating with me.” Chris snorted. “As usual, he wasn’t very informative. But he did verify that the void is an entity and that I should never try to communicate with it. I think that’s how it gets you…or something.”

  Chris pondered whether he should add the next part, but he couldn’t hide anything from his mates. It went against everything inside him. “He said something strange to me before he disappeared and I returned. Something about us eventually being each other, or maybe being like each other. I’m not sure.” Chris angled his head to look at Lasar then faced forward to observe Nary. Yes. I’m different now. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. “I can see… No, that’s not right.” He frowned as he struggled to find the right words. “I can perceive more of who you both are. Your true essence.” Chris cleared his throat, self-conscious of his own revelation.