Forbidden 3: Sleeping With the Enemy

by Marteeka Karland

  “Drink. It’s water. I imagine you’ll need several glasses before you feel normal.” He guided her hands to her face, urging her to drink. “Just sip it slowly.”

  It tasted like sweet heaven. Perhaps it was as close to heaven as she’d ever get in any life. She didn’t know what her past lives had brought, but this one had been nothing short of a living hell.

  One she didn’t care to repeat.

  “I need a Gothe’maran officer,” she said.

  “You need to rest.”

  “You don’t understand. I’ve committed a crime and I must turn myself in. It’s our way.”

  “What about the bastard who was beating and raping you? Do you think he would have turned himself in? I very much doubt it is the way of all your people to be that honest.”

  “Do you mock me?” She didn’t want to be ungrateful. Perhaps she was simply trying to block out the fact that this man was the man she’d pulled off her dead husband’s body.

  “Not at all, Dearheart. I’m merely angry that you would be so willing to confess a crime when others would not. Now, what crime have you committed?”

  “I didn’t stop you from killing my mate.”

  From his indrawn breath, she knew she’d caught him off guard. He didn’t know Gamin was her husband.

  “Perhaps we should start from the beginning. I think there are a few pertinent facts I’m missing.”

  “No.” The sadness in her surprised her. Gamin had done nothing but beat her most of her life, yet she still grieved for him. It didn’t make sense. “I need only to confess my deed and take whatever punishment is necessary.”

  He rose without a word and exited her room. When he returned, it was with not one Gothe’maran officer, but two. And a woman. She didn’t recognize the woman, but the two officers were known to everyone.

  Mikkarn was in charge of Earth’s branch of Medical Command for this term, and Kiril was General Khan’s right hand. At least, he had been when she’d last left Gothe’mar, before the wars.

  “How are you feeling?” The woman’s voice was very gentle, and she smiled easily at Akahana. She sat on the bed and took Akahana’s wrist in her hand while she looked at the timepiece on her own wrist.

  “I’m well.”

  “There is something you wished to say?”

  “Kiril.” The woman never looked up from her watch. “It can wait until I’ve examined her.”

  Akahana cringed and turned away. Such would have earned her a severe reprimand, even in public. Given the stature of Sub-General Kiril, he would probably actually strike her. After all, as Gamin had told her often enough, when in the presence of inferior officers, no one would question him, or go against his word.

  No one said anything. The woman continued to touch her gently for several minutes before using her fingertips to turn Akahana’s face toward them all once again.

  “My name is Mara. Taber says the man who did this to you was your mate. He also says he is responsible for your attacker’s death. Is this true?”

  Akahana looked from one blank face to another. The two humans showed as little emotion as the two Gothe’marans. No disgust, no anger, nothing. They were simply waiting for her answer.

  “Yes, but I think he was doing what he thought was right. I should have told him Gamin was my mate but I waited until it was too late. I don’t think I even actually told him until I woke a few minutes ago.” Her brow knitted in concentration as she tried in vain to remember. “There are things --” She had to look away then, embarrassed. “I just can’t remember.”

  Kiril spoke next. “Taber also says you feel that by not trying to stop the incident, you have committed a crime. Is this also true?”

  Confused, Akahana blinked several times. “Of course. It is my responsibility to defend my mate if at all possible.” Tears formed in her eyes, and she brushed them aside angrily. “I was able to help. I simply didn’t.”

  Mara stood and expelled an angry breath. “That’s just one more thing about the great Gothe’maran society you two need to change.”

  Akahana was totally confused. What was she talking about?

  Mikkarn crossed his arms over his lean torso. “Gamin Di’var was a respected officer. I find it difficult to believe there isn’t more to the story than meets the eye. I seriously doubt he would intentionally hurt a member of his family, especially his mate.”

  At the mention of “family,” Akahana remembered the little girl. “The child!” Her exclamation drew everyone’s attention back to her. “Did you find the girl child Gamin was…” she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence, suddenly ashamed.

  Mara moved back to the bed and sat once again, taking Akahana’s hand and bringing it to her lips tenderly. “Yes. She’s fine. General Khan and his wife took her in, and she’s doing wonderfully.”

  Akahana blanched. “General Khan.” The very name sent chills down her spine. Gamin had worked closely with the general in the past. If he was involved, her death might well be as bad as her life. “Gamin served with him. The general will not be pleased to hear of my role in Gamin’s death.”

  “We will have to see. Khan is nothing if not fair.”

  Taber stood then. “Perhaps there is more to the incident, but what I saw was not an honorable warrior.”

  “I still find it hard to believe.” Kiril shook his head.

  Taber took a threatening step toward Kiril, but Mara defused the situation with a snort. “Men are such pains in the ass sometimes, don’t you think?” Akahana didn’t know how to respond. In her reality, she would never have made such a remark. “What’s your name, dear?”

  “Akahana.”

  “Well, Akahana, let’s worry about all that later. Right now, I’d like to put you into a healing tube for a well patient scan.” She smiled. “Do you mind?”

  “I --”

  “You will release Senior First Lieutenant Gamin Di’Var’s mate immediately!” The booming, angry voice coming from the doorway across the room belonged to her mate’s first underofficer and closest friend, Davin Bakah. Akahana almost blanched, but managed to keep her expression neutral. This man wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. In fact, he’d probably consider it Gamin’s last wish if he found out she could have stopped his death.

  Mara faced the huge warrior and looked like she would have advanced on him if Kiril had not held her back. “Wanna make me?”

  “Mara,” Mikkarn hissed as he moved in front of the pair and addressed Davin. “Welcome to Earthside Medical Command. Is there something we can help you with?”

  “I will take the woman back to Gothe’mar where Gamin has made arrangements for her care.”

  “She has experienced severe trauma and is not well enough for travel. I regret she will have to remain in our care a while longer.” While Mikkarn was talking, the others were moving around Akahana. Especially Taber. The way the man clenched and unclenched his fists screamed violence, and the image of Taber beating the life from Gamin flashed through her mind. She whimpered.

  “I must insist.” Davin’s gaze fixed on Akahana, and her insides froze. What had Gamin done? “She has been through the healing tube. She is ready to leave.”

  “I’m afraid it isn’t that simple.” Mara shouldered her way to Mikkarn’s side. “It took three weeks in the tube to get her to this condition, and she still has a lot of healing to do. I’m not sure why, but she is rejecting the grafts and tissue regeneration. She’ll have to stay until we can figure out why.”

  “It is not your concern, human.” Davin’s face contorted to an evil, hate-filled sneer. Akahana thought he would surely strike the small woman, but when the three warriors moved forward, Akahana began to realize that perhaps she needed to ask some questions. Mara was obviously protected zealously by her mates. But why would Taber rush to her rescue?

  “She is the concern of Medical Command.” Mikkarn’s softly spoken voice held a wealth of menace. No one went against Medical Command. Only the highest officials in Military Command would even
question an order given by one in Medical.

  “And as such,” Kiril spoke, clenching and unclenching his fists, “she is the concern of Military Command. I know you don’t want to go against both infrastructures.”

  At first, Akahana thought Davin would argue the point and try to take her anyway. She could see the hatred in his eyes, which was something for a Gothe’maran. They were taught from childhood to suppress emotions -- especially the boys. Surprisingly, he backed down.

  “Then I must insist on taking charge of her. You will do nothing without my permission, and she will go nowhere I am not allowed to follow.”

  “She is not property,” Taber said softly. “Least of all yours.”

  “She is the mate of my commanding officer and best friend. It is my responsibility and duty to see to her safety now that he is gone.” To the casual observer, Davin’s face was probably an impeccable mask of non-emotion once again, but she saw the underlying menace. Davin would kill this human if he got the chance.

  “Kiril.” Akahana’s head snapped toward the door and the new voice.

  General Khan Mak’un!

  “Khan.” Kiril moved to the general, managing to stay between Mara and Davin. “It is good to see you, my friend.” Kiril turned to the blonde woman at Khan’s side. “I trust you are well, Anna?”

  The greeting was clear: Kiril was establishing his dominance over Davin by using his relationship with the general. It would be hard for Davin to protest anything Kiril decided.

  “I am. It’s good to see you again, Kiril.” Anna’s smile was warm and genuine. This was a woman Akahana would like to have known. In another life.

  Khan took Kiril’s offered hand, his face revealing nothing of what he was thinking. “We need to talk, General.”

  Khan raised an eyebrow, but allowed Kiril to lead him outside the room. Taber grasped Mikkarn’s arm and mumbled something to him before turning back to Akahana. “I’ll be right back. Dr. Mikkarn will take care of you.”

  “You can’t fight Davin.” She knew she was in trouble with Davin when she locked gazes with him. The subtle changes in the look in his eyes reminded her so much of Gamin, she wanted to vomit. Davin was definitely going to kill her. It was just a matter of when.

  He caressed her cheek with a finger. “Yes I can, Dearheart.” And he followed Kiril and Khan out of the room.

  Chapter Four

  Kiril looked back at Taber when he shut the door behind the three of them. “I didn’t think I’d need to issue an invitation.”

  “She’s terrified of that man in there,” Taber said without preamble. “You can’t let him take her.”

  Both the other men looked at each other, a wealth of meaning in that glance. “She told you this?” Khan prompted.

  “I felt it. I can pick things up from her when her emotions are high.”

  Kiril shifted his feet. “Do you know what that means, Taber?”

  “She says it means I’m her mate.” There was no reason to keep something like this from these two men. It could only help him if everything he’d learned about the Gothe’maran people was correct. “You should also know that she has no intention to take another mate. I get the impression that Gamin, the mate I killed, was very abusive to her.”

  “Abusive… how?” Khan waved a hand, indicating he wanted more information.

  “Well.” Taber looked the man in the eye. “He beat her almost to death before I got there. And I don’t think that was the first time. I’m not a doctor, like Mikkarn, but I know a human body can become accustomed to things done to it repeatedly. A person who has seizures repeatedly and is treated with Valium or Ativan will eventually become tolerant to it. You can give that person a dose that would probably kill a person who has never had the drug, and it won’t faze them in the least.” He shifted his gaze to Kiril. “Now, I don’t know how your healing tubes work, but something Mara said stuck with me.”

  Kiril nodded his head. “The grafts and regeneration aren’t working properly on her. Makes sense.” He scratched his chin. “But she’d have to have been healed hundreds of times…” Kiril trailed off and paled as the implication settled on him.

  “You see my point.” Taber crossed his arms over his chest. “Look.” His focus shifted from Kiril to Khan. “She may not want me as a mate, but under your laws, it’s still my responsibility to see to her safety. I can’t do that if you let Davin stay near her.”

  “Relax, my friend.” Khan laid a hand on Taber’s shoulder. “Anna remembers you and would probably have my head if I went against you in this.” He smiled. “Besides, I can see no claim Davin could possibly have. Even if Gamin set up some kind of provision for her, your claim as mate will take precedence. You may be called upon to prove your claim, though. Are you prepared for that?”

  “Prove my claim?”

  “The Chamber of Souls. You would have to prove your claim as mate if Davin challenges you.”

  “Well, I guess that means I’m not prepared, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.” When Khan would have explained, Taber raised a hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll learn and be ready if it happens.”

  “In the meantime --” Kiril took a breath. “-- I’ll deny Davin’s request to stay with Akahana, saying she needs her rest and is to be disturbed by no one. That should give you time to learn what you must, Taber.” He turned to Khan. “You’ll back me up?”

  “Always,” Khan said without hesitation.

  Taber wanted to rush back to Akahana -- she was very frightened. But he knew from years of hard battle that the last thing he needed to do was show his hand to this Gothe’maran warrior. If Davin smelled blood in the water, he’d move in for the kill. Instead, he let the other two men lead the way, and he took a spot leaning on the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest.

  “You’re not taking her until I know without a doubt why she can’t be healed.” Mara was nothing if not human. No Gothe’maran -- man or woman -- could possibly be that stubborn. Taber almost smiled. Almost. Expressing amusement could be fatal at this point. Davin looked angry enough to kill, and for a Gothie, that meant the situation was likely ten times worse than it looked.

  “I will take her back to Homeworld, where she belongs, and where I may care for her as her mate wished. You cannot stop me. Human.”

  “That is my mate, Davin.” Kiril placed his hands on his hips and opened his stance, obviously ready to battle for his mate if necessary. “Take care how you use the word ‘human’.”

  Davin’s jaw clenched, as did his hands. Taber had no doubt that if not for the presence of the two leaders from Military Command, he would have physically removed Akahana from her hospital bed. “I will require all necessities for my stay with the female. I will not leave her while she is here.” He looked straight at Taber. “I do not want the human male to dirty her with his touch.”

  Kiril took a step forward, but it was Khan who spoke up.

  “Two things, Davin.” Khan stepped slowly toward the other Gothe’maran. Taber was surprised by the vehemence in his voice. He considered himself a fearless warrior, but he would have thought twice about facing Khan in battle at this particular point in time. “First, you will leave Earthside Medical Command immediately and not return until I personally contact you with permission.” Standing almost a head taller than the other man, Khan looked down at him and bared his teeth. “Second, you will learn to respect these people both in public and private. You are, currently, leader of a sizable number of warriors. Don’t make me relieve you of your command.”

  Taber didn’t dare breathe. He readied himself mentally to protect Akahana at a moment’s notice, but he wasn’t in the best position to get to her. Still, the tension in the air was too thick to risk igniting it by moving. Mikkarn stood between Davin and Mara with Kiril moving beside him. Mara and Anna were between Akahana and everyone else while Khan stood nose to nose with Davin.

  Gothe’maran and human alike, banding together to help a soul in need.

 
When this war had started, Taber was certain he’d never witness anything like this event. Now, he trusted everyone involved to help him protect a woman who might just change his life forever.

  Taber was certain Davin would protest, but after a few moments spent eyeing the warriors lining the room, looking as if they were hoping he’d try something stupid, he straightened and brought the knuckles of his right hand to his forehead. “As you command, General.” He spun on the ball of his foot and left the room without a backward glance.

  “Yeah, I’m real sure he won’t be back.” Mara crossed her arms underneath her breasts. “We need to move her to a high security area, Mikkarn.”

  “I know.” Mikkarn looked at Taber. “You’ll need to stay with her, night and day.”

  “That’s not a problem.” Taber looked at Khan. “If you have time, can you find someone who can explain this Chamber of Souls thing to me?”

  “I’ll take that job.” Anna smiled as she wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist. “You’ll need first hand information.” She gave Khan a sidelong look. “Which is more than someone gave me once upon a time.”

  “I thought we’d talked about you showing me respect in public.” Though Kahn tried to look stern, Taber could see the obvious affection the very large man had for Anna. He hoped he and Akahana might look at each other like that one day.

  “Yeah, well. I never was a very quick learner.”

  Akahana, who had been silent through most of the conversation, shook her head. “Is it always like this with all of you?”

  Mara grinned. “No. It’s usually worse.” When Akahana opened her mouth to speak, Mara sat on the bed beside her and pressed a gentle finger to her lips. “We need to talk, my dear. I have just as many questions for you as you have for me, but you need rest. You’re still not over the worst of your injuries, and I have a feeling you have a long road ahead of you. You’re going to need your strength.”

  Taber’s heart swelled with pride when Akahana’s mind turned to him, along with her gaze, as if seeking his opinion. “Mara’s right. But don’t worry. I’m not leaving your side. I’ll keep you safe.”