Shielder — A new Science Fiction Romance (Book 1, Shielder Series)

by Catherine Spangler

  He smiled at her then, and a dizzying relief swept through her. That smile somehow told her he would be all right. With Dansan gone, he could put the past behind him.

  "Yes, I did. And I realized something that really surprised me. I missed working in a medical laboratory, analyzing diseases and formulating cures. If I hadn't been so worried about you, I would have enjoyed what I was doing."

  A blossoming hope took root. "Then you won't continue as a shadower?"

  Chase slid one hand along the side of her face. "Would it bother you if I did, Shielder?"

  She nodded solemnly.

  Humor glinted in his eyes, and he kissed her. A long moment later, he released her. "No, little Shielder, I'm definitely not going to remain a shadower. It wouldn't do to hunt my mate's people, now would it?"

  Her heart swelled with joy, yet nagging doubts remained.

  "Are you sure you want to marry me?" She almost succeeded at keeping the tell-tale quiver out of her voice.

  "Are you sure you want me?" Chase countered.

  "But my seizures and my leg—"

  "Don't mean anything," he interrupted fiercely. "They don't matter, but we can do something about them, if you wish. It's your spirit and courage I love, those huge, dark eyes of yours, that sexy mouth."

  She pushed away, amazed. "My mouth is sexy?"

  He leaned over her, his eyes heated. "Oh, yes. Very sexy. And I have lots of ideas on how you can use it."

  He kissed her again, with more urgency this time.

  * * * *

  They were married ten ship cycles later, in a Shielder lifemate ceremony, with Santerra's Council head, Captain san Kincaid, officiating. They wanted Jarek and Sabin to stand with them, so they waited until the two returned from delivering the vaccine to Moriah's runners.

  Nessa wore a stunning robe made from cream-colored Saija silk, with matching slippers. Chase looked breathtakingly handsome in a royal blue tunic and leggings, the uniform worn by healers throughout the quadrant. Both outfits were wedding gifts from Moriah, who had returned to Santerra with Sabin.

  Nessa had been surprised to learn that Sabin and Moriah were mated. But now knowing Sabin was a man of many mysteries, she suspected time would bring even more interesting revelations. And she was glad to see that her two new friends obviously loved each other very much.

  Raven and Brand were there, wearing new tunics and boots for the occasion. Also present, Turi and Lia watched from their cases, each adorned with interwoven cream and blue ribbons. Turi showed off outrageously, chattering and performing flips, while Lia's advancing pregnancy necessitated she sit regally through the event.

  The weather on Santerra cooperated in full, so they held the ceremony outside on a small rise, with striking, multicolored mesas rising up behind them. The midafternoon sun drifted through wispy clouds, contributing a magnanimous warmth. The balmy breeze ruffled their hair in a gentle caress.

  Even though they exchanged traditional Shielder lifemate vows, Nessa and Chase didn't give each other the customary leather bracelets. Not knowing where their travels might take them, they decided against wearing obvious Shielder adornments. Instead, Chase presented Nessa with an enormous, rare topaz crystal on a gold chain. She gave him a crystal starburst pin, the starburst being the universal symbol of the healer.

  Moriah had procured both gifts on their behalf from her remarkable storehouse of goods. She'd also brought toys for the children, much to their delight.

  Raven and Brand stood beside Nessa and Chase while the vows were said. They both squirmed with excitement. Right before the ceremony, Nessa and Chase asked the children what they thought about living with them permanently. The answer was an enthusiastic, jumping up and down, squealing, "Yes!"

  Gazing into her new husband's glowing eyes, Nessa thought her heart might burst, so great was her happiness. She still found it difficult to believe Chase found her desirable, although he'd certainly shown strong amorous tendencies these last ten cycles. Just the thought of their bed play curled her toes and fanned heated flames through her body.

  "Wife," he murmured, leaning down.

  "Husband," she breathed, stretching upward and wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Their lengthy kiss held the promise of a long, sensuous night ahead.

  "Ahem! Really, old man, you need to reserve your strength for tonight," Sabin observed. When Chase ended the kiss to glare at him, Sabin shoved him away none too gently. "Besides, Jarek and I want a chance to kiss the bride."

  Taking Nessa into his arms, he gave her a brief kiss. "Take good care of the old man and the kids," he muttered gruffly. "They're lucky to have you."

  She smiled at him. "Thank you, Sabin, for everything. It appears I was wrong about you."

  He grinned. "Probably not. You're the only one I haven't managed to fool."

  She shook her head, not falling for his smoke screen for one instant.

  "Don't believe a word he says," Moriah advised. Dressed in a gorgeous gold brocade robe, her copper curls glinting in the sunlight, she drew the eyes of every male in the colony. Not even Sabin's possessive glares could stem the admiring glances. Seemingly oblivious to the stares, Moriah smiled at Nessa, her amber eyes sparkling.

  "I adore happy endings. I knew Chase wouldn't be able to resist you in that robe. But that was just the lure. Don't you ever doubt for a minute how beautiful you are, both inside and out." She hugged Nessa and whispered, "But just for fun, I brought you a special robe for tonight. It's very sheer, guaranteed to drive Chase wild."

  As if he needed any encouragement, Nessa thought, returning Moriah's smile. "Thank you for everything, Moriah. I've never had a friend before, but I'm proud to consider you one."

  Moriah's eyes glistened with tears. "The feeling is mutual, my friend. We have to stick together to keep these men in line."

  "Nessa."

  "Jarek." She turned to her brother and accepted his kiss on her cheek.

  "I'm happy for you, sister. Chase is a good man. Take care of yourself. May joy be your shadow."

  She forced back the tears. After ten seasons of refusing to cry, it seemed she was forever tearing up. "You also. Spirit watch over you and protect you on your trip home."

  He stepped back, taking her hand and offering it to Chase. "On behalf of my family, I entrust Nessa into your keeping. Cherish her and guard her well."

  The warmth of Chase's hand enfolded hers and he drew her against him. "I'll take good care of her."

  "Nessa. Chase. Happy," Brand proclaimed without a single stutter, cuddling against them.

  Raven joined them, pressing close to Nessa. "Can we call you mother and father?" she asked shyly.

  Her heart in her throat, Nessa looked at Chase. Smiling broadly, he nodded.

  "Of course you may," she answered. "We're your parents now."

  "Okay, Mother," Raven chirped.

  Laughing and crying at the same time, Nessa knelt down and hugged both children to her. All these many seasons, she'd been adrift and alone, with no true home, and no one but Jarek to call family.

  And now… Now, she had everything she could possibly hope for.

  Thank you, Spirit, she whispered in her heart.

  EPILOGUE

  Nessa paused outside the assembly hall, trepidation edging out the excitement of returning home. She took another look at the barren terrain and the gray haze drifting around the distant rock formations.

  The fine mist in the air dampened her hair and face, and a brisk wind rippled her cape. This time, however, her heavy tunic and leggings, along with her cape, blocked out Liron's unrelenting chill.

  Around the compound, Shielders halted any pretense of working, their gazes riveted on Liron's visitors. No one had spoken to her or stepped forward in greeting, although she hadn't seen the old derision or loathing in their expressions. A few had even nodded grudgingly at her.

  She turned and faced the assembly hall's huge double doors. No reason to delay further, yet she hesitated. What if not
hing had changed? What if she received the same humiliating treatment she'd endured for ten seasons? She would hate to be disgraced before Chase and the children. As if sensing her anxiety, he caught her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Shall we go in?"

  Offering an encouraging smile, Jarek pulled open the door. Taking a fortifying breath, Nessa entered with Chase by her side. Raven and Brand and little Celene followed behind, each clutching a lanrax pup from Lia's litter. About four seasons old, Celene was the sole survivor of a Shielder colony that had been decimated by Anteks. Sabin had found her and brought her to Nessa and Chase. She'd been with them one lunar cycle now.

  The flickering solar lanterns threw odd shadows on the stone walls, doing little to dispel the dimness. A familiar musty odor wafted through the cool interior.

  At the far end, the Council members sat upon the raised dais. Captain Ranul san Mars stood before the dais, waiting to greet his guests with traditional Shielder formality. Beside him stood Meris and Elder Gabe san Ardon. Nessa had eyes only for her parents as she and Chase walked toward the group. Drawing another deep breath, she quelled her nervousness. She kept her back straight, her head high. She walked evenly, without a limp, thanks to Chase.

  He had used tissue samples from her normal leg to create new muscles for her damaged leg. Physical therapy and exercise had strengthened the restored leg. Two laser surgeries had eradicated the outside scarring. Her leg now appeared normal. She no longer suffered seizures, either. Chase had fine-tuned her medication until her condition stabilized.

  A lot of physical changes, yet she realized the greatest change had occurred within herself. Part of maturing, she decided, lay not in material accomplishments, but in knowledge and spiritual growth. Through Chase, she'd learned physical appearance didn't determine the true depth of a person.

  She fervently hoped that Ranul and Meris would see that truth as well.

  They walked up the steps to the dais and halted before her parents and Elder san Ardon. Nessa addressed the Council head first, as was the custom. "Captain san Mars."

  His eyes impassive, he nodded briefly. "Leonessa."

  “I present my husband, Dr. Chase McKnight."

  The two men clasped hands, making direct eye contact, each assessing the other. Ranul broke the silence first. "I understand we owe you a great debt, Doctor."

  "That honor goes to your daughter, Captain. Without her amazing bravery, the Orana virus would still be rampant."

  Ranul's attention returned to Nessa. "So I've heard. My thanks, Leonessa. Job well done."

  The genuine pride in his voice warmed her. She hoped those simple words represented the first step toward reconciliation. At a loss for words in response, she nodded her acknowledgment.

  Never shy, Elder san Gabe stepped forward, openly beaming. He grasped Nessa's shoulders. "By the Spirit, but you did well, girl. A true Shielder, through and through."

  Astonished, she stared into the elder's eyes, finding acceptance and approval there. "Thank you, sir."

  He turned to Chase. "And you, Doctor. I understand you formulated the antidote to the virus and got it distributed to the Shielder colonies."

  Chase smiled ruefully. "Again, I must decline that honor. The lab on Santerra replicated the vaccine, and your own Commander san Ranul here, along with Commander san Travers, transported the medicine to runners. I only assisted with the process."

  "You did more than that," Jarek protested, speaking for the first time. "You saved Nessa's life, and you isolated the components of the virus. Santerra's technicians just had to feed the information into their computers and compound the calculated formula."

  Chase shrugged, and Elder san Gabe slapped him on the back. "It was a big assist, young man. We thank you."

  "I'm glad I could help." Chase turned to Ranul. "Captain, we've brought more Orana vaccine and other medical supplies. With your permission, I'd be happy to attend any colonists who need medical treatment."

  "Your offer is appreciated and accepted."

  Chase's hand on Nessa's back nudged her forward. "Uh, Captain, we also brought some new computer equipment and software. If it's all right, I'd like to install it while Chase sees the colonists."

  Surprise crossed Ranul's face. "I didn't know you had knowledge of computers."

  "Father," Jarek intervened. "Who do you think patched our old system every time it went down? I allowed Nessa access to the computer from the time of her injury. She's become very proficient at programming."

  "I'll vouch for that," Chase added, winking at her.

  Ranul’s gaze settled on her. "I can see there are many things that slipped my notice over the seasons. Again, my thanks, daughter. Your efforts are welcome."

  His eyes reflected warmth. Nessa's heart swelled, yet one more hurdle remained. She faced her mother.

  "Meris."

  "Daughter." Meris stared at her. "You're looking well."

  Daughter. A word Nessa had dreamed of hearing again these many seasons. Not in this tentative, groping manner. In her dreams, it had been spoken loudly, with laughter and tears and perhaps even touching. But this was a start, more than she could realistically hope for.

  "Mer—Mother," she stammered, saying that word for the first time in seasons. She gestured to the children, who had watched the proceedings with wide eyes. "These are my adopted children. Brand, Raven, Celene, these are my parents, Captain san Mars and Lady Meris. And this is Elder san Gabe."

  "Hi," Raven said in a small voice.

  Brand hid behind his lanrax. Celene smiled shyly.

  Meris studied them, unreadable emotions flitting across her face. Finally, she leaned down. "What have you got there? Looks like desert krats."

  "Oh, no, Lady Meris," Raven protested. "These are baby lanraxes."

  "Lia's babies," Brand added. "She had four."

  Pride welled through Nessa. With lots of love and encouragement, Brand was talking more and more. The little boy proved to be a bright and apt student, as did both Celene and Raven.

  "Lanraxes?" Meris snorted. "Just more mouths to feed."

  "We don't have to feed them," Raven explained. "Lia does that."

  A small smile eased onto Meris' weathered face. "Does she now? Well, you do remind me of another little girl I knew once."

  She patted all three children, then rose to her regal height. She looked at Nessa, her expression steady, accepting. "She grew into a fine young woman."

  Overwhelmed, Nessa blinked back a rush of tears. She groped blindly and found what she sought—the warm strength of her mate's hand. Chase. Her rock, her anchor, her husband, her love. He pulled her against him.

  "Yes she did, didn't she?" he said proudly.

  Nessa looked up at Chase, then at the children, who watched her with adoration in their eyes. She already had everything she really needed. In time, the grudging acceptance her people offered might grow into something more. She hoped it would, but she no longer defined her existence by their favor.

  Spirit had shown her true self-worth. It resided in the love reflected back to her from Jarek, and from her new family. Chase, Raven, Brand, Celene. They loved and needed her, and she loved them.

  She was whole in every way.

  * * * * *

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  Shielder
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  Street Corners and Halos, Demon’s Delight Anthology

  Excerpt from Shadower

  Book Two in the Shielder Series

  Coming February 2014

  Moriah wasted no time collecting her opponents' money pouches and stuffing them into her cloak pocket. The sooner out of this pit, the better. But as she turned to leave, a feeling of being watched drew her attention toward the bar.

  The black-clad man leaned nonchalantly against the counter. His dark gaze locked with hers and an odd fission of awareness sizzled between them. He raised his drink in a mocking salute.

  He was an arrogant, obnoxious man who obviously expected every female to swoon at his feet. Not her. She whirled and strode toward the exit. A loud bellow and a jerk on her cloak brought her to a halt. She turned to face the Antek she'd just defeated at Fool’s Quest.

  His face and snout were blotched red from too much liquor, and drool oozed from his mouth. "No female beats me," he growled. "You cheat."

  She tried unsuccessfully to yank her cloak free. "Let me go."

  He snarled, showing razor-sharp teeth. "You cheat, female. Give back the money."

  Moriah employed a quick hand chop to the Antek's arm. She followed with a punch to his snout. Staggering back, he smashed into a table. He slid to the floor, too drunk to get up. The patrons cheered, hoping for more. No one could expect help here, only bloodlust.