Passionate Desire

by Barbara Donlon Bradley

  “That.” She had brought Kuarto back to her place so they could talk. This was the moment she had been dreading. How was she going to explain this properly? “My tenure will start in about six days and will last fifty years. Part of the protocol is that the person who holds the job isn’t supposed to take a mate until they retire.”

  “Why?” He sat down on the couch.

  She blinked. That was a good question. Heather had asked her the same one. “Because that’s the way it has always been.”

  “So you’re just going to go along with it? No questions asked?” He didn’t seem to be upset, but his complacency wasn’t what she expected either. It bothered her.

  She frowned. “You’re taking this very well.”

  “You’ve already decided for the both of us so who am I to question your decision.”

  There was something in his voice. “You’re mad.”

  “Of course I’m mad.” He stood up. “I thought there was something between us and now you’re saying it meant nothing to you.” He snapped his fingers. “Al asked you if this was a fling and that was what upset you. Is that all I am to you? A fling?”

  “No.” His words hurt. How could she get him to understand the good of the planet came before her personal desires?

  “Really? You’re not willing to question.” He threw his hands up in the air. “Does this job mean that much to you?”

  “No. I don’t even want to do it.” She looked away. She couldn’t handle the emotion swimming in his eyes. “Especially now.”

  “Why now?” He stepped up to her.

  “Because I’ve met you.” She looked at him.

  “Then what are you going to do about it?”

  ****

  The ceremony was one of the most boring things Heather ever sat through and she had been through a lot. Because of the delicacy of the whole process, Hynna spoke softly so no one could hear him. She fought a yawn. When Storm caught her he discreetly pinched her.

  “I’m sorry.” She straightened her shoulders. “I don’t mean to show any disrespect.”

  “Then save those yawns for later.” He leaned toward her and spoke softly. “Uncle is shooting us evil looks and I’d like those to stop.”

  Heather clasped her hands and placed them in her lap. She started a little game she had used when she had to sit through boring meetings on Earth. It worked, keeping her attention alert until the ceremony ended.

  Once everyone started to mill about, Heather got to her feet. She hadn’t seen her brother and wondered where he was. People stood in line to congratulate Toki, who looked slightly unhappy, but quiet. She thanked them and smiled at all the right times, but Heather could sense something was wrong.

  Family was the last of the people to speak to her. Uncle Hynna whispered in her ear, which had her nodding.

  Heather waited for her turn. She said all the right things the way she had been taught and hovered until she could speak to Toki alone.

  “Have you seen my brother?” she asked quietly.

  “No.” She nodded to another person who had whispered in her ear, then was finally done with the receiving line. “I sent him home several days ago.”

  “What?” Her voice got loud.

  “Heather.” Storm, always close, warned her she needed to be careful.

  “What do you mean you sent him home?” She lowered her voice but still had to find out what happened between them. “You marked him as your own.”

  “Yes, I did.” She kept her voice soft and looked Heather in the eyes.

  “Why?” Heather didn’t understand.

  “I’ll explain later.” She smiled at her, grasping her shoulder for a moment. “I promise.”

  She didn’t want to wait, but she plastered a smile on her face, and went along with it. No need to embarrass everyone by losing the tight control she held on her anger. There was plenty of time for that later. She wasn’t quite sure why she was upset about this, but she was.

  Storm sensed her boiling anger because he became twice as attentive and kept giving her looks. Finally he asked. “You okay?”

  “Nothing a good temper tantrum couldn’t cure.”

  “Ah, you’re angry because of what my sister said.” His calmness just pushed her anger up a notch.

  “What makes you think that?” she asked sarcastically.

  “You said it yourself, she knew her obligations and has kept them. Now you understand why I was upset when they first got involved.”

  She wanted to hit him. Heather never felt this angry before. Was it the pregnancy causing this? She needed to get a grip. “Don’t patronize me.”

  “I’m not.” He touched her face with the back of his hand. “You feel a little warm. You feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Her voice snapped with anger.

  “No. You don’t get this emotional.” He took her hand and brought her to a chair. “Sit. I’m going to find a doctor.”

  “There is nothing wrong with me.” She took a step.

  “You better sit down or you will see my anger.” He gave her a look that told her to listen or she would make matters worse. “The council did release you to me and I’m supposed to be keeping you under control. Any outburst from you could make them change their minds.”

  “Alright.” But she didn’t mean it. She crossed her arms in a huff and turned her face so she wasn’t looking at him.

  He wasn’t gone very long before she felt hands on her forehead. She slapped them away. “Stop that.”

  “Is that the way to treat your brother?”

  She looked up in shock. “I was told you had gone home.”

  “I had. I needed to get my things before returning. Wasn’t about to leave my truck.” He pulled his scanner out of his pocket and ran it over her. “I was supposed to be here before the ceremony, but I was delayed.”

  “Why are you here?” she snapped at him.

  “My, we’re a little testy, aren’t we? Your mate asked me to stay to take care of you while you’re pregnant and I agreed.” He looked at her. “But I can leave if you want me to and you can find another doctor.”

  “You are the only one I would trust with this and you know it.” She sighed. “I just don’t understand.”

  “What?” He checked his scanner.

  “What happened between the two of you?”

  He looked around. “Can we talk about this later?”

  “Why does everyone want to talk about this later?” Her anger started to boil again. “Why doesn’t anyone seem to care?”

  “Come on. I think you need to get some air.” He helped her to her feet and practically dragged her outside.

  “Kuarto, I’m fine.” She tried to pull herself from his grasp, but he had a lock on her arm and wasn’t letting go.

  “You want to start a fight and I’m not going to let you.” Once they had walked far enough away from the main hall he let go of her. “Okay, now. What is it that has you in this state?”

  “You two!” She stomped around. “I don’t understand how you can just walk away from her.”

  “That is what has caused this?” He looked at Storm who had followed them outside.

  “I don’t know. It did start when she questioned my sister about you two.” Storm stepped up and watched in awe as she grew angrier.

  “Is that all you can say?” She was hyper-focused on Kuarto and Toki.

  “Is it any of your business what happens between Toki and me?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Storm just grinned.

  “And what are you smiling about?” She turned that anger on him.

  “You. You’re glorious.”

  “What do you mean by that?” She felt warm and started to fan herself.

  “My heart, I’ve never seen you so mad. I’m not sure why you’re so angry but it does something for you. You’re glowing.”

  “They say that about all pregnant women.”

  “I know, but I mean it literally.” He took one of her hands and pulle
d it to where she could see it. It glowed a bright pink. “Doctor? Why does my mate look like the aurora borealis on Earth?”

  “I don’t know.” He glared at Heather. “I was trying to find out when she went supernova on me. I figured I needed to let her burn some of that steam off before I could continue with my examination.”

  “Kuarto?” Toki sighed in relief when she found them. “Here’s where you all got off to. You are needed inside.”

  “Not another ritual,” grumbled Heather.

  Storm chuckled as he escorted her back into the building. The glow hadn’t faded, but the bright lights of the hall should keep people from staring too much. “Just try to remain calm.”

  She pinched him. “I am calm.”

  “No pinching. I pinch back.” He stayed beside her, ready to drag her back out the moment she became unruly.

  Toki stood in front of the crowd and thanked them for all their well wishes. “You have made this transition easier for me and I hope to serve the planet well.” She looked around at all the faces staring back at her. “I do hope to change some of our more outdated laws so we can function better as a society. One of those laws pertains to some of the non-mating clauses that have been attached to some of the positions we have in our society.”

  Heather listened a little more intently now.

  “I have spoken to the council and our newly retired religious leader about this and we are going to start making the changes immediately. The first one is this position. In the past, our religious leaders abstained from taking mates because of one person’s misfortune. But that happened while the planet was at war with itself and we have been at peace for hundreds of years.”

  Storm’s demeanor changed subtly. She felt his body stiffen for a second before he forced it to relax again.

  “Recent circumstances brought my life mate to me before I took my vows. Once I realized this I knew I had very few choices, our happiness,” she looked at Kuarto. “Or my planet’s happiness. It was my brother’s mate who made me look at the laws. She couldn’t understand why I couldn’t have both. I was groomed for this since I was a child. My dilemma then was, why should I force my planet to allow me to have a mate, when many were in the same situation but didn’t have the power to make the changes needed. The position they hold was one of danger years ago, but not anymore, yet they still can’t mate. That isn’t fare to them or to me.” She looked at Kuarto again and held out her hand. He stepped to her side and put his arm around her waist. “I have spoken to the council and we will begin working on this at their next meeting. We will also be looking at some of the other restrictions on other positions, like the ones only men can hold, those that only allow mated people to be in. I know this will upset some of you. We’ve all been taught certain ideals as children. But we need to grow as a people, which means we need to look at ourselves from time to time and make changes that are for the good of the planet.”

  “So did you know about this?” Heather turned to Storm.

  “You are still glowing.” He led her outside.

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  “I know. I wasn’t about to in front of those people and you know that. What made you ask me a question like that in public anyway?”

  “I don’t know. I feel strange.” She touched her cheeks. “I’m not sure what is causing this and I think it is affecting the way I’m thinking.”

  “Thought so.” He brought her to a bench. His Uncle Hynna was close so Storm called him over. “Please stay with her. I need to find her brother.”

  “Of course.” He sat next to her. “So what did you think of the big announcement.”

  “I’m happy, but I don’t understand what the big secret was all about.” She stared at her hands. “I really am glowing, aren’t I?”

  “Very much, but it is pretty to look at.” He took her hand in his. “The secret was they had to get permission from the council before they could do anything about it and that permission only came just after the ceremony.”

  “That’s when you whispered in Toki’s ear.”

  He nodded.

  “Then they haven’t been bonded? Went through the ceremony?” Heather couldn’t believe the council would be that cruel to them. “They have to wait until her term is up now before going through the mating ritual?”

  “Didn’t say that.” He gave her one of his secretive smiles.

  “What are you saying?”

  Storm showed up at that point with her brother in tow. “Help her before she angers too many people. Including me.”

  “Your mate is fine.” Hynna patted her hand. “And if you paid any attention to Vespian physiology you would know she has eaten something that doesn’t agree with her. It will pass.”

  Storm and her brother looked at each other. “What are you talking about?”

  “An allergic reaction? Ever heard of it?” He looked at the two men. “What? You feel this can’t happen to Heather because her ancient blood is stronger than her Vespian blood? That’s where the issue came from. Most Vespians don’t glow, although they do turn a very becoming pink.” He stood. “Don’t forget what I know, boys. My knowledge of the ancients is vast and now I have two students to pass that knowledge onto. Four if I teach the two of you as well.” He pointed at Storm and Kuarto.

  “They’ll be there, Uncle,” said Heather. “I’ll be sure of it.”

  “You need to stay away from the luswenda plant.” He kissed her cheek. “Pretty sure that’s what caused this.”

  She nodded and stood. Once Hynna walked away, she turned to her brother. “So, you going to explain his comment or am I going to have to make a scene to know what’s going on.”

  “Heather.”

  She totally ignored her mate and stared at her brother. “Properly or not?”

  “Why is this so important to you?” Kuarto looked at her oddly.

  “Because I care.” Now she was on the verge of tears. “Oh, my.” She walked away. She was losing total control of her emotions and she didn’t want anyone to see it.

  Storm came up behind her. “My heart?”

  “I’m fine.” She wiped her eyes. “Just a little emotional.”

  “I hate seeing you like this.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  “What was that plant he mentioned?”

  “Uncle? A berry I think. It is used as a seasoning most of the time.”

  “Great. Now I have to be careful what I eat.” She rubbed her stomach. “Anyway you two want to come out early?”

  “Stop.” He walked her back to where her brother stood. “Can you give her something for the reaction?”

  “I can try.”

  Heather sat down. Fatigue started to set in. “I don’t want anything injected unless you’re sure it will work. This isn’t doing anything more than messing with my emotions and skin.” She looked at her hands again. The glow had faded just a little.

  Her brother knelt in front of her, scanner in hand. He got the reading he had been after and gave her a quick injection. Within minutes she returned to nice healthy tone with no glow.

  “I have made promises to my mate and the council that keep me from answering your question. You have been a member of this race long enough to know there are things they want kept a secret. Toki gave you a hint at the reasoning in her speech earlier.” He ran the scanner over her once more. “You should be fine in a moment or two.”

  “So I have to wait for the changes to start before I get my questions answered?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you have already answered it.” She closed her eyes as the medication finished clearing her system. “I feel much better, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He helped her to her feet. “I’m going to learn how good a doctor I truly am working with you, aren’t I?”

  “I fear you will,” said Storm. “But it’s one of the reasons she’s my heart. It’s never a dull moment around here.”

  “That I believe.”

  “You t
hree have got to stop taking off like this or I’m going to have to put bells on you so I can hear when you disappear.” Toki looked at Heather. “I see the glowing has stopped. Feeling better?”

  “Much.” She took Toki’s hand. There was no invisible bond wrapped around her wrist. “We were just coming in.”

  “Good.” She looked at Kuarto. Her formal dress shifted as she leaned into him for a moment. It was all Heather needed to see the mark her brother sported now on the soft swell of Toki’s breast.

  Heather grinned. Feeling much better, she hugged her mate and smiled up at him.

  “What?”

  “You were there, weren’t you? The witness they needed.”

  “You have very good eyes.”

  “I know.” She rested her head against his chest, happy to know they had been able to go through the mating ceremony before she took the position over. If they hadn’t, Heather wasn’t sure who would be able to do the ceremony for them.

  Now all she had to do was get her daughter back.

  About the Author

  Writing for Barbara Donlon Bradley started innocently enough, like most she kept diaries, journals, and wrote an occasional letter but she also had a vivid imagination and wrote scenes and short stories adding characters to her favorite shows and comic books. As time went on she found the passion for writing to be a strong drive for her. Humor is also very strong in her life. No matter how hard she tries to write something deep and dark, it will never happen. That humor bleeds into her writing. Since she can’t beat it she has learned to use it to her advantage. Now she lives in Tidewater Virginia with two cats, one mother in law – she’s 83 now, her husband and teenage son.

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