Love's Beguiling Healer

by Angela Verdenius

  Home looked wonderful.

  Noticing that Wylin and Tera had slowed down, their gazes taking in everything, he tried to see it through their eyes.

  There was no central clearing. Some homes had been built high in the trees, while others were at the base of them. The base homes were made of stone, the tree homes of wood. Stone stairs led up to the homes in the trees. Vines and flowers cascaded from walls and roofs. The settlement wasn't built in the forest, rather, it was built into the forest. No tree had been taken down to make way for a home. There were no walls to separate homes, but there was plenty of room between the dwellings. There were no well-tended gardens, but the ground was covered in thick grass and abundant with wildflowers. Stone paths had been made from the doorways of the homes and leading to one of the many tracks that entwined amongst the trees. The stones provided dry walking paths when the rains came.

  The homes weren't small, but neither were they huge. Blending into the forest, they housed their occupants in private and roomy comfort.

  One stone building stood at the edge of the settlement as they entered. The Meeting Hall where the clan congregated as necessary, such as when it rained. Otherwise the Felys preferred to gather outside.

  The Felys looked at the visitors, but went about their own business after either nodding politely to them, or simply glancing at them and moving away. The only ones who stared openly were the young Felys kits, who ogled the visitors from the safety of their homes.

  Denyon strode up to them with several Felys men and women accompanying him. Stopping before Tera and Illam, he introduced them.

  "This is Tera the Argon healer, and Wylin, her bodyguard,” Denyon announced quietly. “Tera and Wylin, these are our leaders, Shar and Almire."

  Shar inclined her head, her tortoiseshell hair sliding across her shoulders. “We are pleased to have you assist us,” she said calmly.

  "If we can be of assistance, don't hesitate to ask.” Almire smiled at them. His lilac, black and ginger hair, now touched with grey, was confined in a braid.

  "We're pleased to be here.” Tera said.

  Illam couldn't help but admire her calmness and her direct gaze as she shook the hands of his leaders, Wylin following her example.

  "These are our healers,” Almire added, stepping back. “They will be helping you wherever they can."

  Illam could see the interest in Tera's eyes as she shook the hands of the healers and noted the color of their hair. Rilla's hair was silver, black and white, and she wore it in a high ponytail. Marx's hair was blue at the front, with mostly white and the odd streak of brown. His hair was confined in a ponytail down his back, but wisps of it, as usual, hung around his shoulders.

  Rilla and Marx were wary of the visitors, but he also knew how keen they were to start talking to a healer from an advanced society, and especially one who was willing to help them with the runts. Illam had no doubt that only politeness kept the healers from dragging Tera and Wylin away immediately.

  "You will want to rest and refresh yourselves,” Shar announced. “You've come a long way. I'll show you to your dwelling."

  "We'll collect our things—” Wylin began, but she cut him off with an imperiously raised hand.

  "They are already being unloaded and taken into your dwelling."

  "Thank you.” Wylin held out his elbow to Tera, and she gracefully laid her hand upon it. He tucked her hand close into his side.

  Illam wasn't fooled by the Argon's gesture. He was openly proclaiming Tera as being in his care and under his protection. Wise move, but unnecessary amongst the Felys. The Argon's safety was already assured.

  Shar looked at Illam and Denyon. “Show them to their dwelling, then I expect you to stop by my home and give us a full report of your travels."

  "Of course.” Denyon replied, his gaze steady.

  "We'll speak soon,” Rilla told Tera eagerly.

  "At the dinner,” Marx added.

  "Of course,” Rilla replied.

  "Excellent.” Marx nodded enthusiastically.

  "Just the place.” Rilla beamed.

  "To get acquainted,” Marx tacked on.

  Seeing that Tera was getting a confused look on her face, Illam explained with barely restrained laughter, “They mean they'll see you at the dinner to chat."

  "So I gathered,” she returned.

  The healers and leaders left, and Denyon smiled at her. “Rilla and Marx will keep you entertained."

  She smiled faintly, but Illam wondered if that was a flash of trepidation in her lovely eyes. He nearly snickered out loud, but managed to look suitably serious.

  "Come,” Denyon gestured. “I'll show you to your home for the next few weeks."

  The visitor's dwelling was right in the middle of the settlement, at the base of a huge tree. Slightly raised, as all the base homes were so that rain didn't come inside the door, it was a large, roomy structure.

  Illam grinned to himself as Tera and Wylin looked around in pleased surprise. He was certain that they'd expected something rustic, when in fact what they saw was comfort and style. The floor was made of stone, but it was the crystal stones from the caves. They were white with blue marbled veins running through them. In the centre of the floor away from the door was a thick, plush carpet that begged to be rolled on. The armchairs were deep and covered in velvet. The cushions on the sofa were fuzzy, made of fake fur. Bookshelves lined one wall and were half-filled with books. The window was framed with royal blue velvet curtains.

  At the back of the room was another door that led into a kitchen, which was decorated with sturdy wooden chairs and thick cushions. The dark wooden benches were polished to a high shine. The window here was framed with lace curtains that were tied back to each side with a length of silk ribbon. A door at the back led into a laundry and outside. Off the laundry was the toilet.

  Another door led from the living area into a small passage, off which came doors. Two of the doors led to the two bedrooms beside each other. Each room held a big bed covered in soft quilts, and a plush carpet on the floor. Heavy curtains again hung at the glass doors that opened out onto the verandahs, and the wood was polished to a high shine.

  "What's this?” Tera had the third door open, peeking into the small room which was empty of everything except for a rack of soft, fluffy towels, and a staircase that led downwards.

  "Below ground is a hot spring,” Denyon explained. “Your bath is there."

  "Really?” Tera grinned at Wylin. “Shall we?"

  "Why not?” He replied good naturedly, and took the lead as any bodyguard would in strange surroundings.

  Tera rolled her eyes and followed on his heels. Illam and Denyon followed them down into the bathroom.

  "This is just beautiful!” Tera gazed around in awe.

  "I've never seen anything like it,” Wylin added.

  Illam looked around with pride. He liked the bathroom, too, if one could call it that. The spring that ran under the settlement was fed into a pool under every dwelling. From each individual pool, a small stream fed out into another stream that disappeared in another direction under the wall, ensuring that no family's bath water was fed into the next door neighbor's pool. The water steamed gently, and Tera carefully stuck her finger in.

  "Warm,” she said gleefully. “I could live in this water!"

  "And turn into a prune,” Wylin said.

  "I'd be a happy prune,” she replied.

  Illam glanced around the bathroom. While his was done in shades of blue, this one was in shades of green. The walls and floor were the white, green-veined marble crystal again. The pool was done in the same material, the edges heavily in the green vein. Three steps led into the pool at one end. A stream of water flowed steadily from the spout at the far end of the pool, giving a continuous fresh water run.

  A rack was against one wall ready for towels to be hung on. Another rack awaited clothes. A drain stood near the pool to catch any dripping water and take it away.

  "I love it!” Tera e
xclaimed. “I just...” Her gaze alighted on the rail screwed into the wall, with the step below it, and her voice trailed away.

  "Love it?” Illam supplied, vastly entertained.

  She gave him a bold stare. “I've done it in the water, but not against the wall in the bathroom. Guess I'll have to try it out sometime."

  By Delcat! Illam's heart started to beat double time.

  "Does seem a shame to play out of the water though, it being so hot and all,” she added nonchalantly. “The cold does strange things to...” her gaze dropped to his crotch “...Things."

  By God, two could play at this! “It's actually warm in here, in case you hadn't noticed, makit. Perhaps you need warming up first?"

  That made the little witch sit up and take notice! Illam smirked.

  "Oh, it doesn't take me long to get hot.” She smiled, baring her teeth.

  She had no shame. His eyes narrowed, even as he inhaled her heady scent, which was intensified by the heat in the bathroom. “You could get sweaty, though."

  "Hot and sweaty is how I like it."

  Is that right? “How about rough and hot and sweaty?"

  "Depends if claws are going to be involved."

  Hard-on, here I come. “Depends how much she'll struggle."

  "Dominance, huh?"

  "Looking for submission, baby?” he breathed throatily.

  "Think we should leave them alone?” Denyon asked mildly.

  "I'm thinking I should remove Tera from this room and let the cool air clear her senses,” Wylin growled, glaring at Illam.

  Tera blinked and went red as she seemed to notice the presence of the other two men. “I'm kidding."

  I'm not. Illam licked his lips.

  Wylin gave him a narrow-eyed look and hooked his hand through Tera's elbow. “Let's unpack, shall we?"

  He had her going up the stairs before Illam could even blink.

  Shaking his head, Denyon muttered, “Illam, Illam, Illam.” Then he turned and followed them.

  Shit. Taking a deep breath, Illam stomped up the stairs after him, trying to ignore yet another half a hard-on. His bum muscle gave a twitch in irritation.

  By the time he got to the top, he could hear Tera and Denyon out the back. He trailed out to see Tera leaning back against the tree trunk. Wylin was standing close to her. Closer than he had before. He also gave Illam another once-over through flinty eyes.

  Great. Just great.

  He heard Denyon say, “We'll come and get you in about an hour's time. The clan is sharing a meal at the Meeting Hall. It'll be a good time for you all to meet and get to know each other."

  "I'm looking forward to it,” Tera replied. “I'll get a chance to check out the diet."

  "Maybe you need to simply relax and enjoy the evening meal before starting your research?” Wylin suggested.

  "Oh, you know me, Wylin.” Tera flashed him a bright smile. “I'm always on the job!"

  "We'll take our leave of you, then.” Denyon nodded to them. “If you need anything, my home is opposite, and Illam's is the one on the left next to you. We're close by at all times."

  "Is that so?” Wylin looked directly at Illam as he spoke. “How ... comforting."

  Great again. Just bloody great. Illam did a mental eye roll. Now Tera's bodyguard would be watching him like a carrion eater whenever he was in the vicinity of Tera. Well, the Argon had nothing to worry about.

  Illam, on the other hand, was very much afraid that he himself had a huge problem. And that wasn't counting his hard-on.

  * * * *

  Space

  The ship shook under the onslaught. A masculine cry of pain came from below, the sound of laser fire searing the steel walls.

  His younger friend looked at him. “We're going to die, aren't we?"

  What could, he say? There was nothing comforting he could even hope to offer the younger man. Instead, he placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.

  "What of the young wench?” his young friend whispered.

  "We'll die for her. For them both.” He looked back towards the cabins with their closed doors. “They're as safe as we can get them."

  "But safe enough?"

  What could he say? His love was safe, but his friend's young love ... he shuddered. If the pirates got hold of her, of the captain's wife ... bile filled his throat, and he had to swallow hard.

  Yes, he knew his own love was safe, but the thought that he might not see her again near on broke his heart in two.

  But now was not the time to mourn what might not be. His friends, the remainder of the crew, were all looking to him for guidance.

  "Forgive me, my love. I can't think of you now.” He whispered the words in his mind, but what he whispered in his heart was, “I love you so much."

  And out loud, he started snapping orders.

  * * * *

  Leaning one shoulder on the doorframe of Tera's room, Wylin crossed his arms over his chest, and his ankles. “So, care to tell me what that was all about?"

  "What?” She drew out a gown and hung it in the big wardrobe.

  "That little heated exchange with Illam."

  "Oh, that.” She shrugged, managing to maintain a stoic expression. “He was being smart, so I thought I'd shake him up a bit."

  "Shake him up? Tera, you nearly had the man on fire."

  "Pshaw!” She sniffed and retrieved another gown.

  "You're a healer. You know what a man's anatomy looks like when he's aroused."

  "Illam's always aroused."

  Wylin straightened, his eyes alert. “Oh?"

  She looked at him and sighed. “Wylin, stop worrying."

  "Stop worrying? Tera, if your father saw the way you two were looking at each other, he'd be the one doing the worrying!"

  "And if Hanna saw it, she'd be amused. It's nothing, Wylin. I got carried away with teasing, all right?” I'd like to get carried away by Illam. No! No, I wouldn't! Liar.

  "I think you need to stop discussing sex acts with him, and start doing it with the healers,” Wylin suggested.

  Tera raised her brows, a grin curving her lips. “Start doing it with the healers?"

  "I mean discussing sex.” Wylin sighed. “Tera, you're playing with fire when you tease Illam."

  "Worried he'll pounce me?” Ooohh, now that was titillating!

  "Yes, I am."

  "Well don't be. He doesn't even like me, and the feeling is mutual.” I do, however, lust after him. I'll admit that to myself.

  Wylin gave her an odd look.

  "What?” Throwing the gown on the bed, she stood with her hands planted on her hips. “Is this going to be another lecture?"

  "Tera, we're visitors here."

  "No! Really?"

  "Ha-ha. Very amusing. Just be careful."

  "I am being careful. I'm always careful.” She winked at him. “I've never gotten pregnant yet."

  Now Wylin looked worried.

  "Wylin, just relax and enjoy yourself. Nothing is going to go wrong."

  "We're talking about you, Tera. Anything could go wrong."

  "Oh, now you're being so amusing. Have you unpacked?"

  "Don't change the subject."

  "That subject is over and done. Want me to unpack for you?” She grinned. “Did you bring your sex manual to add bits to?"

  "Add to?"

  "You and a little Felys wench.” She winked.

  "Hardly,” he replied dryly.

  "None of these little femme kitties appeal to you?"

  Wylin had another odd expression on his face. “I don't actually know them yet, Tera."

  She stopped in the act of picking up her nightgown. “Wylin? Are you all right?"

  "That was my original question to you.” He glanced at the container at the end of the bed. “And now I'm really worried."

  "Why?” She looked down and groaned as she saw the sex manual lying on top of the heap of books. “Hanna's doing. She thinks it's funny that...” she halted. “I'm going to kill her when I ge
t back. Want to help?"

  "Why not? I won't have anything better to do apart from run a mile from your father."

  "Why would you run a mile from him?"

  Wylin gave her a sardonic look.

  "There's nothing between me and Illam, and even if there was—” She frowned at him when his lips tightened. “Okay, even if there was something between me and any Felys male, it's not my father's business."

  "You're in my care."

  "I think we've had this conversation before, back on the scout ship.” Placing her finger on her lips, she frowned thoughtfully up at the ceiling. “My, my. Yes, we did. Do you remember?"

  Wylin sighed gustily. “Tera—"

  "I'm no virgin, Wylin,” Tera said bluntly. “Haven't been one for a long time, and that's not so unusual for our race. So don't get your knickers in a knot about something that may never happen."

  "May?"

  "I mean will never happen.” She sighed as gustily as him. “You're here to make sure I don't get killed, maimed or hurt. Not to watch my sex life."

  He looked appalled.

  "Or lack thereof,” she added. “Is that better?"

  "Tera—"

  "I'm not listening. Talk to the hand.” She held up her palm.

  "I ought to give you a hand, all right."

  "Ooohh, kinky.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “I didn't know you cared, sugar."

  Wylin shook his head in mock despair.

  Softening, she crossed the room to rub his cheek affectionately. “Wylin, you're a dear to worry, but my Father does not and will not hold you responsible for whom I choose to get involved with, whoever or wherever that may be. We're a sexual people, and I'm an adult. My choices are my own."

  "I know,” he replied gruffly. “I'm just trying to see that you don't get hurt."

  "I'm not going to get hurt."

  His own eyes softened. “I mean hurt as in heart-wise."

  "I'm not going to get hurt heart-wise, either. That was a long time ago."

  "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reminded you.” He gave her a sudden hug. “I love you like a sister, and I'm just trying to protect you."

  "And I appreciate it.” She hugged him back. “But I'm here for research, not to play with the Felys males.” Drawing back, she winked. “Though there's nothing like personal, hands-on experience."