"Right.” Sarcasm dripped from the word.
"It was just the dream again."
Wylin looked closely at her. “Why?"
"I don't know.” Or maybe she did...
"Do you feel guilty about what happened?” Wylin rested his elbows on the table.
"It wasn't my fault, so why should I?"
"I mean about finding love with Illam?"
She looked at him. “What makes you think it's love?"
"A blind man can see it. You two are happiest when together. Tera, he practically drools when in your presence."
"Not to sound boastful, Wylin, but so do most men not from Argon."
"Ah yes, but the Felys don't have that fatal attraction towards us, remember?"
"Just testing.” She grinned.
Ignoring her teasing, Wylin regarded her soberly. “He is territorial around you, Tera. You do know what you're dealing with, right?"
"Of course. I'm not blind or stupid."
Never said you were.” Unfazed, Wylin continued to watch her steadily. “That Felys is mad in love with you, Tera. What about you?"
She met his gaze just as steadily. “I have feelings."
"How deep?"
"Deep enough."
"Love?"
"You're lucky you're my close friend, Wylin, or I'd bust you for asking such personal questions."
"I don't want things to get ugly when we leave to go home, and Illam starts getting all feral on us."
She eyed him over the mug of hot una. “Actually, he's asked me to stay on."
Wylin's brows shot up. “Pardon?"
"He's asked me to stay. We've had a little chat, see. He's stated he loves me and wants me to stay. We've agreed that I'll stay on for a while after the research is finished, to see if I really do love him."
Wylin's normally unfazed expression was slack-jawed with surprise.
Getting up from the table, Tera leaned across to pat his cheek. “So you see, dear friend, you're a little late. I know what I'm doing."
He closed his mouth finally. “I hope so."
"I know so."
"I'll stay with you—"
"Oh-ho! No you won't. When this is finished, you're going home to resume being Kiile's bodyguard, and I'm staying here with the Felys to see what my true feelings are for Illam."
Frowning, Wylin said, “Do you really think he'll allow you to leave if you decide you don't love him?"
"He'll let me leave,” she replied with complete assurity. “But there's one question that remains to be answered, Wylin."
"And what's that?"
"Will I want to?"
"I guess only you know the answer to that."
"Yes, I do.” She smiled at him. “This is between me and Illam. I know you care about me, and I appreciate it. We've been friends a long time, and you've seen me through a really rough patch. Now I ask your support in this."
"I don't want to see you hurt, Tera."
"With Illam, that won't happen.” And she knew it with every fiber of herself. “He won't make it hard for me if I decide to leave. But, Wylin?"
"Yes?"
"I don't ... I don't think I might leave, you know."
Wylin regarded her for the longest time before walking around the table to hug her tightly.
"You'll support me?” she whispered.
"Wholeheartedly,” he replied. “If Illam is what you want, I'll back you all the way. But if he hurts you, his lykitty hide hangs on my wall."
Tera laughed and there was a little catch in it.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, Wylin pushed her back a little so that he could smile down into her face. “You deserve happiness, Tera."
"I've always been happy."
"You've always had something missing."
Her friend had always been so astute. Tera smiled at him, gave his cheek a small rub. “Are we ready to go to the scout ship?"
Astute as ever, Wylin smiled back at her. “We're just waiting for you to wake up, you slothful wench."
"Well, pardon me!"
Illam was waiting at the foot of the tree. When she reached the last step, he gave her a resounding kiss on the lips. “About time, you sleepy female!"
"That's sweet,” she said, grinning up at him. “But you're going to have to wait a bit longer. I'm going home to bathe and change my clothes. I have slept in them you know."
"So I see.” His gaze ran hungrily over her. “I'll come and help."
"I don't think so.” Laughing, she gave him a small shove. “I need to get this data to Father, and find out what news he has. Behave yourself."
"Can I at least wash your back?"
She fluttered her lashes up at him. “You can wash more than just that tonight, handsome."
A growl of approval rumbled through him.
Wylin came down the steps, and Tera called out to him, “Keep Illam company while I go and wash, all right?"
"As long as he doesn't offer to wash my back,” Wylin replied blandly, having obviously heard the exchange between them.
"Might be interesting,” she replied pertly.
"Cheeky wench.” Wylin frowned mockingly at her. “Hurry up."
Back at the house they shared, she washed quickly in the underground pool, delighting in the hot water and scented soap, but knowing everyone was waiting for her, she reluctantly dried herself and got dressed.
This time the top was sleeveless and hung down to her thighs. The lace was strategically placed across her breasts and down in a thin line to the hem. The rest of her was bare.
Hmm, possibly too revealing. Illam might drag me into the bushes, which I wouldn't mind at all! But the others might not appreciate it, and he is a little territorial at the moment, I don't want him snarling at the other men.
The next tunic she chose was in pale lavender, with a lot more lace and only glimpses of flesh. The loose pants came down just past her knees. Wrapping the ribbons of the sandals around her calves, she tied them off. A quick swipe of the brush through her hair, and she pulled it up in a ponytail. Yep, now she looked like a working healer.
* * * *
Illam's mouth watered as Tera came towards the group waiting for her at the healers’ hut. Her eyes, though still a little tired looking, were a startling pale, crystal blue between her thick eyelashes. Soft, lush lips begged to be kissed, and her pert little nose was just ... kissable. So was the determined, rounded chin.
And that thick, brunette hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, showing her elegant bone structure and graceful neck. How he wanted to rasp his tongue down that munchable length!
And the clothes ... Jocat! The ribbons of her simple sandals were wrapped around shapely calves, and the lace on the loose blouse gave naughty hints of what lay beneath, the glimpses of shapely flesh a naughty diversion.
God above! He wanted her—now!
"Steady on,” Denyon murmured. “You're about to make me blind again."
"You and me both.” Wylin glanced sideways at Illam and winced. “Stars, Illam, think of something else!"
"I can't,” he growled.
"Then you'll have to stay behind, because if you jump Tera while we're on the way to the ship, I'll be forced to jump you."
"Okay, that deflated me."
"Good.” Wylin suddenly got his meaning and pulled a face. “Now I feel ill."
"Serves you right.” Illam grinned as Tera came up, sliding his arm around her waist and leaning down to rub the corner of his mouth across her cheekbone. “Hello, makit."
"'Morning all.” Tera smiled at everyone. “Sorry for sleeping in."
"You didn't even wake up,” Rilla informed her.
"When Illam carried you to the guestroom,” Marx explained.
"I can sleep quite heavily.” Totally unembarrassed, she grinned widely. “What can I say?"
"You mean in-between the snoring?” Wylin queried.
"I don't snore!"
"That's not what Illam said."
Tera frowned
up at Illam, and he scowled at Wylin.
"Wylin?” Tera questioned.
"You lying bastard,” Illam said to Wylin.
Wylin smirked.
"Makit, I would never say that about you,” Illam smiled down at Tera. “Ever."
"Do I snore?"
"Yes,” Wylin answered. “According to Illam."
Illam snarled at Wylin.
Wylin grinned lazily back at him.
"Never mind.” Shaking her head, Tera looked at Rilla. “I'll get the data collector and we can go."
Retrieving it from the table inside the healers’ hut, Tera set off with Rilla, Taj, Wylin, Illam and another Lyman security, introduced as Sabin.
The trip to the scout ship was again done through the tunnels. Once inside, she inserted the data collector into the small box on the console, then exchanged idle chit-chat with Kiile while Sarcan readied himself. It wasn't long before her Father was on the viscomm.
Illam sat lazily in the other chair and listened with interest.
"Have you got anything for us, Father?” she greeted him.
"Some interesting things, actually,” Sarcan replied. “I'll send the data, and while it's downloading I'll show you what I've found."
"Before you do, I have to download the data I collected from the Lypeople,” she said. “It'll only take a minute or two.” She pressed the switch then leaned back in the chair. “What did you find?"
"I'll put it up on the screen."
Within seconds a picture of a flower came into view. It slowly melted into the DNA structure, and her eyes widened as she saw the faintest red shine on the side of it.
"It has the same shine as the DNA of the Felys people!"
"But weaker, and it hasn't affected the DNA of the plant. And even though present on the other plants and in the food, be it animal or not, it hasn't affected them. Only the Felys’ DNA."
"Interesting.” She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “Is it harmful to ingest?"
"Not at all. All tests run on it show it to be harmless to eat. In fact, stomach acid destroys it.” Sarcan's face reappeared. “I tested it because, my child, I was worried about you and Wylin eating there."
"Ah, of course.” Tera smiled. “But it's okay to eat?"
"Makes no difference to eat it. But I have found something else.” His face took the place of the plant.
"And that is?"
"Tera, the red shine has signs of being from a ray."
"A ray?"
"The rayscope was the only way to see the red shine. That means it's visible only to the rayscope, which means it's a ray. I've tried other means of showing it, to no avail. Kiile called in his weapons expert, and he confirms the shine is from ray of some kind."
Totally bewildered, Tera sat back in the chair.
"Pardon me, Sarcan,” Illam said quietly. “If I may interrupt?"
"Of course.” Sarcan looked at him.
"This ray. Do you have any idea where it comes from?"
"I wish. All I know is that once the weapons expert identified it as a ray, we ran some tests on the DNA to confirm it. But whatever ray it's from, it is slowly destroying your species."
The Argon healer's words echoed in the cabin. Tera and Illam exchanged glances.
"Destroying the species?” Tera queried.
"It would appear to be designed to destroy the DNA of the Felys. It skims over other DNA and goes straight to that of the Felys."
"I bet I know who,” Illam growled furiously.
"Who?” Tera queried.
"Those bloody hell hounds! The Canys!"
"It may not be so,” Tera was quick to lay her hand on his arm. “Father, I have the specimen data of the Lypeople here. Can you get it run through and back to me today?"
"Certainly. It won't take long at all to bring the DNA up, now we have most of the data. A half hour to ring it up and verify it if we find anything red on it."
"Then we'll wait to hear back."
As soon as Sarcan left, Kiile appeared, asking for Wylin. No doubt wanting an update on the situation with the Canys.
Tera strode down the corridor and out into the cave to talk to Taj.
At their news, his gaze sharpened. “A ray?"
"So it appears. Father is running your specimen data now.” Tera folded her arms and cast a worried glance at Illam, who was still furious.
"You think it's the Canys?” Taj queried.
"Who else?” Illam snarled.
"You forget, they're having runts, too,” Tera pointed out.
"Maybe it's backfired on them."
"Illam."
He sighed suddenly. “Okay. You're right. It may not be them."
"But you're not convinced?” Taj watched him closely.
"Those hounds have hated us for centuries. And Ropar is a maniac at times."
"But he wouldn't allow his own packs to be destroyed."
Illam sighed again. “You know, if it was that bastard, things would be so much simpler."
"We could just go to war and wipe them out?” Taj grinned, his eyes darkening.
Illam snarled a low approval.
And Tera had another glimpse of their wildness.
It didn't faze her. Smacking Illam on his arm, she said sternly, “Cut it out!"
They both had the good grace to look sheepish.
"Just a thought,” Illam said.
"Forget it."
"Whatever you say, makit.” He winked at Taj.
She pinched his bum, hard enough to make him hiss.
"Ooohh, female, you're going to pay for that later.” He glared down at her, but his lips twitched at the corners.
"I am so scared. Watch me shake."
"You'll be shaking all right."
She crossed her eyes at him.
Laughing, he hugged her to him.
Taj looked up as Wylin came down the ramp. “Everything okay?"
"Kiile was just checking up on the situation with the Canys,” Wylin replied. “I told him there's been no change so far."
"Very good.” Taj nodded. “Tera, I have a question."
"Yes?"
"How can your Father run tests when he only has data, not the actual specimens?"
"The data collector has the information correlated in it. I pass it over the specimens, and it absorbs the aura and minutest impressions, processes it and lays it out in a readable pattern. Father receives that information and is able to recreate tiny pieces of the specimen to study."
"But isn't that dangerous? You could let loose an unknown disease into your environment."
"The data collector collects impressions only. It can't collect disease or anything else. It's sole purpose is information."
"But Sarcan was able to see the ray?"
"The impression of it,” she corrected. “Under a rayscope."
"I don't quite understand,” he admitted. “But if it works to solve this damned mystery, I'm happy."
"Father is going to run your specimen data now,” Tera informed him. “We should soon know if you have the same red ray."
Taj's pupils dilated. “I hope not."
"It's possible if your runt rate is higher than normal."
The time passed with seemingly painful slowness, until finally Tera started up the ramp. She had Wylin, Taj and Illam right behind her, but she couldn't blame them. Sabin obviously wanted to follow, too, but he was standing guard.
Poor bugger! She couldn't stop from giving him a small smile and wave, which he returned before sweeping his gaze around the huge cave again, especially near the heavily concealed entrance.
Sarcan's face was already on the viscomm as Tera sat down, Taj right behind her while Wylin and Illam stood a little further back.
"All right, Father,” Tera said quietly. “What did you find?"
"The red ray is present in the Lypeople, but not as strong.” Sarcan looked at Taj. “Your runt rate isn't as high, is it?"
"No.” Taj's lips pressed firmly together.
"That would be
explained by the fact that the ray isn't as strong in your DNA.” Sarcan returned his gaze to Tera. “It could be confirmed one hundred percent if we had all the DNA data of the Lypeople."
"That would take weeks,” Taj said.
"Then we can only go by the specimens provided by yourself and your men,” Sarcan stated. “To see if it's present in all your species is unable to be confirmed completely."
"But it's possible."
"Between us, I say absolutely so, but as far as saying it is officially, that I can't do."
Taj glanced down at Tera. “Your daughter could collect the data?"
Illam watched Tera and Sarcan closely, but neither gave anything of their thoughts away. He wasn't surprised by Taj's query. If it was him, he'd have asked the same.
"If Kiile is in agreement, and the Felys, and Tera herself, then yes."
"Then I will discuss it with the Lypeople Council, then if they agree, I'll contact Kiile."
"As you please."
"Do you know how to destroy it?” Taj queried.
"Not yet, but I'm working on it."
"No ideas at all?"
"Gastric juices kill it, but as that's not possible to let loose on your DNA, that's still a no."
Taj nodded stiffly.
"You know, Father...” Tera glanced sideways at Taj before returning her gaze to the screen. “The Canys are having a higher influx of runts, too."
Illam stiffened. The little witch!
"Really?” Sarcan scratched his chin through his beard. “How interesting.” He cocked his head at her. “How far away is the Canys settlement in comparison to the Felys and Lypeople?"
"You think this may have a bearing?"
"Distance."
Tera turned to Taj. “Who is closest to the Felys settlement?"
"The Canys."
"Mmm.” She looked back at her father. “How interesting."
"Isn't it?” Sarcan pursed his lips. “If we could get a sample—"
"Absolutely not!” Illam stormed forward to place his hand on Tera's shoulder. “No! She is not going to the Canys!"
"I never said she was,” Sarcan said mildly. “But if someone else could? Someone who isn't an enemy of the Canys?"
"You mean the Lypeople?” Taj smiled wryly.
"Yes."
"We're not true enemies, but neither are we friendly. We tolerate each other."
"Is there a neutral territory that you meet?"
"That would be where the three boundaries meet. There's a mile of ground that's neutral territory, which is where the leaders meet if there's a problem."
Love's Beguiling Healer Page 38