"I want the healer to come to my city,” Ropar barked out.
"No,” Denyon snarled. “The Lypeople will be in touch."
"It is her I will speak to!"
"You will speak to no one but the Lypeople.” Denyon snapped the viscomm off.
The sudden silence behind her was unnerving. She expected to hear running feet any second, but there was just that unnerving silence.
And the low growling and hissing. Unnerving.
Wylin's calm façade hid what he was really feeling, but she had no doubt she was in for a tongue lashing.
He took her back to their house at a brisk pace, but without drawing attention to themselves, straight through the living area, and didn't let her arm go until he practically dumped her into a kitchen chair. Leaning back against the kitchen sink, he stared unblinkingly at her.
"Okay,” she said wearily. “Go on. Rant and rave."
"I don't rant and rave.” His voice was quiet. Deadly quiet.
"Then give me the tongue lashing. Go ahead."
"The lashing you need isn't with the tongue."
"Don't give me that.” Leaning her elbow on the table, she sighed. “You've never laid a hand on a wench in your life. Not in anger."
"Oddly enough, that could change any second now."
Wryly she looked up at him.
"Damn it, Tera!” He gritted his teeth. “You were ordered not to contact that mad Canys bastard."
"I didn't contact him. He was on the viscomm while I was there."
"And what, exactly, were you doing there?"
"Checking the map to see how far the Canys city was from the Lypeople city and the Felys settlement.” She leaned forward. “And guess what? The Canys are a lot closer to the Felys, which could account for why their runts have increased."
"And how am I to account for having to fight the Felys for your hide?"
"Huh?"
"Denyon and Illam looked like they could tear strips off you.” Wylin scowled. “Not that I can blame them."
Tera looked at him glumly, all the interest and excitement draining from her. “They were mad."
"They have a right to be."
"It wasn't like I set out to contact that crazed hound!"
"You could have simply walked out when he showed."
"Why? I disobeyed no one."
The sound of boots resounding on the back verandah made her wince. Wylin automatically shifted to stand beside her to face the door, and she knew he would protect her against Denyon and Illam, regardless of the men's growing friendship. If they meant her harm, it would be over his dead body.
Which she couldn't allow. So she stood as well. Besides, Illam would never harm her. He loved her. She raised her chin. Bring it on, Felys.
And then the two Felys stormed in, and she quaked inwardly.
Okay, maybe Illam would harm her, he looked furious enough. If it was possible, the hair on his back—of which there was none—would be up in a ridge.
"Back off,” Wylin said softly, when he made to go straight to Tera.
Illam halted, the pupils of his eyes slitted. He growled low at Wylin.
Following him inside, Denyon's gaze switched from his friend to Wylin, taking in the situation in one glance.
And thank the stars, even though still angry, he obviously isn't as furious as Illam. Tera cast him a pleading look. The last thing she wanted was blood shed between her dearest friend, and her lover. Though her lover looked like he could probably shed her blood with no second thought.
Illam hissed, long and low and menacingly.
Instead of warning him off, Denyon said calmly, “Wylin, back away from Tera."
"No,” Wylin replied.
Lifting his head, Illam snarled hotly.
"Wylin, I ask you again. If you wish to avoid bloodshed, move away from Tera."
"Tera is in my care—"
"Tera is mine.” Illam's snarl seared through the room.
Wylin didn't budge.
Tera stepped in front of Wylin. “Don't hurt him, Illam!"
"If he doesn't get away from you, Tera, I will shred him!” Lifting his head, Illam gave an unearthly yowl of warning, similar to that which she'd heard from lycats fighting just before they attacked.
"Wylin, Illam won't hurt Tera,” Denyon said softly. “Trust me. She is in our care, under my protection as well. If you don't want to see blood shed right now, move away and trust us."
Moving forward slowly, his knees bent slightly, his unwavering, hotly glowing eyes trained on Wylin, Illam snarled warningly. “Move!"
"Please, Wylin.” Keeping her eyes on Illam, she gave Wylin a small push. “He won't hurt me.” She hoped.
She felt Wylin's hand brush the holstered laser at his side before he stepped away, and knew he would draw quickly and shoot Illam with no hesitation if there was any sign of violence. It scared her, both the thought that Illam might hurt her friend, and that her friend might hurt her lover.
"Oh shit!” She burst into tears. “Bloody men!” And she ran from the room.
Immediately there was the sound of boots in hot pursuit, and a shouted warning, followed by a calm voice.
She registered it all dimly, even as a hand hooked into her elbow and spun her around to slam into a hard, naked chest. She started to push back, crying harder than ever, only to be held in strong arms in a vice-like grip.
She knew it was Illam, even though she had her eyes shut while she bawled like a baby. How bloody embarrassing was that? But she could smell his faintly wild, totally masculine scent. And his purring was deep and soothing, resounding against her cheek as he held her head firmly to his chest. And that purring made her stop struggling and lean into him instead, as she fought back the sobs.
"Bloody fur-ball!” she gasped.
The purring continued.
"I ought to kick your arse for scaring me like that!"
The purring continued.
"Castrate you."
The purring stopped.
"Okay, I take that back,” she choked.
The purring recommenced.
Quiet voices sounded again. Denyon, calm as always. Well, when he wasn't looking like he might murder her. Wylin's voice answered him, and though she couldn't hear the words, he was just as calm, and that was a good sign.
So was the fact that instead of tearing strips off her, Illam had just sat down on the sofa and drawn her down onto his lap. Cradling her close and purring madly in an attempt to soothe her. Just as a mother lycat did with a lykitten when it was upset. Purr for comfort.
How sweet.
She bawled harder.
He purred more intensely.
She wondered which of them was going to pass out first.
* * * *
"Damn it!” Cursing, Ropar flung away from the viscomm. “Those feral bastards! Those useless scum! Dare to deny me! Dare to deny me!"
Cringing on the other side of the door, Lazar rolled his eyes. The alpha was going off again.
"The healer will talk to me! She'll tell me what she knows! Lazar!"
Oh damn. Lazar opened the door with a trembling hand and shuffled in cravenly. “Yes, Sire?"
"Those damned Felys won't send that bitch to me!"
No kidding?
"But I've figured out a way to get her. Get my hovercraft ready! Now, you useless mutt!"
Brightening, Lazar left the room at a run. Whoo hoo! No Ropar for a couple of days—even a couple of hours was a blessing! Yes! How—
"And be waiting for me inside it, Lazar!” Ropar boomed out. “You're driving, since I shot that other useless mutt and he's out of action for a while!"
Oh crap. The light just went out of Lazar's day.
* * * *
Illam felt as though his heart would break. He felt as though he'd been through a windmill of emotions so fast, it just about left him feeling faint.
When he'd heard Denyon roaring out for him, he'd felt fear for Tera, but when he saw Ropar's ugly mug on the viscomm, he'd
wanted to yowl and scratch the bastard's eyes out. Then kill him on the spot, shredding him without a care. And then Tera had tried to talk to the crazed hound, ignoring Illam's warning not to, and he'd felt fury towards her, too. Trying to control his temper wasn't easy, and when Ropar had demanded to talk to her, had dared to state that she was his to talk to, he'd seen rage in the color of red.
And yet, somehow, he'd managed to hang onto his temper. Enough to order Wylin to take Tera home, away from the loathsome sight of the hell hound.
Yes, he'd stomped back to her house. Yes, he'd entered with every intention of giving her a tongue lashing for daring to disobey and talk to the hell hound. But then he'd seen the fear in her eyes, the wariness, and had felt it like a punch in the guts. Then, when he'd made a move towards her, to try and explain, Wylin had demanded he stop. Granted, he probably looked feral still, but Wylin had tried to come between them.
Him. Illam. Tera's lover and nature-mate. Wylin coming between them. He'd wanted to rip Wylin's throat out for keeping him from his mate. He'd been more than ready, and then Tera had stepped forward, pleading with him with those beautiful eyes, trying to protect her friend from him. Saying she knew he wouldn't hurt her, but the fear was still in her eyes.
And then she'd sworn and burst into tears and run.
Females! He'd never understand them.
But he understood that he'd frightened her, that she'd never truly seen him furious enough to claw out at someone. And she'd been scared witless that he was aiming to do the same to her and her friend. As if he'd hurt Tera! Wylin—well, he wouldn't hurt him unless it was to protect Tera, or if Wylin stood between Tera and himself. But never Tera.
He'd sooner die. Jocat, he felt like he was dying a little more with every sob that came from her. Not to mention every insult, which he could handle, though the castrate one was a bit rude.
"Shhh, makit.” He rubbed the corner of his mouth against the top of her head, feeling the silky strands against his lips.
"You arse!” she gulped.
"Are you finished insulting me?” he murmured into her fragrant hair.
Pushing upright on his lap, she rubbed the tears from her cheeks and took a steadying breath. “You deserve it after the fright you gave me."
"You deserved the fright after speaking to that hell hound.” He sighed. “Tera, don't let's point the finger at each other. I want to get to the bottom of something much more important right now."
Sniffing, she took another fortifying breath, then turned her head to look at him. “What?"
"You really thought I'd hurt you?"
"Illam, I thought you were going to rip me good."
Cupping her cheeks in his hands, Illam drew her head down until their noses practically touched. “Listen to me good, little mate. I might have lost my temper and did a fair bit of hissing and snarling, but I would never—never—hurt you. I would never lay a finger on you in anger. Do you understand me?"
She nodded, and sniffed.
"I did follow you with every intention of doing some more hissing and snarling, I admit that. But when I saw how scared you were...” He sighed. “Delcat, Tera, I felt like you'd punched me in the guts."
"You're lucky I didn't.” Her smile was watery. “And I wouldn't. I make a lot of threats."
"I hadn't noticed,” he said dryly.
"Tell me this; is it normal for a male Felys to get so wild?"
"When a Felys sees his mate in danger, or if someone threatens to get in-between them, Felys have been known to get very ... volatile."
She arched one brow.
"It has ended up in blood. But not normally between Felys. We know each other. But enemies who have attacked have experienced first hand the feral side of our natures.” He grinned. “And it's not just the males that can get so protective, either. The Felys females have been known to mess up the enemy when their male is threatened."
"How comforting to know.” She hesitated.
His grin faded, a sudden fear clutching at him. “You—you haven't changed your mind about staying, have you?"
"No.” Tera shook her head. “I'm just trying to understand, and learn how to live with you lot. Especially you."
That sounded good. He grinned again, a purr starting deep within him.
"But, Illam, as much as I accept a lot of things about you, you need to understand that I won't have my friends threatened, either."
The purring stopped. “Tera, Wylin threatened to come between us—"
"He wasn't coming between us to separate us, only to stop you from hurting me. Neither of us knew exactly what was going on.” Grabbing a hunk of his hair, she gave it a little tug. “You need to learn patience, Felys. You're learning about us, as much as we're learning about you."
Okay, she had him there. With a sigh, he nodded.
"So do me a favor, and don't threaten to tear Wylin apart next time he comes to my rescue. He is still my bodyguard while on this mission."
Okay, she had him there, as well. He sighed and nodded again.
Smiling, she kissed him gently, a soft touch of lips that made his heart melt all the more. The female was going to turn him into a lap lycat if he wasn't careful. Still, as long as it was her lap he was going to be in...
About to get more enthusiastic with the kiss, Illam was stopped by Tera pulling back from him and sliding off his lap to stand facing him with her arms crossed.
"Right,” she said. “Now that we've cleared the air that you won't murder me after all, I'm going to tell you what happened, just so you know the truth."
Still lounging back on the sofa, and sorely missing her warm bottom on his lap, Illam raised one brow at her. “Oh?"
"The air isn't clear until you know,” she stated.
"Fine.” Now he'd have her apology.
"I was in the Meeting Hall looking at the maps to see how far away the Canys settlement was from the Felys, to see if I could pinpoint an area. Simple curiosity. Ropar showed up on the viscomm screen and started talking to me."
"You shouldn't have replied.” No longer feeling so relaxed, Illam pushed up from the sofa.
"I was ordered to not go near the Canys. I wasn't near him, and I didn't initiate the contact. I was perfectly safe asking him questions."
"Ropar is never safe.” The anger kindled inside him again at the memory of the Canys demanding an audience with his mate.
"I was nowhere near him. I broke no orders.” She folded her arms and raised her chin. “Did I break an order?"
"The order could be interpreted—"
"Crap. Did I break the order?"
"Well—"
"Did I?"
Curses. “Technically, no."
"So while I understand that you see my actions as disobeying orders, I didn't. And who wouldn't take the chance to find out something from a safe distance, when they can't get near to it?"
"That's beside the point.” Damn! How did she manage to twist everything upside down? It was that bloody logic of hers! “The point is that he's dangerous, and I don't want you having anything to do with him."
She sighed. “Illam, I'm sorry if you thought I was doing the wrong thing. But in my mind, it was perfectly logical."
There! There was that logic crap! Illam's jaw tightened, then his eyes narrowed. There was a faint tinge of red on her cheeks. And she was looking decidedly shifty, her foot moving slightly, her hands clasping, a slight tilt to her head that enable her lashes to slide over her eyes enough to hide the—
"You look as guilty as hell,” he stated bluntly.
"I do?"
"You do."
She grinned sheepishly.
"What is it?” Moving forward, he placed a finger beneath her chin and titled her head up so that she had to meet his gaze. “Tera?"
"Oh, all right. I knew none of you would be happy that I was talking to Ropar."
"But you did it anyway."
"Because technically, I wasn't disobeying a direct order."
"And technically
, I should spank you until you beg for mercy."
Smiling beguilingly, she leaned into him and peeked up sweetly. “But you'd never raise your hand in anger against me, would you? Hmm?"
"You're not winning me over, Tera.” His heart was going all soft and mushy.
"What if I said I truly am sorry that I upset you?"
Placing his hands on his lean hips, Illam blew out a breath of air. The sincerity in her gaze, the switch from playful to earnest, made him certain of her apology. “Very well. I accept your apology."
"Was there ever any doubt?” Her gaze was searching.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek and ran his thumb gently across her elegant cheekbone. “There is never any doubt with forgiveness, Tera. If the apology is sincere, the acceptance is just as sincere."
Sliding her arms around his waist, she leaned her full weight against him, and he accepted it welcomingly. Loving the feel of her pure trust in him to hold her safe. “I think I'm falling a little deeper in love with you, Illam."
"Only a little?” he teased.
"It's a slippery slope."
Cradling her to him and inhaling her scent, Illam felt almost content. His contentment wouldn't be complete until she admitted her full love for him.
And meanwhile, there was work to be done ... and a crazed pack leader to watch.
After giving Tera a last kiss and cuddle, he reluctantly left her to continue her packing and sough out Denyon.
He found Wylin waiting outside the back door. Oops. Refusing to be ashamed of his protectiveness of Tera, he stood and eyed the Argon warily. Challengingly.
"You can't challenge me,” Wylin drawled. “We're under your protection."
"You're never to come between me and my mate,” Illam stated quietly.
Wylin's stance was lazy, his shoulder propped against the wall, but his gaze was steady. “I place myself between her and any threat. I thought you were a threat."
"I would never hurt Tera."
"But you'd happily slice me to ribbons."
"You'd do the same in my boots."
"You know,” Wylin said thoughtfully, “I do believe you're right."
They grinned at each other, both relaxing, and Illam gave the Argon a camaraderie slap on the shoulder.
Love's Beguiling Healer Page 40