“For having doubts? There’s nothing to forgive. I’d given up, too, Rafe. I thought I had failed, at the end. It was just the last few minutes that turned things around.”
Rafe sighed. “Will you kiss me, then?”
Sydney leaned forward and kissed him. It felt as though it had been a very long time since she had kissed him. Her nerves woke and her body tightened with arousal as he held her head and took control of the kiss, his tongue sliding deep.
As her nipples crinkled and tingled with anticipation, something stirred between her lips. She felt it move and jerked her head backward, shocked.
Her tongue touched the tip of a sharp tooth. She pulled it away quickly as the point of the long tooth nicked her tongue.
The little pain in her tongue disappeared almost instantly.
Healed.
Rafe gave a low laugh. “You’ll get used to that,” he promised her.
Sydney realized she was almost panting. “I feel…alive,” she told him. “I’m on fire with it.”
“Sex is one of the few sensations that aren’t blunted,” Rafe told her gravely.
“I don’t give a shit about that right now,” Sydney said. She gripped his shirt and pulled him toward her.
The shirt tore with a low rasping sound.
Rafe laughed harder and got to his feet and shrugged off the rest of the shirt. Then he opened his pants, his dark gaze on her. “We have to get you cooled down,” he said, his voice thick with lust.
“Just hurry,” Sydney said. She tore the robe from her. It pulled away as if it was tissue paper. She was naked beneath, which was what she had been hoping for.
Rafe dropped his jeans. His cock jutted, dark with blood. The muscles of his stomach flexed under the olive skin.
Sydney took his cock in her hand and coaxed him onto the bed. He shifted over her and she wrapped her leg over the back of his hip. His cock teased her cleft with little touches.
“Fuck me,” she ordered.
Rafe kissed her. Then he fucked her, over and over again, until she was finally replete.
* * * * *
After a week of wearing all-encompassing layers that left nothing but her eyes visible, Sydney found putting on her jeans was a novelty, more so than the long, long shower she took after Rafe left her to warn the others she was awake and aware.
She hadn’t noticed before how soft well-washed jeans could be. The cotton slid over her still-damp skin with a gentle, warm touch utterly different from the scratchy weave of linen. The little rent at the knee breathed air on her skin.
She had never appreciated the bliss that a well-fitted garment imparted. The fabric hugged her hips and ass. It wrapped around her thighs without getting in the way and it stretched with every movement, instead of binding or flapping.
Sliding the metal zipper up and fastening the brass button was the only closure needed. No fussing with drawstrings, no uncomfortable metal belt holding up floppy harem pants, to dig into her skin every time she moved.
Because she could, Sydney bent and touched her toes. She sniffed the legs of her jeans. Lavender-scented laundry liquid, not the dry, grab-the-back-of-your-throat aroma of the desert.
Heaven.
Even the simple knitted top she put on felt wonderful against her skin. She didn’t bother with a bra. Her breasts were taut and upright, the way they had been when she was young. Besides, her hunger for sex was simmering just below the surface, waiting to surge to the fore. No bra would short-cut some of the preliminaries, when the next opportunity presented itself.
Barefoot, with her hair loose instead of the pony she often wore, Sydney made herself step out of the bedroom and move through the house to the big gathering room. Even from the bedroom, she could hear that everyone was waiting there, talking softly. She didn’t have to strain to hear them at all. She had the feeling that if she did try, it would be as if she was standing right next to them. Her hearing was phenomenal.
In the corridor just outside the door to the big room, she paused. She had caught a hint of movement, like a trembling in the air. Instinctively, she sniffed.
“Alex,” she whispered and looked around the corner of the stairwell.
Alex sat on the striped, claw-footed bench, his hands between his knees. He looked up. “I wanted to talk to you before the others all started hugging you—”
Sydney threw herself at him, sliding onto his knees and wrapping her arms around him. She clung to him and closed her eyes. “We made it,” she breathed. “Oh, God, Alex, I thought…”
His arms tightened around her. “I know. I remember it all now. I remember it and I have figured out most of what you were thinking, why you did what you did.” He pulled her away from him, enough to look at her face. “Xanthe. You saved my life.”
She shook her head. “I just did what I had to do. You are the one who went to Jerusalem…I mean, you did, didn’t you? Or did that change?”
“I travelled to Palestine. After watching you disappear in front of me, I was capable of believing in miracles. It didn’t seem impossible to me that speaking to a single man might change my life the way you said it would, so I went and you were right. It did change my life.” He cupped her cheek. “I could tell you all of it now, only everyone waiting in there will be bitterly disappointed to miss out on the story. I just wanted to...” He blew out a breath. “Thanking you is completely inadequate.”
Sydney rested her fingers against his chest, just beneath his throat, just to one side of the hollow there where she now knew a primary artery ran. Alex was Blood, so it didn’t stir her the way she could now remember Neven’s aromatic human blood had beckoned. “If you want to thank me, there is something you could do.”
“And that is?”
“Buy a horse. A gray.”
Alex drew in a breath. “I never could understand, all through time, the power you had to affect me the way you did. The risks I took, those few days. Even on the horse…” He gave a low laugh. “It was like being drunk and totally, wide-eyed sober at the same time. You ruined me for anyone else. That was probably a good thing.”
“Then you didn’t fall in love with Taylor, after that?” Sydney teased.
“I did. Even harder than before. She was an echo of you. Unexpected responses, wisdom and experience beyond anything I could even imagine. The hints of knowledge so broad, it was staggering. I spent three days talking to Taylor and remembering you. It was the most painful, the most wonderful time of my life. Then I met Brody in York, just as I remember it and was cured of my illusions about Taylor.” He kissed her. “Which cleared the way for meeting you.”
“It must have been a shock, seeing me that first time.”
Alex sighed. “It was the name on the door of your office that told me I’d found you again. I was braced, when you opened the door, and could act normally. I never did tell anyone about Xanthe. Not even you or Rafe. By the time I met you again I understood the dangers of time travel and why you’d made me promise not to speak of it. I just had to wait for this moment, now, when you got back. At least, that’s the new memories. The old ones, from before the changes you made, are fading. Veris tells me I will lose them completely soon and I should write them down before that, if I want to keep them.”
He got to his feet and put her on hers. “We should go in and see everyone. They’re waiting.”
* * * * *
Ralph found Neven, finally, in the pool room, sitting on the foot of one of the loungers, staring at the water.
The murmur of everyone talking in the big room filtered through to here and Rafe could hear Sydney’s voice among them. She had emerged. Part of him wanted to go back and be with her and Alex. Instead, he made himself sit on the lounger next to Neven.
“There’s a party going on. You should be there,” Rafe said.
Neven glanced at him, then away. “It’s a family thing,” he said. “I don’t really belong.”
“Bullshit,” Rafe said shortly. “Family is whatever you want it to be. Th
ere’s room in there for you. That is, if you want it.”
Neven sighed. “I don’t know if I deserve it.” He motioned behind him. Brody’s laptop sat there, the lid closed. “How can that man be me? I can’t wrap my mind about it.”
He was talking about Kristijan Zoric.
Rafe nodded. “You really need to talk to Alex.”
“Alex?”
“Ask him about the man he thought he was, back in Egypt. The words he’ll use include bigotry, ignorance, killer. It’ll open your eyes.”
“Alex is…upright. Law abiding. Good.”
“He is. He actually was back then, too. He just never had a chance to let the better qualities get air time. You have that chance, now.”
Neven considered him, startled. “You mean, if life hands you lemons?”
“Fuck the lemons,” Rafe said. “I’m talking about making life what you want it to be. You’ve been handed a do-over, Neven. You’re at the start line and the gun is about to fire. What you do with the rest of the race is completely up to you.” He shook his head. “You hate what Kristijan Zoric is? Then don’t be that guy. Be better. Instead of beating your chest about being lost and having nothing to anchor you, use Kristijan Zoric as the template not to follow.”
Neven stared at him. “How did you know? That I feel lost?”
“Because that’s exactly where I was, once. I can recognize the signs.” Rafe got to his feet. “You gonna come join the party, or shall I just drag you there?”
Neven got up and picked up the laptop. “Oh, I’ll come. It just occurred to me that now Sydney has been turned, I’m the only adult in the house who can drink. That leaves the three bottles of chardonnay in the fridge for me alone.” He headed for the arch that led into the rest of the house.
“Whatever it takes, my friend,” Rafe told him, following.
* * * * *
Taylor settled down next to Marit, who was feeding the baby with a bottle. Her competency made Taylor’s heart ache. “Thank you for taking care of the little one,” she told her. “We’ve all been distracted lately.”
“I could tell.” Marit picked up the baby and rested her against her shoulder, patting her back. Marit smiled at Taylor, her eyes dancing.
Around them, everyone was chatting in twos and threes. Even Aran and Alannah were mixing. For once, they had separated. Alannah was talking intensely with Sydney. Aran was with Neven, both their heads together.
“You’re happy, now that the loop has closed on Neven’s world,” Taylor guessed, analyzing Marit’s smile.
Marit nodded. “It has hung over me for years. I knew it was coming and dreaded it. Now, it’s done.”
“No other loops out there that you have yet to close?” Taylor asked.
“Oh, dozens. Probably many more I don’t know about yet. When you travel through time a lot, you stir up loops like bubbles in soapy water. They’re unavoidable.”
Taylor considered that, startled.
“None of them are as old or tough as that one,” Marit added. “Not the ones I know about, anyway.” She slid her hand under the baby’s shirt, holding it against her skin, her fingers patting and soothing.
The baby had gone to sleep on her shoulder.
Taylor felt Veris press up against her from behind and moved along the sofa to give him room.
He kissed the side of her neck. “Drooling over babies?” he asked. “Should I be worried?”
Marit rolled her eyes. “You really want to risk having another child like me? I’ve been a precocious brat since I was born. The twins haven’t exactly graced themselves, either. Not recently.”
“I would have a dozen more yous and a dozen more of the twins, too,” Veris said flatly. “Tomorrow, if I could manage it. You’ve all been a joy in my life.”
Marit smiled at him fondly. “Yeah, you say that because you know it’s not possible.”
Veris leaned over Taylor’s shoulder, to smiled sunnily at Marit. “You’re the one who helped Sydney bring that little one through time. You know what that means, don’t you?”
Marit looked out of the corner of her eyes at the sleeping baby. “Oh…” she said. “Go back to when you were human, do the deed, wait nine months…” She shook her head. “Nine months back in time? The risks!” She bit her lip. “Your corporeal body back here would wither…although, you’re Blood, so that would extend it…”
Veris patted her cheek. “I’m teasing, darling daughter. It’s good to know I can still bluff you.”
“Oh…” Maris said again. Then she relaxed and smiled. “Do it to Athair, will you? Please? I want to see his face when you do.”
“See my face when they do what?” Brody asked, dropping on to the arm of the sofa next to Marit.
Marit looked up at him. “Go back in time, get pregnant and wait to deliver.”
Brody paused from stroking the baby’s cheek. “Not without me, they don’t.” He looked at Taylor and Veris. “Tomorrow?” he said, sounding hopeful.
“Athair!” Her voice was a squeak of alarm.
Brody grinned at her. “Gotcha.”
Marit’s mouth fell open. “Don’t do that to me!” she said. “If I wasn’t holding the baby, I’d beat you for that! It’s bad enough knowing you guys are mortal. I’ll never forget that other Taylor. Never.”
Taylor put her arm around Marit. “It’s okay,” she said quickly. “We’re fine. None of us intend to take risks anymore. Not while you and the twins need us.”
Marit shook her head. “You never intend to take risks, yet life keeps dumping them on you. Look at Aunt Sydney.” She dropped her voice. “Far, you have to do what the queen said. You have to train the twins. Expose them to jumps, to risks. Teach them how to straighten things out when they go wrong.”
“No one knows how to train for that,” Brody said gently. “You just do the best you can when you’re in the middle of a crunch.”
“Only the twins don’t have thousands of years’ experience as you and Far do. You need to give them a mission, a reason to travel responsibly, instead of juvenile photo runs.”
“They’re only twelve,” Taylor said. “There’s time yet.”
“They’ve already grown up,” Marit shot back. “Their bodies just haven’t caught up yet.” She looked from Taylor to Veris, then up at Brody. “You don’t believe me because around you, they revert back to twelve, because you don’t treat them any differently. Only they’ve had to grow up as fast. That’s what happened to me, too.”
“You grew up without a mission?” Taylor asked.
“No, I had a purpose,” Marit said. “That’s why I know they need one.”
“What was your purpose?” Veris asked curiously.
“Guiding you on the timescape,” Marit said. “Especially Uncle Alex, when he stumbled onto it. And me, when I was little. Only, now everyone knows how to get there for themselves, including the twins. Which is just as well.”
“Why?” Taylor asked suspiciously. The conversation had taken a surreal turn that she wasn’t sure she was completely comfortable with.
Marit looked at her calmly. “I will have another role soon.”
The little hairs on the back of Taylor’s neck tried to stand up. Her fangs descended. She willed them back into hiding. There was nothing to feel threatened about, after all. “What role?” she asked, her voice distant.
“He’s coming for me. Soon. I’m not sure when. In the next few years.”
“Who?” Brody said sharply.
“I don’t know who. I only know he will change my life.” She gave a small smile. “For the better.”
Brody gripped Veris’ wrist. “Breathe, big guy,” he said softly.
Veris shook his head. “I’m calm.”
Taylor could feel him shaking. “Liar,” she said softly.
Veris drew in a breath that shook. His eyes were the color of flint, the blue subsumed by a maelstrom of emotions.
“I’m sorry, Far,” Marit said gently. “This has always been in my future
. I’m just warning you now, so you can get used to it.” She grinned, her smile pure Veris. “I’d hate for you to rip out his heart before either of us recognize who he is.”
“Was,” Brody corrected. “Once Veris is done with him, he won’t be getting up again.”
Taylor touched Marit’s shoulder, the one without the sleeping baby on it. “When you know who it is, you’ll have to warn us. Brody will hold Veris down and I’ll shoot him with a tranquilizer gun. Then he should be in a fit state to meet the boy.”
Marit snorted. “Boy?” she repeated. “I’m not going to settle for a mere boy. Whoever it is, he’s going to be someone worthy. Someone who is accomplished. Talented. A jumper, of course. Smart as hell. And with a long string of achievements that will impress even Far.”
Veris drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Well, that’s better, then.”
Taylor hoped Marit didn’t notice the lie.
Chapter Nineteen
The Bougainvillea that rambled all over two sides of the courtyard shed leaves all winter long. There was always a small drift of leaves in the corners, reminding them of summer days when the purple flowers bloomed.
The leaves were shifting over the concrete, making a soft rustling sound, as Alex came out of the house and shut the sliding door behind him.
Sydney watched him head over to the cupboard and pluck a chair from the top of the stack and bring it over to where she and Rafe were sitting, where the sun was brightest and warmest.
Alex bent over Rafe and peered down at the baby’s contented face. “Have you come up with a name yet?” he asked Rafe.
“I still don’t get why it’s up to me,” Rafe said, rocking the baby.
“Because it’s Alex’s niece, Alex’s blood kin,” Sydney said. “Of course it has to be you who names her.”
Rafe rolled his eyes. “Of the three of us, I’m the only one who knows how to change a diaper and feed the baby, so I’m already contributing. You should come up with the name, Sydney.”
Sydney smiled. “Careful. I’ll nominate Anastasia or something equally as flowery and cumbersome.”
Rafe snorted. “That’s not as bad as the one I came up with.” He hefted the baby and got to his feet and stood over Alex. “Hold out your arms.”
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