Warmth emanated from his hand, spreading throughout her body. Rachel found the contact strangely comforting. He really was a magnificent man. The fact that it felt so right to be with him…well, perhaps the prospect of staying here for a while longer wasn’t so scary after all.
* * * * *
Chapter Thirteen
Eros led her to the Seer’s hut. His emotions had jumbled once he felt the shift in acceptance radiating from Rachel. He should have been ecstatic, but instead he shuddered at the thought of how close he’d come to betraying his people back in the clearing. When the tip of his cock had sought and found Rachel’s slick entrance, it had given Eros a taste of Zaron on Earth. How could the goddess cruelly tempt him so?
He’d wanted Rachel so bad that he’d almost willingly thrown away his future and the future of his people just to be able to bury himself between her silken thighs. After the bama plant ordeal, when she’d looked up at him from the jungle floor where they lay, her eyes had shown clearly the love that simmered in her heart. Eros felt as if he’d been kicked in the chest. He’d expected it to take more time. Hoped that she’d eventually feel for him what he’d always felt for her, but the emotion had still caught him off guard and left him unbalanced.
They snaked their way along the trail until they reached the entrance to the Seer’s hut. Eros held up his hand and his palm glowed. He prayed the Ariel had words of wisdom to share. He needed all the strength he could get to last until the ceremony.
Rachel watched him, her eyes rounding at the sight of the power emanating from him. Eros said nothing. She had to face the truth, even if that meant readjusting her ideas of how the world worked.
It only took a moment for Ariel, the Seer to throw back her furs and grant them entrance. She opened her arms wide, enveloping Rachel in a welcoming hug. “Finally we meet, my Queen.” She pulled back, but still kept a hold on Rachel’s upper arm. Her gaze ran from the top of Rachel’s head all the way to her toes. “You are even lovelier than in my visions.”
Rachel blushed. “Thank you.”
“Eros.” The Seer turned to him. “Please wait outside. I need to discuss a few things about the ceremony with our new Queen.”
“As you wish, Ariel.” Eros hesitated. He didn’t want to leave Rachel alone, not after what had just occurred, but he knew she was safe with Ariel.
Rachel gave him a reassuring smile.
“I’ll summon you when ’tis time for you to return,” Ariel added.
He nodded and left.
* * * * *
Rachel watched as the woman known as the Seer released her arm and walked to the other side of her hut. She was beautiful beyond words. Her long blonde hair hung in soft waves down her back. She had full breasts, a slim waist, and legs long enough to shame Jac. Despite the fact a stranger was in her hut, the woman seemed at ease, comfortable in her nudity.
Her features were delicate. Her upturned nose looked pert set against her high cheekbones. Her well-shaped brows framed her aqua eyes, reminding Rachel of two perfect reefs surrounded by tropical waters. The bow of her mouth would make even the most skilled plastic surgeon envious.
Rachel squelched the need to cover herself. Why hadn’t Eros chosen Ariel for his mate? She seemed perfect in every way.
Ariel chuckled, momentarily covering her mouth with her hand. She glanced back at Rachel. “Your name is Dr. Rachel Evans, yet you are not a doctor of medicine.”
Rachel rubbed her hands along her arms, trying to brush away her insecurities. “I received my degrees in anthropology and linguistics. I specialize in ancient civilizations and extinct languages.”
Ariel smiled. “Then you are perfect.”
Rachel tried not to laugh. “Perfect?” The woman before her obviously hadn’t looked in a mirror lately.
“For the King. For all of us.”
“So you’re a Seer. Is that anything like a psychic?” she asked.
“I suppose,” Ariel said. “Except my visions are true.” She walked to the corner of her hut and opened a tiny cabinet. Ariel pulled out a flask and emptied the contents into a couple of cups that looked to be carved from huingo fruit. The liquid, thick and yellow, reminded Rachel of banana yogurt. Ariel handed Rachel a cup and then raised hers up in a mock salute.
Rachel sniffed a couple of times, but couldn’t place the sweet odor. “What is this?”
“’Tis a fruit that grows only within the boundaries of the village. Drink, ’tis quite delicious.” Ariel’s eyes were locked on Rachel’s face, waiting.
Feeling like a mouse trapped in a cat’s clutches, Rachel brought the cup to her lips, but hesitated. The Seer took a big gulp and then smiled once again. Rachel watched as the column of Ariel’s throat worked to swallow the thick drink, then she raised her cup to her lips and took a sip. The juice tasted sweet, yet tangy with a nutty aftertaste. She took another drink, this time swallowing a mouthful. It would never beat banana yogurt, but it wasn’t too bad. She’d tasted worse.
Ariel watched her closely as she took another drink.
Without warning, Rachel’s head swam. The sparsely furnished room began to spin.
“What…what was in that? Did you poison me?” She tried to reach out and grab the Seer but she seemed to float in and out of her vision like a mirage.
“No, not poison. Ayahausca. ’Tis a simple plant drug that will allow you to foretell the future. Perhaps see your true feelings without logic getting in the way. Much like the way you were able to see Eros in your dreams before you came here.”
“You drugged me?” Rachel swayed and caught the side of the small table. It seemed to melt under her hand. “Why would you drug me and how do you know about my dreams?”
Ariel reached down and removed the cup from Rachel’s grasp. “I apologize, my Queen, but tomorrow night’s ceremony is too important. You must be ready to accept your rightful place.”
According to Rachel’s drugged out brain, there were now three Ariels floating about the hut. “You bitch. I’m gonna…I’m gonna...” Rachel slumped forward and saw the table closing in about a second before her head made contact.
Then all went black.
* * * * *
A kaleidoscope of colors swirled around Rachel’s head, followed by lightning like streaks of light. Her stomach spun as if she were on a tilt-a-whirl ride. The colors whirled and melded before her eyes until they formed solid objects.
Eros stood in a field of blue flowers. The sky was green. Orange moons dotted the horizon like gumdrops. Strange looking creatures resembling oversized butterflies cruised overhead. Their flapping wings created a gentle breeze and perfumed the already fragrant air.
We’re not in Kansas anymore. Her mind fought to keep up with what she was seeing. She looked around expecting to see a yellow brick road.
Eros squatted down, his arms held out in front of him. Rachel watched as two children, a golden-haired boy and a brunette girl, raced past her, smiling and giggling. Eros scooped the kids up and spun around in circles, hugging them close. Their excited squeals sent the butterfly creatures scattering.
Rachel smiled. Eros looked so happy. Her heart tugged as she saw the love etched on his face, shining in his eyes. These were his children. He had a family. She averted her gaze, tears forming on her lashes. The beauty of the moment overwhelmed her. Eros made such a wonderful father.
She looked around, but there seemed to be no mother. For that she was grateful. Rachel didn’t think she could stand to see another woman in his arms. A lump formed in her throat. Those should be our kids. She turned back to the idyllic scene. Eros had stopped twirling the children. All three now stared in her direction.
Rachel glanced over her shoulder—a ship sat on a runway, waiting to blast off and take her home. She turned back. Eros and the children spread their arms wide and smiled. The innocent gesture spoke volumes.
The decision was hers to make.
Rachel took one last look at the ship. Everything she knew—her job and her friends�
��waited for her in New York. She couldn’t stay.
But if she left here, she’d lose what she wanted most of all.
The realization slammed Rachel in the gut.
She wanted to be part of the picture he presented. She wanted those kids. She wanted Eros.
* * * * *
Rachel awoke with a start. Her head throbbed and she felt as if someone had run her backwards through a spin cycle loaded with nails. Eros had his hand resting on her shoulder. His face was pinched with worry. Something inside Rachel melted. She tried to give him a smile, but grimaced instead.
Eros brushed the hair away from her face, his fingers featherlike on her skin. “Are you well?” His voice, low and deep, broke with unchecked emotions.
Rachel looked around, her eyes finding Ariel. She shot the Seer a scathing look. “You don’t play fair.”
“I do what is best for my King and my people,” Ariel said casually before adding, “and you.”
“Yeah, right.” Bitch!
Ariel laughed. “I heard that.”
“I hope so,” she said.
Eros and Rachel left the Seer’s hut to find the sun had disappeared from the sky. Stars twinkled. A fire blazed in the center of the compound, crackling with new life each time a fresh log caught on. Night creatures stirred in the brush and the air hung cloak-like, blanketing all. Trees whispered promises of a cool breeze. Insects buzzed and croaked, swallowing the stillness of the night.
“How long was I out?” she muttered more to herself than to him.
Eros had refused to let her walk on her own. His strong fingers clasped her hand. The rough pad of his thumb brushed the back of her knuckles sending warmth through Rachel’s groggy body. She leaned into his broad shoulders for support.
Glancing her way, his eyes roamed over her face. Concern furrowed his forehead. “You were in vision for hours.”
She shook her head. It had seemed like only a couple of minutes had passed. The scene in the field refused to leave Rachel’s mind. They had been so happy as a family.
Damn that Ariel.
More images from the dream flooded in. There had been several moons in the sky, or perhaps planets. Rachel hadn’t paid that much attention to them.
Maybe Ariel gave her a hallucinogenic and planted the vision in her mind? She wouldn’t put it past her.
But Rachel didn’t think so. The more she considered the scene, the more she was convinced she hadn’t been on Earth.
“What time is it?”
“The hour is late,” he said, raising his head to the sky.
“Did you know Ariel planned to drug me?”
Eros’s step faltered. “I did not know the Seer was going to use the Spirit Vine on you. Ariel’s methods are not discussed amongst our people. I trust her to do what’s best.”
Rachel paused. Her eyes searched Eros’s face to confirm his sincerity. She blew out a ragged breath and ran a hand over her face, trying to clear her head. “I had a dream.”
“Do you wish to share the dream?” His calm tone seemed to belie his true emotions.
Rachel knew the question was not casual. He was asking her for so much more. She stopped when they reached the center of the compound. “I figured you’d already taken a look inside my head to see it,” she snapped.
He flinched. “No. I would never intrude on a vision. Contrary to what you believe, I’m not in the habit of intruding on private thoughts.”
“What, I’m an exception? That’s a load of…”
Eros held up a hand to halt her speech. “The circumstances are different with you, my Rachel. You are to be my Queen. You are human. I am not. I must get to know you better than perhaps you know yourself. Tis the only way I can assist you with all the changes taking place in your world.”
Rachel stared at him. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he’d surprise her. “I don’t think it was my world in the dream. I mean it may have been the drugs, but the world looked different. Nothing like Earth.”
Eros heaved in a surprised breath. “What did you see?”
“Planets or moons, I’m not sure. There were several orange ones in the green sky. And strange butterfly-like creatures that seemed to create a breeze when their wings flapped. I know it sounds crazy. It looked crazy.” She didn’t tell him about the children. She wasn’t ready to share that information with anyone until she decided how she felt.
Eros shook his head. “I believe you were on Zaron, the planet where the people of Atlantis originated. What else did you see?”
“Nothing,” she said defensively. “That was pretty much it.”
Eros didn’t press her for more information, which was just as well. Rachel felt raw, edgy, exposed by the dream. She’d rather argue than discuss it.
“We should take nourishment.” Eros tugged her to a table set up at the side of the fire. It was filled with various foods.
Rachel’s lips pursed as she rubbed her stomach. “It’s funny. I really haven’t been hungry since I arrived here in the village.”
“That is common. The energy fields are strong around the compound due to the fire-crystals. Your body gains most of its nourishment through the air. ’Tis still important to eat occasionally to keep your organs functioning properly.”
“Wow, that’s so cool.” Rachel’s eyes widened as she thought of the possibilities. “It’s like the perfect diet. You’d make a fortune selling it to the outside world.”
Eros’s expression turned cold. “The people of this planet would destroy themselves, just as we did in Atlantis.”
Rachel pictured the devastation, the greed and wars that would occur as countries tried to get their hands on the technology. “You’re right. This can never leave your village. It would spell the end of the world as we know it.”
Dr. Donald flashed in her mind. For once, Rachel was glad he was long gone.
* * * * *
Creeping through the jungle with a couple of guides, the Professor came upon tracks. The feet were large, leaving no room for error in classifying the species. They had been followed, like he’d suspected. He bristled when he thought about Dr. Rachel Evans and how he’d let her escape. The bitch had said she’d made a great discovery, then claimed it was a lie. It hadn’t been. She’d somehow discovered the lost tribe and was keeping it for herself. He couldn’t allow that to happen. He’d worked too hard and too long to see his reputation destroyed by a foolish, useless woman, who shouldn’t have been here in the first place.
Whoever these people turned out to be, they were as adept in the trees as well as on ground. That made them unique. Their village would be the discovery of a lifetime, and if everything went according to plan, he would get all the credit. Rumsinger decided to send a man on ahead to scout the area while he returned to the drop site to wait for the plane to take him back to New York. He’d need more resources before proceeding.
Donald snickered as the tracker Jaro disappeared into the jungle. He was the best. If she’d left any signs at all, he’d find them. Jaro could find the village and Dr. Evans for him. He’d wait for confirmation, then sweep in and claim the discovery. Afterwards, he’d kill them both. The jungle would cover up the evidence.
* * * * *
Chapter Fourteen
Eros and Rachel ate their dinner in silence. The breadfruit had been carefully prepared with roasted fish, bananas, and mangos. Any other time Rachel would have considered the meal delicious, but tonight she just couldn’t concentrate on the food. All that ran through her mind was the dream and the mating ceremony.
Eros stared down at the food in his bowl. “I must leave tonight.” He picked up a piece of fruit and brought it to Rachel’s lips.
“Where are you going?”
“Away,” he said vaguely.
She frowned and took his offering into her mouth. Rachel sucked the juices from Eros’s fingertips. She saw his face flush with color and he shifted in his seat. She didn’t want Eros to go.
Perhaps if she tormented
him enough, he’d stay.
Rachel tore off a piece of fruit and held it in front of her, inviting, tempting, daring him to bite. Her fingers trembled as Eros closed his hand around hers, pulling her from her seat and onto his lap.
His tongue snaked out as he licked the length of her fingers. She felt an answering wetness pool at the juncture of her thighs. Her nipples peaked against the warmth of his chest. He bit off a piece of the breadfruit and then smiled, an unholy light sparking fire in his eyes.
Rachel snuggled in close, wanting the connection. “Why must you leave?”
“’Tis customary for the soon-to-be-mated couple to spend the night before the ceremony apart.”
“Just like when a person is married where I come from. Not that I’d know.” Rachel gave Eros a nervous smile. “I’ve never been married before.”
“I, also, have never been through the mating ceremony.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “We aren’t allowed to mate, unless the Seer confirms a union in her vision.”
Rachel couldn’t hide the shock and disbelief running through her. “You mean you’ve never had sex?” Her gaze roamed over his body. “I don’t believe it.”
Eros laughed, his flat stomach undulating. “Of course I’ve had sex. Many, many times.”
“I really don’t want to hear about your sex life.” Unwilling to meet his gaze, her face flushed. She squirmed off Eros’s lap, then scooted down the bench. She dropped the fruit onto the table as her gut twisted at thought of all the women he’d been with.
Atlantean's Quest Volume 1 Page 16