Centaur Rivalry (Touched Series Book 3)

by Straight, Nancy

“Not the time for jokes.”

  My back rested up against a tree as my legs lay straight out in front of me. Katherine sat on the ground beside me, her legs crossed under her. One arm held the cloth to my head, as the other stretched across my body, braced against the ground on my other side. Cloth? What cloth did she have?

  I took a closer look. She had pulled her shirt off and sat next to me in her bikini top, forcing my blood to stay in my body. Her porcelain skin contrasted with her green eyes and red hair – this was it. This was my moment. If I didn’t take it now, it would never happen.

  “Katherine, don’t go.”

  “I’m right here. I’m not goin’ anywhere. Everyone’s already searching the jungle. They’ll find us.”

  My hand rose to her arm balancing her weight, “No. Don’t go.”

  Katherine’s eyes met mine and her understanding of my plea shone through. “You don’t know what yer saying.”

  My hand let go of her arm and rested on her abdomen, the warm flesh intoxicating my senses. “I know exactly what I’m saying. I don’t want this life without you.”

  Dismissively she answered, “I’m a Lapith.”

  “Second. You’re a Lapith Second.”

  Tentatively she asked, “What am I first?”

  “Mine.”

  She laughed, trying to make a joke of my feelings. “Ya just hit your head. I won’t hold you ta anything ya say now.”

  I wrenched her hand free of my forehead, grabbed her face in both my hands and pulled her lips to mine. She struggled against my lips at first, but I wouldn’t let go. I couldn’t let go. I kissed her as if my life. . . my existence, depended on it. The warm rusty taste of blood streamed onto our lips.

  Katherine yanked away, picked up the cloth that had dropped and pressed it back against my forehead. She wrenched my t-shirt up with her other hand to sop up the blood on our faces.

  A long silence hung between us. Would she reject me? Would she decide I wasn’t good enough? How could I convince her? Katherine refused to make eye contact with me.

  No words came. She’d been quiet for so long that my stomach cinched itself in a knot. Katherine changed hands, applying pressure to my bandage. She whispered, “Have ya heard the story of Lila and Rupert?”

  Her voice was so quiet I barely understood the words. “Rupert is my ancestor, the original sire of the Lost Herd. I’ve not heard of Lila.”

  “Let me tell ya the other half of the story.” Katherine spoke for a long time, long enough that the wound on my head had stopped bleeding. She knew more about our history than I did. When she was done telling the story of Lila and Rupert, more silence hung between us. The day in the tunnel, the spark I felt – it was a chemical reaction. Katherine thought I would see it as trickery or a defense mechanism for Lapiths, which wasn’t how I felt at all.

  “Interesting. But what does that have to do with you staying with me?”

  “Don’t cha see? You’re not making the best decision. You’re throwing away your future for nothing.”

  Her eyes finally looked into mine, and I was their prisoner. My eyes refused to drop her gaze as my mouth formed the words, “You are my future. The one I want.”

  “Ya only want it because of the spark.”

  “No. I only want it because I can’t sleep without you invading my dreams. I can’t breathe unless I’m close enough to smell your perfume. I can’t function if you are out of my sight.”

  “Yer words mean nothing. They are the sounds of a man trapped under a spell he can’t escape.”

  I pulled her to me and spoke into her ear. “A prisoner dreams of freedom. Life without you is a slow death sentence for me. If you refuse me, I’ll die alone. My betrothal is over whether you choose to stay with me or not.” Her body went stiff in my arms as my words soaked in.

  Unconvinced, her voice broke, “You would break your betrothal even if I leave?”

  “I can’t help it. Love only happens once. Trying to convince my heart to care for another after it has experienced you would be as useful as teaching a blind dog to hunt. He’d keep searching for something just out of his reach and would be clumsy enough to get himself killed.”

  “If I take off, you become a blind hunting dog?”

  “If you leave, I’ll be an empty Centaur.”

  Katherine brought her face just inches from mine. “If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s an empty Centaur.” Her lips closed the distance with mine, and I knew I’d never part from her again. The spark I’d felt before ignited. I leaned into her, easing her back to the ground and pressing my weight against her. I heard her breath against my ear and her heart beating against my chest – I would never want another.

  Hours passed as the night fully engulfed us. We started back the way we had come. Surprisingly, we didn’t pass any of the others looking for Daniel, and none had stumbled upon us. The jungle was alive with sounds. She walked on my right, remaining vigilant and mindful of low hanging branches or thick brush in our way. Twice she stopped to point out roots emerging from the ground for me to avoid.

  My injury had to look worse than it felt. As fast as I healed, there was little pain at all now, and happiness filled my heart, my body conscious of her every touch.

  A shrill voice sounded in front of us, “Daniel?! Is that you?”

  Katherine called back, “No, Jess. It’s Brent and me. No sign of ‘im?”

  Jessica was standing some ten feet in front of us, accompanied by a human with an assault rifle. She sounded defeated, “No. It’s as if he vanished. You don’t think he went back to the states, do you?”

  I couldn’t figure Daniel out. He was as carefree a spirit as I had ever known, and I wouldn’t put it past him. From what little time I’d spent with him, I couldn’t imagine he would leave without saying good-bye. Maybe good-byes weren’t his thing.

  Katherine, clearly full of anger at the suggestion, answered, “If he did, I’ll make him wish he were never born.” Her voice was laced with enough malice that I believed her. “We need to get Brent to a doctor. He’s going to need stitches.”

  “Maybe we can get a two-for-one rate.” We froze looking in all directions. That was Daniel’s voice, I was sure of it.

  Jessica shouted, “Daniel? Daniel, is that you?”

  “It ain’t the stinkin’ Easter Bunny.”

  Chapter 27

  (Daniel, Jungle Outside of Cancun, Mexico)

  Jessica shrieked, “Where are you?” My heart skipped at the sound of her. It didn’t matter how angry I was – she was here. She was looking for me. She hadn’t left.

  I tried to answer, but my words wouldn’t come out. I felt like I would lose consciousness again, succumb to the darkness. I took the machete still clutched in my hand and started tapping it against the trunk of a tree. Tap. . . tap. . . tap.

  Loud and shrill I heard her again, “Daniel!” She sounded close. Foliage gave way under feet running away from me. I kept tapping, less intense than before, but still loud enough to scare away every animal in an eight mile radius. Her voice echoed off to my left, “Daniel. Daniel, we’re here!”

  I was face planted into the ground. Strong hands rolled me over onto my back then lifted my head. Water was poured into my mouth. I looked up expecting to see Jessica’s angelic face staring back at me. I spit out the water when my eyes focused on a man with bronze-skin, dark hair, and a stubbly chin. “Drink, Señor.”

  I did as I was told. I had finished several small gulps when the man eased my head back onto the ground. I was sure I’d heard Jessica’s voice. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Maybe it wasn’t her at all. Maybe subconsciously I knew she wouldn’t come, so my mind tricked me into hearing the man’s voice sound like Jessica’s.

  The man took my hand and caressed it. I wrenched it away unable to make sense of his action. His accent was replaced by Jessica’s voice. “You’re going to be fine. I promise.” I looked to my side and there she sat. I thought it was Jessica but couldn’t be sure. Was my mind clear
enough to tell fantasy from reality?

  “He went to get a stretcher to get you back to the house. Can you drink some more water?”

  Her voice was so beautiful. She kept caressing my hand again. Then her words from earlier came to my mind. “He’s just a diversion.”

  Jessica’s grip on my hand tightened. Her voice sounded sad, “Is that what this is about? That’s why you ran off into the jungle?”

  Confused at first, I’d forgotten she could read my thoughts. I tried to form words, but nothing would come out. She lifted my head and put water to my lips again. She scooted around so my head was cradled in her lap. I looked up into her beautiful face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Jessica’s voice was soft, almost remorseful. “Drink.”

  Why was she crying? Her words played in my mind again: “He’s just a diversion.”

  She answered my thoughts, “My life is too complicated for you, Daniel.”

  Her words hung in the air. The stab of her words went straight to my heart. I closed my eyes, so I couldn’t see her mouth form the words. If I could have shut my ears, I would have.

  “I can’t stay on the run forever. My family has got to be furious with me by now. When they find me, and they will – my freedom, my decisions, they won’t be mine any longer.”

  I couldn’t look at her. I wouldn’t. I tried to listen to the birds in the trees, hoping for the sound of insects – any noise that would drown out her words. Her hands went to my face, the gentleness of her touch intoxicating. Why did she have to be the one to find me?

  “You weren’t just a diversion. You were my life preserver. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  The moon was up straight overhead and the illumination made it easy to see. Where was the man with the stretcher? I couldn’t ignore her words for much longer. I’d never be good enough for her, and I was too dense to see it before. It was out of my control, and there would be nothing I could ever do to change it. I’m just a half-breed.

  “Don’t call yourself that.”

  Dammit. I wish I could keep her out of my head. I’d felt inadequate my whole life. First I was the son my father never wanted, the embarrassment he refused to introduce to his family. Then Cami: good enough to share every event of her life, but not good enough to love me back. Now Jessica: her life was too complicated, and I was too simple.

  Her hands stroked my cheek, “If I chose you, your life would be in danger. I can’t stand the thought of a world without you, even if it means I can’t have you.”

  A lump formed in my throat. I wouldn’t look at her. Was she still reading my thoughts? “Stop it! Get out of my head.” Anger spread from my heart, racing through my blood stream and found its way to every remote piece of my body. Words wouldn’t form on my lips, so I shouted my thoughts to her, “Get out of my head. Go away.”

  A muffled sob escaped her. “You think I like it this way? You think I don’t wish every day that I could be like you? Don’t kid yourself.”

  Her tears dripped on my face, the salty tears streaming to my mouth. I looked up and her beauty had transformed before my eyes. She was no longer the beautiful, confident, strong woman I’d met at her bar in South Dakota. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face flushed with sadness and soaked like she’d just come out of a rainstorm. The lusciousness of her lips was gone as she pressed them together hard.

  Her chuckle was wrapped with a muffled sob, and she wiped the moisture from her face with both hands. “Am I that hideous?”

  I nodded. I never lied, not to anyone. Normally I always found a way not to be mean, but she’d hurt me so badly I didn’t care. I hoped telling her she was hideous hurt. I hoped it hurt as bad as finding out I was merely a diversion.

  “What do you want from me? You knew when we started I couldn’t choose you. You told me ‘no strings’.”

  I cleared my throat and motioned for more water. She brought it to my lips, and I took in a large mouthful, drinking it slowly, letting it cool my throat on the way down. My throat was still coarse, and I wasn’t sure if the words would even come out. A gravelly whisper answered, “Wasn’t looking to be chosen. Looking for someone to care about. Someone who’d care for me.”

  “I do care about you. Don’t you see? I care about you enough to let you live your life. I’m going back to South Dakota. Back to my family. Not because I want that life, but because that’s the only way I know my brothers will never find you.”

  It hurt too much to talk. Her words didn’t make sense. Not really. Why would she go back there after we’d gone to such lengths to help her escape?

  “Centaurides don’t run away, Daniel. Those who try never stay away for long. Their families find them and bring them back. After this stunt we pulled, I am sure my parents have already promised me to a Centaur who will keep me in line.” Her body shivered as she spoke.

  “So stay hidden. Stay with me. I’ll protect you.”

  “It’s not that easy. The only reason I’ve not been found yet is because I’ve been with Katherine. I can’t ask her to stay with me for the rest of my life.”

  “She’d do it.”

  “I know she would, but it’s not fair to her. It’s not her burden to bear.”

  I couldn’t help but look into her eyes. My mind wouldn’t respond. Katherine would stay with Jessica forever. I’d heard her in the tunnel. I knew how much she cared about Jessica.

  She’d finally gotten her tears under control and gave me a brave smile. Jessica’s voice shook as she spoke, “We’ve got a few more days. I want to make the most of my time left with you. It’ll be my own guilty pleasure I carry in my heart after I return to the life waiting for me.”

  I couldn’t respond – not in words or thoughts. She was serious. She would leave me behind and never look back.

  Jessica’s lips whispered softly against mine, “For me? Give me a few more days of joy before I go home.”

  I reached my hands up and pulled her lips hard into mine. My sorrow, my anger, my pain evaporated in that moment, and the longing we two shared enveloped us both. Our lips remained locked for seconds, minutes, maybe an hour. Time lost its meaning – replaced with the knowledge that she was mine. She was convinced we couldn’t have forever, but this would be my chance, the only chance I had left to convince her to stay with me. I’d convince her a life on the run with me was better than a day in her old life.

  When the humans arrived with a stretcher, I was carried out of the jungle. Jessica walked beside me, her hands holding both of mine, the bright moon in the sky looked like it rested on her shoulder. It didn’t matter how exhausted I felt, I refused to let my eyes close. They stayed fixed on her the whole way back to the house.

  A doctor was waiting for us when we returned. The wounds on my feet were cleaned and, thankfully, the doctor spoke English. “You’ll need to give them time to heal. At least two weeks. The next time you decide to go for a stroll through our jungle, put some shoes on.” He snapped his little leather bag closed and walked away without another word. The salve he had put on my feet stung initially, but the relief was like my first drink of cold water – cool and satisfying.

  The doctor left and everyone came by to check on me. Beau and Lacey were funny: both decided it was my own way of making sure everyone could have a little more time enjoying the sun and sand. No one was sure who was going to Africa and who was staying with me.

  Drake stopped by to tell me they’d be leaving for Centauride in the morning. I’d known their departure was eminent and hoped it wouldn’t be the last time I’d see them. I understood the sacrifice he’d made and was prepared to make for Cami. The same old pangs of jealousy stretched from my heart, but for the first time I think he was starting to grow on me.

  I didn’t know Hannah and Bruce very well, but Hannah brought me a basket of fruit and left it on the bedside table. Bruce said the two of them had half a chance in the daily volleyball tournaments now that I was out of it. When he smiled, he looked just like Beau.

  Ben and Bart stopped by. I’
d said less than three words to either of them. The only thing I knew about them was they were Cami’s brothers. Ben took a seat on the bed next to me while Bart kept his distance a few feet away. Ben leaned in and pulled out a piece of wood and a small knife, “There aren’t a lot of options when you’re stuck in bed for a couple weeks. I know, I broke my leg when I was a kid – I was laid up for three whole days. Television stinks here. Thought you might need something to keep your mind occupied.” I didn’t know what to say to either of them and wondered if Cami had forced all of her brothers to say hello.

  I’d kept expecting Brent to pop in until I remembered Jessica told me he had banged up his head pretty bad and was holed up in the room next door.

  When the last set of visitors appeared at my door, it was all too obvious that Cami had forcibly sent them to see me. It was Gretchen and Cami’s dad, Will. I couldn’t stand the guy and knew his feelings for me were mutual. His words were stiff, but not overtly hateful, “I’ve contacted your father through secure channels. He knows you’re with my family. He sends his wish for a speedy recovery.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Pops and I had had a big time falling out, and he was the last person I expected to hear from. As I turned over Will’s words, I was surprised that I was grateful that Will had contacted him. For all he knew, I’d fallen off a cliff weeks ago. I still had issues with Pops, but maybe if he knew another Centaur family thought I was okay, there’d be a chance he wouldn’t be ashamed of me in the future.

  I was losing my battle to stay awake. My eyelids were getting heavy when I saw her at the door. I forced myself to sit up a little straighter.

  “I’m leaving in the morning, but I wanted to say goodbye. Can I get you anything?”

  My eyes went to the ring on her left hand. Just a few weeks ago I would have done anything for her. Who was I kidding? I’d still do anything for her. I understood my own feelings for her much better though. “No. I’m all set.”

  Cami sat down beside me on the bed. She was different. Maybe going through so much had aged her, matured her or something. She’d always been tough, never wavering in any choice she made. I used to be her voice of reason, talking her off a ledge when she was ready to jump and do something really stupid. Since her mom died, I’d become less important to her, maybe because her life was so full now – I no longer needed to be such a big part of it.