Haylie swallowed hard, “I’m so sorry you had to see that.” The words were painful. Sara had always been sensitive. Haylie knew this would eat at her for a long time to come.
“It’s okay,” Sara said. She stopped for a minute before continuing. “I thought I was next. They came so close. Then, all of a sudden, everything stopped.”
A multitude of explanations ran through her mind but Haylie could only figure one possibility. Somehow, Ray was controlling the Ecada the same way he’d controlled Donaldson. He was the power source that drove the horde forward. His death ended the attack.
“At first they seemed confused, like they didn’t really know what to do next. It gave us the chance we needed. The soldiers were able to push them back. Killed enough of them they were forced to retreat.”
“I don’t think we have to worry about them again.”
Haylie tried to explain what had happened in the hangar. Her memories were splintered. Whole slices of her mind seemed to be missing, as if someone else were holding the memories.
Sara sat up and dried her face with her hands. “That somehow makes sense. If Ray was tampering with Ecada telepathy, it would explain a lot of the weird behavior around here.”
“Things were spilling over from his mind and into the minds of those who favored telepathy? Like Donaldson?” Haylie asked.
“We humans only use a portion of our brains—we don’t know what our full capabilities are. It could be that with the Ecada’s help, Ray took advantage of Donaldson by gaining access to a small part of his latent abilities.”
That would mean she had this ability as well. But why hadn’t she felt this sort of thing before? Haylie wanted to explore this further. One look at her friend told her Sara didn’t need any more problems.
Sara was lost in thought but she began nodding her head. “It makes more sense now that I think of it. The miners who were randomly going out to the planet surface. The fights in the lower levels. Increased incidences of violence. People were picking up Ray’s hate and Donaldson’s fear.”
Haylie forgot what she was going to say next when the door to her room opened. Kamran’s surprised expression told her he wasn’t aware she had regained consciousness.
“I’m sorry. I’ll come back later.” His voice sounded raw.
“Not at all, Ambassador. I have to do the rest of my rounds.” Sara stood and smiled a little too quickly at Haylie. “You’re going to be just fine. Have a good visit but then I want you to go back to sleep.”
“Yes, Dr. Fergus.” Haylie captured Sara’s hand and gave it a hard squeeze. “You take it easy today too.”
“Will do.”
* * * * *
Kamran took a step inside the room to allow Sara’s exit. It brought him face to face with the one thing he didn’t want to deal with. Looking at Haylie and not knowing how she was feeling was strange. He tried to open his mind, reaching out to find some thread of her. Silence greeted him. Was she doing this?
He hesitated. “Is Sara well?”
She looked at him, a strange expression on her face. “No. But she will be, given time.”
He laced his fingers behind his back. She must be mad at him for something. Maybe for blocking her earlier. But why, after all they had gone through today, would she be holding on to such petty anger?
“How’s Taber?” Haylie sounded unsure of the question, as if she didn’t know what else to say.
Kamran felt the same. “He’s doing well. The majority of his wounds were superficial. But he’d taken a nasty blow to the side from one of the Ecada. He’s recovering and should be on his feet soon.” And then after another awkward pause, “I didn’t know you were awake. I would have come sooner.” He stopped speaking, not knowing what to say.
“It’s okay. I just woke up a few minutes ago.” Haylie bit her lower lip and turned away from him. “Are you still blocking me?”
Panic raced through him with amazing speed, contracting his stomach, lungs and fists as it passed.
He tried to keep his voice steady but it didn’t come out as strong as he’d hoped. “No. I thought you were blocking me.”
Kamran didn’t know how he felt. He’d never asked to be bonded to Haylie. The fact that a human and Briel had been able to form any type of connection was unbelievable. He shouldn’t really be surprised that it didn’t last.
But he was.
Haylie adjusted the tube that went from her arm to a plastic bag filled with some sort of clear liquid. Her fingers fidgeted with the tube. “I think whatever Ray was doing with the Ecada was the reason we bonded.”
With three steps, he was across the room and standing in front of her. “What?”
“Whatever telepathic connection he had with the Ecada, it was spilling over. The humans seemed to be mostly affected. But I imagine some Briel were as well.”
“What in the maker’s name are you talking about?”
Kamran listened to Haylie’s theory, slowing sinking to her bed as she talked. It did make sense. It fit everything he knew of the Ecada species. While independent beings, they preferred a symbiotic relationship. One that Ray was willing to provide by supplying them with the humans as a food source. Thank the goddess they’d stopped Ray in time. The Ecada would have killed everyone.
“Somehow, he was the catalyst that allowed our bond to form. When he died, it died too.”
Haylie’s words were flat and she spoke with her eyes closed. He watched her, trying to get a feel for what she was thinking. He hadn’t realized how much he’d begun to rely on their connection. There was no guesswork. Simply the steady hum of warmth in the back of his mind.
Haylie opened her eyes wide, her gaze pierced through him. “It’s so quiet now. In my head.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
He couldn’t move. At that moment, he would have given anything, everything, to be able to feel Haylie’s thoughts. He’d grown to love the connection. Kamran felt a chill roll through him at the realization. When did that happen?
Looking at Haylie, Kamran’s heart began to beat faster. His hands flexed and he had to fight back the urge to reach for her. He’d realized he loved her back in the hangar bay. But what if that love couldn’t last? With no bond, how could they be together?
He’d met many mated Briel who weren’t in love with their partners. Their bond made them close but never transcended the physiological connection. He reached out and brushed a finger down the side of her face. His heart ached, the feelings as strong as they were yesterday, last week even.
He loved her.
For once in his life, he didn’t care about what was expected, what was normal or natural. Only what he wanted. Biology and whatnot be damned. Kamran didn’t need the bond that had unexpectedly formed their relationship. He wasn’t going to give her up.
“Are you okay?” Haylie’s voice was a whisper.
For the first time in a while, he thought he was. He took her hands and brought them up to his lips. Slowly at first, he kissed the knuckles of each finger. Then with greater speed, he turned her hands over and placed a single kiss on the insides of her wrists.
Haylie sighed and leaned into him, resting her forehead against his shoulder. Her weight felt odd without her thoughts guiding him, telling him what to do. Following his instincts, Kamran slid his hands up the soft skin of her arms. Her hospital gown granted him easy access to the parts of her he desperately wanted to touch.
Her breasts were heavy in his hands, the nipples hardening at his touch. Haylie sighed again, her breath more ragged than before.
“I know how much you like it when I do this.” Kamran spoke against her ear, getting a thrill of his own when she shivered.
“We shouldn’t.”
“We shouldn’t because you don’t want to?”
“We shouldn’t because Briel don’t have casual relationships and we’re not bonded. You’d be giving up the chance of finding your true mate.”
“I don’t care.” He looked hard at her,
willing her to understand. “I need you, Haylie. And you can’t tell me you don’t want this. I read your thoughts and feelings long enough to know better.”
Removing one of his hands from her breast, he tilted her head back. He was beyond thinking, beyond holding back his emotions. He crushed her lips with his own, plunging his tongue into her mouth. He poured every emotion he felt into that kiss. His loneliness, fear and every ounce of love he had inside.
When he pulled back, Haylie was gasping, her eyes wide. He wanted to tell her how he felt but he didn’t have the words.
“I want…I need to…I don’t quite know how to—”
The room door whooshed open, revealing a young Briel woman. She was dressed in the garb of an Elder Council woman, but she was far too young to hold such a post.
The Briel woman cocked an eyebrow at him. The maker be damned, Kamran would not be apologetic for his love. He felt Haylie stiffen, but he pulled her closer to his body.
He kept his tone formal. “May I help you?”
The young Briel straightened, pulling her hands deep inside the council robes.
“Ambassador, you have been summoned to appear before the Elder Council immediately.”
Two security officers stepped into the room, one human, one Briel and both clearly exhausted from battle. The last thing they wanted to be doing was escorting him about.
“Have the doctors examined you yet?” Haylie pushed away from him, sitting up.
The human soldier shook his head. “Not yet, Chief.”
Kamran smiled at Haylie and tucked an unruly strand of dark hair behind her ear. Perhaps their bond was still there in a fashion.
He softened his tone as he spoke, “Then you should stay and be seen. I will see the council now.”
The human officer began to protest when the Briel officer stopped him. “If the ambassador says he will go, then he will.”
“And I’ll go with him,” Haylie said.
She looked at Kamran, as if to gauge his reaction. He knew she was up to something but also knew better than to argue.
“You should stay and rest. I doubt Sara gave her approval for you to get out of bed.”
If he thought for a second that any consideration for her health would keep her away, she proved him wrong.
“Ordered me to go back to sleep, actually. But she’s not here and you need me. Give me a minute to get dressed and I’ll join you.”
The young councilwoman spoke up. “Ambassador, you know outsiders are not allowed before the council.”
Before he had a chance to speak, Haylie slid from the bed and pulled her IV along with her in search of her clothing. “Tell them I’m a witness in defense of the ambassador. I can prove that he is innocent of treason.”
“Haylie.”
She ignored Kamran’s disapproving tone. He wasn’t surprised.
“Very well, Ms. Bond. But be prepared that they may not see you.”
“Please let them know the ambassador and I will arrive shortly. And Michaels, get yourself and your friend to a doctor.”
The councilwoman and the two guards left silently. She turned and faced him, her face not betraying any emotion.
He didn’t want her doing this. He didn’t need to prove his innocence any longer. He’d been able to find the proof of Ray’s collaboration with the Ecada in his apartments. “You don’t have to do this. They know Ray was the cause of everything.”
“I know. But I need to see them. I can’t explain why, but it’s important. Call it woman’s intuition.”
“I know better than to argue. I don’t want you to cause yourself any further injury.”
“I’ll be careful,” she said.
Kamran watched as she scooped up her battered uniform and began to fight with the cumbersome IV. He moved from the bed and took her hand in his. She flinched when he removed the needle. He took extra care as he covered the wound with a bandage. His body thrilled at the contact, as innocent as it was. His cock hardened, sending ripples of desire throughout him. He watched as her nipples tightened under the sheer hospital shirt. He leaned in and kissed her again. There was something different in the kiss. Something changed between them in the melding of lips and tongues. The passion was white hot, yet calmer. When she pulled back, there was no mistaking what he felt. He loved her.
“I have to get dressed. We don’t want them sending more guards after you.”
“I’ll wait outside.” They both knew why.
Haylie’s hands shook as she dressed, making the process slower than normal. She was sure if any evidence remained against Kamran, they could easily disprove it. Then he’d be free to go about his life, as was she.
Fate was no longer meddling in her life.
A quick look in the mirror proved frightening. She was white as death, her hair a nightmare of tangles and knots. Nothing she could do about it now. She walked into the hall, madly combing her fingers through her hair and forcing it into a clip she’d found on the counter.
Kamran checked her over, brushing his fingers over the bandage on her neck. “It’s not too late to back out. You need to rest.”
“Let’s get this cleared up first. Then you can take me home.”
He raised his eyebrow, but said nothing further.
Her legs screamed at her as she walked the length of the station to where the Briel Elder Council had their chambers. Kamran slowed his normal pace so she wouldn’t have to fight to keep up. They had to stop once when she was overtaken by a coughing fit. A multitude of guards, both Briel and human, held their posts at regular intervals in the hall. Each acknowledged her as they passed. The walls were marked with blast marks and blood.
She slowed even more to survey the damage. “I had no idea.”
“Taber said the Ecada breeched the outer defenses and headed straight for here. If you hadn’t killed Ray when you did, the council would have been wiped out.”
No one tried to stop them as they approached and entered the chamber. Haylie was shocked at what she saw. The room was very large, filled with what looked like tropical plants. A small stream flowed behind seven large chairs, each one holding a Briel councilwoman. The air held the hint of floral freshness, but it was tinged with blood and burned metal. They’d been lucky.
The one who sat in the center, who, by Haylie’s eyes, looked to be the oldest, spoke. “Ambassador, you know our feeling regarding outsiders.”
“My apologies,” he said as he bowed deeply. “Haylie has come to offer support and evidence if need be as a representative of the humans. She is their chief of security.”
The elder stepped down from her chair and approached them. Haylie watched fascinated as long pale blue robes flowed behind her. The woman stopped directly in front of Haylie.
“We know who she is,” one of the elders said, but all eyes were on her.
“You use her first name. Is such familiarity necessary, Ambassador?”
“We are close, Elder.”
The older Briel narrowed her eyes, leaned in and gave Haylie a hard stare. Haylie tried to keep the eye contact, but was amazed when she looked away after a minute. No wonder women like this led the Briel people.
Kamran cleared his throat. “Elder, if this is regarding the charges brought against me, may we proceed immediately? I fear Haylie’s injuries are greater than she led me to believe.”
The elder straightened and took a step back. Haylie felt every muscle in her body start to relax.
“No.”
Kamran looked at Haylie. Even his ambassador’s mask couldn’t hide his surprise. She had to do something.
“Elder, we know Kamran isn’t guilty of committing treason. We have eyewitnesses, other than myself who will confirm Ray was the instigator in these aggressions, the bombing of your people and other strange occurrences here on the station.”
The Briel laced her fingers together and lowered her gaze once more at Haylie. “Your proof, while appreciated, is not necessary.” The elder paused, her lips tightening slightly
. “The council has dropped all charges of treason against you, Ambassador Kamran.”
“Thank god,” Haylie whispered.
She felt tears fill her eyes but fought against them. She never cried and wasn’t about to start now.
The elder smiled before continuing. “Now we just have the matter of your relationship to discuss.”
Haylie snapped her gaping mouth shut.
“If you thought we were not aware of what was going on, you are losing your keen perception, Ambassador. Perhaps we should reassign you.”
“With respect, Elder, we were not purposely trying to deceive the council. Haylie and I,” he took her hand and gave it a squeeze, “we were not entirely sure what was going on.”
Haylie swallowed, her love for him washing through her. She couldn’t let him lie for her.
“Elder, that’s not the entire truth. We suspected that we had become bonded. Kamran told me about Briel relationships and that we would be required to return to Briel. I wasn’t willing to throw everything away and follow what I considered a whim.”
“That’s not true, either.” Kamran turned to her and planted a kiss on her hand. “I wasn’t willing to take the chance that I’d meet my Briel mate after we’d solidified our relationship.”
“Are you leading this council to believe that you are no longer concerned with this, Ambassador? What if you meet your Briel mate tomorrow?”
Kamran turned to face Haylie. He cupped her cheek with his hand. She closed her eyes, simply enjoying the contact.
“I’ve already met her.” His voice was confident.
Her hands began to tremble. Reaching up, she threaded her fingers through his hair, stroking lightly before reaching up on her tiptoes and lightly kissing his lips. Before she could pull away, his hands trapped her body, his mouth opening wide to deepen the contact. She could feel his body tremble against her, his touch full of need and desire across her neck and down along her back. When they finally broke the kiss, Haylie was left panting, her body shaking with need. Their bond may be gone, but they still shared a connection.
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