by DJ Michaels
Jaz's temples began to pound. "You kidnapped him? From a hospital?"
"Yes."
"Oh, my god. What if—"
Kasim held up his hand to forestall further argument. "It's done, so there's no point asking, ‘what if?’. The sooner you help Tallis, the sooner we can move forward."
Deasun stood, drawing her up with him. "You know where the bedroom is. Kasim and I will be next door if you need us and my number is in Tallis's phone." He gestured to the side table where the phone sat between two empty coffee cups. "Good luck."
Jaz stood rooted to the spot as the two rhe'hashan left, closing the door quietly behind them. Her head was spinning and her chest squeezed tight in helpless terror. They'd stolen Tallis out of a hospital—with no medical backup at all—and then they'd walked away after dropping the whole mess in her lap. It was too much responsibility. She couldn't have Tallis's recovery resting entirely on her shoulders.
Yet, that's exactly what was happening.
Breathing deep, she tried to wrangle her emotions under control and clear her mind. Right now, she was in charge, for what that was worth. It was up to her to decide whether to walk away or try to help. Which meant there was no decision to be made. She would never turn her back on someone who needed her help, least of all Tallis.
Taking a moment to settle her nerves, she mentally fortified herself. She had no idea what lay on the other side of Tallis's bedroom door so she tried to steel herself for anything.
When she was as calm as she was going to get—which wasn't the least bit zen—Jaz walked across the oversized living space and down the hall. Tallis's door was open a bare inch, and she squared her shoulders as she pushed it open.
The room was dark, the blinds drawn to shut out the late afternoon sun. Tallis stirred, the rustle of the sheets giving him away. "Jaz?" The single word was barely a whisper, more confusion than query.
"Yes, it's me." She walked forward until she was close enough to make out the dark shape of his head on the pillow. "Deasun and Kasim tell me you haven't been feeling well."
"Assholes." His voice sounded weak and thready, as though it was an effort to talk. "I might expect that from Deasun, but I had higher hopes of Kasim." He rolled slightly towards her. "I didn't want them to call you."
"I know. But here I am anyway." So pathetically grateful to be near him—to see him, talk to him, smell him—that she wanted to shoot herself for being so needy. She stood a foot from the bed, but it may as well have been a mile. "Deasun seems to think your cat misses me."
Tallis grunted. "All of me misses you." He lifted an arm from under the covers and laid it over the bedspread. "But the best way for me to keep you safe is to let you go. That hasn't changed."
"Perhaps not." Jaz inched closer until her thighs hit the edge of the mattress. "But what has changed is that you're sick. If there's any way to help you, I will."
Calling on a well of courage she didn't even know she had, Jaz kicked off her shoes and pulled her top over her head.
"Jaz … don't." There was anguish in Tallis's voice, maybe even a little fear. But there was also thread of longing that matched her own need.
She shimmied out of her skirt and shed her bra and panties. Naked and vulnerable, her emotions so tangled she could hardly swallow, she stood before him. "This is as far as I go without an invitation."
Tallis growled—scary, wild and feline. Jaz jerked in surprise, but she didn't move her feet.
Rolling onto his back, Tallis covered his face with his hands. "I'm trying to do the right thing, Jaz, but you're making it so fucking hard." He twisted on the bed as if he was in pain and Jaz automatically reached out to him.
His hand flashed out and snapped around her wrist. "You get one warning, shamira, so make sure you know what you're doing." He stayed prone, but his eyes flashed in the almost dark. "I barely survived letting you go last time. I don't think I can go through that again."
Jaz heaved a sigh. She didn't think she could go through it again either. "What choice do we have? You can't expect me to just walk away when you're so sick. Not if there's a chance I can help you."
"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Reassessing my beliefs, looking at why parts of my life aren't working. Listening to some uncomfortable truths." His breathing grew labored and Jaz was shocked how much those sentences had cost him.
"Don't talk—"
"I have to. You need to understand what will happen if you get into this bed." He was gasping now and Jaz didn't want to agitate him any further.
"All right." She eased down to sit on the side of the mattress. "I'm listening. Take your time."
"I want you in my life, long term. If you get into this bed, if I get you skin to skin, I'll claim you as my own. No letting go, no noble sacrifice. No going back to your normal life." His thumb rubbed slow circles on her wrist. "You'll be mine in every way that matters."
Jaz was frozen in place, sitting bare-assed and vulnerable on the edge of the bed. His words were shocking, frightening, but also completely joyous. "And what if I don't get into your bed? What happens to you if I walk away and go back to my normal life?"
"If you want to leave I'll find a way to live with that." His hand slid from her wrist and he closed his eyes. "Truthfully, if you have any sense at all you'll get dressed, leave, and never come back."
Her brain whirled a mile a minute. Walking away was the smart, safe decision—for both of them. There was no way for them to have a life together and she'd have to give up everything to be with him. Believing they could have a permanent relationship was an act of lunacy. A fantasy that belonged in the dark hours of dreaming, not the hard light of day.
Her mind clung to the practicalities, but her body only listened to her heart. Before she'd even come to a decision, she stood up and lifted the covers. Tallis shimmied over to make room and she slid into bed beside him as if she'd done it a thousand times.
She put her arms around his shoulders and he came to her, head buried in her neck, arms and legs wrapped so tightly around her she couldn't move. It was a moment of pure perfection and every cell in her body relaxed into the rightness of having him beside her.
Then she noticed how thin he was. How cold his skin felt as he shivered against her.
"You're freezing." Which was weird because on the two nights they'd spent together she'd noticed how extremely warm his body was. He'd told her Jendari had a higher core temperature than humans.
"It's part of the sickness," he said. "I can't seem to get warm."
She untangled her legs so she could wrap around him, pulling him close and stroking her hands up and down his back. "Don't worry, shamira," she said, using his endearment. "I'll keep you warm."
And they stayed that way for hours, drifting in and out of sleep, touching each other in long, slow strokes, whispering into the dark.
****
By the early hours Tallis was warm, but he was restless. Jaz could feel him trying not to toss and turn, obviously unwilling to disturb her.
"What's going on Tallis?" she whispered.
"It's my tigaren. I haven't been able to phase for weeks but now he's desperate to get fur to skin with you. I'm finding it difficult to hold back."
"Then don't." She shrugged and moved back a little to give him room. "I don't mind if you go paws and claws."
"You'd better brace yourself. Once I phase I'm going to want my scent all over you."
Jaz blinked into the darkness. She had no idea what that meant, or what she was letting herself in for. What she did know is that Tallis would never hurt her, no matter what form he took. "I'm ready when you are."
Tallis sang softly and the air around Jaz seemed to electrify, making the hairs on her skin stand on end. Then she felt a brush of fur and the unmistakable sensation of a feline head rubbing along her arm. "Hello, Tallis-cat," she murmured, reaching out to stroke his pelt. He purred and rubbed harder, sliding his face along her shoulder until his huge head was pressed against her cheek. He chuffe
d, his hot breath whooshing over her ear and into her hair. Wrapping her arms around him she held him close and told him how beautiful he was in cat form. How strong and—in her world—how miraculous.
It wasn't long before his purr was one continuous rumble, the rise and ebb creating a rhythm that resonated deep in her soul. When he moved she let her hands fall away, relaxing as best she could with seven hundred pounds of cat sharing her bed. Once again he used his head and face to mark her, working his way from top to bottom and back again. It wasn't sexual, but it was affectionate, and it was most definitely possessive. That's when she realized that when Tallis said he would claim her, he meant to do so as man and beast.
The idea of being claimed by Tallis as rhe'hashan was kind of intimidating. Strangely enough, being claimed by his cat filled her with incandescent joy. There was something so pure and uncomplicated about the tigaren that there was no room for doubt or second thoughts.
If only the two-legged version of Tallis was as straightforward.
Chapter Twenty-One
Tallis woke to an armful of woman and a persistent nudging at his hip. He lifted his head just enough to eyeball Itohan.
What?
Deasun here to talk. In other room.
Too bad. Now he had Jaz exactly where he wanted her, Tallis had no desire to change locations.
Get up. This time the nudge came with a sharp nip. I stay with your mate. You talk to the stupid dog.
Tallis rolled his eyes. Deasun was a wolven, a predator just as deadly as any me'hendra. But Itohan was an equal opportunity hater—if it wasn't feline, he had no time for it. Except for Jaz, apparently.
Pulling his woman close, Tallis kissed the top of her head and breathed her in, taking her scent deep into his soul. Then he sang to her, making sure she stayed in peaceful sleep before releasing her and sliding out of bed. Yanking on a pair of silk pants, he padded into the lounge room.
"This better be good."
Deasun's eyes bugged. "Badria save me. You look … well, still scrawny … but so much better."
"Thanks. I feel better."
A smug smile blossomed on Deasun's face and Tallis knew he was never, ever going to live this down.
"I was right." Dea threw his arms up in victory. "I was fucking right."
"Yes, it seems you were. Congratulations."
Beaming, Deasun raced across the room and pinned Tallis in a rib-crushing hug. "By the Goddess, I'm glad to have you back." He dropped his arms and stepped back, keeping them linked by leaving his hands on Tallis's shoulders. "I missed you, you grumpy bastard."
"I missed you, too." Tallis cupped the back of Deasun's head, pulling until their foreheads touched. "Thank you, my brother. Not only for saving me, but for forcing my head out of my ass. That woman in there is everything to me."
"You're most welcome." Deasun stepped away and threw himself down onto the couch. "Now we just have to make sure you can keep her."
Tallis grinned and took a seat. "Do you have another mad but genius suggestion?"
"Yes." The look of certainty hung on Dea's face for a full second before it slipped. "Well, it's unconventional. And I don't think anyone would describe it as genius."
Unconventional and not-genius was Deasun's default position. However, after the success of his recent interference, Tallis was prepared to listen to his plan. "Let's hear it."
"Bonding to your tigaren won't be enough to keep Jaz safe, and a simple claiming won't do the job either. The Elders would think nothing of sacrificing her to keep the clans safe. And if they think you would put her above your duty, they might sacrifice you, too."
Tallis nodded. "I know all this. It's why I tried to keep away from Jaz in the first place."
"I think the best way to keep both of you safe is to make them see her as clan. And the surest way to do that is if you commit to each other as am'chai."
Blowing out a shocked breath, Tallis slumped back on the couch cushions. The am'chai ceremony bound two people together for life, and it was a binding so permanent only death could sunder the relationship. It was the ultimate commitment and, while it wasn't unheard of in the clans, it certainly wasn't common practice.
But Badria save him, it was a tempting idea. To have Jaz forever, to have her permanently bound to him so no one but the Goddess herself could separate them. Just the thought of it filled him with a bone-deep sense of satisfaction. And once they were bonded, Jaz would be considered clan. She would be treated as though she'd been born Jendari.
"It would solve a lot of problems."
"It would solve all of them," Deasun insisted.
Tallis shook his head. "Most, not all. And that's if I can get Jaz to agree, and if we can get Borini on board. If we can find a priestess to conduct the ceremony, and if we can sneak into New Havilah without—"
"Stop." Deasun shot forward and slapped a hand over Tallis's mouth. "I realize that we have some logistics to sort out, but let's just deal with them one at time."
Tallis just raised his eyebrows. Deasun must have considered that tacit agreement because he moved his hand and resumed his seat. "Now, you go and talk to Jaz then clear it with Borini. I suspect the old man will give you his support, you being his favorite and all." Deasun winked to take the sting out of his words. "I also suspect Borini will have contacts at the temple and he'll find a priestess who'll be willing to help us out."
Anticipation buzzed through Tallis, and for the first time in months he felt a rush of energy. "While I speak to Borini, will you contact Lioth, Hadar and Kasim to let them know what's happening?"
"Of course. And while I'm at it I'll ask Hadar if we can transit directly to his home and use it as a meeting place prior to the ceremony."
"Good idea." Hadar lived on the outskirts of New Havilah, on a rocky outcrop that hung perilously over the salt lake. It had the advantage of being far enough away from the main settlement that they could conceal Jaz's presence.
"So we're agreed?"
"Yes." Tallis smiled and held out his hand. "Thank you, my brother."
"Always."
****
Almost two hours elapsed before Tallis crawled back into bed after sending Itohan on his way. But it was two hours well spent. As Deasun had predicted, Borini gave Tallis his full support.
Tallis suspected that a large part of that stemmed from the worry his rhe'hashan family had gone through due to his illness. His adopted father was so delighted to see him up and about, Tallis could have asked for the moon and Borini would have tried to give it to him.
Which made the request for a priestess much easier than it would have normally been. With a single com-call, Tallis had managed to lock in half the plan. The rest of it was up to Deasun, and Tallis had no doubt on that score.
But everything hinged on Jaz. On whether she would accept him. Whether he could convince her to bind herself to him for the rest of their lives. He had no desire to force her consent, but he wanted her for his own with a need that almost brought him to his knees.
He headed back into the bedroom, shucked his pants, and climbed into bed. Stretching out next to her, he pressed her soft, silky curves tight to his body. Then he sang her awake.
Jaz snuggled against him, rubbing her breasts against his chest and flexing her belly against his hardening cock. "Tallis. What time is it?"
"Almost lunchtime." Smoothing back her hair he rested his lips on her forehead. "I'll get us something to eat soon, but I want to talk first."
Her hips flexed again. "Just talk?"
Oh, he liked where her mind was heading. He just couldn't go there yet. "For now."
Rolling her underneath him, he took his weight on his elbows and made room for himself between her legs. She lifted her knees and locked her ankles at the base of his spine, then she smoothed her hands over his shoulders.
He couldn't help but rock into her, sliding his cock against her slick heat. Swooping down he gave her a hard, fast kiss—then pulled back before he completely lost his head. "Talk."
It was a reminder to him just as much as her.
"I'm listening."
Then she sifted her fingers through is hair and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. It wasn't only the cat half of him that had been touch starved.
"Yesterday I told you if you got into this bed I would claim you, and I meant it. I love you, I want to care for you, and I want you to be my mate. My family."
Her mouth dropped open in surprise so he took the opportunity to kiss her again. This time he lingered, stroking her tongue with his, nipping at her lips, sealing his mouth to hers so they breathed the same air. She went straight to his head, more intoxicating than any wine, more distracting than a woman should be.
Eventually he lifted his head and moved so he took all his weight on one elbow. Then he used his free hand to stroke up and down her body before lingering on her breast. His grip was possessive and he let out a purr of satisfaction.
Talk. This time the reminder was for him alone.
"There is a way for us to be together, if you want to take it." He altered his grip so he could roll her nipple between his fingers. And when she arched and moaned for him, he did it again.
"It's a ritual that will bind us together. It's like a human marriage, only it's permanent. You and I will belong to each other, you will be my family, and we'll belong to the same clan."
Jaz's arousal filled the air and she rocked against him with needy strokes. That's when Tallis gave up on the concept of just talking. He'd have the conversation, all right, but he'd do it while he was deep inside her.
Unhooking Jaz's legs, he rolled them so he lay on his back. His woman was smart and the moment she got her balance she rose up on her knees, positioned his cock, and then sank down with a groan that echoed his.
She was hot and slick, her core already pulsing around him in tight little squeezes. Tallis ran his hands over her creamy thighs, around her soft belly and hips, and up to cup her full, heavy breasts. When she started to move he dropped his hands and locked her hips in place.