Tempting Flame (The Jendari Book 1)

by DJ Michaels

  "So you engineered this farce to prove a point?"

  Borini stiffened at the insult. "No. I supported this ceremony because I believed it was the right thing to do. For Tallis, for Jasmine, and for our clans."

  At that moment the remaining me'hendra burst into the grove. Kotiri, Piala, Shallamar, and Rishana raced towards the gathering, sliding to a halt in front of Tallis's small group. Liron pushed Borini back until only the me'hendra stood shoulder to shoulder with Itohan.

  Seconds later, four more me'hendra surged onto the sacred ground and arrayed themselves on the front line on the other side.

  "No one wants this to get ugly," Borini said. And it would if the situation escalated. Tallis had never met a me'hendra who didn't love to battle and if their two-legged brothers had already been forced to fight, their blood would be up.

  Kharvek folded his arms over his chest. "Then do as I ask, and allow Tallis to surrender."

  Tallis had never been good at standing on the side lines, and he'd just hit his limit. Moving forward he pushed his way between the me'hendra until he was sandwiched tight between Itohan and Shallamar. "I will not surrender. I have claimed Jasmine as my mate and we have made that commitment official and binding by undertaking the am'chai ceremony. Jasmine is now clan."

  Kharvek's fists clenched. "You have no authority to conduct that ceremony and the Elder Council will not recognize your status as am'chai. Nor will the human ever be permitted to become clan."

  At that moment the missing rhe'hashan ran into the clearing and, like the me'hendra, they were quick to position themselves on either side of the invisible line. The atmosphere became charged and when Deasun slipped a knife into Tallis's hand, his warrior instincts kicked into high gear.

  "Elders." Jamar spoke from behind Tallis, and the wall of rhe'hashan automatically parted for her. As soon as the priestess stepped through, they reformed the line, keeping their bodies between Jaz and the people who would do her harm.

  "You have no legal or spiritual grounds to mount an argument." Jamar moved to stand on the other side of Itohan. "I have spent days researching this issue and there is nothing in our laws or religious texts that prevents an off-worlder from becoming clan. In fact, there is a great deal of precedent supporting Jasmine's case." Jamar didn't bluster or raise her voice, yet everybody in the grove gave her their complete attention.

  "The bond of am'chai is sacred and unbreakable by anyone but the Goddess herself. She blessed both Tallis and Jasmine at the completion of the ceremony." Jamar raised an imperious eyebrow. "You claim Tallis overstepped his authority. But how far do the Elders overstep when they try to gainsay the will of the Divine?"

  Tallis didn't move, he barely dared to breathe. This was the moment—right here and now was the point where they'd tip one way or the other.

  Kasim cleared his throat to gain their attention, but he held his position in the line that protected Jaz. "Elders, you must know that we will stand with Tallis. We will fight for his right to protect his am'chai, and there will be other rhe'hashan who will join us. We have barely found our feet on this new world, are you really going to push us into civil war?"

  One of the other Elders finally spoke up. Yanisa was young to be in such a powerful position, but she was very conservative. "Civil war? You think to sway us with alarmist language?"

  "It's far from alarmist, my lady," Kasim said. "We just skirmished out in the forest, rhe'hashan against rhe'hashan, and that was just to buy time. What do you think will happen when you order your warriors to take Tallis by force? You must know that his friends and allies will defend him. How much blood will spill? How much enmity will you foster? For centuries the rhe'hashan have stood as one, protecting the clans and each other. Are you prepared to be the Council who sunders that sacred tradition?"

  Kharvek motioned the Elders closer, and they formed a huddle, backs to Tallis and his friends. Then two of the rhe'hashan joined the whispered discussion, no doubt brought in to verify Kasim's threat of civil war.

  The Jendari settlements were small and, on this alien world, all clansfolk felt a degree of vulnerability. They used advanced tech for additional security, but the primary source of protection for the clans were the rhe'hashan. And every person in this clearing knew it.

  What none of them could foresee, was who or how many would come to Tallis's aid. His adopted family would fight for him, as would their me'hendra, but beyond that Tallis had no idea. And he had no desire to find out.

  The huddled murmurs continued. Itohan turned to look at Tallis. Too much talk. Let's just fight.

  Tallis tried to hide how much he liked the idea of Itohan kicking some Elder ass. Not yet. Jaz is our priority, and it's better for her if the Elders come to a decision in their own time.

  Itohan chuffed at him. Better be smart decision, I'm hungry.

  You can't eat them, regardless of what they decide.

  Arching his neck, Itohan offered Tallis a look of distain. Can't I?

  That wasn't a challenge, it was a fact.

  Itohan grunted. We'll see.

  It seemed an age before the Elders broke apart. Kharvek looked furious, and that alone gave Tallis courage to hope.

  "As it stands," Kharvek said, "we have no recourse but to accept your … mate." He almost spat the last word and Tallis took an instinctive step forward. The only thing that stopped him defending his am'chai was the grip of Jaz's hand on his arm. When he turned to her she slid closer and his arm automatically circled her waist to pull her tight to his body. With a quick kiss to the top of her head, he turned his attention back to the Elders.

  Kharvek's face was flushed with anger. "Be assured that this situation will not be repeated. The Elder council will formulate and pass laws specifically forbidding the am'chai ceremony to anyone who isn't clan."

  "But Jaz is safe?" It was really Tallis's only concern.

  "Yes, she's beyond our reach."

  Tallis could almost hear the "for now" that Kharvek didn't add. The Elders might come after Jaz at some point down the track, but for the moment she was safe.

  And after today, she would always be his.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hours later Jaz was still reeling. The emotional extremes of the day had her tied up in knots and she still couldn't quite believe she was married now. To an alien.

  Hadar had invited the wedding party back to his place for refreshments, and they all milled around in the garden that lay directly under Hadar's home—or airy, as she found out it was called.

  Jaz stood barefoot on the grass in her silver gown, and looked around at her new family. According to Tallis, his brothers and Borini would now claim her as their own. So in the space of a day, she'd been elated, terrified, joyful, heartbroken, and now—loved. Not just by Tallis, but by Deasun, Kasim, Hadar, Lioth, and Borini. And their me'hendra.

  It was amazing to have a new husband and a new family, but what truly boggled her mind was knowing she could rely on each and every one of them. She knew, right down to her bones, that if she ever needed help any one of the rhe'hashan or their me'hendra would come to her aid.

  It meant never being on her own again, in the best possible way.

  Then Tallis walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her back so she could lean against him. "Are you well, shamira?"

  "Yes." She relaxed into his strength. "I was just marveling at the realities of my new life. A beautiful am'chai, four new brothers, and an adopted father. Quite the day's work."

  "Not to mention being terrorized by the Council."

  Jaz squeezed his forearms. "I'm focusing on the positive."

  "Don't you always?" Tallis kissed the top of her head and eased her from his embrace. "Come over here, I want to show you something."

  Slipping her hand into his she allowed him to lead her to the edge of the garden where the wild forest had started to encroach. Tallis positioned himself in front of a large shrub with red velvety leaves and, with a mysterious grin in her d
irection, lowered himself to sit before it. Pulling her down he positioned her in the vee between his legs.

  Jaz was happy to comply but she didn't have Tallis's innate elegance, and her long gown didn't help matters. With a rather ungainly slump she settled between his thighs, facing the shrub.

  "This is a shidela, a petting bush." Placing his hand on the nape of her neck, he eased her forward. "Move your face closer to the leaves."

  Such was her level of trust with Tallis that she did as he asked without question. The leaves were about two inches long and an inch wide, and they were thick and slightly curved. As she moved closer, the plant seemed to shiver and the leaves turned and twisted to reach out to her. Then one stroked her cheek, then another. The sensation was wonderful—soft and soothing, relaxing in a way that seemed to start at her skin and seep down through muscle and bone. Closing her eyes, she leaned in even further.

  "It feels amazing."

  Tallis wrapped himself around her, laying his cheek against her shoulder. "There are many wonderful things in my world, and I can't wait to show each and every one of them to you."

  "And I can't wait to see them."

  Tallis nuzzled her neck and whispered in her ear. "I know you had to give up a lot to be with me, and I realize just how much of our life you're taking on faith. I swear to you I'll do everything in my power to make sure you don't regret that decision."

  "I know." Lifting her hand she ran her fingers through his hair. "Every relationship has its ups and downs and every relationship requires work. I suspect ours will be no different. But as long as we work together we'll be fine."

  "Better than fine."

  Jaz smiled into the leaves of the petting bush. "Yes, we'll be better than fine."

  She sensed Itohan's approach before she felt him lay down at their side. Automatically she reached out to pet him, keeping her other hand tight on Tallis's forearm.

  Leaning back into Tallis she wallowed in the joy that bubbled inside her. "I had no idea this level of happiness even existed."

  Tallis nuzzled the crook of her neck. "Me either." He took a deep breath and squeezed her tight as he exhaled. "I suspect we'll have our challenges, but the one thing that will never change is my love for you. My commitment to you."

  Reaching up she slid her fingers into his hair, too full of emotion to give voice to her joy.

  She'd spent her whole life longing for a family of her own, and while this family was nothing like the one she envisioned, she wouldn't change it for the world.

  Tallis's hand crept high, brushing the underside of her breast. "How soon do you think we can leave?"

  Jaz laughed. "Don't you want to stay until the end of the party?"

  "No, I want to go home and take you to bed."

  And that, Jaz thought, was the best idea she'd heard all day.

  The End

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