Karma had seen naked men before. Not many, but enough that she knew what they looked like. Aside from a normal curiosity about the opposite sex when she’d been a teenager, she’d never felt much one way or the other about men’s bodies. Some were nicer to look at than others, but she’d never had a physical reaction to seeing one before.
Until now. As she watched the man enter the room, the long, hard muscles of his legs flowing beneath the smooth, golden brown skin, she felt something in her belly tighten. Her mouth went dry as she gazed at the broad shoulders, the arms bulging with muscle, the flash of flat brown nipples displayed when the vest shifted as he walked. She raised her eyes to his face and very nearly gasped aloud. Never in her life had she thought of a male as beautiful before. Until now. There was simply no other word to describe this man. In her eyes, beautiful was the only word that came close.
He had a strong, masculine face with a wide, sensuous mouth, sculpted cheekbones and a bold, straight nose. Karma’s eyes lingered on his mouth for a long moment, but it was the eyes that really captured her attention. His golden tan skin and thick black lashes intensified their pale blue color so that they nearly glowed, capturing Karma’s gaze as though hypnotizing her. It wasn’t until the man lowered himself to one knee before the King and bowed his head that she realized she’d been staring.
She jerked her eyes from the man and focused hard on the King instead, mortified by her reaction. Fortunately, the man was far too intent on his own business to have noticed Karma at all.
“Rise, my son,” the King said as he moved toward the young man. The man rose to his feet in a graceful and practiced motion and stepped forward to clasp arms with the King, reminding Karma of the warrior greeting that the Clan Jasani used.
“Father, I returned as quickly as I could,” the man said. “What news of my sister?”
“None as yet,” the King replied. “Bredon leads two Hunter groups in pursuit.”
“The runner told me that the evil ones used out-world machines that travel at impossible speeds,” the man said with barely controlled anger. “Bredon has no chance of catching them.”
“No, he does not,” the King admitted. “However, Captain Singer brought shifter men who can fly like birds. They also hunt.”
The man’s jaw clenched tightly as he seemed to struggle with himself. After a moment he turned to face Captain Singer and bowed shortly. “Your assistance is appreciated,” he said tightly.
Captain Singer bowed her head. “I have done nothing, Prince Zakiel,” she said. “However, if any can find and return Princess Kapia, the Gryphons can, and will.”
Karma sensed that the Prince was not altogether pleased, and it wasn’t only because his sister had been kidnapped. He didn’t seem to like either Captain Singer, or the idea that her help had been needed.
“I will take my Hunters and follow Bredon,” Prince Zakiel said, turning back to the King.
The King stared at his son for a long moment before replying. “As you wish,” he said finally. “Before you go, I would speak with you alone.”
Prince Zakiel hesitated so briefly that Karma nearly missed it. Then he raised his left fist to his forehead and bowed. “As my King commands,” he said.
“Captain Singer, if you would be so kind as to open the door, Talet will be pleased to show you to the dining hall,” the King said without taking his eyes off of his son.
“Of course, Highness,” Captain Singer said. She bowed briefly, then gestured silently to Karma before leading the way to the door. The sphin stood up and stretched slowly, then glanced at Karma over one shoulder before following her out of the King’s Audience Chamber.
Chapter 38
“Karma, are you sure you want to stay here?” Aisling asked again. She’d already asked the same question so many times that even she was tired of hearing it. Karma frowned, but Aisling held up her hand. “Never mind,” she said. “I take that one back.”
“I know you’re worried,” Karma said, “but I also know this is the right thing for me.”
“I might be easier if I understood why you are so determined to stay here. All I know is that you spent two hours locked in a room with King Rothbar and that weird giant cat, and when you came out, you announced you’d decided to live here.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Ash,” Karma said. “I do. I trust you more than anyone. But I promised not to speak of it, and I cannot break that promise. I will tell you this much though; I’m needed here. Really and truly needed.”
Aisling sighed. If there was one person who needed to be needed more than Karma, she had never met her. “If you are needed here, then of course you must stay,” Aisling said.
Karma smiled, relieved that Aisling understood.
“What if you change your mind though? I’m not trying to talk you out of it, I promise,” she said quickly, “but it worries me that you can’t even send a message if you need something, or want to leave.”
“Captain Singer promised to stop by in six months specifically to check on me,” Karma reminded her. “And King Rothbar promised that I would be under his protection.”
“Yes, because Olaf practically demanded it,” Aisling said. “You’re under the personal protection of the Dracons, Karma, and that’s no small thing. If we leave you here and something happens to you, I’m not sure what they’ll do to us.”
Karma laughed. “Now you’re just being silly,” she said. But Aisling didn’t smile.
“All right, listen,” Karma said. “You remember that day we spoke to Saige, at Hope’s home on the ranch? When Riata had messages for each of us?”
“Yes, what about it?”
“Riata’s message to me was that I had to leave my friends and make a life somewhere else, that my future was not on Jasan. She said that it would be difficult for me, and she was right. She also said that it was the path I was meant to follow, and she was right about that too. This is what she was talking about, Ash. This is where I am meant to be, and what I am meant to do.”
“All right, Karma,” Aisling said with a sigh. “I understand, and I’m happy for you. I’m also worried, but I can’t help that. You’re my best friend, and I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Karma said, her eyes misting with unexpected tears. “And I’ll miss you more than you can know.”
***
Olaf, Rand and Rudy left the roar room feeling no better than when they’d entered it. The past week had been difficult for all of them. First Aisling had been despondent about leaving Karma on Rathira. She had even gone so far as to insist they return and collect Karma forcibly. She had not taken their refusal well, to say the least. She had neither spoken to them, nor allowed them into her bed for two days and nights.
Only after she became engrossed in her efforts to decode the oraculum did her temper cool. She’d forgiven them, but it hardly mattered. She’d spent nearly every waking moment since working on the translation. They had to bring food to her, and all but force her to eat it.
“We must do something,” Rudy said as they stepped into the elevator. “This situation cannot continue.”
“And what would you suggest we do?” Olaf asked. dryly “Force her to stop work on the oraculum? I’m sure that will go over well. Why don’t you try it, brother, and I shall stand back and watch.”
“Her preoccupation is far better than her anger,” Rand said as they left the elevator a few moments later and headed for their stateroom. “I suggest we count our blessings. She has accepted that Karma is no longer here, and she is no longer angry at us.”
“I know, you’re right,” Rudy admitted, “but I...,”
The sound of Aisling’s scream coming from the sitting room caused all three of the Gryphons to freeze for one heartbeat, then race to the end of the hall. Olaf hit the door so hard that it cracked down one side as it burst open. They rushed into the room, ready for battle, then froze once more at the sight that greeted them.
Aisling was standing in the middle of the
room, her hand terminal in one hand, an e-pad in the other, jumping up and down with a grin on her face. The grin turned to a frown as she stared at them in surprise.
“What?” she asked.
Olaf opened his mouth, but she waved the terminal at him. “Never mind,” she said excitedly, “I did it! I broke the code!” She ran towards him and leapt into his arms so quickly that he barely got his arms up to catch her.
“You broke the code?” he repeated, hardly daring to believe it. She’d thought she’d broken it two other times, and had been bitterly disappointed when she’d discovered that she didn’t have it quite right.
“Yes, absolutely, no doubt about it this time,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly.
Olaf happily returned the kiss, then set her down so she could greet Rand and Rudy with equal enthusiasm. By the time she was done, all three of them had forgotten their frustration.
“So what does it say?” Olaf asked.
“Well, I haven’t finished the entire thing just yet,” she admitted. “But it won’t take more than a few minutes.” Her smile faded. “It’s not going to be good though. I know that much already.”
“Is there anything we can do to help you finish it?” Olaf asked.
“No, it’s a very complicated cipher,” she replied. “But if you don’t mind waiting, I’ll finish it now.”
“No, not all,” Olaf said. “Go ahead.”
Aisling gave them one more bright, sunny smile, then went back to the desk she’d been using and sat down.
“I think I’ll go down to the cafeteria and get her some lunch,” Rand said quietly as she bent her head over her work. “She didn’t eat this morning and she might be hungry when she finishes.”
“Good idea,” Rudy said. “I’ll go with you.”
After they left, Olaf sat down in a chair positioned so he could watch Aisling, and waited. He was a little amazed that after just one kiss and a few smiles, all of the frustration that had been building in him the past week had simply disappeared. That, he decided, was the magic of Aisling.
He was also relieved for her sake that she had finally broken the code. He had never seen anyone become so obsessed with a single task before, and he’d been worried for her health.
Now that she’d broken it, he was worried about what it would say. He was sure that this oraculum was going to be much like a prophecy, and prophecies had a tendency to come true, though not always in the most obvious or expected way. A prophecy concerning the Xanti that the Xanti themselves thought so much of could not be good.
Just as Rand and Rudy returned with lunch, Aisling set her stylus down and stood up.
“I don’t really know what it means,” she said as she came to stand beside Olaf’s chair. “I hope it makes more sense to you than it does to me.”
Olaf accepted the e-pad that Aisling was holding out to him and gestured for her to take a seat. She sat down in the center of a sofa and Rudy and Rand joined her. For a long moment, Olaf just gazed at the picture the three of them made sitting there, together, letting it calm his nerves and ease his heart. Then he raised the e-pad and began to read.
Oh Black Deceivers, you have come, on the day and hour foreseen and appointed.
We have seen our death, and accept with grim sadness our passing into the realm which lies beyond.
Before you do the evil deed you have come to carry out, know this;
You are allotted a span of time for your webs of evil to endure, and when that span is done, so are you.
Across the Wide Deep, the eggs of your destruction are already hatched.
In the fullness of time, you and all your broods shall be devoured.
In the Veil of Stars, nestled in the crook of the Great Hunter's Arm, lie the peoples of a Thousand Worlds, all woven from the same Fabric of Life, and thus connected one to the other in spite of the differences they perceive of themselves.
Beware, oh, Black Deceivers,
For when the shifters who emerge singly from eggs, and the shifters who emerge in threes covered with the blood of their mothers, discover that they are brothers, they will bind the Thousand Worlds with eternal bonds of blood.
Thus shall they destroy you.
Utterly.
And none shall mourn your passing.
Olaf lowered the e-pad and met his brother’s stunned gazes with his own. Could this be real? Could it be right?
“Obviously that means more to you than it does to me,” Aisling said as she watched their faces. “You want to tell me why you all look so shocked?”
Olaf looked at her and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Aisling,” he said. “Yes, it does make some sense to us, but what it says is...unthinkable.”
Aisling crossed her arms in front of her and narrowed her eyes at him. “That doesn’t help.”
“I know, it’s just...,” Olaf swallowed hard. “This seems to say that we and the Narrasti are meant to be brothers. We have been enemies forever. They destroyed our world, and we theirs. How can we be brothers?”
“Don’t forget there is some question as to who actually destroyed our worlds,” Rand pointed out. “Arima Katre found evidence that suggests a mysterious third party actually did it.”
“What bothers me is the part that says we must work with the Narrasti in order to succeed at destroying the Xanti,” Rudy said. “I cannot imagine such a thing occurring.”
Aisling frowned at Rudy. “Do you mean to say that you would not make peace with one enemy if it meant saving the Thousand Worlds from a much stronger, and far more evil enemy?”
“They destroyed our world, Aisling,” Rudy argued. “Millions of our people perished. They nearly annihilated our entire race. How can you think we would forgive them such an act?”
“If they destroyed your world, then you destroyed theirs,” Aisling pointed out. “Or, they did not destroy your world at all, and someone else did it. Either way, they suffered as your people suffered.”
Rudy stood up and paced angrily across the room before turning to face her. “It is not that simple,” he said. “You do not understand.”
“I understand that if this oraculum is true, and the Jasani refuse to work with the Narrasti, then all hope is lost for The Thousand Worlds,” Aisling said. She turned to Olaf. “Will all of the Jasani feel the way Rudy feels?”
“Perhaps not all,” Olaf replied. “But most, yes. I think so.”
“If that is so, then we are all doomed to become slaves of the Xanti,” Aisling said softly.
Rudy returned to the sofa and knelt down before Aisling. “I am sorry,” he said. “This is a sensitive subject for we Jasani, which does not excuse my temper, I know that. But I do not think that the situation is as dire as you believe.”
“No?” Aisling asked with a sad little smile. “Perhaps you will change your mind after you have read some of my father’s writings.”
“We have searched for the Narrasti for a very long time,” Olaf said. “We know little about them, but we do know that they live on a distant, backwater planet, and there are not very many of them. It is safe to assume that they are not a strong or technologically advanced people. Even should we welcome them into our very homes with open arms, of what use could they possibly be in a war with the Xanti?”
“I have no idea,” Aisling replied. “But the oraculum does not say that they will aid in a war against the Xanti. It says that the two of you will bind the Thousand Worlds in eternal bonds of blood.”
“Nor does it say that we will become friends,” Rand observed. “It says that we will discover that we are brothers.”
“How can we possibly be brothers with the Narrasti?” Rudy asked.
“Again, I do not know,” Aisling said. “But I will tell you this much; if the Jasani do not make peace with the Narrasti, then the Xanti have already won.”
The Vulpirans’ Honor
Book Six of the Soul-Linked Saga
by
Laura Jo Phillips
Available Fall 2012
A Sneak Peek
Will be available to read online soon.
Look for it at:
www.laurajophillips.com
And
Look for
Berta’s Story
Coming Soon
.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Jo lives in the Arizona desert with her loving husband, their two children, one very large dog and two interesting cats. Laura Jo loves to hear from her readers. Visit her website at www.laurajophillips.com to see when the next installment in the Soul-Linked Saga is coming, and sign her guestbook. Or, email her directly at [email protected]
While you are there, take a peek at the ever growing Handbook of the Thousand Worlds which details lots of interesting information about the people, technology, governments, and other interstellar information about the worlds the Soul-Linked Saga takes place in.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Laura Jo Phillips Page 32