by Autumn Dawn
Andrea gasped. It was a push-up bra with short sleeves but no cups.
“Quite.” Jasmine tossed it back into its drawer and opened another, extracting some socks, which she added to the pile. Next came some black-maroon pants made of a thick, dark silk. “Stronger than denim.” Added to that were several shirts and a gorgeous blue and gold, Grecian style dress, which Andrea immediately refused.
“No, I really can’t,” she insisted, though her eyes ate up the dress. She’d never owned such an exquisite piece of clothing.
Jasmine waved off her protests. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, it will match your ring.”
Flustered, Andrea grasped the forgotten ring. “Mathin tricked me into letting him buy it for me,” she muttered, feeling an explanation was needed. The event seemed so long ago, and the explanation lame. Why was she still wearing it?
It was not a question she wanted answered.
“Hm. He has good taste,” was all Jasmine said, but her expression was speculative.
She left Andrea alone in the bathing chamber to freshen up while she went to check on dinner.
Andrea washed her face and hands at the marble sink, welcoming the soothing warmth of the water. She didn’t know how much time she had, but surely she could wash her hair? It smelled like horse, and since she had to change her hair-dusted pants it only made sense. Later she would see about a long soak. Her backside wasn’t used to bouncing behind a saddle and it felt a little raw.
The ordinary actions soothed her. She still wasn’t sure what to do about her grandma. Had it not been for her, she’d have planned to escape at the first opportunity. What was she supposed to do with the woman when she wanted to stay, had arranged the whole thing?
Now that she was calmer the whole brainwashing thing sounded ridiculous, especially as she recalled her grandmother’s rabid desire to see her settled. She rolled her eyes. Who would have thought she’d have gone this far to do it? The amazing thing was that she’d found someone to help carry out her crazy plan.
Well, I don’t have to cooperate, she promised herself as she washed and rinsed her hair. Jasmine’s relaxed attitude and confidences had gone a long way to firming her resolve. Mathin didn’t have a chance with her. As for her grandmother…
One thing at a time.
The first thing she saw when she emerged from the bathing chamber was a miniature giraffe the size of a large dog. Curled up on the woven rug on the far side of the bed, the small creature raised its head to study her with lazy interest. Its black-and white fur looked so soft!
Enchanted, Andrea sank to her knees, holding out her hand. “Here, little fella,” she said softly, holding out her hand. The giraffe stared at her a moment from across the room, then closed its eyes and went back to sleep.
Disappointed, but wary of disturbing the alien creature, she let her hand fall.
“You give up too quickly,” chided a familiar, deep voice.
Startled, she jumped up and scowled at Mathin. “What do you want?” It was so easy to vilify him when he wasn’t around, but now…Why did he have to be so good-looking?
It didn’t help that he’d changed into what seemed to be the standard military uniform. The black leather vest and silky dark pants looked entirely different when not on a Haunt. It was very hard not to let her eyes linger on his hair dusted chest or the corded muscles of his arms. No wonder women chased him if he went around looking like that! The only color about him was the scarlet sash at his waist and the red Celtic knot on the vest over his heart. Belted at his waist were the weapons he rarely seemed to be without. They looked much more natural with his native garb.
His brow went up at her display of temper. “I thought you might need these.” He extended a small pouch to her, thinking how odd it was that, even while wearing the nose-filter, every time he looked at her his stomach did a little flip.
She took it warily. Inside were a number of toiletries. A round container full of shaker holes and equipped with a powder puff was the first thing on top. The clear powder inside sparkled on the surface of the puff.
“Deodorant powder,” he explained in response to her puzzled expression. “The toothpaste and brush you know. The tube full of amber beads is soap for your body and hair. In the silver pot is lotion, in the bronze, repellent.”
“Repellant?” She studied the small pot askance. Only a man would consider bug repellent an essential toiletry. However, it was the final item in the bag that defied her imagination. It looked something like an elongated, miniature plunger with a short rubber handle.
He looked aside, a trace of color bronzing his cheeks. The last he’d purchased at great personal discomfort, remembering Jasmine’s bitter complaints about the lack of feminine necessities during their trek through the swamp. “Jasmine can explain its use to you.”
She stared at him, unsure what to think, then replaced the plunger in its drawstring pouch. There was an awkward moment of silence. “Thank you,” she finally told him, though it was the last thing she wished to say. Unfortunately, attacking him would accomplish nothing, as he’d proven in the forest. She doubted that verbal attacks would prove more satisfying.
Nor could she ask him the questions that burned in her mind. They were far too personal, too daring for her present mood. Would he even admit to her why he wanted her? Or was that just an assumption on Jasmine’s part? The silence stretched, grew awkward.
“Dinner is ready,” he finally said. He gestured for her to precede him.
Dinner was extremely difficult for her. Not only was her grandmother there, but she was determined to mask Andrea’s moodiness with chatter. The only bright spot was when Mathin displayed a rare sensitivity and claimed the elder woman for his blessing partner. Or it should have been a bright spot. For some reason, Andrea wasn’t happy at being passed over, even though she didn’t think she could stand his touch just then. It was hard enough when he took the seat next to her.
It was a shame the exhausted children had been put down for a nap. They would have made a welcome distraction, she thought regretfully, glancing at the empty highchairs and then at the living area across the room. Only a natural screen of potted plants separated the two areas, giving the suite a refreshing openness.
“Isn’t this a lovely place setting?” her grandmother asked, smiling as she handed her wineglass to Mathin for a refill. She sighed happily as she looked around at the shining crystal and elegant porcelain. “I’ll have to buy you some for a wedding gift.”
Andrea tensed, her hands tightening on her silver chopsticks. It wasn’t the first “hint” her grandmother had dropped. Couldn’t she see what her pushing was doing to Andrea’s nerves?
“Thank you,” Jasmine said with a quick glance at Andrea’s stiff posture. “I’ve always loved this pattern, but I’m so afraid the boys will destroy it. Already they’ve managed to...”
No longer listening, Andrea sullenly pushed the food around on her plate. Although the dinner was excellent, she couldn’t eat more than a few bites. Later she would thank Jasmine for distracting her grandmother. This evening all she wanted to do was flee.
“I have a better room for your use this evening,” Mathin said quietly, taking advantage of her grandmother’s distraction. The elder woman’s comments had him on edge, and he was the willing party! One glance at Andrea’s face was enough to see she was close to losing control. “It’s less...white. It also has a kitchen for you to work in. You’ll recognize many of the staples, and I’ll be happy to tell you about the unfamiliar ones.” When she did nothing more than glance at him out of the corner of her eye, he added quietly, “There’s a lock on the door. No one will disturb you.”
Still she said nothing, but the set of her shoulders relaxed.
It was an exquisite relief to withdraw for the evening. She couldn’t help slumping just a little as Mathin closed the door behind them and led her out into the quiet hall. She brushed the bangs wearily out of her eyes. This had to have been one of the most difficult d
ays of her life.
Mathin paused outside a door a little way down the hall and studied her. The Haunt guards hung back a discreet distance. “You don’t feel well.”
She stared at him. How did always know how she felt? Averting her eyes from the concern in his expression, she mumbled, “I’m just tired.”
A large hand gently cupped her face, making her look at him. “I’m concerned about you,” he said softly, his fathomless black eyes mirroring his voice. “Let me send a medic to you.” When she shook her head he insisted, “At least a woman to stay with you. I know you’d like to be alone right now, but—”
“Please!” She sighed tiredly, refusing his concern. “I just need to sleep it off, ok? I’ll be fine,” she added when he seemed unconvinced.
“Then here.” He handed her a small black communicator. “It’s keyed to my frequency. If you need anything, I want you to call me.” He left reluctantly, glancing behind him as she entered her room.
Night had fallen during dinner, and moonlight flooded through the glass wall in her room. Andrea stared, awed by the sight of not one but three moons in the sky. With such light in the room it only took moment to make her way through the shadowy furniture and past the kitchen island to take in the view.
An ocean swelled and crashed far below, bordered by the redwood forest. Though she couldn’t hear the water, it was easy to imagine the sound of shattering waves. She pressed her palm against the cool glass, thinking it would be easy to spend hours just watching the ocean’s dance. What kind of creatures lived in that alien sea?
“Lights,” she called, mimicking what she’d heard Jasmine do earlier. Instantly the room was illuminated, revealing furniture in a restful shade of forest green. Matching tapestry pillows of blue, gold and green invited one to sit and relax before the granite fireplace, but she was not in the mood. Instead she sought out the bedroom, planning on a quick bath before going to sleep.
Her first sight of the king-sized bed brought her up short. It looked like the headboard was carved of one giant piece of mother-of-pearl. She ran her hand over the gold and amber paneled coverlet, delighted to discover its velvet texture. Sleeping in this bed would be a delight.
A thought struck her and she glanced at the ceiling, relieved to see a carving of a giant flower instead of a mirror. At least she wouldn’t have to stare at herself in the dark. Or worse, scare her silly as something moved on the ceiling above.
Someone had laid out the nightgown and wrapper Jasmine had sent to her room, as if anticipating her arrival. She fingered the silk, surprised when a scent she didn’t remember smelling before arose from the cloth. Musky, with a delicious, heady after note, it immediately brought Mathin’s image to mind. Had he perfumed the gown?
Uneasy with the intimacy that act implied, she left the bed to seek out the bathing chamber. A drawn-back tapestry to the side of a mother-of-pearl handled armoire seemed the most likely place to search. Sure enough, behind it she discovered a romantically lit, stone lined pool. Wondering at the opulence of the room she’d been given, she did as she’d been told to do in Jasmine’s bathroom, calling tentatively, “Water?” Instantly it began to flow from the series of miniature waterfalls installed along the wall, quickly filling the pool. Steam curled invitingly off the rising surface.
There was a stack of towels in the corner chest, and several vials of scented oil and soap set out on the rim of the bath. Shedding her clothes, she stepped in, surprised to find the bottom full of soft sand. How did they clean this thing? She settled back against the rim, relaxing fully for the first time that day. Tomorrow was soon enough to deal with her grandmother and Mathin. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as difficult as she imagined…
She woke to the feel of someone stroking her arm and a far too familiar chill. Mathin sat on the mattress and watched her with dark eyes.
“I grew worried when you wouldn’t answer the door.” He gestured to a tall glass on the mother-of-pearl-topped dresser beside the bed. It was full of a pale, creamy looking liquid and smelled aromatic even from where she lay. “It’s not milk, but I think you’ll like it.”
Reluctant to leave the warmth of the covers, she nevertheless scooted up and accepted the glass from him. The cool beverage inside was every bit as promising as it had smelled. “Thank you,” she said, self-conscious at being in such an intimate position with him.
“My pleasure.” Satisfied that she was eating, he half-reclined on the bed, content to wait until she’d finished more than half the contents before speaking. “There are some safety rules we must discuss.” Certain that he had her full attention, he went on, “It’s not safe for you to wander around alone, though it will be easier once we’ve...later.” He took a breath, unwilling to launch that discussion. It would happen when it happened, and he wouldn’t make her grandmother’s mistake. “This is normal for women of rank, and though we’re protective of our women in general, your security will be tighter than most because of who you are. You’ll have bodyguards at all times. Try to ignore them. They’ll give you all the privacy they can.”
He looked down for a moment, his eyes darkening with remembrance. “Jasmine was kidnapped once by someone who wished to exploit her charmer pheromone. We had to take extraordinary measures to get her back.”
Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I didn’t notice anyone drooling over her.”
“The production of pheromone decreases in proportion to the level of sexual activity a charmer engages in.” His look was bold and heated. “Keilor keeps her well satisfied, I promise you.”
A dimple popped into his cheek as she squirmed. “At the moment your production is so high it’s intoxicating.” Fire leapt in his eyes and his tone lowered to a rumbling growl. “The only reason I haven’t seduced you already is because I’ve been wearing a nose-filter since shortly after I met you. It almost totally blocks the senses of taste and scent.”
Uncomfortable with the intensity between them, she asked warily, “Are you saying you can’t control yourself without it?” The thought made her break out in a sweat. If he became as hot for her as he’d seemed in the beginning she’d never be able to resist him!
“No, but it’s difficult.” His dark lashes swept down, veiling his eyes. “Though being here like this is almost as powerful.” He caressed her bare arm, sending a shiver of desire through them both.
An involuntary picture of him naked, his long hair flowing over her body, flashed in her mind with startling force. The desire to let him continue was strong. “I hardly know you,” she whispered.
He withdrew his hand and rested it on his thigh, his fingers curled into a loose fist. “I know,” he said quietly. For a long moment there was silence. Finally, he stirred. “I’ll wait for you in the front room. Jasmine wanted to show you around, and she somehow managed to draft Raziel and me into bringing the children.” It was not the way he would have liked to spend the morning with Andrea, but perhaps it was best this way. Had they been alone he might have reached too far too fast and lost ground in the process. This way might be slower, but possibly better in the end.
After he left, Andrea rose and dressed, looking forward to putting the barrier of others between them. Her feelings for Mathin disturbed her. The man was a werewolf, for Pete’s sake! He’d stranded her on an alien planet. A hostile planet, if she needed bodyguards. She had no business reacting to him this way. What she needed was a nice, safe, human male.
Half an hour later, as she walked in the flower-scented gardens with Jasmine, she felt just as confused. Watching Mathin and his friend Raziel with the twins didn’t help.
Birds sang in the mixture of exotic and earthly trees, like living jewels of bright color adorning the foliage. Domestic animals resembling hairy, sheep-sized yaks kept the grass well groomed. The splendor of it all should have set her at ease, but the sight of their four Haunt guards kept her on edge. They were discreet, but not invisible.
The only helpful factor was that her grandmother had elected to stay behind; cla
iming too much sun was bad for her complexion.
“The boys adore them,” Jasmine said with a maternal smile as she watched the four playmates fondly. The men had set the toddlers down and were playing hunt—dashing behind the trees of the orchard and popping out again with scary growls, winning squeals of childish laughter from the little ones. “I can’t tell who’s having more fun.”
She’d exchanged her dress for a black-green, short-sleeved shirt and the black trousers and boots favored by the Haunt. Curiously, she was also armed with a gun and a knife, wearing them with the casual air of someone who knew how to use them. Neither of these items was half as interesting as the filigree gauntlets she wore about her forearms. Was it only the sunlight that caused the silver to alternately glint in the sun with almost life-like brilliance, and then dull? A happy shout from the children distracted Andrea from asking.
Raziel called a halt to his play, hoisting DJ, the eldest, to his shoulders to allow the little one a chance to calm down. The baby twined his fingers in Raziel’s shoulder length dark hair, yanking gleefully. Wincing, Raziel gently pried the little hands loose and settled them in a more comfortable spot. DJ promptly latched on to the gold loop in his playmate’s ear and tugged for all he was worth, yelling with laughter. It set the ladies giggling as well, earning them both an ironic look.
Andrea averted her gaze from his vibrant blue eyes. He wasn’t a looker, but those eyes could do dangerous things to an unsuspecting woman. Jasmine had discreetly told her he was wearing a nose filter, which was fortunate for her peace of mind. She didn’t think she could handle the hot-blooded pursuit of more than one Haunt at a time.
Some time in the last twenty-four hours she’d come to accept that she was a charmer, though she couldn’t have said exactly why. Perhaps it was the alien surroundings or the shock of finding herself suddenly elsewhere, but she believed. Not that she wanted to dwell on it. She had enough to deal with just adjusting to this place.