Adia continued, “And as for the Rah-hora? It has always been an unbreakable vow of honor. But I see now that a vow with a male of no honor such as yourself is not binding. I declare the Rah-hora vacated, just as is Hakani’s claim on my offspring. As of this moment forward, you have no claim against me either, Khon’Tor.”
His one hand still nursing his jaw, Khon’Tor raised his right hand, palm facing outward. Adia approached him and as she had done before, brought her open palm up against his as hard and fast as she could. The resounding crack echoed off the high ceilings and bounced along the walls of the Great Chamber.
“It is done,” said Khon’Tor.
Then Adia backed away slightly and slapped Khon’Tor again, as hard as she could right across the face, before walking off.
* * *
Adia was free. Nootau was returned to her. She was released from the Rah-hora. Even though she believed what she had said, that it was not binding on her, she still felt relieved that it had been sealed. And her decision to defy the High Council was immovable.
Change came hard to the People, and as far as the High Council was concerned, she would deal with them when the time came. But there was no power on Etera that would make her give up her Nootau—ever.
Change came hard to the People, but not always.
Chapter 13
Acaraho helped Adia and a slightly calmer Nootau back to her quarters. Nadiwani ran to meet them the moment they came through the door. Adia handed the offspring over to her care, and the Helper quickly whisked him away and began checking him over for injuries.
This time Acaraho was not asking; he swooped Adia up in his arms as he had wanted to do back on the path. He carried her over to the mat as he had done so many times before, but this time after he laid her down, Acaraho stretched out next to her, drawing her to him and wrapping his arms around her.
Adia did not protest nor resist. She melted into him, and he held her as she cried.
When she calmed down, she looked up at him. This was where, for the longest time, she had wanted to be. With him, like this, only more. She did not want it to end. She wished she could stop time and have this moment last forever.
“How did you find us?” She had to know. It was as if he appeared out of nowhere.
“It was the oddest thing, Adia. I was looking for you, not sure where to go, really panicked, I will admit. And then all of a sudden, the clearest picture of you flashed into my mind. I could see it all. I could see where Hakani was standing with Nootau, I could see you to one side, Khon’Tor to the other. I could see Awan. I knew where you were exactly, and I have no way to explain it.” he replied softly.
Adia knew it had to be a message from Urilla Wuti.
“And then, when I was seconds away from killing Khon’Tor, another strange thing happened. Only it was not a vision; it was a feeling of intense love that spread through me. And this time I knew where it was coming from—it was coming from you,” he said.
“It was. I was trying to tell you how much I love you. I was trying to reach you before you killed Khon’Tor. Not for his sake, but for yours. Because I knew what he was saying was true—you would regret it later, and it would haunt you for the rest of your life. And I could not bear to have you live with that burden,” she said.
Acaraho tucked her head down under his chin, and he pulled her close to him again. However Adia had done that, there was time to talk about it later. Adia surrendered to his embrace, curling her fingers in his thick chest hair and soaking in the warmth of his body pressed against hers.
The High Protector’s reserves were depleted. Allowing Khon’Tor to live had taken his last act of self-control. Feeling Adia next to him, his heart began pounding. His breathing slowed and deepened. She looked up into his eyes and placed her hand on his cheek, then ran her fingers gently over his lips. For a moment, time stopped. He became lost in the scent of her in his arms at last. Then Acaraho realized that his body had quickened in response to her attentions and her body pressing against his. He released her and rolled away. He knew there was no way she could not have noticed his bursting desire for her.
Nadiwani’s words of warning came back to him, and he had to admit she was right.
Adia put her hand on his shoulder, his back now partially facing her, as he tried to cut off his reaction to her.
“I am sorry, Adia. I thought I could control this. This desire to be with you. But I am not sure now that I can, knowing you feel the same. I do not know how to stop wanting to be with you. I know I must not, but I love you, Adia.”
“Acaraho, please. Please do not pull away from me. I do not know what we will do, but I know I cannot live without you. I need you, and I love you too. I do not have the answers, but perhaps we can figure it out, one day at a time. Together,” she pleaded with him softly.
Acaraho breathed deep, then finally turned back to her having regained control. He placed his hand on her cheek and lay back down to stay with her a while longer. Within a few moments, her breathing had changed, and she had fallen asleep. Not caring what Nadiwani must be thinking, he let himself relax and fell asleep next to the female he loved, but would never be able to claim.
Chapter 14
There were still the matters of Khon’Tor, and Hakani’s death. Adia broached the subject with Acaraho the next morning.
“What about Khon’Tor?” she asked, standing next to him in her quarters.
“What happens to Khon’Tor is entirely in your hands, Adia. It is your decision and yours alone,” he replied.
Adia had thought long and hard on the subject. As it stood, Khon’Tor’s power over her was neutralized. Short of harming her physically, there was nothing he could do any longer. For all intents and purposes, Khon’Tor was Leader only as long as she allowed him to be.
Hakani was gone, no longer a threat to her or Nootau.
As a result, Nootau had come back home to Adia’s care. She had the help of Nadiwani and Kachina, as well as Mapiya and many of the other females.
There was only one thing to be concerned about. The High Council. If they found out she had Nootau back, she would deal with them at that time. Only the High Council members and a few of the People knew about the decision that she might not raise both Nootau and Oh’Dar.
Adia was tired of battles and fighting and strategy and looking over her shoulder. She rubbed her forehead, thinking. She did not want Acaraho to think her weak. She was back where she started in her thoughts about Khon’Tor.
“Acaraho, I am not sure what you will think, but I am inclined to let things be for now,” she said. “I learned from my Father that the height of turmoil is not a wise time to make far-reaching decisions. There is time to consider the next course of action. Khon’Tor is unlikely to step out of line any time soon. I expect he will be on his best behavior for quite some time now. At least, he had better be.”
“The only ones who know the truth are you and I, and Awan who overhead Hakani before she died. But I trust Awan with my life. He will not speak a word of it. This I know,” Acaraho assured her.
“And what I think? What I think, Adia, is that you are the strongest person I have ever known,” he said, looking down at her, his eyes crinkled up with kindness.
“Then it is settled. I suppose I should let Khon’Tor know. And he needs to tell the People about Hakani,” she said.
Oh’Dar, playing on the floor with his stacking rocks, caught Adia’s attention.
“Acaraho?” she started to ask, watching Oh’Dar playing on the floor and then turning to look at Nootau sleeping in his sling, “Do you think you could manage to mentor two little offspring instead of one?”
“I would be honored to do my best, Adia. If you are asking me, the answer is yes,” he said, smiling.
* * *
On the other side of the vast expanse of Kthama, Khon’Tor was in a different world; one certainly devoid of either peace or contentment.
As far as the offspring was concerned, it was nothing to him i
f Adia wanted to go against the High Council and raise it herself. He had never wanted the offspring anyway. And the last thing he wanted was any further involvement of the High Council in the affairs at High Rocks.
But as to where everything else stood, Khon’Tor was not sure what to do. Acaraho now also knew what he had done to Adia and that he had seeded the offspring she bore. Someone was going to have to let the People know Hakani was dead. They could not let it go much longer. And somehow, he had to find out what Adia and Acaraho were going to do about his crimes against Adia—if anything had changed from what she had said before. All the power rested with them now. The strain was nearly unbearable.
He did not have to wait long, as shortly after that, Adia and Acaraho tracked him down to his satellite meeting room.
* * *
Acaraho did not deign to knock. He opened the door, and they walked right in. Khon’Tor noticed the lapse in protocol and knew it was intentional; as far as Acaraho was concerned, Khon’Tor was in charge in name only.
Khon’Tor was beyond pretense at the moment. “Say what you have come to say and make it quick,” he said, cutting to the chase.
Adia spoke to Khon’Tor directly. “For the sake of the People, until I decide otherwise, I will protect your secrets, Khon’Tor.”
“All of them,” she added, narrowing her eyes slightly. Khon’Tor recognized that she was alluding to his treatment of Hakani.
“You need to make an announcement to the People about your mate. But other than that, if you agree to leave us in peace—Acaraho, Oh’Dar, Nadiwani, the new offspring, and me—then we will do the same for you. Hopefully, we can all move forward, and peace and calm can return to our people,” she finished.
Khon’Tor did not readily admit defeat. But in this case, he had little choice. He had no platform of power left. At this point, he was the Leader in name only. I am lucky Adia is leaving me that.
He told them he would call a meeting, and the three of them could address the People together. He said he would let them know when he had arranged it.
* * *
Khon’Tor called the assembly for the next morning. As he walked to the Great Chamber, he reflected on the gut instinct which had kept him from announcing that Adia’s offspring was to be turned over to Hakani. It was now a detail no one needed to know—and one that would not have brought him favor with the People.
Everyone was in place well ahead of the sounding of the announcement horn. Mapiya was carrying Oh’Dar. Nadiwani had Nootau, who had since returned to his contented self.
As agreed, the three of them, Khon’Tor, Adia, and Acaraho approached the front of the Great Chamber together.
As they walked up to the front, many of the members exchanged smiles. To all appearances, the three Leaders were in harmony with each other.
Khon’Tor stepped to the front and raised his hand as was his usual signal that he was about to speak. An immediate hush fell over the crowd. Only Nootau could be heard cooing softly in Nadiwani’s arms.
“Thank you for coming. The last time I addressed you was to announce that Adia was with offspring. Since then, she has delivered a healthy male whom she has named Nootau.”
Khon’Tor motioned back to where Nadiwani was holding him. As if on cue, he gave another burble, and the People laughed.
“A new offspring has joined our people, and we have cause for celebration.”
Khon’Tor paused before continuing, waiting for heads to turn back his way.
“Unfortunately, on a more serious note, I am sorry to report that my mate, Hakani, has returned to the Great Spirit. Hakani fell to her death near the Falls two days past. I delayed telling you in the hopes that she might be found alive somewhere. But she has not. There was little hope, considering the height of the fall and the depth and speed of the waters below. Hakani was a complicated female; I do not think it unfair to say that. But I hope when you remember her, you will do so kindly. We all have our battles to wage, and sometimes the hardest ones to win are those we wage with ourselves.
“Thank you, that is all,” and Khon’Tor raised his hand again to signal that he was done, then dropped his arm and stepped down.
As Acaraho and Adia started to follow Khon’Tor off the platform at the front of the room, an unidentified voice cried out from the crowd.
“Acaraho. Adia. Please. We have all been through so much. We respect and look up to you both, regardless of what has happened. We have no judgment of you or Adia; we only ask to know. Acaraho, is the offspring yours?”
Adia’s jaw dropped. She started to speak, but Acaraho raised his hand, stopping her.
He took a step forward as if shielding Adia and protecting her.
“If you are asking if I claim the offspring named Nootau,” he said, then paused to make sure the room was silent, looking across the crowd to be certain he had everyone’s attention—though there was little doubt he had.
“I do,” he said.
The room burst into immediate chaos. Khon’Tor stopped in his movement through the room and turned and stared incredulously at Acaraho, his eyebrows pressed tightly together in confusion.
Adia’s eyes widened and she, too, looked at Acaraho in disbelief.
Then, taking Khon’Tor’s cue as his own, Acaraho raised his hand to quiet the crowd, which instantly became dead silent.
“And I claim the Waschini offspring, Oh’Dar, as well,” he stated, looking out over the crowd, letting his even gaze rest on all of them.
Then he lowered his hand, continued walking, and ushered Adia out through the back of the room, on the way gathering Mapiya with Oh’Dar, Kachina, Nadiwani with Nootau, and the rest of their little circle.
* * *
The members of the crowd looked at each other in confusion. At first, they thought Acaraho was claiming to be the father of Adia’s offspring. Then, when he said he claimed the Waschini offspring as well, they knew that was not what he was saying. In the end, they still did not know with any certainty who the father was; only that Acaraho was officially claiming the father’s role in raising the two young males.
Khon’Tor shook his head at Acaraho’s strategic genius. If he had to be beaten by someone, he could not have picked a more worthy adversary.
But as for Adia, that was another story. As soon as they were clear of the crowd, she laughed out loud. “By the Great Mother above, Acaraho. I thought you had lost your mind!” she said playfully.
Acaraho just smiled back at her and replied teasingly, “I am glad I can still surprise you from time to time, Healer.”
* * *
As she had before, Adia found herself walking back to her quarters with her makeshift family. Once again, she had weathered innumerable storms and survived intact. Adia glanced around at Nadiwani, Mapiya, Honovi, Oh’Dar, and little Nootau. Her family was growing.
Adia’s faith was slowly seeping back. The Great Mother never promised a life without struggle, but Adia thought she could see her hand in the provision of Urilla Wuti and the Healer’s foresight in helping to arrange for Nimida’s safety. Any other Healer without Urilla Wuti’s special abilities would never have known there was a second offspring. And it could just as easily have been a Healer who would not help her, who would not have protected the secret that there were two. And Acaraho would never have known where to find her and Nootau at the path’s edge with the Great River below.
As far as the High Council knew, Hakani and Khon’Tor were raising her offspring. She would cross that bridge if she had to. Her heart was in turmoil because Nimida had been taken away for her own safety. But even with Hakani out of the way, Adia feared for Nimida. Khon’Tor was subdued now—but it could change. And should they find out, the High Council members would never let her keep a third offspring. Her daughter was lost to her either way, and Adia knew it was the most precious gift she could give Nimida—to grow up loved and secure, never at risk of learning the soul-scarring facts of her conception. In anonymity, she would live a normal life.
&
nbsp; Adia wondered if she would ever see her daughter again. And if she did, how could she explain sending her away, without having to tell her she had been conceived by an act of hatred from a male who would never claim her as his offspring?
Her thoughts turned to Acaraho, walking beside her. Acaraho had committed to being in her life and those of her two male offspring. The People seemed to have accepted her back into their good graces, and their respect and admiration for Acaraho seemed to be intact, even if they did all suspect he had seeded Adia’s offspring.
Like Acaraho, she knew there was a line they could not cross. But could they be strong enough? She and Acaraho had to find a way to be in each other’s lives but deny themselves the physical expression of their love for each other. She knew she was asking too much. How could she expect him to be less than a male?
Though silenced for a while, Adia knew the conflict between her and Khon’Tor was not over. But for now, she could focus her attention elsewhere.
As for Oh’Dar, all the hardest challenges still lay ahead for him. What would become of him? He would never be the strongest or the fastest. He would never be able to compete with the other males as a provider. And none of the females would have him, neither those of the People, or the Waschini; she had sentenced him to a life as an Outsider, never to belong to either world. Adia feared Khon’Tor had been right on that count. He was just an offspring now, and his needs were few. He lived protected within a small circle of love. But when he became an adult and struggled to find his place in the world, would he curse her for having saved him?
Only time would tell.
PLEASE READ
Thank you for your interest in my writing. If you enjoyed this book, I would very much appreciate your leaving a review.
The Healer’s Mantle Page 22