by Danube Adele
“Cecilia?”
I heard my name called and popped my head up. Raseen was coming out of the forest with a few pieces of leaves, twigs and bark in her basket. She’d clearly been collecting for her basket weaving. I looked back at the wolf to see he’d run off.
“Did you see that?” I asked her excitedly, standing up.
“See what?” she asked, meeting me halfway, looking fresh and pretty with some color to her cheeks.
“The wolf-thing. It was letting me pet it.”
Her eyes widened with alarm. “You don’t know how dangerous those animals are. Please don’t trust the creatures here. You may not have experiences with them on your home planet.”
I took a deep breath and dusted myself off. “Tabron said something like that.”
“And he’s right. You should listen to him.” Raseen frowned, looking around cautiously. “He has your safety at heart.”
“I’m sure.” I guess my bitterness bled through, because Raseen’s expression turned mildly disapproving.
“I know you’ve been wronged, but of all the men here, he’s a good one. I’ve never met anyone who was more honorable than Tabron. If you’re going to be here, you should know that he is one you can trust.”
“Good to know since I picked him to join with.”
“What’s this?” She was surprised, which reminded me that no one outside the palace knew about the details of my capture.
“Walk with me to get my horse, and we can talk.”
I forgot where my samples had gone, but figured it would be nice to ride out again tomorrow. After grabbing the horse’s reigns, we walked back across the meadow of swaying yellow grass. I looked back and saw the wolf on the edge of the forest, its tongue lolling like it was laughing. I definitely wanted to find the wolf again.
“So the king forced me to choose a mate to join with from his group of warriors. I had no choice. Tabron seemed like the safest choice.”
Raseen frowned off into the distance and nodded. “I would agree with you. That is, if you’re looking at the young men.”
“I picked him because he seemed to be so hard, and said he didn’t want a mate.”
“Ha!” Raseen barked a laugh. “Then you should have picked someone else. You know, a few months back, Cyral got stuck in one of the trees in the forest. He’d decided to climb while I was picking out materials, and I wasn’t paying attention until he suddenly shouts down at me that he’s stuck. I look up and he’s halfway up, sure to break every bone if he falls, and I’m petrified. I tell him to hold on while I get help, but Draxton and his men just laugh. Only Tabron and Bruner came running with some of their men. Tabron climbed the tree, and with Cyral clinging to him like an infant, Tabron climbed him back down.”
Just as he’d climbed me back up the cliff.
“Anyway, the man has flaws for sure, but he will always have my respect for helping us. He pays back. He knows Cyral and I were part of Jedsyn, so he takes care of us. Every so often, maybe once a month, I find a food basket inside the front door, and I know it’s him. It’s not much, but it helps.”
Somehow, I could see Tabron doing that.
“It’s also why he took you from your home. He feels he owes a debt of gratitude to the king for taking him on. Partly, I think he cares for the king. How could he help it, when the king helped train him as a warrior? Of course, this was long ago when the king was still a strong, capable man. As you can see, everything changes.”
So much information had been given to me, I didn’t realize we were back until Raseen pressed her cheek to mine.
“I know you want to go home, and I wish you luck, Cecilia, but as long as you’re here, you should give Tabron a chance to make things up to you.”
I nodded and watched her walk away, then wondered what that would entail.
“Dr. Cecilia.”
Draxton and his men stepped out from one of the side streets. As always, his lips were twisted into an unpleasant smirk.
“What do you want?”
“You’re under arrest for threatening the king.”
Chapter Ten
“What are you talking about?”
“You were heard telling someone that the king should die.” It was a mocking smile that followed. Then his terse words, “Take her.”
Accused of threatening to kill the king? What was about to happen to me? The tree hanging seemed most likely, but even I was surprised by how quickly it had come about. Were they going to kill me without giving me a chance to defend myself?
“I did no such thing! You’re all crazy!”
“Save your strength, love,” Draxton called cheerily over his shoulder, already heading back toward the palace. “You’re likely going to need it.”
“But I did nothing wrong!”
Swarmed by four large men, there wasn’t time to think before my arms were grabbed, and I was jerked along without any degree of consideration. Tripping over the rough terrain, we bypassed the town, heading instead to a side entrance that led straight into a side garden and then into the palace. Tayla looked up from her task of sweeping a walkway, her eyes rounding with surprise, then fear, as I was swept by her, still struggling, still protesting my innocence, to a staircase that went down, down, down.
Draxton had grabbed one of the torches and was following us downstairs, where moldy smells had my nose curling. A prisonlike cell door was opened, and I was thrown inside before the heavy door clanged shut behind me.
Draxton’s parting words were “You’ll be here awhile. Get comfortable.” Then he was gone, and he took the light with him. Harsh breaths echoed around me, and I came to realize it was my own panicked breathing bouncing off the wall. The darkness was so complete, I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face.
Must calm down. Breathe in, breathe out. Think!
It took time. I was shaking hard. There was no light, so I couldn’t see where I was sitting or what might be in there with me. My pulse hammered at my throat. I’d never been so afraid in my life, but I was eventually able to breathe deeply again. Crawling on my knees, I slowly reached out for the wall, wanting to feel it against my back when I sat. It took only a moment since the cell wasn’t as deep as it was wide, and was soon leaning against it, my legs drawn up to my chest. I tried to focus, relive my day, and hope there were no hungry rats down here.
Where was this accusation coming from?
I’d talked to Tayla, but she wasn’t one to make up stories for her own benefit. She’d wanted to help me. Tarra had been a confidant. Would she have made something up? I couldn’t believe it. She had nothing to gain. I’d talked to the king, and it was possible that in his confusion, he’d gotten things turned around in his mind. That seemed most likely. How was I going to defend against his lack of understanding? I couldn’t. If that was the case, I was for sure going to be hung.
Where was Tabron? When was he coming back? I hadn’t asked.
Minutes stretched to hours, and though I didn’t have a fear of the dark, sensory deprivation was playing with my mind. As the time crept by, I thought I could hear things. Noises. Breathing that wasn’t my own. The scuttle of mice along the wall. Cockroaches swarming. Would snakes live here or was it too cold? Images from Indiana Jones movies nearly made me crazy. How many hours had I been here?
To combat my fertile imagination, I thought about the party I’d been taken from, the music that I danced to with Henry. Remembered the heart massage I’d given to a patient, silly conversations with Kevin and Bree at work. I thought about times when I was a kid, playing with my cousins and Carlos in the pool or at the beach. I sang songs I knew the words to, needing to hear something, but it was when I started singing the theme song to Gilligan’s Island that the tears fell.
No. Don’t lose it now. Breathe in, breathe out. Calm.
I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.
* * *
It was a beautiful day at the beach, the kind of day when the sun was out, the sky was clear blue, a light breeze kept the rays from feeling too hot, and the water was warm. Diving through the waves had always been one of my favorite things to do. I swam out beyond the break to watch the horizon for a set to roll in because another of my favorite things to do was body surf. The ocean was a tough character. It could take you for a nice ride or slam you into the sandy bottom at whim.
As the wave rose, I saw it was a good one. Well-formed. Slightly bigger than I was used to, but...I was in. I had fins on. Turning around, I started paddling and kicking like mad, trying to get picked up by the wave. The force of it swooped me up. It was energizing. A burst of happiness spread a wide grin on my face as it propelled me toward the beach until the wave lost its energy and became white-wash.
Ceci?
I was pushing wet hair out of my face when I saw Tabron standing in swim trunks, looking totally hot with his chiseled muscles. His black hair was loose, falling just below his shoulders. As I walked up the beach, I gave him a long wolf whistle, which actually made him blush! Who knew?
Where are we? he asked, his eyes soaking me in. He met me halfway, then reached out to trace the edge of the bikini strap on my shoulder. It gave me goose bumps.
Hermosa Beach, California. My family likes to rent a place on the beach down here every summer. We get together, eat, play, drink, sleep, get up and do-over for like a week. It’s a blast. See? My cousin Henry is manning the BBQ over there. As we looked over, Henry smiled and waved. I waved back. My parents are probably sneaking back to the pad to play patty-cake with each other since the house will be empty, and all the rest of us will play in the water. You should come in with me! C’mon!
He hesitated, looking at the water a little worried, which was endearing because he was such a big, tough guy.
I jogged backward down the sand, teasing him. Don’t be such a baby. Nothing can hurt you here.
A baby? With a wicked grin, he suddenly gave chase, caught up with me in just a few quick strides and grabbed me out of the water in a bear hug, his hard muscles flexing around me. I cried out with surprised laughter, our expressions mirrors of each other. His eyes, bright with pleasure telegraphed his next move. In the next moment, our lips met in a burning kiss that curled my toes, his warm skin flush against mine, and a quiet moan came from my throat. He tasted and felt just right. Intoxicating. My fingers wrapped themselves in his silky, black hair as he set me back down, just so I could keep him where I wanted him. His hands found their way down over my ass and squeezed, pulling me against his hard length.
You feel so good, he growled against my lips and pulled back, looked searchingly into my eyes, like he was looking for answers.
You make me crazy.
I don’t understand what’s happening here.
I don’t either.
He rested his forehead against my own, but turned just slightly to see my family amid their fun.
It seems everyone is having a nice time. He was watching my cousins, their significant others and their new babies, interacting, laughing, talking. It was brief, but I saw the flash of wistfulness. It must be nice to have others you can count on.
This big, tough man wanted to feel connected. He didn’t really like being alone in the world. My heart panged.
You didn’t have nice times with your family?
He shook his head regretfully and looked out toward the waves, his black hair teased by the breeze, his eyes a mirror of the color of the ocean. I saw other families show affection. Raseen’s family would picnic in the forest and her mother would embrace her. They would laugh and play games.
And you wanted that with your father?
I wished... I mean, my father cared for me, but I never knew what that would be like. He wasn’t a demonstrative man. Still, he meant a lot to me.
You can be different. Take the chance. You can trust me, remember? I’m a healer. I smiled gently.
My cousin Henry shouted, Food’s ready!
Let’s go eat.
He looked down at me, his eyes vulnerable, like he wondered if he could really be part of something more. Then his hand reached for mine, engulfing it ever so sweetly.
It almost seemed like all of his protestations of being uncaring were in reaction to protecting his deepest desire. He wanted to be connected. He wanted to give and receive love, but wouldn’t open himself up to the risks of being hurt. His mother had really done a number on him. And I still didn’t know how he’d received the scar along his face.
Maybe when you have children, you can be sure to give them lots of hugs.
He looked over at me, but said nothing. A powerful gust of energy swept me away into blackness, but the sadness in his aquamarine gaze went with me. He needed to be healed from the inside.
* * *
“Dr. Cecilia! Oh, holy spirits! Are you there? Are you well?”
Tayla? I struggled to wake, only to find myself in darkness. What was happening? Where was I? Clearing my throat, I called, “I’m here.”
“Hold on, child. Bruner is bringing a light.”
“I’m all right.” My body shook. The stone room had sucked the heat right out of my body, and I was shivering uncontrollably. In moments, I heard heavier steps hurrying toward me bringing light. Bruner and two of his men had the key with Tayla urging them to hurry.
“What happened?” Bruner sounded like he wanted to kill someone as he shoved the key in the lock.
Feeling emotion close my throat, seeing that I was finally being rescued, I choked out, “I was accused of threatening to kill the king.”
“Who accused you of this?”
“I only know Draxton threw me down here with that charge.”
The metal door swung open, and I fell into Tayla’s arms. I didn’t even know my tears were falling until her hands gently wiped my cheeks. She crooned, “You’re okay, child. You’re okay. Let’s get you out of here.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of this. Tabron will want blood.” Bruner fell in behind us, me with my head on Tayla’s shoulder, Tayla rubbing my shoulder as she walked along beside me.
I thought of Tabron having to deal with yet another problem involving me. “No. Please don’t say anything. I don’t want to cause trouble for him here. I’m not hurt. I was just scared.”
Bruner didn’t reply, which meant I was going to have to deal with Tabron about this when he got back, which only made me more emotional.
“Don’t let them see you cry,” Tayla whispered as we got to the top of the stairs leading to the main hall. “Don’t let them have that from you.”
“O-okay.” Sniffing, I used the bottom of my shirt to wipe my face.
We went to the king’s offices immediately. Draxton, his men, Krevier, his men, Tarra and strangely, the young servant girl were all standing in his chambers. It looked like we were going to have some kind of questioning with the king taking charge from his desk. I now knew why I only ever saw him sitting. It pained him to stand, and he didn’t want anyone to see this weakness.
“Clear the room.” Ral’e demanded. “I want to see the doctor, Tarra and my servant only.”
Bruner and Krevier seemed hesitant, but in the end, they were as deeply engrained with their sense of military hierarchy as Tabron, and left the room as they’d been commanded to do so. Tayla squeezed my hand for strength unobtrusively and followed them out. Only after the door closed did the king look to us.
“Myla, you claim to have heard the doctor make a threat against me. Explain yourself.”
The young servant girl shrank under my glare, but then straightened her spine and put on her courage with a chin thrust. “She be walking with Tarra and said you’d be dead.”
&n
bsp; “What did the doctor say to you, Tarra?”
Tarra looked at the servant. “Jealous bitch. You’re just mad because Tabron will be joined with Cecilia, and you can no longer have him.”
The king frowned, then asked of Tarra, “What did the doctor say to you?”
Tarra laughed without a hint of a smile in her eyes. “Ceci was worried about you. She was concerned that you would get sicker if you didn’t get the help you need. I’m sure you don’t need this stupid girl to know about your health.”
The king looked to the girl with a withering look. “You waste my time over petty jealousies. You would have had me execute the doctor who is the only one trying to heal me? I call for your death!”
“No,” Myla cried, covering her face.
“King Ral’e, please don’t take her life. I think my presence brought a number of changes that no one was prepared for.” I rubbed at the cold that just wouldn’t go away from my arms.
“I don’t want to see her face here.”
“Then assign her a mate. She can join with someone and be gone from here. Maybe to another of your villages?”
“Perhaps I’ll allow Tabron to decide her fate when he returns. Until then, she goes into the same dungeon she had you placed in.”
I wanted to protest again, but part of me felt it was fitting that she experience the same discomfort. At least she wasn’t going to die. Yet. Unless Tabron ordered it, which I couldn’t believe he would.
“Is that all?” Tarra asked.
“Yes. I’m tired now. I’d like to go back to my rooms. Send Bruner to me.”
Tarra nodded. “I will.”
The men stood outside the door waiting.
“The king wants you, Bruner. And I think someone is going to need to take Myla down to the dungeon.”
“She was the accuser.” Bruner seemed to understand the context immediately. “Stupid girl. She’s lucky to still be living.”
“She wouldn’t be except Cecilia asked for her to be spared, even though the girl would have seen her hang.”