She turned to stalk away, moving toward the back of the temple, past the raised dais where the Empty Throne sat.
“Wait a minute,” Rast called, running to catch up. “You know I’m not going to let the woman I love die. I’ve made my choice. So why—”
“This interview is over,” the high priestess said, without turning. “I have matters to attend to. I must serve the throne.”
Nadiah saw Rast look up. The bottom of the white marble throne was at the level of his head. Suddenly the priestess’s earlier words to them echoed in her head. “Do not touch the throne on peril of your lives,” she had said. Nadiah wanted to shout out a warning—Rast was so close—too close, but her mouth was too dry and the words wouldn’t come.
“It’s not over until you answer my goddamn question!” He reached for her shoulder, obviously meaning to spin her around. “I want to ask you why—”
“No more questions!” The high priestess whirled to face him. Planting both hands on his chest, she shoved him away.
“I—” Rast was knocked off balance. Nadiah saw him reach for something to steady himself…and his hand landed on the side of the white marble throne.
For a moment he was completely still and then his back bowed outward and an agonized gasp came from his lips. His whole body began to shake like a man being electrocuted, but still his hand stuck to the white marble as though it was glued in place. As though he couldn’t let go.
Finally, Nadiah’s paralysis broke. “Rast!” she cried and ran forward as fast as she could in her weakened state.
“No,” Sylvan roared. “Don’t touch him—it might cause a chain reaction!” He leapt forward and tackled Rast to the ground, breaking the connection between his hand and the throne. Rast fell, his head cracking against the white marble floor and Nadiah cried out at the sound.
She fell to her knees beside Rast as Sylvan hovered over him on the other side. “Is he all right?” she gasped, grabbing one of Rast’s hands. It felt cool and unresponsive in her grasp. “Is he, Sylvan?”
Sylvan checked the other male’s pulse and breathing. “He’s alive,” he said grimly. He glared angrily up at the priestess. “He could have been killed. You pushed him deliberately. Why?”
The high priestess stared down at them, her blank emerald eyes utterly pitiless. “I had to be certain he was really the future Counselor before I allowed him to ascend to the top of the high mesa tomorrow morning. Touching the throne, even briefly, would have killed anyone but the rightful candidate. Now I know it is safe to proceed with our ceremony tomorrow.”
Nadiah shook her head. “But his wings—you saw the marks on his back. You had to know—”
“I know nothing until I see the wings manifest,” the priestess snapped. “Which they would have already if you were the rightful mate and Lysell of the Counselor .” She made a face as though she’d smelled something bad. “Clearly you are not. Now, I must go and meditate to clear my head for the ceremony tomorrow. Lissa will take you all back to the guest quarters and you may think of what I have said.”
Turning again, she swept away, her white robe rustling on the bare marble floor.
Chapter Thirty-one
“She’s coming around. Look, her eyelids are fluttering.”
Olivia’s soft words brought Merrick out of the half-doze he’d been in. Blinking his eyes, he sat up in the chair beside Elise’s cot and looked over at her. Olivia had dressed her in a dark red healing gown—a stark contrast to her pale face and black hair. Sure enough, he could see her eyes moving under the lids. He hoped she would be in her right mind this time. It had been a long night and her earlier interludes of wakefulness had been brief and confused. He was beginning to wonder if her long stint in stasis had affected her mind.
As her small hand twitched in his, Merrick wondered what she would say this time. Sometimes when she woke, she begged him to keep her safe, to not let him hurt her again. At first he had thought the “him” she referred to must be the AllFather. But now he wasn’t so sure. It seemed like maybe her mind was reliving an earlier trauma, an older hurt—perhaps one she’d buried? But he could never get details from her to find out.
Other times, she clutched at his hand and called him “Buck,” which sounded like a male’s name. Merrick had wondered about that—he didn’t smell another male on her and Olivia said she had no mate on Earth—not one they’d been able to find, anyway. But still the name filled him with a nameless kind of rage. Though he tried to tell himself he didn’t care, the idea that the little Earth female might be claimed by another male made him grind his teeth and clench his fists.
Don’t be stupid, he told himself. She’s not yours. She doesn’t even know your name. She thinks you’re ‘Buck’, whoever that is. And it’s not like you want a female anyway. What could she do but slow you down and trip you up? But no matter what he told himself, his stomach still clenched every time she whispered that strange name.
His thoughts were interrupted when her eyes fluttered again and then opened. This time there was no pain or fear in them. Instead, she smiled tentatively up at him and put her free hand to her forehead.
“Hello,” she whispered.
“Hey,” he said roughly, then cursed himself for his abrupt tone. “I mean…” He cleared his throat. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” She rubbed her forehead. “Tired. And thirsty.”
“Here you go, hon.” Olivia held a cup to her lips and Elise drank thirstily. A tiny trickle of liquid slid from the side of the cup and down her slender neck. For a split second, Merrick pictured himself licking it off. Then he pushed the idea away.
Elise finished the drink and nodded at Olivia. “Thank you.” She turned her gaze to Merrick. “You’re the one. You saved me from…from…” She shook her head. “I don’t know from what but it was something awful. I didn’t think anyone would come for me but you did.”
Merrick shifted uncomfortably on the chair. “I found the pod you were in, drifting in space, and brought you back here—that’s all.”
She looked confused. “I was in a pod? In space? Well, thank you, I guess.”
“You’re welcome.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Have you been with me the whole time?” She nodded down to where Merrick was still holding her hand. “Keeping me safe?”
“Uh…” Feeling foolish, he yanked his hand away. “I had to. I found you so I’m responsible for your safety while you’re here.”
“All vitals are normal and brain activity looks good.” Olivia smiled. “I think she’s going to be just fine.”
Elise looked around. “I’d feel better if I knew where I was. The last thing I remember is walking in the park by the marina in Sarasota—the one with the statue of the sailor and the nurse kissing. I was on vacation and…and everything else is a blank.” She frowned.
Olivia’s smile faltered a little. “Well, hon, a lot has happened since then. But the important thing to remember now is that you’re safe. You’re on board the Kindred Mother Ship, orbiting Earth.”
“Really, the Kindred?” Elise looked at Merrick and gave a confused laugh. “You must be one, I guess.”
He nodded briefly. “Yes.”
“I always wondered about them—about your kind, I mean,” Elise said. “But of course I never had to worry about being drafted by one of you.”
Merrick’s heart fisted in his chest. The only Earth females who didn’t have to worry about the draft for Kindred brides were already mated or spoken for. But if that was so, why was there no scent of another male on Elise?
Olivia frowned. “You didn’t worry about being drafted? Why not?”
“Why because…because of…” Elise frowned. “Isn’t that funny? I can’t remember.” She looked down at her arms and frowned. “There seems to be a lot I’ve forgotten. How did I get these bruises? And why am I so sore?”
Merrick shifted restlessly on the chair and he and Olivia exchanged a glance.
“
Some things are better left for another time,” Olivia said. “Why don’t you get some rest and maybe it’ll come back to you later.”
Elise frowned and sat up, looking more alert. “But I don’t want to rest anymore. How long have I been out? My vacation time may be up already. Do you know what my caseload is going to be like when I get back home?”
“Caseload?” Olivia echoed.
“The number of cases I handle at work—I’m an attorney.” Elise blew out a breath and pushed a stray lock of black hair away from her eyes. “Why is my hair loose? I never wear it down like this.”
“An attorney, huh? Who do you represent?” Olivia asked soothingly, offering her another drink.
Elise took the cup without question, holding it on her own this time, and took a swallow. She made a face. “That’s bitter.”
“It’s good for you. Have some more,” Olivia urged. “And tell me about your job. I was a nurse down on Earth and I kept it up once I got here.” She motioned at the med station. “Kindred anatomy is a little different from human anatomy so it was kind of a case of learning on the job.”
“That’s interesting.” Elise took another sip and made a face. “Well, I’m a prosecutor with the Attorney General’s office. Mostly I represent children because…because they…” She yawned and then looked at Olivia sharply. “Hey, what was in that drink?”
“Just something to relax you.” Olivia stroked her arm. “I think you need a little more rest but don’t worry, I’ll contact your mother and stepfather while you sleep. They can be here when you wake up.”
Elise’s big brown eyes widened with panic. “No, don’t do that! I don’t…” She yawned again, obviously despite herself. “We don’t talk,” she finished, her eyelids drooping.
“Oh, I just thought maybe…” Olivia shook her head. “Never mind, I won’t contact them. Just rest and you’ll feel better in a little while.”
“But I don’t want to sleep.” Elise’s voice, which had turned sharp and businesslike for a moment, now sounded soft and childlike again. She looked up at Merrick appealingly. “When I sleep I…I have bad dreams. About him.”
“About who, baby?” The endearment slipped out before Merrick could stop it. He told himself it was the look of fear on her face—it brought out his protective instincts. He had the urge to hold her hand again, the feeling that she needed to be touched, but he restrained himself. Or would have if Elise hadn’t reached for him.
“Please,” she whispered. “You’ll stay with me, won’t you? Stay and keep me safe?”
“Sure, I will.” Merrick laced their fingers together noticing how her tiny hand was completely swallowed in his. “I’m your protector while you’re here—It’s my duty to keep you safe.”
“Oh…good. Protector…just like…Buck.” Her eyelids were drooping as the sedative Olivia had given her took effect.
On impulse Merrick leaned forward and looked into her half closed eyes. “Who’s Buck?” he murmured. “You keep asking for him—who is he?”
“Buck?” She yawned and gave him a sleepy smile. “My favorite. He protected me. Always kept me safe until…until…”
But she was asleep again, leaving Merrick to wonder. Her favorite what? And he protected her until what?
Looking at her peacefully sleeping form, he wondered if he would ever know and decided he probably wouldn’t. Really, now that she was awake and stable he ought to be on his way again, out into the universe. It was a vast place and he was sure he would never see Elise Darden again.
Merrick frowned. It was the right thing to do—the smart thing to do. There was no point in hanging around where he wasn’t wanted or needed. He made the med staff nervous and Elise had parents and friends and coworkers on Earth waiting for her—a whole other life that didn’t involve him and never would.
And yet, the idea of leaving her, of never seeing those big brown eyes again, made him uneasy. It was as though she stirred something in him—a tenderness he’d never even suspected was there. He couldn’t help feeling that if he left her, he would never feel it again. Which would be good, he told himself grimly. Tender is just another word for weak. But still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Well, he needed to do some work on his star-duster, he decided. Now that he didn’t have to be in the med station 24/7, he could see to his ship. That way he could hang around the Kindred Mother Ship just in case something else went wrong—which he was sure it wouldn’t.
Merrick stretched and rose to go tell Olivia he could be found in the docking bay if she needed him. He could almost hear her sigh of relief already—she and the rest of the staff would be glad to get rid of him, that was for fucking sure.
Before he left, he leaned over to check Elise one more time. It was strangely hard to leave her, even knowing he was only going to another part of the ship. More weakness, he thought. Stop being a fucking idiot and go.
But somehow he couldn’t stop himself from stroking her cheek one last time before he left.
Chapter Thirty-two
“Are you ready for this?” Sylvan asked, peering anxiously into Rast’s eyes. “Are you feeling well enough to go through with the ceremony?”
“I’m fine.” Rast winced and rubbed the back of his head. “Well, except for one hell of a headache from bonking myself on the damn marble floor. And the fact that that my shoulder blades are itching like crazy. But other than that, couldn’t be better.” He sighed. “Let’s get it over with, okay?”
Sylvan nodded. “All right. I’m sure the priestess will be here soon.”
They were standing in the oasis of light, as Nadiah called it, where they had spent the night. Sleeping had proved difficult because there were three moons instead of just one shedding their silvery light over the rainbow desert. It also didn’t help that Sylvan kept waking him up to check his pupils and make sure he didn’t have a concussion. Rast had finally assured him that he felt all right and managed to grab a few hours right before sunrise. But now that the sun was up he felt wide awake and edgy.
It was finally hitting home to him what he was about to do. He was going to take an oath never to leave this planet—to never go back to Earth again. As beautiful as it was, First World wasn’t very welcoming. It felt familiar—as though something in his blood recognized it—but it didn’t feel like home. Rast wondered if it ever would. Guess I have the rest of my life to find out, he thought glumly. Well, at least I’ll have Nadiah with me.
The thought cheered him up immensely. No matter where he ended his days, if he had the woman he loved, it would be all right. Speaking of the love of his life, where was she? He looked over at the table and saw Nadiah and Sophia were sitting on the sand beside it. They were nibbling loaves of what Sophia had dubbed the “Willy Wonka mind reading bread” and talking quietly. Rast was disturbed to see that Nadiah had a drawn, unhappy look on her face. Was she feeling sicker this morning? Or was the thought of living on First World for the rest of her life getting her down, too?
“Hey, how does it taste this morning?” he said, walking over to take a piece of bread himself.
Sophia looked up. “French toast with butter and maple syrup…crispy bacon and…” She swallowed and took another small bite. “And orange juice.”
“Sounds delicious.” Rast smiled and looked at Nadiah. “What does yours taste like, sweetheart? Scrambled brains and fricasseed worms or what?”
Nadiah gave him a wan smile and shook her head. “Rast,” she said softly, “I need to talk to you.” She started to get up but her knees buckled and Sophia had to catch her.
She looked up at Rast with fear in her face. “She’s light as a feather.”
“Here.” Leaning down, Rast swung Nadiah up into his arms. It disturbed him to see that she did, indeed, feel even lighter than she had the day before. “How are you feeling?” he asked anxiously.
“Fine,” she gave him an exhausted smile. “Just…a little tired. And hot. It’s so much hotter here than Tranq Prime.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s hotter than Florida too and that’s saying something.” Rast sighed. “But we’ll get used to it. And you’ll feel better as soon as we get you healed.”
“Rast…” Nadiah looked down and drew an aimless pattern against his bare chest. After the priestess had ripped up the white gown he’d been forced to wear the day before, Rast had decided to hell with it and had gone back to wearing his jeans. But it was too hot for the long-sleeved shirt he’d come in by far, so he’d left it off.
“Yes, sweetheart?” he murmured, wishing she would look at him. “Something on your mind?”
“Yes, there is.” Finally she looked up. “I don’t want you to do this.”
He frowned. “Don’t want me to do what?”
“To take this oath. To swear to stay here the rest of your life just to save me.”
“Nadiah,” he said seriously. “Listen to me—if it’s a choice between staying on this planet the rest of my life with you or living anywhere else in the universe without you, there’s no contest.” He looked into her eyes. “I choose you,” he said softly. “And if there’s no other way to save you than to be stuck here, well, I guess we’ll both have to get used to living in the desert. What do you say?”
“I don’t want you to feel trapped,” Nadiah protested. “I don’t want to be the reason you have to give up your whole life.”
“I’m not giving it up—I’m just changing it a little.” He gave her a crooked little grin. “Come on, what do you say?”
“Oh, Rast…” She smiled at last and the look on her face warmed him to the bones. He knew he would do anything to see that look—the love and tenderness shining from her deep blue eyes—anything at all. Even live on a foreign planet the rest of his life.
“I love you,” he murmured and kissed her gently on the mouth.
“It is time.” The soft words made him break the kiss and Rast looked up to see that the young priestess, Lissa, had reappeared and was standing at the mouth of the tunnel.
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