“Earth—?”
Unable to form a coherent reply, she nodded, her gaze fixed on the moons.
The grip they’d had on one another’s hands slipped away, and each of them took a single step in the opposite direction.
On the verge of tears and unable to stand there watching something she shouldn’t even be privy to, she practically ran back to Ageit’s tent. Her mind jumbled explanations and scenarios of what exactly was going on here. She remembered the glyphs back at the dig: Beings from the sky, visitations, travelers, doorways—
Doorways
!
“Ageit!” She called and burst into the tent at the same time.
“Oh! My dear, you startled me.”
“I’m sorry, I—”
“Are you tired of watching separations, as I am? Really, I could find much better ways to spend my time. My father always said—”
“Ageit, I’m so sorry to interrupt, and I’m sure I’d be happy to chat with you another time—but there’s some information I need from you.”
“Yes, yes. Anything for you. What information are you—”
“I need to see your doorway. Right now… I mean—” She really needed to slow down or she’d run mad. “I mean as soon as you can show it to me.”
He smiled. “Scientifically minded, are you?”
She should lie and make him feel comfortable. But for heaven’s sakes, this was not the time for deception, no matter how well-intended. “Not really, no. I think—” She spun away from him, took a few steps forward and then turned back. “I think I’ve fallen through your doorway by accident.”
Ageit laughed at her statement. “Impossible, my dear. My artifacts are askew, and besides, you’d have to have to be wearing these to do that.” He reached into a box and pulled out a pair of gold wrist cuffs, roped edges and a winged sun decorating each one.
Jade held her fist high in the air and yanked a ruffled cuff down her arm, revealing one of the bracelets she’d gotten from Dr. Harper’s find.
A masculine intake of air caused her to glance at the entrance to Ageit’s tent. Eli stood just inside, staring at her wrist. Shame washed over her, an emotion she thought she’d left behind as a young girl. Jade lowered her arm.
“I’ll go and prepare the doorway,” Ageit said quietly and then ducked into the next room.
She turned to face Eli.
“Is this true? You really aren’t from Eden?”
“I know I’m not.” Jade drew her bottom lip between her teeth. What would he think of her now?
“That’s why we couldn’t find—”
“My camp. Yes.”
“But how? When?”
“It must have happened that first night I came to Omari Amun. And I’m still unclear as to how it transpired. I knew things were screwy, but I didn’t know to what extent.” She wrapped her arms around herself, searching for some sort of comfort. “And Ageit just mentioned that his artifacts were askew. That must be why I landed in the middle of the desert and didn’t enter through his tent in the first place,” she murmured, mostly to herself.
He fell silent, and the guilt shook her to the core. “Eli, I’m sorry. Had I known—”
“Don’t.” He took a step toward her.
She moved to close the distance but stopped about a foot short of him. Neither of them attempted an embrace, even though Jade’s body practically cried out for him to hold her in his strong arms.
Finally, he broke the awkward silence. “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
Jade shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. You didn’t hurt me, not remotely.”
“But you said you don’t consummate…and I—”
“I’ll be fine, Eli. Truly.” She had no idea how to reassure him of this—or herself, for that matter.
He nodded, and his gaze lowered to the carpeted floor of the tent. The silence thickened between them once again.
Oh, Poolie, what a mess
.
In her wildest fantasies, she’d never thought she’d have sex with an alien from another planet. It was enough to give her the heebie-jeebies for a good ten years. But now, as said alien stood before her, it didn’t seem to matter to her all that much. Of course, what he thought of her was a different matter all together.
She startled when he finally spoke.
“I guess this is the reason I didn’t know what you were saying half the time.”
Jade laughed or sobbed or something. She felt tears coming on, but she refused to shed them.
“Jade, listen—”
“I have some thinking to do, you don’t mind if I scram for a while, do you?”
He wanted so badly to be there for her, but she was likely to refuse. He’d have to give her the space she’d requested for now. “N-no. Not at all. Please use my tent. I will give you your privacy.”
Jade nodded and headed in the direction of his tent.
Elydian ran a hand through his hair. What must she be going through? He couldn’t imagine how he’d handle the news Jade had received tonight. The need to protect her nearly overwhelmed him.
For the first time in his life, he’d lost his enthusiasm to watch the moons. Determined to give Jade a full night and day to process her plight, he sat down, intending to stay in Ageit’s tent until the following evening when he made the announcement of his choice for the games for the Omari-Nah Champion Competition.
Elydian looked up as Ageit entered. “Are you two ready to see the doorway?”
“I’m afraid that will have to wait for a more fortuitous occasion.” He hadn’t meant to be cryptic, but he didn’t have the strength to let Ageit in on Jade’s secret. Besides, that was her decision to make as to who knew and who didn’t.
“Oh, very well then. Perhaps another time.” Ageit seemed crest-fallen.
“Are you up for a guest for one night, my friend?”
“Did you have a lover’s tiff with that pretty young thing?” Ageit tilted his head and chuckled.
Elydian sighed. “Something like that.”
“Of course you can stay. Consider my humble tent yours.”
Elydian nodded and reclined onto the red cushion he and Jade had occupied earlier.
“So.” Elydian knew by the tone of Ageit’s voice that he was trying to lighten the mood. “Have you chosen our representative for the games?”
“I have. I will be announcing it tomorrow night.”
“I know how you love to wait until the very last minute, but come now. Give me a tiny hint.”
His friend’s attempt wasn’t helping. “Ageit, you know as well as I that if I tell you, everyone in camp will have heard by the time I officially make the announcement.”
“I had to try, you know.” Ageit gave Elydian a guilty grin. He turned and disappeared into the next room.
Elydian scraped his hands down his face. “Jade, my Zah-ninah” he murmured, the pain for both himself and for her ground in his throat like gravel beneath a boulder.
* * * *
Elydian had hardly slept that day. The combination of the heat of Ageit’s tent and his concern about Jade kept his body and mind in constant occupation. The sun had finally set and the entire camp had gathered once again, this time to hear their Omari’s choice of representatives for the Omari-Nah Champion Competition. As an unmarried Omari, he must choose from among the women of his camp to compete in the games. It was an honor to be chosen, but there was danger as well. Many had been maimed or even killed, so fierce were the competitors and their desire to win.
He watched as Jade made her way to Me-Ma and sat beside her, only nodding her greeting. Elydian’s chest constricted. Her eyes were swollen a bit, likely from crying, but she held her head high. As if Me-Ma could sense something was amiss, she put her arm around Jade’s shoulders. Me-Ma was invaluable to him.
He stood and cleared his throat. “As is our tradition, it is my honor to reveal the name of this year’s competitor for the Omari-Nah Champion Competition.”
A stir of excitement pulsed through the crowd, and he continued. “Tar-Quinia, will you please step forward.”
“Just a moment, if you please.” A voice shouted from the very back of the gathering.
Faster than a blink of an eye, Jade watched Eli’s face grow dark. She could have sworn a scowl marred his chiseled features before his countenance returned to a pleasant look. Straitening, Jade followed his gaze to the crowd. Lothar-Canute strode toward Eli, a smug look on his face.
All of Omari Amun went silent.
“I bring you greetings from Anuk-dye, my Omari.” He bowed to Eli.
Eli nodded. “Thank you, Lothar. How was your journey?”
Jade couldn’t wait to hear what the self-important man, who normally didn’t venture further than the edge of camp, had to say.
Lothar took a deep breath through his nose before he spoke. “Tedious.” Then he grinned. “But I’ve come bearing a great surprise for you.”
“Indeed? Again, I thank you.” Jade could hear the skepticism in Eli’s voice.
The creep glanced about as if to make sure he had then entire camp’s attention, and then puffed out his chest. “I have arranged a journey to
Anuk-dye for you to attend the Omari-nah Champion Competition. I have even
included in the gift our camp’s Omari-nah’s contestant fee into the games.” He glanced over his shoulder at Jade. “I’m certain our newest member of Omari Amun, the beautiful Jade, would be most honored to compete.”
Jade’s stomach clenched. She’d never been very good at athletics.
Eli tried to interrupt. “Lothar—”
Lothar held up his hand, effectively silencing Eli. “Since she was such a late entrant, and because I, her sponsor, am affiliated with the judges, she’ll be able to choose the competition in which she will participate before they set the permanent slates.”
Jade heard Eli’s sharp intake of breath and knew she had no choice in this matter if she wanted to support Eli’s efforts to remain the Omari.
* * * *
This was not a gift. It was a death sentence.
Jade was fragile—small in comparison to the females on Eden. She knew nothing of their history, nor did she have enough experience with the people of Eden to be familiar with their traditions.
Elydian forced himself to smile. “Lothar, what a generous gift—but I’m afraid it’s too late. We would need to arrange transportation for both of us and—”
“I have already considered the time, Omari. I have a litter waiting at the edge of camp to carry you and Jade to your destination.”
Eli swallowed. What a presumptuous rat. “Again, I thank you for the thoughtful gift, but—”
“My cousin, Saleem-Canute, has already prepared for your participation. With Jade’s entry into the games, it perfectly sets the competition numbers. He’s counting on you, my Omari, to keep this commitment.”
Looking into the hushed crowd, Elydian’s gaze first met Ageit’s, then Me-Ma’s. Neither of them could offer help. He was on his own against his formidable, or at least influential, opponent. Elydian’s mind raced to think of an excuse, one that would hold the powerful Canute family at bay. Unable to come up with a satisfying reason that wouldn’t seem contrived, and sure he’d put the entirety of Omari Amun on Saleem’s list of camps to squash if he refused Lothar, he nodded once in acquiescence. Or was it surrender?