Authors: Lisanne Norman
"Sholan-style, my Dzinae. Like me." He purred, his tongue flicking out to lick her cheek just as their minds joined.
Upward they spiraled, becoming one, reaching outward till at the edges of their bond they could sense Kusac and T'Chebbi beginning their own journey.
En'Shalla, little Human. There
is
a balance.
With a cry she arched away from Kaid, collapsing forward on her forearms, pulling him down with her.
Quick reflexes meant he landed on his hands, poised above her. Almost instantly he swelled to full arousal and as one, they began to climax.
Afterward, with a deep, shuddering breath, he collapsed with her onto his side. His tail flicked round her upper leg, holding her with as much urgency as did his arms. Gradually the sharing of memories of their time apart began to slow, then stopped, leaving their minds once more their own.
Vartra's bones, Carrie, you're not real— are you a dzinae? I don't remember it being like this before!
You were ill, and it was our first time together,
she sent as they parted and she turned to face him.
I heard someone...
she began.
I heard Him too, and felt them. It was Vartra. He's a force in my life that I can't escape, but we have reached some compromises.
He smiled wryly.
In her gentle laugh, he could hear the underlying purr. "Compromises with a God. Why doesn't that surprise me? So, is Kusac now aware of us when we're together?"
"He was the first time. It was us who weren't aware of him. I think that ritual at the Retreat strengthened our mutual bond."
"That's why T'Chebbi went to him."
"Her choice, Carrie, but I swear he'll be glad she did," he said with a chuckle. "She's not my lover, and even if she were, she'd be free to do as she wished."
"She
should
be your lover," she said, rubbing her face against the long fur on his chest. "You obviously care for each other, but that's between you."
He began to trace her features with a fingertip.
When I said how Sholan you were, I had no idea you were so like us.
What's a dzinae?
she asked, taking his hand in hers to caress the sensitive areas on his palm.
He grinned.
A heavenly reward for those who've done Vartra's will. Males and females whose only wish is to please your senses. They're said to visit the overly pious and tease them unmercifully.
And did I do that to you?
Oh, yes, my dzinae, you certainly did!
His thoughts were warm and loving as he stroked her face. "You were all the distraction Vartra could hope for!"
She laughed, stretching out against him. "I'm hungry. Have you anything we can eat?"
He looked embarrassed. "I brought some food with me last week."
Arching an eyebrow at him, she sat up and began fastening her tunic. "You were expecting company?"
"I hoped you'd come here with me one day, yes," he admitted. "You're the only female I've ever brought here."
"Thank you for bringing me," she said, kissing him before getting to her feet. She looked down at where he still lay watching her. "Well, are you going to feed me, then?"
Chapter 13
A gentle glow penetrated her eyelids. Morning. But this morning was different. Kusac didn't lie with his arm resting on her hip like this, and it was definitely not his scent she could smell. Then she remembered and opened her eyes.
In front of her, the polarized window had brightened, allowing her a clear view of the grounds outside. Sunlight glinted off the snow, sending sparkles of light dancing into the bedroom. A chiddoe still in its winter coat hopped into view, stopping every now and then to scrabble for some edible greenery.
She turned her head to look at Tallinu. He was still asleep, lying on his stomach beside her, his breath gently huffing against her neck.
He had changed, she thought with lazy contentment as, careful not to wake him, she turned to lie on her back. And she liked the changes. Last night there had been no holding back from him, either physically or mentally. He'd finally accepted how he felt and made his commitment to her.
She looked around, interested to see what this inner retreat was like. They'd been a little too involved with each other the night before for her to take much interest in her surroundings, she remembered with a small grin. She'd noticed that the walls were dark, but now she saw they were a blue as deep as the sky at dusk. On the wall beyond him, a sword hanging by its decorative scabbard caught her eye. It had a vaguely familiar look to it, but she couldn't remember where she'd seen it before. Beneath it was a dresser of drawers on which a collection of small figures was arranged. Curious, she pushed herself up on one elbow to get a better look.
"I paint them for relaxation." His voice was low and still hazy with sleep. "The sword is the one Garras gave me when we became sword-brothers. You'll have seen its twin at Vanna's."
"You're awake," she said, reaching out to run her hand across his back, stopping as she felt the knots of the scars still there.
He flinched and began to turn over.
"I'm sorry. I thought they'd healed."
"All but one or two, and they'll go in time," he said. "Does the room meet with your approval?"
"I love the whole house. It's like you, complex in its simplicity."
He laughed, looping his arm round her waist to draw her down beside him. Before he could, her hand slid up to the back of his neck and closed over his scruff. With an effort of will, he lay still, waiting to see what she'd do next. He'd never submitted to a female before.
She leaned over him, her kisses gentle, first on one lip, then the other, then her tongue flicked across them both as she laughingly teased him.
He tried to capture her with his teeth, but she deftly avoided him, choosing instead to close hers on the lower edge of his ear. With a small growl, he reached up to take hold of her chin when suddenly she released his ear and tightened her grip on his scruff, pulling his head back till his neck was arched toward her.
Now he froze, unable to move, caught between his response as a warrior and a lover, feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable.
"I'm not letting you go this time," she said, her voice a low purr before she closed her teeth over his larynx, pressing them hard into his flesh.
Her teeth might be small and blunt compared to his, but there was no doubt in his mind that they possessed an equal ability to kill. A momentary panic rushed through him, then suddenly, as she released him, he found himself wanting her more than ever. Confused, his hands clutched her close, finding her as willing as he was. As their bodies joined, once more their minds began to share.
* * *
Dzaka was waiting for them when they arrived home, and his father's warmth of greeting surprised him.
"Tomorrow, early, we have business to attend to at the Arrazo estate," Kaid said, his arm still around Dzaka's shoulders. "Where is everyone?"
"In the garage, packing equipment," said Dzaka.
"You walk with Carrie, I want to go on ahead."
Dzaka slowed down, looking at Carrie, who merely shrugged and linked her arm in his.
"We keep getting left like this, don't we, Dzaka?" she said with a smile. "So it's time to confront your grandparents, is it? I think Kusac will want to go, possibly even my bond-father. It'll be quite a meeting."
"It's not necessary, Clan Leader," he murmured, beginning to walk again. "I have what I wanted— my father. And I know he and Khemu cared for me. It's all I need."
"Stop the titles, Dzaka. I keep telling you, and you still keep doing it!" she said, giving his arm a shake. "You're already my bond-son through Tallinu, and will be my bond-brother as well when you and Kitra become life-mates."
"I've no aspirations in that direction, Carrie," he said hastily.
"No, but Kitra has, I'll warrant, and you'd not object, now would you? Truth," she said as he hesitated.
Dzaka grinned down at her. "No, I wouldn't," he said candidly. "Question for question, Carrie. How is my father really?"
"He's fine, Dzaka," she said. "It takes time to get over what he went through, but it truly is behind him now."
"Thank Vartra," he sighed as they walked into the garage.
You heard Him, too?
Kaid was asking Kusac.
Even T'Chebbi heard it, but only through me,
Kusac replied, looking up at him from where he was squatting on the floor amid a pile of crates and various goods.
We sensed little more, though.
Nor us. The message was meant for Carrie, obviously, but I think it was also intended to reassure us.
Having you back with us, and seeing Carrie content, is all the reassurance I need, Tallinu.
"Well come home, Kaid," Kusac said, holding out his hand.
* * *
The call came during third meal as they sat round the table in the kitchen with T'Chebbi, Kitra, and Dzaka. Kusac took it on his wrist com.
"General Raiban from Shanagi," said Ni'Zulhu's voice.
Kusac looked at Kaid as he rose to his feet. "They're bringing the mission forward."
Kaid nodded. "Wouldn't surprise me. It's been three months since they heard from Jo Edwards and her party. Take the call. I'll alert Quin and Conrad," he said getting up.
When Kusac returned, he looked round the small group. "We leave for Chagda Station at dusk tomorrow," he said. "Once there, we meet Captain Kishasayzar and the crew of the
Hkariyash.
They'll be taking us to Jalna."
"We're undercover from the moment we leave the estate," warned Kaid, glancing from T'Chebbi to Carrie and Kusac. "Conrad and Quin will be smuggled aboard with our trade goods. From that point on, we're a delegation of U'Churian merchants escorting a Solnian representative on her first trip to Jalna."
T'Chebbi rose. "I get this dye from Vanna for us."
Kaid grasped her gently by the arm. "Eat first. We have time enough. Conrad and Quin will join us after their meal. Kusac, you have estate business to discuss with Garras. You deal with that. Carrie, you have Jack and Jiszoe to see. Kashini's welfare is all you need worry about. We four can see to the rest till you're free."
As he was speaking, Kusac rejoined his mate at the table, well aware of her numbed reaction to the news.
I'm not ready. Jack and Jiszoe were going to move in here to look after Kashini. It's too soon!
Perhaps it's better this way, less time to dread our parting from her,
he sent, wrapping an arm round her shoulders.
Nothing can be as bad as the Margins.
Kaid leaned across the table, reaching out to touch her hand briefly. "We're ready, Carrie. Don't worry. I watched you all training today. We'll be fine. It won't be long before you're back with your cub, I promise."
"Don't make promises, Kaid," she said, letting him hold her fingertips for a moment. "We don't know what will happen out there. I have to find my own way of coping." She smiled briefly at him then picked up her fork again. "I don't know about you, but I'm not prepared to face Zhala's wrath if we let her meal spoil!"
"Most of the work is done," said Kaid, reaching for a piece of bread. "Your early start has put us ahead of schedule, Kusac. We'll need to work through much of the night, but we can be ready."
"I'll call in the other Brothers to help us. If we do the organization and they do the packing, we should be finished soon enough."
* * *
Later that night, Konis arrived. As Dzaka ushered him into the den, he stopped to survey Kaid. "Now you and Kusac could be brothers." he said. "Vanna's dye works well. How long will it last? I'm not sure I like the longer pelts, though."
"It's augmented by slow release drugs, like the longer fur," said Kusac, getting up to greet him. "My pelt's been growing for some time now. You never mentioned it before."
"I see you fairly regularly, Kusac," Konis said, coming down to join them. "Kaid I haven't seen for some time. The change in him seems greater. You're well, I take it?" he asked Kaid, clasping his arm in passing.
"Fine now, Clan Lord."
"Konis will do," he said, lowering himself onto the settee. "Try and find a moment to go and say good-bye to your mother and Taizia, Kusac. They're both fretting themselves into a real state."
"Is that why you're here?" Kusac grinned, heading over to the dresser that held their collection of spirits. "Nezzu?"
"I'd prefer that Keissian brandy, if you have any," he said hopefully. "Don't let me hold you back, by the way. Can I do anything to help?"
"Yes," said Kaid before Kusac could speak. "There is something you could do for me."
Kusac looked at him in surprise as he pulled a bottle of brandy from the cupboard. "You, Kaid?" he asked, picking up several glasses.
"Neul Arrazo," said Konis. "Am I right?"
Kaid's mouth opened in a smile. "Well guessed, Konis. I intended to see him tomorrow, but we'll not have time now. I don't want to leave the matter of Dzaka's legitimacy unfinished."
Konis nodded. "I understand, but it's better left to me. My office has been preparing the case against him, and Neul will be told about Dzaka, believe me. Your son has been registered by me on the Clan records; that's what matters most. However, right now we have a complication with the Arrazo Clan."
Kusac's ears swiveled forward to catch every word as he handed small glasses of the liquor to his father and Kaid. "What complication?" he asked.
"His youngest son, Taynar, is missing, and with him, his Leska, a Human called Kate Harvey."
"A mixed pair? Why weren't we told?" asked Kusac.
"Where did they go missing?"
"The information's been restricted because of the circumstances surrounding their disappearance," said Konis. "I'm now at liberty to tell you, though."
* * *
At dusk the following day, they left for Chagda Station on a routine military flight. Carrie was inconsolable, sitting silently for the duration, refusing to talk. Leaving Kashini had been as big a wrench as she'd feared, and nothing Kusac or Kaid could do or say lessened it.
As they docked, Conrad and Quin were concealed in their containers for immediate transportation to the hold of the
Hkariyash.
Once there, they'd be released. The Sholan contingent and Carrie made their way in a more orthodox fashion to the bar where they were to meet with Captain Kishasayzar. The formalities of their cover observed, they accompanied the Sumaan back to his ship where loading had been completed. Within the hour, they had undocked and were heading out of the Sholan system for Jalna.