“I didn’t notice you complaining when we were all in bed together,” Far growled back. “It didn’t seem so wrong to you then to have her between us.”
“That was in a dream state only. In reality I will not share her with anyone—least of all you.” Truth’s pale gray eyes flashed fire at his estranged brother.
Far’s black eyes flashed back, filled with a mixture of hurt and hate. “Then good luck forming a complete bond with her, Brother. Everyone knows a Twin Kindred can’t manage that on his own, without his twin.”
“Not true,” Truth said shortly. “My father managed it and so will I.”
Kat frowned. “Don’t you mean fathers? If you’re Twin Kindred, how did you have only one father, Truth?”
“It’s a long story.” The dark twin turned away. “And it is not what we are here to talk about, anyway.”
“Yes. If we could please get back to the subject at hand,” Sylvan said dryly. “You say you saw everyone in the Unmated Males section turning into some kind of…”
“Demons. They looked like some kind of demons.” Becca shivered and crossed her arms over her chest protectively.
“All right. And what makes you think this vision was completely and utterly true this time, Far?” Sylvan asked, turning to the light twin. “I know you sometimes have doubts…”
“It was true,” Truth said, unexpectedly backing his brother up. “I felt it as I always do. This vision will become reality.” He glared at Far as though it was his fault.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Far glared back. “I don’t cause the visions to happen—I only see what the Goddess sends to me.”
“Well, did she send you how this is supposed to happen or when?” Sylvan sounded exasperated. “Because I can’t lock down the Unmated Males section indefinitely—there would be a riot. I have warriors going about their business, doing their jobs, calling Earth females as mates. I can’t just ask them to quit everything and stay quietly in their rooms for the foreseeable future.”
“Of course you can’t,” Becca said. “But Commander Sylvan, if you had seen what we saw…”
“The Goddess…” Sophia came out of the bedroom where she had been tending to her twins. “Did I hear you say your visions come from the Goddess, Far?”
The light twin nodded, his longish, blond hair brushing his broad shoulders. “I do believe she is the source, yes.”
“Well then…” Sophia looked up at her husband. “Sylvan, who else do we know who has visions from the Goddess?”
“Of course.” Sylvan snapped his fingers. “Nadiah.”
Becca frowned. “Who?”
“She’s Sylvan’s younger cousin,” Kat explained.
“And she has the gift of the Sight,” Sophia said excitedly. “She has visions like Far. Maybe she could help us.”
Sylvan sighed. “Maybe so. I’m not exactly sure of the time on First World right now but perhaps we should give her a call.”
“Good idea, I haven’t talked to her in ages.” Sophia looked excited. “I’m so glad we have a viewscreen in our suite now—it makes things so much easier.”
“Indeed,” Sylvan muttered. He walked over to the far wall of his suite, opposite the fireplace and began punching a call sequence into the keyboard below the large viewscreen mounted there.
“I don’t understand,” Truth objected as they waited for a pick-up on the other end. “Why are we calling some relative of Commander Sylvan’s about the vision Far subjected us to?”
“Oh, so now I subjected you to it?” Far glared at his brother.
“Hush you two,” Kat said, frowning. “We’re calling because Nadiah is gifted with the same kind of visions Far has—maybe she can verify what you’re saying.”
“She’s also the mouthpiece of the Goddess on First World,” Sylvan said sternly. “So you would do well to listen to what she has to say. Both of you.” He glared meaningfully at both Truth and Far who shifted uncomfortably and had the grace to look ashamed of themselves.
Finally, just as Becca was sure that the call wasn’t going to be picked up, the viewscreen flickered and a sleepy looking girl with blue-green eyes and a halo of blonde hair appeared.
“H’lo?” she murmured, pulling a white robe around her shoulders. “Sylvan, is that you? What do you want—it’s the middle of the night.”
“Forgive me for waking you, Nadiah.” Sylvan gave her a formal little bow. “But we have a disturbing situation here on the Mother Ship I was hoping to consult with you on.”
“All right.” Nadiah yawned and ran a hand through her wild blonde hair. “But just keep it down—Rast is still sleeping in the next room.”
“We’ll be brief and quiet,” Sylvan promised. Quickly, he explained the situation—the vision Becca and Truth and Far had all experienced together and the predicament it put him in.
Nadiah frowned. “So you want to know if what they saw is true and if so, what you can do about it?”
“Essentially.” Sylvan nodded. “Do you have any thoughts on this?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Let the ones who had the vision step forward.”
“He’s the one.” Truth planted a hand between his brother’s shoulder blades and pushed him forward, none too gently.
Nadiah frowned and for a moment, Becca thought her blue-green eyes got a whole lot greener.
“Even if this male is the one with the Sight, he is not the only one who received the vision.”
“Fine.” Truth stepped up beside his brother. “Apologies—I too witnessed it.”
Nadiah raised an eyebrow. “And…”
Becca swallowed hard and stepped up, making sure to keep plenty of distance between herself and the two huge warriors.
“And me,” she said quietly. “I saw it too.”
“All right.” Finally Nadiah seemed satisfied. “Now, I can sense the tension between you. Are you mated, the three of you?”
“No!” Truth’s eyes blazed.
“No,” Far echoed and Becca thought she heard bitterness in his voice.
“We’re just…we just happened to be touching each other when the, uh, vision came upon us. Or, I guess it came to Far here,” Becca nodded at the light twin. “And we happened to share it.”
Nadiah frowned at Truth and Far. “But the two of you are twins, right? Twin Kindred?”
“We are but we were separated at birth. We grew up…alone.” Far’s voice was soft…almost longing but Truth appeared not to notice.
“Not that we need each other. We are both only staying aboard the Mother Ship until my lady Becca here picks one of us.”
“Picks one of you?” Nadiah’s face was grave. “Truly, warrior, do you intend to try and take a mate without your brother? To desert the bond the Goddess has given you and disregard her will?”
“There is no bond,” Truth said shortly. “Nor do I wish one, Lady.”
“And you…” Nadiah turned to Far. “Do you feel the same?”
Far looked away. “I do not wish to be bonded to someone who has no wish to be bonded to me.”
“I see.” Nadiah nodded and looked down. She was quiet for a long moment—so long Becca was almost tempted to wonder if she had gone back to sleep. Then, suddenly she looked up and her eyes were a deep, burning green. “I see much, warriors,” she said and her voice had an authoritative ring that had been lacking when she had first answered the viewscreen, her eyes heavy with sleep and her hair rumpled and sticking up. “I see a rift between you that must be healed—a bond that must be formed—a wound that must be sealed.”
“What? But I don’t want a bond with Far,” Truth growled. “Him or any other male.”
“Be silent!” Nadiah’s voice cracked like a whip. “I am speaking what the Goddess has shown me. You and your twin must form a bond if this situation is to be resolved. The fate of the Mother Ship and all those aboard rests upon it.”
“Truly?” Far looked at her uncertainly. “But…how could the fates of all aboard be tied to me a
nd my…to me and Truth?”
“Your visions hold the key. When you are bonded they will reveal more than passing shadows,” Nadiah said. She looked at both Truth and Far. “Will you receive this onus the Goddess herself has placed upon you?”
“I will if he will,” Far said, casting a sidelong glance at Truth.
Truth scowled and looked down at his boots for a long moment. At last he looked up. “I will obey the will of the Goddess,” he growled. “But I do not like it.”
“Very well.” Nadiah nodded, as though she was finally satisfied. Then she looked at Becca. “And you—what is your name?”
“Rebecca Malone,” Becca said softly.
“Do you realize, Rebecca, that in attempting to choose between the two of these brothers you are subverting the will of the Mother of All Life? Do you understand the harm you are causing to her children?”
“I…I’m sorry.” Put on the spot, Becca felt tongue-tied and hot all over. “I just…I was supposed to become a nun. And even though I’ve given that up I still can’t…can’t abandon all my beliefs just like that.” She snapped her fingers.
“A…nun?” Nadiah frowned.
“Like a priestess—a celibate one,” Sophia said helpfully.
“I see.” Nadiah nodded. “You serve another deity and I perceive that your service is honorable and true.”
“I hope so,” Becca said. “I…thought it was, anyway. Until I met Truth and Far. Now I’m just…confused. The only thing I do know is that I can’t be married to two men at once. I just can’t.”
“Very well.” Nadiah nodded. “Know this then, novice of another deity, I will respect your attempt to honor your beliefs. The Goddess must ask for your help in bonding these brothers together but when everything is said and done, if you wish to be released of your bonding, she will see that it is done.”
Kat gave a little gasp. “But…you can’t do that! I mean, you can’t promise that. When Deep and Lock and I were trying to break our bond, we had to go all the way to the Scourge home world and use that horribly painful Psychic Knife thingy. It was awful!”
“Nothing is impossible for the Goddess,” Nadiah said. “Not even the dissolution of bonds.” She looked sad. “Though it grieves her deeply.”
Becca took a deep breath. “All right. I believe you. I…I’ll do my best to help.”
“See that you do.” Nadiah’s eyes blazed green fire. “The fate of everyone aboard the Mother Ship depends on it. And if you find that you cannot keep the bond you have formed, come to the Sacred Grove and ask any of the priestesses to dissolve it once your task is complete.”
“But Nadiah…” Sylvan stepped forward, frowning. “What of the vision? Is it true? Should we be concerned?”
Nadiah nodded. “You should be very concerned. The Goddess has not given me exact times but I believe what was foreseen will happen very soon. Institute a curfew and be certain that the unmated males section is secure.” She looked down again and when she looked up, Becca saw that her eyes had gone back to blue-green. “I’m sorry, Sylvan,” she said, her voice sounding hoarse and tired. “That’s all I can tell you.”
“You’ve told me more than enough, mother’s sister’s daughter,” Commander Sylvan said softly. “I am most grateful for your talent and your willingness to commune with the Goddess on our behalf.”
“It’s fine.” Nadiah ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “If that’s all, then I really need to go back to bed. Being so close to the Goddess can be really exhausting.”
“Of course.” Sylvan nodded.
“We’ll call again soon to chat—when it’s daytime on First World,” Sophia promised.
“Nadiah nodded tiredly. “You do that. Now, I’m going back to bed—I’m so tired.” She yawned and before she even finished, the viewscreen flickered and went blank.
“Well…” Becca let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. “That was…interesting.”
“It was ridiculous.” Truth scowled. “Why should I have to form a bond with another male in order to save the Mother Ship?”
“Be careful what you say,” Commander Sylvan said sternly. “Are you calling the will of the Mother of All Life ridiculous?”
Truth scowled even harder. “No. But if this Nadiah is so close to the Goddess, why could she not just tell us exactly what the vision meant and how to stop it instead of demanding that Far and I form a completely unnecessary bond?”
“That isn’t how the Goddess works,” Sophia said gently. “And if she wants you to form a bond with your brother then you can bet there’s a good reason for it.”
“I don’t see what that could be,” Truth growled. “And I don’t have any idea how to go about ‘bonding’ with another male. I don’t even know what a bond between males involves.” The look on his face said he wasn’t eager to find out, either.
“Well, maybe I can help there,” Kat said, stepping forward. “How about if the two of you—and Becca—” She nodded at Becca and smiled. “Come by my suite tomorrow. I’ll have Lock and Deep talk to you—it’ll be Twin Bonding 101.”
“That sounds…helpful,” Far said slowly.
“Yes, it does, actually.” Becca felt a rush of gratitude for the auburn haired girl. She’d been wondering how in the world she could fulfill her promise to the Goddess. Trust Kat to come up with a practical solution to their problem.
“Great. Right after supper, then. Uh, last meal,” Kat amended, seeing the confusion in Truth and Far’s eyes. “Come to our suite, all three of you.”
“All right,” Becca agreed eagerly.
“I’ll be there,” Far promised. Then all eyes turned to Truth.
He was looking away, a deep scowl etched on his chiseled features.
“Truth?” Commander Sylvan’s voice was deep and dangerously soft. “Remember your promise to the Goddess.”
“I will come,” Truth said at last. Then, his face still fixed in a scowl, he turned abruptly and left without another word.
“Wow,” Kat muttered. “Well, he’s definitely the dark twin despite those strange, white-gray eyes of his.”
“That he is. I need to go as well.” Far took Becca’s hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles that sent a shiver down her spine. “Until tomorrow, mi’now.”
“Good bye,” Becca said softly, giving him a smile. “Don’t worry, we’ll get things worked out somehow.”
“I hope you’re right.” But Far looked troubled as he left, going in the opposite direction Truth had.
“I’m afraid you’ve got your work cut out for you there,” Sophia murmured as they all watched him go. She turned to Becca. “And I’ve never heard of the Goddess offering to dissolve a bond once it’s formed! That has to be a first.”
“She respects Becca’s beliefs,” Commander Sylvan said quietly. “The Mother of All Life is a lady—she would never force herself or her ways and laws on someone who does not wish to obey them.”
Becca shifted uncomfortably. “It’s not that I want to split them up—it’s just that they’re already split. And being married to two guys at once…my parents are so religious. My mom and dad—especially my dad—he—”
Sylvan held up a hand to stop her. “No one is disrespecting your beliefs, Becca. In fact, I believe the Goddess is going out of her way to honor them. All she asks in return is that you help Truth and Far to bond.”
Kat snorted. “Yeah, that’s all she asks. But Truth is so prickly and Far is so aloof you’d have a better chance getting oil and water to mix.”
“Now, Kat-woman,” Sophia said reproachfully. “You know the Goddess wouldn’t have asked Becca to help if it was impossible.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kat sighed and looked at Becca. “Sorry, doll—don’t listen to me—I’m just tired.”
“It’s all right,” Becca said miserably. “You’re right—they’re awful together. And Truth is really prickly.”
“He kept going on and on about being bonded to ‘another male.’ Not just Far but
‘another male.’ What do you suppose that means?” Sophia asked thoughtfully.
“Yeah, and how can he only have one father? What exactly happened to separate the two of them in the first place?” Kat demanded.
Becca had to shake her head. “I don’t know. Neither of them much wants to talk about the details of their separation and I don’t like to pry. Maybe…maybe I should have and then we’d know what we were up against.”
“It doesn’t matter what you’re up against—you’re going to be fine,” Kat said firmly. “You be sure to come to my suite tomorrow. I’ll have my guys teach your guys how to get along. Okay?”
Becca nodded. “Okay. And thanks, Kat. Thanks all of you.” She nodded at Sophia and Commander Sylvan.
“No, thank you, Becca,” he said gravely. “Without the warning you helped Truth and Far provide, we might have been in serious trouble.” He frowned. “We still may be. I need to go see to the Unmated Males section at once. If the black cloud you saw is the catalyst for this transformation, I need to put guards on all the ventilation ducts for the entire area.” Turning, he left the suite at a swift pace.
“Well…” Sophia clapped her hands. “That just leaves us girls. Anyone want a snack? I think I have some of Lauren’s homemade brownies left. She brought them by the other day.”
“What?” Kat asked. “How in the world does she have time to cook when she's about to pop?”
Sophia shrugged. “You know Lauren—baking is like therapy to her.”
“Therapy I can sink my teeth into. Let’s go—lead on to the brownies.” Kat smiled enthusiastically.
“Great.” Sophie turned to Becca. “And how about you? You want a brownie?”
“No thank you.” Becca sighed and crossed her arms over her chest protectively. “I seem to have lost my appetite. I think…I think I just want to go back to my suite and rest. Maybe take a soak in the bathing pool.”
“Oh, of course, hon.” Sophia patted her arm sympathetically. “I understand. Just go try to take it easy. Don’t even think of those two until tomorrow.”
Becca promised she wouldn’t but as she left, she knew she couldn’t keep her word. How could she help thinking about Truth and Far…and what she had promised to do to help them?
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