“He stayed at Rast’s request. We’re still deliberating what to do about Draven, and since Rast is tied to First World, he needs someone else who can act as an ambassador to the Kindred Mother Ship. Viewscreen communication is wonderful but it can be kind of patchy this far out. And Rast wants someone actually there, to gauge the reactions of the Kindred Council.”
“I see.” Lissa looked down at her feet as they mounted the steps. “I wonder how the Kindred High Council will feel about having one of the banned Touch Kindred as an ambassador aboard the Mother Ship?”
Nadiah shrugged. “Rast says they’ll have to get over it. He doesn’t have anyone else he can send, and he likes Saber. There aren’t many males here, you know, and he and your, uh, brother have really ‘hit it off’ as my friend, Sophia says.”
“They hit each other?” Lissa asked, horrified. “Is that some kind of male bonding thing?”
Nadiah laughed. “No, no—it’s an expression that means they got along well right from the start. They like each other’s company.”
“Oh.” Lissa felt a measure of relief. “I see.”
They climbed silently for a few moments and Lissa kept her eyes fixed on the steps going ever upward, as though being careful not to trip. In fact, she had climbed them so often she could have managed the temple stairs blindfolded, but she didn’t want to risk meeting Saber’s gaze when they reached the top of the dais.
They hadn’t spoken since the awkward incident in her room, where his crewmember had caught them holding hands, and that was the way Lissa wanted to keep it. Touching Saber—asking for his touch—had been terribly wrong. She had chastised herself for her impropriety and tried to put the incident from her mind, but still she found it impossible to forget the warmth of his hands around hers.
I won’t make the same mistake twice, she told herself sternly. It would be better if he just flew home to Tarsia and we never saw each other again. The idea made her heart sink down to her simple woven sandals but she knew it was true. Better to have Saber half the universe away than to give in to the terrible temptation to transgress she felt every moment in his presence.
“Whew—so many steps!” Nadiah murmured at last. “I never have to worry about keeping my figure around here—not as long as we have to climb up and down these every day.”
“I suppose.” Lissa nodded, still looking down. But the next moment, she was forced to look up.
“Lysell Nadiah. High Priestess Lissa, welcome.” Councilor Rast’s deep voice filled the chamber.
“Councilor.” Lissa bowed deeply and rose, directing her gaze to the Seat of Wisdom where he sat, his iridescent wings extended and the Eye of Foreknowledge held in one hand. The Seat of Wisdom was on a raised platform and Nadiah had to climb more steps to stand beside her mate. Saber stood patiently to the left side of the throne, looking up, an unreadable expression on his handsome face. Lissa came and stood on the right side, being careful to keep a safe distance between them.
“I’ve called you all here for a council of war,” Councilor Rast said, his truegreen eyes flashing. “We’ve had word from the Mother Ship that Draven has attacked another Kindred—Merrick, the hybrid who was here on a pilgrimage not that long ago.”
“Oh, no!” Lissa put a hand to her mouth involuntarily.
“Was anyone hurt? Wasn’t he traveling with the AllFather’s last victim?” Nadiah asked.
“Elise. Yes—they managed to get away—barely,” Rast said grimly. “Apparently Draven is trying to get his hands on a wormhole generator—a ship that can create rips in the space-time continuum at will.”
“A ship like that would be a great tactical advantage,” Saber remarked quietly. “The commander who owned a fleet of such ships could put his army anywhere he wanted to at any given time.”
“That’s exactly what we’re afraid of,” Rast said, frowning. “And that’s the message I need you, Saber, to carry to the Kindred High Council.”
“I will do my best to repeat your words faithfully and represent both First World and Tarsia with honor.” Saber bowed.
“I know you will.” Rast nodded. “But I don’t like to send you without some ideas to present to the Council. What can we do about the Hoard? How were they defeated before, back in my father’s time?”
Nadiah spoke up. “I have some news about that.” She turned to her mate. “As you know, I have been searching the temple library for weeks, looking for the earliest scrolls—the ones that described the period in history when your father, Kall, fought and defeated the Hoard.”
He nodded. “And?”
Nadiah sighed. “I am afraid those records are all missing. They have been sold.”
“What?” Rast gave her a startled look. “Sold? By who? And to who?”
“Sold by Minverna.” Nadiah shook her head. “Apparently before her death she’d been pilfering the library for some time, selling some of the temple’s most ancient records and artifacts to collectors in the Ganda system.”
Lissa's stomach dropped and her cheeks felt like they were on fire. My fault! It’s my fault Minverna felt free to do such things. If only I had been a better high priestess, if only I had kept a better eye on her instead of letting her intimidate me, she never would have been able to get away with it! she thought, feeling sick.
Councilor Rast frowned, clearly missing Lissa’s reaction to the news. “But why would anyone outside First World have any interest in our past?”
Nadiah shrugged. “Apparently any kind of memorabilia from the ‘Hoard Wars,’ as people call them, is extremely valuable. Minverna made a very tidy sum which she stored in an off-planet account.”
“Well did you at least find out who bought them?” Rast demanded. “We need to get them back! If we can find out how my father defeated this bastard, we might stand a fighting chance of beating him ourselves—before it’s too late.”
“I narrowed it down to several collectors—apparently Minverna sold to more than one individual.” Nadiah unfolded a scrap of parchment and handed the list to Rast. “They all live on Yonnie Six, as far as I can tell.”
“Yonnie Six?” Saber frowned. “I know of that world. It’s a matriarchal society, made up of extremely wealthy, sensation seeking females.” He bowed to Rast. “My Challa, I would offer to go there as your emissary to try and buy or bargain for your lost scrolls, but I fear it wouldn’t do any good. The Yonites hold males in the lowest esteem, deeming them worthy only to do manual labor or act as body-slaves.”
Lissa took a deep breath. “I’ll go.”
“What?” Nadiah looked startled.
Lissa took a step forward, her heart pounding. “It’s my fault those scrolls were stolen in the first place,” she said. “I should have been keeping a closer watch on Minverna. Instead, I left her to her own devices, allowing her to intimidate me because she had been my superior for so long. So I’ll go to Yonnie Six. I’ll pose as a wealthy female of means—someone interested in buying antiquities. I can work my way through the list of collectors Minverna sold to and find the one who bought the scrolls.”
Councilor Rast raised an eyebrow at her. “And what if you find them and whoever bought them doesn’t want to give them up?”
Then…” She took a deep breath. “I’ll steal them. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to recover the scrolls but I swear to you, my Challa, I will bring them home to First World.”
“High Priestess,” Councilor Rast said formally. “I want you to know that we do not hold you responsible for the theft of the scrolls.”
“No, but I do.” Lissa lifted her chin. “And I will be the one to recover them.”
“Not alone, you won’t.” Saber stepped forward. “I’ll go with her.”
“What? No!” Lissa exclaimed before she could stop herself. “We can’t…you shouldn’t…”
“Shouldn’t what?” Saber frowned at her. “Shouldn’t protect my little sister? For all that it’s a matriarchal society, Yonnie Six is a dangerous place, Lissa. If your deceptio
n is discovered, you could be in grave danger.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Nadiah frowned. “Maybe I should go instead.”
“Oh, no you don’t!” Rast frowned at her. “I can’t go with you to protect you—I’m tied to this planet, remember? And you’re not going anywhere without me, sweetheart.”
“Well I don’t think we should be putting Lissa in danger either,” Nadiah protested. “We shouldn’t ask anyone to do something we wouldn’t do ourselves.”
“My Lady,” Saber said, bowing to Nadiah. “We are well aware that you and Councilor Rast would go on this mission if you could. But as he points out, Rast is bound to this planet. And he could not rule effectively if he was worried for your safety.”
Nadiah frowned, clearly not convinced. “Well how are you going to protect Lissa? I thought you said they looked down on males there and thought they were only worthy to do hard labor.”
“Or to act as body-slaves,” Lissa reminded her faintly.
“Exactly.” Saber nodded. “I will pretend to be Lissa’s body-slave.” He looked thoughtful. “Actually, having me act as her slave will be a good thing—it will lend credibility to her disguise. No respected female of wealth and title would be caught anywhere without her trusty body-slave.”
Rast nodded. “It sounds like a good idea to me.” He looked at Nadiah. “Well, sweetheart? What do you think?”
She sighed. “I guess if we have to send Lissa into danger, I would feel better knowing she has someone who cares for her to protect her.”
Lissa felt her cheeks growing hot again. This was really going to happen—Saber was going to come with her all the way to the Ganda system if she didn’t find a way to stop it. She imagined them stuck together in a cramped little ship, unable to keep out of each other’s way, unable to help brushing against each other, touching… “Indeed,” she said loudly, stepping forward again. “I, uh, greatly appreciate Saber’s kind offer, but it is really not necessary.”
“Oh yes it is,” Councilor Rast growled. “Call me a sexist pig if you want, but you’re a woman with no special weapons training and you’re going to a distant, dangerous planet. I don’t want you going in there without backup. Saber goes with you, or I’ll find someone else to retrieve the scrolls.”
“I’m sorry, Lissa, but I have to agree with Rast on this one,” Nadiah said apologetically. “I don’t like the idea of you so far from home all by yourself, either. Especially if it’s going to be dangerous.”
Lissa felt a knot forming in her stomach but she nodded submissively anyway—what else could she do? “Of course, my Challa, my Lysell. Thank you both for your concern.”
“I’ll take good care of her, Councilor Rast,” Saber added, casting a sidelong glance at Lissa. She glanced back and then looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. “Very good care of her,” Saber said.
“I know you will, Saber. We’re lucky to have you on our side.” Rast smiled at him. “So it’s settled—the two of you need to go to the Mother Ship first and give my message to the Kindred High Council. After that, you’re going to Yonnie Six to get those scrolls back any way you can.”
Lissa and Saber bowed together. “Yes, Councilor,” Lissa murmured.
“All right then.” Rast clapped his hands together. “I guess we’re all done here. Lissa, Saber—go get packed.”
Lissa nodded once more and turned to go. She kept her face impassive but her stomach was churning. All alone with Saber for who knew how long? Goddess, what was she going to do? How could she possibly hide her feelings and keep herself from breaking the strict taboos of her people?
“You’ll be all right.” Nadiah skipped down the steps that led up to the Seat of Wisdom and joined her. “And don’t worry about the Mother Ship—I’ll call ahead and tell my friend Sophie and her kin that you’re coming. You’re just going to love them, Lissa—they’re the sweetest girls you’d ever want to meet.”
“Thank you, my Lady,” Lissa murmured dully. “I—” But suddenly her path was blocked by Saber’s tall form.
“My Lady Nadiah,” he said, inclining his head to Nadiah formally. “If you please, I would like a word with my little sister.”
“Of course.” Nadiah frowned. “Although maybe you should just call her your friend. Or maybe your clanswoman or something like that? Something that doesn’t sound quite so…I don’t know, familial.”
“But we are family, by the laws of our people, my Lady,” Saber murmured. “And that is what I wish to speak to Lissa about.”
“Of course. I’m sorry.” Nadiah stepped aside. “I’ll see you later, Lissa.”
Lissa wanted to hold on to her friend, to beg Nadiah not to go and leave her alone with Saber. But before she could form the words, the Lysell was gone, running lightly down the steep temple steps to join the Challa who had glided down, using his wings. Lissa was all alone with Saber, with no choice but to finally speak to him.
“Saber—” she began but he cut her off.
“I know you’ve been avoiding me, Lissa, and I know why, too.”
“What?” Her eyes flew wide and she looked at him guiltily. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean,” Saber said quietly. “We haven’t spoken since that day in your room when I held your hands.”
“Saber!” Though she knew they were alone, Lissa couldn’t help looking around to make sure no one could hear his scandalous admission. “Please,” she said. “That…that was a mistake. I should never have asked…”
“Don’t blame yourself,” he said, looking at her steadily with those gold-flecked eyes she found it so hard not to fall into. “I wanted your touch as much as you wanted mine.”
“Saber!” Her cheeks were so hot Lissa was certain she would go up in flames at any minute. “You mustn’t talk like that,” she hissed. “We’re of the same clan! You’re my brother!”
“And you’re my cherished little sister who I am sworn to protect,” he said softly. “And nothing more. I want you to know, Lissa, that you don’t have to worry about anything…improper happening between us. I’ll guard you with my life but I will not touch you. Or Touch you, either, I swear.”
Lissa heard the emphasis he placed on the word “Touch” and knew what he meant. Saber was promising to keep his distance, both physically and mentally, from her. A part of her felt relief at his promise. But another part—a part she’d striven to bury deep and never think about—felt an unutterable sadness.
He’s my brother in all but blood, she reminded herself. It’s good that he’s promising this. Good that he’s swearing not to lay a finger—not even a whisper-finger—on me. So then why did it make her feel so sad?
Lissa didn’t know. She pushed the useless emotion ruthlessly away and nodded at Saber. “Thank you for your promise, my brother. I feel better about going on this mission with you now.”
“Of course.” He inclined his head and turned away. But before he did, Lissa thought she saw a sorrow shadowing his golden-flecked eyes. A sorrow so deep there were no words to express it.
Chapter Forty-seven
“So you got your bond back after all! Oh, Elise, I couldn’t be happier for you.” Olivia grinned at her ecstatically.
All the girls were all gathered in Elise and Merrick’s new suite for brunch. It hadn’t exactly been a planned event but Elise had been too happy about her new bond not to share the news. And when Olivia had heard, she’d declared a celebration.
“Liv is so happy for you she’d jump up and down and hug you—if she could just get off the couch,” Kat said dryly. “But she’s too busy being extremely pregnant and eating creamed-spinach-and-strawberry waffles at the moment.”
“You be quiet.” Liv shook a finger at her friend sternly. “You’re going to pay for all these little comments when you get preggers yourself, you know.”
“Can’t do that until I get married, doll.” Kat winked at her.
“And she can’t get married until she works up the guts to tell her grand
ma she’s meeting two grooms at the altar instead of one,” Sophie, who was working the waffle iron, said.
“Look who’s talking about guts,” Kat remarked. “When are you taking that pregnancy test, Sophie?”
“Actually, I already took it,” Sophia said calmly.
“What?” they all gasped in unison.
“When?” asked Lauren.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Olivia demanded.
“What was the result?” Elise chimed in.
“I don’t know yet.” Sophie looked uncertain. “I had Sylvan run it last night on the little machine he brought home but he said the results were inconclusive. So he took some more blood and he’s running it again at the med center today.”
“Inconclusive?” Liv frowned. “How can it be inconclusive? Either you’re pregnant or you’re not.”
“I don’t know.” Sophie looked worried. “I wish I did.”
“Oh Sophie, I'm sorry.” Kat rose and went to put an arm around her. “Are you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Sophia nodded bravely. “Sylvan told me not to worry—he said everything was fine, he just…said he needed a second opinion.” She sniffed and straightened her shoulders. “But we’re not here to talk about me. I want to know how Elise got her bond with Merrick back. I thought it was supposed to be impossible since he’s a hybrid.”
“We really don’t know,” Elise said, putting down her mug of hot klava, a coffee-like drink that was popular aboard the Mother Ship. “We didn’t really have any indication, it just…well, it just happened when we, you know…”She blushed.
“And did the bonding fruit do the trick?” Kat asked, grinning.
Elise nodded. “Only I ate too much of it. I, uh, sort of overdosed. Even though you told me not to.”
“Oh, no!” Lauren put a hand to her mouth. “I did that once and I had poor Xairn up half the night trying to, uh, put out the fire, so to speak.”
Elise laughed. “Well to be honest, we only got about two or three hours sleep last night. But other than being a little sleepy, I feel great.”
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