by S. E. Smith
Trouble, he thought with a grimace, twisting around and striking out for the shore. The moment he was in shallow enough water to put his feet down, he did. He wanted to put as much distance as possible between him and the Usoleum Councilor he met back on Earth.
He ran the back of his hand across his heated lips. He could still taste her. It was a good thing his back was to her, otherwise she would notice the physical evidence of his reaction to her. It suddenly occurred to him that she would have been aware of it when she was pressed against him.
Damn it! Well, he wasn’t going to remind her by giving her a second look. He was sure that would thrill her even more – not.
Destin muttered a string of expletives under his breath as he exited the water. He strode across the beach, passing the film of dark blue material lying against the white sand. He kept his back to her while he grabbed his jogging pants and pulled them on with stiff fingers. He ran his fingers through his soaked hair. The dark brown strands were cut into a short, military style and would dry soon enough.
Destin grabbed his T-shirt off the boulder. It was still damp from his run and he decided it wasn’t worth pulling it on. He drew in a deep, calming breath and slowly released it before turning around to make sure Jersula had made it back to shore. He would feel pretty rotten if she drowned while he was trying to hide the major hard-on he had. He could just see himself trying to explain that to Razor and the Trivator council!
A frustrated groan escaped him when he saw her emerge from the water in the form-fitting blue material that left very little to the imagination. Destin’s gaze froze on the twin peaks of her nipples pressing against the fabric, and he swallowed hard. They were hard pebbles, perfect for….
“It has been too damn long since I’ve been with a woman,” he muttered under his breath.
He forced his eyes back to her face. His lips quirked up at the corners when he saw her eyes were still shooting indignant sparks. She looked a hell of a lot different than she did when he first met her. He found her fascinating then, too, which hadn’t helped his temper during their one and only meeting.
Her long silky white hair, glacier blue eyes, and unusual blue lips had made it difficult to look away. She was an ethereal ice queen. At the time, he was furious with himself for reacting like that to an alien. He had thought she must have been cast in the same mold as Badrick, but the woman angrily snatching up the silky fabric off the sand was anything but icy. He remembered her heated breaths and the softness of her lips.
She clutched the fabric in front of her and her long legs cut across the loose crystals, quickly closing the distance between them. He couldn’t help but notice that her hair was the same color as the sparkling sand. Her cheeks were a slightly darker blue than before and matched the deep color of her eyes. He would have to remember that when she was angry, her eyes changed to the color of the ocean back home.
She was breathing heavily by the time she stopped in front of him. His gaze swept over her face, noticing the strand of hair stuck to her cheek. Without thinking, he tenderly brushed it back.
“I’m glad you are alright. When I first saw you floating along the bottom, I feared you were dead,” he murmured.
Sula’s lips parted in surprise. She swallowed and lifted her hand to touch her cheek, pausing when she felt his hand hovering near it.
“Why… Why did you kiss me?” she asked softly.
Destin dropped his hand to his side and he glanced over her shoulder to the ocean behind her. In his mind, the countless faces of those he had to bury over the years superimposed over her face as she lay so still under the water. He didn’t look at her when he replied.
“I thought you had drowned. When I touched you, you opened your eyes and I saw your lips part. I was afraid that you would inhale water and choke. It was the only way I could think of to protect you,” he replied with a shrug. “Anyway, I’m glad you are okay. I apologize if I offended you. It wasn’t intentional. I’ve got to go,” he said in a stiff tone.
“I…,” Sula started to say, but her voice faded when he turned and started to walk away. “Human… Destin!”
Sula’s soft voice called out behind him before he had gone more than a few strides. Destin slowed to a stop and partially turned to look back at the alien ice queen who had captured his attention over a year ago. He waited for her to speak again. She swallowed and lifted her chin.
“Thank you,” she said. “… for trying to save me, even though it was not necessary.”
Destin bowed his head in acknowledgement and turned away. As ghosts from his past rose up to choke him, he knew he needed to put some space between them. Sula was alive, not dead like so many others he had been responsible for. Over the past year, he had worked hard on learning to control the haunting thoughts that often tried to drown him. There were too many would’ve, could’ve, should’ve moments over the last seven years that could never be changed. Dwelling on those memories did nothing but pull him into a deep abyss that threatened to suffocate him.
Sula was in no danger at all and that should be the end of it. There was no reason to keep touching her. It threw him off balance that he had this aching need to feel her lithe body against his again, regardless of whether he had a reason or not.
This reaction was much more intense than the first time he saw her. At that time, he was still reeling from everything that had happened – Colbert’s death, Kali being wounded and leaving the planet, the loss of the men who had fought beside him, and the realization that he now had what he wanted – Chicago to rebuild. That, on top of discovering how many women and young girls were kidnapped from Earth for the Usoleum Councilor’s greed, made his physical attraction to the new Councilor too much to deal with at the time.
Destin focused on the narrow gap in the rocks in front of him. The moment he was on the other side, he broke into a fast jog. He didn’t stop until he reached the back gate to Kali and Razor’s home.
When Sula had called out to him, her gaze was focused on the maze of scars across his back. When he half turned, she noticed more on his thick arms and chest, but it was the one on his left cheek that had briefly frozen the words on her lips. Her fingers had ached to trace it. What happened to him back on the planet he called home?
She didn’t move until he had disappeared. Glancing down, she shook out the silk cover and slipped it back on. A frown creased her brow when she saw a necklace in the sand near the boulder where Destin Parks had retrieved his clothes.
She walked over to it and picked it up. Her fingers brushed the sand from the small oval disk. Strange symbols, written in the language of the humans, were engraved on the front of it. The medallion appeared to be able to slide apart. Unsure if she should try to see what was inside or not, Sula bit her lip and looked back in the direction Destin had disappeared.
“What harm can it do?” she murmured with a shrug.
It took her a moment to figure out how to work the slide. A tiny catch held it closed. Once the catch was released, the rectangular metal piece slid open. On the side facing her was the image of a young, dark-haired little girl smiling back at her. Frowning, she turned the piece over and saw another image, this one slightly faded. It was of an older woman. She had the same dark hair and shining eyes of the little girl – and of Destin. A series of numbers were etched into the back of the medallion.
Sula knew this must be Destin’s family. She carefully closed the piece and pushed the catch back into place. The long, leather cord had a clasp at the end. Destin must have taken it off before he went for a swim.
Her gaze moved back out to the water. For a moment, she could feel his lips against hers and his strong hands on her waist. Her eyelashes fluttered down and a soft moan escaped her when she remembered his body against hers. She had never felt such a reaction to a male before and it shocked her. Especially given who he was and how he had reacted to her when they first met. It was surreal.
Sula lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck. She had no po
ckets and didn’t want to take a chance of losing it. She would find out where Destin was staying and have a courier deliver it to him. She went through the gap in the rocks and retraced her earlier steps, this time at a slower pace. Her fingers trembled slightly when she lifted them to touch the medallion.
“Well, now I know that Destin Parks did not die back on his planet. What I would like to know is why he is here on Rathon,” she whispered, staring down the long beach. “And will he be staying here or returning to his world?”
A growing sense of urgency filled her the closer she got to her transport. She needed answers. It might take her a while to find them, but she was very tenacious. She wouldn’t stop until she found out what she wanted to know about a certain human male.
Destin’s Hold
Sample of Touching Rune
Synopsis
Rune August has lived again and again through many different time periods, but has never found tranquility until she walked into St. Agnes Home for Orphans in New York City in 1894. When her new home is endangered, she doesn’t hesitate to fight back – and win. But that win comes at a terrible price.
Refusing to leave the children unprotected, she watches over and protects them in a different form… as the beloved statue in their center garden. But eventually the orphanage is renovated, and Rune finds herself packed away and sold.
Sergei Vasiliev and his best friend and bodyguard, Dimitri Mihailov, run one of the most powerful computer software development companies in the world. Both men carry deep scars from their life on the streets and from living in the world of the ultra-rich. Sergei knows men want him for his power and women want him for his money. Dimitri knows that some people would do anything to gain the secrets their company is developing.
Sergei purchases the statue for their home outside of Moscow because there is something… enthralling about it. He knows Dimitri will see it, too.
Read on for the just over three chapters of Touching Rune!
Chapter 1
New York City, St. Agnes Orphanage 1894
“Rune, look at me!” Mary Katherine cried out as she twirled around in the new dress that Sister Helen had made for her. “Don’t I look beautiful? Do you think the Wrights will choose me?”
Rune grinned as the excited six-year-old twirled around in a circle so her dress would fly out around her. Sister Mary stood to the side, smiling serenely. Neither one of them let on that the faded dress had seen better days or had been passed down time and time again. To both of them, Mary Katherine looked beautiful with her shiny brown curls and rosy cheeks.
“I think the last thing you need is a bouquet of flowers to give Mrs. Wright,” Rune said as she pulled out the leftover flowers she had tucked away for just this occasion. “I bet she would love them as much as she’ll love you.”
Mary Katherine gasped and ran over to give Rune a huge hug before she carefully took the small offering. Her eyes shone with excitement as she stared into Rune’s warm brown eyes. A small dimple formed as she smiled up at Rune.
“Oh thank you, Rune,” Mary Katherine whispered. “I’ll take very good care of them until they come.”
“It is a good thing they won’t be long,” Sister Anna said sternly from behind Mary Katherine. “Come along, Mary Katherine. The Wrights are here to see you now.”
Rune leaned down and hugged the delicate little girl. “Remember to smile and be polite,” she whispered. “They are going to love you as much as I do.”
“I love you too, Rune,” Mary Katherine whispered before she gave Rune a quick kiss on her cheek.
“Go shine for them, rosebud,” Rune whispered back as she watched Mary Katherine follow Sister Anna into the orphanage.
Sister Mary walked over to where Rune stood watching the departing figures. She brushed a strand of long dark brown hair back behind Rune’s ear that had fallen loose. She studied the face of the young woman who had appeared out of nowhere five years before when they desperately needed help.
A serious outbreak of Whooping Cough had struck the orphanage. The four Sisters of St. Agnes had been unable to handle the almost thirty children who contracted it. Rune had walked in and taken over when Sister Helen and Mother Magdalene came down sick as well. She had been a part of their small family ever since.
“Do you think they’ll adopt her?” Rune asked in a soft, worried voice.
“Only God knows, child,” Sister Mary said. “My goodness, what happened to your wrist?”
Rune looked down at her wrist in surprise. She started to pull the sleeve of her blouse back over it, but Sister Mary reached down and gently gripped her hand so she could take a closer look at the dark bruises that marred the delicate skin.
“It’s nothing,” Rune started to say, but Sister Mary refused to release her right wrist.
“Who did this to you?” Sister Mary asked in concern. “Was it that dreadful Mr. Randolph?”
“Sister Mary,” Rune sighed. “He came to see me over in the market. I took care of him. There is nothing to worry about.”
“What did he want?” Sister Mary demanded. “Was it about the orphanage again? The church will not sell him the property. We have a written agreement from the Archbishop himself that as long as there are children living here, it will remain open.”
“I told him that,” Rune replied, looking around the garden that she had created for the children. “He… wanted me to convince you that you needed to change the Archbishop’s mind or he would have to take matters into his own hands.”
“You need to tell Mother Magdalene. She needs to know he threatened you,” Sister Mary insisted. “What else did he say?”
Rune blushed and lowered her head. She couldn’t tell the Sisters what else Walter Randolph said. She had become livid at his crude comments and she had let him know she would not let him talk to her in such a manner. She brushed her long braid over her shoulder and shrugged instead of answering Sister Mary.
“He just wanted me to convince Mother Magdalene to talk to the Archbishop,” she mumbled.
Sister Mary’s lips tightened as she looked at the lovely young woman standing in front of her. She could see the flush on her cheeks and the anger in her eyes as she looked at the ground. She reached out and touched Rune’s cheek and smiled in understanding.
“You are a very lovely young woman, Rune,” Sister Mary said. “You have a heart of gold and you have given that gold to not only the children who live here but to the Sisters of St. Agnes. I just want you to know that we are here for you as well.”
Rune lifted her head and gazed at Sister Mary with a look of determination in her eyes. “You… all of you… are the family I lost,” Rune whispered. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll protect you and the children, no matter what Randolph threatens to do.”
“You are part of our family as well, Rune,” Sister Mary said. “Never doubt that.”
Rune smiled and was about to reply when suddenly the center courtyard garden was overflowing with excited children. Mary Katherine came running as fast as her legs could move. She had a huge grin on her face.
“Rune! I’ve got a family,” she called out as she threw herself into Rune’s open arms. “I have a mommy and daddy.”
“And they have a beautiful daughter,” Rune laughed as she swung Mary Katherine around in a circle before setting her down and smiling at the young couple walking toward her.
“I believe these came from you,” the young woman said with a smile as she lifted the small bouquet of flowers. “Thank you.”
Rune smiled back. “No, thank you,” she responded as the other children gathered around to wish Mary Katherine goodbye.
Rune watched with a combination of happiness and sadness. She had dreamed a long time ago about having a family, but it was not meant to be. Instead, she accepted the children and Sisters into her heart and let them fill her life with joy.
She looked around the cheerful garden that she had worked hard on. Brilliant flowers bloomed everywhere. They remin
ded her of the children; each different, delicate yet colorful.
Yes, I will do everything in my power to protect them, she thought as love swelled inside her. This is what I was meant to do.
Chapter 2
Rune turned the corner and held her breath as she pressed her back against the cold brick and mortar building. Walter Randolph and his men were looking for her. She cursed under her breath. Ruby had warned her as she gathered the last of her flowers that had not sold for the day. Ruby, who sold scented soap beside her, had told her that she would take care of everything and have her brother drop it off at the orphanage later that evening.
Rune had barely had time to whisper her thanks before one of Randolph’s men spotted her. Hiking her long skirt up, she had run as fast as she could. She heard Randolph yell out behind her but she wasn’t about to wait.
He’s probably mad about the black eye I gave him yesterday, Rune thought as she dodged between two horse-drawn wagons filled with barrels of fresh fish from the docks. I’ll give him another one today if he tries to touch me again.
She groaned when another one of Randolph’s men spotted her. She was two blocks from the orphanage. She knew the horrid man wouldn’t try anything there. She was fed up with him and his demands. She had to vary her times and the spots where she sold her flowers three times in the last two weeks because of him.
Rune pushed off the wall as the man started down the alley toward her. She turned the corner and ran headfirst into a tall, lanky form. Hard hands grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. With a silent moan, she looked up into the twinkling eyes of Officer Olson Myers.
“Why, Miss August,” he said in his cheerful, deep voice. “Where is the fire?”
