Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  She realized with a start that she’d been walking, her feet carrying her of their own volition toward the Shrine, and Dzaka.

  *

  The den door opened and Dzaka stood there with a haunted look on his face.

  Carrie put her comp book aside. “Come in, Dzaka. What’s the problem? It isn’t about Kitra, is it?”

  The door slid shut behind him and he came over to her, ears back and tail swaying in apprehension.

  “You know?” he asked as Carrie used her wrist comm to trigger the privacy lock on the door.

  She nodded. “Sit down, Dzaka. There’s no need to stand on ceremony with me.”

  Dzaka perched unhappily on the edge of the chair opposite her, noticeably trying to keep his face out of the light.

  “What’s happened?”

  “Kitra!” The one word said it all.

  Carrie tried hard to suppress a grin and failed.

  “It isn’t funny, Liegena,” he said. “What do I do?”

  “What do you want to do?”

  He looked at her. “No offense, Liegena, but I want her to leave me alone! What else should I want?”

  “What happened to your face?” she asked.

  “Nothing, Liegena.”

  “I know when I’m not being told the truth,” she said quietly. “Who did it? Was it Rulla? I heard about the last bit of bother you had with him.”

  “Not Rulla,” said Dzaka. “I don’t know for sure, but I think it was some of the estate workers—from the main estate, not here.”

  Carrie was furious. “They ambushed you? I’ll see they don’t get away with it, Dzaka,” she said. “Where is Kitra at the moment?”

  “At the Shrine. I spoke to Ghyan before she arrived and he delayed her so I could leave.”

  “What did you tell Ghyan?”

  “Just asked him to keep Kitra busy for a short while so I could leave without her following me,” he said, looking at the floor.

  Using her wrist comm, Carrie called Ghyan. “Is Kitra still with you?” she asked.

  “Yes, Carrie. She’s in the Shrine room filling the incense holders for me.”

  “Find another reason to keep her there for at least an hour, Ghyan. Dzaka’s sought sanctuary with me and we need to talk this over with Rhyasha.”

  “Will do. I’ll offer her third meal,” he said, his expression and the set of his ears showing his complete understanding of the situation.

  “Thank you, Ghyan,” she said, then cut the connection. “You heard what’s happening, Dzaka. I’m going to call Rhyasha; she’ll want to talk to you.”

  She saw the look of utter panic that crossed his face and leaned forward to touch his hand reassuringly. “No, she isn’t going to be angry with you, nor is anyone else in the family, Dzaka. Trust me on this. She needs to speak to you before she speaks to Kitra, no matter what you decide. Actually, she and I have been waiting for this to happen, so it’s no surprise. You haven’t said anything to Kitra yet, have you?”

  He shook his head. “She’s a child, Liegena. She can’t know what she’s doing. How could I say anything to her?”

  “Has she said anything to you?”

  Again the negative head shake. “She tried, that’s why I went to the Shrine. It’s how she’s behaving—following me around, anxious to touch me—you know what I mean. She’s just so open about it!”

  “So that’s why the other males were warning you away from her,” said Carrie. “You go to the kitchen and make a pot of c’shar for the three of us while I speak to Rhyasha.”

  He got to his feet. “Liegena,” he said, “where’s the Liege?”

  “With his father up at the main house,” said Carrie. “I told you, there’s no need to worry.”

  When he’d gone, she went over to the desk comm and called Rhyasha.

  “Would this have anything to do with the fact that Kitra’s staying for third meal with the priest?” she asked.

  “Partly. Kitra’s definitely chosen Dzaka,” Carrie said, “And he’s feeling positively hounded by her. There’s something else. Dzaka’s been warned away from her by several people. The other night four estate workers ambushed him.”

  “What! Was he hurt?”

  “Some. A cut face, and judging by the way he’s moving, bruised ribs.”

  “That will be dealt with,” said Rhyasha angrily, “I’ll be over shortly.”

  *

  Settled with a mug of c’shar, Dzaka waited for Rhyasha to arrive. Despite what Carrie said, he was worried. A lot of people were waiting for the opportunity to find fault with him and this could well give them their excuse.

  Rhyasha arrived minutes later, her long woolen robe swirling round her ankles as she swept into the den.

  “It really feels like winter’s here, doesn’t it?” she said. “Let me see your face, Dzaka.” She beckoned him over. “I won’t stand for this kind of lawless behavior. I’ll catch the culprits, never fear.”

  While Carrie poured Rhyasha a drink, Dzaka reluctantly went over to her. Taking hold of his chin, she examined his cut cheek. “Nasty,” she said. “And your ribs?”

  “Just bruised,” he said, wincing as she ran her hand across his side.

  “More than that, I think,” she said, waving him back to his seat as she settled herself on the settee. “Do you know who they were?”

  “No, Clan Leader. Clan Leader, I haven’t done anything to Kitra,” he said anxiously, still hovering in front of her.

  “I know you haven’t, Dzaka,” Rhyasha said, taking her mug from Carrie. “Sit down so I can talk to you.”

  “I think I should leave this to the two of you,” Carrie murmured, beginning to rise.

  “No, stay, Carrie,” said Rhyasha. “One day you’ll have to do this for your daughter. You might as well learn about it now.” She waited until Dzaka was once more perched on the edge of his seat.

  “You’re probably as confused as Kitra is right now, aren’t you?” She saw his affirmative gesture. “It’s quite simple, really. Females mature earlier, Dzaka, and that’s what’s happening right now to Kitra. Parents notice this, and start watching their daughters, as we did, to see which male she’s drawn to. You, in Kitra’s case.”

  “She’s only a child, Clan Leader! I want nothing to do with her, she’s far too young!” he exclaimed. The whole situation was ridiculous, couldn’t they see that?

  “She’s old enough, believe me, Dzaka, or she wouldn’t be coming into her first season,” said Rhyasha drily. “She’s going to chase the male of her choice, and she’s going to pair with him, and nothing we can do will stop her, even if we wanted to! It’s the way we are, just as you young males are driven with a need to father cubs. I take it you’ve never paired with a virgin before?”

  Dzaka shut his eyes briefly. This couldn’t be happening to him! “No, I haven’t. My lovers were all older than Kitra by several years. I lost my mate and cub on Szurtha, Clan Leader, and there’s been no one since then.” As he spoke, he felt their loss afresh.

  “I’m truly sorry to hear that, Dzaka,” said Rhyasha sympathetically, “but that doesn’t deal with this problem. Kitra seems like a child to you now, but believe me, she’ll change almost in front of your eyes when you’re alone with her. My responsibility now is to see that the male she chooses will be sensitive to her needs and her age. As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, the wrong lover at this stage in her life could do untold damage. So, now that you know my daughter’s chosen you, and that I approve of her choice, what do you want to do about it?”

  “Nothing! I want nothing to do with her, Clan Leader!” he said.

  “Do you dislike her? Find her unattractive?”

  Dzaka floundered, trying to find the right words. “I’ve never thought of her like that.” He was beginning to feel as if he was trapped in quicksand. The more he refused, the more the Clan Leader was ignoring what he said.

  “That’s good. For a moment, Dzaka, imagine you have a daughter like Kitra. What sort of person would you l
ike to be her first lover?”

  “Someone who’ll put her needs first, of course. Someone who isn’t interested in only pleasing himself—but she isn’t my daughter!”

  “No, she isn’t, but listen to what you’ve just said. You’ve just described yourself, Dzaka. An older male who has enough experience to please her, not himself. So wouldn’t you agree that you’d make an ideal first lover for her?”

  “Yes—No! Oh Gods! I don’t know what to say, Clan Leader,” he exclaimed, putting his head in his hands in desperation.

  “One tiny, little word, Dzaka. Yes.”

  “But Clan Leader …!”

  “Yes, Dzaka,” insisted Rhyasha.

  Dzaka looked from her to Carrie. “Liegena!” The panic was audible in his voice.

  “She’s right, Dzaka,” said Carrie. “Imagine if you refuse her and she goes to one of the estate lads—lads or males like the ones who jumped you the other night. She’s chosen you. Don’t turn her down.”

  “You’re not going to help me, are you?” he said. “You’ll let her plague me till I have to say yes, or refuse and hurt her.”

  “This isn’t a long term relationship we’re talking about Dzaka,” said Rhyasha. “What you do after tonight is up to the two of you, nothing to do with me.”

  “It isn’t?” His ears began to right themselves. “Tonight?!”

  “No, it isn’t. Should you wish to stay together for a while I have no objections.”

  “I think what Rhyasha means,” said Carrie tentatively looking at the other female, “is that she’s pleased Kitra chose you out of the males available on our estates.”

  Rhyasha frowned. “Isn’t that what I said?”

  “No,” said Carrie. “It isn’t.”

  “Dzaka, I’m sorry,” she said, ears flicking as her eyes widened in embarrassment. “I am glad she chose you. You’re so …” she stopped, looking for the right word.

  “Competent? Patient?” suggested Carrie with a slight smile.

  “Yes!” said Rhyasha, relaxing again. “And kind. You’ve been so very gentle with her feelings, even though you’ve been victimized because of her.”

  “If Dzaka did agree to … ah … be with Kitra,” said Carrie, “Wouldn’t that make him even more of a target?”

  Rhyasha frowned. “No. Dzaka and Kitra will accompany me to your dig site tomorrow morning, and I will make sure they all see that I’ve sanctioned their relationship.”

  Carrie nodded. “That would certainly help silence any criticism. Kusac, I’m sure, will do the same.”

  “You’ll find our males are only too happy to leave these matters to us, cub! That’s agreed, then,” she said, a satisfied note to her voice. She picked up her mug for the first time and took a long drink from it. “Have you a guest room here that they can use? I think it better for them to be here than at home.”

  “Yes. There’s a room next door to the nursery they can have,” said Carrie.

  “In which case,” she said, finishing her drink and standing up, “I’ll go and fetch Kitra, and you can show Dzaka the room.”

  Dzaka had given up protesting his lack of interest. Neither of the females was going to listen to him anyway so what was the point? Sighing, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for a moment. At least after tomorrow, he’d no longer be a target for those who thought he was using Kitra. Then he remembered Mara. The knowledge that he’d chosen Kitra would make her leave the youngling alone, stop her trying to push Kitra away from him. That would be another weight off his mind.

  *

  About half an hour later, Rhyasha returned with Kitra. A rather subdued Kitra whom she left with Dzaka in the guest suite.

  Dzaka suddenly found himself alone with her. He still wasn’t sure how Rhyasha and Carrie had talked him into this. They stood there, trying not to look at each other, he under no illusions as to her feelings toward him because of his empathic ability. He watched her walk past him to stand at the window, looking out onto the inner garden.

  He knew someone had to make the first move, and as the experienced one, it fell to him. Joining her at the window, he placed his hand on her shoulder, making her jump and turn round half in fear.

  “It’s all right,” he said, taking a step back. “I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do. We can sit and talk all night if you like.”

  “Can we talk?” she asked.

  “Of course.” He held out his hand to her and cautiously she took it.

  They sat down, Kitra backing herself up against the armrest, he sitting a short distance from her. Gradually, he became aware of her scent. It brought back memories of Nnya. Hers had carried the same undertone of a female anxious to pair. The small hand he still held within his fluttered gently like a trapped bird, banishing the memories. It was more seductive than anything a mature female could have done.

  “Do you mind me choosing you?” she asked, laying her ears back in embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble.”

  “You haven’t caused any trouble, Kitra,” he said, keeping his voice low. For the first time, he began to look at her as a lover would.

  Physically she took after her mother, her pelt a light golden color. Carrie had been right, the darker banding of her childhood had almost disappeared. Today her hair was unbound, forming a pale cloud of soft waves that reached to below her shoulders. A pair of large brown eyes looked rather apprehensively at him.

  He reached out with his other hand to touch her cheek, surprised at how soft it was. “I don’t mind you choosing me, Kitra,” he said, realizing as he moved slightly closer to her, that he was speaking the truth.

  *

  That night was one of discoveries for both of them. He realized her mother had spoken no more than the truth. Almost before his eyes, the kitling vanished, to be replaced by a young female.

  As they lay entwined, her hands began to push through the longer fur on the front of his body, teasing him back to a state of interest. Rousing himself, as he leaned forward to gently nip her cheek, sensations that were not his began to gradually build in him until, shocked by their intensity, he lifted his head to look down at her.

  Eyes almost closed, her breath coming in short gasps, she reached down till her hands circled his hips, pulling him closer. As she began to climax, her claws extended just enough to ensure he was there with her, sharing their combined sensations in a way he’d never experienced before.

  His last coherent thought was to wonder why he’d ever thought Kitra was still a child. All she lacked was experience.

  Then teach me, her voice said within his mind. Show me what will please us both.

  With the touch of her mind, the ache of loneliness was washed away and frantically he sought her mouth, trying to keep his bites gentle. Across her cheek to her ear he went, feeling her shuddering in pleasure against him. He’d been alone for too long.

  Then it was over, and he lay there with her clasped close within his arms.

  Is it always that good? she sent, eyes large with wonder as she looked at him.

  “It can be,” he smiled. “It depends who you’re with.”

  “Will you stay with me?” she asked anxiously.

  “For a while,” he said, stroking her cheek. “While you need me.”

  “A long while?” He could see her ears tilting apprehensively and against his leg, he felt her tail start to flick.

  “A long while,” he heard himself saying as he realized that was what he wanted too.

  *

  Sleep didn’t come easy that night for either Carrie or Kusac. Carrie’s dreams were dark with the sense of danger for Kaid. They culminated in her waking with a cry of pain and terror.

  Trying to comfort her, Kusac experienced it through her memory and resolved that come the morning, something would have to be done, starting with contacting Father Lijou.

  At first light, he contacted Stronghold only to be told Father Lijou was unobtainable till later in the day. Grabbing a quick firs
t meal, Kusac left Carrie sleeping and headed across the road for the house where the Terran archaeologists were staying.

  Zhyaf and Mara were waiting for him there. Mara was in her element again as their visitors, curious for information about the Sholans, quizzed her about her life on the estate and with her Leska.

  Kusac briefed them on the work that had already been done at the site, then they all made their way to the dig.

  While they were being shown round the first chamber, one of Ni’Zulhu’s people came to him with a message from General Raiban’s aide. Excusing himself, Kusac left them in Jack’s care and headed for the aircar outside to take the call.

  “Sub-Lieutenant Aldatan,” said the aide. “I apologize for the short notice, but we have to act swiftly in this matter. General Raiban has issued you with an invitation to come to the Forces Headquarters in Sonashi. Some information has come to light through one of our field agents, lately based at Chezy, that will be of interest to you. If you could be here for the tenth hour, it would be appreciated.”

  “I’ll be there,” said Kusac.

  If he was to get there on time, he had to leave virtually immediately. As he hurried inside to get T’Chebbi, he sent to Carrie.

  I know. I picked it up front you, she sent. Is it Kaid?

  Has to be. Don’t contact Lijou in case it alerts Ghezu. If Raiban’s had an agent in Fyak’s camp, then they’re bound to have up-to-date information on Kaid. Let’s see what they come up with first.

  All right. Keep in touch.

  You’ll know the second I do, he promised.

  *

  Konis and Rhyasha were finishing breakfast in the family kitchen when the main house attendant came with a message from the gatehouse.

  “Guild Master Esken and Senior Tutor Sorli are requesting a meeting with you, Clan Lord.”

  Konis glanced at his mate in surprise. “Tell Ni’Zulhu I’ll see them, Che’Quul. Bring them here when they arrive.”