by Karen Kelley
She glanced across the seat as she put the car into park and switched the engine off. Aasera had been quiet on the ride back. She worried about her mother’s silence.
What emotions had gone through her when she discovered the woman was a healer from Nerak? Not only that, a relative—at least as much as anyone from Nerak could claim a blood relation. It had been a little strange for her to even think of Lara as her aunt when she knew they were about the same age.
Her mother had shown very little reaction. It was the Nerakian way. She might have thought it hadn’t affected her mother so very much except the sadness that always lurked somewhere in her mother had come to the forefront. That was evident when Lara had said the people of Nerak were told Aasera’s lifecycle had ended.
The Elders had almost been right. Her soul had died when she went into exile.
“Will you be okay?” Lyraka asked.
Aasera smiled, but even that looked sad. “It was good to see the healer. I’m worried about Torcara. We were once very close.”
Anger flared inside her. Though they’d never really spoken about the Elders, she had her own opinion, and it didn’t coincide with that of her mother’s.
This time, she wouldn’t hold back. “Torcara told everyone you were dead.”
Aasera squared her shoulders. “She did what she had to do to protect Nerak, as she has always done.”
It wouldn’t do any good to argue with her. She’d already learned that from experience, so she let the matter drop.
They got out of the car but before Aasera had taken more than a step, Lyraka asked, “Do you ever regret your decision? If you’d aborted the…pregnancy, no one would’ve known, and you could’ve carried on as if nothing had ever happened. You wouldn’t have even had to tell the Elders.”
Aasera turned and looked at her with a soft smile. “I would’ve known, and it was unacceptable to me.” She shook her head. “I’ve never regretted the choice I made.”
“But you miss Nerak.”
She hesitated. “Yes. I miss it.” She turned and walked to the cabin.
Aasera would meditate for hours. Go to that special place in her mind. The place that Lyraka had never seen and probably never would. Her mother probably didn’t realize it, but she was also shutting out her daughter.
She steeled herself against the pain, told herself it didn’t matter. Aasera had given up a lot so that she would have a chance at life. She deserved her mind travels.
Over the years, she’d reminded herself that Nerakians didn’t have moments of intense emotions. To do so was rare. Unless, of course, one traveled to Earth. She didn’t have to guess what the healer and Sam had been doing.
Lyraka wasn’t just Nerakian, though; she was also a part of Earth, and she had emotions. It was getting harder and harder to hold them in check.
The sound of heavy footsteps alerted her that someone approached. She cocked her head to the side and listened. Had someone overheard her conversation with Aasera? No, she would’ve heard them before now.
She relaxed when Mr. Beacon walked around the side of the building. If she could’ve picked her father, it would be this man. He always seemed to sense when she needed someone to talk to.
She smiled. “Hello, Mr. Beacon.”
“I can’t believe you actually talked your mother into going outside the colony.”
Everything about him was thin, from his hair to his frame. He came and went from the colony. Sometimes, she thought he just wanted to be in the company of artists. As hard as he tried, he just didn’t have an artistic bone in his body.
“We took a drive in the country,” she lied. “I think it did her good.” Mr. Beacon had taught her how to drive a few years ago after she’d pleaded with her mother for a solid month. Aasera had finally given in.
“And did it do you good to be away?”
As much as she enjoyed Mr. Beacon’s company, she knew she had to be careful what she said. Always, she had to watch her words.
“You know me, I love adventure.”
He studied her. “Yet you never leave except to walk in the woods.” His forehead knit in concentration. “You were homeschooled, too, weren’t you?”
“Aasera wanted my artistic side to develop. She said it would be stifled in public school.”
His questions were getting too personal, making her feel uncomfortable. Oh, she knew he offered her no harm. If he did, his true character would’ve been revealed before now. No, he was only a lonely man seeking company.
He nodded. “Of course she would.” He looked toward their cabin. “Aasera is a remarkable woman. I hope whoever hurt her gets his just reward.” He tugged on his cap before walking toward the main building.
Could he have a crush on her mother? Was that the real reason he came back so often? Her mother wasn’t that old, and she was still a very nice-looking woman.
Not that it would do poor Mr. Beacon a bit of good. Her mother never accepted any attentions from the men who drifted into the colony. It was rare she even let them stay, and only with impeccable references.
So why did she let Mr. Beacon come back?
She’d watch them interact the next time they were together. If her mother fell in love, wouldn’t she loosen her hold a little?
Hope sprang inside her, chased by a quick flash of guilt. She was such an ungrateful child.
“Oh, by the way,” Mr. Beacon said, turning around.
“Yes?”
“Did you see the lights?”
Her blood ran cold. She’d hoped no one else had seen them.
“Lights?” she asked as innocently as possible.
“Over in that direction. Very odd, bright flashing lights.”
“No, I haven’t noticed anything.”
“I know what it is.”
She began to tremble. “Wh…what?”
“It’s time to get new glasses.” He grinned. “I should’ve gone back to the doctor last year, but I’ve been putting it off. You think that might be the reason I can’t paint worth a darn? No, don’t answer that.”
She relaxed and laughed as he turned and started walking away from her again.
That had been a close call. She walked toward the woods, losing herself in the thick trees. This is where she felt the most peace, and she really needed some in her life right now.
The further she went, the more her skin took on the color of her surroundings. She hadn’t told the healer everything. No, it wasn’t good to reveal all one’s secrets.
Once, she had told Aasera about her speed and hearing abilities, but when she saw the fear and worry in her mother’s eyes, she immediately stopped. She wouldn’t hurt her mother for anything. So she’d quit telling her about each gift that had been revealed over the passing years, and Aasera hadn’t asked, assuming her speed and hypersensitive hearing were all the powers her daughter had been given.
She sat beneath one of the trees, leaned back, and closed her eyes. After a few minutes, a squirrel scurried up her chest, stopped, and looked around as if it sensed a presence but wasn’t sure where the intruder was.
She was careful not to move, to barely breathe. Once she had laughed when a squirrel ran up and stopped on her. The poor thing keeled over dead.
Her life was filled with guilt, it would seem.
Chapter 18
&n
bsp; D eep in transcendental meditation, Lara floated over the buildings again, but this time, she knew them to be Aasera’s. She paused and found the grandmother also meditating. Her emotions enveloped Lara in a cloud of sadness and longing to return just once more to Nerak.
Aasera’s thoughts were her own. She shouldn’t intrude. The cool breezes called to her to explore. Earth was a remarkable place with its tall trees and animals. It felt as if she could travel forever. She wanted to learn as much as possible before she left.
But maybe today was not the day.
Much like she had connected with Sam, she joined Aasera’s thoughts.
“Healer, I can feel you with me,” Aasera communicated through her own thoughts. “Why?”
“I sensed your longing,” she told her.
“Nerak was my home,” she defended herself. “It doesn’t mean I want to return.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t leave Lyraka, even if I could return. She wouldn’t be accepted by the Elders, and I fear for her safety if I were to leave her.”
“But I can take you there. I have many images of Nerak. Let me take you home.”
She sensed Aasera’s acquiescence, and together they went to Nerak. It was much like the holograms, and they both knew it wasn’t as good as actually being there.
Aero units passed by them, gliding between the buildings. There was no grass, no trees like she’d found on Earth. No animals.
But there were skyways where people were transported from one place to another, and bright, shining light that was so pure and magnificent. Earth’s sun didn’t compare with the glory of Nerak’s two.
“The Elders meet here with the people,” Lara said, taking her into the new building with golden walls and floating seats. The ceiling reached almost higher than she could see. The artists had created intricate images on the walls depicting great Nerakians: Elders who had passed before them, explorers, and inventors. She showed Aasera the image that had been made of her.
Then she closed her eyes, breathing deeply several times. When she opened them, the room was filled to capacity.
“Oh, the Elders. Torcara,” Aasera whispered, her deep emotion washing over Lara. “I’m sorry. It’s too much. I must go back.”
In an instant, Lara had her back in her windowed room.
“Thank you, Healer, for giving this to me.”
“Do not despair. There is a reason for everything. You may yet go home before your lifecycle ends.”
She left Aasera’s thoughts and moved on, flying high, relishing the freedom. The sun lowered in the sky, creating a palette of deep oranges and dusky blues. It was truly magnificent.
A stream of water ran between the trees. What would it feel like to jump in? She went higher and higher, listening to the sounds around her. She heard the songs from the small winged creatures that flew alongside her. She heard…She heard…
Tap, tap, tap.
She landed on the floor with a jarring thud.
“Are you meditating? I have dinner ready if you’re hungry. I know you said you were resisting, but you might as well eat while you’re here.”
She heard Sam.
She opened her eyes and glared at him. “I told you not to disturb me when I was meditating.” Were men unable to retain anything?
“I whispered.” He leaned against the doorframe and grinned, crossing his arms in front of him. “Besides, cold pizza tastes terrible.”
Why did he have to look so tempting—more so than this pizza he spoke about?
No, she would be strong and resist. She didn’t want his pizza or…
A wonderful smell drifted into her room from the open door, very faint but very enticing. Her stomach rumbled. She slapped a hand over it.
“See, I knew you’d be hungry.”
The rumbling continued. It felt very…strange. “My stomach is making noises.”
“That means you’re hungry.”
He was right. She’d forgotten to swallow a food capsule today. It would take a while for a pill to take effect. She didn’t like feeling as if her stomach would cave in at any second.
She raised an eyebrow. “I will eat the food you have prepared.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“No, you did not know this…” Unless. “Can you read minds?” She hadn’t thought about people from Earth having gifts. This was quite awkward.
“I know you’re worried right now.” He looked very self-assured.
“I don’t think it’s fair you haven’t shared your ability to read thoughts.”
“Why, Princess? Have you been thinking naughty things? Things you want to do?” He made a clicking noise with his tongue. “Shame on you,” he spoke softly, seductively.
His words were lazy as they drifted over her, causing heat to flare inside her. When his gaze dropped lower, she knew he could see how her body reacted to his words. Her nipples were hard and pressed against the thin robe she wore.
She suddenly realized that nothing was hidden from his heated gaze. The diaphanous material of her white robes left little unseen. She would wear her green robes the next time she meditated.
Her gaze dropped past his face. Yes, she could see he was quite horny. Her thoughts immediately filled with the two of them making love. Her body tingled to awareness as her anger disappeared. Sam had a way of taking it away and replacing it with other, more delicious ideas. She wet her lips.
“Sometimes, anticipation makes everything all the sweeter.” His gaze raked over her. “I like what you’re wearing. Leave it on and come to the table,” he said before he casually turned and left, leaving her feeling quite disappointed.
Desire quickly changed to anger. He’d given her an order. She only took orders from the Elders or one of the princesses. She did not take orders from…from…
But if she wore her white robe, it would almost guarantee they would have sex after they ate the food he’d prepared. Her body trembled in eagerness.
Another thought occurred. Did he have chocolate? She inhaled. She couldn’t smell any, but still, the aromas coming from the kitchen were wonderful.
Sex and food…or pride? She weighed the two.
Nerakians were the superior race and highly intelligent. There was only one logical response.
She jumped to her feet and hurried toward the kitchen. When she entered, he was standing at the sink. He turned and looked at her. His smile was almost conceited as his gaze traveled over her. But there was such heat in his look that she didn’t really care.
His passion-filled eyes also told her he was glad she hadn’t changed. So maybe the victory was part hers. Why should either one of them deny what they wanted? She drew in a deep breath, and suddenly, food wasn’t as important. Maybe they could eat later.
“It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
What? It was as if he was telling her that sex wasn’t as important, that he could wait. But she wanted to have sex, and she didn’t want to wait. Then it dawned on her—she knew what he was doing.
Did he think she couldn’t resist him? She was a healer, and if she wanted, she could last longer. His reaction to her was quite visible.
She raised an eyebrow. A silent challenge passed between them.
We will see, her thoughts told him.
His look taunted, so we will, she could almost hear him telling her. Before she could study him longer, he turned and continued with the food preparation.
Maybe he could read minds. She didn’t understand. She was almost certain he couldn’t when first she’d met him. No, of course, he couldn’t. He was only guessing. Yes, that’s all it was.
But she wasn’t quite so sure. He did seem different since when they’d first met. As if he was more in tune to what she felt. No, of course, he didn’t have special abilities.
She turned her attention elsewhere. Sam had transformed the room. There were small flickering flames on long white sticks set in the center of the table.
“What are those?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Candles,” he told her. “And those are some flowers that grow nearby. I’ve always liked them, but don’t tell Nick.”
“About the flowers? Would he take them away from you?”
“No, but he’d probably razz me about it for the rest of my life.” He shrugged. “It’s a guy thing.”
She reached out and touched one. It was soft.
He’d made the room look very warm and inviting. He’d done this for her. She smiled to let him know how much she appreciated everything. “I’m hungry. We shall eat now.”
Had she said something wrong? He wanted her to eat, so she’d come to the kitchen. Maybe her tone had been too demanding. “Thank you, please?” When he smiled again, she relaxed.
“That’ll do for now.”
He pulled out her chair, and she sat down. “One pizza coming up.”
He slipped his hands into gloves and opened the big white box he called the stove. The aromas assaulted her senses again. She closed her eyes and inhaled. She hoped it tasted just as good, and not like the meat and little trees he’d fixed. That had not been good at all. The PB&J sandwich had been much better, though.
