"I am yours to command, my lady.” He laughed and lay back, allowing her access to him.
He stared at the woman hovering over him. Her quick anger gone and her easy acceptance of his ancient scars touched something deep inside him. No other, besides his friend, Ash had ever seen the marks of his captivity. After one disastrous affair, he made a point of concealing them from the women he bedded. But his desire for Dale had made him careless. When she touched the scars and froze, he thought she would react in horror. Instead, she jumped to his defense. A true Tiguer.
Thoughts of the past dissolved as she stroked his body with her hands and mouth. Small and lithe, she wrapped herself around him in ways he'd never imagined. The rush of her breathing as her warm wet tongue explored his ear pushed him to the edge. But when she closed those talented lips around the center of him he reacted.
He gripped her arms and pulled her beneath him. “Go slowly, sweet Dalthea, or it will end before it begins,” he growled.
She laughed, but she didn't protest when he nudged apart her thighs with a knee. With a small smile on her moist lips, she opened to him.
Kneeling between her spread thighs, he stroked one hand down her body from shoulder to hip. Her gaze grew wide and unfocused, her breathing uneven. He leaned forward and captured one puckered nipple with his lips. She let out a startled gasp, her back arching upward. By the moons, how she responded to his slightest touch. Forcing back his own needs, he moved his lips to hers. He stroked the soft skin of her belly. Her moans of delight tasted like nectar on his tongue.
His hands trembled as he tried to go slow. With breathless cries and restless movements she urged him to hurry.
He moved down her body—tasting, touching, stroking—until he reached the nest of fine blonde curls that barely hid her woman's secrets. Her musky scent tantalized him. Parting the delicate folds of her female flesh with gentle fingers, he bent and tasted the hot tart honey that flowed between her thighs. With the first stroke of his tongue over her sensitive nub, she came apart in his hands. He lifted his head to watch in awe as her body convulsed with passion's glory reached.
"Love me—now!” She tugged on his hair, urging him over her.
A fierce little warrior, she fought for what she wanted, twining her legs around his hips to pull him closer, digging her nails into his flesh in her fervor. He gritted his teeth to keep from thrusting mindlessly into her as his arousal pressed against her moist opening.
"Now. Please.” Caught in the throes of her climax, she rocked her hips insistently against his.
"With pleasure, Tiguer.” Surprised by her tightness and unwilling to hurt with his haste, he eased himself into her inch by torturous inch.
She had no such qualms, urging him deeper with her constant writhing. Despite the cool cave air, sweat beaded his brow as he sought to control both his own desire and hers.
Then they were joined, their bodies locked together in an age-old dance. His lips closed over hers, his tongue plunging into the depths of her mouth in rhythm with the movement of his hips.
Bodies slick with sweat, they strained together to reach the zenith. Their breathing grew harsh in the cave's silence.
Beneath him, Dale went rigid as she climaxed. Only then did Raf plunge into her without hesitation or restraint. She answered his thrusts with her hips, driving him toward completion.
With a hoarse shout he poured his seed into her. Drained of will and energy he collapsed at her side. She muttered an unintelligible protest as his body slipped off of hers. Tucking her against him, he gathered her close.
She shivered and snuggled against him as the chilled cave air touched her. He tugged part of the bedroll over them. Like a tired little shecal kit, she gave a sleepy sigh. Her breath blew cool over his damp skin.
No woman could fake the response she had given him. Nor had he ever experienced such a joining. Only in his dreams had he thought two people could reach the heights they had climbed together. A fierce sense of possession flooded him.
"Stefan."
Her single murmured word jolted Raf from his haze of sensual satisfaction.
She was his. Whatever her past, he laid claim to her future. Devros would never have her.
* * * *
Warm sunshine beat down on Thea's head as she navigated the steep mountain trail. Winter here was giving way to spring. The crisp mountain air felt good against her itchy, heated skin. The bread and meat pie she'd borrowed from the windowsill of a farmhouse she'd passed three days ago was gone. But constant nausea banished whatever hunger she might have felt. Though she desperately wanted to drink her fill from the cool mountain streams she passed, she didn't dare do more than take small sips and moisten her parched lips. Without her daily medications her kidneys were shutting down. Soon her body's own toxins would kill her. Her time was running out.
At night she built small fires and huddled close as the day's warmth gave way to the last vestiges of winter cold. Tired, worried and ill she trekked upward.
Something compelled her up the mountainside. The crystal hanging around her neck tingled against her skin, an insistent vibration. She wasn't sure why, but she knew her mother had traveled this way. She could feel her presence.
Though her logical mind denied the possibility of ESP or telepathy, Thea and her mother had always shared a close relationship. They often sensed when the other was near or needed them.
A soft mewling, like that of a frightened kitten, caught Thea's attention. She stopped and cocked her head to listen. She noticed that the almost constant chirp of birds and insects had ceased. A sense of unease crept over her. Whatever was out there had obviously alarmed the local wildlife into silence.
She scanned the brush and rock-strewn slopes bordering the almost hidden trail she traversed. An army could be concealed there and she would never see it. How could she find the source of that faint cry of distress?
Caution and common sense urged her to move on, to ignore the noise. She didn't have the time or resources to rescue lost or injured animals. And what if this was a predator's lure? Who knew what creatures inhabited this world. But she couldn't resist the need in that heart-wrenching sound.
"Where are you?” She spoke in a low, reassuring tone.
A human-sounding groan came in rely.
That was no animal.
She stepped off the path, but couldn't locate the source of the groan. “Say something. I want to help, but I need to find you."
"I am h-here. H-help ... please."
The answer came from about twenty feet away, behind a large boulder. Thea approached cautiously. Her mouth dropped open in surprise at the creature crouched in the rock's shadow. A pleasing mix of feline and human, blue-black fur covered a body that mimicked the human form.
Keeping a good distance away, she asked, “What are you?"
"I am Shakar.” The creature's voice broke, and then firmed.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. Yes.” The creature shook its head. “I am in Tr-transition."
"Transition? I don't understand. Do you need help?"
"Y-yes.” The creature's dark eyes lost their unfocused look and locked onto her. It raised its head and sniffed. “You are f-female? Then I must be male. Determination is made."
Thea took a nervous step back as the creature's voice deepened and gained strength. A musky scent surrounded her, seeping into her pores. Every instinct screamed at her to flee, but her limbs felt leaden. Her head swam in confusion as emotions and memories not her own flooded through her. Fear and anger. Pain and loss. Love and joy. What was happening to her?
"Come c-closer.” The creature's voice stroked her shattered nerves, beguiled her.
Her senses expanded until she could hear the rocks eroding and the spring leaves growing. From one breath to the next, she became one with the world around her and with the creature.
Self-preservation dissolved as awareness blossomed. He would not hurt her. He was T'Nar. Her hapal. Her brother. She rushed into his embr
ace. Tears of joy dampened her cheeks. Like the Phoenix, she was reborn.
"I thought you lost to me.” T'Nar held her tight. “I felt you die."
Reason reasserted itself. Thea pulled back and looked at the creature. His fur felt soft and comforting beneath her fingers.
"I don't know who you think I am. My name's Thea,” she said. “What's happened to me? I feel strange.” She scooted out of T'Nar's embrace.
"Be easy, little human.” Laughter, relief and gratitude lurked in the creature's dark eyes. With each passing moment, his attitude and appearance became more male. “I have given you the thoughts, memories and emotions of my hapala. Sleep now and remember."
Though she fought against the urge, her eyes drifted shut and she sagged. Her last waking memory was of T'Nar's arms closing gently around her.
And she dreamed another life. She saw T'Nar and herself as kits wrestling playfully on a sandy beach, their fur damp and dirty. Curled together at their parents’ feet. Learning to hunt, the smell and taste of prey strong in their nostrils and mouths. Like the bright sparks of fireflies on a warm summer evening, she also experienced the other's emotions.
When she woke she still wasn't sure exactly what had taken place, but she accepted, even welcomed the knowledge that inside her she now held the memories and emotions of another life—T'Nar's sister. The feeling, though at first disconcerting, felt comfortable. The merging did not diminish or overwhelm her.
"Do you now understand?” T'Nar asked.
"I think so. You and your sister were two bodies with one consciousness. Now you are two, both in body and mind."
"That is a simple way of putting it. Transition and Determination is the Shakar passage into adulthood. My hapala and I had just begun Transition when the slavers raided our village. When her body died at their hands I was forced to hold her within myself. If you had not happened along I would have perished. By accepting them you saved both her essence and my life. One body cannot contain two."
"Then how can I?"
A grin on his thin lips, T'Nar shrugged. “The human mind is much less complicated than that of the Shakar. You use so little of your brain, there was plenty of room for my hapala's memories."
Thea shot to her feet. “Why you arrogant beast! Humans are every bit as smart as you ... you, whatever you are."
"Shakar. We are Shakar. Despite your outer appearance and your previous life, part of you is now Shakar. You are my hapala, my sister, as I am your hapal, your brother. Our lives are forever bound together."
"Yeah, well maybe. What exactly do you mean by bound together?” She backed away. Her dream was fading, the memories and emotions of T'Nar's hapala becoming faint and unreal in her mind.
"We are now two so we may live our lives apart. But there will always be a connection between us. If you are injured or in need I will know and will come to you. Because your body is not Shakar, I am unsure of how strong your awareness of me will be. Young Shakar kits are warned of the dangers of being apart during Transition and Determination. We are told stories of kits who have been forced to give keeping of their hapal or hapala into the bodies of animals. I have never seen such, but I would guess such a bonding to be uncomfortable and dangerous."
"I understand Transition, but what is Determination?"
T'Nar looked uncomfortable. “Shakar biology is different from human. Our births are always dual, but neither kit has gender at birth."
"You mean baby Shakar are sexless?"
"Yes and no. We are both yet neither. It isn't until we reach the edge of adulthood that we choose. As we go through Transition and divide our mind from one into two we must make a determination as to which gender we will be. One always becomes female, the other male. Two halves of the whole."
"So because I'm female you had to become male? Would that have been your choice?"
"Perhaps. But the question is moot. I could not change your gender, so I could not chose for myself."
"You said you'd know if I was injured. Does that mean you can read my mind?” The thought made Thea nervous. Did he know how ill she was? Strange, since she'd bonded with T'Nar she felt better.
"Not exactly. I can sense the echoes of my hapala's emotions buried beneath yours, but I have a limited ability to feel what you feel. I know you are ill and that you worry for someone you love. Because your body is not Shakar the feelings are vague. Your thoughts are yours. I cannot read them. As you cannot read mine. But my hapala's remembered consciousness should alert you if I am injured or in need. Whether you respond will be your choice."
Thea didn't answer T'Nar's unasked question. She wasn't sure how she felt about being linked to this creature. She'd answer the question if and when it arose. Right now she had to find her mother.
"Okay, now that that's cleared up. What happens next?"
"I must find my father and tell him—tell him what has occurred.” His voice sounded suddenly young and unsure.
Thea realized that despite his size and previous air of command, T'Nar was actually much younger than her. He'd lost his mother and sibling as well as others in an act of violence. Even without the strange connection they'd forged, she couldn't abandon him.
She held out her hand. “We'll travel together."
Relief lightened the grief and guilt in his gaze as he wrapped his fingers around hers. A bolt of warmth shot up her arm and settled around her heart. For good or bad her life was now and forever bound to T'Nar's.
Chapter Ten
"Gather our supplies. I will return shortly."
Mouth open, Dale watched Shadow stride out of the cave and disappear into the sun's glare. “There he goes again, giving orders,” she grumbled to the quinar as she packed up the bedrolls and supplies. “What does he think I am? His slave?"
She rocked back onto her heels and laughed. According to his claims, his slave was exactly what he considered her. Then why didn't she believe it?
The night before she'd made love with him. Though she'd only been with one other man her entire life and that was over eight years ago, she wasn't sex starved. This man's strength, honor and compassion were what drew her to him. His spectacular body was merely a bonus.
Her hands stilled as memories of his body poised above hers drifted through her mind. Steely muscles flowed beneath his surprisingly soft skin. The desire burning in his eyes had sparked an answering blaze in her. Her eyes closed as she recalled the sensations of his hot mouth suckling on her chilled nipples, his hands stroking over her. When she remembered the feeling of fulfillment as his body slid into hers, a shudder ran through her.
Since waking alone, Dale hadn't exchanged more than two words with Shadow. His scowl discouraged her from attempting to discuss what had occurred between them. She owed him an explanation and an apology, but how could she explain why she'd whispered Steven's name when she was unsure herself?
What did Shadow think of her?
Her eyes snapped open in protest. Why should his opinion matter? She didn't have time for this. As delightful as the physical union between them was, she couldn't risk losing her heart to this man. They came from different worlds. She didn't belong in his, and he would never fit into hers. She had to get home to Thea.
Shaking off the sexual languor, she picked up the bedroll and started toward the quinar. Something clinked against the rock floor of the cave. She looked down and froze. A milky white stone glinted in the light streaming in from outside—the stone from her medallion.
The bedroll slipped from her arms. Numb with shock, she bent and picked up the stone. It felt warm against her icy fingers, but its heat couldn't ease the chill growing in her heart.
He'd lied to her, had kept her medallion hidden, even knowing how desperate she was to find it. Why? Doubts and fears rushed back. Was she wrong about Shadow? Could he be a slaver? Her heart wanted to deny what the evidence told her.
"Why are you not ready? I found T'Sela's tracks in the snow further up the trail. She's running with the snow cats, and they're moving
fast. We'll have to hurry to catch up. There'll be another storm before nightfall.” Shadow strode forward and picked up the fallen bedroll.
Angry words hovered on Dale's lips. She wanted to rage and scream at him. How could he betray her? Everything she'd begun to believe about the man crumbled around her.
When she didn't respond, he looked at her in confusion. “Are you unwell?"
Dale looked up. The concern in his eyes nearly undid her resolve. “No. I'm fine. Let's get going.” This was not the time or place to confront him. She couldn't risk him taking the medallion she clutched in her fist away from her. Warmth throbbed up her arm. First chance she got, she was going home.
Rested and watered, the quinar moved at a brisk pace. Jo, as she'd started calling her quinar, followed Shadow's beast, which she'd named Diablo, because of the stubby horns on its head.
A ball of gold in a blue sky, the sun sparkled off melting snow as winter's last hurrah gave way to spring's promise. Dale shed her jacket and raised her face to the warm rays. All around mini waterfalls cascaded over the crystal rock rising alongside the trail. Like the sound of wind chimes, the water sang as it moved over the rock. The soothing sound didn't ease her growing anger. Water rushed down the path they traveled. Only the quinar's grooved hooves and weight kept them from sliding on the slippery rock.
At midday the trail opened onto a wide barren plateau where the storm hadn't reached. No snow covered the hard sheets of windblown rock or the boulders strewn about like blocks discarded by some giant child.
Shadow pulled Diablo to a halt and dismounted. Head down he walked a dozen yards then returned. “The trail is gone."
"What now?” Dale asked. Though she wanted to know that T'Sela was safe, now that she had the means, the urge to go home to Thea grew with each passing moment. The medallion's heat and pulse seeped through the layers of cloth surrounding it to scorch her.
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