“And you are the first phoenix that we have seen since we left your world four thousand years ago. Well, most of us left, obviously some remained.” His fingers flicked at her body dismissively.
“So, High Prefect, you are telling me that I am a descendant of your race, but that I have no social status? That is a little unusual. Even the mark of my magic should tell you something.” She bowed again to indicate no disrespect.
He smiled. It was one of genuine humour. “You are quick. We have no record of a branch with your magic, but a compromise has been offered.”
He took a deep breath. “You will be the beginning of a new clan. The clan of the Terran Phoenix.”
The shock in the room was palpable. Even the scribe, devotedly scribbling every word, was shocked and sat for a moment before recording the beginning of a new clan on the world of Dremarai.
“You will receive the official seal of your clan in a few days and you will be able to found a new village if you so desire.” He was continuing about her clan, but she wanted to know the one thing that he was deliberately skipping over.
When he stopped speaking about the formal introduction of her clan on the last day of the festival, she sighed and asked the question.
“High Prefect, what is the effect of this on Master Elite D’hai’s request for my hand?”
His lips twitched in amusement, “If you are willing to have him, the wedding can be arranged in a few days.”
“If he will have me, I will have him.”
D’hai’s hand squeezed hers.
“I will still have her, High Prefect. No matter how fast she flies.”
Uncomfortable laughter rippled through the courtiers. They hadn’t seen her land and so were unsure about what was being discussed.
A heavy wave of fatigue washed over Myka. She could feel herself swaying.
The High Prefect sat up straight and called for assistance. “Take her, let her rest and give her a bath. I wish to speak with her at dinner this evening.”
A servant scurried up and led her away from D’hai and the High Prefect. Sleep. She was going to be able to sleep. That sounded wonderful.
* * * *
The High Prefect gestured for his son to follow him into his private gardens. “Are you sure that she is the one for you? The Lady Rahj is eager to be yours.”
“Berengit herself gave Myka the idea to pursue me.”
He frowned a little at that. “Just because your older sister is enthusiastic about this woman doesn’t make her right for you.”
“She saw that Myka and I resonate together. She is our foremost matchmaker, as you know. And upon interacting with Myka, she is a strong, courageous woman who only wishes to see our race flare back to health. She also has a wonderful sense of humour and a strong sensual side.”
He weighed his son’s obvious affection. “Do you think she can bear children?”
“If her ancestors could, there is no reason to believe that she will not.”
“Will she want to? Her life as a Healer will be demanding.” It was the reason that he had chosen Shissar for his wife all those centuries ago. She had devoted her life to her family and the final child that she bore took her with him. They had had hundreds of years to enjoy each other and now that his son was lining up for that same arrangement, he wanted to make sure that his mind, heart and soul were all in alignment.
“Her healing is part of her and as our people use her talents, they will grow to love and respect her. Or she will be free to devote herself to me and our children. Either way, I want her at my side for as long as she will have me.”
He had to make sure that his son knew that the Alliance would not last. “You are aware of her short lifespan?”
“I am. We have discussed it. She will attempt to link with our world, but if it fails, I will cherish every moment I have with her. She is mine and I am hers.”
“I am glad you have made a decision. I will support you and look forward to my new daughter-in-law.”
“Thank you, Father, she also needs quite a bit of training to contain the magic that has been loosed within her. I can provide most of it, but it would be an honour if you would find time to assist her in some of the more delicate spells.”
He had an idea of what his son was trying to describe. “Such as?”
“Clothing, portals, anything you would care to instruct her on.”
High Prefect D’lon turned his head as he smiled. “The clothing I will leave to you. Portals are control of raw power. I will teach her the basics, like retrieving the food parcels.” In a gesture that he hadn’t used in years, D’lon grabbed his son’s hand and pulled him close for a brusque hug. “She will be good for you. All of my comments aside, she is a good woman.”
“She is. You will grow to appreciate her as I have.” He hugged his father back with a rough embrace.
* * * *
Hours flew by as Myka slept. She woke to an orange sky with fading sunlight washing over her. A stream of servants were filling the tub that they had brought into her room.
The bed she had collapsed in was on a short platform with one step. Bright blue curtains hid her from the light on three sides, but the efficient maid who had escorted her in earlier was tying back the curtain.
“You need to bathe and meet the High Prefect and his son for dinner.” The maid tugged her by the hand and bullied her into the tub.
“You have done this a few times before.” Myka couldn’t help but laugh as the woman loosened her hair and draped it over the back of the tub.
“I have been in service to the High Prefect since my husband died, five hundred years ago.” Her hands were smooth and sure as she put some oil into her palms and rubbed it into Myka’s neck and shoulders.
The touch was heavenly. A beautifully sensitive massage to the tension points that Myka carried without even knowing them. She sighed and sank into the water, surrendering to the touch.
“I will leave you for a few minutes. When I come back, you will be ready to prepare for dinner.” The woman swept out, but stopped to hang D’hai’s robe on the wall. That was when Myka first realized that she was in D’hai’s rooms. She had been asleep in his bed.
Tingles ran through her body. He had proposed to her, sort of, and she had accepted. Giggling, she sank under the water and squealed her delight with her feet pounding on the bottom of the tub.
Sighing, she sluiced water off her face as she sat up in the tub. There was no noise behind her, but two blue hands appeared on her shoulders. In an instant, they shoved her down and were holding her under the bathwater. This was no massage.
Myka saw a blue face, blood red hair and bright red eyes through the water. She fought the hands that held her. Her breath burned in her lungs. She wanted to take a breath, but dying of asphyxiation was not in her plans. She had just found a man to fall in love with, damn it!
Blue fire licked at the surface of the water, flowing up the arms of the woman who was trying to kill her. Myka put as much power into her magic as she could, gratified when the hands released her. She jumped out of the tub and stood staring at the woman who had tried to kill her.
Fire bound the woman to one of the walls about ten feet in the air.
“You tried to drown me in the tub. You will pay for this.”
The maid came into the room, took in the water around the tub, Myka nude and furious and her prisoner on the wall and put the signals together. “If you can hold her there, we can get you dressed and you can bring her to the High Prefect for judgement.”
“I can hold her. I can hold her until the stars burn out.” The woman wasn’t speaking, but that was probably because of the flames wreathing her head. She could breathe, but talking was not an option.
It was easy to hold the woman while the maid summoned help to dress her. She was able to focus on the magic while the servants dressed her like a ragdoll. This bit of clothing was slightly more transparent than her regular outfits and once again exposed her abdomen to any and all.
Her maids brushed her hair into a long smooth cape and let it flow loose. The gauzy skirt and top flowed as she moved down the hall, following the maid with her attacker floating in a fiery embrace behind them.
The door slid open, the maid stepped aside and Myka walked in, bowed and then floated the woman into the room.
“Do either of you know this woman?” She bowed again as the High Prefect got to his feet in surprise.
Chapter Ten
“That is the Lady Rahj. She was eager for my son’s hand.” The High Prefect still looked shocked.
“Why would she try to kill me? Elite D’hai made up his own mind.” She was getting a little fatigued. “Can you take her now? She is getting heavy.”
“Of course.”
The High Prefect gestured and Myka released the woman with a relieved sigh. She massaged her temples. That had kind of hurt.
“Lady Rahj, why did you try to kill the Alliance Healer who is going to marry my son?”
The woman was a chalky powder blue. She grovelled on the floor before the High Prefect and sobbed. “I thought she was lying about her magic and that if I could prove it, Master Elite D’hai would choose me for a wife.”
“But you didn’t try to disprove her magic. You tried to kill her. Your story is flawed, Rahj.” He stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
D’hai opened his arms to Myka and she walked swiftly to his arms. “Well done, little phoenix.”
The whisper was not meant to break the spell that his father was weaving on the Lady. She had ceased sobbing and a dark hatred blazed out of her eyes.
“She isn’t one of us. She doesn’t deserve him.” The hissed howl was forced from her throat. “Why couldn’t it have been me?” She was writhing in bands of magic, her marks of power in a curled fox shape on her abdomen visible, now that she had pushed her blouse up until it threatened to expose her breasts.
“Because you are insane, Lady Rahj.” D’hai spoke now that she had confessed. “I could feel your madness pounding at me every time we spoke. I need a woman of strength with me. Not one who needs constant attention or will be overtaken by jealousy.”
The High Prefect made a gesture and a door slid open to allow two guards access to his private dining hall. “Take the Lady Rahj to a holding cell and bind her so that she cannot escape in any form. She is a petite fox, so be aware of that while you are choosing the cell.”
They led her away, not needing cuffs. She had been subdued by magic and it would hold her until judgement could be rendered after the moons’ festival.
“That was unpleasant, but I am glad that it has been shown that you can defend yourself.” He gestured for her and D’hai to sit and took a seat himself. “When did you first see the stirrings of power?”
A servant brought in the water to wash their hands. First the High Prefect, then D’hai and finally Myka. She was patting her hands dry when food began to arrive.
“I first saw my power with Berengit. She needed someone to catch her child and I did not have time to wash my hands.” She smiled and waited for the higher-ranking members of the meal to begin eating. “The flame was there before I knew it. Burning off all traces of anything that could injure or contaminate.”
“Her son is healthy?” The High Prefect seemed very eager to know.
“He is.”
“Berengit is my sister. My father and she have not spoken since she married Mashu. He objected and she told him that her talent and magic were pushing her. She bloomed as a matchmaker, but Father still has not spoken to her.”
D’hai was amused. It showed in every line of his face. His father, on the other hand, was a little embarrassed to have family secrets outed.
“You should not speak of such things.”
“Why not, Father? The things that Berengit told Myka could be classified as secrets of the Dremarai. She has not abused them.”
Myka was surprised by that. “What secrets?”
“The secret of Hospitality. It opened a bond between us that would not have begun so easily otherwise.”
“Ah. That. Your father is right. You should not speak of such things.” Her blush was heavy and she primly took a bite of one of the dishes set out before her.
The High Prefect chuckled heartily at that. “I can see we will be able to get along fine, Myka. As you are soon to join my family, you may refer to me as Father D’lon in private, and Prefect D’lon in formal meetings.”
“Thank you for the honour.” She inclined her head gracefully.
The rest of the evening went swiftly right up to the moment when the beam of light began to emanate from the moons once again.
Transfixed, Myka walked to the open window and looked up. The magic was intense, but Myka felt more controlled as she let it take her over. She flew out the window with a few beats of her fiery blue wings, striving straight upward in a burst of power and flames.
D’hai was on her tail and swooped past her. She played tag with him, touching and darting away until he got a serious look on his draconic face.
What is it, D’hai?
One of your patients is in labour. It’s coming early.
Where?
Village of Daru. Shastha is going to deliver.
She lashed her tail in frustration. Which way to Daru?
You can’t go in your current form. You will shift into nudity. You haven’t learned to conjure your clothing yet.
Come with me and give me your robe.
My father will not be happy about our leaving without telling him.
A booming voice came into their minds from across the sky—a golden dragon frolicked against the backdrop of the stars. If you will be going to bring another Dremarai into the world, go with my blessings, but be prepared to be wed the same day that you return.
Thank you, Father.
Thank you, Father D’lon. With a flick of her tail, she aimed for Daru. She didn’t know how long it had taken to get the message and it was paramount that she get to Shastha as quickly as she could.
It took an hour, but she was floating into the village centre when she had to wait for D’hai. She didn’t know where she was going and there were no magical creatures near her to ask. They had all hidden when she arrived.
They have not seen one like you before. It will take some getting used to. D’hai landed next to her and in a few seconds, he had shifted to his human form.
When he stripped out of his robe and held it out, she replayed his touch on her body and she was standing on two bare feet in the middle of the Daru square. His robe swallowed her as he draped it around her shoulders.
“Now. Which way to Shastha?” Myka was ready, mildly tired, but it was far less than she was used to when being woken in the middle of the night. The side effect of having her talent skewed to obstetrics.
“I will take you. You have no shoes.” D’hai swept her off her feet and carried her directly to the home that was filled with light and frantic servants running for water and anything that would make the woman in labour more comfortable.
She elbowed D’hai to put her back on her feet and a stunned maid escorted her to the labour room while another went to find Myka some clothing.
The mother-to-be was on the bed, panting with effort. Myka washed her hands carefully and then moved to assess her patient’s readiness. “Hello, Shastha. I am here to assist you.”
Her eyes flew open and she looked at Myka with disbelief. “Healer, I can’t believe you are here.”
“I told you I would be here if I could and I could. So here I am.” She smiled gently. “I am going to see how dilated you are. Just relax.”
For all the panting and moaning, Shastha was not near delivery. “I am afraid to tell you that you will be in labour for several more hours. Just relax and try to keep your mind occupied. Will you be using the birthing chair?”
Shastha grimaced. “It is in Vaskai’s home. She was sure that she would beat me to the birthing—she insisted that she keep it in her home.”
�
�Have a servant go and fetch it.”
“Vaskai won’t part with it.”
A smile ran across Myka’s face and she knew it wasn’t a pleasant one. “Then I will send Master Elite D’hai to fetch it.”
The shock that ran through the birthing room was palpable, so Myka walked through the halls of the home until she found the room where D’hai was sitting with Shastha’s husband, Beor.
“Elite D’hai, if you could assist me in a small matter?”
He rose to his feet and bowed, his naked upper body doing wonders for her blood flow. “What do you wish, Healer Myka?”
“A birthing chair. The village chair is at the home of a woman named Vaskai. I am sure that she would not refuse you, Elite D’hai.” She bowed formally, knowing that her breasts were fairly visible from his vantage point.
“You will have it as soon as I can carry it here.” He bowed, winked and patted her butt lightly as he passed.
He was out the door in seconds and a breathless servant met Myka in the hall with an armload of clothing and some slippers. She was directed to a private room and quickly climbed into the clothing proffered.
Dressed without the risk of flashing anyone, she returned to the labour room and went about her real job of distracting the soon-to-be mother. She folded D’hai’s robe neatly, laying it on the back of her chair and regaling the labouring woman with tales of space travel.
When D’hai arrived with the chair, the women went nuts bowing and blushing. Myka gave him back his robe and he leaned in for a quick kiss, which caused a gasp in the room at large. He left her with a wink and she got back to the reason that she had been brought to the planet to begin with. A little life wanted into this world of magic and extraordinary beings.
When Shastha was on the birthing chair and the little one had made its journey, Myka healed the same trouble that she had worked on while delivering Berengit’s baby. Their bodies would not stop bleeding, so a little massage and some healing did wonders for the mother and baby.
The little girl looked at the new world through vivid lavender eyes.
Enchanted Page 6
