by Ravyn Wilde
From then on, he had seemed to avoid her completely or had started an argument guaranteed to send her screaming in irritation away from him. For five long life cycles she had waited for him to come for her, to recognize her as his mate and to claim her. She’d prayed for that day to come. It had hurt when it didn’t. She’d finally decided enough was enough…it was clear that the feelings were all on her side. As much as she might want to be, she obviously wasn’t destined to be his mate. She had nothing to look forward to except for a strained friendship between them. Nothing but friendship for Tar’s little sister.
He’d only held her once since she’d become an adult and that was when he had come to Nyssa’s rescue. When he’d found her chained to the wall in one of the tunnels under the gathering place of the Selven, he had freed her from the chains that bound her wrists and ankles to the wall. He’d warmed her with his healing touch, his caring. There, for just a moment, she’d felt that he was reluctant to release her. Felt that maybe, just maybe, he was finally going to stake his claim to her. But nothing had happened. Not then. Not later.
From the time she’d turned 15 life cycles, she’d somehow known that Mica was the only man for her. When he didn’t say anything and didn’t claim her, Tala had begun making statements that she didn’t want any man to claim her. Then, more recently, she’d decided to join the Selven. Maybe being far away from Mica so that she didn’t have to see or hear or talk to him on any kind of a regular basis would help her adjust to being alone. She was miserable knowing that she wanted him but that he didn’t return any of her feelings. Joining the Selven was the only defense she could see that would keep a distance between them. A distance that was becoming more and more necessary for her peace of mind.
“Damn.” She was so frustrated with her life. She needed to get out of Tanar. The ruling place was not big enough for both of them. Seeing him every bi-non without being able to touch him and having to live through the dreams was driving her crazy. She knew she couldn’t take much more. “Might as well get up,” she mumbled to herself, realizing she would not get any more rest this morning.
Chapter 2
Tala walked slowly out to one of the ruling place’s secluded gardens. She was deep in thought, feeling confused. She knew she needed to leave, knew she had to go to the Selven. Why was she delaying? Moving over to sit on a low bench that was nestled under the large aqua trees next to the bright lavender stream that ran through this garden, she smiled. Nyssa, her new sister, still had a hard time adjusting to the Zylan flora and fauna. She was always muttering something about ‘Kansas’ when she was outside. Tala had asked her to explain once and had never laughed so hard in her life. Nyssa had her rolling on the floor with some song about munchkins and witches and following the yellow brick road. Tala never did figure out what that had to do with purple water. She giggled. She thought she would miss Nyssa most of all, they had grown so close. Shared so much in the short time Nyssa had been on Zylar.
“Aha! You haven’t forgotten how to laugh,” said Nyssa behind her.
Grinning hugely, Tala turned to her and said, “I was reliving you singing and acting out that ‘Oz’ thing. My stomach hurt for a week.”
“One of these days, I’m going to corner Mica and see if he can’t figure out someway of beaming up a TV and VCR, one that runs on batteries. I could keep you amazed and laughing for years,” Nyssa mumbled.
“I am not even going to ask what you are talking about. You always lose me.”
“Okay. Let’s talk about you instead. Why are you are sitting out here moping?” Nyssa asked quietly.
“I am not moping. I am thinking. Hard. I believe it is time for me to go to the Selven. I guess I am trying to work up the energy for that last fight with my brother. And Mica. They don’t want me to go…but…Nyssa, it’s time.”
Nyssa sighed. Damn men. She hated that her mate had told her Mica knew Tala was his mate but it wasn’t something she had the right to share with her. “Tala, I know the last time you brought up going to the Selven, you decided to delay and spend more time with me. Not to mention we both needed to heal from our ordeal with the psycho bitch.” Sighing, she continued, “We’ve grown closer. I feel like you’re the sister I never had and I don’t know what I will do if you leave. But I hate to see you so unhappy. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Nyssa, I am so miserable here. You and I have talked a little about my feelings for Mica. I don’t see that I have any other option. You know I can’t stand the thought of mating with anyone else. And lately, Mica has become so overbearing. I really can’t handle him treating me like a wayward little sister. The only alternative left to me is to join the Selven,” Tala explained miserably.
Nyssa sat beside Tala and thought for a moment. I really don’t understand this. Why does Mica know Tala is his mate but she doesn’t realize he is hers? “Tala. Something has been bothering me. How do Zylans know who their life mates are? I understand that Mica somehow captured a piece of Tar’s soul and used it to search worlds, galaxies, dimensions—whatever that means--for me. And he was able to see that we were made for each other. But how do Zylans who mate with other Zylans know? Is there some kind of sign or symptom they get?” she puzzled.
Tala smiled. “Confusing, is it? Well, explaining it won’t help much because there are almost as many ways as there are people. It ties back to the whole abilities thing. Some people are more…I don’t know…in touch with their psychic powers. If someone with strong abilities meets their link mate and they are paying attention to their bodies, I believe the links shift. I’ve also heard of a few people that knew each other for years and then one day they were alone and accidentally brushed against each other. The links just came to life without being called.”
“Oh, dear!” Nyssa exclaimed. Picturing in her mind the consequences that could cause.
“Yeah. Shocked a few couples. You can imagine how surprised you’d be.” Tala hesitated a moment and then went on. “In most circumstances, the male calls the links from the female’s body. The links physically can’t be called until both the male and female are at least 20 cycles but they can usually choose if they want to link at that time. The male and female will agree on when they want to mate and then make sure they can be sequestered for at least three bi-nons—three of your Earth days.”
“Why do they have to be locked away for three days?”
“Mating fever. You weren’t Zylan born so the fever between you and Tar was probably subdued a little. But when Zylans mate, they can’t do anything but have sex for those three bi-nons.”
Nyssa blushed. The fever between her and Tar hadn’t been subdued by much once they got started. She was sure she wouldn’t have survived a full dose of the Zylan mating passion. Getting back to her original question, “So you could meet someone, they could know that you are their link mate but you wouldn’t know it?”
“Yes. If the female has stronger abilities than the male, she might know before he does as well. That can get a little complicated I imagine. Oh. Wait. I see where you are going with this.” Tala shook her head. “Mica is too advanced in his abilities to not know who his mate is once he’s met her. I imagine he would recognize her almost from birth. I may want him as my mate but Mica would know who his Life Companion is and would have done something about it. Since he hasn’t, I doubt that he’s met her yet.”
Pausing, she felt Mica searching for her. Ever since they had communicated telepathically during the ordeal with the Selven, it seemed she could always feel him when he searched for her. “I’ve got to go. Mica’s looking for me and I don’t want to see him right now. I need to go hide in one of the protected rooms.”
“Okay, I’ll go too. I need to go find Tar anyway. But, Tala, why can you feel Mica search for you if you are not linked?”
Tala snorted. “Mica is strong enough to communicate that way with almost anyone—even the ancients unless they are really trying to block everything out. You and I can speak telepathically if we work
at it. It’s true that once you are linked—like you are with Tar—you can read each other’s thoughts and emotions very easily. That will only increase the longer you are together. I am sure that my being able to sense Mica is looking for me is just a by-product of his power,” she said flippantly.
I don’t think so, Tala. Nyssa thought as she left her sister-in-law. I am going to go make sure Tar understands that Mica needs to do something now.
* * * * *
Swearing under his breath, Mica paced the floor of his sleeping room at the ruling place on the planet Zylar. He was not happy. Tala had managed to avoid him. Again! He had made it clear that he needed to speak with her this bi-non. Yet, in what he was beginning to believe was Tala’s way, she hadn’t shown up. He was certain she didn’t know he planned on claiming her. More than likely, he had just irritated her and she’d felt he had no right to command her presence. So, out of pure stubbornness, she was refusing to meet with him. He had scanned for her but couldn’t find her. Either she was blocking him, or she was in a protected room.
He was betting on the protected room. The palace had dozens of them. They were used for meetings and for safety. On a planet where almost everyone had psychic gifts to some degree, you needed places where no one could listen in, psychically or any other way. They kept anyone with the means of mentally transporting themselves from just appearing. The safeguarded rooms shielded occupants from everything. He had to find her and claim her. Now!
Mica snorted. Tala was forever ranting against being anyone’s link mate. She’d said that she’d decided to join with the Selven to further develop her mental psychic powers and to be free from what she felt was a life of male domination. Once she completed the last ritual with the Selven, the links would be removed from her body and he would lose her forever. And if she found out that he had recognized her as his mate, she would run as far away as she could get before he had the opportunity to call the links. It was true he could form links by combining pieces of the linked souls and binding them to finely woven metal chains so the mate could assist the body’s acceptance of them—as he had done for Nyssa. But if you were Zylan born, or a being from one of the planets in their solar system that had internal links, there was always some risk to the psyche involved, some hurting. He would spare Tala that pain and risk.
For a moment he allowed himself to remember the feel of Tala held securely in his arms. The top of her head had come just beneath his chin. She fit him well; felt as she was made for his arms. She was tall—even for a Zylan female—with the most gorgeous ebony hair. Hair that shimmered with those odd burgundy-colored highlights and fell in a shining sheet down her back. He knew how soft and silky it would feel to his touch. Her flashing silver eyes fascinated him with the way they would clash with his. Mica knew those eyes weren’t always flashing—they seemed to spark only when she spoke to him. Tala. He loved everything about her: her eyes, her restless spirit, and her sharp tongue. Sighing, he allowed himself to remember how very right Tala had felt in his arms when he’d held her. Delicate and slender and very curvy. He hadn’t wanted to let her go. His powerful frame could well protect her slender one.
But right now, protecting her was the last thing he wanted to do.
Drawing himself back before he started lingering on thoughts of her ample curves, Mica ran his hands roughly through his hair. He was the High Priest of Zylar by the Goddess! He would find her.
The door to his private rooms slid silently open. Mica didn’t even bother to look up. He knew it wasn’t Tala. Knew, in fact, that it was her brother, Tar. He had known that Tar was looking for him but had chosen to ignore the seeking mental probe for a time. He didn’t want to have his friend see him in this distracted state. Tar would know what was bothering him and he wasn’t prepared to defend his actions right now.
Tar raised his eyebrows at the obvious distraction of his High Priest. For Mica to be upset at all was highly unusual. Mica was normally calm and controlled in any situation. He was one of the most “gifted” on his planet. His psychic skills were more advanced and varied than most and his mental powers, combined with his physical size and strength, left him unmatched in any contest of wills. All this explained why he was High Priest but not why he was visibly upset. There could only be one reason for his agitation.
“Tala didn’t show up for your talk? Is she still planning on leaving for the Selven gathering place tomorrow?” Tar asked, already knowing the answer.
Mica shot Tar a disgruntled look. “No surprise there.” He grimaced but continued, “I don’t know why I thought she would listen this time. She has been avoiding me for nons. When I do see her, she manages to slip away before I can get her alone behind a locked door.”
Tar laughed, “I don’t know why you thought it would be any different. You and Tala have always rubbed each other the wrong way.”
“The only rubbing I plan… Never mind. Why were you looking for me?”
Tar suddenly remembered his reason for looking for Mica and he became serious. “I received a communication a few minons ago from Zelph,” he stated quietly.
Mica stilled. Zelph was his ancestral home. Halfway around the planet from the ruling city of Tanar, it was where his brother Raj lived when not out hunting. If Raj had needed him, he would have spoken to him telepathically—unless, of course, he wasn’t able to use…”Raj?”
“He has been injured, Mica. They don’t know how he was hurt but he was able to get back to Zelph before he collapsed. The healer, Toma, wanted me to tell you it is serious but that Raj is stable. He was more specific in the actual communication and you need to listen to it. Is Toma able to care for Raj?” Tar was concerned. They were all close. Raj was only one life cycle younger than Tar and Mica. The three of them—Tar, Mica and Raj—had grown up together. Tar’s parents had often sent him to stay in Zelph and Mica and Raj’s parents, in turn, had sent them to Tanar. For as long as Tar could remember, he had been leading their adventures. Mica had guided them and been wise while Raj…Raj spiced up their actions if he felt they were too tame. Tala, six life cycles younger than he and Mica, tagged along as often as the threesome would allow.
Mica frowned, “I don’t know. Toma is good for most healings but it will depend on how seriously Raj is hurt. Did you bring the communication with you?”
Tar nodded and handed Mica a small disk. Mica went to the com portal and slid in the disk. In seconds, the healer Toma was reciting the injuries Raj had suffered.
Mica frowned as he said, “It concerns me that he has been unconscious for almost a bi-non and yet has no sign of a head injury. The injuries to his body shouldn’t have made him lose consciousness like that. I will have to go to him Tar,” Mica said.
“I thought so. Keep me informed of what is going on.” Tar demanded. “How and when do you plan to go? Do you want a cid? No, I don’t think you do. It would take about three bi-nons to get there.”
Mica shook his head emphatically while stating, “No, you’re right. It would take much too long. I’ll use the telepath portal. It will be draining, but I can’t afford the time the cid would take. I don’t know how long I will be gone. My biggest concern besides Raj’s health is that you won’t be able to keep Tala here. She is determined to leave and I can’t call the links from her body and then go to Raj. I couldn’t do him any good even if Tala went with me.”
Tar grinned knowingly. He knew that once the links were in place, a fierce mating frenzy would keep Mica and Tala from anything except each other for at least three bi-nons. This happened to all Zylans mated to another Zylan. His experience had been only slightly less intense since his mate was from Earth. “No. That won’t work. I am not even sure if I locked her in a room I could keep her here. What can I do?” he said with a hint of anxiety. It was imperative that Mica claim Tala as his mate. Zylans had one true mate and if they found one and didn’t link, then neither would ever be happy. There would be no children, no other Life Companion for either of them. It was physically impossible to hav
e children on Zylan unless you were linked. Mentally impossible to try and make any kind of a relationship with someone other than your link mate. The links bound you for all eternity to one specific person.
Mica slowly closed his eyes. Seeking inside his mind, he looked for an answer. “Ah…let her go to the Selven. I will contact Shalan, the new High Priestess and explain that Tala is my link mate. I will ask that she be guided to study and increase her knowledge but not to prepare her for final rites. Shalan will have to stall Tala. When I have finished in Zelph, I will go to the Selven Refuge and claim Tala. It will be harder for her to avoid me there.” And, I’ll continue to Dream Walk so that I can keep her close to me that way, he thought to himself.
Mica began preparing for his journey in the telepath portal. There weren’t many on the planet. There were many telepaths who could journey short distances without the use of portals but only advanced telepaths could use the portals to travel great distances. And there had to be a portal at the place where you wanted to end up. Besides being both physically and mentally draining, they were dangerous. If you lost focus during the journey, you could end up somewhere entirely different from where you had planned. Or, worse yet, you could get lost inside the portal with no way out.
Chapter 3
Tala was steaming. Just who did Mica think he was? Leaving a message for her to stay at the ruling place while he went to care for Raj. Refusing to see her or to acknowledge her offer to go with him to help take care of Raj. Raj was her friend and she could help with something. She wasn’t doing anything that would matter if she went with him for a few bi-nons. She could delay her trip to the Selven and she could have just used the cid and followed him; she wouldn’t have gone in the portal.
Well, she didn’t have to listen to him anymore. If she couldn’t go help care for Raj, she wasn’t going to stay and wait for Mica to come back. She had absolutely no intention of talking to him anyway. Every bi-non that she delayed in going to the Selven was another bi-non some idiot man could make the discovery that she was his link mate and make her his Life Companion. She had no intention of letting that happen. The only man she could even bear the thought of being linked with was Mica. And if she were his mate, he would have known and done something about it a long time ago. Since that hadn’t happened, she was obviously still relegated to the position of almost sister—someone to tell what to do and when to do it. She refused to listen to him anymore! She was 25 and just past the age of Selven Consent! They wouldn’t take her until after she was 25 to see if a mate was found. Well, she’d waited but she wasn’t waiting any longer. She was going this bi-non! Irritated, she stomped off through the palace to find Tar and Nyssa and say her good-byes.
