Fire Pearl (Beyond Ontariese 5) (12 page)

“You never lose control. Not anymore.” Indric
waved away the conclusion and motioned Drakkin from the office.

There was an elegant tranquility to the
palace. Though every room was luxurious, nothing felt garish or
ostentatious. Drakkin walked at Indric’s side, not caring where his
friend was leading him.

Theirs was an easy relationship shaped by
centuries of friendship. They had supported each other through dark
days and rejoiced in mutual triumphs. Drakkin felt closer to Indric
than he did to his brothers. And he knew Indric felt the same.

“How long have you known she was your mate?”
Indric led him down one corridor and then another until they
stepped out onto a cool, shaded walkway overlooking a verdant
garden. Rather than taming the oasis, the dense bushes and tall
palm trees had been allowed to grow naturally.

“She awakened my inner savage and that only
happens with a potential mate.”

The corners of Indric’s mouth quirked at the
evasion. “And how soon did your beast awaken?”

“I sensed a difference the moment I saw her,
but there was no doubt after we touched.”

Without having to be summoned, a servant
appeared with iced drinks on a tray. Indric declined the offer, but
Drakkin was glad for the distraction as well as the liquid. The San
Adrin’s arid climate was far different from the cool mountains of
Hautell.

“If she asks that you destroy the bond, what
will you do?”

Indric watched him closely, so Drakkin paused
for a long, leisurely drink before answering the question. “I’ll
rip out my heart and give it to her. What choice do I have? I won’t
remain linked with a woman who refuses to accept that she’s my
mate.”

“Therein lies the quandary.” Indric leaned
against the stone railing separating the walkway from the garden.
His features were tense yet thoughtful. “She is your mate. We have
both lived too long to misread the signs. She’s simply not ready to
accept the fact. So minimize the link until it’s undetectable to
her untrained mind and tell her you—”

“I will not deceive her. Our future together
cannot be built on lies.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Indric
revealed his annoyance with the flash of his gold-ringed eyes. “You
would rather lose her?”

“Losing her was never an option. If I must,
I’ll sever the bond and begin again. I’ll court her slowly, give
her plenty of time to accept the inevitable.”

Indric laughed and his stance relaxed.
“That’s more like it. For a moment there I thought you’d lost your
fire.”

“There’s no fear of that. I’ve been burning
since I first set eyes on her.”

“Then invite her to the ball tomorrow night.
If you teleport her directly into the palace, she’ll be moving from
one shielded facility into another. There are several high-profile
guests, so I’ve already augmented security. I’m sure she would
enjoy a change of scenery and it will give you an opportunity to
woo her.”

“Is Cinarra invited?”

Tension hardened Indric’s features and he
glanced out across the garden. “She was, but she declined the
invitation. She refuses to leave Betaul with anyone else. You
charged her with his safety and she takes the responsibility very
seriously.”

“She’s avoiding you and we both know it.”

“It’s better this way.”

The finality in Indric’s tone sent
determination rolling through Drakkin. He liked nothing better than
a good challenge. “Everyone knows Talya refuses to share your bed.
It was not a love match to begin with, so you are not expected to
abandon physical pleasure for the rest of your life.”

“I care too much for Cinarra to make her my
whore. She deserves better.”

Drakkin couldn’t argue with that. Indric had
a great capacity for love and it bothered Drakkin that the
potential was being wasted. Political unions were common among the
ruling class and Bilarrians mated for life. The combination created
the need for mistresses. With someone of Indric’s station it was
basically expected that he would find the majority of his pleasure
outside the marriage bed.

Still, Drakkin understood his friend’s
attitude. Indric was not free to love Cinarra as she deserved to be
loved. Regardless of the circumstances, he was a married man.

Unable to solve his friend’s problems,
Drakkin refocused on his own. “Well, hopefully tonight will set
things back in motion.”

“But progress carefully, my friend. The only
thing standing between you and Aria is her fear.”

Aria took the invitation from Drakkin’s
outstretched hand as she struggled to conceal her excitement. He
was here. All she had to do was reach out and touch him and she
could end this ridiculous separation. Her body demanded that she do
exactly that, but her mind and heart weren’t ready to concede
defeat.

She’d grown progressively more restless with
each passing day. Cinarra provided conversation and activities
meant to keep Aria’s mind occupied and her emotions focused
elsewhere. But the nights were torment. She tossed in her empty
bed, aching for Drakkin’s warmth and the happiness she’d only known
in his arms.

How could she hope to choose between a
permanent commitment to a man she barely knew and losing the only
man she’d ever loved? She didn’t want to live without him, but she
was not sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life bound to him
either.

Breaking the wax seal on the back of the
invitation, Aria unfolded the thick parchment and read the
decoratively scrolling script.

“What’s going on?” Cinarra breezed into the
front room. She’d been in the nursery with Betaul, trying to
convince the active ten-month-old to take a nap. She spotted
Drakkin and froze. “Did she reach out to you?”

“Will you toss me out on my ear if she did
not?” Challenge tinged his smile.

“It’s fine,” Aria assured her. “He came by
with this.” She handed the invitation to Cinarra.

After only glancing at the invitation,
Cinarra said, “It’s a good idea. You need to get out of this
house.”

Aria laughed. “And you don’t? When’s the last
time you saw anything but these four walls?”

“I go outside.” Then softer, “I have to take
care of Betaul.”

“I understand why you’re reluctant to attend
this affair,” Drakkin told her. “But I didn’t intend for your life
to end when I asked you to care for the child.”

“My life has not ended.” Cinarra glared at
him. “I just don’t like fancy parties.”

“Then you and Indric can sneak away and enjoy
the gardens or his private chamber,” Aria teased with a playful
smile.

Cinarra gasped. “Half of this city already
thinks I’m his mistress. I will not fuel the gossip?”

“It’s only gossip if it’s not true.” Aria
softened the statement with another smile.

“It is not true and it never will be. I would
never sleep with a married man.”

Aria just stared at her, shocked by the
revelation. “Indric is married?” But he’d been so flirtatious and
charming.

“Technically,” Drakkin muttered. “Talya wants
nothing to do with him, but—”

“Bilarrian’s mate for life?” Drakkin nodded
and dread dropped into Aria’s belly. Charismatic Indric was trapped
by the very concept she was struggling to accept. Forever was a
very long time. “Did they ever love each other?”

Drakkin shook his head. “Their marriage was
arranged by their fathers for purely political reasons.”

“Why did Indric agree to it?” It broke her
heart to think of Indric without someone to love. She hadn’t known
him long, but he’d made a strong impression.

“Because he is a good and honorable son and
future king of the San Adrin.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Cinarra stressed. “I’m
not here to find a lover, I’m here to protect and care for
Betaul.”

“No one doubts your devotion to your duties,
but everyone needs a night off from time to time.” Drakkin faced
off with Cinarra, obviously ready for an argument.

Just as dedicated to resistance, Cinarra held
her ground. “I understand your point, but this is neither the time
nor the occasion.”

“Perhaps I shouldn’t go either.” Aria really
didn’t want to leave Cinarra alone while she went to a lavish
party. It seemed cruel and selfish. “Besides, I have nothing to
wear to a formal ball.”

“You are going.” Cinarra turned, focusing her
righteous indignation on Aria. “Even if Drakkin has to drag you
there kicking and screaming.”

Drakkin chuckled and looked at Aria as well.
“I don’t think that will be necessary. Will it?”

“Of course not.”

“The ball begins at sunset, which leaves the
day to deal with annoying details. I will make all the arrangements
as long as I have your promise that you will not cancel at the last
moment.”

He waited with obvious expectation, so Aria
said, “I promise.”

“Good. Then I will see you tomorrow night.”
Without further ado, he flashed out of sight.

Aria stood there staring at the space where
he’d been a moment before, unable to breathe through the tension.
Cinarra came up beside her and wrapped her arm around Aria’s
shoulders.

“Why are you prolonging this? You’re
obviously in love with him.”

Dragging in a shuddering breath, Aria looked
at her half-sister. “I’d almost convinced myself it wasn’t real,
that it wasn’t possible to want someone this badly.”

Cinarra chuckled and motioned toward her cozy
living room. “I’ve tried not to pry and to keep your mind occupied
elsewhere, but it sounds like it’s time to talk this through.” They
moved to the sofa and sat before Cinarra continued. “What are your
options?”

“Force him to sever the bond and lose him or
remain linked and hope for the best.” One sounded intolerable and
the other foolish. She’d known Drakkin for less than a week when he
formed the bond. How could he be so certain she was his mate?

“If he severs the bond, where will you go?
Who will protect you?”

She’d thought about that a lot over the past
four days. “I’m not as helpless as I was when Drakkin found me, but
I still need training. We had just started to explore what my gift
can allow me to do. Charlotte is my only real option. She needs to
know about Noll dar Joon anyway.”

“I sent her a message the day you arrived.
She can’t take action until she has proof, but she’s looking into
it.”

Aria frowned. She’s been so wrapped up in her
own problems she hadn’t thought about the possible danger to
others. “Thank you. I should have thought of that myself.”

“You’ve been understandably distracted.”
Cinarra smiled and drew one leg up onto the sofa, angling her body
toward Aria. Pale blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face and
complemented her light blue eyes. She was sweet and approachable.
They’d spent countless hours talking or just enjoying each other’s
company. Having a confidante was a luxury Aria had never
experienced before. “So what’s the worst that can happen if you
make him sever the link?”

“He’ll never speak to me again and I’ll have
missed out on the love of a lifetime.” Her pulse leapt at the
thought of a permanent separation and her chest began to ache.

“And if you allow the bond to remain?”

Despite Cinarra’s calm tone, the question
dropped a shiver down Aria’s spine. “I’ll turn into Indric.”

“That’s not fair.” Cinarra pulled her other
leg up and wrapped her arms around her knee. “Indric didn’t choose
Talya, his father did. And she is not his destined mate.”

Aria didn’t argue. The situations were
completely different. Drakkin was convinced they were destined
mates and she wasn’t sure he was wrong. She’d never been attracted
to anyone the way she was attracted to Drakkin. But would that
infatuation last a lifetime?

“It’s a gamble either way.” It was as close
to a conclusion as she could come.

Cinarra lapsed into silence, clearly
struggling with something.

“Just say it. We’re family. You won’t hurt my
feelings.”

“Was Drakkin your first lover?”

Aria smiled and shook her head. “He didn’t
set out to seduce me and he wasn’t my first.” She wasn’t sure why
her sexual history was important, but Cinarra seemed to be making a
point. “There was one other.” Her gaze drifted away from Cinarra as
pain echoed through her soul.

“Oh, I don’t like that look at all. Did
he…”

“He didn’t force me. He just treated me like
a whore and made me think I deserved to be treated that way.”

Scooting closer to Aria, Cinarra took her
hands in a maternal hold. “Then Drakkin is the only man who’s ever
touched you with tenderness and respect. Is it possible you’re
confusing love with gratitude?”

“I don’t know.” She pulled her hands free and
stood, anxiety making it impossible to sit still. “When he snatched
me away from Earth, I was angry and frightened. I was convinced he
was insane—and I still wanted him.”

“Your past is almost as twisted as mine. I
can understand why you didn’t believe him.”

“I haven’t told you about my gift.”

Cinarra’s gaze narrowed and she swung her
legs to the floor, sitting straight on the sofa again. “I didn’t
realize you had Mystic abilities.”

“Neither did I, but apparently I’m a
jumanna.
It means fire pearl and my coloring is what made
Drakkin suspect I possessed the gift.” Aria stopped pacing and
looked at Cinarra. “A
jumanna’s
power is generated and
stored during sex. Her energy can also strengthen the abilities of
her partner, so fire pearls are highly sought after on
Bilarri.”

“I’ve never heard of a fire pearl. Is it a
Bilarrian gift?”

“Yes, but it’s extremely rare.”

“Then how did you end up with it. Your
parents were both Ontarian.”

Cinarra shook her head. “Vee’s mother was an
Ontarian slave, but his father was Rodyte.”