Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine (33 page)

Chandrey smoothed her daughter’s jumper. “Your hair is wet, too. Were you bathing?”

“Yes, Mamma, I was long overdue. Yes, my hair will grow back in time. And yes, you can comb it out like you did when I young.”

“She didn’t say those things to you, Renna,” Belsas exclaimed.

“Not aloud she didn’t. I heard her think them. I still lack the ability to block out a loved one’s thoughts. I didn’t mean to hear her. Honest.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Chandrey carefully pulled her pocket comb through her daughter’s hair. “We’ll just have to watch what we think until you master your abilities.”

Krell sent a shiver of delighted energy through LaRenna’s body. “The way her talents seem to be developing, that shouldn’t take long.” She reached into the crate and brought out a large roll of gauze. “If you were only able to heal that quickly, love, I’d have you dancing inside a moon cycle.”

“I’m afraid that won’t happen for some time.” Tatra began removing the soiled bandages. “LaRenna knows she will have to wear a brace.”

“Couldn’t the specialists help?” Belsas absently projected a picture of her daughter running as a child then shed the thought. “I’m sorry, LaRenna. You’re so hurt. The thought just flew into my head. It was your fifth claiming anniversary and we’d taken you—”

“On a picnic. I remember.” LaRenna tucked away her sadness and faced her guardian raiser with a bright expression. “We’ll have to do that again some day, minus the chase games.”

“Yes. Yes, we will.” Belsas gestured to Tatra. “What of the foot, Healer Wileyse?”

“The specialists will help somewhat,” she replied. “But the joint has been shattered and most of the ligaments, tendons, and well, basically everything is a mess. Surgery will give her some mobility but nothing will repair all the damage.” She glanced at Firman, pleading with him for the right words. He raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly, prompting her to say something encouraging. “LaRenna’s strong, Grandmaster Belsas. She’s survived the unthinkable. This shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge for her, especially with Krell’s help.” Firman grinned and motioned her to join him on one of the crates.

“Very good,” he whispered as she sat next to him. “That was quite compassionate.”

“Thank you.” Her reply purred in his ear. “I just need a reminder every now and then.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Chandrey watched them from the corner of her eye, putting to rest any concerns she had about the healer’s past with Krell. There was closeness between LaRenna and Krell that eclipsed the normal levels of Taelach commitment. They seemed to communicate without phase or words—Krell offering assistance just before it was needed, flinching when LaRenna caught her broken finger on the cuff of her jumper though she hadn’t seen it happen.

“Look at them, Bel,” said Chandrey. “LaRenna’s never looked so happy and Krell, well, this is the first time I’ve seen her sit still for more than a few minutes.”

“I’m content.” Krell tweaked LaRenna’s healthy foot. “Your daughter keeps me on my toes plenty enough.”

“And she always will,” assured Belsas with a sly smile to Chandrey. “Her foot may slow her some, but I doubt it will stop her. Have either of you made plans for after she heals?”

“As a matter of fact, we have.” Krell cast an inquiring look that LaRenna returned with a nod to proceed freely. “We would like to become teacher qualified for the Training Grounds. I have the service time and LaRenna, well, her abilities will speak for themselves soon enough.”

Belsas seemed distressed by the idea. “Don’t know if that will work. Can’t have a third officer teaching at the Grounds. It wouldn’t sit well with the other faculty.” Then her sullen face lightened to a grin. “But if someone was willing to accept a disability discharge and a position as a civilian instructor—”

“If it means I can teach others with my talent, I’ll gladly take it!” LaRenna settled back in the comforting knowledge her future with Krell was secured.
Happy, love
? she broadcast on their open link.

Krell’s reply twinkled with satisfaction.
Infinitely.

“I believe the soul phase has changed you both,” said Chandrey, observant of their unspoken exchange. “I’ve known one other souled couple. They were close, but you two seem more so.”

Belsas confirmed Chandrey’s notion. “I see it, too. That closeness is the very thing that saved your life, isn’t it, daughter?”

“Yes.” LaRenna offered Krell a fluttering mental caress. “Krell breathed for me when I couldn’t, risked everything, life itself, to save me. I live now because of and for her.”

“Rightly so.” Chandrey paused to clear her throat. “Thank you, Krell, for your unshakable belief when things were at their worst, and thank you again, Sentry Commander Laiman.” Trazar blushed at the continued attention. “If it hadn’t been for your keen family instincts, she never would have survived until she was found. This truly is a day of celebration.”

“I can think of one here who isn’t celebrating yet.” Belsas nodded toward the cave entrance.

“Oh no!” Chandrey’s hands flew to her mouth. “I completely forgot. LaRenna, Malley is here.”

“Malley!” exclaimed LaRenna, ecstatic at the prospect of seeing her dear friend again.

“Wait a minute, Renna,” said Chandrey. “Malley was crushed to learn Krell was in your life. There is true caring in her heart. Go lightly.”

Krell kissed LaRenna’s forehead and stood. “She’s right, wren bird. I sensed it when I first met Malley. I’d best make myself busy elsewhere while you speak with Malley. Is that okay with you?”

LaRenna’s reply bubbled pure gratitude. “Thank you, darling. I think it would be best at that. Why don’t you bundle some blankets for my journey home?”

“I’ll be as close as the next room. Call if you need me.”

Chandrey watched Krell retreat from the chamber. “She’s considerate of you, LaRenna. That’s an admirable trait I think we all should take as an example. Bel?”

“Commander Laiman?” inquired Belsas. “Would you relieve Third Engineer Whellen?”

“Gladly, Grandmaster Belsas.” Trazar disappeared through the archway.

Chandrey ushered the others from the room, leaving LaRenna to wait. A minute later, Malley appeared at the chamber entrance. Her eyes lit when LaRenna came into view and she rushed to LaRenna’s side, laying her head in her lap. LaRenna rubbed at her shorn head, soaking in the pent-up emotions an overwhelmed Malley unconsciously projected. “Sweet Malley, you worried for me, too, didn’t you?”

Malley reached up to caress her face. “I never heard from you after you posted. Then they told me you were dead. My heart broke when I thought you were gone.”

“I only got your note the evening before I had to go undercover. There wasn’t time for a reply. You were in my thoughts and prayers, same as always.”

Malley rose and stumbled back. “You mean you were too busy with your new lover to reply.” She rejected LaRenna’s extended hand to pace the room. “I thought we had a future. Then, then you take up with the first guardian who comes along. Your Kimshee teacher at that! How could you?”

“You’re a dear friend, Malley, my best friend. I never knew you felt more.”

“Never knew?” Malley’s voice trembled. “How could I have made my intentions plainer? We were lovers!”

“We were one-time phase lovers, Malley,” reminded LaRenna. “And then we were both wine-laced. You never mentioned or pursued it again after that so I assumed you weren’t interested. You even saw others socially.”

Malley’s eyes tinged with jealousy. “Only because you did!”

LaRenna laid her hands to her face. “Malley, you’re my closest friend and I love you very, very much, just—”

“Not in that way. I’m always late when it comes to you, aren’t I?” Malley shook and sobbed. “Damn you! Damn you! You never could do anything in a small way!”

“Malley, I—”

“Are you oathed?” Malley stopped pacing to stare at her, repeating the question when LaRenna didn’t answer immediately. “ARE—YOU—OATHED?”

“Yes, we are.” LaRenna wished nothing more than to wipe the tears from her friend’s eyes. She didn’t regret her choice, only the pain it caused Malley. “I never meant to hurt you.”

A low, smooth voice interrupted the dialogue. “Moving reunion but frankly, I am too tired to concern myself with the ins and outs of a Taelach love triangle.” Talmshone stood in the entrance, holding a blaster in his trembling hands. “Salutations, young mistress LaRenna, it appears you are on the path to recovery. If you desire to stay that way, you and your companion will remain silent. And keep your phase fired eyes tuned elsewhere. I guarantee I can land a blast in the time it takes you to accomplish a phase. Do you comprehend?”

LaRenna drew back. “NO! You—you died in the floods. Trazar said he saw the launch sink. You’re dead!”

“Iralians are capable of holding their breath for many hours. As for your brother—” Talmshone snorted. “The Commander never knew what hit him. For that matter”—he sucked a morsel from between his teeth—“neither did the tender young officer material I dined on yesterday. Now, do you wish to sustain their fate or are you going to cooperate?”

Persuaded by the Iralian’s gruesome reference, they complied, Malley drawing close to LaRenna in instinctual guardian protectiveness. Talmshone appeared disheveled and in intense pain. He cradled his bandaged right hand to his side, keeping pressure on the swollen rip in his abdomen. His overshirt was caked with blood and mud and his leggings, a pair of Training Ground issue, strained with every flex of his double-muscled thighs. He looked over Malley’s braid markings, grinning subtly when he found what he sought.

“It appears I am in need of your services, guardian engineer. I require a pilot and you so conveniently happen to be one.”

“No!” Malley drew up in challenge, standing directly between the Iralian and LaRenna. “I wouldn’t run a herd beast out of here for you, much less an aerolaunch!”

“You will.” Talmshone took sidesteps until LaRenna was in his sights. “You will or I kill her.”

LaRenna clutched Malley’s legs. “Don’t do it. He’ll kill us both regardless.”

Talmshone stepped forward and dug the blaster into LaRenna’s ribcage until she gasped. “I am out of time and patience. Engineer, pick up your lady love and head to the launch before I burn a hole in her lovely white skin.”

“The others will hear you if you open fire.” Malley activated her bow.

“Gauge it down and remove it, Taelach, or you both perish before one person gets through the door.” He jabbed the blaster into LaRenna again, jarring fragile ribs even more. She winced and clutched Malley’s legs tighter as she broadcast the predicament to her life mate.

Krell doubled over in pain. “Iralian.”

“What?” Firman was nearest to her, flirting shamelessly with Tatra.

“IRALIAN!” She barreled toward the entrance. “You’re not taking her again!” The door shattered from the battering ram force and Krell tumbled out, rolling clear of Talmshone’s shots.

“Damn telepaths!” The Iralian backed from the room, dragging Malley and LaRenna along as a shield. In pure unadulterated frustration, he reached out and yanked a fistful of hair from LaRenna’s head. “Transmit that to your lover, Kimshee whore!” Malley tried to shield her from the attack, but Talmshone rewarded the effort by smacking Malley’s ear with his blaster butt.

Belsas and the others burst into the chamber. “Top Centurion Talmshone of the Siddeaunchlun tribe, the Commitment’s most notorious spy.” Belsas’s stare was cold.

“I thought this had the making of one of your escapades. The Commitment really stuck you this time, didn’t they?”

“Belsas Exzal, Taelach supreme, you grace me with your presence.” Talmshone bowed but never took his fury-red eyes off Belsas. He held up the handful he’d jerked from LaRenna’s scalp. “You see the level of violence your pestering child has reduced me to?” He shook the fist at Belsas. “I have asked her and her guardian friend to accompany me. We are taking the aerolaunch to the nearest planetary port. I am anxious to see my mates and young.”

“You’ll never get off Saria Four alive.” Belsas and Krell took small steps forward until Talmshone warded them off with a line of blasts that smoked the ground just short of their toes.

“One more pace and I will separate you both at the knee.”

They stood their ground. “Take me instead,” said Belsas. “I’ll pilot you out of here, grant you safe passage, and see you get home.”

“I am no fool.” Talmshone clutched his side as pain faded his green hide to gray-yellow. “If I allow the Taelach of All to accompany me, I will never reach Iralian space. The Kinship will have us shot down before they allow you to fall into the Commitment’s hands. No, your daughter is the logical choice.”

“I’ll have you shot down carrying her as well.” Belsas felt numb.

“The Taelach species possesses too much empathy for that to happen. The youngsters go with me.” Talmshone backed into the corridor, pulling his prisoners along.

“Renna.” Malley drew close to LaRenna’s head.

Malley?
LaRenna established a mental link.
I—

Remember, LaRenna.
Malley blocked the channel. There was more to LaRenna than Malley remembered, a new substance, a new completion that came in addition to her love for Krell and, in that brief accepting moment, Malley knew it must be protected.
No matter what happens to us, I love you and I always will. You need your energy to phase, so shut the link.