Taming a Healer: 3 (Galactic Lust) (5 page)

“Look who’s spilling tears.” His words came out with an
underlying groan.

“They’re from utter delight at your predicament.”

“Sadie?”

Her eyes opened. He lay there gazing at her. Of all the
hunters, Gabriel had been the only one to call her by her given name. He’d
spared its use for times when they’d been particularly close and connected.
“You don’t need to continue.”

They stared at each other. Long ago, she could see so much
in his bright, silver-gray eyes. She wished time would’ve taken that particular
ability away. She knew he’d rather die horribly than make her uncomfortable.
Even after years of separation, she could see and sense what he felt. Fresh
tears spilled down her cheeks. “Would you do me a favor, hunter?”

“Anything, bitty healer.”

“Fasten your lips. All right?”

She’d almost pulled her hands away when his chest convulsed.
Confused, she watched him closely to discern what’d happened.

“Gabriel?” Nolan asked, suddenly hovering over them.

A noise emerged from Gabriel which sounded a bit as if he’d
choked, but not quite. Nolan squatted next to him. The corners of Gabriel’s
lips turned up. He appeared to be…smiling?

Nolan said, “And here I thought you were dying. What’s so
funny?”

“She told me to shut up.” Gabriel’s shoulders jerked
slightly as a form of laughter grumbled from his throat.

“She
is
trying to help you. Perhaps she requires
silence.”

“Best I give it to her then.”

Nolan raised his gaze to meet hers. “He’ll behave now. I’ll
remain close. At times he’s irrational and I’ll assure your safety.”

“No need, hunter. Once he stops fighting me, he’ll fall into
a deep sleep.”

Everything faded from view as she concentrated on righting
the damaged areas within him. A fading thought flitted through her mind. Since
when did hunters laugh or smile?

* * * * *

Gabriel drifted in and out of consciousness. Each time he
gathered his wits, he found Sadie hovering over him, projecting heat into
specific areas of his body. He’d been mended on healing beds numerous times.
The fact that a woman could affect repairs in a similar manner, astounded him.
He never thought he’d witness her in action, and never dreamed he’d be the
recipient of her gifts.

“
Shae-shondah
, please, rest now,” Nolan said.

“He needs more water to drink. Fetch it for him.”

“You’ve grown weak.”

“I’ll continue. I’ve yet to find what kills a hunter so
early. All I’ve managed to do is reverse the injuries. I need to keep going.”

“You’re barely holding yourself upright.”

“I won’t let him die.”

Gabriel opened his eyes and watched Nolan kneel beside her.
Hot tears splattered Gabriel’s chest as Sadie sobbed.

“You’ve given him more time. In all the universe and in all
these years, no one’s been able to find what eventually destroys us. You
couldn’t possibly—”

“He won’t die! I mustn’t let him!” A frustrated scream
erupted from her before she collapsed on his chest.

Gabriel slowly sat, unable to believe how little pain
remained. Strength flowed through his muscles as his mind sharpened. After
gathering his exhausted healer and turning her to cradle in his arms, he asked,
“How long has she tended me?”

Nolan’s gaze dropped.

“How long?”

“A day.”

“An entire day?”

“Yes.”

She shifted and he tightened his hold. The last time he’d
held her, she’d been weak and hurt. Her ill health was once again his fault.
“You allowed her to work herself into exhaustion?”

“As with you, friend, once her mind was set, it wasn’t up to
me to allow a thing. Until the last hour though, she appeared more than
capable.”

“Has she eaten?” Gabriel swiped strands of short, dark brown
hair from her face. It would settle his mind if he could see her eyes. So much
about her could be gleaned from those brilliant turquoise irises.

“I made her stop to drink.”

“She needs to eat.”

“Not hungry,” she murmured.

“I’ll let you rest but then you’ll eat for me. I’ll feed you
if I have to.”

Her smiled warmed him from the inside out. She remembered.
As a child she’d barely been able to sit still long enough to eat food to keep
a pup alive, much less a growing girl. She’d always eaten for him.

With Sadie lying cuddled in his arms, he couldn’t help but
notice how slight her weight remained. She’d been lanky as a child. She’d grown
into a sleek, finely honed woman. The tight, light-colored, long-sleeved shirt
clung. He examined her slender arms, defined collarbone, and when he couldn’t
stop himself, he gazed at her breasts. When she’d breathed, they barely
wiggled. As with the rest of her, they weren’t too fleshy. The rounded, perfect
handfuls were firm with erect nipples resting atop each peak. He’d dreamed of
how her breasts would look once she’d matured. They surpassed any musings even
though they remained masked by cloth.

“She’s asleep,” Nolan said.

“She’s unconscious. You should’ve made her stop!”

Nolan sat back and raised his eyebrows. “First laughter and
now anger. Astounding. What’s happening to you?”

Gabriel concentrated on the churning in his stomach. He
tried to decipher its origin. “It’s similar to when I found her lying at
Markum’s feet. Perhaps she brings the strangeness out in me. I’ll be more
careful of my actions.”

“Don’t bother on my account, friend. It’s simply unusual to
see you act more like one of the
norms
.”

Gabriel glared. “As if
that
would ever happen.” The
tension dissipated and he lightened his hold on Sadie.

Nolan stroked her hair, letting the shiny strands slide from
his fingers. “I didn’t think it possible, but she’s grown more beautiful.”

“I’m not surprised. Her matron was an exceptional woman. It
stands to reason Sadie would inherit some of her characteristics. Long, lithe
and strong, appearing able to bear any weight.”

“Mysterious and knowing, having the ability to care despite
what’s happened.” Nolan stroked her cheek. “She remains beautiful inside and
out.”

Gabriel reminisced for a moment before saying, “Her eyes
shine with compassion and forgiveness.”

“She’s still precious.”

He brushed some grains of sand from her arm. “I wonder if
she ever smiles like she used to.”

Nolan’s gaze seemed distant, as if focused on a memory.
“With that combination of mischief and innocence? No single rough instance in
her life could’ve stripped away that smile forever.”

“You’ve seen it?” Gabriel waited expectantly for a reply.

“No.”

Gabriel lowered his gaze.

“Consider her circumstances lately. I’m sure prior to the
creatures taking hold of Natura, she found many reasons to smile. Besides,
Handler Rush assured us she’d completely recovered.”

“I hope her unease is due to her current dilemma and my presence.
The thought of her never moving beyond what happened still bothers me.”

Nolan said a moment later, “Lay her down. You rest as well.
I’ll stand watch.”

“As long as I’m able, I’ll hold her. Perhaps if I make her
feel safe while she sleeps, she’ll forgive me.”

Nolan patted his shoulder and stood. “She’s forgiven you
already. She would’ve never laid a hand on you otherwise. That’s another reason
you had to come here, isn’t it? You wanted to die knowing she no longer hated
or blamed you.”

Gabriel repositioned her until she appeared comfortable.
Nolan placed a blanket over her. There was no need to answer Nolan’s question.
They both knew why Gabriel had come back to Natura. He wanted Sadonia Allissa
Meadows to be one of the last things he’d see in his short lifespan. Merely
being in her presence eased the burden of guilt he’d carried for years.

Eventually, Nolan walked to the entrance of the cave while
Gabriel remained seated with Sadie in his lap. Having her cuddled against his
chest flooded him with memories. The day of the assault came to mind. The
nightmare of events still bothered him. He pondered various scenarios.

What could I have done differently?

They’d been returning from a trip to the river. Sadie wasn’t
permitted to venture beyond the compound by herself. More often than not,
either he or Nolan would provide an escort. Most of the time, they both
traveled with her.

She’d grown, matured, and the differences in her thought
processes and body were remarkable. She’d stumbled and he caught her. Before he
understood what’d happened, she’d turned in his arms. She’d stepped close,
directly against him and her body melded down the entire length of his. Her
palm flattened against his nape. Stupidly, he’d allowed her to pull his face
close to hers. She kissed him tentatively as their bodies fused.

Her silent offer hastened his blood. She’d chosen him,
wanted him and he’d reacted. Despite training, regardless of orders, he
couldn’t slow the rush of blood, the surge of desire and the nearly
overpowering urge to push her down onto the lush grass and take her virginity.

He held her tight, pulled her hips against his as he mated
her mouth. A flood of lust overtook him.

She’s not of age. I mustn’t take her. Only women who’ve
been made available. Not Sadie. Never Sadie!

Eventually he forced himself to release the bitty healer.
They stood facing each other, gasping for breath. She reached out to touch his
cheek. He stepped back. He couldn’t allow her to touch him again. He’d react.
She was in danger—from him.

In the moments that followed, clarity wiped away the
confusion and lust. Revulsion exploded inside him. He’d almost hurt her. The
lost moments of control alarmed him. Hunters restrained themselves, dealt with
baser urges. He’d slipped, indulged, disobeyed.

“Gabriel,”
she’d said.

“Don’t touch me. You mustn’t.”

“Kiss me again, please. It felt so good.”

“No,”
he’d said, taking another step back as she
reached out.
“You mustn’t tempt me like that. It’s wrong.”

“I’ve wanted that kiss for years. I want more than kissing.”

When her hand stroked his chest, he caught her wrist and
shoved her away.
“Don’t provoke me. My needs must be met by a woman, not a
girl.”

“In my tribe, I am a woman. Nearly six months have passed
since my maturity.”

“You’re a child! We’ll speak to your matron about your
behavior. She’ll explain why you mustn’t rub against me.”
He’d never spoken
to her so roughly. Never.

The color drained from her face and her beautiful eyes
filled with tears. Her pain had made his chest burn. When she turned and ran
toward the compound, he stood silently, contemplating what to do. He’d no
schooling on how to deal with the vulnerable, lovely creature Sadie had grown
into, other than to treat her kindly and with the utmost respect. He’d never
meant to reduce her to tears.

When Handler Rush hadn’t been available to consult, he’d
broached his unrest with Handler Markum. The younger handler promised to remedy
the situation. Sadie’s matron should’ve been told so she could’ve dealt with
her child. The handler took the matter of Sadie’s discipline into his own
hands.

The entire incident had been my fault.

Screams filled her ears. Sadie pushed the blankets aside and
leapt to her feet. Without even fully waking, she grabbed the sword from the
sand, avoided the fire and darted toward the mouth of the cave. Before she made
it to the frigid night beyond the entrance, she hit a large, warm, hard body.
Something equally huge pressed against her back as the sword was torn from her
hand.

“It’s me,
shae-shondah
,” Nolan said directly in front
of her.

Gabriel said at her back, “And me.”

No sooner had she digested her position, when another
frightened scream echoed through the entrance. Both hunters pressed closer,
keeping her still when every instinct told her to do something—now!

“The creatures caught a horse,” Nolan said.

“And they’re tearing it apart so its screams will draw us
out.” Her voice shook.

“It appears so. Have they done this before?”

“Not with animals,” she sobbed. When the creatures began
appearing in greater and greater numbers, her tribe took shelter in their
homes. If someone was caught outside, the
malicitors
tortured them
within sight of a dwelling. The occupants banded together and rushed out to
save the person being mutilated. Through calculated strikes, her people’s
numbers dwindled as the creatures grew in strength. “Eve after eve of listening
to the agonizing screams of our kin, drove some to end the torment by rushing
into the horde of beasts.”

After enduring months of attacks and losses, she didn’t
think she could bear listening to anything else suffer. Now they shredded
animals.

Because they’d run out of people!

“No more,” she cried.

Two large bodies held her in place so she couldn’t rush the
night. “Don’t touch me!”

“Regain your composure, healer, and we’ll let you go,”
Gabriel said.

No amount of struggling gained her even an inch. After many
long moments, she stood between them, breathing hard, unable to catch her
breath.

“At last.” Nolan’s voice sounded deeper than normal.

Gabriel shifted behind her when she moved. “Settle yourself,
Sadie, this instant.” His voice held dire warning and menace. He’d used that
very tone years ago. He’d shoved her away before explaining that although she’d
managed to arouse him, he’d never want a
child
.

Whichever direction she moved, an unflinching body of a
hunter detained her. Exhausted, her knees buckled as the hunters pressed
closer, supporting her. Every inch of Gabriel’s sleekly muscled body pressed
against her back. Her stomach rolled and hands fisted as she felt the distinct
bulge of his erection. The nightmare returned full force, branding her once
again with utter shame and humiliation. She’d done it again. Aroused him. Anger
would follow!

Gabriel held Sadie as her body stiffened. Her uncoordinated,
desperate movements allowed him to experience her fear. Mistakenly, he gave her
a foot of space. She pulled the knives from the sheaths at Nolan’s waist.
Probably the only being in the universe to disarm a hunter, she stood
motionless, unflinching, gulping air. Both he and Nolan stared at her in the
dim light. The speed in which she’d obtained the blades was remarkable. She’d
gained the weapons because neither of them remotely contemplated her doing
anything so rash.

What disturbed him on a deeper level, was her stance. She
immediately turned sideways to hold them both at bay. She’d no reason to fear
either of them.

Slowly, she walked backward toward the large area in the
cave with the hot springs where the fire burned, holding the combat knives with
intent. Once she’d reached the circle of light, Gabriel said, “See, healer,
it’s just Nolan and I. Nothing to fear. Give him the weapons.”

“No.” She stared at Gabriel. In particular, she appeared
most afraid of him.

A few hours prior, she’d tended him. What’d changed? “Your
problem lies with me?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll remain here, well away. Surrender the knives to
Nolan.”

“No.”

“You’ll hand them over now. You might get hurt if we have to
disarm you.”

“
Shae-shondah,”
Nolan said. He drew her attention.
“Please, you’re not rational and the only course of action would be to keep you
from harm. To do so, we’ll take the weapons. As Gabriel said, we don’t want you
to get hurt.”

She threw one knife, the point landing in the sand a mere
half inch from Nolan’s boot. “As for this one,” she said, tossing and spinning
it before catching it in her hand, “I’ll keep it.”

She glared at Gabriel. “I need distance. I need space. I
need time.”

They watched her grab a torch from the fire before walking
toward the back of the cave. Every few feet, she glanced over her shoulder.
Gabriel said, “Perhaps the screaming animal pushed her beyond her endurance.”

“Most of her people are dead. She knew what the beasts
attempted with the horse. They’d used her tribe members as bait. She’s been
through too much. How strange though. She disarmed me once she’d begun to
relax.”

He replayed recent events in his mind. He’d grown aroused as
he held her close. Something similar had happened between them years before.
She’d made sexual advances, which he’d reacted to. What happened this eve
however, involved nothing sexual.

He felt considerably better, more coherent after the
healing. Could it be he no longer realized how sick he was? Since when did a
woman’s fear transcend into desire for him?

“Gabriel? What’s bothering you?”

“I know what’s wrong with her.” He looked Nolan in the eyes.
“I got hard from her squirming against me. She could feel me.”

“You’ve been very ill.”

“I’ve wanted her for years.”

“And she’s of age.”

“I didn’t come here to fuck her.”

“Of course not. She knows that. You once shared an unusual
relationship with her. Speak to her about what just happened.”

Gabriel shoved his fingers into his hair, pushing strands
from his face. “And say what?”

Nolan stared at him before answering. “I’m not sure. Maybe
start by explaining you have no intention of harming her.”

“She knows that.”

“Does she? Since we were last here, she’s known only her
tribe. Prior to the animals overtaking the planet, she’s lived in safety among
men of her own kind.”

“She’s safe with me.”

“Which do you think stands out more in her memory? The fact
that even though she tempted you years ago, you kept her safe by rejecting her?
Or do you think it was the lesson she learned after?”

“Stop!”

“Her fear could stem from a very real source. I doubt she’s
been beaten recently for offering herself. And now here she is, stranded with
us. That alone could bring back the trauma.”

They’d never spoken of that night. No one openly talked
about what’d happened. For a handler to beat a young, innocent girl was beyond
comprehension.

“Gabriel?”

Strange, he’d never recalled the incident with such clarity.
In his mind’s eye, he could see, smell and feel the battered girl in his arms.
The bitter chill in her skin from lying on a cold basement floor attested to
the amount of time she’d spent there.

Gabriel’s hands grabbed the handles of the knives at his
waist. He should’ve cut Markum apart, piece by piece until he slowly bled to
death. At the time, he’d eliminated the vile bastard who’d hurt Sadie as
quickly as possible. He’d needed to go to her, hold her, somehow take away the
pain of what’d been done.

“Speak to her, Gabriel.”

The echo of the horse’s screams battered his ears. “I came
here to save her life, nothing more. She’s been educated in what males beyond
her tribe can do. When she’s taken from Natura, those lessons should remain.
She’s learned to defend herself. Soon, neither of us will be around to protect
her. I say leave her with the nightmare.”

Nolan glared at Gabriel’s back as he walked away to circle
the fire time and again. His partner couldn’t possibly mean what he’d said.
Sadie deserved better than to fear men outside of her tribe. She’d need to
forge a new life among other people.

After many long moments, the screams from the tortured
animal ended. It was then Nolan bent, retrieved the knife and walked to where
she’d gone. One of them needed to ease the fear and mistrust in the delicate
healer. If Gabriel refused, it would be up to him.

He found Sadie within the first cold antechamber, the torch
perched in a pocket in the cave wall. He remained just beyond the light,
silently observing the fluid movements of the woman within. She’d bent at the
waist, grasping her ankles with her hands. He knew she’d released all the air
in her lungs to stretch an extra inch. Slowly, she righted her posture before
raising her hands above her head. He knew how she’d move next. He’d watched and
participated in the custom many times. In fact, all hunters performed the
intricate moves, breathing and exhaling at precise moments.

The meditation ritual had been practiced by healers for
centuries. The hunters adopted the observance. It provided an almost immediate
release of tension and anxiety. After completing the routine, it afforded an
individual an amazing amount of mental clarity. Years ago, Sadie meditated with
the hunters each morn. Her agility back then mesmerized him. The flowing,
stretching limbs of the woman before him now, stole his breath.

“You were right,” Gabriel said quietly, suddenly appearing
next to him. “She deserves much more than the nightmare I left her with. I
won’t allow it to happen again.”

“You had nothing to do with Markum’s actions.”

“He wouldn’t have targeted her if it hadn’t been for me.”

Nolan turned slightly to study him. “For whatever reason,
Markum disliked our small healer long before you told him what’d transpired.
He’d been contemplating his attack. A burst of sudden anger couldn’t account
for the beating he’d delivered.”

“Maybe he’d been crazy all along.” Gabriel placed his palms
to his temples and rubbed.

The gesture, along with his partner’s bloodshot eyes told
Nolan the healing had only provided Gabriel a temporary reprieve. “You’re tired
again. Rest. Try to regain your strength.”

“I’ll speak to her now, while I can. The illness is falling
over me like a shroud. The pain is beginning to fill me again.”

“I’m sorry.”

Gabriel gazed into his eyes. “Me too. I wish our
circumstances were different.”

“So you could watch
me
die?” He knew his partner
detected the sarcasm in his voice.

Gabriel placed his hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “With
Governance on the way, you shouldn’t be alone too long.”

“You’d better keep your sanity until they show up. You know
what happens when one of our kind die. The other follows quickly. Don’t leave
me alone with her.”

“You’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

“You know I’d try.”

“That’s not good enough. Promise me you’ll hold yourself
together until she’s rescued. And if I become irrational or pose a threat in
any way, promise me you’ll end it.”

“I swore an oath years ago. You should trust me and not ask
for additional promises.”

Gabriel studied him closely. “How bad is the pain?”

“You’ve been through it. It’s not pleasant but not
unbearable for now.

“I don’t know how many times you’ve helped me regain my
focus these last months. I won’t be able to do the same for you. Concentrate on
our small healer and her needs. She’ll see you through.”

“There you go again, talking about yourself in the past
tense. You’re not dead yet, friend. You have a few more days left in you. Don’t
you?” Damn, where did the emotion come from? Life without Gabriel wouldn’t be
pleasant. In fact, he doubted it would be bearable at all.

“I’m already a few years beyond my prime. I’m sure I won’t
go wild on you. At least not tonight.” He glanced at Sadie. “She hasn’t eaten
much.”

Nolan almost smiled with Gabriel’s obvious subject change.
“I think the wolfen pup ate more.”

“She won’t last until a rescue arrives. We should feed her.”

“I believe she’s avoiding us at the moment. How do you
propose we
feed
her?”

“I’ll draw her attention, you disarm her, we’ll carry her
back to the fire and force food in her mouth.”

Nolan grimaced, envisioning what might happen if they tried.
“She has my knife close at hand. You don’t think she’d attempt to use it?”

“Are you afraid?”

He wanted to punch Gabriel before noticing the barely
visible smirk. “I don’t believe forcing her to do anything would be prudent.
Perhaps if we leave her to meditate, whatever’s riding her will subside.”

His partner watched the healer as she stretched and gently
swayed. Despite Gabriel’s failing health, Nolan knew in his heart Gabriel would
never harm her. “Join her. Perhaps the ritual will afford you some peace.”

“She doesn’t want me close.”

“Look at her. At the moment, she’s concentrating on herself.
Slip in beside her and move with her. Focus your energy with hers. The two of
you were remarkable years ago. It was uncanny how even your fingers twitched
together.”

Gabriel looked longingly at the healer.

“Go. Find peace with her. It will make these next days more
bearable for all of us.”

Gabriel unbuckled the belt sheath at his waist and dropped
it on the ground. He also pulled the black shirt over his head before removing
his boots and socks. The flicker of torchlight cast shadows in the recesses of
the small section of cave. Gabriel used the dance of darkness to his advantage.
He slipped in next to her and within seconds, began performing the intricate
movements fluidly and in perfect harmony with her.

Such amazing coordination and beauty. Nolan stood mesmerized
as the pair moved in concert, arching their backs, stretching their arms and
legs. Gabriel moved closer, almost touching her as they shifted through the
next set of stretches. Surely she knew by then he’d joined her. An instant of
stiffness drew them both to a halt. A moment later, she relaxed and allowed
Gabriel to exercise with her, in perfect synchronization.