The Golden Bell (7 page)

“I don’t know. I guess I’m a little hungry.
What is this fruit above me?” Rain didn’t feel like putting the
girl to any trouble.

The girl smiled. “Hairy sugar fruit, but it’s
not yet ripe. I took the liberty of bringing you a light meal, if
you’re interested.”

Rain sighed again. Well, if the girl was
determined to feed her… She followed Malian into the apartment,
surprised at the simple elegance. Decorated in ice blue and yellow,
with touches of white and plum, it was cool and inviting at once.
Two couches faced each other in the sitting area, and a bed with a
silken coverlet promised a good night’s sleep. A roomy tub,
surrounded by unlit candles, offered a tranquil soak. A mirrored
armoire with one glass door showed linens ready for her use.

Malian had set a wide, flat soup bowl on the
table. A delicate, wonderful aroma arose from it as Rain took a
seat. Malian poured her some juice from a frosty decanter and
smiled. “Allow me to put your things away in the wardrobe while you
refresh yourself, mistress. Enjoy.”

Rain did. The fish soup was in a clear broth,
both tangy and sweet. Whatever it was, she would definitely like it
again. The yellow juice was also very good. “What is this
called?”

“The juice is nectar from the yellow leaf
stalk, mistress, and the soup is called ‘sour pot’. Do you like
them?”

“Definitely. This is good stuff.”

“I’ll be sure to share that with the kitchen.
Tell me, what things do you most enjoy doing? It will be my
pleasure to see if we can duplicate them here.”

Rain thought about it. “I like to take things
apart and see how they work. I read science, history and
biographies. I do some martial arts, but not really for fun. I like
to swim and go fishing…and eating. I always like to eat.”

Malian laughed. “Well, the eating is easy. We
have an extensive library here at the Citadel, and excellent
fishing on the bay. As for the other, I think something can be
arranged. What would you like to do first?”

Rain thought about it, thought about the
Haunt outside her room. “Uh, the books sound good. Could you bring
me a stack? And if you know anyone with a broken gadget, I’d like
to have it. Tools, too, if you can borrow some.” She never had a
gofer before, but Rain didn’t hesitate to use her services. If
Fallon wanted to pay for a servant, fine. He was part of the reason
she was stuck here, anyway.

“Yes, mistress.”

“Thanks.”

Rain went back outside to look at the fish as
Malian cleared the table. When she was sure she was gone, she took
out the Bell and set it. Now that she was here, she could flash
back to Earth anytime, at any of the various points she’d set it
for. Unwilling to risk the Bell’s music in the garden, she quickly
slipped the device back into the casing. She stared at it,
considering.

No money. That was that hardest thing on the
run, getting money honestly. Whatever passed for money here, she
was almost certain it wouldn’t fly back home. Basic elements like
gold and silver or gems she could cash in, but short of stealing
them, she was out of luck. Without them, she would be back where
she started, scared, tired and hungry. How could she earn some?

She grimaced. She was going to have to leave
her room, see what was in demand, what there was to work with. Her
father had believed her inventions would make them rich and now was
a good time to test his theory.

She took a deep breath for courage. She was
going to have to face the Haunt.

She made it as far as the door before
chickening out. Always bad with directions, she told herself she’d
probably get lost. Maybe she could wait for Malian.

Unfortunately, it was Fallon who opened the
door scant minutes later to find her still dithering. He raised one
blond brow. “Going out?”

“Maybe. I haven’t made up my mind,” she said
defensively. She glanced at his midsection, wondering about his
back, but her eyes skittered away from his buckled vest. That thing
was a subtle form of torture.

“Allow me to escort you, then. I thought you
might enjoy a tour of the grounds before dinner.”

“Ah…are there a lot of…of Haunt walking
around out there?”

“Yes, but I think I can protect you.”

She shot him a look for that comment, but
maybe he deserved a little revenge. “I’m not a coward.”

“Aren’t you? Let’s see,” he murmured. He
stepped closer and kissed her.

Stunned, she froze as his mouth brushed hers.
More confusing, he stopped there. Lifting his head, he said softly,
“Maybe you aren’t.”

Confounded, she stepped back. “Don’t do
that!”

“Do what?” he asked innocently.

“That! You know what. Don’t do it again.”
More rattled than she liked to admit, she braced to resist if he
tried it.

He shrugged and headed for the door. “You
don’t have to feel inadequate, you know. I’m sure you might get
better at it with practice.”

Outrage had her following him, railing as she
went. “I don’t need practice! If I did need practice, I wouldn’t
get it from you.” Confused, she frowned. That sounded like an
admission of some kind.

His smile was cocksure, designed to enrage.
He threw it over his shoulder and walked slowly on.

Tripping on her skirt, she hurried after him.
“If you can’t behave, I want you to stay out of my room. I won’t
let you in if I can’t trust you. You’re supposed to be my
guardian!”

There was no one in the hall, and Fallon took
advantage of it, backing her to the wall. Bracing his hands on
either side of her, he said huskily, “You can trust me.” His eyes
dropped her lips. “I promise.”

She didn’t think he was promising what she
wanted, not with that look in his eyes. She shook her head, hating
the dizziness in her blood.

His head dipped closer until she could feel
his breath against her lips. “No?”

She shook her head, realized it wasn’t
enough. “No.” It came out wrong, breathy and weak.

He moved his mouth to her ear and whispered,
“Tell me if I change your mind.”

She shivered.

Her stomach felt odd as they walked
on—fluttery and unsettled. Keeping her eyes from his, she placed
her hand on her abdomen. Obviously he wasn’t good for her; he was
making her sick. Distracted, she didn’t even realize they were
passing by Haunt until about the third one. Terror made her draw a
deep breath. Her muscles locked up, tensed to flee.

Fallon slid his arm around her waist and
breathed in her ear. She almost jumped out of her skin.

“What are you doing?” she demanded in a
strangled whisper.

His hand slid dangerously low on her hip.
“Distracting you?” he said in that oh-so-innocent tone.

She grabbed his hand and threw it off,
veering right to an archway with the doors flung open. She didn’t
have to look to feel him sauntering behind her.

It was a bad sign when she could feel a man
like that.

They came to a small field enclosed by a low
stone fence. Breathing deeply, she gripped the top and stared out
over it. Just beyond it, a series of stone and adobe huts
began.

She felt Fallon’s arms go around her,
gripping the wall beside hers. Again, her muscles locked.

He sighed and let go. “We’ll work on it.”

She grit her teeth, too angry to answer as he
straddled the wall to her left.

“As a man and a warrior, I see something I
like and pursue it. I think most men are like that,” he said
reflectively, looking over the field. “The feelings confuse you,
don’t they?”

“I have no trouble understanding anger,” she
growled.

He smiled. “You haven’t been pursued by
anyone with honorable intentions, have you?”

Eyes narrowed, she dared him to lie. “You
have no honorable intentions. I doubt you’ve ever had a lasting
relationship in your life. I’m not a plaything, and I’m not a
fool.”

“No, you’re not. You might know that I’m not
a liar, though.”

“No, I wouldn’t know. When in the last few
days that I’ve known you would I have figured that out?”

“Ah. You need time, and I’m rushing you.” He
didn’t apologize.

She breathed deeply for strength. “I’ve got
no interest in a relationship with you, however brief. Don’t tell
me you’re desperate for female companionship. I’m sure there’s a
few women around here you haven’t bedded. Probably a teen or two
who came of age while you were away.”

“Ouch. I hate to disappoint, but I haven’t
been as busy as that. I’ll bet there’s ten women, at least, who I
haven’t bedded here.”

She walked off.

He hopped off the wall and joined her. “I was
joking, you know.”

“I don’t joke about this kind of stuff. Find
some beer buddies to share your gutter humor.”

He let out a gusty sigh. “I…watch out!”

She hadn’t been watching where she was going
as she turned a corner. Unfortunately, she ran right into a Haunt
taking the same curve from the opposite direction. Fallon grabbed
her arm to steady her, but it was too late. She’d already gotten a
deep lungful of his scent.

“Achoo!”

“Rain? Are you okay?” Fallon asked with
concern. The Haunt reached for her, perhaps in an effort to
help.

She sneezed twice and backpedaled, tripping
on her skirt. She would have landed on her bum if Fallon hadn’t
caught her.

“What is it? Are you allergic to Haunt?”

“Dog fur!” she gasped, then sneezed again
mightily. Her eyes were watering.

Fallon choked on a laugh. “You’re
serious?”

She sneezed in answer. “Within two feet,
I…ah..ah…”

He coughed, clearly dying to laugh. “Okay,
we’ll take you to the medics and get you something for this. We
can’t have you running around sneezing all the time. You might blow
off your nose at this rate.”

“You’re not funny!” She was really miserable,
and it was hard to breath.

He sobered. “Come on. You need medicine.”

Rain balked. “I don’t like doctors.”

One arm behind her back, he moved her
relentlessly on. “You’re getting one anyway. Get used to it.”

“I hate you,” she muttered, and sneezed again
for good measure. She was getting light-headed from lack of
air.

“Do I need to carry you?”

“You do, you die,” she promised.

“Feisty, aren’t you?”

She made it to the medics on her own. To her
disgust, she was too winded to argue with him about the bitter
medicine he made her take. It did ease her breathing, though.

The medic looked at her, a smile lurking
around his mouth. “An unusual allergy, but one we can treat.
Repeated exposure should build up immunity, and we have several
herbal mixtures that will help. We’ll try the mildest one first and
work up to the more powerful doses as needed. Be sure to note any
uncomfortable side effects; we want to make sure the medicine isn’t
worse than the disease.”

“That’s a first,” Rain muttered.

The man smiled. “Is there anything else I can
help you with today? No? Then take care, and have a good day.”

She sulked all the way back to her room. “I
hate medicine. I don’t need to take it unless I run into any more
walking carpets.”

“You’ll take it. The doctor said it would
help you to build up immunity.”

“So he claims.”

“And we’re going to test those claims. I’ll
watch you take them with every meal if I have to. If I can’t be
there, then I’ll make sure Malian sees you do it.”

“You’re awful bossy,” she sniffed. Her eyes
were still a little watery.

He opened the door to her room for her. “As
you pointed out, I am your guardian. You look tired. Would you like
a nap before dinner?”

“I guess.”

“All right, then. I’ll see you after you
rest. Pleasant dreams.” He dropped a kiss to her lips and let
himself out.

Rain stared at the door, too tired to chase
him down and yell at him…as if it did any good the last time. If
Fallon wanted to kiss her, he was going to kiss her. Maybe her best
defense was not to react.

Pondering her new strategy, she changed into
the linen pajamas laid out on the bed and fell asleep.

Someone was stroking her hair. Vaguely
annoyed because it tickled, she snuggled deeper into the
covers.

A man chuckled. Fallon. The man was always
laughing, smiling…you’d think his life was all roses. “Go
away.”

“It’s almost dinner time.”

Food. Dinner was a good thing. She sighed
sleepily. “Five more minutes.”

He laughed again. “You’ve slept for an hour
already. We’re having fresh bread, a roast with herbs, tender young
vegetables…I think there’s dessert, too.”

“Okay. You’ve convinced me.” She didn’t move
right away, though. She liked to get her brain in gear before she
climbed out of bed.

His hand moved deeper into her hair,
massaging until she looked at him with sleepy eyes.

“Rain? May I kiss you?”

A ‘no’ hovered on her lips, but the way he
looked at her stilled it. It was the first time he’d asked.

Her gaze dropped to his lips. Could it be
that bad? Curiosity stirred. “I guess.”

His lips curved at her uncertain answer.
Gently, he brushed his mouth against hers, not once, but many
times, until she found his light touch a tease and sought his lips,
seeking deeper contact. Obligingly, he gave her more…but not
enough.

She made an impatient sound. While she’d
never liked kissing, if he was going to kiss her, he should kiss
her. This game was frustrating. Grabbing his head with one hand,
she pulled him closer.

This time his mouth opened over hers, gave
her full contact. Now his tongue swept inside, surprising her with
his controlled passion. This wasn’t like the others; it felt good.
Really good. So good, she started to lose her head.

His hand cradled her head, gently holding her
steady. When his body joined hers on the bed, she blinked in
surprise, but the kisses soon dragged her back down. There were
covers between them, after all. One hand curved behind her back,
pulling her closer, showing her how good it felt to press against
him. She whimpered her encouragement.