Mystic's Touch, page 11




Danet looked to Hesina. The older woman nodded once. Resigned, Danet said, “All right. What do you want us to do?”
After reviewing Gehiji’s plan, Hesina said, “I best be getting back to the kitchens. I need to make sure everything is properly cleaned then I’ll make sure the carts are gathered up and stored outside the garden wall.”
“Excellent,” Gehiji said. “I’ll be down to check the area so I know which paths to take.”
Hesina stood. “Send word if you think of anything else you need.”
“We will. Thank you, Hesina,” Danet said.
After she had left, Gehiji asked, “Is he still unresponsive?”
“I think so.” Danet frowned. “I’ve called to him a time or two as we were talking with Hesina but he didn’t respond. Let me try concentrating on connecting with him again.”
“Yes, do,” Gehiji encouraged.
She walked to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. She took his hand and rubbed her thumbs on the back as she cleared her mind and focused on finding their connection.
It was there, glowing in her mind like a beacon. When she reached for it, she heard a loud roar. It echoed around her, making her jump back. It sounded like her dream beast, calling out a warning.
She opened her eyes and found Gehiji watching her. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure.” She shook her head to clear it. “I heard something.”
“What did you hear?” He moved closer.
“It’s my, well… I don’t know what it is. I just call it my beast.”
Gehiji’s brow lifted in question.
“I’ve been having dreams of a beast for almost half of my life. This beast is large with golden fur and long, shaggy hair about his face.” She shrugged. “He looks rather ferocious but he has always been very gentle with me.”
He sat forward in his seat and leaned his elbows on his own thighs. “Does your beast have large paws and a narrow tail?”
She frowned. “Yes, how did you know that?”
“Do you know what an omegamorph is?” Gehiji asked.
She shook her head. “No. I’ve heard the word, but I’m not sure what exactly it is.”
“An omegamorph is a person who has supposedly been blessed by the Gods with the gift of transformation. Usually that person can only transform into one form but there are legends of some who could transform into whatever shape they needed.”
Danet racked her brain trying to remember where she had heard similar stories.
“Supposedly there are only a handful of omegamorphs at any given time,” Gehiji continued. “They are charged with protecting the people of the Gods and ensuring peace and prosperity in the world.”
“No small chore,” she mumbled.
“No it isn’t. But each omegamorph is given a helpmate. One who has also been blessed by the Gods in some way.”
The way he said that made Danet look up to study his expression. He was staring at her intently, as if he were trying to make her understand something. “So what does this legend have to do with my dream beast?”
“I think your dream beast is an omegamorph.”
She shook her head. “In all the years I’ve dreamed of him, he’s never been anything but the beast. He’s never transformed into anything else.”
“Perhaps the Gods didn’t want you to see his true form. You may not have been ready to know.”
“Know what?” Her confusion and frustration rang in her tone.
“Ceros is an omegamorph.”
Danet’s mind reeled.
“His alternate form is a beast much as you described. A large gold-colored beast who walks on four legs with massive paws and a thick, full mane of hair about his face. His roar has been enough to make grown men, full-fledged warriors, wet themselves in battle.”
She shook her head again. “My beast is not aggressive. He is gentle and comforting. Especially when we walk together. It can’t be him.”
“I may get into trouble for telling you, but Ceros told me about some of his dreams. He said he often found himself in beast form in a beautiful oasis-like place and a girl would come and sit with him. She spoke to him and usually petted him. He could never see her face, but she always wore a simple white gown or dress with no jewels or adornments.”
Danet’s breath caught in her throat.
“He said it was soothing to see her in his dreams,” Gehiji continued. “He always felt at ease when he woke and he wondered who she was and why she came to him so frequently.”
She stared at Ceros’ face. “Gods. If what you say is true, it is him, isn’t it? He’s my beast.”
“Probably in more ways than one,” Gehiji said gently.
“Wait. If he really is my beast, then I was dreaming of him when he was poisoned again.”
“You were?”
Danet nodded. “Yes. I took a nap at home. In my dream I was petting him and talking to him as I usually did when he suddenly roared out in pain and jumped away from me.” She focused on the image in her mind. “He tossed his head about as if he were shaking something off.” She looked up at Gehiji. “That might have been the thorn in his mouth. But he also limped on one paw as he charged into the mist.”
“His paw?”
Without saying anything more, Danet grabbed Ceros’ hand. It was the one the queen had checked earlier. She found nothing on the surface of the front or back, but when she spread his fingers apart, there was another thorn stuck in the soft webbing between two of them.
She used the sheet to pull the thorn out then held the fabric open for Gehiji to see. “No wonder he wasn’t coming around. He was still being exposed to the toxin.”
His face drew into a frown. “That’s small. I’m surprised it affected him so much.”
“It’s probably due to repeated exposure and his body not having healed yet,” Danet explained. “I hope this wasn’t in so long it creates lasting damage.”
“Is that possible?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“We need to get him out of here before they strike again. He’s got to shake this off so he can go to that council meeting and prove he’s fit to rule.”
“When do you want to try to move him?”
“We need to wait until it’s fully dark.” He looked to the windows. “The first sun has set. I had best go down to the gardens and have a look around. Will you be okay here alone with him?”
“Yes. I will be fine.” She laid the thorn on the bed. “Let me get something to put that in,” she pointed to the offending thorn, “and then I’ll treat the place I removed it. Now that we know for sure there is a threat, I won’t let anyone near him.”
She went to the desk and rummaged around in her basket of supplies. She found her medicine and something to store the thorn in and took them back to the bed. After she scooped up the thorn and set it aside, she treated the wound.
When she returned her things to the basket, Gehiji approached. “Here.” He handed her a small knife in a protective casing. “Keep this hidden in your pocket. It’s extremely sharp. If you use it, be aware that it will cut whatever or whoever you get it close to.”
Danet nodded and tucked the knife into her pocket.
“I will return shortly.”
“Do you need me to do anything while you’re away?”
“Other than heal him?”
She nodded.
“Make sure you have everything you need packed. Your medicines and herbs, I mean. We won’t have room for much else, I’m afraid.”
“I require very little,” she assured him. “But I will pack the tonic Father made for him and a few basic supplies.”
“You might pack some of the food Hesina brought too.”
She glanced at the tray they had not yet touched. “All right.”
“I’ll return after nightfall but I won’t come through the suite doors.”
“Be careful.”
He gave her a boyish grin. “Always.”
With a sigh, she returned to Ceros’ side. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she watched the rise and fall of his chest. Was it really possible that he was the beast in her dreams? Gehiji seemed convinced of it.
That would explain why their connection was so strong.
It was embarrassing to think about what she might have said when she talked to him in her dreams. Things from her day. People she treated in the clinic. He probably got bored listening to her.
She shook off the thought.
While she had the room to herself, she needed to pack. The items they had to have went into the basket next to the desk. Using the spare tunic she’d brought from home, she covered the contents to make it look like a pile of dirty clothes.
When she lifted the largest cover on the food tray she was startled to find weapons instead of sweets. Some she couldn’t identify. Those needed to be hidden before anyone looked for snacks.
She stashed a few things into her baskets of supplies, another in her personal bag along with a partial bag of coins. Another went into the desk drawer and the last couple she hid in the bathroom.
When she was satisfied she had everything she could think of, she returned to Ceros’ side.
I don’t know if you can hear me or not. I’d like to think that you can because that would mean you were getting better. And I pray you are healing.
The doors to the suite opened and closed and brought Danet to her feet. She slipped her hand into her pocket and clutched the knife. When she saw Ceros’ younger sister, Femi, she relaxed.
“Oh good, you’re here,” Femi said in her usual upbeat manner. “How is he?”
“Still unresponsive.”
“Oh.” Her usual bubbly personality dimmed slightly. “I was hoping he just needed to rest for a while.”
“I would like to think so as well, but at this point, I don’t think that is the case. But we’re still watching him and trying to figure out what’s wrong.”
Femi stood at the foot of the bed with Danet and looked at Ceros, each lost in their own thoughts.
Finally Danet turned to Femi and said, “I know this is a tough time for the family, but I’ve been so focused on Prince Ceros I haven’t been able to check on anyone else. How is everyone holding up?” Danet asked.
“As well as can be expected, I think.” Femi turned to Danet. “We all miss Father and mourn his passing, but I think we’re more worried about Ceros.” She grimaced. “Especially Mother.”
“How is she, really?” Danet asked. “She puts on a strong front for everyone, but this has to be hard on her. I worry for her.”
“I do too. If the worst happens to Ceros, I’m not sure she’ll be able to handle it. Especially so soon after Father.”
“That is my fear as well.”
Femi lowered her voice. “Mother says someone may be trying to kill Ceros. Is that true?”
“I’m not certain but there have been enough indicators to make me take precautions.”
“But who would want to kill him?”
“Anyone who thought they stood a chance of getting the throne,” Danet said without preamble.
“So you don’t know.”
“No, I don’t. I wish I did.” She grimaced and scratched her head. “I say that, but I’m not sure I really do.”
“Why not?”
“The possibility that someone I know, or might have come in contact with, is capable of killing another person for power or money or whatever their reason is, is unnerving. This person probably looks normal on the surface and yet doesn’t mind taking someone else’s life for selfish purposes.” She shook her head. “I just don’t understand it.”
Femi took Danet’s hand in hers. “I see what you mean. It is a little frightening, isn’t it? Especially for you. Someone who spends her days trying to heal people or alleviate their pain.”
“Maybe that is why it bothers me so much.” Danet looked at Ceros.
“You didn’t know him before he left for Shirghada, did you?” Femi gestured for Danet to follow her to the seating area.
“No, I didn’t. It would not have been appropriate for me to spend any time in his company.”
“You are one of the few who let propriety stop her,” Femi mumbled.
Danet felt her cheeks heat.
“I don’t mean to that in an insulting way. We all think very highly of you, Danet, and that is probably one of the reasons we do.” Femi sat back on the lounge. “When Ceros left for school, he was very much full of himself. Girls and full-grown women were constantly throwing themselves at him. He excelled at his lessons and at sports and bested everyone at everything. There was little that didn’t go right for him.” Her eyes got a faraway look in them. “Then he left for Shirghada. When he came home after his first year, you could tell a huge difference in him.”
“How so?”
“He was still quite confident, but not quite so arrogant. The next year when he returned he was even more changed. He was bigger, stronger and more,” Femi waved her hand as she searched for a word, “graceful, I suppose. But he was also quieter. He watched and listened more. In some ways, he had become more like Father.”
“What did he do while he was in Shirghada? Wasn’t it some kind of training or learning?”
“I remember Father saying he thought it would be good for Ceros to see how an elite military was run from the inside. I think he expected Ceros to come home after a year or two though.” Femi shrugged. “We were all surprised Ceros stayed as long as he did.”
“Why did he?”
“I’m not sure, really. I know Ceros and Father disagreed about many things before Ceros went away.” She grinned. “Of course, you know, the royal family never got into fights. That would be disgraceful.”
“Of course.” Danet smirked. She could well imagine those two very strong-willed men, father and son, clashing over things as simple as what kind of meat should be served for dinner.
“Mother said she thought Ceros had found himself or a focus for his life while he was in Shirghada. Whatever it was that he found, changed him. Significantly. For the better. And I think that man will be an outstanding leader and king.” She looked to Ceros. “I just hope we get a chance to see what he’s really capable of.”
“So do I, Femi.” Danet sighed. “So do I.”
Chapter Thirteen
Even though she had far too much nervous energy to sleep, Danet finally instructed the guards to refuse admission to any more visitors, except the queen, for the night. Since she wasn’t sure when she might have another opportunity, she took time to bathe and wash and braid her hair. Instead of a nightdress, however, she changed into a clean tunic and leggings. Her boots were waiting by her basket of supplies so they would be easy to find in the dark.
Knowing it would be a few more hours before Gehiji returned, Danet pulled out her mother’s journal and curled up on the bed next to Ceros. Instead of focusing on the printed words, her attention was drawn to the man lying beside her.
His hair hung limp on his pillow and was becoming duller in color. The poison was taking its toll even on the shimmer that used to be there. Of its own accord her hand reached out to trace the ridge of his cheekbone and the arch of his brow. The rough texture of his jawline tickled the pads of her fingers as they eased toward his lips.
He truly was a beautiful man.
There was very little she wouldn’t do to try to heal him.
Throughout the day, she’d had a nagging thought, a memory really, that mystics had the ability to connect their life force with others and heal them. Her mother had done it with her own father when she was a child after he had caught a fever. Her father related the story many years later. It was a risky undertaking and the mystic often absorbed some of the other person’s illness in exchange for healing energy they supplied.
Making the connection with the other person was also difficult. The bond between mates made it easier but it wasn’t something that could be achieved with just anyone. Danet wondered if her connection with Ceros was strong enough to make it possible.
In the pages of her mother’s journal, she looked for passages that spoke of that type of healing. What her mother might have done to prepare or what she did to connect their life forces. The entries about his illness were glum. Danet never knew the mystic healing had been their last desperate hope.
Thankfully there were a few pages where her mother had written about her research into the healing. It described glimmering threads of the soul that needed to be found. From what little information she had, it sounded as if she simply needed to touch their “threads” together and the healing energy would pass between them.
Sounded easy. Danet knew that could not be the case. Especially when it was more than a week before the next entry was made in her mother’s journal after the healing. With a sigh, she closed the book then stood and put it back into her bag.
She turned down all but one of the lamps and returned to Ceros’ side. She knew she wouldn’t sleep, but curled up next to him on the bed to rest.
The next thing she knew, Gehiji was shaking her awake. “Danet. It’s time to go,” he whispered.
His voice cleared the fog in her mind in record time. “Okay. I’m ready. I just need to put my boots on.”
“Is everything packed?”
“Yes.” She rubbed her eyes as she stumbled off the bed. “Except for the two larger weapons. I hid them in the bathroom under the stack of linens. There’s one in the desk too.”
“Very good.” Gehiji headed to the bathroom and returned without making any sound. “Show me what you’re planning to take with us.”
Danet pointed to the two baskets of supplies.
“That’s all?” he asked with surprise.
She nodded. “Oh, and my bag also.” She patted the small, well-worn bag on the end of the desk.
Gehiji made a quick inspection of all the contents then moved a few things around, eliminating the need for one basket. From his own bag, the one strapped around his chest, he pulled out a dark cloak. “Help me put this on Ceros.” As they worked, he asked, “Have you heard anything from him?”