Mystics touch, p.13
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Mystic's Touch, page 13

 

Mystic's Touch
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  “Thanks,” she said, somewhat puzzled.

  “Most of the women we’ve been around over the last few years are either war-weary cast-outs or pampered court birds. You are neither.”

  “What kind of birds?”

  “Court birds. Women who flock to court to see and be seen by those they believe to be important enough for their attentions.”

  “Ah.” She nodded. She’d seen enough during her years with the queen to avoid them. “I never had the time or the patience for such nonsense.”

  “Not even if meant a chance at snaring a brave warrior to care for you? Or perhaps even a prince?”

  “I know my station and my place.” She relaxed her grip on Ceros’ hand and let it fall back onto his thigh. “My work fills a very large place in my life. Father and the people who come to the clinic need me. I have no need to sit before a dressing table for hours on end, waiting for a servant to make me beautiful in hopes that someone will ask me to dance or expect me to fill their bed. Only to have them move on to the next pretty face. That life is not for me.”

  “You are a remarkable woman, Danet.”

  “No, I am just a woman, Gehiji. But thank you for the thought.”

  They fell silent. Danet felt the cart make several turns through the streets. She guessed they were in the heart of the city but couldn’t tell where exactly. Finally the cart stopped.

  Ptah pulled the flap over the cart open more. “This is where you said to bring you.”

  “Is there anyone about?” Gehiji asked.

  “Not that I see on the street in either direction.”

  “Stay hidden until either I or Ptah tells you to come out,” Gehiji said to Danet then he climbed out of the cart. He laughed as he stumbled then slapped Ptah on the shoulder.

  From his suddenly slurred speech and his mannerisms, she guessed he was pretending to be drunk. When they reached in to pull Ceros out, she slid farther into the shadows on the other side of the cart.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Danet waited for Ptah’s return. Every creak of the cart and flutter of the tarp was amplified louder than normal. They were close to removing Ceros from danger and she was anxious to attempt the healing.

  It would be both scary and exciting. She’d never attempted it before but felt certain it would work. Particularly if she and Ceros were destined mates.

  What she was uncertain of was how much deeper their connection would be afterward. It was a very intimate form of healing that required her to merge their souls. It would be hard to force them apart later.

  She simply couldn’t think of later right now. He needed her and this was the best way to heal him in such a short span of time. Consequences would have to be dealt with.

  “Mistress?” Ptah asked when he finally returned.

  “I’m here, Ptah.”

  “I’m to drive to the end of the street then return on the other side of the building. Master Gehiji said when I stop, you need to climb out as if you’ve done this a hundred times before.”

  “I can do that,” she reassured him.

  A few minutes later, Ptah stopped the cart and rapped on the side.

  With as much grace as she could summon, she crawled out of the back of the cart with the basket. “Thank you,” she said politely.

  Ptah grunted and pulled away.

  Danet scanned the nearby dwellings. She found Gehiji standing at the entrance of a darkened alley not far away.

  When she reached his side, he took her arm. “This way.”

  He led her to a small courtyard then to a tidy home with a brightly painted door. Gehiji held the door open and allowed her to enter first.

  It was a simple place. The furniture was plain but functional and there were few decorative items.

  Gehiji led her to a bedroom at the far end of the hallway. Ceros was lying on one side of the bed. She went to him and felt his skin then found his heartbeat. Steady but still a little slow.

  Ceros? she instinctively called to him, but received no response.

  “Is he awake yet?” Gehiji asked.

  “No,” she said, shaking her head.

  He had taken the basket from her as soon as they entered the house. He sat it on the small table next to the bed. A pitcher of water and a basin along with linens waited in the corner.

  “What will you need while we are here?”

  “For now, rest.” She removed her bag and set it next to the table. “There is a healing that I want to try on Ceros that I haven’t done before. I need to be able to focus so I need some rest and then some quiet time with him.”

  “I sent messages to a few friends of ours. I expect them before luncheon. Until then, I will stand guard. You rest and then let me know what you need to do this healing.”

  “Gehiji, I need you to understand something.” She rubbed the side of her face as she thought about how to explain. “It’s not traditional healing.”

  “Okay.”

  “It is something that most people would have trouble believing in even if they saw it happening.”

  “And?”

  “And I don’t want to worry or alarm you.”

  “Unless you’re planning to drain all of his blood or hang him upside down, I doubt anything you do is going to worry me.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “Obviously you and Ceros have some kind of connection if you can talk to each other in your heads. And I can see that you care about him and are trying to help. I don’t think you’ll do anything to deliberately harm him.”

  “By doing this, I will be revealing to the next king the extent of my gifts. Once he’s well, he will have to send me away or order my execution.”

  “Ceros wouldn’t do that.”

  “He’ll have no choice. As king, he cannot ignore royal decrees.”

  “Believe me when I tell you he will find a way to make it work out for everyone.” Gehiji stopped her pacing by reaching for her arm. “Trust me.” With a jerk of his chin in Ceros’ direction he added, “Trust him.”

  She searched his eyes and found nothing but sincerity. She nodded. “Do you think he’ll see me as an oddity later, when this is all over?”

  “Ceros is able to shift into some kind of animal. I’ve seen one of our friends walk through and control a raging fire with only his thoughts. Another friend has an uncanny knack for finding water, even in the middle of the desert. And I can sense a lie before it leaves a person’s lips.” He smiled. “No, I don’t think he’ll see you as an oddity later.”

  The knot in her chest eased. “Thank you.”

  He stood. “Get some rest. The alarm will be raised soon and they will start looking for Ceros in earnest.”

  “All right.” Danet smiled. “I won’t need much. Just enough to clear my head.”

  “Take whatever time you need.” He approached the door then paused and looked back. “I’m assuming you’d feel better staying here with Ceros. However, if you want a room to yourself, you may use one of the others.”

  “No, you’re right.” She blushed. “I’ll rest easier here. Thank you though.”

  He nodded once then shut the door behind him as he left.

  Danet extinguished the lamp. Traces of yellow from the first sun’s rising rimmed the bottom of the window.

  Exhaustion set in as she climbed up onto the bed. She curled onto her side, facing Ceros, then laid her hand over his heart. The last thing she remembered before she fell asleep was counting his heartbeats.

  She dreamed of the oasis. Everything was the same except her beast was missing. She sensed he was there somewhere but couldn’t find him even after making her way around the spring.

  With a sigh, she sat on a rock next to the water and dipped her toes into the cool liquid. Her beast’s reflection shimmered on the surface. She looked up, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  Her heart ached.

  In the distance, she heard his roar. She gathered her skirt and ran in that direction. She still couldn’t find him.

  Frustrated, she called out. “Ceros? Are you there?”

  A growl sounded nearby. She spun around but couldn’t see through the thick foliage.

  “Ceros?”

  She jerked awake. It took a moment to remember where she was. Seeing Ceros next to her calmed her.

  The urge to touch him was becoming a powerful thing. She gave in and stroked his cheek then took a deep breath and sat up on the bed.

  It was time. She needed to prepare.

  From the basket of supplies, she removed her special tea and set it aside. She’d have Gehiji boil some water while she was conducting the healing.

  Using water from the pitcher in the corner, she washed her face and hands then climbed up onto the bed next to Ceros. Gehiji had removed the robe they had put on him before leaving the palace, making it easier for her to bathe his face and neck. She pulled the sheet down and washed his chest and arms too.

  It was a cleansing process but also served to prepare her to connect with Ceros.

  She returned the bowl of water to the table and set the dirty linens aside. Before she returned to the bed, the door burst open. A large, dark-headed man stepped in. He had a sword strapped to his side and some kind of weapon in his hand. Something about him warned Danet he was a trained killer.

  Without hesitation, she put herself between Ceros and the stranger and called on every form of protection she could remember. She raised a magical shield between them then aimed a burst of wind toward the stranger. He staggered backward but steadied himself at the door.

  “I won’t let you harm him,” Danet shouted.

  “Who are you?” The man’s voice thundered in the small room.

  Danet prepared herself to summon a heat flare when Gehiji pushed his way into the room.

  “What’s going on?” Gehiji looked from one to the other. “What’s all the shouting?”

  “What is she doing?” the stranger demanded.

  Danet felt the heat in her hand surge.

  “Danet. Stop.” Gehiji held both hands up, palms facing her. “This is Runihura. He’s a friend.”

  Danet glanced at Gehiji. “A friend?”

  “Of mine and Ceros,” Gehiji reassured her.

  She struggled to calm herself and bank the fire she had stirred inside. Finally she lowered the shield.

  Gehiji stepped closer and gestured to Danet. “Runihura, this is Danet. She’s a healer and a close friend of Ceros’ family.”

  “If she’s such a close friend, why did Ceros never tell us about her?”

  “Because we never actually met until he returned.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I served the queen and Ceros’ sisters.”

  Runihura grunted. “And you are loyal to him as well?”

  “I am,” she said with a lift of her chin.

  “Are you ready to do your healing then?” Gehiji asked.

  “I was preparing when he came in.” She gestured to Runihura.

  “Did you think of anything you need?” Gehiji asked.

  “Not for the healing.” She retrieved her tea and handed it to Gehiji. “But can you make a pot of this tea? I’ll need it afterward.”

  “I can do that,” he assured her.

  “Thank you.”

  “We will leave you to your work then,” Gehiji said as he pushed Runihura to the door.

  Runihura gave her a slight bow and followed Gehiji.

  One of them closed the door, leaving her alone with Ceros once more. She took a deep breath, shaken but determined to at least connect with Ceros even if she couldn’t complete the healing.

  Thinking it might help, she climbed up onto the bed and knelt beside Ceros. She placed one hand on his chest and another on his forehead then closed her eyes.

  Ceros? Can you hear me?

  In the scattered debris that was their consciousness, she searched for the thread of their connection. It was gold and sparkled with tiny fragments of light. When she found it, she reached for it and held tight.

  Ceros? Are you there?

  The thread began to dissolve and she fought to hang on. She remembered the fire she had been forced to bank when Runihura had startled her. Drawing on the warmth and passion of her feelings, she pushed energy through to Ceros.

  His consciousness flickered.

  Come on, Ceros. Help me find you.

  Here.

  She heard his faint response but it gave her hope. She pushed more energy to Ceros and the connection snapped into place.

  Danet.

  There you are. She sighed in relief.

  What’s going on? Even in her head, he sounded weak.

  You’ve been unconscious for most of a day. I haven’t been able reach you. We’ve all been very worried. Do you remember anything?

  Not really. The last thing I clearly remember is you talking to me. You said you were going home to see your father.

  That’s right. I left and while I was gone someone came in and stuck you with two more thorns. We didn’t find one of them for hours. I’m sorry.

  It’s not your fault, Danet.

  I shouldn’t have left.

  It’s not for you to guard me. He sighed. I assume Mother has increased the security around my room.

  Well…

  Danet. His tone held all kinds of warning. What did she do?

  Your mother did nothing, really, just let Gehiji and me do what we felt was best.

  And that was?

  We kidnapped you.

  He fell silent.

  Are you still there? she asked.

  You and Gehiji kidnapped me, the prince, from the palace while I was unconscious.

  Yes.

  You realize they will send all of the guards after you, don’t you?

  Gehiji is aware of that.

  And your plan is what exactly? He sounded more tired than angry.

  I’m to heal you. Gehiji has asked some friends of yours to come help. Some big, scary-looking man named Runi-something showed up a few minutes ago.

  If he sent for the people I suspect, I won’t worry nearly as much. The palace guards will never get near you if they’re here.

  Are the others as intimidating as this one?

  They will be skilled in their own way, but Runihura is a bit frightening at first glance.

  Just a bit. Okay. While we are connected and before any more big, scary men show up, I want to try something. A healing. But it isn’t a traditional healing method. It’s something my mother wrote about.

  Some of your mystic abilities?

  Yes.

  All right.

  You’re okay with trying it?

  Will it harm either of us or anyone around us?

  Not if everything goes the way it should.

  Then what’s the problem?

  It’s a very intimate form of healing. I have to merge our life forces in order to push the poison from your body. The connection we share now will probably intensify after this healing. You need to be sure that you want that. That you can handle knowing I’ve glimpsed into your very soul.

  If you had been unable to reach me to ask me what I would want, what would you have done?

  I would have attempted to do it anyway.

  Then why do you ask now?

  Because I see it as the ultimate invasion of your privacy. I won’t do it if you tell me no. If I hadn’t been able to reach you very soon, I would have taken it as a sign that you were too far gone and possibly in a life-threatening situation.

  I’m not seeing where the situation is all that different. Do whatever you think is best to heal me. I trust you, Danet.

  Thank you. I just hope you remember that when you can hear my thoughts from across the city and know that I can hear yours.

  We’ll deal with that later.

  She took a deep breath. Okay. Let’s see about pushing that poison out then. I need you to relax and let me in. All of your defenses must come down, Ceros. I give you my word that I won’t pry or dig into memories. But I need to be able to come all the way in.

  How will you know it worked?

  I suspect we’ll both know.

  In the space she occupied within their joined consciousness, she saw a room surrounded by a golden curtain. She walked up to but couldn’t find an opening. She ran her hands over the silky fabric, searching before realizing there wasn’t an entrance a physical body would use.

  She closed her eyes and sank against the billowing panel. As she did, it gave way and allowed her to seep through. She took a large step and felt the featherlight caress of the silk over her entire body. When she opened her eyes, she was in the same room she had dreamed of the day before. Gold walls. The raised platform bed. Glistening white sheets covered the bed and iridescent sheers fluttered about the posts.

  She expected to find her beast lying on top of the bed. Instead, it was empty.

  Gazing around the chamber, she was vaguely aware of light reflecting off the gold that surrounded her. She was far more interested in finding Ceros. Or her beast. Or perhaps both.

  “Am I dreaming again?” a voice from behind her asked.

  Danet turned slowly. Ceros stood across the room. His golden hair fell in waves down the back of his neck. He wore a simple white cloth around his waist and a gold band bearing his family emblem about his upper arm. His bare chest glistened in the light as if it had been bathed with oil. The sight of him stirred something deep within her. “You have been here before too?”

  He moved toward her, but not directly. He circled the perimeter of the room as if he were stalking prey. “Yes. And not long ago.”

  She turned to keep her eyes on him. “Were you alone?”

  “No, I was not.”

  “Were you beast or man?”

  He stopped circling and asked quietly. “Why do you ask me this?”

  “In my dream, the last time I was here, my beast was too.” She took a step in Ceros’ direction. “But he was attacked by something I couldn’t see and he ran from me. I should like to know if beast and man are one.”

  Ceros took a few steps closer. “The last time I found this place, it was as a beast. And my lady of light comforted me. Something disturbed my dream and forced me from this place and from my lady.”

  “And do you sometimes find your lady in a lush oasis in your dreams?” she asked, taking another step closer.

 
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