Mystics touch, p.18
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Mystic's Touch, page 18

 

Mystic's Touch
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  “Runihura could set a fire in the far corner. That would clear the room quickly,” Gehiji suggested.

  “I wouldn’t even need to search for small pieces of wood,” Runihura said matter-of-factly.

  Ceros had to fight the lift of his lips. “And damage my home? Perish the thought.”

  “Then you’re stuck smiling and playing the role of prince for a bunch of people you don’t know,” Gehiji pointed out.

  Ceros grumbled to himself and forced away thoughts of what Danet might be doing at that moment. And whether or not she was fully clothed while she did it. Whatever it might be.

  When the last of the council members filed out the door, his mother swept in. She very nearly knocked him over as she captured him in an enveloping hug.

  “Oh my son, I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am to see you.” She squeezed him once more then pulled back. “And looking as well as you do.”

  “Thank you.” Ceros squeezed her hand. “I’m happy to see you too.”

  The queen wiped a tear away from the corner of her eye. “The last time I saw you I was not sure you would be standing here. Ever again.”

  “I’ve been told I was very fortunate.” He chuckled. “Of course it was also hinted that the only reason I healed was because I was just too stubborn to die.”

  His mother sniffed. “Whatever it takes to keep you with us.” She looked around. “Speaking of which. Where’s Danet?”

  “Mdjai was taking her to her father’s.”

  “Ah.” She nodded. “I’m sure the poor girl needs some rest. She’s been taking care of you since you arrived.”

  “I understand I have you to thank for securing her care.”

  “No need to thank me. I knew you needed the best so I made sure you received it.” She harrumphed. “That pompous ass, Darius, may be taking credit for your recovery, but I know it was really because of Danet.”

  “There is no need for everyone to know that, however,” he said with a meaningful look.

  “No, you’re probably right. If word gets out that she healed you so well, every one of the gentry will be signing up to get Danet as their personal physician. We’ll never be able to get her back to the palace.”

  “I’ll get her back to the palace, Mother, don’t you worry.”

  “Oh? And how do you plan to do that? Offer her a position as the palace physician?” She shook her head. “You know Darius will cause problems if you do.”

  “The position I have in mind won’t conflict with Darius.”

  The queen frowned. “Then what are you thinking of doing with her?”

  Ceros’ smile bordered on wicked. “I plan to take her as my mate and make her my queen.”

  His mother’s usual composure slipped and her mouth fell open.

  A voice from behind asked, “You’re to be bound?”

  Ceros whipped around and found Aleric stepping between the curtains draped over the doorway in the wall behind them. Aleric looked as stunned as the queen. “Aleric, I didn’t hear you approach.”

  “I, uh…” Aleric cleared his throat as he glanced warily at the frowns on the three warriors’ faces. “I circled back so I could tell you how glad I was about your remarkable recovery. But now it sounds as if congratulations are in order as well,” he said smoothly.

  “I assume I don’t have to tell you that information is not widely known.” Ceros nodded to the queen. “I was just breaking the news to Mother so I would appreciate you not saying anything to anyone else.”

  “I understand.” Aleric tipped his head in a partial bow. “Since I am obviously interrupting I will leave you to your conversation.” He bowed again to the queen. “My queen.”

  Ceros turned to his mother. She had regained her calm and asked, “Am I to take it that the time you spent with Danet brought this,” she waved her hand in Ceros’ direction, “news about?”

  “Partially.” He wasn’t going to go into detail about his reasons.

  She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Son, I like Danet. More importantly, I respect her. However, I don’t want you to feel as if you are expected to bond with her just because you’ve spent a lot of time alone with her. Despite her unmated state, her position and reputation will prevent others from thinking ill of her.”

  “That is not why I want to bond with Danet, Mother.” When she started to speak, he held up his hand. “Not now. Not here. I just wanted you to know first.”

  “Answer one thing for me now. What did her father say?”

  Ceros took a deep breath. “Nothing. I haven’t spoken with him about it.”

  The queen’s brows drew together.

  “She doesn’t know it yet either,” he mumbled.

  Her mouth fell open again but she quickly recovered and snapped it shut. She studied his face and seemed to come to some decision. “I expect you know what you’re about so I won’t tell you what a muddle you’re about to make of this if you don’t have a conversation with your intended very soon.”

  She leaned forward and lifted herself up on her toes so she could press a quick kiss to his cheek. “You can tell me about it later as I suspect you want to be off so you can gather up your mate-to-be.” She patted him on the chest. “Bring her to me once you two have come to an agreement.”

  Ceros smiled down at his mother. “I will.”

  He watched as she regally swept out of the room, her handmaidens falling in place behind her. Once the doors closed again, Ceros turned to Gehiji.

  “Before we go get Danet and Mdjai, I need to meet with the chancellor on a couple of issues that need to be addressed right away. I’d also like to talk to Hesina about having a few things moved into my rooms for Danet. And we need to make sure rooms have been prepared for you and Mdjai.” Ceros pointed to Runihura.

  “I thought I saw Hesina listening to the proceedings from the back of the room. I’d bet my favorite eligari she’s already taken care of a room for Runihura,” Gehiji said.

  “Probably, but she won’t know about Mdjai and I don’t want to worry about it later.” Ceros grinned. “I suspect I’m going to have my hands full placating Danet.”

  Runihura snorted.

  “There’s no point asking if you meant what you said about being bound to her.” Gehiji made it a statement rather than a question.

  “No point at all. She is my one true mate. I have no doubt of it.”

  Gehiji smiled and offered his hand to Ceros. “Then I wish you both all the joy in the world, my friend.”

  They clasped wrists. “Thank you. Now I just have to convince Danet.”

  “I thought every woman dreamed of bonding with a prince?” Runihura clasped wrists with Ceros.

  “I suspect I found one of the few who aren’t enamored with the idea,” Ceros mumbled.

  Runihura chuckled and slapped Ceros on the shoulder with his free hand. “Then enjoy the chase. And don’t let her forget what you went through to capture her either.”

  “Thank you.” Ceros grimaced. “I think.”

  “Come,” Runihura said. “I’m anxious to see how many circles that little lady makes you run in.”

  Gehiji chuckled as the three men left the hall.

  After the doors closed a shadowy figure moved along the edge of the wall not far from where Ceros and his men had been standing. The shadow blended further into the darkness then the sound of a door latch echoed through the room.

  Chapter Twenty

  Danet’s aimless wandering led to her mother’s fountain in the center of the gardens. It was one place that always settled her troubled mind.

  She slipped off her sandals and sat on the edge. For a moment she watched the play of colors from the setting suns in the clear pool and let the sounds and scents wash over her. There was something magical about the space her mother had created so long ago. It was soothing in a way that defied explanation.

  Trying not to disturb the tiny garah that lived in the basin, she eased her feet into the cool water. The garahs’ bright-blue bodies twisted and swam away, only to float back where they started.

  She tried to gauge the time of day based on the position of the suns. One had already dipped below the horizon but the other was still casting shadows on everything it touched.

  It had been some time since Ceros and the others left. She wondered how the council was taking his recovery. Surely the meeting wouldn’t last very long. Those old men could be stubborn, but there was nothing to argue about. Either Ceros was fit to rule or he wasn’t. And given the fact that he was in full control of his mind and body, they shouldn’t be able to say he wasn’t capable.

  It was tempting to touch his mind and find out what was happening, but she still felt it was rude to do so without permission. Even if she managed to make the connection while they were so far apart, there was the possibility of interrupting him during a critical point in the meeting. She certainly didn’t want to distract him.

  A few times this afternoon she thought she had felt him brushing up against her mind but dismissed it as wishful thinking. He would be far too busy to do that.

  As she watched the garah swim around her toes, a shadow fell across her lap. Assuming it was Mdjai or her father, she didn’t bother to look up. “I know I shouldn’t have run away but I needed to clear my head.”

  When she received no response, she turned to see who was there. Before she had even a glimpse, she was grabbed from behind.

  Danet struggled against whoever was holding her and tried to free her hands. She opened her mouth to scream when she recognized the smell of a familiar drug pressed against her nose. The last thought she had as she was pulled into darkness was that Ceros was still in danger.

  * * * * *

  Across town, in the palace, Ceros was jolted into awareness.

  It sounded as if Danet had called his name but it was faint and rather weak.

  He closed his eyes and focused on her. Her face, her smell, the feel of her in his arms. He even tried to remember what it felt like when they spoke in each other’s minds.

  “What’s wrong?” Runihura asked.

  Ceros held up one finger, silently asking for a moment, as he tried to call out to Danet.

  Nothing. He tried again. Still no response. Not even the fluttery sensations he had felt earlier when he’d tried to connect to her.

  Gehiji approached. “What’s going on?”

  Ceros shook his head. “I’m not sure. I just suddenly had the feeling that Danet was calling me. It was as if she was scared or alarmed by something.”

  “Are you sure you weren’t imagining things?” Gehiji asked.

  “No. I’m not sure.” Ceros ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “This connection with her is too new. And I’m not sure that it works when we’re this far apart.” He paced away. “But it felt real. For a few seconds I felt scared and I have no reason to be. There is no immediate threat to me.”

  “Do you want me to go to her father’s house and find out for sure?” Runihura offered.

  Ceros looked around the room at the stack of documents on his desk and at the progress the staff had made in his room.

  “No.” He reached for his sash and quickly tied it around his waist then buckled his sword and belt over it. “Let’s all go.”

  The other two grabbed their own weapons and followed. As the three marched through the hallways to the exit, Ceros’ father’s chancellor ran to catch up with them. Actually, the man was now his chancellor.

  “My prince? A word, if you please?”

  “Not now,” Ceros called over his shoulder without breaking stride.

  “But my prince, it will only take—”

  Ceros stopped and faced the aging politician. “I will ring for you when I am ready.” His expression brooked no argument.

  The man swallowed nervously and clutched the stack of documents he was holding against his chest. “Ye-yes, my prince.”

  Ceros resumed his march to the door.

  The expression on his face was fierce enough no one else dared impede their progress. When they reached the stables, they didn’t bother the stable hands. It was faster to saddle their mounts themselves. More than one mouth fell open to see the prince readying his own eligari.

  Ceros called one of the young stableboys to his side and asked where he could find Mistress Danet’s home. Thankfully the boy knew.

  To avoid any alarm, Ceros forced himself to slow down after passing through the palace gates. The crowded city streets tried his patience. It felt like an eternity before they reached Danet’s home.

  They dismounted. Runihura took all three sets of reins while Ceros hurried to the entrance. He banged on the heavy wooden barrier and fought the urge to burst through.

  Mdjai opened the door. “Ceros.” He looked past Ceros to where Gehiji and Runihura stood. “What’s wrong?”

  “Where’s Danet?” Ceros asked as he pushed his way inside.

  “Out back in the garden. Why?”

  “I need to see her.” Ceros scanned the various doors and entryways, looking for something that might be an obvious way to the gardens.

  A tall, gray-headed man wearing dark-brown robes came from one of the rooms to the right.

  “Is there a problem?” When the man’s eyes lighted on Ceros, he dipped his head in a bow. “Prince Ceros. I’m glad to see you’ve recovered so well.”

  “Thank you.” Ceros hesitated. “You look familiar.”

  “This is Sebak, Danet’s father,” Mdjai said by way of introduction.

  “Ah, yes.” Ceros crossed the room to shake Sebak’s hand. “I remember you from when I was a boy. I hurt my arm and you splinted it.” Ceros cocked his head to one side. “Don’t take offense, sir, but Danet doesn’t look anything like you.”

  Sebak released Ceros’ hand. He smiled sadly as he removed his eyeglasses. “No offense at all for I know she doesn’t. She is very nearly a mirror image of her mother.” He rubbed the lenses with the edge of his sleeve. “It’s startling sometimes.”

  “Yes. I could see where it might be,” Ceros mumbled. He shook the thought off. “I don’t mean to be abrupt, but can you show me where to find Danet?”

  “Certainly.” Sebak gestured for Ceros to follow.

  “Gehiji, why don’t you go with them? I’ll help Runihura with the mounts,” Mdjai suggested.

  Gehiji nodded and followed Ceros and Sebak.

  Sebak led the way through a well-tended garden. The sound of water reached his ears before he noticed the magnificent fountain. If this was one of Danet’s favorite places, he could see why.

  Unfortunately he didn’t see Danet.

  “That’s strange. I would have sworn this was where she was headed.” A frown creased Sebak’s brow as he glanced up and down the adjoining paths.

  “Where else might she be?” Ceros tried to remain calm even though tension gripped him.

  “She might have gone up to her room while Mdjai and I were in my study, but I think we would have seen or heard her.”

  Gehiji stepped closer to the fountain. To the untrained eye, it looked as if he were simply admiring it but Ceros recognized he was studying the area. “Ceros,” Gehiji said quietly.

  Ceros moved in next to Gehiji to see what had caught Gehiji’s eye. Inside the pond was a skid mark in the moss covering one of the larger stones near the edge.

  It looked as if someone had either slipped on the rock or had suddenly been pulled away from the pond. Given the amount of sediment still stirred up in the bottom of the pool, it happened recently. Some of the plants growing next to the wall of the fountain had been pulled and dropped on the rock below.

  Gehiji and Ceros exchanged looks of concern.

  Sebak leaned over the pond. He looked at Gehiji then Ceros. “Something has happened to her, hasn’t it?”

  “It’s hard to say for sure,” Ceros said.

  “But you think so, don’t you?” Sebak said quietly.

  Ceros took a deep breath. “As much as I don’t want to believe it, my guess is yes.”

  “Where’s the closest exit?” Gehiji asked.

  “There’s a gate in the wall, just there.” Sebak pointed to a dark spot in the wall. “It’s never used and should be locked.”

  “I’ll check.” Gehiji sprinted to the wall.

  Ceros closed his eyes and tried to reach Danet through their connection. Danet? If you can hear me, say something. It’s very important. He paused and listened. It was hard to yell without a voice, but he put everything he had into the bellow. Danet!

  “Were you able to connect with her?” Sebak asked.

  Ceros’ eyes popped open. “What did you ask?”

  “Danet. Were you able to reach her?” Sebak asked again.

  “She told you about our connection?”

  He nodded. “But don’t worry. She didn’t repeat anything said between you. She only mentioned the connection was there.”

  “And you believed her?”

  “Of course.” Sebak sat on the nearby bench. “Her mother and I shared a soul-bond and could communicate in a similar fashion.”

  “What kind of bond?”

  “A soul-bond.” He gestured that Ceros should sit with him. “It’s a type of bonding that goes deeper than a set of vows said before witnesses. Once a mystic finds and bonds with his or her mate, there can be no other.” He smiled sadly. “The bond transcends even death.”

  “How does a mystic recognize her mate?” Ceros asked, even though he felt he already knew the answer.

  Sebak lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “There are many signs. A feeling that you knew each other before you met. A sense of ease or comfort whenever you’re together. But the most obvious is the couple’s ability to share thoughts.”

  Ceros hung his head. “I’m really going to have to talk to her about keeping information from me.”

  Sebak chuckled. “She always was one to do whatever she felt was right or best for everyone. Even at her own expense.”

  “Well, I suppose this soul-bonding makes things easier for me.”

  His brows rose in surprise. “How so?”

  “I was already trying to figure out how to get her to accept my offer to be my mate. Doesn’t this mean she can’t refuse me?”

 
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