The Ranger (Time Masters Book 5), page 25
“Yes, it was,” Makama said. “Thank you, for everything.”
Markhel knew what she meant, and hoped the Cookes realized the significance of what the evening had brought. Namely, the strengthening of the bond.
Harrison mumbled “goodnight” as Major walked them to the door looking like he wanted to slam it on them with a firm, “good riddance.”
But being the southern gentleman he was, he told everyone good night and closed the door softly behind them.
Markhel imagined him sagging against hit and praying he never saw any of them again. But that wasn’t about to happen, and he hoped and prayed the rest of the bonding went smoothly, for all their sakes.
Makama watched Markhel climb onto the wagon seat. Lany sat next to him with Tylahs, while she and Vale climbed into the back with Kitty.
“Well, that went better than expected,” Vale said with a happy smile.
“Eventually,” Makama corrected. “But I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.”
“She’s right,” Lany said. “But kudos to you Markhel for being a gentleman and holding together. Bravo. Now if you could just keep it up, we might get through this.”
Markhel eyed the Lord Councilor. “I will try.”
Lany eyed him right back. “Try harder.”
Makama breathed a sigh of relief. The only one in their group that wasn’t wound as tight as a piano string was Kitty. But this wasn’t her first rodeo, and she’d been here before.
“What?” Kitty asked when she noticed her staring.
“I’m sorry,” Makama said. “I have a lot on my mind.”
“I bet. This is your first time meeting your dad’s family?”
“Yes, and I wish it had gone smoother, but I didn’t come here just for me. I want to see Markhel joined.”
“We all do.” Kitty said.
Makama glanced at Markhel as he got the wagon moving. Melvale was driving the other wagon by himself, and she didn’t wonder if someone should be riding with him, but maybe he wanted some time to sort some things out.
They set off, crested the rise, and not once did Markhel look back. Hmmm... “Markhel, did you strengthen the bond?” Makama asked, curious.
“I believe so.”
She sighed. “Did you talk to Maida?”
“Yes.”
She made a face. “Did you give her more than one-word answers?”
“Eventually.”
Vale snorted.
“Stop,” she said shaking her head.
“Um, Markhel,” Kitty hedged. “Do you know what it means to be romantic?”
He brought the team to a stop. “Romance?”
“Yeah, you know. Sweep a girl off her feet?”
All eyes were on him as he turned around on the wagon seat. “You are referring to courtship rituals, are you not?”
Kitty nodded. “Dating? Courting? Making out?”
He cocked his head. “Making out?”
Lany facepalmed. “Oh, living stars. We get the family to agree and we’re still in trouble.”
Markhel arched an eyebrow at him then gave his attention to the others. “Teach me some of these rituals. I will perform them and make progress on the bond.” He faced front and got the wagon moving again.
Kitty, Makama and Vale looked at one another and burst into laughter.
“It’s no laughing matter,” Lany sang. “You can’t expect their hearts to do all the work.”
“No,” Vale said, sobering first. “I suppose not.” He looked at Makama. “We didn’t.”
“You’re right,” she agreed. “We spent quality time together.”
He smiled. “Swimming lessons. I remember them well.”
“And dinner dates.” Makama kissed him on the cheek.
“So, what does a date look like in 1899?” Kitty asked. “It’s not like he can take her to dinner and the movies.”
Vale drummed his fingers on his knee. “No, he certainly can’t. Which could pose a problem.”
“It’s 1899, people,” Lany said. “Folks around here are used to having nothing to do.” He sat, then looked at them. “Oh, yes, I see your point. Ideas?”
“I will perform romantic gestures,” Markhel suggested.
“What sort of gestures?” Kitty asked with a hint of alarm.
He glanced over his shoulder. “What gestures are there? Is there a list somewhere?”
Makama tried not to laugh. Markhel was worse than a robot. That is, until he was riled up, or feeding. She’d seen that firsthand. Then he sprang to life. But what about all the in between? Would he bore poor Maida to death? There had to be a personality in the big lug somewhere!
“Flowers?” Kitty said.
“Candy?” Vale added.
“Picnicssssk!” Tylahs chimed. He crawled out of Lany’s pocket and grinned at them.
Makama noticed Markhel didn’t add any suggestions. Hmmm, what could he do to impress Maida and get her to start falling in love with him? It would make things so much easier.
“What are we going to do about the chaperone?” Kitty asked. “Who’s going to do it?”
“Major will want to pick them,” Lany said. “To make him more comfortable, not to mention agreeable, we should let him.”
“Yes, but who will it be?” Vale asked this time.
“I have no idea,” Lany said. “He won’t agree to letting any of us do it, and I doubt he’ll let Colin or Belle do it either.
Makama shook her head in annoyance. “He’ll choose himself and Harrison.”
“But of course, he will,” Kitty said with a mock smile.
Lany twisted on the wagon seat to look at them. “That’s bound to make poor Maida nervous. How can she be herself with her father or grandfather watching her every move?”
“Not to mention Markhel’s,” Makama said. Once again, she noticed Markhel was quiet. Was he thinking about the conversation? “What do you think, Markhel? Do you mind having her father or grandfather breathing down your neck while you’re trying to have a conversation with Maida?”
Silence.
“Markhel?”
Lany poked him in the arm. “Hey, you okay?”
Markhel lurched to one side and fell off the wagon seat.
“Living stars!” Lany grabbed the lines and brought the team to a stop.
Makama and Vale were already leaping out of the wagon and rushing to his side.
“By heavens, he’s out cold!” Vale exclaimed.
She pried one of Markhel’s eyes open, then smacked him on the cheek a few times. “Markhel?”
Melvale came running. “What happened?” He knelt next to him, put a hand on his chest, and closed his eyes. Everyone moved back when a golden light formed around Melvale’s hand as he spoke a few words in Muiraran. Makama had no idea what he said, but knew he was checking his brother’s hearts.
“Will he be all right?” Kitty asked.
“I hope so. I’ve never seen anyone just collapse like this before.” Melvale patted Markhel on the face. “Brother, stop fooling around and get up.”
Markhel lay as if dead.
“Well, this is concerning,” Lany quipped as he joined them. “Tylahs?”
“Rightosssk!” He leapt out of Lany’s hand and onto Markhel’s chest. He sat and stared at him. “He’s asleepsssk?” He looked at Melvale for confirmation.
“No, this is something else. And I’m afraid I don’t know what.”
“Can’t you jump start him or something?” Kitty suggested.
“I’m afraid not,” Melvale said. “I’d best take care of him.” He grabbed Markhel by the hands, pulled him up and flung him over a shoulder and into in a fireman’s carry. He took him to his wagon and dumped him in the back.
Makama watched Melvale climb onto the wagon seat then took Vale’s hand. “I have a bad feeling about this. Something’s not right.”
“What makes you say that, darling?”
“I... just know.”
Tylahs put his forelegs on her skirt. “Markhel sicksssk?”
“I don’t know.” She returned to the wagon where Kitty now stood. “What do you think? You’ve seen more bonding’s than we have.”
“I’ve never seen this. I mean, Dallan fainted a few times, but he didn’t just keel over like Markhel just did.”
They loaded themselves into the wagon, and she hoped Markhel came to before they got to town. If they had to carry him into the hotel, it would only add to Fanny Fig’s gossip about him.
Unfortunately, by the time they reached the hotel, poor Markhel was still out like a light. Melvale, Vale, and Lany carried him inside, where she helped them carry him upstairs to his room. Thankfully, Lorcan was manning the counter, and couldn’t see what they were doing. Who knew if he sensed anything?
“Where’s his key?” Vale asked, then began to poke through Markhel’s pockets.
“Should one of us fetch the doctor?” Kitty suggested. “Maybe he can help?”
“No,” Lany said, shaking his head. “Who we need is Kwaku, and I have no idea where he and Zara are.”
Melvale stood and stared at his brother. He looked concerned.
“Is he going to be all right?” Makama asked.
“I don’t know.” He bent to Markhel again as Vale took the room key from one of his pockets and opened the door. As soon as he did, Melvale cradled Markhel in his arms, picked him up and carried him to the bed and set him down. Melvale sat next to him, a puzzled look on his handsome face.
“Melvale looks really worried,” Kitty whispered.
“I’m worried too.” Makama took Vale by the hand and squeezed it. “What if he doesn’t wake up?”
“He’ll wake up, darling. He has too.” He pulled her into his arms. “It’s as if, I don’t know...”
“What?” Melvale left the bed. “Do you sense something?”
“I’m not sure,” Vale said. He looked into Makama’s eyes. “We connected so well by spending time together. Grant it, we didn’t have a lot, but it was, as you say, quality time. But what if Markhel really is relying on his inner heart to do all the work? He’s been a ranger for years. Alone, isolated.”
Melvale’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, stab me...”
“What is it?” Lany asked with no small amount of alarm.
“Prince Vale is right. Markhel has been alone too long. For most Muirarans, that’s excruciating. He’s learned to seal himself off and get along without company for extended stretches of time. It’s enough to kill a weaker Muiraran. But he had three hearts. Now he doesn’t.” Melvale gave his unconscious brother a sympathetic look. “He’s afraid.” He glanced at the others. “Afraid to let anyone in, including Maida. I believe he unconsciously walled her off.”
“What?!” the rest of them cried in unison.
Melvale blanched. “Oh, stab me! He’ll kill them both!”
Makama left Vale’s embrace. “What do you mean?”
Melvale closed his eyes. “My brother is afraid to fall in love.”
“Why?” Kitty asked.
He looked at her. “He’s been alone so long; he fears even the smallest taste of love.” He heaved a sigh. “Even a small taste can be taken away.”
“But that doesn’t make sense,” Kitty said. “He’s Muiraran!”
“Yes, and that’s the problem.” Melvale brushed some of his long hair from his eyes. “He’s trained himself to live off miniscule amounts of company.” Melvale paced by Markhel’s bedside. “To do his job as a ranger, he’s denied himself the thing he needs most. Companionship. Love. Relationships.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Vale asked.
Melvale stopped. “I’m afraid Maida is going to have to woo him.” He arched an eyebrow at his brother. “She’s the only one that can tear down the wall he’s built around his heart.
22
Markhel opened his eyes slowly as an icy chill went up his spine. He’d felt this before and shivered. He needed to go to town, see Grandma and Doc and maybe visit with Irene and Wilfred. Once he had his fill of them, he could return to...
He sat up. This was not his cave home. He was in the Van Cleet Hotel. “Maida...” He looked around the room. How did he get here? The last thing he remembered was driving the others back to town. So, what happened between then and now? Had Maida’s heart Called again?
He got out of bed, went to the window, and looked out. The prairie behind the hotel stretched to the tree line in the distance. It crept up the mountains beyond like a thick, green carpet that soon turned into gray granite and snowcapped peaks.
He rested his hands on the windowsill and realized there was nothing inside him. He put a hand to his chest, but the warmth of his hand did little to comfort him. His heart was empty. “No...”
He staggered to the door, opened it, and Vale got to his feet.
“Oh, good you’re up.” He yawned and stretched. “Are you hungry and how do you feel?”
Markhel looked up and down the hall, then took in the prince. “What happened?”
“Well,” Vale drawled and scratched his side. “You passed out, fell off the wagon, and then we brought you here.”
He gave Vale a nod of thanks. Who knew how long he’d been sitting outside his door to ensure he was undisturbed? He returned to his bed and sat. “Maida...”
“Yes, well, it seems you did something that damaged the bond you were forming with her.”
He almost fell off the bed. “What?”
Vale nodded. “Ask Melvale. He’s downstairs, would you like me to get him?”
“No.” He closed his eyes then nodded. “Yes.”
“Be right back.” Vale left, closing the door behind him.
He could have called his brother with his heart, but he’d gotten so used to doing things the human way, he sometimes forgot he was Muiraran. He stared at the wall in front of him. “I have been here too long.”
He needed to be with his own kind. He’d done damage to himself, and now his mistake could put Maida at risk. He wondered if the others had figured it out yet.
Melvale entered the room, not bothering to knock. “Brother...”
“Melvale.” He stared at the floor. “There is something wrong.”
“Yes, there is.” Melvale sat beside him. “A lack of this.” He hugged him and Markhel stiffened.
“You have to learn to accept this,” Melvale said then let him go. “When was the last time you saw Mother? Did you even visit with her while you were at the palace?”
“No, there was no time.”
“Did you not think to make some? She misses you, you know. When this is over, and your joining is complete, you must introduce Maida to her. She wishes to meet your mate.”
He nodded. Seeing their mother was... painful. If he lost control, he feared he’d never want to be alone again. If that happened, how could he do his job? Rangers prided themselves on being able to handle solitude.
“Melvale.”
“Hm?”
He looked at him. “Did I really damage the bond?”
He put an arm around him. “You did, but you can fix it with a little effort. Or perhaps a lot. Needless to say...”
“Did I harm her?”
“Lany and Tylahs rode out to the ranch to check. They haven’t come back yet.”
Markhel put a hand to his chest. “I feel nothing.”
“Not even pain?”
“None.”
“Oh dear.”
They sat, both staring at the floor, when Kitty knocked on the door jamb. “Can I come in?”
Markhel nodded without looking at her.
She entered and stood before them. “Wow, you two look depressed.”
“We’re, well,” Melvale waved a hand. “I don’t know what we’re doing.”
“No one does,” she said. “But that’ doesn’t mean you just sit around and do nothing.” She took them each by the hand and pulled.
The brothers looked at each other and stood.
“There, that’s better,” she said. “Now, Markhel needs to get cleaned up and smelling pretty, then get dressed. He’s got a date.” She spun on her heel and marched out of the room.
Markhel watched her go. “A date?”
“She talks about them a lot, but never seems to go on any.” Melvale put a hand on his shoulder. “Do as she says. If there’s one thing Kitty is good at, it’s being willing to open her heart to risk. She’s just never had anyone to risk it on.” He patted him on the shoulder then left the room.
Markhel shrugged, then did as they asked. He bathed, washed his hair, dressed, then went downstairs where the others waited. Grandma was there, and he made a beeline for her. She could always make him feel better.
“Well, look at you all spiffed up.” She studied him from head to toe. “You clean up nice, Markhel.”
He gave a heartfelt look. “I don’t know what to do, Grandma. I am not prepared for this.”
“None of us ever are,” she said and winked. “But rest assured, you’ll get through it. We’ll make sure you do.”
He sat at a table, ordered some food, then waited. No one said much, and he didn’t blame them. He’d gotten so good at cutting himself off from his family and forcing himself to go without companionship, that now when it was offered to him and in the form of a mate no less, he couldn’t accept it. If the bond he was forming with Maida was damaged, then it was his fault and his alone.
Lany and Tylahs returned just as he was finishing his meal and came straight to his table.
He looked at the Lord Councilor with apprehension, afraid of what he might say. But he was no coward. “What did I do to her?”
“Nothing as far as I could see, but you’re going to have to work at this. Hard.” He sat back in his chair. “Markhel, no one can do this but you, and there’s no easy way around it, and you can’t rely...”
“I understand. I will have to do my part. I... must let her in.”
“At least you know. That’s more than a lot of people. And I do mean a lot.” He gave him a curt nod then left the dining room. Melvale, the Lord Councilor and Kitty would have to report in, was his guess. This meant that either Kwaku and Zara would take them back to the palace, or Simon Kells and Geran would come fetch them. In the meantime, he would have only Vale and Makama to aid him.
