Page 10 of Hainn

“So far so good. The real test will be whether I dream tonight. I promise not to call you if the nightmares return,” she said, striving for a teasing note.

He took her hand, playing with the ring she wore, which Camron had made for her out of spun silver strands. He’d woven several pretty polished agates into the matching bracelet and it was one of her favorite possessions. “No, wrong answer. Iwantyou to call me if there’s another flareup. I’ll be hurt if you don’t. Promise me.” His eyes were glowing golden and Jezari was mesmerized by the intensity of his stare.

“All right, I guess if I have to be awake in the middle of the night I might as well have company,” she said, pulling her hand free a moment later. “But fingers crossed as the humans say, that tonight is dreamless.”

“Speaking of humans, I think the band is doing a terrific job tonight. I know they’ve been practicing hard in their off duty hours. One of my brothers is dating the girl playing the drums and he’s been grumpy all week because of the long rehearsals.”

Jezari examined the remark from all angles and decided there was no reply she wanted to make and especially not about dating. She made a sound of agreement and drank more from her glass.

“Want to dance?”

Shocked, Jezari choked on the icy liquid and Hainn had to pound her back. “I don’t dance,” she said in a hoarse gasp, glancing at the area where couples were arm in arm, moving to a slow song.

“There’s nothing to it, at least not the way it’s done here,” Hainn said, grinning. He swayed a little from side to side. “I’ll lead and I won’t complain if you step on my feet a time or two.”

What has gotten into him?She was tempted to throw caution to the winds and agree as she watched the dancers. The idea of being in Hainn’s arms again and moving together to the music made her inner core tingle. Realizing she was close to agreeing, she left the bench and walked away, saying over her shoulder, “Aren’t healers and patients were supposed to keep things strictly professional? Seems to me I was told that in no uncertain terms. I’ll be sensible for both of us.”

Hainn caught her elbow before she could go even one more step. His hold was gentle but firm. “I’m not your healer any more, Jez. I signed off on the termination of your medical supervision, remember? I’m your friend, or hope to be and friends can dance together.”

She stared up at him, biting her lip. “It’s not a good idea for either of us. You have all those human girls you were dancing with earlier, go ask one of them. I’m sure they’d be thrilled for another chance to be in the arms of a Badari. I’m going to the residence and turning in. Good night.” She wrested herself free, which she knew he’d allowed her to do, and walked away. Her face was heated by a blush of embarrassment, which also annoyed her. Her inner beast wasn’t happy either, prowling through their DNA and snarling. The alien predator she shared her body with wanted to be closer to Hainn and wasn’t ready to go tamely to sleep.

Jezari broke into a run, relieved not to hear footsteps behind her. Hainn had taken her rejection as the final answer it was meant to be and she was glad. Wasn’t she? If he’d asked her to take a walk along the lake would her answer have been different? Probably, she admitted ruefully. At least a stroll in themoons’ light wouldn’t have been her in front of all the Alphas and her sisters, getting involved with yet another healer.

Hearing the gentle sounds of the water lapping at the shore, she realized she’d actually made her way to the lake and the idea caused a shiver. Gazing across the dark water, with silver ripples from the moons, she couldn’t help thinking of the alien woman, trapped far below. Leaving her there in her watery tomb wasn’t right but Jezari couldn’t see any other options. She couldn’t get the container out of the cargo hold and to the surface by herself and she wasn’t going to tell anyone what she’d found. She wanted to forget the entire episode. No one needed to know. Let MARL’s version of the ship having been destroyed stand. Maybe the AI believed it, maybe he didn’t, but she was sure no good would come of her talking about her dangerous dives.

I will honor you in my own heart,she said to the lady of the lake.You won’t be forgotten.

Pivoting away from the water, she hurried toward the lights of the residence caves, suddenly anxious to be away from the lake and its secrets.

CHAPTER SIX

“Are you busy or can we talk for a minute or two?” Hainn stood in the doorway of Timtur’s private office in the admin building and tried to figure out if he hoped the senior healer would be available or if he’d rather walk away and forget the whole thing.

Timtur greeted him with a smile and indicated the empty chair at the side of the desk. “Never too busy to talk to a fellow healer. Want some tea?”

“No, thanks, I’m good. But you should have a cup if you want it.” Hainn sat and watched as his colleague poured himself a mug of the strong Badari tea from a thermal container and settled in his chair.

“I needed a break,” Timtur said. ”Aydarr wants a report at the next senior staff meeting on casualties and recovery times. Hard to remember a time when life was simpler and not full of meetings.”

Hainn’s attention was captured by a painting on the wall behind Timtur and he leaned closer. “Is that the Great Mother’s grove?”

“Yes, Rosemari, Jamokan’s mate told me she woke one morning with the scene complete in her mind’s eye and she feltcompelled to paint it. She was apologetic about not having the right canvas or the right paints--”

“It’s beautiful,” Hainn said. The perspective was as if the viewer was inside the circle of old growth trees, facing the large boulder which sat in the center. Hainn had been told the stone was known as the goddess’s chair because when she chose to appear in the place of worship she was usually seated there. She wasn’t in the painting although there were subtle sparks in the air as if she might have just left. The sky was the perfect cobalt blue of Ushandirr, with fluffy white clouds and a hint of the silver crescent moon rising. “So peaceful. A man could find relief from his cares simply gazing at it for a few minutes.”

“Yes, she’s an exceptional artist. Of course she’s never seen the grove since it’s at the original lab where we were created but having been there many times myself, I can testify Rosemari captured the place perfectly and so I told her. The goddess must have sent her a vision.” Timtur swung around in his chair to study the painting briefly. “Yonn made the frame. He’s gotten exceptionally skilled at woodworking.”

Hainn wondered if Rosemari would paint a similar scene of the beach in the South Seas where his pack had worshipped and what he could do for her in return. There was no monetary system in the valley but bartering was alive and well. Food, shelter, clothing and the like were earned by working the assigned jobs or by serving in the combined armed forces. The human council ran a tracking system under Badari supervision to keep things equitable.

“But I’m sure you didn’t stop by to admire my new painting,” Timtur said with a laugh.

“I find myself in a situation, or where there could be a situation.” Hainn was annoyed with himself for not articulating his concern clearly but he was unaccountably embarrassed. In a rush he asked, “Can a healer and a patient—a former patient—would it be outside the bounds of our ethics if they then have a relationship?”

The senior healer took a long sip of his tea and set the mug on the desk with care. “Jezari?”

Hainn saw no point in a futile denial. “Yes.”

“Is she your fated mate?”

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