Aurora Rising (13 page)

He lowered Rori the rest of the way down, so she stood on her own. Instead of pulling away, she laid her cheek on his chest, resting there, over his heart where she belonged. Warm water lapped at them in caressing strokes instead of chilling their ardor. It took Keyen a second to realize the water was artificially heated from him and figured it was probably a good thing they were standing in water so he didn’t internally self-combust.

He felt a shift in his arms and looked down in time to see Rori raise her head and meet his gaze. Water-spiked lashes framed dazed eyes. Her lips were rosy and slightly swollen, he thought with satisfaction. She obviously was as affected as he was.

Keyen lifted his hand, cupping her cheek with his palm, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. She sucked in a breath, her eyes searching his face. He felt a tingle across his senses and knew she was reaching out with her talent.

“We shouldn’t have−”

He cut her off. “I think we should.”

“It’s going to complicate things.”

“Yes, but they got complicated the moment I met you out on that beam.”

“You knew then?”

He brushed the thumb along her jaw. His eyes held hers. “Yes, just as you did.” He knew she wanted to object, but it didn’t come because it was the truth.

“Maybe I should’ve requested another team,” she whispered.

“I don’t think that will work. Something tells me it’s not a good idea to separate us.” He continued to let his fingers tenderly learn her cheek.

His touch was a bare whisper on her skin but she felt it to her soul. It seemed to touch something deep, an ancient part of her. She didn’t need her talent to feel the answering awareness in him. It was like part of them had awakened and joined.

“What does this mean?” Rori thought she knew but was afraid to say it out loud.

“I think we are already a unit.”

Rori felt her insides lurch. The oddity of the term hit her but yet, it fit correctly. A unit, one, she couldn’t deny what he said. Still, her head shook. “You’re meaning a connection between us? Have you ever heard of that kind of link before?”

“No,” he said truthfully, dropping his hand down to cover hers. “And I don’t know what it means. Maybe it’s just me wanting you near, but I can’t help but think it’s more.”

“So what do we do?”

“I’m not sure. I take it this has never happened to you before? I mean, it’s not a side of your talent?”

Rori was already shaking her head. She closed her eyes, pulling back into herself as she did since she was a little child when the things around her hurt. She only got a second of inner-contemplation when she felt Keyen squeeze down on her hand drawing her back out.

“Rori, please don’t pull away from me.”

“I,” she was going to deny it then realized that was indeed what she was going to do. Hide deep within her like she had done with her talent. “I’m frightened.” The words came out instead. “My world is changing so fast.”

“And, I’m another change.” Forced humor sounded in his voice, but she appreciated him trying to make it light.

“I think you might be the biggest of all.” She pushed a grin of her own.

“If it makes it any better, I think you are what I’ve been missing in my life.”

“Keyen it’s so fast but…”

“It’s there,” he finished for her.

“Yes.” Rori had to agree and shifted back but not out of his hold. She tilted her head up. “Maybe it would be better if we didn’t spend too much time alone.”

“Are you scared of me?” he challenged.

“No.” Her defense was weakened and she blushed.

“Oh, scared of yourself,” he teased. “But considering it’s possible we just put on a show for the security people, we may want to be careful. I really don’t want to broadcast a relationship between us. We’ll face enough challenges being on the same team and both high talents.”

“I don’t think we can keep it from the team. They already suspect.”

“I know. I’m not worried about them. They won’t let it out. I’m referring to the media. You haven’t experienced it yet because Manning and Tasc have kept news about you under wraps so far, but they like to focus on Guardians when they get something juicy. A relationship between two Guardians would flash on every media. Especially with you being brand new. They couldn’t get enough of it.”

Rori dropped her head to her hands and groaned.

“Hey, it’s all right.” He gripped her arms, urging her to look up.

“I finally find someone who feels right and it’s going to be difficult.”

There was a pleading look in her eyes he had no answer for because he felt the same. “You know what they say about good things come to those who wait and the best are worked for.”

“You’re taking this pretty easy.”

He wanted to disagree, but he knew in a way, it was true. He was already used to the life of a Guardian. It was one of the reasons he had limited relationships. “I’ve waited a long time, and I knew you when I saw you. I just had to accept it and I found it very easy to do. I kind of like looking at you. Being around you is nice too.” He grabbed her hand before she could retaliate, sending her a wicked grin, before settling to a little more serious. “Besides, I haven’t been distracted with all the extra emotional upheavals you’ve had.”

He brushed her cheek with his lips before pulling back. “But you do have a point about being alone. For now, we’d better spend most of our time together around others. So let’s go have our picnic then we’ll go clean up and find the others and enjoy the festival.”

Together they walked out of the surf.

***

The festival was like nothing Rori had ever seen before. Several streets in the city center had been blocked off. Booths of food, art items and people packed the area. In the main square, a huge stage had been set up with an enormous vision screen behind to highlight scenes of what was happening all around.

“You’re looking a little wide-eyed.” Tankin laughed at Rori.

“This is amazing. I think there are more people here in this street than there are in the whole community in which I lived.”

Tankin laughed again. “It’s still early. This evening there will probably be double, maybe triple the people.”

Rori had seen pictures of festivals like this before but was having trouble believing it was real. “You’re enjoying laughing at me aren’t you?” She looked at the large man. Dressed in plain clothes did nothing to make him look less intimidating.

“Actually, more just remembering. I grew up in a Geo community about the same size as your Ag. When I first came here, I was just like you. I’d never seen anything like it.”

“So you were fourteen when you came to Rae-Isis?”

“Fifteen. They were slow getting to my area to do the more extensive testing. They kind of figured the person who had done mine messed up. Neither of my parents are strong talents and a talent link into the ground is odd. They actually still haven’t come up with the term for it because I’m the only one they’ve found.”

“We’re all just a bunch of misfits aren’t we?” Ultin said over her shoulder.

“That’s what makes us special.” Tankin grinned. “Come on. Rori needs to try some of those skewers.”

“That means he’s hungry,” Sansa put in. “But they are real good.”

“You’re from here aren’t you?” Rori moved beside her as they followed Tankin and Ultin through the crowd to an area where smoke rose with an appealing smell.

“Yes, from the far side of the city. Ultin’s from the outskirts on the other side. Bass and Cassie where raised in Meclan. Both their parents are pretty high level org and info techs. Their dad reminds you a lot of Tasc, just not quite so high. I got my talent from my mother. She works at a water treatment plant. Both my parents do, but my mother’s a mid-range water affinitive. It can actually be traced through her line to back before people understood talents.”

Rori had learned a lot about the team over the last few days. It was nice having Sansa warming up to her. Right after the rescue at the power plant the woman began to soften.

“How you doing with the crowd?” Sansa looked at her questioningly.

“Good. Most everyone’s excited, so it’s like a buzz of energy in the air. So, if I start getting a little carried away, bring me down.”

“My pleasure, one cold breeze waiting.” She laughed when Rori sent her a sour look but they both were serious.

The emotions across the crowd were so strong they seemed to shimmer around them in vibrant waves. Rori could touch them if she opened her mind but holding back was becoming easier.

“Here try this.”

Rori jerked back as Ultin thrust a skewer of meat in front of her face. She accepted taking a bite just as she caught a wicked glint in Ultin’s eye. Too late, rich flavor greeted her followed by a shock of hot spice. She gasped, her free hand coming up to wave in front of her face. “Oh my. Oh, I’ll take the cool blast now.” She gasped and tried to blow out but it did nothing to alleviate the fire in her mouth.

“Here, try this instead.” Sansa handed her a small piece of fruit.

Anxiously, Rori bit into it, letting the sweet counter the spicy. Still she blew out, having to wipe tears from her eyes.

Ultin laughed.

“Hey, what are you doing to her?” Keyen demanded, coming up behind them. His shoulder bumped hers as he reached out with his opposite hand to take the skewer, bringing it to his lips. Before Rori could warn him, he took a bite but didn’t seem to mind the hot flavor.

“Sorry, I didn’t think it was that hot,” Ultin said, his face still alight with amusement.

“You don’t think anything is hot,” Keyen answered back.

“Watch what you accept from this guy. He burned his taste buds out years ago.” Cassie moved up beside her. “Let’s try some sweet-n-mild ones. Those are more my style.”

Rori accepted the new one more cautiously, though it wasn’t necessary. It was incredible tasting. “How can you eat that?” She looked back at Keyen who was finishing off the one he’d taken from her.

“I got used to Ultin trying to burn off my taste buds years ago. I can hold my own against him now.”

“It’s a male thing.” Sansa leaned over.

“Hey, I’m willing to try the other.” Keyen started to reach for Rori’s new skewer.

“Oh no, I like this one just fine. You get your own.” She pulled her hand back glaring threateningly.

Keyen’s brow arched as if he debated challenging her then he motioned to the vendor for another one. “Mmm.” He let out biting into it.

“Find anything interesting?” Sansa asked Cassie who had been checking out some of the shops with Keyen and Bass in tow.

“There’s a couple great stands over there I want to show Rori.” Cassie pointed to the side. “They have some really nice things she might like to look at since she’s just setting up her chambers.”

As soon as everyone finished eating, they ambled over to where Cassie wanted to go. Rori was surprised the guys didn’t complain about shopping. Hanging close, though, they opted to stay in a shop just one down.

“You’d think we couldn’t take care of ourselves,” Sansa remarked at their obvious movement. “We go into all sorts of dangerous situations, and they worry about us at a festival.”

“Yeah,” Cassie agreed. “And it’s not like I’m ever out of contact.” She tapped her head.

Rori understood what she meant. Even without the IPI, Cassie was still linked to Bass. It was funny the guys were so obviously keeping an eye on them. It was nice being part of a close knit group. She did feel one of them now. The warmth of it spread through her.

“Well, let’s see if we can spend some of your relocation credits. See anything you like?” Cassie cut through her thoughts, and Rori started to look around.

She did find several things. There was a nice table to go in her seating area carved out of a beautiful piece of wood with an intriguing swirling grain in it. She got a soft throw blanket and a painting of a waterfall in a jungle. Her favorite find was an iridescent bowl of shifting colors. It reminded her of shifting emotions but was soothing all the same. The craftsmanship was incredible. After arranging for them to be delivered, they went to find the men, which wasn’t hard as they all stepped into the street at the same time.

“All done shopping?” Keyen asked first.

“Yes. I’ve spent enough today,” Rori answered.

“She didn’t even make a dent in her budget,” Cassie countered.

“That’s my sister. She’d have you all set in a day. Sometimes I think that’s where her true talent lies.” Bass dropped his arm over Cassie’s shoulder in what Rori now realized was a normal manner.

“So what’s next?” she asked.

“Music,” Ultin answered. “I vote for the azure stage. One of my favorite groups is supposed to be up soon.”

“Fine by me.” Keyen looked down at Rori for agreement.

“I’m good for it,” she answered his unasked question.

“Don’t worry, we’re safe,” Sansa said. “His taste in music is much better than his taste in food.”

“I have great taste in food,” Ultin retorted.

“If you’re trying out to be a flame thrower,” she challenged.