Elder (18 page)

Part III:

ELDER

Elder [
n
.
el
-der]:
A person of greater age and/or higher rank than oneself; an influential member of a tribe or community, often a chief or ruler.

Chapter 28

They flew to the Lekwuesti homeland for the pairing ceremonies a couple of hours after Clara Kate’s announcement. Ini-herit insisted on carrying her. Although he’d done a second round of healing on her as soon as his brain cleared enough for him to do so, he knew she was exhausted. She slept even now.

He indulged himself by reaching around her to touch the taut skin of her abdomen. She had worn the uncharacteristic belly-baring top and low-waisted, floor-length skirt for just this reason. The skin-to-skin contact allowed him to use his abilities to listen to the heartbeat of his future son or daughter. The strong pulse of it brought a ridiculous grin to his face.

Dear Lord, he was going to be a father.

He was sure his expression had been rather comical when she told him. Because he was still filtering different parts of his human and Estilorian selves, he’d experienced two different reactions.

His millennia-old self nodded in acknowledgement of the news. They’d had sex, she had conceived. Got it.

His eighteen-year-old human self wavered between absolute elation and immobilizing fear. He had no doubt that her father was going to choke the life out of him.

In the end, even the knowledge that he probably wouldn’t live to see his child’s birth hadn’t stopped the smile from spreading across his face. He had wanted to touch her abdomen right then, but she wasn’t about to let him lift her nightdress in front of everyone. Instead, they had enjoyed another round of congratulations as he once again used his healing abilities on her.

When they were alone in their rooms, she bared her midsection so he could connect with the baby for the first time. It was a moment he wouldn’t ever forget. He just stood there for several minutes without speaking.

“Are you excited, Harry?” she asked in an uncertain voice.

She must have seen the emotion in his eyes when he caught her gaze. Rather than wait for a response, she leaned up and kissed him. Love for her filled him with such potency that he almost couldn’t bear it.

He thought again of the past few months from her perspective. He tried to imagine how he would have felt if he awoke on this plane after experiencing everything they had on the human plane and then learned that she had no memory of it. Then he added the pregnancy to the equation. He knew it would have slain him.

But his angel had borne it. Though he didn’t know how, she had. He was convinced she was the strongest being on either plane.

And the sexiest. They hadn’t even been alone in their rooms for ten minutes before he pinned her against the wall, showing her how much he loved her…craved her. He wanted her to know everything he held in his heart for her. He interspersed words of love with the kisses he rained on her.

This time, when her eyes filled with tears, they didn’t cause him such alarm. He understood.

Before they left for the Lekwuesti homeland, he sat in his bedroom and connected with Gabriel. There was no doubt that this was a conversation he should be having face-to-face with his best friend. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented it. He’d have to make due and just be grateful the other elders had kept the details to themselves so he could do this.

Gabriel?

Ini-herit?

Yeah…um, I know I sound different. I’m sure you sensed it earlier. Something’s happened.

Is Clara Kate all right?

That was a tough question. Not knowing what else to say, he conveyed,
Sure. She’s, well, thrilled. She helped me remember my human existence.

Ah. That explains a lot,
Gabriel responded. His happiness for both of them was clear in the thought.

Yeah. Well, I wanted to let you know a couple of things. I’m sorry we can’t do this in person. The situation is complicated.

I understand.

Cool. The first thing I want to discuss with you is how much I love Clara Kate. I told her when we were on the human plane that I wanted to avow with her, and that hasn’t changed.

I see.

I’d also like to ask you for her hand in marriage.

There was a long pause. Ini-herit’s leg bounced up and down and he had to consciously stop himself from doing it.

You’ve only known each other for, what, a few months?

Five months, three weeks and two days. Our love is certain, regardless of time. If you reach deeply enough into my thoughts, you’ll know I’m telling the truth
.

I get that, and I know that Olivia and Skye knew their hearts in an equally short amount of time. But what’s the rush? You both have centuries ahead of you
.

Swallowing hard, he thought,
Yeah…about that. I have some other big news for you
.

What’s that?

You’re going to be a grandfather
.

All in all, the conversation hadn’t been as bad as he feared. Yes, there had been a moment when he thought Gabriel might somehow reach through his thoughts and strangle him. But in the end, his friend had deferred to his base nature, which was patient and understanding. He knew Ini-herit and Clara Kate had acted out of love and that they hadn’t expected the consequences. Gabriel also confessed he was relieved to know that the Kynzesti could bear children, though he hoped the rest of them decided to wait until they were older to do so.

Ini-herit received his friend’s blessing to avow with Clara Kate whenever she was ready, and Gabriel said there would be a wedding the moment they returned to the Kynzesti homeland. He figured it would give Amber, Olivia and Skye something to focus on besides the continued danger their firstborn children faced. Ini-herit vowed to protect Clara Kate and their unborn child, a fact that went a long way to smooth things over.

As the Lekwuesti homeland came into sight, he leaned down to kiss the side of Clara Kate’s neck. She smelled so fresh and sweet. He could breathe in her scent all day and be content. When his lips caressed her soft skin, she sighed and murmured something in her sleep.

“Wake up, Angel,” he said near her ear. “We’re about to arrive at our destination.”

She blinked awake, reaching up to rub the fatigue from her eyes and yawning. Wishing she had more time to rest, he landed on the platform that had been reserved for them and began unfastening the flight harness that secured her in front of him. Commander Caoilinn stood waiting for them. She stared at him longer than usual.

“It’s the eyes, right?” he guessed. When she blinked and her lips parted, he added, “And the new accent. But, hey, I still have my pairing markings.”

The Lekwuesti commander quickly regrouped, giving him a genuine smile. “Well, this is exciting news. I’m thrilled to see you so happy,
archigos
.”

“Thanks. Me, too.”

Clara Kate took his hand and entwined her fingers with his, gifting him with a smile. Once everyone landed, Sebastian and Caoilinn led them along the paths leading to the place where the pairings would take place. The Lekwuesti homeland looked much like a human suburb, comprised of many dwellings of various sizes, most bearing thatched or clay tile roofs and brightly painted exteriors. There were also large gathering places such as parks and café-style buildings, seeing as the Lekwuesti was a social class. They were led to just such a space, a three-story stone building with numerous glass windows and colorful awnings.

Once inside, they took a transport tube to the second floor. A large, round auditorium had been created there. Ini-herit spotted at least a hundred Lekwuesti in the space.

Sebastian stopped him and Clara Kate before they entered the room. “Clara Kate, as we explained to you before, I’ll soon be paired with you just like I am the other elders. As soon as we perform the necessary ceremony and join in thought, I’ll see to your hospitality needs.” He smiled. “I’m looking forward to producing your maternity wardrobe.”

She flushed and glanced briefly at Ini-herit, who grinned. “Thanks, Sebastian,” she said.

“Absolutely. My point in mentioning this is if you’d like to take this time to rest while your cousins are paired, I’ve arranged for some accommodations just down the hall.”

Ini-herit sensed her relief in the set of her shoulders and answered for her. “That would be great, Sebastian. I’ll go with her.”

“Excellent.” Sebastian sent him the thought of the room’s location, as well as another thought that had Ini-herit smiling and nodding in thanks. “I’ll reach out to you when we’re through here.”

The doors to the auditorium closed as Ini-herit guided Clara Kate to the room waiting for her. She sagged against his side when he put an arm around her shoulders, so he reached down and picked her up.

Gasping, she said, “Put me down, Harry! I can manage on my own.”

“You’ve more than proven that,” he said. “But you’ll have to indulge my need to keep you close for quite some time yet, I’m afraid. At least a century or two.”

That made her snort out a laugh. Although she shook her head at him, she couldn’t hide her smile.

They reached the room a couple of minutes later. He set Clara Kate on her feet once they entered it, then closed and locked the door behind them. She looked around the nicely appointed bedroom with wide eyes, still unused to the level of opulence often seen at Central. Her family’s home was comfortable and lovely, but many spaces here would put all human magazine pictures to shame.

Reaching into his pocket, Ini-herit pulled out the gift Sebastian had crafted for him. The two rings were silver. Hers resembled a vintage style from the human plane, the metal looking almost like lace with its delicate pattern. The diamond and deep blue-green gems comprising the center stone sparkled in the light. The men’s ring bore a solid silver band with the same center stone.

“What’s that?” Clara Kate asked, finally glancing at him. Her brows lowered into a considering expression as she stepped closer.

“These are rings that I asked Sebastian to craft for us.” He watched her eyes widen as he held them up. She brought a hand to her lips and caught his gaze. “I’m hoping, since I’ve gained your father’s permission, that you’ll allow me to fulfill my second promise to you.” Closing the distance between them, he tipped her chin up and lightly brushed his lips over hers. “Clara Kate, will you exchange vows with me?”

It took her a moment, but she managed to nod. Her eyes glistened as she took a deep, centering breath.

“Thank you, Angel.” He handed her the men’s ring and took her left hand into both of his. His throat tightened as the words he wanted to share with her entered his mind and his heart. “Clara Kate, when you entered my life, I had no idea how much it was going to change. Because of you, I know a love more precious than anything I ever imagined. You give meaning to my existence and I’ll cherish what we have forever. I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and my unbreakable commitment to you.”

He slid her ring onto her left ring finger. She then took his left hand and said, “Ini-herit, I knew how much my life was going to change when I met you. Because of you, I now have a love that is every bit as precious as I ever imagined. You give meaning to my existence and I’ll cherish what we have forever. I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and my unbreakable commitment to you.”

Once she placed the ring on his ring finger, they linked their hands so their rings touched. Then he leaned down and captured her mouth in a kiss to seal the vow.

Unexpected pain seared over his body, culminating in a longer, deeper pain on his right bicep. Clara Kate inhaled sharply, likely feeling similar pain as her avowed markings were created. Knowing better than to break the kiss, he pushed past the pain and focused on enjoying the moment. He wanted to preserve this memory forever.

Finally, they parted. He realized that the three deep blue-green estoile markings around her eyes now had silver crescents curving around them. She would have a matching symbol on the back of her right shoulder blade.

Your markings!

Her distraught thought entered his head as clearly as though she had spoken it, another effect of the avowing. He glanced down at his arms and realized his skin was now unmarked save for the marking on his right bicep that matched hers.

Don’t be alarmed
, he thought back to her. Her troubled eyes moved to his as she heard the thought.
The only marking that matters to me is the one that calls me yours
.

That had her concern easing into delight.
I love you
, she thought, reaching up to encircle his neck with her arms.

I love you, too.

Show me.

It would be my greatest pleasure
.

Chapter 29

Eirik glanced up from his conversation with Friedrich as their informant approached. The spy made appearances several times a day in an effort to keep Eirik’s Mercesti from intersecting with Harold and Derian and the rest of the party searching for them. It had worked flawlessly so far, but today, the spy looked anxious.

“What news do you bear?” Eirik asked.

“I fear that my efforts to aid you have not gone unnoticed. It seems Derian and Harold have begun to suspect that the only way you could be eluding them is through the help of someone aware of their plans.”

Frowning, Eirik exchanged a look with Friedrich. This was actually the concern they’d been discussing before their informant arrived.

“Have you received an update on the return of Tate and Ariana from Central?” Friedrich asked.

“Not recently. Harold and Derian are withholding more information now. The last I heard was that the Lekwuesti pairing ceremonies would take place today. Because I know they wish to stop you from acquiring the remaining piece of the artifact, I imagine they will return to the mainland within a day or two.”

Eirik paced as he considered this. “Will you continue to aid us until they return?”

“For as long as it is possible without getting caught.”

That had Eirik suppressing a growl. He wanted to grab the spy by the throat to try and gain compliance, but the truth was, he couldn’t fault the other being’s focus on self-preservation. He would have said the same thing.

“Fine,” he snapped. “Then tell us where we need to go now to remain undiscovered.”

“I will.” The other being hesitated. “There is something else I thought might bear mentioning.”

“What is that?”

“One of the Kynzesti was attacked while at Central.”

Eirik stopped pacing and stared at the informant. His hands slowly closed into tight fists as he sensed the news to come.

“The details are vague, but from what I understand, a Mercesti somehow made it to Central and nearly killed the Kynzesti. Why I felt this was worth mentioning is that I learned the name of the Mercesti. It was the shapeshifter, Metis.”

“You’re
avowed
?”

Clara Kate blinked as she absorbed Alexius’ shocked expression. She stood with him in the hallway outside of her bedroom at Central. He had stopped by after she and her family returned from the pairing ceremonies and asked to speak with her alone. No sooner did she greet him than he saw her new avowed markings and staggered a full step away from her.

“I, well…yes,” she replied, trying to understand his behavior. “Harry finally remembered our relationship from the human plane. Once I told him I was pregnant—” She cut herself off as he jerked back again. Battling a wave of unexpected guilt, she said, “Alexius, didn’t Uriel convey any of this to you?”

She knew the answer to her question even as she asked it. She hadn’t ever seen him look so pale. So defeated. A sick feeling blossomed in her stomach.

“But I love you,” he whispered.

Now she was the one who stumbled back, needing the wall behind her for support. She wasn’t sure who looked more stunned as they held each other’s gazes.

He loved her? Alexius, a being from the class that fought emotion at every turn—a being she had seen face terrifying enemies without batting an eye—
loved
her? When had this happened? How hadn’t she known?

She watched helplessly as the male whose heart she had just blown to pieces slowly collected himself. The sick feeling unfurled in her belly and spread painfully to her chest. Hadn’t she just endured weeks of this kind of anguish? How could she, of all beings, have missed the signs? She realized that she had been so absorbed in her own emotional turmoil that she failed to recognize the depth of his feelings. She had to be the most self-involved being on either plane.

“I’m so sorry, Alexius,” she said, fumbling for the right words. “I should have told you sooner. I wish things were different. I wish—”

He cut her off. “I understand,
archigos.
”

The use of her new title made her flinch. She stopped herself from begging him to use her first name when she saw his expression.

“
Archigos
Ini-herit deserved the honor of learning about his coming child before anyone else,” he continued in a monotone. “Congratulations to you both.”

She had no idea what to say. What to do. Alexius was such a good friend. Losing that relationship over an imbalance in their affection for each other was too devastating to consider. Wanting to convey this to him, she reached out and touched his upper arm as she started to respond. He took another step away from her. The action lanced through her like an arrow tip.

Letting her hands fall to her sides, she blinked back tears and said, “I can’t begin to tell you how difficult these past couple of months have been, Alexius. I couldn’t have gotten through them without the support of my family and friends. That includes you.”

When his burnt orange gaze met hers this time, she read nothing there.

Feeling him slipping away from her, she hurried to explain, “I turned to you as a source of comfort. You’re a wonderful friend. I’m so sorry for any pain I’ve caused you.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,
archigos
. You made no promises or declarations of emotion to me.”

Lord, he wasn’t making this any easier by offering excuses for her. “No,” she agreed, “but I wasn’t entirely honest with you, either. I hope you know that it was never my intent to hurt you, Alexius.”

He nodded once. “I understand,
archigos
. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”

She took a deep breath, recognizing the dismissal. She knew he wanted to remove himself from her presence. He needed time.

“Of course,” she said, and it about slayed her.

He started to turn, then looked back at her. “If I might make one request, should it not be too disrespectful of your position?”

Her heart lightening with hope, she offered him a grateful smile. “Anything.”

“Please address me as commander Alexius from now on.”

Her throat seized. Knowing words wouldn’t get past the hot pain caused by his request, she nodded instead. Then she watched him walk away.

She wanted to break down and bawl, but she knew that Ini-herit now experienced at least a part of everything she did. The last thing she wanted was for him to step into the hall to find her in such a state. He’d learn soon enough how this conversation went.

Taking several deep breaths and pulling herself together, she turned the door handle and entered her bedroom. Much to her surprise, her bed was occupied.

“Finally,” Tate said. “You were taking forever out there.”

“Ah…”

Unable to manage more than that, Clara Kate looked from Tate, who was lying on her stomach in the middle of the bed with her feet in the air, to Sophia and Ariana on either side of her. They had all changed into lounging clothes since they weren’t planning on traveling back to the mainland until the following morning. A tray containing an assortment of finger foods sat in front of them.

“Are you all right, C.K.?” Sophia asked with a concerned frown.

Smoothing her features and clearing the lingering emotion from her throat, Clara Kate shrugged. She wasn’t about to lie with Tate sitting right there. “Where’s Harry?”

“We kicked the guys out,” Tate answered, reaching for a chocolate-covered strawberry.

Clara Kate’s stomach grumbled despite the knot residing there. She moved closer to the bed. “You did?” She glanced around the room. “There’s no way Zachariah left you unprotected.”

Tate grinned. “He’s standing on the other side of the adjoining door.”

“Oh.”

Ariana lifted the tray with a pointed look, beckoning Clara Kate even closer. Unable to resist, she climbed onto the large bed and sat beside the other females. She reached for a pink-frosted petit four. When she looked at it more closely, she realized that it was decorated with a white baby’s bonnet.

“Okay…what’s this all about?” she asked.

“We wanted to do a little something to celebrate,” Sophia said.

“Yeah,” Tate added, lifting a mini-cupcake topped in blue sprinkles. “We’re going to be second cousins. Kind of like honorary aunts!”

Ariana smiled. “It’s a baby shower. Well, a prelude to the one we’ll have for you when we get back home.”

Clara Kate didn’t fail to miss that Ariana had referred to the Kynzesti homeland as her home. She also finally realized that they were celebrating her pregnancy.

The stark difference between this reality and the one she had endured only a day ago had Clara Kate losing her hold on her emotions. When she looked again at the tray of colorful treats, tears blurred her vision.

“Thanks, you guys,” she managed to say. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“Aww, we’re happy for you, C.K.,” Tate said, moving into a sitting position so she could put an arm around her. “And I have to admit, we figured we’d have more success in pumping you for details when we had you in the midst of a sugar high.”

“Details about what?”

All three females leaned closer, making Clara Kate’s eyebrows rise. Tate spoke for them.

“Details about sex.”

In his bedroom, Ini-herit sat on the sofa and studied his medallion, trying to ignore the emotions swirling through him as a result of his connection to Clara Kate. Funneling and processing everything she felt was a kind of invasion of privacy, he thought. He also tried to close his mind to the stray thoughts she allowed to filter through. It would take her some time to get used to their mental bond.

“What do you suppose they’re talking about in there?” Tiege asked.

Tate’s twin sat at the table with Quincy, playing cards. His gaze kept moving to the closed door between the bedrooms. Since Zachariah leaned against the wall right beside the door, it looked like Tiege was staring at the Mercesti.

“Who knows?” Ini-herit said, keeping his tone vague. “Probably just boring girl talk.”

Zachariah raised an eyebrow as Quincy snorted out a laugh. Knowing the other two males were likely intercepting thoughts from their avoweds, Ini-herit fought a hot flush of embarrassment. They surely knew exactly what the topic of conversation was.

“You could have the decency not to tune in,” he muttered, looking between them.

“You take all the fun out of everything,” Quincy said, staring at his cards and struggling not to smile. “At least all of the feedback from C.K. is positive.”

“Good Lord.” Ini-herit rubbed the back of his neck, swearing it was about to burst into flame.

“Feedback about what?” Tiege asked.

When Quincy opened his mouth to respond, Ini-herit shot him a look. “I’m still your elder,” he warned.

Quincy closed his mouth. His silver eyes were alight with humor, though. Tiege frowned.

“Well, this all got rather awkward,” Zachariah mused dryly, pushing away from the wall. He strolled over to Ini-herit. “How are your efforts to decipher the medallion’s map coming along,
archigos
?”

“They’re not.” Ini-herit handed the medallion to Zachariah when he reached for it. Catching the Mercesti’s gaze, he said, “I don’t suppose I could get you to stop with the formal title?”

“Not likely.”

“You could if you ordered him to,” Quincy interjected from the other side of the room.

Both males looked at him. He shrugged with a “You know it’s true” expression.

“All right,” Ini-herit said with a nod. “Then I order all of you to address me as Harry or Ini-herit from now on. If you’re more comfortable using my title among unfamiliar company, that’s fine. Otherwise, knock it off.”

Quincy and Tiege nodded their agreement. Zachariah stared at the medallion and didn’t comment.

“Zachariah?” Ini-herit prompted.

“As you wish,” he said at last.

“Thank you.”

Lifting the medallion by its chain, the Mercesti walked back to his position by the door and watched it twirl, his face expressionless. Ini-herit knew there was something significant the other male wasn’t saying. Having spent centuries of his own existence not only expressionless, but emotionless, Ini-herit recognized the difference.

Zachariah lost his rank and his title. Maybe he doesn’t understand why someone would treat theirs so dismissively
.

Clara Kate’s thought reached him as he studied the Mercesti. He realized she was right. He also realized he was conveying as much to her as she was to him.

Thanks, Angel
.

Rising and approaching Zachariah as Tiege and Quincy resumed their game-play, Ini-herit said, “Zachariah, do you understand my request?”

“It doesn’t matter if I understand it,” he answered, his eyes on the flashing metal.

“Oh, I think it does.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he also leaned against the wall. “When you avowed with Tate, you became a member of Clara Kate’s family.”

Zachariah looked over at him.

“That means, since I’m avowed to Clara Kate, that you’re part of my family, too.”

As Zachariah processed this, the medallion swung, forgotten, in his fist. Ini-herit’s gaze moved to the spinning metal.

Then he reached out and grabbed Zachariah’s hand. “Damn. That’s it.”

“What?”

“The map,” Ini-herit explained, glancing at Tiege and Quincy as they got to their feet. “It isn’t only on one side of the medallion. You have to twirl it to see it. And it isn’t a map to the location of the scroll piece.”

When the other males approached, he once again looked at the medallion and said, “It’s the key to getting through the traps that surround it.”