Eternally Bound: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set (38 page)

She pushed it away and focused on the task at hand.

Now able to easily maneuver the dead weight of Rahn’s densely muscled body, Chrys gently rolled him to one side and packed the wound with clean linen to staunch the flow of thick, hot, blood. His lids fluttered, but he didn’t make a sound.

‘Mahpiya, can you nudge him closer to consciousness?’

Chrys knew they had to pull him back to this side of the spiritual plane so he could call Mah. Rahn had to request her help. It was against the spiritual laws for a spirit guide to aid without being asked. They could not impose their will on their charges. But if they didn’t do something fast, Rahn would be lost to them. He’d die.

Leaning forward, speaking directly into his ear, Chrys pleaded for him to call to Mahpiya. To ask for her aid, even if he asked with his mind and not his mouth. Rahn’s eyes opened for a moment.

“Mah. Help. Please.” The words were barely a whisper, but she heard them all the same. The fear that had been riding her released the bands around her heart and allowed it to beat again. Mahpiya’s silent relieved response flooded the bond. Rahn would be all right.

Mahpiya disappeared all together from Chrys’ consciousness and she knew the lioness focused all her healing energies on Rahn. It was hard work mending flesh and replenishing blood, even for a spirit guide. But she’d saved his life once before. Now she would do it again.

But now Chrys was flat-out pissed off. Someone had done this to her mate. Someone had tried to take Rahn away from her.

Grabbing one of the thick bath sheets off the rack, Chrys covered up Rahn’s bloody body and left the bathroom. Not bothering to wipe the blood off her feet or remove her ruined dress, she flew for the nightstand across the huge bedroom. Almost as an afterthought, she spoke to Adonei.

‘Guard the apartment, will ya, boy?’

The moment the words left her lips, Adonei’s hackles rose. A deep menacing growl rumbled in his chest as his stance took on one of attack, gaze fixed on a point behind her. Chrys went still.

Unease snaked its way down her spine, and the nerves along the bottom of her stomach danced in time with Adonei’s growling. But she wasn’t afraid. The strength of her spirit guide still flowed like fire through her entire being. Whatever, whoever it was, bring it on.

She turned, ready to drop into a fighting stance if need be.

“Eden, what the hell are you doing in here?” she demanded. Unsure of his intentions, Chrys instinctively calculated the difference in their body weight and the moves required to take him down fast. He looked slightly crazed, but as soon as the expression appeared, it was gone again.

“Chrysalyn, your dress, what happened? You’re covered with blood.”

Now he appeared genuinely alarmed. Adonei wasn’t buying it, but her man needed help and she didn’t have time to deal with this right now. A faint groan caught her attention. Rahn. Heading toward the phone, she tossed the words over her shoulder in a rush.

“Rahn was attacked. He needs a doctor.”

“Really? Here?” he gasped. “Go to your friend. I’ll get the surgeon and call the local emergency.” And Eden was flipping open his cell phone on the way out the door.

Back in the bathroom, she held Rahn’s hand, stroked his beautiful fingers and ignored her tears as they splashed on the palm clasped gently in her own.

In mere minutes, Eden was back and the apartment became a hive of frenzied, but calm, activity as the ship’s surgeon came in and tried to extract her from Rahn’s side. Captain Laurens hauled her out of the bathroom, explaining how both her and Eden’s fast thinking had saved her mate. Rahn was placed on a stretcher, covered with blankets and gently lifted from the cold tiled floor. All the while, the ship’s doctors, along with the Grecian medics, marveled over the fact he was still alive.

Chapter Fourteen

The ship was delayed in Greece while a full investigation took place. Nothing. No leads, no suspects. A week and a half later, with the aid of both Mahpiya and Adonei, Rahn was good as new. And while Chrys was relieved, she was so ready to get off the damned ship.

Upon arrival in Alexandria, she was up with the chickens and ready to head ashore. First stop, Qaitbay. Perfect starting point since Rahn was scheduled to meet a contact there anyway. And even better, since she couldn’t sit in on that meeting she’d get some much-needed time alone, even if only for an hour.

High up on the imposing limestone walls of the Citadel, the tang of the salty sea air tickled her nose as Chrys took in the beauty literally surrounding her. A crisp breeze off the water took the edge off the midday sun. She raised her face to the sky as it blew over her, ruffling her short curls and cooling her skin from neck to knees.

What a mystical, soul-stirring place. She’d always wanted to see the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. Maybe even the monumental statues of Ramses the Great at Philae. But now that she stood on the banks of the Mediterranean, looking out over the crystal waters, Chrys couldn’t believe she’d never looked into coming to Alexandria before.

The sparkling isthmus caught the eye of Alexander the Great more than twenty-three hundred years ago. Founded in 332 B.C., the city still carried his name, though Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt who happened to be Greek, ruled her kingdom from here during the first century B.C.

Amazing was this fortress built by Sultan Qaitbay in the 1480s. Erected on the very foundation of the famed queen’s Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. She wondered what Cleopatra looked like. Imagined the queen spending the night in her lover’s arms as they gazed out to the sea toward Rome together, planning, dreaming of a life together.

But Julius Caesar and Cleopatra’s love wasn’t enough to save them from their own stupidity or the ill wishes of others.

And now Chrys was here with her own warrior lover. A lover who’d recently been nearly gutted.

The same foreboding she’d experienced in Ibiza and the night Rahn was stabbed slithered over her skin. The possibilities tumbled end over end through her mind. True, the attack on Rahn didn’t fit the profile of the bad guy he was after. But what if the intrusion wasn’t random, like Rahn, Geri and the others speculated?

As soon as the thoughts formed, she pushed them away. She hadn’t survived as an undercover agent this long by allowing her life to be ruled by fear. Besides Rahn worried enough for the both of them.

Her thoughts turned toward home. Just where would that be for her when all of this was over? Lately, Rahn had been too busy luxuriating in her more-than-willing body to discuss it.

*
Do not blame your mate
,* Adonei complained. *
It is not as if you have tried so very hard to speak to him about it.By the way, he expects you to remain where he left you, up on the wall
.*

Males. They sure stuck together…which, of course, had nothing to do with whether she was right or wrong. Nor did it matter that she hadn’t pressed the issue out of simple self-preservation of her tender heart. Skip it, they’d get around to it.

Shielding her eyes, she looked to the south toward a stone-enclosed harbor so large it resembled a sea full of boats, yachts and ships of various sizes, small to gigantic. To the north was the blue jewel of the Mediterranean. She gazed up to the main building, soaring seventeen meters skyward. When lookouts were stationed here, they could spot invaders an entire day’s journey out to sea. On a clear day, perhaps she could see all the way to the Greek isle of Crete.

And this truly was a fortress, complete with inner and outer walls, gardens, courtyards and the towered fort of Qaitbay itself. No wonder it was referred to as the pearl of the Mediterranean.

Wandering around the impressive structure, she found her way to some of the coastal tunnels and passages under the walls that looked more like cave entrances. Thankful for the small windows set at intervals along the way that looked out to sea, Chrys wound her way around and through the dimly lit halls under the structure.

“Huh. Interesting,” she mumbled to herself as she huffed and puffed her way up the steepest flight of stairs in all creation. Thankful she was in halfway decent shape, her journey ended—well, almost ended—on the first floor of the famous Qaitbay Citadel’s main building.

There was no way in hell she was going to even attempt finding her way through the long, though interesting, passages. She’d just have to find Rahn from here. Better yet, she had two spirit guides watching her back. One of them would just have to go get him. As for Chrys, she was determined to sit her butt down in a chair and enjoy the silent company of the guards looking after the place.

Better yet, she was sure she’d spotted a bustling bazaar on the way here. Nothing like a good bout of shopping to get a girl back in a good mood.

Interrupting a heated debate between Mah and Adonei about the importance of post-sex conversation, she passed a thought to her companions.

‘Adonei, let Rahn know where I am, will ya?’

*He is already aware and nearing.*

Then to the guards, she said in perfect Arabic, “Excuse me.”

They eyed her askance, probably because she was an unescorted female. But these men would respect strength in a woman, even a foreign one. Motioning in the direction she wished to go, the bell sleeve of her white linen blouse fell back a bit to reveal taut skin stretched over well-honed biceps as she firmly, but respectfully, stated her request.

“Can you please assist me in the proper direction to hire a 
hantour
 to take me to the bazaar?”

One of the men passed a friendly smile, but before he could open his mouth, a stern-faced Rahn stood at her side. The soldier’s smile became a full-blown grin.

“Sir, how good it is to see you again. It has been a long time.”

Rahn gave the guard a slight bow and extended his arm to a gawking Chrysalyn. She had no idea why she was so surprised to hear Rahn converse in Arabic. After all, she’d just done it and she was a sistah from Colorado with no ties to this country to speak of. Rahn, on the other hand, had family here.

“Your aunt asked us to look out for you and your fiancée. She has been expecting you.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” A quick glance down at his watch was followed by a polite, “We must be going. We’re due to meet my relative at the bazaar in less than half an hour. Thank you for escorting my, er, fiancée. It is much appreciated.”

Chrys didn’t say a word as he hustled her out of the building, across the courtyards and through the gates. No complaints here—the bazaar was exactly where she wanted to go anyway. She couldn’t decide whether to grimace or roll her eyes when Mahpiya let a taste of Rahn’s irritation slip through the bond they shared with both spirit guides. He was a very unhappy camper. Might have something to do with her exploring on her own. Oh well.

Linking her arm through his, she flashed a blinding smile and walked beside him to the carriage that would serve as their ride.

Rahn’s anger crackled in the air. But damn it, she would never be a fragile flower. When would he see that? She hadn’t intentionally upset him, but it was simply in her nature to do things on her own. Something Chrys was willing to work on, but certainly not changeable overnight. Besides, what was the harm in wandering around an old fort? The place crawled with guards anyway.

“Rahn, won’t you speak to me?”

His answering growl spoke volumes. Damn, the man was otherworldly hot and hunky, even when he was pissed off.

“Baby, stop worrying. I was fine by myself. Besides, you’ve been attacked on this trip, not me.”

Oops. The stiffening of his spine screamed “wrong thing to say”. She tried to clean it up.

“Rahn, I’m not trying to diss you. It’s just that I’ve been on my own forever. Taken care of myself forever. Even with Delaine for a mischievous cousin, we grew up in different states. I only got to enjoy getting into trouble with her once a year, on our annual trip to Grandma’s on the reservation. I don’t want you worried about me, and I promise to try harder to let you protect me. Just realize that my independence isn’t meant to make you worry. It’s just who I am.”

Anguish was painted across his brow, but the expression in his clear brown eyes said he understood.

“And let’s not forget I’ve got two big bad African lions in my head with their power at my call simply for the asking.”

With a frustrated sigh and a rake through his stylishly cut hair, he said, “I guess I can’t expect you to do all the adjusting in this relationship. I’ll try to be a bit more understanding when your need to get into trouble surfaces. I can’t promise I won’t spank you afterward.”

The man had the yummiest smile this side of creation. 
Yep. Sin on legs
, she thought as his grin did her in.

With her arm still twined around his, she leaned in close and inhaled. Mmm, he always smelled so good. All male musk and spicy love. He must totally exude some kind of kinky pheromone, because she couldn’t think of a time since they’d been reunited that she didn’t want to jump his bones. With a husky sigh, she whispered in his ear.

“Besides, right here, right now is the last time we’ll be alone for a while. Don’t waste it being angry. We’ll be at your aunt’s house for three days? Three whole days of sleeping without you? Damn. I can’t wait to get back to the ship so I can strip you and bathe every inch of your rock-hard body.” Had he stopped breathing? Good. She grinned secretly and continued. “Then I’ll straddle your perfect, manly, muscular thighs and slide down onto that delicious cock of yours.”

Rahn met her gaze with a deadpan expression. Chrys wondered what he was thinking until a flash of pure lust zinged from his light brown eyes. That stare became potent enough to singe her eyebrows. A quick peek downward revealed the ridge rising in his pants.

All on their own, Chrys’ slender fingers found their way to his groin and encouraged that ridge to grow a bit harder. All the way to the bazaar.

At their destination, the driver pulled the 
hantour
 up to a post where several other horse-drawn carriages were parked. Rahn paid the man, climbed down and tried to discreetly adjust himself.