Harry's Sacrifice (18 page)

All in all, Cormac wouldn’t mind a few of the higher-handed Councilors being taken down a peg or two, and Hara was just the man to do it. Hara’s existence was a momentous thing. If he revealed himself, he would change the course of Alvian history. He had already done so in the past, and having him live again—as it were—was the stuff of fantasy.

Hara had led his people through a crisis before. The golden age of Alvia Prime had been forever ended by their troubled sun. Hara had found the answer in the stars and had laid the path for the Alvian race’s continued existence. He had saved them from certain extinction and would be forever revered for his work and his sacrifice.

That he had persevered and been in stasis for so very long was an amazing feat. Modern Alvians would be surprised that anyone could survive such a thing. Few probably could. But if anyone could do it, the ancient Hara was the man.

If he returned…

Cormac, for one, would want to see him lead their people again. He didn’t doubt there were many, many others who would feel the same.

The idea had taken root in Cormac’s mind and would not be dislodged. He began to plan, in the silence of his own mind, how to bring it about.

But he said nothing of his plot to anyone. Especially not the men on the outside of the ship who were working to free the pod.

Cormac traveled down the hall to the portal and made his daily report. Liam 24 and he had pre-arranged a daily meeting time and sure enough, both Liam 24 and Fergal 51 were waiting on the other side of the portal when Cormac arrived. Fergal’s presence indicated the climber had something to report about the progress of his team’s dig-out. Good. The sooner they could get the pod free, the better.

“Cormac 7,” Liam 24 greeted his superior officer first. After so many days of hearing his name without the number classification, Cormac found it odd to be addressed so formally, though he’d never objected before.

He had to fight to keep his face from betraying any hint of the new emotions he was feeling. The others would not understand. It might even cause serious problems.

“Liam 24. Fergal 51,” Cormac acknowledged both men with nods. “Progress on the dig team?” Cormac asked Fergal to report first so the more junior man could leave and go about his duties, as protocol demanded.

“Later today we will have the entire top of the pod clear. Here is an image drawn from above. As you know, none of our electronic devices work, so we had to resort to this method of providing visual aid.” Fergal held up a very exact drawing of the pod from above with notations of the dimensions.

Cormac had to transcribe the information to a small datapad Hara had given him a few days before. It worked inside the ship but probably would not function outside due to the interference field the pod was currently emitting. Hara had admitted the jamming had been done on purpose both to hide the pod and let those with advanced enough technology know there was something beneath the ice.

The plan had worked exactly as the ancient had foreseen. The more emotion Cormac felt, the more he wondered at those with psychic gifts. What must it be like for Hara to foresee his own future? Or even Harry? What would it be like to speak with someone mind-to-mind? Such thoughts brought out a sense of curiosity and wonder that Cormac had never experienced before.

Cormac took a few moments to note the dimensions of Fergal’s drawing, thinking how much easier things would be if he could just reach across the barrier and take the drawing. But that would give the game Hara was playing away. And apparently only Harry had the right DNA to penetrate the tuned force field.

“This is good, Fergal 51. Very good indeed.” Cormac made the final notation and looked back at the two men on the other side of the barrier. “I have located the drives and will work on them further today. Though I am no expert on such systems, I believe it may be possible to activate the engines and perhaps bring the pod out of the crevasse under its own power.”

Cormac debated with himself about how much to say. He and Hara had spoken about this at length. Hara was all for just blasting out of the ice and damn the consequences. Cormac argued for the lives and safety of his men. Eventually, Hara had come around. They had arrived at the idea that Cormac could warn his men to stand clear with a convincing story and Hara could still have his surprise for the Council.

It was up to Cormac to say the right things to keep his people safe. Both men were looking at him with furrowed brows—the most emotion any modern Alvian could display. They were confused by his words and plan of action.

Better confused than dead, Cormac thought privately.

“Is that wise?” Liam 24 asked after a moment. He dared greatly to question a superior in such a way, but Cormac and he had worked together for a long time and such liberties were allowed.

“I believe it is the safer course of action than continuing to risk the climb team in endless digging. It is worth a try at least.” Cormac allowed that much explanation before he started issuing orders. “I want the dig team to complete their work today and then withdraw to the base camp a safe distance away. Take all materials and tools and do not allow anyone back into the work area after sundown today. I will make attempts with the engines tomorrow. If unsuccessful, Liam 24, I wish you to be here again at this time in two days to discuss further plans.”

If all went as planned, he and the pod would be long gone by the day after tomorrow. In fact, they planned to go tonight. Cormac knew his people would be packed up and gone by sundown if he ordered them to do so. It was too treacherous to operate on the ice at night without benefit of their more advanced equipment. The order had been given and now all it would take is time for Hara to put his plan in motion.

Roshin found Harry in the gym. From the looks of things, he’d taken out his bad mood on the practice equipment and had worked up a sweat. He’d stripped off his shirt and the rippling muscles of his chest and abdomen called to her. She wanted to run her fingers over his slick, hot skin and lose herself in his embrace. Even the scent of his sweat turned her on after the things she had learned about her body and her responses in bed with him and Cormac.

She wanted to feel that pleasure, joy and happiness again.

But more than anything, she wanted Harry to be happy too. Not just physically. Emotionally as well. But how?

She tried to remember how her human
Zxerah
Brethren had coaxed each other out of bad moods when she’d lived among them as a youngster. They had always been kind to her, but she hadn’t understood them. Not really. She thought she had a better grip on what they were trying to show her now. They had been trying to show her love.

When this was all over, there were a few human
Zxerah
Roshin wanted to visit. She wanted to give them big hugs for looking after her when she was little and trying so hard to show her the way to enlightenment—the way to love. She understood it so much better now.

But first, Harry. She had to show him all that she had learned and finally understood from her memories of those humans. She had to try to be what Harry needed…even if she could never be what he thought he wanted.

“Go away, Ro.” Harry faced away from her, still pounding slowly on the heavy bag in front of him. The sensor readouts indicated his fists were only making glancing blows now, but had registered much higher aggression earlier in the session. She wasn’t surprised.

“I can’t leave you like this. I…” She hesitated to speak the words that wanted to burst from her heart. She wasn’t sure how he would receive a declaration of love with the way he was feeling at the moment.

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“I know I’m not an empath like you, but I also know you’re hurting emotionally, Harry, and I’d like to help.” She dared to walk closer even though his body language was still very closed off from her. “Can you tell me what I’m feeling?” she whispered, touching his shoulder, cupping her hand around his warm, glistening skin.

He shivered at her touch and she took it as a positive sign.

“Lust,” he answered quickly, as if against his will. But as she continued to caress his bare skin, he seemed to gentle under her fingertips. “Compassion,” he admitted almost grudgingly. “Anxiety.” Now his voice grew concerned, and she tried to focus on the more positive emotions she was feeling, hoping he would pick them up. He turned to face her, standing so close. His eyes searched her face as his expression darkened and became questioning.

“Do you feel it?” she whispered.

He swallowed visibly and his gaze sought hers. “Love?” he whispered back. “You love me?”

She smiled up at him. “How could I not? You are everything I’ve never dared to dream of in a man. In a mate.” She didn’t want to bring up Resonance Mating since he seemed so against the idea, but he had to know she wanted him in her life on a permanent basis. To her, that meant as a mate. “I know I’m Alvian, but I was raised—at least in part—by humans.”

She saw his eyes widen in surprise. “You were?”

“There are many humans in the Brotherhood. I was raised among them and fostered by two in particular that tried to teach me their ways. I didn’t understand them before, but now…” She trailed off as memories of her childhood ran through her mind. “They were such good parents. They tried so hard to show me love, and I couldn’t quite grasp it. I do now. And when this is all over, I want to take you to meet them. I think they will love you as I do.”

“You want me to meet your parents?” He seemed amused by the idea.

“My human parents. There are others as well, that I wish you to meet. Ronin Prime has always been a father figure to me. And one of the winged Brethren used to take me flying when I was very little. I want to share them with you and you with them. I want them to see our love and be happy for us, if they can.”

“That’s a tall order, Ro.” He leaned back against the heavy bag, folding his arms and watching her with what she thought might be a playful expression. Things were looking up.

“You’re a tall man,” she quipped. “I think you can handle it. Plus, I love you and I think you might feel the same. Of course, not being an empath, I can’t be sure, so you’ll have to tell me one of these days. I’m not rushing you, but I do at least want you to give us a chance. What do you say to that?” She smiled up at him, hoping he would respond in a positive way.

For reply, he opened his arms and reached out to her, folded her against his chest. He hugged her and lowered his head to nuzzle her, making her feel the most amazing joy in her heart. This was more than positive. This was fantastic!

“I think I…feel something for you too, Ro,” he whispered. “But I’m conflicted.”

She didn’t like hearing that
but
. Still, she knew he was having a hard time dealing with this situation, and she was at least succeeding in getting him to talk about it. That was good as far as she was concerned.

“You wanted a human mate,” she said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice. “I understand. But back in the days when our people believed in a deity, there was the notion that sometimes the benevolent power of the universe knows what we need better than we do ourselves. Perhaps this is one of those times. My human parents used to say God works in mysterious ways.” She rested her cheek against his shoulder, loving the feel of him holding her and being in his strong embrace. “And though I still look Alvian on the outside, I was raised differently than others of our race. I’ve always respected humans. I always liked them and learned from them when I was little. I didn’t always understand them, but that’s changing. I’ve changed. I’m no longer the cold, emotionless Alvian I once was. I think I can give you what you want in a mate, Harry, if you’ll give me the chance.”

“Oh, Ro…” His voice broke as he reached downward, finding her lips with his.

The kiss was emotional and tempestuous. It spoke of things he couldn’t say aloud. It spoke of love. And regret. And broken dreams. And new dreams.

It gave her hope. So much hope.

He took her down to the mats and she didn’t protest. Far from it. She wanted what he wanted in those moments of silent communication. His touch. His passion. The emotions that didn’t needs words to be expressed. Desire…and love. He hadn’t said it, but she thought she felt it in both his ardor and conversely in his gentleness. She didn’t think it was possible a man who didn’t care for her in some way could make her feel so special.

Maybe she was fooling herself, but then again, maybe not. Uncertainty was a constant now in her life, and rather than dwell in that confused state, she decided to live in the moment. In the passion. In Harry’s arms.

She helped him open her clothing until her legs were bare and he had clear access to all her most tender places. They didn’t bother pulling her top out from under her. It was open down the front, as was her bra. Her panties and pants had been kicked away so she could spread her legs around his hips, welcoming him.

She tugged at his waistband, helping him lower his pants and briefs so that his hard cock was exposed. He was ready for her and she did not object when he moved quickly, without much preamble. The time for delicacy would come later. Right at this moment, there was too much emotion between them to go slow. She sensed his need in his slightly trembling hands, in the harsh motions of his body. She didn’t need to wait. She wanted him as much, if not more, than he seemed to want her.

He joined their bodies in one smooth motion and then…all was right with the world.

Well, maybe not the whole world. There were still a lot of issues they had to address for humanity, and Hara’s existence could not be hidden forever, but those were unimportant for the sheer, blissful moments of their joining. All was right with
her
world. Hers and Harry’s.

And Cormac’s? She felt a niggle of doubt that he wasn’t part of this moment, but she pushed it aside. Cormac would have his time with her. Somehow they’d figure out how this threesome was going to work. But first, she had to get Harry to agree to it.