Taming a Healer: 3 (Galactic Lust) (4 page)

“Damn it, why would you do such a thing?”

“There’s little time left. Gabriel’s been placed on a death
watch. While you and your matron lived among us, you were shielded from a
hunter’s end-stage demise. Your matron worked with those about to die and tried
to heal them. It’s not uncommon for a hunter to become—irrational or hostile.
He wanted to help you while he still could. You know, before his mind goes.”

“But
you
remain well!”

“Not entirely, healer.”

Her shoulders sagged as her mind spun. Both Nolan and
Gabriel were sick. So sick they could be dead in mere days? “If you’re both
dying, why would they even bother coming after you? It doesn’t make sense.”

“We’ll be placed at the top of the priority list. They can’t
have hunters acting contrary to orders. They’ll track, find and kill us. Our
health status is documented and by now an alert has been raised. You’ll be
rescued in the process. The ship you hailed,
Defender
, is commanded by a
very high-ranking Governance officer. Because of its location, I imagine you’ll
be rescued within a few eves. The general of that vessel will make certain
Gabriel’s put out of his misery.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Gabriel’s brother commands the vessel. He’ll be most
concerned with making sure Gabriel doesn’t suffer or fall victim to the
creatures here. Because of our absence without permission, he’ll also believe
I’m not in my right mind, unable to effectively end Gabriel’s suffering.
General Ryker would do that for any soldier in the Governance. He’s an
uncommonly devoted and decent man.”

She jumped to her feet and stalked the outskirts of the
roaring fire.

“Healer
Sadie
?”

“How could you?
Why
would you? Why didn’t you take
the time you had left and find something pleasurable to do?”

A muffled groan rose from Gabriel and she took four long
strides to stand beside him. He’d rolled to his back and gazed at her through
swollen eyelids.

She didn’t want their blood on her hands. Her stomach rolled
with increasing waves of anger. Guilt already veiled her. She’d managed to
survive when most of her tribe had been brutally murdered. “You in particular,
hunter. Is this grand gesture supposed to make me feel horrid for the remainder
of my life? Wasn’t what happened between us enough?”

“No,” he said. “My life for yours is all I can offer to make
things right. Perhaps in the years to come, you’ll remember me with something
other than contempt.”

He’d give his life so she wouldn’t hate him so much? “Horse
piss! Since when has a hunter cared what another being thought or felt?”

“Your happiness and peace of mind have always been of great
importance to me.”

“No. Not always.” Breath caught in her chest when she
recalled the last time they’d been alone together. Unable to force her body to
release the air or take more in, the cave began spinning.

“Nolan!” Gabriel yelled.

Nolan suddenly stood in front of her, grasping her upper
arms. He shook her furiously. When at last she gasped, stars clouded her
vision. He helped her sit as he sat down too.

“Is she well now?” Although his voice barely rose above a
whisper, she could clearly hear the intense manner in which Gabriel asked the
question.

“Not really,” Nolan replied.

“What’s happening to her?”

She tried forming the words to tell him nothing was wrong.
Her throat closed tighter and her eyes rolled back.

Nolan’s warm hand swiped stray hairs from her cheeks. “It
appears to be an attack. The same as when she was young.”

“Her matron said she’d outgrow them.” Gabriel sounded
closer. “When she’s rescued, they’ll fix her.”

She wanted to laugh but couldn’t because of the numbness in
her lips and tongue. No amount of technology could take away the cold and
tingling creeping from her fingers and toes, through her hands and feet, and
steadily climbed up her neck. Actually, she was surprised the terror reaction
hadn’t happened sooner. After watching most of her people die, the memory of
Gabriel’s rejection simply pushed her one step too far.

“Lay her down. She’s nearly unconscious.”

Nolan dozed, waking frequently to check on both Sadie and
Gabriel. Gabriel’s sleep remained troubled and fitful. The chore of watching
his health decline became increasingly distasteful. Nolan would rather have his
spine broken than listen to each moan his partner tried to stifle. They’d been
told the pain would increase until he’d uncontrollably lash out. That’s when
Nolan would end his suffering. If Governance soldiers reached them before that
time, they’d die swiftly, mercifully and together. It hadn’t taken any
consideration at all to accompany Gabriel on his quest to help Sadie. She was
worth the lives of many hunters.

Gabriel thrashed, which brought Sadie awake. She sat up and
rubbed her eyes. Nolan situated her close to his partner so her scent would
drift. He’d hoped having her near again would settle Gabriel’s mind. All things
considered, he’d slept a bit better than normal.

“Are you hungry,
shae-shondah
?”

She stretched and shivered before taking one of the blankets
to drape over her shoulders. Of all the females they’d come in contact with
throughout the universe, in his estimation, Sadie’s nation produced the most
appealing women.

Unwelcomed and inappropriate musings stirred his blood. He
settled himself by recalling how surprising and beautiful she’d been as a
child. On some level, each of the men who’d been privileged enough to watch her
grow, marveled and admired her. Nine short years ago, she’d been more than
their hope of overcoming the curse of an untimely death. She’d been a blazing
radiance in a black-and-white existence.

“
Shae-shondah?
”

“Please, Nolan,” she said, turning toward him, “the title’s
unnecessary.”

“On the contrary,” he replied, rising to his feet and
walking to the large pot. After scooping out a bowl of stew, he handed it to
her. “Careful, it’s very hot.”

She took the offering and he sat close, but not near enough
to crowd her. His presence obviously bothered her. He said, “And on the matter
of what to call you, you’ve earned the title many times over.”

She poked a spoon around in the bowl before glancing at him.
“What is this?”

“
Darine
stew.”

“How? You’ve no weapon to kill a
darine
and the
malicitors
have to know we’re here because of the fire you’ve kept burning.”

“I have my knives. I made the kill just after we arrived in
full light. I dressed it out and found the store of vegetables in one of the
antechambers as you and Gabriel slept. There should be enough to feed us until
soldiers arrive.”

Her gaze scanned the surrounding area. “And when did you
have time to gather all the wood?”

“You slept a long time. You must’ve been very tired.”

It would settle the tightness in his chest if she’d smile,
just once, slightly. Nine years ago he’d seen the desolate look in her
expression and eyes. She’d been so dazzling and full of life prior to Handler
Markum’s abuse. He’d hoped over the years, she’d grown past a single eve of
horror to regain her vibrancy.

Each bite appeared to be an effort.

“How long until they arrive?” she finally asked.

“Not too long, I’m sure.”

A sudden change in her posture caused him to become acutely
aware of every small gesture she worked to hide. Anxiety hastened her breath
and made her fingers tremble. Her eyes widened, pupils dilated and chin
trembled slightly.

“What’s troubling you, healer?”

“Nothing.”

“I know differently. I’ve had years of practice reading
behavior since you last tried to hide something from me.”

Sadie wanted to scream. The single thread holding her
together had been pulled so tight, she’d soon snap. With most of her people
dead, she sat between two hunters and would probably need to remain with them
for days.

A noise from the mouth of the cave drew their attention. She
dropped the bowl, ran over to a large rock and dove behind it to retrieve a
sword. No sooner did she have it in her hand when she saw a streak of black
dart toward the opening. Both she and Nolan reacted quickly and quietly. Still,
Gabriel should’ve woken. He hadn’t. He lay unmoving beneath layers of blankets
next to the fire.

She ran to take a defensive spot between him and the only
entrance to their temporary sanctuary. Drawing the heavy blade over her
shoulder, she poised herself for battle. Just because she hated Gabriel, didn’t
mean she’d allow a
malicitor
to rip him to shreds. Could the beasts have
grown tolerant to the heat?

Her muscles knotted as she waited. A slight breeze rustled
the hair next to her ear before a warm hand slid over her mouth.

“Be calm,” Gabriel whispered so quietly it took her a moment
to understand his words.

He pulled the heavy sword from her hands, released her and
stepped in front of her. With his body as a barrier, she felt the sudden lack
of heat from the fire. A shudder swept over her and in that instant, she
focused on Gabriel’s naked back.
Dearest Ayasha! What’d happened to the man?
Black, blue and yellow streaked his skin as well as angry, red swollen spots.

The strain of muscles in his back and arms suddenly relaxed
as the tip of the sword sank into the sand by his foot. He leaned heavily
against the weapon as Nolan sauntered close with something in his hand. Gabriel
turned to face her as Nolan held out a dark morsel of fur. “Perhaps you’ll
share your spilled meal with him.”

She accepted the freezing wolfen pup and cuddled him close.
He nuzzled and whimpered until he slipped between the flaps of her dress. He
squirmed for a minute before settling directly above where her heart quickly
beat. “Do you think his matron searches for him?”

Nolan glanced at Gabriel before saying, “There’s movement
beyond the cave. I’ll watch for a while to see if something doesn’t venture out
into the eve light.” He focused on her and his expression softened. “He’s
orphaned and has been for some time. No wolfen matron will charge in here to
reclaim her pup.”

As he strode away, she said quietly, “I wasn’t concerned for
my safety.” She merely didn’t want the matron of the pup to worry about her
young.

“Obviously not,” Gabriel said. His voice rumbled in a deep
monotone. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. The downturn of his
lips resembled a frown. She knew she’d displeased him.

He’d grown taller or gained mass since she’d last stood
beside him. She contemplated stepping back. That’d been her thought until she
visually scanned him again. He’d received grave injuries yet roused himself to
come to her defense.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” The stern tone allowed her to
understand he’d issued a reprimand.

“It hadn’t occurred to me.”

With the dance of flames a few feet beyond, she couldn’t
maintain eye contact. The eerie glow of his silver irises made him appear
similar to some creature, not a man.

Silence stretched as she tried to ignore his scrutiny.
Whenever she’d been in his presence, he’d displayed nothing less than a
persistent fascination while intently listening to everything she’d said as if
her thoughts mattered. Nine years ago, few adults had taken her seriously. The
hunters had. In particular, Gabriel had. At the time, she’d been their hope of
salvation. Of course he would’ve been interested in her.

The pup began nuzzling, trying to find food. Its sharp
little teeth pierced her skin and she fumbled, trying to remove the tiny
hairball. “Ouch, you little demon! I’m not equipped to feed you
that
way!”

He kept squirming and she feared hurting him with too hard
of a squeeze. Gabriel immediately came to her aid and reached inside the flap
of material to grasp the pup. Seconds later, she found herself unable to catch
her breath while she stared into Gabriel’s eyes.

He eased the pup away and held it in his hand. His
fingertips brushed the single droplet of blood away from the top of her breast.
Hesitantly, he drew the front of the material together so that she was covered.
“Have I ever lied to you?” he asked calmly, stroking the small animal.

She continued to stare while trying to make sense of his
words. The relentless heartbeat in her ears made it difficult to hear.

“
Shae-shondah
, answer me. Have I ever lied to you?”

Without thought, she shook her head slowly. She couldn’t
look away.

“I won’t in the time we have left. Do you believe that?”

Stupidly, she stood there, mouth agape, taking shallow
breaths as she nodded.

“I won’t hurt you.”

The pain she’d felt nine years prior returned, washing over
her in burning waves of humiliation and then mortification. As an adult, she
could finally see he’d never intentionally meant to embarrass her. He’d never
been anything but kind and reverent toward her. Even though she suddenly
realized this, it somehow didn’t make any difference. What she’d felt nine
years prior remained part of her, locked away deep inside like a festering
disease.

She’d loved him with all her heart. He’d pushed her away.
And now she hated him.

Her grandmother’s voice filled her mind.
To hate someone
increases the damage that was done. The only way to end the destructive cycle
is to forgive. Only then can you find peace and happiness. Only then can you
move forward.

She took a single step back as he offered the pup by holding
it out. Carefully, she took the small creature and noticed the fine tremors in
Gabriel’s hand and arm. How much pain did he feel? How weak would he have to be
to shake so badly?

“Nolan’s standing watch. I’m sorry for disturbing you.
Please, lay back down and rest,” she said quietly.

Reluctantly, he turned away, dropped the sword and walked to
the spot where he’d been sleeping. He gingerly crawled under the covers. Facing
the fire, his eyes closed and within seconds, his breathing evened. He’d fallen
asleep.

When the pup squirmed, she placed it on the ground. It
immediately wobbled over to her spilled meal. The small animal must’ve been
starving. It ate every last drop before curling into a ball.

She watched as Gabriel’s entire body convulsed before
relaxing once again. As the minutes ticked by and she witnessed his suffering,
she found herself taking small, uncertain steps in his direction. Many years
ago she’d adored him. Whether some form of the attachment remained, or if her
vocation prompted her to move, she didn’t know. She understood however, she
couldn’t simply watch his torment.

Standing directly beside him, a wave of warmth from deep
inside worked its way to her chilled skin. Her body dictated the course of
action she’d take. She stopped thinking about the past and hurtful memories.
She concentrated completely on what she would do next. “Ayasha, dear one, guide
me,” she whispered, pleading to her spirit guide and grandmother to assist.

Heat radiated from her chest, down her arms before gathering
in her hands. She slipped the
ballstic
over her head and tossed it a few
feet away. The warm overdress wouldn’t be needed for the next several hours.

“
Shae-shondah?”
Gabriel asked as stirred and woke.

“Close your eyes while I tend you, hunter.”

“Don’t. You loathe me.”

After kneeling, she raised her elbows and placed her palms
against each other. The energy gathered and built. “I’m not thinking of that
right now.”

“Save your strength.”

“Save yours, hunter. Portions of a healing can be painful.
Try not to cry, would you?”

The corners of his eyes wrinkled. “I’ll do my very best.”

“Good. I hate to see grown men cry.”

After many long moments, he asked, “Why?”

She spared him a hostile glance while mostly concentrating
on diverting the warmth to her hands. “Why would I tend you?”

“Yes.”

“Not one of us with the gift has touched a hunter since you
moved your training facility from here. My matron told me working with your
kind was very different than healing one of my tribe. It should be a
challenge.” She continued to look at him and without thought, confessed what
really lay in her heart. “I’m also guessing the difference between
loathe
and
like
isn’t a huge one. I suppose I still care for you. A little. In
some manner.”

He actually appeared surprised. She gazed at him, committing
the unusual expression to memory. Eventually, she closed her eyes to place full
effort into gathering her healing strength. He’d rejected and devastated her.
She’d never forget. She also couldn’t forget how much she’d loved him at the
time. He’d never love her in return. She knew that even as a child. Hunters
were incapable of higher emotions.

He stifled a shout when she placed her hands on his chest.
She rested her weight on her palms to still his movements. “Nothing too
terrible, hunter. A slight shock. See, you’ll only feel the warmth of my hands
now.”

A massive exhale shuddered from him. “What are you doing?”

“Your heart. It beats out of time. I’ll start here.”

“Ooph!”

“I warned you. I really hate tears, so concentrate on not
dribbling all over your cheeks.”

“Have a care, healer.”

“Blah, blah, complain, complain,” she murmured, moving her
hands down his ribs, hovering over each broken one, projecting her powers to
the damaged bones.

“Bitty healer, you’re enjoying this.”

She smiled and for the first time in nearly a decade, felt
an ember of mischief bubble in her heart. “Immensely. I’ve waited for this day
to savor your suffering.”

Her body swayed rhythmically as her hands moved. Her
concentration deepened. Such damage and devastation! Tears slid from beneath
her closed eyelids. Most men would’ve screamed in agony had their insides
resembled his. All he’d done was occasionally grunt.