The Bonding (13 page)

* * *

In the aftermath of mad passion, Kiri sprawled on her lover's chest, her hair draped over them both. Though her joy was intense, she didn't cry. She had spent all her tears already. It occurred to her that she should really ask Jaya whether it was safe to have sex, especially rough sex like that, while she was expecting, but that would be a task for another day.

“Did I hurt you, baby?” Davin asked, embracing her in warm, wonderful arms.

“No,” she lied.

“I did.”

She sighed and raised up on her elbows to look into his eyes. “Only a little. But I didn't want you to stop. It did hurt, but oh gods did it feel good.”

His lips twisted. “I never lose control like that.”

Kiri couldn't help giggling. “I liked that you did. You shouldn't have all the control in bed.”

He slipped out of her and she winced. “Well, you're going to be sore. Please don't do it again, Kiri. I'm not trying to control you, but myself. I don't want our loving to cause you pain.”

“Do you mean you don't want me to use my mouth on you again?” She stuck her lip out in a mock pout.

“Gods, no!” he exclaimed. “I don't mean that. I just think we should wait on something so intense until our feelings are not so raw.”

“I understand.” She sighed and kissed his bare chest. “I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat in here?

“Yes, we can eat, and then, how about a bath?” he suggested. “Mine is big enough for both of us.”

“Perfect. I also need to go and get my clothes and things from that other apartment.”

“You won't be needing that place anymore.” He winked at her.

“Definitely not.”

Davin's playful mood vanished into tenderness. “Kiri, I'm glad you came to see me today. It must have been hard for you.”

She matched his earnestness. “Believe me, I couldn't have stayed away another minute.” She laid down against him for a hug. “Davin,” she mumbled against his skin, “do you think it matters that our relationship is based on a magical ceremony gone wrong?”

“No,” he replied simply. “And anyway, that's not right. We caused our bond to be what it is, because of our love. I think we probably both wanted it that way, and that's why it happened. So, all the bond has done, apart from keeping us alive in what should have been a deadly fight, is made it possible for us to do this much faster than we otherwise would have. I don't think the outcome is different, only the pace.”

Kiri smiled. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.”

Davin left Kiri naked in his bed, dressed quickly and went downstairs to the restaurant to bring up a hot meal.

When he returned, she still had not dressed. He grinned and shed his own clothing again, set the food on the table and walked over to collect Kiri from the bed. She was drowsing.

“Wake up, baby, and let's have some lunch.”

Kiri stretched and rubbed her eyes. “Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep. I haven't been sleeping well lately.”

“It's because you didn't have me to hold you,” he quipped.

“Maybe that's it,” Kiri agreed. “What did you bring? It smells wonderful.”

“Bread soaked in milk,” he quipped, and laughed at her mock horror. “Stew and hot fresh bread. How will that do?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Good. Let's eat.”

It delighted Davin to see Kiri devouring her meal with obvious relish. It hadn't been that long since he had feared she would starve herself to death. Now she looked wonderful; healthy, pink and glowing. They ate as lovers often do, offering each other bites of food, pausing often to kiss and touch. Plus, it was deliciously decadent to eat while nude. Kiri was beginning to feel aroused again, now she had satisfied her hunger. Davin was also showing signs of wanting a little more sex. Abandoning the table, he pressed her against the wall, kissing her deeply, thrusting his tongue into her mouth in imitation of what he would like to do with his body.

Releasing the kiss, he whispered hotly in her ear, “We should get into that bath now…I want to wash every inch of you, and I want you nice and relaxed and soft when I take you again.”

“Oh yes,” Kiri replied, let's go.”

“Another kiss, baby, and we will.”

“Kiss me again and we might not make it at all.”

“I'll risk it.” His mouth came down hard on hers again, and he held her tight in his arms, his sex pressing her belly, a potent mix of desire and love.

Unfortunately, the moment couldn't last. The door of Davin's apartment slammed open and a breathless someone rushed in.

“Davin! Davin!” Jaya gasped in a rush, “I have to tell you something. It's about Kiri. I know you don't want to talk about her, but I think there's been a misunderstanding. You might be able to…OH!”

“Jaya, next time please knock,” Davin urged his sister dryly as he shielded Kiri's naked body with his.

“Of course. I'm sorry. I'll just go now.”

“If you step outside for a moment and let us get dressed,” he suggested, “we'll give you the whole update.”

“Yes, sorry.”

The door closed and the couple scurried into their garments.

A moment later, a flushed Jaya was escorted back into the sitting area. She perched on one of Davin's armchairs, while Davin and Kiri sat together on the couch.

“As you can see, Jaya, Kiri came to me herself.”

“Well that's good,” the young healer replied. “I can't deny, Kiri, that I'm still pretty disappointed in you.”

“I'm sorry, Jaya. I know I hurt your brother. It was very wrong of me to do what I did.” Kiri let her contrition show. Her long hair, loosened from its braid, hung over her scarred face like a curtain.

Davin held his lady closer. “I've forgiven Kiri for her mistake, Jaya. There's no anger between us now.”

“It's not only that,” the woman retorted. “I'm hurting hurt too. I had begun thinking of Kiri as a friend, maybe someday a sister, but I don't know if I can get past this.”

“Try Jaya, for my sake,” Davin urged. “I don't want conflict between the two most important women in my life. I love you both.”

“I'll try,” Jaya said with a sigh. “I'm glad you two were able to talk about this. It's healthier than avoiding each other. Kiri, are you feeling any better?”

“Somewhat,” Kiri replied. No longer despairing or eaten up with nerves, her nausea had retreated so much, she'd been able to ignore it completely.

“What's wrong with Kiri?” Davin asked, alarmed.

“Nothing,” she said quickly, still not feeling the time was right to reveal her secret. “I just had a touch of nausea yesterday. Probably from the strain of trying to live without you.”

Davin looked concerned.

“Would you like me to take a look at her?” Jaya offered.

“Yes. I think it would be a good idea. I'll take our dishes back downstairs.”

He left and Jaya turned to face Kiri, her expression considering.

“Friends?” Kiri asked. “Oh please say it's not too late. I haven't had a friend in so long.”

“I'll try,” Jaya said again. Then suddenly she turned fierce. “Just you be damned sure you never hurt him again. If someone tells you something you don't understand, ask.”

“I will. I promise.”

“All right then.” Jaya let the lecture drop and turned to practical matters. “I want to scan you again. I think you were already pregnant when you fought the creature, and I need to be sure the baby didn't absorb any of the poison.”

“Oh gods, another scan.” Kiri rolled her eyes. “I spent all day yesterday getting scanned. Oh, don't look at me like that. Fine. Do it.”

“Maybe you should lie down on the bed,” Jaya suggested. Kiri rose and winced.
Rough loving takes a toll.
Jaya, of course, noticed instantly. “Wait, why are you walking like that?”

Kiri's cheeks burned.
Grow up, woman. She's your sister and a trained healer.
“Oh, it's nothing. Davin and I had a very satisfactory reunion, but I'm a little sore.” Which reminded Kiri of another question. As she stretched out on the bed, she asked, “Jaya, it is safe for us to have sex?”

She risked a glance and saw the other woman grinning. “Very safe. It's nothing to worry about. Just how is it that you came to be pregnant anyway?” As Jaya spoke, she began to run her magic through Kiri's belly.

“What do you mean?”
Isn't it obvious?
“We had sex in the cave before fighting the creature. We did it again in the hospital. How else would I have gotten pregnant?”

“I mean, did your pregnancy blocker fail?” Jaya asked as though that clarified anything.

“Jaya, what exactly is a pregnancy blocker?”

The healer froze in the middle of her scan. “How can you not know?”

Kiri shrugged. Stationary, the magical beam felt a bit intense. “Something my people don't use, I guess.”

Jaya shook herself and continued working. “How did you women soldiers prevent pregnancy?”

Why would anyone want to do that?
“We didn't. That isn't part of our culture. It's considered good luck when a woman warrior conceives a child.”

“Oh, well that's different from what we do. We use pregnancy blockers until a couple is ready to have a baby. It's a small device inserted into your womb. It emits magic that blocks conception.”

Choose when you're ready? What a concept.
“Interesting, but a little late now.”

“Yes. I'll get you one after the baby comes. Does Davin know he's going to be a father?”

“Not yet.”

“Kiri!”

“No, listen.” She held up one hand. “I'm going to tell him. It's just that, I wanted to try and make things good between us before I told him. I don't want to use our baby to heal our relationship. I want our relationship strong so we can bring this child into a good home. Ouch. That's a little deep, Jaya.”

“Sorry. I didn't want to miss anything. Well, my dear, you are one lucky girl. You and the baby both survived, and there's no sign of the monster's toxin anywhere.”

“Thank the gods,” Kiri sighed, sitting up. The movement dislodged the necklace, which had ended up under her blouse. The thin band spilled loose onto Kiri's neck.

“Wait,” Jaya said “What are you wearing? Is that a betrothal collar? My gods, Kiri! You two just never stop, do you?”

“We don't,” Kiri admitted. “We can't. When we bonded each other, something strange happened and now we're connected for life. There doesn't seem to be much point in delaying, since the outcome is already decided. Besides, it makes us both so happy.”

At that moment, Davin's key turned in the apartment lock.

“Please don't tell him about the baby,” Kiri whispered, “I'll do it myself, when the time is right.”

“Soon, Kiri. Do it soon,” Jaya insisted.

“I will,” Kiri promised.

“I have to go,” Jaya said as her brother strode into the room. “I worked overnight and I'm exhausted.”

“We'll see you soon, though, right?” Davin asked. “You're not going to avoid us, are you?”

“I don't know,” Jaya replied, giving him a searching look. “You sure don't listen to anything I say.”

“What do you mean?” His silver eyebrows drew together.

“I know that collar, Davin, as many times as I saw your mother wearing it. I like Kiri, and I know you love her, but engaged? After only knowing each other five weeks? That's just stupid.”

Davin looked angry at first, but then, as Kiri watched, an idea seemed to take shape in him. “I think I understand why you're so angry, Jaya. You and Soren started out pretty fast too…enemies to lovers in a day, and moving in together two weeks later. But then your relationship stalled, and hasn't moved forward in five years. I still don't think he's the right man for you, but I put up with him for your sake. It's not the same for Kiri and me.”

Jaya sighed. “I hope you're right. It's hell loving someone who can't love you back.” And she departed without another word.

“What was that about,” Kiri asked, rising the bed.

“Jaya isn't disapproving us because she thinks we don't belong together. She's jealous because her lover hasn't given her his collar, and he probably never will. He's older, and was married before, but his wife died. I think he enjoys having Jaya around for company and sex, but he's never said he loved her, in all these years. He's wasting her youth, and I think it's pretty selfish of him. She should be married by now, having babies. She would be a wonderful mother. But she won't leave him.”

“It seems to me,” Kiri commented, “it's her choice to make, even if you don't like it. But have you ever talked to him about it?”

“No, why would I?” Davin asked.

“You're her big brother,” she reminded him. “Quizzing her lover about his intentions is kind of your job.”

“I never thought of that. I think I'll do what you suggest…another day. For now, my lady, we have a warm bath calling us.”

* * *

Jaya sat on her sofa at home feeling sorry for herself. She had been crying great, self-pitying tears all afternoon. She knew she had to stop soon, or Soren would come home, and he hated it when she cried. She had been cured of crying in front of him years ago, but sometimes her disappointment got the best of her. She had just begun trying to pull herself together when her lover strode into the room.

She adored him, of course. He was tall and sharp featured, and his head was bald and shiny (on purpose- he shaved it because he felt it was more sanitary, but the look suited him). Although almost forty, his sex appeal had not diminished in the least. Jaya's heart turned over at the sight of him.
If only he would love me
. But that was asking too much.

He looked at her, concerned. “Is something wrong?”

“No.” She looked away.

“You're lying,” he pressed.

“I don't want to talk about it,” she retorted.
Why bother? I know the answer.

“Okay, don't,” he agreed.
He never would pry for answers. But at least he's honest about it.
“How's your brother?” Soren continued.

“Davin's great. He and Kiri reconciled. He gave her his betrothal collar. Isn't that wild? They've barely known each other a month.”
And I need not to talk about collars or I'll drive myself crazy.

That stopped him in his tracks. “I wonder what their big rush is.”

“Well, I think at least for Kiri, she's in a hurry because she's pregnant. She wants to have a settled home to bring a baby into. Davin doesn't know yet, so don't tell him anything. Kiri's waiting for the right moment.”