Zaureth: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 4) (4 page)

Chapter Seven

Zaureth couldn’t look at Amy. He feared his emotions would override his common sense and he’d end up killing Oz. “Do not ever touch her again.”

“I’m sorry,” Oz sarcastically remarked. “I wasn’t aware that she belonged to you.”

“She belongs to no one,” Zaureth rumbled, stepping in close to Amy. “Least of all, you.”

Oz laughed without humor. “Let’s get something straight, healer. It was an innocent hug that you witnessed. Nothing more. I was merely comforting her. This is the last time I will explain myself to you or anyone else. Don’t mistake my kindness for fear. Ever.”

Amy took a step back, nearly bumping into Zaureth. “I’d like to go back inside now.”

“I will take you,” Zaureth offered, reaching for her hand.

Amy accepted Zaureth’s palm. “Thank you for the tea, and the much needed talk, Oz. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime, sweetness,” Oz replied, brushing his fingertips along her cheek.

Zaureth tightened his hold on her hand and tugged her around. He waited until they were a distance away before speaking. “I do not think you should be alone with that one, Amy.”

“That one?” Amy demanded, pulling him to a stop. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Zaureth sighed. “I am sorry. I have no right to judge our host, but his reputation with the females is legendary. I do not like you being alone with him.”

The ache that Zaureth had been experiencing since leaving Amy’s room earlier continued to grow the longer he stared into her light blue eyes.

“He’s my friend, Zaureth. Nothing more. I have no romantic interest in him.”

Relief was instant, however short lived. Shame followed closely behind. Why had he interfered with Amy and Oz’s date? Zaureth had no claim on her, and never would have.

“I wasn’t on a date,” Amy bit out, jerking free of his hold. “If you don’t want me to know how you feel, or better yet how you
don’t
feel, then stop thinking so loud.”

“Amy, wait,” Zaureth conceded, jumping into her path as she turned to leave. “Please, allow me to explain.”

She kept her eyes downcast and her face lowered. “There’s nothing to explain. I read your thoughts loud and clear, as I’m sure you wanted me to.”

She held her hand out in front of her. “You’ve done nothing wrong, Zaureth, and you don’t owe me anything. Now, please allow me to pass with a modicum of dignity.”

He couldn’t do it. Zaureth couldn’t let her go. “I’ll see you to your room.”

“I’m not going to my room. Have a nice night.”

Zaureth stood in stunned silence as Amy skirted around him and expertly followed the path to the steps of the hotel. Even without sight, she possessed more grace than any other female he’d ever known.

“You really screwed that up,” Oz announced from the shadows.

Zaureth turned in the direction of his voice. “I have no common sense where Amy is concerned.”

Oz stepped into the light. “Love will do that to a man. Rob him of his brains.”

“Love?” Zaureth repeated, propping his hip against a nearby pole. “I do not love her.”

Oz shrugged a shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know. You look pretty smitten to me. Smitten enough to nearly have your ass handed to you back there on the beach.”

Zaureth didn’t bother pretending to know how to decipher Oz’s words. “I do not like Amy being alone with you.”

“It’s my dashing good looks, isn’t it?” Oz taunted, sauntering toward Zaureth. “I’m a hell of a lover too. Let’s not forget—”

Zaureth’s fist slammed into Oz’s chin before he could finish his sentence. The big Cuban landed on his back in a nearby flower bed.

Oz slowly sat up, moving his jaw from left to right. He turned his head to the side and spit blood onto the white sand of the walkway. “Was that really necessary? I just had some dental work done on that side.” He got to his feet.

“You will not—”

The crack of Oz’s fist connecting with Zaureth’s nose ricocheted off the surrounding palm trees. Pain shot through Zaureth’s skull, and blood filled his mouth, but he managed to stay on his feet. Barely.

Vaulcron suddenly appeared between them. His arms stretched in both directions as if to hold them apart. “What is going on here?”

Reality was quick to set in. Zaureth had assaulted Oz. The vows he’d made all those years ago seemed a distant memory all of a sudden. What was happening to him?

Zaureth spun on his heel and strode off toward the tree line without answering.

Vaulcron abruptly appeared behind him. “Talk to me, brother.”

Zaureth turned to face his life-long friend. “Though I should, I do not regret my actions with the Cuban. I do not trust his intentions with Amy.”

Vaulcron grinned. “You are jealous of Oz.”

“I do not entertain human emotions, Vaulcron. I have seen the numerous females that Oz shares his bed with. Women are but toys to him. I refuse to allow Amy to become one of his conquests.”

“Oz is a good man,” Vaulcron argued. “He knows how you feel about Amy. He would never defile her in any way. He has more honor than that.”

A feeling of remorse rose up inside Zaureth, but he pushed it away. “Perhaps I could have handled the situation in a different manner. I do not know from whence the violence came. I do not use my strength against others. I am a healer, Vaulcron.”

“You are also a Bracadyte, Zaureth. And Bracadytes are warriors.”

An uneasy feeling settled in Zaureth’s chest. He’d always prided himself on his ability to remain calm, to elicit peace in any situation. But Amy’s appearance in his life had tilted his world on its axis. “I should not have come back here.”

“You cannot allow guilt to overtake you, Zaureth. You did what you felt to be right. The protective feelings that you have for Amy are understandable. She has a certain innocence about her that is exacerbated by her lack of sight. You cannot be faulted for your protectiveness of her.”

“I kissed her,” Zaureth growled, shame warring with the longing to do it again. “I took advantage of her trust.”

Vaulcron grinned. “You truly kissed her? Let us hope that Mallory does not find out.”

“There is nothing humorous about this, Vaulcron. I have broken my vows, and I have no idea how to repair the damage I have done. What if I am no longer able to heal? Would touching mouths with a human girl honestly be worth it?”

All traces of humor were gone from Vaulcron’s face. “If you love her, it would.”

“Love her?” Zaureth barked out a laugh. “I do not even know her.”

Vaulcron’s gaze softened. “Love is a very powerful emotion. One does not decide who they will or will not love. If Amy Brighton truly is your destiny, there will not be an ocean big enough to keep you from her. Vows or no vows.”

Chapter Eight

Amy sat in the lobby of the hotel, sucking down a mixed drink she’d ordered upon entering.

Her heart still pounded from the memory of Zaureth’s possessive stance against Oz. Why had Zaureth acted so irrationally? It made no sense.

“Would you like another?” Oz asked, taking a seat next to her.

“Yes, please.” She turned her face in his direction. “I apologize for what happened earlier. I’m more than a little embarrassed.”

Oz laughed and patted her hand. “There is nothing to apologize for, sweet one. Jealousy will cause a man to do many things he wouldn’t ordinarily do.”

Amy’s eyebrows lifted. “Jealousy? I don’t think so. I believe Zaureth sees me as a child. An invalid. Nothing more.”

“You did not see his face,” Oz pointed out. “But I did. He was jealous, all right.”

Amy’s heart began to pound for a different reason. She would have given anything to have seen Zaureth’s face.

She smoothed out her expression and relaxed her shoulders. “Describe him to me.”

“Describe Zaureth?” Oz asked, humor lining his voice.

Amy nodded. “Yes. Please?”

“Um. Let’s see,” Oz began before blowing out a breath. “He’s a mountain of Bracadyte. Extremely tall. He’s—”

“How tall?” Amy interrupted, loving that Oz was painting a picture of Zaureth.

“Hmmm, if I had to guess, I’d say seven foot. Give or take an inch.”

“My God,” Amy muttered. She’d known he was extremely tall, but she’d had no idea he was
that
tall. “Go on.”

“His hair is long. He wears it clubbed behind his head most of the time. The color is black with white streaks on the sides at his temples.”

“I do not know colors, Oz,” Amy chuckled, “but I can try to imagine them.”

Oz grew quiet for a moment. “The darkness that you see? That is black.”

Amy had never heard it put quite that way before. Though she had nothing to compare the darkness to, she grasped the concept.

“He has fangs, and barbs on his wrists and ankles.”

Amy held up a hand. “Fangs?”

“Run your tongue along your top teeth. Feel the pointed tips of your eyeteeth?” At her nod, he continued. “The Bracadytes’ eyeteeth are longer. Inside those teeth are fangs that extend down to draw blood into their bodies.”

Amy blinked. “Like vampires?”

“No.” Oz laughed. “They draw the blood directly into their veins. They do not drink it. The blood provides enzymes and nutrients that aid in their strength and longevity. Which is why they live to an old age.”

“Do you have fangs?” Amy questioned, knowing that Oz was related to the Bracadytes.

Oz shifted in his seat. “We are not talking about me. We are discussing Zaureth.”

Amy immediately felt contrite. “I’m sorry. I get carried away sometimes.”

“It’s quite all right.” Oz went on to explain about the barbs, the venom and the origin of the Incola virus, ending with, “It’s not an easy thing to love a Bracadyte, doll face. You better be damn sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Their way of life is harsh, but you’ll not find a more loyal creature on this planet.”

Amy continued to listen as Oz went on to tell her about the old king and his native bride, Aiyana. How the virus outbreak caused hundreds to become ill and many to die.

“So our government took that strand of virus and spliced it with one of its own to create the Incola?”

“Yes,” Oz confirmed. “And laid the blame at the Bracadytes’ door. If that virus becomes airborne, I fear we will all be at risk.”

The door opened behind her, and footsteps could be heard heading her way. “May I have a word with you, Nicho?”

“Of course. And please call me Oz.”

Amy recognized King Klause’s voice. She remained still and quiet, hoping to go unnoticed.

Klause leaned down and touched her on the shoulder. “I wish to borrow our host for a moment. I will return him to you shortly.”

Amy smiled and stood. “Take your time. I’m not used to alcohol. I think I’m going to go up to my room and take a nap. Have a good evening, gentlemen.”

“Would you like for me to walk you to your room?” a soft voice asked from the front desk.

Amy didn’t recognize her as Yolanda, the usual woman who worked that station. “You don’t have to do that. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

“It’s no inconvenience,” the woman replied, her footsteps growing closer.

She offered Amy her arm. “My name is Carmen.”

“Hi, Carmen. I’m Amy. I appreciate your generosity.”

The two women made their way to the elevator in silence. Once inside, Carmen spoke. “You are the sister to the reporter, Mallory Cahill.”

Amy nodded. “Mallory is my older sister.”

“She is expecting a child, I hear. You must be so excited.”

Amy
was
excited. She’d been so wrapped up in Zaureth she’d neglected her sister when Mallory obviously needed her most. “I am.”

The elevator came to a stop, and Amy allowed Carmen to assist her into the hall. “I can take it from here. Thank you for seeing me to my floor, Carmen.”

“You are most welcome,” the woman replied. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

With a smile and a wave, Amy hugged the wall, bypassing her door to stop in front of Mallory’s room. After several moments of knocking without answer, she ventured back the way she’d come.

Amy took out her keycard from the pocket of her dress and slid it into the groove in the door. Nothing happened.

“Your card is facing the wrong direction.”

The sound of Zaureth’s voice caught her off guard, and she dropped the keycard. “You startled me.”

A
click
sounded, telling her that Zaureth had unlocked the door for her.

He pushed it wide. “After you.”

Amy could feel the heat from his body as he followed her inside.

“I came to apologize,” he rumbled, taking her elbow and guiding her to the couch.

Amy sat before her legs gave out and she fell to the floor. “You don’t owe me an apology.”

He knelt at her feet, taking both of her hands in his. “I have no excuse for my actions on the beach, or any other time since my return to Cuba. I can only tell you that I am deeply troubled by my lack of control. I do not understand what has happened to me since I have come to know you.”

Amy’s stomach clenched. “What do you mean? What has happened to you?”

“You have bewitched me, somehow. I have broken every vow that I have taken. You make me weak, and you cause me to long for something that I cannot have.”

Amy was speechless. She carefully reached up and cupped the sides of his face. “I feel things for you too. Is that such a bad thing?”

Zaureth leaned into her touch. “I made a vow of celibacy, many moons ago. As a healer, I must remain pure of mind and body. The thoughts I have when I am near you do not resemble purity.”

Amy’s heart began to pound, and heat traveled from her face to the juncture of her thighs. “You want me?”

“More than I have ever wanted anything in my life,” Zaureth whispered, turning his face to kiss her open palm. “More than even my gifts. And that is what scares me the most.”

“I feel the same about you,” Amy softly confessed. “I can’t stand being apart from you. Yet when you’re near, it scares me to death.”

Zaureth suddenly stilled. “I must go.”

“Now?” Amy cried, tightening her hold on his face. “Did I say something wrong?”

He eased from her grip. “The king has summoned me.” He softly kissed her fingers once more and rose to his feet. “I will return as soon as I can.”

Amy remained seated long after Zaureth left the room, recalling every word he’d said. Out of everything he’d confessed to her, one thing stood out above the rest… He wanted her.