Freedom (Delroi Prophecy) (14 page)

Kareena almost laughed. From what she’d seen, she figured those clans were few and far between.
“And who are they?” she might need to look into a change of location.

“
Healers and artists mostly. Clans in the deep desert where there is little danger anyway.”

It seemed pretty condescending to her.
“And the rest?”

Rona shrugged.
“Some stay here in the temple or the temple in Saber City. Some return their clans.”

She stopped to watch some women doing exercises similar to Tai Chi.

“You’re welcome to join us,” Rona said. “Bring your friends.”

She was tempted, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to get that deeply involved with these people yet.
“I’ll think about it.”

Rona seemed to realize that was the best answer she’d get and they returned to the Keep. Hours later they’d toured the magnificent complex that made up the fortress and entered the family’s wing. Rona stopped her where the hall split in two.

“That way,” she said, pointing, “is where our guests stay. Your friends for instance. I can put you in one of those rooms and Roarr will get the message. Or,” she paused. “I can put you in his suite. In the rooms his
der’lan
should have. The place his woman has a right to demand. You are that woman, sweetie, and you have to choose. Maybe not right this minute, but eventually. Delaying will just make it worse for the two of you.”

She felt pulled in two different directions and it wasn’t pleasant.
“What other choice do I have? Just go along or try to fight it? That’s no choice.”

Rona gave her a steady even look, but Kareena felt censure in it. Finally, the other woman shrugged.
“You want to leave? I can have you on a shuttle for the north in ten minutes. You’ll never see my son again.”

Kareena felt like she’d been shot in the chest. His family felt she could be pushed aside so easily? How did he feel? Because she was so not a pushover. And if she did stay, he was hers damn it. She would never walk away, never survive the pain if he did. She fumed for several minutes before she noticed the knowing smirk on Rona’s face.

“That was really not nice,” Kareena said.

“
Perhaps. But at least you’ve discovered you aren’t ready to leave the Keep.”

“
I’m not giving up if that’s what you mean,” she said coolly. Why the hell was she on the defensive? “But I’m not surrendering either. I can’t move in with him and just blindly accept everything is okay when I hardly know the man.”

“
I know,” Rona agreed. “But you’ll come around.”

Rona looped her arm through hers and led them in the direction of what she assumed was the guest wing.

“You’re being very accepting about this. Thank you.”

“
You can repay me in granddaughters,” she said.

“
I never said…” Kareena sputtered. “I didn’t say I was ready or that I might be anytime soon.”

Rona pulled them to stop.
“It’s very simple, Kareena. Can you live without him? It doesn’t even matter if you get hung up on the question of does he make you stronger or weaker? I know you’re worried about that. The only thing that matters is can you exist without him. Because if you can’t and you try,” she shrugged. “You’ll definitely make yourself weaker. I don’t recommend it.”

“
Oh, goddess,” she muttered, feeling sick. They were on a wide balcony outside with huge circular columns and ornate stone benches against the wall. She found one and sat down, Rona sitting quietly at her side. It was a long time before she could speak. A long time before she could settle the queasiness in her stomach.

“
I’ve been on my own a long time,” she finally said, feeling as if she owed this woman an explanation. “I’ve learned to rely on only myself.”

“
That isn’t the kind of world you’ve joined though,” Rona said gently.

She turned to the woman who would be her mother in law.
“What if I can’t be what he needs? What if he decides I’m not what he wants?”

Rona gave her a calm smile.
“The Clan of the Keep is unique on Delroi, and though he is chief, he is not immune to the rules. He will not use the binding prayer until you are ready.”

“
So…I can keep a buffer.”

She laughed.
“Good luck, dear. I said he won’t use the prayer until you’re ready.” She stood and gestured for Kareena to follow her. They were well on their way when she spoke again. “I didn’t say he wouldn’t use seduction.”

Kareena’s stomach clenched and her throat went dry.

“So? What’s it going to be? A guest room or the room that should be yours?” Rona asked.

She was feeling desperate and needy and more than a little angry. Why was everyone being so damned difficult? She just wanted to get laid.

“The guest room,” she said sweetly.

The hell with this shit. He wanted to make her suffer? So could he. She doubted he had anymore will power than she did. Rona gave her a secretive smile that screamed
I know what you’re up to
and led her on.

The suite she was shown to was in the middle of a long corridor. Rona paused long enough to program the access panel for Kareena’s palm print, then opened the door.

“Roarr will come get you for dinner. Zola and Parker are at the end of the hall.” Rona pointed out their doors and said goodbye. Rona eyed the backpack Kareena still carried slung over her shoulder. “Did you all have more luggage on the shuttle?”

“
No,” she answered shaking her head. “This is it. We didn’t have time to resupply on Earth.”

“
I’ll have some things sent over then.”

“
That’s really not nice necessary.” Kareena felt uncomfortable enough accepting what she already had.

Rona smiled.
“I’m Lady of the Keep until Roarr claims his mate. Surely you wouldn’t deny me the pleasure of taking care of my guests?”

Kareena bit the corner of her lip and fought the suffocating feeling that threatened to overtake her. She wasn’t used to being protected or taken care of. She was usually the one providing those services. Her nod was reluctant. What choice did she have? She didn’t have to read the other woman’s mind to see the determination stamped on her face.

“I’ll leave you to settle in then. You’ll find refreshments and food in the kitchen, and fresh towels in the bath.”

“
Thank you,” Kareena said, watched as Rona left.

Kareena stepped inside her new home and was glad to be alone as she took in the space. It was incredible. Opulent. Fit for a princess. There was no way, no way, she belonged in this place. She had serious misgivings as she walked around and explored. A wide balcony stretched across the back wall. The view overlooking the bay was spectacular. It was a self contained apartment inside what was basically a palace on the top of a cliff top. It was almost laughable. Fit for royalty, but that wasn’t who she was.

There was nothing to be done for it now, however. She returned to the bedroom, emptied the few belongings from her bag and put them away, then entered the bathroom. It was something out of a showroom. A deep soaking tub big enough for at least four people was in the back corner. Windows stretched from its edge to the soaring ceiling, letting light flood in and showing off the incredible view. She ignored it in favor of a quick shower, though it was something else too. Huge with a bench along the back and front walls and two showerheads. When she was finished she wrapped herself in a thick soft towel and returned to the main room, where a kitchen area was tucked against the back wall.

She found a bottle of
gazzi
and a fine crystal goblet. Carrying them with her to the balcony, she wondered how the other half lived on Delroi. This was too much. Too rich. She’d look for some place she felt more comfortable later, once she’d fully recovered and after she’d decided what to do about Roarr. She was pretty sure he wouldn’t be as easy to get rid of as her past lovers, though, and that was really annoying. Or not. She kind of liked his determination.

Scowling, she poured a glass and sipped as the sun began to slip over the horizon. There was nothing to do but wait. She settled in, ready for the inevitable fight when he arrived.

***

Roarr left Kareena with his mother, ignoring his unease, and focused on catching up on lost work. He usually spent about a quarter of the year in Saber City, fulfilling his obligations to his chief, who was now Barak Trace, and the rest at home running his own clan. The last couple years however, he’d spent more time away from home, some in Saber City trying to find the rebels who wanted to unseat the warrior Overchief, Daggar Torfa, and some on Earth aiding in the invasion. He’d been looking forward to diving into things at the Keep but found his second in command and Steward, Kaje Stian, had kept well on top of everything. There wasn’t much for Roarr to do but read reports and sign paperwork. Several hours later, he finished and checked in with his mother to discover Kareena had taken the diplomat’s apartment in the guest wing.

The disappointment was bitter, quickly followed by a rush of frustration and anger. Why couldn’t he be destined to have a nice sweet Delroi girl who knew and understood what it was to mate a warrior? Instead fate had tossed an Earthling at him. A woman who was strong and stubbornly independent. Qualities that would be useful, even desirable in a clan chief’s mate, if she would just accept him. No. He didn’t want to change what she was, who she was. He didn’t want that sweet, biddable girl. He just wanted Kareena. To share her life. Was that too much to ask? Did she really not understand or did she resist out of contrariness?

He wanted to go to her and demand answers, but he knew better. In his current mood he’d push her too hard. He’d order her surrender, which would probably make things worse. He wouldn’t be able to resist using the sexual chemistry between them to force her to his will. He couldn’t do that. Wouldn’t. His comm chirped, interrupting his thoughts, and seeing his sister’s name on the display, he ignored it. He was no fit company for a woman at the moment, especially one who was innocent and not part of his current dilemma.

He needed to regain control before he sought Kareena out, so he left his office and went looking for a sparring partner. He passed several warriors on his way, but no one spoke to him until he entered the training room in the warrior wing on the opposite side of the fortress. Room was a misnomer, he knew as he looked around and took in the activity, making his way to the back of the arena to where several men were practicing hand to hand combat. Kaje met him there, staring ahead at the activity instead of meeting his gaze.

“
Everything all right?”

“
No,” he said shortly, cracking his knuckles.

“
If your woman is this difficult, things don’t bode well for me,” Kaje said dryly, keeping his voice so low it was almost a whisper.

He gave his second in command and old friend a hard look.
“I hope you aren’t talking about Zola.”

Zola was Jarek’s. His brother hadn’t said anything yet, but Roarr knew him well enough to know the signs. Kaje grinned, shook his head.
“And take on Jarek? I don’t think so. No,” he took a deep breath. “Parker.”

Roarr had a hard time envisioning that match, but he kept the thought to himself. There was no arguing fate, no bartering for another choice. He gritted his teeth. Even an obstinate self-sufficient Earthling couldn’t fight what was meant to be. He knew she liked his touch, knew her heart was softening towards him. Hell, she had to know he wouldn’t be able to stay away from her despite his promise to do so. So what the hell was the problem? Why was she still holding out? He was tempted to go and demand those answers, but he didn’t trust himself. Not yet. The heat was burning through him, a primitive need to take his woman, to bury himself so deep in her warmth she cried out with the pleasure and never stopped. A pleasure so deep and true she’d never consider leaving him. He couldn’t go to her like this. It would just scare her more.

One of the fighting squares freed up and he started towards it. “Come on,” he said to Kaje.

When they were in position though, Kaje didn’t immediately join in.
“This won’t help, old friend. You’ve used the prayer,” he murmured.

Roarr shook his head. He hadn’t used the binding prayer, but the connection between them was already strong. There would be no relief until it was complete.
“I haven’t. This is what I need right now. I need to burn off some energy, regain control, before I return to that fight.”

The fight for their future. She was still clinging to her idea of freedom, but Roarr wasn’t giving up. It wasn’t even an option. He didn’t know how yet, but he would win her over.

Kaje nodded understanding and they circled each other on the mat. Roarr took the first shot, but Kaje easily dodge him. He moved easily into a leg sweep. Roarr evaded him by inches and rolled away unscathed.

“There’s already talk about your guests and reviving the goddess worship,” Kaje said. “I expect we’ll be getting official requests to visit the Keep within the next few hours.”