[Phantom Warriors 01] Bacchus (10 page)

refusing to face what was right in front of her.

Bacchus heard the tremble of uncertainty in her voice. “I know this will be a lot to

accept at one time, but Ryan is on his way north to attend a wedding with a woman he

just met. I believe he will eventually ask her to marry him, but he will need to know that

you are happily settled first. That is where I come in.”

“Okay, but I’m still not following you,” Jill said, frustration growing in her tone.

“I am not from here,” Bacchus continued.

“Neither am I. Most people I know are not native Californians. It’s no big deal. Are

you from the Midwest or something?”

“Not exactly. What I’m about to tell you is going to be hard to comprehend.” He

tensed, watching her closely.

“Try me.”

Bacchus took a deep breath and released it. “I am what you’d call an alien.”

“An illegal alien?”

“In a fashion.” He flashed a bittersweet smile. “I’m from a distant planet called

Zaron. I came here on a mission to test the compatibility of humans with my species. I

must return there soon and let them know of my success.”

“You lost me at Zaron.” Jill pressed her back against the headboard and her eyes

widened in what he could only describe as disbelief and fright. “This is why I don’t

date. What is it with me and men?” she muttered to herself. “First Ryan and now you.

Go figure. What are you still doing here? Are you waiting for me to wish you bon

voyage?” She glanced at him, then around the room, searching for a means of escape.

“You do not understand.”

“Oh, I understand. You think you’re an alien, who came to Earth for some human

nookie. Wow, and I thought being dumped by my fiancé was bad.”

“I do not like it when you compare me to him. We are nothing alike.”

“I wouldn’t say that. You’re both pretty good liars.” She snorted. “You mentioned

Ryan was safe, is that true?” she asked, edging her way off the bed.

Bacchus frowned. “I would not harm him. I know what he means to you and what

you mean to him. I understand the concept of family far more than you’ll ever know.

Ryan is quite well. You have my word that he has found his mate.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’ll forgive me if I choose not to believe a man who says he’s

from another planet. You’re obviously off your meds.”

“I speak the truth. I want only your happiness. I can prove what I say.”

“What are you going to do, beam yourself to the bathroom and back?” Jill snapped.

Bacchus ignored her insulting question. This was going far worse than he’d hoped.

“I must know something, before I present my proof.”

“What’s that, Mork?”

“My name is Bacchus.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“First, let’s suppose everything I’ve said is true.”

She hesitated. “Okayyy.”

“Did you really mean it when you said that sometimes you wish you could be a

reptile?”

Jill balked. “That’s not what I thought you were going to ask. I take it your question

has something to do with the fact that you’re an
alien
.”

“I’m serious. Please answer the question.”

“Yes, but I haven’t dreamed about that since I was a kid. To think otherwise is just

crazy. I know it can’t happen,” she said, hugging her knees to her chest. “Surely, you

don’t really believe it’s possible, do you?” Her voice quavered.

Bacchus didn’t answer, instead he said, “It’s time for you to see the truth.”

Jill whimpered. “Please don’t kill me. I promise I won’t tell anyone about you.”

Bacchus flinched as if she’d struck him. “I could never harm you. As a warrior and

your mate, I would lay down my life to protect you. Now come, there’s something you

must see.” Bacchus stood and held his hand out to Jill. She hesitated, then realizing that

she had no alternative, took it. He led her down the hall to the bathroom. The skin at the

base of his skull began to itch.
Quarg
! The Phantom ship was near. He placed his hands

on Jill’s shoulders, and then slowly rotated her toward the mirror.

She gasped. “What happened to my eyes-ss?” she lisped as fangs unfurled in her

mouth. “What’s-ss happening? What did you do to me? Why do I have a lisssp?”

He turned her to face him. “I did exactly what you wanted me to do, what you’ve

wanted a man to do all your life. I dominated and claimed you all in one act. Tell me it

isn’t what you wanted.” He refused to let her hide from the truth.

She opened her mouth and closed it several times before speaking. “I admit I may

have fantasized about wanting someone to do that, but this-ss… ” her voice trailed off. “I

don’t know what to think of this-ss.”

“Do I displease you so much that you can’t see what’s before you?” his voice

cracked as he brushed the hair away from her face.

“No.”

“I know I have not been forthcoming, but believe me when I say I know you better

than anyone. I’ve passed through you, absorbing your hopes, dreams and emotions. I

know what lies in your heart. And now, thanks to that exchange, you know what lies in

mine. Look deep and you’ll find my love,” he said, daring her.

* * * * *

This wasn’t exactly what she’d wished for. She obviously should’ve been more

careful in her wording, but the truth of his statement was there when she searched.

Bacchus did love her. Jill sensed his emotions and witnessed the life he’d lived before

they’d met. She’d felt his bone-deep loneliness and his pain, along with the joy of

discovery that came the moment he’d laid eyes on her.

It would take a while to get over his deception, but could she really turn her back on

a man who’d lived with a level of honor that rivaled that of medieval knights?

No…

Jill closed her eyes on the truth, then opened them once more. Wasn’t she the one

who’d said it was time to start living again? Hadn’t she thought a change of scenery

might do her good? Jill chuckled to herself to stop the rising panic. Traveling to another

planet was about as far of a move as she could envision.

She couldn’t believe she was about to ask this question, but couldn’t seem to stop

herself. “What would I do on Zaron?”

Bacchus’ eyes lit with hope and her heart clenched. “Considering our clan, the Blood

Clan, is reptilian in nature, I think you’d fit right in with our healers.”

“What about—us?” Jill asked, not sure what answer she was hoping for.

“I will spend my lifetime attempting to make this up to you. It is not in my nature to

deceive, but I had to find out the truth without scaring you away. So many counted on

me to succeed.”

“I can’t say that I’m not scared,” she said honestly.

“I know. As your mate, I can sense your fear and it pains me greatly. I would give

anything to take it away and have you look upon me like you did hours ago.”

In her heart, Jill knew it would happen. “What’s going to occur now?” she asked,

strangely exhilarated at the prospect of starting a new life. This would probably all turn

out to be a fantasy, but what if…

“A ship is near. It will come and pick us up after it drops off its cargo, then we’ll

return to Zaron.”

“What is it dropping off?” she asked, already knowing the answer.

“More warriors.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Jill whispered.

Bacchus touched her chin, tilting it until their gazes met. “I would not have chosen

you, if your heart had not chosen me first.”

Jill turned back to the mirror, tears floating in her red eyes. “My appearance is going

to take some getting used to,” she said, sniffling. Not that she was a big mirror queen to

begin with, but a girl didn’t walk around everyday with three-inch fangs sticking out of

her mouth. She’d scare the hell out of Ryan the next time he saw her. Would she ever see

him again? Did it matter?
No
, rang clearly in her head.

“We have all the time in the galaxies,” Bacchus said, nuzzling her neck.

She knew that she needed to move on with her life. Her brother, John, would’ve

wanted that for her. “Will I get to visit John’s grave?” she asked, her lip trembling.

“Anytime you wish,
eshe
. We can return to Earth for regular visits. You can even

keep your house, if that is your wish.”

“Sss-wear?”

Bacchus smiled. “I swear.”

Jill frowned at her rumpled reflection. Their lovemaking left her blonde hair mussed

and her face slightly flushed with residual passion. She looked so different with red

eyes and fangs. Yet inside, she still felt the same. She held the same thoughts she had

before the—what had Bacchus called it? Transfer?

Thanks to the exchange, which was slowly sinking in, she knew he told the truth

about Ryan. She’d seen his new girlfriend in Bacchus’ memories as clearly as if she’d

been watching a movie. Tears filled her eyes as she realized Ryan finally found the

happiness he’d been searching for after John’s death. Perhaps, it was time for her to

pursue her own destiny.

Jill turned the faucet on and splashed her face with cool water, then met Bacchus’

gaze in the mirror. “Are you a reptile or a vampire?”

“Some would say both, but I would say neither.”

“Will my fangs-ss go down?” she asked glowering.

He reached out hesitantly. “I will teach you how to control them and many, many

more things as your powers grow.”

“Powers-ss? As in plural?” Jill’s eyes widened as she tapped on her new teeth with

the tip of her nail. “This isn’t the end?”

Bacchus smiled. “For us,
eshe
, this is only the beginning.”

Epilogue

Bacchus awoke slowly as skin caressed his chest. The dream of having a woman of

his own was so vivid that he almost believed he could smell her feminine fragrance. A

second later, hair tickled his nose and he brushed it aside, coming awake fully. Jill lay

next to his body, her soft length curled against his chest, seeking warmth.

He grinned, pulling her close and tucking her under his shoulder.

How many years had a dreamed of having a woman in his bed until dawn? One

hundred? Two? Bacchus couldn’t remember. All he knew for certain was that the

happiness he felt was not an illusion born out of loneliness. Jill was here and had been

by his side for several months now.

She’d settled into work quickly and had fast become one of their best healers—a feat

that did not surprise him given her passion for the subject matter. Bacchus kissed the

side of her head.

Jill shifted, then muttered, “Is it time to get up already? I don’t smell any coffee.”

Her lids dropped once more.

Bacchus laughed, hugging her. He hadn’t been able to convince her to leave planet

Earth without the ground beans she craved so dearly. He’d even had to bring her

coffeemaker along, even though he had told her that it wouldn’t work on Zaron. It had

taken him a while to create a machine that would replicate the bitter brew, but now that

he had, Jill expected him to make it for her every morning.

His lips brushed her face. ‘Twas a small price to pay for the joy that she brought to

his three hearts.

About the Author

I'd like to say I’m the life of the party, a laugh-a-minute kind of gal, and

outrageously cool, BUT that would be a slight fabrication.

I’m actually a thirty-something, ex-flight attendant with a penchant for huge

bookstores and big dumb action movies. I prefer quiet dinners with friends over

maddening crowds. Happily married to my very own Highlander, we split our time

between two continents.

In my spare time...LOL...I’m kidding, I don't have any spare time. The hours of my

day are spent writing, and when I’m not doing that I’m thinking about writing. I guess

you could say I have a one-track mind.

Jordan welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email

address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

Also by Jordan Summers

Atlantean’s Quest: Atlantean Heat

Atlantean’s Quest: Exodus

Atlantean’s Quest: Redemption

Atlantean’s Quest: Return

Atlantean’s Quest: The Arrival

Gothic Passions

Tears of Amun

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning

publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC

on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you

breathless.

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