The Forlorn (8 page)

Her mother opened the door, suspicion in her eyes. She widened the opening when she realized it was Mara there.

Her mother still wore human clothes. Was it stubbornness? Mara didn’t want this to be another of their arguments. Surely they both realized that? Things had changed so much since yesterday. Did her mother see that? “Mama. I think we need to talk.”

“Are you staying with him, then? You don’t even know him.”

“I don’t. And I don’t know if I am staying with him. I know I’m not going back to Center Thrun City. And I don’t think you and the boys should, either.”

“It’s the home we’ve been given by our
dahr
.”

“We have a
dahr
? Who?” There was no man she’d chosen to worship the way her mother apparently did.

“Adric Adrastos.”

“My father,” Rion said from Mara’s left. He stepped toward her mother and Raejel backed away. Mara followed him in the suite. It was bigger than the entire house in Center Thrun City. “But you are a Black by birth, are you not?”

She stared at him for a moment. “Yes.”

“Of whose House? Nalik or our grandfather’s?”

Her mother was quiet for a long moment. “Your grandfather’s. When we came here, I settled near my original House. I thought that was where we were supposed to be. But…”

Not a bit of it made any sense to Mara.

Chapter Twenty-Four

“And for some reason, some slight you’ve given his family, he consigned you and your children to suffer in this world.” Nothing Rion was surprised by. There had been plenty of good reasons for him to leave his father and grandfather so many years ago. This was just another reiteration that he had made the right decision. His only regret was that he had not found Mara five months ago, that he had not protected her before now. “He is that kind of vindictive. They both are.”

“They are family.”

“Mine, too. But that does not mean you have to revere them. Or follow them any longer. My arm of the family has much room for yours. And Mara, whatever she decides.” He looked at his
Rajni
. She looked so beautiful in the white
vestis
and
pardus
, tied with his House
hasha
. Perfect, and exactly as she should. But there was still confusion in her eyes. “Tell me of your
Rajni
. Mara’s father.”

“He was Lupoiux. I left my people to go with him. I had no choice.” Raejel lifted her chin. “My
dhar
…his words were damning to my heart. I was to deny the mate our goddess gave me. How was I to do that? Even my parents…they chose to back him. They did not want half-Lupoiux children, especially considering the Druidic blood I inherited from my mother’s mother.”

“Your parents,
my grandparents,
are still alive?”

“I do not know. I have yet to find them in this place. I do not know where they have gone. And the few times I have asked, I have been denied that knowledge. I am sorry, Mara. I thought it was better to think them dead, than to know they did not welcome you as much as your father and I.” Rion watched the mother reach out for her daughter. Mara hesitated, the gesture showing her true confusion and pain at her mother’s actions.

Then she was in her mother’s arms and weeping. Raejel rocked her daughter for several long moments. When she pulled away, Rion was there with a tissue. For both women.

“I don’t know what to do next,” Mara said. “I don’t know anything about this world, or what it means. Any of it.”

Raejel looked at Rion. “Can I have a moment or two alone with my daughter? My sons are exploring the grotto behind this place. I’d like you to meet them soon.”

“I’ll head on out there. Give you all the time you need.” He wanted to kiss his
Rajni
but refrained. She wasn’t ready for that at all.

He would force himself to be a friend first, and not a lover. That would come with time. He did not doubt that. It was the Goddess’s way. Rion had never been an impatient man.

He would have to remember that. He settled for a brush of his hand over her cheek. “I will return to you soon.”

Her cheeks flushed, and a small smile touched her lips. “I would like that. I think. And…thank you.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mara watched him leave, and felt a tugging in her heart when he was out of sight.

She looked back at her mother. “I…I don’t really understand anything about him.”

“But you’re drawn to him, feel like you need him whenever you can’t see him? It is the Rajni way.”

“Does it ever go away?” Mara sank into the nearest chair. She took a quick look around the suite. Their belongings were piled precariously on a small blue couch. “What are our plans?”

Her mother was quiet for a long moment. “You should stay with him.”

Not
what she had expected, that was for sure. “Why?”

“You were meant for him. I thought you would be older when you found your
Rajni
. Thought there would be a better way or time to teach of what you are. I am sorry I have been so wrong.”

“
Why
didn’t you tell me?”

“There never seemed to be a good time. And after your father…how could I tell you that you would
hurt
like I do? I miss your father every single day. I am not sure why I am still alive.”

“Mama?” Fear, hurt, bitterness, longing, all were in her mother’s voice. Mara held out her hands toward the woman who’d raised her. “I know you miss him.”

“It is different for a Dardaptoan, Mara. It hurts so much more to lose your mate. Most Dardaptoans die after they do. I’m not sure why I didn’t. If it’s the fact that I have the healing gift, or because I am half-Druid, or what. But I should have died when your father did.”

“And you feel
guilty
over that? If you’d died what would have happened to me? Would the boys have even been born?”

“I don’t know.”

Mara stood, then sank down on the couch by her mother. “You did what you had to do. I know that. I remember what it was like before he died. Remember how happy you were. And I miss him, too. But we’re here
now.
We can’t keep going on like we have been these past five months.”

“I have known that, I’ve seen it every single time I’ve looked at you since we came. And…I was afraid you hated me for everything. I should have told you, and should have given you better choices. It shouldn’t have taken you nearly dying in the demon world for me to tell you. If
he
hadn’t been there…But he is Adrastos. I cannot understand.”

“I don’t know what I am supposed to do with him. He says we are supposed to be together, but what does that mean, exactly?”

“Baby, the moment he claimed you as his
Rajni
, you were as good as married in Dardaptoan law.”

“I don’t have a choice?” That terrified her. Wouldn’t it anyone? “No matter what I want?”

“Of course your wants will be considered. Our people are not heartless. But your soul will cry out for his, you’ll feel…broken…when not with him. Eventually you will not even think of being apart. It is the Dardaptoan way.”

“But I am not full Dardaptoan.”

“No. My mother was half Druid. They follow the goddess Nelciana. They’re not like the ones you studied in college. They’re quite a bit different. We can talk about that later. And you are Lupoiux.
Mostly
Lupoiux, though you favor Dardaptoans more, being a female.”

“Does that make much difference?”

Her mother was quite again. When she spoke her voice was low, and Mara could hear the tears. “I loved him with everything I had, Mara. He was beautiful, inside and out. But the
dhar
of my House hates Lupoiux. Viciously so. He viewed my being with your father as an act of treason, I think. I was still a very young woman by Dardaptoan standards, not quite thirty. I packed a single bag, and I left. I knew what it would be like if I ever returned. And I planned never to. If it had been safe for you and the boys to remain in the human world, I would have been happy to do so. But it wasn’t. And here we are. I have been frozen these past five months. Fear for you most of all behind it. And the boys, of course. But I
knew
at your birth that you would be different than most Dardaptoans, that you would have a destiny to fulfill. One of those destinies is finding your mate. I did not want you to find him so soon. I wanted you to have time to make your own life first. Like I didn’t. And when I lost your father I had no idea of how to care for us all. Especially in the human world.”

“I see.” Did she? Her mother’s words made sense. And so did the obvious pain in the other woman’s face. Her mother was hurting so much. Mara rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. They both needed the comfort. “So what am I supposed to do now? He wants me to help him. To study the different Houses in this city. The families. Record it for later generations.”

“And that would definitely intrigue you. Would fill you with a purpose. But it would put you with him, close. Intimate. With a male who, understand it or not, is halfway in love with you already. I can promise if you go with him, you’ll be well treated. He is Adrastos, and they definitely love their mates. His father, too. It is hard to believe he is the son of Adric. I thought Adric would kill me that day. And now someday we may share grandchildren.”

“You won’t. Even if Rion and I…which I am not saying I will…That man, this Adric, he won’t be a part of our lives. Ever.” Of that she was very certain.

“Of that, I am glad. But more for your sake than mine. There is nothing that man can do to me now. Not now.” Her mother kissed her hair. “We are safe here, now. And now you know the truth. A burden has been lifted.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Rion found the boys easily. They were like small male versions of his
Rajni
. Same dark hair, same shape eyes, though theirs were dark green. They eyed him with the same wariness.

He bowed first to one then the other. “Hello. I am Rion Adrastos,
Dhar
of the Australian Adrastos. I am happy to meet you.”

They stopped tossing the ball between them and stared at him for a moment. “We’re Lupoiux, you know.”

“I can sense that. I have a cousin who is part Lupoiux. He can turn into any animal in any world. A bit difficult to play hide-and-seek with him as children. You are Skylar and Shiloh, correct?”

“How do you know? Did our mom or sister send you out here? Do you know where Mara is?” The bolder of the two boys asked.

“Your sister is well, and is inside with your mother. They are talking of things. Of the changes coming.”

“We’re not going home, are we?” There was hope in the boy’s voice. Rion felt compassion for the children and what they had endured.

“No. This is the safest place for our people. You will need to speak with your mother. Your sister waits inside. They are discussing the future.”

The boys were obviously concerned and worried. Rion put a hand on each boy’s shoulder. Anger was there in him, anger at his father and grandfather for not doing their familial duty to the widow and her young. That was a grievance that would be Rion’s to address when the time was right. His father had left
his Rajni
to suffer unnecessarily. It was Rion’s right to get her the recompense her family deserved.

The boys were overly cautious as they entered the suite given to them. The bolder spoke again, calling for his mother.

Raejel was curled around Mara on the couch. Both women’s eyes were red and raw from their tears.

Rion immediately felt a rush of helplessness. Crying women terrified him.

Mara looked up at him. “My family can stay here?”

“Of course. I will speak with my cousin. The younger Nalik is a much better leader than our grandfather. One reason why he has been destined for this city. He will ensure your family is welcomed appropriately. If she is of the Black House, she is his cousin of some sorts. Your family can join his without question. But since you are
dhan
of my own House, they will always have a place within my own House as well. So you have choices now. And I will support you whatever the decision.”

“Thank you.” She looked at him with an expression filled with gratitude. It had him uncomfortable in the extreme. He didn’t want her gratitude.

He wanted her love. Once again he reminded himself that would take time.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Her mother wanted her to stay in the suite with her and the boys, but her mother didn’t say that. But Mara knew. It was in the sad expression in her mother’s eyes when Raejel suggested Rion take Mara’s belongings to whatever suite he occupied.

Mara wasn’t sure she was ready for
that.
In fact, it was the exact opposite.

In her world you didn’t just meet a man and move in with him in less than one full day.