The Forlorn (9 page)

But apparently that was how it worked around here.

Her belongings fit into a single tote and two duffle bags. He carried the tote.

“I won’t sleep with you. I don’t know you.” She hadn’t slept with
anyone
before, she was so not ready to just jump in the bed with a strange man. No matter how intriguing she was starting to find him.

“I am ok with that. I told you, Mara, we do not have to rush anything between us. You can occupy the suite next to mine until you feel more comfortable with me. Nora is on the opposite side. We will take some time, get to know one another first. Do you think that would work?”

He was being so
reasonable
about all of it, wasn’t he? What was she supposed to think about it all? “I just need a lot of time to think. Figure out what I want to do. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He stopped outside a door, then smiled at her. “I am just happy I found you. That’s what matters to me. I have waited for you for hundreds of years. I’m not going to do something to make you unhappy now that I’ve found you. And if that means you need a while to figure out how to make this work for us, then I am good with that. This will be your rooms. Mine is right here. There’s a door that connects the two inside. When you are ready, we can open that door permanently. I’ll give you the key. Use it when
you
are ready. And not a moment before.”

He slipped a key out of his pocket and held it out to her. “It’s yours. I’ll be on the other side when you’re ready. Until then, I’m right here if you need me.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was easier than she expected. Over the next week Mara found herself building a routine, one that worked for her and her mother.

And Rion.

He was there every morning when she knocked. And that first morning after she’d settled into the suite he’d given her—which was about the size of the house she’d left behind in Colorado—she’d found herself knocking pretty early on
his
door.

They spent most of their days together. Exploring the city and the people in it. And trying to figure out who or what had first built Thrun. No one really knew the answer to that, and Mara found the idea fascinating.

She’d yet to return to Center Thrun City, and she doubted she would anytime soon.

The library no longer called to her. She didn’t know if that was because of the attack there, or because she was supposed to meet Rion there.

It didn’t matter. She’d met him, and was growing closer to him every single day.

As was her family. The boys especially liked having a guy around, and he was around all the time.

It was getting easier and easier for her to be with him, to expect him there when she turned around. To touch him, and to have him touch her.

There had been a few times over the last two days when she’d found herself wrapped in his arms being kissed in ways she never had been before.

She hadn’t wanted him to stop.

Mara was trying to understand what it meant to have a
Rajni.
To feel the pull and the heat that all the legends said would be there. Things were changing between them, and quickly.

She wore the key to the door between them on a chain around her neck. It was always there, just waiting for her to use it.

That day was probably coming much earlier than she expected. And she was almost ok with that.

She wasn’t quite ready yet, but she would be. She would be.

Today was a special day for the ruling family.

The Laquazzeana Nalik was about to be a father. His
rajni
was about to give birth to their son. The entire Hall was excited, and it was hard not to get wrapped up in it herself.

She’d met Nalik and his mate Cass a few times. He was a distant cousin of her mother’s and he’d personally made a point of apologizing for the way his grandfather and uncle had treated their family since their relocation to Thrun. Mara had found him to be sincere, if not a bit terrifying, and kind. His wife or girlfriend or whatever she was reminded Mara of someone she’d known back in the human world. And she’d enjoyed their visits, though they’d been short.

It was taking her a while to believe that most Dardaptoans weren’t like the ones occupying Center Thrun City. But most
here
had been nice. To her and the rest of her family.

Rion worked hard, and he had a sharp mind she definitely found fascinating. They spent many hours each day just talking and pouring over ancient texts and searching out parts of the city where more information could be found.

He was like the Dardaptoan version of Indiana Jones, or something. Only far better looking, in her opinion.

When she wasn’t with him or her family she was with his sister Nora. The other woman was going practically nuts without a computer, and was determined to find some type of power source from the demon world that would work with her precious laptop. His sister spent just as much time with her inventions as Rion did with his books.

Mara found Nora to be funny and snarky and downright
normal.
It was almost like having her friends from Colorado back again, at times.

It helped some of the hurt and loneliness ease off.

She definitely appreciated that.

It was a bit different having an entire suite to herself. She’d lived with her mother her entire life, except for her years in a dorm with her friends. Not having someone right there immediately was a huge adjustment.

She found herself going either to Rion’s at night for dinner, or to Nora’s. Where he’d end up often, anyway.

He was always there, and Mara liked it.

Rion apparently did to. The man touched her, every opportunity he got. He didn’t even seem aware he was doing it. And
she
didn’t mind at all.

She was really starting to fall for him…

He was meeting her in the main lobby in fifteen minutes. They would be joining the rest of the ruling families that were close to Nalik and Cass to wait for the baby. Everyone was wondering just what exactly the baby would be like. Apparently its parents were supposed to be powerful, god-like beings.

And more of those god-like beings would be delivering the baby.

It was almost more than Mara could process. God-like babies. Magical beings. Demon cities. Legends and myths she’d never heard of. It was like a dream, and one she wasn’t sure she wanted to wake up from. For the first time in a long time, she was excited to be
doing
something.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Rion saw her when she entered the lobby and he found himself losing his train of thought. He looked over at the male on his left and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I see her and I stop thinking, every single time.”

Barlaam laughed. “I understand. I do have my own mate. She’s just the same.”

Rion had met Barlaam’s Jade a time or two. But he did not see her today. “Where is she?”

“She’s upstairs with Cass. Waiting for the rest of their family to arrive.”

Rion ended the conversation with his friend and started across the lobby to meet his female.

She looked so beautiful in the white
vestis
and
pardus
tied with turquoise
hasha
. Perfect.

Exactly what he’d waited his entire life for. He met her half way across the lobby and held out a hand to her. “Mara, you look beautiful.”

She flushed, like she always did when he complimented her. So sweet, so young, so unsure of herself. He could only imagine what she would be like in a hundred years or so.

He kissed her softly on the lips. She didn’t pull away, but he didn’t push, knowing she would not be comfortable with the eyes upon them. He stepped back and led his mate to a small chaise nearby. “We are still waiting. The Laquazzeana will arrive soon.”

“This is one of the weirdest things I’ve seen yet. These creatures are mythological. Yet…they’re real.”

“There’s something I need to tell you. About my sister Aureliana…” His sister and her mate spent most of their time in Relaklonos City, but would be coming in for the birth of the baby.

“She’s one of them, too. Cass said. What does it mean?”

“No one really knows, yet. The others, the older Laquazzeana, they have yet to say. But whatever it is that happens, I will be there to record it.”

They waited, along with the two dozen others in the room, until the celebration began that would mark the first son of Thrun’s birth. Rion understood the significance, even for those who were not related to the small babe.

It signaled a future for the city, and for the Dardaptoans and other Kinds who now found themselves living their lives out in a demon city in an unknown world.

It was change, hope, and new beginnings.

He was glad he and Mara were there to witness it.

Less than an hour after the babe’s birth and the two eldest Laquazzeana Phaenna and Eaudne entered the lobby. The crowd hushed.

Rion wrapped his hand around Mara’s. She leaned against his shoulder. He could feel her nerves and awe through the physical connection of their hands. Rion understood it.

The two Laquazzeana were beautiful, and sometimes difficult to look at. One was dark, the other fair. The power radiated around them. When Nalik and his
Rajni
were next to them, along with his sister Aureliana and the young healer Bronwen it was a true sight of awe.

They were the most powerful creatures he had ever seen. That they were gathered because a war was coming terrified him.

He understood the way destiny worked sometimes. There would not be so many Laquazzeana if there was not to be a need for them soon.

What would it bring for the future?

Phaenna was laughing, her happiness almost contagious. He knew then his cousin’s babe had arrived in the world safely, and his cousin’s mate had survived the birthing. The blonde woman at her side looked exhausted, but there was deep emotion in her eyes.

Eaudne limped further into the lobby. Everyone looked at the oldest Laquazzeana. She held up a hand. “The babe, a boy to be called Dylin, does well. His mother rests now.”

She waited until the celebratory wishes had been given. Someone handed her a glass. She took it, then lifted it toward the crowd. “The babe is strong, powerful. Beautiful. He will live in a world where he knows love. There is nothing more we can give our young but love. We do not know what tomorrow will bring for any of us, but today…today there is love, and there is life. Now, come, let us go. Give the new babe the gift of peace and rest, for him and his parents. For such a spirited babe will soon exhaust both his mother and father. I can’t think of anything Nalik deserves more.”

There was laughter, of course. If anyone was up to the challenge of an all-powerful child it was Nalik Black.

But Rion saw the worry in the Laquazzeana’s eyes.

He did not know her well at all, but the worry had him concerned.

What did she know that they didn’t? Would she share that knowledge?

Something compelled him to wait until the others in the sitting room left before he stood, Mara next to him. Eaudne looked directly at them.

Rion’s chest tightened. He pulled Mara closer.

Eaudne crossed the room to them. At first he thought she was looking at him.

It shocked the three hells out of him when she held out her hands to Mara and spoke. “Another daughter of the Nellana line reborn.”

Mara looked at Rion, obviously confused. He just shook his head. He knew not what the woman was talking of.

“I…”

“I know I have confused you, child. We will speak again soon. When I am more rested. Just know that you have a soul reborn, one of Nellana Druid ancestry. Your male will explain more to you of that. And when Cass is feeling more like herself, she will be able to explain what being reborn will mean to you. It will answer some of your lingering questions, the way your male has not been able to.”

“I…”

“Blessings on you, daughter of the Nellanas. You are greatly welcomed—and
needed
—here.”

Chapter Thirty

Mara knew she was staring. Did she believe the woman? “I’m sorry, but…what’s a Nellana? I’ve never heard that term before.”

The woman smiled. “Nellana is the name of a family from long ago. They and their eleven children suffered greatly before they passed. Their daughters are being reborn into today’s times. You hold the soul of the middle daughter in your heart. Her name was Agrippa. She was near one thousand when she was killed by the Dark Sorcerer. She was also one of great knowledge.”

“I’ve never heard of her.”

“We will speak of her and the others later. Not today. But know that what is in you, what has made you feel so different from all the others in your life is a great thing. A powerful thing, and you should be proud to carry it. Her heart and mind will guide you well.” Eaudne brushed a hand against Mara’s cheek, and that was when Mara saw the horrible scars running around the woman’s arm. It looked like a giant hand had seared its imprint into the skin. “She was a friend. It hurt very much to lose her, and the rest. The goddess Nelciana was their only child to survive that day. And with
you
three of the eleven lost children of the Nellana line have been reborn. Cassandra, the Sebastos babe, and you. There must be great meaning in that. And it gives me hope…it gives me so much hope this day.”