Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers (reading tree TXT) 📗

take you for my life mate, no, my soul mate, the fellow raiser of any daughters we should take as our own. I will defend you from the harms of the world by hand, sword, and bow. Your stores will always be filled and your spirit free from the concerns of Autlach oppression. I vow this to you as your guardian, your lover, your life mate.”

LaRenna smiled, kissed Krell’s cheek, then replied, “And I take you for my soul mate, my guardian, fellow raiser of any daughters we should take as our own. I will work beside you to benefit both clan and family. I accept the security you offer and in return promise to keep the hearth lit. I promise this as your lover and life mate.”

They were wrapped in each others arms, making plans for the future when Krell first heard the roar of the aerolaunch. “Hear that?”

“Hmmm?” LaRenna roused from her contented daydream. “Yeah, I do. Sounds like a launch.”

“An aerolaunch! Our ride home is here.” Krell wiped away the spots that hadn’t soaked from LaRenna’s skin and lifted her carefully to the tub’s wide lip. LaRenna toweled off as much as she could. Krell helped, but it was half-hearted, more to dissolve the scent of their passions than to remove dirt.

“It won’t do any good.” LaRenna draped her towel over her dripping white curls. “One look at the expression on your face will have everyone thinking we’re in love or something.”

“Is it a look of satisfaction?” Krell jumped from the tub. “ ’Cause that’s what it is.” She threw on fresh underclothes, a sleeveless service jumpsuit, and her familiar rag-toed boots. “Brought you a jumper, too.” Krell wrapped LaRenna’s ribs with expertise. “No Kimshee I know would be caught dead in skirts.”

LaRenna peered up hesitantly. “You don’t mind?”

“Why should I mind? It’s your body, not mine.” Krell cocked a brow. “I’m just happy you choose to share it with me. Besides, I know what’s under anything you decide to wear.”

“Flirt!”

“Yeah, and you like it that way.” Krell fastened the front of LaRenna’s jumper and scooped her into the air. “Let’s find them before they catch us back here.” Krell carried her into the main cavern as their companions emerged from the side chamber and Belsas and Chandrey appeared in the main archway. LaRenna looked at her raisers in dismay and pointed to their blue mourning sashes.

“Who died?”

“No one!” Chandrey ripped away the sash as she rushed to embrace her daughter. “No one at all.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

If you are not certain the enemy you leave behind is dead, go back and slit his throat a second time.

 

—Sarian military wisdom

A joyful reunion took place that morning. LaRenna told of her harrowing experience, sparing her raisers the more garish details of her captivity. Krell remained by her side the entire time, admiring her lover’s sensitivity. LaRenna was quite sympathetic to her raisers’ need to comfort her, even allowing Chandrey to fuss over her without complaint.

“Your leg, child, it’s in ribbons. And why is the bandage in such disarray? What of infection?”

“I’m fine, Mamma,” said LaRenna. “Krell hasn’t had a chance to rewrap it this morning. We were in a hurry when we heard the launch. If someone will get the supplies, she can do it right now.” Trazar quickly moved a medical crate to Krell’s side.

Chandrey smoothed her daughter’s jumper. “Your hair is wet, too. Were you bathing?”

“Yes, Mamma, I was long overdue. Yes, my hair will grow back in time. And yes, you can comb it out like you did when I young.”

“She didn’t say those things to you, Renna,” Belsas exclaimed.

“Not aloud she didn’t. I heard her think them. I still lack the ability to block out a loved one’s thoughts. I didn’t mean to hear her. Honest.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Chandrey carefully pulled her pocket comb through her daughter’s hair. “We’ll just have to watch what we think until you master your abilities.”

Krell sent a shiver of delighted energy through LaRenna’s body. “The way her talents seem to be developing, that shouldn’t take long.” She reached into the crate and brought out a large roll of gauze. “If you were only able to heal that quickly, love, I’d have you dancing inside a moon cycle.”

“I’m afraid that won’t happen for some time.” Tatra began removing the soiled bandages. “LaRenna knows she will have to wear a brace.”

“Couldn’t the specialists help?” Belsas absently projected a picture of her daughter running as a child then shed the thought. “I’m sorry, LaRenna. You’re so hurt. The thought just flew into my head. It was your fifth claiming anniversary and we’d taken you—”

“On a picnic. I remember.” LaRenna tucked away her sadness and faced her guardian raiser with a bright expression. “We’ll have to do that again some day, minus the chase games.”

“Yes. Yes, we will.” Belsas gestured to Tatra. “What of the foot, Healer Wileyse?”

“The specialists will help somewhat,” she replied. “But the joint has been shattered and most of the ligaments, tendons, and well, basically everything is a mess. Surgery will give her some mobility but nothing will repair all the damage.” She glanced at Firman, pleading with him for the right words. He raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly, prompting her to say something encouraging. “LaRenna’s strong, Grandmaster Belsas. She’s survived the unthinkable. This shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge for her, especially with Krell’s help.” Firman grinned and motioned her to join him on one of the crates.

“Very good,” he whispered as she sat next to him. “That was quite compassionate.”

“Thank you.” Her reply purred in his ear. “I just need a reminder every now and then.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Chandrey watched them from the corner of her eye, putting to rest any concerns she had about the healer’s past with Krell. There was closeness between LaRenna and Krell that eclipsed the normal levels of Taelach commitment. They seemed to communicate without phase or words—Krell offering assistance just before it was