Wind

WIND A novel of futuristic erotic romance by

Sarah Dickson

Phaze 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. eBook ISBN 1-59426-600-X Wind © 2006 by Sarah Dickson All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Cover art © 2006 by Kathryn Lively Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC.

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One Mari never felt more contented as she did now. Lying on the large sofa in her cabin, she ate another grape. She couldn't help it if she wanted to prolong the memories of being pleasured senseless for a week on Destiny, a world that catered for such diversions from reality. A pity this kind of decadence would have to stop after she returned home. She sighed. Soon she'd return to the routine as befitting the heir apparent: meetings, disputes, and accepting invitations from men who wanted the throne over her. In her position, Mari could choose whomever she wanted as a life partner. Her suitors so far had wanted to control her, not treat her as an equal. At least paid lovers never disappointed. In frustration, she had taken a trip to Destiny to unwind. Her father, Emperor Suran, had approved of the trip. It had surprised her why he'd insisted on using their most sophisticated craft. Her trip hardly stretched the sentient mind of the ship, which was more accustomed to longer voyages. She decided not to argue, certainly not with her father. If he was going to provide her with such a ship, who was she to complain? Gazing out of the small window, the red planet Namfel came into view. The last stopover they had to make before returning home. "Your highness, we're approaching orbit," the captain said over the speaker. Climbing off the sofa, she tossed the remaining grapes into a nearby bowl. Donning another robe of gold as befitting her rank, she opened the door of her cabin and proceeded to the shuttle bay. They were here to collect her cousin, Piela. The Psychic Engineer of the ship, Karn, seemed agitated. Odd, considering he and Piela were lovers and her shuttle would soon be docking. He ran his hand through his dark hair. Before she could think of something to say, he averted his gaze from hers.

Well. So much for conversation. As for Piela, Mari had to admit being a little curious as to why she had ended up on Namfel at all. Only those who suffered psychologically from an accident or a terrible incident in their lives went there to be healed. Piela, the last time she had met her, appeared to be in perfect health. "A shuttle is approaching," Captain Tallis said over the intercom. Gazing out of the one of the nearby windows, she saw blood-red desert sands with the occasional mountain range relieving the monotony. Aside from several citadels and a few hundred caves, little else existed on Namfel. Extreme heat during the day and cold at night prevented any kind of outdoor recreation. And if that wasn't enough, raging dust storms at times covered the whole planet, resulting in an untimely end for anyone who didn't find shelter quickly. She opened the intercom. "You've been there, haven't you, Captain?" "I have. The caves are extraordinary, as are the keepers who heal. I had a woman tend my recuperation. The method of healing can't be described, only experienced." Considering sex was an integral part of the healing process, Mari could well imagine. Briefly she wondered if Piela had dabbled in any sex during her stay. She'd soon find out. "The occupant of the shuttle has been positively identified as Piela," the captain said. "Open the outer door." Once the shuttle landed and air had returned to the bay, the inner door slid open. She smiled as her cousin strode over. Arranging her red robe, Piela gave a look of triumph. Karn's face brightened. "Did you—" Piela stood on tiptoe and kissed Karn's lips. "Yes. I need to speak to Mari first." She grabbed Mari's sleeve. "Come on." Confusion filled Mari as they reached her cabin. Karn followed. "Piela. There is no time to—" "We'll be only a moment," Piela interrupted. Karn clenched a fist. Inside the cabin, Piela brought her lips to Mari's ear. "The keepers are supposed to have very strict rules when it comes to any sexual healing, but I found one who was most accommodating."

A ripple of energy raced across her hand where her cousin touched. Looking down, Mari noticed a bulge in a fold in her robe. Piela removed a blood red crystal, its inner glow almost extinguished. "I took this. Isn't it perfect?" A silent scream filled Mari's mind. Heart racing, she backed away. "Are you mad?" "You haven't heard why I went." "Every ship that leaves Namfel's orbit with a crystal smuggled on board explodes," she shouted. "It's not going to explode." Mari didn't care what Piela thought. She pressed the intercom. "Captain, don't leave orbit." "We almost have. Should I halt?" How many seconds from oblivion had they been? "Yes, for now." Piela pressed mute on the intercom. "We've always shared secrets, right." Mari's heart drummed so loudly she could barely hear her cousin's words. She nodded. She gripped Mari's arm. "Listen to me. All we need to do is tune into the crystal to keep it stable." How many others had tried to stabilize a crystal taken from Namfel? To some, the healing properties were worth the risk of possible destruction. Anyone who could control the energies of the crystal would never be ill again. Problem was, no one had ever succeeded. "Please, Mari. Once we have this contained, the crystal will become inert, causing no danger at all." A sliver of curiosity broke through her walls of doubt. "How?" Piela's eyes took on a wild look. "In essence, all we have to do is create a perimeter field of psychic energy around the mind that controls this ship." Mari noticed the increasing pressure on her arm from Piela's grip. "How do you propose to create a field without the aid of a Psychic?" Mari's heart skidded to a halt before restarting. No wonder Karn seemed agitated. "Karn instigated this...venture?" Piela appeared to hesitate, then nodded quickly. "Once the energy is stabilized, Karn can connect to the memories inside this crystal and be able to read about whomever we want." Had her hearing left her? "What memories?"

The grip on her arm loosened. "Imagine Namfel as a mind controlled by a single entity, called the Goddess of the Wind." "This Goddess is nothing more than a windstorm, certainly not a sentient mind. You've been reading too many legends." Piela's eyes narrowed. "What if I have? You want facts or not?" The conviction in Piela's word unsettled her. "Go on." "When people are healed, memories at the onset of, and during, orgasm are stored by the crystals in each cave." Do she and Karn have some perverted sexual thing going on? "You want to relive sexual experiences of those who've visited the caves?" "Don't be silly. We'd rather seek out their deepest and darkest secrets." What kind of weird nonsense is this? "Like a confessional?" "Exactly." Mari shook her head in disbelief. Piela took a step backwards and stopped at the bed. "I was asked to retrieve the crystal." Now they were getting somewhere. "By Karn?" Piela quickly lowered her eyes then raised them again. "No. Another. I can't tell you any more." Mari's knees threatened to give way beneath her. "I can't risk this ship or the crew. We're going back to Namfel and I'll say no more on the matter." Piela thrust the crystal near Mari's face. "Why did you think I asked you collect me on this particular ship? Think!" No mind could handle so much information. Noticing the increasing energy radiating from the crystal, Mari was not going to relent. "I'm no expert, but no other mind, aside from an engineer, can join without madness setting in." "Karn's discovered a way to link the crystal with the mind. Believe me, do you think he'd risk his life or mine unless he wasn't sure about the process?" "I can't risk it. Sorry." She reopened the intercom. "Captain, we're taking a shuttle to Namfel. I have something I need to do." Suddenly the ship lurched, sending Mari sprawling into Piela. The crystal flew from Piela's hand onto the bed. Both women looked at once. Mari didn't want to imagine what would have happened if it had fallen to the floor. One ship had been obliterated when a smuggled crystal on board, shattered.

Captain Tallis interrupted. "Mari. We have a problem. The ship is moving away and I don't understand why." The nerves in Mari's body screamed to get rid of the crystal. Able to move again, she gripped her cousin's arm. "If you are lucky we may be able to negotiate exile." Piela glanced at the pulsating gem on the bed. "Don't be a fool." Damn her. Mari snatched the crystal and felt a tingling sensation over her skin. If she could feel the energy from the crystal, who knew what it was doing to the mind of this ship. Mari shoved the crystal in a hidden pocket inside her robe. They were leaving, now. She bolted out of her cabin and down the long corridor towards the shuttle bay. Piela followed close behind. "If we return, we risk being delivered to their Goddess, torn asunder by the forces of nature." She'd heard of shuttles being destroyed by windstorms. Bad timing had been the result, not the wrath of a sentient being. The ship lurched again, causing Mari to hit her left shoulder against the wall of the corridor. Rubbing the ache that lingered, she moved on. Karn ran towards them. "I had no idea this would happen. I—" Mari glared at Karn. "When we come back, you can explain in detail." Genuine concern crossed his face. "I caused this. I should take it back." "The ship's mind needs you, and that is an order." A flash of annoyance crossed his blue eyes. "Let us pass." Karn glanced at Piela as he moved aside. He briefly gripped her shoulder. "Take care." "Why are you going?" the captain asked over the intercom. "I'll explain later. Stay in orbit and wait for us to return." "I don't know if I can. The mind of the ship is very distressed." The mind would not be a problem once they'd left. Mari pressed the button to the door of the shuttle bay. "Karn will tend to the ship's needs." Once inside the nearest shuttle, Mari indicated a seat beside her. "Sit down." Dejected, Piela sat. Mari took the pilot seat and shoved the crystal into Piela's hand. "Hold onto it."

After setting the coordinates, Mari moved a lever away from her. The shuttle rose and moved forward. The outer door opened, revealing stars. Free of the ship, Mari adjusted the course for the main citadel on Namfel. Piela cradled the crystal as if a sacred thing. "It was given to me." Mari nearly lost the controls. "What?" "I betrayed the keeper I stayed with. He developed feelings for me. They aren't supposed to with patients." The keepers were supposed to withstand persuasion of every kind. "What happened to him?" "He was exiled for his weakness, barred forever from the Goddess. It's a fate worse than dying, I have heard." "Didn't stop you from sending him to his doom, did it?" She gazed lovingly at the crystal. "Sacrifices are necessary." Appalled, Mari kept her anger to herself. She would deal with Piela after they'd left Namfel. "There are specific memories we are after." What is this? "Whose?" "I can't tell you that, either." Mari increased the descent speed. "Oh, but you will, and so will Karn. Before this day is out." A large red dust cloud appeared to her right. It formed into a giant hand. Fingers extended outwards, and rose towards the shuttle. "Mari. Tallis here. The control tower at the citadel is warning of a large windstorm approaching you. They suggest you don't go any lower." Piela's eyes widened in terror. "Look. The Goddess is coming after us." "Listen. I don't need any of your—" Then she heard it, a soft murmur of promises and wonder. A gentle caress beckoned her to come lower. One finger lowered, dragging the shuttle towards it with an invisible force. With an effort, Mari set the shuttle to remain at their current level. Piela moaned, then slumped forward in the seat. The light within the crystal in her hands grew, enveloping her in a cocoon. Mari leaned forward to lift her cousin's head back, only to be struck by an invisible force. Rubbing her nose, she felt wetness. Extending her finger, blood tinged the tip.

Red light blinded her, wrapping her in a frenzy of pain. Somewhere in the distance she felt the shuttle descend out of control. I'm going to die for my cousin's stupidity. The light began to fade as a metallic smell filled her nostrils. Dampness covered her body. Blood, her own, it had to be. The pain faded, leaving only numbness followed by a brief flash of meaningless moments of pleasure followed by duty. An odd thought filled her. Who will Father seek as heir now? Surely not my cousin? If possible, she would have laughed at the absurdity of those words. Air no longer filled her lungs, and the action to breathe became unimportant. Her last thoughts were of a man who pleasured her at Destiny. A wonderful feeling filled her body as darkness descended. **** Inside the main citadel of Namfel, Lucien stood beside Pualo, his Chief of Security. Both watched the shuttle on the large screen that filled one wall. The shuttle spun around in the arms of the Goddess, whose wrath spared no one. The cameras closed in, barely making out the outline of the spiraling craft. Not much remained. The sand would tear it apart before it had a chance to land. He knew five ships were in orbit. The shuttle must have come from one of them. He'd soon find out which. Lucien hoped that it would be a lesson to whomever these fools were—nothing could be taken from Namfel. "One of the ships will contact us soon enough," Pualo said, frowning. "There's one imperial ship." Lucien didn't care. "The Goddess makes no distinction regarding rank." Pualo looked up, contempt in his eyes. "Looks like whoever took it realized his mistake. At least he made an effort to return it. Most unusual." Odd too, considering most ships blew up before their occupants had any idea what had happened. Someone knew the risk and had tried to take action. "A pity, though. I'd have liked to have known who the poor fool was." A beep from one of the consoles halted their discussion. "It's one of the orbiting ships," Paulo said. "Answer it." "Paulo, Chief of Security here. State your business."

"This is Captain Tallis from the Emperor's private vessel. One of our shuttles appears to have lost control." The smugness faded from Pualo's face. He pressed mute. "What do I tell him?" "Nothing, yet." Lucien's stomach tightened. He breathed in deeply, then out again, before connecting to the Goddess. He saw two women through a red haze: the guilty one dead, the other barely alive. He sensed something unusual about her, then it passed. As for her fate, he had no choice but to witness her imminent death. As guardian of the precious healing crystals of Namfel, the Goddess' decision could not be questioned. The vision faded and Lucien returned his gaze to the screen. The wind slowed. The shuttle began to decrease its descent speed. For the first time, he witnessed clemency. Too stunned to move, he finally blinked. What he saw was not an aberration. "In the thousand years our ancestors have occupied Namfel, I've never heard of the Goddess spare anyone before," Pualo whispered. It took a while for Lucien to find words. "Tell Captain Tallis he may descend, alone. Once he's arrived, escort him to the stabilizing area." As for the doomed shuttle, he knew where the Goddess would place it: outside the citadel to be eventually buried by the desert sand. He walked quickly from the security room towards one of the recovery rooms. Eerily quiet, the corridors were. The only sounds were his sandaled feet and the rustle of cloth from his robe. The recovery rooms were rarely used, as most people arrived well enough to make their own way to the caves of crystals to be healed. The light from the solar lanterns hit the faces of the two medics at the entrance to one of the rooms. Dressed also in deep-red robes, they were tall, graceful, and pale skinned. "We have the room prepared," one said softly. "Has the shuttle landed?" the other asked. Connecting to the Goddess, Lucien superimposed what he saw over the corridor. "The shuttle has crashed in the nearby sands and the life signs of the survivor are very faint. Pualo has arranged a craft to retrieve what is left." The image faded again. "Another will be arriving. He's the captain from the ship the shuttle left from. He has no idea what has happened,

and I plan to keep it that way until I am ready to tell him. I'll be with him in the adjoining observation room should you wonder who he is." "Our oath is assured," the medics said in unison. Both men followed Lucien to the recovery room. He watched as the medics began to prepare instruments sophisticated enough to provide regeneration to every part of the body. A living body, that was. Lucien slipped into the observation room and checked progress. The image returned. One of the guards had entered the shuttle and could barely make out the features of the surviving woman. Her hair and clothes were gone and her body was covered in red dust. It appeared to form a protective shell, which kept her alive, although barely. He heard the hiss of the nearby door, and let the image fade. A short man, wearing the imperial blue uniform, entered. His hair has begun to turn white, but his pale, blue eyes remained sharp. A sense of awe filled his gaze. The door closed silently behind him. "What happened?" "I am Lucien, the high Keeper of Namfel. Please sit, Captain Tallis. I don't know the details yet." He sat. "I heard about the keepers. You, forgive me, connect to the Goddess of the Wind." Few revered the Goddess, more intent on being healed. Lucien suspected Tallis had been to Namfel before. "When did you come here last?" "Five years ago, my brother was killed in a mining accident. I suffered only light injuries, a miracle according to some. He was all the family I had. After I left here, I could find the means to live again. Your keepers do perform miracles of the mind." Lucien smiled. "Thank you for your words." While occasional physical injuries were attended to on Namfel, the mental anguish associated with physical trauma was the keepers' specialty. Movement through the window made him turn. Lucien saw the surviving woman wheeled in. The captain gasped, unable to turn away. Nor could Lucien. The image he had seen before had been a ghostly representation. Seeing her in flesh and blood sent another dimension to her injuries altogether. The woman lay naked and hairless; her body was covered in tiny red lines that criss-crossed each other. The red dust seemed to be embedded in every scar, creating an eerie patchwork. "What happened to her?" Lucien said through the two-way.

"It's the mark of the Goddess," one medic said softly. "She will heal, given time." Tallis cupped his head in his hands. "What do I tell the Emperor?" An uneasy feeling filled him. "Is she someone important?" He raised his head in surprise. "She's his daughter and heir." By the Goddess, what had she done? He would have to get her restored to health, and fast. "The scars will fade if I am given time." The captain looked at him oddly. "I...er know the methods used to heal here. Are you sure you want to take this personally? I can take her back to Theron." Again, Lucien sensed a connection with her—odd, distant, yet potent. "I'm afraid you can't." "He's right," one of the medics said. "She can't be moved any great distance. A trip, as you propose, will kill her." The captain muttered. "She does look bad, even to me." "I'll be able to give you an update in a few days." If she lives that long. He rose. "I have little choice, it seems. By the way, where is the other woman?" No lie could make it easier, so he told the truth. "She's no more than dust on the floor of the shuttle."

Two The humming refused to leave Mari's head. Red light filled her vision. Was she meditating again? If so, she normally saw the colors of the rainbow. Where am I? Whatever she lay in felt soft and very comfortable. She tried to open her eyes, but a gentle pressure over her closed lids prevented her from doing so. "Relax. You are quite safe." For a brief moment, Mari thought she was back on Destiny. One of the men had a husky edge to his voice, similar to the man who spoke to her. Her body had turned into a quivering mass when he described what he planned to do with her. She tried to move. Pain, not pleasure, washed over her instead. The memory of the shuttle returned with painful clarity. She had seen a force that had consumed them. The dust had seared her skin, flaying the outer layers from her body. No way could she be alive. Piela. She had been with her, torn by red dust. Dead. Tears welled up. "You'l l need time to recover." She tried to open her lips, but couldn't. She sensed his closeness. Warm breath, with a hint of spice, wafted over her face. "Sleep." Darkness returned and the pain fled. **** "You may open your eyes now." Slowly, she did, and winced at the pale light. A shape took form above her. Pale skinned and dressed in a red robe, clearly a man, and a striking one at that. Her vision cleared and his face came into focus. His smile nearly sent her into a swoon. Dark eyes looked at her, full of concern. She managed to resurface, forcing a smile of her own. A dull ache filled her face.

"You're mending well. We should be able to move you in another day or two." His dark hair fell to his shoulders, accentuating the paleness of features that did nothing to detract from the pleasure she took in looking at him. Not pretty like the men on Destiny, more a world weariness that she could see in the lines that touched the edges of his eyes. Normally she could determine a man's age, but he had her totally mystified. The keepers of Namfel were reputed to be long lived due to their healing practices. It then occurred to her that he may be assigned to heal her. Whatever parts of her body were able to react did so. Warmth raced from her spine to her core. A sly smile filled his lips. "At least you aren't paralyzed." Could he detect her arousal? He nodded, as if she had spoken aloud. "I can sense the changes in you. I can assure you'll recover faster with my aid." She parted her lips, readying for pain. None came. She needed answers before she allowed herself to become lost in the sexual delights of this man. "Where am I. Namfel?" "I thought that was obvious." "This wasn't a terrible nightmare after all." She turned her head, wincing as she did so. "Where is my—" "Companion? She didn't survive the crash." He didn't seem concerned at all. Why should he? It's a miracle she still lived. No one could have survived, yet she had. "Why a m I alive?" "A few days ago I would have said you were beyond saving, but it seems the Goddess spared you." He leaned over to study her closer, sending her heart skidding. His lips brushed her forehead and a soft moan escaped her lips. Raising his head, he asked, "Do you give me your consent to heal you?" Did she want him to after what had happened? "How badly injured am I?" "If you don't accept treatment, you'll be scarred for life. You could return to your home world, but your father might ask questions you may not want to answer."

He had a good point. The last thing she needed was her father becoming involved before she had fully recovered. "I don't think I have a choice. When can we start?" He caressed her cheek, sending tiny electric currents over her face. His slender fingers ran over her throat to between her breasts. A soft fabric seemed to deaden his touch. In one long, gliding movement he continued until he paused at the juncture between her legs. A trail of fire followed, ending inside her core. With a glance in her direction, he licked his lower lip. "Soon, not yet, but soon." Pulsating bolts of energy thundered throughout her body. Every fiber of her body seemed to heave as the energy resounded over her skin. He gazed at her intently. "You react as a sensitive, but you aren't one. Most puzzling." "What do you mean?" "A sensitive can feel subtle signs in others, whereas a normal person can't. It's a rare gift and one is usually born with it." As Piela had been. Tears returned. "Cry, Mari, its better that you do." Tears blurred her vision. A gentle sweep with his hand made her see clearly again. The pain began to fade. "That's better. You will need to release a lot more if you want to be fully healed." Did she detect a hint of intrigue? He looked as if her as he was going to thoroughly enjoy 'healing' her. "Who are you?" "Lucien." He stood back, barely suppressing a smile. "We'll begin in the morning." **** Although scarred, she could feel his touch. That mattered greatly to Lucien. Mari would recover. Not so the other sensations that threatened to overwhelm him. Her dark eyes, imploring and lost, had sent him reeling. With Mari he could barely contain himself from feeding from between her delicious folds. Not even her scalp, already covered with a fine growth of newly regenerated hair, deterred him, nor did the scarred lines on her face and body. That would teach him to take another patient after so long. After he left the recovery room, he returned to a separate meeting room set up exclusively for the use of Tallis and Karn. Fortunately, the

room was some distance from Mari's. He didn't want any visitors prying on her, in particular Karn, who seemed a bit too overprotective for Lucien's liking. Tallis had told him Karn and Piela were lovers, but it didn't explain his constant questioning of Mari's progress and demanding to see her. Lucien had explained in detail what had been done, but drew short of allowing Karn access. Mari could not be distressed in any way. The captain rose from his seat after Lucien closed the door. "How is she doing?" "Well. Another three days and she should be ready to go home." Karn made no effort to hide his frustration. He also stood a halfhead taller than Lucien. He didn't let the icy blue gaze of the engineer ruffle him, nor his words. "Our equipment could have healed her body faster than yours." "In what?" Captain Tallis retorted. "It's a good thing you checked the ship's mind before we dared leave orbit." He returned his gaze to Lucien. "According to Karn, we'll need to remain in orbit for another week until the remainder of the mind has been repaired." The damage of the ship's mind didn't concern Lucien in the least. "The warnings about removing the crystals are clear. You are fortunate Mari acted as quickly as she did, or there would be no ship to return in." Karn simmered in silence. Tallis glared at Karn. "Lucien had every right to execute all of us. He didn't. Be grateful you still have your life." It had been the Goddess who spared Mari, making the decision for him to leave the others be. Not that Karn needed to know that. "That's correct, and Mari will ready to leave when I say so." Karn strode to the door. "I'll return to the ship." Relief crossed the captain's face after Karn left. "He's not accepted Piela's death at all well." Lucien's concern rested more with Mari. "Does Karn have any affection for Mari?" He contemplated the question. "I can't place why he should be reacting as he does. Perhaps it's concern for a friend." He lowered his voice. "Karn's trying to find out where Piela stayed during her time here. I guess he wants to know her last movements. Would it be improper if he visited the cave where she stayed?" Lucien didn't feel comfortable with the idea, not until he had more facts. The crystal had been recovered from the crash and returned to the

originating cave. He didn't want intruders there, not until he had completed his own investigation. "Tell him the answer is no." "I expected it would be." He frowned. "I don't understand why Piela took such a risk, do you?" "No, but I intend to find out." Tallis rose. "That would be appreciated." After the captain left, Lucien made preparations to leave.

Three The aircar ride felt smoother than she imagined. Although small, room existed for four. The heavily tinted windows kept out the glare of the sun. Warm on her scalp, it would be far hotter outside. Mari brushed her head, feeling the downy mat of hair. Returning the veil to cover her head, the warmth became less obtrusive. Her eyebrows felt normal, as did her lashes. She was grateful some parts of her body had healed faster than others. Trying to refocus away from her own condition, she looked outside to the incredible emptiness beyond, amazed how mesmerizing such a barren landscape could be. Her gaze drifted back to her hand. She extended her arm, gripped the red cloth of her robe, and lifted the loose sleeve above her elbow. Save for tiny red scars that crisscrossed her arm, her skin looked almost healed. From what Lucien had told of her appearance when she'd arrived, the medical facilities surpassed anything on Theron, yet the public records never indicated their technology was so sophisticated. "Why don't you promote physical healing as well as of the mind?" Soft light bathed his face as the aircar changed direction. He moved to sit beside her. She wished he hadn't. Unlike men who oozed sex through specially implanted pheromones, Lucien was doing a fine job with her libido with no effort at all. Did all keepers posses a natural sexual allure to make their patients more relaxed? It wasn't a question she wanted to ask him. "Your circumstances were exceptional. Normally those who arrive are physically well or—" He turned away. She guessed the remainder of the words on his lips. Or end up as dust from the wrath of the Goddess. As Piela had been reduced to, her remains scattered over the desert now merged into the sands for all time. Mari wiped a tear from her cheek. Piela had committed a great wrong, but it didn't justify this kind of punishment.

A gentle sweep of Lucien's finger over her cheek sent her skin aflame. He retracted his hand slowly, licked his fingertip. "On Namfel one sheds tears for another during pleasure with a lover, a birth of a child, or the death of a loved one. You must have cared for your cousin deeply." "I did." "It's unfortunate a woman of rank made such a foolhardy choice." Had it been Piela's choice alone, she would have agreed, but it wasn't. Karn had participated in this scheme as well. What bothered her was why both risked their lives and those on the ship to extract the secret of the individual Piela spoke of, but refused to name. Since the opportunity had not arisen to meet again with Karn to learn more, hopefully Lucien could aid her in the interim. Outside the aircar, the red sands seemed to shift as if they had a life on their own. She pressed her face against the window to get a closer look. Sand seemed to move all around them like waves in an ocean. "What is causing this movement? Is it the exhaust from the aircar?" His breath touched her cheek. "No. The Goddess yields to our presence. In doing so she grants us safe passage by shifting the sands around us." His fingers reached her waist. The briefest of kisses landed on her neck. He paused in his movement. "Do you want me to stop?" Rivulets of energy raced over her skin, making her feel invigorated. Lucien didn't seem to find her short hair a deterrent at all. Other men commented on her hair as much as they did on her body. They gave endearments to make her feel as if she were about to be truly loved. A wonderful illusion she had enjoyed sharing. The men at Destiny made her feel as if no one else mattered to them, but their ministrations faded into nothing compared to Lucien's touch. "No," she whispered. "Good." Lips slid down her neck. Drawing her towards him, his mouth sealed hers. Fire filled her vision as she yielded to the gentle probing of his tongue. His hand cupped her breast gently, as if aware any increase would cause her pain. She could not recall, ever, being kissed so deeply and yet so carefully. He broke the kiss. "That will do for now." The smoldering gaze in his eyes made her smile. Back on familiar turf, she knew this man desired her all right. If only her own body would stop tingling all over.

He released her, seemingly reluctant to do so. "Have I told you what happens next?" Her nipples hardened. She could well imagine. Her reaction must have shown, for he smiled. He clasped her hand, sending another trickle of energy up her arm and over her body. "It's not like the pleasures you'll find on Destiny. Our kind of interaction will be at the mental level as well. Your fears will become my fears, as will your joys. In your case, you still need to heal physically as well as mentally." The memories of the Goddess embracing her had not all been terrifying. Part of her had felt exhilaration. He seemed to sense that as well. "You've been touched by her. I have to confess, this is not an area I've experienced before." An uneasy feeling filled her. The Goddess was an entity Mari had been forced to acknowledge, but being touched by? "What do you mean?" "The Goddess spared you for a reason, and it wasn't due to you returning the crystal. She has been touched by something else within you." The calmness she sensed in him briefly crumbled. "And that is the true reason why I have taken your case on personally. I too sense a connection between us, one I cannot explain, yet." "I don't feel any different." "You will, as we progress." Remaining ignorant would be folly. "Can you tell me how?" "I won't have an answer until we have explored each other further." A delicious shudder raced over her body. While her mind tried to assess facts, her body demanded to be pleasured senseless. He moved away from her. "We're not far now." She shifted uneasily on the seat. "How many caves are there on Namfel?" Space seemed to settle his breathing. "Hundreds. Some are near minor citadels where the keepers live with their families, while others are quite remote." "Did you say family?" "The keepers can have a partner if they choose to. Just because they heal others, their right to have a family of their own cannot be denied." She had heard a keeper could be a man or a woman, depending on what the patient preferred. "What about you?"

"I had several female partners, all keepers who so far have not found a bond mate." "Why several?" He shrugged. "Why not? Until we have found our bond mate, we are entitled to find release in the physical pleasure of each other." What had she been thinking? His society could not be judged in the same way her own was. "I apologize for being rude." Amusement filled his eyes. "Ignorant, not rude. You are not the first to ask me that question." Warmth filled her cheeks. When had she ever felt so embarrassed before? Correction; when had she felt so acutely aware of a man before? Not just any man. Lucien's presence threatened to overwhelm her. The aircar slowed. Rocks appeared on either side. "This is the entrance to the cave." Darkness temporarily blinded her. As her vision adjusted, pockets of crystals embedded in the cave walls pulsated with a pale pink light, as if beating in sync with her heart. "The crystals are adjusting to your body. Once you are attuned to them the light will steady." Lucien climbed out the aircar first. Extending his hand, he aided Mari down the steps. Dizziness overcame her. He caught her in his arms. She imagined a hundred variations of this cliché but genuinely felt faint. "You are still quite unwell. I suggest you rest. Come." The light in the cavern adjusted to a steady glow. She had imagined the walls being full of crystals, and they were. These crystals formed a pattern. Looking around she tried to determine the meaning of the shape. A flower, one she saw in abundance of Destiny. "We call it the shape of a loti. You may know it as the flower for yielding to pleasure." On Destiny, the fragrance had taken her breath away, a mixture of a sweet perfume with an essential oil known as lahar, used extensively for massage. In the centre was a large bed covered with a sheet and a towel. Recalling hotel rooms, where the rooms were fitted with every need, she asked. "Who looks after these places?" "Servants keep every cave in readiness for a patient." He indicated her robe. "Remove it and lie down." "What do you plan?"

A slight smile crossed his lips. "A massage will aid in removing your dizziness." A massage she could handle. As she reached over to grab the towel, Lucien restrained her. "A covering is not necessary." Turning her back, she removed her robe in one sweep, letting it fall to the floor. A slight gasp escaped his lips. "The scars on your head need tending to first. Lie on your stomach." The bed moved to accommodate her. Whatever the process of healing, the keepers knew how to do things in style. Craning her head to one side, she extended her arms, keeping her legs together. Anticipation filled her. A rustle of cloth behind her made her imagination go wild. When he moved beside her, bare flesh brushed her legs. He leaned over to grab a bottle. Warm oil ran in a trail down her back, sending a trail of fire in its wake. Lahar enhanced one's sensitivity to any caress. Heaven existed in those hands as he glided them over her head and neck in a gentle sweep. "Your hair color is unusual. Red and brown. I can imagine how you must look when it's fully restored." "How long will it take?" "Shoulder length within a week. After you leave, your hair will grow at normal pace." Leave. She couldn't imagine leaving those wonderful hands as they began to work over her shoulders. Tiny pockets of pain came and went, pain she could endure if it meant he'd stop. "Does it hurt?" "A little." He moved as if following a trail. "I'm going to trace each scar. When I am done the remnants of any redness should have gone." "Leaving white?" She didn't want to think how she would look in a mirror. "Three sessions should be sufficient, and you will have no scars remaining. What I am more interested is in any mental suffering." She winced as she recalled Piela. A finger reached the base of her spine, sending any remaining tension into oblivion. "Let the memories come." His thigh brushed hers, sending any lingering thoughts far away. The way her body reacted to his surprised her. "Is this normal?" He paused at the beginning of her buttocks. "Like what?"

"This level of sensitivity?" "It varies." Did she detect a hint of strain in his voice? Forcing down a smile, she wiggled her butt. "Don't." The hardness in his tone made her stop. She craned her head to the other side to see his face. Oh my. Pale skin did not detract from his lithe form. A hint of muscle rippled over his arm as he massaged the base of her spine. She couldn't see his face, yet. Turning to her side she glimpsed his smoldering gaze. If she could elicit that kind of a reaction with scars, how would he react when she became whole again. "Turn over onto your back." Nervous anticipation filled her as she did so. "It's a normal reaction. Just relax." Leaning over, he grabbed the bottle again. His erection brushed her thigh, forcing a gasp from her lips. All she had to do was move slightly, lift the hem of his robe and... Wiling her errant thoughts back to the purpose at hand—like a healing massage—she took in a deep breath. Concern filled his face. "Did I hurt you?" "No," she whispered hoarsely. Lucien began to pour oil over her nipples. He licked his lips as he continued with a thin stream of oil from between her breasts to just above her folds. She writhed, unable to stop herself. He looked at her with a hint of dreaminess in his eyes. He trailed a circle over her nipple, sending a jolt of electricity to between her legs. Surely he couldn't be blind to how he affected her. "Are you sure this is healing?" "Most definitely," he said and teased her other nipple. "You had a lot of damage here and now it's almost gone." Barely restrained calm filled his features. His erection indicated he certainly wasn't immune. Mari very much wanted him to possess her completely. Patience. Surprised she wanted him so badly, Mari pushed the thought back down. This had to be done on his terms. Lucien backed away, his face unreadable. "Widen your legs."

The exposure of her nether regions should have made her feel uncomfortable, but with Lucien she felt incredibly turned on. "What are you going to do?" A slight smile formed on his lips. "Pleasure you. May I proceed?" Liquid fire simmered below the surface as moisture surged to between her legs. She nodded. "Please." He began massaging her clitoris and outer lips in slow gentle movements. She rolled her eyes to the roof of the cave. What a sensation. "Look at me. That's better; don't take your gaze away from me." Was he going to watch her come? Usually she liked to watch her partner climax as well, but Lucien didn't look like he planned to participate. Or would he? He gently squeezed her clitoris. "Relax." Hard to do when every touch threatened to send her into freefall. Slowly and with great care, he inserted a finger into her yielding and damp passage. He touched that sensitive area with no more than a sweep of his finger, sending her to orgasm. Little currents of pleasure washed over her body. She let out a soft, slow moan. Slowly, she came again. Not the blinding orgasms at Destiny, more of a growing uncurling of desire. Whatever he was doing to her, she wanted more. Using his thumb to stimulate the clitoris, he slid another finger inside. His gaze never left hers as he continued to massage her sensitive areas. Her breathing became more rapid. Energy burned from her spine, flowing outwards to her fingers and toes. "Don't try so hard to come. Let it build naturally." How could he look so calm while searing heat tore over her body? Another burst of flames overtook her, sending her body into a shuddering mess. He placed his other hand between her breasts. A circuit formed from her contracting passage to her heart. With another gentle thrust of his fingers she came again. Fire seemed to consume her body. She cried out, louder this time. An ache filled her body of the kind she had never felt in Destiny. Never had any orgasm felt so blissful. All she needed was him to come inside her, and he didn't plan on doing so. "No more, please." He withdrew his fingers, leaned forward, and kissed her nether lips.

Moaning, she felt another wave wash over her body. He raised his head, seemingly satisfied. "What about you?" she asked, surprised. With a sweep over her forehead, he murmured. "Sleep." Stretching out her legs, she slipped into a dreamy haze. A blanket floated over her, embracing her. **** Lucien tried to breathe. The pain in his groin became almost unbearable. It had taken all his effort to keep his body under control. As much as he wanted to bury himself to the hilt inside her, he backed away. His role as healer blurred as other emotions took hold. His father had warned him about the subtle changes he would feel when he found his bond mate. The first being an aching need beyond the desire to be sated. Could it be possible the connection he'd felt before with her was the beginning of the bond? It's too soon to be sure. Besides, he didn't want his bond mate to be the daughter of an Emperor. Too many barriers existed. No. He preferred a mate who came from family who didn't possess power or land. The less material needs she possessed, the less she'd give up when she came to live on Namfel. Please don't let it be Mari. He opened a door to a tiny room and sat cross legged in a white circle in its centre. With each breath he channeled the sexual energy to his upper chakras. A great infusion of energy filled his body as he connected to the Goddess. Brief and intense pleasure seared throughout his body. Fragments of his mind were taken away, of his feelings for Mari, and his uncertainty. When the feeling ebbed, a sense of contentment filled its place. The burning in his groin no longer existed. He murmured a prayer of thanks to the Goddess. His stomach growled as it always did after finding release. After stretching, he left the room. Next to it was the kitchen. Inside, he walked to a small storage compartment. There he found food preserved in a condition similar to freezing, but still fresh. He opened the door and removed the raw ingredients from the shelves. The meat, already sliced, would be served cold as well as the grapes and cheese. Once arranged on a platter, he moved to another room, the only one with a window. The sun passed its zenith, casting a yellow hue over the red sands as it had in his father's and his grandfather's time. Normally a sense of contentment lingered. This time it began to fade, worrying him.

Lucien had originally believed his attraction to Mari being a latent sensitive, but deep down he knew it to be more. The need to get Mari with child so she would be his bond partner came as a shock to him. Other keepers had warned him of the same urges. In his long life he had never felt the need before. Warned by his father of the inevitability of this day, he feared he may not last the remaining two. A wall of red dust appeared in the distance. Slowly it obscured the view. With a grimace he considered the dilemma. He could not leave here even if he wanted to. Probably the Goddess ensuring he did heal Mari. Returning to the kitchen, he removed a jug of red wine. After pouring some, he drank. He then returned to the room, emptying his mind of Mari and all the problems she could cause him. Only when he sensed the howl of the wind from outside, did he feel a resonance of calm. He watched as the dust consumed the view outside, obliterating it completely.

Four A cry, distant and urgent, called to her. Help me. Through the sand Piela appeared, not as the flesh and blood woman she knew in life, but as grains of sand formed into her likeness. Her eyes were hollow pools of despair. Piela raised her hand as if imploring Mari to save her. Then she faded back into the darkness. Heaviness overwhelmed her. Mari's heart raced at the feeling of being suffocated. Fighting off panic, she raised her hand, and to her relief touched something soft. Casting the blanket aside, she opened her eyes, craned her head upward to the roof of the cave. The crystals came as reassuring points of pale pink light. What an awful nightmare. Mari climbed from the bed. She didn't feel too bad at all, in fact the opposite despite the dream. Was it Lucien's doing in enabling her to find such a level of wellness? Stories about using pleasure to enhance vitality had seemed nonsense, now she wasn't so sure. She lifted her arms. The scars were all white lines, or those she could see. She looked around the walls, but found no mirror. A pity. She would have liked a good look at the rest of her body. What about my head? Mari ran her fingertips over her scalp. Her hair felt thicker as well. Amazing. Lowering both hands, she slid one between her legs. A short curl tangled her finger. She smiled. At least that part of her body seemed to be in working order. Tensing her toes, the floor felt warm under her feet. The air didn't feel too warm or too cold. Looking at her crumpled robe, she would have loved to find a bath or even a simple shower. Not to mention removing the stickiness between her thighs. She quickly removed her hand at the sound of a sliding door. Lucien entered, looking refreshed. His skin glowed. His gaze raked her body, sending another surge of moisture between her legs. "Would you like to wash yourself before a meal, or will I?"

Her heart skidded out of control. She had to remind herself to breathe. Never had she felt so aroused. "You." "Through here," he said, indicating the nearby door. An underground spring bubbled with warm water into a pool. Steam filled the room lit by prisms above, casting a soft red glow over the surface of the pool. The lighting began to increase in brightness, giving the room a similar appearance of the sex rooms in Destiny, minus the music. "You'll need some sustenance. I'll return soon." This began to look like sexual pampering of the most delectable kind. These keepers must enjoy their work, pleasuring patients like this. She caught the occasional reflection of her naked body from the crystals embedded in the walls. Looking closer, the reflection clouded. She wished she could see how her face was. If her body was any guide, it would appear finely scarred as well. A brief but overwhelming feeling of sadness flooded through her. Would all the scars be healed? Lucien had assured her that they would be. When he returned, she would ask about a mirror. After lowering herself into the water, the bubbling of the springs became the only sound. The feeling of panic from her recent nightmare began to fade. Closing her eyes, she tried to remove all negative thoughts and focus on the singular luxury of the bath. Footsteps brought her back. Lucien returned with a tray of food and a jug of water. He placed the tray before her, stood back, removed his robe, and with deliberation entered the bath opposite her. Impossible not to admire his body in full, she did so, for it had to be his intent. His chest was not too muscular, nor was his body. Perfect and lithe. Amazingly his member appeared to be as serene as the rest of him. A glint of humor filled his eyes. What did he possess that sent her to a level of awareness she'd not felt before? He looked nothing like the men she preferred, yet any other paled into insignificance. Only when the water covered him to his neck did she regain a semblance of control. With the slightest of smiles crossing his lips, he picked up a grape from the tray. "Come here." Oh goodness, what is this? "Pleasure encompasses all things, including food." His voice became husky. "You must be hungry."

They way he spoke sent all the signals in her body on high alert. Was he truly a keeper that healed, or an escapee from Destiny? A pity she hadn't researched the practices of the keepers in detail. She had anticipated Piela telling her about her experiences. And she is dead. He lowered the grape back onto the tray. "You're thinking about your friend." The lack of genuine sadness annoyed her. He had no reason to care about her. He respected his Goddess and whatever she did, and if that including killing people, so be it. Between one heartbeat and the next she realized how different their cultures were when it came to dealing with those who erred. "I can sense your turmoil. Let me reach into—" She fought down rising panic. "My mind. I'm not so sure about that part of the deal." "You must let me touch you inner fears. It's a necessary part of the healing." "My mind is fine, thank you. It's my body that your Goddess decided to damage." She inched away from the edge of the bath, moving towards him. "In fact, I'd like a mirror so I can monitor progress." He shook his head. "I'd suggest against it." "Why. Am I repulsive?" Reaching out, his fingers touched her scalp, sending an electric current over her skin. "Normally people come here to have their minds healed. There's been no need for mirrors; in fact they detract the healing process. As to the answer to you original question, you will not have the scars. Do you believe me?" Her anxiety began to fade. "Yes." He shifted the tray towards her, revealing an assortment of meats, fruit, and other items she couldn't recognize. Mari's stomach growled. She picked up several grapes at once. Lucien's hand gently caught her wrist. "Real pleasure is to enjoy one at a time. Allow me." With his free hand he removed a grape and ran it over her lips. She opened her mouth and he placed the sweet fruit inside. His fingers briefly lingered over her chin before he reached for another grape. Each piece of food he offered drew her closer until her nipple grazed his arm. He slipped his hand around her waist, and spun her about. Before she could protest, he cupped her breasts and drew her towards him until

her back rubbed against his chest. His rigid member pressed hard against her buttocks. Leaning into her, he continued to feed her what looked like a red berry. His free hand teased her nipple, tweaking it hard then gently. She'd thought herself sated from before, not so. She wiggled her butt against his erection. "Patience. The anticipation is worth more than the actual act of pleasure." She doubted it. The men on Destiny left her gasping in desperation even when a cock was inside her. "You forget a fundamental thing, Mari. This is a place of healing, not of recreational sex." The way he handled her, she found it difficult to tell the difference. After releasing a berry into her mouth, his hand cupped her other breast. "Be still and close your eyes." Whatever he was planning, she decided to go with it. If this was healing, she decided not to argue. "That's better. You're prepared to take what I will give you?" She tilted her head to see him. "Can't I give?" A flash of anguish filled his eyes. "Turn around and let me work." Hands, gentle and sure, ran over her breasts, stomach, to her thighs and back again. As she eased into his chest his movements drew closer and closer to between her legs. She parted them slightly. "Widen them further." She did so in anticipation. Gently running over her folds, he slid two fingers inside. She arched back, amazed at how fast her sensitive spot responded to his touch. A greater sense of awareness filled her. A connection seemed to form and she could sense his enjoyment of pleasuring her. Was this the linking of minds that he'd spoken of? Surely a little wouldn't be a problem, not if the pleasure was as wonderful as this? "Desire it, but don't force the need." She tried to move up and down against his fingers, but he held her fast. "If you persist in being impatient, I'll stop." That drew her short. "Good. Now arch back. Not too much. That's it." The shift in posture made an incredible difference to how she felt. The tips of her nipples peeped above the water, causing them to harden in the cool air.

Not ceasing in the movement of his fingers, he moved her about until his lips reached a nipple. She closed her eyes as he nibbled, and sent a wave of delicious pleasure straight to her core. Whatever pain lingered had gone. She had to be well and truly on the mend. She floated in a place that felt so warm and safe. He was there, protecting her from whatever demons dared to surface. Only a few minutes ago, such a notion had sent a wave of panic through her. Not now. A need to share everything with him made her even more relaxed. He slid his hands around her waist, drawing her to him. "What are you thinking?" Eyes still closed, she leaned into his chest. "I trust you for some reason. I never trust anyone." "Not even your father?" "There is a different between protecting one's own and trust. I am his heir. He will do anything to protect me." "What was Piela's position in your household?" Such personal conversations she kept to her closest friends, not a stranger. Yet, she felt such at ease with him. "Piela was my cousin, so she had privileges equal to mine. She could marry whomever she wanted and she had chosen Karn. They were to marry on her return." "It doesn't explain why Piela shared her body with another keeper, or stole a crystal." Despite his soothing tones, the comment bothered her. "Whatever you can tell me could aid me is finding answers sooner." He was right. She decided to tell him what little she knew. She finished with, "All I could think of was getting the crystal back." Resentment filled her. "I don't condone such acts of barbarity from your Goddess." Gentle hands swept up and down her arms, easing the tension between them. "As you have said before." "Whatever drove Piela here, she decided the risk to be worth it. I...don't have any further information to offer you." He turned her about to face him. "We're not finished yet." His eyes made no mistake what he wanted from her. "Please. Let me." Gripping his shoulders, she paused at the tip of his erection. He seemed as shocked as she at the heightened energy that that passed

between them. She lowered herself slowly, savoring the fullness of his penis inside her. The feeling of a man entering her usually sent her vagina into contractions, causing her to climax fast and hard. With Lucien she needed to reach into him more deeply, and not only physically. He briefly closed his eyes, then reopened them. He seemed to be affected as badly as she. "Let me ease your pain," he said softly. But I'm not ill mentally. Those words were wrong. The vision of the Goddess returned in a sea of rising pleasure. Unsure as to how, she could see outside the cave. Dust spun about her, threatening to tear her apart. Lucien's presence eased the upwelling of panic she felt. Mari recalled the moment of the attack, as Piela's skin was stripped from her body. "Her death took a few brief seconds." Mari sensed the truth of his words. Regardless, she would not see the act as anything but murder. The vision faded, as did the connection she formed with Lucien. For that she was glad. It made it easier to enjoy the climax almost upon her, making her forget about the horrid vision, even if for a few moments. It then occurred to her he'd not moved inside her at all. Cupping her face, he smiled. "This is how you are healed inside. Let the pain go and empty your thoughts." Whatever he was doing definitely sent warmth flooding to her core. "How is this...possible?" "It's a sharing of energies." No man ever appeared so calm when deep inside her. In fact, they were breathing heavily with exertion, as was she. "How?" "I'll explain, afterwards." How could it be possible, that barely moving he sent her into orgasm? Not the earth shattering variety, but a gentler variation where her whole being seemed to be pleasured at once. His mouth sealed hers, sending another jolt of energy to her inner muscles, which contracted and released as she came again. Mari moaned softly as she did so. Writhing above him, she desperately sought release. A brief flame consumed her, making her arch back and cry out. It still wasn't enough. "Come, Lucien, please."

With a grimace he lifted her off. "No." The flooding of desire waned. "There'll be no danger of me coming with child." Anguish flashed across his face. "Your records on Destiny made that clear." What is holding him back? She backed away, heat filling her cheeks at how much she did desire him. "You checked my records." "Only your fertility. Some women lie when they come here. This method prevents any danger at all." Thanks goodness for that. "Don't you ever...you know?" He looked sated enough. "With my partners I find release as I explained before. When I find a life partner, I will only share my essence with her, mind and soul. With you and other patients, this is all I can offer." It seemed ludicrous to her. "Why did you come inside me at all?" "It's necessary. To join with you in mind I must join with you in body." She had never experienced anything as delicious as him and wanted to find completion. Sadness filled her as it occurred to her that wasn't going to happen. Trying to make light of this situation, she asked, "Do your patients have difficulty leaving you?" He smiled wryly. "Never. The disappointment passes, and once it does, true healing begins." She swam out of reach, studying him from a distance. "And you've never lost control?" He seemed to waver. "Once, nearly, but I managed to stop myself in time." "I see," clearly not seeing at all. **** Lucien didn't add...time in coming inside you. It had taken all his restraint not to find release in her and bind her to him. He'd hoped his initial uncertainty had been an aberration. Certain he had found his bond mate, he had two days to either convince her to stay or allow her to leave his life forever. Her smile filled his body with warmth. "You seem troubled?" He fought down rising laughter. "You could say that I'm a little distracted."

"Are you sure you don't want to..." she lowered her gaze to below the waterline. More than anything. "I said—" "There are other ways to find release." She licked her lips as if to emphasize. With an effort he climbed from the bath. Did he dare risk being pleasured with her mouth? No danger came from such an act, and on more than one occasion had allowed his patients to give him release in that manner. Did he want to imagine those lips sliding over the tip? His erection became impossibly hard at the idea. "I best not." Still wet, he donned his robe. The thin barrier of cloth didn't ease his discomfort at all. Mari parted her lips, then closed them again. "Are you sure?" He wanted nothing more than those lips to draw his essence. "I must go." With an effort he left her. Back in the small room, he sought out the Goddess to free him of this burning desire. As she embraced him, he connected to her mind, hoping this one time she would speak to him. I need your advice. Silence filled his mind. Other keepers have heard your voice in times of desperate confusion. I need your aid. The silence faded as Her presence strengthened. You want her as a life mate. I feared, yet expected this would happen. The Goddess, according to the other keepers, answered truthfully any question given. What do I do? Allow your heart to lead you. What kind of answer was this? Other keepers have been torn as you are. My answer is always the same. You cannot fight your destiny. He couldn't risk losing his heart to a woman who planned to leave him. I can't. Our lives are too different. Have you not thought why I spared Mari? He never thought to question any action made by the Goddess. Bemusement reached him. You were so ready to accept my actions, but I detect questions. Ask them. Why did you spare her and not Piela?

I accessed Piela's mind when she stayed on Namfel. If her plan had been to access the memories requested, I might have spared her life. Her intention was otherwise. Blackmail? In a fashion. The person who asked her— Who was it? The Emperor asked Piela to take the crystal. Whatever answer he sought, this wasn't it. A flood of confusion tore though him. Whatever for? Secrets are worth a high price to those who wish to keep them silent. Piela planned to use such secrets for her own gain. "What a fool," he muttered. Exactly. Her motivation was for political gain should she fall out of favor with Suran, not to protect another. No wonder Piela was killed. Mari showed no such motivation and was spared as a result. Unfortunately she must bear witness to the specific memories Piela sought, for they'll affect not only her future but yours. Since the Goddess refused to concede there was no future between them, he could not see what the point of all this was. Do not deny your heart. Bond with her and you will be able to prepare her for the knowledge to come. You ask too much of me. You must take the crystal to Mari's ship for another reason. Lucien could guess. If the Emperor requested access to all the evidence, he could force another crystal to be acquired. Lucien didn't want to think about the consequences if he refused. Namfel would not be immune to an act of war. Ah, you see. After Suran arrives take a crystal with you to the ship. I promise no harm will befall any of you. He's coming here? Of course he is. Did you think otherwise? No, he conceded. Her presence faded, not so the desire that continued to burn inside. She had left it lingering on purpose, to force him to take Mari as his mate. Never before had he felt so alone, or so torn inside. Silence filled the air. Rather that sit in torment, he returned to the room with the window. The sky was clear and full of stars. The desert sand appeared black.

He tried to digest what the Goddess offered. An alternative came to him. He could refuse to be her mate and take the crystal regardless. It would appease Suran, and protect Namfel from danger. So why did the idea leave such a void in his heart? As to the secrets the Emperor desired, scenarios raced past. Had a crime been committed by another which could affect Suran's future? If so, how did it affect Mari? He didn't like it at all. The door opened behind him. "Oh I—" Her presence came as a welcome relief from his brooding thoughts. "Come in. Wait. Do you want to go outside?" Her eyes widened with pleasure. "Please." By the Goddess she is beautiful. Reining in his own simmering desire, he rose. "You'll need a cloak and some boots. I'll show you where." A small cupboard near the entrance to the cave provided what they needed. Inside the aircar he set the coordinates to a nearby rocky outcrop. At the end of the long tunnel, two sliding doors opened ahead of them. The shift to the expanse of the outdoors came as a welcome relief. He felt a sense of freedom on the open sands. Slowing down the aircar, he opened one of the windows slightly. The chill air raced in like a knife. She tightened the cloak about her. "I've heard deserts can be cold at night." "Shall I close it?" "No." She wrinkled her nose. "That smell, I can't place it." "It's a combination of earth and lahar oil." "Surely the oil isn't created here. I can't see anywhere where a plant could survive." "Everything we need is produced on Namfel." "Everything? Even this aircar?" "Yes. Now, breathe. It will relax you." Mari leaned out of the window, and did as he said. She sighed in pleasure. "Amazing." "It's the breath of the Goddess." "You truly believe in her being all around us." It wasn't a question and Lucien didn't answer.

Mari breathed in again. How her fascination warmed his need to tell her about his world a little more. Should he? Sliding his hands around her waist, he savored her familiar scent. Lucien doubted if he'd be able to forget her. She eased into his embrace. "Your Goddess is like the wind. She can cut a life from existence and yet produce a wonderful scent used for healing." She raised her arm, making sure he could not miss the fine scars that remained. "What a contradiction." He released her, acutely aware of her meaning. Lucien returned to his seat. "We'll land soon." A light thud soon followed. He climbed out first, down the steps onto the smooth rock surface. Whatever illusions he had regarding Mari staying would never happen. He would survive as long as he didn't give to her. A faint breeze rippled through his cloak. Mari stood beside him. "There's a sense of peace here. Is this when the Goddess is silent?" Her observation amazed him. The scant few who'd accompanied him out here spoke of the openness as a place to fear. "This is her time for stillness." She sat on a nearby rock. "Always at night?" "Not always." He pointed to the south. "See the large star at the horizon. That's where the main citadel is." "Surely stars move." "Of course, but at this time of night that is where it is." He turned to the north. "Out there is nothing at all." "How may people live on Namfel?" "A hundred thousand. It's not a place where everyone wants to live, aside from the keepers and their partners." "And children?" "Those who are not sensitives tend to leave." "What of you? Have you ever been off-world?" His relative isolation would probably amuse her. "No." "You've not missed much. People are the same regardless of what world you go to." Lucien sat beside her. "I've not heard my earlier patients say that. They enjoy visiting new worlds."

"Are they followed everywhere they go? Are they forced to attend functions where tedious speeches are read? Are they treated differently by everyone they meet?" She rose, widening the gap between them. "You're surprised, aren't you? Don't be. Most people would like to live my life." A tiny sliver of hope returned. Would she give up her way of life to live an isolated existence on Namfel? "What do you want?" She raised her hands, and lowered them again. "Do you know few people ask that question?" She frowned. The answer is...I don't know." Fragments of her resistance began to break. He had no idea the barriers were so strong. "One thing I do know is that the time I have spent with you will never be forgotten." Her openness tore at his conscience. "Why?" She shrugged. "It's simple. You seek nothing from me." Thankfully, the darkness made his face unreadable. He wanted her to live with him on Namfel. He hardly sought nothing.

Five Mari thought she'd reached him at last, then his face became a mask. Why it mattered made no sense to her. Did she think any possibility existed of him becoming more than a keeper to heal her? Worse, why did she feel an ache at the thought of leaving him? It wasn't only his touch that sent her skin aflame. It was more; a connection existed between them, one she believed would strengthen if he allowed himself to give fully to her. But if she took such a step, she would have to live here. Would this isolated world send her mad with boredom over time? Then again, he said they needed nothing from the outside. What wonder existed here? It occurred to her she knew nothing about Namfel, or its people. Did she want to know, and if she did what future lay here for her? What would her role be? Hardly in the same league as ruling an empire. Yet… She rubbed her arms. No. She had to think reasonably about this. Get well and leave as soon as possible. "Can we go?" "Of course. You must be cold." Shivering, but not from the cold, Mari returned to the entrance of the aircar. Lucien stared out towards the night sky, obviously lost in his own thoughts. Mari was about to climb inside when she noticed in the distance the sand had begun to stir. "What is that?" "Another craft is approaching. Get inside." After sealing the door, he pressed his hand against the recess in the wall. A small door slid, open revealing a round communication device. Pressing the side, he raised the sphere to his lips. "Pualo. Who is it?" "I tried to stop him," he said, his voice strained. "It's Captain Tallis. He demands to speak to Mari." She extended her hand and took the communicator. "Pualo. Can you connect me to the captain directly?"

"Connecting." "Mari, are you all right?" Concern filled Captain Tallis's voice. "I am. Why are you here?" "You are to return immediately. Your father is arriving tomorrow." She nearly dropped the communicator. She had anticipated he might, but so soon? "When, tomorrow?" "Midday. I'm to take you back to brief you." "Now?" "Now." "By whose orders?" "Your father's." She clenched the communication device. To leave Lucien this way was not what she planned. Lucien pressed a switch on the side. "It's on mute. What do you plan to do?" "How long will it take for these scars to disappear?" "One more healing is all I need." The thought of having him one last time caused her heart to leap against her rib cage. She took in a deep breath, exhaled. She glanced briefly at his unreadable gaze. I can feel his touch one last time and keep it as a wonderful memory. "Captain. We'll be there midday tomorrow and not before. My scars are not quite healed." "I suspected as much. I'll tell your father." The aircar began to turn around. With a shaking hand, she returned the communicator to Lucien. "I suspected Father would arrive personally." Lucien didn't hide his resentment. "So did I. Will he try to understand our laws or threaten us?" Mari didn't think her father would do anything rash. He took care with how he conducted himself on other worlds. "Father will respect your laws, but he will consider them barbaric, as I do." He arranged the controls and the aircar lifted. He sat some distance from her, and refused to meet her imploring gaze. "I can't change who I am." Even thought right now I'd like nothing more than to stay with you and pretend otherwise for a while. Those last three words—for a while—made her wince. Even if she were nobody, did she really think this kind of existence was for her?

You've already decided it wasn't, so why go over it again? It would be better to be rid of these scars and leave Namfel as soon as possible. Stony silence filled the cave on their return. "If you are hungry, there is food in the kitchen, through there." She looked to where he pointed. "We'll conclude this in the morning." Another door opened, and he was gone. Stomach growling, she decided to satiate it with one pleasure at least: food. The range available surprised her. How the meats remained preserved baffled her. The unit appeared to be a refrigerator but there the comparison ended. She removed a purple berry from a cup. It tasted as if plucked from the bush. How could such a culture be so advanced in some ways yet still allow their Goddess to kill another? Since her cousin's death she had tried to vindicate Piela's actions, but in hindsight wished she'd taken the risk and used the mind of the ship to see exactly what would happen. Don't be so foolish. The mind retaliated at the presence of the crystal. Another inner voice intervened. Piela believed that could be countered using a perimeter field inside the mind of the ship. If so, what had gone wrong? Did she dare to contact Karn and ask him? She returned to the aircar and entered. Grabbing the communicator from the recess in the wall, she pressed the button on the side. "Pualo, from security. Whom am I speaking to?" "Mari. I wish to contact my ship." Silence. Then. "Karn here. Are you all right?" "Forgive my frankness, but I need to ask you what went wrong?" A long pause followed. He began. "I found the means to create a perimeter field to extract memories from the crystal using the ship's mind as the conduit. The plan was to place the ship into a certain orbit where the harmonics of the crystal balanced with the mind. I'd then place the crystal inside the mind, then separate the memories from the crystal." Her first question, why, almost left her lips, but she didn't want to interrupt him. "We moved out of orbit, only a fraction, but it was enough to disturb the balance. The ship detected the crystal and panicked."

The mind of the ship had been created to detect danger, not make independent decisions, or she assumed it hadn't been. Suggestions the mind could be more sophisticated than a simple one of manipulating coordinates over long distances crossed her own mind. She put the question to Karn. "Is the ship a sentient consciousness in its own right?" "At a basic level where instincts are concerned, yes. It can disseminate independent information and rearrange them into patterns." "Like random memories on a crystal." Pause. Then: "Yes." Another idea took form, one she wasn't sure made sense. She pursued it regardless. If the Goddess, whom she knew so little about, had some connection with the crystals, would there be some spark of consciousness in each crystal as well? It would make sense as to why ships exploded in the past. It still sounded ludicrous to Mari, but nothing else made sense. She put the idea to Karn. Again, a long silence followed. "It's possible. I'd not know for sure unless we brought another crystal to the ship." "I wasn't suggesting another theft." "No, but it might explain why the ship panicked. I'll need to think about some adjustments." Did he seriously plan to try again? "You'll not be allowed to." "I suspect not. I've lost enough as it is." His voice wavered. "Mari. Take care." And he disconnected. Poor Karn suffered terribly from Piela's loss and she wanted to discuss theories. "I overheard you." She spun around, nearly dropping the communicator. "Yours is the first reasonable conclusion I've heard, except for one thing." She expected to be annoyed by the intrusion. Instead, she could barely contain her relief. "Such as?" "The Goddess told me your father requested Piela obtain the crystal. Do you know why?" Stunned, it took several breaths to calm down. Why would her father make such a request? "No. I didn't." "I believe you," he said more softly.

"Please. Continue." He inclined his head. "Whose memory, or memories, exist in the crystal where such a dangerous game has to be played by your father?" "I wish I knew," she said in a croaked whisper. "So do I." Lucien cupped her elbow. "I'm thinking of traveling to the cave where the crystal exists. Now might be the only chance we can go and have a look." **** Another reason had prompted Lucien to go immediately. He helped her inside the aircar. "Do you also want to meet the keeper Piela stayed with?" She blinked. "What?" He repeated the question. "Tonight?" He nodded; aware she was still coming to terms with what he had said about her father. "I know the part of the citadel Harai would be staying. We'll go there first." Mari sat beside him. "Do you think he'll be able to tell us any more?" The Goddess hadn't revealed anything about Harai to him so far. Lucien was on his own. "I don't know." "Don't you want to contact him first?" "Harai chooses not to access any communication devices." He set the coordinates in the aircar. Outside the moon began to rise, casting an eerie red-yellow hue over the desert. Lucien gazed over the fine lines on her cheeks and nose. So close to being healed, she appeared even more beautiful to him. Her lips parted slightly at his assessment of her and she quickly returned to the view. One more day and she would be gone, forever. Hadn't he expected this? He dared to imagine being involved in her life. He had nothing to offer, aside from his heart. He smiled at his own naivety. In her world, love would not be enough. Love. When had that word come from? He shivered from the admission. Mari glanced at him, puzzled. "I should be terrified by such expanse yet I'm not. It's quite beautiful."

Glad she misunderstood his reaction, he said, "I've spent many nights outside simply watching the passing of time." Her gaze went dreamy. "You belong here, don't you?" "Surely you feel the same on Theron?" "Not really. It's a big, busy world full of people and buildings. Not many places exist where one can become truly lost. Here, someone could die if not careful." He didn't read too much into her words. Those same people were more than happy to return to their own comfort after a few days out here. "It passes." "Perhaps it does. I'd like to have stayed longer to find out for sure." Did she dream it as a fancy, or meant it? He sensed the latter, surprising him. "Few have said such words with any conviction." She seemed surprised. "Those who do, do they stay?" "Yes." "Do they leave later?" "None I know of. You either take to Namfel or you don't." She rubbed her hands together. Looking up, she asked. "Would you object if I stayed longer?" His stomach tightened as he tried to control the unease he felt. He didn't think he could bear it if she did. Sadness filled her eyes. "You don't want me to, do you?" More than anything. "You can stay at the main citadel. I will be able to arrange an escort to guide you to wherever you wanted to go." "Why not you?" Barely able to control his shaking hands, he clasped his fingers together. "We are not here to entertain and amuse others. We exist for one purpose only." "You think I ask out of amusement?" Flustered, she raised her hands. "Has it occurred to you I may want your company?" He really didn't want this to continue. "In what way, exactly?" Stunned, she leaned back against the wall of the aircar. "What am I thinking? I must be tired." His heart hammered against his chest. This is madness. "We can go back." "No." Mari returned to the view. The silent hum of the aircar returned. Why didn't he talk to her about how he felt?

Abruptly, she looked up at him. "How did your Goddess come into being?" An easier question he could deal with. "Our ancestors arrived on Namfel a thousand years ago. One woman entered the old city and never left. When searched days later, she couldn't be found." Warming to the story he sat, gazing outside. "The windstorms came a week later, and the buildings disintegrated until only a few large stones remained. No one goes there as we consider it sacred." He imagined the place in his mind, the tomb of the ancients it had been called. "Over time, as the population of Namfel increased, so did Her power." "To protect as a mother does a child." An apt similarity. "Yes, although you believe Her actions to be misguided." "I still do, but I want to understand as well." So few attempted to consider both sides of a situation. Perhaps she had to in preparation for her father's visit. She smiled wryly. "You already guess, don't you?" So it was to do with her father. He tried not to appear too concerned. "What will your father do, once he has considered our laws?" "My father will need to be convinced." She placed a hand over his. "I am not your enemy." Considering her reaction when she'd arrived, he admired the way she made an attempt to understand, even though she didn't agree. Her fingers interlocked with his. "Lucien, I will make sure nothing happens to your world or your people." That was the least of his worries. Fire trickled over his arm, threatening to burn his heart. Extracting his fingers, he looked beyond her imploring gaze. Lights in the distance meant he had to take the controls to alter course to the outer area of the citadel. "What low buildings." Used to the simple architecture, he preferred such practicalities over spiraling buildings that seem to fade into the sky. "The windstorms would tear the buildings to pieces." "Oh." "We're not too far away."

Six If Lucien thought he could hide his feelings from her, he was mistaken. Mari knew he wanted her to stay, yet fought against every need to ask her to do so. His face seemed so serene, but she knew better. How one could sense the subtleties in another after a short period of time had never happened to her before. Men wore masks in her presence, except during any act of passion. Then the layers gave way, revealing the true person. Some showed victory as they came to orgasm, others the pure enjoyment in giving pleasure in return. Lucien wanted so much more from her, as she did from him. Little time remained for her to discover if she should follow her heart, or her head. If only he will give himself to me. I know the answer for sure. The aircar moved to a narrow strip of lights, which ended up as a road covered in sand. "Don't be surprised if we see no one. It's late." They landed. She looked about. A couple of other aircars were parked nearby. "Is this mode of transport common?" "You didn't see much of the main citadel obviously." She hadn't, in fact. "I wasn't too lucid then." Had it been only a few days? It felt as if she'd been here far longer. The door of the aircar hissed open. "Harai lives here." Lucien knocked, a custom Mari found quaint and very old fashioned. A door opened. A white-haired man peered outside. His emerald eyes lit up at the sight of Lucien. "What are you doing here?" Mari could not take her gaze from him. Part of him existed as a shell, as if the inner fire had been taken away. "Can we come in?" Lucien asked. Harai opened the door wider. "Please do." Mari gazed around the room: small, comfortable and very homely. Mats lay on the stone floor. A low-level table stood in the middle, surrounded by cushions. "Please sit," he said, indicating the center of the room.

Mari adjusted a cushion and sat beside Lucien. Harai wandered to a nearby wall. With a press of his hand it opened, revealing ceramic bottles. "Water?" "Yes." Mari nodded. Harai poured water into three glasses. "I assume you are Mari." "Yes." "You knew Piela well?" She caught the pain his eyes. He had aided Piela, and suffered for doing so. "I did. She…" A lump formed in her throat. Harai handed a glass to each of them. He sat opposite and placed his trembling hands on the table. "I have lost everything I cared about, so I have nothing to lose. What do you want to know?" She'd not expected such an offer. "Did you bond with her?" He shook his head. "She loved another. In my own way I gave to her what I could." She swallowed. Clasping her glass, she asked. "Why did she come here?" "Piela suffered greatly when she arrived. She'd been coerced into a task she wanted no part of. I tried to find out what. Initially she feared for my life so I offered a compromise. I'd give her a crystal on exchange for the truth. I...still can't believe what she told me." Water spilled from her glass. Mari could not believe how tense she was. "What do you mean, coerce?" "If she refused, Suran would not allow her to marry Karn." Mari could not believe they were speaking about her own father. She wanted to retort, but Harai had no reason to lie. "You have heard of the ship, Liberty?" Mari focused on the question. "Yes. It became crippled after striking a meteor shower, and all the distress and navigation systems were destroyed. It took a week for another ship to find them. Most of the passengers had died due to asphyxiation. It's a miracle anyone survived at all, considering the air loss." "Your father was a passenger." The disappearance of Liberty happened before she was born. Her father hadn't even been married. He never spoke about it, but she had read the records. "I know."

"After that ordeal, Suran arrived on Namfel as did the four remaining survivors." That few. Mari didn't know about her father's trip on Namfel, and it must have showed. "According to Piela, the mind of your ship is sophisticated enough to manipulate all the memories on a single crystal, then store it for future use," Harai said. She placed the glass onto the table before she dropped it. "That's a far cry from navigating a ship." Mari looked at her half full glass, then back to Harai. "Are you suggesting my ship's mind was designed for another purpose entirely? How could that be allowed to happen? Only an engineer—" Her words trailed away. Harai nodded. "An engineer can communicate with the ship's mind and he can also alter the mind to do different tasks." She shook her head in disbelief. What was Karn meddling in? "Your father spared no expense to obtain a crystal. Whatever happened on the Liberty must have been terrible if your father wanted to return to extract and erase all evidence from it." Thirty years ago the disaster had happened. Wait. That meant the engineer wouldn't have been Karn. She put the question aside for now. What mattered now was—why now? Mari used all her willpower to remain calm. "There are hundred of crystals embedded in rock, all contain the same memories. If one crystal is altered in a particular cave, all of them will be." Lucien's fingers slid into hers, easing the throbbing in her head. Harai raised an eyebrow. "You aren't bonded, are you?" Lucien shook his head although his gaze fixed on Mari. "At least we know why Piela came to Namfel. I've been reluctant to mention this, but I believe the only way we'll find an answer is to take a crystal aboard Mari's ship." Harai looked aghast. "Are you a fool? You'll end up exiled as I am." Lucien rose. "Rest assured I'll not suffer such a fate." He gripped Harai's hands. "If I could reverse what was done to you, I would." Pain filled his eyes. "I'm sorry Piela's dead." "So am I." She followed Lucien outside before Harai saw the tear falling down her cheek. Brushing it aside, she climbed inside the aircar. Lucien set the coordinates. "I've seen other keepers suffer from exile. He'll not live a year."

A more somber mood filled the aircar on the return trip. The moon shone directly overhead. The pain in Harai's eyes would not fade from her mind. Did she want to have Lucien end up with a similar fate? He had aided her when he had no need to do so. He planned to take a crystal, and nothing she did or said would stop him. If she bonded with him, and he ended up exiled, she would be able to ease his loss. Was it her right to even try? She could not bear him ending up like Harai. "Do you want to stop?" A need to be immersed into the surrounding emptiness overtook her. "Yes." He landed on a small rocky peak. She climbed outside. The scent of lahar filled the air. She removed her cloak, letting it fall to the ground. Cold air seeped into her skin. Arms embraced her, warming her. A shift in his breathing sent signals to all the right places. Her core began to throb. Turning around, she slid her arms around his waist. He made no protest as she drew his mouth to hers. Mari should not be tempting him in this way, but she needed to know if she wanted to stay with him. With slow deliberation she deepened the kiss. A soft moan filled his mouth. Inhaling the lahar sent her skin to an awareness she didn't think could be possible. His body trembled as her decision took hold. Kissing him slowly, she savored the taste of him, lahar and aroused male. He cupped her buttocks pressing her against his hardness. Slowly she hitched up his robe while exploring his tongue. Would he stop her? Separating from the kiss felt like part of her had been torn away. He gaze became intent as he removed his robe. She flung her own aside, not caring if her nipples turned into erect peaks in the cold air. She burned inside and out. A slight breeze flowed over her skin. Lucien placed his hands over her shoulders as if attempting to stop her. She cupped his shaft, kneading his length between her hands. Emitting a low groan, he lowered his lips to her nipple. His other hand searched for her inner folds. Inserting a finger inside, he stroked her from her clitoris to deep inside her vagina and back. The combination of his tongue and fingers sent wave after wave of exquisite bliss over her body. Shuddering, she released his shaft. Kneeling, he motioned her to lie down. Moonlight cast shadows over his face, accentuating his nose and lips. His pale skin seemed to

glow. She raised her hand, running a finger from his nipple to the curls below his stomach, pausing slightly until she continued reaching the tip of his erection. A tiny droplet of moisture appeared. About to sit up and lick it off, he held her still. "Don't." He lay beside her, returning to her nipple. Little currents of fire scattered from her breast, down her spine to her dripping passage. He placed small kisses down her stomach to the vee between her legs. Opening hers wider, he plundered her with his tongue. The shift to such a penetration made her gasp for more. He nipped her clitoris, causing liquid fire to pour into her. She gripped his shoulders, indicating him to come inside her. Delving deeper with his tongue, Lucien gripped her hands, stilling her. She arched as the first wave struck. Moaning softly, she pleaded, "Come inside me." He paused. Will he refuse me? To her surprise he raised his head, his gaze smoldering. Releasing her hands, he moved upwards until his lips met hers. Slowly she eased a leg over his. No fool to her attempts, he released the kiss. "I'm not sure if I should continue." Please don't let him refuse. "Just inside me, that's all I ask, like we did in the bath." He propped himself on his elbow. "In the bath I could barely stop from breaking every rule that is held sacred." "I know." "A keeper knows who his bond mate is when he touches her inner fire. I had no idea it would be you." "Let it be. I want you be yours." The words had come with difficulty. Sadness filled his eyes. "You want to protect me against the Goddess' wrath should anything go wrong. I can't allow you to." As much as her body screamed to be satiated, she would not betray him. He scrambled to his feet, grabbed his robe, and slipped it on. **** As much has her words pained him, he could not force her to bond to protect him. The decision had to be unconditional. She climbed in behind him. "Maybe I've been hasty."

Those few words shattered him. Contemplating what could be a pointless exercise, he focused on what he had to do. How could he complete her healing when his body raged inside? He considered sending her to another keeper. Lucien smiled wryly. He could never imagine another man with her again, although it would happen eventually. She would find a partner to be her consort. "Don't risk your future for me," she said. "You can't stop me." Her touch on his arm burned throughout his body. "You don't have to do this." "Leave me, Mari." A rustle of her robe indicated she sat. The cave, thankfully, appeared. He wasn't sure if he could have endured the sexual tension that threatened to explode between them. The aircar landed. "Stay here." She didn't appear to protest as he opened the doors, thank the Goddess. Inside the cave, pink light pulsated with his heartbeat. He didn't need to choose a specific crystal, any would do. He eased one out of the wall. The air shifted, and the Goddess appeared before him, her dark hair cascading to her waist. Dark eyes filled with wanting locked onto his. "You are my strongest, yet she threatens to tear your heart to pieces." He paused, not believing what he was hearing or seeing. "You anticipated this moment." "I did and...I wish it could have been so different." Did he detect yearning? An embrace so deep took him, nearly bringing release. She let him go. Smiling, she faded. With all his strength, he tried to control the burning desire that threatened to consume him. "Lucien. Are you all right?" No. Go away. Mari reached his side. "I saw a woman. Was she your Goddess?" He turned around. "She promised you'd not be harmed if you took the crystal. Isn't that enough?"

An inner fire filled her eyes. "No more barriers or excuses exist between us. I need to know if you are the man I want in my life, and there is only one way to find out." "You don't know what you ask." "You need release. Come here." Those words he would have welcomed had they been said under any other circumstances. She indicated the bed. "Remove your robe and lie down." His robe fell to the ground. Removing hers, she knelt above him. He clutched the blanket beneath with his fingers as she lowered her head to the tip of his shaft. Sparks filled his vision as her tongue flicked over the head. He had forgotten how incredible a woman's mouth could be. Lowering her mouth fully onto him, he fought the need to come into her. He had to, else he'd not be able to leave her alone afterwards. She lifted her head. "This is for you, Lucien." Her lips lowered slowly over his shaft. Feeling the release take hold, he fought fruitlessly. Passion rose. Gripping the sheet he tried to stem the need to pour his essence into her. As if sensing his reluctance she sucked harder, cupping his balls at the same time. He jerked as white light filled his vision. He moaned as he spent his essence into her mouth. A vision of unity filled him as he ebbed into her, of Mari by his side. How long would they last with such disparate backgrounds? An impossible fantasy, and one he clung onto as the last drop of seed poured from his body. Licking her lips, she rose to her knees. "You taste of lahar." Exhilaration swept over him, but not before he looked at her fully. All her scars were gone. He sunk back onto the bed. Maybe he could refuse her. She was totally healed, now. Flushed with unrequited desire, she stroked his cheek. "I feel a sense of rightness with you. A risk, granted, but I know if I leave here, I'll regret it." I'm not dreaming. "I have no experience in politics or of worlds full of people." She implored him. "Let me stay to discover the Goddess, and you." Don't ever consider the possibility. She is affected by the seed she has swallowed.

"Do your keepers, whom you have as lovers, feel like this afterwards?" "Yes, but the connection is nowhere as strong." What had he said that for? "You never took me for granted, or tried to use my position as heir. I could love you, Lucien, and it scares me." Despair was all he could look forward to with Mari. "We are too different." She slid into the bed beside him. "Not in what matters." Cupping his growing erection, she kissed his lips at the same time. Fire flared between them as she deepened the kiss. Reason disappeared. She straddled him, pausing when her nether lips brushed the tip. Closing his eyes, he gripped her hips. Why fight this? I want her more than life. She took him in full and his hands fell to his sides. Contractions in her passage sent tiny shudders over him. A deep yearning uncurled from his heart to the seven planes. Fire rose from head to heart, through the solar plexus to the root. Lucien would soon find release into a place where he never imagined being. Unable to fight the need any longer, he asked one last time. "Are you sure?" Dreamy eyes gazed down at him. "Absolutely. I hadn't realized until now how much." His body tightened as the need to be her mate took hold beyond any reason. "Let me join us," she said. Gasping, he tried one last time to stop her. "Do you have any idea what will happen?" "No. Only I can't imagine not being with you." She moved up and down, slowly increasing the vibration of the seven planes. His penis hardened, making her sigh with pleasure. "That's better," she murmured. The crystals around the cave sung in harmony, emitting a low vibration which circled around him, releasing any hesitation that remained. A link opened as it did to the Goddess, only this time he sensed Mari. Nor is fighting what is meant to be between us. See? Opening her heart to him he saw her hesitation, doubt, and finally realization. She still

remained uncertain, but not as much as the surety of needing him beyond her desire to remain alone. He too, let the hesitation melt away. I need you, Mari, by my place of peace, my love in my hearth. She smiled as her face began to move into the familiar sensation of oncoming bliss. Release came in a fusion of light and colors. Mari existed inside his mind as he did in hers. The opening of the seven planes showed unity. A place where the Goddess existed, a wide deep and terrifying expanse he had experienced with the Goddess. Mari filled that space. Her innermost fears fed into him. Her outer calmness defied the inner need to find a partner, not only in love but also a guide to her life. Could he guide her in the way she wanted? Her face returned from the haze. Tears spilled down her cheeks, marring the afterglow lingering over her body. "Are you—" She nodded. "Why did I ever hesitate with you?" He cradled her in his arms. "Nor I." Deep inside doubt still lingered. He barely knew her, or what future they faced together. "You're worried if we made a mistake." Any connection between them would be strong, so much so that any inner feelings, given time, could not be easily hidden. "The Goddess believed we were destined. She is never wrong." "Really. Did she say that?" She playfully swatted his hand. "You should have told me in the beginning." Seriously, she asked. "Would it have made any difference?" He shook his head. "I couldn't refuse you any longer." She cradled her head into his neck. "Rest is what we need." Mari fell into a dreamless sleep. Lucien didn't find oblivion so easily. Still reeling from what he done, he feared his long term peace was about to be well and truly shattered.

Seven Mari knew it to be mid-morning before she opened her eyes. Her body, as did her mind, felt more attuned to her surroundings. No guilt surfaced. Her own feelings for Lucien became surer the longer she stayed. Other matters resurfaced. Ones she'd have to consider eventually. Would he survive her way of life? He had no idea about dealing with people in power. Looking at his sleeping face, she knew whatever happened, she would aid him. The impending meeting with her father would be a good start. He would have to get used to the idea of Lucien being around. Climbing out of bed, she padded to the bathroom. She extended her arms; perfect. Her legs were also healed. Running her hand bet ween the thickening hairs on her scalp, she smiled. She felt such a whole woman again. And it had been Lucien who brought her back. She sensed him as he stirred in the bed. Only now it occurred to her how much she needed another to feel truly complete. After slipping into the bath she closed her eyes and reveled in the new sensations. The sound of water moving brought her back. An inner strength radiated from Lucien as he slid in beside her. "I feel odd, like complete. This must be what the bond does." "Didn't your mother mention what would happen?" "Not being a keeper, she couldn't warn me. My father did, suggesting I'd experience it. Now I know what he meant." "What of your parents?" He settled further into the bath. "After we become keepers we tend not to see family often." "Why not?" "Our commitment is to the Goddess, then our bond partner, and children should we choose procreation. I am more than willing to defer the latter. I want to discover more about you first."

Mari had not even considered children, not for a long time. Fortunately, the royal line didn't require an heir until her father died. Being in his fifties, she expected him to survive at least that long again. His foot nudged her thigh. "I will enjoy the process to make you with child. I'm told the experience is quite different again." Mari trembled at the implication of his words. She really had committed herself to him, for life. It was going to take some getting used to. She decided to focus on a simpler pleasure. "My turn to wash you, I believe," she said, and closed the gap between them. "Turn around." She tilted Lucien's head until most of his dark hair was covered. With a gentle sweep of her finger she untangled his locks. Kissing him on the scalp, she breathed him in. "Hmm." She swept a lock aside to kiss his neck. He caught her hand. A rueful smile crossed his lips. "I'm afraid your father will be arriving soon." Forcing a sigh, she rose from the water. "He's not a patient man." **** Back in the aircar, he placed a black box beside her. She sensed a strong vibration from within. "It's the crystal, isn't it?" "Yes." After the aircar left the cave, Lucien removed the communicator. "Pualo. We're coming now." "Emperor Suran is not a patient man. When will you arrive?" "We will be there in less than an hour. Find some refreshment for him." He heard a brief chuckle from Pualo. "I already have. We'll be in the viewing room." Lucien smiled. "What's so amusing?" she asked. "The viewing room has the most spectacular views of Namfel. Many visitors have been humbled simply by being there." Mari wasn't so sure about her father. Few things unruffled him. She worried about her impending news about Lucien. She had not been entirely truthful in how her father would react. The aircar changed direction. "Look." Mari faced the direction he pointed. She had barely registered anything when they left the main citadel a few days ago. Now she did

notice. Buildings appeared, similar to where Harai lived, except for one spire, which looked flimsy. "Is that the viewing area?" "Don't be deceived by the so-called fragility of the structure. The wind storms pass right through the girders. It's not about strength, more of yielding to what is inevitable." She could imagine how one could feel totally isolated, even vulnerable in a place so high above everything else. "Father would be impressed by the analogy." "Most people are." As they drew closer, Mara got a good look at the structure. On each of the five pylons, four elevators were stationary near the base. A fifth moved upwards. She followed its path to a sphere near the tip where the elevator stopped. "Do we travel the same way?" "No. I have a space for an aircar. I come here often at night, after the elevators have shut down. It's quite an experience." She nudged his arm. "I'd like to join you next time you plan a visit." "I plan to do a lot more than watch the view with you." And he licked his lips for emphasis. She could imagine those lips kissing her whole body. "Stop it, Lucien." His grin matched hers. "Forgive me, but all want to do is spend a week with you, preferably in a bed, but I'd accommodate other places." She tried to control her growing arousal. On Destiny she had spent a week in constant heat hopping from one bed and man to another. She groaned, imagining spending the same amount of time with Lucien. A pity they couldn't start now. He cleared his throat. "Ah. Here we are." Reining in her libido, she focused on seeing her father. Anticipating him managed to dampen most of the remaining flames inside her. "You're nervous?" "You have no idea how much." "I think I do, and it's not to do with the crystal, is it?" "He's not going to approve of you." **** Lucien anticipated that. In fact, he dreaded seeing her father. His unease didn't lessen after he'd landed, or when he opened the side door to the viewing area.

A man stood, gazing out of the window. Tall and imposing, he cast an impressive figure in a deep blue robe. His dark hair revealed flecks of grey. Emperor Suran turned around. Dark eyes flashed at him briefly, softening as he reached his daughter's face. He scanned her from head to foot and back again. Awe filled him. "It's a miracle." She ran her hand over her hair. "A bit shorter than I am used to, but it'll grow." I like it no matter what length she chooses, Lucien thought. Suran walked towards her, not quite believing. "You look incredible." "I feel well." He embraced her. Releasing her, he smiled. "Are you ready to come home?" "Not yet." His gazed shifted to Lucien. "What ails her still?" "Nothing at all." Reaching Lucien, she slid her hand into his, giving a gentle squeeze as she did so. "I have chosen my consort." The gentleness in his eyes fled. "Impossible. You need a man who knows when to save a life and when not to." His gaze hardened on Lucien. "Piela's was a senseless waste and you condoned it." Lucien let go of her hand. "The rule regarding theft is quite clear. No exceptions." "Except Mari. I suppose I should be grateful there." The best approach to take when another refused to quell his anger was to influence them. Using the centre level of calm, he radiated the energy to the Emperor. Anger fled from his eyes, leaving sadness in its wake. "My question is why? Why did Piela do as she did when she knew the consequences, unless she had the means to ensure the ship would not be damaged?" His gaze fixed on Mari. "What did she tell you?" Lucien detected the strain in Suran's words. The man lied about Piela, played his ignorance to his own daughter, no less. After taking in a deep breath, Mari began, "Piela told me the memories of the crystal could be extracted from the ship's mind using a perimeter created by psychic energy. This process needs a Psychic Engineer."

Suran nodded. "Karn investigated the mind, and while in theory it could work, in reality the ship sensed the crystal's presence and considered it as a threat. He assures me the mind has been repaired. He also mentioned access to another crystal, which I refused. I'll not have any more die over what..." He glanced away. Lucien could detect inner pain masked within the lie. Suran's guilt had resurfaced as a result of the accident on the Liberty. What, Lucien dearly wanted to know. He ran his finger over his chin. He became more certain that whatever existed in the crystal would give answers to the accident. What would he find? Those same dark secrets Piela sought to reveal must be about Liberty. If so, Suran must have something to hide. One way to find out. It was time to reveal his plan to her father. "If I allowed another crystal on board, tell me how it would alleviate your guilt." Suran's face hardened. "What do you know of the accident?" "Piela told one of the keepers of your concern. He in turn, told us." Suran walked stiffly towards a sofa, and sat. "You have no idea how terrible the accident was, or what decisions had to be made in order to survive. I recall straws being drawn, and whoever extracted the shortest would have to die so the others could live." Mari slid her fingers into her father's as she sat beside him. Although a touching scene, Lucien refused to be fooled for a moment. "Every day we waited for an answer to our distress, and when it didn't come, another would be sent to his death." Suran closed his eyes, reopening them after a tiny shudder passed through his body. "On the fifth day, my turn came. I still recall the Captain's face as I removed the straw from his hand." As torn as Suran appeared, one thing made no sense to Lucien. "Why would an heir to the Empire be subjected at all?" "I didn't want to be seen to committing favoritism." Doubt grew in Lucien's mind. No one risked an heir. "I was twenty with no wife or child to abandon. I had a brother safely on Theron, who would succeed over me." Ah. Korza, the older brother. A man who asserted his right to the throne after the triumphant return of Suran from the accident. The man had become a General instead, a powerful position nether the less. However, no position could wield as much power as Emperor. Being second in rank would never been good enough.

Fortunately, the Emperor misinterpreted his reaction. "I know you are amazed, but it's true." Suran held his hand as if the straw still existed. "Fate intervened when one of the passengers saw another ship approaching." Careful not to make the same mistake again, Lucien asked. "Why do you want to access the memories?" "I don't want to have any record of that day remaining." So, he does want to hide what happened. Mari seemed at odds with his admission. "Weren't you welcomed back on Theron as a man who put another before himself? Didn't Korza concede he had been premature in his desire to take the throne?" "Yes, but I can't stop thinking about the others who could have lived, had we more faith in how soon we'd be rescued." Time to find out the truth. "I was serious about allowing a crystal on board. I want to see for myself what happened." Unease filled his eyes. "Surely your Goddess will not allow it." "She already has." Panic filled his eyes. "I'd rather Karn see this alone." Lucien had no intention of remaining absent. "The Goddess will not permit any crystal to leave Namfel unless I accompany it." Suran tensed. "You will end up witnessing everything Karn does." "Is there something you hide, Emperor?" Mari gasped. Lucien raised his hand before she had a chance to continue. "It is the will of the Goddess, not mine. If you take the crystal off-world, your ship will be destroyed." Suran rose, defiant. "What can stop me taking it now?" "Nothing at all, but the ship's mind will not survive." "Karn has repaired it," Suran said confidently. "It will not make any difference," Lucien assured him. Adding a little fear didn't hurt either. "You may come, but whatever you witness you will be sworn to silence. I'm not a good enemy to have." Lucien didn't care what he found. All that mattered was Suran would leave afterwards, and not come back.

Eight Mari didn't believe all her father's story. It made no sense to recall and then remove memories from such a painful event. His behavior bothered her as well. Her father appeared to want to hide the truth, not reveal it. "We're in the correct orbit," Karn said over the intercom. "It's safe to come aboard." The ship felt like a place from her past. Had she changed so much since meeting Lucien? Karn waited for them to enter. Surprised at seeing her and Lucien, he didn't cover it quickly enough. "Lucien will attend you," Suran said. He bowed to the Emperor, glancing briefly at Lucien as he did so. "As you wish, my lord. The ship's mind is ready. This way please." Vibrations from the crystal in the open box resonated in the small room beside the ship's mind. A grey wall was the only visible barrier to this room. The mind lay beyond. Slowly she sensed thoughts, no more than a distant hum in her head. It had to be Lucien's doing. Don't look at me or try to communicate with me. No one must suspect. Mari kept her gaze steadfast. She wanted to ask how this was possible. He indicated the crystal. Its energy gives me what I need to link to you. Karn placed his hand over a smaller crucible. The lid slid open. Inside, blue plasma rippled. "Place the crystal in here." Lucien carefully lowered the crystal in place. It hovered in mid air. Karn closed the lid. "The crystal is now in a miniature perimeter field. I'll now connect it to the mind."

With great care, Karn placed the crucible next to a depression. A tiny compartment slid open. Two thin wires protruded, touching the crucible on either side. Blue lines formed, encasing the crucible. Karn stepped backward, as did her father. Go to the door, Lucien warned. She was about to answer when she remembered to remain silent. Mari stepped back until her back touched the closed door. The humming increased like music: wild and discordant, yet symmetry existed. Mari had never experienced anything like it. Experience all my love. I'll explain later. The words my love made her want to smile. She caught herself in time. Karn closed his eyes, concentrating. She could detect him assessing the ship's mind for any distress. So far there didn't appear to be. Random thoughts came in as fragments. A wave of despair as a woman discovered her lover had another; a man who had lost his brother in an accident; an old man who had lost his son. Such sadness. Don't let their thoughts affect you or I'll have to break the link. She pretended in be at an enquiry where she steeled herself from the emotional, focusing on facts only. Her father leaned against the wall, his expression stony. Karn appeared to be in a fugue. The search continued. Time seemed to become irrelevant. The stillness of the room shifted to one of mild tension. Mari, concentrate now. Lucien appeared ill at ease. Wait. The interior of a navigation room appeared. "I have it," Karn whispered. A hiss escaped her father's lips. He can't sense anything, which means he must have told Karn what to look for. Mari wondered how deeply these two men had plotted this whole escapade. The vision continued. Hands removed a plate, placed a small chip between two components on a circuit board. After replacing the plate, the hands disappeared. It was as if she were in the mind of whoever walked away from the console.

A vibration shook the ship. Other faces appeared in front, a woman whose eyes were full of worry and a man who tried to reassure her. Another man ran past, dressed in uniform. The vision spun about and she saw the same man as he ran into the navigation room. Lucien closed the gap between them, placing his hand on her shoulder. I don't know who this person is, yet. Karn's face remained expressionless. Her father glanced at him several times, anxious. If only she knew who the hands of the saboteur belonged to. The survivors arrived on Namfel. I should be able to identify who they were. The person who caused the sabotage ran with the other passengers who were genuinely afraid. They headed for an emergency hold, a place where they strapped in and sat until the all-clear was given. Seats on either side of the narrow room soon filled with people. Mari scanned the face of each survivor, unable to recognize any of the men or women. If only a mirror existed, where she could glimpse the man's face. I have them, your father being one, obviously. Surely he didn't cause the damage to the navigation unit, forcing the ship to stop moving. She swallowed. Or did he? If so, why? Lucien inclined his head to her. When Karn returns to us, leave the room. She opened her mouth. Don't speak, just do as I ask. I'm going to scan for other memories. It might cause some problems with the ship's mind. Mari gripped his arm. She didn't want him to risk his life. Too late. He went into a trance. Karn opened his eyes. "I've lost communication." He glanced at Lucien, stunned. "What's he doing?" Mari asked. Karn glanced wide-eyed at the blue fire. "He's taken over." Mari backed away. Karn briefly slipped into a trance, then returned to consciousness again. "We have a slight problem. I suggest you both go to the shuttle in case we have to leave in a hurry." "Did you find all the memories of the five survivors?" her father asked. Karn shook his head. "Lucien is keeping the mind stable so I can find the remainder. We'll not take much longer. Now go."

Mari watched the door close on their faces. "This is most irregular," her father muttered. Mari didn't know what to say. Could her father be the one who sabotaged the cruiser? If so, why? She couldn't insult him by speculating. She had to keep the question general. After all, she had to pretend she saw nothing. "What was Karn searching for?" Her father made his way towards the shuttle. Mari followed. "There were five people who could have sabotaged the cruiser. I have to know who the other four were." Relief flooded over her. Her father wasn't guilty after all. "You and Karn are investigating a murder?" "I've never felt comfortable with the findings of the enquiry that the navigation system was faulty. It had to be more, so I asked Piela to steal the crystal." She paused in front of the airlock to the shuttle. "Why did you—" and nearly added—threaten her with disallowing her marriage to Karn if she refused. "Use Piela? She protested of course, but I knew she would delve deeper. I'm not surprised she'd find other information to incriminate me, should I renege on my promise." What was this? "What sort of promise?" "To allow them to marry on her return." She couldn't believe Piela would threaten anyone. "She's not a blackmailer." "You didn't know her did you? Piela wanted more than befitting her station. Being your friend, she made sure she never aroused your suspicion." "I don't believe it." "It doesn't matter, now." He spun around. "Wait in the shuttle. I'm going back." "No. I'll come with you." The ship lurched, causing her to stumble against her father. "Stay here," he ordered. This time Mari didn't argue. She would wait until he was out of sight first, then follow. ****

Lucien steadied himself. Karn gripped the nearby seat. Forced from the trance, Lucien had no need to return to the memories. He has what he needed. "You knew, didn't you?" Karn nodded, shamefaced. "I wanted to wed Piela and join the royal household. I offered to destroy the evidence." His voice began to choke with emotion. "I'd have done anything for her." It began to make sense. "Steal a crystal, take it to the ship, record the memory of the accident, and use it as insurance against Suran." Karn seemed unsure as to what to do. "What will you do?" What indeed. "What do you plan to do? I'll not tell him of your plans, so you're safe from me." He seemed relieved. "Suran will suspect you know the truth." Suran had nothing to fear from him if he left Namfel immediately. Mari mattered beyond all else. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Mari." "I suspected you might. You and she seem very close. Too close, I suspect, to lie to her." Mari had seen too much as it was. "I'm afraid so." Karn gazed at the crucible. "What do you plan to do with the crystal?" Lucien removed the crystal from the crucible, and placed it back in the box. A plan formed, one where her father could never bother Namfel again. "For a start, I'll take this back to the cave. It will remove the memories from the other crystals." Karn visibly relaxed. "No evidence will remain." Lucien had ensured no memory lingered in the ship's mind either. "The proof is in our minds. I suggest we come to an arrangement with Suran." Karn eased an eyebrow. "We?" "Will you feel safe back on Theron, now you know Suran did this to win the throne over his brother?" Defiance filled his gaze. "Why not?" Lucien opened the door. "Subordinates who share dangerous secrets about their masters never live long." Lucien met Suran in the corridor. "Isn't that true, Emperor? Those who knew secrets are at risk by others?" Suran seemed to digest the hidden meaning of Lucien's words. Mari appeared from around the corner. Her eyes widened in delight. "Lucien. I thought—" Her gaze returned to her father. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"He has, and I think it time you told her." "Father? Did you find out who—" His gaze said it all. "Why?" "To win the throne over my brother. If I appeared to be a savior I knew my brother could be ousted by popular decree." "And you allowed people to die? How could you?" He shrugged. "A level of sacrifice had to be made." Fury rose within her. "So you could rule?" "Yes." "It's time for some negotiation, preferably back on Namfel don't you think, Emperor," Lucien said. Suran looked surprised. His gaze narrowed again. "I was wrong about you. You know how to play, after all." Unperturbed by the compliment, Lucien said. "You have no idea of the kind of people who arrived on Namfel. It's a side of business I've found unpleasant and necessary." Cool confidence radiated from Suran. "With you as my daughter's consort, you'll need all the skills you have attained to face others like me one day, all with their own agendas. I wish you well." Stony silence filled the shuttle on the way back to the citadel. Mari refused to sit or look at her father. Lucien knew she would have to deal with him, and soon. **** Mari could not believe what her father had done. Games of politics were one thing, allowing a ship to lose most of its passengers was murder. Only after they had landed and taken the nearest elevator to the viewing area did Mari look at him. "Why did you allow so many to die?" "I wanted the throne, and the only way to get it was to appear as a hero." "Regardless of the sacrifice you made?" He took a step towards her. Mari backed away. Her father looked at her with anguish. Mari pressed the advantage. "I'm curious. How did the rescue ship appear at the same time you were about to die? An extraordinary coincidence, don't you think?"

Her father straightened. "I arranged for another ship to deliver some goods to a planet near where the accident would happen. Perfect timing, I thought." "Isn't it," Mari said acidly. He blanched at her tone. "I wasn't entirely honest with offering to be a sacrifice. I waited until I heard the signal on a portable communicator, then I offered." Mari spat the words, "You disgust me." His old arrogance resurfaced. "I've shielded you from the worst of what I have had to deal with, since you don't appear to have the strength to deal with it. Why do you think I tried to find a suitable consort for you, one who could deal with the uglier side of rule?" The list of suitors she had received were all invitations from men who had been given favors by her father. Why hadn't she been more observant? And Lucien. What did he think of her father's admission? She asked him. "I'm sure I'll manage, given time, that is, if succession is what Mari wants." Did she? "I don't know, Father, if I end up like you." Her father clenched and unclenched his fingers. "You can't be serious." She sat on the sofa, her hands in her lap. "There is my uncle. Korza could succeed, or there is my cousin. Haris is a bit young, but give him a few more years and—" "Enough!" He walked to her side. Looking down at her, he said. "Korza is not one for diplomacy. And Haris, I can't believe you even mention him in the same breath." She would not be intimidated. "I'll have to think about it." "Do you want to rule, or do you prefer the quiet life of Namfel?" he asked acidly. "As for wanting to succeed or not, perhaps when I am able to forgive you, I'll give you my answer." Which will be a long time in coming. Both Lucien and Karn looked in disbelief. Her father appeared as if struck. "Surely you'd not seriously consider giving up everything or a life...here." "You have her answer, Emperor. I have some terms I wish to discuss," Lucien said coldly.

Arrogance fled from his face, leaving a defeated man in its wake. "What do you want to negotiate, Keeper Lucien?" "I'll take the crystal back and remove all evidence. In turn, I don't want you back on Namfel for any reason." He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. "I am grateful your Goddess allowed the crystal to be removed. I underestimated Her before, as I did all of you." "Don't be fooled by an act of reason by any or us. As for the Goddess, she protects Namfel and us, not you." "She still decides who lives and dies." "The reasons are entirely different." Her father inclined his head. "Perhaps the reason is, but the outcome is the same, isn't it? Kill to protect one's own." Whatever twisted logic her father wanted to believe in, Mari decided to have no part of it. She could barely contain her anticipation in seeing him leave. "I'll keep my part of the bargain." Her father rubbed his hands together. "It's time I left." She watched him go to the elevator. A side of her father she never imagined existed had been brought home to her. She had met others of the ilk her father spoke about, ambitious men and women who would trade their souls if it were possible to satisfy their own selfish needs. Mari rose and wandered over to the window, staring across the expanse of desert. The sun had begun to set, casting a deep red hue across the landscape. "The Goddess is not the same as father believes." Lucien slid his arms around her waist. "The Goddess protects her own and warns others not to commit folly. Her rule is simple and consistent." He turned her around to face him. "Don't decide after you can forgive him. That may be never, but in the meantime, take your time in deciding if you want to give up any rights to be his heir." She caressed his cheek. "Don't worry, my love. He'll live a long time yet." "The guilt won't last long," Lucien warned. "It never does in those who discover they'll get away with it in the end." "You allowed him to, which is all you could have done." "Only so he'd never bother us again, and I hope he won't." Mari hoped for the same. "He does keep his word." "And I keep mine."

His hands strayed to her hip. "I thing it's about time I put my other promise into practice." She looked around the observation room. "A week in bed. Hmm. I don't see one in here." Releasing her, he wandered over to a wall. Pressing a lever, a bed lowered. "I spend nights here and believe me, I don't choose the floor." He sat and patted the mattress. "Come here." A tingling sensation raced over her body. Lucien licked his lips. "What am I imagining?" She let out a low moan. His tongue dancing over her clitoris, then— The image abruptly vanished. "I have one you'll not need to imagine. Move over." Removing her robe, she lay on the bed. One leg over the other, she began to run fingers over her nipple. Fire flared from her nipples to between her legs. She lifted a leg, exposing her nether lips to Lucien who opened his mouth and closed it again. After sliding her finger between her folds, Mari went in deeper. Soft waves of desire began to uncurl. She had brought herself in front of so many men, but never did she feel so turned on as she did with Lucien watching her. Lucien reached her side and slid a finger into her vagina beside hers. He leaned over to lick a nipple. An undercurrent of energy ran from her from nipple straight to the sensitive spot deep inside her core. She arched back not believing how close she was. "I have so many variations to show you, my love." My love. She loved to hear those words. With gentle pressure onto her sensitive spot the first wave crashed over her. "Lucien, more." He didn't cease moving his finger. "I want to hear you cry my name again." Her body went rigid. "Oh...my, Lucien." Another orgasm tore through her. Her skin sizzled all over. "No more. Not this way." Releasing her he removed his robe. "Where do I want to begin?" Mari shuddered in delight as she imagined all the things he planned to do with her. "Tonight is my turn, the next is yours. I want you inside, now." He lowered himself onto her, teasing her legs apart as he did so. Widening to accommodate him, he slid in. A soft moan escaped her lips.

"Who said I was going to give you respite during the day?" And lowered his mouth to hers. Mari had no idea now long she could endure such heavenly bliss, and cared even less.

Nine Mari opened her eyes to a vivid blue sky. For a moment she forgot where she was—the viewing room. She extended her hand outward, but felt no warmth from the other side of the bed. Where was Lucien? Slowly she propped herself onto her elbows. Even the link between them felt fuzzy. Was it the after effects of the bond? She sensed him nearby. Lucien? Why didn't he answer? Slipping on a robe, she padded towards the window. The red sands almost pulsed with life. The Goddess of the Wind was there. She could sense Her now. Turning back, Mari made her way to the aircar. Perhaps Lucien was there. The door slid open. His expression grim, Lucien rose from the seat nearby with the communicator clasped between his hands. "I only just heard." An image of a ship being blown up briefly flashed in her mind. She didn't need to know whose ship it was. Her knees threatened to give way beneath her. Two strides later, Lucien reached her side. She steadied herself, using his arms to do so. "When?" she croaked. "They were entering the airspace around Theron when the accident happened." Accident. "No." She shook her head. Lucien gently released her. "The only thing I can think of is something went wrong with the ship's mind." A frown crossed his brow. A twitch in his jaw hid what she knew to be a deeper sense of unease. Surely he didn't think he did it? "It's too much of a coincidence," Lucien said. Puzzled, she waited for him to continue. "I'm sure the mind was healed when we left he ship." Never has she seen him so uncertain. "Lucien. Rather than assume you had a hand in it, let's find out what happened." The words even

sounded odd to her. Her father had died and she was trying to convince Lucien not to assume any guilt. The seeds of doubt took form. Surely Lucien wouldn't commit murder, not even the Goddess would be so inhumane. Would she? Mari really didn't know what the Goddess was capable of. Too late the thought escaped her. "You believe the Goddess would do such a thing?" He lifted his hand from her shoulder. "We should go." She tried to search his thoughts, but he'd put up a screen. "Don't. Not until I know what the cause was." The calm that had descended upon her, shattered. Lucien had been easing her pain. Now it came back, starting with a tightening of her chest. Fighting the urge to be sick, she gripped a nearby rail inside the aircar. "Mari. We must go to the where the ship was…damaged." Fighting nausea, she sat, and cupped her head in her hands. A gentle and firm grip on her shoulder, and the pain faded again until all that remained was a hollow ache. She could think clearly again. "We have to go to the ship." "Yes. We need to leave now." He turned to the console, and the aircar moved. Slowly the hollow emptiness deepened. The link between them returned as a fuzzy haze. She could no longer read his thoughts. "Don't do this." He turned around. "I must, until I know for sure." His gaze held pain. "I'm sorry." "Wasn't the bond meant to share and share alike?" "Until we can trust each other with our darkest secrets, we will never be fully bonded." Surely she had committed to a lifetime with him, hadn't she? "What do you mean?" "I can't trust you with my thoughts, not yet, and until I can, we will not be able to—" He shook his head. Now he tells her. Now that it mattered, he did share his doubts and concerns. "I shared with you when I doubted," she said. "Yes, but you accidentally let me see your last thought. You had intended it to remain hidden."

"I see," she whispered. She had, hadn't she, but it had come as an automatic reaction. Surely he didn't mean every thought? The fuzziness cleared for an instant. Only those that are our darkest secrets, he said into her mind. Then the fuzziness returned. Mari didn't like it, but what choice did she have? If he needed to determine his innocence first, then she had to let him. She leaned back on the seat, rested her head against the wall, and closed her eyes. A low moan escaped her lips as she recalled the harsh words she and her father had shared just before he left. Why was I so— Another undercurrent of energy came from Lucien. Taking in a deep breath, the last of the nausea disappeared. I shouldn't be feeling like this, like I don't care. And you won't, not when the time comes to grieve properly. She almost begged him to free her from his influence, but he was right. Now wasn't the time to fall apart. It then occurred to her, how were they were going to get to the ship? She asked aloud. Lucien gave a wry smile. "We have ships of our own. Not everyone on Namfel prefers to remain here." She briefly recalled Harai, and how he had been separated from the Goddess. Surely the same would happen to Lucien should he leave Namfel. "Aren't you in danger if you leave here?" "Not for a brief time, no." He looked at her face, then down her body. From his gaze, he wasn't looking at her with desire. "You'll need to change." She looked at her disheveled robe. Of all the things he could think of at a time like this. Appearances are important, her father had said. Never let anyone see you at a disadvantage. She took in a deep breath. For now she had to take the healing Lucien offered, otherwise she would drown in a sea of grief. "I've arranged suitable attire for both of us at our ship." Lucien sat opposite her. "I suggest we keep our relationship a secret for now." Don't withdraw into yourself, she said into his mind, but he wasn't listening. Then the last few words he'd said finally sunk in. "Why?" "We should maintain any advantage we have. I'll be there as a witness, as will you. We reveal nothing more." He leaned back, and stared out the opposite window.

Already he held a veneer of calm, so much so it unsettled her. Veneers. More than once she had seen them in people whom she had trusted. She thought she had known Piela well, and her father. Not so it seemed. Nor Karn, for that matter. All had surprised her with their deceptions. She swallowed. Dead, where only hours ago I had turned my back on him. Mari and her father had always been close, and so many times he had said to her that it gave him no greater pleasure than to see her succeed him. With no brothers or sisters, the choice had not been difficult. However, there were other contenders. Korza, her uncle, for one. How would he see this development? Would he be pleased? Stop it, Mari. He cared about your father as much as you did. Focus on the facts, her father would have said. Determine what to reveal and what to hide. Now she would have to put such advice into practice. In the past she had taken care with her answers, but had never actually lied. Now the repercussions were far greater. Or were. With the information about the Liberty erased from the crystals and the mind of the ship, the secret could stay buried. Couldn't it? After all, who needs to know the truth now? Mari turned to look outside. The sun already began its ascent over the red sands. Layers of pale red-yellow light interspersed with dark shadows. She should be savoring this moment, the first day she and Lucien were truly together. And yet, already the barriers were raised. Lucien leaned forward, took the controls, and lowered the aircar to the nearby spaceport. A row of shuttles lined a path. Behind one large stone building she saw the ship, partly obscured. Mari had trouble visualizing this as a port at all. The whole place looked more an abandoned town. Lucien parked at the end of the row. Another shuttle descended behind another building further over. It soon disappeared. "They are newcomers to be taken to the caves," Lucien said in a tone no more than that of a commentary. He was hurting and would not let her in. "See the ship over there?"

She blinked, aware a tear had clouded her vision. The ship didn't look all that sleek, or fast. Close up it looked like a standard cruiser, and an older model at that. The door of the aircar opened and Mari climbed out. Not a sound could be heard in the air. It came as a surprise, but it shouldn't have. Lucien had said the sands yielded to the movement of the shuttle— another gift from the Goddess. She walked towards the ship. Definitely an old cruiser class type, a version that had been discontinued on Theron a decade ago. As they drew closer, she blinked again. Did she see shimmering around the hull? "The essence of the Goddess," Lucien said softly in her ear. "Her energy enables us to take off and land without needing to be a good distance from any of these buildings." His warm breath and his closeness made her want to lean into him. She was about to when a short man with shoulder-length dark hair man appeared from the airlock. "Lucien, please. We are ready." "Pualo," Lucien said. "Mari will be accompanying us." He nodded briefly. "As I presumed." He stepped back. "Your cabins are ready." Separate cabins? "Whatever for?" "We must appear not to have any relationship, remember." Even from here? Surely he was being extreme. "I don't care. I need you, not a facade." Pualo averted his gaze and took a step back. "We will arrive near the site within a day. You know the way. I'll be in the pilot room." How could that be possible? This kind of ship would take days to travel such a distance. Was the shimmering hull the reason? If so, how did the Goddess power a ship away from Namfel? Her head spun. Did it matter as to how? It meant only one thing. Their technology was far more advanced than she imagined. Briefly she wondered if the ship had weapons. These types never did. Then again, why would they need defenses when they had a Goddess to kill intruders to Namfel? She had to assume this ship would be able to defend itself away from Namfel as well. Lucien indicated a door further down. "You can change in there. I'll meet you in the pilot room." With that, he opened the door to his room, and was gone.

She reached her cabin, and closed the door behind her. She barely made it to the bed before the tears came in earnest. So many people had died due to her father's secret. And now he was dead, too. Extending her hand towards the red robe on the bed, she ran her fingers over the soft cloth. It was thicker than what she had worn on Namfel. A pity she didn't have some of her own clothes to wear, but all her possessions were either shredded by the Goddess or destroyed in the imperial ship. She removed her crumpled robe. Naked, she looked around. A shower looked good about now. Pressing a nearby button, another door slid open. Some things appeared similar, no matter the kind of ship. Another dial and the water jets streamed from the walls. The warmth felt good, as did the sense of being cleansed. From his touch? Not Lucien, not ever. A tear fell down her cheek and mixed with the water. Too many people she cared about had died so suddenly and so recently. It became too much to bear. Another tear fell, then another. Shivering, she let the loss well up at last. The water burned into her skin, and she welcomed it. A tendril of red fire trickled into her mind, easing the ache in her heart. She knew it was Lucien. She had never needed another as she did now. "Mari," Lucien said through the opening door. "Please." Was he here? She opened her eyes, and through the steam saw his concerned gaze. He does care, no matter the doubt he harbors. How could she think he didn't? Such feelings couldn't be turned off by a switch. He stepped in, ran his finger down her damp arm, sending a sliver of heat in its wake. He removed his hand. She wanted to embrace him, lose herself in their passion, but was determined to keep the facade of being separated. **** Her nakedness distracted him terribly, and as much as he wanted to lose himself inside her, Lucien stepped back. "Get dressed. I'll wait outside." The disappointment on her face made him waver. In one way it was better to keep this distance, until at least he could prove beyond a doubt he had no part in the ship's destruction.

As he waited outside, other scenarios raced through his head, some that could put him in the clear. For a start, what if there had been a missile attack from another ship? Unfortunately, the message from General Korza indicated no external influences. Whatever had caused the explosion had occurred within the ship. Again he went through with what he did with the ship's mind. It had resisted some of his probing, but nothing that would give cause for alarm. Karn had had difficulties due to his over-enthusiasm in cleaning up too many pathways of memories. Lucien had ensured some fragments were restored for the sake of continuity. As a result, the mind shouldn't have suffered any damage, but it must have, or the ship wouldn't have blown up. If only he knew what fragment caused it! Lucien had to be patient. Soon he would have access to the mind, then hopefully he would find the truth. A slight hiss made him look around. Mari exited. Her dark hair, now dried, fell to just past her shoulders. He reached out to lift a lock of her hair away from her forehead, but she forestalled him. "Shouldn't we go?" Lowering his hand, he took the lead. Mari followed silently behind towards the pilot room. Pualo looked up from the screen before him. "We have another communication from General Korza." From his grim faced expression, and the previous conversation, Lucien suspected him to be a man determined to seek out the truth. Lucien indicated the only seat to Mari, who sat. "General Korza," she said. No intimate greeting at all, Lucien thought. Did that mean their relationship wasn't as close as he assumed? "Mari," he said, his voice barely hiding his relief. "Keeper Lucien said you were safe. Now I see you with my own eyes how well you are. It's nothing short of a miracle." "It was a miracle. I—" "I wish we were meeting in more favorable circumstances," Korza interrupted. "For now I'd like you to show you what remains of the ship." The scene on the screen changed. Debris, caught by reflected sunlight from the sun around Theron, drifted past.

Not a man for pleasantries either, not even with his niece, who would have liked not to be pressed so quickly into witnessing such destruction. Mari's knuckles whitened. "It's very distant. Can we get a closer look?" "I'll magnify." The updated image made Mari gasp. Lucien would have as well, had he not stopped himself in time. From here, one would think they were alongside the debris. What a mess. A seat floated alongside other debris. A bed drifted by, followed by a small metallic sphere. "That's the casing of the ship's mind," Mari said, her voice strained. "It looks undamaged." "I'm afraid not," Korza said. "The other side has a large crack in it. There was a fading blue light but it's disappeared." The energy of the mind, Lucien said into Mari's mind. She looked up at him. Don't show you've heard. We can hide our conversation this way. "Another engineer has arrived. Adan. He will be analyzing the damage to the mind." "Are you sure that's wise?" Mari said. "We need to make sure the mind, or what if left of it remains stable. I can't think of any other way to do it." Lucien wouldn't have taken such a step. For a start he'd have made remote contact. He put the suggestion to Mari. She repeated the question to Korza, who turned away from the screen. Another person they couldn't see. "Adan has tried that. All he receives is static." More careful than Lucien thought. That was a good sign. "Will the mind be safe on another ship?" Mari asked. "There isn't one on this ship. Never trust them frankly. This proves my point." If there were a mind on Korza's ship, why wouldn't it be safe? Lucien asked. It's dangerous to expose the mind to another, especially if one is damaged. Oh. How many minds are out there?

Several. Each long haul ship has one, usually, except for the military. He couldn't help but sense the irony in that. "I plan to place the mind into a sealed room. If an explosion occurs the room will be jettisoned." "Including anyone who is unlucky to be in it," Lucien muttered. Korza's icy blue gaze hardened. "Adan will take precautions. He is very competent." "He is, Lucien, all the engineers are," Mari said. Karn seemed to know what he was doing, too, except near the end where he struggled to return the mind to a stable state. Lucien had had to take over. "I'd like to see the mind as well," Lucien said, not confident at all about the engineer's ability. "Please, General," said a voice off-screen. "I'd be honored for Keeper Lucien to assist." General Korza hesitated, looked back to the person off-screen then back to them. "I know of the keepers and their ability to heal minds. If you don't mind, I'd like Adan to look first. Then you can assist." To the point and all. "I'd like a summary of what Adan witnesses," Mari said. "As you wish…Emp—" He hesitated. A ripple of tension arced across her shoulders. "Empress is a little premature. General." "Your father is dead, you are the heir. It is wisest to acknowledge this as quickly as possible," Korza persisted. Lucien didn't expect him to be so willing for her to take over the throne. Surely he was interested? "I'll decide what my plans are after I return to Theron," Mari said. Her tone was even but Lucien knew better. She must be recalling the moment when she had told her father she would never leave Namfel. Then again, no one expected his ship to blow up, either. Did he sense a slight smile across Korza's lips? "You still aren't completely sure about rule, are you?" Mari pursed her lower lip. "No one is truly ready for when it happens to them, are they?" "Certainly not in circumstances such as this." Korza rose. "I'll transmit the rest of the image of the ship and—" "No. I'll see it after I arrive."

A slight twitch on his jaw betrayed his calm response. "I have removed the bodies. They have been transferred back to Theron." Her gaze remained intent. "I would have liked to have seen him." "Its better you didn't. Not much remains." Korza saving her from pain. Lucien hadn't expected him to be so considerate. Mari rose from the seat. "We'll talk later," she said, and cut the transmission. Lucien followed. "What now?" "I need your advice," she said in barely a whisper.

Ten Mari didn't want to be here. She wanted to pretend none of this happened, and wake up from a bad dream. Except she was very much awake. "You don't have to rush anything," Lucien said. "I know that, too," she said, and fell into a brooding silence. So much to consider and she barely managed to keep her act together. Just a little longer, then you can fall apart. The most difficult decision would have to be made, and soon. Who would succeed her father? She had the right, but did she want to? All these years of preparation didn't help either. She had found another life, simpler in many ways, and yet richer. So much existed on Namfel that she could discover. Or, you could end up frustrated and bored. Once, she had believed that, but the brush with the Goddess and what she experienced with Lucien when they bonded had changed all her perceptions. Not everything revolved around complexity and power. The simple existence of being could in its own way be as equally challenging, possibly more so. I don't have to make any decisions, yet. She could defer it until after she reached Theron. In fact, the thought of taking over as Empress left her uneasy. "What about in here?" He indicated the small galley, which they had almost passed. Mari looked around as if uncertain of where she was. "That will do." She sat, and he took a seat opposite. "I think you should rest. You'll need to have a clear mind when we arrive," Lucien said. He was right, but another, deeper issue lingered. She didn't need to read his mind to guess what it was. Lucien feared she would return to Theron, and he had every right to be so concerned. She placed her hand over his. A thrum of energy pulsed between them.

"If I must, I'll return and take over the throne. Not forever, just long enough until I decide on a successor." Tension built up in his fingers. She retracted her own hand. "I can hardly hide now, can I?" Too late she realized how those words must have sounded. If Lucien noticed the inference, he didn't show it. "I'm not suggesting you hide anywhere. Just think twice before you make any decision." "I have to think of the future of Theron." "Who else is there to choose from besides General Korza?" Lucien's quick thinking caught her off guard. She recovered quickly. "Haris." "Who is he?" "Korza's son. He isn't in a position to manage such a responsibility, yet. Twenty-five years old, but he needs more coaching, and not all by his father." "Why not?" "He needs a more balanced view of the world. Seeing justice done by punishment and being in interrogations is hardly a way to cultivate a leader to handle diplomacy." "Only if he knows the difference between a fair punishment and an unjust one." She thought about that. Haris didn't always agree with his father. Maybe she was being too blinkered, after all. "What about Korza as Emperor?" She shook her head. "He takes a harder line than my father when it comes to negotiations. Korza also punishes swiftly." "I've done my fair share of hard decisions as well, Mari. Sometimes, it's the only way. Maybe one day I'll tell you what they are," he added more softly. Surely he couldn't harm… Of course he could, through the Goddess. Once, she had considered Lucien's ways barbaric, still did. How can I be so rational at a time like this? I'm aiding you. She wasn't sure to be grateful of annoyed. The image of the tears in the shower seemed to be as if from another woman, not from her at all. Lucien's gaze of concern made her regret even contemplating being ungrateful. "I'm sorry. It's —"

"If I can ease the pain for a little while it's the least I can do." Dear Lucien, you are my rock in such a time. "Anything, you know that." She knew he meant every word. It made her want to walk around and hug him. She did just that. His familiar scent enveloped her as she slid her arms around him. How she missed this closeness, and they had not even been apart. But you could be if you choose to take the throne. You can't force him to come with you. He cannot survive away from Namfel. Lucien ran his hands over her back, teasing the folds of her robe. She cupped his head, leaned over and brushed her lips against his. He did say for a short time, though. That meant he had some means of doing so. These latter thoughts descended into oblivion. With gentle exploration she delved deeper into his mouth with her tongue. Such wondrous delights to be lost in such a simple kiss. All her pain fled, leaving only the sensation as his tongue explored her mouth. His hands cupped her buttocks. She pressed closer to him. Warmth flooded over her body, cocooning her. Mari felt as if she no longer existed on the ship, but somewhere else entirely. The colors returned, not as strongly but in a pattern of delight that she wanted to lose herself in more deeply. Then the tiniest seeds of doubt began to grow. Of the death of her father and how it might have happened. Blame that it could be Lucien and yet-. Alternatives came too quickly for her to grasp their meaning. The colors shattered. She blinked as the room returned. His breath unsteady, Lucien gripped her shoulders and gently pushed her away. A heartbeat later, Mari understood why. His doubts were filling into her mind. The fuzziness returned, with a loud snap. She winced. Lucien swallowed, and the ache fled. "I'm sorry." Damn him for doing this to both of them. "I don't believe you caused his death." Yet a tiny part of her remained uncertain. It could be due to the lingering doubt fed by him, or possibly her own. Either way, the barrier had returned. "We need to remain separated, until we have found the truth." As Lucien rose from his chair, he said. "Can you ask if the mind can be left as is until we arrive?"

She tried to hide her disappointment. "I doubt Korza will grant it. He likes to have all the facts at his disposal before allowing anyone else to interfere." "I'd hardly call it that." "He would. Lucien. I do know him. He likes control and will only relinquish it when he has no other option at his disposal. Not even I can sway him." She cupped his hands. "We have to hope Adan makes no mistakes." He teased her hands with his thumbs. Little rivulets of energy shot up her arms, straight down her spine to her core. Dear Goddess, I want him so. Eyes aflame with fire, and wanting, he let her go. "I'll return to Paulo," he said, almost with a sigh. "Do you want to come?" Space is what they needed and for his sake, she shook her head. "I might stay here awhile." **** Lucien tried to imagine her as Empress and him as her consort. He had hoped years would have passed, not a day. With time, he was sure she would have truly wanted to stay. Duty to her empire was his enemy now. He cursed silently. Why had he allowed her to bond with him? Don't be stupid, Lucien. You'd do it all over again with no hesitation. He refocused on the facts and, in doing so, the burning in his groin receded. Firstly, he wasn't sure how he would survive away from Namfel. The politics didn't concern him. No, it ran deeper than that. If he left, the Goddess would not be a constant presence to him. The Goddess had promised he'd survive a short time on Theron, but would it be enough? And if so, what would happen if Mari stayed longer? What would it look like to the people of Theron if he suddenly had to leave? What if he stayed on Theron? He would become like Harai, separated in a way that would be like a living death. No. For her sake it was better to not go at all. A tiny part of him tore inside. He winced at the lingering ache. Would this be what he'd suffer as a result of setting her free? Lucien left the galley and passed her cabin door. He forced himself to keep walking, straight to the pilot room.

Pualo turned around in the seat. "I've received the remainder of the transmission from General Korza. There isn't much more, aside from what we have already seen already." "What have you found?" he asked Pualo. "Not much." Lucien leaned over to see the screen better. A small shuttle moved between debris. "That is the recovery vessel for the mind," Pualo said. "Korza said all the bodies have been retrieved first." Not too much remained worth salvaging. "How many people were on the ship?" "Five, including Tallis, Suran, and Karn." "Who were the other two?" "Security." "Do we know anything about them?" "No. They would be the General's men, so it's unlikely they'd have sabotaged the ship." Already Pualo contemplated scenarios. "I agree. Suran would have been careful with who he chose." "What of Karn?" "In what way?" "You mentioned this morning your concerns regarding his safety. He knew about Suran's secret. It's possible they had some kind of argument and an accident happened?" Lucien had briefly thought that also. "The kind of accident we are talking about would mean deliberate damage to the ship's mind." Lucien ran his hand over his chin. "It's a foolhardy thing to do, and besides, why would Karn need to? The information was erased from the crystal, so there isn't any proof." Pualo wasn't finished with him yet. "You said Karn still remembered. Is it possible he could have placed the memories back into the ship's mind, but something went wrong?" Trust another to take such a leap. He was definitely too close to think as clearly as Pualo. "It's a long shot, but it's possible. I presume if Karn did, it was to protect himself should there be a risk to his personal safety later on." "You might not have caused the explosion," Pualo said. A sense of relief flooded over him. It brought what could have happened into perspective.

"It's only another scenario," Pualo warned. One Lucien was quite happy to cling to for the moment. "I have some news you won't like. The mind has been taken to a special room and the engineer is looking at it." "You're right, I'm not, but Mari warned me as such." "We could go faster?" Lucien picked up the humor in Pualo's tone. "Aside from explaining how we got there so fast, we'd still be too late. All I can hope is the engineer doesn't damage it further." Pualo turned around to face him fully. "From my last conversation with Korza, I have a feeling he's a little afraid of you." What is this? "How so?" "After you left with Mari, I made up a reason to contact him again. A word carefully placed here and there helped. He believes what happened to Mari is a miracle, pure and simple." "We've healed others who have been physically damaged." "Not anywhere as often as mind damage, and certainly not a high profile figure." "It changes nothing." "To you it doesn't, but who knows what the reaction will be like on Theron, if and when she returns," he added quickly. Pualo had a point. What would their reaction to her, be? "Now you're thinking. Take this a step further and imagine what people would make of you." While most people appreciated what the keepers had done, they left for their homes and continued life as normal. Others were not so easy to get rid of. They began to worship a particular keeper, and some even tried to form a cult. These people were enticed back to Namfel where a slight manipulation of their mind was made. A rare and desperate step, Lucien had performed on more than one occasion. Pualo also knew of the stories. "I can assure you, we'll receive a flood of people in the next few weeks who will want to see the miracle man who healed Mari." Dear Goddess, he hoped not. "We've had this happen before. All we have to do is send them away." "Nice try, but on this occasion, from what I have read from the newsfeeds, the windstorm had also made news. The crash of the shuttle as well. All this plus Mari's miracle cure have ensured a heady cocktail,

on Theron in particular. Some already see Mari as someone who has been touched by the Goddess." Surely not. "How did information about the windstorm get out?" "How do you think? There were other ships in orbit at the time. One of them would have reported it." "With sophisticated tools, no doubt, one of more of those ships would have tracked the shuttle going down to Namfel as well." That wasn't good, not at all. "Can you be certain?" "No, but the news is out, and of Suran arriving there as well." Not a good mix at all, but if he played it down and took care with who came and went to Namfel, people would become bored and eventually find other things to focus on. "Why not use your position to advantage? A stray thought here and there should have the desired effect." It took a moment to realize that Pualo was serious. After all, he had done so with Suran, even only a subtle coercion to diffuse his anger. Maybe, and just maybe, he might with Korza, but only he had no other alternative. Adan on the other hand, was a different matter. "I'll think about it." "Think about what would happen if you go to Theron, too." He hoped not. "That's not certain by any means." "I'm good with what if scenarios. Someone has to be." All he wanted to do was find out why the mind malfunctioned. "I'll keep it in mind. Now, how soon can we get there?" "Without arousing suspicion, we could reduce the time by four hours. Makes it slower than some of the more sophisticated craft but there isn't a law that says we can't modify existing ships." "Good man." What to do with the remaining few hours? Lucien wished he hadn't been so insistent in keeping separated from Mari. You need to focus, remember. Instead, he stayed with Pualo and searched all the recent newsfeeds. There were a lot, in fact, most on the shuttle and the subsequent storm. How Mari survived garnered the most interest. Words like: miracle, touched by Goddess, keeper's incredible sexual abilities to heal, and everything in between. Tied of the repetition, he said, "What about something useful like records on Korza, the ship and especially anything to do with ship minds."

"Tried that," Pualo said. "Not much at all, except for some scant information on Korza." Lucien read through the summary. Not a lot, as Pualo said. While General Korza's methods were at times heavy handed, when it came to interrogating political enemies, he fought to protect those he believed to be loyal. At times he even disagreed with Suran. Their relationship overall seemed close, very close. "Loyal, I would say," Pualo said when Lucien had finished. "A good ally to have." Not if he ever found out what Suran did to him. For Mari's sake, Lucien would make sure Korza never did.

Eleven Lying on her bed, Mari tried to rest, but her racing mind refused to let go. Speculation led to exhaustion, both physically and mentally. She desperately needed sleep so she could be alert for the meeting with her uncle. Korza would not miss a thing, especially her relationship with Lucien. It wouldn't surprise her if her father told him about their relationship on the way back. A subtle vibration came as a reassuring reminder of Lucien's presence. Despite this, a tiny part of her regretted what she'd done to him. To drag him so soon into her world wasn't what he wanted. She wasn't a fool. He didn't want her to return to Theron, ever. How could one accident change her life so much? If it was an accident. She had to consider all possibilities. But not now. Sleep. She used the red haze and the comforting presence of the Goddess to drift off into the world of dreams. Slowly she drifted into a warm place, one she felt so safe. Nothing could find her here. In no time, she opened her eyes. How long had she slept? It felt as if only an instant had passed, yet from the clock on the wall, it had been hours. Another benefit of being connected to the Goddess. It made her wonder what else she could be capable of. How powerful are you? Maybe one day, you will see, came the reply. Any remnants of sleep fled. The Goddess had never spoken to her before. Mari looked around the cabin, unsure if she had imagined it or not. "Mari?" It was Pualo over the intercom. "We are docking." She scrambled out of bed. "Coming." ****

They left the ship via shuttle. Less complex than docking, but more importantly it meant her uncle wouldn't be able to 'accidentally' board their craft. As they entered the ship, Mari's initial calm began to waver. Say nothing until you know what to say without fault, her father used to say. Good advice, she decided. Korza smiled warmly. His blue eyes were just a little misty. He clasped her hands in his. "You are definitely a miracle." Only when Lucien appeared, did Korza release Mari. His mouth opened slightly, before he closed it again. Mari could not believe what she witnessed. Korza had never been so struck by silence before. "Thank you for saving her," he said, words thick with emotion. "It's what we do, Lucien said, "despite the newsfeeds that think we are miracle workers." Annoyed, she glared at Lucien. She believed it was a miracle, no matter how he wanted to play it down. Korza caught this as well, for he smiled with bemusement. "Modest as well. It seems you have many faces, Keeper Lucien." A flight frown across Lucien's brow gave away how unprepared he was for that comment. The bemused smile fled. "This way." Lucien gave Mari an uneasy glance. She shook her head, indicating she had no clue as to what her uncle meant either. They followed Korza down a short corridor. The lighting was bright and the walls a pale silver. Standard fare in a military ship, built for defensibility and speed. "We have set up the room with the mind at the rear. Adan is in there now." "Has he found anything?" Lucien asked. A brief flash of annoyance crossed his face, and it took Mari a moment to realize that it wasn't directed at Lucien. "There are fragments only, which is extremely odd." "Might I talk to Adan?" Lucien asked. Did she detect resignation on her uncle's face? "It can't hurt for you to see him." "I'm sure I can aid in some small way." Don't be condescending, Lucien.

Who said I was? You need to learn some subtlety. It might have worked on Namfel with my father, but Korza is of a different ilk. I've found being direct tends to be most effective. She almost said the words, Not in my world, it isn't, but managed to stop herself in time. Adan sat at the head of the small table in an adjoining room. His long hair was tied back and his face was pale. Adan's breath hitched when his gaze locked onto Lucien. His eyes widened briefly. "Lucien, Adan." Korza said. Korza placed his hand on Mari's arm at the doorway. "You can't go in." It looked pretty cramped anyway. A couple of containers, about the height of her knees, but little else, except for a large box near a machine of some kind. Next to that was a sphere. It had to be where the mind was enclosed. "Lucien can read human minds in the capacity of a healer. I presume a ship's mind would be simpler?" Korza said. "A ship's mind isn't all that different, intellectually at least. Emotions are beyond it and—" Adan paused. "Sorry, this would be elementary to you." "Not at all." Lucien walked in and sat on the nearest container. "Please, tell me what you have found out, even the tiniest detail will be invaluable." "Not a lot to say, yet. I began four hours ago but am as mystified now as I was at the beginning." "In what way?" "All I have found are memory fragments. Nothing is in sequence and there isn't sufficient memory there to even develop a sequence of events." That bad. "Might I try?" Lucien offered. "I'd be honored," Adan said. "Surely you need more information," Korza said. "If there are any remnants worth salvaging," Lucien said, "I'll find it." Can you link to me so I can see what you see? Too dangerous. She tried not to show her disappointment. Lucien had relayed to her what happened in Karn's presence. Why couldn't he do so this time?

We need to be in the same room, and there is no chance that Korza will allow you in with us. Of course, what was she thinking? Mari nearly answered out aloud, but caught herself in time. The door closed in front of her. **** Lucien wasn't entirely truthful when he said he couldn't show her as well. Anything he found that could incriminate him, she would see as well. At least this way he could censor it first. As for Adan, screening out selected information from his memory would be tricky. Lucien would have to influence him so as not to recall anything that could incriminate Mari. Hopefully he wouldn't have to. "Show me what you saw first," Lucien said. Adan closed his eyes and projected an array of memory fragments: A younger Karn talking to an older man about navigation; Karn boarding the ship for the first time and traveling with the mind as the engineer. He caught other fragments, all of Karn when he was younger and all relating to specific situations on the ship. "No recent memories," Lucien concluded when the last image faded. "All recent memory, including his time to and from Namfel, has gone. As you can see, his older memories are all fragmented." "Have you encountered anything like this before?" Lucien asked, glad they had not come across anything incriminating Suran either. "Never. Have you?" He had repaired minds, even as badly damaged as this. It took time, and the methods of healing were entirely different. Not all patients could be healed using sex. Heeding Mari's warning to be subtler, and the fact Korza was listening to every word, Lucien took care with his answer. "Occasionally we have aided a person with a severely damaged mind, but its difficult work." "Do you have any suggestions?" Korza interrupted from the intercom. Not yet he didn't. "First I'd like to look at the mind for myself, but before I do, I have some questions." "Go ahead. Please," Adan said. "For a start, what memories are kept on the ship's mind?"

"Specific things are recorded, such as trip details, any variations, problems and so on. From what we have seen, there's nothing unusual." The engineer would want to be pretty accurate, and selective as well, not only in detail but what to keep and what to remove. It wouldn't be easy. "No thoughts from other people?" Adan frowned at him as if had said something really stupid. "Not possible. Only the engineer's thoughts, and even then it's discretionary. I would hardly like my personal details to exist on the mind." That, Lucien could well imagine. Adan continued. "No one else has the same level of awareness to attune to the mind, aside from an engineer." He smiled briefly. "Of course, you keepers are an exception." "I've not had contact with a ship's mind." A lie Lucien hoped he could get away with saying. Adan didn't react in any way to imply he suspected different. "Tell me. What is it like dealing with a human mind?" A question he was asked often. "Whatever work is done on Namfel benefits others. The last thing we need is to have people think we are miracle workers." That kind of gift belonged only to the Goddess. He was only Her vessel. "You are too modest, but I can appreciate how people could think otherwise. I presume you get your share of fanatics?" he asked. "Yes, we do." If Adan expected more detail, he'd be disappointed. Adan glanced at the intercom, and nodded once. Lucien could guess the implication—some conversations were best continued at another time. Not if he could help it. His purpose here was to determine what remained on the mind and what didn't. More importantly, convince himself there was no cause to this disaster on his part. "I heard about your Goddess. She saved Mari, and as much as I'd have to say it, her recovery is a miracle to me," Adan said. "Can you two get a move on?" Korza said over the intercom. Adan rolled his eyes ceiling-ward. "Yes, General." Lucien smiled briefly. Adan was smart, very smart, and discreet too he suspected. He almost felt bad with what he was about to do next. "We should begin," Lucien said. Barely hiding his annoyance, Adan took two thin wires and placed them on the sphere. The familiar blue lines formed a cocoon.

Sorry, Adan. Lucien dived in, nearly staggering in the process. The mind really was in a dreadful state. He certainly hadn't left it like this when the ship left Namfel. A swirl of red haze swum around Adan, who couldn't even speculate as to the cause of the damage. Probably just as well. He wouldn't want to know the Goddess had a hand in this. The haze formed a barrier, immobilizing Adan. Visualizing sand, Lucien scraped, took, plundered and snatched fragments, so many in a sea of random thoughts he could have drowned had the Goddess not aided him. Lucien tore through the memories layer by layer. Pieces of the incident on the Liberty remained, while other fragments were gone. It was like having a memory returned, but with some bits missing. What had Karn done? He backtracked to the communication room on the Liberty where the signal was sent, and where it had failed. Further back he went, and saw one of the survivors. He looked like Karn, but it wasn't him. A relative? Don't stop now, go back further. It was the Goddess. The image went fuzzy. He pressed on until he saw Suran with this man. They appeared to be arguing. Where were they? He tuned in onto Suran, who said, "You have a son—" Suddenly the memory became fuzzy. Leave now, shouted the Goddess. He flinched, and in doing so, broke contact. The room came into focus. Adan shook his head, looked up with puzzlement in his gaze. "What happened?" Thank the Goddess he couldn't recall. He will in time, now leave this ship and return to ours. Lucien rose. "I need to take a break." "We all need a break," Adan said, frowning. "What are you doing?" Korza said over the intercom. Ignoring the question, Lucien left the room. He nearly ran headlong into Mari. Korza followed close behind.

Calm down, he reminded himself, you want to walk from this ship, not run. "My apologies, I found…I'm not sure what I found. We'll return later and try again." Korza barred his way. "If you found anything at all, I want to hear it now." "It's all a jumble. Not a thing makes sense." It was the truth, in a fashion. "He's right," Adan said from the doorway. "I'd like to think about what I saw as well." "We'll discuss this now," Korza insisted. Mari placed her hand on his arm. "No," she said. "They need respite. We can convene in an hour to talk." Korza's jaw tensed. "This could be a murder investigation, and—" Did he think she didn't know that? "I'd not press this if I were you. It's my father, remember, who has died. We all want to know how, but if these men need a break, then they will have it." "You are not the only one who cared about my brother." "Please, one hour, that's all I ask." "One hour then." The hardness fled from his blue eyes. "Can you stay a while?" "Maybe you should," Lucien suggested. After all, you have the benefit of me masking the worst of your pain. All Korza has to keep him focused is finding out the truth. Give him time with you. I'm not cruel, you know. "Yes. I will."

Twelve It had been a long time since she'd seen Uncle Korza. To be truthful, she didn't have too much in common with him and as a result visited occasionally, and always with her parents. Dear Goddess, how will Mother deal with the loss? "Would you like some refreshment?" Korza asked. Food was the last thing on her mind. "Just a drink." At the galley, he handed her a glass of water. "You know what, Mari? The moment I saw you on their ship, I sensed a change in you. It must be the healing process. When Suran returned all those years ago, he too had the look of serenity about him." "You can't help but be changed," she said, glad the calmness lingered. "Tallis has gone there and been transformed. He was—" Korza turned away, but not before the tiniest teardrop formed in his eye. "I never saw a man so changed." Mari wasn't sure what to say, or do, so she sat there. Never had she seen Korza act with so much emotion. "What plans do you have now," he said. It's too soon for this. "Must we discuss this now?" "It must be I'm afraid." He sipped from his glass. "Despite the words you had with Suran before left Namfel." A tightness formed in her stomach. How much did her father tell him? "Your father disapproved of Lucien being your consort." Her heart thudded too loudly. Didn't she suspect her father would have told him about them? "Yes, he did." "Despite that, he was impressed by the total lack of fear he had. Not many people can be in a room with Suran and say the things Lucien did." How much had Suran told him? Certainly not the incident about the Liberty, but it seemed pretty well everything else. "I'm sure he will handle the council on Theron quite well." That surprised her. "How could you possibly deduce that?"

"Look at how self-assured he is. He isn't worried at all about facing the mind, nor is he concerned about me. He's certainly blunt about what he wants and then, in the room with Adan, he became quite elusive. An impressive combination." She didn't let it go to her head, but did feel some pride in how he chose his words when with Adan. "What do you plan?" Since he was going to persist, she said. "Believe it or not, Lucien has no interest in power, and I…I'm not sure what to do." There. She had admitted the truth at last. He sipped more water. "Perhaps, but whatever you both decide, make it sooner rather than later. Few would ever dare cross paths with Lucien." "He's not dangerous," she protested. "Many believe the Goddess performs miracles and the keepers are held in great reverence, despite their methods of healing. Don't underestimate the power he has." "It's what he does. Look at the number of—" "The fact people survive isn't under question. Think about perception instead. After all, what were your thoughts about keepers before you arrived on Namfel?" Mari hadn't given it a lot of thought then. When Piela had ended up there, she had been intrigued about their sexual practices, and not a lot else. A hint of warmth filled her cheeks as she recalled herself and Lucien in the bath. "I must admit, the types of healing they used intrigued me." Korza chuckled. Strained, but the smile he gave her made her remember he rarely smiled. All serious again, he continued. "Don't worry. When Suran returned he told me how the healing process works. Quite a method, using sex and meditation, but it works." Desperate to shift the subject to something less personal, she asked, "What are you getting at?" "My real interest is in the crystals. Suran didn't mention them, which I strike as odd." It light of recent events, it came as no surprise to her. Did she want to deal with this? No, let Lucien do so, after all he knew a lot more about their function than she did. "You can always talk to Lucien about them."

"I plan to, but I thought I'd ask you first." He lowered his tone. "They are used in healing damaged minds as you know. I wonder if it's possible to use one on the ship's mind. That is, if Lucien and Adan don't get anywhere," he added as an afterthought. She couldn't play the I don't know what you mean bit. He was too clever for that. "You want me to access a crystal via Lucien?" He placed the half-full glass on the table. "Only if nothing comes from the investigation here." Liar. He wanted to try the crystal anyway. "I can ask." "You do that." He seemed about to ask something else, but closed his mouth instead. "What else?" she prompted. "I have a feeling the ship Lucien came on is a lot more technologically advanced that it looks." Digging, digging. This was the man she knew. "In what way?" "The energy readings are far higher than normal for a ship of that design." A thought that should have been obvious came to her. How could the power of the Goddess exist beyond Namfel? Did a crystal exist on board? "I honestly don't know." And she didn't, not entirely. "You don't trust me, do you?" That mesmerizing stare made it impossible to lie. Her father had said it used to be akin to a spell. "I don't know." "A good answer." The mesmerizing gaze lifted. "When my brother returned and received the adulation of the people, I was furious. Here I was, as well trained as Suran, but the incident on the Liberty made him a hero." He smiled wryly. "Now I'm relieved. I'm better as a General than as an Emperor. Suran is far better at diplomacy than I am, or should I say, was." It had been her opinion, too, but she never imagined he'd admit it. "The Liberty was a blessing in disguise for me." If you knew the truth, you'd not think the same way at all. "Then again, I've not ruled out my son." What could she say? Be honest and tell him that Haris wasn't ready? "What is it?" She told him.

"He's changed in the last year. I've hired a good coach to teach Haris about diplomacy. It's not an area I'm all that good in. You should see Haris some time. You'll be quite amazed." All of this was too sudden for her. "I'll think about it." "We need to get together as a family again." The warmth in his words seemed genuine enough. "I'd like that." **** Lucien? It was Mari. What is it? Korza knows about us. Lucien wasn't sure what Suran would have told Korza. He didn't know what their relationship was like. It wasn't the main thing that concerned Mari. What did you see? Ah. What he had seen in the mind. Are you on you own? Korza has stepped out for the moment. He showed her the fragments, one by one. The silence at the other end finally gave way to a gasp when he showed Suran with another man aboard the Liberty. Flavel. What? The man you saw is Flavel, Karn's father. He didn't see the connection. Was there one? What were they up to? she asked. I don't know, yet. Her mood shifted. One other thing. Korza would like to go to Namfel and use a crystal on the ship's mind to see what is wrong. That is, if you don't succeed otherwise. Silence. Lucien? Despite not wanting Korza anywhere near Namfel, he had to admit the idea had merit. Lucien could tell that Mari sensed he held something back. There's more, isn't there? Not everything was erased. What wasn't? The memories on the ship before they left Namfel. Don't worry, Adan didn't find them.

He sensed her initial fear of that happening, change to puzzlement. I saw you erase everything. I believe Karn fed the mind after the ship left Namfel. Is that possible? As Harai said, an engineer can communicate with the ship's mind, but can also alter the mind to do different tasks. Go a step further and you have memories erased, or added. He felt her concern rising. That means the mind could be full of falsified images as well. There could be lies about you. Lucien considered it unlikely. It takes a lot to change memories and ensure a sequence exists as well. Relief flooded through her. A moment later he sensed tension again. Why did Karn do it? Subordinates who share dangerous secrets about their masters never live long, he had said to Karn. Perhaps it had been to ensure his safety. It could be insurance. Blackmail? He could sense the shock in her voice as she thought it. Surely Karn wouldn't do anything as stupid as sabotage and then blow the ship up. I don't think so either. Where to from here? I might take up the suggestion of taking the mind back to Namfel. I'll see you soon. The more he learned, the more mystified he became. A faint beep on the intercom in his cabin made him look at the time. Had an hour passed already? Lucien made his way back to the meeting room. "Lucien. Can you start with what you saw?" Korza asked. "Fragments only, I'm afraid, but not of recent memories. Most of the pieces I saw were from Karn in the past." Careful not to mention the incident with Flavel he said. "I caught one fragment, of an older man who looked like Karn." "That wouldn't surprise me. Flavel brought the mind into existence," Adan said. Lucien gave a puzzled expression. Korza nodded briefly to Adan. "Tell him." "A mind is empty of thoughts until assigned to an engineer. The engineer is like a parent. He trains the mind from the beginning and stays with it for several years until the mind has enough capacity to navigate a

ship, control air, food and everything else that is vital to the passengers. It has enabled us to reduce the crew to a minimum." "If that is the case, why do you need an engineer?" "Not all ship minds have engineers, only those ships that have important guests on board." "And those that don't?" "Not everyone trusted an artificial mind to be in full control of a ship," Korza said. "I'm one of those people. No military ship had a mind. We prefer to rely on people." As he had said before. "I see." Still, he had to admit, to create a mind from nothing would be quite a feat. "It's common for an engineer to stay with the same mind until the engineer retires, where he hands down responsibility to his son. It's an honor to be in a family of engineers," Adan said, barely hiding the pride in his voice. "However, a succession can take place in other, more tragic ways," Korza said softly. "I presume this doesn't happen often." "Except those that have left Namfel with an unauthorized crystal on board. They usually end up totally destroyed," Korza said, not hiding the undercurrent of disquiet in his tone. Lucien wondered when Korza would come to suspecting him. "The Goddess protects Her own. We make no secret of the consequences if a crystal is taken." "Blame achieves nothing and I'm surprised that you have hinted at the route. Shouldn't the facts be on the table before any accusations are made?" Mari said. Adan looked at the table. Korza's gaze never wavered. "A fair point and one I've not ruled out." Mari pursed her lower lip. "Why not get Flavel?" she asked. "After all, he created the mind." Good thinking, Lucien thought. "He's on extended leave," Korza said. Mari and Lucien looked at each other in surprise. A hesitation in his reply indicated to Lucien that Korza was somewhat embarrassed about not having Flavel with him. "He retired after Karn took over. It's not unusual for him and his wife to disappear for weeks, traveling from one planet to another."

"Doesn't he have a way to be contacted?" Mari pressed. "Surely he'd want to know what happened to Karn." Korza winced. "Unless he contacts us, we are on our own." He shook his head. "Poor man. He's going to take this very badly. As for his wife—" Korza shook his head. "It's a terrible thing for any parent to lose a child." Lucien sensed a deeper meaning in Korza's words. As gently as possible, he asked, "In what way?" "Let's say that Flavel never felt comfortable working with the mind he created." "Why ever not?" Korza hesitated before answering. "I never found out the reason, only that Flavel told me the day he handed over the mind, he never wanted to go near one again." Despite the pause, Lucien was convinced Korza didn't know. "Did Father say anything?" Mari asked. "Suran would refuse to discuss it," Korza said. "And you know well, when he makes up his mind there's no changing it." Mari smiled briefly. "He was stubborn at times." Lucien thought back to the image he saw of the two men arguing on the Liberty. There had to be a connection there.

Thirteen Mari had met Flavel only a couple of times, the last after he retired. When he'd handed over the mind to Karn, he'd appeared to be greatly relieved in doing so. He didn't elaborate then, and Mari didn't think any more about it. Perhaps there is more to this after all. Might as well give Korza what he wants. Lucien said to Mari. "I suggest we take the mind back to Namfel and use one of the crystals." Korza glanced at Mari with the Did you convince him look? She smiled briefly. Let him think it was her doing. Korza could barely contain his excitement. "When?" "We can return to Namfel now." Korza rose. "Suits me." Lucien followed Korza out of the room, Mari close behind. "I'll go in my ship. You can follow," Lucien said. Korza paused in the corridor. "Out of curiosity, do the crystals collect the thoughts of your patients?" Mari gave Lucien a warning shot. Careful with what you tell him. I always am. "Trace thoughts, no more than background noise." "It would aid us greatly in determining if the crystal has any effect on a ship's mind," Korza said. Don't worry, Mari. I can make sure they don't discover the truth. "I look forward to seeing one, "Adan said. Lucien didn't answer. "And you, Mari," Korza said. "I presume you plan to go as well?" A hint to imply he'd not need anything further from her at this time. "Yes." "We'll see you there." Mari and Lucien returned to the shuttle. Only after they'd left, did Mari realize how tense she had been. "Your uncle misses nothing," Lucien said. "I know." And that was what bothered her.

"It won't matter, as long as we keep him and his trusted colleague, Adan from anything important." She hoped so. They docked soon after. After the airlock closed behind them, both made their way to the pilot room. Pualo turned around in his seat, eager for news. "What happened?" Lucien briefed him. It didn't take long. "Surely they don't think one of our crystals caused it," Pualo said. "Korza is looking at all avenues, which is to be expected," Mari said. " "We plan to use one of the crystals," Lucien said. "Oh. Is that wise?" "Most definitely. Using it will enable me to delve deeper into the mind." "I thought you used the mind to manipulate the crystal?" "I need to record what I see." Pualo nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense." He tapped the console. "I have one more question." "Go ahead." "What about Adan? He'll see everything you do." Lucien seemed quite confident about him too. "Adan can be rendered unconscious if need be." "Surely that would arouse suspicion," Mari asked. "Not on Namfel. People react in different ways when they come to Namfel. Passing out is quite common." "Can you really render a person unconscious by will alone?" Mari asked. "Anything to do with the mind, we can repair, manipulate or remove." She shuddered at the prospect of having such ability. "We don't, of course, unless it's absolutely necessary," Lucien assured her. Was this one of the darker secrets Lucien had alluded to earlier? For the first time she understood why Korza appeared just a little afraid of him. "After we have found the truth, hopefully Korza will leave us be," Pualo said.

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Lucien said, looking directly at Mari for the first time. She didn't feel any fear at all, only a yearning in her heart to have things return to what they were after they bonded. Soon, my love, this is important. "There is one thing you haven't answered. The succession. Forgive me, Mari, but if you do decide to return to Theron, are you aware of what will happen to Lucien?" "He cannot survive for an extended period without the Goddess." What was Pualo saying? That he could die? "He could die if away too long." Paulo said. What? She took a step forward. "How long?" "A few weeks." Dear Goddess. She hadn't known that. Lucien seemed undeterred. "The Goddess is with me on the ship, or a part of Her is, at least. I can survive some time on Theron if I have a ship nearby." The grip loosened. "How much longer?" "A few months," he said, but his time his tone lacked conviction. It left him too vulnerable should the ship be damaged in any way. No. She couldn't make him stay with her. "You must stay behind," Mari said. It hurt to speak the words. His determined gaze made it clear what he thought of that idea. "Until we find out exactly what happened on your father's ship, I can't let you out of my sight." The ache faded, leaving serenity it its wake. The Goddess spoke. He will not die, Mari. Mari stumbled where she stood. Lucien reached her side in moments. Strong arms supported her. "She has spoken to you again." The pleasant sensation slowly waned, leaving her quite dizzy. "What did she say?" Lucien asked. Surely he heard? Didn't he? He will not die, Mari, she said into his mind. Gently, he released her. "You see. She will not allow harm to come to Her own, at any cost." She knew all about the cost. "Like destroying my shuttle?" Why did I say that for? Pualo turned away quickly. "I can never expect to be forgiven for that," Lucien said gently, "but when the Goddess offers protection, She will, at any cost I'm afraid."

"I'm sorry. It—" What is wrong with me? I accepted his Goddess and now I act like this. "You should both find a seat," Pualo interrupted. Mari did so. The ship moved so slowly that she barely noticed at first. "The Goddess saved our world more than once from being ravaged," Lucien said from her left. "We would not be where we are now without Her." "We'd not exist at all," Pualo said. "We'd be overtaken, raided, and plundered. Is that what you would prefer?" "Enough, Pualo," Lucien said. More softly, he added, "Do your want me to tell you what happened?" You chose to bond with him, even live with him on his world, she reasoned. Yet another part of her, now that she had seen Korza, brought her back to reality. Had she wanted to escape from the day to day grind that awaited her back on Theron and had used Lucien as the means? No. She loved him. Or, perhaps I think I love him. Again the pleasant lassitude swept over her. You are destined to be with Lucien, the Goddess said into her mind. If you are so certain of my destiny, perhaps you can enlighten me on what happened to my father. Silence. As I figured. You want me to trust you and yet you leave me with more questions than answers. Her heart thudded. This was the Goddess she had spoken harshly to. "Mari?" Lucien asked concerned. "Nothing," she said. **** The Goddess had been communicating with Mari again and Mari hadn't liked it. What did She say? Please, leave me alone. He didn't want to, not when the full depth of the bond relied on sharing their deepest innermost secrets. Like he could talk .Wasn't he the one who formed a barrier between them? With great reluctance he backed off. Regardless of their personal dilemma, Pualo was right about him being away from Namfel. He wouldn't survive beyond a few months, and

if the situation arose where she had to stay longer, what could he do then? Leave? It was preposterous to even dwell on this scenario. The fact was, he couldn't stay long term. Perhaps it was best to separate himself from her after all. Lucien wasn't sure if breaking from the bond was even possible. Those who'd bonded had never regretted the decision. A slight movement of the ship brought him back to reality. They had reached constant velocity. Lucien left his seat. "I'm going to try and rest. Both of you should, too." Mari rose as well. "Sounds like a good idea." For a brief moment Lucien thought she might want to accompany him, but on the way out, she said, "Alone. Please." Perhaps it was better they remained separated for now. Like he had a choice. What do you want to do instead, he asked himself. The answer came easily. Have Mari, but without the empire. The problem was how he could make that happen. In his cabin, he lay back on the bed and sought out the Goddess, not to find release but guidance. Her presence strengthened as She embraced him. She cannot leave you, no more than you can leave her. A moment of panic filled him. What if Mari didn't want to remain with him? What do you know of the bond? Almost said with scorn, Her tone made Lucien wince. What if she returns to Theron for an extended period? I cannot possibly survive there, no matter what promises you make to the contrary. Have you no faith at all in me, or more importantly, yourself. Of course I have faith. You have aided us many times in the past to protect Namfel from danger. But always on Namfel, never beyond he wanted to add, but decided against it. Her tone became harder. You have two issues concerning you. One is Korza, who needs answers and would like nothing more than to blame us for what happened to the mind. Surely not. Korza appeared to quite open minded in his view. Of course he is, but deep down he'd find your guilt convenient.

He doesn't know what happened on the ship before it left Namfel and he will never find out. Nor will he. Now, the other issue is Mari. She doesn't want to rule, and while she contemplates alternative candidates to succeed her, you do nothing to encourage her to choose one of them. It's not my place to influence her decision. Besides, I hardly know Korza, or his son. I have no idea what either is capable of. What of the power of suggestion? Was he hearing her right? I'll not influence Mari. Even for the sake of Namfel? This has nothing to do with Namfel. You must do things that are unpalatable to achieve what you want. As a keeper he served to aid others, heeded their needs before his, including Mari. Since you don't want to influence her, you might want to show her what it's like to be separated from the bond. You were considering it anyway. He had, hadn't he? Perhaps the Goddess was right. Maybe he should put what he wanted for himself first. The link between him and Mari began to waver. With an effort he withdrew the soothing energy from her as well. Now rest. He didn't see how he could, not with what he'd just done. By some miracle the thoughts racing in his mind slowly receded into a distant hum. Only when he heard a buzzing in the distance, did he open his eyes. He felt so relaxed. Slowly the peaceful feeling waned. Plans formed of how he could keep Mari at his side. He'd try not to influence her, except as a last resort. A subtle shift in the speed of the ship made him sit up in his bed. He pressed the intercom. "Pualo. Are we in orbit already?" "We will be in a half-hour. By the way, Korza wants to land his ship. I suggest you let him. It will be easier to keep and eye on it on Namfel than in orbit." He was about to say no, when it occurred to him Pualo was right. Having the ship on Namfel ensured they'd not make a quick getaway either.

"We'll go to the Island of Wisdom." The few buildings surrounding the spaceport would do nicely. The remoteness would make it easy to keep them in one place, without wandering off. "An excellent idea," Pualo said, and disconnected. Lucien left his cabin and knocked on Mari's door. She opened it a moment later. Her eyes looked puffy. Obviously not a pleasant sleep. "You could have—" asked me to take the pain away. "Are we back?" she asked wearily. You must let her go. "Yes. We are going to the Island of Wisdom." "What is that?" "It's where the Goddess first arrived, and where we learned to serve Her." "You never think for yourself, do you?" He wasn't sure to take it as a genuine question or a barb. "Sorry. That wasn't called for." The latter, then. That wasn't so good. They had a long way to go with the fundamental beliefs on Namfel. He truly had no idea what would be in store for him when he bonded with another. "The wisdom not to kill others, I think not." "I can't control the Goddess." "Obviously not. It seems She has control. Look at Harai, for example. He erred and your Goddess condemned him to a slow death." She pointed an accusing finger at him. "And you let it happen." "She has saved us from—" "Spare me, Lucien. The fact is She rules here, not you, and if you take a step out of line you are basically sentenced to death." "Is this to do with me being your consort on Theron?" "I haven't decided, have I?" Her frustration had worsened, as had her anger. She had revered the Goddess when they had left Namfel. Now she openly showed resentment, not only of the Goddess but Namfel in general. Something snapped inside. "Perhaps you should consider others who could rule, rather than thinking you are the only one capable." Taken aback, she didn't say a word. That changed a moment later. "You have no idea what it means to ensure a world is safe." She took a step closer, and he fought with running his hand over her hair, down her shoulder to the curve of her breast. His gaze shot back to her face. Control, Lucien. Don't weaken now.

Where he had seen fury, he now saw pleading in her gaze. Her mood swings were quite unsettling. "Whom can I trust to protect Theron with?" "Korza has been loyal. I'm sure he'll—" "Don't do this to me. Korza isn't suitable, nor is Haris." "Then think about what is needed to make them suitable." Not as subtle as he should have been. "You don't want me to leave, do you?" "I thought that was obvious." "Maybe I have been too hasty." Dear Goddess, why couldn't she make up her mind? "What did you call me out for?" "You need to come to the pilot room. We are about to land." As she passed him, he said softly, "I've set you free."

Fourteen Mari heard his words, and knew then what had happened to her. The lingering serenity had waned when she woke. The ache in her chest simmered just below the surface, and it was growing more painful by the minute. She tried to see it from his point of view. He had control over Namfel, like an Emperor in a way, except he did the Goddess' bidding. Was that so wrong? Surely having a powerful being at your disposal eased the frustration of security. She imagined no more problems about border protection, or the need to have intelligence of several other worlds to spy of on potential enemies. There was a lot going for it. Instead of worrying about one's own back, the keepers of Namfel could concentrate on helping others instead. Having a Goddess around spared any one person from the responsibility of rule. Theron wasn't like Namfel. I can't just give up and let another take over. She winced. The words even sounded arrogant to her. What if you died tomorrow, what then? She had used this argument more than once. I'd be dead and not care, wouldn't I? Stupid, really. Korza seemed to be ensuring Haris would be ready, just in case. A damn sight better than her own plan, which was to take over and lose Lucien in the interim. You were supposed to live much longer, Father. Tears welled up. How dare you die on me like this! She took in a deep breath, then another in a bid to stem the onslaught of sobs. Slowly she sunk to the floor of the corridor until her knees almost reached her chin. The sobbing came harder. I'm not a complete fool, Lucien. But all she received was silence. He really had left her this time. How much she had relied on him and not known it.

The memory of the shuttle crash returned, burning and tearing as the shuttle fell to Namfel. The prayers of her friend, Piela, to a Goddess who never answered, but judged instead. At least one knew where one stood with the Goddess of the Wind— harsh but consistent. What more could anyone ask for, she thought ironically. Another wracking sob escaped her lips. Pull yourself together. Slowly she dragged herself back from a becoming a complete, simpering mess. How would that look to her father, being like this? He wouldn't have approved. She imagined him before her, his gaze stern. That's it, girl, look fearless. Then she would take over ruling Theron. After all, ruling was what she was born to do, with or without a consort. So why did it hurt so much? "Mari?" Pualo called from the other end of the corridor. Don't let them see me like this. Deep breath. There, that's better. She scrambled to her feet. "I'm coming." Lucien had left the front seat for her, but she could only see him side on. Rather than look his way, she turned to the screen where she got a good view of the red sands below. It was spectacular, and in a way just a little intimidating. Mari could feel an invisible presence. She wanted no part of it. Don't try anything, Mari warned the Goddess. Had the Goddess heard at all, She gave no sign of it. The parallels of how she landed this time and before blurred. The tears threatened to come again. She fought them back. So many had died: Piela, her father, Tallis and Karn. And all the deaths were linked to Namfel. You don't know for sure. She almost worried that Lucien had heard her, but he hadn't. The gentle energy that existed between them was truly gone. The descent didn't take too long and she was glad when they had landed. The need to be away from this confined space became paramount. Lucien left first, saving her the difficulty of having to pass him. Pualo shook his head as he waited for her to leave. "He cares foremost about others than himself." "Duty to Namfel. I know."

"Not at all. He cares about you, and yet you have no faith in anyone but yourself." She didn't really understand what he meant. "How so?" "You have no faith at all in others, human or divine. It's quite sad." No one had ever said that to her before. Shaken, she turned away and made her way towards the airlock. Surely her duty towards Theron wasn't a sign of a lack of faith? Dammit. He had a Goddess to protect him. What did she have? Only herself and people she could trust. Right, but she had freedom. Lucien was trapped by his Goddess and if he didn't abide by Her rules, then he would be cast out like Harai. That wasn't faith. That was being a slave to a creature that killed to protect her own. Korza, who had been loyal to her father, cared about Theron, and would not waver in his loyalty to her. Others she had briefly met who would come to her aid in an instant. Enough to ensure nothing changed within the empire. Do you really what such power? If not, select a successor and stop dithering. She took in another deep breath. Maybe Haris would do. It wasn't like he was totally incapable. Age was his problem, and with a good advisor he could do well as Emperor. But who would be suitable? Not so easy there. She had a list of names that she could go through with Korza. "Mari?" It was Pualo. She stepped out of the ship and down the steps. The dryness of the landscape enveloped her. She welcomed its aridness as it felt pure to her. I'm being influenced. She shook the feeling aside. There was nothing pure about the Goddess. Korza stood at the bottom of a nearby ramp. Sweat reached his brow. "It's hot here." Mari looked skyward. No later than midmorning, it would become much hotter than this. "It's much cooler in the evenings," Lucien said, keeping his gaze on Korza. "So I gather." Korza raised his hand to his brow, and squinted. "There isn't much here."

Mari followed the direction of his gaze. A few squat buildings made of stone. No one appeared to be about. "Where do we stay?" Korza asked. "On the ship if you prefer, but accommodation and food have been arranged for you," Lucien said, indicating the nearest building. "Is your Goddess here?" Korza asked, as if expecting her to appear any moment. "She's all around us." Korza turned full circle. "I'm used to crowds, cities, and ships. Never have I felt so, exposed." "It happens to most who visit here," Lucien said. "There is nothing to fear." Except possibly losing what you desire the most. The slightest tension between Lucien's shoulders betrayed his otherwise distant, calm exterior. Did that mean he had heard her? He must have. "Shall we proceed," Lucien said, indicating a path to the nearest building. A sense of desolation threatened to overwhelm her. Never had she felt so alone, as she did now. You brought it upon yourself, said her inner voice. The only sound became the padding of feet along the sandy path. A light breeze, laden with the scent of lahar, brushed against her face. The sense of desolation waned as she breathed in again. It reminded her of the night where Lucien had taken her into the dunes in the aircar. Don't even think it, she warned herself. Lucien paused at a large stone door that slowly opened. Pale light streamed in from the nearby windows. The heat disappeared as soon as they entered, and a sense of homeliness filled her. While the furnishings were few, what did exist such as sofas in a semi-circle, looked luxurious. Unlike Harai's place, which she recalled as functional, this place was designed for comfort. "Please. Take a seat," Lucien said. Korza did so. The weariness in his face lessened as he leaned back against the soft cushions. "You should rest," Mari said. "I am," Korza said. "There's a sense of peacefulness around here."

Unlike Korza, Adan appeared engrossed with his surroundings. He sat beside Korza. "What a fascinating place. There is this low vibration all around me. What is it?" "The Goddess," Lucien said. "You sense her. Few do." "How do I?" "You have psychic abilities, which make you more sensitive." "I have heard about the Goddess, but to feel Her presence for myself—" His words trailed off. Mari could sense Her, too, and fought against the reassuring presence. The need to have Lucien back in her life waned. She had been influenced by the Goddess after all. I must rely on my own resources. It was what her father would have done. Teamwork worked to a point, but in the end the final judgment had to be one's own, and all influences had to be excluded lest the decision be tainted. If only she could be rid of Her lingering presence. As the words were thought, the presence faded. Good, Mari thought. She was on her own now, no influences, nothing. Yet, part of her remained empty inside. It's a sensation that will pass, she assured herself. "What was this place? "Korza asked Lucien. A man in a red robe appeared from the shadows, a nearby entrance. He carried a tray containing cups. "This is a centre where dignitaries come to be healed," Pualo said. Mari hadn't known that. Was this where her father had arrived when he'd been ill? "Like my father?" Lucien sat opposite Korza, facing her. "He came here after his injuries from the Liberty." The servant handed a cup to Korza. "It's lahar wine." "If you drink all of it, you will sleep for a few hours," Lucien said. "When you awaken you will be refreshed." She knew that and wished he didn't treat her as a stranger. Lucien had made his decision to set her free. It was up to her to change, not him. Korza took a sip, then another. Smiling in appreciation, he placed the cup on a small table beside him. "I'll rest without too much aid if it's all the same to you." Adan sipped likewise, and let out an appreciative sigh. Mari took a cup and sipped the sweet liquid slowly. Whatever else she might be feeling, it did ease her nerves.

"I'll arrange a crystal to be brought here by noon. We'll take it to the ship, "Lucien said. Wide-eyed, Adan looked at Lucien. "Is it safe to hold?" "On Namfel, yes." Adan nodded thoughtfully. Lucien rose. "Your guide," indicating the robed man, "will show you to your rooms. Food will be provided at noon. Afterwards we'll go to your ship." Lucien turned on his heel and left the room. Korza raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Mari could guess his thoughts. You've certainly fallen out of favor with him. "I'd like to walk around," Mari said to the guide. "As you wish. Don't wander off too far." Mari rose. "I won't." Outside, she made her way towards another, smaller building, past it until she was out of sight of anyone else who decided they too might like a walk. She glanced back once, and saw no one. The sun beat against her back as she looked towards the craggy mountains on the horizon. Out there she had been healed in a cave and made her decision to stay. Now back here, alone she felt the same sense of belonging return. How can I stay here? Why do I keep contradicting myself? Could it be the Goddess muddling her mind again? Rather then let doubt clutter her mind, she sat in the sand, closed her eyes, and let her mind free itself from worry. Wisps of red lines embraced her body. Mari recalled the bath she shared with Lucien and the pulsating light of the crystals surrounding them. She needed to be back there now, and let her body be awash with the sensations of Lucien's touch. She imagined his long fingers lightly caressing her arm, moving upwards slowly towards her shoulder. Lips ran over her neck, sending shivers of delight racing over her whole body. She ran her hands down from his shoulders to his chest. She leaned forward, ran her tongue over a nipple. A soft sigh escaped his lips. She reached the other nipple, ran her tongue gently around the tip. Her body trembled as the energy from his fused with hers. Colors from the seven planes reappeared in a swirl around her. The bond hadn't gone. She was certain of it. How can I bring you back to me? How will I love you again?

She knew the answer. Don't go to Theron. Mari lifted her head, returned to his trembling lips. For a brief moment she sensed a light brush across her own lips. Is it you, my love? She ran her tongue over his unyielding upper lip. Slowly his mouth parted, invited his tongue to dance with hers. Red and purple wisps of light swirled around her closed eyelids, formed a cocoon around both of them. Never had heat felt so potent, radiant and so deep. With her tongue, Mari delved more deeply into the recesses of his mouth. She then imagined his bare chest pressed against her naked skin. His scent mixed with the lahar in the air. How solid you feel to me. Whenever an illusion or not, she dared not shatter it by opening her eyes to check. His fingers slowly trailed over her naked back, sending a delicious shudder throughout her body. Lower he went, until his hands cupped her buttocks. Drawing her close, Lucien's erection pressed against her stomach. Dear Goddess, she wanted him so. One hand descended to her hip. Not daring to break the kiss, she moved back to give him access, but his hand didn't move. Surely if this were her illusion he would move his hands, preferably to her breast or towards her throbbing core. Unless he was here, somehow. Could her thoughts be so strong to bring him to her? No. this was an illusion, albeit, a very vivid one. Whatever the reason, either due to their bond or her desperate need to reach out to him, she didn't want to stop. Slowly she ran her hands down the planes of his chest, but as she reached his waist, the solidness of his body began to waver. The pressure of his lips began to fade. Oh Lucien, please. I need you. If you are here, don't go. With one flick of his tongue he released the kiss. No. The vision shattered. Her eyes snapped open. Had he been here, with her? It seemed so…real. Soft fabric against her body brought her back. She had imagined it after all. Wiping a tear from her cheeks, she blinked until her vision cleared. Is this all you want to share with Lucien, moments of idle fancy?

Shivering, she looked around. The sun had barely moved, which meant she had not been here all that long. The air became too warm, and she scrambled to her feet. Until she made her decision, what future did they have? Would her life return to shallow encounters on Destiny, where she could compare every man to him? That would be the case if she returned to Theron. As she made her way back another tear fell, but dried quickly in the warming air. **** Lucien had taken every thought from Mari, and fought with every part of his being to ignore her pleas. How badly she wanted him made his body shake with desperate need. He had to stay away from her, but it grew harder with each passing moment. What could he do? Continue to deny Mari until she saw reason? And what if she didn't? Surely Mari would leave for Theron believing she had nothing here to stay for. His thoughts drifted to poor Harai. What he must be going through would be nothing by comparison. For the first time he realized how terrible such separation could be. He is being punished, the Goddess said to him. Your situation is entirely different. Lucien thoughts still dwelled on Harai, not himself. It's wrong. Either give him your heart back or let him die quickly. Since when do you give the orders? Since when, indeed, had anyone defied the Goddess? Leave me, he warned her. The shock of what he had uttered, struck a moment later. Feeling a surge of confidence, he said, "I'm tired of your manipulation. I'll take my chances with or without you on Theron." A ripple of cold energy flowed over him. The same kind he felt with patients when they first came to him. Fear. Surely the Goddess didn't fear him. An instant later, Her presence faded. It unsettled him. He wasn't sure what he had done to even have Her fear him. Don't be a fool. No one has defied the Goddess. But he had, and She feared him.

He could not let it go to his head. She was a Goddess, a powerful sentient being and he was just a keeper with some healing abilities. Yet he couldn't get rid of the feeling he had touched a place the Goddess feared. Was it a strong sense of free will, so strong that not even She could override it? If only his father were about so he could ask? Then again if he dared to suggest this revelation to anyone he'd be most likely shunned. No. It seemed prudent to keep such thoughts to himself. He left the privacy of the deserted building and made his way to the spaceport. Pualo waited at a nearby aircar. "Where to?" "A cave." "Any in particular?" "No. Any will do." Pualo climbed the step into the aircar. "The nearest one is about an hour from here." Lucien sat in the back, looking out the window as Pualo maneuvered the craft over the red sands. The red-blue sky contrasted sharply with the sands, giving the appearance of a subtle glow. The pulse of the Goddess radiated everywhere, no doubt watching his every move. "I have a variation in pressure. It's coming from the south." The onset of another windstorm. "Destination?" "Towards us in about two hours." A light resonance in the air confirmed Pualo's information. Why was the Goddess doing this? "Just monitor it." The last time the Goddess of the Wind had come was to force him into a cave with Mari for several days. I wonder what you are up to this time. No answer, but he really hadn't expected one. Turning towards the window, he looked outside. Moving air radiated from the warmed sands giving the illusion that water exited. A mirage—common out here—and the cause of death to the occasional wanderer who left the safety of a cave to satiate his or her curiosity. Despite the danger, the sight never ceased to amaze him. Such beauty, even if an illusion, mesmerized him. "We're nearly there." Pualo turned the craft to the right. The rise could be seen from here. The cave entrance would be hidden from view. Another turn and the dark opening appeared.

In moments, the aircar was inside. Lucien opened the door after it descended onto the stone floor. "Wait here. I'll not be long." He fought down the memories of him and Mari threatened to drown him. Heat radiated to his groin. He fought the memory of that brief, wonderful moment of his life where he had found true completion. With an effort, he pushed all thought of Mari to one side. The walls pulsated in sync with his heartbeat, which had grown a little erratic in the last minute. He slowed it by imagining it beating more slowly. When the pulsating pink crystals responded, only then did he approach one of the walls and extract a crystal. The resonance thrummed up his arms and over his body. He nearly dropped the crystal. Such a sensation had never been so strong before. The bond enhances awareness in all things. Where had those words come from? Were they his, the Goddess', or his father's? The crystal resonated stronger before returning to its previous state. An affirmation it was the Goddess? It had to be. He caught the image of the windstorm coming their way, and the resonance grew stronger. Never had he been so attuned to the storms before. It had to be the bond between him and Mari causing this enhanced awareness. He wrapped the crystal in a cloth and made his way back to the aircar. The thudding in his heart persisted. Why hadn't his father mentioned to him that this could happen? Some secrets can only be revealed after you experience the wonder for yourself. Again, he couldn't tell whose voice it was. He returned to the aircar and climbed in. "Let's go." There was so much he didn't know, and needed to. The only source was the Goddess, and despite his arrogance towards Her, she'd not abandoned him. Without Her, life would be living in a void. Forgive me, he said. A slight increase in energy surrounded him, before fading again. Whatever Mari had said about him being a servant to the Goddess, he could never imagine not being separated. If he was, he'd take a crystal into space and obliterate himself. If that was an indication of weakness, then so be it. He was only a keeper, here to serve Namfel. Pualo updated the position of the windstorm. "It's speeding up. We'll just make it back."

The sky turned to a red haze as they landed. He had two choices: go to the ship, or return to where the others were in the nearby building. A slight smile formed on his lips. The Goddess was forcing him into making a choice. Lucien turned towards the ship. "What are you doing? "Pualo shouted. "Go to the building. You'll just make it as it is." Pualo left from the aircar, spun on his heel, and ran towards the hut. Lucien lost sight of him in seconds. The first grains of sand raced over his skin. He reached the door of the ship's hull, placed the crystal on the surface, and it opened. Inside, he closed it again. Alone at last. He made his way towards the room where the mind was confined. Lucien looked outside a passing porthole. Red dust whirled all around. No one would be foolish enough to try to get through this windstorm to reach the ship. They'd never make it there alive.

Fifteen Red wisps in Mari's head dragged her from her slumber. Mari had not even recalled going to sleep, only the bed being offered in an adjoining room and she had taken it. She climbed out of bed and made her way to the window. She glanced through the glass and saw the whole view obscured with red dust. The Goddess of the Wind had returned in the guise of a storm. Why? Was it to hold them captive in this place? She donned her robe and walked to the main room. Korza was already there. Adan was nowhere to be seen. Pualo stood at the closed entrance. A fine layer of dust coated his robe. "Where is Lucien?" Korza snapped. "At the ship." Korza moved past Pualo, towards the door. "You'll never make it," Pualo warned. "He's right," Mari said. "Look out the window." Korza reached the one nearest to him. He cursed. "This was deliberate, right?" In her heart she knew it was, which meant no matter how much she pretended to deny the Goddess, she would never be able to do so while she stayed on Namfel. "There are no natural windstorms on Namfel. They have been summoned by the Goddess." Pualo said. "Are you suggesting this storm is created by a sentient being?" Korza said, his voice pitched a little too high. He wants to believe, but the rational part refuses to. Mari blinked as the words came into her head. Where had that thought come from? "It's true," Pualo said. "The Goddess summoned the wind so Lucien can enter the ship alone." "Well. Un-summon it then." Pualo blanched. "I have no control over the Goddess. No human has."

Mari had to admire Korza's bravado. She'd not have said such a thing, possibly since she knew it would be impossible to change the mood of such a divine being. Korza strode to the window again. "I can't risk going out there. I'd be torn to pieces." This was a side she'd not seen before: of a man who knew when to call it quits, even if temporarily. "How long will this go for?" he asked at last. "It could be a few hours, or a day. No one ever knows," Pualo said. "Damn convenient if you ask me." He shifted his gaze to Mari. "You think this an extraordinary coincidence, or a deliberate attempt to stop me reaching the ship until Lucien is done?" She could lie, but said, "I believe it's deliberate." "What mortal can fight against such power," Korza said a little more softly. "No one can. The force of the wind can bring down a ship, and tear a body to pieces," Pualo said. Almost with awe in his voice. The man really believed her existence, and with the windstorm howling around them, who could deny it. Korza returned to one of the sofas and sat. "I guess we'll have refreshment then." The guide reappeared, as if he had been waiting for the cue to do so. Such serenity radiated from his face. Mari had not noticed before. He carried a large tray, which he placed on the table. "I'll bring some light wine," he said, then made his exit. Mari watched Korza's amazement grow at the array of meats, cheeses, and fruit in the tray. He leaned forward to look more closely, shook his head in disbelief at the selection. Mari could imagine his surprise. She had been too when she first arrived. "How does such a world of desert even sustain such food as this?" "We have places that are well protected spread around Namfel. They are our water supplies as well," Pualo said. "You transport everything from remote locations to places like this? How do you keep the food so well preserved?" She had seen the refrigeration they used, a technology that superseded anything she knew.

"We have developed a cooling system that will preserve food for extended periods," Pualo said. Korza took a grape and popped it in his mouth. His eyes widened as he chewed. "Amazing. Better than most of the grapes on Theron." He looked up at Pualo. "You ever traded this technology?" Pualo didn't seem at all interested. "We have all we need here." "Everyone needs something." "The moment we need something from another obligates us to provide something in return," Pualo said. "Good point. We are always renegotiating trade agreements." Korza picked up some meat and chewed it. He nodded slowly as he savored the morsel. The guide returned with a carafe of wine and cups. He placed the tray on the table, then quietly left again. "You sure you wouldn't trade this?" "No. Some technologies are best kept secret." "Like your ship, I presume. It's more than it appears, right?" "It has been enhanced." "But not built here." "No." Pualo placed a grape into his mouth. "It has to be replaced eventually," Korza ventured. "A one-off purchase, no obligation," Pualo said. Korza shook his head in amazement. "You really don't need anyone else, do you?" "No," Pualo said simply. "What about defense?" He leaned back. "No. The Goddess does that for you." He leaned forward. "Tell me, has She always existed on Namfel?" "A thousand years." And repeated the same story Lucien had told her. "I can't deny that She exists," Pualo finished. Korza turned to Mari, his face a little paler that before. "Truly remarkable, and just a little unsettling." An understatement, if her uncle's constant glances to the window were any indication. He was nervous, very much so and yet managed to keep himself together. "I'm trying to imagine what that would be like not to need anyone or anything else."

It bothered her as well, for the time she'd spent here, she too had found the simple life of Namfel to be everything she'd wanted. She grabbed a piece of cheese, too wary to take a grape. Visions of how Lucien fed her returned. She bit into the cheese quickly. "Your cheeks are flushed," Korza said. Was she that obvious? She leaned over and grabbed the jug and poured herself some wine. Mari extended the jug to Korza, who nodded. Lastly to Pualo, who also accepted. Exquisite, was how she had described the wine to Lucien. She sipped slowly. Looking at Pualo, who appeared so relaxed, he truly was contented with his life. Why couldn't she simply accept the wonders of Namfel and forget about everything else? "I can see why people are changed after being here," Korza said. "Compared to what we see beyond our world, I'd rather be here," Pualo said. "It's safe." "No weapons needed either, just," Korza extended his cup to the window, "the forces of the wind." Was her uncle truly impressed, or did he play with Pualo? "Tell me, Pualo. Does the Goddess speak to you?" "No, only to the keepers." "You do sense a presence don't you?" "Yes." "Tell me. Is it enough?" Puzzlement crossed Pualo's face. "Do you ever feel you want more?" Korza said more gently. "I find all I need is right here," Pualo said tersely. Korza leaned back, and closed his eyes. "I wish I could find such a place." Those words shook her to the core. He wasn't pretending at all, he truly meant it. It must be the wine or the air that is influencing him. No one changes so quickly. **** With trepidation and even greater care, Lucien entered the room where the damaged mind was. Encased in a sealed box, he sensed no life at all, but the undercurrent of energy in the crystal in his hand suggested otherwise.

Fortunately, Lucien didn't need to connect the mind to the crucible as he had with Karn. No procedures were necessary, and with no engineer about to pretend otherwise, he left the sphere as it was. First he checked that Adan remained unconscious. Satisfied that he was, Lucien began. Adan would remain until the windstorm had ended. He sat on the floor, cupped the crystal in his hands, closed his eyes, and focused on Karn's fragment of memory after he'd left Namfel. The images were as damaged as before. Wait. A pulse of blue light indicated a large section of memory. He roamed past walls of blue fire, a corridor that seemed to have no end. Suddenly, he struck a shimmering wall. What is this? Something had been sealed behind the wall, similar in ways to a blocked memory in a patient. Rather than go further he backtracked until he found the equivalent of a side passage. The images became clearer. Much to his surprise, he ended up in the communication room where the signal was sent on the Liberty, and when it had failed. Old images, which he passed. Further back he went, until he saw the scene that had faded. There. Flavel and Suran were arguing. He tuned in further, feeling the pressure build as he did so. It eased a moment later. The Goddess was back, and despite his terse words with Her before, he admired the ease which She could reach into such places. At times like this he wondered at the true level of power the Goddess possessed. More than you can imagine, came the reply. He trembled, aware at Her greatness and glad for the reminder. Focus, She ordered. He did so, and heard. "You cannot, it goes against the whole reason we built these minds in the first place," Flavel said. Suran looked around the small room. "Why not? It can only benefit us." "You, you mean." "What better way than to know what is plotted against us?" "The mind is designed to receive engineers' thoughts only, not the general population."

"Nonsense. You said yourself that the mind could hold almost a limitless amount of information." He stepped closer, and raised his hands in a placating gesture. "All you need to do is tune the mind to record certain minds only. That shouldn't upset it." "Minds can't get upset, but that's not the point." Flavel shook his head. "I'll not do it." Suran remained unperturbed. "I'll find another who will." Aghast, Flavel said. "No engineer will be a party to this." Suran crossed his arms. "You really think that will stop me? I'll have one trained if you refuse. I'll also bypass your chances of ever becoming head researcher." The position had been one he'd vied for some time. "You can't do this to me." "Oh, but I can as Emperor," he said, his voice low and deadly. Lucien could tell the worst was yet to come. Suran would push to get what he wanted by whatever means possible. "You have a son." Flavel's face went very pale. "Karn is what, five? He'll be starting training soon." "You know he already has." "Well. I suggest you think about his ongoing welfare when I'm Emperor." He inclined his head towards the door. "We should return before we're missed." Why, by the Goddess, did Flavel not do something with this information? Why didn't he go to Korza for that matter? But he hadn't. Flavel would have been terrified about the safety of his son. Fear is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to the safety of your kin. He briefly thought of Mari. What would he do if her life was threatened? The answer came easily to him. He would fight. Even an Emperor? the Goddess asked, interrupting his thoughts. I sent him from Namfel. And then he died. He might have caused his death, too, them again he might not have. From what he had extracted so far, Lucien leaned towards Karn being the cause. All he had to do was to delve deeper and determine how. It doesn't matter if we caused their deaths or not. Piela, then Suran, and his crew all died due to being here. We will be blamed, just wait and see.

We will find the evidence we needAnd then what? Show Korza what Suran was up to? What do you think he will do then? Her presence faded and he was back on the ship again. What should he do? Every decision had repercussions in one form or another. For a start, what of Flavel? What would he do once he learned of his son's death? And there was Mari. If this came to light, her chances of succession were dashed. Korza would have no difficulty in taking the throne. Then again, if he told Korza, she would have no need to return to Theron. She could stay here, with him. Did he have that right? Lucien held the crystal in his hands. He would tell her and only her, in private, what he had seen. But, before he did he needed to find out more about what happened between Suran and Flavel. When he manipulated the ship's mind, he'd not seen Flavel at all. Then again, he had been focusing on the time where Suran sabotaged the air supply on the Liberty. It meant this scene happened elsewhere. But where? Perhaps if he went back, he could find out. Lucien backtracked until he ended up at the shimmering wall. He took another path, but this time a brief burst of white light stopped him dead in his tracks. A trap. He backtracked quickly, sealing the tear as he did so. The flickering sputtered, and slowly died. Dear Goddess, what has been hidden here? It's too dangerous to continue, She said, we need to take the mind to a more remote place. Where? But he could already guess. The open air would be the best place to continue, remote and hostile as well. No one would die in case there was an explosion. The place of the ancients. No one had been there for centuries. A confirmation no more than a reassuring hug meant the Goddess agreed with his choice. Take Mari and Korza with you. Are you mad, it's too dangerous. I'll not free you to go there otherwise. He cursed.

Laughter. Then: You always were stubborn.

Sixteen The windstorm dissipated and Adan returned soon afterwards. After stifling a yawn, he glanced outside. "Looks like a storm hit." "Very good observation," Korza said. "You slept through it. Good timing I'd say." He glanced at Mari. "Don't you think?" "Lahar can work more strongly on some people," she said, certain the Goddess had planned it after all. Adan looked at each in turn, Korza last. "What is good timing?" Ignoring him, Korza strode to the main door and opened it. A light smattering of dust fell onto his boots. "Looks like the storm's passed." Mari followed. The pathway had gone, leaving ripples of sand between the buildings. The two ships, aside from a thin layer of red dust on their hulls, looked none the worse for wear. Lucien walked towards them. Her heart leaped. He wasn't harmed at all. Not even a sliver of dust over his robe meant wherever he was, he'd been well sheltered. "He's got a crystal," Korza said. "And I bet he used it on the ship's mind." Mari half suspected that must have been where he was. It also meant that during the storm no one else could interfere. The more she wanted to deny the Goddess' power, the more she begrudgingly admired Her. To cause a storm at a precise time, and to last for just long enough for Lucien to obtain what they needed, really was quite incredible. Her uncle padded over the sandy path until he reached Lucien. "What did you find?" "We need to go to the tomb of the ancients," Lucien said, glancing briefly at Mari. Not a hint of longing, nothing existed in his eyes. Surely he couldn't simply switch off how he felt for so completely. "Whatever for?" Pualo asked. "Myself, Mari, and General Korza, and of course the mind. No one else is allowed." Mari could not believe she had been asked. "Whose orders?" Korza demanded.

"The Goddess." Her heart sunk a moment later. How foolish to think it had been Lucien's decision. Pualo bowed his head and murmured words she couldn't hear. He raised his head again. "I'll arrange an aircar." "When do we leave?" Korza asked. Lucien turned away to follow Pualo. "Now." "And the mind?" Adan asked, catching up at last. Lucien didn't break his stride. "It's not necessary for you to come. It is quite safe in my care." "You promised I'd be able to see a crystal." "The Goddess decided it wasn't safe. I'm sorry." Adan gave him a pleading gaze. "I insist I come with you." "No," Luicen said coldly. "I suggest you don't ask again." "Adan," Korza warned. "Stay at the ship." The engineer hesitated briefly. "Surely it makes more sense that I come as well." "It's not my choice," Korza said. They reached the ship. "Adan. I have a job for you," Lucien said. They both went inside. The aircar arrived soon afterwards. Pualo climbed down the steps and waited. Mari could do little but wait as the sphere was transported to the aircar by Lucien, alone. "Where is Adan?" Korza looked towards the closing entrance to the ship. "Resting," Lucien said. "He'll be quite safe." He climbed aboard. "Shall we go?" Korza followed with Mari last. "We'll reach the tomb of the ancients in two hours," Lucien said as he adjusted the controls. "Why there?" Mari asked, keeping her gaze levelly on Lucien. For a moment she thought she saw a flicker of longing. "It's a long way from any habitation." "In other words, we don't want to destroy anything else in the process." Korza glanced sideways at Mari. "Is it wise that we both go or does the Goddess plan to eliminate us?" Not what Mari suspected, but her uncle had a point.

Lucien raised his palms upwards. "And myself? She is hardly going to lose one of her own." "So. We stay with you and we'll be safe," Korza said. "Yes." "How fast does this thing go?" Korza asked, looking nervously at the box now secured in a nearby recess. "You'll soon see." Mari had not paid attention to the traveling she did with Lucien. Other, more intimate things had occupied her mind. The night on the open sands where she had wanted to bond with him and him refusing. The cold night air had invigorated her, as has the scent of lahar in the air. Her robe had fallen down… Lucien stiffened. So he is listening. Mari projected an image of him running his lips over her bare shoulder. Goosebumps formed in the cool air where his lips traveled. Her nipples had formed into hardened peaks. He kissed lower down until he reached her breast. In circles he kissed her shivering skin, until he reached her nipple. She gasped lightly. An unusually strong aroma of lahar filled the aircar, leaving her dizzy. The vision fragmented in to a red haze. Korza looked up sharply at her. "Are you all right?" She nodded quickly before turning towards the window so Korza could not see the heat on her face. She placed her hand on her cheek. Like before, it had felt as if she had really been there, with Lucien. A slight shift in the air and the scent disappeared, as did the dizziness. "What is the tomb you spoke of before?" Korza said. She cast a sideways glance at Lucien, who appeared totally unaffected by the image she'd projected. Facing Korza, Lucien said. "The tomb of the ancients is where the power of the Goddess is concentrated." Korza wasn't sure he should have asked. "Why are you telling me this? What is to stop me from using that knowledge as a weakness in your security?" "I have a feeling you won't. While you resent the power She possesses, you also believe She is a force to be revered." Korza curled his lower lip. "You know something, Lucien? For a keeper, you are very confident in the power you are allowed to harness. Tell me, can you control the Goddess at all?"

"Not always." "Don't you find that a bit unsettling?" "Not at all. Her presence has saved us from anyone who has attacked us." Korza rubbed his chin. "I have to admit, it has its advantages. Not once have I heard of any successful attack made on Namfel." Mari kept her gaze from the two men, pretending to look at the view. "Why are we going to this tomb with you?" Korza asked. "I asked before, but you didn't answer." The shift in questioning made Mari turn to look at him at last. Not Lucien, whom she tried not to make eye contract with at all. "I can't tell you. As for the mind, I found a barrier." Korza's initial irritation of being sidestepped again faded. "What sort of barrier?" "A mental one. It appears to have been placed there by Karn or Flavel." "So why didn't you bring Adan?" Korza protested. "Any attempt to break this barrier could kill him." "Oh." Korza then went silent. Mari wished her uncle had asked why Adan could be in danger. She almost opened her mouth when Lucien said. "Whatever we find, the three of us are to witness it. This is the Goddess' wish." "I see. So you don't really know why we have to come," Korza said, "and this barrier could hide something important." He turned to face Lucien straight on. "I presume you did see something while you were on the ship, before you struck this…barrier?" **** If nothing else, Korza was persistent. The truth was out of the question, but the man deserved some information. But not yet, not until he had searched the mind one last time at the tomb. "Nothing of importance. Fragments of what Karn and Flavel had been up to on their trips." "Really. Was it detailed?" "Some of it was. Most of it came over as a jumbled haze." Korza's eyes narrowed. "You've seen something, though. I can tell." "If I have I'll not share it until we have reached the core of the mind." He glanced at where the mind was stored.

Korza followed his gaze. "In that case, I'm happy for you to move this aircar as fast as you desire." "Look outside." Korza did, and gasped at the speed the aircar flew over the dunes. Even she opened her mouth in surprise, and closed it again. She adjusted the robe she wore but nor before he caught the curve of her breast. His tore his gaze away but not before he caught a slight widening of Mari's eyes. Did she think he had truly ignored her? It was to give her a taste of what separation would be like. If anything it proved to be more unbearable than he thought. Her vision of what she wanted from him had nearly undone him, and had Korza not been present Lucien would have sent his thoughts of what he wanted to do to her. The scent of lahar had been a desperate move to break her concentration. Get back to the purpose of being here. He knew them to be his thoughts, not the Goddess. Steeling himself for what he had to do, he opened the link to her. Mari, I must show you what I saw. The sudden return of his thoughts into her made her want to cry out with joy. Lucien caught it, and wished it were about anything than the mind. Surely it's better to do that at our destination. She had a point, but he doubted they'd have the opportunity. A slight tug indicated she had taken this thought from him. Go on. It's not favorable to your father, but you know most of what he had done anyway. I think what he did goes beyond the need to defeat Korza from becoming the Emperor. Show me. I'm not sure of your reaction in front of Korza. It's a risk I'll take. Now show me, please. He did, of Flavel arguing with Suran, and why. She turned quickly towards the window. What was father thinking? A spy device? "Mari?" Korza asked, concern on his face. She raised her hand in a gesture to imply she was all right. Far from it. What she needed was time away from Korza. She needed to talk to Lucien about what he planned to do.

He caught her concerns. Nothing until you decide what to do, was his answer. "Anyone want to tell me what is going on?" Korza asked. Lucien turned around and sat opposite Korza. "I have been thinking about our safety when we reach the tomb. There is an inner chamber where we can place the mind, but we'll stay in the outer. It will offer some protection." Korza's gaze narrowed. "What do you mean some protection? I'll not have Mari exposed to any danger." "Have faith in the Goddess," Lucien said. For the briefest of moments, Mari sensed he wasn't entirely confident, and she was right. The tomb of the ancients was a very powerful place. Korza picked up on it too. "Tell me what you doubt. I'd like to be prepared." "I can't tell you until we arrive." "You don't know, do you?" Not at all, but they didn't need to know that. "You will be safe enough if you do as I say." Mari didn't like it. "I'd like to know what part I'm to play." "Patience is something you have no experience with. I suggest you learn it now." Terse words, but he'd had enough. Korza caught the hint first. "Forget it Mari. It appears to be his terms, or this…Goddess. I'm beginning to wonder if having so much power but not being able to control it at will is all that useful." Lucien's jaw twitched. "You really don't know the outcome do you?" Korza pressed. Lucien began to see how this man would be in an interrogation. He'd certainly not like to be on the receiving end. "I prefer an honest answer," Korza said. "Makes me appreciate what I'm up against." He leaned forward, his hands clasped on his lap. "Okay, then. I'll tell you this. Whatever we find out, I want to know the truth and not some partial contrivance, do you hear? Tell your Goddess that." "She heard," Lucien said, counting the minutes until they reached the tomb and wishing the aircar could go even faster. Korza leaned back. "Of course I am. I like control, that's all, and if I can't have that I like to know what I'm up against. Be honest with me, Lucien. That is all I ask." "I can do that," Lucien said. As far as I am able, that is.

Seventeen Lucien could not deny the chance of another explosion was still very real. Not only of the aircar, but their minds could be obliterated. It was why the Goddess needed all the strength She had. If the worst happened, he would absorb the explosion, allowing the others to be able to flee. It will not be necessary, the Goddess said, if you have faith in me. It worried him he would be tested in such a way. Then again, never had a situation been so dire before. A gasp from Mari made him look outwards. Korza drew a sharp intake of breath. The tomb shook the senses when viewed for the first time. Below, a circle of red stones over three stories high. Unlike dunes elsewhere the landscape was totally flat, exaggerating the height of the stones even further. Even from here a low thrum of energy rippled over his body. Mari looked at her hands, and rubbed them together. He knew she sensed it as well. Korza ran his hand over his cheek. He, too, sensed a light energy, but didn't know what it was. "What you feel is the presence of the Goddess." Korza looked up sharply at Lucien, then quickly redirected his gaze to below. No one said a word. They landed nearby. Lucien left the aircar first. Warn air brushed his face. The energy hummed all around him. Mari followed, turning full circle on the sand covered ground. Her initial agitation faded away to wonder. Pleased, Lucien kept his mind lightly linked to her. Lucien could see the shifting patterns on Korza's face ranging from denial through to awe. It shifted from one extreme to the other, then back again. Korza would exhaust himself if he continued in such a manner. "She's here, isn't she, watching over us?" "The Goddess strips bare any preconceptions, Korza. I suggest you accept her and not try to fight it. It will be easier if you don't."

Lucien returned to the aircar, grabbed the sphere, and returned. "I'll take the mind and place it in the centre," he said, indicating the small circle of rocks. Korza glanced at the sphere, but didn't move to touch it. "I see—" Mari glanced at Korza. "What are you looking at?" Korza asked. "Where we will place the mind." "You looked as if you saw something else in there," Korza said to Mari. Mari walked to the nearest stone, and ran her hand over the rough surface. "I sense a stronger presence, right here. Can't you?" Neither is prepared for this, Lucien said to the Goddess. No answer. Korza reluctantly paused at the periphery of the inner chamber. "I feel resistance. What is it?" "The shield of the Goddess. This will form a barrier between us and the mind." * *** The reservations Mari had before had all but gone. The presence of the Goddess did that, enabling the inner feelings to merge once more. More than once she had looked at Korza with renewed admiration, and occasionally surprise. Surely the Goddess wasn't influencing him. Could She? Korza shivered as he passed his hand through the invisible wall of energy. The power of the Goddess to some felt like an invasion of their senses. From the expression of Korza's face, he sensed as if his personal space had been well and truly invaded but in a way, welcomed it. Lucien placed the sphere in the centre of the haze. Korza retracted his hand and stepped back. "What did you feel?" Mari asked. "A faint ripple of energy that seemed to seep into my very being." Again, a look of surprise at such a personal admission. "One's defenses are lowered, aren't they?" he added with forced humor. "The feelings you are experiencing aren't much different to what occurs when we heal a patient." "I've heard," Korza said, slowly regaining his composure. "Are you saying this place does the same as a healing cave?" Mari asked.

"Yes, but the power is more concentrated here," Lucien said. "I don't feel any different to when I did in the cave," Mari said. "All I sense is a gentle vibration over my body." "We haven't started yet," Lucien said. Korza cleared his throat. "Maybe we should begin, or is there something you have to do first." "Nothing at all. Please, sit over there." He glanced at the nearby rock cut into a rectangle. Korza made his way over. Mari looked around and saw another seat almost opposite. "Do I go there?" It didn't matter where they sat, as long as both remained outside the inner circle. "Yes." Lucien stood before the haze, extended his arm and walked through. Mari gasped, as the haze formed a solid wall, obscuring Lucien completely. The power of ancient energy nearly sent Mari reeling. She nearly fell from her seat, and gripped the sides in an effort to remain where she was. Red wisps spun around a cocoon of red fire. Lucien could no longer be seen, but she could sense him, just. Lucien? He was there and yet not there. Lucien? What's happening? The gentle vibration of their connection, strengthened. A light tug drew her into a place she had been too scared to return to. The bond, and all the wonders she had experienced when they had made love. This felt the same, and yet deeper. The need to be with him, as they once were, reminded her of what she might have given up. To rule Theron meant she would never be able to love another in such a way again. What had she been thinking? Why did she need to be touched in such a way to see the obvious? Look. The seal splintered, and next moment she saw what Lucien saw. Karn, before he died. Karn sat opposite the blue fire radiating from the mind. All their evidence was gone. What did he have now to bargain with? He cupped his head in his hands. "Piela," he whispered between sobs. "We failed."

The intercom interrupted his thoughts. "Tallis here. Emperor Suran wishes to speak to you in his cabin." Karn didn't like the sound of that at all. "I'll be there." The door to Suran's large cabin opened before Karn raised his hand to knock. "Come in," Suran appeared irritated. "Sit," he said, indicating a chair opposite. "What is it?" The irritation fled. "I must commend you on achieving what I asked you to do. It's a shame that Piela met such an unfortunate end." Thanks for the sympathy, Karn wanted to say, finding no sincerity in Suran's voice at all. "What problem did you encounter with the mind?" It took a moment for Karn to realize what Suran meant. "You mean what Lucien repaired?" "Yes. What did he actually repair?" Karn recalled some conflicting memories as a result of the removal they had made. "Some of the memories didn't connect." "Like what?" Karn wasn't sure. Lucien had done the manipulation. He considered telling Suran but decided not to. It might imply he didn't have control. "All memories of my father on the Liberty." A lie, but Suran would believe it. "Hmm. Just as well they were removed." Suran glanced at the small pad on his lap. "By the way, you have been promoted to chief researcher. I have a specific project you might be interested in." "Might I ask what it is?" "No. You will be briefed when you return. That is all." "Thank you, Emperor," he said. Dismissed, Karn returned to the room where the mind was. With less than a day to return to Theron, he had little to do but ponder what this project was about. His father had mentioned some time ago that being in Suran's inner circle came at a price, but when Karn had pressed, his father had never elaborated. All he had said was, when the time came you would know and also how to seek a way to stay alive. At the time he had thought his father paranoid. Now he wasn't sure. Lucien had even pointed out to him his safety could be at risk.

Karn recalled his father's words. If you ever have to hide evidence, then put it somewhere that will be impossible for another to find. You never know when you might need it one day. Heeding his father's advice, Karn made his way back to the room where the mind was. He'd put the memories back, but seal it just in case one day he needed to use it to protect himself one day. Piece by piece Karn added each fragment back, as best as he could recall it. Not perfect by a long shot but it would be enough in case he needed it against Suran. It took time, but when done, he placed a shimmering veil over the component of memories. He opened his eyes, and the stark walls of the room appeared. Karn yawned, never had he felt so exhausted. Stretching, he eased the aches in his arms and legs. How long have I been sitting here? He looked up to a nearby clock. One hour. It had seemed far longer. No matter, it was done now. He was about to leave when a small variance in brightness appeared in the periphery of his vision. What was that? He delved deeper and found a barrier. Only one person could have put it there. His father. I wonder what you hid. Nearly spent from replacing the memories, Karn resisted the temptation to look further. He locked onto where the memory was, and extricated himself from the mind. He desperately needed to rest. Lucien moved forward in time until Karn returned, refreshed but troubled. He didn't know what his father had hidden, only that when he found it, it could never be allowed to be seen by anyone else. Initially the layers folded away easily. A slight spike in light intensity indicated a trap, one Karn passed easily as his own signature mapped over his father's. There. Karn encountered a sea of numbers that nearly overwhelmed him. The wonder of the meaning of these numbers almost overshadowed the intent—how to alter the ship's mind to tune into the thoughts of specific people. In other words, how to spy on someone's thought patterns whenever they were on the ship.

Complex, but possible, Karn's disgust turned to fascination. He delved further, and tripped over an adjoining section of the mind. Fragments of Flavel, standing before the mind, wavered in and out. "You do not need to act on it," his father said. Whom was he speaking to? Karn found no other person nearby. He's speaking to the mind. Karn could hardly believe it. The words he spoke to the mind were instructions only. The image wavered in and out of existence. Karn couldn't capture the words, only that his father's body language became more animated. A flash of blue light nearly blinded him. Blinking from the effects of the afterimages, he saw another pathway of memory brighten as well. Then another. Karn captured one thread of thought, and couldn't believe his ears. I cannot resolve taking the thoughts of another without his consent. A mind can't have this kind of conflict. It's not designed to. Karn took a step backwards as the low hum increased. I can't control this. Yet if he didn't, the ship would be destroyed. This conflict of purpose fed on itself, and the words repeated and repeated in Karn's head. There will be no thoughts taken without consent. The humming increased to a low vibration that resonated throughout the room. In desperation, Karn tried to shut down each passageway. One by one they faded, but others erupted in their place. Whole swathes of unrelated memory he shut down. Only when he visualized the navigation link did he realize. Too late in his panic, he had reached in too deeply and widely. Karn could only do one thing. Shut down the higher functions, leaving only the basic lower level cues to run the ship. "Karn," Tallis called over the intercom. "We are losing navigation." If only Lucien were here… The ship lurched. Karn slipped and fell forward. Then everything went black.

Eighteen What felt like an invisible hand dragged Lucien from the blackness. He gasped as he opened his eyes. The red, swirling haze around him began to dissipate. Dear Goddess, what had Flavel done by storing the means of how to make a mind into a spy? Somewhere in the fading haze he saw Mari. What had she seen? Mari? An ache so deep raced over him. It came from Mari. She staggered towards him. With an effort, Lucien closed the gap between them. Tears streamed down her face. He ran his finger down a cheek. That brief connection nearly sent him to his knees. Quickly he retracted his hand and the energy around them faded. Mari rubbed her eyes, looked up at him again. "Why?" He cradled her in his arms instead, and she sunk into his embrace. He looked over her shoulder towards Korza's unconscious body. Thank the Goddess he hadn't seen everything. Nothing at all had entered Korza's mind. Mari looked up at him. "How can an artificial mind develop a conscience? Surely this was never the intent of its development." Lucien loosened his hold on her, but not completely. "What do you think happens when you train a mind to think beyond what is programmed into it?" Mari stepped back from his embrace. "But Adan didn't—" "Didn't know? Of course Adan didn't know, but he suspected. Karn, unfortunately, discovered it too late. Flavel certainly knew." "How so? You said yourself the mind didn't have any consciousness." "I was wrong." How he had missed it still baffled him. "So why did Flavel hide such a dangerous secret in the mind?" "Perhaps to ensure the mind would use its judgment when deciding what memories to snoop on and what not to."

"Surely it's not possible to create a mind so sophisticated." "I don't know enough." Since the Goddess had recorded it all, he would eventually. "Did the Goddess capture everything we saw?" "Yes." She looked worried. "What do you plan to do with this knowledge?" "You have no need to fear anything from Her." "In other words, She will keep what happened?" "You can trust Her." "I presume erasing the crystal you used is rather a pointless exercise then." "I'll still do that. It's not difficult." He slipped his hand into hers. "No one will ever find out. I promise." She squeezed his hand. "I believe you. It's all so—" "Unpleasant?" Mari slowly removed his hand from hers. "I should be able to handle this." "Your father has just died." He was about to mention Piela, but caught himself in time. "Of course you feel vulnerable." "I know." She straightened. "What about the mind? What will happen to it?" Already he visualized what remained: a white powder. It had been necessary to completely obliterate the mind so no one else would ever be able to access it or its secrets. "It's gone." Relief flooded over her body. "I'm glad. If whatever exists in there were be found by another-" "Exactly why the Goddess destroyed it. No one will know the truth except what we give them." "We?" Lucien inclined his head to the unconscious Korza. "The Goddess ensured he didn't receive any of what we saw. It means we can give him any version of the truth you want him to hear." Hope shone in her eyes. "Whatever version we want?" "Yes." "Everything but—" her voice faltered. "Take out the Liberty, the information Flavel placed in the mind and what Karn did, we'll have nothing left."

He admired her quick thinking. "My thoughts exactly, but there are pieces we can tell him." "Like what?" Her gaze returned to Korza. "Can we make him more comfortable?" Diverted for the moment of answering the question, he walked over to his side. Leaning down he gripped Korza's shoulders. "Can you help me carry him to the aircar." The man was heavy and while Mari took his legs, it wasn't easy going. Lucien had carried his fair share of unconscious patients, all felt like dead weights. With an effort they reached the aircar, and placed him on the floor. He closed the aircar doors. As the vehicle rose, red dust slowly disappeared the higher they went. Mari looked out the window, open-mouthed. He followed her gaze. The stones were scored, some worn in places. The work of the Goddess had been ferocious. "How did we survive?" "A cocoon protected me. Both of you were outside it." Her face paled. "I'm beginning to appreciate the power She has." Lucien reached her side. "It takes some getting used to." She leaned into him. "What do I tell my uncle? That we found nothing?" "He won't believe us." Maybe I can help you. Mari and Lucien looked at each other, aware the thought had came from neither of them. A subtle shift in energy and an outline formed. Lucien knew it to be the Goddess. Mari raised her hand to her mouth to suppress a gasp. "Mari," the Goddess said. **** Mari had sensed Her presence, heard Her voice. But, seeing the Goddess before her, calling her name, riveted her to the spot. Lucien trembled. "The Goddess of the Wind has never appeared to anyone besides a keeper before." Energy rippled in the surrounding air. The wavering edges around the Goddess solidified. Long red hair fell to Her waist. Her robe covered Her body, leaving Her pale skinned face and hands exposed. Eyes, as dark as the night, stared at Mari.

"Mari," she said. "You belong here, with Lucien, not as a ruler of an empire. It's never been in your heart." Her words came over to Mari as music. She wanted to hear more. "Goddess, don't influence her," Lucien said. "It must be her choice alone." "Very well." Her tone shifted, jarring Mari out of her reverie. "What does your heart want?" Mari opened her mouth, closed it again. "Duty is very important. Lucien can attest to that, but there are times a choice has to be made." Slowly collecting her thoughts, Mari said, "Lucien cannot survive away from Namfel. He doesn't have a choice." The Goddess wavered in and out. "What if he could?" A gasp from Lucien drew her gaze from the Goddess. As much as it would ease her to have him by her side, it wasn't what Lucien wanted. "His heart belongs here." Lucien looked to the Goddess, smiled wryly. "I'm afraid she's right, Mari. I have tried to ignore you, shut you out, and failed miserably on both accounts. I don't want you to go." "Nor I you," she protested, "But what can I do?" The Goddess looked at Korza's sleeping form. "What of him?" Korza wasn't the man she thought, but people changed when affected by an incredible experience. Eventually the effects of that experience fade, and the personality of what that person once was returns. "You think he won't change and you're probably right," the Goddess said. "I wasn't considering Korza in any case. He has made it clear more than once that rule isn't for him." He had, hadn't he? "So who?" Stupid woman, it's obvious, so why pretend otherwise. A slight smile formed on the Goddess's lips. Had She taken the thought from her? "I have an advisor who would be perfect for Haris," the Goddess said. Mari blinked. "Who?" "Not a healer, but a daughter of one of my most powerful keepers. She has some psychic ability, but not enough to stop her from leaving Namfel for extended periods." "Who is she?" Lucien asked.

"Kara." Lucien smiled. "She's looking for another student." "This isn't some educational exercise," Mari protested. "Any advisor requires a great deal of understanding about politics and—" "She has all that." "I've never heard of her." "What about Karan Le Fuer." The negotiator? Mari had heard of her, and how she had mediated several situations that could have turned to warfare. "She's from Namfel?" "Yes." Mari couldn't believe it. "And she would advise Haris? Why would she?" "Prestige. She'd like to work for the Emperor for a while." It was almost too good to be true. Was it? "You are one of us now," the Goddess said. "Korza needs to be consulted." "Of course he does." Lucien looked beyond her shoulder. "I think General Korza is waking up." Korza stirred. Mari dashed to his side and helped him to stand. He looked around, dazed. Not so when he paused at the Goddess. It was a good thing Mari still supported him by the shoulder. Korza nearly lost his balance as he stared. "Goddess," he whispered. Her smile made even Mari want to trust Her with her life. "We have a plan. I'll leave it to Lucien to discuss with you." A heartbeat later She became transparent, another beat and all Mari saw was red haze. Another beat and She was gone. "Am I dreaming?" Korza said, standing more steadily now. Mari let him go. "It was Her." She turned to Lucien. What do we tell him? He shook his head. "I really saw her, didn't I?" "You did." "I'm not sure what to say." "Sometimes it best to let the experience speak for itself," Lucien said.

"Maybe you are right." Korza turned to Mari. "How long was I out for?" "A half hour, no more," Lucien said. "I don't recall a thing? Did you?" Surprised at how quickly he returned to the situation at hand, she still wasn't ready to tell him anything. Yet to admit to nothing at all would be a mistake. "The Goddess has suggested an advisor for Haris. Karan Le Fuer." Korza nearly choked. "You are kidding, right?" "Not at all." "She's settled disputes that I thought were impossible." "The very same," Mari said. "You want this?" "I can't give up Lucien for the throne." It didn't seem so hard to say this time. "When?" "A few days." Mari planned ahead. "I plan to return to Theron with Lucien, say goodbye to Father, and tell the people that Haris will succeed." "Just like that," Korza said. "What if Karan ends up not serving our best interests?" "The Goddess looks after Her own, and Mari is one of us now," Lucien assured him. "I'm to have faith then." "Yes. Don't forget she did come from Namfel. She has ties here." Korza began to waver. "Some rules need to be drawn up and I need a guarantee from you, Mari, that you will make this work." "In other words, if Karan became a liability, she could be removed," she said. "She isn't there for good, only as long as Haris needs her," Lucien said. "Then she will go?" "Yes. On the word of the Goddess," Lucien said. "I agree, but I want to talk to her and determine exactly what she will advise on." "You will be involved," Lucien said, "as much or as little as you want." Korza ran his hand over his chin. "I'd like to see her first when she arrives on Theron."

"That can be done." Mari still found the whole thing incredible, yet it could just work. "What of the mind? What else did you see, or did you pass out as well." Korza said. She wondered when he'd get back to the mind. Mari? Anything that could incriminate her father could never be shared. What could? The use of the mind as a spying device? That, she could mention. "Did you recall anything?" Korza asked more gently. "I didn't see much, but one part that did remain was a process where the mind could be used to spy on certain individuals." She expected Korza to be shocked, but he wasn't. "I suspected it for some time. Years, to be precise. Ever since Flavel admitted how glad he'd not be responsible for the mind anymore. I had asked him why, but he said he was bound to silence. The engineer's code, he called it. I didn't believe it, so I did my own investigation at the research facility." Lucien reached Mari's side. His warmth so close made her tremble. The connection of their bond strengthened. His breath on her neck sent goosebumps over her body and she could not wait to get him alone. Soon, she thought. Patience was what she needed now. "The mind is sentient and is susceptible to every thought given to it. Flavel admitted that was why the training for an engineer was so rigorous, and lengthy. One had to totally trust your successor. It was one reason why a father/son relationship was used." Lucien seemed as surprised as Mari. "Please. Continue." "Flavel worried it might tempt those in power. My brother always held a fascination for technology, plus he always mistrusted people. He always did worry about his security too much." Mari had believed him to be cautious, certainly not more than that. "I assured him that he was safe on every trip, but he wasn't satisfied. Suran wanted better intelligence." "Would you want the mind be used in such a way?" Mari asked. "Never." "What of Flavel?" "He'll not be charged if that is what you are worried about. I'd rather not even tell him. He'll have enough to suffer, through."

"I'll go with whatever you want," Mari said, glad she could bury this completely. "My preference is to ensure the minds stay as simple navigational aids." "Thank the Goddess," Lucien said. While all this was a relief, Mari wondered how Haris would react once he knew the news. Would he…A smile came to her lips. Did Karan have a preference for sexual healing? She was notorious for having lovers. Lucien caught her thought. She is, rather. She's a bit older than Haris. Ten years isn't a lot, certainly not for a descendent of a keeper. We tend to age slowly. It occurred to her that she had no clue as to Lucien's age. You'll find out, as well at the level of awareness we can reach Mari. You will learn all that and more. She could well imagine how this awareness would happen. Not all of it is in a bed. Lucien barely suppressed a chuckle. "I'd like one more question answered." They had forgotten Korza was still there. "How exactly did the ship blow up?" Lucien asked. "Yes." "The process to spy on other minds was put into place but never enacted. It didn't stop the mind knowing about it. Over the years the dilemma widened to the point where fractures occurred. When Karn discovered the process, he widened the fractures. This caused the mind to, as you call it, totally lose it, and the ship blew up." "An accident?" "Yes." "Oh." "I know you wanted more, but that is the truth." "Nothing of Suran on the Liberty?" What did he know about that? "No. Why do you ask?" "Flavel became agitated after Suran left to go on the Liberty. It never occurred to me what it was. I had my own problem of backing down so Suran could take over as Emperor. He was a hero. Don't get me wrong. He did a lot of good between the time he became Emperor and now. It had been a privilege to serve him."

This comment nearly brought Mari undone. Despite the suspicions, Korza never wavered in his loyalty. "As I said before to Mari, being a general has its advantages. Look at all the politics I avoid for a start." Mari had to admit, the way he managed to bounce back after such an experience with the Goddess was impressive. "And you, Mari. Will you live here?" Korza asked. Her hand slid into Lucien's. "Yes, but I'll visit." "You do that." Korza said. "Oh. One more thing. What about the mind?" "It no longer exists." "Was that necessary? Decades of work—" "At times, it's best some secrets are never found." Korza nodded thoughtfully. "You have a point." "Back to the ship?" "Yes." He sighed deeply. "It's been quite an investigation, this one. I did think you had a hand in causing the explosion, but now I see I was wrong. My apologies." "Not necessary," Lucien said. "You were doing your job and had to consider all possibilities, some less palatable than others." Korza inclined his head, turned around and left.

Nineteen So many things she wanted to tell him, first and foremost about her selfishness in believing that she could do all this alone. "It's been far too long," she murmured into his ear. Unlike the other time she looked into her own heart, where she had seen uncertainty, this time she could say the words, and mean them. "I do love you." It came easily this time. He gently held her shoulders, drew her back. Looking down at her with adoration, he said, "I never doubted my love for you." She gave a gentle sweep of her hand over his cheek. "I was a fool though, believing I was the only solution. Kara, I hope, will give what Haris needs." Lucien drew her to a nearby sofa. "I'll tell you what he will learn. Kara didn't end up in her position by chance alone. She learned about patience, the ability to read subtleties in others and, to a degree, how to use persuasiveness to prove a point." Mari chuckled. "Persuasive? I've not seen you do that too much." She wiggled in his lap, feeling a certain part of him respond. He ran his hand over her back, sending a delicious shudder down her spine straight to her core. "I hated the time I kept myself from you. I thought staying away would make it easier to bear should you decide to stay on Theron." As I had, but I failed miserably. Every time I saw a place we were…" she licked her lip, "intimate, I couldn't stop thinking of you and I—" She got no further. Lips descended on hers. Oh, yes, this was what she had been waiting for. Mari depend the kiss, savoring the slowness of his tongue. Every moment had to last, not be rushed. Energy thrummed through her body, sending a tingling sensation all over her skin. Slowly she turned, until her legs were on either side of his hips. Fighting the temptation to grind into his erection, she simply sat, letting the energies strengthen between their root chakras.

The need to remove her robe wasn't as urgent either. To linger and enjoy every moment mattered more. He deepened the kiss, as did she. His hands ran down her back to her buttocks. Kneading them, he moved his hands in sync with his tongue. Mari rocked ever so slowly savoring the build between them. And we aren't even naked, she mused. I'll show you something. With no pause in his kiss, heat surged to his hands, straight to between her legs. A slight whimper escaped her lips. The fullness increased. It was as if he were inside her, moving very slowly. In reality he was almost still. The build came slowly, from where his tongue touched hers, straight to her womb. Her toes tingled, as did every part of her. Not so in one place, deep inside. The sensations were nothing she had experienced, like an approaching orgasm that flowed over her whole body, rather than an increased sensation between her legs. Her vagina contracted with each gentle movement. How is this possible? Our minds are powerful, Lucien said. Think on this, Mari. I can pleasure you from a distance and you would think I was there. As I tried at the Island of Wisdom. That was a good start for an amateur. Amateur indeed. She'd show him. No more visualization. Mari broke the kiss and climbed off him. Lucien's eyes snapped open. His face was as flushed as hers. "What are you doing?" "I'll not be called an amateur." He inclined his head, gave a crooked smile. "But you are, in the ways I have learned." She gripped her robe and flung it over her head. "Teach me, naked." His eyes burned with desire. "As you wish." Lucien rise, and removed his robe. "Come back here." They resumed the same position. Ah this was more like it. She straddled him, lowering herself gently until she felt him fully inside her. "That's better." He shook his head. "You aren't a patient woman, are you, but I'll teach you to be." He lifted her up, then down slowly. She gasped at the energy that surged between them.

"Did you know you can achieve orgasm without moving, and it can be more intense than this?" She found it hard to believe. "Later, I'll show you." And he lifted her up, then lowered her again. Mari helped him with the rhythm, watching his rapturous face as she slowly came to that wondrous place where she would fully join with him. She cried out as the first little orgasm rippled over her. It left her desperate for more but Lucien was not going to rush it. She knew this from the cheeky smile he gave her. Rather than fight it, she let him have his way. The build came with agonizing slowness yet at the same time the intensity deepened. Her whole body trembled again and again. A tingling sensation raced to her fingers and toes. But that wasn't the half of it. She cried out when she came again, and this time the room disappeared. Release came in a fusion of fire and colors. Mari returned inside his mind as he did in hers. The opening of the seven planes showed unity. Before she had seen the Goddess, now she saw herself. The expanse was there again, but not so terrifying. Not with Lucien at her side. Her fears fed into him, not of staying with him, but the future. A hard thing to even predict what would happen, but at least she didn't have to face it alone. My guide. Yes. He would guide her in the way she wanted. The colors came, but this time they deepened. Inside her heart, tendrils spilled out to his, joined, twisted and merged. His face reappeared from the haze. No tears for her this time, only certainly. He smiled, his face flushed with the afterglow of their passion "I'm sure this time." She leaned into his chest. "So am I."

About the Author

Sarah Dickson lives in rural Victoria, Australia with her husband and two dogs. She took up fiction writing five years ago when an opportunity arose to work part-time. She has managed to avoid full time work ever since. Occasionally she does web sites as well as manual labor such as cleaning. She would also like to do some more abstract painting and photography. Her passion is writing both erotic and non-erotic fiction that readers will enjoy, preferably a paranormal or set on another world. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, a supportive group who also have great conferences. Sarah can be found at http://www.sarahdickson.com.

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