Crystal Fire (15 page)

Brace shook his head. "I wish I knew, Marissa. It was probably a passing thing, stimulated by my earlier efforts to commune with the Knowing Crystal. Perhaps it was just hard for my mind to let it go."

"Perhaps." She paused. "You spoke of communing with the Knowing Crystal. Is that what you and your brother were doing earlier this sol?"

"Yes. Teran was trying to teach me to join with the Crystal."

"And were you successful?"

Brace hesitated. How much of his powers should he reveal? Despite the relationship growing between them, a tiny part of him still questioned her ultimate motives. She had yet to satisfactorily explain why she needed him for her questand that need could well be tied to his Crystal powers. He decided to tread lightly.

"I'm not so certain I possess Teran's talents," Brace began carefully. "The training will take time."

Marissa frowned. "How much time?"

"I don't know."

"Brace, we can't stay here much longer."

"Yes, Marissa. I know. I'll speak to Teran on the morrow."

His gaze dipped to her hand. Slowly he threaded his fingers through Marissa's.

Her eyes followed, drawn by his heated touch. Such strong, capable hands, she thought, studying the long fingers that merged into taut, vein-studded skin with its sprinkling of dark hair. Her glance moved up, past his wrist to his forearm, bulging with muscle and sinew beneath the rolled up sleeve of his tunic. Such powerful, capable arms, she mused; such strong, beautiful hands . . .

With a start, Marissa jerked her gaze back up to Brace's. A hot flush flooded her face. He'd been watching her, knew her thoughts. And she was far from ready to share so much.

Marissa nervously, disengaged her hand from Brace's clasp. He smiled. Then, never breaking his gaze, Brace reached for a berry, swirled it in the cream, and lifted it to his mouth. Marissa watched in fascination as his strong white teeth bit into the succulent fruit, saw his lips close around it and draw it into his mouth. A strange lassitude flooded her.

A smear of cream at the corner of his mouth caught her eye. Without thinking, Marissa captured it with the tip of her finger and brought it to his lips.

"Here," she murmured huskily. "Clean up after yourself."

Dark, dense lashes lowered as Brace dipped his head to her hand, but through their shielding screen his gaze burned molten hot. His lips parted, touching her, and then his tongue emerged to lick the cream away. His warm, moist tongue, his firm, dry lips . . . slipping down to capture her finger and draw it into his mouth.

Marissa's eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat. And still Brace continued, laving the slender digit, suckling it until her eyelids lowered in heated pleasure. He took Marissa's hand then, his lips moving to her palm, where he alternately planted velvet kisses and playful little nips.

She watched him, struggling to fathom the rapidity with which her feelings for Brace Ardane had changed. When had it happened? Something had definitely thawed when he'd agreed to give her time, to go slow and be gentle with her. And that wonderful smile when she'd finally admitted she wanted him!

But somehow Marissa knew he'd begun to insinuate himself into her heart long before this nocte. His integrity in standing up for his brother had stirred her respect and admiration. His stamina and courage in enduring two long cycles of torture and imprisonment filled her with awe. And his renowned warrior's prowessand animal magnetismwere seduction itself.

Yet it was his lighthearted teasing, innate sensitivity, and thoughtful concern that drew her most of all. He was unlike any male she'd ever known. She felt safe with Brace . . . cared for . . . needed. Almost as if he were her other half.

It was madness to think such things, Marissa realized, struggling to rise out of her dreamy haze, but the ecstasy of his hot, wet mouth threatened to rob her of the last vestiges of reason. It was so hard to fight himand she no longer wanted to.

Marissa began to tremble, sharp little spasms that shot to the core of her being. Her eyes followed the movement of his dark head. He was making love to her, she thought languidly, making love with just his mouth upon her hand. What would it be like to actually mate with him?

She licked her lips unconsciously, rosy lips, swollen with her rising desire.

The door to the garden opened in a frigid blast of air. Marissa jumped, jerking her hand from Brace's clasp. In that same instant Brace leaped to his feet, turning to face the intruder. His eyes locked with those of Rodac.

The Simian stood there, bleary-eyed with sleep, an irritable growl rumbling in his throat. He made a few quick hand movements.

Brace lowered himself back to his chair, his body still taut with his now dampened passion. His glance met Marissa's. Her eyes were overbright, her breathing ragged.

A grim satisfaction flooded him. Good. She'd been as roused as he.

"I'm sorry we woke you," he said, forcing his attention back to Rodac.

To calm his still pounding heart, Brace proceeded to pour out three mugs of hot, sweet faba and shove one across the table to the Simian, another to Marissa. "I'd forgotten you were sleeping in the garden or we wouldn't have turned on all the lights."

I tried my best to ignore them, but between the brightness and all the noise you were making
 . . .

"Noise, eh?" Brace grinned at Marissa, then gestured toward the table. "Are you hungry? There's plenty of food, and since you're awake, we might as well talk. There are new plans to make, and this is as good a time as any.''

Rodac eyed the food spread out on the table, then nodded. He proceeded to consume everything in sight.

Marissa rolled her eyes. What a pair of ravenous beasts! Half of the quest would probably be spent watching them hunt meat to appease their appetites.

Finally the Simian leaned back in his chair. After a loud belch, Rodac motioned to Brace.

"Time for another nap in the trees, is it?" Brace inquired. "Well, I'll try to make this quick."

He glanced at Marissa. "The quest has become a bit more involved than the simple rescue of Marissa's sister. The Knowing Crystal is also in Ferox's possession. We must now rescue it as well."

Rodac swung forward in his chair, his small eyes narrowing.
That makes things a lot more seriousand dangerous
.

Brace took a swallow of faba, then nodded. "I agree. We're all in a lot of trouble. Will you still help us, knowing this?"

Arbor is in as much trouble as Bellator. I'll help
.

"And how much extra will that cost us?" Marissa remarked snidely.

The alien's gaze swung to hers.
Only your word to keep that smart little mouth of yours shut. Can you afford such a price?
Marissa reddened with anger, and it was all Brace could do to keep from choking on another mouthful of faba. Only after he'd stilled his fit of coughing did he speak.

"Well said, Rodac," Brace agreed laughingly, then turned to Marissa. "Could I also buy into that little deal? It would be worth a small fortune to me as well."

Marissa's lips clamped shut and she glared over at him. "Stop picking at me and I may just agree."

She rose from the table. "And as for you, you hairy bag of bones," she snapped, shooting Rodac an icy glance, "this sudden act of Imperial unity doesn't fool me for a secundae. I still don't trust you!"

The Simian stood in one fluid motion, eying her for a long moment. Then, slowly, he relaxed and smirked. Without another word, Rodac ambled out the kitchen door and back into the garden.

Brace exhaled a deep breath, then went to shut the door. "You really ought to watch that tongue of yours, Marissa," he chided as he returned to the table. "Simians can be quite short of temper, especially where their honor is concerned."

"Honor," she muttered. "And when has a Simian ever known honor? I'm sorry, Brace. I still don't trust him."

"Well, I suppose things like trust take timefor all of us." He offered his hand. "Come, we need to get to bed. It will be sol rise soon and we've a lot of work ahead."

She hesitated before taking his hand. "How much longer, Brace? How much longer before we head out? Candra needs me."

A smile of understanding touched his lips. "I know, Marissa. I'll speak to Teran. It won't be much longer. I promise."

"Another sol. No more. That's all we can spare."

Fleetingly his keen eyes caressed her, then he nodded. "Another sol. No more."

"One more sol?" Teran stared at his brother in stunned incredulity. "You're giving me just one more sol to prepare you? You're mad, Brace! This quest is of too great a magnitude to rush into haphazardly, to learn as you go."

"There's a young femina's life at stake here, Teran," Brace replied calmly. "Teach me the rudiments. My mind is set."

"By the five moons!" Teran cursed. "If you think I can so easily teach you the rest along the way"

"It doesn't matter. You're not going. The Crystal refuses to allow your participationand you know it," his brother offered quickly. "We've spent the past two horas in attempting a joint communing and the stone won't permit you in. The quest is mine now. Accept it, big brother."

Teran shook his head. "I can accept it, but I don't have to like it. Something's wrong. Very wrong." He paused, a deep frown creasing his brow. "I wonder if Ferox has already used that little Traveler. If she somehow managed to get inside the Crystal and reprogram it . . ."

"All the more reason for haste. Time is of the essence now. Whatever powers I gain in tarrying here may soon be useless if Ferox has manipulated the Crystal."

"You're right, of course," Teran muttered, "but the danger of sending you out half-tutored is just as great." He sighed. "There seems little choice, though. I just don't want to lose you so soon after having found you again.''

Brace smiled. "Nor I, you."

"The little Sodalitas. She's integral to the eventual success of this quest. I feel it strongly, as does Alia."

"Of course she is," Brace began. "It's Marissa's sister, after all, and there's that psychic link"

"No, I mean her relationship with you. Though she lacks Crystal powers, the strength of her love for you is vital to this quest. It will aid you in your search for the Knowing Crystaland the inevitable outcome of that search."

"You speak in riddles," Brace growled. "Marissa doesn't love me. And the possibility of that ever happening is virtually nonexistent." He shot his brother a dark, shuttered look. "Why should it matter, anyway?" "Love has always been a force to be reckoned with. It has a mysterious power of its own, to stir the heart, to compel one past the limits of logic and physical ability. And it's a force the Knowing Crystal will never fathom. For all the Crystal's wondrous powers, in the end it's only a machine."

"A machine that seems to have turned on us long ago," Brace muttered. He shook his head. "You speak of emotions that only muddle the head when you need clear thinking most of all. And I say that's an interference, not an advantage."

"It can be at times," Teran agreed. "But love can also stir one to great things. Why do you think you finally agreed to Marissa's quest?"

Brace's jaw went taut. "Madness most probably. Lust most certainly. She's a fetching little morsel, once you get past her smart mouth."

His brother threw back his head and laughed. "Now that's the most brainless reason I ever heard for risking your life!"

"Maybe so, but it's a lot safer than loving a femina like Marissa. Leave it alone, brother."

Teran's expression sobered. "I'm not trying to force feelings that aren't there, Brace. I just want you to use all the advantages you have. You'll need them."

"Well, I'm telling youlove isn't one of them!" Brace exhaled deeply. "Now, time is short. Shall we resume my lessons?"

Gray eyes studied him. "As you wish." Teran rose and retrieved a small, fragile volume. "There's something in here I want to share with you," he said as he carefully turned the ancient pages. "It has to do with the Crystal's range of communication. It extends surprisingly long distances and even has the ability to physically affect the body through its impact on the mind.

"This book speaks also of a special box," he continued, "comprised of some alien metal that can block the Crystal's power when the stone is enclosed within it. If Ferox has man- aged to get his hands on this container, the task of tracking the Knowing Crystal through your Crystal powers may be difficult indeed . . ."

Later, after the supper meal, they met once again in the library. Marissa sat next to Brace with Alia at the head of the table and Teran on her right. Rodac sprawled several chairs away, considerately downrange from everyone's sense of smell.

"There's some information I would share," Alia began without preamble. "Information vital to your quest."

"The only information needed is where to find Ferox and my sister!" Marissa interjected heatedly. "As important as this Crystal learning supposedly is, enough time has been squandered. Do you know where Ferox can be found?"

"He is on Bellator."

Brace frowned. "Bellator? Where? And why?"

Alia shook her head. "I don't know why. All I can tell you is that I saw a scene of an ancient monastery high in the Carus Mountains just before the Crystal's pedestal exploded and Ferox stole the stone away. It was the monastery of Exsul."

"And what did it mean, that vision?" Marissa demanded. "Is that where Ferox went?"

Alia regarded her. "Yes."

"How can you be so certain Ferox is on Bellator?"

"I just am, Marissa."

"And you expect us to transport back to Bellator, travel across the planet and into the mountains, just to see why you had a vision of some monastery?" Marissa rose from the table. "By all that is sacred, I'm so weary of wasting time!"

"Do you have any better idea of where to find Ferox?" Brace growled. "If not, sit down and be quiet!"

She rounded on him. "Ardane, don't give me orders. I've had about all I can take of you, too!"

Brace glared at Marissa. A muscle twitched in his jaw at the effort it took not to snap back at her. He knew that the burden of responsibility for her sister weighed heavily, that the forced inactivity of the past sols ate at her.