Tempest Rise (revised edition 10/2013) (Treborel) (16 page)

Kendra was very fond of the tall lanky Commander. She’d wondered what had become of him during the conflict. She had casually checked every Treborelan officer who had been brought in, just in case he might come through.  She had never really expected to see him. It took every ounce of her strength not to push Andru aside and heal Cap’s wounds herself. Instead, she stood by and gazed at Cap's still form. Kendra's fists clenched at her side, she prayed Cap would live.

The surgery took only a couple of hours due to Andru’s help. Lysette was pleased with the results. She moved to Katar and pulled him from the doorway saying, “He’s going to be alright.” She smiled softly at him. “Andru and Kendra are healing his incision now. He’ll be on his feet in a few days. His voice will probably sound a little scratchy from now on. He’s lucky to have one at all.”  Lysette finished her statement
as she pulled her long oval medical probe, she placed it on his chest. His vital signs were normal. “Did anyone check you?”

“Kendra looked me over and pronounced that I’d live.” Katar smiled at her concern as she poked his ribs and added, “I do have a slight pain in my side.”

“Which one?” Lysette frowned with concern moving her hands to his sides.

“Both, it kind of radiates around to the center of my back.” He said, taking her hands and moving them to the small of his back, pulling her close. “Will I live doctor?” He whispered softly in her ear.

Realizing his ruse, she whispered back, “Scoundrels never die; they just grow old and wither away to dust.” She teased, and then kissed him softly.

When they
separated, she took him outside. The wind had died to a soft breeze, the smell of rain hung in the air. They walked the perimeter of the warehouse, arm in arm. Lysette told him of the Prime Minister’s wife.

“That seems to be Connors signature, an arrow through the head. He must have liked the Prime Minister. He usually cuts off the hands and feet as well.  Sometimes. . .” Katar stopped himself realizing
she probably witnessed more of the mangled soldiers than he did. Ending that conversation, he turned back to the Prime Minister’s wife. “How is Lady Malia doing now?”

“She’s been returned to the palace in Nayr. I think it will take some time for her to recover from the emotional wounds. But she’ll survive.” Chelsa was so
much help to her. They talked for hours, each time they had a session Malia was stronger and more confident. I wish I could do that.” Just touch someone . . .”

“It’s not as simple as that.” Katar cautioned, “They have deep religious beliefs.”

“It’s just so mystifying, why only certain Treborelans can call upon this gift.”  Stopping at the summit of the forest, they gazed at the dark moving clouds as they passed overhead. “Joah’s taught me so much about how they use their
strength
. He wants me to teach Andru some of the surgical techniques of reconstruction and invasive procedures. I’d be happy to do it, but I think he’d be better off at the Medical Academy in Lavose. I tried to convince him to attend, but he says he’s just completed one long undertaking, he doesn’t want another.”  She sighed in the sadness of his missed opportunity. “He could learn so much and the Academy could benefit from him as well.” Turning her attention back to Katar, Lysette overflowed with enthusiasm. “Andru told me of the Empathic Institute, I’d love to visit it. Perhaps one day when the conflict is over, we could establish a medical academy near there! The possibilities are endless. The research can you imagine the advancements we could achieve?” She beamed with the excitement of forging in this new direction, merging the two sciences.

For the first time
, Katar realized that there might be a way for the two of them to spend their lives together without one of them sacrificing everything they held so dear. Her acceptance of the Empathic way and the plans she’d made from combining the two medicines, could bring their two very different lives together.  Katar knew then that he would do everything in his power to make her dreams come true. He knew he could, the mere idea filled Katar with such excitement and tenderness. Only then did Katar realize that he had fallen in love with Lysette.

“I’m going to ask Joah and Andru to join me in a practice. We can show the entire planet that Empathic Healing and Medical science are stronger together.”  Lysette rambled on with her plans
, completely unaware that Katar had taken her into his arms. “Did you know that Empaths are educated in Anatomy and Physiology for nearly three years before they are allowed to practice their art on the smallest of scratches?” She looked up into his eyes and smiled brightly.

“Lysette,” Katar tried to interrupt, his voice soft and beckoning.

“I’d love to visit the Institute. It’s near Borel somewhere in the mountains.”  She hesitated trying to remember what Andru had told her; unaware that Katar had even spoken.

“I love you.” He spoke softly, smiling down at her.

Stopping her train of thought, Lysette stared at him.

“I love you Lysette, more than you can even imagine.” Katar repeated his confession meeting her startled eyes. Not waiting for any
words, he kissed her deeply. Feeling all his emotions run wild as she responded to his kiss. She held him tightly and leaned against him, not wanting to stop. When they finally separated Lysette was breathless.

She buried her head in his neck and said, “I love you so much it frightens me.”  Then she pulled back, gazed into his deep blue eyes and whispered, “Stay with me tonight.”

Still weak and disoriented Cap awoke with a start, thinking himself still in the wreckage of his helijet. Memories of Katar’s voice came to him as he began to piece together what happened. He tried to search the darkness around him, feeling a stab of pain as he raised his head. His hand went to the ache in his throat, finding it covered with bandages. He licked his lips and wished for a drink of water.

A soft
, warm hand touched his forehead and the pain disappeared. Kendra’s face appeared before him, as her voice soothed him. “You’re feeling the effects of a healing session. Let the sleep take you. You’ll feel better in the morning.”  He opened his mouth to speak and she covered it with her fingertips. “Don’t talk, your throat was injured, let it heal.” A smile crossed her lips as she held a cup of fruit juice to his lips. “You’re going to be fine. Prince Katar brought you here. He’s fine as well and he’ll see you in the morning.” She lowered the cup and placed it on the small table beside his bed.

He reached for her hand
, as she turned back to him to feel his forehead for a fever. Not sure if he was dreaming, Cap smiled and drifted off to sleep reveling in the comfort of her presence. As his dreams carried him away, he felt the brief moist touch of her lips lightly caress his temple. Her soft soothing voice reassured him, “I will be here right by your side as long as you need me.”

Katar never would have believed a night filled with such tender lovemaking could have been so passionate. He studied Lysette’s face as she slept in the small bed beside him. He traced his finger along her cheek and down the curve of her
neck. Feeling the softness of her skin as his hand slid under the blanket and caressed her silky skin. Stirring, she opened her eyes and smiled at him. 

“Good Morning,” Katar whispered into the hollow of her throat as he kissed Lysette
, gently pulling her against him. “I’m glad you’ve got this room to yourself. I don’t think I could get out of this bed without giving your roommate an anatomy lesson.” He smiled, kissing her on the tip of her nose.

“Are you complaining about my hospitality?” Lysette teased with a wicked grin.

“No, not at all. Frankly I’m surprised that one of us didn’t end up on the floor at some point during the night.” Katar grinned back at her. He was amazed at how beautiful she was so early in the morning.

“I thought it was very cozy, the two of us snuggled together in this little bed.”

“Well then from now on, we only make love in a twin bed.” He jumped up from the bed, yanking the sheets off Lysette as his feet hit the floor. A quick yelp and a flurry of movement, came from Lysette as she jumped onto the floor next to him. She jerked the sheets out of his hands and wrapped them around her. Then glancing at the clock, she gasped, “I’ve only got an hour before I’m on duty again.” She turned back to him and frowned asking, “Are you leaving today?”

“I’ve got
to check on a transport, I’m sure they’ll need me back. There’s probably something in the area that I can hitch a ride on.” Katar answered quietly, regretting the war more than ever before. “Why don’t you get dressed? I’ll run over to the command center and meet you for breakfast, as long as you don’t mind my scratchy face.”

A
passionate kiss was his answer. He dressed, as she pulled on a robe and headed for the showers, calling over her shoulder, “The stubble on your face is not a problem, but I’m not sure about the smell.”

“Smell?”
Katar frowned after her, then smiled and headed to take a quick shower.

The first available transport
wasn’t scheduled to leave until late afternoon.  Katar contacted the Southern Air Base to inform them of his whereabouts and Cap’s accident. They were quite eager to have their field commander back in action, and a flight team was rerouted to his destination. They were less than thirty minutes north of the warehouse complex.

Katar arrived at the small cafeteria
, as they began to clear the breakfast entrees away from the buffet. Fresh fruit and bread was all that was left for the two lovers to feast upon. Piling his plate high, he turned to find Lysette at his elbow, her plate equally full. Finding a table near the far wall, they sat quietly, each regretting the loss of free time they so desperately wished for. As Katar studied Lysette’s clean, glowing face, he realized there couldn’t possibly be another woman more beautiful than she could. Her damp, blonde hair was pulled back to the nape of her neck, cascading down her back and curling around her shoulders.  She had barely three hours of sleep, yet looked as if she had spent the entire night in deep restful repose.

Katar told her of the transport that w
as to arrive shortly, and watched as disappointment filled her face. “I wish I could stay, even if it was for only one more day. But it’s just not possible.” 

Taking his hand in hers
, Lysette smiled softly, “I know, I’m going to be in surgery most of the day anyway. I just wish I knew when I was going to see you again.”

“I wish I could tell you.
The fact is, I don’t know myself where I’m going to be from one day to the next.” Katar sighed and smiled at her adding, “But the war is coming to an end soon. Ergos can’t hold out much longer. They’re out of food and supplies. We cut off their water two days ago. Tor surrendered last night; Ergos is standing alone against an overwhelming force.”

Realizing Lysette wasn’t encouraged by this, he leaned across the table.  “Okay, It could be weeks, but it’s not going to last forever
, and now that I know you're so close . . .” They both knew they might not see each other until the conflict was over, it was best not to make promises. Yet Katar couldn’t help himself. “When this thing is over, I want to take you to Treborel and the Empathic Institute. I want to introduce you to my home.”

Finally a smile appeared on her face as she said, “I’d like that very much, Katar.”

He wanted to ask her to stay with him in Borel, but the words wouldn’t form.  They finished their meal and spent their last few minutes together checking on Cap’s progress. The recovery area was quietly full of movement. Cap was sequestered near the back of the long, dark room. They found Kendra seated at Cap’s bedside trying to coax him into using his voice.

“The rasp
y sound isn't going to fade until you start using your vocal cords again.” Kendra scolded the young officer, “Sooner or later you're going to have to speak. It really doesn’t sound that bad.” Flustered, she looked up at Katar and Lysette, then back to Cap with a determined look saying, “I never would have thought you were vain, Cap Taylor. I guess I’ll just have to sit here hour after hour talking to you until you answer me.”

“That may be just want he wants Kendra.” Katar warned with a sly smile, looking down at his friend.

“In that case, I should go,” Kendra rose, Cap scowled at Katar showing his displeasure at being betrayed. “When you’re ready to talk just ask for me.” With that, she was gone.

Lysette placed her medical probe on Cap’s chest, pleased at his vit
al signs.  “You’re doing well Commander. You’ll be out of here in a few days.” She smiled softly, then stood and kissed Katar deeply and said, “I’m going to report in, I’m sure you two have things to discuss. Find me before you leave; I’ll walk you to the landing area.”

Cap managed a weak smile, surprised that his friend was kissing the one woman he had sworn to hate. Taking a slow deep breath, Cap spoke
, his voice was rough and dry, “Katar, I think I must have been hurt worse than I thought. You told me you weren’t interested in her.”

“I can’t help it Cap. She’s got a hold on me I can’t break.” Katar turned back to him with a wink. “And I’m tired of resisting.”

“What about Enda?” Cap let himself relax into the pillows, his throat ached.

“I’ve told you before Cap, if you interested in Enda, I have no ties to her. She knew I never intended our relationship to go beyond anything more than it was.”  Katar said defensively.

“Do I detect guilt?” Cap croaked, despite his growing fatigue.

Katar stared at his injured friend
, and wondered how Cap could always see inside his head and said, “You know as well as I do, that I never worried how my romances turned out. The direction they went in, was left to chance. I really didn’t care. But now, with Lysette, I want to guide it.” Katar sat down in Kendra’s vacant chair and continued, “I’m in love with her Cap. I’ll be damned if I know how it happened.” Katars voice changed to a solemn tone. “Now it's very important to make sure Enda understands that it's over between us. I don’t want anyone or anything to come between Lysette and myself. I’ve never known anyone like her, Cap. She’s more than just beautiful and intelligent. Lysette cares deeply about the things she’s involved with, and she’s not afraid of the future. She's not afraid to face all the changes that threaten the entire continent.  She is exactly what I want, what I need.”

Glancing over at Cap
, Katar saw that his friend was tiring. “I’ve talked enough, you need some rest.” Katar rose, glancing around for Kendra. “It was quite a surprise seeing Kendra here. Why don’t you let her help you?” He turned back to Cap smiling brightly. “Some women think a deep, raspy voice is sexy.”

That solicited a smile from Cap
, and he reached up to tug on Katars uniform.  “I can always count on you to get right to the point.” Then his smile faded as his eyes closed. Forcing them open he added weakly, “I owe you my life . . .”

The fear and concern that he had felt the night before
, returned to Katar in a rush of emotion. Looking into the tired face of the man who had been his friend and confidant since childhood, the arrogant Prince realized how deeply he cared for Cap, and how much his loss would have hurt. Katar cleared his tightening throat as Cap added, “Just make sure you don’t find yourself in the same situation. I won’t be there to help for a while.”

Katar grinned as Cap’s face relaxed into sleep and said, “I think I can manage to survive for a few days without you.”

The sky darkened as one of the many early summer storms formed above the palace. It was almost as if Prince Roth brought the storm with him into Sean Nolan’s office, waiting for the thunder to launch its echoes across the sky. Sean appeared through the door, as Roth was inquiring with Val about his availability.

Sean was in no mood for Roth, he said, “Roth, I didn’t realize you were back in Lavose?”

“I’m just in for the day, I decided to take a short break and see how my mother is holding up.”  Roth answered, glancing past Sean to his closed office door.

Nodding at his
remarks Sean addressed Val, “Do you have the information I requested?”

“Yes sir
, intelligence confirms Lady Waytals story. But has no information on her engagement.” Val sorted through her papers and handed him a document with a portrait attached. “They sent this over, it looks like her.”

“What did security say?” Sean concentrated on the information
, as Val glanced over at Prince Roth in hesitation. “Val?” 

Staring at her boss, Val's gray eyes hardened as she answered with awkward dignity. “She was admitted to the palace at Prince Roth’s request. She is his guest.”

Turning his attention to Roth, Sean waited in silence for a response.

“Ah, Lady Waytals?”
Roth feigned surprised enlightenment. “I am sorry Sean, I wasn’t paying attention to the conversation. I did invite her, I’m so sorry; I must have forgotten to tell you. I received a communiqué from her regarding her fiancé, Prince Katar. She’s worried about him. It seems Lady Waytals and the Queen don’t get on too well” Roth smiled brightly at the pair, and glanced back toward Sean’s office. “Is she here?” Again, the pleasant smile of surprise presented itself as he turned and headed to greet Enda. “I suggested she speak with you about finding her elusive Prince. I know you and Katar are in constant contact coordinating efforts and such.” Stopping as she reached the door he added, “I forgot she was arriving today, is she in your office?”

Not waiting for an answer
, he opened the door and walked in before Sean had a chance to register all the information Roth just spewed at him.

“Lady Waytals, I am Prince Roth. It’s so good to finally meet you!” Roth overflowed with charm as he kissed Enda’s hand.

Rising to greet him Enda gasped, “Your Highness! I am honored.” She smiled graciously, glancing toward the returning Lord Nolan as his assistant delayed him one last time.

Entering a few moments later
, Sean found Roth sitting on the edge of his desk completely enamored by the vivacious Lady Waytals. Moving to his chair Sean announced, “Lady Waytals, I’m afraid Prince Katar has been reported to have crashed in his helijet, just outside a field hospital late last night.” Sean paused to allow her to react.

Enda’s face paled, her jaw fell slack, shocked at the horrifying news. “Is
he dead?” She asked, her voice barely audible.

“No, apparently not, j
ust bruised a little.” Sean answered without conviction.

“Roth rose and turned to face Sean saying, “You could have prepared her a bit, Sean instead of just throwing it at her like that!” Roth went to the small corner bar and poured Enda a glass of water. Accepting it gratefully
, Enda asked for more details.

“Apparently he rescued a fellow pilot from some wreckage and flew him to a nearby field hospital as a storm was approaching. The winds knocked the helijet into a small grove of trees
, as he was trying to land.” Sean answered, still not convinced Enda was who, or what she claimed.

“He could have been killed!” Enda gasped, once more turning to Prince Roth and taking his hand. “Oh please! I must see him.
Is there any way I can go to him? I just won’t believe he’s safe until I can see him.”

“In view of the situation Lady Waytals, I would be pleased to escort you to that very field hospital myself
, this very moment.” Roth rose, gallantly turning to Sean. “Where is he?”

“Our latest installment near Sondral.”
Sean answered quietly, then turned to Lady Waytals and added, “It could be dangerous, and there is no guarantee that Prince Katar will still be there when you arrive, his injuries . . .” 

“I must try Lord Nolan.” Enda began to sob
, covering her eyes with a tissue; she produced neatly from her purse.

“Then we shall leave at once.” Roth proclaimed
, helping Enda to her feet he escorted her to the door and added, “I’ll handle this Sean, don’t trouble yourself.”  

Sean simply stared after them in silence.

Roth couldn’t believe his luck. The very diversion he needed, to place Enda exactly where she needed to be, had happened without any effort on his part.  Lysette’s new assignment, the Sondral Field Hospital fell right into place as well.  He couldn’t have planned it better himself. His only concern was if Katar had managed to spend any time alone with Lysette last night. Feeling the jealousy rise, he clenched his fists and led Enda toward the Helijet transport waiting for them on the back lawn.

After tonight, Lysette
would be done with Katar forever.

Lysette finished her rounds quickly
, then headed toward the small laboratory located at the front of the complex. Katar came up behind her and kissed her neck. Startled she turned around to find his lips on hers. Oblivious to the medical personnel staring at them, he pulled her close and said, “The helijet is landing now. I meant what I said last night, Lysette.” He pulled her against him and smiled softly saying, “I love you.”

“And I love you.” She answered, forcing the tears back that threatened to surface.

“Those stars are sparkling in your eyes again.” He said turning and pulling her with him toward the rear exit. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. I hope I can come back to pick up Cap in a few days.”

Before she knew it
, they were at the landing area and Lysette was kissing Katar goodbye. “Be careful.” Was all she could manage and he was gone.

The rest of the day was filled with inquiries from the female staff as to who Lysette’s tall, handsome suitor had been. When it
was finally discovered he was Prince Katar, she became the talk of the unit. With a contented smile, Lysette ignored them and carried on with her work. She wasn’t impressed with Katar because he was a Prince, there was so much more to him than simply royal blood.

Late that afternoon a ‘My Beloved’ arrived. Wondering how he managed to send flowers in the middle of the war
, Lysette smiled and spent the day in perfect bliss. There were no casualties throughout the rest of the afternoon. When Prince Roth arrived and asked Lysette to join him for dinner, she had no excuses.  Agreeing, she realized this was the perfect time to tell him about her relationship with Katar. Hopefully this would be the end of his constant attention.