“We must climb to the top. It will be an exercise, but not too strenuous; I can make out an ascending path carved into the side of the mountain.” Familiar eyesight was especially acute.
“Oh.” The news of the long climb in the burning heat did not excite her.
Gian smiled. “The mountain is a dormant crater, hollow on the inside. My guess is that a similar carved path will lead us down into its center.”
“What an odd place for a people to live,” she commented.
“There are no intelligent beings here, Jenise. This planet is simply a link between your world and a sponsoring world, which sought to broaden its scope by allowing the link. Do you know anything about the sponsoring world at the other side of the next Tunnel?”
“I know only that each of the three Tunnel points on Ganakari leads to a different world. My mother’s mate did not wish me to know too much, for fear I would leave when I reached adulthood.”
“He loved you like a daughter, did he not?” Gian asked intuitively.
A shield went over her lovely aqua eyes. “He caged us.”
Gian watched her carefully. She had much to reveal to him, and perhaps to herself. Again he realized the difficult path he faced with her. “There is a difference between caging and protecting,” he said softly.
“I do not wish to discuss this with you.”
Gian decided to let the matter rest for now. There would be time enough later for him to explore this with her. If they survived. “Very well.”
They continued on, neither speaking, each pursuing his own thoughts on the same topic.
By midday the shadow of the mountain stretched over them.
The dome looked higher up close than it had from a distance. Its craggy peaks blocked the suns from view.
Gian knew they would have to make the next Tunnel point as quickly as possible, for there was nothing that could sustain them on this planet.
He was severely burned. Still, he led Jenise along the base of the mountain to the carved-out platforms which trailed up its side. Strange symbols were carved into the edges of the stone platforms, their meaning lost on the two travelers.
Jenise noted that Gian’s steps were unsteady.
A few times she had caught him shivering as if he had a chill. There was no doubt in her mind that he had been poisoned by the fierce rays of the suns. She hoped he would be able to end his suffering soon by transforming himself. Never would she forget that he had done this for her, guarded her from the hostile life forms on the planet.
The Familiar had taken responsibility for her. This behavior puzzled Jenise. It was not what she’d expected from one of his kind.
He was a complicated man. And a very ill one. He needed shelter.
“Do you see a place for us to rest the night, Gian? I think I am too weary to go on.” She was not that tired; she was thinking of him. The proud Familiar would continue to protect her until he passed out or worse.
“There is an outcropping a little ways up the path. It should lead to shelter.” His handsome face was blistered red, his lips cracked and swollen. Despite it all, he was still somehow beautiful.
He stumbled on the path. Jenise winced in sympathy; she couldn’t even imagine the pain he must be in. She quickly went to his aid, lifting his arm over her shoulder.
Without meaning to, her arm brushed against his injured skin. He could not suppress the groan that escaped his lips.
Jenise had had enough of his stubbornness. “Gian, you will transform yourself right now! We have left the floor of the plain and I see none of the spiny creatures anymore.”
The authoritative tone she used amused him. If it weren’t for the fact that it would hurt too much, he would have grinned. Oh yes, he, Guardian of the Mist, would be sure to respond to such a command.
He shook his head, then winced at the pain the movement caused.
“There are other dangers,” he replied just as authoritatively. “I will not leave you unprotected.”
“I do not understand you! I assure you, I will be most careful, you need not worry about me.”
This time he did try to smile, but failed. The woman had no idea of the dangers to watch for here. He could not send a powerful enough flicker-warning in his cat form; without his protection she would be overtaken very quickly. “You will forgive me, Creamcat, but it is the way we Familiar men are.”
“With everyone?” A line of confusion marred her smooth brow. She hadn’t heard that.
“No, not everyone. Now tell me what you see to the right of those steps ahead.”
She sucked in her breath. “Why can you not see for yourself?”
“I am having trouble focusing,” he reluctantly admitted.
She exhaled heavily. Males. “There is an opening in the rock wall; perhaps a small cave.”
“Good.” He staggered slightly. “We need to get there quickly, Jenise. If I fall here, you will not be able to get me to shelter—I will be too heavy for you.”
Jenise nodded. That was definitely true.
They made their way to the small cave. Abruptly, he stopped her before they entered. “Wait!” His eyes were now swollen shut but he seemed to be using his other senses to “see” danger.
“I can detect no life forms within; it appears to be safe, but be on your guard.”
“Yes, I will.”
They entered the small opening. As soon as they were out of the daylight, Gian sank to the ground, almost taking Jenise with him.
“Please, Gian, change now!” She was beginning to get frightened for him.
“I cannot, Jenise.”
“What? Why not?” she asked, horrified.
“My energy levels are too low.” He shook with a chill.
“Why did you do this?”
His teeth began to chatter. “I have already ex-explained that to you.”
Not completely. Jenise gave him a speculative look before she asked, “What will you do?”
“I can sense water…there is another cavern behind this; if there is a small pool there, I will go into the water to see if it will help the burning. One thing is certain, we must get to the next Tunnel point as soon as possible, for I have seen nothing on this planet that can sustain us.”
She wasn’t sure he could make it to the next Tunnel point. From what she knew of dual sun exposure, he would become very ill in a very short period of time. “Gian,” she whispered, “what if—”
“Get me to the pool, taja.” His normally beautiful voice was raspy.
Helping him to his feet, she guided him along the rock passage. Soon the corridor widened and a large cavern opened up before them. A small pool lay in the center, its water clear.
“You were right, there is a pool here.”
“Good. Unlace my tracas.”
Unlace his tracas? She looked at him warily. “Why?”
“Because I need to remove them before I enter the water,” he explained patiently.
Gingerly, she plucked at the lacings, careful not to brush his burned skin. As a consequence, it took her a very long time to undo them.
When she got to the middle section, she bit her lip as she contemplated the thick bulge in the leather breeches. How could she do this without touching him? She didn’t want him to think she was—
“Creamcat, what is taking you so long?”
Her head snapped up. “Um, nothing. Almost done.” She grabbed the bottom end of the lacing and yanked hard. The rawhide flew through the grommets and zipped out; almost flying across the floor.
“By Aiyah!” he roared.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
“Think nothing of it!” he snarled. “I needed a rope burn on my kani! To match the sunburn on my back!”
“I said I was sorry.” She really felt terrible about what had happened. So she asked the question women universally ask in these situations. “Does it hurt?”
The question universally annoyed males. They never could understand why women asked it. They certainly did not want to answer it an
d admit to anything. So they usually responded the way Gian did, which was a totally unbelievable “No.”
Irritated, he threw his tracas to the ground and stormed into the pool.
“At least it gave you some energy,” she called after him, helpfully.
Very much the cat, he hissed in response. Then he groaned as his abused body sank into the cool water.
“Look, Gian, someone left some supplies here!”
“What is it?” He cocked his head, listening to her movements. A bag rustled as she excitedly pulled out the contents. He heard her small sigh.
“Not a lot…there’s a gourd of systale…a few loaves of dried pani…some bowls…a fire-starter stick! And some creote rocks to ignite for the fire…and…a small vial of cleansing oil.”
“Can you bring me some of the pani?”
“Of course.” Pani was a dry, flat loaf of baked grain. Many travelers carried it as it preserved well. It tasted awful but was nutritious.
She knelt by the pool’s edge and, breaking off a piece of the pani, held it to his lips. He swallowed a few bites and drank the water she handed him, but it was obvious he was in a lot of pain.
“I am sorry about the rope burn on your…I am sorry, Gian.” She gently smoothed back his bronzed hair from his forehead.
He caught her hand and squeezed it lightly. “It is all right.” A chill shook him.
“You should rest, perhaps you will feel better.” They both knew that was unlikely.
“I am going to attempt to transform.”
“What if you cannot?”
He paused. “If I wait too much longer, I might become delirious from fever, Jenise, in which case I will not be able to focus on the transformation. It is best to attempt it now.”
It was what he did not say that worried her. If he waited too long it might be too late. There was no telling how ill he would become. Her eyes moistened. He had done this to protect her. She must do the same for him.
“You must do as you think right, Gian.”
Gian wished he could see her at this moment. He would have liked to remember how the creamcat looked when she said she trusted him. For whether she knew it or not, that was what she had just admitted. “Jenise—”
She took his hand. “But you must eat some more pani first to gather your strength as best you—”
“Jenise.”
“Yes?” Even though she tried, she could not hide the shaky timbre of her voice.
“When I transform, I will need to remain in my other form for a while—until my energy level rises. It should not be too long—as long as I can make the initial…it should not be too long.”
She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her.
He surprised her by returning the nod. Apparently he could sense her movement.
“If you see a flash of light and nothing more, do not be frightened, taja. It simply means I am in my third form. If that happens you must continue on to the Tunnel point. I will still be with you, although you will not see me. Will you promise me you will do something for me then, Creamcat?”
“Of course, Gian.” After what he had done for her, she would never refuse him.
“You must attempt to get to Aviara. It is very important. Seek out a wizard there named Yaniff. He will see my…he will know who you are. You must tell him about the drug they used on me, Jenise. For my people.”
“Yes, yes I will.”
“Tell him, ‘they know of the other.’”
“They know of the other?” She was perplexed. What did this mean?
“Yes. He will know what to do.”
“Very well then, Gian. I will do as you ask.”
“Trust Yaniff, Jenise. He will help you.”
“Help me…help me do what?”
Gian hesitated. “Just promise me you will go to him.”
“I promise.”
“Good,” he murmured. “Now, taja, if you would help me out of here…” He offered her his hand.
She guided him out of the water even though she suspected he was guiding himself and simply wanted to feel her touch.
He stood before her. Virile as always. His hand reached out and stroked her hair. “It seems as though I have done this before,” he commented wryly.
“You have.” She smiled poignantly. “The time when you jumped out the window.”
“Ah, yes. Well, let us not make it a habit after this. The task seems to be getting more difficult.” He tried to joke, but she could tell he was concerned.
“No, let this be the last time, Gian.”
Blindly, he lifted her chin with his finger. “Remember, if I seem to disperse, I am still with you. I will always be with you.”
“Of course.” A tear splashed on his hand and he knew then that she didn’t believe him. There was no third form; he had been trying to make it easier for her should something go wrong.
“Jenise,” he whispered. He inhaled her scent before brushing his swollen lips against hers.
A cry of despair came out of her and she tried to bring him closer to her. What if he could not metamorphose into his other self?
Gian broke away from her abruptly, knowing that if he did not, he would not be able to do what he must. For both of them.
Guardian of the Mist did not hesitate even one instant.
The glowing began and he dissolved right before her eyes. Jenise reached out to the light but it was gone before she could touch it. He was gone. A sob of anguish left her throat. Gian was gone!
Something silky curled around her ankle.
Jenise jumped. Looking down, she saw a cat’s tail curled affectionately around her leg. The large black and bronze and gold cat it belonged to was fast asleep at her feet. She smiled through her tears.
His energy had been utterly depleted, but, once again, the man had done it.
Jenise sank to the floor beside the regal looking cat and cried into his soft, thick fur.
Jenise eyed the dozing cat from her vantage point in the center of the pool.
He was still fast asleep, his massive head resting on his powerful front paws. Even in sleep, he appeared master of his universe. Fierce and dominant. Not one to tangle with. This was Gian, she acknowledged. The traits she saw in one were in the other.
Gathering the vial of cleansing oil, she lathered her long hair, taking her time to wash. The pool was comforting and it felt good simply to relax in its cool depths.
Leaning back in the water, she floated across the gently rippling surface, her hair wafting around her, her eyes closed.
Was the cat watching her? She opened her eyes, glancing his way.
No, the green/gold eyes were closed, his head still resting on his paws. She relaxed, dunking her head under the water to clear the last of the bubbles. She came up sputtering and dripping wet.
Walking out of the pool to the creote fire she had lit, she knelt by its edge. Its warmth would help dry her off.
Behind her, the resting cat observed her out of slits of glittering green and gold.
Sitting on her haunches by the warmth of the fire, Jenise closed her eyes and began to doze lightly.
Strong hands threaded through her hair, arranging the waist-length tendrils over her shoulders, bringing them forward to cover her breasts.
“The fire will dry it better this way.” The deep voice vibrated against her skin as he nuzzled his chin against her shoulder.
Jenise opened her eyes. Gian had already moved off to the other side of the fire. Picking up another creote rock, he tossed it into the fire. Immediately the blaze intensified as flames greedily consumed the stone.
He was whole again and in his human form, she noted.
No red streaking burns marred his smooth, golden-tan skin. His face was as it had been before: devastatingly handsome.
He reached over to the small bag of supplies for a gourd of systale and a piece of pani.
Covertly, she observed his lithe movements, noting once again the grace with which he moved. She had heard this
was a Familiar trait; that they all moved with this sinuous agility. It was captivating to watch.
Naturally, her thoughts went back to what he had done to her the previous evening.
It was a mystery, but he had seemed to retain all his power and command while still losing himself in the sensuality of the experience. He had thrummed inside her, lifting her to new sensations. Sensations that had been far too much for her to deal with.
There was no question that he had taken her.
Surreptitiously her glance fell to his capable hands. Those hands had slid down her body, coaxing her, guiding her with every expert caress.
Her focus moved on to his powerful thighs. Muscular, well-shaped, masculine. She remembered the feel of those strong legs sliding against her as he moved. Oh, how he moved!
The tips of her ears turned pink as she recalled the intimate vibration of him. A trickle of desire fluttered through her. She wanted him.
Somehow, the Familiar had created this need in her, this craving for that which she had never known before.
She sneaked another peek at him as he slowly chewed the pani. Even the simplest act of chewing seemed to be fraught with sensuality. His strong jaw moved slowly; he swallowed the baked grain in a leisurely manner before he sipped some water from the lip of the gourd.
She trembled. She was hungry—for him.
She wanted his passion yet she was afraid to experience everything she had last eve. The enhancement…
Jenise was frightened of how it overwhelmed her; of the surrender he demanded from her.
She glanced over at the Familiar again. He continued to slowly sip at the water. She wondered if he had any idea what she was thinking.
From beneath lowered lids, he met her look with a smoldering gleam.
He knew.
Leaning back against the rock wall, he casually held his hand out to her.
As if in a trance, Jenise rose, going towards him. She took the proffered hand.
“Not too much pleasure this time, Gian Ren,” she instructed him.
“No, not too much, taja,” he whispered throatily. “Just enough.”
Chapter Eight
Traed exited the Tunnel in the royal village on Ganakari.