They followed the path for several horas. Tymin was first, while Grinnell pulled up the rear. He was making sure everyone was cautious. As they went around one turn on their way down, Grinnell called a halt to their climb.
“Tymin, is that what I think it is?” The mark was obscured by vines, but he recognized enough of it.
Tymin went up to it and pulled the vines down. There, clear as dura, was Varal’s crest.
“Damn. I was hoping we wouldn’t see anything like that.” Grinnell got off his truggar and went through a few satchels strapped to its side. “Tymin, do you know how to use the scanner?”
“No, but this?” Tymin held up a small contraption Grinnell had exposed while looking for the scanner. “Yes.”
“You sure?”
Tymin nodded as he assembled the machine. It was designed to detonate any mine they might find without anyone being harmed.
Grinnell handed the lead to his truggar to Mehanna, and he and Tymin led the group on foot. Grinnell used the scanner to find any mine that might be on their path. He had wanted to give them a shortcut but having to move as slowly as they had to would remove any horas they might have saved.
Whenever Grinnell found something, Tymin was on it. They were making better time than Grinnell expected. They cleared the area where the mark was, and as they continued up the path, they didn’t run into anymore. They crested the foothills and started down. Grinnell found a few more, but Tymin made short work of them. They cleared the hills ahead of schedule.
“That didn’t quite work out the way you wanted, did it?” asked Mehanna as she climbed off her truggar.
“No, but we didn’t lose as much time as I feared.” He tethered her truggar with his.
“I was afraid you’d ask us to eat and ride.” Tosci rubbed her butt. “My tushy thanks you.”
“We all need a break.” He pulled the basket off of the animal they had to carry their cargo and set it on the ground. “I can pull out a blanket if you wish to sit while you eat, but I have a feeling you would rather stand.”
“Yes, please,” said all three at the same time. They grinned at each other.
He chuckled as he pulled out fruits, cheeses, and bread. Grinnell put a little of each item on a plate and handed one to everyone.
They ate quietly. Mehanna created a small, tall table for her to rest her plate on. As she picked up a piece of cheese, a multi-petaled flower appeared next to her plate. She picked it up and looked at Grinnell. The smile she gave him made it all worthwhile.
“I’m happy to see you two are still training.”
Grinnell came to her side and slipped an arm around her. “We do try.”
They finished eating and wandered down the path a little.
“Sorry about Tosci’s comment,” Mehanna said softly after she hoped they were out of earshot.
“She cares.”
“I know, but she’s also extremely hyper-focused, and at times that can be annoying.” She looked around at the great expanse of land. “This is amazing.”
“I haven’t heard you complain too much when I become hyper-focused,” he murmured. He smiled when her cheeks turned a pretty shade of lavender. “In fact, I’m pretty sure you enjoyed it.”
“Oh, I did, but that is a little different.” She pressed her hands against her cheeks. “We’re talking about something both of us enjoyed, whereas Tosci is making sure we are constantly working, perfecting the magic we have access to.”
“And we should.” Grinnell took her by the hand and pulled her close. “We have to face someone who has had yepas to master what we’ve been working on for a few cycles. Anyone else would think this whole thing is crazy.”
She looked up at him. “We will defeat him.”
“I like your attitude.”
“I hope so, because you are going to be living with it for the rest of your life.”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek, but she wanted more than that. She slipped her hand around his neck and pulled him down. She tilted her head up, offering her lips to him. Grinnell claimed them, drawing a sigh out of her. He wrapped his arms around her. When she opened her mouth for him, he deepened the kiss. His grip on her tightened.
“I’m happy to see you two are true bonds mates, but you do have company,” said Tosci as she drew close. “Do you want an audience?”
That broke them apart.
“Not particularly, but we do have the right to show affection for each other,” Mehanna defended.
“You do. I just want to be sure that it’s not going to lead into something that should be private.”
“Do you think we lack control?” asked Mehanna, whose voice showed she was getting angry. “That we would throw caution to the wind to satisfy ourselves? Do you think so little of us?”
“Mehanna, it’s okay,” said Grinnell.
“No, it’s not. Tosci has been against our mating from the beginning.”
“Not true, Mehanna, but my job is to make sure you’re focused on the right things. My brother will not care if you two are in love. He will try to take what he wants.”
“And you try to anger us because you fear the way we care for each other will be our downfall?” Mehanna jammed her hands on her hips. “How do you know it won’t be our strength?”
“I don’t, that is something you need to figure out. And you need to do this before you face my brother.”
They rode along with Tymin in the lead. Grinnell and Mehanna hung back a little.
“She’s right, you know. Moorac will try to use our relationship against us. He could try to drive a wedge between us by telling you that I don’t love you and I only want your power.”
“We both know that’s not true.” She pulled on the reins of her truggar to move it a little closer to Grinnell’s. “You fought me on bonding because you didn’t want me to make a mistake.”
“And I’m sure he has a way of swaying you. He could paint a really ugly picture if he wants to. I can think of several. Like he might say that I acted like I didn’t want to bond so you would force me.”
She looked at him.
“He could also say I drugged you to get what I wanted.”
“Drugged me? With what? Kisses?”
“I must say your kisses are quite intoxicating for me.” Grinnell smiled as he looked at her. “So is that beautiful body. It’s a drug that I’m addicted to.”
Mehanna couldn’t help but smile and was quiet for a moment. “I feel the same way.”
“We need to come up with something that will help us stay grounded. Keep our trust and love for each other pure.”
“What do you suggest?” asked Mehanna.
“We are closest when we make love, but I don’t think that will work while facing Moorac. But we can touch.”
“How about holding hands?” She held out her hand to him, which he took. “This would be something we could do without much thought.”
“We do hold hands all the time.”
“And we can build our defenses around it.”
He squeezed her fingers. “Then let’s start.”
They ended up having to camp for the duro. The sky darkened as they ate. Once finished, they set up tents for them to use. Grinnell built a large fire. After they ate, they all sat around the fire talking.
“I hope you understand that I only have your best interests at heart,” said Tosci.
“I do.” She put her hand out for Grinnell to take. “It’s made us realize we need to be a united front against Moorac so he can’t use what we have together against us.”
“He will try.” Tosci picked up a rock from the dirt and hefted it in her hand. “My brother was very good at manipulating you two girls. He always pitted the two of you against each other.”
“No. I love my sister.”
“I know you do, and you probably don’t remember how he would make you two reach the same goals to see which one could do it faster. Knowing my brother, he altered your mind so you wouldn’t realize what he was doing.”
“What else has he done to us?”
“He kept you two apart as much as he could.”
“No.” Mehanna shook her head. “I remember playing with my sister.”
“Something he planted in your head.”
Mehanna shook her head, not wanting to believe her. “No, that can’t be true.”
“You only remember what he wanted you to remember.” Tosci rolled the rock in her hand. “What I worry about is what else he might have put in your head when he planted those memories.”
“Then I need to meditate to see what he has done to me and my sister.”
“Do you think you can find anything he has left behind?” asked Grinnell.
She looked up into his eyes. “I have to.”
Grinnell sat on the bed in their tent. Mehanna sat beside him. “Do you want me to leave so you can focus?”
“As long as you keep your hands to yourself, you can stay.”
“I can’t promise that.”
“Then maybe you should go out and make sure everyone has settled down properly. This shouldn’t take long.”
He gave her a quick kiss and headed out.
She closed her eyes and worked on her breathing. Her focus went inward. Memories of her sister were a good place to start, but how could she figure out if Moorac tampered with her memories? She started with one that Moorac was in. The dinners where he would bring male guests should be a good place.
A memory floated to the surface.
Mehanna and May sat beside each other, opposite the man Moorac had invited over. He didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to them, giving the girls a few rare moments together.
May set something on her leg. Mehanna slipped it into her pocket. They knew not to bring attention to themselves. Moorac might seem to be focused on his guest, but they knew he was always watching them.
This had to be a real memory.
So, what was a fake one?
She went back to the one where she and May were playing. As she examined it, there was something odd about it. The laughter sounded hollow. The image was unfocused. Like a dream. She took the memory and broke it down. Mehanna looked for hints of Moorac. At first, she didn’t see anything.
Then another memory floated up.
“Shh. He can’t know,” said May in a young voice.
She couldn’t see and bumped her head against a low beam. “I can’t help it,” she whispered. “This crawl space is smaller than me.”
May giggled. “Then use your magic.”
Mehanna shook her head. “That he will definitely detect. I’ll suffer through to spend time with you.”
“We were together nodura.”
“No, we weren’t,” corrected Mehanna. “It was the dura before.”
“No, we weren’t.”
They looked at each other.
“Moorac.”
“What can we do?” asked May.
“We need to protect ourselves.” Mehanna took her sister’s hand. “He might be powerful, but together we are stronger.”
Grinnell sat near the fire, listening to it snap and pop. He wanted to go back into the tent, but he didn’t want to interfere with Mehanna’s work. The door to their shelter opened and Mehanna stepped out.
“How did it go?” he asked as he stood up.
“There will be no trouble from buried commands made by Moorac.” She offered her hand to him. “Now come to bed.”
She didn’t have to tell him twice.
They reached the inn early the next dura. They checked in and deposited their belongings, then went out to explore the city.
“I see why it’s called the Rainbow City. Mehanna looked around. “This is beautiful.”
Grinnell grinned. The silver material used on the buildings shimmered in the sunlight, revealing hundreds of colors as the rays danced across his skin. “At duro, they use spotlights to cause the same effect.”
“Can we explore a little before we meet up with our family?”
“I don’t see why not. We all wanted to have a few horas to ourselves before we meet to have our meal.” He brushed his fingers along her cheek. “Where would you like to start?”
“Um, I’m not sure.”
“Then let me show you something I have always made time for when I come here.”
“Then you’ve been here before.”
“This is where my apartment is,” he said quietly.
She looked at him. “You live here?”
“When I’m not working at the palace, I have been known to stay at my apartment, but that is extremely rare.” He slipped an arm around her waist. “I seem to stay at the palace most of the time. But there is a park nearby that I think you might like.”
“Is your apartment near?” Mehanna looked around at the different buildings, trying to figure out which one held it.
“Oh, I see I piqued your curiosity.” He gave her waist a playful squeeze.
“A little.” She smiled up at him, placing a hand on his chest. “I mean, I have never seen a real apartment.”
“Ah.” He smiled down at her. “And you want to see what all the fuss is about. Or do you want to mark your territory? Make sure wherever I turn, I see you. I hate to disappoint you, but I see you everywhere I look now. Can’t see my life without you.”
His words affected her. She rested her head against his chest.
“You okay?”
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. “You make my heart sing.”
He captured her lips with his. The salt from her tears mingled with the sweetness of her mouth. She sighed when he released her.
“You make my heart sing too.” He touched her face, then took her hand. “Come on. You’re going to love the park.”
He led her past several buildings. They turned a corner, and he stopped and pointed.
The park wasn’t the average patch of flowers and trees. The small area had pieces of the material in the buildings arranged in different shapes throughout the space. All different shapes and sizes jutted up to the sky. Colors danced in the air as sunlight moved across the surface of the pieces.
“How beautiful.”
“Wait.” Grinnell touched a few of the shapes, and a musical sound filled the air. It didn’t take long before he was creating a melody.
“I’m amazed this place isn’t crowded.” Mehanna touched a few and smiled when she heard some of the same notes Grinnell had created.
“There are many throughout the city. I just know this one the best because my apartment is in that building.” He pointed to one nearby.
“And I get to see it?” she asked.
“Of course.” He took her hand and led the way. They entered the door and then climbed into the elevator. The car moved quickly to his floor then opened and allowed them to exit. His apartment was down the hall on the left. When he opened the door to his corner apartment, he stepped back and let her enter first.
Mehanna walked around, touching items here and there. She looked up at him. “This could be anyone’s apartment.”
“I know. It came with the job, but like I said, I spend more time at the palace than here.” He went to the window and gestured. “There’s the park we were in.”
She stepped up beside him. Colors filled the air. “It’s just as pretty up here.”
“You should see it as the sun sets. Each of these parks lights up.”
“That must be very pretty.”
“It is, but not as pretty as you.” He took her in his arms. “We still have time.”
“We do, don’t we?” She smiled up at him. “Would you like to show me your bedroom?”
“I’d love to.” He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the large bed in an adjoining room. “Perhaps when this is all over, you can help me make this place look lived in.”
“Or perhaps we can get a new place that we both pick out to create memories in?”
“That sounds good too.” He helped her out of her clothing as she helped him out of his. They fell on the bed together. “But right now, I’d like to make a few memories right here.”
“Since I’m the one marking my territory, do I get to be in control?” She climbed up on top.
“Whatever you wish.” He looked up at her. “Consider this your fantasy.”
“Fantasy?” She smiled. “I can work with that.”
With the wave of her hand, she changed the scenery around them. The walls were replaced with bright colored canvas. The bed became a sea of pillows. Although she was still naked, she wore gold bangles on her wrists and upper arms. Around her waist was a thin gold chain.
“Where did you get this from?” He touched the bangles on her arm.
“One of the stories. The romances are my favorite, and I thought this would be fun.”
“Douinar tents? Are you thinking that you’re my slave?”
“Or you’re mine.” She gave him a sexy smile.
“Really?” He grinned up at her as he cupped her breasts. “Oh, my great queen, what do you wish from me?”
“Right now? I need you to make love to me. Let me feel you inside me.”
“And later?”
“Well, it depends on how good a job you do.”
“Good a job?” he wrapped his arms around her and flipped them over. “Have I ever displeased you, my queen?”
“Hm, let me think.” She tapped her chin.
He started tickling her, causing her to laugh hard. “Tell me when I have displeased you, my queen. I’ve seen that smile of yours that says you love your life.”
“I do, and I love you in it.”
The tickling turned into petting. “Shall I make you see stars again? I know just the thing.”
“Yes, please,” she sighed.
Grinnell kissed her mouth, her cheek, her throat. He moved down to her collarbone and then a breast. He paid homage to one, then the other, drawing more sighs out of her. His tongue dipped into her belly button for a moment before he worked his way further down her body.
“You taste so good.” He pressed a kiss against her pelvic bone, then moved to her core. “Open for me.”
She shifted her legs so he could have full access, and she cried out when he latched onto her.
Grinnell lifted his head. “Did I hurt you?”
“No,” her words were soft. “I guess I was anticipating it so much, I think I made myself hypersensitive.”
“Then you’re going to be in trouble, because I’m just getting started.” He went back to paying homage to her body. Bringing her to heights only he could bring her to. There were signs he looked for. First, she needed to start moving, like she wanted something, or was reaching for something just out of her grasp. He pressed a kiss against her thigh when her legs shifted.