Love's Beguiling Healer

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  Wings ePress, Inc

  www.wings-press.com

  Copyright ©2006 by Angela Verdenius

  First published in 2006, 2006

  * * *

  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  Love's Beguiling Healer

  And, stars, he tasted her instead. His rough tongue slid across her lower lip in a smooth glide, rasping gently. Her knees started to shake, and she blindly sought out the rail behind her with her own hands, gripping onto the smooth marble tightly for support.

  Then he licked her top lip, with the same rasping gentleness.

  "We shouldn't—” she began hoarsely, only to halt as a warning growl rumbled from him.

  Tensely he waited until she stilled, then he trailed his tongue back to the center of her lips, playing the tip along the little bow on the middle of her top lip. Dipping his tongue down a little, he found the very center of where her lips met.

  Heart thundering, Tera started to open her lips, eager for his kiss.

  He nipped her.

  Tera jumped and jerked her head back. Her bottom lip tingled. It didn't pain, but she could feel the imprint of his sharp teeth in the tender flesh. Shocked, she stared up at him. “You bit me!"

  "So?"

  "So? You bit me!” Reaching up incredulously, she touched her lip.

  "I'm a carnivore.” His teeth flashed with a white sharpness in the gloom. “What did you expect?"

  "I'm not a piece of meat, damn it!"

  "And yet you're so tasty."

  For a Felys, his smile was very wolfish.

  Eyes narrowed, Tera placed her hands on his chest and shoved hard.

  Illam only leaned further into her.

  "I'll scream,” she threatened.

  "Go ahead,” he taunted.

  "Don't play games with me, Illam!"

  "But I want to play with you, healer.” His breath was warm on her face, the faint hint of spice within it. “I find I suddenly want to play with you very much."

  What They Are Saying About

  Love's Beguiling Healer

  "...adds level after level to her world, building alliances and proving that many different cultures can live and love together in the best Star Trek manner."

  —Brenda Edde,

  Romance Junkies

  "...has once again worked her extraordinary magic, and given us another invigorating chapter in her Heart and Soul series. These two races of people are very sexy in their own right but if you put them together, get out the asbestos suit, because it is going to get hot really fast."

  —Lydia Funneman,

  Writers Unlimited

  "...a brilliant story full of adventure and romance ... a fast paced tale with twists and turns bound to provide a thrilling escapade. The primary storyline is skilfully woven to keep you turning the pages."

  —Kelley A. Hartsell ck2s Kwips and Kritters

  "...another definite keeper penned from the delightful imagination of Angela Verdenius. As a cat lover myself, I loved this one. This latest installment of the Heart and Soul Series is one of my favourites."

  —Rosemarie Brungard,

  Romance at Heart.

  Other Works From The Pen Of

  Angela Verdenius

  Heart of an Outlaw

  An outlawed warrior saved by a Daamen trader. Love blossoms, a powerful enemy threatens. Passion, betrayal, bloody legends, and a shocking secret in a galaxy of enemies and friends.

  Soul of a Mercenary

  Reya walks the edge of insanity, her soul darkening beneath a bloody secret. For love, Maverk will follow the Reeka warrior into the nightmare reaching out for her.

  Heart of the Betrayed

  Betrayed once, Dana trusts no man. Garret will risk everything to prove his love—even if it means assisting her betrayer, and entering a country split by hate.

  Love's Sweet Assassin

  Trying to discover the identity of his enemy, the ruthless Argon will pit his wits against the short, outrageous assassin. It should be straightforward ... shouldn't it?

  Soul of a Hunter

  The bounty hunter's soul thirsted for vengeance, her life given to the hunt. He'd thought Sabra was dead. Now he's found her again, Cam won't give her up.

  Love's Bewitching Thief

  Felys female: thief, feline-like, bewitching—and coming on heat. Argon: sensual, looking for revenge—and captivated. The Cyborg: he just wants to kill the Felys.

  Heart of the Forsaken

  First Sonja high jacks his ship, then his heart. But can Red battle the evil legacy from an old Empire that threatens to engulf her?

  Soul of a Witch

  In a bid to save a boy's soul from powerful dark forces, a famous witch and a notorious pirate must unite. Will their growing love survive what is to come?

  Heart of a Traitor

  The Daamen trader shows mercy to the disgraced soldier who was flogged, branded traitor, and left for the outlaws. But now she's committing treason—and the law is closing in.

  Soul of the Forgotten

  A forgotten Reeka, freed after long years of imprisonment. Now she has to learn to live again ... and to love. But someone wants her dead.

  Wings

  Love's Beguiling Healer

  by

  Angela Verdenius

  A Wings ePress, Inc.

  Futuristic Romance Novel

  Wings ePress, Inc.

  Edited by: Leslie Hodges

  Copy Edited by: Elizabeth Struble

  Senior Editor: Elizabeth Struble

  Managing Editor: Leslie Hodges

  Executive Editor: Lorraine Stephens

  Cover Artist: Richard Stroud

  All rights reserved

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  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.

  Wings ePress Books

  www.wings-press.com

  Copyright © 2006 by Angela Verdenius

  ISBN 1-59705-166-7

  Published In the United States Of America

  December 2006

  Wings ePress Inc.

  403 Wallace Court

  Richmond, KY 40475

  Dedication

  As always, Doreen Verdenius, my beloved mother who puts up with me and my scatterbrained ways.—g—

  My own beloved furbabies who bring me peace ... and drive me nuts. LOL

  To all those special people dedicated to animal welfare everywhere.

  To my friends, both in the flesh and on the ‘net, who simply accept my absentmindedness when I'm writing—you're all my lifeline when I need to be dragged up for air.

  Artist Richard Stroud and editor Leslie Hodges, who have both gone around the block with me once again, and still remained sane. LOL.

  To my readers everywhere, who have stayed with me on this journey.

  My deepest thanks and appreciation to you all. *hugs*

  Prologue

  The rain came down in a fine mist, sweeping across the grav
eyard and carrying a chill that made the mourners shiver beneath their heavy cloaks. Before them, stretched out in a somber row, fifteen gleaming white coffins hovered above opened graves.

  The men stood tall beside their wenches, their brawny arms gathering their families close to them. The silence was disturbed only by the soft sobs of the wenches, the choked sounds some of the men made, and the open crying of the children old enough to understand the tragedy that had befallen their kinfolk.

  The minister looked up, his gaze caught by a movement through the misty rain. Quietly he watched as a small group of cloaked people moved forward, approaching with a graceful tread. The mist eased, coming to a stop, and all looked up and followed the gaze of their minister.

  The group drew to a halt just on the fringes of the mourners, and one cloaked figure stepped forward. Pushing back the hood of his cloak to show his golden hair and boyishly handsome face, he bowed his head in respect towards an older woman weeping against the shoulder of her husband, and drew his arms from beneath the sheltering folds of his cloak.

  A gasp sounded from somewhere as the fragrant bouquet of rare night blossoms he held caught everyone's eyes. Kneeling down on one knee, he placed the bouquet atop a coffin.

  One by one the rest of the figures came forward, each one pushing the hood of their cloaks back and inclining their heads in respect to the mourners. Each man, and one wench, knelt before a coffin, and laid a bouquet of the rare, fragrant flowers upon the lid of a coffin.

  At the final grave, the cloaked figure drew her hood back to reveal another young wench, still in her teenage years. Tears mingled with the rain that wet her cheeks. Kneeling, she laid an identical bouquet of night blossoms upon the coffin, but atop the bouquet she laid a single rose.

  Her face remained still, but her eyes sparkled with tears, and the brightness of her irises were dulled by grief.

  One

  Through the space shield of the scout ship, Illam watched the world of Argon growing bigger as they drew nearer to it. Down there were the Argons, sensual beings. Highly sexual. He pursed his lips. It was said that any race that went anywhere in the vicinity of the Argons was immediately attracted to them.

  He snorted.

  "What's the problem?” His captain and friend, Denyon, came to stand beside him to gaze out at the beautiful emerald and blue swirled planet.

  "These mighty Argons. Do you think it's really true?"

  "What?"

  "That they're so irresistible to others?"

  "By all accounts, yes.” Denyon tugged absentmindedly at the sleeve cuffs of his uniform. “But not to the Felys."

  "Us."

  "Right."

  "Yet your cousin fell for an Argon."

  Denyon frowned.

  Illam didn't bother to hide his smirk.

  Denyon snarled softly. The vertical pupils in his round green eyes narrowed to slits.

  "Yes,” Illam continued happily. “Lysie fell for an Argon male, and now she is pregnant to him. She—"

  "Is lost to our own males now."

  All hilarity faded from Illam, and he scowled. His reflection in the space shield showed that his own pupils had narrowed to slits, startling against his golden irises in which thin black threads writhed angrily. Taking in a deep breath, he lifted his own lips in a silent snarl.

  Denyon grinned.

  "I find it odd that you can be so amused,” Illam growled.

  "You were happy at my expense, until I reminded you of what we'd lost,” Denyon reminded him. “I was just returning the favor."

  Scowling, Illam watched the blue swirls of the world of Argon become rivers, the green thick forests. Now he could see the farmlands as the scout ship soared through the atmosphere and leveled above the tall trees.

  "For better or worse, we are now related to the Argons through the marriage of my cousin to the leader's bodyguard,” Denyon stated. “The Argons will make powerful allies."

  "They were once our masters two hundred years ago,” Illam reminded him dourly.

  "That was a long time ago. Times have changed. We're now a part of the Intergalactic Peace Council, and come under their laws and protection. Slavery of our kind has been abolished for a long time.” Denyon looked at Illam. “We can't carry a grudge forever."

  "Really?” Illam watched the main settlement approach. It was the one in which Kiile, a leader of Argon, resided.

  The buildings were all white and graceful, the lines symmetrical and flowing. The grass was green, the flowers abundant. What should have been a settlement bare of any beauty, for so large a community, was instead alive and vibrant with color and nature. Rising at the back of the settlement was the palace. Tall, soaring, stately.

  Broodingly, he stared at the docking bay below as the scout ship circled the docking bay. A building close by sheltered a group of people from the warmth of the sun. It was the welcoming committee.

  "Can any good come of all this?” he asked.

  "Certainly nothing bad can come of it,” Denyon answered.

  "Right.” I'm not so sure about that. I have my reservations. The ship lowered, and Illam grinned suddenly. “Maybe I'll check out for sure how irresistible these Argon females are."

  "Don't go lytomcatting around too much.” Denyon yanked his collar into a more comfortable position. “I want us to leave in peace, not under fire from irate fathers and brothers."

  "Maybe I'll see just how irresistible the women will find me.” Illam ran the side of his hand along his ear.

  Denyon rolled his eyes.

  "After all,” Illam continued, his good nature restored, “Their females are not used to fine male specimens such as us."

  "By Delcat, you're full of it, aren't you?"

  "Hey, if they can take one of our females, it's only fair I check out theirs."

  A sly look crossed Denyon's features. “Then I suggest you start with the healer's daughter."

  That wiped the smile right off Illam's face. He knew immediately who Denyon meant. The Argon healer, Sarcan, had two daughters, both of which were his apprentices. It wasn't the younger one Denyon meant, but the older one. The beautiful brunette. The rude one. Tera.

  "Ah yes,” Denyon mused, crossing to the open doorway. “The one who assisted us in our hunt for answers when Lysie was in so much danger.” His pupils enlarged as he glanced back at Illam. “We need to convey our thanks to her. I think that's your job."

  "My job?” Illam swung away from the space shield to glare at Denyon's retreating back. “You already thanked the Argons, remember?"

  "Dearie me, I forgot. But surely you could thank Tera again? After all, she—"

  "Is rude and insolent. No."

  "She's not so bad."

  "You weren't the one she called a chocolate point."

  Denyon grinned with a flash of sharp canine teeth. “You two do seem to rub each other up the wrong way. Odd, considering you've only met a couple of times."

  "A couple of brief times, and I assure you, that is more than enough."

  Laughing, Denyon walked out of the door. “Come on, my second-in-command. It's time to reacquaint ourselves with the Argons, and I want to visit my little cousin. I wish to see how she really fares."

  "She's pregnant. How do you think she fares?” Illam strode after his captain.

  "Three months pregnant. The healers assure me she is doing well, but I still wish to see for myself.” Denyon slowed down until Illam drew up beside him, and looked at him. “But this is the first time a Felys has become pregnant with a half Felys litter. I want to see for myself."

  Illam had his reservations about half breed Felys kits, especially born to a Felys woman who was already the runt of her own litter. But Lysie had turned out to be more than healthy—healthy enough to run away and become a small-time thief. Until caught by Marten, Kiile's bodyguard.

  But that was all history. Now she was Marten's wife, and the mother of his as yet unborn children. Kits. Whatever. And in the dubious care of the Argon healers.

/>   One of whom was the insolent Tera.

  * * * *

  Dismissing her from his mind, Illam concentrated on his captain as Denyon calmly gave orders to the six scout ship soldiers. The Felys males nodded and obeyed, their movements calm and precise as always.

  By the time the ramp beneath the scout ship lowered, Illam was standing by Denyon's side, and the Felys soldiers, fully armed but with their weapons holstered, were aligned behind them. They marched down the ramp and across to the small group that had left the shelter and were approaching them.

  Illam's gaze flicked over the party. Golden-haired Kiile, with his boyish good looks, and his three bodyguards. Two Argon soldiers stood back at the shelter, but he felt their regard keenly.

  "Denyon,” Kiile greeted him pleasantly as he neared, and stuck out his hand. “I hope you had a good trip."

  "Kiile.” Denyon shook his hand. “As well as can be expected."

  "Oh, Jocat!” A small, lively, female Felys with tortoiseshell hair bounced out from behind the bodyguards. “Enough with the politeness, already!"

  A grin broke across Denyon's face, and he gathered her into a warm embrace. “Lysie!"

  She hugged him back, and then glanced at Illam. “Ah, the lackey is with you, I see."

  Illam merely grinned at her. “Hello, runt."

  Denyon held her back at arms length, his gaze sweeping down to her belly, which was already gently rounded. “Are you all right?"

  "Worried I'm going to give birth to runts?” she replied tartly.

  "No.” He frowned down at her. “I'm worried about you, you ungrateful kit."

  "I'm fine. And you can quit worrying. Marten does enough of that for us all.” Lysie stuck her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the bodyguards.

  Illam watched the dark-haired bodyguard's face, but as usual Marten's face merely showed sardonic amusement until he looked down at his little wife, then his eyes softened. Yes, the Argon was smitten with his Felys wife. And so he should be.

  "I'm glad you could come,” Kiile continued. “Sarcan is looking forward to discussing the issues you have."