Love's Beguiling Healer Read online

  "There's a wooden rail on the wall, and a step beneath. Is there one in your cabin, too, Wylin?” She glanced at him.

  "Yes.” He looked past her at Denyon. “It does have me curious."

  The conversation started to die down.

  Denyon looked at Illam. “Uh..."

  "What is it for?” Tera held up her hand. “I got up on the step and couldn't help but notice the scratch marks on the rail."

  The Felys were all completely silent, their gazes trained on Denyon. Amusement sparkled in their eyes, the thin threads writhing delightedly.

  Wylin raised his brows at Illam. “Did we say something wrong?"

  "Not at all.” Illam looked at Tera. “You stood on the step?"

  "And grabbed the rail.” She noted the men listening avidly, and puzzlement filled her.

  "So, you stood on the step and grabbed the rail.” Illam laid his fork down slowly, his gaze locked with hers.

  "Yes.” A strong sense of foreboding was now making itself felt. Especially when she could see the darkening of his irises as his gaze slowly ran down over her face and stopped on her lips.

  She could almost swear she felt the rough lick of his tongue—do not go there! She hid her disquiet behind a haughty look back at him.

  "What is it, Denyon?” Wylin queried. His keen eyes took in the discomfort on the Felys’ face, and he followed Denyon's gaze to Tera.

  Denyon shrugged suddenly. “You might as well know. Tera will need to know everything of our lives anyway."

  "That's true.” Tera was more than aware of all the men looking at her. Suns, what is going on here? I only asked one simple question! Sheesh!

  Illam glanced at them, a low growl issuing from him. They immediately turned their attention back to their food, a few of them grinning.

  "I suggest we finish our meal, and then I'll fill you in on everything.” Denyon took another bite of food.

  Illam tipped his mug to his lips, his eyes never moving from Tera's face.

  "What? Is it some sort of secret exercise equipment?” she joked.

  Denyon choked on his meat, and a Felys further down the table gave a snort of laughter.

  "You could say that,” Illam answered. “Depending on how vigorous it gets."

  Frowning, Tera sat back in her chair and sipped on her mug of hot una. It wasn't just odd, it was downright weird. What was the big secret?

  * * * *

  The Cave

  It was fashioned with a mixture of love and hate, fear and awe. The key to freedom. Never meant to be found, it was touched with reverence. Two of the eight had reservations, but they understood that something had to be done. Now.

  * * * *

  Illam lounged back in the big, comfortable armchair, his arms loosely crossed over his chest. He watched Tera sit on the sofa across from him, her movements graceful as always. Wylin dropped down onto the sofa beside her. Denyon eased down into the other armchair and sat back, his elbows on the padded armrests, his fingertips touching each other. He looked intently from Tera to Wylin.

  "Nice cabin,” Tera remarked.

  She was wearing a lilac gown this time, only this one had three quarter sleeves, ending just below her elbows. There were no slits in her long gown, the hem of which swished around her elegant ankles. The neckline was close to her delectable throat. It was the first time he'd seen her in a more demure gown, and he suspected she'd chosen it deliberately for the journey. Not wanting to encourage advances from the men? A wise move. Even her thick mane of brunette hair was tied back in a ponytail, the ribbon the same color and material as her gown.

  Now if he could just remember to keep his thoughts focused on the conversation, instead of the memory of the heat of her body against his. Down boy.

  "So,” Tera began. “Are you finally going to tell us the big secret of the rail and step?"

  "It's no big secret,” Denyon replied without faltering. “At times we use it for mating with our females."

  Illam grinned to himself at the look on Tera's beautiful face. This just might be entertaining.

  * * * *

  The leader stood at the window and looked out the window to the garden beyond. He growled softly, his lips lifting at one corner.

  "Two in the litter are runts.” The healer waited.

  "That is the fourth runt born this month!” Swinging around on his heel, Ropar snarled his fury.

  "That is so.” Butca bowed his head.

  Ropar glared at his healer. “It is unacceptable!"

  "I don't know what is happening,” Butca replied warily. “We've had runts born in the past, but the number is climbing."

  "Have those damned Felys spread some kind of disease to us?"

  "Unlikely, Sire. Our compatibility should prevent that—"

  "Should? Should? That's not an assurance, Butca!” Ropar slammed his fist down on the table. “Is there any possibility that they've somehow spread disease to us?"

  "I suppose there could be the chance—"

  Nostrils flaring, Ropar stormed across the room.

  "Where are you going, Sire?"

  "To try and find out what is happening! You cursed healers know nothing, so it looks like it's up to me—again!"

  Butca waited until he'd left the room before sneering to himself, “Well, you are the Alpha, Sire."

  Three

  "Mating?” Wylin looked intrigued.

  "Against the wall,” Denyon replied.

  Illam watched Tera closely, but was disappointed to see interest spark instead of mortification.

  "Really?” Tera pursed her lips. “I take it the step is for a shorter wench to stand on?"

  Wench. Why did the Argons call their females ‘wenches'? It sounded ... decadent. Mental head slap. Decadent wenches with luscious lips made for ... Another mental head slap. Resting his elbow on the armrest of the chair, Illam rubbed one finger over his jaw and forced his thoughts away from anything to do with luscious lips. A bit hard to do considering those luscious lips were not far from him.

  By Delcat!

  "Correct.” Denyon nodded. “They stand on the step and hold onto the rail."

  "Facing it or back to it?"

  How could she sound so coolly technical, when those luscious lips formed the words so ... deliciously? If Illam gave himself any more mental head slaps, he'd end up with a headache.

  "Generally facing the wall,” Denyon replied.

  "Not often with her back to it?” Tera's head tilted slightly.

  A bad headache.

  "It's not something we do much of, no.” Denyon flicked a glance at Illam.

  "You're not into experimenting?” Tera raised her brows. “I'm sure there could be a few things you could do with that rail and step. Do the men ever stand on the step?"

  A really bad headache. Illam crossed his legs as a familiar tingling started deep in his groin. Oh no. No no no! He was not getting aroused at the sudden images he was trying to block from his mind.

  "I guess some have tried it.” Denyon switched his gaze to Wylin. “Surely you have things like this on Argon? I was led to understand that you're a very sexual race."

  "Our sex manuals are our most prized possessions,” Wylin returned, straight-faced.

  "You need sex manuals?” Denyon's brows rose incredulously.

  "Only for fun.” Wylin winked.

  I really have to see one of those sex manuals. Mental head slap. No I don't.

  "I'd like to discuss the mating of your species a little more in-depth.” Tera stood up. “I'll get my data collector and be right back."

  This ought to be interesting. Illam shifted in his chair slightly, torn between the desire to laugh at his friend's expression, masked from all except Illam, and the need to walk away and cool off a little. Damned hormones were starting to play up. Maybe he was approaching his sexual peak time? Uh-oh.

  Denyon got to his feet as well. “Is this necessary for the research?"

  "It does help to know everything.” Tera paused, her hand o
n the ornate bronze door knob. “Your lifestyle, species, reproduction. Everything."

  "She'll probably need to examine a naked Felys man at some stage,” Wylin added, that damned poker face in place again.

  Tera's gaze wandered to Illam, her assessing regard making his scrotum pull up tight inside his pants. Deliciously tight.

  By Delcat! Illam frowned at her, feeling his hackles raise. If he had any, that is. But what wasn't there was rising anyway. Including his ... oh crap...

  "Really?” Denyon slanted another look at Illam, and suddenly he smiled like a lycat that had got the cream. “That could possibly be arranged, I'm sure."

  Uh-oh. That look could only mean one thing. Illam opened his mouth to start objecting hotly.

  "It doesn't need all four of us sitting here to discuss the different ways we mate.” Denyon gestured majestically at Illam. “I'll leave her in your capable hands, Illam. You can take her through the mating process, positions used, whatever she needs."

  "But—"

  "And I'll take Wylin on a tour of the ship, show him the communications cabin, and instruct him on how to use the system to contact Argon, show him the lasers, and escape hatches. That sort of thing."

  "But surely—” Illam was now on his feet, the hair bristling on his neck. In agitation or downright fury at his friend—ex-friend now, damn it!—he wasn't sure.

  "A good bodyguard knows all escape routes.” Denyon looked at Wylin. “It would be remiss of us both if we didn't go through it all. For the safety of the guests in our care if something happens on the trip home."

  "I quite agree.” Amusement was openly dancing in Wylin's eyes as he looked at Tera, who was regarding him through narrowed-eyes. “I'm sure you'll both have an interesting discussion."

  "You are so thoughtful,” Tera said.

  Her voice was pleasant. It was a shame her teeth were clenched.

  "No problem, Tera.” Wylin stood up.

  "We'll leave you two to discuss things, then.” Immensely satisfied with himself—the bastard—Denyon left the chair and strode towards the door.

  Tera stood aside to allow him to swing it open. He grinned down at her before striding out.

  Wylin moved closer to Illam and said softly, “You be sure that all you do with Tera is discuss mating, Felys. No demonstrations. Understand?"

  Illam lifted his lip in reply. No one was going to dump him with this cruddy job for their amusement, and then have the hide to warn him off.

  Wylin didn't look impressed. His eyes gleamed a warning, then he turned, grinned hugely at Tera, and left the cabin.

  Silence reigned. Tera stared straight ahead, then slowly her head turned and she looked at Illam. He returned her gaze steadily.

  He wondered if she guessed he was getting a half a hard-on already. He couldn't imagine what he'd be like after explaining the mating act to her. Be like a post sticking right up, probably. That'd make her scream and bring Wylin down on top of him like a ton of bricks. Bloody Denyon.

  Trying to ignore the interest still stirring down below—hormones knew nothing—Illam raised his brow haughtily at her. Daringly. Come to think of it, she probably couldn't bear the thought of talking to him alone. That made him feel better, and he grinned.

  "Right,” she said. Then turned and left the cabin.

  "What—” Illam stared at the empty door. “Tera?"

  Crossing to the door, he peered down the corridor and saw Tera disappear around the curve in the corridor. She'd left him. Not even a word of goodbye, no thanks, kick my arse—nothing. Ungrateful Argon! Feeling highly insulted, Illam ground his teeth. The witch didn't even have the decency to talk to him.

  Fine. He wasn't exactly feeling inclined to discuss the mating habits with her, either.

  The perk in his pants said otherwise.

  "You stay out of it,” he said to his crotch. Then he looked around, feeling an utter fool, and hoping no one had seen him talking to his crotch.

  God above, the woman was making him into a loony, making him have a conversation with his penis.

  The foolishness only fueled his injured feelings, and if he'd had a tail, he'd be lashing it right now. As it was, he couldn't control the twitch of his bum.

  No one made a fool of a Felys, and that included the Argon healer. He'd get an apology out of her if he had to drag her kicking and screaming to the ramp door and threaten to throw her bodily outside. Which, of course, he wouldn't do, but it sure made him feel better to think about it. He sure as hell wasn't going to think about his overreactions.

  Stalking down the corridor, he lifted his head and breathed deep. There it was, her elusive scent. Spice and sweet. He could track her just about anywhere on the ship with that perfume she wore.

  He passed several of his Felys friends, who watched him curiously as he strode past, inhaling deeply. But his thoughts were solely focused on Tera.

  Coming to Tera's door, he saw that it was open. Without knocking, he entered and looked around. His attention was caught by the site of a rounded bottom draped in lilac material. Kneeling on the floor on her hands and knees, Tera was peering into a container.

  Her position was most tantalizing. It momentarily diverted Illam from his anger.

  "What are you doing here?” Tera peered over her shoulder.

  "You left the relaxing cabin.” He had trouble dragging his attention from her delectable rear.

  "I was coming back. I was just getting my data collector.” Her eyes narrowed, and slowly she sank back onto her heels. “Why are you licking your lips?"

  Oops. Busted. “Catching the remnants of the meal from my whiskers,” he replied blandly.

  "Ha-ha."

  "Isn't that what you expect of me?” Taking refuge in being confrontational, Illam took the easy way out. He didn't want her to know that he'd been ogling her bum. Jocat knew why he did it, anyway.

  "I don't know what to expect from you,” Tera surprised him by replying. Reaching into the container, she withdrew a small, narrow, thin box, which fit into the palm of her hand perfectly.

  What else could fit into the palm of her hand? I bet she has a firm grip.

  "Are you feeling all right?” Standing up, she regarded him curiously. “You're looking a little flushed."

  "Me?” He tossed his head arrogantly, sending his chocolate, white and gold strands of hair flowing down his back. “It's a little hot, that's all."

  A small, smug smile curved her lips. “So, thought I'd stranded you, huh?"

  There was no way Illam was going to let her think he hadn't meant to come here. “Not at all. I followed thinking you wanted to discuss mating procedures."

  Her expression was openly skeptical.

  The rail on the wall was a pride saver. He gestured to it. “The rail and step? You were asking about it, and I thought you wanted me to show you how to use it."

  The words fell into dead silence.

  Tera stared at him unblinkingly for several seconds, then repeated slowly, “You wanted to show me how to use it?"

  I want you up against it, naked and helpless. “Figuratively speaking, of course.” He silently thanked God that she had no idea what his errant brain was thinking.

  "Of course.” Placing the data collector on the desk, she looked at him over her shoulder. “Where do you want to begin?"

  How about with your clothes? Crossing to the sofa, Illam dropped down onto it negligently. Stretching one arm along the backrest, he rested one ankle atop his opposite knee and grinned lazily up at her. “Whenever you're ready.” He faltered. “I mean, wherever you want."

  "Are you sure you're all right?"

  "Never better.” By Jocat, I am really losing it. “So where shall we start? The discussion, I mean."

  For the first time since the mating had been mentioned in the presence of Denyon and Wylin, a brief flash of trepidation flickered in her eyes. Then she took a deep breath—which did interesting things to the bodice of her gown—sat down in the chair and touched a button on the data col
lector.

  Taking another deep breath, she pasted a most insincere smile on her face and turned in the chair to look at Illam. “Lysie has told me some of what she knows, which isn't a lot, considering that she was a runt—"

  Was Tera getting in a little dig there?

  She continued blithely, “So could you please tell me what happens to your Felys youths as they reach sexual maturity?"

  That was easy enough. Illam relaxed a little. “The females and males both mature around the age of sixteen years, but the female won't come into her heat-phase until she's around twenty or twenty-one years of age."

  "Can she have sexual relations before her heat phase?"

  "Yes."

  "Is it common for her to indulge in sexual relations with other males, or does she wait for her ... mate, you called it?"

  "Called him,” Illam corrected.

  "Him. Does she have relations with other males?"

  "Some do. It's not done so often, with our clan being so small.” Illam understood her quizzical look. “Tends to make the fur fly.” When she looked blank-faced, he explained, “Having sexual relations when the clan is so small means you run the risk of indulging with another's intended mate."

  "I see.” Tera pursed her lips thoughtfully. “So it'd be fair to say most of the young Felys are virgins, then?"

  "Some, I would say. Maybe most. But you must understand that when a female is coming into heat, the male hormones get really stirred up."

  "So then the males will mate with willing females?"

  "I'd say that happens."

  "A lot?"

  "Depends. The older Felys, eighteen and up, mate. The ones around sixteen, well..."

  "You don't know?"

  "They're not in the habit of copulating in public.” Illam couldn't resist adding, “Unlike ferals."

  Tera looked sharply at him, and he could just about see the little wheels busily turning in her mind. Oh ho, you're wondering now if that refers to me and my stating I was feral. He gave a grin that was all teeth.

  She was unimpressed.

  "So we've basically established that the young Felys’ sexual habits are unaccounted for—"

  "And that will remain so."

  "That makes it hard for my research."