Part 17 (1/2)

”If I'm told not to do something, I get an overwhelming urge to do the opposite. The shaman said they wouldn't come off. I had to see for myself. But, they came off easily.” Venus shrugged, irritated with herself.

Dervinias lifted his head. ”Venus, that explains a lot about you.” He scratched a cheek. It sounded like sandpaper. The crazy alien needed a shave.

”What? That I'm rebellious. A terrible listener. An immature child who does what I want, when I want, regardless of anyone else. Cret!”

Dervinias stood. ”I need a shower and . . . a shave.” He nodded at her. ”Remember, Princess. You said the words, not me.” He shuffled out of the kitchen.

Venus sat there in silence.

Zaren eyed her. ”I've been worried about you taking off the boots. Beginning with that day in the clothing store.” He rubbed a hand over his face. ”But, I dismissed my misgivings because I figured it was another quirk that came with your being exiled to Earth.” He brushed a thumb over her bottom lip. ”I've been a terrible guardian. I'm so sorry.”

A slight wheezing escaped when she exhaled. ”Don't say that. I'd be lost without you.” She crawled into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest.

His arms encircled her. ”Are you going to sulk again?” he asked, tenderly.

She held him tighter and he reciprocated. Into his s.h.i.+rt, she said, ”No. But I'm dying. I'll be gone and you'll go on living. Forever. Without me.” A sob caught in her throat. Tears formed and spilled onto her cheeks. She let them fall, his s.h.i.+rt catching most of them.

Zaren pressed her closer. ”I know you're dying, which is beyond frustrating. But, don't give up. Keep fighting until your last breath. And maybe, just maybe you won't die. You'll live! And we can get you home. Figure out who did this to you.”

She sniffled. ”If I die, what will you do?”

He shook her a little. ”You aren't going to die. I won't let that happen.”

”But, I-”

”I'm yours for as long as you need me.”

She sniffled again, snuggled deeper into his chest, enjoying the lemons and honey.

Very few kelarians ever died. If one did, it was usually a young kelki or a kelni within the first two years of life. Their race born at their weakest. The future rested in the hands of the young, yet the young were the most fragile. All of life worked that way, she knew, but she didn't have to like or understand it.

Venus hadn't enjoyed her kelphi years. Since the age of twelve, when her mom and dad had explained what it meant to change, she'd dreamed of her sixteenth birthday-receiving her boots. Venus considered the Kelvieri's Boots and taking her journey the most important moments in her life. Everything after becoming kelvieri would be like a delicious dessert.

She knew there were those who fought against taking the journey. They didn't believe all kels should become immortal. Those were the Dissenters. Their propaganda constantly talked of finding a new ruler, one who'd accept their kind in their mortality.

Venus knew it was about power more than mortality. If only a few received immortality, it'd be easier to rule them, subject them to their beliefs.

The Dissenters wanted to change everything Venus desired, everything she'd waited her whole life to become. They'd caused her mom and dad, the Queen and King of Alayeah, a lot of trouble, as well as the other countries.

Not that any of that mattered, if she didn't return, and soon.

Zaren pushed her back and stared intently into her eyes. ”It all matters. And I believe those Dissenters probably have something to do with why you're here.”

”You think? Why?”

”It's been foretold that a female kelvieri warrior would return peace to Kelari. I believe that warrior is you.” He brushed the hair that'd stuck to her wet face off, and moved it behind her ear.

”Me? But that . . .” In truth, it would explain why she'd been accused of blasphemy.

”This is why you can't give up. There's always a way. We haven't found it yet, but we will. I promise you.”

Venus nodded. ”I'll fight, but I have to know where to begin. We have no idea where Michael is.”

He winked. ”Perhaps you know someone who does.” He waited for her to understand what he meant.

”Cheverly.”

”That's right. Why don't you call her?” He smiled. Huge. Breathtaking. And full of love.

She chewed on her lower lip. Her mother would be so disappointed if she knew Venus had started in on her bad habit again. She didn't stop, but concentrated, stretching her mind over Cheverly's. What she saw confused her. ”Holy cret! I think you're right. I'll call her.”

”Good idea.”

She hugged him again. She'd meant for it to be quick, but he felt so good, she lingered. He held her, too. His hands rubbed her back and found their way into her hair. Tingles of longing p.r.i.c.kled her skin, and her heart. She wanted to kiss him. When she pulled back, she saw the desire reciprocated on his face. My Zaren. She leaned in . . .

He cleared his throat.

Disappointed, she hopped off his lap, grabbed the phone, and ran into her bedroom.

37. Right Here Waiting.

After getting dressed she called Chev. She seemed relieved to hear from Venus. Before Venus had a chance to say anything, Chev blurted the details.

”Have you heard anything from Michael? Probably not.” Her words came fast and breathy, like she'd just finished running a race. ”I talked to him early this morning. He said his mom was killed by a-a creature and that his dad was taking him away-with him. I tried to get more but someone made him hang up. I'm so worried.”

”Chev, I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

”I'm not sure. Oh, I feel so bad for him. His family-they've never been the best. Not that he'd tell me much, but I heard rumors. My dad's sheriff.” She'd spoken the last part like that explained everything. It didn't, but she kept talking, so Venus wasn't able to clarify. ”I'm gonna ask him if he knows anything when he gets home.” Venus heard Chev sniffle and knew she was crying. Her next words were soft. ”Michael told me he loved me last night. I've got to find him. I don't want to lose him, V.” She broke into loud bawling.

”Chev, Chev, it's going to be okay,” she soothed. Her head reeled at the knowledge. What she'd seen in Chev's memories had been correct. ”He said he loved you?”

She hiccupped. ”Yes. Last night was the most amazing of my life, and now . . .” She stopped and blew her nose before continuing, ”he's gone.”

”Wow, that's amazing, Chev. At least the part where he told you he loved you. I'll do what I can to help. Whatever you need.” If they were in love and he'd told her so, why wasn't Venus disconnected from him? Why did she still feel the hold? She clenched at her chest, sensing the power within. The connection that'd formed on the night she entered his mind and searched his memories. Venus had tried, on more than one occasion, to deny it, shake the bond off-believe it wasn't really there. But like a baby goat tethered to a hitching post, no amount of banging her head would separate them. That could only mean one thing. Michael loved Cheverly, but he wasn't in love. Bah, that seemed ridiculous. Michael was seventeen for cret's sake. What more did the G.o.ds expect from him?

”Thanks, V . . . Oh, hang on, my dad's home.”

Venus heard m.u.f.fled shouting in the background, but couldn't understand any of what they said. After a moment, Chev came back on the line. ”I'll call you back.” She hung up.

Snapping the phone shut, Venus ran into the living room. The guys were sitting on opposite ends of the long couch, having a heated discussion. The TV was on, but muted. Venus stopped in front of the old-looking thing. ”He told her he loved her,” she said, out of breath.

”Yeah, we heard. That's what we're discussing.” Dervinias glared at Zaren, full of arrogant self-righteousness. ”As I've told you both before, saying he loves her isn't the same as being in love. Don't you get that?” He rubbed his face, visibly annoyed. ”I love Starbucks coffee with extra cream and three sugars. That doesn't mean I'm in love with it.” He smirked and then continued, ”Close, but not quite.”

Zaren growled, ”Of course we know that. But what he feels should be enough. She's done all she can in the amount of time the G.o.ds have given her.” He flung a hand in Venus's direction. She opened her mouth to speak, but Zaren continued. ”I'm going to the Transports. I've got to contact Ith and Aetha again. Make them understand.”

Dervinias blew out his breath in irritation. ”Fine. Yeah, that's great. Go and contact your G.o.ds, but while you're doing that, what about V?”