Part 20 (1/2)

”The Cardinals' free will includes the freedom to accept temptation,”

the man said drily. ”Yes, he's managed that. But for now balance must be maintained, which means giving Joan a core group he can't touch, and nudging temporal authorities to give her mundane power to match his.

All of which will have to be done without her knowledge, or she loses her temporary immunity before she's strong enough to fight him. If that's how she chooses to handle it.”

Gently, he pulled the coverlet down to Cortin's waist, then touched her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. ”If you choose, you two will be her chief support--and for that, you'll need support yourselves. You've both offered your lives to me and been accepted. That hasn't protected you from sin, because that's part of the Protector's covenant. And it's too early for it to protect more than her core group--but if you're willing to surrender that fragment of your free will so you can serve her fully, I can give you the help and protection you need to do it.”

”You've got it,” Odeon said without hesitation, and Chang nodded.

”I expected no less of you,” Jeshua said, obviously pleased. ”Then drink from her, for hers is the protecting and healing Milk of Life.”

Chang obeyed immediately, but Odeon hesitated, looking at the drop of white that had appeared on her nipple. ”Even for that,” he said softly, ”I can't take advantage of her. That's not the way to help her.”

”I admire your integrity,” Jeshua said, ”but that need not concern you.

I foresaw this possibility; she'll feel and enjoy your drinking.

Though she won't understand it until the time comes to make this available to everyone.”

Rea.s.sured, Odeon bent to his Joanie's breast and drank. Her milk was warm and sweet, so full of the promised life it was almost intoxicating--and he could feel her pleasure in it, could feel Sis'

emotional pain and scars fading to nonexistence, could feel G.o.d's Presence surrounding and enfolding them.

He was reluctant to release her even when he could drink no more. The unity he'd felt with her, and through her with Sis, was too right for him to want to leave it.

”There will be other times,” Jeshua said. ”Only one drink is necessary--but once all can partake, she will feed you again and often, both as part of your loving and as a remembrance and renewal of the unity you've just felt.” He smiled. ”That doesn't mean she won't continue to lactate; she and those who accept her will have special gifts, you and her other staff and priests in particular. It only means that until then, her milk will be no more miraculous than any other woman's. You and Piety are the ones who'll choose those to serve her and give them milk or seed.”

That part made sense; Odeon was used to both priestly functions and delegation of authority. It was what Jeshua said about Joanie's milk being part of their loving--with Joanie the Protector, even just temporarily, he couldn't possibly--

Jeshua chuckled. ”Of course you can, and will. You don't love her any less because of what you've learned; why deprive either yourself or her of the most powerful physical expression of that love? It's also something both of you want, and I certainly have no objection.” He smiled.

Odeon returned the smile, unable to resist the other's charisma. What he said did make sense; he'd wept when Joanie'd lost that pleasure and consolation, and now that she had it back, it'd be unfair for him to deprive her. Not that he wanted to deprive either of them; it just seemed incongruous that he make love to an Aspect of G.o.d. Knowing that she was, anyway; it'd seemed normal enough before. Still . . . ”You know I'll do anything she needs--or just wants--me to do.”

”I know,” Jeshua said. ”To your credit, my son, though you don't really need it.” He turned to Chang, touching her head gently. ”Any more than you do, daughter. You've had the special help you needed; now your suffering is over, and you may conceive whenever and with whomever you wish. I a.s.sure you, your child will have a distinguished family.”

Chang bowed to him, her expression at once radiant and serene. ”I will leave those choices to the One Who healed me, with grat.i.tude.”

”So be it.” Jeshua smiled, covered Cortin again, and was gone.

Moonlight in his face brought Odeon awake, frowning. That dream had been decidedly peculiar, not at all his usual type--much too realistic, for one thing, so much so that it seemed he could still taste Joanie's milk. What had gotten into him?

More disturbed by the dream than he cared to admit even to himself, he got up and stretched, then made another tour around the shelter before going in. The activity helped--until he saw Chang's tear-stained face and haunted expression. He joined her at the table, glancing at Cortin--no, nothing obviously wrong--before touching the medic's hand.

”What's wrong, Sis?” he asked quietly.

”A dream, no more,” she said. ”I should not have let it disturb me--though it seemed so real I find it hard to dismiss as I should.”

Two overly-real dreams not only on the same night, but apparently at the same time . . . ”I just had one of those myself,” he said. ”If yours matches, I think we can count on interesting times ahead--tell me about it.”

When she finished, he rubbed his scar. ”Word for word, and as close to action for action as possible with you in here and me outside. Not a dream, then, was it?”

”No.” Chang managed a shaky smile. ”To live in interesting times is an ancient curse of my people, did you know that?”