Part 48 (1/2)
”We shall consider ourselves properly warned indeed,” Illyanov agreed.
”Good enough.” Cortin moved her shoulders uncomfortably, but maybe it would help the discomfort she still felt if she did talk about what had happened with the farm-folk this afternoon. ”Until then, I need some moral support. Something scary happened while I was questioning the first conscript today--since you weren't all in earshot, and Ivan wasn't there at all, can I describe it?”
”Please,” Illyanov said.
Cortin did. When the description was over, she said, ”I can't really describe how it felt, though. He honestly believed I am the Protector, was wors.h.i.+pping me. I was told not to deny that identification, so I didn't--but dear G.o.d, it was frightening! And several of the others were almost as bad. Being treated like the Herald is awful enough; being treated like the Protector Herself is . . . I don't know, I don't have the right word. I don't think I'd like it even if I were Her. Or Him.”
”Whether you did or not would have little bearing,” Illyanov said.
”G.o.d does not need to be wors.h.i.+pped; He--or She--requires it of us because it is we who need to wors.h.i.+p, and if we do not wors.h.i.+p G.o.d, we will wors.h.i.+p someone or something less worthy.”
”That makes sense,” Cortin said. ”It's not what I'd choose, but I've been frightened and embarra.s.sed before, without a Family for support.
I suppose I'll learn to live with it--I'll have to, since I don't have any choice.”
”You also have the support of the rest of us who are Sealed,” Illyanov said, leaning over to kiss her. ”Would you like me--or us--to spend the night?”
”Either or both, any time--which you know. But what about your families?”
”Mine went directly to Archangel and is busy moving in, with Delia's help. Brad's, I believe, is preparing for the move.”
”They are,” Bradford said, ”so I can't stay past Communion--I have to help, as long as I'm in town.”
Cortin grinned, her mood lightening. ”Too bad for you, Brad; that means Sara'll have to wait for unity with you. Though not with Ivan, if he's willing.”
Both men bowed in the historian's direction, and Bradford spoke first.
”I'm sorry to have to postpone something so delightful, but hopefully it won't have to be for long.”
”I, on the other hand, will be pleased to join you as soon as you wish,” Illyanov said, smiling.
Bain grinned. ”Don't waste any time, Sara; grab him right after Communion.”
Blackfeather was definitely attracted to the handsome Inquisitor-Colonel, but she wasn't used to such openness about s.e.x yet; though she remembered the previous evening's post-Communion lovemaking clearly, it didn't seem quite real. Now she was being urged to make love to a man she'd barely met . . . at least she'd known the Family men, if only briefly . . .
Chang chuckled. ”It is not difficult to see you find him attractive; with both of you Sealed, that is a strong indication you are compatible. Given that, what better way to become friends?”
Odd though it seemed, Blackfeather thought, that was reasonable.
”After Communion, then, if that's agreeable.”
”Most agreeable,” Illyanov said. ”Michael?”
”Just a minute,” Cortin said. ”Can I get a couple of quick updates first?”
”Of course.”
”Thanks. Brad, what about the special rescue teams?”
”Being organized. I put Major Grunwald on it, so they should be ready to go in a week.”