Core Read Free Page B

staff?”
    He moved toward her and placed his hand over hers on the smooth wood. “It controls the defences of Lero. It literally places the planet’s safety in your hands.”
    She was about to ask another question when he kissed her with a move that was as sudden as it was stimulating. He smelled of sweet wood and male musk with a hint of citrus. There was a scar on his lower lip that she could feel with hers and there was the slightest hint of freckles dusted across his cheeks. Her hand under his recognized scars, callouses and the soft skin in places where his palm was pressed to her fingers.
    His taste was the same as the fruit from the tree, and when he let her go, she licked her lips and blushed. “I am sorry for picking the fruit.”
    “I am not. It woke me, and from there on, I watched.” His hand caressed her cheek. “So soft for one who is in a life of violence.”
    “I prefer a life of protection.” She inclined her head. “Violence happens occasionally, but protecting those who cannot take care of themselves in all situations is a blessing in and of itself.”
    “Your charges here have nothing to fear. If they would open their minds a little, they would see what you see. I will call for the servants to join us. Will you have dinner with me?”
    Cor blinked. “You are kidding, right?”
    Relak’s eyes were completely sober. “I need to know what I need to do to make you mine and that means I must know more about you. So, will you and your partner join me for dinner? I will set a guard from the population, and they will be safe in the middle of my garden.”
    Cor was confused. “I thought this was supposed to be a dead world.”
    “Only when those who do not know the truth look at it. To anyone who opens their mind to see everything around them, they see what you see, what I see. What all the people on Lero see, that our world is ours alone for now. That time is coming to a close, and you will help us re-join the rhythm of life outside our world.”
    “I am currently under contract to the Vahsh.”
    “You will find, if you examine your agreement, that you have already fulfilled your contract. So, dinner in two hours?”
    She blinked. “Um. Sure. Two hours. Where?”
    “The servants will come and find you.”
    He pressed a kiss to her forehead and walked toward the hall where she had found the staff.
    Sox grabbed her arm the moment he was out of earshot. “I think he is serious, Cora.”
    “You only call me that when I am in trouble.”
    “I think this qualifies as trouble. You just woke a planetary Avatar, and he wants you to join him with a planet living in your mind. Don’t you find that a little peculiar?”
    Cor sat down on the ground and placed her staff across her lap. “Oh, you know these funny foreigners and their peculiar ways.”
    Sox sat down next to her and sighed. “You have landed it in this time, Cor.”
    Cor looked over at the group of girls examining Tobeena’s burned hands. “Oh, I am well aware of that.”

Chapter Four
    Life returned rapidly to Lero’s surface. As if they had only been waiting for a signal, personnel filled the home and fires were lit in some of the open rooms.
    When two hours of watching folks filing in carrying crates, barrels and other sundries needed for a household suddenly came to a halt, four large, burly men of Lero came striding toward their small gathering.
    “Lady Cora, Lady Socorea, please join Avatar Relak in the room where the staff was activated. He is eager to hear of your people.” The male speaking was looking at Sox in a way that was not at all perfunctory.
    Cor stifled a snicker as Sox’s hormones went into overdrive and her scent changed dramatically. Apparently, it was not a one-way attraction.
    “Save it for later, Sox, dinner first. Sir, am I to understand that you are taking over the watch on the Vahsh maidens?”
    “I am Borik, and yes, we are here to guard the sacrifices. They will be here when you return.” He bowed