Pursued Read online

  “So,” Shuura murmured, breaking the silence. “Do you want to tell me why you’re actually here, Merrick? I’m guessing it isn’t because you missed this place—you were always restless on Rageron.”

  Merrick sighed. “I’m restless everywhere because I don’t fucking belong anywhere. As to why we’re here…” He took a deep breath. It would have been nice to be able to keep his purpose from his kin but he would need their help if the mission was to succeed. “As to why I’m here with Elise, it’s because we need to go into the Deep Blue and bring back a skrillix branch.”

  “What?” Shuura gave him a look that plainly said he must have lost his mind. “You want to take an unmated female into the Deep Blue and try to rob the Ancient Ones of their most sacred plant?”

  “Nobody said anything about robbing,” Merrick growled. “I’ll pay my respects and honor their customs.”

  “But you don’t know what that might entail,” Shuura protested. “You may be tested. They may even demand a sacrifice of pain. What will you do about that?”

  Merrick rubbed his jaw wearily. “I’ll do whatever I have to do. I’ll take their test and give them what they want. I know it’s dangerous, Shuura, but I have to do it.”

  The brother of his father shook his head. “Very well. Then Tongs and I will do our best to help you.”

  “Thanks.” Merrick nodded gratefully. He was glad his kin hadn’t asked why he needed the sacred plant—that would have been a bit too awkward to explain. He fixed his eyes on Elise again, swaying gracefully as she rode on Tongs’ shoulder, and tried not to think about what the next step of their adventure might bring.

  * * * * *

  Elise was charmed by the small jungle town and she had a bird’s eye view of it, riding as she was on Merrick’s uncle’s shoulder. Tongs was an excellent guide, pointing out local landmarks and giving her tidbits of town gossip until she forgot to feel awkward about her precarious perch and just enjoyed the ride.

  She was glad she’d changed clothes as Merrick had suggested. The air was warm and muggy and the pale blue sunshine was hot on her bare shoulders. Everything seemed to have a bluish cast to it, from the quaint thatched houses—some with trees growing out of their roofs—to the jungle itself, which surrounded the town like a loosely cupped hand.

  Here and there, Elise saw the other inhabitants—all with the same black hair and golden eyes as Merrick’s uncles. There seemed to be more males than females, which she supposed was usual in any Kindred settlement. Their clothing was simple, yet beautiful—a loose, open weave which appeared to be made from some kind of plant fiber.

  The garments reminded Elise of macramé and most were the same blue-gray as the rest of the jungle though some had been dyed other, more brilliant colors. She wondered what they thought of her own red sundress and matching sandals. Most of them seemed to be wearing some kind of tough leather boots, maybe for tramping in the jungle.

  “Well, here we are.” Tongs came to a stop in front of a tall house with not one but two trees growing through the roof—one coming out of each end of the long structure. The thick blue-gray trunks poked through the thatch, reaching for the sky. Their branches were covered in jewel-like greenish blue leaves so large Elise could easily have used one for a blanket.

  “Wow,” she said, honestly impressed. “This is amazing.”

  “Our house has been doubly blessed by the Goddess.” Tongs smiled up at her, his white teeth glinting in his dark face. “And now that you’re here, my lady fair, we can count ourselves triply blessed.”

  “Very nice, Tongs,” Merrick growled behind them. “But the tour’s over—you can put Elise down.”

  “Not until we cross the threshold. Duck,” Tongs said, glancing up at Elise as he opened the rustic wooden door.

  She did, but she didn’t have to duck very far. The doorway was high—built on a Kindred scale, just like the ship they’d traveled in to Rageron.

  Inside, the house was nothing like what she’d expected. Elise had been sure the interior would be rough and unfinished—like a grass hut or a log cabin. Instead, the house had a natural grace and charm that surprised and pleased her.

  On the floor was what looked like a soft blue-green carpet. But when she looked closer, Elise saw it was actually a blanket of tiny flowers and closely clipped grass. The blue-gray trunk of one of the trees that pierced the roof was situated in the middle of the living area and she noted that its branches had been clipped short, probably to keep them from filling the entire room.

  The walls were smooth and pale blue and the furniture appeared to have been made from the horns and hides of animals. There were no pictures on the wall although she did see a ferocious looking animal head that looked like a cross between a bear and a bobcat with two-foot long fangs. It was mounted over the archway that appeared to lead to the kitchen and dining area. From where she was, Elise could see the trunk of the second tree was located there. It looked like a circular table had been built around it, making it a focal part of the dining room. It looks like a hunting lodge, she thought. Or some kind of bachelor pad. Indeed, there was a distinctly masculine feel to the space. For the first time, she wondered if Merrick’s uncles lived alone. And if so, why?

  After allowing her a long look around, Tongs set her down gently and knelt before her. “Be at ease, my lady fair,” he murmured, looking up at her. “May I remove your shoes?”

  “Oh, uh…” She glanced behind her to see Merrick glaring at the both of them. But what could she do? Tongs had been so kind to her she didn’t want to repay him with rudeness. “I guess so, if that’s the, uh, custom,” she said at last.

  “My thanks.” Gently, almost seductively, Tongs cupped his big hand under her calf and lifted her foot to slide off her sandal and bare her foot. The move put Elise off balance and she had to reach out and grab his broad shoulder to keep from falling over. “Very nice,” he murmured. He started to lift the other leg but Merrick was suddenly between them.

  “That’s enough, Tongs,” he snarled. “Just what the fuck are you trying to prove?”

  “What do you think?” Tongs stood and returned Merrick’s glare. “I’m trying to say if she’s your female, you should treat her right. Give her the respect she’s due and don’t deny or disavow her.”

  Merrick’s mismatched eyes glowed with fury. “You think I disavowed her because I wanted to?” he demanded. “You think I didn’t want to be the one to carry her on my shoulder, the one to bring her into the dwelling and remove her shoes?”

  “Then why didn’t you?” Tongs said sharply. “Your scent’s all over her—and yet you say she’s not yours.”

  “It’s my fault.” Elise stepped forward and almost stumbled because she had one shoe on and one shoe off. “Merrick’s scent is on me because he had to help me. I have stasis sickness—the hunger. We…we formed a bond, but it’s not a true bond and…and I’m actually engaged to someone else,” she finished in a low voice, feeling wretched.

  “You see?” Merrick said roughly. “She belongs to another—I can’t claim her. We’re only here to get a branch of skrillix to break the bond between us and then we’ll leave.”

  “I see.” Tongs nodded stiffly. “Forgive me, Merrick. I didn’t know. I thought you were being discourteous and wasteful of a gift from the Goddess. Now I see it was I who was discourteous.” Nodding, he turned and walked swiftly away, disappearing down a long hallway.

  “You must forgive my younger brother,” Shuura said quietly after a door slammed at the other end of the house. “He lost his beloved in a plague some ten years ago, before they could be mated and he mourns her still. He thought…”

  “He thought Merrick wasn’t treating me right,” Elise said miserably. “That he was disrespecting me.” When actually, it’s the other way around… She didn’t say the words aloud—she didn’t have to. When she glanced up, she saw Merrick watching her with a pain too deep for words in his mismatched eyes.

  He turned quickly away. “I need a drink