The Tracker's Quest: (Forced To Serve #6) (15 page)

But then so was the one she walked to.

***

Ji’s distant politeness had driven her from their quarters in search of something—anything. She couldn’t stand their stilted conversation anymore. He had told her of the
Paladin’s
captain’s promise to collect them from Ethos, but his voice had lacked enthusiasm. Afraid to push for his real thoughts—knowing well he would tell her—Seta walked aimlessly through the canton, admiring all she saw.

“
Sister!
”

Seta turned and smiled when Endara made a running leap into her arms.

“Want to see me make the rocks dance again?”

Wondering what a child her size could do on her own, Seta nodded and let her slide to the ground. Endara raced off with Seta following slowly. Now and again Endara would stop and look back impatiently. It made Seta smile. She probably got her impudence from living with the arrogant Garmon.

Endara finally stopped in the middle of a pile of beautiful crystals and gemstones. “Garmon said these are
not
mine to keep, but that I could dance with them until they are sold.”

Seta couldn’t help laughing when Endara spun in a circle, her whole body shaking, arms and legs flailing all about. Around her every stone lifted and jumped in the air about half the child’s height off the ground. Seta clapped and yelled praise.

“Dance with me—
please
,” Endara begged. “O-Rinda will like it too.”

Seta snickered as she stepped through the crystals and gems, which parted instantly at her approach.

“Hold up your arms and twirl—like this,” Endara ordered, never ceasing to move.

Seta started to hum and move in an old rhythm she hadn’t thought of since she was an innocent girl. She let her body remember the movements and fall naturally back into the motions. Beside her, Endara laughed and giggled, overjoyed with sharing the moment.

Tears—more tears than she knew she had—streamed down her face as she laughed and danced with the child. Undeterred by the outpouring of her emotion, Endara moved until at last she grew so tired she fell to the ground. The rocks instantly did the same. Laughing, Seta stopped dancing and sat on the ground herself.

“It makes me tired to dance with rocks,” Endara said softly.

Seta reached out and pushed Endara’s hair back from her face. “Practice a little each day. I bet the bigger you get—the easier it will become.”

“Will you dance with me each day?” Endara asked.

Seta dropped her hand and shook her head. “No. I can’t, little sister. Your job is to dance with rocks. Mine is to do something else. But I would like to visit my new favorite sister now and again. Would you like that?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Endara dove at her before Seta could properly prepare to catch her. She ended up flat on the ground, holding the happy child on top of her. She wrapped her arms around Endara and sent all the gratitude she felt out into the universe.

Sniffling tears again, she rose with the giggling Endara in her arms. “I am so very, very glad to have met you, Endara. Don’t forget me when I’m gone, okay?”

“
Endara?
”

“Chula calls me to evening meal,” Endara whispered.

“Go eat. I won’t leave for my work without saying good-bye.”

“Promise?”

Seta nodded solemnly. “I promise.”

“
Endara? Come now.”

Seta set her away and watched Endara scamper toward a home, battling more tears when she disappeared from view. A large male hand appeared, barely visible through the water covering her eyes. She took it, appreciating any help at the moment.

“Look at you. The thought of leaving us makes you weep. Why don’t you stay with us, Seta? I’ll go back to your father and bargain for Endara’s mother. I’m sure Suzerain Trax will let her go for the right price.”

Seta sniffed and shook her head. “No. He was planning to charge you seven times more than what you already paid, just for Endara. If you go back for Ineid he will know you know the child’s true worth. The male sees only his own wealth at the end of every discussion. It is time for a broader social change in Suzerain Trax’s canton.”

Garmon gripped her hand, squeezing it hard. “Why do you think you can change this? I fear you are going to your death if you return empty-handed to him.”

Seta didn’t deny it. “My father will not find me so easy to kill, Garmon. I worry more for Ji’s life than I do my own.”

“I worry for you the way you worry for him. Is your confidence for your survival based on the secret you are keeping inside you?”

“It’s not a secret to Endara. It is not a secret to most intuitives. I am sharing my life with another being whose power is much greater than my own. Without her, I would have been dead long ago. My first Ethosian mate loaned me out to a trader who strangled me to death because I fought him during bonding. The being within me is the reason I survived. I literally owe her my life. We have a sacred agreement.”

“Does this so-called Ethosian mate still live or did he suffer the same fate as the thief I watched you choke to death?”

“My attacker’s death was much messier. I stabbed him with a kitchen knife, then did the same to Rena’s attacker, and finally to our so-called mate as well. They all bowed to destiny the same day I did. I have no regrets in the matter, Garmon. Outside of them, the three thieves are all the males I’ve ever completely killed, even in my starship service. I am not as bloodthirsty as the being I carry,” Seta answered.

“It would not matter to me if you had killed a hundred,” Garmon answered, squeezing her hand hard. “Are you really going to choose life with the Siren over me? I admit he is more appealing—from a certain point of view.”

Seta pulled her hand gently from Garmon’s. “Ji’s allure for me is not his Siren appearance. He followed me to Ethos to help me. He comforted me after Rena’s death. Not long ago we were captured by someone who invaded our ship. Before those events I served in his command for several years. Ji and I—we have a long history—and our time together is not over yet. I meant what I said about not wanting a real mate, Garmon. I can’t bear the thought of being bound to someone in any form ever again.”

Garmon snorted and shook his head. “It is difficult to hear you talk of mating in such a negative way. Here we view it as the greatest of blessings. There are many who don’t have anyone to come home to after work or to care for them when times are hard. While the Siren is not my first choice for you, I can tell he wants only your happiness. You have with him what most spend their life seeking, Seta of Trax. I hope for your sake you can one day appreciate his compassion. Death will be too late to enjoy it.”

“I’m going to miss your poetic declarations, Garmon of Ker,” Seta said, ignoring the seriousness of his statements.

Garmon laughed at her teasing. “I have decided to forgive you for your deception. Your help today spoke louder than your words.”

He took Seta’s hand in his and lifted her fingers to his lips. “We may never know the joys of each other, but you will always hold a place in my heart. There is no need to return to your sire’s house—ever. The mining canton will be your home on Ethos for the rest of your life. Even if I never get to call you my mate, I will at least forever call you one of my family.”

Seta slipped her fingers from his hand and bowed her head. “May the Creators bless you one day with a wonderful mate and many children to carry on your work. You are the best Ethosian male I have ever met, Garmon of Ker. I would be pleased to call you my friend.”

She watched Garmon nod as he slowly walked away. Tears streamed once more as she headed back to where Ji was still brooding. In all her imaginings of a better life, having two wonderful males interested in her never crossed her mind.

Chapter 15

Seta watched Ji dressing with a heavy heart. His healing had happened quickly, which he’d shrugged off as Siren metabolism. He had held her as they slept last night, but said next to nothing to her. It was not like him to be so reserved. In fact, it was not like him to go so long without issuing some bossy order or making some sarcastic remark about something she said.

She hated nothing more than worrying about what Ji thought and how he felt.

She certainly didn’t want to care why he hadn’t bothered to touch her, even though she had felt proof of his interest pressed against her all night along.

“How much longer will I have to endure your quiet anger at me? If you have something to say, just say it so I can defend myself,” Seta demanded.

Ji gathered up his things. “I’m not angry at you. I’m just resigned to acknowledging my mistakes. Yesterday I realized you should stay here—with Garmon. He is a good male and can give you a happy life. He is right. There is much good you can do for these people. Endara doesn’t have the strength yet to clear a mine shaft. Without you those miners could have died. If you stayed, you could be her teacher and see she uses her gifts for good.”

Seta narrowed her gaze at his words. “I cannot stay—not that I want to—but I have a Peace Alliance contract to fulfill.”

“Contracts are easily broken when there is great need on your home planet. I think Garmon could easily justify asking for your release. I would witness for you. The matter could be resolved without you ever leaving Ethos. Garmon said a neighboring canton has a small transport ship equipped with a communication device reaching out to the edge of the planet’s atmosphere. I could arrange for the Captain of the
Paladin
to receive your transmission. You know Kel and I are old friends. And I would personally explain the situation to Captain Synar. So you see—the contract is no reason to return.”

“Why are you trying to get me to stay here?” Seta demanded.

Ji shrugged. “I’m a lot older and a lot more jaded about the possibilities of living well. This kind of life opportunity doesn’t present itself very often, Seta. I think you need to think about whether or not living among these people is your true destiny. It may be the reason you returned to Ethos. Finding out about the mining canton may be the real journey you were destined to take.”

“But you said
you
were my destiny,” Seta spat, Ji’s calm words making her angry. Where was his Siren devotion now? It seemed like he couldn’t wait to get her out of his life.

“Well, I wanted to be the male in your life. That isn’t the same as it being a profound truth worth pursuing. What you told Garmon—and me—I know
that
is your real truth. You honestly don’t want a mate. I’ve heard it since the first time we bonded. Zorinda was even backing you up yesterday. If you stay near me, I’m going to make you mine, Seta. And if I do so, I take the decision from your hands forever. A Siren mates for life—even death doesn’t end the connection. You won’t want anyone but me once it’s done. I don’t want to do that to you when it’s obvious it’s not what you want. My patience is not without limits, so let’s not discuss this again.”

“So just like that—you get an idea in your head—and we’re done with each other,” Seta declared.

“No, we’re not done. I’m going to return with you to help kill your father—or whatever it is you intend to do with him. Then hopefully we’ll be done afterward. Frankly, I don’t want to miss my ride back to the
Guardian 13
. My destiny is definitely not on this planet. I belong among the stars, or at the very least somewhere civilized like Rylen.”

His speech hurt her feelings, but she pushed it aside. He was just upset about Garmon’s mating offer. Any other male Ji would have threatened his life over her. Any other male would have felt his instant wrath if he’d shown such interest. Was she not worth the effort to him any longer?

“Garmon has agreed to accept Ineid into his canton if we can free her. She is my first consideration. I made her a promise to return for her,” Seta said.

Ji turned and nodded. He couldn’t meet her gaze. It was too hard after pretending he was okay with what he just said.

“Good. When he spoke to me Garmon offered to help, but we can’t risk his life. His people need him too much. Looks like it’s just the two of us to finish your father’s quest, Seta Trax. I hope Zorinda is willing to help or we’re dead before we get back there.”

“She will help,” Seta declared, relieved to feel Zorinda flutter in agreement.

“Then all that is left is doing it,” Ji said flatly.

“The whole mining canton is preparing a feast tonight—in celebration of the miners being saved. I would like to attend so I can see Endara again before I go.”

“Go to the feast then. I think I’ll stay behind and make final preparations. Both our weapons are being serviced. Garmon’s warriors have offered us our choice of other ammunition. I’ll pick some for both of us. Enjoy yourself tonight and I’ll see you when you return.”

Heart aching at Ji’s cold rejection, Seta turned to leave. “I was never going to choose him, Ji. He is a good male but Garmon is not for me. If his offer is your problem, you are concerned for nothing.”

Ji snorted. “Not wanting Garmon as a mate is no reason to give up your place among these people. No male is meant for you, Seta. I finally believe you. And from what I saw yesterday, you really don’t need a male for protection. You will always be more powerful than any male who shares your bed. That’s only going to get more true as you learn how to work with Zorinda’s power.”

“Must relationships always be about power and control? Can they not be about other things? Did it never occur to you our relationship might be based on something—more important?”

Ji stopped and stared. “Like what, Seta?”

Confession of her longing for him hovered on her tongue, begging to be spoken. But he turned away and she lost her nerve. There was no giving this male a little of herself. She had known it from the beginning. Ji either wanted all of her or he would take nothing.

She left their quarters before she started crying again.

***

The smiling female in front of her adjusted the layers of silk covering her body. Seta looked down at the gold disks on her fingers and the metal beads decorating nearly every inch of her.