The Vulpirans' Honor: The Soul-Linked Saga (29 page)

Vikter smiled, but it was a weak effort.  The knowledge that Honey was fully divorced
was welcome.  But the knowledge of how they’d failed her was hard to take. 

***

After putting Nica to bed and reading her a story, Honey went back downstairs.  The
Bearens’ were in the sitting room, talking around the fireplace, and they invited
her to join them.  She politely declined, then went out to the garden for some fresh
air. 

She felt edgy, restless, unsettled.  She regretted her outburst in front of Saige
earlier.  She generally kept a much tighter rein on her emotions.  She decided that
she’d leave a bit early for the clinic in the morning so she could visit Saige and
apologize. 

That decision made, she felt a little better, but not entirely.  The matter of a home
for herself and Nica was eating at her.  The more she thought about it, the more impossible
it seemed.  After all, she realized, this was not a town.  This was a private ranch,
owned by the Dracons.  It wasn’t like she could go rent an apartment up the road. 

She was beginning to wonder if remaining on Jasan was a good idea.  She knew that
Michael would never return, and she didn’t blame him.  But that didn’t mean she and
Nica had to stay.  She’d never go back to Terien, but maybe she could get a job on
Earth.  At least her psychic abilities wouldn’t be as shocking on Earth as on Terien. 

Honey sighed softly as she looked up at the stars in the dark, purple sky.  The real
problem, she admitted to herself, was the Vulpirans.  She’d thought that since she
was their Arima, they would want her.  Obviously she’d been wrong.  And the truth
was, she didn’t see how she could continue to live here, on Jasan, knowing that they
didn’t want her.

So,
she thought. 
That’s it then.  Tomorrow I’ll begin making arrangements for Nica and I to go back
to Earth. 

Her mind made up, she turned to go back into the house, refusing to allow one more
tear to fall.  She’d cried enough the past couple of days.  She was getting to be
downright maudlin.

Just as she started to reach for the patio door it slid open, revealing Vikter Vulpiran. 
Honey was so startled that for a long moment all she could do was stare at him. 

***

Jackson showed the Vulpirans out to the patio, silently wishing them luck.  If ever
there was a woman who deserved happiness, it was Honor Davis.  On his way back to
the sitting room he saw a message light blinking on the vid screen so he paused to
check it.  He listened to it twice, then turned the vid screen off and returned to
the sitting room.   

“The Vulpirans have come to speak with Honey,” he announced as he crossed the room
to the fireplace and added a new log to it.

“It’s about time,” Clark said.  “I was beginning to think we’d have to light a fire
under them.”

“According to a message I just got from Dav, the Lobos and the Dracons have already
done that,” Rob said with a smile.

Jackson made a mental note to ask Rob more about that later.  “Hope, the council has
a request of you,” he said.

“The council?” Hope asked in surprise, looking up from her book.  “What could they
possibly want of me?”

“There is a vault in the Hidden City that contains all of the artifacts that remain
from our ancient home world, Ugaztun,” he said.  “They ask that you visit it to determine
if there are any items that are meant to be used in some way for the good of our people.”

“They know I am a Keeper, then,” Hope said with a sigh.

“Yes, I’m afraid they do,” Jackson said.  “Elder Vulpiran asked Aisling about her
bracelet.  To be fair, she was not asked to keep it quiet.”

“No, she wasn’t,” Hope agreed.  “And I’m not upset about it, either.”

“Then why do you seem worried?” Clark asked.

“Reading objects is often an unpleasant thing to do,” she said. 

“You need not read them,” Jackson said.  “In fact, didn’t Riata tell you that you’re
not meant to read such objects?”

“That’s true,” Hope said, brightening.  “All right then, so long as I don’t have to
touch or read the items, I’ve no objection.  When should we do this?”

“Whenever we want to,” Jackson replied.  “Since we’re able to speed-travel to the
Hidden City in moments, we don’t even have to pack.  We can take a morning or afternoon
whenever you like.”

“What about your work schedule?” Hope asked. 

“This takes precedence,” Jackson said. 

“In that case, the sooner the better as far as I’m concerned,” Hope said.  “I don’t
want to sit around worrying about it.  How does tomorrow afternoon sound?”

“Tomorrow afternoon is fine,” Jackson said.  “And there’s nothing to worry about,
niha
.  We will be with you every moment, and you will touch nothing you don’t want to
touch.”

“Thank you,” Hope said.  “What about the boys?  Should we take them?”

“No, I think we should leave them here,” Clark said.  “I don’t think the council would
approve of three toddlers set loose in the vault of ancient artifacts.”

Hope laughed softly.  “No, I suppose not.  Tess and Sila can manage without us for
an afternoon.”

“There will be guards, of course,” Jackson said.  “For our own peace of mind.”

“Of course,” Hope said.  “As much as it annoys me, I admit I’ll feel better knowing
there are guards watching over the house and the children while we’re gone.”

“Not just guards,” Jackson said.  “We’ll ask the Bearen-Hirus to come.  They’ll enjoy
the chance to spend time with the boys anyway.”

“Aren’t they a bit highly ranked to be baby-sitters?” Hope asked doubtfully.  “I don’t
want to insult anyone.”

“They will not be insulted,” Rob said.  “In fact, they’ll be honored.  If the Bearen-Bat
and the Bearen-Ti weren’t off-world right now, we’d ask them.”

“You’d ask the first and second ranked male-sets of your clan to babysit?” Hope asked
in surprise.

“No, we’d ask them to guard our sons,” Jackson said.  “And they’d be honored to do
it, Hope.  Don’t forget, Harlan, Matt and Weld are the only Owlfens left.”

“Oh yeah,” Hope said.  “I try not to think about that too much.  Now that you’ve brought
it up though, ask them not to spoil the boys, all right?  I don’t want them getting
big heads.”

“Spoil?” Clark asked, while at the same time Rob said “Big heads?”

“Why would having the Bearen-Hirus guard our sons cause their heads to grow large?”
Jackson asked.

“What I mean is I don’t want them to become arrogant or conceited,” Hope explained.

“I see,” Jackson said.  “I do not believe that arrogance is a part of their nature,
niha
.  We will, however, keep our eyes open for such behavior, and guard against it.”

Hope smiled.  She knew when she was being placated.  “Thanks,” she said, closing her
book and setting it aside.  “I think I’d like to take a bath before bed.  Anyone want
to join me?”

For one moment all three of the Bearens froze.  Then they all burst into motion at
once using Air Magic to speed travel.  Clark sped through the house checking the locks
on all of the doors.  Rob closed the fire screen on the front of the fireplace, then
checked the windows.  Jackson lifted Hope into his arms and, a moment later, set her
on her feet in their bedroom.”

Hope kissed him lightly on the lips, then turned toward the bathroom.  By the time
she reached the doorway, all three of her men were right behind her.

***

“Hello, Honey,” Vikter said, stepping out onto the patio.  Lance followed, then Hunt,
causing her to back up a couple of steps.  She didn’t know why they were there, and
felt a strong need to maintain some distance from them.  She crossed her arms in front
of her and made her face as expressionless as she could manage.

“Hello,” she said.  They just stood there, staring at her for so long that she became
very uncomfortable.  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Yes,” Vikter said.  “Many things are wrong.  We have made many mistakes, though I
promise you, none were intended to hurt you.”

Honey started to ask him what he was talking about, but stopped herself just in time. 

“It has been brought to our attention that you are not entirely happy, and that we
are to blame,” Lance said.

Honey’s eyes widened at that.  She couldn’t help it.  She had to ask.  “What are you
talking about?”

“You are unhappy, Honey,” Vikter said.  She started to shake her head but he held
up one hand.  “No, do not deny it,” he said.  “We can feel it.  And it’s our fault.”

“What’s your fault?” she asked.

“All of it.  You staying here as a guest instead of having your own home, for starters,”
Vikter said.

Honey arched a brow at him.  “I fail to see how that is either your responsibility
or your business,” she said, beginning to get a little angry.  “Anyway, it doesn’t
matter.  I’ve decided to return to Earth.  I’m going to make the arrangements tomorrow,
so you see, no more problem.  Now, if you will excuse me, I’m tired.”

“You’re returning to Earth?” Vikter asked, his face paling. 

Honey frowned, wondering why he seemed so upset.  “Yes, I think it’s the best solution
for us.  I’m responsible for Nica, and I have to do what’s best for her.  I have nothing
here.  I can’t even give her a home here, or send her to school, or....”  She trailed
off.  She’d gone over the list of woes so many times she was sick of it.  “It’s just
best.”

“What about us?” Hunt asked.  Honey shook her head a little in confusion.  “I’m sorry,
Hunt, I don’t understand what you mean.  What about you?”

“You are our Arima,” Lance said.  “We do not want you to leave.”

“Why not?” she asked.  “You don’t want me, that much is obvious.  It’s best for all
of us if I leave Jasan.”

“So much misunderstanding, so many assumptions, beliefs, worries,” Vikter sighed deeply. 
“Honey, come over here and sit down, please.  Give us a few minutes to explain ourselves
to you.  Then, if you want to leave Jasan, we will not stand in your way.”

Honey wasn’t sure she wanted to do this.  She very nearly said no, but the waves of
worry, hope and fear coming from the three of them tugged at her heart.  She could
not deny them this small request. 

She turned and walked over to the patio table and pulled out a chair.  She sat down,
then wrapped her arms around herself again, this time for warmth.  Hunt removed the
light leather jacket he wore and draped it over her shoulders without a word. 

“Thank you,” she said, breathing in his scent.  She shivered, but it had nothing to
do with the cold.

“To begin,” Vikter said, after they were all seated, “you need to know why we have
been staying away from you.”

Honey nodded.  She would like an answer to that.

“Everyone knows you are our Arima,” he said.  “And everyone knows you are married
to Michael.  We wished to avoid any hint of dishonor for all of our sakes.  After
you told us the truth of your relationship with Michael, it suddenly became impossible
for us to remain in your presence without treating you as our Arima.  Before you were
healed, we could remind ourselves that we had to be careful for your sake.  But afterward,
we were afraid of ourselves.  We want you too much, Honey.  Need you too much.  Desire
you too much.  But we had to wait until you were no longer married.”

“So you stayed away for my sake?” Honey asked. 

“For all of our sakes,” Vikter replied.  “We should have talked to you, we see that
now.  We never meant to hurt you, and we surely never meant to abandon you.  You are
the one woman meant for us.  We have waited for you for centuries.  We tried so hard
not to cause you harm, and in doing so, we caused you harm.  An Arima’s health and
happiness comes before all things, and in this we failed you, and we are ashamed of
ourselves and more sorry than we can tell you.  But please, do not leave.  We ask
that you give us another chance.”

“Another chance to do what?” Honey asked.

“Now that you and Michael are divorced,” Vikter began, but Honey shook her head. 
“What?” he asked, his heart skipping a beat in fear.

“We are not divorced,” she said.  “Prince Garen has decreed that we were never married
at all since we were forced into it.”

“Even better,” Vikter said, his heart returning to something like a normal rhythm. 
“Do you really want to return to Earth?”

“It’s not that I want to,” Honey replied.  “It’s the only solution I can think of.”

“If you had a home, and all of the things you and Nica need here, would you want to
stay?” Vikter asked.

“Yes, I would,” Honey replied. 

“The Dracons are providing you with a house here, on the ranch, as part of your salary
and benefits,” Lance said.  “An architect is coming tomorrow to work with you on what
you want.  In the meantime, he has offered a large guesthouse for you and Nica, near
their home.  Further, Michael has promised he will set up a new account for you with
half of the funds in your joint account.  He will do it first thing tomorrow.  Prince
Dracon intends to deposit funds as well.  Consider it a bonus for saving the lives
of the sons of their closest and dearest friends.”