Valan's Bondmate (17 page)

"Mother?"

"Shhh, you will be well, little one."

"He hurt me!" Wrenching sobs of pain tore from her throat and shook her as a dark mist surrounded her. The soothing voice pushed it away. Opening her eyes she focused on a hazy figure by the bed.

"My name is Olga Garshin. I'm here to care for you until you are well." She smiled, reassuringly.

Lia examined Olga. Her gray hair was cut to just below her ears, and there were small wrinkles around her mouth and eyes. Olga asked if she was hungry and she nodded her head and blushed with embarrassment when her stomach growled.

"I'll fix you something to eat and bring it to you. Please, don't try to get up while I'm gone. The doctor will be here soon, and he'll explain your condition to you."

What was wrong with her? Carefully, she tried to sit up and couldn't. Her body was sore everywhere. Just breathing took an effort. She couldn't remember becoming ill. She remembered running down the stairs, hurrying. Valan had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She hadn’t fallen because she remembered rushing toward him. Suddenly images flashed through her mind. He'd held the leather leash in his hand. As the images continued, wrenching cries of pain and fear left her throat, and she remembered what he'd done to her.

Valan and Borg were climbing the stairs when they heard her cries. Valan's long legs took the steps two at a time as he hurried ahead of the doctor desperate to reach her. He stopped at the partially open door when he remembered she wouldn't want to see him.

"Stay out here, Valan," Borg said. ‘I'll let you know how she is as soon as I examine her."

Valan slumped against the wall and laid his head back. The sound of her weeping tortured him. After a few eternal minutes the sounds stopped.

Olga Garshin came up the stairs, carrying a tray in her hands. She glanced at the closed door, and then him. He calmly returned her look, hoping she couldn't see the anguish he was feeling and was relieved when she looked away.

When the door opened she turned to Doctor Veeson.

Borg glanced at Valan and moved beside Olga. "I've given her an injection to calm her. See that she eats something before she falls asleep. I've also explained her condition. I believe she will cooperate with you. I'll be back tomorrow, unless you call for me sooner."

"Doctor, when she first awoke she didn't seem to remember what had happened to her."

"She remembers now," Borg said, then signaled for Valan to accompany him downstairs.

"Did you hear what I told Olga?"

"Yes."

"I've known you all your life, Valan. I am one of your mentors, and it's my honor and duty to advise you, not only as a doctor, but as a friend. I know this is hard for you, but please stay away from Lia. I don't want to have to give her another injection to calm her. She's confused and hurt right now. She doesn't understand why you punished her."

"I'll stay away until she needs me."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow."

Valan paced the room. He needed to dispel some of the frustration he was feeling, and he knew just the place to do it. His warriors would be at the training field. It was time he kept the promise he made to himself—they would suffer for their actions against Lia.

Olga was coming down the stairs carrying the barely touched food tray when Valan came out of the reception room. She hesitated, with one foot still on the stairs, when he spotted her.

"I'll be at the training field if you should need to summon me. Otherwise I will be back later this cycle." Then he paused at the door. "Thank you for your care of my bondmate."

Before Olga had a chance to answer him, closed the door.

***

Lia awoke in the middle of the night. She was alone and the chamber was dark. Stars sparkled through the skylight above the bed. Remembering what Doctor Veeson had told her, she smiled at the stars and covered her belly with her hands. She hadn't even realized she was pregnant. Her smile faded, as she thought of what else he'd told her. She couldn't lose them. She wouldn't! Valan might hate her and want to destroy her, but she'd make sure her children lived.

She rolled onto her side and stared at the door. He was out there somewhere. He'd fooled her into believing he was beginning to care for her and it made him worse than Gorm. At least with Gorm she knew he hated her and wanted to hurt her. With Valan she never knew what he felt. His attitude changed constantly and she was tired of trying to please him. He'd made her want to stay with him. Now, she was determined to leave him.

She'd pled with Doctor Veeson to help her get away from Valan. Begged him with tears in her eyes. Instead of answering her pleas, he'd held a silver tube against her arm and injected her with the same substance Valan had given her the night he'd abducted her and she'd fallen asleep.

Awake now, she began to make plans to leave him. She'd have to escape before the babies were born. If she didn't, the three of them would never get away. She'd have to plan her escape very carefully and make sure he never found them. If he did, she was sure he'd kill her.

The info-discs she'd watched about Zarronia had taught her a lot about the geography of the planet and how things worked. It would be hard to get off the planet but she knew how to get to one of the other provinces. If she was careful, he wouldn't find her, and she'd have time to find a way to leave Zarronia and get to one of the other planets the info-discs talked about. Once she and her children got away from his home planet he'd never find them.

Methodically, she began listing the things she'd need. First, she'd need a way to pay for food and shelter. She had nothing to barter so she'd have to steal something from him. She ran through a mental list of the house and finally thought of the carvings in the reception room. They were valuable and small enough for her to carry. Briefly, she felt guilty for even thinking of stealing something so beautiful from him. She forced herself to remember what he'd done to her and dismissed the guilt. He owed her, and she was going to make him pay. She'd take them and as much food as she could carry. Satisfied with her plan, she hugged the pillow to her chest.

Then, she remembered the fever and frowned. She couldn't wait for him to teach her how to control it before she left. He may never decide to do that. Doctor Veeson had said when bondmates were away from each other the fever wasn't as powerful as when they were together. She'd have to take the risk and deal with the fever as best she could.

Sleepily, she closed her eyes relieved she had a plan. She'd ask Doctor Veeson how long it would take her to recover and as soon as she was well she'd leave.

***

Her opportunity to speak to Doctor Veeson came the next morning. Olga was braiding her hair when he tapped on her door. Olga gave him permission to enter. He waited until she finished Lia's hair, then asked her to prepare breakfast while he talked to her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better."

"Excellent. No more cramping?"

"No."

"Most of the danger of miscarrying is over, but I want you to remain in bed for the next four cycles to be sure."

"That long?"

"Yes. The time will pass quickly. Olga will keep you busy and entertained."

Hesitantly, she asked him, "Did Valan know I was pregnant when he took me to that place?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I want to know." She lowered her eyes so he wouldn't see how important the answer was to her. "Did he?"

"Lia, your babies are safe. Valan wants them as much as you do. He won't do anything to harm you, or them. I promise you."

She dismissed his words. He might possibly want the babies, but he didn't want her. Obviously, Doctor Veeson didn't know Valan as well as he thought. 

"Is there anything else you would like to ask me?"

"Yes. When can I get up? I want to take a real bath."

"After the evening meal, but have Olga stay with you. I'll give her my instructions."

Pleased she would be allowed to get up, if only for a little while, she smiled at him. Olga returned with her breakfast, then she and Doctor Veeson left the room.

***

Valan supervised the workers as they fixed the shattered crystal panel. He heard Borg enter and glanced at him. "How is she?"

"Doing much better." Quietly, he told him what Lia had asked him and what he was afraid she was planning to do.

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her you want the babies as much as she does, but, I don't think she believed me."  

"No. She wouldn't. Not after all I've done to her."

"Valan let me tell her about the Council. She has the right to know."

"No. I don't want her to know how much the warriors hate her."

"Do you believe she doesn't already know that? She saw them, Valan. She saw the hatred on their faces at the warrior’s arena."

"Will you also tell her it was my fault she was summoned for judgment? I won't allow her to be told, not until she is stronger, and I can make her understand."

"And, what will you do if she tries to run away?"

"I’ve already taken care of that. She won't get very far before the tracking devise in her bands is triggered."

"If she runs, will you discipline her? I have to warn you, I don't think she could survive it again. At least, not now."

"No! I'll never use the bands on her again." Valan stepped away, effectively ending the conversation.

Borg followed him. "The past cycle, I treated several of your warriors. When I asked them how they'd been injured, they refused to answer me. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"

"Yes. And, you can expect to see several more of them this cycle, and every cycle until I'm satisfied they've learned the lesson I'm teaching them."

"I see. Then, I better get back to my clinic and make sure everything is ready for them."

Nodding, Valan turned back to the workers as they finished installing the crystal. When he'd arrived at the training field his warriors knew immediately he was there for revenge. He'd challenged six of them. By the time he'd grown tired and left, they'd been limping and groaning with fatigue. He was looking forward to the challenge he would issue again later this cycle. Rubbing his bruised knuckles, he smiled and flexed them.

Sixty micro-units later, he walked onto the training field wearing only a loincloth. His warriors knew they were in for another rough afternoon. Usually, he only observed their training, leaving the actual fighting to the trainers. Occasionally, he'd join in their battle training, carefully keeping firm control on his strength. But the previous cycle he'd issued a challenge, and when he'd left several of his opponents had to be taken to the medical clinic.

He heard their groans and was satisfied his warriors understood they'd broken an unwritten law. He depended on them to protect his back in battle, just as they depended on him to lead them. It was understood among them the protection extended to their families, as well. When they'd gone after Lia, they'd erred and would now pay for it.

He beckoned to six warriors who had been at Lia's judgment. They moved toward him, as the other warriors formed a circle around them. The younger warriors gathered behind them. "Do you know why I challenged you?" When they nodded, he signaled to them to begin.

A more experienced warrior, thinking to surprise him by attacking first, soon went flying into the crowd, taking several of the spectators down with him. Then, three warriors circled Valan, attacking at the same time. His hands and feet flashed out, hitting the men so hard they too went down. He didn't rein in his strength or pull his punches.

Grinning, he waited for the cloud of dust to settle, then turned to the last two warriors. Lifting one hand, he beckoned them to come at him. They attacked like a pair of desperate saber-cats.

A hand went around his neck and dug into his windpipe, as the second warrior placed a well-aimed kick to his midriff. Grunting with the force of the blow, he spun, breaking the first attacker’s hold. Grabbing him, he threw him to the ground, then spun back and met the other one. He quickly disposed of him, and turned to see if anyone was getting up. He stood alone in the circle and searched the faces of his warriors. Satisfied with what he saw, he moved through them. "I'll be back after the next sun rising."

***

Lia slid into the warm, sweetly scented water. A small sound of pleasure slipped from her lips as she closed her eyes and let the warmth soothe her aching muscles. Olga lifted her arm and ran a sponge over it.

"I can do that."

"The doctor doesn't want you staying in the bath very long, Madami Valan. You lay back and enjoy the warmth while I take care of you."

"Why do you call me by this name ‘Madami Valan’? What does it mean?"

"Madami means you are bonded. It is always followed by the name of your bondmate. So, you are Madami Valan."

Lia didn't like hearing his name. These past two cycles she'd pretended to herself that nothing existed outside the room she was confined to. "Please won't you call me Lia?"

"It wouldn't be proper for me to use your first name."

"Even if I ordered you to do so?"

"Well, perhaps then I could use it." Olga smiled.

Lia peeked at Olga to see if her words upset her. When she saw the smile on Olga's face she said, sweetly, "Then I order you to call me Lia."

"Very well. Lia," Olga said. "I’m afraid it is time for you to get out of the bath."

"So soon?" Lia asked, disappointed.

"Yes. You need to eat and then rest."

Lia rose and Olga wrapped a drying cloth around her. After she was in bed, Olga brushed and braided her hair. Then she tied a golden ribbon with tassels on it around the end of her hair.

Lia picked it up and examined it. "How beautiful, Olga. Where did you find it?"

"Your bondmate asked me to give it to you. I'm going to get your dinner now. Would you like anything special?"

"What? Oh, yes, uh, brocco-beans." Before Olga could leave, she stopped her. "When did he give it to you?"