Healer's Touch (Deadly Touch #1) [Complete]

Chapter 17: Turhmos

Llewella woke to the sound of gentle, even breathing and a warm hand resting on her belly. She smiled to herself and turned to Jonas. She was surprised by how refreshed she felt. The movement was enough to stir him, and his eyes opened.

"Good morning," he greeted her, his voice muffled by the pillow. "I think I got your hangover." He rolled onto his back.

She gave him a smile, but inside she cursed herself. It wasn't fair to go passing her stupidity onto her friends. If it was possible, she needed to learn how to control her power.

She shuffled closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder, breathing him in. Was this how her parents had felt about each other? No wonder her mother's death had pained her father so.

"I wish this moment could last forever."

He kissed the top of her head but said nothing.

"It can't, can it?" When he didn't reply, she continued, "Aris wants me kept safe, and you're a lieutenant in the army. You won't have time to stick around." She pushed herself up on an elbow, enjoying the feel of his skin with her other hand. He was looking at her, listening, but his expression gave nothing away. "And then there's the small matter of Aris wanting you for his Syakaran breeding program."

Jonas sat up in the bed and swiveled his legs off the edge. Llew's eyes trailed down the mighty black curves of his tattoo.

"What if he doesn't find one?"

He turned his head, and she gazed at his profile. Now free to do so, she openly admired what she saw: a strong brow, straight nose, full lips...

"I don't know, Llew. A little over a year ago I was gettin' ready to meet my son or daughter. But he, she... it— Gods, I wish I knew!" He slapped the edge of the mattress. "My wife and our child were taken from me." He turned to her. "I ain't planned for nothin' since."

She felt terrible for his loss, she really did. Of course she did. But she couldn't help feeling that if he hadn't suffered that, she wouldn't be here with him now. Would he have even been in Aghacia a month prior? Would they ever have met? If he hadn't lost his family, Llew could have been in Braph's, or Turhmos's hands already. She might not even have had the option of going to Quaver, even if she did still have to talk herself around to wanting that as a future. Quaver looked a whole lot more appealing if she went with Jonas, rather than just being escorted by him.

She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Would he ever let me have you?" She let her hand drop, brushing down his side with the backs of her knuckles. It must have tickled, because he flinched and snatched her fingers in a fierce grip; then he held them gently, giving her a playful smile. He pressed her knuckles to his lips.

"Let's get you safely to Quaver—" Kiss. "—out of the reach of Braph—" Kiss. "—and Turhmos." Kiss. "Then we can make a plan."

He released her hand and began pulling on his clothing.

"Tell me you didn't just sleep with me, only to leave me behind at the end of all this."

He leaned back across the bed and kissed her gently.

"I care about you, Llew."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means..." He stood up. "It means I want what's best for you. It means I ain't even sure you'll be safe in Quaver."

"I would be if I was with you."

"Llew, look at me. I'm surrounded by ghosts. I ain't about to let you become one of them."