BEYOND THE RAINBOW

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - HELL HATH NO FURY

Jaddai lit the wall sconces with a straw taper after igniting it with a sulphur tipped match from the tinderbox. Candlelight flickered over the sparsely furnished, but functional quarters. It consisted of a plank table and stools in the centre of a faded Persian rug and a single cot up against the sidewall. There was a washstand and heavy deal dresser under the barred windows that Touie assumed opened onto the back alley. The only adornment was a tapestry on the other sidewall.

A flagon of rum and two tin cups were on the table. Jaddai uncorked the earthen ware bottle and poured a measure of the black, treacly substance into each cup. He handed her one and out of long habit, bowed her to a seat before seating himself.

"Do I need it?" Touie took the cup and sat down as directed. Also out of long habit. They were so synchronized, it was rare not to know what was on his mind, but Jaddai's was shielded from her.

"You might. Best be prepared." Jaddai took a healthy swig of his, and grimaced. Which spoke volumes. She had never known him to resort to strong liquor in order to speak his mind. Something heavy was on it. Touie left her drink untouched.

"What protocol?" She said quietly.

"The one to do with succession and the sanctity of your person." He said evenly. "I am supposed to vet your suitors and slaughter the unworthy should they fall short of controlling their eagerness. A suitor must be strong enough to control his own reactions to your chemistry. The Queen's chemistry is a draw few men could resist if she chose a dalliance. You can have whomever you want, so long as I do not find them wanting." Jaddai put the rum cup down and sat, facing her. He wasn't smiling.

"You're serious!" Touie stared at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Even if I had suitors, it's nobodies business but mine!"

"Wrong." Jaddai shook his head. "Your safety is my business. It is my mandate to guard you until you have a worthy protector to take my place. This was why I was created and I have known it since our childhood. No, don't interrupt." He forestalled her protest. "Your Ladies would normally inform you of certain things you should know, on the occasion of your transition from maiden to matriarch. Which is normally when you and an ordained consort resonate on a mating level. And you are right about the chemistry in that respect, you cannot have imps from a misalliance. But it is possible to feel passion for other than an ordained mate. So a fling is not out of the question. In safe conditions. However," Jaddai cleared his throat. "I was assuming you acquired Lucifer's negative power on purpose, but if you didn't then the tie between you two is a serious risk to the mission. You will not be able to control it if you two are close enough to sync. You have to set your personal feelings aside and remain in these rooms. Out of his presence."

"I have no intentions of getting personal with him!"

"Too late. You've already crossed that line."Jaddai said flatly. "If you say you both synced we have to assume that he now knows you have rainbow power on board. So he wasn't so uncaring when he let you stay. Possibly the opposite. He may not have the will power to let you go. Though he showed admirable control in breaking contact once in thrall. But it will grow stronger and he is at the mercy of your draw. He will have great difficulty keeping his hands off you. And you plainly can't resist him. If you do not trust him then you have to stay out of his orbit until it's positive enough down here for your mutual attraction not to be lethal. Can I have your word that you will not put the mission, or yourself at risk?"

"I don't believe he was affected at all." Touie scoffed.

"Trust me. He was. Your word on it."

"How long do you think it will take to be safe for the light bows." Touie hedged.