The Healer's Garden Read online

  He'd told no one of his secret until last week when the responsibility of Jahara's tears had been more than he could bear. In a moment of weakness he'd confided in Sebastian, a dear friend and supporter of the cause. But the confession did nothing to assuage his guilt.

  Jahara knew none of this. He felt her love for him when they were together, but she had yet to let go of everything she'd come to believe about men and procreation. She thought he was an anomaly, a unique male specimen. Today, she would discover the truth. He only hoped she was ready.

  In the last several weeks, they'd deviated little from their daily routine. They spent her working days apart; Jahara at the healing facility, Brenimyn with his fellow male breeders, but their nights were for them alone. They'd learned how to pleasure each other in countless ways. Jahara was an adventuresome lover. Their bodies were sore from the lovemaking. Only in the throes of passion could she utter words of love to him. He hoped the time would come when she could admit her feelings outside the bedroom. Still, they couldn't keep their hands from each other and for now, he had to be satisfied with physically loving her. At least he had convinced her that their joining was not only solely for procreation and she also spoke of their copulation in terms of love.

  She came to him with so much history. She wasn't a warrior as he'd expected, but a healer committed to another. Brenimyn pondered how he would reveal to her all that she was meant to become, all that they were meant to accomplish together. Content and peaceful, her breathing was deep and rhythmic and she looked radiant curled next to him.

  He didn't want to wake her, but like a drug, he craved the feel of her satiny skin against his hand. Running his fingers down her side, he let it rest in the curve of her waist. He couldn't believe she was real. He'd meant it when he'd told her she was so much more than he'd ever dreamed. To have her with him in the flesh was to make all he'd envisioned a reality. He still marveled in the fact that she'd been gifted to him. Now, he only had to make her believe in their love. That would be a daunting task.

  He'd cherished her for so long, he couldn't remember a time when he hadn't known and loved her. Patience, Brenimyn reminded himself. She had no idea what fate had in store for her. He prayed to whatever higher power had created this world that he would not frighten her when he shared the details of the overwhelming task that lay ahead of them.

  On one level, she didn't know him except as her breeder. On another, when she let go and gave herself to him, he felt her body recognize his. He trusted that would be enough to convince her. Somewhere, buried in her heart, it was there. He just had to convince her it was real.

  "Brenimyn?"

  I'm here, my love. If he said the words enough, even telepathically, perhaps she would come to believe them. Watching her eyes flutter open, he nearly melted with the smile that curved her mouth.

  "Last night wasn't another dream was it?"

  "No, my sweet. It was as real as my love for you.” Leaning close, he whispered the words in her ear, nipping the fleshy lobe.

  Rolling over, she snuggled her back against his chest, rubbing her bottom provocatively against his sex. The simple move aroused him immediately and he set about loving her as he did every morning.

  A long while later as he stared at the time, he worried they would be late. Brenimyn packed the picnic lunch while Jahara dressed for the day. He could hear her blissfully humming in the bedroom. He wondered if she would be so happy if she knew what this simple trip to the lake held in store for her.

  His meager breakfast of fruit and whole-grain cereal churned unpleasantly in his stomach. Knowingly withholding information from Jahara made him uncomfortable, but telling her everything would surely send her fleeing from him and that would be unbearable. After today, there would be no more lies.

  "Do you want cheese, tomatoes, or lettuce, or all three?” Lifting his head, Brenimyn hollered into the bedroom

  "All three sound lovely. Brenimyn, what are you up to?"

  "Oranges or apples?"

  "Strawberries and grapes. There're some in the bottom of the fridge. And perhaps some bananas."

  He heard her rustling in the closet. “They don't travel well,” he mumbled as he shoved the food he'd chosen into the pack. “Forget it. I'll pack both."

  "There're some crackers in the cupboard to the left of the sink. They would go nicely with the cheese,” Jahara said, stepping into the kitchen. She tucked her tank top into the waist of her flimsy pants. Brenimyn held the container up for her to see. “Oh, you already found them."

  He shoved the crackers in next to the fruit and turned to the bottles on the shelf. “Red wine or white?"

  "I'm feeling a little wild today. How about both?” She tipped up on her toes, smacking his lips loudly.

  "Both it is.” He smiled when he looked at her flushed cheeks, knowing his loving had put the color there. “I like your hair that way."

  Running her fingers down the long strands, she fluttered her gloriously thick lashes at him. “Really? I didn't know. I've decided I like it down rather than in a braid.” Flashing him an impish smile, Jahara pointed her finger at his nose. “But you're going to be responsible for combing out any knots that tangle it today."

  "It would be my pleasure.” He kissed her nose.

  "It's another lovely day in the Garden.” Of course, with the closed ecosystem, every day had perfect weather. Jahara peeked into the pack. “So what trouble are you getting me into today?"

  She had no idea how accurate her words were. He swallowed the lump of deceit clogging his throat. “I thought a picnic out by the lake on the agricultural section of the Garden would be nice.” Keeping his tone upbeat, Brenimyn avoided looking at her. Even after only a few weeks, she could read his emotions and he was acutely aware his guilt would be obvious.

  "I think I'd rather stay here and have more of what I had last night. I don't get many days off.” She pressed her body against his back, her hands sliding down his belly. “I think I need more practice in this baby-making activity."

  Turning around, the air rushed out of his lungs. His love for her hit him with the force of a punch to the gut. He looked into her eyes, feeling as if he would drown in their deep amber pools. They were filled with trust and he knew in that instant, he would give his life for this woman if the journey they were about to embark upon ever came to that.

  "You, my honorable Jahara, have perfected that technique.” His arms wound their way around her hips. “Today, if it would please you, I would like very much to show you another part of the Garden.” He watched her face pinch in disapproval at his statement. She hated when he put her on a pedestal for the cameras. Pleased that she thought of him as an equal, he gently brushed her lips, pulling away before she could deepen the kiss and delay him longer.

  "With your permission I called for a car, it is already waiting outside to take us to the lake.” Putting the pack with the food on Jahara's back, he shrugged the heavier pack from the shelf over his shoulder. “Shall we?” He led her outside.

  The ride out of the Garden proper was uneventful. As they drove past the breeders’ residences, then the houses for the pregnant females, they chatted about the day ahead and the night before. They carefully measured their words lest the woman driving the vehicle be a watcher for the Governmental Body.

  Jahara's eyes grew wide as the Garden proper melted away. The residential buildings opened to the agricultural section of the Garden. Large fields of corn, wheat, potatoes, and various other fruits and vegetables lined the road. Workers in their pale blue outfits hunched over the crops.

  "What're the people doing in the field?” Leaning over the seat, Jahara asked the driver to slow the vehicle. “They're all women and they wear the pale blue tunics of breeders."

  "The founders originally intended machinery to do the culling and harvesting they're doing.” Brenimyn pointed to the woman in the fields. “But so many live here for so long they had to find something to occupy their time while they procreated. No one is forced to
work, it's a choice.” He toyed with Jahara's fingers laced through his. “There're no male breeders who work. It's not allowed. We must be available to copulate at our mate's request. Besides, they're afraid we might get hurt.” He couldn't keep the sarcasm from his last statement. “There are a mere two thousand of us here. Two men for every breeding woman."

  Jahara's brow furrowed and Brenimyn couldn't help but laugh at her assessment of the situation. Today might go better than he anticipated.

  They left the golden fields of grain dancing in the endless gentle breeze and traveled toward the green pastures of the animals. Herds of cows, horses, and bison could be seen grazing on the rolling hills. The scent of manure filled the air. Jahara sighed.

  She neither wrinkled her nose in displeasure like the driver, nor smiled in approval as she'd done with the other new scenes she'd experienced. Brenimyn tried to reach her telepathically, to sense what she was feeling, but Jahara had closed herself off from him. It was a technique she'd perfected in the last few weeks and only when she relaxed could he breach her barriers.

  In the beginning he'd known her every move and sensed her every emotion, but she'd become very adept at shutting him out. Perhaps he'd simply invaded her thoughts one too many times while she was busy at the healing facility. It didn't upset him. Nothing about Jahara bothered him, quite the opposite in fact. She never ceased to amaze him.

  She fell heavily back into the seat, a look of sadness creasing the corners of her eyes and mouth. Embracing her, Brenimyn tucked Jahara against him. She didn't resist, but she remained rigid in his arms. Jahara's incessant talking stopped and they traveled the last ten minutes in silence. Though he wanted to understand Jahara's sudden mood swing, he instinctively knew he wouldn't like the explanation, so he didn't ask.

  Turning off the main thoroughfare, the vehicle bumped along the rutted road. The agricultural section was the only part of the Garden kept in its natural state. The barn they sought sat nestled between the lush jungle and the emerald fields filled with livestock.

  "We're here.” Brenimyn spoke with a voice that sounded overly cheery even to his own ears. They climbed out of the car, instructed the driver to return one hour after sunset and stood watching in silence as it disappeared over a hill.

  Grabbing both packs in one hand, he took Jahara's hand in the other, leading her into the cool shadows of the building. The sun shafted through the large double doors. The stalls lining either side of the barn held animals and windows. The light slanting through the stall doors barely reached the broad beamed floor where they stood. It took Brenimyn's eyes time to adjust to the murky darkness.

  "Hello,” he called into the emptiness. Lifting their joined hands, he checked the timepiece at his wrist. It was only slightly later than he anticipated, someone should be here.

  "Nazaret, you here?” He shouted again down the long passageway. The horses in the stalls snorted restlessly. “She must be in the office. It's about halfway down.” Pointing, he looked over at Jahara who curved one side of her mouth in a feeble attempt at a smile. He'd find out later what was going on. Right now, he was concerned about reaching the lake before the false sun reached its zenith.

  He heard voices as he approached the office, relief spilling over him. Perhaps they would make it on time after all. Pushing the door open, his large frame froze on the threshold. Jahara bumped into his back. “Nazaret, Lukiam, forgive the intrusion. Don't rush on my account.” He turned quickly, pushing Jahara two steps back, not wanting her to witness the scene in the office. He closed the door behind him.

  Heat blazed on his cheeks and he was grateful for the shadows that enveloped them. Normally he didn't find sexual encounters embarrassing. Not only had he been forced to copulate with multiple partners at the same time, but last year they had chosen him as a teacher. By now, he'd mated in front of hundreds of women. But something about Jahara's innocence unnerved him.

  "They are...” Brenimyn cleared his throat as the sounds of their climaxes filtered through the door.

  "Otherwise engaged.” Jahara laughed out the words.

  "Perhaps we could wait for them outside?"

  "I think I'd like that."

  They continued to giggle as they walked. They hadn't even reached the doors when Nazaret called from behind.

  "Brenimyn, wait.” A young woman moved up the passageway, pulling on breeches with each step. Her auburn hair and bare breasts swayed and bounced as she half ran, half hopped to the front of the barn. “You're a little later than I expected. Lukiam can spare only a few minutes before he's expected back at the Garden proper for his well-check. You know how it is when you're in love. Any time is a good time.” She lifted a shoulder.

  Nazaret's cheeks were red, her lips puffy and bruised. Her exposed breasts were still heaving from the efforts of her lovemaking.

  "I have your horse bridled and ready.” She tipped up on bare feet, and gave Brenimyn a hug and a peck on the cheek. “Many are expected today. Neither of us could get away or Lukiam and I would join you."

  Her face nearly split with the smile that she flashed Jahara. “And you must be the honorable Jahara Hriznek.” She bowed at the waist. “It's truly an honor to meet you. We've waited a long time for your arrival.” Straightening, Nazaret pumped Jahara's hand and winked at Brenimyn. “You never mentioned how beautiful she'd be."

  "Don't you need to get back to Lukiam?” He wanted her to stop talking. She'd already said too much.

  "Yeah, sure, after I get your horse. In a hurry today to enjoy the lake?"

  "No commentary, Nazaret, just the horse."

  She laughed as she led them out into the bright sunlight, all three shielding their eyes. “Your favorite gelding. He should have no problem carrying you both."

  "I don't get my own horse?” Jahara sounded indignant.

  "You know how to ride?” Brenimyn didn't mean to sound so surprised, but she did come from the desert. Horses weren't common there.

  "Of course, Merenith is a very gifted animal trainer. She runs the vet clinic and farm outside the capital city. Merenith taught me how to ride years ago.” He saw her pride turn to discomfort when she mentioned her partner's name. That would explain Jahara's subdued disposition as they drove through the pastures. She missed her lover.

  "Then two horses it is.” Brenimyn was pleased the jealousy warring inside him didn't come through in his words. He had wanted to be the one who introduced Jahara to horses and taught her to ride. The disclosure that she'd learned from her lover did not sit well with him. Damn, the fact that Jahara still considered Merenith a significant part of her life was a bitter pill he refused to swallow.

  It just emphasized how little he truly knew about this woman he intended to make his wife.

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  Chapter Nine

  They rode through the fields bareback, climbing into the hills. The grassy fields gave way to palm trees and exotic vegetation Jahara had never seen. The emerald leaves surrounded large flowers in all shades of color. It was a banquet for the senses and she closed her eyes, inhaling the sweet smell of the flora, committing it all to memory.

  Jahara swayed with the steady rhythm of the horses, their hooves silent in the lush undergrowth. The air grew damp with humidity, engulfing them like a wet blanket.

  Sweat ran down her back beneath the pack and her tunic molded provocatively to her breasts. She smiled when she saw Brenimyn surreptitiously admiring her body. Jahara felt his hands caress her torso, setting her insides fluttering. She didn't dare look at him to see if it was her imagination or his telepathy. Either way, she could barely wait to reach their destination to picnic and join together away from the intrusive cameras in the apartment.

  She had come to accept that mating was a term reserved for animals driven by instinct. It had been that one word that had cut Brenimyn so deeply on their first night. In his presence, they referred to their joinings as making love.

  That term of the ancients made sense.

 
; Her body's desire to have him inside her had nothing to do with procreation, and everything to do with the joy it brought them both. The thought of conceiving his child just added another dimension of thrill. She wasn't sure when she'd begun to think that way. Pregnancy no longer frightened her. She rather liked the idea of bearing Brenimyn's offspring. He had a kind and gentle nature and any child of his would surely possess those qualities.

  She'd been so disappointed when the blood had flowed from her womb last week and he'd echoed her sentiments. They'd done nothing but make love for weeks. The only benefit was the fact they had another month to enjoy each other.

  The scene at the barn had embarrassed her. Jahara doubted she would ever get used to people being so open about their sexual interludes. To her great relief, Lukiam had never come out of the office. She hadn't wanted to witness another naked man flush with the afterglow of love.

  She'd caught a couple in the throes of passion last week in a back corner of the healing facility and had nearly swooned at the sight of the red-faced breeder pumping furiously into the woman bent over a chair. He'd looked at her smiling, not caring whether she watched them complete their ritual or left. She'd done the latter as quickly as she could, but the image was permanently seared in her brain.

  Riding in silence, both she and Brenimyn were caught up in their own contemplations. They meandered through the jungle on a well worn path the horses seemed to know instinctually. Her thoughts turned to Merenith and the last time she had been on a horse. The love and commitment ceremony they had shared at the river kept playing in her head like the holographic disks they liked to watch. She toyed with the ring on her finger wondering if it was possible to love two people at the same time. Guilt overtook her before she was ready for it. Unable to shoulder its burden, Jahara fell forward onto the neck of the horse.