The Healer's Garden Read online

  Her body ground against his cotton breeches. He was dizzy from the lack of blood to his brain. His erection strained against the confines of his clothing. She tugged on the string at the waist, dropping the pants and taking his fully engorged cock into her hands all in one motion. The velvet softness of her fingers drove him mad and he worked to slow his need.

  He had forgotten until yesterday just how wonderful it felt to give himself over to the total release of his life essence. He thought probably it had more to do with sharing that part of himself with Jahara rather than the physical release itself. Either way, it had felt damn good to fill her with his seed.

  He swung her into his arms, his head dipping to suckle her breast. Jahara's fingers tangled in his hair as she breathed out words of desire into his ear in a whisper no one would hear.

  "You are my only love, Bren. My body wants you, desires you, needs you. Don't ever stop loving me,” then more loudly, “it would please me to mate with you, Brenimyn.” Her heated breath feathered across his ear, nearly boiling his blood.

  Gently laying her on the bed, he stood and admired her, before stretching out beside her on the downy comforter. She was so beautiful. Sometimes it was hard to believe she had given herself freely to him.

  He raked his fingers through the curly triangle of black hair, moving his fingers lower to dip into her wet heat. He could smell the sweet nectar of her body. Knowing it was her desire for him that had moistened the folds of her sex drove his own need. The love bites at her breast shivered down her belly, making her internal muscles quiver. Her thighs were moist with slick heat. He would never tire of her.

  She lay with her eyes open, watching his hands in the mirror above them as he stroked the length of her body. Winking at her, he pushed her legs wide, displaying her body for both of them to enjoy.

  Spreading her folds, he dragged the slick heat up and down her slit. He plunged his fingers into her hot depths, the muscles contracting to sheath them in her heat. Repeating this process, Brenimyn had her gulping for air. Her hips bucked against his manual assault. The shocking bliss jolted her body and left her squirming against his hand.

  The sight of her face as it contorted with pleasure had his mouth watering. He swallowed her moans of ecstasy with his kisses, feeling the tension in every muscle of her body building to the crescendo. He looked up to see her watching herself in fascination, shudder and quake under his skillful hands.

  His eyes locked on hers in the mirror and she smiled even as she gasped for air, feeling the last of the ecstasy fade.

  Good show? He spoke telepathically.

  "Not so bad.” Jahara laughed out the words.

  Brenimyn rolled to cover her body with his, but she used the momentum to roll them. Jahara lay over him, her body stretched out the length of his. She sat up, straddling him. Her fingers played with his nipples, sending ripples of ecstasy straight to his cock.

  "I am in control. I wish to take top.” With her back to the camera, she stared down at Brenimyn. Watch and learn. She mouthed the words.

  "Honorable woman, you are in control, I am here only to pleasure."

  She came up on her knees and straddled him. Laying his cock on his belly, she nestled it between the hot lips of her sex. She rocked her hips, sliding her body along the underside of his shaft. He groaned with the incredible pleasure her slick moisture created. He worked to keep the mounting need under control.

  His hands filled with the weighty flesh of her breasts, molding and reshaping them in a way that thrilled them both. He looked up, enjoying the sight of her riding him that way. The incredible sensation created a flow of hot moisture from her body and she ground harder against his cock. Her hands covered his at her breasts and he watched her once again shudder in quaking orgasm that nearly sent him spiraling into the abandonment of bliss. Though he would enjoy repeating this performance, it wouldn't do for the cameras to capture them wasting his seed.

  "I love you, Brenimyn,” Jahara's trembling voice cut through the haze of his own pleasure. She shouldn't have said it out loud, but he no longer cared about the camera. Though she'd said the words before in the heat of passion, his heart swelled, knowing they meant more now.

  Falling heavily on his chest, her breathing was labored gasps of contentment. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling the thud of her heart against his, the soft mounds of her breasts pressed comfortably against his chest. Flexing his buttocks, his cock moved beneath her. With great effort, she lifted heavy lids, curving her mouth like a cat waking from nap. His heart swelled with his love for her.

  Coming up on her knees, she let his sex stand tall and thick, admiring it for a moment before sheathing it in her body. With incredible patience, Jahara lowered herself. She watched her tight body swallow him. A shiver of contentment slithered the length of his body.

  "Ride, Jahara."

  She arched her back, moving her hips. He looked into the mirror and saw her body milking his. He hadn't known watching her in the mirror like this would be so exhilarating. She ground her clit against his blond curls. His cock pushed deep inside her. She raked her nails down his torso, giddy with the power she had to excite him. His testicles pulled snug to his body.

  Tipping back her head, she stared at him in the mirror. Her hips continued to rock. Their mouths curved in trembling smiles and Brenimyn told her he loved her with all his heart. But the words were only for her.

  Jahara reached behind her, running her hands down her back. Lifting his testicles, she fondled him and nestled them against her cleft, stroking the soft skin beneath. The sight of what she was doing to his body made the sensations coursing through him all that more incredible. Moaning out her name, his stomach muscles contracted, pushing his cock impossibly deeper. In all his experience, no woman's body fit so perfectly with his.

  He dug his fingers into her hips, his breath quickening. He continued to watch them in the mirror, liking this new dimension of their lovemaking.

  Brenimyn took control of the tempo, lifting her, pounding her down on him, increasing the pace with each incredibly tight stroke of her sex. He heard her body slap against his and their focus remained locked on each other in the mirror. The ecstasy was evident on their faces.

  No longer able to stop the tidal surge of bliss, not at all sure he would ever be able to withhold himself again. His life essence rocketed out of him. Jahara's orgasm pulsed her muscles around his cock until he could barely breathe from the intensity of the release. He called out her name over and over as the quaking climax slammed through him. Holding her hips tight to his body, he flexed his muscles until the last of the ecstasy shimmied through her.

  The smile on her face spoke of her satisfaction and love. Exhausted from their efforts, Jahara slumped onto his chest. His body and heart contented.

  * * * *

  "So here's the thing.” Xylice sat with Brenimyn and Jahara at the dining room table. The sun shafting through the windows made long shadows of the furniture. “When you tell the computer to dim the lights, it will automatically start the loop."

  This was the third time Xylice explained the system. Her technical jargon was confusing. Now she looked at Brenimyn and Jahara across the table as if they were school children unable to comprehend even the most simple of lessons.

  "You both need to be in the bedroom. At the foot of the bed the way you were this morning. No one else can be in the house. The other cameras were filming empty rooms.” She lifted her hand. “Got it so far?"

  They both nodded. Jahara felt foolish, but she was beginning to understand what Xylice had done for them. If anyone found out, she would also be considered a traitor to the Governmental Body of the Garden.

  "Once the digital feed loops, it will cut out everything else to the cameras and the audio amplifiers. You'll be able to speak freely at that time and move about without detection. Nothing new will be picked up on the cameras."

  "You're sure they'll see only the two of us in the bedroom?” Jahara asked.

&
nbsp; Xylice covered her hand. “Jahara, editing a digital image is easy.” Her cheeks turned crimson as her gaze dropped. “I know your lovemaking is private, but I had to watch it several times to edit some of the more touching aspects. There was a little too much emotion in your mating. It would not be a good idea for them to hear you speak of love.” Shyly, she lifted her gaze, clearing her throat. “Anyway, with the mating and the sleep tape, you will have about two hours from the time the program begins to the end. Be sure you're in bed when the loop is finished."

  Jahara rolled her eyes. How could she believe this would work?

  "Jahara, you need to trust . At the foot of the bed to begin, in the bed before the loop finishes. It's only a small thing, but it may give you some much needed privacy.” Xylice squeezed Jahara's hand. “Obviously your relationship is making them nervous. They're growing increasingly skeptical.” She looked at her sibling. “I fear for your safety, dear brother."

  Brenimyn covered their joined hands. “We've known for a long time this change would not come about easily. But the time's right. Everything's falling into place."

  Xylice's communicator buzzed at her hip. “They're becoming impatient. I've held them off as long as possible. I need to program the frequencies. Just remember—don't rely on the looping too often or they'll become suspicious.” The tone of her communicator became more persistent. “I have to take this.” She inhaled. “There are many who will protect you, but just as many who will betray you at the first opportunity. Take care."

  Standing up, Xylice walked away from them. “Xylice Kilyl here. Everything is set."

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  Chapter Eighteen

  It had been a difficult week. Merenith had cancelled her visit after their conversation, promising to come next month, but Jahara doubted the woman's heart would be healed so soon. Jahara had been called into Bresilee's office and officially reprimanded for saving Lukiam. Her punishment was two months work in the well-check. There would be no repercussions for Nazaret. Brenimyn arranged to sneak Lukiam out of the healing facility before the security guards had been ordered to arrest him. He was being well cared for by apprentice healers somewhere among the rambling buildings of the agricultural section.

  Xylice had done what she could to allow them privacy, but they feared using the loop. Their conversations were clipped and unnatural. Without the safety of the bathrooms, there was no way for them to talk of plans for the movement or their love.

  Xylice's visit had only solidified Jahara's growing angst over the impending change and her role in bringing about the new world order. Brenimyn seemed purposefully vague about her role in the vision. A foreboding sense of danger hung over her like a storm cloud ready to release a deluge of hail.

  At night, he pulled her to the bed, lulling them into a meditative state where they drifted into a dream world high atop a mountain or the serenity of a summer meadow. She lounged in his arms, too overwhelmed to do anything more than seek the comfort of his embrace. She'd fall into a restless sleep, exhaustion and worry mixing to create an endless string of meaningless dreams.

  During the day, Brenimyn slipped away from the eyes of constant surveillance and spent them in secrecy, meeting with breeders for the cause. If Bresilee granted his request, there was much preparation work still to be done on the presentation for the Governmental Body. Jahara wanted to spend time with him, but Bresilee required her presence at the healing facility. Obviously, the medical director was doing anything she could to keep them apart. It was just as well, she needed to maintain some semblance of routine in a life suddenly out of her control.

  Brenimyn had left hours ago and she'd stayed in bed, but sleep had not come. She stood now in the bathroom knotting her trembling hands together, willing herself not to stare into the camera hidden in the handle of the bathroom cabinet. She knew there was another behind her in the shower stall, camouflaged in the pattern of the tiles. Xylice had walked them through the whole apartment before she'd programmed the system, showing them every hidden camera and audio amplifier.

  Bresilee could be watching her right now. The thought soured in her stomach and brought up only bile as she heaved into the toilet. The stress was making her increasingly ill. Enough, Jahara scolded herself. She was a grown woman. Her Dame had not raised her to back down from a fight. Stepping into the shower, Jahara began to hum a Chinigan lullaby. The tension slipped away with the water swirling down the drain. She was strong enough to accept whatever came about.

  Lathering soap in her hands, she let her hands wander and naturally her thoughts turned to Brenimyn. She smiled and hummed louder, letting the giddy happiness of love drown out her trepidation. She imagined her soapy hands sliding over her skin were his and grew damp with the thought of making love.

  "Stop thinking of him, Jahara, you'll be late for work."

  She scolded herself, briskly washing her body and tried not to let thoughts of his caresses excite her. The jolt ran up her fingers, taking her by surprise. She pulled her hands away, looking down at her body, almost afraid to touch herself.

  With trembling fingers, she made slow circles on her belly just below her navel. She wanted to yelp for joy, but held it in, not wanting them to know her secret. There was no mistaking the thrum of life pulsing through her palm. It was barely discernable among the normal gastric rhythms, but it was definitely there. A baby. She and Brenimyn had made a baby. She looked down and focused her energy.

  She could feel the embryo dividing and growing and knew, with absolute certainty, it had been their lovemaking in the pool that had created the life just beginning to grow within her. Brenimyn had told her he wanted to make a baby and that's what they'd done as they loved each other.

  Rinsing off, she quickly toweled dry, wishing Brenimyn could share the thrill coursing through her. Just as well. He had too much on his mind. Jahara felt as if she had sprouted wings. Her feet barely skimmed the floor as she rushed into the bedroom, hastily pulling on her blue tunic and skirt.

  They were going to be a family, in the way of the ancients; man, woman, and child.

  * * * *

  "It's all right, tell me.” Jahara could only see the thick lashes flutter, but the young man would not look into her eyes.

  "Honorable healer, there is nothing wrong.” She watched his gaze flick to the red door.

  She stepped to the side, blocking his view of the end of the room. “And this doesn't hurt?” She pushed gently on the protruding bone at the base of his neck, feeling a twinge of guilt.

  He hissed through his teeth, dropping his shoulder from her touch. “It is nothing."

  "Then I don't need to repair the damage.” Briskly clapping her hands together, Jahara made to move to the next man.

  "But...” His hand shot out, stopping her. He flushed pulling it quickly back. “Forgive me."

  "There is nothing to forgive.” She bent to look at his face. He was no more than a boy. “Have you heard other breeders speak of me?"

  He nodded.

  "Then you should trust in what they say. I will heal only if you tell me you're hurt.” She didn't know why, but Jahara felt it was imperative these men believe in her.

  "I fell on the rocks while swimming at the lake."

  She put her hands on him as he talked, her palms glowing with the power she had been gifted.

  "The rocks were slippery and I came down hard on my shoulder."

  "How many days ago?” Jahara kept the boy talking. She already knew the answers to her questions, but she wanted to put him at ease as the broken collarbone mended beneath her hands.

  "A week, maybe more."

  "Next time, don't wait so long to come to me. There's no need to be in pain.” Her hands heated as his skin glowed with the light of her power. The hairline break mended and the awkward lump at the base of his neck disappeared. It hardly took any energy.

  She pulled her hands from his skin and his face split into a handsome smile that reached all the way to his dark eyes starin
g into hers. “Thank you.” He rotated his shoulder. “You are all they say you are, honorable Jahara.” He continued rolling his shoulder, laughing and shaking his head as he walked out of the well-check.

  There had been nothing unusual about the morning, but she was bone-weary nonetheless. Before coming to the well-check, Jahara had contacted Nazaret on the video communicator, speaking in cloaked sentences about her horses, but actually inquiring about Lukiam. He limped weakly just within the camera's range, but just as quickly ducked from sight. In that brief look, Jahara had seen the smile brightening the ashen face that only days earlier had portended death.

  His body required much more healing, but only rest, good food and Nazaret's love would accomplish that. Nazaret had promised to keep him in bed for another week, until his body completely healed. Jahara laughed, knowing the woman didn't intend to let Lukiam get much rest, despite his healer's orders. If all went well, she and Nazaret would deliver their babies around the same time. She hadn't said those words out loud. No one else would know until Brenimyn heard the news.

  Rubbing her belly, she moved to the next curtain and found the cubicle empty and moved on, but there was no one there either. “Collin, where are the men?” Rotating her head, she massaged the painful muscles in the back of her neck and walked into the waiting area. Collin had made many changes in the last month. He'd found portable holograms and hung them about the walls. Tables had been brought in, replacing some of the chairs. They held plants and light fixtures that brightened the formerly dreary space. Even the carpets had been cleaned, the rotten stench having dissipated with gloomy atmosphere.

  "It's the noon hour already. You have some time. I hope you don't mind, but I had some food sent up from the dining common.” Collin walked over to her, his breeches flapping with his quick, little steps. She was grateful the men were now covering themselves. The nudity had been another way to degrade the breeders and in her well-check, it was unnecessary. Unless they required healing, she had no desire to see any man naked except Brenimyn.