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."I would give anything just to stay in this room and make love to you for the restof my life," he whispered, running his hand through the soft strands of her hair."But if you don't eat soon, you won't be able to do anything but shake," she said,pushing at him.aaTTnnssFFffooDDrrPPmmYYeeYYrrBB22.BBAAClick here to buyClick here to buywwmmwwoowwcc.AAYYBBYYBB r rDespite her flippant tone, he sensed an inner restraint, a need to keep him lockedoutside.Her rejection shredded his soul, yet he still wanted her.Why couldn't he gather his anger and push her away? The answer stung himworse than a viper's bite.He loved her.She meant everything to him, and unlesshe returned them to their worlds and freed her, he would never have her by hisside.She would never stay by his side."C'mon," he said, pulling away from her."Let's get cleaned up."An hour later, Alix stepped out of the bathroom and stole his breath.She wore aloose, flowing gown that added a femininity to her he'd never seen before.Herlong hair was drawn up on top of her head, where it fell in soft curls he longed tofree and bury his face in.She was perfection."Wow," he said, rising to his feet.She smiled, showing him her little dimple, and a wave of electricity snappedthrough him.He took her hand and kissed her soft palm."You know, I sort of miss being gyvedto you."Her laughter caressed him."Funny you should say that.I was thinking the samething while I dressed."Devyn started to smile, but it died instantly as his thoughts turned to Sway.Whydid Sway have to die? It just wasn't fair."Devyn, what's wrong?"He cleared his throat, but the pain remained inside, where it burned and achedmore than any beating or wound."I was just thinking of Sway."She caressed his cheek, her fingers cold against his skin.For once, not even hertouch could soothe him."I'm sorry," she whispered."I know," he said, forcing himself to pay attention to what had to be done.Alix needed him, and her life her future depended on him.He had to keep hersafe.And even though he'd failed Sway miserably, he vowed he would see Alixfreed no matter what.* * *Alix sat at the table, listening to Devyn and Gannon plot their escape.As eachsecond passed and they discussed how they intended to break into the Emir'spalace and steal his shuttle, her stomach shrank a little more until it was far toosmall to accommodate any of the delicious food before her.aaTTnnssFFffooDDrrPPmmYYeeYYrrBB22.BBAAClick here to buyClick here to buywwmmwwoowwcc.AAYYBBYYBB r rShe was getting tired of all the intrigue.A little quiet time would do her good."Do you not like the food?" Ua asked, a frown lining her brow."Oh, no," Alix assured her."Everything's marvelous.I'm just not very hungry."Ua wiped her mouth and nodded toward her husband."Politics have a way oftaking anyone's appetite."Alix picked up another bite of klara souffle, but decided she couldn't quitemanage to eat it.Returning it to her plate, she looked back at Ua."Why are all ofyou at war with the Urbanites?""They don't believe in free thought," Gannon answered from his end of the table."The ruling council became convinced that if they allowed new ideas, then they'dlose power or be persecuted as we'd been on Gelfara.So they closed the spaceports and limited our access to other cultures physically and mentally."She bit her lip, thinking the matter over."So all of you rebelled?""Not quite.My father, who sat at the council all those years ago, tried to makethem see what they were doing.He warned that if we closed our minds, Godwould disfavor us and send a plague to our people."Gannon sighed and looked down at the small map on the table where he andDevyn had been making notes."Every day, both we and the Urbanites in all thecities on Placidity lose loved ones to this nameless plague."He looked at Devyn."The priests have been warning all of us over the last sixmonths that it was a sign the Chaldese would soon appear."Devyn swallowed his food and wiped his mouth."Then why didn't you believethem when you saw me?"He retrieved his glass."One of our scouting parties saw your pod.I might bewrong, but I don't think God will send a destroyer by conventional means.I thinkHe'll move on a grander scale."Devyn laughed."I'm sure you're right."He met Alix's gaze and her stomach unknotted."I'm also sure there's a name forthis plague.If you'll allow me to take a few samples from Jory, I'll have acolleague of mine run an analysis.Once we find out what you've got here, I cansend you vaccines and cures.""Do you think there are cures?" Ila asked desperately.aaTTnnssFFffooDDrrPPmmYYeeYYrrBB22.BBAAClick here to buyClick here to buywwmmwwoowwcc.AAYYBBYYBB r r"I'm sure of it," Devyn said.Alix saw the sadness behind his eyes lift.Devyn wasn't a runner or a soldier; hewas a doctor.A slow smile curved her lips.Maybe now he could quit searching.As soon as they finished dinner, Devyn went to check on Jory.Alix followed onestep behind, carrying what she thought of as his magic bag.He might not be ableto pull out a rabbit, but he'd found a solid future in it.They entered the lavish blue nursery filled with toys.Jory's nurse rose from herchair and greeted them."He's doing much better," she said, a huge smile on herface."Good," Devyn said, leaning over the sleeping child and taking a few quickreadings.He handed a small recorder to Alix."Real good.It looks like the serum'sworking."Ila gasped happily and threw herself into Gannon's arms.Alix cringed while Devyn pulled the tube out of Jory's throat and closed thewound with a laser seal.Devyn looked up at Ila."If you don't mind losing a little more blood, I canprobably get a number of doses for the extreme cases."Ila nodded."You can have all my blood if it'll save the life of a child."A strange light glowed in Devyn's eyes and Alix wanted desperately to know whatthought hovered in his mind, what memory Ila had triggered."First thing in the morning, I'll send one of our doctors to assist you," Gannonoffered."Good.I can also give them the anti-inflammatory drugs that I have.Maybethat'll curb some of this."Gannon laughed."Who would have thought the Chaldese would save ourchildren?""Definitely not the farmer who took a shot at me," Devyn said wryly.Alix laughed at the memory, grateful for Devyn's quick reflexes.Clapping him on the back, Gannon pushed him toward her."You two go on andrest.I'm sure you could use it after what you've been through."aaTTnnssFFffooDDrrPPmmYYeeYYrrBB22.BBAAClick here to buyClick here to buywwmmwwoowwcc.AAYYBBYYBB r rDevyn gave her a mischievous smile and this time Alix knew the exact thought hismind entertained.She could definitely use a little of what Devyn had in mind.To her surprise, Devyn took her hand and led her back to their rooms.His warm,strong palm chased away the coldness of her fingers and sent a chill up her arm.As she followed, his words echoed in her mind.As my wife.Part of her wanteddesperately to accept his offer of marriage.Every time she looked at him, shewanted nothing more than an eternity spent in his arms.But dare she risk it?Could she rise above the depravity of her father?A lump settled inside her chest.She wasn't even sure if Devyn could free her.What would she do if he couldn't? Stay with him as his slave?No.She couldn't, not after what had happened to her mother
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