Page 48 of Forbidden

Akahana sat straight up in bed, startled by the sound of a very deep, familiar, masculine voice. Taber sat in a chair next to her bed. He was dark skin contrasted sharply with the whites of his eyes, his head gleaming in the moonlight pouring in from the window. She caught a hint of the tattoo covering his scalp.

He raised his hands in a non-threatening manner. “I didn’t mean to startle you, Dearheart.” His voice was so calm and reassuring she almost forgot what had happened to her. All she wanted to think about was the dream. “How long?” Her voice was gravelly, rough. She must have been in the tube for a very long while this time.

He shook his head. “How long… what?”

“In the tube,” she managed to say. “How long in the tube?”

“Nearly three weeks. The doctors say it was far longer than it should have taken.”

“Yes.” She wasn’t entirely sure she prevented the sadness and pain from entering that one single word. Perhaps having scientists know of this particular fact would work in her favor when her part in her husband’s murder was investigated.

She tried to clear her throat, but she was parched. Her throat felt like it was stuck closed. Without being asked, her visitor stood and went to her bedside table. He took a small pitcher, poured liquid into a glass and handed it to her.

“Drink. It’s water. I imagine you’ll need several glasses before you feel normal.” He guided her hands to her face, urging her to drink. “Just sip it slowly.”

It tasted like sweet heaven. Perhaps it was as close to heaven as she’d ever get in any life. She didn’t know what her past lives had brought, but this one had been nothing short of a living hell. One she didn’t care to repeat.

“I need a Gothe’maran officer,” she said.

“You need to rest.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve committed a crime and I must turn myself in. It’s our way.”

“What about the bastard who was beating and raping you? Do you think he would have turned himself in? I very much doubt it is the way of all your people to be that honest.”

“Do you mock me?” She didn’t want to be ungrateful. Perhaps she was simply trying to block out the fact that this man was the man she’d pulled off her dead husband’s body.

“Not at all, Dearheart. I’m merely angry that you would be so willing to confess a crime when others would not. Now, what crime have you committed?”

“I didn’t stop you from killing my mate.”

From his indrawn breath, she knew she’d caught him off guard. He didn’t know Gamin was her husband.

“Perhaps we should start from the beginning. I think there are a few pertinent facts I’m missing.”

“No.” The sadness in her surprised her. Gamin had done nothing but beat her most of her life, yet she still grieved for him. It didn’t make sense. “I need only to confess my deed and take whatever punishment is necessary.”

He rose without a word and exited her room. When he returned, it was with not one Gothe’maran officer, but two. And a woman. She didn’t recognize the woman, but the two officers were known to everyone.

Mikkarn was in charge of Earth’s branch of Medical Command for this term, and Kiril was General Khan’s right hand. At least, he had been when she’d last left Gothe’mar, before the wars.

“How are you feeling?” The woman’s voice was very gentle, and she smiled easily at Akahana. She sat on the bed and took Akahana’s wrist in her hand while she looked at the timepiece on her own wrist.

“I’m well.”

“There is something you wished to say?”

“Kiril.” The woman never looked up from her watch. “It can wait until I’ve examined her.”

Akahana cringed and turned away. Such would have earned her a severe reprimand, even in public. Given the stature of Sub-General Kiril, he would probably actually strike her. After all, as Gamin had told her often enough, when in the presence of inferior officers, no one would question him, or go against his word.

No one said anything. The woman continued to touch her gently for several minutes before using her fingertips to turn Akahana’s face toward them all once again.

“My name is Mara. Taber says the man who did this to you was your mate. He also says he is responsible for your attacker’s death. Is this true?”

Akahana looked from one blank face to another. The two humans showed as little emotion as the two Gothe’marans. No disgust, no anger, nothing. They were simply waiting for her answer.

“Yes, but I think he was doing what he thought was right. I should have told him Gamin was my mate but I waited until it was too late. I don’t think I even actually told him until I woke a few minutes ago.” Her brow knitted in concentration as she tried in vain to remember. “There are things --” She had to look away then, embarrassed. “I just can’t remember.”

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