Page 57 of Forbidden

“It’s not that I need to know why, so much that it is you’ve lost me. There is a difference in the ‘energy’ produced between mates and two people who just really like each other?”

“Oh, yes. But that’s not all.”

“Somehow I knew you were going to say that.” Taber sighed and sat in a chair near Akahana’s bed.

“Just because there is a mated coupling giving the souls energy doesn’t mean any bystander inside the Chamber is safe. The stronger the sexual energy between mates, the more energy the souls want. It’s like a drug. So anyone inside the Chamber is going to get sucked dry of energy if they stay too long without joining to a mate.”

“God! This is so bizarre! Can you hear how bizarre you sound right now?” Taber scrubbed his face with his hand and rested his arms on his knees. “So where does Davin fit in all of this?”

“He’ll challenge you if you make your status as mate to Akahana known publicly. He’ll see it as a slight to Gothe’maran honor to have a human claiming his best friend’s mate.”

“So we get him into this Chamber of Souls, Akahana and I ‘join,’ and he gets zapped?”

“It might only age him, but I have a feeling that the link you and Akahana share is almost as old as the one Anna and I share. If that’s the case, it will probably destroy Davin. And if that happens, no one in Gothe’mar or any other world will be able to question your right to be together. No matter how strongly they object.”

“What makes you say that? Why wouldn’t someone else just challenge us and bring their mate into the chamber with them?”

“Because it goes against the principles every Gothe’maran has lived in harmony with all his life.” Khan paused a moment before continuing, as if unsure he should say anything further. “Before I found Anna, no one on Gothe’mar -- myself and my family included -- believed it was possible for one to find his soul’s mate on another world, in another race of people. It was always assumed that a person’s soul stayed within the boundaries of our home, and the souls never imparted knowledge to the contrary to the High Priest, the only one who can receive information from the souls without directly entering the Chamber. Now we know that not only is it possible to find a mate off world, it is possible to have more than one mate. Mikkarn, Kiril, and Mara forged that path as they are all three mates to each other.”

“It sounds like your whole society is being turned on its ear. How are people taking this?”

“Actually, for the most part, well. It is only the factions like the one Gamin and Davin represent that seem to have problems with it. I am not entirely sure what to do about them. If I seek them out and try to destroy them, I’m no better than they are. But I will not have my wife or children put in danger because of a closed-minded fool.”

“Well, it sounds like you’ve got a lot to think about as future king of Gothe’mar.”

“Yes. And you see why it is important for you and Akahana to enter the Chamber and prove you are truly mates.”

Taber nodded. “The more evidence you have supporting the fact that true mates can be found outside the Gothe’maran race, the easier it will be to combat the ones who are against your own union.”

“Partly, but it’s not just me and my family I’m worried about.”

Taber smiled. “I know, Khan. You’re worried about every non-mated person on Gothe’mar. With space travel to and from Earth bringing humans to Gothe’mar and Gothe’marans to Earth, someone else is bound to find a mate.”

“You’re a wise man.”

“Yeah, well. Tell me that after I convince Akahana to do this.” He stood. “Assuming she heals.”

“She will.”

“I sure hope you’re right.”

“With Mikkarn and Mara as her personal physicians, she will be able to do nothing else. Neither of them would stand for it.” Khan chuckled, and Taber couldn’t help but smile.

“I see your point.”

“Let’s go to the Healing Room and see how she fares.”

“Absolutely.”

Taber reached out with his mind and found Akahana’s essence. She was alive, but hurt very badly. Perhaps this was a good sign. Just in case, he did his best to enfold her in his love for her.

Please don’t leave me, Dearheart.

Silence was his only response, but he knew she’d heard him. He’d just have to wait and see what happened. It was in the hands of the Universe now.

Chapter Five

Akahana sat straight up.

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