Chapter Six
Mary couldn’t believe that Zaureth had healed her pain with the palms of his hands.
She’d heard that the Bracadytes had gifts, but witnessing them firsthand was a hell of a lot different than hearing about them.
After Zaureth’s wife handed her a plate, Mary automatically bowed her head to say grace, just as she’d taught the kids at home to do since leaving the Clarks.
The table suddenly grew quiet, and Mary realized they were probably watching her. Watching and wondering why a known prostitute, thief, and liar would be praying over her food.
Lifting her head, Mary met the curious emerald gaze of Rykaur.
Though he appeared to be confused, he didn’t mention what had just taken place.
It took enormous effort for Mary to look away from his penetrating stare. She could lose herself in his emerald-green eyes for days.
“How long have you two been married?” Mary asked Amy, hoping to take the attention off herself.
Amy beamed. “We are still newlyweds. We have been mated less than a year.”
Something about Amy’s light blue eyes caught Mary’s attention. Though Zaureth’s wife looked at Mary as she spoke, she seemed to stare straight through her.
Mary peered down at her food, all too aware of the poison-filled vial tucked away in her skirt pocket.
How was she expected to poison everyone in Aukrabah and go on with her life as if nothing had happened?
She couldn’t, Mary decided, glancing up at Rykaur. She would lay the vial on the table and explain the situation to the Bracadytes. They would understand her reasoning, wouldn’t they?
“Any news of Jefferies or Howell?” Amy asked Rykaur before taking a sip of her wine.
Rykaur shook his head. “There has been no sign of him. But the entire area is surrounded. He will not get past the military presence. Aukrabah is safe.”
Relief flickered in Amy’s eyes. “Thank goodness. My nephew is barely four months old, and Naura is due to give birth any day.”
Mary’s stomach dropped. “There are babies down here?”
“We have several babies in Aukrabah,” Amy answered. “Our newest expected arrival will be another of the king’s grandsons.”
Unable to bear the thought of what she had to do, Mary jumped to her feet. “I need to use the restroom.”
Amy moved to stand as well.
“I will take her,” Rykaur rumbled, leaving his chair.
Mary held up her hand. “I don’t need anyone to take me. If you will just point me in the right direction, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
Rykaur’s expression hardened. “I go with you, or you do not go.”
“Fine,” Mary seethed, waving her hand for Rykaur to precede her.
He spun around without a word and led Mary into a massive bedroom.
Her eyes grew huge in her face. “Wow. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a bedroom this size before.”
“The toilet is over there.” Rykaur nodded toward an alcove on the other side of the room.
Mary blushed and marched past him. “You could use a lesson in tactfulness.”
He didn’t respond. Not that she expected him to.
The bathroom was incredible. Mary stood there for several heartbeats, taking in its harsh beauty.
Carved into the wall at the right were stone shelves that housed thick, fluffy white towels. A beautiful black fur rug covered most of the floor.
A stone sink sat to the left of what could only be described as a toilet. The sounds of water splashing around in its depths echoed throughout the room, reminding Mary that she actually stood several hundred feet beneath the gulf’s floor.
An intense feeling of claustrophobia threatened, but she fought it back, breathing in precious gulps of air.
Mary’s gaze darted toward the door, only to remember there was no door. You’re okay, she mentally admonished herself. Besides, the Bracadytes have lived inside the walls of Aukrabah for hundreds of years. Surely the massive underground volcano will hold up a while longer. At least she hoped it would.
“Is everything okay in there?”
Mary started at the sound of Rykaur’s voice. She’d been so engrossed in her fear of enclosed spaces, she’d forgotten what she went in there to do.
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
Taking care of her needs, Mary washed her hands, shook off her fears, marched from the bathroom, and nearly ran into Rykaur.
She threw her arms up to steady herself, her hands flattening against his chest. “Jesus, you scared me.”
His eyes became hooded. “Is everything all right? You look a bit pale.”
The heat from his skin burned through her palms, sending tingling sensations traveling up her arms.
She quickly pulled them back. “I’m fine, just a little taken aback by the water swirling in the toilet. Nothing to be concerned about.”
“Now that your face has been healed, I will return you to the surface as soon as you have finished your meal.”
Mary’s heart skipped a beat. She couldn’t return before she’d accomplished what she’d been sent there to do. Jefferies would kill the children.
There are also children in Aukrabah, her mind whispered in agony. She swayed on her feet.
“You are not all right,” Rykaur demanded, sweeping her up into his arms.
Mary could only hold on as he strode from the bedroom and back into the dining area where Zaureth and Amy still sat.
Zaureth immediately stood. “Is something amiss?”
Rykaur stopped in front of the giant healer. “She is not well.”
Mary opened her mouth to protest, when a thought occurred to her. What if she could somehow enlist the Bracadytes’ help in saving the kids from Jefferies? She would need to think it through. One wrong move on her part, and Doug wouldn’t hesitate to kill the children. Of that, she had no doubt.
She laid her head on Rykaur’s shoulder, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t immediately return her to the surface.
Zaureth placed his hand on her head and closed his eyes. A soft vibration passed through her body, tingling and warm.
The healer’s lids slowly opened. He stared back at Mary without speaking, a mix of confusion and compassion swimming in the depths of his eyes.
Fear suddenly consumed Mary. It was as if the healer could see into her very soul.
“Perhaps she should go lie down for a while,” Zaureth suggested. “Once she has rested and eaten more than a few bites, it should be safe to return her home.”
Rykaur nodded, snatched up Mary’s bag, and turned toward the exit with Mary still in his arms.
She glanced back at the healer as Rykaur took the steps that led to the hall. Though Zaureth didn’t speak, a world of knowledge resonated from his pale green eyes.
He knows something, Mary silently admitted, breaking eye contact. She was sure of it. Only, she had no idea what that something might be.