Chapter Thirty-Four
Naura ran through the halls of Aukrabah with no destination in mind. It didn’t matter where she went as long as it was far away from Tony.
He didn’t love her. He’d all but admitted his feelings didn’t go beyond friendship.
Tears tracked down her cheeks as she raced toward the Pool of Life. The calming waters of the gulf awaited her, and she couldn’t get there fast enough.
Minutes later, Naura arrived at the entrance, diving into the pool without slowing. She burst through the powerful waterfall and into the deep beyond.
Colorful fish of all shapes and sizes scattered in a desperate attempt to escape the presumed threat in their midst.
“Naura? Please come back.”
Tony’s voice inside her head chipped away at her aching heart. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes, only to be washed away by the warm gulf current.
Naura closed herself off from him, shutting down their connection before the temptation to return to him became too great.
She had felt his guilt, could feel it still. And that hurt her even more than his rejection had. She’d known he wasn’t capable of love as surely as she knew that he would never be whole again no matter what she did.
The loss of his family had taken its toll, leaving him a shell of the man he’d once been.
Perhaps that was what Naura had fallen in love with—the bits and pieces of him she’d glimpsed through his mind. Or maybe she’d been drawn to his damaged soul. She wasn’t sure, but the healer in her had wanted to remove his pain, fix him somehow. She wanted to fix him still.
Hours passed as Naura continued to swim south. Memories of her time with Tony plagued her with every mile she traveled. His mouth on hers, the smell of his skin, the feel of him inside her body. Everything about him called to her, tempted her, possessed her.
“Why have you come?”
Miguel’s voice inside her mind startled her. She’d swum to Cuba.
Naura was aware that Miguel could communicate with Vaulcron, but she’d always assumed that the two of them had shared blood at some point. How was he able to connect with her?
“I-I need a place to stay,” she returned, scanning the area for signs of movement.
Naura could feel his hesitation.
“Okay, but come to the west dock. It’s darker there. You won’t be seen.”
Swimming around to the opposite side of the peer, Naura surfaced next to a wooden ladder at the end of the dock.
“Welcome to Cuba,” Miguel announced, extending a helping hand.
Naura accepted his palm and allowed him to pull her up. “Thank you. I am not certain how I came to be here. It was not intentional.”
Miguel studied her for several seconds. “We can discuss your being here after you get out of those wet clothes. Follow me.”
Naura trailed after him, ashamed that she’d shown up unannounced. “I have not been here for many moons, Miguel. I apologize for my abrupt arrival.”
He lifted a hand in dismissal. “No need for apologies. I’m sure you have your reasons.”
They walked along in silence, emerging near the trees in beautiful Playa Pilar.
No matter how many times Naura had relived the secluded beach in her mind, nothing compared to standing in the midst of its beauty.
“This place takes my breath away,” she whispered in awe. “I had forgotten how lovely it is here.”
“Do you believe in God, Naura?”
“I believe that something or someone created this magnificent planet that we live on. And if his name is God, then yes. I believe in God.”
Miguel glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “The Native Americans referred to him as Wakan Tanka or Great Spirit. Others call him God, Jehovah, Lord, and many more names throughout the centuries.”
He turned onto a trail with dimly lit lights bordering the sides. “No matter what he is known as, he will always be real to me. No other could have created such magnificence. Don’t you agree?”
She did agree, she mused, inhaling the scent of flowers permeating the air. “I do.”
Miguel came to a stop outside a small wooden structure that faced the beach. A thatched roof hung low over the sides, shading the two windows perched along the front. A small, round table sat on the porch with two red chairs tucked in next to it.
Naura had never seen a cozier or more stunning place. “It is majestic.”
“It’s called the coco hut. And it’s yours for as long as you need it.”
“Truly?” Naura was taken aback by Miguel’s generosity. “What is a coco hut?”
“Well, it’s a hut surrounded by coconut trees,” he explained. “There are supplies in the cupboards, towels and sheets in the hall closet. The white switches on the inside of each door will turn on the lights. I’m sure you know how to work the shower.”
“Yes. I have been taught.”
“Good. Then I’ll see about getting you some clothes that fit.” His gaze raked over her in humor. “You can’t very well wear that getup around here without drawing attention to yourself.”
Naura blushed. “I am sorry about my attire. I know that it is not customary for humans to wear sharkskin in public.”
Miguel laughed, displaying a set of white, even teeth. “It’s not customary to wear sharkskin in private either.”
“Yes, I-I knew that. It is all that I had.”
“Lighten up, sweetie. I’m only teasing you. Go on inside and make yourself at home. I’ll be back later with some new duds.”
“Duds?”
“Clothing. It’s slang for clothing.”
Naura sent him a small smile. “Oh, yes. Thank you, Miguel.”
He nodded and strode off through the trees, fading into the dark and leaving her alone in the moonlit yard.
Naura quickly climbed the steps and opened the door to the coco hut, feeling along the inside of the wall for the switch Miguel had mentioned.
The lights came on instantly, bathing the room in a warm glow. Naura’s breath caught as she took in her surroundings.
Chairs stuffed with brightly colored cushions sat around the room in no particular order, and a couch perched beneath the window, facing a large television situated on the opposite wall.
Closing the door, Naura ventured into the kitchen and checked the cupboard. She plucked a small green and silver can from a shelf and held it up to her nose.
“Human food has no scent,” she muttered aloud, turning the can over to look for a way inside.
She returned the unappealing food and meandered off in search of the bathroom.
Naura unlaced her damp clothing and peeled them down her legs before turning on the water and climbing over into the bathtub.
“Naura? What are you doing in Cuba?”
Vaulcron’s mental demand caught her off guard, and she answered him without hesitation. “I needed peace, brother. Do not tell the others where I have gone.”
“You better have a good reason for leaving without notifying anyone. Tony is not handling it very well. He is angry and prowling the halls, unable to be approached.”
Naura’s stomach clenched. “He will be fine once he has had time to adjust to my absence.”
Vaulcron mentally sighed. “I do not think so, my sister. The man is showing signs of mental sickness. I am close to removing his tongue.”
“Do not harm him, Vaulcron. He is feeling guilty for hurting me. He will return to his normal brooding self in no time.”
A growl rumbled through their link. “He harmed you?”
Naura rubbed at her weary eyes. “Not in the way that you think. He did not physically hurt me.” She intentionally left out the loss of her virginity. That had been her choice and no one’s business but hers and Tony’s.
“What shall I tell the king of your absence?”
“Tell him that I am safe and that I am with Miguel.”
“As you wish, Naura. But know that if you do not return soon, I will be forced to come there and retrieve you.”
“I am not a child, Vaulcron. I will return when I am ready to do so.” With that, she shut down their connection.