if you knew beyond any doubt that you could trust your mate, that they wanted only the best for you and cared more about your happiness than their own,” Natalie countered.
“Everyone feels that way about their partner for the first few months. Let’s see if you can still say that in five or ten years.” Nikki didn’t want to sound bitter, but all four of her relationships had started off strong. She had been hopeful, even convinced in some cases that she’d found the one that would last a lifetime. In each case, she’d been wrong.
“You won’t understand unless you feel it for yourself,” Natalie said. “There is no human experience to compare it to. Your mind will flow through his and you’ll just know.”
Nikki didn’t argue, but she knew a fairytale when she heard one. Experience was a cruel teacher, but the lessons lingered. She hadn’t given up on a happy ending after Geoff, but it definitely made her expectations a lot more realistic.
“How long were you with Geoff?” Kara asked, her expression mildly challenging.
“Almost four years.”
“You lived with him, shared a bed with him, but how well did you really know him?” Kara persisted.
Nikki understood what they were saying. She’d even experienced some of it. But the mind-links she’d formed had felt intrusive and undesirable. “You think the soul-bond makes your relationship stronger? I think with some couples it would just give them more reasons to fight.”
Kara shook her head. “Temporary mind-links are part of Sarronti courting. If the couple is incompatible in any way they would never form the soul-bond. The first time I linked minds with Malik I knew his thoughts and feelings, his priorities and aspirations. I knew him.”
“And judging from the way Jaron is acting toward you,” Natalie added. “He thinks you’re his soulmate.”
Kara nodded, her smile knowing. “Jaron flirts with everyone. Females are drawn to him like bees to honey and he generally enjoys the attention.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“Yes,” Kara insisted. “His behavior is different with you because his feelings are different. Has he asked to court you?”
Nikki shook her head. “He hasn’t really said anything.”
Kara’s expression didn’t change. She still appeared confident and a bit amused. “He will. There is no way he’ll let you slip away without attempting to convince you to accept his claim. Sarronti males are incredibly persistent once they’ve sensed their mate.”
Soulmates, and mind-links, interdimensional portals and political intrigue, Nikki had never felt more out of sorts in her life. An intense wave of homesickness nearly brought her to tears. She really needed to talk to her family, to hear a familiar voice and reconnect with her reality. “Is it possible to contact people on Earth? I know we’re in another dimension, but I could sure use a few minutes of normalcy right now.”
“It works best if they have some sort of advanced com-unit, but Jaron should be able to hack into any smart phone,” Natalie predicted. “If not, Salvo certainly can.”
“Any clue what time it is in Santa Fe?”
Natalie shook her head then spoke in Sarronti. A disembodied voice responded and then she said in English, “Two thirty-nine a.m.”
“Damn.” Nikki sighed and drained the rest of her wine. It made more sense to wait until Mirra had time to assess Selina and Haley anyway, that way Nikki’s parents could update their family.
Nikki chatted with Kara and Natalie for a few minutes longer then Jaron crossed the kitchen drawing Nikki’s attention. His grim expression immediately put her on edge. “What’s wrong?”
“Mom wants to talk with you, and she asked that you come in person.”
“Oh no.” Tears flooded her eyes and the calm she’d built over the past hour shattered in an instant. Good news was never given in person. Mirra must have determined that she couldn’t help Selina and Haley or something equally dire. A fresh wave of guilt washed over Nikki as tears spilled down her cheeks. She shot to her feet, meaning to find a bathroom where she could cry in peace.
Instead, Jaron pulled her into his arms and pulled her snugly against his body. She pressed her face against his chest and sobbed, much too exhausted to be strong any longer.
“Let it out, love. You’ve needed this for hours.” He stroked her hair and rubbed her back.
Guilt and anger, hopelessness and fear flowed out of her in rivers. She clutched the front of his tunic sobbing brokenly.
Jaron just held her, patiently letting the emotions run their course.
It didn’t take long. Nikki