Aeromancist, The Beginning (SECOND EDITION) - Charmaine Pauls Page 0,53
The fighting adrenalin in his body evaporated like mist in the sun.
“Ya tebya lyublyu,” he said, closing his eyes fleetingly. He waited two seconds. “Joss?”
“She’s off,” Joss said.
“Bono’s ready,” Clelia said.
He clenched the wheel. “We’ll be home in an hour.”
It took all of Lann’s self-control not to confront Joss, who waited outside, when they landed at the castle. It would be futile to talk to his commander until Joss had assured himself Clelia was unharmed. The minute Clelia climbed from the helicopter, Joss grabbed her to him. Now was definitely not a good time to give Joss a piece of his mind. Besides, he needed Katherine.
He went in search of his woman, and found her in the entrance. She stood on the steps, one hand resting on the balustrade and the other over her belly. The sight of her stopped him in his tracks. With a red dress that stretched over her breasts and stomach, she was a vision to behold. Her hair fell around her shoulders, the ruby shine catching the light, and her eyes were a vivid blue. Molecules vibrated around him, a humming of air. It brushed past his face like the caress of warm fingers.
He closed the distance in a few long strides and pulled her against him. An awareness of her growing delicate state flared inside him. Cupping her cheeks, he tilted her face so he could peer into those mesmerizing eyes. Everything he wanted, he saw right there—love, acceptance, and trust. No other lover had ever accepted him for what he was. No one had truly loved him, except maybe his mother, but Katherine’s love was the only love that mattered to him.
Going on tiptoe, she kissed him. He rubbed a thumb over her cheek.
Behind them, Bono cleared his throat. “I guess I’ll just go upstairs.”
Maya and Eve appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Don’t sound so sorry for yourself,” Maya said as she descended. “Come on. Let’s grab a bite to eat. You must be starving.”
Bono grinned. “Now that you mention it.”
Joss and Clelia entered as Maya and Bono disappeared into the direction of the kitchen.
“Anyone need stitches?” Eve asked, making her way downstairs.
“We’re good.” Lann turned to Clelia. “You did well.”
The firestarter smiled. “You weren’t so bad yourself.” She took Joss’s hand. “I need a shower.”
“You need food,” Joss said. “Dinner’s ready.” His tone turned apologetic. “We need to debrief first. Cain’s waiting.”
“A shower and dinner can wait a few minutes,” Clelia said. “I’ll get Maya.”
When Katherine followed him down the hall, Lann stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m your partner,” she said, “and I need to know what’s going on.”
Joss stepped up. “Kat, will you please ask Bono and Maya to bring some drinks from the kitchen?”
“Sure.” Before walking off, Kat shot Lann a look that said she wasn’t giving in.
Joss led Lann to the library. When he closed the door, the two men faced each other with crossed arms.
“She’s right,” Joss said. “You can’t shut her out.”
“How could you put her on the system?”
“I didn’t do anything I wouldn’t expect you to do for Clelia if the roles were reversed. Do you have any idea what it’s like to be on the other end, to sit here, and not know what’s happening? She needed to know you were fine.”
“It could’ve distracted me during battle.”
“Get over it. She’s a strong woman. If she can handle it, so can you. You can’t allow her to become your weakness. She has to be your strength.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do you think it was easy for me when Cain offered Clelia a position in the team? Do you think I don’t die every time I send her into a fight?”
“Clelia’s strong. She did great out there.”
“Exactly.” He fixed Lann with a stare. “Just because Kat doesn’t fight with weapons doesn’t mean she’s not a warrior. She’s strong too.”
Lann pressed his thumbs into his tired eyes.
“I know what it’s like to be protective,” Joss said, “but you have to give her credit. Do you trust her?”
Lann dropped his hands and glared at his commander. “What kind of a question is that?”
“Just answer it. Do you trust her?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Start showing it.”
Lann regarded Joss with narrowed eyes. He had more to say, but the others filtered into the room. From the way Joss nodded, the subject was closed. It wasn’t a suggestion, but an order. Joss had no say in his personal life, but he was right. Lann loved Katherine. She was