Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine, Jeanne G'Fellers [best summer reads TXT] 📗

that was wider than his mustache could ever cover. “You’ll have to see for yourselves. Words can’t describe this.” The others joined him on the ramp and laughed joyfully at what they saw.

Krell was waist deep in the mud, LaRenna in her arms. They were locked in an exuberant, full-mouth kiss, aware they were being watched but not caring in the least.

Krell?

Yeah, wren bird?

Good catch.

Thanks, but you deserve the credit for teleporting me here.

Nah, it was mainly you. Your idea after all. How did you know I could do it?

Faith and prayer, LaRenna. It was the Mother’s way of showing you what a precious gift you have.

Gift?

Yes, lover. Krell winked. Who but you could move me like that?

Oh, Krell.

What? My humor fails you?

No, it’s just that, well, make me a promise?

Anything, sweetheart, just name it.

Promise you’ll always be there to catch me when I fall?

LaRenna Krells, from this day forward, I will be constantly by your side. Come fire, flood, famine, or freeze, I will always be as close as your touch. That is my new Oath to you. I will never leave you again, not for a minute.

And Krell never did, not by choice, not even for a minute.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Love is a powerful healer, capable of more than science can imagine or reason.

—Taelach wisdom

“Krell, darling, wake up.” LaRenna licked her dry lips. It had taken almost a full day for Tatra and the surgical crews to repair her numerous injuries. Krell had been in attendance during the surgeries, refusing to leave LaRenna’s side while she slept. It was late now and they were alone. Tatra had removed most of the external sensors, leaving but two to measure her patient’s vital signs.

LaRenna looked around the room then closed her eyes, squeezing back the tears. She was thankful for her life, for her new future, but her heart ached—ached for Malley. Why hadn’t she sensed Malley’s devotion?

“Don’t blame yourself.” LaRenna opened her eyes to see Krell looking at her. “You aren’t responsible for what happened.”

“I just wish I’d known.” LaRenna allowed Krell to brush away her tears.

“What would it have changed?” Krell kissed LaRenna’s forehead. “Malley kept it hidden and your talents weren’t strong enough to pick up on such a subtlety.”

“I should have—” began LaRenna, but Krell shook her head.

“Things happen for a reason and I’m sure we’ll understand this in time.”

“I hope.” LaRenna laid her head against Krell’s shoulder, lost in thought until Krell kissed her again.

“Well, now that I’m awake, how are you feeling physically? I can’t tell much without an open channel from you.”

“I closed it when I woke. You don’t want to sense what I feel. The meds have worn off.”

“Then let me help you.” They reopened the link so Krell could offer relief. “I’ll get Tatra.”

Tatra appeared in the suite’s doorway as they spoke, wearing a grin as broad as one of Firman’s. “I’m here. Just waiting for you two to wake.”

“You should be resting yourself,” said LaRenna, managing a smile. “What’s up?”

“First off,” replied Tatra, “your brother will be fine. His pelvis and one leg are broken but should mend completely. If we can keep him off his feet that is.”

“He’s near?” asked Krell.

“Across the hall sleeping, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh?” said Krell.

“I did a few postsurgery scans on LaRenna. One particular test had interesting results. I ran it twice just to be sure.”

“What now?” LaRenna grabbed Krell’s forearm, fully expecting to hear another dread infection had invaded her body.

“You have a condition that invades Autlach females from time to time. It’s parasitic.”

“Curable?” Krell picked up on the beginnings of a heightened link. LaRenna was frightened.

“The initial stage lasts around ten moon cycles in Autlach women. I suspect it will take about as long for you, too. The second stage usually lasts sixteen passes or so.”

“That long?” It was so unfair, thought Krell. LaRenna had been through so much already. She deserved a little happiness.

I have happiness as long as I have you, Krell. Whatever this is, we’ll face it together.

Krell nodded to LaRenna then looked at Tatra. “Is the condition life threatening?”

“Not usually,” replied Tatra. It took every ounce of her control not to blurt out her findings. “And, Krell, unless I miss my mark, you’re responsible for her condition.”

“ME!” Krell’s eyes grew large. “How could I be responsible? I’d never do anything to harm LaRenna!”

“There is no evidence to the contrary, so I believe you are responsible. Furthermore, it is my belief that your soul phase is what caused the condition.”

“How’s that?” LaRenna propped up very slowly on her elbows. She could sense Tatra holding back. Curiosity told her to probe for the truth, but moral tact told her otherwise. It wouldn’t be ethical, not with a friend.

“Well,” continued Tatra, “without the technicalities—”

LaRenna grinned at her. “You? Not technical? Since when?”

“It serves no purpose among you laypeople. Firman informed me of that recently.” And probably will again, she added silently.

LaRenna stifled a giggle. She’d heard that thought without prying. “Go on, without the technicalities—”

“Without them, it’s relatively simple. It seems in a soul phase there is a small level of genetic exchange. Basically, you each gain a little of the other.”

“And?” prompted Krell.

“It appears, First Officer Middle, that some of your genetic material found its way into a critical part of LaRenna’s, forcing a change in her body.”

“Meaning?” Krell drummed her fingers on her chair.

“It’s only a couple of days old, if that. Very little division has taken place, maybe to the size of pinhead. One of LaRenna’s hormone levels is extremely elevated for a Taelach. In an Autlach female, the level would be only slightly elevated, not much of a sign, but in one of us any level is cause for alarm.”

Krell gripped her seat. “Spit it out, Tatra. What’s wrong with my wren bird?”

Tatra didn’t have to finish. LaRenna suddenly realized what she was getting at. Oh, what