The Impatient Lord by Michelle M. Pillow Page B

he had doubts, would the gods continue to punish him and force her back to sleep?
    This was a test. The gods had made her say those things and they watched to see if he was worthy.
    Curses! He was going to fail.
    He couldn’t fail.
    But what if he did? His wife didn’t deserve such punishment.
    And yet…
    “Mirek? Is it true?”
    He blinked, looking up in surprise to see Aeron waddling toward him. She was adorably pregnant like the rest of his sisters-by-marriage.
    “ Is my sister awake?” Aeron asked. Her features were flushed and she was lady enough not to mention the fact she’d caught him arguing with himself.
    “ Yes. I was coming to tell you. She’s awake. She’s…”
    Aeron frowned in worry. She grabbed his arm. “ What it is? Is it bad? I can tell by your face something is not as it should be.”
    “ She’s awake. Her medical readings look good from what I can tell, but she doesn’t want me touching her. I thought maybe she’d let you examine her, seeing as you’re familiar to her?”
    “ Familiar?” Aeron gave a soft laugh. The sound was filled with happiness and relief. She walked Mirek back toward his home.
    “ She does not know me,” Mirek stated, tortured by the truth in his words.
    “ You said she was awake when you claimed her. Is her memory suffering?” Aeron asked.
    “ She should know me regardless,” he said. “Just as you would know Bron if you were to lose your memories. It is inside you.”
    “ That connection took time,” she assured him. “Can I assume by your expression that my sister was her normally charming self?” Aeron squeezed his arm. “If she insulted you, that’s probably a good sign that she’s functioning like normal.”
    He frowned.
    “Whatever Riona said or did, Mirek, you have to forgive her. My sister has many blocks inside her, just as I did when I first arrived. Give her time. She doesn’t know everything you have done. She doesn’t know what you’ve been through for her.” Aeron gave a long sigh and touched her stomach. “Your nephew does like to kick me.”
    Mirek automatically reached to feel the baby. A tiny thump resounded against his hand and he smiled. “ He is strong.”
    “ What did she say to you?”
    “ She thought I was someone named Range.” He hoped Aeron would fill him in.
    “ Range? I almost forgot about him. She has been asleep a long time, hasn’t she?” At his expectant look, Aeron added, “I’m sure she’ll tell you about it. I honestly don’t know much about her life.”
    Mirek didn ’t press the issue as he opened the door to his home.
    “ Ri?” Aeron called, hurrying past him to see her sister. She came to a sudden stop. “Mirek, help!”
    Mirek ran toward the isolation chamber. Riona had passed out on the floor. He shifted partially, detecting her heartbeat and breathing. “She lives. She was standing and glaring at me when I came for you.”
    “ Stupid woman,” Aeron scolded, more to herself, as Mirek lifted Riona from the ground. “It looks like she pulled her medical tubes out. At least her skin looks much better and she doesn’t scream when you touch her. Lay her down. Let’s heal the wounds and I’ll get her cleaned up. If the machine medically clears her we’ll move her to your bed.”
    Mirek said nothing, merely obeyed.
     

     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    A dream. It was all a dream.
    Riona gasped as she struggled to sit up on the bed. She breathed heavily, feeling her sides and back for tubes and needles. Satisfied that all was well, she gave a small laugh of relief. It was all a horrible dream.
    The laugh faded. Then w here was she? The dark room gave hints in its shadows, but she didn’t recognize her surroundings. Galaxy Brides’ ship? No. This room was too large, even for a luxury craft.
    When she tried to stand, she flinched in pain. Riona held her sore side. Now upright, her weak muscles protested, but she refused to lie back down.
    It wasn ’t a dream. This was reality.
    Following a