Eye of the Ocean Book 3 Ji'jin Station

Eye of the Ocean – Book 3: Ji’Jin Station
“You might ask me,” Tu'pin said. “An offering of blood for luck, I think. We had
no sticks to burn.”
If it hadn't been true at the time, it was now. Poss a'ltic walked to him and
raised her fingertips to his face. Dark and light - how was it that she didn't see
this normally? His skin was smooth and hot to her touch.
“A very long night,” she whispered. Could Oimit destroy this? Or find a haven
as the phoenix had? “Was it simply to offer comfort? You didn't mean to.”
Phosphorus lit the ocean; she felt the pull of a moon in the movement of the
water. A man's hand touched her, rough skinned and smelling of salt and blood.
She closed her eyes and let her hand fall.
- 21 -
The early morning was as cool as promised by the night. The white walls of her
room glowed like mother of pearl, reflecting what pre-dawn light came through
the wide door to the garden. A'in woke at the same time she did, or earlier, his
large brown eyes were heavy with sleep but he was lying on his side, watching
her. She hadn't expected to find him still here.
“I'm glad you stayed,” Pos a'ltic said, turning so that she faced him, earning a
light smile from his wide mouth. As solid as he was, after the dreams, she wanted
to touch him for reassurance.
He pulled the light cover off her slowly, following the curve of her body with his
hand. His hands were broad across the back, hair growing thickly to the first
joints of his fingers. Fine silken hair covered much of his body. Very straight, not
curly, and the same warm brown as his eyes. He was strong with a mature
strength, powerful, the muscles of his body well defined. The off-world blood back
in his father's family surfaced mostly whole, not in shadings of the pure Ri.
“Should I be gratified?” he asked then glanced to where Kascin was sleeping.
“Or weren't you speaking of me?”
He hadn't left her alone for a moment after the late meeting with the two
Zimmer. Scans showed no ill effects from the pattern pull but he had stayed
without being asked. And had called Kascin in - his right as tass'alt to have
backup and she hadn't protested the need, afraid to disturb the fragile equilibrium
between them. And had thought it was so he could leave after she'd fallen asleep.
She got up on one elbow, her fingers of both hands brought together to form a
very familiar shape. “Of course I was speaking of you.”
“Then I'm gratified.” At the invitation, his smile had matched hers but the
watchful look remained. “How are you feeling?” The same hand now pulled her
Laurel Hickey www.2morrow.bc.ca