Threads of Destiny

Chapter Seven

Kathryn woke slowly. She’d had the strangest dreams. Some of them had been more like nightmares. She shuddered and buried her face against her pillow. The General and her father had discovered what she’d done. She’d raced home but not in time to save Tienan and Logan. There had been shooting and Tienan had been wounded.

She shivered, bringing the covers closer to her face. She wrinkled her nose as the fabric stroked her face. It felt unusual, not like her heavy cotton comforter. She stilled as more memories crowded her brain. Had she really performed surgery to remove the bullet from Tienan’s shoulder?

She carefully opened one eye and then slammed it shut. This couldn’t be happening. It was real. All of it. That meant that she’d spent the night engaging in the most wicked sex of her life with a man who was little more than a stranger. The problem was that Marc didn’t feel like a stranger. Being with him had felt right and natural.

Her stomach growled, reminding her vividly that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast yesterday and not much even then. Forcing herself to open her eyes, she pushed up and glanced around. Sunshine was streaming in through the two tall, thin windows. They were both made of vibrant stained glass and the colors flashed on the stone walls and floor. It seemed that she’d slept most of the morning away.

The covering dipped low and she grabbed it back to her chest. She was naked and had no idea where her clothing was. Not that she had a top to wear. Her blouse had been sacrificed yesterday. But a bra and dirty pants was better than running around naked.

Sliding her feet over the side of the bed, she let them hit the floor, tugging the thick fur with her. She wrapped it around her, tucking in the ends to create a sarong dress of sorts. The bed she’d been sleeping in was huge with four large posts, one on each corner. Bed curtains hung on thin rails that ran from post to post. She imagined they would be cozy on a cold night.

The room itself was sparse but the furniture that was here looked inviting. A low bench sat in front of one of the windows, inviting a person to sit and peer out at the land beyond. A trunk sat at the end of the bed, a place for storage and another makeshift seat. Two chairs were angled in front of the fireplace, a low wooden table between them.

What was on the table caught her eye immediately. Food. Her stomach growled loudly and she scooted forward, curling her toes against the cool stone beneath her feet.

She felt her cheeks heating when she stepped onto the fur rug that lay in front of the fireplace. What she and Marc had done there last night… She fanned her face as she examined the food.

There was a jug of clear water and one of what smelled like apple cider. Licking her lips, she poured some of the water into a wooden cup and drank it all down. Then she did it again. Thirst quenched, she poured a glass of the cider and sipped as she examined the food. There was a thick loaf of dark, crusty bread, some pale yellow cheese, some apples and what appeared to be some sort of cold meat. Ignoring the meat, she broke off a section of bread and slapped a piece of the cheese on it. Biting off a corner, she began to chew.

Flavor exploded in her mouth. This was good. She munched happily, taking the occasional sip of the cider as she ordered her thoughts. She had no idea where Marc was or when he’d left her. Part of her was glad for a few moments to herself but another part of her was disappointed he hadn’t been beside her when she woke.

Finishing off the slice of bread and cheese, she licked her fingers and stared longingly at the table. She’d take another slice with her. Right now, she needed to find her clothing and to check on Tienan and Logan. Then they needed to figure out what the heck they were going to do about their situation. If the information in the book was correct, the tapestry should reappear sometime tomorrow to take them home.

Taking a final sip of the sweet cider, she put the glass aside and padded toward the door in the corner. She hoped her clothing was still in the bathing room. The tub was empty but there was a basin of water on a stand in the corner and the water was still warm. Dropping her fur, she washed and dried her body quickly, using the soap and cloth she found next to the basin.

Her bra and panties were draped across a wooden rod. They were damp to the touch but not too bad. Someone had obviously washed them and hung them to dry. She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of some stranger touching her underwear but she was too glad for clean clothing to worry about it. She slipped them on, shivering slightly at the cold dampness. It was better than running around half naked.

Her shoes were there but her socks were missing. There was also no sign of her pants but there was a robe on a hook by the door. She slipped it on. The dark green fabric was soft against her skin but the hem pooled around her feet. It was obviously meant for a much taller and bigger person. Marc?

She ignored the warm glow that started low in her stomach as she knotted the belt around her waist. It would do for now. She thought about slipping on her shoes but didn’t want to wear them without her socks. Glancing around, she found a wooden comb and worked the tangles out of her hair before braiding it. She looked around for something to tie the ends but came up empty handed.

Shuffling back to the bedroom, she figured she’d look there. Maybe there was something in the trunk that would do. The first thing she noticed was her purse tucked away by the head of the bed. She’d missed it when she’d rolled out of bed. Hurrying forward, she picked it up, upending everything onto the bed. Several elastics tumbled out and she grabbed one and twisted it around the end of her hair to hold her braid together.

Her sewing kit and small makeup bag were there, along with her wallet, a pack of tissues, her key cards, work ID card, a half eaten chocolate bar and some loose change.

Unzipping the makeup bag, she ignored the tweezers, which had been cleaned, and pulled out her small bottle of moisturizer and her lip balm. That was the extent of her makeup.

Pouring some of the lotion onto her fingers, she rubbed it over her face before capping the bottle and shoving everything back into her bag. Nothing there for her to wear. Tucking the bag back where she’d found it, she then went to the trunk at the end of the bed and opened it. She’d barely started rummaging around when a knock came on the door.

Holding the lapels of the robe together, she walked slowly to the door. “Yes?” The handle turned and the door opened and Christina stuck her head in through the opening. “Are you up for a visitor?”

Kathryn knew she had to deal with the reality of the situation. Seemed as if her reprieve was over. Besides, she was interested in the woman who’d left her life behind to stay and make a life in this strange world. “Come in.” Christina entered, closing the door behind her. She was wearing a floor-length blue dress that matched her eyes. In her hands, she had a bundle of clothing, which she offered to Kathryn. “I figured you’d be looking for something to wear right about now.”

“Thank you.” Gratitude flowed through her. “I couldn’t find my pants this morning and my blouse is a total write-off.” And she was babbling because she was nervous.

It suddenly occurred to her that she’d slept with a man who was emotionally and physically tied to this woman. Marc might not be Christina’s husband, but they had been intimate. Very intimate.

Her stomach was suddenly queasy and the food she’d eaten threatened to come back up. She’d slept with another woman’s man! When it was happening, it had felt so natural and right that she hadn’t even questioned it. In her mind, Marc was hers.

What had she done? Maybe Christina didn’t know what had happened between her and Marc last night. Not that it made the situation any better, but Kathryn didn’t want to hurt the other woman.

To hide her trepidation, she started to sort through the garments, stopping when she found a pair of loose trousers.

“I thought you’d like those.” Christina smiled but Kathryn could see the strain around her eyes and mouth.

“I’m sorry if we’ve brought trouble to your home.” She could only imagine how the other woman must have felt with three complete strangers invading her home, delivered by a magical tapestry, no less.

Christina shook her head, making her long, white-blonde hair shimmer. “It’s not that.” She walked over to the bed and sat on the end as Kathryn tugged on the pants.

They were a bit large but there was a drawstring belt, which tightened nicely.

“What then?” Kathryn paused, pants on and robe open.

“Javara is different…” Christina trailed off, as if not quite sure what to say next.

Kathryn wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her hands over her suddenly chilled flesh. “Women here are scarce and brothers compete sexually for a woman. She can only marry one but she has relations with the other. You chose Jarek but Marc feels left out.”

Christina looked as if all the blood had drained from her face, she was so pale.

“How…how do you know?”

“So, I’m right?”

Christina nodded.

Sighing, Kathryn rubbed her temples. She had the beginnings of one heck of a tension headache brewing. “I read it in a book.” Christina’s mouth dropped open. “A book?”

“Yeah. It was written about a hundred years before my time. I found it in the attic in my family home and read it.”

“That’s impossible.”

Kathryn gave the other woman a wry smile. “That’s what I’m thinking about all of this.”

“What did the book say?” Christina bit her bottom lip, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red.

“Ah…” she began and then broke off. How did you tell a woman that her entire sex life had been put down on paper? “It was pretty explicit.” Christina buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking. Kathryn didn’t know what to do. How did you comfort a woman at a time like this? When the other woman raised her head, tears rolled down her cheeks. But she was laughing.

“Oh my God,” she gasped. “I had such a boring life back on Earth before the tapestry came. Whoever would have thought I’d be the subject of a book. How?” Kathryn grinned, glad to see that Christina seemed to be taking it so well. “I have no idea. All I know is that a book exists and it tells all about your journey to Javara and the sexual exploits that ensued. I particularly liked the scene with you and Jarek on the horse.”

Christina’s jaw dropped and then she began to laugh again, swiping at the tears on her cheeks with the back of her hand. “This is unbelievable.”

“It was quite educational, I assure you,” she added dryly, before joining in the laughter. Christina’s sense of humor was infectious. Rather than being upset, as most women would be, she was finding the humor in the situation.

In spite of everything, Kathryn found herself liking Christina. And that made her feel doubly guilty about what she and Marc had done last night.

“What was the book called?”

“Christina’s Tapestry. It’s actually quite a beautiful book. I cried near the end when I thought you were leaving.”

“Imagine that.” Shaking her head, Christina pinned Kathryn with her pale blue eyes. “What year do you come from? You said you thought we were from much different times.”

“If the book is correct, and it seems to be accurate so far, then we’re a little over one hundred years apart. It was 2133 when we left. September to be accurate.” Christina’s mouth was wide open and she closed it abruptly. “I don’t know why I’m so shocked. I mean the tapestry came into my life and brought me here. Why shouldn’t it go to other times? It’s just so…” She waved her hand around as if searching for the right word.

“Weird,” Kathryn offered.

Christina laughed. “Exactly.” She sobered, straightening the skirt on her long, fitted dress. “So you know that the tapestry will be back tomorrow night. You’ll have to decide if you’re staying or going.”

“I’m going.”

Christina’s eyes widened. “I thought that after last night…” she glanced at the tangle of bedclothes behind her.

Kathryn felt embarrassed to the tips of her toes. So Christina did know what had happened last night. “That was an aberration. I mean, I know that Marc is technically yours, even though he isn’t your husband.” God, she hadn’t even thought about that last night and the guilt was overwhelming her. As far as she was concerned, Marc was a free agent but that wasn’t quite how things worked here.

“No, Marc is not mine. Not anymore. I’m not sure he ever was,” she sighed. “He hasn’t been with me in over a year. He’s pulled away from us because he knows that I love Jarek.” Christina rose and began to pace. “I tried to embrace the customs of this world but it felt strange. I mean, I love Marc but not in the way I love Jarek.” Kathryn nodded, not quite knowing what to say.

Sadness emanated from Christina as she continued her restless pacing. “There is no need for you to feel bad about what happened between you and Marc. Our relationship is complicated, but it’s not sexual. Not anymore. Marc is a good friend, a brother-in-law.”

The other woman seemed so distressed that Kathryn reached out to her. “I understand. You can’t just throw off your own background and upbringing.” She wanted to do something to help but didn’t quite know what to do. She’d never had a female friend before. “Would you like some chocolate?” she offered. “I’ve got a half a bar and its kinda squashed but you can have it.” Now how lame was that.

“Chocolate.” The tone of Christina’s voice bordered on reverence as she sidled up alongside Kathryn. “You have chocolate?”

“Ah, yes.” Going over to her bag, she dug around inside but couldn’t find it.

Upending it once again, she dumped everything on the bed. The bar tumbled out along with everything else. A small leather-bound book fell out. Kathryn frowned. That hadn’t been there a few minutes ago. Picking it up, she gasped as she realized it was the journal she’d found in the attic. She glanced at Christina but the other woman was staring raptly at the candy bar.

“Help yourself.” Kathryn casually tucked the book under her purse, not quite sure why she felt the need to hide it but she did.

“I haven’t had chocolate in years.” Peeling back the wrapper, Christina sank down on the edge of the trunk took a delicate bite and moaned. “Oh God, this is so good.

Thank you.”

Kathryn laughed. Seemed that some things didn’t change over time. “You’re welcome.” As she dug through the clothing and found a tunic that looked as if it would fit, she dropped the robe and tugged it on. “How is Tienan?” She berated herself for not asking Christina immediately.

The other woman paused and swallowed, her eyes closed in obvious enjoyment.

“He’s fine. Better than fine actually. Mara is amazed by how well he’s doing. He had a slight fever last night and she gave him a few of the aspirin you left.” Christina nibbled off another corner of the bar and moaned. Laughing self-consciously, she glanced away.

“You must think I’m nuts.”

“Hey, if I hadn’t had chocolate in…” She stopped. “How many years have you been here?”

“Six,” Christina managed between bites.

Kathryn shook her head in amazement. “If I hadn’t had chocolate in that long, I’d probably be doing the same thing.”

“The only thing that came with me when the tapestry brought me was the nightgown I was wearing.”

Kathryn thought about that for a moment. “I had my purse slung around my neck and shoulder.” She shrugged. “Maybe that made the difference.” She paused as she examined the fit of the tunic. Long-sleeved, it came down to her butt and had two deep pockets. She liked it. The dark brown looked good. “Although the guns that Tienan and Logan had in their hands disappeared somewhere along the way.”

“Maybe it’s technology that doesn’t travel,” Christina surmised. “We have leather and medicine and basic tools here, so maybe that’s why your purse made it.”

“Guess we’ll never know.” Reaching under her purse, she pulled out the journal and tucked it in her pocket as Christina munched on the final square of the chocolate.

She had to find the time to read it later. She had a feeling it wouldn’t have traveled through time if it weren’t important. Not for the first time in her life, Kathryn was thankful for the fact that she could speed read and she had a photographic memory.

While Christina finished the last piece of the chocolate, Kathryn strode back into the bathing chamber long enough to grab her shoes. Socks or no socks, she had to wear something on her feet. She pulled them on, grateful that they were flat with rubber souls and laces. They were sturdy and comfortable. Perfect shoes for working in the lab all day. They’d do.

Christina was crumpling the paper when she returned and staring longingly at the wrapper. Giving it one final look, she turned to Kathryn. “If you’re ready, I can take you to them.” Standing, she wiped her hands together.

The tension was back. There was something the other woman was keeping from her. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I didn’t want to tell you this. Not right away.” She met Kathryn’s gaze squarely.

This was so not going to be good. “There is a crowd here at the moment to celebrate the birth of our latest child. A girl—Allina.”

“Congratulations.” Kathryn knew what a big deal the birth of a girl was here in Javara.

“Thank you. But there are families here. Families with unmated males.” Kathryn took a step back, then stopped. “You mean…” She broke off, not quite sure how to put it.

“They all want you. You’re a potential tapestry bride and a healer as well. That makes you doubly valuable in their eyes.”

“Of all the archaic bullshit!” She’d barely escaped from one group of maniacs. She didn’t want to fall in with another. “Can we just say that Tienan and Logan are my husbands?” They’d fall in with that if she asked them.

Christina shook her head. “Someone already asked Logan if you were married and he said that you weren’t. They all know.”

“Damn.” She’d known that this was a possibility but she’d hoped to avoid it. After all, she only had to get through another two days, less than that really, and she’d be on her way back to her own planet and time.

“There are five families who want to challenge for the right to have you.”

“To have me.” Anger filled her. It was all fine and good to read about the customs of a land, another thing altogether to experience it firsthand. “I’m not some object to be passed around. A toy that they all want.”

“I know.” Christina reached out her hand and placed it on Kathryn’s shoulder.

“You understand how things are here. You know they all honor and respect you.” She shook her head. “How can they? They don’t even know me.” Marc knows you, a little voice in the back of her head spoke up. She shook her head again. “I want to see Tienan and Logan.”

“Of course.” The other woman looked worried but she said nothing more as she led Kathryn out of the room and down the hall.

Kathryn could feel the weight of the journal in her pocket and hoped she’d find some answers there. Regardless, the tapestry would be back tomorrow night and she, Tienan and Logan would leave. She ignored the pang in her chest at the thought of leaving Marc behind. Maybe he could come with them. The tapestry had allowed him to travel through time and space once before. Why not again? It was something to think about.

Kathryn tucked all such thoughts away as she followed Christina into Tienan’s room. Logan was sprawled in a chair, his long legs stretched forward, his hands clasped on his flat stomach. Tienan was lounging on the bed, looking remarkably fit for a man who’d had surgery the day before. You’d never know there was anything wrong with him except for the heavy bandage wrapped around his shoulder. Genetics and his strong will made all the difference in his fast recovery time. Both men jumped to their feet when she entered.

“Are you all right?” Logan wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly.

“I’m fine.” She buried her face against his chest, seeking his familiar scent. When she pulled away, she offered him a smile. “You?”

“Good.” He glanced over at Tienan, who was waiting impatiently. “We passed an uneventful night and have bathed and eaten. Christina made sure we had everything we needed.” He offered a smile to the other woman who stood quietly watching them.

It was then she noticed that they were both dressed in the same garb as Marc—

leather pants and vests, although neither of them wore armbands. They also wore their own boots.

Tienan’s patience was obviously at an end as he dragged her into his arms. She felt his lips against the top of her head. “Thank you,” he whispered. She knew he was thanking her for operating on him last night.

“I see you are all up and ready.” Marc’s tone was hard and cold, his words clipped.

Kathryn jerked away from Tienan’s embrace, feeling as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. Which was ridiculous. Tienan and Logan were her friends. Marc was… Well, she wasn’t quite sure what he was. Her lover for sure but any more than that was impossible.

He strode forward, looking impossibly large and handsome. His long brown hair was tied back at his nape, making his rough-hewn features appear even more severe.

But his golden-brown eyes were warm. No, they were hot as he reached her. His hand snaked around her waist, tugging her from Tienan’s embrace and pulling her against his chest.

She knew she should object to such high-handed actions but she couldn’t get a word past her lips. Before she could even think of what to say, his head swooped down and he captured her mouth with his.

Heat flooded through her as her body remembered last night. She felt the crotch of her panties getting damp and her breasts swelled. She didn’t have to look down to know that her nipples were hard and pressing against the soft cotton tunic she wore.

His tongue leisurely claimed hers, twining around it. She moaned slightly, going up on her toes so their bodies were positioned better. His hand slid downward, cupping her ass and pulling her closer. She could feel the hardness of his erection against her mound and tilted her hips inward. The motion rubbed her nipples against his chest, making them ache.

“Ahem.” The heavy male voice was tinged with amusement.

Kathryn pulled away, gasping for breath, suddenly aware of the silence around her.

Ohmigod, what had she done? And in front of Christina, not to mention Tienan and Logan, no less.

She closed her eyes and sought control. Her hormones were raging totally unrestrained, demanding she find the nearest bed and drag Marc there with her. Heck, they didn’t need a bed. They hadn’t managed to use one last night and he’d given her three orgasms. And those kinds of thoughts weren’t helping her calm down one bit.

Marc slid his hand up her spine, bringing it to rest against the back of her neck. “I trust you slept well.”

Oh, there was a wealth of innuendo in his words. She could almost see the testosterone filling the room as he laid claim to her. Why didn’t he just scream, I fucked her last night. The effect was the same. Kathryn pulled back her foot and kicked him in the shin.

He grunted but didn’t even move. Totally pissed off, she drew back her foot again.

Before she could kick him, an arm wrapped around her from behind and she was lifted off her feet. Without thinking, she kicked backward, striking Logan in the shin. He had the audacity to laugh at her.

“Put. Me. Down.” She said each word slowly. She was beginning to wish she’d never left her room this morning. Maybe she’d go back there and stay until the tapestry came for her.

Logan dropped a kiss on her cheek as he lowered her to her feet. “There’s no need to be upset, Kathryn,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re a beautiful woman. If I’d had you to myself last night, I would have done the same thing that Marc did. I would have claimed you.”

Heat rushed through her and not all of it was from embarrassment. She could feel Logan’s erection pressing against her back. This was simply too much for her to take in at once. Men had never been interested in her and suddenly she was a femme fatale wanted by two men. She glanced at Tienan and there was no mistaking the heat in his eyes. Okay, make that three.

She rubbed her stomach, which was begging to ache. Maybe she shouldn’t have had that cider. Too acidic for her sensitive tummy. If Christina was to be believed, there was a large group of men waiting downstairs as well. It was just too much for her to take in.

“Your stomach is paining again.” It was almost an accusation.

She glared at Tienan. “Given the events of this morning, is there any wonder?”

“What is wrong with her stomach? Are you ill?” Marc’s arm came around her and his palm settled gently over her tummy.

“It’s nothing,” she began only to be interrupted by Logan.

“We think it’s the start of an ulcer.”

Christina stepped forward. “There’s some goat’s milk in the kitchen and I’m sure that Mara will have some kind of tea that might help.” Logan sent her a grateful smile.

“That’s all well and good,” she began, feeling the anxiety rising within her once again. “But what about all the men downstairs who want to claim me.”

“Over my dead body,” three male voices spoke in tandem.