her.
James looked at Olivia anxiously. “Will Elise be home in time for the wedding? It will mean a fearful amount of rescheduling if she isn’t.”
“Don’t worry about that,” a deep, familiar voice growled from behind them.
Elise turned with a start to see Merrick standing there, his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Ah, so it’s you again.” James gave the big Kindred a most unwelcoming look. “Am I to take it that you will be accompanying my fiancé to this other planet for treatment?”
“That’s right.” Merrick nodded insolently. “But don’t worry, I’ll have her back in time for your joining ceremony.” He gave Elise an inscrutable look. “All healed up and good as new.”
“I don’t like this,” James blustered. “I don’t like it one bit. I insist on having a second opinion. And I think I should be the one to accompany Elise to this other planet.”
“ You on Rageron?” Merrick barked laughter. “Sorry, buddy, but I don’t think you’d last very long in one of your own jungles on Earth, let alone the Deep Blue.”
“The Deep Blue?” Elise said. “What’s that?”
Merrick spared her a glance. “It’s what they call the darkest, most inaccessible part of the jungle on Rageron. It’s the only place the pain vine grows.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” James’ voice on the viewscreen was shrill and his face was red. “It sounds dangerous.”
“It is,” Merrick growled. “But then, so am I.” He gave James a level look. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Elise and bring her back to you in one piece. Then the two of you can be joined and live happily ever-fucking-after. All right?”
James looked like he wanted to protest more but Elise spoke up.
“Please, James, it’s the only way I can be healed,” she said. “I know it puts a crimp in our plans and I’m sorry for that. But I promise I’ll be back…back in time for our wedding.” The words seemed to stick in her throat but she forced them out anyway.
James was still frowning but at least now he looked somewhat mollified. “Well, if you’re certain this is the only way…”
“It is,” Olivia said firmly.
“And you can guarantee my fiancée’s safety,” he continued, looking at Merrick.
“I guarantee it.” The big Kindred nodded.
James sighed and threw up his hands. “Well, I still don’t like it but I guess I have no choice. I’ll see you in a month, darling.” He nodded at Elise.
“Or possibly sooner,” Olivia said helpfully.
“As long as she’s back in time for our wedding,” James said. He looked at Elise. “My mother’s put in a lot of work on this and I don’t have to tell you how upset she’ll be if you spoil the big occasion, darling.”
“Yes, I know,” Elise muttered. Her future mother-in-law wasn’t exactly one of her favorite people. Luckily she lived in London and rarely visited but she’d still managed to put in her two cents on almost every single detail of the upcoming wedding. It was one reason Elise had been so happy to have the whole thing planned and out of mind.
“Well then.” James clapped his hands together in a gesture of finality. “If that’s all there is to be said then I should get going. I can still make the next flight to Japan if I hurry.”
“Go on then, don’t miss your flight again,” Elise urged him.
“Very well. I love you, darling.” James blew her a kiss which she pretended to catch. It was a ritual with them but Elise couldn’t help feeling silly doing it in front of Merrick.
“Um, I love you too,” she said. It wasn’t exactly the most rousing display of affection but James didn’t seem to notice. Now that Elise’s situation was all squared away, he was probably already thinking of his business trip and how he would explain his tardiness to the Japanese businessmen he’d be meeting.
“Be safe,” he told her. He gave Merrick one last frown and then the viewscreen went blank.
“Well,
Brenda Novak
Italo Calvino
C. C. Hunter
ylugin
Mario Puzo
Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Toby Neal
Amarinda Jones
Ashley Hunter
Riley Clifford