“Thank you. I feel like a new person compared to a few days ago. Liv just prepared me a protein filled breakfast and I already feel more like my old self. Before you know, I will be chasing my grandbabies around.”
“Aayi!” Karel burst into laughter at the look on Liv’s face.
Bella’s jaw dropped in surprise at Keliana’s words. “Liv is there something you’d like to share with the rest of us?”
“I am not pregnant.” At least, she didn’t think she was. She’d never been regular so she had no clue. “Aayi likes to tease me, because she wants babies to play with.” Liv grinned in embarrassment. She really needed to stop blushing. These two delighted too much in her reactions . “Did you find out anything? Did Tiana come back to the castle?”
Bella’s smile fell from her face. “No, she didn’t. No one has seen or heard from her since she went up to be Keliana’s carekeeper. I asked around, but no one is really that close to her. Nobody has any idea where she could have gone. I’m sorry I’m not helping much.”
Karel sighed and nodded. “It’s not surprising. If she was smart enough to run, I would think she is smart enough not to return to the castle.”
TWENTY-SIX
“Keliana, would you mind if I came for a visit? I would love to see you. Besides, I kind of miss having Karel around too. He has been my constant companion for the last few months,” Bella asked.
Liv nodded her approval of the plan, even though no one was asking her. She enjoyed her short time with Bella and would like to know her better. “That would be wonderful. Yes, please do come. As long as the teleport won’t be too much on you. I heard it didn’t sit well with you when you first came here.”
Much like it had with Liv. Except it made Bella sick, where Liv just passed out.
“Karel has been telling stories. There’s no truth to any of them unless they are about how awesome I am. Actually, being pregnant has had a positive effect on me. I teleport with ease now. Must be the shifter genes in the baby lending me his or her strength. I need to finish a few things here, but I should be there later this afternoon, if that’s okay with you.”
All three agreed and Bella signed off. Karel stood. He was going to call Alyx again and fill him in on everything. He knew Bella well enough to know she would hide things to keep him from worrying. Liv turned back to Keliana. “How are you feeling today really? You do look a lot better than you did a few days ago.”
She smiled and patted Liv’s hand like Liv was a little kid in need of comforting. “No fretting, love. I feel a 100 percent better already. I even think by tomorrow I will be walking and taking care of myself. I can feel my strength returning in leaps and bounds. You know, we owe you a debt I can never repay.”
“No debt. I will forever be grateful I was in the right place at the right time. Spending these last few days with you and seeing the smile on Karel’s face has been payment enough. I am so lucky to have met you both.” Liv paused and watched as Keliana fought to keep her eyes open.
“Now, Aayi, it’s time for you to take a nap and rebuild that strength you spoke of. I’m going out for a short walk around the cabin now that the storm has let up.” She had cabin fever and was excited to see what else was new and different in Aurora from earth. “If you need anything, just call out.”
Liv leaned down and placed a kiss on Keliana’s cheek before walking out of the room with a bounce in her step. She hadn’t been sure before, but was now. She made a very good choice in coming here. Now she had to figure out what to do with her sexy, growly jaguar who made her purr.
She went out to the garden Karel had taken her to on her first day at the cabin. She couldn’t get over how beautiful and lush all the flowers were. The storm made the colors more vibrant than she could ever have imagined.
“So you are the bitch who foiled my plans,” a shrewish voice called out, surprising Liv. She turned to see a blond woman with flashing golden eyes staring at her with menace.
“What are you talking about? Who are you?” Liv looked around wildly for help, but she was alone in the garden. Would this woman attack her in the open like this? Dammit this chick was big. A lot bigger and clearly a shifter.
“You interfered with business that was of no concern to you. I will make you regret it. Watch your back, human.”
“Liv, you out here?” Liv turned to see if Karel was close enough to rescue her from this psycho. She looked back at the blonde to find her gone. Liv looked around, but there was no sign of her. Karel came into view, and Liv wasted no time in sprinting and jumping in his arms.