Refuge(98)

Tristan’s apartment had a guestroom, and I closed myself in there as soon as we arrived. I pulled off my blood-soaked clothes and stuffed them in a garbage bag, sure that Jordan would not want her top back. She’d probably love the excuse to order more clothes for both of us.

When I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a thick robe, I was surprised to see some of my clothes laid out on the bed. Whoever had gotten them from my room had also remembered to get a fresh bra and panties. Normally I would be embarrassed by the thought of one of the warriors going through my underwear drawer, but I couldn’t bring myself to care about it.

Tristan was waiting for me in the living room when I finally emerged from the guestroom. “What’s wrong?” he asked, and I realized I was frowning.

“Every time I go out, I come back looking like Carrie after the prom.” I heaved a sigh. “At least this time I didn’t need a doctor. I guess my luck is improving.”

“I would not call what happened tonight luck. You and Jordan should be very proud of yourselves.”

I took a seat on the couch. “I am, and I know she is. She’s probably telling anyone who will listen about it.”

Tristan chuckled. “I’m sure she is. She is one of the finest young warriors I’ve ever seen. I am glad you have become friends.”

“Me too.”

Neither of us spoke for a moment. It was easy to see that he had something on his mind and he was not sure how to start. When he did speak, it was the absolute last thing I had expected to hear from him. “Sara, before I explain things, I need to ask you something. The last thing I want to do is invade your privacy, but I have to ask this. Have you and Nikolas been intimate?”

“What? No!” I sputtered. Heat flooded my face. “Why would you ask me that?”

He looked as uncomfortable as I felt. “I don’t mean sex. I mean, has there been any physical contact between you . . . outside of training?”

I stared down at my clenched hands. “A few nights ago . . . we kissed. It was just one kiss and don’t worry, Nikolas made it crystal clear that it was a mistake. That was the last time I saw him until tonight.”

“I see.”

“See what?” I looked at him again. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He put a hand through his blond hair and sighed. “I was hoping to have a little more time before I explained this to you. If you had grown up among the Mohiri, you would have learned about these things by now.” He paused. “What I’m going to tell you might be a bit hard for you to understand at first, given your human upbringing, but it is very natural among our people. Please, let me tell you everything and then you can ask all the questions you need to.

I nodded mutely and pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them as if they could shield me from whatever he was about to reveal to me. The last time someone had spoken to me in this tone, it was Nikolas telling me I was Mohiri. I didn’t think I was ready for another revelation like that one.

Tristan paused a moment before he launched into his story. “We are like humans in many respects, except for the obvious differences. We have relationships, and we date and form emotional connections. Couples can remain together for many years, but most don’t form union  s like human marriages. In order for us to join with another, they must be our, solmi, our life mate. Most of us go many years before we meet a potential mate, but when we do, our Mori recognize each other immediately from the first touch.”

Solmi? That’s what my Mori called . . .

“Males usually feel the bond first, and it is stronger for us. Our first instinct is to become very protective of our female. As you have seen, Mohiri females are strong and most do not want to be protected, so the courtship can be a bit volatile in the beginning. As deeper feelings form, the bond begins to grow between them and it strengthens the more they spend time together, particularly if they are . . . intimate in any way. Eventually, they complete the bond and become life mates. It is a very deep and profound experience.”

I tried to swallow, but my mouth was too dry. My insides felt like they were on a rollercoaster, and my emotions were along for the ride. “I-I think I know what you are trying to say, but you’re wrong. I would know if I . . . if we . . . ” Anxiety gripped me. “He doesn’t want . . . ”

“Nikolas called and told me about your bond a few days after you disappeared in Maine. He knew you weren’t dead because the bond was still there.” Tristan paused to let that sink in, and I remembered Nate telling me how Nikolas had been sure I was still alive and he had refused to give up looking for me.