Lethal Game (GhostWalkers 16)

Malichai ignored her. “Is she safe doing this?”

“Malichai.” That was Ezekiel, warning plain in his voice.

“You’re not supposed to make a sound, Zeke,” Malichai snapped. “I have every right to protect my woman. Tell me why it’s painful for her.”

“He said ‘uncomfortable,’” Amaryllis pointed out.

“You meant ‘painful,’ didn’t you, Joe?” Malichai asked, ignoring her.

“Yes,” Joe capitulated, knowing Malichai, knowing he would never give in until he got the information he wanted. “For a brief time, the healer transfers the infection, or in this case the fractures in your bone, to his or her bones. We feel the pain the patient feels. It is momentary, but it can be severe and if you’re not ready for it, mistakes can be made during the healing process.”

“Hell no, you’re not doing this,” Malichai hissed, his face a mask of fury. His arm tightened around her waist as if he could tie her to him. “I should have been told this from the beginning. That meant that the infection in my leg went through your body. Joe, could she have any of that left in her?”

“No, like I said, it’s momentary.”

“You’re positive?”

Amaryllis knew there was no arguing with him. That way, she had no chance of winning. She had to think of something completely different, something he would understand, respect and be unable to get around.

“I’m as sure as possible, Malichai. To my knowledge, it’s never happened.”

Amaryllis put a knee on the bed and he immediately loosened his arm enough that she could crawl onto it. She framed Malichai’s face with both hands and pressed her forehead to his, uncaring that it was possible that Joe could see her, and maybe even those in the plane. The only thing that mattered to her was convincing Malichai.

“Don’t do this, Malichai. I would always, always respect what you do when it comes to your work. I won’t like it, because you’re going to be in danger, but I know it’s something you’re driven to do. You told me you wanted a woman in your life like Nonny. Would she back away from saving her man’s leg because of a little pain? She wouldn’t. I can’t either, honey. You know you can’t ask that of me. You can’t demand it. I need to do this. It isn’t a want. It’s a need. This is who I am.”

“Damn it, Amaryllis. Do you have any idea what it feels like knowing I’m causing you pain?”

She used the pads of her fingers to stroke velvet caresses along his cheekbones and jaw the way he did to hers. His face. She had come to love just looking at his face. There was such strength there. She knew, whenever she looked at him, that he was someone to count on. She wanted to be that someone for him.

“You aren’t causing me pain. You would never cause me pain, Malichai. You aren’t that man and you never will be that man. You have an injury and I’m a healer. I’m fortunate in that there’s a generous healer willing to teach me when I need it most. I would help anyone through an injury like this, because like you, when others need you, you go. When someone needs me to do this, I’m driven to aid them.”

She brushed kisses over his eyes and then down his nose to his mouth. “This is you, Malichai. The most important person in my world. This is you. More than any other I need to do this because you’re injured. If pain is a by-product of what I do, then I gladly accept it in order to heal someone. Never for one moment think it has anything to do with you.”

For a moment she thought tears swam close to the surface of his eyes, but he blinked and then he was kissing her. If there was fire in her, there was equally as much in him and he transferred it all to her. She tasted love for the first time in her life. Nothing had ever tasted so good. The sensation settled deep and wrapped her in him, wrapped her in such warmth and happiness she felt safe and secure at the worst possible moment. That was all Malichai. That was her Malichai.

She lifted her head, once again framed his face with her hands and looked into his strange, golden eyes. “Are we good?”

“We’re always going to be good, baby.” He hesitated briefly. She could see the visible struggle in him as he warred with himself. “It’s a go.”

“Thank you.” She said it simply and then slid back off the bed to go stand by his calf, once more positioning the phone so the faceless healer could see what she was doing. “We’re ready. Thanks for being so patient. We’re new at this.”

“You’re both doing fine.” There was even more respect in his voice. “Tell me when you’re in.”