Kierra's Thread (Argadian Heart Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

felt her yield to him. “What I wouldn’t give to
take you to sanctuary right now.” Jarek was in her mind and the dark shadow
clouds began to dissipate, replaced by passion bursts curling around them. He
felt the stroke of the wisps against his thoughts, seductive sensations.
    He pulled away before her sensual radiance shimmered for all
to see, determined not to cause her embarrassment here in the laboratory. If
they’d been alone, he most certainly would have taken her to his sanctuary.
    Kierra slid from the stool as he stepped away. “You give too
much, Jarek. And yet, you hide as well. What lays behind those locked doors you
won’t share with me?”
    She saw so much, yet he could never share what he kept
locked away. To do so might destroy any feeling she had for him and he couldn’t
take the chance. She tried to be so strong, but what lay hidden in his mind
must stay that way.
    He turned away from her. “Come, your family awaits.”
    “One day, Jarek Bakari, you won’t be able to hide. I’ll find
the right key. You can’t protect me forever, you know.”
    He stepped back to allow her to precede him from the
laboratory. He prayed to Guardian that never happened. That he could protect
her as he had always tried to do.
     
    *         
*          *
     
    Smoothing a hand down the shimmering blue overskirt, Kierra
attempted to remove wrinkles that didn’t exist. Nerves consumed her, and those
she could not dislodge. She would not fail this time. Devon was her brother and
she loved him. The white hair could not continue to act as a barricade to her
showing him that. Devon had no control in becoming an Enforcer and the Tribunal
had taken Devon’s memories from him. But the Enforcer was gone and her brother,
Devon, was back.
    Eluria would not give her love to someone untrustworthy.
From what Eluria had told her, Devon could have killed her and he hadn’t. He
wasn’t like Odon’s Enforcers. If only Kierra could believe that. She wanted to
believe it.
    When she didn’t insert her identity card into the slot,
Jarek reached around and used his own. “They’re waiting, Kierra.”
    She licked her lips. “I know. I’m ready.”
    She waited as Jarek removed his card and the door to her
mother’s apartments slid open. Inhaling deeply, she stepped inside.
    Her mother was the first to greet her. “Kierra, I’m glad you
came.”
    Her mother glanced swiftly at Jarek, who stood behind her.
Irritation rose up at that look.
    “I’m fine, Mother. Of course I would come. Why wouldn’t I?”
Symion, why did they keep doing this?
    Feeling the heat of a gaze, Kierra turned toward the dining area,
preparing herself for the confrontation she knew awaited. Irresistibly she was
drawn first to his white hair and she forcibly strangled the memories it
invoked. Her gaze dropped and connected with his turquoise eyes instead, and
the years fell away, as the bittersweet memories materialized.
    It was her brother’s eyes staring back at her, colors
swirling with love and understanding, fringed with pain and regret. The Devon
who had teased her as only a brother could. The one who’d stolen her sweetcakes
when their mother wasn’t looking, tickled her until she called truce. The
brother who’d protected her from the bullies who tried to steal her musicorder,
the one who had a passion for old science fiction Earth movies. And the one
she’d introduced Eluria to, knowing he’d never knowingly hurt her. Tears
flooded her eyes at the knowledge of so much that had been lost.
    “Devon, I’m so sorry.” She wanted to hug him and assure him.
She saw him start to move toward her and instinctively she stepped back.
    He halted and she saw pain darken his eyes. She wrapped her
arms about her midriff and sank to the lounger.
    “Give her a moment.” She heard Jarek tell them as he sank to
his knees in front of her, close, but not touching, shielding her from them.
    In seconds he was there in her thoughts.
    He touched her