Free Oath of Challenge Conquering Kate by Marly Chance Page A

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly.
    Tair rubbed Deva along her back and explained to Kate. “ Shekas are very affectionate, loyal, loveable creatures. They only look so fierce when something scares them.” He gave her a long look.
    Kate gave him a defiant glare in response, including the rat-cat-dog for good measure. “How does it change? I thought it was dead.”
    Tair shook his head and put Deva down on the floor. Still petting her, he said, “They are what you would call shapeshifters. They are common here. Generally, they shift as a defense mechanism to scare their attackers. If the situation appears life-threatening, they will fall over and play dead. It tends to confuse predators. You must have scared her badly.”
    Kate said indignantly, “Oh, I like that. I scared her badly. What about me? Between her and the gushing blood I…”
    Tair shot her a big grin and arched an eyebrow as he waited.
    Kate changed words and said calmly, “…collapsed with fatigue.”
    Tair appeared to give her words some thought, very seriously. Then he said teasingly, “Now that I consider it, my choice of endearment is even more appropriate. You and Deva were both on the floor collapsed with fatigue when I arrived.”
    Kate sniffed and said primly, “Are we through with the annoying banter? I came in here for a reason. Your absence would be appreciated and highly enjoyed.”
    She moved and stood up gingerly. Her legs were shaky and she felt exhausted. This planet was not exactly a traveler’s dream. It was confusing and weird. She needed a shower and she needed to go to sleep again.
    Tair said gently, “Kate, Shimeria holds many wonders. Please do not judge too quickly.”
    She knew the blood was draining from her face. In a shaky voice, she demanded, “Tell me you did not just read my mind.”
    Tair winced at the unsteadiness of her voice. She had been pushed far enough. There was plenty of time for explanations later. In a careful voice, he said, “Under these circumstances, your thoughts are easily guessed.”
    Kate sensed an evasion somewhere but was too tired to protest or pursue it. With steadier legs, she moved toward the shower. As she walked, she ordered crisply, “Please leave. And take your little rat-dog, too.”
    He could always return, he reminded himself. He would know if she felt unwell again. She needed time alone. Tair picked up Deva and walked out of the bathroom. Heading down the hall, he put Deva in the kitchen next to her food, and then walked back to the bedroom. Lying down on the bed, he waited for Kate to return.
    * * * * *
    Kate leaned against the stall wall in the bathroom, with the warm vara washing over her body. Now that she was under it, she wondered how she could have ever mistaken it for blood. It was strangely slick and it felt amazingly refreshing. The liquid didn’t cling to her skin. Instead it flowed over her body, leaving her feeling clean and dry almost as soon as she stepped out from under it. She moved away from the wall again and marveled anew at the sensation of being dry almost at once.
    She chided herself inwardly for her foolishness. She had overreacted. The shower was not a nightmare but a pleasure. She was suffering from a combination of excessive emotion and exhaustion. Her wits had taken a vacation since she stepped through that portal. In the morning, she was going to take charge once and for all.
    Later, slipping into the bed in the darkened bedroom, she pulled up the covers and stared into blackness. Tair rolled toward her and wrapped his arm around her, bringing his whole body against hers, spooning. She went rigid in protest and muttered, “Get off me, will you?”
    There was no answer from him. He continued to hold her. After a full minute, she gave up, sighed, and enjoyed the warmth of his body against her back. Tomorrow, she would fight him. She would be back to her old self. And she would win.
    Tair tightened his arm in response to her thought. In a soft