Free Icarus Unbound by Bernadette Gardner Page B

to hell he would before I lose my mind. He's torturing me, Odan, and I don't understand why."
    Odan smiled enigmatically, which did nothing to ease Lara's frustrations. "Ask yourself, Lara, is it really torture to belong to Jaran?"
    Before she could form a coherent response, Odan stepped back and leapt into the air. She watched him soar away in the warm afternoon breeze and cursed him in her frustration just as she had his brother.
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    78

    Icarus Unbound
    by Bernadette Gardner

Chapter Eight
    He was reading when she arrived. Taking cues from the personal touches Lara had added to the generic decor of her bungalow, Jaran had requested some changes to his own sparse chambers.
    He'd swapped out the bed for a more traditional Icarian sleeping pallet. The fresh alor fibers smelled wonderful. He'd added more storage nets and a privacy screen to divide the room, making it seem smaller and more intimate. The place smelled of freshly cut fruit, specifically the varieties Lara's botany team had developed, and he'd dimmed half the sconces which also served to make his expansive private quarters seems more cozy.
    Her expression changed the moment she strolled through the entranceway dressed in her usual uniform of a light-colored shirt and short pants. He would have commented on her deliberately disobeying his decree to leave her clothing at her bungalow, but the look on her face dispelled any annoyance he might have felt. Astonishment replaced the usual sardonic lift of her brows, and her mouth dropped open in what he hoped was awe.
    "Now maybe you'll feel more at home here," he said, spreading his arms to indicate his accomplishments.
    Still silent, she let her gaze wander the room. Jaran eyed her outfit and grudgingly admitted the thin clothing didn't diminish her beauty, even if he preferred she hadn't worn it.
    He didn't expect her to obey his every command, yet, but at 79

    Icarus Unbound
    by Bernadette Gardner
    least she'd shown up and now managed to look impressed by the work he'd done.
    "It's very nice."
    "Nice?"
    "Yes. It's definitely homier."
    "I did this for you."
    "I ... appreciate it." Her voice betrayed her true feelings.
    She sounded more puzzled than grateful.
    "We should learn to please each other if we're going to make this union work."
    "I ... yes. I agree. And as far as making this work, we need to talk." She crossed the room slowly, approached the bed and ran a hand over the soft alor fibers.
    All Jaran wanted at this moment was to see her lying naked on the pallet, waiting for him and prepared to indulge his every desire.
    Instead she wanted to talk.
    He didn't let her see him roll his eyes. "What about?"
    "Did Odan come to see you today?"
    "My brother worries too much. I'm sure he told you the requirements for dismissal. You don't meet them."
    "He told me everyone agrees I have not made a valuable contribution to Icarian society."
    "And clearly everyone is wrong."
    "But they're not. I mean, the work I've done has helped with food production and ocean maintenance, but I see the point they're making. Those things were necessary because of the changes caused by the breeding program, increased population, pollution from the space shuttles. I helped solve 80

    Icarus Unbound
    by Bernadette Gardner
    problems that were caused by human influence on Icarus. I need to do something an Icarian would have done if there were no humans here."
    Jaran stared at her. His symbion wanted release, and it was becoming harder to deny the beast on his back, but he understood Lara's concerns. "What do you suggest?" he asked, stepping closer to her. The sweet scent of her skin worked its way to his brain. His fingers itched to touch her and peel off the concealing layers in which she'd bound herself.
    "I don't know yet. Odan said he would help me come up with something."
    Jaran's blood cooled by a degree. Fortunately, he'd mated Odan to Jehri at his brother's request or he might have cause to be jealous right now.