Free Untamable Lover (Worlds of Lemuria: Earth Colony Book 2) by Rosalie Redd Page B

hurting…that’s understandable.” She focused on Leon. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
    Leon thrust his arms into the air, pushing Saar away. He turned his attention to Aramie. “It’s your fault she’s gone. You’ll pay for this.” Spittle flew from his mouth.
    “I’m sure I will, but right now, I have to see Gaetan.” With her head held high, she walked past the distraught male and raced down the hallway. Her heart filled with conviction, causing her chest to ache. She’d make sure Ram paid for killing her sister and Kitani. The bulge in her pocket pressed against her thigh, and the need to get the sacred stone to Gaetan burned in her raw throat.  
    *****
    “Gaetan.”
    “Aramie, it’s good to see you again.” Gaetan gripped her hand between his warm palms. His scrutinizing gaze roamed her face. “Come, sit down.” 
    Releasing her hand, he grabbed his cane that leaned against the edge of the counter. He sat on his stool, the wood groaning under his weight. With tender care he rubbed his misshapen leg, and the dark marking that ran down his arm and into his hand moved eerily in the light.
    The scent of cleaning fluid masked the smell of blood and sweat. Scalpels, scissors, tape, and gauze were scattered across the countertop, some partially covered by a towel. 
    “I don’t have time. I…We…” Her voice wavered, and she pursed her lips.
    “I can tell you have something important to say. It will be easier if you relax.” He motioned to one of the examinations tables.
    She sat on the nearest one, her feet dangling over the edge. Adrenaline raced along her nerves, and a wall of pain threatened near her heart. She kicked her legs back and forth, anything to burn off some of her energy—and stave off her grief.
    A sad smile crept across his face. “What brings you to visit me?” 
     “I found the blue sunstone.” With shaky hands, she pulled the sacred crystal from the pocket of her damp pants. The room lit up with an eerie glow.
    Gaetan gasped and stood faster than she imagined possible. His stool crashed against the stone floor. “How? Where?”
    “Blue Pool is real. The crystal was in a small cave underneath the dry waterfall. We found it—” She choked on the words. Her sister had sacrificed her life for this stone. Tears welled in Aramie’s eyes, and she glanced at the floor. 
    Sidea would never take another breath, would never laugh, would never shed another tear. There wasn’t anything Aramie could do to bring her back. A sob broke through Aramie’s control, wracking her body.
    Gaetan squeezed her shoulder, his hand warm and soothing. “Tell me.” 
    She peered into his eyes. Like an old sage, comfort and experience with loss were evident in the wrinkles in his brow and around his eyes.
    “Sidea—” She bit her lip to stop the quiver.
    Gaetan pulled her into an embrace and rubbed her back with his strong hand. “I’m sorry for your loss.” 
    He released her, yet the warmth he’d provided still lingered. Her mind fogged with grief, her chest so tight, she wanted to scream. She slid off the exam table and walked over to the cabinet. A myriad of bottles lined the shelves, some with elixirs, some with herbs, others with different colors of sunstones from opaque to orange to deep red. She studied her nails, the edges ragged from her attempts to grab hold of the rocks as she’d tossed and turned in the current before she’d lost consciousness. 
    “Do you want to talk about it?” Gaetan’s encouraging words brought her back to the present.
    She nodded. “While I retrieved the sunstone, Gossum attacked our party. Ram—” Her breath caught in her throat. She turned to face Gaetan. “He’s still alive.”
    “That’s…not possible. Noeh killed him.”
    “There’s no doubt in my mind. Ram lives.”
    “He killed your sister.” Gaetan whispered.
    “And Kitani. I can’t believe they’re gone.” A storm brewed inside, her grief fueling her need for