Free Conri by Kerryn Bryant Page A

going to start this
conversation when there is a family celebrating new life in there. Plus there
are onlookers.”
    Someone cleared their throat but Conri’s eyes were for
her only. “Shall we discuss this in my chambers?” Sarai’s blood flowed through
her veins like lava. The idea of being alone with him inside his room burned
deep within.
    “I...”
    “I think we have somewhere we need to be.” Stella
whispered, loudly, to Core.
    Luke nodded, in response to Stella or just in general
Sarai didn’t know, but he held is hand out for Lilly and she accepted. When the
room was empty Sarai found her voice. “I don’t know if that is a good idea.”
    “I will not do anything until you have spoken your
peace.”
    Sarai threw her head back in frustration, which kind
of frustration she refused to acknowledge, but when she looked forward she
nodded.

 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

 
 
    Conri gently closed the door behind them and crossed
the room in a few steps. Sarai found a comfortable chair and sunk into it as
Conri tended a wood burning fire. He stood, brushed his hands and turned.
    “What?” Sarai asked when he turned statue, his eyes
locked on her, a muscle worked in his jaw.
    “Nothing,” he said as he sat in the seat next to her.
“What is on your mind?”
    Sarai turned in her seat and let it loose. “Your
people bow to me.” She held up a hand, “And I do not mean Dahne. He was just
the first the do it so openly. When other females, women... whatever, when they
pass me and they think I can’t see them- they curtsey. For the past month your elite
shoulders will not eat until I do. I noticed a few started doing that two months ago, but now they all do. Darma comes to me
for medical advice when I know she is capable. Lilly... well
never mind on that.”
    Sarai sighed and put her elbows on her knees. “I have
heard whispers that I ignore. And NOW, my best friend tells me she wants to be
mated to Flynn. But see, she’s human and I know Flynn can’t turn her.”
    “And how do you know that?” Conri asks, ignoring the
rest.
    “Because when Kellen attacked me,” Sarai glanced away
when Conri cringed. “He told me that males cannot bite human females, it will
kill them. So how is it supposed to work? Stella ages normally while Flynn plays
catch-up for a century?”
    “He was not fully honest with you.”
    “What?”
    Conri sighed and steepled his hands
under his chin. “A male can not give the Rite to a human female. It will
indeed kill the human female, that part was true. But what he didn’t tell you
was that a female leopard can give the Rite and the human female will survive.”
Sarai knew her jaw dropped. “And I am aware of many things. First I know Lilly has
been training you against my request. I have decided not to deal with her...”
    “No, please- don’t. It gives me something to do
and...” Conri put his hand up and Sarai fell silent. When he spoke again his
voice was gentle.
    “I know how much you enjoy it. I have seen you working
with her and you are a natural; very graceful in your moves.   And Lilly told me how much you love it. I do
not wish to take that away from you. As for the other matters...” Conri stood
up and walked to a wall that was covered by a heavy drape. He wrapped his
fingers around the edge and Sarai noticed they trembled. He pulled and the
drape fell away as if it was being held up by just a thought. Sarai gasped.
    “This was my mate. She died in the birthing chambers.
She took our cub with her. As you can see you bear some resemblance.”
    “She could be my sister.” Sarai looked at the female,
her features were different, but there was a small resemblance there. And the
portrait had captured the female sitting in the same chair Sarai was now
occupying.
    “Yes. And Lilly, Lilly is, or was, her born sister.”
    Sarai’s hand flew to her mouth, “She said nothing of
it.”
    “She would not. She took the loss as hard as I did.
She was very close to her sister.”