Merinus had been right, though. The bath did seem to ease the building heat that had already begun tormenting her. Of course, Roni opted for a cold bath, shivering in the coolest water she could stand on her skin and gradually adding more until it became tolerable.
The bathroom was a dream. Italian marble floors, a porcelain sink set in a cherry cabinet. In the center of the room was a large sunken tub big enough for three grown people. A shower was set in a far corner.
Against the wall opposite the door was a sky-blue print Queen Anne chair, and beside it, an antique cherry table. Cabinets were set within the walls, and decorative nooks held a variety of expensive knick-knacks. It was opulent and comfortable at the same time. And unlike anything Roni had ever experienced.
When she felt as though she could stand to walk without being fucked first, she got out of the large tub, dried her hair and hurriedly dressed in the long gown and robe the other woman had provided. There were no panties, but she didn’t want to tempt her luck at this point by allowing anything to touch her overly sensitive cunt.
Dinner came next. It was waiting on her in the sitting room, on the small glass table positioned beside the sliding balcony doors. It was a light meal and Merinus stood guard over her every second, making certai
n she finished it before covering the tray and then sitting back in the chair and watching her silently.
“Okay, answers,” Roni reminded her. “What did he do to me and how do I get rid of it?” The answers better come fast too, she thought, because the small contractions in her womb were about to drive her crazy.
“Conception.” Roni froze at the other woman’s words. “It’s the only thing that stills the heat. But you won’t be free of Taber, even then. Nature is a little smarter than we’ve given her credit for here. You and Taber will never be able to separate. You’ll always be a part of him, through the child you conceive as well as the hormone that will never completely leave your body. You’re his mate. Forever.” Roni stared at the other woman for a long, silent minute. If Merinus didn’t look so serious, Roni would have laughed in her face. Unfortunately, this just didn’t feel like a good time to find amusement in a situation rapidly bordering nightmare quality.
“Like hell I am.” Roni jumped to her feet, paying little attention to the chair that flew out behind her, turning over on the carpeted floor.
This was not good. She stared at Merinus’ calm expression, feeling panic well inside her as the other woman watched her almost pityingly.
“Roni, you need to understand…”
“No, you need to understand,” she retorted furiously as she pushed her fingers desperately though her hair. “I did not ask for this. I didn’t ask him to leave this stupid mark on me and I sure as hell didn’t ask him to kiss me. I won’t accept this.”
A child? She had to get pregnant first? Bring a baby into the world that would have every mercenary and low life criminal looking to steal it. To take it from her arms and turn it over to a group of monsters who would do only God knew what to it.
Horror welled up within her as her hands pressed against her stomach and her mind fought to reject any such conclusion. She couldn’t do it. God help her, she wouldn’t survive it.
“Roni, denying it won’t help.” Merinus came slowly to her feet. “I’ve been where you are. I know how confused you are and how pissed you are. But they didn’t ask for this, either. Not in any way. You can work this out with Taber.”
Roni stared up at her unblinking. She could feel hysteria building inside her mind as she fought to accept what she considered the unacceptable.
“Workwhat out with him?” she finally snarled furiously. “Spread my legs so he can knock me up and leave again? Oh yeah, let’s talk about that one. His track record sucks, Merinus, and I’m not willing to face the consequences of this alone. And sure as hell not with a child whose very existence will be in danger from the moment it’s conceived.”
Merinus frowned. “Taber would never leave you, Roni.”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. Merinus looked so sincere, so very certain of Taber’s honor, that it was all she could do. “So tell me, Merinus, how did I get this mark? Where the hell has he been the last year or so?”
“Taber didn’t know about the mark…”
“So they can mark whoever they want to and then like any old tomcat just jump and run to the next.” Roni clenched her fists as her fury nearly overwhelmed her.
“Roni, you have to understand…” Merinus tried again.
“Wrong.” Roni’s hand slashed through the air as she rejected Merinus’ plea. “I don’t have to understand shit, Merinus. This is my life. Any child conceived will be mine. I won’t let him do this to me. And I sure as hell won’t let him get me pregnant and then decide he needs someone who is more woman than I am again.”
The thought of Taber touching another woman made her insane with grief.
“Roni, Taber wouldn’t do that,” Merinus protested. “You will be protected and your child even more so.”
Roni snorted in disbelief.
“Callan might be more of a man than that, Merinus, but I’ve seen Taber’s work first hand. No thanks.
No babies. No Taber. Where the hell am I and how do I get home?”
“What home?” Taber’s voice, pitched low and furious, growled from the doorway. “It was burned to the ground before we ever landed here at the estate. Looks like you’re stuck with the tomcat, baby.” Chapter Twelve
“Taber!” Merinus’ voice was distant, though the thread of shock was readily apparent. “That was uncalled for.”