“I spoke with Annora,” Brodin said. “She said that Poppy calmed her.”
Poppy stiffened. “I didn’t do anything.”
“She calmed my rage, as well. And two fighting men in the market.”
The healer gasped. “Are you sure?”
“I didn’t do a single thing except be nice.” Poppy tugged her hand free and glared at Brodin.
“I’m sorry, Poppy. I was angry and I was a gorr to you.” He cupped her cheek. “I said things I didn’t mean.”
She looked resolutely at Cassanra. “I wanted to ask if I can go to Zhalto.”
Brodin growled. All the healers in the room froze. “No.”
Poppy glared at him. “I wasn’t asking you.”
“In light of your collapse,” Cassanra said, lightly, “I don’t think that’s wise.”
Poppy’s shoulders drooped.
“I want to run more tests, but…” The healer’s voice faded away and she frowned, staring at Poppy.
Brodin scowled, the hackles on his neck rising. “What?”
“There hasn’t been one for centuries,” Cassanra said, softly. “Everyone believed that they’d died out.”
“Are you telling me what I think you are?” Brodin asked, certain he already knew the answer.
“I think Poppy is a runa.”
He stilled, the confirmation of his vague suspicion still a shock. “A wolf whisperer?”
Cassanra nodded.
“A runa?” Poppy said. “Like from the shadow show. The one who stopped the warring packs and rogues.”
“A special Damari who can soothe a wild wolf, calm them,” he said. “Many once lived among us. They were revered, and held places of honor among us.”
“But, why were they so special?” Poppy asked.
“They lowered the volatility and in-fighting,” Brodin said. “Since we lost them, we have to rely on strict control.”
Something flashed on her face. “And on the unwavering strength of the emperor to hold everyone in check.”
He nodded.
“They also lowered the rates of Damari turning rabha,” Cassanra said. “It was almost unheard of in the old records. Now, we have several cases a year.” She flicked a glance at Brodin.
And it fell to him to hunt and execute them.
“Like I said, I would like to run more tests, and go through the archives on runas. She needs rest and food for now. I’ll arrange—”
“I’ll take care of her.” He lifted Poppy into his arms.
Cassanra huffed. “She needs to be monitored—”
“I’ll do it.”
“I can stay here,” Poppy said, weakly struggling in his arms.
“You’re coming to my place.”
Poppy stayed silent as Brodin carried her into his huge, beautiful cabin.
Trying to ignore him, she eyed the huge fireplace. She wondered what it looked like when flames were crackling within. She’d add some greenery to the place, some plants or flowers, and some red accent cushions on the couch.
Stop decorating the man’s house.
He was bossy and overbearing. And she’d be leaving soon.
He strode up the stairs to the bedroom.
He set her on the bed.
“Get comfortable. I’ll bring you some food.”
He was gone, moving in that silent way of his. She settled against the mound of pillows, trying not to breath in Brodin’s scent.
The pain was gone, and she felt better now.
Was she a runa? She rubbed her temple. What did that even mean?
She wouldn’t be staying that long, but damn, the scientist in her wanted to know. Curiosity welled.
Soon, Brodin was back, carrying a tray, and delicious smells wafted her way.
“Osage broth, and some freshly baked caltha. There’s also a bowl of anata. The berries are good for you.” He set it down beside the bed.
Suddenly, she was starving. She scooted over and picked up the spoon.
“It smells so good.” She tried the soup and barely stifled a moan.
He looked very satisfied as she ate.
“Do you miss your planet?” he asked, after a few moments.
“Yes.” She swallowed a mouthful of the bread-like caltha. “I mean, a part of me is terrified knowing that there’s no way home.” A lump formed in her throat. “My employer, Nynatech, will no doubt keep testing the wormhole drive technology.” She shrugged a shoulder. “But realistically, it’ll be decades before they can perfect it. If ever.”
“Your family?” He touched her hand.
God, she could feel the heat pumping off his skin.
“Just my parents.” A sad smile crossed her face. “They’ll be sad, but I left home a long time ago. I went to high school and university early, and never went back to the farm. My poor parents are lovely, small-town folk. They didn’t understand a young daughter who craved stimulation, and loved quadratic equations and string theory.”
“You didn’t fit.”
She gave a small laugh. “I’ve never fit anywhere. Enough about me.” She hesitated. “You said your mother died.”
He stilled, and his face shut down.
Poppy froze. “Sorry, forget I said anything—”
“My mother and stepfather died suddenly, several years ago. It was an accident in the forest. A landslide caught them.”
“Brodin, I’m sorry.” Poppy touched him, then snatched her hand away.
He caught her fingers and pulled her hand back.
“What if I accidentally do my voodoo on you?”
He cocked a brow. “Voodoo?”
“Weird magic.”
“It’s okay, Poppy.”
Slowly, her fingers unfurled, and she pressed her palm to his bicep.
“So, your biological father…”
Brodin gave a harsh laugh. “King Zavir Sarkany. The most power-hungry, tyrannical man in five systems.” Brodin exhaled softly. “The Sarkany System has five planets orbiting a red giant sun. You already know that the Radiance cut through the system centuries ago. The closest planet, Andret, was decimated. The atmosphere was ripped away during the flare, and the people killed.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Rhain’s planet, Zhalto, had a strong magnetic field. It offered them some protection, but the Zhaltons were irradiated. The people were changed, and they adapted to use the charged energy particles in the magnetic field. They can charge weapons and equipment, generate energy pulses.”
She gasped. “That’s incredible. I’d love to study their biology.”
He smiled. “Of course, you would.” He paused. “Mal has developed the ability to use Zhalto’s magnetic field.”
Poppy gasped.
“She’s very good at it. Powerful.”
“Holy cow.” The thought was incredible.
“On Damar, millions died,” he continued.
Poppy sucked in a breath.
“The planet was covered in wild damar-wolves. There are still many packs today. They’re a sleek, small wolf. The Radiance caused a mutation that started here in Accalia. Damari and damar-wolves were somehow combined, causing the Damari infection. No one remembers exactly how it happened. It was a turbulent time, and records are sparse.”