Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy) by Loribelle Hunt

women, most
wearing the typical style of Delroi women. Some were dressed as priestesses
however, in beige combat pants and boots coupled with a typical style top in blood
red color. She hadn’t paid attention the previous night but realized she’d seen
them then, too. All of them were with a warrior, sometimes two. Vidar led her
to a table on the edge of the crowd.
    “I’ll grab us something,” he said before
walking away.
    Great. She tried to ignore it, but she
could feel people watching her. Feel their curiosity. Why would he choose such
a public place for this session? No one approached, though, and thankfully
Vidar was back in moments. He had sandwiches and bottles of water.
    “Are we meeting so openly so you don’t
have to talk?” she asked shrewdly.
    He took a big bite of his sandwich,
making it impossible to answer for a couple of minutes. Then he shrugged. “It’s
not in my nature, this thing Kaje wants me to do, especially with a woman.”
    “Perhaps it will be easier with me
because I’m woman,” she replied. “Also you know what I’ve been through.”
    “It’s horrible what was done to you, but
it isn’t the same,” he said softly.
    “No, but I understand what it is to feel
helpless,” she answered in the same low tone.
    He gave her a sharp look. “It is
something a warrior is unaccustomed to feeling.”
    She gave him a slight smile. “Neither
are telepaths with my level of power.”
    “I suppose not.” He paused. “How do you
make it stop, Parker?”
    She wished she had a good answer for
that. “Time. You talk about it. You don’t bottle it up or pretend it didn’t
happen. There is no magic solution.”
    He changed the subject, asking her about
Earth, mundane things about the land, people, food, whatever. She didn’t try to
steer him back to the reason for their meeting. She answered and picked at her
sandwich, eating about half of it. He scowled when she pushed it away.
    “You need to finish that.”
    “I’m not very hungry. I had a late
breakfast with Kareena and Zola before we went to the temple.”
    “Did
you know last night you were going to join?” , he wanted to
ask, but didn’t voice it. It didn’t matter, though because he’d accidently sent
the question mentally.
    “You’re
a telepath. Why didn’t you say anything?”
    “No
one knows. Before the attack I was just a sensitive. I don’t know what changed.”
    “Trauma,” she
responded, finally understanding the depth of the loss he felt. “You have excellent control.”
    “So the temple?” he asked. It was clear
he’d stonewall her about anything else. He was good at deflecting and she
didn’t have a right to push, did she? Besides he didn’t trust her enough yet
for him to allow her that close.
    “I decided this morning. The temple is
incredible,” she answered. “I can’t get over the size and age of this place.”
    “Are your friends joining?” he asked
much too casually, a hint of trepidation under it. What was his objection?
Would Kaje share it? And why the hell did she care?
    “Maybe. Why?”
    He shrugged. “The prophecy. We should
discuss this later with Kaje.”
    She knew about it and had no interest in
kick starting an old religion. But she understood there would be security
issues, especially during the upcoming celebration, and she needed the access
joining the temple would give her. She looked around the busy courtyard.
    “Are there are always this many warriors
in the Keep?”
    “No.”
    “So security has already been increased,”
she said softly.
    He nodded. “And will more before the
Rebirth Celebration.”
    She wondered how difficult it would be
for her, Kareena, and Zola to see those plans. The Delroi didn’t consult women
on military or safety issues, but they didn’t understand Tel the way their
guests did. Before she could ask, he gathered up his trash.
    “I’ll walk you back to your quarters
then I have to get to training.”
    “I can find my own way.”
    “I’ll