The Swords of Gregara - Jenala, a sci-fi romance by Cynthia Woolf Read Free Book Online Page A

damaged and weakened.   Lottie’s barn had not fared as well.   The blasters had taken out some of the supports and the roof had collapsed inward.   They ran inside the house and Santro shut off the alarm.   He touched her arm then took out his ear plugs.   Jenala followed suit.
    “They covered their tracks well.   Do you suppose they were searching for the mine entrance or for us?” asked Jenala.
    “My guess would be for the mine entrance.   As dishonorable as Zlaten is, I don’t believe he would try to use a blaster to kill us.   Seeing as blasters are illegal here, I’m surprised he would have one.   Though I don’t suppose I should be.   We both have kalcion swords made by the Nerutas.   He has seen both of us in action and knows that blasters would be useless against us given our skill.”
    “True.   Too bad Lottie wasn’t home.   She would have protected her barn from them.   I guess our work tomorrow will be to repair or rebuild the barn,” she said.   “I’ll have to assess it in the daylight.   Perhaps it’s not as bad as it looks in the dark.”
    It was worse.   Only three of the support beams for the roof were intact.   Two in the front and one in the back of the building kept the roof from total collapse.   They would have to try and salvage what they could, but if they were to repair it completely, they would have to go to town and get more wood.
    “That was his plan.   He’d get us away from the house and he can search it at his leisure.   No quick raids in the dark, but a thorough, systematic search for the mine.   How long has he been in the valley?”
    “My father was killed six months ago.   He’s been camping in the valley almost ever since.    I keep wondering what he’s waiting for.   He stays away because of Lottie, but in town, he caught me by surprise in that alley.   Caught me without Lottie.”
    Santro thought about it for a moment.   “He’s been searching the valley for the mine.   It never occurred to him until he could find it nowhere else that the mine entrance might be in one of the buildings on this bluff.   Obviously, he started with Lottie’s barn and then tried the house.   Might have made it in, had it not been for the alarm he triggered.”
    “But he didn’t.   Thank you for that.”
    “That’s what I’m here for.   To help you in any way I can.”
    “I thought you only wanted to kill Zlaten.”
    He looked at her hard.   “My priorities have changed.”
    “Oh.”   She looked at her feet.   “I see.”
    “No, I don’t think you do.   I want you Jenala,” he closed the gap between them.   “I know that my appearance is not repugnant to you.   I would claim you if that is your preference.”
    “You would.”   Jenala didn’t know whether to be flattered or pissed off.   “Just so you can have sex with me?”
    “Yes.   No.   It is not only to have sex with you.   I have never wanted anyone the way I want you.”
    “Santro.   I am not for claiming.   I will marry, as my parents did or nothing.   There is no claiming.   We have a long winter ahead.   If this is a problem for you, then perhaps you should leave now.”
    Santro backed up a step.   “I am not leaving.   I accept your proposal.”
    “You what?   You accept my…my what?”
    “Your proposal of marriage.   I accept.”
    “You’re crazy.   I didn’t propose.”
    “Ah, but you did.   You said you will marry or nothing.   Since I’m not leaving and you won’t be claimed, marrying is the only solution which you proposed.   Therefore, we will marry.”
    “No, we won’t.”
    “Jenala,” he said, taking her hands in his.   “We would be very good together.   We have common interests and goals.   You know that I’m not marrying you for your mine, I’m a very wealthy man.   You don’t find my scar or lack of eye off putting and I find your use of a sword very attractive indeed.   Actually, I admire you very much.”
    She was