Read The Seer (Tellaran Series) for Free Online Page A

doesn’t work like that. I told you. And if you want me to help you, you’re going to have to tell me what you need me to do.”
    He huffed a sigh. "Fine. Part of our cover story is I never rose above Lieutenant. I left the fleet five years ago when we moved to Aylor. Can you remember that? Because it’s time to go."
    She frowned. "We? Our cover story?"
    "Yes, we . I'm Jolar Legan." He nodded toward the open door of the cell. "Your husband."

Five

     
    “Stop fidgeting,” Jolar hissed, his annoyance grating against her mind. “Damn it, what’s wrong with you?”
    Arissa gripped the arms of the seat, struggling not to give into panic. They had been on the transport for an agonizing half-hour already, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold herself together. “I just…” she said faintly. “I don’t like shuttles.”
    There was a pulse of dismay and then unexpectedly he softened. “Listen, just hang on, okay? We’ll be docking in a few minutes. There’s dozens of safety protocols the spaceport has to follow for a transport ship like this. This is safe.”
    “My parents’ shuttle was supposed to be safe,” she whispered hoarsely.
    Her stomach rolled, her face felt numb. Any moment she was going to bolt screaming for the door. Everyone onboard the shuttle would look. Jolar would be furious. Maybe angry enough to send her back to the cell. And then they’d—
    “Slow your breathing down. You’re hyperventilating.”
    “I can’t.” Her throat was closing. “The other people onboard—It’s too much. I can’t shut them out.”
    “All right.” He took her hand, his skin very warm. He leaned his head against hers to murmur in her ear. “Try this. Can you concentrate just on me?”
    She centered on him, so calm and confident beside her. He felt perfectly safe sitting here. She followed the pattern of his breathing, matching hers to his. Arissa felt her tense shoulders starting to fall.
    His thumb stroked the back of her hand. “That’s better.” His warm breath against the delicate skin of her ear made her shiver. “Just relax.”
    “Okay.” She closed her eyes. “Okay.”
    She felt a jolt of desire and his breath quickened against her ear.
    She met his eyes, blinking at him.
    His gaze was hot, hungry. He glanced at her mouth.
    Suddenly he jerked back and dropped her hand.
    Arissa directed her gaze straight ahead, still very aware of him beside her, the heat of his body, his still-quickened breath.
    “We’re docking,” he muttered, getting to his feet.
    The Queen’s Light’s pretty transport attendant hurried down the aisle to where he stood. She gave him a disapproving look. “Sir, for your safety, all passengers are requested to remain in their seats until the transport is fully docked.”
    He looked at her impatiently. “Even if the pilot’s too drunk to fuck these transports are set for automatic link. I’m fine.”
    The attendant blinked. Her sense made it plain she wasn’t used men dismissing her so brusquely.
    A few of the passengers looked scandalized by his language and sharp tone but one of the men across the aisle snickered.
    She was supposed to be his wife. He was adamant that no one doubt they were married.
    What would his wife do?
    “Jolar,” Arissa said softly, reaching toward him but too shy to touch. “Maybe you should sit down.”
    His disbelieving stare was his only response.
    She shifted awkwardly, her cheeks warm under the gaze of the other passengers and the attendant.
    Abruptly his nostrils flared and he fell into the seat next to her. He sprawled with his long legs stuck out and every line of his posture echoed the prickles of his annoyance.
    “Women,” the man across the aisle said jovially to Jolar as the attendant went back to her place.. “They keep us tethered pretty tight, don’t they?”
    Jolar’s gave the man a half-smile. “That’s the truth.” He gave her a narrow look. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, though.”
    Arissa turned