“We aren’t that bad,” Corinne denied, slipping her arm around Dayan’s narrow waist as Lisa rushed forward to Cullen’s side.
Cullen was sitting in a chair, a little pale, but looking stronger than Corinne had expected. There was something different about him. It took only moments, but when she glanced at Dayan he nodded imperceptibly. ‘Power recognizes power. He cannot do what we can do, but he walks partially in our world. He shares a mind merge with Barack.’
Corinne had known about it, Dayan had discussed it with her, but it was strange to her that she could see the difference in Cullen the moment she walked into the room. She touched his hand with gentle fingers. “I’m so sorry you were injured, Cullen, and that my heart was acting up at the same time. Poor Lisa and Dayan had to take the brunt of worrying about us. How are you feeling?”
“Like I could go dancing if anybody would give me the opportunity.”
“You shouldn’t rush yourself, Cullen,” Lisa said anxiously. “What’s the big hurry?” She laced her fingers through Cullen’s with one hand while pushing at his hair with the other.
“A man can’t very well ask a woman to marry him when he’s dressed in a bathrobe and hasn’t a proper ring. It isn’t done,” Cullen said.
Lisa looked at Corinne anxiously, as if she didn’t dare understand him. “I don’t think a woman would care one way or the other,” Lisa said carefully. “Were you planning to ask someone to marry you?”
“I wanted to ask someone,” Cullen admitted, “but she’s beautiful and famous and far too good for me. I could pull it off dressed up in formal attire with a candlelight dinner and a ring, but bathrobes do something to take away a man’s courage.”
Lisa stood there looking so helpless, Corinne wanted to gather her into her arms. Evidently, Cullen felt the same way. He pulled Lisa down onto his lap, his arms circling her body. “Lisa Wentworth, would you consider marrying me? Before you answer me, I want you to be aware I have enemies. We will spend time on the road, traveling with the band, and when we’re not, we will be hidden away in places like this. I can promise you I’ll work my best to get out of danger so we can live somewhere comfortably, but in the meantime, we will have to travel around in safety with the band.”
Lisa swept back her hair. “I want to be with you, Cullen. I’ll have to find a way to get out of my contract, but I’ll do it. I’ll find a way.”
“Barack and Syndil will help you with that,” Dayan said. “Let them go with you to take care of it. Barack is a superb businessman, and since Cullen cannot go with you, one of us should protect you and your interests.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Corinne said.
Lisa found herself nodding, blinking rapidly. Sometimes she felt as if she were falling forward into Dayan’s eyes when he stared directly at her. It was the craziest thing. And she always seemed to agree to things she wouldn’t ordinarily agree with. She looked at Cullen a little helplessly. “What do you think?”
“I think if I can’t go, Barack should go with you. He knows a lot about contracts, and if anyone can find a loophole, he’ll be able to. If you go, Lisa, you have to stay right with Barack and Syndil and do everything they tell you.”
‘Why does Barack have to go with Lisa? We should go, Dayan. She’s uncomfortable with this.’ Corinne objected.
‘She cannot rely solely on you, honey. Barack and Syndil will protect her from any members of the society who should be lurking around, and of course, either of them can easily persuade those holding her contract to let her out of it. Let her depend on Cullen and the others.’
“Syndil thinks I’ll have to hole up here for a few more days, but Lisa and I will join you before the first concert date,” Cullen promised. “I’d like to get married as soon as possible.” He looked up at Corinne. “Will you be terribly upset if we get married quickly? It would be dangerous to plan a large wedding with Lisa having such a famous name. It would draw the society members out for certain. I think we should do it in secret and then we can have a celebration with the band members. What do you think, Lisa?”