His Frost Maiden

by Michelle M. Pillow

  “And you saved Gretori Zothos’s daughter?”

  “Samantha. The Ticara cannot heal the dead, though Sam tried. She healed me and nearly killed herself trying to bring back Evangeline. I wasn’t sure what to do and was going to leave her where someone could find her and save her, but she begged me to take her away with me and told me how to get to my ship. Later I found out that I stole her from not only her coronation to be princess, where the Ticara take away the complete will of their women, but also her wedding to a man her father chose for her. My ship was to be her bride price to the Ticara lord.”

  Josselyn didn’t move. As he spoke, Evan kept glancing at her, his expression guarded and his tone flat like he talked about the technical makeup of the food simulator. “I saw Federation soldiers led by a betrayer kill my older brothers—Jonathan, Peter and Ralphe—and my father. I did not see the young Rainier die, but was told he fell. My only hope was to find my mother. Now I am alone. No one should have to see a loved one die before their time. I am sorry for your loss.” Josselyn blinked, clearing her throat. “What happened to you and Samantha?”

  “I sold everything I had, even the ship, so I could watch over Sam. For six months I tended her, hiding from Gretori Zothos’ scouts. She recovered and one by one we picked up the rest of our crew. Together we acquisitioned a ship.” Evan gave a soft smile. “Actually, Sam won it in a card game from a Kintok.”

  “A Kintok? The fetishists?” Josselyn looked around the plain room. There were some things everyone in the galaxy seemed to know about, but never discuss, no matter how isolated the planet. The Kintoks being sex traders was one of them. They’d stopped on her moon in their floating brothels and rumors of the things they did on their ships had been whispered into the hall long after they left. Her father would have gone berserk if he had known some of the things her maids told her. She couldn’t help it as she looked around the room, trying to see where the chains would come out of the walls, or where the hidden door leading to all the whips would be located.

  “A different ship,” Evan said.

  “Ah,” Josselyn gasped in relief. “I mean, of course. I didn’t think...”

  “Yes, you did.” Evan gave a small laugh.

  “You were saying, you picked up a crew,” she prompted.

  “Saved a crew is more like it. Me, Sam, Lucien, Viktor, Rick and Dev.”

  Josselyn envied this Samantha. The way Evan said her name, with such reverence made her ache to have someone think that fondly of her. “I should like to meet her.”

  “She’s not onboard this ship. She married Captain Jarek’s brother and lives the life of a princess.”

  Josselyn stood, suddenly thinking to understand his pain. Samantha, being a princess, had married according to her rank. Knowing a little something about arranged marriages herself, though never having gone through one, she placed a hand on his arm. He was a stranger to her, yet it seemed natural to try and comfort him.

  “What of Dev? Is he with you?”

  “Ah, Dev...” He paused. “Dev is a Belvon. Are you familiar with the race?”

  Josselyn shook her head in denial.

  “He has the look of an Earth culture demon.” Evan looked to where her hand touched him. His voice lowered. “He’s very large and often scares humanoids.”

  Josselyn bit the inside of her lip in worry. She had dealt with aliens, but those who looked fairly similar to her. Trying to push her irrational fear aside, she said, “That’s nice.”

  Evan gave her a bemused look. “Dev won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  “Are you offering to place me under your protection?” Josselyn whispered, surprised by the idea.

  “If you need it, though I am guessing by your tone that the word protection may have different implications to you than it does to me.”

  Josselyn frowned. He didn’t want her. Not that she could have agreed to such an arrangement. Or could she? It wasn’t like she had many options. When they stood close, he could have kissed her. She wasn’t sure if it was relief or disappointment she should be feeling. “I want to be alone now.”

  Evan nodded. He walked to the small, metal room and opened the door. “If you would like to bathe, this is a decontaminator. Run your hand over that wall to activate it. The lasers will do all the work. Mei has offered to find you some clothes, if you like.”

  Breeches? Like Mei wore? Josselyn’s eyes widened.

  “Just until we can find something more appropriate at the space port.” Evan didn’t look at her as he left her alone in the room.

  For a moment, Josselyn just sat in silence, staring first at the door from which he left, then at the decontaminator and finally her hands in her lap. Her gaze bore into her fingers, following each detailed line she could find like it was the most important thing in the world. A tear dripped onto her thumb, causing her to jerk violently. The pain she carried was too much and now that she was alone it came tumbling out in a stream of muffled sobs. Her body dropped onto the mattress, shaking uncontrollably. In this moment, trapped on a strange ship, surrounded by strangers, there was nothing to be done.

  Evan stood on the other side of the door. He waited for the calmness coming from within to break. Lady Josselyn was very controlled, more than most people he came across. Maybe that is what made him speak of Evangeline to her. He never spoke of his sister, not even to his closest friends. Then why did he tell her? Because she had lost her family? Because she was alone?

  Suddenly, a harsh wave of grief broke through the door, bombarding him so hard it felt as if his chest was ripped open. He grabbed his heart, his back sliding against the smooth, metal wall as he stumbled away from her. His own pain over the clear memory of his sister’s death, combined with Josselyn’s emotions, was too much.

  Evan fell to his knees, his hands shaking as he tried to crawl down the corridor. A loud thump sounded and he realized it was his head hitting the floor. His hands shaking, he clutched at his chest, rolling onto his back. Beneath his palms his heart pounded, slamming hard. And then, suddenly, it stopped.

  “Evan?” Mei’s cry sounded far away in his blackening world. “Evan, what happened? Jarek! Qing bang-zhu wo, ten nai. Help! Help...”

  Chapter 11

  Evan touched his chest as the beat of his heart quickened. He gripped tight, waiting for the pain to start up again. Two weeks had passed since he collapsed in the corridor and whenever Josselyn came near he worried that her grief over losing all her family would again make his heart stop. No one told her what had happened. Evan didn’t want her to know. Not only would it compound her guilt, but there was the risk to his health if she had any more emotional breaks. Besides, for her to discover that being near her had almost killed him would mean she’d discover he had psychic abilities. Life had taught him to be cautious with sharing his gift and he didn’t want her to know about that yet.

  The few times they had crossed paths, the encounters had been rushed and Evan nearly tripped over himself to get away from her. She seemed comfortable around most of the crew. Only Dev gave her pause, though she tried her best to be as polite to the Belvon as she was to the others. Evan gave Josselyn credit for that much because he felt her nervousness.

  “Evan?” Mei asked, her son sleeping in her arms as she rocked him. Since Evan’s incident, she’d been hovering around him in worry.

  The commons was quiet, except for the soft recording of a Lintianese lullaby drifting sweetly on the still air. The song was meant to make Parker fall asleep, but it worked on Rick, too. The pilot snoozed on the long couch, sprawled out at strange angles, one foot thrown up over the back and the other placed firmly on the floor. His arms bent over his head, framing his slack-jawed features.

  “I was just thinking that I should kick Rick out of my bed,” Evan said, nodding at the pilot to get Mei to stop scrutinizing his every expression.

  Mei chuckled. “I was surprised you even lasted one night sharing a room with him.”

  Rick snored lightly, adjusting on the couch
. He didn’t wake up.

  “I’m surprised myself,” Evan admitted, standing. Walking to the couch, he gently drew Rick’s arms down. Rick stayed sleeping, but the angle of his neck shifted enough that the snoring stopped. Evan continued talking to Mei, as he again took his seat. “I much prefer sleeping in the commons than bunking with... What did Rick call himself? The universally renowned instructor of ladies’ men? I swear he likes to sit up gabbing like a teenage Shandrot the night before her Announcement Party into Shandronian society.”

  Mei giggled. “That is bad. We had a shipload of diplomats’ daughters land once near my family’s palace to buy silk.”

  Evan’s heartbeat lurched and he cleared his throat in response. His body tightened, preparing for Josselyn’s appearance. Tension flooded his limbs, causing his whole body to stiffen no matter how relaxed he tried to appear.

  “Evan?” Mei’s concern was back, as if it had never left. “Are you well? Is it happening again?”

  “I’m fine.” Evan nodded, not so sure as he looked at the door. Josselyn appeared in the entryway, her face composed. She wore the same gown they found her in, mended by her own hand. Mei didn’t meet Josselyn’s gaze as the woman entered. The two didn’t have much to say to each other. Evan did his best not to read into it, but knew Mei was hurt by Josselyn’s refusal to wear the male style clothing she’d given her. And, oddly, the princess had been seen on several occasions in her fine silk gowns brought with her from her home planet. Mei was too short and slender to share the fine embroidered silk dresses with Josselyn, not that Evan suspected she would have. Today, the Lintianese princess wore tight black pants and a fitted crimson shirt more befitting a member of their crew. Jarek had purchased them for her on a fueling base.

  “Can we help you with something, my lady?” Mei asked, stroking her son’s cheek. Even though she didn’t look at Josselyn, Evan knew Mei’s attention was focused on the other woman.

  Evan stood, ready to leave.

  “Rick offered to take me to the Virtual Reality chamber.” Josselyn looked at the sleeping man. “Another time perhaps. I won’t disturb him.”

  “I can show you.” Evan wondered why he offered. Josselyn looked at him in surprise.

  “Evan, are you sure that’s wise?” Mei asked, not getting up from her chair. She adjusted her son in her arms. Josselyn’s sharp gaze moved to Mei. “It is only that Dev might be in there with Jackson. If they are fighting, you should not disturb them. Someone could get hurt.”

  It was an excuse. The “someone” Mei worried about was him.

  “Rick made arrangements with Dev,” Josselyn said. “They are not there today.”

  “It is fine, Mei,” Evan told her, giving her a meaningful nod to let her know he was all right. Then to Josselyn, he motioned toward the door. “My lady, shall we?”

  Perhaps it was the idea of her spending more time with Rick that caused him to offer to take her. Or that, despite his quickening heart, he wanted to be next to her. He thought about her often, knowing he shouldn’t get too close. But today her pain was less than it had been and Evan wanted to be near her.

  “Thank you, Evan, for taking me. I need off this ship. I am not used to such close confinement.” The strength of her words had grown in confidence as she practiced the star language they all used. “I miss my morning rides through the grassy valleys, watching the sunrise in brilliant magentas, the light growing and dancing.”

  Evan held his breath, tensing as he waited for her pain to roll inside him.

  She sighed heavily. “Did I upset you?”

  “No, no,” he cleared his throat. “Why would your need for space upset me? It’s not uncommon for those fresh to a spaceship to feel—”

  “Not that,” she gave a small laugh and for the briefest second joy spread throughout him. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

  “Have I?” he asked, knowing full and well that he had. Evan patted his chest. “I’ve been ill.”

  “Oh, I thought perhaps you were embarrassed to see me after sharing about your sister.” Josselyn stopped walking and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “I can tell you have no wish to speak on it again, but thank you for telling me. It helps knowing I am not the only one who has lost family.”

  The fingers touching him made the connection between them all the more real and potent. His skin tingled, forcing a jolt of lightening up his arm. He pulled away, unsure what would happen if that lightening reached his heart. The urge to hold her was strong. He wanted the feel of her against him, desired flesh to know flesh, eyes and lips to remain locked as he made love to her like he did in his dreams. Even if she succumbed to him, Evan doubted his health could take her reaching climax.

  But, what a way to die...

  “Rick is a good man and he likes you.” Evan grimaced. Why did he just say that?

  “Ah, thanks.” Her words were slow and she retracted her hand to her side. “You’re not one for small talk, are you? Or for graceful changes in conversation.”

  “The VR is this way.” Evan strode ahead of her, wanting to pound his head into the corridor wall.

  Stupid, space cadet. Stupid. Stupid.

  What was wrong with him? Here he was somehow babbling and tongue tied at the same time, walking next to the one woman who could kill him with just one bad emotional day, wanting to touch her and all the while trying to find the words to set her interest in Rick—of all people!

  Rick!

  She does seem to spend most of her time with the man, his mind rationalized. She does seem to enjoy his company and perhaps even understands him when he talks about his twentieth century Old Earth nonsense. Perhaps she is the one to break Rick’s part of the Lintianese curse.

  It would be just like a curse to let Rick break it first. Zhang An was probably enjoying this little premonition. Rick, the reason they were all destined to be obsessing and most likely alone, would be the one who found happiness while all his friends were left to rot in misery.

  Rick liked Josselyn. That was easy enough to see, even without Evan’s empathic powers. He attended her, talked softly and more respectfully to her than any woman Evan had ever seen. If she was the one for Rick, who was he to try and make advances? All he’d get out of the deal was a broken heart—literally.

  This is going well, Joss, Josselyn thought, eyeing the stiff, disagreeable man at her side. Sacrelue!

  What was his problem? First, he helps to rescue her, gives her his chambers, and tells her that heartbreaking story about his lost sister and lost love, only to ignore her for two weeks as if she were nothing more than cargo?

  Rick assured her that Evan was a kind, gentle, eloquent man. Josselyn resisted the urge to snort. The pilot couldn’t be talking about the disastrously brusque man at her side, could he? Or was Evan only cold toward her?

  And yet, over the last couple of weeks, as they flew through deep space toward a space port for refueling, she found excuse after excuse to be in his presence—only to watch him find an excuse to leave it. That was why his offer today to take her to the VR chamber had astounded her to the point of near speechlessness.

  I should turn my attentions to Rick, she thought. Hate the idea as she did, she knew her situation wasn’t the best. The crew on The Conqueror’s sense of duty toward her would only last for so long. She had no home, no family, no connections and most likely no money if Jack had tortured the treasury’s location out of someone in the Craven household. There would come a time when her best option would be to find herself in a man’s protection. Maybe that’s why Evan appealed to her. He didn’t seem to want her, so if he gave her protection it would come at a lower price. Or would that be a higher one since he’d need more convincing?

  Sacrelue! That’s a lie. I want his protection because I’m attracted to him. There is something about him and it’s not just the chocolate eyes or his low, steady voice. It’s the chills I get and the way he looks at me when I’m dreaming of him.

  If only he’d look at me like that when I was awak
e.

  “I am mad,” she whispered, knowing it was true. Only a crazy person would continually put themselves into the path of someone who wished to avoid them.

  “Excuse me?” Evan stopped near a door and glanced at her.

  “I didn’t speak,” she lied.

  “It is not madness to want to get away from this ship. Whenever you like, you can come here. See that light?” Evan pointed up to the top of the door. “Whenever it is lit, someone is running a program. Otherwise, it’s open for use. I recommend sneaking over whenever you see Jackson or Dev in the commons. It’s about the only time they give training a rest.”

  Josselyn followed Evan inside the empty chamber. She didn’t get him or his moods. Cold and hot seemed to flow through him like air, ever changing and unpredictable.

  White film covered the walls and the space was no larger than the bedchamber she slept in. Her gaze rolled over the length of the small room. Frowning, she said, “Rick indicated I would be able to ride here. There is no room.”

  “The program can follow you. The floor moves around a track when you walk, so you make it go as far as you like.” Evan closed the door.

  “But what if two people run in a different direction?” Josselyn looked around, doubtful.

  “The program follows each one, changing perception. Though, it does work best if the two stay close.” As the door closed, Evan faced her. “These rooms were originally designed for military exercise and training, though Viktor took the violence out of some of the programs. Dev, on the other hand, seems to enjoy putting the violence back in and overriding any safety protocols. Since he’s always in here sparring, you’ll need to make sure that is the first thing you check.” Raising his voice, he said, “Computer, basic control panel.”