Varian grimaced at the challenging grin on Tristan’s face and stalked out. In his quarters, Varian threw his body on his wide bed. What did it matter how he felt? He was cognizant of too many detrimental facts. He could enjoy and protect Jana only if she was with him; and he couldn’t keep a mistress aboard a starship, especially such a distracting one! Neither could he leave her at his home or in a private location to visit as frequently as time and duty allowed; discovery and danger from an enemy were too great. A man in his position couldn’t afford to reveal any kind of weakness which could be exploited. Besides Ryker Triloni, Kadim Maal Triloni, Supreme Ruler Jurad Tabriz and his son Prince Taemin, many other rivals lengthened his threat list.
Varian knew he could have Jana only if he resigned his command, defeated all of his enemies, and remained close at hand, which he could not. Nor could he hold her captive or stall her auction for years. He could be slain in the line of duty; then what would happen to her when his estate went to the only surviving Saar blood heir: Ryker? Unaccustomed to defeat or helplessness, he was stormed by frustration and fury. Worse, Jana was making it harder on him with her offers of surrender. Her spells were just as irresistible as Shara’s had been for his father, without using secret herbs and hypnotic potions from the “black arts!” Someone would pay for his misery and sacrifices: Ryker Triloni!
In the Maffei Galaxy, Canissia Garthon stared at the publicity pictures of Jana Greyson. The other captives did not interest her. Her body trembled with jealousy. Her hands grasped the pictures and crumpled them, one by one. Promotion about this exquisite Earthling captive was widely circulated; gossip about the alien creature filled her ears at every stop she made. Jokes blossomed like wildflowers about Varian’s good fortune in spending weeks with this beauty before her sale to another man, which all doubted would take place!
Never had an alien captive received so much publicity and public attention. Men talked as if this Jana Greyson were a real goddess. It seemed that they all planned to attend the auctions just for a peek at her. Many of them had already decided to bid on her. Millions of katoogas were being discussed as the opening bid. In the next breath, those men declared Varian Saar would never allow them to outbid him. Canissia raged over this rival. She needed to find a way to get rid of Jana as quickly as possible.
She was anxiously awaiting the Wanderlust’s arrival at the planet Auriga, the third planet on Varian’s preannounced schedule. On the first two stops, Varian and his security team would be on full alert for his foes. Canissia decided it was best if she did not expose her surveillance to her former lover. On Auriga, her spy would have a full report on this alien enchantress. If Jana had captured Varian’s eye, she would be sorry in many ways. Surely Varian Saar would never buy a mate, no matter how beautiful and intelligent? If he did, it would become a race to see who would slay his heart’s desire first! The choices were many: herself, Ryker, Jurad, Maal, and others.
A wicked grin distorted Canissia’s face as a malicious idea came to mind. Getting rid of this golden temptress might be simple, if she showed this publicity to Supreme Ruler Jurad and his son Prince Taemin. Why shouldn’t they be tempted to take possession of Varian’s enchantress? After all, Galen Saar—Varian and Ryker Triloni’s father—had taken possession of Jurad’s enchantress. No matter if the handsome and virile Galen was innocent of treachery and enticement, Princess Shara had surrendered herself totally to him, including her sanity and life. Galen’s son’s golden-haired, green-eyed enchantress would be the perfect replacement for the deceased Shara, Canissia decided.
First, she had to figure a way for Jurad or Taemin to bid on Jana, as they were not Maffeian citizens. The Pyropean capital planet of Cenza was far away; it was the perfect place for Jana to live, or exist, as the case might be if the evil prince purchased her. Of course, the sadistic redhead speculated, she could send her ship’s captain and current lover Zan Rima to relate this suggestion to the neighboring rulers. Jurad or Taemin could then provide Zan with the appropriate funds to buy Jana. Once the ravishing Earthling vanished, who would be the wiser to her location and fate?
As for Ryker, he probably knew about Varian’s trek by now. Perhaps she should have told him about it. Ryker Triloni was evil and unpredictable; there was no telling how this information would affect the vengeful prince on Darkar.
Zan was even now away on an errand for his beloved enchantress. Thoughts of Varian and Ryker enflamed her passions, while memories of their stinging rejections provoked her evil urges. She summoned two members of her all-male crew, a blond and an ebony-haired male who were both muscular and very tall, one to fill in for each Saar. What Zan didn’t know couldn’t cause trouble. If he did, she would rid herself of him. She pretended to discuss their next voyage while she served them a special wine, a drink laced with the potion provided by Ryker: the blend of a strong hypnotic drug and a powerful aphrodisiac. She waited suspensefully for the chemicals, whose spells would not be remembered, to take effect.
When Canissia knew the two entranced men were under her control, she ordered them to strip and lie upon her bed. She eyed the proof of their immense hunger for sex which would take hours to appease. She eagerly ripped off her garments and joined them.
On Darkar in the secret complex of Trilabs, Ryker was speaking with Moloch Shira, a man from the planet Thule in the Maffei Galaxy who bore a bitter grudge against Ryker’s half brother. “Varian will be on alert at his first stop, Moloch. Be careful. When you retrieve the report from my agent aboard his ship, I’ll be nearby. After you deliver it and I see what’s really going on aboard his ship with that alien bitch, I’ll give you a report to pass to my agent when they stop on Thule. Since that’s your home, it won’t look suspicious for you to be seen there. I might need you to do another favor for me after I read that report…”
“Anything, Ryker, just help me destroy that bastard who ruined my career in the Star Fleet,” Moloch said, forgetting it was his own drunkenness which caused a tragic space accident, resulting in his banishment from the Alliance Force. “I swear, no one will know there’s a connection between me and you. And remember you promised to hand Canissia Garthon over to me as a reward. By the time this matter is settled, I’ll have that secret room all ready for her.”
“When the time comes, Moloch, I’ll make sure you have Canissia all to yourself for as long as you wish. In fact, I would appreciate it if she doesn’t ever see the light of day again. I can provide certain drugs to end your fun cleanly and painlessly, and a few to make your amusement more enjoyable.”
“I don’t want her end to be painless or quick. I want her at my mercy.”
Ryker smiled in agreement. “Then I have several drugs which will interest you. I’ll deliver them when I deliver that treacherous bitch to you.”
When Moloch left and Ryker’s mistress joined him, she questioned his laughter. “Such gullibility and ignorance, Precious. He’ll never see death coming, nor will Canissia.” Ryker reached for his mistress and deftly removed her lab coat and other garments. He began to lavish attention on her supple breasts as his hand worked below.
She moaned and swayed as she watched him pleasure her, but asked, “What do you think of that female on Varian’s ship? I was spying on you two.”
Ryker watched her. “What do you mean?” He pressed her to the floor and trailed kisses over the length of her fiery body.
“She’s beautiful, and you know who she favors! Do you plan to get your hands on her? Then what will you do with her?” she demanded, as if he had answered her previous question affirmatively.
Ryker fondled her breasts, almost painfully nibbling on her peaks. He teased, “I bet Varian is squirming day and night with Princess Shara’s image aboard his ship. I wonder if Jana has the same effect on him as my mother, a ravishing Androas princess, had on his father?”
Jana leisurely bathed and selected her garment for dinner. She laid the red silk jumpsuit on her bed. Clad in a satin wrapper and panties, she stood before the mirror, br
ushing her long hair.
The door swished open to her bathroom and Varian mounted the steps. Their gazes met and locked in the mirror. Neither spoke nor moved for a time. Finally, Jana turned and looked up into his bronzed face. “I don’t know what I did this afternoon, but I’m sorry for provoking you. For some curious reason, I always seem to rub you the wrong way. I never know how to behave correctly around you. If you’ll just explain the rules to me, I’ll try my best not to antagonize you again.” Her eyes watered and she lowered her head as she continued, “I suppose this crazy situation would be easier to deal with if I didn’t find you so damn irresistible…and so damn unattainable! Maybe I have been playing the wanton. No matter, I think it’s time I stop behaving like an ass or a child, because you can’t stand me, and I can’t seem to ignore you. Why did you have to be the captain of this starship?”
Jana looked up at him and moved her finger over his lips. “I wish I didn’t know…I wish there hadn’t been any contact between us. You’ll be an impossible act to follow. Tell me, Varian, how do I end this painful hostility and trouble between us?”
This was not the scene he had envisioned before his arrival. He had come to apologize and make a truce. Those plans vanished. Varian’s fingers grasped her chin and his thumb caressed her lower lip. “It’s really very simple, little moonbeam, ” he whispered in an emotion-laced voice. “Just prevent me from wanting you beyond control and reason. There are things you don’t know and can’t understand, Jana, things which cannot be changed. I do find you perilously desirable. But I must not take you as a mistress and I cannot take you as a mate. I get angry because your potent allure makes it harder on me. You’re so beautiful that I keep forgetting how innocent you are. I forget you aren’t a free woman and I’m not a free man; you don’t have the right to surrender to me, and I don’t have the right to seduce you.”
Varian gazed deeply into her troubled eyes as one tear rolled down her cheek. “For both our sakes, Jana, never yield to me, never. If you do, I swear I’ll place you at the top of my list of adversaries.” He snapped a gold bracelet on her wrist. “It’s two days late, but happy birthday, moonbeam. I’m truly sorry that friendship has been so difficult between us. From now on, I’ll try my damnedest to control my temper. Beware of me, Jana; I can hurt you deeply without meaning to do so.” He kissed her hungrily, then departed as she sagged weakly against the vanity.
PART II
Stardust and Shadows
As the playful Gods gather to watch mortals below, The helpless Fates warn sadly for only they know: Casting out “Stardust” demands love and life; Fleeing its “Shadows” creates bitter strife…
Chapter Nine
Jana felt dizzy. Her veins coursed with fiery desire while tremors swept over her flushed body. She ached to embrace him, to kiss him greedily, to make love to him without shame or inhibition. His eyes and voice had exposed remorse, anger, frustration, and passion. If he was so wealthy and powerful and found her so desirable, what terrible obstacle stood between them? What awesome demand had fate placed on his shoulders? What haunting burden did this man carry?
She knew now that she would freely and eagerly surrender her body and soul to Varian’s loving assault, even if she could have him for only a short time. For once they were parted, there would be no second chance to weigh their feelings.
Varian Saar stood at the transascreen in his quarters staring out into space without absorbing the immense view. The fated day would strike when they eased into parking orbit at Zamarra. The charl’s training period was complete; the climax to his cover mission was about to begin with the first auction tomorrow. During the night, his ship would reach the Maffei Galaxy. The flood of relief which he had expected to engulf him did not take place. The info tapes were locked in Varian’s safe, one which would self-destruct if anyone tampered with it.
On Zamarra, Varian would set his primary assignment into motion, secretly passing a top-secret tape to the first of thirteen avatars, the tapes that would inform them that the Milky Way Galaxy was in danger. Any attempt to destroy or divert the enormous meteor must be kept from their enemies—Ryker and Kadim Maal and Supreme Ruler Jurad—at all costs. Those leaders would be tempted to enslave and kill countless Earthlings and Uranians, and more likely attack the Maffei Alliance while its best starships were away on a mission to save Earth. And once he displayed Jana to whet appetites, and to cover the reason for his meetings with Planetary rulers, her new course would be under way. Once she was traveling it, there would be no turning back for him or her.
Varian was tense and jittery. He wished he could meet with Supreme Councilman Draco Procyon and Supreme Council leader Kadim Tirol Trygue to analyze this conflicting drama, as he was certain his good friend and grandfather could provide crucial advice. But he couldn’t alter his mission course; dates and schedules had been made, and Jana’s publicity material was widely spread. In addition, it was too risky to send coded messages to Draco and his grandfather this close to home. This was a time when Varian knew he must use his own judgment.
To think of Jana’s loss fired him with blazing jealousy and regret. Jana was the cause or answer to so many of his problems. Or was he merely getting too emotionally involved in this mission and his covert scheme? He should never have gotten close to her!
Varian decided he would attend the last dinner dance in the Stardust Room where his officers would be celebrating their successful voyage. Some would be anticipating a short leave with family or friends; a few would be reassigned to other missions or ships. He told staff coordinator Martella Karsh to include Kathy and Heather and to seat them at the table with Ferris Laus and Tesla Rilke, as he would financially make certain that Ferris obtained Kathy as a mate and Rilke’s brother Spala obtained Heather as his mate. He then ordered Martella to seat the ten elite Uranians at an oblong table in the center of the room to enjoy the merriment, as promised as a reward for their cooperation and successful training. Robots were to be activated to assume the duties of certain crew members until the festivities ended. Varian said he would skip the social hour and dance; he would appear only for dinner.
His final order for Martella was to seat Jana at a table with Tristan, herself, Nigel, Kara, and Kyle; that news seemed to sadden the female officer. Martella lowered her somber gaze and inhaled deeply before speaking, as she could not keep her opinions to herself.
“Varian, we’re too close to the first auction for me to hold silent while you initiate this destructive farce. If this was strictly a personal matter, I would not question it or your commands. But this is part of a Star Fleet and Elite Squad mission, and I’m a member of both units. I must protest this dangerous manipulation of Jana Greyson. I had hoped that after spending weeks with her, you would change your plans. You must not use a fake enchantment for Jana to provoke Ryker. I think you’re making two grave mistakes where she’s concerned: one by making her your Ryker-decoy and two by selling her.”
Martella leaned forward on his desk as she reasoned urgently, “Do you really think you can ever find another woman like Jana, one so well suited to you and your life? Do you honestly think you’ll be able to forget her? To bear seeing her with another man? Once she’s sold, it’s forever.”
“I can’t change our destinies. Isn’t it better for her to become another man’s mate than to die for becoming mine? I’ve been trying to get rid of my enemies for years. Until I do, I can’t become involved with Jana. I would rather lose her than see her tortured and killed.”
“Varian, Varian,” Martella chided, “she’s already involved. Are you blind, my friend? She’s in love with you. Rejecting her and selling her will destroy her more quickly and be crueler than Ryker or Jurad ever could. If you don’t find a way to control who buys her, she could get a terrible owner. Whoever gets her will make it hard on her, for she won’t yield to him while loving you. Think about your feelings and actions. Think about faking a sale to Draco Procyon; let him guard her for you until you can openly claim her.”
The party began with frivolous chatter and unlimited drinks to soothe nerves. Music drifted around the women to dispel their fears and distract their minds. Tonight, the women were attired in gowns in a variety of styles and colors, so that Jana was not the customary standout. Varian did not arrive until dinner was served; then he seemed to almost sneak into the room.
Varian seated himself with his back to Jana. The food was superb. The atmosphere was curiously gay. The women seemed elated and charmed. Dinner ended, and champagne flowed freely. When the dancing began, Varian realized that Jana’s seat was empty. Not wishing to depart before her return, he allowed half an hour to pass before questioning her absence.
When no one knew of her whereabouts or motive for a lengthy absence, Varian left to look for her. Jana couldn’t be found anywhere. Varian recalled one last location to check before involving security in a search of the ship. When he entered the observation bubble, Varian saw her. Jana was standing with her back to the door, her forehead resting on the clear wall. It looked as if she were asleep her feet. The music which filled the area was louder than normal, preventing her from hearing his entrance. It seemed as if she were using the mellow sounds to block out reality. She was mentally very far away.
Varian pressed the privacy lock, then observed her. He realized he was losing Jana right before his eyes, just as if her auction had already taken place. Obviously she had stolen away to force reality into her heart and mind, to resign herself to face tomorrow and the next two weeks. Soon, this stunning creature would belong to another man. Soon, Jana would be out of his life forever. Soon, Jana would be possessed, enjoyed, cherished by a stranger. And there would be only bittersweet memories left between them…After lowering the music volume, Varian slowly approached her. He leaned his left side against the transascreen and focused that piercing blue stare on her. He was close enough to touch her, but he didn’t. Nor did he speak to her.
Moondust And Madness Page 19