Until Jana inhaled deeply and swallowed, she did not look at him. She ceased toying with the gold bracelet which had held her attention. When she did half turn and glance up into his stoic face, she smiled faintly. She tried to joke lightly. “I suppose I’ve been gone too long. Perhaps the party is too dull without my provoking personality?
When Varian didn’t react or respond, Jana said, “The bracelet is lovely, Varian. It was kind and thoughtful of you to remember my birthday. I hope I haven’t annoyed you again tonight. It’s so beautiful and peaceful here that I lost track of time.” Her gaze shifted to the scenery outside the massive ship. She watched clouds drift in the indigo vastness before them. She observed two small moons shining in the distance as they orbited a large and dark planet. “Is that Zamarra?” she inquired in a muffled tone, pointing at the body in their flight path.
Varian perceived a strain and withdrawal in her. Her smiles no longer reached and brightened her eyes. Her silvery laughter and cultured voice were hoarse and tight. She was trembling.
“What were you thinking about when I arrived?”
“How scared I am about tomorrow and the coming weeks,” Jana replied honestly. She shuddered. “I was wondering what your world holds in store for me. I would prefer to be arriving under different circumstances, but that can’t be helped. I suppose I’ll adjust to this new existence; at least you all keep telling me I will,” she stated wistfully. “It won’t be easy, will it? I don’t think I’ve ever been this terrified, not even when you abducted me or continually harassed me. I wonder what’s truly out there waiting for me,” she murmured in overwhelming dread.
“Your new existence can be whatever you make of it, Jana. Be strong, and brave, and patient. Be tolerant and understanding. Be gentle and loving, and obedient and respectful. Do these things, moonbeam, and you’ll find safety and happiness. Be proud and happy, Jana Greyson.”
Jana turned and looked up at him. A tear rolled down her left cheek. “What about your future, Varian? What would happen to you if all of your money and fame disappeared? What if some accident disabled or disfigured you? Who would be there to help you? To love you and comfort you? To share your life? I would guess enemies, male and female, are countless. Who would be there for you if you could no longer take what you desire with your wealth, strength, and power? Who are you, Varian? What do you want from life?”
Varian winced. “What you’re really asking is who do I want and need. If you’re leading this conversation in the direction I think you are, don’t do it.”
Jana did not avert her gaze. “You’re too cynical about women and love. One day, you’ll meet a special woman who will make your downfall painless and rewarding. Do not fear, the woman who is fortunate enough to win your heart and attention will not demand your soul. She won’t ask or expect you to change yourself or your existence for her. She’ll only want your love and passion, nothing more.”
“No commitment? No chains? No demands of any kind?” he hinted.
“If she truly loves you and wants you, she will settle for whatever part of you she can have. How could she make demands which might drive you away? She’s there somewhere,” Jana remarked, waving her hand over the span of space before them.
“And what would Varian Saar do with a special woman? He’s a starship commander. What female would make such a sacrifice worthwhile?” he inquired tenderly as he tried to discourage this painful talk.
Jana laughed, a real laugh. “When you meet such a woman, my pompous and stubborn commander, you’ll know. Her pull will be so strong that nothing and no one else will matter. You’ll see,” she playfully warned.
“For the present, I’m doomed to ignorance and loneliness,” he retorted. “I’m free, and I need to remain that way for a while longer.”
“Are you truly free? Are you happy?” she asked quietly, pointedly.
Her question pierced his heart. He asked, “What difference does that make to you, my lovely and nosy Earthling? Do you think you can make me happy? Can you bewitch me? Hold my undivided attention? Fill my heart with love, my body with passion, and my mind with commitment?” Dreading to deal with her allure, Varian prayed she would respond as she did.
“I harbor no illusions about you or us, Commander Saar. I would not be so foolish or vain as to think I possessed such awesome powers of enchantment. You’re right; I was being too nosy. I guess I’m in a forgetful, crazy mood. Would you like to share a farewell dance in the Stardust Room? We could toast your successful voyage and my new destiny.” When he frowned at her last sentence, she pleaded softly, “Don’t become angry with me again. Let our truce last another two weeks,” she coaxed earnestly. “I promise, no more questions or vexing comments. I’ll be polite and genial.”
“Tomorrow’s a busy day, Jana. I think I’ll turn in. Would you like to return to the Stardust Room, or would you like me to escort you to your quarters? You’ll be accompanying me in the morning. I promised to show you off at every port. Martella will supply you with the proper wardrobe.”
His news was spirit-crushing. She should have kept silent, for he always wanted to hurt her when they got too cozy. “If I’m to be displayed like a work of art, I should look my very best. A good night’s sleep sounds perfect, Commander Saar. What time should I be ready to leave?”
“Ten o’clock. We’ll have an exhibition, then lunch, then the auction. Your clothes should be laid out on the sofa in your quarters.”
“I’ll make certain I don’t overlook them this time. Shall we go, sir?”
No word was spoken between them on the way to her quarters. Jana bid him a hasty good night. Varian’s frame prevented the door from closing. He caught her wrist and drew her toward him. His cobalt gaze seared into her limpid one. “I don’t need to warn you to be on your very best behavior tomorrow; we don’t want any problems this close to home, and I don’t want you to begin this new life badly,” he cautioned, then hastily kissed her on the forehead before leaving.
Jana glared at the closed door. “Don’t worry, my dashing commander. You’ll be proud of your highly trained femme fatale. And hopefully you’ll be squirming in your seat while I wantonly entice every man in the room!” she said, and ripped off the bracelet and flung it across the room.
The next morning Varian arrived to escort Jana to the waiting shuttle. As she was not quite ready, he sat down to wait for her. A sparkle caught his eye. He retrieved her discarded birthday gift from the floor near the sofa table. He knew it hadn’t been dropped. Yet, when she joined him, he stated, “You must have dropped this.” Kahala, did she have to look so sexy and magnetic in everything she donned, even a simple purple jumpsuit!
“Would a penniless captive wear an expensive bracelet to a flesh sale? Won’t it look odd or bold for me to display a gift from another man?”
“You can do as I say, and I say you can wear the gift, if you wish.”
Jana caught a hidden clue to his words: a test of some sort. She hurriedly pondered his meaning and her response. She took the bracelet, and snapped it on her wrist. “I hope it has your name and address inscribed on it in case I get lost. I’m ready to go,” she informed him.
They went to the docking bay and boarded a shuttlecraft. As they headed for the planet surface, Jana’s eyes were clued to the scene below them. “I don’t see anything but water,” she commented in confusion.
“Zamarra is an undersea world, little moonbeam. Don’t be afraid. You’ll be safe with me.” He warmed as Jana kept snuggling closer and closer to him as the watery surface drew closer to the spacecraft. “Relax, love. We won’t sink. There’s a landing pad nearby. We’ll be picked up there.”
Jana’s worried gaze met his amused one. “I hope you don’t find me a buyer here. I can’t swim,” she teased. “I would be petrified living beneath all that water. Are there cities? Or are these people half fish?”
Varian chuckled. “You’ll see. Relax, Zamarra isn’t for you.”
Seated behind them, Martella, Tristan, a
nd Nigel exchanged glances, pleased at Varian’s kind treatment of Jana.
The shuttlecraft landed on a clear surface above the turquoise water. Suddenly another craft surfaced and docked at the edge of the landing pad. Varian took Jana’s hand and escorted her into the seacraft. When they were seated, Jana asked where the captives were. Varian informed her they would follow later. Jana sighed and relaxed against his reassuring body.
Jana was amazed by the setting as the craft sank into the watery domain. She saw unusual plants and aquatic animals. Her head and eyes jerked this way and that as she tried to take in so much at once. Suddenly, a massive city enclosed in various sized bubble domes appeared below the craft. Jana watched in wonder as the craft skimmed along the outer surface of the largest clear dome. Finally it entered a docking area where the seacraft’s door was attached to a portal which opened to allow their entrance to the undersea city. Jana stared at the greenish- blue water above and around them. If those walls should give way under the tremendous force of so much water…
“Come along, little moonbeam. You can worry about learning to swim later.” He took her hand and guided her into an area where they boarded a tram which would take them into the center of this strange world.
The city was a world of white and green. Walkways and buildings were constructed of ivory stone. Sweeping green plants decorated the landscape. Each time she glanced skyward, Jana was reminded of the ocean above them. She learned that smaller cities or private dwellings were connected to the main complex via tunnels. She was astounded to hear the entire planet was underwater! There were two thousand large cities like this one, and over four hundred thousand smaller complexes! She guessed why Varian had chosen Zamarra for the sale of the Uranians; the lack of sunlight had created an extremely pale- complexioned race, much like them.
Jana, Varian, Nigel, Martella, and Tristan saw many sights, then stopped for lunch. The unfamiliar selections of food were both aromatic and delectable. She was given samples from everyone’s plates. She tried all of the dishes, afraid to ask what she was eating. To any observant eye, it would appear as if five close friends were having a good time.
The others chuckled as they watched her. Their group seemed relaxed and cheerful during this sunny interlude. They laughed, joked, ate, and talked without making reference to the day’s business. They took turns filling Jana’s head with stories of their past adventures and the exotic places they had visited and would visit again.
As they made their way to the auction hall, Jana didn’t let herself think about where they were going or why. Her eyes darted from side to side as she took in the sights. They entered a courtyard surrounded by arcades on three sides, with a fourth wall displaying numerous balconies jutting out from a large building. In the center of the yard sat a raised platform about ten by sixteen feet. Jana’s eyes darted from the balconies to the platform, then back again. She immediately discerned the purpose of this evil place: a slave market.
Jana watched as the balconies began to fill with many men and a few women. Their manner suggested a sporting event rather than the stark reality of human bondage. Anger mounted inside her and glinted in her eyes. These people dared to call themselves superior to her race; yet they still practiced this barbaric behavior!
Jana’s resentful gaze scanned the growing crowd, which was inspecting her from head to foot as a shrewd Texan would examine a bull or cattle before a costly purchase. Aversion and bitterness welled up in her throat as she looked around for a familiar face. Tristan was signing several papers not far away; he shook his head at some error and departed to correct it. Nigel, who was giving instructions to security men, left the enclosed area to position the five guards. Near the platform, Martella was explaining how the auctioning procedure was carried out and was comforting the frightened Uranians. Varian was not to be seen. Jana shuddered. She feared she was going to be ill on the spot.
Jana felt piercing eyes on her, a stare which was potent and evil. The eerie sensation became so intense that goosebumps and shivers raced over her body. She glanced around to discover the cause of her sudden unease. Her eyes locked with those of an insidious man with an ashen complexion and harsh features. His voracious gaze was degrading, as if he were ripping off her garment and devouring the exposed flesh. Over and over he suggestively licked his full lips. His heavy jowls told her he was a greedy, overindulgent man. He clasped his hands and twisted them while Jana paled. She felt as if she were chained nude before his lewd gaze, as if his fat tongue and rough hands were working ravenously and salaciously upon her helpless frame!
The man’s eyes traveled over her frozen features. He grinned at her response. His ebony gaze seemed drawn to her tawny hair and colorful eyes. Many rings encircled his stubby fingers, and numerous gold chains and medallions hung around his bullish neck. He was wearing a flowing blue-black caftan and around his head of grimy black hair, he had secured a black band shot with golden threads. Despite her glare of contempt, he continued his bold and unnerving scrutiny. He held an instrument or a small camera to one eye. He appeared to be viewing her with a miniature field glass. She felt like a creature under a microscope.
Forcing her gaze away from him, Jana realized many of the other men were ogling her in a similar manner. She didn’t like this place or these people! Hostility and alarm filled her. She wanted out of here!
Jana turned her back to the crowd. Her searching gaze located Varian leaning against an arch not far away; he was not alone. Jana eyed the porcelain-skinned, jet-eyed, raven-haired beauty who was laughing and conversing intimately with him. The smile on the Zamarrian’s ruby lips was seductively inviting. The female caressed Varian’s chest and shoulders with a familiarity and hunger which enraged the tormented Jana. She despised the way that femme fatale was pressing her luscious body against her love’s.
Jana looked around for one of her friends. When she glanced in Varian’s direction, he was departing with that brazen vixen, who was clinging tightly to his arm. Jana was alone and afraid beneath the pressing gazes of too many lecherous strangers. Without stopping to think, she began to walk swiftly and blindly toward the entrance to this horrid place. All she could think about was escaping these lustful men and this grim location.
“Jana!” Varian called out to stop her frantic exit. When she kept moving, Varian pursued her and seized her wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked as he whirled her around to face him. He saw her whitened face, frightened gaze, and trembling body. “What’s wrong, moonbeam?” he inquired with a sudden tenderness which irrationally provoked her.
Jana focused glittery eyes on his concerned expression. “You left me all alone! Those awful men kept gaping at me as if I were naked! I hate this place! I hate these barbarians! I want to return to your ship!”
Varian glanced over Jana’s head to comprehend the reasons for her panicky flight. He smiled encouragingly. “I’m sorry, moonbeam. Stay close to me. No one will dare bother you at my side. You can’t blame them for craving such a rare treat,” he teased, cuffing her chin affectionately.
Jana lowered her head, so that she would not burst into tears and fling herself into his arms. “God, I wish this filthy, degrading business were over.”
Varian’s hand stroked her silky hair, then raised her chin. “You have nothing to fear, moonbeam. Those men know you’re not for sale. There isn’t a man here who can afford to enter the doors to your auction. I would protect you with my life, if necessary. They’re only envious of me for capturing and enjoying the most ravishing mistress in the Universe.”
She shrieked in astonishment. “They think I…belong to you?”
“That’s right,” he calmly confessed. “It seemed best to mislead these lusty Zamarrians to prevent any nasty problems.”
“What about your friend over there? Did you also mislead her? Or doesn’t she mind sharing you with an alien mistress?” she said, sneering frostily.
Varian chuckled, warming at her display of jealousy. “Don’t fret,
moonbeam; I’ve never sampled her charms or shared her bed. Rayna’s what you Earthlings call a high-class prostitute. She uses that little act you just witnessed to pass information about enemies of the Alliance Force to me. You’d be surprised what slips past a man’s lips in the throes of passion,” he jested mirthfully. “Rayna knows me too well to believe the rumors about us.”
Jana ignored Varian’s indiscreet words. What did she care if this sensual Rayna was a secret agent? Rayna wanted to share her information with Varian in bed, not on the street! Clever Rayna might make that demand-before passing along her stolen clues! No doubt Varian would do anything necessary to comply with his loyalty to the Alliance! “I see,” Jana purred cattily. “Won’t these patrons think it strange that you openly play around with a whore in front of your mistress? If you must seek additional attention elsewhere, just how special and fulfilling can I be? How safe will I be then?”
Varian considered his behavior. “A point well made, little moonbeam. I should definitely postpone my visit to her dwelling until I have you safely on board my ship.” He goaded Jana in order to extract the desired response for his enemies he knew were in the area: Varian’s bewitchment and Jana’s resistance.
Jana puffed up with rising fury. “Why trouble yourself on my behalf? Surely these customers have thoroughly examined me by now. After all, you did say none of them could afford my asking price. Why not return me to the ship and get on with your clandestine meeting?” she suggested sullenly.
Varian seized her arm and warned between clenched teeth, “Obey me, Jana. I don’t want any trouble today. Rest assured no man will approach you, or I’ll slay him on the spot. Now smile and behave yourself.”
Varian pulled her around just as she narrowed her eyes and spat at him through clenched teeth. “Then I shan’t be afraid anymore. What man in his right mind would challenge the intrepid Varian Saar?”
Moondust And Madness Page 20