by Reagan Woods
The ground quaked beneath them and Willa lost her footing as the fowl furrowed into the earth, skidding and bouncing to a stop.
“Damn,” Willa cursed, rubbing her sore backside. “I did not see that coming.”
“Congratulations.” Linron stood and helped Willa to her feet as the hologram faded away.
“For what?” She asked wryly. “Killing the Kawa or ruining the village we were supposed to save?”
“Both of those things as well as getting our avatars killed and sent back to level one.” Linron laughed uproariously at Willa’s sour face.
“We’ll play again tomorrow,” she said, thoroughly disgusted. “There’s got to be a way to beat the dragon without losing everything else.”
Linron retrieved her canes from where they stood propped against the wall and handed them over carefully.
“I’ll escort you back to your quarters.” He ushered her from the holloroom. “We can talk strategy on the way.”
“We should lure the creature away from the village,” Willa proposed, following Linron’s unerring steps through the labyrinth of his family home.
“That might work,” he agreed thoughtfully.
“Well, hello, Giaon.” Linron stopped short, surprised.
“I’ll see Willa to her quarters. Please make my excuses to mother, I shan’t be joining you for last meal.”
“Beandra’s pursuit has become too much for you already?” Linron’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
“That female would be too much for anyone.” Giaon shuddered.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“This isn’t the way we usually walk to my room…is it?” Willa asked dubiously, trailing Giaon through the maze of stone corridors.
“No. Mother was entertaining this afternoon and didn’t want to chance any guests catching sight of you.”
“Still the dirty little secret,” she mumbled to herself.
He sighed wearily, “I understand this is hard on you.”
“Do you?” It was a rhetorical question. She was beyond irritated with the whole situation. “This is how I’m going to spend the foreseeable future? Skulking around and hoping no one notices me? I could have done this on Earth.”
There were far too many cards stacked against her to stay positive. Tiron’s silence spoke volumes. So, too, did the fact that his intended bond-mate, Beandra, remained in residence at his family home.
“We’ve done our utmost to keep you happy and safe.” Giaon handed her into her quarters and stood in the open doorway, expression a mix of hurt and bafflement.
Willa fought back the jagged retort that she itched to fling at him, instead stalking into the little sitting room. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, reaching for inner peace. None of this was Giaon’s fault. No matter how much he resembled his brother, he wasn’t Tiron. Taking her anger out on him was wrong.
She paced back to the doorway he almost completely filled. “I’m frustrated and I resent the fact that this…” She looked around the small space. “Was not my decision. If your brother wanted to be free of me, he should have said so.”
It seemed like too much of a coincidence that Tiron had placed Willa right under Liania’s nose at a time when Liania had such a clear motive to get rid of her. The full implications of his actions had finally sank in for Willa. She expected to awaken to news that Liania had sold her every day. What that would mean for the child she carried was something Willa didn’t even want to contemplate.
“Free of…” Giaon grabbed her shoulders, holding her in place. Bringing his face within inches of her own, he reasoned, “Willa, Tiron sent you here so you would be safe.”
“Then why hasn’t he contacted me?” Her voice broke as she whispered the painful question.
“He’s the commander of a warship.” Giaon gave her an exasperated shake. “He’s busy with his duties.”
“I’m sorry, that just doesn’t cut it for me,” Willa hardened her tone, pulling away from him.
Abandoned by her own mother during her first month of life, Willa had ample experience with rejection. Tiron had spurned not only her, but their child, too. Realistically, she had no hope of providing for this baby without him, and it killed her to be losing them both like this.
“Willa, you’re a very special female, and I won’t let anything happen to you. If this…arrangement you have with Tiron isn’t working for you, you only have to say the word. We don’t have to stay here.”
Giaon stared at her, his sincerity evident. Some intense emotion Willa couldn’t, wouldn’t name swirled in his golden eyes.
“Um…that’s really… um…well,” she floundered. “Giaon, that’s kind of you to offer…”
“You don’t have to decide now. Just know that the offer stands.” He gave a brief bow before saying quietly, “Sleep well, Willa.”
“You, too,” she murmured, keeping a leery eye on his retreating back.
∞ ∞ ∞
Watching Giaon slip down the hall, away from the Earther’s room, Beandra shook with anger. Her low-born father had taught her one useful thing: how to move stealthily. He’d bonded into her mother’s noble family after winning rank in a vicious battle. Of course, her naive mother had loved him, and convinced her own mother to accept his suit. Everyone had been disappointed in the end.
Beandra wouldn’t make the mistake of allowing emotions to derail her climb to the top of Corian society. She’d made a tactical error in refusing to honor her initial bonding contract with Tiron Rion. She felt compelled to re-evaluate her decision when an Earther had foiled her efforts to negotiate a bond with the royal son, Darvan D’Corian.
Now, this Earther, this Willa, was wreaking havoc with her chances at the heir to the House of Rion. Liania’s successor would be the second most powerful female in Corian space.
Willa had slipped in and swiped Tiron when Beandra had gotten over-confident. From what she had overheard tonight, Giaon wasn’t inclined to bond with her, either. At least, not with Willa around.
Giaon didn’t have the warrior cachet Tiron did, but he was much easier to look at. Liania seemed amenable to a mating between their two houses, but, first, Willa had to go. Luckily, Beandra knew people who would be thrilled to get rid of her. Soon, the Earther wouldn’t be a factor.
∞ ∞ ∞
Willa turned over on the sleeping platform, waking for the kajillionth time.
“You would rouse now,” Tiron whispered into her ear.
Willa screeched, bolting upright. “What in the - Tiron?”
“Yes, my little vril, it is I,” his gravelly voice sounded so close she ought to be able to reach out and touch him. But she couldn’t.
“Um…where are you?” Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim room. She had to be dreaming, that was the only explanation, because she was alone.
“I had the video blocked so I wouldn’t disturb you.” An anti-grav screen popped on right next to her head, momentarily blinding her.
“It’s about time you faced me, you coward,” Willa growled angrily, shielding her eyes from the glare.
“Ahhh…your hormones are changing so your body can nurture our babe.”
“Excuse me? I’ve spent the last ten days wondering if I was ever going to hear from you again. Don’t you dare blame hormones,” she choked out.
Blinking rapidly, Willa really looked at him. His golden eyes were red rimmed and blood shot. The scars on his face puckered and twisted, pulling at his mouth as they did when he was exhausted.
“I’ve com’d you at every opportunity,” he rasped wearily. “However, the time difference has been an issue. We haven’t much time now. I’m due to meet with the General, and I don’t want hard feelings between us.”
The confusion and utter desolation she’d felt at his emotional abandonment swamped her, threatening her control.
“I know. I don’t want to fight either…I just…Tiron, why did you send me away like that?” Her voice broke. She hated that she sounded so weak, so needy.
When he put it like that, it was hard for Willa to find fault with his reasoning. But it still hurt that he hadn’t told her what he was thinking.
“I’m sorry, Tiron, sorry that I called you a coward. I’ve been so worried…”
“I understand,” he said, openly appraising her. His watchful look reminded her of the predatory male she’d first encountered in Balcar’s lab. “But you need your rest. Our babe will take much from your tiny body.”
“I need to hear your voice more,” she argued. “Especially now.”
“Very well,” he looked pleased with her answer, the shadows in his eyes lightening.
“We do need to talk about some things,” she said, conscious of the time passing.
“You’re right,” he agreed with a meaningful look. “It’s not safe for you to leave my family’s compound.”
“I’ve been sequestered. I don’t think your mother’s guests even know I’m here.” She wondered if he knew Beandra was among the visitors. And why she was sticking around.
“Good. There is a controversy raging over Earthers. I’m afraid there has been some violence.”
“I’m really not happy here, Tiron. Couldn’t I go back to Earth, instead?” She never would have believed she would ask such a thing, but, between Giaon’s unexpected offer and Liania’s open declaration of war, life on Cor II was becoming uncomfortable.
“Several females were abducted from one of the Earth work camps. I can’t trust that you would be safe there. Corian babes are hardy and can survive nearly anything, but I won’t risk either of you like that,” he growled, his voice thick with emotion.
“Alright,” she said sadly. “But I can’t live like this indefinitely. I don’t like to complain, but your mother…” Willa took a deep breath. “She doesn’t like me.”
“We’ll find a solution,” he promised, looking distracted. She assumed someone was contacting him via his internal com. “I must go. Be safe, little vril.” His large palm came into the frame in a tender gesture of farewell.
“You too,” she whispered, lifting a hand to press where his had been on the now blank screen.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Two Days Later
Willa puttered around a small garden enclosed beneath a reddish energy field. Serviceable, putty colored outdoor slippers encased her feet. She wore a matching solar-proof, long-sleeve shirt and khaki colored pants of soft durafabric. The wide brim of her hat completely sheltered her body from the blistering sun. Were it not for the cooling breeze and protective clothing, her skin would char in moments.
Today’s lesson focused on botany and agriculture, both subjects in Willa’s wheel-house. She’d loved working in the orphanage gardens with Sister Mary Felecia as a child.
This garden was circular, instead of rectangular and took up a lot of vertical space, limiting its footprint in the earth. However, the process of planting, tending and harvesting was the same. Every time she touched a leaf, a bug, a piece of fruit or a vegetable, the reconditioner wrote information about it into her long-term memory. It taught her what insects and leaves to avoid and what the various produce would taste like.
Willa’s hair stood on end when she heard a long, rumbling roar. A wild vril stalked the perimeter of the energy field, occasionally testing the strength of the barrier. The vril looked like a sabre-tooth tiger with the markings of a Dalmatian dog, was six feet long from nose to the tip of its tail, and its movements were fluid.
According to the reconditioner, its intellect was superior to most other wild beasts. That fact alone made it strangely sweet that Tiron chose vril for her pet name. The fearsome beast had a primal beauty but its predatory instincts rightly frightened Willa. Thank goodness for the energy field.
As she stroked the fuzzy leaf of a jor root, a kind of blue potato, the environment stopped moving. The harmless deka fly that had been circling nearby simply froze in mid-air. A few of her curls, caught on the breeze, stuck straight out from her head, unmoving. This was odd…she’d never experienced anything like it before.
She tried to turn her head to the left – nothing happened. Eventually, the reconditioner would encourage her mind to surface if it couldn’t fix itself. There was no reason to panic, but the vibrant color around her began to fade into sepia tones.
Suddenly, her body felt as though it were encased in wet cement, becoming heavier and heavier. Blackness closed in, chasing the light away. There was a sharp pressure over the pulse point in her neck. Willa fought the slide into unconsciousness, but it was a losing battle.
∞ ∞ ∞
“Madame D’Corian, what a lovely surprise,” Liania greeted the Queen of the Corian Worlds.
“Lady Rion,” Madame D’Corian acknowledged with a nod of her regal head. “How is my brother?”
“Daniron and the boys are well, thank you.” She adjusted the com screen to a more flattering angle. “And your males?” Miska’s oldest, General Darvan, was embroiled in the Earther scandal. It was the first time since their introduction into society that Liania could honestly say she didn’t envy Miska.
“Head-strong as ever,” Miska replied grimly. “I’ve contacted you to let you know that I will be travelling extensively over the next several rotations. The people are understandably upset regarding the alleged actions of Darvan’s Earther. I believe spending some time on each Corian World will mitigate some of the negative sentiment.”
“I wish you the best of luck, My Queen. When should we expect you?” Citizens were rioting out of control and Liania didn’t believe there was a way to ease the backlash of Darvan’s decision to shelter his captive Earther.
“I’ll have the details forwarded to your people as soon as the arrangements are finalized.” She nodded briskly. Because Miska was usually businesslike, Liania wasn’t prepared when she asked casually, “Have you seen one of these Earthers, Lia?”
“Yes, I have,” she replied cautiously. At Miska’s inquiring glance she reluctantly continued, “Tiron has claimed a female, but I am certain he will give her up soon. Beandra has agreed to sign their bonding contract forthwith.”
She saw no need to mention Willa’s presence in her home. From the way Giaon had been mooning about, Liania could tell he would demand that Tiron sign the Earther over into his possession permanently. That would be best for all concerned.
“And?” Miska prompted.
“They’re small and weak,” Liania replied dismissively.
“That is as I thought,” Miska shook her head sadly. “But what is a mother to do? I must go. Thank you, Lia.”
“My Queen.”
Liania loved her sons and didn’t wish them any unhappiness. But Tiron was the heir to the House of Rion. With that honor came great responsibility.
Giaon had no hope for a female of his own as long as Tiron was the heir. Tiron’s solution, that she and Daniron name Giaon heir, was too improper for them to contemplate. One simply didn’t disinherit a hero.
In order to provide Giaon with the appropriate motivation, Liania had dropped several hints that she intended to send Willa to one of the rustic moons. That should be all the impetus he needed to step in. But, if Giaon didn’t take possession of the Earther soon, Liania and Daniron would have no choice but to intervene.
She wasn’t above arranging a transfer of property hearing without affording Tiron the opportunity to protest. The House of Rion and the welfare of the people must come first.
∞ ∞ ∞
Armed with the master code, Giaon rapped bare-knuckled against Willa’s door. She hadn’t responded to any of Linron’s com requests throughout the rotation. As time wore on, Linron had grown worried and contacted him.
This silent boycott was unlike the friendly Earther. At first, he’d thought perhaps her silence indicated tha
t she was observing one of her primitive religious rituals. Now, he was worried that she’d somehow injured herself.
If she were his, he’d have no compunction about bursting in on her unannounced. But he’d offended her by the mere mention of taking her away from all of this. She didn’t want him.
He wouldn’t let his mother send her away without a fight, though. In time, he was confident he could win Willa’s affection. Even if he couldn’t, bonding to Beandra while his older brother flew off with Willa was not his idea of a fair trade-off.
“Willa! It’s Giaon and Linron. If you don’t open up, we’re coming in!” He knew it was ridiculous to try and communicate through sound-proof doors, but he wasn’t sure how else to announce their intentions.
“I think we should enter,” Linron voiced. “If she’s in there, we’ll apologize. I don’t think she’d ignore me on purpose. Something must be wrong.” Linron’s thoughts closely echoed his own.
Giaon stood still for the body scan and recited the over-ride key. His stomach knotted, and a sense of foreboding swept over him as the door slid soundlessly open.
“Where is she?” Linron began jogging from room to silent room, his agitation evident.
There was no sign of Willa in the tidy sleeping room, in the conversation room or the little kitchen/dining combo. The hologym was inactive and unoccupied as was the reconditioner.
“The bathing room is empty,” Linron stated, rejoining Giaon in the small entryway. “She’s not here.”
Had she caught wind of his mother’s efforts to push her out of Tiron’s life? “She must have left some time during the night.”
“It’s not safe out there for her,” Linron’s voice rose in agitation.
Apparently, Giaon wasn’t the only one of his brothers to find the tiny female fascinating. She was like a beacon, drawing them inexorably toward her warmth. Giaon prayed they’d find her alive and unharmed. And soon.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Icy liquid splashed onto Willa’s bare skin.