by Kyle, Celia
The door slammed open, sending Krunt stumbling back, and Drazan stormed into the barracks. He clutched a short sword with a look of pure bloodlust covering his features.
“Drazan!” She couldn’t help but call out to her… mate. Her hear raced and relief washed over her. Her warrior was there, and she knew everything would be all right.
Drazan took one look at her, spied the blood on her face, and an expression of pure fury overtook his features. He lunged at Krunt, swinging the short sword widely. Krunt deflected with his dagger and moved across the room to avoid Drazan’s furious onslaught. Drazan’s attacks were relentless, and he landed several blows, drawing blood from Krunt’s thigh and shoulder.
Krunt snarled and lunged, grabbing Drazan’s sword arm by the wrist. The two warriors grappled, slamming each other into the bunk beds and eventually sending one tumbling to the ground. Krunt slammed Drazan against the wall, knocking the wind out of her mate and forcing him to lose his grip on the sword. The blade fell to the ground, leaving Drazan defenseless.
Krunt clamped one hand around Drazan’s throat, strangling him. In the other, he clutched his dagger. Drazan scrambled to fend off the attacks, pushing the dagger away as he gasped for air while slowly sliding to his knees. Krunt released a victorious laugh and tightened his grip on Drazan’s throat.
Sheri got up and grabbed Drazan’s fallen sword. She gave a clumsy swing, whacking the flat of the blade against the back of Krunt’s head.
Krunt cried out and stumbled back. He lost his grip on Drazan, which allowed Drazan to rise once more and lunge at his stunned foe. He wrapped an arm around Krunt’s neck, cutting off his air supply. Krunt clawed at Drazan’s arm, gagging and choking. Drazan kicked Krunt’s feet from under him, sending him falling to his knees.
Drazan stood behind the other warrior, choking the life from his body. Krunt’s movements slowed, his voice barely a hoarse croak.
“Yield or die,” Drazan snarled. He held Krunt at his mercy.
Krunt clamped his mouth shut and instead, raised his dagger and stabbed it into Drazan’s arm.
Drazan howled in pain and nearly lost his grip on Krunt, but with a mighty roar, he knocked the dagger from his opponent’s hand. Then with a fierce twist, Drazan snapped the other warrior’s neck.
Krunt slumped to the floor—dead.
Sheri stood there, gasping. She stared at the fallen warrior, unable to believe what she’d seen. She’d never seen one man kill another. It horrified her, but she knew Drazan had no other choice. He’d given the male the opportunity to submit, even after all Krunt had done. The male chose his own fate.
“Are you well?” Drazan stepped toward her, arm raised. He cupped her cheek and she nuzzled his palm.
Sheri nodded and closed her eyes, just enjoying his touch. She stepped into his arms and he enveloped her in his hold.
She released a shuddering sigh of relief and then the tears flowed down her cheeks. The danger had passed. She held Drazan tightly, unwilling to let him go…
Ever.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Drazan stood on the balcony, his attention on the courtyard far below—on his human kode among the other human females. It had been a week since Drazan defeated Krunt in combat and saved Sheri’s life. In the time since, Sheri and the others had slowly settled into their new lives in the Red Sands. He had done all he could to tend their needs and, while he knew there was much more to be done, he was determined to continue working to give his kode the best life he could.
Someone behind him cleared their throat, requesting his attention. He turned and found Chezai—one of the Red Sands greatest engineers—waiting for him. The Ateran female waited patiently, claws clasped behind her back until granted permission to speak.
“Yes?” He let his attention then be drawn back to the courtyard.
“I have the update you requested.”
Drazan grunted. “Speak.”
“The technology recovered from the vessel carrying the gifts of Eana was quite badly damaged. Our initial analysis indicates most is beyond repair. We may be able to replicate some of the technology. My team is already examining the recovered materials to discover their inner workings. Warlord, you should understand that this type of work will take years.”
He nodded, unable to tear his gaze from his kode far below him. She smiled and laughed with her friends and she seemed happy… for now. He hoped she would be happy at his side for many years to come.
“And the human engineer?” He glanced over his shoulder. “The one who traveled to the Hard Sands? My kode believes she has the expertise to repair their communications equipment.”
“I consulted with her. Briefly.” Chezai raised her chin. “I believe her knowledge of the human technology will be useful. However, I do not believe she provided viable suggestions. She spoke of many types of devices that are beyond our capabilities. We have not yet invented the tools we would require to make the types of repairs she suggested. I will continue consulting with her as our work continues, but at the moment, we have no way to get a message to the humans’ home world.”
Drazan nodded and straightened away from the stone barrier that kept him from falling. He was glad, in a way, that there was no way to contact Sheri’s people. He had spent the last week considering what action he would take if the humans were able to signal for a rescue. He had considered giving the order to sabotage any technology that came from their crashed vessel if that were the only way to ensure she remained with him. It shamed him to think he had been tempted to thwart his kode’s only chance to return to her home, but he did not want her to leave. Atera was her home now, and he needed her at his side, forever.
Still, despite his temptation, he would do the honorable thing. He would order his people to continue the research. It might be years before the human females were able to make contact, but by then they would have new lives on his planet. He would have to hope that on that future day, they would still choose to remain on the Ateran home world. Until then, he would do everything he could to give his kode a joyful life.
“Continue your efforts. Any resources you require are yours. The star vessel is a gift from the goddess. It is our destiny to one day venture beyond Atera ourselves. Then we shall meet the goddess and become part of the heavens by her side.”
“Yes, Warlord.”
Drazan spared the engineer a glance and tipped his head, dismissing her from his presence.
He put the human technology from his mind. It would be years until they could replicate their work and even longer before they could manufacture their own vessels.
But it was all part of the goddess’ plans for him. She had sent Sheri to him so that he would bond with her. And she had sent the human technology in order to advance the Ateran people into the next stage of their evolution. Drazan, warlord of the Red Sands, would lead his people into the new era to come.
He touched a claw to his chest, tracing the line of his Mating Stripe. It had darkened over the last week and was now unmistakable to any who saw him. He wore it as a mark of pride, yet when he looked at Sheri, he was saddened. She bore no mark. There was no way for anyone to know she was his.
He returned to his quarters to fetch the foot-wide wooden box he had placed there. He ran his fingers over the smooth wood. He had spent the past week preparing his surprise and he only hoped she would be pleased with what he had created.
He left his quarters and made his way through the halls to the front courtyard. On the way, he met with one of his aides—the male specifically ordered to learn all he could about human culture. The aide had spent the last week questioning the human females on everything from mating practices to family lives. Then further to discuss their systems of commerce and government. There was a great deal more to learn and it may take years to absorb it all, but learning about the humans was important. Both to Drazan and to the future of his people.
“Tell me again how the custom works.” Drazan spoke to his aide. He would not admit tha
t nerves had forced him to ask the male once more.
“There are a number of variations,” the aide consulted his tablet. “But this is the most common and traditional according to discussions with several of the human females.”
His aide reviewed the notes with Drazan, and he listened carefully, noting each detail with the same care as if he prepared for a diplomatic mission. He could have simply asked Sheri for the details but that would have spoiled the surprise, which was an important part of the ritual.
He emerged into the courtyard, small box in hand. The humans did not notice him at first, a few playing some sort of game that involved small cards with red and black symbols. He was not familiar with the rules, but they seemed to enjoy the pastime. A few others sat off in the shade with some of the younger Ateran warriors. He noticed that a few of the warriors now also had Mating Stripes. Before long, he was certain each of the human women would be claimed.
However, he would be the first to complete the bonding in both the Ateran and human traditions. Assuming, of course, that Sheri reacted well to what was to come.
Sheri’s attention fell on him as he approached, a wide smile gracing her plump lips and eyes lighting with her happiness. His blood stirred at the sight of her, but he resisted the urge to drag her back to their quarters. Those desires could wait until they were alone—tonight.
“Sheri of Earth.” He stopped before her, the box clutched in his hands. “You have honored me by embracing the traditions of Aterans guided by the hand of our goddess, Eana. We are bonded in the eyes of the goddess and my flesh bears the mark of our union.”
His Sheri’s face turned red. He still did not understand all of the reasons for its changing color but now was not the time to ask. Her attention flitted away from him to the other human females and then fell to her lap. She brushed a strand of hair over her ear. “Umm, yes? Is there… Is there something else we’re supposed to do?” She shifted back and forth.
“No.” He shifted the box from one hand to the other then glanced at his aide. The aide simply nodded his encouragement for Drazan to continue.
“What is it, Drazan?” Her voice was soft and comforting—calming.
Drazan cleared his throat. “You have honored the traditions of Atera, but I have not honored those of Earth. If we are to be bonded for life, it is only right that both of our customs be properly met.”
A slight smile touched her lips, but her brow furrowed in what he now recognized as confusion. “Ummm… thank you? I’m not really sure what you mean, though. I’m not big on human traditions so you don’t need to go out of your way or anything.”
“It is a matter of honor.” Then he lowered himself to one knee and held the box before him.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sheri stared down at Drazan, the mighty warlord on one knee before her, and shock held her immobile for a moment. Her heart raced and she tore her gaze from him to look at the other women. They all stared at her and Drazan, a few of them whispering and giggling to each other.
“Drazan, what are you doing?”
“Honoring your ways.” He said it like kneeling in the middle of the courtyard wasn’t an odd event.
She opened her mouth to ask him—again—but then… then he opened the box. Oh, dear lord he opened the box and inside lay the most beautiful necklace Sheri had ever seen. It was constructed from the same polished red metal she’d seen throughout the city since her arrival. Small red gemstones were strung throughout along with glimmering red scales. The design was unlike anything she’d ever seen in her life.
“Drazan,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
She ran her fingers along the necklace, tracing a light touch over the scales. Then she looked at Drazan, seeing again the missing scales from around his neck and shoulders.
“Since humans bear no Mating Stripe,” Drazan explained. “I made this for you. Human tradition is to give jewelry as a sing of bonding. Now you will bear a stripe of your own made from my scales.”
Her breath caught in her throat. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied several of her friends giggling and she had the feeling that they had known—or suspected—this was coming. After all, Drazan wouldn’t have known about proposing on bended knee unless one of the others had shared that information.
“Sheri of Earth, will you honor me by bonding with me according to your customs?”
Tears flooded her eyes and she merely stared down at him for a moment, unable to speak. She had never expected this. Since her voice abandoned her, she simply nodded. Drazan rose and, after pulling the necklace from the box, strung it around her neck, carefully clasping it together. The way it hung between her breasts mimicked the appearance of the Ateran Mating Stripe. It truly marked her as his now and forever.
Sheri cupped his cheeks and pulled him in for a tender kiss, pulling oohs and awwws from the other women watching them. She didn’t care who saw. Though as she tasted Drazan’s lips and felt his thick, muscular arms wrap around her, the urge for something else overcame her. For something more.
A something more she didn’t need an audience to observe.
She took Drazan’s hand and dragged him to the courtyard exit, ignoring the giggles that chased them. She didn’t care if they knew where she and Drazan were going. She just didn’t need them watching.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sheri logged off her vid call with the women from the Hard Sands to their north. She leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms over her head, releasing a sigh of relief with the stretch. It had taken some time to track down the others in the distant lands, but she’d finally spoken to all of them and was now sure they were being treated well. The injured women taken to the Living Sands to the south had mostly recovered other than one woman who remain in a coma. It saddened her to know someone was beyond her help, but she was glad to know the rest of the women had settled in and were doing well.
She picked up the computer tablet Drazan had given her and made a few notes—summarizing her calls. Just quick snippets about where the last of them lived and how to contact them. She’d spoken to one of the women who’d worked in computer programming. The next project was to come up with a better way for them to keep in touch. Ateran communication technology was fairly advanced with clear vid calls that could reach any of the cities on the planet, but they didn’t have anything similar to social media, networking sites, or even online chat rooms. They were missing anything developed after the early twenty-first century. It was her hope that the women could work together to develop a social networking site or group chat function that would allow them to keep in contact long-term. For the time being, it was enough that they could call each other.
Task done, she left her office—a private room Drazan had given her that wasn’t far from their quarters. It was nice to have a place to call her own with her own computer terminal, vid comm, and privacy when she needed it. She also had a full library of Ateran medical research so she could continue her medical training on this new world. When she wasn’t with her mate or spending time with her human friends, she’d begun apprenticing under the healer Prirk and studying Ateran physiology. In turn, she taught him everything she knew about human medicine. She hoped to one day know enough about Drazan’s people to be a nurse to both humans and Aterans.
She spent a few minutes checking with her friends in the Red Sands. Several had moved out of the barracks and into the private quarters with the Ateran males they mated. There was still some hesitation among the humans about mating with Aterans, but Sheri’s happiness had encouraged them to keep an open mind.
Now that they were coming to accept that rescue wasn’t happening, her group asked Sheri about how they could build new lives on Atera. Some had already begun researching the possibility of beginning new careers—either continuing the trades they practiced on Earth, or learning art, music, weaving, crafting, and other creative pursuits common among Ateran females. Sheri promised to speak with Drazan about some of the city craftspeo
ple to see if they were willing to take on human apprentices. Considering the city still viewed the humans as gifts from their goddess, she figured they could do just about anything they wanted.
After meeting with her friends, she went on to find Drazan. She knew he was still busy during the day, attending to the affairs of leading his people, but he always made time for her.
She found him in his office on a vid call with one of his warlords to the north. She waited in the doorway, trying not to eavesdrop as Drazan wrapped the call. He asked about the status of the border between the Red Sands and Hard Sands, and she got the impression there was a lot of political tension there.
“The situation at the border has been difficult for some time,” the other warlord spoke. “Ever since the death of Nakan’s father, Nakan works hard to keep the peace, but rumors fly much of late. Even on this side of the border. Nakan may not be long for his new position as warlord of the Hard Sands. It is unclear whether he has truly earned the support of his people.”
Drazan grunted. “We must hope he is able to keep his affairs in order. Should his leadership fail, the Hard Sands will be thrown into disarray. In the chaos that would follow, it is likely we would be drawn into conflict with them. Perhaps war.”
“I agree, Warlord.”
“Keep me apprised of the situation. I will speak to Nakan and offer what aid I can, but it is unlikely he will be forthcoming about his territory’s internal problems. We must be vigilant and prepared for what is to come.”
“It shall be as you wish, Warlord.” The other male ended the vid call.
Sheri slowly stepped into the room, watching her mate for any annoyance at her arrival. She didn’t like hearing about the possibility of conflict with the Hard Sands. She knew next to nothing about those lands, except for what little she had learned from the other women who’d been taken there. She knew Kalinda was among the women taken to the north. She could only hope her friend found peace there. She promised herself she would comm Kalinda soon and make sure everything was going well.