by Celeste Raye
Unwilling to hurt the pirate's feelings, as they all stood waiting to hear her response, Irene graciously accepted the offering. As unappetizing as it appeared, she discovered her appetite. The doctor had only provided tea and a watery soup due to her seared throat. Her stomach growled for something more substantial. With trepidation, she took her first bite and was pleased to find it tasty. It was spicy and sweet at the same time.
"It's delicious," she told the woman. "Thank you all for the kind welcome."
They clapped in delight, reminding Irene of children seeking approval. It opened her heart to the misfit bunch. They simply wanted to belong somewhere. She was going to like it here just fine. Sipping the drink her eyes watered and she choked. Everyone laughed. They had obviously been expecting her response.
"It's a homebrew," Constantine reported. "We make it by the tubful to supplement the beer and whiskey we steal. You'll be getting used to it."
"It's not so bad," a high pitched voice declared from behind her.
Irene turned to see Aisaak smiling along with the crew. With him was a tiny girl, her light brown curls bouncing in the wind. Her size proclaimed her to be a child, yet her eyes were older and full of experience. She was nervous and excited.
"You are the weredragon who saved me," Irene stated. There was no question in her mind that this was Tika. "Come here. I need a hug."
Tika ducked her head in shyness and took the steps necessary to meet Irene halfway. When Irene wrapped her in her arms, the child hung tightly. She clearly needed a friend.
"Remember, Tika, saving Irene means you are now partially responsible for her. It will be up to you to see to her comforts. See to it that she has a change of clothing and bedding. I'll show her to a cabin once she's eaten." The declaration came from a lovely, curvaceous black-haired woman who wasn't much taller than Tika.
"No, she isn't responsible for me," Irene protested. "She's done more than her share by lifting me off that burning building. I'm responsible for myself." She felt the pirates around her fully agree with that sentiment. They approved of her decision.
"A cabin isn't necessary, Mariana. Though, I thank you for the offer. Irene is to stay with me," Aisaak declared, bringing sly grins to the faces surrounding him. "She can make all your acquaintances later. I'll be taking her to my cabin for some rest."
The smirk on Constantine's face let him know he was fooling no one. Looking around, Aisaak knew everyone was privy to what he truly meant, except possibly Tika. The girl clung to Irene.
"Can't you sit and rest out here with us? We tell stories about our home worlds and the past. You would like them, and you could tell us about yours too. Tell us about Savanah so we can picture who we're fighting for," Tika begged.
"I will, but later. I want to be friends with all of you. You're so very kind for making me feel at home. I promise we will have time to get to know one another. I do need to go with Aisaak for now."
York and Drake, savvier to what was occurring, redirected Tika to a game. They were tossing stones into a circle to see who could get closest to the center.
Irene placed her hand in Aisaak's and meekly allowed him to lead her over the rocks, along a trail, and down into the deep depression that held the spaceship out of sight.
The rusty, rattling spaceship had undergone a miraculous transformation. During their time away the crew had raided space stations for parts off wrecked ships. They had replaced or repaired every inch of their transportation. It gleamed and held the latest technology. Of course, neither Aisaak or Irene was aware of it. They were just impressed that pirates had such a modern spaceship in their custody. Had they seen it before the transformation, they would have been even more amazed.
Aisaak's quarters were not as cramped as Irene had expected. He had a large bed to accommodate his size, a desk that folded out from the wall, and access to a bathroom shared with another cabin. By spaceship standards, it was a luxury suite. Compared to the derelict pirates' homes it was a mansion.
Suddenly, Irene felt shy. Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding out of her chest. Soon, she realized she was feeling Aisaak's emotions along with her own, compounding the nervous excitement. He was also having a moment of shyness. This occasion meant a lot to both of them.
His nervousness actually gave her courage. It was Irene who broke the stillness. Her hand crept up Aisaak's wide, hard chest and splayed over his heart. "I am here, inside your beating heart. I've found it to be the home I have sought all my life. I wish to reside there forever, even after death. Will you welcome me?"
Aisaak's eyes grew wide. His heart began to open and release all the pain that had been residing within it. Grief and sadness dispersed as well. Only love remained. Irene took most of the space for herself, but she left a small corner for Vega's memory.
Aisaak cupped her face and gently kissed her lips. "I am no longer lost and roaming. I have found my home in you. Wherever we wander, our home will go with us. Death will not part us. Welcome to my soul, sweet Irene."
Warm, calloused hands lifted her shirt to touch soft, bare skin. They were large enough to span her waist, thumbs meeting at her belly button and fingers at her spine. They moved tentatively over her ribs as he bent his head for a deeper kiss.
Irene's tongue met his and played a game of cat and mouse. She drew closer, rubbing her sensitive breasts against his rippling abs. He moaned into her mouth, setting her on fire.
Aisaak lifted her to sit on the bed, bringing her closer to eye level. He moved his mouth to her neck, and his lips discovered a bandage that had been hidden by her long hair.
"What is this?" he asked, stopping the sensual assault.
"It's a scratch. Krane wished to make me hurt. He knew he would not be allowed to live another day and wished to torture me as his last action."
Aisaak's face darkened with rage. He tore off the bandage to see the cut for himself. He calmed when he saw that it was healing and the scarring would be minimal. He kissed it and asked, "Was there more?"
Irene didn't care to tell him, but he would see the mark soon enough anyway, so she had no choice. "Yes, there is one more."
She removed her shirt, baring her breasts and the bandage above them. She stopped his hand as he reached for it. "It's nothing, meaningless. Don't let it ruin this time together. Don't give him that satisfaction."
Aisaak pushed her hand aside and removed the bandage. The mark beneath had him stumbling backward. "He dared mark you with his brand like cattle? If he was not already dead, I would kill him: slowly and painfully."
"He's gone, and I will cover the mark with another as soon as it heals. In honor of you, my love, and Tika, my savior, I'll ask that it be turned into a tattoo of a golden dragon. All traces of Krane's existence will be removed. Come to me and erase his touch."
Aisaak heard the plea in her voice. The rise and fall of her breath drew his gaze to her plump breasts. He filled his hands with them and worshipped them with his tongue. Irene moaned to show him her pleasure. Her nipples grew tight and rose to meet him.
Slowly, tantalizing he began to suckle, pulling on them and sending an ache through her nether regions. She grasped his shaggy head and held him there for an eternity as her foot slid between his mighty legs and casually rubbed the staff beneath the fabric of his pants. It rose to greet the strokes, hardening to steel.
"You are asking for trouble, my heart. Dare I release what you have made?" Aisaak asked against her skin.
"I can take whatever you have to give," Irene vowed. "In fact, I want it and will relish the heat."
Aisaak stood tall and divested himself of his shirt. Muscles rippled as he moved. His hands hesitated at his waist. "Are you certain you don't want me to remain clothed to ensure I go slowly?"
"I want to see all of you, now. Should we move too fast the first time, then we will surely be able to slow down during the second," she proclaimed, causing sparks to fly from his eyes.
"Look, I will join you," Irene declared. She lifted
her hips and slid her pants down her legs, leaving her whole body uncovered for him to peruse.
Aisaak quickly and efficiently dropped his pants and stepped out of them. He gave Irene the pleasure of denoting how she affected him. His staff stood at attention, hard, thick, and quivering with desire. As she watched, a tiny drop blossomed at its end. Before Aisaak could stop her, she scooted forward and took the drop onto her tongue.
He shivered and his eyes closed. Continuing to watch his reaction, Irene surrounded his silky hardness with her warm, wet mouth. He grabbed her shoulders and squeezed tightly. It hurt slightly, but she refused to cry out and miss this opportunity. She rolled her tongue over the tip and down to where his member grew from his body, then back up again. She began a rhythmic motion using both hands and mouth to bring Aisaak to the brink of insanity and over. She triumphantly swallowed every drop of the salty fluid he produced.
Like a crazed animal, Aisaak dropped to his knees, parted her thighs and ravished the prize he found there. She was wet and ready to feed his desire. He plunged his tongue into her depths and tasted her sweetness. He nipped at the tiny bud that was swelling with need. He felt the first spasms of release and quickened the pace. Irene came unglued, screamed and bucked, giving him the nectar that he had worked so hard for.
Her inner muscles were still convulsing when he rose and joined their bodies. The spasms pulled him deep to touch her womb and set off a whole new wave. She rode it as he moved to bring himself to the end once more.
Irene sensed no regrets this time and no running away. Aisaak drew her close, kissed her cuts, and fell into what she knew was a dreamless slumber.
Chapter Seventeen
***Aisaak***
Aisaak wasn't happy with the situation before him at all. He'd argued against it and was outvoted. Irene had voted for the other side, vexing him further. She was getting dressed in the provocative clothing Mariana had loaned her. The narrow blue band barely covered her breasts, and the tight leggings enhanced her shape instead of hiding it. Her round bottom was showcased, and every movement of its muscles could be clearly seen. Her one consolation prize to him was the large gold pendant she borrowed from Constantine to cover the K on her chest.
The outfit was due to the information delivered by the pirate's spies. They had reported on Lolita's location. She was seen nightly at the main casino around midnight. It was the only time and place to get to speak with her.
Aisaak had argued, to no avail, that only Mariana and Tann were needed at the casino. Between them, they could corral Lolita and get the necessary information. Everyone else believed a second pair for backup was a better plan. Thus, Irene and Aisaak were chosen. Irene, because she was the only female who fit the part and Aisaak, because he wouldn't let his love into the lion's den without his protection.
"Stop glaring," Irene demanded. "Lolita is harmless, and you'll be there to keep away all the men. Use that glare for them, not me."
"I brought you here to keep you out of harm's way, and here you are running right back into it," he muttered.
"Think, Aisaak," she commanded. "All these people, who don't even really know me or Savanah, are taking this risk. I can't sit back and watch from the safety of this ship. I won't do it. I'm not taking on the whole unsavory organization. I'll leave that for higher authority. I just want to get Savanah."
"You know Tann wants more. He wants it all shut down."
"I'm fully aware of that. Mariana explained who and what he is. The circle of insiders to the information is growing awfully large. I'm afraid his secret won't remain hidden for much longer. Do you suppose the pirates will turn on him and possibly us once they learn the truth?" Irene asked.
"Nice ploy, trying to change the direction of the conversation. However, I'll allow it to keep us from arguing. The pirates are vastly unpredictable. They want to vindicate the pirate code, so they may align themselves with Tann to bring the ones in the wrong to justice. They may run away in fear of being captured themselves. Or they may turn on us and fight. I see the value and wisdom in each of those choices."
"So do I. Which would you say they'll choose? I vote they'll aid him."
"As do I," Aisaak replied. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I believe that's the way the quote goes. It's a reluctant alliance."
"Not as reluctant as it used to be," Mariana interrupted. "The first time I was brought out here I was forced to remain in the ship ninety-nine percent of the time. The derelicts were considerably more dangerous. Tann borrowed from them or traded with them, risking his life in the process. Constantine made it different. He took charge and stopped the attacks on our ship and offered a more positive existence. He organized what was a filthy pile of trash, where the inhabitants would just as soon kill one another as speak, into a village. Take away fear, and you gain cooperation. Are you ready for me to make your face even more beautiful, Irene? Lolita taught me how to enhance our looks with makeup and hair. This isn't my real hair color, but I won't be changing yours. Red is flamboyant enough, and you’re not running from slavery as I was. Dying my hair was a necessary disguise."
"How did you come to know her? Wasn't she a stripper?" Irene asked.
"She was a stripper and an informant. She was also Torbin's ex-wife. He and Tann could get her to agree to almost anything. I wanted to be a pirate and Torbin wanted me to steal from the gamblers. I had to look the part, so he recruited Lolita. That's the short explanation. We'll save the long version for a cold winter night after Savanah is safe," Mariana replied.
"The list of stories to hear keeps growing longer. It might take several winters to learn them all," Irene concluded.
"Since Delti Utopia 6 wasn't where anyone was born, I suspect all the stories will begin with some tragedy. As long as they all end in happiness, I'll be satisfied. Close your eyes so I can put this eyeliner on straight," Mariana commanded. "Aisaak, go don your finery. You don't want to appear lacking beside Irene."
The foursome gathered atop the platform that would rise to the bridge. It was marvelous and yet terrifying to walk across the bridge that spanned the rushing water lit by blue orbs. Irene wobbled slightly as she walked on the skinny, spiked heels. The clothing Aisaak had thought to be so skimpy actually was far more modest than what she saw around her. Even Mariana's silver bodysuit that melted over her curves and allowed her dark nipples to peek through covered more than the tourists' ensembles.
The men wore suede pants, laced like boots down the outside of the legs and at the fly. Their shirts were bright colored silk: Tann's blue and Aisaak's green. Envy showed in the men's eyes that caught sight of them and desire showed in the women's.
Irene felt a wave of jealousy when their longing hit her senses. She tightened her hold on Aisaak. He smiled down at her, oblivious to the stares.
Irene almost crumpled to the floor upon entering the casino. So many people, alien and human, emitting a mixed bag of emotions hit her hard. She hadn't considered this possibility, and Aisaak didn't fully understand how her empath gift worked. She moaned and went pale.
Aisaak caught her before she fell. He had her in an out of the way corner within seconds. Tann and Mariana followed.
"If she's that frightened, you may as well leave," Tann growled. "Neither of you will be of aid if she can't face the crowd."
"I don't think it's fear. Don't be so quick to say harsh words when you can't perceive what's occurring. It's an old habit I thought you'd broken," Mariana scolded.
"I'm not scared," Irene whispered. "I'm an empath. I didn't think about all the emotions that would be swirling in a place like this: lust, greed, sadness, fear, despair, joy, and pain. It's too much. Give me a moment to block it all. I won't be as intuitive to others as you would like, but it's the only way I'll be able to tolerate staying."
"You should have told us. We wouldn't have forced you to come," Mariana sorrowfully replied.
"No one forces Irene to do anything. She has a stubbornness that causes her to seek out trouble. I don't understa
nd her gift, and I don't believe she's ever tested it on this level," Aisaak admitted.
"It's true. Most of my life I was only around my parents and Savanah. Jimbo's bar was the largest crowd I've had to face until now. I thought that was grueling, but forty or fifty emotions are nothing compared to the thousand consuming me here."
"Take her out," Tann ordered. "She's suffered enough."
"I'm not leaving. I'm getting it under control. Among all of the emotions, the one that struck me first was from someone who was being forced to leave here. We have to do this for all the women they're taking. There, I've blocked it. I feel nothing, not even my own emotions. Pretending will have to do."
They chose the most crowded table, splitting into pairs and squeezing in at both ends. The human rolling the dice was winning heavily, his greedy eyes burning with power. He roughly pushed the woman at his side away, proclaiming, "You aren't wanted anymore. I've got money to find me a better woman now."
She tearfully left the table. Mariana masked her anger and sidled up to the greedy pig. Her tiny hand smoothed down his tangle of dark hair and caressed his cheek. "Will I do for a good luck charm?"
Tann's cheek pulsed with anger, but he held it back knowing Mariana's flirting was meant to retrieve information.
"Well, I was planning to pay for the best tonight, but you'll do. Who do I give the gold to for your services: Lolita or the man upstairs?" the man asked as he pawed her backside.
Hiding her revulsion, Mariana replied, "You keep winning. I'll take the gold to Lolita, though I seem to have lost sight of her."
He tossed several gold pieces her way and replied, "She's in her usual spot near the ladies' lounge. She keeps all of you fresh as a daisy, even the cheapest ones. Hurry back."