by Tana Stone
I’d agreed to it because I couldn’t bear to leave the planet unprotected. The Vandar home world had been unprotected millennia ago, and the Zagrath had decimated it and then taken it from us. I couldn’t let that happen to other planets. The people of Kimithion III didn’t deserve that. Sienna didn’t deserve that.
“Maybe I just enjoy fighting,” I said. “There is no holo-ring on this planet, so live opponents are my only option.”
She handed me another roll as soon as I finished the first. “I don’t buy it.”
“Buy it?” I twisted my head to look at her, stifling a grin. “You have never thought anything you haven’t uttered, have you?”
She shot me a scathing look, but her own lips twitched up at the corners. “They’re wrong when they say the Vandar aren’t hilarious.”
I enjoyed verbally sparring with this female almost as much as I enjoyed grappling with her. “Our sense of humor is underrated.”
“Joke all you want, but I know the truth about you. You’re a good guy buried deep underneath a grumpy, hostile warrior in a skirt.”
“A skirt?” I gaped at her. “The Vandar battle kilts have been our traditional battle garb since the days when our hordes roamed the plains on our home world.”
“Battle kilt? That’s a fancy name for flaps of leather that look like a skirt.” She eyed the kilt fanned across my legs. “I guess they are easy to fight in.”
“Do not think I am overlooking you calling me grumpy,” I said, swallowing the last bit of bread.
“I don’t blame you for being grumpy. I’m stuck here, and I’m grumpy most of the time.”
“If you are so unhappy, why have you not considered leaving?” I asked. It was clear that Sienna didn’t fit in on the planet. She was too much of a rule breaker to flourish in such a controlled society.
“No one leaves.”
“Because who would leave a planet that gives you immortality?” I answered my own question.
“I don’t care about that,” she said. “I’d rather have one lifetime filled with adventure, than a dozen lifetimes filled with nothing special. Life means more when you know it isn’t forever.”
“Then why stay?”
She let out a tortured breath. “My sister. I can’t leave her behind with my father, and Juliette isn’t like me. She likes things to be the same. She’ll be perfectly happy marrying someone and having a family, spending every day doing the same thing. She says she loves the comfort of routine.”
“While it chokes you?”
She turned her head to me, biting her lower lip as she nodded. “I’ve tried to find something I like as much as Juliette loves baking her breads. But the only thing I’ve found is fighting. It’s the only thing that’s ever made me feel alive.”
“I’m surprised you were able to uncover your talent here. The planet seems so peaceful.”
Her expression darkened and her shoulders bowed forward. “On the surface it’s perfect, just like the surface of the shallows—placid and beautiful. But if you look under the surface there’s always more. I’ve never been willing to accept the insults and the snide comments that were whispered or said in jest. That’s why I’ve always gotten in trouble.”
I understood this human more than I wanted to admit. “I also spent most of my childhood getting in trouble.”
“Really?” She tilted her head to study me. “What do you have to do to get in trouble as a Vandar?”
“A lot.” I thought of the lashings I’d received at my father’s hand. “It was not until I joined a horde that I learned discipline and control.”
“I never thought of a Vandar horde as disciplined. Your reputation is for swarming ships and ripping them to pieces and leaving no survivors.”
“That is only partially true.” My pulse quickened as I thought back to the thrill of boarding a ship, my fellow Vandar pumping fists high into the air before rushing out to cut down our enemy. “Our attack pattern might appear chaotic, but that is by design. Everything the Vandar hordes do is to keep our enemy off balance, but it is carefully planned down to the way we move as a unit, to the way our ships fly. It was my job as battle chief to coordinate all our battles and raiding missions.”
“Battle chief?” She nodded. “That explains why you’re so cocky.”
I barked out a laugh. “We have yet to determine why you are.”
She smiled at me—a genuine smile than reached her eyes and warmed them—then leaned back and peered up at the sky, inky blue and dotted with three iridescent orbs. “I would love to see one of your hordes.”
“If it is a Vandar horde, you would not be able to see it. We use invisibility shielding to fly unseen. It is part of the reason we still evade the empire.”
Her eyes shone as she swung her head down to look at me. “I can see why you miss your horde so much and want to return to it. I would feel the same way.” She cleared her throat and slid off the log. “But if I’m going to help you escape, you’re going to need to teach me a lot more than how to get pinned.”
Too bad, I thought as I stood. Pinning her was something I would have loved to do again. If I could trust myself with her, which I did not.
Chapter Fourteen
Ch 14
Sienna
“Ow.” I flinched as I bumped into a crate, almost dropping my tablet, as I counted sacks of unprocessed grain. I clutched the metal tightly, glancing at the screen to be sure it was undamaged.
My boss, a Kimitherian with a keen sense of hearing, glanced up from across the warehouse, his yellow eyes narrowing in concern from under his beige hood, although they still didn’t blink. “You are bumping into things a lot today. You are sure you’re well?”
“Totally fine, Krebli.” I waved at him, hoping my wide grin would convince him that I was okay, even though every muscle in my body screamed out in agony. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, that’s all.”
Krebli nodded and turned back to his own digital tablet. Lucky for me, my boss took me at my word and was more concerned with tracking the latest supplies to leave the warehouse than one klutzy employee. As long as I didn’t drop my tablet. Not many places on Kimithion III used the tablets we did, but it was crucial we keep accurate track of what we imported. The tablets were another thing I was pretty good with, and I wished we had more tech on the planet.
I scooted around the grain, sighing when I realized I’d lost count and would need to start again. Why had I insisted that Corvak and I train every night? After only three evening sessions, I was already so sore I could barely sleep afterward. It didn’t help my sleep that when I did doze off, my dreams were filled with Corvak, and I usually woke up sweating and panting.
Nope, I wasn’t sharing that tidbit with my boss.
I gave my head a small shake to focus on the extremely boring task at hand. How could I count sacks of grain when my mind wanted to replay my training in my head?
Get it together, Sienna, I told myself, careful not to say the words aloud and get another concerned look from Krebli.
I might be obsessed with everything I was learning from Corvak, but I still needed this job to pay the bills. After I finally finished the grain count and tapped the numbers into my tablet, I tipped my head back and blew out a breath. The high ceiling was an arch of stone since the warehouse—like almost all the buildings on the planet—was cut into the mountain. But because it had no windows cut into it, it remained cool inside, although the various scents of grains, produce, and spices melded into a strange cacophony to which my nose had become numb. At least none of the local products from the shallows were stored inside—only what we imported from off-world. I wouldn’t have been able to bear inhaling algae and seaweed all day.
“You have finished the grains?” Krebli asked as he came up behind me, his sharp Kimitherian accent making me jump.
I put a hand to my heart as I passed him my tablet for inspection. “All done. We should have more than enough until the next delivery. When will that be anyway?”
Krebli tilted his scaled head at me. “You have never cared to ask about our supply deliveries before.”
I shrugged, trying to act like I didn’t care. “No reason. Curiosity, I guess.”
“About supplies?” He swiped a webbed finger across the surface of my tablet. “That would be a first.” He nodded at the numbers I’d recorded. “Not until the moons disappear from the sky and the shallows go dark.”
The natives spoke about the natural occurrences on the planet with an almost poetic reverence. “So after the new moons?”
Krebli made a clicking sound of disapproval at my simplification of the day when the cycle of the moons made them appear to vanish and their light didn’t illuminate the shallows at night. But he nodded. “After that.”
I felt some amount of relief. The moons were still almost fully round, which meant I had time. When I thought about Corvak leaving, my stomach clenched, but then I reminded myself that there was still time, and he couldn’t go without my help.
“That is enough for today.” Krebli patted my shoulder with one blue-green, scaled hand, his fingers as slender as sea kelp waving under the surface of the water. “I will see you tomorrow, Sienna.”
I didn’t bother to walk slowly from the warehouse, eagerly stepping outside and lifting my face to feel the warmth of the sun for a moment before flipping up my hood to keep from being burned. Since the warehouse was on the outskirts of the village, I could see the fighters trudging from the amphitheater. Their shoulders were slumped and their footsteps heavy. They looked as sore as I felt.
I hung back, hoping to get a glimpse of Corvak but he didn’t emerge. Considering how quickly he moved, the Vandar was probably halfway up the mountain path to his dwelling by now. For a flicker of a moment, I considered trying to catch up with him. But then we’d be seen together, and that was the last thing either of us needed. I’d done a good job of avoiding him since we’d started meeting in secret. Even the bundles of bread I left for him were placed on his windowsill before the rest of the village was awake.
“Sienna!”
I’d been so caught up thinking about the Vandar that I hadn’t heard the fast footsteps approaching behind. I stopped but didn’t turn around as Donal rushed up and put himself in my path.
“Hi, Donal.”
His face was red from exertion and his hair damp with sweat. Many other women considered him handsome, but I’d never been able to get past his roving gaze and arrogant smirk. “You finishing work?”
Before I could respond, he nodded. “I’m glad you’ve given up your attempts to be one of the fighters. It’s good that you’ve accepted your role as a female. Not that your job is typical for a woman.”
I put my hands on my hips, trying not to snap back at him even as my ire flared. “You would prefer I bake like my sister?”
He smiled at me like I was finally catching on. “Or you could fashion garments like my sisters.” His gaze roamed down my body, only partially covered by my open cloak. “Although not like the ones you choose to wear.”
As usual, I’d donned a pair of fitted pants and a top that clung to what slight curves I had. I couldn’t move in the roomy dresses the women on my planet favored, and I certainly couldn’t fight in them.
“Thanks for the input, Donal, but I’m happy with my job.” I sidestepped him so I could keep walking.
He shot out a hand, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back to face him. “You won’t keep it once we’re married.”
“Not a problem. I’m not marrying you.” I jerked my hand from his grip. This guy just couldn’t take a hint—or an outright rejection.
This time Donal looped an arm around my waist and tugged me back against him. “I’ve indulged your little game for long enough, Sienna. You will marry me, or you’ll find your father without a job again and your sister’s flour rations cut off.”
Rage pulsed through me, and before I could think better of it, I’d brought my foot down hard on his instep and rammed my elbow into his gut. When he staggered back, I spun and flipped him by the arm so that he hit the ground on his back. As he lay gasping like a fish out of water, I couldn’t help feeling pleased by how much better my defensive tactics had gotten.
“Sienna!” Juliette ran up to me, her hands on her cheeks. “What have you done?”
Her stunned expression brought me back to reality. The reality that I’d just beaten up a minister’s son—a man who had the power to make my life miserable.
I stared at Juliette, not sure what to say. Then her face paled as her eyes shifted to something behind me.
“She was defending herself.”
The burr of Corvak’s voice almost made me sink to the ground in relief. I turned to see him striding toward us from the amphitheater, his expression fierce. When he reached us, he glanced down at me, his eyes searching. When he was satisfied I was unhurt, he spared a glance for Donal.
“You should not grab females from behind like that.” He bent over so his head was above Donal’s as the man lay flat still attempting to draw breath. “You could get hurt.”
Corvak grasped his hand and jerked him to standing so hard Donal’s feet caught air before coming down on the hardpacked earth.
Finally, Donal found his voice. “You should stay out of private matters, Vandar.”
Corvak’s eyebrows popped up, and he swiveled his gaze around us. “Private? You accosted the female out in the open. That hardly seems private.”
“This doesn’t concern you,” Donal said, his voice vibrating with rage as he glared at me with barely contained fury. “What happens between Sienna and me is none of your concern.”
“It is when you use the skills I have taught you against a female who clearly has no interest in your attentions.”
Donal’s cheeks were mottled an ugly patchwork of pink and red, but he drew in a breath and forced out a laugh. “You know what females are like. They say no when they mean yes.”
A muscle ticked in Corvak’s tight jaw, and the tip of his tail vibrated behind him. “I have never found that to be the case.” He leaned in close to Donal. “But let me be clear. If I ever see you accosting the female again, she will not be the one slamming you to the ground. And when I do it, there is a good chance you will not get up.”
Donal pressed his lips together and backed away, shooting a final murderous glare at me before turning and stalking off.
Juliette let out a small squeak, her hand clamped over her mouth.
Corvak’s gaze tracked Donal until he disappeared into the village square, then he turned his attention to my sister. “You are the baker.”
She nodded mutely, her gaze shifting between me and Corvak.
“I believe it is you I have to thank for slipping me one of your rolls the other day,” he said.
Juliette dropped her hand from her mouth. “I’d just watched you drink an entire mug of algae tea. You needed it.”
He bestowed a rare smile on her. “You were correct.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” I said to Corvak, ruining the moment. “He’s a bad enemy to have.”
“A Vandar does not stand by and watch a female being attacked.” His dark eyes heated as they held mine. “You are sure you are unhurt?”
“I can take care of myself and fight my own battles,” I said more sharply that I’d intended.
“I know you can, but battles are never won alone.” He tore his hot gaze from me and bowed his head at my sister. “Thank you again.”
When he walked away, we both watched him for a moment before Juliette turned to me. “What in the name of the two suns was that?”
Chapter Fifteen
Ch 15
Sienna
“Like he said, he hates bullies,” I said, pushing open the door to our dwelling as Juliette followed behind me. “He saw Donal picking on me and had to step in. He’s a Vandar raider. He would have done the same for anyone.”
The living area was empty, and we both exhaled in relief that our fat
her wasn’t slumped over on the couch or staggering drunk around the kitchen looking for a spare change so he could buy more liquor. The scent of my sister’s baking had faded, but the smell of fermented algae had not taken its place—a sure sign that our father had been gone for a while. If we were lucky, he was working. If we were unlucky, he was merely resupplying himself.
“I might be your younger sister, Sienna, but I’m not an idiot, and I’m not blind.”
Nerves fluttered in my stomach. I wasn’t great at hiding my feelings from Juliette. She usually knew everything about me, so it felt odd to keep something from her. “I never said you were, but I’m not sure what you think you saw.”
I deposited my cloak on the back of the couch, walked into the kitchen, and poured myself a cup of water, thirsty after a long day of counting sacks and crates and eager to avoid my sister’s searching gaze.
“That Vandar does not look at you the same way he looks at me or any of the other residents of the planet. He might have stepped in for anyone, but he wouldn’t have looked at them like he looked at you.”
My cheeks warmed at the reminder of Corvak’s hot gaze, but I chugged the water and shrugged. “I didn’t notice.”
Juliette made a scoffing noise. “If he has some sort of crush on you, he’d better be careful. You were right about one thing. Donal and his minister father are bad enemies to have.”
Now it was my turn to scoff. “I don’t think tough Vandar raiders do crushes.” I let the water I’d gulped down cool me off before turning and heading for the shower. They also didn’t exercise caution, which was why I knew Corvak wouldn’t care how powerful Donal and his father were.
My sister followed me down the short hall as I peeled off my top, tossing it through the open door to my bedroom so that it landed on the bed. I’d never been particularly modest, especially around Juliette, so I ignored her sharp intake of breath as I kicked off my pants and added those to lay beside the discarded top.