“Purpose?”
“We need repairs.”
“Passengers?”
“I have a female with me.” The term sounded very distant and she scowled at him.
There was a long pause. Then the voice said, “Proceed to Docking Bay X Eleven. The beacon will lead you there.” A hesitation. “Welcome back, Chief Dragar.”
“Thank you.” His voice sounded strained, but he sighed and made a small adjustment to the controls. “The beacon will lead us in. We should prepare.”
Lifting her gently to her feet, he marched to the locker. He was wearing his leather pants and after a short pause, added the sleeveless vest he had worn on Earth. Swiftly he pulled on his boots and fastened the twin daggers around his waist.
“What should I wear?”
Obviously startled at her question, he turned to survey her as she waited by the command chair. She was back in her pink panties and camisole and he gave a slow heated look from head to foot.
“As much as I like that outfit, I don’t think it would be appropriate. Where are your Earth clothes?”
She hesitated. “Could…could I wear your shirt again?” Feeling her face start to heat, she hurried on. “I know it sounds silly but it would make it easier for me.”
He frowned and started to shake his head. “Too much skin.”
“Not necessarily. Look.” Hurrying to the discarded shirt, she pulled it on, arranging it so that the V-neck was at the back. It still revealed the upper portion of her back but her hair covered most of the exposed skin. More importantly, it felt right to have this sign of his claim on her body, to have his scent surrounding her. His eyes glowed as he surveyed her and she knew that he felt it, too.
“I suppose that would work,” he admitted reluctantly. Before he could change his mind, she grabbed one his belts. She had to wrap it twice to get it to fit, but it pulled the shirt in and made it resemble a dress. The sneakers didn’t really work but she didn’t have much choice. If only she had a mirror...
His eyes dropped to her bare legs but before he could speak there was a distant clank and the ship shuddered.
“We’re docked.” Grabbing her hand, he pulled her against his side and opened the airlock. The ladder descended. Without pausing he picked her up and gently threw her over his shoulder for the descent. She started to protest that she was quite capable of descending a ladder but decided against it. Why not let him keep her as close as possible while he could?
At the bottom of the ladder, he carefully placed her on her feet but kept her tight against his side. The dock was not overly large; she could see walls not too far away. Only four other ships stood on the open floor, all of them about the same size. They were in various states of repair, with parts scattered across the metal floor. The entire space was a dingy gray, stained and obviously worn She could smell oil and burnt metal. Before she could finish her survey, the sound of approaching footsteps made her start and press a little closer to Dragar.
The being approaching them was short and slim with vaguely reptilian features. What she could see of his skin was covered in green scales but most of his body was covered with a hooded black cloak. He stopped a cautious distance away and bowed politely.
“I am J’Ssett. My masster wishes to ssee you.” His voice was low and calm, the slight sibilance not unpleasant.
Dragar’s body was tight but he nodded once. “Very well.”
As they turned to follow the cloaked figure, Dragar bent to whisper in her ear. “Little one, I won’t let anyone harm you but I can’t promise that we won’t be separated temporarily. If we are, know that I will always come for you.”
The fear that had been held at bay by curiosity came rushing back. She tried to smile at him but she knew it was a pitiful effort.
“I know you will,” she finally managed. He smiled and his mouth dropped over hers. The warm press of his lips reassured her and she slid her tongue into his mouth, seeking the deeper comfort of his hot mouth and wild delicious taste. She felt his cock harden against her soft belly and then he was returning the kiss with a passion that left her breathless. By the time he lifted his head, she was tingling. This time her smile was genuine.
J’Ssett was waiting patiently by the door. He swept a considering glance across the two of them and she blushed a little, but he only led the way out of dock.
As soon as the doors opened, she stumbled. She could feel the press of emotions surrounding her like a great weight. Apparently she was sensitive to non-human minds as well. Clenching her fists, she told herself that there was no need to panic. If she could handle trips to the city, she could handle this. Forcing back her dread, she took several slow, deep breaths, glad that Dragar was so close. The weight receded until it was uncomfortable but bearable. Dragar was watching her and she nodded reassuringly.
They had emerged in a small corridor, as stained and dingy as the dock they had just left. Following J’Ssett through a maze of similar corridors, they finally entered a much larger passageway. A light but constant flow of traffic filled the wide space, with both pedestrians and small vehicles vying for the right of way. Beth couldn’t keep her eyes from widening as she took in the pedestrians. Beings of all sizes and shapes traversed the space. Most of them were humanoid but with a wide variety of features and skins. Some were very close to human. Others, not so much. An alien whizzed by them, his upper body humanoid, his lower body encased in a clear wheeled container filled with liquid and... tentacles. Trying not to stare, she pressed close to Dragar’s side. Several of the aliens did not share her reluctance, stopping to survey her from head to toe until Dragar growled. After the third time it happened, he grabbed J’Ssett’s arm and brought the smaller alien to a halt.
“Give me your cloak,” he demanded. His eyes were starting to spark white and she could feel the rage pouring off of him.
J’Ssett looked at him and then at Beth. With what might have been a smile, he handed the garment over. He was only wearing a jeweled loincloth underneath but the sudden expanse of bared skin didn’t seem to bother him. Dragar wrapped the cloak around Beth’s shoulders.
“Too much skin,” he growled. Grateful for the anonymity, she hugged the cloak to her neck. The cloth was soft and had an odd musty smell. It wasn’t unpleasant and she was too glad to have it to complain.
Dragar was still tense, his eyes white, so she reached up and kissed him gently on the cheek.
“I’m sorry about the shirt. I needed to have your scent around me.”
He sighed and his eyes darkened to gray. “I know. I wanted it, too. But you are unusual…and desirable. I also didn’t expect to be traveling the entire length of the station.” His eyes narrowed at J’Ssett but the small alien only gave a deprecating shrug and resumed the journey. Eventually they stopped before a wide bank of doors and J’Ssett ushered them into a small room. There was a sudden sensation of movement and Beth realized that they were in an elevator.
When the door opened again, they were in a different world. Gone was the noise and traffic, the dingy corridor and the smell of bodies and machinery. Instead they entered a large, white room with walls and floor of polished stone. She could hear the gentle tinkle of running water and caught a hint of flowers. The constant press of emotions diminished and a sense of calm swept over her.
Ahead of them, a thin curtain swayed gently between two columns and J’Ssett led them through the shimmering barrier. Beth gasped as they passed straight through and she realized that the curtain had not been made of fabric at all. Passing through the veil caused a cool, not unpleasant, tingle on her skin.
The space beyond was even more magnificent. The polished, white stone floor continued but the ceiling soared high overhead. A row of immense columns led the way to an enormous expanse of glass. As they traveled down the colonnade, she caught a glimpse of the rooms to either side. White was still predominant but there were hints of bright colors and rich metals, along with some sculpted plants and the occasional shimmer of light on water. The effect was stunn
ingly beautiful and obviously expensive but very cold.
As they passed between the final pair of columns, Beth gasped and clutched Dragar’s arm. The last room was all glass, from walls to floor. A seeming endless panorama spread out in front of her and opened beneath her feet. Fighting a wave of dizziness, she realized that the room projected out into the center of the cylinder. The entire structure was hollow.
More sculpted plants and a small fountain were the only visual cues of where the room ended and she focused on them, trying to ignore the sickness rolling in her stomach. She had never been good with heights. Dragar frowned down at her as he felt her tremble, but she could only cling to him and shake her head.
“I believe the female is not enjoying the view.” The voice was deep and smooth, like dark chocolate, but as cold as the vast expanse of stone and glass that surrounded them. Dragar tensed and turned, still holding her tightly.
Beth gasped again as she took in the man standing between the columns. He was obviously Sardoran, but unlike Dragar’s rich charcoal skin, his was a shimmering gold. The warm, metallic color was accented by an open white vest that fell from broad shoulders to bare feet. Beneath the open vest she could see white leather pants. He was as tall as Dragar but didn’t have Dragar’s massive bulk. Lean muscles covered his taut frame and as he stepped forward, he moved with the sinuous grace of a lion. Everything about him was leonine and she had a sudden urge to paint him as King Midas, reclining on a throne of gold with his enemies’ heads in a pile at his feet.
“Kievan,” Dragar acknowledged, his voice carefully neutral.
“Dragar.” Kievan leisurely surveyed Beth from head to foot, and for some reason she blushed and clutched the cloak a little more tightly. “I believe J’Ssett would appreciate the return of his clothing.”
Dragar hesitated but slipped the cloak off of her shoulders. Her legs felt shockingly exposed, even though the shirt hit her at mid-thigh. Desperate to avoid looking at Kievan, Beth watched as he returned the garment. The reptilian alien sniffed it with a quick smile and covered himself.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“You are mosst welcome.”
Dragar returned to her side and put a possessive hand on her shoulder. His presence gave her courage and she lifted her chin, finally looking back at Kievan. As she suspected, he was watching her closely and she had to fight the urge to tug the hemline further down her legs. As she watched his lips curled in a slow, appreciative smile.
“Did you bring me a present? I don’t recognize the species.”
“No,” Dragar growled, and his fingers tightened. “She is human and not available.”
“Human?” Kievan quirked a brow ridge. “Not a species I am familiar with—has her planet recently been admitted to the Empire?”
“No.”
“Do you have a business contract with her?”
“No.”
“Is she your slave?”
Beth jumped and Dragar’s hand grasped her even harder.
“No.”
Kievan smiled and she shuddered. She had never seen such a cold smile. He paused and she had a feeling that he was playing with them.
“Why are you here, Dragar?”
The change of subject startled her and the tension had not yet left Dragar’s body.
“I need repairs to my auto-pilot and to the primary life-support system.”
“Really?” Kevan was definitely enjoying this. “How do you propose to pay for them?”
“I have credits.”
“And you know I won’t accept them. Especially since your last words to me were that you hoped you would never see me or my Goddess damned station again.”
Dragar’s grip was really starting to hurt and she shifted her shoulder. His fingers immediately loosened and he pulled her back against his chest. His arm came around her waist in a protective gesture. She couldn’t see his face but the warmth of his body comforted her. Kievan watched them, his face expressionless.
“What do you want?” Dragar finally asked.
“You know what I want. Three rounds.”
Rounds? What were they talking about?
“Very well. But all in one shift.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. And make it tomorrow.”
“No, I’m afraid that’s impossible. I will need to circulate the word that you are back.”
“You bastard. That’s why you walked us through the corridors, isn’t it?”
He shrugged delicately. “Publicity always increases profits. And your ship will take—” He looked at J’Ssett who immediately responded, “Three days.”
“Three days to repair. I will schedule them for the last day so you have time to prepare.”
Dragar growled. His arm was a solid bar across her stomach.
“Very well.”
“Good.” Kievan nodded and she didn’t think he had ever doubted Dragar’s agreement.
“And now for the female.”
“What about her?”
“She doesn’t appear to have any means of support. How is she going to pay for her accommodation?”
“I will provide for her.”
“And I already said that I wouldn’t accept your credits.” Kievan’s eyes swept over her again and she shuddered as his eyes flared gold. Dragar’s arms clasped her so tightly that she could barely breathe but she didn’t care, burrowing back against him.
“It’s never going to happen.”
Kievan surveyed the two of them and something flickered in his eyes.
“What is her claim on you?” He actually sounded curious.
“It is my claim on her. I have claimed her as my mate.”
Happiness bubbled up in Beth’s veins. She wasn’t sure exactly what he meant but it sounded right. It sounded permanent.
Kievan smiled and she knew he was going to say something terrible. “Weren’t you negotiating a claim with Ingirun?” Dragar turned rigid behind her at the same time that hurt crept over her. It was stupid to think that he had never been in love before.
Satisfied with his effect, Kievan continued smoothly. “Oh that’s right. She died on Trillium, didn’t she?”
That little piece of news was even more devastating, but it helped her understand why he felt so guilty. Forgetting her hurt feelings, she stroked his arm softly. He relaxed fractionally.
“You have claimed this female?”
“Yes.” At least he sounded sure about it.
Kievan stalked closer and she forced herself to not to flinch.
“And yet I see no mating cuffs. A clan mark?”
Dragar shook his head. Kievan leaned closer and sniffed delicately. “And I don’t smell a mating bond.”
“We were waiting until we got to Sardor Two for the ceremony.”
“Really? J’Ssett, what did you observe?”
“They act like a mated pair,” the small alien answered quietly. Kievan was obviously displeased with the answer. He tapped his fingers against his chin for a moment.
“Very well. I will accept your claim on one condition.”
“What?” Dragar’s voice was impassive.
“You will have the full traditional claiming ceremony here. The full ceremony, Dragar.”
“No. You can’t put her through that. She isn’t Sardoran.” What couldn’t he put her through? Her stomach twisted.
“One could argue that since she isn’t Sardoran, she can’t even take part in a Claiming Ceremony.” Kievan shrugged. “My condition is that you have the full ceremony. And if you don’t go through with it…” He leaned closer and stroked one cold finger down Beth’s cheek. “If you don’t go through with it, I will take her.”
Dragar growled and snatched her out of reach of Kievan’s hands. She could only stare at the golden alien. When he touched her, she felt his emotions. They were like ice crystals, cold and sharp and frightening. And yet there was something else, something hidden so far within that she couldn’t be sure, but it felt like p
ain. He must have read the sudden sympathy in her eyes because an odd expression crossed his face before he resumed his usual mocking mask.
“I assume you accept the condition?”
“Yes.” Beth could hear the reluctance in Dragar’s voice and was suddenly afraid that he didn’t want to go through with the ceremony at all. She couldn’t bear it if he was only going through with this to protect her. She twisted around to look up into his face.
“Are you sure about this?” she whispered.
“Are you? It may be…difficult for you.” Not exactly the response she had been looking for but then she saw how he braced himself for her rejection. A warm glow of certainty filled her. Whatever the ceremony entailed, she could face it if it meant that they could be together.
“Absolutely.” Her voice was confident and he smiled. He bent to kiss her but his lips had barely brushed hers before Kievan interrupted.
“I hate to disturb this touching scene,” he drawled, but there was a strange note in his voice. “The ceremony will take place tomorrow evening. In the meantime, I must separate the two of you.”
He held up his hand as Dragar immediately protested.
“Dragar, you know the tradition. I could make you wait the entire three days but, under the circumstances, tomorrow night will be fine. J’Ssett, take her to Barrack W5.”
“You can’t take her there.” Dragar looked horrified and she tried not to panic.
“I can and I will.” Kievan hesitated. “I am not going to keep her here in my quarters if I can’t have her. There she will be guarded by my men and she will be safe.”
“She had better be. If anything happens to her, you will pay.” Dragar’s voice was as cold as Kievan’s and twice as deadly. Kievan looked at him and then nodded. “I take responsibility. You have my word that she will be protected.”
Dragar sighed and some of the tension left his body. He held her a little away from him and studied her face.
“You will be safe, little one, but I’m worried that you will be afraid. Can you trust that I will come for you?”
She looked into his eyes and her heart skipped a beat. “Always.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her, not trying to kiss her this time but letting her absorb his heat and strength. Unable to bear the thought that Kievan would separate them, she gathered her courage and slipped free.
Beth and the Barbarian Page 8