Araman's Aria

by Suzanne Embree

  “Anything else I should know?” He reached for the console.

  “Nothing until we reach the ships Commandant. I will consider you unavailable until deployment.” Santari signed off.

  * * * *

  Araman walked into his quarters from the lift pod carrying several bags of groceries. He set them on the counter and went in search of Brea who was stepping out of the shower room wearing his kimono. She was damp and frowning as she fought with her hair.

  “Problems?” He came up behind her and helped her with the black and gold mass.

  “I still do not feel clean from your shower.” Brea told him.

  “Come Concubine. I will see to that need for you but first we must eat.” He pushed her towards the galley. He pulled out a stool for her when they reached the counter.

  Araman pulled the groceries out of the bag and put some of them away once he had Brea settled on the stool. She propped her head up on one arm and watched him. Beebles gave a little yip sitting at his feet when Araman began chopping.

  “You like to cook?” Brea asked, curious about him as he flared up the elements.

  “I like the taste of real meat and vegetables rather than the toxic chemicals the mess serves. Even as a private I cooked for myself over a burner and a pot.”

  He placed a pan on the flame. The aroma of sizzling vegetables hit the air when they landed in the bottom with the crackling of the pan. He waited a few moments before giving the pan a shake up flipping the vegetables into the air.

  Brea smiled at the thought of his large stature huddled over a single flame and a pot. “That must have been a sight.”

  “I’ll have you know, I learned to cook many a gourmet dinner in that pot.” He told her. “I still have it.” He reached up and pulled out the beaten up, misshapen dented metal pot. Araman held it up for her to see it with a grin. “It has seen a lot of action.” He glanced over to it fondly. “I do my best dishes with this pot.” He put in on the stove and filled it with a thick red liquid.

  “Apparently.” Brea laughed. She blushed when Araman smiled to her at the sound bubbling up from her throat. The old pot somehow made her feel better that he wouldn’t abandon her either. Maybe one day he would look upon her as kindly as he did the pot, the hope launched itself into her heart.

  “We must deploy tonight.” Araman’s tone grew serious. “I regret Concubine that I must take you with me. Know that I would rather have you safely tucked away here.” He opened a cupboard and grasped a bottle of red wine. He brought out two glasses and set one in front of her.

  “Beebles will stay here and will have twenty eight lunar hours a day care while we are gone by an assigned private. He has been briefed by the general himself as to the importance of his mission in looking after Beebles.” Araman added some wine to the simmering pot on the stove. Setting the bottle down he picked up a piece of the pet’s favorite fruit and tossed it to him. “Your pet has a higher security level than I do. It will be considered a security breach if anything should happen to your pet and capital punishment will be administered.”

  “Then I will not worry about him.” She raised the glass to her lips and sipped the burgundy liquid. She raised the glass up. “This is very good for juice of fermented fruit. I thought it would taste more rotten.”

  Araman chuckled at her comment regarding the wine. “You will be confined to my quarters unless you are in my company or my first. This will not be a trip for pleasure.” He added the vegetables from the pan to the bubbling thick blood colored slurry. He filled another pot with water and set it on the range then set about getting dinner for Brea’s pet.

  “Who will cook for him?” Brea asked as Araman set down the bowl.

  “His dinner will be delivered promptly at five lunar hours every afternoon.” He wiped off the knife and put it in its place in the wooden knife block beside the range. “The general’s chef will be taking care of Beebles. I have given the chef a complete list of his favorites including the dried Phaeton Mango.”

  “You have thought of everything then for our departure.” Brea did not look forward to the up and coming weeks confined to a cramped place. She pushed away the sense dread at the thought of leaving her Commandant’s quarters.

  “I will not be able to cook for us but each vessel comes equipped with an atomic replicator.” Araman dropped a handful of sticks in the boiling water. Brea watched as they went limp from the heat of the water.

  “You will not be able to bath.”

  “I can not bath here so it will not matter.” Brea shrugged as her leg began to swing in the open space of the stool.

  Araman smiled as he drained the pasta. “You will tonight and when we return every night if you wish.” He pulled out two dishes and placed one in front of Brea. Araman using a fork and spoon served the pasta on the plates before spooning the sauce over it.

  He poured himself a little more wine at the same time he handed Brea an eating utensil. Brea took a small bite. The savory flavor exploded in her mouth.

  “This is very tasty.” She smiled at him filling her fork.

  “It is a Terrian dish called Pasta Marinara.” He held up a shaker and set it in the middle of the counter. “That is Terrian Parmesan cheese for more flavor if you wish.”

  “You like this Terrian world.” Brea commented between mouthfuls.

  “I enjoyed certain aspects of Terra.” Araman answered coldly. It was not a topic he liked to discuss. He glanced up to her pale green eyes watching him. “Terrian women are treacherous much like Oleander’s.”

  Brea looked up at him and sensed that she had broached a sensitive area.

  “I have only known one world until now. There are things that even in my short stay that I will miss if we were not able to return.” Brea steered the conversation away from Terra.

  Brea got the distinct impression that a Terrian woman had wronged him. She had been the one to cause his heart to encase itself in ice. She wondered what kind of woman could she have been to do such a thing.

  “Like what?” Araman took a long drink of wine watching her get lost in her thoughts.

  “The night sky with all the moons. The soft way the air feels against my skin. The delicate fragrance of morning.” She answered feeling foolish. She set her fork aside and clasped her hands in her lap. Brea blushed at the Commandant quietly laughing at her.

  “Don’t shy away Concubine, I only take delight in the fact you love the same things about Olean that I do.” Araman was pleased. “During the rain season, we will put a glass cover over the balcony and you will be able to enjoy the colors of a midnight storm.” He promised her clearing the counter.

  Araman picked up her wineglass and led Brea out into the garden. Dusk was settling as the first of the moons showed in the darkening sky. This was her favorite time to sky watch.

  “Computer, modify garden.” His blue eyes watched Brea, as she looked up at him inquisitively. “Stone waterproof circular wall in a three cube high circle, five to five and half cubes. Water well hot.”

  Brea turned around to see it transform in front of her eyes. She stepped closer to it and dipped her finger in. The water was perfect. She dropped her kimono without hesitating and stepped into the silky warm liquid.

  She sank into it enjoying the feel of the water surrounding her body and not beating down upon her. Brea glanced up to Araman who stood holding their wineglasses. Beebles settled down underneath the tree with his favorite chewing stick.

  “Have you ever had a bath?” Brea asked him. Araman shook his head. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine or the moment but the invitation popped out before she could stop it. “Why don’t you come in and try it.” She felt her color heighten as Brea peered at him through her lashes.

  Araman set the glasses on the side of the stone edge near Brea. Without a word and his eyes on his concubine he removed his clothing. He could feel the burning heat of her eyes on his smooth rippled torso as they roamed.

  In a fluid motion he was in the water reaching
for the wine. Brea looked up into his blue eyes not bothering to hide his want of her. It was too late for her as she realized his intent. She was to be his before they left that night for deployment.

  A shiver went down her spine.

  “Cold Concubine?” Araman asked sipping his wine. His gaze was on her as Brea blushed under the scrutiny.

  “Nervous.” Spoken like a raindrop falling into a pond. Brea glanced down to the water as he moved closer.

  “I love your honesty.” Araman’s voice was tender. “Most women I have encountered are not so.” He set his wineglass down then captured Brea between his arms. “But then most women do not have me on the edge of primal and civility like you do.” His lips pulled into a crooked smile.

  The scent of cinnamon filled Araman’s head. It was like smoke promising a journey of passion into the next realm. It was intoxicating as his mind started to be aware of only her. He was addicted to her like a drug. The more her scent consumed him the more of her Araman had to have.

  Brea looked at him through her lashes watching his ice blue eyes melt to a burning azure fire. She could feel the energies in her body start to slowly come alive as the aching for his touch gradually grew into a need.

  Something in his eyes made Brea softly gasp and cover her mouth with the back her hands as she shied away from Araman invading her space. The intensity of his contemplation of her gave her a start. She watched as their lives unfolded like pictures flashing on a screen.

  Brea knew in that moment he was her Chatam Pritam, her soul lover. The one she was meant to be with for all eternity. Her heart slammed into her chest as she realized he would be the one to teach her of love but also of death.

  “What is wrong Concubine?” Araman asked at her reaction of recoiling.

  “You will bring me death.” Brea whispered looking for a way to escape him.

  “Never Concubine.” Araman reassured her, chasing away some of the fear from her pale eyes staring up at him. “I would take death upon myself before ever letting it near you.” He took her small hand in his as Brea looked away from him.

  “Hush Concubine.” Araman’s finger went to her lips as his other hand snaked around her waist drawing her against him. His member came alive at the feel of her connecting with his skin. “You may put your fears to rest.” The words brushed against her ear.

  Brea melted against him as he spoke. The words tingled along her neck as her heart slowed its wild beating.

  “You will keep me like your cooking pot?” The question was timid. “You would look upon me as sweetly as you do now when I am old and disfigured?”

  Araman chuckled. “I would look upon you sweetly, gladly when you are old and disfigured.” His eyes held hers as they searched his. The wall around his heart crumbled into dust as he watched hers begin to sparkle like his night sky above. “I would gladly look upon you, Lyra for the rest of my days.” He lowered his face to hers.

  “I want you to know, Concubine, that before we step onto that ship, that you are mine in body and soul.” The hushed words were spoken against her soft mouth.

  “Will you give me yours?” Brea moistened her lips feeling the pull of his energy on hers. Her eyes were wide almost afraid of his answer.

  Araman drank in her dark beauty as her fragrance released itself into the night air as he stared her. His eyes flickered between ice and fire as thoughts of the delight of only this woman for a life time. She intrigued him, she challenged him and she made him feel alive.

  “If it would please you Concubine, I will give you that and more. My question is to you, how would you like it? Slow and soft, or fast and hot?” His arm crushing her against him closed the final distance between them. At his word hot, Brea folded into him as if she was offering her throat to the wolf.

  Brea felt the water heat up a few more degrees and started to swirl about her. The currents released thousands of tiny bubbles bursting against her skin. It felt as though she was being caressed while the hardness of Araman’s body against hers flared the aching want of him.

  “In what ever way would please you.” Brea’s voice was low and husky as her arms reached up and coiled around his neck.

  “I would take you now.” Araman pulled her head back by her hair. “I need to hear you scream my name over and over.” A hand slid down her backside slit to the opening between her legs. “I need to bury myself deep inside of you, feel your body move against mine. I want you hard, Concubine.”

  She was panting as his fingers teased the inferno his voice was inciting. Her mind was consumed with the hypnotic tone. She didn’t care how, she just needed to feel the joining as her energies swarmed and gathered increasing the primal pressure of her need.

  “If that would please you.”

  Araman needed no other encouragement. He lifted her up and brought her down onto his hard throbbing cock. He felt her open to him as he invaded her. It was too late before he could consider her breaching. He felt her tear before fully accepting him.

  He shuddered at the heat of her core as he held her still, letting her satiny walls conform around his head. Her muscles molding like warm clay around his shaft was sending his body into the shadows of his emotions. Primal instincts melded into his mind bombarding it with bursts of energy while his heart and mind were threatening to explode if she moved.

  Brea felt the sensations of her moving to accommodate his size. She was not expecting the pain of his siege upon her. She let out a little cry. He pulled her closer instinctively recognizing he was hurting her.

  The pain intertwined with the pleasure her body was feeling before Araman passionately assaulted her. Her inner walls softly folding against his hardness fed her need of the want of his seed spilling inside her.

  “Move.” She dominated his entire being, leaning back against his hands holding her as her hips thrust against his. Her energies at his slight motion flared out from her chakkras seeking out his.

  Araman, at her demand, flinched inside of her. Her lower bare lips against the base of his rod brushed against him as if begging for him. He groaned at her soft openness writhing against his hard cock, enticing him to join her.

  The water swirled around their bodies as they began a slow sensual dance underneath the brilliant night sky. Bodies moving in a ritual as gazes locked with each other. Each penetrating jab of Araman’s hips aligned them like an eclipse.

  Brea could feel the pull of her energies ripping from her as they rose to meet his. As she stared into his eyes she let out a cry of pleasure. Araman rocked harder against her.

  “You are mine.” The words were low and rumbling from his throat. “Now!” He plunged deeper. “Let me hear you scream my name!” He commanded her.

  Brea’s eyes fluttered for a moment at his dominating tone. It aroused her feminine instincts. It made her feel safe that he was her protector. The words Chatam Pritam entered her head then faded like dying stars.

  Araman caught his breath when she looked and smiled at him. He felt a pull on his entire body as his energies leapt up and combined. Staring into her eyes he saw lifetimes spent at her side. They crashed over him like tidal waves rising up from the ocean. In her eyes he saw eternity as he finally exploded.

  His name filled the silent night as Brea convulsed against him as the surges of his spilling seed satisfied the basic need of him throughout her body. She met him strike for strike as he conquered the depths of her soul. Brea threw back her head and screamed his name again as she felt her nectar release against him sealing the union.

  Araman caught her lips in a tender kiss when she brought her head back to face him. “You belong to me Concubine,” he told her softly.

  “Yes Araman.”

  He softly chuckled liking the way his name floated off her lilting tongue. He pulled her into a bear hug before lifting her to her feet. As he stepped back her glow caught his attention. He stared at her with a funny grin on his face.

  “What amuses you?” Brea looked around her. trying to see what he was looking
at.

  “You have a gold halo surrounding you. I even see it in the water’s reflection.”

  “And you have the same,” Brea offered shyly. She looked up to the moons above her. “It was the mating.” Her voice held a hint of sadness. “It was a rejoining.”

  He gently cupped her face with his hands and raised her eyes to his. “Is that why I know your innermost fears? Because it happened to you in our past lives? Is that why knowing makes me feel complete?” He earnestly asked. Brea gave a slight nod dropping her eyes. “Then I swear upon my very soul, Brea, to give my life if need be, to prevent it from happening again.”

  Her heart stopped at the sincerity of his words. She smiled up at him as a tear slipped down her face. His words could not promise such things and Brea knew it. She gave herself willingly to her Chatam Pritam. But with him came the dark shadow of death.

  * * * *

  Brea stood out on the garden balcony looking at the sky above waiting for Araman as he gave last minute instructions to Beebles’ guard. The underling had arrived shortly after they had dried and dressed. Beebles seemed to like the young private who quaked every time Araman spoke.

  She felt Araman’s presence behind her. Turning around Brea saw he was holding a beautiful jade colored cloak for her to step into. It folded warmly about her shoulders as he clasped it for her.

  “Are you ready Concubine?” His face was stern but his touch and tone were gentle. He held his hand out to her.

  She looked to his outstretched hand and then into the warmth of his eyes. She could not shake her earlier impression that this man would lead her to death, yet she did not feel the pull of Shinwa. She slipped her tiny coppery hand into his. He raised it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back her hand.

  “I am ready.” The words came out confidently. Deep inside, they went against the uneasy feeling in her heart as Araman led her out.

  Chapter Six