by Lucy Kelly
“We are fine. We will not pressure you to join until you are ready, Natalie. Please believe us,” he said, easily able to read her nervousness.
“Thanks, Peet. I tell you what. After dinner, we can go up to Observation Lounge 3 and neck. I’ll even let you guys get to second base,” she teased.
“I like the way you think. We’ll pick you up at the dinner chime. Goodbye for now.”
“Goodbye,” she said. Tapping the crystal again, she passed her hand over the door to the docking station and walked in.
In the waiting room on the ship’s side of the airlock, she saw three men as she expected. It was easy to spot which two were Nephilim―from their size alone. They must be the representatives from the House of Seraph. They wanted to discuss something to do with farming, she remembered. Addie told her she actually knew very little about farming, even though she had grown up on one. Of course, she had agreed to see them. It helped pass the time and she was learning more than she had from absorbing the memory savers she’d been given. For one thing, the memory saver’s most recent knowledge was two hundred years old, Addie said. These men provided her with a vision of what HeVan was like today.
The third man was much shorter; he must be the duke. He was dressed in ceremonial robes even fancier than King Ben’s. He had a vest over his white shirt, with a sash and lots of medals. He reminded her of a third world dictator puffing himself up. He strutted forward to where she stood by the entry.
“Hello, I’m Natalie. I’ll be your guide while you’re visiting the ship. Lord Juno, Lord Francis, I believe the queen is looking forward to your visit. Did you know she grew up on a farm? If you’ll follow me,” she said to them, before turning to speak to the third man. The duke didn’t even give her a chance to open her mouth.
“You there, girl, as I’m sure you’ve been informed, I’m Duke LucenTio. I know you must have some inadequate excuse as to why you were not here to greet me when my shuttle docked. I don’t wish to hear it. I’ve been kept waiting in this―place,” he said with a flashing look of disgust, “―for some time. I’m sure these two farmers won’t mind my making my bows to your queen ahead of them. They can see her anytime, can they not?” he asked snidely.
Natalie was thinking she would need a measuring tape to see if this guy’s swollen head would fit through the door.
“I can see how anxious you are to make a good impression on the Nam-Nin, having arrived so far ahead of your scheduled visit. Unfortunately, I have my orders and the schedule cannot be changed. I’m sure you will appreciate being able to spend the intervening time with your wife. If you come along, we’ll stop by her quarters first,” she said, before turning and passing her hand over the door sensor to open it again.
She could practically feel the heat of his anger as he strode behind her. She didn’t think she’d get in trouble for the way she had spoken to him. She’d walked a fine line between civility and sarcasm. If he put on his privileged asshole impression for Addie and her Ankida, he’d find out very quickly how low a threshold Addie had for bullshit and ass kissers.
All of a sudden, she felt sorry for BianCa having to be stuck with this guy. She hoped he was different when they were alone and this was just posturing of some kind.
Seven minutes later―she’d timed it like an endurance test―she stopped in front of BianCa’s quarters on the visitor’s deck. The visitor’s deck was very nice. However, for safety reasons, it was at the opposite end of the ship from the queen’s chambers. The visitor’s deck was the lowest deck with living quarters. Natalie thought they were great and just as nice as any others. Also, getting to Addie’s deck only took four minutes in the lift. She bet this jerk would have something to say about it, though. She was right.
“This is where you have put the duchess? I can feel the engines beneath my feet. These can’t be your best quarters. I will have something to say about this, you may be sure,” he said, as Natalie pressed on the door chime. She really had had enough of this guy.
BianCa opened the door. “My lord, you are early! Please come in,” she said, stepping aside.
“What are you wearing? I forbid—” was all Natalie heard before the door to the room closed.
Natalie turned to the two Nephilim and said, “Sorry about that. I guess he takes exception to jeans,” she said, before opening a pad by the door to BianCa’s quarters and typing in a sequence and then closing the panel.
“The little duke obviously lacks clear eyesight. My brother and I have decided we have a deep appreciation for these garments,” said Lord Juno with an upward tilt to his lips.
“You’re a smart man. Come with me and I’ll get you to the queen lickety split,” she said giving them an approving smile.
BianCa stood quietly while her husband ranted about her clothing and the treatment he’d received from the female servant. It was no use attempting to explain that Natalie wasn’t a servant; he wouldn’t listen.
“She showed no proper obeisance, either. She should be whipped to speak so to her betters,” he said, as he paced the floor.
BianCa knew better than to interrupt her husband or call attention to herself. He would then turn his wrath on her instead. She was trying not to be disappointed he had come early. She had intended to change into her ceremonial robes before he arrived.
Finally, he seemed to be calming down. He was gathering himself together. She decided to remove the offending garments now. After all, she had requested his presence in order for her to become pregnant. Since Natalie said it would be an hour before she returned, they would have time to make love.
When he turned back from looking out the viewport, she was nude. “Now what are you doing, you foolish woman?” he asked.
“Natalie won’t be back for another hour. I thought we could make love. Being this close to the queen, I’m sure I’ll get pregnant right away,” she said, walking over to the bed and turning down the covers.
“Are you actually expecting me to remove my clothing―without assistance―and rut like an animal on command? I cannot have a visitation with the queen wearing a creased cloak and smelling of sex. Go and prepare yourself for my audience. For my sake, try not to embarrass me anymore,” he said before turning away.
He went over to a small table and carefully sat down. Opening his case, he pulled out a tablet to do some work.
Dejected, BianCa went into the bathing chamber adjoining her quarters to bathe and dress. Why she thought things would be different now, she didn’t know. He had acted so nicely when they had spoken the day before.
Natalie went back to BianCa’s room an hour later as she had promised. She wasn’t surprised to see BianCa back in her fancy duds.
“I thought to tour the ship whilst waiting for my audience but the door did not open for us,” he said to Natalie when she came back.
Natalie exchanged a quick look with BianCa and saw the slight shake of her head.
“I’ll let maintenance know there’s an issue with the mechanism. It worked fine just now. BianCa, will you be returning to your clan with your husband?” she asked.
“BianCa is enjoying her visit so much I have allowed her to extend her time on board. She will return when you are preparing to leave orbit and continue your journey,” the duke interrupted.
BianCa had grown very quiet and Natalie noticed she walked a step behind her husband.
No wonder he keeps trying to pass me, she thought.
Four minutes later, she was greeting the warriors outside the queen’s quarters as she passed her hand over the chime. Arjun answered the door and Natalie rolled her eyes at him. She had already relayed her impressions of the duke with Addie and her Ankida.
“Duke LucenTio, thank you for coming to pay your respects. The queen tires easily these days. I’m sure you will understand if we keep this visit short,” he said in a smooth voice as he guided them down the hallway.
“Hey, Addie, do you mind if I get one of your protein shakes? I skipped lunch,” said Natalie, as she walked
into the living room ahead of the others.
“Sure, sweetie, just help yourself. I think we still have some double fudge ones,” said Addie, before turning to greet her latest guest.
Rune followed Natalie into the small kitchen. They had decided earlier they would have to offer refreshments to the duke, if only not to embarrass BianCa.
Addie barely caught the look of disgust which passed over the duke’s face before he blanked it and gave her a smarmy smile.
“Your Highness, you look–blooming. I thank your husbands for allowing you to befriend my wife. The poor little thing has problems making friends. After more than two years of marriage, she still has no close confidants in my clan,” he said, taking a seat on the end of the couch nearest Addie. He flicked back his cloak and spread it just so before crossing his leather-clad legs.
“BianCa is a joy and we’ve been having a great time getting to know each other. She hasn’t seen any of my favorite movies. It’s nice showing them to a new audience; it makes it more fun for me, too,” Addie said in answer, when what she really wanted to do was tell this jerk off.
Natalie was returning from the kitchen and saw the duke take his data pad out of his bag and put it on the table beside the couch. Just then, she heard the dogs coming down the hallway. They were Addie’s Great Danes and had been sleeping in the second bedroom. She had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing out loud at the look on the duke’s face when he saw them.
“What are these beasts? Keep them back!” he exclaimed.
Seeing BianCa, Lucy and Ricky pushed the duke aside in order to get the petting she was sure to give them. The duke practically climbed up on the couch to get out of their way. The dogs both adored BianCa. Lucy even climbed up on her lap―or at least she put her front paws on her lap as she reached up to give her face a lick of welcome. BianCa laughed.
“How can you stand there and do nothing? This beast is attacking my wife,” screamed the duke.
“Ricky, Lucy, heel,” said Addie quietly, as she started to give off a golden glow. Both dogs immediately went to her chair and sat on either side. Arjun and Kylan exchanged a look; they knew Addie wasn’t going to be able to put up with much more. They recognized the look in her eye.
“I’m sorry your visit hasn’t been as pleasant as you expected. Perhaps we’ll meet again before our journey continues,” said Addie, bringing the audience to an end.
Yep, she was angry, alright, thought Arjun.
Natalie was surprised the duke didn’t protest his dismissal.
He got up and, giving Addie a short bow, he strutted toward the exit. He flicked a hand at BianCa as he passed her, saying, “Come along, wife.”
Natalie followed them to the door. When they stepped out into the hall, she asked them to wait. Exchanging a look with the warrior at the door so he understood he was to watch them and keep them there, she went back inside.
“Are they gone?” asked Addie in a soft voice when Natalie came back into the room. Arjun and Kylan were on the couch laughing their asses off. Addie shushed them.
“They’re in the hallway. I noticed the duke put his work tablet down on the table earlier but I didn’t see him take it back in his anger to leave. I didn’t want him to have an excuse to come back,” said Natalie.
Just then, Rune stepped in from the kitchen carrying a tray of refreshments. Seeing only his family, he was a little surprised but he recovered quickly. He put the tray on what Addie called the coffee table and he and his two brothers began to eat, sneaking treats to the dogs as they did.
“Poor BianCa, I knew her marriage had been arranged. She mentioned it to Grace. What an awful man. No wonder she spends so much time visiting her brother,” Addie remarked.
Natalie didn’t see the duke’s tablet on the table so she moved the table out of the way. The communicator on the far wall chimed and Kylan got up to answer it.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Too bad she can’t divorce him. I’d be tempted to slip some Ex-Lax in his morning coffee or something. He’s such a tight ass. Oh, here it is. I wonder how it got back here,” she mumbled, after finding the tablet on the floor behind the couch.
“Probably got knocked over when the dogs came in,” Addie said fondly.
Lucy had gotten up on the couch and stretched out, her long legs hanging over the cushions. Ricky was still sitting near Rune, hoping for more treats.
“Well, I’d better get back to them before he blows a gasket,” said Natalie.
She waved to Kylan instead of calling out because he was still talking softly into the communicator, and left the room.
“Did I ever tell you how much it turns me on to see you deal with people like him?” Arjun asked.
“That’s why I let them visit,” said Addie. “Where is Kylan going?” she asked as he quickly left down the hall instead of coming back to the living room.
“I don’t know. Perhaps he’s needed on the Bridge. We can ask him later. For now, there are to be no more visitors. Rune and I have been very patient. I think you need to indulge us a little,” he said, as he lifted her skirts and went down on his knees in front of her chair. Addie giggled.
Natalie didn’t hear any more as she quickly strode down the hall to the door, Kylan right behind her. Passing a hand over the sensor, she wasn’t surprised to see the duke pacing the hallway. Kylan gave him a perfunctory nod and began running down the corridor. Both of the guards straightened and became even more alert.
The duke paid not the slightest attention. “Once again, you have kept me waiting. You are a very poorly trained servant. I’m surprised the queen has kept you employed,” he said.
Natalie had reached her limit. She gave BianCa a look which said, I’m sorry, as she spoke.
“For your information, I’m not a servant. I’m Lady Enlil of the House of Azure. My rank on HeVan is equal to what yours is on KowLer. And you have just gotten on my last nerve. Here,” she said, handing him his handheld device, “you left this inside―very careless of you. Now you won’t have to make a trip back to retrieve it. I’ll escort you to the docking station now,” she said.
I hope Peet and Reeko won’t mind me borrowing my future title. Lady Enlil sounds better than Miss Warner of Chicago, she thought.
She looked over at the warrior standing guard at the door and he gave her a wink of encouragement.
She thought she saw a flash of anger cross the duke’s face and then he got himself under control.
“I have missed my wife. I will be spending some more time with her. I can make my own way to the docking station. You need not put yourself out any further―My Lady,” he said sarcastically through clenched teeth.
BianCa really needs to yank that stick out of his ass and beat him over the head with it, she thought, as she led them toward the lift.
As she approached BianCa’s quarters, once again she waited for BianCa to open the door.
“It is not possible for you to wander the ship unescorted. When would you like me to come and take you to the docking station?” she asked.
He was the last visitor of the day and she wanted to take a bath and put on some nice clothes for her date with her Ankida.
“Thirty minutes―don’t keep me waiting,” he said, closing the door in her face.
Once again, she opened the panel beside the door and keyed in the sequence which put the door under her control. It was a safety measure Arjun had insisted on and in this instance, she was grateful for the rule. She didn’t trust the duke to stay put. She didn’t trust him an inch; he was the type to cause trouble just because he could.
Non-Nephilim visitors were not allowed the run of the ship. It didn’t matter who they were. Natalie took her duties seriously. Even though she trusted BianCa, she always locked her in when she retired for the evening. BianCa had been provided with a wrist communicator designed by Jett and Gilda so it was functional and looked like a nice piece of jewelry. It allowed her the ability to call when she needed to leave quarters to visit with Grace or Ad
die. Natalie was just happy the duke hadn’t seen her unlock the mechanism on the door earlier. He’d been too busy ignoring the servant and sizing up the Seraphians. BianCa obviously hadn’t given this information to her husband. Natalie could easily understand why.
Natalie wondered what she could do in the thirty minutes she had before she had to be back there. She decided to run down to the kitchen and check in with Jennifer on the lasagna.
****
As soon as the door closed and they were alone, LucenTio walked over to his wife and backhanded her across the face, making her fall on the bed and leaving a red welt on her cheek.
“PietRo, you should have not have done that. I told you I would ask for Ben’s protection if you ever struck me again. You have gone mad; he will kill you for this,” she said.
“You have picked up strange customs from these barbarians. You don’t know your place, so I obviously need to show it to you. Finally, I thought you would be of some use to me. You got me on this ship, but the women here are interfering busybodies,” he said, as he crawled onto the bed and put one hand around his wife’s throat.
“But perhaps all is not lost. All I need do is kill you here. When the bitch comes to get me, I’ll give you a fond goodbye. I just need to give the impression you’re still alive when I leave. The bomb I had planned to leave behind in the queen’s cabin―well, your quarters are close to the engine room and perhaps this will be better, after all. You will be dead and since there is no food in this room, your body will be found soon enough. I am your beloved husband and won’t be suspected. The timer will ensure the king can retrieve your body, and then the bomb will go off. He will blame the Nephilim for killing you. They, and all of our people, will believe he planted the bomb in retaliation. War will break out, and I will be able to overthrow your brother,” he said.
As soon as she heard her husband so easily explain that he was going to kill her, BianCa slowly eased her hand over and tapped the communicator on her wrist. Natalie was the last person she contacted, so she would be the one to overhear. She would bring warriors. Hopefully, they would come in time to stop her husband from doing something horrible.