by Amon Bieste
“What do we do now?” Jaru crossed his thick arms once we were back inside and the door slid closed.
“We wait for the authorities to contact us and tell them what has happened. That will be the end of it.” I walked to the bunk. “Then we go home.”
“What about her?” Jaru asked from behind me. I knew he wanted her to come with us. We all did.
“It is her decision.”
* * * * *
“Counselor Aves will be reprimanded for his behavior and insult and, as was planned, will be removed from his station on the counsel.” The voice from the speakers in Ecker3 buzzed. I nodded, looking at the camera in the corner. Jaru and Karo remained silent behind me. Corral stood between them, stronger now than she’d been before, her energy electrifying the air with nervousness.
She’d confided the plans of her and the other counselors, but that her treatment from Aves had not been anticipated. She’d feared that I, and perhaps the others, would be punished for what I’d done to the counselor. Now she stood there, her expression pensive, waiting for the worst.
“The guards’ deaths are the responsibility of Counselor Aves. You and your crew are dismissed from any charges that would have been made.” The voice of the speaker continued. “You may return to Latharia with no record of dishonor and are welcomed to return as you wish.”
“And the admiral?” I wanted her to hear for herself that she had nothing to fear for herself or us.
“She will keep her station and be allowed the choice to advance. She, others and myself already had that arrangement.”
I offered a smile of approval. “I thank you, Counselor, for resolving this disagreement so quickly.”
“There is no disagreement, Captain. Counselor Aves was in the wrong. We certainly do not view this as any fault of yours, your Latharian crew or Admiral Melhen. You behaved loyally to Earth and protected one of our admirals as if she were one of your own.” The transmission ended.
I faced Corral. “I should have killed him.”
“I am grateful you did not.” She shook her head, then took a deep breath. “Though I don’t understand how it is that Aves could not bring complaint against you for what you did.” She winced slightly as she spoke, an indication that the discoloring in her face still caused her pain. Again, I wished I had snapped Counselor’s Aves neck as easily as I had his fingers.
I reached out and touched her hands. “I knew that once the rest of the counsel learned what had happened, they would drop any charges and wouldn’t hold us responsible. They never blame Latharians.”
Jaru snorted an agreement, but still they did not join the conversation. Like me, they were waiting. I knew they were hoping she would return with us, to be my slave. In just a short time, she’d stolen our hearts. The fact that she’d dragged herself, bloodied and beaten, to our door told us there was a place in her heart for us, also.
“What happens now?”
“My crew and I return to Latharia as we always do after a mission. We will remain there until the Ecker3 is assigned another mission.” I watched her bite her lip. I could see her mind working. This was the moment. It seemed to drag for eternity before she spoke the words we’d wanted to hear.
“I would like to go with you.”
I released a breath, but refrained from voicing the relief I felt. Emotion constricted in my chest. “Why?”
“You said admirals could be slaves without losing their positions. I will accept the position of counselor, but could learn to be a slave, also.” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“That is true.”
“And you wouldn’t take credit for my success.” Apparently, she’d been thinking about what I had told her.
“Correct.”
“I want to stay with you.” I could tell the admission was difficult for her to give. She turned her hands and wrapped her fingers around mine. “As your slave.” Jaru beamed when I slanted a look at him and Karo gave a little shout of triumph.
I inclined my head as I looked at her again, wanting to ease her uncertainty of her decision. “I admit your wishes please me.”
“You wanted me to stay?”
“I did. We all did.”
“Then why didn’t you ask me?” She glanced at the others, then returned her attention to me. Her blue eyes searched my face.
“Because it was your decision to make. I did not want to influence that decision with obligation.” I watched her think that over. “But it is what we wanted.”
“We would have been miserable if you’d decided otherwise,” Jaru admitted.
“And lonely without you,” Karo added. “When you did not come, we thought you did not feel the same connection we felt.” She released one of my hands and reached to touch his face, her eyes filling with tears.
“I had planned on returning the moment the review was turned over to the counsel. I wanted to be here too,” she whispered. “Aves had his guards waiting for me. I could not fight them all.”
“You are here now,” Jaru said, and I could see his jaw clench.
“Yes.” She nodded, then turned her gaze to me. “You have trained me for someone else. Will you train me to be your slave now?”
Heat filled me. “I will. I have decided you will be a soldier slave.” When she only stared at me, I laughed. “Soldier slaves can obtain titles and high positions in Latharia.” I saw that her interest was piqued. “You could be more than a counselor.”
“I would like that.” She tilted her head, her eyes suddenly glittering wickedly. “You said you were pleased with my decision to stay.”
“I am.”
She licked her lips. “If I have pleased you, does that mean I will be rewarded?”
She wanted to mate, despite her bruises. I could smell her sex and her energy forked desire deep inside me. “As often as you like.” It was power that a Latharian would normally never give a slave. But I was happy. She would stay with us.
“When do we leave?” Her words were eager and teasing. She hid nothing from us. Karo and Jaru instantly moved to their stations. They were as eager as she.
I reached forward and snaked my arm around her waist as I worked the gauge, setting us on course. I could feel Jaru’s and Karo’s energies already reaching out for hers. My suit thinned. She was ours at long last. She was mine. My heart swelled as I turned my lips to her ear.
“Immediately.” I let my tongue flick against her skin as she pressed her body against mine. “And it is a long trip home.”
About the Author
Author of erotic fiction, Amon Bieste has always enjoyed feeding the darker corners of his creative mind. He is drawn to science fiction, fantasy, horror and finds inspiration for his writing from erotic and gothic art. He believes the key to success is originality and constantly strives to better his craft.
“Everybody can write the story, but no one can write it like me.”
Amon welcomes comments from readers. You can find his website and email address on his author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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