Their information center was not as large as Trista would have thought. Rank after rank of what must be their version of computers lined the walls. There were about a dozen people manning all the equipment. An older woman greeted Q'winn by name and invited them to her area. When Q'winn asked her to leave them alone, she smiled and said she'd been hoping for a short break.
Trista watched Q'winn slide into the chair and activate several screens. He did it smoothly, with a practiced hand, as if he did it every day. Display screens changed, one after another. Trista was suddenly looking at Earth. She must have made a noise because Q'winn turned and looked up her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize this would distress you."
"How can we be seeing this?"
"We left a small monitoring device on the planet farthest from your sun. This planet is completely frozen. We did not disturb any life there."
"We call it Pluto. Some of our experts think it could have been a moon that broke its original orbit around the largest planet."
"It could be. It is small enough to have orbited either the fifth or sixth planet. Does this upset you?"
"I'm fine, Q'winn. I was just caught off guard. Do you watch us or do you watch for the Raku?"
"Both. More for the Raku. Your people have a probe that is traveling outward. This could be a problem. We may need to intercept it."
"Why?"
"It heads in a direction that is unwise,” he said carefully.
"Meaning the Raku might see it?"
"There is that possibility. We will take whatever action is necessary to insure they do not discover it, and your world.” He held his hand out to her. She placed her hand in his and he raised it to his lips.
"You feel that we interfere. We will not unless it becomes absolutely necessary."
"You want to preserve my world, so you've said."
"You find our intentions to be suspect."
"Yes."
She was being honest with him and he nodded in acknowledgment. She was greatly relieved that he could understand and respect her feelings. And she knew that if the situation were reversed, he would have the same doubts she did.
And she did have doubts. The barrier of distrust, never completely broken, resurrected within her.
The Dannarri watched her world. All she had was Q'winn's word that they intended not to do harm. Or, more to the point, that he intended no harm. She wondered again if the Elders and the Kaden-ati told anyone of Q'winn's rank their true plans.
Look beneath. The words haunted her. She tried again to discern just what she saw when she looked beneath Q'winn's motives.
The woman returned to her station and Q'winn rose and held his hand out to Trista. He thanked her for the use of her station as they were leaving.
They walked hand in hand back to the little cabin in silence. W'eylin was there with Vanteen. Trista insisted that Vanteen have the bed. Vanteen seemed pleased enough to accept, as W'eylin was staying.
Trista helped Q'winn gather blankets and a pillow to make a place for them in front of the fire. When that was done, he turned to her and pulled her shirt over her head. His hands cupped her breasts and he ran his thumbs gently over her nipples.
She backed away from him and sat on the edge of the chair and lifted her foot. He grinned and pulled off one boot, then the other. Trista stood and unsnapped her pants. She began to push them off her hips and his hands covered hers. He dropped to his knees in front of her as he slid the pants down.
"Q'winn,” she whispered, “they're in the next room."
"Well, then, I suggest you not scream,” he warned as his tongue suddenly flicked over her.
"Q'winn! I haven't had a chance to get a bath!” She grabbed his shoulders for balance.
"Nor have I, love. Do you find me objectionable?"
"Well, no. But...” her words ended in a little gasp as he slid his hands up the back of her thighs and teased at her from behind.
"Your knees are shaking, love. Maybe you should come down here."
Her only response was to shift to give him better access to her with his mouth. He obliged her without hesitation for a few moments then he cupped her bottom and shifted his weight, unbalancing her and bringing her down on top of him.
She sprawled over him, her hands busy on the various buttons, snaps and closures of his clothes. Every time she shifted to pull one of his garments off, his mouth followed her. He'd kiss and lick and nip at whatever spot he could reach. Finally they lay naked, bathed in the firelight.
"Q'winn, is that door locked?” she asked as she stroked him purposefully. He was warm, silky smooth and very hard in her hand, and he was lying fully displayed in complete view of anyone who might walk in. He kissed her and rose and checked the door. It had been open.
He dropped to his knees beside her and grasped her hips and urged her onto her stomach. She rose up on her knees and leaned back against him, tipping her head to reach for his kisses. He stroked the length of her body, rocking his hips, rubbing his phallus across her, sliding on the wetness between her thighs. A small shift of her hips and he was suddenly inside her, deeply.
She hissed and he groaned at the quickness of it, but both welcomed the joining. He urged her down until her head rested on her arms that lay folded on the pillow. He braced himself over her. She ran her hand up the inside of his arm, caressing the paler, soft skin underneath his upper arm. His mouth trailed kisses down her spine even as he stroked in and out of her. She bit his wrist to keep from moaning out loud.
The fire illuminated their joining and she could imagine what he was seeing. She turned enough to see his face as he watched his flesh withdrew from hers only to sink into hers again. Waves of wetness poured from her as his hands grew restless on her hips and he swelled harder inside her. After a few strokes he shuddered and closed his eyes, unable to continue without climaxing. Her body clenched around his, pulsing in answer to his throbbing.
She could feel the hard length of him, buried deeply inside her. Small subtle shifts of his hips, the soft stroking of his strong fingers in the secret folds of her body, took her to the very edge of release. He urged her onto her back and she wrapped her legs around him as he settled into the cradle of her thighs. She sighed in his ear as he gave her the slow climb to the top again.
The pleasure built and she forgot where she was, forgot everything but Q'winn and the glory of his hips flexing against hers. He breathed her name and it jolted through her in the most incredible way to know his orgasm was close at hand. He shifted and thrust harder. It was all she needed.
The wave rolled through her, stealing her breath, then giving it back as it swirled to where her body laid open to his. The wave suddenly peaked around his flesh and flooded outward, through her, making her arch beneath him. Her thighs seemed to open further in some silent plea, or some silent permission to him. His body heard and answered and the wave held its form and its power until he suddenly thrust into her with his strength unchecked calling her back to him. She kept him wrapped in the embrace of her arms and legs as the wave carried him to her.
How long they lay afterwards, Trista didn't know. She was drifting, floating, relaxed and sated. Not awake, yet not truly asleep. Q'winn obviously thought she was asleep. He pulled the blanket over her then he pulled his pants back on.
Trista felt sadness at that. He couldn't risk Vanteen, or anyone else, surprising him in the morning and possibly seeing his body. She thought he smiled as he rummaged in his pack for the small flask of strong spirits he'd brought along with him. He took a small sip and followed that with a glass of water. He sat looking at her.
Trista thought she smiled at him but his expression didn't change. She rolled on her side to face where he would lay and let sleep have her fully.
Q'winn sat watching the play of light on her face until the fire died to glowing embers and room grew dark. Once or twice he heard the wind dance softly through small chimes, hanging somewhere near and unnoticed when they'd arrived.
; He felt an unease he'd not experienced in many weeks. He'd known the moment when her distrust of him had resurfaced. He'd seen it flicker in her eyes. Yet she had lain with him.
He'd hoped learning that the Dannarri watched her world in order to protect it would have be reassuring to her. She was very insightful. Perhaps she had gleaned more from his words than he'd intended.
He had warned her their probe traveled in an unwise direction. She was intelligent enough to know the truth of that warning. When their probe reached the edge of their solar system, it would be caused to malfunction. It would stop transmitting, then shortly thereafter, it would disappear.
No matter the cost to him, or to their relationship, he knew he'd been right to warn her of it. And he'd have to tell her more as time went on. Even if she turned from him.
He slipped under the blanket behind her, blocking her from the growing chill of the room and lay, hoping sleep would soon find him.
Nineteen
The troop stayed in Lesalm for almost five days. Trista was aware that Q'winn was making extensive use of the communications equipment. She was allowed free access to every area and would sometimes find him with several screens activated having his version of a teleconference.
She and Vanteen met the women of Lesalm. True to form, Vanteen made a sweep of every area and was welcomed by a group of women who maintained the quaint appearance of the empty houses on the hillside.
Those women were friendly and asked Trista and Vanteen all sorts of questions about their home worlds and Damali and Mahdis. And a few careful questions about Q'winn that Trista answered as honestly as she could. Vanteen was not much help.
The first time one of them asked about Q'winn, Vanteen's little ears twitched and she showed her sharp little teeth in a sly smile. Trista glared at her. They were walking back to the guest cabin when Trista finally had had enough.
"What's so funny, Vanteen?"
"What joke?” Vanteen asked, acting confused.
"Exactly. What was so funny when Laria asked about me and Q'winn?"
"Q'winn passionate man."
"I've noticed,” Trista said. “Isn't W'eylin?"
"W'eylin quiet lover,” Vanteen said, ears twitching. “Vanteen quiet. Vanteen have,” she paused and looked at Trista, her cat eyes gleaming. “Vanteen have best ears of all."
Trista's mouth dropped open. Vanteen laughed, the first laugh Trista had heard from her in weeks and weeks, then she scampered off. W'eylin was in front of the cabin and welcomed her with open arms. He looked at Trista over the top of Vanteen's head. Trista waved at him and stalked off to find Q'winn.
Q'winn was looking for her.
"We are leaving in the morning. Come,” he said, “you can help me tell the kadens."
"You really didn't have to tell me first,” she said, feeling embarrassed.
"I disagree. In this instance it matters not who knows first. Therefore, to keep peace between us, I tell you first."
"That's such romantic reasoning, Q'winn,” she said shaking her head.
"Nice that you think so.” He glanced around them. “Where's Vanteen? Perhaps we can get the cabin to ourselves for an hour."
"Wrong. They're already there."
"Then we shall improvise,” he said as he suddenly pulled her to him and kissed her. He released her and grinned boyishly. She rolled her eyes at him.
Q'winn led her to where the kadens gathered in the afternoons to discuss the needs of the troop. She listened quietly as he told those gathered to prepare to leave about two hours after dawn. They seemed concerned over some situation at Yestarri. Q'winn dispatched a squad to gather information, then took her hand and led her back toward the village.
"Do you think we dare go to the cabin?” he asked.
"If we make some noise, Vanteen will hear us approaching. She has very good ears, you know."
"Yes, the Okarran possess exceptional hearing."
"She says you are a passionate man."
Q'winn stopped and stared at her.
She smiled at him.
Q'winn's expression took on a mortified look.
Trista's smile became a grin. Then a laugh. She laughed until the tears ran down her face and she was gasping for air.
"I'm sorry,” she finally managed to say, “but your face...” She collapsed in laughter again. Q'winn endured it because there was no other choice.
She finally sobered and took his hand. “Come on. I'll protect you from her."
"See that you do, woman,” he said as sternly as he could.
They were on the steps to the cabin when Trista called out to Vanteen. The door wasn't locked and they went in. W'eylin was in the main room getting a few pieces of firewood from the bin for the night. He looked a bit mussed.
"What's wrong with you?” he asked Q'winn.
"Nothing."
W'eylin shrugged and disappeared into the other room.
Trista looked at Q'winn and sighed. He'd probably not even want to sleep beside her tonight much less make love to her. She busied herself sweeping out the hearth so he couldn't see her grinning.
The desert nights were cold. She could get him to change his mind.
* * * *
Q'winn lay listening to the low, mournful sound of the horn at midnight. Trista was curled beside him, sleeping. A smile teased his lips.
They'd settled on their pallet in front of the fire and Trista had suddenly begun to loudly parody the sounds of lovemaking. He'd finally joined in and they'd kept at it until W'eylin had come out of the other room and ordered them to stop. He'd heard Vanteen chattering in Okarran behind W'eylin. She had not been complimentary towards him and Trista.
They had quieted, and made love in a slow, sweet dance with the fire casting their shadows on the walls and ceilings. It would be many days until they reached Mahdis Keep and had privacy to share their passion again.
His body felt sated, perhaps even tired, but his mind kept turning over possibilities. The possible response by the Elders, and his father, when he returned to Mahdis and Trista moved into his rooms. The possible response when he informed the Elders and the Kaden-ati that he was not returning Trista to her people.
Sleep would not come. He slipped out from under the blankets and found the small flask and took a sip of the thick, fiery liquid. He closed his eyes and savored the feel of its curling warmth in his belly and the loosening of his joints. The inner door opened behind him.
"Here.” He offered the flask to W'eylin.
"Thanks.” W'eylin sipped and handed the flask back. Q'winn dropped it back into his pack.
"What's wrong?” W'eylin asked him.
"I guess I'm anxious to get on the trail. I'm concerned over the situation at Yestrerri. If the sarray virus is active there, and we have to bypass the outpost, we'll be short on water. I'm thinking we should head for Sadonore. It's only a day longer to the shore by that route."
"And an extra day before you have to face the Elders."
"That, too,” Q'winn admitted. “I don't expect they will have much to say. Yet. And the Anakin should be back in three weeks."
"Q'winn, don't take Vanteen to Okar. Not yet. Please."
"What does she want? You know I must abide by her wishes. Our treaty with the Okar makes that very clear."
"She doesn't want to leave Trista."
"Trista, huh? What about leaving you?"
"I'm only a male. My opinion counts for little,” W'eylin replied dryly.
Q'winn snorted. “That is why those two females get along so well,” he said, grinning.
W'eylin grinned back in agreement, then squeezed Q'winn's shoulder. “Get some sleep. And put your pants on.” He rose and padded softly to the bedroom.
Q'winn sighed and reached for his trousers.
"Don't put your pants on,” came a muffled voice from at his feet.
He dropped them and slid back into the warmth under the blankets. He gathered Trista into his arms and kissed her. His blood quickened when she sighed into h
is mouth. He nuzzled at her neck and she arched her back and groaned, a contented sound. He rose up on an elbow to look at her.
"You are beautiful,” he whispered, and wondered at the shadow that flickered through her eyes. He wondered if he imagined it when she smiled at him and pulled his lips down to hers.
"We should sleep, love. It's late."
"I know. I want you again,” she murmured against his chest. He sucked in a sharp breath as her hands found him.
"Sorry,” she said. Her shoulders shook with her silent laughter.
"I should be used to those cold little hands,” he said. “It's amazing how quickly they warm when they're doing that.” She suckled at his nipple. He whispered to her how much he liked it.
He sighed and relaxed into the pleasure her hands and mouth were giving him. He had not found this easy at first, accepting this gift from her. He had never considered that a woman might have the same need to watch her lover take pleasure under her hands. He would know when her need changed and when she needed to feel his hands on her.
His hips jerked up to her when she rose above him. He tried to remain silent when she brought his erection to her heat and slid down over him. He couldn't. He moaned, which made them both suddenly struggle to suppress their laughter.
"Let her hear,” he managed to say as Trista rose and came down on him again, sucking the air from his lungs.
Thoughts of anything other than Trista fled. He surrendered to her as her heat enveloped him. He grasped her hips and let her set the pace. He watched as she closed her eyes. He felt a ripple of unease. Their bodies were joined, but it seemed she had withdrawn somehow.
He felt her body clenching his with the beginnings of her climax.
"Trista,” he whispered, but her eyes did not open and her orgasm was a private thing that she did not share with him. His own passion ebbed and he did not seek to recapture it as she eased down onto his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, cradling her head.
"What is it, love?” he asked quietly. “What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm very tired.” She moved to curl up beside him.
The Skies of Mahdis Page 17