“There’s a real bath,” he called. “One that we Humans can use.”
“When will they send in the heat?” she asked.
He returned and informed, “This is it.”
“Do you mean we have to stay here like this?”
“They have no other place available. We’ll survive.”
Dismayed, Sarra frowned and rubbed her palms together. She tried to look on the bright side—indoors, at least, she couldn’t see her breath.
He lifted a crystal-like decanter off the bedside table and filled two round glasses with the blue liquor. He sauntered near and pushed one into her hand.
“Tamfonite,” he said, smiling mischievously. “Have some. It will keep you warm.”
She took a swallow and breathlessly welcomed the flames that worked down into her belly. He took a healthy drink with his eyes never leaving her, reminding her about the bed. Anticipating, her heart began to thump ...
“Warmer?” his rich voice caressed.
She nodded.
Reluctantly he moved away, pausing by the only exit. “I’ll be back,” he uttered, and the sliding panels shut and locked behind him.
Pouting, she stayed by the hearth, sipping the potent alcohol until it was gone. Still trembling, she took a refill. She sat in the giant chair by the window, having a view of the frosty and gray ocean, the frigid crests rolling for the tufted, pale shore. She was puzzled and then amazed by the waves erratic motion, and guessed that it was due to Kan’s two moons, their pull on the tides. The moons also had an incredible effect on her aqueous Human anatomy, making her uneasy and light-headed.
Soothing heat rushed through her. “Tamfonite doesn’t taste so bad,” she considered and took another swig. “Empty.”
As she went to get the decanter, it made her curious why her toes, all wrapped up in her pelt boots, felt so numb.
“It’s cold.”
She spilled another draught into the glass, and downed it ...
Raine was having trouble finding a polite way to leave the company of his Kalcoonian hosts. They wanted to tell the Revolutionary leader all about Kan, distinctly proud of their planet. He stifled his yawns, and when another Kalcoon arrived, interrupting the conversation, he managed to excuse himself. Eager for a night alone with the princess, he hurried to their suite.
She was in the large chair, lost within the pelts, looking little and fragile. Her legs were pulled up beneath her and the hood was off her head, her golden hair gleaming in the sunset that shone through the window. He saw the decanter on the floor below her, and his eyebrow rose. The bottle was almost halfway gone.
She turned, startled. “Oh. It’s you,” she murmured. “Look at that—isn’t it beautiful?”
Raine glanced at the faint amber glow in the sky, and then back at her. On her lovely face was a dazed expression, like she was well on her way to becoming intoxicated. “I thought you didn’t like tamfonite,” he said.
“How come? It’s good! Want some?”
She was intoxicated.
Heedfully, she reached down and grasped the decanter’s neck. She held it out waveringly, with an invitation in her glazed blue eyes.
He took it. “You’ve had enough,” he said, with a chuckle.
Sarra stood up on her unsteady legs. “No I ... haven’t!” she cried, wrenching the bottle from his grip. “I’m cold! Brrrrrrr!”
Raine eyed her, calculatingly. She shivered exaggeratedly, glancing around as if looking for her glass, and she didn’t seem to notice that it was right near her on the table. Giving up the search, she took a gulp from the decanter. When her gusto intensified, he pulled it away and set it down.
“I believe you’ve never known the bite of tamfonite,” he warned.
“You’re bossy!” she accused, angrily. “You are always bossy! You think that just because you have green eyes and that hand—handsome looks,” she hiccupped, “that you can get away with anything! No, you can’t! I’m the princess royal—better obey me!”
Raine didn’t know whether to be amused or concerned. The woman clearly couldn’t handle her liquor.
“Ahhhhh, the princess,” she sighed, falling back dramatically into her chair like she carried the torment of the ages. “You don’t know what it’s like! Responsibi—ities! You have a meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Yon today, Your Royal Highness—you must dedicate a new statue. Don’t yawn, Sarra, don’t yawn. Never make a mistake—can’t let them know I’m Human! Fear and curtsy and bow and curtsy—I’m not a wo—woman I’m a thing! Oh, that crown,” she moaned, pressing her palms against her temples like a weight was on her head. “I don’t want it! I’m not worthy! I want to be free, damn it!”
“Most women would envy such esteem.”
“Well, why envy someone in a cage? Oooh, to be common! Do you know I never ‘en had a girlfriend? A real one? Everyone’s—afraid! One to giggle with and talk about men. Men! Ha! The only one I’ve er’ known is you and you’re just a savage!”
“What about Lord Gray?”
Sarra heard the voice that seemed to come from a great distance away. She took a quick sip of the fiery spirit. “What about ‘im?”
“Do you love him?”
“Pshaw! How can I love a per—person who only loves himself? He’s an ass! Alma says I will care. Ha!”
Raine stored this information away for later evaluation. “Alma?” he asked.
“My aunt. You’d like her.”
Suddenly, she started to cry. “I miss her ... my father ... I don’t want to become queen ... ”
He moved near to comfort her but she flung out her hand, her tears instantly quitting.
“No! You don’t understand, you brute! How would you like it—people afraid of you?” A look of astonishment crossed her face. “But, you’re not. Not afraid of me. Everyone’s frightened of you. How come? Since you stole me nobody’s been scared ... Darius, but he won’t listen to me, either. It’s refresh—ing. I love it. I hate it. Why don’t they respect me?”
She began crying again. “You just use me—don’t care—said you’ll kill me ... You’ll leave and not make love to me anymore ... ”
She sprang up to her feet and threw her arms around him like he was a long lost friend just found. Surprised and pleased, he was eager to keep her upright, holding her close.
“Take me away!” she choked. “Want you! Take me to the stars! We could run away!”
Raine was stunned. When Sarra pulled back, she was also, but for a different reason. Her cheeks were a chalky-pale as she flew to the bath, holding a hand over her lips. He decided that it was best to give her a moment of privacy as nature ejected the poison from her.
He was there at the door when she came out, weak and disoriented.
“Are you all right?” he asked compassionately.
She nodded dismally.
“Come. Get some sleep.”
He was about to carry her, but she insisted on stumbling to the bed on her own. She glared but didn’t fight him while he took off her coat, leaving her clothes on her for warmth. She sat up on her knees with her hands on her hips, swaying slightly, to and fro.
“Whyyoudidn’warnme?” she slurred.
She swiped at him, but missed. She fell face down on the pillow and was out cold.
Raine scrutinized her before shutting off the light. He laid the pelts above her and settled in next to her, drawing her into his embrace. He stared up at the darkness, the warmth spreading within him while he thought about her blind confessions.
“So that’s how it is.”
***
Sarra came to awareness, feeling like an inferno blazed within her head. She moaned low and long and rolled onto her back. She opened her eyes and was blinded by the brightness. Swiftly she dropped her lashes, but braved the light again to look for Raine. He wasn’t in the room.
Cautiously, she placed her arm over her eyes, unable to recall what had happened. She had been sitting in the chair, drinking tamfonite. Raine had returned ...
Everything was a blur after that, only bits and pieces, images of his green eyes. She wasn’t sure what was causing her panic, but guessed that it had to do with all the wildfire raging within her.
When Raine strode through the doorway, carrying a breakfast tray, she turned onto her belly and thrust a pillow over her head, unable to deal with him in her current state.
“So you’re finally awake.”
She sniffed, pitifully. “I’m sick. I think I’m dying.”
He set the tray down on the bedside table, pulled back the covers, and slapped her rump. “You’ll live. Get up.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Take this,” he said, giving her a glass. “It’s been known to cure a hangover, or two.”
Sarra sat up and drank the foamy liquid, giving no care to its bland, awful taste. She gave the empty glass to him. “What happened last night?” she asked, her voice faint and meek.
“You got drunk,” he replied brusquely.
“Drunk?” she echoed.
Sarra had never indulged herself in such an experience before, and had many questions about the blanks in her memory. Still, with the way he was behaving, his eyes impishly laughing at her, she didn’t quite dare ask.
After he took away her untouched meal like she demanded, and left on business with the Kalcoons, Sarra spent the day napping. She tossed and turned restlessly, and the black cloak and dress twisted uncomfortably around her so she decided to take them off. She threw the garments on the floor and wrapped herself in the soft, sensuous fur. It wasn’t long before the fire moved from her head down to her loins. Visions of Raine’s rugged physique consumed her while she rolled about, languid and yearning.
He returned, seeing her beautiful hair spread out in a glorious array on the pelts, but he hadn’t yet caught the flush on her cheeks. “You’re still in bed?” he asked, amused.
She sat up, exposing him to the sight of her bare breasts. “Yes. But I’m tired of being here all alone.”
He was with her before he could undress.
Sarra became sure that they were making a special memory that she would always cherish. The crackling of the flames in the hearth, and the lush and primal animal pelts sparked a coziness that brought an exquisite harmony to the caress. She could believe that he really had lied when he had talked to Darius, for he worshiped her tenderly, like she was his beloved and they would never be parted. She sensed his honesty—it was like a secret door of his private soul opened, freeing his devotion, letting it flow into his hands, his lips, leaving her basking wherever he touched ... and as the shadows grew long from the lost sun, she saw the window and felt certain that the universe was at peace.
A moon glowed mistily on the black. Her heart knew that it was Tyran, the ‘Eternal One’, lighting the darkness.
***
Darius Menes arrived with the dawn. Sarra couldn’t hide her disappointment when Raine, very grudgingly, told her to dress, giving her a brush and hairpins. In the bath, she donned the black dress and heavy mosaic coat and boots, the mirror reflecting her dark-blue, feline eyes. She studied their sparkle while she brushed her long hair free of the soft tangles and pinned it up. A tremor of emotion passed through her as she thought about last night. This wasn’t the first time that the Arab had shattered a fantasy.
The men were waiting, ready to carry her off again to who knows where. As she stepped out, their conversation stopped. She caught the hot green stare, and Darius’ sheepishness.
“Good,” the dark man uttered. “We had best hurry.”
She asked, “Where are we going, now?”
Raine looped the strap of his travel bag around his arm and over his shoulder. “To another location,” he replied. “A village.”
Darius escorted them out into the long hallway. When outdoors they walked on the snow-crisp ground toward a shipping port. They turned around the building’s corner, into an alleyway, and Darius moved to open a door.
“What?” he gasped.
“No!” Raine bellowed.
Sarra wasn’t sure what was happening. She saw the building’s metallic wall becoming brilliant with bolts of blue-green lightning.
Chapter 16
Sarra cried out as Raine yanked her behind him, blocking her from the laser attack. He snatched his M-5 off his belt and fired into the alleyway, in the direction of the hidden assailant. Darius opened the door and Raine pushed her through the doorway, into the port. When they all were inside and the entrance slammed shut, the men exchanged anxious expressions, hearing the beams hiss on the exterior wall.
Her heart pounded wildly as Raine gripped her hand and sprinted to an auto. He pushed her into the back seat and lay above her with his weapon poised and ready. The Arab took the helm, and soon the port’s doors opened, and the auto was on a hasty flight above the snow.
Raine sat up when reasonably confident that they weren’t being pursued. “Are you all right?” he asked anxiously.
“Who ... what was that?” she breathed.
His face became taut with anger. “I have my suspicions. Stay here. You’ll be safe.”
He climbed into the front seat and activated a glassy panel that slid into place, separating her from him. Although she could see the men, she couldn’t hear them. Both were agitated and alert, and while watching them she recalled the fateful conversation she had overheard, making the raw, hurtful feelings rise again.
She clasped her hands in her lap, trying to control her tremors. The laser had come much too close for her peace of mind. Who had the assassin been aiming for?
However frightening the experience had been, it had enlightened her. Just moments ago Raine would have given his life to save hers.
She sighed and leaned back on the headrest, confused by all the contradictions.
Raine glanced back at the princess, cherishing the sight until he was forced to give his attention back to Darius.
“Ah, friend, I cannot believe that you could be so bold to even consider it,” the man admonished, then changed his mind. “Yes, I can. But it would mean your death, delivering her to the king.”
“I won’t bring her to the king, just to Adriel, where we’ll make the exchange. I don’t plan to commit suicide,” he added wryly. “What else can I do? We can’t do the trade here, now—not after this. Can you imagine if the traitor—or whoever he is—would succeed? All of our work—the rainbow mines would be lost. If she died ... We would be the villains ...”
“Are you sure your motives aren’t personal?”
“Surely you joke.”
“I’ve seen the way you look at her. Your blood hasn’t turned to ice, after all.”
“As I said before. Lust. Merely lust.”
“Watch your heart,” he advised. “She definitely is beyond your reach.”
“Watch my heart!” he scoffed.
“I suspect that she could break it.”
“Will you drop it!” he snapped. “I’m in no danger of having my heart broken!”
Darius bit back a tempting retort, glancing from the white landscape to his companion’s austere profile. It would be best to change the subject. “So, how do you plan to carry out your death wish?”
“Chonna, our Kalcoonian host, will lend me his ship—it’s a CC-D, Adrielian style,” he replied stiffly, still miffed. “I was planning on heading out in it when the time came, but now I’ll have to use it to take her to Adriel. We’ll have to set up a signature code switch.”
“A switch,” Darius sighed.
“We’ve done it before, right?”
“Yes, but why must we do it again?”
“Adriel might be searching unannounced Kalcoonian ships, since some have tried to sabotage the planet’s ports. The CC-D has a Kalcoonian signature. If they found the princess, it would be the end of everything. We’ll have to change its signature code to match one of our CC-D spacecrafts on Adriel. It’s best that we get that ship up and out into deep space as soon as possible. When I land, I’ll pose as that ship, with th
e USFC none-the-wiser. We’ve got to contact the headquarters on our covert frequency to find out which CC-D is available for the switch.”
“But it’s so risky, you going to Adriel.”
“It’s our only choice. Our antagonist knows that the princess is here, and he may very well inform King Ellis about her location. We’d best get out fast. Chonna’s ship is the only one available—it would take too long to call up a ship from Myrrh. And, we haven’t the time now to assemble our men here. Like you said, the sovereignty is ready with the guns.”
“Still,” the Arab calculated. “At the exchange, they aren’t going to like being tricked by a hologram of her.”
“Our men will take the weapons—I’m sure that they’ll be fakes that we’ll need to fix—and after the king gives us access to the first rainbow mine, then we’ll free her. Then we’ll have the evidence and firepower needed for our little coup d’état.”
“It is hard to believe that your foolhardy ransom scheme is actually working,” Darius commented.
“We’re not there, yet. Everywhere I turn there’s trouble—and now this. Run the crewmen’s names by me, the men who brought you here.”
“Hastings, Draco, Rashade ...”
“Nothing unusual comes to mind,” he considered.
“Glover, Kohler ...”
“No one else?”
“Cronala is with me.”
Both men exchanged suspicious expressions and then shook their heads, concluding that attacking the princess with a laser would be too drastic even for her.
Darius’ brown brow scrunched up in a frown. “It must be someone else. I did what you said—I told the men that you were hiding her on Adriel, that we were a decoy, traveling to Kan to contact King Ellis and tell him that we were holding her here. Maybe it was an outsider who attacked us?”
“It’s ... possible. Perhaps this is unrelated to the problems we’ve had on Myrrh. But, keep an eye on the five men—I don’t want them to know anything about the plan. Head back with them to our Adrielian Headquarters, but I want you—and only you—to be at the rendezvous. Watch your back.”
Queen of the Stars Page 20