Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  His dark eyes were hot, his voice husky when he spoke.

  Kinara frowned a little at the buzzing in her ears.

  Heat ran through her belly as his hand slid up to cup her breast, his thumb lightly teasing the peak. He touched his forehead to hers. He spoke again and the buzzing crystalized into words.

  That's Az-kye!

  Her mind went white with shock. With a cry she pushed away, backpedaling so fast her spine slammed against the wall and jarred her to full, horrified wakefulness.

  The disabled Rapier, the Ty’pran taking aim . . .

  A rush of shame hit her. Gods, I let him—!

  The Az-kye hadn’t moved and she swallowed hard. She’d seen holos of them of course but she never expected to face one of their warriors in person. His mass alone intimidated her. She was tall but he was easily a head taller and as powerfully built as a full-grown sular. His high collared, long-sleeved black clothing – it took her a bile-raising instant to recognize it as animal skins – was decorated with garnet, cobalt and silver beading over the left shoulder. The tip of a sword’s hilt showed over his right shoulder, the strap of the back scabbard crossed his chest diagonally and his trousers disappeared into knee-high black boots. The wicked scar down the left side of his face wasn’t the only one he bore.

  She touched her own cheek remembering those scars crisscrossing over his hand.

  Gentleness from an Az-kye? It wasn’t possible. They took no prisoners.

  The crew!

  Kinara’s frantic glance darted around the room. No longer dreamlike the steady flickering of the fire revealed it to be artificial, nothing more than a hologram. The heat which seemed to come from it, and the scent of burning wood, no more than small touches to help buoy the illusion.

  But large as these chambers were, they were empty save for her and the Az-kye.

  “Where am I?” she demanded. “Where is my crew?”

  His only response was the slight furrowing of his brow.

  Kinara gritted her teeth. This savage wouldn’t be able to speak Tellaran. In her hunt for them she’d spent months studying everything she could find about the Az-kye, including their language.

  She spoke his language now, the words heavy and awkward on her tongue.

  A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “So you can speak properly.”

  “Where am I?” she repeated.

  “In my quarters.”

  “And where is my crew?”

  “Below.”

  “Take me to see them.”

  “No.”

  Kinara blinked at his simple, flat answer. “I must see them.”

  He looked perplexed. “Why?”

  “I need to see if they’re all right.”

  He tilted his head, looking genuinely curious. “What would you do if they were not?”

  The breath rushed out of her lungs. “Are they hurt? Do they need me?”

  Understanding lit his dark eyes. “You are their healer.”

  “No, I'm not a healer. I’m their commander.”

  “This cannot be so.” He shook his head a little. “You cannot have led them.”

  “Why not?”

  His gaze ran over her. “You are female.”

  Kinara felt her nostrils flare. “So?”

  The Az-kye was a blur of movement. His sword was free of the scabbard at his back and at her throat so quickly she scarcely had time to gasp.

  He stayed like that, his sword held in a two-handed grip, every muscle rock steady, the gleaming blade just under her chin. His blond brows were low over his fierce black eyes, his square-jawed, scarred face hard and set. Shaken by the suddenness — the violence — of it Kinara could do nothing more then stare at him and take quick terrified breaths.

  His dark eyes narrowed. “You are no warrior.”

  With quick, practiced movements he sheathed his sword.

  Kinara’s hand went to her throat. Gods, I've never seen anyone move so fast!

  The Az-kye loosened the strap across his chest and took the scabbard from his back. He laid the sword in its scabbard on a table near the holo-fire.

  Her knees were shaking. She wasn’t even sure how she managed to stay standing.

  He regarded her coolly. “The other Tellarans are unharmed.”

  It took Kinara a moment to find her voice. “And I’m just supposed to take your word for that?”

  “Yes.” He paused. “Why would you not?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said sharply. “Because you might be lying?”

  He went very still and his dark eyes smoldered. “I am a warrior. I do not lie.”

  She tried again, speaking deliberately. “I have to see my crew. They’re depending on me.”

  His brow furrowed at that. “What do they depend on you for?”

  “To get them out of here! To take them home!”

  “You will not take them anywhere. And this ship is taking us home.”

  “Wait.” Kinara’s stomach tightened. “What do you mean ‘home’?”

  “Home,” he said slowly as if speaking to a young child. “The Imperial World. Az-kye.”

  Their capital, smack dab in the center of their territory. Oh, not good.

  “Are you—” She swallowed. “Are you going to kill us there?”

  “I will make a gift of you to the Elders.”

  “What does that mean? What will they do with us?”

  He shrugged. “They will keep you or gift you. Perhaps sell you in the Empress’ City.”

  Gift? Sell? Oh, no, oh man. “You don’t mean . . . you’re going to make us slaves?”

  “I do not make you slaves. You are such already.”

  She’d known the Az-kye practiced slavery, yet another measure of their barbarity. Kinara’s fingers twisted the skirt of her white shift.

  How did I get into this thing anyway? Wait, did he—?

  The thought of those dark eyes seeing her bare, those fingers tracing of her skin . . .

  Kinara wet her lips. “I don’t think you understand our ways,” she said carefully. “It’s my duty to see to my people’s welfare.”

  His lip curled. “Tellaran ways. I will see to their keeping now.”

  “You can’t do this! We’re Tellaran citizens!”

  “It is done,” he said simply, turning away.

  She darted forward. “Take me to see my people now!”

  His brows rushed together, his eyes hard. “I have given you my answer. Your insistence displeases me.”

  “I have to see them!”

  “What you must do, Tellaran, is please me or I will kill one of them now.”

  Her lips parted in horror.

  He smiled tightly. “Now you are obedient.” He turned away. “This day has been a tiring one, Tellaran. Pour wine for me.”

  He settled himself on one of the low couches near the holo-fire.

  She tried to calm her breathing.

  He just threatened my crew, that means they aren’t dead and they’re being held somewhere on this ship. If he can get to them, I can too.

  Her glance darted around the room but there was no hint of how much time had passed since her ship had been taken.

  I can’t have been knocked out that long. They would have needed time to set up a tow for the Rapier and they moved our people over to their ship. We can’t be much farther into their territory yet but we’ll fight all the way back to Tellaran space if we have to.

  There was a bottle and cups not far from his elbow. He threw an impatient glance at her.

  Kinara set her jaw. Sooner or later this Az-kye will drop his guard and I’ll get my chance. But for now, maybe I’d better play along.

  The floor was icy under her bare feet. She bent over the table, awkwardly lifting the heavy bottle. It would have taken him less time to pour it himself. In the end he had to help her steady the cup to keep it from spilling.

  He took a deep draft. “You have done well.”

  Her hand itched to bring the bottle down o
n his head.

  “Thanks,” she grumbled, putting the heavy bottle back down. “It was a real challenge.”

  “You are insulted.”

  Kinara narrowed her eyes. “Do you care?”

  “No.” He pointed to the floor beside him. “Sit, Tellaran.”

  She folded her arms. “I have a name.”

  His dark eyes were amused now. “What were you called?”

  “I am called Kinara Maere.”

  “This name is too Tellaran.” He settled back, holding his goblet and looked her over. A smile flittered across his face. “I will call you Cy’atta.”

  He’d called her an Az-kye word that translated as ‘stardancer’ and for a moment Kinara was speechless. She wasn’t even sure it was a real name. In fact it sounded suspiciously like the kind of moniker a Tellaran might give a newly adopted sercat, like ‘Midnight’ or ‘Snowball’.

  “Sit, Cy’atta.”

  “And you think that’s that, huh? That you can just toss aside my name and give me a new one?”

  “Yes.” His eyes narrowed a bit. “I am displeased. Sit you now.”

  Will he really kill one of my crew if I don’t?

  Stiffly, she sat at his feet.

  He reached out, stroking her hair as if she were a pet. Kinara twisted her head away.

  “I have many Tellaran slaves now.” He sat back. “I will send for another, more pliant, female.”

  She froze. She was in command, she wasn’t going let Nisara or Mari or any of the other women suffer this instead if she could help it.

  “No,” she croaked. “No. Tell me what you want me to do.”

  “Smile for me, Cy’atta.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  He tilted his head. “I would have you smile for me.”

  He held her gaze for several heartbeats. Finally Kinara managed a sickly grimace.

  He studied her face and gave a nod. “I think you will provide me adequate amusement after all.”

  Kinara concentrated on her breathing, willing herself to hold her temper, to stay seated at his feet.

  His gaze turned measuring. “What do you here?”

  She blinked. “You told me to sit here.”

  “No. What do you here, in our space?”

  “We didn’t mean to be.” She licked her lips. “We were on patrol. Our navigation systems went down and—”

  “Do not lie to me, Tellaran,” he said sharply. “What do you here?”

  “I came–” Hate burned her chest. “You killed my brother.”

  His brow creased. “I?”

  Her words came out in a snarling rush. “You! All of you!” She waved her hand to indicate the vessel around them. “The crew of this ship did. Seven months ago the Ty’pran attacked and destroyed my brother’s cruiser. Gods, you didn’t even give them the time to—” Kinara’s hands balled into fists. “You killed him, Kyndan and his whole crew! Twenty-four good people dead!”

  The warrior’s face went cold. “I remember this Tellaran ship. It is not something I could forget. They crossed into our space and attacked us unprovoked. They killed many Az-kye."

  Kinara stared at him in furious disbelief. "The Reliant was a patrol ship, they wouldn’t have opened fire! They didn’t stand a chance against you. Their weapons were no match for a warship like this. You murdered my brother and his crew! I came here to make you—all of you—pay!"

  He gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “You are come here to seek vengeance, Cy’atta? It cannot be so. Tellarans do not understand loyalty.” His glance ran over her dismissively. “You do not have honor.”

  She shot to her feet.

  “We are capable of more loyalty than you can begin to understand, Az-kye! And just so we’re clear, I’m your prisoner, understand? Not your slave, not your plaything. And if you want me to answer you, you fracking well better call me ‘Kinara’.”

  He scowled then a light of understanding touched his eyes. “You are Tellaran. You do not accept the loss of honor from your defeat because you have never had any to lose.” He nodded toward the floor. “You will sit now.”

  “Go to hell!” she spat and turned her back on him.

  He stood, his face naked with astonishment. “What is this you do?”

  “What am I doing?” she sneered. “I’m showing you just how much you mean to me, O Great Master! You want a drink? Get it yourself! You want conversation? Go find another blockheaded Az-kye to talk to!”

  She only made it halfway to the bed platform when she heard his step behind her. She didn’t even have time to glance back before he seized her by the wrist.

  Ignoring her shriek of outrage he pulled her into the hallway. He didn’t slow even as she cursed, his iron-like grip not slacking in the slightest as she struggled.

  They passed other warriors, but, as though the sight of a man dragging a woman through the ship were an everyday thing, the warriors did nothing more than send curious glances their way.

  “Where are you taking me?” Kinara demanded.

  “To see your people.”

  The way he said it made it clear this was a punishment not a reward.

  Her stomach clenched. Oh gods, how angry have I made him?

  The floor beneath her bare feet was cold, dark green stone. Why would anyone outfit a warship with stone? The walls were a lighter green than the floor, the ceiling above a burnt bronze. Dim golden light shone from depressions in the walls.

  “I thought you said they were below,” she said but the corridors were sloping ever so slightly down. She shook her head mentally at the design. What kind of warship is this?

  “Be you silent!”

  He pulled her past two warriors and his hand went to her lower back, pressing her toward a window that overlooked a large room.

  Kinara stopped struggling instantly. Her crew was below in that room, all dressed as she was in simple, white smocks. Two more warriors moved among them with wicked looking stun pikes, apparently examining and separating them by sex and build.

  The Az-kye’s hold on her tightened.

  “Do you see them, Cy’atta?” he demanded, his voice a snarl in her ear. “Do you? That one,” he said, indicating Caitin, who had served in engineering. “Will fetch a fine price in the Empress’ City, I think. He is strongly built. But that one,” he continued and Kinara’s breath rushed out of her lungs as he pointed to Tedah. “I think him a poor worker. It is hardly worth feeding him. I could well do without him.”

  “No,” Kinara said hoarsely.

  “I could kill him now, Cy’atta. Perhaps have another do it, so I may be sure you watch?”

  “No,” Kinara whispered. “No, I’ll do as you say.”

  “Yes,” he growled. “You will.”

  He released her. Trembling she clasped the window’s edge, trying to make a head count. Were they all there?

  “Cy’atta!”

  “Yes,” Kinara took a final tear-blurred look at her friends. “Yes, I’m coming.”

  Kinara followed the Az-kye back to his quarters. Two Az-kye women, dressed in smocks like the one she wore, were already there serving dishes of food. The women moved on silent, bare feet as they went about their task. Their downcast eyes flicked curious glances her way as they placed covered dishes along the sideboard. They retreated, leaving the man’s quarters as he sat himself at the table.

  The warrior looked at her impatiently.

  Kinara lifted the covers off the dishes but didn’t recognize anything.

  What am I supposed to do?

  It was clear from his expression he had no intention of guiding her. The crew needed her. For the time being she was going to have to at least look like she accepted captivity.

  “Okay then,” she muttered under her breath and picked up a plate. The women had brought enough to feed a dozen warriors. At his size she figured he probably could eat twice his weight and ask for more. She started on one end of the serving board and filled his plate from every dish and bowl.

  When
she was satisfied he couldn’t complain she’d stinted him, she brought the overfilled plate to the table. Before she could set it down some of the contents slopped over the side.

  He hissed in disapproval as the sauce hit the floor and splattered across his boots.

  “Damn it!” She quickly shoved the plate into his hands and grabbed the cloth napkin from his place setting. One of the spoons in his setting went clattering across the table as she knelt to clean the mess off his boots.

  She wasn’t used to wearing anything but coveralls and raw nerves made her clumsy in the loose smock. Her shoulder bumped the table, upsetting it and knocking over the wine cup. The warrior jumped to his feet to avoid being doused. The wine ran off the table and onto the floor, spattering across his feet with every drop.

  The Az-kye’s scowl was ferocious.

  She offered him a sheepish shrug. “I’ve never been a servant.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “Table first, Tellaran. Then boots, then floor.”

  “Right.” Kinara started sopping up the wine from the table.

  He shifted his weight.

  Kinara paused. “What?”

  “A clan leader does not hold his plate for a slave.”

  Clan leader? “Oh.”

  He looked at the plate in his hands and back at her meaningfully.

  “Oh!” Kinara put her hand out. “Here, I’ll take it.”

  He let out a frustrated breath and handed it to her. She wiped a spot clean to put it down then got started on the rest.

  Her napkin was soon soaked with wine.

  “Um,” she murmured, looking around for something else to use.

  “The bathing chamber is through there,” he said shortly with a nod in that direction. “Rinse the cloth.”

  Kinara went toward the bathroom but wine was dripping off the cloth. Biting her lip, she cupped her hand to catch the run-off, hurrying before it could drip between her fingers.

  “Stars,” she murmured stopping short at her first look at the bathroom. Surrounded by white, polished stone was a deep sunken pool filled with churning hot water. There were benches of stone too, around which someone had placed towels and baskets containing tiny cakes of soap. Steam rose from the hot water and the room smelled heavenly.

  An extravagance on any world, this bathing room was absurd on anything other than a pleasure cruise. It was half the size of the main chamber; there were Zartani Princes who probably didn’t have accommodations this luxurious.