Stardancer

by Ariel MacArran

  Kinara yanked her bodice lower.

  Her heart gave a little thump when she saw him standing in the doorway. Tall and proud, his black clothes made the gold of his hair all the more magnificent.

  Proper, damn it! She lowered her gaze and kept her voice soft. “Was the day pleasing to you, my mate?”

  “It was indeed, Cy’atta. Was the day pleasing to you?”

  Kinara lifted one shoulder, purposely letting the fabric slip a little. “It pleased me well enough, I suppose.”

  Arranging her mouth in a little pout she looked up at him.

  He was frowning. “The women displease you?”

  “No. No, of course not,” she said quickly. “It’s just that . . .” She gave a little sigh, looking down to toy with her skirt in such a way that her ankle was exposed. “I have so little to occupy me.”

  “When we reach Az-kanzar there will be much for you to do.” He came to stand facing her, nearly three paces away. “You will want to redo the interior of the house and the crops must be looked after. You will oversee the yuntath shearing.”

  She blinked. “Oversee the what?”

  “The yuntath shearing. Their coats are removed and spun into thread to make fine cloth. Az’anti cloth is very much desired by ladies of the Empress’ City.”

  “Hmm, I imagine there is much of the Az’anti that is desired right now.”

  He frowned again. “No, truly only the cloth. Although our grain sells well in the markets on Az-kanzar.”

  Uh, okay. “But I have kept you waiting when you must be hungry.” She rose, smoothing her dress to bring attention to her hips. “Sit, I will serve you.”

  He glanced back at the table. “I will serve myself.”

  She took a step toward him. “But—”

  Was it her imagination or had he instantly taken a step back?

  “I will choose for you as well.”

  “Great,” Kinara muttered, sitting at the table. So much for offering graceful, ladylike service.

  “Thank you,” she said when he put a plate in front of her.

  They ate in silence for a moment.

  Aidar’s head came up suddenly, startling her.

  “You must talk to me of whatever you wish. What do you wish to speak of?”

  “Oh, uh, I don’t know,” she stammered. She nibbled on a baru root, trying to figure out how to eat the fibrous vegetable fracking delicately. “Does the food please you? I know so little about you.” She gave him a small smile. “I would like to know more.”

  He looked at his plate then shrugged. “I have not eaten such things since I was a child. The food seems bland now.”

  “Oh.” Thanks a lot, Laric. “Perhaps I could find something spicier.” She looked at him, smiling sidelong. “Perhaps you’d care for something Tellaran.”

  His brow furrowed. “I do not think I would like Tellaran food. There is none to be had on the Imperial World in any case.”

  “Oh, well – Wait! I have some wine from the Imperial vineyards.”

  He gave a nod. “That would be pleasing.”

  She put her fork down but he beat her to the wine, filling a goblet for her then one for himself.

  “Well.” She took the goblet from him. “Thank you again.”

  She fingered the goblet thoughtfully while he drank.

  “You are not drinking, Cy’atta. Does it displease you?”

  Quickly she took a sip. “Mmm, it’s wonderful. Actually I’ve never had better." She took another taste and took the opportunity to run her tongue over her lips so they’d be moist and inviting. "I guess there are some things Az-kye know better than Tellarans. What do you think Az-kye men do better than Tellarans?”

  He considered her question carefully. “We are better fighters but Tellaran men do not carry swords.”

  “But the Az-kye can do much more than fight . . .”

  He waited, his dark eyes focused on her so intently it was unnerving.

  “There’s Az-kye art and architecture and music,” she rushed on. “Would you like to hear some music?”

  Without waiting for an answer Kinara hurried to coax the unfamiliar equipment into playing the melody she’d chosen.

  Perfect. Not too loud, okay now – Not realizing Aidar was standing right behind her, she turned and collided with him, smashing her nose into his chest.

  He caught her in his arms and her heart sped up. His lips curved and she slid her hands up to his shoulders, her hurting nose forgotten and tilted her face to bring her mouth to his.

  He swung her around.

  She stumbled after him. “What are you doing?”

  “We are dancing.”

  She tripped, tightening her grip on him to keep from falling. Lovely and lilting, the music was too slow and didn’t lend itself to any kind of dancing.

  The only time Kinara had danced like this – though crashing around the room could hardly be called dancing – was at the Rusco base’s Carnival ball. While she knew the steps if she had music to keep rhythm it hadn’t been her forte even then.

  And now she felt about as graceful and alluring as a pregnant sular in a mudslide. She trod heavily on his foot, stubbing her toes painfully in the process.

  “Aidar!” she cried and dug her fingers into his shoulders in an effort to keep him still.

  He stopped, looking down at her expectantly.

  She put her hand on his chest. “I think that’s enough dancing for one night.”

  He nodded and released her.

  Kinara bit her lower lip and made an effort not to limp. She sat down hurriedly on the couch, lifting her foot to take the pressure off her throbbing toes.

  Kinara picked up her goblet and took a long, and hopefully pain deadening, draft.

  He sat beside her and she could feel the heat radiating off him, his thigh scant inches from her own.

  “You know, I love to dance but it always makes me so warm.” She loosened the ties that held the front of her dress and fanned herself.

  Aidar’s gaze dipped. She’d left her bodice gaping, the skin of her breasts exposed to the pink tops of her nipples.

  He stood abruptly and she twisted to watch him throw open the balcony doors.

  “It will be cooler now,” he said, sitting next to her again.

  Kinara let her breath out slowly.

  Okay. I can make this work . . .

  “Thank you, Aidar. That's better.” The breeze was cooling the room down fast and her top was still half open. She arched, the peaks of her breasts hardening in the chilly air. She leaned back on one hand, turning so he could see the effect. “I just feel so restless tonight,” she purred. “I can’t imagine I’ll be able to sleep.”

  He stared at her then suddenly stood. “We will take a walk.”

  “A walk?”

  “Yes.” He glanced down. “You must close your dress.”

  She’d been dying to get outside. Whenever Aidar wasn’t with her, and even sometimes when he was, two warriors stood guard outside the door of their apartments to keep her from leaving. She’d only left their quarters the one time when he’d taken her to see the crew and now she couldn’t even enjoy the walk. Every time she eased closer Aidar scooted away. All her seductive comments were deflected by his serious inquires about what she thought about one thing or another. It was like he had completely stopped noticing her as female at all.

  She dragged her feet back to their apartments. There was one last measure she hadn’t tried. Desperate, she tried it now.

  Just inside the door, she faked a fatigued faint.

  Instantly Aidar cried out and swept her into his arms. Keeping her eyes closed she suppressed a smile as he cradled her against his chest. When she felt the softness of the bed beneath her, she fluttered her eyes open.

  Aidar cupped her cheek, his dark eyes worried. “Stay still, I will fetch the healer.”

  “No! I’m fine. I was just dizzy but I’m fine now.” She smiled, sitting up a little. “Really, I’m just perfect. You don�
��t need to call anyone. It’s just . . . ”

  He took her hand. “What, Cy’atta?”

  “Oh, I think my dress might be a little tight. I’m not used to these clothes you know.” She was careful to keep her eyes wide and innocent. “Could you help me undress?”

  He hesitated. “I will fetch the women—”

  “Oh, no, Aidar.” She intertwined her fingers with his. “I feel so much more comfortable alone with you.”

  He looked uncertain. “If this is what you wish.”

  She trembled as his hands ran over her, easing away the layers of clothing. She closed her eyes, waiting for his mouth to touch hers, to feel the weight of him on her body.

  A blanket settled over her, the bed dipped a bit as he climbed in beside her.

  "Again upon lighted fires;

  The Katak roar heard.”

  Her eyes snapped open. Aidar was sitting next to her on the bed, fully dressed, reading from the datapad in his hand.

  “Blood eyes of night;

  Teeth tear flesh from bone—”

  “Aidar?”

  He looked up immediately. “Yes, Cy’atta?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “This is a poem.” Turning back to the data pad he continued,

  “Breaks past heart’s cage;

  To ingest life’s dwelling.

  With broken bound agony—”

  “I know it’s a poem!” she snapped.

  His dark eyes met hers.

  “Well . . .” She swallowed. “Is it a long poem?”

  He smiled. “Yes.” He lifted the datapad again.

  “Utho’s blade unsheathes—”

  “Hey, I couldn’t seduce her either and it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying!”

  “Think you I want to hear of another seeking to bed my wife?” Aidar scowled at Tedah. “And from what I see, Tellaran, I think you unable to seduce any female! Nothing you have told me has won her. I have let-her-come-to-me and not crowded her. I showed interest in her mind too. I read poetry. I really listened to her. And still she did not invite me to join with her!” Aidar rubbed his eyes. “Gods! How can your people make so many children when you take so long to join?”

  The afternoon sun warmed the room that they had been meeting in for the past few days. A common space for the estate’s warriors it was empty now but for the two of them.

  Tedah leaned back in his chair. “Wait a minute. You did all that stuff in one evening?”

  “You said –”

  “Yeah, a little at a time! This stuff takes a while, you know.”

  “I do not want her to join with me in ‘a while’. I want her to invite me now.”

  “Yeah, well, I get that.” Tedah shook his head. “Three days ago I didn’t know your people even had poetry.”

  “We have many great works, Tellaran!”

  “Hey, sorry!” Tedah held up his hands. “So Kinara didn't like it?”

  “I do not know why! It is Utho's saga, he who slayed the katak-dragon of Ar’rutu.”

  Tedah frowned. “I thought I told you to read love poetry.”

  “And I did read such! Utho fights to free his mate trapped in the katak-dragon’s belly. The battles are very exciting.”

  Tedah burst out laughing. “Wow, what woman wouldn’t be swooning?”

  Aidar’s scowl deepened. “Were my wife born Az-kye, she would be won now and I would be siring children instead of listening to you cackle like a crazed jaha bird!”

  “Come on, things can’t be that bad,” Tedah said, helping himself to another piece of sugared fruit. “There’s plenty of time. After all, she’s yours for life, right?”

  Aidar hesitated, tempted to confess his fears, then pushed the impulse away. As much as he was beginning to feel a warriorlike camaraderie, even friendship, with this man, Tedah had desired his Cy’atta for himself.

  “This is so.”

  Tedah shrugged. "Maybe you should focus on something else for now.”

  “I think of little else,” Aidar grumbled. “It has been too long since we joined."

  “I want to thank you for the extra food and the warmer clothing,” Tedah said a little stiffly. “It’s made it a little easier for my people. It would make it easier still if you let me tell them they’re going home.”

  Aidar shook his head. “Tellarans are known to be uncivilized brutes. So must these Tellarans show themselves, else the Council of Elders see some value in you.”

  “Well,” Tedah said dryly, lifting his wine cup. “We certainly can’t have that. Couldn’t I tell my people to pretend? Tell them to act up?”

  Aidar rubbed his eyes again. “It is hard to understand a people who think so little of lying.”

  “Well, you told me that a warrior offers congratulations to the guy that wins the woman he wanted. Isn’t that a lie? If he really wanted her, he’d be disappointed, wouldn’t he?”

  “To speak of desiring another man’s wife is rude,” Aidar snapped. “You offend me.”

  Tedah looked away.

  Aidar reined in his annoyance again. When they had begun their talks he would have happily earned her another scar rather than bear the Tellaran man’s constantly offensive manners and talk. In the last days he had come to understand Tedah was not trying to insult him any more than he sought to affront the Tellaran.

  Aidar let his breath out slowly. “But you are Tellaran, it seems for you it is proper.” Aidar gave him a nod. “Speak. I will not be insulted.”

  “I care for Kinara. I have for a long time,” Tedah said finally, his voice quiet. “And I’m angry that she married you.” Tedah shook his head. “No, I’m angry because I know you might be a match for her and I guess I never was.” Tedah’s lopsided smile was pained. “I congratulate you, Aidar.”

  Tedah was not a warrior, had not even the honor of a name, but Aidar bent his head in acknowledgment. “You will find a wife worthy of you. I will endeavor to be as worthy of my wife.”

  Tedah laughed shortly. “Thanks.”

  "Or worthy of her at all," Aidar grumbled, remembering the purpose of these meetings. “She is unhappy even when I am not there to make her so.”

  “What does she do all day anyway? It’s bad enough for us being stuck in that holding cell but at least we have each other to talk to. And, of course, I get to enjoy your hospitality,” Tedah added, toasting him.

  “She is attended by the gisel.”

  “By the what?”

  Aidar explained how the women were members of vassal clans meant to serve her.

  Tedah frowned. “But does she know that she’s supposed to be in charge? That she’s supposed to oversee their work and assign tasks according to their status?”

  “It is obvious. She must know!”

  “Uh, right. Okay, well, when you see them with her what does the atmosphere seem like? I mean are they respectful to her or friendly or what?”

  Aidar considered. “No, they are not.”

  “Listen, I’ve gotten a good deal of experience in leadership lately. One thing I’ve learned is that if you don’t show yourself a leader no one treats you like one. Kinara’s last experience in command didn’t turn out so well. If she’s lost as much confidence as I bet she has, on top of not knowing she’s supposed to be in charge or how, my guess is those women have been pushing her around.”

  Aidar frowned. “She must perform her duties as Ti’antah. She must learn quickly. There is not much time before we must appear before the Elders.”

  “Ti’antah?”

  “One who leads the clan. How is this said in Tellaran?"

  Tedah’s eyebrows rose. “Ah, I don’t think we have a word for that in Tellaran. Doesn’t sound like those women are interested in helping her out any. Why don’t you?”

  “I?” Aidar shook his head sharply. “I cannot. I am a warrior. I am her mate. It was for her mother and clan to raise her properly. Now if she is in need of it, it is for her women to guide her.”

  Tedah sighed. “Looks lik
e Kinara doesn’t have a chance in hell then.”

  Aidar felt his nostrils flare. “How can you say so of her? She is your friend.”

  “And she’s your wife.” Tedah shrugged, lifting his cup. “Too bad. She really deserves a good husband.”

  Snarling, Aidar pushed away from the table, his sword already singing through the air.

  Aidar stood, breathing hard, his teeth bared, the blade trembling at Tedah’s throat. The Tellaran man’s shoulders were tense, the knuckles of the hand holding his cup showed white but he met Aidar’s gaze unflinchingly.

  “You married a Tellaran. You asked for my help.” Tedah lifted his eyebrows. “Maybe you can stand to break a little more with tradition and teach her?”

  Aidar stared, then slowly lowered the blade. “You are brave, Tellaran,” he allowed. “But very foolish.”

  “I’ll own up to the foolish part.” Tedah took a quick shaky swallow from his cup. “And hey, thanks for not gutting me.”

  Aidar shook his head, sheathing his sword. “Were you born Az-kye, Tedah, you would make a cunning warrior.”

  Tedah gave a start at the sound of his name then he smiled. “I wish you luck, friend. You’re going to need it to get Kinara to behave.”

  After her painstaking preparations the women would have to be fools not to realize what she’d hoped for last night and her woebegone face showed her failure. Laric had patted her shoulder in sympathy but the younger girls snickered and the older women sniffed at her bungled seduction.

  When Aidar finally finished reading that awful poem, she nearly sobbed with disappointment. He got into bed, scowling and silent, without so much as brushing elbows with her.

  Kinara’s jaw hardened. She would not cry in front of these women who had such contempt for her.

  The women chose places as far away from her as possible, drawing together to gossip.

  An older woman clucked her tongue upon hearing of a girl who stopped to speak to the Tellarans during their display to the city. “Baruta will do poorly in Council if she cannot even keep her daughter from shaming her clan.”

  What this meant was completely beyond her. It was so frustrating! She probably knew more about Az-kye culture then any Tellaran living, but she still didn’t understand anything.