by Julia Sexton
Kroido put his hand over her hand. "I'm trying to understand. You agreed to come here and have my baby. You don't even have to like me. Once the baby is born and you mother the child you can leave in a year. That is our agreement, right?"
Vicky felt pressured. "Yes, it is our agreement. But we just met yesterday. I feel like everything is going too fast. That's what I mean about the new planet, you, the incredible wedding ceremony. And the 'mating thing.' I..."
"Mating," Kroido responded. "That is why you are here. That is the purpose of your presence. Don't you like me?"
"Kroido, you are the most beautiful man I have ever seen. And, you have been kind to me since I arrived." That was pushing it with all those commands, but she let it right to make her point. "But, I don't know you well enough to tell you if I like you."
"I will be gentle." He reached out and began to gently stroke her breast. "You have done this mating before, yes?"
Vicky nodded her head. Her nipples responded to his touch, poking up and hardening. Her womb began to warm and she felt her labia tingle and swell. Tears started creeping out of the corners of her eyes.
"What is it?" Kroido asked, touching a tear as it ran down the side of her cheek.
"It's...it's...just too fast. My body is responding but my heart feels nothing. I know I agreed. I have no right to make you stop. I want...I need the money."
"Yes, I will take what the agreement states. I want that child."
She could tell he was angry now and that she was the cause. Vicky felt the tears flow in earnest. They streamed down her cheeks. Her heart felt empty. "It's just so far from what I've always dreamed."
"Dreamed," he scoffed.
"Just the way you dream of having a child and becoming king." She put her hand on his chest to calm him.
His face changed. "Yes, that is my aspiration." She could tell he was thinking.
"I've had an aspiration since I was a little girl. I dreamed of having a perfect wedding. With a white dress and flowers, and friends all around. I feel like I've sold out on my dream. But, it's more complicated than that.
My dream is to have a husband who loves me. The reality is so different." She sniffed and wiped her tears.
"Our wedding was incomprehensible to me. The droning of the priest, getting dunked in the water. It was so the opposite of my dream."
Vicky looked into his clear blue eyes. "Could we try to have a loving relationship? Could we go beyond a contractual agreement to caring?"
The pupils of his eyes contracted and then opened. His chiseled face seemed to go through a range of emotions from anger to skepticism to...what was it? Vicky couldn't tell.
"There's no need for you to do something you don't want to do," he began. "I promised my father I would mate on the first night. The way the customs are if we don't mate we are both at risk. Refusing the custom puts us both at risk, and you, especially. If you do not mate you will be considered disposable and replaceable."
Vicky saw the million dollars flying away.
"By disposable I mean the dignitaries would have you killed. I would jeopardize my position as prince and future king. So, I have a proposal."
Vicky wiped away more tears. Could there be a way out of this?
"From the moment I saw your image I felt something, a resonance...I don't know what to call it. I don't want to lose you."
"You don't want to lose me...or the throne?" Vicky asked.
"Both...but in different ways. Of course, I want to be king. I've been groomed for it all my life just the way you have dreamed of a wedding and a loving relationship."
"Oh," Vicky gasped, understanding more.
Kroido touched her cheek, wiping away stray tears. "One thing I've learned is how to make a plan and follow through. It's the same as setting a course on the water in my boat."
"A plan?" Vicky asked as she touched his hand. His words calmed her and she was ready to listen.
"We will pretend we have mated. We will live like a real "husband and wife" just like your dream. To the world, especially my father, we will be mated. I think that is what you are wanting. A man and a woman who understand each other and help each other."
"Kroido, you would do this?"
"Yes. Let's see if we can learn about each other. If we can't, I'll figure out a way to send you back to earth without letting Zostug or anyone else know that the mating did not happen."
"Oh," Vicky started crying again but this time she shed tears of relief. "Oh, Kroido, yes. Yes, I will agree to that."
Kroido sat up in excitement. "I have an idea. Tomorrow I will take you out on my cruising boat to show you Leka. Here the mountains are so rough and high that the easiest way to get from town to town is by sea. We'll go out on the water with only the crew. You will get to know Leka. I'll be happy on the water. And we can do just what you want...get to know each other."
"A boat! I've never been on a boat. Is it safe?"
Kroido burst into laughter. "Oh, Vicky. Being on a boat is my favorite activity. If it weren't for being a prince and training to rule, I would spend all my time on the water on a boat.
The feeling...it's like you and the wind and the water. Safe? No, it is never safe. Being on the water is always a life and death situation. But...it is exhilarating. You'll see. It is the best way I can introduce you to my world."
"We'll be together in an adventure. Is that right?"
"Yes."
"Oh, that is part of my dream."
They talked into the night and fell asleep in each other's arms.
BOATS
When Vicky woke it was early in the morning and Kroido was gone. She lay in bed thinking about their conversation. She'd seen a side of Kroido she hadn't known.
Where was he? Had he reversed his thinking? Was she slated for death? She knew she could keep her promise. Last night she learned that she liked him. Well, at least his conversation.
Kroido burst into the room. "You're awake. Good. I've been out getting the crew to ready the boat. I had a meeting with my father to tell him all is well." He smiled at her. "Good so far?"
Vicky felt a wave of relief at the sight of his sturdy body and the news that he had talked to his father and that the plan was implemented.
Kroido threw some clothes on the bed. "The women gave me these. They are packing a bag for you now. Get dressed. I'll show you Leka."
Vicky was encouraged by his friendly tone and his eager enthusiasm for their journey. She grabbed the clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower. Out of the shower she saw slipped on the loose, long-sleeved top and the loose pants with a mid-calf hem.
When she went back in the room, Kroido looked her up and down. "The picture of a woman made for me," he said.
"Barefoot?" Vicky asked archly.
"Barefoot for now." He tossed a pair of light shoes, almost like sandals except the toes were covered. "The best shoes for boating."
"You like me like this?" Vicky asked, looking at the loose white garments and the sandals.
"Turn around, I can't decide," he said teasingly.
Vicky twirled.
"Perfect. You are the image of Lekan beauty."
"Off we go." Kroido turned and opened the door. Then he came back, and held her hand. "Come, let me take you on an adventure."
They walked through the door together holding hands.
After yesterday's mob the harbor seemed quiet. People bustled about but with purpose. Voices called over the water. Boats of every size and shape bobbed on the water. Some were leaving for the ocean. Kroido led Vicky down to the royal dock.
"Here's my beauty," he said pointing to a ship made of wood. It looked like pictures Vicky had seen of Viking ships but rounder and broader. Both ends tipped up so the whole thing looked vaguely like a cantaloupe slice.
"You use oars?" she asked, surprised.
"Oh, this is our ancestral model. We don't travel this way anymore, but we have several regattas a year in celebration of our history. You met Cona, she and the wo
men are my biggest rivals. They are very skilled and the team is astoundingly coordinated."
"The women sail?"
Kroido laughed. She was beginning to like the sound of his hearty laugh. It was spontaneous and deep.
"Of course, just because they can't have a child doesn’t mean they are feeble. You will see. In a week the next regatta starts right here at the harbor. We sail out to an uninhabited island quite a few..." he hesitated. "Miles, you call them miles. The island is far away. It is a great challenge. But we're not travelling this way on our tour of Leka. Come I'll show you my yacht."
They continued on down the dock to the very last boat.
"Oh!" Vicky exclaimed. "That is beautiful."
The yacht was long and sleek. The old style boat was round and wood, this one was sharp angles and some gleaming material. Vicky wondered if they had plastic on Leka.
Two opposing banks of solar panels were set on the top deck. Crewmembers were working here and there on the deck getting the boat ready. Vicky felt her heart quicken. From bartender to adventuress, she thought.
Kroido led her up the long gangplank to the deck. He showed her to their cabin, which was spacious and comfortable in muted beige and off-white tones. Then they went back up on deck. Kroido shouted a few commands to the crew. The yacht backed silently out of the slip and headed toward the sea.
The wind blew Vicky's hair as she gazed out over the water and then looked back at the city of Leka crawling up the hillside to the palace. From the water, the city looked calm and naturally part of the rocky landscape.
As they reached the open water she felt the movement of the silent boat as it cut through the water. She had a sudden though. "Will I get seasick?"
Kroido grinned. "We'll find out. Let's have some breakfast as we go to our first port, the town of Zema."
The chef brought them breakfast that looked pretty much like she had at home: fruit, hard-boiled eggs, milk, and to her surprise something that looked like coffee.
"The first part of my adventure," she said. "A breakfast picnic on a boat. I've never done anything like this before. My life has been pretty bland."
"Do you like it?" Kroido asked.
"Oh, yes! The boat is magnificent. It is so quiet, I can hear the water."
They ate in silence looking at the water. Vicky studied him as he ate. His face was chiseled with high cheekbones and a strong chin. His light eyebrows matched his almost white hair, which was moving as the wind blew off the water.
The wind blew his loose clothing against his body. She could see his hard pectorals beneath his shirt. The blowing sleeves outlined his hard biceps. Damn! He is drop-dead gorgeous.
She was exhilarated by the entire experience, Kroido and his good looks, the sleek yacht, the wind and the magnificent blue ocean. She realized that his eyes were exactly the color of the water.
Vicky broke the silence. "I could grow to like this."
Kroido took his eyes of the sea and turned to her. "I love it! There's nothing better. Well, there is one thing that is better." He reached out to tuck back a strand of hair that was blowing over her face.
"I'm not ready to talk about that," Vicky said firmly.
"I'll show you the bridge. You will see how we get from Leka to Zema." He held out his hand. Vicky got up from her seat and took his hand. The feel of his strong fingers and the power of his arms jolted her body into desire. Not now!
He led her up to the bridge. With windows all around, his room was filled with screens and gadgets. Lights blinked on the screens. One man stood alternating his glance from the screens to the ocean outside. He was tall and blond but not a light haired as Kroido. His physique was almost perfect. Are all the men here good looking? Vicky thought.
"Good morning, Prince Kroido," the man said without taking his eyes of the instrument panel.
"Captain Zolat, thank you for responding so quickly. Meet Vicky, my wife."
Zolat turned around. He gasped. "Vicky, you are more beautiful up close than you are from a distance. I watched you yesterday. So like Neani."
"A pleasure to meet you, Zolat. You speak English," Vicky said pleased.
"Yes, I have been on several journeys to your planet. We stock Zema from Earth."
"Zema?"
Kroido interrupted. "You will see when we arrive. All of these instruments are calibrated to the yacht's dimensions, the displacement of water, and the weight. We keep track of the energy supply from the solar generators to make the best speed over the water."
Vicky nodded her head but it all sounded very technical. One thing she knew, she might not understand all the physics, but she was enjoying her first time on the water.
"Thank you, Zolat," Kroido said. "We'll leave you to it." He took Vicky's hand again and led her out. They walked down the steps and onto the deck.
"I'll show you my favorite place on the yacht. It's my favorite on any boat." He led her across the deck and out to the front of the yacht. The wind blew Vicky's hair. Even though the day had heated up, the wind was refreshing.
They stood side by side at the bow, looking out at the water ahead.
"Oh, it's exhilarating. You are right. I see why you have always liked this. It's as though you are going forward into an unknown adventure."
"Yes," Kroido answered. "You've described it perfectly. I'm so glad you understand. The motion of the yacht strengthens the wind. It's like being regenerated by the wind and the water." He put his arm around her waist and drew her next to him.
Vicky felt his strength surge through her body. She had that feeling of comfort that seemed to come each time he puts his arms around her. Well, Vicky, she said to herself, this is a first for you. No man has made you feel like this...safe.
Kroido looked into her eyes and smiled. The wind blew their clothes and their hair. His white-blonde hair waived around his face like a halo. Vicky wondered if she had been foolish last night. She had made an agreement and he was sexy as hell. But she wanted her dream.
So far, today, she was feeling good about him. Maybe this could all work. She might even have a baby. That thought stopped her short and she realized she had been right last night.
She leaned against his broad chest. "Kroido, I really like this. I had no idea I would like being on the water."
He kissed her forehead, a kiss light as a feather. She felt as though the imprint of his lips would stay on her forehead. Even the wind couldn't blow it off.
"Does everyone on Leka know how to run a boat?"
"Almost. It's how we get things done. Did you see those big ships in the harbor?"
"Yes."
"Goods and food are carried on those ships and distributed to all the towns. Leka is the only city. The settlements on Leka are spread out and separated by those rough mountains. For centuries, people here have used the water for exploration and transport."
"And there is only one land mass?" Vicky asked, trying to imagine a planet of mostly water.
"We have found three small islands, where the ocean floor pushes up out of the water. They are just as rough as the mountains of Leka and too small and far away to be habitable. Legend has it that Neani and Koger are the only ones who sailed completely around this world."
Vicky rested her head on his broad shoulder, drinking in his manliness and protection. "Why don't you do it now? This boat is very sophisticated. Couldn't you do it?"
Kroido looked down at her with surprise. "I suppose I could. I never thought of that. There's nothing out there, though. And, even though the sea is calm today, it can be unpredictable, rough, and unforgiving in a storm. I think I'll stick to sailing around here."
"I'm liking this so far," Vicky said. She continued. "Thank you for understanding last night. I was so frightened and..."
"I want to make you happy. You are so beautiful. I'll tell you a secret. You are the first woman I have liked. Does that make sense?"
"Liking. Yes, it makes sense. Just spending this time today, I'm getting to know you more. I'm beginnin
g to understand why you love the water."
She pulled away from his arm and stood back to look at him. "I hadn't thought of it before, but I think you are the first man I have liked. On Earth they say, be friends first. I never really understood that. Now I'm getting a sense of what that means."
Kroido put out both arms and reached for her hands. They stood facing each other holding hands. Vicky thought, Yes, I like him...so far.
Then Kroido pulled her close to him and put his arm around her waist again. He pointed ahead. "Look land. We'll soon be in Zema. You will see the richness that sustains us. Especially when we take the best of what earth has to offer and bring it here."
"What?" Vicky laughed. "You are a space pirate?"
Leka's Wealth
As they sailed toward Zema Vicky saw it was nothing like the city of Leka. The mountains went back from the sea and below them was a wide valley. Even from the water she could see it was lush green. The town itself was small. She saw the buildings clustered around the harbor. Several of the large ships were docked there.
Zolat guided the yacht expertly into what was obviously the royal slip.
Kroido grinned at her. "This is more like where you were on Earth. Come on, I'll show you around." He took her hand and led her down the gangplank to the ground.
Vicky's legs felt strange. "What's happening? It feels like the earth is moving."
Kroido laughed his big laugh. "Vicky you got sea legs. It feels like that when you first get off the water and onto land. You'll get used to it."
"Well, at least I didn't get seasick."
They both laughed.
"Here's our vehicle," Kroido said. He led her to the end of the dock. A sleek vehicle was parked at the entrance to the dock, dark green and low to the ground. "Jump in. I'll give you a tour."
He lifted up a door like a gull-wing vehicle on earth.
Vicky looked back and saw three men get into another vehicle behind them. The prince had bodyguards, or watchers, at least. What a different world than her old life: yachts, security, a very handsome man, wild wedding ceremony. I could get used to this.