Reckoning

by KD Jones

  Oh Goddess! Did she know what touching him like that would do to him? He reached for her hand with his own, and, instead of pulling away, she held his hand and reassuringly squeezed it. She was giving him a signal that she was feeling the same desire he was. This was quickly becoming very complicated.

  “Tell me about Earth, Miss Task,” OrIN ordered.

  He felt the loss of her hand as she pulled away and turned to answer OrIN. He immediately missed her heat and closeness.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “How far away is it?”

  “I actually don’t know. It took a month to travel by transport.”

  “How come you don’t know the coordinates? All intelligent space travelers know something.”

  “I’m not a space traveler. My people had not gotten farther than our moon...luna.”

  “Outrageous. How did the Katierans find you?”

  “Earth’s government sent out a request for help to save our dying planet. Katiera answered.”

  OrIN snorted. “RendEL doesn’t know how to mind his own business. Interfering in another’s species survival is not what is best for Katiera. He should have put our own people’s needs first.”

  “Well, I’m glad he didn’t.”

  OrIN didn’t look happy with her response, but then his eyes traveled over her body. MarIK wanted to rip his eyes out.

  “Are you finding your accommodations acceptable?” OrIN asked her.

  Sharon nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

  “I hear that you are sharing quarters with Lieutenant TanAR. If the space is small, you could share my quarters.”

  MarIK clutched his hands into fists under the table. He listened to Sharon as she spoke calmly. “I appreciate that, Leader OrIN, but I am dating TanAR.”

  OrIN leaned in closely and sniffed at her. He wouldn’t detect the scent markers either. “I could order you to my room.”

  Sharon smiled at him. “You could, but why would you force yourself on a female when I’m sure there are many who would welcome your attentions?”

  OrIN laughed, pleased with her answer. “You’re right, of course. I am in no need for a bed partner at this time. Eventually, I will mate with the future mother of my young, and I want to be ready.”

  “Sounds like you have the girl picked out already.”

  “I do. She is tall and shapely, holds herself with the regality worthy of being my prima. She is everything Goddess KatieRI created a female to be.”

  “She sounds like an amazing woman. Does she know how much you hold her in your esteem?”

  “Not yet, but she will. Currently, she is with a male who is not worthy of her. He will be taken care of and then I will make her mine. Together, we will rule all of Katiera, and bring honor and truth back to our nation. It will be a great time of rejoicing.”

  “Sounds great.”

  Movement on the far corner of the room caught both MarIK’s and OrIN’s attention. MarIK was about to stand up and to investigate what the disturbance was, but OrIN waved him to sit. “Stay here, MarIK, and entertain our guests. I have some pressing matters I need to attend to. Maybe take her to the observatory to view the stars.” OrIN was already walking away.

  Sharon turned to MarIK. “What observatory?”

  He looked away from the doorway where OrIN was exiting the banquet hall and turned his gaze to Sharon. He stood up and offered his hand. “I’m happy to show you.”

  “Okay.” She placed her small hand in his and the sparks between them intensified. She stood up and TanAR was immediately at her side.

  “What’s going on? Where did OrIN go?”

  “He said he had something he needed to attend to.”

  TanAR looked at their hands and frowned. “Where are you going?”

  MarIK was displeased when Sharon released his hand. “I am going to show Sharon the observatory. When we are done, I will escort her back to her quarters.”

  “I should come along.” TanAR reached for her hand, but Sharon moved away from both of them.

  “TanAR, I’ll be there later. Come on, Commander. Show me this observatory that OrIN wanted me to see.”

  MarIK moved past TanAR, almost smirking “I am happy to show you anything that you would like, Sharon.”

  Sharon rolled her eyes and mumbled something that sounded like, “Men.”

  Chapter 8

  No matter where you go in the universe, men still acted like primates, beating their chests to show off and prove their manliness, Sharon thought. She followed the rebel commander down a corridor, then into a lift. The trading post was supposed to have three levels. They had entered on the second level, but hadn’t gone to the first or third level yet. She wondered what was on the top.

  The doors to the lift opened and, for a moment, she reached for her throat, thinking that they had exposed themselves to the surface.

  “It’s okay, there’s a special invisible barrier to protect you from the elements. Come with me.” MarIK offered his hand and she took it as he led her out onto a large round platform. The touch of his skin against hers had her holding her breath. As if sensing her response, he squeezed her hand gently.

  Slowly, her breathing evened out and she could appreciate what she was looking at. She could see the planets so clearly; the effect made her feel as though she could almost reach out and touch them. The stars were twinkling and the surface of the luna below them looked luminescent, shining like gold below them.

  “I have never seen anything quite this beautiful. And imagine — no one gets to see this because it’s abandoned.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t quite this appealing when the location here was filled with ships coming and going, and was overrun at times with travelers. Many wouldn’t have appreciated the beauty, even if they had seen it.”

  “There’s a saying on Earth that people should stop to smell the roses. It means that life can pass by so quickly and that you should slow down and look around you, appreciating the beauty before you, because either it will be gone or you will be.”

  MarIK nodded his head. “Lately, I have found that to be true. This has been my favorite spot to go to since we arrived a week ago. I have come up here many times which is why OrIN suggested I brought you here.”

  “I was wondering about that. The way he looked at me, I would have thought he would want to bring me here to have me all to himself.”

  His expression turned serious as he took her hand and pulled her so that she faced him. “Do not allow yourself to be alone with him, ever. He’s my leader, but he’s a danger to you. Why would the Katierans bring you here?”

  “I’m a negotiator among my people and I’ve had military training.”

  “Lieutenant TanAR is not worthy of you if he would allow you to be placed in danger.” He stepped closer to her, wanting more of her scent — almost craving it.

  “It’s not his choice. It’s mine. He has no say.” She moved closer to him, too; her breaths becoming heavier as her agitation...and arousal...grew.

  “If you were mine, I would never allow you to be placed in danger.” She was but inches from him; he could almost feel her curves.

  “I’m pretty stubborn. What could you possibly do if I make up my mind about something?” She was challenging him — and he was up for the challenge.

  He placed his hands on her tiny waist and pulled her up against his body. “I would change your mind.” Then he leaned down and kissed her.

  *****

  Holy shit! Sharon was taken off guard not only by his actions but her response to him. His body heat drew her in. It was probably a mistake to let him get that close to her. Then he put his hands on her, pulled her body against his, and she didn’t fight it — couldn’t fight it — and didn’t want to. He kissed her.

  Were there fireworks? No, fireworks would be too tame to describe what she felt when his lips touched hers. It was like the beginning — when a spark ignited and created a new solar system. Every part of her was suddenly alive and pulsing.
It grew and grew as their kiss deepened.

  Sharon found herself responding wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms around his neck and opening her mouth to let his tongue invade. He didn’t disappoint, either. MarIK moved one of his hands up to cup the back of her neck and tilted her head up so he could take control. He caressed her cheek with his thumb softly and stroked her tongue with his own. When she responded their tongues danced but his thumb remained gentle and firm. He made love to her mouth, nibbling on her lower lips, then taking her tongue again and again.

  Her heart was pounding in her chest and, as she pressed against him, she could feel his own heartbeat racing just like hers. Neither the thin material of her dress nor his pants could hide the thick feel of his shaft pressing against her stomach. She wanted him naked so she could rub her body all over his. It was crazy to have such a strong attraction to someone like this. She had just met the man but she felt this pull between them, one that she desperately wanted to explore.

  MarIK pulled away from her and his eyes blazed down into hers. She couldn’t look away.

  “Sharon, this is not what I expected,” he told her gruffly.

  “Me either,” she whispered back.

  “The timing is…”

  “Fucked up, I know.”

  He leaned his forehead down against hers and breathed her in. She did the same, just appreciating the contact between them. This was what had been missing in all her past relationships — the ability to speak volumes without having to say a single word. Just the ability to breathe with another person who was not trying to take up all of the oxygen in the room.

  “This situation has gotten quite complicated,” MarIK told her as he stroked her back comfortingly.

  “Definitely. You’re on our side?” she whispered against his ear softly.

  “Yes,” he answered, without needing her to explain her question.

  She didn’t ask him anything else. He must have been their informant. Sharon didn’t want to put him in any more danger by asking too many questions. She let him hold her and somehow, they ended up swaying against each other. They were dancing, under the stars on this far distant abandoned trading post. No one else was in sight but them, dancing heart to heart. It was the most beautiful and exciting thing she had ever felt in her life.

  “Tell Lieutenant TanAR that you won’t be accepting his attentions.”

  She laughed, looking up into his handsome face. “It was all for show, to keep the attention of the other males on board the transport off me.”

  “It didn’t work on me. I knew the two of you weren’t serious right away.”

  She felt heat rise to her cheeks. “It’s because of the scent thing right?”

  “He would leave his scent markers on you if the two of you were truly together. If you were mine, I wouldn’t hesitate. I confess I am fighting an urge to do mark you at this very moment. I know it makes no sense and it would only place your life in further danger.”

  “MarIK.”

  “It’s the truth. I don’t know how this happened but I feel this connection to you. For the longest time, I’ve been empty inside.” He stopped talking so suddenly that she knew it was an emotional moment for him.

  She reached up and cupped his face with both her hands. “I have waited a long time to feel something — anything — and now that I do, I don’t know what to do about it. I get it.”

  “This is not the right time for such feelings.”

  She leaned up and kissed him several times. “I know.”

  “I want to make love to you right here but I can’t. We could be interrupted.”

  “I know.”

  “The danger all of you are in is real and present. There’s more you don’t even know.”

  “You can’t tell me yet either. I sense that.”

  “I thought Earthlings didn’t have strong senses?”

  She smiled, “Trained sense of danger from my father and grandfather and the military.”

  “I want to learn everything about you, Sharon.”

  “I feel the same.” Only they didn’t have the time to date and get to know each other. Their time was limited and they knew they might never get that chance, because they might not make it off that trading post alive.

  They heard he lift coming back up. Reluctantly they pulled apart just as the doors opened. TanAR and one of the rebel warriors got off and TanAR looked a little relieved when he saw her.

  “It’s getting late. I thought I would bring you back to the quarters to rest.”

  She looked at MarIK, not wanting to leave him, but he nodded for her to go. “I guess I am kind of tired. Thank you, Commander, for showing me this observatory. It’s truly beautiful.”

  “No problem, Sharon.”

  Sharon took TanAR’s hand and frowned, realizing that he must have used his influence to make her do it. She squeezed his hand hard to let him know she was on to what he did and wasn’t happy about it. They followed the rebel warrior to the lift and got on. As the doors closed, she watched MarIK’s lone figure with the dark backdrop of the galaxy behind him. It was exactly representative of his situation — a lone figure fighting to do the right thing against an impossible force that almost overshadowed him. There was no doubt about it — Commander MarIK had stolen her heart in that very moment and she would never be the same even if she lived through this mission. God, she hoped they made it off this trading post alive.

  *****

  MarIK watched as the lift doors closed and his Sharon was taken away by another warrior, a male who wanted her even if she didn’t think that he did. He couldn’t fault Lieutenant TanAR for the false relationship he’d established to protect Sharon from others. For TanAR to withhold his own attentions, showed that the male was a worthy one.

  Feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, he walked over to take the lift down to the first level where OrIN set up their personal quarters. He approached OrIN’s personal quarters, where two warriors stood guard.

  “I need to speak with Leader OrIN.”

  They used their comm link to tell OrIN MarIK was there. A few minutes later, the door slid opened and he heard OrIN’s voice.

  “Enter!”

  The warriors moved out of the way and MarIK entered the quarters to find OrIN sitting at a table with food spread out. He looked frustrated as he glanced up at MarIK.

  “Did you take the female to your observatory?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did she let you touch her?”

  MarIK bit his inner cheek to keep from growling angrily at him. “Of course not. Lieutenant TanAR is courting her.”

  “You’re interested in her, I could tell. And she couldn’t take her eyes off of you.”

  “She is curious about us. That is all.”

  OrIN snorted. “I know when a female is interested. It doesn’t matter, my friend. You’ll have to find another to take care of your needs. I have already promised her to the Morins.”

  That was never going to happen. MarIK would do everything he could to prevent it. Trying to change the subject he asked, “What was the outbreak in the banquet about?”

  “The Morin leader had caught sight of her and didn’t want to wait.”

  “I thought that the Morins were going to remain on their transport until we have secured the Katierans.” He had no idea the Morins were already there and even on the trading post. How many were there? Where were they hiding? He needed to speak with his team immediately and warn the Katierans.

  “The Morin leader doesn’t completely trust me. Can you believe that? They showed up unexpectedly and we barely had a chance to keep them from ruining the plans.”

  “What exactly are we going to do, just hand the female over to the Morins and force the Katierans to attack the trading post? We have one transport and the Morins have one still in bad shape. One and a half transports are no match for a Katieran fleet. Not to mention that the alliance with the Kiljorns and Colony would ensure that they also sent transports to assist in the f
ight. What good could one female do for the Morins?”

  “The Morins want her as a trade.”

  “For what?”

  “Information on the whereabouts of their own females.”

  MarIK was shocked. “What are you talking about? As far as I know all the female Morins died out decades ago.”

  “Evidently, not all of them did. Their people broke off, much like what happened with the Kiljorns and Colonists broke off from Katiera. The group that left had viable females and young. The Morins want them back.”

  “And the Morins think the Katierans know where these other Morins are?”

  “They do.”

  MarIK wasn’t sure how he felt about all of this information, even if was true. “The Morins plan to give you the cloaking technology in exchange for your help?”

  “Yes.”

  “You are counting on the Katierans to go to all this trouble over one female.”

  “They will do it out of their misplaced honor. Also, they have many males mated to Earth females, so it would be an affront to them to lose even one female to the Morins. They will cave in to our requests. Especially if they see that the Morins abuse her.”

  Sickness filled him at the thought of the Morins getting their hands on Sharon. He couldn’t let that happen. He had to make a choice. Stay and have a final confrontation with OrIN, or drop his desire for retribution to save the life of an innocent female — one that he cared for.

  “When do you plan to hand her over to the Morins?”

  “Early in the morning. I had the meal they ate drugged so that we could remove the males and take them into custody. The female will be drugged enough to take her to the Morin transport without any trouble from the males.”

  MarIK was worried. If the Katierans were drugged then they would be no help getting the female to safety. Things had just gotten even more complicated.

  Chapter 9

  “What were you thinking?” TanAR glared at Sharon as soon as they entered their private quarters.