Alutia Rising, Anniversary Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 1)

by Craig Gerttula

  One of Grand Duchess Sasha's ladies-in-waiting had caught his eye and he was able to cut her clear of the crowd. Her name was Lady Vickie, a paramour or romantic, that carried herself in a way that told Daniel she would eat him for lunch. Their heavy flirting led to Lady Vickie discussing how Trent didn't belong with Grand Duchess Sasha and that he would be a much better match for her, which Daniel, feigning ignorance, took the bait. He mentioned a substance that he had on his person, one that would make any woman willing, no matter the man. Lady Vickie had licked her lips at his words, apparently well aware of the aphrodisiac, Noble's Delight. They put their heads together, coming up with a fool proof plan.

  Lady Vickie would sneak the drug into Grand Duchess Sasha's drink and as it started to take effect, she would escort her to the washroom. But instead of the washroom, she would deliver her to the small, unused servant’s quarters, where Daniel would be waiting. He shivered as he thought of what would come next, being able to work his magic as Lady Vickie would fetch Trent, saying Sasha wished to see him. She would then escort him to the servant’s quarters where he would witness an exuberant Grand Duchess Sasha, crying with unbridled pleasure, in Daniel's passionate embrace.

  He grinned like a little boy on Christmas morning, jumping into the air with a small laugh. Grand Duchess Sasha was a strong, beautiful woman, and after all this was over, he would console her, taking Trent's place at her side. The door to the empty quarters opened and he moved to the bed, preparing for what was to come.

  *********

  The sights and sounds of the massive hall were grey, dull, and empty, the world itself, having begun to fade away. He knew thousands of people surrounded him, the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, seated at his side, but he didn’t care. He had fallen into a pit of despair so deep and cold, he could not find a way out of its eternal depths.

  He glanced at Vickie cutting through the crowd, who had been scarce over the past few days, since Sasha banished her for trying to remove his pants. He never received a full explanation, but the entire time he knew Vickie wasn't serious. But it appeared Sasha thought otherwise. Having banished her from their presence, though not before changing, a fire growing within her gaze that made him flush.

  The memory of their first night of intimacy exploded back into his mind.

  Trent had been surprised by Sasha's unexpected passion, playing with him seductively, kissing and touching him where she had never before, lighting his fire as a man. He took the queue, leading as a man should, but when he attempted to remove her nightgown, she changed, turned cold, then attacked like a wild beast. She slapped, punched, and bit him with strength of hundred men, and he, still weak from his recovery, couldn’t resist her. It wasn't until Tiana barged into their bedchamber, wrestling Sasha off him, did he realize what had occurred.

  In his passion, he had forgotten about Sasha's past, her grave wounds, and when he tried to force her out of her clothing, he had ripped it wide open without a care but his own lust. It was his fault, hurting his love, and that caused him more grief then anyone could imagine.

  They had barely talked since that night. But Sasha still refused to leave his side. He originally planned to stay aboard the ABF Alutia during the ceremony honoring those who lost their lives, but she insisted he come. His pleas to stay in their temporary quarters on the TSB Fleet Base, saying the pain was too great, which wasn't entirely untrue, were ignored and he was forced to accompany her, to stay constantly at her side. He loved her so, but he couldn't help that his presence caused her undue pain. The knowledge scared him, because if it true, he would soon have to leave her side, and he knew that would destroy him utterly.

  “Sir Trent, please accept this beverage, it is non-alcoholic of course,” Lady Vickie purred, sliding through the cordon of ABF Battleguards protecting the nobles from the crowd, and placing an odd looking beverage, that swirled with many differing colors, a fine mist tumbling from the edges, on the table before him.

  “I will be the judge of that,” Sasha grasped the drink, splashing a bit upon the table, chugging down half its contents with a single gulp. After a moment she slammed the drink back down before him with a nod. He forced a thankful smile and drank down the rest.

  It tasted slightly fruity, but of fruits he had never before experienced, followed by a peculiar metallic tinge that tickled his tongue. A warm numbness followed the refreshing chill down his throat, pooling comfortably within his belly. As he gently placed the empty glass back upon the table his heart began to beat, louder and louder, like it would break through his chest at any moment. The warmth became a searing heat, spreading through his veins to every corner of his flesh. He reached for a glass of water, gulping it down, hoping to extinguish the fire within, but found it only multiplied, every nerve in his body tingling, calling forth with a primal craving. His gaze was drawn to Sasha, who panted, skin flush, grasping desperately onto his trembling hand. A shock of pleasure exploded at her touch, calling forth all encompassing lust that began to drown his rational mind.

  “Sir Seb'Losh,” Vickie sounded distant, even though she stood just before him, “I believe Lady Sasha and Sir Trent need to be escorted back to their private quarters. I will leave this to your care. I have another matter to attend to,” Vickie turned, a barely perceptible smirk passing her lips.

  “Your Grace, Sir Trent, if you would please follow me,” Sir Seb’Losh instructed. Trent, trembling, with Sasha latched to his elbow, forcing himself to his feet. Something had to have been in that drink...something that made him doubt he would be able to retain his self-control for much longer.

  He stared at Sasha, who looked everywhere but his eyes, allowing his own gaze to devour the sight of her exposed cleavage. It took every ounce of willpower not to ravage her on the spot.

  “Her Grace will now retire, thank you all for...” someone spoke, but Trent didn’t know, or care, who, as they slowly exited the banquet hall, the trip to the transport tube station a blur.

  The moment the tube door slid shut, Sasha attacked, locking her lips on his with such unconstrained passion, he thought she may vanish within. He responded, engulfing her with his body, allowing his fingers to explore her curves as she forced him against the tube transport’s wall. Her gown was in the way, so he started to remove it, Sasha unlatching the top of his pants, her hand slithering within.

  An insistent cough reminded him of their escort, he dragging his lips free, nibbling at her ears, a gentle aroma of desire mixing with roses flowing from her skin.

  “Room,” he moaned. Sasha tensed, pausing her exploring as the tube transport slid to a halt. With warning, she grasped his hand, sprinting towards their temporary quarters like death itself followed in their wake. The ABF Battleguards on duty outside their temporary quarters saluted and were almost trampled; Sasha knocking them away like the men weighed nothing, flinging open the automatic door in her haste.

  He soared across the room, flying atop the bed before the lights had fully activated. He rolled onto his back, his eyes catching Sasha's, wild and animalistic, an irresistible lust drowning the last of her rational mind. Her gown slid free, pooling on the floor, her undergarments flying free to bear her naked, both body and soul. Trent struggled to remove his top, being too slow for Sasha, who leapt across the bed, tearing his cloths free, to bare him totally to her devouring gaze.

  Lust and passion, laced with desire, raged through his mind, flowing forth to meld with her body’s touch. At that moment, he knew, the shell on his heart cracked, then shattered, releasing the full essence of his love for the woman named Sasha.

  *********

  The door chimed.

  Sasha groaned her displeasure at being disturbed, wanting to continue bathing in the sensation of euphoria flowing over her, through her, like a gentle wave. The feeling was indescribably addictive, so much so that her desire swelled as her eyes opened to Trent, sleeping peacefully at her side, calling forth the memories of the previous evening.

  She remembered, quite clear
ly, witnessing Vickie slip a white powder into the drink she presented Trent. But still couldn't figure out why she felt the need to drink it, instead of ordering it thrown away. It didn't take her long, however, to realize what it was; an aphrodisiac called Noble's Delight, a common drug used in many noble paramour and romantic circles. Sasha had never tried it before, but read stories of its effect, so she was slightly more prepared then Trent when the craving started taking over. Unfortunately, the stories didn't do it justice. Sasha had almost ravaged Trent while they were still in the banquet hall. She did, however, find one major difference from the tales and stories.

  It was said, that no matter how much you loved someone, once on Noble's Delight, lust and desire would take control of your mind and you would willing accept anyone into your bed, no matter your feelings. Sasha did find that it caused uncontrollable lust and desire, but for only one man, towards Trent, no other man had existed in the universe.

  The experience, both in body and mind, was nothing like her first. Every sensation, every touch exploded through her every pour, forming both a physical and emotional pleasure beyond imagining. An unexplainable bond had come to life when they became one, and she not only felt her own pleasure at that moment, but also Trent’s. Her heart beat wildly as the memory took hold, the feeling of being taken by the man she loved, mixing with the feeling from Trent of taking the woman he loved, making her want to ravage him again, even while he slept.

  She smiled, cuddling closer, knowing that her wound may have finally healed. Her fear of being in front of Trent naked no longer because of her wounded past, but because now she knew what a beast he could become. She laughed merrily, the door chimed again.

  “Who is it?” she called, voice cracking, sore from overuse. When did I...

  “Your ladies, Your Grace.” Sir Seb'Losh announced, his steadfast voice echoing through the room’s interior before she could finish her thought.

  “Let them enter,” she cleared her throat, pulling the sheet up to cover her modesty instead of searching for her wayward clothing. Knowing the sight would be a better explanation then anything she could tell.

  Vickie and Tiana entered, hand-in-hand, gazing mischievously with wide, playful grins. Tiana gasped as her gaze fell upon the bed, then away, blushing furiously as Vickie's grin turned slightly erotic. Sasha, confused, followed their gazes and noticed that when she pulled up the sheet to cover herself, it had done the opposite to Trent, fully reveling his manhood. She blushed furiously, bunching the sheet to cover his exposed modesty.

  “Well, well, well, Sasha, what do we have here?” Vickie sauntered closer, seating herself at the end of the bed. “I hear you had quite the evening,” Tiana muffled a snicker, having moved to Tiana’s side, “But I am afraid, I am not the only one to hear of what befell yesterday evening,” Tiana lost it, grasping her belly as Vickie frowned.

  “What’s going on?” she asked, looking accusingly between her two ladies.

  “I could have gone for hours,” Vickie sighed, squeezing Tiana’s bottom, who squeaked, hopping out of range, “Well, Sasha, dear. I love that I am the one that has the honor of telling you this, but apparently, Sir Seb'Losh cleared the entire guest wing to, let’s say, keep the ears that heard your erotic symphony to the bare minimum,” Tiana, who had begun to calm, cracked up again.

  “It wasn't that loud.” Sasha responded defensively.

  “Tiana, dear,” Vickie turned, “I believe your word holds more trust then mine.”

  “Well,” Tiana cleared her throat, “Sasha, I don’t know how to tell you this, but let's just say Gil'Da is refusing to let Regalia anywhere near your sleeping quarters until it is either soundproofed or you promise to provide ample warning. We were all quite shocked when we exited the transport tube and could hear you...um,” Tiana glanced away, blushing brightly, “moaning quite clearly,” Sasha stared in shocked at what her best friend had just told.

  “Tiana, this joke...” she started to respond, but let her words fade when the look in Tiana’s eyes held none of the teasing she was so accustomed, but an honest delight. Her skin began to burn, her finger brushing against a trembling lip. Her dismayed expression giving rise to giggles from her ladies. She waved them both quiet, catching her breath, trying not to disturb the still sleeping Trent, who suddenly tried to kick off the sheet covering his modesty.

  “How far is the transport tube station?” she held the sheet taut. “Everything is a little hazy this morning,” Vickie turned away as Tiana's grin widened.

  “My Princess,” she danced in place, “it's at least 20 meters! Honestly, I couldn't believe my ears until we crept closer and asked Sir Seb'Losh what was going on. But he wouldn’t speak, just stood before the door, blushing,” Sasha buried her face in her hands, total embarrassment taking hold.

  “Now, miss ever so scared of Trent! I want to hear everything before Gil'Da arrives and ruins the mood!” Sasha glanced to Vickie, then Tiana, and sighed...it was her fate to share everything with her ladies.

  “Very well. It all started after I drank that spiked beverage you gave Trent, Vickie, my body started warming and...”

  *********

  The shuttle approached the SJS Gate hub outside the Don’Alutia star system, slowly passing through the fleet of Tidelia starships that had taken over protection of the Alutia Duchy while the ABF recovered from the Battle of Earth. Daniel felt nothing but disdain at the sight....everything had gone wrong...every plan...everything!

  Two days prior, Daniel sat in the dark bedchamber and greeted who he thought was Grand Duchess Sasha. The experience was even better then he could have ever imagined. She was good...too good. So when they finished and he turned on the light, he realized his mistake. Lying in bed beside him was Lady Vickie, Grand Duchess Sasha's lady-in-waiting. It was the worst possible scenario and he still couldn't believe he trusted this witch of a woman. I need to learn to stop being so trusting, he scolded himself.

  She had then explained his options. The first was that she would tell everything to the grand duchess and allow her to decide his fate, or he could book travel on one of the shuttles for all the TSB personnel who did not want to join the Alutia Battle Fleet...and never return to Alutia.

  The choice was obvious...he'd already decided that he would leave. But his hopes of exacting his revenge had been dashed. So now, he had to wait, continue planning, knowing his time would come.

  “It will come,” he whispered, along with the voice in his mind.

  He turned back to the young woman in the seat beside him and smiled. The flight to his new duchy, Ulgvont, would take another week and, he caressed the small packet in his pocket, he still had plenty of the Noble's Delight. Smiling to himself, he extended his hand in greeting, thinking he may as well enjoy himself while he plots the next stage of his revenge.

  *********

  Tiana sat between Vickie and Regalia at the dining table in their private apartments onboard the NHA Super-Capital ABF Alutia. The table itself was made of a reddish wood with a small globed biolight chandelier swaying from the low ceiling above, with small specks of dancing light coursing through its center. On both sides of the dining hall sat opposing doorways, the one leading to the outside corridor guarded by the stone faced Sir Seb'Losh, who had rarely left Sasha's side since he returned, and the other, to the food preparation area, guarded by Guard Private Usa'Pol, who had just been allowed back on duty.

  Usa’Pol had been taken into protective custody, even with her heroic actions onboard the ABF Princess One, the moment Sir Seb'Losh returned. Officially, it was so they could verify that she was indeed not part of Duke Zehman's plot....which Tiana thought would have been obvious based on her actions. But Sir Seb'Losh wouldn't listen to reason, so Trent had accompanied him for the interrogation and had verified all her words. From what Tiana could gather, the Eye of the Emperor Trent adorned had the ability to see through lies, as well, as Trent had explained, feel the temperature of someone's soul. She really didn't understand the second part,
but the first part was self-explanatory.

  After Usa'Pol was released, they had all visited Lia'Sil, who was currently tubed, and against all odds, signs looked good for a full recovery, with only minimal memory loss. Sasha already provided her long-term leave to marry her fiancé and have plenty of children, then, if she wanted to return to her service, she would be welcomed back with open arms. Tiana was glad, having taken a liking to the easily embarrassed guard lieutenant, who was so very much fun to tease. Tiana turned her attention to Trent, who sat across the table beside Sasha, then over to Sir Seb'Losh, and smiled.

  Sir Seb'Losh and Trent had, after an initial uncomfortable period when they felt each other out, became fast friends. A certain bond had formed based off the mutual desire for protection, one, for the woman he loved, the other, out of honor and duty. Tiana had found this slightly unexpected. She figured they'd both step on each other's toes, fighting over their place beside Sasha. But it never came to that. Sir Seb'Losh took his place proudly behind Sasha, to protect her from hidden enemies that would attack her when she least expected. While Trent took his place at her side, to locate enemies that would attack her with sweet words and promises.

  She sighed, knowing that soon she would be experiencing the same protection. Sir Seb'Losh already provided forewarning that as the Alutia Guard was rebuilt, each of Sasha’s ladies-in-waiting would receive a three person guard team. Tiana frowned, remembering the way they use to smother her on Tidelia, following her every move. But Vickie had smiled her mischievous smile, informing Sir Seb'Losh of exactly what type of private guards she expected.

  Across the table, Gil'Da had just finished pouring after dinner beverages and Tiana blushed when she witnessed Sasha lean over and kiss Trent, lingering a moment longer then appropriate. The memories of two nights before were still fresh in her mind and she couldn't help but recall the moans of pleasure that Tiana had never expected to hear from her friend...through the walls when she was 20 meters away, no less!