“Do you have any questions for me while I get you something to eat? Something on your mind that I could help with?” Sidhawk asked from the prep counter.
“Well unless you can tell me whether I should try to save the eggs incubated with my genetic material or have Jarrek kill them, then I could maybe think of a few questions I have.” Hailey tried to joke. It fell flat, but she tried. She gave herself points for that.
“I don't see how that would be possible, Hailey as they actually have specific needs at specific times and this is instinctive to the sire that is incubating. They have an almost telekinetic link with the young in the egg and the young wouldn't be able to survive the loss of the father.” Sidhawk said so matter of fact, that it surprised Hailey.
“What? Then if this is known, why did Jarrek even ask me?” Hailey questioned.
“Well, it is not something that is widely known. I have been studying the Krakill over the last ten years. At every port we stop in, I make it a point to travel to the sectors medical area. Krakill's are tolerated only on trade planets, moons and asteroids under strict watch. They are known throughout the universe for their knowledge in genetics and medical training. They congregate in these areas and discuss their knowledge; they have even traded on that knowledge for supplies that they require. I inquire about what they did or said, just ask questions. When I felt I had enough information, I was going to share it with the Commander. I was not keeping it a secret exactly; it just seemed smart to learn all I could so as to try to find a way to kill them quicker. I worry for Kirrek sometimes. There have been a many instances over the last fifty years when he almost died in his pursuit to eradicate their species. I know we are a dying race, but I would like as much time with my friend as possible before he goes to greet the Goddess. It was about twelve years ago that I almost lost him completely. He struggled for a year to get back to fighting form. I helped nurse him through that time. I watched as he struggled to return to fight and I decided I would study them.” Sidhawk finished with a shrug as though it was no big deal.
Hailey looked at him and shook her head. “That is smart. Why are you the only one to have thought of it? I would think since you have been trying to kill the Krakill's for some time now, that somewhere along the way, someone would have said, “Well how are they fashioned? Can we kill them with extreme heat or cold? How can we better kill large numbers of them? How can we keep them from reproducing at all?” and then created a committee to research and answer those questions. That's one of the first things we would've done back on Earth.” Hailey actually felt relieved over his information. She just didn’t think she could have handled a bunch of lizard-alligator looking egg children.
She would have loved them as they were a part of her, but it would have been a struggle to understand them and help them grow and develop. She could cry and mourn them when she was alone, but it helped her to know she wouldn't have been able to save them.
“Well, that helps end my anguish over the eggs. You really should pass everything you know about them along to Jarrek or Kirrek if you don't feel comfortable telling your Commander.”
Sidhawk set several dishes in front of Hailey and she took a deep breath of each one. If it stank too badly, she would pass on those. To her surprise, everything smelled wonderful, so she dug in. She was quite happy to fill her growling stomach. Hailey was a little uncomfortable having him watch her eat, so she paused long enough to say, “You can help me eat some of this if you’re hungry. I was also wondering about the bonding thing Jarrek mentioned. What did he mean?”
“You are a Cordisa to Jarrek. This means that you alone are to be the other half of his heart and soul. Someone to help complete him, someone he can love without reserve, have children, and grow old with. When we find our Cordisa or Corduva then we bond our life forces together to fully immerse ourselves into one cohesive being. He will give you a part of his essence and symbiot's life force and tie you together. You will understand one another on a level you would not be able to reach without the bond. You will know when he is hurt, whether emotionally or physically. He will know how to please you as well. The bond means a deeper understanding of one another. Your heart, mind, secrets, joy, pain. All of it will be known and shared. You could close your eyes and pinpoint where he is and if he is okay with a thought. If you were close to, dying Jarrek could morph to your side in a microsecond and morph you to safety and the same is true for you. If his life force was slipping away, you could use the bond to get him to safety. You would not be capable of carrying him, but as long as you got your arms around him, you could morph to safety. We normally require some time to recoup our energies when we morph; however, bonded mates have a hundred times the energy as unmated males do. No one but bonded mates can explain all that the energy does as it seems to be different for each couple.” Sidhawk gave a little deprecating laugh.
“Perhaps this is a question best answered by your Corduva. I am afraid that I am not doing a very good job.”
Hailey swallowed one last bite before pushing her plate away. She may have started out starving, but the more that Sidhawk explained about the bond the more that she disliked the idea of bonding. The thought that there would be nothing private, nothing she could keep hidden. No thanks. There were horrible things in her past that no one needed to know. She hadn't even shared them with her momma and there wasn't much she didn't tell her.
Also, everyone had thoughts both good and bad that they kept to themselves. People were complicated. You could be polite, but think horrible thoughts in your head, or use a celebrity to help get off when your partner wasn't hitting the right notes, been hurt or angry and hid it. The list of things we kept hidden from one another was endless. She couldn't imagine being so open and vulnerable to someone. It actually made her nauseous.
“How do you bond? Is there a ceremony, does he have to bite me, or what?” Hailey asked with what she hoped was a curious tone of voice instead of how she was actually feeling.
Sidhawk smiled at her, but answered her question. “No he doesn't have to bite you. We do have a ceremony for joining, but it can be done before or after the bonding takes place. To bond he will make love to all of your body. Once he has tasted of your honey, the one after he has given you an orgasm, he will then need to give you his essence in your mouth and anal cavities before he makes love to you from behind and then right as he reaches climax he will latch onto the nap of your neck and kiss you. He must have given you his seed in each area first. Why? Do you have to bite him for you to join life forces?” He asked curiously.
“No, on my planet we only have a wedding ceremony when two people want to join their lives together. They have a priest or judge preside over a ceremony where they pledge in front of friends and family that they will love one another in sickness and health, for richer or poorer until death they do part. Then after they exchange rings and a kiss, the priest or judge tells everyone that they are joined together as husband and wife. They have a party and then they go on a honeymoon for two weeks to someplace where they can be secluded together and have lots of sex.” Hailey told him while thinking how she was going to find a way to avoid bonding sex with Jarrek.
“Um one more question about this. Does he have to do the bonding sex at the same time or could it be spread over days and weeks?” Hailey didn't want to panic if there was no need. He had already tasted her honey, but that was all. Thank god that they had been interrupted or she had fallen asleep before they kept going. She could have been mated before she knew it.
“Well, it can be done in stages, but why would a couple want that? When you find your Cordisa, everything else fades into the background. She consumes your thoughts and actions. Only in times like now, when Jarrek must concentrate on killing Varill does a bonding get postponed or broken up into sections.”
Sidhawk tried to explain the process, but knew he was doing a poor job. He could not understand why she asked if it could be broken up, until he realized that perhaps she worried that Jarrek did
not want to bond her to him. That is why he mentioned that only in this situation it could happen. He could definitely help ease her mind if that was the case.
“I assure you Hailey, Jarrek is quite anxious to complete your bonding. Only because he wants to protect you is he not with you here now.” Sidhawk smiled to her, quite pleased with himself that he could ease her worry.
Hailey looked at him and said, “Then I better figure out how to keep from getting bonded.”
That wiped the smile right off of his face. Surely, he misunderstood her. The language was a little tough. Perhaps his translator was malfunctioning. As he was about to question her, the comm rang and Jarrek requested their presence on the bridge.
10.
Almost Bonded
She was quite impressed with the ship as Sidhawk led her down the corridor to the elevator that he called a lift. The floor was a soft cushion of a rubbery like substance. It apparently was waterproof and fire proof. It also was self-cleaning. Apparently, the rubber was actually skin that sucked up dirt or anything that fell on it to nourish itself. It would consume the trash and uneaten meals from the crew. She didn't ask what it secreted as its waste. Some things are better unknown and unasked.
The walls were a lemony yellow and quite soothing. When she questioned Sidhawk about the color choice, his answer certainly surprised her. Yellow was a traditional color to give a couple who had just given birth to a child so they associated the color with babies, which helped the big bad warriors relax. Necessary when you have thousands crammed inside a metal ship, no matter how vast. It may have been quite a long while since they had even witnessed a child's birth, but the color still worked.
The lift was so smooth she never felt it move. They had stepped in and the door had closed. Sidhawk had said bridge and then a few moments later the door opened again. Walking onto the bridge with Sidhawk, she remembered that these warriors had seen her violation and she was both embarrassed and angry.
They all looked at her, and all though no one said anything about what they had seen, she felt compelled to add her own warning to these men. Raising her chin, she looked over the room and said very clearly, “I will castrate any man here who mentions what they have seen in the message from Varill. I don't care what you think of me because of it, but you will not repeat those thoughts. If I find out, I will make it my personal mission to see you live a life of pain and agony. I will make sure that before Jarrek kills you, you will pray to all the gods you had kept your tongue still. If for some reason you do not understand the word castrate, let me tell you just what that means. Your male sac, the one that holds the testicles, and the sperm needed for procreation is tied and then cut off in this process. It helps male animals lose their aggression. I however, will not just cut off your man sac but your rod as well. I hope I am understood.”
Hailey watched as many of them grabbed their crotch and kept her laugh inside her head. They all vowed silence and bowed to her. Hailey then glanced around for Jarrek. “Where is his high and mighty self?”
Jarrek, who had been coming out of his conference room, saw Hailey stop just inside the entrance. He was about to go to her side and lead her to his conference room, when she lifted her chin and threatened his men. His chest swelled with pride at her actions, and he winced when she defined her term of castrate. Of course, he would help her if his men hurt her feelings, but he was male and could not help but not cringe in sympathy at the thought. Most of his men covered their manhood from even the suggestion.
“I am here little bird.” Jarrek called out and went to take her in his arms. He was proud that his men all vowed to keep the message private, not that he had a doubt, but they could have been offended at her accusation.
“Why would you call me high? I know that I am mighty and I am glad that you recognize that, but I do not think I understand your meaning. Come into the conference room and we can make some plans.” Jarrek said as he led her away.
Hailey looked back at Sidhawk and said, “Don't you think you should come with me and tell them what you know.” She had no problem throwing Sidhawk into the hot seat. Jarrek probably wouldn't like her explanation of high and mighty so she needed Sidhawk to deflect his ire.
“You have information, warrior Barion? You will join me now and explain.” Jarrek ordered with narrowed eyes. He had always thought Sidhawk to be a good influence on Kirrek, but if he were holding out, he would have to rethink that and have him watched.
“Jeez Jarrek, don't take that tone with Sid. This tone right there is why I called you high and mighty. It means someone who thinks more of himself than is prudent or warranted, very bossy and domineering.” Hailey told Jarrek, surprised that he would treat his brother's lover like that. She tried to ignore the guffaws coming from the men behind and in front of her when she told Jarrek the definition.
“It is fine Hailey. Of course I will come and give my information to my Prince.” Sidhawk told Hailey.
Looking to Jarrek, he continued with, “When I had completed my study I would have let either Kirrek or you know first, Commander. I did not realize this was something that needed immediate sharing, until I was talking with your Cordisa over a meal. Unfortunately, she had not gotten to finish that meal when summoned here. If you could have some provisions brought up for her I will tell you all I know.”
Sidhawk promised his Prince. If Jarrek was angry with him, he was happy to answer any questions put to him. He was touched though, that Hailey defended him. She was going to make and excellent Queen.
“I have provisions set on the table, as I was unaware if she had gotten a chance to eat or not. I was originally going to call for her in two hours. Giving her plenty of time to see some of the ship and have a meal. However, new developments are pushing for action sooner rather than later. I give you apologies Sidhawk; I would have had you come in as well as unfortunately, one of those developments involves my hot-headed brother.” Jarrek advised as he led them into the room and secured the door. There were five warriors seated around a table laden with a banquet of food. They were silent as Jarrek led her and Sidhawk into the room and she wondered if she needed to repeat her warning to these men or if they had heard her through the open door. Although she doubted it, as they all had little smiles on their faces as they tried to contain their laughter from her berating Jarrek.
“Goddess, save me.” Sidhawk whispered. Louder he said, “Let me guess. He did not wait around for a clear plan to be made, but took two or three men on a stealth mission that failed? He is either dead or being tortured and held for your good behavior?”
He bowed his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. Goddesses save him from ignorant, hotheaded, sexy, pain-in-the-ass warriors. He did not know how much more of this he could take. They had a deep love, true, but he was tired of watching Kirrek try to kill himself.
Jarrek seated Hailey and began to put together a plate for her to eat, trying to give Sidhawk a minute to collect himself, as he had regrettably called the situation correctly. “Try this vishna. I have a home on our moon that makes this concoction. Careful though. I had Sameth check if you could eat all of this, as I did not wish to poison you and he said that your body will tolerate all of this, but that the vishna may affect your libido and inhibitions.” Jarrek told her and took a seat next to her.
“Hailey, go ahead and start eating and I will go around the room and introduce you to the others I have gathered here.”
Jarrek cleared his throat and began. “Starting to your right, I would like to introduce to you, Warrior first class, Bruthus M'et Fornon. He is a stealth pilot and captain of his own team of fighter pilots. Next to him, you have Warrior second class, Marthos R'et Barion, cousin to me and younger brother to Sameth. He is an experienced sniper and usually covers us on our missions.”
Before Jarrek moved forward with the next introduction, Marthos broke in with, “That is probably why you were captured Commander. However, I guess you still got lucky, since you met this captivating creature. If you
need any help kicking his ass, you call me and let me know beautiful woman. I will be happy to help.” Marthos winked at her and let her know with his eyes, he liked what he saw.
Jarrek growled low in his throat at the look in his cousin’s eye. “Marthos you may not live long enough to keep that oath. Keep your heated eyes off my Hailey or I will remove them.”
Pulling Hailey's chair a little closer to his, he continued. “Moving on, we have twin brothers, Warriors first class, and expert assassins Heathrick and Shemrick G'el Trion. Each warrior raised his hand to his heart and gave her a small bow from the waist. I can only tell them apart by calling their names. Whomever lifts his head first is usually Heathrick. They do not say much, but that works, as they need to be invisible enough to get close to the enemy. Finally, I would like to introduce you to Elite Warrior Rometho Q'el Trindon. He is an expert in explosives and older brother to Loku, who is my second in command. He is the best we have and I wanted you to meet him.”
Knight in Shining Alien?: Athrian Warriors Book One Page 8