by West, Shay
Gwen nodded. She did remember that confusion. It was strange to have a word in her head and to know how to properly use it and yet have no clue as to the word's meaning.
“Since that day in the cave when you nearly killed me, I have been able to do nothing but think about you. It is most distracting.”
“But you're only thinking of my strength and how that will benefit our children,” Gwen said sarcastically.
“Well, yes. But this body and mind lead me to believe that there is something more. It is so difficult to make sense of the things that this body wants to do.”
Gwen swallowed audibly. Her heart filled with hope. She was reluctant to open herself to the possibility that this man sitting in front of her might actually want her in the way that men desired women. “Do you want me to show you what a kiss is?” She did not know where this boldness came from but she was determined to follow it through.
Feeror met her eyes, and Gwen quivered at the intense longing she saw in them. She reached out and touched his face, shuddering slightly when his hands drew her closer. The man might not know what a kiss was or what signals his body was sending, but he was responding with instinct, an instinct that his Astran brain possessed.
Gwen lost herself in those dark eyes. Their lips met, and time stood still. Feeror wrapped his arms around her tiny form and did not flinch as he ran his hands up and down her crooked back. Gwen stopped breathing for a moment, fighting the urge to pull away from his touch. But his eager mouth made her forget all about her fear and her discomfort about being touched.
When they pulled apart to draw breath, Feeror grinned from ear to ear. “Was that a kiss?”
Gwen giggled. “Yes, Feeror, that was a kiss.”
She continued to laugh when he pulled her close, crushing her against his massive chest. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, burying her face in his hair, drinking in the smell of him. Dear Spirits, is this really happening to me?
“Does this mean you want to be my mate?”
Gwen laughed as tears fell down her face. “I would be honored to be your mate.” She grunted as his arms got tighter, cutting off her air supply.
“What is required of us on your world?”
Gwen pulled back so she could see his face. To her, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. “We will need to visit my parents. And after that, we will need to find a Mystic to perform the ceremony.”
Gwen wished Master Brok was alive so that he could perform the marriage rites. He would have been delighted for her. He had understood her loneliness and longings almost as much as Keera.
“Will we stay here or will we return to your world?” Gwen was hoping he would want to stay here, but she was willing to live with him on Volgon. They would need help to rebuild, and her power would be useful to them.
“I am willing to stay with you, my little one.” His mouth spoke the words, but his eyes betrayed him.
“We don't have to make a decision now. And with the portal, we can spend time on both worlds,” Gwen said.
That seemed to please him, and he pulled her in close again.
* * *
“I told you they were fine.”
Keera had her hands over her mouth. She longed to look away, and yet she couldn't stop staring at her friend kissing Feeror under the large oak tree. She turned to Sloan. “How did you guess?”
“This has been building for quite some time. Have you not seen it?”
“Of course I've seen it!” She whispered fiercely. “I just never thought they would ever do anything.”
“It is often like this before a battle. People feel their own mortality, and they wish to solidify relationships, knowing there is the possibility of being killed.” Sloan was happy for the pair. He did not know Gwen well, but he could guess that her life hadn't been easy.
“Let's leave before they see us.” Keera began tugging Sloan toward the small lake behind the inn. The twin moons were out, making for a perfect night to take a stroll.
“We aren't going back inside?” Sloan asked, pretending wide-eyed innocence.
“Mortality, remember?” Keera smiled mischievously.
Sloan shook his head and allowed himself to be led to the water's edge. The evening air was balmy, and the light from the moons lit the way.
“What are those?”
Keera looked in the direction he was pointing. “Those are fire bugs. Do you not have those on Earth?”
Sloan shook his head, unable to take his eyes from the dancing lights. He reached out his hand, laughing when one landed on his outstretched finger. The fire bug flexed its wings, its abdomen flashing.
Keera smiled and watched the man play with the fire bugs. It brought her back to the first time she had seen them as a child. She had squealed and frightened them away. Her mother had patiently explained that they were tiny bugs, and were afraid of loud noises. It took a few tries, but she was able to contain her excitement long enough to hold one in her hand. Keera imagined she had looked a lot like Sloan did now.
When the fire bug flew off, Sloan grabbed her hand, and they continued their walk. It was peaceful and quiet.
“It's hard to imagine that at this very minute. the Mekans are attacking. Shouldn't we feel it or something?”
Sloan snorted. “Eager to face them?
“Of course I'm not eager to face them.” She rolled her eyes.
Sloan laughed at the familiar expression. He hoped the two of them came out of this alive. He imagined she was someone he could settle down with. Was that something she even wanted? Taking a cue from his own speech, he broached the subject. “What do you want when this is all said and done, Keera?”
Keera stopped walking, sensing the seriousness of the question. “I hadn't let myself think that far ahead. With the deaths of the other Chosen, it seems impossible that any of us will live through this.”
“I'm asking you to think about it.” Sloan had never thought he could feel love the way normal people did. His upbringing with the Horde had clouded his judgment, had poisoned him and changed the way he thought of women and how they were to be treated.
Life among the Jhinn had changed his perspective somewhat. He hadn't touched a woman the entire time he had been in the encampment. Plenty had tried to get his attention, but he simply hadn't felt aroused by them.
It wasn't until Valery and Amber had come back to camp that he'd felt the stirrings of desire again. They had been his constant companions while he'd lived with the Horde. It had been all too easy to fall back into the cycle. Both women had needed to be hurt before they could enjoy being with a man, and Sloan had been all too happy to give them what they wanted.
But even as he had beat the two women, a little voice deep inside his head had screamed at him that this wasn't right, that he shouldn't be doing this. He had ignored it and lost himself in the pleasure and the pain.
When the truth of what had happened to his parents had come out, along with the part he and the others would have to play in saving the galaxy, his passion for the women had slowly been replaced with anger and regret.
And that had soon been replaced with a numbness that consumed his soul. He'd shrouded himself in it so that he would feel nothing. In his mind, it had seemed better to feel no pleasure if it meant he would no longer feel any pain. He'd built the walls and thickened them until it would've taken a force of nature itself to break them down.
Sloan smiled. A force of nature. He stared at the force responsible for tearing down his walls: her graceful neck, her fiery curls, one locked tight between her teeth. He loved her temper, and he loved her spirit. Where Valery had used hers for evil, Keera used hers to fight on the side of good.
“I don't expect an answer this night. But I hope you will want to spend the rest of your life with me. I don't even care which world we live on. As long as I can be with you.” Sloan gently brushed his fingers across Keera's cheek.
She barked a laugh. “Of course I plan on spending my life with you! Where
else would I spend it?”
Sloan laughed and hugged her close. “I should have known I would get an answer like that.”
Keera pulled away. “An answer like what exactly?” She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.
Rather than answer her, Sloan pulled her close and gave her mouth something to do besides chastising him.
* * *
“Looks like it's just you and me.” Saemus stood next to Jon, watching the couples make their way through the night for a little privacy.
Jon grunted. “I can't believe you're gonna let Kaelin run off with that guy!” He pointed toward the pair walking down the middle of the road. It was obvious that Brad had his arm around her shoulders, and Kaelin seemed quite content to let him manhandle her.
“What's wrong with him? Besides, she is a woman grown and perfectly capable of choosing her own husband.” Saemus knew of Jon's feelings for his sister. He also knew she did not feel the same way. Saemus was happy for Kaelin. And he liked Brad well enough. He was a good man and obviously loved his sister very much.
“He's not even Astran!” Jon wanted to chase them down and punch Brad right in the nose. Or maybe use the power to make him trip into a horse trough.
“Don't even think about it.”
Jon looked up at Saemus. “Think about what?”
“I know that look in your eye. You were considering using your power to do something to the man. It won't make a difference what you do. You could kill Brad, and Kaelin will still never love you.” Saemus hated to be so blunt, but he feared what would happen should Jon lose control of the dark magic in a jealous rage.
“I know that!” Jon snapped.
“Let's go back inside and have some ale. We should count ourselves lucky that we don't have wives to shout at us about how much we drink and smoke.” Saemus walked in through the open door, pleased to hear Jon following.
“Tell another story. Take your mind off things.”
Jon shrugged and grabbed a pint of ale from a serving maid, then took to the stage, losing himself in the favorite tales from Astran history.
ASTRA
IT TOOK ANOTHER TWO DAYS to reach Saguach Port. Gwen felt her spirits rise the closer they got to the sea. The salty tang in the air spoke directly to her soul. She longed for the white-crested waves, the rolling motion of the ship, the cries of the gulls.
“We can hire a ship at the docks.” Saemus checked the weight of Master Brok's purse. He hoped there would be enough gold to hire a ship for all of them.
“Saemus! Look!” Gwen pointed excitedly in the direction of a long, lean ship docked at the nearest pier. The men moving about her decks looked like ants.
“It can't be - ” Saemus began but was interrupted by Gwen's squeal of delight.
She took off running down the road toward a large man still wearing a cook's apron. The laughter bubbled out of her as soon as she heard the familiar voice.
“Gwen! By the good Spirits!” Cook swept up the tiny girl and wrapped her in a bear hug.
Gwen turned at a commotion from the group. Saemus, Brad, and Forka were holding Feeror back. His normally handsome face twisted into a snarl of anger and hate.
Cook set Gwen down and slowly drew his long knife.
“No! Stop this at once!” Gwen put her hand on Cook's. “He's a friend.” She turned to Feeror, hands on her hips. “What has gotten into you?”
“On my world, if a man dared to lay his hands on another's mate, he would be killed on the spot.” Feeror panted and watched Cook with feral intensity.
“Well, on my world, it is acceptable for friends to greet each other as Cook and I just did,” Gwen snapped. She was angry, and yet there was a part of her that was delighted that he had gotten so jealous over an innocent hug.
“Mate? Gwen, what is he talking about?” Keera gave her friend a huge grin.
Gwen groaned. “Later, Keera.” She ignored the incredulous looks and grins and muffled laughter.
Feeror shook free of the hands that were holding him back. He walked up to Cook, using his height to look down his nose at the man. His muscles bunched and flexed beneath his shirt. “Just so we have an understanding. She is mine.” He backed away and simply stared at the large, rotund man.
Cook bit his cheek to keep from laughing. Somehow, he knew that the big man would not understand. “I understand. I look on this little lass like a daughter.” Cook knelt and gave the tiny girl a wink. “And is it too early to say congratulations?”
Gwen wanted to shriek in delight and clap her hands, but she tried to act like a lady should. “Thank you.” Her heart was filled with love and pride at Feeror's jealous rage.
“What brings you to Saguach Port?” Cook greeted the other Astrans and nodded to the strangers. If they were with the others, he felt they could be trusted.
“We need to get to the Eastern continent.” Gwen said.
“Har! You are in luck! Captain Morden is sailing within the hour for Neera.”
Gwen looked to Saemus. She couldn't remember where Neera was located in relation to Vis Rellisa.
“That will do just fine. Does he have room for all of us?” Saemus asked.
“He is sailing light this trip. The coast of Neera can be dangerous for ships loaded with too much cargo.”
Cook led the way to Lucian's Fury. She was even more beautiful than Gwen remembered. Her lines were long and clean, her sails taut, her decks smooth. Captain Morden was at the gangplank and greeted the Astrans like long lost friends. He bowed his head and murmured his sympathies when they told him of Master Brok's death. “I am at your service. Stump will show you to your cabins.” Captain Morden whistled sharply, and a short old man with a peg leg thumped down the gangplank. After receiving his orders, the man bowed to the strangers and made his way back up the gangplank.
“Why are you heading to the Blasted Lands?” Captain Morden asked. Saemus bit his lip, unsure of how much to tell the old captain. Morden noticed his hesitation and waved his hands. “Why you go is your business. I wish you a safe journey. I will be in Vis Relissa in a few weeks’ time if you are in need of a ship.”
Saemus tried to argue about the price Morden was charging them for passage, knowing full well the Captain was asking far too little. “We have the money to pay our passage,” Saemus protested.
“I won't hear of it. I'm a simple man, and yet I know there is something about the lot of you that is different. And if a boat trip across the Sea is what I can do to help, then I will do so and I won't hear any arguments.” Captain Morden refused to take the extra gold.
Gwen was the first aboard the Fury. She ignored the cries of despair from Keera and Kaelin, feeling more at peace than she could remember feeling for a long time.
The Earth Chosen were uneasy aboard the ship. Though they had spent time on the ferry, they had never been away from the sight of land. The Volgons seemed fine with being on the large expanse of water, but they did tend to keep to the center of the ship.
“Are you sure this is the only way to get to where the Mekans are? This craft doesn't seem safe.” Moylir did not know if she felt safer at the edge of the deck or near the center of the ship.
“I assure you, it is perfectly safe. Although I sincerely hope you don't have the troubles those two are about to have.” Saemus nodded towards Keera and Kaelin as he patted the Volgon woman on the back, trying to be reassuring.
Stump got the group settled in their cabins, then left to get the ship ready to sail. In less than an hour, Captain Thrace Morden stomped up the gangplank, ordering his men to make ready. The Earth and Volgon Chosen were astounded at the efficiency and speed of the men aboard the Fury. In short order, the men were below decks at the oars, backing the sleek ship out of the bay. As soon as they lost sight of the land, the men came back above decks to raise the sails.
Gwen stayed at the bow rather than inside the cabins. The salt spray wet her hair and beaded on her lashes. She watched the gulls swooping amongst the sails, their lone
ly cries filling the air.
Feeror joined her, face tense and worried. “I'm not sure this is safe. Perhaps you should come below decks?”
Gwen laughed. “I can't stay down there in the dark! I feel so alive up here.” She jumped on a barrel, grabbed a rope, and swung herself across to the other side of the bow. One of the deckhands waved to her and signaled her to climb the rigging to secure the sail near the top. She nodded and began to climb. Once the sail was secured, she clamored back down.
Feeror simply stared at the dwarf girl, his face an expressionless mask. “You make me feel like a coward.”
Gwen knew she needed to be careful. To a Volgon, strength was everything. “I have done this before. We sailed on this same ship when we first went to the portal. Since I am small, I have an easier time climbing the ropes.”
Feeror gazed to the crow's nest, eyes bleak. “I wish to test my strength against this boat, but I feel fear when I look out across the water, or look up at the sails.”
“There is nothing to fear. Captain Morden has sailed these waters for most of his life. He uses the stars to navigate like we use the roads on land. There are wondrous things to see, and the air is so clean and fresh.”
Gwen stayed on deck with Feeror, showing the man the schools of sailfish and dolphins swimming alongside the ship. When the sun set, she showed him the familiar constellations and told him the stories behind them. They ate their dinner on the deck, enjoying the calm sea air.
“I'm beginning to see why you like it on this ship.”
Gwen smiled at Feeror. She liked sharing her love of the sea. The big man did not seem affected by the rocking motion of Lucian's Fury. Keera and Kaelin were at their accustomed positions, draped over the deck of the boat. Gwen looked at the girls with sympathy, thanking the good Spirits that her stomach was not affected. She could not imagine missing out on Cook's gourmet cooking.
She brought the girls some biscuits and was surprised when they managed to keep them down. Neither girl wanted to leave the deck just in case their tummies acted up.