by Erin Tate
She placed it on the counter and wiggled into the pants. Again, snug but not unwearable. Her ass fit in them, right? They were a little tight in the hips—she looked over her shoulder to peek at her butt—but they made her ass look great. Which Kede was sure to appreciate.
The most important thing was that neck to ankles, she was covered. There was no threat of a wardrobe malfunction any longer.
Chapter Six
Kede cursed his nerves and refused to accept that Joyce Enner made him nervous. Warriors were never on edge. Especially around a weak opponent such as a small Terran female. A Terran female with scarlet naal-pah-lish on her peds.
He did not lie when he told her it reminded him of her leaking. Specifically, the unease that had plagued him at the time.
It was not fear over her well-being.
Warrior, Kede Tria, Commander of the Vehly, Holder of his House did not experience fear.
He would continue to remind himself of that fact. Every minute if necessary.
With Joyce, he believed it would be necessary.
Though, if he was not discarding his fear every minute, he could spend some time thinking of her tits and ass. At least, he believed she spoke of her breasts and back end. They were both plump and appeared soft. He prayed to the bright light that he would discover the truth someday.
He hoped providing her with coverings was the first step toward that goal.
Though, in truth, she still seemed angry with him.
He would wait to address his desire for her. Perhaps. If she mentioned joining however…
Perhaps he could tie her to him before she realized he’d turned her into property. That would be best. Then she could not become enraged with him again.
The soft whoosh of the cleansing room’s door sliding open drew his attention and he turned his head. He watched as Joyce cautiously entered the room.
Kede had caused that reaction in her and he hated himself anew.
He remained in place, not moving toward her and doing his best to remain passive and unthreatening to her. He had not done so in the pathway and he knew he paid the price once again.
His training uniform adhered to her curves as he imagined, hugging her plump breasts and making note of her small waist. Part of him ached to ask her to present her back to him. Then he could see if the formfitting fabric clung to her ass as he hoped.
But he should not. So he did not.
It did nothing to soothe his desire for her. Now covered in fabric, she was still alluring and arousing.
His cawk throbbed, aching for her moist heat. It pulsed within his uniform and it was only by the grace of his training, and the bright light itself, he did not embarrass himself.
While she had researched Doshans, he had scoured their databases for details on Terran biology and reproduction. She would become wet when aroused, her sheath preparing for his cawk.
He would like to do that as many times as she allowed.
She did not appear to be open to the idea at the moment.
Joyce still held his bed coverings in one hand while she clutched something else in the other. Her footsteps were silent as she padded forward and presented him with the bundle. He took it without thought, happy to unburden her.
“Thank you for this. I was…”
Bare for him. He had restrained his desire to look his fill, but he had felt her smooth skin beneath his palms. He would never forget the silken texture.
“You were uncovered due to my improper actions.” He finished for her. He should take the blame as soon as possible. His readings exposed that a male should apologize for errors the first moment he was able in order to avoid further anger. “It shall not happen again. You have my vow.” He pressed his fist to his chest, sealing his promise with his actions. Now for the rest. “I did not… The readings mentioned illegal touching and… violation,” he frowned, unable to bring forward the words he desired, “with their bodies?”
“Rape,” she whispered the word with a hoarse exhale.
“Yes, that did not happen. It shall not happen while you are with the Dosha. We do not believe in such a horrible act. To do so to a female.” He shook his head. “I cannot even imagine it.”
Joyce wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself, and turned her attention from him. “Do your warriors feel the same?”
Her words were hardly a whisper, but he heard. Heard and nearly growled at her question. “Yes, they would never do so to a female.”
She chuckled. “Just like they wouldn’t violate your orders? Suthta thought he should have unquestionable access to my rooms. He even complained that he was unable to enter because his access did not work.”
Kede frowned. She brought up a good point and while it harmed him to admit the truth, it was a truth to be voiced. “In the past, when I gave an order, it passed from my lips to my second commander. It was assumed that the directive applied to those beneath him. He probably believed the order to retain his distance did not apply to him. That is not the case and he will learn such when I depart.”
“And the access? The assumption that he could simply enter without permission?” Anger lurked in her words and he could not fault her for the emotion.
“Having a female on the ship is an unknown for them. The officers typically have full access.”
“What about Martins?” she snapped back. Yes, much anger.
“She…” He grimaced. “The warriors happily retain their distance without my orders. None have desired spending more than a single moment in her company.”
“I can believe that,” she grumbled and he thought he sensed a softening of her heart.
Or, at least, that was his hope.
“Joyce, none other than those you designate shall have unhindered entry. I realize you have granted permission to me, Resane, Yare, and Hassee. If you amend that number, I do ask that you at least select two. It is best if Resane is one of those males. He is our chief medico and—”
She waved him off. “I know. It’s fine if the four of you are able to get in. I mean, I’m still pissed as hell, but it makes sense for a few others to be able to get in should something happen.”
“I thank you for the trust. I do not deserve it, I have not earned it, but I am thankful nonetheless.”
Joyce’s lips lifted in a small smile. “You’re much more eloquent when you speak Doshan. Did you know that?”
Kede shook his head. “No. Warriors never have the words for a female, but I have a heart and it makes me feel bad for your treatment.”
It was his deepest truth.
She nodded. Was it because she heard his truth or because she liked that his heart hurt? Speaking with females was so difficult.
“Do you…” she waved her hand toward the large lounge. “Do you want to sit down? I think I’m a little calmer now that I have clothes and you can explain some things to me.”
Kede readily agreed. “Of course, anything you desire. I will give you whatever knowledge I am able. Some things cannot be shared beyond my ears, but I will—”
“Top secret? Confidential? Is that what you mean?”
“Yes,” he sighed. “Those are the words.”
“That’s fine. I’d just like to understand. I’d like to know what’s expected of me.”
He padded to the lounge and waited for her to approach. He remained standing, her staring at him as he stared back.
“You must sit. A male does not sit before his… before a female.”
Joyce’s expression went from calm to suspicious and he knew it was a matter of moments before he was shouted from her quarters. But she did not. No, she lowered to the soft surface, settling in, and then he joined her. He retained a respectable distance. He had never read the courting texts, they were not within a warrior’s training, but he recalled watching other males attempt to bond with a female.
He let his bundle rest on his lap, covering his cawk which threatened to make his desire known. She was more skittish than a youngling and he did not wan
t to frighten her with his need. He’d read many Terran texts and there were many females who engaged in joining with many males. He did not believe Joyce was that type of Terran and he did not want to appear eager.
Suthta and his other young warriors had already performed that action and she’d been shocked with their offers.
No, he would remain at a distance.
Quiet continued to remain, the silence only broken by the low hum of the ship’s engines. The cadence remained constant and he knew all was well in engineering. After his many turnings on the Vehly, he could recognize problems by hearing alone.
“Did you have questions? What information did you get from the guide?” He hoped to encourage her to speak with him. He enjoyed her voice, the cadence soothing even when she screeched at him.
“About eye color. It said…”
She launched into what she’d learned, arms gesturing widely when she disagreed with her findings. Her eyes flashed brightly when she became angry with him though he did not sense that it was a lasting feeling. No, it disappeared almost as soon as it arrived, her attention diverted by his next statement.
She was enraged on the warriors’ behalf. The males who sacrificed so much should not be treated so poorly.
Kede silently agreed, but the system had operated thusly for millennia.
She detested that a male’s future was determined through eye color and genetic testing.
Kede did not agree.
“The strongest males should serve and protect. If those who were able did not stand for Dosha, who would?” The mere idea that a male warrior would not step forward… blasphemy. It did not merit a thought.
“But what if they don’t want to beat others bloody or cut people into tiny pieces?”
He frowned. “Then they do not have to. They can request additional training to become—”
“But why do they have to learn how to kill people if all they wanna do is cook? You think Yare wanted to learn a hundred different ways to kill others at the age of ten? Really?” Her face was flushed red, her emotions making her face change colors.
She was beautiful when angry. Wrong, but beautiful.
“He learned one hundred thirty-seven methods at the age of nine.” Yare would roar in anger if she made the warrior sound slow and minimize his accomplishments. Kede puffed out his chest, pride coming forth. “I learned them at eight.”
When she tilted her head back to stare at the celling and huffed, he did not believe she was impressed. He was not sure why.
“But what if they don’t want to bother with the warrior training. Why should they have to? Why can’t they have a normal life like any other Doshan?”
“They are born warriors, Joyce. A male’s mind cannot overrule his body. He was created by the bright light itself in order to protect Dosha. To go against the light’s wish is to invite the darkness into your home.” He shook his head. “Had I refused to embrace my destiny… You would not see the male you face today. I would have eyes as dark as the darkness itself and there would be no coming back from such a fate.”
She furrowed her brow. “I didn’t read about black eyes. Just the different colors. That you’re born with all white and then they change color as you grow.”
He nodded. “Yes. All babes are born with pure souls and as they age, the colors of their souls are revealed through their eyes. Black… You do not ever want to face off against a male with even a hint of that darkness.”
He prayed he gave her adequate warning. He had only met a single male with the darkness riding him and he… Even with Kede’s warrior training, it had concerned him.
Warriors were never frightened. Not even when screeching Terran females lay leaking on the biobed before them.
“You will never meet such a male, so it is not to be concerned with.” He waved off the topic. He did not want to ruin their evening entirely. Perhaps he could have her think on something else. Such as the correct color of naal-pah-lish.
“I’m surprised Terra doesn’t know about it, though. It wasn’t in the guide.”
Kede shrugged. “Has Terra released all of its secrets? It is not something Dosha takes pride in.”
Joyce nodded and he prayed that topics of warriors and destinies were at a close.
The bright light did not look kindly on him.
“Okay, but maybe it’s not the darkness that’s causing a Doshan’s eyes to turn black. Maybe its anger or frustration or… gah, I don’t know. It could merely be because you’re not letting someone do what they wanna do. Just because a drop of blood says you should be a warrior doesn’t mean your soul agrees. Maybe those Doshans who have black eyes are that way because they are living for themselves and it’s not hatred for others that’s made them that way. Maybe it’s self-loathing. You’re raised to be something you’re not and when you realize it, you try to do something about it. But you’ve spent so many years being told over and over again that you will do this and when you don’t… guilt is a very heavy thing, Kede.”
His anger and frustration surged forward. The emotions clawing at him. She did not understand. “So because I desire to walk on the beach rather than train with my swords, I should be allowed to do so? Who shall take my place then, Joyce? Who will protect Dosha? You?” He stared at her, knowing he pushed too hard when she jerked back as if he’d struck her. But his bubbling emotions would not let him stop. “Will you take up a blade and defend Terra? With your tears and naal-pah-lish? It is no place for females, it is no place for males who were not created for battle. I am a warrior because the bright light made me so.”
He pushed to his feet, unable to remain calm when faced with her scorn. She did not understand the peace their planet fought for, did not understand the careful balance a warrior battled to find each and every day.
“Good evening, Ambassador Enner.”
Again, she appeared as if he’d struck her. He had to rely on protocol or vent his frustration. He discovered something else as they verbally attacked. His cawk was very interested in Joyce. Even more so when her passion rode high.
“Good evening then.” Her words were whispered and filled with pain, yet he heard them.
Heard them and damned himself for hurting her. When he calmed, he would apologize. Perhaps Hassee could be there with him. Or Yare. Or Resane. Perhaps all three could keep him from destroying himself in her eyes. Her opinion meant more to him than even his teacher’s approval when he was a youngling.
He strode past her, but a soft touch on his arm had him halting. “Here, don’t forget this.”
She pressed something small and smooth into his palm and he grasped the… device? He stared at it, not believing his eyes. “Where did you obtain this flare?”
A flare. They were controlled within the ship, only officers having access to the devices that allowed warriors to travel, to disappear from one location and appear at another with hardly any time passing. The engineers could explain them better than he, Kede was meant for battle, but they should not be in the hands of a female.
One from the high council should definitely not be in the hands of a female—this female.
“It was in your clothes.” She waved a hand at her bottom coverings. “In the pants.”
“No,” he shook his head and anger over her lie burned him. “I would never be granted such a device.” They were meant for long distance travels, high councilmen sometimes unable to wait for transport to and from other ships. “Where did you get this? I will have the truth.”
Had Terrans somehow come across the technology? No, he would have discovered it as he stripped her. But… how?
“Did Suthta give this to you? Are you so intent on leaving?” He sliced his hand through the air. “I will not allow you to leave. You belong to m—the Doshans now.”
Joyce trembled and he did not imagine it was in fear or excitement. “Suthta didn’t give me anything and I don’t want to leave. I told Hassee that. As for belonging to anyone, I belong to myself.” She jumped to her feet and
he imagined that if she were larger and stronger like a male warrior, he would be flat on his back and eating biopad. “Do I have the same rights as any other warrior? Any other Doshan? The right to privacy?”
“Of course.” That she could think anything else—
“Then I want to be alone. I want to be alone and I don’t think there’s much else to say to each other. So take your little flare thing that I found in your clothing and get out. I’ll work with Hassee and learn my duties. Good evening, Commander Tria.”
Kede forced himself to take a single breath and then another. He knew he had somehow misstepped yet could not think how he had turned an enjoyable encounter into a verbal battle. One he lost.
He stared at the flare, the metal disc smooth in his palm, the insignia like his own yet slightly different. It was the difference that mattered most. A Terran with a high council flare.
In his clothing? Impossible.
And yet… Supplies had altered his—
“Commander?” Her hard voice brought him back to the present. “I would like you to leave. I have had a long day and I would like to rest.”
Her words were right, the tone clearly said she would not be sad to see him crash against the rocks at the edge of the sea. “As you wish.”
Kede strode to the door not slowing as he approached and the Vehly was quick to grant him exit. He did not look over his shoulder at Joyce even if he craved one last look at her before he departed. Even in a rage, she was beautiful to him.
Yes, he would leave as she wished and prayed to the bright light he would work up the courage to approach her again. Hopefully before she realized she didn’t belong to Terra nor Dosha.
No, she belonged to him.
The disc in his palm warmed, the heat telling him someone had activated the small device, and he immediately released the disc. It fell through the air, finally flashing from sight before it connected with the biopad.
Yes, Joyce Enner belonged to him and someone, somewhere, attempted to take her from him.
They would quickly discover he had never learned to share.