Chapter Seventeen
Kason managed to keep his symbols from turning yellow and displaying his nervousness to his bride.
He hadn’t planned on calling her zyla or letting his symbols change colors. Both opened him up to being vulnerable and to being viewed as weaker.
At least, that was the case on Keldera. He wondered if it was the same with Jasvarian humans.
Not that he would take it back. Taryn was turning out to be his match in all ways, from ally to bed partner. He didn’t want to hide that fact from her any longer.
Taryn finally took his face in her hands, and he relaxed a fraction. After kissing him, she said, “Then we both have yet another reason to try to win, if it comes to a battle.”
Placing his hands on her hips, he nodded. “But maybe we should have another few orgasms. Each one will only strengthen our determination.”
She snorted. “That sounds like an excuse to me.”
He rolled them over and ran his hands down her thighs until he could press her ankles behind him. “It’s also the truth.” He gently rocked his hips and Taryn moaned. “So what do you say?”
Mischief danced in her eyes. “As long as it fulfills your promise about flipping me over in the process, I’m open to the idea.”
He kissed her jaw. “Knowing how much you want to try that position means I’m saving it for last.”
“Kason—”
He bit her neck, and she made a noise in her throat. His husky voice rolled over her as he murmured, “I love making you speechless.”
“I rather thought you enjoyed making me scream.”
With a growl, he moved his head until it was a whisper away from her lips. “My little wanton warrior wants to play.”
“Call it whatever you like.” She moved her hips. “Just stop talking for once. I want action.”
He pulled mostly out of her core and was about to slam into her when the door chimed.
Cursing, he gave Taryn a gentle kiss before pulling out and grabbing a blanket to wrap around his waist. He whispered, “I’m sorry, zyla, but you’re going to have to go for now.”
For a second, he thought she might interpret his words as a rejection. But his doubts evaporated as Taryn nodded and gathered her things. Wrapping her dress to cover her breasts to just above her knees, she said, “Find me later,” before disappearing into the wardrobe.
Taking a deep breath, Kason stated, “Enter.”
The door slid open. One of the apprentice warriors stood there. Judging by the young male’s expression, he was trying not to appear nervous.
“What?” Kason barked.
“Lt. General Thorin needs you. Two battleships are nearly within weapons range.”
“How did they escape the sensors this long?”
“I don’t know, your highness. One second they weren’t there, and in the next, two large ships appeared out of nowhere.”
Kason grabbed his clothes. “I’ll be there as soon as I dress. Go next door and inform Princess Kalahn of the situation. I want her and the two humans to join us in the main conference room.”
Despite the curiosity in his eyes, the apprentice merely nodded and left.
Kason dressed as quickly as possible, grabbed his weapons, and headed out the door.
There were rumors of spaceships that could hide their appearance from sensors, but there had never been any in Keldera’s star system. If the battleships turned out to be enemies, victory would be tough since Keldera didn’t have the same capabilities. Not impossible, but it would take every strategic maneuver he could come up with to win. It may even take a few ideas from Taryn and his senior staff, too.
He entered the elevator and prevented himself from tapping his fingers. Displaying impatience to the others might start doubts or even a panic. Kason needed to be calm and collected, even if for the first time he had something precious to lose if he failed.
Not his life, as any warrior was prepared to lose it. No, he’d just found his bride and even cared for her. She might even carry his child.
In other words, Kason was on the verge of having his own family and woe betide anyone who tried to take that away from him.
~~~
Taryn stumbled from the wardrobe and headed straight into the bathroom without saying a word. Kalahn would ask a million questions, and she’d answer some of them, but Taryn wasn’t about to do it while half naked.
As she cleaned up and got dressed, it was hard to push aside Kason’s words about not letting her go.
Maybe all the years of waiting and the frustration of not having a chance with any man had been her fate, to bring her to Kason.
Well, if she believed in fate.
Taking a deep breath, Taryn did her best to bundle up her new feelings and exited the bathroom. However, as soon as she entered the main room, Taryn blinked. Kalahn was at the door talking with one of the warriors from the training class earlier.
His gaze darted to hers before he left. Once the door slid closed, Kalahn spun around. “Good, you’re dressed. Kason wants us in the conference room.”
“I thought females weren’t allowed.”
“Well, it seems the rule is being broken in this instance. Are you going to stand here and question it or come with me?”
Taryn grabbed her straps of weapons and fitted them over her dress. “Let’s hurry up before they change their minds.”
With a nod, Kalahn led her out of the room and down a set of corridors. Both warriors and Barren were running around shouting orders. It almost seemed like they were prepping for battle. She asked Kalahn, “What else did that young man tell you?”
“All I can say out here is that the entire ship is on red alert. The details will come out in the conference room.”
Kalahn took her up an elevator and down one last corridor to a door guarded by two warriors. Both bowed their heads before pressing their thumbs to pads at the side of the doors. Once open, Kalahn and Taryn entered.
Inside was a long table. All of the higher ups from earlier—Thorin, Enishi, Jerrick, and Syzel—were there, along with Kason. Evaine was missing, which meant she was probably helping down in engineering.
Every set of eyes looked at her and Kalahn. Thorin motioned toward them and said something in Kelderan.
Kason answered in CEL. “They’re here to help. Taryn for her ideas, and Kalahn to help with the females.”
Thorin replied in the same language. “The females aren’t ready. They had one day of training.”
“Regardless, we might need their help. They can at least pretend to know what they’re doing as a ruse.” Kason looked to Taryn and Kalahn. “Sit down. Kalahn, you can interpret for Taryn.”
Once they both sat, Kalahn translated Kason’s words, “The two battleships still haven’t answered our messages, and their oblong shape doesn’t match anything in the records. A battle should be the last resort. Any ideas how to get through to them?”
Syzel answered, and the princess continued to interpret. “Not all species use words. Even though we’re broadcasting in all known languages, we might need to send images as well, of both our species and anything that can represent peace and the desire to talk.”
Taryn spoke up. “We should include pictures of humans, too. That might help since humans are known across the universe.”
Kason nodded and told the others her idea. While Thorin raised an eyebrow in question, the others didn’t protest.
Kason continued, and Kalahn’s voice filled Taryn’s ear. “While we do that, I want all stations to be at the ready in case of attack. Some of the females might be confused, afraid, or just overwhelmed. Kalahn will help get them ready for their roles, if we end up needing them. Taryn will help on the command deck, just in case the battleship wants to talk with a human. Everyone will keep each other updated with any problems or concerns. Understood?” Everyone nodded and Kason clapped his hands once. “Dismissed.”
All of the men except Kason left the room. Kason walked up to Taryn and Kalahn
and said in CEL, “I know I didn’t ask for your help on the command deck, but we might need you, Taryn.”
She missed his Kelderan endearment but understood that the present circumstances were more important. “The fact you want me there at all means the world to me. Shall we go? I’m anxious to see images of the ships and see if sending our own pictures will do anything.”
Kason grunted in agreement. “Yes. And no matter if Thorin glares at you the whole time, if you have an idea, you tell me. Understood?”
“Of course. It’s hard for me to keep quiet when lives are on the line.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
They walked out of the conference room and toward the elevator. It was time to see how Kelderans handled problems in space. Taryn had no experience with space battles but hoped she could help in some small way, if needed.
~~~
Kason took his position in the raised chair in the center of the command deck. “Any updates?”
One of the young males toward the back at the communications station answered, “We just started sending images. Other than that, there’s still no word from the ships.”
“You included pictures of humans too, correct?” Kason asked.
“Yes, your highness.”
Kason motioned for Taryn to sit next to him. He didn’t care if anyone thought it odd. Having his bride close was a comfort and made him more determined to succeed.
The small screen on his chair console beeped and he hit Receive. Enishi’s face appeared on the screen. “Some sort of sensor just passed along the ship. It didn’t do any damage that I can tell, but I thought you should know.”
“Anything else?”
“All engines and weapons systems are ready.”
“Good.” Kason tapped off his screen and looked to the two oblong ships on the front viewer.
They were sleek with few corners. If there were windows for quarters, they weren’t visible. Whoever designed the ship cared a lot about aesthetics. Of course, the sleek design could also help navigate through difficult areas or tight spots.
The main question was who were they and what did they want. He didn’t think the Brevkan had advanced so quickly in the twenty-odd years since the end of the war on Keldera. Maybe the ships were related to the Jasvarian distress signal Evaine had mentioned.
Before he could think more on it, the communications officer spoke up. “We received a message in CEL. It says to have one of the two humans reach out to them via a secure line. They must do it alone.”
“Are they with the Earth Colony Alliance?” Kason asked.
“I don’t know, your highness. They didn’t say.”
“Clever,” Kason said. “If they end up attacking us, we can’t pin it on the ECA when our black box is retrieved by Keldera.” He looked to Taryn and switched languages. “They want to talk to either you or Evaine.”
Taryn touched his arm. “Let me do it.”
Kason answered, “I don’t like leaving you alone, but I trust you, Taryn. Come with me.” He looked to his officer and switched languages. “Tell them one of the humans will reach out in a minute.”
As the warrior followed his order, Kason guided Taryn into the private comm unit off the main command deck. Once the door slid shut, he spoke again. “If all they wish to do is travel through the star system, then I give you permission to grant it to them, provided they fly under a flag of truce. If they want more, then I need to talk with them. It’s okay if you’re in the room with me, but I need to represent my people, especially if there are demands.”
Taryn touched his cheek. “Thank you for trusting me.”
He lowered his voice, even though the room was secure. “It may only have been a short time, but you’ve earned my trust, zyla. We both want what’s best for our people, and I don’t expect you to give them an inch.” He took her chin in his fingers. “But if you need my help, hit this button,”—he motioned toward the green button that would signal his command deck chair—“and I’ll come running.”
“Let’s hope I don’t need it.”
He stroked her soft skin. “Even so, I will always have your back, zyla.”
As Taryn searched his eyes, he wanted to tell her how he wanted to always have much more than her back.
Yet the private comm unit room reminded him of why telling her how he felt would have to wait. “I should go.”
“Er, if you could set up the comm unit for me before you go, that would be extremely helpful.”
He smiled at her sheepish tone. “I think my sister isn’t doing a very good job at teaching you Kelderan. I may have to take over your lessons.”
He set up the secure video line as Taryn answered, “I might be further along if I hadn’t spent so much time in someone’s bed.”
Grunting, he finished the setup. “Maybe I’ll combine the two.” He motioned toward a button at the bottom of the flat console. “Tap this to turn on the feed and again to turn it off.” He moved to kiss Taryn gently. “My people are in your hands, Taryn Demara. I hope you can help us.”
She cleared her throat, and for a split second, he wondered if she’d cry. Then his warrior leader raised her chin and said, “I won’t let you down.”
After one last kiss, Kason left the private comm room and returned to the command chair.
Even a week ago, he would’ve scoffed at the idea of a female speaking for all of Keldera. But Taryn wasn’t just any female. Besides, if she could negotiate a peaceful solution, it would make the meeting with his father and older brother that much easier. It would be hard for them to turn down her suggestions for the colonization agreement when she’d proven so useful.
For the time being, Kason remained still in his chair and studied the two ships on the view screen. He had faith in his bride, but Kason needed to be ready in case things went south.
Chapter Eighteen
Taryn took one last deep breath. She had no idea what was on the other end, but there was no use in putting it off. She pressed the button Kason had shown her.
A man in his fifties with graying black hair and brown eyes appeared on the screen. His light brown skin and features looked human to Taryn, but his clothing was a strange synthetic-looking material that shone faintly in the light.
However, she barely had a chance to note more than that before his deep voice spoke in CEL, albeit with a strange accent. “State your name and place of origin.”
She figured giving her name wouldn’t hurt. “I’m Taryn Demara, the leader of planet Jasvar. Who are you?”
“Jasvar? What are you doing on a Kelderan ship?”
She shook her head. “I won’t answer until you tell me who you are.”
He raised one gray brow before answering, “My name is Dextrell Jennings, originally from Planet Charlen but now working as a representative for the Earth Colony Alliance. Now, tell me why you’re on that ship.”
Taryn had no way of checking the man’s story, but she didn’t have the leverage to bargain for more just yet. “I persuaded the Kelderans to take me to their planet for a cohabitation colony agreement.”
The man tapped something in front of him and then looked at her. “Jasvar is a low-tech colony. The ad hoc distress beacon only confirmed this when the ECA received it a year ago. How did you reach out to the Kelderans?”
“That is a story for another time. I want to know why you’re here and why you didn’t answer the Kelderans’ original communications message.”
Dextrell steepled his fingers in front of his body. “The last we knew, the Kelderans were at war with the Brevkan. The ECA has no desire to become involved. However, when images of humans flooded our screens, we scanned and found two on board. It’s the ECA’s mission to protect all humans, hence why I’m talking to you now.”
“I’m in no danger, if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“What about your planet? The message was short, but something about a virus that was slowly killing off the population.”
&nb
sp; “That’s true.” She leaned forward. “What were you going to do to help me?”
“That depends. We need to meet in person to discuss the details further. Once you and your human companion board our ship, we can talk about relief efforts.”
She paused a second before stating, “You don’t trust the Kelderans.”
He shrugged. “All we know is they are a patriarchal society and that they make fierce adversaries. There are also no humans on Keldera. It isn’t the ECA’s concern.”
“Ah, but you’re wrong.”
The older man frowned. “I don’t have time for guessing games, Taryn Demara. Tell me what you mean.”
She hesitated a second but then remembered Kason had given her free rein to negotiate with other ships, up to a point. She might be pushing her luck a little, but hopefully Kason would understand. “I will be sending a few representatives to Keldera, once an agreement is reached. Also, many Kelderans will be living on Jasvar with my people. Some Jasvarian humans have already married Kelderan males and have had children. They should be your concern since the ECA is supposed to care for half-humans as well.”
“There is much you aren’t telling me.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Even you should know that negotiations take more than five minutes to complete. You and your representatives should come aboard, and we can talk further.”
“No. You and a Kelderan representative may come aboard our ship via a shuttle. We can talk more then. I’ll give you five minutes to decide. Send your answer via your communications. If you do decide to come aboard, you have an hour to prepare and come to our ship. After that, we’ll turn and leave you to fend for yourselves.”
The screen went blank.
For years, Taryn had wondered if the Earth Colony Alliance would rescue her people. Every scenario had been one of heroes coming to the rescue with medical supplies and a vaccine for the virus.
The reality was much harsher.
Not that she had time to think about it. She had five minutes to convince Kason to go with her.
The Conquest (Kelderan Runic Warriors Book 1) Page 17