heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm

by Heart Of The Betrayed (lit)

  Dana walked across the docking bay to the fleet craft and her gaze fell on Kiile standing by the doorway. "He brought you?"

  "He came with an armed troop of Argon soldiers to order me to come."

  A heaviness filled her. "I see."

  "Your father and Zar were trying to start the craft you and Garret ‘stole’ from me, only no one could operate it." Kiile grinned. "I didn’t have a chance to order anyone to do anything. Diago demanded that I bring him and the others to your trial. Is that someone calling me on the intercom?" He disappeared into the craft.

  "Were you really coming after me?"

  "I guess that’s hard to believe," the Northlander replied quietly. "I made many mistakes. I wasn’t going to make another."

  The heaviness eased. "Thank you."

  "No need." He hesitated. "What happened in the past can’t be fixed, but I would like for us to get to know each other again. I know it won’t be easy, in fact it will be awkward, but still..."

  "We’ll see her soon." Rominac stuck his head out the door and waved to her. "She’s coming to our wedding."

  Cina dimpled beside him.

  Dana smiled before a troubled expression crossed her face. "How do you expect to live together on a place like Orkra?"

  "There is no Southland or Northland anymore," he returned cheerfully. "The whole concept has been abolished."

  "I don’t understand. Where do you all live now?"

  "Some are moving to the different sides, to make two cities. The names are yet to be chosen. It will, however, be an equal, secret vote." He winked.

  "How did you get your people to agree? I doubt it was easy."

  "It wasn’t, but it seems there were those who wanted to try again. Deidra and Kal stepped into the rift while Father was occupied with Zar and her injury and started organizing things. I guess it went from there."

  "I’m not sure I understand."

  "Once some of the people saw each other, they weren’t willing to simply part. Oh, it wasn’t all love and forgiveness. There were still grudges, but blood ties proved to be quite strong."

  "So were the memories," Cina added. "Deidra stated that she wasn’t going to return to Southland without Kal and her son, and he responded likewise. Before you knew it, Southlanders and Northlanders alike were coming forward, stating their dissatisfaction with the way things were. Many of them want a family life again."

  "It’s not that simple," Dana said.

  "They’re aware of that," Rominac said. "There are still many who wish to live separately and believe in slavery. Now that they’re under the Intergalactic Peace Council rule, laws will be made to govern the whole planet. In conjunction with our new leaders, so I’ve been told by Meekta."

  Dana glanced at Diago. "You’re being very calm about this."

  "It’s not my problem," he replied, meeting her gaze steadily.

  "You’re the leader of the Northlanders."

  "Not anymore. Kal was voted in my place."

  "And Deidra in mine," Zar said, jumping awkwardly down from the doorway of the spacecraft.

  Diago quickly steadied her. Surprised, Dana noted the odd, almost tender expression that passed between them. Surely he and Zar were not...

  "It seems that a new age has come over Orkra and it was decided that it needed new leaders to rule. Leaders who believe in family and equality. They have seconds-in-command, now known as advisors." Zar’s nose wrinkled a little.

  "You don’t approve?" Dana queried.

  "It’s not for me to approve or disapprove. They have made their choice and I’ll live by their rules."

  "You will?"

  "Don’t look so surprised. I have learned a thing or two about myself and my ideas from you, your brother, and my errant daughter."

  Had Diago? Dana wondered.

  "I read your thoughts, daughter. Yes, I have come to realize that personal grudges affected my views on life."

  "It affected us all." Zar placed a hand on his sleeve.

  The gesture held a familiarity that surprised Dana.

  Seeing the surprise, Zar said, "I think you deserve to know the history that caused the bitterness between us."

  "I had wondered."

  Diago spoke soberly. "When I took Rominac and left you, we traveled many miles and to many planets, seeking to forget your mother and you. It wasn’t easy and there were nights I cried myself to sleep, for I loved her. I know that’s hard for you to understand and perhaps you never will. In my own way I, too, felt betrayed, and swore never to love another woman again.

  A year later I landed on Orkra, where the society of men ruled over the women. It wasn’t long after I arrived that things came to a head with the murder of the Orkra leader by his wife. It wasn’t a big step to take for the women to turn into slaves. I’m ashamed to say that I was a ringleader of that, my own bitterness and pain finding solace in what I truly believed was the stopping of more murder by women."

  Zar took up the story. "Diago bought us not long after, Cina and I. She was but three years of age. For all his hardness, he was fair, and most often gentle. I fell in love with him."

  Dana wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

  "And I with her," Diago continued. "But I was scared and eventually I bought more slaves to use, to push her away emotionally, and actually gave her to a friend of mine for the night." He looked at Zar with regret. "I’m so sorry."

  "The past is past." Mindful of her bandaged wound, she shrugged carefully. "I killed him and escaped with other slaves. We built Southland and my bitterness ate at me. Ate at all of us women, actually, for everything we’d lost--sons, husbands, brothers, fathers. Love turned to hate. For most of us, but not all, as I found out to my surprise recently."

  "We preyed on each other’s people." He shook his head. "To hurt each other. Our own private agenda took over. How stupid, how blindly selfish I was."

  "The future is ours," Zar said gently. "Although it’ll take a lot of work for not only us, but our people as well. There are many hurts to heal, much hate and distrust to overcome, but we’ll make it. Sons and daughters are helping to mend the rifts." She smiled at Cina.

  "Thanks to Dana. It was your selfless love for Rominac that chinked my armor of bitterness. Your sacrifice of freedom to save us cracked it. Zar getting shot was the final blow. Garret’s devotion to you showed us all what life can be once again. Rominac and Cina’s love is the promise of our future." Diago looked at his daughter. "You gave us back life and love, made us realize what we’d lost."

  "It turned out well." She shifted uncomfortably.

  "Come and see us. Don’t be a stranger."

  "I will."

  Diago hesitated then stepped forward and embraced her. Awkwardly she returned it.

  Zar shook her hand. "Once I said that under different circumstances we could have been friends. Circumstances are different."

  Dana smiled. "That they are... friend."

  Kiile appeared in the doorway. "Ready?"

  "Certainly."

  "Get on board and we’ll leave soon." He jumped down to the ground "Just have a few things to check and I’ll be right back. Where’s Garret, Dana?"

  "Somewhere with Darvk and Maverk." She fell into step beside him and they walked out of the docking bay and into the corridor. "I want to thank you for bringing them. You helped save my life."

  His grin was a caress to the senses. "I have a fondness for fiery warriors, and besides, if Garret and you were banished, it would be so boring around here. Everyone would be moping around and there’d be no fighting or wenching--"

  "What’re you doing, keeping my betrothed company without an escort?"

  As it always did, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the brown-haired trader walking towards her. The customary merriment twinkled in his eyes.

  "I’d be worried except I know she has eyes for no one else but my own charming self, the lucky lass."

  "Love is truly blind." Kiile shook his head. "Dana, I have excellent healers on
Argon who can treat your eyes while I treat your heart."

  "Be a bit hard to do with me stuck to her side."

  The familiar feel of Garret’s arm came around her waist, drawing her in close, and Dana leaned against him with a sigh of contentment.

  "You two look disgustingly tamed." Kiile rolled his eyes. "It’s way past time I returned to Argon. Perhaps when I return, it’ll be to the entertainment of you two having a heated exchange of words. Now that always brightens my day! Not to mention everyone else’s, according to Cam and Simon."

  "‘Tis the heated exchange of making up later that I like even more." Garret grinned broadly.

  Red stole up Dana’s cheeks but she stayed where she was. Reaching around, she pinched his bottom.

  "Ouch! You little hellion! See? Even now she can’t keep her hands off me!"

  "Is that so?" She pinched him again.

  "Yeow! Right, time for some taming, I see!" Swooping her up in his arms, he headed for the deserted waiting room nearby.

  "Put me down, you big lout!"

  "Ooh, now that’s a nasty thing to say. I’ll have to work on sweetening that mouth."

  "You will have to work hard, trader, is all I can say."

  "I have many hard parts. What shall I start with first?"

  "You’re disgusting!"

  "You love me anyway."

  "Yes, but you’re still disgusting."

  "I’ve an idea. Let’s be disgusting together."

  "I like that idea."

  "I’m full of them. Some very erotic ones, in fact."

  She laughed.

  In the doorway, Garret stopped to look across at Kiile. "You’ll come to our wedding?"

  "Wouldn’t miss it for anything."

  "I’m only wedding her because she ruined me. I just thought I’d let you know."

  "You have my sympathies," Kiile said gravely.

  "Get in there, you rude buffoon. I’m going to teach you some manners!"

  "Be rough with me, won’t you?" He kicked the door shut behind them but his voice floated out clearly to the amused Argon. "I like it rough!"

  "You’re impossible."

  "I can do many things you thought impossible. I’ll show them to you."

  There was a short silence then her answer reached Kiile. "Promise?"

  Chuckling, he continued on his way.

  ~ * ~

  The day was perfect for a wedding. Dana gazed out the window at the sun-washed garden. It seemed as though every flower that could bloom did so, each bursting to outdo the other.

  Children played amidst the Daamens and Reekas who were setting up the trestles for the wedding feast after the ceremony. Guests from other planets wandered in between and amongst them. She spotted her brother and his wife, as well as Zar and Diago.

  Her sister warriors were coldly polite to Diago but it was to be expected. As Jonette informed her, if it wasn’t for the fact that Dana requested it, she’d have run him through with a sword herself. The Reekas had long memories.

  "There’s no point looking out the window," Reya said dryly from her slouching position in the armchair. "He’ll not be there."

  "How romantic," Tenia sighed. "Looking for her love--"

  A cushion hit her in the face.

  "No need to be shy about it." Connie batted her eyelashes.

  Dana sent them a rude gesture.

  "Nice." Tenia pulled a face.

  "Have you tried on the gown?" Reya asked with mild interest.

  "Yes. It fits perfectly."

  "Give us a preview." Connie sat on the bed. "I’ve been dying to see it ever since I found out Kiile sent it. I bet it’s made to drive a man insane!"

  "Sounds like an Argon gown, all right," Reya agreed.

  "Put it on." Tenia rested her hand on her stomach. "For the babe."

  "The babe’s inside you. Don’t use that as an excuse," Dana scoffed.

  "I’m pregnant. You’re supposed to humor me, like Darvk does."

  "He doesn’t humor you. He spoils you rotten as he has always done, pregnant or not."

  "You can’t scoff, Reya. Maverk runs after you like a trained hound pup." Tenia stuck out her tongue.

  "Pants after her, you mean."

  "Don’t you start, Connie. Morgan practically devours you with his eyes every time he sees you. No wonder he’s always tripping over everything."

  Listening to her sister warriors in amusement, Dana slid the gown over her head. It slithered down over her bare skin to skim the floor.

  "My stars!" Connie blurted out suddenly. "Garret will not even wait for the wedding ceremony to begin!"

  "He’ll bed you in front of everyone!" Tenia laughed.

  Reya’s brows nearly reached her hairline. "Oh yes, it’s an Argon creation, no doubt about it."

  Dana looked at her reflection in the mirror. The gown covered her from neck to wrists to ankles in an elegant fall, and was made entirely from delicate white lace. She could see glimpses of skin through it, and the shadow of her navel. Heavier lace was artistically woven to drape suggestively yet almost primly over her breasts and hips, to just below the junction of her thighs, hiding them from view.

  It was a provocative gown. Fine gold threads were woven through the lace, catching the light whenever she moved.

  "Do you think it’s suitable?" Uncertainly she bit her lip. "Too much, mayhaps?"

  "Too much of what? There’s not much to start with."

  "Reya!"

  "She asked, little sister."

  "I think it’s just perfect," a deep voice rumbled.

  They looked around to see Garret standing in the doorway, hot eyes sweeping over the blushing bride-to-be.

  "Couldn’t wait, hmm?" Connie’s eyes twinkled. "This is just a practice run, you understand."

  A smile flashed across his face. "I like practice runs! By the way, Morgan needs assistance with your sons, Darvk wants Tenia to rest before the ceremony--"

  "I can see this is going to be a long pregnancy. I’m only in the early stages and he insists that I rest for a couple of hours every day."

  "--and Maverk was searching for Reya for some unfathomable reason."

  Connie stood up to leave. "Come along, sisters. I think we’re being given a hint."

  "They’re not yet wed," Reya drawled. "It’s not proper to leave them alone. Never know what they’ll get up to."

  "Too late for worrying about that." Garret grinned hugely.

  "Now that’s sickening. I’m getting out of here." Reya pulled a face as she pushed up out of the chair.

  Garret shut the door behind the Reekas then crossed the room in lithe, quick strides to slide his arms around Dana and pull her hard against him. "I’ve missed you, lass."

  "We were together not two hours ago."

  "It’s two hours too long." One large hand trailed down to trace lazy circles on one shapely buttock. "This gown is so blatantly carnal, I’m as hard as a post!"

  "You like it, then?" She gazed up at him through the thick sweep of her lashes.

  "Like it? I would adore it even more if ‘twas off you."

  "Where is the sense in that?"

  "You’d be naked in my arms." The grin turned wicked. "In fact, I think we should remove it before it gets creased."

  "How would it get creased?"

  "Rolling around in healthy lust on a big bed does that."

  She rolled her eyes even as sparks ignited in her veins at the thought.

  "What do you say?" He dropped a kiss on her lips. "Shall I take it off?" He kissed her throat. "Or will you?" His mouth touched her shoulder, hot and moist through the lace.

  Her knees were going weak. "We can’t. Someone might come in."

  "‘Tis a shame the fleet craft Darvk and Kiile positioned near the emergency exit of the Intergalactic Peace Ship for our getaway if need be, is not here. If it were, I vow I’d whisk you away to a private place so I could have my wicked way with you."

  "Our getaway?"

  "Did I forget to tell you?
During the trial, Darvk told me to trust him. At the time I didn’t know he and the others had planned for the worst, that we’d be outlawed, in which case they’d cause a diversion while we escaped."

  Her eyes widened. "What possible diversion could they have done which wouldn’t incriminate them?"

  "Cam and Jase were near the power supply. One coded word through the communicator Maverk wore would have made them overload the circuits with a jamming device. The power all over the ship would have failed, and in the confusion and darkness, they were going to whisk us away. It was all planned."

  "We have such good friends."

  "Loyal ones." He palmed one generous breast. "Now, what say we lock the door and test the structural soundness of that bed? I--"

  A knocking sounded on the door, short and sharp.

  "Don’t answer it." His thumb rubbed against one pebbling nipple.

  The knocking came again, much louder.

  "Whoever it is won’t go away until we answer."

  With a sigh he released her, stepping back and calling out, "Come in and you’d better have a damned good reason!"

  The door swung open to reveal a tall, black-robed man. "I believe I do."

  "Meekta." Dana stared at him, gaze instinctively flicking behind him.

  "I don’t bring soldiers, warrior."

  Garret took her hand. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

  "Is it a pleasure? I doubt it." He closed the door, gravely studying the two wary young people. "I don’t blame you for feeling as you do towards me. I’d be the same in your place."

  What did he want? Unconsciously Dana moved closer to Garret.

  "I won’t waste time, it’s not my way. I came to see you both about the other day. The trial. I want you to know that as leader of the Intergalactic Peace Council, I have duties to follow and laws to uphold, regardless of my personal feelings. Do you understand?"

  Puzzled, they nodded.

  "People say I am hard but honest, and of that I’m proud. I came today to inform you that everything I said to you both was lawful. If I were able to act on personal feelings, I would have been applauding your supporters."

  Dana was astonished. "You would?"

  "I will say this once only and never again. I admire you, warrior, for your loyalty and fearlessness in the face of great opposition. You, trader, I hold in high esteem for your faithfulness and love for her." The severe countenance relaxed slightly, a hint of a smile in the hard eyes. "Contrary to popular opinion and what you may think, I was relieved when the vote for your pardon, Dana, was unanimous. Now then." Any hint of softness fled to be replaced with the normal, formidable features. "I have things to do before the wedding. I will see you there."