by Seven Steps
No. Never another man. Only him.
She lingered on the sensuous image even as his voice echoed through the room. She had kissed him once, when they first arrived on this planet. She wondered what it would feel like to do it again.
“Did you hear that?” He asked. “It sounded like an explosion.”
She shook her head, and turned back to the window. His nearness triggered something within her. A part of her wanted to run from it, feared it, knew that it was wrong. Another part groaned to embrace it, to embrace him.
He wrapped his arms around her belly, pulling her to him.
She instinctively stiffened, her body calling her to flee.
His breath caught and he stilled.
“Do you want me to let go?”
Yes! Her brain screamed in protest. But her heart, beating faster at his touch, said something entirely more welcoming.
Her voice was low, tight, full of conflict.
“No,” she said. “It’s just that....”
He dropped his arms from her belly to her waist, and slowly turned her to him. When she had fully faced him, he placed his crooked finger on her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
“I would never hurt you, Arees,” he said. “You do know that, don’t you?”
She forced her hands to her side, forced her spine straight. She had commanded armies, and yet the gentle gaze of this man made her want to both run away from him, and hide herself within him.
What is this strange feeling? She wondered. It’s like being strong and weak, drunk and clear headed, brave and terrified all at the same time.
His eyes stayed on her, waiting for the answer to his question.
She took a deep breath, willing her racing heart to be quiet.
“I don’t know what I feel when I’m with you. It’s...confusing.”
She dropped her eyes, feeling foolish. Why were things so difficult when he was around? Why did his scent intoxicate her? Why did she want to hold on to him when he was near and dream of him when he wasn’t? Was this what Nadira felt for Kiln? Was this what made Eva run away with him? What were these confusing emotions?
Suddenly, a sharp memory of her mother’s face flashed in her mind.
The disapproval in the woman’s eyes immediately set Arees on edge.
He sensed it, and reluctantly pulled away, placing his forehead against hers.
“Do you want me to go?” His voice was rich with something that Arees couldn’t pronounce. Something dark that called out to her. She bit her lower lip against it.
“No... Yes.”
She felt him straighten, nod his head. “Okay.”
He released her, took a step back, and set his mouth in a tight line.
Arees frowned at the loss of his heat.
Come back.
Her head was swimming. He was overwhelming her, even from a distance.
So why do I like it so much?
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered.
He held up his hands. “It’s okay. We’ll go at your pace. I don’t want to scare you.”
“You’re already scaring me.” Her voice sounded gravelly, deep, unfamiliar.
He dropped his head, and she feared that she had wounded him in some way. She spoke up quickly. “But in a good way,” she said.
He looked up at her, his grin broadening and he shook his head. He seemed to sprout wings just then.
“If you need to stop, to slow down, I will.”
She nodded, wishing that she could bask in his heat without fear. “Okay.”
He is a slave, something inside of her screamed. He can’t be trusted.
She shook her head against the thought. It’s Lex. He won’t hurt me.
“Arees?”
His voice cut through her thoughts.
“Yes?”
“A walk?” He asked.
Yes, the room was hot. And yet, it hadn’t been before he’d touched her.
“Yes, a walk would be good.”
“Unless you’d like to go slower?” He teased.
It was her turn to grin.
Both barefoot, a requirement on this planet, they left the room.
The hallway was packed from end to end with ambassadors, all heading in the same direction. They fought their way down the crowded hall, nearly tripping over an ambassador’s overly large bag, before finally finding their way out into the courtyard.
The giant bazaar in Embrya’s Great Tree was filled with booths showcasing everything from blankets, to pottery, to shimmering jewels, to strange foods. Zenithians performed acrobatics, flipping and tumbling over each other to the applause of the ambassador filled audience. The air was warm, but surprisingly not uncomfortable for a planet with two suns. The sweet smell of lavender wafted through the market, while the Great Tree’s golden dust covered everything in a holy glow.
Together, Lex and Arees went from booth to booth, examining the wares, sampling the dishes, and clapping for the performers.
Arees’ mind wandered back to the last time she’d been to anything like this. She was six years old, still small and clinging to her mother’s hip. She remembered walking around The Celebration of The Arrival, an annual event that celebrated the earthling scientist that had colonized Venus. The celebration was held on the lawn in front of the library in Alpha sector. Each night her and her mother would walk among the booths, sampling everything and enjoying the recycled evening air.
That was before everything changed.
Lex’s lips touched the pulse point on her neck, shocking her from her memory.
“What are you thinking about?” He whispered.
The urge rose sharp to scold him soundly for touching her in such a public place.
She gritted her teeth against it and turned away from him, feeling the familiar mix of shame and longing that happened every time he touched her.
We’re not on Venus anymore, she reminded herself. That life is over.
Although illegal, and punishable by death, some Venian masters and slaves did indulge in their baser desires. With enough power and influence, or at the very least discretion, a woman could get away with almost anything on Venus. However, to be caught being touched by a slave in a public place was, on top of everything else, a vile dishonor.
But this isn’t Venus. And he’s no longer a slave.
She took several steps away from him. She would have taken to flight back to her room if he hadn’t grabbed her wrist, his words tumbling from his lips.
“I’m going too fast again. I know that this place is different from Venus, but –”
“But Venus still happened,” she said.
He nodded, adding, “And there was no touching on Venus.”
He released her wrist.
She let out a breath.
He understands.
“Especially in a public place,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry. I should slow down. I should give you an opportunity to get used to this place, to me, to everything.” He looked at her, his hand shaking at his side. “I promise that I will try to go slower. You just make it so very difficult.”
She blushed.
He took one more moment to admire her before he walked to a nearby bench, sat, leaned back, and stretched his long legs out before him as if he were in the most comfortable place in the world.
“What were you thinking about earlier?” He asked without looking at her.
What have I not been thinking about?
“When?”
“When we came into the courtyard. You were thinking about something.”
She sat next to him, careful to keep a foot of distance between them. “I was thinking about my mother, when she brought me to the Celebration of the Arrival.” She paused, talking aloud about her mother for the first time in years, “I remember her being such a strong presence, with a very acute sense of right and wrong. I loved her.” She dropped her eyes so that he wouldn’t see the tear that dripped down her cheek.
&nb
sp; It hadn’t occurred to her until that moment. Grand Empress Czarina Arees Senior was her mother, and she loved her. They loved each other. The thought made her next words that much more painful.
“And then she tried to overthrow the Council, and she was executed, and she was gone, and I was alone.” She inhaled, then let it out.
Alone. I was alone.
“I always knew that I would turn out to be just like her. A monster.”
“You were like her, but that’s in the past. You’re a different person now.”
She let out a loud gaff. “Barely.”
“Would your mother have done what you did for the Unders?”
“I had no choice. I had no memories.”
“You may have had no memory, but you did have a choice. You chose to stay with those people.”
“And now they’re all dead.”
“That’s not your fault.”
“Of course it is. If I hadn’t been there they wouldn’t have died!”
“You didn’t call in that ship. Eva did.”
“Even so.”
“Arees, you can’t let the past consume you. You’ve made mistakes, but we all do. The best thing to do is to keep moving forward, and to be better than your past.”
It was Arees’ turn to lean against the back rest of the bench.
How can I move forward after all I’ve done, all of the lives I’ve taken? Is redemption possible for someone like me?
He absently put his hand on her knee. The heat radiated from his fingertips, moving up her thigh. Before she could wonder if she should say something curt, or enjoy the feel of his fingers over her thin dress, a purple haired Zenithian appeared before them, breathless and seemingly out of sorts.
“Dell Una,” Lex said, standing to greet her.
“I have news from the Magistrate and High Keeper Heedon.”
“What’s happened?” Lex asked.
“They prefer to speak to you in private. Please follow me.”
Without waiting, Dell fluttered away, sparking Lex and Arees to run to catch up with her.
The last time Arees had seen the Magistrate, she’d gotten her toma, and her memories, both painful experiences.
What could the Magistrate possibly want with me now?
~()~()~()~()~
Dell Una fluttered ahead of Lex and Arees, passing beneath the intricately carved arch of Embrya’s throne room door. The wooden arch was decorated with swirling vines, lush leaves and multi-pedaled flowers. Carved amidst the wooden foliage were the sources of Zenith’s power, the ocean, the volcano, the great mountain, and the dust.
“Magistrate Embrya, High Keeper Heedon,” Dell huffed, out of breath from her quick flight. “Lex and Arees as requested.”
Embrya and Heedon were placed in their usual positions, her sitting on her throne, and him in a protective stance behind her.
“Welcome,” Embrya said, her face and voice tight.
Lex picked up on the nervous energy in the room.
What happened now?
“Magistrate. High Keeper,” Lex said, addressing each one with a nod.
Embrya’s attention turned to Arees.
“You look well, Arees,” she stated.
Arees’ eyes stayed on the floor. “Yes, Magistrate.”
“It’s good to see,” Embrya said. “Especially now.”
“Has something happened, Magistrate?”
“Nadira and Kiln have been kidnapped.”
Arees and Lex’s wide eyes looked at each other before turning back to Embrya.
“Kidnapped?” Lex asked.
“Yes. Martian soldiers took them off world less than an hour ago. We assume they are going back to Mars, but we can’t be sure.”
Lex answered quickly. “Permission to retrieve them, Magistrate.”
“Of course. My ship is already prepared.”
Lex nodded, then marched out of the door. If Nadira and Kiln were in trouble, he would do all he could to get them out of it. After all, they were as close as he would ever get to family.
Arees jogged after him. “Lex, slow down.”
“We have to leave as soon as possible. Who knows what’s happened to them?”
“Lex, we have to think this through. What if it’s a trap?”
“A trap?”
“Yes. This could all be a setup.”
“A setup for what?
“For you.”
Lex stopped his march to the stairs, and turned toward Arees, determination in his eye.
“I don’t know who would set such a trap or for what purpose. All I know is that my friends are out there, and I have to find them.”
“But why you, Lex?” Arees eyes turned pleading.
“Because they would do the same for me.”
With that, Lex picked up his pace, not stopping until he was firmly seated in Embrya’s ship with Arees by his side.
Whoever took Kiln and Nadira crossed a vital line. They’d come after his family, and for that, they would have to pay.
CHAPTER 5
Embrya’s small ship shot out of the Zenithian atmosphere, intent on one mission: finding Nadira and Kiln.
Arees’ fingers gripped the co-pilot controls, her gaze set on the window in front of her. Although she wouldn’t call Nadira or Kiln her friends, Lex was concerned about them, and that made them worthy of her attention.
Things had been tense since they’d returned from Earth. Nadira blamed Arees for Eva’s betrayal, among other things. Yes, Nadira had tried to make peace, visiting Arees in her room once or twice. But the conversations were always stifled, tense, and full of unsaid words.
No, they were not friends. Still, they’d been through a lot together, and that was enough for Arees to help them.
“Do you think they’re still alive?” she asked.
Lex ran a hand down his face. “They have to be.”
“Who would want to kidnap them?”
“I don’t know?”
“What if it was Eva?”
“Embrya said it was a Martian ship that took them. Everyone knows that Martians and Venians hate each other. It couldn’t be... Her.”
Arees nodded.
Odd. Why can't he speak her name?
For some reason, the small act bothered her, though she wasn’t sure why.
Perhaps he’s angry over her betrayal. Or maybe he still has feelings for her?
A sudden violence welled up in Arees heart, the emotion so fierce that her toma glowed.
The last time she’d seen the woman had been back on Earth, when Eva had tied them to stakes in the ground, leaving them to the murderous Preyer beasts.
No, he couldn’t still have feelings for a woman like that.
Could he?
Suddenly, a large green dot shot across the radar, breaking Arees from her confusing thoughts. She pointed to the small screen, her stomach dropping in fear.
“Lex, something’s coming.”
The green dot didn’t veer left nor right. In fact, it seemed to be coming straight toward them at frightening speeds.
“What is it?” Arees asked.
Before they had time to react, the ship was upon them, stopping a short distance away from the front window. It was huge. Seemingly ten times the size of their ship.
A blue light shot from it, bathing them in an odd glow. Then, Embrya’s ship shuttered, and jerked forward. The controls buzzed and blinked violently.
“What’s going on?” Arees cried.
“We’re caught in a tractor beam!” Lex flicked the metallic switches above him, and pulled back the wheel.
The ship bucked, but didn’t stop.
Lex grunted, fighting to free the ship from the beam it was caught in.
“Arees, the thrusters!”
Arees pressed two red buttons above her, then slammed her hand on a black button to her left.
The thrusters fired, but did nothing to change their course.
“It’s not working!”
“Try them ag
ain!”
Arees pounded on the controls, desperate to break the larger ship’s hold.
“It’s no use!”
Her own words ran through her mind.
What if it’s a trap?
She hated being right.
The larger ship opened the doors to its cargo bay. Like a monstrous black beast intent on swallowing them whole the doors opened wider and wider.
Arees knew that the moment they were inside, the crew of the larger ship would cut open their doors, drag them out, and do Mother Goddess knew what with them.
Not without a fight.
Arees jumped from her seat, and placed herself firmly in front of the door.
“What are you doing?”
“I am going to blast anything that comes through that door,” she stated. “Then I’m going to find a way out of that ship and I’m going back to Zenith.”
The doors of the cargo bay closed. A high-pitched squeak assaulted their ears before the power with their ship was disabled and they were shrouding in darkness.
A terror Arees hadn’t known before rose within her. She’d faced monsters, armies, and her own death. But each of those times she’d been in the light, looking her threat in the face. This time, she was trapped in a ship, drenched in inky darkness with only her toma to protect her.
The odds of them escaping were shrinking with each passing second.
She felt Lex slip his hand into hers.
“Have I told you that I loved you yet?”
“Yes, Lex.”
“Just in case we don’t make it, I’d like to say it again.”
“Don’t start saying your goodbye’s just yet.”
Aree’s toma glowed, chilling the ship.
“I love you, Ar,” Lex whispered.
Arees squeezed the hand of the man standing besides her. If she was going to die today, there was no one else she’d want by her side.
Something hard hit the door of the ship with a sharp bang.
Then another.
“What are they doing?” Lex asked.
A moment later, the squeal of a saw filled their ears.
“They’re cutting through the door!” Arees cried.
Lex ran forward, placing his hand on the door. His toma glowed white as he desperately reformed the metal as the saw punctured through it.
Arees took a step back.
How much longer until they come barreling through the door? How much longer until we die here?