If only he’d been able to speak to Jeannie before visiting Anneliese. Unfortunately, Risnar’s one resident Earthling was in Hahz Village, living with Nex’s friend Kren. It would have been awkward to question the other man’s beloved about things like kissing. Kissing was intimate. It was a token of sensual interest on Risnar, an initial action of the mating exploration.
The idea of kissing Anneliese made Nex curious and flustered and a million other things. The warning throb in his groin told him he needed to distract himself in a hurry.
“Before I forget, this is for you,” he said, his voice breathless. He fumbled with a pouch on his belt and withdrew an earpiece. “It’s an in-ear translator. Much better than having to be close enough to hear my CPP. It will form to your contours. Of your ear, I mean.”
He handed her the small ear speaker. Anneliese examined it with interest and shoved it at her ear canal. “Like an ear plug or hearing aid. Talk to me, big guy.”
“I tested it before coming. You should be able to understand me.”
“Loud and clear.” She grinned and patted the seat next to her. “Ace. Now come sit down here with me.”
If Nex had sat as close as she’d indicated, he’d be plastered right up against her. A delicious idea. Too delicious. His groin gave another eager throb, letting him know he needed to distract himself. “Can I look at your home? I wish to understand how you live, if you don’t mind. From a scientific viewpoint, you know. I am a scientist. I can tell you everything about the tracker removal as you show me around.”
Nex was clumsy as he attempted to cover his attraction. Was he being rude?
I don’t know how to act with her. All the things he’d wanted to say and had carefully rehearsed had flown out of his head.
Wincing at his awkwardness, he waited for her to look at him with irritation...or more painful, pity. Instead, Anneliese stood with a smile and swept her hand to indicate the rest of the space they occupied. “Look away. I’m kind of embarrassed, though. It’s a little messy around here.” She glanced at a dark corridor, which Nex surmised led to the rest of her home. She grimaced, and her face darkened in the way Jeannie’s did when she was self-conscious.
Nex wasn’t worried about untidiness. In fact, it delighted him that perhaps Anneliese had items lying about, items that would tell him interesting things about her. As a biologist, he was eager to study living creatures, even when it veered more into the realm of sociology.
He was especially fascinated with this specific biological entity.
Nex looked about at the furnishings with interest. They were clunky, far heavier than the streamlined pieces that he used in his home, but their function was easily recognizable. “We are not so different. Risnarish use tables, chairs, and other seating too. Is this you as a juvenile?”
He pointed to a picture on a bookshelf. It depicted a man, a woman, and a much younger Anneliese, posed and smiling against a black background. They all wore colorful shirts with three ribbons sewn across their chests and two down the sides. Anneliese’s blouse was blue, with black and silver ribbons.
“Me and my parents. They died several years ago in an accident.”
“I’m sorry. They look like good people.”
“The best.” Anneliese spoke with affection. “Dad told the funniest jokes. Mom was strong, a great support to those she loved and tough on those who deserved it.”
Nex moved on, looking at the walls where framed drawings and paintings abounded. Some of the artwork appeared realistic, but others had an abstract feel. There were bold black and white pieces and those that exploded with color. He wandered the boundary of the room, giving the works all of his attention.
Many portrayed animals, creatures he would have given anything to study in the living flesh. He recognized a few, having examined alien organisms held in suspended animation in the Hahz and Cas hives. He pointed to a heavy-looking furred animal in a wooded landscape that reminded him of the forest outside of Hahz. “This is a bear. A warm-blooded mammal. And here is a bird. It is an avian.”
Anneliese came close to look over his shoulder. Her warmth made Nex’s skin tingle as she gazed with fondness at the second picture. Her gaze traced the long-billed feathered creature, rendered in fanciful colors that Nex suspected were not true to life. “You’re right. It’s a snipe, which is important to me. I’m of the Snipe Clan, as my mother was.”
“A family symbol?” Nex guessed. He forced himself to stop studying her, to focus on what she told him. Hiding behind the guise of curious scientist, he added, “I ask because the race from Hise, a neighboring planet to Risnar, has a similar structure. The Hiseans also employ emblematic representations when it comes to ancestry.”
Anneliese gave him a delighted smile. “Yes, mine is a matrilineal tradition. My people’s heritage is traced through our mothers.”
“My culture is led for the most part by the females as well. Are all the families depicted as birds?”
“No, you’ll find other clans, like Bear and Wolf. My people have a lot of connections to the animals of the world. Here’s the Turtle on whose shell the world was formed.” At Nex’s startled look, she laughed. “It’s not what I believe in literally. It’s a legend my people shared to explain how we came to be.”
Nex’s confusion cleared. “I understand. A creation story.”
“Exactly.” Anneliese beamed, as if it was important to her that he comprehend. Perhaps it was. Despite their technological advancement, the Hiseans also attached great significance to their legends and history, linking it to their identity as a culture. It was a matter of pride to the race that they could recite their lineages back hundreds of generations.
Nex admired the painting of the turtle, which was shown swimming upon a great swath of sea. The creature bore a black-haired woman and various animals, which perched on its shell. “What do you believe? As far as spirit is concerned, I mean.”
“I’m not sure. I like to think there’s something bigger than us. I pray to the Creator, but I also enjoy the major holidays of other beliefs, like Christmas.”
“This is beautiful. You are the artist?”
Anneliese laughed. “I stink at drawing. I craft other things, like jingle dresses. And I bead. See?” She waved him over to a table on which small bits of thread and tiny colored dots were scattered. As Nex drew close, he saw the dots were beads, amazingly tiny beads.
There was also a miniature version of what had to be a loom. Nex had viewed something similar at the weaver’s guild workshop in Hahz. Instead of fabric, however, beads strung on the threads stretched across the loom. They formed a pattern of colorful diamond shapes and chevrons.
Anneliese held up a finished strip of beading, the completed twin of what was being created on the loom. It hung from a looped bit of silver wire. “I make earrings to sell. Necklaces, decorations for clothes and moccasins, that sort of thing.” She demonstrated by putting the wire bit of the beading through a tiny hole in her earlobe.
Nex’s translator had not understood the words earrings, necklaces, or moccasins, but Anneliese wearing the beaded art cleared up his confusion. It was jewelry, similar to what the head councilwomen and the head of the Assembly wore to denote their status to the Risnarish. Except on Earth it was worn for Anneliese’s pleasure rather than a badge of office.
He smiled, admiring her intricate work. “It is lovely. You have great talent.”
“It supplements my disability benefits.” She waved to the couch, indicating the tour was over without showing him the rest of the home. Well, she had displayed unease over it being untidy. “Have a seat. Would you like to try something to drink?”
He’d be the first Risnarish to sample Earthling refreshments. “Oh. Yes! I will try some of your liquids. Thank you.” He sat on the couch and waited with high anticipation as Anneliese went into another room. He wished he could have followed her, but she’d
told him to sit. His curiosity would have to be contented with the drink. After all, he didn’t want to push her hospitality too far.
His hostess wasn’t gone long. She returned to the room with a tray, on which sat three tall cups. She set it down on the table before him and he peered at what they contained. His attention was immediately pulled away by Anneliese sitting next to him, almost close enough to touch. His skin began to tingle again.
She said, “I thought you’d be bold and try several new things. This is milk, orange juice, and soda. The first two are considered healthy. The last, not so much, but it’s okay in moderation.”
“Thank you.”
Nex tried the white liquid first, sipping carefully. It was agreeable, if a little bland. He enjoyed its creamy texture. Not bad. He nodded to Anneliese. “This is good.”
His sip of the second drink was not so cautious, and he regretted it. The tartness of the fruity syrup shocked him. He jerked, nearly letting it slop out of the cup.
Anneliese giggled at the face he made. “Sorry. I guess that one’s not to your liking.”
He laughed and tried again. Now that Nex knew what he was in for, he found the sharp bite of the juice melded nicely with the underlying sweetness. “Actually, it is tasty. I was just surprised. The orange nectar of the engita tree pod on Risnar looks similar to this, but it tastes more like your white beverage.”
“You were fooled by the appearance.”
“Yes. The flavor of this is familiar to me. We have a drink that is similar to this, but it is green.”
Nex was having fun with the experiment thus far. He picked up the cup of dark brown liquid, looking forward to the next sample. That time he had a tiny taste, forewarned by the unpleasant smell. “This stings my tongue. And it’s very sweet, with a kind of bitter aftertaste.”
Anneliese nodded. “Yeah, I keep cans of it around for my friends who prefer it. I’m not much of a soda drinker either. Would you like some plain old water?”
“I will drink this orange juice. I like it best.”
Anneliese sat back, almost reclining as she regarded him. “How is the fight with the Monsuda going? No casualties on your side, I hope?”
He liked that she was concerned about his people. “A few in Hahz when we knocked out the hive you were trapped in, sadly enough. It might have been worse, but we’ve moved carefully up to this point. At first we took our time investigating the hive you were held in. Even though the portal access had been destroyed—”
“Destroyed? How?”
“Jeannie pushed a powered device into it. Only unpowered items can go through the portal, or there is an explosion.”
“Damn. Way to keep it out of enemy hands, lady.” Then, her attitude went from approval to confusion. “The saucer goes through though, and it’s powered. How does it not set off a blast?”
“It is configured in such a way that it can be safely used. Its power is shut off and on at specific points so that it doesn’t emit energy outside the craft when it’s within the portal passage. I can explain it if you are knowledgeable about physics.”
She put her hands up in a warding-off gesture. “Nope. I’ll take your word for it, smart guy. Jeannie wasn’t hurt, was she?”
“We all got out of the room and sealed it before injuries occurred.”
Anneliese gave him a look he couldn’t read. “She’s still there? On Risnar?”
“For the moment. She and Kren are happy living together. The Assembly wants her to leave since we have this second portal to use, but so far she’s managed to delay doing so.”
“Interesting.” Anneliese fell quiet. After a few seconds, she shook herself. “But we were talking about the Monsuda. You captured another hive? Got your hands on another portal?”
“Yes, near the village of Cas. They were the same village that came to our aid during the attack on the hive that held you.”
“The Cas hive—is that the one that started grabbing those of us taken by the first hive?”
“Correct. They were not just bringing you in to continue testing however. They’ve been placing your group in suspended animation.”
Anneliese’s eyes went dark. Nex noted the minute tremor that ran through her body. He wished he could offer comfort by wrapping his arms around her.
Her teeth clenched, Anneliese said, “It would have been only a matter of time before they came for me.”
“I fear they would have eventually. You need to return with me so we can remove that tracking device that was implanted on you.”
“Where is it?”
Nex motioned for her to sit up. When she did, he reached over and placed a finger on the back of her shoulder. It was where all the Monsudan victims from Earth had trackers placed under the skin. At the time of the rescue, it had also been the one sure way to return the Earthlings to their homes, the proper locations having been encoded in the devices. Because no one had anticipated the Monsuda reclaiming the rescued, they hadn’t worried about removing them.
All that was far from Nex’s mind at the moment. He was touching Anneliese, and he didn’t want to stop. He was slow to withdraw the contact, enjoying the softness of her skin.
Their gazes met and held. Anneliese’s eyes were the darkest brown, so deep that it was difficult to see where the irises stopped and the pupils began. They were the color of the deepest shadows of the woods, a color Nex associated with home.
Somehow, without his noticing, Nex realized he’d drifted closer to Anneliese. Her mouth parted slightly, and her breath warmed his lips. Like a sweet spring breeze, coming in quick, tiny exhales. As if she was excited at his nearness. As if she wanted a repeat of that treasured kiss as much as he did.
That kiss, which had haunted him through the long months of not seeing her. He remembered the taste of her, and excitement swept through his body.
As an abrupt need burst over him, Anneliese wrapped her arms around his neck. All at once her lips were against his, another impetuous kiss. In contrast to the quick buss six months ago, it kept going. Another surge of need drove through Nex, and his tongue sought hers. He yanked her closer still as he plundered, reveling in her sweetish-salty flavor, in how she molded to his body as if they might melt into each other. She grabbed on to him more fiercely, twisting her fingers in his mane, as if laying claim to him. Could it be she was as hungry for this contact as he? Was it possible for a woman to feel the same rampant storm for closeness?
A mere kiss, and yet so much more. Far more than any physical contact he’d ever known with another. Anneliese’s passion left all other experiences wanting. He felt as if his physicality disappeared, leaving only the essence of his spirit clamoring to be one with her.
His groin throbbed, and he was solid again, his body demanding more. Nex pushed away at the same instant Anneliese did. They stared at each other, their faces inches apart, both gasping for air. Did she fight the same wild urge he did?
Nex stayed frozen, fearing to move the slightest bit. If he did, the momentum might carry him forward into an exultant, but ultimately empty, physical fervor. He saw a similar struggle in Anneliese’s expression.
Little by little, his urges calmed. The fervid desire settled, became a gentler, caring glow that warmed rather than drove him. Nex managed a shaky smile, hoping he hadn’t frightened Anneliese.
She responded with a slow, knowing grin that threatened to excite him all over again. Her eyes had gone darker than ever, and her voice was huskier than before. “Okay. I hadn’t planned on that, but I’m glad you seemed to like it as much as I did.”
“I liked it.” And then some. A surge of desire that had nothing to do with sex awoke in Nex’s hearts. He drew a long, slow breath to calm the deluge of feelings trying to swamp him. Especially with her expression turning uncertain. “The meeting of mouths in both our cultures is a most pleasant coincidence.”
“The meeti
ng of—” Anneliese stared at him.
She burst into laughter. Shook with it. Nex’s face warmed, but he had to laugh too.
Of all the dumb things to say.
Yet it ended the moment that had promised to turn awkward yet again. Anneliese even hugged him as she got control over herself.
“Nex, you are a wonderful mess. Yes, meeting your mouth is quite pleasant. I’m glad I got to make its acquaintance.”
Shaking his head at himself, Nex decided on a tactical retreat until he could come up with better things to say. He got to his feet and held out his hand for hers. “We should get going. Salno will wonder what’s taking so long.”
Anneliese grasped his hand and stood too. “Who is Salno? Is he part of this Assembly you mentioned?”
“Salno is part of the science team researching the hive we captured.” He laughed at his careless choice of words and corrected them. “Salno is in charge of the science team, and she’s brilliant at it. She and I work closely together to find those who need their tracking devices removed.”
“Fine, let’s not keep Salno waiting.” Anneliese pulled her hand free and led Nex to the door he’d entered through, her steps loud against the wooden floor planks. She paused to grab the thick covering she’d worn earlier that day, stabbing her arms into the long sleeves.
Her lovely face, which had been lit with inner light and lovelier after their kiss, was knotted with tension. “Is something wrong?” he asked.
“What could be wrong?” The words sprayed at him like scatter-shot.
“You look upset. Have I done something wrong?” An unwelcome thought struck him. “It was the kiss, wasn’t it? You didn’t enjoy it. Or maybe you didn’t want it?” An awful weight settled in his gut.
The tight look bled from Anneliese’s demeanor. “No. I’m not angry. And the kiss was perfectly, ah, good.” She took his hand and tugged him close. His spirit sang again when she kissed him...a far less passionate kiss, but wonderful just the same. “Come on, Nex. Let’s go before I get you into trouble.”
Worlds Apart (Warriors of Risnar) Page 4