by S. E. Smith
“What happened?” Kordon growled out.
“I don’t know. I heard Mohan cry out and saw the human female running for the forest. I tried to catch her but she was too far ahead. I am not sure which way she went.” Quan grounded out in frustration.
Cooraan was looking at the ground while Bran was moving along the path studying the foliage. Cooraan called out suddenly and began moving through the undergrowth. Kordon could see a small, narrow path.
“This way.” Cooraan said softly. He took off at a slow run keeping his eyes on the ground.
“There!” Kordon growled out pointing to a piece of torn clothing from Gracie.
Confident they were heading in the right direction, the men picked up the pace with Kordon taking the lead. They covered almost a mile when Kordon caught the choke sobs of Gracie. Pushing ahead, he burst out of the forest onto a small rocky clearing. Gracie stood looking down over the edge of a deep ravine. Her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs and she had her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. She never turned around but her quietly spoken words stopped him.
“Don’t come any closer, please.” Gracie whispered keeping her back to him.
Kordon growled out in frustration. He didn’t understand her. He needed Mohan, NOW!
As if just his will was enough to make it happen, Mohan burst out with Quan holding her by the arm. She was breathing heavily and had a small cut along one cheek. She impatiently pushed Quan away when he tried to wipe it.
“Gracie Jones.” Mohan called out softly. “Come away with me, Gracie Jones. Things will not seem so bad.”
Gracie turned slowly and the look on her face tore at Kordon. He remembered the look on his mother’s face when their village was attacked one night by slavers when he was younger. It was not until she saw his father and her sons safe that the look disappeared.
“Ask her what is wrong?” Kordon said taking a step closer only to stop when Gracie moved backwards. “Tell her I will fix whatever has upset her.”
Mohan looked at Gracie for a moment before moving slowly towards her. “I am so sorry, Gracie Jones. I should never have told you. Please forgive me.” Mohan whispered as she moved a step closer. “Please, Gracie Jones. Come to me.”
Gracie shook her head. “I would have found out sooner or later. I think I must have always known I would never see them again.” Gracie’s voice caught on a sob. “It’s not your fault, Mohan. I was stupid to believe in the hope. I shouldn’t be here, Mohan. I shouldn’t exist. I belong with them.” Gracie said taking another step back and closing her eyes briefly as she pulled a picture of her parents and sister into her mind.
The look in Gracie’s eyes when she opened them froze Mohan for a moment. There was a sense of calm acceptance that made Mohan realize that nothing she said would stop Gracie from completing her next decision. Mohan wondered vaguely if this was the same strength and resolve that gave Gracie the courage to board the Alluthan mother ship so many years ago before leading it away knowing she would not live.
“Admiral, she means to end her life. She knows everything…everyone she ever knew is dead.” Mohan murmured softly as she watched a small serene smile curve Gracie’s lips.
Gracie felt a sense of peace come over her as she took the last step bringing her to the edge of the ravine. She didn’t look down at it. Instead, she thought of her new friend and was thankful she had met her and found out the truth. She thought of Mark, Adam, and Adrian and the way they used to tease her and call her ‘little britches’. And, she thought of Chance and wished she could have spent that one night in his arms.
Gracie smiled at Mohan. “Goodbye.” Gracie said softly. “This is Gracie’s Touch signing off one last time. I’m coming home at last, guys.” Gracie closed her eyes and took the step that would take her home.
Chapter 7
Kordon cursed under his breath as he heard Mohan’s softly spoken words. He flicked a glance at Bran and Cooraan who were coming up on each side of Gracie. Mohan was between him and Gracie. Quan gave a sharp nod. He would take care of Mohan. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Gracie said goodbye. Kordon rushed forward as Quan grabbed Mohan who let out a sharp cry of denial as Gracie stepped backwards into open space. Cooraan and Bran each grabbed the back of Kordon as he flung himself over the edge after Gracie.
Kordon closed his hands around Gracie’s slender wrists wincing when he heard her cry out in pain at the crushing force of his grip. He trusted Cooraan and Bran to make sure he did not fall any further. Each of the warriors held his ankles. Kordon felt his breath leave him as his upper body slammed into the rocky surface of the ravine wall. For a moment, his grip loosened and he felt one of Gracie’s hands slip from his grasp.
“Mohan!” Kordon yelled out furiously. He would not lose his life mate.
“Yes Admiral.” Mohan called out above him.
“Tell her to give me her hand.” Kordon yelled through gritted teeth.
He knew he was crushing the bones in the delicate wrist he was holding but he couldn’t loosen it without fear of her falling. Gracie wasn’t looking at him but down instead. She wasn’t moving or making any noise, so he didn’t know if she was conscious or not.
“Gracie Jones!” Mohan called down. “Gracie…Gracie…please!” Mohan begged.
Gracie looked up slowly first at Mohan then at Kordon. “Let me go.” She said softly.
Kordon tightened his grip regretting the flash of pain in Gracie’s eyes at it. “Mohan, how do you say I will never let you go in her language?” Mohan told him.
Kordon looked deeply into Gracie’s eyes and repeated it to her. “Gracie, I will never let you go. Never.” Kordon said softly.
Gracie’s eyes flashed with confusion as she listened to the accented words the huge warrior was saying in her language. “But…why?” She whispered.
“Mohan, how do you say I claim you as mine?” Kordon called out again.
“Kordon, is there no way you can have this conversation later?” Bran yelled down as he dug his feet into some rocks. “You are heavy as a baskleen.”
“Mohan!” Kordon roared out as he felt Gracie’s wrist begin to slip. Mohan quickly repeated it in English.
Gracie’s eyes widened as she heard what Mohan said. Her eyes locked onto Kordon’s deep blue ones. “I claim you as mine, Gracie.” Kordon said quietly.
Gracie shook her head and closed her eyes. It was too much. She didn’t want to think any more. She didn’t want to hurt. But, most of all, she didn’t want to be alone.
“Please, Gracie. Listen to him. He would not say this if it was not true. Zion warriors do not offer claim unless they mean it.” Mohan begged. “Please, give him your other hand. Give life a chance again…for yourself and your friends from long ago. They lived a good life. I will tell you of it. Your Chance had a mate and children.”
Gracie’s head jerked up at that. “He married? He had kids?” Gracie whispered.
“Yes.” Mohan said. “It was with your sister, Violet.”
Gracie’s eyes filled with tears at the mention of her older sister. Mohan would not have known her name if she didn’t survive. Gracie looked back into the deep blue eyes staring so determinedly down at her.
Gracie swung her other arm up gasping as he gripped it tightly with his other hand. “Pull us up!” Kordon yelled out.
“I thought he would never ask!” Cooraan growled out.
Quan and Mohan helped pulled Kordon back up slowly. Once Gracie was within reach, Quan reached down and lifted her up over the edge holding her in his arms when her legs gave out. As soon as Kordon was back on solid rock, he rose to his feet and took Gracie into his arms holding her close as she turned away from everyone and buried her face in his chest with her eyes closed. He needed to get her aboard the Conqueror as soon as possible.
“Bran, you and Cooraan take care of getting the supply ship back to the Conqueror. Quan, you and Mohan will come with me.” Kordon said.
Kordon knew as much as he would
like to have Gracie to himself, until she learned their language he would be dependent on Mohan to help them both. He never wanted to come so close to losing her again, he thought fiercely pulling her even tighter against him. He glanced down and noticed she was holding her wrist gingerly. He would not be surprised if it was not broken. Kordon brushed a kiss against Gracie’s soft hair as another new feeling he never experienced slowly began to fade – fear.
Gracie lay quietly in the darkened room waiting. She wasn’t sure what she was waiting for but she was waiting. It was a week since the incident at the ravine when she tried to take her life. At times, Gracie felt ashamed at her weakness. She spent the first three days in the medical center on the Conqueror. The medical officer, another new alien species for Gracie, insisted on doing a complete examination on her. Gracie’s wrist was broken in two places. She also had numerous cuts and abrasions from her run through the forest and the impact against the rock face of the ravine, in addition to being malnourished. The doctor insisted that Gracie remain under observation to make sure nothing else was wrong. Her wrist was braced and she was given bone accelerator treatments twice a day to increase the healing. Her cuts were sealed and she was placed on a strict diet to boost her weight gain and give her additional nutrients. Gracie remained in a daze through it all.
She actually remembered very little of her trip from the ravine to the medical center on the warship. It seemed like her body and mind couldn’t take any more and just seemed to go into shut down mode. She remembered vaguely waking up in a warm set of arms that made her feel very protected. She thought she was dreaming of Chance again and even murmured his name which caused the arms around her to tighten followed by a low growl and the name Kordon. Gracie simply closed her eyes again and drifted.
She remembered Mohan coming to see her several times a day. She talked about what she was doing and how Quan was getting on her nerves by growling and snarling at any male who looked her way. She admitted she liked not having to deal with other males looking at her but that didn’t mean she needed Quan. She even talked a little about Earth history. She told Gracie that after the mother ship exploded the remaining Alluthans were quickly destroyed with their power, shields and resources gone. She told Gracie how Mark and Adam were injured. Mark lost a leg during the battle due to wounds he received. Adam was blinded in one eye and was known for the black patch he wore over it. Chance and Adrian were able to free the prisoners in the New York camp where Gracie’s parents and sister were. Gracie’s parents did not survive but her sister, Violet, did. Violet was actually leading a rebel group inside the compound. Chance was wounded during the initial battle but it was not life threatening. He and Violet married six years after the battle and had three children, two boys and a girl. They named their little girl Gracie.
“…After her aunt.” Mohan said softly brushing Gracie’s hair. “You are considered the Mother of Freedom for Earth and are still revere today for your skills and your sacrifice to your planet. The term Gracie’s Touch is considered to be a blessing. Billions return to Earth once each year to celebrate you and the messages of love and hope you gave.”
“I don’t want them to know about me.” Gracie said in a small voice. “It is better if I remain dead.”
Mohan paused as she ran the brush through Gracie’s glossy hair. She looked up at Kordon as he stood in the doorway watching. He had her record all their conversations and translate them for him. He monitored every moment of Gracie’s life since she was brought aboard the Conqueror. He knew it would take time for her to heal. He thought about the look on his mother’s face so many years ago when she thought she had lost all of them. He finally understood what that look meant. A Zion warrior might not show emotion to others or acknowledge pain but that did not mean they did not feel, Kordon realized. Kordon watched as Gracie slowly slid down under the covers of the bed and closed her eyes. He stood watch over her until her breathing deepened. Nodding to Mohan, he quietly left the room but he never left Gracie.
Now, she awoke to a new room. She looked around for a moment before forcing herself to sit up. The lights came on automatically and softly lit the room. It was surprisingly large. She frowned as she looked around. She didn’t remember coming here. She vaguely remembered falling asleep as Mohan talked to her some more about what happened to Earth after the battle. Gracie swung her feet over the edge of the bed and gasped as she looked down at the beautiful nightgown she was wearing. It was a deep emerald green and shimmered in the low lighting. She didn’t remember changing into it either! Gracie frowned in frustration. She didn’t like this feeling of detachment. She was tired of feeling sorry for herself. What was that saying her parents were always telling her? Oh, yeah. Gracie thought. Change the things you can, accept the things you can’t, and be wise enough to know the difference. Well, Gracie thought, I can’t change what happened three years, or even eight hundred years, ago. I can change how I deal with it. If this is the hand fate is dealing I better try to learn how to play. The first thing was getting rid of the pity-party attitude. Next, she needed to learn the language. She loved Mohan but she needed to learn what everyone else was saying too. Third, well, third she would figure out later when she got through with one and two.
Gracie stood up and swayed as the effects of being in a horizontal position verses a vertical one for so long shook her. She closed her eyes and put a hand to her head to steady the dizziness. She hadn’t taken more than a step when she felt a warm arm wrap itself around her waist. Gracie opened her eyes to thank Mohan but the words died on her lips as she met the dark blue eyes of Kordon.
“You are dizzy?” He asked slowly.
Gracie started as she realized he was speaking English. “I…yes…you?” She stammered.
Kordon smiled. “I learn your speech.” He said proudly.
Gracie giggled softly. “Yes, I can see that. You are learning to speak my language very well.”
Kordon frowned as he tried to keep up with the words Gracie was saying. His arm tightened around her as she swayed again. He looked down with concern as she closed her eyes again.
“You sleep…lay down.” Kordon commanded trying to find the right words.
Gracie shook her head gently. “No, I would like to sit down for a moment. I think I have been lying down too long. I think if I sit for a few moments I will be okay.” Gracie said slowly knowing Kordon was trying to follow along with her.
Gracie blushed as she felt the heat of Kordon’s hand through the thin material of her nightgown. His fingers were splayed out and dipped down slightly as he guided her to a chair near the bed. Gracie breathed a sigh of relief when he gently lowered her down and stepped back to sit on the bed so they were almost eye level.
Gracie looked around the room. It was larger than she expected for a room on a warship. She could see the bedroom contained a huge bed and off to the side was a large bathroom. Her eyes flickered over to a dresser of some type before moving to glance through the doorway into what appeared to be a living room.
“This is a very nice room. I hope I’m not taking it away from anyone.” Gracie said hesitantly.
Kordon watched as Gracie nervously straightened the skirt of her nightgown over her legs. His eyes darkened as he remembered dressing her in it last night. Kordon talked to Toolas, the Baskten healer in charge of medical. Toolas told Kordon it was not unusual for Gracie to be so tired. Between her injuries and being malnourished, it was to be expected but she should make a complete recovery with proper medical care and proper nutrition. Toolas was more concerned with the depression Gracie was experiencing. Toolas explained Gracie would need a good support system in place to help her adjust to the new world she found herself in and time to accept what happened to her old one. Besides Kordon and Mohan, only a few select officers and Toolas knew about Gracie’s history. Kordon wanted to keep it that way for a while. He decided to withhold the information from his reports to the Confederation Council until he knew more.
“You are not. This is
my rooms. You stay here.” Kordon said slowly thankful he could communicate with Gracie.
Gracie’s eyes widened at Kordon’s softly spoken statement. “But, where will you be staying?” Gracie asked puzzled.
“Here.” Kordon responded with a grin.
Gracie’s hands shook as she looked everywhere but at the man sitting on the bed across from her. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Perhaps, perhaps I could ask Mohan if I could stay with her.” Gracie said quietly glancing under her eyelashes at the huge man looking at her with a frown.
Gracie felt a shiver go down her spine as she looked at Kordon. He really was breathtakingly handsome in a huge sort of way. He towered over her petite five foot four frame by at least a foot or more. His black hair was cut short except for one long piece in the very back which was braided with silver and blue beads threaded through it. Gracie remembered seeing the other men who were getting off the shuttle having the same thing only with different colored beads. His face was a dark tan color with markings across his forehead and down along one side of his face ending right below his right eye. She noticed the same markings running down the right side of his neck before disappearing under the collar of his shirt. Gracie vaguely wondered how far the markings went. He was bigger than any man she ever saw before. Not even Adam was as big as Kordon. Gracie didn’t understand why she got so nervous around him. Except for the light kiss he gave her when she accidently almost killed him, he really hadn’t done anything else but played with her hair and her neck and made her sit in his lap. Okay, maybe she could understand why she was nervous. Whenever he touched her, she got all warm and quivery inside. It wasn’t the calm warmth she got when Chance touched her. No, this was a hot, achy warmth that confused and scared her. The thought of Chance caused tears to fill her eyes again.