by Luna Hunter
I hide behind vendor booths and the center Port waterfall as I avoid all the journalists on the prowl. The Trade Ports are absolutely flooded with them this time of year.
As the pink LoveSpore fumes being pumped into the station make me sneeze, I’m starting to feel like this might have been a bad idea.
Maybe I overestimated my own sneaking ability somewhat…
And to make matters worse, there he is.
Rinor.
Posing in front of the central Port waterfall in his full battle gear, flexing his inked muscles for the throngs of alien journalists. You’d think they’d have more than enough pictures of him by now, but I suppose not.
The red warrior turns to me, as if he feels my eyes on him. I want to turn and run, but instead, I’m rooted to the spot.
He walks over to me and the cameras snap away, catching every inch of my discomfort.
Crud.
Chapter Ten
Rinor
I escort Takara to her door, pushing my way through the pack of journalists who just won’t leave us alone. I’m used to drawing attention wherever I go, but this year it is absolutely insane.
The Titan Games are now reaching an audience measured in the billions, and every species has sent their own camera crew to capture the atmosphere.
Takara’s violet eyes darken with irritation as I close the door behind her.
“What did I tell you?!”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t want this to turn into a whole media circus, and look outside! That’s exactly what happened!”
I can’t help but chuckle. “You’re the one darting across the Port center in a bathrobe and a clay mask, may I remind you. You could thank me for getting you home, you know? Wouldn’t hurt.”
“This is all Niana’s fault,” she mutters. “And father’s. Why won’t he answer my call?!”
“Is that your PR girl? Her name rings a bell.”
“Yes, she insisted on a spa day, and before I could say no we were already there!”
“Yeah, they’ve got a way with words, those PR people. You do look absolutely radiant though.”
She shoots me daggers. “I look terrible, be honest.”
Takara wanders over to her vents, but try as she might, she’s unable to stop the LoveSpores from filling her apartment as well.
“It is tradition, after all,” I say.
The LoveSpores cover New Exon’s surface, and for one day of the year, they are released on the Trade Ports. Public life shuts down completely. It’s the most romantic day of the year.
And there’s no place I’d rather celebrate it than right here with Takara — if only she felt the same way about me..
She marches towards me with her fists balled up. It’s the most frightful yet adorable experience of my life.
“You, sir, can shut it!”
There’s a magnetism between us, drawing us both closer and closer. I know she feels it just as much as I do.
I wonder if she’ll be able to resist the powerful LoveSpores. She’d be the first.
“I have worked too hard for all this to throw it away now,” she says. “It might be a game to you, but a female warrior can’t afford having an affair with a direct competitor.”
Affair? I want nothing more than to surrender my body and soul to Takara for life, not have a mere tryst…
“Duly noted,” I answer.
“Let’s get back to the point, though,” she says. “SINTRA! What did your father say? Mine hasn’t answered his damn comm all day!”
I frown. “Father passed on the message, but he didn’t allow me to get personally involved.”
“Damn it,” she curses. “Why won’t they just let us in?!”
“I know,” I say, sharing her frustration.
She leans in closer, and I can see her pupils dilating. Her angry scowl turns into a lustful smirk. It’s happening: she’s falling under the influence of the LoveSpores — and it’s time for me to go.
I refuse to take advantage of her in this state. My body hungers for her, I won’t have her like this. Not without her true will behind it. Fighting every instinct I have, I turn and leave.
I hope I won’t regret this day.
Chapter Eleven
Takara
I knew it.
I’ve worked so hard, all these years… and all it takes is one unsubstantiated rumor for it all to tumble down. The Federation News Network has been talking about my ‘lover’s gaze’ all day.
I did not look at Rinor like that.
“Tissue?” Gorba offers.
I accept, angry tears spilling from my face. I nervously pop Kavik nuts into my mouth, while I can’t look away from the train wreck happening on live tv.
And why won’t my father still not answer his comm?!
“It’s because I’m a halfy,” I say to Gorba. “And those xenophobes at the Federation News don’t like me because of that. They’ve always been tough on me, and now look! They’re dragging me through the mud, treating me like I’m some… groupie!”
My comm rings — again. My PR girl is calling, for the millionth time. I switch it to silent.
“Not important,” Gorba says thoughtfully.
Maybe he’s right.
Maybe I shouldn’t care so much what some talking heads are saying, but…
It feels like all of my hard work has been thrown in the shredder.
“I’m not a notch on Rinor’s belt,” I scowl. “I knew I should have never let him get close!”
Gorba pats my back, his expression taking on that careful confusion most men assume when a woman is bawling her eyes out.
“You’re a good friend, Gorba.”
“Gorba loves Takara,” he answers, offering me more Kavik nuts. I gratefully accept, while he grabs the remote and switches the channel.
“This better,” he grumbles. “Favorite movie.”
I curl up against my best friend and watch his favorite space-rom comedy, The Zoran & The Beautiful, and I have to admit, it’s more enjoyable than I thought.
If only I could have such a fairytale romance…
Chapter Twelve
Rinor
The Titan Games are ramping up. Most fighters have gone through their first round — save Takara and myself.
Saving the best for last.
I’m watching the Thaboist Helios go head-to-head with Lin-Lin Nes, but the battle barely interests me. They could paint the entire arena with their blood and I still wouldn’t care.
I’m only here because Takara is up next.
She is still avoiding me — which just wrenches my heart. I want to declare my love for her, but my heart tells me to wait. She asked for space, so that is what I will give her.
And yet, I know her heart beats for me. I have felt it. And, I have seen the way she looks at me when she thinks I’m not watching.
She pines for me.
We have ported, we share time-bending, and a mission has been thrust upon us by the universe itself!
Walking away from all that is pure madness, and yet… Takara is capable of doing just that. She is the most stubborn woman I know.
And I love her for that.
“Ouch! That’s got to hurt! With that stunning blow to the left temple, Helios is out! Please give a warm round of applause to the winner, Lin-Lin Nes! And don’t go anywhere, because the next match is the one you’ve all been waiting for: Takara King will face off against Tarik-Gara! Stay right where you are to catch the action!”
The stadium announcer grabs my attention, and I sit up straight.
There she is, strutting into the arena like she owns the place.
My Warrior Queen.
She’s wearing bronze armor that complements her dark skin perfectly. A spear rests on her shoulder, and a light breeze makes her impressive curls sway in the wind.
I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.
The ecstatic crowd chants her name.
Ta-Ka-Ra!
T
a-Ka-Ra!
Ta-Ka-Ra!
I don’t see how she could ever complain about the media. Everyone absolutely adores her. And for good reasons, too. There’s nothing frilly, nothing fake about her. She works hard. She’s dedicated. What you see is what you get.
One breathtakingly amazing warrior.
I got a message on my comm last night. Apparently, Federation News was taking some potshots at her, claiming we are an item and speculating on how I was supposedly seducing her to mess with her mind, but I hope she doesn’t let it get to her. Federation News does nothing but gossip and fear monger.
Her opponent is Tarik-Gara. One towering mass of muscle, with fists the size of Takara’s head. I know that she’s going to wipe the floor with him, but still…
I’m worried.
For the first time watching an arena battle, I feel a tight knot in my stomach.
What if she slips? Loses her balance and tumbles? What if Tarik-Gara underestimates his own strength and pulverizes her head with one heavy blow…
The battles are non-lethal, of course, but accidents do happen. They’re rare, but unavoidable when great warriors face off.
“Come on, girl,” I whisper to myself. “Take him out before he hurts you.”
I’m on the edge of my seat as the gong sounds. The fight has begun. The heavy Zoran immediately charges at her, but my Takara darts out of the way. With her spear she slices his ankle, and Tarik-Gara drops to one knee with a bloodcurdling scream.
The fight has barely begun, but already I can see Takara is going to win. She doesn’t put up a show. She doesn’t drag it out.
No, she zones in on and her goal and takes it.
The fight lasts another ten minutes, but my Warrior Queen is never in danger. She lets the heavy Zoran flop about and exert himself as he tries to get a single blow to land, but she side-steps every time, anticipating every single strike.
When Tarik-Gara has tired himself out, she delivers one of her patented flying kicks to his temple.
Match over.
As the arena explodes in thunderous applause, I make my way down to the grounds. I want to congratulate her, but Gorba, her tall friend, stops me in my tracks before I catch sight of her.
“Takara rest,” he says.
“You are right, friend,” I sigh. “I shouldn’t distract her, but… you know what, do you have a moment to spar with me?”
Gorba shrugs. “Sure.”
He follows me to the practice arena, where I shadow spar with him while I quiz him on Takara. He’s her closest friend and confidant — if anyone knows what makes her tick, it’s him.
“So, what do you think I should do?” I end my heart filled rant.
The monosyllabic, gentle giant just shrugs.
“Love wins,” he says. “Always.”
Chapter Thirteen
Takara
My flying kick connects.
Tarik-Gara drops to the ground, his heavy body making a satisfied thud as he falls.
I wipe the sweat from my brow and peer up into the stands, looking for… for what, exactly?
Rinor? Gorba? Dad?
I don’t know — but all I see is a crowd, a faceless mass, and they’re chanting my name.
Ta-Ka-Ra! Ta-Ka-Ra! Ta-Ka-Ra!
I raise my hands and accept their love… but, winning my round doesn’t cheer me up as much as I thought it would.
Maybe it’s because I know SINTRA is on their way, and my father is still freezing me out, treating me like I’m still that little kid who’s fighting her first bout…
Maybe it’s because of Rinor.
I accept my winner’s chip and wave to the crowd before heading into the catacombs. I rush through the many winding halls of the arena and head back to my changing room as I struggle to get my mental ducks in a row.
My mind keeps drifting to Rinor, no matter how hard I try to focus on the games. This is what I’ve been training for, this is what I wanted, and now it’s finally here and I feel… nothing.
The only thing I want is to be in Rinor’s arms. To see that cocky grin of his, to feel his warm, red skin against mine, to surrender myself in a way that I’ve never been able to do…
Did I just make the biggest mistake in my life by pushing him away? The only man who is my equal, in the ring as well as out, and I’m too stubborn to just accept it…
I wish Gorba was here, but I told him to give me some space during fight-day. Another decision I’m regretting.
The next time I see Rinor, we’re going to have a serious, long talk. And this time, I won’t let my fears do all of the talking. Before I can do all of that, however, duty calls…
After a quick shower I struggle to get myself into a formal dress that’s way too tight for my curvy thighs — courtesy of Niana, of course. She insisted I attend the Trade Ports Gala tonight, and for some reason, facing seven foot tall warriors in hand to hand combat is easier than saying no to that tiny girl.
It’s quite remarkable, really.
The moment I finally manage to slip the damn thing on, there’s a knock on my door. My heart jumps into my throat, and my mind is filled with one thought and one thought only. Could it be Rinor?!
“Coming!” I say. Finally, someone to help me zip this damn thing up!
Before I give it a second thought I open the door, and disappointment fills every fiber of my being when I see it’s not my dashing Zoran love interest — it’s a small, unkempt human man.
“Picture, miss?” The fan squeals.
How’d he even make it all the way backstage? Ugh, he must be a VIP, a guest of some big wig…
“Err, sure,” I say, despite my instincts. Niana made me promise to be friendlier to my fans, and I suppose it couldn’t hurt.
The man pulls out a camera and slips one arm around me — and pricks me in the neck with a small needle before I can stop him.
“You…” I stammer, my voice trailing.
Before I can finish my sentence… everything goes dark.
Rinor
I’m doing it.
I’m going to tell Takara I’m in love with her!
It’s as simple as that.
Gorba helped set me straight. The man doesn’t say much, what he does say is worth its weight in gold. I have to be true to my feelings, and convince Takara that I’m not interested in having a fling, or sharing just one night of passion.
I want to share a whole lifetime with her. When she’s by my side, life feels worth living. She makes me want to be a better man. A world without her feels dark and bleak.
Anyone of those would be a good thing to say to her, right?
I’m still contemplating which sentence to start with when I arrive at her dressing room and find the door slightly ajar. I push it open, and every internal alarm I have starts blaring when I find her round one chip on the floor.
Damn it!
If anything happened to her, I’ll never forgive myself!
I hurry to the security office of the arena, blazing my way past the front desk and the stupefied guards, and head straight to the security feeds. I quickly rewind the footage back twenty minutes, and take note of the fake tourist who snatched her.
How these guards didn’t catch it on the monitors is beyond me. Must have been too busy watching the fights to actually do their job…
On a different monitor, I notice an unknown ship breaking into New Exon space.
This can’t be a coincidence. In my gut I feel that this ship has arrived to pick up Takara. I can’t let that happen.
I close my eyes and dig down deep, summoning my gifts.
Don’t fail me now, boys.
I thank the stars that my gifts respond in kind. Time slows down to a halt all around me as my heart reaches out to my one true mate.
Let’s see if we can teleport once more…
Chapter Fourteen
Takara
I wake up in the back of a hover-car.
Panic instantly grips my heart.
I struggle
to break free, but I’m bound with an unbreakable alien reed I don’t recognize. I’d scream, but my mouth is covered as well.
SINTRA must have it out for me.
And now they’re going to do to me what they did to Rinor. Horrors so unspeakable he can barely talk about it.
I don’t know how they figured out I was one of the Chosen. I didn’t even let the Sacred Order knows! Only Rinor does.
And I know he would sooner die than sell me out.
All this time he’s been trying to get my attention, and I’ve been blowing him off… and for what?
My reputation?
Who cares about that when true love is on the line?!
And now, it’s too late. I’m going to die, forgotten and alone, dissected by some crazy scientist for powers I barely even understand, my love never consummated…
Unless.
Unless I can reach out to Rinor. Get his attention somehow. We have this connection, right? And it doesn’t seem to abide by any conventional, physical laws. It transcends that. It’s like we’re both on a higher plane of existence.
I close my eyes and think about Rinor as hard as I can. I think about how he challenges me. How he manages to frustrate me and make me laugh at the same time. How he’s impossible and perfect, all at once.
Hot, angry tears stream down my face as I realize I might never see him again. I was so sure he’d always be waiting for me the moment I made up my mind, but now I realize how foolish and selfish I’ve been being all this time.
Rinor, if you’re out there, if you’re listening… I’m sorry.
A thump. And then another. Rhythmic.
A heart beat!
It’s Rinor, and I feel him… coming. Like a train, it gathers stream, growing louder and louder. He’s coming! My savior is coming!
I close my eyes and answer his call, guiding him towards me…