Arianna's Alien

by Reagan Woods

  “What are you in the mood for? Nara?” he offered up his favorite protein source. After lifting her up to sit on the high counter, he nudged her knees apart and came to stand between her splayed, pant clad legs. Resting a hand on each thigh, he traced small circles high on her inner thighs with his thumbs.

  “I’ve been eating ull for the last several months. I don’t think my body will take any more of your strange foods.” She studied him curiously. Normally, he had her stripped bare within moments of walking through the door. Today, he seemed content to keep the formality of clothing between them and she wondered why.

  “Arianna, I had the food preservation unit stocked with food that should help you transition to a Corian diet,” he brought his hands to her shoulders, exasperated. “You should have been able to stop eating the ull weeks ago.”

  “Well, I guess that explains my accelerated progress in the reconditioner, doesn’t it? I mean, Jorkan said that the ull and electrolytes enabled my brain to adapt quickly to what it was learning,” she was still rattled at the ruthless way Jorkan had used her.

  “The specialized diet is to help off-set the effects of so much time in the reconditioner. The way I understand it, your brain’s ability to catalogue data into increasingly higher levels of organization is unique,” he dropped a quick kiss on top of her head and smoothed a light hand down the length of her hair. “I disappointed the medical staff greatly when I refused to let them keep you for further observation and testing.”

  Darvan pulled the anti-grav selection screen toward him and stepped away to put the agitator on standby. The agitator would either heat or cool food perfectly depending on the molecular makeup of the food placed in it and the orders input by the user. She’d used the agitator to prepare his meals many times and was excited by the chance to sample the food that it prepared.

  As excited as she was, she was still quite troubled. What exactly had Jorkan done to her? If the medical staff didn’t know what was wrong with her, how could she be certain that something terrible wasn’t lurking in her head? She didn’t feel any different but would she be conscious of it if she did?

  “Come, let’s peruse the menu,” he was clearly aware of the direction her thoughts had gone. “Then, I will prepare your food,” he said it as though cooking were an everyday thing for him.

  “You? You’re going to prepare my food?” She was willing to be distracted by a handsome guy who wanted to make dinner for her. After all, no matter how disquieting the thought of suffering continued fall-out from Jorkan’s manipulation was, the fact remained that worrying wasn’t going answer any of her questions.

  “Of course. I have done this before.”

  She unsuccessfully tried to hide a giggle behind her hand.

  “What?” The look on his face dared her to mock him.

  “Big, bad General Darvan is going to cook for me,” she pulled her lips between her teeth and bit down in an effort not to smile.

  “So?” he scowled at her.

  “Will it be edible?” she grinned at him.

  “Make your selection, funny girl.” His smile melted years from his face making him appear boyish. It had a detrimental effect on her ability to breathe.

  She chose a juicy narra steak and tuberous vegetables that looked a little like the blue potatoes of South America. The rich aromas caused her stomach to rumble with anticipation.

  “This is good!” she said, sampling his offering, once they were seated at the dining table.

  “You don’t have to sound so surprised,” he’d also chosen the narra but selected his favorite, dorma fruit, for his side.

  “Who knew you’d be so good at everything you tried?”

  “Everything?” he eyed her intently while she licked a bit of the blue root from her bottom lip.

  Embarrassed heat bloomed across her cheeks. She knew he was steering their conversation in a sexual direction but she wasn’t ready to discuss that with him right now. Raw emotion from her dream of her family was still too close to the surface. She needed some time to pull herself back together.

  “Why are you embarrassed?”

  “I’m not used to discussing my private thoughts with people.”

  “Get used to discussing your private thoughts with me. We’ll have a long life together and you need to be able to tell me what you’re thinking,” he finally turned his attention to his meal.

  “I don’t understand,” she stated flatly. “Jorkan said that you would likely give me to one of your friends or political supporters when you chose a Corian wife,” it had to be said. He’d spoken passionate words of possession but people often said things they didn’t really mean in the heat of the moment.

  “I do have choices,” he was far more open than she expected. “For instance, I can keep you as a captive even if your people are granted Tribe status.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It would grant Earthers the right to represent themselves on the High Council as well as give them a certain level of autonomy within the Alliance. It would be very good for your people. You could even help sway the Council vote in their favor,” he watched her closely, eyes intent on her face.

  “How so?” This she had to hear. She was a captive, the lowest of the low. What could she possibly do to sway a Council vote?

  “You could agree to bond yourself to me and I could free you. That would show the Council why I might be willing to throw my considerable political influence behind an Earth Tribe.”

  “I can see the merit in that course of action for me and for my people,” she said diplomatically. “However, I’m certain that wouldn’t be my first choice if I were you,” she let him know that she understood they were simply discussing his options, it wasn’t like he was proposing that they get hitched alien style, right? “You mentioned choices – plural. What other options are on the table, so to speak?” She really was curious.

  “I could keep you as a captive and attempt to beget children with you, but it wouldn’t be an ideal situation for the children.”

  “What would happen to our children?”

  “In Corian culture, children of mixed parentage, that is, when one parent is of a bloodline not represented within the Alliance, are prohibited from holding public office, from carrying on familial legacy, and from achieving rank within the warrior class. It’s a hard way to live.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” she sniffed, relieved she wouldn’t have children who had to exist in such a bigoted society.

  “It’s a law that serves a purpose. Individuals of mixed parentage often have unclear loyalties. A Corian leader is expected to be loyal to the system; however, it’s not an uncommon practice for males to look for compatible females regardless of race,” he paused for a beat, putting his food aside.

  “I would like to create children capable of carrying on my legitimate line with you, but it is not necessary. There are four, well, now only three, brothers behind me in the line of succession. I’m sure one of them would be happy for the opportunity to produce an heir.”

  He sounded both vulnerable and pained. Losing his brother had clearly affected him more deeply than he’d let on. Arianna felt bad that she’d been so wrapped up in her own illness. She could have, should have, tried to be there for him more.

  “I’m so sorry about your brother,” she said.

  He batted her comment away impatiently, “I know you are. Have you nothing to say about breeding with me?”

  “What are the odds of us being compatible anyway? Like, a million to one?”

  “I assure you, we are compatible. Our dominant characteristics are different but we have the same human DNA. Several Earthers already carry Corian offspring.”

  She felt her face pale. She’d never used birth control, but bringing children into the dangerous and chaotic universe was not something she’d ever contemplated. In fact, she really believed she wasn’t capable of such a thing.

  “I’m not certain that I can even have children,” she wanted to be
very clear. “Are you saying you want to bond with me?”

  “Of course. Why do you think we’re having this conversation?”

  “Why would you want to marry me? And why now? What has changed?” Her head spun with a million unanswered questions.

  He raised an eyebrow at her in a very Earth-like expression of disbelief.

  “Other than our…sexual encounter, what has changed? It obviously wasn’t your first sexual experience. Are you bonded to anyone else? Can that happen?” She felt like he was rushing her into something she was totally unprepared for.

  “No, a bonding is a life-long contract between two individuals. There is no breaking the contract, no recourse – at least, none that will be open to you.”

  “What if I can’t give you children?”

  “I will never let you go, Arianna,” he was deadly serious.

  “I should clear the dishes,” she said, panicked. She didn’t know what to say. Jorkan had convinced her that Darvan would give her away as soon as she became attached to him. Everyone she’d ever cared for had abandoned her.

  “I need to attend to some things before I retire, but you’re starting to look tired again. I’ll clear this away,” he gestured to their half-finished meals. “Why don’t you go lay down? You’ll need the rest if you want to accompany me tomorrow evening,” his eyes roved over her body coming to rest hungrily on her face.

  “Where are we going?” her interest was piqued. She was happy to have something else to focus on. It was one thing to sleep with the enemy but he was, essentially, asking her to defect. She couldn’t fathom how she would walk through life tied to Darvan without giving him her complete loyalty. Could she tread that fine line for the sake of her people? Or would she be betraying them by siding with these aliens? With the threat of the unknown Ventix hanging over them all, wouldn’t the devil they knew be preferable? She had weighty decisions looming on the horizon, ready or not.

  “It’s a surprise.” His wolfish smile electrified her exhausted body, waking up nerve endings that had no business clamoring for his attention. His knowing gaze came to rest on her peaked nipples where they jutted visibly against her tunic. “You really should rest,” he eyed her hungrily. “I don’t want to hurt you,” his voice held reluctance.

  Arianna scurried back toward the sleeping room. He was right, God help her, she couldn’t handle two nights in a row of his lovemaking.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Outside CORANOS West Texas Work Camp, Earth

  The small, winged shuttle kissed the ground gently. Through the viewing bubble, Arianna drank in the wild beauty of the Texas plain. Late afternoon sun gilt everything in its path and lent the very air a reddish gold hue. In the distance, she could see people working in fields, bustling to and fro inside the transparent shimmer of an energy field.

  Finally, she was home. Or, at least, back on planet. As far as surprises went, this was fantastic. She could hardly believe Darvan had allowed her out of their rooms, let alone brought her to the place she wanted most to see. And all without the hated cuffs and collar. He was treating her like a free person, not a captive. That touched her deeply.

  “We’ll walk from here.” He gestured out the clear top of their craft toward a group of armed warriors heading their way, “There is our escort.”

  He raised the bubble top of their craft and helped her climb to the ground. Not wanting to embarrass herself by rolling in the soft hay like an animal, she tried to clamp down on the manic glee fizzing through her blood. The air smelled so earthy, like freshly turned soil. The blue of the sky stretched in an un-marred bowl as far as the eye could see.

  “I thought energy shields were blue?” She studied the energy shield surrounding the camp. She’d never seen one so large and, frankly, wouldn’t have known it was there if she hadn’t been specifically looking for it.

  “Not all. Although most are at night. Depending on the crystals used to generate the refraction and the wave length, they might be blue, red or green.”

  “And we see the colors better at night because the sun’s rays aren’t present to interfere with our ability to perceive the light.”

  “Something like that,” he agreed.

  “Do you have business here?” she spoke in a low voice and kept a wary eye on the progress of the warriors, not wanting to be chastised for speaking out of turn on her first outing.

  “I’ve come to check in with the security team I sent to guard this camp. Despite their best efforts, a group of rogue Doranos escaped the planet with some Earth women,” he seemed frustrated.

  Arianna didn’t know what to say to that. On one hand, she was glad that the women were freed from the work camp. On the other, she’d spent some quality time with Jorkan. If these other Doranos were anything like him, the missing Earthers were in an even more untenable position.

  “Will I be able to speak to other Earthers?”

  “If there is time, I might be able to arrange it.”

  That would have to be good enough. He obviously had things on his mind, and she was grateful just to be there.

  “Thank you for bringing me here,” she spoke quietly as the warriors approached.

  “You’re welcome,” she almost didn’t hear he spoke so low. Then he turned away to speak with the approaching escort.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  “Warriors,” Darvan greeted the small contingent.

  “General,” Silex greeted him with a bow. “This is Domik,” one of the largest warriors Darvan had ever seen stepped forward and bowed. “And this is Calyx,” he gestured to a very young warrior who followed suit. “We’ve been asked to escort you to the outer perimeter to speak with Commander Skylan.”

  He heard Arianna mumble a comment about getting the band back together and surmised that she recognized the warriors as those who had been under Vank’s command. She seemed to become sarcastic or flippant when she was upset or nervous.

  He idly wondered if she were bothered by these particular warriors or if she was just nervous around so many individuals. Other than her harrowing adventures, she’d been isolated from other people for weeks. How would she react to other males? Would other Corians have the same effect on her that he did? She’d seemed immune to Jorkan but was it because she hadn’t actually trusted the Doranos?

  Right now, she was safe with him. He’d trusted Vank’s judgement when it came to recruiting and advancing worthy males. Standing there with warriors Vank had handpicked momentarily increased the pain of loss he continually felt.

  Gripping Arianna’s hand firmly in his, Darvan followed the warriors. He consciously slowed his stride to accommodate her shorter legs. His actions signified his respect for the little female. This was the first step in publicly introducing Arianna as his. He thought Vank would have approved.

  Watching Arianna as she lay curled up in a little ball on his sleep platform last night, he’d reflected on his Uncle Darkan’s words. He was compelled to admit that his behavior was uncharacteristically hesitant with regard to the Earther. He’d wanted her for his own from that first night but had been committed to a course of action that required him to leave her vulnerable to his enemies. He’d callously left her without the means to defend herself from Jorkan not once but twice. Even now, she was unknowingly facing the possibility of answering to the High Council for her unwitting participation in his sting operation. He’d been woefully underprepared for the guilt and remorse wracking his conscience. He watched her battle the fatigue and exhaustion her brain injury caused, knowing it was an injury he’d stood by and allowed her to incur.

  He was lucky she hadn’t died. The anomalous cells in her brain had saved her life. Essentially, she’d saved herself. That combined with her indomitable spirit, her willingness to take what life handed her and keep walking her path, drew him like a moth to flame. He took that as a sign. He was meant to protect this female, to cherish this female, to bond this female.

  “General,” Skylan greeted him and got straight to the point.
“This is the weakness in the field,” he pointed out an area of fluctuating energy. Every few seconds, the field became unstable and a hole through the field became visible. “I’ve checked with the other camps and several have found similar structural flaws.”

  “Obviously these flaws were not present when we implemented the field barriers,” Darvan stated.

  “No, Sir. That would definitely have made the engineers’ log. Warrior Calyx was on the Collection Team that organized and implemented this camp’s original security.”

  The young warrior stepped forward, “I personally set up security for this sector. This field went up in record time without a single implementation issue.”

  Arianna tugged insistently at his hand.

  “Yes, Arianna?” he tried to temper his impatience with the interruption.

  “May I ask a question, General?”

  “I don’t think now is the time for questions,” he answered softly, mindful of the impression he was making on the others. Corian females were so rare that they were often treated deferentially by males. He wanted there to be no question as to where she stood in his life.

  “I respectfully disagree,” she answered in a low voice. “Please?”

  “Alright. Please make it quick.”

  “Are the crystals used in the field manufactured or natural?” she addressed her question to Calyx.

  “Manufactured,” he looked puzzled by the question, shooting Darvan a nervous glance.

  “Where are they manufactured?”

  “On one of the Corian moons,” Calyx darted him another look, unsure if he should continue. Warriors, as a rule, didn’t ever converse at length with a female under another male’s protection, certainly not if the protector ranked as highly as Darvan.

  “Could the crystals be flawed?”

  “Obviously they are,” Darvan was growing weary of her female curiosity.

  “I’m asking if the field could have been manufactured with a deliberate flaw,” Arianna surprised him by snapping back. He managed to hide his surprise at her show of temper but he caught the look that passed between Skylan and Silex.