Anger flared from Schmidt’s eyes. “The plan is foolish, if anything has put the Institute at risk, it is you and your hunger for more. Enough with the insults. You know I’m against that whole relocation program. We should be putting our knowledge and resources at work right here to restore our own planet to what it once was.”
“Which one of our girls would be the best to send to Brevona to eliminate Two and Four?”
“You’re not serious.”
Schultz glared at him. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Seventeen is your next best sharpshooter after Two. She’s also mastered the use of the cybernetic wings very nicely.”
Schultz frowned. “I hate to use one of our fly girls. We only have a few that are fully trained, and Seventeen is the only one who can use the wings independently.”
Schmidt threw his hands up. Schultz could be infuriating to deal with, and it had gotten steadily worse as the years had gone by. “You asked me. You got your answer. Of course, if you don’t want to lose her, you could tell her not to activate her implant.”
Schmidt didn’t agree with euthanizing the trainees to begin with. There was still so much to be learned from the enhancements that had been made to each recruit.
“Not an option. Especially for this mission. I’ll have a camouflage suit with matching wings made for her.”
“What if she talks to Two and Four and defects as well? We have no control over them once they’re on another planet. At least if they’re on a home mission and don’t activate their implant, we know exactly where they are and can easily locate them.”
“Seventeen will do as she is ordered. She’s a sharpshooter, she’ll eliminate them from a distance.”
“Should we pair Seventeen with one of the male trainees?”
“No! I’m suspicious that Four is at fault. I know he’s one of the best from the male division, but I’ve never been able to gauge him. He was also one of the oldest boys we’ve ever recruited, almost seven.” Schultz took a deep drink from his glass of whiskey.
“What does that have to do with anything? We wipe their memories, so age shouldn’t make a difference.” Schmidt shook his head. The man was coming unglued. There had been no signs that Four had retained any of his childhood memories.
“Just a gut feeling I’ve got. I can’t imagine Two coming up with such a plot on her own.”
“You always had a soft spot for that girl. I was shocked you chose her for the mission.”
“Considering what kind of an assignment it was, she was the best option. The girl is exquisite.”
The predatory look in Schultz’s eyes turned Schmidt’s stomach. One day the man would take his inclinations too far. “When will you send Seventeen?”
“As soon as the new suit and wings are ready. That will take more than a few days.”
“In the meantime, Two and Four could be anywhere on that planet. It’s ten times the size of Earth.”
“You’re forgetting the tracking chip in the implant. We’ll give Seventeen a tracking device.”
Chapter Seven
Starla felt completely out of place. She and David had been with the dragon people for a few weeks now and learned much, but it felt so strange to be with a loving family, to be able to talk and move around freely, to actually have some fun and enjoy laughter.
The farmer Timyt had spoken of had agreed to hire them as farmhands. What did she and David know about farming? They’d been trained as fighters, soldiers, assassins. Did the farmer know they were clueless?
“Penny for your thoughts,” David spoke behind her. The arm he placed around her shoulders sent tingly shivers down her spine. “Edrian just told me there are several groups of active rebels, followers of the rogue general. They’re in league with some people from Earth and still plan to get rid of the royals and take over the palace. Edrian is gathering men to help him eliminate them. I wouldn’t mind joining him.”
“No! Please don’t? I’m not going to some godforsaken farm by myself,” Starla said vehemently. “And until we know that we’re safe, we need stay together and undercover.”
The dragon doctor had managed to remove their implants safely, but Schultz and Schmidt had to know by now that she and David had escaped.
“All right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” David chuckled.
She punched him playfully. “Edrian is flying us to the farm this afternoon.”
“Remember, we’re supposedly husband and wife.” He gave her a lopsided smile and winked.
“Don’t you be getting any ideas now.” She punched him again.
“Like I want to be married to a husband beater!” He suddenly bent toward her and planted a kiss on her nose. “Actually, it wouldn’t be so bad.”
“What?” Shocked, she gazed up at him. The heated look in his eyes made her heart pound and her legs turn to jelly.
“Us getting married.” He cupped her chin and lightly kissed her lips, then pulled back, seeming to study her face. “I’ve become quite fond of you over these last couple of weeks.”
“You’re serious.”
The thought of a life with him was tantalizing. And when he grinned down at her like he was the cat who ate all the cream, all she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck and nip his sexy bottom lip. For so long, she’d had no one. Just the doctors and her existence at the Institute.
“I am very serious. If we are going to settle on this planet, we might as well do it properly. Maybe even start a family.”
“Whoa! A family? You’re jumping the gun a bit. I’m still getting used to living in a family atmosphere, and you’ve got me producing babies? Hell, I don’t even know if I can have children.”
The thought of children had never crossed her mind, at least until she had seen and interacted with the dragons. She found herself sometimes wistfully daydreaming about what it would be like to have a husband and children of her own.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her at arm’s length while scrutinizing her from top to bottom, and back again. “Mm, from what I can see, you have all the proper equipment.”
Starla felt her cheeks begin to burn under his hot gaze. “When I hit puberty, they stopped my cycle and my ability to reproduce.”
“The scientists and doctors here are well advanced beyond Schultz and Schmidt’s capabilities. I’m sure that whatever they did to you, the specialists here can fix.”
She took a deep breath and stepped out of his arms. “What the hell are we talking about anyway? We aren’t free yet, and I would never put a family in danger. Besides, neither one of us know what being a family is all about.”
“Starla, we’re both very green as far as relationships go. All I know is that I’ve got feelings for you that I can’t describe. I don’t know if that’s love or desire. According to what I was taught, copulating is to procreate only, that love is a myth—fairytales invented by the movie industry. Kissing and hugging is merely a way to spread germs. And to feel horny is nothing but lust, a primal instinct that can be conquered through using our willpower. A married couple adapts to their new situation, and eventually develop a fondness for their partners. Romance is or was a forbidden word for us.”
“Yes, we were taught the same. But I read all the allowed books. Even the classics speak of romance and love. Jane Eyre is one of my favorites.”
“You two are in a serious conversation.” Edrian joined them and sat at one of the tables. “I’ll fly you to your new home after lunch.”
“It’s been a few weeks now. Maybe the doctors didn’t send anyone after us.” Starla knew it was wishful thinking on her part, but David had built the foundation of longing within her soul. Could they settle here and have a family of their own?
“It sounds like you don’t want to leave us.” Edrian raised his brows.
“Edrian, this is a whole new experience for us. I’ve told you we were never allowed to make friends, to communicate.” She br
ushed a strand of hair back from her face, hoping he would understand. Interaction was not something they were ever allowed. They were nothing but trained assassins. “Being with you and your family is teaching us the social skills we need to be among people.”
“When the danger is past, you can come back. For now, we just want you to be safe.”
“If they send people after us, it would be to kill us. How would you know?” David asked.
Edrian chuckled. “News travels fast. If your scientists send an assassin to seek and kill you, we would hear of strangers among us. If that happens, I will personally come and warn you.”
“If it weren’t for the danger that still threatens us, an eliminator sent to track and assassinate us, I’d join you in your quest to find the upstarts that are in league with Earth. I thought the danger to the royal house was over after we killed the general.”
Edrian sighed. “No. Unfortunately not. Though the man’s followers fled after Nimera’s death was announced, and the royal guard was released from captivity, we didn’t think the rebels would all suddenly switch back to being loyal royal subjects. Word has it that the leaders on Earth have a plan to relocate a large group of chosen people from Earth. They have chosen Brevona as their destination, and they want to take charge of the planet. For that, they need to get rid of royal leadership.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. What was the point of assassinating Nimera?” Starla frowned. “And this plan! Why don’t they concentrate on healing our planet instead of letting our population rot?”
Edrian shrugged. “Nimera was ready to kill the royal family, and he could not be allowed to claim the throne. Never regret your actions. I’ve told you everything I know so far. We have two spies among the group of insurgents that update us regularly on what they hear.”
“How many members are there?” David asked.
“About thirty-five in the group that we know of, but there is more than one cluster.”
“I don’t know why we have to leave. You told us no one from down below can get to the plateau, so we should be safe here. We could be of a lot of assistance to you,” Starla told Edrian.
“The plateau is safe from those that would attempt to climb, but we do have stealth ships. We don’t know how far the insurgents have infiltrated our troops. If you’re spotted from above, then you wouldn’t be safe here. You going to the farm is the safest plan for now. It is far away from the cities and very isolated.”
David shifted in his chair, crossing his legs. “What do they farm? Starla and I have no experience. I don’t know how we could be of help.”
“They have a lot of cattle and grow vegetables, fruit, and they have vineyards. Plus, they produce the best wine you have ever tasted. The farmer and his wife are very nice people. You worry too much.”
“How long should we wait to see if the coast is clear?”
“Several moons. I will visit you regularly to see how things are going. I hear Mother calling. Lunch is ready.”
After lunch, they said their goodbyes. For a moment, Starla stiffened in Bidiana’s embrace, then she relaxed and felt the friendship flowing from the woman.
Starla gave the woman what she hoped was a warm smile. “Thank you for everything. I hope we see you again soon.”
On the plateau, Edrian shifted into his dragon. They climbed onto his leg, then up to his neck. It didn’t creep Starla out anymore. She stroked the large scales and marveled how silky they felt.
Edrian soared into the sky. Starla gazed at the small group of people waving goodbye. Would she see them again? David’s arms around her waist felt comforting. She leaned back and rested her head against his chest.
It didn’t take that long before Edrian began to descend. He’d said it was far away, yet it seemed like they’d only just left the plateau.
He landed on a large lawn. A man and woman stood ready to greet them. How had they known? She didn’t ask the question. The dragons could hear one’s thoughts. Maybe they could mindspeak as well.
Edrian shifted and joined them. “This is Klantu and his mate Xala.”
After the introductions were over, Klantu led them to a small cottage at the back of the property.
Starla was too curious not to ask Edrian. “How did they know we were arriving?”
“They are dragons. Some of our people decided to settle on the ground. That’s why we can fully trust them.”
“Ah, they read your thoughts? Or can you mindspeak, too?”
“Yes.”
The cottage wasn’t as small as it had looked from the outside. It had a large living room, a small kitchen, a good size bedroom with one bed, and a bathroom.
David threw the bundle of clothing Bidiana had given them on the bed.
“I need to return right away. Father has called a meeting to discuss strategy. Starla, David, I will be in touch soon.” Edrian pumped David’s hand, then turned and hugged Starla.
His embrace and the kiss he planted on her cheek startled her. He was a hunk, hot, hellishly good-looking, yet with him, she didn’t feel a thing except friendship. Was what she felt for David the chemistry the books described? The falling in love? Could it be that the first young man she’d had close contact with, was the one for her?
“We have stocked your cooler. If there is anything else you need, please come to the main house and let us know? You will start work tomorrow. And do not worry. We will teach you what you need to know.” Klantu gave them a smile, then turned and left the cottage.
Starla looked in the cooler and gasped at all the food. “Another thing we weren’t taught. How to cook,” she muttered under her breath.
David stepped behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “Yeah. I guess we’ll have to learn fast if we’re going to eat anything.”
“I could ask Xala to teach me, I suppose, but it makes me feel stupid,” Starla said wistfully. “I do know a few things from watching Bidiana, like how to make eggs, and some vegetables.”
“We’ll figure it out.” He pulled her against him and gave her a soft squeeze. “Let’s unpack.”
She laughed, then teased. “Yeah, all that stuff we have to unpack. That’s going to take us all afternoon.”
He snorted. “When we’re done, we can go explore our new surroundings.”
“Sounds like a plan. I wonder how long we’ll need to stay here.”
“Not too long, I hope. I’m no farmer. I’d rather be doing the job I was trained to do.”
“Kill people?” She frowned.
“Tsk, tsk. Soldiering. I’d like to be part of Edrian’s group. And once all that is sorted out, maybe I can join the king’s troops.”
Though Bidiana had gathered quite a few clothes for them, they had unpacked in no time. Starla stood looking at the bed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll sleep on the floor.” David grimaced.
“You’re being ridiculous. You can sleep on the bed. Just make sure you stay on your side, or you’re likely to get decked!”
They wandered around the vast property. There were huge fields of vegetables, a crop of something that resembled wheat, and vineyards that spread over quite a few acres, the vines laden with heavy bunches of grapes. At least they looked like the pictures of grapes she’d seen, except they were the size of small plums... huge. There were verdant meadows with peacefully grazing animals, horses, oversized chickens, a duck pond, and several barns with lots of farm equipment.
“It’s quite something, but I couldn’t imagine working here the rest of my life.” David took her hand as they headed back to their new home.
They had just returned to their cottage when Klantu knocked on the door. “Xala asked me to invite you to have dinner with us. That is if you do not mind being in the company of noisy children?”
Starla nodded happily. “We’d love to, and we don’t mind kids.” The invite would relieve them of a first attempt at cooking.
Xala and Klantu had four children age
d seven and up. Like their parents and the other dragon people, they were tall for their age, and as Klantu had warned, very noisy. Starla wondered silently if she’d had a brother or sister though she never had memory flashes of older or younger siblings.
The food was great. What it all was, she had no idea, except the thought if she continued to eat this much, she’d grow as big as a cow, especially without her usual vigorous training.
David held her hand when they walked back to their cottage as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Klantu said to report to him at sunup. Wonder what kind of work he’ll have us doing.”
“I guess we’ll find out in the morning.”
Starla walked into the bedroom and quickly changed out of her clothing. She wished she could sleep naked like she always had in the Institute, but that wouldn’t be appropriate. After she climbed into the bed, David turned off the light and joined her. They lay silently for a while until David suddenly turned toward her and took her into his arms.
Her heart sped up, that strange feeling invading her body, her skin prickling as he held her tight. He kissed her forehead tenderly, then her nose before claiming her mouth. Her lips parted, allowing him to deepen the kiss, his tongue exploring every millimeter of her mouth.
Delicious heat coursed through her veins, setting her body aflame. She squirmed against him, arching her hips upward. The feel of his cock pressing against her belly made her ache with need. Oh, she wanted this man. This was not the lust the doctors had told her of, it was so much more, a longing... a ravenous yearning to join with David body and soul. Did he feel the same craving? A craving for much more than just appeasing sexual desire?
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