by Laura Kaighn
Sheradon strode around her console now to cross her arms at the stark truth. “There’ll be times when you’ll both be treated as less than human. Some may even try to end this relationship abruptly. Even without the Vwafar´ee, you’ve embarked on a dangerous journey. You have to be aware, take precautions.”
With a solemn nod, Dorinda agreed with the advice. “I’m glad I came to you, Lonnie. And I’m grateful you’re not judgmental.”
Sheradon only shrugged and unlocked her crossed arms. “I’m a doctor. It’s my job to keep people healthy. That includes their mental health.” With a sly smirk, she slid back onto the corner of her desk to add, “It’d be against my convictions to split you two up.”
With a crooked grin, Dorinda tilted her chin. “You’re implying that we’re good for each other.”
Sheradon’s shoulders jerked again. “Wasn’t it Shakespeare who wrote, `not in the stars but in ourselves lies our destiny’? You’ve made it clear your destiny lies with Vesarius. He’s a part of your heart.”
Smiling wider, Dorinda stepped forward to hug the woman once more. “Thanks, Lonnie. I know just the person to help me prepare for the Vwafar´ee. I’ll show Vesarius I’m no weakling human.”
Sheradon quickly returned the embrace. “Be sure to stop by if you work yourself too hard. I’m still your doctor, remember?”
“Yes, Mother,” Dorinda quipped and left the medical lab with Noah close behind. As she strode through the corridor, Dorinda considered the woman she would ask for help. Their first encounter had not been a pleasant one; the security officer had condemned Vesarius as the traitor who had supplied the Orthops with the location and use of the Mytoki time Arch. Later, Vesarius had proven his innocence, but not before Dorinda had seen both of these fighters in action.
Dorinda found her prospective tutor lifting weights on the recreational deck. As she approached, Dorinda applied her most earnest, no-grudges-held expression. She needed the security corporal to prepare her body for the most physically challenging trial of her life. She gathered a steadying breath. “Corporal Zlenko, may I talk with you a moment? I need your help.”
Roshana Zlenko sat up from the weight bench then grabbed a towel to wipe her sweaty brow. The brunette had been strenuously improving her skills and strength ever since Vesarius had successfully pinned her in the transport, knocking her unconscious. “What help could I be to you, Jade?”
Dorinda began her reasoning. “Cmdr. Tankawankanyi’s too busy to continue my rescue training. So I thought we could work out together. I don’t want to soften during the mission.”
“You’re a beginner. I’m too advanced to work with you,” Zlenko offered matter-of-factly.
Dorinda swallowed her pride and came closer to the big-boned woman. “Truth is, I need to be in the best shape this little body of mine can be in. I realize I’ll never have the strength, stamina or muscle tone you have. My bone structure’s different. But you can teach me agility skills,” Dorinda reasoned. “As SAR officer, I need to climb rocks like a goat, jump like a kangaroo, and have the reflexes of a puma. I’ve got to, Corporal ... Roshana. It’s very important to me. Will you help me, please?”
“I’m surprised you’d ask me, Jade.” The woman rose to flex and stretch her contoured arms. “We’re not friends.” She wiped her brow once more. “Sergeant Alvarez’s your friend. Ask her.”
Dorinda waggled her chin, suddenly more convinced than ever. “Jude’s too muscular. She’s all power and no agility. Besides, she’s never trained under the scrutiny of the Vesar before. You have. You know their techniques. Plus I know you’ve watched Vesarius with an eagle’s eye when he works out.” Dorinda’s own eyes widened in earnest concern. “Please. I need your guidance. I have to do this, and I don’t have much time.”
“No time?” Zlenko’s skepticism tickled her cheek like glistening sweat. “If I was to instruct you, time’s needed to build your endurance, your strength and flexibility. You’d need at least three months.”
Dorinda’s eyes narrowed. “Three months? I only have perhaps a little over one month. Tops. What if I work out twice a day for an hour ... two hours?”
Corporal Zlenko was shaking her head. “You’d wear yourself out, lose too much weight.”
“Roshana.” Dorinda’s convictions were steel girders in her jaw. “I’ve got to do this. I can’t tell you why. But if you can’t help me, I will go to Judith Alvarez. You were my first choice.”
A sardonic smile crept across the taller woman’s face. “Jade, I’m flattered, really. And even though we weren’t in agreement before, I want you to know, I respect your courage and conviction.” Then Roshana Zlenko shrugged. “How can I refuse you?”
“Thank you, Roshana,” Dorinda breathed, her shoulders relaxing. “I want to be on your schedule, so tell me where and when you’re busy here.”
Roshana was shaking her head again, this time in amazement. “God, you’re serious.” Then a good-humored smirk softened the woman’s rugged features. “Come on, I’ve still got an hour. We’ll work on some flexibility exercises. Those alone will make you sorer than hell by morning.”
Dorinda followed her instructor over to the floor mats, and together they worked through several poses focusing on flexibility, agility and balance. These, Roshana said, were the foundations in combat and defense. Dorinda soaked in every detail promising to practice even when not in the gym.
Dorinda knew she must be prepared for the Vwafar´ee. She had to make Vesarius realize she wouldn’t give him up, that she was willing to risk all for him. Grunting at the effort to concentrate and control her movements, Dorinda prayed Vesarius wouldn’t hold out too long. She knew the warrior’s stubbornness was stalwart. Hers must be unwavering.
* * *
With his duty shift over and the broken flute returned, Vesarius waited for Dorinda’s reprisal. None came. She had not shown up at his door, had not pounded for him to open it and talk to her. Dorinda had not begged. Smirking with inner satisfaction, Vesarius had to admit: Dorinda was proud, as proud as a Vesar. She would not grovel.
Perhaps, Dorinda had understood his reasoning, even agreed with him. More likely, Vesarius corrected, she was shedding her saltwater tears again, hurt and confused.
Vesarius sighed and rolled over atop his bed. He had injured her. Not physically, but the warrior had broken his promise. Vesarius huffed with conviction. Better to hurt her than allow Dorinda to die proving her love in some barbaric ritual.
Vwafar´ee. A month-long trial sanctioned by a group of Vesar elders too alienated from reality to realize that times were not as they had been a century ago. Vesar was civilized now. His people no longer destroyed their fellows for their own survival. There was no longer a need to fight for everything. Reason was now the rule. Or so Vesarius had thought. The Vwafar´ee was proof that the old, destructive ways still existed, were still respected.
With too much nervous energy to sleep and with a growling belly begging for food, Vesarius rolled off his self-made trial stand and stood with a grunt. Tundra groaned in shared indecision from the floor. “If only we were planetside,” he told the Alaskan malamute. “We could race up a mountain or through the desert dunes.” With a sigh, Vesarius concluded, “We need fresh air and an open sky above our heads, eh boy?”
Tundra projected an image of a cool tannin-dyed lake surrounded by vibrant fall colors: birches, maples, evergreens, and oaks. “No, boy. We will not return there.” Vesarius closed his eyes for one last glimpse of Dorinda’s Adirondack wilderness – her little cottage by the lake, the sharp-needled blue spruce, and the sweet blueberries. The memories were still too clear, too close. Never again would he visit those woods, for the wound would be too grievous.
Flinging his obsidian gaze open, Vesarius spun toward his cabin door. He strode from that abandoned peace as quickly as his long legs could carry him. With Tundra shadowing, the Vesar marched to the recreation facilities. There he could express his emotions in a constructive manner, calm the turmoil in
his brain with a disciplined workout followed by meditation.
Taking up a weighted pole, Vesarius stepped to the inlaid wooden practice area. He held the tool in his fists, perpendicular before his chest. Then with a smooth, controlled tightening of muscles, the Vesar swung the pole around his head then forward again in a powerful jab. In his steel grasp, the shaft spun and jerked, was lifted and dropped, was rolled over his head and behind his back. All the while, the Vesar shifted his body from one boot to the other, knees pumping like pistons.
Quickening his pace, Vesarius was soon oblivious to those around him who exercised or watched with curiosity as his glistening body strained through its workout. The pole whooshed through the air, many times within centimeters of the man’s mahogany ears, nose or jaw. With a grimace of concentration, Vesarius swung and jabbed, jabbed and swung.
He did not know emerald eyes were upon him. Dorinda stood behind a wall separated by smoky, plastiglass panels. She watched silently for some minutes before returning to Roshana Zlenko and the remainder of her lesson.
When Vesarius had become heated with the effort, he stopped to wipe his steaming brow. Then, returning the pole to its equipment rack, the warrior next trod to the cushioned floormats to stand stock straight, head to his chest. Slowly he forced a controlled relaxation. Eyes closed, he lifted his arms beside him, his head following. With simmering grace, he moved his body through tensed, but flowing positions in the Vesar’s version of Tai Chi. Again his movements were precise, focused, and exact. The warrior’s hands opened, made fists, poised for attack then drooped to his side.
For an hour, Vesarius followed his daily routine of strenuous, flexibility exercises. Every muscle burned with the effort. His musky sweat was upon his brow, sliding along his neck, gleaming against his pumping biceps. When he was done, Vesarius was grateful for the rec showers, sonic-cleaned clothes, and a quick trip to the galley for a late dinner of protein-rich dkdonnan meat with vegetables. Then he was ready for his meditation – normally performed in the arboretum.
Vesarius paused outside the cafeteria. He could not encounter Dorinda; the arboretum was one of her favorite spots. From now on, he would take his meditation in his cabin. The less she saw him, the better it would be for both of them.
Tundra groaned and imaged Dorinda stalking the Vesar in the tree-lined park. “No, my friend. Her training will have to wait.” Following the Orthop mission, she would be Coty’s responsibility. Silently, Vesarius retreated to his cabin. After an unsuccessful meditation, however, Vesarius resigned to tiring himself further by reviewing and memorizing the details of his orders and those of his intended ambassadorial charges. It was not until after oh-three hundred that Vesarius finally flopped down exhausted on his bed. Shortly Tolianksalya would arrive. Grimacing at the thought, Vesarius sluggishly drifted off to blackness.
Chapter 4: Dreaded Consequences
Barking sharply, Tundra startled his Bondmate awake. Groaning, Vesarius lifted his anvil head. “Not yet, Tundra. I just fell asleep.” The Alaskan malamute barked again and imaged an impatient Coty seated in his command chair. Instantly awake, Vesarius checked his chrono and groaned again. “I am not late. You just want me up.”
In answer, his Kinpanion huffed once and paced in a circle projecting yet another image, of Noah and him romping through the arboretum.
“Fine. You go,” Vesarius mumbled into his pillow. He tugged his covers closer about his bare-ridged shoulders. “I do not want to see her.”
Tundra knew better and gave the Vesar a conflicting whine. Undeterred, the malamute hopped his front feet up onto the platform to yank the blanket away from his friend.
“No, Tundra!” Vesarius argued. “I cannot see her. You may if you desire.” Snatching back his blanket, the warrior turned his head away from his Kin. “Have breakfast with her, too. You are free to remain friends.”
With one last dissenting whine, Tundra finally huffed his good-riddance. Sauntering from the cabin, the canine left his Bondmate alone.
Vesarius grunted once in reply, knowing he would not be able to return to sleep now. Tossing the covers aside, the warrior sat up to rub his ruddy face free of sleep. Huaj´im. The shuttle would be arriving in a matter of hours with its load of peace-seeking diplomats. They were just the sort of citizens with whom a Vesar warrior wouldn’t want to associate. Yet they were all his.
Sighing in anticipated conflict, Vesarius reached for his leather trousers. His door chime sounded. Now who could ...? Dorinda. Rising quickly, Vesarius tugged on his pants and padded barefooted to the door … then hesitated. He did not want to see her. She would try to change his mind. But then, he could take advantage of the situation and try to change hers. Stepping closer, Vesarius allowed the door to slide open.
“Good morning, Vesarius,” Dorinda quipped with a sunrise smile. He knew her well enough, however, to notice the anxious creases at the corners of her emerald eyes.
“Good morning, Miss Jade,” he returned formally still blocking the door with his wide-shouldered bulk. The address had done what he’d expected; Dorinda’s eyebrows rose in wounded surprise. Part of him cringed. Part of him was proud to see her compose her hurt instantly. Another portion told Vesarius to barge on. Only the crew called her Jade. It was a nickname, more than a last name, since everyone onboard knew her given name was Dorinda Tanner. Dorinda had recently adopted this new surname as a way to create a new life for herself – a fresh start apart from her past. Only Coty, Sheradon, and Vesarius called her Dorinda or the shortened, more familiar Dori.
Now he had seemingly erased that form of address from his vocabulary. “Is there something I can do for you?” Again that formal distance. He knew she was unnerved by his naked torso. A Vesar kiss was just centimeters from her hand. The blood pumped hotly beneath his sensitive crest ridges. He could not allow her to touch him; Vesarius would not be able to resist her warm caress. Again he was proud to see that Dorinda was disciplined enough to hold her hands at her side.
“I came to ask if our training sessions were still scheduled as normal. I’m ... eager to learn as much about my job as I can.” The woman’s eyes were round with earnest concern. “The life of a crewmember might be at stake if I falter in my responsibility.”
Inwardly, Vesarius cringed at her logic. Dorinda was absolutely right, had rehearsed her words well. How could he refuse her? Vesarius’ responsibility was to train her. He could not falter either. He would have to work with her. Heart pulsing loudly in his right ear, Vesarius was grateful human hearing was not so sensitive. “Yes,” he snapped. “I will meet you in the arboretum in one hour. Then I must go to the transport bay to await the arrival of the Alliance delegation to Orthop. They are my responsibility as well.”
Dorinda bobbed her chin curtly. “I understand, Commander. I’ll see you in the arboretum.” Quickly she spun from him and marched away.
Why did Vesarius feel as though she had just punched him in the crest? Was the human woman as proficiently stalwart as he? Was Dorinda playing along with him, mocking his stubbornness with her own? Did this have anything to do with her Irish forefathers?
Frowning deeply, Vesarius withdrew into his quarters, unaware of the door slipping shut behind him. One hour. Then he would be confronted by her again. The Vesar must be tough on Dorinda Jade – extra critical – to cool her feelings for him. He must act as distant with Dorinda as he would with Cpl. Zlenko. Vesarius had a job to do.
As he dressed, though, a distantly diminutive voice whispered that he would fail. Dorinda was still dear to him. Tugging on his tunic, Vesarius then re-braided his hair tucking in the strands which had come loose from his restless sleep. Breakfast was his next intention. And yet, Vesarius did not want to encounter Dorinda. The galley was a public venue. He strode to the gym instead. A good morning workout would release the tension he felt knotting his stomach.
* * *
Quickly, Dorinda retreated to her quarters. She forced down the panic which clutched her throat. Vesarius really did w
ant to release her from his pledge. He had talked to her as he would to Roshana Zlenko or Dr. Sheradon. And he’d only agreed to her training because she had reminded the Vesar of his responsibility. He would rather not see her at all.
Leaning back against her cabin wall, Dorinda released her tears. She couldn’t be more stubborn than a Vesar. They practiced from infancy; Coty had told her once. Vesarius would outlast her easily, while Dorinda’s heart retched.
But she couldn’t let the warrior pity her for her feminine or human sensibilities. She mustn’t let his distance fool her. Dorinda pressed her trembling lips to still them. Vesarius did love her. He was rejecting her only because he felt it was in her best interest. What he didn’t realize was the emptiness she’d have without him. Dorinda would much rather die by the Vesar’s side than be separated, knowing Vesarius would live in self-imposed solitude.
“I need you, Vesarius,” she sobbed into the air. “And you need me. So please stop being such a blunt pencil, and let me try. I can do this. You’ve got to have faith in me.”
Her emotions only slightly satisfied by that verbal conviction, Dorinda wiped dry her eyes. Perhaps she should consult Michael before Vesarius’ lesson. The captain had promised to help Dorinda with her PSY training. He would be a welcome shoulder to lean on. Dorinda headed for Coty’s cabin.
In transit, Dorinda mentally checked on her Kin. At the moment, Noah was busy hiding from Tundra in the arboretum. The acrobatic otter had managed to bounce himself up a tree, something Tundra had never seen him do. The Alaskan malamute was sniffing the ground below, obviously perplexed at the lack of a scent trail. Smiling, Dorinda knew the two friends were happy to be together. She hoped that it would always be so with their Bondmates.
