by Reagan Woods
Willa’s time on the Trident had taught her that a trained fighter never underestimated the enemy. In spite of his massive size, he was clearly no Warrior. Instead, he was just an enormous male with a hard-on for hurting people who couldn’t fight back.
These misguided, angry Corians needed a dose of reality, as Sister Mary Felicia had called it, a ‘Come to Jesus Talk’. She was just the Earther to give it to them. Seizing her opportunity, she grabbed his weapon and climbed ungracefully to her feet, using the now dormant prod for a makeshift cane. The astounded gathering clearly didn’t realize that she had no idea how to switch the damned thing on.
“My people ruined our planet and nearly battled ourselves into extinction,” she followed-up her initial observation, voice hoarse, keeping a wary eye on the temporarily neutralized threat. “And that was before the CORANOS Galactic Alliance conquered our world and took away our choices.”
“I was more than cooperative when given the opportunity to help foster relations between our two peoples,” she informed them, noting that the feverish need for violence seemed to be abating, though the rapt crowd wasn’t disbursing. “I am now a Claimed Female.”
Their collective gasp encouraged her to continue, “Commander Tiron Rion, my Protector, sent me to your world so that I might find refuge from the violence in my home system. In spite of the way you’ve treated me, I am not your enemy. I want to make one thing clear: your misguided bigotry is your real adversary. It is slowly killing you.”
Grumbling dissent rippled around her, but Willa pressed on, “Let’s use a little logic, shall we? The Corian race produces one female for every five live births. There aren’t enough females to go around. As a result, your numbers are steadily dwindling.”
The grumbling wasn’t all dissident now. “You send Warriors out into the universe looking for new worlds, hoping for compatible females and riches for the homeworlds. But when you find new worlds, you immediately subjugate the populations instead of looking for ways you could be working together. Earthers are an endangered species, now. And here’s a news flash: they’re already suffering. Sacrificing all of us to your anger isn’t going to help you achieve anything.”
“What could you possibly bring us?” A hooded figure in the crowd yelled.
“I believe there is much we could learn from each other,” Willa replied emphatically. “For instance, what could be so different about Earthers that their population has always been a one to one ratio of males to females?”
∞ ∞ ∞
Commander’s Quarters aboard the Trident
Tiron felt his heart tearing from his chest. After everything he’d done to ensure Willa’s safety, he’d still failed her. It was a bitter realization to come to, but, as it was, he didn’t deserve her. Or their child.
On screen, a smug Giaon elbowed his way through the throng, Willa’s slight weight cradled tenderly in his arms. She clung, dry-eyed, to his brother’s neck, her only covering the cloak ripped from the smarsmaster’s inert form.
Giaon had rescued Tiron’s female publicly. By now, the whole galaxy had seen the scene of him climbing onto the stage and bodily removing Willa. The Enforcers hadn’t yet reported what had actually transpired during the bizarre black-out of the feed, but it was only a matter of time.
Liania had com’d crowing triumphantly over Willa’s recovery. According to his mother, Tiron would have to give up his Claim on Willa and entrust her care to Giaon permanently. His stomach turned at the thought.
“Your property is here, in my home; therefore, I must determine who will best care for it,” Liania had said condescendingly. “Darling, you’re just not in a position to have a Claimed Female right now. Your brother, Giaon, has proven that he can care for her better.”
The foreign feeling of contentment that just thinking of her inspired within him finally made sense. He’d spent his whole life focusing on his goals, his career, and the survival of his people. It was time to put someone else’s feelings first.
Tiron loved Willa. She deserved to flourish. And she belonged with a male who could provide her with stability. He needed to find a way to give her what she needed or give her up.
Chapter Thirty
Novink Homeworld, Satellite Space Docks
Nora had lain in the same position for at least seventy-two hours. She was somewhere between waking and dreaming. Jorkan had attempted to rouse her repeatedly, and she could tell from his voice that he was worried.
That was good. He deserved a little vexation, the pendejo.
This time, he had drugged her to the point that it was sheer force of will keeping her alive. Neither the nutripaks, nor the liquids he’d forced on her had any effect.
Jorkan wasn’t trying to save Nora because he liked her. She was simply a toy that he hadn’t played with yet.
“Fine,” Jorakn slapped her unresponsive face. “Stay here. Die for all I care. I’m leaving,” he raged.
Hours passed as she continued to lay there.
She remembered being in the CGA work camp in Texas. Her roommate, Marta, had been in the Library, the nickname they’d given the bank of reconditioners the residents shared. A tall Doranos had knocked on the door of their little room as Nora readied for her work shift. She had never seen this particular alien before, but he seemed to know her.
After that, things were pretty hazy. Nora had woken alone in a dark hallway. She had wondered around, climbing ladders and bumping into walls for a very long time. Finally, she found a weird window that looked into a room. There was another girl there, Arianna, and she said that they were on the Victory, a CGA warship.
Arianna had known the Doranos, Jorkan, but hadn’t liked him. He had said some nasty things to Arianna that Nora didn’t quite follow about General Darvan and rewards. Then, he had tried to smuggle the two of them off the ship. Nora had resisted and Arianna had run away. But Nora couldn’t escape Jorkan.
Jorkan began attempting to molest Nora soon thereafter. She could hear her momma’s voice even now, “Nora Marisol Martinez, you do not give a man a second chance to hurt you. They all have points of weakness. You scratch, kick and punch your way out.” Juan and Carolyn Martinez had been survivalists, but, also, realists.
After she’d put her thumbs in his eyes for the third time, Jorkan got wise to her tricks. So, she’d kicked him in the huevos.
That was when he started drugging her for days on end. The first few times, he hadn’t used enough and she’d been able to observe him as he flew the shuttle.
Sometimes, Jorkan would talk to her, bragging about his accomplishments and his ability to outmaneuver his arch rival, General Darvan. He said all of this like Nora should be impressed. For some reason, he believed she would find his treachery sexy. Fortunately, he wasn’t in to females that couldn’t fight back. Of course, his man bits probably wouldn’t work very well for quite some time, either.
Nora was conscious of inhaling a deep, cool breath. She felt a mild tingling in her fingertips. If she focused hard enough, she could wiggle the digits a little bit. The more she moved, the easier it became to move.
She opened her eyes, feeling clear-headed for the first time in a very long time. Man, oh man, did she ever need to pee. The force in her bladder motivated her into a sitting position. She was on top of the fold-out cot in Jorkan’s shuttle.
Lurching off the bed, she stumbled for the pilot’s chair, her bladder would have to wait. She was ninety percent sure that she could fly this thing. While Jorkan had fumed over General Darvan’s undeserved accolades, Nora had watched his motions, reading the manual commands he input into the shuttle computer.
Keying in the ignition codes, Nora hit the thrusters and burnt through the tether hoses that attached her to the dock. A loud alarm claxon began to sound a warning from the port authority, but she ignored it, focusing on the mental checklist she had for getting away.
After executing a dock-destroying turn, she hit the code for acceleration. She didn’t care where she went, as long as it
was away from Jorkan.
∞ ∞ ∞
Two Days Later
The Rions had sent a medic to treat Willa’s injuries. While she was terrified that her ordeal had harmed her child, she didn’t trust anyone to examine her so intimately. Or keep her secret. She’d politely demurred, asking for privacy and time to heal, instead.
Everyone but Giaon had been content to acquiesce to her wishes. He’d given her a cooling laser to heal her face and ribs, which was welcome, but his constant hovering was grating. She needed to feel safe, to have some measure of comfort, but that was asking for the impossible.
Of course, there was radio silence from the person she wanted to hear from most. Tiron hadn’t communicated, and Giaon had removed all of the com screens from her rooms, claiming it was for her protection. From what, he wouldn’t say, and she worried that she was still a target for the anti-Earthers.
Adding to her overwhelming stress, today, Willa had received a summons to appear before Liania’s court. Thirty hours wasn’t nearly enough of a reprieve from Corian society. She desperately wanted to refuse, but Giaon had delivered a sumptuous new set of clothes in her size and demanded she make ready.
His bossy behavior sucked. But the clothes were nice. A feather-light tunic of copper sheened green fabric brought out her eyes. Matching tight copper pants flattered her long legs, and buttery soft, brown ankle boots completed the ensemble.
Waiting in a lavishly appointed ante-room, it occurred to Willa that she ought to be nervous. Tiron’s mother was about to acknowledge her publicly for the first time. The only emotion she could muster up was a disinterested annoyance. After what she’d endured, she didn’t care if she ever went out in public again.
A set of elaborately sculpted silver doors opened and Giaon propelled her into the reception room. Decked out in gold and black finery, he held the back of her neck gently in the crook between his forefinger and thumb. Apparently, that was how one presented a Claimed Female during formal affairs.
Willa barely registered the opulent furnishings and extravagant décor. Once her relieved eyes alighted on Tiron’s familiar form, she could hardly contain the urge to rush forward and fling herself into his arms. Giaon’s restraining hold on her neck prevented her from moving far.
It was then that Willa noticed Tiron’s aloof demeanor. He didn’t acknowledge her at all. In fact, his cold eyes seemed to stare right through her. The delight that had been bubbling through her heart turned to stone in her chest.
∞ ∞ ∞
“Welcome, Child of Another World,” Madame D’Corian greeted Willa, unexpectedly exerting her position over Lady Rion.
For a moment, Tiron thought his mother was going to detonate like an incendiary device, but she managed to restrain herself. After all, Liania was merely the Governor’s mate, though she had the right to make most rulings for those living in her house. However, Madame D’Corian, or Aunt Miska as he preferred to think of her, was the Queen of the Corian people.
Willa, to her credit, didn’t miss the social cue. “Hello, Ma’am.”
“Bring her closer,” Miska demanded, beckoning imperiously.
Giaon obediently marched Willa to stand in front of Madame D’Corian, who reclined on a raised couch.
“Yes, I can see what all the fuss is about,” she murmured, sitting up to more thoroughly examine Willa. “I’d imagine our Warriors find your kind quite attractive. You’re unable to challenge them as a Corian female could.”
Aunt Miska was exactly right. There was something heady about knowing that such a delicate and beautiful person depended on him. Knowing she carried is child, he was having a difficult time keeping his aggression in check. He wanted to pummel Giaon simply for touching her.
“Ma’am?” Willa cocked her pretty head to the side, confused.
“Never mind,” Madame D’Corian dismissed with a wave of her elegant hand. “Let us proceed with the proposed transfer of property.” She gave Giaon a hard look before turning to Liania. “Madame Rion, please state your case.”
“We so rarely get to see you, My Queen. Let’s not start your visit off with complaining, you have enough worries. I’m certain you needn’t concern yourself with our petty squabbles.” Liania tried to dissuade her.
“The whole of Corian space is in an uproar about these Earthers. Petty squabble or no, how the House of Rion handles this incident will set a precedent in the minds of our people. Of my people,” the Queen rebutted firmly.
“Very well.” Liania gave in with a stiff nod of her perfectly coiffed head.
Tiron could tell that his mother hadn’t counted on Aunt Miska crashing her simple property transfer hearing. Miska was a canny ruler, and she was correct about the ramifications of any decisions made here in the Governing House of Cor II, the House of Rion. The ripples of such a declaration would roil throughout the Warrior Ranks and beyond.
“Commander Tiron Rion of the House of Rion is our heir. He has taken responsibility for the Earther, Willa,” Liania stated. “Commander Tiron has been unable to fulfill his promise to the Earther due to his position. In fact, my son, Giaon, has been Willa’s Protector, rescuing her from a Corian mob just two rotations ago. I advocate a transfer of Tiron’s Claim on Willa to Giaon.”
Tiron drew a breath to condemn the plan, though he knew it would do him no good. Liania had set her mind on this and would do what she must to get her way. No matter how much he and Giaon trusted one another, this was Giaon’s chance to have a female. Tiron didn’t know what he would do in Giaon’s position.
Chapter Thirty-One
“I would dearly love to possess a female such as Willa,” Giaon began, giving Willa’s neck an imperceptible massaging squeeze of support. “But I did not rescue her. She rescued herself as any Citizen of Ri will tell you.”
Willa had been confused when she realized Liania’s beautiful guest was the Corian queen, but she’d been livid when she discovered they intended to settle her future as lightly as they would an inanimate object. On the verge of verbally tearing into the ‘superior’ Corian females, she’d backed off when she felt Giaon’s grip on her tighten. And, boy, was she glad she had. They probably would have killed her for disrespecting royalty, and it might not have been the best idea to attack Tiron’s mother. Well, the jury was still out on that.
“Furthermore,” he continued, “It would be remiss of me to accept a Claim on this female. Though it is sometimes done, I find the idea of usurping my brother’s female and offspring distasteful.” He gave Tiron an amused look. “Not to mention, potentially very painful.”
Willa held her breath. She had no idea how these strange people would react to her pregnancy. Visions of her recent near-death experience danced behind her closed eyelids.
“Well, that was unexpected,” the Queen murmured. She turned to a visibly shaken Liania saying, “It appears the decision has been made. The female, Willa of Earth, shall continue on under the Protection of Commander Tiron Rion. I would, however, propose a caveat.”
“Your Highness?” Tiron finally spoke up.
Willa hadn’t chanced a look at him since she’d first spotted him standing there so cold and forbidding. He didn’t appear happy, but he seemed relieved.
“If all Earthers are compatible with Corians, I would have all pregnant females removed from the battlefront. The Warriors are likely to become uncontrollable if their females and babes become endangered,” she proposed.
“I’m sure most Warriors would concede the wisdom of that arrangement,” Tiron agreed, making Willa’s heart sink. She would remain here, away from Tiron and a virtual prisoner, indefinitely. “I would appreciate your consideration on another condition,” he added, gesturing for Giaon to release Willa to him.
She joined Tiron in front of the reclining monarch. He reached for her, drawing her close to touch his forehead to hers for a brief moment before gently placing his hand where Giaon’s had been.
“I’m willing to hear your request,” the Great Lady replied, her
face inscrutable.
“I received word that General Darvan has bonded his Captive.”
The Queen looked annoyed, but nodded, encouraging Tiron to continue, “Captives are the lowest of the low in the CORANOS Galactic Alliance. Darvan is the preeminent Warrior of our generation as well as the heir to the Corian Crown. Since he executed a bonding contract with his Earther, I would cite his preceding behavior and bond my Claimed Female if you’ll allow it.”
Well, that was unexpected. When Tiron played ball, he certainly swung for the bleachers.
“I don’t see how I can stop you,” Madame D’Corian said pointedly. “But you, Willa, could grant me the courtesy my son denied me and ask me to help negotiate your contract.”
“I’m not certain there will be a contract, Ma’am,” Willa replied softly, angling her body so she could see Tiron. He frowned slightly, but seemed to have anticipated her reaction.
“I beg your pardon?” Liania gasped.
Turning to face Tiron, she shrugged out of his grasp. “On Earth, the male used to propose a marriage, what we call a bonding contract, to the female. It was her choice to accept or not,” Willa explained. “I know we aren’t on Earth, but I have waited my whole life for a marriage proposal.”
Tiron’s smile was the most wonderful thing Willa had seen in a very long time. “Willa…” He gave her an uncertain look.
“Wilhelmina Anderson, will you marry me?” She prompted.
“Wilhelmina Anderson, will you marry me? And bond with me?” He asked, golden eyes burning with love.
“I will.”
∞ ∞ ∞
Three Hours Later
Willa was numb and exhausted and never, ever wanted to do this again. She’d been an unwanted orphan before the war, and, after, she’d been a friendless survivor. Never in all of her life had she imagined that the queen of an entire galaxy would stand in loco parentis for her. And nothing in her experience could have educated her on the finer points of negotiation like watching Miska and Liania parry and dance through her bonding contract item by endless item.
