Embracing Emily (#7 Warriors of Kelon)

by Angela Castle

  “Can I wash your back?” He winked, his flirtation only making her anger grow.

  “No, go away.” She moved to slam the door in his face.

  “Hey, now, wait a minute, you don’t even know why I came.” Guess she wasn’t getting rid of him that easily.

  “Well? Why?” She folded her arms and would have tapped her foot if she could balance properly without using her crutch.

  “Because, I owe you an apology for today, and I wanted to give you these.” She didn’t notice him hiding something behind his back. He produced a small box of chocolates. “I was kind of hoping to spend some more time with you. You have to give a guy a break for spending all day in such a lovely lady's company and not being able to make a move, but I’m off-duty now.”

  She blinked, stunned. “Jon, that’s really nice of you, but I don’t think—”

  “It’s not too late to go out for dinner and some slow dancing.” He smiled, his face a charming mask. “Or a walk in the moonlight. It’s lovely out tonight.”

  She shook her head. The only man she wanted, she insulted and he left. The only walk she wanted to do was into his arms. By Kelon standards, she was a married woman.

  Too bad if she hurt Simmons's feelings, but she needed to draw a line. She would never be unfaithful to Vallarr; she loved him more than her own life.

  “Sorry, Jon, thank you, but I can’t accept the chocolates, nor do I want to go on a date with you. You’re a...nice guy. I think you deserve someone, uh, better than me.”

  His smile fell, bitter anger twisted his lips. “Honey, I don’t think you understand. Your father...”

  She gasped, remembering how her father ‘recommended’ Simmons to her. It appeared they were both in on this, for God knows what reason.

  “I don’t care what you, or my father cooked up. I don’t want to go out with you and with your lousy attitude, I never will! You and my father can mind your own damn business.”

  His lip curled up in a sneer. “You would rather fuck one of those aliens than your own species. You’re not only a cripple, but completely perverted as well.” Disgust dripped from his tone.

  Emily was so angry she reacted without thought and slapped Simmons across the face. “Those Kelons have more honour in their small toe than you have in your entire body! And don’t you dare turn up to guard me on Monday. For all I care, you can go fuck yourself!”

  She slammed the door, leaning against it to flip the lock. Her whole body shook with fear and rage. Tears pricked the back of her eyes. Anger always upset her. She hated conflict, but never backed down from it. She wanted Vallarr back, his arms around her. She needed to apologise for her thoughtless words.

  Reality hit home, making her sink against the door and slide down, a sob caught in her throat. She couldn’t live without Vallarr in her life. She needed to find the courage to grow up and stand up to her father. She shouldn’t have to hide the fact she fell in love with a Kelon.

  * * * *

  Hidden in the shadows, Vallarr watched as Simmons stepped back from Emily’s dwelling. It was not that he did not trust her; he did not trust the male. Hearing their every word, Vallarr forced his body to remain rigid, to not burst around and beat the man senseless for not only insulting Emily, but the Kelon race.

  What was such a human doing on this base? Why would her father be pushing the lieutenant to claim Emily? It was clear, the human didn’t have any like for her.

  With the door locked against him, Simmons threw away the gift into the bushes, cursing Emily and her father as he stalked away.

  Vallarr made his way back to the Kelon dorms, shielded by the evening darkness.

  Only half the men were there. He could guess the rest were training in the gym. Jyl stood in front of the glowing face com they installed in the communal area, so they could easily communicate with the space station above, and relay information back to Kelon.

  “What are you doing back here?” Hurr asked, pausing in his typing on a holo board. “We won their football battle.” He grinned. “You are mated, should you not be with Emily?”

  Vallarr grunted, ignoring Hurr and scanning the room. He spotted Gillron to the far side, tapping away at another computer station. Vallarr walked over, making the technology officer glance up, eyeing Vallarr with wise caution.

  “Something I can help you with, Te-Commander?” Gillron kept his tone low. It figured he would know Vallarr’s true ranking. Why the High Council did not strip him of his rank after the incident, he did not know.

  “By chance have you looked into Lieutenant Jon Simmons's files?”

  “Emily’s guard? No. Should I?”

  “He insulted her this evening. If he did not back away when he did, I would have killed him for the hurtful words he flung at her.”

  Gillron’s gaze darkened. If it was one thing Kelon men did not tolerate, it was abuse or ill treatment of females. He turned his attention to his screen and tapped away. “Accessing personnel files. The base holds surface information, but if you look deep enough, you can find all sorts of information. The humans have an amazing network where nothing is hidden, illegal or not. Abuse of females on this planet is...disgraceful. If I was in charge, I would launch a mission to rescue these female victims.”

  “Rescuing females will not stop abuse. You need to change the mind and attitude of the people as a whole. Once, we were as primitive and savage as the humans. Our race evolved, we strove to be better and live in harmony. Now, all we can do is share and demonstrate what we have learned. I hope they follow our example.”

  “I did not have any idea you were so wise, Te-Commander.” Gillron never stopped typing nor did he glance up.

  “I have learned much in the past six months.” Vallarr sighed, his mind returning to the hurt expression on Emily’s face when he left. Her words may have been thoughtless, but she did not mean them. He could see it in her eyes. He should not have left her as he did. Wisdom was nothing when you still acted the fool.

  “Ah, here we are. I found this encrypted file. Honestly, human computer security is extremely lax.” Gillron handed the data pad to Vallarr, whose eyes skimmed over the human words converted to Kelon.

  A storm built inside Vallarr while he read on, his hand shaking from pure rage.

  “Commander Jyl, I think you better come over here, now!”

  Gillron wisely stood up and stepped back from Vallarr.

  “Vallarr, what is it?” Jyl approached.

  “This is what has been my Emily’s guard.” Vallarr handed the data pad to Jyl, turned and stalked towards the door. He had one goal in mind—he would kill the human.

  “Vallarr, you will stay here. This is a direct order!” Jyl yelled loud and clear. Vallarr stopped. Those in the room turned to stare.

  “I will not have him near her again!” He turned to face Jyl as he approached.

  “I know, and we will not let him near her again. I agree, he is not fit to be near her or any female. I am charged with keeping peace and this initiative alive. I will not fail in my mission. Your mission, too, Vallarr, to protect us all. I want you to protect Emily in a way which does not include bloodshed.”

  Easier said than done when he wanted to tear the limbs from the human. Vallarr reined his rage in, not fully dissipating, but enough to think more clearly.

  If they no longer had to hide their relationship, Simmons would no longer be needed—not that he was ever needed in the first place.

  A soft knock sounding at the entrance to the room made Jyl frown. No one knocked before as it was a communal area they all entered. Hurr, being closest to the door, got up, opening it before peering down.

  “Emily?”

  Vallarr saw the top of her soft, brown hair. Everything else forgotten, he surged forward, pushing Hurr out of the way. Her eyes widened. He saw them bright with tears.

  “Vallarr, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. Please don’t be mad at me...”

  His heart broke over her sadness, and he pulled her into hi
s arms.

  “Shh, my sweet. I should not have reacted. Forgive me.” He pressed his lips against hers, pouring all his feelings for the woman in his arms into his kiss, showing her how much he cared, how much he needed her.

  “You may want to refrain from doing this in front of unmated males, Vallarr.” Jyl’s voice, filled with humour, registered somewhere in Vallarr’s brain. He pulled back to see Emily's soft smile.

  “I am through being a coward. I’m going to tell my father, I’ve found the man of my dreams—the one I will love for the rest of my life.”

  “Let us not worry about it tonight. Let us enjoy our time together. We will go to him later.” He lifted her up in his arms.

  She shyly glanced around at the other Kelons when he turned and shut the door with the heel of his boot.

  “Are you sure you want this big—what do humans say—'metal head'?” Jyl asked.

  She giggled, such a heart-warming, musical sound. “Of course, Commander Jyl. Only Vallarr. No other will do for me.”

  Her words made him feel he could conquer entire planets with her at his side.

  “We are all extremely envious he has managed to win you. If he gives you any trouble, tell us, and we will sort him out.”

  “Ignore him.” Vallarr growled in warning towards his fellow Kelon, knowing they meant no harm.

  She laughed, “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  Vallarr strode past the others towards the stairs, taking them two at a time. There was no way he was letting Emily out of his sight tonight or ever, if he could help it.

  “Where are we going?” Her cheeks flushed an arousing pink.

  “My room.”

  “Uh, is that allowed?”

  “You are mine, you belong where I am. Yes, it is allowed.”

  “Oh, okay, but the others won’t mind?”

  He yanked open the door of his room, strode in and set her on the bed. “Strip. I want you naked.”

  Her eyes widened at his barked command. At the same time, her breath quickened and her cheeks flushed a deeper shade while she, with trembling fingers, worked on the buttons of her top. He closed and locked the door before removing all of his own clothes. He took her crutch. Soon, he would have Hurr work on her leg, heal her and do away with this thing.

  Her leg was no hindrance in everything he wanted to do to her now. She trembled when he stalked forward, crawling over her soft, lush body.

  “Mine.” His growl was softer, almost a purr as he dipped his head and took her right breast into his mouth. One hand cupped her pussy, feeling her heat, and he spread her lips with his fingers, easily finding her place of pleasure. She gasped and her body tensed before relaxing in surrender.

  Tonight, he would show her how much he needed her—until neither of them could walk.

  * * * *

  He waited and watched, Simmons knew it was only a matter of time before one of them slipped up. It didn’t take long. He watched her hobble across the streets to the Kelon dorms. In the light of the open door, it was easy to see her playing tonsil hockey with the big, scarred security officer. Simmons knew she was fucking him; now, he had visual proof.

  Simmons leaned back and took a long drag on his cigarette.

  Fucking bitch. Choose that alien animal over me? I bet dear old daddy doesn’t know.

  No way was he going to take the blame for failing to get into her pants, or his ring on her finger—fucking Colonel Morland and his schemes.

  This was one scheme he could shove up his arse, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t throw a spanner in the works of another’s fucked-up, love life.

  Simmons grinned. If he was going down, he’d drag as many as he could with him.

  Chapter 11

  Sunday passed in a blur. Emily spent most of it with Vallarr, when he wasn’t making love to her or feeding her by hand in bed. He allowed them to go down and talk and play games with the other men. Giving impromptu language lessons while sitting on his lap didn’t make the men take her any less seriously.

  Late Sunday evening, he walked her back to her house, guessing one night apart would not hurt and give them both time to prepare. On Monday, after teaching her class, they would both go to the Colonel and tell him. Emily was now married to Vallarr. She was bringing the man she loved home to dinner, and if her father didn’t like it, well, tough cookies.

  One last kiss, and then she watched her handsome Kelon stride down the driveway and out of sight. She sighed and locked the door.

  A giddy excitement ran through her. Tomorrow, everything would change; there would be no more hiding. She would be by her man’s side for the rest of her life.

  A loud knocking dragged Emily from a deep sleep, her mind filled with erotic dreams of things Vallarr did to her and places she kissed on his beautiful muscular body.

  She rolled over, blinking sleepily at the red glowing digits on the bedside clock.

  Six in the morning. She groaned—her body still ached in such a delicious way from muscles she rarely used. Guess she would be getting a heck of a good workout daily from now on. She grinned at the lusty thought.

  She wasn’t due to teach the Kelons until nine. Maybe, it was Vallarr, eager for a morning kiss.

  She grabbed her silk robe hanging over the back of the bed. Tugging it on and grabbing her crutch, she pulled herself up and ambled out to answer the door, eagerly unlocking it and swinging it open.

  Her smile fell.

  “Dad?” Like a stoic statue with an equally stony face, he stood in full uniform before her.

  “Emily, I need to talk to you on a matter of importance. Go get dressed, please.”

  “Uh, okay.” Letting her dad in, she hurried back into the bedroom and pulled on some clothes, complete with flat shoes. Her mind raced as to what could be so important.

  Emerging from the bedroom, she found her father in the kitchen making tea. The last time he made her tea was when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

  He eyed her and set down the pot on the counter. “I had some disturbing reports pass my desk late last night, concerning one of the Kelons.”

  She got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Oh crap, he knows about Vallarr and me.

  Suck it up and stand up to him.

  She sat down on one of the stools while he poured the tea and added a dash of milk to hers.

  “I know you’ve grown very fond of the Kelons, and one in particular.”

  Yep, here it comes. “But there are things you don’t know about him. After Simmons reported the incident in the hospital, I looked into Vallarr’s background. He has a history with Earth, and particularly human women.”

  A history with human women? She blinked and wrapped her fingers around the mug to hide her hands were shaking.

  “Em, this Kelon is extremely dangerous. I don’t know how to tell you this other than say it straight out. He’s a murderer.”

  “What! No. Oh, no, Dad, just because Vallarr and I—” She stumbled off the stool, backing away from her father.

  “Emily, the report was clear. He killed thirty-two human women, women abducted from Earth.”

  Emily’s ears rang with what her father told her. She refused to believe it was true.

  “Why do you think he has PTSD? Guilt for his crime. You, in your innocent naivety, come along and are perfect pickings for his next victim. The Kelons on the space station are sending security to have him removed from the base as soon as possible.”

  “No, I don’t believe it. I won’t! I love him, Dad. It...it’s not true. I...I need go and talk with him.” He loved her, claimed her, wanted nothing, but to protect and cherish her.

  Blood pounded in her ears and she struggled to stop herself from shaking in disbelief and shock.

  “Emily, for your own safety, I won’t let you near him. You’re too emotionally involved and not thinking clearly. I’m having you removed from the base immediately.”

  “What? No! I won’t go. I’m going to see him, right now.”


  “Emily, I’m not giving you a choice. You are leaving, now.” He marched to the door and opened it. Two military police stood there waiting. The Colonel picked up her handbag, shoving it at her while the soldiers surrounded her.

  “Take her all the way home, and make sure she is inside and safe. I don’t want those bastards anywhere near her. I’ll see you when things have calmed down here, Emily. This is for your own good.”

  “This way, Miss Morland,” an officer prompted.

  “Fuck you! I’m not going. Don’t you dare touch me!” She tried to back up, but no way could she move fast enough.

  “Dad, please don’t do this to me!” Plead as she may, her father's face remained hard and determined.

  They moved in, snatching away her crutch, and she lost balance, but the men quickly gripped her upper arms, holding her up and carrying her out into a waiting, unmarked white van.

  Emily sucked in air to scream, but one of the men moved quicker, slapping his hand over her mouth. She struggled, trying to break free, biting and swearing at them. She cursed her disability as it only helped to aid them when they tied her into the back seat and slammed the door.

  Fat tears streaked down her face while she screamed inside the van for them to take her back, take her to her Vallarr, as they drove her farther and farther away.

  She would never forgive her dad for doing this. Never!

  Her father was wrong, and she knew it in her heart. Vallarr was a victim, not a murderer. His nightmares, the attacks... He suffered. More than that, he needed her!

  * * * *

  It has only been a few hours, but already he missed her. His heart was as empty as his arms without her nearby to fill them. He sat in the meal room and sighed. Waiting was difficult when you wanted something so desperately.

  “Come to class with us as her guard. We can kick Simmons outside. Making him wait in the corridor will give us much amusement, or we could string him up by his white army underwear to the base flag pole for the duration of the lesson.” Gillron grinned evilly.

  All those things held great appeal. Not able to stand being parted from her any longer, Vallarr heartily agreed to attend the class, not only as her guard, but also her Corami. He finished his breakfast and stood up with the rest of the Kelons when they headed out to the classroom.