by T. S. Ryder
“Calm down, Renaya. I’ll explain later,” he said coolly.
“Calm down? You want me to calm down? You lied to me!” Renaya’s voice grew hysterical, tears brimming in her eyes.
“You agreed to come. The Aramith you wear is the sign that you are my mate,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I...I...you...tricked me!” she choked, “I didn’t know what the amulet meant!” Tears streamed down her face. “I wanted freedom!”
Lord Aurzac looked at her for a long time. She wasn't going to be an easy one. He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, “You are free. The only way I could have freed you was by taking you as my bride. This may not be the rule in your world, but here, this is the way it is,” Lord Aurzac said, gently.
She looked up and held him at arm’s length. “I am no better than a slave. You gave me no choice.”
“What choice did you have? Your world is almost destroyed. You don’t know if there are any survivors. You should be grateful that I got you out of that Zorg mess.”
“You arrogant bastard! You could have told me what I was getting myself into,” she said, disgusted. “You didn’t even bother to ask if I wanted to be your mate!” And with that, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the hall. Ayana followed.
Lord Aurzac stood there, staring as if she had slapped him. No one dared abuse him, ever. Let alone a woman. He was the powerful Durlan Warrior and this woman was unbelievable. A sense of weariness overtook him. This woman wasn’t going to be easy. She was unusual and different.
She’s being difficult... you can teach her a lesson, the dark voice inside him whispered. Ignoring it, he grabbed a glass of wine from the table and gulped it down. What was she doing to him? It seemed as though he was losing his strength. Nobody had that effect on him. He didn’t want to succumb to his dark side and punish her. He couldn’t do it. The Spirit had connected with her and that was a sign. He must find another way.
The Elder came and stood beside him. He sensed Lord Aurzac’s agitation.
“She is different, My Lord. You must be patient with her.”
“I am trying to,” he said, “Elder, she had a vision when I brought her here. She connected with the Spirit.”
“You must believe. If the Spirit welcomed her, then she will be our savior,” the Elder said softly. “Be patient. Give her time. Maybe you need to approach her differently.”
The Elder’s words were true. She didn’t know their customs. She didn’t know why she was important to them. He would try and explain it to her in the morning.
Chapter Seven
Renaya was furious. She ran out into the hallway wanting to shut herself into her room.
“My Lady... Please wait!” Ayana called, following her. “Let me show you to your room.”
Renaya slowed down as Ayana caught up with her. She led her down the great lobby and toward the back until they reached a door on the left. They stepped into another hallway and made their way up the grand staircase. At the top of the stairs, the landing led to a passageway. There were rooms on their right. Ayana stopped in front of one of the doors and tapped the gold crest on her belt a few times. The door opened and Renaya stepped in behind her. For a moment, her anger was forgotten, as she was awestruck by the grandeur of the bedroom.
The vast ivory walls and the large oval windows overlooked the palace grounds and beyond. They had a surreal feeling to them, as the sunlight lit up the alien marble floor. The bed was oval shaped, surrounded by thin gossamer drapes.
“Thank you,” she said to Ayana. “Please leave me alone now.”
“It's my pleasure to serve you, My Lady. Please take this armband. She handed her a delicate gold band that resembled a bracelet. Attached to it was a small crest similar to the one she had seen on Lord Aurzac's armor.
“This is the key to all the doors in the palace. And it's also a communicator.” She said as she put the armband on Renaya's upper arm.
“How does it work?”
“You tap the Durlan crest twice if you want to open any door inside the palace. It’s been programmed with the link to the central locking system,” Ayana explained. “And when you need me for anything, you press it and hold it down while you talk to me.”
“Okay, thank you,” Renaya said as she looked at the gold armband that looked more like a piece of jewelry.
Renaya sat on the chaise lounge by the massive window as Ayana left the room. She looked up at the three moons that came into view. She had heard the planet had seven moons. Blood moons as they called them, they were dusty red and gloomy in the night sky as if heralding an omen.
Angry and hurt by Lord Aurzac’s betrayal, her thoughts wandered back home. But where would she go? Even if she had her way and went back, she didn’t know what would be the situation there. But if she chose to live with Lord Aurzac, would he be able to love her? Of what she had heard of Durlan warriors, they were cold and heartless, almost devoid of feelings. And then she remembered the hostile look in Lady Shanra’s eyes, and she wondered if these aliens would accept her in their society. She shuddered and took a deep breath. It was all happening so fast. She needed time to think.
Torn apart by the dilemma, sheer exhaustion took over her body as she got up and walked toward the bed. Lying down, her head resting on the plush pillows, she drifted into sleep almost immediately.
***
The next morning, Lord Aurzac was at his desk, checking the battle plans when Lady Shanra entered.
“I have news, My Lord,” she said, as she walked up to him. “Trobbut has a message for you.”
Lord Aurzac got up from his desk and went toward the conference table. Lady Shanra tapped the flat device on the oval table in front of her as a holographic screen appeared at its center. The image of Zorg leader Trobbut appeared. His harsh features filled the room with his menacing presence.
“This is for Lord Aurzac. What you offer is interesting... but I have my doubts. I don't know what game you are playing, Aurzac, but I know this for sure. You are a liar. Everyone in the galaxy knows very well that Terrgius is dying. So what you offer is nothing. See you on the battlefield.” The video message ended with a click. Lord Aurzac's jaw clenched as his fist tightened, knuckles turning white.
“Shanra, gather the troops. Start the training session, pronto! I will join you shortly,” he ordered in a lethal voice.
She pressed the crest on her armband and barked orders into it as she strode away toward the training grounds at the back of the palace. Lord Aurzac went to see Renaya. He must talk some sense into this woman before everything was lost.
Chapter Eight
Renaya woke up feeling a lot better than the night before. After an exotic breakfast that Ayana brought her, she got dressed. She wore a halter neck, pale green, full-length gown that Ayana picked for her. She looked beautiful with her hair loose, and a few strands twisted and held up by delicate pins at her temples.
She stood by the oval windows, looking at the view and the vision she had the previous day came back to her. The withering gardens, dry fountains and harsh sunlight of the two suns made the once beautiful landscape dreary, she thought.
A movement behind her made her turn. Lord Aurzac entered the room. She turned back and gazed outside again, not in the mood to talk to him as her anger returned. She felt his piercing gaze on her naked back.
“Hope you slept well, Renaya?” he said in a controlled, formal voice. He seemed distant. Cold. He thought he should apologize, but his dark pride wouldn’t let him.
“I’m fine,” Renaya replied curtly.
His anger slipped away on hearing her soft voice. She rendered him weak. It was an unusual feeling, one he had never experienced before.
He came closer, standing behind her until his body was against her back. His breath hitched as her sweet scent assailed his senses. He slid his hands down along her arms from behind, then he held her hands, pulling her toward him until she was pressed against his hard chest. She stiffened. His proximity made her
gasp and blood rushed to her cheeks.
“You see what is out there?” he said in a soft deep voice, almost a whisper. His lips close to her ear as he spoke. “My home is dying. If you could have seen Terrgius before the war, you would be in a world so beautiful you would never grow tired of it. It would have been what your people call paradise.”
She listened, silently.
“I have been fighting this war far too long. The Zorg have been plundering this planet for over a century now,” he continued. “Years ago my father was assassinated. Since then, our resources have been dwindling.”
She turned in his arms and looked at him. He saw genuine concern in her dark eyes.
“You see this?” He stepped back a little and pulled out a dagger from his belt. The blade shone brightly in the sunlight with intricate carvings covering the hilt. “This is what the Zorg are after. It's made of Modrya iron, a rare form of iron exclusively found on Terrgius.”
She held the dagger and found it amazingly light but knew it was lethal.
“The Zorg won’t accept our peace treaty. I will leave for battle in a few days,” he continued as something flitted across his eyes. For a split second she saw deep sorrow in their gray depths, but then it vanished and was replaced by a cold steely glare.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked, stepping back.
She nodded. He tapped his armband twice and a panel in the wall to their left opened, revealing a mini bar. He poured wine for two.
“Renaya, I need your help,” Lord Aurzac said in a formal voice as he handed her a tall glass of sparkling blue wine.
“How can I help you? I'm just an ordinary human,” she whispered, with an incredulous look in her eyes.
He gazed at her for a long time as he drained his glass.
“You are the chosen one,” he explained. “I come from a bloodline of ancient Durlan Warlords. My ancestors’ spirits are connected with Terrgius’s life force. My soul, too, is connected. But I cannot save the plane alone. My mate must help me.”
“How can you be sure I’m the chosen one?” she asked. “And why would I help you, after what you did to me?”
“The Spirit of Terrgius has already accepted you. You saw the vision. She cries out for your help. And I chose you because I felt the connection as well. It's the bond I share with you.”
She looked deep into his stormy eyes for a long time and took a sip of the wine. It tasted strange but pleasant and slid down her throat smoothly.
“The decision is yours. If you don’t agree to help, my home will be annihilated. Only a few can migrate, but millions will die.” His desperate gaze searched her soul.
“Lord Aurzac, I... I need to think,” Renaya said. Her mind was in turmoil. “I need more time.”
Lord Aurzac nodded and left without another word.
Chapter Nine
Renaya heaved a huge shuddering sigh. She felt she needed air. The burden of such a big responsibility weighed down on her conscience. She tapped her armband twice and the large window slid open. She stepped onto the large terrace surrounded by sleek columns that held up the domed ceiling of the huge pavilion.
How could she not help him? If she was the chosen one, as he said, then she had a responsibility. She was important to them, precious. Her grandmother’s words came rolling into her mind and tears welled up in her eyes. The Spirit of this world had welcomed her and asked for her help. She couldn’t just turn away from it. An entire planet would die and she had the chance to save it. She breathed in the air. It was warm, balmy. She looked down from the balcony and saw the warriors training in the yard. Their muscular chests were bare and they wore leather pants. Swords clashed. Lord Aurzac and Shanra were training the others as well as practicing their own fighting moves.
Aurzac looked handsome as ever. What would her life be like if she chose to stay? He would probably never be there for her. He would stay away for months, travelling in space or going to battles.
She recalled her grandma’s words. This was it. The decision she needed to make.
Renaya you must choose wisely...
Her grandmother would have wanted her to make the sacrifice. If she sacrificed herself for him, would he love her the way she wanted to be loved?
She must see him and talk about it with him. She went inside the bedroom and stepped out into the hallway on the other side. She climbed down the large stairs and waited in the grand atrium. Not knowing the way around the palace, she pressed the crest.
“Ayana, please come and meet me in the atrium,” she said.
“Yes, My Lady,” Ayana replied.
Renaya stood in the foyer, admiring the paintings on the wall, when she heard footsteps coming from behind. When she turned, she saw Lady Shanra walking toward her. She wore her battle training suit that revealed a little bit too much of her body, thought Renaya.
She was tall, and she almost towered over Renaya when she stood in front of her. Shanra tilted her head and looked Renaya up and down as her eyes rested on the Aramith. Her expression changed to disgust as her amber eyes grew brighter.
“Human females are so repulsive. I don’t know what Lord Aurzac sees in you,” she hissed. “Look at you. You are an ugly, pathetic, slave woman.”
“I am not a slave anymore,” Renaya defended herself, blood rushing to her cheeks. Why did this woman make her so nervous?
“If you think you can stay here forever then you are mistaken,” Shanra seethed. “When Lord Aurzac is done with you, he’ll forget all about you.” She spat venomously.
“I...I don’t understand. What are you talking about?” Renaya’s head reeled. “Lord Aurzac would do no such thing,” she said, but she knew her voice sounded uncertain.
“Ah, very cute. So you have feelings for him now?” Shanra snapped. “Don’t be mistaken. You don’t even know him. I don’t know what magic you used to ensnare him, but believe me, it won’t last long.”
And with this last tirade, Shanra turned on her heel and strode away.
Renaya’s heart raced. She felt humiliated. What was that all about? She must go and see Aurzac right now. Luckily, Ayana just rounded the corner.
“Oh, thank heavens, you are here. I would like to see Lord Aurzac,” Renaya said.
“My Lady, you have been summoned by the Elder,” Ayana said. “I will take you to him.”
“But I need to talk to Aurzac first,” Renaya insisted.
“He will be there, My Lady,” Ayana said.
They made their way toward the palace gardens and up to the pavilion over the hill. The columns of the pavilion joined together and formed an arch that supported the dome. The floor was octagonal and ivory white. An oval skylight lit up the pavilion. Sunlight filtered in through the stained glass.
They found Lord Aurzac already with the Elder. Ayana waited at the steps. Renaya greeted the Elder with a bow, as she had learned was the custom there. Lord Aurzac came and stood beside her. The Elder took her left hand, on which she wore her grandmother’s ring. Then he took Lord Aurzac’s right hand and held both hands in his own.
All three of them saw the vision.
Aurzac and Renaya were in a barren field. Three drops of blood dripped from Renaya’s finger on the ground. The world changed as it grew bright and peaceful. The fields flourished, flowers bloomed in the gardens, and water filled the rivers. Then suddenly, a dark form appeared in the sky and blocked out the sun. It was a hooded shadow creature that flew down toward them. It grabbed Lord Aurzac and took him into away, leaving Renaya screaming behind. The ground cracked open and swallowed her.
Lord Aurzac’s eyes snapped open and he drew in a sharp breath. Renaya was trembling as the Elder spoke.
“Death will come,” he said. “The planet will heal if Renaya chooses to heal it but the oracle says death will come nonetheless.”
“This cannot be happening!” Lord Aurzac said, his jaw clenched. “We will go to the sacred hall now.” He took Renaya’s hand and pulled her with him.
When they rea
ched the palace, they walked toward the sacred hall.
“What have you decided? Will you help us?” he asked with a determination that intimidated her.
“Yes,” she replied. If this was her destiny, then so be it. Death was inevitable for both of them. At least she would do something good before dying.
“The oracle can be wrong. It may or may not be true,” he explained as if reading her thoughts. “Don’t think about death right now.”
“It’s okay, Aurzac,” she whispered. “I’ll help. I hope I can save you and your planet.” Tears filled her eyes, as realization hit her how painful it would be if she lost him.
They reached the doors that opened to a staircase, leading them down underground. When they reached the base of the stairs, the two doors on their right slid open and they entered a small chamber. They stepped into some sort of an elevator. Lord Aurzac tapped his crest and the elevator moved smoothly. They were going lower and lower until they reached the sacred hall room that housed the lifeline to the core of the planet.
Renaya looked at him sideways. His strong jaw clenched as his hand gripped the hilt of his dagger tightly, turning his knuckles white. Her stomach knotted as she took in his handsome profile, filled with agitation. She turned toward him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Lifting herself up on her toes, and tilting her head she pressed her lips to his. He grabbed her around the waist and deepened the kiss, fervently devouring her.
The doors slid open and they pulled apart. Aurzac stepped into the hall, pulling her with him. It was a big hall with a dome-shaped ceiling, which was lit by a huge chandelier. The hall had strange artifacts, sculptures of unknown beasts lining the walls, paintings of wars on the ceiling.
In the center of the hall was a huge statue of a woman. She sat on a throne with one leg tucked beneath her. She rested her hands on her knees, palms up as if praying or meditating.
“Come with me,” Lord Aurzac said as he walked toward the statue. They climbed up the steps that led to it.
