The Universe Parallel

by Traci Harding

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Rhun assured her, ‘we have this under control.’ He looked back to Avery. ‘Better fetch Ronan to my office, to aid with the questioning of the crew.’

  Taren gasped, panicked by the mention of the name. ‘Not Chief Ronan, the head of the MSS?’

  Rhun cringed at his error in mentioning him.

  ‘We are aware you two have a history,’ Avery cut in, ‘but I can assure you that Zelimir Ronan is a different man since his death.’

  ‘What?’ Taren was a little confused.

  ‘No time to explain, we really need to go.’ Avery bowed out. He looked to Rhun, who nodded in accord.

  ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can,’ Rhun advised Taren and Lucian, before vanishing from their midst. Taren grinned broadly in their wake, despite the news that Ronan was on the planet.

  ‘I thought the chronicles were exaggerating, but our boys really are some of the most gung-ho men you’re ever likely to meet.’ She shook her head in wonder, unable to keep her thoughts from drifting to Starman. She had seen him in En Noah’s chronicles too and felt it wasn’t any wonder she felt an affinity with him — in her life as Tory Alexander, Zeven Gudrun had been Brian Alexander, her brother. ‘This place is just amazing!’ Taren’s eyes watered as she realised how much, as a psychic, she could learn from these people, and a mass of excited energy welled in her chest.

  Lucian nodded, in tune with how she felt. ‘Feels like home.’

  In his office, Rhun was greeted by the six detainees, Jahan and Jazmay. ‘So.’ Rhun looked directly at the crew, who were all still stunned by his sudden appearance before them. ‘To what do we owe the honour of this visit, gentlemen?’

  Predictably, all the men maintained their stunned silence.

  ‘Shall I fetch some Nerguz modules, Governor?’ Jahan queried, ‘This may take some time otherwise?’

  ‘That won’t be necessary,’ Rhun advised as Avery appeared with Ronan.

  ‘How can I be of aid, Governor?’ the chief of the MSS questioned.

  ‘Why are you here?’ Jazmay was immediately enraged to see him, although she barely recognised him in the local attire and he’d dropped several pounds since last she’d seen him.

  ‘Chief Ronan?’ the agents queried with disbelief and relief.

  ‘Do not trust this man!’ Jazmay pointed a finger at him. ‘Allow me to kill him for you, it would be my pleasure.’

  Jahan was forced to restrain Jazmay as she took a flying leap in Ronan’s direction and managed to slap the chief across the cheek.

  ‘Let me go!’ she hissed at Jahan.

  ‘Not until you compose yourself in the presence of the governor,’ he whispered softly. ‘Please.’

  She calmed, and took a deep breath, before looking back to Rhun. ‘My apologies to you, sir.’

  Rhun nodded to accept. ‘I respect your view, Miss Cardea, and I understand your concern and confusion in this instance. But I assure you, I have the situation well in hand. You are both dismissed.’

  ‘Thank you, Governor.’ Jahan escorted Jazmay from the room.

  ‘Now,’ Rhun slapped his hands together, ‘let’s get down to business.’ He looked to Chief Ronan, to find his jaw dropping in shock. ‘I’m sorry about Miss Cardea, I should have dismissed her sooner.’

  ‘No, it isn’t that.’ The chief snapped out of his daze. ‘That young man reminded me of someone I used to know.’ His voice wavered a little and then he cleared his throat to get down to business. ‘Do carry on.’

  Rhun looked back to the captured agents. ‘I’ll ask you again, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?’

  The agents were confused by the presence of the chief, but remained silent.

  ‘Answer the man!’ Ronan ordered impatiently, just as he normally would, and the agent in charge didn’t dare defy him.

  Apparently Maladaan had received an automatic SOS communication from the AMIE vessel before Rhun had shut it down. ‘The communication advised that there were two humans on board, but when we arrived at the vessel, it had been shut down and vacated. There was an aircraft missing from the hangar bay, which did not land on Maladaan, and so we were sent to Kila to scout for it,’ the agent concluded.

  ‘And kidnapping the Princess of Tarazean?’ Rhun queried. ‘What did that have to do with your mission?’

  ‘Sorry, sir.’ The agent in charge remained focused on Ronan. ‘But we didn’t know she was a princess, we thought she was just a local bird.’ His men suppressed chuckles at his pun.

  ‘Why did you not announce yourselves?’ Ronan was furious and all the agents sobered once more. ‘This is completely unacceptable, it breaches the treaty we made.’

  ‘With all due respect, Chief Ronan,’ the agent piped up, ‘I don’t give the orders, I just follow them.’

  Ronan inhaled to calm himself and turned to Rhun. ‘I apologise for the breach in protocol,’ he advised. ‘I shall travel back with this crew to Maladaan and inquire into this further.’

  ‘That would be appreciated.’ Rhun knew how much Ronan did not want to leave. ‘I shall have Avery go with you.’

  But Ronan held up a hand in decline. ‘Thank you, but no. I feel that will only escalate the situation.’

  ‘I wish to ensure your welfare,’ Rhun informed, and Ronan nodded, understanding that he did.

  ‘I shall stay in communication,’ he assured.

  ‘If I do not hear from you every twenty-four hours I will be sending the Lord of the Otherworld after you, and his minions will not be so easy to deal with as mine.’

  ‘I shall make that perfectly clear, Governor.’ Ronan bowed out of the meeting and ordered his men after him.

  ‘The war begins,’ Avery commented in an aside to his brother.

  ‘I fear it does,’ Rhun concurred. ‘So we had best hurry up and figure a way around it.’

  ‘Why is our good governor consorting with the likes of Ronan?’ Jazmay waited until they had left the governor’s building before she voiced her concern to Jahan. ‘Ronan will poison his mind!’

  Jahan laughed off her concern and she frowned. ‘I think you shall find it is the opposite way around, and our governor’s ways will rub off on Ronan, just as they did on you!’ he said and Jazmay stopped frowning. ‘That’s why he is the governor, and I’d trust in his word, if I were you.’

  Jazmay was inclined to believe Jahan. ‘I cannot help but be fearful.’ She defended her behaviour. ‘Kila is so wonderful, I want to protect it from the corrupted ways of our universe.’

  ‘We developed from a corrupted society just like yours. I have memories of past lives that would make even a hardened warrior like you sick.’ Jahan walked backwards in front of her as he spoke. ‘But we came through it, and so can Maladaan, and every other planet in your universe!’ he claimed, but she looked doubtful. ‘Sooner or later your people will work out that it just pays to do good by others.’

  ‘I guess I am learning that,’ Jazmay admitted, her mood taking an upswing. ‘And if it is true that Zelimir Ronan is learning that too, then —’ she shrugged, ‘— I guess anything is possible.’

  ‘Like you accompanying me on a date?’ Jahan jumped at the opportunity to ask.

  Jazmay sobered again, and was thoughtful. ‘Why are you so persistent?’

  Jahan did not take offence, but remained upbeat. ‘Because I want to show you stuff, take you places, teach you things, and bring a little joy into your life, but I can’t do that unless you agree to hang out with me.’

  The Phemorian’s hard exterior began to crack. ‘I’m not really a hearts and flowers kind of girl, Jahan, you know that,’ she advised surely and then melted into a smile. ‘Just take me back to your place.’ She moved in for a kiss, which he forestalled.

  ‘What if I need the hearts and flowers?’ he asked and grinned as she began to laugh. ‘No, seriously,’ he insisted. ‘I like a little romance, and you could certainly use some.’

  ‘Oh really?’ She broke away from him, pretending to be affronted, but sm
iling all the while.

  ‘Yes, really,’ he insisted, with a nod in agreement with himself.

  ‘Have it your way, then.’ She strutted off, in a playful huff. ‘Pick me up at dusk.’

  ‘I’m not planning that kind of date. I’ll pick you up at dawn, but only if you put Fari on a leash!’ he called after her.

  ‘Your call,’ she granted and walked on.

  Jahan was compelled to smile as he watched Jazmay stroll away, her long, dark hair blowing in the breeze. ‘There goes my life after death.’

  10

  REMOTE SABOTAGE

  In Chailida harbour marina, to be found on the city’s outer island ring, Jahan had a yacht he’d built himself moored. The vessel was his life’s work, and so it was naturally his choice of a romantic, secluded location for his date with Jazmay.

  As they approached the jetty dock, Jazmay appeared wary. ‘Why are we here?’

  ‘Because this is where my yacht is.’ Jahan motioned to his vessel up ahead.

  ‘Not another water adventure, Jahan.’ She winced in disapproval, still not recovered from her last near-death experience in the ocean.

  ‘That’s odd, I took you for a “feel the fear and do it anyway” kind of girl,’ Jahan challenged, and Jazmay was clearly torn. ‘If something has spooked you, the best thing to do is confront it head-on.’

  Jazmay pulled a face that indicated she agreed, but was not happy about it.

  ‘So today, Miss Cardea, you are going to learn how to swim,’ he announced winningly.

  ‘Out there!’ Jazmay freaked, pointing to the open ocean beyond the harbour.

  Jahan laughed. ‘Hardly.’ He waved her on after him and headed up the jetty. ‘I know a great place just a little way up the coast.’

  ‘Oh.’

  Jazmay sounded awkward for being such a coward about it, but when Jahan glanced back to find her still standing at the end of the jetty, he shook his head in disbelief. ‘How many times do I have to save your life, before you will trust me?’

  The query at least got her moving in the right direction and once she beheld Jahan’s beautiful watercraft her apprehension dissolved into admiration. ‘You built this yourself?’

  ‘Every square inch,’ Jahan confirmed with pride, offering her his hand to help her over the gap between his vessel and the wharf, and to his great surprise she kindly accepted and took hold. ‘Allow me to give you the tour.’

  As Jazmay was shown around the luxurious vessel she felt her anxiety ebb, as the yacht was amazingly steady in the water for a single-hulled craft.

  ‘I’m surprised you don’t live here,’ Jazmay commented, as she quickly exited the master cabin and headed back into the main living quarters. ‘I think even I could live here quite happily!’

  ‘But first you’d have to learn how to swim.’ Jahan brought them back around to the point of the day.

  ‘But I have no swimming clothes.’ Jazmay presented what she thought was a good excuse to give the swimming lesson a miss.

  ‘I have wetsuits.’ Jahan raised both brows in a cheeky fashion, as he headed past her towards the helm. ‘So let us away.’ He disappeared up the stairs and Jazmay inhaled a huge breath for courage.

  She hated how Jahan kept encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone, but it sure beat being forced out of it. She had to admit that besides nearly dying a few times, she’d been having the time of her life and secretly wanted more.

  Inside every fear is a secret wish.

  Rhiannon’s words came back to haunt her, but in this instance the notion made Jazmay smile, for now she understood it — it seemed the Chosen knew her better than she knew herself.

  ‘Come up,’ Jahan yelled from the helm. ‘You should see this!’

  Usually such a command from a man would annoy her, but Jazmay found herself hurrying to see what wonder Jahan had in store for her now.

  Under full sail, Jazmay felt so exhilarated by the feeling of the ocean wind ripping at her hair, as the sun warmed her face and body, that she was a little sad to drop anchor. Still, the little bay, surrounded on three sides by tall cliffs overflowing with tropical rainforest, was host to a large waterfall that poured into the far end of the bay.

  ‘This is an amazing spot.’ Jazmay shaded her eyes to admire their surrounds.

  ‘Yes, it is,’ Jahan agreed, ‘but what is most amazing about this place lies under the water.’ He grinned in challenge and Jazmay got goose bumps at the thought. ‘Look, I promise you that if you brave the water you won’t be sorry.’

  Her emotions wavered between fear and excitement, and at last Jazmay smiled. ‘Okay … I trust you.’

  ‘Well h-a-l-l-e-l-u-j-a-h!’ Jahan exclaimed, with a clap of his hands.

  Although Jazmay did not understand the expression, he certainly sounded pleased.

  ‘That’s a good start,’ he clarified, and waved her after him to get suited up.

  Her wetsuit was very fitted and Jazmay was all too aware that Jahan thought she looked good in it. She had hoped it might not fit, since she was taller than most of the locals, but it was made of organic fibre so one size adjusted to fit all.

  ‘Come on then.’ Jahan was dangling his feet in the water off the swimming platform at the back of the yacht, with snorkelling gear in a pile beside him.

  ‘What about the big sea creatures?’ Jazmay came and sat beside him, but kept her feet on deck.

  ‘This entire bay isn’t much more than six feet deep in any place, and a ridge at the mouth prevents any big predators getting in here,’ he explained.

  Jazmay was relieved. ‘I cannot drown if I can touch the bottom.’ She dropped her feet into the water.

  ‘Well see, that’s the thing …’ Jahan hesitantly fronted up with the bad news, ‘… the bottom is mostly coral reef, which is not really good on feet, we’ll need to float over it.’

  ‘Float!’ Jazmay objected. ‘I don’t float, I sink!’

  ‘Is that a fact?’ Unconvinced, he fell into the water and then surfaced to float on his back. ‘Just think “light-as-a-feather”,’ he suggested.

  ‘Show-off!’ She kicked water at him to disturb his peaceful moment.

  ‘Come on,’ he jeered. ‘It’s much easier than flying as there is hardly any effort required on your behalf.’

  Jazmay served him the evil eye and a determined grin, as she turned her body about and lowered herself into the water.

  The cool relief from the sun was nice, but not being able to see what was below her and the liquid slowing the movement of her limbs, was off-putting. ‘I don’t like it.’ She gripped the stepladder, preparing to pull herself back out, when Jahan clutched her waist.

  ‘I’ve got you, you’re perfectly safe,’ he said gently.

  Jazmay recalled him saying the same thing to Ibis as he’d freed her, and the look of relief and contentment she’d seen on Ibis’s face as she’d held Jahan ignited a desire in the Phemorian’s chest that nearly took her breath away.

  ‘Just let go,’ he encouraged, and with a gentle tug from him, she released the rail and drifted backwards into his hands.

  ‘Very impressive.’ He trod water, struggling to keep her sinking body afloat. ‘Now.’ He reached down and caught up her flailing legs to get her more balanced in the water. ‘Apologies in advance, but in order to aid you to master this little challenge, I may have to touch your arse.’

  Jazmay gasped at his gall. ‘Nice that you waited for me to be at a disadvantage to tell me that.’

  ‘Hey,’ Jahan objected in his own defence, ‘that’s just the way it is.’

  ‘And why is that?’ she challenged.

  ‘You stretch out and try to float and I’ll show you why,’ he proffered, whereby she served him a displeased look and did as he suggested.

  When she laid herself out flat on the water’s surface and Jahan let her go, her bum was the first part of her to give way and sink, and Jahan placed a hand on her behind to prop it back up. ‘Ah,’ she conceded his point. ‘It’s not so
bad,’ she decided with a grin and Jahan gave a laugh.

  ‘Being in the water, or my hand on your behind?’

  Jazmay’s smiled broadened, but she did not reply, only gave a shrug.

  ‘Try placing your arms above your head,’ he suggested.

  ‘Ah yes.’ Jazmay felt herself come into balance, and when Jahan let her go and she continued to float, she could hardly believe it. ‘I’m doing it.’ Her joy got caught up in her throat, and she shed a quiet tear of amazement.

  ‘You’ll be snorkelling within the hour,’ Jahan assured her.

  And so she was.

  The beauty of the world beneath the waves was a complete revelation to her. Jazmay had seen pictures of sea life in books back on Phemoria, not dissimilar to here, but even the most beautiful images paled by comparison to how wondrous it was to see such creatures and their coral cities up close.

  With every new wonder she beheld, Jazmay felt her heart open a little more and by the time Jahan dragged her back to the swimming platform at the rear of their vessel, Jazmay felt as if all the goodwill in her heart would explode right through her chest if she didn’t release some of it. As Jahan pulled her up beside him on the dry platform, her urge to express her appreciation overwhelmed her and before Jahan even got a word out Jazmay planted a kiss on his lips, fuelled with all the passion she was feeling. ‘Thank you.’ She could finally say it and the words were heartfelt. ‘Thank you for saving me in so many ways, that I cannot even count them any more.’

  ‘No need to keep score,’ he said, running his hand down the side of her face, ‘this is not a game, not to me.’

  Jazmay could see that now, and the fact was not frightening at all, but rather comforting — arousing even. ‘But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun.’ She grinned, sliding her body closer to his. She had never voluntarily given herself to a man, and had never imagined she would ever feel as compelled as she did now.

  ‘You got that right.’ Jahan held her face in both hands and as he engaged her lips with his in a deep sensual union, Jazmay let her inhibitions go and stripped the wetsuit from her body.