The Winter War

by Niall Teasdale

  Ella giggled, and then winced. ‘Are the painkillers going to start working soon?’

  ‘Ten, maybe twelve, minutes.’

  Another groan. ‘Can we hold off on the planning until tomorrow? I don’t think my mind’s in it.’

  ‘There’s not that much to plan, so yes.’

  ‘Have I mentioned that I love you recently?’

  ‘More or less every ten minutes since we got home, yes.’

  ‘I’ve slept since then.’ She turned around in Aneka’s arms and pushed up onto her toes. Their lips met, softly at first and then more hungrily. ‘I love you,’ Ella breathed when they finally broke the kiss.

  ‘I love you too, but don’t you have a headache?’

  Ella shook her head slowly. ‘Either the painkillers are working really fast, or you’re the best analgesic there is.’

  Aneka pulled her in closer, feeling the pressure of the hard nubs of her nipples. ‘Worst romantic line ever. Shut up and kiss me.’

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  Sharissa Torrence was a tall, attractive blonde, her hair tending to work its way toward a flapper-like ringletted appearance. She had gorgeous blue eyes, a fit body with breasts significantly smaller than her partner’s, and a general personality closer to Aneka’s than most Jenlay women she had met. Aneka had decided she liked the woman the first time they met while visiting Janna, but the more time they got to spend together, the more she thought Sharissa was a perfect match for Ella’s mother.

  Right now the two blondes were sitting at one small table in a Mid-town coffee shop calmly watching mother and daughter go through plans for the registration ceremony and the party afterward. Aneka was used to planning military engagements, and Sharissa was employed by the Federal Security Agency to organise security operations, but it was the two Narrows who had taken over the operation and were refusing to let it go.

  Not that either of them had exactly tried to get in on the planning. Janna and Ella enjoyed this sort of thing, and it could even be argued that Aneka and Sharissa were doing it for Janna’s and Ella’s benefit rather than their own.

  ‘Who suggested it?’ Aneka asked. ‘The formalisation thing, I mean.’

  ‘I did,’ Sharissa replied. ‘It’s pure pragmatism. I’m in a dangerous line of work and if something happens to me, then Janna isn’t going to be homeless. Not that she put up a fight. At all.’

  ‘Ella made the same argument, but I think she was just trying to make it sound practical. It’s more to do with wanting me to feel like she’s dedicating herself to me. Or maybe wanting her to feel like she’s dedicating herself to me.’

  Sharissa frowned. ‘Trouble in paradise?’

  ‘Not really. She did something stupid on Old Earth, regretted it immediately, and now she’s overdoing it a little trying to make up. It’s still kind of romantic.’

  ‘I think she gets it from her mother. Both incurable romantics with nymphomaniac tendencies.’

  ‘I don’t think they’re actually, clinically, nymphos.’

  Sharissa grinned. ‘The term isn’t used anymore to be honest. People describe someone as a nymphomaniac, or a watemchu, but it’s almost affectionate. Those two do fit the classification for hypersexuality, but then you could say the same about half the Jenlay population. I mean, it’s not like I can’t keep up with Janna. She’s more likely to initiate than I am, but not by that much. Does Ella ask for too much?’

  Aneka grinned back. ‘No, but sometimes I’m glad I don’t need much sleep.’

  ‘Janna’s got a little more responsible since starting work at the university. Her schedule’s more regular so she has to sleep more regularly. We pull all-nighters at weekends about twice a month to make up, and it’s tiring, and amazing, and she’s worth it.’ The blonde spy smiled across at her lover, her eyes bright.

  Aneka smiled too. ‘They both are.’

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  ‘There is no way I can wear this,’ Aneka said, turning to examine her outfit in the mirror. ‘To an orgy, maybe. At a club with the intent to get laid, yes. To the registration ceremony…’

  ‘Yes,’ Ella said. ‘You look like a goddess. And you said white was traditional at weddings.’

  ‘Yeah, it was,’ Aneka admitted reluctantly. ‘Just… more of it.’ Her outfit consisted of two loops of white cloth with gold trimming held at her shoulders by silver rings, and a skirt, which was similarly two near-triangles held by rings at her hips. The white was not even opaque, though the sparkly fabric hid most of what was under it. White sandals with ankle straps completed the outfit, such as it was.

  ‘You’ve seen what I’m wearing…’

  ‘Yes, and it’s actually less risqué than this. I’m amazed at your restraint. So why are you dressing me in nothing?’

  Ella got out of her seat and walked up behind Aneka. A hand slid over the taller woman’s taught stomach. ‘Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and you’ve agreed to be my legal partner, and I’m the luckiest girl on the planet, and I want everyone to see how lucky I am. Please…’

  She could have said no. Somehow it seemed absolutely the wrong time to do so. ‘All right, love. This one you can have.’

  Ella smiled gleefully. ‘When are you going to tell me what you were up to yesterday?’ Aneka had been missing for several hours and had refused to let Ella go with her. It had been distinctly mysterious.

  ‘That you can’t have. It’s a surprise for the day.’

  Ella gave a little pout. Not too much of one since she had got her way with the clothes. ‘I guess I can live with that. It’s something special?’

  ‘Uh-huh. You’ll like it. Trust me.’

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  For a culture that had forsaken marriage as impractical given their extended lifespans, the Jenlay formal registration process seemed a lot like a wedding to Aneka. Maybe one of those Las Vegas Wedding Chapel ones, but a wedding none the less.

  There were more of Aneka and Ella’s friends there than those belonging to Janna and Sharissa. Janna had only recently moved to Yorkbridge and there were only a couple of people from her old life who had been able to make the trip. Sharissa simply had few friends; a couple of people from the agency she worked for had come, including one Aneka was finding very suspicious. On the other hand, the entire crew of the Garnet Hyde was there, as were Abraham Wallace and Cassandra, and Katelyn and Dillon, which definitely made up the numbers. Everyone was sitting in the registration room on little straight-backed chairs, looking vaguely uncomfortable and happy at the same time.

  At the front, on a small stage, where they could be seen easily, were the subjects of the ceremony. Aneka was feeling a little uncomfortable about her outfit, but now that she had seen what everyone else was wearing, it did not seem so bad. Sharissa was wearing a long, black gown which flared very wide at the hem. It was made of black lace and was pretty much transparent. Janna’s dress was also lace, in white, and slightly more opaque, but not by much. It was also much shorter, showing off her long legs, accentuated by ridiculously high heels. Ella was in a pale-blue and white skirt and top, and white heels with bows on the toes. The skirt was opaque, but the top was largely white appliquéd netting. No one was dressed for an Old Earth wedding.

  At least the man presiding over the ceremony was dressed in a high-collared suit. He was mature, Aneka would have said, even distinguished-looking. There were hints of grey in his hair. Unlike a wedding, however, this man was a lawyer. His job was to be the legal representative of the Federal Administration and to make sure all the paperwork was filed correctly, but he did seem to have a sense of ceremony about him.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ he intoned as the onlookers settled down, ‘we are here today to officially recognise the partnerships of these two couples. While this is merely a formalisation of their relationships, a matter of legal contract, it is also a display of the love they have for their respective partners and a time to rejoice in that true aff
ection. I, Donald Kirk, am honoured to be among you at this time.’

  He smiled far more warmly than Aneka expected a lawyer to smile, and they all smiled back. ‘Now then, we’ll go through the process one at a time. Just repeat after me. Janna first. I, Janna Narrows, wish to formally recognise you, Sharissa Torrence, as my legal partner under the laws of the Lorenti Federation.’

  Janna swallowed, suddenly nervous, and turned to Sharissa. ‘I, Janna Narrows, wish to formally recognise you, Sharissa Torrence, as my legal partner under the laws of the Lorenti Federation.’ She grinned brightly as she finished, and turned back to Kirk.

  And so it went on until only Aneka was left and she turned to an Ella who was almost glowing with pride. ‘I, Aneka Jansen, wish to formally recognise you, Ella Narrows, as my legal partner under the laws of the Lorenti Federation.’ Ella closed her eyes and sighed, almost as though she had never thought she would hear those words said by anyone to her. A message appeared in Aneka’s vision field asking for identification verification and she accepted it.

  Kirk checked a small PDA and nodded. ‘We have your identity codes and those of the witnesses. That’s the legal part out of the way, but before I congratulate you on your new, legal partnerships, Aneka has a small addition to make to the ceremony, I believe?’

  Aneka nodded. ‘Thank you, Mister Kirk.’ Gillian had got up from the front row of seats to hand over something and Aneka took it, holding up a small box. ‘As I think everyone here knows, I’m not originally from this time. Back in my time what we’re doing would be called a wedding, or at least a civil partnership, and there was a custom at such ceremonies which I think is worth keeping.’ She opened the box to reveal a pair of rings. ‘Traditionally they would be gold, but I decided that something a little more hard-wearing would be better considering our lifestyles. These are platinum alloy, which should outlast us both.’ She pulled one of the rings out. ‘Left hand, Ella.’

  Timidly, Ella held out her left hand and Aneka slipped the ring onto her third finger. Then Aneka held out the box and her own left hand so that Ella could repeat the procedure. Ella lifted her hand, looking at the Hani characters inscribed in the upper surface of the white metal. ‘Yungyen tzai ishi,’ she read aloud.

  ‘Together forever,’ Aneka translated.

  ‘It’s beautiful.’

  ‘And a beautiful sentiment,’ Kirk said. ‘Now, this ceremony is complete and your partnerships have been legally recognised by the Lorenti Federation. May all of you live in happiness for many long years.’

  ~~~

  ‘You know where the name “Kirk” comes from?’ Aneka asked. Gillian and Ella were sitting beside her on stools at the little counter which Sharissa had in one corner of her apartment. It was currently serving as a bar; Bashford was behind it playing barman.

  ‘I know it’s a very old name,’ Gillian supplied. ‘Some of the families bearing it can trace their lineage back beyond the Long Dark.’

  ‘It’s Scottish,’ Aneka said, ‘for church.’

  Ella giggled. ‘So were weren’t married in a church, but we were registered by Mister Church.’

  ‘Yeah. I found that vaguely amusing. Mind you, it was also the name of the original captain in Star Trek, and he was a total horndog, which I feel is appropriate to the current age.’

  The party was currently in full swing on three floors. The apartment was right at the top of the building and reminded Aneka of a loft conversion. Down on the ground floor were the lounge, kitchen, and bathroom. There was a chromed pole in the middle of the lounge which Sharissa had had put in because she loved watching Janna dance, but it was currently occupied by one of Janna’s friends who was naked aside for some platform pumps. On the half-floor above were two large bedrooms and at least one of those was currently in use. Above that was a rooftop patio. Aneka had not been up there yet, but there was music and some very close dancing going on according to Shannon.

  Later on the two couples would be retiring to the bedrooms. Apparently the concept of a wedding night still existed, even if weddings did not. There was a fair expectation that the lounge would host a pile of intertwined bodies for the remainder of the night, and the following day it was more or less expected that things would just carry on. Aneka would really have liked to just take Ella home rather than upstairs, but they were taking the next few days off, so she figured she would have plenty of time alone then. Right now she was entertaining thoughts of them never leaving the bedroom.

  ‘This is going to be quite a party,’ Ella said, grinning.

  ‘Uh-huh,’ Aneka replied. She spotted the mysterious woman she had seen earlier heading for the stairs. She was going to have to have a word with that one. ‘It’s going to be quite an experience, that’s for sure.’

  ~~~

  Janna was on the pole in the lounge, currently suspended by what seemed to be too little support, upside down. She had changed into one of her old stripper outfits, but most of that was lying on the thick carpet now; she was dressed only in a red G-string, lace-topped stockings, and high heels. She had been dressed similarly the first time Aneka had seen her, which was quite a way to meet your girlfriend’s mother.

  ‘She’s incredibly talented.’ The voice came from Aneka’s right and she glanced that way to see the mysterious stranger standing there. ‘Sharissa is a lucky woman.’

  ‘She is. So am I.’ Aneka’s eyes swept over the figure beside her, not entirely amazed at what she was seeing, but close enough. ‘What are we calling you?’

  ‘Xenia,’ the woman said. She was a little on the short side, pretty, with a toned body. She had a little too much make-up on, and long, bright red hair which fell over her breasts. Her outfit was a sort of swimsuit in translucent Ultraskin, which sparkled in the light, red hold-up stockings, and very high, platform pumps. She looked like a dancer from Janna’s old club, but Aneka’s facial recognition software was hard to fool.

  ‘Isn’t it a bit crazy coming to a party like this when there seem to be people trying to kill you?’

  ‘Sharissa’s apartment is as secure as some of my safe houses, and you’re here. And, most importantly, no one knows I’m here. I think you’re the only one who’s worked it out. Besides, do you know how many times I’ve had a chance to let my hair down in the last few decades?’

  Aneka smirked. ‘Even if your hair is pinned up under a red wig?’

  ‘Even then.’

  ‘That’s quite an outfit too. Getting into the role?’

  ‘I am. I’m rather hoping to get myself really, well and truly, fucked into oblivion later.’

  Aneka frowned, quickly pushing the expression off her face. There had been a hint of something like depression in Winter’s voice. ‘Are you okay?’

  Winter glanced at her, giving a too-quick smile. ‘I’m fine.’ Aneka’s eyebrows twitched upward. ‘You’re too perceptive. I have a feeling that I may not get many more chances to make a complete fool of myself. I intend to make the most of this one.’

  ‘In that case, Xenia,’ Aneka said, trying to ignore the ominous sound of the words, ‘I wish you the best of luck, and I recommend Kat and Dillon as playmates.’

  ‘Dillon is the big man with the huge… muscles?’

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  A positively impish grin appeared on Winter’s face. ‘I think I might just take your advice.’

  ~~~

  Aneka slipped into the guest bedroom, closing the door and locking it, just in case. Then she turned to find Ella waiting for her. The redhead was standing a metre or so from the bed, looking for all the world like a nervous teenager.

  Stepping up to stand in front of her, Aneka smiled. ‘What’s got into you? It’s not like we haven’t done this before.’

  ‘I know, but…’ She stood there, kind of folded in on herself, fingers twisting the ring on her left hand. ‘It’s different. Tonight it’s got to be perfect.’

  Her eyes dipped away and Aneka reached out to lift her chin. Beautiful, wide, green eyes looked up at her
timidly. ‘Tonight it doesn’t matter, love. Tonight I’d be happy if we got into bed, cuddled up, and went to sleep. Believe it or not, I’m not just with you because you make me feel like I could die happy whenever you touch me.’

  ‘I… I know. Sort of. I mean, I know, I do. I just… I look at you and… and I want you. All the time. So much it hurts. Like… like I could drown in you…’

  Reaching down, Aneka took the hem of Ella’s little midriff shirt and pulled it up over her head. Ella’s arms fell down, crossing over her breasts bashfully. ‘You had those fixed for me,’ Aneka said softly. ‘Don’t hide them.’ She dropped to her knees, taking Ella’s arms and pushing them down to her sides, holding them there as she leaned forward. Her tongue grazed Ella’s right nipple and the redhead let out a little whimpering moan. She sucked the engorged flesh in between her lips and now Ella was just moaning.

  ‘If… if you keep d-doing that I won’t be able t-to stand…’

  Aneka steered her around and pushed her back onto the bed, sitting her down with her feet still on the floor. Casting her own top aside she slid up Ella’s body, pushing her down onto the sheets, her arms up over her head. Their lips met, Aneka’s tongue sliding inward, parting Ella’s lips, and the kiss became hungrier as they lay there, breast to breast.

  Shifting a little, Aneka slid an arm down, pulling Ella’s skirt out of the way. Ella gasped against Aneka’s mouth as a pair of fingers slid into the now slippery opening Aneka found waiting for her. And then Aneka was moving those fingers, pressing up and in against the spot within Ella that always brought her quickly to a peak of pleasure.

  ‘Oh…’ Ella moaned, fighting it as the tension within her grew. Aneka could feel her body starting to vibrate against hers. ‘No… going to… too quick… going to…’

  ‘Oh my love,’ Aneka breathed against her ear, ‘you come for me. We’re just getting started. We’ve got all night. Come…’

  Ella’s back arched at the word, her body shaking in the throes of the orgasm she had been holding back. Aneka kissed her face and neck, and let her lover twist and thrash and moan beneath her. They really did have all night, and as many nights as they wished after that…