The door slid open to reveal Akari in her Born form, her eyes a bit wider than normal. She wore the same, simple shift from Lane’s dream. The dark material stopped just above her knees, revealing her glimmering scales and bare feet.
“Hello,” Akari greeted her, surprise evident in her tone.
“May I come in?” Lane asked aloud, still not comfortable speaking telepathically.
“Yes, of course.”
Akari stepped aside and Lane walked in, the door shutting closed behind her. The room smelled faintly of flowers and Lane marveled at how Akari’s space differed from the rest of the ship.
“Are you feeling alright?” Akari asked, her voice soft in Lane’s mind. Lane turned to look at Akari, surprised by the sheer amount of concern she heard in the Apkallu’s tone. She still couldn’t read the alien’s facial expressions, but she could feel Akari’s emotional meaning nevertheless.
“I’ve been better and I’ve been worse,” Lane answered. She knew her words were cryptic, but she couldn’t find a better way to answer the question.
“You seem ill at ease,” Akari said. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”
The nerves rolling through Lane’s stomach made the idea of eating extremely unappealing. She sat on the couch instead, saying, “No, thank you.”
“As you wish,” Akari answered. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
This change in attitude took Lane by surprise. Before the procedure, Akari had been kind, but she’s been dominant and a bit cold. Now, it felt as though all pretense had fallen away and Akari’s true personality shone through. The facade had fallen and Lane wanted to take time to just stare at the end result.
“This is all so strange,” Lane said finally, looking up at Akari who still stood beside the couch.
Akari looked at Lane for a moment, as though attempting to read the situation, and then she seamlessly transformed into her Human female form. She kept the simple black shift and bare feet.
“It’s always an adjustment,” Akari said, speaking aloud now. “But it’s usually an easier one, because often those bonded have a more intimate relationship than we had before joining.”
“You mean, becoming an Abzu isn’t usually a last-ditch effort to salvage an intergalactic crisis?” Lane asked, her tone filled with more malice than even she intended.
Akari looked away, crossing her arms across her chest.
“The bonding is usually a sacred act,” Akari said, “or a move of sheer dominance. There are few that fall in-between those two extremes.”
Lane watched Akari’s back, mulling over her words.
“And what did you want it to be?” Lane asked, the bite gone from her voice.
Akari turned to Lane, something like betrayal written on her Human features.
“I am a diplomat,” Akari said, her jaw set firmly as she spoke. “I have worked my entire life to help mend relations between my people and yours. I’d never take a Human Abzu as a servant and I never wished it to happen against their will. This is not the situation that I wished for when I imagined claiming an Abzu.”
Akari’s earnestness hit Lane hard. She felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. All her anger, all her stewing resentment, felt ridiculous in light of Akari’s confession.
When Lane didn’t reply, Akari continued. She spoke quietly, her gaze focused on Lane.
“If you wish, I’ll release you of your Abzu responsibilities once this is all over. I won’t hold you under any obligation against your will. I just need to be sure that you’re safe.”
Lane’s mouth dropped open when the meaning of Akari’s words completely sunk in.
“You’re serious,” Lane stated.
“Completely,” Akari answered. Lane couldn’t help but notice how Akari’s voice wavered ever so slightly on this word and Lane knew that it was sadness, and not uncertainty, that caused it.
“I believe you,” Lane sent, imbuing the telepathic words with all the emotion stirring in her.
Now Akari’s mouth fell slightly open in shock.
“You really do,” she sent back, the words tiptoeing across Lane’s mind. Lane held Akari’s gaze and watched as the woman’s expression changed from shock to hesitant relief.
Akari took a step closer to where Lane sat on the couch. Lane didn’t move; she felt like she could hardly breathe, the air was so thick with tension.
Lane watched as Akari slowly came closer. She couldn’t begin to guess what would happen next, but she found herself excited to find out.
Akari leaned over Lane, her lips mere inches away from Lane’s, and she sent, “Lane, there are advantages to our being bonded.” Akari’s words dripped with intention.
Lane’s heart skipped.
“Show me,” she answered, unable to hold back her curiosity or her desire any longer.
Lane caught the curl of a smile on Akari’s lips before everything changed.
Akari pressed into Lane, her fingers winding through Lane’s hair and her mouth eager on Lane’s. An explosion of color and sensation crashed into Lane’s mind, all yellow and brightness and wanting. Lane couldn’t help but moan into Akari’s mouth and pull the woman down into her lap.
Lane curled her fists into the fabric of Akari’s shift, feeling the warmth of the woman’s hips through the clothing. Akari kissed her fiercely, intensifying the waves of pleasure radiating in Lane’s brain. She couldn’t begin to work out what part was Akari sending and what part was Lane simply indulging in their connection of both body and mind.
The heat in Lane’s core rose sharply and she rolled her hips against Akari, seeking pressure to satisfy the need there. Akari felt this and something like a laugh fluttered across Lane’s mind. She barely had time to process that before Akari’s thigh slotted between her legs and coherent thoughts became absolutely impossible to hold onto.
Just when Lane adjusted to the new pressure against her core, Akari sent another wave of illuminated desire and Lane gasped, shocked and pleased at the burst of a mini-climax that radiated through her.
Lane pulled away, sure and yet unsure exactly what had just happened.
“What was that?” Lane whispered.
Akari smiled, a bit smug, and then moved to kiss Lane’s neck.
“A beginning,” Akari answered, “if you’d like.”
Lane closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of Akari’s lips on her neck. She ran her hands along Akari’s sides, only half-surprised to find feathers peeking out from under her clothing at her shoulders. She gently played at them with her fingers and Akari shivered against her.
Lane pulled her hand away quickly and opened her eyes.
“Did I hurt you?” Lane asked.
“Quite the opposite,” Akari assured her. “Don’t worry so much, nat’lee.”
Lane recognized the Apkallu term of endearment, but was more than a little surprised to hear it in relation to her.
“Nat’lee?” Lane repeated, completely pulling away from Akari’s touches.
“Does the term upset you?” Akari asked. Her hands moved off Lane and Lane found she missed their warmth. Akari didn’t stand up, but she did move a bit further back so she could look into Lane’s face.
“‘Upset’ isn’t the right word,” Lane said. “I just wasn’t expecting it.”
Akari stood up, straightening her clothes. The white feathers at her shoulders disappeared.
“I apologize,” Akari said. “I’ve put you through too much today.”
Lane didn’t comment either way.
“Let’s have breakfast,” she said instead.
Akari nodded curtly, turning to head toward the kitchen before Lane could get a read on her mood or add anything else to the conversation.
Chapter 12
Akari and Lane had just finished breakfast when a message came through from Jinn.
“It’s for Lane,” he said, his face lit up on the tabletop holo-projector and his conversation aimed at Akari. “But I figured you’d wa
nt to know about it first.”
Lane sat up straighter in her chair, her mind racing through the options. Who could it be and what could they want? And how had they reached her on this ship?
“Yes, thank you,” Akari said. “Who is it?”
“It’s a woman named Margaret Danes. The Human government has allowed her to get in touch with Lane.”
“Maggie,” Lane gasped. She covered her mouth to hide the smile on her face.
“Put her through,” Akari said. She changed into her Born form without another word.
Then Maggie’s worried visage appeared on the holo-projector and Lane leaned forward involuntarily.
“Maggie?” she asked.
“Lane? Is that really you?”
“Yes!”
“Are you alright?” Maggie asked, pushing back her hair in a nervous gesture. “Have they treated you badly?”
“I’m alright,” Lane said. She wanted to say more, but felt unsure if she should.
“I heard you became an Abzu,” Maggie said, cutting right to the chase. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” Lane reluctantly answered. She hadn’t been ready to discuss this particular subject with Maggie, since it had so many unspoken implications, but she couldn’t lie to Maggie’s direct question.
Before Maggie could ask another question, Lane asked, “How did you get in touch with me?”
“The government officials got us in touch,” she answered, as though it was obvious. “I’ve been so worried about you. I didn’t know if you were even alive for a while there.”
“I had the same fears about you,” Lane confessed, hoping this would bridge whatever awkwardness the Abzu development would bring into their friendship. “I’m so glad that you’re okay.”
Maggie’s gaze darted in Akari’s direction for the briefest moment and Lane thought Maggie wanted to ask something.
“You’re sure you’re being treated well?” Maggie asked. “I just don’t remember you ever mentioning wanting to become an Abzu.”
“Careful,” Akari said quietly in Lane’s mind. “We don’t know who’s listening in.”
“I hadn’t planned on it,” Lane said. “But it’s not a bad thing.”
“Is that your partner?” Maggie asked, gesturing toward Akari. Lane nodded.
Maggie let out a long sigh. Lane knew that sound-- she was preparing herself to say something brutally honest.
“Lane, I have to be honest,” she started, “I’m worried about you. You’re not the impulsive type and now you’re caught up in this whole mess. Why don’t you come home? Surely, they can’t hold you against your will, especially since you’re an Apkallu citizen now.”
Maggie had a point. Lane could ask to leave at any time and she realized that it looked suspicious that she wasn’t. She couldn’t let her government know that she didn’t trust them, but Maggie would know if she was out-and-out lying.
Lane swallowed hard, coming to a quick compromise. She knew there was no better lie than the truth. She chose her response carefully, sure that everything that she said was technically true.
“I like my partner,” Lane said. “She’s kind and she looks out for me. I didn’t plan on it, but it happened. I’m not ready to come back.”
“But, Lane, an Abzu?” Maggie asked, her eyes wide with shock. “Did you really have to take things that far that quickly?”
Lane felt Akari’s anticipation buzzing in her head, waiting for her answer.
Lane took a deep breath and told the truth yet again.
“It was the right choice.”
No one said anything for a long beat.
“Well,” Maggie said slowly, “if that’s what you want. I just hope you come back soon, Lane. I don’t want you to forget who you are and who your friends are and where your loyalties lie.”
“I know,” was all Lane could say.
“I miss you,” Maggie said, her eyes immensely sad. Then, without any other preamble, Maggie said, “Goodbye, Lane” and ended the call. The holo-projector went black with an odd sort of finality.
Lane sat there, staring at where Maggie’s image had been and trying not to cry.
“I’m sorry,” Akari said. Lane turned her head to see that Akari had transformed back into her female Human form. Lane appreciated the gesture.
“It couldn’t be helped,” Lane answered. “She doesn’t know the whole story. I just hope I get to tell her eventually.”
“You will.”
Akari reached over, gently taking one of Lane’s hands.
“If it helps,” Akari said, “I think that was very brave of you.”
“Thanks.”
Silence filled the room and Lane felt it mounting like a pressure on her shoulders. Lane wanted to say something, to start to build something more between them, but she couldn’t puzzle out exactly what to talk about in this moment. It felt significant and she knew that anything she said would be taken as such.
So, instead, Lane stood and said, “I’ll be in my room.”
“Wait,” Akari said. Lane stopped walking, waiting. She could feel that Akari wanted to ask a serious question. She thought that maybe the Apkallu would have better luck than she had at formulating one.
“What you said,” Akari said, “about liking me. You meant that?”
Lane hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Yes, she did like Akari. But could she tell her? Was it safe?
“Yes,” Lane said. “Yes, I did. Why?”
“It just surprised me,” Akari said. “It feels...important. It’s obvious to me how much the feeling means to you. To have it in relation to me...” Akari trailed off, frowning. Lane waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, Lane let out a sigh.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to have this conversation,” Lane said. “I’m exhausted and overwhelmed and more than a little confused.”
“I understand,” Akari said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, I’m glad you did. I’m glad you asked.”
Akari nodded once, smiling softly to herself. Lane watched her, still blown away by how much had changed in such a short span of time.
“I’m going to lie down,” Lane said. “I’ll see you in a little while?”
“Yes,” Akari answered. “I’ll see you in a little while.”
Lane held Akari’s gaze, smiling a little. Then, without another word, she left the room.
Chapter 13
Lane couldn’t help but notice how Akari disappeared for the rest of the day. She couldn’t figure out if Akari was avoiding her because of their awkward conversation earlier or because Akari was simply busy. Lane knew that negotiations with the Human government had started again and Akari was no doubt wrapped up in that.
She paced around Akari’s apartment, restlessness eating at her. She sat on the couch in the living room and flipped through the limited data she could access through Akari’s holo-projector. After she got bored with that, she took time to look at all the art hanging on the walls. She couldn’t make much of any of it -- she’d never been much into art -- but she enjoyed the bright colors and the general joyful nature of the pieces.
Lane took another two lazy laps around the living room before collapsing back onto the couch with a sigh. She didn’t think she’d miss her lab and her workspace and her personal whiteboard as much as she did right then. Her fingers itched to work on a few of the equations she’d left unfinished at her hasty escape from Abgal Station.
Her gaze drifted to a closed door: the only door she’d never been through in the apartment. She imagined that it led to Akari’s room, but she couldn’t be sure. Akari had never forbade her from entering, but Lane felt it would be an intrusion to go in without asking. Yet, Akari had claimed her as her Abzu without Lane’s permission and that meant they owned everything together now.
Lane stared at the closed door and considered. Curiosity burned at the back of Lane’s brain, filling the vacuum left by the total lack of scientific study available to her. She tech
nically had the right to go anywhere in Akari’s place, since they were bonded now, but she wasn’t sure that would be enough to keep Akari from being angry at her.
Lane stood from the couch, slowly approaching the door to Akari’s room. She hesitated just outside it, chewing on her lower lip as she decided what to do.
Then, with a determination that came from somewhere deep in Lane, she pressed her hand against the panel beside the door and it slid open to reveal Akari’s bedroom. A crisp, spiced fragrance wafted out, reminding Lane of Akari’s hair when she was in Human form. Lane held her breath for a moment, impressed with her own audacity, and then stepped inside.
The lights didn’t automatically come on, so Lane called for the lights in the dark room. She remembered vaguely that Apkallu saw exceptionally well in the dark and wondered, then, if Akari had reconfigured the light settings in the other parts of the apartment for Lane’s benefit. Something about that made Lane smile.
The room was starker and less personalized than Lane expected. The huge bed took up the majority of the room, joined only by a few small pieces of furniture and a wide tapestry on one wall. Lane couldn’t make sense of the monochromatic furniture or the single splash of artwork. It was so different from the rest of the apartment that Lane couldn’t begin to guess what the difference in the bedroom truly meant.
“What do you think?”
Lane whipped around to find Akari standing in the doorway, watching her. She stood there in her female Human form, her muscular calves and wide shoulders flaunted by her wrap-dress. Lane was surprised by how happy she was to see Akari again.
“I’m sorry,” Lane said automatically. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“Technically, it is your space as well,” Akari said aloud, taking a step into the room. The door closed behind them and the room suddenly felt half the size to Lane. Akari’s closeness and the particular scent of Akari’s room intensified, evoking memories of their kisses shared not so long ago.
“Is it?” Lane asked.
“You’re welcome to anything that I own,” Akari said. “What is mine is yours. That’s what I gave up when I bonded with you.”
A New Reason To Fight: An Intergalactic Romance Page 57
