by Imogene Nix
Ric put her plate down and she smiled up at him.
“I should have done that for you,” Kateri said softly, in a slightly scolding tone.
Chuckling, he shook his head and took a bite. When he noticed she was still watching him, he cleared his throat.
“I have to keep you away from Metrician women. They’d never let you keep on believing I’m helpless. Don’t worry about me, I’ve been using the warmer for a long time, but I have a feeling those days might be over.”
She flushed daintily, and when she looked at him from beneath her lashes, he had to restrain himself from pulling her to him for a kiss. She needed time to heal, and the blood he’d seen on the sheet was proof she hadn’t faked the pain. Guilt upsurged, but he pushed it down by remembering her face as she’d come. His need roared back to life as the vivid memory stirred his body. Kateri’s gorgeous face, alight with bliss, remained burned into his mind as a snapshot of the best moments in his life.
Ric couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. He had tomorrow with her, and the day after that, she was his now and an ancient demand awakened a sensation of protectiveness he’d never known before. A visceral, primal nagging made him want to shout with pride. Her bare ring finger bothered him.
“Hang on a second,” he ordered.
She frowned and cocked her head to the side in an incredibly adorable way as he stood to leave the room.
Swallowing his childish fear, he went into the dining room to look for his family shrine. The display of the family crest and heirloom artifacts was a throwback to the long abandoned religion Metricia forsook. One item was unexpected—she’d put the Earth rock with his family artifacts. Seeing her treasure there made him happy, but he didn’t really know why. He’d never seen this assortment of old items as anything other than junk until now. When he grabbed the ring, something changed. For the first time the bit of metal and gems meant something to him.
With a final glance at the darkest corner of the room, Ric didn’t linger, but hurried back to the kitchen, clutching the silver and jade ring that had belonged to his mother. Holding the sentimental token, he realized this was the only thing of true value his father didn’t sell. During the last, terrible years of mine operation paying the workers had been a struggle.
She watched him coming and didn’t hide her curiosity. As he took her hand, he noticed how soft her skin felt against his rough palms. Opposite of him in every way, she couldn’t have been more perfect.
“I know this isn’t a ring you’ve picked, and we can get you one soon, but for now I want my mark on you, a symbol of our bond for all to see.”
She didn’t protest as he slipped the ring on her finger. The large, square jade stone looked huge on her slim finger. He studied the silver wrapping around her skin and noticed the fit was a bit loose, but not so much that it fell off when he let go. Tears welled in her eyes. Eyes that matched the ring’s stone as they lightened with the moisture she hadn’t yet spilled. He used his thumbs to dry her eyes, angry with himself for making her cry.
“I’m sorry, if you’d rather we shop for one I understand. This one was my mother’s.”
“Oh no, I do not want to shop. This is beautiful, and I am honored to wear something precious to your family.”
He let go of the breath he’d been holding, then he kissed the knuckles of the hand bearing the proof that she belonged to him. Sitting back down, Ric gave her a small smile before taking another bite. Everything felt right for the first time in far too long.
Kateri reached across with her napkin to catch a bit of gravy from his lip. She laughed melodically and warmth rose up inside of him to burn away the cold he didn’t know had always been inside him.
Darkness stole the joy as the power went out. She squeaked with fear.
“It’ll be all right,” Ric assured her. “I can’t believe the damn generator isn’t working again. I know Brae just had the technician out last season. We don’t get the city waves of free public energy up here, so we have to create our own.”
“I remember,” Kateri whispered with palpable dread in her tone.
“Stay right there,” Ric ordered. He didn’t want his woman injured.
When he stood, he wished he could see her face. He didn’t want to leave her alone, but he had to. Dragging her out in the storm was too dangerous, and sitting with her wouldn’t get the power running again.
“I’m going out to the garage. I’ll have light for you in a few minutes. Everything will be all right,” he assured softly.
“The lightning is dangerous, is it not? Brae said that up here going out in a storm like this is a good way to die. Please do not go,” Kateri pleaded.
“I’ve lived here a long time. I’ll be careful, we have unfinished business upstairs, woman.”
She made a noise that was a cross between amusement and irritation. Ric paused a moment, unable to just leave her in the darkness. He turned and felt the wall until he reached the cupboard where the tools were kept. He took a light from the cabinet, shook it hard to activate the dormant chemicals, and flipped it on. Finding another, he repeated the process and brought it to Kateri.
Her brows drew together and her mouth was set in a grim line. Expressive beyond any other woman he’d met, her face showed him her gratitude mingled with anxiety. There were no words that described this connection they had. Ric grinned. If every woman on her planet was this transparent, he understood the need for veils. Leaning down, he kissed her brow.
“I will be just fine. I promise,” he assured her.
Her scowl deepened. “When everything started to die on my world, my father made me the same promise. Do not risk yourself. When the storm ends, you can check the equipment. Take me to your bed, Aydric Julius.”
As tempting as her words were he shook his head. If the generator took a direct lighting strike, it could be unstable. He didn’t want to risk an explosion. He’d shut off the main fuel supply if needed, and then take his wife upstairs to show her only good things happened in the darkness when he was with her.
“Hold that thought, love,” he bade huskily, and turned quickly so he couldn’t see the worry she wore so openly another second.
Chapter 5
Lightning crashed around Ric and cold water saturated his clothing. His thin beam of light illuminated enough of the ground that he was sure he wasn’t going to trip over one of the numerous fallen branches from the grove covering the hillside. This was the worst storm he’d seen in years. Slimy, thick splatters of mud wrapped around his ankles and coated his boots. He wished he’d worn a coat, but in his haste, he hadn’t wanted to go upstairs to retrieve one.
Thunder rumbled and shook the rock under his feet. His hair matted to his head, and he swiped at the blinding rivulets of water as they ran down his face. The garage was in view. He hurried over to it, but immediately noticed the lock was broken. Ric’s eyes narrowed.
“What the…” Pain exploded behind his eyelids. “Fuck!”
He went down to his knees. Muddy grass and rock were coming straight at his face as he tumbled over. Ric blinked the water and dirt away. He could taste mud and he coughed as he breathed in the puddle under his cheek. Ric rolled and tried to see his attacker, but the rain blinded him. Groaning, white-hot agony erupted in his skull before his eyes fluttered closed.
* * * *
“Ric?” Kateri darted the point of light from the small device across the room. She settled back. Until another creak made her jump and she searched the cavernous room for any sign of danger. “I am an adult. I should not let this silly storm play tricks on me,” she said aloud, feeling ridiculous.
Getting up from the table, she scraped the remaining food on the plates into the recycler, then took them to the sink. She looked out the window. A flash of lightning illuminated something on the ground.
“Ric!” she cried, and the plates clattered into the sink, breaking. Kateri rushed toward the door, gripping her small light as hard as she could.
The freezing c
old hit her. Kateri’s entire body chilled in seconds as her only protection was the thin silk robe. The fabric plastered to her as she stumbled toward Ric.
Something warm snared her arm, and her teeth rattled as her entire body jerked to a stop. She slipped as her captor yanked her back. She struggled as large arms imprisoned her, and she helplessly collapsed against the big body as he dragged her back into the house.
“Ric!” Kateri screamed, but a rumble of thunder and howling wind muted her.
“Where’s the rock?” the male growled in a strangely familiar voice. She struggled to place him.
“Earth?” Kateri played dumb. “It is safely stored in Air Harbor.”
Brutish and unforgiving, her captor yanked her hair until her head jerked back at an unnatural right angle. “Where is the Earth rock? I know you’re lying to me. I’ll kill the old woman if you don’t hand it over,” he spoke with menacing calm.
Kateri hated herself for shaking, and she hoped he thought it was the cold instead of fear.
“It is in the dining room,” she confessed, unwilling to lose Brae even if it meant failing her family.
“Show me,” her assailant demanded as he pushed her further into the kitchen.
Kateri walked slowly. The previously pristine floor was now a messy combination of puddles and wet globs of soil. Ric. He might be dead. Emptiness made the cold of her skin feel warm compared to the frigid hollow pit in her soul.
She’d managed to hold onto the light throughout the ordeal. Using it to navigate, she tried to bide her time. She wasn’t sure if she was waiting for rescue or her chance to run upstairs and wake Brae, but she wasn’t in a hurry to turn Earth over to this evil male.
Time kept moving and so did she. No opportunity for freedom arose and Kateri found herself at the shrine, holding the last piece of her history. Earth’s weight seemed to grow exponentially in her hand as she tried to imagine losing the sacred object.
“You should have just sold the artifact. I’m taking you back to my employer too,” his voice rumbled behind her.
Hadd Bently, the bodyguard of Eroz Motin...he was the interloper. He hadn’t spoken much during the court proceedings, but she had heard him speak. With the storm and his rough treatment, she hadn’t gotten a good look at his face.
“Tell Mr. Motin he has gone to a lot of trouble for Earth. But I am not letting you take me to him,” she said, and then darted to the left, trying to make it to the staircase.
Hadd grabbed her and jerked her around. His big hand slapped her across the face so hard she knew he’d damaged her cheekbone as the misery ripped through her head. Her face swelled so quickly she lost vision in her right eye.
“Let her go.” Ric’s words slurred as he made the demand. He clutched the doorframe, but stood.
Kateri saw the man reach into his pocket and the handle of a weapon began emerging. Ric was defenseless. This lackey wanted her alive.
“Hey,” she spat.
He turned and she backhanded him with the hand wearing Ric’s ring. The large stone cut the man’s face. He started to shake her.
Even with the motion and her obscured sight, she saw Ric coming toward the man unarmed. Without hesitation, she tossed Earth toward her spouse. In a nanosecond, Ric smashed Earth into the invader’s skull, and Hadd let go of Kateri. She stumbled, falling, but her husband caught her. Wet and hurt, they kept each other standing. Ric was panting, and she noticed blood on his shoulder and on his forehead.
“We need to get your head looked at,” she muttered.
Kateri’s attacker groaned, but remained unconscious.
“I have to kill that bastard for putting his hands on you,” Ric growled.
“Kill him later, sit now,” Kateri demanded as they stumbled over to one of the ornate dining room chairs.
“What in the stars?” Brae cried as she entered the room holding a light. “I got up and noticed the lights in my bathroom weren’t working. I guess the generator is the least of our troubles?” Brae’s confusion colored her tone.
Ric pulled Kateri into his arms. “I will be a better husband, I swear it. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.”
She pulled back to see his face. His pain was alive in the tormented expression he wore. “You saved me twice now. I am grateful you are mine,” she said as her throat closed and ached against the words.
“I love you, woman. Damn. I— You are mine too.”
He pulled her against him in such a crushing embrace she had to blink away a stray tear.
Epilogue
Kateri and Brae sat at the kitchen table drinking morning brew. She’d said the names of her ancestors in the prayer garden her husband had planted for her, and now she was resting. Her time was near, but she refused to let Ric take her to the city before she was ready. The baby wasn’t going to be born before the full moon, she was positive.
A long tone from the comm had her out of the chair before Brae could stand. She touched the screen.
“Hello,” she said.
A man’s face appeared. He was at the massive gate her husband had commissioned to protect the manor shortly after the terrible home invasion.
“My name is Xev Grant. I’m here about the pilot position,” the man said as he shifted nervously.
“Wonderful. Welcome to Sea Gate Transportation. My husband has been expecting you. I’ll let him know you’re here. He’ll be down to buzz you in,” Kateri said.
The newcomer smiled and nodded.
She touched the small, clear wrist comm bracelet she wore on her left arm. “Husband, your new pilot is here. He’s so young, please be nice to him.”
“I’m always nice. How are you feeling? I wish you’d let the doctor remove the embryo for external incubation. It’s so much safer.”
“The baby is right where he or she belongs. I think we should go into the city tomorrow or the next day. When is your next shuttle due back?”
“Not until the end of the month. Both of the ships are on long hauls, the new ship won’t be going out until after the baby is born.”
She hated the longing in his tone. “Why don’t you take the run? You plan to do short trips with Earth Spirit. I know you miss the stars.”
“I have all the stars I need right here when I look into your eyes, woman. Are you sick of me already?” Ric’s voice held a hint of genuine alarm.
“Never. I just—I love you.”
“I know, and I refuse to leave you. When our child is old enough for a flight, you can both travel with me. I’m not leaving you behind again, ever.” Ric spoke so vehemently she flinched.
Warmth filled her so deeply she knew her unborn child could even feel it. Her hand cupped her rounded abdomen, and the babe moved, reassuring her.
“I trust you, always,” she told him sincerely.
She could see him smiling on the screen she wore.
“Now, if I can just trust this kid with my new ship, we’ll be in business. I’m going to have him take it up,” Ric warned, and then the screen went blank.
“I’m glad we were able to tear down all the old mine buildings and build the runway, but the sight of him taking off over the sheer cliff always makes me feel a little sick,” Kateri said to Brae as she sat back down beside her.
The elderly woman shook her head. “That boy has been playing with ships his whole life. He’s been going up into space since he was barely old enough to fly under the atmosphere. Don’t worry about Ric.”
The house rumbled. The reinforcing he’d done when they’d renovated made so much more sense now as the sound of the engine warming up brought her out of her chair. She and Brae moved the curtain back and watched as Ric let the young pilot navigate out to the end of the runway before the ship shot forward and over the cliff. It hovered, and that terrible second came when she feared they’d fall into the sea, then it passed as Earth Spirit ascended gracefully. Kateri let go of the breath she’d been holding.
She grabbed her cup and followed Brae outside. They sat on the swing han
ging from the newly finished porch. Ric had put it there, off the kitchen, because he knew this was where the women liked to sit. They could see the water and the runway well from their vantage point.
Brae put her hand gently on Kateri’s belly. “This place was dead, but now it’s alive. You didn’t just give this little one life, you gave it back to me and Ric.”
Kateri put her hand over the wrinkled one resting on her belly. “I could claim the same of you and Ric. I grew up waiting to die. I never really started living until I came here.”
They swung gently and sipped the flavorful drinks as the ship came back and the young pilot landed with precision.
A while later, Kateri watched her husband transport the pilot back to the gate and wondered if they finally had the right person for Earth Spirit. She anxiously waited for the verdict. Ric came up the steps and took the cup from her hands without preamble. He scooped her up and she gasped.
“Put me down or you’ll hurt yourself,” Kateri insisted. He didn’t obey. He never did. “How is the pilot? Hired?”
“Kid was brilliant. Yes, I hired him.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to pilot the ship yourself?” she queried softly.
Ric took the stairs to the bedroom two at a time, and she clung to his neck, terrified he’d fall and drop her. He kicked the door open and laid her on the bed.
He started unbuttoning her shirt. She wore Metrician clothing now, but the most modest styles she could find. Watching his fingers working the buttons, she said nothing as he placed a kiss over where their child slept. He gazed down at her and she saw the hunger in his bright, happy eyes.
“I’ve spent my whole life looking for something I didn’t have here. I searched the stars for that unattainable elusive thing, but the moment I saw your face I realized you were what I’d been waiting for.” He chuckled before sucking one of her extra sensitive nipples into his mouth. She jerked and cried out. Ric released her with a loud pop. When she looked up at him, his expression was mysterious. “You are my universe.”
