TICEES

by Mills, Shae

  Fremma’s eyes glazed, and he pushed her forcefully to Korba’s bed, his need nearly as great as hers. Chelan pulled him sharply to her, not even allowing him time to remove his shroud. She wanted him now, and she needed him desperately. She ached for all the distractions his body could provide. She craved his love and security, his powerful body on top of her, his familiar scent, his familiar touch. But most of all, she needed him to fill the void within her.

  Fremma released himself and slid into her velvet folds, embedding himself fully. Her legs entwined about him, urging him deeper still. She grabbed his hair and pulled his mouth down to hers, hard. She wanted him to take her forcefully, banishing all her fears of what was to come, if only for this moment.

  With time, their lovemaking became slow and gentle, with Fremma attentive to her every desire, her every need. He left no part of her body untouched, no part of her soul unaffected.

  But the time passed quickly, too quickly, and Fremma inevitably slipped from her depths, acutely aware of his Imperial duties. Their time together had come to an end. Picking her limp body up from the bed, he took her to the shower, carefully washing away the scent of their love. Then he helped her to dress.

  Only when she was donned in her beautiful pink gown did she finally speak. “Thank you,” she whispered shyly.

  Fremma smiled, a sense of true fulfillment overtaking him. He kissed her cheek. “Any time, my Lady. I am yours whenever you desire. You need only to ask.”

  Chelan touched his lips tenderly. “I love you, Fremma,” she said with adoration.

  “And I love you, Chelan. Now, come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and reaching for her cloak. “If I don’t get you down to Korba pronto, he’ll have my hide, or worse.”

  Chelan followed quickly behind him as he led her into the Command Center. Suddenly she stopped, pulling him around to face her. Her eyes searched his deeply. “Does he know?”

  Fremma was temporarily confused. Then he smiled. He draped her cloak over her shoulders and held her firmly. “Do you mean, does Korba know that we just made love?”

  Chelan nodded.

  Fremma touched her soft pink cheek tenderly. “He knows, my Lady. He knew how you would feel before we left, and he knew that he could not be with you.”

  Chelan’s eyes suddenly grew wide with bewilderment. “He asked you to make love to me?”

  Fremma’s smile broadened. “No, he would never ask me to do that. He merely told me that I should be here for you and to accommodate your wants and needs, whatever they may be. He knows you, Chelan, and he knew the pain and uncertainty that you would be feeling. He also knows our love and what we can do for one another. Yes, he knows that we made love, and he allowed it out of his love, and out of his concern.”

  Chelan felt almost weak, but Fremma did not have the time to allow her to sort through her emotions. He quickly whisked her into the corridor where they were immediately surrounded by a large contingency of Fremma’s men.

  *****

  Their trip was brief and hurried. Chelan watched crewmembers scrambling in all directions, readying themselves for the ship’s final docking. Fremma led her to an enormous set of doors, and after a security check carried out by Lazen, they opened.

  Chelan was drawn inside the massive airlock, and her jaw dropped at the magnitude of the cavernous room. At the far end she could see a large group of hooded men, and Fremma urged her forward. As they approached, Chelan felt relieved as one of the shrouds turned toward them and Korba drew back his hood. He smiled at her, and Fremma released her to him.

  Korba did not speak. Immediately, he turned toward the end of the airlock, and the throngs of men parted for them as he started toward the wall. Chelan glanced around, smiling at Fremma as he moved up to her side. Then she watched as the guards fell back slightly and fanned out to the sides. Chelan could see that they were all heavily armed, and she guessed they numbered about one thousand in all.

  Korba glanced at her, amused by her wide-eyed observations of what was routine to him, and he squeezed her hand.

  Chelan finally looked up at him, and then spoke to him in English as they walked along. “You have a large heart, my Lord,” she stated, watching his expression closely.

  He nodded once, not looking at her, his eyes ever wary of his surroundings. “I assume you are referring to my allowance of your union with Fremma.”

  Chelan looked down at the ground being covered rapidly by her strides, and her skin heated.

  Korba glanced at Fremma and then looked at her, squeezing her hand and forcing her to look at him. “I would rather be down here attending to my command, knowing that you are safe and secure making love to a trusted friend in your time of need and anguish, than remain up in my chambers succumbing to your depression and insecurities, only to have you brought to me later in a quivering mass of silent suffering.” Korba paused, glancing around himself briefly. Then he looked back to her. “I love you, Chelan, and it is our way.”

  Chelan managed a small smile and then peered up at Fremma. The warrior nodded to her, and a sudden sense of optimism infused her.

  Inevitably they reached the massive external doors, and everyone halted as if on cue. Korba turned her to him. “Now, some last-minute instructions, my Lady. You must use Ticees’ formal titles— my Lord, Lordship, Sire, whichever you wish—but never his given name.”

  Chelan nodded.

  “Next, speak to him only when he speaks to you. You are not familiar to him. Let him feel you out first.”

  Chelan nodded again and drew in a deep breath.

  Korba smiled at her. “Now, if he asks you anything, answer honestly, Chelan, no matter what the topic. Honesty is your best ally. And besides, since many of our ways and views are different than yours, you’ll only get into trouble by trying to tell him what you feel he wants to hear instead of telling him your honest thoughts. Don’t ever worry about me. Your words do not and will not affect my relationship with him. And most of all …” Korba paused, adoring his demure and timid beauty. He lowered his voice and spoke softly. “Do not be taken aback by his forwardness or his abruptness. He is used to dealing with military personnel, Warlords, and brash, aggressive women. He won’t hurt you, so stay calm, even if he touches you. He’ll be watching for your reactions and no more.”

  Chelan exhaled sharply. She was not going to enjoy the day’s events, but she knew she had to do her best not to let her beloved man down, and she nodded again.

  Korba smiled reassuringly at her and then reached for her snow-white hood, drawing it over her silky hair and obscuring her sensual beauty. Then, donning his own hood, he nodded to Lazen, who had been monitoring the ship’s progress.

  “All is ready, my Lord,” came the gruff announcement.

  “Okay,” said Korba, glancing around him. He then looked down at Chelan. “You may take my arm,” he offered, and he smiled as he saw her sigh with relief.

  She had no sooner grabbed onto him than she jumped at the large, hollow boom that shattered the air as the vast expanse of doors began to part. Chelan swallowed hard at the spectacle laid out before her, the hundreds of thousands of shrouds lining the way to a group of isolated men far in the distance. Chelan took one more look at the sea of black and decided to keep her eyes to the ground, allowing Korba to lead her through the throngs. She knew that she would become overwhelmed if she tried to assimilate all that was before her; her knees already felt weak.

  Korba moved, and Chelan followed beside him, glancing up into the blackness of Fremma’s hood. She felt calmer that he was with her, but the walk through the receiving area still seemed to take an eternity, and the extreme cold assaulted her, further wearing her down. Chelan felt totally drained as they neared the end.

  Finally, Chelan dared to glance up, and she sucked in a large breath, realizing that she was about to meet the Lord God Emperor himself. She looked back down to the ground, floundering in feelings of disbelief mixed with excitement. Emperor of the Galaxy, she thought. Just over two
short Earth years ago, this whole thing could have only been conjured up in some bizarre dream spawned by an overactive imagination. But now it was real, and Chelan was not quite sure how to deal with it. She was living in a fantasy that she knew could turn nightmarish at the drop of a hat, and a pit formed in her stomach.

  Korba halted, and Chelan clenched her fists, wishing for the first time in a long time that she could wake up and find herself back home in her bed on Earth. She kept her head lowered just enough to obscure her features, but tilted to allow her to look at the faces that confronted her. For reasons she was not sure of, she felt it appropriate to release Korba, although she was not at all sure that she was stable enough to remain on her own.

  “My Lord,” acknowledged Korba confidently. “It is indeed a pleasure to be home and to be in your company again.”

  Ticees acknowledged Korba. “I am glad that you are back, and in one piece, I might add.” The Emperor stepped forward, embracing him warmly.

  Chelan looked up as Ticees stepped back, and she suppressed a gasp at what she saw. He was a massively powerful man, even larger than Korba, but his hair was golden-brown, cut in the same manner as Korba’s as it cascaded over his shoulders and down his back. His face was young, about Korba’s age, or slightly younger, and he was ruggedly handsome. His eyes were a deep and compelling brown, his skin light like her own, lacking the sun-tanned bronze tone of the Iceanean people. Chelan guessed he was just over seven feet tall, and judging by his muscle mass, she knew he outweighed Korba.

  He was dressed in the familiar black military uniform, heavily armed but unshrouded. Chelan noticed the fine gold stripe that decorated his uniform, the same formal garb that Chelan had seen Korba wear at the Koll.

  “You’ve been gone a long time, my friend. In fact, far too long,” Ticees began. “I’m sure that we will spend a lot of time together in the near future, catching up on one another’s lives.”

  “I am sure of that, my Lord, and I look forward to it,” came Korba’s pleased reply.

  Chelan put their exchange of pleasantries into the recesses of her mind, and she clasped her fingers tightly together in front of her. She was cold, she was nervous, and she wished she could return to the security of the ship. In an attempt to take her mind off her predicament, her eyes coursed over the shrouded figures that attended Ticees. Suddenly, her legs felt like putty, and she faltered as her eyes met Dar’s. She had missed him on her initial scan, and she assumed he had been hooded before. His eyes were intent upon her, and she began to quiver under his scrutiny, strong and unexpected emotions seizing her at this vulnerable moment.

  Fremma noticed her teetering, and he immediately moved to support her arm. Then the warrior threw a cutting glance at Dar, forcing the Warlord to look away.

  Chelan closed her eyes and lowered her head, struggling against the nausea that threatened to overtake her. She swallowed hard. But then she was jolted back to reality by Ticees’ deep laugh, and she felt Fremma release her.

  “Very good then, my friend,” Ticees continued. “After dinner tonight, we will get together for an evening of idle chatter and gaiety.”

  Chelan looked up at him as his eyes passed over her and landed on Fremma. “Fremma, my good man,” came Ticees’ resonant voice. “I am glad to see that you are well.”

  “Thank you, my Lord,” replied Fremma warmly as he nodded and pulled back his hood. “It is good to once again set foot on home soil.”

  Ticees smiled warmly and then stared directly at Chelan. She glanced down, feeling as though she was about to faint. Her time had come.

  “And whom do we have here?” the Emperor asked, his tone slightly more serious.

  Chelan remained silent, her face hidden by the hood of her elegant cloak. She turned her head and looked anxiously up at Korba, seeking his guidance.

  “My Lord,” Korba began, his voice becoming soft and low. He placed a hand tenderly on her shoulder. “This is the Lady Chelan.” He paused, the light kindled within his azure eyes betraying the depth of his love for her. “And she is the beautiful woman I have chosen as my mate.”

  Ticees’ smile suddenly left him, and his jaw muscles tightened. But Korba did not notice, for his eyes remained riveted to Chelan. Slowly, Korba reached for her hood, pushing it back gently, as if uncovering a precious and fragile gift. The hood fell along her shoulders, releasing a cascade of golden-brown hair, the silken strands kissing her shoulders and spilling down her back like rivers of spun gold.

  Chelan closed her eyes and lowered her head, trembling visibly at her exposure, utterly afraid to look at Ticees.

  Ticees was stunned, not only by Korba’s totally unexpected announcement, but by Chelan’s indescribable beauty. He remained speechless as his eyes coursed over her exotic features, her soft, white skin beckoning to be touched.

  Finally, Chelan braced herself and shyly peered up at the massive man, her deep brown eyes meeting his … and they locked.

  Ticees faltered. He cleared his throat, his voice gruff. “You surprise me, my friend, after all these years.” He paused as his eyes began their descent over her regally cloaked body, his gaze finally returning to hers. “But it seems,” he began, “that in your old age, you have acquired an annoying affinity for understatements.” Ticees glanced at Korba, and then returned his attention to Chelan. He took a step toward her and faced her directly. Ticees studied her. “‘Beautiful woman’ hardly describes the goddess you claim.”

  Chelan immediately blushed, averting her eyes downward as she took in a badly needed breath.

  Ticees warmed. “And I see that she is obviously not of Iceanean blood.” He reached for a hand hidden in the sleeve of her cloak and raised it to his lips. His eyes stared into hers as he took his first taste. “My Lady,” he acknowledged quietly.

  Chelan bit her lip, trying desperately to control the urge to yank her hand away, but she persevered even though it was obvious he was not about to let her go anytime soon. She bowed her head and curtsied. “My Lord,” came her soft, melodic voice.

  Ticees felt his throat dry as he watched her straighten, her soft gaze once again settling on his. He smiled at her and then covered her hand with his other, his warm flesh burning her cold skin. Ticees finally turned to Korba. “Whence did you acquire this shy beauty, my friend?”

  Chelan’s eyes shot up to Korba’s.

  “Chelan is from Calley, my Lord.”

  Ticees’ brow furrowed. “Calley,” he repeated, his mind working through his memory. “Calley,” he exclaimed, his eyes suddenly widening. “From the Corran group?” He glanced at Chelan in wonderment and then looked back at Korba. “How did you procure anyone from Calley?” he questioned, a grin spreading across his face.

  “It is a long story, my Lord,” began Korba. “And I think it is best left for another time and place.”

  Ticees’ regard returned to Chelan as he nodded his affirmative. His fingers brushed over her trapped flesh before he finally released her. “Yes. Well now. Shall we go to my chambers? I think a little welcome drink is in order, if you wish.” Ticees finally tore his eyes from Chelan and addressed Korba. “As you know, Toran is not due here for another week, so we’ll leave all discussions pertaining to the future and your subsequent missions till then.”

  Korba nodded, and Ticees smiled. Chelan watched the Emperor turn away as he flashed some signals to his men. Korba grasped her arm, aiding her forward. But suddenly she stopped, aware that Fremma was not moving.

  Ticees glanced back and caught the distress in her eyes as she appealed to Fremma. But Korba tugged on her, and Fremma smiled, nodding reassuringly at her. Chelan looked down and obediently followed Korba’s lead just as a flood of the Emperor’s men surrounded them.

  Their walk was short, but Chelan was dumbstruck by the rich elegance of their massive surroundings. It was only then that she became aware of the wealth of the Empire, something she had never considered before. After passing through a large, formal reception hall, the guards halted, and Ti
cees opened a door and bid them to enter. Chelan took a quick look around the large but cozy room, realizing immediately that it was a portion of Ticees’ own personal chambers.

  She heard the doors shut behind her, and she watched as Korba removed his shroud. Chelan remained still and then jumped, realizing that Dar had accompanied them also. Once again their eyes met as he removed his shroud. She felt her discomfort mount and her throat constrict.

  Ticees appeared in front of them as he disarmed himself. Chelan watched him momentarily and then looked at Korba as he moved toward her.

  He reached for her cloak, and he felt her quail under his touch, knowing full well she had no desire to part with it. But Korba removed it as a form of protocol. Instantly, he detected the stiffening that overtook Ticees’ muscles at Chelan’s display.

  “Well, my Lady,” Ticees began. “You once again surprise me.”

  Chelan looked up at him in confusion, but she remained mute. He stepped toward her, and she had to call on every ounce of Imperial training not to shrink under his scrutiny.

  “When Korba announced your beauty, he mentioned nothing of your ample feminine softness.”

  Chelan felt as though she was going to wither up and die of humiliation. She looked to the floor, fighting the urge to hug herself as a way of protecting herself from the vulture that loomed over her.

  Ticees chuckled. “Well, at least I see that thirteen or so years of abstinence has not clouded my friend’s vision, nor his preference for exotic and forbidden beauty.”

  Korba smiled at Ticees, but his smile was strained. He had expected as much from the man, but Korba had not accurately predicted the degree of Chelan’s discomfort. He wondered just how much longer she could endure Ticees’ constant violation of her privacy. Her valiant effort to remain calm, and her equally gallant determination not to cower under Ticees’ incursions, was admirable. Korba knew that she was remaining steadfast and quiet out of her respect for him and his position rather than for any consideration for Ticees.

  Korba took a deep breath, hoping he would not have to intervene. He knew his interference could save Chelan from further assault but could also embarrass her in turn.