by Terri Lane
Maya
Maya woke up to no Kohl. His warmth was gone and as she lay in bed, listening for any sign of him, she knew he wasn’t in the house. Sighing deeply, she figured she’d try and make good out of his absence and try to figure out her jumbled feelings for him. It was really hard to be so attracted to someone who was essentially forbidden fruit. He was seen as a terror by most of her fellow human beings and many of his actions proved that. But she felt she knew a different Kohl, one who was caring and kind and…sexy as hell. She couldn’t stop herself from having feelings for that Kohl.
She glanced at the time. It was nearly nine in the morning. She should be halfway to work! Maya jumped out of bed and quickly brushed her teeth while pulling her hair up into a bun. She found an outfit and put it on, finished with her morning bathroom routine. She had no time for anything, not even her usual coffee and news before work. Once she was adequately presentable she grabbed her bag and keys, then headed out. Thankfully she didn’t work too far from her house or else she’d be super late. If she sped a little she’d be only ten minutes late. She didn’t see or hear anyone as she ran into work to clock in. She only took a breath once she signed in for work.
“Hey Maya, did you see the news this morning? That prince is somethin’ else.” Eddie was standing in the security office with some other staff, crowding around the flat screen that had the news turned up.
“What…did he do?” she asked slowly, a cold sort of dread creeping into her chest. She hoped, hell she prayed that he had said or done something to turn things around. She really wanted to believe that the real Kohl was the one she was getting to know, the one who saved her and was gentle with her. The one who seemed like he knew remorse and decency, honor and respect.
Maya tuned into the news just as Kohl’s face, and whatever he’d been saying, was interrupted by a newscaster.
“Prince Kohl had allegedly called in more military personnel without clearing it by any Earth officials. Washington D.C. is under alert and is urging its non-essential personnel, to stay home under the threat of the imminent invasion. Again only medical, military, and first responders have clearance to travel directly to their places of work. All other citizens of the city are subject to a precautionary, but no less mandatory curfew…”
“Invasion?” everyone in the room got all ruffled feathered and perked up. That word nowadays was akin to ‘nuclear war.’ Maya couldn’t believe any of it. Her heart felt as though it would pound out of her chest. When she was with him last night, he didn’t seem like he’d just called in an invasion of Earth. Yet…did she really know him? Was it all just a front? A front to get her in bed with him?
“Just got the word from management by radio,” said one of the security men to the room. “We’ve all got to get everyone home or in their rooms. Skeleton staff only here.” Maya got swept up by Eddie who gently put his hand on her back, leading her out.
“I can walk you to your car if you want Miss Lu,” he said kindly, noting the shock and devastation on her face, wrongly concluding that she looked that way because of the news. She was actually thinking how wrong she’d been, thinking he might have listened to her the night before, and that there could be an actual chance for them…
She didn’t track anything around her until she was outside, the cool fall air making goosebumps rise on her skin as she looked up amid the raised voices and even screams of fear and uncertainty outside the hotel. What should have been a cloudless and sunny blue sky was cast in a muted light. Like storm clouds had rolled in. But instead of black clouds, it was a huge, black, Ve’dran spacecraft closing in. Bristling with guns, it could not help but look like the start of an invasion.
“Come on Miss Lu, we can’t stay out in the open!” Eddie pulled on her arm and she looked down at the chaos that had unfolded. People running like ants without direction. All terrified, hell she was scared.
All because of Kohl.
Book 2: Exploring Hearts
After the incomprehensibility of his actions Maya gives Prince Kohl a chance to explain and prove himself. They spend nearly all their time together in their own bubble apart from the storm of the alliance negotiations. Maya learns that Kohl is simply trying to do right by his people. She sees another side of him, a softer side she didn’t expect. She can’t help but begin to fall for him harder, though she is afraid to let herself go completely. Meanwhile Kohl is trying to do right by both his people and the humans for Maya’s sake. He’s softened his approach in the negotiations and is hopeful for a peaceful outcome. His fellow diplomats are wary, but then to make matters worse, they find out about Maya and Kohl, and do not approve of the relationship at all. Can their budding love possibly survive this revelation, and the severity of Kohl’s Ve’dran colleagues?
Chapter 1
Kohl
“Prince Kohl, surely you understand our concern,” said the Executive of the Interplanetary Alliance Committee.
Kohl leaned forward, nearly coming off of his podium in the center of the meeting room. The same room Kohl had, not so long ago, offered the terms of alliance between the humans and his fellow Ve’drans. Kohl had half a mind to set that lofty desk on fire, he did not like the feeling of being on trial.
“It is as I have told you. The only solution I saw to the problem of policing my kind, of a sizeable population now, was to bring in more guards. Would you deny that this was not needed?” Kohl ground the words through his teeth and the quiet that ensued in the room was heavy. “That is what I thought. Either way, it would be ridiculous for me simply to import fifty men if I had in mind to invade Earth and take it over. That is nor my intention. I am here to foster an alliance.
“To further allay any insecurities I am perfectly willing to divert the extra Ve’dran force to your own officers. So that in the areas where my kind reside there is always a Ve’dran guard or two present to deal with any disturbance of our kind. Otherwise, they will simply be bystanders,” he suggested.
There was a collective murmur throughout the room. Eventually the Executive spoke.
“That is a good suggestion, we’d like to draft an agreement and lay out punishment should the terms be overreached in any way,” he said.
“Of course, until we can finally come to an agreement on the alliance terms,” Kohl said pointedly. The humans were being incredibly slow in deciding upon Kohl’s terms or any revision suggestions. In the grand scheme of things, it was highly frustrating. The only reason he tolerated the wait was because of his Maya Lu. Just picturing her face calmed him.
He urged the humans to hurry in their quick draft of the new provisions for his extra military personnel. Once it was signed, and things seemingly smoothed out with the humans, Kohl stood from his table and left, closely followed by his guards. Who knew what the media was saying while he had been in the meeting. All he could think about was Maya.
Had she seen his fifty warriors fly in? Had the media said something terrible about him? Had she believed it? Kohl hadn’t had a chance to see anything on the television before he was escorted to the highly secured center to speak with the Union of Earth Nations’ Interplanetary Alliance Committee. Kohl figures Maya should be at the hotel for work by the time he left the governmental complex. He had his guards drive him to his suite straight away.
“Prince Kohl, shall we gather the diplomats?” Kelhan said, reminding him of his duty. Of course he needed to inform his fellow Ve’drans of what had transpired at the meeting they were not invited to.
“Yes, yes, quickly,” Kohl said. He began to pace around the living room while he waited. He did not need to make his people suspicious of him, but he also desperately wanted some privacy with Maya. He knew he would have explaining to do and he hoped she would listen to what he had to say. Within ten minutes’ time, lords Beerus, Caspin, and Marhay had gathered in his suite with their assigned guards.
“So what of the meeting with the humans Prince Kohl?” Beerus asked. Kohl had half a mind to send the man back to Ve’dra with a reques
t for another diplomat. Kohl felt it was largely Beerus’s doing that had caused their current predicament with the humans.
“I’ve managed to convince the humans to let our extra forces stay,” said Kohl.
“Those humans are such fools! We could manage a coup and take their planet right from under them if we wished it!” Beerus laughed. Kohl bit back his reaction. The anger in his chest would have led him to harm or kill Beerus for being such a fool himself. But Kohl felt he should tread lightly until the humans moved on the alliance terms. What with his coming kingship, he did not want to appear not to be following the Ve’dran way. A Ve’dran king would not act softly toward a race seen as lesser to the Ve’dra.
“However, to forego the annoyance of their media, none of you are authorized to speak to a camera. If an interview be proposed to you, it must be approved by me first,” Kohl said. He made sure each of them understood that fact. After speaking with them Kohl dismissed his guards from the suite, apart from Kelhan.
“Do you need my assistance in finding her my prince?” he asked without Kohl having to say anything.
“Thank you Kelhan, your loyalty means much to me,” Kohl said, placing his hand on Kelhan’s shoulder. Such a gesture is one of the highest honors royalty can bestow on that of the warrior class in Ve’dran culture. Kelhan glanced down briefly, with a deep breath before meeting Kohl’s gaze.
“I would rather follow no one else but you my prince,” Kelhan said sincerely. Kohl nodded. They then split up, and began searching for Maya Lu.
He wished he had some way to get in contact with her. The lack of such a simple practicality fell heavy on Kohl’s shoulders, especially as he could not find her.
“Prince, Kohl, can I help you?” one of the hotel’s human security called Kohl’s attention as he made to walk into a hallway labeled, ‘Staff Only.’
“I am looking for Maya Lu,” he informed the man.
“Oh Miss Lu? She and most of the hotel staff had been moved to a different facility to work, due to your incoming military personnel. However once the fleet was cleared as nonthreatening, our staff were all given the choice to remain working at this particular location. Miss Lu decided to continue working at the other location unfortunately. Much of the cleaning staff followed her. It’s a shame, as Maya is quite loved around here.”
Kohl was perplexed at how candidly the guard spoke with him. It was no secret that he was very nearly hated among much of the human public. Yet…this guard of all people, was polite and kindheartedly so.
“Well…thank you,” Kohl inclined his head towards the guard and turned around to return to his suite. He sent a message to Kelhan directing him to bring a vehicle around. Kohl would simply go to her home. Surely she hadn’t moved away from there in the time it took for the threat to be deemed all clear and the Alliance Committee to be brought together for that meeting.
Kohl couldn’t wait for Kelhan to alert him that he’d brought the vehicle around. After changing his clothes to more easily blend with the humans and keep out of the media’s eye, he went to await the black sedan out in front of the hotel. Kohl could scarcely recall a time when he’s been so anxious to be with a woman.
Chapter 2
Maya
Maya sat down with a heavy sigh. She felt like rolling underneath the couch rather than sitting on it. She’d been in that kind of mood four days in a row. She was scared to even turn on the TV. She didn’t want to see Kohl’s face, and he was constantly on the news. The news was the last channel she’d left it on before turning off the television, so off it was staying.
Maya’s eyes drifted to the door right before a heavy knocking startled her to her feet. Cautiously she tiptoed forward to look through the peephole. Kohl was on the other side of the door, standing there alone. He was wearing jeans and a plain white t-shirt. When she didn’t open the door he knocked again.
“Maya Lu…I know you’re here, I see your vehicle outside,” he said then knocked again. She took a deep breath, then reluctantly opened the door. She felt that if she didn’t he wouldn’t leave. “Maya…” he breathed her name in relief. She stared at him, almost dumbfounded.
“Are you seriously here right now?” she asked, blocking his entrance into the house. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited for whatever it was he had showed up to say. She was having a hard time even looking at him, did he have to be so attractive? He looked like he just walked out of some GQ shoot for casual wear.
“I was hoping to explain things to you, about what—”
“I already know what happened. I was there in the confusion you caused when you had your warriors flying right into D.C. I didn’t know what to think! I couldn’t believe the same Kohl that I was starting to see as different had done such a thing!” Maya let out her frustration, unable to keep it in anymore. Kohl simply stood there and stared at her. “Well?” she said, prompting him.
“Maya, I find myself in the very precarious position of satisfying not only my race but also yours. This is a delicate and stressful negotiation. There was an incident where my people were in the wrong, I know that. I recognized it and saw the only solution acceptable to both races, which was to have my own people work with your authorities to police the non-military Ve’drans here. I went about it in a Ve’dran way I suppose. We are not accustomed to…having constantly to explain how we govern, nor such panicked reactions.”
Kohl was obviously frustrated; it was in his voice. Even though the way he stood was almost pleading, his hands opened in front of him as if imploring Maya to understand. For that reason alone, she didn’t slam the door in his face.
“Yes, I guess it’s a human trait to be methodical and talk things out before acting. We freak out, we can’t help it. As a leader Kohl, especially one trying to strike out an alliance with another race, you should be willing to understand us and compromise,” Maya spoke adamantly and hoped like hell he was listening.
“The Ve’dra are very…it’s seen as weak to put the ideals of others above your own. I am in the position of becoming king very soon, so I cannot appear weak to my kind. A weak king would be bad for my people. Especially now, when we are striving to have a presence and stake with the UAP.”
Maya could see where he came from and reluctantly understood how difficult it must all be for him.
“Please Maya…I do not want what is happening out there to affect…this,” he said, gesturing between them, unable to define whatever it was they had. Maya wasn’t even sure herself, the only thing she was certain of was her continuing attraction to him, unfathomable as it was. She’s been able to ignore a gorgeous idiot before, but Kohl? She couldn’t get him out of her head. With a tremendous sigh she stepped back so that he could come inside.
He shut the door behind him and took her hands in his. “I apologize if I caused any fright with the incoming fleet that day. Even more so if I scared you or hurt your feelings,” he said sincerely. His amethyst gaze locked onto her green one.
“Kohl it’s not my forgiveness you need. I’m not…” she took a breath and collected her thoughts. “I just want you to do the right thing in all of this,” she said. Kohl studied her face for a long moment before he bent his head and pressed his lips against hers.
Chapter 3
Kohl
She tasted just as he remembered, sweet. Immediately he wanted more than a kiss from her, what with all the uncertainty he had been through. Kohl needed to make sure things would go back to way they were before. But Maya still seemed wary. She pulled away from him and glanced around the small room briefly before her gaze settled on the kitchen.
“Do you want anything to drink? Eat?” she asked, walking away from him entirely.
“Well…I do have a taste for something, but it is not in your refrigerator,” he told her with a small smirk. She glanced back at him and tried not to smile, covering it and quickly turning around again. He watched her take a bottle of wine out of a small cooler, and a couple of glasses. “Maya, what is your phone number?
” Kohl asked her, pulling out the human version of a communicator, something they called ‘cell phones.’
“I guess you don’t have my number huh?” she chuckled ironically.
“I do not like the idea of you being out of reach when we are not together,” Kohl said honestly. Maya gave him her phone number, then poured them both wine.
“Kohl what are we doing exactly?” Maya asked him frankly. She took a sip of the golden liquid and Kohl reached for his own glass.
“I am not sure of anything but one, and that is how I feel about you. I’ve not ever thought about a woman so frequently before. I’ve never had such a need for anyone as much as I do you Maya Lu,” Kohl hoped she could tell the sincerity in his tone. He wanted her to be secure in him, in his feelings for her. He didn’t want to let what happened politically affect them.
“Oh…” was all she said.
Kohl had to laugh. It was the one instance where she appeared to be speechless. “That is all?” he teased her. She giggled and the sound felt like music to his ears.
“I feel the same way,” she said cutely. Kohl grinned at her and leaned across the bar to kiss her once more. If all she would offer were her lips, he’d take them as often as he could. Since they were not talking about interplanetary politics and she was not annoyed with him. Kohl wondered about her background, why she lived so modestly. If she’d been a woman of Ve’dra she would have been coveted for her looks. Perhaps made to be in performance of some sort. She wouldn’t be cleaning up after galactic diplomats and hidden away in a small home at nights.
“Tell me about yourself Maya,” said Kohl, more as a demand than a request. Her sharp gaze snapped to his and he softened it with a smile, glad when she laughed.
“Well…what do you want to know?” she quirked a brow at him while taking a small sip of the wine.
“Your profession, did you choose it for yourself?” Kohl did not mean to sound pretentious, he was genuinely curious.
