Embracing Ember

by Astrid Cielo

  “Sweetheart, listen to me, when Serenity was dying without a hope in the world that came up with a way to save her?” Kylan stated his voice laced with steel as he forced her to look into his eyes. She swallowed before nodding her acceptance of what he said. She knew deep in her heart that she only got lucky with that, had the roles been reversed Serenity would have come up with the cure for the Blue death long before Anna had. Kylan tapped the fingers that held her chin hostage bringing her focus back to him, “They chose you for a reason, Anna. Not Serenity, but you. Now, I know that you can do this. What is your choice?” He released her and she turned her attention back to Alric and Noctae.

  “While I believe that Serenity would be able to help you more than I would I will do my best because I know how important this is for y’all,” she said her words directed to Alric and Noctae before turning her attention to the other two, “I think it is important for me to make you understand that I will need you to explain things to me in the simplest way possible and even then I can’t guarantee that I’ll be much help.” The men nodded their acceptance and Anna couldn’t fight the panic at the thought of failing where she knew that Serenity would succeed.

  FIVE

  “It would appear that the suspect, Landon Anderson, has not been apprehended and his whereabouts are unknown at this time…”

  It echoed in Ember’s mind, reverberating with the cold hard truth that she wasn’t safe. Probably never would be. He had almost killed her this time. Hell, he had killed her, if not for the good fortune of Ceylon being in the right place at the right time she would be pushing daisies right now. She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t live in fear of the next hit, the next word that tore her down, and probably worst of all the violation of her body. She slid to the floor its cold seeping into her already chilled bones. The heat from the shower dissipated as if it had never been. Her stomach roiled with nausea and she felt the sting of tears threatening to spill.

  How was she going to start fresh when the threat of him still existed? How did you think you avoided this by sneaking away? Her bitter laugh reverberated in her mind because the truth was she hadn’t thought that far ahead. For the first time in five years she was leaving and that sense of freedom was like heroin to her. She had been caged too long. Not allowed to live. Not loved and definitely never loving, she had lived in fear and that wasn’t living, but surviving. Her entire life had been about survival. Surviving when she had been placed in foster care, moved from one home to another. No one home with a family, but floating through the system like a leaf in the wind hoping that someone would catch her before she fell. Her experiences weren’t terrible, and for the most part those foster homes were decent. She hadn’t been hurt, just lonely. Her years with Landon had more than made up for escaping the abuse that sometimes befell those who were in the foster system. He showed her true pain – mental, physical and spiritual.

  Her world had always been broken and then Landon had shattered it, breaking it into so many pieces that she wasn’t sure were to begin to put it back together. She let the tears flow. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked into Ceylon’s eyes. Then he was there sinking to his knees and taking her into his embrace. She stiffened at first, her trust shaky at best. Landon had only held her lovingly and without pain in the beginning before he had taken the vow to love, honor, cherish and protect. But she was lulled by his warmth that seeped into the cold that had saturated her. His heartbeat was calming. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes noticing for the first time their azure color. The color of desert skies gazed back at her and something in her reached for this alien, this male who for some reason deigned her important enough to save her life. She let her shields – the ones severely damaged from the stress of surviving under Landon’s cruelty and coming back from the brink of death – down. “What am I going to do? He will kill me this next time. I only wanted to leave. I only wanted to be loved.” She said as sobs racked her small body. He pulled her close, his scent seeping into her pores and his heart comforting her as she surrendered to the respite of slumber that beckoned her.

  ***

  Ceylon laid Ember on the bed her red hair spilling across the white pillow like flames. He couldn’t resist touching the silky strands, letting them slide through his fingers as he brushed her hair away from her face. Ember turned into his touch and released a sigh. Her pale skin was silky to the touch. He was happy to see that her wounds had healed leaving no trace of the bruising and cuts that had once marred her face and arms. Her face was reddened from her crying, but it did nothing to detract from her beauty. He couldn’t understand why anyone would want to hurt such a lovely creature.

  She had sobbed until sleep had claimed her and he had held her throughout her tears. Her lithe form had pressed so trustingly against his body, stirring his body to attention and inducing guilt for his reaction in her time of unease. She had looked into his eyes with those piercing green eyes and asked him what she was supposed to do. She had poured out her heart, letting him know how desperately she wanted to be loved. His heart ached for her. He had made a decision then and now watching her as she slept only reiterated his idea. She would live with him. His diplomatic status had given him living quarters on Earth and she could stay with him until she no longer needed to. It would also make him feel better knowing she was safer with someone to look after her, keep her mate from causing her more harm. He didn’t allow himself to acknowledge the thoughts of her being near him, tantalizing him with her clean scent reminding him of rainy days on Salin. He wasn’t going to think about how her body had fit so well in his arms. He wasn’t going to think about how his body hardened in her presence.

  The light knocking on the door of Ember’s quarters roused him from his thoughts. He looked toward the entrance and noted that Maria led another Earth female behind her. “Ceylon, I’d like you to meet Lindsay Clark who is a counselor at the local Women’s Shelter. She is here to ensure that Ember can cope with what happened. Police officers are also here, but I thought it would be okay to leave them with Silvius in the mess hall until Ember has a chance to speak a bit with Lindsay,” Maria stated as she walked into the room. Her eyes trailed to the bed where Ember lay in slumber. “Oh, well she’s asleep which is probably a good thing. I didn’t tell Lindsay the extent of Ember’s injuries, just that she was injured in a domestic situation,” Maria stated before looking at Lindsay before continuing. “She had extensive head injuries and internal damage that the Salinians helped to heal. I haven’t had much chance to talk with her about her abuse, but I have an inkling that she has suffered for a while before this happened.”

  “While we can’t know for sure, but from what you’ve told me I can only agree with that observation. I believe it would be best to allow her to sleep right now, too. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I’ll sit with the police officers in the mess hall,” Lindsay stated. Ceylon looked at the female taking in her very small and thin frame. She appeared so delicate, but her eyes told a different story. They told him she had strength belied her small stature. She looked into his eyes and he felt as if she knew everything about him with that one glance. He’d only felt that way with one other person in his life. There was an older lady who lived at the edge of town whose mate had died. She always had some kind of treat for the children, and he was no exception. He enjoyed going to her house and doing the odd little job she always requested so that he could have one of those treats. Every time he looked in her eyes it was as if she had read him.

  Vidensanimarum.

  Seer of Souls.

  The community had whispered, but as a child he hadn’t understood what they meant. Now, with this fragile appearing female looking into his soul and reading it as if it were an open book, he knew. “I apologize for my rudeness. I am Lindsay as Maria said and you are?” Lindsay stated breaking the awkward moment between them.

  “I am Ceylon, Chief healer aboard this ship. It is nice to meet you, Lindsay. I look forward to you helping Ember,
” he replied feeling uncomfortable with her attention.

  “Yes. I am here to help Ember, if she needs it, but I would be willing to listen to any other crew member who had need of an ear to listen. I’ve always been told that I was a good listener,” she replied tilting her head to the side peering up at him, attempting to look him in the eyes again.

  She had no idea what she was doing, he realized. Like Serenity she had no idea what she did was a rare gift, and that it wasn’t intuition. Ceylon remembered the meeting her after she had awoken from her near brush with death. She had smiled at him as he monitored her vitals, before looking down at her mate, Eon. “He is finally sleeping peacefully,” she whispered.

  “He is scared to go to sleep and wake up to find you gone,” he had found himself replying. She nodded and looked at him for a few moments.

  “Is that what happened to you?” she asked finally, her voice almost too quiet.

  He stared at her stunned, his once tight control slipping away from him causing the tears to well in his eyes before he could stop them, “How did you know?” he said his voice sounding weak even to his ears.

  Her eyes widened in surprise and it had become apparent to him even before she spoke the words, “I didn’t…well, I-I did, but not really. I had this feeling. I’m sorry if I brought something up that was painful.”

  But he didn’t answer her, didn’t even let her know that what her feelings had been was a gift. Serenity may not have been a seer of soul, but she did have some ability. A soft touch on his arm brought him back from his reveries. He looked at Lindsay and could almost feel her need to help him, but he wasn’t ready and he probably never would be. “I apologize sometimes I get lost in my own thoughts. You are welcome to wait in the mess hall. I will let the other crew know of your generosity to aid them if they need,” he stated before looking at Maria. “Maria, you wouldn’t mind taking her to the mess hall and telling Silvius to make the officers and Lindsay feel at home. I think it goes without saying that you most definitely should make yourself at home,” he said turning back to Ember’s sleeping form on the bed. He didn’t hear her reply, but knew they had left with the swishing sound the door made as it opened and closed. Ember held his attention and before he realized what he was doing, he was sitting at her side again, taking her hand into his own. She sighed contentedly in her sleep. He would protect her.

  Like you protected Ashwin?

  No. He couldn’t allow himself to think like that. He would protect Ember where he had failed Ashwin. He didn’t think he could live if Ember were to leave him like Ashwin had, and although he attributed it to his need to protect since he was a healer. But he couldn’t fool himself. Ember had become important to him and he found that the guilt he felt for those feelings were lessening.

  ***

  Ember woke from her sleep and panicked for all of three seconds at the unfamiliar surroundings. When the past came crashing back she released a sigh and settled back into the mattress and began to do what she did best, worry. What was she supposed to do? She had money stored away that Landon had no idea she had, so she wasn’t completely broke. Thank goodness for the internet she thought to herself as she sat on the side of the bed. It had been how she had made her money and stored it away since Landon had taken her freedom away.

  She could stay in a motel until she found something more permanent. One thing was clear to her, though, she had to leave town, if not the state. She wasn’t particularly attached to this location, never had been which was sad. She had lived in many places but had never truly had a home. She made quick use of the facilities wishing she had her own clothing. While Ceylon’s shirt covered all of the important bits, it still felt provocative – if not a bit drafty. She opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. Her ears instantly picked up on the sounds of voices. Her stomach growled reminding her it had been a while since she had last eaten. But she didn’t really know where to go for food, so she opted to follow the voices instead. Maybe someone would be willing to show here where she could get a bite to eat.

  The door was open and there were several people sitting at a rectangular table within the room. The food on the table led her to believe that it was like a dining room. She was confused to see the small, thin female with a blonde pixie-cut speaking with Maria. There were also two police officers talking with Ceylon and another Salinian. She was going to walk in and let her presence known, but Ceylon’s words stopped her. “What do you do if the person who hurt her hasn’t been caught yet?”

  The blonde female answered, “Well, it depends. If she has family she can go to them, if not then we can arrange for her to stay at the women’s shelter. It mostly depends on what Ember decides to do. We can’t force anyone to do anything.”

  “We still haven’t apprehended her husband. It would be best if she did take up the shelter offer,” a police officer stated. Ceylon looked over at the police officer to reply, but stopped and smiled at her. Her mind drifted from the implications of their conversation to the dreams that had taunted her.

  Him kissing her. Him holding her. Him devouring every inch of her.

  She felt the heat in her face and knew her cheeks were now an unlovely shade of red – the curse of her pale skin. He seemed confused but spoke anyway as he got up and walked toward her, “How do you feel, Ember?”

  Such a complicated question. How did she feel? Where should she begin? She felt lost, nothing the same and thankfully so. But the fact remained that everything she knew was changing – she was on an alien’s space ship for goodness sakes. She was scared. He was still out there and waiting for another chance to hurt her, and this time possibly even finish killing her. She was unloved. He didn’t love her. How could he possibly love her and hurt her. Maybe she wasn’t unloved, but he just loved her too much. At this point she wasn’t sure which was worse. She was angry. He had hurt her in unspeakable ways for years and it had all led to this, this feeling of hopelessness. She looked into his azure gaze and gave a smile even she knew was more of a grimace and said, “I feel better.” Ceylon nodded and took her hand leading her to the table. He pulled out her seat and helped her to sit before placing a plate of food in front of her. She looked at it questioningly. There were red worms and greenish chunks and neither looked appetizing. “Um, what is this?” she asked.

  “It’s Blogentak. The red is a plant that grows on our planet that I am told tastes like potatoes. The green meat is the reason for the name of the dish, as it is the animal that I am told resembles your squirrels. Everyone who has eaten it has compared it to chicken. I have had the chance to eat chicken while on your planet and I must say it does have a similar flavor,” Ceylon answered.

  Ember poked at the meal on the plate with the fork delaying the inevitable. Sure she could push it away, but memories of refusing a gift from Landon flooded her and she dutifully placed a bite of the green meat in her mouth. She chewed and tried her best to conceal her surprise at how good it tasted. Ceylon’s chuckle brought her attention back to him and she pinned him with a curious look. “It is surprisingly good, right?” he asked. She wasn’t sure what to do so she just nodded, her fear of his retaliation almost suffocating her. She jumped at the touch from her side. She looked up into the little blonde female’s eyes and felt as if she knew her, as if her whole life had been laid out for her to read. She blinked and the feeling vanished.

  “Ember we haven’t been introduced, but my name is Lindsay Clark. I am a counselor at the local women’s shelter. I was asked to come here to help you with whatever you may need. I know you may not realize it and I know that it will take some time, but I want you to know that you are safe here,” Lindsay said. Ember nodded and began to eat her food. She was embarrassed by the tears that fell into her plate and tried to wipe them away. She had been lied to before, been told that he was sorry and that he wouldn’t hurt her again. She had been told that he loved her. She had been told that he would keep her safe and give her a home. But he lied, they were all lies told so she would let
her guard down so he could rip her apart. WELL YOU SUCEEDED LANDON. HERE I AM – NOTHING! I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO I AM ANYMORE. Her mind screamed at her as she tried to stop the flow of tears.

  He was there enfolding her in his warm embrace. She didn’t even think to stiffen and try to pull away. She needed this little repose too much to maintain her strength, her distance. She hadn’t known him long but he had become her rock in some ways. He had saved her life, he had held her when she cried, and probably most importantly he was kind to her. She knew how stupid it was to trust him. She had been there and done that, but still something inside of her let her do it against her better judgment. She did trust him, not completely and thanks to Landon’s hard work in tearing her apart she probably never would. So instead of doing the smart thing, the thing her mind cried at her to do, she snuggled closer to him. Let him hold her as if she mattered to him. The sound of the police officers voice shattered the illusion that they were alone in the world together and nothing mattered, “Mrs. Anderson, we need to get your statement, please.” Ember sighed and pulled away from Ceylon grateful and oddly disappointed at the loss of contact and instantly became embarrassed. In his quest to comfort her he had placed her on his lap. He didn’t seem to see anything wrong with it, so Ember decided to let that slide, besides for all she knew that kind of affection in his culture was the norm. He placed her back in her seat and placed her meal back in front of her.