Rebel's Quest

by Gun Brooke

  Roshan stared at her for a moment, then smiled slowly. “A slight exaggeration?”

  “Only slight.” Andreia had to smile back as she slumped against the elevator wall. “I really am tired. What I wouldn’t give for some misostena tea. I haven’t had it in years…but I still remember how your mother used to make it for us.”

  After a brief silence, Roshan’s eyes softened. “Yes, she did, didn’t she? She learned to love it during her travels and imported it from the SC. It’s from Corma, I believe. Maybe Commander D’Artansis has some.”

  “Guess it would be a little too much to ask.” Andreia grinned. “This is our floor.”

  The elevator door opened, and they stepped out into an elegant corridor with a thick black carpet, gold-plated ornaments along the ceiling, and smoky-glass stained-light fixtures.

  “Wow, you do work hard at keeping up appearances, don’t you?” Andreia noted. “And before you say it, so do I.”

  “I’m glad you realize that. Here are the quarters that I use while I travel. The captain has the more luxurious ones farther down, overlooking the bow.”

  Roshan opened the door and stepped back to let Andreia enter first. “Ensuite head is to your left.”

  “Thanks, I need it.”

  “So do I, but perhaps not quite so badly.” Roshan walked over to a small bag sitting by the couch. “Here’s your change of clothes. You need to remain O’Daybo a while yet.”

  “Yes, I agree. I have to return to the Onotharian HQ soon, though, and face my parents and the M’Isitors. If I stay away for more than the week I told my mother I’d be gone…” Andreia shrugged. “I’ll have to really emphasize how good a catch you are, so they don’t get suspicious that I was missing in action during the first SC attack.”

  Roshan’s eyes darkened to blue-black, and Andreia wondered what she was thinking. “Will they do that? Suspect you?”

  “I don’t know. Think about it. They’ve kept things from me, vital information regarding their plans against the resistance. Why would they suddenly do that unless they were wary of my true allegiance?”

  “I’ve thought about that too.”

  Andreia frowned. “You think I have cause to worry.”

  “I think you should be very careful when you go back.”

  “I promise.” Andreia took the bag and headed toward the bathroom. “Is it all right if I take a nap when I’m done in there? I know I should eat, but I’m so tired.” She glanced back over her shoulder. Roshan stood near the impressive blackwood desk ramrod straight, her eyes just as dark as before.

  “Yes, of course. The bedroom is behind that door.” She motioned to the right of the bathroom.

  “Thanks.” Andreia put the bag down next to the toilet and groaned when she glanced in the mirror. Her hair was completely disheveled, and she was so pale she looked almost jaundiced. As she studied the blue-black semicircles under her eyes that emphasized her fatigue, Andreia began to understand Roshan’s concern better.

  The ionic-resonance shower quickly removed the grime and sweat, and the smell of burned plasma and metallic alloy evaporated through the ventilation ducts. Andreia pulled a brush through her curly hair, enjoying how smooth and untangled it seemed, compared to the mess it had just been. After the ionic waves had bombarded her for five minutes, Andreia knew she was as clean as possible and stepped outside, but found no robe, which she was sure she’d packed, only a large demulcent-woven towel, which she wrapped around her. She walked out into Roshan’s quarters and saw her sitting by her desk, dressed in a robe of a material similar to Andreia’s towel, occupied with several handheld computers. Not wanting to disturb her, Andreia tiptoed into the small bedroom that held a narrow bed beneath a small, circular view port.

  She sank down on the bed, grateful to be sitting. Her legs were heavy, and when she tried to fling them over the edge she barely made it. Tucking the towel around her, she curled up on her side and closed her eyes. The ship’s propulsion system was on standby, roaring reassuringly far beneath her. “Mm.”

  *

  Checking on Andreia, Roshan was overwhelmed by mixed emotions. She was so used to controlling her feelings that being unable to focus on the documents in front of her unsettled her. She was supposed to overview the part of the Protector’s plan called “Exodus,” which entailed evacuating every incarcerated rebel under protection of the SC marines. Instead, with hunger stirring, Roshan watched how the faint light from the stars illuminated Andreia’s golden skin. After two hours of deep sleep, she had a much healthier glow.

  After entering the small bedroom, Roshan sat on the edge of the bed, her legs suddenly weak. Andreia could easily have been killed. She’d been directly in the line of fire, with Owena, but now, when they were both safe, Roshan trembled at what could have been. Exasperated at such unproductive reasoning, she straightened and was about to leave Andreia alone, when a faint moan made her hesitate.

  “Andreia?” Roshan caressed Andreia’s cheek as she frowned in her sleep and whimpered. “Hello, there. Wake up. You’re dreaming.”

  “No,” Andreia said. “I can’t—”

  “What can’t you do? Look at me.” As Roshan scooted closer, the towel covering Andreia slipped to the side, revealing a round, plump breast. Roshan’s breath caught in her throat, and her hand moved of its own volition and held the breast gently, longingly. The warmth of it startled her, and, gasping, she let go and tried to pull the towel back up over Andreia, who’d shifted underneath and was half lying on it.

  “Andreia, wake up. You’ll get cold.” Roshan let her hand slide along Andreia’s arm, reveling in the feel of the warm, smooth skin. She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Andreia’s shoulder. “Andreia?”

  “Ro…”

  “Yes.”

  “I dreamed.” Andreia opened drowsy eyes and frowned at Roshan. “I dreamed I was lost. Couldn’t find you.”

  Roshan’s heart constricted at Andreia’s bewilderment. “You’re not lost. You’re here. Safe. With me.” The staccato sentence came out awkwardly, but Andreia’s features softened and she smiled. White and glistening, her small teeth bit into her lower lip as she peeked up at Roshan through her eyelashes.

  “I am.” Andreia sat up, seemingly unaware that she was half naked. The towel now rested around her hips, and Andreia finally jerked a bit when she saw she was almost nude. “Oh.”

  “Oh.” Roshan’s mouth watered at the sight of Andreia’s breasts with dark red nipples, so close. She wanted to touch Andreia so much that she moaned. Slowly, almost hypnotically, she raised her hand and touched a breast again, weighing it gently.

  “Roshan,” Andreia breathed. “Mm…?” Her voice quivered and her head fell back, revealing her slender neck.

  “You’re so damn beautiful. You’re the bravest person I’ve ever met, and that together with your fantastic eyes…your body…” Roshan groaned and pulled Andreia to her. She couldn’t have kept from kissing her if someone had paid her all of Gantharat’s pure diamonite. Andreia’s lips parted beneath Roshan’s, and a low moan reverberated from one mouth to another. Roshan wasn’t sure where it began or where it ended. All she wanted was to keep tasting and feeling the woman she feared she’d lost. Twice.

  “Ro,” Andreia murmured through the kisses. “Ro, this is insane.”

  “I know.” Roshan slid her tongue along Andreia’s lower lip. “It’s pure madness, but I can’t resist you.” Hot, deep kisses fueled, rather than satisfied, her rampaging emotions. Roshan’s chest ached, her abdomen melted with desire, and all the lava seemed to pool between her unsteady legs. “Please, touch me.” The words passed her lips before she realized what she had meant to say.

  Andreia’s hand hung between them, and Roshan stared at it, transfixed. Slowly, Andreia let her hand fall and gently tugged at the lapels of Roshan’s robe. Roshan was eager, almost desperate, to feel Andreia’s touch, and pulled at the loose knot of the belt.

  “Oh…” Andreia stared at Roshan’s naked chest under the robe,
and then she didn’t hesitate any more. Sliding both arms around Roshan, under the soft fabric of the garment, Andreia hugged her, followed by a heated kiss with a fierce battle of tongues and lips. Andreia groaned. “Gods, you feel so good. You always did.”

  “You never held me like this, back then,” Roshan whispered against Andreia’s lips. “You hugged me, as a friend, but—”

  “—I wanted to do so much more.” Andreia pushed the robe off Roshan’s shoulders and stared at her with heavily lidded eyes. “Like this. I wanted to look at you, and touch you, like this.” She caressed Roshan’s breasts and gazed up at her. Nothing but sheer desire swam in Andreia’s eyes.

  “Yes.” Roshan placed her hands over Andreia’s and pressed harder against her heated skin. She was on fire, and the thought of the dangerous missions they’d both completed ignited even more passion. “Let me, Andreia. Please.” At this point Roshan wasn’t above begging. Her overwhelming lust urged her on, but her tenderness and unspoken feelings for Andreia made her stop and wait.

  “Let you do what?” There was nothing coy in Andreia’s voice, despite her words.

  “Let me make love to you.” Roshan’s throat almost hurt for finally speaking the truth.

  When Andreia parted her lips and ran her tongue along them, the moist line against the red fullness of the curvy mouth made Roshan cave in. She guided Andreia on her back and stroked the slight curve of her stomach, then wandered lower. Andreia’s legs spread wide around Roshan’s hips, as if she were trying to hold Roshan in place by hooking them around her.

  “Oh, Gods, Ro…you feel so good...”

  Roshan hovered over Andreia for a moment, as if suspended in time, considering her words, tasting them thoroughly. She found nothing but honesty and desire in Andreia’s face. She wants me.

  Roshan slipped her hand between Andreia’s smooth, long thighs and, eventually, dipped between her swollen folds. She had dreamed of this all those years ago, then given up. To have it now was so unexpected, she couldn’t believe it was actually happening.

  Her fingers trembled as she explored the rich wetness and caressed sensitive tissues between Andreia’s legs. Andreia’s moans grew louder as Roshan teased the hooded, small ridge of nerves. She massaged it repeatedly and at the same time closed her watering mouth around one of Andreia’s hard nipples, inspired to use both her tongue and teeth on it.

  “Ro!” Andreia arched her back, pressing her breast farther into Roshan’s mouth. “Ro…”

  Roshan wanted to give Andreia the pleasure she so desired. What was more, she wanted to bury herself deep within Andreia’s body, knowing if she did, she’d have no more pain, no more suffering, and no more war inside her heart.

  Sliding two of her fingers inside Andreia, Roshan felt the incredibly wet velvet. The smooth tissues engulfed her, milked her fingers, and Roshan’s own sex became wetter still.

  A gentle nudge at her waist startled Roshan, as Andreia slid her hand out of Roshan and down her body. She anticipated the touch against her own naked skin, but nothing could have prepared her for the scorching pleasure Andreia’s hand caused when it made contact. Shivering, Roshan had only one desire—to get between Andreia’s thighs, enter her again, and unite them in the flesh.

  “There, Ro,” Andreia whispered hotly, and tugged the rest of Roshan’s robe off. “I’m here. Feel me. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I have to have you.” Roshan didn’t care if she sounded desperate or frantic. “Oh, Gods, Andreia. I need—I have to…” A red mist hung before her eyes and tinted Andreia’s willing body in the same light of passion. Roshan rearranged the pillows to support Andreia, and despite her overwhelming lust, part of Roshan made sure she didn’t lose touch with her heart.

  “Come here,” Andreia purred. Her eyes large and shiny, she gazed steadily up at her as Roshan settled between her legs. “That’s it. Let me hold you…” She wrapped her legs around Roshan’s hips again, and the feeling of Andreia’s skin on hers nearly sent Roshan flying.

  “Andreia!” Roshan pushed her hand between them and back into the abundant wetness between Andreia’s legs. Finding the hard bundle of nerve endings, she ran two of her fingers up and down its little shaft.

  Andreia bucked under Roshan’s hand and flung her arms around her neck, then arched her back again and pressed her breasts into Roshan’s. Nipples aching from the passionate embrace, Roshan growled deep in her throat. Pushing at the bed with her free hand, she managed to slip down along Andreia’s sweat-soaked body. Roshan stopped when her chin touched the mound at the apex of Andreia’s thighs and studied the arousing sight until it became too much for her.

  Leaning down, Roshan slid her tongue along the entire length of Andreia’s sex and inside the parted folds. She lapped eagerly at the wetness and, encouraged by Andreia’s whimpers, increased the pressure and the intensity. The taste and the scent of the woman she’d wanted for more than two decades intoxicated her, and Roshan felt her own orgasm stir. She pressed one hand down to touch herself, and the other to enter Andreia.

  “Ro, oh, for the love of the stars, Ro…” Andreia raised her hips, grinding her sex into Roshan’s mouth.

  Roshan sucked hard at the inner lips and the shafted clitoris, not unlike her own, but longer and larger. She milked it with her tongue, and suddenly Andreia exploded with a broken cry. Roshan kept caressing her, eased her through the orgasm with more patience than she knew she possessed. Finally Roshan heaved herself up and kissed Andreia’s mouth. The long, exploring kiss shared the taste of Andreia’s passion. Roshan was shivering, on the brink of release, but knew she needed direct touch to come.

  As if Andreia had read her mind, she raised her knee and squeezed her leg between Roshan’s. “Here, henshes, come against me.” Andreia looked up at Roshan, supported above her by her arms, then pinched Roshan’s nipples and rolled them between her fingers while Roshan rode her slender leg.

  “Ah!” Roshan tumbled into a ravine of bliss and passion. “Andreia…Gods.” Her body jerked and she coated Andreia’s thigh.

  “So sweet, so strong,” Andreia sighed. “So beautiful.” She pulled Roshan on top of her as her lover’s arms buckled. “Here. Rest.”

  Roshan simply had no choice. She had to rest, since Andreia had drained her completely. Her head spun with unanswered questions and from the aftermath of the overpowering orgasm. And now? Roshan had hardly any energy left to consider the future. So much was uncertain, and they faced so many obstacles: the political situation, their personal history.

  “Roshan? Please. Look at me?” Andreia’s voice, breathless and yet so strong, urged Roshan to lift her head. “What are you thinking?”

  “That I’ve wanted this for a long time,” Roshan confessed cautiously. “I’ve always desired you.”

  “And that’s it? Desire?”

  “No. That’s not all.”

  “Then…are you saying you care for me?”

  Roshan bit her lower lip and wondered if it were possible to take this leap of faith in the middle of a war, in the middle of an assignment. Then again, what if she never had another chance to tell Andreia what was in her heart? What if something disastrous happened? “I care. I more than care.” Roshan stared at Andreia in all her naked glory. “You’re everything I could ask for. You’re everything I would ever need.”

  Andreia drew a deep breath. “Oh, Gods, Ro. If you only knew how much I care. If I could make you see, for just a moment, what I felt all those years, whether I thought you were a collaborator or not. My heart’s full of all these emotions, and I’m afraid—” She stopped talking.

  “Of what? What are you afraid of?” Roshan touched Andreia’s cheek. She still lay between her legs, but could feel the air cooling them, so she pulled the blankets up. “So?”

  “I’m afraid that I’ll allow myself to feel, only to have you recoil, get wounded in battle…even die. I don’t think I could handle that.”

  “Me either.” The admission was out before Roshan had time to second-g
uess the wisdom of lowering her guard. Still, Andreia had exposed herself, for Roshan to accept or discard. “I…I can’t walk away again, Andreia. Not again.”

  Andreia’s lips softened, as did her entire expression. Small tears formed at the corners of her eyes, yet she’d never looked stronger or more beautiful. Wordlessly, Andreia cupped Roshan’s face with both hands. She stroked a thumb across Roshan’s lower lip and smiled when Roshan kissed it.

  “Is this your way of saying you feel the same way?” Roshan asked, her heart pounding.

  “Yes,” Andreia whispered. She was still caressing slowly, and Roshan guessed that Andreia was imprinting the memory of her face into her hands. A cold lump formed in the center of her stomach, and Roshan let her body align fully with Andreia’s, kissing her forehead, then down her cheeks, to finally claim her mouth in the most bittersweet of kisses.

  “We can’t have come this far…only to…” Roshan whispered, trembling against Andreia.

  “Shh, we’ll be all right.” It sounded as much a mantra as a convinced opinion.

  “Yes. Yes, we have to.” Roshan curled around Andreia, wrapping the towel closer. “We must be.” If not, I can’t go on. I couldn’t continue our fight to the end without her. “We have a few minutes before we should contact Jacelon,” Roshan murmured. “I just want to hold you until then.”

  “Good.” Andreia turned her face into Roshan’s neck. The tickle of her breath was proof enough of life, of being safe together right now, and made Roshan slowly relax.

  We have this moment. She closed her eyes. Am I greedy to want more? Much more...

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “D’Artansis to senior crew. Enemy vessels approaching. Red alert.” Alarms blared, and Jacelon turned from the view port in her small office onboard the Gallant and hurried toward the door leading onto the bridge.