by Bianca D'Arc
“Well, if my newfound lineage will help protect you in any way, you know I’ll do whatever it takes. If they make you stay here in their galaxy, I’ll make my home here too.” He turned toward her, lifting her into his lap in the water. “I go where you go, Star. As long as you’ll have me, that is.”
“You just try to get rid of me.” Her smile was back, and it warmed his heart. She stroked his hair back from his forehead, leaning in to kiss him. It was a sweet kiss, full of promise. When she moved back, he saw the gentle smile on her face. “We’ll face whatever comes together, Julian. That thought alone, gives me courage.”
They were on the same page there. “Me too,” he whispered as he helped her out of the pool. It had been a long day, but he wanted to take care of her.
He led her into the shower stall where they washed off. He actually enjoyed washing her pretty hair and having her make him bend down so she could return the favor. The played in the water and the soap suds like kids, sliding against each other and smiling a lot.
Julian couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such lighthearted fun. Probably not since well before his family had been taken from him, if even then. He’d been a pretty serious soldier for a long time and this sort play didn’t happen often in his experience. Especially not naked. With the woman of his dreams.
But if he had anything to say about it, this sort of thing would become a habit. He wasn’t going to let her go easily. In fact, he didn’t plan to let her go at all. No matter what the jits tried to make them do individually or as a couple, Julian vowed to do everything he possibly could to keep her safe, happy and most especially, with him. For the rest of their days.
As their mutual shower ended in him pinning her up against the tiled wall for another round of lovemaking, he let the water run. They’d need it again—just as soon as he finished taking them both to the peak of ecstasy once more.
Sure enough, after part two of their incredibly long shower, they were both relaxed enough to start thinking about other things. Julian made her stand still on the soft mat in the center of the large bathing chamber while he dried her luscious skin with a soft, heated towel. He paused often to place kisses on particularly lovely portions of her body and blew a playful raspberry on her tummy that made her giggle. He loved the sound of her joy. As much as he loved her.
Without conscious thought, he dropped to one knee before her, looking up into her eyes as her expression grew confused. She was smiling, but her brows drew inward as her eyes questioned his actions.
“Will you marry me, Star?” he blurted out without planning. He spoke from the heart, which suddenly lodged in his throat, awaiting her answer.
Her expression cleared and then tears filled her eyes as she dropped to her knees in front of him, her hands reaching for him. The tears spilled down her cheeks as she leaned in to kiss his cheeks, his lips, his jaw. She peppered him with kisses as emotion seemed to overwhelm her. He thought it was a good sign, but he wouldn’t know for certain until she gave him her answer.
“Well?” he prompted her when he couldn’t wait any longer.
She moved back a few inches so she could meet his gaze. “Yes,” she whispered softly, tears falling down her cheeks, but he knew now for certain that they were tears of joy.
And if he was being honest, he’d admit there was a bit of wetness gathering behind his own eyes that he was mostly successful in preventing from making an appearance. He gathered her close and hugged her, kissing her hair and her neck, pulling back slightly to meet her lips with his.
He didn’t know how much time they spent there, on that soft mat in the middle of the most decadent bathroom he’d ever been in. All in all, it was a funny place to propose, but he hadn’t really been aware he was about to pop the question in the first place. The moment just took him and he ran with it. Thankfully, Star didn’t seem to mind.
He rose, taking her with him. He wrapped her in one of the fluffy robes that were hanging on the back of the door, using the other one for himself. Without speaking, he lifted her up into his arms and walked back into the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed, but when he would have joined her, he noticed a flashing light on the comm panel next to the head of the bed. He reached over and pushed the button that would release the waiting message, curious as to what it might be.
It was a rather amusing message from Bisnat, telling them that dinner would be delivered to them whenever they wanted it. That was about the time Julian realized he was hungry. He looked over at Star.
“Hungry?” he asked.
She nodded. “Now that you mention it.”
He went ahead and commed Bisnat.
After dinner, the newly engaged couple spent the night in each other’s arms, talking of many things. They avoided talk about the future and Julian practically forbade Star from trying to foresee anything until she had rested. He didn’t want her putting herself out to seek a vision. Not after the tumult they had all been through earlier that day. It was enough that she was in his arms and they had made promises to each other. For once, the future would take care of itself where she was concerned.
She slept in his arms that night and as far as he could tell, she didn’t have any visions during her sleep. They woke refreshed and ready for whatever would come. Breakfast was delivered and a selection of clothing was made available.
Julian accepted the new pants and shirt that was offered, deciding to keep wearing his own leather jacket for the time being. He needed to keep something of his own identity in this strange galaxy.
But when he saw Star clad in the pale blue dress they had sent along, he felt his heart stutter. She was absolutely breathtaking. And she was all his. For as long as he could keep her safe.
“Not my usual style, but it’s nice,” Star said as she walked over to him in the sitting room of their suite. She was brushing down the skirt of her new dress with absent hands while he just stared.
“Nice?” He had to clear his throat. “Star, honey, you’re gorgeous.”
A pleased light entered her gaze as she looked up at him. Then she smiled. “Thanks. I guess I’ll have to wear dresses more often. Usually I’m in uniform, or soft slacks and tunics when I’m at off duty. I like dresses. I just don’t have occasion to wear them often.”
“If I have any say in the matter, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to dress up from now on when I take you out on the town.” He swept her into his arms, dancing her a few steps around the room before claiming a joyful kiss.
He would’ve taken it further, but there was a chime at the door and he let her go to answer it. It seemed as if the next part of their adventure might be about to start.
Father Theos was on the other side of the door, accompanied by Dr. Terva. Julian showed them into the sitting room and Star invited them to sit, offering beverages, which were gladly accepted. When they were all settled comfortably around the low central table that anchored the casual seating area, Theos got down to business.
“Under our laws, your defeat of Pater gives you rights over his holdings, Julian,” he stated rather abruptly. “In essence, you are now the owner of Moon Malek, since Pater had no children and no heir. His brother was all that was left of that family, and he was more devoted to his perverted version of the priesthood—which is being carefully examined this morning by the High Priest and his Council. Lohar has no wife and no children. In fact, he will soon be up on heresy charges if I am any judge, and will likely be put to death for crimes against the faith.”
Julian wondered if that was a political convenience, but he hesitated to say anything. The last thing he wanted to do was insult the former emperor. Julian didn’t know where he and Star stood with these people, now that the crisis had passed. He didn’t want to rock the boat.
Plus, he was a little staggered by the idea that he could be legally entitled to Pater’s holdings. Things didn’t work that way in the Milky Way, although there were stories of such things going back to early human history.
“To the victor go the spoils?” he observed with a raised eyebrow. Theos merely nodded.
“It is our way. The fact that Pater died without issue leaves the ownership of his property in flux. By right of combat, you have a legitimate claim to all that was his.” Theos paused. “Don’t feel bad about it. How do you think he managed to claim the moon in the first place? It’s no accident that he has no family members left. He killed them all in his quest for power, some in outright combat, and some by what I always suspected was treachery, but could never prove. Jit’suku don’t make war on women, but somehow all of Pater’s female kin died. Even the younger ones. It has long been rumored that he engineered the accidents and illnesses that took their lives before their time.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s just awful,” Star said quietly, her brows knit in concern.
“You’ll get no argument from me, Lady Star,” Theos agreed, shaking his head slightly. “The question remains, what to do about your claim on Moon Malek? It is a lawless place, in need of someone to set it to rights. You could do that, Julian. You have earned the respect of the priesthood and they would back you. I would, as well.”
“Father…” Julian began, searching for the right words, “…while I appreciate your confidence in me, I was raised human. I don’t know your laws or how to apply them. I never trained for statecraft. I’m merely a soldier. I know how to give and receive orders, and I’m good at fighting and winning, but dealing with civilians is somewhat beyond my skill set. Then there’s the question of whether they would accept a human.”
“Do you speak of yourself or of Lady Star?” Theos asked with a cunning expression on his wizened old face.
Julian didn’t hesitate. “Both.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “Where I go, she goes. She’s agreed to marry me, Goddess help her.” Julian grinned as smiles broke over both Theos and Terva’s faces.
“There was little doubt in my mind that you were mates,” Theos said with a big smile.
“Congratulations,” Dr. Terva added with sincere happiness in his expression.
“Will you allow us to hold the mating ceremony here, in the temple?” Theos asked, catching Julian a little off guard. He looked at Star and she gave him a cheerful shrug.
“It might be interesting to see how it’s done here,” she replied.
“And anything that joins us legally in the eyes of the jit’suku would be a good thing,” Julian thought out loud. “Aren’t there strict laws about keeping mated pairs together?”
Theos nodded, his gaze narrowing. “Indeed there are, and you are wise to think of such things. The sooner your union is recognized officially, the more at ease I believe you will both be here. Mates are never parted lightly. Even if one is imprisoned, the other is granted privileges not available to others. And what’s yours, would be hers and vice versa,” Theos added. “Any children that come of your union would be heirs to all you now own by right of combat, and the succession of Moon Malek would be more secure.” Theos looked at Terva and they shared a quick nod. “Yes, I like this idea more and more.”
“Father Theos,” Star said softly. “There is the question of where we will live,” she reminded them all. “Julian and I are strangers to your ways, yet we find ourselves embroiled in your society. I think we will need some time to learn and perhaps some space.”
Something about the way she said that alerted Julian. “Did you see something, love?”
Chapter Ten
“I saw us on a ship,” she replied, looking only at him. He read the excited joy in her eyes and knew that whatever she’d seen was good for them both. “I think perhaps you were meant for the stars, Julian.”
He had dreamed last night as well, and though he had never put much stock in his dreams, he thought maybe this time his subconscious was trying to tell him something. Something that should have been obvious, but hadn’t been when he’d been thinking only of revenge.
He squeezed her hand and turned to face the two jit’suku men once more. “I want to rebuild the trading company my family owned. There’s not much left except our reputation and good name, but I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.”
“There is much to be said for upholding tradition and family honor,” Theos said after a long pause. “While I would have liked you to stay here, I do understand the difficulties that would pose—not only for you trying to learn the rules of a role, and society, you should have been born to, but the prejudices your human side might engender. Yours, it would seem, was never destined to be an easy path through life, Julian, though I wish it could have been otherwise.”
“Father Theos, I hope you will take some comfort in knowing that the worst is well behind us now,” Star said. “Things will get better from here. There will, of course, be the little bumps in the road that life throws all of us now and again, but having gained some measure of justice for his family, Julian’s road from here is clear of such massive obstacles. And I have foreseen an ongoing relationship with you and with several others in this galaxy.”
“Then you know what I’m going to say before I say it?” Theos challenged her with a grin.
Star ducked her head and blushed. “Forgive me. I only see the broad picture here, not the particulars.”
“That is reassuring, my dear. Never fear.” Theos actually winked at her and Julian was relieved the old man seemed to be taking her gift in stride. “But if you want to rebuild your family’s business, you now have the means, Julian. Malek is a moon rich in natural resources and manufacturing. It has an orbiting shipyard, in fact, where things like freighters and yachts are built. I believe you should commission your flagship as a wedding present, in fact, and send the bill to me.” Theos was all smiles as he pounded the arm of his chair, emphasizing his decision.
“Father Theos, it is too much,” Julian protested, but Theos would hear nothing of his objections.
“And you shall have the Matilda as well. That gives you two ships to start with,” Theos said, rubbing his hands together as if he enjoyed plotting the reconstruction of Julian’s family business. “I believe we could set up a trade route from here to the Milky Way. Even though our peoples are officially at war, that doesn’t mean there isn’t trade between certain parts of our galaxies. There’s a lot of smuggling, but there is also a bit of officially sanctioned trade—medicines and certain luxury items. Malek has a share of that trade, which is now yours as well. Yes, you have the start of something that could grow quite big, Julian, if that’s what you truly want.”
“We haven’t talked it over, but I think that’s the road we’re on,” Julian answered, reassured by Star’s grip on his hand. He looked at her and she was nodding in agreement, a spark of excitement in her gaze. “But I want one thing to be clear. I will not drain the resources of Malek to fund my company. I am not without means. My mother left me an inheritance and the keys to the family vault, which thankfully, was not on Pacifica Station. Seeing as how I’m the only one left—though I dearly wish it were otherwise—I’ve got a bit of money that I can use to rebuild the company. I don’t want to take anything from people who don’t even know me and have every right to resent me.”
“A noble thought,” Theos approved. “I applaud your independence. But like it or not, Malek is now yours. You are going to have to decide what to do with it.”
Julian hesitated. Then a thought occurred. “Could I appoint a governor?”
Theos smiled broadly. “Now you’re thinking, lad.”
“Doctor,” Julian addressed the quiet Terva, who sat in a chair at Theos’s side. “Is there anyone in your family who you would consider suited to the task?”
Terva sat up straight, putting down his cup on the low table in front of him as his gaze narrowed. “Bisnat,” he finally said, after moments of thought. “Although he is my son, and I have a natural preference for him, I would also say he is the best trained of our family at present. He has a well-rounded education with a specialty in law, and has been prepared all his life to take over House
Tervanian. He knows how to organize and how to lead. He would be an excellent governor, given the situation on Malek.”
“What is the situation there, exactly?” Julian asked, concerned.
What followed was a detailed briefing about the unrest on Malek that had been stirred up by Lohar. It soon became clear that a new leader of the priesthood would also be needed on the moon, and the benevolent Brother Jirard Tervanian was recommended. For one thing, he was seasoned enough to command the respect of everyone already on Malek. For another, he would be able to work more closely than anyone else with the governor, since they were related and already had a good relationship. Theos agreed to suggest Jirard to the High Priest, and seemed to think he would agree.
After the business of the moon was as settled as it could be for one day, the talk turned back to Julian’s desire to rebuild the family business. They were able to lay the groundwork for the kinds of items that would be best suited to trade across galaxies, and Julian was able to lay out his rapidly-forming plan to hire ex-soldiers like himself. Enhanced soldiers.
Both Theos and Terva liked that plan very much. They wanted to try to identify—with consent, of course—any other strains of jit’suku DNA the human geneticists might have used for Enhancement. Julian agreed, insisting that the testing be done on a voluntary basis, to which Theos agreed.
Dr. Terva was very grateful to Julian for giving such honor and responsibility to his family and House. As Theos and Terva prepared to leave, well after lunch—which had been delivered and consumed while they continued to talk and work—Theos took Julian aside while Terva talked animatedly with Star.
“I have granted greater computer access to this suite for the duration of your stay. For whatever reason, the Goddess has allowed your mother’s spirit to stay with us a while.” Julian saw the tears sparkle in Theos’s old eyes as he talked about his sister. “I have spoken with her at length, but I think you should set aside some time to speak with her yourself. Being able to communicate with those on the other side is a rare thing in any universe. You will be able to open a channel to the ship’s AI from here. For some reason, that remains the way she is present here—through the ship. It is something that has the brothers here working overtime, for they’ve never heard of such an occurrence before.” Theos chuckled and patted Julian on one shoulder. “Talk to her while you can, my boy. I have learned much from her that has set my mind and heart at ease. She was truly happy in the human galaxy, for which I will be forever grateful. Thank you for bringing her here and allowing an old man some peace.”
