by Shae Mills
Talon shook his head. “They are not. In the winter, they sustain a tremendous snow load.”
“I don’t know,” cautioned Chelan. “I am almost a third your weight. Let me try.”
“Not likely. That is all I need: a broken neck—namely, yours.” He looked about the grove of Sana trees. “That one there. It is larger, and the fruit is a little lower.” And he headed for the tree.
Just as he reached it, there was a crack and a flash, and he cringed, throwing his shroud over his head. Then he turned with catlike speed, lazgun drawn. There stood Chelan, gun in hand, satisfaction plainly written on her pretty features.
Talon straightened and tried to catch his breath, his heart pounding. Then he glanced to his side. A branch had been cleanly severed, and the fruit was now at his feet for the picking. He looked up at Chelan from under his brows.
Chelan tucked the gun away and shrugged. “Better the fruit bruised than us.”
Talon finally grinned. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“Well, at least I didn’t hit you. You should be thankful.”
Talon shoved his gun under his shroud. “I should turn you over my knee.”
Chelan walked up to him and stooped to pick up two pieces of fruit. She handed one to Talon and then pushed him back against the tree. He slid to the ground and rested his back against the trunk. Chelan sat down beside him and scanned the horizon.
Talon watched her as she searched the sky. “I am almost afraid to ask, but what are you doing now?”
“Where are the other fighters?”
“Just out of sight. Some low, some high. But you discharge that lazgun again, and they will be in our lap.”
Chelan took a bite of her Sana. “Can they see us?”
Talon rolled the fruit in his hand as he sized her up. “With sensors, yes.”
“Can they tell what we are doing?”
Talon put his fruit down. “What are you getting at?”
Chelan glanced at him as she searched her soul. She thought of all he had done for her over the last Iceanean year of marriage, two full Earth years. He had shared everything with her unconditionally, while displaying the utmost in patience and pride. He had been kind and attentive, sacrificing a great deal to accommodate her needs while allaying her fears. So, after keeping him at bay as much as possible till this very moment, now, on their anniversary, she decided it was time to let her defenses down. He had never once disappointed her, never once tried to restrict her, and never once challenged her aloofness. Finally, despite all that had gone on in the past, it was time to accept him completely, not just as the Emperor, but as the honorable and doting husband he was. “You will see,” she whispered. And she spread out her shroud as she straddled his lap.
Talon reached for his fruit but stopped when he looked into her twinkling eyes. Then he froze as he felt her free hand release his pants. His eyes went wide as she shuffled about briefly and then settled down on his exposed pelvis, her warm moistness causing his breathing to cease. Never in their year as husband and wife had she initiated the act of sexual intimacy, and her moving over him unbidden rendered him spellbound.
Chelan bit into her fruit. “So, can they tell what we are doing?”
Talon was speechless, but his arousal was immediate. Chelan raised herself slightly allowing his erection. Then she slithered down on him, impaling herself on his thick shaft. She took another bite of her fruit and watched as Talon tilted his head back, finally taking in a badly needed breath of air. “So, can they?” she prodded, her subtle pelvic movements teasing him.
Talon grabbed her fruit and tossed it to the side. Then he slipped his hands inside her shroud and found her hips. “If they studied the sensors hard enough, they could tell.”
Chelan entangled her fingers in his thick hair. “Can they see us, visually?”
Talon closed his eyes momentarily as her internal muscles expertly caressed him. “Depends.”
“Depends on what?”
Talon moaned. “Ah… it depends on how dense the tree cover is and just where they are located.”
Chelan leaned forward and kissed his lips. “Do you care?”
Talon smiled. “Not likely, my Lady.” And his fingers slid down in search of her moist heat.
Chelan threw her head back, her long mane cascading down her back and over his thighs. His fingers knew her so well, and in no time, her body shuddered. She fell forward against his chest as she caught her breath. Talon held onto her, working his pelvis beneath her until he reached the same gentle peak.
Chelan melded into him, realizing that after all this time, her attitude toward him had just now undertaken a monumental shift, to that of unequivocal acceptance. This was still not love but a familiar comfort… an ease which she could bear for all time.
Talon stroked her lean back. “You surprise me, sweet one.”
“Sometimes I surprise me.”
Talon closed his eyes, content to remain still, his organ buried deep inside his alien woman.
Finally, Chelan opened her eyes. “I have not been at such peace since Earth.”
Talon stroked her hair. “You love the countryside, don’t you?”
Chelan nodded. “When I was in the Cascades with Dar, it was a serenity like nothing I had ever experienced before. I wanted it to last forever. I did not care about Earth, or the Empire, or anything, for that matter.”
Talon looked at the sky. “And then the devil himself descended upon you, destroying your little bit of Eden.”
“Oh… You know of Eden?”
“I read about your Earth’s history and its main religious inclinations.”
Chelan smiled. “Well, then, you know that in the end, I married Lucifer.”
Talon laughed. Then he kissed her head. “Any desire to return to Earth?”
Chelan rose up and slowly dismounted him, allowing him to conceal himself within his pants. She did up her own uniform. “No, not after all my brother told me.”
Talon lay down on his side and peered up at her. “Like what?”
“Oh, just more of the same things I once told my Warlords. I sit here and complain about the harshness of your world, but on Earth, literally millions are experiencing atrocities that could be committed only by the criminally insane.” Chelan picked at the bizarre grass. “Overpopulation and pollution are rampant. New incurable diseases are cropping up all over. And everywhere, madmen are waging war against each other instead of against the very things that threaten life itself.”
She shuddered. “Well before I left, there was an area on my planet considered modern and civilized where one group engaged in an activity they christened ‘ethnic cleansing.’” Chelan looked into Talon’s azure eyes. “Not only with weapons did they seek to destroy their neighbors but through the violation and degradation of an entire generation of women.”
Talon felt his muscles tighten. “I have heard of such things.”
Chelan nodded. “Well, on my planet, many societies severely repress their women, and to have intercourse with any man save their husband spoils them for life, or so it is believed. So, the cleansers, in this case, organized bands of men whose sole purpose was to defile women, gathered the women into camps where they were gang-raped. The very young girls and the old women died of their injuries. The rest were torn up by the act, rendered infertile, and infected with disease. Some became pregnant and were shunned. And the lucky ones, I guess, were simply shot.” Chelan grimaced. “And that is a snapshot of just one of the many iniquities happening on my world.”
Talon remained silent while studying the beautiful woman beside him. Then he grunted with disgust. “Civilization, I guess they call it.”
Chelan shook her head. “That is not the half of it, Talon. In my short lifetime there, I lived in a very quiet, reserved section of Earth, yet every evening, I heard via the news of the barbarities which wracked the world about me. I could speak to you for a lifetime about the acts of unequaled savagery that have abounded, and I wou
ld be speaking of only that which has occurred in my century alone. That says nothing of what has gone on for thousands of years before.” Then she hesitated. “But this is hardly what I wished to speak of on our anniversary.”
Talon continued to watch her. “And Korba sent three fighters to kill only three men. He should have blasted the whole damn planet.”
In the past, Chelan would normally have defended her world, but no longer. “Religious groups predict Armageddon soon,” she said.
A sinister grin crept across Talon’s face. “It could be arranged, my Lady.”
Chelan smiled back. “No, it would give the religious zealots a sense of satisfaction.”
Talon chuckled. “If I issued such an order, my Lady, there would be no zealots around to puff out their chests. There would be an insignificant asteroid belt where your world once sat.”
Chelan’s smile suddenly waned. She looked down at the Warlord clad in black, the man who was now the galactic Emperor. She stared into his unearthly eyes, highlighted by his dark flesh. She could actually envision horns sprouting from his blue-black hair, and the image caused her to erupt in goosebumps. Annihilation was not only simply a thought; it was actually a possibility. “It would be so easy, wouldn’t it?” she said.
Talon flopped over onto his back and cradled his head in his hands. “One battleship, a few Earth months of travel if issued from here. With no effective defenses there, it would take only a matter of minutes.”
Chelan looked off into the distance. “And all the pain and suffering would end.”
Talon nodded casually. “Yes, it would. And the sobering thought to you would be that not a single being in the Empire, or the rest of the galaxy, would even cock an eyebrow. Your world is nothing to anyone here. She is insignificant. Her death would go unnoticed for all time.”
Chelan looked at him. “Could you eradicate the humans cleanly and leave the wildlife and wilderness untouched?”
Talon smiled. “Sure. It would be a little messier, but it could be done. Why?”
“Because nature on my little blue planet, if left alone, is so beautiful. The Earth was once a paradise, until man infested it.”
Talon took her hand, his face serious. “Anything is possible, my Lady. You give the word, and it is done. I have no problem with that.”
Chelan was once again overcome by the understanding of all the power she had acquired, first through the Warlords, and now through Talon. While the men of Earth vied for supremacy with the almighty dollar and a few primitive weapons, she had the ability to destroy worlds. “I will think about it,” she whispered.
Talon smiled. “Good.” He rose up and offered her his hand. “Right now, we have to get back to the Palace. I don’t want to be out here when the system goes down.”
Chelan grabbed his hand, her eyes lighting up. “I love flying in the fighters.”
Talon chuckled. “We will go out on more trips from now on.” Then his eyes shone. “In fact, next week, how about we begin the process of teaching you how to fly? There is no reason you can’t.”
Chelan leapt at him. “That is about the best anniversary gift you could have ever given me!”
Talon grabbed her, kissing her passionately. Then he looked off in the distance as one of his sentries approached. “Come on. I have to get you home.”
Chelan agreed and skipped along by his side to their awaiting fighter. The rest of the day was going to be glorious!
Chapter 23
The trip back to the Palace was direct and short. Once in the Command Center, Chelan headed straight for the workout area. There she stripped off her uniform and dove into the pool. Talon stood at the edge momentarily, awestruck by the white beauty who twisted and turned through the blue, her long, golden brown mane flowing about her with fluid splendor. She had once told him about the legends of mermaids, and now Talon knew that mermaids were indeed real.
His body warmed. The mermaid before him, his precious wife, had just come to him for the first time to make love to him, and he was still awash in a sea of euphoria. He smiled to himself. She had also once mentioned another of her world’s mythological creatures, the Siren. Maybe she was more akin to that. After all, she could draw him to his death in any manner of ways, but as long as he was with her, he knew he would die a happy man.
He removed his shroud and uniform, knifing into the water and heading straight for her. His body coiled around hers, tracing her every move, his hands gently brushing her silky skin. Surfacing for air, he grabbed her to him, and in the serenity of their own sea of tranquility, he made love to her over and over again.
As the Iceanean light dimmed, they finally rose from the warm, moist depths of passion and lay upon the pool’s edge. Talon’s body sheltered Chelan from the bite of his world’s frigid air. His hands roamed over her supple body one last time before he rose off her and wrapped her in his shroud. He helped her to her feet and then collected their clothes. “We should eat,” he said.
Talon took her by the hand and led her through the Command Center on the way to their chambers. But he stopped momentarily and glanced over the consoles. He looked to Chelan, and she smiled, nodding her permission. Talon brought the Center to life and activated the status reports.
Chelan sidled up to him and peered at the screen. “Is it okay?”
“It is down,” he whispered.
Chelan watched the readouts. “How is it going?”
Talon kissed the top of her head. “Right on schedule. All is perfect.”
Chelan smiled up at him. “See?”
Talon smiled back. “I guess you were right. I am expendable.”
Chelan reached for his hands and began pulling him toward the chambers. “Not to me you’re not,” she whispered softly.
But as soon as the doors opened, Talon stood very still. His eyes went wide. “What do I smell?”
Chelan jumped for glee. “Earth!”
“What?” And he looked toward the dining table, the wonderful smells beckoning to him. Quickly sliding into his pants, he walked around the feast. Then his eyes lit upon Chelan. “Where did all this come from?”
Chelan could barely contain herself. “When Reland went for the roses, he also brought back some ingredients.”
Talon’s eyes widened further. “You planned this long ago, my Lady.”
Chelan shrugged. “Yes, but getting everything here was a bit of a problem. Most of the ingredients had to be irradiated first and then frozen. I couldn’t actually pick which recipes I would end up making until I saw what condition the foodstuffs arrived in. Many months on a battleship is not the normal storage technique for most perishable items.”
Talon raised his hands in the air. “Nothing we make smells this heavenly!” Then he squinted at Chelan. “But we have been out all day.”
Chelan hugged his shroud about her. “That was another problem. I spent weeks with the kitchen staff, teaching them how to prepare the dishes. Because of my limited supplies, a lot of the practicing had to be done with Iceanean substitutes, some of the products less than desirable. But the staff eventually mastered it, and today they put it all together.”
Talon chuckled and rubbed his hands together. “When can we start?”
“Right now, while it is hot.”
Talon looked at the steaming spread. “Hot is right. How did you time that?”
Chelan raised her brows. “Not easy, my Lord. One of the guards, Bain, was to send a message to the kitchen upon our arrival back.”
Talon nodded. “Ah, thus the long marathon of love-play in the pool. Stalling, were we?”
“Disappointed, my Lord?”
Talon’s head snapped up, tearing his eyes away from the comestible delight. He walked over to her and gently removed his shroud from her body. “Not likely, pretty one. In fact…”—his fingers trailed down over her full breasts—“I could easily trade one feast for another.”
Chelan caught first her breath and then his hands. “Though you tempt me terribly, my Lo
rd, I have spent far too long planning this to let it go to waste. Besides, how else are you going to maintain all that amazing muscle mass?”
Talon nuzzled in under her hair and nipped at her ear. “So be it, sweet woman, but you must dress first, or you will be my main course.”
Chelan nearly faltered, his practiced hands on her breasts and nipples crippling her judgment. Finally, she backed away and noted the lecherous grin on his lips. She cleared her throat. “Most of the dishes have cream sauces. They have to be eaten now.”
“Oh, really…” And his eyes narrowed with a covetous gaze.
Chelan’s jaw dropped. “That is not what I meant.” And she began to back up slowly.
Talon stalked her. She folded her arms defensively over her breasts. She thought of running, but she knew that would definitely do in her meal plans. Korba’s predator instinct had been finely honed, and if Talon was anything like his brother, running would seal her fate along with the meal’s. Eyeing her gown, she grabbed it briskly and donned it, thus partially thwarting his hungry eyes. Then she stood tall and pointed to the table. “Now,” she ordered.
Talon looked a bit like a berated child, but he conceded. “As you wish.” And he allowed her to usher him to a chair.
Chelan glowered at him. “Boy—attempting to ruin months of preparation!”
Talon chuckled. “Hardly. But after trying all this, I will be ruined. I will have to work out for a week.”
Chelan licked her lips slowly. “Ah, I think I have the workout planned also.”
Talon sat down and eyed her carefully. “Oh, you do, do you?”
Chelan smiled. “Yes, the likes of which you have never experienced.”
Talon became very still, a sly grin traversing his face once again. “You had better eat, little one, or nothing you say or do from this point on will save your meal from my neglect or you from my desires.”
Chelan recognized his tone, and she took in a quick, shallow breath. “Okay,” she began. “I will point out some of your choices.”
Talon chuckled again but settled back into his chair. His eyes followed her finger. “That dish,” she said, “is what we call ‘caviar.’ It is very rich, very expensive, and I myself admit to hating it. But it has a similar flavor to some of the food I have tried here, so you may enjoy it.”
