Hearts of Ishira (Hearts of Ishira Saga)

by Bethany Aan

  “You are an amazing woman, Arianna,” he breathed, leaning down to kiss her lips reverently. “Only you could take the shadow of this place from my heart and replace it with the light of hope.”

  “You,” she said, kissing him back, “Are a smooth talker. But I love it. Now… I’m supposed to be seeing a space ship! Let’s go.”

  Hunter chuckled at her eagerness and mounted his rider with her in his arms.

  A few minutes later, they were once again on the ground, though this time a warrior came forward to see to Hunter’s mount. Hunter introduced his crew to Arianna as his mate and Commander of the women. The warriors greeted her with respect and honored her with short bows. She was charmed.

  “We have heard much of you, Commander Arianna,” one of the warriors said, stepping forward. “I am Gust, team leader for the engineers and baby-sitter for this part of the crew.”

  Several of the men growled playfully at him. He grinned and tossed his long, blond hair. He was just as beautifully made as any of the other warriors, but Arianna had a special place in her heart for her gay friends, and she knew with one touch of his open mind that this guy had not one ounce of interest in her… or any woman. She grinned at him, instantly adoring him. His spirit was playful and bright, his mind quick and keen.

  “I am delighted to meet you, Gust,” she said. “Hunter has been keeping you guys a secret from me. But I came as soon as I knew you were here.”

  Hunter set her on her feet, as if finally remembering she could walk just fine now, and left her with Gust as he went off to answer a summons from one of his men.

  “So, young leader,” Gust said, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Where are you from? How is it you have never seen a space-faring ship before?”

  Arianna quickly gave him a recap of recent events, including the newly acquired memories of being kidnapped and waking up to a crashing ship. Gust was appropriately aghast, but took it all in stride.

  “But that’s enough of that!” he said, once he’d led her to an area where various large stone and wood buildings were located. “This section is my pride and joy. It has taken us several years to get our technology back to the point where we are able to process and shape metal beyond rudimentary blacksmithing. It is slow going, mainly because we’re doing everything possible not to damage this world as we work. We could have done all of it much quicker, but we’re only taking rock and ore that we know aren’t necessary to the ecosystem.”

  Arianna murmured appreciatively at his efforts and followed along to the next building.

  “And here, in this building, we’ve started a glass-making area. It took a bit to find enough silica, so glass is still rather precious until we’re able to get one of the shuttle craft going again.”

  “There aren’t any beaches or oceans on this world?” Arianna asked. Gust nodded.

  “Of course, but they are rather distant from the forests, and there is little in the way of resources near them. The water there would take too much processing to be potable, so when we were searching for a habitable area to set down for re-stocking, the officers chose to move inland. We found this region, and it seemed to have everything we needed for an extended stay, so we chose it. But once we are able, we’d like to go explore the ocean areas, too, perhaps set up a small compound there, so that we can manufacture glass and process the ocean animals for eating.” He shrugged. “But that hasn’t been as important as this, and we have nothing but time for the other.”

  “We will get to the sea soon enough, Gust. You just want an excuse to build that boat you lost back on Thorsan.” Hunter came up to them then, taking Arianna’s hand absently as he nodded in approval at the neatly kept area. “In the meantime, you’re doing a good job, as always.”

  “Of course,” Gust said, chuckling deeply. “I would do nothing less for you, my Commander.”

  He batted his lashes flirtatiously at Hunter, who barked out a laugh and rolled his eyes.

  Arianna giggled at their antics. It was obvious that Hunter wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable with Gust’s open flirting, nor threatened by his sexuality in any way. She loved that about her warrior. He was secure enough in who he was that he could allow others to be who they were supposed to be. She hugged his arm to her chest, sighing happily.

  Hunter and Gust took her on a short tour around the rest of the little compound as the Commander inspected it. She admired the smaller version of personal quarters with all the same amenities of the larger living area over the mountain. Gust took her into the glass-making area and they discussed a few of the methods of shaping the molten stuff. He was excited that she had books that might have methods that he didn’t know about, and promised to get over the mountain for a visit at some point in the near future. For long moments, they discussed bead-making and stained glass, which were more her area of research, though she was the first to admit that most of her knowledge was from books and demonstrations, not actual hands-on practice. Gust promised to allow her to ‘play’ with glass at some point, once they were able to create more of it.

  She was shown the metal fabricating area, and though she knew by now she shouldn’t be, she was surprised at the sophistication of the set-up so far. It wasn’t nearly ready for producing the incredibly precise parts for the warp engines, but it was getting there.

  After the short tour, several of the men approached her and asked about the shawl she was wearing, how she’d made it, and demanded that the next time she was over the hill, she bring the tools to teach them how to do it themselves. Hunter held up a hand to stop the man talking, grinned and went to his rider. A moment later, he jogged back with a stuffed leather pouch and tossed it to Arianna. She blinked at it, then opened it to find some of the extra knitting needles and hooks Hunter had made when it was obvious that she needed to have ‘loaners’ for the girls who wished to learn the crafts. Her smile was brilliant and she popped onto her toes to plant a kiss on his chin. He had to lean down for her to reach, but it was always worth doing so for one of her sweet pecks.

  Then he watched indulgently as she led six of his finest, most ferocious warriors over to a shaded area, sat down on the grass, and started teaching his big, strong men how to create lovely pieces of clothing out of soft yarn.

  “She is a delight,” Gust said softly at Hunter’s shoulder. He nodded with no small amount of pride. “And you brought toys for her to share!”

  “Of course,” Hunter said, facing his officer and grinning as he clapped him on the shoulder. “I know my men. I knew that those guys, in particular, would want to learn the crafts she brought with her from Earth. And she gets so excited when she teaches it.”

  “I have heard from many of the other men that she and her second,” he nodded toward Bev, who was, not surprisingly, hunched over a computer screen, comparing it to the ship in front of her and talking to the men around her. “Are incredible young women. But she is so very young, is she not?”

  “Not all of us can be ancient like you, Gust,” Hunter retorted. “How old are you now? One hundred eighty? Ninety?”

  “One-sixty seven, and well you know it, boy,” Gust said, rolling his eyes. “I’m a hundred years older than you, and always have been. Now, stop teasing this old man and let me show you what we’ve found.”

  An hour later, as the men around her were busily crocheting or knitting pieces of practice cloth, Arianna looked up to find Hunter striding their way. He reached down to help her to her feet, then waited as she brushed dried grass from her bottom.

  “I apologize, gentlemen,” he said, “But I must show my mate the ship. It’s her first time being on a space ship, and I think she’s waited long enough.”

  “First time?” one of the men, a tawny tabby named Hep, hopped up to join them. The others put aside their projects and followed, as well. Hunter grinned to himself. She was taking hold of his men’s hearts just as firmly as she had his and Jace’s. She had been here less than two hours, and already his men would kill or die for her. And
she didn’t preen or act as though she were entitled to the treatment. Instead, she always seemed surprised, then gracious and appreciative when someone did something nice for her. He loved that about her.

  In minutes, Trey had dragged Bev away from the computer by promising her more electronic wonders inside the ship. The girls were walking together, their men on either side, as they entered a real space ship for the first time under their own power.

  Arianna found she was breathing more heavily.

  This was a ship! A real, live, space-ship! This vessel had brought her men to this world, had sustained them on their flight from their own planet. It had brought them to safety, and she couldn’t help but lean a palm against the walls of the corridor for just a moment in thanks. Then she found herself wanting to explore and touch everything. For hours, she and Bev flitted this way and that, taking in every aspect of the ship, asking questions about life support systems, waste control, water recycling, food processing… anything at all that popped into their minds popped out of their mouths.

  Fortunately, Hunter and Trey didn’t have to answer all of their questions, though they easily could have. Bev and Arianna’s newest bevy of admirers answered every one of the girls’ queries with patience and indulgence, even the most indelicate of them. Apparently, human waste disposal was a major concern back on Ri’s world, especially in the populated areas, and she was interested in figuring out how to integrate the ship’s technology into future expansions of their colonies here. She seemed disappointed to learn that Hunter had already done all that, and that such was standard procedure when setting up a new colony or city for his people.

  She got over her pout quickly enough, though, when he showed her the exercise areas and sparring room. Bev exclaimed over the high-tech displays around the room, while Arianna had to test every piece of equipment before her curiosity was satisfied. When one of the men picked up a small ball and showed her one of their crew’s favorite games, she amused them all by chasing the ball around with the others. Usually, it was a rather graceful game, intense and well-choreographed. With Arianna and Bev in the mix, though, it turned into a riotous affair, with the men laughing helplessly at the girls’ antics as they tried to get the tosses, throws, and swings just right.

  Hunter vowed that he would organize the compound’s men to put on a game in the near future, so she could see how it should be done. But when she collapsed at his side, grinning, panting, and glistening from her exertions, he thought that perhaps her way was more fun. Not nearly as elegant and skillful, but he loved the way she looked right now, with damp corkscrews of hair curling tightly in front of her ears, her face shining and rosy, her mouth seemingly permanently curved into her lovely smile. He wanted to send the men out, lay her down on the mats stacked near the wall, and make love to her, right here and now.

  She sensed his desire and caught her breath as her eyes heated. Her smile kicked up a little, turning into the secret, sexy smile he loved so much. Along their mental bond, she showed him something very naughty using one of the pieces of equipment, and his body hardened in a rush that took his breath.

  “I believe I have created a monster,” he whispered to her. She wrinkled her nose.

  “You didn’t create it,” she said with an amused sniff. “You should see some of the books I read. But you have been the one to bring it out.”

  “Then I am glad that you read those books.” He would make it a point to inspect her library a bit further. Perhaps Trey and Bev could suggest something enticing for him to memorize and act out with her. He’d have to ask them when he got them away from her. “But for now, behave, or we will shock our men when I toss them from the room and bend you over that vaulting post and…”

  She put her hand over his mouth to stop his indecent and intriguing words, giggling at him.

  “Later!” she breathed, kissing his nose.

  “You two lovebirds, stop it and come on. There’s more to see!” Bev called from the door. “Or should we let you lag behind for a few minutes?”

  Hunter laughed and rose to his feet, helping Arianna to hers, though she was perfectly able to do so now. He just liked touching her, and she liked his touch. She loved the strength that he shared with her. It made her feel delicate, small, and cherished. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her from the room, following the group out into the corridor and toward the damaged section of the ship.

  Hunter stood in the charred, twisted hole that had been part of the storage holds of his ship. Ri could feel his turmoil, sense his mind trying to come to terms with what they had discussed in the memorial yard. She twined her fingers through his, linking with him mentally, offering her love and support. For a long moment, they just stood there, watching workers remove the damaged areas so that new metal could be welded onto the frame. As one of the workers moved past them to grab a tool, Hunter stood back, closer to the wall. Ri stumbled a bit as she stepped out of the way, her back hitting the bulkhead behind them.

  A gasp escaped her and Hunter whipped his head down to her. Her eyes were huge, wide and dilated, and he could tell in an instant that she was Reading. Clenching her hand securely in his, he touched her face and joined his mind to hers.

  “Siae? Kale?” he breathed, his eyes widening. Ri cried out in distress, but stayed where she was. Even in grief and reliving a horrible moment of death, she was too curious to release the cause of her distress. Hunter breathed deeply, closing his eyes against the pain of losing his brothers all over again.

  A rumble, the shaking of the bulkheads. The outer hull breaching. Several men killed instantly in the next compartment over. Siae and Kale grabbing onto a nearby beam and holding to it and to each other desperately. Their fervent vows not to let go, then… nothing. Absolutely nothing. No heat, no fire, no ripping of their bodies in explosion. There was simply… nothing.

  Hunter dragged in a breath as Gust and Trey grabbed hold of their commanders and pulled them apart, away from the wall. Gust cradled Ri, urgently calling her name, trying to bring her back to the present. Hunter lay on the floor, gasping with the memory. He wanted to go to Ri, but couldn’t summon the energy to do so.

  “Hunter,” she said feebly. “What was that?”

  “I… don’t know,” he panted, brow furrowing. “I don’t think it should have happened that way.”

  “What happened?” Trey asked quietly. Hunter recounted his view of the memory, focusing on the end, where his brothers simply stopped feeling anything. He turned bewildered eyes on his second lieutenant.

  “I had always imagined them in pain, in those last minutes.”

  “And they should have been,” Gust said, sitting beside his commander, shaking his head. “I don’t mean to add to your grief, Hunter, but the men should have left more of an imprint of their final moments. It is odd that they did not.”

  “Maybe the Solvari beamed them out at the last second?” Bev offered timidly. The men turned their attention to her. She shrugged, blushing. “If they developed cloaking technology without your knowledge, who’s to say that they didn’t know how to teleport people? Is it possible that they took your brothers hostage or something?”

  Hunter and Trey blanched. Gust looked like he wanted to be sick.

  “Ten years in the hands of the Solvari?” Gust uttered, aghast.

  “I’d rather they died instantly,” Hunter said, dropping his head.

  “I don’t think they’re dead, Hunter,” Ri said softly, sitting up with Gust’s help. Hunter stared at her. “I didn’t get the impression of death. Just… nothingness.”

  “Little one,” Gust said gently, “How would you know the difference?”

  “I was there, watching, when my entire family was killed in an explosion,” she whispered up to the much-older man. He choked in empathy. “I know what it felt like then. And I know what it feels like when someone loses consciousness. The impression I got from those last moments was the latter.”

  She looked at Hunter, hope in her eyes.


  “I just… it doesn’t feel like they’re dead, Hunter.”

  He nodded slowly.

  “I have avoided this section of the ship until now,” he admitted quietly, “Because I was afraid I’d feel their deaths. But you are right. It didn’t feel like death, but something else.”

  Ri nodded, offering a small smile.

  “If they are like you, at all,” she said, moving to his side, “Then they have either escaped or they’re giving their captors complete hell, waiting for the chance.”

  Hunter managed a laugh at that, as did his men. She had never met his brothers, but she had just described them perfectly. Looking around the compartment, Hunter shook his head, allowing himself to hope for the first time since the attack. It had never occurred to him that anything other than death could have taken his brothers from him. But Ri’s senses were very keen, possibly more so than his own, and she was picking up on the possibility, as well. He trusted that.

  With a gusty sigh, Hunter got to his feet, offering a hand to Ri.

  “Why don’t we see the rest of the ship?” he asked softly. “Then perhaps some lunch? I am famished after that mental activity.”

  “I am, too,” Arianna grinned. “That takes a lot out of me!”

  Gust preceded his commander onto the bridge, then stood back and allowed Hunter to inspect the area. When Hunter’s eyes lit on a small blinking light on the commander’s station, he strode forward.

  “Gust, when…”

  “We got it working just this morning, Commander,” Gust said proudly. “The homing beacon is now broadcasting.”

  “Then…”

  “If any of our ships are within range, they will find us.” Gust said softly, his voice intense with the emotion he was holding inside. Trey’s team whooped with joy, and they took turns hugging and kissing Bev, hugging one another, then Hunter.

  Arianna wanted to be happy for them, but she had to wonder what their people finding the colony would mean for her and her newfound life? She walked slowly around the bridge, looking at the various controls, stations, and displays that seemed to be working, though dimly, as though running on minimal power. There was a large window just past the commander’s station, where Hunter still stood, and she wandered over to look out at the tiny valley in which the ship nestled.