by Lexa Luthor
"A lot more," Raine joked, grinning at her friend.
Charlie nodded, then turned to Kal. "And I'll be staying with her at a farm. She rents housing there."
Kal stood rigid, her hands linked in front of her again and features indifferent. "What farm?"
With a raised eyebrow, Charlie looked to her friend and wondered the same thing.
"It's a farm to the east," Raine replied, her tone stern now.
"Who is the Alpha?" Kal asked further.
Charlie heard her lover's authority seeping into her voice. She hoped Raine gave a clearer answer, or else Kal's meager self-control might pop.
"His name is Taden." Raine folded her arms, and a furrow creased her brow. "I rent a small cabin on his property."
Kal responded with a low rumble, then said, "Ja, I'm aware of Starlight Farm." She turned to Charlie and canted her head. "Dorlon requires her horse so she can return to Kardos."
"Right," Charlie whispered and turned to her friend. "What time do you leave?"
"About an hour before sunset. It's a twenty minute walk to Taden's farm." Raine smirked and said, "Tell Dorlon I said turen."
Charlie grinned but nodded. "All right." She unhitched the horse's reins. "I'll be back by then." She guided the horse away but overhead Kal and Raine's final exchange.
"Tah for assisting Charlie on her rescue mission."
"It's what family does for each other," Raine said, pride coloring her statement.
Charlie smiled to herself and blinked away the sting in her eyes from Raine's sentiment. She continued walking toward the Great Tower, and Kal came to her side after a moment. "How is Dorlon?"
"She wishes to speak to us both," Kal replied.
Frowning, Charlie glanced up at her lover, but Kal wore a neutral mask. "That doesn't sound good." She raked her fingers through her hair and sighed at the pending conversation. Kal's silence confirmed her suspicions, but she kept a cool head while they walked to the stable near the barrack. She untacked the horse, shouldered her saddlebags, and followed Kal to the Great Tower's main entrance.
They went to the lift on the next level and rode it up to the office. As the quiet minutes passed between them, Charlie fidgeted more with her jacket or belt or anything within reach. She wanted to ask what Dorlon needed to talk about, but they would be there soon. Following Kal out of the elevator, they entered the office, which was left unguarded for the first time.
Inside, Dorlon was standing beside the burning fireplace and was staring in it until Charlie and Kal arrived. Kal sealed and bolted the two doors, then took Charlie's saddlebags and placed them on the desk. Charlie swallowed when Dorlon approached them, but Kal's presence halted her worries.
"So what happens now?" Dorlon asked, breaking the strained silence. Her piercing gaze flickered from Charlie to Kal, expecting an honest answer. "You didn't knot her." She ignored Kal's displeased rumble and asked, "When will you return to outer space, Charlie?"
"Actually, not any time soon," Charlie replied. "I'm here for the next six noreds." She held back a laugh at Dorlon's bulging eyes. "I made a promise to Raine that I'd stay if she helped me rescue Starr."
"What?" Dorlon snapped and neared Charlie with a curled lip. "You're joking." But Kal halted her advance by moving behind Charlie in warning. "This can't happen," she said, her voice tight. Her attention went to Kal, and she said, "Charlie has to return to space. She's can't stay on Kander."
Charlie closed her eyes when dark heat rushed through her veins, and she grabbed Kal's forearm in time. She stilled Kal's initial reaction to Dorlon's demands. "I don't think that's really going to be an option." Struggling to keep her tone even, she looked at Dorlon and whispered, "We've decided to continue our relationship." Or whatever it is. Somehow announcing it as a relationship cemented it in Charlie's mind.
"Are you both suicidal?" Dorlon asked, baring her teeth.
Withdrawing her hand, Charlie allowed Kal to handle Dorlon, because she wasn't considered anyone of importance on Kander. She was a piece of space trash that crashed on the planet. In need of distance, she separated from the pair.
"Charlie is welcome on Kander," Kal declared, thunder filling the room. "And she will continue sharing my bed."
Charlie stood next to the sofa's side, turned, and watched the two warring over her in a battle of wills. She rubbed her brow and almost spoke up, but Dorlon beat her.
"This will only fuel the revolt," Dorlon hissed.
"If word spreads."
Dorlon shook her head, then asked, "Does anyone besides me know about this?"
"Andren," Kal replied.
"Andren!" Dorlon growled, moved away, and spun around toward Kal. "What are you thinking with bringing her into it?"
"She doesn't know know," Charlie cut in but faltered when Dorlon's fiery gaze turned to her. "Well, she probably does know because she's taken me to Kal's quarters at night or been there when I left in the morning."
Dorlon snarled with certain venom, canines on display, and looked between the pair. "Is there anyone else that might know?"
Charlie flinched and whispered, "Probably Lurain and the Carnec Omega who guarded me."
"Rybeck," Dorlon supplied, huffing and hissing at the news before focusing on Kal. "You could have any Kalmar for a lover. Any!" She was fuming and glanced at Charlie once before she whispered, "Why?"
Charlie clenched her hands at her side and tensed as Kal approached Dorlon. She tried calming her pounding heart, but she had no choice but to watch and listen.
"Because Charlie gave me back pieces of my old life," Kal whispered softly that Charlie almost missed it.
Dorlon closed her eyes, bowed her head, and whispered, "Sumner." She peered up and studied Kal for a quiet minute. "I remember the first day we met outside your village. You were so different from most Alphas I'd met before."
Kal tilted her head and seemed intrigued by the past dancing along Dorlon's features. "You remember it."
"Only after Charlie spoke your old name to me. Before that, it was gray and broken." Dorlon went silent, but her stare with Kal never wavered. "This could kill you both." She revealed a frown to Charlie.
"Ja, maybe." Charlie folded her arms and leaned against the sofa. "Or maybe it'll work out okay."
"What makes you think it'll work out?" Dorlon asked, her features both open and worried.
"Faith," Charlie replied. "Something has to go right in my life for once."
Dorlon's shoulders fell, then she sighed and went over to the lit fireplace. "When this gets out…" She looked between the pair. "… and it will get out."
"I will handle it," Kal said, authority seeping into her statement.
Dorlon scrubbed her face with her palm and said, "We need to get suppressants."
Charlie cringed and waited for Kal to handle that detail. If Dorlon didn't implode now, it would be a miracle.
"I won't take suppressants."
Dorlon started to growl, but she was outmatched by Kal's snarl. She was forced to surrender, turning her head to the side.
Charlie groused at the posturing between her lover and childhood friend. Her grip on the sofa was the only thing keeping her from inserting herself between them. It was dangerous to step between two battling Kalmar. Once Dorlon submitted to Kal, Charlie released a breath and said, "Sumner agreed to take the blockers."
Dorlon was quiet and returned Kal's hard stare, but she held back her aggression.
Sighing, Charlie neared them and hoped to calm them both before relationships were damaged by the argument. "Dorlon, I think we can manage this."
"What if you're wrong?" Dorlon tore her eyes away and looked at Charlie. "You could jeopardize everything that Kal has worked toward."
Charlie's eyes fluttered a few times, then she shook her head and whispered, "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should return to outer space." Her lover's growl caused her to flinch, but she pushed the conversation further. "I mean, who I am to fuck up
this planet's peace and wreck everything Kal has done to move it forward?"
Dorlon slumped and whispered, "Charlie."
Looking up to Kal, Charlie said, "I'm being selfish and stupid about this. Nothing ever goes well when I get involved." She swallowed, but her voice became hoarse. "I belong to the stars." She broke away and headed to the sealed doors until her escape path was blocked by her lover. Tilting her head back, she met the piercing green eyes that touched her spirit.
"You belong to me."
Charlie's heart jumped into her throat before it started drumming in her chest. Kal's possessive declaration twisted the string in Charlie to the point that she started to tremble. "Sumner, I—"
"You agreed." Kal shifted closer, invading Charlie's space.
"I know, but I can't be the cause of your people's self-destruction," Charlie whispered. Even the idea was weighing on her and crushing her shoulders.
Kal chuffed, then said, "Dorlon is wrong. I have faith that this will work."
Gazing up at her lover, Charlie was able to pick out the confidence and certainty in Kal, who was usually reserved. "You wouldn't risk your people if you thought it would end badly," she murmured in realization and lowered her head, thinking about the future.
"But if you truly wish to return to the stars, I will not stop you."
Charlie bit her bottom lip, then clenched her hands at her side and resisted the need to touch Kal. The more she considered leaving Kal, the more her heart felt like it was being ripped apart by a torture rack. "I want you," she said, her voice rasping after confessing the truth.
Kal's heavy rumble broke the silence, and she drew Charlie into her body.
Ignoring Dorlon's presence, Charlie hooked her arms around Kal and leaned into the comfort. She inhaled a few deep breaths, which settled the shaking in her limbs.
"Stay," Kal breathed into Charlie's ear. After Charlie nodded, Kal purred low and nuzzled her temple.
After separating from Kal, she faced Dorlon and felt Kal pressing against her back, still relying on her Alpha instincts to support Charlie. "Dorlon, we need your help." She watched how Dorlon's attention flickered between her and Kal. "Krafka."
Dorlon sighed and shook her head at them. "All right." She held out her arms and asked, "What do you need me to do?" She raised an eyebrow, directing it at Kal.
Charlie peered over her shoulder at the ruler, who had an evil smile.
"I need you to return to Kardos." Kal remained behind Charlie, even though her presence filled the room. "We need to handle Alpha Prime first."
Pursing her lips, Charlie listened to them and held back her questions about Alpha Prime. From Kal's tone, they were a problem, possibly a major one.
Dorlon nodded. "I do need to return, now that you both are healthy." She came closer to them, revealing tight facial lines. She studied them for a moment and said, "I don't want to lose either of you, let alone both of you." Her eyes cut up to Kal. "I also don't want what you've worked toward to fall apart now."
"We've worked for," Kal argued. "Your teachings and support have gone a long way."
Dorlon bowed her head, then she smiled at Charlie. "So you'll be here for the next six noreds. I hope you come visit me in Kardos."
"That's part of the agreement," Charlie said. "By the way, Raine says turen." She noticed a slight pinkness dust Dorlon's cheeks, and she almost questioned it until Dorlon stepped around her.
"I should be going."
"When I receive word from Alpha Prime, I will message you." Kal walked Dorlon to the doors, unbolting them. "Continue with double patrols."
At the mention of messages, Charlie fished out her techbit and recalled the unread response from Sallarus. She ignored Kal and Dorlon's chatter as she opened the message and skimmed through it. Frowning, she jerked her attention to Dorlon, who was saying goodbye to her. She pocketed the device and hastened to her friend, giving her a hug. "Tah for your help, Dor."
Returning the hug's strength, Dorlon whispered, "Stay strong." She offered a last smile before she departed the office.
Charlie noticed that Kal didn't ask her to leave and was sliding the latch back into place. She retrieved her techbit and pulled up Sallarus's message. "Take a look at this." She handed it over to Kal, whose larger hand dwarfed the device. "Sallarus said there hasn't been any talk about the Sworne. There's actually more talk about Serrato Corps buying supplies in every quadrant of the galaxy. In the past rotation, they've ramped up selling slaves for stills or trade."
Kal grumbled, then returned the techbit to Charlie. "Can Sallarus find out what kind of supplies?"
"Possibly." Charlie rubbed her chin, then started responding to Sallarus's message until another thought came to mind. "If I keep asking for information, he's going to want stills." She watched her lover approach her desk, noticed Kal's hesitation, and lowered the techbit. "You have something on your mind."
Kal turned, sat on the corner of the desk, and folded her arms. "I have another mission for you."
Charlie narrowed her eyes and pointed the techbit at her lover. "Not that I'm against a job and more stills, but I'm kind of shipless and crewless."
"I can take care of that," Kal said, thunder rolling in her chest.
After putting the device in her pocket again, Charlie approached Kal and bit her lower lip. "All right. I'll bite. What's this job?"
"I want you to kidnap Victor."
Charlie felt her jaw loosen, but she snapped it shut and continued to stare at Kal. She laughed in surprise and asked, "You're serious?"
"Ja."
Blowing out a huff, Charlie combed her fingers through her blond strands. Her mind reeled at the idea, and part of her was already scheming how to kidnap him.
"I need to know what he knows about the Sworne and Serrato Corps's plans," Kal said.
Charlie folded her arms and considered Kal's goal, nodding after a moment. "Ja."
"How quickly can you obtain a ship?"
Charlie frowned and replied, "Well, I have to find a buyer for that darakar before I can purchase a ship." She rubbed the back of her neck.
Kal pushed off the desk, went around it, and pulled out a tablet from the drawer. While tapping on it, she asked, "How fast can you get a ship if you already have the stills in hand?"
Charlie blinked, then eyed her lover. "Three to seven days, no more than a nineth."
Looking up from the tablet, Kal said, "Kander will purchase the ship. You'll captain it."
Again, Charlie's jaw slackened before she shook away the awe. "Um, and a crew?"
"Raine will join you. I'm sure she'll be concerned about your returning to Kander to fulfill your promise."
Sputtering, Charlie realized that Kal had already thought through all the hurdles. "How long have you been planning this?"
"Since my ride from the cabin to the city." Kal returned her attention to the tablet, tapping the screen.
Shaking her head, Charlie neared the desk and stood opposite her lover. She admired Kal's ability to work through a problem and prepare for the future, such as the Sworne. "I need to figure out how to get to Victor." She was more used to rescuing than to kidnapping. In Victor's case, he was surrounded by military personnel, which made it a hundred times more difficult. On top of it, Charlie had already hit Serrato Corps, so they would be more vigilant now. But there was one advantage Charlie could exploit. She smirked and whispered, "Starr. I can use Starr to draw out Victor."
Kal had a smug look and cradled the tablet between her hands. "Ja that will work well. I suggest setting up a meeting point."
"Then ambush him," Charlie whispered, liking the plan formulating between them. "Only problem is that he'll come with soldiers. Between me, Raine, and Starr that won't be enough."
"You'll take a unit with you," Kal said.
"A unit of your soldiers?" Charlie asked, stunned that Kal would send more Kalmar into outer space. "Sumner, I don't know if—"
"It's t
he best option. You will need trained soldiers to apprehend Victor."
Charlie admitted it ensured the capture of Victor, so she conceded with the idea. "All right. But it needs to be a team that'll listen to me and those I can trust. I don't want the same shit that happened with Andren repeated."
Kal dipped her head, seeming to accept Charlie's rules. "And Andren will accompany you."
"Joh." Charlie fisted her hands and started to fume at the idea. "There's no way I'm taking her after what happened last time."
Kal set the tablet on the desk and moved into Charlie's space. "She is someone you can trust with your life."
Looking away, Charlie tried to get a grip on her temper and folded her arms. "I know I can trust her with my life. I just…." She clenched her hands against her body. When she noticed Kal's patient features, she realized the ruler always gave Charlie the chance to open up. "I'm kind of used to being in command on my ship and with my team. Everyone listens to my orders. The fact that your orders superseded mine really got under my skin."
"I understand now." With a straight back, Kal said, "I apologize for preempting your command."
Charlie sensed that Kal, as a leader, understood Charlie's distress and concerns with giving secretive orders to Andren. Kal's sincere apology loosened the weight from beneath the suffocating anger. "Tah. I'm sorry you felt you needed to go to those lengths to protect me from myself. I won't be so reckless from now on." She mirrored Kal's slight smile after they worked through their differences, but then she sighed and said, "Andren can come. I'll kiss and make up with her." She nearly jumped out of her skin from Kal's ferocious snarl and realized her mistake. "It's just an expression!" Holding up her hands, she hastened to explain herself. "I'm not really going to kiss her."
Kal huffed deep and low before picking up the tablet again, tapping it. "Will five hundred thousand stills be enough for a ship?"
Charlie held her breath at the huge amount of money and thought about the various spaceship options on the market. "It depends on what you need it to do. If I'm taking soldiers, then it should be a transporter ship large enough to hold everyone. They build ships that are like mini barracks with sharable quarters." She leaned against the desk, still deep in thought. "I'd say anywhere from two hundred to three hundred thou."
