Beyond the Next Star

by Melody Johnson

  Torek grinned ruefully.

  “The investigations are done. The harm that lor intend for me is past, gone with Nikiok’s death. Filuk and the other Federation commanders have a planet to govern and other amends to make that are more pressing. Let them, and let us move on.”

  Torek rubbed her back. “Filuk is capable of multitasking.”

  Delaney rolled her eyes on a snort and buried her face back in Torek’s chest. “We will not even be here to see the justice you seek. What is the point?”

  Silence. Torek’s heartbeat thumped steadily against her cheek.

  “We can stay if you want,” he murmured. “It’s not necessary that we leave with the expedition.”

  She glanced up at him. “You are leading the expedition,” she said dryly.

  He tightened his hold and curved himself around her. “Rak the expedition.” He whispered the words against her neck.

  She shivered, delighted despite herself. “Then who will stop the Federation from harvesting more humans?”

  “I’m not the only person capable of leading a Federation mission. Filuk can go in my stead, and I’ll remain commander here if you prefer, helping to govern Lorien and rebuild the trust of our people.”

  “That you launch an expedition with the full support of your people is a miracle. We should not push our luck,” Delaney chided. “Dorai Nikiok is right about one thing: going public did nearly cripple the economy.”

  Torek tapped her nose. “Only until I launched plans for the expedition. Nothing boosts morale and the job market higher than planning a Federation mission. And after the mission commences, we’ll have the deporak reconstruction to keep the economy afloat. That will easily take three kair. Whether I make reparations by leaving on the mission or staying to claim my seat on our new ruling council, I have the public’s support.”

  “You think the public continue to support me and the expedition if you are not leading it?”

  “Gaining and retaining their support wasn’t ‘a miracle,’ as you say. It has nothing to do with divine intervention. They want justice for you and your people as much as they want justice for ours. More so, in fact, because the injustice done to you and yours is an affront to Lorien. Besides, they walk—”

  Delaney rolled her eyes. “They walk where you will, I know.”

  Torek placed his hand over her heart. “And I walk where you will, Delaney Rose Lisha’Aerai. If you want to stay…” He cocked his head, uncertain.

  She shook her head and sighed. “I not want to stay.”

  Torek resumed the soothing, circular motion of rubbing her back. “Grammar.”

  She pulled back slightly, narrowing her eyes.

  “You’re doing so well lately! And programming my daami for English translation is easier and faster now that you understand proper verb conjugation. Once you master the past tense—”

  “After all this time, you’re still in denial. My throat physically cannot growl that low.”

  “It can with practice.”

  “Fekok. It cannot!”

  He pressed his forehead to hers. “You can do anything.”

  “Not anything. I cannot even decide what I really want. Leaving does not feel like returning home. It just feels like returning.”

  “I know one thing you want.” He nibbled the side of her neck.

  Delaney shivered. “What I want, I so rarely receive.”

  Torek pulled back at that.

  “Until I meet you.” Her face flamed. “I still do not know how to trust it.”

  He cupped both his large palms on either side of her face, and their eyes locked. “You trust me.”

  Delaney nodded.

  “We’ll travel to Earth, stop my people from harvesting yours, and prevent whatever atrocities Nikiok had planned for them. That’s something you want, isn’t it?”

  “Of course.” She bit her lip. “But then what?”

  Torek placed his hand on her belly, and his lips quirked in a toothy, lascivious grin.

  She scowled down at his caressing hand. “This is not the time to start that argument.”

  “Why must we argue? We’re talking four kair from now. Five Earth years, yes?”

  Delaney sighed. His near-perfect English pronunciation was as infuriating as it was endearing. “Yes.”

  He nodded. “In either measurement, a long time.”

  She pursed her lips. “I suppose.”

  “Then we have a long time to figure it out. Which planet to live on. Whether to have five or seven children—”

  “Whether to have one!” Delaney shuffed. “I do not care that our reproductive compatibility tests return positive. There is still a lot to consider!”

  “Yes, and five whole years to consider it. Why agonize over such a crossroad until we arrive?” He nuzzled the top of her head. “Shall I describe our intergalactic exploration Federation ship to you again?”

  As if she hadn’t traveled on one during her five-year journey to Lorien. Of course, this time would be different. She wouldn’t be caged. She wouldn’t be lost and scared—well, she wouldn’t be scared witless, anyway. She wouldn’t be trapped, and she would have what was most important.

  She tightened her hold around Torek’s waist, tracing the long slice of the furless burn scar across his back with her fingertips. He took that as encouragement to continue.

  “We’ll have our own private living quarters together, same as we do here, but the few times we leave our room”—he nipped at her earlobe, and goose bumps shot down her side straight to her nipples—“we can enjoy the recreation pool, spa, and gym. There’s a large cafeteria and a few smaller eating alcoves as well. Most nights, we’ll enjoy entertainment, plays and singing, as well as live music and dancing.”

  “Is this a Federation expedition or a pleasure cruise?”

  “A what?”

  “A, you know, time off from work to lounge. A vacation?”

  “Ah.” He smiled. “It’s a five-year journey, remember. We must keep our minds sharp and our skills honed.”

  “With music and dancing and spa treatments.”

  He nipped at her shoulder. “Among other things.”

  “And what might those ‘other things’ entail?” Delaney asked archly.

  He nuzzled the sensitive skin between her shoulder and neck and inhaled deeply. “Shall I demonstrate now in preparation for the journey?”

  “Hmmm, you better. I hate to embark on an intergalactic vacation without proper preparation.”

  He exhaled on a low growl. “You are my heart, Delaney.”

  “As you are mine. Make them beat as one?”

  Torek propped himself over her and pressed her down into the bedcover with the delicious weight of his hard body. She gave herself over to him. He was right, even if she was prone to anxiety. They had five years to figure out their future together, and in the meantime, they’d have five years of this. Maybe it didn’t matter where they eventually settled—Earth or Lorien—because she didn’t want to live on either world, or any world, without this man. After a lifetime without a family or security, she’d found both in the least likely place. In the shelter of Torek’s arms, she’d found the home of her heart.

  Learning Lori: Intergalactic Pocket Dictionary

  Translations by: Delaney Rose Lisha’Aerai

  Atter (noun): A small amphibian native to Lorien that hops like a frog and has eight eyes and spindly legs like a spider.

  Banchai (noun): An aerial, winged, feathered mammal native to the planet Fray, similar in appearance to an eagle, in temperament and size to a horse, and carnivorous. Historically used as modes of transportation before the invention of hover technology. Presently extinct.

  Bandwey (noun): An easily obtained hearing with the local laird/estate owner to settle common disputes.

  Daami (noun): A device worn on the wrist that performs a variety of functions, including timekeeping, daarok syncing, and telecommunication.

  Daarok (noun): A tablet technology with hol
ogram functions instead of a touchscreen that performs a variety of functions, including timekeeping, security monitoring, file storage, and writing applications.

  Deporak (noun): An underwater prison beneath the Onik estate where prisoners on death row are detained until Genai.

  Dorai (noun): Madam; a formal, polite address for the Lore’Lorien to show respect.

  Faenil (noun): Sliced bread (sort of) manufactured from the nil grain.

  Fekok (noun, verb): An expletive used to express that a person, thing, or circumstance is stupid, untrue, misleading, or deceptive.

  Fepherok (noun): An illness lorienok are susceptible to if their fur becomes wet for an extended period of time. Supposedly not fatal except to the already ill, children, and elderly.

  Fray (noun): The name of the planet inhabited by Frayon.

  Frayo (noun): The people inhabiting Fray. Singular: Frayon

  Genai (noun): The slightly less bitterly cold season on the planet Lorien, lasting approximately six Earth months.

  Genok (noun): A natural spermicide that lor release during ejaculation to conveniently prevent pregnancy.

  Gigok (noun): Cold cereal (sort of) typically eaten while soaked in paellek and made from the nil grain.

  Graevlai (noun): A public memorial park approximately six hundred acres composed of walkways, bridges, hiking trails, gazebos, fountains, and throughout, ice sculptures depicting the many lor and lorok who died in service to Lorien.

  Grambles (noun): A wild mammal native to Lorien, the size of a Chihuahua with puffy fur, whiskers, and a long, fluffy tail; essentially an arctic squirrel.

  Haekak (noun): a flattened pastry roll used for baking.

  Haven (noun): The name of the planet inhabited by haveni

  Haveni (noun): The people inhabiting Haven. Singular: havenian

  Jok (noun): A long, crunchy vegetable, similar in appearance and consistency to zucchini after the outer layer of spines and thorns are removed.

  Kair (noun): A pair of seasons consisting of a consecutive Rorak and Genai, lasting approximately fifteen Earth months.

  Keylak (noun): A fat, round vegetable, similar in appearance and consistency to onion, if an onion’s layers were stacked like artichoke and purple.

  Kore (noun): Federation rank; doctor.

  Lesh (noun): Laird or estate owner.

  Lisha (noun): A designation added to one’s last name when entering into a family by law.

  Litork (noun): Tactile; of or connected with the sense of touch.

  Lombowatts (noun): A scaled reptile native to the planet Haven, similar in physical appearance to a snake with the temperament of a cat.

  Lor (noun): A singular, male lorienok.

  Lore (noun): Federation rank; captain.

  Lori (noun): The language spoken by lorienok on the planet Lorien.

  Lorien (noun): The name of the planet inhabited by lorienok. Referred to as a spirituality, like Mother Earth, to be praised and respected.

  Lorienok (noun): The people inhabiting Lorien.

  Lorok (noun): A singular, female lorienok.

  Mukar (noun): The highest taxonomic classification on Lorien utilized primarily for breeding on-world animal companions.

  Nikarok lukai (noun): An infection of the stomach and small intestine caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite.

  Nirarai (noun): The urinary tract.

  Nomaikok (verb): Exhume; to dig out from the ground.

  Nulistorak (noun): Physical or mental stimulation.

  Nusarai (noun): Scenario; a postulated sequence or development of events.

  Onik (noun): Lorien’s capital city.

  Orboas (noun): Eye; a globular organ through which people and animals see.

  Paellek (noun): Manufactured milk.

  Por-atter (noun): Creamed atter eggs.

  Pourpites (noun): A scaled reptile native to the planet Haven, similar in physical appearance to a snake with the temperament of a dog.

  Rainol e lokks (noun): A traditional, spicy lorienok dish similar in appearance to rice and red beans with sausage.

  Rak (noun, verb): A Lori expletive, derived from Rorak, their bitterly cold season; an exclamation of the killing temperature and irony that it keeps the zorel at bay.

  Rakek (noun): Procedure; the official way of performing a task, especially in reference to military duties.

  Rel (noun): An extinct farm mammal historically used to produce milk and butchered for mass consumption. Similar in function to a cow. Lorienok retain no record of its appearance. Presently extinct.

  Reshna (noun): Corkscrew; a spiral-shaped, handheld tool used to drill into ice.

  RG-800 (noun): Military-issue weapon distributed to Federation officers which uses concentrated light beams to instantly vaporize its target.

  Rolorak osir (noun): Neurological disorder; a sickness or abnormality of the brain, nerves, or spinal cord.

  Rorak (noun): The bitterly cold season on the planet Lorien, lasting approximately nine Earth months.

  Roranok (verb): Hibernate; to spend a season in a dormant state.

  Salvarok (noun): Historically the most popular, well-respected animal companion purveyor in Onik. Presently up for sale.

  Saufre (noun): A cold, caffeinated drink, similar to iced coffee without the ice.

  Shuff (verb): A huffing snort through a lor muzzle. Similar in meaning to a human snort, either in humor or derision. Often combined with flared nostrils when in derision.

  Taekok (noun): a large hover freight used to transport goods over long distances.

  Tidokai (noun): Auditory; of or connected with the sense of hearing.

  Tuanok (noun): A thorn-covered bush native to Lorien. The only vegetation capable of surviving the deep freeze of Rorak.

  Ukok (noun): A common seasoning used in most lorienok dishes, which contains the same protein found in peanuts.

  Viprok d’Orell (noun): A dangerous path that meanders from Graevlai to the ravine along the Zorelok.

  Viurr (noun and verb): A maternal vibrating noise, similar to that of a cat’s purr. Used to put one at ease, to soothe and comfort.

  Yark (noun): A lombai egg.

  Yark e haekak (noun): A traditional lorienok comfort dish consisting of scrambled yark and various vegetables inside a baked haekak. Vegetables typically include keylak and jok.

  Yenok (noun): An article of clothing worn during Genai when lorienok shed. Used to absorb sweat from their furless skin and preserve the cleanliness of their fur-lined clothes.

  Zeprak (noun): A medium-size, furry, domesticated rodent with the intellect and loyalty of a Labrador.

  Zivook (noun): Avalanche; a deadly slide of snow.

  Zorel (noun): A giant anglerfish commonly known as being native to Lorien but likely the result of a failed animal companion domestication; the size of a blue whale with arms instead of front fins and ten-foot-long needle teeth. Lives under the Zorelok and hibernates during Rorak. Historically and presently terrorizes Onik during Genai. Not likely to become extinct anytime soon.

  Zorelok (noun): Lorien’s main body of water inhabited by the Zorel.

  Also by Melody Johnson

  Love Beyond Series

  Beyond the Next Star

  Sight Beyond the Sun (coming soon)

  Night Blood Series

  The City Beneath

  Sweet Last Drop

  Eternal Reign

  Day Reaper

  Holiday Anthology

  Grave Promises (coming soon)

  The City Beneath

  Night Blood, Book 1

  I nearly limped right past him, clouded by my own physical pain and the churning unease in my gut, but the rattling hiss that growled from the alley tripped my interest. I stopped walking.

  The night was cool and quiet in the aftermath of sirens and flashing lights. My scalp tingled in response to the noise emanating from the alley, and I thought of all the things I should do: I should return to the main crime scene, I should finish my interviews, I should write
my story and submit it to print like a good, reliable, by-the-book reporter. The hiss rattled from the alley again, but as I’d never been one to leave questions unanswered, I slipped a can of pepper spray from my brown leather, cross-body satchel and sidestepped into the alley to find the source of the noise.

  What I found was a man, and the rattling hiss was his struggling, gurgling, uneven breathing. His entire body was ravaged by third-degree burns. Tucked into a shadowed alley between two buildings on the corner of Farragut Road and East 40th, he was crouched down as if warding off an attacker—perhaps in his case a flamethrower—and not moving. I cringed, thinking about the injury that was blocking his throat to produce such a horrible rattling. Maybe he was crying. Maybe he was just trying to breathe. I couldn’t decipher his expression because his burns were so devastating. His face wasn’t really a face anymore beyond the rough distinctions of a lump for a nose and a hole for a mouth. The unease churning in my gut all night bottomed out. I wouldn’t have imagined that someone so injured could still breathe.