by Celeste Raye
"The commander is my husband. He and the king just returned from the villages. They are anxious to meet with you and Valeri. Nabvan is pleased to discover that you are alive. I plan to keep you that way. Your fever is gone, but your pulse is still too fast. You are thin and gray. I will allow you to meet with them if you eat and promise not to get upset."
Ohber replied, "I will try; however, I must tell all of you about the experiments. It will upset me. The others have become my friends."
Alexis soothed him by saying, "Valeri explained everything to the queen and me. We relayed the information to King Siefer and Nabvan. Needless to say, they were furious and wanted to attack. It took some doing, but we calmed them down, and they are now more rational. Your friends are our first priority. I have sent messages to Earth. My friends there will help shut down the program. Wake up Valeri, and I will bring you some food. Eat, take a shower, and then you can meet with the men." She left to get food.
Ohber woke Valeri with a kiss. She smiled and stretched, enveloping him in her arms. After a moment, it dawned on her that he was standing and she was the one in bed. She jumped up and demanded, "What are you up to? Get back in bed."
"I'm fine, or at least I will be soon. Alexis cleared me to eat and shower. If I behave, she will let me join you in a meeting with the king and Nabvan. Thank you for explaining it all to them. It was something I had been dreading. I am not good with words," Ohber declared.
Valeri wandered to the window and asked, "How did they take it? Were the men angry? Am I going to be punished?"
Ohber wrapped her in his arms and answered, "Of course they were angry, but not at you. Alexis said they did not take it well at first. She and the queen settled them down. She swears they are now rational and ready to talk. She also told me they were eager to see me. Then she ordered me to eat and shower. Since she is not back with the food, I will shower. Want to join me?"
"You are incorrigible! You almost died yesterday. You're barely standing." Valeri started laughing. "Save the romantic stuff for when you're stronger. I'll make it worth waiting for. I promise." She was giddy with happiness. He was healing, and plans were being made to help the others.
The shower and eating took a toll on Ohber. He had to rest before the meeting. It was annoying and a waste of time, in his estimation. Alexis and Valeri insisted after they heard his labored breathing. They argued that his mind would be clearer if it was rested. To his shame, he fell asleep as his head hit the pillow. Once again, the women were correct. He was refreshed and stronger after his nap.
The group met in King Siefer's quarters. The table was large enough to accommodate all of them. The children played games on the floor. Ohber stared at them. He found them to be quite beautiful. Humans and Milisarians made wonderful babies. He glanced at Valeri, wondering if she had considered the prospect. She was busy discussing Alexis's lab with the scientist herself.
Nabvan addressed Ohber, "It is good to have you home. We had thought you died long ago. If we had known you were alive, a search party would have been sent. I am sorry you had to suffer."
Ohber asked, "Did King Shene know I was alive? Did he trade me or just abandon me? I have wondered for years. For the first few months, I expected to be rescued. After that, I tried to find a way to escape. I finally resigned myself to dying there, then Valeri came, and I began to hope again."
King Siefer answered, "We do not know whether the king traded you or if he truly thought you dead. We only had his words to go by. He told us you died and that there was not a body to bring home. We later discovered that he lied quite often."
"Valeri spent a lot of time catching me up on the changes to Milisaria. You are a good king. I watched out the window this morning. Our people are united. They are happy. Thank you for that,” Ohber replied.
Nabvan spoke up, " We will be leaving for Earth soon. Our plan is to retrieve all the Milisarians. We will not fight unless it is a necessity. I doubt any guards at the building will challenge our swords."
"You have to save the other species. If you leave them, they will die or be killed. I cannot bear that on my conscious. They became my friends, and Valeri's too." Ohber could not sit still. He stood and paced the room. His anxiety had him gasping for breath.
Alexis and Valeri went to his aid. Alexis demanded, "Sit down and calm yourself or I will make you leave. Let Nabvan finish telling you the plan." Ohber obeyed. He had promised to remain calm. It was difficult under the circumstances.
Nabvan continued, "Alexis has reached out for help from her friends on Earth. They will have the building raided as soon as we remove our knights. The program will be shut down. The aliens will be taken to care facilities, treated, and eventually returned to their planets. If they have no desire to return home, the humans will welcome them. They will be free. We cannot take them from Earth ourselves. We have no treaty with their planets and would be attacked if we tried to get near them."
Ohber argued, "We have no animosity with the Arkani. You have been there. They helped you and Alexis helped them. There is an old Arkani male that needs to go home. He has suffered too much for too long. Do not make him wait. Take him home."
Valeri added, "He's right. Akeila needs to go home. I'm sure the Earth doctors would treat him well, but I don't think he can wait. He's very old and has been given numerous diseases. I doubt he will live much longer. He deserves to see his home one more time. He gave them all the knowledge he held, medications and formulas. It wasn't enough for them. I'm with Ohber. Bring him too."
"If it is possible and he is willing, we will rescue him. The knights must come first. They are our priority. You have my promise: we will not let him die. If we cannot bring him, we will see that he is cared for." King Siefer turned to the queen. "Can you have the knights ready our fastest warship? We must leave today. Alexis, will you gather medications and bandages? We may need to treat the knights on the way back. Valeri, will you show Alexis what else the wounded may require? If we do not have it, we will take it from the program. I believe she also needs to send another message to Earth. NASA needs information from your brother. They must be told how to reach him."
The women took the children and left. Ohber faced the king and said, "I require a new uniform. I only have the torn Earth clothes. I will need a sword as well. I do not know what happened to mine."
King Siefer replied, "You will be given appropriate clothing. The sword can wait until you are well. A home in the village is being prepared for you. You will receive all the benefits of a retired Milisarian Knight."
Ohber's face turned red with anger. "I am going with you! I will not be set aside like an old man."
Nabvan stepped forward. "You are not well. It will be several days before you can leave the capital. Even then, you cannot fight. Alexis explained your injuries. They will never completely heal. You have served the knights well. You are to be honored."
Ohber continued to argue, "I can continue treatment on the way to Earth. I may never fight again, but you admitted there would be no need to fight. The guards would be frightened by our swords. I must come. The aliens will trust me and cooperate. I am one of them. You are strangers."
"I do not want you to have to see that place again. You were locked away and tormented there. You have just returned home. We wished to spare you from returning to your prison," King Siefer explained.
"It would be harder for me to stay here. Allow me this one request. If a fight is necessary, I will stand back and leave you to it. Let me go with you."
The king replied, "It will be an honor to serve with a knight as brave as you. Your request is granted."
Nabvan suggested, "Come with me. I will see that you are fitted with a uniform and given a sword. Changes of clothing and armor will also be provided."
Ohber was measured and fitted with a uniform and clothing. He was handed a new sword. Though he had difficulty lifting it in his weakened state, it felt so good in his hand. He had missed holding a sword. It had been like living without an
arm. Dressed as a true Milisarian Knight, Ohber once again felt whole. His pride returned. It was more healing than Alexis's medications.
Nabvan took him outside to breathe in the moist air of Milisaria and walk among his people. The salty smell of the ocean stirred Ohber's blood. The moons pulled forth his power. He gained strength from the planet. He would never take his life or this home for granted again. He would go on this last journey to save his friends, and then he planned to stay home for the rest of his life.
A frown appeared on Ohber's face. Nabvan asked, "Has this been too much for you? Do you need medication?"
Ohber reassured him, "I have drawn strength from this walk. I am fine. It is Valeri that concerns me. Will she go with us to Earth? Will I lose her to her world? I had not thought of these things."
Nabvan shook his head, "She is not going with us. There is too much danger for her there at this moment. She will have to decide where she wishes to be when all of this is over. Do you want her to remain here?"
Ohber said, "My answer would be yes, but I also do not wish her to be unhappy. Earth is her planet as much as Milisaria is mine. She loves her brother, and he loves her. I do not know if she can live without him. Her father will be in danger when this ends. He may be imprisoned, or worse. She may feel the need to be by his side. He is an uncaring and greedy man, but he is still her family."
"She will have some time to consider her choice while we are gone. Alexis and Queen Destiney left Earth behind. They are kind and will help her with her decision. Do not take this worry with you. Leave it here." Nabvan pointed to the sea. "Let the sea wash away your fears. You go back to Earth as a warrior. Your mind must be clear and your heart ready for battle."
Ohber knew he was right. It was the first lesson each warrior was given. Never take your common worries into battle. Focus on your job. If your mind wanders, fellow warriors will die. Their blood will be on your hands and their burdens yours to carry.
"It is time to eat and tell our women goodbye. The warship is loaded and ready to depart." Nabvan led the way to the capitol building.
The warriors ate in a secluded area of the capital. They welcomed Ohber back to their ranks. He knew many of them. They had trained with him. The younger ones were excited to meet the knight that had come back from the dead. He was a celebrity in their eyes. They had heard stories of his capture, the experiments, and Valeri's rescue. It did not seem real to them. The stories fit into the same category as the ancient heroes they heard about in school. Their interest and praise made Ohber feel uncomfortable. He had grown used to being alone, without someone to talk to. Eating had been a necessity for survival. Here, with these young knights, it was a festive occasion. They had never starved, been locked away from the sky, or felt their organs seared from the heat of electricity. It was going to be difficult to integrate himself with the knights. He longed for Valeri and her understanding eyes. With her, he had no need to pretend that he was over the nightmare of the past years. She simply held him, and everything got better. He would miss her on this journey.
It was time to face the music. He had to tell Valeri he was going on the mission to Earth. She would be scared and worried about him. She had a right to be. He was scared and worried too. Could he handle being there? He hoped so.
Chapter 13:
Ohber found Valeri in his recovery room. She ran to him in relief. "Where have you been? I've been so worried. You need to be resting, not wandering through the capital. Alexis has agreed to let you have a nearby chamber all to yourself while you are healing. I convinced her that staying in here was too much like the lab on Earth." She tugged at his hand. "Come on; I'll take you there. You can rest in a comfortable bed and have something to eat. She will bring your medication to you later."
Ohber allowed himself to be led from the lab. It would be better to have some privacy when he told her his intentions anyway. The small chamber was a short walk down the hallway. It was not meant as a permanent home. It only held a bed and a table. There was a tiny bathroom and one small window. That window would have saved his sanity if he was staying. He could not be locked inside ever again.
"You never answered my question. Where have you been?" Valeri had noticed the uniform. She wasn't happy to see it. It made her worry.
"I have been with Nabvan. I asked him for a new uniform and a sword. He was kind enough to have me fitted for this one and some clothing changes. He also took me for a short walk outside." Ohber saw her about to protest. He held up his hand to stop her and continued, "We were careful. We went slowly and not too far. It was wonderful to smell the sea and feel the breeze. I believe it strengthens me. Then we ate a meal with the warriors, so I do not need any more food."
"You must be exhausted," Valeri stated. "Take off the uniform and get some rest."
Ohber put his hands on her shoulders and made her face him. "I cannot do that. The warship is leaving soon. I am going with King Siefer and Nabvan to Earth. They have agreed to let me go."
Valeri's shock and fear showed clearly. "You can't. Are they crazy? You are not well. That place will haunt you. I'm going to find Alexis. She won't allow this."
He stopped her easily. "You know I need to do this. I will never be rid of the nightmares unless I see them rescued. Besides, the other aliens trust me. The knights will frighten them. I can calm them and keep them safe. I have promised to take medication with me and rest on the warship. Nabvan will not let me fight. He made me swear to stay back if a battle started."
She hated to admit it, but Valeri knew he was right. "I don't like it, but I do understand. Promise me you will return unharmed. I can't lose you after all this."
Ohber pulled her into his arms, kissed her lips, and said, "I swear, I will come back to you." He leaned down for a deeper kiss and lost control. His hands drifted through her silken hair. He marveled at its soft texture. Her small body fit tightly against his large form. He felt powerful. It ignited a fire within his soul.
Valeri's tongue entered his mouth and played inside. He gasped in surprise. A warmth suffused his skin. Ohber's hands began to roam. He slid them down her back, along her sides, and back up to her full breasts. He squeezed them gently, and she moaned with pleasure. Using his second pair of arms, he cupped her backside and pulled her against his growing manhood.
He felt Valeri's pulse quicken as her hands explored his face, neck, and shoulders. They caressed his broad chest, searching for a way inside his uniform. Finding the hidden opening, she forced apart the fabric and slipped her fingers inside. Her hand lay flat against his beating heart. It kept time with her own.
Ohber wanted to touch her skin as well. He found the ties on the back of the skintight bodysuit and unlaced them. He splayed his hands over her bare back and sighed. Her skin was soft and delicate under his large, rough hands. He tugged at the shoulders of her outfit. She understood and pulled her arms out of the sleeves. Her round, full breasts were exposed to his hungry gaze.
Valeri felt vulnerable as Ohber stared unblinking at her breasts. Her skin turned a deep pink as she blushed. No one had ever looked at her with such hunger. It was intoxicating. She ripped at his uniform and bared his chest as well. His heart was pounding, showing her how excited she made him.
Ohber traced the curves of her breasts with his fingers. He loved the feel of her taut nipples. He lifted her by the waist and stood her on the bed. Her chest was now at the perfect height. His mouth suckled at her breast. His tongue flicked the nipple, causing her to shiver with pleasure. She held his head pressed to her chest and urged him on. He was happy to oblige.
Time lost all meaning as they became more involved in their explorations. Valeri's bodysuit quickly ended up on the floor. Ohber's hands and eyes roamed at will over every inch as it was uncovered. Her beauty was a revelation to him. He could spend hours just staring at her. The creaminess of her skin was a sharp contrast to the translucent skin of a Milisarian female. It fascinated him. He intended to touch every curve.
Valeri's body re
acted to his attention. Her nipples tightened, and her center grew wet. She longed for him to touch her there and stop the ache. She took his hand and guided it between her legs.
Ohber felt the warm dampness on his fingers. He enjoyed the knowledge that he had caused it. He touched the nub he found at the top of the slit and Valeri jumped. He delved into the hot, wet recesses and brought out the moisture to soothe the nub. Valeri's breath quickened as he played. He watched her face intently, moving his fingers faster and faster. She threw back her head and her body tensed. Her core squeezed his fingers as she pulsed through an intense orgasm.
Aware that their time was running short, Valeri began to tear at his uniform. He pushed her hands away, laughing. "I will need this later. Let me do it." Ohber hurried to strip off the clothes and toss them aside. He gave Valeri a few moments to study his nude body. He was still too thin, but the gray pallor was gone. The size of his erection made her eyes grow large and round. She reached out to touch the tip, and it grew harder instantly. A tiny drop of liquid adorned its end. She became bolder and ran her hands over is velvety hardness. Ohber's growl of pleasure filled the tiny room. She continued to rub him while leaning in and kissing his pounding heart.
Ohber was afraid that if she kept up her actions, he would explode. He had better plans for their time. He took her by the waist and laid her down on the bed. He ran all four hands over her body, caressing every inch. Then he started kissing her from her toes upward. He used his teeth to nip at the inside of her creamy thighs. She lifted her hips in response. He spread her legs and bent to feast on the prize he discovered. Valeri went stiff as his tongue roved over her wetness. He sucked on the nub and impaled her with his long tongue. Her tense body began to shake in anticipation. A few more strokes over her mound and she exploded once again.
Ohber slid slowly up her body and stared into her glowing eyes. They clung together for a moment. He watched her expression as he pushed gently at her opening with his hardness. Her eyes darkened with passion as he filled her softness. He paused at the halfway point, allowing her body to adjust to his large size. Valeri was having none of that. She grabbed his backside and shoved him forward. Raising her hips, she impaled herself. Her hot wetness surrounded him. Ohber moved back and forth in a slow rhythm. Tension built from the friction. Sweat poured off Ohber's brow and over their chests. The musky smell mingled with the odor of sex. Valeri wrapped her legs around his waist, and he pushed harder and faster. She imagined him reaching all the way to her heart. Together, they tumbled over the edge. Ohber's joyful shout shook the walls. She added her screams. He held tightly to Valeri and rolled over. She nestled onto his massive chest and let their pulse return to normal. She sighed, happy and content to stay there forever.
