"You must take some seriousness when meeting the Altarians. In our society, women take on powerful roles as well as the men. You have to show that you have strength, or they will not respect you.” Nah'Dara arched an eyebrow in his direction. No respect? I'm the shining beacon of respect! Her mind was going to be the death of her.
"What part of the galaxy do they live in? I have never heard of race treating women with no respect. It's sad, but I do feel like a trophy being passed around between kings.” Klehor was quick. His eyes lowered threateningly showing her just a glimpse of his temper. He straightened his back standing even taller over her. Nah'Dara actually swallowed another comment.
"Do not find reason to down my race, Nah'Dara.” Why did she have to taunt the big bad Altarian? “A fellow member of the House of LoMoq would not take it lightly that you berate the Altarian.” She took the hint deciding she would hold her tongue until blood spurted from her mouth.
This man gave her a look of seriousness that bordered on scary. Nah'Dara never knew that the Altarian were a proud race. She just thought they were nothing but a race of bloodthirsty warriors that loved nothing but war.
He eyed her in confusion. “Has any one sat down with you and told you what is to be expected?” Klehor always cared for her. Like the uncle that she never had, or one that she could trade for the other.
Nah'Dara shook her head. “No. They just throw books in my lap expecting me to understand.” When he seemed not to understand her she added, “I'm like the outsider here. No one bothers to sit down to tell me anything."
"It's no wonder. You talk as if you could lead an army.” Was it written somewhere on her for head? Was she that obvious?” Klehor smiled. “It's because the way you talk to others, which has everyone giving you the cold shoulder."
Nah'Dara smiled devilishly. Come to think of it, she had been a little edgy lately. A true snapdragon. “But still is that any reason to cut me out of my own life, to shove me away?” She folded her arms across her chest awaiting his answer, but he never gave it.
"We must continue,” as if to shrug her off. Klehor averted her gaze as he pulled her arms down to her sides. “Always keep them here. Don't fiddle with your hands. Stand up correct with your back straight.” He pushed her back a little straighter, and she could feel the muscles in her back starting to strain protesting against the growing knots. Nah'Dara could not help the groan that threatened to break through. “Stand up straight."
What? Did he think I was standing sideways? Though the straighter her back became, the more she realized it was going to be a heck of a time trying to get the knots out of her back.
Pushing aside the urge to rub the sore spots, Nah'Dara bit her bottom lip in an effort not to show her discomfort.
"Show your strength in your posture. A straight posture gives off respect and discipline for oneself.” And a terrible pain in the ... “You will be on the arm of the Great Prince. If the mate of the prince is seen slouching in public, it is a sign of disrespect."
Oh, goody. He said the man's title as if he happened to be a god.
Nah'Dara snorted. She could not believe what she was hearing. Not only was she forced to marry him, she was also going to be the trophy piece? Nah'Dara did not think so.
The glorified stick in the mud.
"Remember. You will be in the public eye. You will be the one they will look at. As a symbol of hope and strength. Therefore, you would need to show them in a silent way."
The next thing she knew, he would tell her women should be seen and not heard. She rolled her eyes. It was getting harder and harder to visualize the Altarians as anything but uncivilized.
"This is giving me a headache. Nonstop, I have been learning a new language, walking a new way, without time to rest.” She raised her hand to top of her head. “I'm up to here with it. I'm going to sit down."
Nah'Dara walked from the middle of the room to a set of chairs that sat on the other side. Klehor walked over to her and sat beside her.
"This is a very serious matter. The Altarians and the Cylians have been in dispute over the trillium mining rights for years. We have it and don't use it. The Cylians use it and don't have it.” Nah'Dara arched an eyebrow and gave him a quirky smile.
"Kind of a love-hate situation huh?"
Klehor nodded. “Yes, but the alliance between your people and ours will be strengthened when you are wed to the Great Prince. Your uncle feels that it is time to put this ongoing battle behind us to try to move to a brighter future. You are the key to all this.” Her gaze was serious now. What right did her uncle have to play peacemaker with her in the middle.
"Why do I have to do it? Isn't that your job to negotiate treaties between worlds?"
He smiled smugly folding his arms across his broad chest.
"Yes, but I'm not what Lord Trenton had in mind this time. It is your job as spokesperson for the Alliance. That is why the Lord felt that it would benefit you most if I was the one going through the steps with you."
Klehor rose clutching the deep wooden cane in one hand, stood adjusting his back. “Now if you don't mind, I want to go through the acceptance speech with you again.” His deep green robe swayed as he walked half across the large entertainment room standing in its direct center.
"Now, my lady, I'm Great Prince LoMoq. I want you to present me with the acceptance."
Now she had to pretend Lord Klehor was that stuffy old prince. Already her mind was going into overdrive in what the guy looked like. She stuck with the customs not seen a halo-pic of him, wanting to keep it traditional, at least halfway abide by her uncle's wishes, but lately she had been picturing him not as a shriveled old man, but a young one with the looks of her dream warrior.
Nah'Dara slowly walked to the center of the room with her arms wide spread in the gesture of acceptance. She did as she was asked. If she did not, Lord Klehor would hunt her down all over the castle until he had his time training her. It was better to get this over with now than later. But Spirit, after she was finished, Nah'Dara made a point to head to the gym for some serious halo-vid Camtar bashing. What a sense of relief.
Nah'Dara concentrated on her next move as she stood, with her arms spread wide. Speaking in her best Altarian accent, she recited the words in a clear voice.
"We, the solemn people of the Notalvian Alliance, welcome your family into ours.” As she finished she bowed deep and noble with her back as stiff as a board. Lord Klehor stood in front of her just watching.
"Now if you would've done that the first time, we wouldn't have spent so many hours here.” Nah'Dara lowered her arms with a sigh of relief or Irritation, whatever is clever.
"Now, here is a lady I am proud to see though I hope you do not sigh so eagerly in front of the Great Prince.” His smile was warm. It was the one thing that brightened her thoughts for the moment.
Nah'Dara felt all the steam shoot from her body. “I'm exhausted. It's been a long day.” In addition, she was so tired of being the Royal Pun. She returned the smile carefully hiding the irritation that was boiling underneath the surface.
"Now. One more time, but only say the words. Make them clearer and more pronounced."
Yay, more tongue twisting. Nah'Dara bristled on the inside but still nodded in compliance. Only for Klehor, because he appeared not to be putting on a falseness that she would have easily seen through.
She spoke the words again articulating with crystal clarity.
"That is the way I want you to speak tonight.” He looked past her to the large expanse of windows that overlooked the rose gardens. The golden sun was setting slowly. Its golden hue spraying rays over the garden. He turned back to her his smile approving.
"It's getting late. I know that you'll be ready to meet Great Prince LoMoq tonight."
"Do you know when he'll arrive?"
Klehor shook his head. “No, but he will soon. Are anxious to meet him?"
No, desperate to get away. “Yes. Very nervous.” Spirit, she was a silver-tongued liar.
"There is nothing to worry about. Take my advice and things will go fine. The Great Prince will be very pleased.” Klehor bowed to her. “I have a gift for you before I leave.” From the folds of his robe, he pulled a small black box.
Nah'Dara's sour mood instantly picked up. No one gave her gifts. She barely received them for her birth anniversary. Nah'Dara's curious nature took over as she eyed the small box intently. He opened it inside was a small golden ring. Nah'Dara smiled.
"I wanted you to have this. This belonged to Lana on my home world before she died. I always wanted to give it to someone special since I have no family to pass it down. From the moment I met you, you remind me so much of her, defiant, lovely, very true to the nature of yourself. Since it is customary to give a gift after meeting, I thought that I should give this to you.” She pushed away the tears that threatened to well in her eyes. Nah'Dara reached high to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders.
"My lord, this is very beautiful.” He took the ring from the small box slipping it onto her slender finger. The small golden ring had an odd shine to it. Instead of it shining in a gold gleam, it gleamed blue.
"This is a very special ring, Nah'Dara. It was forged on the mountain of Whetloh on Altaria. Because of the special golden black ore there, its center shines blue. It is rare, just like you.” A compliment. Her smile brightened.
"Mi'lord I'm very honored.” He returned her smile.
"It would honor me more if you'd wear this ring when you meet the Great Prince.” Nah'Dara stared down at the beautiful ring with her heart sinking slowly to her stomach. Spirit, she felt guilty, but she did not want a marriage of convenience. No matter how much her uncle wanted the treaty, she could not go through with it. The rebellious side of her would not let her. He straightened his long brown robes pinning her with a serious gleam in his eye. “Be on your best behavior and try to hold your tongue until the night is over.” He smiled, but there was a warning in his eye. He tipped his head in a slight bow as he left the room.
Finally, he was gone. Nah'Dara felt like running and hiding. There was no way she would let anyone know about her plans. She planned to keep it that way. Someone would try to talk her out of it, she just knew. How would she ever have a chance to get away then? Talk to no one, her mind sounded. It was her only chance to miss meeting the Great Prince.
"Good."
Even the thought of his title brought a bad vision of him to her mind. He was a pompous man dressed in frills of lace and loud colored silks. Let us not forget fat with his potbelly sticking out almost dangling from under his tunic.
"What if he's nothing like that? Nah'Dara get a grip,” she chided herself. After what she had endured the last year rescuing her cousin she wanted absolutely nothing to do with men. “Who wants to be married to something like that?"
She remembered her uncle's words. She was going to marry this man after the treaty negotiations were final. She was such a victim to her over enhanced imagination.
What if he is cold, relentless and unforgiving? What if his skin is as cold as his emotions?
"I bet he kisses like a slobbering fool. His hands are big and scaly. He might as well be fat and barely tall enough to reach the height end of a bar stool."
She was more scared than angry, and it left her almost paralyzed. She had to run tonight. She could not wait any longer. There was no way she could marry this man.
Nah'Dara walked in a fast pace back to her room. Her mind ran through different scenarios in order to escape.
"I'll sneak off by ship in the middle of the night.” She shivered with anticipation.
As she entered her room, the lights brighten the room with a dim light.
"Computer.” She stalked across the room to face the mirror. The female halo-vid appeared. Her silver eyes held hers with interest.
"Computer, is my ship ready for my departure?” After a few chirps, the female came back with her answer.
"Yes, Lady Nah'Dara. The ship that you requested is fueled and ready.” Good, she thought. She liked it here, but she had to pass on being an auction piece.
"I want to depart as soon as everyone is asleep.” She went to her wardrobe and opened the large wooden doors. The only things that were in there were her elegant ball gowns and her everyday dresses.
"I can't wear these.” She sifted through them to find a pair of pants somewhere. Nothing. After moving here with her uncle, he would not allow her to wear such things.
"Computer, I need something different. What do you recommend?"
"I suggest a jumpsuit.” She turned to look back at the mirror.
"I'd wear it if I had it, but I don't.” The computer stared blankly back. Sighing she rolled her eyes in frustration. “What did you have in mind?"
All too delighted, the halo-vid disappeared replaced with a silver jumpsuit slowly rotating on display.
"This jumpsuit is reversible, thermal, and self-cleaning with environmental controls.” Nah'Dara was amazed. Okay, not bad.
"I didn't think you could replicate something like this.” Was it too much to ask for a different color?
"It is part of my programming to replicate anything with your physical dimensions.” Before she could even get the command out of her mouth, Nah'Dara heard a low hum emanating from the inside of her wardrobe. When she turned around, several suits were hanging neatly behind one of her gowns. She removed them, carefully inspecting the workmanship. It was impressive. She had no idea the computer could do such a thing.
Neatly, Nah'Dara placed them in her pack along her brush, some thongs for her hair, few pairs of panties and couple of bras. When the computer quickly reminded her that the suits came with their own supports, she gladly put the bras back in her drawer.
She zipped the sack placing it behind the large chair covering it with the bottom curtain.
"Is there anything else you would like me to do, Lady Nah'Dara?"
"No, that is all. Alarm me when the house is asleep in between the guard shift."
"Affirmative, Lady Nah'Dara. Logging off.” The shimmering mirror immediately replaced the woman's image. She was very pleased. Finally, she was going to handle things her way, no thanks to her uncle.
So what if she was running. So what if she happened to not care that it was going to endanger the house of Lehr. As if, they could give a fat rat about her. She was just a charity case after all, so why stay.
You know this is not a good idea, her consciousness practically yelled at her, but she did not care. She was going through with her plans. She was not going to be the wife to a man who did not love and respect her. Nope, she downright refused.
But what if he was like her dream warrior? She smiled suddenly. Dark hair, silver eyes, long legs, hard muscles, tight ass, long thick hot throbbing sex she would like to run her tongue all over. Immediately she creamed at the thought of him entering her. I do not think I would complain, she thought darkly.
She had not seen him in a while. The last time he had her down on the ground and screwed her brains out. She woke up so hot and bothered that she could barely contain it the next morning. Just the thought of it now had her wanting to take a sonic shower just to see to her own release.
She needed to loosen up. Her muscles were too tight to sit and read on more boring Altarian literature. Her mind too wound up on her dream warrior to even think about resting.
She pulled out the only pair of pants that she owned and a loose shirt perfect for only one thing. Camtar practice. She loved Crellian style of martial arts. Not only did it enhance mental capabilities, but also the flowing movements did wonders for sore muscles. The occasional difficult position helped. It was only private activity that she was able to enjoy while being here.
She unlaced her gown from the back, letting it slip to the ground then pulled on the pants with ease smiling. If she hurried, she would be just in time to get the halo-gyms before they start to fill.
The chime sounded on her door. She stopped.
"Who is it?”
Depending on the person, she might get away with wearing pants. No one dared to say anything.
"It's me, Kiana,” the small voice sounded through the door. Blowing a sigh of relief, Nah'Dara grabbed her discarded gown from the floor pulling it over her clothes. She smoothed out as many wrinkles as she could before answering the door.
"Come in.” The door pushed away just wide enough for Kiana to make it through. She clutched the end of her gown in her hands. Her golden hair twisted into a fancy roll on the back of her head. She smiled warmly to Nah'Dara.
"I came to see if you needed any help with getting ready."
Her mind a total blank, Nah'Dara gave Kiana a puzzled stare. “Ready for what?"
"For the banquet, silly! Everyone is going to be there.” The banquet. Nah'Dara had forgotten all about it. It was to signify the arrival of the Great Prince. She had no intention in going. She folded her arms over her chest.
"I'm not going.” Kiana saw right through her defiance.
"You forgot again, didn't you?” She waltzed around Nah'Dara heading straight for the computer.
Kiana addressed the computer prompting the woman to appear into the mirror turning her silver eyes on Kiana.
"Yes, Lady Kiana?"
"Replicate a gown using Nah'Dara's dimensions.” She looked Nah'Dara over ignoring her frown. “Color green."
Ekkk. Nah'Dara hated green. Though it brought out her eyes, she could not stand the color at all. She preferred purple most of all. “I don't like green."
Kiana swept a golden strand out of her face. “Well I think that you would look great in it. It brings out your eyes."
Nah'Dara swallowed the comment about sticking the gown where the sun did not shine. “Why are you in here?"
"Like I said, I wanted to see if you needed any help."
"I don't need any help so what is the real reason?"
Kiana's smile faltered slightly. “I wanted to see what you thought about meeting the Great Prince.” Kiana could barely hold her composure as she waited for her to answer.
Premonitions Page 5
