Premonitions

by Le aha Vaughn

  "No, I don't. If you think that you are going to make me then think again." Her stormy emerald eyes glowered at him from under dark brows. She tested his patience constantly. He gave her an even glare, amusement covered with irritation. Everything was a constant fight with her. He was tired of walking on eggshells around her.

  "Either you eat or you don't. It doesn't matter to me.” How could someone eat if they always kept their trap open? Before she went into another rage, he left her a bowl of replicated soup the table while she washed up in the lava. He left her alone, busying himself in the bridge.

  The tension in the air did not ease the growing frustration within him either. He was not used to women just completely closing him out. Most were very open to him more than he would like them to be. He never had a problem, until he met Nah'Dara. Spirit, she infuriated him but excited him in the same breath. Never had a woman stirred a feeling inside him since...

  He would not think about her now. He could not.

  He had given her free reign of the ship but she still did not want to be in his company. She only stepped from his quarters when she had to do what he had assigned for her.

  As for sleeping, she slept beside him, on top of the coverlet, as far to the other side of the bed as she could get. He had not touched her since the first night. He never dared, but oh, how he was tempted. The curve of her hip as she lay on her side called to him. He could never keep his eyes to himself while she slept. She was a lot better to get along with.

  He had given her his spare flight suit. The jacket did not fit right as it was specially tailored to fit him, but the shirt and the pants were useful. During the day, she would wear them. At night, she would bathe to take another one of his shirts to sleep in.

  The black tee she preferred fit her large breast well. Not snug fitting as he would like, but he could see the definite outline. All he wanted to do was to rub his face in the valley between them. He loved watching the way her breasts were pushed together as she laid on her side.

  That large rump of hers covered in the flight suit pants was just as tempting as her breasts. She laid there beside him with one leg outstretched and the other curled underneath her. The way her hand gently cupped her face while the other laid across her middle gave her an angelic look. Nevertheless, he did not let it fool him for a moment.

  She was no angel.

  Nah'Dara was a fiery temptress, a force to be reckoned with, and absolutely nothing like the detached royal he saw on the picture. He could still taste her on his lips, her scent forever embedded into his neural pathways. To be buried, in the warm folds of her slick hot sex, the one thing he craved was enough to throw him over the edge.

  A small devilish smile curved his lips. He found himself fanaticizing about her lying on his bed. Bare. Her legs open and waiting for him. Her wrists bound with the magna-cuffs he was so tempted to clasp her wrists pinning her to the headboard. Her large and round brown breast flattened against her chest with their peaks pointed to attention. He growled.

  It was all he thought about lately.

  In a fit of sexual frustration, he always turned his back to her. Though, it never stopped him from thinking about her lying under him naked. He would give her time ... for now. After all, in a few weeks she was going to be his bride.

  Eriq entered the small eating lounge not shocked that dinner was already made for him. Fully replicated steaming hot food just waiting for him on the small table. There was only one setting, and he hated to eat alone. He looked around the mess hall for any sign of Nah'Dara, but there was none.

  He reached out to touch her mind, but was met with a wall solid enough to push him back, but he knew where she was. She had her mental block in place often enough. He saw her lying across the bed with her head face down in the pillow, tears streaming down her lovely dark face. Her back heaved with each sob. After that, he saw no more. His heart broke with each moment that passed.

  Eriq left the eating lounge heading for the sleep quarters. He knew the door would be locked. It was obvious that she did not want to be disturbed. He could hear her muffled sobs through the portal. He had to end it. It was breaking his heart knowing that he caused her this much pain.

  "Nah'Dara, are you alright?"

  Nah'Dara cut off her last sob quickly when Eriq's deep voice sounded from the other side of the door. She did not want him to see her like this, or better yet, not at all.

  "I'm fine, LoMoq. Go away.” She replied as she wiped her face with her sleeve.

  "I'm coming in, Nah'Dara."

  "No!” She said quickly. She did not feel mentally ready for him. She had to calm her nerves. Stall. “I'm not decent."

  "That necessarily isn't a bad thing.” She turned over. He was persistent. “Look, I just want to see that you are alright."

  "I am fine. Now go away.” She stuffed her locket inside of her shirt.

  "I'm opening the door."

  "Don't you dare open that door! I mean it. I cannot be held responsible for what happens. Nah'Dara heard his muffled laughter through the door.

  "So we're resorting to threats now?"

  "Yes. Anything to keep you away,” she retorted.

  "Am I that horrible of a host?” He was utterly shocked, but not by the attitude.

  "Does ‘tyrant’ mean anything to you?” Eriq tried not to laugh at her antics. He stilled when he heard another sniff. “Look, LoMoq. I don't feel like fighting with you today. Could you just leave me alone?"

  "Not until I know that you're alright."

  "Eriq,” She whined flopping back on the pillow.

  "Open the door, Nahni.” His voice was compassionate, almost patient.

  "No. Go away."

  His patience gave out quickly. “Fine! I'll open the door."

  That was all he said before the doors opened. He charged into the small quarters. She could not help the sharp intake of breath. In her mind, he was many things, but she would have never guessed that she saw compassion in his eyes. He watched her as he crossed the room stopping short of the bed.

  "Are you alright?” There was something about her lying across his bed supported by her elbows looking back at Eriq that stirred the longing deep inside him. The way her eyes, though narrowly looking at him, were dark with an anguish he had not seen before, and he was desperate to know why.

  Nah'Dara, not wanting to tell him anything, put a wall. “What do you care? I don't have the strength to fight right now."

  He stepped closer to the bed.

  "I heard you crying. I wanted to see if you are alright.” So he had heard her. Fine. She never cried softly.

  Her tears had started falling and there was no stopping them. It had been a long time in coming. Though she had cried, she felt no different, no better than she had when she woke that morning.

  Clam up and don't talk, she thought. Besides, what would he know about anything she was going through?

  She rose from the bed standing in the middle of the room. Every muscle of hers ached in protest. “See I am fine. Now will you leave me alone?"

  "Nah'Dara.” He looked at her with his piercing eyes. Immediately she felt vulnerable, as an unease washed over her.

  "I'm fine,” she reassured him, but it did not appear to be working. She shivered under his intense gaze as if he saw right through her.

  Eriq could see her red-rimmed eyes; hearing the roughness in her voice. On top of that, he could feel her emotions. On every mental wave, the pain seemed to be broadcasted.

  "No, you're not. You're hurting.” He pointed to his chest above his heart. “In here."

  Slowly, he walked to her. She could see guilt contort his face.

  "I'm fine. It's nothing.” But more tears began to fall. The sight of them clenched his heart.

  Eriq reached for her, gently pulled her into his arms without fighting as she buried her face in his chest. He surrounded her in his strength. She melted into him. His chest was a blanket of warmth and steady reassurance.

  She inhaled his sce
nt with every sniff, closing her eyes putting it to memory. Earthy male, leather, warmth, clean.

  Eriq stroked her back while he rocked her gently. Each stroke of his large warm hands sent unexpected warmth to pool in the pit of her stomach.

  Melting the ice, she thought.

  Her hands rested gently on his chest welcoming the feel of his corded muscled under her palm. Nah'Dara let the walls guarding her fall down completely, the pain inside her, loss, anguish, all of it, to the ground along with the tears.

  Eriq let her cry. He could feel her pain running deep through her as he soothed her with gentle words in Altarian until the sobs subsided.

  He gently gripped her chin, pulling her eyes to meet his. “Tell me, Nahni. What's wrong?"

  Something in Nah'Dara wanted to tell him, wanted to confide in him despite if he was the enemy. She was tired of keeping up the brave facade so that she would not get hurt. She smiled at him feeling suddenly embarrassed that she was leaning on a total stranger.

  "It's silly.” There was gentleness in his eyes that she did not expect.

  "It isn't, if you're crying.” He actually cared. She questioned him with a raised brow.

  "Why is it so important to you?” He looked at her with all the seriousness that he could muster.

  "Because anything that brings you this much sorrow doesn't need to be held in."

  And he cared deeply, she thought. She looked him over making sure that he was serious. She could hear him in her mind, a gentle whisper.

  Tell me. Confide in me. Trust me.

  She was tired of holding it in. All the pain that she had been carrying over the death of her parents was tearing her apart.

  She took a shaking breath and began, not sure of how he was going to react. “I miss my parents."

  Nah'Dara pulled the locket from the inside of her shirt holding it closer to him.

  Eriq took it gently opening the folds to a man on one side with piercing silver eyes. His lips were kept in a thin line, but his eyes held gentle humor within. His head was encased in a large golden crown, which covered the better part of his silver hair. The woman, on the other side, sat there with a small smile tugging full brown lips and soulful brown eye that shined from under short brown hair.

  "They died when I was sixteen.” She smiled lovingly down into the locket. The memories of them replayed in her mind.

  "My father was Lord Darien Lehr. He was a great man. I used to sit on his lap while he toured the military camps of our world. As I grew older, he let me train with the best of men making sure I knew what all I needed to know about how to defend myself.

  "My mother,” Nah'Dara continued her voice going suddenly quiet with awe “was Lady LaReina. She was so beautiful. She tried to teach me culture, but my father had a hand in that.” She chuckled. “He wanted a boy when I was born, but when he found out I was a girl, he was happy as well. I never understood why, but he made sure I knew how to take care of myself. Made sure I could stand on my own.” She chuckled.

  "I loved them so much.” She gently pried the locket from his fingers, closing the folds then placing it inside her shirt. The warm gold metal brushed up against her breast. “I guess everything that had happened within the last few weeks was starting to come to a head."

  Eriq never said a word. He just looked at her with those piercing silver eyes that sent nervous giggle bubbling from her. She put her hands on his chest giving him a good-natured pat then wiped away a tear.

  "See? It was silly. I'm sorry I bothered you."

  He gently held her hands and studied them. Her beautiful left hand was slightly bruised. It was a purple color blemishing her skin where she used it the other day.

  "You're hurt.” The warmth from his hand slowly traveled igniting small fires along the way. Nah'Dara could not decide if she wanted to pull her hand back or enjoy the feel of it. Though she liked the feel of her hand in his, she gently took back her hand, shocked by his sudden caring mood.

  "It's okay. It's fine, really.” He grasped her hand again, his eyes daring her to pull away. Mesmerized, Nah'Dara sat there unable to break his gaze.

  "Let me repair it.” Slowly his thumb stroked her soft skin igniting a flame with its simple touch. Her pulse quickened.

  "Uh-huh.” Her voice was breathless again.

  Underneath the tough facade that she put on, she was actually fragile. It went straight to Eriq's heart; something that he did not think was possible. He felt her pulse quicken as he touch her skin, and he wanted more. It was as if an invisible force was drawing him to her. He loved the way her skin felt so smooth, so warm against his fingertips. He wanted her to get used to him. To see the real side of him, not just the heartless Great Prince that frequented her mind.

  He touched her mind, wanting to see what she was thinking.

  Why is he being so nice to me? Is there a catch to it? He's so gentle. Nice. Nothing like I thought...

  His lips curled slightly even as he focused on her obvious frown. He could feel her wall blocking him almost immediately. He pulled back. Intrigued by the fact that she was so strong.

  "Is something wrong?"

  "Are you going to fix it or are you going to just stand there and look at it?” She smiled gently trying to lightening the mood.

  "Uh, yeah.” He regretted releasing her hand, feeling the loss of her warm palm against his. He walked to the lavatory to bring back with him a small black box. Her hunger he picked up on while he was reading her thoughts. Knowing she would refuse, he did not ask. He watched the curves of her form from behind trying to push away every sexual image as he heard her thoughts again.

  He wasn't a brute after all.

  "No, I'm not. I'm rather a nice guy once you get to know me,” he sounded. She turned around to look at him, her bottom lip tightly tugged within her teeth.

  "You're a telepath. That's how you knew who I am, isn't it.” The corners of his mouth turned up into a rather smug grin.

  "You're an intriguing woman. I still have a picture of you in my archives going from that. Not to mention when I'm near you, you give off this energy that I can sense. I had no idea that mentally you were so strong."

  Slowly, Nah'Dara walked to him. Her eyes were glazed from past tears but a light smile touched her lips. “Well now, tell me, Mr. I-can-see-into-your-Soul, what am I thinking, now?"

  That was too easy.

  Eriq closed his eyes just for show, unable to resist. He did not need to close his eyes to look into her mind. That was just what most people thought. He peeked at her from the slits in his eyes. Nah'Dara had closed her eyes letting down her guard allowing him to look inside. Unease flooded through her. He could feel the wall being erected in front of him.

  Nah'Dara's imagination picked odd times to come alive—this time reeking havoc on the image of his full lips on hers. Of all the times for her to think about being kissed! The stray thought caused a churning in the pit of her stomach.

  "If I do, you have to let me. No walls."

  She raised a brow to him. “What? Walls?"

  "Barriers. Your defenses. You have to let them down."

  She eyed him suspiciously. “You're not going to plant one of those suggestions in my head like strip of my clothing and sing, are you?” The words were out before she could stop them. He smiled easily, his eyes alight with mischief. She felt the pull of him strong in her womb.

  "Not a bad idea,” he purred eyeing her wickedly. There was no harm in yanking her chain. She opened her mouth to issue a debate, when he silenced her with a hand. “I won't plant anything in your mind. Do you trust me?"

  Eriq felt her wanting to trust him to open up to him. He wanted to show her the way plus to also show her, that she could open up to him with out being judged.

  Nodding, she gave him a simple ‘yes'.

  Nah'Dara closed her eyes as Eriq stepped into her mind with ease, blocking out all the low hum of the ship's engines, even the faint huff of her breathing. For a moment, he visualized her thoughts in his mind, l
inking them with his own. He felt a smile slowly spread across his lips.

  Oh, yeah. No denying it now.

  "You want me to kiss you.” Her eyes flew open as she covered a small gasp with a cough. That is not what she was thinking ... on the surface. “That and you want me to get out.” She could not help the chuckle that rose from her throat.

  It was the first real laugh she had given him, though it was small. It was like music to his ears. Just as quickly, it was gone leaving behind the hint of a smile.

  "Neat trick, but what I really want you to do is fix my hand.” Nah'Dara sat down on the bed. He followed her holding the small black box. She looked at him skeptically.

  "It's just a med kit.” She looked inside the box when he opened it seeing it housed the basics. Thermo gauze, a small hand-held medical scanner, a tissue regenerator, and some antibiotic cream, but nothing sophisticated.

  He picked up the medical scanner gently gripping her hand to scan. The electricity was so intense he could feel her urge to pull her hand back.

  For a long moment, while he scanned, he said nothing to her not wanting to make her uncomfortable. He held her hand with extreme gentleness as the scanner did its work. Occasionally he would stop to inspect her hand then start again, not wanting to get lost into her eyes.

  "I'm sorry for your loss, my Lady.” The statement caught her by surprise and tensed, but quickly she relaxed, tentatively looking into his eyes.

  "Thank you, for letting me get it off my chest. You are the only one I have been able to talk to since their deaths.” Eriq raised his head from the small screen of the scanner giving her a gentle smile. His eyes saw into the depths of her soul through her emerald eyes.

  "Anytime. Just let me know.” He paused for a moment to look at her hand to inspect the work. “On Altaria, it's an honor to share something deep with a person they care for and give it back in return. The only thing I could do is let you have a look into my life. Eriq felt her shudder seeing the slight fear in her eyes."

  Was he serious? He heard her stray thought. His jaw ticked as he held his humor inside. Of course, he was serious.

  "I guess it would be okay."