Premonitions

by Le aha Vaughn

  The voice of reassurance. She sounded like a little frightened mouse than the brave tigress who punched in the jaw.

  "Good. When I'm finished, I'll show you."

  "As in look? I thought you were going to tell me."

  "Why tell you, when I can just show you."

  "With a mind link?” Nah'Dara whispered.

  Eriq nodded slightly, sending her a reassuring wink

  "What's the difference of telling me between showing me?"

  "I would rather show you so you can see the whole picture.” That and I want to link with you.

  The light from the tissue regenerator died down, finishing the job with three small beeps. Eriq enclosed it in the box and placed it on the floor. His hand never left hers. His intense gaze burned into hers with a longing she had never seen, growing darker by the moment.

  "Are you ready?” his deep voice resonated with the energy coursing through him.

  Nah'Dara was not, but nodded anyway.

  Mind links were outlawed because of the risk of brain overload. He had seen it done only once when he was child. The spiritual leader of his colony placed a link on a woman in a coma to guide her back to the living. It had worked, but with a price. The two were linked together, sharing thoughts for a time until the effects wore off.

  Eriq felt another pike of fear as she licked her lips. The small gesture had Eriq tracing the movement with fascination.

  "Have you done this before?” Her voice cracked slightly.

  "Once. But it only takes one time.” He slid closer to her on the bed. She wanted to edge away. But she was held fast by his glowing eyes.

  "There is something that you should know. Clear your mind before we do this. Let nothing occupy your mind or it will hurt us. Whatever you do, don't break the link between us. Let me break the link.” He slid a little closer until he could feel the warmth of her leg against his. He raised his hand, gently placing his fingertips on the side of her head.

  "Is there anything else I should know?"

  "Yeah. Mind links make me extremely horny afterwards.” He shot her a devilish smile.

  "Whoa there. No freaky-deeky here, mister. Mind link only."

  Eriq did not know what ‘freaky-deeky’ was, but by the spirits, the way she said it, he wanted to find out. Sending her another wink, he raised his hand. “You have my word as an honest warrior."

  "Something tells me I'll doubt it."

  "Don't you trust me?” Putting on his best trusting face he could manage, he turned up his smile a million degrees.

  Reluctantly, she relaxed. “Well, I guess I just have to."

  "That's reassuring, my Lady.” He said dryly. “Don't worry. You're in very capable hands.” Willing, too...

  His gentle hands surprised her when he smoothed a stray curl around her ear. Fear contorted her beautiful face taking her dark brows down into a frown. Immediately, he calmed her.

  "It'll be fine. There will be a moment's discomfort, and then it will be over.” He could not help himself. His fingers brushed her full bottom lip gently, longing to taste its sweetness.

  "Open your mind to me,” he commanded with his mind giving his voice the extra needed push. Eriq felt the rush of power surge through him into her, commanding her to obey him. She had no choice. The Voice had the power to command a man to his doom if so needed. For now, he relished in the triumph in knowing he finally had her obeying him.

  Chapter 10

  Nah'Dara's eyes rolled close as she concentrated on empting her mind for him.

  For him. She chuckled at that one. That was a first. She would have never thought that she would be opening up for a man. She concentrated on the soft whisper of his voice in her mind.

  She knew the moment he entered her mind. Tendrils of electricity rushed through her mind sending a stabbing pain to the front part of her head. The pain only lasted a moment, flooding her with a starburst of brilliant colors.

  The colors cleared leaving a picture in its wake. In an extravagantly decorated room, she saw a large man with broad shoulders and short brown hair gently holding a small infant in his arms swaddled in red cloth. Not far from them in a large bed lay the mother.

  She never said anything. Her eyes silently pleaded with him to understand. Nah'Dara thought Eriq was beautiful with raven hair wildly wrapped around his shoulders. The evidence of the birth of the child, surrounding all around her, with her husband wanting nothing more than to spend time with his wife and child.

  "I'm sorry, Theryn,” her voice breaking as she spoke. “He is not your son.” This was something he did not have in mind.

  His silver eyes that were once filled with warm and loving suddenly turned to shock. Rage coursed through him. He turned to the woman lying in a bed.

  "Who is this child's father, Angelis?” His voice was gentle with carefully placed anger. When Angelis did not say anything, Theryn roared at her in outrage. “You are my wife!"

  "And you had another woman!” She countered. “Pay back's a bitch, huh?"

  Nah'Dara watched the love quickly leave Theryn's eyes as he looked at Angelis with such malice her heart skipped a beat.

  Angelis reached her arms out for her son but Theryn held him away, looking at her with such contempt as if he could kill her with just a glare.

  "Give him to me, Theryn.” He held away from her.

  "No."

  "Give him to me!” she yelled. Theryn backed away from her towards the door.

  "Never. Since I'm not a father, then you will never be a mother."

  Angelis yelled trying to get to her son, but pain gripped her sending her staggering. The maid was quickly there, holding the woman to the bed.

  Theryn walked from the room, leaving Angelis to yell after them in anguish.

  Then, the picture shifted suddenly. Images melted until one blended out of focus and another came into view. The small infant lying in Theryn's arms quickly grew into a bright boy surrounded by children playing in a wheat field.

  He reminded Nah'Dara of a miniature Eriq with his dark hair blowing carelessly in the wind and mischievous silver eyes gleaming happily as he played in the early evening sun with other children of a distant colony. Shifting once more, the images melted and the boy was no longer young and carefree, but grew into a large man, a soldier, a warrior.

  A force of his own, conquering nations and planets, leading an army, protecting the Trillium Ore Mines near his home. He was not a royal, but he carried it with pride. He was a leader of a different stand and he enjoyed it. The carefree Eriq was wiped away replaced with a broad shouldered katana caring warrior with hauntingly dangerous silver eyes and military short hair. There seemed to be nothing holding him back.

  Shift...

  The image of the military warrior melted replaced by an inferno so great Nah'Dara shielded her mental eyes.

  Everything as far as the eye could see was destroyed. She saw Eriq standing over the slain men and women spread across the land. His arms rippling with muscles, as sweat poured off him, with blood everywhere. Her dreamed played out before her—gripping her in fear. She wanted to pull away, but someone had a hold of her so strong that she could not. Suddenly Eric was there in her mind comforting her.

  Don't pull away, Eriq's voice commanded her, though calming. Though fear racked her, she did as she was asked. Putting aside her fear, she continued to move forward in his mind.

  Quickly, the picture changed. Death surrounded her like the fog that camped around her ankles. The fire melted away until there was nothing but Eriq standing in the doorway of a darkened room. He stood before a woman, clothed in nothing but black, lying on a threadbare cot in the darkness of a dungeon.

  The woman's heart slowly thumped in her chest. Her silvery eyes looked to Eriq with loving, tenderness, but he stared down at her with the coldness of a soldier hardened by war.

  "Who are you?” he asked her.

  "I am your mother.” She labored each breath. Her silver hair seemed to loose its color. “It has been many
years since I've seen you.” Her weak smile creased her withered mouth. “Spirit above, how you've grown."

  "Why did you ask for me?"

  "Because there is something you needed to know before I leave this world. You are the son of Great Prince Eriq Santi LoMoq, sole heir to the Altarian throne."

  Nah'Dara felt his heart slam against his chest.

  "I don't wish to be Great Prince."

  He knelt beside her as she raised a withered hand to gently cup his face.

  "You have no choice, my son. You have to take the throne. There is no one left. It must be you."

  Nah'Dara felt Eriq wanted to say something, saw the warrior battle with the man on the inside for control, the warrior winning in triumph. He wanted to rage against the person that took him from his mother, but could not utter a single word.

  "My Eriq, I am dying. I am sorry you were taken from me long ago, but now is the time you lead your people. They need you. I know you are going to be a great leader."

  Nah'Dara felt her there in his mind through the link, filling it with the love of a mother, regret for not being there, joy in seeing him again before she left this world.

  I love you, my Eriq, with that last thought she closed her eyes as her life force left her body.

  The images shifted, fading to black, leaving Eriq kneeling by the bedside the vacant body of his mother.

  Nah'Dara felt the gentle pull as she surfaced. Her eyes fluttering open. She saw him then, her heart in knots. His eyes looked at her with a hungry intensity that seemed to burn the very essence of her leaving her breathless. Eriq was sitting too close with his fingers still resting on her temples.

  For some strange reason, she was looking at his lips. Full, pink tanned with the sun, parted slightly inviting her to taste them. His eyes burned as she looked at them. She could feel their pull on her, begging her to get closer.

  Kiss me, he thought. She happily complied covering his lips with her own gently tasting them. They were like heaven. Warm, full lips caressing and teasingly gentle. Spirit he was a wonderful kisser. She could feel herself melting into him. The blood burned in her veins like molten lava.

  Eriq held his breath hoping she had heard his thought. Through her tentative touch, he could tell that she was inexperienced. He held back. Her lips moved over his nipping, tasting. He whole-heartedly wanted to deepen the kiss. Wanted to taste the fullness of her mouth, but he let her do the exploring. Let her take control ... for now.

  His hand dipped into her hair, pulling her even closer. He heard her moan in pleasure. It took everything not to push his tongue through her soft lips, envisioning that it was something else that he would like to push through them.

  Eriq grew hard, straining against the seam in his pants. It wanted free. He wanted to rub against her warm, moist center, to be deep inside her. He growled. The need in him growing stronger and stronger as every second passed. His senses going wild, as he could smell her scent enveloping him. Of woman and roses. He could smell her arousal, untapped, beckoning him. Begging.

  He pulled away from her lips. He needed to stop or he was going to take her right here. Her lips were kiss swollen and trembling. Her beautiful green eyes glazed over, dark with arousal.

  "I—” He wanted to tell her that they could not but he did not get out a word before the ship rocked violently.

  Suddenly, the battle klaxons blared throughout the ship. Her eyes widened meeting his in silent shock.

  "What's going on?” She questioned him.

  "Computer, status report.” His voice growled into midair.

  "We are under attack. Shields are down to eighty-five percent.” His mind was still fuzzy from the mind link, but he showed her what he wanted her to know. He let her go a lot deeper than he wanted to, which left him weak, yet very aroused.

  * * * *

  He said something in his native language. Even though she could not figure out what he said, she knew that he just cursed. What ever it was, it was not good.

  "What?” Her fear spiked an extra level.

  "We have to get to the command center.” He rose from the bed pulling her with him roughly. He towered over her. His eyes that once were gentle and full of concern now burned at her with a fiery intensity. Gone was the inner eerie light that showed his mental power replaced by a look that could burn her very soul.

  "What are you doing?” Her eyes wide with fear.

  "Didn't you hear the computer?” Another violent shake. “We are under attack."

  Shock radiated through her. “What has that to do with me? I can just stay here."

  "Oh, no you aren't. You are going with me. I can't fend off pirates and keep an eye on you too.” She wanted to escape him at one point, but they had honestly connected for a second. The kiss they shared was soul shattering. Now that was over, it was back to square one.

  "I wasn't going to—"

  "Save it, Nah'Dara. I don't have time for this. I have to protect my ship.” He pulled her from the quarters and down the long dark corridor of the ship.

  Chapter 11

  Nah'Dara shrieked as, without warning, another blast rocked the ship. Eriq had pulled her up several times to stop her from tumbling onto the deck.

  "Are you sure you have no idea who is shooting at us?"

  She narrowed her gazed on him. Of all the nerve! “No. It could be anyone. You did kidnap a royal you know.” He never replied, not saying a word.

  Once they reached the bridge, he left her to stand behind his command chair. Another volley of laser fire lit the viewer casting the room in brilliant light as it bounced off the shields.

  "Shields at seventy-five percent,” the computer sounded.

  Eriq tapped into the screen. Every Altarian foul word filled his head. How did he manage to get into this much trouble with one woman? One minute he was in his castle minding his own business, the next he is running halfway across the galaxy after a woman who did not even like him. Now he was practically looking down the phaser barrels of three Cylian ships sitting off their port, armed and ready.

  "I don't believe this,” he murmured.

  "What? The Nakot?” Nah'Dara hunkered behind him to look at the screen. Her soft hair gently bushed his face, sending the scent of roses with it. It took all of him not to turn his head to her to inhale her scent.

  She stood up immediately, but not before his nostrils drowned in her scent. Suddenly nervous, she pushed her brown curls over her shoulder. “Umm, sorry."

  Pushing the growing need to have her in his arms again, Eriq focused on the screen. “Cylian fighters."

  A worried frown passed over her lovely face. “What are we going to do?"

  "Strap in,” he said gesturing at the empty command chair with his head. “Just in case they want to chase us."

  Ain't gotta tell me twice, he heard Nah'Dara's stray thought as she secured the straps across her body after adjusting her position in the command chair.

  An incoming message sounded the klaxons.

  "They're hailing us.” His heart pounded fiercely in his chest. There could be only one person of the entire Cylian race that would hail him. He nodded to Nah'Dara to release the transmission, but his mind already knew who it was.

  "It's good to see you again, brother.” The deep voice of his brother said over the speakers. His jaw clenched tightly to keep from saying all the nasty words that were coming to his mind.

  "Theron.” He said through his tightly closed teeth. “Why am I not surprised?"

  "It's Lord Narl, by the way. You're happy to see me, brother?"

  "Why would I be happy to see a traitor?"

  The communication system filled with Theron's dark laughter. “Is that any way to talk to family?"

  "You are no family of mine."

  "Why brother, I am shocked at your behavior. And in front of company.” His cold gaze turned to Nah'Dara. “I see you have another one to fill your bed.” His laugh was just as chilling. “She is better looking than that last bitch that you had. I think
I will have a lot of fun with her."

  "I would like to see you try."

  "Why, brother. Not willing to share?"

  "I'll kill you first."

  "Not before I do and that, Dear Brother, I promise.” He ended the transmission.

  Phaser fire rocked the ship once again. Brother? She had known about all of his brother's and sisters, but she thought they were all gone. Nah'Dara looked to Eriq, a thousand questions firing in her mind.

  "Not now,” was the only thing he said. “I'm going to try to lose them.” Just the thought about a space fight had sent her heart racing. It had been so long. She loved it adding more fuel to her fire. Wanting to lend as much help as she could, Nah'Dara tapped into the tactical array.

  "I hope you know tactical,” he murmured.

  She let a saucy retort die on her lips, her thoughts concentrating on the task at hand. Nah'Dara let her fingers fly over the console.

  "I got this, LoMoq.” She sent them another volley. One managed to hit their starboard nacelles.

  "Just checking."

  "Direct hit to the lead ship!” She yelped in excitement. The thrill was overwhelming.

  As the lead ship backed off, the other ships charged ahead after them sending more phaser fire their way. From the power of each blast, they were still sore from being hit by the last volley. The ship streaked a phaser blast off the port nacelle.

  "Didn't you learn how to shoot?” He dodged it gracefully, pulling the ship into a diving roll. She pulled against the strain. Eriq accelerated the speed of the ship. The ship rocked as the lasers fired around them.

  "Didn't you learn how to drive?” she countered, unable to stop the comment from leaving her lips. The glare he sent her was filled with such malice that she jerked. “Don't look at me like that! I didn't know they would come after us. Not my fault.” Eriq didn't say another word as he just concentrated on getting away.

  "They're charging the EMP!” she shrieked. The sensors blared in confirmation. Eriq continued to dodge the volley of phaser fire.

  "I'm going into hyper drive."

  "No!” Nah'Dara yelled against the strain. Quickly, he punched in the coordinates. The ship began to rock violently. The EMP hit them, sending blinding white light into the command center. The ship's systems sparked, sizzling before going dead. But the ship still had momentum.