Premonitions

by Le aha Vaughn

  General Caegan burst into the room holding his phaser aimed high. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around her bare breast. He took one look at her, shed his jacket, and wrapped it around her shoulders. Sending her a reassuring wink, he whistled into the air then went to Eriq.

  Her brother came into view, the last person she expected to see. Erion pushed past the charging alliance fighters to get to her.

  Erion cupped her face in his large hands. “Nahni, were you hurt? Are you well?” His brown eyes filled with so much concern for her. So numb she was unable to speak even as he pulled her into his arms.

  He held her so tight she did not care if he pushed the air from her lungs. She inhaled his scent sending her into a fit of tears.

  "Oh, Spirit, I didn't think I was going to see you again,” she said through her tears.

  "I'm here now,” he soothed her. “It's over."

  Nah'Dara pushed away from him and walked to Eriq. Two guards tried to pull Eriq off Narl, but he shrugged them away. She saw him raise his fist to his face punching him twice before Narl laid still.

  Now, it was over.

  * * * *

  Two arms grabbed Eriq from behind stilling his hands. The red haze cleared. He saw the lord lying beneath him. Blood seeped from his nose and mouth. The hands pulled him up from the floor. He still wanted to kill the bastard for hurting her, for making her feel any pain.

  He shrugged the hands away from him as he punched the bastard in the nose and watched Narl's eyes roll closed. Eriq rose slowly, fighting with himself to leave the bastard bleeding turned only to find Nah'Dara. The fear he saw in her wide emerald eyes twisted his heart.

  As he enclosed his arms around her, he felt a presence behind him.

  "Erriiiq.” Time seemed to move in slow motion as he saw Nah'Dara leap forward throwing her body in front of his. He heard the whistle of metal through the air. Without thinking, he turned around to protect her. The dagger hit him in the middle back.

  "No!” Nah'Dara screamed. He felt the metal deep in his back going through his right shoulder blade. His blood poured from the wound down his back. Coldness spread through him.

  He pushed it away. Grabbing all the strength, all the will he found within him, he reached behind him pulling the sword from his back. The haze returned with a vengeance. When he turned around, he saw the lord's lips up turned into an evil scowl.

  Oh, but hell no! The bastard tried to kill his woman. He would die.

  In a swift move, he threw the dagger. It tumbled end over end before it embedded itself into Narl's chest.

  Narl's eyes widened in shock. He looked down at the dagger; his breath already gurgling with blood. Eriq watched as his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he dropped to his knees. His last curses filled with his blood as it rolled out of his mouth. Narl fell backward hard onto the floor. His head lolled to the side showing his lifeless grey stare.

  With Narl dead, Eriq took one last look at Nah'Dara before allowing the cold to surround him, giving in to the darkness that called him. He sank to the ground.

  "Eriq, no!” He heard her hoarse cry. The pain numbed him. The loss of blood had his heart slowing. With his last mental push, he entered her mind.

  Nahni, I love you. I always have and always will. Never forget that.

  Eriq felt himself slip into the darkness. Nah'Dara wrapped her arms around him. Her body warmed him, a comfort to the oncoming darkness.

  Oh, Spirit he's going to die. He heard her thoughts. Spirit, do not let him die!

  "Don't leave me. Please, Eriq. Don't leave me,” she pleaded, but no matter how he wanted to stay, he felt himself being pulled away.

  Never. He raised a shaky bloodied hand to her face to gently wipe her tears with his thumb. He pulled her face closer to his. Just one last kiss before he died. Just one last time to feel the warmth of her lips. Just one more time...

  As his mind met the darkness, he helplessly thought that if he had more time with her, he would have shown her how much he truly loved her, even if she did not.

  * * * *

  Nah'Dara felt the soft caress of his lips stop pulling away in horror.

  "Eriq?"

  She shook him. No, he could not be gone. Not like this. Not like this.

  "No!” she cried in anguish. “You're not going to die on me. I won't let you.” She covered her mouth with his and breathed her life into him.

  "You're going to stay with me."

  Breathe!

  "You're going to father my children!"

  Breathe!

  "I'm won't live with out you!"

  Breathe!

  "I love you, Eriq LoMoq!"

  Breathe!

  Nah'Dara placed her head on his chest hearing his heart slowly beating. The sound was weak against her ear. His chest expanded with a deep breath.

  That's it, Eriq. Stay with me, my love. Don't leave me.

  "Medic!” She heard Erion yell. Tears blurred her vision as she looked to him for help. He knelt down next to her clutching her hand.

  Seconds seemed like hours before someone came. The room filled with Alliance medic and Altarian warriors. They rushed to Eriq starting to work on him, trying to stabilize him.

  Rolling him onto his side, they placed a medimat underneath him. The silver cloth-like sheet brightened surrounding Eriq in a clear blue shield. The shield displayed his vitals, which were red. Not good at all.

  The medic pressed a series of buttons levitating the medimat. Nah'Dara walked to Eriq's unconscious body to place a kiss on the shield where his head lay. She nodded to the medic.

  "Medic to ship. Two to transport to infirmary.” A white light surrounded them. They paused for a second, then, dissolved into air, transported away.

  Chapter 25

  The moment she materialized onto the deck of the ship, Nah'Dara headed straight for the Infirmary with Erion trailing behind her several steps. She reached the infirmary quickly taking the lift to the second floor. She saw Eriq lying as still as death on the med-table. Slowly she went to his side.

  "My lady?” the doctor sounded form behind her.

  "How is he?” Her voice cracked with each word.

  "I don't understand. Physically, he should be fine. I've repaired the damage that was done to him, several broken ribs and internal bleeding, but he is in a coma. The brain activity is minimal."

  Nah'Dara walked to him slowly. The color drained form his face leaving him ghostly pale. Her heart fell to her stomach as she laced her hand into his.

  "That's not all, I'm afraid."

  She already knew. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach. “He's dying."

  "Yes. There has been a steady drop in his brain activity affecting his heart and his lungs. To compensate for the drop, I placed him on cortical stimulator keeping him under a close monitor. There isn't more I could do. I'm sorry."

  This could not be happening. Nah'Dara felt as if her heart had been ripped out and thrown in a bloodied mass on the floor. She was bone weary, tired of holding in all the pain and grief. She let the tears fall freely, laying her head on his chest. Not even the slow and steady beat of his heart was enough to ease her.

  "Don't leave me, Eriq. Please,” she sobbed gently against his chest.

  Two hands gently grasped her shoulders.

  "Nahni, it's okay.” Erion's deep voice gently said to her.

  He eased her up and pulled her into his arms. As she cried, he gently rocked her. “Come on. I'll take you to your quarters."

  "No,” she pushed away from him to grasp Eriq's hand again. “I don't want to leave him.

  "Nahni, he's not going anywhere and you need your rest. Come,” Erion said as he took her other hand. “Let me take you back."

  She while not tired reluctantly nodded. She looked to the doctor. Would he let you know?

  "I will call you if anything changes."

  "Thank you.” Nah'Dara murmured, taking one last look at Eriq before she left.

  They walked down the corridor i
n silence, taking the lift down to the seventh level to the sleeping quarters.

  "I talked to Kiana today,” Erion said, trying to break the silence. “She says that Uncle Trenton had been upset since you left."

  Somehow, it did not matter anymore. Nothing did.

  "She says he just wanted to hear from you. I told him you were alright, but he wanted to hear it from you."

  The old goat still did not want to see her. “Why couldn't he tell me that himself."

  "Nahni, he didn't know where you were. All we knew was that you and the Great Prince were missing."

  "Well, I've been missing for a week, Erion. He should be right here with you instead of on Habias Prime."

  "I'm here. Doesn't that count?"

  "No. You left me.” Years of pint up anger spilled out. “You sent me to Uncle Trenton thinking it was for the best, but you were wrong. You left me there when I needed you."

  "I understand—"

  "Don't you dare stand there saying you understand how I feel when you have no idea what I've been through.” She turned on him full force letting all of the hurt and pain flow from her. “I lost Mom and Dad. I lost you and now the man I love is lying in the infirmary not expected to live. How in the hell do you expect me to feel right now, Erion? You left me with nothing. You took me from our home to throw me with an uncle who never knew me."

  "Nahni, I'm sorry.” His eyes pleaded with her. “I couldn't take care of you. The Service demanded me, and the Alliance counsels were going to take you away if I did not place you. Uncle Trenton was the only one willing to take you."

  "Why did you leave me, Eriq? I would've been a lot happier if you were here with me.” Erion's dark eyes changed from pain to sympathy.

  Nah'Dara frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?"

  Erion smiled. “I'm sorry, Nahni. My sister's in love.” He sighed letting a moment pass before he spoke again. “I'm not Eriq, but I have always been there for you. I never wanted to leave you.” He touched her face gently. “How could I leave someone so close to me, Nahni? All I know is that you're hurting now, and I'm here. Whatever you want to do to me, cry, wail, beat the living daylights out of me, I don't care. Just please don't shut me out.” He raised his arms in a sign of surrender.

  How could she refuse? Nah'Dara ran into his arms. Yes, she was still angry with him, but it could wait.

  "I'm glad you're here."

  "Good, then you won't mind me tell you to go in your quarters and soak."

  Nah'Dara raised a brow. “I don't need to soak."

  Erion laughed leading her towards her room. “I didn't want to be mean, but by the Spirits, you stink. I had some rose scented soaps replicated for you.” He sniffed her hair. “Whew, I think you'll need to use the entire bottle."

  Nah'Dara swatted him for his mean since of humor. Just like a brother, she thought, but she was so glad he was here with her. When she reached her room she gave Erion a peck on the cheek saying, “Thanks, big brother,” before stepping through the door.

  Not wasting any time, Nah'Dara quickly showered, taking time to wash the sweat and from her hair and changed into a deep green tunic and black pants. She did not bother with her wet hair, settling instead to braid it.

  Spirit, what if he did not wake? The thought of loosing him frayed on more than she could bear. Tears streamed down her face in rivers of sadness. She could not loose him. He fought to save her and now his spirit slowly slipped away. She said a prayer to the spirits to help her.

  Something Eriq had once told her entered her mind pushing out all other thoughts.

  Mireya and I were never bonded together.

  He told her once before while they were on the planet. She wanted to be with him more than anything. Yet, how was she going to bond with him.

  Her skin began to tingle, a feeling starting from the top of her head and traveled her entire body, settling low in her stomach. Nah'Dara almost killed over as the familiar sensation claimed her. Eriq called to her.

  "Eriq?” Nah'Dara breathed. She could barely move. She felt the gentle caress of his touch on her body as if he were right there with her. A hand trailed from her face to her collarbone.

  Ceremony, his voice whispered into her mind.

  "What do I need?"

  Ceremony ... help me ... no time. His voice faded. She felt him slipping from her mind. What could she do? Bond with me.

  Fear coursed through her. “I don't know how, Eriq."

  Close your eyes. She did. Letting her mind take over, she concentrated on the sensation Eriq gave her honing in on him.

  "Eriq?"

  "I'm here, my love, but there is no time. I need to bond with you in order to live."

  "Okay, what do I do?"

  In an instant, the pants he wore disappeared. His glorious naked skin gleamed at her. He lowed himself to the ground beckoning her with his eye. “Come to me, Nah'Dara."

  Not able to resist him she followed. Her clothes disappeared as well. “How are you doing that?"

  He smiled at her as she straddled him. “I'll show you later."

  Eriq cupped her right breast rolling his thumb and forefinger over the sensitive nipple. She gasped in delight. Spirit she missed his touch. She creamed from the simplest touch from him.

  Gently gripping his hard erection, Nah'Dara angled it just right and then slowly impaled herself on him. She rocked her hips slowly, rolling them. Spirit, he was bigger this way, filling her more with his thick length.

  Eriq looked up at her with loving silver eyes whispering complements of how beautiful she was in Altarian. He rolled his hips along with hers matching thrust for thrust. He felt himself building. It was time.

  "Open your soul to me, Nahni.” She didn't know how, but she felt as if she were being pulled out of her mind leaving her feeling lightheaded. “That's it."

  Nah'Dara watched his eyes drift close and increased the pace. A golden light faintly shined around him. As he chanted the bonding words, she felt the power nestled in each syllable, in each thrust of his powerful hips.

  "My mind for your mind. My soul for your soul, my life for your life. I give to thee forever. We are bonded."

  Suddenly the pulling increased with a searing shaft of lightening overwhelmed her causing her to cry out as the climax took her over. Eriq was there quickly soothing her. “Breathe easy, my love."

  "Spirit...” she breathed.

  "I know.” Eriq continued to pump into her. His hand gripped the roundest part of her hips. She saw the golden aura around him grow brighter until it was almost blinding. She caressed a hand along his face as it started to fade away. “Nahni, you have to say the words."

  Nah'Dara heard him vaguely. She felt herself slipping away, but it didn't matter now. He would live.

  "Nah'Dara, say it! If you do not you will die.” Angrily, Eriq thrust into her. She smiled at him. The light around him gloriously brightened. “Please, Nah'Dara."

  The words formed on her tongue feeling the compulsion to say them back.

  "My mind for your mind. My soul for your soul. My life for your live. I give to thee, forever...” She felt lighter than air, feeling herself soaring. “We ... are ... bonded."

  A powerful wave moved over pulling her soul back into her body. A starburst fired showering them in brilliant shards of light as another orgasm claimed her just then.

  Eriq roared under her as his own climax claimed him. With a powerful thrust, he pulled her down to him covering his lips over hers.

  Nah'Dara opened her eyes falling several inches to the floor. She felt different, changed somehow, whole.

  An intense love wrapped around her.

  Eriq, she thought frantically.

  I love you, Nah'Dara. His deep voice sounded in her mind richer than ever before. Come to me, my love.

  The communication sounded overhead. “Lady Nah'Dara. You're needed in the infirmary."

  She never hesitated. With a speed that she did not know was in her she left her room to the lift, taking it b
ack to the second floor and the infirmary. Her heart pitted in her throat when she squeezed around the sliding door moving to slow for her taste.

  General Caegan stood in to room along with Erion who greeted her with a terawatt smile. They along with the doctor, moved aside for her giving her a view of the bed and who was sitting on it.

  Eriq looked at her pinning her with his deep grey eyes. Slowly he slid from the bed. She released the breath that she had not even realized that she held. Along with the rush of relief came a rush of anger.

  "Of all the stupid, idiotic, utterly brainless things to do! You could have died! And to think I thought you had at least a small amount of brain matter in your head.” Tears streamed down her face as she watched Eriq close the space between them.

  Nah'Dara crushed her lips to his, roughly dancing with his tongue. She pulled away to bury her head in the crook of his neck letting his warmth engulf her, his scent tickle her nose.

  He stroked her hair gently. “I'm not sorry and I'd do it a hundred times if the time calls for it."

  "Foolish man.” She hugged wanting to get closer.

  "Marry me.” Nah'Dara stopped to look into his eyes.

  "Why?"

  Eriq pinned her with his glare, his smile faded. “Well, for starters, I need to keep an eye on you."

  "Yeah, Nahni. Someone has to,” Erion voiced. Nah'Dara gave Erion a pointed stare promising death to the traitor and he closed his mouth.

  "And second, I love you. After all that we've been through, I want to marry you more now than ever."

  Nah'Dara felt like leaping from the bows of the ship, jumping, and singing. Hell, she was just happy he lived. Now he still wanted her. YIIIIPEEEE!

  Though her eyes shined like freshly polished emeralds sitting in the sun, Nah'Dara kept her voice calm. She wrapped her arms around his neck not wanting to ever let him go.

  "I'll take it into consideration, Altarian, under one condition."

  "And that would be?"

  "You never leave me again."

  Eriq sealed her mouth with his own, loving the caress of her full lips. “Consider it done."

  Epilogue

  Eriq watched her as she slept. The morning sun filtered in through the windows of his royal bed chamber. Her dark curls splayed across his arm. Several times, he had dipped his head to smell their scent. He loved to watch her sleep. Over the last couple of weeks, the link between them was renewed he could look in to her mind easily now. He gave her the privacy that she wanted, always would respect her until she was ready.