They wandered the paths, Cilia asking questions about Laney and her life, and pointing out various plants often listing their medicinal qualities. When they came to a clearing, Cilia pulled her to a stop and nodded to the opposite side with a small smile. Laney searched out the shadows and spotted two warriors leaning against a tree.
“I thought men didn’t come here. What are they doing?”
“Watching over the next generation, I suspect.” She pointed to two very pregnant women sitting on the edge of a pool and laughing together.
Laney bit back the snort of disbelief that hovered on her lips. Cilia linked their arms and stepped onto a side path.
“I know it probably seems very strange to you. As strange as your ways seem to us.”
That was certainly true. She was well past the age of needing a babysitter. She resisted the urge to rest a palm over her belly. If she was pregnant, Alrik would be unbearably overprotective, she just knew it.
“You’ll find Delroi women doing most of the same jobs as women on Earth do. In most of the same positions of power. With the exception of the Army, of course.”
“Of course,” Laney agreed dryly. The one thing she knew how to do.
“The biggest difference in our cultures seems to be our men.”
Cilia laughed and Laney didn’t fight the need to join her, though her laughter was more nerves than mirth. The men were definitely different. Not only was their race just bigger, but they seemed so dour. Every time she saw one of them, he was stern-faced and cold-countenanced. Even Alrik’s smiles were rare and private.
“They’re possessive and autocratic, but completely devoted.”
“What good is devoted when it comes with a gilded cage? When I’m losing all my independence? My … purpose?” she asked bitterly.
“Alrik didn’t tell you anything, did he?” she asked disapprovingly.
Laney arched her eyebrows. He had left out a lot, but had seemed pretty clear on his expectations.
“We have a job in mind for you. Something I would imagine a good strategist should find interesting and fulfilling.”
Curious, she stopped and studied Cilia a minute before asking, trying to gage her seriousness. “What?”
“A diplomatic sort of position. Someone who can coordinate between our people, run interference, so to speak.”
Laney blinked, considering the possibilities of such a position. It didn’t sound like a bullshit, make-the-Earth-girl happy kind of job. It sounded like a retirement opportunity, the kind of thing she’d probably have found herself doing on Earth in a few years if the Delroi hadn’t shown up.
Cilia stopped walking and Laney saw they were back at the clearing with the lift about fifty yards away. She felt Alrik before she saw him, lifting her gaze to clash with his. Beside her Cilia snorted.
“See what I mean? Possessive.” She smiled at Alrik and continued. “He was always my favorite. He’s a good man. You should give him a chance to prove that.”
With that parting shot, Cilia returned to the depths of the garden, leaving Laney to face the challenge of her future alone.
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Chapter Seven
Alrik was furious when he sought her out, but when he saw Laney with his aunt his body did what it predictably did in her presence.
She plotted against them. He’d finally read Barak’s report, knew she’d had a meeting with one of the other Earth hostages about continuing the war and hadn’t mentioned any of it to him. The betrayal hurt worse than he would have believed possible before he met her, before he bound her to him.
He remained on the lift, gripping the rail as she sauntered towards him. If it had been a more pliable material, his fingers would have gouged grooves in it. He ruthlessly repressed his lust and concentrated on his anger.
He tried to force some objectivity into his observation of her. Saunter was not the right word. It implied she intentionally flaunted her femininity, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. No, she approached with her back straight, her stride brisk. All professional soldier, and yet that wasn’t what he saw at all.
He saw a gentle sway of hips, a faint welcoming smile on her lips, the gleam of fire and intelligence in her eyes. He saw a woman more alluring than the brightest star. And it was all a lie. Well maybe not a lie exactly, but none of it was meant for him. When she finally reached him and stopped, he saw uncertainty briefly flash across her face and realized she wasn’t aware of her appeal at all. And he realized with a force that nearly brought him to his knees that he wanted her for a lot more than the succor of her body or the heirs she would give him.
His anger disappeared as if it had never been and for the first time since he’d begun this enterprise he began to doubt.
Since he’d first seen her, he’d been determined to own her, possess her. He’d sought her compliance with a single-minded determination that virtually guaranteed her non-cooperation. Was it any wonder she was involved in conspiracy? Barak’s report shouldn’t have caught him by surprise.
She was a soldier, a warrior worthy of the name. The Butcher of Roses. He’d had moments of misgivings about her, but he hadn’t really allowed himself to think of her that way. He’d let his Delroi prejudice against women going to war color his judgment. He’d assumed she fought because she had no choice, because the male half of her species was so depleted. He’d also assumed she’d maybe not welcome but at least quickly adjust to a lesser role.
She came to a stop before him. Tilting her head to one side she frowned, but she didn’t reach out. Didn’t come closer. What would he have to do to solicit her comfort?
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He swung the gate open on the lift and motioned her forward. She joined him and he pushed the button to take them down.
“How did your meeting with Colonel Eldridge go last night?”
She pressed her lips together and shrugged one shoulder. “I wouldn’t call it a meeting.”
He turned to fully face her, resisted the urge to reach out and yank her to him.
“There isn’t a way out of this. I won’t let you go.”
Brilliant, idiot. Keep pushing her like that and she’ll wield the knife against you herself. Or die trying if the little I know of her is true.
He struggled to instill calm and reason into his racing heart. He wasn’t entirely stupid. Everything they were trying to accomplish here depended on Laney. His error had been in assuming she’d meekly fall into line.
Both her eyebrows lifted together and she spoke softly but he heard the dissatisfaction in her voice. “You can force my compliance, just as you can enforce this treaty.”
Her words were a shock. The more so when he realized he didn’t want to force her into anything. Something of what he was thinking must have been evident on his countenance. She pressed her lips together again, crossed her arms across her chest, and shook her head.
“I saw your armada, Alrik. My people may not have seen it yet, but I know what that means for us. That doesn’t mean any of us will be happy about it. It doesn’t mean you won’t still have opposition. I meant what I said … that first night. I can’t deny the physical connection between us, but my heart and mind are mine. And always will be if you insist on casting me in a submissive—not to mention uninformed—role. I’m used to being part of events. If you continue on this course I’ll always feel like a captive. Like a spoil of war. Is that really what you want?”
It was more words than she’d ever shared with him and several things were obvious. Cilia had filled her in on her future job, he’d bet. The not so subtle reminder of having nothing to do was a dead giveaway. He’d have to speak with Barak and Daggar about that.
The curious and fascinating bomb was that she expected to accept defeat without ever truly surrendering. She’d mentioned their first night—when she’d claimed she’d never spend her life with a barbarian. But she’d acknowledged the physical connection between them. It was a start, wasn’t i
t? His anger was gone. His suspicion of her was gone. She took a deep breath, but before she could go on he pulled her closer and laid a finger over her lips.
“I know. All I ask is that you let the rest come with time,” he whispered.
Shock widened her eyes, and he realized he hadn’t treated her with anything like tenderness before, outside of bed. It wasn’t the side of a warrior anyone ever saw, but he couldn’t deny he was feeling it. It made him uncomfortable. Soft feelings had no place in a warrior’s heart. Did they?
Her question came back to him. Was that what he really wanted of her? A warm and willing body and nothing else? She clearly thought so. He’d thought so not too long ago.
For the first time in years, he struggled to remember his parents. He’d been four when they died. His mind retained only images after more than thirty years. A proud, stern-faced father. A soft, gentle mother. But they were like stills, a frozen moment in time. Surely there had been more to them, more to their bond than just physical lust and shared children. What had his father felt? What could a warrior allow himself to feel for his der’lan without weakening himself?
“Now what?”
She was scowling up at him, and standing next to her, he was reminded of how small she was, how fragile she appeared.
“I was just thinking of my parents.”
The lift stopped and he led her down the corridor. He was surprised when she spoke. Hesitating, but it was a personal question all the same.
“Are they back on your planet?”
“Dead. Many years now.”
And finally, she reached out to him. She gripped his forearm and dug in her heels until he stopped along side her.
“I didn’t know. I thought your mother at least…”
He shook his head, swallowing past the unwelcome lump of emotion in his throat, and started walking again. She couldn’t keep pace and he slowed for her to catch up.
“So I should add your parents to the off limits column?”
He stopped. Scowled down at her. “What?”
She shrugged, but met his gaze with a hard one of her own. He felt a spike of pride. She wasn’t intimidated by him at all.
“You aren’t much of a talker. And never about anything important, right? Your parents. My role here. You know, outside of your bed?”
He heaved a sigh. What else could he do? Try to explain? Before he knew he was doing it, the words tumbled from his mouth. “I’m a Delroi warrior. Younger brother of the Overchief and Commander of all our Armies. People don’t ask me questions unless it is to clarify an order and I only share personal information with my brother.”
She resumed walking and stayed silent for several moments, obviously thinking it over.
“And you expect me to be like everyone else? Shut out of your life like one of your subordinates? Some kind of concubine or mistress?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t know how to respond, still wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted.
She sighed then murmured as she kept pace at his side. “I don’t think I can live like that.”
They reached the end of the corridor and he turned right. She moved alongside him without hesitation as if she’d known all along they were headed towards the shuttle bay.
One of the ships was waiting for them. Daggar and some of the household guard were standing around, joking and laughing, probably at some human’s expense. Laney’s face stayed expressionless but he saw her eyes flash, saw the question flash over her face. She wondered what was going on. Before she could approach the small vessel, he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the shadows. Everyone knew they’d arrived. They’d been seen, but it afforded a small measure of privacy at least. Not that he cared. It was a small courtesy for her. He cornered her against the wall. Shielded her with his body.
“Just. Give it some time, Sergeant Major.”
No longer able to resist, he kissed her. Slowly, carefully. Trying to inject the fragile hope he felt, the emotion he was afraid to feel. He kept it as gentle as he could, but he was undone. She moaned, that low sweet sound she made deep in her throat, and ground her pelvis against him. It was impossible not to give into the irresistible temptation that was Laney Bradford. Claim what was his. The Earth Sergeant Major. The Butcher of Roses. His der’lan.
Barak’s contact was late. Not unusual in and of itself. Except his gut was churning and his instinct was screaming. Trouble was coming and he was in no way prepared. He didn’t even know what it was.
The human had requested this meeting through a very complex set of arrangements. He’d used her before. He had no idea what her name was or what she looked like—she always met him hidden under a heavy hood. He knew she was a trap though. A woman the enemy forces had put into play to leak false information. Of course, sometimes the information was correct. It wasn’t like he’d trust a traitor who was always wrong, would he?
But she was late and he knew something was very, very wrong. Maybe it was her. Maybe she was late because she’d crossed the wrong person on her side of the fence. But he didn’t think so. He thought the uneasy feeling he had stemmed from the fact Daggar and Alrik were both planet-side and practically undefended. Both were with another woman, another human soldier who’d earned a very dangerous reputation for herself and whose allegiance was still uncertain.
From where he was hidden in a desert rock outcropping, he observed the storm of dust that heralded the approach of a small dune buggy. The vehicle pulled right up, a few feet away, and stopped. The engine turned off. The woman didn’t step out. She was cloaked and hooded as always, and he came out of the shadows. Then she surprised him. These Earth women were always full of surprises, weren’t they?
“I’m Kendall, and Laney Bradford is my friend.”
She lifted her head and threw the hood back from her face. He couldn’t say why it was that he couldn’t pull his gaze away. She was striking. Challenging and alluring. But not necessarily pretty. It was irritating this pull the women of Earth seemed to have gained over him. This one was not his any more than the woman she claimed was her friend, but he found himself fascinated by both.
He stepped out into the sand. “Is she? And what of it?”
The woman, Kendall, cocked her head to one side and gave him a cold smile. “I was told you are a patriot. That you could be trusted to protect your leaders. At any cost. And right now Laney is somehow involved with them, right? Is this true?”
“I’m sworn to the house of Torfa. I’ll protect them with all I can.” He avoided the question of Sergeant Major Laney Bradford.
She blinked, but that was the only reaction that she showed. “Fair enough. I guess that will have to do.”
She stepped out of her vehicle and the robe billowed around her in the heavy desert wind. She was wearing the standard military uniform under it but he caught a glimpse of their medical symbol on her collar. What the fuck? Their spy was a healer? She tugged the edges together before he could get anything more than a glimpse. She walked forward and stopped before him. He wanted to call her smile sly or devious, but it wasn’t. It was sweet and curious and several things a man like him had no right to wish for.
“My people vilify yours, you know. But I’m betting we aren’t very different. I’m a doctor.” She shrugged. “Human nature is what it is. It doesn’t change much from man to man.”
He didn’t answer. How could he? If she was going to break them down to the basest elements, the basest desires, he was inclined to agree with her. She arched an eyebrow when he didn’t answer.
“That being the case, I’m betting you have as many people opposed to this peace as we do. Yes?”
Reluctantly, he nodded his agreement.
“I’m not a spy, you understand? I think we can finally be all out in the open here.” This time her smile was friendly and open. “You and I both know what role I used to, um, occasionally serve for the Sergeant Major.”
She turned serious. “Anyway. I don’t really know what’s going on. I can’t r
each her. If I could, I would never have contacted you. I do know she’s one of the hostages and I heard a rumor she’s a target. I’m not sure from who.”
She paused, her frustration clear on her face. “This isn’t what I do. I don’t know how to find the information we need, but I know my Sergeant Major, my friend, is in trouble.”
He couldn’t say why he believed her, but he did. “What have you heard?”
Kendall sighed, but it was clearly a sound of exasperation. “I wish I knew. I know, you’re thinking that’s crazy and I don’t blame you. I’m not sure what I heard. Or when. But it was recently and it was something I either blew off or it didn’t register. Except now, whatever it was, it’s started to nag at my unconscious, ya know? It’s like I know I know something, but I have no idea what it is.”
He nodded. He knew exactly how she felt. The same nagging feeling had been with him for days.
“Can you get in touch with her?”
How did he answer that without inviting a whole lot more questions? No, but I might be able to reach her der’lan? They hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with the real reason for their coming to Earth so that was not an option.
“I might be able to get in touch with the people she’s with.”
She narrowed her eyes and studied him. He suddenly understood exactly how the bug under the microscope felt.
“Is she at the demonstration?”
It was Barak’s turn to narrow his eyes, and he stood taller, felt the veneer of civilization he tried to wear slip a little. Because in reality he was a cold man. A man driven to duty and honor who had to force himself to blend in, to sometimes portray a general easiness that was very far from his reality. She shrank back from the change in him.
“How do you know about that?”
His tone snapped some of the pride back into her spine. He couldn’t help but admire that and hoped if she did have a der’lan among his people it was a warrior worthy of her.
“I stood outside my post commander’s door today and eavesdropped on a conference call with Colonel Eldridge.”
Invasion Earth Page 8
