She accepted his hand and let him pull her out of the conveyance. She looked up at the massive building and frowned. “So this is your apartment, right?” It was a stark building on the outside but if she had learned anything it was that with his people you couldn’t judge a book by its cover.
“No, this is not where we will be sleeping while we’re in the city. This is the building where the administration of the military is housed. I need to hand in some things, sign a few more, and put in the requisitions for the supplies and fuel for when we depart. Then we’ll head for our meeting.” Hooking her arm through his, Petr led her inside the building, and they went to the lift at the back of the austere lobby.
Sam was nervous. They were only there to drop off some paperwork, so she didn’t know why she was as nervous as she was. She took a deep breath and found that Petr was so attuned to her moods that he squeezed her gently as they walked. “So the report that you’re turning in, they won’t keep you to go over it, will they?” She didn’t know how things worked on Imara, but she was curious to learn.
“No, they won’t keep me here for that. He gave the AI system a floor number and looked to her. “But it will be boring for you, Samantha. Not what I wanted your first impression of Imara to be. It does get better.”
She shrugged. “I’ll have you with me, so I’m good with it. Besides, this way I will be able to pick up a bit more of the languages that your people speak. Everyone has different sorts of accents.” It was like back home on Earth. Some people had a very distinct accent where others could blend in no matter where they were. “Oh, while you’re making supplies requests can you please ask for more of the candies that you gave to me? The ones I told you tasted like chocolate?” She knew he would understand because he had asked her at that time what chocolate was.
“It’s already on my list,” he assured her. The lift slowed, then came to a stop. Stepping off with her at his side, Petr led her through a set of glass sliding doors and up to a desk where he handed off his data pad. The young man behind the desk plugged in a cord, and after a few minutes passed the data pad back with a thank you. A minute later they were back on the lift.
“That was faster than I expected. That’s actually pretty awesome that it’s so easy for you to order your supplies. Hopefully, everything else will be just as easy,” she teased and bumped her shoulder to his.
“That was only the report,” he told her. The lift stopped again, and they were off moving through another hall. He led her through another set of doors and up to a waist-high counter. He passed over his data pad to the woman working behind it before turning his attention back on her.
“But we’ll have plenty of time here. I’ll give you a tour of the capital, take you out for a true Imarian meal with all the pomp and splendor that usually drives me crazy. And depending on what the seamstress has to say on the wardrobe we can do a day trip out to see some of the countryside. There is unfortunately not enough time to make the journey out to our house, but I promise our next visit home will be much longer.” He accepted the data pad back, took the other one the woman handed him, and after giving it a read pressed his thumb to the screen. “Thank you,” he told the woman. Taking Sam’s hand, they headed back out into the hall.
“That’s okay, I really don’t mind. When we get to see your home, our home, I want to know that we will be able to get as much time there as we possibly could. I’d like to spend a good week or more at your home so that I can learn all the ins and outs.” She was actually looking forward to being able to spend more than a few days in what he called their home. She hesitated a moment, then asked, “People won’t be staring at us, will they?” She didn’t want to be the center of attention but had a feeling she might because while she looked a great deal like Imarians, she also didn’t. She was very pale compared to the people she had met so far. She was also far shorter.
“There may be a few curious looks, but it’s considered extremely rude in our culture to stare outright at any individual. We will get a corner table, cozy in, and enjoy ourselves. I would not subject you to anything I knew you would be uncomfortable with, Samantha. I’ve chosen a smaller place, but one that will give you the full dining experience.” They got on the lift again and went down a couple of floors, where Petr repeated the process like before. Then they did it once more before they headed down to the lobby to leave the building. “Where we are meeting the ruling body is only a few buildings away. Would you like to walk it?” he asked. “If not we can take one of the conveyances over.”
“Walk it, please. I enjoy the exercise and it’s a beautiful day.” She turned her face up to the sun and sighed. “Being on a ship is pretty amazing and you really don’t even realize that you are on one but there is something incredible about being in the sun. Nothing can replace a beautiful day with a light breeze.”
“You could use a little sunlight,” he agreed. “After such a long journey, most of it trapped inside that chamber, I’m stunned you have yet to have any issue with being on another ship. Mine is slightly larger, but I would have thought the idea of being in space after such an arduous trip would have upset you.”
She shrugged and closed her eyes as she thought about his words. “Your ship is a great deal larger than the one that I was on. Besides, you’re there and that’s all that matters to me.” They continued to walk, her with her face turned to the sun and eyes closed. “I just want to be close to you. That’s what I need. Aside from that, your crew has been amazing to me and I really don’t even notice that I’m in a ship until I’m alone.” Which was rare, fortunately.
“We are like a small community on one of the cruisers. Given we house anywhere between fifteen hundred and two thousand souls on board at any given time, it’s difficult to find a moment to be alone. Unless you are an upper-ranking officer who has the privilege of private quarters, of course.”
“It’s like a very, very large family. Even games.” She snorted. “When a couple of the crew get together and start to play the games they have a good-natured fight every time. Those guys are hilarious.” Especially now that she had introduced a few more games to the people on the crew. “Oh, and if possible I would love to stop at a woodworker’s. I want to see if they can create a pool table for us to go on the ship.” She had no idea where the balls would come from, but she was sure they would figure it out. She wanted to get the pool table because the Imarians didn’t have anything at all like it and she was certain they would have a blast with it.
“We’ll find a place,” he said. Squeezing her hand, he lifted it to press a kiss to her knuckles. He had them cross a street. Then they walked around another corner, and he stopped before a very elegant building. Long and sweeping lines, lots of glass, and hundreds of trees and flowering bushes inside.
“Beautiful,” she whispered, and when he pulled a door open for her, she stepped in. The cool air surrounded them, and a sweet floral scent wafted through the air.
Petr tilted his head and led her over to a raised rectangular section with lots of different short shrubbery around the edges. Down the middle of the container were the most unusual and magnificent blooms she’d ever seen. “They are called treshemi,” he told her. They had the heavy scent that was almost a rose, but there were notes of something else. And they looked a lot like a lily but with the multiple layers of a rose. “They can only grow under certain and specific conditions. This is one of the few places where the public can see them up close instead of behind glass like they are in the hothouses.”
“This is incredible.” She reached out and touched one of the blooms. “Wow.” She leaned in and sniffed. “Would they grow where your ancestral home is?”
“Anything is possible, though they are a protected plant. If we were to put any out there, we would have to ensure they had a space that was carefully climate controlled. Which is not as difficult as it first sounds. One step at a time, little one. Let’s get to our meeting before we’re late.”
Petr waved her toward the back
of the building, where there appeared to be two winding staircases that reached from the main floor up to second floor. One that was quite a ways above them, given the height of the ceiling. He put a hand on her back and walked her around to the far one and she soon realized it was like the escalators back home but instead of being a straight line they had them curving elegantly.
She stepped onto the moving stairs and laughed. Her hand was on the moving banister as she looked to Petr. “Incredible.” She was simply amazed by the wonders of this place. The escalator-like conveyance was circular and something she had never seen before. “Now I see why the ceilings are so high.” They were as high as two, possibly three, stories back on Earth.
“It gives the building an airy feeling,” he said. “A lot of our structures, unless they are military in nature, have higher than average ceiling height. You will see that at the apartment. It’s one of the things our architects did to give us a sense of space after long confinement on the cruisers where space is at a premium.”
“Makes sense. I also love how the windows go from literally the floor to the ceiling. I just would hate to have to clean them,” she said with a bit of a laugh.
“They have an automated window cleaning system. The maintenance people lower it from the roof, fill up the reservoirs, and set it to do the job. It doesn’t take very long for the system to do a building of this size, and there is no need to endanger anyone needlessly.” Stepping off the escalator, Sam waited for Petr, then walked with him through a set of large double doors standing open up to a tall desk. He gave their names, and they were asked to have a seat while they waited.
She took a seat, then laughed when the seat molded to her body. She hadn’t expected that, at all. “That’s weird, but you know.” She moved back and sighed. “It’s actually perfect.” She was in awe of everything she was experiencing in this world. It was truly remarkable, the things that these people were able to do and had done. “Everything about this building makes me feel calm and at peace.”
Petr nodded before giving her one last piece of advice. “When we go back there, whatever happens, whatever they say, think but do not react immediately. Think over their words, and choose your own wisely.”
Sam considered that while she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, inhaling the fresh scent and letting the calm wash over her.
Chapter Ten
Sam must have dozed off because the next thing she knew Petr was shaking her awake. Jerking her head up off his shoulder, she blinked at the woman standing before them. “The ruling body is ready to see you now, miss. If you will follow me.”
Petr shot her an amused look when he stood and discreetly made a gesture at the corner of his mouth. Son of a— She’d damn well drooled!
Sam snorted and looked back at Petr. She reached her hand out, waiting for him to take it. God knew she didn’t want to go before them alone. When his hand was in hers, she smiled and gave it a squeeze. She was stronger with him at her side. She was also more relaxed there at his side. They followed the woman into a massive room.
Petr squeezed her fingers and tucked her in closer to his side. He stopped on a circular spot of glossy black marble, the only section surrounded by soft, white carpeting. With a sharp salute, he turned a little in her direction. “May I present my soul bond mate, Samantha Henry, formerly of Earth. Samantha, the ruling body of Imara, Johann Freitz, Veldor Schalt, and the honorable Mish-Laen Crooft.”
Samantha bowed her head as Petr introduced her to each of the members before her. “It is very nice to meet you all.” She was polite as well as softly spoken so she didn’t piss anyone off. “I have been learning a great deal about your culture and I have to say, your people are truly amazing and I’m blessed that Petr found me and took me in. Even better that he’s mine.” She couldn’t keep the emotion from her voice as she spoke.
The three individuals sitting behind the glossy white table all watched her. Sam could see the cunning intelligence in each gaze and knew they were looking for a weak spot. Petr remained silent at her side while they both waited to hear what these individuals had to say.
“Your manner of speech is most intriguing. We have been blessed with a copy of your craft’s databank. Most interesting reading,” the only woman before her said. Mish-Laen Crooft had no expression on her face while the two men sitting to each side of her both looked disgustingly smug. “We have yet to complete our reading but would invite you to return after we do to assist us in better understanding, if you would accept such an open invitation.”
Sam looked up at Petr, then back to the council. “As long as it is something that my soul bond mate is willing and able to come with me I am happy to return. I do, however, have to make sure that it doesn’t interfere with his schedule of duties.” Because she was part of a duo now, she was more than herself. “I defer to him in all things.” Which was the truth?
All three gave her measuring looks before the men turned to speak in hushed tones to the woman. Petr squeezed her hand and, though his expression didn’t change, Sam knew he would have smiled at her if he could. But as he’d told her previously you show the ruling body no weakness and as few clues to your own thoughts as possible. Speak in generalities while not being too vague as that could anger them. A very fine line, Sam was learning quickly.
The men settled back into their seats to stare at Sam. Mish-Laen tipped her head slightly. “We would insist you both returned as was permitted by Fleet Admiral van Jahnsen’s schedule. Now, before we allow you to continue with your day, we wish to inquire on one matter. Records shows a notification of bonding. Yet by Doctor Henry’s people’s standards there is also a wedding required to show you are a couple for life. This body wishes to know when the joyous event may occur.”
Sam didn’t have an answer for that, but Petr seemed to have been expecting it. “Samantha is still coming to terms with her new living situation, and learning of our people and customs. I thought it best to allow her at least a cycle to properly acclimate herself before pressuring her for more. This, too, allows her to better know me beyond what the bond has already shown to her.”
“Wise indeed, Admiral,” Mish-Laen said. “We look forward to seeing the announcement within our records in a sensible amount of time. Peace go with you both, and may the stars show you the path. Great spirits guide these two on their journey in life.” All three bowed their heads. Petr tugged on her hand and they made their way casually to the doors, which swung open to let them escape.
Once they were out of the building, Samantha looked up at Petr and let out a deep breath. “Oh my goodness. It almost felt as if they were probing the edges of my mind. Your people can’t do that, can they? Read people’s thoughts? I just am so happy to be out of there.” The men and woman had been intense and they had also been a bit scary as well. “And was that a threat, them saying that they are expecting a wedding announcement soon?”
“They cannot read thoughts, but the atmosphere they generate has many thinking they could potentially. To what they said…” Petr frowned when they stopped a distance from the building. “It definitely sounded like a threat. With them one is never completely sure what is, or is not, a threat. We’ll consider it is, but we won’t allow it to dictate how we live our lives. Now we should find a conveyance since the seamstress is closer to our apartment than it is here.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to force you into anything. Besides, I’m perfectly happy right now with things as they are. One thing that they didn’t notice in the databanks was that not all people who were in love married. As long as they were committed to each other that was all that mattered. Marriage wasn’t for everyone,” she said.
Once in the vehicle, and moving to the location Petr had input, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to pull her in close. “Are you saying you’re opposed to the idea of marriage?” he asked.
“No, I’m not opposed to it at all. I’ve always wanted to be married, but I don’t want to force you into something like that.” S
he shrugged and stroked her hand up and down his thigh. “I already have you and love you like crazy and I know that you love me. Do I want to marry you? Abso-freaking-lutely. But not because of an ultimatum from your ruling body.”
“Then we’ll proceed at our own pace, and if we choose to have a full ceremony, so be it. I want to marry you, Samantha Henry. Not for them, but for us alone.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and hugged her tighter. “Now then, have you thought more on what you would like for your wardrobe?”
****
A couple hours later Samantha had a wardrobe on order, two day dresses, some slacks, and a number of blouses in boxes to take with her when they left the shop. Shalleen, the seamstress, had promised everything that needed major adjustments would be completed in three days, while the rest of the wardrobe would take more time. Understandable, given each piece was to be made from scratch.
Petr tucked the boxes into a vehicle, and they were quickly on their way to the apartment. “You look flushed, little one. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just never been a very good shopper,” she admitted. “In fact, I really hate shopping. Back on Earth it was one of those things that I would wait until the absolute last moment to do. Seriously, I hated it. If I could, I would have done everything online, no joke.”
“Now that she has your measurements and preferences, we can order prior to our arrival so they only need to do a quick fitting. Not as efficient as your method, but the clothing does fit you better, you have to agree.”
“And she’s a wonderful lady, so that was a total positive,” she admitted. “I liked her and I think that woman will give me a fabulous wardrobe, one that befits me being your soul bonded mate.” She loved saying that. It made her smile, which was saying something in and of itself. “And yes, now that she has my sizes life will be good. Hopefully, I won’t gain weight in the meantime.”
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