Alea nodded and hurried to do her morning toilet. “I will be right out. Can you get me a black dress out of the chest? If there is more than one choice…pick your favorite.” After relieving herself, she jumped into the shower and washed as quickly as she could. Taking a towel and drying off she hurried into the bedroom. Maliuth had laid out his choice for her on the bed.
“I will help you into the dress, and then I can fix your hair.” Alea was happy for the weight of the material, it wasn’t see through and with her body responding to Maliuth as usual, she wasn’t going to embarrass herself with something showing that she would rather didn’t. It draped similarly to the blue one from yesterday. The scooped neck showed off the tops of her breasts and since it was off the shoulder, her tattoo stood out against her pale skin.
Maliuth moved to stand in front of a vanity so she followed. Aware of the lack of underwear she asked. “Do the women here in Abondiel wear undergarments?” At his puzzled look she clarified, “Something to hold up or cover their breasts. Also, something on the bottom half to cover…” She trailed off at his nod of understanding.
“I think during their yearly female time they wear undergarments on the bottom half, the merchants will have some. Otherwise, I don’t think the females have found a need for them. Especially this top you describe. Why would a female want to cover her breasts when they are already covered?”
“If a woman’s breasts start to sag, an undergarment can hold them up.” Alea indicated her chest to answer his question. She was distracted by the information he had just given her. Had she heard him correctly? The women of Abondiel only had their female time once a year. No wonder the population was held to a minimum. He had gestured for her to sit in the chair so she sat.
“I don’t think the women of Abondiel have that problem. I am unaware of this issue at any rate. You can ask my mother if you would like. She can tell you all about what you will need as a woman here on Prion.”
“What happens if I get pregnant? Would the council leave us alone then?” With the brush moving through her hair and his fingers following with that hair gel, Alea could barely manage to form a coherent question. The erotic feel of his touch and the soothing motion of the brush contrasted sharply.
“I am sorry my love. You cannot get pregnant until your female time. Until then your body will absorb any fluids. The Elder and the council know this. That is why they are desperate to separate us before your first fertile cycle.” He continued with fixing her hair, Alea closed her eyes to further enjoy his touch. So she couldn’t get pregnant no matter how many times they made love until her female time. That was an interesting development. Maliuth was pulling and working the hair very close to her ears, and her senses came alive in an agony of anticipation. Maliuth’s fingers came within a breath of her ear, and then moved away. Alea was breathing heavily and he hadn’t even done anything explicitly sexual to her. Realizing he had stopped her eyes flew open. His dark gaze met hers and she realized he was just as aroused as she was.
“All done.” He rasped out. Her eyes couldn’t leave his to see what he had done. She would see later. Right now, there was another issue that needed immediate attention.
Jumping off the seat, she turned into Maliuth’s arms. Tearing at the fastening to Maliuth’s pants, her fingers dove into the loosened material to grasp at him frantically. “We have time.” She didn’t care if that was true or not. She had never needed someone as much as she needed Maliuth at this moment. “I’ll avoid your ears, you avoid my hair.”
“Alea we should be going.” He groaned when she just squeezed him tighter. Her hands pushing his pants down over his bottom.
“Please Maliuth.” She kissed along his chest and what she could reach of his neck. “Just in case…” she left the rest unsaid. Just in case they lost the right to be mates and she was forced into the Oracle Temple.
Maliuth’s hold grew fierce. “They will not take you from me.” He reached down and pulled her dress to her hips, his fingers griping to hold her buttocks and pull her up against him. Alea didn’t protest, she used his hold as leverage and wrapped her legs around his hips. She groaned when he was suddenly inside her. Thick and hard, filling her without warning. She was ready and working herself against him when he haphazardly cleared a space on the vanity. Placing her at the edge, he stepped more firmly between her legs and held her against him. She knew Maliuth loved kissing, so smashed her mouth against his. Lips and tongues were moving frantically against each other. Alea had her fingers digging into his hair to keep them from roaming toward his ears. Her body moved faster and Maliuth groaned into their kiss. She could feel him expanding even more in size and his movements became frantic. She hoped that this poor vanity held out against his powerful thrusts.
She drew him closer with her thighs clasping his hips and her heels digging into his lower back. A few moments later and her startled exclamation echoed into his mouth. Her body stiffened then trembled as her release washed over her. Maliuth joined her, holding her until she went lax in his arms. When she felt able to stand up, she started to wiggle in his arms to be let down. He stepped back and gently set her on her feet. When Alea looked up, she saw his eyes were hooded with spent passion.
“Are we ever going to make it to a bed?” he asked laughing breathlessly.
“If we ever make it to a bed, we might not want to leave it.” She answered with an equal breathy voice.
His eyes darkened and he sighed, “You are probably right.” Taking her hand, they started out of the bedroom and down the stairs. “We will need a long time for bed play.”
Alea was shocked that she could desire Maliuth again so quickly. His words were a blatant sexual promise, and it was one she was determined he would keep…and soon. Making it into the entry, Maliuth turned to her. “I want to explain what you can expect at the council. Only the three of us will be allowed into the main chamber. The Elder, you and I.” He opened the door and hurried along his bridge to the platform. He looked at her as they walked, “Not that there won’t be others in the outer chamber. My mother and father will be waiting to hear of the outcome. Along with Galan and some of the men from my unit.” He kept walking and Alea lost track of the turns they had taken, “I’m sure there will be an Oracle presence also. Their order is usually very peaceful, but they will do as The Elder demands if it comes to fighting.” Alea almost stopped. Did he think it would come to fighting?
“Not that I think it will come to fighting. There is nothing to gain by taking that route.” He smiled at her reassuringly. To her surprise, they had come to another, even larger tree. “Here we are.”
He led her through a pair of double doors. Once inside, it reminded Alea of the Redwoods on Earth. They were so large that even if hollowed out from a fire, sometimes the tree was still alive. This tree was many times larger than that. There was a room straight ahead and she had to step down a few stairs. Once in that room, there were stairs leading up on the right and down on the left. Along either side of a set of double doors were benches where she realized on one side sat the Oracles. Ori, Jerr and a few others. On the other side were Malendroch, Sartya, Galan and a few other males she hadn’t met. Maliuth led her straight to his family and friends.
“Thank you father…Galan, for arranging this council meeting so quickly.” The males all smacked each other on the back. “Alea this is Akkar, Beldron and Garnnon. Friends that I serve on the guard with.” Alea greeted each male, who then made a smart bow. Before she could speak, Sartya moved to take her a few steps away.
“How are the dresses I had sent to you?” Sartya was looking her over, “They seem to be a good fit.”
“They are all very nice.” Alea had seen that there were a rainbow of colors in the chest Sartya had sent. She was going to assume they all fit like this one. “Thank you for taking the time to arrange for them.”
“Not at all dear.” Sartya patted her hand, “You could not wear that blue one from yesterday.” Laughing softly Maliuth’s mother added
, “Not that it would have lasted with all of the fire damage. I do not think I will ever forget the look on The Elder’s face when you were chasing that Oracle with the burning robes around.” Seeing the look on her face Sartya hurried to assure her, “It is nothing to be ashamed of Alea! You have a great gift and should be proud of it. Our goal is not to stop you from using your talents. It is to keep The Elder from taking you from Maliuth for his own purposes.”
Alea asked in a choked whisper, “What if I am not what is best for Maliuth?” She darted a glance at him. She hadn’t been able to voice this worry until now with Sartya. What if she humiliated him at every turn? What if she couldn’t control what she burned? What happened if she started a platform on fire, or one of the bridges, or a crowded merchant stall? She hadn’t realized she had been talking out loud until Sartya drew her into a hug.
“Alea…you would not be capable of doing any of those things. Furthermore, Maliuth would never be embarrassed by you. I can see that he looks at you with deep affection already.” Stroking her hair Sartya continued, “As for your talents with healing and fire. Anyone with eyes could see that you only burned those Oracles when threatened. Your healing them even after they provoked the damage is a sign of your true character. Do not let your doubts cloud the truth.”
Alea was greatly soothed by Sartya’s words. She struggled to hold the panic at bay. She already cared for Maliuth too deeply to ever give up. “Thank you Sartya.” She whispered. “I needed that.”
Stepping out of the hug Sartya turned them toward the males. Whispering so only Alea would hear, she added. “Just keep your head up and do not let anyone bully you in there. The council is ruled by men, but I think you are about to shake things up for them.” She advised before clearing her throat and speaking loudly. “They are waiting for you Maliuth.”
The men had been deep in discussion when Sartya broke into their conversation. All eyes turned to the two women.
“It is time.” Sartya stated.
“Thank you mother.” Maliuth moved to take her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Drawing her toward the doors to the meeting room, he ignored the Oracle sitting on the bench. Alea turned to look at them as they passed. Ori and Jerr were giving her pitying looks and that worked to smash her newfound confidence.
What did they know that she didn’t?
Chapter Ten
Walking with Maliuth into the council room was almost harder than giving up her life on Earth. Well, her ghostly life on Earth anyway. She was pulled to this planet to be with Maliuth and this council and The Elder weren’t going to stand in her way. She needed to remain calm and make this meeting work in her favor. With that in mind, she squared her shoulders and surveyed the room.
The council members were all male, as Sartya had warned her. They had a range of blond hair from platinum to darker blond. Their eyes were all a shade of brown, and what she could see their body sizes were all lean muscled, as was the tendency of the males she had seen so far. They were all regal in bright white robes, with the same type of neck adornment she had seen before on The Elder. With a start, she realized she had seen one of the designs before. The council member in the middle had a design that matched the one worn by The Elder. Was that an indication that this member was affiliated with the Oracle? She was about to find out.
The council member in the middle stood and called the meeting to order. “We are here to decide who has jurisdiction of one newly Reborn female…” His gaze landed on her shoulder for a moment then slid to Maliuth, “Mated to the First Prime, Maliuth Stonarch, it would seem.” He regained his seat then snapped, “Even when The Elder forbid it?”
Alea felt her palms start to sweat. This male was not on their side. When she glanced at Maliuth, he appeared completely calm so she tried to get her racing heart under control as well.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” the council member raised an eyebrow at Maliuth his voice full of derision.
“Not really.” Maliuth shrugged. “Our status as a mated couple is not the issue here Councilman Valav.”
“That is true.” For some reason this made the man happy which didn’t bode well, “Who has jurisdiction over her is the main issue. The Elder has a strong case regarding his rights to the newly Reborn female…”
“I should be able to train her in the temple of the Oracle.” The Elder broke in. “Without distraction or taint from outside influences. From what I have seen, she could be the most powerful healer we have ever seen on Prion.”
“She is not being separated from me.” Maliuth stated firmly.
“Be reasonable Maliuth.” Another councilman spoke up, “You know the rules regarding a Reborn healer.”
“Yes Councilman Lairial. I am well aware of the rules…”
“Yet you chose to ignore them? You chose to go through with the mating ritual?” Yet another council member spoke up. “That is a punishable offense.”
“I know the punishment as well Councilman Lisil. I take full responsibility.” Maliuth was being yelled at by all parties now.
Alea tried to intervene and tell her side of the story. She yelled into the fray, “In Maliuth’s defense, I kissed him! I don’t think he was prepared for that.” Only one of the council members seemed to be listening.
“What is kissing?” Lisil looked are her with genuine interest. She tried to answer him and listen to the argument around her at the same time.
“Kissing is when you touch mouths.” She supplied. Her head was swinging back and forth between the still arguing council members and Maliuth.
“The newly Reborn female will have to go to the Oracles.” Valav yelled.
“She will not.” Maliuth stood firm.
“I will not.” Alea argued at the same time.
“When a newly Reborn female is shown to be a healer, you know that female belongs with me in the Oracle Temple.” The Elder yelled even louder, “I do not know why we are here to arbitrate this issue. It is the law.”
There was so much yelling Alea couldn’t take it anymore. With her fingers in her mouth, she let out a shrill whistle. All of the males shuddered to a stop in their yells and turned astonished gazes on her.
“I have a name.” She spoke softly in the silence. “You all have my permission to call me Alea.” She hid her smile at the look of astonishment on the council members faces. It seems that they either weren’t used to being interrupted, or they were shocked by the fact that a female had dared to do it. She wasn’t sure which. Whereas the others just sat astonished, Valav was turning a nice shade of red. Then his eyes narrowed on her.
“There are protocol’s…” he huffed. “When in the council chambers you will use proper respect when addressing a member of this court. Further, you will not speak unless asked a direct question.”
“I am standing right here and you are not showing me any respect by refusing to use my given name. I am entirely sure that you knew what it was before I walked through the door.” Alea remembered Sartya telling her not to let them bully her. “Furthermore, the very first thing you should have asked was what I wanted.” She felt Maliuth squeeze her fingers. In warning or as a show of support she wasn’t sure.
“You are newly Reborn and couldn’t possibly know what you want.” The Elder spoke before the council members could regain their voices. “That is why I tried to stop the mating ritual. To be trained as a healer in the Oracle Temple is a high honor. One that you should be happy to accept.”
“I want to know more about this kissing.” The one male who had been listening to her asked, but no one paid any attention to him.
Alea leaned into Maliuth, “I didn’t come through the shadows to be a healer in your temple. I came through to be with Maliuth.” She looked at the council members and ignored The Elder since she had to convince these men to let her stay mated. “How is a male’s name decided on for a mate? Is it a secret process or can The Elder explain it to me?”
The council members all looked to The Elder and it was
Lairial who said, “Explain how you choose males to Alea.” He had a small smile on his face and she gave a sigh of relief. One person might be on their side.
The Elder bristled at having to answer then blurted, “On the sacred day of the fullest moons I go into the deepest part of the temple to meditate. When I am sufficiently open to the spirits, two names will come to me. The first name is the male chosen for a mate. The second is the name of the female to be Reborn.”
“So I was chosen for Maliuth by a higher power than even yours?” Alea asked. Her eyes going over the other council member and two of them smiled slightly at her words. The only one not impressed with her was Valav.
“I would not say that exactly. It is through me that the names are heard at all.” The Elder insisted.
“So this is a new process that no other Oracle has done before you?” Alea prodded, “No other Oracle before you had this ability and no Oracle after you will have the ability?”
“Well no. There is a hierarchy to the Oracle and when you reach the position of The Elder then you learn the process of meditation that allows for hearing the names.” He glowered at her, “We are not discussing the process of how you came to be here. We are discussing the set protocol for your placement as a healer in the temple.”
“I still want to know more about the kissing she mentioned earlier.” The same council member seemed to be stuck on that issue.
Maliuth: The Reborn Page 6
