by Abella Ward
"My mate," Sildon said. "Jada, this is Pogi. She and my mother lived together here when I was young."
Jada nodded in greeting, trying not to react to Sildon calling her his mate. T'shav didn't marry, and mates were complete commitments. But he must only be saying that so Pogi wouldn't get any ideas about selling her off or something.
"Matka. A name I haven’t heard in years. She was my best friend." Pogi paused and glanced behind them, at the gathered crowd. She made a hissing noise in her teeth and ran at the other villagers, waving a stick above her head. They scattered away like mice. Pogi cackled again. "Come inside, where we can speak in privacy."
The wizened woman wiggled her way back into the observatory. Jada watched Sildon, hoping he wouldn’t follow, but he sheathed his blade and entered. The human scowled, glaring first at the entrance and then at the faces that were beginning to appear in the gaps between buildings behind her. Holding Isabel close, she ducked her head and followed. The entrance wasn't as small as it had first appeared, opening up to stairs right away. As soon as Jada was in, a blue energy barrier sprang over the passage, blocking it.
When she caught up with Sildon and Pogi, they were sitting at a table, staring at once another.
"Matka would be so proud to see the fine, strong warrior you've become," Pogi said eventually. "Little Sildon, a grand soldier. Have you come to right the wrongs you see here? Did you bring me gifts?"
"I came for answers." Sildon's voice was rough. "You were like a second mother to me when I was a child, but when Matka died, you sent me away. I heard you promise her that you would make sure I was looked after. Why didn't you keep me?"
"Keep you?" Pogi closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Keep you. I, keep a child? I was hardly more than a child myself. I didn't have the experience or patience to raise you. A second mother, you say? Matka would have sliced my head off if she could have seen the way I treated you after her death. Don't you remember the beatings I gave you? I sent you away because of the bruises I put on your body, Sildon."
Jada wasn't sure she should be there, listening to this. But where else could she go? She sank into a chair next to Sildon and put a hand on his arm, silently trying to comfort him. He was coiled like a spring. Her heart ached for him.
He opened his mouth but closed it again. Silence fell, and Jada wondered what he was thinking. Was he remembering those beatings and looking at the Trioeil with new eyes? Was he regretting coming here?
"I don't remember you hitting me," he said eventually.
"I did." Pogi opened her eyes again and gazed sadly at him. "You did not deserve that abuse."
But he was abused anyway. Maybe he wasn't beaten by the people who adopted him, but he had told her enough to know that they left scars of a different sort on him. Her teeth clenched. What a pair they made. Both had suffered abuse in their lives, though Jada was the first to acknowledge that Sildon had gone through much worse. Most of her pain came from her inability to bear children and the men who threw her away because of it. Yes, her heritage had been under attack, but she was from a generation that was beginning to retake their pride. Sildon was still suffering first-hand.
"Did you know who my father was?"
"No."
Isabel squirmed, her face twisting and her neck straining. Jada recognized the signs. She hoisted the diaper bag back onto her shoulder and sighed.
"Is there a place I can change her?"
Pogi glanced at the baby. Her face twisted in disgust and she pointed. "Clean room is there."
Jada muttered her thanks and followed the directions. Luckily, this room had a door that swung shut behind her. It wasn't much. There was a hole in the ground that must serve as a toilet, with lasers that crisscrossed as far down as Jada could see. She dropped a tissue down it; it was soon burnt away. So that was how waste was disposed of? Ew.
There didn't appear to be any sort of shower, but there was a curved table that Jada tested before putting Isabel down on (spreading a blanket behind her first). She changed the diaper quickly and wrapped Isabel in a fresh blanket. The baby needed to sleep, and she had a feeling that Pogi would not be kind to a screaming child.
Just as she was about to leave, something caught Jada's eye. A pile of medical bottles sat in a jumbled heap on the floor. On closer inspection, she saw they were for Direata, a strong narcotic used on people undergoing massive surgery. There were dozens of bottles here. Was Pogi an addict? How did she get this stuff?
Jada shuddered and hurried out of the room, back to Sildon's side. He stood and put an arm around her waist.
"We're going back to the ship now."
Her shoulders sagged in relief. She tried to smile at Pogi. "It was nice meeting you."
Pogi snorted and turned her back. "Sure, sure. Human. Never thought I'd meet a human."
Sildon pressed his hand against her lower back. Jada was all too happy to let him lead her out of this dismal building. But she knew they would not be leaving the planet. Well. She would just have to deal.
Chapter Ten – Sildon
The ship was secure. He had double checked everything to make sure none of the residents of this planet could break in and kill him and Jada while they slept. And yet worry still twisted his stomach and filled his body with nervous energy, making him pace up and down the length of the ship. This planet was grimier than he remembered. The people had a more desperate look in their eyes. Murder was probably a daily occurrence.
Maybe if he was richer he could set up something here to help them. But he had his own problems and wasn't in a position where that would be possible.
He hadn't talked with Pogi as long as he wanted to. But the rush of emotion, the anger, of seeing her again had been too much. He still didn't remember the abuse she had told him about, but he didn't remember much about his life here. Had it really been as bad as Pogi has said, or was she just trying to get rid of him? She owed him nothing.
Soft cries from Jada's room made him pause. This was the third time that Isabel had woken up. Jada must be exhausted. He opened the door and crept in, intending to take Isabel out to soothe her and let his companion have some rest. The baby quieted as soon as she saw him in the light from the nightlight, though her lip still trembled and tears rolled down her face.
"Sildon?" Jada pushed herself to her elbow and yawned.
"I thought I'd take the baby for a bit. Go ahead and go back to sleep."
She shook her head. "I wasn't sleeping. And you look like you haven't slept either. Why don't you come lie down in bed with me?"
Sildon hesitated, but he was tired, and even though he didn't want to admit it, he was craving some physical contact. He laid on the bed beside Jada, carefully cradling Isabel between them. Jada put her arm over his and leaned her head down against Isabel's.
Sildon's muscles relaxed as he listened to them breathe and felt their warmth next to his. His eyes drifted closed, letting memories trickle into his mind. The thunderous roar of the brimstone hail raining down on the metal roof, screams in the alleys, a certainty that they were going to die. He felt himself tensing again until Jada's fingers moved up and down his arm, soothing him. Such a simple touch, but it was everything he needed.
"I remember lying in bed next to my mother, shivering under ragged blankets while we tried to keep each other warm. When the storms were at their worst, she would tell me stories of my father. He was a great warrior, strong and proud. She told me one day I'd meet him, and he would be proud to call me his son."
Jada continued to softly stroke his arm. "My parents were together when I grew up. I wasn't neglected, but I always felt like I wasn't good enough for them. My father traveled a lot to work. It was like not having a father. And my mother… Well, it was clear to me that I wasn't on her list of priorities. I was given everything I asked for, as long as I stayed out of her way."
Sildon shifted a little closer, reaching to put an arm around her now. Isabel was snoring gently, and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight. "I always swo
re that one day I'd find him. That one day, I'd have a real family."
"I married when I was eighteen. I was going to get pregnant and have children right away. I was so excited about having kids. But I never could. My husband divorced me because of it. Then I remarried. Didn't tell him. When he found out, he was so angry… We were already fighting, but it was the final straw. I guess I've been searching for a way to create a real family for myself."
Sildon swallowed hard. "Pogi told me where to find my mother's grave."
Jada pushed herself onto her elbow. The soft orange nightlight bathed her in a warm glow that made her look even more beautiful. "Are you going to visit her?"
"Pogi?"
"Your mother."
Sildon shook his head. "How? Our souls are born in stars, when we die we are returned to the star before reborn in a new body. How could I find my mother?"
"Sorry. I meant her grave. On Earth… that's not important. Are you going to visit her grave?"
The T'shav warrior shrugged. Perhaps that was one reason why he was so restless tonight. He knew where his mother's bones were buried, but he didn't know if he would have the strength to see her grave himself. And what was the point? Her soul wasn't here.
"You should," she said softly, laying back down. "I couldn't move past Earth before I took one of the Sanctuary flights to it, to visit the museum that orbits it. That's when I realized that I needed to focus on my new life… but it's your choice, Sildon. Only you can decide if it will help or hurt."
He had forgotten that she had lost everything, too. Her family, her planet, her way of life. It was all taken from her. And yet here she was, comforting him. He wanted to kiss her, but even if Isabel wasn't in danger of being squished if he had tried, he wouldn't have. Not right now when emotions were running so high. He didn't want regrets between them.
"I'm glad you're with me," he said. "I wish I had the words to tell you how much. And I'm sorry that I kidnapped you. I wish I could go back and stop myself."
"Don't sweat it. We've already been over that. I'm fine. I forgive you. And if you need time to decide to go to your mother's grave or not, that's okay. We can talk again in the morning."
Sildon's eyes closed again, his body feeling heavy. "Thank you. Goodnight, Jada."
"Goodnight."
***
The next morning was dark with a burnt smell in the air. When Sildon, Jada, and Isabel emerged from the ship, there was nobody in sight. Sildon frowned at their absence. Clouds blocked out the sky, and there was a slight electric feel that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Keeping Jada close, he headed back to Pogi's house.
They had just gotten there when rocks started falling from the sky. Fist-sized, black as soot, they pounded down on everything. They burst open on the ground, revealing muddy white interiors. Jada shouted and used her body to shield Isabel. Sildon pulled her into his arms, hunching his body over hers. The hail pounded on his back, driving the breath from his lungs. He picked up Jada and ran for Pogi's house.
Pogi stood in the doorway, gesturing him inwards when he got there. He dashed in, the pounding hail muffled abruptly. Isabel wailed. Sildon carried Jada to the main room before setting her down. Both of them instantly unwrapped Isabel and checked her over. There wasn't a mark on her. Jada's shoulders sagged in relief. Sildon turned her to face him, to check what damage had been done to her. There was a bruise on her cheek and some on her shoulders, but she was otherwise unharmed.
"What were you thinking, going out when there were black skies?" Pogi shouted at him. "You could have been killed, and then what? I spent all last night digging out Matka's old things. And what would I have done with them if you were dead?"
"You have my mother's old things?" Sildon ignored the chiding.
Pogi snorted. "Yes. Come along, the storm might last the week. You'll need a place to stay. Just keep that baby quiet!"
Jada hushed Isabel, rocking and bouncing her. The baby seemed to have no interest in being quiet, though. Pogi led them a room deep under the ground, where the storm's noise was completely muffled. The lights flickered and the rooms smelled musty, but Sildon found he remembered things. After showing them to the room, Pogi disappeared, returning a little later with a box of things.
It took a little while to get Isabel calmed down, but she was soon sleeping once again. Jada found a drawer that was big enough for her and lined it with the blankets she had brought, stating under her breath that she wasn't going to put the baby on the provided bed because of germs.
Sildon sat, holding the box in his hands. It was made of metal, with a DNA print scanner. The hinges had been forced open, no doubt by Pogi, but he was grateful that she had kept it at all. He didn't know if he wanted to open it yet, though. What would he find inside?
"It looks like there's a letter inside." Jada sat beside him. "Do you want me to…?"
She trailed off. Sildon set aside the box. To hell with emotions running high. They had already discussed this, and they both wanted it. He turned towards her and gently cupped her face in his hands. It was clear she knew what he wanted, and leaned into his touch, closing her eyes.
He brushed his lips against hers.
Chapter Eleven – Jada
His kiss was sweet and gentle, and Jada gladly accepted it. The kidnapping had been a barrier between them from the start, but as Sildon gently wound his hands in her curls, Jada felt the last of her doubts slipping away. She moved closer to him her arms wrapping around his waist. Sparks of pleasure shot through her. Heat pooled in her core, and she teased Sildon's mouth open.
He moved his hands to her shoulders, encouraging her onto his back while he rolled over her. Their eyes locked as they continued swapping gentle kisses. Jada traced the firmness of his torso, her fingers skimming over barely visible scars, feeling his heart beating against his ribs. She moaned, wishing she could soothe the scars that weren't visible at all.
A tingle ran down her spine as Sildon's hands began roaming her body. He pulled back slightly and began removing her clothing slowly, as though making sure this was what she wanted. She sat and held her arms over her head so he could pull off her shirt. His black eyes heated as they traced down her nude torso. Her pants were next, joining her shirt on the floor. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'm cold."
Chuckling, Sildon pressed his body on hers again. Their kisses grew more heated, more intense. Jada closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations Sildon woke in her. His body was hot against her skin, his firmness pressing into her softness. She found his belt and undid it, tossing away his var'ki while he removed his sword. His hand pressed between her legs, and she found him with her own hand. A grin passed over her face when she started expertly moving, enjoying the sight of Sildon's body shuddering, his eyes sliding closed. His moan of pleasure burned her own fires hotter.
When his fingers began to move, Jada couldn't suppress a yelp followed by a moan of her own. Bolts shot down her legs. She rolled her hips up, maximizing contact. Sildon's mouth was set in a determined line, his eyes glittering as he did his work and she did hers. Soon both of them were panting and gasping for breath.
"Are you ready?" Sildon asked her, his voice low.
She nodded, aching for more than just his touch. Her heart hammered as he positioned herself. Every fiber of her body craved this, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, their eyes locked together.
He entered smoothly. Shockwaves ran to every end of her body. Jada's spine arched and her eyes rolled into the back of her head. She held her breath to stop herself from crying out, wary of waking Isabel or bringing Pogi down to their room. Sildon brushed his lips across her cheek before focusing in on her neck while he started a steady pace. Jada clung to him, pleasure zinging from her core. Her whole body felt tight, her skin too small to contain her. Her fingernails dug into his back. Sweat sprung from every pore and she found herself rocking towards him, matching his rhythm with her own.
A thunderclap burst ov
er her. Shocks ran down her legs and her heart beat so fast she thought it might burst. Black washed over her vision as her eyes rolled. Her hips jerked up. She kicked wildly. Her spine arched first up and then down, her fingernails leaving welts as they dragged down his back. Sildon jerked above her, sweat beading his forehead. His eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth, grunting as his rhythm picked up pace. Everything else faded away until his back bowed. She could feel him finishing and cried out in unison with him.
When he collapsed over her, she wondered how she could have survived another second of that intense pleasure. Her heart continued to pound and she sucked in greedy gasps of air. The spinning in her head slowed. Her muscles slowly relaxed, leaving behind a pleasant ache.
Sildon rolled off her and lay still, panting with his eyes closed.
Jada pressed her hand to his chest. His heart pounded wildly. "Hey, are you okay?"
The T'shav moaned in return. "I just need to catch my breath."
She twined her fingers through his and closed her eyes. A lazy smile crossed her face. She knew that sex wasn't the deciding factor in these things, but she couldn’t help but think – maybe she had finally found the man that would be her family. And maybe she and Isabel could be the family he had always craved.
***
It hailed for three days straight. By the time the sun cleared, there was a layer of slimy soot everywhere, and Jada felt grimy from being inside of Pogi's makeshift home for so long. She was desperate to get back to the ship and wash herself and Isabel up. The baby had developed a sneeze, and getting off the planet seemed like a very good idea.
She didn't say that to Sildon, though. Instead, she asked him if he wanted her to go with him to his mother's grave.
Sildon strapped his sword to his back, frowning. "I think I would rather go by myself. I don't like the idea of leaving you alone, though."
