“What will you tell the Magistrates when they turn up alive?” Zulien queried. It was the only part of their plan he had not figured out.
The tall man shrugged with indifference. “The same thing I will say about their decay. Apparently, outer world mates have a system that can shut down at will if they feel threatened. That would leave the Magistrates with some explaining to do, so I think they will drop it.” Ethram rose.
“We had been keeping the two women together until after the attack, but now they are resting in adjoining procurement rooms. Ordinarily, I would wake them slowly at this point, but due to our current situation I think it is best we let them continue to sleep. They will still sense your presence and search for you when you leave, and that is why I suggested you bring your offerings. It should allow them some comfort. Shall we meet them?”
The warriors rose, and Taliquant asked uneasily, “What does she look like?”
Ethram smiled and said, “All mates are beautiful.”
As they continued down the corridors, the warriors’ pace increased. “We will introduce Taliquant to his mate first. Ballion, you will remain with the Major when I leave to present Miranda to the Commander.”
Ballion’s scaly green chest puffed out again. He had never been in charge of an introduction before, and his first was now to be a warrior, no less. His short legs moved quickly to keep up with the long strides of the group. Taliquant turned towards a door and Ethram produced his keys. He laid a hand on Zulien’s arm and the warrior felt his anxiety subside a little at the delay of meeting his mate.
Ethram had worked hard on the introduction. It would be dicey informing the warrior that his mate was an outer world primitive, and he was fairly certain Taliquant had assumed he also would be mating with a Celestial. As he unlocked the door, Ethram said, “Tempest is the Ancient’s closest friend.” They walked into the room, and Taliquant found his legs were almost shaking. He felt himself pulled to the small sleeping form on the pallet in the center of the dimly lit chamber.
Ethram continued softly, “She is a primitive, Taliquant, and has a slightly wild nature. She will challenge and excite you. Her eyes are an emerald green.”
Taliquant had stopped listening. He was looking down at the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
“Ballion, inform me immediately if you sense any distress from Tempest. I think they will be fine.”
“Yes, Commander.” Ballion moved to the foot of the cot to afford Taliquant a little privacy with his mate.
Ethram, Letang and Zulien left the room and walked to the next door. “When we get to Shallistar, Commander, I would be most interested to hear how you discovered the forgotten mate.” He opened the door.
Zulien went numb. Golden hair fell over the side of the sleeping pallet and skimmed the floor. Ethram spoke softly. “Her eyes are crystal blue, and she has a calm disposition and a reverence for nature. Your Ancient is a true treasure, Commander.”
Zulien approached his sleeping mate. He knelt on the floor by her pillow and studied the serene face with her long lashes and full, red lips. He reached a large hand out and gently brushed her cheek. She trembled slightly and moved towards his hand.
“Even in her deep sleep she recognizes her mate,” Letang whispered.
Ethram took Letang by the arm and led him against a wall and said quietly, “I have a feeling something wondrous is to come of this mating. Letang, I am going to have to use a light tranquilizer to separate the warriors from their mates. It will be impossible otherwise. It is hard enough to pull two regular mates apart, and it would be dangerous with warriors. I will need your help to guide them back to the lounge where we can let it wear off.”
Letang nodded in agreement. Zulien would be angry at the slight deception, but he would eventually realize there was no alternative.
Ethram continued, “This is part of the reason I think your plan will work. No one would except a warrior could be separated from his mate unless she had decayed. Your Commander and the Major are going to need a lot of support until they can be rejoined on planet.”
“Yes, Commander. I have anticipated that perhaps more than they have.” Letang thought about the separation. The warriors would be in rough shape.
“This is a bottle of the same thing I will be using shortly. Tell them to take one when things appear to be getting out of hand. Remember, they are supposed to be in mourning, not in a sexual mating frenzy.”
Letang took the container and hid it in his pocket. He looked back at his Commander as he studied his mate, and his balls tightened. He needed to get back to Vasilla. He quietly left the room and waited outside the door.
Zulien stroked the soft golden hair. Her skin was alabaster, nothing like the bronze and golden hue of his people. He rested one hand on the cot by her chest and stroked her forehead with the other. Her breath shuddered, and a tiny hand reached out and gripped a finger on the hand he had rested on the pallet.
He lowered the sheet covering her, and she shivered slightly. Her breasts were full, with nipples the color of pink finisia flowers and tipped with buds that had tightened in the cool air. Being careful of the probe, Zulien lowered his mouth for one small taste.
His eyes traveled to the golden curls between her thighs as he suckled, and without conscious thought, his fingertips brushed though their softness. Her tiny fist tightened further around his finger as she moaned, and she pushed her hips towards the relief while her channel spasmed in empty frustration. Reluctantly, he pulled the sheet over her.
Zulien’s cock stiffened painfully as he smiled at his Celestial. Nothing, no one, would harm her. By the stars, gods and goddesses, he would die protecting his fragile mate. He leaned towards her and brushed a kiss across her lips. “Soon, Miranda, we will be joined soon, my mate.” He tied his scarf around her wrist and whispered softly, “I give you the offering of the warriors. It has remained in my chambers for centuries, absorbing my dreams of our meeting. Know that from this day forward, I am always with you, my little Ancient.”
Miranda brought her hand up towards her face, laying it on the pillow where she could sense his essence on the sash.
Ethram knew it was time to separate them. If they were together much longer, not even an arragon tranquilizer would work. He took the small dart from his pocket, drew his hand back, and released it. The small needle pierced Zulien’s bicep and one hand dropped to his side. The other remained clenched in Miranda’s grip.
Ethram gently pried her fingers loose and helped the dazed Commander stand. Miranda shuddered, reaching out blindly, and Ethram held her hand and lowered it to the pallet. He brushed her forehead. “Sleep and dream of your warrior, Miranda. You will be with your mate again soon.”
Letang took Zulien’s other arm as they led him back to the lounge. He felt a wave of sorrow for the Commander. He could not imagine being denied Vasilla for claiming once they had met. Damn Berslan and his ambition.
Letang stayed with Zulien while he reoriented himself, and Ethram left to collect Taliquant. The procurer entered the chamber and found Ballion still standing at the end of the pallet, his antennae was almost beating his chin with emotion.
Taliquant’s head rested on the pillow beside Tempest. His arm was wrapped around her, pulling her close, and the great warrior was crying silent tears as he watched his mate’s peaceful face.
Ethram whispered, “He had given up, Ballion, and believed his mate to be decayed. Do you feel the importance of our chosen path? To save one man this torment is our true boon. This separation is going to be hardest on him.” Ethram saw the emerald scarf on Tempest’s wrist, and he threw his dart and helped the dazed warrior back to the lounge.
It took a few minutes for the warriors to regain their senses and straighten. After a few deep breaths, they were calmed. “I was not informed I was to be tranqued.” Zulien narrowed his eyes at Ethram.
“Commander, their was no other safe way to extract you from the chamber. You would have ripped the room apart to kee
p from being separated, and my primary duty is to protect the procured mates. I act accordingly.” Ethram waited to see if that would end the discussion.
Zulien glared a few moments longer as the reason for deception finally sank in. “I apologize, Ethram. For you to risk such an action to protect my mate gives me confidence she will arrive at Shallistar safely.” He squirmed and said sheepishly, “I am not used to being out-maneuvered.”
Ethram chuckled. “It is the effect of your young mates. They tend to unsettle even the most steadfast mind. I have given Letang a vile of a lighter dose of the same tranquilizer. It will keep you clear headed and calm enough to complete this task. Will you be announcing their decline when you return to the Quillant?”
“Yes. We will keep communicating for a few hours, and you can decide when to inform us they have decayed. I will make sure Berslan is within earshot. I trust we can all act properly shocked and saddened?” Zulien actually felt a twinge at the thought something could happen to his fragile mate.
Taliquant echoed his feelings. “Commander, all I have to do is think of losing her and I feel utter defeat.”
“Ethram, my mother will be waiting for your instructions.” Zulien stood to leave.
“You communicated over secure lines I take it?” Ethram had other mates on board to consider, and he certainly did not want to be scanning for pirates.
“I do not need to call her. Trust me, she is already making preparations,” Zulien said.
Ethram raised an eyebrow as he looked at the warrior. “I do not understand.”
Taliquant said, “He speaks the truth, Commander.”
Ethram decided to take up the issue with the woman herself when he met her. “All is ready?”
“Let the ruse unfold,” Zulien announced.
By the time the airlock doors sealed, the warriors had little trouble looking grief stricken. They felt the physical loss of leaving the other half of their souls behind.
CHAPTER IV
Miranda continued to wake in the darkness, only to once again settle into a deep sleep, quieting her fears. After one of her awakenings, she was aware she was not alone and she felt a comforting presence very close to her. She reached out, trying desperately to grasp the man. Yes, it was a man. She was sure of it. A vision of the large man with the long, untamed dark hair crossed her confused mind and the thoughts ‘warrior’ and ‘protector’ flashed with the vision… and the word ‘mate’.
All this frightened her further, until she finally felt her hand clasped in a gentle large fist. A tugging at her breast was followed by a soft brushing through her sex, and she wanted the man to lie with her to relieve the constant sexual torment she was experiencing. Fingers stroked her forehead, and she leaned towards them for comfort. She knew this man would protect her and bring her back from the abyss. Something was tied to her wrist and she lifted her hand towards her head, inhaling the scent of the man. Lips brushed across hers and she shivered with fright when they retreated.
Stay with me, please, stay with me. I’m so scared, she sobbed and begged in her mind, and she thought she heard a deep voice say, ‘I am always with you, my little Ancient’. The words brought comfort, but even more confusion. She sensed the man had gone away, and she panicked as she mourned his loss.
The warriors returned to the transport lock and prepared to go back to the Quillant. Taliquant was in clear distress and Zulien kept looking behind them towards the procurement vessel.
“Remember to take these when you feel yourselves losing rationality.” Letang handed the warriors a few pills each and secured the remaining tranquilizers in his pocket. If either warrior displayed inappropriate behavior, he would risk mutiny by spiking their drink.
Zulien caught him palming the remaining pills. “I take it you are ready to act if we use poor judgment?”
“No, Commander. These are for Vasilla. She cannot keep her hands off me,” Letang smiled as he told the obvious lie.
The young warrior heard the locks disengaging on the Quillant, and he glanced at his companions. Taliquant and the Commander had serene expressions on their faces, and Letang realized they were reminiscing about their meetings with their mates. Just before the doors opened, he said quietly, “I am sorry you could not bring them with you.”
The two warriors gasped, and by the time the doors opened they had the honest cast of pain and sorrow in their eyes. Letang said, “I am sorry, warriors.” He felt miserable dealing them a low blow like that, and it showed in his eyes.
The entire crew and their mates had entered the portal, waiting for their first glimpse of the new mates. Their smiles turned to concern as they heard Letang tell the warriors he was sorry, and the group exiting the air lock was empty handed and grief stricken.
With a feeling of dread, Seartock whispered, “What happened, Commander?”
Zulien cleared his throat and found he could not speak, and Taliquant was experiencing the same problem. They could not form the words to say their mates were decaying. The thought alone caused far too much distress.
Once again, Letang stepped in. “Commander, may I suggest you and the Major retire to your quarters for a while. I will inform the crew what is going on. We can meet on the bridge after you have had the chance to compose yourselves, and we can call the Isotant for an update.”
The crew and mates silently parted, allowing the warriors to pass. When they were sure the men were out of earshot, they bombarded Letang with questions.
“They did get a chance to meet their mates and make their offerings. Apparently, something in our atmosphere or on the ship caused them to begin to decline. Ethram did not tell the Commander earlier because he did not want to upset him just before the impending Debayluth attack. He was hoping contact with their mates would revive them.” Letang’s eyes actually filled up with tears.
“We finally had to separate them, because Ethram was afraid the warriors would tear apart the ship as they watched their mates wither. He and Ballion are still trying to find something to stop the decay, but truthfully, I do not see how they will last the day. They are small and fragile, and they do not have the immunities we are born with in the inner worlds.” Letang looked up and noticed that as with most of the people listening, Vasilla had tears of pain flowing down her dark cheeks. He wanted to throw his arms around her and comfort her, reminding her this was all a ruse, but it would have to wait.
The only one not distraught was Berslan. He was staring at his feet, trying to look devastated, but Letang saw through his guise as pure calculation and was almost sick as he flashed through memories of their years of camaraderie.
“Vasilla, my love, let us retire to our quarters for a moment. I apologize, friends, but until we hear from the Isotant I do not know any more than I have told you. We must be strong for the Commander and Taliquant. They need the support they have lent us on so many occasions.”
He passed through a sea of oaths and promises, and guided Vasilla back to their quarters. As soon as their door closed, Vasilla threw herself into his arms. “The poor Commander... and Taliquant. He was so pleased to learn his mate was found. He confided to me years ago, that he thought his mate was decayed.”
Letang softly stroked the tall woman’s back. “Vasilla, my love, remember this is an act. I can assure you the mates are fine. They are small and fragile as I stated, but otherwise they are healthy.”
Vasilla stood back searching his eyes to see that it was the truth. “You are a good actor, Letang. I truly believed the mates were decaying.”
“Let us hope Berslan is falling for the plan so completely. We have to keep up this pretense and continue to act distraught when we are outside of these quarters,” Letang reminded her.
As was Vasilla’s way, she changed the subject. The slender Armarzonian folded her legs under her on the sleeping pallet and looked up at him with her big brown eyes as she asked excitedly, “Did you really get to see them? What are they like?”
Letang sat next to her, pulling her head ont
o his shoulder and brushing his fingertips through her soft curls. He told her what he saw of Tempest and Miranda and of the great warriors’ gentle way with their little mates. Vasilla’s eyes filled with emotion as he whispered, “I thought of you when I saw the Commander kneel by Miranda. His face was filled with disbelief and reverence, and I imagined I looked the same the first time I saw you. I could not imagine having to be separated like they are,” Letang said. He held her tighter.
They sat in silence for a few moments while they composed themselves. Letang held his hand out to help her rise, and the couple masked their faces with compassion as they headed towards the bridge. The Commander and Taliquant appeared a short while later and there was an uncomfortable silence as Letang hailed the Isotant. None of the crew knew the words to express the grief they felt for their friends. Berslan hovered in the background, blending into the walls and waiting for news on the fate of the Ancients.
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