Embracing Emily (#7 Warriors of Kelon) (14 page)

She needed him to be healthy and whole not only for her sake, but the sake of the two little lives growing within her.

Emily changed into clothes given to her on the station. She was surprised by the huge shopping mall-like arrangement on the space station, full of clothes brought up from Earth for wardrobe emergencies, such as hers. They insisted she take what she wanted.

Not wanting to offend the generous Kelons, she picked out a modest ankle-length, cocoa brown dress with a knee-high split. She took a light tan, gauze wrap for her shoulders, along with sandals for her feet. She didn’t need warmer clothes because they kept the temperature on the ship and in space station fairly warm.

Her Kelon escort took Hurr’s orders too seriously, making sure she hardly lifted a finger and carrying her almost everywhere. Because her crutch was left behind, she was forced to rely more heavily on her guard than she cared for. There were no railings for her to use to get around the ship. Of course, Irradon, her Kelon guard, growled a low, chastising tone at her when she hobbled into the bathroom without out his help, and almost collapsed on the way out. For the most part of the journey, she slept.

It was only a few hours journey, clearing the human solar system and getting into clear space before using a light, space folding method to jump from one location of space to the other.

Her body was still adjusting to the medication, but it helped even out her temperature and stopped her nose from itching, and feeling generally unwell on top of weeks of mental exhaustion at being torn so cruelly away from the man she loved.

It didn’t matter, she would soon arrive on a new planet; it was the apprehension of what she would find when they took her to Vallarr which formed a tight ball in her chest.

At the same time, the excitement of being with him mixed in, so no matter how she tried, she couldn’t relax—and more to the point wouldn’t—until she saw to the welfare of her man.

Irradon carried her out to the viewing deck when the cargo ship approached the planet. She gazed in awe at the massive planet of swirling, sandy yellow, reds and white. When they got closer, finally settling into orbit, she saw the gleam of crystal domes dotted around at various points.

She insisted on walking this time, even though she got more disproving growls from Irradon. She wouldn’t let him bully her into letting him carry her. She gripped his arm and used him as her crutch while they boarded the shuttle sent up from the planet. He explained they made it specially for the comfort of any human coming to Kelon. The Kelons fitted it with special dampeners to ease entering into the planet’s atmosphere, since the sudden, sharp drop near the end made most of the human women ill and panic.

The seats were soft and comfy as Irradon strapped her in. Emily didn’t realise the trip was over until her guard stood up and the shuttle door opened.

Immediately, she felt the heavier pull of the gravity on Kelon and the air tasted salty and sweet while she breathed it in while stepping out onto the huge, landing platform.

Two rather official looking Kelons stood waiting. One, about the same size as Vallarr, was slightly broader and held himself like a man who commanded. The other was shorter and appeared more youthful, like Hurr, including the kind smile on his handsome lips; he was the first to step forward.

She felt the younger Kelon study her while she walked with Irradon’s help towards them.

“Emily Morland, welcome to Kelon. I am Solron, head healer of Kelon Prime, and this big fellow is High Commander Kerr of the Ruling Council.”

“Welcome, Emily.” Kerr nodded with a small smile.

“Thank you, Healer Solron and High Commander.”

“Oh, just call me Solron.”

“And call me Kerr.” The High Commander nodded. “Come this way, we will take you down to the Healer centre. I am sure you have many questions.”

“But if you are tired, questions can wait,” Solron added. “I have been fully updated on your condition, and I am ready to heal your spinal nervous system which is affecting your ability to walk properly.”

“Solron, thank you, but I didn’t come here to be cured. I want to see Vallarr: I need to know he’s alright.”

Kerr and Solron exchanged a glance, their sad expression making her heart jump into her throat.

“I am sorry, Emily, he is in a bad way. I have tried some treatments, but they have not helped. I can heal the body, but the mind is a harder thing to help.”

Her heart picked up speed, she clenched her shaking hands. “I helped him before, I know I can do so again. Take me to him, please.” Her voice cracked slightly in her utter desperation.

Solron’s studied her with concern. “Perhaps, you should wait and rest first.”

She glared at the Kelon. “With all due respect, I will not rest!” Her voice crept higher as anger washed through her veins. “I was forcibly removed from him and have been without the man I love for three, agonizing weeks. I will not wait a moment longer. Now, take me to Vallarr, or I will find someone who will!”

She pulled away from Irradon, standing on her own, hands on her hips and glared up at the two Kelons.

Kerr's full lips curved up into a wide grin. “Do as she wants, Solron; she is his
Corami
. I will not be responsible for her wrath if you keep them apart.”

Kerr nodded at Irradon, who again picked her up, cradling her against his large chest.

“Be at ease, Emily, we will take you to him. Follow us.” Solron turned, leading the way. They all boarded what looked like a rail car.

“I confess this is much my fault, Emily.” Kerr gripped on to one of the overhead bars, meeting her gaze. Irradon set her on her feet, but wrapped a tight arm around her as he, too, gripped an overhead bar.

“After his mission, I knew he was fit physically. I thought sending him to Earth would help him face the fact he did nothing wrong. My Alice told me there were good mind healing places on Earth.

"I have tired telling him it was the Xerson who were responsible for the death of the women. We sent investigators to the planet and the compound. We examined all the evidence, and found there was no possible way any of us could have spotted the traps left by the Xersons.”

“He cared deeply, which hurt him more than the blasts he survived. We also lost several good Kelon warriors that day,” Solron added. “It has been hard to break through to him. When he is not sleeping, he wails and rages. I have to often sedate him for his own sake.”

“I’ve seen it before in human soldiers. It’s called survivor's guilt—wondering why you survived when your friends, or fellow soldiers didn’t. My poor Vallarr. Has he seen this report about the traps?”

“We have tried, but he will not listen to anyone.” Kerr shook his head.

She gasped when the rail car suddenly shot out several feet before simply dropping, making her stomach churn. She latched onto her guard, gripping him tighter in a moment of panic. She felt Irradon’s chest heave in a silent chuckle.

“I am more than pleased he found you,” Kerr continued, unaffected by the drop, or the rail car's speed.

“Yet you seemed the catalyst of his mental state. Once he thought he lost you, it was simply too much grief, guilt and loss.”

Emily drew in a deep breath, her stomach settling as the rail car evened out. “I had little control over it, and I’ve disowned my father for lying. He hurt us both with his stupidity and arrogance.”

“My current report stated your government removed Colonel Morland from his post as head of human/Kelon relations. We will debate and choose the new relations representative with more care.”

“I’ve no care for military or intergalactic policies right now. I understand it’s important, but all I care about is being with Vallarr.”

“We both have human mates.” Solron smiled. “We do not care to be separated from those we love, either.”

“I have two fine, strong sons.” Kerr’s smile was pure, loving pride.

“I have a daughter.” Solron’s smile was equally as wide. “Exactly like her beautiful mother. I may have to take up extra warrior training to keep away all her future suitors.”

Kerr chuckled. “I doubt you will have trouble; the whole of Kelon knows how well you handle yourself, even for a healer.”

Emily’s heart ached, happy for these Kelon men, but at the same time desperately wanting the loving peace with her Vallarr these men had with their human wives.

“My Alice would enjoy meeting you, Emily. You are much like her. When you are ready come and visit.”

“Thank you, Kerr.” She nodded with a tense smile.

The rail car came to a jarring halt. If she wasn’t held so tightly, she would have been flung across the other side.

“Here we are.” Solron again led the way, as Irradon, who remained silent, but smiled down at her, lifted her into his arms, carrying her alongside Kerr. They followed Solron into a massive sandy-coloured building with the same type of writing, she recognised on the Kelon data pads they had back on the Earth base.

She felt the tension in the air thicken while they navigated long corridors, finally coming to a long hall with sets of tan doors, eight smaller doors on each side and little eye-level windows to peer into each room.

Emily swallowed, realising this is what passed as a psychiatric ward for Kelons. No wonder they needed help. She was thankful Hurr started to learn about healing the mind as well as the body.

Kerr hung back and Solron nodded for Irradon to set her down, facing her as he explained. “I have done my best to keep him in good health and clean. If he tries to harm you—”

“He won’t. Which room?” Emily squared her shoulders, strengthening her resolve even if she struggled to keep her body from shaking. Vallarr needed her, so she had to be strong for him.

Solron inclined his head, offering his arm. Emily clutched onto him and walked down to the far end. He pressed his hand over a flat panel, and the door slid open.

“Oh, God.” She covered her mouth, battling back her tears. Her big, strong warrior, dressed in only sandy-coloured shorts, sat huddled in the corner. His black hair hung around his shoulders, unbound. He stared blankly at the opposite wall, his gaze vacant, empty.

Unable to stop herself, she yanked away from Solron and took a step forward on her good leg before sinking to the softer padded floor. She crawled forward.

“Vallarr?” Her voice shook. “Vallarr, it’s me, Emily. Your Emily.”

He blinked, his head turned slightly and he scowled.

“No, no, no, she hates me; she does not want me,” he muttered and rocked forward. “They died, I murdered them.”

“Vallarr, I don’t hate you, I never did. It was all lies, lies my father told you.” She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. Shocked at how cold he felt, she shuffled forward, kneeling before him.

“Not real, no, not real. She cannot be here...dangerous, I am too dangerous. I crushed the small human female. She died because of me. My Emily cannot be near me, I will kill her, too.”

“Vallarr, you had burning debris on your back, the compound collapsed on top of you. It’s a miracle you survived. Listen to me, hear me. It was not your fault. You did your best to rescue them.”

She ran her hands up his neck and cupped his face, turning his head, desperate for him to see her. She stared into his amazing eyes.

“Vallarr, look at me, see me. I love you, and I always have. I need you to come back to me.”

“Emily? Are you real?” His hand lifted, but hesitated. She saw the fear in his dark gaze, afraid to touch in case she was only an illusion.

She smiled, tears blurring her vision of his face as they spilled down. “I am real, I’m here. They brought me to Kelon to be with you because you need me, and I need you, my love.”

She took his hand, pulling it to her face. “My father did this to both of us. He lied to me and took me from you. He lied to you; I never rejected you.”

His hand stroked her cheek. “But you know what I did, I murdered them.”

“No, you didn’t. The Xersons murdered the women. The traps were hidden. Kerr will show you proof. Let go of it, my love, let go of the guilt. It was never your fault. You did what you could to save them. Anyone would have been in the same position—no one could have saved them.”

“Anyone?”

“That’s right. If not you, then someone else. Anyone, Vallarr, would have been in the same position. No one could have saved them. It is not your fault, do you hear me?”

He blinked again. “Not my fault. My Emily is really here?” Her heart broke at the disbelief in his voice. She threw her arms around him, holding him close, and sobbed.

“Yes, yes! I need you, Vallarr. Come back to me, I can’t stand to be without you!”

In her own distress, she felt his arms move to her shoulders to push her away.

“Do not cry, little human. You better go, it is not safe here.”

She raised her head and sniffed, swiping at her tears with the back of her hand before brushing back the curtain of his long hair. Wrapping it around her hand, she tugged sharply and, using a Kelon tactic, she growled low.

“Don’t you dare try to push me away, Vallarr. You are a warrior and you are mine! Snap out of this and stop feeling so damn sorry for yourself because I am not going to be raising our babies alone, you hear me? If I can’t have you then I’ll find another who will take me and raise our children.”

His eyes opened wide in surprise. He blinked and stared at her for a long moment. Emily kept her fierce expression.

“Babies? What do you mean 'our babies'?”

A sob of relief tore from her throat. She let loose his hair and threw her arms around him. He crushed her against his chest. She knew, could feel it; he was back with her. “Oh, by the fires of Elron, Emily, my
Corami
.”

“I love you, Vallarr, you are mine.”

“I do not know how or why you are here, but I do not care. You are mine and I will never let you go again.”

“No, never again. Together forever, promise me?” She pulled back, seeing better clarity in his eyes, tears leaking down the side of his face. “I swear by the God Elron himself, forever Emily, forever.”

His lips were on her, hot and demanding. She melted into him in complete surrender. Her heart and soul where they belonged, here in his arms.