Gracie's Touch Zion Warriors 1 (23 page)

“It will help Gracie to have someone she knows living close to us. I welcome you as a neighbor and as a friend.” Kordon said with feeling.

Bran cleared his throat. “Now that we have that clear up, what are you planning to do about the councilman’s claim Gracie?” Bran asked before adding. “…Besides killing him, of course.”

Kordon looked grimly at the men before he began outlining his plans. All three men listened intently, nodding and giving suggestions. They would do whatever was necessary to keep Gracie safe and happy, even if it meant killing someone to do it.

Gracie nervously adjusted the material of her black, form-fitting jacket again as she followed Kordon off the transport ship. They left the
Conqueror
a half hour before after Toolas gave Gracie the all clear. Kordon insisted Toolas examine Gracie once more before he would take her off the warship. Gracie gave in gracefully as she considered she won the first battle of wills for that day.

The morning, or rather late afternoon on Paulus - Gracie was still having trouble with time since it was hard to tell on board the
Conqueror
- began enjoyably enough. Kordon woke Gracie up with his kisses. He made love to her so gently she felt like crying afterwards. She had never felt so loved before. Afterwards, they bathed each other which lead to another round of love making. Gracie bit back a giggle as she remembered Kordon leaning back against the bathing stall with his head thrown back.

“You are going to kill me!” He growled out trying to control the waves washing through him as the last orgasm racked his body.

“But just think what a wonderful way to die.” Gracie said licking her lips as she rose off her shaking knees.

Gracie leaned heavily against Kordon as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. A fierce protectiveness washed over him as he felt her delicate weight pressing against his.
How was it possible for someone who felt so fragile, be so strong?
Kordon thought tenderly. He moved one hand up to hold Gracie’s head against his chest while the other remained wrapped around her waist.

“I want you to wear the ceremonial dress of the women from Zion. All females on Zion wear dresses.” Kordon said gruffly.

Gracie pulled back to stare up into Kordon’s dark blue eyes. She shook her head. “Thanks but no thanks. I haven’t worn a dress since I was about two. I never did like them. My mom finally gave up trying to make me wear them since I always wore shorts or pants under them anyway.” Gracie said with a grimace.

Dresses were horrible. If they were too long, you got tangled up in them. If they were too short, everything hung out when you bent over. A girl couldn’t run, climb, crawl, or anything else very easily in them either. Since all of those seemed to have been a part of Gracie’s life for so long, she never give dresses a thought. Nope, pants, shorts, or capri’s were the way to go.

Kordon frowned down at Gracie. “Never the less, you will wear what I tell you. I had Mohan replicate one of my clan’s designs in your size. She delivered it late last night.”

Gracie’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “If my mom couldn’t get me in one you might as well give up. I don’t wear dresses, end of discussion. If you want me to wear a pantsuit, okay. Shorts… great. Jeans, you’ll be my hero forever. But, dresses…” Gracie chuckled. “…never.”

Now as they walked toward a covered ground transport, Gracie looked at Kordon’s clenched jaw and tightly pressed lips through her lashes. He was not very happy with her right now. Gracie ran her hand down the soft, black fabric of her jacket and matching pants again before she let one of her hands drop down to brush her fingers against his.

Kordon glanced down, his gaze softening when he saw the worried look in her own dark green one. “Did your parents ever mention you are extremely stubborn?” He murmured.

Gracie let a small smile curve her lips. “All the time.” She whispered back. “Thank you…for everything.”

Kordon nodded once more before he moved to walk in front of her. She knew what the men were doing. Adam, Adrian, Mark, and Chance used to do it whenever she had to leave the tunnels. Only this time it was Quan, Cooraan, Bran, and Kordon. They effectively formed a tight, protective circle around her smaller form. Kordon was in front with Bran to her right, Cooraan to her left, and Quan to her rear. Mohan followed a short distance behind Quan.

Kordon explained he was ordered to bring Gracie to the Confederation of Planet’s council chambers the moment they were on the planet. He explained the Council wished to meet Gracie and thank her personally for destroying the Alluthan mother ship and rescuing the women who were taken. Gracie didn’t want to go but Kordon was insistent. There was something he wasn’t telling her. She could feel it deep down. That was how she finally won the battle about the dress. She agreed to compromise with him. She would go before the Council if she could wear pants. She joked about how much easier it would be to run if she needed to escape them. Kordon had stood still for a moment as if contemplating the fact she might actually have to run before nodding his head agreement. Now, as a shiver ran down her spine, she couldn’t help but feel like she was walking to her sentencing instead of to a welcoming.

Kordon entered the transport first, followed by Gracie. The others moved to fill the seats across from them. Gracie smiled as Mohan took the seat next to her. Gracie threaded her fingers through Mohan’s and squeezed it. Mohan turned and smiled encouragingly at Gracie.

“Much as changed in your life in a short time. I want you to know I feel privileged to know you, Gracie Jones. I am fortunate to call you my friend.” Mohan said in English softly.

Gracie smiled up at Mohan. “I’m the one who is fortunate, Mohan. I consider you my sister. In some ways, you remind me a lot of Violet. I wish I knew what happened to them.” Gracie responded softly.

Mohan looked surprised at first then sheepish. “I have been doing more research. I should have sent you the translated copies of my father’s archive that I have. I can tell you briefly about your family and friends. There was much documentation after the battles about them…and you.”

Gracie’s breath caught for a moment before she released it. She felt Kordon’s hand clasp her other hand and he gave her an encouraging squeeze. Kordon nodded to Mohan to continue when she looked at him for guidance.

“Tell her what you can before we get to the Council Chambers. I will make sure she gets the details once we arrive on Zion.” Kordon said quietly.

Gracie realized Kordon’s grasp of English was improving daily. She forgot he was learning her language as she spoke in Confederation Standard all the time anymore. Gracie smiled her thanks to Kordon before turning her attention on Mohan.

“Please, tell me what you can.” Gracie begged softly.

“I told you Chance and your sister, Violet, mated and had three children. Their descendants still rule on Earth, along with the descendents of Adam, Adrian, and the one called Mark. Each of them also found mates. The High Council on Earth is made up of a representative from each region. There is no longer what you call ‘countries’ on Earth. After the Alluthan war, the population of Earth was down to a little over a hundred million. It was decided a High Council was formed so the remaining population could be as one. A standard language was decided and rebuilding began. Adam became the first Chancellor of the Council. He ruled for many years before stepping down. He mated with a female rebel leader from Japan. Their union created four children, two boys and two girls. Adrian was on the Council as well and spent much time working with the one you call Mark on developing the technology they recovered from the Alluthans for Earth. It was through their work that Earth space travel became more prominent during the twenty-second century. Adrian mated with a freedom fighter from the area known as France while Mark mated with an American doctor. Each had three children, two boys and a girl.” Mohan said. “From what I have read in the archives, each of them was very happy in their unions and very successful in working to rebuild your world. One thing you should know, Gracie. They all missed you very much. Your sacrifice made you a legend among the people of Earth. There are statues of you in every city of the planet and your words of hope, love, and strength helped form the new constitution that is still guiding the planet today.”

Gracie blushed at first then paled as the weight of what Mohan was saying pressed down on her. When she gave her messages every day on Gracie’s Touch, she did it not for herself but for the millions of others. She wanted them to know there was someone out there fighting for them who wouldn’t give up, no matter what. She never expected it to have such an impact. If her death had this type of impact on the Earth, she wondered vaguely what her resurrection would have. Just the thought of what could happen was enough to scare the daylights out of her.

Gracie was about to say as much when the transport slowed suddenly. She had been so interested in what Mohan was saying she didn’t even pay attention to where they were going. Gracie looked around suddenly feeling the beginnings of a panic attack coming on. What would be expected of her? Was she supposed to act a certain way? Did they expect her to make some kind of grand speech? If so, they were going to be shit-out-of-luck. It would be short and simple – thank you, glad I could help, now leave me alone and let me finally have a life was sounding pretty good. She might even be able to shorten it to ‘thanks, see you.’ That sounded even better.

Kordon slid out of his side of the transport and held his hand out to Gracie. He squeezed her hand gently when he felt the small tremors moving through her fingers. He pulled her out and into his arms briefly ignoring the stares of those standing around outside of the Confederation Council building. He was not concerned. His primary focus was on protecting Gracie and making sure she was safe.

He talked at length with Toolas before they left the
Conqueror
. She stressed her concerns over Gracie’s mental and physical health. While Gracie stated she felt fine and didn’t feel stress out, her body was saying something else. Toolas was concerned about Gracie being underweight. She made sure Kordon understood that while the physical wounds from the injuries she received from the Alluthans appeared to be healed her body still needed time to finish the process. She also re-enforced that Gracie had been through a lot of trauma in a short period of time and she may not even realize just how much until she is in a safe environment. It was Toolas finally words of disapproval that tightened Kordon’s grip on Gracie. Toolas said Gracie’s hormone levels were elevated indicating she could be pregnant. Toolas was concerned if Gracie didn’t gain weight and became too distraught it could be a danger to both her and the embryo.

“Keep her calm, safe, and happy.” Toolas had scolded him fiercely. “That young girl has been through enough.”

Kordon leaned down and brushed a kiss across Gracie’s lips before turning to look at the other men surrounding them. He nodded briefly. Mohan moved to stand in the center of them next to Gracie. Quan leaned down as she moved to pass him and whispered in her delicate ear.

“Remember, if things get difficult get Gracie and yourself out of there and to the back of the building. Kordon’s brother, Saffron, will be waiting with a transport. He will take you both to Kordon’s home on Zion where we will meet up with you.” Quan said quietly.

Mohan looked deeply into Quan’s dark eyes for a moment before nodding. “Be careful.” She responded quietly letting her hand slide against his cheek briefly.

Gracie looked at Mohan suspiciously. “What is going on?” She asked under her breath.

“Just be ready to go with me if things get bad, Gracie Jones.” Mohan whispered back. “There is something going on but we are not sure what it is. It is better to be prepared.”

Gracie frowned at Kordon’s back. Why didn’t he say he suspected something earlier? Gracie let out a low growl of frustration. He was just as bad as the guys used to be. She was really going to have to let him know she might look defenseless but she was a lot stronger than he knew. Gracie could feel her blood beginning to boil. If any of those councilmen thought she was going to be some push-over than she would set them straight. She finally had her man, had kicked some serious ass - twice, and was over eight hundred years old, dammit. She was ready to do what she wanted!