Not Quite Terran Part 5 (Scifi Alien Romance Serial) (3 page)

Karru jerked against her, his hips sealing to hers as his shout echoed off the walls and he found completion as well. Once again his essence filled her, sinking into her and branding her as his. Yes, they still had an official Palia mating to complete, but she was irrevocably his now.

As the pleasure became almost unbearable, she sobbed and slumped over him, allowing him to further dictate their movements and positions. His trembles matched hers, their bodies moving in sync as the ultimate completion continued to rocket through them. Their breaths matched, chests heaving in sync, and when his pulse slowed, hers did as well.

Slowly their heartbeats returned to normal, air no longer wheezing in and out of their lungs, and she relaxed against him fully.

Karru stroked her back, his sweat-dampened fingers stroking her moist skin, and she shivered with renewing arousal. Then the climate control kicked on and caused them both to shiver for a different reason.

She wiggled against him, burrowing even closer, fighting to take his warmth, which drew a chuckle from him. Which had his still hardened shaft stroking her inner walls, and suddenly she wasn’t thinking about chilly air anymore. Well, not only chilly air. Because some thoughts were centered on Karru. Karru and making love to him once again.

Rebecca slid her arms beneath his, palms against the back of his shoulders. Without giving a clue to her actions, she tightened her knees and threw herself to the side, effectively flipping them.

“What the—”

This new position solved two problems—she was no longer on top and cold, and… “Get naked. It is time you did your part.”

* * *

Rebecca’s original plan was to sign the agreement with the federation, deal with Takkol’s bullshit, and then leave Rilli behind forever. Unfortunately, the federation representatives decided to reorganize her wentic. Lovely. Just when she’d worked up the energy to climb from bed, her entire wentic had gone to crap.

One shower—or two, since washing two bodies took twice as long and they restarted more than once—later and she was awake enough to down a few cups of Terran coffee. If she hadn’t already married Karru, she would tie herself to him for the coffee alone. She clutched the full mug to her chest as they traveled, their transport gliding over the pathways with ease.

“So now it’s Takkol, then federation, then you’ll take me home?” Home. For so long she’d considered Terra home, but now the word represented Palia.

“We could go home now.” Karru slid his arm across her shoulders and eased her toward him.

“No,” she grumbled. Palia might not feel like home quite yet, but she did feel a responsibility to the people. To the men who ached to have a sweet one of their own. “We’ll deal with this. As long as you keep the coffee coming.”

A lot of coffee.

Their transport finally slowed before their destination and gently eased to a stop. Her guards/brothers were quick to surround the vehicle and eventually grant them exit. Karru left first, ensuring he was comfortable with her safety, and then turned and held his hand out for her. She gratefully placed her palm against his and allowed him to yank her free. An actual yank because she was so exhausted and couldn’t do it herself.

The moment she was on two feet, he wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her close. She leaned against him, enjoying his warmth and support. Each time they touched, each time she breathed in his scent, she fell a little more in love with him. Okay, it was a lot of lust, but there was definitely love in there. Especially when they were alone and he left his clothes scattered on the ground and she tripped on them while still bleary-eyed.

Their stride didn’t slow as they approached the structure, everyone making way for them and giving them a clear shot to the meeting room. All too soon, they were striding toward the federation representatives, each one surrounded by an air of anticipation. This was an exciting thing. Both groups were making concessions which ended with happiness and hope all around.

A commotion on the other side of the room, guards dragging in a snarling and growling Takkol, drew her attention.

Yes, it was exciting, but there was this mess to deal with first.

“Jhoari G’Zeri—”

“C’Hali,” she immediately corrected him and he frowned while Karru stiffened at her side.

“C’Hali is your hus-band’s name.”

Rebecca tilted her head to the side and dipped her chin in acknowledgment. “Yes, and we were joined in a Terran ceremony. It is Terran custom for the wife to take the husband’s name.”

“Does this mean you submit to him?” The Rwaddi narrowed his eyes.

She was quick to answer him. “As you heard yesterday, I plan on obeying him only occasionally. For me, it is simply a statement of pride, and a reminder to all that while they may disagree with my changes and plans for Palia, I will always belong to Karru and he will always be at my side. The empire can make a claim on me, but it is a reminder that Karru got me first.”

“Interesting.” The volume of the confrontation grew and ended any further exploration of her motives. “And you wish to address this issue this wentic?”

No, but
you
want me to address this before we sign our treaty
.

“Of course. Karru and I depart as soon as this issue is resolved and we finalize the connection between the empire and the federation. I would like to begin my life on Palia with a clean slate and my mate at my side.” It was the truth even if she scrubbed it clean of curse words.

“Excellent.” The Rwaddi gestured and the guards dragged Takkol forward. “You, Takkol Y’Shul, have been charged with a threat against the monarchy of Palia. Attempted murder of the Jhoari-consort with the intent to murder the Jhoari. What is your plea?”

Takkol was quick to spit his venom. “She is not the Jhoari. She is a pretender. I did not attempt to murder the Jhoari, but to oust a false claimant to the throne.” He jerked against the men holding him. “Release me and I will finish the job.”

Rebecca really should have gone through a few more decorum lessons. That fact had never been more evident than when she replied to Takkol’s accusations.

“Are you fucking kidding me? I mean, really?” The entire room fell silent, Takkol included. Yep, more classes. Oh well, she’d push on. “Okay, let’s go through a few facts since we have a captive audience.”

She stepped away from Karru. If she was going to do this, she would stand on her own two feet. She’d dealt with liars and bullies before, this was no different. Well, a little different since she had an entire empire resting on her shoulders, but the concept was the same. “Fact one, you people—Karru—found
me
. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled he
did
find me. I’ve never been as happy as I am with him. It’s all the rest that I could take or leave. He found me, he took a small sample of my genetic code, and suddenly I’m having a crown shoved at me. Hell, you were at the front of the line.”

She couldn’t stand still, she had too much furious energy filling her. So she strode forward, finger extended and she poked him in the chest. “
You
said I was the empress.
You
put me in charge. And when I wouldn’t allow
you
to pull my strings or negotiate with your agenda in mind,
you
tried to kill me.”

“You are—” Takkol tried to refute her, but she wasn’t having it.

“And let’s assume I am a fraud. That means I am not Jhoari C’Hali and that Karru is still the Jhoari.” She narrowed her eyes. “What kind of sentence are you going to get for
killing
Jhoari C’Hali?” She knew her brothers would hold him steady. “Because he
died
. His heart stopped, and he wasn’t breathing. Is this really the way you want to go? Because I’ll tell you now, if I am not considered the Jhoari, then you killed yours.” She took a step back, waiting for his response, and all she received were shallow wheezes through his open mouth. “Choose, Takkol. Murder of the Jhoari-consort or the Jhoari.”

“But…” His attention darted around the room, as if he sought support from the other Palia males within the walls.

“But nothing. There is no disputing the facts. You fired a phaser at Karru C’Hali. He stopped breathing and was technically dead for sixty tics. No matter his status now, he was
dead
.” She returned to Karru’s side. “The punishment for such a crime is death. The only question at this time is the method. You can suffer as any other Palia citizen or I will grant you the option of accepting a ruling from the federation representatives.”

She hoped he chose the federation. The federation was kind in general yet immovable when sentencing criminals.

“What—” he cut himself off and licked his lips, attention snapping from Rebecca to the panel before returning to her. “The federation. I choose the federation.”

“So, be it.” She turned toward the men. “I have judged him as guilty by both Palia and federation law. The prisoner has requested federation punishment. I await the panel’s decision.”

The Rwaddi responded immediately. “Have him treated and sent to Vendan 3.”

“Ouch.” She winced and stared at Takkol. “You really should have chosen us. At least you would have been able to die.”

Takkol’s eyes suddenly went wild, fear truly filling him now. “What are you talking about? The federation is lenient. They don’t believe in torture.”

“You’re correct, they don’t believe in torture or putting murderers to death. However, they also don’t believe extending your life to eternity and having you work on a mining planet is torture.” She dropped her voice to a low murmur. “I will have your family notified of your new home. They are permitted to communicate with you once per year.” She glanced at her brothers. “Take him away.”

Just before he was spun around, Rebecca caught sight of tears perched on his lashes. She didn’t for a moment believe he was crying from the guilt—or even sorry for what he’d done—but simply because his future spread before him in an unending path of pain and exhaustion.

She shouldn’t feel bad for what he was about to suffer. Karru had
died
because of him. And yet… Vendan 3.

Pressing her lips together, she faced the panel. “I realize he has made his choice. And I know federation law allows victims to speak on the criminal’s behalf. He must suffer, I do not dispute that need or bone-deep desire, but I do ask that should he exhibit true remorse as determined by federation officials, he be given the opportunity to amend his choice. If he wishes to die by a Palia blade, I would like him to have that opportunity.”

“Jhoari Karru C’Hali? You are the other injured party. Do you agree?” the Rwaddi questioned.

Karru jerked, and she knew why. It was the first time he’d been viewed as an equal to her. He met her gaze, and she let him see inside her soul. Let him view her pain, her grief, and her empathy for Takkol.

“Yes, I agree. My wife is both righteous and compassionate.”

The male nodded. “Let it be recorded as such. Now, I believe we have a treaty to sign.”

… Unrestricted access to federation facilities…

… Unrestricted trade with federation facilities…

… Claiming of females according to alien traditions and full agreement…

* * *

Rebecca was consciously aware of Karru at all times. When he stepped away to discuss further provisioning for their ship, she kept him within sight. Even if she couldn’t see where he stood behind her, she sensed him. He was there, even if he was not necessarily
there.

“Jhoari Rebecca C’Hali,” a nearby male murmured and she knew the voice.

Fury consumed her, the anger, hurt, and the fear that had consumed her after he vanished overwhelmed her in a blinding wave. She spun toward him, the movement fast and sharp. “Varr,” she snapped off his name. “What are you doing here? Why are you here?”

She had half a mind to yell for her guards and have him hauled away.

“I came with apologies.”

“Apologies?” She released a rueful laugh. “
Apologies?
” her voice raised with that last question, and she felt Karru’s concerned gaze. She took a deep breath and fought for calm. If not calm, at least a lower volume. “What are you going to apologize for? The fact that Albe was going to rape me? Or the Duggises? Or, or, or… do you know how many there were?” She was satisfied when his face tightened and paled with embarrassment. “Explain to me
exactly
what you’re apologizing for?”

“I did not understand then, but I understand now. It was a mistake.”

She was not going to slice his head from his body. She wasn’t. “A mistake?” Her voice was calm, too calm. She felt the overwhelming need for retribution burning her blood. “A mistake?”

Then a soothing warmth filled her, flowed from the male at her back and into her body. It carefully dampened the rage. “You must forgive, my sweet one.” He brushed his cheek against hers. “It is as much his fault as it is mine. I did not realize—”

“No, you wouldn’t have. But Varr has known me since the first wentic I stepped on Rilli. He has seen the split lips and blackened eyes when I couldn’t afford to go to medical for treatment. He has seen the bruising and witnessed me limping more than once. Between being beat up and others trying to…”

Varr paled further but remained silent.

Karru eased back and gripped her shoulders, carefully urging her to face him. Then he cupped her cheeks, and forced her gaze to meet his. “You know it was mostly my fault and
I
did not know those things. You should not blame him alone. He does not deserve all your wrath.” She hated that he made sense. “I will kill him if you like. It is my right as the mate of an injured female. It would be a battle of honor and he would die as an honorable male.”

A low whine came from the alien behind her and she forced herself to calm enough to think clearly. Was she furious at Varr? Without a doubt. Did she want him
dead
?

No. He was negligent and selfish and an idiot, but he wasn’t another Takkol.

“No. But I never want to see him again.”

“Of course.” He gently pulled her against him further, until her cheek rested on his chest. “I should assume you do not wish to see me either? Since I am partly to blame?”