Sex, Love, and Aliens, Volume 1 (9 page)

Outside, a red-orange haze obscured the peaks of the sacred mountaintop. A subtle humming drew Ric’s gaze upward to where the ventilation purifier ran. Condensation dripped down to create a puddle on the marble mosaic floor. Ric’s heart beat faster as the muscle responded to his growing anxiety over his fear of contamination from the poisoned world.

Sitting in the cool, pristine room it was hard to remember the planet was dying. This culture created stubborn and devoutly religious people. Most of them were just waiting for the end, refusing sanctuary, and preparing to die. He shook his head over the massive waste of life. The citizens were already beyond hope now.

If Daroo custom didn’t dictate these meetings take place with both men equally matched and dressed in the customary leather
hoxha
—tight to knee short pants—he’d still be in the multilayer protective suit.

The shorter, pale male fidgeted nervously. He rubbed his hands on his thighs. A barely perceivable twitch in his jaw told Ric the exporter was as anxious to see this deal done as he was. The man’s eyes narrowed as he studied Ric with all the arrogance that Daroo tribal leaders were galaxy-wide known to possess; however, this man’s expression held a hint of something harder to define.

“Mentor Marit, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble to get my attention. I admit the opportunity to be the first importer of non-Daroo descent to transport such rare cargo intrigues me,” Ric said.

Marit held up a shiny gem with a circumference that fit perfectly into his palm. The cut gave the breath-taking stone a refractive quality. A multitude of rainbows sparkled around the room as the light from the single window hit the smooth facets. The stone changed hues as the light played across its surface from different angles. This stone, the mother’s tears, was rare outside of Daroo. Wealthy gem collectors were always looking for the few that smugglers sold each year. Ric held his breath. He tried to hide just how much he wanted this cargo.

The cut he’d take from such a rare, beautiful treasure would restore his dwindling status on Metricia. Saving his company was a dream that slipped further out of his reach each season.

“You said there was a price for the man of honor you choose to do business with. Before I ask what the price is I want to know how you convinced the Holy Council to agree to this,” Ric queried. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited. “I won’t transport illegal cargo.”

The man smiled. His teeth appeared discolored from the effects of the planet’s decomposing atmosphere on his body. Ric cringed, regretting not wearing his safety suit yet again.

“You are just the type of man I’ve been searching for since our world began to die. Soon we will be gone. So will our culture. The Holy Council wants what we all do—remembrance. They know the value of the mother’s tears stone outside of our planet. We use them for meditation and prayer, but women of your people wish to wear them as adornments. They see them as beauty enhancers, and we see them as a piece of our goddess.”

He paused and ran his hand through his thinning hair.

“The Holy Council might hate vanity, but they respect memories. Without someone to say our names, we lose our status in the afterworld. Each gem represents a name of someone who has refused to leave the planet. You will assure our people have respect in the afterworld.”

Ric swallowed reflexively. He rubbed his sweating palms against the thighs of his leather
hoxha
pants. This was a cargo of unusual importance. Humbled and anxious, he regarded the Daroo male levelly.

“I would see every name reached the hands of someone who would treasure the significance. The sacred aspect of these stones will make them the most sought after jewels on my world. Such things are desirable in the cities across Metricia. Family is a lost art to us, but one the Daroo still practice beautifully,” Ric replied. “I will perform my duty with diligence.”

He noticed the older man’s gaze go to the window. The Daroo elder frowned.

“Your culture’s demise will be an anguish throughout the galaxy, but none will mourn louder than the Metricians,” Ric rushed to say the words. “The simple beauty of your way of life is something our culture envies.”

The truth that the Daroo held little esteem for his people’s wild and excessive lifestyle was no secret, but Ric hoped the passion in his voice would move the man to trust him.

The Daroo leaned forward, and his wary expression evolved into a grin. “You accept this duty? Yes?”

“Of course, Mentor Marit. I am honored to be chosen.”

“Excellent, but now comes the matter of price,” muttered the older man.

Marit waited a heartbeat before taking Ric’s right hand. He placed the heel of Ric’s palm ceremonially over his own forehead to symbolize they were speaking of important matters of inner sight and religious significance. Ric flinched. He’d seen such things, but had never experienced such a sacred connection to the mysterious Daroo religion.

“I entrust the souls of my people to you, Aydric Julius, and my daughter Kateri. Leave here as a husband. Vow my words will be honored.”

Ric didn’t respond. His throat closed. He stared hard at the other man, and a frown pulled his brows together. The corners of his mouth turned down, and he shook his head.

The dying man pressed Ric’s hand harder to his forehead. “Do you accept my price, Aydric Julius? Marry my daughter and take her away with your cargo. She is untainted.”

Ric didn’t pull his arm away from the older man’s grip, but he wanted to. Nothing in the Daroo male’s correspondence indicated he’d expected such a dramatic payment.

“How much is your cut for the gems?” Ric hoped he’d demand an unreasonable percentage so he could walk away from this without insulting the prominent tribal leader. He should have guessed this would be a waste of his time. Nothing this good could be true.

“Fifteen percent paid to my daughter and your word you’ll never harm my girl.”

Ric gritted his teeth. The rate was more than fair. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a fortune. As horrific as the catch was, he didn’t want to say no.

“I accept,” Ric uttered dejectedly. He closed his eyes and brought his free hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. A heavy sigh flowed from his lungs.

The Daroo elder leaned forward, still holding Ric’s hand against his head. “Our people must live and die on this planet to be welcomed into the holy fields of
Darina
, but I will not see my child die. I will be watching you from the afterworld. Harm her and you will feel the vengeance of my spirit.”

Ric cringed. Marriage was an antiquated concept he had no interest in, but he could see this man loved his child. Refusing her would be murder. There was no other culturally acceptable way for the old man to get her off world before the radiation levels killed everything.

“I vow to see to her safety. She has my protection as long as she would like.”

Marit released Ric and made a low humming noise with his eyes closed. The Daroo tribal leader rocked in his seat three times. He sat up and opened his eyes.

“It is done, my son. Welcome to our family.”

Family had never had a warm and fuzzy connotation for Ric. He felt sick. “Thank you,” he uttered. It was the best he could do.

Marit clapped his hands loudly. Two women stepped into the room. They were both tall for Daroo females, almost his height. Their clothing was of the best quality. One wore the headdress of a married woman and he could see her face, but the other wore the facial veils of a maiden. He couldn’t see his “bride” and that sent a cold spike of terror through him.

Why am I doing this to myself? Fuck. If I didn’t need the money…
But he did.

As the girl came to kneel beside her father, Ric realized he’d rather face a laser pistol-wielding hijacker than this woman. The traditional
charado
robe that consisted of many layers of light, sheer fabric did nothing to hide the outline of her body. His mouth went dry and sweat stung his eyes.

The older woman offered him a light meal of native Darooian nuts and fruit. Ric shook his head. He didn’t want to risk polluting himself with radiated food. But this transaction was too important for him to offend them.

“Forgive me, I am far too full of…of joy to eat,” Ric said.

Marit’s woman gazed at him for a moment. Her shrewd eyes narrowed with doubt, but she nodded and pulled the offered tray away.

The kneeling girl was so still he couldn’t even tell if she was breathing. His host was watching the silent female with an unfathomable sorrow. Then he turned to study Ric without speaking for a drawn out length of anxiety-filled time. Ric fidgeted nervously.

Oh damn, I hope I haven’t blown this. I’ll lose the ship without this deal.
Ric tried to hide his worry from the other man by keeping his face expressionless.

“We only eat food that arrives in bio locked containers. Our offering is safe. Kateri has not left this house since she was a girl of ten. She has spent half her life hiding from death, it’s long past time she was allowed to live,” said Marit in the gentle tone. There was no anger or censor on his face, just sadness.

The quiet girl flinched. The movement was subtle, but Ric was used to watching for the slightest tells during negotiations. The girl’s posture stiffened.

So she was twenty. He relaxed a bit. She was a decade younger than he was, but at least she wasn’t some underage child.

Embarrassed, Ric looked away. “Forgive me,” he said, unsure if he was apologizing for the planet’s destruction or his behavior.

“You have nothing to apologize for. Caution is an admirable trait. Integrity is another thing I respect. She will make a good wife…”

Marit paused as a string of quickly spoken Dar, their language, interrupted him. Her outraged voice drifted up from under the veils and proved she had a bit of spirit.

The older man’s fatherly tone ebbed between anger and softness. Ric only caught a few words, but he was almost positive the girl hadn’t known she was part of the conditions for this export.

When she was silent, Ric could see her shaking. The strangest urge to comfort her came over him, but he shoved it away. Perhaps it was the camaraderie of being tricked, but the protectiveness her reaction stirred in him didn’t go away.

She muttered something, and he fought to suppress his grin. He had the most inappropriate urge to peek under her veil and see her expression. Was she seething with rage, or was she pouting? He wanted to know. The veil tormented his naturally overactive Metrician curiosity.

“Kateri is a good girl, dutiful. She is…uncomfortable leaving her family behind,” said the anxious man democratically.

Ric cleared his throat awkwardly. He could respect the answer. If he truly cared about anyone, he wouldn’t want to leave them to die either. A planet hadn’t died since the days of old Earth. Pain squeezed his heart in a metaphoric vise. Guilt. His people treated their world like it was garbage, and yet Metricia would live on long after Daroo was space dust.

“Don’t look so dour, Captain Aydric Julius. We will die with our gods, but our daughter will live on for us and remember our names. Saving her life is worth risking my soul,” Marit said quietly. “She is the most precious gem in your cargo.”

Ric nodded. No one had ever loved him as this man loved his daughter. It was astounding and humbling to be entrusted with her life. He’d never wanted such a responsibility thrust on him, but now that it was, he couldn’t turn them down. He could tell the girl was looking at him. Her attention agitated his inquisitiveness back to the forefront of his mind. He didn’t even know if she spoke General.

Would she consent to me? Is she willing to marry a stranger? What am I getting myself into?
Ric still had the urge to run away from this, but he’d never allowed himself to suffer regret, and this would be nothing but a regret if he left, so he stayed. He wanted to talk to the girl and make sure she was willing. He didn’t believe in much, but his honor mattered to him.

“I will cherish her and remember your name,” Ric said ceremonially. “If she is not being forced into this against her will.”

“Kateri is a child of Daroo, but she doesn’t believe the goddess would punish those who flee. She wants to live, Aydric Julius, and you are my only hope to save her.”

“Then I will,” Ric replied simply.

The man smiled with grim satisfaction. He looked at his daughter. “I hope you will forgive your mother and me and remember our love when you remember our names.”

The girl nodded quickly but didn’t speak. Since the father had spoken to her in General, Ric hoped that meant she understood the language.

The older woman left the room. The man’s daughter—his bride—never moved, but the tension in the room was palpable. Ric shifted his weight uncomfortably from his left to his right foot. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he could feel the pressure of her gaze as he and her father exchanged awkward glances. He didn’t know what they were waiting for.

When the mother returned she was holding a box covered with a thin, almost transparent, cloth. The woman gracefully knelt before her husband. The man put a shaking hand on her head, and she rose, but left the box at his feet.

“Step forward, Aydric Julius, and kneel to accept your bride,” the Daroo said authoritatively.

Ric complied. The older man turned toward his veiled daughter. He took her hand and placed it on the box, and then he took Ric’s hand and placed it on the girl’s.

“Kateri of the Clan of Winds, make your oath.”

The girl hesitated. A flash of solidarity surprised Ric, as he understood her reluctance. This girl was pledging her soul to save her life, and he was pledging his to save his ship. He couldn’t help but admire her for her reluctance. Her fear of death made his fear of financial ruin seem pathetic.

“I welcome this man into my clan. My duty, body, and spirit belong to him. I make the vow.”

The Daroo elder’s expression grew more intense. The mother rang a single tinkling bell and the high, soft tone reverberated in a pretty way, but it bothered Ric deeply. He couldn’t fully explain his negative reaction. Ric and his new business partner/father-in-law studied each other.