Stardust (18 page)

There is no Darton, she thought to herself as her heart clenched in fear. Had he fallen prey to the Sybortron?
Or had one of the repulsive creatures already killed him?
“
This is not my home,
”
she declared, standing tall and proud before her captor.

Slamock
sat upon a fat metal bench which seemed to be composed of the
most precious met
al of all of Palermos –
Regilus, a substance even more rare than the fabled gold of Earth. Legions of citizens had died on Palermos mining the metal from the bowels of the planet in hopes of gaining wealth and riches. Encrusted into the brown smooth surface were stones of equal rarity and richness. Yet Slamock sat upon his throne with no reverence to its beauty or wealth.

“
Oh, yes,
”
Slamock exclaimed.
“
The great planet of Palermos. Rich with all the things you have mentioned. But if it is so beautiful of a place, then why have you left your home, in, shall we say, so abrupt a manner?
”

Aurora felt Talena stir and prayed the turin
would remain
hidden.
“
H
ow do you know of my movements?
And of my planet? Krossos is far from the center of the universe.
”

“
Your ship
’
s entrance into our world did not go unnoticed. Neither did the mechanical man who followed you to the surface. Even now my guards watch his movements, waiting to see what he does next. Bartok has been very foolish to send such a thing. What do you call it? A Sybortron?
”
His narrow eyes raked over Aurora in appreciation, making her shudder.

“
How do you know of Bartok?
”
she demanded.

Slamock straightened in his seat.
“
Do you think your planet is the only one to face such a trying time?
”
He thumped his spear against the floor.
“
His uncle Saatan has plagued my kingdom for years, trying to steal our precious stone and our medicines. But unlike the cowards that inhabit Palermos, we have fought and died to save ourselves. Even moving from the surface to escape the barbaric sweeps of fire he sends across our land.
”

He saw Aurora
’
s eyes widen and laughed.
“
Did you think we would choose such an existence for ourselves? No, no, my lovely creature
. Once Krossos would have riva
led Palermos for its beauty.
But the heat and d
estruction turned our home
into
this barren waste land. Only a small portion of our planet and precious treasures were left undamaged
before Saatan tired of his games and moved on.
”

Aurora moved closer, entranced by his words and the look within his glowing yellow eyes.
“
Then you are not a creature such as you appear? Has Saatan cast a curse upon your planet and its people?
”
She reached out as if to touch him.

Slamock swayed near, his breathing deepening.
“
Yes, my beauty. Touch me, release me from the evil of your cruel overlord,
”
he hissed.

“
Slamock!
”

The sound of his name being shouted from the shadows echoed throughout the room.

Aurora jerked back, feeling as if she had just been released from some sort of trance. She refused to meet the creature
’
s gaze again. Instead she peered into the darkness, trying to see from where the voice had come. From behind a large rock wall a being appeared, a warm light surrounding it.

The brightness faded as the thing moved forward. As the blinding light dissipated, Aurora could make out a face above the brilliant white robes.
“
You are human!
”
she exclaimed.

“
Yes, my dear,
”
the high voice said, coming closer,
“
I am.
”

“
And you are female.
”
Aurora could not believe another female would be in such a place. At least not willingly. As the woman neared, she saw the woman was well advanced in years.
“
Who are you? Has Slamock captured you as he has me? Do not worry, old one, when I leave I will take you with me,
”
Aurora vowed fiercely.

The woman laughed softly.
“
My, but you are a
spirited one.
”
She lay a hand on Aurora
’
s arm.
“
I apologize for my son
’
s behavior.
”

Aurora
’
s head whipped around to look at Slamock who lounged on his bench looking for all the world like a sullen little boy.
“
But how can that be? You are of flesh and blood and he is...?
”
she trailed off. She did not know what Slamock or his guards were exactly.

“
Do not worry, child,
”
the woman said.
“
We will explain everything when the time is right. But first allow me to introduce myself. I am Somora, mother of Slamock, wife of the late Shivera.
”
She clapped her hands and two other females appeared dressed in the same brilliant white robes.
“
We will bathe you and relax you, then nourish you with sweet food of the gods. Then we will tell you the tale of Krossos.
”

* * *

Bartok stood on the edge of the cliff, high on the Mountain of Life watching the dark storm clouds gather. Below him the city of Atmos closed its protective dome, sheltering its citizens
as best it could
from the harsh elements. He breathed deeply, savoring the moisture-laden air. It was coming. The time of the great happening approached. He relished the electrified air. Soon. Soon the power would be his. A jagged streak of lightening split the air.

Invigorated, he stripped himself of his covering and sprawled across the pallet his servants had prepared.
“
Selina,
”
he shouted into the darkness.
“
Where are you, my lively wench?
”
Yes, he thought wickedly seeing his body swell, he was indeed excited by the storm. He leaned back upon the pillows. Tonight Selina would please him again and again.

A light cut thought the blackness and she approached, carrying a life torch. She hesitated by the doorway.
“
You summoned me, master?
”

Bartok motioned her forward.
“
You will lie down beside, me,
”
he commanded, showing her his need.

She knelt at the edge of the pallet and Bartok pulled her across his thighs.
“
Why have you not removed your clothing?
”
he questioned.

She would not meet his eyes.

Bartok laughed hoarsely.
“
Do not tell me you are shy, my dear. Not after all we have experienced.
”
He ripped the tunic from her body, forcing her upon her back.

Selina lay motionless beneath the ruler of Palermos, neither encouraging nor denying his touch.

Bartok
’
s rough hands pushed her legs apart.
“
Have you grown tired of me?
”
he shouted enraged by her listlessness. He moved forward, intent on tearing into her tender flesh. Selina cried out at the first touch of his manhood.

He rose, pacing the shadows cast by the one single
light, his manhood still fully engorged.
“
Leave my pallet you selfish whore! I will throw you in the darkest dungeon of the night! I have tired of your games. Tonight you will begin your role as entertainment for the guards.
”
He clapped his hands twice and two muscular males appeared.
“
Take this wrenched female and enjoy her pleasure.
”

The two guards took Selina from the cave, dragging her across the muddy entrance.

Bartok walked naked into the night. He had no use of female flesh this night. He was the master of his own universe and would find pleasure at his own hand. The powerful storm echoed throughout his body and within minutes he
was wet with the moisture of
spent desire. The intense power of the storm had passed, leaving him exhausted. For a brief moment he felt the slightest twinge of guilt over his hasty treatment of Selina. He knew the guards w
ould show no mercy to
a mistress fallen from grace and within hours she might very well be dead.

He hardened his heart, refusing to allow himself to feel the slightest bit of remorse. Moving back into his chambers, he dressed in a thick, fur-lined body garment. Gathering several tools into a large pack he walked to the furthest wall of his sleeping chamber. As he pressed his hand against the faint imprint in the center, a loud rushing noise filled the room. Stepping through the narrow doorway that appeared, Bartok made his way down a slippery ledge. The cavern that had appeared behind the wall held a huge waterfall. The liquid was crystal clear and the mist rising from the water was warm. The falls ran through the great volcanic mountain that warmed the deep chambers beneath the former palace of King Jalon.

The fools.
Bartok grinned thinking of the men digging needlessly to reach the Chamber of the Unknown. He had told them that was not the way, but the egotistical Marvock had argued that the way to the secret of the Mountain must be through the chamber. It worked out just as well Bartok thought. Now he would not have to dispose of the men. They would cause their own termination. Finding the fissure for which he searched, B
artok slipped inside the
cavern of the rock. His dream entity had been right. This was the way.

* * *

Selina trembled as she walked between the two powerful guards. She did not know what had possessed her this night.
Never had she felt the repulsiveness of Bartok
’
s desire. Always before
she had enjoyed their couplings except when he was angered. Had she herself destroyed her own hard won plans? What had possessed her to shudder at his slightest touch? The memory of a feather-light kiss raced across her mind.

They approached the sleeping quarters of the guards. The smell of male bodies coated with sweat assailed her nostrils, turning her stomach. She jerked at the hands holding her prisoner, forcing the two to stop. When their eyes fell upon her nakedness, she whispered,
“
Do you not wish to enjoy the sweetness of my flesh for yourselves alone?
”
She stroked the bulges beneath their palace battle dress.
“
You should not be so eager to share me with the others, I would tire much too soon.
”

Selina repressed a gasp as a large hand closed over her breast.
“
You are right, lowly female. We will use your willing body and then give you to our brothers. Right, Cartek?
”
He elbowed his fellow guard. The other man nodded, his expression one of open-mouthed lust. Almost reverently he reached out to touch the silver
curls at the junction of her heights.

“
No,
”
the first guard
shouted.
“
She will pleasure me first.
”

Cartek did not like the tone of his friend.
“
She will find no pleasure with your tiny organ.
”
His hand bunched the thickness of his crotch.
“
I will open the way for you.
”

Selina sunk back toward the darkness, edging in the shadows
as the two came to blows as to who would enjoy her first
. Quickly she hurried through an empty archway.

“
Come back here!
”
they shouted in fury, realizing her escape a second too late.

She pressed her body against a small crevice in the cold, rough rock wall, holding her breath as the men passed. Their footsteps sounded in the distance and she breathed a sigh of relief. She must find the secret Bartok gathered and return to Saatan. Only then would she be free.

* * *

Biting her lip to stop the smile that arose, Aerial made a promise to herself. She did not wish to go back to The House of the Unloved where food was scarce and the floors were cold. She liked the elegance of her new surroundings and could very easily become accustomed to living in such a way. She walked through the palace, idly touching the velvet smoothness of the massive walls and savoring the feel of the sinfully thick carpets beneath her feet. Silver gleamed on small tables made of precious wood, and crystal chandeliers threw shards of light onto the neatly polished furniture. She fingered the silken robes upon her body.