The Tower of Il Serrohe (39 page)

“
You’re better!” Nersite cried out. “Your treatment by Florentine has made you well.”

“
Yeah,” was all Don could muster. He didn’t remember her being quite this gorgeous.

Raquela chatted with Nersite while Don stood there, unable to say anything. He just looked at her.

Finally, she turned to him. “So what do you think now that you’ve seen many of the clanspeople of Valle Abajo?”

“
I think… we’ve got a problem. Well, no, I’m not too sure how we’re—”

“
No I don’t mean about what to do with the Soreyes. We’ll see about that tomorrow. What do you think about… everything here?”

Now he knew what she meant. “Here” in this world, this alternative Earth so different and yet so like his own and Teresa’s world.

“
It’s fascinating. All the different kinds of people right here… it’s well, I need to think about it more before I can tell you. I’m used to working in the same grooves all the time, teaching the same subjects over and over… you probably don’t know much about what I do—”

“
You’re a teacher. We have teachers. I’m something of a teacher myself though I don’t have the years and experience of Florentine yet. As you can see, she has restored my health, but, of course, I’m younger than her.”

“
I’d say you’re a lot younger… I mean, not a child, obviously,” he looked over her body with more than the glance he would have given someone who didn’t interest him. “Well… I don’t mean disrespect. You’re very knowledgeable.”

“
What are you talking about?” she said. Obviously she wasn’t vain or concerned about her age like many women Don knew, especially his dear wife.
Former
wife, pretty soon. Maybe former, already.

Nersite popped up. “So, we have a lot to tell you—”

Raquela laughed. “I’ve received reports from the Sianox already. They find out things fairly fast, you know. Even Nightwing, the bat, stopped by last night. You would be amazed how news of you two has traveled.”

Don shrugged. “I guess you all do OK for not having cell phones.”

“
What?”

“
Never mind. I don’t want to explain. Can’t stand the damned things myself. More distracting than useful.” He smiled in the same manner he did for some of his better students who actually cared about learning. “Anyway, I want to hear how you are. Is your wound getting better?”

“
Of course. But I must circulate a little. There are many here who I’ve not seen in a long time. I will get back to you later.”

And with that, she was gone.
Well, shit. Just when I was able to get my voice and brain working…

Nersite suddenly became excited and starting giggling.

“
You OK, little buddy?” Don asked.

“
Yes! Look!” He pointed to the open door and there stood Nersite’s friend Netheraire. He was off and gave her a big hug, and they touched noses briefly. Were they kissing? Certainly he caressed her face with both hands while she caressed his in turn.

Looks like things might be moving along for Nersite. Absence, the fondness of the heart, and all. Good for him. I’m thinking he’s just about the age when he needs to find a reason to widen his pallet, as he would say.

So here I am with everyone looking at me. Where are the Loopohmin and Linksmin? I can talk to them about their hunting rituals or something.

He looked around, but they were nowhere to be seen.

This was his chance to excuse himself. He worked his way to the door and with no one wanting to talk to the stranger, he went out into the now dark village square. The sky was the deepest blue while the Milky Way was just starting to make its presence known.

Now there’s something we have in common. The sky looks the same to me as it does in the Rio Grande Valley. If I could take a picture, I could compare it exactly. He looked around for the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and the North Star—

“
Are you trying to escape?” a lovely voice asked him.

“
Raquela. I thought you were going to—”

“
I was, but I saw you leave when Nersite saw his Netheraire arrive. I just knew you weren’t going to talk with anyone, and I can’t let our special guest go off and stargaze by himself.”

“
That’s very kind of you.” He started to say she didn’t need to bother, but he
did
want her to bother.

He could barely see the details of her face, her large almond-shaped eyes reflecting the glory of the stars, which were starting to dominate the sky. This probably wasn’t a good idea, but he didn’t want to stop.

“
So can I see your wound?”
Oh good, that was a stupid thing to say. Edit before you publish, shithead!

She laughed. “In the dark? You really want to see it?”

“
Yes. But you’re right. Maybe another time.”

“
No. That’s OK. How kind of you to be concerned. Come on.”

sixty one

Raquela grasped Don’s hand like someone who reaches out to their closest partner. Though she probably gave it no thought, Don sure did. Guiding him through the crooked streets to a modest hut, she pushed open a creaky door. A faint orange light spilled out, illuminating her face and feminine form—a sight Don would never forget.

Inside, candlelight flowed onto every surface, leaving crevices in a soft darkness, sculpting the simply furnished room with an enchantment no medieval castle could match. A simple pallet on the floor offered a plump place to rest. Turning her back to the candle, she fussed with her bodysuit.

“
Here, see,” she said, offering her back to him.

Don gazed in wonder. No redness or discoloration were evident in the soft light, but he could see the line of the wound and a dark scab protecting it.

“
Looks pretty good. I mean, it looks like you’re healing fine. Won’t look bad when it’s done.”

Without thinking, he touched the small of her back near the wound. “Not sore, I hope.”

“
No, except right on the wound. And when I twist my back.”

“
No need for that,” he said, moving his hand over her smooth and nicely curved spine. He noticed how her butt swelled in a nice pear shape.
Not too big, not too skinny. Nice.

He began to run his hand down there but checked himself. Realizing what he was doing, he withdrew it from her quickly. But she turned around and grasped his hand in that same familiar way.

“
No, your touch is nice,” she said. “My back has had enough pain. However, I need to do something. I’ll be right back.” Leaning forward, she blew out the candle. Don could barely see her leave the room.

Whoa! Got to cool my jets,
he thought.
Is this what I want? Is it what she wants? Seems like it. I’m tempted to relight the candle so I can see what’s under that bodysuit, but maybe she’s bashful.

He pulled his tunic off and rummaged around the sleeping pallet, finding it was as soft and comfortable as it looked. He settled in, relaxing as much as he could, given the situation. Presently, she came back and slipped under the soft quilted comforter.

Turning her back to him, she reached back and found his hand, guiding it to the small of her back. He tried to rub her without getting too “familiar.”

But she guided his hand down to her butt.
Oh this is nice. No going back. I don’t want to stop.

Her skin was incredibly soft, like a delicate micro-fiber. Her butt was firm, expected of someone who walked all over the Valle. Bringing his hand to her hip, he let it rest there for a moment. He then stroked her and softly kneaded the muscles of her upper thigh. She didn’t resist.

In one of those “I hope I’m not going too far too fast” moments, he slowly slid his hand to the front of her thigh and traveled to the right side of her stomach. When he arrived at her midriff, he slowly described little circles over her nicely rounded feminine tummy. It, too, was firm yet just soft enough to feel good under his gentle kneading.

“
That’s nice,” she cooed. Placing her hand over his, she stroked it in a way that left no doubt she not only encouraged him, but wanted more. He felt her gentle pull guiding his hand to her breasts.

At this point he no longer thought in words. Somehow, this nonverbal level was more subtle and eloquent than words could have described his inner dialogue.

Then, a distracting thought came to him.

He remembered his first lovemaking with Bess. They were both in college. She was obviously anxious. When they got drunk enough on their second date—parked and necking, out on Albuquerque’s West Mesa—she removed most of her clothes, unzipped his pants, grabbed his crotch, and nearly brought the evening to an early conclusion. She was more than ready. After an awkward business coupling in the passenger side of the front seat, it was over in seconds.

Being barely twenty, this was his normal order of business, but he was astounded at the speed of a girl only eighteen. Not only that, she was ready for an encore in a half hour—in the back seat with more room to fool around.

They went to her apartment to continue the festivities. He was wiped out by the end of that first night. Five times in one night was not a record for them in their long relationship, but it was a hell of a start. Thing is, he only fell in love with her later. Or was it lust? And now, the thought of her intruding on this time with Raquela was repugnant.

He concentrated on how good it felt to touch Raquela and how sweet she seemed. He couldn’t tell if she was experienced, though she was definitely responding to him without the coarseness of Bess’s
methods.

Gradually, his thoughts focused on the present. Nothing was in his consciousness except her warm body against his and her spectacular skin gliding beneath his hand. He let his other hand gently massage her shoulders and neck.

This went gently on its course for some time, though Don was in a state more like the Nohmin when they burned their Timeless incense. It didn’t seem that long nor did the experience speed past at a giddy pace.

It just was.

Don instinctively sighed and vocalized the “mmm” sound.

“
What’s that?” she whispered.

“
What’s what?” He replied, nearly losing the mood thinking someone was about to walk in on them.

“
That sound you’re making?”

“
Oh,” he relaxed, forming his thoughts into words. “It’s just a sound I make when something’s nice. It could be for food that’s particularly tasty. Right now, it’s the wonderful feel of your body.”

“
Oh,” she giggled. “I have no experience with this sort of thing, so I just wondered.”

“
No experience? You’ve never made love?”

“
What’s love? Do you mean mating?”

How do I, of all people, explain this?

“
Well, I suppose. But ‘love’ means you have a strong attachment for someone that not only includes, uh, ‘mating,’ but also involves being, uh, I don’t know, devoted to each other, taking care of each other. Things like that.” 
Geeze, where did that come from?

“
That sounds like mating to me. Some of the clanspeople only do this physical thing we’re doing now and then forget each other the rest of the time. But among the Pirallts and others, like the Nohmin, Ursimin, and Taurimin, it is a life-long attachment. Mating is nice in all its ways.”

Don let her nearness take him back to sensations. She put her hand over his again squeezing his arm tightly to her chest. She said, “Mmm.”

“
I see you like making the sound, too.”

“
I thought it would please you. And I do like making it.”

He moved the two of them around gently, getting more comfortable since his left arm was starting to ache under his weight. She shifted slightly, allowing him to encircle her in his embrace. She said, “mmm” again and moved her chest under his hands to encourage him.

Then in a key move, she seemed to settle into the hollow of his body and moved her rear end in a nice little circle.

No thought, no plan, he just flowed with whatever was coming next.

As he began turning her to face him, she resisted.

“
What are you doing?” she asked, puzzled.

“
I thought you were ready to take this all the way. I’m getting us to face each other—”

“
Why do you want to face me? Don’t you want to mate?”

“
Oh yeah, I definitely want that, do you?”

“
Yes. Just go ahead, I’m ready.” She pushed up against him so insistently, it was almost all over like when he was twenty years old.

“
Oh, I see, you want me from the back.”