TICEES (25 page)

And so the week had progressed. Each day Korba became more enamored and impressed by his delicate beauty, and each day his pride in her reached new heights. He loved his bright and alluring alien woman, and he knew that he would never relinquish his heart to another, ever. If she were ever torn from him, he would live out his remaining life on the battlefield, fighting in her memory and out of his love. He also knew he would perish in combat if he lost her. That would be his way of ending his embittered life early, not wanting to endure the spare time brought on by age or incapacitation. He would not drown in the misery of her loss.

*****

On this morning, Korba smiled warmly at his thoughts as he hugged his sleeping lady to him. He loved everything about her: her alien beauty, her gentle ways, and her insatiable curiosity that fed her amazing intellect. But, even more so, now he was thriving on the vivacious personality that was emerging. He knew that she was still the demure and timid creature he had first fallen in love with, but this was a side of her that was developing out of the ease and security she was now feeling with all those around her. And it was wondrous.

Finally she began to stir. She turned in his arms to face him, pressing into the security of his chest. “Time to hit the trail?” she questioned dreamily.

Korba watched her as she tried to awaken her tired body and fatigued mind. “Not today,” he whispered as he pressed her close. “Now is our time alone.”

Chelan looked up at him, her face betraying her concern. “Is something wrong?”

Korba kissed her forehead tenderly. “No, my Lady. Everything is perfect. I have merely taken some more time off to be alone with you. But first, it is time for you to get some more rest,” he ordered softly.

Chelan smiled up at him, her eyes instantly sparking. “No, my Lord.” she whispered. “It is time for us to catch up on our love,” and she stretched up, taking his lips with hers.

Korba’s protest was instantly vetoed by her seductive move. He smiled to himself, succumbing easily and willingly to her sensual demands of him. He’d expected that their final week together on RIBUS 7 was going to be pure ecstasy, and he was not disappointed.

Chelan awoke from her long sleep and realized that, for only the second time in nearly a month, Korba was not with her. She pulled back the warm blankets and reached for her white gown. She smiled to herself. Immersed in his love, this last week had been heaven, and she hoped the feelings would never leave her.

But she had also enjoyed wandering the vast ship and meeting the Iceanean people. It had been an adventure the likes of which she could have never imagined. She had been mesmerized by the sights and the technology, not to mention dumbstruck at the magnitude of the ship.

She had also learned the answer to her question about transportation throughout the massive vessel when Korba had ushered them into a room of approximately five meters square. It turned out to be a sort of versatile elevator that could be programmed to take one rapidly anywhere within the ship. The entire vessel was riddled with the connecting tubes that harbored the variously sized pods. A massive computer interface kept the whole system sorted out, preventing collisions in congested areas. These corridors were what Lazen had referred to as connectors.

Chelan had also discovered that Korba had his own personal transportation pod that was just big enough for four people. It, too, had access to any part of the ship, and if it was in use, it overrode all the other systems. He used it only in emergencies and when speed was of the essence, as it was equipped with an inertial damping system and was fueled by fusion propulsion, taking him to and from the extremities of the ship in a matter of seconds.

But what she had liked the most during her week of wandering about the vast ship was being by Korba’s side. There she had gotten an even a more nuanced feel for his greatness. She witnessed the respect and the loyalty from his people that were demanded by his simple presence. And although he tolerated no incompetence, he was just and fair, and he seized every opportunity to return his people’s love and respect whenever it was due.

Chelan had originally been surprised by the demeanor her mate assumed while pursuing his command; at times she almost felt that she was in the presence of a stranger. She had soon come to the realization that her ability to interpret his emotions and his desires were the result of him allowing her to do just that. While with him on his rounds, she was struck by the fact that he was totally unreadable. His eyes and his body were unflinching and utterly indecipherable.

Never once did he let his guard down when in the presence of his comrades, no matter who they were. And never once did his piercing eyes miss any detail of a person’s movements, nor did his acute hearing miss any sound, no matter how seemingly insignificant. With uncanny perception, he could pick out the direction a conversation would take before the words were ever spoken. She also realized that he saw and heard things that totally eluded her. It was no wonder that nothing ever escaped him, not friend or foe. He saw everything, he heard everything, and he was everywhere.

Chelan smiled to herself again as she stretched her muscles, feeling refreshed and vibrant. She felt as though she was in her prime, and indeed she was, physically and mentally. She and Korba had spent many hours together in the workout area, and the physical conditioning had been welcomed by both of them.

Chelan brushed out her hair, her heart light with happiness, her only desire to find Korba. She began her descent into the Command Center and stopped abruptly as she was confronted by two shrouded figures. Both men turned to her in response to her silent entry, and Chelan bubbled with joy as she looked into Fremma’s smiling face.

Chelan glanced at Korba as she moved toward them, and he smiled a warm hello to her. Chelan looked back to Fremma and stopped just short of him. “Oh, Fremma, I’ve missed you,” she greeted.

Fremma was not as concerned as Chelan about Korba’s presence, and he did not hesitate to reach for her. “And I you,” he returned, kissing her cheek tenderly. He held her arms firmly as he glanced at Korba and nodded his way. “Has this oversized barbarian been good to you over the past weeks, my Lady?”

“Yes, he has,” she said honestly. “Almost as good as you have been to me, dear Fremma,” she added, baiting Korba.

Korba’s brows rose. “Oh,” he emphasized. “Are you suggesting that I take some lessons from him, my Lady?”

Chelan saw the wily squint in his eye and sought immediate escape, but his hand caught her instantly.

“In the meantime,” Korba admonished, trying not to laugh as he pulled her to him, “I think you should be a little more diplomatic when speaking about your mate’s qualities in front of his men.” Korba sat down swiftly on the stairs, drawing her across his lap. And with that, he smacked Chelan’s firm bottom sharply.

Chelan squealed and twisted in his arms in an attempt to flee. “All right!” she shouted back laughing. “I give.”

Korba released her and she rolled off him, moving to her knees in front of him. She bowed to him. “Your ability to care for me and meet my needs, my Lord, are far superior to that which could ever be supplied by any of your men.”

She stopped momentarily, watching for his coiled muscles to relax, which they did. “Except for Fremma,” she blurted as she bolted to her feet. She flew into Fremma’s arms, seeking his protection.

Fremma looked down at her as she buried herself within his shroud. Then he looked up at Korba, his eyes sparkling. “It seems, my Lord, that you have a discipline problem here. And I might add that, despite all the resources you have available to you, I fear this problem will never diminish.”

Korba laughed as he stood and straightened his shroud. “And may I say, my friend, that your observation is very astute. But the discipline problem to which you refer is very much loved and adored, and will probably never be corrected.”

Chelan smiled as she released her grip on Fremma and clambered out of the tangles of his shroud. She stood between the two men and straightened her shoulders. “Someday,” she began quietly, “I’m going to turn you both over my knee and administer the same punishment you seem to enjoy inflicting on those who are so much weaker than yourselves.”

Korba’s eyes widened. “Oh? Been in this situation before, have we?”

Before Chelan could respond, Fremma interjected. “I believe that, at one time, Commander Dar attempted to instill into our Lady some of the rules and regulations that govern our ways.”

Korba chuckled and pulled her to him, hugging her close. “Someday, Chelan, I promise that I will allow you the pleasure of administering your punishment, and I’m sure that Fremma will oblige also.”

Chelan peered up at him and smiled broadly. “I look forward to the day, my Lord.”

Korba then stepped back from her. “Well, in the meantime, there is something we wish to show you.” Korba turned her around and sat her in his chair.

Chelan’s eyes widened. Her mind sorted through the image before her and its implications. “Iceanea,” she whispered in astonishment, her smile dwindling.

Korba kept his eyes on her, his face serious and his heart suddenly solemn. “Home,” he whispered.

Chelan swallowed. “Are we orbiting her?”

“Yes.”

Chelan’s eyes left the view of the large, blue-white planet and her vision settled on her clenched hands. “It’s over with, isn’t it?” she stated tonelessly, her voice hollow. “We’re leaving RIBUS 7 today, aren’t we?”

Korba watched her quake, her anxiety extinguishing her earlier happiness. He looked to Fremma, noting the concern that also registered in his warrior’s eyes. Korba knelt beside her, brushing her hair from her face. “We’re not going to abandon you, Chelan,” he emphasized, trying desperately to reassure her. “You will come to call it home, and you will never be alone.”

Chelan remained very still. “I know,” she whispered. Suddenly, she stood and edged past him, heading for his chambers without as much as a glance at either man.

Korba let her go, feeling totally helpless. He stood and looked at Fremma; both men were at a loss for words, and both knew full well the devastating blow that had just been dealt to their fair lady.

Fremma cleared his throat. “May I speak to her, Sire?”

Korba simply nodded, praying that Fremma could help her.

Fremma entered Korba’s chambers and found Chelan sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow into her lap, her eyes staring blankly off into the distance. He sat down beside her and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. “It will become home, Chelan. You will see. It will only take a little time.”

She shook her head. “This is home,” she whispered. “Home is here, in the Command Center with Korba by my side, and with you next door.” She took a deep breath. “And with no one to disturb us.”

Fremma looked deeply into her eyes, a sudden chill overtaking him. “Who will disturb us on Iceanea?”

“The Emperor.”

Fremma withdrew his hand from her shoulder and looked to the floor, surprised by her response, but he was unable to come up with an effective rebuttal to her misplaced insecurities. “You cannot live out your life in the confines of this ship, Chelan.”

“Confines? I hardly find this massive ship confining. Besides, here it is safe. I am among your people and Korba’s. On Iceanea, I am among the Emperor’s people, and I will be even more confined. Will I be able to walk the streets of your cities and the Palace walls as I walk the halls of this ship?” She hesitated, and then looked away. “Will I?” she demanded quietly.

Fremma could not answer her. He glanced toward the entrance of the chambers and was relieved to see Korba approaching. Korba stood at the end of the bed and looked down at her. Then he sat beside her and Fremma, but he did not speak.

Fremma closed his eyes. He found himself suddenly wishing that they did not have to leave the great ship, either. He, too, liked being on board, living each day to love her and to be by her side, but now that was about to change, and he understood her trepidation.

Both men were quiet, both wishing they could say and do more. Time passed painfully slowly.

Finally, Chelan took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. Her eyes narrowed. “I’ll kick both your asses if either of you leaves me alone down there. Do you understand?”

Fremma finally smiled. “I understand, my Lady, and I will accept your punishment gladly knowing that it will never be.”

Chelan smiled weakly at him. Then she looked at Korba. “That goes for you, too, my Lord. You will not be immune from my wrath should I sense abandonment.”

Korba’s lip quirked. “I, too, accept your ultimatum. And as Fremma stated, I do so knowing that you will not be abandoned. We will be with you through every step of your acclimation and your introduction to our planet. And after that, someone familiar will always be by your side.”

Chelan chewed at her cheek, praying he was right. She had been ripped from her home and inducted brutally into Korba’s world, and she would not at all be happy about any repeat performances.

Korba reached for her hand and squeezed it. “I have watched your interactions with our people on this ship, and I have witnessed how quickly my people accepted and gravitated to you, Chelan. I have no doubt that it will be the same on Iceanea. Don’t forget, Ticees’ people are our own. Yes, the atmosphere will be much different, but in no time it will also become home.”