TICEES (28 page)

Chelan was aghast at the abrupt change both in his demeanor and his behavior, and her heart thawed. She looked into his warm eyes and then curtsied deeply to him. “Thank you, my Lord,” she whispered with genuine relief, her head bowed.

Ticees was stuck suddenly and forcefully by the glowing aura of feminine sensuality that surrounded her and the vulnerability that she unwittingly displayed by bowing down before him. His heart skipped several beats at the exotic essence that permeated her, an essence that was uniquely hers, an essence that clouded his senses. He swallowed hard, surprised by the obscure thoughts and nebulous feelings that fleetingly traversed his mind. Then he reached for her hand, drawing her up before him, and he nodded to her.

He stepped back, attempting to collect himself and temporarily entranced by her radiant beauty. He turned slowly to Korba. “I think it is best that I leave the three of you to get settled. I’ll make arrangements for Fremma’s relocation and then will brief my men about Chelan. I will present her to my main officers tonight after dinner if that is not a problem, and from there she will be in their constant care.”

Korba smiled and finally spoke. “Thank you, Sire. I appreciate your concern and your hospitality.”

“It is the least I can do for an old friend,” he answered warmly, then turned to Dar. “I trust that everything is satisfactory for you and your stay here?”

Dar nodded. “Indeed, my Lord, as always.”

“Good,” beamed Ticees. “Then I will take my leave. You two know your way around, and I look forward to seeing you all tonight.”

Ticees turned back to Chelan and nodded to her. Chelan smiled at him for the first time, her stunning beauty suddenly alight. Ticees drew a deep breath and faltered, his voice catching in his throat. “My Lady,” he finally acknowledged.

Chelan did not even have time to respond as the Emperor whirled and left the room. She watched him disappear, and then she immediately switched her attention to the emotional upheaval Dar had cast her into. She turned to the blonde Warlord, but he instantly pivoted away from her.

“I, too, will go and get settled,” he announced to no one specific. He grabbed his shroud from the chair where he had placed it and nodded to Korba. “I will see you both at dinner.”

Chelan started for him, but Dar quickly left through a side set of doors. Korba stepped in front of her and gathered her into his arms, halting her futile efforts to talk to the pained man, an act that would only bring further distress upon herself.

Chelan looked up at Korba. “He said …” she stuttered, “He said, back on RIBUS 7 …”

“Shhh,” soothed Korba. “I know what he said, Chelan, I know.”

“I want to go to him.”

Korba shook his head, for the first time denying her access to one of his men. “Chelan, he acted out of his love for you and out of respect for our relationship. Now is not the time to speak to him.”

“Please, I need to see him.”

Korba held her tightly. “Chelan, I do not forbid your relationship with him, but your interactions with him will only bring him more pain. Please let it be, Chelan, for Dar’s sake.”

Chelan finally sagged into him, clinging to him tightly, all the day’s events conspiring at once to sap her of her strength. Korba held her against him, gently stroking her hair, calming her. “I want to go to our chambers,” she uttered.

Korba drew her back and smiled down at her. “So do I,” he whispered. “Come on, they’re this way. We are all joined to Ticees’ chambers by corridors.”

Chelan hugged herself as Korba picked up his shroud and her cloak. Then, he took her by the hand and ushered her to his room.

Chelan stepped inside, and her heart stopped. “Oh,” was all that she could manage as her eyes panned the huge room. It was every bit as palatial as Ticees’, but the first thing she marveled at was the difference between this room and the starkness of Korba’s quarters on board RIBUS 7. Here, vast tapestries hung on the vivid walls, and an intricately woven plush carpet spanned the entire area. The high, vaulted ceiling was decorated with carvings of the cosmos, all richly painted and inlaid with precious metals.

Chelan was still standing in stunned silence as Korba put away his shroud and his weapons. Then he returned to her side, smiling at her wide-eyed wonderment.

Her gaze travelled over the furniture that adorned the room in perfect compliment. The lounges and the chairs were all covered in rich fabrics, while the tables appeared to be of finely hand-crafted woods, and if Chelan had to guess with her Earthly knowledge, her assumption would have been rosewood. Her eyes then fell on the massive bed at the far wall, its apparent softness comforting and beckoning to her.

Chelan glanced at Korba and then looked around again. The whole room was about 1,600 square meters, and it emanated coolness in tones of light blue and sea green with accents of deep cerulean, indigo, and dark viridian; the whole effect was that of immersion in a sea of serenity.

Chelan’s vision panned to large sets of ornate doors to the right and to the left, both embellished in tones of pewter and gold. Curiosity effervesced through her veins as she chose to approach the ones on her right first. They parted soundlessly to her advance, and she stepped into the brightly lit room. There she beheld what she could only describe as an elegant Roman bath, the turquoise waters of the pool weaving in and out of white columns connected by beautiful graceful arches. The area appeared to be walled and floored in white marble, the stone infused with thin veins of gold and silver, yet she knew it was not as it appeared, for the panels shimmered with an iridescence as though they were alive. Chelan then spied two large swirl pools, a huge tub, and a shower to her left along a wall completely covered in the three-dimensional mirrors that she loved so much.

Korba stood at the entrance to the bath, watching his precious mate as she explored her new nest. Sucking in a deep breath and taking one last look around, she flitted past him and headed for the second set of doors. There she encountered what appeared to be a scaled-down version of the Command Center on board RIBUS 7, and suddenly a huge portion of her tension abated.

Chelan returned to the main room, her big bright eyes finally meeting Korba’s. “It’s beautiful, it’s magnificent, it’s palatial,” she breathed, clutching at her chest. “Who decorated it?”

Korba chuckled. “I did, and what is mine is now yours.”

“Where did you get all this?”

“I travel the galaxy, and despite my job and my reputation, I don’t destroy everything I touch. When I find something of rare and exotic beauty, I bring it back with me.” He looked at her playfully. “Why do you think you are here?”

Chelan smiled and then walked up to him, a multitude of new questions popping into her head. “Are you paid for what you do?”

Korba shook his head. “No, not directly. I was bred for my career, and I know nothing else. My payment comes in the form of gratification each time I succeed, for my success strengthens the Empire. The Empire, in turn, repays me by giving me what I need and what I desire. But what I desire the most is to serve the Empire, so my rewards are the battles I fight and win.”

Chelan looked at him closely. “Have you ever lost?”

The corner of Korba’s lip quirked. “Not yet, my Lady. But I suppose my time will come.”

Chelan almost winced at her next question. “How many battles have you fought?”

“More than I could ever count. More than your world has ever seen.”

Chelan had to keep her mouth from gaping; this revelation staggered her. She rubbed her hands together and looked once again at the surrounding beauty while she pondered just how she fit into his world. She was well aware of his role within the Empire and how important war was to him. He lived for the exhilaration of the kill, and snuffing out life came just as easily to him as did his lovemaking. He was proficient and experienced at both, his expertise beyond question. His true home was RIBUS 7, his true passion the battlefields of the galaxy. But up until this moment she had never had any genuine perspective about the scope of his career. And with his astounding admission, a total picture of his world emerged.

More than your world has ever seen
. The unfathomable words marched through her thoughts once again. Though she had never spoken with any of the men about their true ages, Chelan now came to an inescapable conclusion. All these men had been immersed in the blood of the galaxy for decades, possibly centuries, and her time with them so far was but a momentary blip.

Chelan walked over to a large lounge and ran her fingers over the velvety fabric as his words penetrated her soul. She wondered if with time he would tire of her, returning to her only once in a while out of obligation and curiosity. Maybe she would be just like the furnishings and the tapestries, part of a collection that he returned to every few years to admire right before leaving again. Suddenly, the cool air prickled her skin, and she turned to him. She looked deeply into his azure eyes. “If I asked for anything, would it be granted?”

Korba stiffened, alerted to trouble by the tone in her voice. “If it were possible,” he answered cautiously.

Chelan hesitated. “Then, someday, if all is still well between us, could you take me back to Earth to see my world once again?”

Korba was shaken by her request. He knew full well it was possible, but he was unsure of her motives and just what had brought about the precipitation of her request. He felt a pit form in his stomach as he thought of his love for her and how he would do anything within his power for her. Then he wondered about her choice of words, stipulating that, would he take her ‘if all was well between them,’ and fear lanced through him. Was she was slipping away from him already, the strain of the trip and her rude introduction to his world too much for her?

Korba was once again wracked with unfamiliar and gut-wrenching uncertainty. He turned from her, running his fingers through his long hair, his heart suddenly heavy. He looked up toward the ceiling and then closed his eyes, thinking carefully about his words.

Chelan was taken aback by his intense reaction, and she moved up to him, touching his back gently. He flinched under her contact and hung his head as he took a deep breath.

“I could not stay there with you, Chelan.” He paused. “If it is your wish that you leave me for your world, it will be granted.”

Chelan suddenly choked, realizing he had completely misread her intentions. She stepped in front of him and hugged him fiercely. “Oh god, no,” she whispered hurriedly. “It would only be a trip of reminiscence.” She looked up at him, her eyes frantically searching his. “I would never leave you, Korba, not for my world or any other. Your people are my people now, and I belong with you. Even though you have just granted me the opportunity to return home to my family and my friends, I refuse. Only death would tear me from you. I just asked because I thought that maybe …” She licked her dry lips and began again. “We are so different, and I just pray, my Lord, that over the years you do not grow weary of me.”

Korba grabbed her to him, clutching her as tightly as he dared. He inhaled her sweet feminine scent and calmed his throbbing heart. “Oh, Chelan, never leave me,” he pleaded.

Chelan’s heart twisted at the intensity of his plea, his vulnerability to her just plainly expressed. She reached up and kissed his lips softly. “I will never leave you. Oh god, never ever. I love you too much. You are my everything.” She kissed him again, knotting her hands in his thick mane and holding his face to hers. “After all, we still have to have a family, and I can’t bear your children if I’m not with you.”

Korba finally allowed a small smile, relief rippling through him like soft and comforting rain. He ran his hand down her long hair and kissed her tenderly. “And I will never tire of you. I know many things, and I know my heart speaks the truth. There is no one else for me.” And he kissed her lips passionately.

Chelan returned his impassioned bond, but finally she pushed on him. “How long before dinner with Ticees?”

Korba stroked her soft cheek. “About six of your Earth hours.”

Chelan nodded. “I don’t know why, but I feel like I should have a long bath.”

Korba chuckled. “You can’t wash Iceanea or Ticees away.”

“I know,” she said smiling, but her muscles betrayed her uneasiness.

“What is it?” he asked softly.

Chelan looked up at him, realizing she should speak honestly even though she did not fully understand her anxiety. “It’s Ticees,” she began. “I know we have only just met, but I don’t feel comfortable around him.”

Korba smirked. “That’s natural, Chelan, especially after the welcome he gave you. He’s a great man, but you’re now in his realm with all its unfamiliar ways. Though you have adjusted to my world and my men, this is once again a new world, a different world. It will take time—”

“I understand all that,” she interjected. “But there’s more to it than that. He’s not Iceanean.”

Korba caressed her slender shoulders. “No, he’s not. But he follows our ways. His ancestors have for centuries. He lives among us, follows our laws, and our mores. The Sedan and Iceanean lineages have been so interwoven for so many centuries, that other than the physical, we are one and the same. I assure you that no harm will come from him. If I ever thought differently, I would have never brought you down from the decks of RIBUS 7.”

“I guess you’re right. I suppose I just need time. I mean, everything is so alien once again. Maybe it’s not him, maybe it’s just the abrupt change,” she whispered. Chelan turned from him, still feeling a sense of morbidity enveloping her despite his assurances.

Korba watched her recede from him as she disappeared into the washroom. Suddenly, his thoughts grew cool. He had always been struck by her intuition, and something in the candor in her voice gnawed at him. His wary, war-trained mind began to churn. He would watch Ticees closely. She was right in one aspect. Though the Emperor lived among the Iceaneans and had neither demonstrated nor professed any differences, he was not of the Iceanean race. Korba’s eyes narrowed. No one would hurt his woman without feeling the full force of his wrath, and that included the Lord God Emperor himself.