Warrior's Valor (39 page)

“Not yet,” Emeron rumbled, the tenderness in her eyes contradicting the feral tone in her voice. “First you, maitele.” She spread Dwyn's legs wide and kissed her way down her stomach. Dwyn gasped and clutched the sheets, then Emeron's hair. Hot, burning her mercilessly, Emeron kissed, sucked, and licked her way down toward her swollen folds. Trying to prepare for the onslaught of emotions, she still had to clench her teeth around a scream of pleasure when Emeron plunged her tongue against her pulsating ridge of nerve endings.

Emeron was merciless in an excruciatingly pleasurable way. Her tongue, silken and coarse at the same time, never stopped moving, and finally she focused all her attention on that aching part of Dwyn that would explode very soon. When Emeron pinched one of her nipples, something toppled her. The orgasm hit, and the way it took her breath away and made her cry out should have frightened her, and in a way it did, but mostly, she felt Emeron slide up, pull her into her arms, and ride the waves with her.

“Imer-Ohon-Da.” She sobbed. “Oh, Emeron, oh—”

“I know. I know.”

She sobbed as the convulsions began to ease and clung to Emeron's neck, certain that Emeron and how she made her feel had created this amazing orgasm.

A few minutes later, Emeron lifted her head and looked down at her with almost black eyes. She could read all about Emeron's arousal in their bottomless depth. Emeron needed her touch, and she was eager to provide anything that would give her relief.

She rested her free hand between Emeron's breasts. “That was something,” she said, and kissed Emeron with all the tenderness she felt.

“I'm glad. That it was something.” Emeron breathed evenly, but she kept her eyes on Dwyn's lips. “Very.”

“Your turn.”

“Yes?”

“Tell me. Show me.”

“Anything you want to do with me, to me, is fine.” Emeron looked a little flustered, and it took her a few moments to realize that Emeron was embarrassed. Intrigued, she knew she had to investigate.

“I'm sure you know yourself much better than I do.” She infused as much innocence as she could into her voice. “I really want to do this right and make it as pleasurable as possible for you.”

“Oh. Yes.” Emeron drew a deep breath. “I...eh...I like to...I mean, if you lie on your back.” Now she blushed profusely, probably because this was about her, Emeron, and not about introducing Dwyn to pleasure.

She lay down next to Emeron, flat on her back. “Like so? And now?”

“Raise one knee.”

She pulled up her left knee. Emeron rose onto her hands and knees and straddled her raised leg. Trembling, she began to slide her sex up and down Dwyn's thigh, coating it with her own moisture, blending it with hers. Not about to torment Emeron with any more questions, she held Emeron's breasts and tweaked her nipples, wanting her to feel what she herself had just experienced.

Emeron moved faster, pressing down harder, and as she did, her right thigh rubbed against Dwyn, over and over, reigniting the flame that had never really died down. “Dwyn, Dwyn. Just like that. Oh, maitele.”

Emeron lunged forward and kissed her hard and deep. Her body shook and then began to convulse like her own had. Dwyn wrapped her free leg around Emeron and suddenly felt one of Emeron's fingertips at her opening.

“Yes.” She opened up as much as she could, certain this was what she wanted.

Emeron went gently inside. There was so much tenderness in the way she did it, and no pain at all. Dwyn had never felt so full, or so taken, in the best sense of the word. Her body knew what to do when she didn't. Another orgasm, not as forceful, but deeper, pulled Emeron's finger farther in, and she contracted around it until she was spent.

Emeron rolled onto her side and gently extracted her finger before she tugged Dwyn with her. She covered their sweaty bodies with a sheet and kissed Dwyn repeatedly.

“Oh, Emeron.” Dwyn sobbed. “Emeron.”

“Did I hurt you?” she asked, sounding appalled.

“Not at all. I've never felt so loved. The way you touched me. Do you love me, Emeron?” She looked into Emeron's eyes, needing to know the truth instantly. If this was merely a physical reaction after having been in constant danger for days, she needed to know now.

“I—”

“Zeger to D'Artansis. Come in.” The distant male voice from Emeron's communicator cut between them like a laser-blade knife, and Dwyn pulled back with a small gasp.

*

Emeron looked at Dwyn, tormented, before she reached for the device. “D'Artansis here, Captain.”

“You need to come in earlier. Several ministers have demanded to talk to you, as a representative of the Disian Nation.”

“The what, sir?” Emeron didn't take her eyes off Dwyn, who seemed to shrink where she lay naked. She backed up, just enough for their bodies not to touch, but the movement was obvious. “There's no such thing as a Disian Nation, sir.”

“There is now. Apparently the ministers have had emergency meetings all day, and your name came up more than once. I will have a hovercraft at your address within half an hour.”

“I'm going to be a little longer, sir. I'm not home right now, and I need to go back to my place to change.”

“Very well. Two hours then. Formal attire, D'Artansis,” Zeger said shortly. “Try to make us look good. Zeger out.”

“Make the military look good? I thought I was representing the Disians,” she muttered.

“I suppose duty calls,” Dwyn said brightly. Too brightly.

“In a manner of speaking.” She gazed down at Dwyn, who valiantly struggled to seem casual. “Would you come with me?”

“What? To your place? I'm not sure. I should get my notes in order—”

“To meet the ministers. You asked me a very important question, and I've never wanted to strangle my boss as much as I did just now. And trust me, there have been several occasions.” She paused. “Anyway. I'd like to answer this question when we're really alone and have plenty of time to follow it up appropriately.”

A careful glimpse of hope lit up Dwyn's eyes. “You would?”

“Absolutely. So, do you have a dress, or something else that's kind of posh to wear?”

“I always bring one dress.”

“Then let's clean up and get out of here. We have things to do and I want to finish them quickly, so I can show you as well as tell you why you never have to ask me that question again.”

Dwyn's eyes filled with tears, but she jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom immediately. When Emeron joined her in the ionic-resonance shower, Dwyn slid promptly into her arms. Emeron kissed her softly and tipped her head back so she could meet her eyes.

“You already know, don't you, when you think about it?” she asked tenderly.

“Yes.” Dwyn trembled, but her smile was the most beautiful thing Emeron had ever seen. She was certain Dwyn loved her. It was there, beaming in her eyes, and she hoped that one day Dwyn would be able to read her just as easily.

“Kellen, Rae.” Armeo ran along the corridor on deck four aboard the
Dalathea
. He threw one arm around each of them and nearly knocked them down in his eagerness. Rae held him tight, and so did Kellen, and Rae was happier than she'd been in a long time. “You're back,” Armeo continued. “Where's Grandma?”

“Here, son.” Dahlia stepped from behind Kellen and smiled at him. “You look like you've missed me.”

Armeo's mouth fell open at her words, but then his sense of humor obviously kicked in and he grinned at her. “A little,” he said, measuring half a centimeter between his thumb and index finger.

“You little devil,” Dahlia said, and hugged him. “I've missed you too.” She looked over at her husband, who had just caught up with Armeo. “Hello, love. Sorry I'm late.”

“Dahlia.” Ewan took two long steps and wrapped her in his arms.

“Hey, Granddad. Let me out first.” Armeo freed himself of his grandparents and stood next to Kellen, one arm around her waist.

Ewan kissed Dahlia tenderly and embraced her one more time. He kept one arm around her, looking at her with so much love it was palpable. Finally, he lifted his gaze. “Excellent job, my daughter. And Kellen, what would we do without you?” For a frightening moment, Ewan seemed as he might shed the tears that glazed his eyes, but he cleared his throat and remained in control.

“We're glad to be able to deliver her, at last,” Kellen said. “We meant to bring Dahlia and M'Ekar back here immediately, but M'Ekar's condition worsened and Dahlia made the MEDEVAC pilot stop by a local hospital in the capital. That saved his sorry life,” she continued darkly, “and they're admitting him to the infirmary aboard here as we speak.”

“I assume under heavy guard?” Ewan asked.

“Of course,” Rae said. “He's very ill and probably will lose his legs, but I'll keep him alive to stand trial again. No pun intended.”

“I thought Commanders Grey and D'Artansis were joining us?” Ewan asked.

“They were, but they took the opportunity to continue their honeymoon at the hotel a few more days. They might join us here tomorrow or the next day.”

And speaking of missing people, where is Ayahliss?” Dahlia asked, glancing around. She paled. “She isn't injured more than you said, is she, Rae?”

“No, Ayahliss's injuries have healed,” another familiar voice interjected as Judge Beqq joined the happy reunion. “She's in my quarters. Hiding.”

“What?” Kellen stared at Judge Beqq.

“Why is she hiding?” Rae asked, nonplussed.

“You're welcome to join me for lunch, and you can talk to her yourself. She's got the wrong idea about a few things, and I don't think she'll be all right until she's spoken with the two of you and Diplomat Jacelon. The admiral and I have tried, but...” Beqq shrugged.

Rae didn't like the sound of this. Ayahliss had come so far since they took her to Earth, and to learn that now she was going through something they knew nothing about disturbed her.

*

Judge Beqq's dining-room table was beautifully set, and Ayahliss was still fiddling with details, trying to occupy her mind as well as her hands, when the door to the corridor hissed open.

“Ayahliss, they're here,” Armeo called, and she knew she couldn't hide any longer. She walked slowly to the door and stood there, determined to meet their eyes no matter how much disdain they showed. Dahlia was the first to approach her. She stopped and held her gently. “You brave girl. I'm so relieved you're all right.” She kissed her on both cheeks, then led her over to Rae and Kellen. The other three made themselves busy, and Ayahliss stood there, shaking, as she faced the two women who had taken her in and given her a new home.

“I'm glad you're back,” she whispered. “We...I mean, Armeo was so worried and he missed you very much.”

“We felt he was better off since you and his grandfather were here with him,” Kellen said. There were no accusations in her voice, but that meant nothing. Kellen could sound calm even when she was very, very angry.

“Now, what's all this about hiding from us?” Rae asked. She sounded more confused than angry, and Ayahliss didn't know what to say. “Ayahliss? Please?”

“I failed you. I failed you and then I began to resent babysitting Armeo. He's safe aboard this ship, with his grandfather, and I needed, I mean I
need
to do more. I love him. But...” Hateful, revealing blue tears ran down her cheeks. “I need to go back to Gantharat and continue the fight.”

*

Rae didn't know what to say. She looked at Kellen, whose eyes had narrowed, not usually a good sign.

“Why do you think you failed us?” Kellen asked, and guided Ayahliss to Judge Beqq's study.

“I let Armeo go exploring at the hotel when he was bored.”

“I know that. When I returned I saw a broadcast about that woman whose arm you nearly broke.” Rae spoke lightly. “I also talked to the security officer there, who told me exactly what happened. It wasn't a smart move, but we know Armeo, and if you hadn't gone with him, he might have decided to go alone. He's growing up, and sometimes he thinks he knows best.”

“But, I—”

“If for a moment I thought you'd failed us,” Kellen said, “I wouldn't hesitate to let you know. You have my word. Now the other part, of resenting not going on a mission, of babysitting. That's something we need to discuss, but you don't have to hide anything from us.”

Rae could see that Ayahliss was about to cry again and wanted to spare the proud young woman the embarrassment. “Listen, why don't we just rejoice that M'Ekar and two of the mercenaries are incarcerated, with no chance of escape, and enjoy Judge Beqq's good food?”

Ayahliss nodded, seemingly relieved. “They're here? On the
Dalathea
?”