Defender: A Terran Times Tale Read online

  Scotia pressed her hand to her sternum. “Before the attack, I felt a weird kind of nervousness. It grew until I got up and heard you shout.” Alder nodded. “I was shouting a warning as I pushed the majority of the swarm back out to sea. I didn’t see the one that got through.”

  “I saw the fin cutting the water and got in the way. I still don’t know how I moved so fast.” She threaded her hands in the saltwater tangle of her hair.

  “You didn’t push through the water, you moved through the water, and it moved through you. No resistance.” He stroked her shoulder.

  “What happened next?”

  “It struck at me and went through me. When it did it again, it bit itself. The next time, I grabbed it, and it started to twitch.” She looked at her hands, but they were the same boring pinky white that they normally were.

  “You didn’t stop.”

  “Eels back home don’t stop. They are basic nervous systems. Eat or die. They don’t really have a retreat instinct, so I kept going until it stopped fighting.”

  “Good. You are right. They don’t stop. They are killers by nature, but they do make marvellous leather.” He gave her a light squeeze.

  She snorted. “Very funny. This is not how I imagined a day at the beach.”

  “You will recover. You have made a powerful impact on the village though. The children will no doubt make your skin colour a link to your power somehow.”

  Scotia snorted and leaned her head against him as the elves moved around and started a fire.

  The children returned to the water under the watchful eyes of their parents, and everything was as it should be until the eel barbeque began. It was time for a party.

  * * * *

  At the edge of the jungle, baskets of crystals were uncovered and they kept the light continuous as the sun faded.

  Aldeen came over, grabbed Scotia and dragged her to meet her friends and the other villagers.

  “How did you do that?” An earnest woman named Elira asked her with her eyes wide.

  “The Heshi did it. I merely went along and did as it told me.” She shrugged.

  “You must have a Bael within you. They are the only ones driven to guard.” Elira smiled shyly.

  “What are you driven to, Elira?” Scotia was sitting on a collection of blankets and surrounded by the young women of the village.

  Elira blushed. “Weaving, Bael Scotia.” Curious, Scotia asked the other women. An apprentice healer, baker, vintner, even a child care specialist were only part of the slice of domestic tasks that these women were representing. Other women were hunters, trappers and two were judges.

  It was more a look into the initial Heshi society than it was that of the Admar. The Admar were living at a high level of tech, opening doors through space to set up colonies on other worlds. No mention of a portal to Ikanni had been in any of the reports, but Scotia wouldn’t be surprised if the original colonists hadn’t simply walked into the new world and been surprised by the Heshi who were waiting for them.

  If she ever got back to the base, she would ask Lilli to send a query to Sarah Marks on Admar.

  She smiled as she realised that she had one thing on her to-do list. Life was starting again in a whole new direction.

  Chapter Nine

  A strange unspoken choreography took over as everyone arranged their seating areas around the spot where the eel was being prepared.

  To Scotia’s surprise, the eel had the appearance of red meat as it cooked. It certainly did not smell fishy.

  Condiments and leaves appeared and were handed around. As the provider of the meat, Scotia was served first.

  She smiled and put the chunk on her palm-plate before she realised that everyone was watching her.

  Alder whispered, “They can’t eat until you do.” Mentally cursing, she tore off a small piece and put it in her mouth, trying not to imagine it alive and trying to kill her. She chewed and swallowed.

  The moment that the food was down, everyone else got their servings.

  “It isn’t bad. Pretty tasty with the pink stuff.” She dipped the next piece, and Alder was already halfway through his.

  A cup of that same sweet drink was set near her knee, and she settled down to a community meal for the first time in her life. Sure, she had seen picnics and beach parties, but she had never been part of one.

  Jokes started as the meal kicked into high gear with fruits and vegetables coming out of the fire pit.

  She heard one wit say, “I don’t know who was more surprised, the eel or Bael Scotia!” Laughter rippled around, and she was content to be the focus of it. She had been shocked and had shocked in turn.

  The comments were all good-natured, and it made her wonder, did no one on Ikanni feel jealousy that she had Bael Alder and they didn’t?

  She looked toward Alder, and he was looking up at the sky, the bright shards of the space station still falling and burning up in the atmosphere.

  “Alder, were you some kind of a monk before I got here?”

  He blinked. “A what?”

  “A man who spends his time in meditation and solitude.”

  “No. Why?”

  “Normally, a guy like you has women draped all over him.”

  He started to laugh, and the gathering went silent, the shock in his people was obvious.

  “Why are they staring?”

  He wiped his eyes with two fingers and grinned. “They are not used to the sound of my laughter. It is a rare event.”

  “Why?”

  “Why is it a rare event?”

  “Yes.”

  “Because I rarely find life or the people in it amusing. The idea of having a woman hanging around my neck is highly amusing to me. I would simply flip her out of my way and get on with my work.”

  The mental image was something that caused her to giggle. “That would be one way of dealing with it.”

  “I much prefer to have a woman who will stand with me and not lock herself to my side. Baels have little time to defend someone who puts themself in danger by their very proximity. We need and require a woman who can defend herself and others if it comes down to it.” She blinked in surprise. “So, it is always a linking of equals?”

  “Not always. Some Baels mate for love, but they accept the danger of their choice and take steps to protect their loved one.”

  “Oh. So what was my case?” She looked him in the eye.

  “A Heshi broke protocol and flew up to save you because something in you called to it. There is no way that a woman the Heshi would choose to save could be anything less than a Bael. You were born to protect, to defend and to enjoy life with a doting man at your side.”

  He kissed her and pulled her to him. With a quick move, he transported them to his room and into his bed.

  She laughed as her swimsuit went flying and returned the favour with a few sharp tugs.

  Scotia grabbed the white silk of his hair and held his mouth to hers as his hands woke her body from breasts to knees. As he slid into her with slow, deliberate motions, she sighed and held him tight.

  One thing was already on her list. She wondered what tomorrow would bring.

  Chapter Ten

  It was still dark when she woke with a familiar and peculiar feeling. Her skin was burned and it was making itself known.

  Feeling like an idiot, she slid from Alder’s arms and tiptoed to the lav where the mirror confirmed her hot pink colour. She stepped into the shower and let the cool water skim over her.

  “What is wrong?” His eyes were sleepy and his hair was tousled in a manner that made her want to wrap herself in it.

  “I have a sunburn. I am in for a few very uncomfortable days.” She stepped out and wrapped a drying sheet around her. Her belly, shoulders and upper back were all hot and wearing the proof of a day in the sun.

  He examined her and nodded. “Just a moment.”

  He went into the kitchen and rummaged around in the cupboards for a while, returning with a jar and a slightly more
alert expression.

  “Let’s try this. You know, I hadn’t thought of sun sensitivity. You may not be the best choice after all.” He opened the jar and scooped out some of the cream, spreading it over her shoulder.

  “You will pay for that remark, Alder.” He chuckled and kept spreading.

  Everywhere the cool herbal-smelling cream went, her pain faded. With some slow tugs, he dropped the drying cloth, and he coated her evenly with the cream.

  “What is it?”

  “It is a kitchen cream that we use for burns. I thought it might work for this, but I will have to get some more in the morning if you are going to continue to change colour.” He kissed her nose before he spread the cream on her face and neck.

  “I will darken in tone as I get used to the sun. To avoid tan lines, I might sneak off to the private beach to do a little more controlled exposure.” She wrinkled her nose, and it moved more easily than it had before. A quick look in the mirror showed her that her colour was evening out rapidly. “That cream is great. You may want to find a larger container. I am going to need it.” He sighed and stroked her damp hair. “I wish I could apologise for it, but if I have to take you to a healer every day after you are out in the sun, I will.”

  She chuckled. “I hope that won’t be the case. Melanin will rush to my skin and slow the effects of the sun.”

  “Good. I hate the idea of you in pain and that colour did not look comfortable.” He chuckled and lifted her against him, cupping her butt to keep her in place. He walked back into the bedroom, flipping the sheets back before placing her back in bed.

  She laughed up at him. “The other option is that I wear one of my old bodysuits all the time. It will keep me from toasting.”

  He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. You are part of the village, and it will be more appropriate if you dress the part.”

  She snorted. “Right. It is all about propriety.”

  He shrugged and wrapped an arm around her breasts. She smiled, because it was one of the only bits of her not scorched.

  It took a few minutes for her to match her breathing to Alder’s, but before she knew it, she was slipping into darkness, and she couldn’t take the smirk off her face.

  * * * *

  Hasja brought in a tray and calmly folded the sheets over their naked bodies.

  Alder chuckled. “There is no stopping Hasja. She will make the bed whether we are in it or not.”

  The housekeeper shook her head and laughed.

  “I just meant to give Bael Scotia some privacy. Bael Hislar has given us a societal briefing so that our new lady’s actions will be understood a little more clearly.”

  “Lilli is here?” Scotia sat up and looked at her arms. The burn was gone. Nice.

  “She and Bael Lerock are in the village square. They are waiting on you, but have some breakfast before you get moving.” Hasja smiled and put the tray across Scotia’s lap.

  It was a serving for one. “Nothing for Alder?”

  “He can get his own food.” Hasja flicked a salute to Scotia and left the room.

  “What was that?” Scotia started in on the food and sipped at the tea, in a hurry to get dressed and see Lilli again.

  “Since she came here, Hasja insists that I take my meal at the dining room table to give me structure. This is a not-so-subtle hint that I am not the one the representatives of Ikanni base are here to talk to.”

  She chuckled and put a piece of fruit into his mouth as she kept chewing. When the tray was clear, he lifted it from her so she could escape the bed.

  A quick visit to the lav and a round of hair brushing that made her scalp tingle, she then had to go through the clothing that was waiting for her. The scarlet and gemmed wraps were waiting for her in a not too subtle placement.

  “I like the red. It makes your skin look like cream.” Alder was lounging in the bed and watching her with his hands laced behind his head and an erection that made her mouth water.

  She put the scarlet on with shaking hands, promising herself an examination of that onyx column later. She settled the wrap low on her hips, her navel free and clear. The top was a little trickier to get in a proper setting, but she eventually had it settled, and it looked quite nice.

  Her burn was a pale gold, her tan line was light but still visible. “Okay, how is that?” Alder rolled out of bed and put on a wrap, his erection held down by tight fabric. “It is lovely. You are lovely.” He pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder.

  “Thank you. Now, which way to the village square?”

  He grinned. “I will take you. Come along.” He took her hand and led her past Hasja, out into the morning light.

  Scotia inhaled deeply, the green scent of everything around her settled into her lungs. The heat wrapped her comfortably, and she smirked at how easily she adjusted to the temperature.

  They walked along a path made of mulch, soft on their bare feet. A woven wall of vines holding back the jungle created the path. After twenty feet straight out the door, a wide space opened before her, and Scotia got her first good look at the village she was now a part of.

  Kiosks, vendors, fruit and a smokehouse all gathered in the wide area. A teahouse served folks who were taking a leisurely break in their day.

  Lilli and Orriko were obvious by their clothing alone. Lilli’s black leather ensemble had been daring when Scotia first saw it, but now, the leather seemed horribly warm to her.

  Scotia walked to Lilli, and the other Terran smiled and greeted her with a hug. “You know, Orriko told me to dress light, but I can see now that I should have put less substance into it.”

  The teahouse owner waved them over, and Orriko smiled. “Our table is ready inside. Hopefully, the shade will mitigate some of the heat.”

  Lilli took Scotia’s arm and tugged her away from Alder before he could do more than peck Scotia on the cheek.

  Inside the teahouse, the scents of herbs and fruits were refreshing. The owner showed them to a table and inclined her head. “Good morning, Bael Scotia. Hasja will have fed you, but I will get you some citrus tea. It will brighten your day.” Lilli and Orriko raised their eyebrows.

  The owner cleared her throat. “And your friends as well. Would you care for some baked goods?”

  Lilli nodded. “Please. Something with a lot of fruit. I have a sweet tooth.” The owner bobbed her head and left, returning in a minute with a pot of tea for the table and several delicate cups carved of wood.

  Lilli turned to Scotia. “Bael Scotia? What have you been up to? I mean, aside from blowing the station. Good work by the way.”

  “Um, I just went to the village beach party, and the next thing I know, I am Bael Scotia.” Orriko raised his eyebrows. “Really? I heard that you killed one of those huge eels with your bare hands.”

  “Well, there was that, but that was instinct not deliberate action.” She shrugged and checked on the steeping of the tea. The scent was lovely, so she poured three cups, offering them to her companions before taking her own.

  “The Heshi usually start with using your own instincts and building on them.” Lilli smiled. “I have a talent for being bossy, and here we are.” Orriko scowled.

  “Did she order you to come here?” Scotia was shocked.

  He nodded grimly. “She rarely uses it on me, but she was very worried about you.”

  Scotia took Lilli’s hand. “I am fine. I feel fine if a little scorched. Is there a way to get an injectable UV protectant for me? I don’t want to spend my life burned or swaddled.”

  Scotia sipped at her tea.

  “I think there might be something left in medical, but if not, I am trying to put together enough for a drop shipment. Do you want something aside from the anti-scorch meds?” Lilli smiled.

  “I will think about it. Oh. Can you send a message to Sarah Marks and see if there is any record of the Admar building a gate to Ikanni? I mean, while they were masters of space manipulation, they were not known for their spacecraft.”

  Lill
i looked to Orriko, and she raised her eyebrows. “What do you know about how your people came here?”

  “The tale is that we came in waves, that we left Admar. No one ever said how.” He shrugged, and his red eyes went wide when the owner placed a plate covered with berries, fruit, syrup and some flaky pastry in front of Lilli. “What the hell is that?”

  The owner smiled as she dropped a matching confection in front of Bael Lerock. “Speciality of the house. Enjoy.”

  Scotia was laughing at the appalled expression on his face as he poked at it with the eating prong.

  Lilli just lifted the entire mass to her face and jumped right in.

  She sat and watched Lilli devour the pastry then her hungry look as she stared at Orriko’s plate. “Orriko, I think she wants what you are eating.”

  He gave his mate a wary look and passed her his plate.

  Lilli bit into the pastry with savagery.

  “So, how pregnant are you?” She looked at the other Terran with amusement.

  Around a mouthful of pastry, Lilli mumbled, “How did you know?”

  “Well, there are your eating habits and your mate is exceedingly cautious around you, so you are either rabid or you are pregnant.” Scotia refilled everyone’s tea.

  Orriko sighed in relief and lifted his own cup.

  “Thank you for figuring it out. She swore me to silence, and she used the voice of command.”

  “Lilli!” Scotia shook her head.

  “I know, I know. It was horrible. I am horrible. I am just a little more moody than usual. Forgive me, love?” Lilli looked at Orriko.

  He scowled. “Wipe your face, and I will think about it. It looks like you gnawed your way through a wild animal covered in syrup.”

  Scotia snorted and laughed as Lilli carefully removed all traces of her savagery.

  Orriko got to his feet, came around and kissed his mate, licking his lips. “Actually, that is pretty good. You are forgiven this time.” Lilli laughed then turned to Scotia, “Now, tell me how you can put your clothing on and have it stay in place. Are you using staples?” Scotia explained the dressing methods and the fact that she was using only two pieces of light fabric to cover everything. “It is great. I get boob support, and I am open to the breezes.” Lilli chuckled and sighed. “I have to admit, I am very happy that you and Kaia are on Ikanni. It makes me feel less like a prisoner and more like the member of an elite group.”