RippedandRoar Page 5

  "Oh, I hadn't thought of that."

  Mala landed the skimmer and gave Roar a hug. "I know. It seems like home, but your home will be on Station 13 and eventually Balen Base when Balen has finished his housekeeping. We had to make sure that you could be safe wherever you went."

  They started walking through the streets, friendly locals waving to the Guardsmen as they passed.

  "And you wanted those around me safe."

  "Oh, Cila, you have never injured innocents deliberately or with carelessness. You have only ever used your talent with deliberate knowledge of its consequences."

  Mala pulled open the door to a dress shop and Cila was amazed by the contents. Silks of every hue and in amazing configurations were arranged on display stands.

  "Zabby. You have a new customer." Mala grinned and bowed to the huge spider that emerged from the back room.

  A series of clicks was translated into, "Greetings, Guardsman. It is my honour to assist you in finding something for your casual hours."

  The spider lowered herself from her enormous height and waved one leg at the assortment of clothing. "Would you care to select something, or will you trust me to select?"

  Cila blinked. She had heard of l'nal but had never seen one before. She had no idea that they were this…large. "You can select something. I am not fussy. I have never had something, anything like this before."

  The huge mandibles clicked. "Excellent. Mala, show her to a fitting room. I will be right in."

  As Mala led her to the back, Cila watched the spider strip the displays with deft efficiency. The dexterity was amazing.

  "Are there any l'nal Guardsmen?"

  Mala smiled and showed Cila how to stand on the podium. "No. They can't fit in the uniforms."

  Zabby bustled in. "My folk don't enjoy space travel. We prefer to be grounded."

  Cila was stripped out of her uniform and stuffed into dress after dress until her muscles were trembling from holding still and Mala and Zabby had made their decisions. "I thought I was only getting the one dress."

  "I am splurging on you. Let me have my little eccentricity. I do so love to be able to feel pretty and I think you need it more than most. Allow me to give it to you."

  Cila flicked the more elaborate ponytail that Arkhov had crafted for her. Each day he added a new layer, but it was a moment that they spent together each morning and she had come to depend on the feeling of being wanted that it gave her.

  She had tried to look up D'nak mating habits, but there was an astonishingly little amount of information about them. The dressing of hair was not mentioned except in a comment by a traveller that he could always tell which female was taken by the elaborateness of her hair.

  To have clothing that matched the creativity of the loops and joins taking place on her head was a very appealing thought. "Thank you."

  Mala grinned at her. "You are more than welcome. Now, Zabby, we need those dresses altered and delivered to the base as soon as you can."

  Zabby saluted with one fuzzy leg. "Yes, madam. I have your card on file."

  Mala retrieved Cila's uniform and helped her into it. "I know you do. Has Isabi complained yet?"

  Zabby shrugged. "Men always complain. It is up to a strong woman to ignore them."

  Mala high-fived the spider and Cila finished sealing her suit. In a matter of minutes, they were walking back to the skimmer as if nothing odd had occurred.

  "She will have the clothing ready for you this evening. When a Guardsman is called, they don't have time to wait for their tailor, they have to go." Mala took the controls and they were on their way to the base once again.

  "Where will I have a chance to wear those clothes?"

  "You never know. Some assignments call for concealing your identity, some involve formal gatherings. A good wardrobe is never a waste."

  Cila fidgeted. "How will I know what to wear when?"

  "If you are in doubt, ask Arkhov. Ripper will know what you need and he has quite the fashion sense for one of his kind."

  "One of his kind?"

  "A male and a D'nak. There is a reason that they are not allowed to leave their world. They are usually fairly volatile. Arkhov is an exemplary specimen of their species." Mala craned her neck to view Cila's hair. "And he has dexterity, which is a very good thing."

  Cila bit her lip. "Why is that a good thing?"

  Mala winced. "Right. I forgot you have lived in institutions. What are your species' mating practices like?"

  "Fairly direct. The woman indicates she is receptive and they have sex. If a pair bond is formed, they formalize the union and have offspring. If not, they try again."

  Mala parked the skimmer on the tarmac outside her workshop and turned to Cila. "That isn't the way it works with D'nak. They pick a female that meets their criteria, fight other males to keep them away from her and begin courtship rituals."

  When she said courtship rituals she had gestured to Cila's hair. She had already figured as much.

  "What is the importance of dexterity then?"

  A shadow lengthened and turned into Isabi. His sharp white teeth gleamed against his black velvet skin. "Yes, my love, what is the importance of masculine dexterity?"

  Mala's pale skin flared as she blushed. "Okay, fine. I get it. Subtlety is not my strong suit."

  Cila giggled. "I understood you the first time. I just wanted to see how far you would carry it."

  Isabi barked a laugh and helped them out of the skimmer. He pressed a kiss to the back of Mala's hand and she gave him a narrow-eyed glare.

  Cila laughed. "I am going to grab a shower and see if Arkhov will join me for dinner. I will see you and the little ones later."

  Mala waved and Isabi swept her into his embrace, giving her a kiss that heated Cila's cheeks just watching it. She trotted into the building, secure in one thought, if Mala and Isabi could stay passionately in love after all their battles and having children, there might just be hope for a freak like Cila.

  She just had to make sure that she had the right man.

  Chapter Nine

  When Cila emerged from the shower, she smiled in surprise at the box on her side of the bed. "What is that?"

  When she lifted the box, a card slipped out that said, Open me, in masculine handwriting. Giggling, she opened the top of the box and then sighed happily at the dark pewter silk within. It was a tunic and trouser combination that she had been trying on only an hour before. If it wasn't for the handwriting, she would have thought it was from Mala.

  A set of flat slippers that matched the loose trousers were nestled in the bottom. Cila kept giggling the entire time as she pulled her clothing on and tied the sash that kept the tunic outlining the curve of her hips.

  Her hair was loose and hung almost to her knees. She was amazed at the length, but since it hadn't been cut for years and braided up the entire time, it made an astonishing sort of sense. Her locks swung around her as she opened the door to the outer room, intent on finding Arkhov and asking him if he wanted to share dinner.

  She didn't have to look long. He was waiting for her on the other side of the door and grinning like a fool. "You look lovely, Cila."

  "Thank you, Arkhov."

  He nodded to her hair and she turned to sit at the dressing table so he could arrange her hair.

  "Do all the D'nak men engage in this much hairstyling?" She watched his grey-bronze hands weave through the midnight purple mass of her hair, his own black hair was tied back in a tail that reached the middle of his spine.

  "They do if they want to warn off other men. Because our mating rituals concentrate on claiming and keeping, weaving one's female's hair into elaborate shapes gives other men an idea of the depth of the attachment at a glance. A simple design is a fairly casual relationship and the more detail that is given indicates stronger feeling."

  His deft fingers shaped a cloak of loops and tiny braids down her back. The inner claw on his wrist was used to hold hair out of the way and in ten minutes, she was back
to having a form of sculpture down her back.

  Cila had to admit it was pretty and it did keep loose strands from tangling on anything. It also shortened her hair to the base of her spine.

  He withdrew and met her gaze in the mirror. "And now, since my lady is dressed in finery and rather hungry, would you care to join me in leaving the base for dinner?"

  She turned and took the hand he extended to her. "That would be very nice. Like a date."

  He pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Exactly like a date."

  They walked arm-in-arm through the base, nodding to some of the staffers who grinned at them. A small two-person flyer waited on the tarmac.

  "I have never flown on one of these."

  "Then it is a good thing you are learning to drive one tonight." He helped her to the seat and took a position behind her.

  Arkhov went through the controls, read outs and the pedals for speed control. When she was fully briefed, he gave her directions to the restaurant and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  Despite the close calls on the way to the village, Arkhov never panicked. She could feel his steady heartbeat against her spine and the warmth surrounding her on all sides. He wasn't going to let anything happen to them, but he was going to let her control where they went. It was a comforting feeling, being daring and protected at the same time.

  The landing was a little rough, but Cila was vibrating with happiness when they disembarked the flyer. She stood on her own feet and then squealed, jumping to hug Arkhov. He caught her neatly and laughed as he swung her around.

  When they halted, she had her arms around his neck and was looking up at him. He slowly lowered his head to hers and pressed a kiss to her lips.

  Her hands shook as she threaded her fingers through the thick, silky strands of his hair and held his mouth to hers.

  Her lips were swollen and hot when they parted, his eyes gleaming bright gold. He cleared his throat, but his voice was husky. "We still need to have dinner."

  She blushed and quickly pulled her hands away, trying to turn her body away from his. "I…um…got carried away."

  "Not yet, but almost."

  She blinked in surprise and let his arm around her waist steer her to the restaurant half a block away.

  "Guardsmen! Please come this way."

  The host led them to a private table in a draped alcove and tried to assist her with her seat. Arkhov's snarl caused the other male to rear back rapidly.

  "Apologies. Your server will be here momentarily." He scuttled away and it left Cila looking at her partner.

  She arched a brow at him. "What was that?"

  He darkened slightly. "Nothing."

  "Nothing? Your claws came out."

  "He touched you."

  She blinked. "He put his hand on my arm to assist me into my seat."

  Her even-tempered companion was looking a little feral. Even his hair was slightly taller.

  "I know. I can't help my reflexes. I will get better with time, I am sure."

  Their nervous server came over and gave them a litany of the evening's specials as well as glasses of water.

  When the woman was gone, Cila sipped at the water while trying to make her decision. She scrolled through the digital menu idly while asking, "How will it get better? Will you start a fight or end one?"

  Arkhov shrugged, "I don't precisely know. In my family, the protective instinct is very strong."

  She made her selections and broached a subject that they had not yet discussed. "Do you have siblings?"

  "Three brothers and two sisters. I am the only talent in the bunch. I also have nine nieces and nephews if you are wondering." He made his own selections and sat back. "My parents are also still alive. How much family do you have?"

  "I believe that my parents are still alive and I had two older sisters, but no nieces or nephews. My family was sterilized after I was identified as a talent. They would have done it to me as well, but they were terrified of what would happen if I protested."

  He nodded. "I can see that. But sterilizing your bloodline and not you, that doesn't make sense."

  "When have government decisions ever made sense? For years, I tried to get to a relay station for peace and quiet. They refused. While they wanted me away from the population, they didn't want me where they couldn't get at me. It was stupid and eventually I got my way anyway."

  He smiled. "Why do I think that that is a trend I should be wary of?"

  "Because you are a very smart man."

  They laughed as the server brought the food. A few moments of silence were shared as they tasted, tested and located their favourites.

  Cila laughed as she took samples of Arkhov's food from under his fork and she defended her plate when he tried to retaliate.

  She sobered a little as they finished their meals. "Does your family talk to you?"

  He looked shocked. "Of course. I may have been a bully, but I was a family bully."

  She sighed and leaned her chin on her fist as she flicked through the dessert options. "I wish I had been able to explain that I was no threat to them. The moment that I explained what I was, they sent me to the facility and I never saw them again."

  He paused, "Was it horrible being in custody?"

  She shrugged. "Not really. It was all that I knew. At least folks stopped trying to get me to speak after I blew up the first lab."

  He reached out and took her hand, rubbing his thumb across her palm again. She sighed at the tingle of interest that the small caress stirred.

  "Do you have plans for your future?" His low tone echoed the arousal in his voice after their first kiss.

  "My immediate plans are to simply enjoy the present. The future will be here soon enough. I will deal with it then." Her smile was impish. "You do feature quite heavily in both the present and future that I see, in case you were wondering."

  He grinned in relief. "I was hoping that it was the case."

  "It is indeed. Now, shall we pay the bill and return to the base?"

  Music was playing softly in the background and a few couples started to sway slowly on the dance floor. Cila turned her head to watch and she smiled at the grace and trust she could see so clearly.

  Arkhov waved his hand over an icon on the table and assisted her to her feet. "A quick dance and we will return to the base."

  She tried to dig her feet in the floor. "I don't dance."

  "Just relax and move with me. I promise, you will be fine." He turned her in his arms and placed one hand on her waist, the other gently clutching her fist.

  Cila tried to relax, but it was only when the warmth of his hand soaked into her spine that she was able to shift gently in his arms to the rhythm of the music.

  She was relaxed, serene and felt very secure with his arms around her. When the music ended, they separated by inches and walked out the door in silence, holding hands and keeping in contact.

  Without a word being spoken, Arkhov sat on the flyer and helped her on behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and together, they flew off into the night.

  Her hands did a little bit of wandering, when she found the heated proof of his interest, he inhaled sharply and she moved her hands to less sensitive areas. Each muscle was examined by her fingertips and Cila grumbled in disappointment when they landed and she had to stop playing.

  The ability to make casual noises was the most fun part of her new alterations.

  She dismounted from the flyer and waited for Arkhov to connect it to the charger. They resumed holding hands while walking to their quarters. A fluttering nervousness rippled through her. There was an intensity to her companion that was now on the surface where it had previously been subdued.

  She suspected that her D'nak courtship was about to take a sudden turn for the physical.

  Chapter Ten

  They were passing Relay's office when a voice called them. "Ripper, Roar, get in here."

  Their mood went from sensual to serious as they entered the inner sanctum o
f the base commander.

  "Relay, what is it?" Ripper straightened his shoulders, his tunic strained at the seams.

  Relay's eyes moved rapidly beneath closed lids. "We have an assignment for you. It is time sensitive."

  Roar nodded. "What is the assignment and how do we get there? I think I broke our ship. Wait. I know I broke the ship."

  "Fixer has it on her roster, but you can use one of the other experimental ships. Deck Ten is ready for launch, as for the assignment, it is an ecological matter. A mining operation miscalculated the amount of explosive needed and caved in a mountain pass on Vender. The main life form on that world uses that pass for migration to their mating grounds. If that pass isn't cleared, the species will suffer a loss from which they may not recover."

  Roar nodded. "I can blow a hole, not a problem."

  Relay opened her eyes and smiled. "That is what Fixer said."

  Ripper asked. "When do we leave?"

  "Now. Suit up and Rific will meet you on the tarmac. Your mission data will be in the ship and waiting for you." Relay waved them off. "Good luck."

  Taken aback, Roar waited for Ripper and left the room with him. When they were out in the hall, he let out a snarl followed by a deep sigh. "This was not how I planned to end our first date."

  She laughed. "I suppose it is for the best. While I am enjoying the courtship, I don't know if I am prepared for it to move this quickly."

  "I suppose I was a little too enthusiastic. I was just so happy that you seemed receptive, I let my body control my actions."

  They arrived at their quarters and changed into their uniforms. As she closed the seal, Cila decided to take her clothing with her. A small bag was stuffed full of her uniforms with her tunic and trousers on top, the sash and her shoes tucked underneath.

  She slung her bag over one shoulder and joined Ripper in the front room. He had his own bags on his shoulder and he took hers from her before she could say no.

  They walked quietly out the door and met the ground control officer, Rific. "Come this way, Guardsmen. The Deck Ten is a little larger than some of the other shuttles, but it is a fantastic design for a ship. Fixer outdid herself on this one."