Shadow Fires — A Science Fiction Romance (Shielder Series Book 5) Page 2

  She stumbled over the last word, and san Ranul stepped between them. "Surely we can barter something else."

  The female turned to him, her resolve reflected in her bearing. "And while we’re debating the issue, what will happen to those two Shielder colonies still in the other quadrant? Where will their help be when the Controllers find and destroy them?”

  He obviously had no answer. "Unfortunately, your point is well taken.” He looked at Arion. “You will accept nothing else?”

  “I will not.”

  San Ranul nodded to the woman. “Then I accept your offer with our deepest gratitude.”

  Arion's ultrasensitive hearing picked up the slight hitch in her breath as she said, “I would like a few moments alone with His Lordship."

  San Ranul didn't seem happy with this, but he appeared reconciled. "All right," he said. "I'll give you some privacy. I'll return shortly." He strode to the entry, glanced back at Jenna, and left.

  She clasped her hands together, staring at Arion. "There is one condition I require before I make the final decision to go with you."

  "You seek to bargain with me?"

  Her white knuckles were the only outward indication of her tension. "I only seek to ensure my own well-being and dignity."

  He could not fault her for that. "You will not be mistreated, as long as you respect and honor our laws."

  "I will do my best to honor your laws. But I would like your word that you'll never strike me, or allow anyone else to."

  "Leor males do not strike their mates."

  "Your word, please, that you will never hit me."

  A growl rose in his throat. Had he not just told her he would not harm her? She reached out as if to touch him. He tensed before he could control his reaction. With rare exceptions, no one touched him.

  As if sensing his aversion, she dropped her hand. "I will be in an alien culture, surrounded by beings that are very different from my own people. Beings who are physically much stronger and have a—" She paused, as if choosing her words. "Fiercer nature. I must know that you will stand for me."

  "I protect what is mine," he growled. "Never doubt it."

  "You give your word?" she persisted.

  He would have to make it very clear she was never to question him in any way. But he was a master strategist and understood they were in negotiations. Her enlightenment could come later. "Yes. You have my word."

  She exhaled slowly. "Then I will come with you."

  "Only if the physical exam bears out your virginity," he reminded her. "And your ability to bear offspring."

  "It will." Her gaze was unwavering. Once again, he was struck by the power of her eyes. "I consent to this examination, but I want you to know that my word is also good."

  "I am glad to hear it. I will not tolerate lies from anyone, especially not my mate. Make sure you remember that." Arion decided the sooner he could educate her in Leor ways, and what was expected of her, the better.

  "Since I have always placed a high value on the truth, I don't expect dishonesty to be a problem, my lord," she replied.

  Her dignity increased the fledgling respect he felt toward her. He already believed his healer's examination would validate her claim of innocence. "If we are to be mates, I would know your full name," he said.

  "Jenna dan Aron."

  He inclined his head. "I am Arion, Comdar of Saura."

  "Comdar Arion." she acknowledged her voice low.

  Most human females had voices that grated on him. Jenna's had a melodic quality, with a pitch that vibrated pleasantly in the highly attuned receptor in the top of his head. He again felt the odd effect she seemed to have on him. He stepped closer, picking up her scent, clean and sweet. If he could stroke his tongue along her flesh, he would be able to ascertain every nuance of that tantalizing scent. He could feel the natural warmth emanating off her, a lure that called to all Leors. And her hair… He wanted to touch it, feel the satiny wonder of it between his fingers—

  Enough! he told himself sternly. Indulging in the senses was a weakness, and one that would be controlled. He gestured abruptly toward the entrance. "Then come. We will go to Lanka now, and she will confirm whether or not your claim of innocence is true." He stood back, indicating she was to go ahead.

  So she would be his mate, he thought, watching her petite form as he followed. Not a tall statuesque Leor female, who would be fearless and could fight as well as any male. He had always hoped for a mate who would be his equal, but fate—and the Komiss—had decreed otherwise. It appeared this fragile human female with hair the color of fire was his destiny. At least she was strong in spirit, and already he harbored a grudging respect for her courage.

  But she had much to learn about Leor ways, and she would have to accept the fact that he would be her master in all things.

  *

  Like Lord Arion, Lanka had inscrutable obsidian eyes, devoid of any warmth or emotion. The Leor healer's grim face clearly reflected her disdain, and her repulsion, at having to deal with a human. She communicated with abrupt hand signals and curt words. Her hands were like ice, and there was nothing gentle about her thorough and invasive examination. When she was done, she turned without a word and strode from the infirmary.

  Commander san Ranul's wife, Eirene, helped Jenna smooth down her tunic and sit up. Eirene was an Enhancer, an empath with miraculous healing abilities. She had quietly dissuaded Lord Arion from witnessing the exam, much to Jenna's gratitude. The Enhancers, known for their spirituality and integrity, commanded respect throughout the galaxy, and Arion had consented to allow Eirene to stand as the requisite witness.

  "Are you all right?" she asked, her gentle voice reflecting her concern.

  "I'm fine." But Jenna remained on the edge of the table, not trusting her legs.

  "You're shaking." Eirene's stunning, blue-eyed gaze searched Jenna's face. "Are you cold?"

  "A little."

  "Here, let me get your cape." She picked up the garment and slipped it over Jenna's shoulders.

  But it was a bone-deep chill that permeated Jenna; one a thousand capes couldn't diminish. "Thank you," she whispered, sliding off the table.

  The panel tone chimed, followed by Jarek san Ranul's voice over the entry com. "May I come in?"

  "Just a minute." Eirene waited until Jenna found her leggings and boots and slipped them on, then told the commander he could enter.

  Jenna's clairvoyant abilities usually only manifested during visions, but she was always amazed by the glowing energy between Eirene and Jarek. When they were together, bright, golden light seemed to encase them. Jarek glanced at his mate before turning his attention to Jenna. "Are you all right?"

  She wished everyone would stop asking her that. She wasn't all right. She was very apprehensive about her future. Besides, not much in her life had ever been "all right." She was taking this step because she believed it was predetermined, the will of Spirit, and not her choice to make—and because she could be out of place in a Leor culture as easily as she could be on Shamara. What difference would it make?

  "I'm fine." She fumbled with the fastenings of her cloak, while Eirene murmured quietly to Jarek.

  Even if this hadn't been her destiny, there was the issue of the two Shielder colonies. Not every Shielder had traversed the wormhole leading to a safer part of the galaxy, escaping the vengeful Controllers, who had been systematically destroying the Shielder race for over fifty spans. These Shielder settlements were stranded in the old quadrant, and had no chance of survival if help didn't reach them quickly. Someone had to take action to ensure the colonists reached the sanctuary of Shamara.

  The Leors had the only ships large enough to carry so many people, as well as fast enough and sufficiently armed to outclass Controller and Antek craft. For many spans, only Enhancers could operate the special spheres that could open the wormhole between the two quadrants. Now, combined Enhancer and Jardonian technology had made it possible for Leors to operate the spheres without the mental energy
of an Enhancer. This basically made them the only choice for getting the Shielder colonists to safety. At least Jenna's sacrifice would serve some purpose, by ensuring the rescue of those colonists.

  Not only that, but she desperately wanted children, and she couldn't see it happening if she stayed here. The superstitious Shielder men would hardly talk to her, much less consider her for a mate. The one good thing that had come out of Lanka's humiliating examination—outside the all-important confirmation of Jenna's virginity—was the verification that she was healthy and had a sufficiently wide pelvis for bearing children.

  That in itself made the situation endurable. She was determined she would be a good mate to Arion, and do her best to respect him and to honor the Leor ways. She would be a good mother to their children, as well. She'd heard Leors believed in the power of visions, and even based decisions upon information provided by their shamans. Maybe they wouldn't find her clairvoyance repulsive. Maybe she'd find acceptance among them.

  "I thank you from the depths of my heart for what you are doing," Jarek said. "Your heroism means salvation for over five hundred people. It will not go unmarked. And you won't take this journey totally alone." He turned toward the entry. "Maxine, you may enter now."

  A tall, stately woman walked into the chamber. She was very attractive, with a mane of dark brown hair streaked with gold and golden eyes. Her tawny skin was flawless. She was dressed in a form-fitting gold flight suit that showed off a spectacular figure. She looked hauntingly familiar, but Jenna couldn't remember ever seeing her before.

  "I am here, Commander," the woman said in a strangely flat voice.

  Jenna moved closer, still puzzled by the woman's familiarity. She looked like… Oh! Suddenly it came to her. The woman bore a striking resemblance to Celie Cameron's new mate, Prince Rurick Riordan. But how could that be?

  "Jenna, this is Maxine," Jarek said. "She is an android, gifted to us by Prince Rurick."

  "Actually, I am Maxine V," the android stated. "Named after Max, the original android made to masquerade as Prince Rurick. Max has created ten replicas of himself, to serve various functions. There are five male versions: Max II, III, IV, V, and VI; and five female versions: Maxine I, II, III, IV, and V. I am the last, and therefore"—she paused and appeared to preen, displaying an odd lopsided grin—"the best. I have extensive programming in medicine, agriculture, communication technology, aerospace engineering, computer—"

  "Hold up, Maxine," Jarek interrupted. "We're quite aware of your credentials. They are most impressive."

  "Thank you," she said primly, although her demeanor was anything but modest.

  Jenna couldn't help staring, amazed at how human Maxine appeared. She'd heard of androids of course, especially after Celie Cameron and Raven McKnight, each now mated to royalty, had spent a lot of time with Rurick's personal android, Max. But she'd never actually met an android, and found Maxine very intriguing.

  "I have asked Comdar Arion to accept Maxine as a token of our gratitude for his assistance," Jarek explained. "And he has agreed."

  "He did not want me at first," Maxine said. "But then I informed him of my comprehensive programming in genetics. I can be immensely helpful in researching ways to offset the recessive traits caused by a small gene pool and excessive inbreeding. I might even be able to determine why Leor females have such a short breeding period. I estimate there is an eighty-two point three percent possibility that—"

  "I'm sure your abilities will be very beneficial to the Leors," Jarek interjected. "That is all they need to believe about you accompanying them. However, your main purpose is to act as a companion to Jenna and to ensure her well-being."

  Jenna tore her fascinated gaze from Maxine to stare at Jarek. "You're sending her along for my benefit?"

  "Yes." Jarek looked at his mate. She smiled at him, adoration in her eyes. "Eirene and I didn't want you to undertake this alone. Maxine seemed the perfect solution."

  "But surely you need Maxine here," Jenna protested, stunned by this unexpected development. "There's so much she could do in Shamara—in the infirmary, in the hydroponics labs, in engineering, in so many areas."

  "We've been doing just fine up until now without Maxine," Jarek told her. "Your need is greater. Arion has already agreed to take her along, so it's settled. Now you won't be alone."

  The darkness weighing down Jenna's soul suddenly seemed lighter. She battled a rush of tears. "Thank you," she managed to say, despite the emotion clogging her throat.

  "You're welcome." In a move that surprised her, Jarek pulled her into a rough hug. "We should be thanking you, Lady Jenna. Words cannot express our gratitude."

  He released her, and Eirene stepped forward to hug her as well. "Spirit be with you," she whispered. "May joy and happiness be your shadows."

  It was more affection than anyone had displayed toward Jenna since the death of her parents, and she found it overwhelming. She took a moment to steady herself. She stared at Jarek and Eirene, the two people who had always accepted her and treated her like a normal person. "I will forever remember your kindness."

  "We need to prepare to leave," Maxine said briskly, dispelling the emotional atmosphere. "The Leor ship is scheduled to depart at sixteen hundred hours."

  So little time left. The chill returned. With a last good-bye to Jarek and Eirene, Jenna turned and walked from the infirmary, sensing Maxine close behind. She stepped into the sunlight, struggling to draw a full breath into her tight chest, and drew her cape more tightly around herself.

  "I must send some communications and collect my equipment," Maxine told her. "I will meet you at the ship in one hour."

  Jenna nodded and turned toward her quarters. Then she saw Arion. He was standing ramrod straight by a storage building, his arms crossed over his chest. When he saw Jenna, he dropped his arms and strode toward her. His intense gaze was fixed unerringly on her, and she felt like a kerani in the sights of a hunter's laser rifle.

  Not even the open area of the compound diminished Arion's size. His short cape flew back with his rapid strides, one side flipping over his shoulder and revealing a massive chest. The muscles of his powerful thighs flexed against tight leggings as he walked. He moved with surprising fluidity and grace for such a large man, and he moved rapidly. She'd heard things about the Leors, discussion about their superhuman speed and strength—all apparently true, she noted as he crossed the width of the huge compound in a matter of seconds.

  The sun's rays reflected off his bald head, making it appear he wore a crown of light, an illusion that was at odds with the very nature of Leors. He stopped before her, the darkness of his eyes reflecting his true nature. "Lanka has verified your chaste state," he said bluntly. Although he spoke in Contran, one of the universal languages from the old quadrant, his deep voice was harsh and guttural.

  Jenna dropped her gaze, and the daylight provided her first good look at his skin. She stared at his exposed chest and arm. She'd also heard about Leor skin. Reptilian flesh, some called it. It certainly wasn't like human skin. Very faint, crisscrossing lines formed a blurred diamond-shaped pattern that, along with the swarthy tone of his flesh, created the appearance of a leathery texture, similar to that of a lizard's hide. She knew its temperature changed with the external environment; cool to the touch on a cold day, or warm when exposed to heat. It drove home the fact Arion wasn't human.

  He was a barbarian hybrid, the result of a long-ago crossbreeding of humans with a reptilian race. The physical makeup of Leors was supposedly more human than reptile, and they could readily breed with humans. But they weren't truly human.

  And this nonhuman Leor was about to become her mate.

  Chapter Two

  The sun's rays reflected off her hair, making it look like shimmering flames. Arion could see her aura clearly. Its primary color was a deep blue, a good color that indicated maturity and spiritual strength. It was spiked with orange right now, an indication of how nervous he made her, although he readily sensed that without s
eeing her aura. She stood before him, not meeting his gaze. With his acute hearing, he could hear the rapid beat of her heart.

  Now that the healer had verified her virginity and child-bearing ability, negotiations had basically concluded. He had the upper hand—not that the outcome had ever been in question. Jenna was his. He felt the sudden need to assert his mastery over this female who would soon be his mate, to claim her, even if only symbolically.

  "Now, Jenna dan Aron, we will seal our mating contract with an ancient Leor tradition." Sealing an agreement with blood-sharing hadn't been regularly practiced by Leors for many spans, but it had always been a sacred act among his people, and a link to the Goddess. He drew the intricately carved magnasteel dagger from the sheath attached to his leggings. "Hold out your left hand."

  Her eyes widened, and she didn't move.

  "Your hand—now," he ordered. "Or do you dishonor our agreement?"

  She stiffened then slowly raised her hand. He gestured with the dagger. "Palm up." Biting her lip, she turned her palm upward. Her hand was trembling.

  "What is this? Afraid, after reaching this point?"

  Her chin rose slightly. "I believe have already acknowledged that I am a little apprehensive, Your Lordship."

  "So you have." He couldn't say what was driving him, but the need to subjugate her, to make sure she fully acquiesced to him, was strong. "I will accept your trepidation, as long as it is based upon your realization that henceforth you will respect and obey your master. Which I will be, for the remainder of our mortal lives."

  He stepped forward and took her wrist. Standing this close to her, he realized just how slight she was. The bones in her wrist were fine and fragile. The doubt that she was sturdy enough for mating returned, but an instinctive feeling deep in his gut whispered this was his destiny. He had long trusted his inner instincts and would not deny them now. Here, on Candest, their blood vow would bind their agreement. Then, on Saura, the merging ceremony would bind their souls for life.