Chapter Four
My toga for the Festival of Salt and Sea was stunning. It was shorter than the one I had been wearing, falling a few inches above my knees. Whoever made the garment had made it well, it hugged my curves, accenting – not hiding – my hourglass figure. It was a soft material in a blue-grey color. When I moved, the fabric fluttered around me like waves on the sea.
There was a mask as well, made of black lace with two eyeholes. It wrapped around my head tied in a neat bow to keep it in place. It was midday when the three women from his bed arrived in my room to help me get ready.
They came early, but they did not speak. Not one word was uttered by any of them. I asked them a thousand question, but their only response was to smile coyly at me and shake their heads. None of them looked unhappy or abused. Their arms were free from bruises and they were quick to laugh and smile.
They did my hair up in an elaborate do with loose tendrils framing my face. They covered me in a fine glittery mist, my skin shimmered every time I moved. Finally, they wrapped the mask around my face and incorporated it into my hair.
I didn’t recognize my own reflection in the mirror. I looked like someone else, an ethereal Goddess trapped on a spaceship. The blue dress stood out in stark contrast to my pale skin, my dark hair seemed to shine in the light.
The women led me out and to the celebration. At first, we saw no one else. I felt rather silly and overdressed in my dress and mask as I walked down the hallway. We entered a lift, we were the first ones on, but it quickly filled up.
Men and women, both human and Dolcivs, entered the elevator. There was an air of excited anticipation. Everyone was dressed up in short togas trimmed with gold and accented with lace. The bright blue eyes of the Dolcivs shone out from behind their masks.
We were all pressed into the elevator together. I understood now why Strath had sent his women to dress me. I blended in perfectly. No one, other than his guards, would know who I was. I could enjoy the festivities like I was one of them.
The elevator doors opened to a huge open-air room. The high ceiling above us was a curved screen that showed the stars. I stepped out of the elevator and looked down at the scene below me with wonder.
There were fire dancers on high platforms, swinging burning lanterns around them. Food was laid out everywhere, birds and suckling pigs, fish, shrimp, piles of fruits and decadent chocolate desserts. My stomach rumbled at all of the food. Half-dressed human and Dolcivs women handed out drinks to waiting people.
Everyone was dressed in the same way I was. Short togas and elaborate masks. There was a dance floor where people twirled and spun while a live band played from a recessed alcove. I stepped down into the gathering, Strath’s women following closely behind me.
I could easily guess that the Festival of Salt and Sea was an old holdover from when Strath’s family still had land on the Dolcivs home world. It was a celebration of the sea, for the bounty of harvest it had formerly brought to the Dolcivs people. Even though they were far from the sea, Strath brought this tradition into space with him.
It was good for the people on this ship to have an occasion to celebrate. I saw nothing but smiles on the faces of the people I passed. But it wasn’t just smiles I encountered, touching was a huge part of the festivities. Everyone that I passed touched me. Hands caressed my bare shoulders and clasped the back of my thigh, stroked my arms. There was nothing cruel or malicious in these touches. It was about connecting with the people all around you, strengthening the sense of community on board.
The women stopped in line for a drink. They got one for me and they smiled as they brought the cup to my lips. I took a sip, the drink was sweet but strong. I tried to stop, but the women wouldn’t let me. They held me still as the cupped tipped back and I drank it all.
I felt the effect almost immediately. My limbs tingled and my head felt light, but in a pleasant way. It felt like I was floating. I forgot about my minders and where I was. Instead, I moved wherever my legs decided to take me. I wove through the crowd, making my way to the dance floor.
I put one foot on the dance floor and immediately, a full-grown Dolcivs man grabbed my wrist and spun me in a dance. I giggled and spun with him, but it wasn’t long before a female Dolcivs took my hips in her hand and guided me to her. A human man took me from her, he pulled me close, I could feel his warm breath on my neck. My body tingled as his hands came around me.
Strath’s women pulled me away from him and towards the three of them, together we began to dance. There were no specific steps, it wasn’t that kind of dance. Instead, we moved and writhed together with the rhythm of the music. I traced my hand along the Dolcivs females’ upper arm while another came from behind and kissed the back of my neck.
I had never felt so free and unencumbered. I forgot about the rebellion, my ship and my people back on Earth. I forgot that I was at war with half the people around me. All I knew was the music flowing through my veins and the touches of the people around me. My every sensation was heightened. I could feel, hear and smell everything.
I closed my eyes and swayed with the music. It wasn’t surprising to feel a strong pair of Dolcivs’ hands come around me. I was pulled back against someone. Their hands were exploring me. They cupped my breasts and then traced a line down my stomach and down to my legs. Fingers ran along my neck and my collarbone. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on this stranger’s shoulders, letting him put his hands wherever he wanted.
I kept expecting one of Strath’s women to pull this man off me. His hands continued to move and still they did not come. Then the Dolcivs male who had been holding me spun me around and I was looking up at the familiar face of Historan Strath. I was surprised, but not in an unpleasant way. I didn’t pull away from him, I didn’t want to. His hands on me were hypnotic and I didn’t want him to stop. I didn’t know where my senses went. I was lost in the sensation of his hands.
He tilted my chin up and I looked into his shining blue eyes. I parted my lips and without hesitation,he was crashing down onto me. His lips met mine. His arms wrapped around me as he lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist as our kiss deepened.
The people around us didn’t even blink at our display. Strath walked us back until I was pushed against the wall. He pinned my arms above my head and kissed me deeply. Our tongues met and danced as I writhed against him.
“I think the drink has gone to your head,” he whispered. He moved to my neck, kissing, licking and biting it. I was helpless underneath his attentions.
My body ached for his touch; my face was flushed. I took deep breaths and looked at the stars above me. They seemed to be spinning, which I knew wasn’t right.
“Everything is spinning,” I whispered into his ear. He stopped kissing my neck. He leaned forward and put his forehead against mine. I stared into his bright blue eyes.
“I think you have had too much to drink. I should let you go, even though it pains me to do so.”
He released my hands and I rested them on his strong shoulders. He looked at me one last time and then slowly lowered me to the ground. I was unsteady on my feet and I reached out for him. I took his large hand in mine. His women were there immediately. He whispered something to one of them and then they surrounded me.
They took me by the arms and led to me a small couch. It was near a pool of clear water where bright yellow fish swam just under the surface. The cool air felt lovely on my flushed cheeks. They brought me a glass of cold water and a plate piled high with food. I ate it all with relish, each bite more delicious than the last. Everything around me seemed to sparkle and shine.
I could see why humans had come to call this place home. Strath was a good ruler who cared about the happiness of his people. He spared no expense at this party and it showed. I wondered, for the first time, about Strath’s offer to keep me here. It was an enticing idea, but I didn’t think it would be possible for me. I wasn’t the kind of person who stayed in one place. I was always running, always moving, but maybe it didn’t have to be like that. Maybe I could stay here, under the protection of this Lost Lord.
All around me people were quieting and the music was stopping. Slowly, a hush fell over the huge open space as everyone turned their eyes up. I saw a raised throne high above us and Strath slowly walked to a platform at the center.
People began to clap and cheer. They screamed out his name, they called out that they loved him. The faces around me were enraptured as they stared up at their leader.
“My people,” he called out and the cheering stopped. He looked around at everyone, smiling down to the crowd. “When my father was forced to abandon his lands, we feared the worst. It was a time of great chaos. But you trusted the Strath family to guide you to safety. We made the great and dangerous journey, we risked all when we took to our ships.
“It was the greatest gamble of our lives. The Regime threatened to hunt us down, to bring us home in chains. But not only have we survived, we have thrived!” Thunderous applause filled the room.
“Everything you see before you belongs to us! We have worked for it and the Regime has no claim to it. We are free and ever shall that freedom remain ours!” Cheers erupted again, so loud that my ears ached.
“My fellows, tonight I command you to eat and drink and love. Leave your worries and care for tomorrow. Tonight, we celebrate!”
They loved him, I realized as I looked at the shining faces around me. Even the women from his bed stared up him with rapt gazes. There was no amount of money that could buy this devotion, he had earned it. I looked up at him on his throne and I wondered if my face matched the devoted ones around me.