Chapter Eleven
I must have fallen asleep in Kest’s arms, because when I wake, I’m back on board his ship. This time I feel properly rested, and hungry. Looking around, I don’t see him right away, but the hatch is open. Stepping outside, I see we’re no longer on the mountain, but in the midst of a forest. No more than fifty feet away, a small stream cuts through the land; Kest stands in it, the water up to his thighs, and bathes.
Struck by his beauty, water streaming down the ripples of his imposing physique, I stare for longer than I’ll ever admit. I could watch him wash all day, probably. Especially outside, surrounded by nature—after spending most my life in Manhattan, I’d forgotten how nice it can be to get out a bit. For all I know, there could be a city half a mile from here, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way. All I hear is splashing water, birdsong, and the breeze.
He hasn’t seen me, I realize. Does he know I’m watching? Do his nanites tell him that sort of thing?
If he’s not aware that I’m awake, could now be a chance to run? He’s not on the ship. If I could get it working…
Quickly ducking back inside, I race to the cockpit and sit in the pilot’s seat. Of course, unlike a human vehicle, there’s no instrumentation console—just a single maneuvering stick. Everything else must be done with the nanites.
Well, all right then.
I think about the ship’s controls activating, hoping it will summon them to life. A hologram does appear, and I search a list of options for travel. Like back in my quarters, I search for Earth. After a moment, the planet appears before me.
“Yes!”
Go there! I command the ship. Take off! Fly!
Nothing happens. The image of Earth fizzles out.
Access denied. User not authorized.
I sigh. So much for that idea.
In truth, I’m not sure I even want to leave. Kest’s words from last night echo in my mind. He wants to protect Earth, but is invading it really what’s best?
It’s a question I can’t answer right now, so I head back outside and make my way toward Kest.
“Good morning,” he says as I approach. He turns to face me, giving me another great view of his gorgeous body. “Care to join me? The water’s not too cold.”
The way he looks right now, I don’t possess the kind of mental fortitude to turn down the invitation. In seconds, I’ve stripped out of my singlet and am dipping in a toe, testing the temperature. Like he said, it’s not bad. Carefully, I work my way in, enjoying the feel of the current. By the time I reach Kest, I’m waist deep, causing him to laugh.
“Come here, shorty,” he says, pulling me close. He leans over, dipping his cupped hands in the water; he pours it out into my hair. I groan, enjoying the feeling, then close my eyes and let him wash me. He uses only his hands, but they do just fine. He touches me everywhere, making sure not to miss a spot. I hold my hands up over my head, making it easy for him to spend a little extra time on my breasts. He doesn’t mind.
“Ohalessa is a pretty name,” I say.
Kest smiles. “We wanted it to be worthy of a planet this beautiful.”
While he bathes me, he tells me more, explaining that Ohalessa is a paradise created to be a central vacation destination for his people. In terms of recreation, there’s little that can’t be found here. Though much of the land is pure, pristine wilderness, there are cities too.
“Wait, you created this place?” I ask.
“In a sense.” Finished washing me, he wades to the bank of the stream and beckons me to join him. “We terraformed it extensively, making sure that the geography gave representation to nearly every world in our society. We wanted visitors to the Dominus to be comfortable here, no matter where they’re from.”
“That’s incredible,” I say, kicking my feet in the water. “How long did it take?”
“More than a thousand years,” Kest replies.
Good lord. And I thought the Second Avenue subway line took forever.
“The hard part was having dozens of regions with vastly different ecosystems all coexisting in balance. Ohalessa may, in fact, be the galaxy’s single greatest feat of engineering.”
Holy shit. If he’s just telling me this to impress me, it’s working.
“Do you spend a lot of time here?” I ask, thinking about the mountaintop from last night.
Kest sighs. “Not much. I try to come here between missions, but I don’t always get a chance. It’s okay, though. I like traveling.”
I can only imagine—traversing an entire galaxy? Visiting entirely new worlds? It sounds unbelievably exciting.
“It must be so beautiful,” I say, looking down at the reflection in the stream.
“It is.” Kest takes my chin into his palm and turns my head to face him. “And yet, it’s rare that I see anything as beautiful as what I see right in front of me.”
“Stop,” I giggle, blushing.
He stares into my eyes, and I his. They burn with a desire so intense, my heart quickens at the thought of giving in and submitting. I’ve never felt so wanted in all my life. I’d give anything to know this is all real.
“Kest, I—”
“Wait,” he says, interrupting. He turns quickly, like an animal sensing a predator. His nostrils flare, and the silver of his skin darkens. Then we hear a soft crunch, as though of feet on grass. “Let’s go,” he says, grabbing my arm and pulling in the direction of his ship.
He’d mentioned something about dangerous animals, but those can’t be here, can they?
Actually, yes, I realize, seeing what got Kest’s attention.
Standing in front of our ship is Bakan, dressed in a suit of bulky green armor. Large protrusions rise from his back, towering over the alien’s head; based on the way they point forward, I’m guessing they’re weapons.
Kest immediately moves to stand in front of me, shielding me from the man’s view. “What are you doing here, Praetor?” he asks, though it comes out more like an accusation.
“Agent Kest. Miss Feyn,” Bakan replies, voice dripping with faux diplomacy. “I came to offer my protection during your stay on Ohalessa.”
“Is that so? Under whose directive?”
“No one’s.”
Kest’s eyes narrow; the fury of a full nuclear meltdown blazes behind his menacing glare. For a naked man facing down an armed opponent in combat armor, he shows no sign of fear.
“Your assistance is not needed, Praetor,” he says, voice steady and calm. “You have our thanks, but at this point, we request privacy. I will take excellent care of Miss Feyn myself.”
Bakan sneers. “We request privacy? Why not let the human speak for herself? She might want someone else around to make sure she’s safe with the alien who abducted her and took her from her home world.”
Is he serious? Does Bakan think I’m that stupid? I might not be some kind of immortal alien god like them, but I’m not an idiot.
“No thanks, Praetor,” I growl. “I trust Agent Kest’s protection will be adequate.”
Kest grins for just a moment, then his face hardens back into an imposing mask. “There you have it, Bakan. Leave us in peace. If you’re so concerned for Miss Feyn, you may present your objections at the next Council meeting.”
“I will,” Bakan mutters back. “Enjoy your time on Ohalessa, human,” he adds. “I hope you were well cleaned before landing. I’d hate for our perfect world to become infested with parasites.”
My mouth opens to deliver a retort when I feel a strong signal from Kest: Don’t. Together, we watch as Bakan launches into the air, his suit rapidly deploying a covering for his face. Soon, I’ve lost track of him in the sky.
“Is he gone?” I ask.
“For now,” says Kest. “Back to the ship, Haley. We’re leaving.”