Chapter Twelve
An hour later, Thorin sat in his small office off the command deck and frowned at the view screen displaying General Corvel’s upper half. “More of the asteroid like-objects have appeared?”
The senior general grunted. “Yes. We’re still double-checking the count, but it’s about forty of them.”
The same number that had disappeared from Thorin’s engineering department. Since the line was secure, he said as much to Corvel before adding, “But if the two are linked, where did the missing ten asteroid-like objects go?”
“That I don’t know. We’ve expanded the probe-ranges and have some of our patrol ships also looking for unusual traces of movement or activity, just as the fighters are doing near your ship. In the meantime, remain in your current position and keep your power sources minimal. We’ll check in every twelve hours unless something crops up. While waiting, make sure to have your weapons ready to go at a moment’s notice. Since weapons require far less power than engines, have the computer reroute all auxiliary power not being used for life support systems to the ship’s blasters and laser cannons. End transmission.”
The panel went black and Thorin stood.
For all intents and purposes, he was stranded in space with few options. For the first time, Thorin wished he’d already reached Jasvar. That way, he could talk with the Earth Colony Alliance observers living with the human colonists there. Keldera didn’t have an alliance with the ECA and thus didn’t have access to their databanks or records. The ECA might have experience with the strange events and possible enemy, which could yield helpful information.
While Thorin hadn’t been a fan of humans for most of his life, he’d recently worked with two worthy females. One of them was the current leader of Jasvar. He would reach out to her and see if the ECA would divulge information to her.
A secure transmission to Jasvar would take at least a week, but Thorin decided to chance it. For all he knew, he could be stranded for weeks or months in his current location. The transport ship, while not designed for long hauls, could comfortably support the five thousand colonists and crew for up to six months.
After recording and sending the message, Thorin exited his small office.
Since Syzel and Ryven had checked in that all was going smoothly for both of their tasks, and Corvel hadn’t provided any new information, Thorin had some time on his hands to talk with Vala about her theories surrounding the antimonarchy faction hiring mercenaries to interfere.
It may lead to nothing, but he needed the knowledge just in case.
He also wanted to issue her a blaster gun of her own.
Looking to the center of the command deck, he asked his lieutenant general, Jelshi, “Any changes in power fluctuations or in the visual feeds?”
“No, sir,” Jelshi replied. “Although there is one matter that needs attention—the ship’s counselors are overloaded with session requests. The colonists are becoming alarmed.”
“Since they aren’t warriors, that’s to be expected. Have the counselors give group talks for the time being and have them reference helpful texts and videos to help ease the burden of one-on-one sessions. If there’s a problem or specific concern, the chief counselor can contact me in my private quarters. I have work that can’t wait. You’ll retain command until I say otherwise.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” Jelshi answered.
Thorin exited the room, fully confident that Jelshi could handle basic discontent. They had worked side-by-side during an intense encounter with illegal traders last year. Being on red alert for ten hours had barely fazed Jelshi, not to mention he’d proven himself quick with effective suggestions.
Maybe Thorin could use him for rooting out any traitors aboard the ship, too.
But not yet. He needed to check on Vala before meeting with his first potential warrior spy. While she was proving to be a capable female, he wanted to give her some basic instruction on blaster guns. He had a feeling she would want to leave his quarters sooner rather than later and she needed to be prepared. The thought of her being injured or worse made his stomach churn.
She may not be his bride, but he would do whatever it took to ensure her safety.
~~~
Vala finished typing up her guide to the main factions surrounding the monarchy on Keldera, the known leaders, and some of their suspected business ties. As she reread the last entry of suspected businesses with antimonarchy sentiments, the name of one stuck out: Rippak Merchants.
According to the database file, the female Vala had met earlier, Azalyn, had previously been part of the Rippak family before fostering with the Sulanis. Vala’s initial conclusion was that Azalyn wasn’t involved with the antimonarchy group. The records Vala had accessed using Thorin’s security clearance spoke of a thoroughly vetted colony candidate, not to mention she’d lived far from any known dissident hotspots. Nothing on the file kept by the Kelderan Army spoke of an enemy to the royal family. The restriction regarding the palace was only to keep her from seeking out Prince Keltor again.
However, while Vala thought Azalyn was innocent, members of her former family might know something. She’d have to investigate and seek out the female again, but on the pretense of the meeting being accidental. That way she could try to learn as much as possible about Azalyn’s blood family without giving away her objective.
Vala paused at that thought. Here she was thinking about spies and missions. She’d come a long way from healing the sick inside the citadel.
Not that she’d change a thing. If anything, Thorin would probably bring her deeper into his world. Vala had no desire to be a warrior, but she might just like gathering intelligence for her male.
She blinked. No. Thorin wasn’t hers. She needed to be more careful. After all, Thorin was a skilled general. One slip up of her emotions or even her thoughts, and he might figure out her deeply hidden desire to spend more than a few days or weeks with him.
As it were, when he’d suggested she be his mistress again, it’d taken everything she’d had not to jump into his arms.
Taking a deep breath, she looked back to her notescreen. She had work to do.
Just as she was about to bring up additional information on the Rippak Merchants, Thorin entered the room. Even though she wanted to rush into his arms and feel his strong muscles around her, she remained on the bed.
There was too much undecided and unsaid between them. She wasn’t entirely sure how to act.
Thorin spoke first. “You’re still here.”
She raised her brows. “Of course I am. And I even have something for you.” She held up her notescreen. “This might help you better understand the situation on Keldera, which could help with locating traitors.”
He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. His body was a few inches from her own, but his heat still managed to caress her skin.
She clutched the sheets to keep from reaching out to touch him.
Thorin’s voice garnered her attention. “What do you have for me?”
Clearing her throat, she handed him the information. “Since always having me at your ear is impossible, you can use this.”
He glanced down at the document and nodded. “Thank you.”
Silence stretched for a few beats. Vala finally reached out and touched his arm. “Don’t be formal with me, Thorin.”
“Says the female being cautious around me.”
She sighed. “I think we need to decide this situation before anything else. Otherwise, we’ll be dancing around each other and won’t be able to focus.”
He smiled slowly. “Normally, I would like the idea of you thinking about me, but I want to show you how to use a blaster gun, and that requires your full attention.”
She scooted a fraction closer to him, never removing her hand from his arm. “Already? Aren’t there more important things for you to do? I may have only worked on two ships so far, but generals are always busy.”
In the blink of an eye, he tossed the notescreen on the bed and moved her into his lap. As he lazily stroked her back, Vala’s heart beat faster. He murmured, “I’d be selfish to keep you sequestered inside this room. You’ll better be able to help everyone aboard this ship by going about your duties and keeping your eyes and ears open. However, I won’t allow you to do so until you know the ins and outs of using a blaster gun.”
With just the two of them in the room, she didn’t hesitate to echo, “Allow me?”
“Perhaps I could’ve used a better phrase. Don’t expect me to completely bend when it comes to your wishes, especially if your safety is concerned. I won’t have you harmed under my watch, Vala. Ever.”
At the fierceness of his gaze, she stopped breathing. She’d never imagined a male vowing to look after her and mean it.
She wondered if this was how a lord acted around his bride.
Focus, Vala. She finally found her voice again. “I know, and I wouldn’t expect anything less of you.” She hesitated a second, but finally gave in and curled against his chest. She listened to his heartbeat as she added, “But I don’t know if I’m to be your mistress in reality or if I’m merely to be used for information.” She left out the part about them going separate ways if they ever made it to Jasvar and continued, “What do you expect of me, Thorin? Tell me that and I promise to pay attention to every word you say about blaster guns.”
He gently tugged her hair until she leaned back enough to see his face. She shivered at the intensity in his eyes. “I’m not a poetic male and will speak the truth. I want you as long as I can have you, Vala. However, you know we have different paths once we reach Jasvar. What we do in the interim is entirely up to you.”
“Y-you want me to decide the rules?”
He nodded. “Yes. First off, what are your orders surrounding the lord and mistress relationship?”
As she stared in Thorin’s blue eyes, she blurted out, “I want to be your mistress in all ways.”
He moved a hand to lightly brush her breast, and she sucked in a breath. His voice was husky as he answered, “And so it shall be. But a general’s schedule is tight and unpredictable. I don’t know when I can claim you again, but I look forward to the moment I can.”
The symbol on his neck flashed red, signaling desire. Thorin, an accomplished general in the Keldera Army, wanted her again.
Not holding back this time, she kissed him. Thorin pressed his tongue into her mouth and stroked against hers. With each movement, she softened more against him.
When he finally pulled away, Vala’s breathing was labored.
Thorin’s eyes glowed blue as he said, “As much as I want to rip off your dress and make you cry out in pleasure, I must teach you about blaster guns instead.” He stood and took her with him. Vala took a second to find her footing. Once she did, Thorin continued, “Now, are you ready to learn?”
~~~
While Thorin’s cock was hard against his trousers, the visions were absent. It was almost as if the more times he kissed or touched Vala, the more in control he was of the urges and dishonorable images.
He wondered what would happen once he said goodbye to Vala. He might suddenly be overloaded and unable to control his Brevkan half. That would mean resigning his position and isolating himself from others.
Yet as Vala stared up at him with curious eyes and her breathing still slightly erratic, he decided to focus on the present and the gift he’d discovered in the form of one Barren female.
Clearing his throat, he finally released his hold on Vala and stepped back. To prevent himself from closing the distance and tasting her sweet mouth once more, he took his blaster gun from his hip and held it between them, but aimed it away from either of them. “While I know you can pull the trigger, you need to be able to configure every setting and understand what each one does to a person.”
As he explained the options of stun all the way to kill, he paused after each one to ensure Vala could do it herself. It didn’t take long for him to realize she was a fast learner.
No wonder she’d been able to easily adjust from a flight simulator to a small shuttle ship on their previous voyage, when she’d assisted Princess Kalahn.
He stood behind her and watched her fingers tap out the latest setting. The heat of her back against his chest combined with the scent of her hair nearly made him groan.
Vala turned and ran into his chest. For a few beats, she merely stared into his eyes. Most Barren were trained to keep their markings a deep blue to hide their emotions, much like soldiers. In the eyes of fertile females, the Barren weren’t entirely living and shouldn’t have emotions.
The thought made him reach out and trace the curves of the marking on her neck. When it flashed red, he smiled. “I was hoping you’d show me your true emotions eventually.”
“For a general, you’re easily distracted.”
The instant the words were out, Vala tensed under his fingertips. He growled. “Don’t do that. I meant it when I said I want to hear the truth from you. Hold back and I will keep you locked in this room.”
“Much like you’ve kept a secret for so long it’s hard to share, it’s difficult for me to act myself around any male. Change takes time, Thorin. Maybe one day you’ll accept your heritage and I can be myself around non-Barren.”
But not together was left unsaid.
“I concede your point.”
“Good. Does that mean I can move freely about the ship again?”
“To a point. Until you have logged enough hours of shooting practice in one of the private recreation rooms, I don’t want you in any of the soldier-only areas or sections that are mostly empty and isolated. You need more than one session to truly protect yourself from a warrior.”
“Does that mean the Barren section and the colonists areas are okay? After all, both areas have tight restrictions on weapons use.”
He searched her gaze. “Perhaps. First, tell me why you want to go there.” When Vala raised her brows, he added, “Please tell me why.”
She smiled and his heart skipped a beat. “I suppose we both need some conditioning.”
“Vala,” he growled out.
Her laugh chased away his negative emotions. She really was his lightness in the dark.
Vala finally said, “I have a theory concerning a possible financier for the antimonarchy faction. While I know there’s no concrete proof that mercenaries were hired, I want to explore the possibility.”
“Care to tell me why?” When she hesitated, he brushed her cheek. “I more than anyone know how to keep a secret, Vala.”
“Even from the royal family?”
He snorted. “Especially from them. I talk as little as possible with the male bastards as I can.”
She tilted her head. “Prince Kason is kinder than he lets on.”
A rush of jealousy coursed through his body, but then Thorin remembered Kason had found his bride and wasn’t a threat. “I don’t want to know how you can say that with such certainty. Please tell me who you’re investigating, Vala. That way, if you go missing, I know where to start looking.”
After another second, she finally nodded. “I want to talk with Azalyn Rippak Sulani.”
As did most Kelderans his age or older, he had heard the tale of Azalyn Rippak and her attempt to wed Prince Keltor. “Wait a second. The female who tried to win a prince is onboard this ship?”
“Yes. I ran into her earlier.”
“Then how did she get aboard if she’s part of the antimonarchy group? I understand her disliking the king and his offspring for all but forcing her to abandon her own family, but whoever screened her for the colony must’ve known who she was and should’ve scrutinized the female severely.”
Although, a small part of him wondered if King Kastor had merely wanted the female off his planet for good. Some said Prince Keltor had never found another female to love after Azalyn had disappeared all those years ago.
Vala shook her head. “From what I can find on her, my initial conclusion is that Azalyn isn’t a part of that group. But someone from her previous life may know something, and even if Azalyn is estranged, she might be able to say who might be best to investigate. I’ve heard rumors about the Rippak Merchants leaning toward the antimonarchists. If I can get her to open up to me, then maybe we’ll have a lead.”
Thorin’s initial instinct was to forbid Vala from talking with the female. Anyone who attempted to marry above her station could only be trouble.
He stilled at that thought. By that reasoning, Vala wasn’t worthy of finding a lord to love and cherish her.
Vala was correct in that it was going to take time to change his prejudices and way of thinking. Allowing Vala freedom to talk with the female might be a good first step.
Sighing, he replied, “Talk to her. But if you’re going to do so, then I have something to give you.”
Thorin moved to one of his personal storage bins, pressed, and opened the door. Gently, he retrieved a small, synthetic pouch. Facing Vala, he offered it to her. “Wear this and I’ll be able to find you.”
Gingerly taking the pouch, Vala opened it and gasped. “I can’t take this, Thorin.”
She lifted the silver chain and displayed a dangling pendant in the shape of a purple Kelderan flower. The small petals made of dark and light purple gemstones spread out into a large, circular bloom. In the middle was a small electronic time keeper, which also included a chipped locator.
Vala offered it back to him, but he covered her hand with his and pushed it until it rested against her chest. “My mother gave it to me to do with it what I wished. This necklace will allow me to find you as long as you wear it. Will you allow me the honor of bestowing it upon you?”
“I—” Vala paused and spoke again. “I will accept it temporarily. But it’s precious and you should give it to your future bride.”
The idea of any female but Vala wearing his mother’s necklace made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. “You deserve it, Vala. If I didn’t want you to have it, I wouldn’t have offered.”
She stared down at the sparkling pendant resting against her lower ribcage. “It is beautiful.”
Before he could stop himself, Thorin murmured, “A beautiful necklace for a beautiful female.”
He wondered if he’d stepped over a line, but Vala merely smiled. “And to think you claimed not to be romantic.” He grunted and she laughed. “I’ll wear it for now. But as soon as we reach Jasvar, I’ll give it back.”
Thorin knew when to hold his tongue in most situations, and he finally seemed to have regained control once more. He remained silent and watched as Vala placed the chain over her head.
Once the pendant finally rested between her breasts, she picked it up and asked, “Do I need to change or recharge power sources to keep it going?”
He dared to pick up the pendant and rubbed the center with his thumb. “No. I check it periodically and it should be fine for many months yet.” He turned it over and pointed to the small, slightly darker silver circle in the middle. “If you need to call me, press this area hard against your skin for thirty seconds and it’ll send an alert to my communicator.”
The necklace had been given to his mother after his conception, in case she ever needed assistance against an enemy. She had always wanted Thorin to find his own female to protect and entrust her necklace to. As much as his mother had loved him over the years, she never wanted another female to suffer the same fate as her.
Thorin gently tucked the flower under the neckline of her dress. “As much as I love seeing the purple against your dress, I don’t want to risk a robbery or worse.”
“Just how valuable is it, Thorin?”
“That’s irrelevant. Just promise me that you’ll wear it at all times.”
She searched his eyes for a second before bobbing her head. “I will.”
“Good.” He dared to lean forward and kiss her. “I must return to my office and listen to updates from Syzel and Ryven, in addition to some other meetings. I hope to see you here this evening.”
Lightly touching his cheek, Vala murmured, “I’ll be here, Thorin. I might even have a surprise for you, too.”
“What surprise?”
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
He gave his most intimidating stare, but Vala never blinked. Pride swelled his heart. “Then until this evening.”
As Thorin exited the room and headed back to his office to face the real world, all he wanted to do was turn around and find out Vala’s surprise.
But then he remembered the ship’s predicament and kept his expression neutral. He needed to be strong for the crew and colonists. The last thing he needed was to neglect his duties and cause chaos or panic.