Cami

“I can’t believe we did it!”  I looked down at the odd colored planet, pale green and yellow, before giving Munic and Oddle a loving smile.

After Zorvak and I made up, I talked with my friends and knew that I had overreacted.  A family misunderstanding, and they were family.  I knew in my heart I could count on them for anything.  Well… almost anything.  I don’t think they will be breaking me out of any prisons, but if I needed anything else… they would be there for me.  That I had no doubt of.

“You did it, Cami,” Munic said as he took my hands in his.  “If it wasn’t for you, none of this would have been possible.”

I shook my head. “No, it was a group effort.  If it hadn’t been for your kindness, your generosity, who knows what would have happened to me.  You took in a complete stranger, fed me, and taught me what I needed to know.  You may not have fought, but you still made it possible.”

“Oh, Cami,” Oddle cried as she jerked my hands from Munic and threw her arms around me.  “I’m going to miss you.”

I hugged her back.  “I’m going to miss you, too.”  Leaning back, I looked into her three diamond shaped eyes and smiled. “Thank you so much.  If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.”

“Same here.”

“Cami,” I turned toward Munic, who looked at me with soft, loving eyes.  “When you get ready to have your NI removed, please let me know.  Don’t let anyone else do it.”  His eyes warned me not to trust others in this endeavor, so I smiled and nodded my agreement.

“Here they come.”  I turned toward Zorvak, who was watching the view screen.  Two flyers, as Munic and Oddle called them, approached the Fik.

Oddle squealed in delight.  “I cannot wait to see my daughter again.”  I couldn’t help but share in her happiness.  To know I made a difference in someone’s life.

Zorvak looked down at me with a tender smile and held out his hand.  “Let’s go welcome our guests.”

Standing in the cargo bay, we faced two Jaurians as they disembarked from the flyers.  Munic stood watching, Oddle stood one step behind him. 

Zorvak met them in the center of the room.  One of the Captains stood with his hands behind his back. His eyes slid past Zorvak to stare at Munic and Oddle before glancing back to Zorvak. 

“When we received your call, I had my doubts.”

Zorvak crossed his arms.  “Understandable.”

The Jaurians refused to lower the force field that surrounded the planet.  Better to risk two than the entire world.  Munic wasn’t surprised by their actions.  Instead, he seemed pleased by them.

“As you requested, we brought you a flyer of your own.”

“Thank you.”  Zorvak glanced around the expensive ship.  “I’m sure the Humchins are searching for this vessel.  Better to get rid of it now.”

The other one scoffed, “Humchins.  We suspected when they did not return.”  With that statement, he glanced at Munic and Oddle.

Munic walked toward the three of them.  I watched in amazement when they both gave him a salute.  Munic said he worked in the government, and now I wondered how important he was there. 

“Yes, they are known for taking others against their will, and using them for their own personal gain,” Munic supplied.

“Like the fight club?” Munic glanced down at me at nodded.

With pleasantries out of the way, I gave my friends one last hug before they climbed into the flyer.  While standing in the doorway, the Captain turned back toward us and said, “As agreed, we will destroy this ship.”

“Thank you.”  And with that, he closed the hatch.

I turned confused eyes toward Zorvak and asked, “I thought they were pacifists.  It doesn’t sound right that they would destroy this ship.”

“It’s empty.  They will not be hurting anyone.”

“I guess that’s true.”  Heading to the other flyer, I asked, “How long will it take us to get to Ulaya?”

“Not more than a day.”  He led me up the steps. 

“Wow!  That close.”  I looked around the small flyer.  It was about half the size of the Exploration One.  I slid into the pilot’s seat as Zorvak took the one right next to me.”

He looked at me, waggled his eyebrows and said, “Let’s go home.”

 

~~~~~

“Is that it?”  I stared at the planet from a window in the flyer.  Blue and brown were the dominant colors with swirls of white and green intermixed.

Zorvak grinned. “It is.”

“It looks so beautiful from up here.”  I stared in wonderment.  This would be my new home, a place to start over.  I still had dreams of seeing my parents again… introducing them to Zorvak.  I looked over at my handsome mate and wondered what Mom and Dad would think of him.  I married a red alien.  A little snicker escaped at the thought of introducing them.

When I glanced over at Zorvak, the smile slid from my face when I noticed his serious expression.  “What?”

He took my hands in his, softened his tone and explained, “When we get down there, things will be a little different.”

I narrowed my eyes in confusion.  “I don’t understand.”

“I know.”  He searched my face for something.  “I am Captain of the Royal Guard and am expected to act a certain way.  When we get down there, I want to keep our relationship secret.”

I jerked my hands from his.  “Why?”  I couldn’t help the hurt that jolted through my body.  It felt like a rug had been pulled out from under me. 

He grabbed my hands again, refusing to let me put distance between us.  “Because someone tried to get rid of me.  If anyone knew that I asked you to be my bond mate, it would make you a target.”

“What do you mean?  We’re not already mates?”

One side of his mouth curved upward.  “We have to have a ceremony and record it in public records.”

“Like a wedding on Earth,” I mused.

“Until the traitor is caught, I will tell everyone that you are under my protection.  We cannot let it be known that we are Compatibles.  Understand?”

His eyes implored me to understand, and I kind of did.  But I didn’t like it and would only tolerate it for so long.  “Alright.”

He nodded.  “Let’s do this.”  He typed in a code and then opened a frequency.  “Ulaya command center, this is Zorvak La’qa, head of the Royal Guard.  Requesting permission to land.”

After a few tense minutes, an incredulous voice sounded through the transceiver.  “Zorvak?  Is that you?”

“Roark,” he let out a huge sigh.  “It is me.”

“Permission granted.”

I could see the happiness dancing in Zovak’s eyes when he turned toward me.  “Ready to go home?”

No, now I dreaded it.  Without his help and guidance, I would be an alien on an unknown planet.  Someone to be stared at and scrutinized.  I thought he would be standing at my side, holding my hand until just a few moments ago.  Now, my heart raced, my hands slightly trembled.  But instead of stating all that, I smiled.  “Yes.”

He scoffed.  “I know you are lying.  I can feel it.”  He leaned over, cupped my face in his hands and stared longingly into my eyes.  “It will be alright.  You will see.”  Then he gave me a searing kiss that left me breathless and wanting more. 

I opened my eyes, looked into the abyss of his dark eyes and said, “I trust you.”

Since he knew where to land, I kept my promise and let him pilot the flyer.  Having the NI felt more like a safety net in case things went awry.  My nervousness increased with each passing moment.  I glanced outside and noted high volcanic mountains, dark brown dirt, large round boulders.  It looked fierce… untamed.  I swept my nervous gaze to Zorvak.  “You do breathe oxygen here, right?”

I heard his chuckle as I turned back toward the window.  “Yes, you will be fine.”

The other directions showed a large city with sky rises, flying cars, technology well advanced.  In the center sat a large white mansion different from everything else around it.  It would be obvious to anyone that the mansion was a very important place.

I kept the mansion in sight.  And when the flyer was almost overhead, I noted the building was circular with an outdoor arena in the center.  Without looking at Zorvak, I asked, “What is that?”

“That is where we train the Royal Guards.”

To my surprise, he landed the flyer in the center of the arena.

This was it.  The dreaded moment had arrived as Zorvak unbuckled his harness and then helped me with mine.  Trying to steady myself, I calmed my thoughts and whispered, “Show no fear,” under my breath.  I could do this.  I would do this.

“Ready?”

“Hell, no!”  I shot him a grin, “But let’s go anyway.”

Remember, talk to me this way. 

Okay.

One last kiss.  One last smile as I stared at his handsome face one last time.  Just before he opened the hatch, a mask descended over his face.  All expression wiped away, replaced with the person I’d first met.  The one who demanded I free him after calling me an underling. 

He turned, opened the hatch, and stepped outside.  I waited inside, not sure what to do. 

Are you coming?

No, I don’t think so.  I’ll be leaving now, but thanks for everything.

His soft chuckle bathed my soul in warmth.  I understood.  My Zorvak was still there, but only I could see him. 

When I stepped out, I’m not sure what startled me the most; the small gasps from the rows of guards--- all red with black hair--- or the cold air that hit me full force. 

It’s cold!

It is normal temperature.

Maybe for you.  It can’t be more than 40 – 45 degrees.  Good God, I need a jacket.

You need thicker skin.  I heard the laughter in his voice.  Do not worry, I will get you warmer clothes.

Now? 

Soon.  Now, do not just stand there.  Come here.  I want to introduce you to Roark.

I slowly descended the steps.  The guards all stood in perfect formation, dressed in crisp white uniforms.  Some had more decorations than others.  Maybe awards they had won?  Or perhaps it denotes their rank.  Hmmm….

Roark stared at me with eager enthusiasm.  Why is he looking at me like that?

You are a new species to him… and everyone here.  I am sorry.