The small screen came to life, and a dreary-eyed Defender appeared on the screen. “What do you want, Za— Oh! Vilarra.” His eyes widened. “What’s going on?”
“I, um, was on my way to work this morning and came across your friend who says he needs your help.”
“Only my friend when he’s sober,” Gib muttered. “Where are you?”
“Just outside the kitchen. The door you and I left from last night.”
She caught the hint of a smile before he ran a hand over his face. “Okay. I’ll be there soon. Is it possible for you to get me a bucket of cold water and a cloth?”
“Sure.” As soon as she said the word, the screen went blank. Unsure what to do with the wrist com, she tucked it into her apron and rushed inside to fetch the two things Gib had requested. Heading back outside, she gasped at an anomalous sight. A bright green circle the size of a basket appeared in the air near the sick Defender then began to expand. When it grew to the size of one of the tables in the banquet hall, a figure surged through. Her heart thudded as though it would burst right out of her chest. When she realized the person who’d come through was Gib, she released a heavy sigh. “Thank the cosmos! I wasn’t sure what that was.”
He shrugged. “Just a small wormhole. I didn’t want Zair to take up any more of your precious time, and this was the fastest way to get here.”
“Oh, okay.” She held out the bucket and cloth, as well as Zair’s wrist com, to him. “Here’s what you asked for.”
“Thank you.” He took the items from her then turned to his friend. Supporting the bucket with both hands, he dumped all the water over the Defender’s head then tossed the cloth at him. “Clean yourself up. You’re a disgrace to all Defenders.”
“C’mon, Gib.” He wiped some water from his face. “I was drinkin’ wif the king. Was i-vi-tid.”
“And you failed to show up for your shift, leaving me all by myself. No one else could fill in because they were all intoxicated, too.”
Vilarra walked slowly away from the two Defenders. As much as she wanted to stick around to see them argue, she didn’t have time. She had a feast to prepare.
Gib leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d eaten so well. The naip had melted in his mouth with its freshness, and the stew Vilarra and her staff had prepared left him assuredly full. He needed to get up and move around to get rid of some of the drowsiness that came with a ready-to-burst stomach.
“And here’s a mug for you.” Zair rested a hand on Gib’s shoulder and set a glass of mead down in front of him. “To make up for missing my shift this morning, and a thank you for covering for me and coming to get me.”
He clenched his fists, still not ready to forgive his squad mate. “And how many credits did the mead set you back?”
“None.” The other Defender pulled his hand back and slumped into the empty chair next to Gib. “But you didn’t have to get up to get it.”
He slid the mug across the table. “And you can have it back. I won’t be drinking tonight.” He had other plans that required him to remain alert. Focused.
Zair’s eyes widened, and he punched Gib in the arm. “Are you going to get lucky with another native, tonight, or the same one?”
He shook his head. “The only part of my plans that are any of your business are whether I will show up for my shift tonight. I hope you plan on joining me this time.”
The Defender slouched in his chair. “Yeah, I guess I’d better.”
Unable to maintain his patience with the Defender, Gib rose from the table before heading to the kitchen. He hadn’t seen Vilarra since the morning, and hoped they would have a chance to spend some time together. Alone.
Peering in through the doorway, he spotted her in front of the sink, busy cleaning up after the meal. Her tight curls were pulled back from her face again, bringing focus to her long neck. He chewed on his bottom lip. This time, he spotted several other Hemera in the kitchen, busy with their own tasks and moving around each other in a well-rehearsed dance.
He longed to go in there, whisk her away from her duties, and have her all to himself. Maybe he did intend to “get lucky” with her, but not for the reasons Zair would expect. Sure, she was attractive, but plenty of others on Hemera fit that description as well. Attractive, and, according to their thoughts, willing to be with any Defender in need of a good time. Yet, Vilarra intrigued him more than anyone he’d ever met. He still couldn’t read her mind, only grasping her kindness and dedication to her job based on observation. How he longed to learn more about the woman underneath all that, her fears, her dreams for the future, her desires. Did she want him as much as he wanted her? Initially he hadn’t thought so, but after the kiss the night before, he believed otherwise. He’d spent most of his early morning shift fantasizing about her rather than contemplating how to best seek revenge on Zair for not showing up, or even watching out for Erebus arriving on the planet which was his main task.
A young man came out of the kitchen dressed in light brown pants and a shirt yellowed from overuse. He eyed Gib, his thoughts revealing distrust yet curiosity as to why a Defender waited outside the kitchen. “Can I help you with something? Are you looking for more to eat?”
“No, no.” Gib quickly shook his head. “I am quite satisfied by the meal. I’m wondering if I can help you.”
The teen wrinkled his forehead. “What do you mean?”
“What were you coming out here to do? I’d be glad to help, maybe even complete the task for you so you can go celebrate the Alorama with your friends and family.”
After a sideways glance, the young man shrugged. “I have to clear off the tables, take all the dirty dishes to the kitchen and then wipe the tables. Not something a Defender should be doing.”
Gib laughed at the image in the Hemera’s mind, of him flinging all the dishes across the room to smash on the walls instead of going to be cleaned. “I assure you, I can safely clear off the tables without causing any damage. I helped Vilarra with that task last night.”
The young man’s face became blank and his thoughts grew muddled. “You...?”
“Yes.” He reached for the cloth gripped tightly in the Hemera’s hand. “I’ll be fine. Now, go have fun. That’s what this celebration is about, right?”
“Okay...thanks.” The Hemera teen handed him the cloth and left. One down, and about a dozen more to go before he had Vilarra all to himself.
Five
Vilarra scrubbed the dishes as fast as she could. She wanted to finish in time to let her staff join in some of the Alorama festivities, even if a bit late. Over time the noise level in the kitchen dropped, she worried they’d be too tired. But when the conversation behind her suddenly dissipated, she turned around to see if any of them had already fallen asleep. Of the twelve who had started the evening with her, only four remained. “Where is everyone else?” It didn’t take over half her staff to clear the banquet hall.
“Gone.” Beckalie placed a container of plates on a storage shelf.
“What do you mean, gone?” She hadn’t dismissed them, and no one had asked to leave early.
“They disappeared,” Samish added. “One moment they were there, helping, and the next they were not.”
Her chest tightened. Yes, she wanted her staff to enjoy the ceremony, but she’d also hoped to spend some time with Gib. Now, she wouldn’t have a chance. “Ugh, there’s still so much to do.”
“Not as much as you think.” Osnam motioned toward the serving counter. “A certain Defender has taken care of a lot of it.”
“Gib? He’s here?” And she’d thought if she didn’t find him in time, he would get tired of waiting and seek pleasure from someone else.
“Yep, and I’m pretty sure he’s the reason everyone else has disappeared.” Beckalie tossed her cloth on the counter. “I only wish he’d taken over for me first.”
“Go, then.” Gib stood in the doorway, glowing in comparison to the dark banquet hall behind hi
m. “Everything is done out there. We only have to finish cleaning up in here.”
“Excuse me?” Vilarra put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What right do you have to tell my staff when they can leave?”
He sidled up to her, his sly grin threatening to weaken her annoyance with him. “It is my duty to help the residents of this planet, including you. This is how I chose to help.”
She felt him motioning to the last of her staff, probably telling them to leave as well while he kept her distracted. Placing her palm on Gib’s chest, she smiled. “You are unbelievable.”
“You can leave as well.” He stepped back from her. “I can finish up if you want.”
With a laugh, she shook her head. “I don’t think so. There are several dishes still to be cleaned.”
In very little time, they had the kitchen spotless and ready for the next morning. Vilarra smelled like stagnant water, but Gib didn’t seem to care, remaining so close he might as well have been touching her.
As soon as she locked the back entrance, he reached for her hand. “How about you show me how your people celebrate the Alorama?”
Comfortable warmth spread through her as she interlaced her fingers with his. “I’d rather change first. If that’s okay with you.” The smell of discarded food and dirty water would bother him eventually. It already affected her senses.
“Are you trying to successfully ditch me this time? Ask me to wait here for you with no plans to return?”
“No.” She turned to face him and placed her palm on his chest. “I’d hoped you would come with me. I won’t be long. Unless I’m keeping you from something.” Or someone.
“I have nowhere to be but with you.” Pulling her close, he held her tight against him, his eyes intently focused on her. “You intrigue me, Vilarra.”
She shuddered at his whispered words. And, for a moment, her mind went blank, as if something or someone stole all her thoughts. When his lips pressed to hers, she gasped, having missed his initial movement.
He let her go and jumped back. “I’m sorry. You.... I thought....”
“No! I wanted that.” Her cheeks warmed at the admission, but she couldn’t deny her desire for the Defender. “You just caught me by surprise.”
“Okay.” He held his hands behind his back, his cheeks a little flushed. “Well, let’s get going then.”
She grasped to hold him once again, enjoying the simple contact. His sweaty palms and twitchy fingers gave away his nervousness. Why would he have any reason to worry about her? She wasn’t tiny by any means, but he still towered over her and had an advanced weapon strapped to his left side.
“Are you okay?” Maybe he was ill. Having a reaction to bad food? Universe, she hoped not. She didn’t want to be responsible for making him sick.
“Fine.” He gave her hand a slight squeeze. “Just anxious to learn more about you...your culture.”
She tingled all over, fighting the urge to race to her home. Instead, she walked at a fast pace, dragging Gib along with her. A normally short jaunt went even quicker as she struggled to find the words she longed to say to the Defender. Words she couldn’t come up with in bed the night before. How did she tell him she’d changed her mind about what she wanted from him, what she ached to do with him?
Grabbing the handle of the door, she shoved it open. She tugged Gib inside with her. He could watch her change if he wanted, delay going to the Alorama ceremony to find the pleasure she sought and believed he wanted, too. It had been a long time for her. Too long. She’d forgotten what it was like to desire the attention of another until he insisted on walking with her the previous night. And the kiss reminded her of the lust she’d once felt for another. Feelings she’d locked away when he had left the village for a position with one of the noble families. She hadn’t seen Saukus since. Gib released all that. A full adult now, she yearned for more. Love, a long-term relationship, maybe even a family.
“Would you like something to eat? Drink?” A proper hostess always offered. Even if they hadn’t planned to spend much time there.
“I’m good thanks.” He gave a brief nod then glanced around.
Her stomach dropped. Gib had traveled all over the universe, been put up in glorious accommodations befitting a hero. And she lived in a one room hut with a divider to separate her bedroom from her meager kitchen. “I know it’s not much, but it keeps the rain off my head.”
“Huh?” He returned his focus to her. “Your house? It’s nice. Not a palace, but that place makes me uncomfortable. Plus, you have privacy here, which is something I’ve never had as a Defender.”
She wrinkled her face. “What do you mean? You’re heroes everywhere you go. Don’t you stay in palaces on every planet?”
He rested a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t even stay in the palace here. We stay in barracks on the other side of the forest. On the carrier, I share my small quarters with a roommate. And, on most of our missions, we sleep in tents. If I want privacy, I have to take time off, which we almost never get. Coming to Hemera is an easy and relaxing mission compared to all others. And, contrary to what I said, I’m really enjoying myself.” He ran his hand down her arm then held her fingers. “You have a lot to do with that.”
“Well, I’m glad I was able to change your mind.” Vilarra stepped closer until only enough space existed between them to keep her wet and dirty clothes off his uniform. If Gib went along with her plans, they wouldn’t be a problem for long. Did he have more than a curious interest in her? “If it’s privacy you want, we can stay here rather than go to the celebrations.”
He didn’t answer with words, instead grasping her hips and pulling her tight against him. His lips met hers, crushing all her fears with his breath-stealing kisses. He moved his hands under the seam of her shirt and up her sides, his touch desperate. As he tried to lift the material, she leaned back, tugging him in the direction of her bed. There, he could take it all off, see her without the clothing that defined her status on the planet.
When the back of her knees hit the bed, a high-pitch squeak filled her hut. She froze. Elynyn must have spent the entire day sleeping on her bed. And now she would be up all night and likely ruin any chance she had with Gib. If he didn’t flee right away, he’d leave in annoyance.
Yet, he didn’t even flinch at the sight of her white tibbar sitting up on her hind legs, squeaking away. Instead, he reached around Vilarra with his palms up, letting Elynyn sniff him.
With caution, her tibbar hopped forward until her always-twitching nose met the tip of his finger. And then she did something Vilarra never expected. She hopped onto Gib’s hand and rolled over for him to rub her belly. And he did, eliciting frantic purrs from the little fuzz ball. Elynyn had never done that for anyone but her. Not even Saukus. Or her mother. Did her tibbar sense something about Gib she didn’t? Or was Elynyn simply starving for some care, stealing the attention she craved from the Defender?
“She’s cute.” Gib stood and placed his palm against his chest, careful not to drop her pet. “And she seems to like me.”
“Yes, she does. Her name is Elynyn.” Vilarra pointed to a small box filled with wood shavings. “But I’d put her in there before she relieves herself on your hand.”
Gib wrinkled his nose and set his new friend in her box. “For such a tiny pet, she sure has a big personality. If one didn’t see her, they’d definitely hear her.”
Vilarra knew that all too well, the tibbar her only companion for the past couple of Galactic years. “Yes, and if all that fails, she bites.” She wiggled the tips of her fingers. “I have a few scars from reaching for something on a shelf where Elynyn had decided to rest.”
“Good to know.” Gib grasped her hips again before reaching behind her to undo the tie keeping her skirt on. The material fell to the floor and pooled around her ankles. “I hope she won’t bite me for that, or for this.” He moved his hands under her shirt and lifted it over her head, not waiting for any more interruptions.
“
She won’t if I feed her first.” Vilarra nodded to her tibbar, now at their feet. “But, as for me, I cannot make the same promise.”
One side of his mouth turned up in a smile. “Well, I guess you’d better get Elynyn fed, then. And quickly.”
With the tibbar at her heels, Vilarra dashed to the kitchen counter where she laid out a piece of stale naip and some dried greens for her pet. She pulled out more of the greens than normal, hoping to keep Elynyn occupied for a long time. Her tibbar set to work chomping the food, making soft chirring noises as she ate.
When Vilarra turned around, she found a nearly naked Defender standing in front of her bed. He wore nothing but a pair of tight silver undergarments. Yet, something else about him had caught her attention. She’d heard Mingots had bones visible on the outside of their bodies rather than safely under their skin, but had never seen any of his kind up close. Not without a Defender uniform on anyway. No other Mingots visited Hemera, and the Defenders didn’t even come that often. How did he not break bones every time he bumped into something, hugged, had sex...?
He called her forward with the crook of his finger. “Don’t be afraid. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
“Oh no.” She ran her fingers along his ribs until they ended in rock-hard ab muscles. “I’m actually afraid I might hurt you, crack your ribs or something.”
Gib laughed, lifting her hand to his lips then placing it back against his chest. “You could never hurt me worse than the Erebus already have. Unless you tell me to leave.”
“No!” Her cheeks warmed at how loud she’d objected. “I’ve just never...never been off planet.” Never seen anyone naked, except her own kind. She was ignorant to life beyond Hemera, never having had the chance to learn. But he’d piqued her curiosity.
“I won’t hold it against you.” He shuffled closer until no air could fit between them.
As her heart pounded, her body tingled in anticipation. She clasped his sides and rose onto her toes. His lips brushed hers before she closed her eyes and surrendered to the intimacy of the kiss. Pure bliss. He swept her away in the moment. In his arms, she floated far from the planet she grew up on, lost in passion and desire. The rest of her clothing seemed to melt away.