Sliding his thumbs down, he slid them along the seam where they were joined, glorying in the sensation and found her tight nub. Teasing that precious jewel in a way he knew drove her crazy, he pulled her down as he thrust up one last time, pressing his shaft directly into 'that' spot and exploded, sending them both to paradise.
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Tora!" the sound of his name being called had Tora slowing his steps as he crossed the grounds the next morning. Turning, he found Thangavelu coming towards him. Thangavelu was one of the few Warriors on Vesta that treated Tora the same as any other male in training and Tora appreciated that.
"Warrior Thangavelu." Tora acknowledged.
"I did not know you had returned from the harvests."
"The Emperor requested my presence." Tora told him.
"Ahhh… So you've heard."
"Heard?" Tora questioned.
"About the Emperor wrongly removing Fala and Gyula from his guard."
"The Emperor is rarely wrong." Tora said noncommittal.
"In this he is. There was no cause to remove them."
"Does he need cause?" Tora questioned.
"Wray does. He is a fair and just Emperor. He does nothing on a whim, nothing that breaks the Law."
"Then there is your answer and the reason Fala and Gyula are alive." Tora told him.
Thangavelu was silent for several moments frowning at Tora. He liked this young male. He was fit and worthy, like the line he descended from. One day he would be an Emperor Thangavelu would be proud to serve, as his manno was. Thangavelu liked thinking that he had a small role in that.
Thangavelu wasn't one of Lord Reeve's favored warriors. He'd never been willing to play the game, as so many had, to gain their Lord's favor. Thangavelu thought his work and skill should speak for itself. The only reason he was still here was because Lord Reeve needed his skill in teaching swordsmanship to young males and Tora was one of his best students. Yet he knew his time here was ending. Everyone on Vesta knew Lord Reeve needed funds to attract another female and Thangavelu’s service came at a high price, one Reeve could no longer afford. Therefore, Thangavelu would soon be looking for a new Lord.
"You are saying the Emperor had cause..."
"You just said he did nothing without it, so what do you think."
"If this is true, then you need to inform your manno to be extra vigilant with this female.”
“She is the Empress, and you will address her as such!” Tora said and Thangavelu suddenly realized Tora was taller than he was. He could argue that no non-Tornian had ever been Empress, but he could see in the eyes of the Prince that it would not be received well.
“I meant no offense but he needs to understand…” Thangavelu looked around them, making sure they were alone and still lowered his voice before continuing. “That here on Vesta, she is at extreme risk. Fala and Gyula are very well thought of and if she is the cause of their disgrace…”
“They caused their own disgrace.” Tora spat out. “With their own actions.”
“They do not see it that way, nor do many others. She needs to be kept close.”
“I will pass on your concerns to my manno.” Tora turned then paused, looking back over his shoulder. “Thank you Thangavelu, this will not be forgotten.” He said then continued across the grounds a new urgency in his step.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim paused to look up at the sun, letting its heat warm her face. Smiling, she looked down at her toes. Her bare toes, that were peeking up at her through purple colored grass. She was outside… outside in the sun and it felt wonderful.
Turning, she found Caitir silently watching her, a puzzled expression on her face.
“It just seems like it has been forever since I’ve been outside in the open air.” She told her shrugging.
“You do not like space travel?” Caitir asked softly.
“No. Not really.” Kim said, shaking her head.
“I understand.” Caitir glanced back at the three guards that were following them. They maintained their distance, but their eyes were constantly scanning for threats. She knew the Empress and Emperor had argued about them taking this walk. The Emperor had planned to accompany the Empress, but received a request from Lord Reeve at the last minute and had wanted her to wait. The Empress hadn’t wanted to. She’d insisted she needed to get out of House Reeve for a while. Finally, the Emperor had agreed but only after she agreed to have Caitir and three of his warriors accompany them.
Caitir couldn't really understand why the Empress needed to be outside. On Auyang, the external conditions were so harsh that most only ventured out when absolutely necessary. It was a habit Caitir had yet to break, even in a place like Vesta, she felt safer within the walls than she did outside. Apparently, this wasn’t true for the Empress.
“This seems silly to you.” Kim’s words had Caitir’s eyes returning to her.
“Unusual.” Caitir corrected. “For an Empress is never silly.”
“Of course she is. You just don’t tell her she is.” Kim's smile had Caitir smiling softly back. “I just needed to be out of there,” Kim gestured to House Reeve, “for a while. Since I was taken from Earth I’ve been restricted. First by the Ganglians, then on Pontus by the storm, on the Searcher and now our chambers here on Vesta. I just need some space to move and feel….”
“Feel…” Caitir prompted.
“Like I can breathe,” Kim finally admitted. “Like I’m not a prisoner. I’m used to being able to come and go as I please and now I can’t. It’s going to take some getting used to it.”
“Even on Tornian you will not be able to…” She searched for the words the Empress had said. “Come and go as you please.”
“I know, but Wray said there are secure gardens there that I can walk in without being followed.” Kim gave an impatient look at the guards behind them.
“I have heard that is so and that they put this,” Caitir gestured to the area they were in, “to shame.” Caitir caught the look Kim gave the guards. “They are here to protect you.”
“I know.” Kim said and started walking again.
“He does it because he cares for you.” Caitir said quietly. “Deeply.”
“I know that too.”
“It is very unusual.”
“What is?” Kim asked, linking her arm through Caitir’s as they walked.
“A male actually caring about a female. Even the Emperor.”
Kim raised an eyebrow at her. “Is there truly no Tornian female that has ever stayed with just one male?” Kim saw Caitir hesitate. “Caitir?” she prompted.
“I have only ever heard of one, but she is an anomaly.”
“Why?”
“Because her male has not had to strip his planet of all its resources for her to stay with him. She has given him four male offspring. All fit and worthy.”
“And you find that strange.” Kim said.
“Yes. As I said, she is an anomaly.”
“On Earth she wouldn’t be.”
“What do you mean?” Caitir asked.
“I mean that on Earth it is common, even expected, for a female to stay with the male she has offspring with.”
“Always?”
“No. Not always but the majority of the time they do. We have females that are like Tornian females, but they aren’t common. Most females want to be with their offspring. They want to stay with the male that…” Kim searched for the word. “Sired them. My parents did.”
“Your… parents… those are the ones that produced you?”
“Yes. My mother and father… manno. They were together nearly twenty-five years before they died… together.”
“Lord Oryon and Lady Isis have been together at least as long.”
“So Tornian males can care about a female and vice versa.”
“As I said, it is rare.”
“What about Auyangian males?” Kim asked as they entered a woodier part of the garden.
“What about them??
?? Caitir asked, eyeing the woods warily. One never knew what was in them.
“Do they have feelings for their females?”
“No.” Caitir said sharply.
Looking at her new friend Kim realized her question had hurt her. “I’m sorry Caitir I shouldn’t have asked.”
Caitir sighed heavily. “It is I who am sorry. I forget that you are not familiar with our many worlds and are only asking so you can better understand, not to be hurtful.”
“Why would anyone want to hurt you?”
“Because I am Auyangian.” She said simply.
“But you are female. Tornians need females.”
“They need females that can present fit offspring. Most offspring Auyangian females present from non-Auyangian males do not survive. It has been this way since Emperor Lucan.”
“I’m sorry.” Kim said softly.
“It is not your fault. It is the will of the Goddess.”
“Perhaps she is trying to change that.”
“That would be doubtful.”
“Why do you say that Caitir?”
“Because what happened can never be changed.”
“No, you can’t change the past, but you can’t live in it either. You can’t punish the child for the sins of the parent.”
“Most do.”
“Then they are wrong.”
A grunt followed by the sound of something hitting the ground had Kim turning to see one of the guards on the ground while the other two were reaching their necks before slowly following him.
Caitir’s gasp had Kim’s eyes flying to her friend to see a small dart sticking out of her neck, her hand desperately trying to dislodge it before her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she collapsed.
Kim reached for her just as she felt a sting in her arm, looking down, she found a dart and felt her knees give way as her vision dimmed.
“Wray…” she tried to scream, but it was only in her mind.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“This is the 'vital' information you felt I needed to see immediately Lord Reeve?!! Wray demanded tossing the report to the floor.
“It is vital sire!" Reeve said between clinched teeth, his eyes traveling to the reports he’d spent the night fabricating on the food shipments. “It proves the ships were full when they left Vesta. That it is the Kaliszians that are shorting them enroute.”
“Their records do not agree with these Lord Reeve.”
“They wouldn’t if they were lying majesty.”
“You are saying the Emperor Liron would bring something to my attention that he was lying about? Why!”
“I am not saying that majesty. I have no knowledge that Emperor Liron would do such a thing, but perhaps someone beneath him is. Someone he trusts and would never consider. A family member maybe.”
“There is someone you suspect?” Wray asked, revealing none of his thoughts.
“I have heard that General Rayner has taken a special interest in the food supplies, even though they are not part of his duties.”
“General Rayner…” Wray’s tone held none of his disbelief. “You accuse the Emperor’s cousin, the General in charge of securing his Empire’s defenses?”
“I accuse no one majesty. I am just telling you what I have heard.” Reeve replied.
“I see.”
“Majesty.” Veron’s voice had Wray’s hard eyes, leaving Reeve to look to his Captain entering the room. Both missed Reeve jolt at seeing him.
“Captain.” Wray said.
“I have that information you requested on the survival packs.” Veron told him.
“Survival packs?” Reeve asked, frowning not understanding the change of subject.
Wray ignored Reeve and spoke to Veron. “Proceed, Captain.”
“After a thorough inspection of all the survival packs on board the Searcher it was discovered that nearly every pack is deficient in some way.”
“Every one?” Wray growled angrily.
“Yes, majesty. None were as incomplete as the pack you had on Pontus, but none had all the necessary supplies. Half of the portable repair units were missing.”
“What!” Wray surged to his feet angrily. Those units were absolutely essential for the survival of a wounded warrior! “I assumed the one from my pack was missing because it was used to treat Kim on the Ganglian ship.” Wray told him.
“No majesty, that one came from a different pack, in fact, that entire bag was brought to the Ganglian control room.”
Wray growled, his displeasure. The unit should have been there. What if Kim or I had been injured in the crash… on the surface... he could have lost her.
“Who is in charge of inspecting the bags Captain?” Wray growled. He would have their heads.
“Warriors Fala and Gyula were Majesty.” Veron told him and saw Reeve’s mouth drop open in shock.
“Fala and Gyula…” Wray voice deepened as his eyes pinned Reeve. “Two warriors trained by you Lord Reeve. What exactly are you training them to do?”
“Majesty!” Reeve stuttered. What had those two idiots done now? He has already set his plans in motion, by now the Empress should be in their hands and on her way to the pleasure house. He needed Fala and Gyula back into the Emperor's guard so he would know where the Emperor is at all times. It was apparent Bertos' male was incompetent. If they were stealing survival supplies and were stupid enough to be caught, Wray would never take them back.
“Where is Captain Veron’s proof!” Reeve demanded.
“You question my Captain’s honor?” Wray asked quietly.
“No majesty, but he is questioning the honor of two of mine.”
“An honor they have already shown they do not possess.” Wray growled at Reeve. “I want you to find them and have them brought before me to answer these charges.”
“I… Yes, majesty.” Reeve said, but he didn’t move. He needed to think of a way to give Fala and Gyula more time and to get Veron away from the Emperor if his plan was going to work.
“Now Lord Reeve!” Wray’s roar echoed off the walls.
“Yes, Majesty!” Reeve flushed knowing that his warriors had heard the Emperor speaking to him thusly; with a stiff bow, he quickly exited the room.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Tora's eyes carefully scanned the area, looking for threats, before he leaned down flipping over the fallen warrior. He was shocked to see the Emperor’s insignia on his chest. His eyes quickly flew to the other two and recognized them. These warriors were from his manno’s guard!
What was going on?
Where was his manno?
Reaching for his comm, he quickly contacted Veron.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Veron frowned when his comm rang. He set it so only the highest priority calls would come through, ones from the royal family.
“Veron.” He answered impatiently.
“Where is the Emperor!”
Tora’s demand had Veron frowning. “Standing right in front of me in Lord Reeve’s ruling chamber.” Veron knew Tora wouldn't have asked without reason and suddenly every instinct he had, went on high alert. “Why?”
“Three of the Emperor’s guards are down in the garden.” Tora informed him.
“The garden?” Veron’s eyes instantly flew to Wray who had heard every word.
Wray grabbed the comm from Veron. “The Empress is in the garden Tora! Find her! I’m on my way!” Wray dropped the comm and looked to his Captain. “Call up every warrior on the planet!” Wray ordered running for the door.
“Yes, sir!” Veron instantly responded.
"Activate all planetary defenses!" Wray roared at Reeve, who was just returning to the room, shoving him aside. "No ship leaves the surface! The Empress will be found!”
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Tora stood frozen at his manno’s words. Kim was out here? Alone? Was this what Thangavelu had been worried about? Why had Kim been allowed to be taken? His eyes returned to the downed warriors. No, not allowed... leaning down h
e pulled out one of the darts and sniffed.
Skua poison. The same poison that had ended his mother. It was fast acting and deadly. These warriors were now in the hands of the goddess.
And Kim?
Rising, his eyes searched the ground for tracks. Lord Oryon had taught him well and what had happened was easily seen.
This is where the Empress and another had fallen.
There were the footprints of two males and the marks they left behind when they lifted them from the ground.
Why? Why take them if they were dead?
They wouldn’t.
If they had wanted the Empress dead, they would have darted her with the skua poison and left her.
They had taken her… why?
Tora paled at the possibility. Quickly he drew his sword and followed the trail.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kim woke slowly and found herself lying in a heap, on the cold, damp ground, her arm aching and her head was throbbing. She was about to call out when she heard voices... Male voices.
“Why did you bring the other one?” The first one said.
“She’s Auyangian.” Said the second. “Do you know how much the pleasure houses will pay for her? Especially an untouched one.”
“And is she going to be untouched?”
“Not by us.” The snide smile could be heard in his voice. “Auyangian females are known for their ability to take two males at the same time. I think we should demonstrate this talent for the Empress then she’ll understand exactly what we are going to do to her, especially after what happened in the cave.”
Kim felt herself go cold as she realized it was Fala and Gyula she was hearing and suddenly it all came back to her. She'd been walking in the garden with Caitir... Caitir... they were talking about raping Caitir.
“Empress my ass." Gyula spat out. "There is no way I will ever allow that bitch to become my Empress.”
“Agreed.” Fala replied. “But first we need to find a spot to cross the river. Last night's storm in the mountains has made the original spot too deep and dangerous. Then we'll take them to the ship that's waiting and once we take off, we can have some fun.” Kim could hear the lust in Fala’s voice. “You go scout the river and I’ll go back and make sure our trail is covered, not that anyone will come looking for them, not yet.”