Stardust (3 page)

Breathing sighs of relief
they were to escape their master
’
s wrath, the two terrified guards rushed from the room, but Bartok
’
s voice stopped them as they reached the stairs.
“
Release the Sybortron.
”

As they made their way through the crowds, Selina Moray dutifully walked the four paces behind Bartok as was required by Argion females in a public setting.

“
Stop
that you fool.
”
S
he slapped angrily at the maid who accompanied her. The women fussed with the train of her headdress, slowing her down. She quickened her step as Bartok took his place at the elaborately set table. His uncle Saatan was already seated and she did not want to miss any of the conversation. Aurora Dante had been a thorn in her side for far too many years. The same age, the two young women had
both
lost their parents in the same space accident. Aurora had been rescued from The House of the Unloved by her uncle Darvek while she, Selina, had been left to rot in its wretched hallways for several years.

The simple Compassioners who ran the orphanage believed everyone who came to the house looking for a child meant no harm. Saatan had taken her into his household and she
’
d been taught the many ways between male and female. Finally she had been sent to his nephew
’
s bed, a spy for the elderly statesman. She had learned her lessons well, even enjoying her place as mistress. But lately Bartok
’
s touch had beco
me more and more demanding.

“
People
of Palermos. Welcome to my humble home. Today we celebrate the return of prosperity
to this beautiful planet. W
e have a special treat for you tonight. Three of my guards were lax in their duties and allowed one of your rebel leaders to escape.
”
Bartok stood before the great assembly of Palermonian populous. By royal command all had been ordered to attend this state address. He motioned, and the unfortunate guards were taken to a termination booth recently erected outside the palace walls. A hush fell over the crowd as the eunuch manning the booth
touched the bright red button and the three d
isappeared in a flash of light.

Bartok smil
ed with malicious satisfaction.
“
Eat and drink till your heart is content my friends.
”

The new ruler of Palermos lifted a crystal goblet high in the air and the crowd roared to life. Few chose to remember the man toasting them was the very same man they had fought just a few short moons ago. The barricades were gone and food, wine and fuel were once again plentiful.

Bartok returned to his place at the head of the table.
Beside him was a small, thin-faced man of intermittent age.
“
Did you program the Sybortron
, Marvock?
”

“
Yes, your highness. He is on his way even as we speak.
”

“
Why have you released the Sybortron?
”
Saatan
’
s voice was loud and commanding.

“
A Palermonian female escaped with the help of an unknown warrior. She must be found.
”
Bartok
’
s eyes grew heated at the thought of Aurora escaping. There were many, many things, some not so pleasant, he wished to teach the young, nubile female.

“
You young fool,
”
his uncle hissed, his royal robes vibrating with anger.
“
You jeopardize our entire rule to satisfy your sick deprivation for Palermonian flesh.
”

“
You have no right to question my actions!
”
Bartok faced his uncle, wishing the day would come when he could do away with the burdensome old man. His wild eyes came to rest on the green stone hanging around Saatan
’
s neck.

The living stone had passed to his uncle the day his father, Kroysol, had died. By rights the stone should have been his. Yet another reason to send the old man to the unknown world. His fingers clenched the jeweled dagger hidden beneath his tunic. Not yet. Not just yet. He laughed heartily, sensing the sudden tension in the citizens around them. No one must suspect the discord in the ruling power. Far too much d
epended on a stable government. Or at least the appearance of a stable government.

“
Sit down, uncle. Let
’
s enjoy the wine and food.
”
He clapped his hands twice and music flooded the cool night air.
“
Selina. Come and dance for Saatan.
”

* * *

Hours later, Selina hurried through the night, a long black robe hiding the silver strands of her hair. Knocking softly at the unguarded door, she waited for it to open. Within minutes a small crack of light appeared and she went inside.

“
Why are you so late?
”
A
harsh voice demanded from the shadows.

She quickly discarded her robe giving the man on the pallet a tantalizing glimpse of her naked form. Her rounded breasts, swollen with passion, jutted forward. A gnarled hand ro
se to squeeze the ripe flesh.

“
He would not let me leave,
”
she explained breathlessly. Her eyes focused on the pale green stone hanging about his neck as he began his familiar fondling of her body.

“
What is he up to?
”
Saatan questioned as he pulled her lush curves down beside him.

“
He is full of himself this night.
”
Selina
’
s voice rang with disgust.

“
How did you get away from him?
”
The roaming hands ceased abruptly.
“
You did not do anything stupid, did you, my dear?
”

“
No, of course not, my master. I would never betray you.
”
She pressed his cold hand to her breast, smiling secretly as he once again began to knead the opulent flesh.
“
Bartok is too busy playing Lord of the Manor to worry about a simple female.
”

“
That is how it should be,
”
he growled as he guided her hand to the flaccid flesh between his legs.
“
But remember, you must repeat to me everything Bartok tells you. Even if you feel it is of no importance.
”
He shook her, reminding her of the mighty warrior he had once been.
“
Do you understand?
”

“
Yes, my lord, I understand.
”
With an inaudible sigh, she began the almost impossible task of massaging life into his shrunken manhood. She had become very good at play acting. Life, she had discovered at
an early age, was a game. S
he would do whatever i
t took to come out a winner.

When he mounted her, she moved convincingly as he half-heartedly pumped his wizened old body into hers. She knew he would not last long and her moan of fulfillment when he finally
came almost convinced her
she had also received satisfaction. But her body told her otherwise. Perhaps she would visit the night guard when Bartok was safely asleep in his bed. A woman could never have too many men beholden to her charms. She lay quietly for several minutes, listening to each gasping brea
th
her lover took.

“
How long will it be before you rule Palermos, my darling?
’
Her hand trailed lightly across s his sunken chest, li
ngering on the green stone which
now barely glowed.
“
How long before I will be your queen?

With an intolerant oath, Saatan brushed away her caress.
“
You are an impatient witch, Selina. I have not yet found out all I need to know.
”

“
W
hat more is there? You have the perfect opportunity to get rid of Bartok. If he is terminated now, no one would question your innocence. Eve
ryone would simply believe
he had been taken out by a hostile rebel.
”
She raised herself upon her knees, her body displayed like a trophy.
“
I only want to be with you, Saatan.
”

Cackling laughter met her astonished ears.
“
You, Selina, are a tramp. You would say or do anything for power.
”

“
Please, my lord. Take me with you when you go,
”
she begged, remembering the harshness of Bartok
’
s touch of late.

“
But, my darling child, you are far too valuable where you are.
”

Her fists clenched at her sides.
“
Then kill him. Kill him now,
”
she screeched.
“
Become ruler today.
”

Saatan
’
s face hardened.
“
The people of Palermos will not accept another withered, dying ruler. This revolution has proven that. No, Bartok must continue in his role for awhile longer.
”

His fingers stroked the green stone thoughtfully. As she started to speak, his stick-like finger pinched the hardened nipple of her plump breast, the harshness of his grip effectively silencing her.
“
But not t
o worry, whore, I will see
you get your just rewards for your loyal service to me and my nephew.
”
As he continued to pinch and pull her nipple, he found the golden curls at the juncture of her thighs and quickly parted the downy softness. His narrow shaft was once again fully engorged, standing stiffly erect between his thin white legs.

Selina closed her eyes, willing her body to do his bidding. In her mind she saw the warrior of her dreams, tall and strong, and it was he who made love to her body. Moving obediently against his seeking hand, she moaned as she had been taught many mo
ons ago to show her master
his touch aroused her own desire. With a skill born of long experience, she opened smoky blue eyes and looked lovingly at the pathetic man as he lay down on the pallet. Straddling his thin frame, she lowered herself slowly onto his waiting shaft.

“
Do not cross me, witch.
”
His finger dug into the tender skin at the nape of her neck as he pumped in and out of her body.
“
What you endure at the hands of my nephew is child
’
s play compared to what you would suffer at mine. Do you forget who your true master is?
”

Within minutes he was done, leaving her alone on the soiled covers. For the first time since she had entered the palace of Saatan over ten years before, Selina cried.

* * *

The brilliance of a million stars rushed by as the Galentina raced through the heavens. Aurora slowly relaxed the death grip on the co-pilot
’
s chair, the flood of adrenaline beginning to dissipate. Her legs and arms felt like leaden weights.

“
The medicine has that effect on some people.
”

She moved her head slowly, following the sound of the voice. For the first time that night, she took a good look at the man to which her life had been plighted. His rich golden hair hung in shimmering waves to the middle of his back. The loose strands were held away from his face by a band of leather, the weaving of an origin she did not recognize. His broad, muscular chest was smooth and virtually hairless, a characteristic of all Palermonian males. Her eyes wandered lower, noting the fine covering of hair on his thick, sinewy legs. Only instructors of Tie Wa had builds such as his. His male flesh was covered by the traditional karta, the battle dress of Palermos
’
highest fighting legion. As she raised her eyes, she encountered his knowing gaze. He knew she was wondering what lay beneath the small leather cloth.

Blushing a fiery red, she tilted her chin in defiance. There was nothing in Pal
ermonian laws which stated
she could not look. In fact, many young people of Palermos openly displayed their bodies at the city square, hoping to induce a proposal of connubiality.
“
Where are we headed?
”

“
Out there.
”
He pointed to the stars, grinning lazily.
“
You said you wished to leave the galaxy.
”