Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) (31 page)

“What if I do not have the time?” she sobbed.

Adam sat down with her on his lap and lovingly stroked her arms and legs. “What do you mean? You’re not talking about that damn prophecy again are you?”

“Everything the Mystic said has come true. I left my world. I found you. I must return and you will not let me go alone…I am going to die.”

His eyes turned red and he took her face in his hands. “You are
not
going to die. I am not going to die. We are going to go home, deal with the Rebel scum, get married, have a bunch of rug-rats and live happily ever after.”

“This is not one of your fairy tales, Adam!” she snapped and broke from his grasp. Her hands grew warm as she paced the room. “There is no utopia waiting for us. Once the Rebel threat is over, what will become of my people when the Bujeni, or Syndicate, or some other alien power decides to intervene in our society? Do you not find it curious that they knew more about my world than I did? They said they had no interest in Abennelp, yet they sent me home with an escort. They sent me on a ship that happened to have the information about a wide strike against the Union and here we are, half way across space waiting to be attacked. They have ties from one end of this universe to the other...this is a trap.”

“Whoa, wait a second,” he said. He crossed the room and Tiva backed away. She was still shaking, but now, angry and dangerous. “Tiva?”

“Do not come closer, I am struggling to control…” She balled her hands into a fist hoping to deter the raging fire within.

“You are over thinking all of this. The circumstances are a bit strange, but I happen to think you were just at the right place at the right time. I highly doubt there is a conspiracy against you or your people. The Syndicate wants power and technology, they want to destroy planets like Earth…not Abennelp. You’ve read too many reports, and you’re working too hard. You’ve been under a lot of stress lately…”

“That is irrelevant!”

“Then talk to me, damn it!”

“It is instinct. I cannot explain it, I just know something is going to happen.”

“What?”

“I do not know.”

“A lot of good that does us…” he snapped, obviously agitated. Rubbing the back of his neck, he sat down on the bed and sighed.

Tiva, however, was still enraged. “I am not a Mystic. I do not see the future, Adam. I only know what I feel and right now, this feels wrong!”

“I think you just need to relax. You’re probably going through battle anxiety, it happens to a lot of people before a big fight.”

“By the spirits, Adam!”

“What?” he asked, confusion ripping into his face.

She stomped over, picked up her robe, and before exiting the bedroom said, “You brush aside what I am feeling as if I were merely a paranoid human. I am not. The last time I told you I felt this way, I was abducted…or have you forgotten?” She paused, but gave him no time to respond. “I already told Captain Maar my theories; he at least listened to me. After all we have been through together, I had thought you would understand more than he. It seems I was wrong.”

Storming down the hall like a char-beast chasing its food, Tiva entered the lift and slammed the buttons on the side.

You know he’s not the best with words when the topic is serious, Tiva,
Cala said suddenly.

She ignored the spirit-sword and entered the arboretum. Sharing Adam’s bed did not bring her the calm she needed. His presence usually kept the dreams at bay. Her luck had run out. The pressure around her was increasing. All she wanted was someone to believe her. Her father and mother would understand…Harer would believe her.

Stripping off the robe and sleep shirt, she ran through the brush and grass searching for the willow tree. It was the closest thing she had to Te and she needed balance. She needed to Calm. With no chance of a pond or other body of water, she had to use the nature of the arboretum to help her, though most of the plant life here was unresponsive.

Silently she lay on the grass looking up through the branches of a willow tree. She closed her eyes and chanted the words of the Calming. Her body began to relax, the words escaping her lips in soft quite breaths.

Instantly, the air around her changed. Someone else had entered the room. In her haste, she did not lock herself in.

“You are a beautiful woman, Ms. Boon.”

Tiva sat up, grabbed her robe, and spun around to see Aries walking toward her. She wasn’t sure if she was angry or embarrassed as she covered herself. Unable to look him in the eyes, she attempted to walk past. “Excuse me, I must go.”

He gripped her arm. “You don’t n-need to worry about me; I’m not interested in you that way.”

“Pardon?”

“Where I come from there are no boundaries on love. Gender means little with matters of the heart. It is common for women to love other women and men to love other men. I am no threat to you or your relationship with Cooper.”

For a moment, she pondered the words. It was not something commonplace on her world, but his words rang true, love should hold no boundaries. She was proof, the one she loved was far from normal to her people. Tying her sash, she asked, “Then why make the comment?”

“I still appreciate all beauty, dear girl.” He smiled and moved closer to the willow tree. For a moment, he seemed much older than his appearance. Though his record never stated his age, she sensed a mature aura about him. “But that is n-not why I’m here. You were giving me a h-headache.”

“I am sorry, sir. I was trying to Calm. Normally I use a body of water, I do not like open spaces…for obvious reasons.”

“I didn’t know y-you’d be…” he stammered as his cheeks went flush. “I just thought you could use a friend, s-something is deeply troubling you.”

Tiva walked around the path with Aries and explained the course of events over the last few weeks. From her mission to Chomllie to her apprehension about the Earth mission and ended with a few minor details from her spat with Adam. “Yes, it is possible I am wrong and I am just overwhelmed by all the heightened emotions around the ship and area, but I am rarely wrong.”

“Trevo informed me about your c-conversation. I’ve been doing my own research as well…but trying to communicate with the Union from so far away is pointless.”

“If we could harness the wormhole technology to transmit a message, it could solve our dilemma.”

“Y-yes, I’ve thought of that myself and Ewan and Emerala are assigned to the task in the morning.”

“I hope they are successful,” Tiva answered and paused near the door. “I thank you for talking with me, but I must try to rest some before shift.”

“I can help you complete y-your meditation ritual, Ms. Boon. Allow me to share the burden for a while so you can be free.”
“I do not think it is wise. I have been suppressing many things lately, you may become overwhelmed.”

“It may be uncomfortable, but I am a-accustomed to the sensation. You, however, will be very t-tired once we are through. When you wake, you’ll feel like you’ve slept for a week. All you have to do is trust me.”

“I am willing to try it, sir.”

“P-please desist with the sir!” he chided. “If you won’t c-call me Camway at least call me Aries.”

“Very well, Aries, tell me what I must do.”

~*~

“Tiva, wake up.” The voice calling to her seemed far away. A sharp pain struck her temple and she cringed. “Tiva, come on, wake the hell up.”

She rolled onto her side and cradled her head; she did not feel as Aries said she would. Though well rested, it hardly seemed as if she slept more than a few hours, maybe it was a fault of her physiology. Admittedly, relieving the stress of her abilities for a while was a freedom she never thought she’d have. For a spell, the only thoughts and feelings within her were her own and she did not have to shield herself. She was able to sort through her mind and heart without interference, to see things more clearly, and feel unburdened and free from conflict.

Are you sick?
Cala asked.

“Tiva, get up!”

She opened her eyes to a patch of green grass. Aries at least left her in the arboretum as she requested. Rolling onto her back, she glanced up to see Adam sitting beside her. “I am awake, what is so important?” Her tone was sharp and short.

“I was worried about you,” he snapped. “You left all angry, Cala said you ignored her, and when I woke up this morning you hadn’t come back. You weren’t in your room either. Cala had to sniff you out.”

Tiva sat up and pulled back her hair. “I am fine; there is no need for concern.”

“Now you’re talking to me like I’m some guy you just met, don’t do that.”

“And why not? That is how I felt last night.”

“Damn it, Tiva…”

“Adam, I came to you last night because I was afraid,” she said, rising to her feet. “All you did was make light of the situation. I have been more than compromising when it comes to your jovial attitude.”

“Hey,” he said, gently taking her hand. “I’m sorry. You never told me you were scared. All I knew was you couldn’t sleep. As far as the other stuff, I wasn’t sure what to say. The last time you told me something felt wrong you were taken away from me and I wasn’t there to protect you. Do you have any idea how that made me feel?”

“No, because you have never told me.”

“Well, it felt horrible and I won’t let that happen again.”

“Then why did you let me walk away?”

“You were angry. I’ve seen what happens when you’re angry. I figured you just needed some time and space.”

“I needed you, Adam,” she whispered and hung her head. “I needed you to believe me, to trust in me and you casually set my feelings aside.”

“That’s not what I did,” he mumbled. “How was I supposed to know what you wanted? I don’t have empathic abilities; I can’t just
know
everything you’re feeling. I did the best I could. I was trying to lighten the mood.”

“I understand that now, but it was not why I came to you last night.”

“C’mere.” He moved closer and gathered her in his arms. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a tough as nails girlfriend. You don’t get scared often. I guess I wasn’t expecting it. I’m sorry. But you have to tell me how you feel, not just what’s running through your head.” He grabbed his sword.
We might be able to hear your thoughts, but your emotions are another story, Solaeshyl.

“I understand…”

“And, if you say something is going on, I do believe you. I don’t know what, if anything, we can do about it though.”

Tiva clung to him and buried her face in his chest. Adam had a point; he could not discern her emotional state. Of course, she knew this, but the reality of it was more painful than she realized. Anyone from home could sense her anxiety, Litru knew from one touch. Her love with Adam was so unusual and complicated, she had to be more open whether she liked the idea or not. “There is nothing to do but wait.”

“I know.”

“I fear them, Adam,” she choked.

“Me, too, we all do…” he whispered. She glanced up and met his gaze. Adam touched her cheek softly and leaned in to kiss her. Refusing to let him go, she kissed him back, eager and full of passion. He responded by tightening his grip and lifting her off the ground. Adam pushed her back against the willow tree, holding her in place with his body. His desires were flooding her mind. They were stronger now than any other time they’d been together, and it only reinforced the truth. She longed for more than his empathy and understanding; she needed—wanted—his love. They had waited long enough; she was ready.

He kissed her neck, pulled at her robe, and tossed it to the ground. She reached for his tunic and tore it from his chest. He grunted slightly as she kissed his shoulder and neck. Wicked thoughts flowed through him making her heart race. This love, this need and desire for one another, electrified her.

Tiva leaned back against the trunk to catch her breath. The look in his eyes was one she had not seen before, and the lust emanating from his body was all she needed to understand. She unbuttoned the front of her shirt and let it slip down to her hips. Adam stared at her a moment, studying her as if seeing her for the first time, then caressed her neck and pushed the sleep shirt up her thigh.