Claimed: Unchartered Territory (10 page)

“I was wondering when you would turn up again,” Dallas tried to greet warmly but was all too aware of Remar following close behind them.

“I’m sorry but I was needed elsewhere,” Rabika apologized stopping in front of her which effectively blocked her path. “Come. I think you should meet the rest of our illustrious family,” Rabika said with a wavering smile.

“You will excuse me if I’m not quite up to that at the moment. In fact, I think I’m coming down with a headache from all the excitement.”

“Please, it will not take too long.” The younger, but bigger woman left her little alternative when she grasped her hand. “I am sure my brother can part with you for a few moments?” Rabika said cheerily although Dallas noticed the concern reflected in her eyes.

Obviously her lash out at Remar hadn’t gone unnoticed by some, and it was clear the young woman was worried. That gave Dallas pause. She remembered Rabika’s earlier mentioning of punishment for making negative reference to the sector leader and became immediately curious over the reprisal for unsanctioned physical harm.

“Perhaps
Dal’las
should take some time to rest,” Remar said from behind her. Too close. He was angry, if his tone weren’t obvious enough she would have sworn she could feel the emotion radiating off him in waves.

Good.
He could join her in being upset.

“I know it is not my place to say brother, but I think you are being horribly selfish with your bond mate.”

“Do you now?”  He asked slowly.

Dallas wasn’t fooled by his smooth tone.

“Aye, I do, and I plan to rectify this over sight post haste by introducing her to the rest of the clan.”

Dallas thought Remar would argue but to her surprise he acquiesced to his sister. 

“You are quite right sweetling. I have the rest of our lives to be with my
Dal’las
.”

Why did that sound like a threat
, Dallas thought.

“Come along
Dal’las
.” Rabika urged tugging on her hand once again. She was definitely tired of being manhandled by this giant race of aliens.

“I do not think it wise to argue with one’s bond mate the day of your joining,” Rabika commented once they were out of Remar’s ear shot.

“And under different circumstances I would agree with you, but you know as well as I do this wasn’t something I wanted.”

“It is your destiny, sometimes things are not always as we would wish them to be but in the end they work out,” Rabika said softly as they came up on the first set of family members.             

***

“Brrr,” Galdar started at Remar’s return. “Ready to rethink your decision brother?”

“I will hear nothing more from you on the subject,” Remar warned, his gaze following the movements of his new bond mate. 

He watched the gentle sway of her hips as she moved amongst members of his clan. A twinge of jealousy stabbed at him to see her smiling warmly at his kin. He longed for the day when she would look at him the same way.

“You know you could join her as well,” Galdar said after a prolonged silence.

Remar shook his head. “No. It is better if she is able to relax.”

Galdar frowned. “And she cannot do this with you present?”

“I understand it may take some time for her to… accept me.”

“At the risk of being sent to the gallows I must comment that your bond mate seems less than enthusiastic about being claimed.”

“It is a new world for her, she will come around.”

He looked doubtful.  “For your sake I hope she does brother.”

***

Although Dallas knew she wouldn’t be allowed to remain in the security of Remar’s family all night she was still unprepared for Rabika’s gentle interruption letting her know it was time for her to join Remar in their room for a private meal. The long walk to her new rooms was made with Dallas listening to Rabika trying to interject levity in an otherwise uncomfortable situation. Her attempts fell short of their mark. At another time Dallas might have enjoyed hearing the anecdotes about her family’s exploits. But by the end of their journey she was relieved that Rabika seemed to finish her tales.

The sound of the younger woman’s voice had competed with the loud pounding of her pulse. Now the heavy thumping was all that could be heard as they stood outside Remar’s private rooms. Dallas took a deep breath to ease the wild pace of her heart. It worked… somewhat.

“Your body metrics have been programmed to give you access,” Rabika said. “Just wave your hand over the panel as with your old room,” she urged at Dallas immobility.

Her unresponsiveness lasted for a few more moments before she gave in to the inevitable. The door folded on to itself in a quick whisper. At her side she could feel Rabika physically relax and wondered what the woman would have done if she decided to make a break for it. They’d traveled unescorted but Dallas knew there was nowhere for her to go. 

She stepped over the threshold feeling her circumstances close in around her.

His chamber was larger than the one she previously occupied, and it was obvious someone had gone through great lengths to set the perfect mood. The lighting was low but didn’t hamper her ability to see inside. Flecks of light danced across the ceiling in a hypnotic distraction. Dallas gaze darted around nervously taking in her surroundings. It was all clean lines and angles. She could definitely see Remar finding comfort there. The outer walls were a series of connected windows giving perfect view to the darkened sky outside and twin moons in the distance. In the center of the room sat a low standing table adorned with a veritable buffet.  Several large pillows, intended for sitting surrounded it in a fluffy confection. The rest of the room was sparsely decorated with several wall hangings, but her eyes were drawn to the huge bed that loomed ominously centered against a back wall beneath a large window.

“You will sit here,” Rabika instructed.

Great
, Dallas thought,
I can stare at that monstrosity of a bed from my assigned seat
.
Nope, no need to wonder about what was supposed to happen there
.

She remembered his touch and knew being with him in privacy wouldn’t be a good combination. One kiss and all her denials would go right out of those large windows.

“I-I can’t go through with this,” Dallas voiced her fear.

“You must.” Rabika poured an amber colored liquid into a cup that looked more like a giant chalice. “It is your destiny. Now drink this and try to relax.”

Easy for her to say
, Dallas thought as she drained the glass of the strange fruity liquid.

“My brother is really not as bad as you think him to be,” Rabika said quietly.

Dallas wasn’t reassured by her words.

“Then what am I doing here, a man of honor would not force a woman into this.”

“You are mistaken...”  Rabika trailed off as the wide chamber door opened onto itself.

Dallas knew without turning to look that it would be the last person she wanted to see. He was the only one that could make her heart race by being in the same room.

“I will bid you a good eve.” Rabika said before flashing a weak smile and making a hasty retreat.

Dallas stood in the center of the room for several seconds her back facing the door, debating the possibility Remar would have a change of heart. That thought was pushed out of her mind when she felt his large hands settle on her shoulders. She shivered as he turned her to face him gently.

Moment of truth.

She was prepared to give him an uncensored piece of her mind. Maybe that would have him rethinking kissing a mouth which could create horrific foulness so easily. The words wouldn’t come. In fact the entire thought dissolved when she made the mistake of looking up into his eyes.

It seemed for the longest time all they could do was stare at each other.

“You are a very beautiful woman
Dal’las
. I am honored to have you as my bond mate.”

He sounded so sincere.

She’d seen women swoon in movies. Never in real life and never her but was pretty sure she was about to make some staunch feminists turn over in their graves all the way back on earth. He’d only uttered a few words and she was ready to abandon everything.

Their gaze held for what seemed like an eternity before he spoke again.

“Come. Let us sample some of these delicious morsels.”

Food. He
was
talking about food, right?

She doubted seriously if she would be able to eat with him watching her, but it was a better offer to the alternative.

Remar helped Dallas settle on her cushions before taking his own directly opposite her. It was astonishing to watch how comfortable he looked on the frothy pillows.

“I am told you are responsible for our meal selection this eve?”

“I didn’t know what it was for at the time,” she answered honestly.

“And yet you have managed to pick most of my favorites.” 

He used a singular thin stick to spear some flavorful meat and pop it into his mouth. She watched as he chewed it slowly, then stabbed another piece to offer it to her. Dallas declined with a slight shake of her head.

Remar didn’t push and she was grateful.

“You met all of my clan I take it?”

“Yes. Everyone was very pleasant,” she answered but found herself unable to meet his eyes. It was strange having such a casual conversation with him.

“Good. Now tell me of your kin,” he said before attacking another piece of meat.

After yesterday Dallas half expected to be tossed over his shoulder the moment they were alone. She hadn’t foreseen them having leisure conversation. Well if he thought to relax her defenses it would take more than a few moments of civility.

Chapter Nine

Finally, with a renewed courage to look at him she answered.

“It was just me and my mother. Then it was just me. Not much to tell really.”

He held her gaze. “What happened to your mother?”

“She died.” Somehow Dallas knew he wouldn’t let the matter drop without an explanation and continued. “It was a transport accident. She was on her way to begin a new life on a moon colony but there was some sort of electrical interference. They say it happened quickly while most of the passengers were asleep. Life support just went offline. There were only a few survivors, mostly the crew who was working and able to make it to scuttle pods in time.”

“But they managed to save you too?”

“Actually I was safe and sound back on our planet.” She left out the part about crying her eyes out because her mother had abandoned her there.

“And your sire?”

She shrugged. “I didn’t know him.”

It was the truth he happened to be one of her mother’s unsuccessful conquests. A man of means who she hoped would do right by her or at the very least hand over a nice chunk of money to set them up for life. As it turned out he was poorer than she and looking for his own payday from a woman of wealth. The moment he learned her mother didn’t have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of he was gone. Never to be heard from again.

“Surely there was family to take you in?”

“No. The government became my legal guardian which means I got three square meals a day, clothes and education in the field of study for which I was most suited.”

“I am sorry. It does not sound like much of an enjoyable childhood.”

Dallas shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She rarely talked about her mother or past and even on those rare occasions she managed to keep a reign on her emotions. So why was she feeling so choked up all of a sudden?

“I was sent to the Orphanage but it could have been worse, so I’m grateful.”

“What is an orphanage, I never saw them on any of the data chips retrieved from your
E’rth
spheres.”

“It’s not surprising. They’re not exactly sources of pride. The orphanages are not well received by the majority of the population, but its opponents have little to no political clout so these institutions are able thrive worldwide.”

“And having been an occupant of one what is your opinion?”

She shrugged. “They are big money makers for governments. They use the labor of the abandoned to line their pockets. Once an orphan is taken by the government they are nothing more than a number. We are sorted, tested, and sorted out again by our results. Those who are suited for careers with higher cognitive functions get the better education but in the end the government holds the contract on us and sells them to various companies or institutions. The assignment that brought me here was supposed to meet my contractual obligation to the organization I work under. When I got back from this mission I would have been a free agent. As for how I feel about the Orphanage, it is what is. I could have been one of the unlucky ones and collected by people or organizations with far more nefarious intent.”

Tears? These better not be tears in my eyes
, she thought.

Remar quirked a brow but did not comment. He didn’t need to. She recognized the look and hated being pitied. If they didn’t change topics soon she was going to do something completely sappy like cry. The urge was strong.

“You don’t seem to have a shortage of family,” she commented.

“It is not common for Chezarians to have overly large familial relations but we have been fortunate.”

Dallas thought back on her days at the orphanage. Lots of kids came and went in the government ran facility so the concept of a real family wasn’t one she could grasp. In adulthood she’d shied away from lengthy interpersonal relationships knowing she wouldn’t be available for anything permanent until her contract was completed.

“You need not worry our children will have the best of lives,” he stated.

“Hmm, so Chezarians have the ability to predict the future?”

“Unfortunately not, but I do know if you can adjust yourself to life here this union will be a successful one.”

“It’s not Chezar I have a problem with,” she muttered looking away.

“Please do not eat your words, speak freely,” he encouraged.

“I’ve been trying to do that since I woke up here but everyone seems so bent on me accepting my situation without question.”

“And that is a bad thing?” To his credit he did look genuinely confused.

“I’m not going to try and paint earth as some type of utopia but I had a life, a career. Trying to reprogram me into being a clone of Chezarian women isn’t really going to fly.”

His expression hadn’t changed if anything he looked even more confounded. If the circumstances were different she would find his countenance quite comical.

“You are worried you will not be fulfilled here?”

“Well, that’s part of it.”

“Anything you could think to ask for will be provided to you. You may do as you please within good taste of our society.”

“And I take it having a woman work among your team of engineers would not be in good taste?”

He frowned. “Of course not, why would any female want to do a males job? As my bond mate you will tend to my needs and eventually those of our children.”

Anger surged through her like quicksilver. “And that’s supposed to be fulfilling. For a race with such technological advancements you guys are really just a step out of the stone ages. Claim challenge, male and female roles. Jeez-o-petes. I have scientific degrees in aeronautics and warp propulsion mechanics. That ship you dismantled was mine.
I
was its pilot.”

“Which is precisely how you ended up here.”

“And you think that was my fault because of my gender?” Dallas didn’t raise her voice but suddenly had an urge to exercise her lungs with a good gut wrenching scream.

She fought the temptation.

“I do not believe your coming here was by your fault or by chance. For many
creons
we have received spheres from your planet through what you describe as the
warm’hole
. Perhaps the gods have been preparing us for your arrival all this time.”

“Or maybe the damn thing just travels through my galaxy sucking up whatever it finds, sends it here and I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” she offered as an alternative.

“Why or how you came to be here is unimportant. You are here now.”

“Yes, and without the ability to leave.”

“You are not a prisoner in our home.”

“So I’m free to leave whenever?”

“As you like, your guards will be at your disposal when I am not available.”

She snorted. “You or guards, what great options. Sure sounds like prison to me.”

“You misunderstand. They are for your protection.”

“I’m sorry but have you seen me fight? I think I can take care of myself.”

“You are skilled, but the fact remains that your station requires the service of my men.”

There was a pregnant pause as Dallas considered their conversation. What he said made sense. On this planet he was the equivalent of a president or king and with the role came the necessity for protection of not only himself but close relations.

“Perhaps we can make some special concessions,” he offered.

His statement gave her pause.

“Like?” She asked hesitantly.

“For starters our scholars still require assistance in working through some of the nuances of your languages. Perhaps you can assist them in their efforts.”

Possible. “And?”

He cocked a brow in her direction. “What else would you like?”

Good answer.

“Why don’t I start with some tours of your scientific facilities, to see where I can fit?”

He hesitated but finally nodded. “Fine.”

“You’re serious?” The surprise she felt made its way into her voice.

“If it will bring some peace to our lives, aye.”

She sighed softly. Was this some sort of ploy? Could she really trust him? 

“Alrighty then,” a note of scepticism slipped into her tone but it couldn’t be helped.

“Now tell me more about the woman I have taken as my mate,” he encouraged.

“You know, where I come from people usually get to know each other before marrying… or being bonded… whatever.”  The retort was out before Dallas could stop herself.

“It is the same here in some instances. The tradition of the claim challenge ensures the female will get a mate with the strength and means to provide for her well-being. For the male, who pays substantial coin to participate, it is the means of ensuring his bloodline.”

“And none of this could be done without the blood sport of a challenge?”

Remar frowned. “It has worked for Chezarians since discovering the decline in our female population.”

“And how long ago was this?”

“Around the time of four sires before my father.”

“So you mean Chezarian men outnumber the women?”

He nodded. “Aye, for every five men there is only one woman.”

“And are the women aware of this?”

“Of course, why would they not know?”

Dallas mentally shook her head at the discovery. How could Chezarian women not realize the power they wielded. The sheer supply and demand factor alone was enough to elevate their station to leaders and not just mere domesticity.

“And the men who aren’t able to participate in the challenges what do they do?”

He looked confused. “Those who are unable will usually content themselves with the sharing of a mistress and if a child presents each male takes up a role of responsibility in the rearing of the child.”

“Wait so you’re okay with sharing a woman?”

“Some are because they have no other options, but it is not an issue for a male in my position,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Dallas became curious about male/female sexuality on the planet but thought to save the topic after more research on Chezarian culture.

“It’s your turn, what were you like as a child,” she conceded. As long as they were talking she didn’t have to worry about all the ways a couple could use the bed behind him.

“Determined,” was all he said. 

She believed that.

“And?”

“And we are discussing you,” he redirected.

“There’s not much to tell.” Dallas answered feeling slightly giddy now. “I was pretty much a loner at the orphanage until I met my friend Evaline. She came about six months after me and was classified in the same group. We were inseparable until she was able to get adopted a year later.”

“Adopted?”

“That’s when a child is placed with new parents. From what I can remember they were really nice people and they would even allow me to come over some weekends to spend time with her, in the beginning.”

“But they did not
adopted
you?”

Dallas smothered a grin at his misuse of the word. “No, I was considered a difficult placement. Adults didn’t know quite how to handle a little braniac like me, plus my social skills were horrible. Evaline helped me out a lot but we also got into a bit of trouble. I remember us discovering the mother load of scientific pranks one year and proceeded to go down the list one experiment at a time. It was all really quite harmless until we exploded her father’s vintage toaster. One of the last in existence.”

“The destruction of a valued piece is not something to be taken lightly,” he said firmly.

Dallas let the opportunity to mention her dismantled ship slip by.

Instead a giggle bubbled up at the memory of her youthful antics with her long ago friend. The memory came so fresh as if she were in the moment.

“Hmm, true and could definitely be the reason I wasn’t allowed over anymore. It was one thing contending with Evaline but keeping the two of us in the same household on a permanent basis could have been detrimental to someone’s health.”

“Our daughters will not involve themselves in such mischief,” although Remar’s tone was matter of fact she sensed his amusement and couldn’t help but wonder what life would be like for any future daughters. Serious changes would definitely need to be made. No daughter of hers would be doomed to a life of pampered subordination.

Ever.

“That raises an interesting question. There is the possibility I might not even be able to conceive. After all we are from two different worlds, different species,” she threw out there.

“Not to worry, a full medical exam was performed on you the day you arrived. Our medic confirmed that although there appears to be some genetic differences in our makeup, conception and the production of healthy offspring should not pose a problem.”