Karac: Kaldar Warriors #1 (20 page)

“Yes, I would.”  I took his hand as he offered it to me and we walked out of the room.  We eventually found Calzen in Command, once again going over reports.  He was skeptical at first about allowing females access to the com device but when I mentioned more females might come forward, he changed his tune quickly.  We sat around a side table in Command with Calzen and Darrok to draft a list of dos and don’ts when talking with family.  I also mentioned the possibility of sharing a few of their medical skills or knowledge with the general population.  I explained this might endear them a little more to the women planet-side.  Karac wasn’t too happy about releasing any information when the government didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.  But he said he would consider it.  Small victory for humankind. 

It was late once the notice finally went out to all the mated females, so Karac and I retired to our room.  This time, I wasn’t asleep when it was time to go to bed.  I think Karac could tell I was nervous because he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me.

“I can sleep on the couch, if it would make you more comfortable.”

“No, I’m being silly.  Just let me change my clothes and use the bathroom first.”  He let me go and watched as I gathered my pjs from the dresser.  I still hadn’t said anything to him about him moving my stuff into drawers and the closet. 
Kind of a moot point now.
  I changed in the bathroom, brushed my teeth, did my business, and took a deep breath.  This was new territory for me.  Even though I’d slept in his bed twice now, I wasn’t sure if he slept with me last night or not.  There was only a flower this morning.  Now, he was going to be sleeping, right beside me.  I took another fortifying breath before leaving the bathroom. 

I noticed the lights were dimmed and Karac was sitting up in bed with one leg bent up.  He watched me cross the room, round the bed, and pull back the sheets.  I crawled in and pulled the covers up around my shoulders.  He reached to the wall beside the bed and the lights turned off.  I felt him slid down in the bed as I laid on my back, listening in the dark. 

“Ashley?”  I jumped.  Swallowing nervously, I answered.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think we could sleep closer?”

“Together?”

“Yes.”  I could hear the amusement behind his answer.

“Sure.”  I replied. 
What was I getting myself into?
  I felt him slide closer to me and I could now feel his body heat. 

“Roll on your side.”  He whispered and I found myself rolling away from him as his arm suggested.  He then pulled me back while scooting forward and I found myself being spooned.  His arm stayed around my middle, resting comfortably on my stomach.  I could feel his breath on my neck as he closed the distance between us.  He lightly kissed my neck, and I couldn’t control the pleasant chills that ran down my spine.  Karac chuckled.

“Sleep well, little one.”

“Good night, Karac.”  I replied softly. 

Ashley

I found, over the next few weeks, a pattern emerging in our interactions.  We would eat breakfast together, train in the morning where Calzen, Darrok, or Merrik would join us.  Lunch would be back in our rooms.  I would spend the afternoon with Kelly, chatting with family, or wandering around the ship.  Nights were either spent together talking or watching movies.  Sometimes we would return to Command to discuss the latest news or reports.  I appreciated Karac including me in the discussions at it afforded me a better understanding what we were up against and what my future could hold.

Mornings, however, were my favorite.  I no longer woke up alone.  Most of the time I awoke to Karac kissing my neck or temple.  A few times I woke before him, like that first morning.  I woke up surrounded in heat.  It was so comforting I didn’t want to move.  He was still plastered against my back, his arm pulling me close to him.  Sometime in the night, I had covered his hand with my own, linking our fingers.  Slowly so I didn’t wake him up, I turned around so I could face him.  The first thing I noticed was that he wasn’t wearing a shirt.  I could make out his sculpted front since the covers had slid down.  I traced his brow with my free hand, down along his cheek and then this jaw.  Awake, he was powerful and a force to be reckoned with.  Asleep, he was peaceful and gentle.  At least when he was awake he was gentle with me too.  Suddenly, he shifted and I found myself on my back, with him looming over me, eyes half-mast. 

“Morning, little one.”

“Morning.”  I paused to catch my breath as he watched the emotions run across my face.  He stayed braced above me, half covering me.  “Why do you call me little one?”  I was honestly curious, as back home, I really wasn’t all that small.  He studied me before answering. 

“To me you are little.  I have a number of…pounds,” he searched for the right word in English, “on you and with my muscle mass could easily subdue you.”  He grinned at my frown of his assessment of my combat skills.  “You are also someone to be treasured.  Protected.”  He paused before adding, “Loved.”  I caught my breath. 
Was he saying he loved me?

“How long have you been awake?”  I asked, shying away from that thought. 

“Since you turned over.”  He smirked at me.  I glared. 

“Why did you pretend to sleep?”

“To see what you would do.  I was pleasantly surprised.”  He grinned down at me.  I punched him in the shoulder.

“Jerk.”  I mumbled. 

“Hmm…but I’m your jerk.”  He paused leaning closer to my face.  “Your mate.”  He leaned down and kissed my temple before sliding to the side and propping himself on his elbow, hand holding up his head.  Watching me.  I won’t forget that first morning.  That was the first morning I knew that it was a matter of time before he had my heart. 

Our training sessions were steadily improving.  He never pushed me as hard as he did that first day.  I think he overestimated what the human body could take so he adjusted his technique after that first day.  I didn’t complain.  At least my body wasn’t sore, as much, after each training session.  It was fun to watch him with the other warriors too.  I could see why they all respected him so much.  While none of them could match him for strength and skill, Karac was firm but encouraging when he trained with them.  He helped them through different moves, gave advice, laughed with them.  Every so often, his eyes would wander to me.  To check if I was still there?  Or maybe to catch me wiping drool off my chin from watching him work out.  Seriously.  The warrior was ripped.  My hormones were kicked into overdrive every time he peeled off his shirt.  A girl can only take so much.

When he left me in the afternoons I met up with Kelly on a number of occasions.  She introduced me to a few other ladies that were mated and it was nice to hear their stories.  Some had registered while others had hid like me, though not to my extent of erasing my connections.  They told me of their rocky beginnings just as I had with Karac.  Apparently we weren’t alone in our relational development.  All of them cried in appreciation when they got the news that they could talk to their families again.  I could tell even their mates were happy, just because the women were happy.  I was glad I convinced Karac of that move.  It really was helping the overall morale of the ship and word was spreading planet-side, which helped eradicate the rumor mill of how oppressive or callous the Kaldarhns were.  Karac had also shared some of their knowledge related to healing wounds at an accelerated rate and screening for illnesses using the same device that Darrok had used on Nathan.  It was a small concession but a step in the right direction.  I was still waiting on initial reports to see if more women had decided to register or not.  I hoped they would.  The Kaldar warriors really were caring and fierce protectors.  Even if they were a little overbearing at times.

The few times I talked to each of my family members they seemed more and more comfortable with my presence in space.  While Dad kept insisting that I come home to visit, I told him that I would, eventually.  I just left out the part that Karac said I would visit after we mated.  Not something I’d discuss with my dad.  I could tell Mom was already planning the wedding.  She was so excited each time I talked to her and even more so when Karac was on the call with me.  The woman really had a one track mind.  Find a boyfriend.  Get married.  Have babies.  All of which Karac was on board with.  It was just me hanging onto the anchor. 

Kat seemed happy that I was happy.  I could tell she was still worried.  I think she figured out early on that if I mate with Karac, I’ll be moving to another planet.  Not exactly a car ride away, even with their space travel.  I knew exactly how she felt because I was reminded of that every time I thought about Karac’s planet.  Galaxies away.  Anne was more upbeat.  She thought the idea of marrying an alien was cool, as long as they didn’t do experiments or something.  She was adamant that she was going to come visit.  I wouldn’t put it past her to find a way. 

On the other hand, Nathan…well, he still wasn’t talking to me.  He’d ask my parents how I was doing, if I was coming home.  When he didn’t get the answer he wanted, he stormed off.  I was sad to lose him as a friend.  He was a great guy and I hoped he found someone back home to love and live his life with. 

I spent a few afternoons talking with Renita, and on occasion, Junrik.  I felt better each time I talked to them.  They were very open about their culture, answered any questions I had, and always made inquiries about my family.  For that, I knew they would be great in-laws. 

The situation with the Degrens was deteriorating.  Scout reports were now coming in left and right about skirmishes on the border of the Galtina Sector where homes were being raided and whole cities burned to the ground.  I had asked Karac what they wanted so bad and all he said was power.  Apparently greed was nothing new no matter what galaxy you were in.  I could tell the stress was piling up on Karac.  He went to bed later and later and didn’t sleep well.  When he did sleep, he tossed and turned most of the night.  The only time he would settle down was when I would put my head on his shoulder and rub his chest soothingly.  The poor warrior was constantly exhausted. 

But he never pushed me.  Never asked if I was ready to complete the mating with him.  For that, I fell harder for him every day.  I knew he loved me.  I could see it in his eyes, feel it in the way he held me, kissed me, caressed me.  Although he never said it.  I think he was worried I would think he was pushing or it would scare me off.  Tonight, I was going to change all that.  I’d been on the ship for almost a month.  It was time to put one of his worries to rest.  I loved him.  He loved me.  It was time he knew that. 

It was closing in on supper time, but Karac was nowhere to be found.  I decided to call Calzen on the hand computer and see if Karac was with him.

“Something you need, Ashley?”  Calzen was great with greetings.

“Yes.  I’m looking for Karac.  Is he with you?”

“No.  I think he is still in Command.”  He paused before asking, “Did you try calling him?” 

“I didn’t want to interrupt.”  I replied. 

“But you’d interrupt what I’m doing?”  He asked with amusement.

“Yep, pretty much.”  I said, laughing softly.  “Do you think you could send him my way within the hour?  There’s something I want to talk to him about.”

“If you tell me what, it might get him there faster.”  I could tell Calzen was distracted because his voice sounded kind of far off.  I paused, and mulled how much I wanted to tell him before answering.

“Just…tell him it is about the mating bond.”  Calzen’s sharp breath let me know I had his full attention now. 

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”  He asked gently.  I blushed, embarrassed, but nodded. 

“Calzen, please.  This is embarrassing enough having you deliver the message.  Just, do it discreetly, please.”  I pleaded. 

“Of course Ashley.  I’ll find him right away.”  Calzen assured me with respect in his voice. 

“Thank you, Calzen.”  I gave him a small smile. 

“No, thank you, Ashley.”  He replied seriously before ending the call.  I would have found him thanking me for finally deciding to bond with Karac funny if I didn’t know how precarious everything was.  I knew Karac was needed back home, he just wasn’t telling me.  Nervous, I paced the room for a little bit before walking over to the trays of food setting on the table.  I had ordered Karac’s favorite, hoping we would discuss things before…well, before completing the bond.  When I visited Kelly earlier and whispered my intention to her so the guards wouldn’t hear, she almost burst my eardrums with her scream of excitement.  We had to cover our tracks quick when Diekt and Merrik came charging into the room asking what the problem was.  After we assured them everything was fine and they left, Kelly informed me of a little known fact that females usually didn’t find out until during or after the bonding.  She had pulled aside her hair and showed me what I thought was a tattoo at first glance, on the side of her neck.

“What is that?”  I asked, a little worried.

“The mated mark.”  Kelly whispered, conscious of Diekt’s hearing abilities.  “It is kind of like magic.  After you complete the bond, the tattoo appears within seconds.”  She dropped her hair back over the mark. 

“It doesn’t hurt?”  I asked skeptically.  Tattoos were never my thing since I had an aversion to needles. 

“Nope, not at all.  Trust me.”  She said smiling. 

“I’ve glimpsed a few of them on the other mated females.  But they are all different designs.”  I pointed out.

“Diekt told me that all the designs are the male’s family crest.  You know, like in the olden days when the lords of castles used to fly banners or colors depicting their heritage.  It’s kind of like that.” 

“It’s a show of ownership?”  I asked a little incensed. 

“No, not at all.”  Kelly hurried to explain.  “It is a mark of belonging.  Protection.  Others who see it will know you are mated and what family protects you.  In your case, when you bond with Karac, his family crest will appear on your neck.  The whole universe knows his symbol.”

“So it’s like a family symbol?  I’ll have the same mark as his mother?”

“Yes, but there is something about the shade of the mark too.  It’s best to ask Karac about it.  He would be able to explain it better.” 

I still held reservations.  I was nervous since this was my first time and it looked like I was going to carry a mark as well.  Albeit, a magical one. 
Shit, what did I get myself into?
  Before I could question myself further, the door to the hallway whooshed open and Karac slowly entered.  He stepped far enough into the room so the door could whoosh shut behind him and stopped.  We stood there, staring at each other for a few seconds.  I could see the question in his eyes, but I needed something to distract me for a minute. 

“I ordered supper if you are hungry.”  I offered, motioning toward the table.  His gaze never left my face.  Slowly, he stepped toward me, offering me a chance to change my mind.  I watched as he approached, seeing the desire building behind his eyes.  I couldn’t help my breathing from speeding up with each step he took toward me.  This was it.  My decision.  I was going to be Karac’s mate.  Forever.

He stopped right in front of me, gazing down into my eyes.  He reached out and snaked his hand behind my waist, pulling me flush against him.  My hands flew to his chest and I could feel his heart pounding as well.

“Ashley,” he whispered, before kissing my forehead, temples, and eyelids.  He pulled back and his other hand cupped the side of my face.  “Are you sure?”  He was asking if I was ready.  I nodded.  “Do you want to be my mate?  Forever?”

“Yes.”  I paused before adding, “I love you, Karac.”  His eyes softened and a small smile crept onto his features.  He pulled me into him and laid my head on his shoulder.

“Gods you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear that.”  He pulled me back so I could see his face.  “I love you, too.  You know that?  With every beat of my heart, every breath I take.  My day is filled with thoughts of you.  I never want to be without you.”  He brought his other hand up and framed my face, gazing at me intently.  “You are mine.  Forever.”  He said forcefully.

“Forever.”  I replied with a smile.  His lips crashed down on mine and that kiss was different than any other kisses he had given me.  This one was possessive.  Claiming.  I loved it.  Smiling, he picked me up and cradled me in his arms as he carried me toward the bedroom.  I knew that night was going to be a night I was never going to forget.