Stardust (28 page)

Aurora felt tears forming, hating the sign of weakness. Yet she could not control them as they ran down her pale cheeks.
“
I do not know whether Darton is alive or dead. What if he is hurt and unable to come for us?
”
She was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said,
“
Or what
if he is so angry with me
he does not care what happens to us?
”

Talena raised her head and stared in horror-stricken silence.
“
Surely you cannot believe such rubbish?
”

“
What else am I to think?
”
Aurora wiped the wetness from her cheeks with the back of her hands.
“
He brought me a special favor, his loving was tender and gentle. And instead of thanking him, I let my stupidity take over for my logic. I wouldn
’
t blame him if he didn
’
t want to come for us.
”

“
Well, I would.
”
Talena jumped up, her short fur bristling.
“
The big oaf owes me for putting up with that huge piece of snoring fur he calls a pet.
”

Aurora laughed despite her fears and hugged the small creature to her breast.
“
Oh, my friend, I am so glad we are together in this time of need.
”

Squirming wildly, Talena managed to get out of the tight hold.
“
I would prefer not to be here, thank you very much.
”
With an indignant huff, she sat down on her haunches and licked her ruffled fur into its natural lay.

“
You are right. I would much prefer not to be here either,
”
Aurora agreed. She reached for her black seka, removing the white robe and changing quickly. Dividing her long hair into three parts she braided the heavy length, securing the end with Barton
’
s leather head piece.

“
Where are you going?
”
Talena asked, pausing in her grooming.

Aurora rummaged through her pack, thankful Slamock had not taken away her belongings. Apparently he thought a mere female would have no deadly weapons. She removed a smooth stone, a long piece of string tied to its end. Testing the rock
’
s weight in the palm of her hand she said,
“
We are leaving this hole in the ground, Talena. I can no longer wait to be rescued. Submitting to Slamock would be a fate worse than death.
”

Talena screeched in protest.
“
You cannot venture forth now.
”

“
I will return shortly,
”
Aurora said, walking to the door. Opening it with caution she peered outside.
“
If I can discover the patterns of the guards, we can make good our escape within the next passing moon. I have not traveled halfway across the galaxy to become the property of a male.
Any
male. If I had wanted such fate I would have submitted to Bartok
’
s decree.
”
She eased into the darkness.
“
Are you coming with me?
”

Talena shook her head.
“
I have better things to do with my time than play Yulonian detection games.
”
The turin returned to her tidying as Aurora slipped through the heavy door.

* * *

Darton was jerked awake by the feel of icy water upon his skin. Licking the droplets from his lips, he slung his head trying to dispel the liquid from his eyes.
“
Thank you for the drink.
”

Slamock looked mockingly at him, holding the empty metal container.
“
I thought you could use the cooling effects of the water.
”

“
As if I could be hot in such dampness as this,
”
Darton growled, motioning with his chains at the lichen covered walls.

“
I was referring not to your surroundings, but the content of your dreams.
”

“
My dreams are of no importance to you,
”
Darton hissed between clenched teeth, hating the helplessness he felt. His thoughts had indeed been filled with the image of Aurora
’
s beauty and the softness of her touch. He lowered his eyes, willing his body to return to normal. He would not give his captor the joy of knowing his assessment had been truthful.

Slamock walked across the room, coming to stand before him.
“
The Sybortron has found your hiding space within the cave. I believe I will bring him here to you. That way your death will be more easily explained to Aurora. It would not do to offend my mate so early in our connubial relations.
”

Darton lunged forward, cursing the chains that held him.
“
Do not touch her, cave dweller.
”

“
But,
”
Slamock grinned wickedly,
“
I will only be performing my expected duties as her chosen one.
”

“
You will die,
”
Darton vowed.

“
I think not warrior. If the Sybortron does not find you, you will slowly rot within these walls. Even now my people make plans to invade Palermos. We need a new planet to continue our life paths. With Aurora as my captive, Bartok will pay handsomely for her return. And then we will attack and then this evil spell on me will be lifted.
”
He raised his clawed fist high the air, savoring his as yet unwon victory.

“
Bartok will not trade the magic needed for your freedom in exchange for Aurora,
”
Darton lied, knowing the overlord would do much to regain possession of Darvek
’
s niece.

“
We will see, Darton. We will see. She at least assures us of passage through the force barrier which surrounds the planet,
”
Slamock said.
“
Until then I will enjoy her many charms and delight in the pleasure of her luscious body.
”

“
No!
”
Darton shouted as the snake creature faded within the shadows leaving him alone once again. He yanked furtively against his bonds, tearing his flesh once again.
“
I will not allow such a fate to occur.
”

“
Then you had better stop hanging around here and do something about it,
”
a voice sounded sarcastically at his feet.

“
Who has spoken?
”
Darton asked, his eyes scanning the floor. Two bright blue eyes stared unblinking at his haggard face.
“
Talena! Never would I have thought to have pleasure at your sorry existence.
”

The turin tiptoed daintily past the sleeping Siara.
“
I see the large beast has survived. A pity. Slamock would have enjoyed her I
’
m sure, for break fast.
”
The large jaguar chose that movement to awake. She rose to her huge feet and turned green eyes upon the turin, licking her lips as she stretched the sleep from her limbs.

Darto
n could not help the laugh which
escaped him at the turin
’
s quick retreat. He met Siara
’
s eyes and could have sworn the large cat was grinning.
“
Where is Aurora? Is she well?
”
Darton asked the questions hurriedly, needing to assure himself of his love
’
s safety.

“
She is preparing to leave the caverns even as I speak to you,
”
Talena hissed.
“
She is a most foolish female.
”

“
You cannot allow her to go,
”
Darton said.
“
Slamock said the Sybortron is within striking distance. If she is captured he will return her Palermos and Bartok will have his way with her.
”

“
If she stays here,
”
Talena argued.
“
She will become Slamock
’
s queen.
”
A delicate shudder went through the turin
’
s body.
“
I cannot bear to watch another meal eaten by that repulsive creature.
”

“
Damn.
”
Darton cursed, using another descriptive expression he had learned from his Earth brothers many moons ago.
“
I must get free.
”

Talena swished around his legs, rubbing him with her w
arm fur. He hated to admit
the contact of another, even a blasted turin, felt good.
“
How is it
you have found me?
”
he suddenly questioned.

“
I followed Slamock,
”
Talena said, her voice smug with superiority.
“
It was a most simple matter with his scales slithering against the rock.
”

Darton began to pull at the chains again, his strength renewed by his fear for Aurora.
“
You must keep Aurora within these caves until I can come for her. As much as it galls me to say, she is safer with Slamock than the mechanical bounty hunter. And do not,
”
he warned the turin urgently,
“
tell her you have discovered me. If Slamock suspects Aurora knows of my whereabouts he will undoubtedly place her under heavy guard making my task much more difficult.
”

“
She will not like the deception.
”

Darton nodded his head in agreement. Aurora would indeed be upset with him at his falsehood. At all t
he half truths he had told her –
or not told her.

“
Keeping Aurora from leaving will be a most difficult task,
”
Talena observed.
“
She
has a misconceived notion
you might be in danger.
”
She looked pointedly at his bonds.
“
But I will try, for as much as it offends me to say, I agree with you.
”
She walked on padded feet to the narrow opening of the cave.
“
Would it not be easier to gain your release with a key?
”

Darton threw the turin a look of exasperation
“
If you produce a key, I will personally feed you Argonian sea dwellers for a full cycle of the third moon.
”

The turin merely smiled and glided from the cave.

Darton collapsed against the cold stone wall and drew heaving breaths of air into his starved lungs. Pulling continuously on the metal fetters that bound him had caused multiple cuts and abrasions upon his w
rists and arms
. Yet he could not stop. The pain did not bother him, for he was consumed
with another sort of pain
blotted out all else.

How could Aurora be so near and not feel his pre
sence? Surely she must know
he would come for her. But wait. What had the turin said? Aurora believed him to be injured, or worse, dead. He heaved mightily upon the chains. Knowing th
e hopelessness and despair
his beloved must be feeling was almost more than he could bear. And now knowing what she might do in the face of such a trial scared him senseless. In her present state of mind, she might even give conside
ration to the ugly piece of slime
that ruled this godforsaken hole. But surely not, he prayed. After all, what could he offer her? His kingdom? The chance to be queen? Her every wish and desire fulfilled?

Darton pulled hard on his shackles, his muscles straining with the effort. That dammed turin had better
find a way to get him that key –
and fast.

* * *

Slamock entered his chambers and leaned wearily against the closed door. The responsibility of the continuation of his people lay heavily upon his shoulders. It was getting harder to face each new day. But no, he could not think such thoughts. Pushing away from the door, he walked unhurriedly toward the gilt-frame mirror beside his bed. Shrugging off the cumbersome headdress and brief skin, he could not control the repulsive shudder that rolled through his body as he contemplated his reflection. Nevertheless, he refused to turn away from the image presented in the mirror. Through small, slitted eyes he forced himself to look upon his body, to remember the evil
that made him what he now was –
to gain the will to do what he knew he must.