Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) (3 page)

Vareen watched Mica go out the door and returned to her slouched spot on
the bed. He was probably right. If he didn’t keep her locked in here, she
wouldn’t hesitate to find a million reasons to avoid him. It was a part of her
childhood that she hadn’t been able to overcome. The feeling that she didn’t
belong. The orphan looking for someone or someplace to call her own but not
feeling good enough when she found it.

She’d befriended Cali, and the others but it hadn’t been easy to trust
them. When it came time for dating, she’d been introduced to a new nightmare.
She always wondered at the ulterior motives the males had for initiating
intimacy. She enjoyed the physical nature of having a lover, it was the
emotional side effects she tried to steer clear of.

With
Mica,
she was drowning in
uncertainty. Against her better judgment, he was already worming around in her
thoughts. Why did he want to talk with her? Why had he kissed her as his
concession? What was his purpose for being in the Buffer Zone?

Silently kicking herself Vareen wondered why she’d failed to ask him what
it meant to be claimed? A part of her answered back because she might not like
the answer. Vareen touched a finger to her lips. Reflecting on the moment his
lips brushed hers, she’d felt holes pop open in her carefully constructed
protective walls. Perhaps Mica offered her something so tempting he could break
through them completely.

Vareen got comfortable on the bed and closed her eyes. She always thought
better this way. After a
moment,
she
heard Mica return.

“Are you sleeping?” a soft voice called out and Vareen opened one eye to
see Mica standing with some food.

“No, I’m awake.” Vareen didn’t get up, just rolled onto her side. “You
couldn’t possibly have met with Drake, talked, gotten the food and made it back
already.”

“I met Dak in the hallway. Drake and Cali are…talking things out and
don’t want to be disturbed. The food was something Dak was bringing us, so I
grabbed it and came right back.”

“So if Cali and Drake are talking, that means you can tell me the reason
for your being in the Buffer Zone.” Vareen pushed up from her side and sat up.

“I think it will be safe to do so.” He released the barrier and entered
the room with her. Taking a blanket, he shook it out and placed it on the
floor. When it was arranged to his satisfaction, he put the food down and
gestured for her to join him. “We can have a picnic.”

It did smell good and she was hungry, so instead of arguing, she moved to
the edge of the blanket and started picking at the food.

Swallowing a bite of meat, she washed it down with water from a canister.
“So what were you doing in the Buffer Zone?”

“Are we doing the give and take for a concession or just talking?” there
was a challenge in his eyes and Vareen hesitated.

“Just talking.”

His disappointment was obvious, but he answered her anyway. “We were
testing our warship,
The Maxon
. With
the help of Atheon, we have become spacefaring.”

“Atheon?” Vareen raised an eyebrow at this news. “They helped you build a
spacecraft? Aren’t they difficult to work with?”

“Not at all, they are very easy to deal with. They helped us with some
technology we needed, in return we supplied them with trianium. It is an ore we
use on Titus that seems to be valuable to others.”

“That is what you call the metal your pods are made from?”

“Yes.
The Maxon
was also made
from that ore.”

“Very impressive.” Vareen couldn’t help but admit. The pods were very
well built. She had to assume
The Maxon
had been as well. “What went wrong?”

“There were anomalous readings and we feared a core breach. The crew was
ordered into escape pods. Dak, Arik, Tae, Drake and I were the last to leave
the bridge. I’m not sure how we missed getting found by
The Cariyel
. That is a ship from Atheon that we sent a distress
signal to.”

“Hmm. That is odd.” Vareen kept eating, letting what Mica had told her so
far sink in. When she was ready she asked, “You said earlier that your clan
dispenses justice on Titus. Can you explain the clan system for me?”

Mica leaned against the wall at his
back
and crossed his feet. Vareen wondered how long this was going to take if he was
getting comfortable to do the telling.

“It was many generations ago that a member of the Renari clan worked to
unite all of the different factions for the safety of the citizens. Each clan
is distinguished by the color they wear. Dak’za, or Dak as he prefers, is from
the Denary Clan. They wear the golden color to symbolize the agriculture zone
they control. Tae is from the
Takari
Clan. They wear red to symbolize industry. Arik is from the
Metari
clan. He wears blue for the water zones
his clan controls. Drake wears purple, to symbolize the mountains where
trianium is mined. His clan is the Renari. My clan is the
Jataci
, we wear black to symbolize blind
justice. Our clan is responsible for holding trials, finding criminals who have
fled into the outer regions, and patrolling the borders of all the clan lands.”

“Why did the clans need uniting. What was the conflict?” Vareen took a
bite from an especially juicy fruit and waited for Mica to continue. Licking
her fingers to keep them clean she waited. When he remained silent, she looked
up to see him watching her intently. “What?’

Seeming to snap out of it, he shook his head. “You asked what the
conflict was?” at her nod he cleared his throat, “With everyone on the planet
having special abilities, there was the possibility that someone would take
extreme risks in getting the upper hand over the other clans. Biological
warfare being the main fear. The clans uniting for a common goal was the only
way to ensure peace.”

“So how does it work?” Vareen was finished eating and leaned against the
frame holding the bed in place. Her legs stretched so their feet were parallel
to each other. “How do you maintain peace?”

“All five clans produce something that
benefits
the others. For example, the Metari supply the water for industry, the mining
of trianium and agriculture. In
return,
they are supplied with food, mineral and the newest technology. We allow the
clans to intermix. For example, if you have an affinity for plants, but are
born in Metari you can live in Denary if you wish. The years of using this
system
have
built a trust among us, we
live in harmony now, when before it was chaos. There are those we call Others
that live outside the clans, but they are relatively harmless. It is their
choice to stay apart.”

“Who provides the leadership for your
clans
?”

“There is a council of representatives that meet once a month. Each clan
is allowed one representative on the council. Those five men vote on the items
set before them by the
sub-councils
.”

“Who sits on the council for Jataci?” Vareen asked.

“My father,” there was unmistakable pride in Mica’s voice.

“How was he chosen?” Vareen was curious how a group of males like Mica,
with their abilities, would choose one to rule for them.

“Each clan has a line of succession, chosen from the strongest male line.
In Jataci, my family line has ruled for many generations. All five clans have
the Challenge of Succession every four years. Any number of males can challenge
for the right to lead their clan. The sitting representative from each clan faces
his opponents in feats of strength, tactics, and hand to hand battle. If that
representative is beaten, the new line of succession would rule from that
family line. Only the males of a family are allowed to challenge, not females.
Also, a male can only challenge the clan he was born to. I couldn’t challenge
the sitting leader of Renari for instance.”

“So you are patriarchal.” Vareen had read in classes at the Academy about
the different types of hierarchy. It was taught on Cestori that males were too
illogical, hot-headed and unreasonable to sit on the ruling council.

“Yes.” Mica moved his foot out to kick hers playfully.

Vareen eyed him suspiciously and then kicked him back. “On Cestori we are
matriarchal.”

“I’ve heard that.” Mica kicked gently at her feet again, this time
keeping his foot between hers.

“What else have you heard?” Vareen used her feet and struggled to get his
leg to move. It was like wrestling against a stone wall.

“Only that Cestori is run by a council of three women, the leader of
which is a power mad woman. Aicen Edal is her name and she is training her
equally crazy daughter, Calinae Edal to take her place. Also, Cestori citizens
are crazy and easily offended. If we were to be caught by anyone from Cestori,
it would lead to a torturous death.”

Vareen stilled in her attempts to move Mica’s leg. “That’s not true.” She
exclaimed. “Well, Aicen Edal is power mad, but Cali is not willingly going to
take her place. That is one of the reasons we are out here. Cali is trying to
avoid being forced to partner with one of our friends. A male she isn’t in love
with.”

Vareen didn’t even see him move. One second she was arguing against what
he’d heard about Cestori and the next she
was
pulled
away from the bed to land flat on her back, with him leaning into
her. The men of Cestori were much less physical and Vareen found she liked that
Mica was more forceful.

“I don’t know. The torture part is true,” his eyes were the electric blue
again.

“We don’t inflict torture on anyone—”

“My body would disagree,” Mica pressed his lips against hers. “I’ve been
in an agony of wanting you since hearing your voice in the medical unit.” His
lips lazily worked from her lips to her neck.

“I-I’m not sure that counts.” Vareen tried to gather the thoughts in her
head. “Mica—”

“I like the way you say my name.” His lips moved back up to whisper in
her ear. The heat sent gooseflesh rising all over her body.

“Y-yes, well we need to talk—” Vareen protested. Physical intimacy was
easy. She was more than ready for that. Emotional intimacy, which she had a
sinking feeling is what Mica was demanding, was a more complicated decision.

“Words can be misleading.” He caressed her neck to her collarbone with
the
gentlest of
kisses. “With you, I
prefer to let our bodies talk.”

“Mica,” Vareen purposefully said his name sternly. “I’m not sure you
understand what I’m willing to commit to here.”

Placing her hands against his chest, she pushed him back and he allowed
the space between them. If he’d wanted, nothing she did would move him. Even
with her advanced self-defense training an opponent as large as Mica would be
hard to defeat. It was a good thing she wasn’t willing to test her abilities, at
fighting anyway. There was something she was more than eager to test with him.

 
 
“I’m willing to engage in a physical
relationship. I think we both know that I’m extremely attracted to you.”

Mica smiled, “I want you as well. More than any female I’ve ever known.”
He pressed his body into hers and Vareen had no doubts about his state of desire.
It was poking into her rather solidly.

“However,” she got out quickly before he said anything further. “I’m not
interested in anything long term.”

That got her a fierce frown. “Long term?”

“You know…permanent.” Vareen wanted to take it back when his glorious
blue eyes started to fade. The slight browning around the edges told her his
desire was waning.

“You wish for us to have sex, but that it won’t lead to anything more?” Mica
stated sadly. “When I claimed you, it meant I was interested in a committed
partnership. That is what it means to my people.”

“I’m sorry Mica. I desire you, but I’m not ready for a commitment.”
Vareen was disappointed that he wanted more from her than she could give.

“I see.” Mica seemed to think for a moment and then his eyes
burned
blue again. Vareen wasn’t sure what to
make of his sudden increase in desire. “I’ll take this moment to enjoy what you
are willing to give.”

Grabbing her into his arms, he stood up from his knees while holding her
steady. The man was impossibly strong! He left the security holding cell and
strode for the nearest guest quarters. Upon entering, he smashed his hand
against the control panel destroying it and effectively locking them in.

“There, now we won’t be disturbed.”

“Mica—”

Putting his finger against her lips he said, “No. Words aren’t important,
only this is…” then his mouth brushed against hers and all thoughts but getting
closer to Mica left her head.

*****

They talked about everything. Her days spent at the Academy. His training
to be the
leader
of his clan. Her friends
and all the trouble they would get her into. His friends and all the
responsibilities they had. She’d been right to worry that Mica was going to
destroy her defenses and it had only taken one day.

“My parent’s died when I was young and I became a ward of the state.” Mica’s
head was in her lap and she swirled her finger along his neck. At his quizzical
look,
she explained, “It means that the
government had the care of me. They supplied me with a home among other
children with no parents. Food, clothing, and an education.”

“You had no other family to turn to?”

“Couples are only allowed one offspring on Cestori. There is no one else
if a child loses his or her parents.”

“I see.” Mica’s arm was over his head and his fingers massaged her hip.
“On
Titus,
most families have many
members to take over the care of a child if the parents are lost. When my
mother died suddenly, I vowed I would protect those that I cared about. I
wouldn’t lose another loved one if I could help it.
I was grateful for the guidance of my aunts, but they weren’t my mother
and I missed her terribly.
I think they helped my sister far more than
me.”

“I’m sorry that you lost your mother.” Vareen bent to kiss
him. Then something struck her. “
What
is
a sister and aunt?” she
was
confused by the terms.

“A sister?” Mica saw her confusion and didn’t tease her. “She is a
sibling…my parents had me, then my mother got pregnant and bore my sister.
Aunts are the sisters of my mother and father.”

“Very interesting. Your mother bore you? That means your females carry
the pregnancy in their bodies?” Vareen’s fingers had moved to play absently with
his nipples. “This system would
allow
for
many extended family members. What are the males of this type of family
called?”

“Males sharing the same parent are called brothers, and my parents’
brothers are uncles to me.”

“I think I understand.” Vareen was astounded that they had that many
lines to their family trees. “You said you have a sister. What’s her name?”

“She is called
Andani
.” Mica smiled
softly, “She is at our academy learning hydrology. She has always been
fascinated with water and plans to work with the Metari clan.”

“It sounds like you have an idyllic life on
Titus,
” Vareen whispered longingly.

“I want you to come with me Var.” He was back to using the nickname he’d
chosen for her. She didn’t mind. “Make a home with me on Titus. Bear our children.”

There it was. The ultimate temptation she’d been worried about. A home, with
a male like Mica.

Vareen sat taller, “Mica. Is it possible with your special abilities that
I would get pregnant?” her mind was whirring at the implications. She refused
to admit a small part of her might not mind the decision being taken out of her
hands.

“I’m sorry Var. It’s impossible. I’ve had a procedure done that will
prevent any unwanted offspring.”

Before she could say anything further a voice rang out over the intercom.

“You have something of ours,” the voice was male, arrogant and angry.
Vareen gasped when Mica was suddenly standing and she was left holding air.

“I don’t believe it,” his eyes were flashing blue sparks.

“What’s going on?” Vareen began only to be interrupted.

“Return what belongs to us… Or else,” the voice boomed and then
The Reliant
was rocked by a blast
against the shields. Alarms blared and warning lights flashed around her room.

“Who was that?” Vareen was jerking on her
jumpsuit
while Mica grabbed his pants.

“It sounded like Drake’s brother, Varian.”

“How could that be?”

“I don’t know.” Mica shook his head. “I don’t think we have much time. I
need to know your answer Var. Will you come with me?”

“That’s not fair Mica. You aren’t giving me
time
to think about the ramifications.”

“Do you want to be with me or not? It’s simple,” Mica argued.

“No Mica, it’s not that simple. I have a duty to this ship, to the crew,
to Cali and Cestori.”

“What about your feelings?” Mica grabbed her by the upper arms, “Don’t
deny that you care for me. I won’t believe you.”

“Oh, Mica.” Vareen leaned into him, gathering his heat and strength. “I
don’t know. I can’t lie and say I’m sure of what I feel for you. I do know that
I need to see to my duties. Let me get
The
Reliant
back to Cestori—”

“You don’t know what you’re asking Var. To let you go to Cestori when I
need to return to Titus. I don’t know if I can—”

“Mica?” A voice boomed down the hall. “Where are you?”

“Temloc, in here,” he called back. “The door to this room is disabled.”

Before either of them could move, a man broke through the wall. He was
followed by two others. All of them were about the same size as Mica, with the
same coloring and wearing the clothing of the Jataci clan.

“What door?” a giant of a man similar in looks to Mica boomed out.

The males started laughing, embracing and pounding each other’s backs.
There were three other giants in the room now besides Mica and it was getting
cramped.

“Drake told us you had chosen a female from this ship. Is that true?”

Vareen stood taller at the disbelief in the male’s voice.

“There are some complications that I didn’t foresee,” Mica turned to find
her watching from the side. He pulled her into his arms, “This is Vareen Nas.
She is the science officer and second in command of this vessel. I have asked
her to be my chosen mate, but she has a duty to see this ship returned to
Cestori, and I must return to Titus. There are diplomatic issues to be resolved
and I need to speak with Drake and the council. As soon as possible I’ll be
returning for Vareen’s answer.”

The three men looked at her intently. The one in front seemed to be their
leader and spoke for them. “The others have returned to
The Maxon
and we can transport when you’re ready. We can understand
the female having a duty to this ship. Since the small captain will be
returning with Drake to Titus, that would leave this vessel without a leader.”

Then as if she didn’t concern him any longer, he turned to go back out
the hole in the wall. He pushed the two behind him to get them moving. “We need
to give Mica privacy to say
good-bye
.”

When it was only her and Mica left she put her arms around his waist and
held tight.

“The sooner we return to Titus the sooner I can find you on Cestori,”
Mica whispered gruffly. “I have to go Var.” His lips caressed hers in the
saddest
good-bye
.

“Thank you for giving me time to think
,
”
Vareen smiled, even though her heart was constricting painfully. “When you get
to Cestori we can see the sights together,” she joked feebly.

“Mica.
The Maxon
is wondering
on our status.”

“I’m coming.”

Mica kissed her desperately one last time and then left through the hole
in the wall. Turning back in the hallway he said, “I’ll be coming for your
answer soon. Be safe.”

“I will Mica,” Vareen went to say more, her hand reaching for him in the
hall. Anything to keep him with her on
The
Reliant
for a moment longer. It was too late. With a shimmering around the
edges, Mica disappeared.