Wray (7 page)

Kim laid her head against Wray’s chest and
tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn’t settle, there were too many
thoughts running through it, too many questions she didn't have the
answers to and the harder she tried to relax the more tense she
became.

“Kim…” Wray could feel her muscles
tightening, but didn’t know how to help.

“Talk to me
,
Wray,”
she pleaded, her arms wrapped around his massive biceps like a vine
clinging, holding on to the only solid thing in her life. “I need
to hear your voice.”

“What do you want me to talk about?”

“I don’t know. Anything. Everything. Tell me
about your world.”

“My world….” Wray thought about the Tornian
Empire, he had known it all his life, had loved every part of it,
but how did he describe it?

“Wray?”

Pleading eyes looked up at him and the words
poured out of him. “The Tornian Empire contains twelve main
planets, each ruled by a Lord, who reports to the Emperor, all
except for Luda.”

“Luda?” she asked, her eyes never leaving
his.

“Yes, Luda is ruled by a King. He is always a
blood relative of the Emperor and is next in line to rule if the
Emperor dies without male offspring.” He felt the tension slowly
start to leave her body as he told her about his world. “Together
they create the Assembly of Lords and rule the Empire.”

“Are all the planets the same?”

“No. Each is special in its own
right
. T
ake Vesta, it is ruled by Lord
Reeve, its lands are rich and fertile and can grow nearly every
food imaginable. Much of it is traded with the Kaliszian Empire for
power crystals and gems.” He looked down and while her eyes were
still open, they were beginning to droop. “Betelgeuse is ruled by
Lord Oryon, it is heavily forested with a great abundance of
wildlife. Many warriors travel there to hone their hunting
skills.”

“The planet I live on is called Tornian and
it has all these things, but it also has vast mineral resources
that support Tornian technology. Lord Bertos is the Lord that
oversees those things.”

“Lord Bertos?” Kim asked drowsily and found
she couldn’t keep her eyes open. “I thought the Emperor would rule
his own planet.”

Wray stiffened, then realized she was not
questioning his ability. “He does, but he leaves the day to day
worries to Lord Bertos so he can deal with the rest of the
Empire.”

“Hmm… that makes sense, I guess. Is it pretty
there?” she asked rubbing her cheek against his chest as she
snuggled deeper into his embrace.

“I think it is the most beautiful place in
all the known universes. The sky is beautiful and clear, the water
pure. There are mountains, deserts and some lands that are so flat
that you swear you can see forever. It supports so much life….”
Wray found his throat tightening as he spoke of his home. He had
never tried to express these feelings before. Embarrassed at this
show of emotion, he looked down at Kim worried she would think less
of him for having such soft thoughts. What he found was that his
words had put a soft smile on her lips and lulled her to
sleep
. L
eaning back, he rested.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Kim eyes slowly opened and she couldn’t
believe what she saw. Everything was so bright, so clear and crisp.
Every color was more, every sound pure, looking up, she saw…
everything.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

Kim turned towards the melodic voice and
discovered the most beautiful woman she has ever seen standing a
few feet away.

“Thank you.” She said bowing her head
slightly.

“I didn’t say anything.” Kim said, frowning
slightly.

“But you thought it.”

“You can read my thoughts?”

“Of course. I am the Goddess.”

“Goddess?”

“I had forgotten that you don’t know of
me.”

“Aren’t Goddess’ supposed to remember
everything?” Kim asked and immediately wished she had kept her
mouth shut as razor sharp eyes pierced hers. Lowering her gaze, she
bowed her head.

“Very good. You are learning.”

“Learning what?” Kim asked as she cautiously
peeked up.

“Why I saved you.”

“I thought Wray did that?” She quickly
lowered her eyes again and missed the Goddess’ smile.

‘
Yes, this one would do.’
She thought.
“He did because I allowed it. I gave you something to hang onto
until he could find you.”

“Warrior.” Kim whispered, remembering the
growls she had heard.

“Warrior.” The Goddess nodded in agreement.
“He loved and protected you, died protecting you and I knew if you
thought he was coming for you, you would hold on until
my
Warrior found you.”

“If you knew all that, why didn’t you save
him?”

“He served his purpose.” she said
dismissively.

“His
purpose
!” Kim hissed out angrily
as she rose to her feet. She hadn’t even known she was sitting. “He
wasn’t a
purpose
! He was a living, breathing creature and he
deserves your respect!” Kim had forgotten she was confronting a
Goddess.

“You would challenge me over him?” The
Goddess asked softly and doing no more than raising an eyebrow, had
Kim slammed onto her back.

“Yes.” Kim immediately jumped back to her
feet, her hands clenched.

“Over his worthiness?” She demanded.

“Yes.”

“Even if it meant your own death?”

Kim only paused for a moment before replying.
“Yes!”

The Goddess smiled and the universe sang.
“You will do.” She told her.

“Do? Do for what?”

“You will be my new beginning. Because of
you, my Tornian Warriors will finally realize why I have withheld
my blessing from them for so long.
You
are the
beginning.”

“The beginning of what?”

“Of a new world for all.” she said in that
enigmatic way of the Goddess as she faded away.

Waking
,
Kim
discovered she was no longer in Wray’s arms; instead, she was lying
on the hard cave floor, wrapped in a thin metallic blanket, alone.
Startled, she sat up. Where was Wray?

“Wray?” She called out softly but received no
reply. Slowly, she looked around the cave, taking in the details
she’d been too distracted to notice before.

The cave was unlike any she had ever seen on
Earth
. Granted, she
only saw them in
pictures or on television, but those caves had always appeared so
dark and cold, with little creepy crawly things in them
. J
ust thinking about it made her skin crawl. This
cave was warm
and
it had a light. Where
was the light coming from?

Standing, she cautiously moved towards one of
the walls. There was some type of feathery growth on it and it
seemed to be giving off the light. Reaching out to touch
it
,
her hand stilled when the growth
seemed to curl back into itself, its light dimming.

"They are called luciferins."

Glancing over her shoulder, Kim found Wray
coming towards her from deeper in the cave. "Luciferins?"

"Yes, they thrive in the caves on Pontus.
They live off the remains of the energy crystals that were once
mined here. In doing so, they glow."

"They're beautiful."

Wray tipped his head slightly and looked at
the luciferins. He never considered it before, but yes, they were
pleasing to look at.

"Are they dangerous to touch?" Kim asked.

"No, but it can damage them."

"Oh." Kim looked back at them, then realized
they reminded her of the coral reefs back on Earth. Beautiful and
alive, but if not treated with care, easily harmed and though she
longed to touch one, she lowered her hand. She wouldn't knowingly
harm something that was benefiting her.

"I'm sorry I was not back before you woke."
Wray said, stepping close, his eyes moving over her, searching for
any signs of harm.

"Where were you?" she asked, turning to face
him.

"I woke and needed to relieve myself."

"Oh." Kim blushed slightly, then realized she
did too. "Ummm, where?"

"Follow the luciferins, there are several
small chambers, I used the first one on the left."

Nodding, she started back then paused. "Is
there anything I should look out for?"

"Look out for?" Wray frowned at her
question.

"Animals, little creepy crawlies?" Kim made
spider-like movements with her fingers.

"No,” Wray found he had to hide his smile at
the thought she might be afraid of a little bug. “You have nothing
to worry about. There has been little life on Pontus since the
great infection."

"Why?"

"Because little grows here anymore."

"I...." Kim held up a finger, "hold that
thought." she said and quickly moved deeper into the cave.
Selecting the second chamber, she entered and found out that Wray
was right there wasn't a single bug in sight. Quickly taking care
of her needs she hurried back to Wray.

When she returned, she found he had spread
the silvery blanket out and placed a bar and the pouch of water in
the center. “Is that a survival blanket?” she asked.

“It is what warriors use to survive in harsh
conditions.”

“That’s what we use them for on Earth
to
o
.” Moving she sat down across from him
and win
c
ed. “It’s not very thick.”

“It is made to store in the smallest amount
of space, but it will keep you warm or cool depending on the
conditions.”

“Yeah.” Lifting a corner, she tossed aside
the rock she sat on before settling again, “but it’s not very
thick.” She said, giving him a little grin.

"Drink
,
Kim.” He
smiled back, gesturing to the center of the blanket. “Eat."

Suddenly Kim realized she was parched and
picked up the water pouch, but it was so light she paused.

“What is wrong
,
Kim?” Wray asked, frowning.

“There’s not much water left, shouldn’t we
wait?”

Wray’s eyebrows shot up, he had seen her
thirst and yet again, she’d considered their future needs instead
of her present ones. She was so unlike Tornian females. “There is
plenty of water
,
Kim. Drink.”

Kim eyed him suspiciously. Was he just saying
that so she would drink? “It’s nearly empty.” She informed him.

“There is more water in the back chamber. It
is the other reason the luciferins thrive here.”

Kim just looked at him. “Is that the truth?”
She finally asked and watched as his beautiful face
darken
ed
and his massive shoulders
stiffen
ed
. The softness left his gray
eyes. Suddenly she realized she insulted him. “Wray…”

“You think I lie?” He demanded harshly, his
breathing becoming ragged. Never in all his life had he ever been
accused of such a thing.

“I… I don’t kno
w.
I
mean, I don't really know you all that well and while I'd like to
think you wouldn't flat out lie to me, I do think you’d stretch the
truth if you thought it would benefit me.”

Wray just stared at her, shocked at her
observation because it was true. He
would
have told her
there was plenty of water if it meant
she
were cared for.
Somehow, in a very short amount of time she had come to know him
very well. “I would have,” he finally admitted, slowly relaxing,
“but I am speaking the truth. It is why the luciferins chose these
caves to live in. For not only are there energy crystals here, but
there is enough water to meet their needs. Do you need me to show
you this truth?” Wray waited, wondering if she would trust his
word.

“No, I don’t need to see it. I believe you.”
Lifting the pouch she took several deep swallows, then handed it to
him. When he took it, she reached for the bar. This time she had no
problem opening it. Breaking it in half, she handed Wray his share.
“So is this the only water on Pontus?” she asked, biting into her
bar, chewing slowly she waited for his answer.

“No. There is plenty of water on Pontus.”

“But you said little grew here. Why does
nothing grow if there is plenty of water? Is the soil bad?”

Wray was surprised by her question and her
interest. Their females would only care about being provided for
not how it was provided. “No. Pontus has very fertile soil. It was
once a paradise filled with life and the plants to support it. Now
there is only a very small area that still supports life.”

“The great infection changed that? Like it
changed the Ganglians?”

“Yes, it caused the majority of the planet
life here and on every other Kaliszian planet to die. Plants from
other worlds were brought in, but none survived.”

“But why?”

“Because the Goddess does not allow it. It is
her way of withholding her blessing of life from the
Kaliszians.”

“The Goddess… blessing...” Kim whispered,
frowning as her mind filtering back to her dream. It had been a
dream… right?

“Yes, she is the Goddess of all life and she
is unhappy with us.”

“You mean with the Ganglians and the
Kaliszians.”

“And with the Tornians.” Wray admitted.

“I don’t understand. If she is the Goddess of
all life, why would she prevent it?”

“Because of something that happened over five
hundred years ago.”

“What happened?” she asked curiously.

Sighing heavily, Wray looked at her. He
didn’t want to tell her. Especially after what happened to her at
the hands of the Ganglians but he would not lie to her. “Finish
your bar
,
Kim
,
and I will tell you.”

Looking down Kim was shocked to discover she
had only taken one bite
. Q
uickly she
finished it, then nodd
ed
her thanks when
Wray handed her the water to wash it down. Looking at him, she
waited for Wray to begin.