Araman's Aria Read online

  “Why?” Brea looked up him. “Is pleasuring one’s self not a topic for discussion?”

  Araman slid an arm along the base of her spine and directed her towards the sitting area. “Not when it is with my second-in-command that you are discussing it with.” He whispered in her ear as he settled her into a seat.

  “You would prefer I discuss it with you?” Her jade eyes looked at him through her lashes. Araman did not mistake her flirtatious look.

  “I would definitely prefer it.” Araman took her hand and brought it to his cheek. His blue eyes locked with hers as she met his stare. The heat between them grew until a cough from across caused both their heads to turn in its direction.

  Santari gave another little sound as though he was clearing his throat. He glanced up to Brea and Araman trying to feign disgust with them. His smirking at his love struck Commandant ruined the mask.

  “I hate to sound like I am a broken audio disk but could you make it a little less obvious you’re ignoring my presence.”

  Araman chuckled and agreed as he sat on the side of the chair with his hand lazily resting on Brea’s back. “Alright Santari, you have our undivided attention.” He smiled down at Brea.

  “Some how I’m thinking it’s a little more divided.” He rolled his eyes to the viewer. “Looks like its going to be quite a show.”

  The view was a fog of neon pink screen as they entered the outer territory of Orpheaus Six. The dust caught in the gas cloud reflected from the huge single sun in the center of the dancing solar system. The vessel maneuvered around large columns of gaseous billows climbing up to reach the black of space forming the gateway to the galaxy.

  As the vessel straightened out, the screen filled with glittering waves of the iridescent dust of long ago destroyed asteroids caught in the outer orbit of its enchanting solar system. The teal sparkling ocean turned to sapphire blue, then emerald green and back to teal as the flyer turned towards the shimmering pearl in the center. The entire galaxy was a dance of seduction as it gently swayed in deep rich colors as the vessel neared its destination.

  The pearly planet emanated curved rays of prismatic colors that flashed like brilliant diamonds when they mingled in the sunlight. Even the triple moons orbiting Orpheaus Six looked like large polished gemstones placed in a row to accent the world’s radiant ionosphere.

  “Some things you just can’t see sitting in quarters.” Araman whispered in Brea’s ear.

  She nodded not tearing her eyes away from the kaleidoscopic colors of Orpheaus Six. “It is truly a bewitching galaxy.”

  “On the surface the air is so soft you can barely feel it and the water is like silk across your skin.” His words tickled her neck. “When you walk on the sand, you think you’re walking on clouds.” Brea glanced up into Araman’s warm blue eyes. “It’s a planet created for pleasure.” He caught her lips briefly in his.

  “Remind me never to take furlough with you two again.” Santari stood up. “Does anyone else find it hot in here or is it just me?” He headed to the bar. “Drink anyone or am I still invisible?” He proceeded to add whatever he touched into the shaker.

  Araman removed himself from the arm of the chair chuckling at Brea’s blushing. “Don’t worry about his moaning Lyra, Santari never suffers for long.” He moved to the bar as Santari poured out another concoction. His blue eyes watched as Brea excused herself to freshen up before landing.

  “Contact will be made with six lunar hours of arriving once the target has been located.” Santari said once Brea had disappeared out of the room. He took a drink. “It should be simple enough.”

  “Be careful. Never underestimate your target.” Araman warned him.

  “I’m not some virgin underling.” Santari said. “I’ll watch my back.”

  “That’s what I’m doing.” He took a swallow of his drink. Araman swallowed then set the tumbler down glaring. “That’s disgusting.”

  “Yeah, I think it needs a little work.” Santari agreed glancing at his watch. “I’ve got to report in before landing.” He moved out from behind the bar and towards the lift doors. “Try not to steam the place up before I get back.”

  Brea stepped out just as Santari was leaving. She watched him disappear behind the doors and looked at Araman questioningly.

  “He is checking on the arrangements at the resort.” Araman didn’t like lying to her but he had to keep her safe. He lifted the glass to take a drink and then thought better of the idea. The moment seemed awkward.

  Brea stared at the door contemplating the Commander. “He is not Olean is he?”

  “Who? Santari?” Araman looked in her direction. She rested her pale jade eyes on him and gave a little nod.

  “Actually he is half Oleander and half Olean.” Araman indicated to the seat beside him before continuing.

  “And yet he fights against Oleander?” Brea asked sitting on the stool facing him with her knees resting against his thigh.

  “He has his reasons. His mother is Oleander and when she found she was impregnated with Olean inferior seed, according to Santari, she at least had the mercy in her to give him life before disposing of him.

  I have learned that he was raised by his father and was never acknowledged by his mother who now sits as the Regency of Oleander. He tried once to contact her but her reply to him was that she had no son. It is written in the records that she has daughters only.”

  Brea shook her head. “Are all women on Oleander like that?”

  “Oleander is a matriarchal world.” Araman shifted around to face her. He took her hands in his. “Olean and Oleander were once communal with each other. As in all democratic societies there is always one faction, which is radical. Unfortunately, they got in as the ruling party of Oleander and slowly they began to phase out much of the male influence. With the changes the males began to migrate to Olean. From there the battle of the sexes got worse. Oleander began disrupting our trade with other planets and our diplomatic missions, claiming we were not listening and giving in to their demands. They wanted sole rule of the galaxy and Olean was not about to let that happen. It became a cold war for territory.

  Oleander women evolved to be hardened warriors. They will use any means to get what they want. They do not want peace with Olean. Each generation that takes over, is more determined that the Oleander race is the superior one.”

  “How did he become part of the Olean military?” Brea leaned in closer intently learning about Santari.

  “I convinced him. As much as the man is a pain in the ass some days, his knowledge of Oleander and Terra is invaluable. He knows what the blueprints don’t.”

  “He fights against his mother.” Brea summed up.

  “He fights against a society that puts one sex as superior over another.” Araman corrected.

  “But so does Olean, thinking women are disposable.”

  Araman shook his head. “Olean women are our equals in positions, status and work place roles. Concubines are normally Oleander and concubines are considered prisoners of war. In accordance to the war acts under the Universal United Planets agreement, prisoners are to be treated fairly and with respect to their talents, they will be put to work as the prisoner deems.”

  “I was not given a choice.” Brea reminded him.

  “I know.” He said. “I have tried to find the answers as to why but it does not matter.” She glared at him before Araman smiled at her and swept her onto his lap. “I have figured out that the fates were going to toss you on my lap in one way or another.”

  She relaxed against his hard chest as his arms engulfed her. Brea felt safe and secure against him. He would protect her. She could feel he was still holding something back from her but his features revealed nothing when she glanced upward. Her soft green eyes rested on his lips.

  She raised a hand to the back of his head and guided his mouth down to meet hers. The instant her lips met his, a spark ignited a fire that spread throughout her body. Her mouth opened to his as his tongue invited hers t
o dance.

  Araman’s hand slid up the silky material of the jumper. He smiled to himself when Brea pushed her breast into his hand demanding to be caressed by his experienced fingers. He lost himself in her sensuous spicy scent filling his mind with thoughts of burying himself in her.

  “For Frigg’s sakes!” Santari’s voice cut through the sexually energized air. “Can’t I leave you two alone for ten minutes without you mauling each other?” He grinned at Brea’s squeak of surprise.

  Brea groaned and hid her reddening face in Araman’s chest. She could feel the rumblings of his amusement at her reaction deep within his chest.

  “Lyra, ignore my underling's taunting.” Araman hugged her against him. “He is merely jealous of not having a mate of his own.”

  “Right, let’s go with that.” Santari cracked as he pointed to the screen. “You might be interested to know that we will soon be disembarking.”

  The viewer showed Orpheaus Six encompassing the entire screen. A flash of red, then orange and lastly yellow told the men they had just entered the planet’s atmosphere. The yellow burst faded revealing a lavender colored sea spanning across the horizon.

  Araman helped Brea onto her feet before standing himself. He glanced casually to his commander.

  “The arrangements for furlough have been confirmed?”

  Santari nodded recognizing the coded question. “The rooms are waiting for our arrival and I have had confirmation the place is teeming with single lonely women waiting for me. Having caught a sneak peek via the telecom, there is one who definitely has my curiosity raised. Looks like a challenge.”

  Araman shook his head at Santari with a mask of disgust. Internally he read the cryptic reply as the target was confirmed and the mission was a go. He watched over his head as the viewer went blank, mulling a gut feeling. It was a feeling as though once again things were becoming a little too easy for them.

  He looked over at Santari who, by the serious look on his face, was obviously feeling the same way. The conversation would have to wait for when Brea was out of earshot.

  “They are predicting a wave of storms this time of year. We have been advised to proceed on our furlough with caution. We do not want to be caught by one of these storms. It seems they can be extremely hostile and violent.” Santari’s reddish brown eyes caught Araman’s.

  “Yes, having been caught in one myself, we will not be straying far from the resort.” Araman gave a slight nod to Santari. Araman silently cursed. Unidentified moles were crawling around making things a little more difficult. It did not ease the thought that maybe the whole thing was a trap.

  A chime ended their coded messaging as the navigator’s voice came over the internal communicator. “We have arrived Commandant. The orderlies will be arriving shortly to escort you and your guests to the resort. We will contact you before we arrive to retrieve you. Have a pleasant stay.”

  “Why do I get the feeling he used to work for the Travel Borough before his stint with the military?” Santari asked with a shake of his head at the navigator’s chipper tone.

  Araman shrugged as the lift doors opened. Two nervous orderlies stood with their luggage waiting for the trio to step into the lift. Araman glared at the two underlings with daggers of ice as he led Brea into the elevator.

  “This is going to be pleasant.” Santari muttered under his breath as he followed. He placed himself on the other side of Brea as the lift doors shut.

  The ride of three floors was done in stony silence. Brea was relieved when the door opened to the foyer leading to the exit. Sandwiched in between the two large men, she was escorted off the flyer and into a waiting motorized cart.

  The three were taken aback by the lack of a driver as the cart sped its way to the end of the pavement and down a dirt road cutting through a thick tropical jungle. The large oval leafed trees bowing above diffused birds calling and other exotic sounds from the unseen creatures lurking in the gigantic palm trees.

  The air whipping her hair was warm and velvety as it hit Brea’s cheeks from the speed of the vehicle. There was a hint for floral mixed with salt water and sand in the aroma. She caught the glimpse of something soaring in the air above and craned her neck to see what it was.

  Instead her green eyes looked upon pastel pink clouds drifting lazily under an iridescent pale blue sky. Brea wondered how the sky could twinkle with the hint of stars during the day. Araman caught her attention and pointed to the side of the jungle path.

  He directed her attention to a large trunk where several little furry mammals were running up to the top. She saw a blond stripe against the brown down each little rodent’s back. The tails of the little creatures was larger than the body and very bushy with a curl at the tip.

  “What are they?” Brea asked.

  “Tree Nut Tuggas.” Araman told her. “They are called that for the sound they call out. If you listen you can hear it at night.”

  The driverless cart slowed down where the trees met sand and bumped itself up onto a stone road. The creamy white sand blended into the lilac colored tides as they swelled back. The peacefulness of the water’s motion washed over her as her eyes scanned as far as she could see. The sight and sound of water lapping gently at the shore caused Brea’s heart to suddenly ache for Shinwa.

  She stiffened. Cold fear washed over her as the pull for home waned. She glanced up to Araman and then down to the floor. She tried to convince herself it was only a warning and not the actual call.

  Araman felt Brea go rigid beside him. He knew something was amiss all of a sudden. His eyes glazed over in ice as he surreptitiously glanced around ensuring it was safe. He caught Santari’s attention and indicated to Brea with his eyes that something was wrong.

  Santari frowned as he slyly cast his eyes about. He could see nothing amiss but he automatically went on high alert for anything that was. He hated starting a mission like this. He much preferred infiltrating and retrieving. Missions like this, to Santari, had too many factors that could go wrong. Including entrapment.

  Araman moved closer to Brea and placed his arm around her back as the resort came into view. It was a large sprawling and spacious construction. Backside of the building faced the thick jungle with the front exposed to the sand and sea.

  The vehicle came to a stop in front of an open veranda as two young boys ran down the steps to greet the newest arrivals. Araman helped Brea to the ground as eager little hands grabbed the luggage.

  “This way,” the taller of the dark-haired boys pointed through the veranda and to the outer edge of the building. They didn’t look back to see if guests were following as they headed through to the other side.

  They followed the youngsters carrying their grips to the glass sliding doors of their suites. Each held up a small disc for each of the men to take after setting down the luggage.

  “Your keys sirs.” They handed over the discs before scampering off.

  “They didn’t wait for a tip.” Santari marveled.

  “Check your expenses at the end of the trip.” Araman told him inserting the key into the slit at the side of the doors.

  “Please stand for scanning of identification.” A melodic voice chimed from the smooth marble walls. A beam came down and scanned Araman. “You may enter.” The door slid open.

  Araman guided Brea through the door first into the cream and silver room. Two matching sofas faced each other in the middle divided by a large oval opaque coffee table. To the left of the twin sofas sat a fully stocked kitchenette with a table for two in front of a glass wall looking onto the calm surf.

  A spiral staircase leading to the sleeping loft upstairs caught Brea’s eyes. The filigree of the metal had been molded into small palm leafs fanning up and around the railing of the stairs and the edging of the loft.

  She counted eleven tiers of the crystal chandelier hanging from the high ceiling in the middle of the room. Each level of the fixture was made up of various lengths of crystal icicles with pointed tips gleaming from the natu
ral light through the large windows.

  Araman brought their grips into the Roman style bathroom with the large round tub in the middle of the floor. He placed the cases on a large marble counter top opposite the sinks and doorway to the lavatory. The room continued the silver and cream theme with mosaic tile of diamonds framing the outer edge of the bathtub.

  “Where is the shower?” Brea asked looking in the doorway.

  Araman grinned. “I thought it would be safer if I requested a bathing unit to ensure no extra expenses for damages.”

  Her eyes twinkled at his jest. “Good thinking.” Brea nodded as her lips pulled into a smile.

  “I could use a cup of Terrian coffee.” Araman said heading back to the main area. “Care for a cup.”

  “Please.” Brea’s voice followed behind him. “If it is permitted.…”

  “Enough!” Araman’s sharp tone startled her. “You are my equal Brea, I will not tolerate you asking permission every time I turn around. I don’t give a Frigg where we are, you are not my slave!”

  Brea drew back her shoulders and raised her chin. Her eyes narrowed and went frigid as she met his angry look.

  “I was going to ask if it was permitted by the…” Her translator was useless as she struggled to remember where they were. “Resort, to walk along the shore. There are times during the mating of the sea creatures they are on the beach in my world. And considering the storm warnings I was only questioning if it was safe.”

  Her nose went higher in the air as she pierced his ire, “If you wish me to believe that I am your equal, Commandant, you will stop speaking to me as though I was your underling.” The words were calm but the tone implied a boiling undercurrent.

  Brea tore her gaze and left him standing in the suite as she headed out the doors for much needed fresh air. She removed her shoes without thinking to walk on the silky sand still fuming from Araman’s arrogance. There were times he was so sweet with her that it baffled her when he was acting like a rutting male left out of the mating.

  The sun was setting as she stood letting her feet enjoy the sensations of the water lapping gently over them as it reach land. Brea took a deep breath of the soft floral air and held it. It slowly released taking her anger with it as she consciously pushed it from her. She brought her hands in front of her heart pressing them together adding more force as she inhaled and exhaled.