Araman's Aria Page 11

  She opened her eyes to Santari watching her, obviously intrigued by her actions.

  “What are you doing?” He asked with an amused smirk.

  “I am releasing negative energy from my body.”

  Santari nodded as if he understood. “I take it my esteemed liege is being an idiot again?” Brea nodded with a half laugh. “Yeah I know.” He sighed as he sat down in the sand. He patted a spot beside him inviting Brea to sit with him.

  “And you no doubt put him in his place?” Santari was enjoying this a little too much for Brea’s liking.

  “I only asked him to speak to me as an equal if he regards me as such.” She shook her head as she gazed out onto the setting sun. Hues of a prism lit up the sky as twilight approached.

  “Araman is a good man Brea. If he says you are an equal, then that is how he regards you in all ways. He is true to word.” He spoke earnestly.

  Brea noted the affection in Santari’s voice. “You honor him in your words.”

  “I met Araman on Terra just after he married his first wife. I was in the process of rescuing a maid from a mauler who decided that I would make a good punching bag. Araman stepped in and helped out. I bought a drink in thanks. We were young and looking for our niche and being two orphans we took on the universe together. His wife hated me by the way.” Santari grinned at her.

  “Orphan?” Brea turned her pale eyes to him. She ignored the prick of jealousy at the mention of Araman’s first wife.

  “Araman should tell you himself.” He indicated to behind her.

  “Oh.” Brea nodded at the masculine silhouette approaching.

  “Well if you will excuse me Brea, I think I see a little bird I would like to catch.” He gave her a wink and got up. He caught Araman by the arm as he walked by.

  “I think we have been joined by the Novena Intelligence. They seem very interested in my target.” Santari spoke in a hushed tone aware of Brea near by. “I’ve made contact but I am concerned about the extra players. They are not a threat at the moment but they do not look like they will stay that way for long.”

  Araman nodded with his eyes still on his concubine. “They may be here to observe what we are going to do about their delegates. Have they confirmed the contact?”

  Santari shook his head. “I don’t know if they will. I am unsure of their motives.” His lips slipped into a smile. “But there is one thing for certain.”

  “And what is that?” Araman gave his Commander an impatient look.

  “It’s sure to make this mission a little bit more interesting.”

  “Just stay alert.” Araman instructed. Santari gave a nod before heading up to the resort’s bar.

  Araman took a deep breath of the sea air staring at Brea’s backside. He had been a fool and her cool rage only exaggerated his stupidity. It surprised him when she turned and didn’t glare at him when she saw him. Instead she invited him to join her with a warm smile.

  Brea turned her gaze back to the sun almost hidden by the horizon. The ocean water turned indigo against the darkening sky. Tiny multi-colored lights emerged in the deepening black background. Sheer opaque clouds above shimmered as they drowsily drifted by. The scent in the air was more spice than flower.

  She could feel the energy of the world shift from romantic to mystic. She could feel her chakkras reaching out and connecting to her surroundings. A contradiction to her earlier pull for home she mused. Brea’s eyes rested to Araman who was waiting patiently for her attentions.

  “I owe you an apology.…” He spoke quietly. “I should not have let go on you like that.”

  “I understand.” Brea reassured him. “I forget too that sometimes my words sound more formal.” She offered shyly. Santari’s words had satisfied her enough. “You are forgiven.” She smiled at his sheepish expression.

  “May I ask you a question? It is very personal.” Brea looked up at him after a few moments of awkward silence.

  Araman glanced over to see a very serious expression on her face. He could see she had many questions. He could feel his body stiffen as the feeling that his judgment day had arrived seeped into his brain. He looked over to Brea who sat watching the surf gently lap the soft sands.

  The night suited his Shinwa witch. Even the color of her eyes deepened to more of a sage green as they met his. Unsaid words caught in his throat compelled him to look away.

  “We are on Orpeaus Six…”

  “Orpheaus.” He corrected her. He smiled at her when she dipped her head to hide her blushing.

  “We are here on Orpheaus Six,” Brea started again trying to recover her thoughts, “and if you and I are equals then I would like to learn about you.”

  Araman’s heart stopped beating as he slowly turned to her in disbelief. “You want to learn about me?” He asked her. No woman had ever wanted to understand him. He was a credit source, a title and considered a status symbol among the female ranks.

  “On Olean, I am your concubine. Here I am your equal. On Shinwa you are my lifemate. As your equal and lifemate I would like to know something about you in the same manner as you know about me.”

  “Ah.” He said understanding her. He let his guard down but only slightly.

  “Santari was telling me about when you two met. He said you were orphans.” Brea glanced up to him. “Are you?”

  Araman nodded. “My father was the Commandant of Military Operations before he died when I was sixteen. I do not know anything about my mother.” He picked up a handful of sand and let it slip through his fingers as he thought. “I only remember her hair. It was very much like yours but not as dark.” He dropped his head and shut his eyes quelling the rising surge of emotions. “She disappeared when I was a child. When I asked my father about it, his only answer was that she was disposable.”

  “So that is why you did not want me.” Brea said.

  “Not want you?” Araman’s head shot up to meet hers. He was shocked by her assessment.

  “You did not want a concubine. I was told I would not last long because of it.”

  Araman shook his head. He hadn’t realized his opinions were that well known through out the ranks.

  “You are correct. I did not want a concubine.” He admitted before taking her hand. “I did not want the responsibility of caring for another life when mine is sometimes at risk. I did not want the complications a concubine would cause.” His eyes scanned the calm water. Araman smiled.

  “And there you stood in front of me,” he caught her gaze in his, “sending my emotions on a Terrian roller coaster ride. I hadn’t a clue what hit me. Still don’t.” He teased Brea who was smiling up at him. “I may not have wanted a concubine, but I sure as Frigg wanted you.”

  “Then that is a good thing.” She decided out loud. Araman chuckled at her announcement. “You know you are a very handsome man when you smile.” Brea told him.

  “And you are a very beautiful witch Lyra.” Araman pulled her onto his lap. “The more you entrance me with your Shinwa ways the more I want to be caught up in your web.” A finger trailed the outline of her jaw.

  “Araman…” Only his name was uttered as his lips silenced Brea.

  He cradled her with one arm, as Araman’s free hand roamed exploring her curves. She turned into him wanting to feel the strength of his rock solid torso beneath her hands and body. Her fingers came up along his strong cheekbones and into his blond hair. Even it held strength to her touch.

  Araman’s lungs filled with her aroma of cinnamon. It was bolder, stronger and hotter than ever before as it crept into his senses. He could taste the erotic spice on her lips as he kissed her, teasing her lips with his. He felt the heat of her spicy need against his own driving him further into the volcano she was creating.

  A crash from behind them drew them apart. A man’s angered voice penetrated the air but the words were lost with the distance. Only the tone carried.

  “Santari.” Araman looked to Brea. “Frigg!” He cursed.

  They both scrambled up f
rom the sand and rushed in the direction of the voice.

  Chapter Eight

  Santari stood with a young startled woman behind him as Brea and Araman reached the resort deck. He was staring down three rather large men holding a pistol shaped weapon. Each man held the intent to kill on their expressions as they keened on the Commander.

  Araman assessed the situation with a quick look. Santari had made contact with the Oleander underling and apparently so did the Novena Intelligence with both. He glanced over to Brea who stood with a rigid back as she watched with a calm face.

  “Go back to the suite.” He instructed her.

  Cool green eyes turned up to him and then to Santari. “I go no where Commandant.”

  “Brea.” He voiced warned her.

  “I go no where.” She growled with such intensity that Araman knew enough to leave her alone. He turned his look to the situation secretly proud of the warrior in her.

  A weapon pointed to Brea’s direction as another aimed to Araman as two of the three aggressors greeted them. She slipped out of her shoes needing the freedom her bare feet would allow.

  “I see, Commander Santari, you are not alone on the mission.” The tallest of the three spoke with his eyes on Brea. Araman did not like the look on the man’s apish face. He noted the look on her face was too intent on her foe to listen to what they were saying, much to Araman’s relief.

  Brea watched as the agent moved. Despite his brawn and large frame he was sluggish in his movements. A gleam came to her eye. She could feel her muscles tighten as she positioned herself, readying for the attack.

  He looked at her, with her tiny hands flat and open to each other raised in front of her chest and face. The Novenian laughed at her.

  “The woman thinks she can fight me.” He leered at her. “I’ll be glad to teach you a lesson or two.” He licked his lips.

  “I don’t think so.” The one with his firearm pointed at Araman said, when the Commandant moved towards his concubine.

  “Enough!” An impatient rough voice shouted out. The two threatening Brea and Araman looked back to the one cornering Santari and the woman he protected. “Give us the Oleander and we will go peacefully.” He leveled a gaze at Santari’s narrowed reddish-brown ones.

  Santari shook his head. “Sorry can’t do that.” His eyes never left his threat. “Araman just remember, I did not start this one.”

  “No.” Brea’s calm lilt spoke up. “I did.”

  She propelled herself into the air and did two back flips before her feet met with the Novenian agent’s upper torso. The impact forced the air from his lungs dropping him to his knees as he clutched his chest still holding his weapon. Landing crouched she watched as he stood on his knees with his eyes wide with surprise at her attack.

  He slowly moved the weapon in her direction. She jumped up and over him with her elbow making contact with his head. He fell face first onto the floor.

  “Brea!” Araman warned her. He watched as she ejected herself into the air and behind the bar for protection just as a discharge passed through the empty space where she had just stood. Her speed amazed him from the corner of his eye as he dealt with his own matter.

  She peered up from the edge of the counter to see the men battling it out with their fists. The woman Santari protected was looking around frantically for a place to hide.

  “Here.” Brea motioned her over. The woman looked pale and as though she was about to release the contents of her stomach.

  Just as she scrambled to beside Brea, Santari’s fist gave his opponent a final blow before the man slumped to the floor. He looked over to Araman who was still embroiled in the brawl.

  A beam of light shot upward, sizzling a part of a beam in the ceiling above Santari’s head just as the one Araman was fighting landed on his backside, sprawled out on a table.

  “Hand over the woman.” The weapon pointed to Araman’s head. It was the Novenian that had been fighting Santari. He got up and moved carefully towards the Commandant. His weapon aimed directly at the heart.

  Brea stealthy moved out from behind the shield of the bar before Santari could stop her. From her vantage point she could not see Araman but knew he stood from the height the man held the weapon. She saw him limp slightly.

  Santari only saw Brea smile before she disappeared out of his sight. A scream of pain made him shoot up his head above the bar for fear it was Araman. Instead he saw Brea in her odd crouch on top of the man’s back with her fingers pointed like sharpened blades at his skull.

  “Get off me, you.…”

  Brea dug her feet into his spine as he screamed. Araman approached and knelt to be heard only by the Novenian thug.

  “You tell your Prime Ruler if he wishes for Olean’s help not to interfere again.” He whispered against the man’s ear. Araman stood up and crushed the weapon under his foot. “Take your men and leave.”

  Araman held out a hand for Brea and helped her off of the injured man’s back. He could not hide the pride in his eyes when he took her hand. Santari swore he saw the man’s chest puff out as he smiled to Brea.

  The other two agents stumbled over and roughly pulled their humiliated comrade up off the floor. Araman moved Brea back with Santari who held a weapon on the three intruders. Santari tsked them shaking his head.

  “Never mess with an Olean on furlough.” Santari warned. “I will be glad to escort you off the planet.”

  A military squadron for Orpheaus Six showed up ready for battle. One stepped forward from the line up and looked over to Santari.

  “My apologies for our late arrival. It seems you have everything under control.”

  “Took you guys long enough.” Santari moved back allowing the troop to take over the prisoners.

  The guard looked rather sheepish. “It is the night Commander.”

  “Yeah, yeah I know. The planet of pleasures and all that crap.” He shook his head. “Just get rid of them so I can continue on with my vacation.”

  “Aye sir.” The head guard started issuing orders as if he knew what he was doing. “I suggest Commanders that you retire in order for us to carry out our investigation.” He turned to Araman who answered with a stiff Olean salute. “We request you do not go anywhere for a day or two in case you are needed for questioning.”

  Santari looked over to the petite curvy blonde with a smile. “I know of a great place for food and drinks.” He offered.

  “Does nothing faze you?” She asked as he led her off the deck and towards his suite.

  “Only you.”

  Araman groaned at his friend’s attempt to be smooth and charming but the young lady seemed to melt at his words. He guided Brea following Santari’s direction to their suite wanting to get out of the investigation well on the way.

  Brea slipped her hand into Araman’s and looked up at him. “We must cleanse.” She took a step and gazed up at him expectantly to follow her. He raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Cleanse?”

  She nodded. “After a Shinwa engages in a fight, he or she must cleanse their minds and bodies from the negative energies.”

  “I see.” Araman said. “And what happens if you don’t?” He removed his hand from hers and put it around her waste as he guided her back their suite.

  “I was taught that if you do not cleanse, your enemy’s energy will weaken your own.” Brea explained as her feet sank into the sand. She stopped for a moment, turned abruptly and ran back to the resort deck.

  Araman was puzzled by her actions until she came running back with her shoes in her hand. She hesitated when he chuckled at her then broke out into a grin and hurried to join him.

  “Tell me Brea, do all Shinwa fight like you?” Araman asked nearing the glass doors.

  “No. Some fight with weapons, others fight with energy. Because I am smaller, I was taught intimate warfare. All know how to protect themselves.”

  “Are the men just as venerable?” He followed her inside sliding the doors shut.

  “No. Th
eir chakkras are linked to their organs but they are not in danger of shattering like the women.” She told him looking around the room.

  “Something amiss?” He headed to the kitchenette for a pot of double strength Terrian coffee.

  “Yes, we will need candles, and soft drums mixed with water and wind within music.”

  Araman opened a cupboard that hid a console for the internal computer. He pressed a few keys and Brea’s wishes were filled.

  “Anything else?”

  “Yes.” Brea smiled over to him, “food.”

  Araman laughed as he opened the small fridge and brought out a plate of cheese and cold meat. “Some where there will be bread or crackers.” He opened a door beside the fridge and pulled out a basket. “Here we go.” He brought the trays over to where Brea sat looking out at the surf.

  Araman retrieved a couple of glasses of white wine before settling in beside her. “I now understand why Oleander wanted you to train their underlings.” He reached for a cracker.

  Brea took a bit of cheese then sipped her wine thinking before responding. “What you saw earlier was only basic. What Oleander wanted me to instruct was a more intimate form of warfare.”

  “A more intimate form of warfare?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

  She swallowed and nodded putting her glass down. “Most species of men have physical traits that if hit can render them.…” she thought of the word without the help of her translator, “useless?”

  Araman smiled. “Incapacitated, unconscious, paralyzed?”

  “Yes all three.” Brea said very seriously. “It depends on where and how hard you hit physically and with your energy. These areas cannot be hit with any effect from a distance. You must be close to execute the blow.”

  “Like the groin.” Araman grimaced at the thought.