Araman's Aria Read online

  “No General.” He gave a curt nod while trying to hold the struggling animal. For something so little, it was difficult to hold onto.

  “And Commandant,” Herse stopped Araman before he could leave. “The dog was going merely for a physical to ensure his health and then was going to be brought to your concubine.”

  “My apologies General.” Araman offered. “It will not happen again.”

  “Your confinement will extend another lunar week Commandant.” Herse added. “I believe the break from duty will do you good.” He turned and left the guards to escort the Commandant to his quarters via the lift. A smile tugged at his puffy lips as a rumble left the Commandant’s throat.

  As they rode up the elevator to Araman’s residence, he took a look at the little dog. Its back was black with tan on his shoulders and hips. His legs and chest were white. Long soft faun colored ears framed the little square face. The black nose on the end of his muzzle looked like it was too big for him. The eyes were coffee brown and like his mistress they were outlined with a thick black line.

  A pink tongue came out of the mouth and licked his face. The startled look on Araman’s face was enough to make the two rigid guards break out in a chuckle. They quit under the angry stare of Araman but they could not hide their smiles when he turned his back on them as the lift slowed to his stop.

  He stepped into his hallway and could see no sign of Brea. He let the little pup go who put his nose to the ground the minute his feet touched. The tail started to wag as he followed the scent into Araman’s bedroom.

  He stepped from the hallway to see her crouch down and swoop the excited little guy into her arms. The little dog squirmed and licked her on the cheek several times. He let out a little yip to be put down. The little dog ran around her and then around Araman and back to Brea who was still crouched down, greeting her in wriggling delight.

  He spied the rumpled bed. It slowly dawned on Araman that Brea was without any clothes as he stared at the lines of her bent profile. She had shapely legs that met to a firm round bottom and slender hips that graduated to her back hidden by the length of her hair. Araman stared at the color wondering if it was black on gold or gold on black. He wanted to bury his face in her hair to see if it was as silken as it looked to be.

  He wondered why she was without clothing before a pang of guilt hit Araman. He had told her to get rid of the cape. He inwardly groaned at his stupidity. She must have thought he meant her to wait in the bedroom for his return.

  Araman went into his dressing room and pulled out his silky blue kimono. He brought it over and dropped it over her shoulders.

  “I had forgotten you have nothing to wear.” His glance swept appreciatively over her curves as she put the robe on. “It suits you.” He watched as some of the fear faded from her eyes.

  “Thank you.” Brea blushed as she turned her head back to the puppy. “Thank you for my Beebles.”

  “Beebles?”

  “It is my pet’s name.” Brea wrapped the tie around her slender waist and put it in a knot to hold. The robe was miles too long for her as she held up the hem to walk. “He needs to relieve himself.”

  “He is a cute little guy.” Araman watched as the pup looked outside and gave a little whine. “He is a Beagle isn’t he?”

  Brea nodded. “He was a gift to me. Beebles jumped out of his master’s arms and ran to me. I was only part of the crowd to greet the Ambassador. The little puppy would not leave my side as if he chose me. The Ambassador was amused that Beebles was more content to stay with me and decided that I needed him.” Beebles cocked his head and let out another whimper. “He needs to relieve himself.” She said again.

  “What does he require?” Araman asked.

  “Grass and a tree.” Brea gestured to outside. She clasped her hands together and dropped her head unsure if she should be requesting such things.

  “Watch.” He came up beside her and led her over to where her pup sat. “Computer, modifications.”

  “Yes Commandant Diago.” A female voice chimed from somewhere. Brea’s head was turning in all directions looking for it. “What modifications would you like Commandant?”

  “Bring outer wall in eight feet of the sleeping section. Place rails, grass, a flower garden and a tree.”

  Before Brea’s eyes, the wall moved over and behind them as grass grew under her feet. A large leafy green tree appeared in middle with branches that stretched the entire width of the newly modified balcony. Rails rose up around the edge and locked together while a beam traveled along the tops of the rails connecting the metal rods.

  “Please select an area for a garden?” The voice asked.

  Wherever he chose just by pointing, a collection of flowers would bloom within seconds of the command. He had the computer generate a vine of roses to entwine itself in the rails allowing for more privacy. Brea bent down to smell the sweet scent wafting from the blooms.

  “Ow!” She pulled back her hand and turned her hand over to see a bright red dot form on her finger. She looked over at Araman coming towards her. “It bit me.” She glowered at the plant putting her finger to her mouth.

  Araman chuckled. The sound surprised Brea. He took her hand and inspected her injury. Her hand felt warm in his palm, igniting tiny sparks that was traveling directly to his senses. He looked down to the delicate hand. Her fingers were slender that tapered into oval well-kept nails.

  He caught himself under her inquisitive gaze, admiring her hand. Araman straightened himself dropping her hand as though it had just burned him. He cleared his throat and gestured towards the plant.

  “The rose has thorns to protect its beauty.” He explained. He reached over and lifted a leaf to show her.

  Brea was caught in the warming of his blue eyes. She looked away from his gaze and glanced around the area that was once a part of his bedroom that was now a scenic setting for her pet to relieve himself. It was an awkward moment for her.

  “What of the clean up?” She glanced away from the pup sourcing out a spot.

  “The computer will take care of that as well.”

  “And how do we get back in?” Brea asked facing the domed glass of his bedroom.

  “Walk through the glass. It will part for you.” He urged her forward. She called her pup over and picked him up. She cast a wary glance to Araman who gave a nod.

  Brea took a deep breath then closed her eyes as she put a tiny foot part way into the wall. She grinned as the wall opened like a pool rippling from a stone tossed in. She looked back still smiling at Araman before stepping completely in.

  Araman’s heart pounded against his ribs when he saw the smile she flashed before entering. He could hear Santari’s mocking laughter in the back of his head for trying to impress the exotic little concubine. It was a sound, Araman decided, he would have to get used to.

  Chapter Two

  Brea stood watching the sky turning purple as the sun faded bringing the stars out. She relished the moment alone. Araman explained he had paper work to do and excused himself to a corner of the living space to work. He had left her to her own devices. She wandered outside with Beebles at her heels unsure of what to think.

  That morning she was summoned to the Oleander Intelligence Division to be offered a teaching position in the art of sexual warfare. That night she was the concubine to the Olean Intelligence Commandant and wondering if she would need to use what she taught. Brea looked back to the bedroom. She would need to assess the situation she decided. Her head looked back to the darkening night. Her thoughts returned to earlier.

  A large faced older man watched as she was brought to a holding cell. He came forward and asked her who she was and her reason for entering Olean territory. She explained her business and was denied any leniency for her ignorance.

  “Ignorance is not a reason or excuse. Under Olean Military Law you are considered chattel and therefore under Military Law will service the men in their sexual needs.” Brea had gasped at what he decreed. He continued, �
�You are to be given to the Commandant Araman to be used as his for his needs. You are now his belonging to be treated and dressed as he sees fit. You won’t have to worry about being there long, he doesn’t want a concubine.” He gave her a leering smile before taking her into the next officer. She shuddered involuntarily.

  A sigh escaped her lips. She was given a safe word if she needed to terminate her service but only if bodily harm has been committed.

  “If an officer harms you physically,” she was informed, “you are to use your safe word, and you will be removed from his service. You will then be placed in a more suitable environment. If placed in too many homes you will be disposed of.” Brea asked out of curiosity what would happen to the officer.

  “Dishonorably discharged for sexual misconduct. It is the gravest of charges to be levied against a military man.”

  “And has it happened?” Brea asked choosing not to pursue the disposal comment.

  “Yes, and all men are now shunned from civilian life as well.”

  It gave her little comfort. For all her knowledge that was passed to her, she was still unbreached. She knew how to use it to hurt a man and bring him down but to use the arts to please a man was a foreign concept to her. The art of seduction would be lost on a man like the one she was now forced to call master.

  Brea decided sitting down on the grass that he was at least pleasant to look at when he wasn’t scowling at her. His eyes flashed between the color of ice and blue flames when he angered. He was good looking with a strong jaw, angular cheekbones and clean cut. The Commandant terrified her by his sheer height alone.

  She had no idea what to expect. Beebles bounded over to her and crawled in her lap. He let out a squeak as he yawned letting her know he was tired. The little dog curled up in her lap and went sound asleep. She idly stroked his ears while her eyes took in the brilliance of the Olean night sky.

  Stars seem to dance in a mist of iridescent clouds leisurely floating by. The indigo of night set upon igniting even more was dazzling lights of pink, green and blue. Brea was mesmerized at the colors’ brilliance as they changed before her eyes. Moons appeared in every size and each was opalescent as they competed for attention from the stars. She was so entranced by the sight; she did not notice when Araman settled beside her.

  He had stood back watching her before approaching, just watching her look at the sky. He didn’t have time to look after a concubine. A main reason for his denying himself one. He too spent time away from home. It meant Brea would be with him on a mission or in the heat of battle. The thought churned in his stomach.

  Concubines were disposable according to the military like a sock. If one were lost, another would replace it. Araman shook his head. Who could possibly replace Brea? The idea of losing her already made his chest tighten. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

  She must be a witch, he decided walking towards her. She cast a spell and now he was falling under it. He never gave a woman this much thought in so little a time. It wasn’t that he didn’t like women, he did. Araman enjoyed them as much as the next virile Alpha male would permit himself. He didn’t have the time for them or their emotions. A concubine meant both.

  The gold in her hair reflected the soft light from the night sky he noted as he sat down on the grass. He stretched out and propped himself up on his elbows casting his gaze skyward. Araman would never tire of the view of his night sky.

  “Which is your moon?” The question came softly.

  “Our moon hasn’t risen yet. It will be the largest of them all once it rises.” Araman explained.

  “Shinwa has one moon and yellow stars that we see each night.” Brea glanced to him.

  “Our time is based on the moon. Every three hundred lunar days, our moon and Oleander’s moon eclipse looking like only one. It is the only day we set aside our differences and celebrate.” He pointed in the night sky. “You see the moon there?” Brea looked at the direction and nodded. “It will become bigger as our two planets near.”

  “I can not mate with you.” She blurted out. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hands. Immediately her head dropped. She had no idea where that thought came from.

  Araman raised an eyebrow at her. Her bluntness intrigued him. “And why not?”

  Brea did not answer, as she was too mortified to even look at him. He sat up placing an arm behind her back and leaned into her. She could smell his citrus aftershave as he moved himself closer.

  “And why not Concubine?” He cupped her face with his hand and forced her to face him. “You can not deny me anything.” He reminded her, “you are mine to command.”

  Her eyes met his. “Then you must command me.”

  “I command you to tell me why you can not mate with me?” He released his grip.

  “I am Shinwa.” She said simply expecting him to understand.

  “Explain.” He admired the way her nose rounded softly like the rest of her.

  “If a Shinwa woman mates with a man, she is bound to him physically.”

  “How do you mean physically?” Araman drank in her fragrance.

  “If I were to mate with you, my body will form inside to only accommodate you upon our first mating. No other man will be able to mate with me because my body will not accept his. In Shinwa women the heart is directly connected to each of the chakkras. It is our web within.” She indicated the points with a flowing hand from the top of her head, down to her mouth, heart and then to between her legs. “If forced, the chakkra will shatter, killing me in the process.” Brea took a deep breath. “I am only here until you find a wife, and then I will be passed on to another. It is why the Shinwa do not make good concubines for Olean. I tried explaining this to the man who questioned me.”

  “What if your first time is forced upon you?” Araman straightened.

  “Again my body will conform to his extension. I would be tied to him in hatred instead of ….” She left the sentencing hanging in the night air unfinished. She lowered her eyes to the sleeping puppy.

  “Love?” Araman asked sardonically. She turned her face away from him. He regretted his tone. She had done nothing but answer his question. “How do you protect yourselves from such things?”

  “We have been taught from children the arts of sexual warfare and self-defense.” She still would not face him.

  “The ultimate weapon.” Araman nodded. “Now I understand the interest of Oleander in you.” He used a finger to guide her face back to him. He could feel the pull she had on him. “Lucky for me, we found you first.” He dipped his head to capture her lips.

  Brea’s mouth parted in surprise as his connected. His lips were warm as they teased hers, brushing lightly against her mouth. She lifted her head, meeting his, hesitantly wanting more of what he offered. His lips hovered above hers as she sought to control her rapid heartbeat. Araman’s eyes held the color of a deep blue sapphire as his gazed pierced into hers.

  He lowered his lips against hers. “There are many ways of pleasuring without mating Concubine. This you will come to know.” His lips claimed hers briefly. Araman drew back and smiled, almost mocking her. “I taste innocence in your lips for all your knowledge.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “It is late, Concubine, and I need my rest. Tomorrow they will test my libido levels and I somehow must lower them.”

  Brea shook her head not understanding his meaning.

  “It is why the military gave you me. To mate with and lower my libido.” He explained. He chuckled softly when she blushed.

  “I know of a way to help with that. If you wish I can show you.” She offered not looking at him.

  Araman stood up and offered a hand to her. “I would like that.” He said as she took his hand shyly.

  He helped Brea, still holding the pup, up to her feet and led her inside. She put Beebles on the end of the bed where the pup stretched and let out a snore as he settled in. She looked about the room and frowned. Araman caught the look.

  “Does something displease
my concubine?” He asked still holding an edge of mockery.

  “Yes.” She turned to him. “The room is too bright and silent.”

  “How would you like it?” He bowed slightly to her as if her servant.

  “Dim lighting, like a moon’s glow.” Her voice went very soft. “We need the sound of running water like rain or a brook with soft tones of music.”

  “Computer comply with request.” The room darkened as water rushed in the background of slow harmonious music. “Anything else?”

  Brea nodded. “You will need towels and a pot of warmed oil.” Araman gave a nod then disappeared down the hallway. He returned a couple minutes later with the items she asked for. She took the towels from his one hand and indicated to put the pot down on the floor.

  She spread the towels out and then took his hand. Araman opened his mouth to say something when she put a finger to it. She guided him to on top of the towels and bade him to sit crossed legged with his feet on his knees. Brea sat the same way in front of him.

  “Now breathe. In through your nose, hold it and out through your mouth.” She instructed. “Listen to the water running.” The tones of her voice were barely a whisper. She placed his hand palms up on his knees then covered his with hers.

  As he breathed and listened to the sounds of the water as his mind drifted back to being a little boy on a bridge throwing sticks in the water. The sensation of happiness filled his chest. Memories of adolescence, boyhood crushes floated in and out of his head bringing with them different emotions. The memories swam by, then were pulled away by a vortex threatening to overtake him.

  “Stretch your legs out.” Brea’s voice interjected shattering the cyclone like glass on granite. His body automatically obeyed her soft command. He felt her hands on his chest pushing him gently to lie down.

  She removed his long legged bottoms as swiftly and deftly as she could but he was larger than most men she had encountered and somewhat cumbersome. He was larger every where she discovered. Brea laid a folded towel over his middle section ignoring her blushing.