Araman's Aria Read online

  “It is why the recent attack upon us was alarming.” Araman guessed she was being understated. “When Oleander offered us protection.…”

  “Wait a minute, Oleander offered protection shortly after the attack?” Araman interrupted her.

  “No, during the attack.” Brea looked over to see his mind mulling something over. “Do you suspect they arranged for the intrusion in order for us to seek their protection?”

  Araman raised his eyebrows at his concubine. “I was thinking along that line. What made you ask?”

  “Well,” she folded her hands on her lap. Her tongue moistened her lips. “Just before I was taken I sent a message to Oleander and the response has made me wonder.”

  “What was the response?” His curiosity now peaked.

  “If you live, garner information in case of rescue. Good Luck” She quoted.

  Araman shook his head with a curse. “Olean has never killed a captive, female or male. Usually men are traded for our own in return. Women are assessed and depending on the nature of the hostile behavior they are charged of, are given choices as to where their sentence to the Olean Military as a prisoner will be served.”

  “I wasn’t.” Brea told him. “I was ignored when I explained what I was. I spoke to the man you call General.”

  “He made no reference to it to me.” Araman wondered what his meddlesome general was up to. “It still leads me to the question of why you have not tried to escape.”

  “When Shinwa pass into adulthood we must go through a ritual. It is the same for both male and female.

  Drums beat while the adult-child drinks a mixture of milk, honey, butter and Tunneling Seed. The seed has healing and spiritual qualities about it. When it is drunk your mind is released into the oneness of the universe.

  It becomes a journey and I have seen mine. My path leads me away from my home world. I knew stepping into the Oleander flyer that I would never reach their world. My path led a different way. The flyer was the means to the direction I must be.”

  “This is why you accept your circumstances so calmly?” Araman smiled at her.

  Brea nodded. “If I should veer from my path, the urge to go home will become overpowering and I would have to leave. To remain and fight it, would injure the heart chakkra and again decay would begin of the web within.”

  Araman stared at the stars for a moment absorbing what she was saying. “This decay thing?” He cocked his head at her.

  She moistened her lips and let out a sigh. Brea had already told him more than she knew she should have. She looked up at him.

  “As I said about the mating to you, the reverse works as well. If the heart chakkra….”

  “What is a chakkra?” He impatiently cut her off.

  “The Shinwa have energy points; above the head, the unseen eye, the mouth, the heart and the spiritual.” He shook his head at her last area. “That would be the sexual mating organs.” She said bluntly ignoring the boyish grin crossing his face. “They are linked together with our organs by a fine web of energy. The web within.” She explained. “If one spot is jeopardized then because of the intricate connections all areas will become damaged.

  If the heart chakkra, the major chakkra becomes wounded then there is no hope of healing. It is the most delicate of our energy organs.”

  “Like a Terrian spider’s web.” He said nodding. “Delicate yet strong because of the weaving. If one part should collapse…”

  “It is the chakkra that purifies the negativity from our energies. The negativity is a poison that will slowly destroy our body therefore our systems will begin to decay. The heart chakkra filters out and protects the rest.…”

  “Of the web within.” Araman finished. Brea stared up at him in wonder. He understood her situation as his concubine.

  “Now you know why we must be protected. But I am unsure of Oleander’s motives.”

  Araman huffed. “Never mind their motives. That I have gathered. It is for your knowledge of sexual warfare. I am unsure that Oleander is the one to protect your world.”

  “Who then?” Her soft voice held a tone of defense. “Olean?” She let out a little scoff.

  “Far better than Oleander?” He arrogantly shot back.

  She sniffed at him. “From what I have seen, a society that feels some lives are disposable would not be the ones to protect a society that feels all life is equal.” Her eyes challenged his.

  “And from what I have seen, Concubine, a society that feels some lives are disposable is the very ones to dispose of threats to protect such an innocent society.” The edge was back in his voice.

  “We are wise enough to know we need protecting.” She defended in a whisper realizing what he was thinking. “I was put here not by my own accord, Commandant. I have not come willingly seeking Olean help from Oleander’s tyranny. I am not here as a spy for Oleander. I am here because I was captured and placed as your belonging.” She stood up.

  Araman grabbed her hand before Brea could leave. He pulled her into his lap and captured her in his arms. His eyes bore into hers invading the depths of her soul.

  “What is Chatam Pritam?” Araman smiled at the widening of her eyes and the reddening of her cheeks.

  “Where have you heard that?” Brea’s heart was pounding so loudly it was hurting her chest.

  “Today in the market place. You said it.” He reminded her. “What does it mean?”

  “It is Shinwa. The literal translation is ‘soul’ and ‘lover’. But the spiritual meaning is much deeper than that. It happens when two souls mate and vow their love for eternity. If they are separated in life and die apart, the souls will spend eternity looking for each other. If they die together, as the Shinwa mates do, then they have everlasting eternity in what ever realm they choose.” She hoped her explanation was clear enough.

  A finger traced the outline of Brea’s jaw. It sent shivers down her spine his touch was so gentle. She swallowed what felt like her heart from her throat. She could feel her lashes brush against his cheek.

  “And how do they find each other?” He whispered against her mouth. Araman smiled when her breath became ragged.

  “I only know their souls guide them to where they need to be.” She said closing her eyes as his musk filled her head. She had never known a male to smell this good.

  “How do they know if they have found each other?” Araman’s teeth grazed her shoulder. She let out a little shudder.

  “It is said.…” She lifted her mouth to his. “That when they mate, their chakkras will realign to each other and combine. It is the rejoining.”

  “Anything else?” His blue eyes darkened with his hunger for her. The craving of her nectar sat on Araman’s tongue.

  “Yes.” It came from her lips breathlessly. “When they find each other, the lovers’ senses are heightened by one another’s nearness.”

  “Like right now?” Husky words caressed her ears. “Does this mean you are my Chatam Pritam Concubine?” She felt the heat of his words along her neck. “Does this mean you and I are tied for eternity?” His mouth suckled against the base of her neck shooting spikes of electricity throughout her entire body.

  Her tiny hand reached up and guided his face to hers. “No matter what Commandant, mating between you and I will be inevitable. If it is a rejoining we will know. If we newly bonded we will know.” Brea dropped her hands and looked away from Araman. “Either way, Commandant,” Her soft tone of voice held sadness. Brea stood up and turned away. “If we mate, I am bound to you for this life time. If you choose to not want me, then I will not survive.

  If I stay here under this sky, I fear Commandant that I would risk all that to your seduction.” She turned around to see him rising. She took a step back.

  “We can have pleasure without mating Concubine.”

  “We both know Commandant that the pleasuring would never become enough for either of us.” She looked to the bottom of her dress and then up to him. “I can not bind myself to a man, knowing that he
will turn me away someday.” She turned and walked towards the bedroom.

  Within three strides, Araman was grabbing her by the waist and pulling her into him. She melted against the hardness of his body. His lips crushed down on hers in a demanding kiss. His mouth commanded hers to part and yield to him as he held her head in place with a fist full of gold and black hair. He drew back and smiled victoriously at his concubine’s stupefied expression from his assault.

  “When I mate you Concubine,” the tone of his voice was low and threatening. “You will be mine for life.” Araman left her standing in the garden while he angrily sought out his second cold shower for the day.

  Chapter Five

  Santari leaned against the hallway wall while listening to his superior officer tear a strip off a young underling’s hide for dereliction of duty. He glanced down at his watch. Araman had been raging for the last fifteen minutes at the private. Santari glanced over to the door debating whether or not to brave the dragon’s den and rescue the poor lad.

  “And what seems to be the Commandant’s problem this afternoon?” Herse meandered up behind Santari.

  He whirled around and snapped into attention with a curt nod of his head. Santari still had the smile on his face.

  “At ease.” The General looked over at the door when Araman’s voice boomed.

  “It seems there’s a wee bit of friction between he and his concubine.” Santari looked back at the General with a sincere thoughtful look on his face. “From what I gathered, at this morning’s first encounter that he was somewhat frustrated as the Commandant ripped my throat for not having the reports presented to him in alphabetical order in sequence of importance.” Santari raised his eyes to the ceiling knitting his brows together. “And something about a deodorizer to rid his quarters of the smell of cinnamon.”

  “So you think I should.…” Herse indicated to the door with a wave of his hand.

  Santari stepped back. “You’re a far braver man than I Sir.” He said with a grin.

  “It’s why I’m the General you idiot.” He mumbled as he grasped the door handle and pushed the door open. Herse felt sorry for the underling now quaking in fear of his commanding officer.

  “Am I interrupting?” Herse entered. He looked to the sheer white face of the private. “Close the door behind you and consider yourself reprimanded.”

  The private scrambled for the door as though it was the only chance to escape the wrath of the Commandant. The door slammed behind him as the general took a chair.

  “You have a concubine Commandant and you have been instructed medically to use her.” Herse brought out his trademark cigar. He lit the end filling Araman’s office with billows of aromatic smoke. “Yet you continually deny yourself.” He took a puff.

  “It seems Sir, my concubine is Shinwa. She would have been better for the kitchens.”

  The general raised a fleshy eyebrow to his underling. “Oh.”

  “They can only mate with one man for life.” Araman folded his arms across his chest. “She is not Oleander, she was not captured in battle and she is not a threat to release. Her pilot only trespassed, she did not engage in combat but only in defense. Her pet was threatened and so was she.” He glanced down at the papers. “She was dismissed entirely during the selection.” He reminded himself mentally of to whom he was talking with.

  The general nodded with his jowls following behind. He took another puff from his cigar. “The pilot knowingly used Olean airspace as a shortcut. Your concubine’s reasons are not valid. She could have inquired. Ignorance in the military’s eye will never be an excuse.” The general reminded Araman. “She is in your service until you marry and you are instructed to use her.” He stood up. “I interviewed her myself and thought her temperament would suit you.”

  “Even if it kills her.” Araman narrowed his eyes. “She was basically kidnapped.”

  “It is out my hands. She was the only one available and when it comes to medical orders, I have no jurisdiction. I only ensured myself of what kind of woman I was issuing to you.” Herse put a hand on the door.

  “I request permission to leave her behind on my mission and call to arms. She would be looking after my pet.” Araman looked over.

  The general shook his head. “I have no say Commandant. She has been issued to you as part of your personal gear, to be with you at all times until one year of service is completed. Then if you choose you may marry her and leave her behind.” He opened the door. “I will post a private to guard and look after your pet in your absence. You will need a clear head Araman. I need you to come out of this one alive.” Herse faced his underling and observed him for a moment.

  “There are worse things than committing yourself to one woman for a life time Commandant. The bitter memory of a woman’s cold betrayal does not warm your bed at night” He stepped out the office.

  Araman glared at the door as it shut. He didn’t need the reminder. He let a slow controlled breath release through his pursed lips. He rubbed his aching neck from sleeping in the living space rather than in his own bed. He sat on the corner of the desk. Memories drifted in as he stared out his office window over the base.

  He committed himself twice before both resulting in death. His wife cut him to core. Her betrayal nearly cost him his life and worse yet, she cost him good men. Araman stood up and swore at Sonya’s treachery. She managed to retrieve his passwords and infiltrated his desk. She fed Oleander the details of his locations for their assassins.

  Araman stood up and moved towards the window. His blue eyes watching the drills below as soldiers lined up waiting for instructions. The day he caught her in action replayed in his mind.

  Sonya was tall and blond with a body that was made for men. She put the ancient Terrian Goddess of Beauty, Marilyn Monroe to shame. Sonya oozed sex appeal with a mere glance of her doe brown eyes and pouty red lips. She moved like a panther on the prowl seeking out its prey.

  Araman reached for the first bottle he touched from his portable bar. He refilled his glass after the first shot of amber liquid. The warm burning sensation down his esophagus was not enough to numb the bitterness of the memory entering his head.

  Araman had walked in early from duty to see her bent over his desk with her telecom headset. It only took him a couple of moments to realize she was relaying information of his next mission on Terra. The anger, hurt and betrayal flooded back as he remembered standing behind her listening and waiting for her to end the transmission.

  Sonya turned around, shocked to see Araman standing there. “Baby, you're home early. I was just talking to Merissa about taking a trip to Terra.” She swiveled her hips invitingly. “You know, Baby, how much I adore you and hate it when you leave me. Drink?” The intense hatred of her at that moment returned to Araman recalling her words.

  “Good thing the mission was just cancelled.” He remembered saying before his fingers closed around her throat and began to crush. “It’s been you. This whole time. You bitch.”

  The general announced the apparent suicide of the Commandant’s wife, the next day. Herse made sure, any speculation around her death was dealt with Military style. Scare the crap out of anybody who asked any questions.

  Araman slowly broke into a smile at the thought of Brea. She was too honest for betrayal. Her eyes held both the wisdom and innocence of an ancient soul. Fragile in the heart his concubine was but also bold in the mind, rising up to meet his challenges.

  A pull in his loins caused him to shift his weight as he thought of the way her body responded to his touch in the shower. He growled as he caught his reflection in the window. Even with her distant Araman swore her spice filled the room. He let out a curse. The general’s words haunted him. He raked his hands through his hair.

  Araman didn’t understand why the thought of Brea with him during this mission terrified him to the core. The thought of losing Brea clenched his heart in a painful grip. He knew she had been right when she spoke her soft words to him the previous night.
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br />   He realized her words went from never mating with him to her fear of Araman tossing her aside. Her fears of being bedded then discarded were double fold because of her physical body. The idea of her with another man sent Araman’s libido into a rage yet he was hesitant to take her for himself.

  His eyes scanned the sky as the black dots appeared. It was the transport vessels to take the troops to their posts on deck the warships. Araman tore his eyes away knowing he would have to bring Brea aboard.

  Araman wondered at her reaction. She had been so accepting of everything happening to her. He pondered if she would react to this sudden change with hysterics or grace. He shook his head. Araman knew his little concubine would face whatever came with bravery and courage in her calm way. The idea of Brea at his side during the mission still did not sit well with him. Frigg! He felt friggin’ guilty.

  “I am risking her life.” Araman admitted out loud to his mirrored image in the window. The thought sat like bitter wine, souring on his tongue. He sat on the desk. “Then I do so with her as my mate.” He punched a button on his desk console harder than he intended.

  Araman was intent on proving to Brea that she was his for life. He knew words would never be enough for his little concubine and Araman knew how he was going to convince her. At least then he could live with himself and sleep at night.

  “Santari.” The voice answered.

  “How long until deployment.” Araman replaced his jacket.

  “Twelve lunar hours.”

  “Brea?” Araman asked.

  “Still in your quarters. I felt it best if the chore of retrieving her for the on board quarters would best be done by you Sir.” Santari informed him. The commandant did not miss the hint of sarcasm in his voice.

  “Wise.”

  “The general has advised me that a private will be arriving to your quarters at precisely at thirteen hours to guard Beebles.” Araman could hear the laughter in the man’s voice as he gave the update.