Chapter Three
Wray let his eyes brush over Kim’s delicate features while she slept. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen and yet she seemed surprised when he'd told her so. He thought Adana was beautiful and she had been, in the Tornian way. She had been tall, coming to his shoulder and had kept her long black hair pulled away from her face, revealing the strength of her features and breadth of her frame. It was something Tornian males appreciated for it meant the female was able to withstand a Joining with the larger male.
Kim was not large , she was more the size of a young male just before he started his warrior training and yet she survived a Ganglian attack, something few could do, including Tornian females. How long had the Ganglians held her? His mind claimed that it couldn’t have been more than a day, but in his heart… she had been so severely bruised, so damaged… The closest planet to where they found the Ganglian ship was two days from Pontus and this planet she called Earth, he had never heard of it, which meant it wasn't in a known galaxy.
She had been concerned with his well-being, a male, when her only concern should have been for her own. She shared her food. Refused to take more unless he did. Why would she do this? Did she not realize females were more important than males? Was it not so on Earth?
Kim… such an unusual name, such an unusual female. His word had been enough for her when he told her the Ganglians were dead, Wray’s word, not the Emperor's. Wray shook his head; he did not understand her… she was just so different from any female he had known and not only in size and color but in spirit. She fought him when she had first woken, defending herself. Had she done the same against the Ganglians? Was that why her injuries had been so severe? She wouldn’t have been able to stop a Ganglian, a Tornian either, for both were stronger and larger than she was, but he could picture her trying to, could see her refusing to submit. It would have caused the Ganglians to attack even more brutally, just to see how much pain they could inflict before she cried out.
Carefully , so he wouldn’t disturb her, he sank his fingers into the soft curls that framed her face, enjoying the way they clung to him. They did this when he’d removed the excess water from them after he cleansed her. They wrapped sensually around his fingers as if they enjoyed his touch.
Following one long tendril down , he found her delicate hand, resting trustingly on his chest and lifted it to his cheek. She willingly touched him with this very hand, caressing his cheek when she was at her weakest as if the contact had soothed her. Tilting his head slightly, he closed his eyes, letting her touch soothe him.
He’d never had someone willingly touch him like this before. A touch that meant he mattered, not as an Emperor, but as a male. Adana had never touched him like that. She only touched him during Joinings and only when it benefited her release. When they were done, she would return to her chambers. She would never have allowed him to hold her like this.
Wray’s thoughts were pulled from memories of Adana when Kim’s thumb moved slightly, caressing his cheek, opening his eyes, he found drowsy green ones staring up into his.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Kim had been pulled from sleep when Wray picked up her hand. She watched in stunned silence when he'd held it against his cheek. His eyes had been filled with such longing and need before they closed as if no one had ever touched him that way before which made no sense. He was gorgeous, alien or not, and she couldn't think of any woman that wouldn't want to touch him. Wouldn't want to be touched by him.
Gently she runs her thumb along his cheek, wanting to ease whatever bothered him. When his eyes had slowly opened, instead of longing she saw… regret.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
“I did not mean to wake you.” Wray told her, his voice thick with emotion. He just needed her touch. When her thumb moved to caress his bottom lip, his body instantly remembered what it had felt like when he had cleansed her. He knew that if she continued his body’s reaction would cause her to fear him again and that he couldn’t stand. Carefully, he pulled her hand away. “I am sorry.”
Kim s tared at him in confusion for several seconds. She thought he enjoyed her touch, after all, he was the one who put her hand on his cheek. Why had he suddenly pulled it away? Her eyes widened as the truth suddenly hit her. Oh God! Of course! Quickly she looked away from him, desperately blinking away the tears that filled her eyes.
Stinky bastard … he knew what stinky bastard had done to her... knew that he had… no, she wouldn't go there. He had told her he’d been enraged when he’d found her that they had killed the Ganglians because of what they'd done to her and promised it wouldn’t happen again, but that didn’t mean he longed for her touch. Why would he? Why would anyone after what had happened to her. What she saw was his longing for it to never have happened. He was a good man… male and he deserved someone better than her .
“No," she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. "It’s my fault.” Carefully, she slid out of his arms and moved towards the entrance between the caves. She wanted to leave, wanted to run away, just as she always did but she couldn't. She wouldn't. She'd told Jen in that phone call that she had grown up that she had changed and it was time to prove it. Wray had been nothing but caring and understanding since she had woken. He saved her from the Ganglians. He had saved her when they crashed. She couldn’t repay that kindness by expecting him to see her as something more than what she was. A victim. She couldn't change what had happened to her, but she’d be damned if she let it break her. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Wray.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Wray's eyes followed Kim as she moved away from him. He had seen the tears she’d tried to hide as she slid from his arms. Why had he done it? Had he really become so selfish, so spoiled as Emperor that he would put his wants and needs before those of a female? And not just any female, but Kim?
Somehow, i n a very short time, she had become precious to him. Her strength and courage combined with her gentleness and caring had worked its way into his heart in a way no one else ever had.
“Please, Kim. I am sorry.” He said, holding out his arms. “I will not touch you like that again. Please, I don’t want you to become chilled, you need never fear me.”
“I’m fine and I don’t, fear you that is.” Still, she couldn't make herself move towards him. “But I do understand what you are saying. I wouldn’t want to touch me either if I were you.”
Wray frown ed at her words. Of course, he wanted to touch her, she was beautiful and soft and... why would she think he wouldn’t? “I do not understand.”
The small smile she gave him was heartbreaking in its acceptance. “I do, so it’s okay.” She looked around the cave and realized it was bigger than she thought. “You said we were on Pontus?”
“We are.” Wray let his arms slowly fall to his sides, watching her carefully as she looked anywhere but at him. “It is a small mining planet on the edge of the Kaliszian Empire. Tell me what you meant by my not wanting to touch you.”
“Kaliszians… are they like the Ganglians?” she said instead.
“No. ” Wray rose and slowly moved towards her. “Now answer my question.”
“Then what are they like?” Kim asked, taking a step back before she stopped herself. She was done backing away.
Slow ly Wray advanced on her, not stopping until their bodies were nearly touching. His eyes searched her upturned face for the slightest hint of fear. Instead, she stuck her chin out so stubbornly that it nearly made him smile. She was such a brave little thing.
“You will explain what you meant by me not wanting to touch you.” He demanded again in a tone every warrior obeyed.
Kim just looked at him. She didn’t want to explain. Didn’t want to hear him say that he only tolerated touching her that it was something he would have done for anyone. Wray had come to mean a great deal to her, despite everything that had happened to her, she found she enjoyed his touch. She needed it. It made her feel whole again, safe; if he took that away from her… it might be what finally broke her.
“Please , Kim.” Wray's voice dropped as his eyes searched hers.
It was the ‘please’ that did it. Somehow, Kim knew he didn’t say it often and because he had now, she found she couldn’t deny him.
“I just meant I understand why you wouldn’t want to touch me. After what the Ganglians…” Kim never got to finish her sentence as she was lifted off her feet and pulled against a heaving male chest.
Wray couldn’t believe the rage that filled him when he realized she thought he didn’t want to touch her… thought he didn’t want her to touch him… all because the Ganglians had. Pulling her off her feet, he growled out angrily.
“You think I do not desire your touch!” He lowe red his face so they were nose to nose. “That I would not welcome anything you would be willing to give me?”
“But you said… “ she started.
“That I was sorry I woke you when you needed rest. ” He ground out. “Sorry, I let my desire to touch you, to feel your touch on me, interfere with what you needed.”
Kim searched his stormy gray eyes, trying to decide if she could believe him, but found her answer in a different body part when her thigh brushed against the bulge between his legs. Pressing against it slightly, she felt it grow.
“Kim… ” Wray growled warningly.
“I… it really doesn’t bother you that…”
“Of course it bothers me! ” Wray growled, his eyes flaring. “It enrages me that your male did not protect you, that you were harmed, but it does not affect my desire for you.”
“I… I don’t have a male.” She admitted and slowly ran her fingers along his wide shoulders watching as the heat in his eyes turned into smoldering embers. “You really don’t mind my touch.” She whispered in amazement.
“Mind…” Wray wanted to roar his satisfaction that no male had claimed her. Instead, a low growl vibrated through his chest as he told her the truth. “I crave it.”
Encouraged by his words Kim let her hands slowly travel across his chest, learning every bulge, every crevice, discovering that his skin was not only hot, but also smooth and silky.
“Kim…” Wray groaned.
“Yes, Wray?” she asked, looking up at him through her lashes.
“You must stop… you are… “
“I am what?”
“You are testing my control and you must not.”
“Why?” Innocent green eyes met his.
Wray’s gaze became fierce as he pulled her further up his body. “Because I want nothing more at this moment than to Join with you and you are still recovering. I will not risk harming you.”
"Join..." Kim searched her mind trying to understand his meaning. When she finally did, she stiffened, her eyes widened in fear and she started to tremble. She couldn’t… she….
Wray saw her fear. How could she not be after what she had endured? “Calm, little one.” He said gently, “I would never force myself on you.”
“I…” Kim closed her eyes, swallowing hard, “I know that. I…” but her voice still quivered.
“ Shh…” Wray pulled her close, hoping it would comfort her. “It will be okay, Kim.”
“I’m sorry.” She said as tears filled her eyes again. “I can’t seem to stop crying.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for , little one.” Wray carefully shifted, cradling her in his arms. “You are strong and you have survived much, but now you need to rest and heal.” Sitting he arranged her across his lap once more. “Rest, little one, and know that no harm will come to you.”
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. Take 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. Leaning 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.