Chapter Four
Waking, Kim discovered she was no longer in Wray’s arms; instead, she was lying on the hard cave floor, wrapped in a thin metallic blanket, alone. Startled, she sat up. Where was Wray?
“Wray?” She called out softly but received no reply. Slowly , she looked around the cave, taking in the details she’d been too distracted to notice before.
Th e cave was unlike any she had ever seen on Earth. Granted, she only saw them in pictures or on television, but those caves had always appeared so dark and cold, with little creepy crawly things in them. Just thinking about it made her skin crawl. This cave was warm and it had a light. Where was the light coming from?
Standing, she cautiously moved towards one of the walls . There was some type of feathery growth on it and it seemed to be giving off the light. Reaching out to touch it, her hand stilled when the growth seemed to curl back into itself, its light dimming.
"They are called l uciferins."
Glancing over her shoulder, Kim found Wray coming towards her from deeper in the cave. "Luciferins?"
"Yes, they thrive in the caves on Pontus. They live off the remains of the energy crystals that were once mined here. In doing so, they glow."
"They're beautiful."
Wray tipped his head slightly and looked at the luciferins. He never considered it before, but yes, they were pleasing to look at.
"Are they dangerous to touch?" Kim asked.
" No, but it can damage them."
" Oh." Kim looked back at them, then realized they reminded her of the coral reefs back on Earth. Beautiful and alive, but if not treated with care, easily harmed and though she longed to touch one, she lowered her hand. She wouldn't knowingly harm something that was benefiting her.
"I'm sorry I was not back before you woke." Wray said, stepping close, his eyes moving over her, searching for any signs of harm.
"Where were you?" she asked, turning to face him.
"I woke and needed to relieve myself."
"Oh." Kim blushed slightly, then realized she did too. "Ummm, where?"
"Follow the l uciferins, there are several small chambers, I used the first one on the left."
Nodding, she started back then paused. "Is there anything I should look out for?"
"Look out for?" Wray frowned at her question.
"Animals, little creepy crawlies?" Kim made spider-like movements with her fingers.
" No,” Wray found he had to hide his smile at the thought she might be afraid of a little bug. “You have nothing to worry about. There has been little life on Pontus since the great infection."
"Why?"
"Because little grows here anymore."
"I...." Kim held up a finger, "hold that thought." she said and quickly moved deeper into the cave. Selecting the second chamber, she entered and found out that Wray was right there wasn't a single bug in sight. Quickly taking care of her needs she hurried back to Wray.
When she returned, she found he had spread the silvery blanket out and placed a bar and the pouch of water in the center. “Is that a survival blanket?” she asked.
“It is what w arriors use to survive in harsh conditions.”
“That’s what we use them for on Earth too.” Moving she sat down across from him and winced. “It’s not very thick.”
“It is made to store in the smallest amount of space, but it will keep you warm or cool depending on the conditions.”
“Yea h.” Lifting a corner, she tossed aside the rock she sat on before settling again, “but it’s not very thick.” She said, giving him a little grin.
"Drink , Kim.” He smiled back, gesturing to the center of the blanket. “Eat."
Suddenly Kim realized she was parched and picked up the water pouch, but it was so light she paused.
“What is wrong , Kim?” Wray asked, frowning.
“There’s not much water left, shouldn’t we wait?”
Wray’s eyebrows shot up, he had seen her thirst and yet again, she’d considered their future needs instead of her present ones. She was so unlike Tornian females. “There is plenty of water, Kim. Drink.”
Kim eyed him suspiciously. Was he just saying that so she would drink? “It’s nearly empty.” She informed him.
“There is more water in the bac k chamber. It is the other reason the luciferins thrive here.”
Kim just look ed at him. “Is that the truth?” She finally asked and watched as his beautiful face darkened and his massive shoulders stiffened. The softness left his gray eyes. Suddenly she realized she insulted him. “Wray…”
“You think I lie?” He demanded harshly, his breathing becoming ragged. Never in all his life had he ever been accused of such a thing.
“I… I don’t kno w. I mean, I don't really know you all that well and while I'd like to think you wouldn't flat out lie to me, I do think you’d stretch the truth if you thought it would benefit me.”
Wray just stared at her, shocked at her observation because it was true. He would have told her there was plenty of water if it meant she were cared for. Somehow, in a very short amount of time she had come to know him very well. “I would have,” he finally admitted, slowly relaxing, “but I am speaking the truth. It is why the luciferins chose these caves to live in. For not only are there energy crystals here, but there is enough water to meet their needs. Do you need me to show you this truth?” Wray waited, wondering if she would trust his word.
“No, I don’t need to see it. I believe you.” Lifting the pouch she took several deep swallows, then handed it to him. When he took it, she reached for the bar. This time she had no problem opening it. Breaking it in half, she handed Wray his share. “So is this the only water on Pontus?” she asked, biting into her bar, chewing slowly she waited for his answer.
“No. There is plenty of water on Pontus.”
“But you said little grew here. Why does nothing grow if there is plenty of water? Is the soil bad?”
Wray was surprised by her question and her int erest. Their females would only care about being provided for not how it was provided. “No. Pontus has very fertile soil. It was once a paradise filled with life and the plants to support it. Now there is only a very small area that still supports life.”
“The great infection changed that? Like it changed the Ganglians?”
“Yes, it caused the majority of the planet life here and on every other Kaliszian planet to die. Plants from other worlds were brought in, but none survived.”
“But why?”
“Because the Goddess does not allow it. It is her way of withholding her blessing of life from the Kaliszians.”
“The Goddess… blessing. ..” Kim whispered, frowning as her mind filtering back to her dream. It had been a dream… right?
“Yes, she is the Goddess of all life and she is unhappy with us.”
“You mean with the Ganglians and the Kalisz ians.”
“And with the Tornians.” Wray admitted.
“I don’t understand. If she is the Goddess of all life, why would she prevent it?”
“Because of something that happened over five hundred years ago.”
“What happened?” she asked curiously.
Sighing heavily , Wray looked at her. He didn’t want to tell her. Especially after what happened to her at the hands of the Ganglians but he would not lie to her. “Finish your bar, Kim, and I will tell you.”
Looking down Kim was shocked to discover she had only taken one bite. Quickly she finished it, then nodded her thanks when Wray handed her the water to wash it down. Looking at him, she waited for Wray to begin.
“Ancient legends tell of how Tornian Warriors once saved the Goddess from being forced to Join with the lower God Daco when he stole her from her mate. To thank the warriors she promised them that for every warrior born, there would be one special female created specifically for him, a mate. That she would Join with him and only him, completing the warrior as he completed her. Together they would discover what was truly important and would have it for the rest of their lives.”
“That sounds like marriage on Earth.”
“Marriage?”
“It’s what we call it when two people fall in love and decide to spend the rest of their lives together.”
“That is what the Goddess once promised.”
Kim tilted her head slightly at Wray’s words. “You make it sound as if she no longer promises that.”
“She doesn’t. Not since Emperor Lucan.”
“What did he do?”
Wray just looked into her clear green eyes that for the first time held no fear, no pain, or wariness. It would change once she learned what one of his people had done.
“Wray?” Kim look ed at him and saw his hesitation. What could one male have done, so many years ago, that still affected so many?
“Since the beginning of recorded time , House Berto ruled Tornian and the Tornian Empire. Their warriors were the first to respond to the Goddess’ plea for help.”
“And ?”
“Over five hundred years ago Lucan Berto was Emperor and he….” Wray found his throat tightening.
“He what , Wray?” Kim whispered and found her hand suddenly on his arm, trying to reassure him. The eyes that looked at her suddenly made her unsure she wanted to know.
“He raped his young female s, Kim.”
Kim paled and jerked her hand away from him as if burned. “He….” She found she couldn’t speak as her throat thickened and her eyes filled with tears. What had happened to her had been awful... terrible... but to have a father do that. It was the worst form of betrayal, the destruction of the most-basic trust. A father always protected his children, he cared for them, he never harmed them.
"For his crimes the Emperor was executed and his family stripped of their right to ever rule the Tornian Empire again. The Assembly of Lords convened and Wyck Vasteri of House Vasteri was chosen as Emperor."
“Tell me they made him suffer.” The fierceness of Kim’s tone surprised Wray, as did the hardness that filled her wet eyes. “Emperor Lucan, tell me his death was slow and painful, that they made him suffer as much as his females did.”
“They did.” Wray assured her and saw a new side of Kim, one that was more warrior than female. She would punish Lucan herself if he were here.
“Good,” Kim nodded. “It couldn’t have been enough . It could never have been enough.”
“No, it couldn’t have.” Wray agreed and was silent for several minutes before continuing. “It was believed that our punishment would appease the Goddess… we were wrong.” He said tiredly.
“What did she do to the Tornians?” Kim found it hurt to see him so disheartened.
“She made it so more and more males were presented.” He told her quietly.
Kim looked at him, trying to understand why that was such a bad thing. A man… male on Earth always seemed to want a son.
“Males now outnumber females, two hundred to one.”
“What?” Kim quickly did the math, at two hundred to one she would have been one of only two girls in their graduating class.
“The Goddess decided that since we didn’t appreciate her gift of life she would remove what presented it. She did it slowly. So we would suffer the way the Emperor’s females had.”
“The great infection. "
"Yes ," Wray nodded, "and it spread throughout the known universes, affecting every species differently, but its effects have devastated the Tornians, Ganglians and Kaliszians."
“Why them?”
“One of the Emperor’s closest friends was a Ganglian . He guarded the door and watched while the females were abused. So the Goddess punished them all by only allowing them to find their release while inflicting great pain.” Wray instantly wanted to pull back his words. He hadn’t meant to remind her of what had happened to her with the telling of his story, but he saw that he had.
“Yeah , I discovered that.” Kim hugged her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them tried to block out the pain the Ganglians had caused.
“I am sorry , Kim, I never meant….”
“Finish it.” She demanded hoarsely, closing her eyes.
Wray closed the distance between them, but stopped just short of touching her. He hated that his careless words had caused her pain. All of this was common knowledge for a Tornian, but he had forgotten that it wasn’t for her. “A Kaliszian discovered what was happening, but instead of stopping it, he used that knowledge to work out a new trade treaty with the Emperor, trading their excess food supplies for his silence. That is why nearly every food bearing plant in their Universe has become extinct. They must now rely on the Tornian Empire to feed their people.”
“Why do you help them? Why don’t you treat them as you do the Ganglians?” Kim whispered.
Wray strained to hear her words and found he was ashamed of the reason. “Because we need their energy crystals and the jewels our females demand for Joining.”
Opening her eyes, Kim found Wray had slid across the blanket to her side, his eyes full of concern and regret. She could feel how much he hurt for her and somehow it helped drive back the worst of the pain. Turning her head to the side, she tried to understand everything he had told her.
Centuries ago, a man had raped his daughters. He had been punished and died for his crimes , but the repercussions were still being felt by his people and by her, because he was the reason she had been raped. She wanted to be strong about this, wanted to rise above what had happened to her, but she just couldn’t and her tears started to flow. It was too much, too soon, too fresh... maybe it always would be.
Wray watched helplessly as the tears Kim had so bravely fought to hold back, overflowed her beautiful green eyes and he could feel her pain as if it were his own. “Kim…” was all he said and opened his arms.
Kim found herself diving into the comfort and safety Wray offered. She felt like she was breaking into a million pieces and she didn’t know how to stop it. Didn’t know how to put herself back together. “I’m sorry.” She whispered against his chest.
“You have nothing to be sorry for Kim. You have every right to cry.” He encouraged not knowing where his words were coming from. When Adana had become upset, he had been grateful she secluded herself in her rooms. But not with Kim, with Kim he wanted to be there for her, wanted to comfort her, hold her and make everything right. “I am here, Kim, you cry all you want. I have you and you are safe.” He promised as he gently rocked her.
Wray didn’t know how long he sat there rocking her, absorb ing her pain as her tears ran down his chest. All he knew was it seemed like a lifetime before her sobs lessened and the tears ceased. When he felt her go lax in his arms, he looked down and found she’d fallen into an exhausted sleep.