Chapter 17
Mara
The second challenge was completed. Now they were walking to their next campsite.
Mara adjusted her biosuit temperature a couple more times.
It would increase temperature for a while, then she would adjust it again.
Something wasn’t right but she couldn’t pin it on anyone.
It wasn’t like she left her suit unattended.
She never took the damn thing off. She wasn’t the only one to notice.
“Is your biosuit not holding the temperature properly?” Vaelor asked.
“No, it’s not.”
“Let me see your controls.”
She gave him her left arm so he could check for himself. He pushed the button to show the controls. When he increased the temperature, she shrugged.
“It goes up for a little while, then drops. I would say in about an hour, I will need to readjust it.”
“Is it fully charged?” he asked.
She pointed at the battery status. It was marked as fully charged and explained how it works. “It’s solar powered and charges during the day with the sunlight.”
“I haven’t had to adjust my suit at all. Not once.”
“Maybe it’s a human thing. Not a lot of humans take part in the games and they may not have perfected the suit for our biometrics properly.”
“I’ve not seen the human male adjust his suit yet.”
“I can ask him about it later tonight.”
“Don’t tell him you are losing control of your suit. Tell no one.”
“I’m sure Blaine has nothing to do with this.”
“We still don’t know who shredded your tent. Trust no one.”
They were silent the rest of the way to the campsite. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. No one talked about the two players who fell into the ocean. If they had lived, wouldn’t the Game Master tell them?
It reminded her that life was short and precious, not to be taken for granted. This was the first time she questioned whether she should have joined the games or not. If she died, her father would be devastated. And he didn’t even know where she really was.
Guilt riddled her. Made her lose focus. She stumbled. Vaelor was nearby and caught her arm, holding her up.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“Are you okay?” The concern on his face was clear to see.
“The day is catching up to me,” she admitted.
“What do you need?” he asked.
That had her halt in her tracks. No man had ever asked what she needed. Most of them tried to fix things for her. Even her dad. But Vaelor asked her what she needed directly. No games.
They stood facing each other, alone as the sun was setting. She didn’t think twice, she threw herself in his arms and kissed him. He caught her easily. Even though he was surprised by her sudden actions, he kissed her back.
She wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her up, moving her body against his. She could feel his body respond to hers. Mara was no longer cold, but hot all over.
“Vaelor,” she whispered with yearning.
He finally pulled back and lowered her back to her feet.
“This isn’t the time or place for us to do more,” he told her. His voice was extremely deep and raspy.
The sounds of some of the other players that were behind them made her realize that he was right. Anyone could have seen them if Vaelor hadn’t stopped them.
“Come on, let’s get to the campsite,” he told her.
He held out his hand and she took it. They walked the rest of the way like that. Once they reached the edge of camp, he released her hand and she missed the warmth and strength.
“There might be camera drones waiting at camp. Don’t want to feed the audience with anything that’s not their business,” he explained.
“Right.”
She knew that he was being smart. No way did she want to become some kind of romantic show for the galaxy to see. What happened between them should remain private.
Did she want something to happen? It wasn’t convenient. But sometimes things happen unexpectedly. And she was absolutely attracted to Vaelor. Who wouldn’t be? The male was strong, serious, sexy, honorable, determined to do everything to protect his people.
Then there was his body. It was carved from stone, warm to touch. His blue skin was so beautiful and unusual. All she wanted to do was rub her hands all over him.
Vaelor growled. “Stop looking at me that way. I won’t be able to control myself.”
Her face heated. She tried to look anywhere but at him.
“I’ll set up the tent and bed. You go ahead and eat by the fire.”
She wanted to argue with him but decided a little space might be what she needed.
They received a warm welcome, at least from Blaine. But there was a sense of sadness, of loss among the group of players.
Mara sat on a stone. The female Bestial was staring into the flames. Her partner was on the other side of the fire talking to Blaine and the Cyborg.
She looked at the female, not sure what to say or do. It was awkward. But she should say something.
“I’m sorry for what happened to your friend. I don’t know his name.”
“His name was Beast. I’m Gora.”
“I’m Mara.”
There was a hesitation, then Gora continued. “Beast and I hadn’t met before we came here. So we weren’t friends.”
“You seemed… close.”
“It’s our Bestial instinct.”
“Instinct?”
“My people develop strong instincts. Instincts to fight, to hunt, to fuck. Our instincts were triggered so we fucked and fucked and…”
“Got it.”
“He was good. We talked about possibly connecting after the games. But we didn’t commit to anything. I like to roam around. No roots. Any guy will do it for me. But Beast was making me think twice.”
Mara had a hard time relating to her. They were completely opposite. She was raised by her dad and had a strong sense of family ties. Though traveling with her dad was fun. she preferred having a sense of home.
“What’s the Crytharian like? Is he good in bed?”
That question had her spitting out the swig of water she just took.
“What?”
“Your partner, the Crytharian. Tell me what he’s like? Does he do it like a wild animal? I know nothing of his people except that they live on an ice planet like this one.”
“We haven’t had sex,” she denied.
The other female sat up straight and looked shocked. “Are you kidding me? If I had that male in my tent every night, I would not waste him. Can I give you some advice?”
“Sure.”
“Ride him and ride him hard. You don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Life is short and only death is guaranteed. You just need to decide if you want him or not.”
Mara had to admit, Gora had a way of putting things into perspective.
When she felt tired, Mara headed for the tent. Entering the shelter, she found only one bedding set up—Vaelor’s bedding.
“What the hell?”