Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
*** HESHER ***
T he sun was rising on a new day, the beautiful colors soothing Hesher's weary, aching bones.
As much as he loved flying and preferred his weredragon form, he could not transform.
All that was left of his energy was being used to make his muscles obey, putting one foot in front of the other to reach the platform that would lift him to sanctuary. Lydia was up there, and he needed her.
His group of weredragons were surely showered, treated, and asleep by now.
They had been offered opulent accommodations in the final city and gladly accepted.
Hesher could have done the same, but he knew that to rest peacefully he needed to be with Lydia.
One more step and he could give in to the weakness and pain.
There was no doubt in his mind or heart that she would take care of him.
He collapsed limply on the platform as his legs gave out.
The sudden jolt of the platform halting at its destination sent spasms of agony through him, which in turn brought him to a semi-conscious state.
He heard faraway voices, including Lydia's sobbing one.
She was shouting, though to Hesher it sounded more like a whisper.
He wanted to smile when she began giving out orders, but his lips would not cooperate.
Many hands grasped his arms and legs, dragging his heavy body across the floor.
It hurt so much, yet he could not utter a sound of protest. There were grunts and curses from his rescuers as they somehow rolled him onto a soft, cool cloud.
His filthy clothes were cut off, and a warm, wet cloth wiped away blood and dirt.
His wound was cleaned, and the bandages replaced, making him whimper like a baby.
Finally, Lydia lay beside him. He felt her lips on his forehead, the sharp prick of a needle, and then blissful slumber overcame him.
Often his eyes would partially open as the wet cloth touched his skin. He would catch a short glimpse of an angelic face before the needle rendered him senseless once more.
Bright light shone through the windows when Hesher came completely awake.
He was alone on a fresh smelling cloud. He raised his head slightly and frowned as the room spun.
Next, he moved his arm, and there was a small twinge from his back.
The excruciating pain he expected did not come.
His wide palm spread over the cloud and he recognized it as bedding, though his eyes proclaimed the bed to be several feet above his head.
He rolled over and plopped off the softness onto the floor, just an inch or two downward.
The small sound he made brought instant results. Running feet came from outside the room, and soon Lydia appeared. "You're awake," she stated simply. "Why are you on the floor?"
"It seems you put me here," he retorted.
"We put you on the piles of bedding. You were too heavy to lift higher. You're the one who continually rolls off it." She sounded exasperated, and it made him grin.
"Please forgive me, madam, for I knew not what I was doing," he replied laughing.
She grinned before she could stop herself. "You're ridiculous; you know that? For days you've been feverish and had us afraid you would die and then suddenly you're fine, giving me a hard time like always. What should I do with you? "
Hesher raised an eyebrow and gave her a naughty smile. "Come here, and I will show you," he growled.
"You're too weak to follow through on that idea, and we both know it. You need nourishment. I'll go get you some broth. See if you can make it to a chair. If not, I'll help you sit up when I return. Unless you would rather I call for help again?"
He had to admit she was right about following through. His sexual needs would have to wait. He would get to the chair one way or another because he despised showing weakness to anyone. "Who must I thank for aiding you? I remember voices, but no faces."
"I kept witnesses to your weakness at a minimum. I know you well. There was just me, Sophia, and Doug. He runs this company, and he was only here long enough to get you on the bedding. I kept you clean, and Sophia gave you medical care."
"How long was I ill? What has transpired with my soldiers?"
"I'll explain while you eat. The broth Sophia suggested is ready. I'll be back shortly. Don't run away," she teased.
"That is not funny!" he shouted, throwing a pillow at the doorway.
If he managed to crawl to a chair and pull himself up, it would be a miracle.
Painstakingly, he rolled to his stomach and got on his hands and knees.
Inch by inch he moved toward the nearest seat.
He was sweating profusely by the time he pulled himself up on the seat, but he was triumphant.
Lydia made no comment when she gave him the salty broth. In his heart, he knew she had remained in the hallway to allow him the necessary time and space to keep his dignity. He loved her even more for that.
As he drank greedily, she told him, "You've been ill for six days.
Your wound was infected from transforming so often.
It ripped open every time. The Xycon are gone, ships included, except for the ones who defected.
They're being rehabilitated, so to speak.
They'll have to prove they mean no harm to humans.
Your soldiers have weathered the war better than you.
There have been parties to honor their heroism in every country.
They've had too much whiskey and lots of food.
I'm afraid there might be fights over who remains here to honor the alliance. "
"I do not care for the idea of leaving Talonian soldiers on Earth. I realize I must, but it is upsetting. Has the alliance been drawn up? Is it fair to all?"
"Nothing has been done. The world's leaders are waiting for you.
Maxxus is the one who will be king, but it is you they want to negotiate the terms with.
He's not happy. He hasn't attended the festivities out of sheer spite.
He stays locked in his rooms, though he accepts all the gifts sent his way, especially the whiskey.
Talonians appear to have an affinity for it.
None of you get drunk. It's sort of remarkable.
Anyway, when you're stronger, we'll set up a meeting between all the countries and you," Lydia stated.
"Two more days is all we can wait. I want this over and done.
The soldiers will become soft and accustom to accolades.
Maxxus will grow restless and begin to show disdain for the leaders, then there will be no alliance.
We need the alliance signed and its rules enforced.
Arrangements must be made for supplies to be sent for those we leave behind.
They will require constant shipments of water from the falls.
Even with it, we will have to switch out groups often.
Talonians need to be near the waterfalls and volcanoes.
Their life-force will slowly drain if they do not have access.
Kelan had a difficult time. At least they will not have to hide," Hesher replied.
"I'll have Doug set up a video conference.
No one will have to travel, and if your whole strength hasn't returned, they won't know it.
We can spend your resting time making a list of what you feel should be included in the agreement.
You can reach out to Maxxus and King Acer too.
Two days isn't much time to prepare. I'm willing to bet the leaders have been getting their demands ready while you were sick. "
"It is what I would have done," Hesher declared. "The parties must end now. My soldiers need to learn discipline. Those who remain on Earth will not be here to play constantly. They will have duties. Fun and relaxation are good in small quantities, but too much will make them useless."
"You sound like the father of teenage boys," Lydia told him.
"At times it is very much the same," he admitted.
*** Lydia ***
Lydia said goodbye to the last of her crew.
They were returning to the ship, with Sophia in command, to fly it in for a complete refitting.
She was staying behind to be at Hesher's side during the conference scheduled for less than twelve hours from now.
She had left him sitting in front of the video screen arguing with Maxxus over the specifics of the alliance.
He was dressed in a blue silk shirt and tan slacks he had found in the closet of the penthouse.
He looked quite handsome, but so very uncomfortable.
She had offered to pick out a suit for the conference so he could appear as an equal to Earth's leaders.
He declined vehemently, saying, "If they cannot accept me as I am, then they will never give us fair treatment.
" He sent one of his soldiers to retrieve his clothes from the spaceship, and they would arrive soon.
The video screen was blank when she returned.
Hesher was nowhere in sight. She searched for him on the balcony, which was his favorite spot, but he wasn't there.
In the hallway, she heard water running.
He was in the shower. His Talonian clothing was laid out on the big bed.
It made her happy and sad at the same time.
She was happy that he was getting back to his old self, stubborn and opinionated.
She was sad because it was very apparent that he was ready to return to Talonia.
He would not be among those remaining on Earth.
On silent feet, she stepped into the bathroom and stood watching him behind the glass enclosure.
His back was to her, and the scar from his recent wound marred its muscular expanse.
Her lips itched to kiss it, yet she didn’t move.
The muscles rippled when he raised his arms to shampoo his thick hair.
She imagined the feel of them beneath her fingers.
Still, she didn’t move. He turned, and his full beauty was revealed.
She let out a soft sound she couldn’t contain.
His eyes opened, and his gaze went dark.
The shower door slammed against the wall as he shoved it open, shattering glass across the tile.
Water poured down the drain as he stepped through the shards without flinching, never breaking eye contact.
Dripping wet, he lifted her against his heaving chest. His mouth claimed hers roughly, and she tasted water and want.
He carried her from the mess in the bathroom and dropped her in the center of the bed, his clothes joining hers on the floor.
His teeth grazed her neck, his beard scraping a hot trail across the sensitive column of her throat.
She arched into him, baring more skin. This was why she had waited and watched.
She wanted him to take control. For once in her life, she wanted to stop thinking and simply feel.
With Hesher she was safe to do that. He would never harm her. He loved her exactly as she was.
His weight settled over her and she welcomed every ounce of it.
His mouth found her breast through the thin fabric of her shirt, and she forgot about spaceships, wars, and alliances.
Only Hesher existed. Her nails scored his shoulders, then raked down to dig into the hard muscle of his backside.
He rocked forward, the thick ridge of him dragging along her inner thigh through her jeans, and the friction was a promise of what was coming.
Lydia slipped her hand between them and found him, stroking firmly.
He shuddered, thickening against her palm.
She traced the smooth head with her thumb, spreading the slick bead of moisture she found there.
He caught her nipple between his lips in retaliation, and the sound she made was not dignified.
She fumbled her zipper down, needing his heat against her bare skin.
Hesher flipped her onto her stomach. His tongue traced a slow path down her spine, lingering on the two dimples at the small of her back.
He stripped the jeans away in one sharp motion.
His breath came hot and deliberate through the thin lace still covering her, following the curve of her until she was writhing.
When he finally pulled the lace free and put his mouth where his breath had been, the sound that left her was half sob, half prayer.
He was relentless. She crested once, and before the tremors stopped, he drove her there again.
By the time he eased her onto her back, she was boneless.
He kissed her face with a tenderness that undid her more than the fierceness had. The pace shifted. His lips moved over hers like a conversation, unhurried and reverent. His hands shaped her curves gently now, soothing the skin he had set on fire.
Lydia drew her knees up and wrapped her legs around his waist, opening herself to him.
She rocked her hips, past the point of asking.
He held himself at her entrance, barely there, watching her face tighten with need.
He pulled back. She glared at him, and his eyes lit with something between love and mischief.
"There is the woman I have missed. Take me to heaven, my love.
" He sank into her in one long stroke and they both stopped breathing.
He filled her completely—her body, her heart, the hollow places she had carried for years without knowing. She was whole once more.
He moved slowly at first, raising their awareness of each other and building an immense tension that would consume them.
Losing himself in the strong feelings, Hesher drove into her with an urgency that left no room for thought.
She pulled her knees to her chin, taking all he had to give as deep as possible.
He shattered inside her, the heat of his release flooding through them both.
Only then did she let herself follow him to paradise.