Chapter 9
NINE
Calinae was something that stepped from a dream. She was perfection in the flesh.
That was no accident.
Unless he was completely wrong—and he was sure he wasn’t—she had been designed to someone’s exact specifications.
Yes. Designed. Just the thought of it made his blood boil.
Genetic manipulation was nothing new, but there were rules about it and the first was not to take genetic material from any species without their knowledge or permission.
Humans had definitely not given their permission, yet over half of Calinae’s physical body was made up of human DNA.
It was time she knew this, but he was waiting on one more bit of information.
To make matters worse, Warlord Mek-la would not take it well if Calinae decided to break the betrothal. He would not take it well at all.
Niir knew the warlord. He had spent time at his palace and seen the sprawling grounds, draped with naked wives, firsthand.
There was no scientific laboratory in that place and the warlord had no interest in such things. He produced terti powder and ran a brisk spice trade from his fertile planet. Niir would bet his last credit that Warlord Mek-la had not produced these females.
More likely, he had agreed to keep them in a secret location in exchange for their labor and the right to keep one of them—Calinae.
So who was behind the genetic manipulation? Someone had to have set up an elaborate laboratory, found scientists who lacked any kind of ethics, and given them the resources to create these females. But who? That question needed a swift answer. Their lives depended on it.
His mind was on this mountain of worries, but also on Calinae.
He led her through a tall arch, into a soaring corridor of glimmering crystal.
The walls were deeply veined with shimmering gold streaks.
The translucent stone was illuminated with thousands of tiny, glittering lights imbedded in the crystal.
His feet sank into the thick, deep purple carpet that emitted a warm, floral scent with each step.
A low, black transport silently slid up beside them.
It hovered above the ground with no doors, only an opening with a step.
The top was open. A plush purple seat curved in a half circle.
“Oh. Are we supposed to ride in this?” Calinae asked.
He held her hand as she stepped in. She did not seem perfectly steady in the tall heels Anna had chosen for her.
Granted, there would be no admittance to this awful pleasure station without the proper attire, and Calinae looked one hundred percent the part of one who belonged here, enjoying the luxuries Elos offered.
Once they were both seated in the transport, it began to move. They proceeded down the corridor, which was meant to awe the senses and offer guests a preview of the opulence beyond.
“Have you been here before?” she asked him.
“Once,” he replied. “That time we did have a ship repair to attend to.”
“What do you…do here? Aside from walking around looking at things.”
“Ah, well, that depends on what you are looking for.”
She frowned up at him. “What does that mean?”
“There is supposedly something for everyone here.” He swept a hand to where the hallway had begun to open to a massive atrium, filled with light and color. Beings of many species were here—males and females, all wearing tiny white outfits, ready to assist guests in any way they wished.
The transport stopped in the atrium and they disembarked. He leaned over so only she could hear him. “There are rare items to be purchased, and unusual foods to sample, and impossible-to-find drinks to enjoy, and sometimes, for some people, there is sex.”
He felt her jerk beside him. “You mean all these people…”
“Not all of them,” he said, finishing her thought. “But some of them would be happy to go with you to your room and pleasure you in any way you wish, yes. For a price, of course. A high one.”
“Did you—” She clamped a hand over her mouth, but Niir knew exactly what she was going to ask.
He chose to answer. “I do not pay for sex.”
“I’m sorry,” she said stiffly. “It’s none of my business.”
He stopped and turned her toward him. “Don’t apologize for asking a question. You may ask me anything, Calinae, no matter how personal.”
“Okay.” Her gaze dropped to his mouth, undoubtedly remembering the kiss they shared outside her chambers. This had seemed like a good idea, but now he couldn’t imagine how he was going to resist her. His hands itched to explore the lush curves on display in that ridiculous excuse for a jumpsuit.
“Welcome guests,” said a female voice. “My name is Joco. May I scan your entry chip, please?”
Niir looked over, snatching back the urge to snarl at the newcomer, only to see a wide-eyed gloe gazing up at them.
Gloes were a unique species, shaped like a petite humanoid, but with large, shimmering eyes and great, puffy wings that were useless for flying, but pretty to look at.
He tapped the small disk that was discreetly attached to his tunic.
As the tiny female passed a small, clear screen over the disk, Calinae was leaning around to get a better look at the female’s wings.
“Your wings are beautiful,” Calinae said with awe. “Can you fly?”
“No, we can’t. Isn’t that too bad?” The gloe giggled and turned to give Calinae better access. “You can touch them if you want.”
Calinae’s eyes went wide. She reached out and touched a translucent wing with her fingertips, before taking her hand away. “They’re soft.”
The gloe was going into flirtation mode now, as she lowered her long lashes and smiled beguilingly at Calinae, who appeared oblivious to all but those beautiful wings. “So is the rest of me,” the gloe purred.
Niir sighed.
Comprehension finally dawned on Calinae’s face. She smiled back and blushed. “Oh, thank you, but…I’m with him.”
The gloe’s gaze moved over Niir with overt appreciation while Niir’s head nearly exploded at Calinae’s casual confession.
“I can see why, lovely one,” said the gloe, who stepped back, acknowledging the rejection.
“If you are looking for a beautiful walk, I would recommend the Astrea forest.” She gestured toward an arched corridor branching off from the atrium.
“Enjoy your stay on Elos. I am here, if either of you want me.” The gloe winked at them, then wandered off to greet another guest.
“She meant…”
“Yes,” Niir answered.
“But I didn’t…”
“I know.” He leaned close, taking her hand in his large one. “But you made a mistake by telling her that you were here with me.”
He felt her pulse jump in her wrist. “Why?”
“Because she scanned us in and thanks to your little declaration, she will be putting us in the same suite tonight.”
“Oh,” she stammered. “Can you get her back? Fix the mistake?”
Niir put a finger over her lips. “If it’s a mistake, I don’t want to fix it. I don’t want you out of my sight in this place, Calinae.”
He heard the possessive edge to his voice, but it couldn’t be helped. He wanted her, plain and simple. Even if he couldn’t bed her, he wanted to enjoy every moment he could with her.
“Okay,” she said, closing her eyes. “I’m sorry. I am…in over my head.”
“You are exactly where you should be,” he murmured. If anyone was in over their head, it was him. “And stop apologizing. You, of all people, have nothing to apologize for. Now, let’s go see the Astrea forest that came so highly recommended.”
She nodded, appearing grateful to be moving on from a conversation that she seemed embarrassed by, although Niir wasn’t sure why.
They both knew they wanted each other. She didn’t know why he couldn’t submit to his desires, but if their chemistry continued to build, he would have to address it with her.
It turned out that the Astrea forest was indeed a beautiful walk. There were crystals, of course, but the forest was made up of magnificent trees in the most amazing colors and shapes the galaxy had to offer.
Scantily clad attendants were stationed throughout the walk with hovering trays of tiny, delicious bites and offering slender glasses of fragrant spirits to those wandering the forest. The ceiling of the forest, which was a massive dome, was clear to show off the splendor of the starry sky.
The crystal moon this station was on had no atmosphere, so the view was clear.
It surely was beautiful to those who didn’t see it all the time, like Niir did.
Calinae stopped numerous times and just stared up, glass tipping to the side as her interest in her green drink waned. He plucked the glass from her fingers and pointed out the star systems he recognized.
“Which one am I from?” she asked.
His chest constricted. “I don’t know yet,” he lied. There would be no good way of telling her that she was likely from none of them. Her birth occurred in a laboratory somewhere, then an incubation facility, then to the domed “settlement” she had called home.
They moved on to the marketplace, where she took in the goods being sold with little interest. He watched her as they moved through vendors selling beautiful plants, perfumes, clothing and even pets.
The only thing she paused at was a jewelry seller who sold strings of seranium crystals in every imaginable color.
On a whim, Niir stopped and picked up the long string of crystals he’d seen Calinae gazing at, and placed it over her head.
The gems were small, irregular shaped, and hadn’t been worked so much that they lost their natural luster.
Deep blue shot through their clear facets.
She gasped when they settled against her skin, erasing the pinch of self-doubt he had felt seeing the necklace in his large fingers. They dangled between her breasts and all he could think about was what she would look like wearing only that necklace and nothing else. Maybe the shoes, too.
“A fine choice, sir,” said the vendor, knocking him out of his lustful trance. “You have a good eye. Your female is even more exquisite in my gems.”