Authors: Julia Sexton
“What?…What?…I…” Mary stammered.
Ac’von stepped in front of her. “Ac’ver is protected.”
“Until The Combat,” Ri’son sneered in disdain. “Then you will be unmarried and untouchable.” The crowd let out a collective gasp and drew back. “When I think about it, I couldn’t wish for a better recompense for shutting down the research center and destroying my experiments on earth.”
Mary suddenly had a sinking feeling in her stomach. All the people at the lab. She’d been so selfish. Her big challenge was learning how to be a queen on a strange planet. What had happened to everyone else? Was she really the cause of all the turmoil?
CHAPTER SEVEN
Back at the palace, Ac’von took her to his room and settled her in one of the big, soft chairs facing the window. He sat in the other. He reached out his hand and took hers. They sat in silence looking out the window.
Mary turned toward Ac’von. “Is it true, what Ri’son said? Am I the cause of all those people being transported here?”
She looked at him. The black clothes revealed his musculature. His powerful arms, his massive chest with defined pectorals. Last night she had seen the six-pack of muscles in his abdomen. His impressive thighs rippled under the fabric when they walked this morning.
“Indirectly. Not the way Ri’son put it. He needs someone to blame. He was the one creating false results to get more money and to experiment in a way that could possibly harm hundreds, if not thousands, of people. I noticed your reports and then started digging deeper. You are blameless.”
“I don’t feel blameless.”
“That’s his way, putting guilt on others so he will remain in control.”
“Ac’von, I must see the others. I couldn’t be your queen, even in name. I can’t go through your Raman ceremony, whatever it is, until I know that everyone is safe.”
He squeezed her hand and nodded. “When I first saw you in the hallway at Universal Research, I thought you were the most beautiful woman. But it was your reports and your unwillingness to stop sending them that made me realize you were my future queen. Honesty is a treasured quality in our family, with The Blacks. I felt we were meant to be together.”
“That’s all very complimentary, but it’s not a reason to kidnap the other people at the lab or me. You are skirting around my request.”
He turned his dark, almond eyes toward her with a frank stare. Mary realized she was all alone here. No friends. She wouldn’t even know where to go outside the palace. For a moment, she felt truly lost.
“Ac’ver,” he replied. “The other participants are scattered around the planet. Would it help if you met the one here in the city?”
“Thank you for asking and not commanding. Yes, I would feel so much better. You have to understand that I am alone in a strange place.”
“But you are not alone. You have me, and my family, and the entire Black clan to support your every desire. That is why it will be a simple thing to have someone take you. I must add daily arms practice to my daily routine…much of my routine in preparation for The Combat.”
He clapped his hands. Immediately a retainer entered. “Find Zu’ver,” he commanded.
Three minutes later a beautiful young woman, about Mary’s age, entered dressed in black. “Your mistress,” Ac’von said, gesturing toward Mary.
He turned to Mary. “Zu'ver is your personal whatever you want her to be. Her assignment is to help you in everything.”
Mary felt uncomfortable. She had never been in charge of someone before…like this. “Tu’von, have you seen the sky today?”
The young woman gave a very friendly smile. “Yes, and it is beautiful. Oh, queen, Ac’ver, I am so honored to serve you. I am trained in your language. In no time at all you will feel comfortable. Ac’von wishes me to take you to the laboratory. I am happy to lead the way.”
Ac’von stood. “My queen, your request is fulfilled.” He strode over, planted his lips on hers with a firm kiss, and left.
“It’s not very far, my queen,” Zu’ver said. “Come, I’ll show you the way. The palace complex is so large even I get confused sometimes, but I will help you learn your way around. I was born here…”
Zu’ver chatted the entire way, leading Mary down hallways and down elevators until they came to a far section of the palace. “…And my mother said, knowing The Way is the best course in life. Whenever you are in a dilemma consult The Way. The answer is always there. Oh, here we are.”
They stood in front of two enormous double doors. Zu'ver opened one and gestured for Mary to follow. Immediately the scents and sounds of a laboratory made Mary feel she was in familiar surroundings for the first time on Rama. Zu'ver spoke into a communication device. They waited in an anti-room. A door opened. A man of about 35, small and dark, wearing huge black-framed glasses entered. He waited.
Mary said, “Peter! Peter, you are
here
.”
The man looked at her with auburn curls flowing over her shoulders and down the back of her black tunic. “Mary? Is that you?”
“Yes, Peter, it’s me, Mary Smith. Oh, I am so happy to see you!” She rushed over and gave him a big hug.
Peter mumbled from within the hug, “I almost didn’t recognize you in those clothes.”
Mary let go and held his diminutive shoulders. “Are you alright? I was so worried about everyone.”
“Yes, I’m fine. It all takes a little getting used to, but I suppose it is no different than working in another country. As long as I am working I am fine. But, where are you? What are you doing?”
They had a long conversation. Mary was so relieved to find Peter more or less happy. He told her that once the group had arrived they had been separated and sent to different research centers depending on their specialty.
No, he didn’t know where the others were, but he was happy in his work. They parted and agreed to meet again as the two from Earth.
When they left Mary asked Zu’ver to take her to Ac’von.
“Oh, he is training. It is very big, very dangerous, especially for someone not from Rama.”
Mary said, “Take me.”
The gymnasium was on the opposite side of the palace. Zu’ver led Mary through the hallways and elevators chatting the entire time. Mary liked her. She was cheerful and at ease. She put Mary at ease. They finally came to the gymnasium. When they entered Mary was certain that she had never seen such a vast training center.
The main gym was huge with a very high ceiling, but Zu’ver led her on through connecting spaces. Men and women were training in gymnastics and sports of every kind.
Finally, they came to another huge hall filled mainly with pairs of men fighting with swords. The sounds of metal clanging and the shouts of the men filled the vast space.
Mary spotted Ac’von straight away. She realized that she would know the form of his body anywhere. She ran along the side of the room until she came to where he was practicing. He signaled his opponent and stopped. Mary ran to him and threw her arms around him. Everyone cheered.
“Oh, Ac’von, thank you. Peter seems at ease. Thank you. I feel so much better.”
Ac’von looked down at her and smiled. “Did you doubt me?”
Mary flushed. “Yes. I was so worried. I don’t know you. I mean…”
He smiled and took her arms that wrapped around his strong chest. “Ac’ver do not doubt me. There is no need. I keep my word. I am not cruel. But now,” he gestured around the room, “I am practicing. We will meet later.”
“I’ll watch,” Mary said. Ac’von gestured and two men hurriedly brought cushions to a bench in a long line of benches lining the sides of the room. For the next hour, she studied his swordsmanship noting his strong thrusts and his ability to respond quickly to his opponent’s moves.
When he finished, they all went back up to the top room. Zu’ver told Mary that her room was just across the hall and showed her the gold button that called her. “Use it anytime, day or night,” she said and left with a big smile.
Ac’von said, “I like the large space.” He paused, then asked, “Would you like to open the wall so we can enjoy the space?”
Mary realized that he had consciously asked her rather than just doing what he wanted. She felt a little skip in her heart. It was true, everything that he had told her was true.
Was honor part of the Raman Way? She thought about the men she had known, not one of them would have made such a conscious effort. Or, even Brad back in Cherryvale?
“Yes,” she said. “That will bring in the light from both sides, but let’s sit here by the window. I have something to tell you.”
Ac’von arched an eyebrow and sat next to her in the big, soft chair. “Yes?”
Mary did not sit. She stood in front of him. “Your back,” she said as she took an
en guarde
stance and then thrust her arm forward as if holding a sabre. “You are so broad in your back, but you don’t defend it. I watched you.”
Ac’von said, “Show me.”
Mary took a large fruit from the table. It looked like extra long celery without the ridges. She held it in her hand, then quickly turned her wrist up while at the same time dropping the end of the fruit down in a semi-circular position.
“Do you see how it diverts the other blade?”
Ac’von rose to take a similar fruit. “Show me again.”
Soon they were moving around the room thrusting and parrying.
Mary said, “Stop. You’re holding it like a man.”
Ac’von laughed. “I am a man.”
Mary thought about their night. “Yes, you are,” she said and smiled.
“Ri’son is big. He must depend on his brute strength and power behind the sword to render terrifying blows.”
Ac’von nodded his head. “Yes, that is my main concern. I’ve been practicing building the strength of my blows.
Mary said, “That is good. But, you can defend against them by being agile. What have your spy reports told you?”
Ac’von looked worried. “That he overpowers and defeats all of his opponents. He wins every bout.”
Mary held up her fruit. “Look at my hand.”
Ac’von studied her hand. “I don’t see anything unusual.”
“Look at my thumb. Look at my fingers.”
Ac’von studied her hand more. “Ohhhh, I see.”
Mary smiled. “Yes, now hold your fruit with the thumb up and the fingers gripping. Then move your wrist.”
Ac’von repositioned his fingers and moved the fruit in circles.
“Now try for the smallest circles you can make.”
Ac’von held out the fruit and rotated it in smaller and smaller circles.
“Now when I come in across as though going for your back, turn your wrist up while pushing my fruit away to the side and down.”
Mary thrust. Ac’von tried pushing aside her blade. He dropped the fruit.
“Again!” Mary said.
He picked up the fruit. This time, he turned his wrist and pushed her fruit aside.
“That’s it!” Mary cried in delight. “Small, controlled movements will parry heavy, uncontrolled thrusts. Tomorrow we will practice with real blades.”
Ac’von threw his fruit in the air as he jumped up. “My Ac’ver!” he shouted. “Defender of the Blacks.”
Then he took her in his arms and led her to his bed.
A storm of emotions swept through her. All the delight of last night returned to her body. And all the confusion of being abducted to a strange planet filled her mind.
“No!” Mary said. “Sex is not a reward. “
His face fell. Mary could tell he was confused and hurt. Then his face lit up. “Like asking for the wall to move?”
“Yes, it’s a little more complicated than that. But, yes.”
“Tell me.” He reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder. Mary felt lightning heat zoom through her body. Every part of her wanted to dissolve into his arms and repeat last night’s experience. But, she still had that nagging fear. Two days was not enough time.
“First, I have a question. You told me that if you die in The Combat I will become virtually untouchable. Does that mean that Tu’von and Tu’ver would deny me? Would I also be an outcast on a planet I don’t know?”
Ac’von took her in his arms. “First, I am not going to die. And, no, you are forever part of The Blacks. It’s just that you would never marry. You would be what they call on earth a
spinster
. Is that the right word?”
Mary nodded her head. The feeling of his body next to hers set her in a fever of desire. Her nipples pressed against the strength of his chest. Her thighs pressed against his.
Mary continued, “And if there were no combat, how would it be?”
He nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. She leaned closer into his embrace.
“That would be tomorrow. The Raman ceremony is small. Basically, it is a legal formality. There is a three-day waiting period. You have been here three days. Your time asleep was a day. Then there is an announcement and the next day is a general holiday in all of Rama.”
Mary pushed herself back and looked up into his handsome face. His dark, almond eyes gazed questioningly into hers.
“You were on Earth long enough to know that for most marriages there is an engagement period. A time before the actual wedding when the two people get to know each other on a more personal level than just sex.”
“Yes.”
“I have a proposal,” Mary said. “I am so new here and the Combat looms ahead. Let us do the ceremony tomorrow, but not announce it until The Combat.”
Ac’von nodded his head. “That will work well for Our People.”
“And, one more thing,” Mary added. “We will have our own private engagement. Even though we will be legally united tomorrow, we will wait until The Combat to unite. It will be our time to get to know each other.”