Vareen & Mica (The Alliance Book 2) Page 15

  The judge nodded to the announcer and Mica stilled knowing what was coming.

  “Temloc Jataci,” the announcer called. “Step forward.”

  Vareen swung her head to watch as Temloc strode from his position next to Martac. Mica was too busy watching Vareen. He couldn’t seem to get enough of watching her. She was taking everything so calmly.

  When Temloc was next to them in front of the judges stand he bowed slightly and faced the announcer and judges.

  “You wished to speak?” The head judge asked.

  “Yes.” Temloc turned to him. “I formally rescind my challenge. All of my previous concerns regarding your chosen mate have been nullified.” After this statement, he bowed again and then to Vareen.

  At this news, the Jataci crowd started shouting and cheering furiously.

  The head judge inclined his head at Temloc. “We accept your request for withdrawal and hereby decree all remaining trials for the Jataci are canceled.”

  The announcer held his hands out and called for silence.

  When the crowd quieted down the head judge continued. “Today’s trials are over.”

  Cali, Nellia, Dani, and Risenal all rushed to hug Vareen and he was forced to let go of her hand. He noticed she was laughing with her friends.

  Mica was just glad it was over. Trying to keep the fact of the challenge from Vareen when she’d visited in his tent had been hell. She’d trusted him enough to declare her love and acceptance of his as a chosen mate and he’d let her leave without telling her of the dangers. The fact that Temloc had challenged not his father, or him, but his chosen mate had been a shock. The worry for Vareen’s safety had almost driven him mad. Looking at her again where she stood with her friends, Mica could only thank the moons that Vareen was his mate.

  Drake, Arik, Tae, Dak, and Vathral were all talking to him at once and he forced himself to pay attention. When he couldn’t take it anymore he pulled away from his friends.

  “I need to speak with Var,” Mica reached her side and bowed to her friends. “Do you mind if I take Vareen for a moment?” Without waiting for an answer, he took her hand and walked away to find a private spot.

  “Sweetheart, are you okay?” Mica wrapped her close to him and enjoyed the feel of her breath against his chest.

  “Yes,” Vareen answered without hesitation. “Are you?”

  “I wanted to tell you the first night you came to my tent, but I couldn’t.” Mica turned her face up to his. “In order to satisfy Temloc and the judges you had to be responding with no idea that it was you being tested. Do you forgive me?”

  “There isn’t anything to forgive. I’m not crazy about the nature of the trials,” Vareen kissed his chin. “I’m just glad it worked out. Can I ask you for a favor?”

  “Anything,” Mica answered without hesitating.

  “Can we go home? I just want a few days alone with you. No visits from your father, as much as I love him. Just you and me.” Vareen looked up at him under her lashes.

  “I think that can be arranged. We don’t need to be here. My father and Dani can show our families support for the other leaders during the rest of the trials. It’s looking as if the other challengers are falling behind and the leadership should remain the same after this Challenge of Succession. I’m hoping for my father that the leaders keep their lead over the challengers. The leadership council as it stands work well together and are all great friends.” Mica kissed Vareen tenderly on the top of her head. “I’ll make the arrangements immediately for a pod to take us to the teleporting center.”

  “We can come back for the last day of dancing and parties if you want,” Vareen offered.

  “Why don’t we see how we feel in a few days.” Mica grabbed her hand and pulled her toward where their friends, and by this point the other leaders, were standing.

  Mica was happy to be going home. He was worried about Vareen and all the excitement that she’d been put through. There was also Luna, who he’d been unable to get any communication on from his cousin while in isolation. Truth be told, he was just happy that Vareen wanted to be alone with him. He returned the sentiment and couldn’t wait to get back to Jataci.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Vareen used her elbow and nudged Mica. “It’s your turn to feed Luna.”

  Mica groaned dramatically and draped his arm over her waist. “Is there anything I could do that would convince you to do it?”

  “No.” Vareen shook her head adamantly. Pushing more forcefully on his shoulders. “You’ve talked me into doing it for the last two nights. It’s your turn to slog that hunk of meat.”

  “Please…” Mica rolled over and pulled her over his chest. “Luna has turned into such a hellion since we got back. Every time I try to throw the meat into the guest house for her to eat she chases me all the way across the lawns. I still have the claw marks on my ass from the last time.”

  “I’ll never forget the sight you made running from your own pet.” Vareen broke into laughter, her body shaking against his.

  Mica put his fingers against her ribs and wiggled. “I’ll give you something to laugh about.”

  “Not tickling.” Vareen rolled away and tried to crawl across the bed. Mica’s full length pressed against her, effectively blocking her escape. “I’ll give you anything you want. Just no tickling.”

  “Anything I want?” Mica pressed his hard arousal against her.

  “Yes.” Vareen pushed back against him, her body reacting to the feel of him behind her.

  *****

  When they had both caught their breath, Vareen whispered, “You still have to go feed Luna.”

  “Can you come with me and protect me against my crazy cat?”

  “I’ll come with you.” Vareen conceded. “Maybe we can do something crazy under the full moons again.” She was referring to the first night of the dual full moons. Mica had made love to her under the brightly lit nights’ sky, the two moons making an ethereal glow.

  “Maybe that is what has Luna acting so crazy.” Mica grabbed her and rolled them both off the bed.

  “Maybe.” Vareen thought about the effects the two moons might have on the ocean tides, the axial tilt of the planet, the length of day, the darkness at night and the shifting of this planet's land masses. It was possible that when the moons did happen to be full at the same time, which was a rare occurrence, the biological life reacted in a strange way.

  “Or perhaps she sees you as a threat while I have no special mojo to scare her,” Vareen teased.

  “Special mojo?” Mica handed her a robe.

  “Yes. Your abilities might scare her since she’d be unable to defend against you if you became a threat. Even domesticated animals would have a primitive fear of a higher predator.”

  Mica rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “I never thought of it that way. That might explain why she refuses to leave her babies at night and has to be hand fed. She must see threats everywhere now.” They entered the great room and Mica broke away to head for the kitchen. “I’ll grab Luna’s midnight snack.”

  “I’ll start toward the guest house.” Vareen moved through the doors onto the lawns behind the main house. She knew that Mica was disappointed that his pet wouldn’t allow him close to her litter. Vareen was sure that it wouldn’t last much longer. The “cubs” as Mica told her the baby cats were called, were getting much larger and would be able to start hunting with their mother soon.

  Mica joined her on the path and they walked together in comfortable silence.

  They had reached the guest house and Mica frowned. “Here goes nothing.”

  Vareen watched from the grass as Mica took the steps cautiously and then tip-toed to the door. Using the console, he opened the door and from inside Vareen heard an unholy growling noise.

  “Luna, it’s me,” Mica whispered. “Here is some food.”

  The growling got louder and you could just hear some faint cries from the babies. Luna had delivered three cubs. Two boys and one girl. One of the
boys was black with green eyes like his mother. The other boy was gray with light blue eyes while the female was a frosty white color with blue eyes.

  Mica tossed the meat into the room and backed away. Turning triumphantly to Vareen he smiled, “She didn’t attack me this time.”

  “I’m sure that’s a good sign.” Vareen shared Mica’s happiness. He’d been a grouch ever since Luna refused to let him into the guest house. “Do you think she’ll start taking them out to hunt soon?”

  “We’ve only had to feed her at night, she’s been leaving them during daylight to find food. I may have to check with an expert to make sure, but I think she’ll take them out soon. I never learned because I wasn’t expecting to breed Luna due to her size. She’s so small I was afraid it would harm her.”

  “Luna is small?!” Vareen exclaimed. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “No. She’s considered quite small for her breed. In the wild, they are much larger. Possibly due to the abundance of food, or just that domesticated animals have been bred smaller. I’m not sure, but Luna is much smaller than any feline I’ve seen.”

  Vareen vowed to never wander into the wilds of Titus if what Mica was saying was true and she had no reason to doubt that it was.

  “Wow. I’ll stay close to the inhabited areas of Titus, thank you very much.”

  Mica drew her into his arms, her legs coming off the ground as he swung her around. “Have you thought about the ending ceremonies and celebration dance? Tomorrow is the last day if you want to attend.”

  Vareen bit her lip thinking. “Is it worth traveling to Metari for the closing ceremonies? What would we be missing out on?”

  Mica put her down and took her hand to walk her toward a hammock set between two trees. “Well, there are a few things going on tomorrow. The judges will officially announce the winners of the challenges. In a Challenge of Succession when there aren’t any challengers, the trials can be entered into by anyone. It’s a good way to test your skills and there is an award presented at the end. Since this year every clan had a challenger, the leadership will have been decided.”

  “Does everyone know who won already?” Vareen stopped at the hammock.

  “Pretty much. The consensus is that the leadership isn’t going to be changed. All of the leaders are ahead of the challengers in this Challenge of Succession.”

  Mica helped her into the hammock and then joined her. The gentle rocking motion of the swing was very relaxing. After a moment, Vareen spoke into the silence.

  “I think we should go to show our support for the leadership. Not to mention that the dancing sounds fun.” Vareen was tucked against Mica’s side, her fingers rubbing against his bare chest. She never got bored playing with the slight dusting of hair.

  “I’ll make arrangements for travel back to Metari. Just to warn you, the closing ceremonies are much more crowded and the partying goes well into the next morning.”

  “We can stay as long as you want. I don’t mind the idea of such a big party, it sounds exciting.”

  Mica sighed, “I’ll find someone to feed Luna. We’ll only be gone the one night so it shouldn’t be too hard.”

  “Poor Luna. Have you given any thought on who might make good homes for the cubs?”

  “Drake won’t do. He has canines and they don’t get along with felines.” Mica’s fingers massaged against her arm absentmindedly. “There is Arik, he hasn’t gotten a canine and might appreciate the companionship of one of the cubs. Tae lives in a high rise suite in the middle of Takari city and I don’t think he’d like a pet. Dak might work. He lives in a rural part of Denary. I will ask around at the ceremonies tomorrow.”

  “Is it possible to keep one of them?” Vareen asked innocently. She’d been eyeing the gray male with light blue eyes. Every time she fed Luna that male cub seemed drawn to her and she to him.

  Mica’s fingers stilled on her arm, “Why do you ask?” his voice was mildly curious with a hint of humor.

  “Well, if we have enough room I wouldn’t mind keeping one of them. Say, the gray male…”

  Mica started shaking and Vareen went up on one elbow to look into his face. This set the hammock to swinging. “Are you laughing at me?”

  “Var. If you want one of the cubs, you don’t have to hesitate to ask.” Mica’s eyes were turning blue with emotion. “I would never deny you something so simple. I need to ask you something first.”

  “What?”

  “Have you thought about what it would mean to bond with a pet and then go back into space? If that’s what you want to do for a living.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that,” Vareen admitted softly. “I don’t want to return to space duties right away. Not that I’ve been assigned one anyway. I hope you won’t think less of me, but I want to take things slowly.”

  Mica held her tighter. “Oh, Var. It is impossible for me to think badly of you. I’ll support whatever you want. As for being assigned a ship, is this a bad time to tell you that one has been gifted to you by the council?”

  “What?” Vareen tried to sit up and the hammock rocked. “I’ve been given a spaceship?”

  “Yes.” Mica’s voice was thick with emotion. “The Council felt your contribution to the rescue of the five heirs and the sacrifice you made in getting The Reliant home was worthy of honoring.”

  Vareen was struck speechless. She could only drop her head against Mica’s shoulder in stunned silence.

  “It is the same model as The Cali,” Mica continued when she remained quiet. “You wouldn’t remember being onboard since it was after your stay at the Realignment Center.”

  Coming out of her state of shock Vareen asked, “It’s a reconnaissance ship? One made for exploration?”

  “Yes.” Mica’s fingers were lazily caressing her arm. “Are you pleased to have command of your own vessel?”

  “Of course.” Vareen had been worried that Mica would see her decision to take things slowly as a waste of her talents. Now she was being told that she had her own ship to command, and when she was finally ready to travel and explore space she could. Leaning up Vareen kissed Mica in excitement over the idea of her own command. Then a thought hit her. If she left to explore space Mica wouldn’t be able to travel with her. He had duties here on Titus and they would only grow more time consuming for him.

  As if sensing her sudden dour thoughts Mica tensed. “Is something wrong?”

  Damning his heightened senses, she paused then asked, “Would you be able to leave Titus and explore with me?”

  “I wouldn’t be able to go out with you every time.” Mica’s strong hands rubbed her back and Vareen felt calmed by the motion. “When you feel the pull to go explore, I’ll support your decision to go. At some point, there might be other things that take your mind off space travel.”

  Vareen heard the note of whimsy and knew where his thoughts had turned. “Other things?” she asked. “What could possibly compare to the excitement of scanning a newly discovered Nebula? Or the thrill of classifying a new lifeform? Or—”

  Mica suddenly ran his hands up her ribs and she bit back a startled giggle at being tickled.

  “Are you teasing me? You know I’m speaking of the cub,” Mica offered exasperated.

  “The cub?” Vareen had almost forgotten that is what started this whole conversation. Her desire to keep one of Luna’s cubs.

  “That is what you were thinking of wasn’t it?” Mica’s confusion was obvious.

  Vareen stilled. Their talk had certainly taken a crazy circle. “I wasn’t thinking about the cub,” she admitted. “I was thinking about children and our home here on Titus.”

  “When you are ready we’ll have children.” Mica’s voice held a note of surety that gave Vareen goosebumps. “Until then, other than space travel, I’m sure there is something here on Titus that you might enjoy doing. What are your other interests?”

  “I love working with and learning about plant life. That is a hobby I carried over from Cestori.” Vareen pau
sed and then shrugged. “I might try animal husbandry and/or the study of your animal life. That might be fun.”

  “Well, keeping one of Luna’s cubs would be a good start.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay with everything?” Vareen felt a surge of excitement that she could have one of the cubs, captain her own spaceship, and have a home with Mica.

  “Yes. I want you to know that you have choices here on Titus. You are not going to be pressured into doing anything…except train your new cub. I draw the line at having that duty.”

  “Thank you, Mica. I’ll take good care of him,” Vareen laughed happily. Truly free from pressure in what felt like years.

  “I know you will sweetheart.” Mica kissed her forehead tenderly. “Have you thought of a name for him?”

  “I’d like to get a feel for his personality first, but I was thinking Smoky or Sterling.”

  “Those are both good names. When we get back you should spend more time with Luna and the cubs, get a feel for him if you want. We both know Luna will let you closer than me.”

  “I love you, Mica. Thank you for being so open to keeping the cub.”

  “As I said before. I can’t deny you…anything.” Mica’s voice had deepened.

  “Anything? Really.” Vareen smiled wickedly. “I’ve been dying to try this one thing. How sturdy is this hammock?”

  She let her fingers trail down his stomach to Mica’s already eager and willing arousal.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “You didn’t miss much.” Nellia turned to grab her drink off the table. “The rest of the trials weren’t nearly as interesting with you gone.”

  “I’m just glad that Drake’s father was able to win his challenge. Now we can enjoy the dance and celebrate with everyone else.”

  “Mica was right that there weren’t any changes to the leadership. I’m glad for everyone involved.” Vareen had to yell to be heard over the music being played from a stage set into the middle of the arena. She was talking with her two friends on the outside of the arena, away from the dancing, but the music carried on the air.