Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five Read online

  Even with the sexual block, Marcael could not stop himself from answering the call of Brennae’s body. Taking her legs, he spun her on the medical bed until he could step between her knees. He pulled her toward him until their bodies were flush against each other. One arm was around her lower back, the other was under the arm she had wrapped around his neck and his fingers were twisting their way around her hair. Leaning into her body, he paused with his lips hovering just above Brennae’s. When her lashes fluttered against her cheeks, he pressed his lips against hers. The warmth from where their bodies connected surprised him. The heat flashed along his body, running wildly in his blood, until with a jolt he could feel his body responding. He felt Brennae’s fingers playing against the skin at his neck and back. Her mouth was open for the plundering and his tongue took up the challenge. He felt the tentative answer of Brennae’s tongue against his. Then they were rubbing and sparring with each other. She let out a soft moan and he answered with a growl of pleasure.

  Thrusting his hips against Brennae, he swallowed her surprised gasp and then sighed into her mouth when she wrapped her legs around his hips. Their kissing turned primal, hot and frenzied. Brennae was making sexy, wild noises in the back of her throat. He swore his pants were going to explode off his body if his shaft got any harder. He froze when he realized that the sexual block had been broken. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown on him. He realized that he needed to get a hold of himself. This was no time to be initiating a physical encounter with Brennae. They were in the medical unit for crying out loud! Her uncle was still to be dealt with, her family on Terraneu was in danger...they were in even worse danger and he needed to keep a clear head.

  Forcing his mouth away from Brennae, he took in deep gasping breaths. When he was able to speak, he rasped out, “How is it possible that the sexual block is not working?”

  “A strong sexual pheromone from a female will break through a sexual block.” Brennae whispered. Her voice was ambrosia to his ears, sultry and soft.

  He owed her an apology. “I am sorry Brennae.” He looked into her passion clouded eyes and noted with satisfaction that his kisses had that effect on her. Wanting her to understand he continued, “I am not sorry I kissed you. I am just sorry that this is not the right time or place.”

  Her face flamed red for a moment, and she looked so uncertain that he could not help himself he kissed her again, quickly moving his mouth against hers. Pulling back, he nibbled gently on her lower lip, his fingers massaging her scalp.

  She blushed again then looked down between them. He put his finger under her chin and made sure she was looking at him when he emphasized, “When we get out of this we will continue where we left off.” He stepped further back and helped her off the medical bed.

  “I have to move you out of here in case someone comes looking for you.” Marcael turned toward the door then back to her, “I am going to hide you in my quarters for now. We need to move fast, would you prefer to walk or for me to carry you?” He had made the mistake of giving her the sleeping aide without asking. He was going to try to give her as much say as possible from now on.

  “Would you please carry me? I would be more comfortable with that option.” Marcael smiled slightly at her answer. It was a wise decision. Brennae did not know this ship and if she did not want to jeopardize their chances at getting to his quarters, being carried was the best option.

  Pulling her into his arms he said, “Remember, turn your head into my chest. I will get us to my chambers as fast as I can.” He hurried toward the door, rushed down corridors and waited impatiently for lifts. It seemed like he would never get to his quarters when suddenly he was at his door. Hurrying inside he used his console to lock his chambers. With a sigh of relief, he set Brennae on a couch. Smiling at her, he gestured around the room, “This is the lounge area.” He pointed through a doorway, “That is my bedroom and sonic shower.” He moved toward a wall unit then frowned and turned back, “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Water if I could please.” Brennae spoke softly, “That is all we drink on Terraneu.”

  He moved to get her some water and when the glass was filled he turned back to hand her the glass. “After you drink your refreshment you can use the sonic shower to clean up if you would like. It works on organic matter and clothing, so your dress will be unsoiled as well.” He looked at the covering she was wearing and though the sonic unit could not repair the tears, it would make it clean. That might make her feel better.

  “That would be nice.” She had swallowed down her water quickly and stood up, “I would like to take that sonic shower now if you don’t mind.”

  Marcael just nodded and took her through his bedchamber to the sonic shower. It was not much more than a walled in area. You stood in place and the computer did all the necessary cleaning. Placing Brennae on the correct spot, he programmed the unit for a full cleaning. “There is a slight tingling sensation at first, but it is not harmful.”

  “Thank you for explaining, I’m ready.” She whispered closing her eyes.

  Marcael hit the button to start the cleaning and stepped out of the sonic chamber to give Brennae some space. Moving around his bedchamber he quickly put everything in order. Not that he had many things to clutter up his space. There were no trinkets or trophies, or grand decorations. All he had was some clothing he had meant to put in the cleaning unit and his bed, which was a rumpled mess that he had not bothered to make.

  “I’m done.”

  At the soft words he spun around and once again caught his breath at how incredibly lovely she was. Her hair was shiny and curling around her shoulder to flow down her back. Her skin really was that golden glowing color in any light. Her face was pinched with stress, but beautiful nonetheless.

  “I was thinking we could go sit in the lounge area and talk.” Marcael thought to get her mind off where she was and what was happening. “If you do not mind that is.”

  “No of course not.” She smiled hesitantly, “That sounds fine.”

  Marcael gestured for her to precede him into the lounge area. He filled her glass with water and got one for himself while he was there.

  “So what do you want to talk about?” She asked, her soft voice echoing in the quiet room. Before he could say anything she jumped in, “I know...I’ll ask the first question. Why did you kill my grandfather and why does my mad uncle get the idea that you enjoyed it?”

  Chapter Ten

  Brennae waited for Marcael to answer her question. Why had he killed her grandfather? She knew there was more to the story than he was letting on. His look of surprise at her question was almost enough to make her laugh.

  “I would answer you if I could—” Marcael started and she broke in. She did not want him to make excuses for why he could not talk to her.

  “Don’t tell me that this isn’t the time.” She looked around, wringing her hands in agitation. “No matter what we say tonight, one way or the other this will be all over soon. What harm could there be in finally telling the truth?” Brennae leaned forward and smiled wryly, “I am not a child Marcael. I know that the likelihood of me surviving whatever comes in the next few hours isn’t that high.” She leaned back with a sigh, “I must have really muddled up the plans you had for defeating my uncle. Trying to keep me alive is going to cost you the advantage and I realize that.”

  “That is not—” again Brennae interrupted him.

  “True?” She was getting angry that he wouldn’t treat her like an equal, “If it had been anyone else sitting here, you would be talking strategies instead of trying to sugar coat our predicament for my sake. Stop trying to protect me! I’m not some porcelain doll that can’t think!”

  “Okay.” Marcael leaned forward and put his hands on hers, “You want only the truth?” He sighed, “It would have been easier to initiate my plan without having to worry about you on this ship. Our odds of success are diminished, but not by as much as you seem to think. I still believe that we will be
successful in ending this nightmare.”

  “I don’t suppose you will tell me this plan you have?” When he just raised his eyebrow and smiled Brennae sighed, “Okay...so about my grandfather?”

  Marcael bit out a laugh, “You are persistent.” He leaned back and his eyes locked on hers, “Are you sure you want to hear this?”

  “Yes, I’m sure.” Brennae didn’t hesitate. She waited patiently for Marcael to start talking.

  Marcael took a drink of his water and leaned back on the cushions. “I was a street orphan when your grandfather found me. Five other boys and myself had stayed together to protect each other from the other roving gangs. We were so young I knew it was only a matter of time before we were killed, or sold into prostitution.” He smiled at her, “I even accused your grandfather of that when he offered to take me off the streets.”

  Brennae had just taken a drink of her water when he stated that. She gasped and immediately started coughing, waving him back when he moved to help her. “I’m okay.” She rasped out, “You didn’t really do that!?”

  He laughed again, “Yes, I did. Though I will admit at the time I thought he was just a High Lord. I had not realized he was the King.” With a mischievous glint in his eyes he said, “Actually, I am not sure it would have mattered. I was terribly rude at that age.”

  Brennae smiled at the thought of a young Marcael telling her grandfather off. “How old were you?”

  “I do not know, maybe nine or ten years old at the time. I had been abandoned in the streets. There is no way for me to know how old I was exactly.”

  Brennae’s smile dimmed. “So young?” She whispered.

  “Yes, well your grandfather saw to it that I was trained and educated. When I achieved the honor of being Knoet’un I thought my heart would burst from happiness.” Instead of having a radiant smile at the memory, Brennae was surprised to see him frowning. “It was not long after the Knighting Ceremony that I was chosen for the assignment that eventually led me here. You see your grandfather was very smart. He knew that the Queen would accept me more readily because he had guessed at my parentage. Though I did not know exactly who they were, it showed in my features that I was from Aekaetum. It was easy for me to say that I had been cast out due to my connection to the country we were warring with.” Rubbing his hands over his face he continued, “I was able to work my way into the Queens guard. They believed I had been stripped of my status as Knoet’un because of my race and was therefore bitter toward the King and Kingdom. I quickly earned a place at the Queens side where I stayed getting as much information to the King as I could. When the day came that they brought the King before the Queen, I was working as a guard at her side. They dragged your grandfather in and made him bow to his wife. I could see something was not right. He was not the same man. Instead of hearty and full of life, he was pale and sweaty. I knew instantly that he had contracted Elyon’s Madness, the disease she had created that was ravaging all of Terra.”

  Brennae had to break in. “How could he have caught it. Wouldn’t he have isolated himself for protection?”

  Marcael shook his head, stating sadly, “He was not that kind of leader. As long as even one of his people was in harm’s way, he would be in harm’s way as well. When I saw the Queen move toward the King, I tried to stop her. Not because I wanted to protect her, but because it was expected of me. As I knew she would, she did not hesitate to keep going toward the King. She was so full of hate and loathing I knew she would not let him out of the room without insulting and physically assaulting him and I had to stand by and watch. When the King grabbed Elyon and kissed her, I knew it had been his plan all along to be brought in front of her. She was furious with him and demanded that I torture my King.” Marcael’s voice grew softer, “I pulled my blade, the Un’bah given to me by your grandfather on my Knighting day. I walked up to him and I put my blade through his heart.”

  Brennae sat in stunned silence for a second, “You knew my grandfather was sick and that is why you were able to kill him. How is it that my uncle could get any indication of ‘happiness’ from you?”

  Marcael rubbed his eyes wearily, “Because I was happy to do it! The Queen would have taken great pleasure from his suffering. If I had not killed him, the King would have been tortured just so she could laugh while he screamed. I knew my blade through his heart would end not only any torture, but also his decline from the disease. I risked the Queen’s wrath in killing him outright, but I had to do it.”

  Marcael had finished his water and rose to get more, giving her time to think about what he had said. He had killed her grandfather, but there was a greater good from the act. He had been able to stay in the Queens guard and was assigned to her mad uncle. When he sat back down she offered, “Since you answered one of my questions, it’s only fair you get to ask one.”

  He looked surprised, “Okay.” Tapping his finger against his chin, he thought for a second, “Tell me about life on Terraneu.”

  “Well, we have a giant swimming pond and park area. Everyone loves to spend time there! It is like the oasis where you found me, only in the safety of the community.” Brennae smiled at the thought of the waterfalls and lazy river. “We also have sporting fields for football games.” At his confused look she laughed, “Football is a game played by two teams. The object is to get the ball into the opposing teams net. You can’t use your hands and there are other rules...but it is very fun to play. My brothers are on a team and they are constantly talking about football or playing football.” When he just nodded his understanding, she continued. “We have these small creatures called gnowlers that eat the grass around the community. My mom calls them lawn mowers. She has one that she domesticated that she calls Chewy, and I have befriended a few as well but they are nocturnal and no one else has them for pets.”

  Sitting forward Brennae smiled widely, “We have pet sacath! You saw my parents’ at the oasis, Cebat was the golden one and Tabec is his mate, she was the black one. My mom calls them ‘saber toothed cat-dogs’. I always had an affinity with animals, so when it came time to choose a job that I would enjoy it was a natural choice to work with them. I work with a nice man named Iesti. He has taught me all about the sacath and sorrem. Those are the pack animals we use to move around Terraneu. Everyone gets to choose what job will make him or her happy. For instance, my Uncle Knaleg and Aunt Catherine are both very militaristic, so they chose jobs that lean toward security and weapons. My Uncle Kneus and Aunt Gwen are both very scientific, so do a lot of work with the computers and medical units around Terraneu. Some people just do roving duties since they don’t have an affinity for any one position.”

  Marcael held up his hand and she paused, “How big is Terraneu?”

  “I’m not sure exactly how many rings are currently being used. You see Terraneu is the original community based around the original fathers Square of Four domes. The subsequent generations built out from there in rings. Depending on the need, residential and the industrial domes can be turned on or off, or entire rings can be dormant. Since there are new communities called New Haven and McPhersonville where families live, the number of operational rings varies.”

  She smiled at Marcael and elaborated, “I have a dome in Terraneu close to the sorrem holding where I work. It is the same dome my mother lived in when she first came to Terraneu.”

  Marcael stopped her and sat up straight, “When she first came to Terraneu?”

  “My mom is from Earth, or as you would call it Terra.” Brennae explained.

  “Terra? All of the people of Terra were killed by Elyon’s madness.” Marcael had gone a new shade of white.

  “Not all the people of Terra died Marcael. Some must have survived and started over with their lives. Earth is just getting to a new age of technology, but there are over seven billion people living on Earth now.”

  “Seven billion?” Marcael had gone from white to a weird shade of green. “How can there be so many?” Shaking his head slowly he whispered, “Explain how
your mother came to be on Terraneu please.” He sank back into his seat and Brennae worried he might be sick or something.

  “Okay. It goes like this,” Brennae had heard the story so many times she laughed, “My mom had gone on a trip during a time in their suns rotation when it was cold where she was vacationing. She was out walking, slipped down a hill, and landed on a port pad. The portal took her to Antilles where she was caught in an Antillean trap. Since my father and the Antillean leader, Zerxix have negotiated trade agreements with each other, they kept her thinking my father’s people might be interested.”

  “They traded humanoid life? Like slavers?” Marcael sounded offended.

  “No. They trade some animals, like the sacath, for sugar cane we have on Terraneu. They are insectoid so the only thing that they want is the plant, nothing else matters to them. Zerxix has the strongest colony because of his affiliation with Terraneu, so it works well for both of us. They also keep an eye on the port pad to Earth.” Brennae laughed at this part of the story coming up, “Anyway, my mother was wearing an ugly fur covering and hat so the Antilleans and my father, thought she was a sickly primate or something. It was back on Terraneu when my father went to take her out of the cage that my mother hit him in a sensitive spot.” She cast a knowing look at Marcael’s groin then back up. He winced and laughed with her at that part of the story.

  “So when my father went down to his knees, my mother ran for it. She didn’t get very far though. My father caught her and she was knocked out but he thought she was dead. He put her in their medical unit to perform an autopsy, it refused because she wasn’t dead, and he got frustrated and set it to do a diagnostic instead. Well the medical unit recognized my mother’s DNA, even primitive as it was and fixed her. Chaos ensued and when the smoke cleared, they ended up mated. Happily ever after she is fond of saying.”