Neutral Space(31)

“He speaks Kelsairan.” One said to the other. I cursed, weeks with Kheda and speaking Kelsairan became a habit.

“We saw you go into Mor’s puny, human. And we saw what you bought.”

“Who’s it for?”

“My girlfriend.” I set down my bags and moved them off to the side with my foot.

“Human or Kelsairan?” One asked as he grabbed both my arms.

“Does it make a difference? Looks like you’re ready to kick the crap out of me no matter what I say.”

“Oh, it makes a difference. So, what is it profaning our customs or one of our women?”

“Neither,” The one in front punched me hard in the gut, and I doubled over.

“I bet you it’s a woman,” the one behind me said.

“Maybe,” he looked at his friend. “It would do the slut right to have the human tear her to pieces before he figured out she’s not a human female.”

“Maybe he’s already done that,” They started laughing. The one in front hit me again. I was ready this time, and the blow didn’t stun me. The one behind me let go of my arms, and I dropped to one knee.

I tripped him and kicked him square in the chest before the other had time to react. He turned on me and glanced at his friend who was fighting for breath. “Stupid human.”

He lurched forward and swung, but I blocked and hit him in the jaw. I kicked him in the side when he was still reeling from the first blow, and he fell on top of his friend. “You two should learn not to pick on humans just because you can, sometimes they fight back.”

I turned to leave but stopped. “Oh, and thanks for the tip.” I picked up my bags and went the long way back to my ship.

Kheda was waiting for me and looked worried. I moved past her handing her the bags. The necklace was safely hidden in my pocket. I went to the cockpit to prepare for departure, fearing the two Kelsairans would figure out where I went and follow us. I told Kheda we were leaving and she didn’t argue. She sealed the doors and disengaged the docking clamps before coming to sit next to me.

“What happened?” Kheda touched my arm gently.

“Two Kelsairans wanted to start some trouble, that’s all.”

“Are you all right?” She brushed the hair away from my face.

I looked at her with a triumphant grin. “Thanks to you, I dropped them both in less than a minute. The only reason they hit me at all was that one was holding my arms behind my back.”

“You could have gotten out.”

“Sometimes it’s best to let people talk,” I said pulling the ship away from the trade ship.

“Hear anything interesting?” She gave me a sideways glance.

“I’ll tell you later. Some things need to go into cold storage.”

“I will put them away.” She got up and found my bags before heading to the kitchen. I hid her necklace in a compartment of the chair. I was sure it would be safe enough until I could move it while she slept. She returned shortly but said nothing else about my fight.

She hugged me and kissed the top of my head before saying she was going to rest for a while. I took the opportunity to move her necklace and hoped she wouldn’t find it.

The routine was the same on our way to Aran, and the trip was rather uneventful. Although, Kheda and I avoided being too near one another. We both knew our wedding was getting closer and it only made it that much harder to resist the other.

We continued combat training, and I still couldn’t touch her. I saw a few openings but hesitated to press my advantage. I feared hurting her, although I knew if I kept it up she would notice; thankfully though she didn’t catch on before we reached Aran.





Chapter 13





T



he moon was a wasteland of desert on one side and permafrost on the other. There was little vegetation, and I wondered how the atmosphere remained. Kheda said there was something in the permafrost on the dark half of the moon. She went into a detailed explanation. It was tedious and only fascinating to an engineer. I hate to say it, I didn’t pay attention. I asked if we should hail the priest, but she said he disliked communicators. She located his home and showed me where to land. The ship blew the landing pad clear of sand, but it was quickly blown over as the engines cooled.

She opened the hatch and sent down the stairs. She pointed to a structure on a ridge, but I couldn’t see it without shielding my eyes. I went back inside and found the sunglasses I’d bought just for this reason. Kheda thought I looked ridiculous but insisted on trying them on. She handed them back, shaking her head. Her eyes were adapted to the bright light, only in the last millennia had Kelsair become so green a planet.

On top of the ridge was an outcropping of red rock and carved into its side was a building. It wasn’t anything ornate, but it was beautiful just the same. The windows and door were arched, and wood shutters stood open to allow in the breeze. I was surprised when Kheda led me around the back of the building. There was a small oasis with two fruit trees and a little spring. Various herbs grew in pots, and a bowl stood empty by another door that was open.

“He’s home.” She dipped a pitcher in the spring and told me to take off my shoes. She washed my feet in the bowl before getting new water and doing the same with her feet. She stood on a carpet just inside the door and smacked a bronze ring with a hammer.