-Right foot! Lift your arm. Keep your guard and attention focused on your attacker. - The low, hoarse voice came back from my past as if I were living it again. - Maintain eye contact with your enemy to anticipate their attacks. Focus, Edriano!
I got lost in that moment.
It was like I was at the Academy again.
Kalael was the typical Urodelan who was very fond of control. His unrestrained nature as a warrior battled before me with curiosity and I must confess a certain suspicion. Ah, never think that it is easy to deceive a Urodelan and even more so when that Urodelan can read minds. He knew that somehow I blocked my thoughts.
-Curse! - I remember mumbling. Three months there and I still felt like any newbie. His energy stick touched my skin in a brief carelessness of mine.
There were more than ten cadets at the Academy, and yet Kalael was determined to impose the strictest training among young people of his kind when it came to me. The friendship that ended up uniting us afterward was inevitable.
Can you imagine the turmoil when my release was announced?
-Attention! Needs attention! It will not be angry that you will face the workaround here in these bands. Anger is a weakness easily exploited in weak natures. There is no opponent who cannot be beaten. You don't win a battle just with strength and muscle. Use your mind. Look for the weaknesses.
It was never a compliment.
Although I was his most dedicated student, there was always work that never ended. Years as a slave. Forced labor. Kalael always said that the art of combat was a complete shield and armor for a warrior. Suddenly I found myself mired in research and trying to absorb what had happened in the Universe in my absence. It helped a lot not to think. Don't think about Klaus. And also don't think about her.
During the first few weeks, the dislike between us was almost palpable. I accidentally ended up managing to get the Confederation's attention with the knowledge had about the K'Aldriants' security systems. My photographic memory in the development of defense techniques allowed our leaders to map an attack pattern of those things. A massacre to subdue my rebellious genius and keep a cool head. That was exactly what kalael did for me to release all the anger that fed me
-Damn it, Kalael. - I sighed, touching the shoulder and the burn mark that burned. - It really bothers.
Kaklael was a mass of solid muscles that I would not have had any pleasure in challenging in the arenas. The occasions were so rare that he was relaxed.
He gave one of his rare smiles to me.
-Is that you? It's night. You won't find any services here to stay in the training room. Why aren't you out there and having fun with a female? I heard that another batch of fermented drinks arrived. It's one of the best. Or do you intend to deceive me that you liked the new habits that your people adopted without physical contact? I know you still like fresh food.
Fun! 3 months had passed and everything was still strange and unknown to me. To live with civilized species again after all the horror of N'Tilay was undoubtedly a very radical change.
-Why are you not out there then? - returned a question in a provocation.
Well, I never missed an opportunity to do that. I still think that it was exactly my way that turned the initial dislike into friendship. 180 years. You still have a whole life ahead of you. Only it wasn't an age that I would have expected to find someone who would treat me like a son.
I don't know how it happened. Without waiting, I was talking about slavery, about Klaus and the lack I felt of my lover. And about a girl.
And Kalael went beyond my limits.
-What about the girl who would be a chosen companion? - one day the question fell bombastic among us. If it is true that the young woman is really the first female hybrid of the species of ...
- Do you think I should feel something for her?
I had heard this question many times before. Only with kalael, it was difficult to hide all my frustration and the conflict of emotions that plagued me when thinking about Angel. Some situations are so disastrous that the deepest hatred hides something that no one could hope for.
Kalael looked at me in disguise and let out a long breath.
"Am I going to have a chance to find some warm-blooded female, Edrian?" He groaned nonchalantly. "Damn it, Zorack." Do you really think I'll give you the pleasure of ...
I laughed suddenly in a good mood.
-I promise you won't find one female, I'll get a little warm blood in the veins to warm your bed. And make you serious and respectable with horns and I don't even know what else. Fins? You can believe me. Even if I need to abduct a creature with these wonderful qualities.
Kalael looked at me with some horror. It was his weak point. I knew how skillful my mentor was, only that females did not. It is not quite that the Urodelan did not have his charisma there. I will never understand a Urodelan turning green in front of a female that catches his eye. What most intimidated kalael were the blessed horns. This breed has an incredible ability to change the color of the skin according to the variation of its mood. I never want to see one of those reds.
-Still, fighting horns and fins?
My question took him by surprise. Kalael shook his head seriously. His expression was that of an infallible sufferer.
-Because you try to put up with an angry, really angry, and nervous female. Did I mention that they are irreducible? When they hatch ... Ah, they get aggressive with anyone. If you are going to prefer a brood with male eggs it is best to make sure that the heat will not get in the way. You never know where they decide to put the blessed nest.
-Account another! - I continued to tease.- A nest? And how many eggs ...?
Kalael cleared his throat very tense. As a matter of fact, I am somewhat at ease with the situation.
-Now! please! We are not barbarians! A male takes care of his newborn babies. They say that it is even possible to hear the voice of the chicks inside the eggs calling for their mother. Ah, boy. The females are even calm before laying, but after ... Between copulation and laying everything is a paradise. You may not know where the blessed nest is, but the female is always around and with eyes and claws, and attentive.
Some eggs are infertile. I don't even know why old memories like that came to my mind. There is the issue of humidity, heat and everything else to prevent water loss from the eggs and to facilitate the time to hatch.
I shook my head at the vivid memory of Angel looking at me suspiciously and carefully. It's way more aggressive and distant just before the base was invaded. For the first time, it crossed my mind that the girl didn't feel safe at all.
Do you know the story that pepper is good in the eyes of others? I suddenly found out exactly how kalael felt about it. Despite the customs of my people, Angel did not assimilate to the culture, she was insecure and the loss of memory now made me reflect how long it had taken for the girl to finally freak out.
-Stay behind me! - I warned dryly still perplexed by my thoughts, again in the present.
Well, everyone has their problems, don't they?
-You never know how to relax? - She complained irritably. - It may not be trouble.
I raised a skeptical eyebrow.
-You want to tell me when you're not? I won't wait to find that out. - I felt stressed. - I'm definitely not in the mood to find this out with you and a litter that ...
Fantastic. It was the first time that the scary word had come up between us.
She was going to run away from me again as she always did. I grabbed her firm, frowning hand, reflecting on the absurdity of her thinking that she intended to take risks with a nest where she didn't even know where had resolved and pondered my growing despair. I pulled out the pistol and promptly opened the door, waiting for the confusion.
The corridor was dark and deserted. Unfortunately for me, the generator might have stopped working. I couldn't believe it.
-In addition to the unbearable heat, will you also do energy rationing here? That way we won't have to worry about those things outside. You'll finish us off before. - she managed to complain more irritated than me.
Hells! Why was I beginning to realize that Angel didn't appreciate the dark so much? In N'Tilay ... some experiences were ... It had to be Klaus's plague. Just about everything that happened when I got it ... Damn it! Angel had never shown that fear.
-Can be! - I replied dryly and full of frustration.
"Can you tell me what's going on with you?"
-You are hateful, a boor, and ... - She started the list of my best adjectives. Isn't it that I almost forgot my best attributes? And she continued: You don't know how to treat a girl and ...- She passed me in front of me with a firm foot.
I spun on my heels and all my frustration from the interrupted night and the tense body of desire gave way to anger.
-Can be! I don't know how to treat it? "My eyes glared at Angel.
Stubborn girl. How much longer did she intend to pretend that there was nothing between us?
"I am the damn father of your litter! I have every right to know ..."
-Surprise! SURPRISE! - the scream came loudly in a chorus of various voices and Angel screamed in fright grabbing my arm.
I grunted mentally, forgetting my thoughts with Angel leaning on me the way I liked. Her reaction had been absolutely spontaneous. Of course, there was a limit for me to put up with her tricks. The good body glued to mine forced me to take a deep breath trying to think uselessly of anything other than that ass, putting pressure and friction on a part that is still quite sensitive after our caresses.
-But what ...? - I asked and closed my eyes when the lights came back to illuminate the corridor showing a festive and colorful crowd.
-This is called fun! - I could hear a cheerful Max explain and rolled my eyes when I felt the heavy slap on the shoulders.- You may not know what that is, but ... come on, Edriano. No one is going to die if you step away from your duties a little. We have control of the base again. Let humans celebrate. .
Seriously?
Well,I was having fun before. Relax and forget about work? Leave obligations aside? I cleared my throat tense and not knowing how to do this. I found even more frustrated that Angel was walking away from me in the crowd, enjoying all the noisy confusion.
The hangar was a cluster of smiling people that surprised me the most. Drinks accompanied smiles and laughter packed with music.
-Max, I don't think this is a very good idea and ...
Damn, where did Klaus go? I hope Angel and he are not arguing again.
Max's smile was enviable as he looked hotly at Scarlet. It is very good to know that at least someone around here was not an absolute failure. My morale is terrible.
He touched my shoulders and looking me in the eye seriously.
-I found it, my comrade. I found the nest. You won't believe where I found it, but it's there. The doctor helped to remove the eggs and the entire nest to a safer place where we can keep the litter. Lucky Edriano.
Have you found the nest?
I leaned against the anesthetized body with the floor missing under my feet. I don't know what goes through someone's mind at a time like this. Suddenly I was no longer alone. There was someone else who depended on me. A family? After so long? I gasped.
-The eggs ...- my throat had no Spittle.- Are you sure that the nest ... I ... Damn! - the words all came to mind at the same time. - How many?
Max saluted his smiling head and winked at Scarlet, who was approaching more elegantly than usual. Without those dull and quiet uniforms, it was the image of a woman I didn't know.
"You've been busy enough to get three, Zorack." Sereide and Grant tried to map some patterns so that we can determine how many days. We are taking into account that our race has urodelan genes for this. Only considering all the heat around here, Sereide believes that they will all be female embryos.
This means that Angel and I will soon have a lot of work. And here we are lost in the past and without resources. If Ravenack finds the nest ... Just the idea makes me freeze. My anxious gaze begins to search for Angel unsure.
- Did you tell Angel something? - wanted to know apprehensive.
I don't know what her reaction to that will be. This is not how women in the colony reproduce. Curse! What the hell they decided to put Angel right here.
This time I looked at Max in surprise at the serious expression on his face. Scarlet sighed calmly as she touched my arm as if asking for calm. Just like old times. This means that there are problems and that I will not like to discover what they are.
-Sereide took advantage of the confusion around here and decided to talk to Angel, man.
Tell the girl the truth? The whole truth? I don't know if it's a good idea after she caught up with Klaus. A second time can ruin all my chances of trying to get any closer.
-Where- I can ask holding my breath tight. - But where...?
I looked at Max and stopped in surprise. Before, I hadn't noticed how insecure the girl felt with the people she had grown up with and lived a lifetime with. This was now past.
-We think it's better to take advantage of the resources of the ship's infirmary and ...Spartackus...
I didn't stop to hear the rest, my heart racing in my chest. I didn't even see the people who greeted me or played happily. At that moment it was not Klaus who occupied my concern. Was her. I think deep down I always knew that would have to make the choice. I moved forward, half-blind, and unsure as ever.
Spartackus. She was on board the Spartackus. My nest, our nest, our puppies were there in the safety of my ship with the girl who was driving me crazy with a desire. My steps were hurried. She was there. I swallowed.
I think love is just that. The feeling of tearing ... The sensation of free fall. The knot in the pit of my stomach ... It's the emotions she makes me feel, the way I can see myself through her eyes. My breathing seemed to be staggering as I passed the last few steps of the corridor on the ship in search of my usual refuge.
The way she always looked at me before. She previously wanted me close to her. Her charming way every time she challenged me. That's what scared me from the beginning with her. Angel always made it clear what he expected of me. That was never hidden from me even when we lived in Édrin. Only so much time had passed. I didn't expect this again.
I never felt enough for her after the destruction of our planet. I've always been terribly afraid of losing her. Not seeing the way I saw myself through her sweet adoring gaze. it was the scariest one, though. I was really scared. So afraid of losing that I managed to cling to an illusion of revenge to mask my feelings.
I'm afraid I won't be able to keep us safe and away from Ravenack's revenge. I'm afraid something will happen to her. This haunts me. I'm trying to take a deep breath and control all my anxiety. It was the same feeling of being unable to change my destiny in those slave mines.
I know Angel loves me, and yet I managed to do everything I could to hurt her and keep her away from me.
-Angel- I called low, but I had no answer.
I crossed the corridor, passing the doors of the lost bridge.
"Please listen to me ..." - my thought left me stunned. I knew that somehow it might not be too late.
"You always looked at me and I thought I was the guy you really saw. Someone perfect and invincible. Someone without defects. The safe and confident guy who knows exactly what to do and who has answers for everything. I got lost, lost myself in slavery. I got involved with Klaus. I needed someone to support the emptiness that made me crazy. I needed someone who could alleviate the lack I felt of you. of our world, of our life before. "Come back sooner. I hid all my feelings. I tried to run away from myself, run away from what was expected of me. I will not tell you or deceive you that it was not important. But it was never you."
Silence.
Curse! I stopped and leaned my head against the cold metal of the closed door, knowing that on the other side she was there. I know she can capture my thoughts.
"When I arrived here and found you after so long ... You didn't know who I was anymore. We were together again and I didn't know how to show everything that united us, that always united us. I needed you to look at me again time as you always did. I needed the confidence that you always measured that I was able to win the world. From the first moment, I saw your eyes after I arrived ... I was already lost. It was a path of no return.
-Please, honey ... - I said even more quietly and awkwardly. - Open the door. I'm asking you ...
It won't do. I have an endless list of errors. The past cannot be changed. I know intentionally hurt the girl, trying to protect myself from her charm. I could have done everything differently. having confessed to Angel that loved her. I was a coward taking advantage of the fact that Angel was dizzy with the medicines after she was released and I took the opportunity to do that. I never told her that ...
-I love you. I no longer have a kingdom to offer. I was almost a king and became a slave, but I still love you, I always have, girl. I never forgot you, Cailín ...
And maybe it took too long to find that out and it's too late. Some mistakes are inexcusable.
-Please, Cailín ... I ... I need you. I tried to convince myself that I didn't have to. I'm a scam. A damn farce from a Confederation captain who has a head for a prize. I am a mercenary and maybe I have already killed many people by smuggling space-time and I never cared before.- I murmured and bowed my head in defeat.
The metallic sound of the door opening made my breath catch a moment.
-Excuse me. I'm sorry .... - Her voice was shaky and I turned to look her in the eye expectantly, knowing that my life depended on that answer. - No ... I don't remember you. I know they said we had a life together ... but ...
I sighed miserably as stood up and struggled to keep my distance from her.
-What's your last memory? What do you remember?
She seemed a little uncertain.
-I don't remember all that you talk about. I don't know how these things got here. How life changed like that from day to night. - she spoke stumbling over the words and crying.
I took her hand and staring into the green eyes, I brought delicate fingers against my chest.
-You don't remember anything? You were holding a bottle of soda when I invaded your room. It was as soon as we arrived. It was a weekend. I went through all your school documents, bitten, wondering if there was anyone.
Angel shook the head with evident dismay.
-I don't remember and ...
-... And when I looked at you there ... The same eyes that always haunted my dreams ... I looked at your mouth ... You were kind of furious because I caught you in the bathtub taking a shower.- I smiled closing my eyes, invoking images, and sharing thoughts with her.
She shivered close to me with the memories of my mind. I could feel all her agitation with my most vivid memories. The image of her gloriously naked body. The impact and all the shock was that for me to see her like this while resisting the crazy desire to go into that bathroom and kiss her.
-The first kiss ... I invaded your house worried that they had arrived before me ... The feeling of your mouth on mine ...
Angel whimpered more tensely trying to get away with agitation.
-How can I have forgotten all this? I'm not that person who ...
I abruptly interrupted her arguments by wrapping her in my arms anxiously.
-And more. More than you think. - I assured him with all conviction. - It may be the result of reprogramming your mind when we were captured in Édrin, I don't know. But I promise that we will build other memories together. I'll be by your side and ...Just give me a chance, baby.
-But I do not...
-I love you, you know? I've always loved it. It was years of slavery and a hellish and miserable life and all that kept me alive in that horrible place was his face. I tried to deceive myself that I hated you ... I promised to give Ravenack the hybrid he was looking for because it was the only chance to gain the freedom to reach you.
The body next to mine was no longer as rigid despite her suspicions. He could overcome the obstacle of blocking his mind. I just needed a chance.
-And if I never ...
-Let's build new memories, honey. Better ones ... the two of us together and our family. Can you remember my hands on your body ...
My words came slowly as I smelled your perfume. With desperation, I never imagined experiencing, searched the trembling lips in a kiss laden with desire.
I didn't notice at any time as I moved across the room and the door closed behind us in the safety of our nest that a shadow was watching us.