Tor
My skin itchedunder the gauzy fabric. Now, I knew how Jane felt when she’d worn her…What did she call it? Lin-ray? Lana-drey?Well, whatever it was called, it had to be similar to this bizarre outfit.
Using the cleanser had been a simple enough affair. It was a light-based unit that cleaned the skin, hair, and nails in an efficient fashion. But the clothes had been another matter. The shoes were plain soles that wrapped around the feet with straps. The white cloth had an iridescent sheen to it and wrapped diagonal around the torso and chest. Then, it hung loose at the waist like a gladiator style garb. I hadn’t fought in the galactic games, but the fighters who did wore a similar style.
“Although, it was not constructed of this lightweight material.” I squished the fabric between my thumb and forefinger. Sure enough, it was see-through in the right light.Well, that’ll be interesting.
Feeling like a pruned and plucked sao-sao bird, I headed for the dining hall. The short time away from Jane already had me aching to see her again. The closer we got to completing this mission, the greater my desire grew to make her mine.
“Are you as uncomfortable as I am?” Jane stood in her outfit like a celestial goddess. The fabric complimented her skin as the light reflected off it and cast rainbows across her body. Her tight curls had softened into looser ringlets, thanks to the cleanser, and it shone with vibrancy. The material was crisscrossed over her breasts and then hung in a similar fashion to mine about her waist.
“You look beautiful,” I said in earnest.
“Thank you.” She sighed, pulling at the cloth and stretching it from her body. “But it’s not my style.”
I chuckled and snatched her hand from the fabric. “I feel the same, but it does not change the truth. It suits you.”
Her gaze traveled my body, as if seeing me for the first time. Her breath hitched. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“Ah, you two appear refreshed.” Calia’s voice broke up our momentary reverie. She waved us to a round table in the center of the dining hall. “Come let us give you nourishment, so you may begin your trials.”
The table was a rustic wood design with a star carved in the middle. Floating orbs illuminated the room in soft amber hues. A mix of savory and sweet smells wafted from the delicious looking feast spread on a cart beside Lorn’s chair. He picked up each dish, placed it on the table, and bade us sit. “Eat and drink as you wish, dear friends. If you crave a certain flavor, you have but to think it, and the food will adjust to your tastes.”
“The food can change?” Jane sat in the chair across from the Kinsian female, while I claimed the seat in between.
“In a manner of speaking.” Passing a plate stacked with meats and vegetables, Calia explained the process. “In this room, we can manifest our desire for sustenance. So, the food doesn’t alter from its natural state, but our perception of it shifts.”
Jane poked at the pile of meat. “I’ve never heard of anything like that, but I’ll give it a try.” She took one piece with her thumb and forefinger. “Here goes.” Plopping it in her mouth, her eyes widened as she chewed. “That tastes just like the steaks my mom used to grill for us on summer holiday.”
Her experience had me curious to test it for myself. I grabbed a cubed chunk and imagined my paether’s Palaxian stew. When I put it in my mouth and bit down, I was not prepared for the intense emotion that flooded me along with the flavor. It was like walking on the sands with my paether again as we talked in a different time. I could almost hear my maether calling me. Remnants of the dream-memory emerged as I chewed. Sweat beaded on my neck and rolled down my chest.
“Tor,” a voice summoned me, but it sounded so far away. “Hey, cocky commander, come back.”
Jane?The past and present merged until I swallowed the food. I hadn’t remembered closing my eyes, but I opened them again to stare into Jane’s concerned face. “My ljona.”
“Are you with us?” She snapped her fingers at me.
I shot her a half-grin. “I think so.”
“Don’t do that again,” she chided and swiped my plate from me. Gathering the meat, she plunked it on her plate, then piled her vegetables on mine and handed it back. “All veggies for you this meal.”
I laughed, a deep sound from the gut that caught me off-guard. When had I laughed, truly laughed before? My mate was a wonder like none in this universe. I needed to claim her soon before I went mad with longing.
“Come on,” she said, waving at the pile of veggies she’d given me. “Eat up, but think about something pleasant, okay? No weird zoning out.”
“Yes, little captain.” I waggled my brows at her. “I’ll do my best.”
The Kinsians observed our encounter with equal mirth, and the conversation flowed freely. The pair had no reservations in showing their affection for each other. Simple touches on the hand or long stares, which admittedly Jane and I both found a bit odd, occurred throughout the meal. Despite their different mannerisms, I enjoyed their company, and I found myself desiring a similar rapport with my mate as the couple had with one another.
“Thank you for a fine meal.” I rose to help Lorn place the dishes back on the tray.
Calia nodded. “You are most welcome. Would you like to begin the tests now, or would you prefer to rest first?”
I turned to Jane for her answer. I’d been unconscious for most of the ride here, so I was ready to face the trials. But I didn’t know how much sleep my brave ljona had gotten while tending to me. “Jane?”
Rising from her seat, she flexed her bicep and slapped the muscle. “I’m set.”
Pride surged through me at her resolve. Her first trip into deep space had been a difficult journey, and our mission had only begun as we prepared for the trials. Yet, she faced any challenge head on without complaint. I did not believe I was worthy of such a mate, but I could not deny that the universe had chosen well. No other would be as perfect for me as her.
