Rating: NC-17
Coupling: Mi/L
Canon up to "Departure"
Part 1
Zan narrowed his eyes when Rath nodded and raced out of the tent. It was ritual. Rath shared his strategy with his King and then went to his private tents until it was time to fight. Never failed. Zan shook his head, it would stop soon... no matter what anyone said or wanted. It just couldn't be.
Whether or not Vilandra and Rath were a love match, King Jireb had declared it long before his death that the two should marry. True, that had been before Vilandra had grown up and before Jireb's gift to Rath of a beautiful young servant. That had been long before the beautiful young servant had been introduced to the royal home. Zan still thought his father had gone senile towards the end. Why else would such a prize piece be given to a soldier instead of his own son?
---
Rath stepped inside and found her lounging in her robes. Klarika. His Klarika. Technically, she was his servant; oh but she was so much more. She was beautiful and all his. His eyes were glued to her form as she stood to greet him.
Her lips soft as the green rain clouds outside, her skin silkier than even her finest robes. Klarika kissed Rath with a strange passion. He had never seen her so desperate before. Not that he complained as he wound his fingers into her hair, never letting her move away for an instant. Her hair was so soft underneath his fingers.
Rath led his Klarika over to their bed. Their mouths never separated. Lips, tongues and teeth came together over and over again to touch, taste, caress, love. Her fingers gripped at his vests, keeping him close as possible. Finally, as they lay together, they parted.
"My Klarika...� Rath murmured when her big brown eyes opened to him. "What is it?"
"Zan will make the announcement tomorrow.� She sobbed. Rath shook his head. No. He didn't want Vilandra. He didn't love Vilandra. She certainly didn't love him with the way she always turned her nose up at his presence. No. He loved his Klarika. Only and always Klarika. "His servant girl heard Avaria talking about it with Zan."
"No. I can't marry her.� Rath shook his head again. "I love you...� He brushed her hair out of her face then let his hand come to rest on her flat stomach. "And I love our child.� He watched her smile slowly spread across her beautiful face. Their child. Rath felt a rare smile on his own face. "I dream about him. He will be strong, a warrior."
"Yes, he will.� Klarika nodded. She felt a tingle as their son reached out to his father's hand from inside her. A light glow surrounded the spot where Rath's hand lay.
"She'll be my wife in name only.� Rath whispered to them both. "No one could ever take my love away from either of you."
"Did you talk to him?� Klarika felt the tears fill her eyes at the dying light in her love's eyes. "What did he say?"
"Zan... he's... he won't go against his father's wishes. Larek says the tradition is important to him. Zan won't call off the engagement.� Rath gave her a wry smile. "If it helps, Vilandra doesn't want this either."
"She would be expected to have your children."
"I don't see how. I will never make love to her.� He bent his head and kissed her sweet lips. His fingers tugged at the robe ties, revealing her flesh to him. Kissing her stomach, he shrugged out of his vests. He intended to love his woman that night.
Soft kisses rained over her skin as the thick cloths of her robes were pushed aside. She touched him everywhere she could. His strong arms, muscled chest, his soft brown hair. Her lips met his in a blazing passion. Rath trailed his warrior's hands gently down her body, caressing her breasts, smoothing over her flat stomach, cupping her hips to him.
Their bare legs rubbed against each others. Rath tasted every inch of skin he could reach; her cheeks, chin, throat, shoulders... that spot beside her ear that always seemed to drive her crazy. "Klarika, my Klarika... my love."
"Rath... my love.� She whispered back, becoming dizzy with his lovemaking. "I'll love you always, through all space and time."
"And I, you. Forever.� Rath whispered and leaned up to kiss her soft lips to seal their words of love. Quickly, their soft game heated. Touches became urgent and kisses harsh.
Klarika lie back and absorbed everything as if it would be the last time she'd have it. His mouth teased her sensitive breasts, sucking and biting. His hands pinched and caressed. Sliding all the time lower, spreading her legs, his hands finally reached their goal. His fingers teased at her wet folds, traveling the soft flesh lightly before pushing inside her, stroking her, inside and out.
Rath felt her arms come around him. Her body arched in response to his ministrations. Her hips thrust up to him. Her hands sliding up and down his back. One came between him to stroke at his massive erection. Fire traversed his veins, ending where her hand teased him.
Lifting himself over her, he entered her body slowly, sinking in inch by inch until sheathed to the hilt. They moved together. Cries fled both sets of lips as they worked their bodies closer to ecstasy. Sweat eased their frantic thrusts and quickened their pace.
Rath opened his eyes to see her eyes roll back in her head, her body tightening beneath him, around him. Then his release consumed him, sending him to the next plane to join her.
Night had fully descended when they returned to their bodies. Rath covered their shivering bodies with his expensive blankets and pulled her tight into his arms. "My Klarika, I will never leave you. I will come back to you tomorrow."
"And I will be waiting" She curled herself into his body and fell asleep. Rath held tight and drifted off. His dreams filled with the little boy that would soon grace their lives. He was never happier than in his dreams, playing with his son and, only in his dreams, his wife.
---
Rath looked out over the battlefield. The plains were purple, just as they should be, but soon they would be littered with dead bodies and green blood. Zan was speaking to him but he barely listened. �... I'm sure Vilandra will let you keep her in our home. You can say she's the nanny and raise your son like a prince. Say he's Vilandra's. Klarika will still raise him."
"As good as that sounds... I'd rather not marry your sister.� Rath shook his head. Why couldn't Zan see that their impending marriage was unwanted? He was the king, couldn't he change that?
"I know. But think of Klarika and your son here. If you move her in to our home as Nanny, she will be entitled to riches just as you will. She will see him everyday. You will see them both all the time. He will have every advantage as the alleged son of the Princess.� Zan went on, trying to convince his commander it was for the best. His adamant speech was rubbing Rath the wrong way for some reason he could not place.
"But he's not her son. He is my son. He is Klarika's son. Our son. Not hers.� Rath bit out and moved forward. "It's time to attack."
"Vilandra already knows about Klarika.� Zan admitted slowly, not knowing what Rath's reaction would be.
"Why in the hell would you tell her?� Rath turned on his King.
"She deserves to know that the man she's marrying is in love with someone else. That his son is being born by someone else.� Zan calmly and firmly stated. "Let's move out."
Rath fought hard. Kivar's troops would not win this battle. He was tired but he pushed on. He promised Klarika he would be back by nightfall. Then he saw her. He saw her on the next dune. She smiled at him, blew him a kiss and disappeared like smoke in the wind. Anger spawned inside him. Hate. It all fueled him. The blast that came next destroyed what was left of Kivar's troops on the field. "NOoooo! Klarika!"
--
Michael sat bolt upright in his bed. He was covered in sweat and shaking. His chest was filled with... no, empty. It felt empty rather than full of sorrow. Who the hell was Klarika?
Tess. He had to call Tess. His shaky fingers dialed the numbers quickly. It took three times before he got it right and he heard her sleepy voice. "What? It's like four in the morning."
"Tess, who's Klarika?"
"Who? Michael? What are you talking about?"
"I'm serious, Tess.� He nearly shouted into the phone. "Who's Klarika? What was she to me?"
"Michael... It's late or early or whatever. I never really remembered much about you. Why don't you call to Liz's and wake her up?"
"Liz? Why?� He scratched at his eyebrow, not seeing where anything was going.
"Ava's back. Ava remembers more than I do. Night.� Click. Michael stared at the phone until the recording came on to ask him if he wanted to make another call. Shaking his head, he got to his feet. He'd pay Max a visit.
Michael found Max staring at a picture of Liz in his room. Max looked up for a second and then back down at the picture. "What am I going to do, Michael? I don't know how to tell her. How can I tell her that I still love her but that Tess is pregnant with my son? How can I do that to her? I was so cruel to her the other day and now because of her... we can go home."
Not knowing what to say, Michael took the picture from Max's fingers and was immediately bowled over with a vision.
--
"Hoo! Look at this.� Rath pulled a picture of a beauty out of Max's drawer. He knew her. He just knew he did. She was just amazingly beautiful. Who was she?
"Ah. This must be his bitch. Where'd you find this?� Rath glanced over at Lannie and shrugged slightly. He hadn't really meant to get her attention on this.
"In his sock drawer.� He blew her off and hoped that Lannie wasn't getting the same feeling he was off the picture. Before he could place her, Lannie plucked it out of his hands.
"'To Max. I'll always love you. Liz.'� Lannie mocked the innocent looking girl in the picture and snorted.
"Liz.� He repeated. The name was wrong but so right.
"She ain't got nothin' goin' on.� She sighed and moved on.
"Yeah, well, I'd do her.� He would. There were so many things he do to her. He wondered if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
"Fine. Do her, but don't kill her. What we're doin' here is important. Don't screw it up.� Reluctantly, at her words, Rath put the picture back. Her image was already in his head. No need for scanning. There was no way he would forget a face like that. There was just something about her eyes. All of her was so familiar.
--
"Michael?� Max whispered. "Can you talk to her? She's not going want to see me. I just... She deserves better than this."
"You should tell her.� The words felt wrong the second they were out of his mouth. "But yeah. I'll talk to her..."
"What is it?� Max noted Michael's agitated state.
"Do you know who Klarika is? I had this dream and it just won't go away.� Michael groaned and headed for the window, tossing the picture back at Max.
"I haven't really gotten too much out of retrieval yet. But... Ava's here. Liz told Kyle. He told Tess...� And she told Max, the rest of that sentence had been omitted.
"So... Okay. I'm going to Liz's.� Michael didn't look back as he hopped out the window. There were so many things he was wondering about. Why did Rath think Liz was familiar? Vaguely he remembered a thing when Liz was awkward around him. That was before, right before, they knew about the dupes. Maria had been yelling about something but he hadn't really been paying attention. She wanted to know if he had been friendlier to Liz around then or something. Why did Klarika haunt his mind so much? Who was she?
Before he knew it. He was climbing up the ladder to Liz's room. His hand slipped on the wet bars. When had it started raining? He gripped harder and drug his way up. At the top, he stopped. There she was, wraith-like, standing in the rain.
The rain washed over her face, her closed lids, her round cheeks, those lips. It flattened her hair to her head. Her arms were thrown wide open, welcoming the bad weather. Slowly, he pulled himself over the edge. It was so surreal. This sense of coming home had taken over. "Klarika?"
Suddenly everything clicked. Bells went off in his head. Everything shifted in and out of focus until it was perfectly clear.
Liz opened her eyes at the name. Why had Michael called her that? Why was he on her roof? Shouldn't he be getting ready to leave? Klarika? Who was that? "Michael?"
His head throbbed. The dream was taking over his mind. Old information shuffled aside to make room for the bombardment of visions.
--
"This is Klarika. She'll attend to your... needs.� King Jireb told Rath.
"I am honored to be in your service, Commander.� She knelt before him, all her beauty and youth shining out to him. He had to touch her. Had to feel her against him. Had to make her his. For a second he wondered why she was being given to him and not Zan. Only a second before his thoughts resumed possession of her.
"Take her. Show her. Unless maybe I should see if someone else is in need of a... servant.� When his King said something, who was he to ignore it? Rath gestured for the girl to follow him. She followed half a step behind and beside him.
He showed her to his chamber, her blush was unmistakable. "It's just the one room. A good soldier can pick up and leave any time."
"Yes, sir.� She whispered and followed his movements as he readied for bed. Rath removed his shirt and lie back on the bed. She waited for his orders. She had been trained well.
"You're fresh. Never worked before.� He commented aloud.
"Yes, sir. What would you have me do?� Klarika whispered. She never took her eyes off his reclining form.
"Which do you prefer? That bed?� He pointed to the tiny servant bed in the corner. "Or this one?� He patted the bed beside him.
"I prefer?� She asked, taking a step forward.
"It's a simple question."
"Yes but, this is your bed.� She shook her head at him.
"But I asked which you prefer.� He sat up. "Have you ever been kissed?"
She blushed bright red. "Prince Zan kissed me once... but never again."
"You're very beautiful. I find it hard to believe you've never been kissed.� He ignored her comment on Zan and when she didn't respond, he sighed. "Pick whichever bed you like."
He had been taking her for a young innocent girl but the moment she released the tie on her gown and stood before him in all her naked glory, he found he was wrong. He had been trained very well. Crawling onto the bed between his legs she looked up at him. "I am to sleep where you tell me to."
---
She was angry at him and had preferred to stay out on the balcony. Lying in his bed, Rath groaned and went out to be with her. She stood there soaking in the green rain, staring out over the purple plains. Her arms spread wide, her eyes closed, she welcomed the storm.
"Klarika...� He whispered. She barely turned to him. "I wasn't with her. I was in my tent... dreaming of you."
"Do you have proof?� She quirked an eyebrow up at him.
Rath wanted to laugh suddenly. When had he married the girl? Had he done it and never realized it? She was everything. "No. I only have my faith and love... both devoted solely to you... my Klarika."
Hearing his words had melted her heart and she pulled him out with her for a passionate kiss in the rain. It didn't stop there. Soon they were naked, letting the green rain cleanse them of their spat. They sank to the floor of the balcony in a tangle of wet limbs. Rath couldn't believe that in the short months since his dying king had given him the servant that he had fallen in love with her. Proof that he had a heart despite what others said. A love that he proved on the balcony of his room.
---
Rath held Vilandra's arm loosely as he guided her to her place at her father's funeral. She turned to him and something made him stay. She never turned to him. So it must have been important. "My brother is delusional. I will never marry you. My heart isn't for grabs; it doesn't go to the runner up. I don't care about what my father wished for me. You and I will never be."
"I am not asking anything of you. Nothing's set until an announcement is made. I think you're jumping the gun.� Rath hissed at her. "I don't want you."
"It's just as well. Can't give what's already been given.� Her voice was so soft as she turned forward, dismissing him.
Rath resisted the urge to glare at her and took his place where Klarika was standing next to their deceased king. She had tears flowing down her face. It was then; Rath realized that Vilandra wasn't crying at all. Klarika's soft voice reached his ears. "He was like a father to me. He was very kind and very good."
"It's okay. I'm sure he thought of you as a daughter.� Rath whispered to her and turned to listen to the services. He too had seen the old man as a sort of father figure. King Jireb would be missed.
---
Rath watched her sleep beside him. Every night since the first, she slept beside him or in his arms. Never anywhere else. He had taken to bringing her with him to battles after the first time she accused him of being with someone else. She stayed in his tents, never to be seen by anyone but him.
He watched her sleep and traced her naked limbs with a finger. His King was dead and Zan had risen to the throne. The wars were becoming fierce. His fingers trailed up her stomach. His engagement to Vilandra was expected to be forfeited. A soft glow shone beneath her skin. Rath leaned over her for further inspection.
"Klarika.� He whispered, her eyes opening slightly. His hand hovered over the glow. A tiny hand glowed brightly and pushed outward to touch his hand. His child connected to him. "We... You... a son."
She smiled up at him softly. She had known for a few days but couldn't think of a way to tell him. Apparently, the child had plans of its own. Their son. Rath kissed her deeply, pouring all his love into her. "We're going to have a son."
---
Rath tore through camp. "Klarika!"
Fire and blood were everywhere. Their camp had been ambushed while they had fought down on the plain. "Klarika!"
"Rath!� Zan shouted. "Over here!"
"Nooo!� Rath screamed and ran over. His Klarika lay dead in the midst of what must have been his tents. "No. Klarika. No.� He clutched her cold body to his chest. He checked for signs of life, breathing, a heart beat... all in vain. He shoved her robes aside and fit his palm against her abdomen. Nothing. The tears flowed over his face. His love and his son were dead. Kivar would pay.
--
Liz stared up at Michael. His eyes burned with some unknown emotion. He reached out a hand to her face. "Klarika."
"Michael?� She asked softly, absently leaning into his touch.
"My Klarika.� He murmured again, drawing closer to her in the rain. "My love... mother of my child. I will never lose you again. Never, my love."
"Michael?� Liz asked again, finding herself wrapped up in his strong arms. His love? Mother of his child? Had Michael finally lost it? "Michael, what's wrong?"
"I let you die before. It's not going to happen again. I'm going to kill Kivar for you... for what he did to you and our son.� Michael told her, staring into her eyes. He saw fear lying in their brown depths. "What's wrong? Why are you so scared?"
"What's wrong with you Michael? Who's Klarika?� She whispered so softly that she wasn't sure that he had heard her. "Why are you here, Michael? Shouldn't you be getting ready to leave?"
"I should be but I had to say goodbye to you. When I return... I'm telling Zan he can forget the engagement. Nothing. Nothing is going to keep you from being my wife, Klarika.� His face lowered to hers. Their lips met in a sweet kiss. "My love. There will only ever be you for me. Just you."
Liz was speechless. She couldn't run. She couldn't shout. Should she be afraid? Should she call Max and tell him that Michael had lost it?
Before she could react, Michael had kissed her again. A soul-baring and passionate kiss that opened up a connection between the two of them.
--
Rath kissed Klarika for the first time. His hands wandered over her bare curves before him. They lay back on the bed, only his pants preventing them from moving forward for the moment. He explored her carefully. There was some spark between them that he couldn't explain. He found himself wondering if she felt it, too.
---
Rath could feel her eyes on him as she did his errands. Something made his heart leap at the thought. He turned his head and met her gaze. She blushed and turned away, getting back to work.
---
Rath lay beside his lover, watching her sleep. He touched her stomach and the small glowing hand appeared, reaching for him through the barriers of his mother's womb. The thought of his son made his heart leap about in his chest. His son.
---
"My Klarika, I love you now and always.� Rath told his lover as he distracted her attempts to pull her robe over her shoulders.
"You're just saying that.� She blushed.
"No. I'm not.� He corrected her. "You are not my servant. You are mine to love, not to order."
"I will be back by nightfall.� Rath kissed Klarika and ran a hand over her stomach. "I will see you then."
---
"Klarika! No!� Rath rocked her body against him, shrugging off Zan's attempts to comfort him. "My love, please wake up. Klarika, wake up... please wake up... my Klarika...� Her body was so cold. He pulled a blanket from the rubble and tucked it around her. His voice going hoarse and soft. "Wake up, love... Klarika... Wake up."
---
Rath stalked into the chamber a step behind Zan. "What's going on here?"
"What way is that to treat guests at a party?� Kivar turned slowly, his arm wrapped around Vilandra's waist. She seemed to welcome their enemy's close proximity. It all began falling into place. Vilandra's strange behavior. How Kivar had managed to get inside undetected. Rath seethed with fury. He wanted Kivar dead. He had to pay for killing Klarika.
"Get out of my home.� Zan growled.
"You'll be dead before you raise your hand.� Rath narrowed his eyes. He never saw Nikolas coming so fixed was he on Kivar. His body was wracked with pain before it all went black.
--
Liz had tears in her eyes when Michael's warm mouth left hers. Her eyes opened to see tears streaming from his eyes as well. She almost understood what was happening. "Rath?"
"Yes, it's me Klarika.� He nodded slowly. His arms still hugged her tight to him. She continued to stare up at him. She had never felt a love like the one Rath had for his Klarika. It was so overwhelming... even more so than what she thought she had felt for Max. "Let me say goodbye? I will be back for you. I swear it."
She must have said yes because then he was stripping her of her wet clothes, pulling off his own, kissing her face, her neck, her chest. It felt so good to be touched and loved so reverently. The chill of the evening went away as their bodies heated up.
Liz knew she should stop or go inside where they were less exposed but she couldn't pull away for a minute. His hands knew just where to touch her to make her weak. Her breasts slid against his chest as they sank to the ground. His firm lips found a spot just beside her ear that had her melting into him, grasping him to make sure she didn't float away.
How could he make her feel like a puddle? Michael ran his hands over her curves then gently lay her back on the hard tar top of the balcony. Her legs parted to welcome him against her body, warding off the cold setting in as the rain slowed. She found herself reaching to bring him closer to her.
She should have been scared. She should have pushed him away. She should have said something. He was finally being decent to Maria. He was finally thinking before acting. He was taking care of everyone while Max was apparently having a meltdown. Liz should not be making love to Michael on her roof.
That was her brain but her brain had passed over the situation and shut down. All focus had gone to how soft he was touching her, how he kept whispering how much he loved her. Michael picked her up suddenly, carrying her still wrapped around him, through her window to place her on the bed.
Their hands wandered all over the other's bodies. Liz was met with muscles she hadn't known Michael had, it had never crossed her mind before. Her hand caressed his chest, his arms, and the other drifted down between their bodies to his erection between them. His fingers found her tight opening at the same time hers wrapped around him.
Michael stroked her inside, stoking an already burning inferno. He gave a grunt of appreciation as her hand slid up and down his shaft until finally he pulled his fingers from inside her to take her hand away from him.
His lips found hers, their mouths grounding fiercely together as he slid inside her tight body. Liz winced when he passed through her barrier but never stopped kissing him. He slowly pushed in and out of her body, gradually and steadily building speed.
She was ready by the time he came. She thought for moment that it was over and she wouldn't come until she felt him pulse inside her. Feelings she had never felt before; warmth that traveled through her body, tingling in her legs that she found to be wrapped around him, a tightening in her body. When she came down, he was still gone, his body humming with energy. It seemed like forever until he came down, panting and kissing her face.
He pulled her close and shut his eyes, still professing his love to his Klarika. Liz let herself believe that his love was directed at her. She felt all warm and tingly at the thought that someone loved her so much as Klarika was loved. Sleep claimed her while she basked in the warmth of his arms around her.
Liz woke up to find Michael staring at her. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, she pulled the sheet up to cover her chest. He raised a hand and it hung there. "I... I didn't mean for that to happen when I came over here last night. I... don't even know what happened, Liz. Rath kinda took over."
"Why did you come over?� She whispered. Noting that he had gone back to calling her Liz.
"I was supposed to tell you about Tess...� Michael dropped his gaze to his hands, now twirling his ring around his finger. "Max got her pregnant. He... didn't think you'd want to see him and I was around... he asked me to..."
"Oh.� Liz sank back into her pillow. Tess was pregnant with Max's child. Wow. Shouldn't it upset her more?
"So... we're going home so the kid doesn't die.� He took a deep breath. "I really... I just... I had this weird dream and then these memories... I'm sorry."
"You loved Klarika a lot.� Liz whispered, slightly envious of Klarika's ghost. "I've never felt a love like that."
Michael lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, hands behind his head. He let her comments set in and refused to look in her direction, instead moving on. "Max is going to want to leave tonight. No doubt he's got some plan to make sure no one wonders where we went... I don't think he's slept since he found out about Tess."
"Why are you still here?� Liz asked softly. It wasn't that she thought he'd just leave after what happened but he was still naked, beside her in bed.
"It helps me to think. To watch you... or her...� Michael muttered. "I remember I would watch her sleep and wonder why Jireb gave her to me. I mean, did he know that we would fall in love so quickly? Did he know that he would die so soon after? Did he know that Zan would insist on seeing the betrothal through? That she would be taken from me so quickly?"
"How long were you together?� Liz rolled onto her side to look at him, sheet still clutched to her chest.
"One year. Just months really... and she meant more to me than anything else on Antar.� Michael heaved a big wistful sigh. "In the last week or so that we were together... I would lie awake and connect to our son. I was never happier except for then."
"Then Kivar's men killed them both...� Liz trailed off when he turned his eyes to her in question. "I got flashes."
"Wow. From me?� Michael tried to keep a smile off his face. Someone had gotten flashes off him. She nodded slowly at him. Then it faded, he felt guilty. He had taken something very special from her while stuck in a memory induced trance. "Liz, I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Really. It was... a truly singular experience.� Liz sat up slightly. "Just to get a glimpse of that kind of love."
Michael blushed slightly and got out of the bed, groaning when he realized their clothes were still out on the roof, sitting in a puddle of water. He used his powers to nudge them closer to the window. He started talking to break the silence and to ignore the way he could feel Liz staring at his naked back. "I came here to talk to Ava about Klarika."
"She's downstairs if you still want to..."
"No. I think I know everything now.� Michael quickly dried his clothes and pulled them on. "Thanks."
"No, thank you.� Liz insisted as he disappeared out the window. She sat there staring after him until Ava walked into the room.
"King Maxie make a stop last night?� The pink haired girl flopped onto the bed.
"No... it was Michael. Told me he remembered Klarika.� Liz whispered, her eyes looked for any remaining clue that he had been there and found none.
"Klarika? The servant girl?� Ava shook her head. "She died about a month before we did. There was a rumor she was pregnant or something. Zan always did have his eye on the girl... it was the only reason he kept Vilandra and Rath tied to the betrothal Jireb had set out...� Ava stopped suddenly. "You're her... aren't you?"
"What? No. I'm human.� Liz shook her head.
"But Michael, he came to you... Thought he was with what's her face."
"He did. Last night he came over and he called me Klarika and then... he kissed me, gave me flashes... then he made love to me.� The brunette touched the sheets where he had been lying; they were already going cold.
"You her.� Ava shook her head. "You the heart stealer. They wants you."
"They're leaving.� Liz whispered. She had no clue what anything meant. Where did it put everyone? Maria? Max? What was going on? How did she go from loving Max and mourning his inevitable departure one night and the next morning being completely intrigued by Michael?
--
Michael watched as Max helped Tess out of the Jeep. Her pains were getting worse but she was managing. He knew they had time before they had to leave and he drifted into his own mind. He stared out over the desert that had been his first sight upon breaking out of his pod.
--
"He kissed you once, you said so.� Rath traced his fingers along her bare hip.
"Yes, he did. It was when I was down in the kitchens. I was a server. I was responsible for Zan's meals and clearing his table. Sometimes he ate alone and he would watch me.� Klarika shrugged slightly. "One day, I was clearing his place. He had eaten late and alone and he stopped me. He told me that I was beautiful and he kissed me."
"And then?� Rath pressed. She rolled her eyes at him. Jealous Rath was Annoying Rath.
"And then King Jireb walked in. He didn't say anything to me and so I left. Zan's engagement to Avaria was announced two days later. It was just a kiss.� Klarika sighed and cuddled up to Rath. "Three weeks later... mmm... I was reassigned to you... I miss him."
"I hope you're talking about Jireb.� Rath pinched her stomach.
"Of course I was talking about Jireb.� She swatted him. "He'd know what to do with this war."
"Are you blaspheming against our king?� Rath's eyes widened so large she knew he was joking.
"Yes. I am.� She told him seriously. "Let's face it, our king is too young, too inexperienced and he could fly away with those ears of his.� They both burst out laughing.
--
"Michael, are you okay?� Max moved to stand beside him where he stared out over the desert. "You seem a little out there."
"How would you feel if you remembered who you once were? If you had to say goodbye to someone you realized you didn't love as much as you thought you did.� Michael whispered.
"Maria?"
"Yeah. I went over. I told her why and when and then I said goodbye only I couldn't tell her I loved her because... with the memories I got last night... I don't feel that for her. I care for her. It hurt me to see her cry but no love.� Michael's tone remained even.
"You've gotten memories?� Max asked. Michael turned to him. What's with all the questions? Did he know about what happened with Liz?
"Yeah. I was in love, I was going to be a father and then Kivar took it all away. Her name was Klarika... you were still going to make me marry Vilandra... She of course had other ideas.� He turned back to stare out over the desert. "I think she gave Kivar the details. Where we were camped, when we would leave, and he knew about how long his troops would stand out against us. When we got back from our victorious battle, she was dead."
"I'm sorry Michael.� Max put a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Come on, it's time."
"Wait.� Michael pulled away from Max and looked into his eyes. "I... Last night I went to Liz's."
"What did she say?"
"Not much but... last night I went to Liz's...� Michael braced his hand on his hip and suddenly couldn't look at Max anymore. "We slept together."
"What?� Max took a step back. Had Michael just told him that he had sex with Liz?
"I didn't mean for it to happen. My Rath memories were taking over and they saw her as Klarika.� Michael waited for a reaction from Max but he got none. So he kept talking. "I... I... she... It..."
"It wasn't an accident.� Max whispered. "Liz would have stopped you if she didn't want to.� He paused as he was turning away. "You didn't just leave her, did you?"
"No. I stayed with her... she seemed to understand.� Michael gave up trying to justify himself to Max and followed him into the Granilith chamber. He kept thinking about how it felt to make love to Liz. How calming it was to watch her sleep. He kept thinking about a million different things that he could have done. Said goodbye to Liz, kissed her once more, made sure she was really alright.
He felt the ground shake beneath him. The Granilith was ripping itself from its rock restraints and becoming transparent. The second it broke free, it paused on top of what was left of the rock formation to gain speed. Michael looked out over the desert. Then he saw her running to the formation.
He pressed his hands to the wall in front of him. She kept running closer. He could see her mouth moving, yelling but he couldn't hear her. He closed his eyes and whispered. "I love you."
Then the Granolith shot off across the expanse of space to Antar.
Liz shouted as she ran for the formation. "Michael! Rath!"
Then she saw the metallic structure sitting on top of the formation. It shot off into space. She sank to her knees, a hollow feeling taking over her chest. Ava's words about Liz being Klarika swam through her head. Liz cried and curled up on the dusty desert floor. She hadn't even gotten to tell him she loved him. However bizarre that concept was to her, she didn't want Michael to leave and she did feel a great deal for him.
Maybe it was transference of some kind. Rath's love for Klarika transferred onto Michael and reflected back. Maybe it wasn't real but it felt so real. It hurt so much.
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