Page 32 of Healer (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #4)
The day I completed warrior training remained etched in my memory like a vivid painting, teeming with roars of congratulations and the overwhelming pride emanating from my father’s beaming face.
The day I finished my studies to become a healer was also crystal clear, every detail preserved in my mind, especially the first time I saved a fellow Vaktaire from slipping into the dark void of death.
But amidst these monumental moments, the simple act of strolling through the corridors of the Bardaga with Agnes, our fingers intertwined, would forever remain my proudest achievement.
I couldn’t help but puff out my chest as we passed my brethren, catching their expressions of congratulations and envy.
Agnes clung to my side, looking so flushed and well-sated that anyone could guess how we spent the last few hours.
After consummating our mating, we’d left Med-Bay when Tarkas and George arrived.
I didn’t want the research into what the Ulkommanian gave Agnes, disturbed by our moans of pleasure.
However, I’m sure anyone lingering near my cabin got an earful.
My longing for Agnes proved insatiable. Every time my hands grazed the softness of her skin, it felt like I’d been starving for the touch of her since birth.
And the taste of her... the taste was a delicacy I couldn’t resist indulging again and again.
Personally, I would have been content to never leave my cabin, where I could savor every inch of her body without interruption.
But the adorable grumbling of Agnes’ stomach reminded me that humans needed nourishment.
The heavy metal doors to the dining hall beckoned us inside, announcing our arrival with a loud swish.
A second later, a chorus of high-pitched, joyful squeals burst into the air.
I had to steady myself as a group of human females rushed towards us, their arms outstretched in excitement to embrace my mate.
The laughter and chatter echoed off the walls, creating a lively atmosphere that immediately made me smile.
“Oh my God, you look gorgeous!”
“We’re so happy to see you!”
“We missed you so much!”
My eyes swept over the vast expanse of the dining hall, wanting to give Agnes a moment with her friends.
The space could comfortably accommodate several hundred people.
At this hour, only a fraction of the crew occupied the tables.
I noticed my Chieftain at one such table, surrounded by our Weapon’s Master and War Chief.
All three males raised a glass to me, smiling.
“Thank you for rescuing Agnes, Hakkar!”
I issued a small oof as my Chieftain’s mate Emmy plowed into my chest, arms going around my waist in a tight hug.
Unlike Agnes’ straight blonde-brown locks, Emmy’s head held a plethora of curls that tickled my nose.
I gave her a gentle pat in the center of her back.
Humans were affectionate, but a mated Vaktaire tended to be very possessive and particular about how other males touched his female.
Even now, I felt the Chieftain’s eyes on us, coolly assessing.
Thankfully, I knew he would see this only as a moment of gratitude and respect between friends.
Emmy must have felt it, too. She stepped away, shooting a glance at her mate before reiterating.
“Thank you so much for everything you did for Agnes.” Her tears and worries during my mate’s time in the healer would forever endear the curly haired human to me.
“It was my pleasure,” I told her.
“I bet,” Emmy snorted, teasingly mocking Agnes while she elbowed me in the ribs.
Agnes merely rolled her eyes as she stepped to my side, hands resting at my waist.
“I’m going to have a little girl time and catch up.” Her grey eyes glanced toward the Chieftain’s table. “Why don’t you go have some bro time ?”
“Bro time?” Even with my study of Earth languages, sometimes....
Agnes giggled. “ Bro time . You know, go hang out with the guys and catch up.”
My mate glowed with happiness when she glanced at her friends, and despite my reluctance to leave her side, it proved a request I could not refuse.
However, I would not depart without a kiss.
Something Agnes proved happy to oblige, although the “oooohhh” uttered by her friends made her blush and laugh.
The females retreated to a table in the corner, laughing and talking. I stood for a moment, simply enjoying the beauty of Agnes’ backside swaying as she walked away.
“Welcome to the mated males’ table,” the Bardaga’s weapon master, Tarook, bellowed as I wandered toward them. Each male held a tankard of Romvesian ale, and I noticed an extra waiting on the table for me.
“Congratulations, my brother.” Our Chieftain Khaion patted my shoulder soundly. “May you find the joy with your Agnes that I have found with my Emmy.”
With his words, my comrades raised their tankards with the accompaniment of “ valakana “ issued in a reverent toast.
“Thank you.” I raised my mug, taking a sip. The spicy and rich ale flowed over my tongue, reminding me of the wine Vienda and her family served the night Agnes introduced me to the wonderful human custom of kissing.
I settled into the chair between Khaion and our war chief, Daicon. I couldn’t help but notice the deep furrow on Daicon’s brow as he scowled at the data pad grasped tightly in his large, calloused fingers.
“What news?” Daicon debriefed me shortly after we rejoined the Bardaga, taking upon himself the responsibility of dealing with the aftermath planet-side so I could attend to Agnes.
“The team we sent to the surface uncovered and destroyed three Ulkommanian labs but found no other humans.” Anger twisted his features, and he glanced up to ensure the females remained out of earshot before adding, “Alive.”
Knowing how easily Agnes might have met that same fate, his words sent a chill down my spine.
“What about the Ulkommanian and Aljani guards?” When I rescued Agnes in the settlement, I killed a total of two Ulkommanian and four Aljani, not to mention the ten or so Talamas and I dispatched during the attack on his home. I had no clue how many remained on the planet.
“The twenty or so that still live occupy our prison cells,” Khaion said, his mouth set in a grim line.
“Have you questioned them?” My eyes flicked between Khaion and Daicon. Both were known... and feared for their interrogation techniques.
“Yes.” Daicon laid the data pad on the tabletop with an aggravated frown. “The Aljani say nothing, but I feel it’s because they know nothing besides being hired muscle. The two Ulkommanian we captured are lower caste and not heavily involved in the research.”
“Nansar has to have a hand in this as well.” Tarook leaned back in his chair, cradling his tankard thoughtfully. “Ulkommanian and Aljani are not natural allies.”
Nansar was the son of one of the most powerful men in the Alliance, Duke Ako.
For years, most perceived him as a sympathizer to the struggles of abducted humans, but our Chieftain and his mate Emmy uncovered his true nature.
The revelation shed light on his cunning ways and deceptive tactics hidden beneath a facade of empathy.
“I agree,” Khaion acknowledged. “But to what end?”
“We know he stole their friend Willa and appears to be taking her to his father’s citadel.” Daicon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “He could be trying to get on Ako’s good side with a gift.”
“Duke Ako does like human flesh.” Tarook chimed in.
“Yes, Ako does have his... proclivities.” Khaion’s lips twisted in disgust, and I didn’t miss his sideways glance at Emmy. He sighed heavily before adding. “The Duke’s human harem is the stuff of legend, but it has never been said that he is cruel to females.”
“I don’t think Nansar has any such qualm,” Tarook snorted. “Not if he’s working with the Kerzak.”
I took a sip of ale, letting the taste linger on my tongue.
“From what Vienda said, I didn’t get the impression Nansar was involved with what happened to the Kerzak royal family.
Just Ambassador Yaard. The Aljani that attacked us only wanted to recapture Agnes.
If they recognized the Kerzak princess, I couldn’t tell. ”
Tarook issued another snort, which sounded harsher. “Hopefully, the Ambassador is wasting away on his derelict spaceship floating near a black hole somewhere. I should have blown the ship up and been done with the bastard.”
I did not blame Tarook for his anger. During the rescue of his mate Clara, the Ambassador relentlessly pursued them, driven by a selfish desire to claim the human for himself.
While Duke Ako’s lust for human flesh seemed purely hedonistic, rumors whispered the Ambassador yearned for it more for the purported delectable taste.
“We know Nansar is behind the mumje mining,” Daicon said with an uncomfortable roll of his shoulders.
Our War Chief had rescued Emmy and several child slaves from a mine on the Gilese moon.
.. and nearly lost his life in the process.
“According to that slimy ex-mayor on Tau Ceti, Nansar had a hand in testing the mumje on humans there.”
“Mayor Parlow did not mention Nansar by name,” Khaion cautioned.
Tarook’s snort dripped with disgust. “Yeah, but Parlow admitted he overheard the Kerzak talking about some royal brat being involved.” The revulsion in his expression morphed into a sly grin. “Right before Daicon made him piss himself.”
Daicon squared his shoulders proudly, making me chuckle.