Page 21 of Master (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #3)
Tarook
My fingertips trailed down the center of my chest, coming across the sore spot at the center of my sternum. I must have aggravated something helping Buck yesterday.
That had to be it.
I’d claimed Clara as a mate to Lula, only to ensure her safety.
Technically, the word mate hadn’t left my lips.
I’d used the human word couple . The goddess Valana, who blessed mating for my people, surely understood I only wanted to ensure Clara’s safety and that there were no true feelings between us.
Wouldn’t she?
Granted, I found it impossible to keep my eyes off Clara.
It was torture to keep my hands off her, especially last night.
I'd settled to sleep beside her, convinced that the pitiful excuse for a divider would dampen my desire. But in the cool air of night, she cuddled close. I’d savored those moments with her soft body pressed against mine until the early shards of daylight painted the sky.
It hurt to let her go, but not wanting to embarrass Clara with the fact that her subconscious wanted me no matter what her conscious tongue denied, I’d slipped from the room before she woke.
I wanted her… still.
Normally, with a female, the more time I spent with her, the less I wanted her.
Often, one taste of pleasure sated my lust. Any female I'd revisited boasted exceptional skill between the sheets, not because of any particular feeling she roused in me.
I'd never wanted a mate… wanted no one who would be my master in the bedroom or otherwise.
Clara was different.
Wanting her felt as natural as breathing, and our time on the Hartouk Lenaii hadn't sated my lust, only flamed it hotter.
But to have her again would risk hurting her, possibly even killing her.
Word from the Bardaga said that the Chieftain and our war chief Daicon took her friends as mates.
Perhaps it was the human ritual of mating they completed, like those of the Vaktaire who took other species as mates.
In the annals of our history, none but the Vaktaire survived the valakana.
The ancient ritual calling out to the goddess Valana for blessing the claiming one’s true mate.
The ritual held pain and danger. Many non-Vaktaire had died in the mating attempt.
That’s how I knew whatever this odd sensation squeezing my heart—it couldn't be the valakana. It didn’t hurt enough.
Why, then, was I so aggravated about it?
Clara released a lyrical sound, a mixture of shock and laughter as the vehicle—something Buck proudly called his Ford truck —bounced over a divot in the dirt road we traveled.
Clara told me that while the conveyance did indeed look like this 'Ford truck' from Earth, trucks normally ran on something called tires rather than air propulsion.
Buck and Lula inhabited the truck's cab while Clara and I sat in the back, along with several baskets of vegetables. Thankfully, the predominance of farm goods occupied the small cart pulled behind us.
We'd left the farm a little after dawn, fortified by a delicious breakfast of ham, eggs, and something Clara called biscuits that were so light and fluffy I half expected them to float above the table.
Clara's thick, wavy blonde hair moved in the wind so that the strands appeared as shards of golden sunlight floating about her face. She'd worn a smile since we left the farm, and more than once, I'd caught her turning her face toward the dual suns and sighing.
Sweet Valana, she was beautiful!
My fingers rubbed the spot over my heart, noticing the deepening of the warmth that lay there.
They say the goddess sees all. If the Valana knew what grew deep in my heart…
. No, I couldn’t let that happen. To truly mate with Clara would risk causing her suffering, possibly death.
I would do anything to spare her pain, even if it meant ignoriing my own desires.
The noise from riding in the open-air bed of the truck didn't allow for conversation, rendering the communication between me and Clara to one of gestures and expressions.
It was easy to see she enjoyed herself, violet eyes darting across the landscape.
It was good that she liked Tau Ceti—it would be her home.
Why did the thought make me want to punch something?
The truck slowed as we came through the trees, the white and blue clapboard buildings of the settlement rising in varying heights.
Beside me, Clara rose to her knees, peering over the truck's rusted roof, a wide smile parting her perfect lips.
She stared in awe for a moment, then her giggle rose above the sounds of engine and wind.
"Not what you expected? I shifted onto my knees beside her, staring more at her animated expression than the village.
"Not at all," Clara beamed. "It's so quaint and old-fashioned. It reminds me of Mayberry."
“Mayberry?” I’d heard the name from the videos our war chief Daicon favored but didn’t know the meaning.
“It’s a picture-perfect small town on.…” Her eyes went wide, and she bit her lip.
“Television,” I guessed, and Clara giggled. That spot in my chest grew warmer. I enjoyed making her laugh. I adored all her emotions, but her entire face glowed when she smiled.
Buck reduced speed as we entered the village, pausing now and then to greet pedestrians crossing the cobblestone street.
The scent of baked goods reached my nose, and the truck turned as though beckoned by the smell.
The vehicle pulled to a stop at the end of a street lined on either side with colorful awnings.
Table after table held everything from small tools, apparel, baked goods, meat, and vegetables.
The smells of metal, leather, and food amalgamated into a savory stew.
Almost every booth sported people milling about, some laying out their wares, some shopping. Next to where Buck parked the truck, a long table covered with a bright green awning sported a sign. Painted on a plain piece of wood, white lettering announced… Buck and Lula’s Farm .
I vaulted over the side of the truck, my feet hitting the ground just as Buck exited, followed by Lula.
“You've got the best booth on the street," Clara announced as I held my hands up to her. She didn't hesitate to step into my grip, her fingers resting on my forearms as I lifted her out. The spot on my chest grew warmer still.
“Our friend Bartholomeus always sets it up for us since we live so far out,” Lula said as she hefted a basket of vegetables.
“Let us help you,” Clara insisted, taking the basket from her.
For the next several minutes, Clara and I unloaded the truck and cart while Buck and Lula merchandised the table.
I felt curious stares and more than once overheard the whispered question , 'Where did they come from ?
' asked of our hosts. Everyone seemed merely interested…
and friendly. Several of the women introduced themselves, welcoming Clara to Tau Ceti.
My stomach clenched painfully each time.
Once the truck and cart sat empty, I shifted to helping Buck arrange the heavier baskets and carry plants to a nearby greenhouse while Clara helped Lula wait on customers.
When we returned a few minutes later, the smile that Clara had sported since we arrived in the hamlet had disappeared.
Instead, she stood toward the back of the stall, eyes shifting over the crowd.
I nearly broke into a run to get to her, concern hammering through me.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?” I placed a hand on her shoulder and felt the tenseness in her muscles slowly abate.
“Yeah,” Clara’s lips turned upward, but I wouldn’t call it a smile.
I followed the line of her gaze, but nothing stood out. A few people looked our way, but with only what I perceived as a mild curiosity.
"What's the matter, Clara?" I put a finger under her chin and tilted her gaze to mine. I’d only vowed not to touch her cunt or breasts, otherwise I didn’t seem to be able to keep my hands off her.
"It's just that…" she shrugged. "I recognize some of the different species from the ship.”
I cast my glance back at the crowd. While Tau Ceti comprised a mostly human population, other species resided here.
Just in the mix of shoppers, I spotted a Romvesian, Verdesian, Warlick, and Serdat.
None of these species were inherently dangerous, although I didn’t like any of them glancing in Clara’s direction.
Instinctively, I stepped closer, slipping an arm around her waist. She leaned into me, welcoming my touch.
“Maybe you were right to pretend we were mates,” she murmured.
“Haven’t you figured out I’m always right?
" I chided, bringing a smile to her lips.
"No one will bother you here. I won’t allow it.
" I glanced to where Lula bent, whispering with three human women, the hushed gossip easily overheard by my ears. I squeezed Clara’s waist, nodding in Lula's direction.
“I don’t think it will take longto get around that we're a couple.”
Clara's gaze landed on Lula, and she chuckled, relaxing further.
Buck took notice of his wife gossiping and frowned. “Tarook, why don't I take you around and introduce you to some of the fellas?” Apparently, he didn’t like to be left out.
I hesitated, not wanting to leave Clara's side. An excuse formed on my lips, but Lula sauntered over, pulling Clara from my grip.
“You boys go on. Clara can help me in the stall. We'll be fine.”
I needed to speak to the village leaders about the Bardaga's arrival and ask permission to use long-range communications to contact the ship. But I hesitated to leave Clara—an affliction that seemed to grow worse with each passing second.
Clara resisted Lula's pull, turning to face me. Her hand went to my chest, right over that spot that seemed to throb and simmer.
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” She smiled at me, violet eyes dancing. Whatever bothered her… I’d made it better.
I’d never been prouder.