Page 9 of Whispers of the Void (Voidborn Chronicles #1)

CHAPTER 9

NEEV

* * *

T he world drops from my feet at the sound of Raiz’s command. One second I was sitting in the captain’s chair. The next my body was weightless, floating in the ether of space and time. Just as quickly, I’m slammed back in my body, my stomach churning at the rapid changes.

When I look out into space, instead of seeing the binary stars of the system we had been in, I see a glowing red star. The crew around me relaxes; it’s nearly imperceptible, but I sense the feeling of familiarity and longing sink over them.

Would I feel that way if I could see Oculus Nine? I don’t think so. The thought of going back makes me uneasy. I love my work. I miss Torre. But the rest of it? I search my soul for anything resembling longing for my life back there.

I find none. In fact, part of me feels uneasy thinking about it. Having seen more than my home for the past twenty-two years has filled me with a level of excitement I haven’t felt in my life. It’s only been a short time that I’ve been outside my cage, but I yearn for more. My eyes drift to Raiz’s strong profile, and my soul feels weirdly at ease.

Mydax stands and turns to walk over to one of the crew stationed along the walls of the bridge, but he stops and turns back to me.

“I’m sorry for what happened earlier in the journey. I lost control. It won’t happen again,” he says, his crimson eyes imploring me to trust his word.

“Forgiven.” I unbuckle the belt across my waist and push to my feet, hoping no one sees I’m still a bit unsteady. “We’re all new to this partnership. I’ll do my best to keep my emotions locked down.”

“You weren’t the problem.” Raiz says from behind me. “Mydax, begin docking preparations. Our window between flares is relatively short.”

“Between flares?” I turn to the commander.

“Zeahiri is close to our star.” He taps a few buttons on the armrest of his chair, and a hologram of the system pops up. “Here’s our planet.” He points to one of three orbiting the star. “Due to how close we are, Zeahiri gets hit with radiation storms frequently. Some interfere with our electronics, so we’ll dock the ship on the dark side of the planet at the space station. Then we’ll take transports down to the surface.”

“Are the other planets inhabited?”

“Yes.” His lips flatten into a firm line.

Damn. Clearly not a fan of the neighbors.

“May I stay up here and observe?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll stay out of the way. I don’t want to be a distraction.”

“Don’t worry. This is very routine. The crew is experienced.”

Over the next hour, the space station comes into view. Half of the docks are occupied, all by identical ships to the one we’re on. The planet beneath is completely dark, not a single light shines. It’s the complete opposite of Calindrea, which looks like a veritable jewel box from space with all its lights. I wouldn’t even believe this planet to be inhabited if it weren’t for the fact that I’m on their ship.

I find myself drawn to Vynia, asking her questions as she flies the ship toward the station. She answers everything, explaining the controls and what they’re for. The female is quickly becoming one of my favorite people on the ship. I hope once we’re down on the surface, she’ll still be around.

“We’ll stay back and make sure everything is handled for docking,” Altis says to Raiz. “I’m sure you want to get Neev settled in and go see Kodia.”

Kodia? Is that his mate?

I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me that he may have a mate. He’s clearly an important and powerful male. Why wouldn’t he have someone waiting for him at home? An unpleasant sensation roils through me at the way his eyes light up hearing the name.

Not that I mistook his kindness for anything other than feeling responsible for my wellbeing. It’s the least he could do honestly, after the violent way he procured my assistance to begin with. In fact, I should take care to remember that regardless of how much he appears to care for my wellbeing, it’s really just self serving on his part. He needs me to translate this ancient text. I’m nothing more than a means to an end for him.

Once the ship has docked, Raiz leads me through the ship to a long tube-shaped structure, just tall enough for the Zeahirians and wide enough for passage single file in either direction. The crew moves out of his way as I trail behind him. We step out of the tube and onto a large metal platform that connects this level of the station all along the perimeter.

Our booted feet clang against the stairs as we descend to a floor full of transports with Zeahirians moving in all directions. Most of them ignore my presence, only nodding in greeting to Raiz. We cross to an open transport, and Raiz takes a seat behind the controls. I sit on the bench seat behind him and watch as he fires up the small craft.

It’s not even been two minutes when Hyva boards and closes the door behind him. “All good to go,” he says as he sits down on the bench across from me and stretches his long legs out. “I’m ready for my own bed.”

Raiz grunts in agreement as the transport lifts off the ground. “The cloak worked.”

Hyva looks at me with a sparkle in his eyes. “I can see that.”

“What cloak?” I ask.

“The one that’s making you look like a Zeahirian female. Cuna and I worked on it as soon as you were brought on board.”

“What do you mean?” I look down, seeing my own hands and body.

“May I?” Hyva points behind me.

“Yes?” I turn to see what he’s pointing at.

He reaches to the small of my back and plucks off a small pin. I watch in stunned silence as he attaches the pin to his uniform and suddenly looks like a Zeahirian female.

“It doesn’t mask your scent, so it’ll only work for short periods like moving from the ship to the transport.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I look at the back of Raiz’s head.

“We wanted you relaxed and acting natural.” Hyva leans back. “Mainly so your scent wouldn’t arouse any unwanted attention.”

I think back to the meeting and my fear triggering Mydax’s primal response. I suppose from a logical standpoint it makes sense. I still don’t like being tricked or misled.

“Is my scent really that potent?” I ask.

“Yes.” Both males say in unison.

I look out the window, once again noting how dark the planet is below us. “How long is a day on Zeahiri?”

“Technically, there are no days or nights. Zeahiri is tidally locked, one side faces the star at all times and is incredibly hot. The other side is dark and cold. We live in the terminus, a ring around the planet that is suitable for life.”

“We do abide by the galactic standard of a twenty-five-hour cycle. It makes a standard rotation around the star one hundred and sixteen days.”

Good to know the Zeahiri have the same clock as Oculus Nine. I won’t have to change my habits much, if at all depending on how long it takes me to translate the text.

Turning my attention from the two males back out the window I can begin to see the slightest ring of light over the horizon. As we move lower and lower into the atmosphere a rocky shoreline emerges through the mist.

I lean closer, my heart lurching at the first sight of open water I’ve ever had. White tipped waves create gorgeous patterns in the sea below us. Is it an ocean? A large lake? Probably an ocean, I assume, knowing they evolved from the water.

The transport loses altitude until it’s just barely skimming above the waves. Raiz navigates through towering rock spires jutting from the water not too far from the rocky cliffs to the right of us. I hope I can walk along the water, dipping my toes in and feeling the land beneath my feet.

The transport slows as Raiz steers us into a cave in the black cliffs. He lands the transport on a large slab of rock where a dozen Zeahirians wait in a line. They all wear the same uniform and curious look as I step off the transport behind Hyva.

“I’ll see you later,” the male calls over his shoulder as he walks off into one of the three tunnels.

“Neev,” Raiz puts his hand on my back, ushering me forward. “This is my house staff. Uzold, my house manager, will handle anything you need.”

The male steps forward and lifts a hand so I can attach a name to the face.

“Breval,” a beautiful female steps forward, “is my chef. She’s been researching human dietary needs and will be able to make nearly anything you wish while you’re my guest.”

He introduces everyone else, and I’m sure I’ll eventually memorize their names, but right now I’m overwhelmed by the sound of water lapping against the rock I stand on. The way the briny scent of saltwater and wet rock fills my nostrils. It takes all my will power not to walk over to the water and run my hand through it.

“Shall I show her to her room, Lord Asterean?” Uzold asks.

“No. I’ll give her a quick tour.” He turns to me, sweeping his hand forward toward a staircase. “This way.”

I follow him up a torch-lit, spiraling staircase carved into the blackest stone I’ve ever seen. In the places where light from the torches dances, I can see the faintest hint of silver and blue veins of another form of rock moving through the black. It’s beautiful, and I swear the stone hums under my fingers as they brush along the wall.

The last thing I expect to see when we reach the top of the steps is a wide corridor with the tallest ceilings I’ve ever walked beneath. Pillars of stone are carved along the walls, each supporting an arch with a chandelier of crystal beneath it. The light from the lit sconces and candles throws rainbows throughout the long corridor.

“This is my office.” Raiz points to a door as we walk past. “The library.” He points at the next door. “The entertaining rooms. The kitchen. The dining room.” He points to each as we walk past. Then we turn down another corridor. “This is where all the sleeping quarters are. Your suite will be right beside mine at the end.”

He opens the door to the largest bedroom I’ve ever seen. The first thing my eyes are drawn to are the double doors overlooking the water. I don’t bother to look at anything else and practically run to the doors, throwing them open and squealing with delight at the large terrace beyond. I walk right to the edge looking down at the churning water as it breaks against the rocks below. The sky is crimson and full of thousands of twinkling stars.

I turn at the sound of his footsteps behind me. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Tears fill my eyes as I look at him, the beauty overwhelming me.

“It truly is,” he says as he looks at me. “Can you swim?” he asks, coming to the railing beside me.

“Yes, they taught me how to swim on Oculus Nine when I was a child. Truthfully, I think my energy grated on the sisters in charge of my upbringing.” I look back over the water. “But I’ve never swum in anything other than a pool.”

“We have tech that will allow you to breathe underwater if you want to join me someday for a swim.”

“Really? I’d love that.”

“I’ll have Uzold take care of it.” He turns his back to the water and points to a set of doors further down the balcony. “That’s my room. I’m right next door if you need anything. Our rooms are the only ones connected to this balcony, so security won’t be an issue.”

That makes my brows scrunch. “Is security something I should be worried about?”

“No. You’re protected here, but there are people on Zeahiri who would feel threatened to find out what we’re doing. I don’t want you to leave the property without me, Altis, Vynia, or Hyva.”

“Are they staying here, too?”

“No, but as high-ranking members of House Aste, they have properties connected to my home. I’ll explain more over dinner, but there are a few things I need to take care of first. I’ll get you in two hours?”

“Okay.”

I watch as he walks into his room and then take one more look at the view before going into check out my own room. A large bed is set against the wall opposite the door with two panels of gorgeous, plush midnight blue material swooped on either side, framing the cushioned headboard. Matching bedding covers the bed. Curtains of the same color and material line the wall with the doors leading outside. Sconces bookend every door in the room to provide light.

The bathroom puts what I had on Oculus Nine to shame. A huge standalone tub sits in one corner with a walk-in shower next to it. There might not be electricity, but at least they have plumbing. I walk around a corner to find the toilet hidden away in the corner for added privacy. Each wall has two to three sconces, and upon closer inspection, I see a knob that controls how much light they give off. At full strength it has a similar brightness to daylight on Calindrea.

Abandoning the bathroom, I wander back into the bedroom and crawl onto the bed. I untie my boots and let them drop beside the bed. The mound of pillows beckons me, so I lay down, deciding to take a few minutes to rest but soon find myself completely drifting off.

* * *

The sound of someone knocking on the door pulls me from my dreamless slumber. It takes me a few seconds to reorient myself and remember where I am before my feet hit the floor. I cross the space between the bed and the door, opening it to the sight of Raiz in a type of clothing I’ve not yet seen him wear.

“Ready for dinner?” he asks.

“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry, I fell asleep.” I’m about to tell him I’ll just need a minute to change but then realize I don’t really have anything but the clothes he’s given me so this will have to do.

“Is your room to your liking?” he asks as he leads me down the hall.

“Yes. The bed is incredibly comfortable.”

“Good. How are you adjusting to the lack of electricity?”

“It’s a little strange but not too hard to get used to.”

I follow him into the dining room and stop short at its unexpected beauty. The room is long and lined with the same type of doors as the set in my bedroom, leading to a long terrace. Huge chandeliers hang above the long table, large enough to seat fourteen. There are only two place settings, though.

He pulls out a chair for me and then sits after helping me.

“Is it just us?”

“Yes. Altis and Vynia are visiting their parents. Hyva is,” a smirk lifts his lips, “out with some females.”

“Like a date?”

He blinks at me blankly. “What’s a date?”

“Is he courting them or something?”

“Oh.” Understanding lights his eyes. “No. Just casual mating.”

“Is that common for the Zeahiri?” My cheeks heat at the topic, but I find myself deeply curious.

“Depends on the individual. For Hyva? Absolutely common.”

“And you?” What the hells, Neev? “Sorry. That was improper.”

“Mating is never casual for me.” He says before lifting a glass of deep red liquid to his lips. His tongue traces his bottom lip, gathering a drop left behind. “Try the wine.” He gestures to the full glass in front of me. “It’s strong, though.”

I lift the glass to my lips, the slightly sweet and floral notes hit my nostrils first, and then I feel the wine hit my taste buds. My body sings with joy as I take my first sip. I greedily take another and lock eyes with Raiz. “This is really good.”

“Yes.” He reaches over and takes the glass from me. “Take it slow. The first time I had this, I was passed out on the floor for hours. I’d hate to see what it does to a small human.”

Once again he refers to me as a small human. Before I can say anything in regard to not being small for a human female, Breval comes out with two plates balanced in her hands.

She sets one down in front of each of us. She rambles off what it is, some form of fish I assume and vegetables I’ve never heard of. She waits until he tries a bite and nods before walking off back into the kitchen.

“So you’re Commander Asterean on your ship and Lord Asterean at home?” I ask in between bites.

“Yes.”

“Is the title here passed along your family line?”

“Yes.” He sets his fork down. “My family has called this place home since we left the sea.”

My brows rise. “How long ago was that?”

“Nearly one thousand years.”

“Are there a lot of families like yours?”

“Nine across the planet.”

“And you rule together?”

“The Sovereign rules. The nine houses just manage the citizens and land.” The tone of his voice has shifted from friendly, borderline playful, to serious.

I immediately regret asking, even though I should have an idea of what I’m walking into.

“What about your family? Do you live here alone?”

“I’m all that’s left,” he looks around the space.

“Big place for one male.”

“There’s the staff. Most of which have worked for my family longer than I’ve been alive. Hyva is around a lot, too, as the only member of his line left.”

“I heard that most Zeahiri are born as twins. I’m surprised so many of you seem to be the last of your family.”

His eyes shutter, and he looks away momentarily. “Half the children born don’t make it past adolescence.”

“So you had a twin?”

“A brother.” He nods.

“I’m sorry,” I say. I want to ask what happened, but the energy of the room is so heavy. I can’t help the desire to completely change the subject.

“Hyva mentioned you would want to see a female named Kodia on the transport. If you want to leave to spend time with her, I can find ways to amuse myself.”

His lips lift in a slow smile. “Kodia is a male.”

“Oh.”

Ohhh.

“Sorry I shouldn’t have presumed you were uh…”

“I was what?” His eyes sparkle as his smile grows.

“I just assumed you were into females. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, I’m into females. Males, too, probably if I’d had any experience with them. Which I obviously haven’t.” I should stop babbling like a fool. “Anyways. Kodia is male,” my voice squeaks as my face flushes with embarrassment.

His smile has doubled in size. I guess at the very least I’ve entertained him, so he can count me as an interesting dinner guest. His earlier warning about the wine flies right out of my mind as I chug the remaining bit from the glass. It really tastes incredible.

“Do you want to meet Kodia?”