Chapter 15

Chapter 15

It had been three weeks since Ronan and Lilly had wed in relative secrecy in the garden. Why they were pledged to each other it was apparently a violation of the planet’s laws for one slave to marry another, so fearing they would be punished or separated they kept their marriage a secret. The video of them making love and not just having sex had been uploaded over a million times, something neither Ronan nor Lilly wanted to think about. But the success of the video earned them both many credits as well as requests for more videos. Ronan had refused at first to make more videos but had again been threatened with punishment if he refused so he and Lilly had made two more very discreet videos in which only Ronan was completely naked. The videos had both been great successes with millions of uploads, their success had also earned Ronan more clients as well as more requests to see Lilly dance. Ronan loathed all their new fame but could not deny the extra credits being earned were helping him to achieve his goal of buying his and his men’s freedom. The new fame also came with a different set of problems that was infuriating for Ronan; the dome was being flooded with requests from males of all species to purchase Lilly. Ronan didn’t want to hear the offer amounts even though he was being pressured by Perrion to sell her, as Perrion would earn a cut of each sale. Lilly was his mate and his wife, and he would only sell her over his dead body, per the planet’s laws, Ronan couldn’t be forced to sell Lilly for any reason, which was a great relief. Despite her new fame Lilly continued to work to maintain the Dome’s electrical grid and force field, because she enjoyed the work and because it gave her the ability to leave the Dome unescorted and go to the ancient city and the dump. With the help of several repaired servos, Lilly had managed the nearly herculean task of repairing the one ancient ship and fueling it from materials scavenged from the dump without being irradiated. After the ship was functional, she’d used spare parts from other ships and components from the dump to create a remote control to launch the ship and then set up video feeds from both inside the ship and from the launch area. With Rugger and Cahir’s help, they had taxied the ship out of the hangar and launched it. The ship was crewed by ten servos; they were programmed to be sure the ship stayed on course, as well as to make repairs. They were also directed to start playing a preprogrammed message to Gilese, saying where Ronan and his men were and that they needed to be rescued. Things were settling into a semblance of normality, though neither Ronan nor Lilly liked the fact he was often asked to pleasure other females as a way to entertain clients. Ronan refused whenever possible, though he was often punished for doing so. What he felt for Lilly was too deep to risk breaking the bond they had formed, she was his life mate and his heart mate and he would not betray her no matter what the price. Ronan paused by one of the thick mirrored columns in the bar area of the Dome to rub his neck; of late, the collar had grown even more of an irritation than normal, the skin underneath it unbearably itchy. Lilly had made him a paste from some of the plants in the garden that helped relieve, the itch but he used it sparingly, knowing how much work she’d gone through to prepare it. Ronan frowned at his reflection and lifted the collar to one side as best he could looking for the source of the itching and felt his hearts skip. A finger-long black line with a twisting pattern had formed on the left side of his neck. Ronan stared at the mark as the reality of what it was sunk it, it was a claiming mark, something the males of his species developed when they had found and claimed their true mate. The black line would eventually grow completely around his neck and with the birth of his first child fuse to form a perfect circle. With the addition of every child, the line would become more complex and often braided in appearance so that any who viewed him would know instantly how many children he had. Scientists on his planet had long debated the reason for the mark, but the general thought was that it was a way of showing a male was taken. In the distant past, there had been far more females than males on his world. In the past, females would compete for male attention often to the point of death. It was thought the mark showed the females a male was claimed and warned them to stay away, whatever the cause a mating mark was a revered symbol by the males of his planet. He’d not thought that he would never grow a mark as Lilly was from a different species and world but the fact that the mark was growing showed what he’d known to be true from the first time he’d held Lilly in his arms she was meant to be his. Ronan carefully set the collar back in place so that the mark was covered and turned to the bar, where two blue-skinned males with dark blue-black hair, as well as two of the female slaves from the Dome, were waiting for him. The request had been for several hours of his time and for him to pleasure the females, Mara and Isis. Ronan forced a smile as he approached the bar; hopefully, he could talk the males, ship officers by their garments out of their desire to see him with the females. The males slid off their barstools as he approached smiles on their faces, showing long canine teeth. Ronan didn’t recognize the species, but then again, he was far from home and obviously on the edge of the uncharted territories. “Ah it is you, Ronan the Destroyer.” The first male said looking Ronan up and down. The male was perhaps a head shorter than Ronan and lightly muscled, he was wearing some form of uniform judging by the fact he and his companion were wearing matching black jumpsuits with silver strips on the arms. “You know of me?” Ronan asked as he continued to take their measure. “Yes, we have seen many of your fighting videos; you are amazing in combat and of course many of your recreation videos. We play them nightly on our ship in the mess hall.” The second and slightly shorter male replied. “Our Captain is also obsessed with the pale-skinned female from your vids; he is hoping to buy her.” The first male said. “Carty watch your mouth.” The shorter male said with a scowl. “What Hatch tis no secret that Captain Zardo wants the female, he has since the first moment he saw her. In fact, he diverted the ship here and gave most of the crew leave just so he could try and purchase her. Space Command will be furious when they find out about this little detour; we are supposed to be charting this region you see.” The taller male replied taking another long drink from his mug. “But come Ronan sit with us tell and us of your fights.” Ronan felt his guts clench with unease. He knew other males desired Lilly, but to hear it so openly troubled him. Luckily, as her owner, she could not be sold or used for sex or pleasure without his agreement, and that was something he would never give. Ronan forced a smile and took the empty stool Carty motioned to. Mara gave him a relieved smile, obviously not pleased to be accompanying the dark blue skin male, her light blue-skinned flushed a darker blue, something Ronan recognized as anger or unhappiness. Ronan nodded to the bartender, Kenyon, an older Hyperion, who gave him a nod in return before fixing Ronan a mug of fruit juice and setting it before him. “What would you like to talk of first?” Ronan asked nodding his thanks to Kenyon. “The fight with that big four-armed red-skinned male, it was glorious,” Carty said, finishing his mug and signaling Kenyon for another drink. “Of course,” Ronan replied, forcing a friendly smile while he remembered the fight Carty had spoken of. The fight had been less than glorious; the Uxmal male named Asim had cracked several of his ribs and broken his nose. Ronan had been forced to not only break three of Asim’s arms but rip one from the socket to stop Asim from choking him to death. Asim had tried to fight on, the match being called only when he’d lost consciousness from blood loss. Asim had barely survived his injuries, and once recovered had been sent to mine radioactive ore in the wastelands. “My opponent was named Asim; he was from Uxmal,” Ronan replied. The males had prepaid for two hours of his time; if he could fill it with talk, he could avoid pleasuring Mara and Isis. * * * * Lilly squinted at the tiny, cracked screen of the monitor she’d salvaged, watching telemetry of the unmanned ship she’d launched several days earlier. The ship was just leaving the solar system they were in and would soon be beyond their ability to contact. Ronan, Cahir, and Rugger had reasoned that the ship would draw less suspicion from the traders that frequented the leisure planet if it traveled slowly. An ancient ship traveling at just under sub-light speed would be thought to be one of the many junk dealers that frequented the planet to trade in merchandise and mostly ignored. Once the ship passed the last planet in the eight- planet solar system, its ancient star drive would engage, and it would begin heading for Gilese at maximum speed. If things went well the ship would enter Gilesean space in about thirty days, and it would then begin broadcasting its record message asking for help. Lilly with Rugger and Cahir’s help had programmed the servos onboard to not only maintain the ships’ systems and keep it on course but make any repairs necessary to keep it going. If by luck it made it all the way to Gilese it was programmed to orbit the planet emitting a distress signal. “Well it’s away with any luck it should make it to your home world and a rescue ship should return in about sixty days if your people act quickly.” Lilly looked up from the screen to Cahir who nodded as he gave her a smile. “You are right.” Cahir switched off the screen then turned leaning against the metal table covered with ancient equipment to study Lilly. Lilly nervously ran her hands over her worn shorts as she stepped back. She knew Ronan had told his men not to harm her and that of late Cahir and Rugger had worked with her almost daily on the ship but they still made her uneasy. “I will not harm you. Even before Ronan had claimed, you I’d never have harmed you. It is against our code of honor to hurt a female; all females are venerated for what they bring us. I wanted to apologize for how I treated you before, for things I might have said.” Cahir gave her a lopsided smile before running his fingers through his close-cropped dark grey hair. “Thank you.” Lilly stammered in surprise. Despite her new elevation in rank, she was still widely regarded as beneath most of the Dome’s inhabitant’s contempt. While the few males at the Dome genuinely ignored her as she went about her duties, the females always looked down their noses at her and made comments when she passed about her appearance, intelligence, or smell. She’d reconciled to the fact she would never make friends with any of them and as such treasured her friendship with Lars. “I mean it. I and the others did not know of your species before and thought that you would be stupid when it is obvious you are far from that. You have shown that you are brave, kind, loyal, and intelligent through all that you have done for us. I want you to know that you have my friendship and loyalty if you can forgive me.” Cahir said. Lilly was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. “I would like that very much; you know I would never do anything to hurt Ronan. I want all of you to escape this horrible place and go home. I know I can never return to my planet, but that doesn’t mean you all shouldn’t go home. I know Ronan is an important person in your world and that is why he has kept his identity hidden from me.” “You are indeed as wise as you are brave. Are all females from your planet as brave as you?” Cahir asked. “Me brave, no, I’m not brave, I’m scared all the time. But many of the women on Earth are far braver than I; they are soldiers, law enforcement officers, or firefighters. All I wanted to be was a scientist; I only danced to pay my bills.” Lilly protested. “But you are brave, you go into the dump and the wilderness despite the fact that you are frightened or could be harmed, that is the definition of bravery. I also know that you keep the force shield working, and to do so you must climb the scaffold to the top of the Dome. I would rather fight to the death than climb that high.” Cahir replied with obvious respect. “Once we return home, I will ask Ronan if I could lead an expedition to find your planet. I would like to find a female such as you for my mate. Do you think the females of your planet would like me?” “Thank you, and yes they would like you,” Lilly replied looking over at Cahir. While he was shorter and smaller in build than Ronan he was still built like a Greek god and well over six feet in height. He smiled often and his grey hair if he was out in the sun for a long time would get frost tipped making him look like a California surfer. “That is good, that is very good. Now that the ship is gone what project would you like help with next, I am not needed at the Dome for some time.” Cahir said. Before Lilly could answer her wrist unit beeped loudly making her frown, she was rarely beeped unless there was a problem with the power grid or the force shield and she knew both were working properly at the moment. “Yes?” Lilly asked activating her wrist unit. “This is Cheng you must return to the Dome at once, a client wishes to see you dance.” Lilly frowned; it was well past the noon meal and in the time set for her to do repairs by master Perrion and Tyrell. “Of course Overseer but this is my time to see to the force shield maintenance.” “It will have to wait, the client has offered triple to see you dance, return to the Dome at once. A guard shall meet you by the door to the slave quarters. You have fifteen minutes to get ready and report to the Green auditorium;, don’t be late.” Cheng said. Before Lilly could reply that say she would need more time, her wrist unit went dead, signaling Cheng had broken the link. Lilly mumbled a curse and quickly turned off the ancient scanners and monitors on the table. “You are going?” Cahir demanded helping her shut down the ancient machines. “I have little choice but to obey,” Lilly replied, switching off the last machine before grabbing her gloves and black robe from the end of the work table. “I shall walk you back then,” Cahir said. Lilly shook her head. “Perhaps it would be best if we are not seen together.” “But why not, you eat with us every night besides if I let anything happen to you Ronan would be furious.” Cahir opened the door of the shed and took a quick peek outside before stepping out into the dappled sunlight. “I would also like us to become friends, can’t friends walk together?” Lilly pulled the hood of her robe up over her head then stepped outside closing the door firmly behind her and then locking it. “Well if you put it that way then yes.” Lilly was still unsure of her new relationship status with Ronan’s friends, but if Cahir was offering an olive branch, she would be a fool not to take it. “Besides, I want to ask you more questions about your planet. My world is lovely with rolling plains and forests, many lakes, and only one ocean, what of yours?” Cahir asked, following Lilly down the overgrown path back to the main garden. “We have those too, as well as tall mountains and many, many oceans; in fact, most of my world is covered by oceans.” Lilly paused to hold a branch out of the way so Cahir could pass. “I should like to see that. I have seen hundreds of worlds and only a few with extensive oceans. Do your people swim in the oceans, or are there fearsome creatures in them?” Cahir asked, stepping past Lilly and out into the bright light of the twin suns at the edge of the garden. “We can talk more later if you wish, I have to change quickly for I don’t want to be late and make the overseer mad.” Lily gave an inward shiver at the thought of being punished. “Of course,” Cahir replied, following Lilly through the deserted garden toward the side door of the slave quarters. They paused by the garden entrance to the living quarters as the guard on duty gave them a nod before keying the door and letting them in. Once inside the cool darkness of the corridor Lilly flipped back her hood and took a deep breath of the cool air before giving Cahir a nod. “I will see you later then.” Lilly didn’t wait for Cahir to reply but hurried away towards the end of the wall where Ronan and her room were. Once inside, she quickly stripped, hanging up her robe on a hook by the door before heading to the bathroom to wash. Lilly bathed and changed in record time, taking only a few minutes on her hair and face, when she’d normally take half an hour to get ready. Stepping out of her chamber, she was surprised to find both Cahir and Lars waiting for her. They both claimed they wanted to accompany her to keep her safe, especially as she was obviously performing for a new client. Lilly was accustomed to Lars watching her perform as he would operate her music player and help with the lights in exchange for ten credits, but having Cahir accompany her was a welcome surprise. Lilly and the others used the long underground tunnel connecting the living quarters to the rear section of the Pleasure Dome so that Lilly wouldn’t have to step out into the suns. By the time they reached the hall before the Green auditorium Lilly was several minutes late and had to steel herself for threats from overseer Cheng for keeping him waiting. “Good, you are here; let’s go, best not to keep a new client waiting.” Overseer Cheng said before turning his ebony gaze on Cahir. “Why are you here? You were not requested.” Cahir shrugged. “I am not requested, but I thought I should come to protect Lilly. It is a new client is it not? She is valuable it would not do to have her injured in some way.” “Fine, just stay in the back of the room and don’t make trouble, the client is the Captain of a scout ship; it wouldn’t do to anger him,” Cheng replied with a flick of his taloned hand before he turned to open the door of the green auditorium and stepped through. Taking a deep, calming breath, Lilly followed Cheng into the dim chamber. She saw eight tall, muscular males with dark-colored hair and blue skin before Cheng grabbed her right arm and hurried her down the side passage next to the sits. He paused at the bottom of the four narrow steps that lead up to the stage to hit a button to turn on several spotlights then he dragged her up the steps and to the middle of the stage. Cheng released her am so suddenly Lilly staggered. Lilly quickly regained her footing and turned to see Lars had followed her up and was standing at the side of the stage with her music player. He gave her a nod that he was ready and she turned to squint against the bright spotlights just making out the shapes of the males making up her audience. “The female is here as requested; as soon as payment is received she will perform for you,” Cheng said raising his hand to shield him from the lights. “Step closer; come to the edge of the stage.” A deep, gravelly voice said. Lilly fought a sudden case of nerves and stepped closer to the edge of the stage not, wanting to make Cheng or the customer angry. “Good, now turn about slowly.” The voice directed. Lilly felt another wave of nerves, but did as she was directed and slowly turned about, hearing hooting sounds from the audience as she once again faced forward. “I have prepared two dances; if you wish, I shall begin.” “That won’t be necessary, remove your garments.” The voice said. “What?” Lilly took a step back. “No, there has been some misunderstanding all I do is dance.” “I would see and sample the wares I intended to buy.” The voice snarled prompting Lilly to retreat another step. Abruptly, the spotlights went out, and Lilly could see a tall, blue-skinned male wearing some kind of black uniform standing before her, looking her over like she was a piece of meat and he was a hungry lion. “The female is not for sale,” Cheng said, stepping forward so he was beside Lilly. “You were told that by manager Laoni.” “I am Captain Zardo of the Carina star fleet. I didn’t become captain of a scout ship by taking no for an answer. The female will remove her clothes and submit for my inspection or you will regret it.” Zardo snapped, stepping forward so he was directly in front of the stage. “She will not.” Lars snarled, appearing on the other side of Lilly before pushing her behind him. “And I say she does, she will also submit to me,” Zardo added then snapped his fingers so that his men by their matching uniforms rose from their seats and as one moved towards the stage. “The female isn’t for sale; she belongs to my friend, and she is a friend to me as well.” Cahir’s voice rang loudly through the auditorium. “It’s been a long time since I had a good fight, a very long time. You touch Lilly, and you have me to deal with,” Cahir said, coming down the passage toward the stage. “And me,” Lars added, shoving Lilly further behind him. “This has gone far enough; you will pay the fee for threatening a member of staff and then leave,” Cheng stated, pulling his whip from his waist. “If you think you shall prevent me from having the female, you are all mistaken.” Zardo snapped his fingers again and he and his men vaulted onto the stage. Lilly felt Lars shove her again hard and his shout of run and then hell broke loose in a melee of bodies. * * * * Ronan was just finishing another story on his time in the pits when he glanced at his wrist unit and was relieved to see that he was nearly done with his clients. He had managed to entertain them with stories of his time in the pits and put off having to pleasure Mara and Isis, for which he was glad. He would do anything to avoid hurting Lilly. Ronan was reaching for his glass when he felt an odd tingling at the back of his neck, not unlike the feeling he’d have at home when a thunderstorm was approaching. He rubbed his neck, hoping the feeling would go away, when he felt a sudden wrenching wave of fear followed by the feeling that Lilly was in danger. Before he could analyze the feeling, the lights in the Dome brightened and then began to flash, something that had only happened once before when a female had been attacked by a client. Ronan slipped from his seat as Tyrell and three of his men ran through the Dome. Tyrell paused for a moment when he saw Ronan. “Lilly is in trouble in the Green auditorium,” Tyrell shouted, then hurried off after his men. Ronan didn’t bother to tell his clients he was leaving; he simply sprinted after Tyrell, nearly knocking over several clients in his haste to get to his mate. He heard his clients shouting after him, but didn’t stop; all that mattered was his little mate. If anyone had harmed her, he’d rip them limb from limb and paint the walls with their blood.