Karac: Kaldar Warriors #1 (12 page)

Ashley

I woke up to quiet voices outside my room.  I glanced around, trying to remember where I was.  The room was dark but as soon as I sat up, the lights automatically turned to a low setting.  My eyes finally landed on the large window across from the bed.  Instead of daylight, deep blackness with small lights looked back at me. 
Space, I was in space.
  The previous night came crashing back on me.  I put my head in my hands, trying to sort through the memories.  Kaldarhns?  Check.  Supposed mate, Karac? Check.  Trip to outer space?  Check Check. 
Shit, how was I going to get out of this one?
 

Again, I heard the voices from the other side of the door that woke me in the first place.  Needing to get out of bed and see what time it was anyway, I decided to investigate.  I crept over to the door but it whooshed open automatically when I touched it.  On the other side, I saw Karac and Calzen leaning over a 3D image that looked like a lot of stars and galaxies.  Both of their heads came up at the sound of the door.  I was in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt but all of that didn’t matter as my eyes locked with Karac.  Just like when our eyes met for the first time, I was lost in his gaze. 

Karac rose from his chair and walked over to me.  I couldn’t help but stare. 
Yep, the warrior was still alive and kicking.
  His weapons seemed to have disappeared but he was still wearing the full black outfit. 
Which fit him very nicely I’d admit.
  I couldn’t help my roaming eyes as he walked toward me.  When he stopped, I realized I was still checking out his body and my eyes flew to his face to meet his lopsided grin. 
Shit, caught again.

“Morning,” I blurted, trying to cover my embarrassment.  Karac stepped close to me and engulfed me within his arms.  His hand on the back of my head urged me to rest my head on his shoulder and I found that I couldn’t resist.  It felt so…good.  So, right.  Sighing, I took a deep breath and was consumed by the scent of the male in front of me.  Vaguely I became aware of his hands sweeping lightly up and down my back in a caress.  His breath by my ear caught me off guard as he leaned down slightly. 

“Good morning, little one.”  Karac kissed my temple.  This was moving in an unknown direction way too fast for me.  I just met the guy less than 12 hours ago.  Why was I letting him touch me like this?  I pulled back and was surprised when he let me go.  He looked down at me with a guarded expression before pulling further back and motioning to the table.  “Breakfast is served if you would like to eat.”  I followed his hand to see at the other end of the table from where Calzen and he had been discussing something showed a feast fit for a king. 

“All that for breakfast?”  I asked in astonishment. 

“Well, Calzen and I will help you eat it.”  A grin tugged at his lips.  I looked back to him.

“You haven’t eaten yet?”  I questioned. 

“No, I was waiting for you.”  How was I supposed to respond to that?  Avoidance was the key.  I looked away and hurried over to the table and sat down on the same side Karac had been seated.  He followed and sat beside me.  Calzen moved from the projected images to join us. 

“What is that?”  I asked, pointing at the image still showing over the table.

“A projection of our galaxy and neighboring ones.”  Karac answered.

“Why are you looking at it?”

“There are things going on back home that need my attention.  I must assist as much as I can from here.”  Karac reached for a plate and started piling food on it. 

“What kind of things?”  I was just full of questions this morning. 

“I’d like to answer your other questions before we move into that territory.”  I scowled and Karac added, “for now.”

“Fine.”  I paused for a second before glancing at Calzen, then back to Karac.

“Why did you have to give the guards permission to speak with me?”  I was honestly curious.  It seemed like a weird custom to enforce when they were supposed to protect me.  How were they supposed to tell me to run or duck if they weren’t allowed to speak?  Karac paused in filling his plate before answering.

“It is not customary for unmated males to speak to females without their male or male guardian present.”

“Why?”  I asked.  His answer didn’t make much sense.  He put the plate down and faced me. 

“In the past, if a female would show favor to the unmated male, then that male would try to claim the female.”

“If she wasn’t mated, or even if she was?”

“Both apply.”  Karac answered.  I shuddered.  That was not a situation I wanted to be in. 

“I’m assuming this caused some major misunderstandings?”  I asked, glancing at Calzen who watched our exchange with interest. 

“A little more than misunderstandings.  Fights broke out and some even led to war between families.”

“Wow, you guys are serious when it comes to females, huh?”

“Deadly.”  Karac replied seriously. 

“I still don’t like the idea that they can’t talk to me directly.”  Nodding in Calzen’s direction.

“Your guards can.”

“But only after I talk to them first.”  I pointed out. 

“True.”  Karac thought for a minute before asking, “You would like them to be able to talk to you freely?”

“Well, yes.  It seems more natural.”  I saw that Karac had a frown on his face.  “Can we make a deal?”

“What deal?”  He asked cautiously. 

“You trust your guards and the ones that were chosen to…follow me, right?”

“Of course.  I would not have approved their appointment otherwise.”

“Great.  Then let the ones guarding us be free to speak with me if they would like.  I obviously don’t have any designs to get entangled with any of them.  One stubborn warrior is enough for me.”  I heard Calzen muffle a laugh from across the table.

“What if they decide they would like the chance to change your mind?”

“I don’t think they would do that to you from the loyalty I saw last night.  Your warriors think very highly of you and I doubt they would do anything to jeopardize that.”

“You are right.  Each of them are very worthy of their station.”  Karac looked to Calzen who watched their exchange with amusement.  “Fine.  Calzen, would you inform your warriors of this new development?”

“Of course, Karac.”  He nodded before looking toward Ashley.  “Thank you for your high opinion of us.”

“Well, I’ve only known you for less than 12 hours, I could change my mind.”  I teased. 

Laughing, Calzen nodded.  “I’ve heard that about human females.  They change their mind like the weather back on Kaldar does, often and violently.”

“Hey now, don’t go hating on the female population.  If we weren’t unpredictable you wouldn’t have anything to look forward to.”

“I don’t know about that,” Karac gave me a lopsided grin.  Blushing, I returned my attention to my food.  It really was delicious and most of it I could identify.  Obviously they were either trading or somehow paying for Earth food. 

“What other questions do you have?”  Karac asked after a while.  Since he was in such a good mood, I figured we could play twenty questions. 

“How long am I staying on this ship?”

“That depends on a couple things.”  He hedged. 

“Which are?”  I prompted. 

“When you agree to be my mate and if something were to happen back home which would require us to return immediately.”

“Us?”

“Yes, you and I.”

“You would take me to your planet even if I didn’t want to go?”  There was a slight edge of panic to my voice that I tried to restrain. 

“Regardless of how you feel about your current situation, if I am called home, you will come with me.”  Karac replied forcefully, ending all hope that I would stay behind. 

“Why?”

“Because you are my truemate.  I will not leave without you.”  He replied calmly. 
Ok, if you didn’t like the current topic, move on to the next. 

“Ok, truemate.  Explain that.” 

“Truemates are the other half of our souls.”  Karac explained.  “We have been searching years for our other half.  We cannot have children without finding our truemates.  This was something the gods designed to ensure that the best possible match was made to make strong and worthy warriors.”

“What happens if a warrior doesn’t find their mate?”

“He dies searching.”  He said softly.  I felt a small part of me whimper at that admission. 

“That is so sad.”  I breathed. 

“Yes, but that is the fate of Kaldarhn warriors.  That is why your planet is so important.  With its high population and wealth of females, our males have been tremendously successful in finding their truemates.”

“How do you know when you find her?”

“You just know.”

“But how?”  I asked, truly curious.  Karac looked at Calzen who I forgot was still in the room. 

“We can have that conversation later.  Are there other questions you have?”

“Um…yeah, you kept alluding to your station or rank.  Can you explain that?”

“Right.”  Karac took a deep breath before continuing.  “The reason why I pushed so hard to find you is that I needed to find my truemate in order to take over for my father.”

“Take over for your father.  What exactly does your father do?”

“He rules over the seven galaxies.”  Karac stated simply as if explaining the weather or commenting on someone’s clothes. 

I blinked a couple times before asking, “Uh, come again?”

“My father is the Supreme Ruler of the Galtina Sector.  There are seven habitable galaxies within this area and he is charged with their welfare.”

“Your Father rules seven galaxies?”  I gasped.

“Yes.”  Karac answered carefully, eyeing my reaction.  “There are a total of 27 habitable planets within the Galtina Sector.” 

“Holy shit!  If your dad is the king or whatever, what does that make you?”

“The heir to the throne.” He stated simply again. 

“Well, if you have seven galaxies to pick from, what the hell do you want with me?” I asked perplexed.  “I’m sure any woman would be happy to fill that role.”

“No, you don’t understand.  You were made for me.  Kaldarhn warriors only have one truemate.  Only you can be my truemate and bear my heir.”

“You mean children?”  My eyes widened.  This conversation just took one giant leap in a direction I was not ready to go. 

“Yes, only truemates can produce children.  Only you can give me an heir.”

“An heir?  Really?  Is that what this is all about?”  I fumed and glared at him.  Apparently that was my sole purpose.  Continuation of his line, or some crap like that. 

“No, that didn’t come out right.”  Karac backtracked, a little panic coming into his voice.

“I am not some baby maker for your heir!”  I yelled.  “This is my life!  I decide who I want to be the father of my children and
if
I have any children.  Not you.”  I jammed my finger into his chest, which probably hurt me more than him. 

“Ashley, please let me explain-“

“Forget it.  I’m done with this conversation.”  I jumped to my feet and stormed back to the bedroom, the door whooshing shut behind me.  Of course, the door didn’t have a stupid lock. 

**********************************

Karac

“Well,” Calzen drawled, “that could have gone better.”

“
Criza
, she’s upset.”  Karac stood up, ran his hands through his hair, and paced the room.  He glanced at the closed door to which his mate hid behind.

“Upset?  I think she passed upset a while ago.”

“You’re right.”  Karac sighed and rubbed his face with his hands.  “How do I fix this?”

“Give her some time to cool off.  You might be able to have a conversation with her later without her throwing something at you.”

“Right.”  Karac shook his head. 
How did that go wrong so fast?
 

“Maybe you should get her flowers.”  Calzen suggested. 

“What?”  Karac paused in his pacing and looked at Calzen. 

“Flowers.  You know, those sweet smelling things on Earth?  I saw in the info about Earth that most females like flowers.”

“What would that accomplish?”  Karac asked confused. 

“I don’t know.  It just said their males give females flowers when they screw up or on special occasions.”

“I’d have to send for some.  We don’t grow any here.”

“And that would be a problem because…?”

“Not a problem, just…
criza
.  I should be the one to pick them out.”

“Take the shuttle and do it.”  Calzen stated simply with a shrug. 

“What if she comes out and needs something?”  Karac looked to the door again, uncertain. 

“Darrok or I will be around.  Darrok is itching to ask her questions about her friend anyways.  You know, his mate that disappeared?”