Captive - Cheryl Brooks Page 0,69

even more than that—a type of connection that went beyond love, encompassing the physical and spiritual realms as well as the emotional. Klara had wondered before whether the mating process required love or whether it created love. She had begun to doubt either explanation. Perhaps the love was incidental or wholly separate. And yet, even before he’d said it, she’d seen it in his eyes, felt it in his touch, recognized it in his actions.

Lying within the shelter of his arms certainly made her feel better than she had ever felt before. Energized, courageous, as though nothing could possibly deter her from their goal.

Freedom. What would it mean to these people? To live without fear of hunger, reprisals, or violent death. They’d lived so long, haunted by these terrible threats. Could they cope with peace? Or would they become like the Nedwuts and other species: restless, needing war or other conflicts to feel alive? Would the plodding day-to-day experience prove too tame for them? Would it be too tame for her?

Perhaps. Although she doubted such discontent would come very soon. Years would pass before they fully grasped their new situation, if indeed they ever grasped it at all. Those who lived in fear didn’t forget it overnight. The work of rebuilding their culture and planet would keep them busy for a very long time. And when it was finished? What then? People needed to have something to occupy their minds and hands, lest in their idleness they fall into evil ways.

Whether I’m their leader or not, I can’t fix everything. No one can.

The Haedusians would soon, she hoped, be united against a common enemy. Once that enemy was defeated… Well, only time would tell that story.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

Somewhat bewildered, she blinked, then gazed up at Moe. “Penny?”

“Old Earth expression,” he replied. “A penny is a very small unit of currency—practically worthless, although at the time of that saying’s origin, it was probably worth a fair amount. I’d update it, but offering a fraction of a credit doesn’t have the same ring to it.”

She shook her head, more bewildered than ever. “Did I ever tell you how strange you are?”

“I believe you have. Probably more than once. If I had to guess, I’d say that strangeness will fade eventually, but where’s the fun in that?”

“Fun.” The word echoed through her mind, a concept as foreign to her at it must be to the natives. Perhaps the old ones knew. Velkma spoke of the time when their world was much different. Would she remember? Thinking back over the things Velkma had told them, their world hadn’t been exploited into oblivion when she was young, but had there been freedom even then? “What would Haedusians consider fun?”

He rolled off her to lie propped up on one elbow, resting his head on his palm. “The gods only know. They certainly don’t have much to do it with. You weren’t there when Velkma gave us her pencil. She said her grandmother had given it to her, and she’s kept it hidden for years. Without something as simple as a pencil, there can’t be much in the way of art. No poetry. No literature…unless it’s all verbal. And from what I’ve seen of them, they aren’t what you’d call chatty. Too serious by half.” With his free hand, he tapped the tip of her nose. “You coming out of hiding is probably the first positive event around here in years.”

“I can trace it back even further than that. Your arrival was what started it.”

He shook his head. “I dunno about that. If I hadn’t been so ticked off when I got here, you never would’ve noticed me.”

“Oh, I noticed you, all right. Someone like you can’t walk into a bar without drawing a little attention.”

A low chuckle rumbled through his chest. “How so?”

“Well, for starters, you’re a good bit taller than the locals—and most of the offworlders. Then there was the hair.” Twisting a lock of his long curls in her fingers, she pulled him down for a deep, sensuous kiss. When at last they parted, his unique flavor lingered on her tongue. If she’d gotten a taste of him during that first encounter, hurting him would’ve been the last thing on her mind. Capturing him would still have been a high priority, albeit for an entirely different reason. “Nobody around here has hair like that.”

“Except you.”

She nodded. “Except me.”

“If that’s all it took, I’m glad I’m the one who landed here instead of one