Lorna Winters

"Most people believe a Romulan and a Terran would never choose to have a child," she pointed out.

Tristan shrugged. "It's not like I'm the first. In fact, it's historically more common than people think." He chuckled. "And, I just illustrated your point."

Calan did not gloat. She was satisfied that he'd taken in the lesson she'd been trying to teach him. "You must remember what you've seen here on Vashti and take this knowledge back to your own people."

The next day, Tristan set off with Paol and Herve to buy the ship engine parts. The merchants at South Station proved just as ruthless as those at North Station. In the end, they paid considerably more than the parts were worth. But by this point, they didn't fret over a relatively trivial frustration. It was a stark contrast to the serious problems those on Vashti experienced. And soon, they would be rid of it all.

Even better, Calan persuaded a local driver to take them back to North Station via ground delivery truck. They could get there in a day instead of braving the dubious foot trail a second time.

Finally, Tristan thought. Things are starting to go right.

But by this point, she was past crying. She'd done enough of that all the way to … wherever this place was. She turned her mind to how she might escape.

These lowlifes did not use the words her cousin had taught her. Julene only caught two of their names in their conversation. Thatos was the leader. And the bandit he most often sent to check on her was Vrulak. Firelight flickered across their faces, as she watched them, making their harsh features look ghastly. The ghoul Thatos gestured to Vrulak that it was time to check on their prisoner.

She mustered up her best air of royalty as he approached. "Are you going to keep me in here all night?" she demanded.

Though he felt like a trespasser in his own home, he did as she told him.

As he warmed himself by the fire, he remembered there were so many less fortunate on Vashti – and here he sat in the shelter of their living area, betrayer that he was! Here he sat while his beautiful Julie was in danger – a peril to which he'd driven her.

"The fault is no one's," Zani said, giving him a cup of hot tea she poured from the pot hanging over the fire. "You should've had a normal family, where you can live as a young man ought. This is exactly why a man does not belong with the Qowat Milat."

Of course, he understood that as well as any of the sisters. He was grateful they'd taken him in and taught him their ways. Elements only knew how he might have turned out otherwise. "How can I earn your trust back? I can't say enough how much I regret what I've done. I regretted it before they took her."

Zani pondered his words. "You haven't lost my trust. It was a moment of weakness, a temptation you would've overcome. Running away with her would have indeed been wrong. But when the time came, you would not have done it. I can see that you've already punished yourself enough. Your heart is good, Elnor. I've always seen that in you."

He cupped his hands around the hot beverage, allowing its warmth to soothe his anguish. He listened to the low rumbles of thunder outside and breathed in the hot vapors. "My heart is foolish. I didn't mean to fall in love with her. You counseled against it, and I didn't heed you."

She wanted to tell Tristan everything about these new, thrilling feelings she discovered for Elnor. Her cousin had never been in love before, either, but maybe he might provide some insight since he was older?

But she knew she could not tell him. For the first time in her life, Tristan couldn't be her confidant in this matter. He would lecture her about duty and how she should listen to reason over her heart. And well, he was a man, too.

As if he has any room to talk! She pulled the covers over her head for warmth against the night air, smiling to herself.

She'd never quite understood why her cousin Guenenvere sacrificed so much to marry a Romulan. Lord Bochra was a nice enough man, but Julene never saw the appeal. Granted, Bochra was older than her own father. It was hardly surprising she wouldn't understand Guenevere's attraction to him. She supposed Tristan was handsome, but she'd never looked at her best friend in that way. And, he was half-human, after all.

Now that she'd gotten to know Elnor, she decided Romulans were attractive. All she thought about every night was her new friend, and how she wished they could be more than mere friends. What am I to do?

A strange sound interrupted her musings. She pulled back the covers to try to discover the source of the clicking vibration. At first, she saw nothing in the darkness.

Then, a faint yellow glow appeared. A serpentine form undulated along the tree trunk. The clicks grew louder, pulsing with what sounded like hundreds of tiny legs.

Julene gasped in horror. What was that thing?

She wanted to scream, but forced herself to calm down. It wouldn't do for her to shriek like a baby and embarrass herself.

The creature was huge, the size of a boa constrictor – with more legs than she could count. A phosphorescent stripe glowed down its long back.

It slithered toward her bed.

"Aaaaaahh! Someone help!"

Before she finished her cry, it was on her bed.

She tried to escape toward the entry, but it seized her. She felt its multitude of legs pinning her down, tearing through her blanket.

"Let go! Let go!" she wailed.

It reared its hideous head and opened its maw, revealing knife-like teeth. At the end of its long body a venom-tipped stinger poised to strike.

A metal blade impaled its throat.

Its grip on her loosened. It was snatched off the bed and sent flying across the room, landing with a fatal thud against the tree.

Elnor scooped her up into his arms and held her close. "You're safe now," he told her, his deep voice rumbling in her ear. "It's dead."

Julene buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

"I'm here, Julie," he whispered. "You're safe now. I won't let anything harm you, my lady love. I promise." He kissed her forehead, stroking her soft, auburn hair. "I love you."

After a few moments, she stopped crying. Her tears had soaked his open shirt. "I love you, too, Elnor. I never wanted to be a queen." She savored the warmth of his skin against her cheek.

"You give me feelings I don't know what to do with. But I like it," he added.

Julene reveled in the joy of that moment. He was in love with her! It was too wonderful to be true. She wanted to stay in his strong arms forever.

She glanced over at the creature writhing on the floor, unable to repress a shudder. "What is that?"

Letting her go, he went closer to examine it. "It's a yekelugh." Puzzled, he shook his head. "It shouldn't be here. They live in wild areas. They never venture into the settlement."

As she began to recover her nerves, she suddenly felt ashamed of herself. "Oh, Elnor. I'm sorry about the way I acted just now. I'm afraid I've put you in an awkward position. I hope you can forgive me."

"Why? You spoke your feelings. Openness is our way, remember?" He gently lifted her chin. His dark brown eyes gazed intently at hers. "You don't have to apologize for telling the truth."

The way he looked at her made her heart race. His touch sent chills down her spine. She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him.

But it wasn't right. She mustn't toy with his heart like that. In a few days time, they would say goodbye – and they'd never see each other again. Elnor had saved her life. He didn't deserve this.

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