• • • • • •
The feel of something wet and wonderfully cool on her neck had Jen jerking awake.
"Easy," a deep voice ordered quietly, as the coolness moved to the other side of her neck. "Easy, Jennifer."
Her eyes shot open to find glowing blue ones full of concern gazing down at her. "Treyvon?"
"Yes."
"What happened? Where are we?"
"Back on the transport. You lost consciousness."
"I did?" Her gaze traveled, moving from his face to realize she was sitting in the rear of the transport, and Treyvon was on his knees before her.
"Yes. You should have informed me it was too much for you."
"It wasn't. I was just…"
"Trying to join your Todd," he bit out.
"What?" Shock filled her eyes. "No! Of course, I wasn't!"
"You leaned out over the edge."
"Not to throw myself over! I've taken that trip before, and believe me when I say I don't ever want to take it again! I was just hoping…"
"Hoping what?"
"That I might get a glimpse of something I’d recognize. Stupid, I guess, after all this time." She slumped back in the seat not realizing she had sat forward.
"Not stupid," Treyvon told her quietly. "Perhaps unrealistic but understandable, as you are not familiar with the harsh environment here on Pontus."
"I knew it was harsh. I just never considered it would decimate even bone. I just needed to see him one last time to say goodbye."
"It is your way to visit where a loved one fell?"
"Sometimes, if you aren't able to bury them somewhere else."
"Somewhere else?"
"Yes. We have places called cemeteries. It is an area set aside where we bury our dead and can visit them if we wish. Generations of families are often buried together."
"We also have places like that, and many of our people do the same."
"You do?" That surprised her.
"Yes, was that not included in the information you received?"
"I… I'm not sure, maybe."
"What do you mean… maybe? You either received the information or you did not. There is no maybe."
"How would you know? Have you ever had the combined knowledge of several civilizations crammed into your head all at the same time?"
"No," he was forced to admit. "But you should still be able to access the information.”
"I can, but it’s not just there on demand like it would be if I learned it naturally. I have to think about it first, and then it’s as if a door opens, and I know."
"I see. I did not realize it would be different for you."
"And I didn't know it was different."
They just stared at each other for a moment, then Treyvon slowly rose.
"Rest. I will get us back to base then take you to Luol." With that, he turned and moved toward the cockpit.
Jen watched him until he disappeared then let her head fall back and closed her eyes. God, she couldn't believe what had happened. Had she really nearly fallen off that ledge?
Again.
Treyvon thought she'd been trying to kill herself. Had she? She didn't think so. She'd just been so shocked to find nothing, and suddenly everything inside her seemed to shut down.
If not for Treyvon, she would have fallen. Hearing the engines start, she lifted her head then unbuckled the security harness, rose, and moved toward the cockpit.
• • • • • •
Treyvon entered the startup sequence for the engines with a barely controlled rage. He couldn't believe he had brought her to this place. Daco, he was no better than Aadi, thinking only of his own needs.
Jennifer was a strong female. He'd seen that, strong and stubborn. But she was also fragile in so many ways. This place, her experiences here, had nearly broken her. It had broken many of the others, and yet she had returned to say goodbye to the male called Todd. Her Dasho. To have a female that committed to you. What a feeling that must be. What an honor, one he knew he would never experience.
Catching the slightest of movements out of the corner of his eye, he jerked his head around to find Jennifer slowly approaching. "You should be sitting,” he told her gruffly.
"Can I sit up here with you like before?"
"If that is your wish. I just thought you would be more comfortable in the back."
Moving to slide into her previous spot, she asked, “Why?”
"I planned on dimming the lighting, once we were off the ground, so you could rest." His gaze traveled over the dark smudges that were growing beneath her eyes.
"I'm fine but thank you." She slipped the safety harness over her shoulders, but when she went to fasten it, found her fingers gently but firmly brushed aside by Treyvon's. Once he was satisfied it was properly secured, he returned his attention to the controls, and they took off.
• • • • • •
It didn't take them long to return to base, and it was only when Treyvon landed the transport, so softly that there wasn't the slightest bump, that she realized she'd never given him back the container that she'd collected the luciferins in.
When he moved to stand, she put a restraining hand on his arm. "Treyvon."
"Yes?" he asked immediately stilling at her touch.
"Thank you, for what you did back there on the ledge. I honestly wasn't trying to kill myself. It just all of a sudden…"
"Became too much. Yes, I know. I should have realized it would, but I put my needs before yours."
"That's not how I see it. I needed to go back to that mine. I needed to have some closure and say goodbye. You allowed me to do that. How is that putting your needs before mine?"
"Because I…"
"You never even asked if I collected any of the luciferins. The reason you were there." Unbuckling her harness, she reached inside her cape for the container she'd slipped into a pocket and held it out to him. "There are three in there. It should be more than enough for Luol to run tests."
Treyvon took the container from her and stood, unable to believe he had totally forgotten to ask. It showed how she was able to distract him. "You will accompany me to Medical so Luol can scan you."
"No, I'm fine. I need to get to the kitchen so I can start prepping for Last Meal." As she went to rise, his hand was immediately on her elbow, assisting her.
"Jennifer…"
"General?" Gryf's voiced reached them a moment before he entered the cockpit, his gaze taking in where Treyvon's hand was before he straightened.
"What is it, Commander?" Treyvon asked moving his hand from Jen's elbow to her lower back. As they moved forward, Gryf was forced to retreat.
"Emperor Liron has been trying to contact you, several times. I informed him you would contact him as soon as you returned."
Treyvon just grunted and continued to guide Jennifer out of the transport. Luol would have to wait. Liron would never repeatedly try to contact him unless it was important.
As they reached solid ground, Jen moved away from Treyvon. "Thank you, General, for allowing me to go with you." With that, she turned and walked away.
Chapter Fifteen
Jen walked into the kitchen, tossing her cape over the back of the lone chair as she headed for the cool room. The meat Gulzar had pulled out the night before was right where she expected it to be. Testing it, she found it perfectly thawed. Gulzar was learning.
"Jen?"
"In the cool room, Gulzar!" she called back as she started to slide the large slab of meat off the shelf.
"What do you think you are doing?" Gulzar was immediately at her side, gently but firmly moving her aside to take the heavy tray of meat.
"Well, I was going to carry that tray of meat out into the kitchen," she told his back.
"You will not try to carry anything that outweighs you."
"I hardly think that…"
"Would harm you if it were to fall on you." He finished for her and set the tray on a table. "Now what do we need to do?"
&n
bsp; • • • • • •
Moving behind his desk, Treyvon set the box containing the luciferins down carefully. Entering Liron's communications code, he sat down, then leaning back in his chair waited for it to go through.
"Treyvon, where have you been?" Liron demanded.
"At the last mining site we discovered."
"Why?"
"To retrieve luciferins for Luol to test."
"You retrieved them?"
"I did not,” he denied. “Jennifer did."
"Jennifer? You took the female back to the mine?"
"Yes, she insisted she needed to return."
"Why?"
"To say a final goodbye to her Dasho. Apparently, it is their way."
"I see.” Liron’s gaze was somber as he said, “She must have cared deeply for him to return to that place."
"So it would seem. Why were you contacting me, Liron?"
Liron's eyebrows rose slightly at the demand in Treyvon's tone. Treyvon never spoke like that to him. "Are you alright, Treyvon?"
"Yes. My apologies, Liron. It is not my place to demand anything from my Emperor."
"I am also your friend. What has happened?"
"Nothing. It was just a trying morning. What can I assist you with?"
Liron let it go, knowing that was quite an admission for Treyvon. "Do not have Luol test the luciferins."
"What? Why?" Had he put Jennifer through all that pain for nothing?
"Because there is not the proper equipment on Pontus for him to adequately test them. I want the luciferins tested here, on Crurn, by our top scientists. If there is any truth in what this Jennifer is saying, they will discover it."
Treyvon's mouth instantly opened to defend Jennifer, to tell Liron that she didn't speak untruths, but he snapped it closed realizing it wasn't his place. He wasn't her Dasho. Her honor was not his to defend.
"You wish me to have the luciferins transported to Crurn?"
"No. I will come retrieve them myself."
"What?" Treyvon sat straight up in his chair.
"That was the reason I was contacting you, to inform you that I will be arriving on Pontus in four days."
"Why? What about security?!!"
"The why is because I keep getting requests from Warriors to be assigned to Pontus."
"What?" Treyvon hated that he was repeating himself, but why would Warriors request to be assigned to Pontus? No Warrior requested to come here, not even for the simple yearly task of evaluating the planet and repairing any damage to the walls surrounding the Crann. Why would they be sending these requests to the Emperor? He was the Supreme Commander. All assignments went through him.
"It seems word is spreading that Warriors on Pontus receive amazing food for their Last Meal." Liron could see that Treyvon was stunned. "I have decided that I, as Emperor, should investigate and see if these rumors are true."
"They are," Treyvon told him. "Every Warrior here now allows Jennifer full access to their fresh food stores. I have not received a single complaint from a Warrior stating his dissatisfaction."
"You have enjoyed what she has made?" Liron asked, watching his cousin carefully.
"Very much. Liron," he looked his cousin in the eye, "I never knew food could be so… enjoyable. I now look forward to Last Meal every night."
Liron was silent, then nodded. "Then I am sure I will enjoy my meal when I arrive."
"Liron, why are you doing this? What about your security?"
"I am doing this because if this female truly has the skills needed to better the lives of our people, then I must investigate. As for security, I will be arriving on the Monarch in four days with the full accompaniment of security."
"I do not like it, Liron. While there has been no unusual activity near Pontus since the Zaludian attack, we still do not know how they were able to obtain the code that allowed them through our defenses. I cannot assure your safety."
"And some things are more important than my safety. If she can teach others this skill of hers…"
"She already is," Treyvon interrupted Liron. "Warrior Gulzar is learning a great deal from her."
"Gulzar? Is he not training to become the first Elite Warrior in his bloodline?"
"Yes, and he will be, but he is also training with Jennifer so he can pass that knowledge onto his sisters and mother."
"Honorable, but is he able to give the proper attention to his drills?"
"Yes. Gulzar maybe the first in his bloodline to achieve Elite Warrior status, but I believe his achievements will be an inspiration for those that come after."
"You have that much faith in him?"
"I do."
"Then I will keep an eye on him. Now, because I knew I would be coming, I increased the food stores arriving on your resupply ship arriving in three days."
"For how many?" Treyvon hoped it wouldn't be the entire guard that would be coming with Liron.
"Ten. Myself, eight guards, and Colleen Rachana Klueh."
"Colleen Klueh?" Treyvon's eyes narrowed. "Why is she accompanying you?"
"It seems she wishes to see you." Liron raised an eyebrow at Treyvon's use of Rachana's title of 'Colleen' instead of her name. He knew they had shared friendship on more than one occasion.
"Me?"
"Yes. Did you not realize she is interested in you? That she has been for some time?"
"Yes, and for a time we shared friendship, but I grew tired of her increasing demands and withdrew that friendship. I have not accepted any of her communications since."
"I see. You do realize many would be honored to make her their Ashe, in particular with who her manno is."
"They are welcome to her and to dealing with that arrogant male."
Rachana's manno was Minister Klueh, the Minister of Imroz, and few liked him.
Liron found himself smiling, for Minister Klueh was an arrogant male, then it slowly faded. "Unfortunately, I have already agreed to allow her to accompany me as after Pontus, I plan on stopping on Imroz to meet with her manno. Also, there will be an extra passenger on the Fenton."
"Passenger?" The Fenton was their resupply ship. It did not carry passengers.
"Yes. Healer Luol's Ashe requested she be allowed to travel to Pontus to visit her Dasho as it has been a long of time since she has physically seen him. She is also bringing more coverings for Nikhil's Ashe and the female, Jennifer."
"Luol knows of this?"
"Of the coverings arriving, yes. Of his Ashe also arriving, no. She wishes to surprise him."
"And you are allowing this?"
"Let's just say that Ashe Maysa is a power to be reckoned with when she wants something. Luol is a most fortunate male."
• • • • • •
Gulzar was amazed at how well Jen explained every step she did and why. She made cooking seem so simple and easy. Fun even. He knew he would easily be able to teach his mother and sisters what she had taught him.
"Now before we serve it, we will pull the meat out and slice it."
"Why?" Gulzar frowned.
"What do you mean, why?"
"Why not just serve it in large pieces?"
"Why not cut it for them?" she challenged.
"Because every male here has a blade and can cut his own meat."
"I… well, I suppose you are right. It's just not how we serve it on Earth."
"Oh. So is it considered wrong then? Will it change the flavor?"
Jen smiled at the way Gulzar was picking up the cooking terms. "No, and we will do it your way. We'll call it the 'Gulzar' way."
• • • • • •
"General?" Jen called out quietly, opening the outer door to his office. Treyvon had programmed her handprint into the panel when she started delivering Last Meal to him. Pushing the hover cart in, she was surprised to find the room empty. A door to her left slid open, and Treyvon came striding in. His hair was damp, and she could tell he was wearing a clean uniform, even though it was identical to what he had on before. She hadn't realiz
ed his quarters connected to his office next to the Command Center.
"Jennifer?" His gaze moved from her to the hover cart. "Is it that time already?"
"Yes. Tonight, while this is something you might recognize, it should taste completely different and is being served in the Gulzar style.
"Gulzar style?" he asked frowning, looking at the meal that was revealed when she removed the cover. It was something he recognized. It looked just like the meals they'd had before she took over preparing Last Meal.
"Yes, on Earth I would have sliced the meat for you. Gulzar felt you would prefer to slice your own as you always carry a blade."
"He would be correct."
"Which is why this is a Boiled Dinner in the Gulzar Style." She smiled at him. "Enjoy." When she turned to leave, he stopped her.
"Jennifer."
"Yes?" she asked turning back to him.
"When the Fenton arrives in three days there will be extra food allotments included."
"Umm, okay."
"The extra is because Emperor Liron will be arriving in four days. He wishes to experience the meals you have been creating here."
"Oh." Jen didn't even try to hide her shock. Her first thought was she'd never cooked for royalty before. What would he like? That thought had her silently laughing as she realized anything she made would have to be better than what he was receiving now. Wouldn't it?
Treyvon silently watched as everything Jennifer was thinking was easily seen on her face. With the delivery of each meal, he had come to understand a little more about her, about her life, her thoughts, and her feelings. She was a strong and honorable female, and she captured his attention the way no other female ever had. He found himself wanting to talk to her, to be near her, and hear her thoughts and opinions. It was something Kaliszian males did only with their Ashe or True Mate, and Jennifer was obviously neither of those for him. And still, she intrigued him, especially when her eyes sparkled like that.
"What do you find so amusing?" he asked.
"Hmm?" Treyvon's question pulled her thoughts back to him. "Oh, I was just wondering if the Emperor would think my food was any better than what he is already receiving. After all, as Emperor, I assume he gets the best of everything."
"Liron does not use his position that way." Treyvon immediately denied. "He eats what his people eat."