By Jane Carver

Warning: Adult Content

“Was I so near the other side, Vangee?” Despite two seven-days, the wounds on Gambrel’s back and rear still oozed fluid and could not abide clothes. He lay on his stomach, a cover pulled to his waist.

“I have no notion how near death you were, ‘Brel.”

His name on her lips sounded good. Never before had he appreciated that.

“You lay so still I often put my hand on your chest to make sure it rose and sank. We have no medical aboard so we relied on our own knowledge. Several medicals on other ships monitored you and said you should rest. You rested well. And long.”

“In a few morning rises, you may be able to put on pants. Maybe a tunic. I suspect you will be moving carefully a bit longer. No running the lines for you. Or Pessios. His broken arm heals but still needs time.” Vangee came to sit on the edge of the bed. He took her hand as he did whenever she drew near.

“Do the others know what you did? Projecting?”

“None, but the captain. Many admit they grew calmer during the height of the storm. So, we performed well.” When he shook his head, she asked, “Why do you do that?”

“I did nothing but offer my strength. You projected the emotions to the fleet.” If the same situation arose, would he do such again? His mouth twitched in irony. Of course. If needed, he would do whatever she wanted.

Neither spoke of the promise given before the projecting. Did she forget, or was she too scared? Either way, his body wasn’t ready to teach her the art of making love.

He let the issue lie dormant. Vangee Windrum deserved a man more worthy than him. She warranted more than a few moments of loving. She needed a lifetime commitment. His love and protection were all he offered. The only commitment he acknowledged was killing Handid.

Morning rises came, and eventides went. Vangee resumed her regular routine as soon as Gambrel was able to move around though he did not dress properly for another seven-day.

Their relationship changed the day she explored his body. Now time waited for her to consummate the promise.

* * * *

Someone knocked at the door. Gambrel stood though every muscle protested. Stavin, one of the crew, waited outside. “Captain Merlo requests you come to his cabin.”

“Problem, Stavin?” They navigated the narrow passageway.

“Not for me to say, sire, but I think not.” The sailor smiled, opened the captain’s door, and stood aside.

“Captain. You sent for me?” He accepted the other’s welcome, a firm clasp of forearms.

“You look well. This is your first full-light up and out of the cabin?” Someone kept the man well informed.

“Indeed, it is, and I am wearier than I expected,” Gambrel admitted with a grin. He accepted the clear-cut of ale Merlo offered and took a seat.

“I won’t keep you long then. Wanted to see for myself you are mending. Several medicals throughout the fleet want a report on your condition. You will wear markings on your back for the rest of your life. A reminder of this voyage.” Merlo saluted him with a clear-cut of wine.

Gambrel accepted his words and drank as well.

“I must also thank you for helping Vangee with the projecting,” the captain added.

Gambrel waved aside his thanks. “I offered my strength, and she used it. That’s all.”

“Knowing you might die, I think. For a long while, we wondered if you would sleep forever, your life force drained so much. Good news the day I heard you awoke in good senses.” Merlo accepted Gambrel’s modesty but thanked him anyway.

“Your face wears lines of strain and weariness. I will let you go to bed now. Thank you for joining me. Good even.” Again, the two men clasped arms in a firm embrace of friendship and respect.

* * * *

Because of his visit with Merlo, Gambrel arrived in his cabin late. He planned to clean in the personal facilities and be asleep well before Vangee returned for the full-dark.

Getting up at first morning rise. Mingling with those he hadn’t seen in a long while. Working light duty with Domas. Fatigue rode him hard. When he was an enforcer, he had never been injured this seriously. This weakness surprised and frustrated him.

Only two glows shone when he stepped from his cleansing. A drying sheet covered his hips. Another swathed his head. He had chosen a liquid cleansing. The heat and pressure massaged his tired muscles. To his surprise, the dressing panel moved aside, and Vangee emerged, tying the sash of her sleeping robe.

“I thought you would be at the reading far later.” Discomfort washed over Gambrel.

“Farrin the Scholar read wonderfully. His voice created each character well. The young ones love when he reads vid stories. Even older ones like me enjoy it.” Her innocent smile settled his jumpy nerves.

She put her clothes away while he sat on the bed, prepared to comb the tangles out of his long hair. His hiss of pain drew her attention.

“Does it hurt when you raise your arm?” She sat beside him.

He rotated his shoulder. Healing skin across his shoulder pulled as the wound mark formed. Painful it wasn’t. Annoying it was.

“No pain. The skin pulls, that’s all. It’s uncomfortable.”

“Turn sideways.” She reached over his shoulder and took the brush. “Let me help.”

Before he could do or say anything, she turned him by his shoulders and pulled his black hair behind him. Mist still dampened the straight thick locks. At the brush’s first pull, Gambrel shut his eyes and sank into delicious decadence.

Long steady strokes from the crown of his head down soothed him. The rhythm became hypnotic. He almost slumped in relaxed pleasure.

“This wound needs some cream to loosen it. Puckers run up and down your back.” She pushed the drying sheet around his hips to one side.

A light touch, like a fairy flyer, skimmed his rear where new skin finally covered the large burn. Immediately his mind went from the contentment of hair brushing to other more intimate pleasures. He glanced over his shoulder. Vangee worked in deep concentration. She didn’t notice his attention.

“This wound also needs dressing. You’ll wear a fierce mark, I’m afraid.” She patted the healing scar innocently then caught Gambrel’s gaze.

“What’s the matter?” Her laugh sounded strained. Her smile froze on her lips. Suddenly she sprang from the bed and headed across the room. “I’ll get the cream and rub it on since you have trouble reaching your back.” She babbled nervously.

“Come here.” He patted the cover next to him. She approached, hesitant, her eyes wide with misgiving. That hurt his feelings. “Are you afraid of me?”

When she settled close but not near enough, he sighed.

Vangee hung her head and blushed.

“What are you thinking, lady?” He meant his words to soothe.

“You will think me foolish.” Her answer came so soft he almost didn’t hear.

“You? Foolish?” Would humor disarm her fear? He pushed a strand of purple hair behind her ear.

“On occasion,” she admitted with her head still down, a smile beginning.

“And what foolishness are you doing right now?” The humor continued as he smiled and cradled one of her hands in his.

“Maybe not foolish but… I feel ignorant.” That breathy admission surprised Gambrel.

“Ignorant, lady? You are the least ignorant person I know.” His sincere compliment sent another flush through her pale skin.

“You know what I mean.” She almost buried her chin in her chest, trying to hide from him. However, she made no move to leave his side.

For a heartbeat, he wondered what she talked about. Then he realized—the promise. She said once she knew nothing of love. A daughter’s love for a father only. She wanted to learn more.

She chose this eventide to keep her promise, but knew not how to initiate the act. This lack of knowledge frightened her. He needed something to get her mind off the final act and lead her gently into loving.

“I watch you sleep sometimes.”

“You do?” Her eyes widened with surprise this time. She blushed so deeply that her skin glowed.

Gambrel chuckled because he suspected the cause of her body fire. “And why the blush?”

“Maybe sometimes I watch you too.”

“Yes?”

She nodded but would not meet his gaze.

“Do you know what I see when I look at you?” Gambrel focused on her image in his mind’s eye. “A tender woman with power. Your spirit and warmth match the fire in your eyes. Your commanding presence balances a delicate nature. A woman of wonderful contrasts and constant challenges. Once I got past how beautiful you were, I saw the splendor of your true inner self. Believe me, aging will not dim the loveliness of one such as you.”

“’Brel? You make me sound so perfect. I am not. You’ve seen me in grief, anger, and desperation. How can you say those things?” She squeezed his hand to emphasize her point.

Lifting her fingers to his lips, he kissed the tips. “I agree. But you are the woman I love, and that makes you perfect to me.”

“Oh ‘Brel.” Vangee leaned into him until her head rested on his shoulder. She sat there for a while. “The first time I met you, I thought you a most singularly interesting man.” His snort of disbelief made her laugh. “I did!” Curled up closer to his side, she added, “I saw a huge man—far bigger than any I’d ever seen—come at me with a maniacal expression on his face. Your battle cry was loud enough to scare the gods. You were compelling.” She sighed as she recalled their meeting. “There we were, fighting to save our lives, and I wondered how I could keep you if we lived.”

“Keep me?”

“You know, keep you near so we could become acquainted.” She punched him on the arm. “I took you home with me for safety, yes, but also so you would not disappear. But…” Her voice grew soft. “I didn’t know what to do after we were alone.” She valiantly stared him straight in the eyes. “I wanted you to see me as a woman, not some spectral being. But I didn’t know how to talk to you. So, I remained silent. The gods of the universe stepped in and brought you aboard the Fenix. I thank them.”

“But your father died so I could sail with you. What kind of trade is that?” He thrilled to learn how much she wanted him from the start, but her final confession made no sense.

“I think the gods planned this. Father certainly would be pleased at how things worked out. He only wanted my happiness.”

“Are you?” Gambrel held his breath.

“Am I what?”

“Happy.” He swallowed loudly. An uneasy question. An important answer.

“At this exact moment in time, I am the happiest I have ever been,” Vangee admitted, a contented sigh brushed against his cheek. She pulled away enough to look him in the face. Then leaned up and kissed him, slowly but hesitantly, not certain how to go about a proper kiss.

“Come.” Her hand in his, Gambrel helped her stand then led her around his legs so she sat on his lap. Both arms encircled her waist as she leaned against his shoulder. For a few heartbeats, both enjoyed the other’s warmth.

Her head tipped back, Gambrel lowered his until he breathed on her lips. “The promise kept?”

“Aye, sire. The promise kept.”  And Vangee reached for his mouth, taking his lips with hers. At first, she touched then backed off. Bolder, she returned for another kiss, a bit longer, more searching.

He turned her head a little. She met his kiss with a sigh; they fit together so well. His lips were firm but soft while his tongue played against the seam of her mouth. Shyly she opened for him and let him caress her. A sweet flavor, a tantalizing sweep of tongue against hers.

Lost in this heady exploration of taste and texture, she leaned in closer, her breasts flattened against his dark distended nipples. Beneath her rear, his body filled with need. Hers spiraled in direct proportion.

Gambrel cupped her head with a large hand. Her kisses drugged him like Cybrian wine. Sweet Vangee. Opening for him.

His other hand moved down her side, relishing the silkiness of her gown, the coolness of the material over the heat of her flesh. His palm rode each rib, dipped into the curve at her waist and rested there, massaged her body, memorizing every inch. More. So much more to come.

His palm spread wide over her generous hip then slid to the roundness of her rear, sensuous pleasure fueling each nerve ending. Gambrel filled his hands with her lushness, heard her groan. Down her leg he found the hem of her robe. Under the coolness, he discovered her bare skin. Skin that teased him with its silkiness. Up his palm moved, to her mound of tempting flesh, massaged it. He grew so hard his body almost lifted Vangee.

Her heartfelt sigh pleased him. She enjoyed kissing him as much as he enjoyed kissing her. Now to show her more. Easing off a bit, Gambrel used his lips to pull hers into his mouth where he suckled the tender skin.

A quick learner, she imitated him until he wondered who was teacher and who the student. Too soon his body hurt from need and pressure. Closer still, he kissed her once before laying her on the bed. He slipped in close, pulled her against his chest, in need of another fiery kiss. The drying sheet fell to one side, his arousal exposed.

He ground his hips against her stomach, caught her gaze, and thrust once more. Did she understand? “You stroked me before, love. Do it again.”

She reached for him, a tremulous stroke. Her face nestled in his chest as if embarrassed, but she fondled his balls. Her warm palm circled his shaft.

His jaw almost popped, he grit his teeth so hard. Her innocent touch fired his body to desperation. Heat beat at each nerve. Thunder filled his ears. Slowly, he reminded himself. Slowly. Vangee had never mated, and her first time was all-important. Never mind he was dying of sweet pleasure/pain.

“I’m going to take off your robe.” One hand moved to her shoulders and pushed the material down her arms. The gown beneath glistened in the soft lights and hid her body too well. “Feel me as I remove this.” His fingers caressed her ankle then skimmed up her leg.

Vangee lifted when the gown neared her shoulders and sighed when it floated over her head and landed somewhere out of sight. “Is this how it is? To mate?”

“I have no idea, dear one.” His words got lost in a passionate kiss, accompanied by his hand scooping her breast into a high lift. It fell into his palm again and again. Massaged her body until she moaned. “I have never mated with a woman, only used them.” This time when he thrust against hers, he met hot female flesh.

“Aw. You excite me. Touch me. Burn me.”

They explored each other. No place lay undiscovered, too polite for exploration, for loving touches, soft kisses. Gambrel held on to his desires to pleasure Vangee, but finally he could wait no longer.

“I want to be part of you. Now. I want you prepared.” His finger dipped into her sheath, confirmed her readiness. Her woman’s fluid glistened on his fingers. “You are so small. I might hurt you. I am not sure what happens to Ancadians at a moment like this.”

“I care not if there is pain, ‘Brel. Only that you fill me with your body, heart, and soul.”

Her words released his tight hold, and he rolled over her. How petite she looked. He pulled her legs around his waist. Perhaps she would tear. He might truly injure her.

A momentary conflict ate at his heart.

“’Brel, I can’t wait. I need you. My body tells me something is happening. I am not complete.” She tossed her head from side to side and squeezed her eyes closed. Suddenly she opened them wide, took Gambrel’s face between her palms, and pushed against him. “Fill me now. The promise. Keep the promise.”

Satisfied nothing would hurt either so much as denial, Gambrel positioned his body at her opening. His erection slid in partway.

Vangee’s mouth opened with a rounded O. “Don’t stop now. Please.”

In he pushed. A little further.

Vangee sensed the pleasure coming. Before he anticipated her action, she pulled away then rammed forward. She impaled herself on his shaft, threw her head back and groaned.

Gambrel almost missed her reaction for he lay buried in her. More pleasure to come.

He withdrew then advanced with slow and measured strides until she took over. Both palms flat on his rear, she guided him, pumped harder against him.

Capable of great physical jubilation, join the body with the heart and soul speaking one to the other and Heaven could not contain the elation of their first instant of greatest pleasure. To the stars and back they flew and returned, as replete as two bodies could be after experiencing such emotions.

Gambrel loomed above Vangee, his body still tucked firmly inside hers. She sprawled beneath him, legs, and arms wide, breath coming in gasps. Peace such as he had never seen glowed on her face. She looked boneless. In truth, he was as boneless as his lover.

His lover. Vangee Windrum was his lover. The thought thrilled him.

“A promise well kept, Gambrel Sarjean.” Her whisper came from somewhere under his chin. “I want more.”

To ensure he did not leave her wanting, she circled his waist with her legs, wrapped her arms around his neck, and brought his lips to hers. Her passion ignited his again. Resisting her invitation proved impossible.

A promise kept more than once as the Fenix slipped through the darkness of space. A promise of loving and learning. But not a promise of commitment.