Star Rider and Bonds of Love: A Sci-Fi Space Opera with a Touch of Fantasy Heidi Skarie (fox in socks read aloud .TXT) 📖

body, basking in the pleasure of beingcompletely in tune with him. He gazed into her eyes, deepening theirconnection, kissing her already love-swollen lips. “That wasbeautiful,” he said, “but reckless. We’re still in danger.”He moved away from her and adjusted his pants. “We need to get outof here.”

She sat up and pushed down hergown. “Where’s the Viper?”

“Commander Rochambeau’s menblew up the Viper and Erling’s ship.”

Her chest tightened. “Oh, God.Are Erling and his family all right?”

“As far as I know.. Jake andErling are leading them to the Resistance base camp.”

She rose. “We have to warnthem. Cadmus let Erling’s family go so his men could follow them tothe camp and kill the Resistance soldiers.” The air felt chilly nowthat she wasn’t in the heat of passion. She rubbed her bare armsfor warmth.

“Jake is a smart leader. He’skept the Resistance alive all this time. I’m sure he won’t leadSamrat Condor’s men to his camp.”

His eyes swept over her. “Yourgown is too thin to be warm.” He picked up the robe from where itlay crumpled on the ground and slid it over her head. The hem drapedon the ground in a pool around her feet.

“Thank you, but this robe ishuge. I don’t know how I’ll walk in it without tripping.”

Michio pulled out his knife andcut off the bottom of the robe at her ankles.

They heard a noise and Michiopulled out his blaster. “Shh. Stay here.”

He moved silently into the woods.Toemeka listened for further sounds, but only heard the wind blowingthrough the trees. Michio reappeared shortly with Benray who pulledher into a bear hug, his thick arms holding her close. “I didn’tthink you’d survive. The situation seemed hopeless.”

She trembled, remembering theheat of the fire. “I thought I was going to die.” She looked upat him. “Were you there?”

“He procured our robes andbrought me to the temple,” Michio said.

Toemeka embraced Benray tighter,ignoring the strong smell of his unwashed body. “I wouldn’t haveescaped without your help.”

He released her and hunched hisshoulders. “I can’t claim to have been much help. All I had tooffer was a poison dart so you’d die quickly and wouldn’t sufferwhen you jumped into the fire.”

She swallowed and claspedMichio’s hand for reassurance. “If things had gone that way, Iwould’ve been grateful for a quick death.” She felt Michiostiffen beside her. Her close brush with death was still too recentfor him to be detached about it.

Alert to danger, Benray glancedaround. “We need to leave before Commander Rochambeau’s men findus. I’ve got some supplies hidden near here.”

Benray headed into the woods andMichio clasped Toemeka’s hand and followed. As they walked, Toemekasaid, “Benray, Cadmus let Erling’s family go so they’d leadthem to the Resistance camp.”

“I’m sure Jake’s smartenough to figure that out, but I’ll let him know.” Before longthey reached a small cave and went inside. Benray pulled out acommunicator and called Jake.

“We’re at the cave andheading to camp.” He listened to Jake’s response, then said,“Miraculously, Michio saved her.” He shared her warning aboutCadmus trailing them before clipping the communicator back on hisbelt.

“Jake’s relieved to hearToemeka’s safe and thanked me for the warning. He has scouts out,watching for soldiers. They haven’t made it to camp yet, but shouldbe there in a few hours.”

He handed them each a backpackand swung one onto his shoulders.

Toemeka put hers on and tightenedthe straps. It was heavy and she hoped they wouldn’t be travelingfar as she was exhausted. She’d been on the move ever sincearriving on Alandra.

Benray gave them both flashlightsand blasters, then started off at a fast clip. Michio fell into stepbehind him. Toemeka turned on the flashlight before following. Asharp rock sliced through her slippers and she winced in pain,wishing for hiking boots.

The men kept a fast pace throughthe dense woods and Toemeka had trouble keeping up. Michio glancedback at her. “You’re getting too far behind. I’d better takethe rear position.” He stopped and let her move ahead of him.

“I’m sorry I can’t go anyfaster. This pack is heavy.”

“You’re doing fine.”

After a couple hours, Toemekaneeded to rest and sat on a log. She slid off her backpack and rubbedher aching shoulders. “How much further is it, Benray?” sheasked.

He was standing guard, his eyeson the woods. “We’ll be walking most of the night.”

“Heavenly stars. I can’tcarry this much weight all night.”

Michio unzipped her backpack.“Transfer some of your supplies to my pack.”

“I can take some, too,”Benray said. The men divided some of the heavier items between them.Then they ate some meat jerky and nuts and washed it down with waterbefore continuing the hike.

Toemeka found it easier with alighter load, but her slippers were wearing through in places and herfeet hurt. Before long they left the forest and started climbing up arocky, mountainous trail. The trees were sparse and she was glad itwas night. If Cadmus sent aircraft looking for them, they’d be hardto spot in the dark.

Later that night, while restingat a mountain stream, Toemeka filled up her water containers. Thenshe took off her slippers and soaked her bruised, bleeding feet inthe cold water.

Michio sat down beside her andlooked at her slippers. “These are completely worn through inplaces. How are your feet?”

She sighed. “Not good.”

“We need to keep going,”Benray said. “I’m sure they’re after us by now.”

Toemeka reluctantly took her feetout of the water and dried them on the edge of her robe beforeputting the slippers back on. Michio was already standing andextended his hand. She clasped it and stood, then they continuedtheir journey through mountainous terrain.

Toemeka was stumbling withfatigue when Jake and Erling appeared in front of them. “One of thescouts spotted you and contacted Jake, so we came to meet you,”Erling said.

“It’s good to see you both,”Toemeka said. “How’s your family, Erling?”

“It was a long hike for myparents, but they made it. They’re sleeping now.”

“I’ll carry your pack,Toemeka,” Jake said. “You look beat.”

“I am beat.” He helped herunfasten the backpack and swung it onto his shoulders.

They hiked in companionablesilence until they finally came to a clearing with a series of smalltents. “Set your tent up here,” Jake said, taking off Toemeka’sbackpack and handing it to her.

“Thank you for carrying it,”she said,