Defiant. Tome 1. Defiant

Chapter 12. Veluthian Ways

«Wait, what do you mean she’s not here?!» Hunter panicked a little, hearing Lindon reply Serena wasn’t in his estate.

«I mean, she’s been invited…» Lindon sighed, pausing.

«Invited where?» Wolfin frowned.

«Roman Dorn Relas came to see her and took her to his estate to discuss some business opportunity.»

Hunter took a moment to gather his thoughts:

«And you let her go? With him?!»

They suddenly heard two hover bikes descending from the skies, and rushed to the door. What they saw was Serena – relaxed, smiling and definitely fine after having been treated to dinner by the same man, who humiliated her only but a few days ago.

Roman stepped by her side – also smiling, and, when he saw Lindon and the others at the door, he bowed, greeting the three men:

«Good evening. As I promised – I am returning your Captain, safe and sound.» he said.

Serena glanced at him and bowed slightly:

«Thank you, Roman. I enjoyed our conversation and… dinner.»

Hunter swallowed hard, hearing the little pause.

«If you ever wish to repeat it, or use my mineral baths again – you are welcome to.» Roman seemed extremely pleased with himself. «Have a good night, Lady Serena. Gentlemen…»

Roman bowed once more and returned to his transport, quickly leaving.

Serena walked into the estate – her step filled with a spring she lacked after getting out of the hospital.

«Wait, Serena!» Wolfin caught up with her first, shaking off the stupor after seeing her with Roman. «Care to tell us what was that all about?»

«Just a business meeting that turned out to be a little more pleasant than I expected it to be.» Serena replied with a smile. «Why?»

«And, uh, what, exactly, were you discussing?»

Serena’s smile faded, when she realised Wolfin was looking at her with a hint of suspicion in his eyes. The woman looked at Lindon and Hunter, who seemed to be watching her with the same expression in their gazes.

«Oh, I think I know where this is going…» she said, becoming collected. «Well, if you must know the details, I was treated to a few good bottles of wine, a pleasant conversation while soaking in a mineral bath that soothed my scarred back, and we have discussed a very profitable cooperation in supplying medicine of my design to the human colonies that fell under Laithorian rule and those that turned their trading eyes away from the remains of the Terran Company. Satisfied?»

She twitched her brow at her men.

Hunter stepped to her first, watching her eyes with a very sad expression on his face:

«Serena, I…» he fell silent, when she tilted her head a bit.

«You… what?» she asked.

The cyborg took a very deep breath:

«I wanted to speak to you all this time, but never seemed to find the courage, or… find an appropriate moment, when you wouldn’t be either sulking or training…» the man said, his voice becoming a bit shaky and quiet. «I really want us to be more than friends… like before. I just… I can’t bare it without you…»

He took her hand, almost knowing she would pull back, but she didn’t.

«And you thought I went to Roman to sleep with him? Just like you thought I did with Killian on Ardine?» Serena asked, sounding calm.

«I’m sorry, Serena.» Lindon stepped up. «I know that we both messed things up with you. But I know Hunter was inconsolable after what happened to you on Garmfrig…»

«I know. That’s why he walked out on the interview.» their Captain seemed to know everything her crew did while she was in the Hospital, recovering.

«We all were, Scorpi.» Wolfin helped the men out. «But Hunter and Lindon were… they reminded me of you after we thought Hunter was killed.»

Serena took a moment of thought and nodded:

«Alright… but how does that explain the fact you two still didn’t notice I decline every proposal of marriage and sex? How come you seem to be worried I slept with Roman, when all I did was negotiate a very profitable income to my name?»

«Isn’t it obvious?» Lindon asked very quietly. «We still love you and we’re afraid to lose you.»

«I never doubted, Lindon.» Serena said. «That’s exactly why I am not looking for marriage or a new lover. Although, I am getting a lot more of those proposals now than ever. Which is a bother, because at the moment I’m not exactly fit to accept challenges to duels about these matters.»

She sighed heavily and shook her head.

«You don’t have to accept challenges, Serena…» Hunter said. «Perhaps, you can simply… do as Veluthians do?»

She glanced at him with a frown:

«Accept the proposals I do not want?»

«No, Serena. That’s not what he meant…» Lindon glanced at Hunter. «I think.»

«What I meant was…» the cyborg looked at Lindon, then at Wolfin. «What if she makes an oath? To be with either me, or Lindon…»

Serena lowered her gaze, falling into thought:

«What if I don’t want to give an oath to one of you?» she whispered, and the men felt their hearts sinking, but before they could even say anything, Serena shook her head and looked aside. «What if I would have preferred to have you both? An impossible ask, but…»

«Then why don’t you?» Hunter grasped at the thought. «Just like before…»

Serena glanced at her men, feeling sad and distant for some reason. Lindon touched her shoulder, feeling a bit more hopeful than a moment ago:

«When I waited for you to become my wife, and Hunter had you by his side…» he said.

The woman raised her hands to the men, cupping their cheeks, and gently caressed their faces:

«You would do that again?» she looked at Hunter and then Lindon. «Would you, Lindon? Actually want me as you wife? After all that’s happened?»

«Always.» Lindon exhaled, pressing against her palm. «I will always wait for you. No matter how long it takes.»

«And you?» Serena looked at Hunter once again. «You’re willing to wait?»

«I’ll accept any decision you make, Serena. If it means I’ll have to wait for you, or even watch you becoming happy with Lindon – I will step aside…» Hunter replied.

The woman leaned in closer, uniting her forehead with theirs, and feeling the men embracing her.

«I give you my oath, Hunter Winters, and you, Lindon Dorn Gray-Linn… I will be faithful to you. Both of you.» she said quietly. «I will not marry, or take another to my bed, if it’s not one of you two… Lindon, I promise to become your wife, if you will still wish it, when the time comes… Hunter… I promise to give you the very same chance to restore the relationship we had, but one that was broken after what I had done…»

«It was my doing, Serena, not yours.» Hunter grasped at her back a little tighter, making her grunt from a sudden pinch of pain.

Wolfin sighed, suddenly glad to have finally witnessed the three reconciling.

Serena took her time, before leaning back. She still seemed sad and a little distant, but both Hunter and Lindon knew – she gave her oath freely and will keep it, no matter the cost.

«Now, please excuse me…» she wanted to step away, but the men caught her hands, keeping them on their faces.

«Serena…» Lindon exhaled.

«Please… you’ve been spending so much time on your own.» Hunter felt her fingers twitch in a sudden trembling.

«We’d love to share dinner with you. Or a drink. Anything…» Lindon watched her face, trying to find any hint of her not wanting that at all.

Serena suddenly smiled – softly and nodded:

«I am not hungry, as I have been well-fed, but I won’t mind a drink among friends.» she said.

Her men smiled, happy to have her by their side.

Wolfin chuckled and cleared his throat, when everyone glanced at him.

«I, uh… was thinking if we could introduce Hunter to the Veluthian ways and have a conversation in one of Lindon’s pools?»

Lindon twitched his brow, glancing at Hunter:

«Well, he’s sure to have options, but how will he be feeling around all of us having a swim as Veluthians do?»

Serena met Hunter’s reluctant gaze:

«I could show you how Veluthians don’t mind seeing each other naked. You could understand that even though I shared Roman’s mineral bath with him, there wasn’t any sex involved…» she said. «Well, with you, I’m not sure if that would be the case, as you aren’t exactly well versed in our ways…»

The cyborg took a deep breath and smiled at her:

«I am willing to give it a try. I need to learn more about Veluthians to understand you better. After all…» his smile faded. «The lack of understanding on my part led to us essentially parting for a time.»

Serena looked at Lindon with a smile:

«You wouldn’t mind picking out a couple of bottles of something good to drink, would you?»

«For you? Never.» Lindon took her palm and kissed it with a smile. «All of you are always welcome here and I will be honoured to treat you to the very best food and drinks I can find.»

«Then how about some Sallen-fruit?» Hunter glanced at Lindon.

«Snacks are a wonderful idea!»

Serena chuckled, seeing them planning out the rest of the evening, remembering everything she loved to make the time spent better than it could have been.

As the two walked off to get supplies, Wolfin couldn’t help and stepped to his named daughter, embracing her with one arm around her shoulders:

«I’m glad you settled the matter. I was worried you three would never get to really talk again like you used to…» he sighed.

«That was never my intent, Wolfin. I was only…» Serena sighed heavily. «Waiting, thinking… I don’t know.»

«I understand, Scorpi. You were taking your time. I respect that. Things like these shouldn’t be taken lightly. Especially in circumstances you’ve found yourself in…»

«We all fucked up, Wolfin. And most of the guilt lies with me.»

«Not true, Scorpi.» he tightened his embrace. «But you’re all fuckers, that’s for sure.»

The man cackled and landed a kiss to her temple, seeing her smiling in return.

Chapter 13. Disgrace

Lindon jolted up, woken by the helper bot.

«Your guest, Serena, is experiencing a medical issue…» the bot reported.

The man jumped out of bed, pulling his pants on, and ran off towards Serena’s room. The bot followed him – silently and fast, ready to aid in any way.

«Call Hunter, NOW!» Lindon ran inside Serena’s room, seeing her curled up on the floor, grunting in pain.

Lindon hurried to the woman, immediately leaning in and seeing her grasping at her shoulders, teeth clenched. He cautiously touched her arm and felt a shudder going through her body in waves. Glancing at her back, he suddenly understood what could be the reason for this episode.

Hunter ran in, almost tripping over the helper bot, and in a few long strides landed near Lindon and Serena, panicked:

«What the…» he exhaled.

«Get the muscle relaxants!» Lindon pointed at the bedside table, where a neatly organised box stood with medicinal capsules at the ready and a syringe. «And some painkillers!»

The cyborg grabbed the syringe, loading it with the relaxant and handing it to Lindon, while searching for the painkillers. He suddenly realised that the indents for those were empty.

«Shit!» he growled. «I’ll be right back!»

The man ran off, leaving Lindon worried that Serena might have been discharged from the hospital too soon. Giving her the shot of relaxants, the Veluthian carefully laid his palm on her back, feeling the muscles twisting and turning slowly subside. He noticed how sweaty her t-shirt was, and sighed, not knowing how long she was experiencing such episodes that caused her pain.

As Hunter ran in again, carrying a couple of syringes with painkillers, Lindon grasped one and gave Serena a shot. The cyborg cautiously caressed the woman on her head, but she seemed to be too hurt to reply in any kind of way.

A few minutes they sat there, watching the woman slowly relaxing and seemingly coming back to her senses. Her breath was shallow and fast, but with each breath she took, she began to exhale a little more steadily. Finally, Hunter embraced her – gently pressing to his chest – and sighed with ease:

«You’re alright, Serena… You’re going to be fine.»

Lindon took a cautious look at Serena’s back, noting no more muscle cramps, and caressed the woman, running his hand across her shoulders:

«Serena?» he called out. «What do you say to a warm bath to ease the aching?»

The woman grasped at Hunters arm, hiding her face on his broad chest.

«I’m such a disgrace…» they heard her whisper very quietly.

The men exchanged glances, and Hunter nodded to Lindon’s proposal. The Veluthian stood, heading to the bathing corner of Serena’s apartments he gave to the woman, and prepared the basin, adding to the pleasantly hot water some salts and herbs that should help Serena with her ailment.

Hunter felt Serena grasping his arm a little tighter – his artificial skin read how weak she was still – and suddenly the woman straightened, sitting up. The cyborg noticed tears in her eyes and she hurriedly wiped them off, looking pale and distant.

«Thank you…» she whispered, her voice a little coarse.

Hunter smiled gently and stood, offering her his hand. She accepted his help and he noted her swaying a little.

As they walked to the bath, where Lindon still stood – deep in his thoughts – Hunter caught the Veluthian’s gaze and saw him clench his jaw, obviously worried for Serena. They helped her undress and get into the water. Hunter slipped in as well, keeping the woman upright and trying to catch her gaze, but she hid her eyes, preferring to look at the water and her hands.

«Lindon…» Hunter raised his eyes to the Veluthian. «I know I am not fit to do this, but, perhaps, you could massage her back to help her even more?»

Lindon sighed, understanding that he was right, and undressed, sitting down at the edge of the basin, behind Serena. He hesitated a little, but then leaned in closer and touched her shoulders, his fingers gently rubbing the muscles. Feeling the bumps of the terrible scars, he studied the woman’s back once more – even though the scars slowly healed, becoming less and less prominent, she still had them all over.

«A warrior’s scars are their pride, Serena…» Lindon said. «So why is it you seem so… ashamed?»

«I’m not ashamed of the scars, Lindon.» the woman replied, shaking her head. «It’s the nightmares, the pain and weakness that keeps me feeling shame.»

«Nightmares?» Lindon’s fingers flinched, but the man continued to massage her back.

Hunter noticed how Serena closed her eyes, gritting her teeth. He reached out and took her hand, gently rubbing his fingers against hers:

«Every warrior has their nightmares, Serena. What’s yours?»

«The explosion that ripped my back. The agonizing pain… the thoughts before I passed out…» Serena exhaled.

«And what thoughts were those?» Lindon tried hard to sound calm.

«I saved the Empress. I could die with honour…»

«So what are you ashamed of?» Hunter frowned.

«That I hadn’t had a single thought about anything else. My ship, my crew… you…» Serena gritted her teeth again. «Is this who I am? Just a… Veluthian… The Crimson Blade, who has no thoughts about her men? Just a weapon that the Empress wishes to see?»

Lindon leaned in over her shoulder and gently touched her chin, raising and turning her head slightly to look at him:

«You’re much more than that, Serena. We all know it. The fact that all you thought about in that moment was the Empress only shows to your character as a selfless and courageous woman. You say you hadn’t had a single thought about us. So what? We weren’t at risk in that moment. Yet if we were – you’d be just as selfless in trying to save each and every single one of your crew.»

He embraced her, planting a soft kiss to her forehead, but didn’t linger, straightening and continuing to massage her back.

«And you agree with him?» Serena glanced at Hunter, who seemed to have fallen deep into thought.

«I do.» the cyborg met her gaze and smiled. «You shouldn’t overthink the fact that all you could think about is saving the Empress. I am sure, if it were Lindon, or Wolfin…»

«You?»

«Yes, me too…» Hunter chuckled. «I’m sure you’d do the very same thing.»

«See?» Lindon smirked. «We agree on that.»

Hunter suddenly became serious and leaned in closer to Serena:

«Though, I must say one thing, Serena. If it was I, who was standing there, I’d probably survive the explosion. I’d rather shield you, not to see what I saw that day…»

The woman lowered her gaze to his chest:

«I never asked… your cybernetic enhancements…» she reached out and touched the man. «Did they… withstand the force field that deactivated the armour and my jetpack?»

«I didn’t fall prone, if that’s what you’re asking.»

«He was actually closest to you, while we turned our attention to the shooter.» Lindon froze for a moment.

«Yes, I heard Kareem say Hunter administered some stims…» Serena looked away again, then sighed. «I guess, Falana thought about you or any of her enhanced goons being within the radius of such a rocket…»

«Serena…» Lindon took a pause, glancing at Hunter and seeing the cyborg caressing the woman’s hand. «I know you said you’ll be meeting up with Roman again sometime in the morning…»

«Yes, why?»

«I thought, perhaps, since your sleep was cut short by… eh… whatever it is that actually happened… maybe you should postpone meeting the man?»

«No. I appreciate the offer, but I really need this distraction. His boring discussions about prices and product delivery help me keep my mind off the scars on my back.»

Lindon sighed feeling defeated, but said no more.

«Maybe, we could go with you then?» Hunter asked.

Serena took a few moments to reply:

«No. Thanks. I’ll be fine. He isn’t very talkative about business if anyone else is around… Even if it’s someone from his household.»

«Still, keep in mind that we’re both ready to be there for you.»

«I know.» Serena smiled.

Even though the bath did help her to soothe her aching back, the men still stayed by her side through the rest of the night. Watching her sleep, they sat across the room and quietly spoke about her – each finding a sense of calm in remembering details about the woman that could help them aid her in her recovery.

As morning came, and Serena woke up again – this time without a single hint of being bothered by either pain or nightmares – the men greeted her with smiles.

Two hours later the woman left, flying off on her Dragon hover bike towards the Relas estate to discuss further the whole business proposition Roman offered.

He met her with a charming smile and a joyful manner:

«Lady Serena, it is such a pleasure seeing you again!» he bowed.

She bowed in return, stepping into the estate and following the man to his lavish office, where she saw tall bookcases, filled to the brim with archaic tomes – restored or printed on demand for his collection.

«Books. How… quaint.» Serena smiled. «I can’t remember when I saw physical books last.»

«I grew a collection after my uncle passed and his small collection fell into my hands.» Roman seemed to be pleased at the comment. «I decided to extend it to honour his memory.»

The woman stepped up to one of the bookcases and studied the spines of books, noting tomes she read while she was still in the Academy.

«Must be nice to turn the pages…» she said with a smile.

Roman cleared his throat, approaching her and took a glance at his books, then picked one out and handed it to Serena:

«Here. Allow me to gift you this tome…» he said with a charming smile. «As a sign of my appreciation for you accepting my business proposal.»

Serena smiled, seeing the title of the tome, and nodded, taking it:

«A valuable gift, Roman. I do hope you won’t miss it…»

«What’s a book, but a way to learn new things? Even if you know what this one is about, it will definitely bring you a new experience, while turning the pages and feeling the weight in your hands…»

Serena put the gift into her little backpack she started wearing whenever she was out in the city. Her blades, clasped to her back, hid behind the backpack a bit, but were still easy to draw at any moment, reminding every person she encountered that she was the Crimson Blade everyone loved talking about.

«So… let’s talk business, Roman.» Serena said, raising her eyes to the man.

Roman hesitated for a moment and leaned in, touching her cheek softly:

«Every time I see you, I just wish you’d accept my proposal to sharing more than just business…»

«I declined that offer, Roman. And, if you are so set on continuing your pursuit, I do have to say that I won’t be accepting your challenge for a duel again.»

The man frowned:

«Why is that? We have a matter to settle…»

«I gave an oath, Roman. I can no longer seek affection outside that oath.»

The man tilted his head a bit and something in the way he squinted felt dangerous:

«You are the Crimson Blade, Serena. There’s no need for you to uphold traditions like that.»

Serena felt a shiver running down her spine, making her back twitch:

«I gave an oath. This topic is closed for discussion!» she said harshly.

Roman grabbed her shoulders, jolting forward, and the woman felt the back of her head slamming against the hard stone wall between two bookcases. The momentary daze this caused almost sent her falling to the darkness that washed over her eyes. In the next moment she felt Roman pressing his lips against hers – hard, almost painful, and she tried to push him away, but he held her arms in such a way it was impossible. As he leaned back a bit, he cackled:

«You will be mine!»

«I gave an oath!» Serena growled, growing angrier by the second.

«I don’t care!» he kissed her again.

Serena clenched her teeth on his lower lip and her knee flew up to his groin, impacting it hard. Roman twisted in half, and Serena felt a piece of flesh in her mouth. Spitting it to the floor, she hit the man in the face, throwing him down to her feet.

«I gave an oath!» she shouted, wincing at the immense pain at the back of her head.

In the next moment the door opened and a strict older woman with icy blue eyes and short black hair walked in. Serena immediately recognised her as the Matriarch of the Relas family.