Page 70 of Torn from the Alien Commander

As the laughter dies down, a female Nebian with a smiling face that does little to hide the disdain in her yellow eyes steps forward. “And what of the so-called Warrior of Peace? Will you not demonstrate your skill? I long to see it, especially after what you did to my Horaxus,” she sneers.

I look between the female, Xandor, and the Imperator with frantic glances, filled with concern. The Imperator frowns. “We’ve been over this, Consul Juliara. Xandor acted justly.”

“I’m afraid my wrestling days are behind me,” Xandor says with mirth, shifting his half cloak to reveal his missing left arm. Many of the Nebians avert their gaze, a reminder of their people’s shame. But the long yellow-haired female only bristles.

“Seems to me all you Klendathians offer is savagery, not befitting of high Nebian society,” she drawls, waving a dismissive hand through her elaborate, high-collared robe.

“Consul Juliara!” the Imperator roars, his anger palpable.

“There’s no dishonor in her words.” Xandor raises a hand. “In fact, I was going to suggest another cultural demonstration. Can your fine band play the Klendathian lament?” he inquires.

“Of course,” the Imperator says with pride, looking towards the far corner where a large choir rests. “They can play any known song in the galaxies.”

“Impressive.” Xandor nods towards the band. “Please begin.” At his command, the band launches into a cacophony of loud, bombastic sounds, more like a battle dirge than a song. After the initial opening, the music takes on a haunting tone, with lingering beats and instruments, evoking a sense of loss and remorse.

Lost in the music, I almost don’t notice Xandor standing before me with his hand outstretched. My breath catches in panic, aware that all eyes are on us. “Let’s dance, my sexy little puffrio,” he offers, beaming down at me.

What is he doing?

I tentatively take his hand, my heart pounding in my chest, unable to refuse under the scrutiny of everyone’s attention. “But, Xandor, I don’t know how to dance,” I whisper through a fixed smile that couldn’t be more at odds with my frantic heartbeats.

Xandor leads us to the center of the makeshift circle. “It’s okay, I don’t either,” he says with a mischievous glint in his golden eye, quashing any hope of avoiding imminent embarrassment.

“Lovely,” I hiss through clenched teeth, dripping with sarcasm.

He bows gracefully before me. I resist the urge to hide in the shadows, wondering what the void I’m supposed to do next. Then he places my right hand on his left shoulder. “Imagine I have my left hand on your back,” Xandor says with a reassuring smile as he takes my left hand in his right, holding our arms out to the side. “It’s the best I can do, for now,” he laughs, filling mewith a strange giddiness at his carefree attitude. “Watch my feet and follow my lead.”

This is voiding crazy!

Xandor smiles at me as the rhythmic music pulses in the background. I follow his advice, watching his feet with keen eyes, as if my life depends on it. I gasp as his foot glides forward toward mine. Instinctively, I step backward, trying to mimic his flowing style. His hand applies subtle pressure, urging me rearward and to the left.

His other foot then shifts forward, invading my space, forcing me to glide backwards. Then, his foot moves again, guiding us through the circle in a flowing box pattern. “Very good. Again,” Xandor smiles and repeats the moves, this time slightly faster. My heart thumps with nervous concentration, but with each iteration, I gain more confidence, enjoying the graceful union of our movements.

“That’s it. Follow the beat of the music. One, two, three,” Xandor says, repeating the count over and over. It makes it easier, our steps becoming smoother, our timing better. “Now keep your head up. Proud like a majestic brutonous.”What the void is a brutonous?But there’s no time to ask—only laser focus will save me now.

I lift my head, seeing Xandor beaming at me, the pride in his eye sending my heart soaring. Straightening my posture, I attempt to mimic him as we continue to flow around the makeshift circle. “One, two, three. Now turn!” Xandor says, twirling his hand in mine. I hesitate for a moment, the timing lost. My face heats, but Xandor smoothly continues, and we fall back into our flowing rhythm.

This time I’m prepared. When Xandor says, “Now turn!” I spin in a circle, following his twirling hand. I laugh at the sensation, enjoying the elegant movements and the feel of Xandor’s hand in mine. Our bodies pressed together, the rhythmic stomping ofthe Nebians I’m just noticing. We continue to flow with grace, Xandor adding some extra flourishes like pauses and reverse turns that I mimic as best I can.

The more familiar the movements become, the more I enjoy our dance, relaxing into our flowing steps, feeling like I’m floating through the air, my heart carried away by the male I love. “You know, I learned this dance from you,” Xandor says, smiling, between our continued dancing, his voice barely audible over my laughter, the music, and the cheering, thumping crowd.

“That doesn’t make sense. You’ve just taught me!” I reply, giggling in disbelief and graceful elation.

Xandor laughs. “From one of our future paths. When we go to Earth, you learn this human waltz, and we dance it many times.” His words leave my mind struggling to comprehend.Do I learn the waltz on Earth because of this event? Or would it have happened anyway?Xandor must notice my difficulty, as he gives me a knowing smile. “Surreal, isn’t it?”

As suddenly as it started, the music stops, our beautiful dance halting, and I already miss it. Xandor leads me in a bow before the cheering Imperator. The crowd erupts into raucous cheering and stomping feet. My heart swells as we hold each other, basking in the applause.

Amidst the crowd, I spot familiar faces—Noroth, Logarn, Quad, Hyanxa, Mob, and Job—making their way towards us. Many of them have wide eyes, clearly impressed by our performance.

“Your wrestling days might be behind you,” Noroth beams, giving Xandor a hearty slap on the back. “But there’s nothing wrong with your legs.”

Xandor chuckles, “Tyrxie keeps me light on my feet,” he retorts, smiling at me, which makes my heart flutter.

“I bet our wee Tyrxie does,” Hyanxa chimes in with a chuckle, glancing in my direction. “You’ll have to teach me that one,” she says, giving me a playful shove.

“Anytime,” I reply, nodding.

Just need to learn it myself first.

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