Page 22 of Koha'vek
Raven's mouth compressed into a thin line, and he nodded grimly. “I’m sure that Steele would agree with that, but we were in kind of a hurry. Steele did not learn how Gar’hako treated Zara until after he was dead. He lamented the fact more than once, after he learned of it.”
“I am glad my fellow soldiers left the Empire’s service.Everything was wrong with the mission they gave us. They never told us the terms of the treaty that ended the open warfare. We only learned of it after they sent us to Earth to harvest humans for their pets. Many didn’t care. Their loyalty was greater to the Empire than to their sense of right and wrong.”
“That’s why we sent them back to Mesaark. If not for the treaty, we would have sent them all to Penta Prison planet,” said Raven.
Some of my former cohorts probably deserved prison, but not all of them. People like Velkan were among my friends and shared my feelings. “All I know is that we can never go back. At the very least, we will go to prison; at worst, we will suffer a slow and painful death. However, I would like to see my old friend Velkan, but I fear that if I take out the flier I stole, I would be apprehended and returned to Mesaark.”
“That’s a possibility.” Raven nodded grimly. “However, I gave them Federation coms, and I brought one for you to contact him or me if you need to.” He handed me the tablet, and I bowed my head slightly in thanks.
At that moment, the door to the cabin swung open, and my beautiful mate emerged. We had spent half the night pleasuring each other and celebrating our love. Even thoughAva had grown stronger through the months since I found her, her strength and stamina were far less than mine. I knew she was exhausted from the physicality of our mating, so I left her to rest while I began our chores.
“Oh, hello, Raven. I was wondering who Koha’vek was speaking to. What brings you way out here?”
Raven dipped his head, nodding to Ava as she approached them. “It’s good to see you again, Ava. You look well.”
Ava smiled at him and looked up at me, still smiling. “This guy here takes very good care of me.”
“Glad to hear it,” said Raven. “I’ll let Koha’vek tell you about it, as it’s getting late and I promised Hannah I wouldn’t be gone all day.
We watched as Raven climbed onto a sky cycle, and it rose into the sky and carried him away.
“What was that all about?” Ava came to my side and slid her arm around my waist.
I quickly told her everything Raven had said.
“So, what are you thinking?” she asked when I had finished.
“Well, at least one of my old friends remains hereon Earth. I would love to see them. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen another Mesaarkan face. Right now, it’s too dangerous because Raven is the only cyborg I know who wouldn’t immediately set me up to go back to Mesaark. As I said, Raven is going to try to get asylum for all of us, Mesaarkan deserters. But it could be a losing fight because of all the heinous things my people have done to yours.”
“But you didn’t do them,” Ava protested. “You were just following orders.”
“Even so, I knew it was wrong. Granted, I did try to make things easier for the humans where I could. When I objected, I was threatened with discipline and transfer to one of the worst posts available,” I told her. “Saving you was the most honorable thing I’ve done since I landed here several years ago.”
I turned and put my arms around her, holding her close, pressing my cheek against the top of her head. “It is the best thing I've ever done. As much as I would love to see my old friends, I am not willing to risk losing you,meora.”
“I don’t want that either. Now that you know there are others of your kind living here, what does that mean for us?” she asked. “Are you thinking about moving us to their colony?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead since I just learned about it. I have grown rather fond of our life here. I’ve learned the forest as though I have known it all my life, and I’ve been at peace here. I’m not sure I want to be a part of a community again, at least not live in one. One day, if we get the chance, I want to visit them. What about you? Now that Raven has apprehended Jenkins, you may be able to get your ranch back.”
I could feel her shaking her head against my chest. She pulled back and looked up at me. “Koha’vek, I love you, and I am your mate. I’m not ashamed of that, but I am not naïve enough to believe the townspeople would easily accept your presence at my ranch or in town. I might like to go back there sometime to see my old friends, but I wouldn’t want to subject you to the prejudice you would face there. I love you too much for that.”
I was glad Ava didn't want to go back to her ranch and live there. I could easily imagine the hatred the humans would direct at both of us, at me, whom they would see as a monster, and Ava, because I am her mate. It could be months before Raven secured asylum for all of us, Mesaarkans, if he could actually do it. My time as a resident on Earthcould very well be finite once the Federation and Cyborg Command learned of our presence.
I already knew that I would stay here with Ava as long as possible; they would have to drag me away. Now I realize I had been drawn to Ava from the moment I picked her up at the bottom of that ravine, though I could never have admitted it at that time.
Cyborg Raven Blackwood had his work cut out for him. Were our positions reversed, I wonder if I would have the courage to face the bureaucracy alone and plead the case of former enemies.
Chapter Fourteen
Ava
Waiting was the most challenging part in the days that followed. Koha’vek was even more broody than usual if that were possible. I was worried, too.
I didn’t want to lose Koha’vek now that I had fallen in love with him. The people in Brislow would never understand or accept our relationship. They would only see the monster I first saw when I woke up after he rescued me. They would cringe to think that I would have sex with him.
None of them would ever know he was so much more than the reluctant warrior the Mesaarkan Empire had forced him to become. He is a thoughtful and compassionate individual, both as a companion and a lover.
I’m learning to adjust to our biological differences. Mesaarkans run hotter than humans. Koha’vek is like a personal space heater in bed on cold nights. I discovered that his body temperature spikes subtly when he is upset.
