Meadows of Heaven (9/23)
Chapter 9
Maggie rubbed her eyes tiredly; it felt like she'd been staring at the screen for years now. She'd had to go through each of the personal diaries assigned to her and the monotony of the task had her itching for her laser wrench, to slam through the screen if nothing else. Once she finished this last batch, however, she'd be done, and could get back to playing with the tech on the Raleigh.
A hand on her shoulder drew her attention and Maggie smiled up at Lieutenant Chikezie. "Everything all right, Lieutenant?"
Chikezie smiled tightly, she'd been working around the clock after the explosion, being the first medic on the scene. Luckily there hadn't been anything worse than a broken bone or two, but Chikezie needed to assess everyone. "I thought you might be interested in taking a look at some of the ship schematics I pulled up in my batch. The engineers think they'll be able to fire up the Raleigh soon."
"Excellent. Anything to get me away from the diaries. If I read one more entry complaining about lunch again. . ." Maggie closed out of her current entry, backing out to the list of logs in her batch.
"One moment." Caroline pointed to one of the names on the list - Harmony Ventura. "Isn't Harmony the name of the city?"
"I don't know. I haven't been privy to Commander Morgan's mission reports." Maggie ran the logs. "Wow, she has a long series of diaries. Looks like she came over as a child. . .ah, she's the captain's daughter. That makes sense."
"Have you found anything to indicate why they abandoned the colony?"
"Not yet, but I'll make that a priority." Maggie made a mental note to start from the latest log entries. Just as soon as they got back from looking at the ship schematics, priorities after all.
***
For once, Jeff had decided to just sit back and enjoy the party. The entire city seemed caught up in this festive atmosphere, left over from the all out orgy that had taken place last night. Even now, Jeff found he couldn't look at Misha without seeing flashes of the night before, still seeing the sub chained down and put on offer for anyone who wantedto just take him. He hadn't been the only one, the queen had offered up a selection of her own subs, chained to pillars, locked in cages, or bent over benches. Jeff hadn't gone to the public baths, but he could only imagine what sort of activity had gone on in there.
"This is amazing," Jensen's voice drew Jeff out of his musings.
He turned and had to just take in the sight. Jensen stood with Misha and Peter, and together the three subs looked like some gods out of an ancient tale. In deference to the holiday, Jensen wore a long dark green sarong. The fabric hung low on his waist, accentuating the sparkling piercing and flowed around his legs like a river. Peter's loincloth left his thighs bare, but teased with its length, as if hiding a treasure. In contrast, Misha's outfit was nothing but leather straps, over his torso, arms, and in a creative pattern over his hips.
With all the flesh on display, Jeff found he couldn't look away from Jensen, how he smiled with the others, his face lighting up with excitement. Those bright eyes drew him in, the green so vibrant and unique compared to all the blue-eyed subs. Jensen stood out in the crowd, and instead of jealousy, Jeff felt a stab of pride. That beautiful man belonged to him, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and no one else.
He didn't think about what would happen when the mission ended. Jeff would enjoy this moment, this first success. Together they had convinced the queen of Jeff's intentions, enough that she was releasing the hostages before completing the base negotiations. Although for that, they had to wait for the end of today, for the portion of the ceremony where Queen Michelle would hand over their ownership.
"It is amazing," Jeff agreed, pleased when Jensen shifted his attention back towards Jeff.
They stood in the Great Hall, once again transformed from the room they had spent their evenings engaging in sedate formal dinners. Today the lighting revealed the true length of the room, larger than Jeff had thought, although with the way the environment here often changed to suit the need, he wouldn't put it past the queen for her to have ordered the room to grow. Banners of different colors fluttered against the tall walls, covered by floating sparkling lights.
The crowd waited on different levels, the higher nobles on floating discs that hovered around the hall. Most spectacular were the screens that flickered to life all around them, showing scenes from the rest of the city, how more people had gathered together to witness this event. It reminded Jeff of when they redid Times Square in New York City, replacing the old technology with holo-screens.
"Shouldn't you be up there?" Jeff said to Misha. He knew the dukes and duchesses were up on one of the daises floating around the staircase.
Misha grinned at him. "I asked permission to watch with you and Sub Jensen. It is appropriate in my role as tutor."
"So you'll both explain anything we don't understand." Jeff included Peter with an incline of his head.
"Of course."
The lights in the room dimmed and the hum of conversation died down. When the lights came up again, the queen had appeared at the top of the steps. All down the length of the stairway stood her two hundred subs, from the oldest to the youngest, all collared with their arms bound behind their backs. Seeing them like that made quite an impression. But none could overshadow the figure of Michelle herself.
Her clothing made her seem larger than life, with feathery wings extending from her gown, all in that gleaming mother of pearl color. As she walked, her skirts parted, revealing tall thigh-length boots with impossible heels. Michelle never even looked down, navigating the steps like they were nothing.
When she reached the landing, she turned and held out her hand. Sub Fredric emerged, wearing far more clothing than Jeff had ever seen before, long robes that matched the queen's. Fredric walked to her side and took her hand as he knelt.
"Father's in his role as priest," Peter said in a low tone. "He will bless all the joinings done here today."
Jeff exchanged a quick glance with Jensen, who merely raised his eyebrows. This was the first they'd heard of such a thing. Jensen was right, Jeff thought, not to discount Sub Fredric.
"Welcome," the queen began, her voice echoing across the room, as if picked up by unseen microphones. "Today we begin the most important part of the Choosing. The joining of master and sub is our most sacred rite. Today we celebrate the subs who ask Harmony to Choose for them."
Jeff leaned over. "Ok, what the heck does that mean?"
Peter answered. "Instead of the normal process of courting to make a match, Harmony herself will select a master for these subs. Very few subs offer themselves this way."
"It's only done during the time of the Choosing," Misha put in. "I have heard Harmony makes true matches."
"Not all of them are perfect," Peter put in.
"Not all contracts are perfect, either," Misha shot back.
Jeff watched the two volley back and forth, but didn't interrupt. He noticed Peter begin to flush at Misha's words, and wasn't sure if it was in embarrassment or anger.
"How is that done? Asking Harmony to choose?" Jensen asked, diffusing the tension as he did so often. He had a way of cutting to the heart of the matter, and deflecting that heart if need be.
"Just watch," Misha breathed. "The first candidate is up now."
The sub walked up the length of the stairs and knelt before the queen, who touched her head in benediction. "What is your name, child?"
"Sub Elena," the girl answered, her voice reverberating across the room with the same effect as the Queen's.
"Sub Elena, do you give your freedom to the master Harmony Chooses for you for the next year?"
"I do, Queen Mistress."
"Then take your place."
The girl rose and moved towards a small floating circle. She stepped onto the ring and a pale blue light surrounded her.
"Harmony, we ask you," The queen raised her arms to either side, palms up as she pleaded. "Show us who you have chosen to master Sub Elena."
A smaller screen than the ones that hovered around the room popped into being in front of the queen. The picture flickered, showing the face of a man. All the images on the larger screen shifted, changing to show the location of the girl's new master.
"I am honored," the man said, presumably to a screen of his own.
"Will you take this sub into your household, tether their freedom, and hold to all the promises of Harmony?" the queen asked.
"I will, Mistress," the man said.
"Then travel here by the first tram you see."
Jeff frowned and whispered for Jensen's ears only. "Seems kind of rash."
"I have to agree," Jensen whispered back.
Jeff threw him a smile. "What, no lectures on how I need to understand how these kind of relationships work?"
"I haven't needed to lecture you for days," Jensen said, smiling back.
"Might have learned a few new tricks after all," Jeff murmured, moving back to watch the rest of the candidates walk up the stairway.
For the most part the afternoon went smoothly. There was one incident Jeff took note of, wanting to ask Jensen about it later.
One of the last candidates to ask for Harmony to Choose a master for him was a young sub named Ewan, and the woman Harmony chose stood in the Great Hall, on one of the floating discs near Lady Verona. Jeff noticed their head negotiator right off, so this especially caught his attention.
When the queen asked if the young woman - Lady Natalie - would take Sub Ewan for her own, the woman replied, her eyes wet with tears, that she could not. That had everyone in the room whispering.
"I’m sorry," Natalie said, her voice breaking, the acoustics carrying it across the city. "Ewan has been a sub in my mother's household since he was born. He has long wanted to leave. How can I bind him further to me, no matter how I. . ." She broke off.
Ewan turned towards her, speaking out of turn, but Jeff didn't think anyone minded. "Natalie," he said. "I promised I'd bide by Harmony's Choice."
"I will not have you bound to me against your will." Natalie's voice was steel. "I want you to come to me as your final choice, not as your first master."
"If I may propose a solution," the queen interjected, calling all attention towards her. "I will take Sub Ewan into my household as a trainee. Then at the end of the year, he can come back to the Choosing and honor Harmony's will."
Jeff leaned over once again. "You know, she's good at this negotiating thing."
Jensen snorted. "Then you damn well better be sure to get some extra help."
"I've got you, who else do I need?"
He hadn't intended the words to be anything more than a teasing jest, the kind they'd flung at each other for the past two weeks. But Jensen stiffened and flushed at Jeff's words, not throwing a comment back, like he normally did. Jeff didn't know what to say to fix it.
The ceremony continued, with a break during the middle for food to be served. Afterwards, they took their places again, and the queen began the second half, placing collars on subs to cement contracts. It all seemed like some kind of warped wedding ceremony to Jeff, with collars instead of rings. The collars seemed to be something special, however, placed on a hovering tray. Fredric touched each one before handing the collar to his mistress.
And then the queen made the announcement he had been waiting all day for.
"As you all know, I have spoken of our visitors from the stars." The queen tilted her head in Jeff and Jensen's direction, though how she knew where they were, Jeff had no idea.
Of course, the images in all the screens changed to show him and Jensen. Jensen immediately lowered his gaze and placed his hands behind his back in submission. The queen continued.
"When they first arrived in our city, I saw a leader who did not know how to be a master. I removed the subs of the party, as my right, until his mastery could be proven. I am pleased to say that Commander Morgan has surpassed my expectations."
"Oh thank the stars," Jeff murmured under his breath. Luckily, the voice augmenting system did not pick that up.
"So now I will turn the subs back into his custody." The queen turned, presumably to welcome Tappen and Johnson to the room.
"Mistress," a voice came out of the crowd. "Before you act, I claim prior rights."
The room exploded into whispers and outcries again, and Jeff looked around, seeking the owner of that voice. Luckily the screen nearest them obliged and he was shocked to see Ian, one of the guards who had welcomed them to the city. "What does that mean?" Jeff asked.
Misha and Peter exchanged worried looks. "He claims he had master's rights over one of your subs," Misha explained.
"Speak, Guard Ian," the queen said, unaware of Jeff's panic.
"I helped train the sub known as Major Henry Tappen during his stay here. I believe I now have more of a claim to him than Commander Morgan."
"Do you have evidence to support this, Guard?"
"I await your convenience, Mistress."
And the room exploded.
***
Jensen had never seen Jeff really angry before. He'd seen him pissed off, sure, especially when Jeff had had to confront some assholes on the Mercury who'd given Jensen a hard time. That had led to a rather intense scene afterwards, Jeff pumped up on his rescue of Jensen, and finally willing to give in to the dominant nature Jensen had spent a week trying to coax out of him.
Now though, as they entered the suite housing Tappen and Johnson, Jeff boiled with a quiet rage Jensen had never seen before. Jeff's body thrummed with tension, and instead of shouting, he spoke with a quiet intensity, as if barely able to restrain his anger.
"What the hell is going on, Major?" Jeff asked as the door slid shut behind them. Jensen almost would have preferred a door they could slam, just so the extent of Jeff's anger was understood.
The queen had allowed them this private meeting to sort things out, although she said that that guard, Ian, was entitled to a meeting with Major Tappen as well. Jensen narrowed his eyes, taking in Tappen's frazzled appearance as he paced the room, compared to Dr. Johnson who sat composed at the dining table.
"I have no fucking clue why he said what he said." Tappen ran both hands through his already unruly blond hair.
"Oh no? He must have had some reason to think you'd want to be his sub." Jeff's voice held only a tinge of curiosity in it, but Jensen saw his eyes were cold.
Tappen turned around and made a motion, as if trying to stuff his hands in his pockets, only the Harmony clothing didn't have pockets. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, causing the sleeves to ride up. Jensen caught a glimpse of something on his wrist.
"All right, I slept with him. It's not a crime, I just didn't think. . ."
Jensen darted forward, grabbed Tappen's arm and pulled it away from his chest, revealing the neatly braided leather circling his wrist. "You did more than just sleep with him. You submitted to him." He looked over at Jeff. "It's a courting band, like the kind the princess was making."
Tappen tugged his arm, and when Jensen didn't release it, he reached out with his free hand and pushed Jensen hard. Jensen let go, stumbling backward a few steps.
"Fine. What the fuck ever." Tappen turned away from all of them, leaning against the opposite wall with both hands.
"Of all the stupid, bone-headed things to do, Major," Jeff hissed. "You're in over your head."
Jensen shook his head, trying to think. "You must have impressed him, if he's willing to threaten our good will to have you."
Tappen snorted. "Impressed him? Figures you'd be about how well someone fucks."
"Have you learned a damn thing about these people?" Jensen gestured. "You've been here for how long and you still distain their way of life?"
"With all due respect," Johnson interjected. "He's not the anthropologist here. And I had a lot to learn myself."
Jensen didn't respond, not wanting to lose his cool. He knew Johnson was only trying to assuage the situation, to take the pressure off of Tappen for fucking up. But still, was it too much to ask for a little respect?
"We need to figure a way to get you out of this," Jeff said. "He's going to show off that bracelet as evidence for his claim."
Tappen pushed himself away from the wall and attempted to undo the bracelet, cursing under his breath when it would not come off. Jensen wondered if it was another bit of technology, disguised as nothing more than scraps of leather. They were no closer to finding out how things worked here.
"Major," he said, the thought suddenly occurring to him. "How long do you have left on your tour of duty?"
Tappen looked up from the wristlet. "What the hell does that matter?"
"Just answer the goddamn question, Major. Any more lip towards Lieutenant Ackles and I'll write you up for insubordination."
"Two years," Tappen answered, not looking in Jensen's direction once.
So, Jensen ignored him, looking over towards Jeff. "You know how important contracts are here. Tell the queen the major has a prior commitment to the military, a contract that can't be broken."
Jeff's eyes widened. "That could do the trick. He just might have saved your ass, Major."
Tappen crossed his arms over his chest, not likely to end up thanking Jensen any time soon.
"Unless maybe he wanted it on the line," Jensen said, watching as Tappen's eyes flickered over to him, widening in surprise. He wondered about Tappen's encounter with the guard, something must have happened between the two of them for Ian to even consider Tappen wanting to stay behind. How deep did they go?
"What's that supposed to mean, Scut?" Tappen snapped.
"Means we're not that different at all." Jensen flashed him a charming smile, calculated to piss the other man off. "You just happen to be giving it away for free."
"Enough, both of you," Jeff cut in. "This is the plan, Major. You go in to that private meeting with Guard Ian and you tell him you're contracted with the military. And give back the damned bracelet if you can. We don't want any more misunderstandings."
Tappen fingered the leather at his wrist at Jeff's words, but then he snapped to attention and barked out, "Yes, sir."
"What about me?" Johnson asked suddenly. "Did the queen say I had to stay too?"
"She never got that far." Jeff sighed; the anger seemed to have drained out of him a bit. "Let's see how this meeting goes, then ask her if you can go back to base camp at least."
"They might try to use that against us," Tappen said, frowning. "Trade Karl for me."
Jeff shook his head. "We'll deal with that when we have to. Now, are there any other surprises I need to look forward to? Anyone else you slept with, Major?"
"No, sir," Tappen replied, subdued.
"Keep it that way." Jeff turned to go, and Jensen followed at his heels.
"By the way, lieutenant, nice skirt." Tappen shot his way.
"Glad you like it, you might be wearing one yourself soon." Jensen said as the door shimmered closed, leaving him with the last word.
"You know," Jeff said as they walked past the guards. "A more suspicious man might think you enjoyed trading barbs with Major Tappen."
Jensen shrugged. At first Tappen had gotten his goat, yeah, just another Corps prick who thought he knew what Jensen was about. There had to be something more to the man, something this Ian had seen. Jensen wasn't kidding when he told Tappen the two of them were more similar than not.
"I'll try not to enjoy myself so much, sir," Jensen said, breaking character for a moment, not quite ready to be Sub Jensen just yet.
Jeff snorted at his tone, but then he sobered quickly. "I'm going to have to comm the captain and tell her about this."
Jensen didn't envy him the job at all.
***
When they got back to their quarters, Jensen stripped off the sarong, padding naked over to the laundry shoot. Jeff sank into the comfortable arm chair in the bedroom, trying not to watch, but Jensen didn't make it easy, straightening only to stretch his back, the muscles of his shoulder rippling with the motion. The younger man was truly beautiful, from the smoothness of his skin, to the curve of his buttocks, where Jeff itched to touch.
Of course, Jensen had to be physically perfect, it was part of his job description. Annoyed with that line of thought, Jeff pulled out his comm and put in the code for the ship. When the captain picked up the line, he told her Jensen was also listening.
"We have a bit of a situation," Jeff said, rubbing his forehead tiredly. He didn't know what the hell Tappen was thinking, sleeping with one of his guards while in a hostage situation. Of course, knowing the major, he might have tried it to attempt an escape.
But he hadn't just slept with Guard Ian, he's submitted to him, as Jensen had pointed out. Jeff wondered if there was something about this place, if it pumped some crazy gas into the air to make all blue-eyed individuals submissive, whether they wanted it or not.
"What kind of situation?" Captain Devine seemed just as tired as he was, probably sick of the entire thing.
"Major Tappen was intimate with one of the guards here. Now the guard wants to claim him as a sub."
Jensen put a cup of water on the end table, just at Jeff's elbow. He took a sip and gave Jensen a grateful nod. Jeff didn't expect the other man to kneel at his feet, still nude, and begin to massage his calves.
"Any other good news you have to tell me, Commander?"
Jeff let out a shaky laugh. "We're working on the situation. Ackles has an idea that might work, but we won't know till after Major Tappen has met with the queen. I'll keep you updated."
"See that you do. Any word on negotiations?"
"Stalled for the moment. I hope to return to it after we get Major Tappen back."
The comm crackled, the connection to the ship still not as strong as it should be. "Do what you have to, Commander. We need that base."
"Yes, sir. Morgan out."
He closed his eyes, enjoying Jensen's hands on his legs, rubbing out the tenseness in his muscles. Then Jensen slid between Jeff's thighs, his fingers making quick work of the lacings of his trousers. Jeff sat up and grabbed Jensen's wrists stopping the action.
He couldn't stop thinking about what Jensen had said to Major Tappen: "You just happen to be giving it away for free." Jeff, stupidly, had almost forgotten that this was Jensen's job, he was paid to be here, servicing Jeff for the greater good.
"What are you doing?" he snapped.
Jensen blinked up at him, his large eyes confused, the black liner on his lids making them look larger than normal. "Some stress relief," he said with a lewd smile. With his hands caught by Jeff, he just leaned forward, nuzzling his face against Jeff's cock.
"Jensen, stop." Jeff pushed him away. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to," Jensen said.
"We've already proved ourselves to the queen." Jeff let go of Jensen's wrists, aware that Jensen couldn't move if Jeff kept him captive. "You don't have to, you know, keep this up."
Jensen backed up, falling on his ass from his position on his knees. Jeff wondered at the sudden lack of grace in the normally smooth and suave movements Jensen often displayed. "I don't understand." Jensen pushed himself to his feet, the expression on his face unreadable. "Don't you want me to?"
"No," Jeff lied. How could he explain his sudden attack of conscience? Jeff had been just fine with using Jensen since they arrived on 328, hell, he'd enjoyed it. But after their discussion with Tappen, Jeff just couldn’t forget it, that Jensen only allowed himself to be tied down and fucked because of the mission. "I know we had to," he made a crude hand gesture. "For the mission, but. . ."
Jensen snatched a cream-colored robe from the wardrobe, not looking at Jeff as he tied it around himself, covering his nudity for the first time in days. "What the fuck was yesterday then? When you and I. . .we didn't have to then, either."
"It was a mistake," Jeff said.
Jensen laughed, and it was an ugly, dark sound. "You're absolutely right," he snapped. "It was one fucking hell of a mistake." He walked away, towards the inner hallway.
"Where are you going?"
He stopped long enough to shoot back. "I'll be in the playroom, if that's all right, master?" The way Jensen said the word was like razor blades cutting down Jeff's spine.
"Don't stay up too late," Jeff said, some perverse need to push back. "We'll need to be fresh tomorrow to deal with whatever the queen's come up with."
"Yes, sir," Jensen ground out, and then he was gone.
Jeff let his head fall into his hands and wondered if he hadn't just fucked up even more. He respected Jensen as a fellow soldier, hell the man was smart, innovative, and knew when to obey orders. But no man should be forced to use his body like that; no Corpsman should have to whore for the UP.
"You just happen to be giving it away for free." Jensen's words, going around and around in his mind.
Jeff picked up the slate he had been using to take notes for the negotiations with the queen. Maybe if he focused on work, he could get Jensen's voice out of his head.
***
Jensen wiped down the playroom equipment for what seemed like the fifth time, comforted by the smooth motions of the rag over the rich dark wood of the St. Andrew's Cross. They hadn't even made use of it; in fact it had been pushed to the corner when they'd scened with Misha and his mistress, to make room for the chair Jensen had been bound to.
He remembered how it had felt to be tied to the object, the vibrator deep inside him, driving him mad every time Jeff had run his fingers over the alien device. Jensen had been open then, given so much of himself. Anything Jeff had asked of him, he'd done, gladly.
"So stupid," he murmured, running a forearm across his forehead. Jensen damn well knew better. He'd learned from experience not to fall for his targets, that black mark still on his record for letting Danneel live. Jeff wasn't exactly a target, however; he was Corps, just like Jensen, though from a different branch.
And Jeff was something else. He was strong, his body well honed, a man used to years of war. And yet, he was gentle, his large hands so careful with Jensen, whether stroking his skin or tying ropes in intricate knots. When Jeff smiled, Jensen melted, captivated by that grin. If it wasn't the smile that got him, it would have to be that deep voice, and when he barked out orders Jensen hardened, always ready to obey. But Jensen hadn't just fallen for a handsome man; he admired a man who could lead as Jeff had. Even when he was out of his dept, Jeff moved forward, confident and sure.
Jensen folded the rag carefully, taking comfort in the precise motion. He didn't think he'd been the only one caught up in the whirlwind here, Jensen had honestly thought Jeff had felt something too. For years he'd been suppressing any link of emotions to sex, letting his body be used without engaging his heart, and Jensen didn't know what had fucked up his carefully constructed walls.
He could blame this place, Harmony with its order, where subs knew their station, but could look forward to a lifetime of being taken care of. In his darkest fantasies he'd dreamt of something like this, belonging to someone worthy of his submission, being able to give himself like a gift, instead of a weapon. But Harmony wasn't his home, hell it wasn't even his reality. This city was nothing more than a fantasy, a ride he'd be on for a short time before being catapulted back into the heart of the war. Time to wise up, Ackles, he thought angrily.
"Jensen?"
Jeff's voice interrupted his thoughts. Jensen nodded to himself, his resolve cemented. "Yes, sir?"
"What are you doing?"
"Upkeep of the room, sir." He finally turned to face Jeff, who stood in the doorway wearing his sleep pants, and that was almost torture. Push it away, he thought firmly.
"Come to bed."
He bit his tongue, wanting to snap out "oh, so you still want me to sleep with you, then?" but unless Jensen slept on the floor, he'd have to share Jeff's bed. He remembered how he'd asked, very formally, that first night, to be able to share his master's bed, just in case they had rules about that kind of thing here. Jeff had given permission, of course, back then still slightly shaky with his authority.
"Yes, sir." Jensen followed his superior officer back to the bedroom, letting the robe slip from his shoulders before sliding under the covers. This was just a mission, he reminded himself, his body would be up for grabs, but nothing else. Never again.
"Sleep well, Jensen."
"Yes, sir," he responded, as if that was something he could control.
As soon as he closed his eyes, though, Jensen fell, the exhaustion of the long day catching up with him. So he was aware, as he looked around a field filled with wildflowers and tall green grasses, that he was dreaming.
"Hello, Jensen." It was that female voice, the one that had been calling him for nights now.
He still couldn’t quite see her, but Jensen got the impression of long tangled curls of reddish gold hair. And, of course, wide blue eyes. "Hello," he said.
"I've been trying to speak to you for a while."
"I'm sorry," because that's what you did in dreams, apologized for things you couldn't control. "Who are you?"
She smiled, and that he caught because it was brilliant. "Harmony."
"Like the city," he said, apparently still sleepy even in a dream. Jensen couldn't quite penetrate the fog of his mind.
Harmony touched his cheek; her skin was like a cloud. "Exactly."
"I don't understand."
"I know."
Jensen looked around, and the field around him began to shimmer and fade, like one of the doors in the city. He found himself in a room, in the palace, one of the sitting rooms, filled with exquisite furniture and bright, bold fabrics. Seated on one of the couches, head down, hands clasped together, was Major Tappen.
With the logic of dreams Jensen knew Tappen couldn't see him, so he stepped back towards the wall and just watched when Ian entered the room.
"Henry," Ian said, stopping just short of going to Tappen's side.
"Why?" Tappen asked, looking up. "After you told me goodbye at the Schola?"
Ian shook his head. "I couldn't let you go."
Tappen snorted, catching his fingers in his tangled hair. "You have to."
"Do you really want me to?"
"It doesn't matter what I want," Tappen said. "I can't stay here, Ian. I don't own my time. I'm a soldier. The UP owns me for the next two years."
Ian finally moved, dropping to sit next to Tappen on the couch. He touched Tappen's chin, forcing the other man's face up. "You have a queen of your own to answer to?"
"More like an admiral, but yeah, sort of like that."
With his other hand, Ian traced the curve of Tappen's face. When Tappen closed his eyes, he whispered, "I'll still fight for you."
Tappen made a noise in the back of his throat, and Ian moved forward to kiss him. Jensen turned away, knowing this was something he shouldn't be witnessing. His chest hurt, and he rubbed it, hating how seeing that kiss made him feel.
"Why did you show me that?" he asked Harmony. In the way of dreams, he stood back in the meadow, where she regarded him sadly.
"So you understand. Some people find love who seem completely unsuited for one another. I try to give everyone this gift."
"What gift?" Jensen snapped.
She opened her mouth to answer, and of course, Jensen opened his eyes and sat up with a start, sunlight streaming in through the windows. Damn it, he thought, rubbing his eyes. What the hell was that?
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Epilogue