Core (7 page)

Lero was humming quietly in her mind, providing her with information and images the moment that she thought of them. She knew what the defence system looked like, knew how to activate it and was amazed that it had not been designed for Relak to use.

Too much power in his hands would not be a good thing, and he was chosen to be my eyes and ears abroad. You were chosen to defend my world, Cora.

It had sounded so reasonable that she had accepted it. The control staff was always at hand, and with the Vahsh approaching, it was time to trigger the core stone and from there, she would activate the satellites.

The orbital station had been warned, and it had edged away from the danger zone. As long as it did not approach at a high speed, it would not even register on her sensors.

The satellites were still in the planning stages when Relak went to sleep, but they were now floating around Lero in a loose and haphazard belt of defence. If the Vahsh passed the beacons, she would trigger the defences in a matter of minutes.

“You look…different.” Sox came up to stand next to her and smiled brightly at some of the folks working on the Avatar’s residence.

“It is the clothing. I always look different out of uniform.”

Sox looked at her and tilted her eyes. “No, I am pretty sure it is the red eyes.”

“Ah. That.” Cora snorted. “Lero is still downloading everything I want to know about this world, and he thinks that changing my eye colour should make it more obvious that he is in here and working.”

“Well, Laveen told me I have to start dressing like your guard, so I am trying to design a uniform. I think something in black and crimson. What do you think?”

Cora tilted her head. “I am fairly sure that it will look very nice on you, Sox. Everything looks nice on you.”

“Tell my mother that. She is convinced that I need to go through life dressing like a
lady.
Bleah. Ladies are boring with only a few exceptions.” Sox smiled, “You are now one of them.”

“Why thank you, bodyguard. I will keep that attitude in mind around bonus time. Now, do you want to do some sparring? I am feeling kinda twitchy today.”

Sox grinned. “Do you want to get your pretty clothes all dirty?”

Cora smirked. “I am sure I can get some more, and if not, Relak doesn’t have any objection to my running around naked.”

Cora walked into the garden and stood in the centre of the open green space. She looked at the staff, and with a swift move, it was hovering ten feet above her, out of the way.

Sox paused mid-stretch. “How are you doing that?”

“Ah, mere mortal, the power of the planet to hover a stick along a ley line is truly a mystery to you.” Cora laughed as Sox lunged and the game was on.

They fought for hours, Cora never got tired and Sox had to pull out moves that she would never have dared try before Lero’s intercession in Cora’s reflexes.

Cora finally flipped her friend to her back and pinned her there with one foot. “I surrender, Sox. You are the better fighter.”

Sox growled. “Traditionally, the winner does not surrender.”

“I am a big fan of breaking tradition. Now, get up and get a shower. You stink.”

Cora pulled Sox to her feet and applause surrounded them. “Oh, dear.” Cora winced.

“You didn’t notice the audience?”

“I didn’t notice a lot of things, and Lero already scrubbed out the sweat and grass stains, so I am good.” Cora smiled brightly.

Sox grumbled, “There was no grass and sweat. I didn’t manage one flip.”

“Well, I am part planet now, unfortunately I think it is my ass.” Cora started walking toward the residence, and the crowd dispersed. “That reminds me. When are you and Borik going to take the next step?”

“Mating night. He’s old fashioned.” Sox smiled. “I believe it is scheduled for next week.”

“They are serious about keeping your mouth shut. Just a head’s up on that one.” Cora snorted.

“I have seen the masks. I did my research. They are a little more intense than a Nyal mating mask, but not too bad.”

Cora snorted. “You have always been more adventurous than I have, having you at my side means more than you know.”

“Whoa, why so serious all of a sudden? You are never this serious unless you are flying and about to throw up.”

“Lero has been showing me things. Thousands of years of Avatars, all working to improve his world, all outliving those that they love.” Cora paused at the entrance to the Avatar’s chambers. “It’s a sobering realization. Unless I really, really screw up, I am in this for aeons.”

Sox paused, “And I am not. Don’t worry about it. I intend to live my life, love, laugh and enjoy every moment I can with you, the moments without you should be even more fun.” She waggled her brows suggestively.

Cora laughed. “Fine. Go take your shower. I wasn’t kidding when I said that you stink. My delicate sensibilities can’t stand it.”

Sox chuckled and wandered down the hall to the room that had been set aside for her.

Cora watched her until Sox was out of her view, and then, she grabbed the staff and went for a walk.

Relak was at a prefect meeting in Ix. A gathering had been called to welcome him back. Cora had declined to attend in light of the incoming Vahsh armada.

Images were coming to her through the beacons. It seemed that the Vahsh had purchased every available junker and slapped weapons stations on them.

A broadcast was coming from the ships, and it made her smile.
This is the Vahsh armada. We claim the planet Lero and all its abandoned cities in the name of our world.

She did not have the ability to respond with a message without tipping off Relak or Sox, but she did what she could. With long strides, she reached the nearest vein of core stone and placed the end of the staff on it.

The stone glowed, the staff glowed and in distant orbit, the satellites sprang to life. She spread them out in a web, a grid work of power and defence. When the first Vahsh ship came into range, she carefully and deliberately took out their guns.

She repeated it, over and over. One by one, the Vahsh armada was disarmed, and one by one, they turned to flee for home.

Well done, Cora.

She didn’t whirl, but she felt Relak behind her.
Thank you, Relak. They have gone home for now.

His tone was sombre and he stepped close until he wrapped his arms around her.
You were missed in Ix.

She smiled and leaned back against him.
I can go now if you like.

The sun has set. It is time for your dinner.
It was so prosaic, she tried not to laugh.

I thought you didn’t like schedules.

Relak pressed a kiss to her ear.
I never said I didn’t like them just that I wasn’t used to them.

He rocked her gently from side to side, and she suddenly realized how tired she was.
I think dinner and then some sleep would be a good idea.

Why not a nap and a moonlight meal?

Lero has no moons.

I know, but it sounds nice from your memories, and I am sure that we can arrange a ball of core stone to hover in the air.

She laughed and turned in his arms. “I imagine that we could arrange that, but I am done with core stone for the night. I want rest, food and comfort, not necessarily in that order.”

“Can I start with comfort?” He slid his hands down her spine and cupped her ass, pulling her tight against him.

She grinned and kissed his chin, cheek and neck. “I think that is an excellent place to start. You look like you need comforting.”

He gave her a wary look. “I thought you needed comfort.”

She touched his mind with her own and smiled when Lero joined the mix. “I thought we could share.”

Relak laughed and caught her by surprise as he leapt into the air and they landed in the centre of the garden.

“I didn’t know you could do that?”

“Lero has an urge to keep us fit, with that comes the ability to manipulate his gravity, his atmosphere and his living creatures.”

“Oh. Goody. I can hardly wait.” She smiled as he put her down and they decorously walked to their quarters before rushing inside with her clothing flying every which way as she tried to be the first to get to the skin.

She turned and faced him wearing nothing but the cascade of her hair and the glow of Lero in her
eyes.

“Cora, you have the manipulation of Lero’s creatures down already.”

She swayed toward him. “Perhaps you should give me lessons on gravity.”

“Apparently, Lero has left that out of your education. I think it is an unforgivable lapse.” He touched her waist and lifted her so that they were at eye level.

Cora smiled and wrapped her arms and legs around him. Kissing him was easy, stopping was the awkward part.

Lero joined them together until the three blurred into one. Cora laughed inwardly as she realized that she didn’t need to stop. She had centuries with Relak and Lero looming before her and things were only going to improve. It may be awkward, embarrassing, and a teeny bit exhibitionistic, but she was going to make sure that Relak and Lero had the best companion that they could.

They had chosen her after all. It was her duty to make sure that they didn’t regret it.

Author’s Note

A little sleeping beauty, a little snow white and add a whacky Terran and you have Core.

Core began with a costume, and then, I had to write the story for the cover art. Some might think this is whacky, but it is my
process
. Martine Jardin makes me the cover art and I make the story to match. Sometimes, the tales are pretty but not inspiring, and I have to plough through.

Other times, the artwork blows me away and I have to struggle to catch up. I am not sure what happened in
Core
, but I enjoyed writing it.

Thanks for reading,

Viola Grace

[email protected]

About the Author

Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.