Merlicious 1 Read online

  When she realized he no longer walked beside her, she stopped and turned to find a troubled expression on his handsome face. His eyes had lost their twinkle and appeared dark with worry.

  "On Seamyst,” he said quietly, “we have no such laws. No one would pursue another if the other didn't want it. Apparently, our courting rituals are very different."

  Kass felt her eyebrows shoot close to her hairline as her eyes popped open wider in surprise. First he used the word mate and now this. “Courting!"

  "The male pursues aggressively, and the female responds in an equally aggressive but negative manner. It is a mating dance of charge and retreat, attack and defense, until the couple decides how the dance will end.” He bowed his head and stepped back, putting even more distance between them. “Earth women who live here or visit for extended periods know of our customs. I've never met a human woman who didn't ... but then I haven't encountered very many human women at all. I've never been attracted to one the way I am to you. I ask your forgiveness and hope you don't think too unkindly of me or my people because of my bad behavior. Good-day, Kass Martijn."

  He turned and walked away from her, his long strides eating up the corridor floor quickly.

  Kass took a step to go after him but stopped herself. That was what she wanted, wasn't it? For him to leave her alone? Then why did she suddenly feel abandoned and lost?

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  Chapter Three

  Kass found a seat in the corner of a little café and ordered breakfast. She pondered what Deverel told her while she ate. She'd had no idea of the Seamystian courtship ritual and all that it entailed. She now wished she had studied Seamystian customs before coming here, but time had been of the essence.

  Now that she knew Deverel wasn't a jerk or a stalker, she wanted to see him again. Perhaps if copying the research files didn't take as long as she feared it would, she'd try to locate him. The attendant at the archives could probably help her ... if the old Aquinian didn't find her questions about Deverel too suspicious.

  After paying for her meal, she made her way to a trans-chute and traveled to the archive center. The same attendant was on duty and told her the computer wouldn't be ready until midday. She could check back then.

  With a few hours to kill, Kass decided to return to her suite and nap. With the delay, she'd probably be copying files all night long. Her starflight was scheduled to leave first thing in the morning. She had already managed to squeeze in some sight-seeing because of the Archive Council's delays.

  The first day, she'd taken a tour of Aquinia deep inside the mountain. The cavernous belly of the mountain resembled a gargantuan sparkling sapphire and reflected in the sea that flowed through the middle of the underground city. In the center, a magnificent waterfall cascaded over the blue rocks to replenish the sea. The tour guide informed the group that the scene was typical of each mountain-city on Seamyst, except the jewel-tones of the rock were different colors—such as emerald green, garnet red, or topaz yellow.

  The day before, she swam in the sea, guided by a bonded pair of males—a Uni and a Bi—who overcame their racial and political differences to fall in love and mate for life. The stunning pair, both with flowing pale green hair and peridot-colored eyes, had shown her an underwater Uni village not far off the coast of Aquinia. With houses made of coral and seashells, the village seemed to be a magical place out of a fairytale.

  Now, she needed a nap. She packed up all her belongings except for a fresh change of clothing for the trip home, set the alarm for noon, then stretched out across the uncomfortably lumpy bed.

  She had trouble falling asleep at first. Thoughts of Deverel wouldn't let her mind settle. She probably wouldn't have time to find him to apologize and accept his apology. If she didn't have time to talk to him, she'd write him a note before she left in the morning. The decision calmed her mind, and she was able to sleep.

  The sound of a bell awakened her, but it wasn't the alarm. Her door chime rang again. She scrambled from the bed and hurried into the sitting room. Maybe the computer had been fixed earlier than expected and they'd sent her a message.

  She opened the door to find a Seamystian Bi-Fin wearing a courier uniform. He carried an aquarium vase and two bow-topped boxes and handed her an envelope. She showed him in where he set the vase and boxes on the service table in front of the sofa. She reached into her pocket for a tip—even aliens expected gratuities—but the messenger waved it away.

  "It's taken care of, and I'm to wait for a reply,” he explained in English.

  Curious, Kass opened the envelope, pulled out the sheet of paper and read the handwritten script.

  Dear Kass Martijn,

  I hope these gifts will atone for my atrocious behavior. Please accept my invitation to share the midday meal with me so that I may apologize in person. If you choose to honor me with your presence, please meet me in the Seaquarium Room atrium at midday.

  Your humble servant, Deverel Yonar

  The note sounded sincere and it only took a few seconds to make the decision. She told the messenger her answer was yes then let him out.

  The delicately curved sealed aquarium vase was nearly a meter tall and filled with seawater. Inside, dozens of miniature red, pink and white sea roses floated around each other, constantly moving. She had seen sea roses in other similar vases while on Seamyst. The sea roses looked remarkably like Earth roses except the small blossom was the entire plant.

  Smiling at the beauty of the sea bouquet, she opened the larger box first. Inside, she found a layer of shell-shaped confections. Biting into one, she moaned as the chocolate-coated creamy center melted in her mouth. She'd never eaten anything this delicious on Earth. When she unwrapped and opened the smaller box, she stared at it for a while. Sea roses and candy were one thing, but a woman didn't accept jewelry from a male she hardly knew ... no matter how physically attracted to him she was.

  The beads in the set of necklace, bracelet, and earrings were hand-carved from coral in the shape of the sea roses, the colors swirling from pale red to pink to white, matching the colors of her sea bouquet. She went to stand in front of the mirror hanging on the wall beside the door and put them on. They were beautiful, and Kass hated having to return them.

  After putting them back in the box and snapping it shut, she retrieved a white sundress and matching sandals from her luggage. She sighed. The jewelry would look gorgeous with the dress because the plain white would emphasize the colors in the coral.

  By the time she brushed out her long hair, twirled it on the back of her head and pinned it in place, it was time to meet Deverel. She grabbed the box and left her suite.

  The atrium of the Seaquarium Room was beginning to fill up with people waiting to be seated. By the look of the long line, they'd have at least an hour's wait. She didn't have time for it because she had to return to the archive center and copy those files.

  Kass had just about decided to leave Deverel a note when she caught sight of him across the room. He stood a little taller than anyone else, even most other Seamystians. She waited for him to come to her.

  He kept a respectable distance from her, but his aquamarine eyes sparkled with sexual interest. “Thank you for accepting my invitation."

  "You're welcome. I wanted to let you know in person that I accept your apology.” She glanced at the long line. “But could we find somewhere else to eat? The archive computer is supposed to be ready soon, and I have a lot of research to do before I leave in the morning."

  "We won't be going to the Seaquarium Room.” Deverel held out his arm to her. “There's a private area below where we'll be dining."

  Without hesitation, Kass took his arm. “Lead the way."

  She allowed him to take her through the growing crowd to a trans-chute marked Private in the corner of the atrium. They traveled down at least a dozen levels before the chute doors opened and they disembarked.

  The corridor here was hewn smooth from the rock deep under the mountain.r />
  "I visited Earth briefly several years ago, but I wasn't there long enough to learn all your customs,” he said as they walked side by side. “I do apologize for what seemed to you like an assault."

  "Now that I understand, don't worry about it,” Kass said. “It was just a miscommunication between alien species."

  He looked down at the box she held. “Did you not like my gift?"

  "Oh, no, it's not that. The jewelry is gorgeous, but I can't accept it. The vase of sea roses is beautiful and the candy is delicious and I thank you for them, but I never accept jewelry from men I hardly know."

  "Ah, perhaps after today we will know each other better."

  She didn't know if he meant what she thought he meant, but they had reached a door before she had a chance to ask. He used his key ring—a band on his right hand—to unlock it then ushered her in.

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  Chapter Four

  The foyer was a small room with an arched alcove to the right acting as the service room for coats, hats and the like. Soft aqua light illuminated a set of stairs leading up directly in front of them. Kass didn't have time to make note of anything else in the room because Deverel took her hand and began leading her up the steps.

  At the top, he backed away, watching her closely, as if to gauge her reaction. “Welcome to my home."

  After a moment of disorientation, Kass’ senses adjusted, and she gasped. The room was huge, a transparent bubble-dome over an equally see-through floor. The calming aquamarine water of the ocean surrounded them, and sea life—schools of darting fish and squid-like creatures—swam and drifted by. Beds of red, pink, white, orange, yellow, green, and indigo sea roses clung to the dome in small patches, accentuating rather than obscuring the view.

  Kass felt as if she had come home. To be able to live like this would be a dream come true for her ... the sea, always the sea, overhead, underfoot, and all around.

  "Wow, this is...” Words failed her, so she stepped farther into the room and let the sea completely surround her.

  Deverel came to stand by her side. “This is the living area. There are similar but smaller areas for kitchen, bedrooms, bath, and other rooms."

  "It's...” Kass laughed. “I don't have the words to describe how beautiful it is."

  "Thank you.” Deverel took her hand again and led her to the seating area.

  Kass held onto him tightly, feeling as if she would sink away into the water below with every step.

  "You get used to it,” Deverel commented and let go of her when she sat on the long, comfortable, low-backed sofa.

  "I think I could get used to it. Easily. I love the water, which is why I became a marine botanist.” When she leaned back, the sofa automatically adjusted to her comfort level. With the sea above and below and thoughts of the hours ahead she'd have to spend at a computer, she'd have no problem taking a nap either.

  "I'm glad you love the water,” Deverel said and sat down in an armchair that matched the sofa.

  Kass sat up straight. “If we can see out, then anybody swimming by can see in. I'm not sure I like the lack of privacy."

  Deverel laughed and shook his head. “The dome and floor are made of a special material that allows us to see out but no one can see in."

  "That's a relief.” Kass leaned back again and that's when she saw the pool in the center of the room. The opening in the floor was randomly curved to simulate a natural pool shape instead of manmade. “Oh, how wonderful. You can swim whenever you like."

  "I was hoping we could go swimming later, after we've eaten."

  Kass looked at the pool longingly. “I would love to, but the archive computer is supposed to be ready now. I'll be copying files the rest of the day and most of the night. I'm sorry."

  Deverel smiled at her frown. “I have a surprise for you."

  "You shouldn't have. The bouquet and candy was more than enough. I can't accept the jewelry."

  "You'll accept this one.” Deverel stood and walked to the service table. He opened a small side drawer, withdrew an item, and presented it to her.

  "A data-cube?"

  "I had tech support run your keywords, in English and Seamystian, through every system we have, no matter how obscure. They copied every file that even mentioned a word once—some translated into Earth English, but most not. They put them all on this data-cube.” He handed her a polyslip, too. “This is the code to access a universal backup copy of the files in case something happens to the cube."

  If he ran all her keywords and copied all the related files she'd been looking over, her team back home would now have everything they needed to probably complete their research project. This was just too good to be true, and she didn't have to wait in that stuffy computer room again!

  "Oh, Deverel, how can I ever thank you?” Impulsively, Kass stood and threw her arms around him. She meant to give him a light kiss, but when her lips met his, everything in her seemed to catch fire and go off like fireworks.

  His arms went around her, holding her close, and his mouth pressed harder to hers. Their tongues touched tentatively at first then more boldly. He tasted like the sea—fresh with a touch of salt tang. She had lived near the ocean her entire life, and the familiarity of his taste and scent drew her in more deeply.

  The kiss lasted longer than she'd planned, but not as long as she wished. When they parted, she was breathless ... and wanting so much more. With her work done, she now had the luxury of entertaining thoughts of bedding Deverel.

  He placed one extra kiss on the side of her mouth and let her go.

  "You just did,” he murmured.

  She blinked at him. “What?"

  "You asked how you could ever thank me."

  "Right."

  "I'd do a lot more to be thanked like that again."

  Kass smiled. “And I'd thank you in a better way for a lot less."

  He laughed at her flirtatious remark, but didn't move to take her in his arms again. Disappointed, she set the data-cube on the service table.

  Deverel retrieved the jewelry box and opened it. “I hope you'll wear them while we dine. I want to see how they look on you—at least once."

  Kass agreed. After what he'd done for her by having the research files copied, she supposed it wouldn't hurt to wear the jewelry for him while eating their meal. She removed the simple gold studs from her earlobes and inserted the thin wires. The dangling strands of tiny coral sea roses felt heavy momentarily, but she soon grew used to them.

  Deverel fastened the bracelet around her wrist, and then moved behind her. He dropped the necklace in place, secured it, and planted a kiss in the curve between her neck and shoulder. A shiver raced through her, intensifying her physical awareness of Deverel as a desirable male.

  He walked around her, and his eyes turned smoky as he gazed into hers. “You're beautiful with or without accessories, Kass.” He offered his arm. “Are you hungry? Our meal is in warming dishes on the table."

  Kass nodded ... but she was hungry for something other than food. She behaved herself, though, and took his arm. He released her, only to seat her at the table in the dining area next to the bubble wall opposite the entrance. She hadn't noticed it before. There had been too much to take in all at once.

  She watched Deverel uncover the dishes and listened as he told her what he was serving.

  "Seamystian caviar and seaweed crackers, local fish marinated in citrus juice, sea rosettes and other local vegetables tossed with seaweed pasta in a light vinaigrette, and Aquinian white wine. For dessert, we'll have sweet mountain berry sorbet."

  "It all sounds delicious,” Kass commented as he placed fish and salad on her plate.

  After he'd served himself, he poured a little wine in his own glass, tasted it, then filled hers and finished filling his.

  Kass had never eaten Earth caviar before, but she spooned some of the deep purple eggs on a crisp cracker and took a bite. She didn't find it disagreeable, but the fish and sea salad were delicious
, the baby sea rosettes especially tasty. The wine was sweet, sharp, and cold.

  "What kind of work do you do?” Deverel asked.

  "I'm a marine botanist with a research team in the marine branch of SEA,” she explained between bites of fish and salad.

  "Sea?"

  "The Space Exploration Agency—S.E.A. We just call it SEA."

  "Tech support said you seemed to be researching some kind of algae disease from what they could discern by the keywords you'd used on the computer. Any thing related to those words are on the data cube."

  Kass frowned. “I'm sorry. After all your help, I wish I could tell you, but I'm not at liberty to say. I do appreciate all you did though."

  He waved her apology away. “It's not important. I wouldn't expect you to break a confidence, but your work sounds fascinating. We'll talk about something else. Did you have a chance to do any sightseeing?"

  "Oh, yes.” Kass laughed. Now that she had the information she needed, she could make light of her efforts to obtain it “The Archive Council took their time granting access to the older archives, so I explored Aquinia and took a tour of one of the underwater villages."

  "Sounds like you've had a good taste of our world then.” Deverel opened a small freezer chest and brought out two dishes of sea-blue sorbet. He set one in front of her.

  "Yes, I did. It's lovely here. I'm already planning to return one day—on vacation, not work—and do nothing except explore and swim.” She took a bite of the frozen dessert and let the ice melt on her tongue. It was the perfect balance between sweet and berry, the flavor something like raspberry but not as tart.

  When they'd finished, Deverel escorted her to the seating area again. From the second tier of the service table, he brought out a tray which held a carafe, two cups, and a beautifully carved wooden square container, that looked like an old Earth cigar box. He poured a dark, steamy liquid into the cups and handed her one. “Seamystian coffee, from the mountain island of Marinia, our closest neighbor to what you would call the east. Aquinian coffee is very good, but Marinian coffee is superb."