Chapter 4

Charles gazed into the fire as he stroked the soft skin of the foal that was resting at his side. Occasionally he glanced down at the small creature. Across the fire, Kat was curled up with a blanket and in a deep slumber. The shadows under her eyes told their own story. She had fought quite the battle as she helped the zephti make it's entrance into the world. The foal made a questioning sound as it looked at Kat.

"Relax, she is just sleeping," he reassured the colt. Since his people settled in the desert, the zephti had been a mystery. The scientists were still trying to figure out why zephti young bonded with Aresericans. It had simply been the way of it. He had assumed that the foal would bond with him but to his surprise the colt had chosen to bond with Kat. It was the first time that he had ever seen it happen. Even when Earthlings were present the zephti always chose the Areserican. Maybe the colt recognized her as the one that had helped him into the world.

He watched in amusement as the colt left his side and stumbled on it's shaky legs to Kat's side. It's mother lifted her head and watched as the baby plopped down next to Kat. Charles couldn't help but chuckle when it lipped at a strand of her hair. Kat mumbled in her sleep and turned towards the colt.

He wished that she was different... that she was as lacking power as he was. Today he had seen that she had a backbone of steel that was tempered with compassion. If he were looking for a queen to rule at his side, she would be a very good candidate. If she were powerless, he wouldn't resist the desire to make her his queen and mate.

Kat found herself lying in a room that she had never been in before. Looking around she noticed the plush surroundings. Even the lush carpeting on the floor cried out sensuality. She rubbed her hand over the covering on the bed. It wasn't soft like she had expected. Instead it felt kind of 'nubby' like one of her grandmother's afgans.

Where am I?

When she heard a shower shut off, she turned towards the sound. After a few minutes of silence, the adjoining bathroom door opened and out stepped Charlie. He wore a towel wrapped around his waist and was drying his hair with the other one.

Because you have spoken? she teased.

No. Because I am the ruler of Areseric and these are the royal chambers.

So I've been told. Does being the king give you any "privileges"?

But of course!

What would they be... these privileges? She leaned back further on his bed as he crawled into the bed with her.

You... He covered her body with his. As his head dipped in, he gave her plenty of time to stop him before capturing her lips with his. First he toyed with them, urging them apart with his. When she did, he ran his tongue over their inner surface before slowly tangling his tongue with hers. He growled when she wrapped her arms around his neck.

When Kat moaned, Charles looked at her in concern. When she moaned again, he rolled to his feet and hurried to her side. Was she sick? It was the last thing that he needed. He reached out to touch her, when she mumbled his name. He paused. What was she dreaming about? Dare he touch her? He frowned. When he had touched his wife in the same situtation, he had been drawn into her dream. Yes, she was a healer but she wasn't a witch like Deanna had been. He should be safe.

Reaching out he slowly brushed the side of her face. He inhaled sharply when he felt the tug of power on him before he was swept into the dream world. He now knew that he hadn't been safe at all.

Kat moaned happily as she clung to Charlie's neck. Goosebumps had followed his lips as he had worked his way down her neck. She was surprised when she felt an uneasy tension fill him. He lifted his head and Kat could see the confusion and lust warring in his eyes. What was going on? Did he or did he not want to make love with her?

Charlie?

Ah, hell. He leaned forward and rested his head against hers. She could feel the tremors shake him as he fought with the desire to make love to her. What kind of dream was this? she wondered. She wanted him but it seemed like even in here he was destined to resist her.

I can't do this...

Why?

Because I can't. He lifted his head and stared down into her eyes. I wish I could, Katrina. It would be so easy to give in.

Kat stared at him sadly. She could feel empathy for him. She, too, was estranged from her own mother. Whatever demons were chasing him, she knew that it would be a long hard battle to banish them. Maybe being aggressive wasn't the key to this special situation.

Well, what can I say? I see you watching me with those silver eyes and can't help but want to jump your sexy bones. Kat toyed with a strand of his hair before tugging on it lightly.

So no more throwing yourself at me. We will finish this trip as friends not lovers?

As much as it pains me, yes. The only thing I ask is before you drop me like a hot potato, I want you to kiss me just once of your own free will.

You just have to push don't you? he growled as he rolled off of her.

Kat stared at his body as he bent to retrieve the towel that had ended up on the floor. She sighed as he wrapped it around his waist.

Push? If that is what you want to call it. I can't help that I want you. If you won't let me have you at least let me have a memory.

Charles stood there for a moment. It didn't seem like he was even breathing. Then he sighed and turned back to her.

One kiss, Katrina. One for your memory. Then he turned and strode back to the bathroom.

Mr Ulrich sat behind his desk and reviewed the file in front of him. The presistant buzzing at his wrist reminding him that his wife was waiting patiently at home for him. She was an understanding woman but the understanding only went so far. Glancing at the watch, he sighed and closed the file in front of him. He had to go now or he'd be sleeping on the couch for sure. Placing the file back in his in box, he straightened his desk as his habit before standing up. As he prepared to lock up, he was surprised when a man entered the room.

"Oh, you startled me. Son, if you are looking for testing you need to come back tomorrow. We're closing for the evening." Mr Ulrich stepped back a step as the man walked into the light. There was something familiar about him. Where had he seen this person before. As recognition dawned on him, he panicked.

"You're dead!"

"No." the man said softly. "My brother is dead... but not me. Where are they?"

"Who?" Mr. Ulrich gasped as the man backed him against the filing cabinet.

"The little healer from Earth and that son of bitch that she's with. Where did they go?"

"Katrina and Charles?"

"I see that the light has finally dawned. Where are they?" He shoved the man against the cabinet hard enough to make it rattle.

"They are gone."

"You test my patience, Mr Ulrich. I know they have left. I want to know where they are going!" the man hissed before reaching behind him and pulling a blade out of his back pocket.

"What are you planning on doing with that!"

"Tell me what I want to know, or I'll leave a pretty little souvenir for you wife to fret over."

"They are headed back to Charles' home." Mr Ulrich said weakly as he felt the burn of the knifepoint being dragged across his cheek.

"Now, was that so hard?" the man crooned before stepping back from him. Reaching out, he brushed off Mr. Ulrich and straightened his jacket. Then as quietly and elusively as he appeared he was gone, leaving Mr. Ulrich to dab at the blood that was slowly seeping down his cheek.

"What have I done?" he whispered.

The man approached the proprietor that had rented to Charles and Kat. He smiled faintly as he took in the man's nervous glances. He did look remarkably like his twin brother. It was so easy to slip into his shoes. As a result many doors had opened just with a cool glance and a raise of his eyebrow. His brother's reputation had stood him good use.