Afterglow
Stein Willard © 2013
Disclaimer
The characters in the story are a product of my own imagination and hopefully have no resemblance to any living persons. But if it does it is entirely coincidental. Some of the places mentioned are either fictitious and or adapted to suit the plot of the story.
Sex: This story contains sexual content of a graphic nature between consenting adult women, thus if you are not 18 years old and not allowed to read content of this nature, please move on to other suitable stories.
A special mention to my beta, J. Falconer, for straightening out this piece.
Archiving: This work is copy written and should not be posted anywhere else without the writer’s expressed permission.
Feedback: Constructive criticism is appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com or sent me a friend request on Facebook.
_____________________________________________________________________
PART 10
Hem would never be able to explain how she felt as she entered the crowded arena with Palmer’s small hand in hers. Over the centuries she had presided over many of these ceremonies. She’d stood tall and strong, every bit the powerful leader of her Race. Each time she stood alone. After the first few times, she’d rudely pushed the yearning and loneliness away and convinced herself that she had more than any other Pharmac in attendance. As she’d blessed young and loving unions, she’d told herself that even without those distractions in her life, she still had more than any of them. She was born to be great, born to rule, born to be powerful.
How wrong she’d been?
Today she knew exactly what those women felt and she knew now how much more fortunate they were. With the small hand clutched tightly in hers, Hem felt a power surge like nothing before. She was chosen by the most magnificent woman alive to be a loving partner and parent. Her eyes scanned the Principal’s booth and fell on her other two blonde angels. She felt fulfilled to be chosen by another being to be a protector and lover. Unconsciously, her grip tightened around Palmer’s hand.
“Are you okay?” came the soft query.
Hem didn’t dare look at Palmer at that moment, because she knew she would be unable to hold her emotions in check. Instead she nodded curtly and squeezed Palmer’s hand again.
“You are by my side. That is more than enough for me,” she replied softly.
“For me too.”
Hem chanced a look at Palmer and found the blue eyes swimming in tears. She swallowed hard and looked away. If she wasn’t careful she would be the first Principal in a line of powerful leaders to break down before her subjects and grovel at the feet of a lover.
They reached the small steel podium set in the middle of the huge arena and Hem gallantly helped Palmer up the stairs. Palmer, ever the diplomat, quietly stood to the side. With the podium situated so she could have a panoramic view of the stands, Hem held up her hands. The droning of voices died down immediately. Hem’s eyes scanned over the stands. They were filled to capacity. A small smile formed on her lips. Word had spread quickly that the Principal had taken a mate. Another draw was that the hybrid daughter of the Principal would be participating in the gruelling Yram ritual. Hem found gossiping to be not only beneath her but also a completely fruitless endeavour. But she could understand the curiosity of her subjects and their desire for a glimpse behind the private veil of her life.
“I welcome you all tonight to celebrate something so common to us that we sometimes forget to appreciate it. As Pharmacs, life is a gift we have been blessed with in abundance. Our lives are long and rewarding. We seldom stand over the remains of a fallen sister, and we do not know disease and its devastation as other worlds and their inhabitants do.” She threw her hands wide. “We are indeed fortunate and tonight we want to recognize our Moon and Fertility Being, Mistral. We owe our lives, our loves and our futures to her.”
There was movement in the stands and couples cradling infants - and some holding the hands of teenagers - slowly floated from the stands to land before the podium. Hem’s eyes swung to the glass covered booth. Kalt and Elyst were already floating toward the podium. From behind her she could hear the footsteps of the initiates as they too came to join the blessing ceremony. Hem turned her head to meet Palmer’s eyes. Holding out her hand, Hem felt her heart skip a beat when Palmer took it in a tight grip. Palmer winked at her and Hem smiled warmly. Together they took the step leading down the side of the podium to join their daughters.
***********************
Palmer felt hundreds of pairs of eyes on her as she walked next to Hem. She threw a look at Hem and smiled at the regal bearing of the woman as she led the way. She still felt like pinching herself. In fact she’d had the urge to do so quite a lot of times during the course of the day. She was in love with the most powerful woman in the universe and she was loved by her.
“I love you, Hem,” she whispered. The dark head swung her way and Palmer shivered at the look in Hem’s eyes. Love, desire and panic warred for supremacy in those fascinating black and gold eyes. They finally settled into a look of infinite tenderness.
Hem’s lips parted, but before she could say anything, the girls were upon them. Palmer rubbed her thumb over Hem’s hand.
“Palmer,” Hem croaked in a voice filled with so much emotion.
“Hush,” Palmer whisper. “Later.”
The girls’ eyes swept between the two of them only to settle on Hem with burning intensity. Palmer remembered their first night here, how in tune the girls were to their mother’s emotions when an upset Hem had left the dining hall. It seemed to be case again. Hem gave them a reassuring smile and Palmer saw them visibly relax. Next they formed a half circle around them. Palmer had to tip her head back to look at her family. Her eyes began to burn as her throat constricted with emotion. My family. She had her own family. Her eyes swept over each of the faces looking down at her. They were all so beautiful. She pressed closer to Hem and felt the Pharmac pull her even closer.
A dead silence fell over the arena. It struck Palmer suddenly. Who would lead the ceremony if Hem was down here? She raised her eyes to podium and blinked when she met a pair of intense gold and black eyes. She quickly glanced at Hem and back at the podium. Hem must’ve picked up on her confusion because she leaned closer.
“That is Klotso. She’s a former Principal. I’ve asked her to oversee the ceremony for tonight,” Hem explained quickly.
Palmer studied the woman closely. Just like Hem she was a magnificent specimen, tall and powerfully built. It was also evident that to be a Pharmac Principal you had to be born with a pair of peculiar gold and black eyes. Obviously good looks also played a role for the former Pharmac leader was incredibly beautiful. Not that she’d seen an unattractive Pharmac since her arrival.
Klotso motioned for Hem to approach the podium. Hem placed her hand on Palmer’s lower back and steered her toward the Pharmac who was coming down the steps to meet them. Being this close to Klotso, Palmer was almost overwhelmed by the power and sheer magnificence of the woman. Was this what other people felt when in the presence of Hem? She’d met Hem before not knowing who and what she was, so she never felt this omnipotence of Hem.
Klotso’s gaze fell on her and lingered. An unexpected smile lit up the woman’s face as she reached out and touched Palmer’s hair.
“At the risk of incurring the wrath of my Supreme leader, I have to say that you are as beautiful as it is rumoured.” Her gaze moved beyond her and Palmer felt her daughters pressing close. A large hand fell on her shoulder and without looking she knew it was Nael. “The girls are lucky to have inherited your looks, Captain.”
Hem cleared her throat and Klotso flashed a mischievous grin at Hem. “I believe congratulations are in order, milady.” Klotso spread her arms wide and muttered in a foreign language before she stepped away from them. Her face was set in concentration. “She, who reigns over us, bestows on you her everlasting promise of prosperity and happiness.”
Around her Palmer saw Hem and girls bow deeply and she followed their example. Klotso gave her curt nod before Hem steered her away. Behind them another couple stepped up toward the podium. Hem squeezed her hand to draw her attention.
“I will find you as soon as I’m done here.”
Palmer nodded, but didn’t let go of Hem’s hand. Hem’s eyebrow lifted in question.
“I…I was wondering…” she faltered and threw a quick glance at the girls who were watching them intently.
“Yes, dura?” Hem probed softly.
Blushing Palmer let go of Hem’s hand. “Nothing. I will see...”
“Kiss her,” the girls said in unison and Palmer blushed even deeper. Since when had she become so transparent to her daughters? But they were spot on. She’s been aching to kiss Hem since morning.
“Oh,” Hem said as a sheepish look came over her face.
“You don’t have to, Hem. I will…”
“Kiss her,” Nael growled.
Palmer looked around to find that they had the attention of everyone in the arena. Even Klotso had stopped her activity and was watching them. Palmer quickly turned her gaze on Hem.
“I’m sorry. I know there are certain protocols to adhere to and I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
Hem shrugged nonchalantly, but her eyes were warm with affection. “There are protocols to adhere to for someone in my position, but then there are also some I have to adhere to as a mother and a partner.” She leaned closer and took Palmer’s lips in a breath-taking kiss.
Palmer didn’t know how long the kiss lasted, but when it ended she had her arms around Hem’s neck. Hem smiled into her eyes.
“There are more protocols I have to adhere to later…” The golden flames in Hem’s eyes flared. “…after the ceremony.”
A warm tingle raced down Palmer’s spine at the promise in Hem’s voice. Numbed after the spectacular kiss, Palmer could only nod. She braved a quick look around her and blinked at the thunderous applause that greeted her. Blushing furiously, she stepped away from Hem and into Kalt’s arms. Hem nodded at her and walked away to join Klotso. Palmer was still watching Hem walking away when Kalt swung her up in her arms and they began to levitate. She hastily threw her arms around Kalt’s neck as they floated over to the glass covered booth.
Taffy and her mother approached her when Kalt gently placed her on her feet. Taffy grinned wildly.
“That was some kiss, Sis. I swear everyone in the arena stopped breathing,” Taffy said as she pulled Palmer into a hug. With her lips closer to Palmer’s ear she sighed dramatically. “And Hem looks absolutely delicious in that cat suit. You’ll be kept busy later tonight.”
When they pulled out of the hug, Palmer just couldn’t for the life of her look Taffy in the eye. Instead she met her mother’s eyes. Sandra gave her a teasing smile.
“You’re Pharmac property now, my girl. Hem made sure that everyone on this planet and the next know that you belong to her.” A sly smile followed which made Palmer press her hands to her burning cheeks.
She caught sight of Mara and shook her head. She would never be taken seriously again once she returned to Terran - her Ice Queen persona had been shattered beyond repair.
***********************
Hem functioned on autopilot as she joined Klotso with the blessing ceremony. She was almost relieved when the last couple stepped away. She turned to Klotso and found her predecessor looking at her with a knowing smile.
“You are challenging the norm, old friend. But then I didn’t expect anything different from you. You are after all the one destined to take the Race into a new era.”
Hem rolled her eyes. “Those were the mad ramblings of a nine thousand year old woman.”
“Who happens to be the first Seer of our Race,” Klotso said quietly. She arched a brow. “She is very beautiful. I must compliment you again on your taste and add that she’s really good for you. The people see you as one of them now.”
Hem stole a glance at where Palmer sat, flanked by her Kalt and Elyst. They were also looking at her and Hem had to curb the urge to wave at them. Kissing Palmer in plain view of her subjects was one thing; waving at her like a love-sick youngling could come across as a little desperate. Not that it change anything. She was desperate. Her hand lifted and waved as though it had a mind of its own. Her heart almost exploded in her chest when Palmer surged out of her chair to wave back.
“Believe me when I say that people will talk about this for centuries to come,” Klotso said teasingly.
Hem turned to her with a wide grin. “Let them talk, my friend. It’ll help me never to forget this day either.”
“Well said, milady.”
A soft clearing of a throat made them both turn to find Reffe standing there, while at the same time trying to appear invisible. Hem chuckled at the woman’s obvious discomfort. At least her juvenile, albeit necessary, behaviour hadn’t completely destroyed her reputation.
“Shall we?” she asked Klotso and together they ascended the podium. The arena turned deathly quiet as Hem came to stand in the centre of the podium.
“To enjoy the love and live we so richly received, it has become our divine duty to use our abilities to the benefit of those less fortunate. Today we will witness the introduction of a new wave of young Pharmacs to swell the ranks of our warriors.”
Hem stepped back and a tall, muscled Pharmac joined her. She gave the woman a curt nod to proceed. Henna was the Commander of the Warriors’ Academy for the past thousand years and before that she had served as a Commander of the Eternal Force. If there was even a tiny drop of warrior blood running through anyone’s veins, Henna was sure to discover it and hone it. Hem watched as the initiates entered the arena again. For them to have reached this stage, it was evident that Henna had found great potential in these candidates. Her eyes fell on Nael and her heart swelled with pride. She looked every bit the great warrior she was destined to be…tall and focused. Scattered applause sounded and Hem’s eyes went to the glass booth. It took all her willpower not to smile when she saw the humans all standing, applauding enthusiastically. Her eyes swept the stands and she had to swallow back the laughter at the dumbfounded looks on the Pharmac faces.
Maybe Klotso was right. She was indeed challenging the norm. It was after all because of her that the humans were here, shocking the Race. Henna turned to her with a confused look on her face after witnessing the human’s spontaneous ovation.
“Please continue, Commander,” she said calmly. If only Henna knew how much it was taking her not to openly laugh at her. She felt eyes on her and turned her head to meet Klotso’s twinkling dark eyes.
************************
Palmer stood transfixed as her eyes followed the determined gait of her lastborn. Her life had changed so much in the space of two days. Everything was still a dream to her…one she wished never to wake up from.
“It’s a glorious feeling, isn’t it?”
She looked at her mother and took a deep breath. “No words can express how I feel right now, mother.”
Sandra smiled. “I’m a mother too, honey. No need to try and explain it to me.”
Her eyes returned to where Nael stood, tall and proud. “I only know them for two days and yet…yet it feels like I’ve been part of them forever.”
“You have been part of them all along,” Sandra said quietly. “All that was missing was you meeting them.”
Palmer pondered her mother’s words. For as long as she could remember her life had been a routine. She knew what was expected of her and performed her duty to the best of her ability every time, all the time. She had her life mapped out. She was to become a career soldier and once she didn’t have that anymore, she planned on taking up a teaching post at one of the many military academies. Even then, maybe subconsciously, she had been aware of the hole in her soul. Not knowing how and what it took to fill it, she had simply accepted it as part of life. Until two days ago.
There was an indescribable fullness within her. She felt whole. Could it be that even without her knowing about their existence, the girls had claimed a part of her soul? It sounded like crazy talk but how else could she describe this…this state of being? Palmer’s eyes sought out her two other daughters. Their attention was focused on what was happening down in the centre of the arena.
“You’re right, mother. They were always part of me,” she said softly, not taking her eyes off her girls. “They are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Sandra chuckled. “It doesn’t hurt that they come with a gorgeous mother too.”
Palmer grinned even as she felt a warm blush creeping up her neck, “No, mother, it doesn’t,” she replied truthfully.Her eyes were
She watched with open admiration as Hem strode over to where the initiates stood at attention, their proud parents lined up behind them. Her eyes quickly darted to Nael and she spun around to Kalt.
“I need to be down there.”
The girl nodded and swung Palmer into her arms. Closing her eyes, Palmer doubted she’d ever be comfortable with this mode of travel. She only opened her eyes again when she felt her feet touch the ground. Before she could thank Kalt, the girl was already airborne and halfway to the booth. Palmer looked around and grimaced slightly when she found herself the main focus of attention. Kalt had dumped her right in front of Hem who was blinking back at her in surprise.
“Over here, Mother,” Nael whispered and with an apologetic smile at Hem, Palmer rushed to where Nael stood and fell in behind her. She chanced a quick glance at the couple next to her and found them looking back at her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. One of the women gave her a warm smile which she returned graciously. Palmer saw one of the parents place a hand on their daughter’s shoulder. Considering Nael’s height, Palmer rested her hand on Nael’s hip instead. She smiled when Nael covertly leaned into the touch. My baby.
Hem suddenly loomed over them. The black and gold gaze took them both in as Hem muttered softly in a foreign language. Pride and love blazed in Hem’s gaze as her eyes lingered on Nael before she moved on to the next candidate.
After she had finished with the last of the candidates, Hem was joined by the woman who had taken over the proceedings from Hem to invite and introduce the initiates.
“Every year, thanks to the innovation of our scientists, the initiates are pitted against opponents of immense skill and vigour. Once they have passed this test, I, Commander Henna, assure you that no one will doubt the abilities of any of these candidates. As is the custom the first challenge will be met by our Esteemed Principal.”
Palmer shifted from behind Nael to follow Hem as she made her way to the centre of the arena, accompanied by thundering applause from her subjects. Hem threw her hands in the air and the cheering stop abruptly. Palmer was in awe of the powerful creature that commanded the crowd with sheer charisma and will. Hem slowly unsheathed her broadsword just as a side gate opened.
The earth shook under Palmer’s feet and the hair in her nape stood up immediately. A strangled gasp burst from her lips when the cause for the quaking came into view. Four enormous androids filed through the gate. They immediately broke formation to encircle Hem. Worried, Palmer threw a look at Hem. The Principal stood motionless, her head bent and the tip of her sword pointed at the ground. Her legs were slightly bent at the knees.
Palmer held her breath as she waited to see who would make the first move. Standing there, surrounded by the gleaming androids, Hem looked small, but not in the least bit intimidated.
**************
The arena was deathly quiet and Hem used that to her advantage. The machines were good fighters, but their size and weight was one of their biggest disadvantages. She could hear where they were. She had trained Nael to apply all her senses when engaging in battle and she hoped her daughter would quickly spot and exploit this advantage. With her eyes downcast, she kept her eyes on the feet of the nearest android, thus she knew exactly when they decided to attack. With its right foot pressing into the packed earth to gain traction, the machine attacked.
Hem’s head snapped just in time to dodge a blow to her head. The machines were quick. The other three tried to box her in while their cohort attacked. But Hem had other plans. They were fast but she was faster. Using her speed, she evaded the powerful strikes of the android. On its the next stroke, the machine overcompensated and was slightly off balance so Hem kicked at its knee. She smirked when her attacker went down to the loud cheering of the crowd.
Her blood was pumping faster now and with it her battlelust peaked. She tightened the grip on her sword and charged the machine closest to her. She dodged the swinging fist and, slipping her fingertips in the space between plates which divided its hip from its torso, hoisted herself up and threw her body weight behind the motion. She swung herself through the air and landed on the android’s shoulders. She tightened her legs around the thick steel neck as she dodged the blind groping of the machine. Spreading her hands wide, Hem brought them together on the sides of the machine’s head. She watched dispassionately as the machine’s head caved in, and quickly abandoned her high perch when the android began to stumble slightly. She landed a few feet away and watched with mute satisfaction as the android landed face first in the dirt. She made a quick head count…two and a half to go. The machine she had kicked in the knee was limping heavily, but could not be disregarded. She swung her sword around her head and adopted a battle stance. She would’ve preferred to wrap this up in five minutes, but the crowd came to see her in action and she hated to disappoint them.
She sincerely hoped the youngsters were all paying attention as she was giving them four sure fire ideas on how to eliminate the machines. Her eyes fell on the limping machine as her next target, but she quickly discarded the idea. She had other plans for it. Instead she turned to the other two. With a small grin she gestured for them to come get her.
*********************
Palmer let out a drawn-out breath. Her eyes were fixed on Hem as the Pharmac moved with deadly skill, dancing in and around the machines. First she’d feared a little for Hem’s wellbeing when the machines entered the arena, but now her sympathy rested with the androids. It was evident from her first attack that Hem was merely toying with her opponents. There were too many opportunities where Hem, with her superior skill, could’ve ended the fight.
She had cheered along with the crowd when Hem had downed the first android after smashing in its head in with her bare hands. Hem’s prowess was legendary. She had heard of Hem’s dexterity on the battlefield on her trips to the many star systems close to Terran. She especially remembered the visit to the Sulytus, a bipedal race who closely resembled the fabled Minotaur creature. Accompanied by her Security and Science Chief, they were all immediately struck by how subdued and almost terrified the population came across upon first contact. Fearing that they had imposed on a time of local significance for the Sulytus, Palmer had tendered her apologies to their leader during the welcoming feast. They were quickly reassured that they were not intruding in anyway and told of how Hem and a handful of her warriors had landed on the far northern part of the planet to extract a band of interplanetary pirates. At hearing Hem’s name, Palmer had quickly tried to switch the conversation to something less distracting, but a Sulytus warrior entered the hall and began regaling them with recounts of Hem’s skill and fearsome reputation. Palmer recalled listening quietly and at the same time trying to reconcile the deadly death dealer the warrior described with the gentle, witty woman she’d met on Pendulum.
Seeing Hem in action now, Palmer knew that none of the reports about Hem had been embellished. Every movement of Hem’s body spelled death and destruction. It was rather easy to fear the woman when one was unfortunate enough to catch her in throes of battlelust. She watched as Hem fell on one knee and thrust out her sword just as one of the machines happened upon her. Surging to her feet, the sword slashed upward. For a moment it was quiet as the machine stood motionless. Then it slowly split open.
Hem didn’t wait for the machine to crash to the ground, as the other was already bearing down on her. The other machine limped forward behind her. Although Palmer knew Hem was more than able to take care of herself, the thought of two giant war machines bearing down on her beloved was rather alarming. Palmer’s eyes widened further when Hem dropped her sword. Unarmed, she stood with her legs apart and her arms hanging at her sides. Her powerful shoulders were slumped almost as if…if she was conceding defeated. Then it struck Palmer and she smiled. Hem was playing the machines into believing that she was giving up.
**********************
Hem grinned when her ploy worked. The undamaged machine immediately raised his fist to deal the final blow. Using her speed, Hem invaded the machine’s space and grabbed hold of its arm as it swung. Using the machine’s momentum, she swung it off its feet and tossed it into its comrade. Both machines skidded over the packed earth until they came to a halt against the outer wall of the arena.
The crowd went wild when the machines tried to disentangle themselves from each other only to give up after a while and fall back. Hem bowed deeply and immediately turned to find Palmer. That last display of brute strength was all for show and to impress Palmer. Her heart sunk when instead of pride and awe, she found the blue eyes filled with alarm. She took a step towards Palmer but stopped herself in time when she heard the crowd cheer for another bow. With a forced smiled she bowed again, skilfully playing to the request of her subjects.
The cheering died down when Henna raised her fist and announced that the initiates would be the next to test their skill against the androids. Hem went to retrieve her sword. With a heavy heart she walked over to join Nael and Palmer while the damaged machines were removed from the arena. She avoided Palmer’s eyes as she came to stand before her daughter.
“A spectacular display, Mother,” Nael said with a huge grin and bowed deeply.
Hem grinned. “You can definitely do better.”
“I doubt it, but I’ll try,” Nael replied before she left to join the rest of the candidates in the centre of the arena. Hem watched Nael leave before she turned to Palmer. The blonde was a little pale, but she offered Hem a shaky smile.
“You are an exceptional warrior,” she said quietly.
“Do you fear me now, Dura?” Hem asked bluntly as she stared deep into Palmer’s eyes.
Palmer shook her head quickly. “No, I’m not afraid of you, Hem. Let’s talk about it later?”
Hem nodded. “Will you join me in the booth?”
“Yes.”
Still remembering the panicky look on Palmer’s face earlier and despite her assurances, Hem thought it would be safe not to assume anything with Palmer at the moment. “I will have to touch you now. Will it be okay?”
A flash of pain crossed over Palmer’s face. “Of course. Always.” Palmer hooked her arm around Hem’s neck, the look in her eyes were intense when she spoke again. “Please don’t ask me that again.”
Her mood slightly improved by Palmer’s words, Hem pulled Palmer closer to her body and took off. Hem made a mental note to discuss this sudden change in Palmer before they embarked on any other activities planned for the night. It was too close to Palmer’s departure for Terran for them to risk going through another misunderstanding.