Page 30 of The Space Traveller's Lover
As the sky darkens and the last feeble sun rays drown behind the horizon, Shaillah wonders about the destiny that awaits her. But surely, it’s impossible now to turn back—not that she wants to. Despite all herheartaches and misgivings, all she wants now is to be with Rothwen. She hardens up inside while coldly responding, “So do I.”
He pulls her away from the balcony, making her walk past the central hall and into another arched passage, eventually stopping in front of a curved silver-coloured door, its top panel decorated in distinctive crinkled pictographs.
“Now, you can use your unique brainwave frequency to open this door,” Rothwen tells her, his tone encouraging. “Concentrate and give it the command to open.”
Shaillah hesitates momentarily, altogether doubting herself. Then she tries it.
To her surprise, the graphics’ wavy lines start unravelling and reassembling into new shapes. She gleefully stares at the newly formed symbols, spelling her name in the Rom-Ghenshar language. Then the door slides open, silently and slowly, letting the bright lights from the inside flood the entrance.
“It takes practice, but you will soon learn how to use your brainwaves for everything,” Rothwen explains as they enter the brightly lit space.
A crystal–clear, azure swimming pool glistens at the centre of the room, extending up to the overhanging balcony at the end. On either side of the pool, stylish cream and gold sofas furnish the aisles, surrounded by ornate golden vases holding her favourite gem-studded blossoms from Zula-Or’s garden. “How beautiful!” She marvels. As they walk through the elegant decor, she admires the unique garments, colourful make-up sets, and precious jewellery showing through the glass doors and corner tables.
“This is your private smartroom, Shaillah, all decorated and stocked up by Zula for you. She wanted to spoil you.”
“For me?” she asks in complete awe.
“Your sleeping suite is at the back, by the balcony, overlooking your private lake. There’re plenty of refreshments and entertainment gadgets, all your favourites. And if you need anything else … think about it.”
“Why didn’t she tell me? I should’ve thanked her,” Shaillah laments, overwhelmed by so much extravagance.
“You’ll have plenty of time to thank Zula. But for now, find your way around, discover, enjoy.”
Shaillah looks up at the rows of elegant dresses gleaming through the transparent doors of the aisle-long walk-in wardrobe. She extends her hand to reach one. And as she does, the doors open. She takes one of the gold-embroidered tunics, rubbing her fingers on the silky fabric. She slides it over her body while excitedly checking herself in the free-standing tall oval mirrors.
Rothwen’s approving expression turns into an attentive frown as he receives a thought-message from Kuzhma-Or.
“Must leave now. I’ll be coming for you later tonight. We’ll be meeting Kuzhma-Or and Athguer in the flesh. Get ready,” he says in a hurry as he kisses her briefly on her lips.
Shaillah chews on her bottom lip as she watches Rothwen walk away. She relishes the taste of him in her mouth. It dawns on her that, for the first time since she entered this tantalising alien world, she is looking forward to the future and can’t wait until he gets back.
“This could be my downfall, but I’ve fallen for you … Rothwen!” she exclaims as a deep shiver runs down her spine. An intense yearning for him envelops her, she attempts to fight it off, but she can’t escape it, challenging her self-control. Then she realizes that she is revelling in her cravings. She runs while undressing and dives into the pool. Underwater, she imagines he is swiftly swimming towards her. She thinks she is dreaming while awake, feeling his arms wrapping around her body. She closes her eyes tightly, wishing she wouldn’t stop dreaming anytime soon.
CHAPTER 13
THE CONQUERORS
After every star system we conquer, there is
always another … and another.
Supreme Commander Kuzhma-Or is leaning over the central platform’s large golden balcony, casting his admiring gaze over the vast ocean. To his side, Rothwen seems to be wholly absorbed, looking up into the night sky.
As the packed starry heaven reflects over the darkened waters, it seems as though the entire visible universe has come to descend over one single place. Still, as if the beautiful, mesmerising spectacle was not enough, the resplendent reddened disc of a giant moon peeks out from the mercurial horizon, tinting the moving waters with a blood-lit spill.
Kuzhma-Or keeps immersing himself in the magnificent scenery, stirring up memories of his precious home planet. Only the sound of the pounding waves rippling on the gravelled shore below interrupts his thoughts. His piercing eyes dart from one star to another, sometimes resting on some of the distant worlds he has already conquered. He slowly nods, poised in self-assurance, inflating his chest as he breathes in the intensely mineral-charged air.
“Nowhere is more beautiful than our world. When we finish our next daring mission in Ankjeshur” (Omega Centauri), “the magnificent supercluster, we must return to our homeland on an extended visit. I must stop wanderingabout—”
“Stop? The great Kuzhma-Or stopping?” Rothwen bursts out in laughter.
Kuzhma-Or’s face toughens. He clutches and pulls on the balcony’s golden rails as if wanting to uproot it altogether.How could I be thinking about stopping?But his brief ill-temper soon dissipates, and he ends up joining Rothwen in his hilarious rapture, their bursts of laughter resonating throughout the vaulted archways.
“Ah, the Rom-Ghenshar spirit never rests!” Kuzhma-Or roars as he gives a final admiring glance towards the rising moon and starts walking away.
“Suan enjie” (Always victorious), Rothwen cheers, pushing hard on the guard rails with his knuckles before following Kuzhma-Or into the archway.
As they make their way into the UniverseScope’s long corridors, Kuzhma-Or shares his thoughts, opening up his broadcasting brain frequency:Can you remind me, Rothwen, why we left this planet until now? We know it will be effortless, and there are still vast reaches to claim.
