Defender: A Terran Times Tale Read Online Free Page A

they are compatible is short-sighted of you.” Scotia kept her gaze even, though her heart was pounding in her chest.
    “You are right, Scotia. It was not genes. For some reason, I was in the right spot to see you fall from the sky. I watched the Heshi fly to you and knew that if one of their kind broke protocol, what they saved had to be fantastic indeed. Battered and healing, you were a work of art, and all other females have been pushed from my thoughts.” His voice spoke volumes, and she licked her lips. “You are really set on this, aren’t you?” He nodded. “I am. What is your opinion on the matter?”
    As she stared at him, he stripped off the shirt he had been wearing, exposing a broad chest with sculpted muscle. She blushed as his hands went to his trousers and he suddenly sat in a chair and removed his boots.
    “I don’t understand how they can wear this all the time, though it does keep out sand.” She chuckled and swallowed it in the same breath. He stood and resumed removing his trousers. She watched out of the corner of her eye, and her mouth watered as he was completely without one strand of fabric to mar the view of the onyx god standing near her.

Chapter Five
    H er heart resumed normal beating when he wrapped his hips with a short sarong that cut off the fascinating view.
    She cleared her throat. “Well, these clothes are far more comfortable if less concealing than the ones from Teyli.”
    Scotia turned back to the balcony and looked out at the landscape. “Where is your village?”
    “A short distance away. This house has never been seen by anyone outside the family, so in the Ikanni way, no one can transport here.” He joined her at the railing. “We learn how to get around by having someone take us to a new location, someone who has been there before. The Baels are taken from village to village when they are children so that they have a complete grasp of the locations of other population points.”
    “For the purpose of stealing women?” The sun was beginning to tint with a red glow.
    Alder laughed. “Or trading. We do not have sinister intent. Surprisingly, we are a fairly social people.”
    “So, this particular spot…”
    “Is only used by my family for holidays. Our talent is rather peculiar, and it requires some time away from others.”
    She turned and leaned back against the railing on her elbows. “What does your talent entail?”
    “Some Baels have an affinity for the people, some the land. I have it for the ocean. The water beats in my blood, and I need to be near it.” He braced his hands next to hers on the rail and stared out into the ocean.
    “Do you surf?”
    “What?”
    “Surf. Um…paddle out on an ovoid board and then turn toward the beach, riding the wave back in while standing on the board. It’s a sort of a sport, something done for entertainment.” He tilted his head. “It sounds entertaining, but we usually just use boats or swim.” She chuckled. “I have never been on a board, but then, I have never been this close to an ocean before.”
    “Why do I think that is not quite true?” She laughed. “Fine, never this close to the ocean and without a job to do.”
    He shifted, and his body pinned her against the railing. “What is your job, Scotia?” She pressed her hand to his chest and smiled. “I destroy that which was left behind so that it can’t be twisted to a new purpose, and I try to do it with as little loss of life as I can.”
    “It must have been exciting.” She quirked her lips. “It was exhausting. I am still on duty though, so I am afraid that I will have to wait to discover any more details of Ikanni social behaviour.”
    “So, have you eaten since you woke?” He sighed and pressed his forehead to hers.
    “No. I have not been hungry.”
    “A swim then and a meal. Nothing wakes the appetite like a swim.” He smiled and leaned his body against hers for a moment before they were on the sand with the waves a few feet from