He checked the weapon in his hand. He had only seven blasts left. The other two weapons were in the crevice with their supplies, out of reach with those lethal snakes everywhere. "I have to save my fire. We'll wait them out up here."

"We can't! We're in plain sight of any shuttle that comes along."

"We can't climb down. One strike and it's over, Moonbeam. I've never seen so many in one group. They're plenty mad, too. When one dies or is wounded, he gives off an odor that attracts others."

"Then why did you shoot those three?"

"I was going to kill all ten so I could get to the other weapons, but then more surfaced. They're around the crevice; I can't reach them. Maybe they can't smell us up here. Maybe they'll take their dead and leave."

"Smell us?"

"That's how they track prey. The scent of fear makes it stronger."

"If that's a caution or suggestion to calm down, I'm not sure I can. Do you think they'll give up now that they've found a tasty meal?"

"Sit and relax," he responded evasively. "We'll be here a while."

She did, not because of his words but because her legs were about to give way. Her panicked gaze scanned their surroundings. It looked as if more keelars were arriving every minute. Jana shuddered and stared. They were trapped, without food and water, with weapons out of reach, and in view of a pa.s.sing enemy. For the first time, she truly believed they might die on this barren wasteland. Until now, she had been confident Varian would find a way to save them. If only his signal would reach Nigel in time.

"At least they can't crawl up here," Jana remarked. "Can they?"

"Not with the rolled or sheer edges of the rocks."

Both fell into troubled silence as they sat within two feet of each other. Hours pa.s.sed as the heat and their thirst increased. Their gazes shifted between looking at the skies for enemy crafts and looking at the ground for a retreat of the keelars. Many thick-bodied creatures had secured sharp teeth into their dead then dragged them away, possibly for food. Only the heads and about eight inches of sinewy necks of most were visible from their freshly tunneled holes. The snakes twisted their heads and shifted their bodies as if continuously keeping vigil in all directions.

Varian didn't want to make their precarious predicament worse by discussing a lack of options with Jana, but the snakes appeared firmly lodged in and around their campsite. He tried to come up with a plan to get their supplies and weapons, but there seemed no way without endangering himself. If he died, Jana would be in worse danger. He wanted to kill Taemin and Ca.s.s for luring them into this peril. He was apprehensive about enemy shuttles discovering them, after they had been so clever in eluding them. If the keelers didn't leave and even if they weren't caught by Taemin, they couldn't stay on the rocks and starve or die of thirst. He had to come up with a plan.

Jana was a.n.a.lyzing the grim situation, too, and her thoughts matched Varian's almost perfectly. She stood and walked to the area above their supplies. The alien joined her.

"We don't have a rope or hook. The limb across the crevice is too thick for retrieving the water and weapons by their handles. The thom bushes are too short and limber to reach them."

Jana eyed the limbs he had placed at haphazard angles, atop which he spread the p.r.i.c.kly brush for concealing them with what should pa.s.s for a wild thicket. "If we shove the thorn bushes away and move that st.u.r.diest limb to there," she said, pointing, "where the ledges try to meet, I can hang by my knees and reach our water and weapons."

"You could fall and those keelers would be all over you before you could escape the crevice and climb the rocks. No, Jana, it's too risky."

"I took years of gymnastics and aerobics. I've climbed plenty of trees, fences, and rocks. I'm agile and steady. That limb should bear my weight for a short time. You can even hold on to my ankles in case it gives way. We have no choice."

"I thought you said we always have choices."

"We do: we can try my idea or we can sit on our b.u.t.ts and die."

"I'll do it, Jana. I don't want you getting hurt. That wood is abrasive."

"You're too heavy. If you try, that limb is certain to break and drop you right into a nest of those vipers. I need to keep you alive to get me out of this mess. Have faith in me for a change. I might prove to you I have more to offer than just a body for s.e.x and reproduction."

"If that was your only value, Moonbeam, I wouldn't be desperate to win you back. I know your immense worth, Jana; that's why I want you to become my wife."

"This isn't the time or place to be hara.s.sing me with marriage proposals or subjecting me to your cunning charms. Keep your mind on the business at hand or we won't survive to face that dilemma."

"All right, Jana, do it your way, but just be careful." Varian used his booted toe to kick the branches to the ground. With him on one side and Jana on the other, they shifted the limb to a lower spot. He arranged verbal signals for avoiding danger.

When she asked him to help her out of her dress, she noticed his startled reaction. "Get that l.u.s.ty look off your handsome face, Rogue Saar. I just don't want it hampering my vision and movement when I turn upside down." After the garment was removed, Jana warned, "And don't let it fall off this rock. I'm not fond of the idea of Taemin or his devils capturing me half naked." She took off her slip and shoes and tossed them near the ruined dress, leaving her clad in a lace bra and matching panties in sky blue.

Varian was surprised and pleased when her anxious gaze locked with his worried one for a moment and she smiled at him.

Jana took a deep breath and murmured, "Here goes our one chance."

"If you fall, woman, I'll thrash you good."

"You won't have to; I'll be dead in two hours from the bites of those critters."

Varian seized her by the shoulders and shook her. "Don't even joke about such a horrible thing."

"Why not? It's a lesson I learned from you: show contempt for danger and death so their powers are weakened."

"Bluffing foes and having a healthy respect for threats isn't the same thing, woman. Keelers can't be deluded and doublecrossed like men can."

"I'm sorry, I was only trying to lessen our tension. I'll be careful."

His gaze roved her shapely body, then he ordered himself to alert. He flattened himself on his stomach on the rock above the ledge and dangled his arms over it to be ready to offer any help he could provide.

Jana eased her way to the center of the limb by straddling the branch and using her hands to wriggle herself forward. "Ouch. Ouch. Oh-ee. That smarts. This bark bites as badly as those snakes must. Ouch. I don't hear it groaning and complaining, so I guess it's strong enough to hold me. I'm ready. Wish me luck, and watch those ugly critters."

For a moment, their gazes fused and spoke unbidden messages. Varian smiled and coaxed, "Don't worry, love, I've got you. I'm sure you can do it. Get busy before they wise up and head for you."

Jana didn't want him to know how scared she was. Much depended upon her success, so the risk must be taken. If you fail, J.G., and those keelars refuse to hit the trail, you and Varian are finished.

Jana shifted to her b.u.t.tocks and clutched the limb between her calves and thighs. With caution and with her hands gripping the wood support, she began to ease backward. She felt the muscles of her abdomen tighten from her strenuous effort. Her legs quivered from tension. When her long tresses fell downward, she thought about a keelar leaping at her and getting entangled in them. She wished she had torn another strip from the unfortunate dress and secured her hair in a ponytail at her nape. She felt blood rush to her head. Before she was in position to do her task or to sight the slithering predators, she heard their hissing increase. At the same time, she felt Varian seize her ankles as he shouted a warning to her.

"Get back! They're heading for the crevice! Up, woman. Fast!"

Jana was glad she hadn't lowered her arms yet because she knew the reptiles were almost within striking range. Varian applied pressure to her ankles to give her added strength and security. Her hands reached for the limb and she struggled to lift herself. Varian released one of his grips and held out his hand. Jana strained to grasp it. At last, their fingers interlocked and he pulled her to a sitting position on the branch. She raised her feet as she didn't know how far the elongated creatures could spring. Shaky, she let Varian lift her from the makeshift beam and place her beside him. She looked down to see the crevice writhing with numerous keelars, covering life-sustaining supplies and life-saving weapons. She locked her gaze with his. "It didn't work."

"It was a good idea, but I should have thought to use my last seven shots to create a diversion on the other side with dead bodies." After seeing her at work, he was convinced she could succeed and he told her so. "We'll give them time to settle down and get back into their holes before we try again. That is, if you want to try again; I think it's our best hope."

"Yes." She forced out the intimidating word. She pulled the slip and dress over her panties and bra in case they had unwanted visitors first, then they sat down to rest while the keelars calmed.

"I hope you'll come to forgive me for tricking you, Moonbeam," Varian said. "I want us to have a chance at real happiness when this is over."

"We're what's over, Varian. How could I come back to you without everyone thinking I'm crazy?"

"It doesn't matter what others think, Jana."

"It does to me, and it should to you, too. People look up to you. Young men and boys want to be like the ill.u.s.trious Commander Saar. Your recent example tells them they can do as they please without fear of repercussions, especially where women are concerned. At least it would if I returned to you after how you've treated me."

"The public doesn't know and won't know of my deceits."

"They know you had romance with me. They were led to believe I was forced to escape your cruel clutches. Some of them know-and will probably gossip to others-about how I behaved with 'Ryker' during that first trip we took and how we acted on the Wanderl.u.s.t during the Earth mission. They saw those lovey-dovey pictures that sneaky reporter took of us on Auriga: kissing in that romantic park, wasn't it? I suppose you also arranged that. From everyone's point of view, I've been Ryker's wife for months. Now, as soon as he dies, you want me to race back to you. People will think me fickle, phony, opportunistic, and shallow. You may not care what they think of me and say about me or yourself, but I do, very much. I already have the stigmas of being an alien and a charl to overcome. I certainly don't want more stains on my reputation."

"Everybody will think Ryker ordered you to display affection and happiness in public. They'll-"

"Are you forgetting you've made him seem a nice guy lately? And you plan to further brighten his dark image before your charade ends. You've made it appear he was so in love with his cherished wife that he changed for the better. But how do I repay him? By betraying his memory with you."

"People will think that you were being grateful to Ryker for freeing you and marrying you, or that you were trying to conceal or remove any lingering feelings for me, or that you were trying to be a good wife and friend."

"You're dreaming, Varian. What about Maal and the Androasians? Remember how we behaved at their party for us? For heaven's sake, Varian, our wedding portraits are hanging there!"

"The Androasians and Maal will think you're a.s.suaging your grief with Ryker's half brother."

"You mean, my husband's archrival and foe."

"Not for long. Ryker and I are reconciling soon."

"If we get out of here alive. Anyway, Ryker's been disguised since birth, correct?"

"Yes, but everyone knows he and I look like Galen Saar."

"How can they if he's always ... Ah, yes, the genetic law of your world: fathers reproduced in their sons. How nice that daughters are spared that replicating process." She gave an exasperated huff. "That resemblance makes it worse for us."

"How so, Moonbeam?"

"I leave you to marry your reflection, then he dies. I bury Ryker, then elope with his mirror image. People will wonder which one of you I love."

"When they see us together, Moonbeam, they'll know it's me."

"Like everyone knew it was him when they saw us together?"

"You were never with my brother in public."

"Thanks to your ruse, I was, many times, and always appearing to be in love with him. You don't seem to grasp what an impossible predicament you've put us in. What you should have done was expose my kidnapping and declare my marriage illegal; then, perhaps I could have returned to you without problems. Ryker was dead, his threat and power gone. You could have stripped Trilabs and arranged a phony death for him. You could have found other ways to obtain your two treaties. But, no, you had to use this elaborate ruse that's ensnared us like a spider's web. We can't break free; you wove too many captivating strands. Now just drop it," she ordered. "We have work to do and I don't want to discuss it anymore today."

While they waited in moody silence, dark purple clouds moved into the area. Wind gusted with an odd whooshing and whining sound. Red lightning with countless dazzling branches illuminated the horizon within a few miles of them. Air waxed muggy and oppressive, while sand creatures became noisy and agitated. The vanishing sunlight cast them in ever-darkening shadows.

Jana observed the air currents and unusual shades of riproaring nature in this alien setting. "Just what we need, a violent storm with us exposed to its fury up here," she said. "Surely we'll be zapped by lightning and won't have to worry about keelar bites, or Taemin's claws."

"You should be delighted, Moonbeam; it's good luck. Keelars hate rain. They can't move through wet ground. It hurts them. They'll burrow deep. It'll give us a chance to get our things. Maybe even drive them away."

"You mean we're having good luck for a change?" she muttered as she watched the sky.

The ominous threat of nature's violence moved closer. Jana squealed as scarlet lightning bolts snaked to the ground like flaming vipers seeking cover less than a half-mile from them. Its brilliant fingers sounded like whips snapping as they clawed through the humid air or attacked objects with their fiery tips. Thunder boomed and echoed overhead, often with almost earsplitting peals that lowered in volume as they drifted away from the two stranded captives. A deluge of water began to fall suddenly, and the only hissing heard now was from the cool rain and hot objects making contact.

Jana and Varian were drenched in minutes. Hair almost the same tawny color was plastered to their respective heads. Clothes were soaked and glued to their bodies. Rain rushed into emerald and multihued eyes, over noses, across mouths, and flowed over both exposed and clothed flesh.

Varian's fake green gaze tried to penetrate the downpour. He didn't see a single keelar, but they could be lurking just below the surface until the ground was saturated and became uncomfortable for them. For certain he couldn't hurry his love beneath any overhang that offered dried earth beneath, a definite lure for the creatures. He explained why they couldn't seek cover, shouting it over a blend of wind and rain and thunder.

The heat decreased with the sun's disappearance and weather's abrupt change. Breezes became stronger, whipping at their hair and garments. Thunder rumbled like a stampeding heard on Jana's Texas ranch. The couple felt vibrations from the potent storm. They watched red lightning dance wildly in jagged lines across the indigo sky. It seemed as if the heavens had been ripped open by the lightning's sharp nails and every drop of moisture stored there was being released in their confining location.

Jana realized it would be beautiful and exciting had it not been so dangerous. "Why don't we grab our stuff and run to another spot while those vile beasties are trapped underground?" Jane asked.

"The signals, woman," Varian explained. "They gave these coordinates. I may not get another one out to correct it. I'll get our things, but we need to stay here."

"Be careful; those vipers might be hiding in there."

"No, it's too wet by now. Get ready to catch the things I throw up to you."

Varian tossed everything atop their refuge and they soon sat down and ate from tins protected against rain by body shelter. The rations tasted delicious to them after being without food for hours. The wind and lightning lessened but rain continued to pelt them in large and rapid drops.

Gooseb.u.mps raced over Jana's drenched head and body. Her teeth chattered and she shuddered. She draped the ragged material of the thin silk skirt over her folded legs and bare feet. Her hands felt like ice and she was cold from head to foot. She crossed her wrists and ma.s.saged her arms with opposite hands to warm them; the temperature had taken a drastic and swift drop like the Texas northers she remembered that always chilled her to the bone.

"Why don't you sit closer and share my body heat?" Varian suggested. "If you get too cold, you can take a chill and we don't have proper medicine." He noted that Jana didn't wait for a second invitation, as if she'd forgotten about her quarrel with him. She snuggled into his arms as he said, "I should have thought to grab some covers or jackets."

"You can't think of everything. At least we have supplies and weapons."

Varian rubbed his hands over her back, shoulders, and bare arms to spread warmth. He decided not to tell her just yet that the sand creatures had torn open some of the pouches and yanked others into their holes. One weapon was missing from the crevice, and he hoped he could find it when daylight returned. Diminished food and weapon power wasn't news to share at this depressing moment.

"If there was a sparker in the emergency kit, we'd be warm. It's the size of a small stone and gives off lots of heat and some light, even in rain."

"We could use one about now. The dress has no protection and my shoes are full of water. I'm freezing!"

His hands stroked and caressed rain-slick flesh. His lips teased over her face and ears as he murmured, "I know how to heat you up if you're willing." His hot breath, fiery lips, and blazing hands soon ignited more than warmth within both of them; they kindled white-hot desires in bodies denied pa.s.sion's pleasures for weeks. He meshed their lips with feverish ardor, cradled her in his embrace so his mouth could ravish hers with a wildness to match the storm's while his body shielded her face from rain.

Jana wondered if this might be the last time they could join their bodies before they died on this barren planetoid so far from home. It was possibly the only span of time when shuttles wouldn't appear. In spite of all the unfair things Varian Saar had done to her, she loved and desired this irresistible alien. Even if they escaped this peril, she knew she would agree to a secret love affair with him as they continued the charade he had begun so many weeks ago. For once, her ex-captor and traitorous lover would be in her power and at her mercy because he needed her for the success of his ruse. In exchange for all he had offered and promised for her a.s.sistance, she also would be his lover. Why deny herself? As their lips parted, Jana asked, "Did you order up this bad weather and keelar attack so you could take advantage of me?"

He chuckled and smiled as he comprehended her responsive mood. "Of course. But I plan to take even more advantage of you, woman. I plan to remove these wet garments." As he talked, he pulled the dress and slip over her head, then released her b.r.e.a.s.t.s from the soaked bra. "I plan to heat you up in grand style."

His greedy lips covered hers while his deft fingers captured and stimulated her nipples, brought erect by a combination of the cold and s.e.xual excitement. His hands labored there until his hot tongue took control of the loving ch.o.r.e. She made no attempt to slow or halt this heady madness, not even when he removed her panties and tantalized her with daring caresses. She admitted that he knew how to evoke achingly sweet sensations, how to make her flesh quiver, how to fan her coals into smoldering embers and then into a roaring wildfire. Jana ignored the near stinging rain and chill. She ignored the wet and hard rock. She ignored the rain dripping from his hair and face onto hers. Her desire was too great to be restrained, and it was the same with him.

A savage intensity of primal need coursed through their veins. Primitive longings gnawed at them. The dangerous setting and elements evoked an erotic and potent wildness. They needed a frenzied union, a swift and urgent fusion of uninhibited bodies and unleashed emotions. Her hands sought the Velcro-type closing of his jumpsuit, yanked it apart, and peeled the stubborn garment from his torso with his a.s.sistance. Together they shoved the snug sapphire garment past his firm b.u.t.tocks to release his manhood. "Take me," she urged him and guided him inside her.

"I need you so much, Jana," Varian whispered. "It's been so long since I've loved you as me."

Soft and throaty moans came from her throat, from the core of her being where antic.i.p.ation was mounting at a rapid rate. The cold and rain were ignored and forgotten. All that mattered was being with her daring s.p.a.ce pirate one more time. Each time he entered and withdrew, she savored heaven and endured h.e.l.l. Her hands journeyed over his broad back, along his narrow sides, across his strong shoulders. She felt his sinewy muscles as they moved beneath her exploring fingers, moved because his hands and body were tantalizing and delighting hers. He was like a heady drug that numbed her wits and took command of her body. Every time his manhood plunged into her receptive body, his kisses would deepen and his tongue would dance with hers. He challenged her to give him the same splendor without speaking a word, and she accepted.

Varian blocked out the reality of the torrential rain as it pelted almost painfully on his unprotected back and b.u.t.tocks. He took and gave with zest. He enjoyed the way she kissed and sucked and licked raindrops from his chin, his ears, his brows, and shoulders. He savored the way she cast aside reservations and handed control over to him. This was one area in which she always trusted him. He continued and increased his movements and resolve. She arched and writhed and clung, and almost drove him mindless with pleasure and stimulation. Her body as well as his cried out for appeas.e.m.e.nt. The intensity built to a point where they could no longer wait to be sated.

She murmured over and over, "Don't stop. I'm ready. Take me now. Take me. Take me. Now. Now." Her entire body experienced a rush of heat and tingling. She held tightly to him with arms and legs as the blissful climax rocked her to the core. Wave after beautiful wave of sheer ecstasy washed over her and swept her away. His mouth seemed to demand kiss after kiss as she heard him groan and recognized movements that said he was now in the throes of sweet release from which she was still reeling.

Varian continued to thrust and thrust within her. He was exuberant, sated, contented. He was also misled about her fiery response. "I love you, Jana. I knew everything would be fine."

Reality had returned for Jana, and she was chilly in more than flesh again. "Everything is not fine, Varian Saar, you treacherous snake. This changes nothing. It was nothing more than physical release."

"Why don't you admit you love me and this proves it?"

"We're accustomed to having s.e.x and it's been weeks since we've been together like this. We were h.o.r.n.y, that's all. For certain, we're well matched in bed, even one this hard and wet and uncomfortable. I made a deal with you to work as allies. We have an old song on Earth that says: 'I'll be your friend and I'll be your lover,' but nothing more, Varian, nothing more."

"All right, you stubborn female: ally, friend, lover, and partner-I'll settle for that much of you for now. But I'm not giving up on getting more. I'll chase you at every turn until you weary and surrender."

"That would be smart because we need to continue the romantic ruse between your brother and his wife."