Beyond My Stars

Father

            “Can we speak with you about something, luvana?” Kit asked gently as he turned in his seat to look at me.

            I was sitting in the back to show that I was upset with how they did what they wanted. “About what?”

            Koryn sighed. “It’s about our father.”

            “Oh goody, I was wondering when this topic was going to come up.” I said as I leaned forward, resting my arms on the back of the seat. “What’s he like?”

            Kit looked very uncomfortable. “He’s…intense. It would be best if you refrain from telling him about us. We can’t trust him.”

            “Trust him? What do you think he would do?” I asked as I saw Koryn glance over his shoulder at me.

            “He would most likely try and hurt you, Milady. Our father has this idea in his head about how our lives should go, and we’re supposed to have no say and bide by him. I was meant to take over as Chief when I turned twenty-five seasons last year, me not coming home to take over has really upset him. We’re worried about you more though. If he finds out that we have you, were afraid he’ll do his best to take you away from us.” Koryn said as I watched his whole-body tense.

            I felt slightly stupid for being so irritated with them, and with a slight sigh I reached out to run my fingers down Koryn’s back. “What do you want me to do?”

            Kit smiled warily. “We want you to be yourself, but we have to keep our marks hidden. If father knows we are happy in Circle City with more than our military positions, he might just snap.”

            “I get it. How are we going to hide this though? I don’t have a turtleneck with my or anything.” I said as Kit began to run his fingers across my arm.

            “I have no idea what that is, but Koryn found one of his military armors that you can wear. It’s all black and has a high neckline, so hopefully no one will ask too many questions and tomorrow we will be heading back to Circle City. At least that’s what the two of us are hoping for.” Kit pointed to a shirt hanging off the seat next to me.

            I leaned back to change shirts, stripping mine away and pulling Koryn’s military shirt over my head. I nearly had a heart attack as the shirt tightened around me, hugging everything just the way it should be. The neckline was perfect for what we needed it for, ending just below my jawline. Then I slipped my top back over my head.

            “I never thought the military armor could look so damn good.” Koryn said as he glanced back at me again.

            Kit nodded. “I agree. Do we have enough time for a pit stop?”

            I giggled as I rolled my eyes. “I don’t think well have enough time for all that.”

            “I would be happy with the delay getting to Cuirass. The longer the better.” Koryn said as he rolled his head on his neck to get it to crack.

            “If you two are so set against going, then, why are we?” I asked as I leaned forward.

            Kit groaned a little. “Because we have too. If the Chief wills it…”

            “Then it must be done. At least, we’ll let him think that statement holds control over us for now.” Koryn muttered as he leaned his head against his hand for support.

            I nodded. “Your father sounds absolutely terrifying. How did you get away from the tribe?”

            “I ran, and Kit followed. I was sixteen summers, and panicked about having to take over the tribe. I joined the military to support myself and Kit until he was old enough to join.” Koryn’s voice was low, and I could tell he wasn’t happy talking about this.

            Kit looked at his brother and sighed. “You’re going to have to tell her, that way she’s not blind sighted when it happens.”

            “When what happens?” I asked, slightly knowing where this was heading. 

            Koryn let out a deep breath. “My father, used the tactic “beat into submission” my entire life growing up.”

            I sucked in a breath. “He used to abuse you?”

            “Here on Kaja, it’s not considered abuse if it’s coming from the Chief. No matter the situation. Dealing with Chief’s abusing their power is a common occurrence. Beatings, torture, rape, even murder is mostly turned a blind eye too because of their status as Chief. Our father has been known for all of the above.” Koryn said, disgust leaking to every word.

            Kit nodded. “It’s the reason why Cuirass is one of the most feared Reye tribe there is, and why we have seven half siblings.”

            I swallowed hard. Hearing them going into detail about their father was more sickening than the creature I dealt with last night. The creature was an abomination that ate people for substance. Their father did the things he did out of sheer will and pleasure. I looked down into my lap, not really knowing what to say.

            I pulled my hair up and twisted it into a bun. “Well, despite your father being the way he is, I really love the men you two are. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

            I guess I must have fallen asleep again, because as the vehicle slowed to a stop I woke up and looked around.

            “Milady, there’s one more thing. When me or Kit gets some spare time, were going to teach you how to shoot a handle.” Koryn turned slightly in his seat to see me. “By the way, you look beautiful. Watch your back, trust no one here.”

            I nodded. “Okay, I can still trust you and Kit, right?”

            Kit smiled. “Without a doubt.”

            With that we all climbed out of the vehicle to face Cuirass head on.

            The scenery was a lot like Kaliva, the only difference was that Cuirass was bigger, and not one vehicle was in sight except ours. I looked around and took everything in, all around the other Kajian’s walking down the streets stared and awed. It was just as nerve wracking as it was in Kaliva, only now, I knew there was something deeply wrong with this tribe. I went to go put my hands in the brothers, but I had to stop myself. No intimacy. I have to remember that. I let out a deep breath as Kit gestured for me to follow them.

            I never noticed until now how the female Kajian’s looked at the brothers. Their eyes were full of lust, and their bodies always gave the brother’s their full attention. Then I was suddenly bumped into. A jealous female side-stepped into me, sending me hard onto my ass. Before either brother could react, there was a male Kaji knelt in front of me with a worried expression on his face.

            “Are you okay?” He asked as he took my hands and stood, pulling me to my feet with him.

            I nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. Nothing broken.”

            I could see past the Kaji to see Kit looking away with irritation on his face, and Koryn’s jaw was clenched so tightly I was sure that this was going to be it, he’s going to break his teeth. The Kaji smiled big as he then realized, I wasn’t Kajian.

            “Oh.” He said as he stared at me like I was one of the great wonders. “Who are you?”

            Feeling like my whole body was under pressure, I looked to the brothers who gestured for me to come to them. I pulled my hands back and stepped around him. “I’ve got to go. Thank you for helping me up though.”

            The brother’s let me walk by in between them, and I heard the Kaji laugh a little. “I’ll see you around, lovely.”

            I waved him off as Kit and Koryn came up next to me.

            “Haven’t even been out the vehicle for five minutes and already attracting attention.” Koryn growled.

            Looking over at him, I raised my eyebrows. “Me? You two have the female population of Cuirass wet by just existing. Don’t play dumb, I know you can smell them.”

            “Are you jealous, luvana?” Kit said quietly into my ear as casually as he could.

            I rolled my eyes at him. “Actually, I’m just happy I don’t have Kaji senses.”

            Koryn smirked. “Don’t worry, Milady. We can pick your scent out of a billion females. You belong to us, we’ll always be able to find you.”    

            “Whatever.” I said with a smile and beet red cheeks.

            We three stood in front of their childhood home with solemn looks over our faces. None wanted to take the first steps, and at that moment I was debating on just heading back to the vehicle until tomorrow. But, I didn’t want to leave the brothers with their father. I get it that they have had to deal with him on their own before I was abducted to Kaja, but I couldn’t help the way I felt. I wanted to shelter them, to show them only love and happy things. I didn’t want them to have to stress anything, especially over me.

            After another couple minutes, Koryn took the step forward, followed by Kit and myself behind them. I felt the cold animosity coming from the residence before we even got to the door. It was enough to make my chest hurt. I reached up and clawed at the tight military shirt. No. I wasn’t going to panic. I needed to be strong, confident, and above all else, unafraid. I let out a few deep breaths before stretching my arms out above my head and began to limber up just in case of anything.

            Koryn glanced over his shoulder at me and I thought for just a moment his eyes were glassy.

            Without knocking, Koryn pushed open the door.

            Again, the inside looked a lot like Chief Cosu’s with intricate woodworking, and white swirly marble like floors. Instead of a red and gold theme, this place was blues, golds, and white. It was stunning, and I had to remember to be on edge in this house. I stepped a little closer to Koryn as Kit moved farther into the house.

            “Is that my boys?!”

            All three of us froze at the sound of a booming voice. Kit was embraced first by their father. I nearly gasped at the size of the Kaji. He was slightly taller than both boys with rugged features like Koryn and eyes like Kit’s. He was built like a Mack truck, and was very intimidating just by standing there. He released Kit and turned towards Koryn. There was moment of pause that made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention. Then it dissolved and their father opened his arms for Koryn. He slowly moved to his dad and let the hug happen. The whole moment was slightly awkward, and now I stood there without either brother close to me.

            As if sensing my discomfort, their father let go of Koryn to turn his attention to me. He looked me over as if debating on hugging or hurting me.

            “Who’s this?” He asked, observing every detail of me.

            Koryn thought for a second. “She works with the military as a ambassador for the human’s here on Kaja in the Circle City. Her name is Milady, and she’s under our care and protection until we return her.”

            Smart thinking, I thought as I held my head high and smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

            He nodded as he took a step closer to me. “It’s my pleasure to welcome you to Cuirass, I’m Chief Keldon, father or Koryn and Kit. I hope my boys have been treating you well.”

            I couldn’t help it, my mind went straight to this morning and imagined my legs wrapped around Koryn’s waist with my tongue running against Kit’s shaft. “Oh, yes, sir. Your boys are perfect gentlemen.”

            It was killing me to trying to back off my arousal, hoping none of the guys in the room caught onto it. Keldon smiled as he held out his hand for me to take.

            “Come, let’s go sit down before we do anything else.”

            I took a deep breath as I stepped passed Koryn to place my hand politely in his. “Yes, sir.”

            Both Koryn and Kit looked like they would wither away at any point, and I think that made me more worried than anything. They seemed to know something I didn’t.