"What happens on the Sparklehorse, stays on the Sparklehorse," Amelia had proclaimed as we'd entered our stateroom, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

For her, this would undoubtedly be true. For me, not so much. I'd been a virgin when I was promised to my future husband, and I wasn't too keen on the idea of explaining how I'd managed to have sex with someone who was not him since I'd become engaged to him. I can't honestly say if he would have cared about it and I certainly wasn't about to ask him. I snorted to myself as I imagined that conversation. "Hey, you wouldn't mind if I had sex with this cute guy I just met, would you?"

Regardless of his opinion, I cared about it. Even if I didn't tell him and he'd never know, I'd know, and personal integrity was very important to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to premarital sexual exchanges. Like any other adolescent, I was definitely interested in sex and romance. Sadly, local boys didn't seem to return my attentions. I kept myself busy with my studies and the time flew by. While neither of my parents came out and said, "Sookie, you aren't allowed to date," I got the distinct impression that was their prerogative. My mother was always very suspicious of the intentions of my male friends, and constantly talking about how unsuitable for me they all were. By the time I realized I was the only one of my friends that hadn't really dated or had a boyfriend, my parents had arranged a marriage.

Once I became engaged, I couldn't really see any way to work dating into the equation. "Don't mind him, he's just the guy I have to marry." It was probably a good idea not to have sex with anyone other than my husband to-be anyhow, I'd told myself having no basis for comparison would prevent me from being slighted.

Amelia, on the other hand, was not promised to anyone, a fact she took advantage of frequently. Repeatedly. With whomever suited her fancy. I liked to joke that she was probably having enough sex for both of us, and she was more than happy to share the details of her active sex life, even when I was not interested in hearing them.

"Can you believe it?" Amelia squealed as she burst into our room. "There's a group of Tekton Cavaliers on board. They are so yummy."

While I didn't disagree with her assessment, the Tekton are known for their good looks and sexy leather flight suits, I couldn't bring myself to share her enthusiasm. (Mostly because I was preoccupied with my upcoming nuptials - primarily finding a way to avoid them.)

"I wonder if we'll get to see them in their dress uniforms during the trip?" she wondered aloud.

I hummed noncommittally in reply.

"They look so handsome in their full regalia," Amelia added dreamily. "There's something so incredibly sexy about a man in uniform."

~0~

Tekton is a small planet on the other side of the Kadon galaxy. The whole thing is basically a desert surrounding the occasional inland ocean. There are some lush green oases, but it's basically hot and dry during the day, and freezing cold at night. Due to the potentially harsh climate, the majority of its inhabitants live in cities built around it's numerous bodies of water. Essentially, everyone lives near the beach. Tektons are known for being tan, fit, and fans of water recreation.

As you can imagine, the bulk of their economy is built on tourism, as visitors flock to their multiverse-renowned beaches to enjoy the nearly constant sunshine and their recreational activities: sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving in a massive network of underwater caves which seemingly connect the whole planet underground.

They've managed to market the planet as a romantic holiday destination. Advertisements feature half-naked couples frolicking in the surf, then cozying up together at night to avoid the chill.

Despite their history of peace and their small military, they have been involved in many peace missions. They are known throughout the multiverse for their peacekeeping contributions; providing protection and assistance in places being rebuilt after war. The Cavaliers are considered to be their elite force, who are also famed for their airbike acrobatics. When not on tactical missions, the Cavaliers travel throughout the galaxies and perform at transport shows. I'd only had the opportunity to see holo-projections, but their maneuvers looked amazing.

There are strict standards one must meet to qualify for the Cavaliers, including height, strength and intelligence. Only the best of the best need apply. For some reason, females throughout the multiverses are drawn to them. Their numbers are few, and marrying one is considered an honour in many cultures.

Given what I'd seen in the media, I could certainly appreciate their rather impressive presence. I couldn't help but wonder if they filled out their uniforms as nicely in person.

~0~

Both Amelia and I had the chance to find out for ourselves that evening, when several Cavaliers appeared in the ship's dining room in full dress uniform. They certainly cut an imposing figure. Their dark grey pants were tailored in such a way that the fabric clung to their strong thighs and hugged their muscular buttocks. A shining silver stripe ran down the side of their trousers, which were tucked into knee high black leather boots. Their navy jackets emphasized their broad shoulders and tapered torsos. The hem of the jacket ended just at the waist, revealing a shiny silver belt buckle. A leather holster was strapped to their right thigh. While their leather flight suits made them look sleek and dangerous, their dress blues made them look dashing.

Most of the men met the typical Tektonian standard of beauty: olive complexion, dark hair and hazel green eyes. One of the men drew my attention. Not only did he stand out from the others being several inches taller than his peers, he had long golden-blonde hair drawn back into a pony tail at the nape of his neck. His nose was less roman in appearance, straighter and finer. Though it was his sparkling sapphire blue eyes that most captured my attention.

Accidentally, I caught his gaze. Before I had the chance to look away, I saw him wink at me. I didn't risk taking a second look to be sure, surely it would be inappropriate for a young engaged woman like myself to be seen making eyes at a stranger on the way to her own wedding.

"Someone was checking you out," Amelia sing-songed into my ear.

"Hardly."

"I saw him wink at you."

"Maybe he had something in his eye?"

"More like he has something in his pants!"

"Amelia," I admonished. It was never a good idea to encourage her.

"Maybe he wants to take you for a ride," she teased. "And I don't mean on his solarcycle, missy!"

For some reason Amelia feels the need to take all innuendo and hit me over the head with it. Sometimes I want to yell at her that I'm a virgin, not an idiot.

"He is a modern day knight after all. Maybe he wants to ride you like a horse, or have you ride him like a horse, or-"

"Milly!" I scolded, swatting at her arm. "And don't let me hear you making any dumb comments about anyone being 'hung like a horse.'"

She pouted playfully. "You're no fun."

~x~