Pillars and Pyres

Chapter 6

Riddick stood at the head of the battle table paying more attention to the streaming feed coming out of his rooms than to the planned invasion of yet another planet. He had made no attempt to approach her since nearly strangling her with his bare hands. Hadn't even considered checking on her until the Doc mentioned that she was having regular nightmares. He had itched to go to her then, why, he wasn't sure, but had resisted and suggested to the man that they leave the recessed lights on at all times. That night, he had watched her sleep from his temporary quarters and every night since then. And during the day. And during this meeting, where his voice was actually needed, punching the power button on his pad giving his complete attention to Vaako and his other subordinates.

Vaako walked with him after the others had been dismissed. "Kore will be returning tomorrow. What are your plans?"

"I need to move Carolyn. Preferably across the ship so that Persephone won't see her. Suggestions?"

"You're going to keep her presence a secret?" Vaako asked mildly surprised.

"For now. Until I can determine the best course of action for everyone."

Vaako stood silently for a moment his head tilted in thought. "I know a place." He said suddenly, coming back to attention as the answer came to him. "Follow me."

He led Riddick on a winding path throughout the ship and down several levels. He explained on the way. "The entire floor has been closed off and unused for years. The Lord Marshall's quarters were originally here. Lord Marshall Zylaw took a wife soon after his ascension. A few years later there was an attempted coup. Dame Zylaw was caught in the crossfire after being trapped in the corridors trying to escape. Afterwards, The Lord Marshall ordered that the entire floor be sealed off from the rest of the ship. As far as I know, no one has set a foot in it since."

Holding his palm up to the pad inside the lift, Riddick turned his head as a blast of stale air rushed past them as the door slid open. Stepping through, they entered what seemed to Riddick, to be a completely different ship. Even with his shined eyes he could tell that there was nothing gloomy about this space underneath the dust. Flickering light caught his attention and he stepped over to a porthole. Not the glazed over, all-seeing ones that were in the rest of the ship, but a normal everyday porthole. Looking around at the rooms that were opened to the center space of the pod shaped area there was even a room with a viewing port, as wide as the room itself. Riddick looked questioningly at Vaako as he headed in that direction. "I was very young at the time. I had just begun my training as a foot soldier, but I heard stories that the Lord Marshall was quite smitten with his wife. She was newly converted and he," Riddick watched as Vaako's mouth formed a frown, "doted upon her."

"I need this space cleaned up." Riddick said heading towards the lift doors.

"Don't you want to see the rest?"

"No. Just have it cleaned by tonight."

Making his way back to his quarters after several stops, it was later than he expected and he doubted if he would be home when Persephone returned.

Carolyn was curled up in the midst of an army of pillows sleeping.

He leaned against the door frame watching her for a moment before saying her name.

She sleepily raised her head and looked over her shoulder at him with hooded eyes. He doubted she knew just how seductive she looked in his bed.

"Riddick" she murmured before lying back with a wriggle as she yawned and stretched before looking at him again. "I was having a good dream," she said with a slightly faraway sound to her voice, calling to him like a siren.

"And what do you consider a good dream?" he asked watching as she slowly sat up the blanket falling to her waist.

She licked her lips and leaned back, propping herself up with braced arms, not bothering to adjust the robe she was wearing. "One that doesn't include you."

She almost laughed at the look on his face as he went from staring at her breasts to glaring daggers at her in the space of a nano-second.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

He walked forward tossing some clothes on the end of the bed, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're being moved to another part of the ship."

"Moved?" She asked an eyebrow traveling up her forehead.

"My roommate is coming back tonight and I'd rather you not be here."

Carolyn scowled. "Well instead of moving me, why don't you let me off? Surely a small detour to the nearest planet won't take you that far off course."

Riddick shook his head as he crossed his arms in front of him "That's not an option. We haven't had nearly enough time to get re-acquainted."

Carolyn began muttering to herself as she threw the covers back and slowly got to her feet. "I think we've gotten re-acquainted just fine," she said standing by the side of the bed, her hands balled into fists hanging at her sides, as her chin jutted up.

Riddick ran his eyes up and down her body. "Oh, not nearly enough." He said slowly shaking his head back and forth. "Unless you want me to dress you, I suggest you put these on. We leave in five minutes."

Carolyn watched him leave shutting the door closed behind him.

"Insufferable Bastard!" She yelled out towards the closed door.

Riddick simply raised an eyebrow on the other side.