Tamaran had a few suns but only one lent its light to Tamaran. Mornings here were different than mornings on Earth. There were no birds chirping and the sun was not a bright yellow as it was on Earth. Instead, rays of a harsh orange burned through the small windows of the Palace's rooms and the sound of the harsh winds were the things that awoke the Titans. It took them a while to figure out what was a chair, where was the bathroom, and other necessities they needed to make it through the morning. Still, it wasn't as bad as last time and they got used to the strange commodities. Not knowing where to go or what to do, they all went to Starfire's room where she greeted them most cheerfully and happily led them back to the Grand Room.
She had changed from her normal attire and wore what looked to be a tube top though it was elegant and encrusted with red jewels. Her skirt was a bit longer and the patterns matched her shirt. She wore jewelry this time, various bracelets jingled on her arms and ruby earring hung from her ears.
The Grand Room was filled with all kinds of food, both for the Titans as well as for the Tamaranians who were eating aggressively at anything they could get their hands on. Starfire cheerfully told them to 'dig in' before she threw herself into the commotion as well.
It felt nice to see some things didn't change.
The breakfast was delicious, full of all the things Cyborg liked and all the fruits Beast Boy could eat before moaning about a full belly. The Tamaranians were dressed in the same fashion though with some individuality thrown in. Women had very little on but enough to cover the most important parts. Still, as more Tamaranians walked into the room, their clothes seemed to diminish until some just remained shirtless, much to the boys' obvious surprise (and some enjoyment). Most of the men wore a skirt like covering but remained shirtless. It was no wonder since the planet suddenly seemed to have become a hot spring all of a sudden. The Titans fidgeted slightly and it wasn't until Beast boy turned into a jackrabbit that Starfire noticed how hot they felt. She apologized profusely and led them to their quarters once more.
"I have been such a bad host," she told them as she went into the hall. She turned around suddenly, eyeing them carefully.
"Would you like to wear traditional Tamaranian clothes?"
The boys stood aghast, obviously thinking that wearing a skirt was not to their liking. Raven had no problem with the heat; she merely took off her cape and stood with her leotard on. She had noticed that many Tamaranian boys had glanced at her more than once but she didn't know if it was out of admiration or something else.
"Do you have something less—" said Beast Boy, rubbing his head and thinking of the word, "less skirty?"
"I dunno, B.B." interjected Cyborg, his voice hitting high notes as he waved his hand femininely toward him, "A nice skirt would look positively radiant on you."
"Real funny," he deadpanned, pointing an accusing finger at him, "Aren't you hot as well?"
"Eh, I have a cooling system built in me so that settles that matter."
Exasperated, Beast Boy turned to Robin for support.
"I kinda agree with Beast Boy on this one," he relented, "Is there nothing else we can wear?"
Starfire thought for a couple of moment, a little disappointed at not being able to see Robin walk around in traditional Tamaranian clothes, his muscular chest out in the open for her to see and maybe even touch a little……
"Star?"
"Oh yes!" she exclaimed, snapping her head back toward them and blinking to shake away her starry eyes, "There are some clothes especially for outsiders."
She smiled and signaled them to stay there. She flew away excitedly and disappeared around the corner.
"Phew!" sighed Beast Boy, relieved. He turned to Raven and winked at her, eyeing her figure with gently eyes.
"Maybe you could wear a skirt—Ow!"
Cyborg laughed as raven slapped him, eyes narrowed toward Beast Boy.
"In your dreams," she told him angrily.
"Wouldn't put it past him," said Robin, leaning back against the wall and trying to relax. The heat was atrocious and he could feel small beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Starfire returned quickly, carrying a couple of white garments for Beast Boy and Robin who took them gratefully and went into their rooms to change. Waiting patiently outside, Cyborg asked curiously,
"Do most of the Tamaranians here walk around half naked?"
"Oh yes, we have no inhibitions about our bodies, especially when it is so hot."
Raven scoffed, muttering something about a boy's wonderland.
The doors opened at last to reveal Beast Boy and Robin wearing a white tunic, falling a little above his knees and with two slits on his side. The tunics were made with the thinnest silk in the Kingdom and with the sunlight, one could see right through the shirt. Beast Boy's green body contrasted the purity of the color but it looked rather good on him. He paraded around, showing off his muscles to each of them but most especially to Raven who tried not to look impressed.
While Beast Boy's clothes were a tad too big on him, they fit perfectly on Robin. His tunic was also white and his skin was so white that it could have rivaled the tunic itself. She thought it could be because she had never seen him 'catch the rays' as others did on the beach or in the park. But he certainly was well built. His body would always be compact, the body of a trapeze artist, and while lithe he had well defined muscles on his chest and arms. Starfire tried not to stare but when he asked her for her opinion, Starfire blushed and told him he looked 'quite ravishing.'
Finally, they felt comfortable enough to accept Starfire's invitation to show them around the Palace. Excitedly, she began her tour the moment she turned the corner, showing them the small monuments that mounted the walls. Some of them were strange armors, made with a metal unknown to Earthlings but it was quite common to Tamaran. It was able to stop savage attacks by both weapons and beings. There were also busts that adorned the hallways, of every high official that held office or of priests of their goddess X'hal.
Their first stop was Thromen'tor or the Treasure Room. This room was filled with amazing things, painting that defied the laws of perspective and colors that seemed to jump out of the pages. Beautiful monuments stood there, ranging from small busts to gigantic depictures of beasts, acquisitively sculptured and without a missing one single detail. The Titans felt as if they were walking around a museum with Star as their guide. Most paintings and sculptures depicted scenes from wars between the Psions and the Citadel and for the first time, the Titans laid eyes on the beings threatening Starfire. The figures of the Citadels were horrendous things to see. They were ugly beasts, mutated physically and from the pictures around them, psychologically as well. Noticing their curiosity, Starfire began to explain their history.
"You see, the Citadel came to be from the brutal joining of X'hal and a Branx warrior. From this union, a mutated being was born who would later become the first Citadelian. He turned against the Psions who were his allies and cloned himself to create an army of Citadelians. However, all of them resulted in brutal, demented beings and they have sought nothing but war and power ever since."
"Are there any stories without any violence?" asked Beast boy incredulously, looking at the life size Citadelian in front of him.
"I am afraid not, Beast Boy," Starfire said softly, "The Vegans used to live in peace but that was many, many years ago."
They continued to walk and their next destination happened to be Chamber of Kings. This room contained all the famous Kings Tamaran had once. Starfire admitted to knowing very little about most of them but pointed the ones she knew and told them the little history she knew. Most of the Kings looked the same; they had bright green eyes and wild red hair though the oldest Kings resembled felines more than the younger ones. Finally, Starfire came upon the drawing of her parents and momentarily paused to touch their faces. Shaking her head softly, she turned o the Titans to give them a small smile.
"These are my deceased parents," she told them sadly, "Myand'er and Luand'er. Mother and Father married to unite the Southern and Northern Kingdoms together and had me and Komand'er. They died a short while after Komand'er and I were sold to the Gordanians and the small group of advisors ruled the planet until Komand'er took charge."
She turned back to her parents' portrait and sighed, once again touching their faces.
"I do not remember them as well anymore and their picture is the only real clue of what they looked like once."
Luand'er, her father, had wild blood red hair, huge in volume and curling all around his face. His beard was long enough to touch the floor and kept in tight knots all the way to the bottom. His eyes were a bottle green color and he exuded with power. Myand'er, her mother, looked exactly like Starfire. Her hair was brighter than her husband's but just as wild. Her eyes were the same color as Starfire's but they reflected a certain sadness that Starfire never had.
Turning away from the picture, Starfire took a small pause to compose herself and suddenly felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Robin's face and was surprised to see understanding written all over his face. He brushed the hair away from her face and gave her a sympathetic smile. She returned it with her own and continued the tour. They made their way outside, where the sun's rays hit them harshly. However, the palace grounds were beautiful and light breeze blew across them. The skies, instead of the cerulean blue that the Titans knew, was a dark purple haze mixed with pinkish swirls. It was still beautiful and obviously life providing since the Titans had no problem breathing in the air. Here is where Beast Boy spent most of his time playing around the small fountains and pools of water that had pooled from the last rains. Noticing that they were most likely not going to move from that spot, Raven took out a book from nowhere and sat on a soft purple chair on the grounds. She was surprised to feel the chair shape around her curves and before she knew it, she felt more comfortable than ever before. Smiling, she opened her book and began to read. Cyborg, Robin and Starfire decided to spend the day there as well, basking in the harsh yet comforting rays of Trutaklin, Tamaran's sun.
As night began to approach, it became chilly very suddenly. The temperature dropped drastically and the Titans sought refuge inside the walls of the palace. The fires had been lit and they made their way to the Grand Room to meet with Galfore. Once again, they had a spectacular meal but this was an intimate one as well. Here, they talked once more about their day, Galfore's duties, and anything light and pleasant. But like always, the conversation turned a slightly darker tone. Worried about Starfire, Robin brought up the subject.
"Not to ruin the mood but I need to know what will be happening these next days."
Galfore pushed his plate away, his fingers coming together out of habit as he thought.
"Koriand'er and I will decide on a day to meet with the Gordanians. She and I will go together and believe me they will not try anything with my presence. Gordanians can only do so much on this planet. The date will be set for the battle but it will probably be a couple of moonsets from now."
"So what will Star do with that time?" asked Beast Boy, munching on a strange red leave that he had come to love.
"What else but train, little one?"
"Or enjoy my time here on Tamaran," added Starfire pointedly.
"That reminds me, princess, I have forgotten to inform you but you see, my duties have taken a toll on your G'norfka."
Taking his huge hands in her delicate ones, she gave him an understanding look.
"Tamaran will be throwing a huge feast to honor your return tomorrow," he told the team, "your clothes have been delivered to your room since you are the guests of royalty, it is an honor to wear them."
Gulping simultaneously, the four teenagers looked at each other nervously.
"But I thought I was no longer a crown princess," started Starfire curiously, peering at her G'norfka with worried eyes.
"You may have denounced the throne but if something were to happen to me," he was interrupted by Starfire's 'X'hal prevent it!' and continued once more, "The royal duty would fall on you once more."
"It always returns to me, yes?"
He nodded, "You are the true royal heir."
Sighing, she nodded again but looked unhappy with the news.
The second day had ended in Tamaran and the Titans made their way back to their chambers, nervously waiting to see what in the blazes they would have to wear the day after.
Once the rest of the team inched into their rooms, Starfire turned to Robin and pressed her hands against his chest.
"The Lanshker looks delightful on you, Robin," she mumbled softly, eyeing him passionately. He laughed; the sound resonating in his chest and making her hands vibrate.
"Thanks," he said easily, holding her hands in his and turning serious, "I know you don't want to think about it but---"
"Oh Robin," Starfire sighed, "Can it wait until after the festivities? Please?"
Robin would argue against it, of course, thinking this to be important matters but Starfire had a trick up her sleeve. She pulled him against her and began to move her hands up his arms, feeling the muscles against her soft palms. He sighed against her ear, making her ruby earring chime, showing no sign of struggle and proved himself unable to resist her.
"This is foul play, Koriand'er," he whispered in her ear and the sound of his voice saying her name brought unthinkable thoughts into her head. He pulled back to look at her oddly, letting his fingers trail down her back and noticing, with apparent pleasure, the shiver that ran through her body.
"How come you never told me your real name?"
Her eyes closing, she responded off handedly,
"You never told me yours."
The caress on her lower back stopped suddenly and her eyes remained close, waiting for them to start again. However, when they did not come, her eyes snapped opened to look at Robin, who was looking down to the floor.
"Robin," she started apologetically, "I meant no offense—"
"I know," he commented softly, raising his eyes to look at her, "But you never asked."
She peered at him through her long eyelashes with confusion.
"If I ask, will you tell me?"
He nodded, pressing up against her again and capturing her between his body and the wall.
"Robin, what is your birth name?"
He leaned into her and whispered in her ear, an intimate secret passed between them and only between them.
She leaned back to search his face momentarily, her eyes exploring the contours of his features form something. Her fingers trailed down the side of his face, down the harsh jaw line, and down his neck. She leaned into him this time and whispered,
"You don't look like a Richard."
Surprised, he stared back at her. She gently fingered his mask, tugging it gently enough to move it but not hard enough for it to come off.
"The mask still makes you Robin."
To his great surprise, he found no real fear in taking off the one article he had become one with. It was as if it was glued to his face by now, built into his very anatomy. Yet, he found his fingers reaching for hers and signaling that it was ok for her to take the mask off. She looked as if she couldn't believe it for a moment but she recovered and nodded. Slowly, almost agonizingly, she tugged the mask off and was met with eyes that belonged to those of an angel, eyes that matched the Earth's very skies and seas. A smile gently formed on her lips as her astounded eyes searched his face again.
"There he is."
She almost regretted when he closed his eyes to kiss her but a moment later, she got caught up in his passion and gave in to him. He kissed her softly, enjoying the feel of her lips against his as he moved them painfully slow. She let a groan escape her lips and he responded with his own. He let his fingers trail up her arms, knocking the bracelets along the way, and enjoying the way she shivered when he reached her shoulders. His other hand was against her back, holding her as close to him as he could. He caressed the soft skin of her back, earning a couple of more gasps from her. Even though he was also turned on by her touches across his chest, he felt as if what he was doing to her was more than caresses for her. In fact, her moans were so passionate, he had to stop for a moment to control himself from the whirlwind she was setting him on.
"You ok?" he asked huskily, eyeing her strangely through hazed sapphire eyes.
Her eyes were still closed, a look of pure ecstasy on her face.
"Mmm—" was her response, "Oh, yes."
His eyes widening, he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. At the sound of his laughter, she opened her eyes and blushed, as if she had remembered something embarrassing all of a sudden.
"Ok," he said with a big grin on his face, "You need to explain why you are even more aroused than I am."
Her blush deepened and she looked like she wanted the planet to open up and swallow her whole.
"I have told you before that in Tamaran, lip contact is the means to acquire language, remember?'
He nodded, the lopsided grin fading from his face.
"So does this mean that when we kiss, you feel nothing?"
It was Koriand'er's turn to laugh, waving away his comment.
"Not at all, it's--- quite an experience--- a very enjoyable experience."
Sighing with relief, Richard nodded for her to continue.
"In Tamaran, we show affection in other ways."
Richard's blue eyes narrowed slightly.
"Such as?"
Koriand'er looked down, embarrassed.
"Such as the touch of your hands against---sensitive places," she looked up to see Richard look as confused as before.
"Meaning?"
"Well, you remember how you're not supposed to touch me or why Galfore got so angry at you last time for touching my shoulder?"
He nodded, remembering all this well.
"Well, those are intimate parts. My arms, my shoulders, my stomach—"
"Exposed areas, then."
She nodded at him, sighing with unmet needs.
"So how do you kiss?" he asked her, letting his fingers linger across her stomach on purpose. He relished in the way her eyes fluttered shut, her eyelashes quivering to a close and her head dropped back to the wall.
"By pressing you cheek against mine," she whispered so low that it took a second for it to register. Letting his fingers continue their wandering, he kissed her lips for a second before letting his cheek brush against hers. Her hands tightened her hold on his shirt and the other hand which rested underneath his tunic sunk her nails in on his bare back. She was positively shaking in his arms by then but managed to give him a few brushed before he broke away, opening his eyes to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes shone with great radiance as his hand went around her waist, encircling around it to bring her closer before trailing back to her stomach where he could feel lithe muscles reacting to his touch. She surprised him by kissing him on his lips, letting her own hands take pleasure from him.
Though the moons were usually blocked by the strange clouds, tonight they had parted and shone brilliance into the castle. By then, the two teenagers had been pulled into a heavenly oblivion that neither of them wanted to leave.
Still, even through the haze, they both knew that the hallway was not the best place to make out. Very, very reluctantly, Richard managed to pull away from Koriand'er to exchange clandestine whispers and say good night. With a soft stroke of her cheek against his, she made her way to her room, literally floating on thin air. Once her door closed, she leaned against it, eyes closed, cheeks burning and lips swollen. She felt elated beyond belief and knew, at once, she would not be able to sleep.
A sharp rapping frightened her and chased the lovely thoughts away from her head. She opened the door and saw, to her great surprise, that Galfore was standing there.
"Koriand'er," he said in Tamaranian, "We need to speak."
The Grand Room was lit by one big fire, big enough to provide light and warmth to the area. The purple furniture held the Ruler of Tamaran and the crown princess, Koriand'er to speak of important matters. Her face had been lit by a fire that no one but he could give her but now, there was no trace left.
"I do not understand this, Galfore; I thought you would be happy for me."
"Koriand'er, do not believe for a mere second that I am not ecstatic that you have found love. There are only a handful of Royals that can say they have married in love and nothing else. But these times are strange times, my Bongorf and we must be very careful with what we do."
"What are you telling me, Galfore? I should not show my affection for him?"
Sighing, Galfore touched her face gently.
"He has kissed you, yes?"
Trying to hide her blush, she muttered 'yes' in response.
Chuckling, he continued,
"I happen to like the lad. To be able to lead a successful; team, one has to be strong, both physically and mentally. I believe he is a great match for you."
"I do too."
Galfore rubbed his temples and for the first time, Starfire noticed the wrinkles on her G'norfka and became instantly worried.
"What do you wish to tell me?" she asked anxiously.
"The festivities tomorrow are not only to celebrate your arrival but to celebrate something else," he stopped and recognized the look on her face.
"Galfore, you don't mean---?"
"The prince of Kalapatt has come to meet his betrothed."
Stuttering, Starfire panicked.
"But that was so long ago---how could you---!"
"My dear one," Galfore said soothingly, trying to calm her for she had begun shaking in her seat, "Would I truly marry you off to someone you have never met?"
She turned to look at him, her face pale and ash-stricken.
"What do you mean?"
"This visit is to keep up appearances and that is all," he looked into the fire, the scar on his left eyes thrown into sharp focus, "The fact is, no one knows if you will survive the Sond'heir but until there is confirmation that you have passed on, everything needs to go on as normal. Tamaran is the only planet so far that has Gordanians troops stationed on their backyard and are still able to function as normal."
He looked at her pointedly.
"Because of me?"
He nodded, returning his gaze to the fire.
"We have become a great nation because of this and everyone wants to ally with us. Until this is all over, we must maintain it this way, do you understand? An alliance with Kalapatt at times like these will come in very handy."
Left with her thoughts, Koriand'er didn't even notice she was back in the hallway of her chambers until she found herself facing her door. She turned to look at Richard's door and thought of those moments with him. Making up her mind, she turned and walked to his chambers, opening his door softly.
The room was dark; the moon could not filter in at this angle. She spotted Richard lying on the soft purple mattress and tip-toed to him. If there was ever a time to tell him, it was now, before she lost her nerve. She whispered his name several times but when no response came, she moved closer. She tripped on a disregarded show and cursed softly in Tamaranian. Once she was close to him, she stopped, her hand extended and her nostrils filled with his scent, a mixture of soap and sweat that intoxicated her.
Suddenly (or maybe not, she was too drunk to know for sure) his hand reached out for hers and harshly brought her down on the bed. Alarmed, she struggled which made him bend her arm to her back and pushed her face down against the mattress. She was a lot stronger than he was but realizing he was probably dealing with a Tamaranian, he climbed on top of her and held her in a way that she could not push him off. She heard his pants come closer to her ear and heard him whisper callously,
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Her mouth was against the pillow but she managed to say his name. Shocked to hear his birth name, he said the name of the only person who knew him well enough.
"Kori?"
He got off her, settling next to her and letting her recover.
"Jesus, Kori, I'm so sorry, I thought---"
She gave him a dirty look and was about to get up when she was jerked back down, yelling out in pain.
"The earring---"
Richard bunched the sheets and told her to sit next to him. He focused on the small rubies that made up the earrings while Koriand'er focused on him.
"Kori?" she asked curiously.
Even through the weak light, she saw him blush.
"I have this thing for nicknames---"
"It's ok, I like it," she smiled at him, "You called me that in English too."
Noticing his confusion, she explained,
"Kori means Star in Tamaranian. And'er is my family's name for as long as anyone can remember and it means fire."
He chuckled at that.
"Who knew?"
Once the earring was safely dislodged, she sat Indian style on his bed.
"What's up?" he said to her, letting his knuckles graze her cheeks.
"I have some disturbing news to report," she said gently, sliding closer to him, "so please let me say the whole thing before you start freaking out."
Richard groaned.
"That's never a good sign."
Nearly sitting on his lap, she started to tell him what Galfore had told her and watched his handsome face turn sour, his gorgeous eyes darken as she continued.
"So let me get this straight. You want me to sit back and watch some prince from another planet flirt with you and do absolutely nothing?"
"Mmm-mm."
"Yeah," he trailed off, "You're out of your mind."
"Richard, please. It is only until I battle and then it'll be all over."
"You sure?" he asked incredulously, not believing single word and looking very upset, "You mean to tell me this guy will pass on the opportunity to marry you?"
"Galfore will see to it that I do not leave Tamaran married."
Richard's hand went straight to his head, scratching it ferociously and shaking with anger.
"I'm just supposed to let this happen?"
Her hand reached to touch his face soothingly.
"Have faith that you are the only one I love and nothing and no one will ever change that."
Looking at her, he grunted something or other but it made Koriand'er laugh and jump on him. His arms surrounded her waist as he looked up at her.
"Kori, I'm a selfish bastard when it comes to you," he told her honestly, "I'm extremely uncomfortable with all of this."
"As am I," she conceded and lowered her head closer to his, letting her long red locks tickle his face, "You and I will make it through, yes?"
His response was a kiss that melted her very bones and heart.
They would be all right----or at least, they hoped so.
I know the plot seems a bit similar to other stories but believe me, I have a few surprising twists and turns.