"Good afternoon."
Terra looked up when Tyr appeared at the head of her and Beka's chaises. She and her mother had been lounging on the beach while Kindred and Lex frolicked in the surf.
"I guess," Terra replied as she looked back at the flexi she had in her hand. She didn't really care what color linens were being used at the reception but Beka had been filling her in on all of the things that had been decided the night before during the excursion into Alatopah.
"Terra is just a little out of sorts today," Beka gave Tyr a kiss when he perched himself on the edge of her chaise.
"I am not out of sorts," Terra shook her head as she looked over at Tyr. Truth be told she was a little out of sorts this morning but it was not something she wanted to discuss with her mother.
"We should have let her bring Bart or Nate to hang out with while we are here," Beka gestured to Terra. Beka thought part of Terra's mood was due to Beka having Tyr and Kindred having Lex. Terra was alone when they were not all together. And although Beka knew being alone had never been an issue for Terra, knowing her daughter had been spending quality time with several men, made Beka wonder if Terra missed their companionship. Not to mention, the palace by the sea was a very romantic location. Beka thought she might suggest to Tyr that the return after Lex's wedding. And perhaps then, Tamerlane would not close up the beautiful palace for the next twenty years.
"I don't need Bart or Nate to keep me company," Terra looked over at her mother in exasperation. She knew her mother was only being thoughtful. Truth be told, given the beautiful location, it could be a highly romantic getaway. If it were not for recent events with Tamerlane, Terra would have gladly enjoyed having Bart, Nate or Max with her. Her mother and Tyr and Kindred and Lex being allowed to enjoy the location was annoying her at the moment. "I was having a perfectly nice night down here last night, enjoying the surf and the breeze and the stars … until Kindred's bare ass went streaking by and ruined everything."
"Your brother and Lex did not realize anyone else was down here," Beka shook her head as she looked in the direction of her son and Lex.
"Obviously," Terra remarked snappishly. Terra had barely started to kiss Tamerlane when those two had made an appearance. Her evening with Tamerlane was over the moment Kindred's shout and Lex's squeal broke the night air as Kindred chased Lex into the surf. Tamerlane had instantly pushed Terra away and got to his feet. He left quickly so neither of them would see him. Terra made a big production over her exit from the beach.
"I see Tamerlane let you out of his office," Beka patted Tyr lightly on the chest. Tyr had been up early and off with Tamerlane for the entire morning.
"I am free for the next couple of hours," Tyr replied as he gently kissed her again. "I was thinking we could have lunch …"
"That would be wonderful," Beka smiled before kissing him again. "I really don't want to leave you alone again. Would you like to join us for lunch?"
Terra could tell by her mother's tone that Beka really hoped she would say no. Terra also bet there was more to 'lunch' than lunch.
"No, I'm fine," Terra looked over as Beka got to her feet. "You and Tyr enjoy … lunch."
"We will be on the terrace if you change your mind," Beka assured her before she and Tyr headed toward the stairs, arm in arm.
"Good afternoon."
"Why does everyone around here think it is a good afternoon?" Terra asked a few moments later when she opened her eyes to find Tamerlane standing beside her chaise.
"The sun is out and the Nietzschean Empire has avoided another war with the Drago-Kazov," Tamerlane replied as he looked in the direction of Kindred and Lex. "I would say it is a good day."
"Who knew a Nietzschean could be an optimist," Terra rolled her eyes slightly. She guessed she was a little out of sorts.
"About last night," Tamerlane began as he looked down at her again.
"No need to explain," Terra shook her head as she closed her eyes once more. "I don't want Kindred or Lex catching us together any more than you do. I will say I took great pleasure in standing at the edge of the water and embarrassing the hell out of my bare assed, aroused brother when he came chasing Lex out of the water like some horny ass teenager."
Terra's eyes flew open a moment later when she felt the light caress up the front of her thigh.
"What are you doing?" Terra looked up at Tamerlane as he perched himself on the edge of her chaise. He was looking in the direction of the ocean.
"When I passed my father and your mother, your mother was telling him that you were grumpy today. She thinks you would be in a better mood if you had been allowed to invite Bart or Nate with you," Tamerlane replied as he looked down at her. "Would you?"
"I don't need Bart or Nate to keep me company," Terra shook her head before looking down at his fingertips caressing her knee. "I would like to know just what you think you are doing. Someone is going to see you."
"My father and your mother are up on the terrace having lunch," Tamerlane looked back at Terra before looking back out toward the water. "My sister and your brother are oblivious to the universe at the moment. Hopefully they don't drift too far from shore or drown."
"You think they are having sex?" Terra asked as she looked in the direction of her brother and Lex. All you could see were heads bobbing above water and some intense kissing going on.
"If they aren't," Tamerlane looked back at Terra. "They soon will be."
"Why did you come down here?" Terra asked as she covered his hand with her own when his fingertips teased up the front of her bare thigh again.
"If I am unwilling to make an effort to make myself available to you, if even for only a few moments, I cannot expect the same of you," Tamerlane slipped his hand from under hers and quickly glanced in the direction of Kindred and Lex in the water. They were too caught up in one another to be paying attention to the shore.
Terra's eyes widened and her heart thudded in her chest when he turned back to her, leaned quickly and kissed her firmly on the lips. There was no gentle hesitation as his mouth moved over hers. Her mouth responded quickly to the persuasion of his lips. Almost as soon as it started, it was over. Terra's eyes opened slowly to meet his golden brown ones. Before she could speak, his hand came up to caress her jaw before he leaned and pressed a hard kiss against her mouth.
"I have to leave in a few moments," Tamerlane looked up when they heard the sound of an aerial transport overhead. It appeared as if it were landing above them near the palace. "I am needed back at the main palace for some meetings this evening."
"You're taking an aerial transport?" Terra's gaze narrowed on him. They had taken a ground transport that had taken more than two hours to reach the shore.
"It is faster," Tamerlane glanced back toward Kindred and Lex who were headed out of the water. The arrival of the transport had gotten their attention.
"How much faster?" Terra asked as Tamerlane stood up beside the chaise.
"I will be back to the palace in about twenty minutes," Tamerlane looked over when Lex called his name.
"You made us spend two hours in a freakin ground transport when we could have been here in twenty minutes?" Terra found herself a little annoyed.
"What's going on?" Kindred asked when he and Lex walked up to them.
"I was just informing Terra that I am needed back at the main palace," Tamerlane moved away from Terra. "Feel free to stay as long as you need. The ground transport will remain here to return you to the main palace when you are ready."
"Thanks," Lex moved over to quickly give Tamerlane a quick peck on the cheek.
"I will see you when you get back," Tamerlane replied as his eyes left Lex and moved over to Terra. She nodded slightly before giving him a faint wave.
"Have a safe trip," Lex called after Tamerlane as he hurried back across the beach toward the stairs. She wrapped her arm around Kindred's waist before giving him a kiss on the jaw. "We probably should head up to get ready for dinner with Abrielle."
"You coming?" Kindred looked down at Terra who was silently cursing the aerial transport for interrupting her private good bye with Tamerlane.
"Yeah," Terra said as she got up and got her things together. Picking out a ceremony site and decorations was not how she planned to spend her evening. But with Tamerlane gone, it would give her something to do.