Author's notes: Hi folks! I've put together answers to FAQs because I noticed how some of you had similar questions to very important points. I have compiled the answers in no particular order.
1. The Karras, Taryia and Xyannis I have in my stories are different from the comics. Although their characters exist, I've given them different turns.
2. I try to base most of the lore on the animated series, up to Season 2. I may take elements of Season 3 (and perhaps 4) but only insofar as it applies to new characters like Galfore. The events that happened in season 3 and 4 will not reflect in this story.
3. Yes, I do believe this is fast becoming an alternative storyline.
4. I am not writing this according to what happened in the comics.
5. I am not writing my own version of "Betrothed." Lol.
6. In the comics: Yes, Karras and Koriand'r married. Yes, Karras and Xyannis were brother and sister. Yes, Koriand'r and Kommand'r are the only ones, amongst their people, who could fire starbolts. Yes, Starfire and Xyannis never actually became friends. Yes, Karras and Taryia were an item. Yes, yes, yes to all comic lore. But I am writing for the animated series, and since they've altered many facts from the comics to fit the cartoon, I'm doing the same thing for my story. What applies in the cartoon (up to season 2), I apply in my story. What applies in the comics does not necessarily apply in my story. As far as family relations go, I will definitely apply comic lore, but as to everything else: relationships, powers, strengths, personality, I have my own story to tell. So if, say, Karras and Taryia got together in the comics, it doesn't mean I will have them get together in my story, as well. (Won't that be cute, though?)
Of course, speculation is a good thing. It breeds creativity and I'm all for it. It's all good!
Standard disclaimers apply.
PATH TO TAMARAN
Chapter Ten: Starfire's Quandary
Always, Starfire thought the city darker when they were on a mission to save it. She hardly ever feared the bad guy. Courage was a natural instinct in all of them in spite of their personal fears and inner demons, but Starfire always had a sense of foreboding for her friends. She did not want to see any of them get hurt.
Maybe there was more of the Tamaranian superiority in her than she thought, because she believed, at the back of her mind, that the other Titans couldn't possibly be as strong as she was; couldn't take hits as well as she could. She always felt a screaming desire to protect them, but as she had told Galfore, sometimes, they were even stronger than she was. Robin, especially.
When Johnny Rancid caused Robin to break his arm, she realized just how frail Robin was compared to the rest of them. Raven had powers of healing, so in a way, her body could withstand more beating than he could. Beast Boy gained the strength and agility of the animal forms he took, so he could deflect injury, if not withstand it altogether. And then there was Cyborg who called the strength of the machine in him at will.
Robin had only the muscles in his body, human in every way. The only armor he wore was his Kevlar enforced clothing and she had seen how little protection that offered. When Slade had beaten Robin sore, he was bruised and battered within every inch of him. His swollen left cheek had wrenched at her heart. How could he stand to be so damaged? Yet, he always went back for more, absolutely unafraid.
He had often joked with her about losing his teeth. Would she still love him? he had asked. Of course she would. She would love him if he had both his arms cut off and if he had to wear a wooden leg, but that was beside the point. She could not bear the thought of having him so physically broken. He was vibrant; agile; athletic and relatively strong compared to other humans, but he had his limitations. He simply must not be made an invalid because of, and because he was, all those things. There was no way she would let a vibrant, agile, athletic being like him be destroyed by injury. It was the main reason she had gotten between him and Cinderblock. It would have killed him to have Cinderblock barreling into him like that. Unlike her, Robin would not have survived the hit at all.
Protecting Robin and relying on him was a well of contradictions within her and she had to wonder if perhaps he felt the same of her. He probably did.
She and the titans flew through the tunnel, Cyborg clutched in her grip while Robin sped along on his R-Cycle. Beast Boy gave a shriek in Eagle form, coasting on the strong tailwind Starfire left trailing. He flew faster for it. Raven drifted nearby on her powers, her concentration evident.
As they emerged from the tunnel into the streets, Starfire soared above Jump City, catching a bird's eye view. Cyborg pointed just a few blocks from where Robin was leading the team down below. "Right on track. Follow that light!"
Starfire saw that this time, the concept of "dark" was not figurative. She saw entire blocks gone of power as a blinding white light throbbed in the center of it. She nodded, lowering them to lead the pack in the correct direction. "This way!" she yelled above the roar of the R-Cycle.
She whipped around the corner, the orange trail behind her glowing briefly before fading against the dark. Cyborg gave a yelp at her sharp turns and Starfire giggled.
Robin maneuvered his motorcycle expertly, never breaking and causing no delays. Beast Boy and Raven followed close behind.
Cyborg activated the communicator on his arm and as Starfire glanced down, she saw Robin's face from an odd angle. It was from the communicator on his motorcycle.
Cyborg spoke into the screen. "Robin, this alley is blocked up. Know what to do?"
"I'm on it." Robin winked out of the monitor.
Starfire was not the least bit surprised when Robin did not back up his vehicle. In fact, he shot forward even faster, and before she could feel unsettled by it, she saw him hitch his bike up on a diagonal platform. When the wheels lost board, the motorcycle soared through the air above the alleyway gate, clearing any obstruction. He landed on the other side with a shrill shriek of rubber on cement then he was off again.
Starfire gave a sigh of relief and rolled her eyes, shaking her head disapprovingly. She didn't know if she was exasperated with her dare devil of a leaderor if she was exasperated with herself, for even bothering to be unreasonably anxious for his safety.
Cyborg laughed at her expression. "Worrying about the Boy Wonder again?"
"It cannot be helped."
"Well, he'll always be one crazy bad-ass. That ain't changing."
She laughed softly. "What does that say about the person dating him?"
"She must be stark raving insane."
This time, she laughed out loud. She shot forward, catching up on Robin.
Cyborg flashed Robin a wide grin. "Yo man, that was stupid! I mean good stupid."
"Thanks," he said in a serious tone. He signaled ahead. "I think I see the suspect. Titans, go!"
"Launching," said Starfire. Cyborg nodded. She let him go, tossing him forward. He turned a flip, landing gracefully in a skidding crouch on the pavement and fluidly transforming the motion into a sprint. She could hear his cannons charging.
Starfire rose above, soaring high. She could see the explosion of powerful light centered on the street. Everything else around them was pitch black and the nearby transformer had been blown, smoking toxic clouds.
An armored car was turned over on its side while another was tilted awkwardly, headlights blinking. The windows of both vans were shatteredinto tightly woven webs. The surrounding police cars had been pushed back awkwardly, some of them bent and smoking. A lot of the squad car headlights had been blown dead and some of the cars were emitting dying sirens. The officers had to stay crouched behind their cars to avoid getting blasted with quick charges of electricity. She could see uniformed paramedics rolling out several injured police officers in gurneys, the ambu-cars parked several blocks away to keep Dr. Light from draining them of precious, lifesaving power.
Starfire clenched her fists.
At the center of it all was Dr. Light, laughing in grotesque glee at the destruction he had caused around him.
All this damage and pain for money? wondered Starfire. What was it about men like Dr. Light? How could they value currency more than human life? For all he knew, there may have been a hospital nearby that needed power to keep several people alive; children who might need electricity to breathe precious oxygen; or surgical machines that needed current to operate with life-preserving precision. How dare this strange, greedy man devalue life so thoughtlessly?
The Titans came from all sides, closing in on Dr. Light.
Beast Boy barreled into him first as a raging bull, transforming each time to avoid the bolts of energy Dr. Light threw at him. Seeing how the lightning bolts failed to detract Beast Boy, Dr. Light took a squad car and powered the red light on top of it. It glowed like fire, but it did its work. Beast Boy's bull instincts were unable to resist the red and he crashed himself right into the police car door. Beast Boy transformed into himself, completely dazed and staggering in circles.
Starfire sighed, eyes a-roll. She dove, throwing starbolts from her hands one after another as she dodged the electricity Dr. Light threw back. Cement exploded around him, but he protected himself in an energy shield. She had to pull up to avoid crashing into it.
Cyborg and Robin attacked together. The half-robot fired his sonic cannons around Dr. Light, knowing that Dr. Light would only absorb the charges if he fired directly. The villain backed up and Robin came at him, bo-staff in hand.
Robin twirled his bo-staff with expert skill, extending it at the last second. He caught Dr. Light in the gut and then at the back, having the villain tumble over, just inches from Cyborg's explosions.
Dr. Light recovered quickly, rolling forward to recover himself. He stood up, hands towards the air as he fired simultaneously at Starfire and Raven. He missed them both.
Raven shot forward, enveloping him in her black, eerie powers. "Ask yourself, Dr. Light… do you feel lucky?" Her eyes hollowed into chasms and her darkness began to bleed on him, starting with his feet and working upwards.
Dr. Light stared up at Raven, terrified. He stumbled back, swallowing, as if trying to consume his fear. He doubled over himself and began to glow white.
Stafire's eyes widened. "Raven! Look away!" She fired bolts at the villain's feet.
Dr. Light expanded his chest, releasing a bright, blinding stream of electricity, but the starbolts had knocked him awkwardly to the side. His power remained strong, but it lost focus, and Raven was able to raise her hands on time, creating a barrier to protect herself. She was safe; that was relief enough for Starfire, but Raven had to back away. Dr. Light's flare was too strong. He raised his hands and the power lines around them snapped from their connections. They coiled around each other, as if they had minds of their own, and formed two thick chords. They whipped around, crackling dangerously as they swung and hit.
Police officers screamed to get away, their cars crunching at the sheer weight and electricity of the cables. The rest of the Titans had to scramble to dodge the thick eels.
Starfire charged her bolts, ready to obliterate the one that was heading straight for her. She was just about to release a highly explosive charge when something slammed into her with breath-taking strength. It reminded her of those American Football games she watched, when the television announcers put the bodily collisions on slow motion. It was like that, but infinitely more real, and painful.
She and the thing rolled on the pavement, knocking her senseless for several seconds. She was utterly confused as she bolted upright, but she froze in icy realization as she saw the snarling face of Karras staring her down, rage clear in his features.
"Are you insane?" he cried, growling. "Galfore will have my head if something happens to you, you stupid brat!"
"Karras? W-What are you?" She gasped, seeing past his shoulders Taryia, flying through the air straight at the coiling electric beast. "Taryia!" Pushing past Karras, she had him tumbling and crashing to the trash-bins nearby.
Taryia fired explosive bolts from the bolt-amplifiers in her hands and eyes. Starbolts were uncommon enough among her people; strong starbolts rarer still. A lot of the bolt wielders had to wear amplifiers in their hands and eyes to generate the same power Starfire or Blackfire could naturally create. Taryia's bolts lacked power to make any considerable damage.
Taryia pulled out her massive sword and slashed at a nearby electric post. It toppled on top of the writhing coiled cable, incapacitating it for several seconds. The cable bucked, launching the thick post in the air straight for Taryia.
Taryia took the post across the gut and she flew back, tumbling helplessly to the ground.
"Taryia!" Starfire cried, attempting to shoot forward, but she jerked back with a yelp, her hair caught on something.
She was enraged to discover that Karras had held her and he tossed her backward, almost as violently as she had him. She crashed against the same trash-bins. She shrieked bloody murder as some rats scampered over and away from her.
She roaredKarras' name in fury.
Karras sped forward, hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword as he hunched in a strange stance.
All she could think about was how stupid and crazy he was, thinking that he could take on an electrically powered monster with a steel weapon. He would be charred to cinders by the traveling current of electricity! But he did not stop, launching in the air as much as his leg-muscles allowed him and slashed with fluid and fast strokes.
Surprisingly, the electricity did not catch him, and large chunks of cable fell to the ground, dormant.
The primary chord remained active and before it could slam into Karras, Cyborg fired his sonic cannon to knock it off course. Beast Boy transformed into a rhino, charging into another post to topple it and slap the chord away.
Robin and Raven fell upon Dr. Light. Robin knocked Dr. Light's feet from under him and Raven caught him in her nightmarish embrace. The possessed cables instantly fell motionless on the dark street. The only lights remaining were from the fading headlights of a few patrol cars.
Dr. Light screamed himself almost bloodless and Robin had to yell above the din.
"Raven! Enough, Raven!"
Raven fell back, sucking her powers back to herself.
Dr. Light lay curled up on his side, the bulbs on his costume dimmed. He looked pale, but he seemed far more lucid now than the last time Raven had caught him in her grip.
Dr. Light sobbed as he pleaded. "Take me away! I surrender! Please, just get me away from her!"
Raven smiled down at him in satisfaction. "Lessoned learned, Dr. Light?"
He scrambled away from her.
Amidst the moving beams of flashlights, the super-villain SWAT force came to take him, putting him in special cuffs and securing him in a rubber-lined containment van. Quickly enough, emergency lighting was rolled into the scene, giving off enough illumination for the police to do their work.
TheTitans and their unexpected companionsconverged on Robin and Raven, Taryia leaning on Karras as they went.
Starfire stomped towards them, snatching off creepy crawlies from her as she went. She was furious—like a princess, furious—, and she faced the Rulad with haughty displeasure.
"How dare you come here and keep me from performing my duties?"
Karras glared. "You're welcome, princess."
"Do not give me your sarcasm, Karras. Robin expressly told you to stay put in the tower and you ignored his command. Besides, I did not appreciate you barreling into me like some crazy loomp-nort! In the first place, it hurt!"
Taryia bowed. "Our apologies for that, Your Highness. Karras gets carried away."
Karras scowled. "Do not apologize to this ungrateful royal pain in the behind! We were following orders!"
Starfire pushed him on the chest. "Whose orders?"
Karras pushed her back. "Netherverse cursed, who else's?And don't you dare push me!" There was a bit of the prince in his tone now, Starfire noticed. It stirred in her the instinct to fight back. They were, after all, equal in rank in many things; having first rights to their respective thrones was the least of it. She felt like a Rulad of sorts, as well, and that they had not only offended her, but they had offended Robin's authority just as badly, and she was only more than willing to defend that.
Starfire was about to give a much vicious retaliation when Robin stepped in front of her.
He was bearing down on her with a stern stare. "Starfire, we talked about this."
She backed off, but she maintained the deep scowl on her expression. "I yield, but they got in my way, and they ignored your orders to leave this to us. I will not let them gainsay my captain."
Cyborg came up beside Starfire, shaking his head. "I have to agree to a certain extent, Robin. Karras and Taryia helped some, but they could have gotten seriously hurt. Beast Boy and I had to fight off the cable just to keep Karras from getting fried."
Robin sighed, looking over his shoulder at Karras and Taryia.
"Our orders were to protect the princess," said Taryia. "It was not a matter of gainsaying you, Robin dai Jurumad. For that, we are sorry. You may punish us as you see fit but we'd have done our duty, regardless. Princess Koriand'r is safe."
"I was not in any danger!" Starfire growled.
Robin squeezed her arm gently, signaling that he would take care of this matter. He looked to the Rulad. "I understand that you were ordered. And in keeping Starfire safe, we're in perfect agreement. There's no punishment necessary, but you also have to understand that Starfire managed without any of you around before. She is trained for this kind of thing. She protects us as well as she protects herself. With you 'saving' her, we had to protect you. If you think we're going to let you two die, even for Starfire, think again. We're not like that. Hate to say it, but you only got in the way."
Karras frowned. "Protect herself, can she?" He turned his gaze to Starfire. "What happened to the firing mechanisms in your eyes, princess? I know you've transformed and have the wielding of them. Why didn't you use them? I'd wager you got seriously hurt and couldn't use your eyes anymore."
Starfire clenched a fist and her eyes glowed. She could feel the heat at the back of them. Karras blinked but he remained stubborn; insolence brimming from his gaze. She let the light in her eyes die down. She had experienced charging them before, since after the operation, but she hadn't fired them yet, uncertain as she was of the consequences.
"Starfire." It was Robin's voice, telling her to let him handle it. If Karras' words had touched a nerve in her, it had touched a nerve in Robin as well, but Robin remained calm, though she could see the tension in his shoulders. He looked at Karras with only slight annoyance. "All of us have suffered injury, doing what we do, but what hasn't destroyed us has made us stronger. I'm sure you understand this, Karras. Starfire's here and alive, isn't she? That's telling enough of how we look out for each other and ourselves. Back off, Karras. You're pissing off Starfire, and pretty soon, you'll be pissing me off too. You don't want that."
Taryia jumped in. "No, captain. We do not want that. Right, Karras?"
Karras' jaw muscle twitched, but he nodded stiffly. "We do not."
"We are sorry, are we not, Karras?" Taryia gave him a small jerk.
"We are." Karras said it like he was having a tooth wrenched out, but it was enough that the words came from him. "I honor the same principles you do. I apologize for my rudeness, Robin."
Robin nodded. He flashed Karras a half smile. "You're a weird guy, Karras. And even if you could be an asshole, I figured I don't have to like you to trust you. Now, let's all go back to the tower. Titans?"
Karras nodded in return, acknowledging Robin's leadership. He followed behind Robin.
Starfire stifled a pout. She almost wanted to accuse Robin of fraternizing with the enemy. She wanted to stomp her foot and call Karras a kiss-up, but of course, doing all those things would have rendered her infantile. She stifled her irritation and came to accept the fact that Robin and Karras just might be the sort of men who could actually respect, if not like, one another.
She saw Robin getting on his cycle and she hurried on ahead with the rest of the Titans.
Beast Boy bowed in her path with a grand flourish. "After you, Your Majesty!" He spoke with his British accent.
Starfire made a face. "Really, Beast Boy…"
He laughed, changing into a parrot and perching on Starfire's shoulder. He squawked and whistled. "Royal rampage!" Another squawk. "Off with their heads!"
Starfire laughed in spite of herself.
Cyborg chuckled. "Cut it out, BB."
"Yes," said Raven, rising into the air. "I'm in a good mood. Don't ruin it."
Beast Boy launched himself into the air, squawking beside Raven. Raven had him flying against a mind-powered wall.
Starfire giggled, flying and picking Cyborg off the ground. The roar of Robin's cycle bounced off the building walls, amplifying the sound. He took off down the streets and Starfire followed him. Beside her in the air were Karras and Taryia, arms around each other. They looked like a missile inflight as they shot forward.
Raven and Beast Boy appeared shortly, with Beast Boy a green pterodactyl.
They sped through the streets, heading back to headquarters.
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When the got back to the tower, Galfore was there, awaiting their return. He carried with him some kind of bag and Starfire recognized it as a medicine kit.
Starfire walked into the Info and Rec level with everyone except Robin who had stayed in the garage for a few minutes. He said he would be up with the rest of them shortly.
As her gaze fell on Galfore, she didn't know if she was going to hug him or scold him. She decided to do both.
After she embraced her k'norfka she gave him a disapproving frown. "You should not have sent your Rulad to try and protect me."
Galfore smiled. "I did not send them to protect you. I sent them to watch you and report to me."
"They said you ordered them to protect me."
"I told them to do what they thought was best. If they thought it best to protect you, then I suppose they were doing as they were ordered. Did they get in the way?"
"Yes!"
"Ah, then I suppose I would have to speak to Robin about it. I do not want him thinking I am disrespecting him. Rulad, do you have any injuries?"
"Taryia may need some treatment for bruising," said Karras, leading her to the chair nearest Galfore.
Taryia made no protest. She must have been in more than a bit of pain.
Starfire sighed, pushing Karras aside with a relatively kind shove. "Let me attend to her."
Karras frowned slightly though he said nothing, perhaps recognizing Starfire's sincerity in treating Taryia's injuries.
Galfore nodded encouragingly at him as the Tamaranian captain laid the medicine bag beside Starfire.
Cyborg, from the refrigerator, asked if anyone wanted refreshments. Beast Boy bounded towards him, peeking into the refrigerator himself.
"Let me see," said Starfire to Taryia in a gentle tone.
Without batting an eyelash, Taryia pulled off her top. She was not naked. She had something of an undergarment; relatively modest in itself. It covered her breasts, but showed much of her midriff. Tamaranian warriors like Taryia did not make matters like gender and modesty her concern.They wereall warriors; equal in everything.If Starfire told Taryia to take everything off, she would, but that was, of course, highly unnecessary.
Starfire examined Taryia'sbody. It was bruised blue, black and raw. It looked very painful. She knew it was; she had suffered such bruises herself. Starfire was half certain there was a cracked rib somewhere. Taryia was not going to get by on salve, unless she wanted to be kept awake most of the night by writhing pain.
"Raven," called Starfire. "Please, I need your assistance."
Raven drifted towards them, her eyes roving to Taryia's injuries. "That hurts." It wasn't a question.
Taryia gave a shrug. "It is bearable."
Raven's eyebrow arched as she knelt beside Taryia. "I'll bet. Hold still. Relax. You'll feel some heat, and then cold, but it'll be fine."
Taryia nodded and let Raven do her work.
Raven focused her powers and her hands glowed dark. She let them hover over Taryia's body and instantly, the raw parts healed over. Another few minutes and Raven managed to lessen the bruising.Soon after, Raven pulled back, a mild strain pinching at the lines of her face. She breathed a bit before looking up at Starfire. "Best I could do for now."
Starfire flashed her a smile. "Thank you. It is more than Taryia could have hoped for on this night."
Raven nodded, drifting away to go to the refrigerator, probably to take a soda to replenish some of her energies. She had been taxed much that evening, what with Dr. Light, but as she said, she was in a good mood, so she probablyhadn't minded the extra use of her powers at all.
"Extraordinary," said Galfore from the side. "She could heal by touch."
"She could do many things." It was Taryia who said it.
Starfire could not help but feel proud for her friends. Taryia and Karras had seen what her Titans could do and she was certain that the Rulad had found reason to respect them.
"And the others too, I think," said Galfore. Starfire had told him stories of the Titans when they had talked on the rooftop, but Galfore was yet to see it.
She listened to Taryia and Karras report as she applied salve to Taryia's remaining bruises.
Karras nodded. "Yes. I was astounded by the shapes the little green one could take, and the strength of the Cyborg, too, was impressive."
"And their captain," said Taryia. "He has my respect. He is capable and strong; worthy of their leadership."
Starfire had a distinct feeling that she was not the only one Galfore wanted watched on the mission. She could forgive Galfore his little deception. He was, after all, the closest thing to a father she could ever have.
Robin walked through the elevator, and seeing Starfire treating Taryia, he went to them, a concerned frown on his face. "Did you have Raven try to heal her?"
Starfire nodded. "Raven did much. I am just putting salve on what injuries remain. Taryia will heal nicely."
"Good. Karras, you alright?"
"I am uninjured."
Galfore rose from his seat. "I thank you for your concern of my Rulad, Robin. But please, I would like conference with you. Somewhere private?"
Robin smiled. "Training room." He led the way.
They disappeared through the training room door with Starfire's gaze following them.
She wondered what it was exactly Galfore would talk about with him. Galfore had proven to be more wily than she remembered. Of course, he had always been a strange mixture of direct and diplomatic. It was how he got Starfire to listen to reason back then when she was a child. It was also how he managed to discipline her in many things. Perhaps his being Jurumad attested to his superb management skills, after all.
"You are worried about what the captain has to say to him," said Taryia.
Starfire set her attention back to her patient and she smiled as she reached for the bandages. "Not worried. I am curious. What does my surrogate father have to say to the man he thinks, by rights, should be my s'lor?"
Karras scoffed. "To warn him, I'd wager. Of you."
Starfire shot him a glare but kept her temper. Taryia certainly didn't think it offensive, and she was usually the first to react to Karras' rudeness towards the princess. "I am perfectly sweet and amiable to everyone but you, Karras. Ask anyone."
Cyborg and Beast Boy came over, sitting on the rest of the couch and flicking the television open. Raven took her place at the end of the sofa, levitating in her lotus position.
"Are you two going to fight again?" asked Beast Boy.
Cyborg flipped through the channels. "BB, that's their natural state. The question is: When aren't they fighting?"
Taryia smiled at that. "Ah, but the princess has shown great restraint."
"You have no idea," said Starfire with a roll of her eyes.
Karras gave a derisive snort. "You haven't exactly been congenial, you know."
"You absolutely give me no reason to."
"I have to say, Karras," said Raven, unexpectedly joining in the conversation. She must have been in a really good mood. "You've done the impossible. You've brought out in Starfire something I never thought she had."
"A raving witch?"
Starfire scowled but Raven actually chuckled at that. It was very seldom that Raven found humor in anything. Apparently, she found something funny in Starfire and Karras' fights, or maybe just Karras. He was the type of straightforward, amusingly cynical man Raven might find worthy of her time.
"Well, not exactly," replied Raven. "I was talking about her malice."
Starfire made a motion to protest, but Raven raised a hand to calm her. If she put any empathic powers behind it, Starfire hardly noticed.
"It's a refreshing side to your personality, Starfire," explained Raven. "It's something I could… related to. I never realized you were capable of sarcastic wit, at any rate."
Starfire was not sure if it was a compliment. Knowing Raven, it probably was. "You could thank Karras for that. His talents bring out the worse in me."
"Listen to this girl pretend that her imp of a mouth isn't her own," said Karras in a dry tone.
Starfire lifted her nose haughtily. "You are just jealous because I make better comebacks."
He gave a derisive snort. "You shouldn't be too proud about being an expert on ripping into someone's dignity."
She reddened, half irked and half embarrassed. "Believe me when I say that being better than you is not exactly something to boast of."
Another malignant smile began to spread on Raven's lips.
Karras was about to make a cutting reply when Cyborg interrupted.
"Okay, you two, quit it. My show's on."
The theme to American Pop Star blared through the speakers.
Karras simmered and Starfire refocused her energies on putting the bandages on Taryia.
Temporarily clipped of his claws, Karras repositioned himself beside Beast Boy, taking some of the offered potato chips, though he sniffed them momentarily before putting it in his mouth and deciding he liked it. The three boys, along with the impassive Raven, watched the show, laughing every so often when an aspiring singer belted out in his awful voice and off-key tone.
Starfire concentrated on taking care not to pull Taryia's bandages too tight. Not long into her task, she caught the elder woman flashing a subdued smile.
"Something is funny, lieutenant?" asked Starfire in Tamaranian. She was not offendedby Taryia's amused demeanor. It was a casual question for conversation's sake.
"No," replied Taryia in the same language. "Well, perhaps there is something funny. I never fathomed that anyone would dislike Karras the way you do."
Starfire was surprised by this before she found herself chuckling. "And I never fathomed Karras as anything else but dislikeable."
"Yet, see for yourself. He seems to be getting along fine with the others now that he sees your enmity for him has not extended to your friends. He realized it, I think, when Robin showed no reluctance to treat him fairly."
Starfire looked over her shoulder and saw that Karras was laughing along with Beast Boy and Cyborg. Karras, in fact, seemed to have said something so disparagingly funny about one of the untalented hopefuls on the show that even Raven found it in herself to crack one of her tiny smiles; Beast Boy and Cyborg just flat out laughed at it.
She was only mildly surprised at this. She had already suspected that Karras showed a more amicable face with others than he had ever did with her. Of course, six months living with him in his castle had not shown her his better qualities, but then she had never seen him with his soldiers, and perhaps that was when he was at his best. After all, he could not have been so successful as a soldier if he did not get along with anyone in his unit. As she looked at Karras, it occurred to her that he considered Beast Boy, Cyborg and Raven soldiers, as well.
He acted like an insufferable prick when he was in court, but she realized only now that he acted that way because he had very little patience for them. The sons, if not also the daughters, of lords and dukes who hid behind their father's titles to avoid service in the army likely earned his disdain if not his enmity.
Starfire shrugged, clipping the edges of Taryia's bandages. "The truth is this: I do not care, one way or another. I have never, in my life, said that and meant it; only now, with him. He may hate me as much as he wants and I feel no need to change that."
Taryia sighed. "I suppose there's no help for it."
She sounded so depressed about it that Starfire tried to give her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "But you never know, you know? Maybe I will find him more bearable and he would not think me such a witch anymore."
Taryia made no other response to it. She instead thanked Starfire for the care, sitting back to relax on the couch to watch the show with the rest of the Titans.
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Cyborg, Beast Boy and Raven turned in for the night when American Pop Star finished. Starfire was left waiting in the living room with Taryia and Karras for Galfore and Robin to emerge.
"They have been there for quite some time," said Starfire somewhat anxiously. "What are they talking about?"
She spoke the words in Tamaranian, realizing how easily she slipped back into speaking it and adopting the new inflections and nuances she heard from Galfore and Taryia. Karras' Tamaranian was fluid enough, and he spoke it even without his translator on. His accent was pleasant, but Starfire didn't bother speaking the compliment out loud. His ego didn't need anymore stroking.
"I would not worry so much, princess," said Taryia. "The captain's loyalty to you extends to Robin a great deal. Robin shall be treated with respect."
Karras merely gave a grunt, as if he didn't exactly believe it. Starfire ignored him.
They sat in silence for several minutes with Starfire battling anxiety within her. It was a few more minutes before she decided that Taryia was right, that she had nothing to worry about, or else, there was really nothing she could do to change anything that may have been happening in the training room. She veered her thoughts, trying to think of something other than Robin and Galfore talking about God knew what.
She turned to Karras. He was the perfect antidote. She spoke Tamaranian, just because it helped to relax her. "Karras, how did you manage to cut off pieces of Dr. Light's monster cable without electrocuting yourself? Your sword is metal, is it not? It is a primary conductor of electricity."
He flashed her a toothy grin, his ego growing right before her very eyes. "Because I am so good at what I do."
"Just please spare me your nauseatingly bigego and answer the question."
He laughed, throwing back his head. It infuriated her that he found great amusement in it all, but she was too curious to rail about it right now. He pulled the sword from his belt, sheathe and all, and tossed it towards her.
Starfire caught it with one hand, hearing the clear clink of steel from within the protective enclosure of the blade. She grasped the handle and was surprised to feel the firm grip the hilt gave. It fit perfectly in her hand, but perhaps because it had a fairly small diameter.
The sword, though slim and compact, felt heavier than it looked. The length of the blade from hilt to tip was a little more than half her height, probably coinciding with the length of Karras' limbs. She slid off the sheathe, the sharp gleam of steel meeting light flashing across her eyes. She turned it a bit to deflect the glare.
Hefting the unsheathed sword, she stared at it, trying to understand how Karras had done what he had. She looked at the hilt once more. It was wrapped in a rubbery material, making a wielder's grip unyielding; sure. Only a skilled twist by an opponent could get the sword wielder to falter in his hold.
Starfire figured that the hilt wrap might have something to do with stopping the current of electricity. The material, like the Earth rubber, had the same insulating properties, incapable of conducting electricity. But still, such a current as Dr. Light could generate would have made the sword too difficult to wield. It would have shook and jerked in Karras' grip. There was absolutely no way Karras could have made the smooth transitions and slices with a clumsy weapon.
"The metal is Kalapattian," said Karras. "Just like any other metal in the universe in most things, except that its basic metallic properties could be isolated from the conduction bands in its atoms. The metal isn't totally rid of conductive properties, but it's enough of a dampener to cut through the current cleanly. Impressed?"
Starfire was, but she would rather be damned to the Netherverse than admit that to him. "Good sword," was all she said. She took the sheathe and slipped it back around the blade.
Karras laughed again and she frowned, snapping sword and sheathed together in mild irritation.
The doors to the training room suddenly opened and Starfire rose to her feet, slamming the sword back to Karras, perhaps with unnecessary force. It gave him a good clout, causing him to curse her and her lineage in the searing rhythm of the Kalapattian tongue.
She didn't care. She had questions that needed answering and only Robin would be forthright with her about them.
She made a quick assessment of Robin and Galfore. They seemed alright. No bruising. No blood. Also, they were grinning at each other: No hate.So far so good, but one never knew. "Well, look at the time!" said Starfire, affecting a yawn as she rose in the air. "It is quite late, isn't it? Taryia, you must get some rest if you want to heal quickly. Robin, are you retiring yet? Or are you going to work a bit more?"
Robin veiled a smile, probably knowing exactly what Starfire was planning to do. "I'll be working on a few last minute things, why?"
"Nothing, really. Well, goodnight, then. Goodnight Galfore." She swept over to her giant of a k'norfka and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. She waved to Taryia. "Goodnight, Taryia dai Rulad. I shall see you all in the morning." She paused and looked over her shoulder at Karras. "Goodnight."
"Good riddance," he replied with a grimace.
She rolled her eyes in disgust but left it at that. She didn't know why she even bothered. She heard Taryia chastising him in Tamaranian with perhaps the foulest language Starfire had ever heard Taryia use. She wasn't particularly shocked that Taryia was potty-mouthed. She was a warrior of the Imperial Legion, Rulad no less, and it was practically a prerequisite to be able to spew profanities on a regular basis to become a true soldier.
Starfire headed straight for the elevators, letting Taryia do her worse; she had other more important things to think about.
She supposed she made it clear enough to Robin that she would be asking him what he and Galfore talked about, and that she would want to know about it now. Her roundabout way of telling him so was more for him than her. Any form of public display of intimacy gave Robin a certain degree of discomfort. Sometimes, he allowed it without issue, but most times, he would rather not. She would rather take the safer course; she was very considerate that way.
She headed straight for the showers; she had time enough for that, after which she dressed in a fresh strappy pink top and a pair of pajamas dotted with tiny pink stars and moons. She headed to Robin's room, resolving to wait for him in there. He never minded when she ambushed him in his quarters. She supposed it was his way of adjusting to her habits, in much the same way she adjusted to his.
Starfire hadn't been waiting long when Robin walked through his doors. She tossed aside the science magazine she had found under his bedside table and smiled.
He chuckled upon seeing her, shaking his head.
She let him gather his bearings as she waited patiently on his coverlet for him to start speaking.
He removed his utility belt and his cape then sat on the edge of bed, kicking off his boots. He wiggled his toes from within the cover of his thick black socks nonsensically and Starfire recognized it as a stalling tactic. She grinned to herself, letting him take his time. Finally, he looked over his shoulder at her. He seemed amused. "Well?"
Starfire shot him an incredulous stare, marred only by the grin on her lips. "What do you mean, 'Well?' What did Galfore say to you? What did you talk about? How did your private conference go?"
His eyebrow arched, unable to stifle his own grin. He looked at his clock and yawned. It was a pretend yawn. "It's late…"
She pouted for a second before she let her own mischief take over. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning her chin on his shoulder and tilting her lips up to whisper in her ear. "If you tell me, I do promise to be good."
Robin, made of nerves and a will of steel, had never been proof against Starfire's seductions, whether or not he knew she would actually fulfill them. He craned his neck, letting their foreheads bump lightly. "Maybe we could sort of reverse the order of that… goodies first; tell later." He leaned over, probably to kiss her.
She chuckled, pulling away and shaking her head. He almost fell over as she smoothly evaded his lips. "Noooo, tell first; goodies later. I have already decided that I will punish you if you tell me nothing."
"Punish me?"
"Yes. As in: walk out of here, punish you."
He pretended to pause and think about it. "Well, I certainly wouldn't want that…"
"No, you do not." She grinned.
A second later, he nodded. "I'm a reasonable guy." A tiny smile formed on his lips, slightly predatory. He leaned over, kissing her with soft suction just below her ear. "I'm counting on that promise, hear?"
She giggled, a pleasant shudder running down her spine. "So am I, come to that. But first we talk."
He made a soft sound of longing, burying his nose on the crook of her neck and slipping his arms around her. "You're killing me."
She smiled, honestly liking the feel of his breath on her throat and the firm grasp of his hands on her waist. It still amazed him how Robin could be so cool and composed in front of others but so passionate when it was just the two of them in an intimate setting. Both sides of his personality were so distinct that sometimes even she found it difficult to remember how unraveled he could be when he wanted, especially when he was scolding her for something or other.
But during times like these; when his hot breath was warming parts of her that she didn't know needed attention; when his silky lips were pressed against her skin, usually followed by the gentle caress of his tongue; when his hands were upon her, eager for the feel of her, she couldn't imagine him being anything else but passionate.
His lips began to take liberties on her neck and shoulders in the most wonderful way.
She sighed happily, momentarily closing her eyes and wanting so desperately to give in to his ministrations, but she knew that if she gave in now, Robin would know exactly the kind of power he had on her and that simply wouldn't do. A girl shouldn't have to be powerless in the face of her boyfriend, no matter how tempting it was to give him absolute control.
Giggling softly, she pushed him with a gentle nudge. "Later." She did not know how she managed to resist him.
He expelled a breath. He left the intimate confines of her neck and slipped off his mask, tossing it carelessly to the corner of his bed.
She arched an eyebrow; not that she didn't like seeing his eyes. They were as mesmerizing to her now as the first day she saw them, but the removal of his mask at such time, when they could burn each other with a single touch, was about as baring for him as stripping his shirt off.
"What?" He flashed an innocent look, removing his gloves with veiled nonchalance.
She knew what he was doing. She wagged a finger at him. "If you think you could draw this out until I surrender, you are—as Raven says—'way inside and above your head'."
He chuckled, cupping her face in his hand and caressing her cheek with his thumb. "You mean 'way in over my head'."
She nodded haughtily. "That is what I said. I suspect that whatever Galfore told you, he does not want me to know about it; it was the reason he sought privacy in the first place, so I have decided I will not try to convince him to tell me, but you, Richard, will tell me what I want, when I want it. I could sit here all night and tease you just as badly as you are teasing me, and mind you, I will stay clothed. They are not budging an inch."
"Well," he said thoughtfully. "We could—you know—do this clothed if you're into that sort of thing. I could work with that." He jerked his eyebrow suggestively.
Starfire could not help but laugh. "You naughty…"
"You have no idea," he drawled, moving forward to attempt another kiss.
She put her hands out, placing them firmly on his shoulders. "Richard Grayson, if I did not know any better, I would think you too enamored of me to be reasonable."
He grinned. "Oh? What gave me away?" Undeterred, he managed to land his kiss on her lips, coaxing unholy thoughts in her as she indulged herself a moment by kissing back.
But she had already decided that she would get him to talk and she was determined to get what she wanted. Pulling away, she laughed. "But since I do know better, I know you are trying to distract me. For some reason, you do not wish to tell me about what transpired between you and Galfore. This will never do, as you should know by now that if your talk with him had anything to do with me, I believe I have every right to know about it."
He cocked a smile and had her lying against the pillows with a swift, skillful pull. He kept her caged in his arm, on leg draped over hers to keep her from moving. "Too many words."
She managed a frown, and she was surprised to discover that she wasn't pretending do be displeased, either. "I am serious, Robin."
She saw in his eyes that he suddenly understood that she was, and he sighed, the playful desire gone from his gaze, replaced by deep longing, mixed with partial defeat.
"I can't tell you everything," he said. "There was an important part that Galfore made me swear I wouldn't tell you. I don't entirely agree that it should be kept from you, but I'm bound by my promise. Anyway, I'm not sure myself if it's the sort of thing I'd want you to know about… probably because I'm a selfish prick."
She frowned again, this time because she didn't approve of him calling himself selfish. He was one of the most unselfish men she knew, and that was saying a lot, considering she had met scores of men throughout the galaxy. "You are not selfish."
He laughed mildly. "Oh, yes I am. When it comes to you, I am."
She shook her head to disagree. He went on to other things. "He apologized to me about the appearance of Karras and Taryia at the crime scene. He told me he had no intention of undermining my authority and that it wasn't going to happen again. I appreciate him for it, even if I knew he did it, not only protect you, but to check out the rest of us, as well."
She reddened and he eased her embarrassment.
"It's alright. I could understand his concern. No harm done."
"Thank goodness for that."
He nodded. "And then there's the matter of taking care of you." He grinned broadly. She groaned. "I had to tell him about what happened to you; about your losing your eyesight, and your starbolts. I wasn't sure if Karras or Taryia would tell him about it, but I figured it best came from me. He'd find out, one way or another, anyway."
"Oh, X-Hal save us all…" she muttered. "Was he so displeased?"
Robin hesitated. "Yes."
She eyed him, noticing the hesitation. "With me?"
He hesitated again. "No. Not with you."
It brought on another groan from her. "He blamed you, didn't he?"
"Well… he didn't really blame blame…"
"He did. Oh, Otherverse forfend! Galfore—"
"It really wasn't so bad," Robin said hastily. "I mean I could see that he wanted to beat the crap out of me but he didn't. That was nice of him."
Starfire scowled. Robin was such an awful fibber. "He attacked you. I know he did. He had no intention of killing you, of that I am sure of, but I am certain he desired to emphasize his displeasure by knocking you around a bit, just that he could not, because you are fast, and skilled. You probably dodged every strike he made; and that must have made him even more furious. What a miserable situation this is!"
Robin waved her concern away. "He didn't hurt me. I managed to… avert his anger after I sort of begged for his forgiveness. Actually, I was yelling that I was sorry. You know, so he would hear me above his anger. I know the kind of anger he had; it's the sort that buzzes in your ear and you don't hear anything else…"
Starfire sighed, hiding behind the cover of her hands. It was too embarrassing. It was bad enough she had an overprotective boyfriend, but to have an overprotective k'norfka too? That was just unfair. She cursed in Tamaranian. "Auron's get…"
"He said that a lot."
Worse and worse!
"But the important thing is," he said, putting a placating hand on her arm. "He listened to reason. When I managed to get through to him, he was just glad you had your eyesight back… give or take some emphasis on how I should take care of you…"
"Threatened the virtue of your behind if something awful happens to me, I'd wager."
A barely discernable smile twitched from the corner of Robin's lip. He did not confirm nor deny her comment. He instead went on as if she hadn't said anything. "He also said that in Tamaran, they wouldn't have had the technology to cure you as well as you've been cured. Your planet's technology, though advanced in the many sciences, lacks a lot in medicine. I think maybe it's because your race is basically strong. Your physical and physiological strength enables you and your people to exist without much need for medical treatment, therefore the development of your medical technology is slow… am I boring you with this?"
"Not really Robin, no. I would much rather hear about your theories than Galfore's wrath."
He chuckled. "I told you: It wasn't so bad. Galfore and I straightened many things out. I think he and I could be really good friends."
"That is the truth?"
He cocked a smile, pinching her chin tenderly. "Absolutely."
She nodded, satisfied. "Let me try to explain Galfore's behavior, anyway. You are right in saying that our medical development is slow. As a race of strong, near impenetrable warriors, many of us do not need medical treatment, or if we need it, we do not take to it kindly. Most Tamaranians consider it a weakness to seek more medical help than—say—me putting salve on Taryia's bruises. It is strange how we seek care when the injuries are minor but bear great injury untreated; without the benefit of professional attention. It boils down to the principle that if you were strong enough to begin with, you would not have gotten so badly damaged. Scratches, knocks and bruises are matters that could be attributed to minor errors on the part of the warrior; basically, any injury or sickness that could be healed is acceptable, but losing one's limb, or one's eyesight, is an entirely different thing. Having that kind of injury shows an inability on the part of the warrior. For such injuries, the warrior has no one to blame but his or herself. Same thing if you are born with a defect, particularly when it pertains to nobles and military officers. A ruler lacking a hand cannot rule. A leader lacking a foot cannot lead. A crown princess lacking her eyesight cannot inherit the throne…"
Robin's focus on her words was apparent; so serious was his gaze. "But you're not going to inherit the throne," he said softly.
She shook her head. "No, but everyone would have treated me as if I failed them, anyway. Galfore would love me forever, even if I lost all my limbs, eyes and ears, but he could not help what others would think of me. His desire to protect me extends to wanting to spare me of such harsh judgment from my people. He was angry with you because… because he needed someone to get angry at, for something as debilitating as the loss of my eyes, and perhaps for the loss of my starbolts. I think it was more frustration than blame. Robin… you do know it was not your fault, right? I chose to take that hit for you. If there is anyone to blame for my loss of vision, it is I. Robin?"
He smiled wanly. "I'm just glad you could see again."
She pressed her palms to his cheeks. She would leave it at that. He would heal from that heartache, especially now that she could actually see. "Yes, I could. But do you understand Galfore's anger better from what I told you?"
"Yes. Yes, I do. I understand more than you realize."
She studied him. He was definitely hiding something, but there were some things even she could not get Robin to give up. "Good. But I am nevertheless glad to hear that you settled things with Galfore, even without me having to explain. I love you for that."
He flashed a lopsided grin. "I know."
She giggled. "What else did you talk about, then?"
Robin's gaze broke with hers, focusing instead on the waistband of her pajamas. He let his fingers travel, sliding it along her stomach where her skin and pajama garter met. "What's this doing here?" He gave the waistband a tentative tug.
She laughed softly, taking his hand and lacing her fingers through his to keep them from wandering further. "Not yet, Boy ofWonder. You must tell me everything you could."
He let her hold her hand without resistance, but he did not meet her gaze. "Kori, if not for me… for the Titans… would you want to go back to Tamaran?"
Because she loved him, she gave his question serious thought. After a few seconds of silence, she tugged to get his attention. "Look at me, Richard."
He hesitated, but he did look up.
Reaching up with her other hand, she pushed back imaginary strands of hair from his face. "I do admit that you and the Titans strengthen my resolve to stay where I am. In my own selfish way, I think I do not want to be anywhere else if not with you and my dearest friends, but my reasons for staying away from Tamaran are just as compelling. Whatmy fatherdid to Komand'r, and what I know he would have done to Ryand'r…" She shook her head. "Maybe if I did not have you and the Titans, I would give in to going back, but that would be the mistake. If I did not stay away, he would never understand my reasons for exile. In any case, I cannot go back there unless my father tells me he wants me back there for love; not for politics, not because he is the Grand Ruler. If my father says he loves his daughter and misses her terribly, then I might consider, but for now, there is no reason for me to return."
He sighed, and he sounded so unsettled that she looked at him questioningly.
"Richard?"
He opened his mouth to say something, but whatever it was, he seemed to think better of it. She was going to insist upon it, but what he said next completely distracted her.
"Galfore told me about s'lor."
For a moment, she could not fathom the words to speak then she felt irritation thump in her stomach. Her lips pursed. "I think maybe he had no right to tell you about that, simply because it is wholly inapplicable here on Earth."
He chuckled. "He believes I should consider it an honor, else he wouldn't have impressed it upon me. He told me that because of the title, I had a responsibility to keep you safe, happy and healthy. See how it ties in with everything that's happened to you since you lost your vision?"
She sighed. She wasn't particularly glad of it all, but she could see where Galfore was coming from. She was—to an extent—pissed, but there was no help for it. She should have known Galfore would come out with it if she hadn't. Robin was right; Galfore saw no shame or issue with the title; he considered it something Robin should be proud of; should feel honored about. It was not Galfore's fault. Taryia or any Tamranian in Galfore's unit could have just as easily informed Robin of it, very casually and off-handedly, in fact. They did not understand the weight of its implications to an Earthling like Robin.
"I have to be honest with you, Kori, I am absolutely bothered by the concept." He looked displeased. The concept of s'lor was not something he could understand. He didn't have to understand it in the first place. "So what am I? The potential Other Man when you have to be married off to some mega-jerk prince from the neighboring plan-" He stopped and reddenned, an embarrassed blush spreading on his cheeks. "-net." Heturned his gaze away momentarily, making idle circles on her shoulder.
Starfire pretended shehadn't realized he had began making an unconscious reference to Karras and ended it with his own realization that he had, indeed, been describing the Kalapattian prince.She had thought Robin had gotten over that insecurity, but she supposed it wasn't something that just went away. "I knew you would be upset. That is mostly the reason why I did not tell you about it, but also, I thought it absolutely unnecessary to inform you of it. I have no intention of declaring you as s'lor."
Both his eyebrows arched, and he seemed shocked by her words. "W-What? What's that supposed to mean? I'm not s'lor material or something?"
"That is not what I meant," she said desperately. "If I were to have a s'lor, I would have no one except you, but don't you see? Here on Earth, you don't have to be s'lor. Here on Earth, you are my boyfriend, and I love you, and I have visions of marrying you; not another prince, you."
He froze, staring at her. He didn't look any less shocked and his hands against her skin suddenly seemed to grow cold. "Er—you do?"
Starfire could've sworn he looked ready to bolt. At least, she thought, she had managed to get him to think about something else. She scowled, slapping him lightly on the arm. "Not in the near future, you silly boy. You are only eighteen, for X-Hal's sake, and I am only seventeen. Even in Tamaran, princes and princesses do not want to marry at seventeen, much less fourteen. But I wonder sometimes about ending up with you, you know? Just because it is thrilling; and it gives me a nice feeling inside. But I would not expect any of that for another ten years!"
He seemed utterly relieved by this, like he remembered to breathe, and the tension in his shoulders disappeared. He gave a soft laugh that sounded a bit embarrassed. "Oh, well, I knew you were just… you know. So, ten years? Right… check. I'll pen that in my Palm Pilot."
Starfire thought about it briefly, brows knitting. "Or five…"
"W-Whoa, hey…" He laughed again, though he didn't sound much like he found any of it funny. "That's like—half of ten…"
Starfire rolled her eyes. She could not blame Robin for finding the subject of marriage unnerving. Even she, when it came down to it, thought of marriage as something too overwhelming for comfort. Besides, being on Earth, there was absolutely no need to hurry such things along.She ignored his rambling and tried to get the conversation back on track."So I hope, Richard, that you do not feel so bothered by the concept of s'lor anymore as far as you and I are concerned. It is merely a title, anyway, with hardly any meaning here on Earth."
He took up the shifting gears with ease. "I'm not sure why it bothers me. Maybe it's the fact that Galfore, and probably the other Tamaranians, consider me s'lor. Maybe it's the fact that even now, here on Earth, they believe you're going to marry some prince from Vega anyway." He met her gaze. "Neither of us are ready to get married for at least another ten—" He raised an eyebrow, as if to get confirmation from her.
She giggled softly. "Ten. Or maybe eight."
He nodded graciously. "Eight to ten years, but I don't want to lose you to somebody you don't even... like." He sighed helplessly at yet another unspoken reference to Karras. Karras was, after all, the only prince Robin knew.
She let that aspect of the conversation go. There was no use dwelling on it since there was no way in the infinite worlds that she would let Karras and Marriage occupy the same thought pattern in her mind. She would try to reassure him in her own way, until the insecurity passed, which she knew would happen. She had faith in Robin. In the meantime, she acknowledged the essence of his concerns. "I am not going anywhere."
"See, that's where the selfish part of me comes in: I just want that to be true. I want you to stay right here—with me."
"I am staying."
"But what if you have to go?"
And there it was. The question she had dreaded him asking; the question Diana had asked her and one she had been forced to answer. She evaded giving the answer this time. "I do not have to."
"But what if you have to?"
She pushed herself up by her elbows, holding his gaze. "I do not have to." She kissed him. It was a kiss to make him forget, or at least one intended to steer his mind to more pleasant things. She guided his hand to the garter of her pajamas, coaxing him to run his fingers and palm between belt and hip.
He sighed against her lips, giving in to her wordless instruction as he pushed aside fabric to have his skin against hers. Whether he sighed because he wasn't proof against the sensual touch or whether it was because he knew she was evading the question, she would never know. Whatever it meant, the important thing was that he gave in to her wordless persuasion, coherent thought dissolving in the searing intensity of their kiss.
To be continued…
Author's note: Please (this is the equivalent of begging in print) see the links in my bios for important comments and discussions in my Thank You page!