A/N: I was disappointed with this chapter. I don't think I had the knowledge to write this or the skill to do the moment justice. Oh, and we're pretending that Lirpas are poison. It makes things go faster and it just suits my purposes.
HEART BEAT by Lina Shay
Chapter Seven: Honor
Vulcan was warm, warmer than Taurik had felt in a long time. That wasn't true. I was much warmer when Sito was near. She stood with him and Lavelle, as steadfast as the rugged terrain around them. Her eyes gazed around, not wasting a glance on Taurik.
The chanting and ceremonial music played as the wedding party paraded into the large clearing. When the mother of the bride came into view, she cast her eyes on Sito and Lavelle and raised an eyebrow. A couple of men rang the ceremonial bells as the wedding party took their places. Silara's mother still watched Sito and Lavelle.
Taurik was getting quite annoyed with all the Vulcan's staring at his friends. It wasn't inconceivable that the groom brought non-Vulcans to his wedding. Embassador Spock had brought Admiral Kirk and Admiral McCoy to what was to be his wedding many years ago. Still, a groom had never brought the woman he desired to his wedding before. The other members of the wedding party didn't know that he wanted Sito, though.
Silara stepped forward to greet Taurik. Her hair and eyes were dark and did not shine as Sito's did. She did not have Sito's bravery, her endurance, or her smile. She was cold, lifeless. She lacked the spark which made Sito so intriguing. She did not radiate the same heat which caused Taurik to bond with Sito on that planet.
Taurik glanced back at his two companions. Lavelle stood sternly, observing everything and taking it in. Sito was taking things in as well but in a more tense and dispirited manner. She still did not look at Taurik. How he wished she would look at him. Only her being there made this moment bearable. He needed her support and strength to maintain.
"Taurik?" Called the mother of the bride.
He returned his attention to the ceremony. It wasn't something he wanted to do, but it wouldn't be fair to Silara to back out now. They had been engaged since they were seven years old. He had an obligation to her. Moreover, when the blood fever was purged, none of his current feelings would matter to him.
Taurik walked over to the altar where the ceremonial gong sat. He picked up the ringer and was about to strike it against the gong, when Silara stood forth and stopped him, shouting, "Kali-Fee!"
Taurik was almost relieved that Silara had called for the traditional challenge. She did not want him as much as he didn't want her. The problem was that he was obligated to fight for her. Taurik backed away from the gong, taking deep slow breathes.
"I choose Voluk as my champion," Silara announced.
A Vulcan who had before just blended into the wedding party stepped up. His muscular arms were bare and brazen. He was sure to be a strong fighter. He was not a Starfleet officer, though. Taurik may be able to beat him in the challenge. But that would leave Taurik back where he started, with a Vulcan woman he did not love.
A vulcan guard handed Taurik a lirpa spear. The vulcan named Voluk took his lirpa and readied himself for battle. Taurik backed off a little, trying to focus his mind.
"What's going on, Taurik?" Lavelle asked.
"I must fight Voluk for my mate," Taurik grumbled, feeling his hands begin to shake. "I must win or die."
"No, Taurik, you can't-" Sito cried, but a guard came up and silenced her with a harsh look.
Taurik gripped tighter to the lirpa so his shaking would not cause him to drop it. As soon as the signal was given for the challenge to begin, Taurik charged at Voluk, the blade of his lirpa pointed at him. Voluk thrust his lirpa against Taurik's, pushing it upward. Taurik stumbled back for a moment. He charged again, but Voluk knocked Taurik's lirpa out of his feeble hands. Voluk struck out at Taurik, which Taurik was able to dodge just barely. He jumped after his lirpa. He snatched it and rolled onto his back just as Voluk came at him. Taurik blocked Voluk's lirpa with his own. Voluk's strength and superior position forced Taurik's lirpa against his own throat. His arms ached and sweat was breaking out all over him. He could not hold Voluk off. Taurik thrust his foot up and bruised Voluk's abdomen. Voluk choked on his breath and released his hold against Taurik. Taurik got to his feet quickly, almost as quickly as Voluk recovered. Voluk's lirpa sliced Taurik across the ribs. Normally, it wouldn't have been serious, except for his previous injury from the beast on the planet in the Ktarian system. "Taurik!" Sito screamed.
He fell against the rock wall, a hand bracing against the wound. Voluk stood before him, no longer needing to fight. They both knew it was over. The poison from Voluk's lirpa was now pumping through Taurik's pulmonary system.
Blood slipped through Taurik's fingers as he sank to the ground. Even after he had rested on the ground, he still felt as if he was sinking still. He could no longer feel his legs or his fingers.
"Let me- let me through," Sito cried. Everything beyond Voluk was too hazy to make out, but the groan of pain from the vulcan guard assured Taurik that Sito had gotten passed him. Voluk too began fading into the distance as Sito ran up to Taurik and knelt by his side. She examined his side and grimaced.
"Taurik," she whispered, "you're going to be all right." She pressed her comm badge. "Sito to Enter-"
"No," he groaned.
Sito's glossy eyes locked on his in question. Taurik reached up a hand and ran it up along the side of her face.
"Beautiful, Sito," Taurik breathed, wishing the nerves in his hand were still able to feel the softness of her skin and the dampness of her tears. "I lost. I lost challenge."
"I'm sorry," Sito sniffled, the tears flowing freely down her cheeks.
"No ... it was illogical," Taurik said through sharp breaths, "illogical to fight... for a mate... I did not want."
Sito took his hand in her's, but he could not feel it. He could not feel it when she brushed her lips against his. Nor could he feel her head lay against his chest or the tears dampening his uniform. He could feel his heart beating, though. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
Thump... Thump...
Thump...
"I... love you... Jaxa."
...Thump...
A/N: That's not the end. Hold on for one more chapter. Don't worry. It will end all right. I promise.