So sorry about the delay in this chapter. I've been working some serious overtime this last week. I finally got it finished. Please feel free to send me feedback. Thanks.
*
Kat watched the scenery fly by. For the first part of their trip they took one of the palace's hovercrafts. She knew that soon they would reach the edge of the Areseric. From there out, they would be roughing it. She smiled inwardly at the thought of roughing it. She had spent many a night out on the farm camping under the stars. She had even managed to take several trips to Death Valley when she had been on Earth. Of course she had always gone after tax season as a reward for all her hard work. It had given her grandfather fits. But the barren landscape had fulfilled her longing for the landscape that she had visited so many times in her dreams. Now she was on the verge of actually seeing it and she was excited.. The hovercraft finally slowed before stopping in front of a shabby building. Charles got out of hovercraft and told her to stay put.
"Can't I come with you?"
"No. We have just crossed the border into Areseric. I'll fetch our rides."
"But why do I have to stay in the hovercraft?" He sighed and then turned to face her.
"Because my country is not as forward thinking as most. You will not be widely accepted here."
"What! Are you trying to tell me that women have no rights in your country?"
"Calm down, Katrina. It has nothing to do with your sex. It has to do with your origins."
"What in the hell are you talking about?" She frowned at him.
"You are an earthling. And until you become a citizen of Venus, Aresericians will view you as an outsider."
"So how do I become an Venusian?"
"I'll tell you later. I have to go and secure our rides or we'll be delayed another day." He slammed the hovercraft door behind him and disappeared into the building. She sat in the hovercraft and fumed. He was such a high-handed tyrant. And to think she had even contemplated taking him as a lover!
When he reappeared a few minutes later, he was scowling. All must have not gone well, she mused as she watched him stride angrily towards her.
When he opened the door and got in, she half expected him to slam it.
"Okay, Charles? Now, what's wrong?"
"They are booked solid for the next two weeks. They only have one zephti until then." He cursed softly under his breath.
"Can a zephti only carry one or can we ride double?" When he scowled at her, she realized that he wasn't happy about the idea of riding double. "What is the problem with us riding double?"
"I don't want to!" He turned back to the window and stared at the horizon.
"Why?"
"Just drop it, Katrina. I'll just have to find another way to get you there."
"Fine." She sat back in the seat and watched him. Eventually he would just have to come to the same conclusion that she had. They were going to have to ride double or walk.
* * * * *
Charles continued staring out the window at the endless landscape. He knew that the sooner they started, the sooner they would finish. He just didn't know if he had the willpower to resist her for the two weeks it would take for them to arrive. Especially if she was riding double with him, as the thought of her rubbing against him as they traveled was enough to make his loins stir and tighten behind the fly of his pants.
But would it be worse to spend two weeks riding double or a month in her company? He finally made the decision and exited the hovercraft once again. Entering the building, he strode over to the startled clerk.
"You have one zephti?"
"Yes, your highness."
"Is it strong enough pull a skit behind it?" The clerk shook his head.
"She is a strong zephti, your highness, but she will soon drop her baby. That is why she is hasn't been rented out. But for you we are willing to make an exception. Your kindness to animals and humans alike is well known. If she decides to have her baby on the trail, you won't beat her or shoot her or the baby."
"Of course not. Is she strong enough to carry double?"
"Double?"
"Yes. Me and a woman about half my size?"
"I don't see why not. As long as you don't exceed five hundred pounds."
"Even fully loaded we won't come close."
"Then she will be fine."
"Okay. I'll take her. If she does have her baby, I'll keep her at the palace stables until the baby and mother are able to travel back to you."
The clerk nodded his agreement. Fetching the paperwork, he smiled at Charles.
* * * * *
"Out!" Charles stuck his head in the open door before turning and stalking back towards the building.
"Grumpy, isn't he?" Kat asked the driver. The driver didn't comment but couldn't keep the laughter off his face. Kat laughed out loud. These people were something else. In a way they reminded her of medieval earthlings.
When her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the room, she saw Charles signing some paperwork, and handing over payment to the clerk. Walking up to the counter, she felt like a kid looking over the ledge of a table. The edge of counter hit her about mid torso. Standing next to Charles, she felt like a midget. She barely came up past his navel due to his long legs. If one were to go by height alone, she would be easily be mistaken as a child. But her generous curves would soon disabuse the notion that she was a child.
"Let's go!" he growled as he strode out of the room. She shook her head as she followed him out of the building. She was nearly running to keep up with his long strides.
"Where's the fire?" she asked as she jogged next to him.
"What?" He looked over at her.
"You are in a big hurry, Charlie. Gotta remember that I can't walk as fast as you. I love your long legs but you've got to realize that mine are not even half as long. I have to take three steps for your one."
"Are you complaining?"
"Nope. Just telling you how it is." She smiled as she teased him.
