amaryllis_019-6e3.htm Page 9

  "There are compensations in everything," he said quietly, and she glanced quickly at him.

  "Such as?"

  "Our people are seldom dissatisfied with their choice of employment. If they decide after training that they wish to change, there are re-training programs they can participate in. No one is forced to spend their life in an occupation they find undesirable."

  "Oh." She bit her lip. This wasn’t the compensation she thought he meant. Her thoughts veered along the path towards spending her days with a hunk whose body sent her senses spinning. A man whose kisses left her mindless.

  Reve made a small sound in his throat. It could be taken for a grunt or a chuckle. She glared at him, her cheeks flaming.

  "My home is just a bit further along this…mall," he said, his face as straight as a priest’s giving a sermon.

  Melanie felt more and more disorientated as she went along. It was so strange to have all the streets and thoroughfares enclosed like this. Now she knew how goldfish felt in a bowl. Any moment she expected to look up and see a giant face peering in on them.

  "Aren’t there any homes built outside in the fresh air?"

  "No, not any more." Reve looked at her. "The temperature drops so low after dark outside it would be far too unpleasant. It is much more comfortable inside our controlled environment, so why would we want it otherwise? Many megnums ago our habitats were built along the rims of the mountains, much as yours on Earth, I suppose. But it is better all round if the population stays within the comfort of the enclosures."

  "But don’t you ever go outside, except in the hovercraft?

  "Of course we do. Lean back on your heels. That is right." Reve gestured for her to stop, pulling gently on her hand.

  When they had parked their skis beside numerous others in the slots along the wall he pressed in a code on a panel beside a door. As it slid open he ushered her inside, his hand flat on her middle back.

  "I will take you to the shores around our mountains. You must see the work being done to build protective walls around the entrances to our mines to keep out the encroaching waters."

  "Ah, so you do have some projects under way for when the waters rise." Melanie smiled in pleased surprise as she glanced about.

  "Of course. In the event of us not being able to find another planet where we can relocate, we will have to keep making the walls higher and deeper." He shrugged. "That, or build deeper shafts. Numerous projects are in the planning process."

  They had entered a high domed area. The glass, or whatever substance the ceiling was made of, was like a kaleidoscope, changing color constantly, prisms and diamonds of light expanding and altering shape. A myriad of plants grew in profusion in layered tiers up the walls. Some were like those trumpet shaped ones in the reception hall, some like giant poppies, others as dainty as violets; all in variegated shades from the deepest red to the palest of lavenders.

  A waterfall splashed amid them and dropped its crystalline water from a spout shaped like a lip into a round pool to one side. The sapphire water invited, seduced--the droplets rising from its surface catching the light so it looked as if shards of crystal danced over it.

  A spiral staircase with a simple balustrade led to a balcony high above them. The walls were also a myriad of colors, shifting intermittently. Melanie was entranced as if she’d walked into a fairy cave, a place of mystery and enchantment.

  "It’s beautiful, Reve," she said in a hushed voice. Raising her head she slowly turned about, looking to the ceiling, then the walls. "I’ve never seen anything quite like this in all my life. It reminds me of a special dream place I had as a child. A place I wanted to escape to. A place where I would be a princess in my own castle."

  "I’m glad you like my home." He took her by the elbow and led her to the stairs. "It resembles a home on Earth?"

  "Good heavens, no. The only resemblance to any real place I’ve ever seen might be the staircase and the colored glass roof. No home I’ve ever seen had a pool inside. And I’ve never seen one with such an abundance of plants. We certainly have indoor plants, but just a few in pots. What’s the wall made of?" Melanie rested a palm on the shimmering surface. It felt warm and almost alive beneath her fingers, making them tingle. It’s ever-changing patterns and colors fascinated her. "It’s so unusual."

  "It was manufactured to my specifications. It is unique." There was pride in his voice. They had reached the top of the staircase. Three archways led off the balcony. "This is my resting room." Melanie caught sight of a very large bed smack in the center of his room as he led her past it to one of the other arches. "You may have either of these."

  Melanie went under the arch and looked about with pleasure. "This will do me fine, Reve." The bed in this room sat on a low platform and was not as large as his. It looked sumptuous--its covering a shimmering gold in color. A floor to ceiling mirror filled a large part of one wall and Melanie caught a strangely diffident expression on his features as she looked into it.

  She turned to face him. "What is it?"

  The stern countenance was back as he shook his head. "I am glad you like it."

  "I love it. I was beginning to think you had no color in your world. Everything so far has been so stark, except for the flowers. And now you’ve surprised me with your ceiling and walls. And this spread." Melanie ran a hand over the coverlet. It felt smooth and shiny. "Just what do you make your fabrics out of?"

  He shrugged. "Ships go to nearby planets to collect certain substances used in the manufacture of our fabrics. Then we use the sand found at the bottom of the ocean in the making of the buildings and machinery. It is a very complex procedure, evolved over many generations."

  "So you do have habitable planets nearby. Why don’t you move some of your people there?" It seemed a logical solution to the problem.

  "If only it were so simple. So far we have not been able to find anything to match the kota we mine. We bring substances from the nearest planets. These planets are dry and inhospitable--the exact opposite to Amaryllis. They are useless to us, except for the elements produced there. We have teams of miners on two minor worlds."

  "And have you tried taking water there as I suggested and trying to built dams to hold it."

  "Greater minds than yours have spent megnums on this problem, Mel-aanie. The water evaporates before it is used. It is put in chambers for the use of the teams living there. Have you thought of the logistics of carrying so much water?"

  Melanie nibbled on her lip. "I guess not. What a shame you can’t live on Earth. You could give us so much."

  "That is not to be, unless of course our medical teams can find a cure for your viruses. And then we would not be readily accepted if what you say is true and they are petrified of what they do not understand."

  "It’s a fact. They would hound you like poor old ET."

  "ET?"

  "Extra Terrestrial," she explained, smiling. "It was just a movie, someone’s idea of what would happen if an alien got left behind on Earth."

  "Ah, I see." She wasn’t sure he did see, but he shook his head. "The cleansing chamber is here."

  He opened a door by pressing a button alongside it. The bathroom contained the same fittings, with a toilet pedestal and a shower recess, as the one on the Starship.

  "You will get all your requirements by using the commodities supplier, a change of garments, food, drink. Anything you require in fact." Raising his hand, he gestured about. "But I would be honored if you would join me for a meal downstairs."

  "Then I’d be pleased to join you." Melanie glanced down at herself. There wasn’t a rumple in her outfit, the top and tight pants still pristine. "I would like a change of clothes. I feel as if I’ve had the same things on for ages."

  "Of course. I will wait until your order has been submitted." She shot him a brief look. "In case you need help."

  "Right." Melanie pressed the appropriate key. A buzzing was followed by a few beeps. "What’s happening?" she turned to ask Reve when the motifs on the scr
een went berserk and began to scroll really fast.

  "It is assessing your shape."

  This surprised her, for everyone looked the same. She would have thought one size fit all.

  "There, your order has arrived," he said as a neat package, wrapped in what looked like cellophane, came out of the chute. It contained an exact copy of the skin-tight pants and form hugging sleeveless shirt she already wore.

  Melanie wrinkled her nose as she looked down at the small pile of clothing with disappointment. "Don’t we get a choice of colors or styles? Your tailors don’t seem to have a lot of imagination."

  "The clothes suit our lifestyle perfectly," he said with a touch of defiance that amused Melanie.

  "But the men and women all dress alike. It wouldn’t hurt to add a bit of variety to your outfits," she argued.

  He shrugged dismissively. "Why would we need variety? Body coverings are merely to protect our skins."

  "Protect them from what?" she asked, puzzled.

  "From the drying effects of the temperature controlling units for one thing. The harsh rays sent out by them would dry our pelts out in no time."

  "Pelts?" Good God! What a funny thing to call skin. She gaped at him. "I think you have your translation wrong. Only animals have pelts on Earth."

  "Ah, quite so," he said, turning away. "I’ll leave you to change."

  He left, and Melanie puzzled over his statement. Up until now he hadn’t made one mistake in translating from her brain patterns. She felt a little uneasy again, not sure why.

  Nine

  Melanie shrugged off the feeling as she looked around the sparsely furnished chamber. Apart from the bed there was the small vanity unit with the commodities supply panel above it, and nothing else. A plain brush with soft bristles sat on its top. Picking up the brush she stroked it through her hair a few times and then replaced it on the dull surface.

  There was no perfume, no trinket dish, no jars of cream or powder. She’d never been one for having lots of bits and pieces on her dresser, but this lack of anything frivolous was a bit extreme.

  "They sure don’t go in for fripperies," she muttered, running a finger over the top of the vanity. Everything was Spartan and spotlessly clean. Not a speck of dust settled on her finger. Wonder if Reve had servants to do his housework? Perhaps dust was unknown up here.

  Stripping, she turned to look at herself in the huge mirror and doubted she’d ever get used to this luscious shape. She pulled out the fresh outfit. She was becoming narcissistic, admiring her figure in this manner. After ascertaining there was no underwear, she quickly dragged on the pants. The fabric was so soft and light against her skin and she understood why they had no need for undergarments. The bodice molded to her bust and did away with the need for a bra. There was no doubting their clothing was something else. What it lacked in originality, it made up for in comfort. Once changed, Melanie gave herself another once-over in the mirror. She couldn’t help it. Then, after shaking her head, she went out and down the stairs.

  ~ * ~

  Reve was swimming in the pool. As she leaned over the railing at the side of the spiral staircase, he surfaced briefly, took a deep breath and then dived beneath the blue water.

  She continued down and at the side of the pool sat on a deeply cushioned couch fashioned out of some iridescent synthetic material with a marbled look.

  This part of Reve’s home really was beautiful. Rather like a picture of a luxurious hotel in the tropics, she’d once seen in a glossy magazine--only more splendid. Something like an ancient Roman palace. A scene from Cleopatra’s barge. But no, it bore no actual resemblance to anything she’d seen on Earth.

  The ever-changing wall was something she would never expect to see back home. Goodness, down there she could make a fortune if she came up with a similar idea.

  Reve sure had been beneath the water a long time. Melanie sucked in her lower lip. Good heavens, the man must be part fish.

  She went to kneel at the side of the pool. The water was so clear she could see his shape twisting and turning far below its surface, so far down he looked half his size. At least he wasn’t drowning, or he wouldn’t be moving the way he was. It was poetry in motion to watch him; the nearest thing she could think of to equal it a dolphin she’d once seen following the Sydney Harbor ferry for a while. Or at the zoo where the seals cavorted and playfully showcased diving skills.

  She had no way of knowing the time. Another strange thing. There were no clocks anywhere. Reve wore his wristband, but as far as she could tell it contained only buttons to perform select duties, and certainly no watch face.

  Worried now, she splashed on the surface with a palm. He looked up and then with a few quick turns and spins began to swim upwards. As he broke through the surface, he was breathing normally, not gasping for breath, as she’d fully expected him to be after spending so long down there.

  "I thought you were drowning," she said, then felt foolish when he smiled and tossed the long hair back, splashing it behind him. And sent a few droplets her way. With her finger she wiped them from her cheeks.

  "Amaryllisans never drown," he stated arrogantly. "We are taught to swim as soon as we are born."

  "Have you got gills or something?" she asked and then gaped as he began to swim lazily towards her.

  Good God! He was stark naked!

  In a hurry to get away she rose too fast and almost lost her balance. She just stopped herself from tumbling in to join him by hopping back an ungainly pace.

  "On a planet almost entirely covered by water wouldn’t you say an ability to swim should be a necessity?" he asked, reaching the side and pressing his palms on the edge.

  Feeling like a voyeur, but unable to resist, she stared, as with a mighty surge he pushed himself out of the water.

  As if unashamed he stood before her in all his naked glory. Melanie blinked and pressed her palms to her flaming cheeks. But she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off his magnificent body. Sleek with water, his skin covered a perfectly proportioned form, every muscle and sinew a work of art. The last time she’d seen anything to match it was in a magazine article showing the attributes of the world’s ten most photographed hunks.

  Totally unconcerned, his gait unhurried and graceful, he walked to a small alcove beneath one of the jutting plant holders. The back view was just as stunning as the front--his behind tight and nicely shaped, his calves firm, his shoulders as wide as a house.

  When he stood there, shaking the long hair out behind him, rubbing those perfect fingers up and down his arms in slow rhythmic strokes that mesmerized, Melanie realised he was under a dryer. It took less than a minute for him to be satisfied he was dry. All the while she watched him. And his eyes never left hers.

  "You like this body of mine?" The slowly drawled query did outrageous things to her insides, and she nearly collapsed.

  At last Melanie managed to break eye contact and turned away with a small huff. "You are just about the most conceited male I’ve ever come across. Heavens! What an ego."

  "Ego." He said the word slowly as if he had no idea what she meant. "I just speak the truth. You seem to be mesmerized by my body. What is it about it that attracts you?" He could have been discussing the weather. As he spoke he glanced matter-of-factly down at himself and then shrugged.

  "Look, it’s not so much that, as…as. I was just shocked. Men on Earth don’t flaunt themselves as you do."

  "Flaunt? This is an odd word. Do not your men take their garments off?"

  Melanie swore beneath her breath. "Of course they do. But not in front of people, especially women, whom they have only just met." Her hands waved about and then feeling foolish, she put them behind her back. "Can we change the subject? Have you put some clothes on yet?" She peeked over her shoulder.

  He was fully clothed again and she breathed a sigh of relief. Dressed, he was more man than she could cope with, naked just too much to handle. Chris hadn’t been the type to wander about the flat naked, and she’d always
felt the need to keep her body covered. The only times they’d been completely unclothed had been in bed, in the dark. Except for the last time. And even then he’d turned the lights off, leaving them just the glimmer of the streetlight to see each other by.

  With a start Melanie realized she hadn’t thought of Chris once all day. Was he to fade out of her mind so quickly? Surely not! Still, who could blame her, with this specimen of perfect manhood hanging around? It seemed Reve had taken over her mind and body.

  "Does this please you, Mel-aanie?" he drawled, in his silky voice that hinted at amusement.

  "Much better. I would be grateful if you wouldn’t swim in the nude while I’m staying here." She primly crossed her arms across her chest. With a jerk she uncrossed them. Her arms had pushed her breasts up, emphasizing the jut of her nipples against the slinky bodice.

  He hadn’t missed her reaction and the give-away movement, and his eyes shone with wicked amusement. "What am I to swim in?" he drawled. "Do you suggest I swim in my garments?"

  "Don’t you posses a swimsuit?"

  His head slowly went from side to side. "A suit for swimming? What nonsense!"

  "Yes, well, we don’t swim in our birthday suits in the company of people we hardly know." She felt like a maiden aunt lecturing a naughty nephew.

  "Birthday suits?"

  "It means nude." With her hands on hips she took a deep breath. "Look, let’s just forget it, all right? You’re an exceptionally good swimmer though, and you went down an awfully long way. Have you got gills?"

  Enjoying her confusion, Reve smiled. If only she knew how close to the truth she had come. "We have the ability to stay beneath the water for great lengths of time. Let me see." He calculated swiftly. "About an hour in your time."

  "What, without having to come up for air?" Clearly she was amazed.

  "Right." He walked to the supply panel. "Now let us eat. Shall I order for you?"

  "I guess you’d better." Her eyes were still wide, as if she saw him in a different way than before. Ah, she now thought him half fish. Perhaps it was a good idea. That way at least when, or if, she saw him as he really was, without the illusion vision implanted in her mind, it might not come as such a shock to her.