Bianca D'Arc by King of Cups

Author:King of Cups
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: sci fi, space, aliens, space opera, romance, science fiction, scifi, futuristic, erotic romance
Publisher: Liefde Press
Published: 2011-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Della accompanied Alex to the Theos’s library the next day after lunch. She’d had a chance to peruse the ancient book with him earlier that morning and had been surprised at how similar the jit’suku beliefs were to her own. Oh, there were slight differences, of course, but the heart of the belief system appeared to be compatible and convergent.

They talked for an hour or more about her beliefs and she found Theos to be a sharp and sensitive man. She liked him more than she had thought she would and enjoyed the way he sparked her intellectual curiosity and seemed to respect her opinions. Alex sat listening, only answering questions at first. After a while, he relaxed and took a more active part in the conversation, though he was still more reticent than either Della or Theos.

Alex was a man of action. A doer. Not necessarily a philosopher. Or at least, he didn’t talk about his deeper thoughts much. Soldiers weren’t encouraged to discuss their feelings. And a covert operative’s life often depended on his ability to keep silent.

“I understand you own a tavern aboard Madhatter Station?” Theos changed the subject unexpectedly, turning to Alex.

“I do. It’s called The Rabbit Hole.”

“And you tend bar?” Theos asked. “Do not bartenders hear all sorts of stories and complaints from their patrons?”

“That we do.” Alex smiled easily, sitting back in his chair. They were seated around a circular table, Della on his left, Theos on his right. “I’ve heard all kinds of confessions in my time there.”

“Not unlike a priest, wouldn’t you say?” Theos looked both speculative and amused.

Alex chuckled. “There’s nothing religious going on in that bar, Father. Some people just find it easier to talk to a stranger who’s been in their shoes.”

“Soldiers, you mean,” Theos insisted. “I understand the men at your bar are often soldiers. Recent retirees and youngsters who have been recommended by their elder brethren. Why, do you think? Why do they recommend your bar especially? From all I have heard, it isn’t a raucous place. No prostitutes. Just a pretty card dealer and honest games of chance.” He nodded toward Della and she acknowledged his compliment with a little bow of her head.

“I don’t know.” Alex seemed to think about the idea.

“I do,” Della covered his hand with hers on the table, drawing his gaze. “It’s because you’re fair. You won’t cheat the young ones who are more naïve than most, and you’ll teach them a thing or two about how to go on in the world. So will the men who gather around you. Those old vets who’ve made your place a second home, gather there because of you, Alex. They respect you and they like you. You are a familiar figure from a world they have trouble leaving behind. They’ve been cast adrift in a civilian world that doesn’t understand them. In your bar, they have the opportunity to mingle with some of the civ’s under your watchful eye. The workers who come into your place after their shifts are good people who don’t hold the soldiers in fear.

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