Painted Skies

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements:

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

About The Author

Painted Skies

Beyond Earth: Book Two

Copyright © 2018 by Talia Jager. All rights reserved.

First Print Edition: 2018

Ebook ISBN:

ISBN 13: 978-1-944389-04-8

ISBN 10: 1-944389-04-0

Print ISBN:

ISBN-13: 978-1725866386

ISBN-10: 1725866382

Editing by The Dirty Editor

Cover and Formatting: Streetlight Graphics

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

Dedication

To Amanda and Leslie who have shown me that love has no limits.

To my children who identify as something other than straight.

To my friend, Karly, who never lets me down and always puts a smile on my face.

Acknowledgements:

There are many people to thank: People who inspire me—those I know and those I don’t know. Total strangers that I’ve spoken with at Pride events. Online acquaintances with common interests and passions. People who have stood up for the LGBT movement.

I give my love and thanks to all those who believe that love is love and that people shouldn’t be labeled. May the road that lies before us be easier than the road behind.

Thank you to my fans who keep on reading and a special thanks to those who support me or my books on social media. Every little bit helps.

Thank you to my team: Streetlight Graphics and The Dirty Editor for making this book awesome.

Chapter One

Everleigh

The Nirvana soared through space at a speed faster than light. One more sleep and we would arrive at the Peleus Galaxy where we hoped we’d find our families. Briar thought at least three of the planets in the Peleus Galaxy were able to sustain life. If they weren’t there, we’d go on to the next galaxy. Giving up wasn’t an option.

It had been twenty-seven sleeps since we left Valinor, since I had left Akacia. It broke my heart to leave her, but I had to protect her, no matter how much it hurt me. Kaci had become part of our family and we all missed her, but for me, she was the love of my life. A love I had to give up to keep safe. It literally tore me up inside. My heart and head fought a constant battle over leaving her.

I only wish that I had told her that loved her while she was awake. I was a criminal. She wasn’t safe with me. The Authority would always be in pursuit of me and my crew. We had broken plenty of laws, not because we wanted to, but because we were forced by Caspar Regnier, an evil man, who had abducted us when we were kids and kept our families prisoner as leverage. We did what he wanted to keep them alive. But he was dead now. Kaci had killed him—a truth that we covered up when we blew his spacecraft up.

The rest of us, however, still had criminal records and would not be safe on Valinor or anywhere else. Our best option was to keep moving.

A series of soft, but persistent tones, alerted me to an incoming call. I rolled over and rubbed my eyes. It wasn’t time for me to be up yet. What was going on? Zia, who is the call from?

Valinor, Zia answered. Zia now had a body and charging station, but she was still linked with every part of the ship.

Slowly, her response sank in and I jumped out of bed.

Valinor? Was it Kaci? Was she okay? What if taking the call made things worse? My heart beat frantically in my chest. I went to the mirror sure I didn’t look a mess then gave Zia the command to put the call onscreen.

Bristow, Kaci’s friend and second-in-command, appeared on the monitor. I tried to hide my disappointment that it wasn’t Kaci on the other end.

Hey Everleigh. Sorry to bother you. There was a wariness about him that wasn’t there before we left Valinor.

It’s okay. What is it?

It’s Kaci. His face crumpled. She’s a mess. A complete, utter mess. We don’t know what to do.

My heart sunk. What’s wrong?

Nightmares. Panic attacks. It’s not good. She hardly sleeps, and only eats enough to keep her going.

Can you get a tablet to her? I can talk to her. Try to calm her. I didn’t know if that would still work, but it was all I could offer.

He looked down. Not now. We had to sedate her. This last attack was my fault. We were doing hand-to-hand combat that ended up with her face down on the ground. I was stupid. We couldn’t get her to calm down. She was hyperventilating so badly that I actually thought she might pass out. So, we sedated her.

I can see why that set her off, I said. What was he thinking? Putting her into a position where she couldn’t breathe would definitely set off a panic attack.

She’s been erratic and reckless with decisions. She won’t talk about anything. She’s not letting herself grieve the right way and it’s affecting her ability to lead.

I’m sorry to hear this, Bristow. But I’m not sure what I can do. We just reached the Peleus Galaxy. We’re going to check out the planets here. I can’t come right now. In fact, I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to make it back to Valinor. Our families were out there, and they were running out of time. Besides if I went back, it would just make things harder for her. I needed to stay away to protect her physically and emotionally.

Bristow ran his hand through his brown hair. I know you can’t come back. I just…it breaks my heart to see her that way. It’s like she’s half of who she used to be. She was a strong woman, never backed down, never gave up, and now—

Bristow, she’s still that person. I have no doubt she will rise above this. We just have to get her through these attacks. This was my fault. She was much better when we got back to Valinor. I must have ripped open some of those wounds when I left.

It’s not just that, Everleigh. It’s like she’s stuck in a depression that keeps getting worse because she won’t talk about what happened.

I tried to think of all the things I would do for her if I were there. Next time she’s having a panic attack, have her recall her senses. Have her tell you what she can hear or see. You have a doctor, right? Or healer?

Yes.

Have them check her out.

She’d never go for that.

Don’t give her the option, I said knowing just how stubborn Kaci could be. Is there someone she can talk to?

She used to talk to me. But now, she won’t talk to any of us. Won’t tell us what happened to her. Bristow looked down.

Just be there for her. She knows you’re there. She appreciates it even if she doesn’t tell you. I hope that with time, she’ll be herself again.

He looked at me. I hope you’re right. Sorry to bother you.

You can call anytime.

Fare thee well, Everleigh.

Safe journey, Bristow. The screen went black.

I flopped back on my bed and covered my face with the pillow. Her milk and honey scent was still there. It was faint, but it was there. Silent tears slipped down my cheeks. I wanted so badly to be there for her, wrap my arms around her and make sure she felt safe. But, again, my being with her put her at risk.

I let out a long breath then threw back the last bit of Temptation. My thoughts were fuzzy, and it felt good not to think about how empty I felt without Kaci. Falling in love had made me weak. In no time at all, I went from a hard-ass criminal to a sad sack that pined after her endlessly. That needed to stop.

Want company? a voice came from behind.

No.

Huxley Keenum, my second-in-command, sat down across from me in a gray T-shirt and black cargo pants. Well, you got some anyway.

I rolled my eyes. I’m fine, Hux.

I know. I also know you’re hurting.

I huffed at him because I didn’t need him to acknowledge my pain. I wanted to forget. If I could do that, I could move on and do what needed to be done.

I’m here for you, Ever. We can sit. We can talk. We can spar.

I clenched my teeth. I didn’t want to talk. I wanted him to go away and let me forget. At least for tonight. But his green eyes bored into me and I broke.

I keep dreaming about her. Keep thinking about her. It’s like she has a hold on me even though we’re not together. I shouldn’t have let myself fall for her. The whole thing was a giant mistake. I knew better. I let myself become weak.

Does it really feel like it was a mistake?

No. It didn’t. In fact, it felt like quite the opposite. Like she was the best thing in my life. My head and heart were a messy, twisted knot of emotions. I growled and threw the glass across the room where it shattered into tiny pieces.

Did that make you feel better?

Check your station, I ordered, feeling particularly annoyed that he could read me so well.

Yes, Commander, he said it with respect but also with a smirk on his face.

I sat looking at the screen, partly glad Bristow hadn’t called back for my help, but also sad that he hadn’t. Had Kaci listened to his suggestions? Had he persuaded her to see a healer?

Hey. Fingers waved in front of my face.

What?

I’m talking to you, Briar Ladetto said.

I stood. What do you want, Briar?

Briar looked shocked. I was asking for docking instructions for the Minerva station.

How long have you been doing this, Briar? Pretty long time, right? I think you can figure it out.

I’m going to let that go, Ever, because I know you’re in pain. She moved in close so that her face was only inches from mine. Kaci made all of us better. Especially you. Don’t go backward now.

I clenched my teeth and stormed off the bridge, grabbing my comm piece on the way out. In my room, I paced until I felt the ship dock, then I went to the bay door leading to the space station. Refueling and restocking would take at least an hour. I wandered around the station and found myself on a familiar doorstep. The moment I knocked, I immediately regretted it. I was just about to turn and leave when the door opened.

Everleigh!

Too slow. I turned to find Keiko in the doorway her brown eyes wide with surprise at the sight of me.

What are you doing here?

Just in the neighborhood, I responded, mentally slapping myself for being stupid.

Do you want to come in?

No. Yes. No. Yes.

I stepped inside, and Keiko closed the door behind me.

Her apartment was fairly large with a nice view of the galaxy. I walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched as the spacecrafts docked and departed.

Before I knew it, she was handing me a drink. Hopefully Passion is still one of your favorite drinks.

I nodded and took a few sips.

She sat down on her white couch, sipping a drink of her own, and said, Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?

Good question. Why was I there? Keiko and I were on again, off again lovers. Never an emotional attachment. I didn’t love her. She didn’t love me. We just enjoyed each other’s company and had fantastic sex. Maybe that was what I needed to forget Kaci.

Could we just— I gestured toward the hallway that led to her bedroom. Conversation wasn’t on my agenda. I didn’t want to drink. There was no point in dragging this out.

Of course. She stood up and led me down the corridor.

Music began to play as soon as we walked into her room. A large bed with a red coverlet sat in the middle. Keiko turned to me, took my drink, and set them on the night table. She closed the space between us and draped her arms over my shoulders. My hands instinctively went to her hips. Her eyes were dark and dreamy, full of desire. I imagined our lips touching, her skin on mine, the way she would make me forget everything on my mind with a simple swirl of her tongue. I imagined myself letting all my feelings go. Moving on.

And then it was like someone gave me a swift kick to the head. What the hell was I doing? What was I thinking? This felt wrong. This was wrong.

I shook my head and pushed her away. Sorry, I muttered and got out of her apartment as fast as I could.

I couldn’t be with Kaci, but my love for her was so strong I could not bring myself to be with anyone else. Damn it. I couldn’t believe how close I had just come to doing something that would hurt me in the long run. Mad at myself, I slipped down a few back corridors, then rapped on a black door in a rhythm. The door creaked open only enough for a small head to peek out.

Orion. It was the password.

The door opened wider and I slipped inside.

Everleigh Marsden. We haven’t seen you around in a while. Rocco’s blue hair spiked out from his head in all directions. He had a number of piercings but the hoop in his septum annoyed me. I had to suppress the urge to yank it out.

Been busy.

Here to play?

Here to fight. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I was trading one bad idea for another, but at least this one wouldn’t hurt Kaci.

Rocco nodded and put out his hand. I slapped a wad of money in it.

Pick your weapon. He gestured to the knives and swords on the wall.

Hands.

He waggled his eyebrows. Nice. I like a girl who can fight.

I rolled my eyes. Me too.

Go on back.

That little voice inside my head screamed at me not to do this. Not to revert to my old ways. I should try harder to be a better person, even if I couldn’t be with Kaci. The other voice, the part that spoke to the darker parts of me, reminded me that I was worthless, dangerous, and that I didn’t deserve her.

I needed this fight.

Dorean, a heavyset woman with white-blonde hair who was the owner of Steelshot, walked right up to me. I knew you couldn’t stay away.

Fifty percent if I win.

Dorean laughed like I had told a joke. Thirty, no more.

Fine. Who do you have ready? I asked while I wrapped my hands.

Mirage and Ultra. I can get more if you’re willing, she said.

Let’s take one at a time. Before walking into the ring, I took off my comms and put it in my pocket.

In one of the corners was a woman dressed in tight shorts and a sports bra. She looked over at me and smiled—not a nice to meet you smile—but an I’m-going-to-kick-your-ass smile. I didn’t return it. I wanted her to think her feral grin had unsettled me.

We moved to the middle of the ring. I threw a punch and she dodged it. She hit me with a flurry of punches and I let her land them. I liked seeing the look in their eyes when they think they’re all that and they can take me. Once I got a sense of patterns and weaknesses, I timed it just right so that they don’t see it coming when I go in for the kill.

The third punch hit me in the mouth and I tasted blood. I was done playing. We circled each other for a minute and then I popped out a right jab, hitting her square in the face. She looked shocked for a second but immediately regrouped to retaliate. I brought up my foot halting her charge with a kick to her abdomen, then I brought my elbow down on her back. While she was still doubled over, I grabbed a fistful of her hair and flung her to the ground. She rolled back to her feet and charged at me. My right jab met her nose again. Blood poured from her nostrils. Caspar’s face flashed in my mind and like a bull who saw red, I let my fists fly.

Enough! someone shouted and pulled me back. You won.

Snapping back to the present, I looked around. Mirage was lying on the floor barely conscious. They picked her up and carried her out of the ring. Guilt almost swamped me, but after splashing water on my face, I remembered that we all paid or were paid to be in these fights.

Bring on another, I said, wiping my face with a towel.

Are you sure? the referee asked.

Yes.

As you wish.

The next one, introduced as Ultra, was a woman two times my size. I wasn’t intimidated. Size meant that she was probably slow and would attempt to use her weight to bring me down. I knew I could take her with the same strategy I’d used on Mirage. I let her throw the first few punches and then I took her down.

Adrenaline pumped through my body as I stood over Ultra’s prone body making it feel like I could take on a hundred more.

Another! I shouted, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it.

Everleigh! Huxley’s voice barked from outside of the ring. What are you doing? Come on. We’ve got to go.

One more. I brought up my fists and faced my next opponent as she climbed into the ring.

I’ll fight you on the ship.

No. This is different. Sweat ran down my face.

I know that. His eyes pleaded with me, but I refused.

My opponent took my distraction as an opportunity to come at me with a wide, looping swing. I dodged it, but only by a few inches. This fighter was a bit more skilled but didn’t think ahead. She hit the floor just as easily as the rest.

Winner! the referee announced, holding my hand in the air.

Grabbing my towel and water, I stepped out of the ring. I could feel my face swelling from the few hits I’d taken.

You’re a mess, Huxley huffed.

Shrugging, I pushed by him and stuck my hand out in front of Dorean’s face. She nodded to a man on her left who then handed me an envelope full of money.

Come back soon, she said as I spun around and led the way back to the ship.

You haven’t gone off to fight in a long time.

I needed it. I had to take out my aggression somehow.

You do know that it’s illegal?

You’re worried about that being illegal after all we’ve done? I picked up the pace, ignoring him the rest of the way.

Back on the ship, I went directly to the med bay and grabbed an ice pack.

Ever? Briar called out, concern in her voice.

Huxley can’t keep his mouth shut, I muttered, even though I knew her highly sensitive hearing would pick it up it anyway.

Maybe not, but the bruises forming on your face and knuckles would have given you away. What were you thinking? Before I could even answer, she said, No. I know what you were thinking. You’re frustrated. Mad. Sad. You miss her. But fighting at Steelshot is not the answer.

I think you need to get back to the bridge.

Is that your plan to shut us out? By forcing us back to work? She began to walk away. You’ve been a better person since Akacia came into our lives.

Are you saying you didn’t like me before?

Turning back to me, she answered, "No. You know that’s not what I’m saying. Ever since we met, you’ve been