The Marine's Queen by Susan Kelley Page A

they’ve been here?”
    “ Nearly six months, Earth time. There are two more marines and their unit doctor at the main camp. We’re waiting here for them. Didn’t Joe tell you any of this? I saw you get up and speak with him last night.”
    “ We talked of other things.”
    “ Other things?”
    Callie didn’t want to mention her momentary fear of Joe when she’d sensed his anger. Having the marines cook dinner and prepare tea easily misled one into forgetting they were bred and trained to be killers.
    “ We don’t seem to communicate as well as you and Vin. Did Vin mention how long until the others arrive?”
    “ They’ll be here tomorrow before the hot time,” Joe said from behind them. “Tar left this morning to carry my message.”
    Yalo cursed, and Callie yelped in surprise.
    “ Don’t sneak up on us like that.”
    Joe frowned at Callie. “I wasn’t sneaking.”
    Callie sighed. “Why do we have to wait for them?”
    “ They’ll bring more supplies and enough mounts for everyone.”
    Surprised at the ease of drawing answers from him, Callie tried another question. “And someone will go back for our things?”
    “ Yes.”
    “ Please sit with us.” Callie gestured at a boulder facing her and Yalo.
    Joe stared at the rock as if flesh-eating beetles covered it. He sat slowly, looking as if he might jump up and run away at any moment.
    Yalo’s lips twitched, and Callie struggled to hold in her smile. “How did you find this refuge so far from your crash site?”
    “ We spotted it before our sensors went dead. We had the general direction.”
    “ Are there buildings at the main camp?” Callie was content to wait and see but she wanted to keep Joe talking.
    “ You’ll see for yourself soon.” Joe stood up. “We’ll make the necessary additions when you tell us what you need. I must help Vin before the hot time arrives.”
    Yalo waited until Joe moved away before laughing. “I swear, my queen, he’s afraid of you.”
    “ I don’t think he’s afraid as much as confused.”
    “ That’s the best condition to have a man in.”
    “ If you want to have him at all.”
    “ Do you?”
    Callie watched Joe throw a line into the water. Lab invention or not, Joe intrigued her. Did she want him as a woman wants a man? Did her body not react to his male allure? She sighed. “You know wanting has little to do with the Queen of Giroux’s choices with men.”

Chapter Five
     
    Sleep eluded Callie for some reason. She sat up and noticed the others already slept except for Vin standing watch near the entrance. The coal fire kept the cave comfortable if not quite warm. Glory sprawled half on Roz’s chest. She’d insisted on having her mother on one side of her and the marine on the other.
    Across the fire, Joe dozed on his back with one hand behind his head and one flung toward the fire. He’d occupied himself out of her sight for most of the day. She’d slept poorly after their brief confrontation the previous night and now something prevented her rest again.
    Ignoring the warnings of her instincts, Callie climbed over Yalo to Joe’s side. She eased down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. The muscles of his chest tightened, and his breath hitched.
    Callie froze, holding her own breath. Joe’s outstretched arm slowly folded around her shoulders. She relaxed and settled closer to his warm body. He shifted and took his arm from beneath his head. He lifted the edge of the cover he laid on and pulled it over her.
    The heat of the fire warmed her back and Joe heated her front. Heaviness filled her limbs and eyes. Not even her overstuffed bed at her castle had given her such comfort. Sleep would no longer be denied even though she longed to stay awake.
    * * * *
    Joe walked to meet Kam, Mak and Webb. Tar rode well to the rear, leading three extra boarks.
    Since the first bitter cold hint of daylight, Joe had found things to do outside the cave. A dozen game birds roasted over a low fire inside