Star Crossed Update

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on FicPad

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on FFn

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on TWCS

Star Crossed Chapter Eighteen Update on AO3

I sat on my throne, glaring up at the rafter that became N’essie’s final resting place. The throne room, after it had been thoroughly investigated, was now clean. The pirna wood floors were now shining in the mid-morning sun. It all looked too innocent, but what we found in that room will forever be burned into my memory. Even in death, N’essie was terrified. Her yellow eyes were open and her mouth was caught in a silent scream, portraying her absolute fear. They would pay for what they did to her. All of them will feel the fear that she endured for her entire life and that ultimately ended it.

I was so angry. Somehow, N’essie had been transported off the Enterprise and down to the surface, tortured and murdered. On top of that, Counselor Marcusi’s life hung in the balance. Aro and Caius had him abducted from his home, disappearing into thin air.

How did they get off the planet?

How did they get N’essie off the Enterprise without causing the alarms to go off?

How could any of this happen and how did I not know about it?

I clenched my hand into a fist, hissing as the sutures tore at my skin. The pain was nothing. I could withstand this pain. It was a reminder of what I needed to do to protect my people. And I would protect them. In my father’s name, in his honor, I’d save the Cygnarian people. For my mate, I’d fight for our love. For N’essie? I will avenge her death and make her captors suffer the same fate by my own hand. “I promise you,” I growled, looking down at the bandage on my palm. The blade I’d used to cut it was safely around my ankle. 

Bella's H'aaruune gown

Bella's ajur stone circlet

Edward's H'aaruune mourning suit

Edward's mourning circlet

Lanterns for the H'aaruune rite

N'essie's casket

Imperial Burial Ground

Elizabeth Cullen

Ceremonial Blade used for the Blood Oath

Modified Cygnarian Insignia

Renien Ocean 

Imperial Fighter

Aeroshuttle

Imperial Fleet: Cygnarus

Star Crossed Teaser: Blog Only Teaser

I sat on my throne, glaring up at the rafter that became N’essie’s final resting place. The throne room, after it had been thoroughly investigated, was now clean. The pirna wood floors were now shining in the mid-morning sun. It all looked too innocent, but what we found in that room will forever be burned into my memory. Even in death, N’essie was terrified. Her yellow eyes were open and her mouth was caught in a silent scream, portraying her absolute fear. They would pay for what they did to her. All of them will feel the fear that she endured for her entire life and that ultimately ended it.

I was so angry. Somehow, N’essie had been transported off the Enterprise and down to the surface, tortured and murdered. On top of that, Counselor Marcusi’s life hung in the balance. Aro and Caius had him abducted from his home, disappearing into thin air.

How did they get off the planet?

How did they get N’essie off the Enterprise without causing the alarms to go off?

How could any of this happen and how did I not know about it?

Star Crossed Teaser

I walked to Maralice and we went to my suite. “Are you alright, Empress?” Maralice asked.

“No. I am still filled with so much anger, but with Edward, I hope I can refocus that anger into something useful,” I sighed, removing my simple clothing. “Are you alright? You are no longer wearing your clothes of mourning.”

“I spoke with my beloved Jamel’s brother, Laur’ent. I told him about what had happened to me on Lapus. Laur’ent was not upset with me and he apologized for my ordeal. Then, I told him all about Jasper and how he helped me. Laur’ent, he … he gave me his blessing to be happy. He said that Jamel would not have wanted me to live my life alone. Before the discovery of N’essie, Jasper asked if he could court me. Take me out on dates and build a relationship. We are mates, but he is a … what did he call it? Oh, right. A Southern Gentleman.”

“I’m happy for you, Maralice,” I said, hugging her.

“I am excited, but I still harbor some guilt for moving on. I would like some sort of sign from Jamel that he is okay with me being with Jasper,” she said, running her fingers through my curls. “Now, you need to bathe. Jerasse and Tia will be in here in a couple of hours to prepare you for N’essie’s H’aaruune. Be careful with your wound.”

I nodded and watched as she left. Once she was gone, I began my preparations for H’aaruune. I stripped my body of my clothes. I prayed to my Gods, my family and my lost friend as I methodically rubbed the s’likoya oil on my skin, making it flame a warm, rosy pink. The oil burned my skin, reminding me that I was very much alive. I cried as the oil came in contact with my wound on the palm of my hand. I clenched my hand into a fist and poured water over my hair. I sat in the sun, shivering as the water dried around me.

Once it was dry, I began the ritual again with a stronger elixir of s’likoya mixed with lysa. I was sobbing by the time Jerasse and Tia came to bathe me, freeing my skin of the burning sensation of the oils. They cleaned my body, using large sponges and the pain of loss slowly ebbed from me. It gave me solace that Edward was going through the same ritual.

The last time I went through a full H’aaruune was when my father died. Charanel did not understand the process and he did not have to be cleansed as I did. I felt like my skin was boiling off my body, my grief was so great, with the loss of my father.

My skin was cleaned of the oils and glistened in the waning sunlight. “Empress, we must drain your tub,” Tia whispered. “And you must stay standing until we dress you.”

I nodded and watched as the water in the tub went down the drain. I shivered uncontrollably as my skin dried, shimmering with the residual crystals of the oils. Jerasse dried my hair and tied it into a tight braid falling down my back. Weaved into my hair, I wore a simple circlet with ajur stone. I would wear this circlet for a month, honoring my friend. When father died, I wore a circlet with an amur stone, honoring the loss of a family member. I wore that until I left Forx to fly to Lapus. Maralice told me to wear my Imperial ioti circlet, reminding Jakob of my status.

Jerasse helped me into my white mourning gown and Tia deftly applied simple makeup, including a smaller ajur stone between my eyes. Around my wrists and ankles, I wore ajur stone bracelets. Once I was ready, I walked out of my bathroom and out to the throne room. I wore no shoes. I wanted to feel every pebble, every crevice as we walked to the cliffs overlooking the Renien Ocean. Edward greeted me. His face was somber as I looked up at him. His hair was tamed and on his head, he wore a matching ajur stone circlet. He, too, was barefoot. We turned to face the crowd of dignitaries, nobles and visiting Federation personnel. 

Star Crossed Picture Tease

Star Crossed Update

Star Crossed Update Chapter Seventeen on FicPad

Star Crossed Update Chapter Seventeen on TWCS

Star Crossed Update Chapter Seventeen on AO3

Star Crossed Update Chapter Seventeen on FFn

“Edward, you’re going to wear out the bulkhead,” Mom chided. “Your mate is fine with your father. This conversation is a long-time coming.”

“Dad’s actions were very inconsiderate, Mom,” Elizabeth snickered. “Opinions are like assholes. We all have one and they most definitely stink.”

“Bolians don’t have assholes,” I whispered, looking down at the glittering green and blue orb below us. “Their bodily waste is reabsorbed into their bodies and excreted in the form of a gas.”

“Thank you, Emperor Smart Ass, for that wonderful biology lesson,” Elizabeth deadpanned. “Now, I know why my Bolian roommate from university always smelled like shit.” I shot my sister a withering glare. “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, Edward Anthony.”

“You’re such a pain in the ass, Elizabeth,” I grumbled.

“Edward, stop it,” Mom barked. “Apologize to your sister.”

“Sorry, Lizzie,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“And Elizabeth, stop goading him. He’s got enough on his plate without your sarcastic remarks,” Mom chided.

“Sorry, Edward. I didn’t mean to give you shit,” Elizabeth said, walking over to me and leaning her head on my shoulder. “What’s our next plan of attack?”

“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I feel more confident about a fight knowing we have the Imperial Fleet.”

“I’m shocked that the Council of Elders didn’t inform you or Nirabelle of those vessels,” Mom scoffed.

“The Council of Elders are entrenched in this coup, Mom. I honestly don’t trust any of them,” I growled. “Even Counselor Marcusi has his own agenda, but Counselors Aro and Caius may be behind this. To what end? I don’t know and it’s incredibly frustrating. We need to pretend like we are unaware of their involvement, but they could be in contact with the Remans or Alphans.”

“Their transmissions are being closely monitored. Plus, any incoming or outgoing ship is being searched and checked before they are allowed to depart the Cygnarian system,” Mom explained. 

“Jasper suggested it after he heard about the Turulian cargo ship delivering the marchesian stones. The ships we’re boarding are not happy about it, but it’s a necessary evil of war.”

Blog Only Teaser

“Edward, you’re going to wear out the bulkhead,” Mom chided. “Your mate is fine with your father. This conversation is a long-time coming.”

“Dad’s actions were very inconsiderate, Mom,” Elizabeth snickered. “Opinions are like assholes. We all have one and they most definitely stink.”

“Bolians don’t have assholes,” I whispered, looking down at the glittering green and blue orb below us. “Their bodily waste is reabsorbed into their bodies and excreted in the form of a gas.”

“Thank you, Emperor Smart Ass, for that wonderful biology lesson,” Elizabeth deadpanned. “Now, I know why my Bolian roommate from university always smelled like shit.” I shot my sister a withering glare. “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice, Edward Anthony.”

“You’re such a pain in the ass, Elizabeth,” I grumbled.

“Edward, stop it,” Mom barked. “Apologize to your sister.”

“Sorry, Lizzie,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“And Elizabeth, stop goading him. He’s got enough on his plate without your sarcastic remarks,” Mom chided.

“Sorry, Edward. I didn’t mean to give you shit,” Elizabeth said, walking over to me and leaning her head on my shoulder. “What’s our next plan of attack?”

“I don’t know,” I sighed. “I feel more confident about a fight knowing we have the Imperial Fleet.”

“I’m shocked that the Council of Elders didn’t inform you or Nirabelle of those vessels,” Mom scoffed.

“The Council of Elders are entrenched in this coup, Mom. I honestly don’t trust any of them,” I growled. “Even Counselor Marcusi has his own agenda, but Counselors Aro and Caius may be behind this. To what end? I don’t know and it’s incredibly frustrating. We need to pretend like we are unaware of their involvement, but they could be in contact with the Remans or Alphans.”

Elizabeth Cullen

Update will be coming on THURSDAY! Keep your eyes peeled! 

Star Crossed Teaser

“Do you remember when father would set up tents outside in the Imperial Gardens?” Charanel asked. “We would go camping in the safety of the palace.”

“I do remember that,” Bella smiled. “I think it would nice to honor our father and have a camping trip in the gardens,” Bella giggled. “Have you ever gone camping, Edward?”

“More times than I can count,” I laughed. “Part of my Galaxy Fleet training included outdoor engineering and orienteering with just the basics. I enjoyed it a lot since I’d gone camping with my family. Some of my classmates hated it and were spoiled by their replicators and soft beds. Once we are done with all of this, I’d like to take both of you to Earth and we could go camping in the wilderness outside of Galaxy Fleet Headquarters. It’s beautiful and untouched by any technology.”

“Let me contact Maralice and make the arrangements,” Bella said, hailing her envoy. Charanel left and said that he was going change into something more comfortable. I did the same, changing into a pair of grey cargo pants and a tight grey shirt with a navy jacket. Bella limped into our bedroom, grimacing slightly.

“Are you okay, Fíorghrá?” I asked. “How is your leg?”

“It hurts. I haven’t taken any of the pain medication since we returned from Cygnaria Prime, ti’ane,” she murmured. “I’m trying to not take anything. I hate the way the drugs make me feel.”

“Have you spoken with Kunnan? Perhaps he can prescribe something that won’t make you feel as drugged,” I suggested, rushing to her and sitting down on the bed with her in my lap. “And do you really want to go camping now? You need a bed. You need to be comfortable.”

“The camping from your childhood and the camping from mine is very different, Edward,” Bella giggled. “We will have a tent, but we will also have every luxury, including some very comfortable beds. My father was spoiled and he made sure that we enjoyed the outdoors, but with the necessities he needed. Which included a bed and cooled air inside of the tent.”

“That’s not camping,” I scoffed. “That’s having a tent with air conditioning.”

“What’s camping for you, ti’ane?” she asked, her fingers massaging at the nape of my neck.

“Camping is roughing it. Carrying all you need on your back and using your instincts to survive. No electricity, no replicators, no prepared food. Everything you ate, you hunted or gathered yourself. You didn’t eat until you had a fire burning. And no phasers. Use bow and arrows to kill your meal and flint and steel to create your fire,” I grunted.

“Well, we can do that on Earth, Edward. Here? We’ll do my father’s version of camping,” Bella snickered. “And it’s within the Imperial Palace walls. Until the threat of the Remans, the Alphans and the Alliance is gone, we have to remain protected.”

“That’s important, but I will take you and Charanel camping. After all of this, we will hike the Hoh Rainforest in the Olympic National Park. It’s located in an old Earth state of Washington. It’s beautiful, but so very different from Forx,” I smiled.

“I look forward to it, Edward,” Bella beamed, leaning forward to brush her lips with mine. I hugged her to my body, tracing her lips with my tongue. She sighed, opening her mouth to me and allowing me to taste her sweet flavor. We were lost in each other, our kisses becoming frantic. She pulled back, her chest heaving. You are too addictive, Edward. One kiss and all I want is to make love.

I nodded, my fingers tracing down her sizzling spots. “Soon, Fíorghrá. Now, I’ll let you get changed. I want to see if the kitchen can provide us with the makings for s’mores. It’s the one food that I take out camping that I don’t hunt myself.”

“S’mores?” she asked, unfamiliar with the term.

“You’ll see, Bella,” I laughed. “Dress in layers. I don’t know how cold the tent will get.” Bella smiled, getting up from my lap and limping to the closet. “And call Kunnan.”

“I will,” she replied, ducking into her closet. 

The update for Star Crossed chapter seventeen will be coming up in ONE WEEK. August 13th. I may post another teaser on Sunday, but we'll see. If you haven't done so, reread what I've written so you're familiar with where I left off! Yay!! 

Picture Tease for Chapter Seventeen of Star Crossed

Overlooking the Renien Ocean

Imperial Gardens during the day

Imperial Gardens aglow at night

Emperor Charel's version of 'camping'

S'mores, anyone? 

An Update on Posting, plus a Teaser ...

Hey all ~

I hope you guys haven't forgot about me and this little story called Star Crossed. My life kind of imploded toward the end of May and it's finally settled down. Unfortunately, I lost my mother to cancer on May 27th. She was a beautiful, loving woman and I will miss her tremendously. Her illness and subsequent death are the main reasons why I took a step back from this story. It required all of my brain and I didn't have all of my brain to give.

Now, here's the plan on what I'm doing with Star Crossed. I'm hoping to start updating every other Thursday, beginning on August 13th. I do want to finish this story before the end of the year, but I have to get back into the swing of things. I've re-read what I wrote (and I'm kind of shocked at how good it was) so I can remind myself of the plot. I've started working on an update and I'm about 2100 words into chapter seventeen.

Teasers will come out on the Thursdays that I'm not updating and I'll periodically throw some pictures out there as well. Speaking of periodic pic teasers, here's a couple now.

I will see you on Thursday with a teaser and the following Thursday with an update. Thank you for sticking with me! For those of you who need to catch up, here's the links to the story:

Star Crossed on TWCS

Star Crossed on FicPad

Star Crossed on AO3

Star Crossed on FFn