Chapter 57

In that cold gloomy region at the top of the world the sun barely peeked above the horizon offering only a few feeble rays of light to warm the vast frozen landscape. The autumn equinox was fast approaching and then the sun would sink completely below the horizon leaving the region cloaked in twilight for four months.

Amid this harsh barren land of snow and ice the Fortress of Solitude rose majestically resembling a fairy tale’s ice palace. A permanent layer of frost covered the sharp outer planes of the structure’s crystalline lattice. Inside the resplendent Fortress Kal-El and Valia slept, nestled together, his back pressed against her chest, her arm draped across his waist. The bed covers crumpled around their nude forms.

Slowly Valia awoke and stretched as memories of the night swirled in her mind. Passion had superseded logic and caution had been thrown to the wind. Both she and Kal-El had been driven by desire and a feeling of living for the moment. Later – much later – heartfelt discussions had replaced red hot passion, even though physical desires had not completely diminished.

Ultimately they’d decided to make the most of their time together realizing that after today their destinies would led them on different paths, paths that would not cross again.

Valia lightly ran her hand up Kal-El’s arm and deposited soft lingering kisses along his bare shoulder and neck.

“Mmmmm,” Kal-El moaned and rolled onto his back. His eyes fluttered opened and he pulled her on top of him eyeing her possessively.

She ran her fingers through his thick black hair so appealing in its current state of disarray and traced the curve of his jaw. He wasn’t the perfectly attired, polished prince now, and she liked this imagine of him lying beneath her, unadorned and slightly mussed, it made him all the more appealing and somehow vulnerable.

“Sleep well?” she asked.

“Very,” he said studying her face, her eyes, her lips, drinking in her beauty. Her tousled hair fell forward spilling onto his chest and shoulders. He pushed some of the silky strands behind her shoulder and ear and pulled her face to his, kissing her tenderly.

They’d shared pleasures many times during the night and although the flames of desire had not abated, they could no longer indulge their hearts’ desires, the outside world beckoned, demanding their attention.

“I should check on the earth cities that were damaged,” Kal-El said reluctantly, hesitantly.

“I should check on Chad-In and Thar-An’s progress,” Valia said forlornly and without enthusiasm.

However, neither one moved. They remained molded together, she atop him, locked in each other’s arms.

Valia looked at Kal-El longingly then pressed her lips against his ear and whispered, “Perhaps one last time.” As incentive she gently kissed the hollow of his neck and ran her hand over the planes of his exquisitely chiseled chest igniting a subtle ripple of sparks that quickly spread throughout his sensitive body.

“Perhaps . . . one last time,” he agreed his voice husky with emotion and desire.

Their lips met again. His hands moved slowly, sensually, down her back to the curve of her waist and up over the swell of her hips blazing a fiery path.

Kal-El, dressed in his Superman suit, stood in the computer chamber glaring at one of the many screens listening to the latest news from Metropolis. A local newscaster, standing outside the county jail, reported that Lex Luthor had come forward declaring he was the CEO of the Lexicon Corporation and was very distressed to learn that two of his employees, men he had trusted and only recently hired, had been responsible for the kidnappings of a father and son. The broadcast cut to an image of an impeccably dressed Lex Luthor surrounded by the press.

“Unfortunately, or perhaps we can say fortunately,” Lex said from his well-rehearsed statement and not looking particularly distressed, “Justice has already been served, both men are dead. I went to the police the moment I was informed two of my employees were involved in this horrible crime.”

The image returned to the newscaster who explained that one man, Michael John Corban also known as Mick, had confessed to murdering his partner, Ernesto ‘Ernie’ Gonzalez, and dumping the body in the Metropolis River.

“The police are currently dragging the river,” the newscaster informed viewers then continued, “In a bizarre turn of events Mr. Corban became violently ill and died this morning at the Metropolis County jail where he was being held. Now folks, this story just keeps getting weirder. The police and doctors have not released a lot of information on what exactly happened to Mr. Corban, but what they have said is that his condition was highly unusual and possibly contagious. Therefore, on the expert advice of Dr. Emmet Vale, an employee of Lexicon, the body has been released to Mr. Luthor and the Lexicon Corporation for further analysis. Mr. Luthor stated that his company is the only place in Metropolis with the facilities, doctors, and resources necessary to properly handle the unique situation presented by Mr. Corban’s death.”

An anchor man in the studio asked the newscaster, “Rob, can you tell us more about how contagious this illness is and should the citizens of Metropolis be concerned? I mean, could we be talking about an epidemic here?”

Rob shook his head and said, “According to Dr. Emmet Vale there is minimal to no threat to anyone, even those who came into close personal contact with Mr. Corban. The public does not have anything to be concerned about at this time. It’s Dr. Vale’s professional opinion that Mr. Corban was infected by a substance at Lexicon while he was hiding out there, a substance that was lethal, not contagious. Mr. Luthor stated that his corporation will examine Mr. Corban’s body and issue a full report as soon as possible.”

Valia entered the chamber and noticed Kal-El’s furrowed brow. “Trouble?” she asked.

Turning to her he said, “Lex Luthor. Some things never change. I need to check on Metropolis and the other cities.”

“I understand. I want to check on Thar-An and Chad-In’s progress and talk to my mother.” She lowered her head, sad by what she had to say next. “Kal-El, there really isn’t anything left for me to do here. I need to return to the ship I’m sure Thar-An and Chad-In can use my help.”

He placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head so their eyes met. Sadness filled both their eyes. Valia’s lip quivered as she said, “I’m sorry, our time together is over.”

He put a finger to her lips. “Don’t apologize.” He studied her face, memorizing her features then bent and kissed her, his lips soft and warm against hers.

At last he stepped away and said, “I’ll take you to the ship when I return.”

She nodded blinking back the tears that threatened to fall. She had to be strong, she’d made her decision. Her people needed her help now just as Kal-El’s planet needed his.

She watched him turn and stride to the walkway. He turned and looked at her one more time before raising his arms and lifting off the floor. In a flash he was gone. A vortex of wind followed in his wake tossing her hair and clothes.