by Mira Maxwell
“Good. I like having you here.” He looks over at me, surprised by my comment. I don’t know why he is surprised, it’s obvious that we have amazing sexual chemistry. Even if before this we never seemed to have much of a connection.
“And all this time I didn’t think you liked me,” he says while adding more logs onto the fire. It only takes minutes for the fire to be blazing strong.
“That sounds familiar,” I say, laughing. I roll onto my elbow, propping myself up so I can watch him better. He hasn’t put any clothes on and I’m enjoying the sight of him moving around the room like he belongs here. “But you didn’t really think that.”
“I could tell that you were scared of me and I think that might be even worse.” Now that he’s finished with the fire, he lays down next to me, propped up on his other elbow so he can look me in the face. As I look into his eyes, it strikes me that he seems like such a different man now than when we first met.
“I wasn’t scared of you…maybe intimidated is a better word. You were always so gruff and serious, I felt like a pest.” I reach up and trace my fingers along the rugged lines of his face. My thumb lingers over his lower lip, creating the desire inside of me to lean in and taste him again. His lips are full and very kissable, something I will admit that I noticed from the very beginning.
“You are not a pest. I just thought…after the choices I made in my past, I was destined to suffer the loneliness of my existence. I had my brothers, but it isn’t the same as loving a woman. I didn’t believe I’d ever find another mate. After what my father told me - you only get one mate in a lifetime.”
“How do you know when you find your mate?” I ask for the first time. “Maybe it’s different that I’m not Attalan?” I’ve never considered the fact that I’m actually his mate, but I can’t deny the reaction my body has to him. He’s everywhere now, in my bed, in my dreams…in my heart. In a very short time he has become so much to me.
“Perhaps it is different.” His fingers stroke my hair while he brings his mouth down to mine. Every time our lips touch I continue to be amazed at how soft and gentle he can be. He shares his passion in his kiss. I open for him, letting his tongue slip inside my mouth. We kiss for a long time, until my lips feel plump and swollen from all of the attention. “We share dreams with our mates, our bodies crave each other and being apart can cause physical pain. Eventually a telepathic connection is formed between mates.”
His arousal is clear so when I press him down into the furs and straddle him with my legs, his cock slips inside of me easily. His hands reach up and squeeze my breasts as I start to ride him with abandon. All of this talk of mates is making me crazy for him.
“Don’t leave me tonight,” I say, panting. “I want you to stay with me as long as you can.” I know eventually he’ll need to leave for the wall. All of the warriors take a shift on watch.
“Of course, my queen.” He rolls us over in the furs so he’s on top, spreading my legs wide, pushing his cock deep. “I’ll stay with you for as long as you want me to.”
I hold him tightly between my thighs, letting our pleasure carry us through until the very early hours of the morning. And even though he stays as long as he can, I miss him like I miss a piece of myself when he finally slips out as the sun breaks over the horizon.
Sixteen
OZMYX
A night without sleep isn’t the best way to start a shift, but I’ll take it. My buddy is still humming from the amazing connection that I’ve found with Savannah. I yearn for her more and more the further I get from her. I never believed I had a chance of finding a mate again but here we are, forming a stronger bond than I ever thought possible.
The only movement around camp is the changing of guards. I walk the steps up to my post and greet Zoan, a fellow warrior. “Everything was quiet last night?” I ask.
“Yes, sir,” Zoan says, greeting me with the respect of the second in command.
“A quiet night is a good night,” I tell him as he walks down the steps.
“It is,” he says, raising his hand in farewell. He’s tired and ready to sleep for a few hours. For the first time in a long time I also wish to go back to sleep. I want to crawl beneath the furs with Savannah once more. It should worry me that I crave her so much already, but it doesn’t. I can’t think past the softness of her skin and the warmth of her cunt.
As I look out over the snow-covered expanse of land, I worry about the harshness of our environment on the humans. They are not equipped to withstand such cold temperatures. Not to mention the volatile creatures that live here. Even with all of that, I don’t want her to leave. It may be selfish, but so be it.
I hear steps behind me and turn around to see Mallyk climbing the steps up to my post. “Ozmyx,” he says. I return his greeting and then we stand together, in silence, looking out over the wall.
“I apologize for not debriefing you yesterday when you arrived back at the fort.”
“I understand. There is a lot going on lately.”
“That is true. You did well, Ozmyx. The other men told me about the ragadh you encountered in the woods.”
“Thank you, sir. It would have been even better if I would have realized it was there before it grabbed Savannah, but we all made it back in one piece. That’s the important thing.”
“Yes, indeed.” He pauses for a moment before continuing. “It is troubling, isn’t it? In all of my years being commander we’ve never encountered a ragadh. What do you think brought it so close?”
“We were ambushed by a Salthu hunting party on our way back to the ship. I imagine they were up to no good. They’re always looking for creatures to control and use against us.”
“That’s what I was worried about,” he says. We’re both busy with our own thoughts when he breaks the silence again. “What can you tell me about the wanderers? They kept you prisoner until our men were able to rescue you from their caves?”
“Yes, sir.” Things have become slightly more complicated now. I know what Savannah wants me to tell him but our few interactions with the wanderers aren’t going to change the years of distrust between us. “They healed me but kept me chained. They did not trust me. Savannah was well received and free to roam about the caves.”
“And what did Savannah tell you about what she saw or who she met?”
“She thinks we should create an alliance with them. Aside from that she did not say much and we left shortly after.”
“They have helped us twice now. It seems we are in their debt.”
“Three times actually.”
Mallyk turns and looks at me, wondering what I’m talking about. “After we were separated during the avalanche, we were traveling back when a blizzard struck. The wanderers took us down into their caves and gave us shelter.”
“So it seems they are interested in an alliance. It might not be a bad idea after what has happened between us and the prime minister. He does not like that we’ve taken the human women as mates.”
The way he phrases it makes me wonder if he can see right through me. If he can already see that I’ve claimed Savannah and taken her as mine. I need to let Savannah take the lead on telling the others about us. I would gladly keep her forever, but she has plans of returning to Earth.
I want to confess to Mallyk what we learned from Edek. Something is keeping me from saying it though. It could help mend the mistrust between us but I don’t know how the other men will take it. If they feel the way I did, they’ll most likely want to start their own war with the city and that’s not good business for anyone. But I know with the chain of command, it isn’t my decision to make. I need to tell Mallyk now or both he and Savannah will be angry with me.
The moment passes.
“We’re planning on having a celebratory feast tonight. You have all returned safely and the women have had a successful mission. Now that they have successfully harvested the Eclaydian, they’ll be getting ready to leave once they retrieve Natalie from the city.”
�
��Sounds good, sir.”
“I’d like you to organize the shifts into shorter increments so everyone can have time to feast. Have the men rotate more frequently. Also, I’ll be organizing a hunting party to prepare for the feast. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Yes, sir. The men will appreciate it, sir.”
“Thank you, Ozmyx. I’ll plan on seeing you at the feast tonight.”
“Of course. I’ll take care of the men.”
Mallyk walks back into the courtyard in search of his hunting party as I stay at my post, trying to accept the fact that the women leaving is something to be celebrated.
The celebration is like nothing we have ever done inside of the fortress before. There’s the huge bonfire in the center of the courtyard with tables set up in a large banquet style. Mallyk is seated at the head of the table with Diana at his side. There are pitchers of wine being passed down the tables and the meat from the hunting party’s success is roasting over the fire. The sound of happy conversation floats up to my post on the wall, making me smile at the sight below me.
I remain at my post until I spot Savannah down by the fire. The fire reflects off of her hair, making it glow. She smiles as she greets the others and it stirs something inside of me. Just seeing her so close makes me need her. As soon as my replacement arrives, I make my way down to her. Others stop me as I walk through the gathering but I don’t take my eyes from her. I know the moment she senses me behind her. Her body reacts to my nearness, she turns around searching for me through the crowd.
She’s standing by Margo next to the fire, not having chosen a seat at the table yet.
“Savannah,” I say as I walk up to the fire. I take her in, every inch of her. Until Margo coughs and I realize that we’re not alone. “Hello Margo.” I turn and acknowledge her. She’s smiling as she looks back and forth between us. Apparently we’re both unable to hide the chemistry between us.
“Hi Ozmyx,” Savannah says. “Margo and I were talking about how soon we’ll be able to bring Natalie here to the fortress with us. Somehow we’ll need to think of a way to get her out of the city and back with us before we can think about leaving. Margo wants to be included in the mission to get her.”
“Yes, things are a bit more complicated now that we’re basically exiled from the city,” I say. “We can’t just walk up to the gates and ask for them to return her to us. There’s a chance they wouldn’t even allow you to leave, Margo, if they found you within the walls.”
“Yeah, they’ve been less than honest with everyone, haven’t they, Ozmyx?” Savannah looks at me with those big blue eyes, trying to gauge my reaction so she can tell if I’ve told the others what I now know about our history. “Who knows what it would be like if there was a confrontation.”
“Well, it doesn’t really matter either way,” Margo says. “We’re getting Natalie back. There’s no way we’d leave without her.”
“Of course,” I say. “We’ll find a way. Don’t worry about that.”
They exchange a grateful look between them. “See, everything will work itself out,” Savannah says to Margo.
“Ladies, let’s join the feast.” I motion toward the tables where warriors are finding seats. There are spots available for the women at the main table with Diana and Mallyk but because Savannah and I have not told anyone of our budding relationship, there is not a seat for me next to her. She walks to the open seat and I find the closest one that I can to her.
The terelope has been roasted to perfection, the meat is incredibly tender. The last feast I’d been a part of was the celebration we all get as warriors once we pass our final test and become a member of the guard. It is thought of as a celebration for our joining of the guard, but it’s also the last chance we get to spend time with our families. Once the feast is over, we move on to the wall and our families go back to their lives in the city. Thinking about it makes me angry. All of these rules that we have to abide by when we’ve been lied to all along. We haven’t been treated like warriors. We’ve been treated like animals that the prime minister and his men want to control so they can wipe out their ugly mistakes.
I look over at Savannah again and our eyes meet. I have no respect for the rules we are forced to abide by. I will take Savannah as my mate and keep her by my side as long as I can. I’m not going to forgo my happiness anymore to appease the liars in the city.
As we look at each other, I no longer have a taste for the food in my mouth. I want to take Savannah back to her room. The flush on her cheeks tells me she’s thinking the same thing. There’s enough going on that I’m sure we’ll be able to sneak off together without anyone noticing.
As we all finish eating, some of the warriors get up and head off. Most likely to relieve other men from the wall. Savannah stands up and begins walking towards me. When she gets within my reach, I want to take her in my arms and drag her back to her room, but I don’t. Instead, I show restraint and keep my hands to myself.
“You want to go?” she asks when she’s standing right next to me.
“More than anything,” I say.
We both turn to leave but before we get very far, we hear Mallyk speak above the noise to get everyone’s attention. We both stop and turn to see what he has to say.
“Warriors,” Mallyk says. He’s standing at the head of the table with his cup in his hand. The lull of chatter quickly dies down until all that can be heard is the sound of the fire crackling. “You are to be commended for the protection you have given our human guests. Because of you, their mission has been a success.” The warriors cheer for the success of the mission.
“You have all been faithful to me, your leader, even when I broke our sacred oath and took a human as my mate. You understood that though we have tried to in the past, our hearts will not let us close them off. Our hearts will always be free to choose.”
There is assent from the group of warriors. I look around as they nod their heads in agreement and offer quiet words of approval.
“I have an announcement on this joyous night of celebration. My mate, Diana, and I are expecting a baby.”
Cheers from the crowd erupt around us. Even Savannah is completely shocked by the news. I don’t know how I feel right now. I know the truth behind the lies, the reason why we were forbidden from procreating. There are so many risks that go along with allowing our DNA to be passed on to further generations. Suddenly, the crowd is too loud and I can’t breathe. I need to be alone so I can process my thoughts. Savannah calls after me as I take off through the crowd but I don’t stop for her. I need to leave her behind.
Seventeen
SAVANNAH
I’m in complete shock when Mallyk makes his announcement. But then I turn and see Ozmyx taking off through the crowd and I know that this has affected him very differently from the others. I also know very quickly that he obviously hasn’t told any of the other warriors what he knows about their history with the genetic enhancements. I feel a flash of anger inside of me. He never made any promises, but I hoped he would do the right thing and tell the others. They have every right to know and I don’t think it should be a human to tell them.
For now, I turn and go back to Diana. I pull her close for a hug and say, “I can’t believe it! And you didn’t say anything.”
“I know. I didn’t really know how to tell you. The last thing I expected was to come to this planet on a mission to save Earth and then get knocked up by my alien boyfriend. I have a feeling they won’t be enlisting me to be captain again for a long time.”
We both laugh because it is a crazy thing to think about. “Or ever again,” I add. She stops laughing, though, and I instantly regret my remark. “I’m joking. Don’t worry about any of that right now.”
Margo and Mina have joined us now as well. They’re just as shocked as I am. Normally the announcement of a baby is an amazing thing. There are just so many questions that need to be answered with this situation. Now that we’re all together, I can’t find the words to tell Diana wh
at I know. It doesn’t feel right to make her worry when there might be nothing to worry about anyway. The warriors now are nothing like the Salthu.
Finally, Mina asks the question that we’ve all been thinking. “Are you coming back with us? Or are you going to stay?”
Diana looks at each of us, having a hard time finding the words.
“I don’t think it’s possible for me to return right now. Coming back to Earth, pregnant with an alien’s baby? Who knows what they would do to me. I don’t think it would be safe. Not to mention I don’t want to leave Mallyk behind. And I don’t want my baby to grow up not knowing his father.” She raises her hands, clearly exasperated with all of the things there are to think about.
“Of course,” I tell her. “The most important thing if that you don’t stress yourself out over this stuff right now. And then the second most important thing is that I’m going to want to give you a check-up to make sure everything looks alright with you and the baby.”
“That would be wonderful. I’m worried. I guess I didn’t really think it was possible to get pregnant with an alien’s baby. Boy was I wrong!”
She laughs again but her stress is clear to see. And I don’t blame her, I wouldn’t want to be the first human to become pregnant by an Attalan on this planet. We’re reaching into serious unknown territory right now.
“You should stay here, with Mallyk, and enjoy yourself tonight. They want to celebrate you…let them. There’s always time to stress about everything tomorrow.”
“I’ll try. You’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I’m tired. My back is still sore, too. It’ll feel good to stretch out and take a pain reliever again.”
“Okay, rest up and I’ll find you in the morning.”
“Sounds good.” I grab one more drink of my wine as I pass my table spot. There’s a lot going on all of a sudden and the wine helps to calm my nerves. I look all around as I walk back to my room but there’s no sign of Ozmyx anywhere. I suppose it’s possible that he’s back on watch at the wall but I have a strong inkling that he’s hiding himself away somewhere.
