Ki's Redemption

by Keri Kruspe

“Come, sit. Let me tell you a story about how we are bound together.” The massive head nodded to the crook of her leg.

  Sherri didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation and nestled against the downy softness. Once she was snuggled in the warm cocoon, she scrutinized the dragon's immense face. “You’re not going to eat me, are you?” She doubted that would happen, but hey, she had to ask.

  The dragon gave a slight snort. “Of course not. You are me and I am you. My name is Cheithe and I am now a part of you. My mate, Grirryrth, injected his essence into your unconscious form to release me. That allowed us to bond and prevent your death.”

  “Your mate?” An image flooded of the humongous purple-and-blue dragon she saw before she passed out. Oh, so that’s what that blinding pain was.

  “Yes, since your mate—or I guess you call him your TrueBond—is Grirryrth’s host, it only made sense for me to merge with you.”

  “Huh?” That was a weird word. “What or who is a TrueBond?”

  Cheithe cocked her head. A silver eye the size of a dinner platter filled Sherri’s vision. “You do not know the male, Ki, is your TrueBond?” She drew her head back and shook it, then wrinkled her snout as if she smelled something sour. “Males!” The exasperation was clear. “Why do they have to make things so complicated? I will have a firm discussion with Grirryrth at the earliest opportunity, believe you me.” A disgruntled humph. “Little female, your TrueBond is the Zerin male named M’alalu Ki E’eur, the current host of the Crart dragon named Grirryrth. Grirryrth had been last of our kind until he was strong enough to release me inside of his host’s mate.” Cheithe lifted her head back in a proud stance, her graceful neck elongated with pride. “He has had to suffer being alone for thousands of millennia. No more. Once I am strong enough, we will bond as mates should. I am eager for the new generation of Crart warriors to again be the caretakers the galaxy needs. Our children will work together against the darkness and not allow it to take hold as it is trying to do now.”

  Sherri wasn’t sure where to start, so she grabbed on a small part of what Cheithe told her. “Ki is thousands of years old?” Talk about a December-May romance…

  The dragon shook her head. “No, my mate is that age. Through careful planning on our ancestor’s part, Grirryrth’s consciousness is in the warrior suit your mate wears. As for your mate, he is very young, only around one-hundred-twenty standard solar years.”

  Wow, that stunning man had to be three times her age. What she wouldn’t give to peel the form-fitting black suit apart and reveal his tight, iridescent skin. She was dying to see how good the “old man” looked without it.

  “Child, now is not the time to think of your mate,” Cheithe chided. “You must awaken to complete the bond between us.”

  “Awaken? What do you mean?” Sherri looked around. The darkness was encroaching, with the wispy fog becoming thicker. “Aren’t I awake now?”

  “No, you were near death and are still unconscious. That is why you and I could meet face-to-face in this place at the in-between.” Cheithe nuzzled the tip of her nose against Sherri’s cheek. “But our time has run out and you must awaken before it’s too late.”

  “But I still have questions…” Sherri protested as the female dragon gently pushed away from her and stood to her massive height a few feet away.

  “All will be well, child,” Cheithe promised. “I am ever with you.” She opened her jaw wide and blew a string of red, hot fire.

  Sherri instinctively knew this was the final step to bind them together.

  Instead of experiencing a fiery death, Sherri jerked awake. Startled, she looked around until she caught the steady gaze of Ki’s dual-colored eyes.

  The inner navy ring of his irises expanded and eclipsed the outer dark hunter green.

  His iridescent green pupil widened as she drowned in his intense emotion. Worry… desire… possessiveness. Hard to tell which emotion was the strongest, but whichever one it was, he made her smile.

  Then Sherri did something she’d wanted to do the first time she saw him. She reached up, slipped her arm around his neck, pulled him down, and touched her lips to his. The scruff of his full beard was soft and prickly at the same time.

  Ki’s response was more than she hoped for. Strong arms embraced her as his masterful mouth claimed what she offered. Firm, masculine lips demanded entrance, which she gladly complied with. A masculine flavor joined hers—a tang of sea breeze laced with a sharp bite of brine along with a heightened burst of addicting passion. A moan rolled free from her tight throat.

  More…had to have more. With deliberate movements, Sherri pulled him closer. The man must have read her mind, his solid body covered hers on the soft pad. Dual sighs of pleasure filled their mouths as their groins meshed and rubbed. A vibrating groan of male pleasure joined hers as her womb zinged and tightened.

  Ki’s low growl filled her mouth, and she basked in feminine power. With deliberate movements, she rubbed against the ridged length that strained the front of his formsuit.

  His hold tightened as his hips stroked back. He lifted his head and stared at her with slightly narrowed eyes before he lowered it again. Traitorous lips found the sensitive hollow between her neck and shoulder. Sharp teeth nipped as he suckled the receptive skin.

  “TrueBond.” Sherri breathed into the shell of his ear. The strange word startled her. Why in the world would she say something like that? Who cared? While she had no idea what it meant, she just wanted more. Ahh… yes, there he was. His clever hands found the rounded globes of her breasts. Yes… fingers massaged as she thrashed, wanting the extra friction. She shivered and broke out in a nervous sweat under the welcome weight.

  It took a moment for her lust-filled brain to recognize his still body. The sudden immobility caught Sherri off guard. Reluctantly, she let go of the luscious ass she had no memory of grabbing. Just as she feared, he pushed away and their eyes met. A hard knot lodged in her throat.

  “This isn’t right.” The raspy voice matched the grim look in his dual-colored eyes. “I shouldn’t have done this.”

  He made a move to lift off but she grabbed his forearms.

  He stopped with a puzzled frown. “I need to get up.”

  “No,” Sherri shook her head. “Oh no, you’re not going anywhere until you tell me what ‘this isn’t right’ means.” She firmly stroked his engorged member.

  He closed his eyes in reaction and his mouth tightened. “I mean,” he spoke through gritted teeth, “for me to take advantage of you after what you’ve been through is unacceptable.” He pulled away.

  She let go and dropped her hands. With the warmth of his body gone, the cold and nerves caused a shiver.

  “Besides.” He continued to back away. “It’s important for us to get out of here as soon as possible.” The stark words didn’t match the pained expression as the distance widened between them. “Drirux’s friends could come back any minute, and we’ve got to be long gone before then.” He inspected her with a bland expression. “How do you feel?”

  Feel? Aroused, horny…ready to tangle between the sheets. Dense man…how did he think she felt? Not that he needed to know. She wasn’t going let on how his rejection hurt. So, time for some good old-fashioned sarcasm. “Oh, just peachy. Never better.” With slow movements, she sat up from the narrow bed and swung her feet to touch the ground as she glanced around.

  “No.” Ki stepped back into her personal space.“How do you feel?”

  His intense focus made her blink. “Okay, I guess. Why are you acting so weird?”

  Ki crossed his massive arms while giving a disgruntled snort. “Look inside. What do you find?” He leaned in and placed fists on his lean hips. “Or better yet, what don’t you find?”

  “I don’t…” Sherri looked away with unfocused eyes. Searching…ahh…no…it was gone! The heavy burden of the nasty pirate was gone. She probed further and rubbed an open palm over her heart. Yeah, he was gone.

  But, something else was there. Where the
pirate had been before, now a warm ethereal light made up of pastel colors swirled in a cohesive circle. A joyous welcome confused her as much as it centered her and gave her purpose. She gave a metaphorical poke to see what happened.

  “Hello, child.” The singsong voice of the female dragon, Cheithe responded. “I told you I’d ever be with you.”

  Chapter Five

  KI

  Ki’s vision narrowed when Drirux’s dagger pierced Sherri. To watch her crumple with a bright red blossom spreading across her soft, autumn-colored shirt had been the hardest thing he’d ever lived through. Wild emotions flared, and he lost control and transformed into an enraged dragon.

  Once in corporeal form, Grirryrth did something unexpected. He wrapped a claw around Sherri’s torso, lifted her up to lick, and then bit her neck…hard enough to break the skin. The action was gentle and didn’t cause a massive wound, but it was hard enough to coat his tongue with hot blood.

  What are you doing? Ki internally yelled at the dragon. She needs medical attention, not you snacking on her! He was ignored as the dragon blew a puff of internal fire into her.

  With gentle claws, he set her back on the frozen ground.

  By the father of everything! Terror seized Ki’s throat…had Grirryrth lost his mind? For the first time in decades, he was at a loss for what to do.

  Grirryrth continued to ignore Ki and gave Sherri another lick, this time across her cheek. With a satisfied whistle through his sharp teeth, he turned his attention to the sexbot standing next to her prone body. With a flick of his massive tail, he swatted the red android thousands of meters away. Satisfied he’d taken care of that problem, he lowered his left eye to focus on the shocked Zerin, Drirux.

  Drirux did the same thing he’d done all those years ago when Ki had first taken Grirryrth out to impress the bully. The ammonia scent of piss became heavy in the cold air as the terrified Zerin turned to run.

  Even without Ki’s encouragement, Grirryrth wouldn’t allow the male to leave. With little effort, Grirryrth scooped up the terrified Zerin in his front claws. A high-pitched scream pierced the air and caused the large creature to wince.

  Grirryrth brought the captive to the front of his snout and blew out a tendril of flame, causing Drirux to cower and whimper. The dragon gave a low-pitched growl in a warning for the male to shut up.

  At least the Zerin was smart enough to obey as he folded himself into a small fetal shape. Not that it would protect him from the enormous beast threatening him.

  Satisfied the little male was under control, Grirryrth turned his attention to the two hundred-plus troops of the Warriors of Light. He leaned his massive head to peer through one eye at the trembling figures before him. The group moved back as one before they turned and ran away.

  A chuckle rumbled out of the dragon’s massive chest as tendrils of smoke wafted out of both nostrils.

  Will you quit playing around so we can take care of Sherri? Ki was desperate to see how the female was doing. She’s probably bleeding to death from you biting her!

  Oh, by The-One-Who-is-All. I would let nothing happen to our mates. Grirryrth responded by scooping Sherri’s prone body up in his free paw to walk over toward the waiting Elemi.

  If your bite didn’t kill her, she’s probably frozen to death by now, you overgrown lizard! Ki’s anger was palatable as he struggled to overcome his symbiont for control.

  She did no such thing. His dragon reassured him. She has Cheithe to keep her warm and to heal her.

  That statement made Ki pause. What or who is Cheithe?

  Cheithe is my mate and your TrueBond’s female dragon.

  Female dragon? What in the nine systems was the crazy dragon saying? Ki thought back to several lectures his father had given about the Crart dragon, but nothing came to mind.

  What do you mean, “your mate”? I thought you were the last of your kind! Ki watched in amazement as Grirryrth reached Elemi and trilled a vibrant song at the ship.

  A responding sound reverberated from the ship’s hull and the side dissolved to create a doorway. Out of the opening, robotic arms produced a small cage with the top open. Grirryrth opened his other paw and let the screaming Zerin drop. Robotic arms slammed the lid shut before the cell vanished.

  Only now could I call Cheithe into being. I’ve transferred her essence into your TrueBond where she will continue to grow. The dragon brought a paw up to examine the sleeping woman. The large beast inhaled and exhaled with a low rumble of pleasure. She is in there! She is finally here!

  Grirryrth lowered the unconscience female and placed her with great care within the open doorway. Hurry, you must bring her back into the ship and get her comfortable.

  Before Ki responded, the dragon let go, and he was once again back in his normal body. With a scramble, he grabbed Sherri off the frozen ground and ran into the ship. Once inside the snug personal quarters, he laid her with extra care on the narrow cot. With shaking hands, he pulled her blood-soaked shirt off, exposing her bound breasts and smooth skin. Her mortal wound was gone. Instead, her breath was steady and deep, her skin a multilayered golden color, flushed with health as she slept. He moved her head to the side to check out the wound where Grirryrth had bitten her. There was nothing. The skin was smooth and unlined. It was as if she’d never been bitten.

  Ki pulled over a nearby chair and dropped into it. With a careful touch, he brought Sherri’s limp hand to his lips and placed a light kiss on it. What was he doing? He had no business touching her like that. Squirming, he returned her hand on top of her stomach as her taste lingered on his lips. He frowned and sat back to observe her and continued his discussion with Grirryrth.

  Obviously, I’ve missed quite a few things about you. Fill me in on what’s happening here. Ki sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Status update, it is. The dragon gave a slight chuckle. The ship’s sentient identity is back from JR10. The Warriors of Light ran off like the cowards they are. That is their leader in Elemi’s detention area. He’s a present from me to you. Smug inflection. And best of all, my mate, Cheithe is bonding with your TrueBond. She’ll emerge formed at an appropriate time and the Crart species will once again be born.

  She’s not my TrueBond. Ki automatically argued against that assumption. Even if she was, you know I’ll not allow myself one because TrueBond relationships result in offspring. Which I can’t afford to have. He straightened when another thought occurred to him. If what you say is true about your own mate, your continued existence doesn’t rely on me having any children. Therefore, there isn’t any need for me to have a TrueBond.

  The dragon snorted within Ki’s mind. We’ll have that conversation once my female is strong enough. For now, since Cheithe doesn’t have a battlesuit, she relies on my essence and strength to grow. My mate has begun her transformation within yours and will eventually come into corporeal form on her own. A dragon sigh. A couple more generations, and I, too, will not need to rely on the suit for existence.

  Ki grunted. Old arguments died hard. He refused to rehash the same old conversation.

  “Elemi?” he asked aloud. “Are you back with us?”

  “Yes, Ki dearest,” Elemi answered with a happy lilt to her voice. “I am so glad to be back! While JR10 is wonderful, it was so cramped being stuck inside his small parameters.”

  To avoid a painful headache, he refused to think about the implications of that last statement. “I’m happy to have you back,” he reassured the sentient ship. “Is your medical probe in working order?”

  “Yes, my love. All of my systems are in perfect working order.” Elemi’s sultry tenor matched the sweet words.

  “That’s good, Elemi.” He relaxed and closed his eyes. With a deep breath, he calmed his racing heart and focused. “Please run a comprehensive medical diagnostic on Sherri and relay the results to me once you’re finished.”

  “If you insist, Ki dear.”

  The petulant tone made him grimace. While the ship was a coveted syst
em, her inclination to fall in love with whichever male commanded the vessel annoyed him. “Thank you.” He answered her absently, already planning his next move. “Do we have liftoff capabilities to continue our journey to Earth?”

  A light glow encompassed Sherri’s comatose body.

  “Of course. Would you like us to resume?”

  “Yes. Cruise at a maximum speed until you reach the appropriate coordinates to create the wormhole to Earth.”

  “Yes, Ki dear,” Elemi crooned. “We should obtain neutral space within the next six cycles of the ship’s measurements.”

  He’d stay there until that time. Even though he denied she was his TrueBond, there wasn’t any reason he should let her wake up alone and frightened.

  * * *

  SHERRI

  “How do you feel?” The baritone voice of her fantasies jerked Sherri back to the conversation. Ki’s body heat warmed her side. His luscious, fresh scent teased her. He’d put a calloused palm over her hand and she grasped it in reflex.

  She blinked and glanced at their clasped hands. “Okay, I guess.”

  He tugged his hand away as his handsome face smoothed into a bland expression.

  Damn it! Stop considering the man handsome! It was past time to get over this stupid infatuation. It wasn’t as if he encouraged any sort of personal relationship between them. The squeeze in her chest hurt. Fine, two could play this game of pretend. Forget that soul-shattering kiss they shared before.

  He cleared his throat. “Good.” His sexy eyes glanced away as he leaned back and rubbed the close-cropped beard along his chin.

  Whatever he wanted to say, he evidently wasn’t comfortable bringing it up.

  “Um…is Maynwaring contained for now?”

  “No… yes?” Was the pirate gone? “I…I…” She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Was it all a dream that a female dragon gulped down the pirate?

  No, child. A soothing feminine sound floated from the back of her mind. I am here… I assure you that male is no longer with us. The soft voice whispered and then trailed away.