by Sue Lyndon
“Stonnas and his guards wouldn’t show us how to use the weapons, so we ate him. Ate most of the guards too.”
“Are they all dead?”
The alien grinned. “All of them. There were more of us then, the outcasts, and we overpowered them while sustaining few casualties of our own. But once some of the neighboring tribes discovered we possessed powerful alien technology, they conducted raids of their own.” A sneer replaced the Xollnaxian’s grin. “We would’ve managed to kill you and your men today if we hadn’t been weakened by the recent attacks. But, perhaps we won’t lose today, after all.”
A sense of foreboding fell upon Kazzon. He glared at the green male, waiting for him to continue. Thus far, no black mist had appeared around his face. He was telling the truth, though Kazzon suspected he wouldn’t like the truth he was about to hear.
“More than half of my fellow exiles are on their way to your ship. We intend to capture your ship and leave this planet, where we are considered less. You’re far away from your ship, and I have no doubt your remaining crew will all be dead by the time you return.” Again, no black mist appeared, and the green alien soon threw his head back and laughed.
Rage surged through Kazzon, as well as a strong urge to shove an electrified dagger deep into the Xollnaxian’s heart, but he quickly pushed his vengeful instincts aside and turned to his guards.
Without issuing a command, he ran out of the cavern, his guards at his heels. They’d overheard the alien’s confession and knew how important it was to reach the Corrannelia as soon as possible.
“Do you want us to bring the alien with us, Ambassador?” one of the guards called.
“No. Leave him there, tied up. I don’t care what happens to him.” More than likely, a giant serpent or some other deadly creature from this planet would find him and make a meal of him. But it wasn’t Kazzon’s concern. Right now, the only thing that mattered was reaching the Corrannelia.
Reaching Caylee. Keeping her safe.
Just as they exited the grotto, his wrist comm buzzed and beeped. Not slowing in his pace, he glanced down at the message. Fear clutched him as he read the words.
Warning: the ship has been boarded by enemy aliens
Chapter 34
Caylee ran through the corridors, heading for Kazzon’s quarters. She jumped over debris and the occasional body of a dead Xollnaxian. Thus far, she hadn’t come across any fallen Tarrkuans inside the ship and she sincerely hoped the two guards she’d seen pierced with spears outside were the only casualties among Kazzon’s people.
Cries and blaster fire echoed through the ship, and she avoided rushing down a corridor where a fight was in progress. She darted by the entrance of the hallway, keeping low. She pulled the blaster and the knife from her waist and held the weapons, one in each hand, praying she wouldn’t need to use them.
She had no fighting skills and wasn’t totally sure how to make the weapons work. The blaster contained several buttons, and the point of the knife didn’t feel pointy, even though it looked dangerously lethal, as if it contained some sort of force field around it that kept it from working until it was actually needed.
She blew out a frustrated breath. Maybe she ought to toss the weapons down and just run for her life, instead of glancing down at them every few seconds, trying to figure out how they worked.
Before she could come to a decision, the corridor where Kazzon’s room was located came into sight. But after a few steps into the hallway, she came to a stop as the smoke ahead of her cleared to reveal the corridor was completely blocked off. Part of the ceiling had caved in and there wasn’t any way to reach Kazzon’s room. Not unless she could lift the debris out of the way.
Shit shit shit.
She ran to the blockage, hoping that there would be a small hole she might crawl through. Her heart sank when she couldn’t find a space large enough to squeeze her body into, and she spun on her heel, still holding the weapons. But she gasped at what she saw when she finished turning around.
Icy fear poured through her veins.
Two large Xollnaxians were approaching her, spears held high at the ready.
Kazzon had never run so fast in his life.
When the ship came into sight, he managed to increase his pace and rush beyond the Xollnaxians and Tarrkuan guards who were currently battling outside. His only concern was reaching Caylee. He prayed she was in his quarters. The room locked down during an enemy attack and was nearly impossible to breach.
He fought his way through several Xollnaxians who stood on the boarding ramp, then hurried onto the ship, leaving a pile of lifeless green bodies in his wake.
A spear shot past his head and he ducked, squinting to see through the smoke. He caught sight of a lone Xollnaxian running straight for him, holding a knife in each hand, but he aimed his blaster at the alien’s head and pulled the trigger. The huge green body slumped at his feet and he jumped over it, hurrying through the chaos as he continued his search for Caylee.
Just in case she wasn’t in his quarters, he called out her name as he ran, but he received no response. This left him both unsettled and relieved. Since she wasn’t answering, perhaps it meant she really was safe in his quarters. But he couldn’t help but consider the other reason she might not answer him now—because something terrible had happened to her. Because he hadn’t gotten here in time to save her.
He turned down the corridor where his quarters were located, and his heart lurched in his chest at the sight that greeted him. Caylee stood, tall and fierce looking, in front of two huge Xollnaxians. She had a blaster aimed at one and a knife held in the direction of the other. Behind her, two large spears were embedded in a pile of wreckage that blocked the hallway.
Dark fury coursed through Kazzon.
These Xollnaxians had thrown spears at Caylee. Thank the Gods she’d avoided their aim. But the aliens would pay for trying to hurt her. No one touched or threatened what belonged to him. His sweet Caylee would come to no harm.
He would die protecting her, if that was what it took.
Before the Xollnaxians could take one step closer to Caylee, Kazzon drew in a deep breath and let out a menacing growl that rattled the walls of the corridor. The green aliens froze for a moment, then slowly turned and settled their attention on him. Good. That was exactly what he wanted. For these fools to attack him instead of his beloved.
A quick glance at Caylee and he noticed she wore a look of relief that was still tinged with fear. She shot him a smile, then lifted the arm that held the knife and threw it at the back of one alien’s head. It collided with the Xollnaxian’s skull with a harsh thud, though the knife didn’t pierce the alien.
Caylee didn’t know it, but neither the blaster nor the knife would function properly in her hands, as she wasn’t a Tarrkuan. But he admired her for trying. She was beautiful and strong and brave, and he couldn’t restrain a grin when she gave up trying to pull the trigger on the blaster and hurled it at the other alien’s head.
Both Xollnaxians stumbled and rubbed the backs of their heads, then started to turn toward Caylee again. But Kazzon stopped them with another fierce growl, once more drawing their attention. Then he advanced on them, blind rage fueling his movements.
He killed both aliens in the space of a moment, shooting one in the head, the other in the chest. The creatures collapsed in a pile together and ceased moving. Few beings could survive a single shot from a Tarrkuan blaster and these Xollnaxians were no exception.
“Caylee!” Kazzon’s voice boomed down the corridor.
He rushed to his bride and took her in his arms, holding her out slightly as he looked her up and down, searching for any injuries. It reminded him briefly of the time he’d caught her sneaking about the dome-city of New Leesburg late in the night, when he’d checked her for injuries just after discovering her hiding in the shadows. Gods, that seemed like ages ago, though he knew only a full Tarrkuan moon cycle had passed since then.
Relief spread through him when he d
etermined that Caylee was uninjured. He clutched her to his chest, breathing in the floral scent of her hair and soaking up her very essence, thankful to have her safe and back in his arms.
“Are you all right, little human?” he asked, just to be sure. He had to shout to be heard above the sound of the alarm.
“Yes, Xerr,” she shouted back. “I’m fine. Thanks to you. But, had I known how to work those weapons, I would’ve been able to take care of myself.” Humor laced her voice and when he pulled back to gaze upon her, she wore a smirk that lit up her blue eyes.
He pressed a firm kiss to her lips, savoring the taste of her.
Tarrkuan voices drifted behind them, though the sound of blaster fire had died out. The screeching war cries of the Xollnaxians had quieted too. Just before Kazzon withdrew from the kiss, the red lights ceased blinking and the alarm stopped. The voices of the guards became louder and they soon appeared at the end of the corridor, a group of ten males.
The captain of the guard unit, a tall male named Govvis, approached and gave Kazzon a deep nod. “All the Xollnaxians are dead, Ambassador. Five guards sustained wounds and are being treated in the medical bay, and we had two casualties. Though the ship has been damaged, we can still depart Xollnax immediately, and that is what the pilots recommend. Our engineers must finish repairs before we can jump to hyperspace, but it would be wise to leave this planet as soon as possible.”
Kazzon nodded. “Thank you for the report, Govvis. Please tell the pilots to depart Xollnax at once. I agree, it would be wise to leave this planet, even before our repairs are completed.”
Govvis and the other guards disappeared into another corridor.
Kazzon released Caylee and eyed the wreckage. He inhaled deeply, placed his hands upon it, and gave a great heaving push. The top layer of debris shifted onto the floor on the other side of the pile, creating an area safe enough for him to carry Caylee through. And that was exactly what he did. He scooped his bride up, held her tightly to his chest, and jumped up onto the pile to carry her through the wreckage.
Even though the fighting was over, and they would leave this planet soon, he still wanted her safe in his quarters. She laced her arms around his neck and breathed softly against his chest.
Gods but it felt wonderful to hold her close, this sweet little human whom he was now certain he loved.
Chapter 35
Caylee stifled a yawn. Fatigue pulled at her whole body, but she fought sleep as she sat up against the pillows in bed, waiting for Kazzon to return.
After he’d saved her from the two Xollnaxians in the corridor, he’d carried her to his quarters, kissed her quickly, then regretfully explained that he must leave her to see to the damages on the ship, as well as to contact Tarrkuan officials and inform them of all that had happened. He’d ordered her to rest and recover from the day’s events, promising he would return as soon as he completed his duties.
Oh how she hoped he returned soon.
Her heart warmed whenever she thought about him, and her pulse raced with excitement too.
He’d looked so brave and fierce standing at the end of the corridor, aiming a deadly glare at the Xollnaxians who’d meant to kill her. And there was that roar he’d directed at the aliens too. Well, two roars, to be precise. He’d released two deep rumbling growls that had caused the Xollnaxians to tremble in their boots. A few seconds later, he’d shot them both dead.
Perhaps she ought to fear Kazzon, since he was such a formidable soldier, in addition to being a powerful ambassador, but all the fear she’d once felt for him had melted away long ago.
She felt safe with him and knew she could always depend on him. He’d saved her. He’d realized the Corrannelia was under attack and he’d rushed back to the ship.
And instead of battling the Xollnaxians who were still fighting his men outside, he’d stormed onto the ship and gone straight for her. She’d overheard two of the servants whispering about it when they entered her room to clean earlier. Likely, the servants had believed her to be asleep underneath the covers, but she hadn’t been able to find rest, so she’d strained to overhear every word they exchanged about the attack and Kazzon’s efforts to ensure she remained safe and unharmed.
I love him. The thought entered her mind again. She’d already known she loved Kazzon, but she was even more certain of it now.
He had risked his life to save her. That meant he definitely had strong feelings for her. Maybe he loved her too.
She decided that when she next saw him, she would be brave. She would tell him the truth of her heart and he would see for himself that she meant it, for no black mist would appear around her face. She was absolutely certain of her love for him, it was an ache in her chest, a longing in her soul, and a brilliant warmth that filled her all at once.
The door zipped open and Kazzon strode into the room. Dirt covered his face and his uniform, and his hair was in disarray, but she thought he’d never looked so handsome.
“Good evening, Xerr,” she murmured.
“Caylee,” he said, his voice strained with what sounded like emotion, though she couldn’t be sure. He froze in the middle of the room and stared at her for a moment before continuing to her side. He sank down on the bed and grasped her hands. “I am still thankful to the Gods that you are all right.”
She smiled, touched by his concern. It was nice to have someone worry about her, someone who truly cared. Someone who would risk their life and fight through a small horde of huge spear wielding aliens in order to save her.
“I’m fine, Xerr. It was you I was worried about. When I saw the smoke in the distance, I feared something terrible had happened to you, and I felt so helpless being stuck on the ship. I wanted to grab some weapons and go to you,” she confessed.
He chuckled and stroked her hair, his fingers trailing along her scalp, sending delicious tingles throughout her body. “The Xollnaxian outcasts killed Stonnas and his crew, though only after they used Stonnas to lure us here. They wished to steal our technology, weaponry, and our ship.”
She appreciated that he was telling her more about the reasons behind the attack, that he wasn’t sheltering her from the truth. “What sort of agreement was Stonnas trying to make with the Xollnaxians, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“He was trying to establish a treaty that would allow Tarrkuans to mine in the northern regions. I am confident my people will see the treaty through, however, the next Tarrkuan who’s appointed ambassador to Xollnax will likely arrive with a fleet of warships and a small army for protection.”
“I hope you’re never sent to a place as dangerous as Xollnax,” she said.
He cupped her face and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, making her melt. “Do not worry, little human, for that will not likely happen, especially given that I successfully renegotiated the treaty with Earth. After all, the Earth-Tarrkua trade agreement is our most valuable treaty.”
“Well, that’s good news.” She drew in a deep breath and stared into his dark, bottomless gaze, summoning her bravery. “Because I would be heartbroken if anything happened to you. I-I love you, Xerr.”
Her confession hung in the air between them, and she almost closed her eyes because she was nervous to witness any change in Kazzon’s expression. He tensed for a moment and swallowed hard, a look of unease falling over him.
Oh God. He didn’t share in her feelings.
She felt like the stupidest person alive and wished she’d just kept her mouth shut. Wasn’t it enough that he cared about her in his own possessive, over-the-top alpha way?
Maybe love didn’t need to factor into their relationship.
Maybe she was being too human.
But his next words calmed her and filled her with warmth.
“Caylee, my little human. I love you too. Very much.” His voice was strained, definitely filled with emotion this time, and she couldn’t help the tears that burned in her eyes as she regarded the huge alien who had become her whole universe in just a few shor
t weeks. “Gods, how I love you,” he said, then grasped her face and pulled her to him for a passionate kiss that stole her breath and made her long for more.
She gyrated her body against his and moaned into his mouth, dragging her tongue along his and relishing the intimacy of this perfect moment. Not only were they both alive and well, but they loved one another. Truly and deeply. She’d sensed the level of his devotion in the strain of his voice and the tension riddling his body, and now in the intensity of his fervent kisses.
He growled into her mouth and pulled away, pinning her with a fierce look that made her hunger for him to claim her with all the passion building inside him.
He looked down at himself and then met her eyes. “I’m covered in dirt,” he said. “I should go wash up.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and shook her head. “Doesn’t matter, Xerr. I like it dirty.”
The strange quirk of his eyebrow revealed he didn’t quite understand the innuendo, but he resumed kissing her, nevertheless. She pulled at his shirt, until he eventually withdrew from kissing her long enough to stand, kick off his boots, and strip away his dirtied clothing. He stood before her for a moment, looking like a fierce God, his eyes blazing with lust, his muscles gleaming in the lights, as the stars began to streak behind his massive blue body.
Her eyes widened. The ship had apparently just jumped to hyperdrive.
Following her gaze, he peered over his shoulder, then turned and settled a feral look on her, one that almost made her scared. Almost. She inhaled a shaky breath and pushed the covers away, revealing her naked body to him.
Despite all that had happened today, she’d still gone to bed naked, the desire to please Kazzon and follow his rules surging within her.
His huge cock caught her eye and she instinctively parted her thighs, aching for him to fill her up, longing for their bodies to join as one. He didn’t disappoint. He crawled atop her, gripped her hips and thrust into her depths.
