Zandian Lights

by Renee Rose

  It’s honestly the most lovely thing I’ve seen—with the exception of Kianna. If I can’t see her face, hold her, I think I’ll die.

  “Kianna!” My voice carries, and many beings turn to look.

  “Kianna!” I keep shouting, as if I can summon her with the force of my desire.

  Suddenly I see her—she’s standing with Mirelle, Lanz and Dom. They’re across the grotto, but she’s here: Not on some ship bound for the Outlander program, but here. I still have a chance.

  “Kianna.” I come up to her and touch her shoulder. My whole body thrums with need.

  When she turns and her gaze falls on me, her whole body changes. “Mykl?” The thin note of hope in her voice slays me. “What are you doing here?” She looks behind me. “Where’s Alena? Are you mated already?” She bites her lip. “I’d like to offer you my sincere congratu—”

  “No. I’m not mating her today. Not ever.” I reach for her hands.

  “Oh, Mother Earth,” she gasps, and sinks down. Mirelle grabs at her, but I get her first. Now I’m sitting on the ground, holding her in my arms, while the light from the crystals starts to spin and glisten, reflecting off every surface. Mirelle smiles and steps back to her mates, leaving me and Kianna alone.

  “Listen to me,” I beg. “I vowed to carry on my genes with the Zandian who is best suited to me. But the Zandian best suited is you. You’re human, but you belong to Zandia. And you get me. The way you helped me traverse the solar bands? It was like we were one being. We meshed perfectly. Didn’t you feel that?”

  “I did! But… but… then you came back with her in your arms. You asked her to mate you.” The pain in her voice crushes me.

  I pull her closer to me. In my arms, she’s warm and soft. She feels so right. “And I was wrong, Kianna. All along, I wanted you but tried to convince myself I didn’t, because I thought I had to mate a full-blooded Zandian. But that wasn’t making me happy or her, either.”

  “And suddenly you think I’ll make you happy?” Her voice falters. Like she can’t believe what she’s hearing.

  “I know it. You already have.” I think of how dull my life was before she sashayed into my lab and turned my existence on its head. She teased and flirted and coaxed me out of my stodgy resistance, even though I gave her no reason to persist. She is smart and resilient. Beautiful and strong.

  I take her face in both hands and look into her eyes. “I’m positive.”

  “But your promise?” She nibbles her lip.

  “I’m fulfilling it, Kianna. My father asked me to choose the best one to carry my skills forward. I’m doing that. You are the best one for me. Together, we’ll be a great team. I truly believe that our young will be perfect. Because how could they not? We will work so well together.”

  She tightens in my arms, and I add, “But it’s not just about the young. It’s about you. I…” I struggle to find the words. I have never allowed myself to feel such emotions, and it’s difficult to do it. As I speak, it becomes easier. “It’s about you. And me. I simply… want you. I… love you.” Once it’s out, I know it was the right thing to say, because the look in her eyes, of such joy, is immediate.

  Still, she hesitates. “But for so long you said—”

  “Listen.” I touch her face. “All these months, I’ve craved your laugh. Enjoyed your little remarks. Learned to appreciate your humor. You changed me, little by little. Allowed me to open up. It was only because of you that I was able to reach into myself and do what I needed to rescue Alena. She’s going to be perfect for Zandia… and for someone else. But for me? It’s been you all along, Kianna. You’re my destiny. I just didn’t see it.”

  “Mykl.” Her voice is so full of emotion that I grab her more tightly.

  “Please. I love you. Tell me it’s not too late. That you didn’t stop loving me.”

  She hesitates, and I think I’m going to die.

  Then, she makes everything all right again when she whispers, “I never stopped. I love you, too.”

  “Then be my mate. Love me forever. Just me and you. I can’t share you—I won’t. Say yes.” My voice trembles and I don’t care.

  “Yes.”

  She says it just as the crystal beams burst like fireworks above us, and as the crowd roars with appreciation, I bend down and kiss her. A perfect kiss, as perfect as she is. The light goes through us and into us, and I know that Kianna and I are meant to be together, forever. A perfect match.

  Chapter 10

  Kianna

  * * *

  All I know is that he’s carrying me home, in his strong arms. His gait is determined, his grip secure. The light still shimmers all around us, and I feel drunk on the rays. Maybe I’m just gripped with emotion for Mykl; I can’t yet believe it’s true: he chose me.

  “Here we are.” He stops in front of his dome and flicks his left wrist, holding me effortlessly with the other arm, and the door slides open.

  “There was no time to prepare crystals.” He shifts me and sets me down in front of him and looks into my eyes. “But you’re mine already, even if your pretty nipples don’t yet hold my gems.” A beat. “Isn’t that right?”

  I suck in my breath. “Yes. Wait! My breasts…”

  He gives me a wicked grin. “It won’t hurt, the piercing. Much.” He raises one brow. “And if I’m not wrong, you don’t mind a bit of pain during your pleasure.”

  “I don’t!” Why am I bothering to protest? We both know it’s true.

  “Mmm, I believe that’s a lie.” He reaches out and rips my gown so suddenly that I squeal in surprise. “And do you remember what happens when you disobey me?”

  “You didn’t tell me not to lie. In fact, you grumbled one time that humans are categorically unable to prevent themselves from doing it.” I gasp as he pulls the destroyed fabric from my body, so I’m standing there in just my panties.

  My nipples harden under his gaze, and I quirk a little triumphant smile when his breathing deepens.

  He narrows his eyes. “Then I shall have fun attempting to train it out of you. With my hand and my belt.” He puts one hand to his waist, to the thick strap of leather, and I nearly swoon.

  “Why, Master Mykl, it looks like you want to teach me some kind of lesson.” I bat my eyes. “If only I could figure out why.”

  “You know why,” he growls and tugs me into his arms, so I press up against him. He smells fantastic—his own essence and his sweat, mixed together in a way that intoxicates me. “Because you’re my vecking mate, and you’re going to obey me from now on.”

  “Haven’t I always?” I pull one hand free from his tight embrace and run it down his body. “Mother Earth, you’re so muscular. So hard.” His impressive chest. Lean waist. Narrow hips. Powerful thighs. My palm draws closer to the place I’m dying to touch.

  “Yes, there.” He leans down and bites my neck, lightly at first. When I press my palm against his cock, feeling it through his trousers, he growls and bites me harder.

  “Mykl,” I gasp out his name, legs buckling.

  He chuckles and swoops me back into his arms. “Yes, love?”

  When I look into his face, the emotion there is unmistakable. I press my palm to his cheek and hold it there, feeling the warmth of his taut, firm skin. “I’m so happy.”

  His irises change to purple. “As am I.” He looks away, then meets my eyes again, and his jaw flushes a deeper purple. “I am not… accustomed to regular declarations of feelings. You must give me time.” But his smile is proof enough that the words don’t matter. I can see what I need in his eyes.

  “All the time in the world,” I promise him, and press my lips to his.

  He kisses me back, playing my mouth with his tongue, then pulls back. “Take your panties off for me, Kianna.”

  He strides to the hoverdisk and puts me down. “Do it slowly. Then hand them to me.”

  My face burns. “Mykl—”

  “Now.” He crosses his arms and raises a brow. “Or did you need some motivation first
?”

  At my expression, he smiles. “I’m your master, like you so aptly called me earlier. And that means you do what I say, when I say it.”

  “Yes, Master.” The truth is that I like to be his little submissive female in the bedroom. Just remembering the last time we were together has me pressing my thighs together, ready to moan and beg for his undivided attention.

  I wiggle the string panties down my thighs, past my calves and feet, and twirl them on one finger. “Come and get it.” I giggle, then scream when he flashes forward and pins me to the bed before I can say another word. Damn, he’s fast! Warrior or no, his reflexes are on point.

  “Did I tell you to tease me?” He presses me to the bed, his huge hands holding my small ones down against the cover. His hips press into mine and I can feel how hard he is. He shifts to position his iron length so he presses into the seam of my thighs, and I whimper, spread my legs a little, wanting more.

  “Well, not with words,” I admit. “Oh, ow!”

  He bites my nipple, then sucks it. “Try again.”

  “Maybe? Ow, ow, no!” I giggle and push against his body, in vain. “Ow. I’m sorry. No, you did not.”

  We’re both breathing hard.

  “That’s much better,” he murmurs. He lowers his mouth to my breast and I brace for his teeth once again, but this time it’s his tongue. He flicks it out, teasing me softly, licking me, caressing me, until I squirm under him.

  “Mykl, please.”

  I try to open my thighs wider, but he’s got them trapped. When I push my hips up, I’m locked down. I can’t get what I want! It’s hot and frustrating and it turns me on even harder.

  “No. You’ll wait.” He releases one of my hands so he can reach down and spank me on my outer thigh. “Is that clear?”

  “Yes,” I whisper, my eyes closing, as he puts his lips to my other nipple and repeats the teasing.

  He shifts his hands so that our fingers are interlaced; he’s still holding me down, but it’s so much more intimate. He uses his thumb to stroke my palms even as he holds my hands. For a second all I can think about is how much I love him, and how amazing this is—to be his, now, and forever.

  At his next words, I fall right back into the passion.

  “I’m going to enjoy making you beg for it,” he says, almost conversationally. He lifts his hips up a centimeter and nudges my thighs just a bit wider with his leg, but before I can really spread the way I want to, he settles back down. But he’s exposed my clit just enough so that when he presses the bulge in his trousers against my eager body, it sends shocks of heat through my core.

  “Ooh,” I moan, and use all my strength to push upward, hoping for more stimulation.

  “What did I say?” He slaps my thigh again. “If I want to tease you, that’s what I’m going to do. You’re going to lie nice and still for now and accept it.”

  “Yes, Mykl.” My voice is tense with need. “But please.”

  “No talking for now.” He presses his body to mine, then pulls away, over and over, mimicking the motions he made last time he vecked me, until I’m nearly sobbing with desire. My clit is swollen with the need for release. When he finally adjusts his body and slides his hand down to touch me, I start to beg.

  “Please let me come.”

  “I think that first we need to see about your punishment.” He screws a finger inside me and thrusts it, and for one glorious second I think he’s just saying it because the idea turns me on.

  Then he removes his hand and rolls off my body. “You deserve a good spanking, Kianna.”

  “But why?” I’m ready to cry because I just want to feel him inside me. “No, I don’t.”

  “Do I need to list all the reasons?” He sits up and reaches over, tugging me closer. “First, you allowed me to think you were mating Arc and Bow.”

  “But that’s not fair! Come on, you were going to—”

  He doesn’t let me finish. “Second, you allowed Cressa to tease me about your whereabouts.”

  “But that’s not fair, either! I have no control over what she or any being—”

  “And third?” He pauses, while he arranges me over his lap, so I’m over his hard thighs, ass pointing right up at the ceiling. “Third, just because I want to.”

  “That is not a good reason.”

  “It’s the best one of all,” he tells me, stroking my ass with his hand. “As your master and mate, I reserve the right to punish and pleasure you at my will. You will do well to remember that.” But his voice, although firm, is fond. And I feel no fear, just a pleasurable sexy anxiety about what he’s going to do to me.

  “I am serious,” he adds, bending his head down so his breath brushes my neck. “I will keep you in line, Kianna. With a firm hand. For fun, at times, like now. Other times, as a real lesson.”

  I shudder with a mix of trepidation and desire. His spankings hurt, but they spark such deep bonding and pleasure that I long to be under his control.

  “Yes, Master,” I whisper, wiggling on his lap. “Anytime you want, Master.”

  “Finally, the right answer.” He chuckles. “The time is now.” He raises his hand and brings it down hard across both cheeks, a sharp spank.

  “Ouch.” I pull back in surprise, but he holds my hips in place with one hand.

  “Maintain position. Rule number one for you, Kianna. Otherwise I’ll give you extras with the belt when we’re done.”

  He slaps me again and again and my ass starts to sting. I twitch but force myself to lie in place.

  “Do you think you’d really want a dose of the belt after I finish with my hand?” He rains a flurry of spanks over my upper thighs.

  “No! Ow. I do not. Mykl, ouch.” I kind of do, though.

  “Shh.” He continues spanking, and it feels like he’s spanking harder. “Rule number two.” He spanks me right across both cheeks again. “You don’t ask me to stop punishing you. You’re allowed to tell me it hurts, but you may not ask me to stop.”

  “Mykl!” I twist to look up at him, narrowing my eyes.

  “No, back down.” He pushes me gently. “I’ll learn your body and responses, and I won’t take you too far. Rule three. No arguing.”

  “I don’t think I like—”

  He spanks me harder, over and over. “The penalty for breaking any of the rules is the belt, to start. Possibly a punishment strap. Or a cane. We’ll take it from there if more is needed. Dr. Daneth has plenty of suggestions on how Zandians can tame their feisty mates.”

  This should make me angry. Instead, it makes me burn even hotter for him. I trust this male. I’m so fucking needy right now that I might come just from the impact of his hand on my ass, because each time he spanks me, the vibrations and pressure travel to my clit, which I’m also busy pressing into his legs.

  I grab at his thighs, squeezing. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

  He grabs a handful of my hair. “Veck, Kianna, if you need to tell me to really stop, you say it in Zandian, like this.” He says a word, but I’m not paying attention, because if I time my hip-thrusts with his spanks, I can increase the pleasure in my clit, and I might be able to—

  “Did you hear me?” He pauses.

  “What?” I open my eyes.

  He laughs. “You hungry little human. I need you to listen to what I just said.”

  “Yes, yes.” Impatient, I push my hips up. “Of course.” I wiggle my ass slightly.

  “Then what did I say?”

  “You were telling me how bad and naughty I am, and how I’m not allowed to do all kinds of things.”

  “Tell me the word I just taught you.”

  I lick my lips. Repeat it back. Then I wiggle my ass at him, because even though his spankings make me burn, they also send me to the stars. “Fuck me.” It’s a plea and a poem. I push my hips back into his for more of that delightful friction.

  He bends down. “All in good time. And for now, stop trying to get yourself off. Keep those hips still. You want to know what the punishment is
if you orgasm without permission?”

  “What?” I can barely breathe.

  “I’ll veck your ass like last time, but not let you come until the next planet rotation. Make you wait for it. Maybe two planet rotations.”

  “No! Mykl—”

  “So control yourself,” he murmurs. “And follow my rules for the last part of your spanking.”

  He rubs my skin lightly, until I relax over his hard thighs. Then he spanks me extra hard. Again.

  I whimper and suck in my breath, realizing he’s not holding me down. The jerk, he’s testing me— seeing if I stay in place like he told me to do.

  It’s a struggle, because my instinct is to flinch away from his hard hand. My ass is burning already, but I force myself to stay in place as he spanks me, without shifting, without speaking.

  When it starts to burn beyond what I can take, I cry out.

  Without a word, he stops spanking and pulls me into his arms. “You see? Didn’t I stop when you needed me to?” His speaks into my neck, and one of his hands finds my pussy. “And now you’ll be rewarded for such excellent behavior. You’re going to be so fun to train, Kianna.”

  “I’m not a pet to be trained.” But my words lack bite, because his strong, clever fingers are stroking me just the way I like it.

  “Not a pet,” he agrees. “My mate. My sweet, responsive little human. I’m going to teach you to veck just the way I want.” He slides his fingers into me, rubbing the spot that causes my thighs to quiver.

  “Mother Earth,” I gasp.

  “To do what I say, when I say it. You’ll be my personal pleasure slave,” he promises me.

  But as he continues to tease my G-spot, he uses his other fingers to play with my clit, and it’s like he’s my personal pleasure slave at the moment. “You’ll worship me,” he adds, but his voice is so reverent, that it’s clear he’s completely under my spell, just as I am for him.

  The sting and burn on my ass is the perfect complement to the tingles his fingers are drawing from my body. I don’t know why I love this mix of pain and pleasure, but fuck, he knows exactly what I need.