by Liza Probz
Hands grabbed him, and suddenly he was being yanked from the water. Dozens of Zantharians had climbed down to the water's edge and were pulling him and Sylvie from the water and bringing them onto shore. The major was pulled out right beside them, and none too soon. The older man had a giant gash in his calf that seemed to have caused great amounts of blood loss.
Xivthar pulled Sylvie in his arms. She was paler than ever, her eyes closed, her mouth in a thin white line.
“Sylvie? You're going to be all right, baby.” He laid her down on the shore and looked her over just to solidify his hopes.
There was a large bite in her leg that was seeping blood. That’s why she looks like death is at her door.
“Medic!” he screamed. “I want a medic down here immediately!”
Although medics weren't usually employed for executions, he knew there had to be someone with medical training in the crowd. A few people started descending from the arena stands and fighting their way forward. Two dropped down beside the major, another three hurrying to his side.
“Help her,” he said. “Whatever it takes. She must not die!”
The arena was silent, the crowd unsure of how to react. In the long history of executions, no one had ever made it out of the gnarshark pool.
Loads of people stood around, none of them showing anger or malcontent at the moment. It would have been a relief if Sylvie hadn’t looked so bad. A squad of guards ran toward them, some brandishing short swords, and a few with blasters.
The major stood with the assistance of his medics, despite their advice not to. He yelled to the leader of the squadron, calling him up short.
“The Supreme Regent is innocent of the charges against him,” he told the lieutenant leading the squad.
“I have orders from the Supreme Regent to take this man into custody,” the lieutenant replied.
“The Acting Supreme Regent is a Hareema plant!” Xivthar bellowed. “I want him taken into custody immediately!”
The squadron floundered, unsure of whose orders to follow. The major pointed to the dais, then back to Sylvie. “That creature is a Hareema agent. This is the real Earthling. You know Hareema don't imitate the inner workings of creatures, just the outer. That means no blood, and you can clearly see her bleeding.”
“You're right,” the lieutenant said. He pulled up his mini-console and spoke to his superior. “They've taken the acting regent into custody.” He turned to Xivthar and bowed his head. “I'm sorry for doubting you, Sire.”
“It's understandable,” Xivthar replied. “Now bring my brother down here right away.”
Poolside at my own execution might not be the best place to unmask an enemy infiltrator, but I won't leave her side. Besides, all of our people need to see this, so that they can become aware of what we're facing.
Before long, his brother, Drake, was dragged down to him and pushed to his knees at Xivthar's feet.
“You Zantharians are more clever than I gave you credit for,” he said, eyeing the major. “But it matters not. We've already got a foothold on your planet. And the nasty little Earthling’s too.”
Xivthar scowled. “Where is my brother?”
“What gave me away?” the Hareema mimicking Drake said. “I thought I had you convinced.”
“You did, for a long time. You made a good choice in imitating my brother. He is the one person I trust implicitly, so I didn't question your behavior for the longest time. Except for one thing. Your color.”
The Hareema grimaced. “Your damn color-changing skin. Your brother was maroon when I shifted into him the first time after his capture. We Hareema can't change skin colors like you, not without revealing our true form as we change. So I was stuck maroon until I shifted again. I knew I had to be convincing for the council, so I made sure I was green this time around.”
That explained why who he'd thought was his brother had been so ready to show his fear to his underlings. Because he had no choice.
Xivthar turned to the lieutenant, giving instructions for the dais to be returned to the shore. He waited for it to come, bringing with it the other Hareema, the one with Sylvie's shape.
Before the dais reached the shore, the Hareema changed shape. It grew wings, became smaller, a sea bird that easily escaped its restraints. Although a few guards fired blasters at it, it was able to fly away without being harmed.
"Send someone to track it," Xivthar barked at the lieutenant, who hurried to obey orders. He watched them go and then turned his attention to the creature before him.
“I'm going to reveal you to all the people seated here, so that I can show them exactly what you are. Then I'm taking you into custody. We're going to find out how deep this conspiracy goes.”
Xivthar charged up, energy waves flowing over his skin. He put a hand on the operative's shoulder, sending the shock through it. The image of his brother began to melt, then it revealed its true form, a rectangle of red jelly.
Screams rent the air, the crowd going crazy in their shock.
“Men, I want you to imprison this creature immediately. Round the clock guards. No one is to ever be alone with him. And--”
There was a blast from the crowd. Xivthar cried out as he watched the rectangle burst into flames and then immediately disperse into brown slimy chunks.
“Where did that blast come from?” The regent was furious. “I want the perpetrators found!”
The major scanned the crowd from beside him. “It could have been someone who feared the Hareema and wanted to neutralize the enemy.”
“Or it could be another agent, making sure this one couldn't talk.”
It would seem that the threat of invasion was far from over.
Chapter 43
Sylvie was quiet as their ship skimmed over the waves. X said he had a surprise for her as they headed somewhere remote. Thoughts bombarded her as hard emotions beat against her insides and left her queasy.
Her ship was gone. Her last link with Earth, vanished. The enemy had been beaten back, but she knew that the Hareema wouldn't stop. They were supposed to be on Earth as well. How could she warn her people now?
She peeked over at the man beside her as he effortlessly piloted the small transport. He'd taken charge after their brush with death, his commands and authority being restored and saving them both. He was worried about his brother, who was still missing, though he tried hard to hide it. The Hareema could have had him killed to make sure he didn't spoil their plot, but X held out hope that Drake was still alive, somewhere.
He turned to her and smiled, his eyes full of an emotion that she hesitated to assign. It looked a lot like love or adoration. Even thinking the word gave her pause and left her breathless with hope. He needed her, but did he love her?
She was a national hero on Zanthar after everything that had happened. All of her perceived sins had been forgiven by the masses, and she was now free to date their Supreme Regent. So they were speeding off to an undisclosed location to finally spend some time alone. It was a miracle that he was still alive.She glanced over at him and fully took him in.
He was handsome beyond words. He was smart, strong, compassionate, and kind. And he wanted her. It was evident in his words, in his touch, and most importantly, in his color.
He was still a deep black, like an isolated cave where sunlight never shined. That meant the mating frenzy was still upon him. If she didn't mate with him, or if he wasn't able to release his seed, then he would die. It was a thought she wasn’t willing to hold on to.
Sylvie was determined to save his life, but she was afraid of the commitment that it would entail. If he could release his seed, then she might become impregnated with an alien child. Even if she didn't get pregnant, she knew that he would be even more possessive if he was able to fully mate with her. He would never let her return to Earth, either way.
But was returning to Earth really what she wanted? She could stay here, help X find his brother, help him fight against their common enemy. It was tempting, but she
couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she decided she'd had enough of living on an alien planet far away from home?
If she didn't let him mate her, if she didn't let him try, then he would die. Despite her worries about her own future, she knew that she couldn't let that happen. No matter what, she wouldn't be responsible for his death.
Unless you already are. If you mate him and he can't release his seed, then he's dead and it's your fault.
Sylvie swallowed, a frown creeping over her face.
“Stop it,” he said, taking her hand and pulling it into his lap. “I know what you're thinking. It's not your fault.”
“But if you can't--”
“No,” he said, interrupting her. “I said none of that talk on this trip. We're going to have a good time together, and we're not going to worry about tomorrow. Do you understand?”
Sylvie nodded.
He gave her a soft smile. “Good, beautiful woman.”
X piloted the ship to a narrow plot of land in the middle of a blue-green sea. The island was large according to Zantharian measurement, but Sylvie knew that it was maybe a mile wide. She saw a structure made of wood sitting on a small hill, which was surrounded by plants. They were the first plants she'd seen growing above water.
“Here we go.” X helped her out of the hatch and onto dry land. They were on a rocky outcropping, the red rocks reminding Sylvie of her first sight on the planet, right after she'd crashed.
“This place is sacred to my people,” he said, pulling her closer to the water. “I've arranged to have it cleared for the day so we can be alone, but it usually attracts many visitors. You're about to see why.”
X led her to the ocean's edge, and Sylvie gasped. All around them floated huge jellies, some several meters wide. They were iridescent green, with long tendrils that looked as soft as satin.
“They're magnificent,” she breathed, bending down to get a closer look.
“These are Noruma's jellies, also known as giant jellies. Scientists have theorized that they are related to Zantharians, that we might both share a common ancestor.”
“I've never seen anything more beautiful.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”
“It gets better,” he said, taking her hand, and stepping off the rock onto the back of one of the jellies.
“What are you doing?” she said, tugging back on his arm.
“It's okay,” he said. “They like giving rides. They're tame.”
Sylvie gingerly stepped onto the back of the jelly with him. It started to float away from the island at a sedate speed. She held him tightly, then chuckled, unable to help herself.
“This is wonderful.”
“You're wonderful.” X pulled her in tightly and brushed his fingers along her face as he leaned in for a soft kiss.
After they'd enjoyed their ride, X led her back onto land and into the wooden temple high above the waves. He brought her into an area he called ‘the sanctuary’, which was lined with cushions and pillows.
“My people come here to meditate and feel closer to nature. I love it. It’s one of the greatest treasures in Zanthar.” He pulled her down onto one of the cushions and cuddled her against him. Forcing her to tilt back, he pointed out the ceiling. Large glass windows were embedded from one end to the other and the stars had started to come out. To the far left sat several of Zanthar's moons.
“It's so peaceful.” Sylvie rested her head against his shoulder and snuggled down deeper, wanting to stay there forever.
"I never wanted you to get hurt. I should have been there to protect you."
"You had problems of your own," she reminded him.
"About the... other you. I'm sorry. I should have realized. She was nothing like you, and I'm a stupid--"
"Hush." She turned and pressed a tiny kiss beneath his ear. "She looked just like me. How could you have known?"
He was quiet for a moment.
She turned her face back to the ceiling, wanting to watch the moons move around the large expanse of the dark sky.
“Sylvie.” His tone was serious. “I understand if you are hesitant to mate with me. I know we discussed it before but I want you to know that I hold you under no obligation.”
She turned and slid her arms around his waist, realizing that there was no other option for her. She wouldn’t take it if there were. “There’s no obligation. Only desire. I want to mate with you.”
He cupped her face, then planted the softest kisses along her cheeks and over her lips. “I love you.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried to respond in kind to his sweet words. “I... I...”
“Shhh.” He stroked just under her chin with his thumb before pressing his lips to hers again. The soft brush of his tongue against her lips caused her to moan and she tilted her head and opened herself to him. He deepened the kiss, pushing it toward something sensually powerful.
Sylvie pulled him toward her, trying to assist him in getting her clothing off, which was easier said than done. They laughed and pulled apart as she slipped the soft material over her hips, her modesty lost to the hungry demands of the man before her.
X tugged his sarong over his head and growled softly as he pulled her back toward him. The moonlight spilled into the room from the glass panes that lined the ceiling. X pulled her on top of him, settling back and smiling up at her.
“Make love to me, Sylvie. Give me all of you. That’s all I want.” He reached up and ran his hands over her waist before putting pressure on her hips to tilt forward a little.
She groaned as he pressed himself deep inside of her, his size stretching her and sending heat pulsing from the center of her core. “Oh fuck.”
“So unbelievably beautiful, baby.” X held on to her tightly as he worked himself in and out of her, his breathing deep and methodical.
Sylvie hadn’t ever been on top, so it took a little while to better understand the best movements for him to rub against the sensitive spots deep inside of her. She rocked against him as her breathing became labored and the thrill of orgasm sparked inside her stomach.
“I’m gonna come,” she muttered as a long groan ripped from her lips.
“Ride me, baby. Take every ounce of pleasure you can from me. I’m all yours. Only yours.” He tightened his grip, his words throwing daggers into the tightest parts of her.
She leaned over and ran her hands over his dark chest, the ridges of his muscular frame sending her into a million naughty fantasies.
He arched his hips and hit her spot again, blowing her resolve apart to rest for a minute.
Sylvie screamed his name as she came again, her body moving of its own accord. She wanted more, no – needed more of him. Needed him in her life and in her bed for the rest of her days. Tears burned her gaze as she continued to work herself against him. Why hadn’t he come? Could he not?
He had brought her to climax twice without slowing his tempo, but he hadn’t released his seed. If he didn’t… he would die.
The man she loved would die.
She flattened herself against him and started to massage his thick cock with the fullness of her thrusts as she looked deep into his black eyes. She had to tell him. He had to know.
“I love you.” She pressed up and kissed him fiercely, never breaking the slow rhythm of their sex.
He moaned a heavy sound, and plunged into her again, his pace increasing, his hips nearly slamming into her.
“I can't hold back.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck and pressed his teeth into her sensitive skin. “I love you, my mate. Take my gift.”
She experienced warmth as he shocked her, his release deep inside of her and throbbing along her nerve endings.
He cried out long and hard and she couldn’t help but throw herself into the frenzy of making sure he was completely drained. She joined him in his bliss and finished making love to the man she would spend the rest of her nights with.
They stilled for a moment and X�
��s color faded from black to a light green within the blink of an eye.
“X. Your color is changing.”
“I know, baby. You’ve accepted me fully and I couldn’t be more pleased.”
“Does this mean I’ll get pregnant?”
X smiled and pulled her down for another long kiss before turning them and snuggling her into his arms. “It does.”
“So I’m stuck here with you, forever?” A quirky smile lifted her lips.
“Unless you’d prefer the gnarsharks instead?”
“Um, no. You’re not that bad.” She laughed and snuggled down into his hold as warmth rushed across her. The journey had begun with trying to find life on a new planet. What she never expected was to find her own.
The End
AUTHOR NOTE: Did you like that? If so, feel free to start Major Thrak’Lin Ontarii and Captain Jennifer Brooklyn’s story, The Major’s Mission.
The Major’s Mission
It was a rescue mission, or so she thought.
After the disappearance of Dr. Sylvia Cohen, MIT's premiere astrobiologist, the scientific community is at a loss for what happened. Captain Jennifer Brooklyn is called on to take a team of scientist back into space to search for answers. Being the bulldog she is, she's more than willing to meet this new challenge head on and hopes for adventure around every corner.
With the Hareema threat still very much a problem, and the Minister of Defense missing in action, Major Thrak’Lin Ontarii is sent on the warpath for answers. His run-in with another earthen vessel creates a type of friction he's not used to and unwilling to bend toward though.
As tensions run high, these two least likely candidates for compatibility are thrown into a race to save their planets from the deadly Hareema. When the only option is trusting one another, their guards come down and they discover something besides curiosity exists in the space between them.
