Mismatch
Page 95
“Yeah, that would never work. Once Ayrie had the brilliant idea to reuse your science, all we had to do was figure out how to put barriers around our cities. It took a little engineering to make the transmitters work outside the water.�
“Are you saying you created many smaller barriers?� Nathaniel looked confused.
Ayrie nodded. “The only safe areas of our planet were right outside the city walls. Once we erected the barriers around the population centers, we started to push them out and drive the beasts back.�
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t the monsters waiting around on the other side? How could you move them away, if they were ready to eat you as soon as you turned around?�
“We made a few modifications to your system. The barrier we designed has a force field extending a few miles. It repels the beasts. After we had turned it on, they retreated as far as we could stretch the force field. We expanded the barriers a little bit and repeated the process.�
“It must have taken forever and used a massive ground crew.�
Ayrie slapped a hand on Nathaniel’s shoulder. “It took thousands of men five years to reach our goal, but it was worth it. We finally have spaces like this on our planet.�
I joined in the conversation. “It’s pretty different from twelve years ago when Mr. Verrat kidnapped Vanessa. His people were going to toss her over the edge of the mountain and let the beasts devour her. That would never happen now. In fact, Auxem has never been better.�
“It’s thanks to the magic of genetic engineering — specifically, two magicians named Avren and Vanessa.� Ayrie looked at me with a big smile on his face.
Nathaniel grabbed a little boy as he ran past and swung him up onto his shoulders.
“Daddy!� The boy was small but had a loud voice already. “I want to run.�
“Okay. Don’t forget how to swim.� Nathaniel lowered him to the ground. There was a lot of tickling in the process, and the boy ran off giggling. “I assume you didn’t do a lot of camping as a child, Ayrie?�
Ayrie snorted. “We preferred to stay alive inside the walls. Wildlife ate those who dared to go outside.� Ayrie’s face was deadly serious. “It’s a different world now, happier and safer.�
My mind drifted to the pregnancy test results we had received a few days ago. I had accomplished something with my life. We had freed my race from the pain that had plagued us for generations.
I felt like taking to the skies and turned to my brother. “Ayrie, let’s take the kids up. I don’t want to stay on the ground today.�
Ayrie turned to Nathaniel. “Is that okay with you?�
“My children will love it. It’s a shame we can’t return the favor on Vandwa.�
“We’ll give your kids the first turn. They haven’t flown before.� The air soon filled with me and my brothers taking the children on rides. Father even took our youngest for a ride on his back.
He had changed in the years since Vanessa and I had married. He was kinder and gentler, but the deepest transformation took place when he gave up the crown and let Arnon take over. I was glad he was different, and we were happy to have our father back finally. Better late than never. Our children would never know about the past — they would only remember him as the perfect grandfather. Father would never have given rides to anyone twelve years ago.
I was proud of myself for starting the change with an idea. The laughter and smiles made every hour of painstaking work to bring us to this point worth it. I wouldn’t wish away a single moment. In the end, it brought us together.
VANESSA
After we had finished our dinner and singing, Janna said she loved it. We had told our extended family the newest Madellan would arrive in about five months and received everyone’s congratulations.
The kids were already in bed, and the adults were beginning to look tired, too. We had set up tents for each family. The king and my mother each had a tent to themselves.
I was starting to doze off, but Jayne began talking about Earth. The men had broken off into a separate group.
“My mother has finally let Maria take over TerraMates. Maria’s my sister, in case anyone didn’t know.� Jayne took out a picture of her family and passed it around. “The company’s not making the money it once was, but it’s still doing well enough to support her.�
“Most of the women who wanted to marry an alien came to Auxem already.� Ashlyn blushed in the firelight. “TerraMates is a victim of its own success.�
Jayne looked annoyed. I knew she loved the company and didn’t want to hear it mentioned in the same sentence as the word victim, no matter how accurate the analysis was. Elle realized the problem immediately and started laughing again.
“Allow me to introduce you to one of your mother’s clients.� Elle gestured to Ashlyn. “You helped her marry an alien.�
Jayne gave Ashlyn a sideways glance. “Really? I’m interested in hearing about it.�
Ashlyn looked back with a rueful smile. “Yes, I’m a TerraMates bride. But this isn’t my story, it’s yours. Don’t let me interrupt.�
“We’re coming to the end of the agreement between Auxem and Earth. It was set to expire after fifteen years. The statistics from the last Earth census are looking surprisingly good.�
“What about the overpopulation problem?� Priya raised an eyebrow.
Jayne grinned. “They’re getting it under control. After ten years of sending women to Auxem and limiting the number of children per family, Earth is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.�
“The president also passed an executive order to reclaim land and water.� Elle nodded. “Ayrie’s been following Earth politics for a while. You have too, right, Ashlyn?�
“Yes. The planet’s beginning to recover. With another hundred years of both population and pollution control, Earth stands a chance of being livable again.�
“Unbelievable.� Gwen shook her head. “Sometimes I miss Earth, but usually I don’t.�
We all nodded, feeling the same way. It was hard to miss the overcrowded, polluted mess we had left behind.
The stars on Auxem were clear and bright. I gazed at the sky. When I was a young woman on Earth, I couldn’t see the stars from my city. It was hard to believe how far I had come. I searched for the part of the Milky Way I came from and found it quickly.
“There’s our solar system.� The other women looked where I was pointing.
Priya blinked. “It’s so far away, but it’s perfect here. I’m happy with Allex.�
There were murmurs of agreement. We had all found satisfaction with the Madellan brothers. Having a big family gave us all the support and comfort we would ever need.
Gwen yawned. “I don’t know about you ladies, but the hike tired me out. It’s time for me to go to bed.�
The group of men was breaking up as well. I could see Avren heading my way. “I think you have the right idea. Me, too.� Everyone said goodnight, and after a quick trip to the bathroom, I found myself in bed with Avren at my side. The kids were in a deep slumber a few feet away using the sleeping bags.
“Are you happy, Vanessa?�
“Ecstatic, Madellan.�
He gave a contented sigh. “Are you still having the pregnancy issue by any chance?�
I lifted my eyebrows. “Nice way to casually slip it into the conversation. Do you mean the one where I can’t stop having sex with you because I’m horny?� I innocently blinke
d my eyes at him.
“As a matter of fact, that was the issue I was thinking about.�
I reached down to cup his crotch. A bulge was forming down there.
“Well, yes. I have thoughts I can’t get out of my mind.� I rolled onto my back and spread my legs, kicking off my pants and underwear. Avren removed his pants and climbed on top of me. “I want you all the time.�
Avren’s cock rubbed against my slick pussy. He bent down and slowly kissed me. He was trying to take his time, but I couldn’t wait for him. I reached between us, fitting him against me and pushing my hips against him, pulling him inside.
He grunted as he slid home. “Are you in a hurry?� He pulled out and drove back in. I wrapped my legs around him and held on as he began plunging in and out of me. My pussy started to quiver.
“Don’t stop, Madellan.� I tried to keep my voice low.
“You’re going to have to be quiet.� A predatory glint shone in his eyes. “I’m going to fuck you senseless.�
I started to moan.
Avren clapped a hand over my mouth and shook his head. “Shhhh.� He kissed me as he thrust harder and deeper. I angled my pelvis to receive more of him. He pulled my shirt up and touched our chests together. My nipples rubbed against his hot skin as he moved inside me.
Before I knew what was happening, I exploded, stifling my cries the best I could. Avren clamped his lips over mine in an attempt to keep me silent. Pounding into me even harder, he came suddenly, spilling his seed deep inside me. He pressed his hips tightly against mine as he found an ecstasy of his own. We turned over to lie on our backs.
“I can’t get enough of you, Avren. It doesn’t make sense. I’m already pregnant. Why do I want you so much?�
“I don’t know. But I love it when you’re pregnant.�
I put my hand on my belly. “This baby will be born into a different world.�
“Because of you.� Avren turned on his side and pulled me over to spoon with him.
“No. Because of us.�
“We saved an entire planet. I love you, Vanessa.�
I interlaced my fingers with his. “I love you, too, Avren. We can survive anything as long as we have our family.�
Avren kissed me lovingly on the cheek. “You’re right.�
I drifted off to sleep, safe and happy in my husband’s arms. As amazing as our life was now, I knew it would only get better in the future.
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Copyright © 2017 by Lisa Lace
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This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events and dialog found within the story are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is completely coincidental.
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