TICEES

by Mills, Shae

  Ticees watched her, his concern mounting. “Are you okay?”

  Chelan nodded, “Just a little cold yet,” she admitted.

  “You’ll warm soon. This structure is kept hot.” He smiled as he released the binding on the cloak. Then he helped her untangle herself from his shroud and set her on her feet.

  Only then did she become aware of the magnificent building that she was in. The air was scented with millions of fragrant flowers. Her eyes grew large. Everywhere, for as far as she could see down the main corridor, there were brilliant, exotic blooms. Numerous tall plants and trees festooned the building, reaching majestically for the sky and the Iceanean sun. To Chelan, it looked like a fantasy tropical paradise, its beauty beyond description, the colors confounding the senses.

  Ticees watched her, pleased by the spark he saw ignite in the alien’s unbelieving eyes. To him, she was as beautiful as the gardens, and it was as if she belonged there, flowering right alongside the richest and the sweetest of blooms. He smiled and turned, beckoning her to follow.

  He led her about the massive building for a couple of hours, and she hardly spoke the whole time, absolutely stunned by the proliferation of beauty that abounded before her. Even the little insects that buzzed about intrigued her.

  Chelan followed him everywhere, afraid to miss a single thing. And to her surprise, he seemed to know each and every flower, each and every plant, its name, its home world, and its origin. She could tell he took pride in his vast selection, sometimes handling the delicate blossoms with a tenderness and a reverence that struck her. He explained to her that some of the specimens were the last vestiges of destroyed worlds, the last remaining samples of a planet’s beauty before its destruction. The collected splendor of the known galaxy was here within these walls.

  The time passed quickly, and Chelan was finally beginning to feel more at ease with the giant man. She watched him as he studied his prizes, and she saw caring in his eyes and heard pride in his voice. She found herself wondering if indeed her fears of him were unfounded, as Korba had indicated. Maybe her Earth experiences had tainted her perception of the man. Only time would tell.

  All too soon, their time in the garden came to an end, and he led her back to the main doors. “Ready for the trip back?” he asked.

  Chelan smiled but quaked with dread. “I don’t know if anyone can be truly ready for that,” she commented honestly.

  Ticees chuckled as he offered her a seat and then knelt before her and bound the cloak. “Were you okay coming here?”

  Chelan nodded. “Relatively.”

  Ticees looked up at her. “Do you think you could stand it for a short time longer?”

  Chelan looked up at him as he stood, reluctant to voice her doubt. “I think so. Why?”

  “Because I want to go back through a different entrance and do a security check with a system that shut down a while ago. It was repaired recently, and I like to keep track of things personally. I’ll leave it for another time if you think it will be a problem. I will not compromise you for the sake of something that can wait.”

  Chelan shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine.”

  Ticees smiled. “Okay, then. Same routine,” he said, scooping her up effortlessly.

  Chelan hesitated as she looked into his deep brown eyes. “Can I come back here sometime soon?” she asked, her voice a melodic whisper.

  Ticees stared back at her, temporarily rendered speechless by her beauty and her soft request. “Yes,” he whispered. “Any time, my Lady. You have only to ask, and your wish will be granted.”

  Chelan smiled and then hugged into his neck, pressing tightly to him. Ticees drew a deep breath as her warm skin on his neck sent a wave of heat through his body, and he nestled her even closer. Then he stepped out into the icy air and began their journey hurriedly.

  The walk was only a few minutes longer, but Chelan realized immediately that it had taken her beyond the limits of her tolerance. Her skin was burning, and she felt like crying. But worse than anything, she felt her concentration numbing, her thoughts becoming lodged in the sludge that clogged her mind.

  Once inside, Ticees sat her down on a chair and moved off quickly to do his check. Chelan watched him, but she shivered uncontrollably, her fingers and toes insensate, her skin raw.

  Ticees returned to her and released her legs. “Okay, back home,” he smiled, but Chelan could barely respond.

  “I do … don’t know iffff ... I can walk,” she stuttered, her words forming with grave difficulty. “I can’t … feel my feet.”

  Ticees immediately lost his smile. He dragged her off the chair and cradled her in his arms and hurried off. In no time he was in his chambers, and he sat her down gently on his bed.

  He shed his shroud and let it drop to the floor as he knelt before her. Anxiously, he removed her cloak and then touched her feet, removing her shoes carefully. There appeared to be no damage, but Ticees cursed himself for not having thought of her extreme sensitivity, not to mention her insufferable shyness. He should have known she would not have protested or indicated her discomfort to him, and he became angry with himself. He held her ankle and moved his other hand up her gown, exposing her leg to him.

  Ticees groaned as he saw Chelan’s normally powdery pink skin was now devoid of all color. “Damn it, Chelan. I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say something?”

  “I’m … okay,” she reassured him, her body now frighteningly still.

  Ticees looked intently at her. “Shit. No, you’re not. Don’t you ever endure pain for my sake or because you fear me. You tell me when you are in trouble.”

  Chelan simply nodded. Then she furrowed her brow, trying desperately to concentrate, but her thoughts were still not coalescing properly.

  Ticees sat back on his heels momentarily, his mind racing. He looked at her. “You’re hypothermic, Chelan. You’re not even shivering any more. I could put you in a lukewarm bath, but it would burn your skin. Your only other alternative is blankets.”

  Ticees jumped to his feet and pulled down the sheets on his bed. Then he ran to a chest and drew out several large blankets and hurled them onto the bed.

  Normally Chelan would have protested, but somehow through the haze she knew she needed help. She felt disoriented, and her arms and legs ached. She was chilled to the bone, and she did not feel at all well. She hurt, and she needed warmth.

  Ticees’ face was racked with concern as he knelt before her. Slipping his hands up her legs, he began raising her gown. Chelan’s face paled further, and she started to object as her icy fingers attempted to thwart him, but her limbs were beyond proper functioning.

  Ticees nodded to her. “No choice, my Lady. Please don’t fret.”

  Chelan indeed had no choice but to allow him to strip her, well aware she was incapable of mounting a defense in her present state. Then he laid her back onto the bed and threw the blankets over her.

  Chelan sighed with partial relief that her body was once again covered. Then she saw him recede from her vision. She closed her eyes and drew her knees up, trying desperately to warm herself. She continued to attempt to fully grasp her situation, but nothing was making sense. He had mentioned hypothermia, but how had it happened so fast? Suddenly, her eyes widened with shock as she felt Ticees’ nakedness surround her. She gasped and tried to scramble away, but her body was inert. All she could do was wilt into the bed as his arms surrounded her.

  “I’m sorry, my Lady. Believe it or not, this is the best way to warm you. You needed your gown off so that the thermal blankets can come in contact with you while my body supplies the heat. Please don’t struggle. I won’t hurt you.”

  Chelan’s breathing was labored and sporadic, and she closed her eyes, feeling oddly tranquilized as his arms hugged her tightly and he pressed her back into him. Then the acute shivering began as her body thawed. She tried to catch her breath and calm herself, now understanding that he was trying to help. But regardless of his intent, she was still trapped and co
mpletely defenseless.

  Time oozed by slowly as her shivering finally relinquished total control over her. Though still groggy, she attempted to chain her thoughts. She began running down a list of Iceanean values, praying once again that everything she had been told was true. Finally, she released herself to her fate, and she let her muscles go limp.

  Only then did Ticees finally relax. She had inexorably accepted his help, and he was instantly relieved. They lay quietly together for a long time, and eventually Chelan’s tremors subsided. Periodically, he could feel her muscles tighten, and he knew that she was in discomfort as the chill left her. He remained very still, not daring to rub her damaged flesh and cause her further pain. He closed his eyes, wishing that she had asked for help, and wishing that she hadn’t tried to conceal her misery from him.

  Chelan felt warmth infuse back into her weary body, and with that warmth her eyes became unbearably heavy. Between her poor night’s sleep, all the stress of the day before, a healthy dose of hypothermia, and the protracted time spent in the gardens, it did not take her long to cascade deeply into slumber.

  When she had stilled, Ticees pushed away from her slightly and held his breath. He realized that the angel in his arms had fallen asleep. All his concerns regarding her well-being melted away only to be replaced by a heightened awareness of what he held. He pressed his face into her neck and inhaled her soft, alien scent. Her hair was like silk, and her skin as fine and velvety as anything he had ever felt.

  He splayed his fingers out over her slim abdomen, his hand easily spanning her entire torso, and he marveled at how small she was. To him, she was almost childlike, but the swell of her full curves reminded him poignantly that she was all woman. He felt the contour of her hip as he looked down into her tranquil face; her fine features were perfectly proportioned. He licked his lips, and he felt his mouth water. His breathing became labored, and he moved back from her slightly as his erection surged. Cautiously, he turned her to him.

  She stirred momentarily, and his breath caught. He remained very still until she once again totally relaxed. He looked down between them to her breasts, and an involuntary moan escaped his lips. Her pretty nipples beckoned to him, and he wanted nothing more than to bury his face in her fullness and drown in her femininity.

  Suddenly, she raised a hand to his chest and nuzzled closer to him. Her soft breath on his skin and her sensuous flesh pressed to his, nearly causing him to come. His penis pulsed with anticipation. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything but the fragile beauty draped against him. But instead, his senses took in everything about her. She was well conditioned, and yet she was so femininely soft. She felt delicate to his powerful body, and he dwarfed her. But most of all, he liked her rousing, exotic scent; her natural fragrance drugged him nearly senseless.

  He could not help himself. His body was full on as his brain shut down. He allowed his hand to open and to feather down her long, slender back. He continued, his fingers eventually tracing over the curve of her firm, round buttocks. God, she was so perfect … so ripe for the taking.

  Once again he felt her stir feebly, and he raised his hand to her serene face, his eyes intent on her supple pink lips. She murmured in her sleep and twisted slightly, her firm nipples brushing his chest, and his body leapt into flames.

  He tipped her face up to him and held her jaw firmly as he tasted her lips tenderly. She moaned, and he slid his hand down her long neck and captured her breast. Never had he felt such exquisite fullness, such erotic softness. And when she arched subtly to him, Ticees was beside himself. Never in his life had he been with anyone so sensual, so fragile, and so utterly intoxicating. She was pure sexual paradise. Somewhere in his addled mind he knew he should slip away and leave her be, but he was beyond rationality, beyond hope.

  He kneaded her breast softly, its heavy abundance overflowing in his hand, her nipple hardening to his touch. He wanted to taste her, suckle her, draw from her until she cried out his name. He rose up, and his lips traced over her jaw and down to her neck. Then he released her breast, and his hand traced back down over her flesh to her shapely bottom, and he pressed her into his aching need. Just the touch of her belly to his penis almost forced him to orgasm. Lascivious thoughts of her small size sheared through his brain and straight to his groin. She would be so divinely tight, and a tremor seized him. He could just imagine what Korba and Fremma had experienced as they pierced into her, her flesh stretching to its limits to accommodate them … and in turn, him. He had to grit his teeth to keep from exploding against her. And then he writhed. He was in ecstasy.

  Chelan stirred, and through the mist of her deep sleep she became aware of somebody’s touch. Her body responded, and thoughts of Korba swam into her peaceful mind. God, how she craved his touch. He kissed her more firmly, and she reacted, the feeling of his hardness against her abdomen arousing her. She wanted him inside her, and she placed a hand on his chest, her nails coursing over him in seductive invitation. But suddenly, her eyes shot open as her palms encountered hair. Instantly, her mind cleared, and she pushed against him forcefully. “Sire!” she cried.

  But Ticees had her immobilized, his colossal form pinning her firmly to the bed. She tried to say no, but his mouth was hard on hers, and she was rendered mute. His tongue parted her lips and entered her mouth, and Chelan was forced to comply, her tears beginning to form.

  His hands coursed over her soft curves as he consumed her. He raised her arms above her head and pressed his knee between her legs, parting her to him. Chelan’s tears flowed, his hard erection pressed painfully against her pelvic bones. Her chest began to heave in silent sobs as one calloused hand returned to her upper body, heatedly squeezing her breasts to the point of pain. Suddenly, he released her mouth as he tried to catch his breath, and Chelan cried out. “No!”

  Ticees instantly released her and rolled from her, his ardor instantly snuffed. Chelan pushed away from him and sat up, frantically hugging the blankets to her. She drew her legs up and let her head fall onto her knees, her body trembling. “No,” she whimpered.

  Ticees took several deep breaths as he struggled to contain himself. The reality of the situation crashed down upon him. No woman had ever aroused him so quickly, so feverishly, or so innocently, and he was shocked at his indiscretion. He had acted as if a demon possessed, and indeed he had been. He shook his head, clearing his senses and banking the embers of his lustful desire. He sat up and touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Chelan,” he whispered. “I apologize with all my heart, my Lady. I betrayed your trust in me.”

  Chelan cringed to his touch. She winced at the pain in her breasts. Gathering herself together, she glanced at him. “Please,” she pleaded. “I belong to Korba.”

  Ticees hung his head. “I know,” he whispered despondently. He moved off the bed and dressed torpidly. Then he returned to her and knelt before her. He tilted her face up. “I’m sorry, Chelan.” He hesitated, looking deep into her eyes. “It’s just that I crave you so. I’ve never been so affected so fast by anyone, and I gave in to my desires.” He took a deep breath. “But I will respect your ways, my Lady, and your loyalty. I will not touch you again.”

  Chelan swallowed the lump in her throat and attempted to control her trembling. She heard the sincerity in his voice, yet she did not trust this man. “May I go now?” she asked hurriedly.

  Ticees hung his head in disappointment. “Yes, my Lady,” he answered weakly.

  Chelan leapt from the bed and grabbed her gown. She pulled it on quickly and then ran across the room, seeking her escape. She stopped momentarily at the door, catching her breath, and she looked at him as he stood. “Thank you for the tour, my Lord,” she uttered. But before Ticees could respond, she bolted from the room.

  Chelan ran to Korba’s quarters and burst through the doors, her frantic need to shower devouring her.

  “Chelan!” Korba shouted, her violent entrance startling him from his rest. He rose from one of the lounges, his eyes wide with conc
ern.

  Chelan skidded to a halt and clutched at her chest, panic at his unexpected presence seizing her.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes falling on her ashen features.

  “Yes,” she uttered breathlessly. “It was just a surprise to see you back so soon. You startled me.”

  Korba cautiously approached her, knowing full well that she was lying. His anxiousness grew as he watched her take a step back from him.

  “It was very cold outside,” she explained. “I need a nice warm shower.” And she turned and hustled toward the washroom.

  Korba bristled; all her body cues vividly betrayed her desperate attempt to hide from him. He lurched into action and ran to her, catching her arm and turning her to him.

  Chelan remained very still as his ice-blue eyes coursed over her while his strong grip held her at arm’s length. Then he took a step toward her, and Chelan cowered.

  “Kiss me?” he demanded quietly.

  “No!” she shouted, losing control of herself. She tried to pull away from him, but he yanked her into him and buried his face in her slender neck.

  “No,” she cried in anguish, and her knees buckled.

  Korba caught her, his body and soul suddenly consumed with grief. “Oh, my Lady,” he moaned, clutching her close. “I should have listened to you.”

  Chelan went limp in his arms and continued to cry, unable to speak.

  Korba began to rock her, his heart in tatters. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice broken.

  “No,” she whimpered dishonestly, her arms automatically hugging her bruised breasts.

  Korba drew her back and looked at her as her sobs began to subside. His hands stroked her soft cheeks as he struggled with his emotions. He searched frantically for words while his eyes scanned her for damage.

  But Chelan spoke first. “Please do nothing,” she pleaded. “He did not take me, and he promised not to touch me again. It was all a misunderstanding.”