Creature Worlds: Solar Slick

by Juliet Cardin

  “Do you think Dr. Jeneva was wise to make the cure?” Tigg asked.

  “I dunno. I can see the reason for all the secrecy though. If he and my parents were close then I guess he trusted them enough to know they only wanted the cure for my family.

  “Stuff like this sometimes has a way of falling into the wrong hands.”

  Though the thought of Earth doing to Ventillia what it’d done to dozens of other planets was alarming, the thought of Ventillia conquering Earth was worse. Ventillians had gained the reputation of being a terrifying foe to any and all that crossed it. Earth didn’t take their threats too seriously, but all the same, they’d learned their lesson—although it’d taken twenty years of war for it to happen.

  The melancholic expression on Tigg’s face revealed he was no doubt thinking about Treox. He’d experienced firsthand what can happen to a planet once it’d been conquered and exploited.

  “What was Treox like before the people of Earth came?”

  He smiled somewhat ruefully. “Those jungles you despise, they were much more vast and abundant. When I was young, they were home. My brothers and I would roam around endlessly. Teneg and I are very close. Zalix and Helix are younger and followed us everywhere. Our father used to take us on expeditions, and when we were old enough he allowed us to be out on our own for days at a time—living off the land. Life was simple, peaceful. Until they came. The masses started arriving with their huge ships and machinery, razing the jungles to make room for the domes. We weren’t given any choice. There weren’t enough of us to rise up and offer resistance. Earth’s superior technology made them an invincible force. My family fled further into the jungle, but things weren’t the same. After my parents sickened and died, I wanted a change. Hearing work was being offered, many Lizords ventured beneath the domes and gained employment. I was one of them. It’s not ideal. I’d much rather things had remained as they were, but such is the way of life.”

  People of Earth arrived on Treox about fifteen years ago. In such a short amount of time a huge transformation had taken place. It was easy to imagine Tigg in his youth. He was still so innocent, unsullied, by the reformation going on all around him. He’d adapted, as had much of the inhabitants. It was either that, or perish, I suppose.

  “All that Earth covets so much has been stripped away to the point that Treox clings to its very existence. If things don’t change soon, I’m afraid of what will happen.”

  Considering it was the very place Tigg expected us to live and raise our child, it concerned me greatly now as well. “Sometimes I wish space travel wasn’t possible. Then everyone would just have to stay on their own planets,” I said.

  Tigg kissed the top of my head. “If it were so, then you and I wouldn’t be together now.”

  “Hopefully we can live here quietly under the radar until it’s safe to leave and then we never have to worry about them discovering the cure.” I said. It was a relief to think that Ventillians had probably never even considered that there would be a cure for shifting on Earth. All the same, it was good that I’d left the cure on Zenet.

  “Let’s get some sleep and we’ll get out of here at first light.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  * * * *

  In the morning I got dressed in the same clothes since we’d left my knapsack on the ship. I noticed Tigg’s clothes—the work issue pants and shirt from Treox—were getting pretty stiff. We’d have to do something about our destitute situation soon, especially if we were to remain here for months.

  “You look worried,” Tigg said, coming over to stand before me. “Are you afraid they won’t let us leave?”

  “No, well, maybe. Actually, I was thinking about clothes and other stuff we’ll need.” I looked down at my rounded belly and gave it a circular rub. “Especially since I’ll probably be outgrowing stuff soon.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll find work in Eithur,” he assured me.

  We left our room and I wasn’t surprised to see that a servant—or a guard—was posted practically right outside our door.

  “I am to take you down to break your fast,” the man said. He eyed us speculatively and I wondered if he’d been hanging around the door with tiny little ears and several pairs of eyes on us all night. We followed him down into the great hall and he led us up to the head table where the king was already seated. He stood up as we approached and gestured to us to take the seats we’d occupied the night before.

  “I trust you had a good rest?” His tone was polite.

  “Yes, thank you,” I said, taking the seat beside him. He sat down and gestured to the servants to begin serving. As anxious as I was to leave, I forced myself to eat as much as I could. Who knew when we’d see another decent meal? It could take days for Tigg to find work. I broached the subject delicately, wary of offending our host.

  “I’d like to thank you for your hospitality, King Ranox, but Tigg and I are thinking of heading out this morning.” There was an uncomfortable silence that seemed to stretch out across the room before the king finally smiled and inclined his head.

  “Yes. Of course. The kingdom unfortunately doesn’t have much in the way to offer a young couple. Where are you off to?” he inquired.

  “Eithur,” I answered, watching him for any signs of objection. He only smiled again, seeming pleased with my answer.

  “Good. Good. I was worried you may want to leave Malenea, or even Ventillia for that matter.

  “Oh, no,” I assured him. “We were hoping to stay here for a while.”

  “Until the baby is born?” he said, drilling me with a direct stare.

  A gasp escaped my mouth before I could stop it. “B—baby?” I stammered.

  “Come now, I’m not so obtuse that I wouldn’t realize you were pregnant.”

  Looking past the king I could see Tigg’s fist clench as though ready for a fight. Since my condition was obviously out in the open, I saw no need to deny the fact. I dipped my head and tried to blush modestly. “King Ranox, I’m afraid you’ve found us out.” I looked over at Tigg lovingly. “The truth is that Tigg and I are in love. Treox frowns upon mixed unions so we thought it best to leave, to have the baby somewhere else, where no one would know us.”

  “And what better place than your home?” the king supplied.

  “Yes. Exactly,” I said. It wasn’t completely a lie.

  King Ranox leaned back in his chair and gazed at Tigg and then me. “Ah, young love,” he said with a sigh.

  “You say that like you’re an old man,” Tigg said.

  “Sometimes, I feel like an old man,” the king said regretfully. He shook his head and sat forward as though pushing aside his thoughts. “So, to Eithur then?”

  “Yes,” Tigg said. “I’m hoping to find work there.”

  The king’s face lit up. “I know a man in Eithur, nice enough fellow. He owes me a favor actually. My bailiff caught him cheating on his taxes and I let him off with a warning. He runs an inn right at the edge of Lake Fanet. Beautiful place. I’ll give you a note, requesting he find a place for you in his establishment. It’s a large dwelling, I’m sure he could find something for you.”

  Tigg smiled at the king’s offer. “Thank you. That’s kind of you.” We exchanged a look and I noticed by Tigg’s expression that he was of the same mind as me. We may escape from the kingdom, but we’d still be under the king’s thumb.

  After breaking our fast, we were bid adieu from King Ranox, and escorted to our ship. We whizzed away not much later, pointed in the direction of Eithur, with a personalized note, sealed by the king himself, addressed to Bard Signet—the hotel owner—tucked in Tigg’s pocket.

  “What do you think of that?” Tigg asked, his hands gripping the controls of the ship with more care than necessary.

  “I dunno.” Once we were skimming across the land, I got up from my seat to find my knapsack. I opened it up and started rummaging around for a change of clothes. My pants felt even tighter this morning and my boobs were quickl
y outgrowing my bra. At this rate I’d soon have nothing to wear at all. “I don’t trust the king, and I definitely don’t trust his offer to find you work. I may be paranoid, but right now the only person in the universe I trust is you. However, I don’t know what else we can do. I mean, you need a job, we need a place to stay and I really need some new clothes.”

  Tigg looked at the outfit I’d changed into and he leered at the sight of the fabric stretching taut over my boobs. “How long did they say it took to get to Eithur?” he asked, his forked tongue flicking out in excitement.

  “Control yourself, pervert. I’d say we’ve got about an hour or so at this speed.” I peeled off my tight shirt and sashayed toward the back of the craft—toward the bed—and looked back at him over my shoulder. “Are you coming?”

  “Not yet,” Tigg said, jumping to his feet and rushing after me.

  Chapter 13

  I lay back on the bed and watched while Tigg flung off his clothes scattering them around the small enclosure. “I set the ship to autopilot,” he said.

  “I’m surprised you took the time.”

  He jumped on the bed and grabbed me. When he unhooked the clasp on my bra, my tits sprang free in relief. “Ah, that’s better,” I said. It wasn’t long before my pants and undies went flying off to land on the floor. I twined my fingers through Tigg’s silky mane while he flicked at my nipples with his tongue. Already I could feel his erections pushing expectantly against my thigh. He froze suddenly and looked around.

  “You don’t think one of them is in here do you?”

  I was beyond caring at the moment. “If so they’re in for quite a show.” I pulled his head back down to my breasts urging him to continue. He wedged his knee between my thighs and shifted his body into position to take me. I opened my legs even further and arched my back to encourage him. “Hurry, fuck me,” I begged wantonly. Damn my frantic hormones.

  He wagged his webbed finger back and forth before my face. “Tut tut. Greedy girl.” Despite his words I could feel the tips of his cocks, already slick with lubrication, come into contact with my openings. He pushed forward, leisurely, making me pant in desperation.

  “You will take both,” he said, his voice no longer teasing. It wasn’t a question.

  “Yes! Fuck me with both.”

  His willpower was far greater than mine. When I would have him dive into me and plunge with abandon, he was content to slowly torture me. My mind flashed with images of him taking me in several different ways—me on the floor, kneeling, putting my head low to the ground, ass up high while he ravished me from behind. I then pictured myself upon my knees before him, taking one huge green cock deep into my throat while my hand slid up and down the other one. And then, standing, him pressing me against the wall, using his strength to lift me up, only to slide me back down unhurriedly, impaling me on his shafts. I wanted him to come at me with undisciplined lust. Wanted him to make me squirm and cry out while he teased me with achingly sweet tenderness.

  He gripped my hands suddenly, bringing them up over my head, snapping me back into the moment—this moment—as he showed me who was master. His yellow eyes glittered dangerously and he opened his mouth to reveal his fangs. Would he bite me? Sink his teeth into my neck as he pushed deep inside my body, possessing me, bringing me both pain and pleasure?

  “Please,” I cried, craving him, willing to submit to his every desire.

  “You are mine,” his hips drove forward, accenting his words.

  “Yes!” I admitted. I was his, body and soul. He filled me completely, making me aware of nothing else but him and his power, his ultimate control. His teeth sank into my bared throat, accepting my valiant offer. I no longer feared his bite, the sharp pain was but a memory now replaced with a need to bond, to be as close to him as possible.

  Still deep within me, he lifted his head and grinned, displaying his fangs dripping with my blood. I shivered, slightly afraid at the sight. But too, I found myself turned on. I watched; mesmerized as his tongue flicked out to lick at the droplets of blood, all the while he thrust into me.

  He shifted his lower body until he was sitting up on his knees between my legs. Putting his hands under my back he lifted me to sit in his lap. Once repositioned, he again thrust deep inside of me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on tightly while he gripped my ass and plunged into me at mind-blowing speed. I couldn’t hold on, not a second longer. My eyes squeezed shut and my fingers gripped his shoulders as I surrendered, screaming out my release. I was only faintly aware of Tigg’s own holler as we rode the wave of ecstasy together.

  Later, as we lay on the bed, exhausted, side-by-side, Tigg couldn’t help but chuckle. “You were right, my lovely Minka. We did put on quite a show.

  We landed in Eithur soon after. I struggled into my clothes again while Tigg turned off the autopilot and resumed control of the ship. Our landing place was a clearing in a forested area not far from the large inn we spotted upon arrival.

  “King Ranox was right. This is a big place,” Tigg said. “Hopefully they’ll have some work available.”

  “How can they refuse when you present them with a request from their king?” I was being sarcastic, yet Tigg nodded his head in agreement.

  “Perhaps there’ll be a room available for us as well.”

  “If so then let’s hope it goes with the job since we don’t have any money.”

  Tigg grilled me with a look. “I know we don’t. And I know the whole reason we’re in this mess is because of me.” He recovered his knife from where he’d stashed it and strapped it onto his leg while I watched him in stunned silence.

  “Why would you say that? You know all of this is my fault.” I tried to catch his gaze but he refused to look at me.

  “I’m the one who mated with you. I took you against your will and now you’re paying the price.”

  I laughed with no real mirth. “I beg to differ. I thought I was quite willing.”

  “For the sex, yes. For the baby, no,” Tigg reminded me. He was right. I had been angry with him for impregnating me. But that was behind us now. Now I was in love with him, couldn’t picture my life without him.

  I snatched his hand and forced him to look at me. “Don’t you know I’m in love with you, you great green fool?” I batted my eyelashes until he took me into his arms in surrender.

  “I love you too, spider girl,” he said, his lips pressed against my flaming bedraggled hair. He held me a moment then turned me around and swatted my behind. “Get ready. We have an employer to impress.”

  I looked down at my tits pushing angrily against the fabric of my shirt. “If these don’t impress him, nothing will.”

  Ten minutes later we stood in the main lobby of the inn before a wide, rough looking desk with a short, snappy looking attendant behind it. When we asked to see the owner he practically sneered, “Whatever for?” He was haughty and sarcastic, and I disliked him on sight. Tigg reached for the letter baring the seal of the king and was about to pass it over to the man when I put out my hand to stop him.

  “Hold on,” I said eying the attendant with equal haughtiness. Despite my and Tigg’s obvious glum attire we were still paying customers—as far as that dolt was concerned. Looking about the inn, though it appeared large and quite grand, it still lacked the finesse of the finer establishments I’d seen on Earth, and those on Zenet. Who was this arrogant beast to act like he was the gatekeeper to the Ritz? Perhaps it would be considered a fine place, say, on Earth, like about the time of Henry the Eighth, but right now it wasn’t much better than a piss hole, as far as I was concerned.

  Tigg must have sensed I was about to infringe on a tirade. He took my elbow and turned my outraged face to look at him. “Cool it, okay?” he begged.

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Hormones,” I warned him.

  “I know.” He turned back to the attendant and waved the honored letter before his face. “See this? It’s a letter from King Ranox. Only to be delivered to Bard Si
gnet.”

  The man’s face suddenly dawned with understanding. “Ah, you’re a messenger. That explains a lot. We don’t get many Lizords around here, and certainly not as guests,” he said, accenting his rude words with laugher.

  So that was what all his haughtiness was about? Tigg being a Lizord? I felt my anger swell up inside me again. Protectiveness over Tigg, not to mention our unborn child, made me smack both my hands down on the table in anger. The man jumped in surprise. “Listen here you …” I began.

  Tigg interceded again. “If you could just get the owner?” he said over my head. The little man nodded and scurried off only to return about five minutes later with a tall, bald man with a much friendlier air about him.

  “My associate says you have a note for me from King Ranox?” he said. He didn’t give any impression of being disturbed by Tigg’s presence in his hotel. Tigg handed him the letter and the man opened it carefully. A minute later he looked at Tigg again, this time with an assessing attitude. He then turned his gaze on me. His lips curled into a smile that I didn’t quite buy.

  The gatekeeper had returned to his place behind the desk as Bard Signet read the letter and I could feel his boring gaze. When the owner shook hands with first Tigg and then me, saying he could certainly find a place for personal friends of the King at his inn, the little man actually gasped in surprise.

  “This is Aelon,” Bard gestured to the gatekeeper.

  “My name is Tigg, and this is Minka,” Tigg introduced us.

  “Pleasure,” Bard said. He seemed genuine enough, which made me wonder what King Ranox had put in that letter. Maybe I’d been wrong to suspect the king of any illicit schemes? Despite all the warm fuzzies going around the room, my gut still warned, Don’t count on it.

  Chapter 14

  Tigg was given work as a grounds keeper and despite the obvious disapproval of Aelon, we were given a little room to use as our own. We were in the farthest corner of the hotel in what would be considered an attic room. There was a quaint little balcony we could walk out onto offering an amazing view of the lake, so I didn’t have much to complain about. If this was to be our home for the next few months, we could make it work. Things were looking up. I rubbed my growing belly absently while I sat out on the balcony with my feet up. Gazing over at Tigg, he seemed content enough. He was used to hard work, and glad for the opportunity to provide for his little family. We were a picture of domestic bliss.