"Come with me this time," he whispered, his falas slowly plunging within her body in long, powerful strokes. She gasped as the tiny strip of extra flesh began to circle and massage her clit at the same time, slipping under her delicate hood to gently entice the pearl within with light butterfly kisses.
"Human men need one of those things," she declared hoarsely. "Dear lord…" The catch in her throat escalated to a moan and then an animalistic howl of bliss as her pussy clenched at the hardness inside it. She squeezed his hands and exploded in a bursting climax.
Seth released a growling shout, slipped their bodies from the shelf and onto the cave's floor, then poured his hot seed deep into her while rasping his deliverance in a language she did not need to understand.
The underground water erupted upwards in a great plume, and the hovering drops covering the ceiling gushed down upon them like a cool, spring shower. Their bodies smoldered with shared heat, trembling together under the sparkling sprays and glowing walls. Tabby clung to him, feeling as though she was sinking into the depths of his soul and never wanting to let go. When she felt his softening cock leave her satiated embrace, she whimpered with protest. It was too good to be over!
Through heavy-lidded eyes, she watched Seth replace the protective cover over the geyser, his massive muscles straining and bulging with masculine beauty. Rivulets from the lingering spray trickled over his glorious body as he stood over her, offering a shy, but endearing, smile.
"I love you," she whispered, as he carried her outside the tunnel and carefully dressed her in her dry clothing. "What happened in there?"
"We balanced, Tabby. We belong to each other now. Forever."
Chapter Twelve
"Did you say something about being balanced?" Tabby asked groggily, raising her head from the pillow on their bed. She was sore, exhausted and so very, very satisfied.
"Yes. Remember that feeling of sinking inside each other? That means our bodies joined in every aspect. For all intents and purposes, we are now considered married by Lotopian law."
"Can we do that? Seth, you need to have children to keep the throne." She sat up, her brows drawn together in concern. "We are two different species."
"We are compatible enough to balance, which means we are also able to mate."
"A baby with you would tear me up. I'm too small."
"Have no fear, my love. First of all, a Lotopian male cannot release living sperm unless he copulates under the light of Ceres. Second, hybrid children are known to be exceptionally small. I was only twelve Earth pounds when born," he said reassuringly.
"To a human, twelve pounds is like birthing a brontosaurus, not a baby."
"Yes, but your genetics will play into that and your body will allow you to carry a child safely. Trust me."
"I do trust you. I'm just not ready to be a mother yet," she muttered.
"Nor I a father. Although," he tickled her as he pounced on the bed, "having you around is a lot like having a child at times. I rather enjoy it."
Tabby giggled. "No tickling. I hate it. But I am feeling a little impish today. Wanna go out and play?"
He kissed her soundly and sighed. "I'm afraid I have some work to do. Father has given me much leave from my responsibilities so that I could spend time with you, but it is time I return to my duties."
"You actually have a job?" She was shocked. It had never occurred to her that the crown prince of Lotopia worked for a living!
"Smarty pants. Yes, I have a job. I'm the Diplomatic Liaison for our planet. A peacekeeper, so to speak, between us and the other forty life-bearing planets in our immediate solar system."
"You have forty planets that contain life?"
"Yes. Lotopia is the only one that thrives under the double suns. The others are attached to either the blue or the orange star."
"Are they all humanoid?" she asked.
"Some. Hey, I have an idea! How would you like to spend the day with Father? It would keep you out of trouble, and him from breathing down my neck."
"That sounds like fun. Sure!"
"One more thing. Do not say anything about our balance yet. Father will be thrilled, but Mother…" There was a note of warning in his voice.
"What will she say?"
"I'm not worried about what she'll say. I'm more afraid that she will try to kill you. She can only stay here until I have an heir. She will not relinquish this life easily."
"Fuck."
"Agreed. But no more cussing, okay? As for Mother, the longer she believes that you are nothing but a pet to me, the better. I need time to speak with Father and make plans for your safety, so say nothing," Seth told her.
"My lips are sealed."
After he had gone, Tabby set to work on her idea to protect herself from the worm-queen. Now, if only I could remember how to operate the synthesizing platform that Seth uses to get me clothing and food…
***
"I understand that you were able to see The Tears, my sweet. Did you enjoy yourself?" Kalavan asked, holding Tabby's hand as they walked along the Cuprum beach on their first official 'Grandpa Day'.
"It was so beautiful! And a lot of fun."
"I take it that Mesethius introduced you to the King's Chamber?"
"Maybe…" she said vaguely.
"That boy. Well, I'm glad he is pleasuring you."
"Grandpa!"
"I am old, not dead. I know what you two are up to. I also know my son very well, and can see a different light in him that was not there before. You achieved balance."
"I'm not supposed to talk about that," Tabby said quietly.
"You also know that it will be a hot day in Hitopia before I say anything until I know you are safe from that waddling garbage disposal I must call my wife."
"You really hate her, don't you?"
"I gave up my manhood to save my planet and my people," the king replied. "I will never regret my decision, only that it was a decision that had to be made. Yes, I hate her with every fiber of my being. For 102 seasons, she has made my life a living hell. The only positive thing I have ever derived out of this despicable coupling is my beautiful son."
"Can't you take a mistress? It's so wrong for you to have to be so lonely."
He shook his head. "No. Once a man binds with a wife, it is done, and in normal couplings, no other is ever needed. I honor that tradition of my people, even though I am not bound with her as a Lotopian husband and wife. My only hope of freedom is if Mesethius has a child. Then we can banish that hideous creature back to her people," he said, his voice bitter with resentment.
"Can I ask a question? Seth told me about how the Helminthe have sex, and what they need to get pregnant. How did you manage? He said he's never asked."
Kalavan took in a deep breath and glanced around. Even though there was no one within hearing range, he still lowered his voice. "I'm a hybrid, honey. Just like my son."
"Why the secret?"
"The Lotopians consider pre-war hybrids to be conflicted. They don't trust what side they will take at any given minute, or that they will stay loyal to the side they do choose. The only other being who knows this secret is that wretched sow."
"She's been blackmailing you all this time, hasn't she?" Tabitha bit her lip.
"Yes. I've given in to protect my people and my son. I know it sounds cowardly and weak, but it was the only way I could buy time until he was old enough to take the throne and have a family. The Lotopians have accepted his genetic mix because of me."
"I don't think it's cowardly or weak at all. You've sacrificed your happiness to save these people and if they can't see that, then they deserve what they get."
"You are very kind to say such a thing, but it goes much deeper. Trust and faith bind my people together. If they discover that I have deceived them, even for their own safety, I'm afraid they will dethrone me and go against Mesethius." Kalavan sighed.
"They love you, Grandpa. Don't you see that you've already earned their trust and faith, despite your physical s
tate? I think you are the one who needs to have more faith in them, not the other way around."
"Perhaps. In the meantime, please say nothing. Not even to my son."
"I won't, I promise. But he should know," she added, fervently.
"I will tell him when I feel the time is right."
"What did you mean when you said you're able to see a different light in Seth?" Tabby asked, swinging his hand in hers as they progressed down the beach.
"The balancing of a couple changes the male. It strengthens him, fills him with confidence and control, and increases his natural drive of protection. You will be seeing these changes soon, especially as he becomes acutely aware of everything you are feeling and need. Unfortunately, so will his mother. Fortunately, she lacks the intelligence to believe it could be you. I have been concerned that she might think she can use you as bait to flush out an assumed lover."
"I can protect myself from her just fine." She touched the hidden object in her pocket.
"My love, I am a seasoned warrior and need help protecting myself from her. Please, I would rather speak of more pleasant subjects. Starting with the surprise I have planned for my Tabby-Cat."
Tabby groaned with delight as she gorged herself on a cold dessert that strongly resembled rich, creamy vanilla and chocolate ice-cream. "Damn, this is good!" She sighed happily, finishing off the contents and eyeing the remnants in the bowl next to her. "I love ice-cream."
"Your daddy said you aren't supposed to be swearing any longer. I promised him that I would call you out on it." Kalavan grinned as he slid his own bowl in front of her.
"Daddy can be such a stick in the mud sometimes," she said and snickered, snatching the final spoonfuls of dessert. "What he doesn't know won't hurt me."
"Brat." Kalavan laughed. "You are good for him. In the past, his behavior has been rather unpredictable and boisterous. He also had a difficult time focusing on anything beyond his obsession with Earth. It is as though he matured overnight when he found you."
"That might not be a good thing. It sucks being a grown-up sometimes."
"In his case, it was the best possible thing. People will take him more seriously now, and listen to his wisdom. He is quite talented when it comes to resolving disputes and is called upon quite often."
"I know. I was shocked when I heard that he actually had a job," she said.
"Our work is based strictly on necessity. Since we have no need to accumulate wealth, the Lotopians have time to interact, explore, rest and devote themselves to relationships. My people have a good life."
"Too bad their king doesn't," Tabby said softly, hugging his arm.
"My life became good the first time I held my son in my arms. It then grew better when he brought you home and made you a part of my family." He kissed her forehead. "Would you like to see the zoo? It's on the other side of where our ship is docked."
"You have a zoo?"
"Yes. These are animals that were rescued after being injured. They were nursed back to health and placed in a protective sanctuary."
"I don't really like zoos. They're glorified prisons for the weak and helpless," she said.
"I agree completely, but I do like to believe that ours is a different type of habitat. The animals sequestered here have been permanently injured, and would die if released back into their natural environment. We try to provide them with whatever is required to help them feel safe and secure. Technology has allowed us to monitor the levels of satisfaction and content in these creatures as well, and we are alerted if there is anything unstable." He held out his hand for hers and began walking down the broad beach towards the violet forest.
"I love animals. I've always wanted a pet, but was never allowed to have one because of the compound I grew up in, and then being in the service. Can I touch them?"
"Absolutely not. They are dangerous and can easily harm you."
After they'd both arrived at the reserve and looked at several of the unusual creatures, Kalavan briefly excused himself to respond to a question. He tousled Tabby's hair and kissed her nose. "I'll be right back. Stay away from that bar. The animals are wearing a device that keeps them in, but they can still come close enough to harm you," he said.
She nodded, and turned to stare at the tiny six-legged white kitten with enormous blue eyes that looked at her pleadingly from behind a short electric fence. That was dangerous? It looked so lonely and frightened, even in the enormous pen complete with caves, a tall scratching post, and a long hook from which hung the remnants of what she assumed to be a Bombat. She watched as the fuzzy little creature yawned, its soft pink mouth showing no evidence of teeth, its long blue tongue curling adorably. The kitten-like creature stared at her mournfully and then released a tiny, plaintive mew—a sound that plucked at her heartstrings. She knew what it felt like to be isolated and alone, and to be thought of as dangerous because she was different. She couldn't stand to have another creature suffer the way she had; especially one that was so very young and helpless.
Tabby glanced over her shoulder and, not seeing Kalavan, carefully stepped over the bar. She ignored the shouts from the people around her as she slowly approached the little creature. It purred loudly, rubbing its body against her legs in a blatant demand for her attention. Sitting down on the ground, she ran her hand over the silky fur, smiling as the kitten-thing plopped to its back for a tummy rub. She ignored the whispers from the onlookers as she cuddled the creature in her arms, her eyes filled with tears as it responded to her affection.
"Tabitha! You need to come out of there now," she heard Kalavan hiss.
"Why? You can see it's not dangerous. It's lonely, and—"
"It has a mother that will make you into dinner if she awakens. Get out of there now!" He seemed to be maintaining a calm demeanor, but the fear in his voice was evident.
With a sigh, she kissed the kitten and walked back to the fence. Just as she stepped over the barrier, a high-pitched scream resounded behind her as a monstrous animal the size of a small elephant raced in her direction.
Tabby trembled in the strangulating hold of Kalavan's arms, hardly able to believe her narrow escape. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know," she whispered, looking up at him. She could smell his anger, like autumn leaves burning in a hot brush fire.
"We will discuss this when we get home," he said firmly, his large hand gripping her shoulder, leading her through the small crowd of people and back down the beach.
"Please don't be angry with me," she whispered fearfully.
"Young lady, if I had my son's permission to punish you, I would not even wait to get back to the cruiser. How dare you disobey me in that manner?"
"It didn't look dangerous, and—"
"Haven't you learned by now that things are not always what they seem to be?" Kalavan growled, spinning her around to look at him. He pointed a finger in her face. "It's not just about your safety, it's the fact that you rebelled against my orders in front of my subjects! To disrespect me in that manner is unacceptable."
Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. I really am. I wasn't thinking about that. I felt sorry for it. It was so alone and looked so sad."
"That is how they lure prey into their nests. They will bait another creature that is not a threat to them."
"I didn't know. I'm sorry," she whimpered.
"I do not know what it will take to get you to listen to us. Consider yourself fortunate that you are not my child. The human concept of spanking is not a new one on this planet, and is very appealing right now," he growled, helping her into the cruiser.
She gulped, suddenly remembering that he had threatened her only six phases ago for essentially the same transgressions of disobedience and disrespect. "Please don't tell Daddy. He's going to use his belt on me and I won't be able to sit for a week." She began to cry.
"You don't deserve to sit, little girl. When we get home, you are to march your bottom straight to your room and stay there until you are told to come out. Am I understood?"
/> "Yes, sir," Tabby sobbed. "I'm sorry!"
"You will be. Mesethius!" Kalavan barked into his headphones as he started the vessel home. She could only hear his side of the conversation. "I want to see you immediately in my chambers. I will be back in less than a rotation... Yes, it certainly is about Tabitha… She's safe, but only due to pure luck… Yes, I am livid right now." He broke into Lotopian, speaking so quickly that Tabitha could not even pick out a single word.
Wisely, she stayed silent. Kalavan's wildfire scent slowly simmered into that of a newly extinguished campfire as he spoke with his son. She only wished she could understand what he was saying. Regardless, she knew that her butt was on the line this time, and there would be no turning back. A lump grew in her throat and she began a silent chant. Please let it be Kalavan… Please let it be Kalavan…
"Tabitha? Mesethius has given me permission to discipline you as I see fit. Don't look so relieved. In addition, he will be disciplining you as well."
"That's not fair!" she yelled. "That's double jeopardy!"
"Double jeopardy? Is that a human television show or something? Not important. And as far as being fair, you disobeyed both of us. After we land, you are to go to your room, bare your bottom so that it can be seen, and stand in the corner until I join you."
"But Grandpa—"
"I do not wish to hear any nonsense from you, young lady. You are going to be the queen of my country one day, and I'll be damned if I'm going to release my throne to a willful, disobedient child. I am so disappointed in you! Save your tears, young lady. You're going to need them later."
He ordered her to her quarters the second the cruiser touched the flight deck. Racing to obey, she bolted down the halls into the palace proper, turned a corner and collided directly with H'annaot. Tabitha rebounded and landed heavily on the floor, sliding several feet backward.
"Look at the animal that appeared on my doorstep," the toad-like creature cooed, licking her lips as she waddled around Tabby's stunned form. "My husband and son will not be able to protect you from my plate forever, juicy little human. I just have to drown you in sauce to hide your stench."
A Little Wish Upon a Star Page 14
