"You're quiet,” Zoxni said.
She probably worried because the forty-some-odd females following in my wake would think Zoxni bored me. Or frightened me. Just how should I react? “Just taking in all the new wondrous things here."
Her blue eyes pinched with her smile. “It took me quite some time to find things to keep myself busy here. But once you do, you will be as happy as the rest of us."
Oh, really? Of course, the sex is great. But life had to get pretty dull on this exercise wheel. “Just what do you do for entertainment? And I see you speak the language of the free-thinking peoples well.” English apparently made it to her planet long before she learned to speak.
Zoxni nodded, her long black hair coiled upon her head hung in a final tail wrapping around her neck to dangle across one of her breasts. “I know forty-three languages and speak them fluently. Your English was one tongue I picked up once I mated with Rom."
Rom. Why does that name sound familiar?
"Some of the huv'rias teach languages to the children."
I so needed to stop letting my thoughts wander. “Oh?"
Zoxni eyed the others beyond my shoulder.
Just what were they up to? I turned.
All the females smiled.
For whatever reason. Someone needed to set everybody straight. Since I was an ambassador, I'd have to do. “Okay, ladies, I'm tired of being grinned at. I'd like to know just what you do for entertainment."
By the way their smiles melted, I realized I should have been a little gentler. But I'm a scientist. Not a freaking United Nations delegate. Hell. I so needed to get over myself. Any moment, I could screw this peace endeavor up. I guess. Could there be any end to my current state... of marriage solidified by pregnancy and wild-monkey sex?
"Please come this way, Goddess,” Zoxni cooed without an ounce of displeasure.
When given no choice, I follow.
We walked along the pool's mercurial surface mirroring the lemonade sky.
"Is your sky always this color?” A little curiosity might ease any tensions I just created with my flippant outburst.
"Yes. On my home world, the sky is blue,” Zoxni replied.
"And mine is pink,” another voice said at my heels.
I tossed the female a glance over my shoulder. “Pink?” Now that was a color I'd have to think about seeing around the clock during hours of sunlight. Pepto pink. It's like sunset all day long. And I'm so not into pink.
The waif-like female with almond-shaped green eyes didn't seem large enough to mate with a !Dako. But her starkissed dusting and long almost-alive mass of greenish-blonde hair had to be !Dako-induced. How many of these women even remotely looked the way females did on their home worlds?
"Walk this way, Goddess,” Zoxni called.
Hell, I stood there staring at all the females around me like I was in a freak show. “I'm sorry.” I shot Zoxni a glance then scanned all the expectant faces that had followed me.
Vult hadn't left me with the huv'rias. No, he followed paces behind the crowd and stood with his shoulder to me as if he studied something in the reflection pool. Well, he could overhear everything if that was his intention. So, I'd give him something to overhear. “If you don't mind my asking, how many of you look the way you did on your planet of origin?"
This set off some giggles and lots of glances between the huv'rias.
Vult ignored us. Or pretended to.
A female about my height, skin splotched with shades of golden brown kind of like the color of a tortoise-shell cat, stepped out of the mass of women. She wore a long wispy wrapped skirt of green cloth and a matching green bra-like top. But the most interesting part of her persona was the long thick black braid that almost touched the stone path. “I look like my people. My mate told me I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen when he found me."
The warriors probably all said the same thing. Yet, mine wasn't flinching where he feigned ignorance to our little discussion. I wouldn't say anything about being beautiful to him. Simply because he didn't need an ego boost. Two buns in the oven had to be big enough to last him a century. Especially since he impregnated me without warning. Payback time. Let him squirm. “And what about everyone else? Did you all appreciate having your physical appearance altered?"
Again gazes flicked between the huv'rias. The women actually shrugged.
They didn't care? “Did you want a makeover? To be changed?"
Zoxni stepped to my elbow. “These changes were so long ago they no longer matter, Goddess."
Oh, that title made me shiver.
How couldn't they care? Were they lying? “So you're all cyborgs now? Altered internally as well I suppose. Do you speak with the warriors like telepaths?"
Every set of eyebrows furrowed around me.
For real? Come on. “You know. Speak to the rest of the !Dakos like a telepathic culture. In their minds?"
"I think you're asking if we connect to the Central Node through our thoughts,” Zoxni offered in explanation.
All the huv'rias nodded.
As if they didn't care about anything. “And you hold no ill will against !Dako warriors for changing you from your birth species?” Did that even make sense?
Eyebrows arched. Shoulders shrugged. Women searched each other's gazes for answers. “Never mind.” I waved back the direction Zoxni had led me. “Where are these children?"
Zoxni ushered me along the sparkling water with a leisure pace. “I think I understand your questions. You have not been mated to a !Dako long and still cling to your old lifeways.” She turned a questioning blue gaze to me.
What could I say? Guilty. But I had been given to the !Dakos by The Order of the Marshals. Hell, betrayed. Destined for blindness. Zoxni didn't know that. It's like I'm a sacrificial lamb. I nodded.
"Well,” she smiled and turned back to the stone path. “When you have lived a few centuries, you will look back on this frustration you experience and laugh. I do often. Because my Rom would do anything for me."
Hopefully Vult wasn't in earshot. I really needed to forget about jabbing him every chance I got. But I was angry. Yes. And I damned sure needed to vent. Maybe we just needed to change the subject. “So, Zoxni, why do I know your husband's name?"
"My son just mated with the other Earth female, Theone."
Information overload. Where are the sweet little children?
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eleven
Twelve little angelic !Dako sons, dressed in standard silver pants and knee-high black boots, beat each other with poles before me where I stood with the huv'rias around a practice area. Keeping my mouth shut about teaching violence was almost impossible. But I somehow managed.
All the mothers lined up along the exercise field where large !Dako warriors stood, alert, observant.
One for each child. Must be the guardians. And just what was their job? To keep the kids alive? Right. Not by the way those boys were slamming poles upside each other's heads. Oh Lordy. Talk about a world without females.
"And there is my nephew, Lal.” Zoxni pointed at the writhing tangle of youths on the left side of the field. “He has red hair."
The women to my right cheered. Those to my left oohed.
Promoting the competive display. My children are supposed to be part of this? Somehow? I so needed a shot of brain-numbing vodka. “I'm tired. Can we do more of this tomorrow."
Zoxni gasped and planted a warm palm on my shoulder. “Of course, Goddess. In your state, you will tire quickly."
What? “My state?"
"You're carrying two children. Blessed daughters of the Father."
Joy. I'm now a celebrity and my life has elevated to tabloid level. My gaze slid to the few smiling huv'rias who overheard. I forced a smile and turned to scan the expanse of purple grass and dark green trees for my blond mass of muscles.
He stepped forward.
Probably informed by Zoxni of my exhaustion by means of thought upload to
the Central Node. Dammit. I stepped through the shoulders and headed for him. After all, he knew how to get me back to my quarters. Back to some privacy. Yes. Back to my safe little rat cage.
His brow knitted on my approach. “You are ill?"
Why did the gorgeous man have to act so damned genuine? “No. Just overwhelmed. The children trying to kill each other was all I could take.” I stepped past him.
He gently grabbed my elbow and pulled me to look at his sincere mask. “They learn to be warriors. It is all the !Dakos have."
Aside from the whirling scent of smoked bacon. Alright, I know better. I saw the children in Africa armed to the hilt to fight battles best left to adults if anyone. Where I hadn't traveled, I'd seen the same sights on the news. Children with guns. Killing people. And they all had good reasons. “I'm not oblivious to this practice. We learn from our parents. But I'm afraid you don't have enough mothers on this planet to soften the deluge of fatherly love."
His gloved hand shot out to cradle my cheek.
So delicately. As if I might break.
"That's why you're here, Cassie. To help us find a way to change what went wrong. To help us live more nobly. Help us, Cassie."
A chill skittered down my arms, lifting a tiny mountain range of goose flesh. The need in his silver eyes was so demanding. Pleading. And I really liked him. I did. Not just because he could screw my brains out while I was under the influence of his wicked nanites. Not because his delicious bacon lips were right there. Inches away. But because he had the sweetest caring expressions he used to unseat me. Why? My insane rationalization was nuts. I had every right to be angry. To feel tricked and used. “I'm tired, Vult. Please take me home.” Why did that cozy word just roll off my tongue?
"Alright, Cassie. I shouldn't have brought you here. I apologize.” The soft pad of his thumb rubbed my skin as he gazed longingly into my eyes.
God. For just one kiss. Brief. Just enough to tie me over until a brisk walk back in the direction of our room helped me get my heart back thumping a steady drum beat.
His lips lowered.
So quickly. Snatching mine in a tender nip.
My knees quaked.
Something shimmied through me.
Heat. Bottoming out low in my belly.
He grabbed me against his solid body and kissed me so deeply that I had to slide my arms around the barrel of his chest to hang on before I melted into a pool beneath his boots. Or had my heart impaled upon his rigid lance of an amazing cock. Modified. Oh yes. Not bad at all. Augmented to perfection.
Giggles shook me from the reverence in his kiss.
Those women were watching us. I shook the bacon aroma from my senses and backed away enough to blink the sunny surroundings back into view and find a third of the huv'rias outright staring from beyond his glorious black-cloaked form.
"Come, Cassie. I'll take you back to rest."
Not likely after his liplock. I met his glowing gaze. “If you think you're finished, think again. I want what that promised kiss. All of it.” I shoved my hip into his rock-hard toy.
A sexy smile twisted his lips.
That's it. Keep thinking, Big Boy.
The pool's shimmering water led us back to the gate's gaping maw. The gate spat us into the winding maze of stony paths cutting between the hulking buildings. And silence resonated so loudly between us that I felt the planet played me a cleansing song of purification I'd once heard when visiting a Tibetan temple.
One standard unending sound.
Background static.
Maybe I should be having deep thoughts. After all, my thoughts circled around deep. That's where Vult would be soon. Call it spelunking. I'm getting my fair share for my shake of the proverbial stick. Literally. Send me off to make me blind. Hand me over to a cyborg who turns me with his poison. Without even a sexy vampire bite in the deal! And the universe damned well better produce on the sex angle. This sacrificial lamb wants what's coming to her. And coming was what the future would be all about. Lots of screaming and panting of orgasmic proportions. Because even a blind woman could bask completely in that warm light of payoff.
When he stepped aside to allow me to enter our personal quarters, I didn't glance at him. Did he think I was angry? Probably. Or mulling over something. That didn't matter. I just wanted what I had coming to me. I strode to the bed, sat on the firm soft bedding, and yanked off a boot.
"You've said nothing. You're angry."
The deep thunder of his voice only made my body tingle with anticipation. I slid my gaze to his. “It's going to take some time for me to accept my duty. But at least I get amazing sex in the deal. I'm ready for you to make good on your promise."
Humor twinkled in his eyes.
But he didn't undress. No. He sauntered over like a big lazy lion. Toying with me. With that mane of golden hair. The king.
My heart kicked into high gear.
My damned arousal was so accursedly hard that I'd never get my pants off.
My huv'ria yanked her leather shirt over her head where she knelt on the purple bedding, watching me as her flowing brown tresses settled down around her feminine curves. Like she would lure me onto the bed with those bulging breasts and beaded nipples. I had to hold back. Had to try to pretend I had some control. I couldn't risk her thinking I was just with her for copulation. But the handful of days of sex wasn't going to satiate a warrior who had activated his reproductive system after countless lifetimes of ignoring it. Not with my soul's breasts bared...
She rose onto her knees and wriggled that hot little nook of hers out of her pants.
My erection writhed in its confinement.
Tried to free itself. To initiate intimacy. Must have sex.
So wet and tight. Silky softness. No wonder a mated warrior stayed close to home. Soul. Yes. My soul.
She leaned back onto her elbows and crossed her legs.
Blocked my view of my soul's tight little entrance with her little seductive display. Grinning. Toying with me. Maybe I'd teach her a lesson about toying with a !Dako? Especially when I wanted her to believe my feelings for her were sincere. Yes. Absolutely honorably genuine. I paced out a trail skirting the bed.
Her fiery dark gaze followed me. She rolled onto her belly, propping up with her forearms, both precious breasts dangling ready for my hands.
Beckoning me. My gaze slid down the length of her back to the rounded cheeks of her ass and the thighs spread away from me, taunting me since I couldn't see the juncture of her thighs. Those sweet folds, summoning me.
"Where are you going, Vult?” she cooed.
She knew she would have her way by her tone. I'd avoid giving in as long as possible. Just long enough to make it appear I was more than a lust-driven animal. That I had a mind of my own. Instead of raging hormones dictating my actions. “I thought I'd shower."
My huv'ria launched off the bed like a leaping Wrakstoi on two of its four legs. She grabbed my arm and enthusiastically tugged me toward the shower. “Well, I better go along to ensure you don't do something foolish like use cold water."
That wicked little smile dancing upon her succulent lips confessed she had other motives.
And I'd learn her true intent even though it was obvious she wanted my full attention. But is that all she wanted of me? Sexual satisfaction? Was that what she'd think of our love-making when we'd finished? Would she hold the joining of body and soul against me as she seemed to do from the beginning? Would I ever be more than her shackles in a world she was thrust into by her superiors?
"Vult?” she slid a palm across my chest armor toward my neck and slithered her tempting curves against me.
How could a warrior gaze into such eyes sparkling with need and refuse? Curses. I might pay for the foolish act of melding hearts, but I'd surface in the end whole, for at least a moment. I snaked my arms around the softest body and inhaled deeply as if she emitted a scent as toxic as my own.
She took up such little space. My soul. How ironic she seemed so
small and inconsequential when she became my reality. Everything. To me. And the !Dakos. My soul had so much to offer like another dimension. Like through the Rift. And if I just crossed the barrier, delved into the world she offered deep inside herself, peace awaited. For at least a little while.
"Forget the shower, Big Guy. The bed's looking mighty good to me.” She pressed those delectable lips against the black armor shell covering my heart and stared up at me conspiratorially through her dark eyelashes. Those fingers of one of her hands wormed into my hair.
Tickling. Choking the steely shaft in my pants with the constraining leather barrier some fool deemed essential in warrior life. Pants? Such unnecessary clothing. Oh, she'd have to be angry later. Because her taunts insisted I seek solace inside my soul. I hoisted her upward, stepped back, and planted my ass on the comforting bed.
Her glorious body gently undulated like a piece of nature. Exquisite. Hovering. Her soul's entrance pressed against my thighs where she straddled my lap.
The fingers of her other hand raked into my hair and clenched a handful.
Firmly. Heralding her need.
She pressed her forehead against mine. Her dark heated gaze hovered but an inch away. “I need you. Now, Vult.” She sighed.
Such desperation resounded in that sound of deflation. If only she could measure my own.
Her hungry mouth clamped onto my lips.
Shoving. Devouring. Demanding I feed as well. I became nothing but a starved warrior. Anxious. Ravenous. Pulling the curve of her back into my form. Holding her slim squirming body where she wriggled atop my groin. I'd explode any moment while she gnawed and sucked at my mouth with hers.
The world spun. Lights smeared.
Too fast. We had to stop. I had to regain some level of composure. Or all would be over before it began. I shoved her at arms’ length.
Feral Series V: Feral Foretaste Page 13
