by Kylie Gold
Either way, he was definitely doing the job right, currents of pleasure running through me. His tongue pressed in and out before licking my wet seam. He then moved up, taking my clit into his mouth and sucking on it, swirling his tongue on it. Moans sounded from my lips at the sensation. Every time I began to think he couldn’t do better than the time before, he proved me wrong. His tongue traveled back down to my lower lips, his fingers forming a V to hold them apart as he drove his tongue back in. Nova moved rapidly and almost hungrily, clearly wanting to make me come. My fingers gripped at his hair as I gave into the sensations he was providing. He was going down on me with ferocity. Licking back up to my clit, he sucked hard on it, causing my hips to buck into his face. At that, he rolled us over to where I straddled his face, causing my cheeks to burn an even brighter red. A hand reached up and grabbed one of my breasts as he relentlessly worked my clit, licking and sucking. His other hand moved my hips lightly, wanting me to move with him. Slowly, I swiveled my hips, his tongue dipping back down to my opening. When he pressed his tongue in, the arousal became too much for me. I picked my hips up and down, moving with his tongue. My breathing was ragged as I felt myself climax around his tongue, a hurricane of moans leaving my lips as he did. He licked at my lower lips as I came down, my thighs twitching around his face.
Once I was done though, my body gave way and I fell beside him. Nova moved to lay next to me. While I had only been up for a short while, the pleasure from his actions had rendered me exhausted. I felt as he wrapped his arms around me, his face nuzzling my shoulder. I tilted my head awkwardly to look at him. With him being close to my face, I could see then just how exhausted he was, dark bags under his eyes. It looked as though he hadn’t slept at all. Since he was going to sleep, I didn’t find the harm in dozing off myself. I felt my eyes flutter closed as I cuddled into him.
18
Nova
I woke up the next morning, exhausted from the previous day. From not sleeping that night, I slept most of the day away which was completely foreign to me; then when I awoke that night, Julia and I stayed in bed, pleasing one another—just to fall back asleep. Needless to say, the day hadn’t been productive, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. As I climbed out of bed and dressed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Julia and I had a better understanding of one another then.
As I began to sear some kawrun on the cooking surface, I already began to try and construct a plan to call off the exchange. Perhaps we could grab another human and barter them instead? All I knew at that point was Bru was right, Julia was my fated mate. After spending an entire day embracing her and exploring her body, I knew that no other soul would ever satisfy my need for her. And while I was still trying to process the fact I had feelings for a human, I knew it would be alright. If it was prophesized, then surely things would be sorted and fall into place as needed. Perhaps I could bring that vile, peace-seeking Dracon to the village to get his assistance on getting the people to accept Julia.
As I plated two plates of meat and fruit, I heard the soft patter of feet behind me. Glancing over, I saw Julia dressed and moving to her seat at the table. “Morning,” I called over with a soft smile. But Julia didn’t even look up from the table, mumbling something in return. My brow creased but I tried not to think too much on it; she was probably just sleepy. Placing the plates on the table, I then got two cups of juice before sitting down at the table. As I began to eat, I noticed her lack of movement. Looking to her, she had her fork, poking at a chunk of meat on her plate. “What’s wrong? Are you not hungry?” I asked. There was something about her that seemed off… She was distant and quiet. Julia just gave a shrug at my words, continuing to poke at her food. Once again, I tried to tell myself that she was just sleepy and groggy from just waking up. I went back to eating my food and drinking my juice.
After several minutes of silence, Julia finally spoke, “I want you to send me home.”
My eyes stayed on my plate, frozen by her words. Suddenly breathing became a little painful, my chest feeling like it was being crushed. Finally, my gaze lifted to her, but she was staring off in the distance. “Why do you want me to?” I asked her, my voice a little croaky.
Julia was silent for a moment, the woman chewing on her bottom lip. She gave another shrug, “We’re just too different. I’m human, you’re Navani. I can’t stay here. I don’t belong…” There was a pause and she took in a sharp breath before continuing, “I just… I need to go home.”
For a second, it felt like I couldn’t breathe. She really wanted to go home? I didn’t understand. Why all of a sudden? She was just upset about me making arrangements to exchange her yesterday. Had I done something wrong? My mind raked through the events the day before. Yeah, I had been an ass when we fought, but I was sure I had made it up to her during the hours spent in bed together. I was at a complete loss for words. I didn’t even know what to say, or how to feel. While Julia didn’t know of the prophecy or the fact we were fated mates, I knew in my gut she felt something. Yet, she still wanted to leave. I wanted to fight her, to demand answers, to call her stupid and selfish—but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t want to upset her; I didn’t want to cause her anymore distress than I already had.
I lifted my eyes to her, holding eye contact with her. “Are you sure about this decision?” I asked her, my voice quiet and calm.
Julia’s eyes were glossy, but she nodded her head, “Yes… I am.”
My jaw clenched and I stood from the table. Walking into my personal area, I reached into a drawer and pulled out a snake lock. My heart was pounding painfully, unable to believe what I was having to do. Walking back into the communal area, I stood next to her, “Stand up,” I spoke firmly, but not an ounce of hatred or anger in my tone. Julia stood hesitantly, her big glossy green eyes staring up at me. I turned her around and brought both of her hands behind her back. Taking the lock, I wrapped it around her wrists and set it in place. Without another word, I guided her outside and began walking to the local jail. If she wasn’t staying, and if she wasn’t going to be my mate, then she needed to be in lock-up to ensure she didn’t attempt to escape again. At that point, she was just a currency being used to get our warriors back.
We approached a hut with no windows and a high roof. I walked her inside, the jail was completely empty of prisoners. The hut was divided into four small cells with a wide hall between the two rows of cells. Walking her to the furthest cell, I opened the metal door and placed her inside. Turning her around again, I took the lock off her and then closed the jail doors. Julia turned to look at me, but I averted my eyes, not being able to even stomach looking at her anymore. It would destroy me. “The exchange will take place tomorrow. You’ll be returned to your people then,” I told her before quickly exiting the jail. Tears stung my eyes, I was unable to believe that this woman had such an effect on me. And I was unable to believe that she had broken my heart.
Attempting to void her from my thoughts was fruitless. I walked until I found a commanding warrior, Tarik, and told him to send a scout to let them know we would exchange the hostages tomorrow at noon. I then walked immediately to the medical tents, needing to throw myself into something to keep my mind from looming over the subject of Julia and the hurt of her sudden decision to go back to the humans. It still didn’t make sense to me, but I had no say. If she wanted to return home, then that’s what she would do. While I had the power to keep her there as long as I wanted, I didn’t want to force my fated mate into something she didn’t want to do. Grabbing the bandages and ointment, I tried my damnedest to push the thoughts of her away and focus on caring for my men.
19
Julia
I had to keep telling myself I was doing the right thing, no matter how much it hurt me. After fighting and making love to Nova so many times, I watched him sleep and at first my heart was elated by newfound emotions for him. It was like I knew he felt the same, even if neither of us had the words to express it. His actions showed
he cared, and that had been enough for me. But as time passed and I thought more and more about everything and what it would mean if we actually became a couple, my thoughts soured a bit. His village hated humans, and I didn’t think they would care about how we felt for one another, but they would just judge and prosecute us. And Nova cared so very deeply for his people… I couldn’t put him in a situation where they would disown him or perhaps even banish him. That village was his whole world, he treated it like a child he needed to nourish and protect. I couldn’t be the cause of that being taken away from him.
I had expected a fight and some resistance, but he just folded. And I really hadn’t expected him to throw me in jail. As I sat on the cot in the cell, hurt and overwhelmed, I realized that him placing me in there was his way of showing he was hurting. Every part of my body wanted to cry out to him and take it all back, but I couldn’t. I had already made the decision, and I kept telling myself that it was for the best. Once I left, surely the hurt would fade and we would both return to our normal lives. Nova would one day just be a distant memory, something to think back on and wonder ‘what if.’
I curled up on that lumpy, hard cot and tried to close out my thoughts. I needed to cleanse my brain of Nova. I kept trying to tell myself that he was just using me, and the feelings I felt weren’t real, but based in infatuation. Home, all I needed to think about was getting home. Finally, I could go to Ryan’s wife and explain what happened, so that she could have closure; and I could begin to actually grieve. In order to keep myself sane and not a crying mess, I had forced Ryan and his death from my thoughts. Being alone in that jail made the wound open, and tears immediately blurred my vision. Ryan had been my best friend ever since he was hired. I had no idea how going back to work would feel with him not being there; that’s to say if I even still had a job. And Ryan’s wife and daughter had basically been family to me for years… my heart ached for them.
Tears cascaded from my eyes as I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling completely emotionally destroyed. I couldn’t be with the man I wanted to, my best friend was dead, I was in jail, and I was returning to a life where I didn’t even know if I had a job. My life was in shambles and it felt as though I had nothing to look forward to. I shut my eyes tightly as I cried, not even trying to stop the tears as they came. I spent hours crying on that cot, unable to move from my spot from the depression which had struck me.
I could hear the chirping insects outside as I began to stir from the sensation of someone tugging on me. My puffy, tired eyes opened to see a strange Navani man hovering above me, placing traditional ropes around my torso and tying my arms behind my back. He aggressively pulled me to my feet, and then there was a hood placed over my eyes. I was so tired and disoriented that I didn’t understand what was going on at first. I was pulled from the jail cell and then I stumbled as he dragged me out of the hut. It wasn’t long until I could hear voices, men all speaking in Navanian. In the midst of all the voices and the strange language, I could place Nova’s voice. I wanted so badly to call out to him, but didn’t find the courage. Most Navani people knew English, and I didn’t want to get him in trouble by saying anything that may be deemed as out of line. There was silence, then Nova yelling a couple of words, then the men replying in a chant. Then, we began moving; a hand held each side of me.
I didn’t have to be able to see to know that we were in the jungle, the air around us shifting into a sticky haze. Luckily it wasn’t entirely too hot since it was early morning, but the humidity on top of a cloth being over my face made it nearly impossible to breathe. Without being able to see, I was overly aware of my other senses. I could feel the softness of the ground, the crunch of the debris. And all I could hear was the loud buzzing and chirping insects that seemed to come out only late at night until the early morning. The men were silent as we trekked through the terrain, it felt like we were traveling for hours. Then, there was the sound of running water, making my brow crease. Where were we? Before I had time to even try and think back to my travel from Harp to the drill site, I walked into cold water. The current was strong, nearly knocking me off balance but the two men held me steady. The water level was up to my hip, but I was sure it was probably only a little above their knees.
Finally, we came to a stop. There were some mutterings in Navanian until there was the sound of footsteps nearby. “Well, it looks like you kept your end of the deal,” I heard Lyle Grain’s voice say. The grips on my arms got tighter just from the man talking. Honestly, I didn’t blame them for hating Lyle. He was raging the war a little too intensely for it to just be about Dremalite, I could see that after learning more about the war and the Navani.
The hood was then pulled from my head and I blinked rapidly as I looked around. I stood with five Navani men, Nova standing at the front. And just a few yards away was Lyle Grain, Mason Burn, three men I didn’t know, and then two bound Navani warriors. They looked a little strange compared to the rest of the Navani, the parts of their heads which were shaved had grown out, and their bodies slimmer from what looked like malnutrition. Burns and ligament marks were littered over their bodies, my eyes widening at the sight. They had been tortured while kept in captivity. Even right then, there were electric collars around their necks. “Release the men, and then we will release her,” Nova spoke sternly. Not once did he look back to me, his eyes glued to Lyle and Mason.
Lyle gave a smirk, seeming to size Nova up before turning his head a bit, “Alright, release the beasts.” The men with Lyle and Mason then turned to the warriors and took the collars from their necks. Nova called to them in Navanian, I had no idea what he said. The warriors glared hard at the humans who had them, hatred kindling in their eyes. Once they were unbound, the men next to me removed my ropes. I was then pushed forward. At the same time, the warriors and I walked forward. As I approached the humans, I looked back to Nova. Nova was staring straight forward, his gaze never falling on me. My heart pounded painfully, my head turning to look forward. As I passed the warriors, their silver eyes glared down at me before finally returning to their men.
When I approached the humans, Mason put an arm around me. “Glad to have you back. The IMC is awaiting your safe return,” he grinned. But I didn’t care about that, my eyes went to the Navani group. The men hugged their returned brothers, rejoicing in their return.
“It was… nice doing business with you,” Lyle called to Nova before the Navani men all turned around and headed home. As I watched, I let out a quiet sigh. At least I wouldn’t complicate things further for them, I knew Nova already had so much on his plate. Mason then tugged on me, having me follow them before he dropped his arm around me. “As soon as we get back to town, we can start on that paperwork to approve that drilling,” Lyle spoke to me as he walked forward. I glared at the back of his head. No offering for me to see a doctor, no hot meal, no bath or change of clothes? I realized then that these humans genuinely didn’t care for my wellbeing, they just cared about my ability to sign some forms. It sickened me really, and I truly noticed for the first time just how selfish humans were. All my life I had heard things just like that, but summed it up to people just needing things to get done for the better of the colonies. But it wasn’t about that. Lyle Grain was just greedy and looking to get rich. I couldn’t wait to leave that planet and get as much distance between us as possible.
We walked for a while, the men mumbling about how disgusting the jungle was. Mason gave a chuckle though as we headed through the trees, “Do you think they even see it coming?” he asked.
Lyle snorted, “Those savages? They have a brain the size of a nut. No way they are smart enough to figure it out. They were stupid enough not to bring any additional men,” he laughed. He shook his head before continuing, “I’m just ready to be rid of that tribe, they’ve always been one of the biggest nuisances. Taking out the leader and some of their higher-ups will certainly leave them vulnerable to be overthrown.”
Mason gave a chuckle, “I guess they’ll finally pay for
destroying my equipment. No way they’ll live through the brigade.”
My heart felt like it stopped beating. They were ambushing Nova and his men? My skin felt like it was on fire from rage and fear for Nova. It didn’t take a genius to understand that there had been an agreement between Lyle, Mason, and Nova that there wouldn’t be any attacks or additional men. These human men were disgusting to even be able to consider going back on their word, let alone actually do it. And I couldn’t just sit by and let Nova and his men walk into slaughter. I had to warn them somehow.
I slowed my pace, letting Lyle and Mason lead with their three men behind them. As they continued walking, I slowly began to inch backwards. They were all so enveloped in their conversation, they didn’t even glance back in my direction. Then when they were several yards away, I dashed into the trees. I ran as fast as I could, needing to get away from Lyle and Mason, and to Nova before they were attacked. I waded through the river, fighting against the strong current as I kept my mission in mind. Finally, being able to cross, I headed over the riverbank and tried as hard as I could to catch up to them. It was hard to retrace my steps since there had been a hood over my head, but I could remember most of the way being straight, only turning right to cross the river.
