by Ava Ross
How did she know?
“Massage can help rebuild muscle,” she said. “Was the fracture pinned?”
He shook his head. “My aunt said they were clean breaks that would heal well on their own.”
“She’s a doctor?”
“Her healing skills are known far and wide.”
“Then she must be right.” Mila smiled. “With work, we can strengthen your leg. There are some exercises I can show you, and I’ll massage your leg to decrease the inflammation.”
“I am grateful for anything that will help me regain the full function of my leg.”
“That’s the goal.”
He tugged her close and up onto his lap again, wrapping his arms around her. “I want you close. You are not hurting me.”
“Let me know. Please.”
“I will.”
“So after your parents died, you became the leader at seventeen. Wow.”
“It is a hereditary role.”
“What if you were a girl?”
“I would not have fucked you.” His chuckle slipped out. He loved that he could feel joy in this minar. “But if I had been a girl, I would still be leader.”
“And…if we have a child, that boy or girl will lead after you.” She didn’t look frightened by this idea, just reserved, as if she would wait to see what this meant before judging the impact on their children.
“Yes.”
“I bet you’re a good leader.”
“I like to think so.”
“What sort of role does a leader play in your clan?”
“A large variety of things. For example, I am asked to make decisions when there is conflict, and I manage our clan’s wealth derived from jewels we mine from the mountains. The most common corlire is deep blue, like the sea, and very rarely, we find corlire in pink with green swirls.” He held up her right hand. “When we marry, I will present you with the finest cut corlire ring and crown, jewelry worn only by the leader’s family.”
“I’m not a fancy person, but I’d be honored to wear your clan’s jewels.”
“We hold festivals with each season, and that is when you will wear the crown. I have one that matches. But the ring is the mark of royalty, and you may wear it all the time.”
“Wow. Is the ring made of blue or pink stones?”
“The ring is set with a blue stone in the center and the pink in a circle around it. My mother wore the ring for years.” It had been locked up in a cabinet at his aunt’s home, and she told Kral she would keep it safe until Kral was ready to gift it to a mate. He was grateful his aunt had survived the sickness.
After so many of his clan had died, he had not thought he’d find a mate. Now she sat in his lap, snuggling close. When he closed his eyes, he could see the bliss on her face as they came together. He wanted her all over again.
“We’ll marry, you said.” Excitement rang in her voice. “What’s the ceremony like?”
“There are still a few of the female elders alive in my clan, and they will help prepare you for the ceremony. It will take place soon after we arrive.”
She released a low laugh. “I like how you think. No long engagement.”
“My clan will rejoice in claiming you.”
“I never thought I’d be borrowed royalty.”
He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Never borrowed. You are my mate. What I have is yours.”
Rising, she shut the door to the bridge. She returned and climbed onto his lap, spreading her legs around his waist. Her shirt rode up and his cock surged when he noted she wore nothing underneath.
“Mila,” he groaned. Leaning forward, he traced her jawline with kisses. He nibbled on her earlobe, and she moaned.
His naanans stroked her arms. He tugged her shirt up and over her head and tossed it on the floor, giving his naanans access to her breasts.
“Love what you’re wearing,” she said in a silky voice that thrummed through his veins like molten lava. Her fingers trailed down his chest and when they teased across his abs, his laughter snorted out. “Ticklish? Yay!”
“Why…yay?” He wasn’t exactly sure what yay meant.
“Yay because I like knowing something about you few others do. Like you being ticklish.” She glided a fingertip along each groove in his abdomen, and he couldn’t hold back. His body shook with laughter, nearly knocking her off his lap. Only his arm going around her waist held her in place.
“I’m fallin’ for you,” she said with a smirk. She wiggled in his lap, rubbing herself against him.
“Are you ticklish?” he asked.
“Nope. Not at all. Not even a little.”
Huh. He trailed his fingers down her spine, and she jolted forward.
“You’re cheating,” she said in a mock-serious tone.
“Like this?” He inched along her waist.
She snorted and squirmed on his lap. “Stop it!”
He laughed, and hers joined in until they were both smiling. At each other and with their situation.
This petite Earthling female had brought joy back into his life. She made every minar they were together fun. Perhaps he didn’t have to be Kral the leader, Kral the enforcer, and Kral the stoic any longer.
“I’m so happy I applied to be a mail-order bride of Crakair,” she said with a big grin. Her fingers stroked his cock, which felt like a steel bar pressing against his abs. “Otherwise, I would have missed out on you.”
He bucked his hips up toward her, savoring her touch. Her fingers drove him out of his mind. “You would have missed out on this, too.” He teased between her legs, finding her clit and rubbing. Pinching it, he made her squirm.
Pleasure shone on her face, and she tipped her head back and moaned. “That feels incredible.”
His mouth sought her nipple, and he stroked his tongue along the rigid surface.
“Yes.” She rocked forward, seeking his hand and his mouth. “Don’t stop.”
“I will never stop.”
Her lips flirted upward. “Never?”
“Well, I may need to pause in between bouts.”
“Kral,” she sighed as his fingers slid inside her. Heille, she was wet. He wanted—needed to drown in this wetness.
He lifted her up and centered himself at her core.
While she held onto his shoulders, she shifted, driving herself down on top of him.
They both moaned.
She lifted herself and sank back down. “This is incredible. Don’t let it stop. Please.”
He would do everything within his power to hold on tight and ride her until she shrieked his name.
While she rose up and dropped back down, rocking against him, he pumped into her. His naanans savored her breasts, tweaking and pinching.
He played with her clit, because he knew it drove her wild.
And heille, he loved his wild Earthling bride.
Their breathing grew ragged as they moved together, cresting the peak of each wave.
Until they crashed together on the shore.
Twenty-Three
Mila
They arrived at the spaceport.
After landing the stolen spacecraft and disembarking the ship, they were surrounded by the Crakairian military. Talk about intimidating. Each guy was universally over seven-feet-tall and had green, scaled skin. Naanans flared out from some of their heads, while others had secured them in either a braid or with a band of leather at the back of their necks. They all shouted at once, some in broken English, showing that while they had translators, the devices hadn’t gotten fully up to speed yet. Others spoke as smoothly as Earthlings.
Chee-chee clung to Mila’s neck and released one shriek.
Stunned, the Crakairians stared. A few pointed. One backed up.
Right. Kral had explained to Mila why he’d been so cautious about Chee. A meerdreg’s claws could inject a toxin to put their prey asleep within minars.
Mila’s dad hadn’t raised a woman who cowered behind a male.
Snuggling Chee-
chee and taking care of his splinted leg, she proudly strode beside Kral, ignoring the whispers. When a Crakairian male stepped forward, bowed, and introduced himself as Commander Vork, she shook his hand, plus that of the other high-up military dudes clustered around him. It was all she could do not to grin as she took in their frowns and mumbles about the unexpected gesture. Surely they’d shaken hands with other Earthlings before.
Maybe not. She doubted many of these guys had ever met an Earth woman. The Crakairian government’s initial Earth delegation had been made up of Prince Axil and his entourage, plus a few Elders and Council members. Prince Axil had married Julia Chandler. As one of the first matches, and marrying a famous Crakairian, her face had been on all the TV news programs. They had a baby, now, named Alicia.
“You are well?” Commander Vork asked, studying her face.
“I am, thanks.” She leaned against Kral. “I’ve got a great guy here, and he has kept me healthy.”
Kral flashed his teeth.
“The Council and I would like to ask you both a few questions,” the Commander said. “This is merely a formality. Kral gave us the vital information daelas ago. After that, you will be welcome to leave.” He nodded to Kral. “The other ship arrived as expected, and we have discovered some interesting information in the computer banks.”
“Fill me in later?” Kral said. His hand tightened on Mila’s. “My mate and I still have many denjars to travel before we reach our home.”
“Of course,” Vork said. “I will be in touch.”
They followed the delegation to a room with a long table and numerous chairs and sat.
After explaining everything that had happened and answering any questions, the Commander stood. “You are free to go. Do you have transportation arranged yet, Kral?”
“I do not.”
“Allow me?” At Kral’s nod, Vork lifted his hand and his assistant scurried from the room. He turned to Mila. “On behalf of the Crakairian government, I apologize for what you have been through.”
“Thanks. But it’s not your fault.”
“After recent events, we should have taken more care.” His spine stiffened, and a few of his naanans floated upward. “We have made arrangements to escort all future brides from Earth and we, in cooperation with the Earth governments, are providing heightened security in that part of the galaxy to ensure that no one is kidnapped directly from your home world.”
“I appreciate it.” At least no one else would have to worry about being taken captive or sold as a breeder.
Commander Vork gave her a formal bow, but then his lips curved in a fang-gleaming smile. He was not only a nice guy, he was hot. Almost as hot as Kral.
The Councilmen and Elders shuffled from the room and she and the two Crakairian males followed.
Lily was waiting with a male who must be her new mate, Jorg, near the main entrance and after handing Chee-chee to Kral, the two women rushed together and squealed. They hugged and cried, and then leaned back in each other’s arms while their Crakairian males wrung their hands, unable to provide comfort but obviously eager to do so.
“I’m so glad you’re safe,” Lily exclaimed. “I’ve been a wreck since I woke up on one of Crakair’s moons, trapped in a cage.” She introduced Jorg, who bowed, and then explained how Jorg had rescued her and brought her home, and that Kral and Wulf had stopped by on their way to the spaceport. “We haven’t heard from Wulf yet, but Jorg is sure Wulf will find Taylor.”
Her eyes met Jorg’s, and if Mila didn’t have Kral, her heart would ache with envy.
“Will Vork send someone to Yarris?” Mila asked Kral.
He nodded. “He already has. I imagine we will hear something soon.”
Mila gnawed on her lower lip, but she and Lily hugged again.
She took Chee-chee from Kral and introduced him to Lily, who cooed at the little monkey and checked out its splinted leg.
Back on Earth, Lily had worked at an animal shelter. “Looks great, Mila. I couldn’t have done better. Two to three weeks with the splint should do it.”
“Thanks.”
They walked out onto the platform to wait for the transport Vork had arranged. Even though Lily whispered an explanation, Mila wasn’t sure she’d ever get over the height of the platform or the fact that there was no rail to keep anyone from tumbling off.
“Once you get settled, and Tay’s…” Lily’s eyes filled. “She’s got to be okay. Wulf will find her and bring her home, right?”
Mila linked arms with Lily. “She will. We’ve got to trust that.”
Pulling back, Lily nodded through her tears.
“When she’s safe, we’ll plan a bunch of weddings,” Lily said. Her hands twisted together. “It’s going to be one big party after another.”
“I can’t wait.” Mila grinned, though her smile was a mix of happy and sad. She was excited to make her and Kral’s relationship permanent, but until Taylor was safe on Crakair, how could she? A piece of her heart was still missing.
“He will find her. Soon,” Kral said, wrapping his arms around her from behind. “I have full confidence in him.”
A vehicle with military insignia pulled up to the platform.
“This is our ride,” Kral said. “Normally, it would take a full daela to reach my village, but Commander Vork has arranged for a special aircraft to take us. Now we will arrive within the denjar.”
“Less than an hour?” Lily said with envy, though she smiled. “Jorg and I are taking the slow route. We’ve…” Her laugh came out a bit high-pitched. “You won’t believe it, but we rode to the spaceport on a dragon.”
Mila’s eyes widened. “Not a real dragon?” She looked to Kral for confirmation, and he nodded.
“A draquier,” Kral said. “Jorg’s neighbor, Bryk, raises them. They are a more traditional form of transport.”
“It must be cool to ride on a dragon,” Mila said with a touch of envy. “And scary.”
“It’s something else,” Lily said. “We’ll come out for your wedding on a draquier, and you’ll be able to see for yourself.”
Mila couldn’t imagine. “I can’t wait.”
After more hugs, she and Kral got into the craft, and the vehicle took off.
Chee-chee settled on the seat beside her and soon fell asleep.
As they flew over the city, Mila couldn’t stop gawking. “It’s gorgeous.” Each building had been meticulously crafted. The glass gleamed, and the stone had been polished until it winked sunshine. Small parks were dotted throughout the city, and trees lined the streets below.
Other aircraft zipped underneath them, traveling along invisible air roads. Mila hoped they’d return this way again someday so she could explore the city.
Kral’s chest puffed. “We are very proud of our capital, Tri’Arteele.”
“What’s the population?”
“Of Crakair, millions, but for Tri’Arteele, a few hundred thousand.”
“And your village?”
“The Vikir have many villages within the mountains, but my clan is made up of a few thousand males and too few females.”
There was no holding back her sadness. “The disease took so many people. The loss of life will haunt all of us for generations.”
They left the city behind and traveled over the countryside. Fields with rows of produce were interspersed with clusters of blue-leaved trees and fenced-in pastures where big pale green, six-legged creatures grazed.
In the distance, the mountain range loomed, the peaks dusted with what looked like snow. “I can’t get over it. Light green, cow-like creatures, and the tree leaves are blue.” She grinned at Kral, who watched her with a slight smile on his face. “Are the pink and purple colors I see flowers?” She assumed so.
“The tree leaves change color as it gets colder, to pink and purple, though I imagine you also see flowers. Crakairians pride themselves on their gardens. One daela soon, I will take you to Jorg’s home. He is a gardener as well as a tracker.”
“
What’s a tracker?”
“He finds lost things. Crakairians, most of the time.”
“Yet you came after me.”
He bared his fangs. “I insisted. I wanted to locate and rescue my mate, though I welcomed Jorg’s suggestions.” Lifting her hand, he linked their fingers and kissed her knuckles.
“I’m glad you came for me.” She winked. “And I’m glad you fell into my bath.”
He kissed her, slow and deep, and fire licked through her veins. One hour wasn’t much time for some fun stuff. Did she dare?
When she opened her eyes, she caught another vehicle zipping past them, coming from the other direction.
Nope. No sexy times in the shuttlecraft.
Grumbling, she turned to stare out the window again. “Back on Earth, in the colder climates, our leaves turn orange, red, and yellow before they fall off. New growth, in the spring, is green.”
He shook his head. “I cannot imagine how beautiful that must be.”
“Maybe someday, we’ll visit Earth, and you can see for yourself.”
“Someday.”
A day that may or may not come. For now, bride exchanges were encouraged, but regular visas were not granted for tourist visits to either planet.
By the time they reached the Ikeline Mountains, it was mid-afternoon, and the sun’s orange beams sliced across the sky.
Kral leaned forward, and excitement lit up his face. “Soon, I will show you our home.”
She leaned into his shoulder as the vehicle flew over a lush forest. Ahead, she spied an open field with a circular stone platform.
The aircraft landed like a helicopter, and the door lifted with a whoosh. They climbed out, Kral hefting her bag from Earth onto his back. She hadn’t brought much, just comfy clothing, a bunch of pictures of her and her dad, her digital reader, her favorite coffee mug, and a few journals and decent pens, because she loved to write down her thoughts before bed each night. Well, and ketchup, the most important item. She couldn’t wait for Kral to try it.
Holding Chee-chee on her hip, she looked around, expecting to find houses, but not seeing anything yet. A dense mesh of forest surrounded them, thick and a bit gloomy. She wasn’t nervous. She trusted Kral. But…
