by Leslie Chase
Passion sparked in his eyes and I knew he understood. Needed me as badly as I needed him. The mutual lust and desire set us both ablaze, and I groaned as his fingers stroked across my pussy lips.
Letting go of my wrists, Corvax finally let me undress him. I opened his pants and freed his cock, staring at it. It didn't matter how often I saw him naked, he would always take my breath away.
I lowered my head to kiss it, feeling it's strange ribbed texture against my lips. Tongue darting out, I ran it along the length of his shaft, wanting to taste him, to tease him like he did me. To please him as he did me.
Corvax's groan of pleasure made me shiver again, but he pulled me back and pinned me to the bed again. I struggled against his strength, helpless and loving every second of it. His body pressed against mine as he positioned himself between my legs. Our eyes locked on each other.
For a moment we were still, no sound apart from our breathing. I could feel the tip of his cock press against me, and my body cried out for more. Ached to be filled by him. I was in his hands, and I knew that I'd get what I wanted when he wanted.
Slowly, deliberately, he began to move. A powerful thrust took him into me, and I felt every ridge of his alien cock as it slid inside. My body arched, my breath caught. My heart fluttered.
With a moan, I raised my lips to his, kissing him. Sharp fangs grazed my lips as Corvax kissed me, and his growl vibrated through me.
Another thrust, harder, faster. He pinned me to the bed, the mattress taking the force as he slammed me into it. Then another, even harder, and I could keep quiet no longer. I cried out, a wordless sound of pleasure, and he roared with me. My legs wrapped around his hips as though to drag him deeper inside me.
With each thrust, Corvax filled me, stretched me. Each time he felt bigger, and each time I cried out louder. My orgasm built quickly, waves of pleasure rocking me as I gasped and writhed under Corvax. My nails dug into his back, my body shook, my vision clouded.
And then I came in an explosion of passion and joy. The world seemed to fall away around me until there was nothing but him, me, and the white light of ecstasy that filled me.
Corvax couldn't hold himself back any longer, and he roared as he came. Together, we shuddered and collapsed onto the bed, clinging to each other.
"Oh wow," I gasped when I could speak again. My throat was sore from yelling and my whole body ached as I snuggled against Corvax. His heartbeat echoed as I lay my head on his chest. "That was amazing. You are amazing."
His hand stroked my hair, and I swear I felt like purring. Feeling more at home in his arms than I ever had elsewhere, I drifted into sleep.
16
Corvax
Gemma rested against me, her long hair soft under my hand. I stroked gently, trying not to wake her. I didn't want to spoil this perfect moment.
Outside, the world moved on. Stars shone bright in the night sky and the constant whisper of capsules traveling up and down the skystalk made a soothing background. It was the sound of home, the sound of my clan.
Having Gemma here was different, though. So very different, and special. I felt relaxed in a way I'd never thought possible, and it was all due to the human female in my arms. Can I really send her away?
I sighed, my dark doubts looming again like a storm about to break. How could I not? She'd already nearly died, and I tried to imagine how I'd feel if I failed to protect her. As bad as sending her away was, losing her more permanently would be even worse.
Sea and Sky, this is an impossible choice, I thought. Slowly, reluctantly, I slid out from under Gemma, gently lowering her to the bed. She murmured unhappily under her breath but didn't wake, and I wrapped her carefully in the blankets before stepping away.
I could hardly take my eyes off her. So different from a Crosan female, and so beautiful. I could watch her sleep for hours without getting bored, but no. Not now. I had other things to do.
Moving through to my study, I settled down to meditate and clear my mind. It was a usual trick before battle, not something I was used to doing in other circumstances, but I needed to do something to help me think. One thing about having Gemma in my bed — as wonderful as it was, it didn't make thinking any easier.
The study window looked out at the skystalk, the literal joining of sea and sky. I let my mind go blank as I watched it, the repetitive whispers of movement forming the beat to which I breathed.
Ancestors, what should I do?
My eyes drifted shut and I looked inward, letting the peace of the night take me away. It felt as though I was drifting through the clouds above, carried by the strong winds that circled the planet. But rather than being exhilarating, exciting, the sensation was calm. Peaceful.
"My son," a voice said behind me. I felt no shock at the sound of my dead father's voice. Deep in the trance, nothing could surprise me.
There was a sense of melancholy joy, though. A bitter-sweet feeling of being with him again and knowing that this wasn't real. Some believed that the ancestors stayed with us to guide us personally. Not me. Where the dead go once their lives are over I didn't know, but it wasn't here.
"Father," I said anyway. I might just be speaking to my memories of him, but even the shadow of the man who'd raised me deserved my respect. "Father, I do not know the right course to take."
"That, my son, is because you are a man of action," my father's voice was deep, full of fond emotion. The voice that had formed so much of my childhood. "Like me, you prefer problems that can be solved with fist and spear and sword. Problems of the heart, though, those are different. No amount of violence will make this choice for you."
"I have to protect her," I said, quietly. I could almost feel his hand on my shoulder. Strong, comforting. "Gemma is so vulnerable, and I cannot let her die just because I want her."
A warm chuckle behind me, not mocking but amused. "Corvax, you are a good man. You want what is best for everyone, yourself and Gemma and the clan. And even the other clans. But you cannot let fear rule you."
"I am not afraid," I snapped, feeling my heart speed up as my calm left me.
"Not of harm to yourself, no," my father responded, voice steady but sounding more distant. "But your fear for her guides you. Fear is like fire, a useful tool but only when under control. Let it master you and it will consume everything."
I snarled at that, the peace of meditation fading fast. I could no longer feel my father's touch, and I could barely hear his words. Try as I might, I couldn't get my emotions under control.
There was so much I wanted to ask, I thought as my mind drifted on the currents of thought. It would have to wait for later, though. All I could do for now was hold onto the wisdom I'd already gathered.
Whether it came from my father's spirit or from my own subconscious made no difference — either way, it was what I'd needed to hear.
When my eyes opened again, dawn was breaking. Birds sang and the cool morning breeze washed over me as I settled back into awareness.
It was only then that I realized I was being watched. Gemma sat curled up in my office chair, blankets wrapped around her and a smile on her face.
"Good morning," she said, eyes twinkling. "I didn't want to disturb you."
"How long have you been watching?" I asked, and she shrugged.
"I don't know. A while." She shook her head. "I could watch you forever."
That gave me pause — it was the same thing I'd thought about her, earlier. We fitted together in so many different ways.
"What were you doing?" Gemma asked, unfolding herself from the chair and standing up. Somehow her bare legs emerging from the blanket she'd wrapped around herself was more distracting than her being naked would have been.
I shook that off. Not the time to be distracted. "I was meditating. Trying to clear my mind and find an answer to my dilemmas."
"Oh? Have you come up with anything?" Resting her hand on my shoulder, she looked into my eyes. So many emotions showed there. Joy and excitement and worry and fear.
Are those her emotions, or mine reflected back at me? I sighed. It was hard to tell, and the clarity I'd felt from my meditation was fading already. Gemma was simply too distracting.
"I don't want you to be harmed," I said finally. "That much I am clear on."
"Then don't send me away!" Her answer was instant, fierce, and unshakable. "I don't want to go. You don't want me to go. Let me stay with you—"
I put a finger to her lips, smiling. "Let me finish, little one."
Gemma's blush was beautiful, and distracting enough that I nearly dragged her off to bed again. But no, we needed to finish this conversation. I'd put it off too long as it was.
"I live to protect my people," I continued. "That is my duty and my privilege, and I'm proud to do it. You, Gemma, are one of my people whether you stay here or not. I will not let you be hurt. Remember that you were attacked the day you arrived, and I fear it was my enemies that did it. Then your flier was swept away in a storm, and you nearly died. The pirates, the zhak... This is a dangerous world for you, and that won't stop. If my enemies were behind the attack at the spaceport, they'll try again. You'll never be safe, not until you leave the planet."
Again she started to speak, but I shook my head. I had to get this out, now. If I got distracted I might not be able to.
"Gemma Wexler of Earth, I love you. That means that I cannot fail you, no matter what that costs me. But I have come to know you, as well, and I know that sending you away will hurt you as badly as it would me. So I have come to a decision: you will stay with me here until the next ship to Earth arrives, and then the choice will be yours. If you will accept the dangers of Crosos, then I will face them with you and protect you. If not, we will have those happy days together to remember for the rest of our lives."
Her eyes lit up with a beautiful passion and I felt my heart race as she practically bounced into my arms. Lifting her, I kissed her hard and powerfully, spinning her around as a shared joy filled us.
"You know I'm going to stay, right?" she told me, eyes shining, when we broke the kiss. "There is no way that I'm going back to Earth."
"We shall see what you say when the ship arrives," I told her firmly. "But for now, let us think of other, happier things."
"Don't you have to work?" she asked, sounding breathless and giddy. I laughed, pulled her close, kissed her again.
"That will wait another few hours," I told her firmly. "We have better things to do."
17
Gemma
The next days passed quickly, and I couldn't believe how different it felt to be a part of Corvax's life. Everyone in the castle seemed delighted when it became clear that I would be staying in Corvax's room.
It was, admittedly, a little embarrassing for my love life to be the focus of a whole island's gossip, but since they seemed to be cheering me on I decided to put up with it. Not that I had any choice in the matter: the servants were all too keen to spread the good news, and I doubted that even Corvax could have kept them quiet.
The only problem was that Corvax did have to work. After the first breathless day, a day in which we were scarcely out of each other’s arms, I realized that I had to give him space. Otherwise nothing would get done, and his clan was relying on him.
Our clan, now. Or nearly, at any rate. The final ceremony would have to wait until the Jester's Last Laugh was in port and I could finally say that I was staying. My mind was made up already though, and I looked forward to that day eagerly.
For now, though, I could take some time to see the island that would be my new home. The Rohar were happy to let me wander, though I noticed that this time whenever I left the castle someone was with me. It was done subtly, but I was being guarded.
I'd be offended if I hadn't nearly gotten myself killed the last time I was left to wander alone, I thought after a day of that. Turning to face my shadow, I beckoned to him and after a moment he made his way over, looking a little sheepish. I vaguely recognized him as one of Corvax's warriors, though if we'd ever spoken I didn't remember it.
"If you're going to keep an eye on me, you can at least be a useful guide," I told him. "What's your name?"
The young man smiled slightly at that. "I'm Jarax, my lady," he said. "What do you want to see?"
I thought about that, looking around the island and trying to pick a destination. I'd seen the beach, and even if they'd let me go up again I had no intention of trying another flight. Once had been quite enough for me! And the port... well, it looked impressive from a distance, but I didn't want to spend my time on an alien planet in an automated industrial district if I didn't have to.
"Show me what's left of the farmland," I said eventually. That was something important to the Rohar, after all.
Jarax nodded solemnly and took the lead, showing me the way through the grove of trees. He was a silent guide and I appreciated that — while I was getting better at the language it still took an effort to concentrate on my words, and I'd rather be looking around.
It was a beautiful walk, and I was starting to be able to tell the difference between the types of trees. Small animals hid amongst the branches, looking almost but not quite like monkeys. Their limbs were too long, for one thing, and when one jumped across the path I saw that it had gliding membranes under its arms.
So many new things to see, I thought as I watched it with delight. Then it was gone, vanishing back amongst the red leaves. Maybe someday I'll be able to get a better look.
The path left the trees and started down towards the sea, only to stop with an awful suddenness at a drop into the water. The road was broken, cracked and ruined, and I stopped at the edge to look at the ruined land below. A big chunk of the island had fallen into the sea, as though the ocean had taken a bite out of it. It must have been terrible, I thought, to be working on this land when the quake hit.
Work at reclamation was beginning, I could see that. A framework of girders closed the gap at the seaward edge of the bay, but there was a lot of work left to do before the sea could be held back and the water pumped out. If that was even possible: looking at the damage, I could scarcely believe that it could be undone.
But these people built a tower to orbit, I reminded myself, glancing back at the skystalk behind me. This ought to be easy in comparison.
Waves crashed over the remains of buildings and sharp rocks rose from the ocean. Jarax crouched beside me, looking down as well. A grim expression settled over his face and I wondered if this was personal to him.
"Are you alright?" I asked. He blinked as though surprised that I was there.
"Sorry," he said. "This is a cursed place, and every time there's a big storm the damage gets worse."
I looked at the framework again and saw that the metal had twisted in the grip of the winds that blew me out to sea. Some of that damage had been repaired, but it looked like the Rohar were losing ground. Not enough resources to both feed themselves and repair the damage, perhaps. No wonder the trade deal was so important to Corvax, and no wonder the Rohar were vulnerable until it was done.
"Did a lot of people die here?" I asked.
"Not as many as you'd think, perhaps," Jarax said quietly. "The old Protector saved many. He got my family out before..."
He trailed off and threw a stone out, hard. It vanished into the waves as he watched silently. When he didn't seem inclined to continue, I prompted him. "Before what?"
"I'm not sure I should say, my lady," he answered. "This is the Protector's story to tell."
"He's never talked about it," I said quietly, remembering the look of pain on Corvax's face when he told me about the quake. "What happened?"
Jarax looked torn and shook his head. "Ask him, my lady. Please. All I'll say is that there's a reason we're all loyal to Protector Corvax and his family."
I relented. It really wasn't fair to push the poor man, and I didn't want him to anger Corvax. "Okay. I'm glad your family got out when this happened."
Jarax smiled slightly, tension going out of
his shoulders. "We lost everything that day, but it could have been so much worse. At least we survived to rebuild, and someday we will have our farm back. If I have to fight the Mother of Storms to get it."
Later, when the stars were out, Corvax found me on the castle battlements. I was at the same place he'd shown me on my first day on Crosos, looking out at the ruined farmland again.
"What brings you up here, my love?" he asked, his powerful arm settling around my shoulders. I snuggled into his warm embrace, feeling the comforting strength of his heartbeat.
"I went to see the farmland today," I told him quietly, feeling him tense as I mentioned it. "What happened there?"
"I've told you," he rumbled. "An unexpectedly powerful quake tumbled the land into the sea."
"There's more to it than that," I said, holding him. "I know there is."
For a long moment we stood silently, looking down into the darkness. The ever-present sound of the skystalk and the wind rustling through the trees provided soft background noise as I waited for Corvax to speak.
"It was a nightmare," he said eventually. "The quake hit in the middle of the night. I remember waking up, not knowing what was happening. Everything was moving, and people were screaming, but the castle was built to withstand worse. We were fine."
His voice was quiet, distant, as though he was back there rather than with me. "My parents were up and reassuring everyone when the news came. The seawall had collapsed, and the water had rushed in. They didn't hesitate, none of us did. We all ran to help out, and my parents were in the lead. We flew into the affected area, pulling people out of collapsed buildings, getting them to safety.
"Then the wave came. We'd expected it. A quake like that will often send up tidal waves, and everyone knows to get to high ground. Father told me to lead the refugees up to the skystalk, where they'd be safe. But my parents..."
