Haven 1: Ascend

by Sandra R Neeley

  Quin went straight to the bathroom, allowing the door to slide closed behind them. He sat her on the edge of the tub and started the water. While he was adjusting the temperature Vivian stripped her clothes off and stepped into the tub.

  Quin’s breath caught when Vivian’s bare foot stepped into the water. His eyes followed the line of her leg to her upper thigh; then, he stopped himself and looked away.

  Vivian sat in the tub and began scooping handfuls of water up and over her head. She noticed Quin going to great lengths to keep his eyes from her. She appreciated the gesture and the integrity displayed by his actions, but she was so far beyond the need for him to keep his distance at this point. She just wanted to be close to someone. She wanted to feel like she belonged. And she thought he believed that she belonged to him. She was tired, emotional, and in pain. Her head was killing her. But she was free. She finally felt free. She stopped pouring the water over her own head and said, “Quin?”

  “Yes, Vivi,” he answered, his back turned completely to her while intentionally facing away from her.

  “Will you help me wash the blood away? My head hurts.”

  “I will have to look at you to wash you, Ehlealah,” he said.

  “Am I yours?” she asked on a sigh.

  “Yes!” he answered forcefully.

  “Then don’t you think it’s about time you looked at me? I mean, you have seen me before anyway.”

  Quin’s feet shuffled as he fought the urge to turn to look at her nude body in the bath. “I wait for your permission, Vivi.”

  “You have it,” she answered.

  Quin turned, his eyes locked on hers, then slowly, very slowly they drifted down to her body.

  She sat in the water, her knees up against her chest. Her arms linked around her shins. Her head resting on her knees.

  Quin saw the bruise on her temple. He knelt beside the tub and took the bar of soap in hand. “We should take you to medical. We will bathe you then take you to medical.”

  “No, I don’t want to go to medical. I just have a headache.”

  Quin looked at her curiously. She figured something was lost in translation.

  “My head hurts, here,” she pointed to the bruise. “Do you have any aspirin or something to ease the pain?”

  “I do not know what aspirin is,” he answered, while running his soapy hands over her shoulders and arms, washing her.

  “Missy?” Vivian said aloud.

  “Yes, Vivian.”

  “Do you know what aspirin is?” she asked.

  “One moment.”

  “Aspirin is an outdated medication used by humans to relieve minor pain.”

  “Yes.” Then she looked at Quin, “Do you have any?”

  “No, but we will get rid of your pain anyway.”

  “Mis-see,” he said.

  Immediately the computer answered, “Yes, Commander.”

  Quin smiled, and so did Vivian, “Please send the Healing Master to our quarters. Advise him of the medication Vivi asks for. Tell him she has an ache in the head and a bruise.”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  Vivian chimed in, “Thank you, Missy!”

  “You are welcome, Vivian.”

  Quin smiled at Vivian and went back to bathing her. Once the blood was washed away, he had her stand, rinsed the tub out and then plugged it, and started the water again. Vivian sat again and he washed her hair, being careful of her bruised temple. Vivian dropped her head back on her shoulders, thoroughly enjoying the feel of his fingers on her scalp. He leaned over her to rinse the shampoo from her hair, and though Vivian’s eyes were closed, she sensed the shadow fall across her face from his body blocking the light. She opened her eyes and found his face only inches from hers. He was intently trying to keep shampoo from her face. Quin realized she was watching him and smiled down at her, his eyes locking with hers.

  Vivian straightened her back, lifting her head to be closer to him. She wrapped her fingers around the spike growing from his chin and held him still while she leaned in even closer. His eyes widened when he realized what she was doing. She held him in place and pressed her lips to his. He wasted no time. He cupped the back of her head with his right hand and cradled her jaw with his left. His chest was heaving, his nostrils flaring. He said not one word, but went right back in for a second kiss. He would not take anything from her that she didn’t offer, but once she initiated, he was all in. He pressed his lips to hers, rubbing his nose against hers. She responded, kissing him back. Her tongue slipped out to taste his lips, and he sucked it into his mouth, gently, but firmly. “Vivi,” he managed to get out around a constant rumbling in his chest.

  Then the chime sounded, letting him know that his Healing Master had arrived. “The healer…” he said.

  No sooner had he said so, than Bart was at the bathroom door, “Quin, did you call for a healer?”

  “I did. I’ll be out in a moment,” Quin called back.

  “Let’s get you out and dressed, so the healer can remove your pain.”

  Ten minutes later Vivian sat wrapped in a thick, fuzzy towel while the Healing Master examined her with a scanner that beeped each time it was passed over her temple. Finally he said, “She is well, Sire. A slight concussion is causing her head pain, but it should clear soon. Make sure she rests, but does not sleep for at least 6 more hours. It will be safe if she sleeps after that time.”

  “She is right here,” Vivian stated. “She can hear you perfectly, and you may address her directly,” she snarked.

  The Healing Master was taken aback, flustered at having his Sirena address him directly.

  He was even more confused when Quin laughed.

  “Sire?” he started.

  “You heard her. Sirena Vivi is very capable of making her own decisions.”

  “Very well. I have an injection that will ease your pain, if you wish it, but you should still rest.”

  “Done. Where do you give me the shot?”

  “Your arm, Sirena.”

  Vivian held her arm out while the Healing Master pressed a cylinder against her skin. She felt a slight pain, and almost immediately the pain in her head began to lessen.

  A huge splash came from the bathroom, followed by a screech and yowl, then a “If you bite me, I will punch you!”

  “Kitty! Be nice,” Vivian called.

  A plaintive yowl answered her.

  “You can’t go see her ‘til you wash off all the blood!” Bart shouted at the shraler.

  Minutes later the door opened, and a wet shraler bolted into the room zeroing in on Vivian almost immediately. He pounced up onto the couch, landing on her lap.

  Quin went to move him, but Vivian said, “It’s okay. He’s lying on the towel I’m wearing. It’ll dry him. He doesn’t like baths, I think.” She started cooing to him, and the healer stood there, speechless.

  “I had heard rumor of our Sirena moving about the ship with a shraler. I thought, surely they are exaggerated. But no, here I see it for myself.”

  “This shraler saved her life. He is not to be mistreated in any way,” Quin stated, matter of factly.

  The healer nodded, “Of course, Sire.”

  “If there is nothing else, Vivi, may I send the healer away?”

  Vivian rested her head against the cushions of the sofa while petting Kitty. “I’m fine. He can go. Thank you, Doc.”

  “Doc? What is Doc?” Quin asked.

  With her eyes still closed, Vivian answered, “It’s short for doctor. Back on Earth, we sometimes called our doctors, Doc. A nickname’s all it is.”

  Bart stomped out of the bathroom, “Why I had to bathe the damn thing, I still don’t understand. But he’s clean now, and I even wiped up the water he splashed all over the floor.”

  “Because he likes you,” Vivian answered, smiling.

  The Healer Master was confused — Ambassadors bathing wild creatures in his Sire’s bathroom. His Sirena answering for herself rather than allowing her Sire to speak on her beha
lf. It was not the protocol he was accustomed to at all. He was happy to take his leave when Quin finally dismissed him.

  “That will be all, Healing Master Doc. Thank you for coming at once.”

  “Bye, Doc,” Vivian called.

  “Goodbye, Sirena Vivian,” the Healing Master returned, answering to her nickname for him.

  Quin saw him to the door. When he looked back at Vivi, he noticed the towel slipping, and both she and Kitty dozing off.

  “Everyone out!” he shouted.

  Vivian jumped at his raised voice, “Really?” she asked, irritatedly.

  “They must leave. It is time,” Quin said, not understanding her irritation.

  “Fine, but do you have to yell? I was dozing off.”

  “You cannot sleep, my Vivi. You must stay awake. You heard the Healing Master Doc.”

  Jhan rose from the chair he sat in, “I’ll take my leave. I want to speak with Ba Re’ and be sure that all is finalized. I will tell them to wait until tomorrow to gather for strategies regarding Malm — our Sirena needs you this night. And I wanted to check in on Vennie, as well. He seemed adjusted to all that’s happened, but still, it was his own sibling involved here.”

  “I agree. Please give him my regards once again,” Quin said.

  “Did you notice he’s gone from calling you Commander to Sire? I believe that he has clearly sworn loyalty to you and your family.”

  “I did. I am very pleased. Please tell him that I noticed and am much pleased.”

  “I will,” Jhan said as he walked toward the door.

  “I’ll go with you. You mind if we stop by my quarters first so I can put on dry clothes?” Bart asked, looking down at the soaked shirt he wore thanks to Vivian’s pet.

  “Of course,” Jhan answered.

  Chapter 28

  Finally, they’d all gone. Quin was alone with Vivi. “Are you hungry, Vivi?” he asked.

  “No. Just really tired.”

  “You cannot sleep, little one. But, perhaps we can rest a bit anyway. Shall we go to bed? We will recline and talk until it is safe for you to sleep.”

  “Okay,” Vivian answered. She slipped out from under Kitty, leaving the towel beneath him. He’d fallen asleep and didn’t even realize she was gone.

  Quin’s eyes were bugging out of his head. His Ehlealah was standing before him, completely nude, her arms out to him.

  Vivian yawned and curled her toes, “My feet are cold, carry me?”

  Quin had her in his arms before she’d even finished her request.

  He’d stripped his shirt off in the bathroom since it was splattered with blood as well, so now he held her against his chest. “You’re so warm,” she said softly.

  “Too warm?” he asked.

  “No, just right.”

  Quin went to their bedroom, pulling back the blankets to tuck her inside. He stripped down to his undergarment and climbed in beside her. “Computer, dim the lights,” he commanded, as he pulled her closer to rest against him.

  “Missy,” Vivian corrected.

  He’d forgotten Vivian had named the computer Missy.

  “It is a computer, Vivi,” he said teasingly.

  “So? She’s still my friend,” Vivian answered.

  “Very, well. Thank you, Missy,” he said when the lights dimmed.

  “You are welcome, Commander,” Missy answered.

  “What shall we speak of?” Quin asked Vivian.

  “Tell me about you. Are you close to your family?”

  “Yes, I am. You will meet them soon. My mother is anxious to meet you.”

  “Why is she anxious to meet me?” Vivian asked, sitting up to look at him.

  “Because you are my mate. My female. She’s waited many, many years to see who I’d choose.”

  Vivian thought about it for a moment, “Why did you choose me?”

  “You carry my heart and soul inside you. I would never choose any but you. I knew the moment our eyes met, you owned me. There will never be another female for me, but you.”

  Vivian looked down at Quin while he explained what she meant to him.

  “I hoped to find my Ehlealah day after day for so long that I stopped hoping. I believed that I’d never find her. Then I found you. You have turned everything upside down. You do the opposite of all protocol. You have everyone unnerved and on edge because no one knows what to expect from you next.”

  Vivian lowered her eyes, she hadn’t meant to be a problem, only to find her way again.

  “And with each moment, with each exasperation you cause me, I love you more than the moment before. I am more committed to you than any other male has ever been committed to any other female — my parents included.” He grinned, “I smile, Vivi. I worry. I laugh. After years of feeling nothing, I live, Vivi. I love. All because of you.”

  Vivian’s eyes filled with tears. This male loved her. She didn’t see an alien. She didn’t see anything other than Quin. Her Quin. And he loved her. She remembered the words from Andrus’ letter. He told her to find her happy and to “own that shit.” And that was exactly what she was going to do.

  “When you were helping me bathe earlier, I realized that I felt free. Finally, I felt free. I know that those males,” she paused, a quiver in her voice, “they weren’t the only ones. But they represented them to me. I let go of a lot of anger. So much resentment. And I feel free. I want to belong now. I want to be home.”

  “You are home, Vivi. Here, with me.”

  Vivian nodded, “I know I’ve said I wanted to go home, but there’s no home left — at least not the one I remember. I still want to speak with Samuel if I can. And I know that Bart is my family. But they are all that’s left. I feel safe with you. I want to stay with you.”

  Quin smiled, his heart in his eyes. This was what he’d been waiting for — Vivian to accept him. To accept her place beside him so that he could claim her. “I was waiting for you to accept me. I will never force you to accept anything you don’t wish for. Will you have me, Vivi?”

  “What does that mean? I know nothing about your people.”

  “Our people. It means will you stand at my side. Rule beside me. But more importantly, love me. Have only me, forever.”

  Vivian’s eyes got wide.

  Quin rushed to say, “You have not had time to love me. I know this. It is all well, it will come in time. You will see that I am worthy.”

  “I already know that you’re worthy, Quin. But, will you have me? Only me? I break protocol all the time, apparently. I will never pretend to be anything other than myself. But I will always stand beside you. Will you have only me, forever?”

  “I will,” Quin answered. “I love you, Vivi. My Ehlealah.”

  Vivian leaned forward pressing her lips to his.

  Quin held her head in his hands as he kissed her. “Can I make you mine, Vivi?” he asked. “Is it too soon?”

  Vivian shook her head, “Make me yours, make me belong here.” Vivian swallowed, her anxiousness apparent to him.

  Quin had a better idea, “No. I think that you should claim me.” He’d laid back against the pillows he’d risen from to better kiss her. “I am yours, Vivi — you claim me.” Quin reached above his head, pressing his hands against the headboard of their bed. Vivian realized he was handing her control. He didn’t want to frighten her or make her do anything she didn’t choose.

  Quin sat up, he reached under the covers and removed his undergarment. He reached over and dropped it to the floor, then lay back again, pressing his hands to the headboard once more.

  “It’s all up to you. I am your male. Will you claim me, Vivi?”

  Vivian had never been in control. She didn’t know quite what to do, but found that she liked the idea. She slid her thigh over his waist and seated herself on his belly.

  Quin rumbled a soft purr, and her eyes shot up to his. “I cannot control it. It means I am very pleased.”

  Vivian nodded and leaned forward, pressing her body to his as she kissed him again
. He allowed her to experiment, kissing his lips, his chest, rubbing her nose against his as he’d done to her.

  “Will you hold me?” she whispered.

  His hands were on her immediately, stroking her hips, her back, her thighs, everywhere he could reach, he stroked. Still though, he made no move to rise or change his position. He found that when he stroked her lower back, she moaned and pressed herself closer to him, so he did it again and again. He pulled his fingertips away from the small of her back, and she unconsciously followed. In so doing she bumped her bottom against his very large, very engorged erection. Vivian gasped, raised herself off of him and looked down between her legs at where he lay, swollen and leaking, waiting for her.

  Her eyes got huge, and they snapped up to his, a look of disbelief in them. He said, “Do not worry. You will stretch. I won’t hurt you. Not ever. Just take your time.”

  Vivian wasn’t sure that he’d fit inside her completely, but she was sure that he wouldn’t force her. He wouldn’t hurt her if it didn’t fit all the way. She decided to see how it felt just sliding between her folds, not inside her, just sliding against her. She closed her eyes, and the moment she began to slide up and down his length, he started stroking her back, making her relax even more and lose herself in the unexpected sensations. It felt good. She pressed herself down a little more against him, and he pressed up bringing her clit into direct contact with his hard, hot flesh. She gasped, Quin froze, “Is this okay?” he asked.

  Vivian curled her hips experimentally. A shiver went through her body, and he smiled, nodding. “Is this normal?” she asked.

  “Is what normal?” Quin asked her.

  “The pleasure? Does it always feel like this?”

  “This is just the beginning. There will be more pleasure than you can imagine, Vivi. So much pleasure,” he said huskily.

  Vivian wanted pleasure. She’d been curious in her youth, then had no chance to experience anything of her own volition. She wanted all she could get. She didn’t think — she went on instinct. She slid to the very tip of his cock and paused there, rubbing herself on him. She reached down with one hand and lifted him while rising up on her knees just enough to be able to press him against her to breach her opening. She rubbed him there, all the while he held perfectly still, though a snarly rumble fell steadily from him. Vivian held him in place while she rocked her hips back and forth. He slipped a little further in and moaned at the sensation. Vivian looked up at Quin’s face. He was sweating, a light sheen over his face and chest. His chest heaving with the strain of holding himself back, allowing her to take the lead she needed to feel comfortable. Vivian’s eyes locked with his, and slowly, she started sinking down on him. When he’d stop slipping inside, she’d rise up again, causing him to snarl softly before she’d slide back down a little further than she was before.