ARMOR [New World Book 2]

by C. L. Scholey

  “Not far from here is our bathing spring. We have a smaller separate one in our room, but I like the community area. Now that there are females, we have taken to registering a time when we can be alone. I’m certain more will be added. I know it seems a bit antiquated, but this planet is still in its infancy.”

  Amy turned around in a circle. It was primitive in a quaint kind of way. And it was also much farther advanced than Earth had been. There were no pictures on the walls in their room. There really didn’t need to be with such a large window. Outside, Amy saw Meg and Talsk. Talsk was showing Meg a huge butterfly that had to be at least a foot tall. Amy had never seen anything so colorful. It shone in colorful tones Amy had never seen before. Amy laughed when the butterfly landed on Meg’s head. The antennae parted the bangs from the woman’s forehead. She could see Meg giggling as the creature stroked her with its feelers.

  When Dasks’ arms slipped around her, Amy settled against him. She was startled to see a doe suddenly appear from the bush outside the window. It approached Talsk with no fear and soon he was gently petting the animal’s head.

  “We brought a few Earth animals here. Nothing dangerous to our females.”

  “How is it that the doe has no fear?” Amy marveled. “It’s been hunted by man forever on Earth and in the last year, it must have been far worse.”

  “The animal can sense intention. Talsk is enamored of these creatures—he’s enamored with a lot of things lately. The doe can no doubt scent his intention. I think if it knew Talsk was no doubt wishing he could cuddle it, the poor thing might flee.”

  Amy giggled and Dasks chuckled. Dasks’ warrior mate was a big teddy bear. It was no wonder Meg was in love with him. Amy was fond of him too. Talsk had cast Amy numerous glances when around her. Amy knew he sensed Dasks’ frustration. For the most part, Talsk said nothing but occasionally, Amy could see Talsk’s annoyance toward his warrior mate. Meg had casually led Talsk away on those occasions. Amy had disclosed her concerns to Meg. Her friend didn’t know what to say. It was Dasks’ and Amy’s decision; Meg would support them either way.

  “One of the warriors practically begged Cobra to let him return with a tiger,” Dasks said. “Cobra refused, as he was too concerned for the females. A tiger would cause a Castian warrior no harm and make a formidable pet. But as a compromise, Cobra promised to program a tiger hologram. I think he was just as intrigued with the fanged beast. So be warned. Any tigers or panthers you see are only images and will not harm you.”

  “But you said Slocks could bite toes.”

  “They were an amusement to Castian warriors. Pranks. I admit it’s juvenile, but we got bored. Without women, days grew tedious for the warriors who remembered them. We invented many strange animals with real capabilities to entertain ourselves and keep us sharp. Many things have since been deactivated or reprogrammed. But without the hassle of Slocks, we never would have invented the chemical to repel them and found healing waters for females. They tested our inventive abilities. We have grown.”

  “Maybe something else can be invented for healing,” Amy mused.

  “Our mating might heal you,” Dasks reminded her.

  “Or it could kill you.”

  Dasks sighed and pulled her into his embrace. Immediately, Amy felt warm dampness seep from his chest into her cheek. His sweat had no scent, but had the ability to make her feel warm and safe. Amy tilted her head back to look up at him.

  “I don’t want to spend the time I have with you thinking about what could be or might be. Just about what is. I don’t know how long I have. All I know is if it weren’t for you, I would be spending my last days being tortured. Thank you for saving me from those men. Thank you for bringing me here. Don’t ask for what I can’t give you. Anything else is yours until I take my last breath.”

  “Then let’s make sure your last breaths are the happiest of your life,” Dasks said, offering her a sad smile.

  Amy reached up to touch his face. “What do you sense?” she asked.

  “Humans are given such a short lifespan as it is. How do you ever form bonds?”

  Amy smiled. “Castian warriors may sense emotion, but something tells me humans feel emotion stronger.”

  Dasks nodded. “Perhaps. At first all of your emotions coming at me at once almost made me crazy.”

  Amy chuckled. “It makes most men crazy.”

  “When we make love, there is a strong scent from you. An emotion of irony. Why do you feel this emotion during sex?”

  “We make love like we will never make love again. Live like you were dying, I guess, is also love like it might be the last time. Since I am, it could explain my scent.”

  “How else would you make love?”

  To Amy he seemed amused with the notion but sad with the underlying truth.

  “Well,” she said in a cheeky tone wanting to play and take the sadness from his expression. “First I would find an amazing place, like a strange planet. Oh wait—already on one. Then I would find the sexiest man alive. Oh, already done that too. Then I would ask the sexiest man alive to find me his favorite place and take me there, where we could each have our way with the other.”

  Amy could see Dasks’ jaw twitch.

  His armor closed over him with rapid speed. Amy squealed when Dasks tossed her over his shoulder. Once outside, Dasks was moving at a dizzying rate. Deeper into the forest they moved, tree to ground to tree. When Dasks finally slowed and set her on her feet, Amy was the one who was out of breath.

  Flustered, Amy placed a hand to her breast. “You Castians should come with a warning: Fast moving objects.”

  Dasks grinned at her and took her hand. He led her into a cave.

  Amy glanced around curiously. The ground was still spongy and it wasn’t nearly as dark inside as she had thought it would be. She realized why. The walls were a pastel pink. Like crystal shining from the walls of the cave to brighten it. Amy felt one. It was deceptively soft, like foam. It looked like hard rocks. Deeper they strolled into the cave. Amy heard water.

  “Is this your healing water?” she asked.

  Steam was billowing around the pastel rocks on the ground that surrounded a clear pool of water. The entire pool was lit and glowing. The area was warm. Amy felt hands on her shoulders sliding her small shirt down over her waist then hips. She wore tight-fitting but flexible knee-high pants. Dasks’ hands came around from behind her to cup her breasts.

  “No, this isn’t healing water. It’s a hologram.”

  “But it looks so real.”

  “It will feel real, trust me. It was the water on Bagron that was poisoned. Not this water.”

  Amy turned to look into his eyes. Dasks’ intense gaze settled onto her. “What do you want to do?” she whispered.

  “Castians take a female from behind when they mate so they can be marked. I want to have you that way. The water won’t heal you so I won’t be tempted to mark you. I think you’ll like this particular pool. It doesn’t heal, but it has other special qualities you might find interesting.”

  Amy shivered when his hands rose to cup her breasts again. His fingers played with her nipples. Amy slid her pants off. When Dasks took his off, they stood and stared at one another. Amy wondered about his secretions. It was no wonder humans had tears. Their eyes absorbed emotions in a way. She could see what he was feeling. Amy’s eyes were filled with the beauty of him.

  Amy took a step closer to Dasks and ran her hand across his chest. She knew if she pushed her finger into his soft skin she would feel the underlying armor. She lifted one of his hands to study it. His fingernails were a solid white but otherwise normal. They were exceptionally large but not freakishly so. Looking down at his feet she could see they too were normal, just very large and broad. They suited him.

  Leaning closer Amy sniffed him like he did her. He smelled of the outdoors, a pine scent that had a musky male odor. When her tongue flicked out to taste him, he quivered. She knew he could scent her emotions through that simple taste
. Amy was aroused. She was hot for him and he knew it.

  Dasks moved forward causing her to step back. When they reached the water, Amy gripped his already hardening cock. Dasks pushed at her shoulders and Amy stepped back into the water. Down she went while Dasks remained before her until she was face level with his erection. Her hands were still sliding over his generous length. Amy kissed him first. Small kisses up and down his hard length and she heard his breathing increase.

  When Amy wrapped her lips around him, Dasks’ hands tightened in her hair. When Dasks began to lower himself, Amy sunk deeper into the water. More soft rocks were underneath her. Dasks was on his knees, with his thighs spread, and Amy was pressed to the wall of the pool to reach more of him. As her mouth slid over and around him, Amy could feel the rocks rubbing her breasts as she moved against them. Another pressed her clit and she wiggled her hips closer. The faster she sucked on Dasks’ cock, the greater the feel of the rocks rolling against her, pushing at her opening. Amy had never used a vibrator; she thought this might be what it felt like. It was almost too much.

  Dasks gripped her wrists in one hand before she could pull back. His other buried into her hair and moved her faster. Part of the soft rock was moving inside her. The foamy substance shaped to accommodate and mold to a perfect thickness. It moved deeper inside of her. Because the rock could change shape, her clit was being tormented as she pressed against it. Her breasts were squished to the pool wall but again were being fondled by the odd substance.

  In and out the substance slid as Amy moved forward and back.

  Dasks’ hand on her wrists was slick with secretions to calm her.

  Amy wasn’t scared, just surprised. Deeper the substance went as she relaxed. When she felt she couldn’t take any more, Dasks moved her faster. More of his cock buried into her mouth. Her fists clenched as her tension built. Amy couldn’t believe it when she actually came.

  Amy was gasping for air when Dasks pulled himself from her mouth and jumped into the pool behind her. He kept her pinned in the position she was in as his entire body rubbed against her back. Amy was then lifted higher; the rock-cock was removed. Her feet settled onto higher rocks to suit Dasks’ greater height. The pool rocks sunk to envelope her feet and Amy couldn’t move. From this position the soft substance no longer penetrated her, but other rocks still cradled and massaged her tits.

  Dasks’ cock was pressing against her hot opening and with a hard thrust, he buried himself inside her. The rock near her pressed against her clit and teased her. Amy couldn’t help it, she screamed. It was as though she was being pleasured by multiple partners. All of whom wanted her to give them everything she had.

  Dasks was so hard. The rock was so firm and soft against her clit and breasts. Dasks moved faster. It was all Amy could do to breathe. She felt his warm hands on her shoulders. His secretions were seeping into her, both calming and stimulating. It was fantastic. Orgasm after orgasm washed over her in crashing waves. Amy felt Dasks’ teeth in her throat. The crashing waves became rolling ones. Amy’s knees buckled and when she was pressed farther forward, the strange rock substance encased her knees keeping her upright.

  When Amy felt Dasks move away from her, she knew he was about to come. He removed himself and she felt a moment of disappointment until his hips pushed her forward even farther. Once more Amy felt the soft substance make its way back inside her and she came again as Dasks rubbed against her.

  “Oh my God, that was so incredible,” Amy whispered.

  “I’m glad you liked it,” Dasks panted. “Because we’re going to do it again. I want you to feel alive every single second from now on.”

  * * * *

  For weeks, Amy woke feeling like a princess. Dasks made certain her breakfast was waiting before he needed to report for work. A single flower she learned was called an Effie waited for her each morning. Dasks said she reminded him of the beautiful white flower with the intoxicating smell.

  During Dasks’ free time, he took her on picnics in the treetops. The trees were amazing despite her fear of heights. It was like entering into another world of intricate limbs.

  Soon she was racing after Dasks and Meg and Talsk on the branches and playing hide-and-seek under the heavy leaves.

  They went swimming alone in lakes and streams where real elephants washed and frolicked. Cranes and herons landed. Loons called to one another. Amy thought it sad that not many animals had survived Earth’s devastation. Dasks was more positive. He said their holograms of the creatures would last for thousands of years adding to the enchantment of Dargon. Dasks said Amy added to the enchantment of Dargon.

  Their lovemaking was sweet and controlled and often. They returned to Dasks’ special cave a few more times when he felt the need to mark her but knew he couldn’t.

  To Amy’s amusement, Dasks had taken to watching old Earth movies from the fifties. He called her ma’am once—and only once.

  Fire was forbidden on Dargon; the spongy ground was too vulnerable. Dasks improvised and replicated flashlights that looked like candles. He had taken Amy to the healing waters at the community cleansing area and with a flourish tossed a handful of petals into the water. Dasks had watched openmouthed and devastated as the water attacked the foreign objects, desecrating them. Amy had howled with laughter then kissed him until they were both breathless.

  Every night, Amy went to bed smiling because of Dasks. She would curl into his arms and tell him the best part of her day and thank his great Lord of Dargon that Dasks existed. She could see living each day as though it was her last was affecting him. She felt it when he crushed her to his chest. Dasks would hang on so tightly it was though he was defying death to take her. Amy would soothe him with a gentle touch. And when she thought he slumbered, she would tentatively feel her breast and try not to cry.

  Chapter 8

  Amy stood outside the tree shelter looking up. Moments earlier a deafening warning alarm sounded to indicate impending attack. Like a fire drill, Cobra had versed the new inhabitants in the sound shortly after arrival. There was no mistaking the noise. This was not a drill. Two ominous massive gray shadows hung over the sky darkening the ground beneath. Dargon was under attack. The ships had materialized out of nowhere. Their cloaking devices must have been changed to once more invade the atmosphere undetected. The vessels hovered just above the tree line.

  Amy could hear each of her expelled breaths. She urged her feet to move and ran like the others for cover. Everywhere she looked, Castian warriors were grabbing their female mates.

  Armor closed around them encasing the two together like fused metal. The women were safe from harmful explosions that merely washed over Castian armor. Flashes of light from the air set off a succession of small blasts to pummel the warriors. The warriors walked from the balls of fire without a mark. Orders were issued and before long another ship joined the two in the air…it was a Castian bird of prey. The vessels engaged in heated battle.

  Amy raced into the mushroomed shelter hoping the shield was back online. After trying to reconfigure their cloaking device, the Castians had opted to lower their shields for a day not expecting such a swift assault.

  Explosions surrounded Amy. The Tonans were attacking with a vengeance. Somehow they had to have known this particular area was vulnerable. That meant there had to be a traitor in their midst. Whomever it was had to have been very skilled at his craft to penetrate the all-sensing Castian warriors.

  Behind her Amy could see the muscular, gray-armored beings landing on the ground. A door opened and Tonans made their way from tree to ground at a swift rate. Amy’s heart was pounding when she entered Dasks’ room. She searched frantically for somewhere to hide. There was nowhere. Dasks was with Cobra, Rask and Talsk. Leah and Grace would be safe. The children would be shielded immediately by the closest warrior. Amy worried about Meg.

  At a small sound, she spun about and was confronted with her worst nightmare.

  A Tonan warrior began approaching her with some caution.r />
  Wide-eyed, Amy slowly retreated back. Her mind cried for Dasks. She realized now if she were his mate, he would know exactly where she was and how she was feeling. Dasks would have been able to find her anywhere, on any world.

  “No mate?” the Tonan asked.

  Amy felt her skin crawl; it was like the words slithered out of his mouth.

  “Dasks is coming,” she muttered without too much bravado and a whole lot of stuttering.

  The Tonan breathed in a huge gulp of air. “You aren’t breeding either. Interesting. Now why would a male Castian leave such a defenseless prize alone?”

  “I’m dying,” Amy cried out. “I’m worthless to you.”

  “To your male warrior perhaps. But to me, you are invaluable. Our captive Castians will love having you onboard. If you are unacceptable as a mate, they will feel no regret in sharing you.”

  Amy began shaking. The Tonan stalked her.

  “Go away,” she demanded.

  “A human with spirit. How refreshing.”

  “A Tonan with no compassion, how predictable.”

  The Tonan chuckled. “Not all of us have compassion bred out of us. A few have taken human mates. They find us agreeable.”

  “I’m sure you’re a real stud muffin,” she said sarcastically.

  “You’re an amusing little thing. If you come willingly, I may even keep you for myself,” the Tonan said. “Your Castian warrior doesn’t want you. Isn’t it obvious? How long have you been in his care? Weeks? A month or more? He should know how dangerous your situation is with no protection. They’ve even dropped their shield in invitation. And here you stand so helpless and afraid. I smell your fear. And they call us cruel. Poor little thing. I can scent your courage struggling with each step I take.”

  “Go away,” Amy said, only her tone was quieter.

  The Tonan sniffed the air again. “You are intoxicating. Your fear is making me fill as we speak. I can give you a child, a chance at four more years of life no matter what you suffer from.”

  “You lie,” Amy spat out. “Tonans are too selfish. They won’t part with their armor even for their own child.”