Mortal Flames_The Magical

by Averi Hope

  They sat on one side of the table, although from the set of Jetri’s jaw, Saura knew he felt insulted at being kept waiting. She inclined her head to one of the men, indicating that their glasses should be filled with the red liquid in the center. The servant didn’t move. Different customs, I’m sure.

  “Our glasses,” she said, catching his eye.

  The little man sprang forward and poured their drinks, then moved back against the wall. When the doors opened again, a man in a dark suit strode in, along with four other men, and two women.

  Their party rose in greeting. Although in their culture it was an insult to be left waiting, they could not expect the humans to have the same customs. Introductions were made, and soon they were all seated around the table, each group evaluating the other.

  Her attention was completely stolen by their leader. This man would be her opponent in the negotiations. A man with a smile that reaches his eyes, and a look of intelligence.

  He was a tall man, nearly as tall as their own males. He had blue eyes so pale they were nearly white, and dark skin, with a smooth, bald head. But what she found the most intriguing about him was his presence. He commanded all his people, not with a word or a look, but by simply being near them. Like Raiden’s father. Like Raiden.

  This will not be easy.

  “I have to say,” President Rutford began, “it gave our people quite a fright to see those ships of yours come into orbit, and to receive your message.”

  Look calm. Speak for your people. They’re depending on you.

  Saura sipped the red beverage, trying to hide her disgust at the sharpness of the drink as she carefully set it down. “I can imagine.”

  A strained silence stretched between them.

  “So, King Raiden of the Elementas, what is it exactly that we can do for you?” The president said, turning to face her mate.

  It’s time. Everything has lead to this moment.

  “I am Khara Saura Moro of the Elementas, Raiden’s mate.”

  The president quickly hid his frown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…pleasure to meet you… Khara Saura Moro of the Elementas.” Then, he cleared his throat. “What can we do for you?”

  It took a few seconds for the council to realize what was happening. She caught the briefest glimpse of their shocked expressions, before she turned to focus every ounce of her attention on President Rutford.

  Saura took her time in answering. “I have heard what humans expect of an encounter with aliens, war or peace. I know all of you are frightened right now, imagining what we might want of you. But the truth is, the outcome of this is up to you.”

  “How so?” the president asked, steepling his fingers together in front of him.

  Saura felt all eyes on her. Calm. Be calm. Do not let them sense your fear.

  “My people are in need, Mr. President. Our planet was destroyed, and we have been traveling for many long years to get here. We cannot go on in this manner. We need a place to rest. And we will get what we want….what we need. But the decision is yours whether it is through peace or war.”

  Surprise flashed in his dark eyes. “What is it you want?”

  “We wish to sign a treaty. We desire some of your lands to be designated as the new Elementa Nation. I have brought with me a map indicating specifically which ones. In return, we offer the opportunity to greatly lengthen your life spans.”

  Their leader leaned back in his chair, brows raised. “That’s quite an exchange.”

  Saura laughed softly. “I’ve studied your history. What we’re asking for is not that unusual.”

  Saura was surprised to see the humans relax slightly around the table. Raiden was right, the more we show the balance between us being powerful, capable of violence, but not too different from them, the better this will go.

  “That’s true,” President Rutford said, his strong lips curved, hinting at a smile. “But negotiating with aliens is new to us.” He cleared his throat. “You all should know, Americans are not exactly the kind of people to take something like this lying down.”

  She saw Jetri stiffen out of the corner of her eye, the red rings around his pupils darkening. “Your people would be lucky to have us.” There was venom in his voice.

  With a subtle gesture, she caught his attention. His expression was that of man ready to do battle. Her eyes locked on his. Calm. Be calm.

  A servant offered them all steaming mugs.

  Their leader took a mug, sipped it, and winced. “Too hot,” he murmured.

  “Let me.” She rose and walked toward him.

  The guards behind them stiffened, but the president held up a hand.

  Reaching, she touched his mug, letting just a bit of her ice magic flow. “Try it now.”

  A man beside the president shook his head.

  Their leader locked gazes with her. She smiled reassuringly.

  He brought the mug to his lips, froze, then returned her smile. “Better. Much better.”

  Her smile widened. “Glad to help.”

  She returned to her seat, and took her own mug in her hand, cooling it before taking a slow sip. This drink was bitter, but far better than the red one.

  “Do you mind if I ask how you did that?” the president asked, watching her over the top of his mug.

  “Of course not.” She began to explain to them about the males and females of their race, about the fire and water that flowed through their veins. When she was finished, she sensed awe in the humans.

  “Magic powers,” he said, grinning. “Our people will love that.”

  She returned his grin with one of her own. “Our people are different, but not as much as you might imagine. We love. We hate. We care for our families. And now, all we want is a place to peacefully settle.”

  “Why the United States?” he asked. “There are a lot of other countries you could have gone to.”

  Raiden had prepared her for this question. “We are a small group, and we do not breed quickly. We do not need lands all over the world to comfortably live for hundreds upon hundreds of years.” And here, she took a deep breath. “And we are more familiar with America.”

  His brow rose. “Familiar?”

  “Yes,” she smiled. “My mate lived here for two years, and this is not my first visit either.”

  Silence met her words.

  “In fact,” she continued. “One of the lands we indicated, the one that we want to populate first, are lands we are familiar with. Near a town and a people we appreciate and enjoy immensely.”

  The president cleared his throat and glanced at one of the men next to him. “I guess the conspiracy theories were right. There were aliens among us.”

  She tried to hide her frown, confused. “I say this only to reassure you. We can live among you. Peacefully.”

  His dark eyes met hers once more. “So, why don’t you tell us more about the longer lives you are offering?”

  This is it.

  Raiden nodded, ever so slightly, his hand brushing her thigh beneath the table.

  The humans seemed to hold their collective breath.

  Here goes nothing.

  “Jetri, how old would you think that man is?” she asked, pointing to a man with gray hair, suspicious eyes, and badges decorating his uniform.

  Jetri shrugged, annoyance evident on his expression. “Perhaps around the same age as me, give or take twenty years.”

  “Which is?”

  The elder glared. “Somewhere between four and five hundred.”

  Confusion filled the eyes of the humans.

  “And how old are you?” she asked the human male.

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest, opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “Sixty-three years old.”

  Jetri laughed. “Impossible.”

  Saura raised a hand to indicate silence, then turned back to the president. “I say this to illustrate my point. We have learned there are two issues facing your world. The first is your short life spans and the seco
nd is overpopulation. We can help with both.”

  “How?” he asked, true interest sparking in his eyes for the first time.

  “We have technology that slows the aging process, slows the dying of cells. The only side effect is that most of our people are limited to one or two children.”

  He stroked his chin. “So you could make all our people live longer?”

  She nodded. “But our research suggests that the target age for your people to be given the vaccine would be before the age of twenty-five. Most children born to that new generation will already have long lives and reduced fertility.”

  The humans all looked to one another, emotions flashing across their faces faster than she could read.

  “And you’d be willing to give us this technology in exchange for the lands you desire?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “You’ve given us a lot to discuss.”

  “Hopefully the choice will come easily and swiftly, Mr. President. I’m afraid our people’s patience fades with each passing day. They need fresh air. Sunlight.” She rose, and Raiden and the elders followed her movements. “Jaydee?”

  Jaydee pulled the screen out of one of the pockets in his robe, and pressed it, bringing the swirling map to life.

  “Look over our offer. You have twenty-four hours to respond, and then we will withdraw it and bring our deal to another nation.”

  The humans rose. They shook hands as they left, following the same path back out.

  At the large gate, Raiden took her hand, leaning so that his lips were almost pressed against her ear. “You did well, as I knew you would.”

  “But was it enough?”

  “We’ll see soon enough.”

  Her stomach flipped. Yes, we will. The fate of our entire people rests on how well I negotiated with the humans.

  They were nearly to their craft when they realized Jaydee and Turk had drifted to the crowd. She went after them, grasping their arms. “What is it?”

  Jaydee’s eyes were wide as he turned to her. “Do you see all the women? Raiden wasn’t kidding.”

  She glanced back to see the way the women leered at the tall, red-tinted alien men in their long robes. Hunger flickered in the depths of their eyes, and she thought of Raiden’s words. When their females see our males, and our males see their females, the deal will be done.

  She hoped he was right.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Negotiations had gone as smoothly as possible, at least on their end, and the Elementas immediately began settling in the woods outside of the little college town and Rusty’s as soon as the documents were signed. The sprawling four hundred acres of protected lands had become the first city on their new homeworld. Raiden had decided to name it Hope, after their mothership. A nod to their many years spent traveling in space.

  Their ships had been designed for settling in their new homeworld. Seeds had been dispensed, growing from them homes, buildings, and a castle very similar to those found back on Falaytious. Yet, they grew with the nature around them, buildings that reflected the greens and browns of their new home. Wide windows looked out upon the woods, giving the people who had been trapped for so long the feeling of complete freedom.

  They love this world. Just as I do. Raiden felt pride. Now all his people would know what it was to love Earth, and they didn’t have to destroy it to do so.

  A stream of ambassadors and government officials had driven their vehicles up the paths into their city, and every expression was one of shock. How has such a city sprung up overnight? Look at all these massive scarlet-skinned males and their little blue females!

  Yet they left taking comfort in the fact that, despite appearances, they weren’t all that different. At least I hope they realized that.

  A sound had him turning from the balcony overlooking his new city. His mate scurried up the steps, wearing pants. They were flowing like a skirt but, as Saura had explained to the other females, far more practical.

  When she reached him, she leaped into his arms.

  He smiled, his raspy words leaving his lips, “Did your plans go well?”

  She pressed a soft kiss to the stubble on his chin and pulled back, grinning. Strands of her dark hair had come loose, framing her face. The golden glow of Earth’s sun made the hairs shine, like a halo.

  This planet has been good for her.

  “Yes, the women of age have their own area, but it’s still close to us. Just a few minutes’ walk up the path.”

  He frowned. “Will they be safe there?”

  She stood up straighter. “There are mated males as guards. But Raiden, the women should not be prisoners. Our men must be taught to control themselves. Things must change.”

  “This is the way we’ve always done things.”

  She turned to him, and he saw the fire in her eyes. She had truly become the voice of their people. “So many other things have changed, why not this?”

  His heart skipped a beat. “I’m sure if you desire it, you can make it happen.”

  Her smile returned. “I’ve already done away with those awful blue pills.”

  “Awful?”

  “Yes!” She nodded, venom in her voice. “As long as I am Khara, we won’t be drugging our females into not feeling. Our scientists had a way to keep our mating frenzy at bay without turning us into compliant slaves, but they refused to use it because they preferred things this way. But no more!”

  “I’m sure the Great Mother is enjoying that.”

  Her anger faded, her eyes sparkling. “She is not. Nor does she deserve to.”

  He started to laugh, the sound like the scraping of nails. He stopped, looking away from her.

  She drew him back, with one finger on his chin. “I love your laugh.”

  “You have to say that.”

  One of her hands traced from his collar, her nails running slowly down until she stopped at his stomach. “It kind of… kind of…”

  “Yes?”

  He held his breath.

  “Turns me on.”

  In seconds, he’d swung her into his arms.

  She gasped, laughing. “Raiden, it’s the middle of the day.”

  “And too soon we’ll be too busy with a babe to enjoy each other whenever we wish.”

  Her arms wrapped around his neck and she snuggled closer to him. His cock hardened even more painfully. Her touch. Her smell. It drove him wild.

  I was promised her mating frenzy would end, and then I’d be free.

  She shifted a little, and his body buzzed with need.

  Gods, I hope this lasts forever.

  He ignored the servants’ glances as they passed, circling up another story until he reached their bedroom. Inside, he laid her gently on the bed. His hands shook as he undid the ties of her shirt and pulled back the two halves.

  “Raiden!”

  But he barely heard her. The sight of her lying on their bed, nipples hard and waiting, was too much for him. He climbed on top of her and used his hands to cup her breasts, then to draw slow circles around her nipples, drawing gasps of pleasure from his mate. His lips found hers, pressing, demanding entrance.

  After a moment, she parted her lips, and his tongue slid inside. Her eager tongue met his, and his head spun as every nerve in his body sang with pleasure.

  She is mine. Every inch of her. For now and eternity.

  He pulled back from her mouth, only to venture down, sucking and teasing one of her nipples as she arched and cried out his name. When he moved to the other one, she grabbed his shoulders.

  “Enough, Raiden, I need you inside me.”

  Who was he to argue?

  Drawing back, they both removed their clothes, and then he looked at her again. Thighs spread wide, her swollen womanhood was waiting for him to fill her. He wanted nothing more than to enter her with one swift thrust of his manhood.

  But he didn’t. Not yet.

  For one long moment he simply stared at her. Stared at the woman who was
always meant to be his. The woman who made him want to be a better man.

  Moving over her, he reached out and stroked her chin with his thumb. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she whispered. Then, her nails dug into his back. “Now, stop stalling, I’m losing my mind.”

  He grinned. “Am I torturing you?”

  Something flashed in her eyes. A second later, her hand closed around his hardened cock.

  He cried out as she began to stroke him.

  His willpower vanished. “Saura…”

  It was a warning.

  He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

  Then, he felt her slide beneath him, and suddenly her hot mouth had taken his cock deep inside. He bucked. She reached around his legs, sinking sharp nails into his ass. He wanted to slow down, but she had other plans. She took him deeper and harder each time, taking his thrusts with an eagerness that had his head spinning.

  At last, he rasped, “No more!”

  She drew his cock from her mouth, her hot breath teasing his tip. “Have I tortured you enough?”

  “Yes,” he groaned.

  She slid back up, wrapping her legs around his back.

  His body reacted before his mind could process it. His tip slid into her hot womanhood, filling her tightness with his iron rod.

  It was her turn to buck, to scream his name.

  He gritted his teeth and slid in and out of her, forcing every ounce of his control until he felt her tighten around his cock. Until he felt the quivers as they came over her body. And then he snapped, thrusting in and out with a rhythm that had her screaming his name as she flew over the edge.

  As she orgasmed around him, he lost control, exploding his hot seed into her as her inner muscles squeezed and held his cock. He continued to rock inside her until his seed was spent.

  It took him several long minutes before he remembered where he was. His muscles twitched. His head felt light. He rolled off her and held her firmly against his body.

  A teasing wind stirred the white curtains off their balcony, carrying with it the welcoming scent of the woods. Golden light warmed their bodies from the Earth’s sun, relaxing every last one of his muscles. This was perfection. All he had ever wanted.