The Tale of the Blood Diamond

by Laveen, Tiana

  “We’re not going anywhere…” He lightly bit the side of her neck, making her melt in his embrace. Spinning her around towards him, he took her by her wrists and led her away into their bedroom.

  “Come on, Xzion. How many times do I get to visit Zarkstorm?! We can make love any time!” she protested, knowing she was full of shit. She’d been itching to get the man alone but being a mother came first. Now, the coast was clear, yet she skirted the line of toying with the man.

  Ignoring her complaint, he continued until they were locked inside the bedroom and his clothing was ripped off in record speed. Jayme never got enough of looking at his naked body. She shivered a bit, and then gasped as he laid her down across the sheets…

  ****

  Xzion’s fingers couldn’t move fast enough. He’d been waiting to unwrap this luscious specimen since he set foot on his planet, but Zachary ensured the mood was never quite right. The evening of the dinner, he’d maintained his plan to snag her once they returned to the house. He had been almost beyond the point of no return, seconds away from entering her body and then, their door swung open. There Zachary stood, causing Jayme to grasp for the sheets in a panic to cover herself. It certainly changed her disposition. That was the one thing Xzion struggled with — Zarkstormian children many times may have seen their parents engaging in sexual activity. It wasn’t necessarily done in the open, but great measures were not taken to hide it, either. Sex and procreation were normal parts of their lives, but getting Jayme to see things his way was near impossible. She would not comply, and as they’d discussed it many times in the past, he understood he was trying to battle modesty, and in that, he’d never win. But right now was different. Their son was having a blast, and he wanted to blast, too…

  He tugged at her underwear, sliding his thumbs in and out of the lacy material until it was cast off to the side of the bed.

  “You want some of this?” She smirked.

  He paused, his panting ceased as her query brought things at a halt. Catching his breath, he grinned at her. “No, the question is, do you want some of this?” Reaching between his thighs, he grabbed his cock; the damned thing was on autopilot. She opened her legs wider, allowing him full access to her sweetness.

  “Ahhhhh….”

  She sighed as he got into position. Cupping her face, he landed a kiss on her soft, succulent lips. Before long, he’d snaked his body down her frame and buried his face between her warm thighs to lick, suck and twirl the tip of his tongue in her glory. He reduced her to dancing amongst the sheets, bucking, begging and moaning.

  “Ahhh…” she went on, her whimpers airy and sweet, lovely music to his ears.

  He increased his pace until he tasted her love empty into his mouth. Then he slowed to a crawl, giving her a moment to catch her breath.

  “You ever make love on another planet before?” he teased, stroking her fattened pussy lips with his index finger and bumping the head of his hungry dick against her wet love.

  “Can’t say that I…Ahhhhhh!” she moaned loud and exquisite as he pushed deeply within her.

  He wasted no time pumping his hips, forcing her body to give him what he so desired.

  “Mmmmmm!” he moaned close to her ear, letting her hear his deep appreciation. “Ahhhh, yeeees, baby. You feel so good…so damn good!”

  She wrapped her arms around him, driving him further inside. After a little while, he turned her delicately onto her side, spooned her and re-entered her, his hands tight around her small waist, ushering her ass into his pounding thrusts. She screamed out in abandon.

  “Uhhh! Uhhhh!” He gritted his teeth and buried his head into the back of her hair, fighting the desire to cum just yet. “Uhhh!”

  She reached back with her hand on his upper thigh, bracing him, while he lifted a hand to her bouncing breasts. He gently massaged them, enjoyed the plush, soft flesh and the hardened nipples against his roaming fingers. Crossing his ankles, he gained more leverage to plunge into her. She gripped the pillow, stifling a scream until he felt what he so desired, her dripping syrup, the coochie candy he loved all around his hardened cock.

  “Mmmmm, honey!” she moaned, still trembling and cumming, her pussy pulsating against his dick.

  Keeping the pace, he made sure she got all she deserved until she was a weakened, satisfied conquest he could claim as his own.

  “Uhhhh! Love you so much, baby….love you so much.” He breathed harshly into her hair, making a few strands move about. “Uhhh, shit!” He gripped her thigh, hooked his hand around it and raised it high in the air. Going in long and strong, he pushed deeply inside of her, all the way to the hilt. Her screams and moans sent him over the edge, until there was nothing else he could do but release.

  “Uhhhh! Ahhhhh!” His pelvis crashed into her time and again as he released inside of her, his cum exploded from his cock as if expelled from a heated rocket. “Uhhhh, Jayme! Shit!” He kept pumping, slowly winding down.

  A few moments later, the ride came to a stand-still. And then, he felt it. The woman vibrated against him, and soon, her laughter got bolder.

  He grinned and stroked her hair, her back still towards him as he rested inside of her.

  “Okay, what’s so funny?”

  “I have to pee so bad! I was so afraid that when I came just now, I had actually peed on myself. You have no idea how relieved I am right now.” She kept trembling with laughter, making fun of her own potential misfortune.

  “I’m glad you didn’t urinate on me. That would have kinda slowed down my sexual desire for you right now. Anyway, I suggest you go take care of that. I’ve never been particularly partial to water beds.” He slowly slid out of her, allowing her to get up.

  She turned towards him, her face red with laughter and then, before he knew it, the woman was running faster than he’d ever seen. As he lay with his head propped up on his hand, he heard her tinkling in the master suite restroom. The sound echoed throughout the room for in her mad dash, she hadn’t bothered to close the door. He heard her sigh with relief in between continued bursts of laughter.

  “Hurry up!” he called out, a big grin on his face. “I want to go again before Zachary returns, Ms. Peabody.”

  This caused another ruckus of laughter. Xzion had been working on his Earthling American humor. He now understood the art of a play on words, and it seemed to amuse his mate, so he studied it carefully.

  “I had no idea you’d want me in your royal court again, after such an incident,” she yelled out, teasing him.

  “I happen to enjoy sex with PEE-ons.”

  This caused more laughter to the point that he could even hear her over the flushing of the toilet. Jayme washed her hands and returned to him, looking beautiful as ever.

  Sliding back into bed, she wrapped her long, naked body up in the cool, white sheets. He reached to her and stroked her cheek, ever so gently.

  “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen…”

  She smiled sweetly at him, and kissed his fingertips.

  “And you are to me, too. Wait…Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is pretty damn fine, too!” she teased.

  “But can he do this?!”

  Xzion rolled on top of her and tickled her belly, making her beg and scream between bursts of giggles. After a few moments, he rolled back on his side, gently caressing her with his fingertips.

  “Everything okay? You feeling good?” He readjusted the thin clear tube in her nose, making sure it was lined up perfectly.

  “Oh yeah, I’m fine. No breathing problems whatsoever.”

  “…But are you hap-pee?”

  They both burst out laughing again and then made love a time or two more…

  ****

  The day of departure…

  In the distance, Xzion was packing their small bags and Zachary was pouting. He’d made some new friends. Regardless, they’d be leaving in the next two hours and people continuously interrupted, wanting to see the family one last time. Xzion would be back soon, he
had a new assignment, but Jayme knew that she and Zachary would not. The breathing apparatus was a bit cumbersome, but she was grateful for it nevertheless.

  That morning, Xzion seemed a bit withdrawn. He was speaking less, and he avoided eye contact. He wasn’t very affectionate, either. Jayme surmised he was going to miss home, but she wasn’t certain. It was rare for her to see him this way. He went on about his duties, even had a meeting, then returned to their rental house in which he said was now theirs permanently, ready for them each time they’d come to visit. For the hundredth time, the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it!” Jayme called out after slinging a duffle bag full of toys for Zachary onto the floor.

  “Officer Khrome, I’m Officer Korpid, and these two men are Officer Brui and Officer Gyen. We wished to come by and say ‘goodbye’ to Officer Xzion Khrome and bestow the medal of bravery to him.”

  Oh yes! This will brighten his day!

  Before Jayme could call out her husband’s name, Xzion was coming down the hall, his bare feet smacking the floor in even steps. Xzion’s facial expression was tight as he extended his hand to the men. Everyone drew silent while Officer Korpid put the medal around his neck. There was no ceremony; this was something done in privacy.

  “Officer Xzion Knight, we look forward to working with you in the future. Your great-grandfather Zahar would be proud.”

  “Proud about what? That I got him killed?” And there it was, the thing that bothered him. Xzion’s heart was heavy. He’d never had a chance to process what happened, and it was all coming to a boiling point.

  Officer Gyen’s brow rose. “Officer Khrome, is that what you believe? You believe he died due to the weaponry attacks from the Yuledrakes?”

  “Well, of course that’s what happened. He was alive when he left Zarkstorm, then he came with me, on my assignment, and came back home dead,” Xzion spat.

  “No, Officer Khrome. Zahar was dying the moment he re-opened his eyes from his tomb. He was in no position to travel, let alone fight. He knew he was going to die, but he wanted to die in a manner that was befitting of his honor. His brain was not ready. He was on limited time. It is amazing that he did all he did, and lived for as long as he lived, under the circumstances. His heart stopped, Officer Khrome. Neither you nor the Yuledrakes had anything to do with that.”

  The color drained from Xzion’s face and then, a small smile budded across it. “I thought…oh my goodness.” He put his hands on his head and spun around in total amazement.

  “We have his body in the preservation chamber. Though he is considered deceased, we have re-frozen him for future studies. He lived much longer than the others. He is a true testament to those of Warrior blood.”

  Xzion nodded, elation etched in his eyes.

  The men left and he continued to stand there, running his fingers over his medal. Zachary burst into the room, clumsily dragging his bag behind him.

  “Daddy, eat!”

  Xzion bent at the knees and picked the boy up, cradling him in his arms.

  “You want another breakfast before we leave, huh? How about jit meat? Or, opert?”

  Jayme winced at the thought as her two guys disappeared into the kitchen.

  She immersed herself in her contemplations, realizing that every day, the man became more and more empathic, though he still struggled with it from time to time. He had been hurting all this time, keeping a brave face, but the elation in his smile once he’d heard about his great-grandfather dying of natural causes gave him the relief he so needed.

  I told you, you have a heart, baby, and it beats loud…

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  Xzion twirled the piece of buttery popcorn between his thumb and forefinger, examining it closely. It was a rather peculiar snack, but tasty all the same. Jayme loved popcorn, so before she’d gotten off work, he whipped up a batch and laid out fresh sheets for the early evening of leisure.

  “Baby, I’m hooommmme!” she called out. He heard the familiar sounds of her moving about way at the other end of the house. The refrigerator door opened and closed, and soon, she was standing in their bedroom doorway, examining him and Zachary who lazed around in the center of the bed.

  “Well, don’t you two look cozy!” She grinned as she tossed her bag in her vanity chair. “Mmmmm, popcorn!” She moved towards the duo like a zombie out for brains.

  Xzion and Zachary scooted over, making room for her. She slid close, plunged her hand into the large, burnt orange popcorn bowl and smacked her lips with buttery appreciation.

  “Did you wash your hands first?” he said, his brow raised. He was asked this by her practically every day, so he thought the role reversal befitting.

  “’Scuse me?!” she barked, pretending to be deeply offended. “I’ll have you know I washed my hands in the kitchen before I finished a bottle of water. Anyway,” she rolled her eyes and snatched the bowl out of his hands. “what are we watching tonight? Cars? Despicable Me?”

  Xzion turned on the DVD player. “This piece of machinery is so archaic. You humans really need to step up your game.”

  “Well, Mr. Einstein, if you can do better, be my guest!”

  Xzion burst out laughing and reached far over, digging his fingers into the bowl and pulling a yellow handful of goodness. “Challenge accepted. Anyway, we’re going to watch Predator. I’ve been wanting to see that.”

  Jayme’s mouth immediately stopped twitching as her jaws slowed to a crawl.

  “What? Oh, I don’t think so! That is inappropriate for Zachary.”

  “How so?”

  “Um, for starters, Mr. Genius, it has a lot of violence, killing and bad aliens attacking people!”

  “But Arnold Schwarzenegger is in it!”

  “And?! Like that is supposed to mean something to me, like that suddenly makes it Disney or Pixar approved!”

  “This is good for Zachary!” Xzion protested, doing his damndest to get his way. He’d wanted to see the film all week. “Look, don’t the Morphitians look a bit like them? This could help prepare him for —”

  “I told you to not bring those things up in my presence again. I told you I never wanted to hear the word ‘Morphitian’ again!”

  Xzion burst out laughing. “You look so cute when you’re mad, baby.”

  “See, you play too much, Xzion!”

  Before she could continue, he reached over their son, causing the boy to duck and giggle as Xzion put her in a friendly half nelson. He finally released her, took a look at the way he’d messed up her hair and burst out laughing again. Now, they all were laughing.

  It felt so good to be home, to be all together, enjoying one another. They huddled closer together, wrapping themselves in the thick quilt from her grandmother. After a few minutes, Xzion glanced her way again, noting her and Zachary’s eyes glued to the screen as ‘Sister Act’ started to play. Xzion hated that movie, but it made Jayme happy. He sighed and settled back onto his pillow. Out of his peripheral vision, he could see the woman gleaming, and so was her blood diamond necklace. It sparkled bright, full of life — just the same as she was.

  Zachary was as much into the movie as his mother. The boy enjoyed musicals. He found this detail alarming, but didn’t dare stifle the child’s amusement or belittle his tastes. Xzion took it all in, totally in awe at what he had. He had a family…a real, live, family he could cater to and depend upon.

  With them, he didn’t have to be rugged, resilient or callous. With them, he had permission to grow into his true self. A warrior with a heart, a purpose, a mission.A warrior with a woman who loved him as much as he loved her. His bride, his mate — worth her weight in gold, emeralds and blood diamonds...

  THE END

  BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS

  1. In this sequel, we see more family dynamics concerning Jayme, Jayson, Xzion and the newly introduced character Cxeza, Xzion’s sister. In what ways is Jayme and Jayson’s relationship similar (to Cxeza and Xzion’s) and what differences could be noted?

  2. At
on is a guarded character who grows a strong attachment to Zachary. What do you believe are the reasons behind this?

  3. As Zachary matures and grows in unconventional ways, Jayme goes through some emotional upheavals. Many mothers mourn the stages of life their children go through, as each age passed is seen somewhat as a ‘death.’ What additional challenges does Jayme have, due to Zachary’s special abilities, personality and desires?

  4. How do you believe that Jayson and Jayme’s upbringing, from a strict, religious father and a quiet, loving yet reserved mother, helped create who they are today?

  5. The Yuledrakes were unique alien beings that thirsted for the riches of others. In what ways do the Yuledrakes demonstrate human qualities/frailties?

  6. Jatorn forsakes his people as well as his alien allies, once he turns his focus on obtaining Zachary. Is there a struggle for you, or people you know, to hop from one ‘jewel’ to the next, never fully satisfied with the current material possessions? (Is material wealth and the desire to obtain more and more a problem?)

  7. The Lyalts are a curious alien form. Jayme is amazed by their leader, Bosi. So much so, she wants to help. What do you find most interesting about these creatures?

  8. Xzion and Cxeza have a heated argument in this book. In some ways, the cause of that argument could be replaced by a different ‘judgment’, such as the prejudice toward interracial dating versus Cxeza not approving initially of her brother being married to a human. What if Cxeza and Xzion were human, and her grievance is not that Jayme is human, but that she is African American. How do you believe that would change the dynamics/outcome?

  9. Do you think that Aton and Ambassador Pali will have a love connection?

  10. How have Xzion and Jayme’s characters grown in this book versus the first one, “Addicted In Cold Blood”?