Sirein: A Dystopian World Alien Romance

by S. J. Sanders

  Her eyes tracked a drop of water that rolled down his pale scales. Under her gaze he could feel his randi, his bioluminous markings, brighten. She had been so careful to maintain distance between them that he hadn’t had the opportunity to sustain close contact with her since he swam with her in his arms. He wanted nothing more than to do that at that moment. He wanted to scoop her up and dive with her into the sea and leave the city behind them where they could mate among the currents in the manner of his kind.

  Nerida lifted a cloth that smelled sweetly of some sort of cleanser and gently swiped it down his scales. A moan of pleasure escaped him as she bathed him. It brought back memories of her tending to him when he was ill, but this time she was not motivated by pity. This time, she tended to him for another reason—one he could see pooling in her eyes.

  An emotion he dared not name too soon before she was ready to declare it.

  A soft sound escaped her as her other hand came up, her bare skin touching the scales of his chest, following the path that she cleansed. A shiver ran through him and he felt his malth surge, the tip pressing forward, sliding out of his slit. It was embarrassing to lose control of himself, and he watched as her eyes tracked a trail down his chest until they landed on his groin. They widened, the color in their depths brightening as the pupil expanded with lust. A shaky sound of surprise left her, but she did not recoil. Instead, she brought her eyes up to meet his and she swallowed, her lips pressing briefly together nervously.

  Very slowly she leaned forward, and Ji’wa watched in fascination as her gold tipped eyelashes fluttered and closed over those brilliant depths as she slicked her mouth against his.

  Everything within him tightened, and his cock surged the rest of the way free of his slit as his arms instinctively banded around her. Her mouth continued to caress his, and though he wasn’t familiar with the motions, he responded in kind until they were both gasping against each other’s mouths, bodies rubbing together as water sloshed around them, wetting the floor. Ji’wa was so close to penetrating her silken body before he regained control and forced himself to stop before he accidentally hit her with another pulse that he could feel rising through him as his randi flared brighter.

  “Nerida,” he pleaded.

  She pulled back and met his eyes, her lips pinkened from his kisses, reddened in areas where his sharp teeth had gently scraped. She stared at him in wonder, her hand rising to her mouth—and her stomach rumbled.

  Ji’wa laid back his head and laughed. Pushing himself from the water, he stretched out his hand.

  “Come, my beautiful Nerida. Let us satisfy your more immediate hunger before we see to any others.”

  Her lips quirked in amusement, but she set her hand in his and allowed him to pull her free from the bath. His heart filled with emotion when she rested her head on his chest, her arms wrapping around him in a gentle hug before she released him to search for clean clothing. He stared after her for a long moment before he remembered himself and followed. He had far more to put on for his disguise before he could see to it that his mate was properly cared for.

  Chapter 22

  The tavern smelled of old beer and liquors from the mainland and the local seaweed wine that doubtlessly had been spilled in plenty over the wooden plank flooring. A coarse laughter rose from some corner, but Nerida kept her head down and tugged Ji’wa toward a small table near the front. She wanted to be able to escape in a hurry.

  Danya had understandably been reluctant to recommend the place, but with the winter closing in around them and the end of the merchant ships, many businesses had shut down for the season. There were few other options for the locals of New Delos. Danya had been kind enough to provide them with a cold lunch earlier in the day when they had emerged from their room, but as she was leaving and locking up for the night to attend to her own family at home, Nerida and Ji’wa were on their own.

  “We should have remained in the room,” Ji’wa muttered.

  “And eat what?” she replied archly as she picked up the stained menu between two fingers and grimaced.

  “I could have thought of something that would have given me great pleasure,” the male beside her trilled in a low rumbling song that sank into her belly and caused it tighten with desire.

  “Stop that,” she hissed as she worked to contain her smile, forcing her attention to the menu.

  She knew exactly what he had in mind to dine on, and she couldn’t really say that she objected to it. Not after bath time had ended all too quickly. She had been disappointed when it didn’t resume somewhere more comfortable—like the bed—after they had lunched. Instead, he had seemed distracted by shadowy movements in the mist, and even Nerida had felt concerned, wondering if anything would attempt to claw its way through the windows to get at them. The mogma were new to her, although she had been raised on stories about the creatures. Even all the way to the tavern by way of the corridors, she had found herself staring at the circling fog.

  Ji’wa sighed reluctantly. “Very well. We will eat and then return to our room. You have received communications that the cargo has been removed and your order loaded…”

  “Yes, and I’ve transferred the credits for our supplies,” she filled in.

  A few of the things she had ordered were purchases made with Ji’wa in mind. A comfortable bench for him to sit on that didn’t pinch his tail when he worked on the deck would no doubt be treasured. As were a few lightweight robes from the mainland that she spent considerable sum on. They were typically worn by merchants or within the homes of the city folk, but she could see them being far more protective and comfortable than the scarf he wore around his hips. He had said something once in passing of his people wearing robes, and she hadn’t been able to resist making a few selections that would complement his coloring.

  Unlike the coat and warm scarf she now wore that had been brought to their rooms, she made certain that all of their new clothing was taken to the boat with the rest of their purchases. It was a stroke of good fortune that their trade had been bountiful enough to give her plenty of credits, even though her purchases left little in the coffers to be collected from Danya in the morning.

  Among the supplies loaded on the boat were necessities such as the fine oil she purchased for soothing his scales. She had an idea that it would keep them hydrated like the wind-roughened skin of the older wavelanders. She knew that she could benefit from it too. Nerida could already feel a couple patches starting around her eyes. There was also a highly resilient waterproof sunblock to protect him when he needed to be out in the sun.

  She couldn’t resist a few frivolous things, too. She hoped that Ji’wa might enjoy the strategy game she loved but hadn’t played since before she reached the age of majority. She hadn’t had time for games since then, but now she imagined cozy evenings playing together that could lead to other fun activities.

  Flushing at the thought, she turned a page on the aged menu.

  “Is there anything you have in mind to try?” she asked quietly.

  Ji’wa shrugged. “Meat. Perhaps something new,” he added after a moment of thought.

  Knowing that he couldn’t read the menu meant that he placed full trust in her decision, and she didn’t even bother holding back a smile. Another trill from Ji’wa let her know that it did not escape his attention, and her smile widened at the easy flirtation between them.

  Her eyes scanned the menu, settling on the perfect thing. She turned in her seat and waved a server down who lurked near the front counter with a sour expression. The female immediately straightened and hurried over, a hesitant smile on her lips as she looked between them. Her eyes didn’t rest on Ji’wa’s covered form for more than a few seconds, a blush of discomfort stealing over her cheeks as she avoided looking in his direction.

  Nerida frowned at the girl’s reaction. She had seen relatives treated just as horribly, and the thought of anyone treating Ji’wa that way, even though it was a ruse, didn’t sit well with her.

  �
�Good day,” the girl addressed her solely, ignoring Ji’wa. “Are you ready to order?”

  “My husband is injured, not a criminal waiting to set upon a female who happens to look in his direction,” she snapped impatiently, making the girl’s cheeks flare an even brighter red. “Please show him some respect and be so kind as to address us both, as we are both present.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t mean any disrespect,” the server muttered. “I just didn’t want to appear rude and stare at him.” She glanced over at Ji’wa nervously and nodded toward him. “Good day, sir. Are you ready to order?”

  Ji’wa reached forward and smoothed a hand over Nerida’s, calming her. She cleared her throat, drawing the girl’s attention back to her.

  “My husband’s voice was damaged by smoke inhalation so he would like me to make his order… but he thanks you and wishes you good day. As for our orders, yes, we will both have the lamb from the mainland. I presume it’s reasonably fresh?”

  It would likely be the only opportunity either of them would have to taste such a thing unless they returned to resupply at New Delos again in the future, but that could be months from now. It was a treat that deserved to be enjoyed.

  The server nodded. “It came in on the last shipment a few weeks ago and has been kept in the cooling unit since transport. It is the best lamb to be had among all the near cities, I’m sure,” she added as she collected the menus.

  Nerida grinned in excitement at the shadow of Ji’wa’s face. “Just wait until you try this. I’ve never had lamb before, but everyone has spoken to me of how delicious it is. Sheep were a stock animal to arrive on planet with us. Because of our limited land on Terra II many livestock creatures could not be brought, but they were similar enough to a native animal that colonizers had flocks relocated and crossbred with a local animal. It is a bit different from the animals on Earth, but the flavor is supposedly similar and the animal hardier. You won’t ever see one though, since they are reared only far inland on the continent.”

  A pleased rumble came from her male, one that returned with even more enthusiasm a short time later when their steaming plates were set in front of them. Nerida leaned forward and inhaled, saliva gathering in her mouth. She had always imagined that the rumors about the flavor of land-reared beasts were exaggerated, but the aroma coming from the dish had her second-guessing her estimation.

  Neither of them said a word, but glanced up, meeting each other’s eyes, his ever so slightly glowing, before they leaned forward and dug into their meals. At the first taste of the seasoned, rich meat, she moaned in pure pleasure. She might have been embarrassed by it if Ji’wa hadn’t let out a similar sound somewhere between a moan and a growl.

  “Oh, Blessed Mother of the Sea, do you taste that…?”

  “Yesss,” he drawled with a long hissing rasp as he stripped the bone clean.

  He dropped the bone on his plate and dragged up the brew at his elbow to drink deeply of it before he brought another chunk of meat to his mouth. Nerida startled mid-bite as she felt something warm wrap around her ankle. The end stretched slightly, fanning against her pantleg before closing in a whisper-soft caress that sent a shiver up her leg, centering where the sensation gathered and pooled in her sex.

  He did nothing more than that, a repeated caress every few minutes as his tail fanned. As he fixated on his food, it was clear that he didn’t intend for it to be seductive, but rather just a need to touch. She understood that need. Gods knew she needed it too. Just to touch and be touched for no other reason than to communicate attachment and affection. She almost wished that she had a tail so she could do the same in turn. Instead, she simply allowed them to mutually enjoy the contact as she returned to eating.

  Despite the smell and crowd, the evening was perfect. Nerida smiled as she placed her finger on the credit transfer disc supplied by the server. She was eager to return to their rooms and perhaps begin again where they had left off earlier.

  The door slammed open, and deep voices spoke loudly as feet stomped over the floor. Nerida glanced over casually but froze, her blood turning to ice as she recognized then entering. Erik wasn’t among them, thank the gods, but he wouldn’t be far away if Danner, his best friend and husband of her cousin Ioina, was striding through with two of Erik’s older brothers.

  “By the gods of the wind and sea, this place stinks,” the eldest among the brothers growled as he drew up his scarf around his nose.

  “Not much that can be done about it. We’re just retrieving our food and returning to the boats,” Danner muttered as their footsteps neared.

  Moving with a feigned casualness so not to draw anyone’s eye, Nerida lifted the hood on her newly purchased long jacket and covered her head. Ji’wa paused, his head lifting to watch her, but he made no comment. Instead, his tail tightened before slipping from her leg as he tensed, his head slowly turning toward the men who had entered. She didn’t so much as hear his growl as feel the vibration of it through the table where his torso leaned into it.

  “Don’t,” she whispered. “Let’s just get out of here. Please.”

  His head turned back to her and a displeased hiss left him, but he nodded and stood, gathering the extra portion of meat he ordered—she assumed in case he got hungry again later—before offering his gloved hand to her. Nerida slid her hand into his and allowed him to pull her to her feet.

  As she stood, she didn’t know what happened, but her hood slipped back. It was only for a moment before she yanked it up again, but she had a sinking feeling that it had been enough to cut short their visit to New Delos. Even if they hadn’t planned to leave first thing in the morning, they had no choice now. She kept pace with Ji’wa as they pushed through the crowd toward the door, but nearly tripped when a voice called out.

  “Nerida? Is that you? What the fuck? Wait—stop right there!”

  Fear surged through her, and she pushed forward, knocking a woman into her friend. It didn’t help. Her goal was no closer. Her heart hammered as people crowded in, their heads turning with curiosity, effectively blocking the access to the door just a few feet away. She cursed as she felt a hand grab ahold of her coat.

  “Don’t you even think of running, you little bi…”

  Danner’s words disappeared under Ji’wa’s growl as the male beside her turned. His tail moved so fast that it was a blur as it snapped out, striking the human, but she knew what happened by the electric snap that surged in the air and the way that Danner flew backward through the air into his friends standing behind him.

  Chaos descended as people shouted, no one clear as to what had happened but excited with the anticipation of a fight certain to break out. Nerida was afraid that Ji’wa would refuse to refrain from fighting the men, and so expose himself and bring the entire tavern down on them. She had seen fights break out among men in the pod before over even the smallest of insults, but more vicious when it came to defending their wives. Her heart sank with dread, but to her surprise, he lifted her into his arms and plowed through the crowd at a breakneck speed. Shocked expletives followed them out the door as people were sent crashing into each other out of their path.

  The cold, wet touch of the fog swathed them as he exited from the main entrance, avoiding the corridor. Nerida wrapped her arms tightly around Ji’wa’s neck, her fingers tightening in the fabric of his coat as he darted down the streets. She couldn’t see even inches in front of them, but she trusted that his eyesight was better, his glowing eyes piercing the gray as he ran. The sounds of Danner and the men from her pod shouting after them faded into the distance, but the silence of the night was gradually replaced by other sounds in the streets around them.

  Ji’wa slowed and paused, his head turning, an angry hiss vibrating from him. A loud snap as something heavy settling above them had him jerking his head up. Nerida burrowed her cheek against his chest, not wanting to look up, dreading what might be lurking just above them. The beam above them creaked with the mogma’s weight as it drew itself just above them.


  “Ji’wa, we are so fucked,” she whispered, her voice choking in fear.

  There would be no kindly mechanic to chase it away, not on the streets at that hour. Cold sweat dripped down her back as Ji’wa’s arms tightened around her, and he slowly turned in a circle, his head tipped up as he peered through the fog hanging above them.

  “Can you see it?” she asked, not really wanting to know but unable to stop herself. “I can’t see anything but gray and darkness everywhere.”

  “No,” he growled. “I can see a little farther, a few feet. I can see the beams but I cannot see it. It is there, though. I am certain of it.”

  “Me too.”

  Wings flapped menacingly, feathers snapping through the air. The mogma’s clatter suddenly cut off with a terrible shriek. A loud snarl accompanied the sound as something slammed above them. The shrieks grew louder for a moment, and feathers rained down, an electric charge filling the air. Nerida glanced at a nearby feather, noting that some of them were red with blood. Just as quickly as it had started, suddenly the mogma fell silent.

  She held her breath, straining her ears for any sign of the creature. There was a soft creak and a large body fell from above, hitting the ground in front of them in a cloud of wet feathers. Eyes widening, she nearly climbed out of Ji’wa’s arms and up his body as he crept closer. The mogma corpse gradually became visible, its sickly green eyes glazed over in death as blood flowed freely from it.

  Another soft creak sounded above them, and a dark shadow dropped from above a short distance away. Ji’wa growled, and she felt his tail swish through the air around them. The shadow moved forward through the fog until the figure of a red-haired sirein moved under a streetlight just ahead. A cocky grin spread across his face as he crossed his arms and leaned against the lamp post.