by Sue Lyndon
“You wish to speak with your family?”
She nodded, her heart in her throat as she awaited his next words.
“It is true that only the wealthiest Tarkkuans usually have video comms in their homes. I do not know anyone who owns one, however, I am willing to build you one so that you may speak to your family whenever you wish.”
It took several seconds for her to process his words. Had he really just said what she thought he had? She stared at him, feeling her mouth drop open as surprise took over. Tears blurred in her vision and she rose to her feet and scrambled around the table to throw her arms around Zylonn.
“Oh, Master. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She squeezed him tight, overcome by emotion. His kindness touched her. She’d been worried he might be offended when she asked for him to arrange for her to use a video comm, as she feared he might think she was drawing attention to his financial status. Though apparently, he must be wealthier than she thought if he could afford the materials to build such a device.
Zylonn scooted his chair back and guided her to sit down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, and when he pulled back his eyes were brimming with warmth. “I can buy old materials from the laboratory I work in and have it built in a matter of days.”
Her heart nearly stopped. “Days? Did you say days?”
“Yes, my sweet human.” He studied her with an intensity that made her feel vulnerable, but not in a bad way. Instead, she found herself wanting to open up to him, wanting to share her secrets and dreams.
“Master, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.” Her eyes burned and tears finally escaped them. He brushed them away with his thumbs and rubbed her back. “I always worried I’d never get to speak with my family again. I grew up believing that once I came to Tarkkua, I would only receive letters from them each year when the Zenallia returned from Earth. But before I left Earth, I promised my family I would find a way to communicate with them soon. On my way here, as I heard the women aboard the Zenallia talking about how rare video comms were on Tarkkua, I worried that I would end up breaking that promise to my family. Thanks to you, I won’t be breaking any promises.” She smiled through her tears and sweetly pressed her lips to his.
NOVA WAS KISSING HIM, actually kissing him, of her own free will. A surprised Zylonn grasped her face in his hands and returned the kiss with vigor, drinking her in and reveling in the sweet taste of her. His heart warmed, knowing he could give her something that would make her happy. He wasn’t a rich man—he would never be wealthy, as he wasn’t a member of the ruling class—but the knowledge that he could give her a gift she would truly appreciate brought him joy. He resolved to buy the materials tomorrow and build the video comm as quickly as possible.
When their kiss finally ended, he pressed his forehead to hers and stroked his hands up and down her arms. “It is my hope, Nova, that we can find happiness together. Also, I know you didn’t choose to come to Tarkkua, but I hope that one day you will start to like my planet and perhaps start thinking of it as home. Is there anything you would like to change about the house that would help you feel more welcome here?” He pulled back to stare into her lovely blue eyes.
“Master, your home is beautiful and I can’t think of a thing I would like to change, but I appreciate the offer. It means a lot. Truly.” She paused and gave him a profound look. “The breathtaking views from your house fill me with wonder every day. I had no idea a place so spectacular existed anywhere. I know I haven’t been here for long, but I’m starting to feel at home already.”
Her words pleased him and he drew her in for a tight hug. When they finally pulled apart, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, inhaling the scent of her as he did so. Her hair smelled like a field of wildflowers blowing in a gentle breeze, and the comparison brought a smile to his lips. She seemed to enjoy the view from the house, but perhaps she would appreciate a tour of the countryside surrounding the city. He resolved to arrange for it as soon as he was able to take a day off work.
“Master, I have another request, though I’m not sure it’s possible.”
“Tell me.”
“I became good friends with a young woman named Meris while on the Zenallia. She was my roommate on the ship and we grew close during the six-week journey. I have no idea who she is married to now, but I would very much like to see her—that is, if you allow it, and if her husband allows it.”
“Why would you think I or any other Tarkkuan male would keep his female from having friends?” He clasped her hand.
“Well, I’m not allowed to leave the house without permission, and Tarkkuan males legally own their wives.”
“While that is all true, you are allowed to have friends, my sweet bride. My only request is that you do not spend so much time with them that you neglect your duties at home. I will inquire when I go into the city today and find out who your friend married. Keep in mind that it is possible her husband isn’t from Ashorr, as several of the males who claimed brides at this year’s mass nuptial ceremony were from other cities and even some smaller villages on Tarkkua. However, if her new home is close to ours, then I will grant you permission to visit her during the days. And, if she happens to live far away, perhaps we can arrange a trip for you to see her. I would accompany you during such a trip, of course. In any case, I promise we’ll find a way for you to reconnect with your friend, little human.”
Her entire face lit up and she hugged him again.
Chapter 11
Two days later, Nova was delighted when Zylonn walked her to Meris’ home on his way to work. She embraced her friend and met Meris’ mate, Allonis, who left for work himself shortly after Nova’s arrival. As it turned out, Meris lived only a short walk away from Zylonn’s house and Nova was ecstatic that she had permission to visit her friend during the daytime hours while her master was at work.
“I can’t believe we’re both finally here,” Nova said as they sat in the living room, both with a cup of Tarkkuan tea in their hands. “The trip to Tarkkua seemed to last forever.”
Meris smiled. “I’m so glad you found me and I can’t believe we live so close to one another. It’s nice to have a friend nearby. Hopefully, Allonis will grant me permission to visit you at your house soon.” A strange look entered her eyes that piqued Nova’s curiosity.
“Why wouldn’t he? Did something happen?”
Meris flushed. “I kinda sorta ran away on our wedding night,” she confessed.
Surprise and concern filled Nova. “I heard a female screaming outside in the darkness that first night. Was-was that you? Are you all right?”
“Oh, I’m fine. But I was so nervous about consummating my marriage with Allonis that I couldn’t help it. After we got home, he kissed me and hugged me and…and I felt it. His cock. Through his pants. It felt so very big and he’s so much taller than me. Well, I worried we wouldn’t be very compatible. When he excused himself to fix us something to eat before we ventured to the bedroom, I bolted through the front door and ran blindly through the streets.”
Nova reached over and grasped Meris’ hand. “Did he hurt you?”
A soft smile grazed her friends’ lips. “No, he didn’t hurt me. He was angry that I ran off and I was certain he was going to punish me after he caught me and carried me home. He carried me upstairs to his bedroom and I saw a leather strap hanging on the wall and I believed he might really hurt me. But then he sat me on his lap and asked me why I ran away. We talked about it and he promised to treat me gently during our first time together.”
Relief spread through Nova. She was glad—and a bit shocked—that Allonis hadn’t beaten her for running away. She imagined what would have happened if she’d tried to run from Zylonn that night. Considering he’d already had reason to punish her, he would have probably spanked her for longer. “I’m happy to hear your mate didn’t treat you cruelly, Meris, truly.”
“Based on what I know about Tarkkuans, I expected him to be str
icter with me. But he hasn’t struck me once, not even a single swat to my bottom. He did, however, forbid me from leaving his house for a while. I know I would have needed permission to leave anyway, but he’s informed me that it will be quite some time before I’m allowed out beyond these walls. He says he must trust me first.” Another soft smile played across her lips. “But I think we’re getting there. Hopefully soon.”
“Well, until that time, I plan to come visit you often. Zylonn says I’m allowed to leave the house and come here whenever I wish, though I’m required to get permission to go anywhere else.” She started to roll her eyes and then stopped. Even though she was still sometimes frustrated with the Tarkkuan’s backward customs, she suddenly realized she didn’t wish to disparage her mate in front of her friend. When she thought of Zylonn, a warmth unlike any she’d ever known filled her.
“Wait a second,” Meris said, her eyes widening as she sat taller. “Zylonn…he looks familiar. Isn’t he the same Tarkkuan who caught you speaking ill of the trade agreement between our worlds?”
“Yes,” Nova replied with a laugh. “It was just my luck.”
“Sorry I ran off after he emerged from the shadows. I-I was a bit flighty that night.”
“It’s all right. Besides, there was no sense in the both of us getting into trouble for what I said.”
“You got into trouble?”
A heated flush rolled through Nova and she squirmed in her seat. She hadn’t meant to allude to the fact that she’d received a punishment for her brazen words, as she didn’t wish to frighten Meris or cause her to become worried for Nova’s safety. “Um, I got into a little bit of trouble,” she admitted.
“What kind of trouble? Did he whip you with one of those awful straps the Tarkkuan males keep beside their beds?” Meris shuddered and Nova sincerely hoped that if Allonis ever strapped her, he would at least be as gentle as Zylonn had been.
Nova exhaled a long breath and met her friend’s troubled gaze. “Yes,” she finally said, deciding that honesty would be the best policy. “But he gave me a spanking first and then only struck me with the strap five times. It hurt, but considering his size and strength, he could have made it hurt a lot worse. But he didn’t. And afterward he held me in his arms, wiped away my tears, and comforted me. He wasn’t cruel. He didn’t yell at me or call me names or anything like that. I-I have to admit, what came after the punishment was…nice.” She flushed again just thinking about it.
Meris’ eyes had grown even wider as Nova recounted what had happened. Nova found herself hoping that her friend didn’t think badly of Zylonn. She was starting to really like him and the thought of someone believing him to be a bad or unjust person left her with an uneasy feeling in her gut.
“He spanked you first?” Meris eventually asked and then gulped. “As in, he turned you over his knee and spanked you?”
Nova was surprised that Meris was asking her for such details, but she answered anyway. “Not exactly. He ordered me to bend over the bed.”
“Oh my,” was all Meris said before her face reddened and she took a long sip of tea. When she came up for air, she met Nova’s eyes with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I suppose I’m lucky Allonis didn’t give me a spanking or a strapping after I ran away. He’s said he’ll only physically punish me in the most extreme of circumstances. I’m hoping I never do anything to incur his wrath.”
“Though I don’t know your mate well, from what you’ve told me of him, it seems he’s an understanding and patient Tarkkuan. Even if he does punish you one day, he will probably be gentle about it. Well, as gentle as a Tarkkuan male can be while wielding a strap.” She gave Meris a reassuring smile.
“I hope you’re right.”
Feeling the need to both change the subject and reassure Meris of Zylonn’s kindness, Nova said, “Guess what? You know how we heard some of the women on the ship talking about video comms that can contact Earth?”
“Yes. What about them? I’ve heard only members of the ruling class are in possession of them. They are said to be quite expensive.”
“Zylonn is building me one. He started working on it last night.”
“Oh my goodness!” Meris flashed a bright smile. “That’s amazing. How is that possible?”
“He’s a skilled engineer. He bought some old parts from the laboratory he works in, refurbished them, and says he’ll have it built in a matter of days. I can hardly believe it myself, but soon I’ll be able to speak with my family and friends.”
“That’s wonderful. Oh, Nova, I’m so happy for you.”
“You can use it, too. If you’d like, that is.” Nova recalled that Meris had never spoken about her family. Whenever Nova had asked her questions about them, the petite redhead had always either given vague responses or scrambled to change the subject.
“I appreciate the offer. I might eventually decide to contact them, but not yet.” Meris drew in a deep breath and looked uneasy. “My younger brother was always the favorite child. He was the child who wasn’t leaving them one day, so I guess that’s why my parents always focused on him and ignored me. I was never close to them. Sometimes when I tried to be, I would be rebuffed and reminded that soon I wouldn’t be a part of the family anymore. Anyway, thank you again for the offer, but I don’t think they want to hear from me.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Nova said and once again she appreciated her lot in life. She’d had the most supportive and loving parents she could have ever imagined. She’d been close with both of them and Julie as well. “What about old friends? You are welcome to use the video comm to reconnect with any friends you wish.”
Thankfully, Meris grinned at this suggestion. “I have a couple of good friends I would love to contact. Thank you, Nova. I’m so glad we were roommates during the voyage here. Your company made the trip all the more bearable. I was so nervous about coming to Tarkkua.”
“You’re very welcome and I’m so glad we were roomies, too.” Nova glanced out the window at the mountains in the distance. “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this out loud, but this place is starting to feel like home.”
“It feels like home to me already,” Meris said, her voice strained. “I know this might sound crazy, especially since we’ve only been on Tarkkua for a few days, but I think I’m falling in love with Allonis. He’s so kind to me and after the way my parents treated me, I feel like I’m finally where I’m meant to be.”
Nova squeezed Meris’ hand and stared into her friend’s tear-filled gaze. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all.”
Though she wasn’t ready to admit it aloud, Nova was starting to wonder if perhaps she was starting to fall in love with Zylonn, despite her initial resolve not to do so. Her initial fear of him had long faded. Though he could be stern with her, he was also understanding and showed her affection on a daily basis. She always looked forward to his arrival home from work, anticipating what would happen between them in the bedroom and simply looking forward to their long conversations.
She also awoke each morning in his arms, feeling cherished and protected.
Yes, it was probably safe to say that Nova was developing tender feelings for her new husband. Though at one point in time she’d promised herself that she would never feel affection for the stranger she was forced to marry, she couldn’t deny the warmth that was brimming in her heart for Zylonn. She also couldn’t help but wonder if he starting to fall for her too.
Chapter 12
Nova sat in a large, plush chair in the living room, browsing the vast selection of books on the e-reader she’d brought with her from Earth. The e-reader contained over a hundred thousand titles—more than enough reading material to sustain her for the rest of her life. It was the most precious item she’d brought with her, as she much preferred reading books in her native language and she wasn’t sure if books written in Earth tongues were sold in the Tarkkuan marketplaces.
Finally, she found a historical romance novel that caught her eye
and opened to the first page. In mere moments, she became lost in another world, swept up in the strange complexities of navigating the ton in Regency England. She found herself empathizing with the heroine whose social ladder climbing parents forced her into a courtship with a suitor—a known rake, no less—whom she didn’t particularly care for. The man might be a duke, but the heroine didn’t care for lofty titles and fancy things and she dreamed of marrying for love.
As far back as she could remember, Nova had known she would never marry for love. But, as she once again examined her growing feelings for Zylonn, she considered herself lucky. She liked him, that was for certain. She enjoyed his company and there was no denying the building passion they shared in the bedroom.
But was it truly the beginnings of love she was experiencing?
She wished she knew what it felt like to fall in love with a man. She’d never dated and had never been in love before, but what she felt for Zylonn was similar to the unwanted attraction the heroine in her historical romance novel was starting to harbor for the duke. She sighed and sat the book aside, feeling silly for drawing a comparison between her own situation and that of fictional characters, as the heroine in the book would no doubt get her happy ending.
But what about Nova?
Would she get her happy ending?
Nova heard a noise and looked up to see her husband standing in the doorway, a sensuous smile on his blue-green lips. She marveled that his lips and the palms of his hands were a slightly different shade than the rest of his body, a beautiful blue-green shade that always drew her gaze. Her heart fluttered at his sudden presence and she couldn’t help but feel the first stirrings of arousal. It was just after dinner, but perhaps he intended to call her to bed early.
“It’s ready, little human.”
