Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

L uxor hesitated, his fingers hovering over the com panel. He’d known Zythrak longer than he’d known anyone else. The other male had been a fighter as well, but he’d left as soon as he had enough money to acquire a trading ship. He’d taken Luxor with him and he’d worked for the other male until he had enough credits to buy his own ship. They’d gone their separate ways after that but they kept in touch.

He was still grateful to the other male and he would do his best to assist him—he just hoped it wouldn’t require anything that would take him away from his females. He looked down at Felicity and Nina—both of them waiting for him to respond. My females. He still couldn’t quite believe his luck. After all these years, he had finally found a family of his own.

“Will you join me for the call?” he asked, holding out his hand to Felicity.

“Of course.”

Her fingers tightened on his as he activated the panel. A moment later, an image appeared. Zythrak still looked as intimidating as he had all those years ago, older perhaps, but just as hard and powerful. Shimmering purple scales covered a large, muscular body designed for warfare. Gleaming white fangs bracketed his mouth, while small, sharp spikes ran down his forearms and calves.

“About time, you green bastard,” Zythrak growled, but he could see the weariness behind the bluster.

“What is wrong?”

Zythrak scrubbed his face with his hand.

“You remember that I have… guests on the station?”

“Yes.”

For some quixotic reason, Zythrak had decided to provide a home for a group of Eloran refugees. The gentle, white-skinned people couldn’t be more different from the big fighter, but he had taken on responsibility for them.

“They’re sick,” Zythrak said bluntly. “It started out simply enough. Just a few cases. Fever, weakness, red spots. Now half of them are down with it. Lost three people yesterday.”

His stomach clenched. The symptoms triggered memories of the Red Death that had devastated so many of their systems.

“Quarantine?”

Zythrak shook his head. “Too late for that, although it doesn’t appear to affect anyone else.”

Felicity leaned over his shoulder.

“How long does the illness last? Does the fever ever break then return?”

“Who the hell are you?” Zythrak snapped at her.

He growled, but she didn’t flinch. “Do you have a doctor?”

“Yes. But she’s only one healer and so many are ill.” Despair flashed across Zythrak’s face for a moment. “We need supplies and I can’t get them from anyone else without revealing their location.”

“We’ll bring them to you,” she said immediately and he bit back a protest.

He hated the thought of her being exposed to such an illness, but he’d known it was inevitable as soon as the words left Zythrak’s mouth.

“We’ll leave as soon as we gather the supplies,” she added and glanced at him. “How long will that take?”

“Half a day, perhaps less.”

“If it takes extra credits to speed it up, spend them,” Zythrak ordered.

“I know the basics,” she said. “But does your healer have any specific requests?”

The other male nodded, a look of begrudging respect on his face.

“I’ll transmit it after the call.”

“Good. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

Zythrak hesitated.

“Thank you.”

The call terminated and he looked up at her, trying to find the right words, but she smiled and shook her head before he found them.

“Don’t bother. You know I’m coming.”

“I know. I do not suppose the fact that it could be dangerous will deter you? I can deliver the supplies without you.”

“But you can’t assist their healer. And he says the disease is confined to one species.”

“I know. You’re needed.”

“I’m a doctor. This is what I do.”

His chest tightened. Of course she’d want to help—it was who she was. The same compassion that had made her help an injured trader on Triguera.

“I’ll tell Carla she can stay here with the children?—”

“I’ll talk to her.” Felicity squeezed his arm. “We’ll need supplies. Medicine, protective gear.”

She was already making lists in her head—he saw it in her eyes. His protective instincts screamed at him to refuse, to keep her safe. But he knew better than to try. She bent down and kissed him and despite his worry, despite his frustration, his body immediately responded to the gentle brush of her lips. A corresponding heat flared in her eyes. “Later,” she whispered.

It reminded him of his other news, but that would also have to wait.

He spent the afternoon gathering supplies. He called in favors, trading credits and promises for medical equipment, working off the list Felicity provided as well as the list from Zythrak’s healer. Somewhat hesitantly, he contacted Hrebec again. The big commander didn’t ask questions—he just put Luxor in touch with his former medic, also mated to a human female, and he did everything he could to rush the protocols.

By the time night fell, they had gathered everything they could and were about to embark. The last thing he’d done before he returned to the ship was to leave Felicity’s message for Lauren with Hrebec.

Carla and Bobby were coming with them, even though Hrebec’s mate had offered them a place to stay.

“I refuse to be left behind to worry about you,” the girl said firmly. “And I may not be a doctor but I can change sheets and carry trays. And look after children.”

Felicity hugged her, and he saw Carla whisper something in her ear that made her blush, but even his sensitive hearing couldn’t make out the words.

Felicity and Nina joined him in the cockpit as he prepared to launch.

“You are absolutely sure?” he asked.

“Positively.”

“Pozi,” Nina echoed, and they were all smiling as they left Trevelor behind.

Much later that night, he stared out at the star-filled viewport, his tail twitching with restless energy. The conversation with Hrebec kept replaying in his mind. Not only the fact that the commander had accepted him so easily but his other news..

Soft footsteps approached, and Felicity’s sweet scent reached him before she spoke.

“Since you didn’t come to bed, I decided I’d better come find you.” She settled into the co-pilot’s chair, drawing her knees up. “What’s going on?”

His tail curled toward her of its own accord. “Something happened today on Trevelor.”

“Is something wrong?”

“For once, something may be very right.” He turned to face her, drinking in her concerned expression. “I met another Cire warrior. Commander Hrebec. Former Commander Hrebec, now I suppose.”

“And?”

“He had a high position on Ciresia. He knew who I was. He knew about my conviction and what I have done since I left Ciresia.” His hands clenched. “But he welcomed me anyway. He said there were questions about my conviction at the time but everyone was too caught up in grief and chaos to follow up.”

“Of course there were questions. You’re an honorable male, Luxor. You always have been.”

Her immediate defense of him still caught him off guard. He reached for her hand, running his thumb over her smooth palm.

“There is quite a large Cire community on Trevelor. Hrebec said I would be welcome.”

She squeezed his fingers. “Good. If that is what you want?”

“I am not sure. There is a part of miss that misses it, but it has been many years. You and Nina are what really matter to me now. Carla and Bobby. Zythrak.”

Such a small list, but it filled him with satisfaction.

“You know I’ll support whatever you decide.”

“I know.” He had no doubts. “There is one other thing.”

“More?” she teased as his tail drew her closer.

“Everything was so rushed this afternoon, that I am not sure you noticed.”

“Noticed what?” Her blunt little teeth nibbled delicately at his neck and his thoughts scattered.

“Hrebec’s mate? Mekoi’s mate? They are both human females. And they are not the only ones.”

She drew back enough to give him a puzzled look.

“I don’t understand.”

“We were taught all our lives that a Cire male could only mate with a Cire female. It was a lie.”

“What?” Her face paled. “But Venma…”

“Venma believed it just as I did. Hrebec told me that the Ruling Council knows it is not true but they do not accept it. As far as they are concerned such matings do not exist. They would rather see our people die out than accept it.”

She shifted closer. “Why are you telling me this?”

The words caught in his throat. “Because I want you as my mate. To share my life, raise Nina together.”

“Luxor-”

“I know I have little to offer. No wealth, no status. No reputation. Just a ship and a life amongst the stars.” His tail unwound from her wrist, retreating. “But everything I have would be yours.”

Her sharp intake of breath made him look up. His heart stopped at the tears in her eyes. His tail drooped and he pulled back, preparing for the pain of her rejection. He’d been a fool to think?—

She grabbed his face between her palms.

“You have everything to offer. A home. A family. Love.” Her thumbs traced the ridges of his cheekbones. “I love you, Luxor.”

The words hit him like a physical blow. His tail snapped up, wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer. “Say it again.”

“I love you.” She pressed her forehead to his. “I love your honor, your strength, the way you protect us. The way you are with Nina.”

“Love.” The word felt like an explosion of joy in his mind.

“Yes, love. So of course, I’ll be your mate. I never expected wealth and I couldn’t care less about status. All I need is you.”

He crushed her against his chest, breathing in her scent. His fingers tangled in her hair as he claimed her mouth. She melted into him, soft and warm and perfect.

“I need you,” he growled.

“Yes.”

Her hands roamed over his body, frantic, eager, leaving trails of fire on his skin. He fumbled impatiently at her dress and heard it rip but he didn’t care. All he cared about was her soft, warm skin under his hands.

Her hand slid down his stomach, and he groaned, his cock jerking eagerly against it. Her fingers circled his aching shaft, her touch delicate but sure, and a shudder racked his body.

“I need to be in you, t’davi. Now.” He could barely force the words out through a haze of lust and longing, but some small remnant of sanity remembered how small she was, remembered that he had to prepare her. His tail slid between her legs, and he groaned when he found her wet and ready. He stumbled backwards to the chair, somehow managing to free his erection in the process, and settled her on top of him.

She gasped as his cock slid between her folds and over the small swollen pearl that brought her pleasure. He helped her rock back and forth, the feel of her damp heat driving his arousal even higher, until she threw back her head, crying out his name as more of her arousal coated his shaft. His tail probed at her entrance, then slipped easily inside as she shuddered again.

“Are you ready?”

“God, yes.”

Unable to wait any longer, he lifted her over his cock. Despite her excitement and the liquid heat coating his cock, her body resisted. He tried gently pressing the head of his cock against her entrance, but he could feel himself on the verge of losing control.

“It’s not working,” she gasped.

He didn’t want to hurt her but he didn’t think he could stop. He started to lift her away, to try again, and his tail tightened around her waist. The head of his cock breached the delicate ring of muscle.

“Oh, my God,” she cried, and he froze, afraid to move.

“Are you well?”

“Yes. Yes!” she said fiercely. “Please don’t stop.”

He didn’t think he could have even if the ship had been on fire. She sank down over him, so tight he could barely breathe. Shivers skated across her pretty skin as her body closed completely around him, her eyes wide and shocked. He froze, afraid to move, but then she moaned and started rocking against him.

He urged her higher and she rode him eagerly now, the tight, clenching grip of her cunt heaven around him, despite his growing concern. His cock expanded further, his knot beginning to swell. She was already so tight around him he knew it would never fit inside her body.

“Fuck,” he cursed as he lifted her up, trying to retreat while he still could, but she refused to let him go.

“Please, Luxor. I need you.”

Her channel clamped down around him as she slid back down his length and he roared as his knot expanded fully. He couldn’t pull free. They were tied together and the realization sent his need soaring. He tightened his arms around her, holding her in place, and she cried out his name as her cunt fluttered wildly around him. His seed exploded from him in long, heavy pulses as his tail found her pleasure spot. She shuddered, and the tight, rippling grasp of her cunt increased, making his knot throb and pulse.

His orgasm went on and on, until he was drained, until he collapsed back against the chair, still buried deep inside her. He closed his eyes, filled with an incredible sense of peace and happiness. He’d never known such completion, such rightness.

She curled against his chest, her fingers lazily tracing patterns on his skin. His tail wrapped possessively around her thigh.

“I never thought I could be this happy,” he murmured into her hair.

She tilted her face up, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “Neither did I. Although you could have warned me about this.”

She wiggled experimentally, and he tightened his arms around her.

“Are you in pain?”

“A little achy, but in a good way. I feel so full. Like you are part of me.”

“I am, t’davi,” he growled. “I want to be inside you forever.”

“Mmm, that sounds nice. But it would make things awkward.”

A reluctant smile crossed his face. “I suppose it would. But you are mine until my knot releases.”

“How long will that take?” she asked lazily, stroking his chest again.

“I am not sure. Especially if you keep touching me like that.”

“Good.” She yawned and snuggled against him. “Then perhaps I can stay here a little longer.”

“Forever,” he repeated, holding her close.