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

Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

F elicity stirred awake to the warmth of Luxor’s tail wrapped around her waist. The increasing radiance of the ship’s lights indicated the approaching morning and cast a warm glow over his emerald skin. His eyes opened, meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

“Good morning,” she whispered, tracing the ridge of his cheekbone.

His wide mouth curved into a smile as he pulled her closer. The subtle texture of his skin against hers sent tingles down her spine. She pressed her lips to his neck, savoring the unique taste. Despite his best efforts, his knot had finally softened and he’d reluctantly pulled free—only to carry her downstairs to their room and make love to her all over again. His initial urgency had passed and he took his time, driving her from one climax to another until she was weak and shaking when he finally entered her, his huge cock filling her until she could barely breathe.

“A very good morning,” he agreed, his hand sliding between them to cup her breast. His touch sent a spike of arousal to her core and she realized her thighs were sticky with their combined fluid.

“I need a shower,” she mumbled. “But first…”

She reached for his already erect cock, slowly exploring him until he groaned. Pleased with his response, she started to kiss her way down his chest and he suddenly froze.

“What are you doing?”

“It’s my turn to taste you.”

“It is forbidden.” His voice came out strangled and she frowned up at him.

“Why?”

“The Council ordered all seed to be collected. For their attempt to recreate our race.”

“The more I hear about this Council, the more I dislike them,” she murmured, letting her breath waft across the head of his cock. Three gleaming gold drops appeared as he groaned again. “But surely a rebel like you wouldn’t obey their restrictions.”

His fingers slipped into her hair and he raised her face so she was looking up at him.

“I have never wanted a female’s lips around my cock before. Only yours.”

Tears threatened to spring to her eyes, but she managed a shaky grin.

“That is most definitely the right answer.”

Before he could respond, she swiped her tongue across the broad glistening head. They both moaned.

“You taste just as good as I imagined,” she murmured, licking his length again.

His fingers tightened in her hair, his other hand still cradling her breast, tugging at her nipple, and she could tell that he was watching her every move.

She licked along the length of him again, smiling at his shiver. The nubs beneath her tongue added an interesting texture, and she closed her mouth around him, trying to draw the whole head inside. A small part of her was still amazed that he’d fit, but she had no doubt of it now and she eagerly sucked on the thick head.

His groan made her own pleasure increase and she took her time, exploring every inch. When her tongue stroked the wide ring at the base of his shaft, he actually cried out.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” she asked, raising her head in sudden concern.

“No. Please, do not stop.”

“Stop? Not a chance.”

She lowered her head again, teasing the sensitive ring until he shuddered. She could feel the pulse of his erection, the slow leak of his seed, and she knew that he wouldn’t last much longer. Her own body was just as eager, her clit throbbing in anticipation. She took the head of his cock in her mouth again, her hand coming up to circle his thick shaft. The angle was a little awkward, but she was still able to pump up and down and the added sensation seemed to drive him even higher.

His hand left her breast, his tail replacing it as his hand joined the other in her hair. He urged her head lower as he raised his hips and she did her best to take as much of him as she could, her hand working frantically.

He gasped out her name as the first burst of sweetness filled her mouth and she tried to swallow it all, continuing to work him until his body finally stilled. Smiling happily, she climbed back up his body and snuggled against his side.

“Your knot didn’t expand,” she said sleepily.

“No, that will only happen when I am inside you. Which I wish to be right now.”

“Shower first.”

“That will take too long,” he growled, then climbed out of bed.

She watched him go, admiring the way his tail flicked back and forth across his muscular ass. He returned with a cleansing cloth, gently wiping her mouth and her thighs. She gasped as he cleansed the tender area between her legs, stoking her desire once more.

“Enough cleansing,” she said, reaching for him…

And the door slid open with a soft whoosh and she hastily grabbed for the sheet. Tiny feet padded across the floor, followed by Nina’s dark head popping up beside the bed. Without hesitation, she scrambled up and wedged herself between them.

“Mama,” Nina said, snuggling into her chest while reaching back to pat Luxor’s arm.

Her heart swelled as she met his gaze over their daughter’s head. His expression softened in a way she’d never seen before, all his usual guardedness gone. His tail unwound from her waist to curl protectively around both her and Nina.

Nina grabbed his hand, comparing her tiny fingers to his larger ones.

“Big,” she declared with a decisive nod.

“Yes, very big,” she agreed, fighting back happy tears at hearing Nina’s voice, still so new and precious.

This was what she’d always wanted—not just a relationship, but a family. The three of them tangled together in the morning glow felt more right than anything in her old life ever had.

They reached Zythrak’s station on the evening of the following day. The ship’s docking clamps engaged with a metallic groan that echoed through the empty hangar. She peered through the viewport at the deteriorating station, her stomach clenching at the thick layer of grime coating every surface. Torn cables dangled from the ceiling like dead vines, and debris littered the floor.

“This can’t be right,” she murmured, pulling Nina closer. “It looks abandoned.”

“Appearances can deceive.” Luxor’s tail brushed her back as he moved past her. “But stay close.”

Leaving Nina with Carla and Bobby, they made their way through dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing off grimy walls. The air tasted stale, tinged with an acrid undertone that made her nose wrinkle. She finally heard the sound of activity in the distance, but Luxor turned down another corridor before they reached it. The corridor appeared to come to a dead end but he strode confidently through the wall and she discovered it was only a holographic barrier.

A settlement lay beyond the barrier. Residences built from scraps surrounded an open central area. She recognized the Elorans from Luxor’s description—slender and white-skinned, graceful despite their obvious exhaustion.

She made a rapid note of the symptoms—glazed eyes, pale lips, labored breathing—and her heart sank.

“They’re all sick,” she whispered to Luxor. “All of them.”

An elderly Eloran approached, his translucent white skin dulled to ash grey.

“Zythrak said you would come.” He swayed on his feet, and she automatically reached out to steady him. “We didn’t know where else to turn.”

Luxor’s tail curled protectively around her waist. “This is worse than he described.”

“Much worse,” the elder agreed. “The illness spreads quickly. We’ve lost twelve already this week.”

A small, elderly female marched towards them. She looked as exhausted as everyone else, but Felicity didn’t think she was ill.

“Go back to bed, Oran,” she ordered.

“I wanted to thank our guests,” he protested weakly.

“You have. Bed. Now.”

Felicity wasn’t the least bit surprised when the male obeyed and the female turned to her.

“I’m Miraj. I am the healer here.”

“I’m Felicity. I’m a doctor. What can I do to help?”

“This way.”

She followed elderly healer through the makeshift ward, her medical training kicking in as she assessed each patient. Miraj moved with precise efficiency despite her obvious exhaustion, checking vital signs and adjusting medication drips.

“The fever spikes without warning,” Miraj explained, her melodic voice tight with worry. “We’ve been using cold compresses, but our supplies are limited.”

“Show me what medications you have.” She gave Luxor a quick look. “Can you start bringing in the supplies, please? The blue case first.”

She knew he didn’t want to leave her, but he took another look around, then nodded and strode away.

She followed Miraj from bed to bed, her heart aching at the sight of so many children among the ill. Their skin was also dull and gray, their normally glowing blue eyes glazed with fever.

“This compound might help.” She pulled several vials from the case when Luxor returned. “I was told it’s a broad-spectrum antibiotic developed for multiple species.”

Miraj’s eyes widened. “We haven’t had access to anything this advanced.”

Together they administered the medication. She showed Miraj how to properly dose it for different ages and body weight, and the Eloran healer proved to be a quick study.

“The symptoms remind me of an aggressive form of pneumonia,” she said thoughtfully as they prepared more doses. “But it’s moving through the population too quickly.”

“We lost three people in the last day alone.” Miraj’s hands trembled slightly. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

She placed a steadying hand on the healer’s arm. “We’ll figure this out. For now, let’s focus on keeping everyone stable.”

They continued their rounds, checking temperatures, adjusting medications, and offering what comfort they could to worried family members. Hours blurred together as she moved from patient to patient. Her feet ached, her back screamed in protest, but she couldn’t stop. Not while there was anything she could do. She wiped sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and checked another temperature reading.

“Down two degrees.” She managed a tired smile at the patient’s relieved family member. “The medication is working.”

It wasn’t just this patient. As she and Miraj compared notes, a pattern emerged. The antibiotic was having an effect, slowing the progression of the illness. No one’s fever had spiked in the last six hours.

“Look.” Miraj pointed to her datapad. “Fever rates are dropping across the ward.”

She sank into a chair, her legs finally giving out. The rush of relief made her dizzy—or maybe that was the exhaustion.

A small hand touched her knee. Nina stood there, holding out a cup of water. Luxor stood behind her, his tail twitching anxiously.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” She took a long drink, realizing how thirsty she’d been. “Did you help bring this?”

Nina nodded, climbing into her lap, and she snuggled her close, taking comfort in her daughter’s familiar weight.

“I think the worst is over,” Miraj said, checking another set of readings. “We haven’t lost anyone else since starting the new treatment protocol.”

She sighed and leaned back, cradling Nina close. She knew they weren’t out of danger yet—they’d need to monitor for relapses, ensure the infection was truly cleared, and watch for any mutations. But for now, she could breathe easier knowing they’d turned a corner.

“You should rest,” Luxor’s deep voice rumbled from beside her. His tail curved protectively around her shoulders.

She wanted to protest, to insist on staying with her patients, but her body had other ideas. Her eyelids felt like lead weights.

She heard Miraj direct Luxor to a nearby residence, and then she was asleep.