Protector of the Stars

by Lucee Joie

  “Shit,” Danika says it softly and I turn back to her. She is biting down on her bottom lip and I reach up to touch her chin. She tries to smile at me and I return the favor.

  “So, the Qorcin really were just a raiding group?” Marir asks.

  “I believe so.”

  “How could we have been so stupid?” she mutters, more to herself than to me and starts pacing. As she does so, she waves her laser in the air, as though she is punctuating her thoughts with it. “We should have remained quiet about what we were doing, we should have assumed that anyone could be listening in.”

  “Hey, don’t beat yourself up,” Danika says. “How were we to know that this would happen?”

  “I should have known,” Marir retorts. “I know that the Qorcin can roam these mountains, that they have a tendency to eavesdrop before they attack.”

  “But what was the likelihood that they would realize we would be valuable to the Galactic Union?” I respond.

  “True,” Marir replies. “But they are hired help. Who’s to say they weren’t originally hired by the Union to keep an ear out for any news regarding the Leonida?”

  “How do we fix this?” My words are small as I speak and I can’t even look at Marir.

  “I need to contact my people,” Danika says. Her voice is low and each word appears to be forced out of her mouth.

  “We can’t,” Marir replies. “Besides not being near radio contact right now, if Thahars knows we are somehow linked to what happened on the Leonida then he will be listening in. Of that, I have no doubt. It will be much safer to wait for them to contact us. I have sent someone ahead to Setis to explain the situation at hand.”

  Danika looks terrified. I can only imagine what she is thinking, of how she is expecting the worst.

  “You need to trust Marir on this one,” I say. “The Union may know more about your group now than we wanted them to just yet but there is still plenty they could learn. The last thing we want to do is alert the others and have Thahars deduce their plan. The emperor may know that something is going down, but he has no idea when. Plus, your people may have already come and gone on the Leonida anyway. Do you know when they were going in?”

  Danika shakes her head. “I assumed they were entering fairly quickly but they were waiting for contact first.”

  “Well, let’s just assume that they have already come and gone, that they have completed their mission and are heading back towards us now. Perhaps that is even why Thahars was called away. The best we can do is to continue on to Setis and await their contact.”

  I watch as Danika swallows hard and fights the urge to argue. Finally, she looks up at me and I see resolution etched into her clamped jaw. “How long until we can reach Setis then?”

  “If we start traveling now, we should reach the town by nightfall,” Marir says.

  Chapter Thirteen: Danika

  The journey has been rough. Not only am I fighting the urge to cry over what has happened, at the nervous sick feeling that has hollowed out in the pit of my stomach, but we are trekking through wet, slippery conditions. Perhaps, this hard labor is for the best. After all, I need to pay all of my attention to the treacherous path in front of me. There is little time beyond that for worry and doubt. However, there are still moments where I can ponder things.

  “Hey!” I look up at the sound and see an unfamiliar face up ahead. The man has stopped and is now speaking to Marir. Broadening my view, I see the edges of the forest. Sky greets me more readily as buildings start to show themselves through the trees and branches surrounding us. I sigh in relief.

  There is also dread, though. We still have to wait until the others make contact and that could be some time yet.

  Or never.

  I gag at that prospect and the notion hits me like a sucker punch to the guts.

  I need to remain positive. There is certainly all the possibility in the world that my group has been to the Leonida, done what needed to be done, and returned. In fact, they could be on their way here now, waiting for me to make contact first, not even aware that I have had my own brush with the emperor. Perhaps, they are even worried about my own safety. I try to smile at my weak attempt to rationalize the situation, of turning it around and seeing it from their perspective. However, I don’t feel like smiling. I am tired, exhausted, my mental capacity has been stretched thin, and all I want to do is cry because that is all that I feel like I have control over presently.

  A hand grasps mine and I don’t even need to turn in order to know that it is Bivir’s soft touch. His thumb rubs over the top of my hand and the action manages to take the edge off my constant terror.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Bivir whispers into my ear and I feel the heat of his breath. I miss his touch already even though we have barely had the chance to discuss our situation and to lay claim to each other totally. However, I know deep down that there is no one else for me, that Bivir is my one chance at redemption and happiness after everything that I have been through.

  Turning, I finally have the energy to smile, to genuinely show my happiness. Bivir is the only one who can grant me that luxury right now and I am more thankful than I can even comprehend.

  “Danika,” Marir calls out and my head snaps around. “Your group has made contact, they are safe.”

  Heavy sobs erupt, tearing from my throat and creating hacking sounds that would normally embarrass me. However, I don’t care at my display in this instance. Closing my eyes, I can feel myself slumping against Bivir, his arms around me as I do so, forever protecting me from the bitter battle that is life.

  “It’s okay, Danika,” Bivir is whispering in my ear. “Everything is going to be okay.”

  I am thankful for his words but doubt is also creeping in. Somehow it feels like we have gotten off too easily, especially where the Galactic Union is concerned. I need to speak to Beth and Shirley, to find out exactly what happened, at how easy their mission turned out to be. Until I have heard what they have gone through, until I have shared my own story and we have compared notes, I feel like Marir’s words aren’t real, that I have somehow imagined everything and that our fates are still in the hands of the Galactic Union.

  “When can I speak to them?” I shout back. Leaving Bivir behind, I am moving forward now, closing the gap between myself and Marir. The slope is still slippery but it is starting to even out and I can now race forward without too much fear of falling.

  Marir looks towards the man standing next to her.

  “They will call again shortly,” he replies.

  I actually feel my cheeks cramp up with the agony of smiling so widely. After all that we have been through, it looks like things are starting to get better, that we might actually be on top of the situation.

  Turning back, I smile even harder as my eyes well up once more. Bivir is now far behind me. Having to negotiate the slope has been harder for him, even with the walking stick that has been fashioned from a branch.

  He returns my grin, though, even through the obvious agony that is etched on to his face. I have forgotten, with all of my misery, that Bivir is still healing. He shouldn’t even be making this climb yet, especially not after the trouble we had with the Qorcin.

  While the caravan was available, Bivir had chosen to walk part of the way. He said he felt cooped up, that he wanted to test just how well he was healing. I had allowed it, even though I felt it was pre-emptive. Now, looking at him, I realize that it was certainly too soon and feel terrible for not thinking of him over my own selfish needs.

  “Bivir, stop,” I say. “Let me get you some help.”

  Already, other members of the group are stepping forward, grabbing his arms and helping him make the distance between him and myself. It flattens out from where I am standing so it would seem ridiculous to have him climb into the caravan for such a short distance. Still, I watch as he huffs along, breathing heavily as he leans over his walking stick.

  Time trickles by but he is finally closing the distance and I
reach out, taking his hand, allowing him to lean on me for support and the others back away.

  “Thank you for your help,” I say as they move off and they nod their replies. “We can take it slowly now. There is no need to rush anymore.”

  Bivir is too exhausted for words and I chide myself further. He steps one agonizing step at a time yet I allow no bad thoughts. This is my own doing and I need to be patient. Plus, this is Bivir. He is the man I know that I am falling for, that I would honestly risk my life for, I come to realize as we walk.

  “In here,” Marir says as we reach a clearing. Huts surround us and Marir is pulling aside a flap door to one of them. Bivir huffs as he ducks his head upon entering.

  The room is dark and I wait for my eyes to adjust to the interior. Slowly everything comes into focus and I see a bland room, devoid of much other than a sleeping platform. Still, it looks like heaven after the journey we have just made.

  Without thinking, I throw myself onto the bed. Laying back, I stretch out my arms and smile at the roof of the hut. It actually feels like bliss as the load is taken off my heavy feet.

  Then, Bivir is lowering himself down onto the bed and I realize that nothing is pure bliss unless it involves Bivir. Even with his pale complexion, washed out from his arduous trek, I can see his desire for me.

  We lay still for a while. I listen as Bivir’s breath slows. Eventually, he rolls over to one side and stares at me.

  Reaching out, I cup his chin as I return his gaze and feel the swell of emotion rising. I have only known Bivir for such a short amount of time but, already, I am convinced that this is all the time I need in order to understand him fully.

  He is strong in his determination to overthrow the Galactic Union. Yet, he is gentle and kind, always thinking of me rather than himself and I want to return the favor, especially because I haven’t done so today in my haste to make it here to Setis.

  Marir has said that she will notify us if my group contacts us. Yet, she has also stated that she will be resting in the meantime. For the first time since I have learned my group has been successful in their mission, I hope that there is time between now and their contact.

  I want to ravish Bivir, to show him just how much I care for him without him even having to lift a finger. For all his welcoming of me, I want to return the favor and show him just how accommodating I can be in return.

  Leaning over, I kiss Bivir. His lips are warm against my own and I can feel the heat rising between us from the contact. I moan into our embrace, allowing my eyes to close as I savor the moment. My fingers trace along his jaw before smoothing their way down his neck. His skin under my fingertips delights me and I want to touch him forever, to feel the heat of him next to me for the rest of time.

  Opening my mouth, I search out a deeper embrace and my tongue clashes eagerly with Bivir’s. I can feel the heat of our attraction in this single action. I want him so bad.

  Gently, I roll him over and straddle Bivir. Breaking from our kiss, I sit up as I grind my sex into his. Already, his erection is greeting me, searching for its home inside of me. Running my fingers down his chest, I lean further into him, pushing harder against his rise and he groans out his appreciation.

  Slowly, I grind against him and feel his excitement grow. Leaning over further, I kiss him once more. My hands cupping his face, my body pinging with desire. Every fiber of my being is on high alert and I am suddenly sensitive all over. My clothes feel like they are setting my body on fire and I want nothing more than to remove them.

  Still, I continue to tease Bivir.

  Trailing my fingers down his neck, I hear Bivir groan. It is a soft sound and he arches up his hips to rub further into my pleasure center. His chest is warm, hard, and his nipples contract as I run my fingers over them.

  I move lower, delicately avoiding his wound as our lips still mingle and his erection is doing the seemingly impossible by continuing to grow.

  He reaches up, tangling his fingers in my hair as he pulls me in further. My breasts crash against him, my own nipples hard and sensitive against his body. Once more, I rock further into his cock.

  His fingers scrape down my back before reaching the edge of my shirt. Pulling it up, I break from our embrace and sit up, allowing Bivir to pull the item of clothing over my head, revealing my bra. I reach around, unfasten the clip and my breasts are free. I fling my underwear across the room and Bivir moans as he lifts himself up. Cradling my body, he suckles one nipple first before tasting the other.

  I am frantic now, my body writhing against his as we rock together. I pull at his clothes, nearly forgetting myself, wanting him inside of me as soon as possible.

  Bivir reaches behind and grabs his own shirt, pulling it free and discarding it as I had with my own. Our skin sizzles as we connect and I gape at the sensation. Allowing a moment, I treasure my response and allow our skin to rub against each other. It creates a delicious friction that seems to generate its own electricity, as though our love powers it and it is a town that I never want to leave.

  Then, I break free. The cold air rushes in and our electricity is lost. I feel tears threatening, the emotion of our connection so strong that it rips me apart with this single small movement.

  Reaching for Bivir’s hands, our fingers entwine. I feel the sensation of his skin, revel in it for a moment before grasping tighter and pulling his arms up over his head. Pushing him down once more, Bivir is trapped beneath me and I smile wickedly at him.

  “You are mine,” I say as I secure his hands in one of my own. I kiss him once more, a slow, tender moment that seems to connect us more than anything else we have done before. “Stay.”

  Bivir looks confused but does as he is told. I could totally get used to this. Having never really been one to assert my dominance, this actually feels awesome.

  Slowly, I let go of Bivir’s arms and he remains in position. I lean in to kiss him once more but pause right before our lips meet. Bivir makes the distance and our lips collide but I pull away.

  “Uh-uh,” I say, sitting back up and grinding into his cock. He groans back at me, his eyes glazing slightly as he enjoys the sensation.

  As he settles, I wait a moment or two longer and lean in once more. Our lips are so close I can feel the puff of his warm breath. My gaze connects with his and I see nothing but trust there. Bivir waits and I am ready to fully satisfy him.

  Instead of kissing him, my lips move lower. I connect with his neck and my tongue darts out to taste the salt of his skin. I continue on, leaving a wet trail as I go. Bivir groans but it is a soft noise and when I break from my task and look back at him, I see that his eyes are closed and he appears to have turned inwards to the sensation.

  Returning to my task, I kiss Bivir’s shoulder, tracing a wet line there as well. Moving slowly downwards, my mouth finds his nipple and I teasingly bite down on it. Bivir grunts as his body jerks and I remain still, my teeth still clamping down.

  When he settles, I flick out my tongue. It darts across his nipple and Bivir shudders in response. Flickering my tongue over it, again and again, Bivir starts to writhe underneath me and I stop what I am doing.

  “No, don’t stop,” he moans and I sit up once more.

  He opens his eyes, his gaze searching, demanding, practically begging me to continue and I can’t help but to oblige.

  I drop once more, this time my tongue works its way down past Bivir’s nipple, following the dip between his ribs. Bivir’s body tenses as my tongue runs over his belly, dips into his belly button and continues lower still. He groans fiercely as my teeth pull at his pants and my hand darts under the material.

  “I want you so bad,” he whispers.

  “I can tell,” I reply as my hand closes over his giant cock.

  He arches into my touch and groans out loud as I use my other hand to pull his pants down, to expose his desire. His cock rears out and strains towards me. Gazing at its glory, I lick my lips as I think about what I am going to do next. I restrain myself, my own
desire so hot that I want to lower my own pants, to climb on board Bivir and ride him until I am done.

  But this moment is about him, not me. I want to tease him, to satisfy him. And, to do that, we both must wait. We both have to be patient.

  Taking a deep breath, I gaze up at Bivir, taking in his form, distracting myself from my own desire.

  It doesn’t work. Instead, I grind against him as he reaches out to me. His fingers are gentle as he touches my face and I lean into him. Closing my eyes, I allow this moment, this place in time where we are both keyed for each other and also not quite there yet.

  I take another breath before opening my eyes. Reaching up, I clasp Bivir’s hands, my fingers tracing over his skin for a moment before I remove his touch. The air between us seems to pause, as though waiting for something more.

  Returning his hands above his head, I return my attention to his crotch. Tracking my fingers down Bivir’s chest once more, I feel the heat of his cock before I even touch it. It bounces against my palm as my fingers enclose the engorged member again.

  A sound rips from Bivir and it is raw, unlike anything I have ever heard from him before.

  My insides clench in response.

  I swallow hard, fighting my body in order to give it a much stronger release in the end. I move my hand up and down over Bivir’s cock and feel the pulse of it beneath my touch. Veins bulge and I take in the sight of it once more before leaning in and finally tasting him. The salty tang of him is delicious and I devour him hungrily.

  “Woman!” Bivir manages to shout out as he grabs at the pillows behind him and thrusts his cock further into my welcoming mouth. I gag slightly and pull back. Swallowing once more, I return, my tongue darting out, working its way along his length. I pause before blowing gently onto the place where my wet tongue has been. Bivir shivers and I take him back into my mouth, swallowing as much of his member as I possibly can.

  “I need you,” Bivir whispers and I smile as I continue to savor him.