by Liza Probz
"Shhh... Enjoy it. I won’t hurt you, baby." He soothed her with his words and continued to make love to her, working orgasm after orgasm from her.
The energy waves on his skin picked up their pace and suddenly his cock was pulsing inside her, the waves of energy vibrating it inside of her. Exhaustion rushed over her, but greed forced her to continue coaxing him forward. She wanted more… needed all that he would give her.
“Harder, X. Fuck me harder,” she groaned and ran her nails down his back as he slammed into her over and over.
He thrusted faster, burying his face in the crook of her neck as his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her ass. The vibrations continued, accompanied by the occasional shocks. Then another hit her bud and she went over, surrendering to the climax that felt like it would shake her apart.
“Please come,” she whispered against his neck, unsure of why he was taking so long. She had heard about men with insane stamina, but this was ridiculous.
“You first,” he grumbled and pressed himself the final inch, rolling his hips and massaging every inch of her with a vibration that was so intense that she cried out, tears burning her gaze.
“Beautiful, lover.” He kissed her neck, her face and lastly her lips. “Sleep and I’ll wake you soon. You were magnificent."
She started to reach for him, but sleep pulled her under. The question of his lack of orgasm plagued her, but she hadn’t anything left to combat it with.
Chapter 27
When Sylvie awoke, she was sore, but it was a good sore. She turned on her side to look at the man who'd made love to her like no human man ever could.
X was deeply asleep, a small smile on his face. He looked so innocent, so relaxed. She wanted to press a kiss into his mouth, to wake him and entice him to take her again. Being the object of desire and affection for a man with his power, his looks, his strength, was overwhelming and addictive.
You have to go. Now, or you’ll never leave.
Instead, she crept out of bed and began fastening her clothing as quietly as possible. She could ignore the burn of despair that rose from the pit of her stomach until she was headed home. Then she would lament over the death of something that was building to be beautiful and sustaining.
She would take the orders he'd written and get to the central hub and off the planet before he woke up.
He got what he wanted. We had a deal. I doubt he'll care too much when he wakes up and finds me gone.
A part of her didn't believe that, but now wasn’t the time for second-guessing herself. He had a planet to run and she had a lab to attend to. Simple. Really.
Sylvie left the regent's chambers, surprised to see that the crowd was still outside. They began shouting as soon as they saw her, so she quickly pressed the orders into the major's hand.
"Please hurry," she said, eyeing the protesters around her.
"Of course." He pulled up a mini console from a device around his wrist and ordered a new set of guards to take up their post at the regent's door. Two new guards arrived quickly.
They must be close to keep an eye on this crowd and make sure it doesn't get out of hand.
The old guards made sure to exchange energies with the new ones, ascertaining that neither were Hareema operatives. Then she was being led down the hallway, through the shouting crowd, and toward the central hub.
She looked back at the regent's door and frowned as tears burned her gaze. It seemed a tragedy to end things that way, but how else could she be sure of an easy departure from Zanthar? The regent had promised to let her go, but she didn't think she wanted to wait for him to dismiss her in person. It was easier to just sneak out.
No messy goodbyes.
The central hub rose in front of her, and the major used the orders to secure a small transport. He put in the order for two attack ships to meet them above the surface and started to power up the engine.
As they waited in line to exit through one of the membranes, Sylvie began to cry. She wasn't sure where the tears were coming from, but they spilled over onto her cheeks as she angrily wiped them away. It was supposed to be a quick romp in the sheets. Just sex.
Then why does my heart feel like it’s being shredded?
No matter what, goodbyes are messy, especially when love is involved.
Chapter 28
Sylvia dried her tears and moved on to chewing her thumbnail, her foot tapping as she watched the transports ahead of her exit the central hub one by one.
Five more.
Four.
She was leaving Zanthar, the first planet to harbor proof of alien life. Not only was there life, but a civilization more advanced than Earth's own. She'd just snuck out of the leader of the planet's bedroom after spending a night of unequaled passion with him, which left her far less willing to leave him behind.
Three more, and then I'm free.
Two more. Dammit.
Sylvie was surprised at the whirlwind of emotions that had currently taken up residence inside of her.
This is the right decision. She had reminded herself of that a hundred times since leaving X's bed. It's better for him. Now he can concentrate on exposing the alien conspiracy and regaining his subjects' approval.
The transport stood before the membrane that kept the Zantharian seas out of the central hub. A few more moments. She breathed in deeply and forced her tears back.
The console in front of the major flashed on, accompanied by blinking red lights around the cabin. "Transport 7V, return to the pad. You are not cleared for departure."
The major moved back from the transport, heading toward the pad they'd left minutes ago.
"What's happening?" she asked him. "Why aren't we leaving?"
"We've been called back."
Oh no. No, no, no.
"Why? I have an official order, signed by your Supreme Regent."
"Looks like he's changed his orders." The major's face was neutral, but his skin color began to lighten, yellow streaks appearing in the green.
The major wasn't the only one who disapproved of the regent's relationship with her. Earthlings weren't exactly welcome on Zanthar at the moment. Not since they'd been suspected of teaming up with the Zantharians' mortal enemies, the Hareema.
The transport landed, and the major and his companion opened the hatch and led her out. With a sigh, Sylvie bid goodbye to her best chance at escape. She stepped out of the transport and into the grip of Zanthar's Supreme Regent.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
Sylvie's gaze moved over him and she gasped. The regent was covered from head to toe, his form swathed in an overlarge cloak. She'd never seen him in anything other than his braided sarong, his chest left bare.
Maybe he's trying to keep a low profile.
She couldn't blame him. Mobs of his dissatisfied constituents were following him around, protesting his interactions with the Earthling, with her.
She pulled herself out of his grip, hating how badly she wanted to slide back into his arms and pretend like something could become of them.
"I was going back to Earth. Remember this?" She held out the rolled-up parchment that contained the orders allowing her passage back to Earth.
"You can't be serious."
Sylvie couldn't make out his expression in the deepness of his cloak. "Hell yes, I'm serious. I upheld my end of the bargain, remember?”
How easily he'd broken his promise. Why am I not more upset?
"Things have changed. Come with me." He grabbed her arm once again, and again she yanked away from him.
"No. You got what you wanted. Now be a gentleman and send me home."
"Major, take the Earthling prisoner."
"What?!?!" The older guard grabbed her arm, motioning for his partner to take his position on her other side. "This is ridiculous. You promised me--"
"Let's go," he said, turning on his heel and heading back through the throngs of people.
"You can't take me prisoner! I haven't done anything!"
The crowd around her erupted into cheers. "Exterminate the Earthling!"
"Shut up!" she yelled back.
That was it. She'd done everything she could to help the people around her root out the shape shifters who may have infiltrated their planet, and in return she'd received only hatred.
The crowd followed them down the passageways, the catcalls continuing.
"Hareema whore," one Zantharian shouted.
She turned her head away before she went ballistic on a random stranger.
"She's disgusting," another one said as she was dragged by. It was a female, by the looks of her clothing, which was almost identical to Sylvie's own. "Look at her body. It's so... round and grotesque!"
"I can't believe the regent's interested in the likes of her," another female added. "He has to be out of his mind to think that's attractive."
She was thankful when they at last left the corridor and the voices behind her until she realized she was back in the regent's private quarters.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked, immediately rounding on him. "How dare you bring me back here? I did what you asked. Now keep your promise!"
He didn't answer. Instead, he dropped the cloak, which had concealed him so thoroughly.
Sylvie's jaw fell open in response.
X's entire skin was like carved ebony. It was as dark as midnight, as dark as the pupils of his eyes.
She'd not yet seen a Zantharian whose body had gone black.
“What the hell does this mean?” Fear rolled over her in sickening waves. Was he hurt?
"I told you, things have changed," he said, indicating his body.
"So you turned a different color. So what? Zantharians are always shifting, from green to yellow, to red and purple…"
"And black?" he asked, the anger evident in his tone. "How many of us have you seen that have shifted to black?"
"None, but I don't see what this has to do with anything. Nothing's changed. Send me home. I can’t stay here, X." He needed her gone and his people were going to make sure she remained aware of that fact.
"Everything's changed!" he bellowed, running both hands through the tendrils that were swaying around on his head in agitation. His frustration was palpable.
Frustration? Wait, that's yellow.
"Why aren't you yellow?" For some reason she didn't understand, she was afraid of the answer.
X growled in aggravation, then sat down in a nearby chair, his forearms on his knees, his back bent, his head hanging low.
"How in Noruma's name did this happen?" He seemed to be talking to himself.
"How did what happen?" she asked, moving closer and forcing herself not to reach out to touch him. The evening of him making love to her brushed by her vision and she took another step toward him. She wasn’t one to simply share her body and her body alone. Some part of her heart had escaped her during the event.
"Why do you think I was covered up?" he asked, still not looking up to meet her eyes. "Why do you think I couldn't let my people see me like this?" His tone had gone from irritation to desolation, a change that happened swiftly and without warning.
Sadness is blue, isn't it? But he's black.
"X, why isn't your skin changing color with your moods? What's going on? You have to tell me if you want me to help."
The regent laughed, a laugh of desperation and hopelessness. "Help? I don't think that's possible."
Sylvie threw up her hands. "Then why drag me back here? For shit’s sake. Just be straight with me!"
X's head shot up, his eyes fierce. "I dragged you back because you belong to me. Because I can't stand being parted from you. Because, you. Are. Mine."
Sylvie was stunned. Where is this possessiveness coming from?
"No. You don't own me, no one does. You said one night. That night's over. So let me go! I’m nothing but a threat here and a disruption and… and…” Tears filled her eyes as she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had somehow hurt him by giving him access to her body.
X was out of his chair in a second, his hands digging into her shoulders as he leaned over the top of her menacingly. "You're not going anywhere. You will be by my side until I die. Which won't be too long at this rate."
Sylvie's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
He stared down at her, emotion flashing through his beautiful eyes at an alarming rate. Anger. Fear. Lust. Despair.
"I'm not going to ask you again. Tell me what the fuck is happening right now!"
"The mating frenzy," he told her, his voice losing power as he deflated. "You’re my mate, and because of it, I'm going to die."
Chapter 29
Xivthar couldn't decide whether to weep or scream. Whether to tear the clothes off the woman in front of him, or whether to hurl invectives at her, or furnishings.
"AHHH!" he yelled, letting her go to run his hands through his tendrils again. "I can't take this. Not now. My planet needs me and instead I've... I've... fuck!"
Sylvie reached up and brushed her fingers along his face, her expression softening fast. "Calm down. Take a deep breath and explain to me what you mean. What is this mating frenzy?"
"Zantharian males and females can have sex with one another and reach a sort of climax, but without the male releasing his seed. Zantharian females have only one egg for reproduction, and they are very selective about the male chosen to fertilize it. So while we have sex for pleasure, most of the time it isn't for procreation."
“Oh.” She sat in the chair beside him and glanced up. “I wondered why you didn’t come when we made love.”
“Now you know.” He shrugged and ran his hand over his handsome face.
"But you have a brother," she pointed out.
"A rarity. On occasion, about one in 100,000 births, the embryo splits and one egg hatches two babies."
"Like human twins."
X nodded. The fact that his mother had been able to have two children had set her apart from so many others. Yet another thing that had made her a miraculous woman.
He turned away, pacing the small sitting room, leaving the Earthling to watch him with worry in her eyes. "When a Zantharian female has chosen to accept a male's seed, she can prompt him to go into the mating frenzy. This prepares the male to release his seed and ensures that the egg is fertilized."
Sylvie nodded, motioning for him to go on. As a biologist, she understood the details of such a reproductive arrangement without him going over them.
"However, it also ensures that unsuitable males are taken out of the gene pool." He took a deep breath, anxious to reveal the depth of his anguish.
"If a male goes into the mating frenzy uninvited, and no female allows him to fertilize her egg within a few days, the frenzy will grow worse until he eventually dies. The release will push back into my own body and it’s toxic. I’ll have cardiac arrest." He shrugged, not wanting pity, but knowing without a doubt that he had to prepare for the worst.
“Wow,” she whispered and glanced down toward her hands. It was all he could do not to pull her up and kiss her hard, forcing her to comply with his needs and the demands of his body.
Xivthar stopped his pacing and returned to her, staring down into her lovely face, a face that even now made his stomach clench with need for more of her. "Do you see what's happened?"
"You've gone into the mating frenzy. Over me?" She sounded as incredulous as he felt.
"I didn't think it was possible either. You're not even my species, but the signs are all there."
He opened his hand and began ticking the points off on his fingers.
"My skin has gone black. It will remain this color until I release my seed, or I perish. It’s the fucking toxins in my body. My moods are cycling rapidly and I feel intense physical pain when I'm separated from you. I felt like my parents had passed again when I woke and you were gone. I have the intense and unbearable need to release my seed into you, to fuck you over and over until you can’t hold yourself up, nor can I." He c
losed his fingers into a fist and moved his hand down to his side, hoping that she couldn't see how badly he was shaking.
"So you brought me back to release your seed into me?" Her voice was quiet, confused. She was devastatingly beautiful and the idea of mating to her would haunt him until his death arrived if she rejected his need.
Xivthar laughed. If only it were that easy.
"I don't even think I can. Like I said, we aren't the same species. My seed shouldn't be able to fertilize your eggs; therefore, it shouldn't be able to be released at all. My body knows the truth of what will happen and won’t release until it’s a sound investment."
"And you'll die because of this?" Her pitch had raised an octave as her eyes widened and filled with tears.
Maybe the thought upsets her? Does she care for me?
"I brought you back because I need you by my side. You're the only one besides my brother I trust to help me root out the enemy threat before my time... expires. I hope you understand. I’ll give you safe passage as the time draws near. Just help me. Please?"
Sylvie shook her head, the blond mess upon it catching his attention and holding him there as the air seemed harder and harder to breathe. "There are several problems with your plan, not the least of which is that your people are calling for my blood. What will they do if they discover that I'm your mate? They'll never accept that I'm working for you. They'll think I did this to you on purpose."
Maybe you did, an insidious voice inside him whispered. Maybe she's forced the frenzy on you to take you out. The kidnapping failed, so perhaps they figured seduction would be a more suitable weapon of destruction.
Now it was Xivthar's turn to shake his head to clear it of unwanted thoughts. No. I trust her. It isn't her fault. She hadn't even known about the frenzy.
Still, the nagging doubt had taken hold of his mind, and he couldn't let it go. The regent pulled her to his side, wanting to both punish her and plunge himself into her over and over again. She smelled like heaven, the soft scent of their sex still on her.