by Liza Probz
"That code had been overwritten."
"By whom?" Sylvie wondered where this rabbit hole led.
"That information is classified."
"Classified from me? It was my code to begin with!"
"That information is classified."
Sylvie shot a glance at X. His face was troubled. At least he wasn't saying 'I told you so.'
She sighed. "Magnis, your programming has been tampered with. We're going to try and figure out what's happened."
Magnis remained silent, but his lights blinked twice, letting her know that he'd received her utterance.
"I want you to cooperate with these nice people, all right? Answer their questions. Tolerate their poking around in your bits."
"Affirmative," the computer said, blinking green twice.
Sylvie stepped away from the console. "He says he's harmless now, and apparently willing to be quite cooperative."
A loud noise resounded from just outside of the ship. The protective membrane was being withdrawn. They must have been monitoring the inside of the chamber. Had they seen the kiss?
She turned back toward X, but his deadpan expression gave her nothing. With his darkened skin, she was unable to discern his mood from a simple glance as well.
He pulled the cloak back up, his face now bathed in shadows. He seemed suddenly distant, as if, after showing her such vulnerability, he had to rebuild his hard exterior. He had begun to fall in love with her. The feeling was mutual, but not having shared that, she was the only one who knew of their common feelings.
From intimacy to nothing. His detachment irked her.
"It sounds like you might be right about someone fiddling around with my ship. Whether it was able to bring down the shield itself, or whether it was merely a distraction, I'm not capable of figuring out which, and unless you're an engineer, I don't think you are either."
He said nothing at first, though the weight of his gaze lay heavy on her. Finally he nodded and growled his response. "Let's go."
X redid her wrist bindings and took hold of the braided binding at her back to maneuver her out of the hatch, and then out of the chamber. She thought maybe he got a perverse enjoyment leading her around all tied up, but forced herself not to think of him like that. He was simply feeling vulnerable and the mood swings had to be fucking with him, too.
He sped down the hallway, forcing her to keep up, which wasn’t particularly easy.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
He didn't answer, but just kept walking.
"X. Where are we going? Can you not slow down just a little? I can't keep up."
He froze in place and she bumped into him before he released her bindings, forcing her into an unoccupied cell.
Sylvie ran her hands up and down her arms as goose bumps began to appear. Fear. Fear of the cell before her. It reminded her too much of her time as a captive and her almost dismemberment. She shivered and glanced down at the binding around her throat.
X tugged hard on the binding and her head came back up in time for him to take a large handful of her hair between his fingers. He moved down toward her. "I don't know where we're going!"
She flinched at the volume of his voice, the concern stabbing her in the chest.
"I've run out of ideas, okay?" He pressed his lips to hers in a painful kiss and moved away, growling and dropping to the cushion below him. "I can barely think, my fucking gut is clenching so hard."
She moved toward him and he pulled her down into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the exposed flesh around her breasts as he mumbled, half crazed, "That ship almost blew the fuck up and you almost died. I could do nothing to protect you and it was my fault. I’m so sorry."
"I told you I knew the codes. It wasn't your fault." She brushed her hand over his cheek, his skin feverous. How could she stop the craze within him? His hurting left her confused and unsure of the next steps.
"I should have never put you in danger," he said, burying his face in her chest and brushing his lips over her as if memorizing the curves of her breasts. He was slipping into madness. "The thought of losing you..."
"Shh..." she said, stroking his tendrils and kissing the side of his face.
"I would do anything, give anything, to keep you safe. I cherish you, do you not understand? Do you not hear me?"
A burst of warmth shot through her chest at his words. It was the mating frenzy and he most likely wasn’t in his right mind, but it felt so good to be wanted, to be loved. How many years on Earth had she spent lonely and wishing for someone – anyone – to care for her?
She stayed still in his arms until his breathing relaxed, his kisses slowing down slightly. Sylvie continued to stroke his face and back, wanting to broach the delicate subject of helping him with the mating frenzy, but not wanting to upset him again.
"X, I'm as out of ideas as you are. Uncovering alien conspiracies is not my strong suit. I'm a biologist. That's my skillset. Let me use it to help you. Please?"
He looked at her, but said nothing.
"I could set up a lab here, take some samples, run a few tests, maybe consult with some of your senior scientists–"
"No consultations," he said with a frown. "I want no one else to know of my... condition... until after my demise. By then I'll have set a structure in place to take over for me seamlessly. We can't let things get more chaotic. It's an invitation for invasion."
"No consultations," she agreed. "Does this mean you'll allow me to search for a cure?"
He nodded. "As you said, we're out of ideas. I don't think you'll succeed, even if you are brilliant, but it will give me time to sort out my affairs."
She tried to focus on the compliment and not on the way he seemed resigned to death. It was too terrifying to contemplate.
"Let's get to a lab." She moved from his lap and tugged on his hand to pull him to his feet.
X stood, straightening his cloak. He looked down at her, and she could tell that what he was going to say was difficult for him.
"Thank you," he said, his voice grave, "for helping me."
"Of course," she replied as heat burned her cheeks. She hadn’t done anything but offer kindness and a warm hug. "Anything for my mate."
She'd meant it to come off as flippant, something to lighten the mood, but it had the opposite effect. Sylvie turned away as heat burned through his gaze and he groaned sensually.
Chapter 31
Xivthar was updating his Last Will and Testament. As the highest authority on the planet, his will was updated regularly. However, because of recent events, some changes were required.
He penned his desires slowly, loving the result of their night even if it meant his death. He would protect her and take care of her financially long after his days were over. "My estate in its entirety is to go to my mate, the Earthling female known as Dr. Sylvia Cohen."
Zantharians did not possess much personal property, preferring to live communally for the most part, but his family had amassed a large cache of gems taken from small undersea mines over the centuries. As he had no child to pass them on to, he would give them to Sylvie.
The gems would fetch an astronomical price back on Earth. He was determined to see that she made it back there, and that she would be provided for once she did.
He shifted his attention from his work to the female across from him. She stood at her own console, her tongue peeking out of her mouth as she licked at her lips over and over.
The sight of that little pink tongue drove him crazy, heat searing his center with fever.
Xivthar adjusted his cock underneath his sarong and groaned, the arousal sensitive to even touch. Being in the same room with her was complete and utter hell. He wanted nothing more than to plunge into her sweetness until he brought himself to come, the prayer that it would happen almost too much to hope for. He would try again soon, but she was damned and determined to help him in the lab, not in the bedroom just yet.
Even if he knew it was hopeless, he
still had to grant her the chance.
X dialed the connection to Drake's console with a heavy heart. It was time to convince his brother to help. Since he'd be passing over the reins of Supreme Regent to him temporarily, until the crisis was resolved and a new regent could be elected, it was crucial that he get his brother's cooperation.
The Minister of Defense appeared on the display and Xivthar had to suppress his immediate reaction. His brother's skin was still a deep maroon, his fear on display for everyone to see.
Rage washed over the regent, but he held it in. He had to be convincing, and starting off with a dressing down was not the way to go.
"Brother, please make sure this channel is secure."
Drake's eyes narrowed as he took in the hooded figure. "It's secure. Xivthar?"
The regent took a deep breath, then pulled back his hood, exposing his face.
There was a sharp intake of air. His brother took the display and rotated it, making sure he was the only one to see what was broadcast over his console.
"How did it happen?" he asked, his voice tense.
"It doesn't matter. We have to--"
"The Earthling female."
Xivthar scowled. "It. Doesn't. Matter. Never mind how it happened, let's concentrate on what we're going to do about it."
"Is she still with you?"
Why couldn't his brother let go of his anxiety about the female? "Yes. Now listen. You will be named temporary regent. Your position as Minister of Defense makes you a candidate anyway, and a strong one during this crisis. You shouldn't face opposition."
Drake nodded, his attention captured.
Xivthar continued. "The Hareema threat is your priority, no surprise there, but I have one more matter that needs your personal attention."
"The female?"
The regent nodded. "Make sure she gets back to Earth safely."
"We can't be sure she's not an operative. This may all be part of their plan."
This time Xivthar couldn't hold in his reaction. "I don't care what you think. I know you have doubts. I don't. She's my mate. You will treat her as such."
His brother's expression tightened. The regent calmed himself. "This is the last thing I'll ask of you. The most important thing. We shared an egg, brother. I trust you more than I trust myself. Please."
He held his breath, watching the string of emotions cross his brother's face. At last Drake gave a stiff nod. “Fine.”
"Thank you."
"Have you mated her?" his brother asked.
"We had sex," Xivthar admitted. "It was only afterwards that the frenzy began."
"Do you intend to mate her? Perhaps it will stave off the frenzy. It could save your life, dammit."
Xivthar looked over his display at the female hard at work. Could he do it again?
His cock twitched, a resounding yes, but could he allow himself? He could tell that she'd developed feelings toward him. They may not be as deep or as powerful as his, but they were there. If he took her again, as his body was screaming at him to do, would it make it harder on her when he passed?
"I don't think it would work," he told his brother. "We both know that no Zantharian has successfully mated with an off-world species. I know enough about human anatomy to feel secure in my opinion."
"Still, you obviously wouldn't consider it a hardship to try and see if your seed can be released. You might think it worth the chance."
He considered his brother's words. He'd been thinking about burying himself in her to the hilt since he met her and having her the night before only caused the thoughts to multiply. Something inside him had held him back, wouldn’t let him push the issue forward.
Sex had gotten him into this situation, and it was assured to only make things worse.
"I'll think about it. I'm sending over my final instructions, along with my will. Please make sure the documents are kept safe and submitted to the council upon my demise."
Drake gave a nod. "I'll begin making preparations right away. Try, brother.”
"Maybe." X moved to terminate the channel, but paused. "Drake, maroon never looked good on you, man. Time for a change."
His brother stared at him, then terminated the connection.
That was rude, he thought. His brother had always been more stoic than he, but Xivthar had expected a bit more of a reaction at the news of his condition.
He tried to convince you to mate her, to attempt to release your seed.
Had he? It had seemed he was concerned that he might try.
Xivthar shook his head. This whole situation had him paranoid. It was his brother. They'd come from the same egg, a connection that was special and rare. He could trust him.
Couldn't he?
A groan resounded from across the room, taking his attention from his thoughts. Sylvie waved the display away and headed over to one of several cushions placed around the room, plopping down and lulling backwards.
"You're exhausted, baby." He moved to join her, unable to help himself from reaching out and brushing her hair back. "You've been working at this for hours. You need sleep."
Sylvie frowned at him. "We can't be sure what the timeline is. We have to--"
"We have to take a break. You need rest, and food, Dr. Cohen."
"It’s Sylvie, and I don't think I could eat.” She moved to snuggle up beside him. "I'm too keyed up. I have to figure this out, X. I can’t stand the thought of… of…”
Tears swam in her eyes as she glanced up at him. She cared. More than she let on.
Xivthar shifted, scooting backwards and picking her up to lounge between his legs. He rubbed her shoulders soft at first and then deeper as she whimpered. “You have to relax a little. You’re far too tense."
She shivered as he smiled. She was so responsive to his touch. It calmed him to have her close, the deep rhythm of her breathing the only thing he could hear. If only he had more time with her. More time to explore her responses, to learn what made her tick. Would she moan if he licked the back of her knee? Would she cry out if he sucked each of her toes deep into his mouth? Would she pant against him if he brought her pleasure with his tongue, bathing her until she lifted from the bed?
He took a deep breath and tried to follow his own advice. Relax.
He kept rubbing, his thumbs pressing into the sensitive places near her neck until she exhaled loudly and melted against him.
"Just hold me," she said softly, turning a little and wrapping her arms around him.
"Gladly." He held her against him and allowed their breathing to sync. His fingers brushed through her silky blond hair. He leaned over and brushed his lips across her head, wanting to tell her that he loved her again, but it seemed too much. It was pressure she didn’t need.
If only he could remain with her like this until the end. He'd never been afforded such comfort, such peace. The moment was broken by the soft sound of her crying, the sobs gaining volume as he pulled her in tighter.
"Oh, baby, no." He cradled her against him and kissed at the bend in her neck. "Don't cry. I’m so good right here. Right here with you."
"There's not enough time. Just making myself familiar with your anatomy will take a week. How am I supposed to solve this in a couple days when your people haven't come up with a cure in years? How can I crack this code and save you, X?"
"You're not going to be able to, Sylvie." He kept his voice gentle, but needed her to know the truth.
"I can't give up," she whimpered. "I can't let you go without trying until there is nothing left to try."
"You have to let me go. There’s nothing else to try. Whether you figure this out or not, the odds are stacked against us. I’m making peace with it. Join me?" He hated to utter such a harsh truth, but it simply was the way things were.
"There is one thing we can try." She glanced up at him, captivating him. Her eyes were intensely green, reminding him of the moonlit waters of his favorite bay, where the giant jellies congregated. Those beautiful creatures had never failed to bot
h calm and fascinate him.
If I survive this. I'll take you there. Make love to you under the moon, among the waves. Treat you like the goddess you deserve to be, my little Earthling.
“No, we’re out of options, and that’s okay.” He kissed the tip of her nose as tears rolled down her pretty face. Knowing that she cared was enough.
"We can mate. Make love to me again and let’s see if we’re compatible. If nothing else, we’ll at least have another night in one another’s arms."
He'd half expected her to suggest it, but hearing the words sent a bolt of desire straight to his aching cock and exploded in his heart like a nuclear missile.
"The likelihood of it working is very slim. I'm not sure if it's worth the effort." He regretted the words as soon as he said them, but found himself unable to pull them back.
She jerked from him, her face a mask of anger. "Not worth the effort? Your life isn't worth having to fuck me again, is that what you're saying?"
"Of course not.” He reached for her as she pulled from him. She was going to be difficult simply as a way of protecting herself. Anger was easier than devastation any day. "That wasn't what I meant and you know it. You know how I feel about you. I've never gone dark over a woman before you. I've never even wanted to. I wish I could spend the rest of my short life making you happy, giving you pleasure that sent you into dizziness."
He moved a little and pulled her back down, before turning her in his arms and pressing her to the cushion below him. X rolled his hips, his cock slipping from his sarong and rubbing against her thighs. “See what you do to me? I can’t seem to think when you’re around.
She blushed and looked away as her breathing increased. He drew her face back to him, waiting to speak until her eyes met his again. "I can see that our being together is having an effect on you as well. If we become intimate again, it might be worse for you when I eventually... when I..."
"When you die," she whispered and pulled him down, kissing him softly.
He broke the kiss as pain wrapped around his heart and squeezed tightly. "It might not be worth the effort for you."
She stroked his tendrils back over his forehead. "I think the possibility of curing you would be worth the risk. I’m going to feel absolutely devastated when you die, but that’s a problem I’ll deal with way in the future when it happens. It’s not happening now, X. I can’t let it."