by Erin Raegan
“What am I supposed to do? Sleep with him?” My eyes plead with Olynth to let me go, but he looked away.
“Sleep? No, you will mate,” Klando scowled.
“Right, mate, so have s-sex with him?” I could barely say the word. I was shaking now. I clamped my hands together tightly.
“Sseeks? What is this?”
“Uh, intercourse? No? Uhm his boy parts go inside my girl parts?” I squeaked as Klando thundered towards me and gripped my chin painfully.
“You will mate, and ease his rage, yes?”
Rage? Holy shit I was supposed to fuck this alien while he was in a rage? Fuck that.
“No.”
“Insolent fool!” His hand wacked sharply against my cheek so painfully I fell into Olynth.
“Klando, do not mark the creature, Tahk will surely have your hide for that.” Another elegantly dressed Dahk spoke from a large ornate chair.
“Mind yourself, Jirt.”
“Very well,” Jirt sighed.
Klando grasped my chin again and nearly butted noses with me he got so close. “You will lay with Tahk and take him inside your―,” His nose wrinkled distastefully, “You will keep your mouth shut and―”
“Klando, release the female,” Fihk thundered walking into the room. I sagged against Olynth in relief. Yilt followed Fihk and stopped beside me.
While Fihk and Klando commenced in some epic stare down, Olynth released me so Yilt could grab hold. I gripped him tightly and nearly climbed him like a monkey. Yilt patted my back and shushed my sobs. Several aliens looked away in disgust.
“Leave, you are not needed here”, Fihk said to the room. Dozens of aliens left, but Klando and Jirt stayed. “I said leave,” he growled low.
“We shall witness the mating in place of our King,” Klando growled back.
“No, you will not,” another voice rumbled from the doorway. I turned to find another alien standing with his arms crossed. He wore the leathers like Yilt and Fihk, and an elegant robe draped carelessly around his shoulders. This one blue and gold. His ridges were long to his shoulders, like dreadlocks. They were gleaming black, with purple flecks. Gold bars pierced his brows and pointy ears. He looked bad ass.
“Uthyf, this does not concern you.” Jirt stood and scowled.
“No, it does not concern you, and I will have the King informed upon our arrival back on home world.” This seemed enough for the angry aliens, because with one last revolted look at me, they left.
Fihk chuckled, “Pulling your weight, Uthyf? Very unlike you.”
“My brother should have never granted them the Rise when he took the throne. They are a disgrace to the Dahk” He snarled and prowled closer.
“Your brother knows what he is doing, the nobles have their place as do we,” Fihk grinned and patted his arm.
Uthyf growled again and looked to me. His eyes were curious and weary but not unkind.
“Humans, they are strange,” he murmured lifting a piece of my hair. “What use is all this fur?”
“Uh, hair? It keeps us warm,” I mumbled looking at his own ridges in awe.
“Hmmm. Why do you not have it all over?” He asked circling me.
“Uh, we have it other places too.”
“You do?” Yilt turned me and looked me up and down, equally fascinated.
“Uh, my arms,” I pulled up my sleeve and showed him the soft hair there, “and legs, but we shave that.”
“What is shaav?” Yilt lifted my pant leg.
I swatted him away. “We remove it to make our skin smooth.”
“Just your limbs?” Uthyf asked again rubbing a clawed finger lightly down my arm. Pebbles broke out along where he touched. He rubbed firmer along the gooseflesh. “Why grow it at all if it is so unnecessary you can remove it?”
“We shave it because we’re vain, I guess,” I mumbled and watched them circle around me.
“Where else?” Yilt asked, also rubbing and twirling my hair around a claw.
I flushed and looked away. I guess it was okay they were so curious, I was too. I reached up and touched Uthyf’s limp ridge. He scowled and jerked away―guess that was a sore spot. Yilt smiled and bent so I could feel his ridges. They were firm and warm. Like skin, but tougher than my own.
“Cool,” I smiled at him.
“Pehytohn, it is time.” Fihk looked grim.
I blinked back sudden tears.
“We will be with you,” Yilt murmured.
“You’re going to w-watch?”
“It is the way.” He patted my head, they had a thing about doing that. I didn’t know whether to feel horrified or relieved they were going to watch me get it on with their Commander. On the one hand I was no exhibitionist, on the other I was going to do the deed with a huge alien full of rage. The Dahk scared me, they were aliens, but Yilt and Fihk had been kind―alien needles notwithstanding, they took my back with scary Klando. I didn’t think they would let me get hurt, but they were making me screw an alien! This wasn’t exactly consensual. I understood two things. One, I was in an alien society; their customs were not my own. What I deemed wrong may not be in their eyes, and two, they needed their Commander if they were going to save my planet.
“Why, why is this so important?” I asked them, feeling faint.
“You are his Pythe, he cannot function past the rage, it is a miracle he walked away from you on the ship at all. Your scream in the healing room must have triggered his instincts. Tahk must complete the bond before we can complete our mission,” Fihk said gravely. He took my hand in his own. “It is not done this way, there is a ceremony and a time to fight the rage on home world. But we do not have that time. Your world is being ravaged as we speak, we need our Commander fit and ready to lead the fight on the upcoming war.”
“You will be revered on our home world. You are the mighty Tahk’s Pythe, it is an honor and you will be treated as a priceless jewel by him and all Dahk.” Yilt rubbed my arm. I think it was more to feel up my arm hair, than for comfort.
Okay, I wasn’t touching home world right now. I was going home on my world, but these guys didn’t need to know that. And frankly, if what they were saying was true, I wouldn’t even have a home to go back to without this Commander Tahk.
“Shit.” I was going to do it. I was going to boink an alien. “Can I even do this? How do we even know our species is compatible?” There that sounded logical. I was grasping at this point, but hey, maybe his boy parts wouldn’t line up with my girl parts.
“You called forth his breeding instinct, you are compatible.” Uthyf scowled. Okay, shit.
“Will he hurt me?” I squeaked.
Their evasive looks were enough for me. I pushed away from Yilt and went for the door. Yilt grabbed me and held me back. My breathing was picking up, I was going to have a panic attack.
“We will not let that happen,” Fihk growled.
“Real reassuring, guys,” I cried.
“Human,” Uthyf growled, he sighed at Yilt’s scowl, “Pheytoon.” Close enough. “Your world hangs in the balance. Of all the humans, you have the power to save your world. Will you turn your back in cowardice?”
Wow. Way to go comic book on a girl.
“Huktbore’s, Uthyf! She is his Pythe, not a warrior.” Fihk glared.
“Hey! Little woman is not weak!” I slammed my fists on my hips. It may have been a low blow, but it did the trick. What was a little sex in the face of human extinction. “Let’s do this.”
Brows went up, grins all around.
Yilt guided me through the room to another set of double doors. “Fierce Pehytohn, your courage honors our Commander.”
“Let’s just get this over with.” I wilted as we came up to the door. I may understand why I needed to do this, but it didn’t make it right or fair. I would do it, but I would hate them for it after.
Uthyf pushed open the door, and the sight on the other side nearly scared me to death. “Nope! NOT DOING THIS!”
Chapter 15
Tahk
My Pythe had arrived. I could smell her sweet musk. The stink of fear had me growling in rage. Who dare scare my life mate! I would have their hearts on a platter!
Chains kept me from her and I roared at those who kept her away.
Unending rage spread through my veins, her scent driving me mad. I would have her. I bellowed again and felt the steal entrapping me give way.
Chapter 16
Peyton
“Nope, no way. NO WAY!” I screamed and kicked as Yilt dragged me through the doors. The Commander was chained against the wall. Roaring and growling in rage. How we didn’t hear him in the other room mystified me, my ears rang with every beastly howl.
His arms were spread wide along the black wall in the back of the room, long and thick silver chains securing him. He sat and had two more shackles around each ankle bolted to the floor. His thick throat straining from his roars of fury. His wings were spread as wide as the chains would allow, pushing against the wall as if they would bust through the binds.
His fangs were bared and his eyes blazing silver fire. His gaze locked on me and did not waver.
“That is his Pythe?” A disgusted snarl drew my attention away from the terrifying display. Several female Dahk stood off from the center of the room. They were in long golden hooded robes. Several glowing orbs cradled in their palms. Female unity was nowhere near this room, I was obviously unwanted here. Three male Dahk, dressed similarly, stood against the far wall with arms crossed.
“Filiya,” Fihk snarled. “Your silence is all that is needed.”
A delicate paler-colored female scowled at him. “His is Mine.”
“No, he is to be mated, your claim is severed.” Yilt stepped in front of me to block my view of her. Great so I had to screw this guy in front of his girlfriend. This kept getting better and better.
“They’re going to watch too?” I tugged on Fihk’s arm. His skin was thick, rough, and warm. I don’t know why I expected him to be cold, I knew nothing about bats, but I couldn’t help but compare the alien to one.
“They are healers, they will bless the union in our King’s stead. It is the only custom we have available to prepare for you. On home world, the King would be here with his most personal healers. They will do for now though,” he murmured. Several of the healers sniffed haughtily and turned their backs, except for Filiya. She sneered.
“Is it necessary?”
“Yes.” Firm. Okay, so I was going full exhibitionist today.
I blew out a breath and sniffled back embarrassing tears. These girls would probably relish in my terror. The male healers looked particularly disgusted with me. I got I was strange looking, maybe even ugly to these aliens. I didn’t think the same of them, but I also had a day or two to get used to the differences between us. I understood it, but I didn’t want this. An alien custom dictated I do this, my species’ survival even sort of depended on it. A little compassion wouldn’t hurt anybody. But I felt like a lot of their animosity wasn’t exactly all about one of their own being with a human, but more that it was their Commander doing the deed. I must have been stepping on a heck of a lot of toes right now.
Tahk’s roars and snarls were getting increasingly more difficult to ignore. He was loud. The Dahk must have felt the same because they rushed into action. Orbs were spread around the room, choking smoky plants blown all over the place, and chanting. Lots of creepy chanting and growly rumbles. The females were startlingly low timbered.
“Disrobe.” Another scowly faced female stopped in front of me. Yilt backed away, and I frowned at him. He was my shield, and now he was abandoning me to stand vigil at the side of the room.
“What?”
“Remove your clothing.” Her hardened face was stiff and remote. She held out a skimpy white and golden robe for me dispassionately. How virgin renaissance. I was to be delivered to a hulked-out bat alien dressed for my wedding night.
I shivered. Crapola, this was really happening.
I’d like to say the aliens looked away preserving my modesty, but that would be a lie. Every single one of them, Yilt and Fihk included, watched me avidly as I stripped down to my birthday suit. I never felt so self-conscious before. There was way too many judgy eyes on my poochy belly, and soft thighs. I ran, and yoga’d the shit out of my cellulite, but no amount of time spent downward dog was going to fight back my love of pasta and chocolate goodness. I was fine with that, I was, until I was made to reenact some cracked out alien version of a royal history movie. I could count my previous bed mates on one hand, they were all subpar and took place in the dark. It was dark in here, but the glow highlighted every one of my imperfections. And for a race who already found me lacking, well, I should not have been the girl to introduce them to their first naked human woman.
I was sweaty, and my hair was a tangled mess. I hadn’t shaved in the past few days, so my stubble was a little noticeable. Yilt nearly busted a gasket when he got a look down at my nether regions, I swear I thought I saw him about to reach out and give my girly hairs a tug. Thank god for Vivian and her forced salon appointments growing up, that at least was something I continued to do as an adult. A good waxing lasted ages. My downstairs area would have been much more jungle-like otherwise.
I quickly threw on the silky robe.
Tahk had worked himself up good and fierce thanks to my show. The guy was snarling and banging against his chains. The harder he lunged against them, the more I wondered if they could hold him for much longer.
He had his pants on still. I hoped they didn’t expect me to undress him, but no one got closer than ten feet of him. Doing the deed was going to be a little difficult if his downstairs was still tucked away.
Horror shot through me as I looked at him. He was an alien, maybe he didn’t have a regular old penis. In fact, the more my mind lingered on it, the more I imagined some freaky options regarding his reproductive equipment. I think every sci fi film and book I ever encountered flashed through my eyes in that moment. I had to lean down and clutch my knees to keep from passing out.
Images of alien implantation’s and scary explosions from my chest had me wheezing.
“It is time.” Another female gripped my arm and tugged me forward. She topped about five feet from Tahk and waved me forward. That was it? A pretty robe and an irritated shove were all I got?
“I can’t do this,” I choked. Tahk lunged. The steel screaming from the force.
“You can, brave Pehytohn,” Fihk murmured.
“I can’t, I really, really can’t.” I shook my head as fast as my neck could handle.
“My Commander suffers from the scent of you. He can smell your mating musk.” Uthyf glared. Jackass. I could smell my own musk, fuck you very much. Announcing it sure wasn’t helping.
“Do you not have a House?” Fihk asked.
“Yeah! In Iowa, my chickens need me!”
“Cheekynss?” Yilt tilted his head.
“Their little birds that don’t actually fly.”
“They have wings? I thought humans were lacking in this way.” Uthyf crossed his meaty arms.
“They aren’t humans, their animals, you know, uh land creatures?” I winced at my explanation. How do you explain animals to an alien? What do they call them? They must have them. They had meat…unless Colt wasn’t eating an animal. Were Dahk carnivores? Did they eat their own? Did they eat other species? Holy shit I was so out of the loop right now. Not good for my current position.
“Mammals? They are members of your House?”
“Jilly’s missing an eye, Noodle watches her, but she needs extra care. They need fed. Poor Frederick would have gone through all his water by now! They need me!”
“Noood―” Fihk sighed. “Pehytohn, what do you call those who birthed you, who aided in your growth?”
“Oh, family. My mom and dad.”
“Yes, First Mother, and First Father.”
“Oh yeah I have my mom, my dad’s dead though,” I sniffled more. I missed dad, I neede
d him right now. He wouldn’t let this happen to me. His super hero strength would save me. A little dramatic yes, but my father was my hero. If he were alive I knew he would have saved me from this.
“Your First Father has perished?” Yilt, Fihk and Uthyf looked at me with pity. The other aliens shifted impatiently.
“Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“My heart bleeds for you, Pehytohn.” Yilt thumped his head and bowed deeply. My eyes grew wide and I patted his shoulder.
“Think of your First Mother then, think of your House and your Noodul and Gyllee.” Fihk gripped my chin lightly. “They need you now, yes? Draw from their strength.”
I sniffled again and rubbed my runny nose along my robes sleeve. It was weird to think of my mom with a bunch of chickens and a goat holding vigil for me. But it did the trick. My animals needed me. I needed to know if Bryan was okay, and my mom… she would be helpless right now in her expensive condo full of expensive but useless things.
For the first time I looked at my situation in a new light. Tahk was the Commander. Maybe if I went through with the mating I would be in prime position to barter for my family and friends. If I was to be honored like the aliens said, then maybe Tahk would want to help me as his Pythe. The thought gave me hope. Hector was on his way to Vivian, who wouldn’t be there to greet him. And maybe if we even were there now, that doesn’t mean we would be safe. Horrific man-eating aliens were invading. We could have gotten to the ranch just to be killed moments later. But with the Dahk at my back? I might just be able to start an Earth saving war and protect my loved ones at the same time.
With that small kernel of hope I took a deep breath and turned to the Commander. I had no idea if he would help me, but right now it was looking like my best shot. I just had to get though mating an alien. An alien that had wings, and ginormous claws, and fangs that could rip out my neck in a heartbeat. An alien who may or may not have a non-freaky looking penis, and that was so raged out his black eyes were drilling daggers into the side of my head.