Dark Strength

by Cynthia Sax

  “We will only rest.” He reminded his overeager body.

  Her hands became still. “Oh.” Her gaze lowered, her eyelashes fluttering. “Okay.”

  It had to be okay. She was fragile, required more time to heal. He would put her needs before his.

  Even if it killed him, which it might. His balls felt ready to explode.

  “My domicile was constructed for me.” He hoped she liked it.

  “It must have high ceilings.” Her smile returned, her joy increasing his.

  “It does.” He didn’t have to stoop in his own home. “It is also one level.”

  “You don’t like heights?” She stroked her fingertips along his collarbone.

  He struggled to track their conversation. “Big males don’t bounce when we hit the ground.”

  She laughed.

  He’d never heard such a wonderful sound in his long lifespan. It floated like bubbles on the breeze. Happiness engulfed him.

  She stopped laughing too soon, looked bemused. “I haven’t laughed in…” The joy disappeared from her eyes.

  Balvan would kill Marowit. He would smash the puny human’s skull with his fists, not his boots, watch his eyeballs pop out of his head.

  He placed his palm on the control panel outside his home. The doors slid open. He carried her into his personal space.

  A puffker yipped and Elyce jumped within the confines of his arms. “What was that?”

  “A puffker.” He only tended to one at the moment. Azalea and Hulagu had been caring for the little creature while he cared for his female. “She’s trying to guard the domicile.” Puffkers were mostly circles of fluff. The beast couldn’t guard much of anything. “But one of her legs is damaged.”

  It might never heal. The bone wasn’t fusing together.

  “Is she dangerous?” Elyce gripped him tighter.

  He liked having her hands on him. A little too much.

  “You tell me.” He carried her into his makeshift medic bay for creatures. The puffker yipped. Its little butt wiggled against its padded cloth square. Its eyes shone.

  His female gazed down at the creature, her expression partially enchanted, partially fearful. “She doesn’t look ferocious, but Marowit didn’t look ferocious either.”

  Balvan would kill the human male, tear him apart piece by piece. “She isn’t ferocious, little female.” He lowered Elyce until her boots touched the floor. “She might try to lick you to death, however.”

  He crouched down, held out an open palm to the puffker. The creature laved his finger with her little tongue.

  “It doesn’t hurt?” Elyce watched his face.

  “It tickles.” He reassured her. “Try it.”

  She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously extended her hand. The puffker’s pink tongue flicked over her fingers. She laughed, that sound charming him. “It does tickle.” She kneeled before the tiny beast. It cuddled against her palm, purring.

  Elyce leaned against Balvan as she petted the living ball of fluff, and his chest almost burst with euphoria. His female trusted him. She was in his home. She liked tiny creatures as he did.

  “What’s her name?” She asked the question he dreaded.

  “Some beings call her Sparkles.” He grimaced. “But that’s not her name.” He wasn’t certain what her name was, only what it wasn’t.

  “Sparkles.” His female’s delight erased any other feelings he had about the name. “You look like a Sparkles, don’t you?”

  The blasted puffker yipped, wiggling with excitement.

  “Yes, you know your name is Sparkles.” She stroked the creature’s white furry head. “You own her?”

  “I don’t own any beings.” He stressed the statement, wanting her to view him as her equal, her mate, not her master or captor. “She’s injured. I’m tending to her while she’s healing. When her leg is whole…” If that ever happened. “She might decide to leave me and I will have to let her go.”

  That would hurt. Every loss did. But that was part of loving any being.

  Except his female. His gaze fixed on her beautiful face. Loss wouldn’t be part of loving her. They would always be together, always be connected.

  “What happens if she decides to stay?” Elyce’s voice was barely audible, even with his enhanced hearing.

  Did she want to stay in his domicile, in the Refuge? Hope unfurled within Balvan. “Then she’ll stay. It is her choice.”

  Whether or not they stayed in the settlement would be his female’s choice. He’d outlined the benefits and would allow her to decide, to have that control over their lifespans.

  “Choice is good,” she murmured. She rubbed the tip of her nose against the puffker’s body.

  He envied the little creature.

  Chapter Seven

  Balvan’s domicile was as large, as warm, as welcoming as the male himself. The ceilings were high. The chambers were spacious. The furnishings were huge and sturdy.

  It felt like home, like safety, like love.

  Elyce utilized the cleansing chamber, alone, the privacy unsettling, a little bit scary. Her image appeared in a reflective surface. She didn’t recognize her face, her eyes holding a sorrow, a wariness they hadn’t before her abduction.

  The unsightly scars around her neck were new also. She traced the deep grooves. Paloma had viewed them with horror.

  But she was a child.

  Balvan was full-grown and male and he had described Elyce’s scars as being a delicate pink. Her shoulders straightened. Her big green warrior believed her to be beautiful, saw her as desirable.

  That must be the truth.

  She exited and he was waiting for her, standing guard, ensuring she was safe. No one could enter without his permission.

  His private chamber was dominated by a massive sleeping support. Trepidation tangled with anticipation inside her

  “One of your curls is misbehaving.” He reached out to her.

  Elyce, remembering other hands and less gentle fingers, instinctively flinched.

  Emotion flashed in his eyes. He dropped his hand.

  “No.” She grasped his wrist, raised his palm to her face. “Touch me.” She nuzzled against his rough skin, trying to undo the harm she’d done. “I need this. If…when I react badly, remind me who you are.”

  “I am Balvan.” His deep rumble rolled over her. “I will never hurt you.”

  He slid his free arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Fear coursed through her. She gazed up at him, into his green eyes, forced herself not to move, not to react, focused on breathing in, breathing out, breathing in, breathing out.

  The irrational terror subsided.

  Moments passed. There was no pain, only comfort, only him, her big male. She relaxed against him, her body sinking into his. He drifted his fingertips over her face, gazing down at her as though she were the most gorgeous creature in the universe, as though he was in awe that she was standing next to him.

  She explored his chest, his abs, the cascade of hard muscle, played with the waistband of his ass coverings. He was erect, his unrelenting length outlined against the leather.

  Did she arouse him? Or was he thinking of another female, like Marowit had thought of another female while he took her, using her body as a substitute for the one he couldn’t have?

  She wanted Balvan to want her, to see her. Because she wanted only him, saw only him. She ran the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip. Sex would be a challenge. The thought of being underneath a male frightened her.

  But this was Balvan. She glided her fingers over the bulge in his ass coverings. He wouldn’t take more than she offered, wouldn’t cause any more pain than was necessary.

  There would be pain. He was a large male.

  Her fingers touched his leather-covered tip and he jerked.

  “We should rest.” He stepped backward. “Only rest.”

  His stern tone emphasized the rejection. “You don’t want me,” she whispered, her cheeks burning. She was forcing h
erself on him as Marowit forced himself on her.

  “I want you, little female.” Balvan unfastened his ass coverings, yanked the leather downward, freeing his hard cock. “This is how much.”

  Erections lied. Marowit had taught her that. “That could be due to someone else. Marowit’s was. He called me Paloma and—”

  “I want you.” Balvan’s face darkened. “And only you, Elyce.” He grasped her arms, his hold on her gentle yet secure. “You’re all I think about. Your scent.” He inhaled, his nostrils flaring. “Your voice. Your smile. Your endless curves, your restless hands, and those pink scars. You know what I want to do to them.”

  She would never forget. “You want to kiss each one.”

  “And I will.” His head dipped. “But after we rest.” He removed his boots, his ass coverings, standing proudly before her, endless green skin and muscles. “I don’t want you to lose consciousness like you did the last time.”

  She had passed out. “There was too much pleasure.” She admitted her weakness. “And I had felt only pain for so long.” She moved toward him, needing the strength of his big form. “My body couldn’t deal with the change.”

  “You will have to become accustomed to it.” He held her against him.

  She sighed, feeling no fear, only a heart-deep happiness.

  “Because I plan to shower you with pleasure every opportunity I can.”

  “Okay.” Elyce snuggled against Balvan. She would attempt to show him the same bliss. It might not be possible. She didn’t know if she was capable of giving another being joy. But she would try.

  She yawned, the fullness of the planet rotation catching up to her.

  Balvan crouched in front of her, grasped one of her boot-covered ankles. She obligingly lifted her foot. He removed her boot.

  They repeated the process with her right foot.

  The boots’ toes were scuffed. The heels were dusty.

  “I’ll clean them later.” Elyce promised. She’d polish his big boots also. That was one thing she could do for him, the thought of caring for another being, for him, appealing to her.

  For so long she’d been focused on survival, on getting through the next moment, the next punishment. To turn her attention to Balvan and his needs was an indulgence.

  Elyce unfastened her pretty flight suit, wiggled out of it, folded the garment into a neat square, running her fingers over the precious fabric. She picked up his ass coverings and did the same with that soft leather.

  “You didn’t have to do that.” He held out his hands.

  “I wanted to do it.” She gave him the garments. He set them on a horizontal support, within reach, implying she’d wear the flight suit again.

  Elyce smiled. She’d spotted some near-naked females when they walked through the settlement. He didn’t have to give her garments to wear, to show her that respect.

  Yet he did. That meant the universe to her.

  She glanced at the sleeping support. “Marowit insisted I sleep on the ground.” Like a beast.

  Balvan scowled. “You’re sleeping with me.” He lifted her to the sleeping support. “You’re my equal, little female. Everything I have is yours.”

  He had so much—a domicile, unlimited beverage, friends, freedom. She would be content with any one of those things. To share everything he had would be like living a fantasy.

  With her fantasy male.

  He reclined beside her, lying on his back, positioning his big form between her and the exit. The sleeping support was massive yet his body filled the length of it. Marowit would have to go through him to get to her.

  Seeking extra security, she wiggled toward Balvan until she pressed against his side. He placed his arm around her, the cage of muscle reassuring her. She was safe with him. No one would hurt her.

  “Everything I have is yours also,” she murmured, her eyes closing. “Though I don’t have much.” Her only possession was her body.

  “You are everything a warrior could ever desire in a mate, Elyce.” Balvan mouthed over her forehead. “You’re strong, clever and caring, beautiful and brave, and I’m honored you choose to be with me.”

  She chose to be with him. Elyce savored those words. “I’m not strong or brave.”

  “You are.” He rubbed her left arm, up and down, up and down. “It took bravery to escape your abductor, strength to survive what he’d done to you.” His voice warmed with admiration. “I’m proud to know you, to hold you.”

  He was proud, proud to know her. Her lips turned upward. Warmth engulfed her soul, sweeping her into the darkness.

  * * *

  Elyce woke with a start, opened her eyes, saw green skin, and relaxed. Balvan was the male touching her, holding her. She tilted her head back, met his gaze.

  He was awake, remained hard, his cock pushing against her thigh, yet hadn’t made a move on her. His head dipped. Her lips parted.

  What was she doing? She smacked a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I have…” Waking breath. Except she didn’t. She blew against her palm. “My breath is fresh.”

  Balvan’s lips quirked upward. “It is one of the benefits of nanohumanics.”

  “I like it.” She gripped his shoulders and covered his smiling lips with hers. Their mouths opened. Her tongue tentatively tapped his.

  Fear surged through her. She pulled back, retreating. He didn’t chase her. She touched his tongue with hers again. He didn’t move. She slid her flesh along his, their tongues slowly twining, tumbling.

  It was a kiss, not an assault as her abductors had inflicted upon her. The other males had ground their teeth against her lips, choked her with their tongues. Balvan bracketed her face with his hands, coaxing her to respond to him. Their embrace slowly intensified, the passion building.

  He tasted good, like he was hers, hers to care for, hers to keep. She slid her body along his, rubbing her taut nipples over his chest. His cock slipped between her spread legs.

  Their lips fused, becoming one. He rumbled, that arousing sound vibrating through her.

  She lowered until his shaft pressed against her pussy lips, the pressure exquisite. He sucked in his breath, his reaction amplified through their kiss, thrilling her.

  Elyce rolled her hips, wetting his flesh, riding his hardness. His hands drifted down her back, his fingers curving over her ass.

  Anxiety fluttered inside her, echoes of past experiences. She gazed at Balvan’s rugged countenance, reminding herself who he was, that she was in control. Her form was on top of his, free, unrestrained. He was underneath her, a position the other males had never taken.

  She could stop this, could leave at any time. He’d be frustrated but he would let her go, finish on his own.

  Elyce didn’t want him to do that. She yearned for her own satisfaction, preferred to be with him when he reached his.

  They moved together, rutting without entry, teasing each other with their lips, hands, bodies. She navigated his fit physique, savoring his power, his control.

  His eyes darkened. Her pussy dripped, their desire a tangible force.

  “You’re so beautiful.” Balvan dragged his lips over her chin, along her neck. “So courageous.” He laved her scars with the flat of his tongue. “So strong, Elyce.”

  His usage of her name reassured her. He was thinking of her, desired her.

  And she desired him, all of him. “I want you inside me.” She pushed herself upward until she straddled him.

  “I’m very large.” He gazed up at her.

  His concern for her reinforced her determination to have all of him. “I want this.” She lifted herself higher, positioned him at her entrance, and lowered.

  He cupped her ass, stabilizing her, supporting her weight, as he entered her. Large was an understatement. Fuck. She bit back a wince. His broad tip stretched her to the point of pain.

  But she kept her expression blank, devoid of all emotion, while taking his huge cock. Balvan would stop if he knew he was hurting her and she wanted this, needed this, had endu
red more agony for worse beings and for no reward.

  There would be a reward with her big male. She knew that in her soul. He’d give her pleasure, ensure she reached release with him. The hurt would be worth it.

  His gaze remained fixed on her face as she accommodated more and more of him. The sensual slide seemed as endless as her trek across Carinae E’s barren wastelands. He reshaped her body with his tremendous size, pressing against her inner walls, opening her up to him.

  “My brave little female,” he murmured, his admiration bolstering her resolve.

  She could do this, make him hers in all ways. Elyce bore down on him, determined to meet the challenge, master his cock. Over half a solar cycle of harsh sexual servitude had prepared her for this. She would not be defeated.

  Finally, her pussy lips touched his base. Relief swept over her.

  “I took all of you.” Her voice was thin. She lifted her chin, sitting on her big male proudly. Not every female could have done that.

  “You did.” Balvan massaged her upper thighs. “Being inside you, feeling you around me—” His voice broke.

  This fuck mattered to him also, perhaps more than it mattered to her. She gazed at him, affected by his reaction. “We’re connected.”

  The link between them had strengthened, filling the air around them with meaning. He was a part of her, physically and emotionally.

  “You are my mate.” He watched her face, as though he worried she’d fight their bond, a connection she’d sensed the moment she heard his voice. “You’re the one being genetically compatible with me. I’ve lived for thousands of human lifespans, didn’t believe I’d ever find you.”

  She was the one being for him. Her pussy dripped. “I truly am unique.”

  She wasn’t interchangeable with any other female, not for him.

  He nodded. “You’re special to me, more precious than any other being in this universe.”

  “I’m not a little female. I’m your little female.” She was his.

  “Yes.” His head dipped again. “And I am your male.”

  “You’re my big male.” Possession wasn’t the same as love. Marowit had shown her that. But Balvan wouldn’t ever hurt her, not intentionally, and she was safe with him. “Okay.”