When the robot came she stepped into the corridor and waited for the door to close before talking to it.
“Take me to General Hern.”
Her beloved drew her into his arms the instant the door slid open. She didn’t have a chance to utter a single word. Their mouths joined during the heated embrace. She became tearful and desperate. She sensed the same from him. Hern acted as if they were reuniting after years of separation. Selena couldn’t help but be swept away by his passion.
He carted her to his bed, never once taking his gaze from her. Clothes were hastily discarded. His mouth searched over her, still with urgent desperation, leaving tingles and hot moisture on her breasts and belly. She sat up to find his lips again. He penetrated her while parrying with her tongue. Then their bodies moved together in urgent tandem. His size was so great he easily lighted every node of pleasure within her. Each thrust made her moan with pleasure. He had her building toward orgasm quickly. Her legs flailed beneath him and she grasped at his shoulders. Her mind was lost to the blurred heat brought on by every lustful moment. Then she felt his organ convulse inside her. Her own climax seized her deep inside, making her muscles stiffen and her moans lose sound.
He lowered over her while gasping. She became slack, and sated, though winded. The feeling of his body on hers still gave her flutters of pleasure.
He kissed her softly now. She was too mesmerized to speak. He smoothed back her hair with a tinge of grief in his eyes.
“Selena…”
“I’m…I’m fine. We just talked—then he sent me away.”
Hern’s face crumbled into tears. He buried his face in her shoulder. “I can’t…I can’t do this.”
Selena rubbed her hands over his back. Her heart rate increased once again. They had to do this—didn’t they? She’d resigned herself to it. The anguish she felt from Hern made her insides twist.
“Thinking about him taking you…maybe even hurting you…” Sobs wracked his whole body.
Selena’s mouth went dry. She had no idea what to say.
“This was such an idiotic plan. I never thought I’d fall in love with you. I only thought about using you. And now we’re here. I have to deal with this monstrous situation I created.”
“He…he wasn’t cruel to me, Hern. We just talked. I thought…I thought it went well.”
He leaned up to look at her.
Now her words became choked with tears. “Don’t make me feel bad for doing what I have to.”
Hern cupped his hand over the side of her face. “I’m sorry. I…I’m selfish, and jealous—and I’m still not giving you the consideration you’re due.”
She kissed him. “It’s okay. I want you to love me like this. It’s…what I always wanted.”
He drew a forlorn sigh. Then he climbed off her to sit at the side of the bed. She crept over to lean beside him.
“He tested me to see when I’m ovulating.” She recited the date and time to him. “I think that’s when he wants to…you know…mate with me.”
“That’s the only value he sees in you. I knew he’d be that way.”
“Hern…we have to talk about the children I’ll be having.” The lump that had built in her throat was painful to swallow. “Maritza…she told me she’s forced to ovulate at twice the normal speed, and that her zygotes are harvested from her for artificial gestation. And then, these babies, 24 a year, are sent all over Dak-Hiliah space. That sounds like a nightmare to me.”
“To me, too.” He wrapped his arm around her. “But it won’t be the same for our children. We’re lucky. My home is planet Den. That’s where all our children will be raised, since I’m part of the soldier class. We’ll be there with them.”
A floodgate of emotion broke inside of her. She stared at him with her lips and eyes wide.
Hern took her hand. “The…the increased ovulation and artificial gestation, you have to do that, my love. You’ll have one child a month for me and one for Xaroth. All women must breed for us. It’s the only way we can rebuild our population. I know the thought of so many children is overwhelming. It overwhelms me. But you’ll be there for our children. You’ll know every one of them, and be someone they can rely on all through their lives.”
Selena dove at him for a hug. “Oh my God, Hern! That’s so wonderful!”
He squeezed her. “I didn’t think that would make you happy. I’m so glad it does. I want you to do all you can for our children. I’ll take part, also—as much as my duties will allow me. Most of the involvement in their lives will have to be from you.”
She leaned back. “That’s better than I hoped it would be. I’ll be a great mother. You’ll see.”
He smiled. “I can already tell you will be.”
“But what about the children I have with Xaroth?”
Hern’s smile faded. He focused his gaze in front of him. “I…don’t know. He’s not of the soldier’s caste, despite pretending to be when it suits his needs.”
Selena felt the knot tightening up inside of her again.
“You would have to discuss it with him.”
Now tears built behind her eyes. “I tried to. He…he refused to talk about it. He said that since he was letting me go without having to sleep with him that I had to let him put off that uncomfortable conversation for later.”
Hern placed his face in his hand. “Then…he plans to ship them to our foster planets.”
She let the tears come.
“He’ll probably want most raised on Keo-10 or Dornovonia—that’s where a lot of our leaders come from. Magnatae is renowned for its schools, so some will go there. Then there are the new slave worlds that want to foster for us. He might let some go to those worlds in case they end up producing exceptional citizens.”
The ache in her chest grew stronger with every word. “Will I…ever know them?”
He didn’t look toward her.
She rubbed her eyes with her hand. “Then half my babies will be scattered all over the galaxy. I’ll never…never even get to meet them.”
Hern soothed her shoulder. “That’s not for certain. You could talk to him when you come to know him better. Influence him.”
The words did nothing to relieve her pain. It would be just like Maritza said. She had to expect the worst and then be glad when things weren’t so bad. With Xaroth things would always be the worst.
She snuffled up her tears and tried to bottle away her pain. These were thoughts she’d let torture her for the rest of her life. For now she tried to focus on the real reason she’d come to Hern.
“Why are we going back to Earth space?”
Hern turned to her. “What do you know about Europa Colony?”
She blinked a few times. It seemed as though her husband began speaking another language. She shook her head blankly.
“There’s several planets in Earth’s solar system. The largest one, Jupiter, it has a moon. Europa.”
A realization sparked through. “Oh, Europa.” She searched the floor for her thoughts. “I remember learning about seven astronauts who went there 200 years ago to set up a space station or something. It was big news back in the day. Oh…and then I guess there were trees growing underground.”
“I see. So your government kept most of the developments a secret from you?”
Her blank gaze returned.
“Jupiter was orbiting near a causeway several days ago when a supply pod was returning to Dak-Hiliah space. A distress beacon was coming from the moon, so the robot pilots went to investigate. They discovered a subterranean city which appears to be populated by hundreds, perhaps even thousands of humans.”
“Oh my God.” She took a moment to absorb the revelation. “They were never invaded by the Instajants?”
“Apparently not. The Instajants wouldn’t have known of their existence unless they had reason to search that quadrant of space. No one knows about them except Xaroth, and myself, and now you. The supply pod relayed the information directly to him on his base on Hok, since i
ts destination was near there.”
She felt befuddled.
“We’re headed back to your solar system to conquer them. Xaroth refuses to tell me anything beyond that. He’ll reveal his plans to me when I need to know them, and not a second before. I fear he has something barbaric planned. I…I know he does.”
Selena tensed. “Barbaric how?”
“Barbaric as in the opposite of what a compassionate leader would do. He won’t even give me an inkling because he knows I’d oppose him. I truly fear for what he has planned.”
Selena’s expression grew grave. “He was rambling about how compassion was ruining you. He was also telling Let-Shurit to make sure Lord Elentinus had no idea you were coming.”
Hern eyed her. “I’ll notify Lord Elentinus. I loathe defying Xaroth, but I can’t risk allowing him to do something unthinkable.”
“I agree.”
“If you learn any more you must find a way to tell me, but don’t incite conflict with him. Now is the time for him to have a positive experience with a woman. The better your relationship is with him, the better he may treat the women we’ll be capturing from that moon.”
Selena nodded with conviction.
The next morning Let-Shurit roused her by shaking her shoulder. Selena jolted awake.
“Oh, my dear, you must rise and dress quickly. General Xaroth wishes to breakfast with you.”
She scrambled out of bed in a panic. Let-Shurit started.
“You don’t have to go mad, darling! Just be quick with your shower and grooming.”
Selena’s heart rate settled a bit. She darted into her bathroom to do as she was commanded.
A short while later Let-Shurit brought her to a mezzanine lounge on a high deck. Xaroth was seated at a table positioned against a broad window that showed blackness and blurred stars. He was drinking from what looked like a metal teacup without a handle.
“Master.”
Xaroth stood. “Ah, good. Sit, Ms. Selena.” He gestured to chair across from him. “You’re dismissed, Let.”
“Very good, master.” He bowed and left.
Selena smoothed her long black dress beneath her and sat.
“I’ve gone over my plans in painstaking detail quite a few times.” He resumed his seat across from her. “I feel if I continue to obsess over them I’ll only come to second guess my instincts. I’d rather find myself some distraction until we arrive at our destination. That’s why I’d like to spend today getting acquainted with you.”
“Oh.” Her mood lightened. “I’m glad. It’s so boring just waiting alone in my room.”
“That was truthful. I can tell.” He sipped his cup with a slight smile. “You’re already in love with Hern, aren’t you?”
Her lips parted.
“You went to his room after I dismissed you. Your robot escort told me he drew you into a passionate embrace. One you didn’t resist.”
She made her lips closed, but kept her gaze steady on him. Her heart rate increased. She would take care around the robots from now on.
“I’m not angry. He and I share you. That’s the agreement. I merely find it interesting that when you had some time to yourself you chose to spend it with him.”
“He’s been very kind to me.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
“It’s more than that. He’s my only friend here. The only one I have to talk to.”
“Ah. I see. Of course, you’re used to having a great deal of companionship from your slave colony. It must be quite lonesome for you here.”
A robot rolled over and delivered a tray of food and drink. Xaroth lifted both cloches at once.
“This is sea snake in fermented bean sauce. The red stuff is larpin, a vegetable of sorts, and the pale mound is starch from the larpin’s fruit. The beverage is a morning potion with a stimulant.”
“It smells delicious.” Her voice had become quiet. She tried to focus on eating to hide her discomfort.
Xaroth dug in with his utensil (a crescent-shaped spoon, sharp on one edge). “I can’t fault you for bonding with Hern. He’s a most honorable and righteous man.”
She looked at him with her brow raised.
He half-smiled. “Besides that, he’s immensely handsome. Don’t you agree?”
She cleared her throat. “I think…well, I think you both are.”
He scoffed. “You needn’t be so diplomatic.”
“I’m just saying the truth. Either one of you would beat any of the men at the slave colony, hands down.”
Xaroth cut into his food with more vehemence. “Pah. What’s the purpose of keeping male humans? Wasting resources on them? I can’t fathom what Lord Elentinus is thinking.”
She became confused. “We’re supposed to be building back up our population.”
“What sense is there to that? The Dak-Hiliah are the ones nearly extinct. Your women should have been absorbed by us.”
“That’s what we thought would happen.” She concentrated. “I always wondered why we were just kept in that colony.”
He gestured with one hand in exasperation. “See. Even you realize how foolish it is.” He scooped his utensil back into his food. “Never mind. I must focus on those things that I can control. Not lament over the decisions of that ‘compassionate’ fool.”
They ate a few moments in silence. Selena sipped the drink, which had some of the bitterness of tea.
“General Hern is compassionate too,” she said.
“Yes. But he’s committed to seeing the empire prosper. His compassion is weighed by more reason than Lord Elentinus will ever have.”
The praise caused some warmth in her middle. “You like General Hern.”
“Was there any doubt of this?”
“Yes.” She wet her lips. “I mean—your leaders made you split your rank with him.”
Xaroth glanced at her. “That angered me, of course. Though not as much as the revolt that preceded that decision.” He scooped a bite of food in his mouth and chewed derisively. “I was determined to hate Hern. Determined to undermine this authority the high council had given him by whatever means I could. And then…then, I was presented with the man himself. Not just the concept of a rival with philosophies opposed to mine, but the flesh and blood man, whom I saw was gentle, warm hearted, soft spoken. He disarmed me from our first meeting. He’s a product of a new generation, one not entirely worthless. And I listened to him, to his ideas, his compromises. I saw that he was desperate to unite with me because that’s what our army needed. He placed all his ego aside for that noble aim.” Xaroth’s stare became distant as he remembered. “He showed me diffidence, when I’d expected only conflict and disdain.”
Selena ceased eating to listen. She couldn’t help but smile.
“If it had been anyone else paired with me things would have already devolved into civil war. Hern made things work. Not me, but Hern.” He pressed a napkin against his mouth, held it there for a moment, then set it aside. “Of course we’ve come to a meaningful impasse now and again. That’s why we take turns in leading. Our philosophies differ too greatly to ever be fully compatible. Our aims, however, are the same. That’s led to a mutual respect. More than respect. I admire him a great deal.”
She began to feel starry-eyed. “You proposed to him.”
“I did indeed. The reasons I felt it worthwhile were described clearly in the public message.”
“But a proposal…that’s not like a business contract. It was a marriage proposal. I mean, you would have been intimate with him.”
His smile became sly. “Yes. I’m fully aware of the perks of such an arrangement.” He folded his napkin and placed it aside. “I told you, I find him immensely handsome.”
“General Xaroth…” The question itched on her tongue, but she wondered if she was being too bold.
“Spit it out, woman.”
“Do you prefer men?”
“How do you mean?”
“Are you…” She searched for the word homosexu
al in the Dak-Hiliah language. It didn’t exist! “Are you a man who only wishes to make love to other men?”
“By the gods…what are you trying to say? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“I mean, are you oriented towards other men…and…not attracted to women?”
“Is this some Earth cultural more you’re trying to apply to my race?”
She thought about it. “I guess so.”
“I find it bizarre, almost appalling. You speak of mental limitations that shouldn’t exist in any race.”
She felt mentally limited at that moment. Gay, straight, and all degrees in between were so ingrained in her psyche that she couldn’t imagine the concepts not existing for the Dak-Hiliah.
“I’m sorry.”
Xaroth lifted a hand to quiet her. “No. It matters little. You’re a product of the narrow culture you’ve been raised in. It will take time for you to become enlightened by our society.”
She stifled her outrage.
He stood. “That sounds like a worthwhile pursuit. A way to spend our time today—by educating you.” He lifted his nose. “Though I would have no patience for a disinterested student.”
“You want to teach me about your culture?”
“Our history. Our religion. Yes. Our culture.”
She stood. “I would love that. I want to know all I can about the Dak-Hiliah. I mean—this is my world now.”
He extended his hand. “Excellent.”
She placed her hand in his.
He brought her to an austere meeting room for the lecture. The only furniture was a long oval table with numerous seats. He had her sit at the end nearest the wall, then pulled out a tablet. He tapped the appropriate buttons to make the image on his tablet appear on the wall. Then he began his lecture.
He spoke of their gods first. He claimed there was evidence of their existence, unlike the false deities followed by other races. (Though he never explained what that evidence was). Their liaisons to the gods were their druids, who provided Dak-Hiliah host bodies to one god or goddess at a time. The possessed druid would move to the highest seat and become the one to instruct them on how to conduct their private lives in ways that would please the gods.
The Complete Alien's Bride Page 46