by Luna Hunter
“It’s beautiful,” she says.
I trace a finger across her cheek. “And yet, I sense hesitation. What’s wrong?”
“I can’t stop thinking about Mikael, and Sanura. Do you think they’re okay?”
“I promise you they are. Those AI friends of yours are extremely capable.”
“I hope so.”
“We’ll send word. However, that’s not all that’s bothering you.”
Anaya shrugs. “This is all just so… new to me. I’m having a little trouble adjusting. I’m used to cramped tunnels, this is all so… big.”
“Let us rest. You’ll feel at home soon enough.”
We take the elevator up to the highest level, and I rent the best room available. I don’t want my mate to lack any comfort. This is her new home, and she needs to reconnect with her roots.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Anaya
Theros hugs me from behind, and I give myself permission to relax. The view from up here, in our private room, is downright amazing. There’s only a glass window separating us from the starry sky, with New Exon hanging high above us.
I can’t stop looking at it.
Corlis Station is built on a crossroads of sorts, nestled between the Argon and Gennis Nebulae, a place naturally fit for trade. While visually dazzling in their own right, the nebulae are nothing compared to a massive planet.
Theros lets himself fall onto the kingsized bed. He opens the package and doctor gave him and downs a handful of the vitamin balls.
“What did the doctor say? One every six hour!”
“Right. So this way, I’m winning time.”
I grasp the packet out of his hands and read the instructions, but fortunately no harmful side effects are listed. I suppose Theros is still going to be a stubborn Zoran…
We both take off all our clothes in no time and I snuggle down on top of him.
“Grab the covers,” I say.
“Why? I want to admire you.”
“I feel so exposed,” I say, looking up at the sky. “Anyone can see us.”
“They’d need a damn good telescope for that.”
“And what if they do have just that?”
His hand travels down my naked back, the touch making me shiver.
“Then they’ll have the most wonderful view in the universe.”
He wraps his strong, protective arms around me and within no time we’re both lost in a deep sleep, exhausted from the constant action, the narrow escape, the use of our powers, the bending of time and space itself.
I awake the next morning, under the covers, feeling more rested than ever. Theros is pressed against me, and I nestle my body against his, enjoying the sensations of his hard, Zoran body.
I turn around and kiss his chest, my fingers traveling down his broad frame. He grunts approvingly as I circle his rod, his throbbing morning erection feeling beyond perfect in my hands.
I woke up exceptionally horny, and I’m happy to find my mate in similar circumstances. I line the head of his cock (which to my amusement is bright gold, in sharp contrast with his silver skin) up with my core.
He opens his silver eyes and grins widely at me as I rub myself close to an orgasm using nothing but the head of his amazing cock.
“Good morning,” he growls as he leans in and kisses me. He takes my hands and places them above my head as he kisses his way down my body.
Seconds later he’s got me folded in half, my legs up in the air as he finishes the job with his expert tongue, licking me to a toe curling orgasm.
One hell of a way to start the day.
Pure pleasure explodes deep inside of me, strong waves sweeping every sense of control away from me. I scream his name as I come, my entire body trembling and shaking.
Theros comes up and kisses me, sinking his hardness into me with one thrust of his hips.
As the sun rises, we make love. Real, deep, passionate love, our bodies moving as one. His large cock fits inside of me perfectly, and I know deep that down that our bodies were made for one another.
Not a single light bulb blows out around us we mate. We meld completely, all of the force contained within us being poured into the other. I can feel myself absorb a piece of him, just as he absorbs a piece of me.
We’re lost in a trance, both of us on a higher plane of existence as we move rhythmically to a drum only we can hear.
The bonding is so deep that both our hearts ache with joy. As he fills me with his essence, I see flashes of the Rift opening up further, his body, his heart, his mind all shared with me. My toes curl as his seed fills me, deeply, completely, totally.
We both breathe deeply as we cuddle, the aftereffects of our lovemaking still coursing through our veins.
“Did you feel that too?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
He nods as he kisses my neck, right behind my ear. “I noticed none of the lights flickered. There was no raging storm, but a calm, tranquil sea.”
“What do you think it means?”
“We will go see the Sacred Order, soon,” he says. “They will have the answers. I have to visit my commander first, however.”
“Do you want me to come with?”
My mate shakes his head. “I have to do this alone.”
We wrap ourselves in bathrobes and eat the romantic breakfast Theros had delivered to our doorstep. As I munch on the delicious strawberries, I’m filled with a bliss that travels down to my very bones. I’m in love, body and soul, and happy to be here on New Exon.
Happy to return to my Zoran roots.
I try not to worry about Theros returning to his commander. I believe in him, and I know he can handle his people.
Before leaving he joins me in the bathtub, and we enjoy each others bodies and souls once more. I drift off to sleep in our bed, enjoying our temporary slice of heaven, while Theros takes his leave.
He’s only been gone a minute, but already I miss him dearly.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Theros
“What do you see, Sacred Mother?”
Doya peers at the Zorashi symbols on my wrist. They haven’t stopped glowing since this morning, when Anaya’s soul bonded with mine. Perhaps it was because we were finally out of harm’s way, or because we were so close to New Exonian ground — I do not know why, but something definitely changed. And although I know the truth in my very bones, I wanted a Sacred Mother to give me her blessing first, before I face Helios.
“Yes,” the wise woman says, excited. “Yes, you have found your mate, Theros! You and her are both Chosen! The Mating Star Prophecy is coming to pass!”
She kisses me on the forehead before drawing a symbol on me with a bit of fine powder.
“You are a courageous young man, Theros. A Thaboist bonding with a partial blood — the universe works in mysterious ways indeed!”
“Yeah, well, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be part of the Regiments once my commander finds out about all this.”
“You and your mate will always be welcome among the Kazimir. I cannot wait to meet this Anaya. Does she know how important she is?”
“I’m taking things slow at the moment. This is a big change for her as it is. Never mind the Mating Star…”
The Sacred Mother gasps. “She must know! We must have a Mating Ceremony! New Exon depends on it! The Zoran depend on it!”
“I’ll get around to it, trust me,” I say.
First, I have a commander to face…
I enter our encampment and head straight towards Helios’s hut. Before I get there, no one other than my good friend Jaka stops me.
“Where have you been?!” he says as he pulls me into a bear hug. “I was worried sick about you.”
“Me?” I answer as I return the greeting. “You know I can handle myself.”
“You know what they say about those Stations, man. Places of sin.”
“Oh, I’ve sinned alright,” I chuckle.
His ears perk up. “Do tell.”
“In due time. First I must talk to Helios.”
Jaka breaks into a smile. “Yes, he’s going to explode when he sees you. He was convinced you ran off with the cargo, and he’s been telling everyone it’s because of your partial blood.”
“Of course,” I grit. “Of course.”
“Oh, and you missed the tournament! Auges won, if you can imagine that.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Auges? Helios’s nephew?”
“The one and the same.”
“Seems like juicing on Choog paid off for him then.”
“Yeah, or Helios just bribed Xanor to go down easily.”
“I’ll be sure to ask him,” I grin.
As I approach Helios’s hut, I meet the very man we were just talking about: Auges. He’s decked out in tournament gear, all biceps, no legs. He doesn’t notice me because he’s guzzling Choog, the plant that gives him his disproportionate upper body strength.
It may look impressive, but it’s all for show. I’ve been away for so long I missed an entire tournament cycle. Normally this would have outraged me, but now? Now I don’t even care.
I’ve found something much more precious than being a tournament champion.
Auges gives me a dirty look and he steps aside, and I enter Helios’s hut without knocking. I find him behind his desk, leaving through a holo-mag filled with sultry aliens in compromising positions.
Hypocrite. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the type of cargo he sent me to Corlis for in the first place. Seems like the type of ware they’d peddle at Cloud 69.
I cough and startle him.
“You!” he cries, his expression turning to rage when he sees it’s me, swiping the holo-mag of his desk. “Where have you been?! You were supposed to be back days ago!”
“There were some… complications,” I say coolly. “The vessel and its cargo is hands of some AI on Corlis.”
“AI?!” he sputters. “Bloody synthetics? A bunch of bolts they are, abominations, proof of man’s hubris! Why would you leave them with my goods?!”
I glance at the holo-mag, now crumpled up in the corner, the curvy outlines of a female, three-breasted Ouna still faintly visible.
“What was in those boxes anyway?” I ask.
His cheeks turn a fiery red. “None of your damn business, that’s what.”
“Either way, I’m sure they will be here in time for my Mating Ceremony.”
“Your what?!”
“My Mating Ceremony,” I say. “I met my fated mate on Corlis Station.”
He raises his eyebrow. “Fated?! Have you been listening to those old crows of the Sacred Order a bit too much, Theros? You’re a warrior and your place is here. There will be no ceremony.”
“No,” I say defiantly. “My place is besides my partial blood mate.”
“P-partial?!” He says, his eyes challenging me. “No warrior from my regiment will mate with a bloody partial! You’re lucky I ever took you on, an inbred mongrel like yourself! And now you want to dilute our regiment even further?! You bring shame to all of us!”
I take a step forward, so that my chest bumps into his, and he’s forced to take a step back.
“The only one bringing shame on your species is close-minded, nepotist, corrupt hypocrites like yourself,” I growl. “You know I’m the best damn warrior in this hemisphere, and the only reason I haven’t won the Triple Crown is because you’ve always blocked my ascension.”
“Now listen here,” he says, poking me in the chest.
I grab his wrist and twist it behind his back, and Helios cries out in pain.
“No, you watch your words,” I say. “I’m done being your lackey. There will be a Mating Ceremony, and all of New Exon will see that your ideas are antiquated.”
“Get out!” he cries. “Get out!”
“Gladly,” I curse. “Gladly.”
All of New Exon will see, old man. Just you wait.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Anaya
“How’d it go?”
Theros storms into the room, and the look on his face tells me all I need to know. Not great.
“They are close minded fools,” he says. “Ignorant! Corrupt! As long as they lead, our species might as well be doomed!”
“Slow down,” I say, placing my hand on his chest. “Start at the beginning.”
My touch soothes him, and as our eyes meet, I feel his frustration flow away.
“My commander and I didn’t see eye-to-eye,” he says. “We must go to the tournament. Today. Show them our bond.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Are you sure?”
He nods decisively. “All of the elite will be there. It’s the perfect opportunity.”
“For what?”
“To prove to everyone that the Mating Star is upon us.”
My heart skips a beat. He’s mentioned this prophecy before, but with all the running-for-our-lives and all, we haven’t really had an opportunity to sit down and discuss what the stars he’s on about.
Now’s a good a time as any.
“Uhm, do you mind explaining it all to me first?”
His fingers intertwine with mine.
“Of course,” he says gently. “I haven’t told you everything because I didn’t want to overwhelm you. But now, it is time. Please sit.”
My heart is hammering away as I sit down next to my mate, my eyes focused on him and him alone. Why is he making me so nervous?
This bloody prophecy better not involve some type of ritual bloodletting, or worse…
He catches my worried look and chuckles.
“Don’t worry, my love. Your fears are unfounded. It is a beautiful story, one every Zoran on New Exon has been raised with. You know of the demise of Exon, yes?”
I nod. “It was destroyed by aliens, correct?”
“You are right. Exon, our original homeworld, was destroyed by the cowardly Tyk’ix. Our sun was snuffed out like a candle, and our home planet went with it. We sought refuge on Earth before we discovered New Exon, and then a new chapter started for our species. This planet, is is powerful… I’m sure you have felt it, yes?”
“Is that what I’ve been feeling?”
Theros nods decisively. “This world has an energy, a forcefield… it is in the Lovespores, in the air, in the water… it is all around us. However, most Zorans aren’t attuned to it, in the way that you and I are now. That is why we are Chosen.”
My silver mate gazes out the window, up into the clear blue sky.
“Shortly after our kind relocated to New Exon, the Sacred Mothers started receiving visions of a bright star, a jewel that belongs to New Exon. A second sun.”
“The Mating Star?”
“Correct. I’m sure you know that Zoran females are… rare. We still haven’t figured out why the birthrate is so low, and I’m afraid we never will. The Thaboists say it is because we lost our ‘way’, because we mate with humans… the Vinzonians say that if we hadn’t mated with humans to begin with, there wouldn’t be a Zoran way left to return to… And the Kazimir? They say that the Mating Star is the solution.”
“How?!” I ask, sitting on the edge of my seat. I’m used to my boring job doing boring things — and now Theros is telling me we are both at the heart of some prophecy that could define the fate of the entire species?!
“I… don’t know,” Theros sighs. “The visions are unclear. Some say that the Mating Star will realign the energy of New Exon somehow, and that this will lead to more females being born, so that every Zoran can find their one true mate. Others say that there is a twin-planet, one that orbits the Mating Star, and said planet would be New Exon’s mirror image: Almost all female Zoran. Together, united, balance will be restored.”
I scrunch my nose. “How is that even possible?”
Theros shakes his head. “I don’t know, my love. I cannot peer into the future. I don’t know what lies beyond the Rift… but I do know we have powers, I do know we both feel New Exon’s energy, I do know our Zorashi
symbols match precisely, exactly as foretold. Something lies beyond that vortex, and it is our duty to find out what it is. The future of our species depend on it.”
He drops down to his knees in front of me, holding both of my hands, as he peers into my eyes.
“My love, my mate — I know I’m asking a lot of you. I know you never asked for any of this, but here we are. Will you go down this path will me? Will you join me in figuring it all out — our powers, this prophecy, the Rift?”
“Oh Theros,” I say. “I will follow you to the edge of the galaxy and back again if I had to. I’ll follow you anywhere. Even through that black hole, if need be. I’ll do anything for you.”
I lean down and kiss him deeply, and his hands fly up to my neck, and seconds later he’s on top of me, my dress hiked up, as I fidget with the buttons on his shirt.
We make passionate love, our souls uniting and becoming one as I welcome him in my heart with open arms. Theros has given me a purpose, a voice, and I’m forever thankful for that. If the future of the Zorans depend on us being courageous… then that is what we will be.
The Zoran tournament is in full swing.
My dress is beautiful, as is Theros’s tunic, but that’s not the point. We’re not here to show off our fine clothes. No, we’re here to prove to all of these naysayers that we are mates.
That the prophecy is coming true.
That Zoran purism is flat out wrong.
As we make our way to our seats, I can feel the glares of all the Thaboists. They’re shooting daggers at me. After all, I’m not supposed to be up here in the stands with them. A filthy human. How dare I, right?
Never mind the fact that my father is every bit as Zoran as they are. No, they don’t care about that at all. If you got one drop of human blood in you, you’re done.
Well, screw that.
I’m done with being ashamed of my heritage, of having to hide my face, my past, my love.
I love Theros, and there’s nothing anyone can do to change that.