The smell of cooking meat tantalized her nostrils and Anna opened sleepy eyes to see that she was back in their original shelter, dressed in her slave gown, wrapped in one of the white cloths from the ship, and snug against the wall of rock. Apparently, Jakkar had brought her back during the night. The last thing she remembered was passing out in his arms after her third climax. The memory made her blush and she stretched a little cautiously, feeling a not unpleasant ache between her legs, before lifting her head and looking around. She could see sunlight hitting the top of the rock spires but it was still dim and cool at the base.
Melia curled next to her, still asleep and also wrapped in a white cloth. Jakkar crouched over the heated stones laying strips of meat across the hot surface and she could hear the strips sizzle as the enticing scent wafted across to her. At the sound of her movement, he turned. His face was almost impassive but a faint smile curved one corner of his mouth. She blushed harder and looked away, embarrassed by the memory of the previous night and the satisfied look on his face.
“Good morning, Anna.” He walked over and knelt next to her. Surprised and pleased that he had used her name, she looked up at him and he caught her mouth in a demanding kiss. As always, the feel of his mouth destroyed her resistance and she melted into him until he made an amused growl and pulled away. Yes, he was definitely way too pleased with himself. She glared but he simply smiled and handed her a bread square with strips of meat across it.
“What is this?”
“Rantor caught it. The analyzer says it is edible.” He returned to the stones to flip the remaining strips and Anna took a careful bite. It was hot and tasty, rather like, well…chicken. She grinned at the thought and started working her way through the rest of slice. As she nibbled, her eyes roamed their campsite and she caught a glimpse of Rantor, sprawled against a rock and chewing lazily on something that looked a lot like, oh, God…a snake.
She gulped and looked down at her portion, the long thin strips taking on a whole new significance.
“Is this snake?”
Jakkar’s back was to her but she saw him shrug. “That word does not translate. It is like what we call reminal. It is an animal that lives among the rocks and is high in protein.”
So that translated as a yes. Her stomach rebelled for a moment but she was hungry and it did taste pretty good. And reminal sounded much better than snake. Carefully avoiding looking in Rantor’s direction, she finished her breakfast.
Jakkar brought the next serving over for Melia and Anna realized that the other woman wasn’t asleep as she had assumed but was merely curled against the rock without moving. She did not look well. Her eyes were shadowed and her face was pale. Even her hair was drooping around her face, hardly moving.
“Are you all right?” Jakkar and Anna asked the question at the same time.
“I’m just tired.” Melia pushed up into a sitting position and took the bread and reminal.
Anna watched her pick listlessly at the food and noticed that her other hand was curved around her stomach. Oh, God, the baby. Both the crash and the violent trip down to the planet had been hard and Melia had not had anyone to hold on to her.
“Is the baby all right?” she whispered, as Jakkar went back to the fire stones.
Melia looked at her, eyes haunted. “I don’t know. He hasn’t been moving much and when he does, it hurts.”
“When are you due?” Anna asked. The other woman’s stomach was barely visible under her gown so they must have a while.
“I’m not sure anymore. I left for home two months ahead of time. We were in space maybe two weeks before the fight. I’m not really sure how long we were in the pod or what time cycle the Ithyians use on their ship.”
Shock held Anna motionless. That meant that they had less than six weeks. And, at least with humans, distress could throw the body into labor early. While she murmured soothingly to Melia, she looked around for Jakkar so she could let him know. They needed to find some type of permanent shelter as soon as possible.
She spotted him feeding the last strips of meat to the linae, and stood up. The sun had not yet cleared the surrounding rocks and as soon as she left the protection of their rock shelter, a cold wind whipped across her body. Trying to ignore it, she hurried across to the pair but even the short distance had her shivering by the time she reached them. Jakkar looked up and frowned as she started to speak.
“You should not have left the shelter.” He pulled her down on to his lap and she huddled into his warmth.
“Foolish little human.” His voice was soft as he whispered in her ear and his warm breath made her shiver again, although not from cold.
“I am not foolish. I need to talk to you.” She wiggled around to face him but her movement made his cock start to stiffen underneath her. His mouth drifted from her ear and down across her neck and his hand slipped up to caress her breast. The warmth of his big hand and the trail of his lips distracted her and she shivered harder, snuggling her body into his.
A hard nudge to her ribs jolted her back to awareness. Rantor bumped her again, demanding attention. Jakkar growled at the linae but Anna slipped off his lap. He growled at her this time and reached out to bring her back.
“I think Melia might have her baby early,” she said breathlessly.
That got his attention and even though he still pulled her back into his arms, he stopped kissing her and frowned over at the other woman, who was curled on the ground once more.
“Are you sure?”
“No,” she said honestly. “But she’s getting close and sometimes traumatic events make it happen early.”
“We need to head for the valley edge and look for water. We have enough liquid for perhaps one day. And it looked like there were cliffs so there may be caves we can use for shelter.” He was still watching Melia’s still figure. “Can she walk?”
“I don’t know.”
“It would be possible for me to carry her.” She froze against his body, remembering the way he had carried her off the previous night and hating the idea of another woman in his arms even though she knew the situation was completely different. He felt her stiffness and laughed, but pulled her closer.
“Don’t worry, little human,” he whispered. “I don’t want to drag her off into the rocks and fuck her senseless.” The coarse words should have shocked her but instead her pussy clenched and she relaxed into his embrace. His arms tightened around her waist in response but he continued in a more practical tone.
“And it would be safer to have my hands free.”
“What about the Ithyians?” He scowled at her but she continued quickly before he could speak. “If she can’t walk, we could put her on something and they could pull her along.”
“I don’t trust them. I would rather leave them here to die,” he growled.
“You have the chains and the weapons,” she pointed out. “And this way, you could keep track of them.”
“I will consider it,” he finally conceded, and for once Anna decided not to push the point. He stood up, scooping her up with him, and carried her back to the shelter of the rock wall and the fire stones. Anna settled down next to Melia while he rummaged through their supplies before handing each woman one of the Ithyian jumpsuits along with a cleansing cloth.
“These will be more practical. They will keep you warm. Get dressed.”
The women exchanged glances as he turned away, but Melia nodded. “He is correct.”
Quickly, they slipped behind the shelter to attend to their morning needs before changing out of their slave gowns and into the jumpsuits. Melia looked slim and elegant in hers, the swell of her pregnancy barely visible. On the other hand, the fabric pulled tightly across Anna’s more ample breasts and hips, revealing almost as much of her figure as the slave gown, and she was acutely conscious of the lack of underwear. She eyed the discarded gown distastefully but decided that it might come in useful and slipped it into the pocket of the jumpsuit. There were no shoes, but pairs of hea
vy rubber footed socks provided some protection for their feet.
Jakkar had walked over to talk to the Ithyians and she followed him curiously, staying out of sight around the rock curve.
“What are your names?” he demanded.
One of them snarled and she was sure it was the short guard, but the other answered. “I am Teron, and he is Smerg.”
“You are my prisoners now. You work, you obey, and you live. If you do not work or you do not obey, you will die.” His tone was implacable and Anna felt a flicker of fear. She knew so little about this man. He had never hurt her but she knew that he could. And yet something about him made her feel safe.
“What is your decision?” he asked.
“We will work and we will obey.” It was Teron’s voice, but a grunt that seemed to signify assent followed his words.
Jakkar rounded the corner and she jumped back guiltily. He frowned as he saw her eavesdropping but his expression lightened as he ran his eyes appreciatively over the tight-fitting jumpsuit. She blushed at the look in his eyes and he smiled and tucked her against his side as he turned them back toward the shelter. One hand slipped down to cup her ass as he murmured, “Very nice, little human. Although I still prefer you naked.”
Jakkar made quick work of preparing for the journey. He recovered a piece of metal large enough to act as a sled, and when Melia protested that she was well enough to walk he loaded it with their supplies before chaining the Ithyians to it. Neither of the men protested out loud, although Smerg muttered angrily under his breath. With Rantor leading the way, they set out across the valley floor.
The rock spires speared the sky in clusters like groups of trees. The rising sun caught hints of gold and silver flakes on their surface and they sparkled against the pale jade sky. The air was fresh, with an odd, tangy scent, and the sun had risen high enough that the temperature was just pleasantly warm. Anna felt remarkably happy considering that she was shipwrecked on an unknown planet with limited supplies and accompanied by a pregnant woman, two chained prisoners, and one very large and disturbing warrior. Putting it like that made her happiness seem ridiculous so she refused to think of it like that and instead let her mind drift back to the previous evening.
She had never had such an intense sexual experience. Just the memory had her nipples hardening and an ache starting low in her belly. In some ways Jakkar still terrified her and her pussy was more than a little sore, but she was already anticipating the coming evening. Would he carry her off again? And if he didn’t, would she have the courage to go to him? Considering how quickly he had reacted this morning, she didn’t think it would take much to seduce him but she was female enough to want him to come to her. A smile curved her lips as she considered the best way to encourage him.
“So you decided to mate him?” Melia’s voice was teasing as she walked up beside Anna. The other woman was walking easily and she seemed stronger, although she was still pale, and Anna blushed and smiled. After a quick look to verify that Jakkar wasn’t in earshot, she nodded.
“More accurately, he decided me,” she said a little ruefully.
“But you were willing?” Melia’s gaze was suddenly troubled and Anna hastened to reassure her.
“Yes, I was willing. Just…overwhelmed.”
“You sounded overwhelmed,” Melia said dryly, and Anna blushed harder as she remembered how she had cried out. The other woman took pity on her embarrassment and added, “as did he. How was he?” Melia continued.
The comment surprised her but apparently Gliesh women were as frank as Earth women when it came to discussing sex. The idea was curiously reassuring. She hesitated and her eyes sought out Jakkar. He was walking ahead with Rantor and she admired the long lines of his figure, the broad shoulders and the corded strength of his arms and legs, the tight ass that just begged for her grip. He moved with a sinuous grace that echoed that of the linae and her pulse was suddenly pounding in her veins.
“He was amazing.”
“I thought he would be.” Melia sounded satisfied and Anna shot her a startled glance, only to see the woman eying Jakkar appreciatively.
A soft growl emerged from her throat before she could stop it and Anna threw a horrified hand across her mouth. She hurried to apologize but Melia only laughed and flipped a wrist.
“Don’t worry. Your warrior is not interested in me. And while I can appreciate his…qualities, I choose docile men for my jalkas.”
Anna thought back over the few men she had had time to date in the past five years and then she laughed too. “So did I. I guess my tastes have changed.”
Her eyes returned to Jakkar’s muscled back and for the first time she noticed the intricate lines that curved across his shoulders as the sunlight shimmered across his bronze skin. From this distance it looked like an elaborate tattoo, the solid dark lines not catching the sun the way the rest of his skin did.
“What is that design?”
“That is his clan mark. All Sardoran warriors have them and they display the marks with pride. Their clan is very important to them. The worst thing that can happen to a warrior is to be declared Outcast from his clan.” Melia hesitated. “He had to leave his clan brothers to save me. It was an honorable act but it cost him much to leave his men.”
The two women walked along in companionable silence as the sun crept higher in the sky. At mid-morning, the party paused briefly and Jakkar distributed bread squares and small amounts of cafir. He passed the liquid to the Ithyians, and Teron took a small sip before Smerg grabbed the remainder. Jakkar hauled him up by the throat and shook him. “Behave or die.”
Jakkar growled as he let the man drop to the ground. Deep down he still thought it was a bad idea to keep them alive. Unfortunately, while he despised the Ithyians and their dishonorable ways, they were strong and would make good workers. His gaze swept over Melia and the swell of her pregnancy before settling on his little human. She was leaning wearily against a rock and his protective impulses flared. Despite her determination, her soft body was fragile. If the Ithyians could make her life easier, he would put up with them—at least for now.
When they resumed their trek, he dropped to the rear to check their trail. The women walked ahead with Rantor and he watched them curiously as they laughed and chatted. Rantor rubbed against Anna’s side and she caressed his head. Jakkar was suddenly jealous of the linae, remembering the feel of her silky skin as she wound her small fingers around his neck. Impatiently he dismissed the thought and concentrated on monitoring the surroundings. There had been no signs of large predators, and while he did not dismiss the possibility, he was more concerned about the chance of an enemy following them to the site of the wreck. He had been unable to find a tracking device but it could have been concealed within one of the lumps of twisted and burned metal.
As the sun neared its zenith and the heat increased, he considered his little human’s suggestion. Was it possible that it hasn’t been a random attack or an attempt to kidnap Melia? Were the Sardorans under attack? The possibility was infuriating but not completely inconceivable. As he analyzed the possibilities, he was aware of Anna dropping back. She didn’t come all the way back to walk with him, but walked beside the sled—which gave him ample opportunity to admire the ripe curves of her ass in the tight jumpsuit. His cock stiffened as he watched the luscious movements and he remembered her quivering beneath him. She had been so soft and sweet and passionate and she had yielded so deliciously. He was tempted to act on his earlier words and drag her behind a rock and fuck her until she cried out his name as he plunged into her incredibly tight wet pussy.
“Warrior.” Teron called softly, distracting him from the erotic thoughts. He growled at the Ithyian’s presumption, but the man merely gestured ahead to Melia. “The woman is fading.”
Jakkar followed his gaze and saw she was swaying slightly, her hand resting on the linae’s broad back. He remembered that she hadn’t eaten much at the rest stop and he cursed himself for letting the human distract him
. Striding quickly to the front, he grabbed Melia just as she passed out. Anna was right on his heels, bending over the woman as he lowered her to the ground.
He swore as he surveyed the packed sled and considered his options. By his calculations, they had at least an hour more to travel before reaching the edge of the valley floor. The supplies were essential but wouldn’t make a comfortable bed. He could carry Melia but his statement to Anna that morning was still true; he needed to be free to defend the party.
“I could carry her,” Teron offered quietly. He growled an immediate denial. The Ithyian seemed sincere, even respectful, but he wasn’t about to take the chance.
“Haven’t you people ever heard of backpacks?” Anna demanded. She had moved to the sled and was pulling out the remaining jumpsuits. Under his bemused gaze, she tied off each leg and started stuffing supplies into the body of the suit. She grinned at his look of astonishment and demonstrated how she could tie the legs around her waist and the arms over her shoulders. She was right; it was a primitive but effective way to carry their supplies. His flicker of pride surprised him and he pushed it aside to consider later as he moved to help her.
Within a short time, the supplies had been redistributed and they were each carrying a jumpsuit pack. Melia had regained consciousness but she was obviously weak and didn’t protest and as they laid her in the sled, cushioned by the softer supplies. Jakkar watched cautiously as the party resumed walking but the Ithyians pulled her carefully, Teron keeping Smerg in line. Anna gave him a jaunty grin and he pulled her close, brushing her mouth with his and enjoying her instant response, before he smacked her ass and sent her on her way.
Chapter Nine
Anna’s jauntiness had disappeared by the time they reached the edge of the valley. Jakkar had made sure she carried the lightest of their supplies but she wasn’t used to hiking or carrying a pack. Her legs ached and her shoulders hurt and she had lost all interest in her surroundings. They stopped as they reached a shaded area and she collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to remove her pack.
Anna and the Alien: A SciFi Alien Romance (Alien Abduction Book 1) Page 7