by Pixie Moon
Zima moves in close to Tymor. Her worried gaze shoots to Ryk. “I’ll help you get him to our vehicle. Will you help watch Sakmor while we’re gone?”
“Always. Now let’s move out,” Ryk says.
Sten steps in and helps. Zima frowns at him. Sten holds his ground. “Start the vehicle.”
That gets Zima going. As they leave, Kaksie walks over to me with Sakmor on her hip. “I hope he’s going to be fine.”
“Me too. Me too.” The feeling of being watched washes over me. I look around but don’t see anyone who needs me.
Ryk returns and starts helping out in the kitchen. I do odd jobs there as well. The worry on his face makes my heart ache. Time rolls by. Most of the customers have left. The only sound is the light music and Sakmor’s cute jabbering. When some more customers come in, I go and see that it’s my friends. Just seeing them lightens the air around me.
I call out to Rosman and Rosda and then follow the twins to a table. Rosda’s eyes are bright. “Aren’t you excited about the Resliv Moon celebration? You and Din Ryk are going, aren’t you?”
I nod as I lean my hip against the blue table they are seated at. “Yes, it sounds fun.” My gaze moves to Rosman. “Are you going?”
His eyes are just as bright as his twin’s. “Yes, I can’t wait. I’ve never been to anything like it.”
Rosda licks her pink lips. “You two are going to love it. The festive mood is a great break from our normal days.”
Rosda and Rosman straighten and look over my shoulder. There must be a Din behind me. I turn to see Din Zar. His gaze catches mine. I’m hooked until he nods and moves on to the others.
Hallie gives me a tight hug. “I’m glad Din Ryk is fine.” She looks soul deep into my eyes. “These guys are tough. Never forget that.”
I give her a nod. She’s been here longer than me and seen more. Maybe things will be fine. Only time will tell. I appreciate her effort to comfort me. Hallie’s a good friend.
Ryk comes over and captures Hallie’s gaze. These guys are so intense. I love it and hate it at the same time. Ryk and Zar sit at the orange table across from the twins’ table. I take their drink orders as well and then Hallie helps me fill them.
When we are all settled, Hallie leans toward me. “Where you guys talking about the celebration when we walked up?” I nod and she continues, “It’s my first one too. We’ll all have to hang out.”
Sten brings the food to the table and Kaksie comes over and sips a drink as Sakmor plays around us with some toys. He’s being so good. The one time he tried to be dominant Ryk gave him a look and he’s been better ever since. I wish I had a commanding stare like that.
I sink into the comfort of being around friends. The guys talk about Tymor and mission lessons as they drink their stros. For now it’s time to relax. Kaksie and I snack while Hallie, Rosman and Rosda eat. The air is lively again. I look around at my new friends. Life changes.
It’s strange not having Tymor and Zima here. My heart sinks. I hope life doesn’t change in a bad way for a long time. I need all of my friends.
~ Bad Guy ~
I watch Skyla step aside as Ryk WavTe locks up the restaurant. The baby pulls Skyla’s hair. She gently removes his hand from her hair. I won’t be so easy to stop.
Sitting back I keep my gaze on the three. They walk over to Ryk’s vehicle and talk for a moment. Skyla seems worried about something but she bows to Ryk’s will quickly.
A thrill runs through me. I can’t wait to take control of her. My blood heats at the thought of how I’m going to make her whimper, cry out, and scream. Her voice is beautiful. I can’t wait to hear how loud she can get.
I smile as I watch them leave. Ryk is about to lose something very special. Yes, his pain is a bonus. I wish I could bottle it up. I close my eyes and enjoy the tingle that goes through my body.
Skyla is such perfect prey.
CHAPTER
34
~ Skyla ~
♥
Ryk drives us to a different medical facility than the one I’m used to. This one has light blue walls and tan stone floors. We go up to a screen on the wall and Ryk looks his brother up. I follow him with Sakmor on my hip.
As soon as we enter the room Zima comes over and hugs me and Sakmor. A lump instantly forms in my throat and my heart sinks. Her skin is pale and her eyes are dim. It’s bad if a warrior like her is worried sick.
“Din Da Da,” Sakmor says.
Zima pulls back and takes her son. The sadness in her eyes makes tears well in mine. I look away and blow out a breath. Zima takes Sakmor over to the bed Tymor is lying on. The lump in my throat swells again when I notice how pale Tymor is and how his chest shudders with every breath he takes. The bed he’s on looks more like a soft pallet on a machine. There are screens and buttons all around.
A male just as tall as Ryk enters the room. A fitted light green long sleeved shirt stretches over his muscular torso and his pants are much like the ones the warriors wear. His silver and green gaze scans the room. It zeros in on Ryk and then Dax who are standing close to the bed. I watch the brothers approach the male that I assume is a doctor.
“Dr. Lan GyCan, how is our brother doing?” Ryk asks. The urgency in his tone makes my heart ache.
“I have one more thing to check and then I can tell you more.” The doctor moves over to one of the machines and starts pressing buttons. Lights flash around Tymor. He stays still and unaware on the medical bed.
Time crawls by. A beeping noise makes me jump. The doctor looks at one of the screens and his shoulders sag.
An older couple burst into the room. I look at them as the doctor takes them to the side and talks to them. I hear the word gupralne pass the doctor’s lips. Both of the new arrivals gasp. Grief etches into their faces. I don’t know what gupralne is but it has to be bad. Why does life have to be so hard?
Zima goes to the group with the baby and stands solemnly as the doctor talks. All I can do is stand back and watch. My heart goes out to the grieving couple. The male is just as tall as Ryk. There are wrinkles around his green and silver eyes and his firm mouth. The muscles in his square jaw are flexing.
I watch the female zaphinian take hold of the male’s hand. Her long black hair shifts as she leans closer to the doctor. Blue highlights shine through her hair. Those look familiar. Come to think of it so does the male’s square chin. Ryk and Dax are hovering over them.
Dang it all! They must be Ryk’s parents.
Heat floods my cheeks. I suddenly feel like a slut for happily having sex with their son. Got dang it! They are going to be able to smell Ryk on me. Panic sets in. I have to get out of here before they kick me out.
Ryk stiffens and then turns and inhales deeply. His eyes darken. I give him a pained smile which I’m sure has to look more like a grimace. He comes over to me and gives me a hug.
His scent instantly soothes my nerves. I hear the couple talking and remember why I was panicking. I pull back and look up at Ryk. My gaze cuts to the couple and then back to his. “I think I should go home.”
He stiffens and his nostrils flare. “No.”
I reach up and cup the back of his head. Pulling him down, I whisper, “What are your parents going to think? They have enough to worry about without having me here.”
Dang it. I feel so slutty. I’m a slutty alien!
As he inhales again a growl vibrates through his chest. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, seema.”
I want to die. “They are going to smell me and know that you and I…” I can’t even say the words with his parents nearby.
His gaze softens. “You are my seema. They would expect nothing less. It’s time for you to meet them.”
We take the few steps necessary to be close enough to speak. My palms start sweating. I shouldn’t even be here. This is a family moment. A serious one.
That doesn’t stop Ryk. “My parents, Din Ryt WavTe and Mora WavTe. From her scent you know this is my seema, Skyla Burgin.”
&nb
sp; I hold my breath as I wait for them to say something awful. To my surprise they look into Ryk’s eyes and then nod. What? I know they just communicated but I have no idea what they gleaned from his eyes. I’m definitely the alien here. A powerless one at that. Dang it.
Two pairs of intense eyes zero in on me. I give them what I hope is a smile as I instinctively step so close to Ryk that my hip touches his thigh. Both smile at me as though I did something right. Whew!
A moan from Tymor has all of them going to him. I hang back to give them some privacy.
♥ ♥ ♥
Pacing.
It’s all I can do. Most of the night others have taken turns pacing at the same time as me. Right now Dax is at it. His long strides are eating up over twice as much distance as mine. Ryk is inside with his parents and Zima and the baby. Most of the night was rough for Tymor.
The doctor gave him some liquids and the medical bed did several things with lights on and off all night. Dr. GyCan thinks Tymor has a chance even though fifty percent of the time gupralne is deadly.
Zima has been calm. Too calm. I can’t stand the thought of their small family being broken apart. Life is so unpredictable—so unfair.
My heart feels like it’s going to burst. Every moment is precious. Death lurks everywhere.
Love shouldn’t be squandered.
A vision of the retired warriors comes to mind. They’ve lived a long time. Ryk was badly injured yesterday but he’s fine now. I step into Tymor’s room and see that he’s sleeping. His breaths are a little less shuddered.
Tymor is proof that anyone can get sick and be on death’s door. Warriors are not the only people who die young. I look over at Ryk’s parents. They are cuddled up resting on a lounge that was brought in. Din Ryt was a warrior and he’s still alive and has been for a long time.
My gaze shifts over to Ryk. He’s sitting in a chair with his head leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. His thick eyelashes shadow his cheeks. His powerful frame is vulnerable as he rests. He needs me.
I love him. I look over at Tymor. I need to love while I can. I could die tomorrow. I look back at Ryk. The shield around my heart cracks and falls away. I’m not holding back anymore. I love Ryk WavTe and I’ll show him every day we have together.
He inhales and his vents flutter as his eyes spring open. He stands and I walk into his open arms. His soft growl turns my heart to marshmallow fluff. I love every part of him.
I look up and our gazes lock. The electricity between us is strong. I have to tell him how I feel. “I—”
The door opening cuts off my words.
The doctor comes in followed by Dax. We all watch Dr. GyCan. Now is not the time for me to express my feelings for Ryk. I can show him instead. I take his hand as we watch the doctor wake Tymor and then run a device over him. After he reads a screen he smiles at Zima and Sakmor. “He’s going to make it.”
My heart soars as Zima rushes over with the baby and hugs a tired looking Tymor. Tears well in my eyes as the family hugs Tymor. The air is lighter and brighter.
Life is truly unpredictable. I plan on living the rest of mine to the fullest. Din Ryk WavTe belongs to me for as long as he wants too. I hope it’s a lifetime. A long one.
CHAPTER
35
~ Skyla ~
♥
The beat rocks the crowd from high above.
The huge stone path connecting the businesses in this area is filled with happy people. Most are zaphinians but there are several of us aliens here as well. Enough that I don’t feel like a total outsider.
The scantily dressed crowd is alive with electric energy. I love it. Colorful streams are hung everywhere. Even from lines connecting the businesses. The colorful strands wave in the wind and seem to dance to the beat.
As the guys stand around talking and watching the dancing people Hallie, Rosman, and I look around in amazement. Seeing so many seven foot tall zaphinian males makes me feel extremely short. At least they all seem happy. Ryk told me Resliv Moon is a three day celebration of being alive.
After the last few days, I can appreciate it even more. Music is used to get the message to sink into the soul. A lot of the people have music notes painted onto their bodies. My heart lightens as I look around.
Ryk’s fingers tighten around mine. I look up and he smiles down at me before Dax captures his attention again. I glance down at our intertwined hands and warmth floods my chest. Ryk keeping me close makes me feel loved.
My heart soars. I love him so much. He inhales and then brings our clasped hands to his chest. I feel the vibration of his soft growl. Love and lust ribbon through my body. My nipples harden making an appearance through my cropped top. I don’t have to be embarrassed though because I’m not alone. Lots of nipples are hard and naked in this dancing crowd.
As we start walking down the path, I notice respect for the warriors in many peoples’ eyes. That softens my heart and makes me proud of the guys. I’m still afraid for them but I now understand that they are well trained and watch out for each other.
When a male comes up to the guys, we stop so they can talk. I smile as I watch my friends dance to the beat coming from a sound system on top of the mall. Through the glass I can see people dancing inside the businesses. I can’t stop myself from moving to the beat as well. I feel free.
My grove slows as I see their commanders walk up. Din LocMir’s and Din HalFe’s gazes sweep over all of us. Butterflies take off in my stomach. I toughen up and address them properly. They are so intense, I step closer to Ryk. My toughness didn’t last long. His hand captures mine. His strength is welcome. I shouldn’t be afraid of them, but they are some deadly males that intimidate the hell out of me.
I sigh when their attention turns to Hallie, Rosda, and Rosman. The commanders have two young zaphinians with them. I look them over and guess they are the equivalent of human teenagers.
I remember Ryk saying it was his and Dax’s turn to spend some time mentoring a couple of youths from a program that grooms warriors. The female surprises me but she shouldn’t. There are a lot of female warriors here on Zaphin.
The youth is a pretty thing. Her blue and gold eyes are bright and when she smiles dimples appear in her cheeks. Those dimples seem familiar. Her black hair is pulled back and she’s dressed in the dark fitted clothing of the warriors. She’s equally as tall as me. Her height tells me she’s young.
The male is dressed the same. When he tilts his head, I notice the red highlights in his hair. His intense eyes have three different shades of blue. He has to be a good six and a half feet tall. I bet he’ll be seven feet tall within the next few years.
Both youths have nothing but respect in their gazes as they look the Dins over. One day they will hold that status. At a nod from Commander LocMir they formally introduce themselves to Ryk and Dax.
I listen in and hear that the male is Brac MonDi and that the female is Sky GyRol. So that’s where the familiar dimples come from. She has to be kin to Tairin and Zairin.
I’m surprised at how close our names are. I guess some names are popular all through the universe. That makes me feel a little less like a total alien.
Sky and Brac have to be excited but both of them are keeping a neutral face. Very controlled. If they keep this up, I can see them being Dins for sure.
We start walking down the path. Venders are calling out to people and dancing as they do it. With us moving slowly, I get to watch people. The venders are entertaining. Several are dancing even though they have customers waiting. I grin when the venders encourage the customers to dance and most of them start dancing too.
“The air is so lively and fun. I love it,” I say.
Hallie, Rosman, and Rosda quickly agree. The guys are staying on alert but they seem to be happy as well. It’s a nice day. Everybody’s spirits are high.
I look around at the people and see several kissing and groping each other with great passion. Nobody cares. The zaphinians don’t bat any eyelash. I like t
hat. Sex and touch are natural and this is proof that the people on Zaphin believe it. No wonder Ryk’s parents are good with me.
With our hands firmly connected Ryk leads us toward a mewmosian vender him, Dax, and Zar obviously know. They order stros for themselves and some fruity drink for the rest of us. Dax and Zar carry on a conversation with the vender.
Ryk leans down and says, “Watch Lusha’s flurcot.”
All of us new ones stare at the flurcot and the maroon male working the stand. Lusha puts some red and blue fruit along with some liquid in a cylinder and closes it then he puts it on the counter. I watch the flurcot’s green ringed tails roll the mix. He then starts doing handstands or pawstands as he continues to mix our drinks. Then the little creature starts dancing to the beat as he mixes.