by Anna Zaires
It was funny: she’d always heard that relationships tended to lose their initial intensity over time, but it seemed like their passion was only getting stronger with each day that passed. Partially, it was the fact that Korum was a phenomenal lover; during his two thousand years, he’d had plenty of time to learn all the erogenous zones on a woman’s body. But it was also something more, something indefinable – that unique chemistry between them that had been obvious from the very beginning.
Sometimes it scared her, the extent to which she needed him now. The craving went beyond the physical, although she couldn’t imagine going even a single day without the mind-blowing pleasure she experienced in his arms. It was as if they were attuned to each other on a cellular level – two halves of a complete whole.
Still smiling, Mia rolled out of bed. Picking up her wristwatch computer, she glanced at it to check the time. To her surprise, it was already eight a.m., which meant that she had only an hour to eat breakfast and get to the lab. Although it was Saturday, it was a workday in Lenkarda, since the Krinar didn’t follow the human calendar when it came to weekdays and weekends. Their ‘week’ was only four days in duration, instead of seven – three days of work, followed by a day of rest. Mia still thought about time in human calendar terms, however, since that’s what she was used to.
Korum was already gone, so Mia asked the house to prepare her a smoothie and ran to take a quick shower. Even that was different now after Korum’s remodeling efforts. Instead of the shower/jacuzzi combo that she’d gotten used to, the bathroom now had a giant circular stall with the same intelligent technology as everything else in the house. The water came out of everywhere and nowhere, washing and massaging every part of her body, with the water pressure and temperature adjusting to her needs automatically. She didn’t have to apply any effort to wash herself, either; instead, lightly scented soaps, shampoos, and some kind of unusual oils were applied to her hair and skin while she simply stood there, letting Krinar technology do all the work.
After the shower was over, Mia stepped out and warm jets of air dried off her body. Her hair was automatically blow-dried too, resulting in smooth, glossy curls that could’ve been the result of a session at a fancy hair salon. At the same time, her mouth was filled with the taste of something refreshingly clean, as though she had just brushed her teeth.
By the time she was dressed and done with the shower, a strawberry-almond smoothie was already sitting on the kitchen table. Grabbing it on her way out, Mia left the house and headed to work.
Although she had only been gone a week, Mia found that she missed the lab environment. She loved to learn, and the challenge of mastering a difficult subject had never daunted her. Part of her initial reluctance in getting involved with Korum had been due to her fear of losing herself, of becoming nothing more than a glorified pleasure slave. But instead, she seemed to have discovered a way to become a useful part of the Krinar society, to contribute in some small way. By finding her the internship, Korum had done more than simply pad her resume; he’d also demonstrated that he regarded her as a smart and capable person – someone he could not only desire, but respect.
Arriving at the lab, Mia spent most of the day catching up on what she’d missed during her week in Florida. Despite her almost-daily chats with Adam, her project partner, she still felt like she had fallen behind on some of the latest developments. She didn’t have a lot of time to get up to speed either, as Adam was planning to leave to visit his own adopted human family that afternoon.
“How did Saret let you do that?” Mia teased. “Leave for an entire week? Korum practically had to strong-arm him to let me go for that length of time, and you’re much more useful . . .”
Adam shrugged. “He didn’t have much choice in the matter. I told him I’m going, and that’s that.”
Mia grinned at him, again impressed by the young Krinar. Despite his human upbringing – or maybe because of it – he could more than hold his own with the best of them.
Finally, around four in the afternoon, Adam gave her a bunch of readings and headed out to start his vacation, leaving her alone in the lab. The other apprentices were working on a joint project with the mind lab in Thailand, and they had gone there for a few days to conclude some experiment.
Mia spent the next two hours reading and then went to check on the data that was being generated by the virtual simulation of a young Krinar brain. It appeared that the latest method she and Adam had figured out was indeed a step in the right direction. The knowledge transfer was happening at a faster pace and with fewer unpleasant side effects. Hopefully, they would be able to improve it further by the end of summer –
“How was your vacation in Florida?” a familiar voice behind her asked, and Mia jumped, startled.
Turning around, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing pulse. “You scared me,” she told Saret, giving him a smile. “I didn’t know anyone else was here in the lab.”
Her boss ran his fingers through his dark hair. “I’m just finishing up a few things.” He looked unusually tense, and Mia thought he seemed tired – a rarity for a Krinar.
“Is everything all right?” she asked tentatively, not wanting to overstep any boundaries. Although she had been working for Saret for a couple of weeks, she felt like she still didn’t really know him. He didn’t spend a lot of time in the lab, since whatever project he was working on took him all over the world. When he was in the lab, he was usually in his office – although she’d caught him watching her a few times, apparently keeping an eye on the only human he’d ever allowed into his lab.
“Of course,” Saret said, his features relaxing into a smile. “Why wouldn’t it be? One of my favorite assistants is back.”
Feeling slightly awkward, Mia smiled back at him. “Thanks,” she said. “It’s good to be back. I was just looking at the data, and there’s definitely progress –”
“That’s good,” Saret interrupted. “I look forward to your report soon.”
“Of course. I will prepare it tonight –”
“No, no need for that. You can go home early today. It’s your first day back, and I know your cheren will be unhappy if I keep you here late.”
Surprised, Mia nodded. “Okay, if you’re sure . . .” Normally, Saret disliked it when his apprentices didn’t put in a full day. He’d even gotten into an argument about that with Korum when Mia had first started the internship. And now it seemed like he actually wanted her to leave . . . Still, she wasn’t about to quibble; she had been planning to go home in another hour anyway.
“I’m sure.” Saret smiled at her. There was something about that smile that made her uncomfortable, but she couldn’t figure out what.
“Okay then, thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Mia said, walking past him. And as she did, she could’ve sworn he leaned closer, breathing in – almost as if he was inhaling her scent.
Telling herself that she had an overactive imagination, Mia exited the lab and entered a small aircraft that was sitting next to the lab building. Korum had made it for her for the express purpose of traveling around Lenkarda. Like the wristwatch he’d given her, it was programmed to respond to her verbal commands. Feeling tired after a full day at work, Mia sat down on one of the intelligent seats and ordered the ship to take her home.
* * *
Saret watched Mia leave, his hands nearly shaking with the urge to reach out and touch her.
Having her so close after her long absence had been torturous. The faint sweetness of her scent permeated the lab, and he hadn’t been able to stop himself from coming closer, from breathing it in. If she hadn’t left then, he would’ve done something stupid – like bring her toward him for a taste. And he wouldn’t have been able to stop with just a taste.
When he tried to analyze his own mind – like every mind expert should – he could come up with a dozen reasons for why he’d become so obsessed with her. First and foremost, she belonged to Korum. Even when they’d been children, Saret had
always wanted Korum’s toys. His enemy had been inventive even then, altering the designs for popular games and creating something that was better than what anyone else had. Saret had hated Korum for it then, and he hated him now. Of course, he had never let it show. Korum’s enemies never fared well. It was far better to be his friend – or, at least, to act like one.
And Mia was the ultimate toy. So small, so delicate, so perfectly human. For the first time, Saret understood why her species kept pets. Having a cute creature to call your own, to stroke and touch at your whim – there was something incredibly appealing in that. Especially when that creature loved you, depended on you . . . She would make a very good pet, Saret thought wryly, with that thick mass of hair that looked so soft and touchable.
He was surprised Korum let her spend so much time away from him. Saret had tested him in the beginning, insisting that Mia put in a full day, just to see if that would convince Korum of the ridiculousness of having a human in a Krinar work environment. His nemesis was the last person he would’ve expected to treat a human girl as an equal. Sure, she was smart – for a human, at least – but she was also young and malleable. It wouldn’t take much effort to mold her into whatever he wanted her to be. Whatever she thought she wanted now – none of that really mattered. If she had been his charl, he could’ve easily convinced her to be happy with her role in his life, in his bed. There were so many amusements for a human girl to enjoy: all kinds of virtual and real-life spa treatments, pretty clothes, interesting recordings, fun books . . . And instead, Korum had her working nonstop. No wonder she still objected to being a charl. Her cheren simply didn’t know how to treat her properly.
Sighing, Saret went back into his office. All the mind analysis in the world didn’t change the fact that he wanted her. And soon he would be able to have her. He just needed to be patient for a while longer.
Turning his attention back to his task, Saret brought up a three-dimensional map of Shanghai.
China was next on his list.
Chapter 2
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Korum said soothingly, placing a white dot on Mia’s temple. “They will love you, just like I do.”
Mia nervously twisted a strand of hair between her fingers before tucking it behind her ear. “They won’t mind that I’m human?”
“They won’t,” he reassured her. “They know all about you already, and they’re very happy that I found someone I care so much about.”
After she’d arrived home from work, Korum had surprised her with the news that he wanted her to meet his family as well. So now he was about to take her into a virtual reality setting where she would meet his parents. Supposedly, the environment was very lifelike, and she would be able to interact with his parents there as though they were meeting in person.
It was also on Krina.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t change?” Mia knew she was stalling, but she felt ridiculously anxious. “And won’t your mom mind that I’m wearing your family necklace?”
“You look beautiful, and the necklace is perfect on you,” he said firmly. “My mother will be quite pleased to see it around your neck; she gave it to me explicitly for that purpose – to gift it to the woman I ultimately fall in love with.”
Mia took a deep breath, trying to control her rapid heartbeat. “Okay, then I’m ready.” At least as ready as she would ever be to meet her extraterrestrial lover’s parents – who resided thousands of light years away.
Korum smiled, and the world around her blurred for a second.
Feeling dizzy, Mia closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she was standing inside a large, airy building that vaguely resembled Korum’s house in Lenkarda. From the inside, it was fully transparent, and she could see unusual plants outside. Most of the flora was a familiar shade of green, but red, orange, and yellow hues also proliferated. It was strikingly beautiful. The inside of the building had the same ‘Zen’ feel to it as Arman’s house. Everything was a beautiful off-white shade, and the sunlight streaming through the clear ceiling reflected off a gorgeous flower arrangement right in the middle of the room – the only touch of color in an otherwise pristine environment. The flowers seemed to grow right out of an opening in the floor. Along the walls, there were a few familiar-looking floating planks that served as multi-purpose furniture.
“It’s lovely,” Mia whispered, glancing around the room. “Is this your parents’ house?”
Korum nodded, smiling. He looked quite pleased. “It’s my childhood home,” he explained, reaching out to take her hand and squeezing it lightly.
As usual, his touch made her feel warm inside, and she marveled again at how authentic this virtual reality felt. Somehow, this was even more convincing than the club where he’d taken her once to satisfy her fantasy. All her senses were fully engaged, as though she was physically present here, on a planet in a different galaxy.
Inhaling deeply, Mia realized that the air was a little thinner than what she was used to, as if they were at a high altitude. She actually felt a bit light-headed, and she hoped she would adjust to it soon. The temperature was pleasantly warm, and there seemed to be a faint breeze coming from somewhere, even though they were inside the building. There was also an exotic, but appealing scent in the air. Likely from the flowers, Mia decided. The aroma was almost . . . fruity. She’d never smelled anything like it before.
As Mia studied their surroundings, one of the walls dissolved, and a Krinar woman walked in. She was tall and slim, with a supermodel’s leggy build and shiny dark hair. Her eyes were the same warm amber color as Korum’s. It could only be Korum’s mother; their resemblance was unmistakable.
At the sight of them standing there, a huge smile lit her face. “My child,” she said softly, her eyes shining with love as she looked at her son, “I’m so glad to see you.” Like all Ks, her age was impossible to determine; she didn’t look a day older than twenty-five.
Letting go of Mia’s hand, Korum crossed the room and enveloped his mother in a gentle hug. “Me too, Riani, me too . . .”
Mia watched their reunion, feeling like she was intruding on a private family moment. She couldn’t imagine what it must be like for his parents, with their son living so far away. Yes, they could meet in this virtual way, but they still probably missed seeing him in person.
Turning toward Mia, Korum smiled and said, “Come here, darling. Let me introduce you to my mother.”
Curving her lips in an answering smile, Mia approached them, noticing the way the K’s eyes examined her from head to toe. Her palms began to sweat. What was this gorgeous woman thinking? Was she wondering how her son had ended up with a human?
Pausing a couple of feet away, Mia smiled wider. “Hello,” she said, uncertain if she should reach out and brush the K’s cheek with her knuckles. She’d learned in the past couple of weeks that it was the customary greeting among Krinar females.
Korum’s mother had no such reservations. Raising her hand, she gently touched Mia’s cheek and smiled in return. “Hello, my dear. I’m so glad to finally meet you.”
“Riani, this is Mia, my charl,” Korum said. “Mia, this is Riani, my mother.”
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Riani.” Mia was starting to feel more at ease. Despite the woman’s luminous beauty and youthful looks, there was something in her manner that was very soothing. Almost motherly, Mia thought with an inner smile.
“Where’s Chiaren?” Korum asked, addressing his mother.
“Oh, he’ll be here soon,” she said, waving her hand. “He was delayed at work. Don’t worry – he knows you’re here.”
Chiaren had to be Korum’s father, Mia decided. It was interesting that he called his parents by name, although it made sense too. As long-lived as the Ks were, the lines between generations were probably much less defined than for humans. Although Korum had mentioned once that his parents were much older than he was, she guessed that the difference between two thousand years and a few thousand years was not all that
dramatic.
A quiet whoosh interrupted Mia’s musings. Turning her head to the side, she saw the wall opening again. A darkly handsome Krinar man walked in, dressed in typical K clothing. Swiftly crossing the room, he raised his hand and touched his palm to Korum’s shoulder, greeting his son.
Korum reciprocated the gesture, but he seemed much more reserved than he had been with his mother. “Chiaren,” he said quietly. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Something in the tone of his voice startled Mia. Was there some tension between father and son?
His father inclined his head. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss your visit.” Then, turning his attention to Mia, he cocked his head to the side and studied her with an inscrutable expression on his face.
Mia swallowed, needing to moisten her suddenly dry throat. Chiaren’s posture, the slightly mocking curl to his lips – it was all very familiar to her. Korum might’ve gotten his mother’s looks, but he’d definitely inherited some personality traits from his father as well. She found the K to be intimidating, with his cool dark gaze and lack of visible emotion. He reminded her of Korum when they’d first met.
“Chiaren, this is Mia,” Korum said, stepping toward her and putting a proprietary arm around her back. “She’s my charl. Mia, this is my father, Chiaren.”
The K smiled, suddenly seeming much more approachable. “How lovely,” he said gently. “Such a pretty human girl you’ve got there. How old are you, Mia? You seem younger than I’d imagined.”
“I’m twenty-one,” Mia told him, aware that she probably looked like she was in her late teens. It was a common problem for someone of her petite build – a problem that would now never go away.