Close Remembrance

by Anna Zaires

  “You can do that?” Mia’s dad asked, staring at Korum in disbelief. “Just like that, you can create a ship that can go to a different galaxy?”

  “Korum can do it,” Mia said, understanding her dad’s confusion. “Not every Krinar can. He is the one who came up with this design. Right?” She looked at Korum.

  “Yes,” her lover confirmed. “This particular design is mine. We had ships with faster-than-light capabilities before, of course, but these are the latest generation. They’re safer and easier to operate.”

  “I see,” Dan said, looking at Korum with a mixture of shock and respect. The same emotions were reflected on Ella’s face. Apparently Mia’s parents had not understood the extent of Korum’s technological prowess until this moment.

  As the pod approached the ship, Mia could see one of the ship’s sides dissolving to let them in. Since all Krinar houses had similar entrance technology, she barely blinked at the sight. Her family, however, found it very impressive.

  “How exactly does this intelligent stuff work?” Marisa asked. “Do the walls actually think for themselves?”

  “No,” Korum said. “This is not artificial intelligence in the true sense of the word. It’s not self-aware in any way. When I say ‘intelligent technology,’ what I really mean is that it’s an object that’s able to carry out its specific function in a way that mimics the capabilities of an intelligent being. So, for instance, my house can make meals, maintain temperature that’s just right for our bodies, keep out unwanted visitors, and clean itself. It performs those tasks as well as a human or a Krinar would – but you can’t really carry on a conversation with it.”

  “That’s so cool,” Connor said. “Do you guys have robots that you can talk to?”

  Korum smiled indulgently. “Yeah, those were popular a few thousand years ago and then kind of went out of style. Now they’re mainly used to entertain small children, although some adults like them too.”

  Before Connor could ask any more questions, their pod touched the floor of the ship, landing softly. Marisa clapped. “Bravo! That had to be the smoothest ride ever.”

  Korum laughed, rising from his seat. “We’re here,” he said. “Until we reach our destination, this will be your new home.”

  When they disembarked, Korum gave them a tour of the ship. Despite its unassuming outer layer, the inside of the spacecraft was as beautifully decorated as any Krinar house. Light colors, floating furnishings, exotic plants – the ship had everything Mia had gotten used to in Lenkarda, and she immediately felt at home there.

  Mia’s parents were beyond impressed. “Korum, this is so gorgeous,” her mom kept saying. “And the view! Dear God, the view!”

  The view was truly stunning. The outer walls of the ship were see-through from the inside, just like in most Krinar buildings, and there were plenty of areas where one could observe space in all its glory. Without the interference from the atmosphere, everything was sharper, clearer, the stars looking brighter than anything Mia had ever seen on the ground.

  Korum had prepared special quarters for Mia’s family, closely replicating the interior of her parents’ house. “I hope this works for you,” he told them. “If not, I can change it to anything else you prefer.”

  “Oh, no, this is perfect,” Mia’s dad said, walking over to sit down on a big overstuffed couch. “All that floating stuff is a bit intimidating, to be honest with you.”

  “Good, I’m glad you like it.” Korum smiled, and Mia wanted to kiss him for his thoughtfulness. “I’ll have a special area made for Mocha as well, to make sure she can run around and use the bathroom there.”

  The few Ks they met during the tour were pleasant to Mia’s family, having been already apprised of their presence by Korum. They all stared, of course, but Mia was already used to that. Two of the female crew members seemed particularly intrigued by the little dog that Mia’s mom insisted on carrying around with her.

  “That is so cute!” One of them exclaimed, reaching over to pet Mocha. “Oh, I’ve never seen one of these up close!”

  The dog tolerated the attention, but Mia could see she wasn’t happy about it. It seemed Korum was the only K Mocha truly liked.

  After the tour, Mia’s family decided to rest. Her sister was particularly tired, worn out by all the excitement. “It’s nap time,” Connor said, smiling at his wife, and she nodded, stifling a yawn.

  Mia and Korum were finally on their own.

  * * *

  “Looks like it’s just us,” Mia said, smiling at Korum. They had just gotten to their own private quarters, complete with a large circular bed similar to the one in Korum’s house.

  “Indeed.” His eyes were starting to gleam with the familiar golden light.

  Holding his gaze, Mia slowly and deliberately hooked her thumbs under the straps holding up her sundress and pushed them down over her shoulders. “Oops,” she whispered. “I can’t seem to take this off. I might need your help . . .”

  Korum’s nostrils flared, and she could see the tension invading his muscles. “Come here,” he growled.

  Mia shook her head. “No. You come here.” She knew exactly what she wanted, and it did not involve Korum taking over this time.

  His eyes narrowed. He looked dangerous now, like a wild predator who couldn’t be controlled, and her heart started beating faster from the thrill of what she was trying to do. “Come,” she repeated, crooking her finger at him.

  He came. Or, rather, he practically leapt across the room. In a second, he was next to her, his muscular body large and intimidating, pressing her against the wall. “You need help with this dress, do you?” His fingers tugged at the flimsy straps, the thin material nearly coming apart in his strong hands.

  “Yes,” Mia breathed, looking up at him. “I do. Be gentle, though. And after you take it off me, I want you to undress for me.”

  His eyes turned almost yellow. “Is that right?”

  “That’s right,” Mia said. “And then I want you to lie down on the bed.” Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to explode, and her body was melting with need. She wanted him badly . . . but on her own terms.

  For a second, she thought he wouldn’t comply, but then he took a step back. “All right,” he said, his voice unusually rough. “Turn around.”

  Mia suppressed a triumphant smile and did as he asked. The dress she was wearing was human-style, with a zipper in the back, and his fingers felt hot on her bare skin as he unzipped it all the way. As soon as he was done, Mia stepped to the side and let the dress drop to the floor. Underneath, she was wearing a tiny blue thong – something she’d put on this morning specifically with Korum in mind.

  He sucked in his breath. “Mia . . . You little tease . . .”

  She lifted her brows. “You don’t like?” She did a little twirl, pretending not to see the explosive heat in his gaze as he stared at her.

  A muscle pulsed in his jaw. “Are you torturing me?”

  “I don’t know,” Mia purred. “Am I?” Turning her back to him, she bent over and slowly pushed down the thong, the way she’d seen it done in movies. Then she stepped out of it. When she turned toward him again, he looked almost feral, his eyes glittering and his hands clenched into fists.

  “Your turn,” Mia said, watching him in fascination. Would he lose control and take her now? She loved it when she could get him into that state, completely mindless with need for her. His savage passion didn’t frighten her; instead, it made her want him even more.

  He took a deep breath, then another, and she saw his hands slowly unclenching. Then, still staring at her with a burning gaze, he pulled his T-shirt over his head and unzipped his jeans, pushing them down his hips. He wasn’t wearing any underwear, and he was already fully aroused, his erection aggressively jutting out.

  Mia’s mouth went dry at the sight. Her lover was male perfection personified. Every muscle on his powerful body was clearly defined, the smoothness of his golden skin marred in only a few pla
ces by a smattering of dark hair. She wanted to jump on him and lick him all over.

  “Lie down on the bed,” she managed to say, her voice thick with desire.

  He did as she asked, but she could see that his self-control wouldn’t last long. Suddenly, an idea came to her. “My fabricator, please,” she said out loud, knowing the intelligent ship would understand what she wanted. Sure enough, a few seconds later, one of the walls dissolved and Korum’s gift floated out directly into Mia’s hands.

  “What are you doing?” Korum asked, watching her warily from the bed, and she gave him a wicked grin.

  “You’ll see.”

  Holding the fabricator in her hand, she told the gadget, “Handcuffs with a key, please,” and then waited while the nanomachines did their job.

  Korum sat up, staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. “And what do you think you’re doing with those?”

  Mia put down the fabricator and picked up the handcuffs. “Putting them on you, of course.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yes, really,” Mia said firmly, climbing onto the bed next to Korum. “Now give me your wrists.”

  He hesitated for a second, then extended his hands, the lust on his face now tempered with amusement. “You think those will hold me?”

  “Probably not,” Mia admitted, putting the handcuffs on him. Each of his wrists was as thick as both of hers combined, his forearms bulging with muscle. “But that’s not the point, is it?”

  “What is the point, my sweet?” he asked softly, watching her with a heavy-lidded gaze. “Are you trying to prove something?”

  Instead of answering, Mia gave him a light push, getting him to lie flat on his back with his handcuffed arms raised over his head. Then she climbed on top of him, straddling his stomach until his erection was only a couple of inches from her opening. Leaning down, she braced herself on his chest and whispered in his ear, “The point is that you’re mine, and I get to do whatever I want with you.”

  He drew in a sharp breath and his hips arched, trying to bring his cock closer to her entrance. “And does that include letting me get inside your tight little pussy?” His voice sounded hoarse, strained with need.

  “Oh yes.” Mia moved down until his shaft was between her nether lips, her clitoris rubbing against its side. The skin covering his cock was soft, almost delicate, and she closed her eyes, savoring the feel of it against her sex.

  “Mia . . .” he groaned, bucking underneath her. “Put it in. Now.”

  Deciding not to torture him – or herself – any longer, Mia wrapped her hand around his length and guided him into her. Biting her lip at the stretching sensation, she slowly lowered herself until his cock was almost all the way in. She paused, getting used to his thickness, and then let him in deeper, not stopping until he was in all the way.

  He groaned again, his arm muscles flexing with the effort to keep from reaching for her right then and there, and his cock jerked inside her. Mia knew he was dying to take control, to make them both come, and she wondered at his unusual restraint.

  She didn’t have to wonder long. Before she could move again, she found herself flipped over onto her back, his large body pressing her into the mattress. His eyes were wild, his gaze unfocused. He had managed to tear apart the metal links holding the cuffs together, and his hands were on her thighs, holding them wide open for his thrusts.

  Crying out, Mia wrapped her arms around his neck, barely able to hold on as he hammered into her, driven solely by the primitive instinct to mate. Her body slid back and forth on the mattress with each movement of his powerful hips, and the intelligent bed softened around them, became more like a pillow in texture, protecting her from any injuries.

  Her first orgasm hit her like a freight train, and Mia screamed, bucking in his arms, but he was merciless, utterly relentless. The second one, mere moments later, made her literally see stars, yet he continued fucking her, ferocious in his need.

  It was too much. Mia felt like she would break apart, like she would shatter from the intensity of the sensations. Her body was no longer her own, her mind was no longer her own. There was only heat and sweat and his body, over her, in her, surrounding her. They were melded together, fused by the white-hot ecstasy of their joining.

  By the time he shuddered over her, Mia was incoherent, her voice hoarse from her screams and her body shaking from the unending swells of pleasure. And just when she thought it was over, she felt his teeth slicing across the vein in her neck . . . and sending her spiraling even higher.

  Chapter 24

  If anyone had told Mia an intergalactic voyage would be as easy as going on a cruise, she would’ve laughed out loud. Yet it was indeed the case. They spent almost a week flying away from Earth at sub-light speeds – so as not to cause any disturbances with the warping of space-time – and then they activated the warp drive, landing within a few days flight to Krina. All of this was done so smoothly that Mia didn’t feel anything. It wasn’t until Korum told her they were in a different galaxy that she knew the ship had made the jump.

  “Are we going to see the Elders right away?” Mia asked as they were lying in bed the evening before their arrival. Since they were both less busy with other matters, she and Korum had spent a lot of time with each other during the trip. Mia was taking a break from learning about the mind, and Korum didn’t have any urgent Council issues to worry about. Mia slept late, hung out with her family in the mornings, and spent the majority of her day with Korum – an activity that invariably culminated in several hours of sexual bliss.

  “No,” Korum said. “We’ll go see the mind expert first, to restore your memory.” And to undo the softening – but that part went unsaid. Mia knew they were both anticipating and slightly dreading the reversal of the procedure, unsure of just how much – if anything – would change between them as a result.

  Staring at the transparent wall in their bedroom, Mia could see unfamiliar stars and constellations in the sky. They were already in the Krinar solar system, a strange and beautiful place with ten planets circling a star that was roughly 1.2 times the size of Earth’s sun. Krina was the fourth planet in terms of distance from its sun, and it was strikingly similar to Earth in its size, mass, and geochemical composition. “That’s why Earth is so important to us,” Korum explained. “It’s closer to Krina than anything else we’ve come across in all the years we’ve been exploring the universe.”

  The main difference between the two planets lay in its moons. Earth had only one, while Krina had a grand total of three – one about the size of Earth’s and two smaller ones. “We get some spectacular tides,” Korum told her. “They’re more like small tsunamis. Earth is better in that sense; in most places, you can live right next to the ocean and not have to worry about anything more than an occasional hurricane. On Krina, the ocean is more dangerous, and we don’t have any settlements within twenty miles of the shore.”

  To Mia’s surprise, she learned that when Korum referred to the ocean on Krina, he meant The Ocean – as in, one huge body of water. Unlike Earth, where the original supercontinent of Pangaea had broken apart into several continents, Krina had one giant landmass that served as home to all the Krinar. Tinara, Korum had called it.

  That fact also explained something that had puzzled Mia before: the relative lack of variety in Krinar appearance. Her lover’s people all tended to be dark-haired with bronzed skin, and, while there were variations in coloring, there were significantly fewer differences among Ks than between humans of different races. The Krinar were more homogeneous – which made sense if they had all evolved together on this supercontinent.

  “So why does your cousin Leeta have red hair?” Mia asked. She’d met the beautiful Krinar woman a couple of times since her memory loss. “Is there a gene for that in the K population?”

  Korum shook his head. “No, not really. Some of us have hair with a slightly auburn tint to it, but nothing like the shade Leeta is wearing now. She has altered the stru
cture of her hair molecules since coming to Earth, probably because she likes that look.”

  “And there are no blond, blue-eyed Krinar?”

  “No,” Korum said. “No Krinar with hair as curly as yours either. With your curls and blue eyes, you’ll really stand out on Krina.”

  “Oh great,” Mia muttered. “I’ll be stared at even more.”

  Korum smiled. “Yes, you will be. But that’s not a bad thing.”

  Mia shrugged. She knew the Krinar didn’t regard staring as rude, but she was still uncomfortable with that specific cultural difference. “So when are we meeting your family?” she asked, switching gears. “Are they going to be there to greet us when we arrive?”

  “No. I told them we’ll visit them right after you regain your memory. You’ve already met my parents once before, and you’ll probably feel better if you remember that original meeting.”

  Mia yawned and turned over, pressing her back against Korum’s chest and letting him spoon her from behind. He hugged her, pulling her closer. “Go to sleep, my sweet,” he murmured in her ear, and Mia drifted off, feeling warm and safe in his embrace.

  * * *

  “Oh my God, is that it? Is that Krina?” Marisa rose from her seat, pointing at the planet that was growing in size before their eyes. Mia was staring at it too, her heart beating like a drum from anticipation and excitement.

  “Yes,” Korum confirmed, smiling at them. “That is indeed Krina.”

  They were all sitting around a floating table, having breakfast. It was their last meal on the ship before their arrival. Connor was unusually quiet again, and Mia could see that her parents were just picking at their food, apparently too nervous to eat normally.

  They were sitting in one of the rooms that had a wall facing the outside of the ship – a wall made of the same transparent material as the Krinar houses. Korum had chosen it on purpose, to let them watch as they approached Krina for the first time.