Dark Horizons

by Rae D. Magdon

  Hunt frowned, and Taylor's stomach sank. "That might take too long, Roberts. And it’s a huge risk. Human lives could be saved if we stick to negotiations. If we could guarantee safety for Earth…"

  "There is no guarantee that the ikthians won't turn around and go back on their word once Kalanis is secured," Bouchard said. "We should bargain for something of substance, not an empty promise."

  "What do you suggest, Chairman?" Hunt asked.

  "Other prisoners, resources, anything we can use to try and boost our war efforts. I guarantee that this conflict will not end until the Dominion is destroyed, or they are convinced that we are capable of defending ourselves."

  Taylor grew visibly uncomfortable as she watched the three men fight. Hunt was too optimistic, and Bouchard far too cynical, but since she had not been asked her opinion, she kept her mouth shut. She also resented the way that they were still referring to Maia like an object with an assigned value, but she knew that she had behaved no better up until a week ago.

  Noticing Taylor's distress, General Moore was kind enough to offer her an escape route. "We can't do anything until we receive our next message from the ikthians," she pointed out, glancing between Hunt, Bouchard, and Roberts. Her words seemed to soothe them. "We can decide what to do after we hear their offer. And Lieutenant Morgan, good work on the Intel. I'm sure it will guide our decision."

  "Thank you, General." Taylor couldn't help admiring Moore’s calm, rational tone. If she had been a general instead of a lieutenant, she might not have been so patient with Bouchard.

  "See if you can find out any more from Kalanis," General Lee added. "We need to know more about her research." Taylor saluted to show that she understood. "The rest of us will call you for another status report in the next two days. You're dismissed."

  For what felt like the hundredth time, Taylor hurried out the door, eager to be anywhere but Roberts's office. As she took the stairs two at a time down to the first floor, she wondered if she would ever be forced to stay for one of the long, extended fights that almost certainly continued after she left. She hoped not.

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Maia looked down at the book that lay open in front of her. The words slipped past her eyes, none of them making sense. She wished she had the time and the necessary tools to learn the language. The story was charming, even if it had been written hundreds of years ago by this Austen human. Maia had grown up with stories to read and watch, but there was something fascinating about discovering another species’ art. If she had been allowed, she might have taken to studying the major texts from other cultures, though that would have ostracized her even further from her people, in addition to disappointing her mother. The ikthians never considered anything that came from other cultures to be useful.

  With a sigh, Maia allowed her thoughts to linger elsewhere. Where they wandered surprised her. She pictured Taylor, naked and well-muscled, pinning her down to the bed. Her body pulsed in response to the vivid mental image. She was somewhat ashamed by the swiftness and strength of her physical reaction. Taylor had not tried to initiate anything more between them since the incident with Bower and the other humans. Instead, she had made an effort to be kind while maintaining distance. Unfortunately, Maia's need had only grown worse since then.

  She blushed, shaking her head to dispel a particularly intense memory of Taylor’s lips meeting hers in a searing kiss beneath the spray of the shower. She missed the taste of the human’s mouth. "Stop it," she murmured. Perhaps it was time for another shower. It would offer her some privacy if she became desperate.

  The sound of the apartment door opening gave Maia an excuse to abandon her book. Taylor was back. Her heart rate spiked with anticipation. Taylor had asked for time after confessing their feelings, but Maia had been fighting off her pent-up need for nearly a week. She could do it no longer.

  She met Taylor out in the living room. The human had slumped onto the couch, hunched over with her head in her hands. Maia resisted the urge to pounce on her. Obviously, something was bothering her, and she had to be considerate of Taylor’s feelings. Not knowing where to start, Maia sat down in the empty space next to her. "Hello."

  Slowly, Taylor glanced up at her. "Hello."

  They both stared awkwardly. Taylor was clearly waiting for her to say more, but Maia did not know how to continue. "So…are you all right? You seem upset. Tense." She could not help hoping Taylor would allow her to help relieve some of that tension.

  "Just a meeting with some people I really didn't want to talk to."

  "Is there anything I can do?" Maia leaned forward slightly, shifting a little closer. She desperately hoped that Taylor would pick up on the hint, or at least react to their close proximity.

  Unfortunately, Taylor was either oblivious, or deliberately ignoring her subtle attempts. "No, but thanks for asking. It was just hard to hear the generals talk about you like a bargaining chip. Guess it reminded me too much of my own behavior." Taylor sat up straight again, running a hand through her hair. She turned to look at Maia and gave her a weak smile. "I asked them if we could keep you on base as an ally today, maybe use your research to undermine the Dominion. All of them except Roberts thought that was a terrible idea. I tried my best, but they don’t…they don’t see you as a person."

  Taylor’s confession left Maia stunned. She had never imagined Taylor would argue for her freedom. The human was obviously torn, and Maia was touched that Taylor had tried to protect her despite the wishes of her superiors. "You honestly think I would make a valuable asset to your military?"

  Taylor turned to face her. "Are you kidding? You’re brilliant. You know everything about the ikthians and their propaganda machine, and your research threatens to subvert their entire belief system. You’d be a perfect ally if you turned against them. If you…if you were human, they wouldn’t hesitate to consider it."

  Maia blushed. "You really believe that?"

  "I do."

  Before she could stop herself, Maia leaned forward and kissed Taylor full on the mouth. She moaned softly at the contact, savoring the warmth and softness of her lips, and after a few seconds, Taylor kissed her back. She brought her hands up to Taylor’s shoulders and drew her in close, trying to deepen the kiss before Taylor could think better of it and pull. She whimpered when they broke contact.

  "Hold on," Taylor muttered. Her breathing had grown heavy, and she stared at Maia with wide, dark eyes. Maia could read the arousal there, but there was also hesitance. "I didn’t say any of this to just get you to sleep with me again."

  "I know." Maia pushed Taylor backwards onto the couch, leaning forward to join their lips again. There was no denying the connection between them any longer. Taylor would do what she could to keep Maia alive, she knew that somewhere in her mind, and when the time came for her to leave Earth behind, Maia knew that Taylor would not stop her…or, at least, she would let herself believe it for this small moment.

  Taylor cupped the side of her face, easing them out of the kiss and pushing her a few inches away. Maia withdrew, a small pout settling on her lips. She was about to protest, to counter any arguments Taylor made, but the human only smiled at her. "We should move to the bedroom," she whispered, and Maia felt the nervous knot in her chest unravel. Taylor was not rejecting her after all.

  "I suppose this couch is not very comfortable," Maia agreed. Reluctantly, she climbed off of Taylor and stood up on unsteady legs. Her hands trembled, too, but with desire rather than nervousness. She was not afraid of the way her body reacted to Taylor anymore, although the intensity was still a little overwhelming.

  "Actually, I had other reasons for wanting to go back there."

  Before Maia could ask Taylor to explain the cryptic comment, she found herself being scooped up in a pair of powerful arms and hauled off the floor. She let out a squeak of surprise, but Taylor only grinned down at her. "Is this too much like that rude human, Darcy?"

  Maia laughed and placed a hand on Taylor’s chest, enjoying
the rise and fall beneath her palm. She could even feel Taylor’s heartbeat, and for some reason, the fast and steady thump aroused her even more. She hoped that it was beating quickly for her. "It would be another story entirely if Darcy carried Elizabeth away for activities like these."

  Taylor shrugged Maia up higher into her arms as she carried her down the hall and through the doorway to the bedroom. Maia looped her arms around Taylor's neck, settling against the solid warmth of her chest. "I’m sure there’s a book like that somewhere in the library if you’re interested," Taylor whispered, leaning down to press their foreheads together and steal another kiss.

  A whimper broke in Maia's throat as they finally pulled apart. It took her a moment to find her words. "I think we can find better ways to occupy ourselves."

  Taylor gently lowered Maia down onto the mattress, but did not join her right away. Maia frowned and reached out, running her fingertips down Taylor’s arm. Even though the fabric of Taylor’s shirt, she could feel the strength there, the muscles that had so easily lifted her up. "Where are you going?" she asked, wanting to touch Taylor’s bare skin more than anything else.

  To her surprise, Taylor blushed and pulled back a little, although she did not try and shrug off the hand trailing along her arm. "I…uh…wanted to try something, actually. Something a little different. If you don’t mind, that is."

  Maia arched a brow. "Try something?" She had often heard jokes between her colleagues about sexual partners revealing their odd requests, but since she rarely joined in such conversations, she had no idea what her reaction was supposed to be. She wondered what Taylor could possibly ask of her, but hoped that it was a desire she could fulfill.

  Taylor sighed. "Maybe it will be easier if I just show you," she said, turning away from the bed and hauling out the duffel bag tucked away next to the nightstand. Even though she had been living in this suite with Maia for several weeks, she had still not bothered to unpack everything.

  Maia fidgeted on the bed, torn between impatience and curiosity as she watched Taylor rummage through the pack. After a few moments, she seemed to find what she was looking for. Maia tried to peer over her shoulder as she unwrapped her prize, but she could not quite see. Finally, Taylor stood back up and turned towards her, holding something in her hands.

  A soft gasp escaped before Maia could stifle it. The shape of the object was instantly familiar to her. Yet more proof of the genetic similarities between their species, her scientific mind could not help adding as she tried to gather her thoughts. It had a thick, veined shaft and a flared head with a small dip at the very top. Although the color was not silvery-white, like flesh should be, it was also familiar to her. The shade was almost a perfect match to Taylor’s skin.

  Taylor cleared her throat, and Maia blinked, suddenly realizing that she was staring. "I…was not expecting this," she stammered.

  Taylor’s face fell a little, and she moved to turn back around, the shaft of the toy still clutched in her hand. "It’s all right, we don’t have to—"

  "No!" Maia interrupted, a little too quickly. Although this was definitely a surprise, it was certainly not an unpleasant one. The more she thought about it, the more curious she became, and she felt the insistent pressure between her legs begin to rise again with deep, pleasurable pulses. "I mean, no…you do not have to put it away." She swallowed, her tongue feeling a little thick in her mouth. "I…I would like to try."

  Taylor’s face broke into a smile. "Good," she said, practically radiating excitement. "This is something I love doing, but…"

  "But?" Maia prompted as Taylor climbed onto the edge of the mattress, kneeling beside her.

  "I guess it’s something I’m a little insecure about. Past girlfriends didn’t always react positively."

  Maia’s brow furrowed. "Why not? I admit that I am not, um, very experienced with such things, but would it not feel pleasurable to them?"

  "Not just for them," Taylor said, turning the toy around in her hand.

  Maia leaned in, curious to get a closer look. She noticed that the shaft did not end the way typical male anatomy did. Instead, it curved back up on itself before flaring out into a short, round bulb. Positioned on top of the seat between them were a few carefully-placed circles, and Maia’s eyes widened in understanding. "Does it transmit sensation?"

  Taylor nodded. "Among other things."

  "That would make it ideal to use. I do not understand why your previous partners objected."

  "I guess it was too realistic for a few of them, even though I was the one wearing it."

  Maia placed a hand on Taylor’s arm. "Well, I have no objections." She waited, watching intently as Taylor lowered the toy between her legs, positioning the shorter end at her entrance. For a brief moment, Maia was jealous, remembering how good Taylor had felt around her fingers. But then, she forgot everything else as she watched Taylor press the toy into place, wincing a little as it slid inside of her. When she pulled her hands away, it remained in place.

  "So…how do we start?" Maia shifted even closer to Taylor on the mattress and pressed against her side.

  Taylor blushed. "We could always just start out slow." She slid her fingers beneath Maia’s chin, tilting her face up and kissing her on the lips. Maia could not resist, and she slid her tongue forward, pushing into Taylor's mouth briefly before retreating. Her clit was already throbbing, and she had no idea what she would do when Taylor was actually inside of her.

  But first, she needed to become a little more familiar with Taylor's new anatomy. She reached down and wrapped a hand around the shaft, giving it a slow, gentle stroke. Taylor gasped and bucked into her hand. "Oh God," she blurted out. "This…this isn’t slow…and it’s so much better…"

  "Better than what?" Maia asked, giving the warm shaft another curious pump of her hand. She could not help admiring how perfectly it matched Taylor’s skin. She could still see the outline of Taylor’s lips flared open around the base of the toy, but otherwise, it looked surprisingly realistic.

  "Better than..." Taylor hesitated, as if she was not sure whether to continue. Maia halted the motion of her hand so that Taylor could find her words again, pausing just beneath the thick, flared head. "Better than when I touch myself," she finished, torn between looking into Maia’s eyes and watching Maia’s hand as it began moving again.

  "You mean, you use it when you are alone?" Maia felt emboldened by the confession and tightened her grip around the shaft. Even though she had never done this before, Taylor’s reactions to her touch seemed more than promising.

  "I…uh…sometimes. It adds some variety to the same old thing."

  "Oh, does it?" Maia pumped her hand one more time before dipping her head to give Taylor’s lips a teasing bite. She enjoyed having this kind of power, at least for the moment. Perhaps later, after she had toyed with the human for a little longer, she would allow Taylor to pin her down and have her turn. She had to admit that the idea of being at Taylor's mercy while she was wearing the cock intrigued her.

  "Yes," Taylor gasped.

  The length of the cock twitched in Maia’s hand as her fingers brushed over the swollen head, and a glistening bead of wetness spilled from the tip, sliding against the pad of her thumb. This time, it was her turn to gasp. "Taylor?" she asked, excitement rising in her voice. "Is this wetness from you?" She repeated the motion, and this time, a low groan broke in Taylor’s throat. Maia instantly decided that she liked the sound, and wanted to hear it again.

  Taylor could barely stammer out an answer. "Y…yes…"

  Maia licked her lips, and her tongue felt thick in her mouth. Taylor had tasted her during their second time together, but she had never gotten the opportunity to return the favor. Even though this was not the way she had planned on doing it, Maia felt her heart pound heavily in her chest at the thought. "Would you like my mouth on it?" she asked softly. Judging from the tiny whimpers Taylor released, she would like it very much. "Lay back," she said with a gentle nudge.

  Taylor
settled down against the pillows, and Maia leaned over her. She placed kisses along her neck, stopping to suck at her pulse point before lowering herself farther down Taylor’s body. As she approached the juncture between Taylor’s legs, her motions slowed. Her tongue passed slowly over a hip bone before she raised her mouth up. She paused as she stared down at the shaft.

  "You know..." Taylor’s voice caused her to look up. "You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to."

  Maia shook her head slightly, giving Taylor a reassuring smile. "Of course I want to. I am…very curious to find out what you taste like."

  Taylor let out another low, needy groan, and Maia’s gaze shifted back down between her legs. At first, she simply stared at the cock resting inches away from her mouth. She had no practical experience with this kind of thing, and the shaft was thicker than she expected. For a moment, she wondered how Taylor was going to fit inside of her mouth, let alone any other parts of her body. Resisting the temptation to reach out and wrap her hand around it again, she focused on the flared, swollen head. It tapered to a blunt point, and a narrow slit ran through the tip. It glinted with wetness, and Maia guessed that it was another feature of the toy.

  Finally, her curiosity got the better of her. She dipped her head forward, placing a soft kiss directly on top of the head. Taylor’s abdominal muscles tensed, and slowly, she slid her lips a little further down. Once she had taken the widest part of the tip past her lips, she waited, expecting Taylor to guide her. But Taylor simply stared down at her, caressing the back of her neck as she drew in a shuddering breath. "God, yes," she said. "Please…please, don’t stop..."

  Maia twitched at the low, throaty sound of Taylor’s voice. She swirled her tongue over the slit again, and a little more wetness spilled out. This time, Taylor could not even form words. Her fingers tightened a little desperately on the back of Maia’s neck, though, and she took it as a sign of approval. Encouraged by Taylor’s response, she tried to take more of the shaft into her mouth, letting several inches slide past her lips. She accidentally pushed a little too far, and her eyes stung as the flared head nudged the back of her throat. Fortunately, Taylor did not seem to notice. Maia folded one of her hands around the firm base, hoping it would prevent her from making the same mistake twice.