Pradorian Mate

by C. Baely

  Sara’s head dipped as she searched the silky sheets beneath her for helpful answers, but none came. She had felt stronger, and she wasn’t afraid or angry anymore. She felt a new sense of calm she hardly understood. However, if she could feel this way, then how must he feel? Did he feel how she felt? There was so much she still didn’t know about him and his world, but she now felt at least a little closer to that knowledge and closer to him in some strange way. Sara bit her bottom lip and nibbled lightly as she thought. “I can’t be yours. You wouldn’t want me anyway.” Her sad eyes watched his deep yellow-flecked jewels, waiting for his rejection. Maybe that would be for the best.

  “Wouldn’t I?” He sounded surprisingly amused.

  “No,” replied Sara confidently, as she wondered why he sounded so confused.

  “Why is that, little one?” A small smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.

  “Because the only reason you want me is to carry your child.”

  “And?”

  “I cannot have children,” she stated coldly, as she looked at him with icy certainty, expecting her words to be a blow to his ears.

  Archail stared at her for a moment and then unexpectedly burst into laughter, leaving Sara aghast as she watched him with an open mouth. She thought he must be in shock as she closed her mouth and observed his deep chuckling. She had never heard him laugh like that before, and it made quite an impression on her. It sounded so joyful compared to the cynical laughs she’d always heard from her previous husband. It sounded heartfelt.

  Slowly he came to a stop and regained his composure. He looked down at her again. “Is that what concerns that pretty head of yours?” He sounded serious again, but now he was smiling warmly at her.

  “Don’t you see? This won’t work! I cannot bear any of your offspring. That’s what you brought us here for isn’t it?” She looked back at him as if he was deranged.

  He simply stared at her, his warm smile unfaltering.

  “Now that you know the truth, you don’t need to sleep with me because I will never get pregnant anyway. There’s no reason to take me as your mate, and you don’t have to keep putting up with my presence.” She lifted her eyes slightly in frustration like she was talking to someone who was slow in the head.

  “I see.” It seemed as if he was finally considering her point, but he surprised her. “It is alright, little one. Contrary to what you may think, I do not just want you for breeding purposes.” A long, strong hand gently wrapped around her shoulder. “I have strong feelings for you that will not go away simply because you want them to.” He paused for a long moment, gazing at Sara’s shocked face before continuing, “As for the fertility issue, I would not let that trouble you. I am sure it will resolve itself in its own time. Is there anything else you would like to tell me?”

  She stared at him. Her eyes widened in amazement.

  “No,” she almost whispered, still stunned from his reaction. It wasn’t what she had expected at all, and she couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded at him.

  Archail leaned over to claim her lips with his in a soft, slow, searching kiss.

  Sara remained frozen for a moment as she felt his lips softly stroking hers. His tongue tasted her gently before his lips again claimed her, stroking her mouth and willing it to open to him. She felt her body voluntarily relaxing under his touch. Without any further thought, she allowed her mouth to open to him, giving him free access as his tongue slipped inside and probed further, leading her passionately in a responsive dance between their tongues.

  A soft moan escaped her, giving him implicit permission to claim more of her. One hand moved to her belly’s soft skin, and he drew his fingers upward in a light stroking movement. Then he claimed one of her already hardened nipples. He circled the aroused tip with his thumb and waited for her to respond under his persistent soft stroking.

  She didn’t disappoint him as she lifted her chest softly and arched her back to allow his hand better access to her sensitive skin. He left her mouth, kissing her chin and slowly following the line of her long neck. She moaned in anticipation as he reached for the tip of her other breast. Taking it in his mouth, he stroked it long and firm with his tongue before gently biting and pulling until she gasped in rising excitement.

  He then did the same with her other breast, giving it the same intense attention until her body stretched under him. Low sounds of pleasure escaped her lips. His mouth followed a path downward as he lowered himself, kissing every inch of her trembling body. Sara’s anticipation built as she felt him move lower.

  He moved slowly until he reached the triangular folds hiding her soft wet center. Rising to his knees and placing himself between her legs, he pulled them gently open and lowered himself to taste the soft pink skin. He began licking her, tasting her, and stroking her playfully with his wet tongue. When she screamed from the building tension, her hands came down to sink into his hair, pushing him closer to her body and silently urging him to not stop.

  His tongue kept thrusting inside her, tasting her sweet juices in his mouth and leading her steadily toward fulfillment. When the first spasms moved through her body and her breathing came out in soft gasps, he suddenly stopped. Sara moaned in protest. Archail lifted his head, and looked into her eyes. “Tell me, little one. Tell me what you want.”

  Sara initially felt lost for a moment as she tried to understand what he wanted to hear. Realizing what he meant, and feeling too powerless to resist him, she replied in a trembling voice. “Please, don’t stop.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” A low growl of satisfaction left his lips. He sounded almost lost in his growing passion for her.

  Lowering himself down between her legs, he led her to a fulfilling explosion as her body, shaking helplessly, reached its prolonged completion.

  Archail moved above her, unable to deny himself any longer. He positioned himself near the entrance of her wet center and remained still for a moment, looking deep into her eyes and giving her an opportunity to deny him, to stop him. Instead her eyes closed, and her body lifted toward him, providing him with easier access. A sigh escaped his lips, and he entered so slowly that Sara opened her eyes again as she felt him move. She watched every changing expression in his eyes, from pain, as he controlled his penetration, to anticipation, as he felt her opening for him, and finally to satisfaction, as he completely entered her.

  Sara moaned as she felt him firm and large inside her. On hearing her response, Archail set a slow rhythm at first, making her moans come in a rising response. His need became stronger, and his thrusts became more powerful. Sara’s body stretched underneath him to meet every thrust, and she screamed in total surrender to his growing passion. With one sharp thrust, he allowed his seed to run free in her welcoming body.

  Sara’s eyes remained closed with unshed tears of happiness held gently behind her lowered eyelids. She felt humming bliss throughout her body. She didn’t expect such intense emotions to envelope her heart. For the first time in her new life, she felt cared for, truly wanted by someone. The warmth spreading inside her body and soul made all her doubts and fears disappear as if they played no part in her new life. She could feel only the joy of being with someone who truly seemed to want her. Thinking of making love to him seemed like a dream. She knew now. He was more than she had hoped possible.

  He claimed her again later, making love to her repeatedly throughout the night and pleasuring her in more ways than she could have imagined. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that he allowed her to sleep exhausted in his arms.

  Chapter 14

  The morning light showered the rustic island, and the ancient marketplace teemed with activity. The square below was packed with people clothed in ancient-looking garments colored in earthy tones, sea greens, and ocean blues. There were males as tall as Pradorians, yet they looked human. There was something strange about them, though. They all looked so similar, with just minor differences here and there.

  This day-to-day scenario didn�
��t last, however, as a massive wave formed in the sea and threatened the ancient city. There was no panic, no hysteria, and no mindless yelling or fleeing. Instead, the people of this past age simply stood like statues as they watched the gigantic wave approaching their island. They stared as it rose menacingly above them and engulfed the waiting land into its massive dark waters.

  Sara felt like she was suffocating as the powerful force surrounded the island, concealing it from the rest of the world. To her surprise though, the water didn’t flood through the city’s streets, nor did it drown its inhabitants. Instead, it was suspended above their heads as if an invisible wall held the water back many feet above. The ground began to shake under Sara’s feet. It was like the weight of the water was pushing the island downward, and it did in fact begin to descend into the dark depths of the ocean. As Sara stared at where the sky used to be, she could see various aquatic creatures swimming around and above the sinking island.

  To her amazement, the human-looking beings disappeared and were replaced by Pradorians who continued their tasks as if living underwater was as natural as breathing. Sara could also see many Pradorians outside the invisible wall of the sunken island. They were swimming in the depths of the ocean, seemingly unaided by diving equipment of any kind.

  A thousand questions and more darted around in Sara’s head, especially when the island faded away, and she found herself on a Pradorian spaceship. There was clearly nothing ancient about the ship as she gazed around. She figured she must be standing on the main bridge because of the number of electronic-looking consoles around the room that periodically blinked and buzzed. The vessel then rose to the star-filled heavens and began accelerating so rapidly that Sara felt herself falling farther and farther.

  A shrill scream escaped from her throat, waking her from the strange dream, yet she somehow knew it wasn’t just a dream. It was something that had happened long ago, many years before her birth.

  Archail came almost running from the bathroom, concern clear in his voice. “Sara, are you alright?”

  She looked up at him from where she lay. “You…You lived on Earth! Didn’t you? All of you.”

  Archail stared at her with a shocked expression for an instant. He then smiled down at her admiringly. “So, my little one, you have been gifted with visions of our past.”

  Sara remained stunned as she tried to grasp his words. “How is that possible?” She noticed he hadn’t contradicted her statement.

  Archail took a deep breath and leaned toward the edge of the bed as he sat down. His hand reached out for Sara’s smaller palm and held it softly as he began to explain. “Sometimes, when we administer the blood exchange, the other person exhibits a special gift. We have seen in the past how some who shared our blood became able to hear the thoughts of the one they were connected with. Others began to feel the physical and emotional pain of their partners, and some gained an ability to see our history. All three of these abilities are extremely rare, but they have all been known to happen.” He paused for a minute. “You, Sara, have the rare gift of seeing into our past.”

  Sara looked up at him, sincerely troubled. “I may have this ‘gift’ as you call it, but to be honest, everything I saw troubled me, and I can’t really get my head around it. The only things I can be certain of are that it happened on Earth and your people were there.” She paused for a minute, trying to remember what she had seen. “You need to fill in the gaps and tell me the full story.”

  Archail smiled down at her, his expression changing from benevolent to mischievous. He glanced playfully at her. “I am more than happy to fill in any gaps you feel you need me to, in any topic. I am even willing to spend more time trying to teach you everything I know personally.” He paused as he leaned closer to her and said teasingly, “If you like, I can start educating you immediately.”

  Sara’s cheeks burned as she read between the lines of his promising words, anticipating a repeat of the previous night’s lovemaking. She wondered if it was wrong to call it lovemaking, seeing as he never mentioned the word “love” at any point during their fulfilling, satisfying, and passionate sex. The realization caused a small stabbing sensation deep in her heart.

  She pulled her hand from his and tried to sound disapproving. “I’ve stayed in bed too long already. It’s time to get up.”

  Archail grimaced, like a boy denied his favorite candy. Raising his hands in the air in a sign of resignation, he rose from the bed. He seemed to find a better mood very quickly. “So, what would my lady like to do today?”

  Sara, still feeling a little cold inside from the path her thoughts were leading down, made an effort to sound equally cheerful. “First, I want to eat obicon and drink alador. Then, I would like for you to fill in those gaps for me.” She deliberately paused, waiting until she saw his smile broaden. “By that, I mean your people’s time on Earth and why they were there.”

  Archail’s brows rose in question. “Why?”

  Sara smiled broadly back at him. “Yes, like I said, why they were there.”

  Archail bowed comically and approached her with his familiar catlike walk. He then offered her his arm. “I am at your disposal, little one.”

  Sara’s heart almost burst in her chest on seeing his warm and playful mood. Could it be that she loved this Pradorian warrior? The thought almost made her stop in her tracks, but then she shook her head softly, trying to push the idea out of her mind. She wasn’t being reasonable, she thought. Anyway, she had never felt a romantic love before, so how could she be sure? There was also the fact that she knew very little about Archail, so how on earth could she have truly fallen in love with him?

  The questions in her mind gave her a headache, and she was almost ready to say she’d changed her mind about lunch, but the prospect of learning more about Archail and his world kept her heading steadily toward the dining room.

  Archail’s voice broke into her deliberations. “We are here, little one.”

  The endearment he used made her heart leap once again. It was so easy for him to trigger reactions from her body. Just a smile or a tender word, a soft touch from his hands, or the sight of his soft lips approaching ever closer to hers, and she was ready to fall into his arms. Sara then mentally slapped herself and told herself to snap out of it.

  Archail opened the dining room door and let her enter first, then followed her. Still holding her hand, he led her to the table and ensured she was seated before sitting down next to her. Sara was pleasantly surprised when he took the seat next to her instead of opposite as he usually did. He placed an obicon fruit on her plate and added some yellow pieces of meat, which he assured her she would find quiet tasty. He then filled her glass with alador.

  He served himself and began eating in silence. Sara, for the first time, didn’t feel uncomfortable eating with him. Instead, she felt a shared companionship and a peaceful acceptance of each other, or was it just a temporary truce between them? She started to wonder, but stopped almost as soon as she began, denying any thoughts that might ruin this newfound sensation she shared with him.

  Despite the pleasant atmosphere, it was time to talk with him and learn more about him and his people. His constant aversion to talking with her about what was going on with his world only resulted in a mixture of more confusion and resentment because of the way she felt about him. With these thoughts in mind, she finished her last bite of obicon and drank some alador. “So, where are you going to start?”

  Archail placed his drink on the table and turned to look at her with a broad smile on his lips. “Where do you want me to start?”

  Sara returned his smile in full and suggested sweetly, “How about from the beginning?”

  Archail let a sigh escape his lips. “Would you settle for the abridged version of the story?”

  Sara considered this for a moment before looking straight into his gleaming eyes. “Well, sure, but…” She paused for a moment and then added, “Make sure you tell me all the important details please.”

>   Archail nodded and pushed his chair back slightly so he could face her. “My people originally lived on Prador Atalas.”

  “Prador Atalas?” Sara inquired.

  Archail sighed again as he looked at her. “If you continue to interrupt me, you will never hear the full story, but yes, that is the full name of our world. It was named Prador after the predators of this world, and Atalas symbolized our aquatic life at sea. Our kind lived as much on and in the water as it did on land.”

  Sara nodded in agreement. “Oh! You mean your ability to breathe underwater.” She paused when she recalled the Pradorians swimming underwater. “I saw that in my dream.”

  Archail agreed with a nod. “We built a magnificent city at the edge of the great waterfalls beyond the desert. Life was so rich and pleasant there.” He stopped for a moment, looking as if he was lost in thought. “We were at the peak of our technological advancement.

  “We discovered a serum that provided immortality, created lab viruses that killed any dangerous organisms in the air or water, and developed cures for every illness. It became an almost perfect paradise for our people, or at least, that is what we believed back then.”

  When Sara noticed the sadness in his eyes, she wanted to reach out to him, to hold his hand, but she decided against it as he turned to look at her. His eyes were distant, almost as if he was looking through her rather than at her.

  “You see, we were not so different from your people in the sense that we also grew old and died back then, so all our research was directed at finding ways to prolong the lives of our people.” He shook his head, like he disapproved of his own words. “We were wrong of course. A few years later, one of the viruses we had released into our atmosphere mutated. It became extremely aggressive and began attacking almost every species on the planet.” He paused as his face suddenly grew darker. Anger and agony filled his voice. “We were losing huge numbers of animals and plants, but the worst came when we started losing thousands of Pradorians. The children died first, followed by the elderly. It was a time of great mourning for our world.”