Cyborg Heart

by Anna Lewis

  “Like Earth food?” she asked.

  “Anything you want,” he replied.

  She smiled.

  “I think that sounds wonderful,” she said.

  “Guzfa. I will alert the cook immediately and send out the invitations. It will be a beautiful evening, my dear,” he said.

  Melody smiled. She took his hand and followed him out of the conference room and into the great hall where he pointed out the antique decorations he had collected over the years. She marveled at the sight of them, the strange shapes and colors capturing her eyes and imagination.

  He led her out a side door and out into the great garden behind the castle, gasping as she bent to smell the flowers growing all over the grounds. They were purple with yellow in the middle, the leaves looking more round than like the leaves on Earth. A winged creature with two heads flew in to suckle at the nectar and she stepped back with a giggle.

  “That is a harmless creature called a coritz. They are native to this planet and they pollinate much of it,” Prince Tezod explained.

  “It looks like a bird,” she said.

  “What do those look like exactly?” he asked.

  “Well, I would have to show you a picture,” she replied. “But they have soft wings with feathers and beaks.”

  “Ah, fascinating,” he said. “I don’t know much of your planet, but I look forward to hearing so much more than the wretched history it keeps.”

  “We’re much more than wars, Prince Tezod,” she said. “We have a unique culture, beautiful statues, great structures—everything artistic about my planet is just beyond words.”

  “It all sounds amazing, my dear. Would you like to walk around the garden with me?” he asked.

  Melody nodded.

  He took her hand and linked his fingers between hers, causing her breath to cut short at how his touch felt. It was still a wonder that she was even here. Everything was so surreal, like it had been painted by an artist. A magnificent creator had blessed this place with beauty and Melody couldn’t get enough of it.

  When they were finished walking through the garden, Melody mentioned she was a bit winded and the prince pressed a button on his watch. Within moments, Fenneck was at their feet with two bubbles which he raised above his bulbous eye.

  “What are these?” Melody asked while timidly accepting one of the bubbles.

  “It’s water. Watch,” he said.

  The prince raised the bubble to his lips and slurped carefully, the bubble diminishing as he drank. Melody mimicked his motions and found it to be the most satisfying water she had ever had. It was pure and hydrated her immediately. She smiled.

  “Your world surprises me,” she commented.

  “I hope you come to enjoy it. It’s your world, too,” he said.

  With a smile, he took her arm and they walked back towards the castle. He walked her back to her bedroom and waited at the door, holding her hands gently.

  “I shall return when dinner is ready,” he replied.

  “Well, wait,” she said quickly.

  The prince stood patiently, green eyes burning deep into hers.

  “Would you—” she started to speak, but couldn’t finish, her own eyes searching his curiously.

  Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times while searching for words. It was difficult to speak to him when he was staring at her, those beautiful orbs of light shining all manner of passion in her direction. The irises seemed to widen at her appearance as if he were trying to drink in every ounce of her image all at once. It was a sign of admiration that made her want him even more.

  “Would you...would you help me unzip my dress?” she asked timidly.

  The prince smiled, looked down at the ground, and then back up at her.

  “Anything you wish,” he whispered.

  She pulled him inside and shut the door, walking slowly over to the closet where she stood patiently for the prince to help. As he began to unzip her dress, she exhaled slowly. Her heart was beating against the inside of her chest, rapidly pumping blood throughout her body and down to her abdomen. His hand rested on her shoulder and she placed hers over it, tracing his fingers gently.

  “My whole life has been dedicated to finding you, Melody,” he whispered.

  She shivered at his words.

  “And even now, I am surprised at how much more beautiful you are in person,” he went on.

  “I still can’t believe this,” she said.

  “Believe it. Because I dare to venture—I mean, I dare to say that I truly love you at this moment in time,” he continued.

  “Do you really?” she asked in a low voice.

  His blue hands turned her around carefully, trailing over her soft skin.

  “I do, Melody. I do,” he replied.

  Before she could speak, his lips silenced her. They remained fixed until her arms came up over his shoulders and pulled him in, closing the gap between them. A blue hand unraveled her bun and allowed her hair to fall in ringlets. He ran his fingers through it, caressing every inch of her face and shoulders.

  “Prince...” she whispered.

  “Yes?” he asked.

  “Can we…?”

  She trailed off as he laid kisses along her collarbone, effectively cutting off her question. Lips came up the nape of her neck and decorated her chin, tracing the outline of her jaw up to her earlobe. She hissed when he nibbled on the skin.

  “Yes,” he whispered.

  In one swift motion, he lifted her from the ground and carried her over to the bed. He laid her out with the utmost care and carefully peeled the dress away from her tan skin. She shivered beneath his touch, his hands searching every nook and crevice to find the secrets of her desire.

  As he continued to explore her skin, she rested her arms above her head and whimpered when he found the origin of her arousal. She bucked when his fingers slid over her vulva, causing her to coo, incapable of controlling her hips. It was the first time she had been touched in months. Every molecule in her body wanted him to dip further, to prod inside her feminine portal and find her secret points of pleasure.

  Blue fingers rolled over her soaked lips and rested up on top of her clit, rubbing circles into her skin. She bucked again. His lips came down to taste her stomach and then her abdomen, a tongue unfurling to trail down to her pubic mound where his curious lips found her engorged clit. One lick sent her gasping up the bed and he pulled her back down to hold her thighs in place as he lapped up the mess he had inspired.

  “Oh...” she whispered.

  His tongue slid over her clit and down between her vulva, poking at her entrance as she writhed in pleasure. His touch was incredible. It left her wanting more, even as he began to slide a finger inside while continuing to suck at her vulnerable skin. She bucked again and he sucked harder.

  Another fervent lick sent her reeling. He sat up and continued to slide his fingers into her entrance. She was warm and wet, her hips gently bucking forward while his thumb stimulated her clit. Her breathing labored with each slide of his fingers until she was pulling at his shoulders, bringing his lips down to hers.

  “Please, get inside me,” she whispered drunkenly. “I can’t wait any longer.”

  Without hesitation, he climbed on the bed and positioned himself between her legs as she pulled the buckles of his pants. One by one they came undone until the pants were discarded carelessly to the ground, his shirt quickly following. She ran her fingers over his blue skin and caressed his shoulders, running a hand down to his hip to gently guide him inside.

  He pressed his cock against her vulva and she squeaked as he slid it over her skin, rolling his hips slowly. Her moans inspired him to guide the head of his cock down to her entrance where he sat and waited for her cue. Gently, she pulled at his hips and pulled him inside, hissing when he had settled in. She grinned as his lips dragged over her cheek and found her lips to silence the crescendo of moans.

  Melody leaned her head against the pillow, arching her back to bett
er accept his girth. He slid with ease into her portal and she moaned loudly while hugging his shoulders. A blue hand trailed up her side and cupped her breast while his lips came down to suckle. She groaned and dug her nails into his back. Their euphoric embrace inspired her hips to rock forward with the motion of his thrusts, skin meeting skin in joyful union.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered while leaning down to kiss her neck.

  She smiled, biting her lower lip while her eyes rolled back. The overwhelming intensity of being pleased had her on the cusp of an orgasm, each thrust pushing her further to the brink. His hips crowned her thighs and she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him harder. They bounced on the bed, moans echoing through the enormous room.

  “I’m close,” she whispered.

  “What else can I do to please you?” he asked.

  With a grin, she guided his hand down to her clit and begged for him to rub her. He obliged and massaged her exposed bud in circles, whispering for her to come. The soft words seemed to guide her over the edge, a coil forming in her stomach as her hips continued to roll. Another thrust snapped the tight coil and unleashed a fit of shivers that inspired him to pump harder.

  “Yes, princess,” he whispered. “Come for me.”

  Her mouth opened wide and she howled, her face contorting as pleasure washed over her entire body. Electricity traveled from the pit of her gut through every limb, shaking hard against the satin sheets as the prince threw his head back to growl. The bed squeaked as his thrusts intensified, sending her over the edge into utter bliss. She kissed him hard. They groaned together briefly as his thrusts slowed to a halt, panting when they finally pulled apart.

  The prince collapsed against the bed, cradling Melody in his arms.

  “Wow,” she panted.

  “Indeed,” he said.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered.

  Prince Tezod moaned contentedly and hugged her hard, stroking the long strands of hair away from her sweaty forehead. He planted a kiss between her brows.

  “You are amazing.”

  ****

  The two round suns in the sky were boring down on the heads of the Eflorian soldiers, making their skin appear to glow an ever brighter blue. Prince Tezod watched as Melody raised an electric arrow up, pulling the bow back ever so slightly as the instructor explained her stance. She was a vision of beauty, a warrior goddess among Eflorians, raising the great bow above her head and releasing it into the air.

  The arrow shot up high and then came down, its head spinning as it wove through the frozen crowd of soldiers. Their faces were tight with anticipation.

  “Focus your energy, Princess,” Herroz instructed. “Keep it tight. That’s it. Find your target.”

  Melody squinted against the light, her face stiff with concentration. The arrow spun around and stopped right in front of Prince Tezod’s face. He stared at it fearlessly. Melody gasped and dropped her bow, the arrow dropped as soon as her concentration was broken.

  “I’m so sorry!” she cried while sprinting towards him.

  “No apologies necessary, my dear,” the prince said coolly. “It’s all part of your training. You’ll be a warrior in no time.”

  Blushing, Melody looked down at the ground where the arrow had fallen. She bent to lift it, her white blouse billowing in the breeze. She looked lovely. It was difficult not to sweep her up into his arms and kiss her, regardless of the people that watched. Their previous passionate night was still fresh in his mind, the feeling of her legs wrapped around his waist enough to cause him to become aroused again. He cleared his throat.

  “May I?” he asked while taking her hand.

  Smiling, she nodded.

  Prince Tezod walked her over to the shooting area and positioned her legs in the appropriate place, standing behind her while gently guiding her arms. He helped her pull back the arrow, planting a gentle kiss on her ear.

  “Take a deep breath and let your spirit guide it,” he whispered.

  Melody inhaled deep, holding it for a moment before releasing the arrow as she exhaled. It flew out into the air, zipping through the crowd of soldiers before planting itself firmly in the target set up high against the castle.

  “Yes!” cried the prince.

  In an instant, he lifted his princess off the ground and twirled her around, causing a chorus of giggles to fill the air. The soldiers cheered behind them. As he set her down, the instructor approached.

  “That’s very well done, Princess. We have much more to learn. Come with me,” he said.

  “Herroz, she has been training all morning,” the prince said.

  “She has, but the battle is coming up rather quickly, my Lord. I’m afraid she’ll need to utilize as much sunlight as possible,” Herroz replied.

  “I couldn’t agree more with you, Herroz,” the prince said. “I shall return for my princess later when she has had her full training.”

  Herroz bowed his head respectfully and guided the confident Melody over to the open grounds. The prince watched after her. She looked back with a small grin and he winked, causing her to erupt with giggles again. As Herroz lifted a sword, Prince Tezod frowned suddenly. It was going to be difficult seeing her fight. Perhaps it was too harsh for her after such a trying first day, the pressure of becoming the warrior princess potentially causing her to become too nervous.

  If he could, he would change the stars. The thought of bringing her back to a peaceful planet was glamorous, but it wasn’t realistic. It was an unfortunate truth he had to face. Their world wasn’t right at the moment, but perhaps she could make it right.

  Smiling a little, the prince turned about and walked inside the castle. He reached into his pocket and fingered the space ruby he kept there. It wasn’t the right time to hand it to her, but he desperately wanted to see it around her neck. The prophets rumored that the ruby would glow as soon as it touched her skin. It was said the ruby knew the wearer, that it would shine as soon as the princess was found.

  Part of him doubted their discovery. Since the ruby wasn’t glowing with warmth, it made him feel some hesitation about it. Still, he had faith. He believed in her. She was already shining during her training and it wouldn’t be long until her powers came to her.

  “Sire, there was a collection of troops spotted on the eastern front,” said a voice from below.

  The prince looked down to find Fenneck, his bulbous eye rolling up and around. It blinked twice.

  “Sire?” he asked.

  “Fenneck, my dear friend. I am afraid my head has been stuck elsewhere,” the prince replied. “Shall we go to the office?”

  “Yes, Sire,” Fenneck replied.

  The prince followed Fenneck to the office, dragging a bit as he took a shaky breath. It wasn’t like him to feel nervous about battle, but now his lover’s life was on the line.

  “We have reports of troops moving quickly across the farmlands. They have been trying to destroy towns,” Fenneck explained.

  He opened the display and pulled up the digital charts, pointing at the red darts moving slowly across the map.

  “Here and here are where they were spotted. If we send a company down the middle, we might be able to halt them before they reach the castle,” Fenneck explained.

  “Have you spotted any ships? We might be able to prevent them from leaving if we could sabotage their transportation,” the prince said.

  “There was one ship spotted, Sire, but it seems to have vanished,” Fenneck replied.

  The prince sighed.

  “Impressive, but disturbing,” he whispered.

  “Should I send the orders, Sire?” Fenneck asked.

  The prince looked down at the necklace in his hands, rolling the ruby between his blue fingers. He sighed. There wasn’t any more time. The longer they waited, the more of his people fell against the grubby hands of the Gluons. He needed to think fast, act fast, and get a plan into motion before it became another genocide.

  “We should send her,” the pr
ince finally said.

  “Sire?” Fenneck asked.

  “The princess. We need to send her to the front to fight,” the prince repeated.

  “That sounds rather rash, Sire. It might be too soon. She has only been training one day,” Fenneck said.

  The prince fingered the necklace in his hands and then raised it up, the ruby circling about on the gold chain.

  “She’s our only hope now.”

  ****

  “I don’t think I can do it,” Melody whispered, wrapping her arms around her prince.

  “It’s no small task, I’ll admit that, but it’s something that must be done,” Prince Tezod said.

  He traced the soft skin along her cheek and placed a kiss where his hand had been, pulling her in close with his free arm.

  “I’m frightened,” she whispered.

  “As am I,” the prince admitted. “But it will be done soon. We’ll have our victory day.”

  Melody pressed her face into his bare chest, breathing deep the scent of cologne. It smelled like sandalwood and pine, filling her nostrils with memories of her youth. She was overwhelmed with both the joy of being in his presence and the horrible anxiety of facing a battle. It was nearly maddening. She gave a shaky sigh and Prince Tezod pulled her in closer.

  “Can you promise me one thing?” she asked.

  “What’s that?” the prince asked.

  “We’ll be in this together,” she replied.

  The prince smiled.

  “Of course, darling. You will not be alone. I will be right at your side,” he assured her. “Here—I have something for you.”

  As Melody relaxed into the pillows, Prince Tezod reached over to grab something from the pocket of his pants. He procured a magnificent ruby necklace that shimmered in the light of dusk, the chain braided with gold and silver. She smiled.

  “Is that for me?” she asked.

  “It’s been waiting for you for nearly a century since it surfaced,” he replied. “I found it while rummaging in the fields and it spoke of your name.”

  “Sounds like a fantasy story,” she said.

  “May I?” he asked.