Fire flashed in her eyes. “Hell, yea. I would have you lie to me. Why not? You lie to me all the damn time anyway. Why not tell a little white lie to make me feel better about the situation?”
Korban was taken aback. This reunion was not going at all the way he had imagined it would. He had dreamed of her flying into his arms, swearing her undying love for him, and giving him the best sex to be had in all the verse. Instead, she was angry and shouting at him about his devious ways. The same ways that had gotten him exiled from his home world. Holding up two hands, he backtracked on his previous words.
“I can now see that perhaps I should explain my thinking around the decisions I made regarding your abduction from Earth.”
Looking at him earnestly, she replied politely as she smoothed down her gown. “That would lead me to believe I’m more than just an object to you.”
“You are everything that I hold dear. When you were taken to the Candorian vessel to complete your contract for the mining business they hoped to set up there, Earth’s ozone layer collapsed. The devastation was rapid and shocking for the Candorians. They lost their own planet when their sun went supernova, so they are extremely cautious about extinction-level events. As you know, they felt ethical qualms about returning you to your dying world. Instead, they scoured the galaxy for planets with ongoing mining operations. Mine was at the top of the list.”
“I know all that from speaking with Ambassador Kredor.”
“What you may not know is that I accepted responsibility for the miners out of compassion for their situation. I never knew one was female. Maybe Kredor said, but I don’t remember. I just know that during a routine check in with the Candorian freighter, I saw you. You sat alone in a room. You looked so lost and sad. It tore at my heart. I inquired about your needs and told myself that I had done my duty by ensuring all your needs met. The only problem was, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. No matter where I went in the verse or whose company I kept, you were never far from my thoughts. I found myself checking in on you several times a week, then every day, and towards the end, several times a day.”
Selene’s expression softened and she slid a little closer. “That’s kind of sweet.”
“I was thrilled when they adapted the multi-language bacteria for you. I had my scientist meet the Candorian vessel so you could be inoculated right away. Only instead of being happy or grateful, you ran from me. It was demoralizing. I worried about all the things that could befall an innocent female on Lortex Station. I could not eat, for thinking you were going hungry. I could not sleep for fretting over where you were forced to lay your head. It felt like we were inextricably linked. Only how could that be, if you chose to abandon me?”
Selene’s hand came out to his chest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you back then. Nothing in my life was as it had been. I was scared and so far from home.”
Grasping her hand, he brought it to his lips. “I know. That’s why I sent my military to look for you. I could bear being rejected by you, but I could not bear thinking of someone harming you.”
Suddenly, she was curled up on his chest again. “Why did you cut your lovely hair off and leave it for me? It terrified me, for I didn’t understand the message you were trying to send in doing that. I thought perhaps because I had always loved your hair so, you severed it to rid yourself of me. Then I saw how tenderly you treated me before leaving my side during the battle and could not bring myself to believe you did not care for me.”
Looking up at him, she smiled. “On ancient Earth, cutting your hair was a sign of mourning. I wanted you to know how much it pained me to be separated from you. Also, men on my world used to cut a small lock of their loved one’s hair as a keepsake when they were to be separated for long periods of time.”
Reaching his hand into his uniform, he pulled out the loop of fiery red hair, still neatly braided. “Many nights, I wrapped it tightly around my hand, as I whispered my prayers to the gods. My words to them were always the same. I wished only for your safe return.”
“It just feels wrong that all the people of my world are destined to pass into nothingness, while I am gifted with life. Surely, I’m no more deserving than the males of my world to live. Because I have a womb, I am valuable.”
“You grieve for the males of your world, though few of them have been kind to you?”
“Remember how we talked about us all just being people and people make mistakes? Well, it falls into that category.”
“What would you give to see the human race survive for all times?”
“What do you mean?”
“Would you give the lifetime of luxury I offer you in return for the continuation of the human race? I honestly want to know.”
“Of course. I wasn’t drawn to you for the wealth you possess, or for your fancy titles. I’d be happy to just be a regular person, as long as we are together.”
“Beware what you wish for, my little sweet. You could find yourself living your life at my side, enjoying the life of a pauper or even a space pirate.”
Selene’s giggles hit him square in the chest. Korban had to admit that he would cheerfully spend his days doing whatever fate demanded of him, if he could come home to her smiling face every night. Wrapping her close to his chest, he allowed the love to flow freely between them once more.
CHAPTER 14
The trip back to Sylon was delayed in favor of ironing out a treaty with Earth. Their ambassador preferred not to hear their plea until the Krylon ambassador concluded their business. The trio of men pulled together to come up with an enticing package and a few hours after sending it, the Earth ambassador requested to speak by holo-vid.
Ambassador MacDowell’s face popped onto the view screen, expecting to see the three princes. Instead, he was faced only with Ambassador Kredor.
“I am sorry to disappoint, but our leaders wish the treaty negotiations to be handled by experts. I understand their needs perfectly and have been appointed to oversee all contact with Earth.”
“Understood. I prefer that we be allowed to forge the treaty ourselves. I am learning at some cost all the ways others can ruin my best laid plans.”
“Would you like to come aboard our vessel to discuss this matter in more detail or wait until Ambassador Teric has left?”
“Your alliance alone is offering what Earth is most interested in securing. I would speak with you, now if at all possible.”
“We rather thought you might feel that way. There is a Candorian shuttle holding over your city. I will ask them to land.”
“I will make my way to the landing pad and be with you shortly.”
Ambassador Kredor sat back in his seat. The princes were clever to a fault. Their plan practically guaranteed thousands of human brides for the Krylon and Shardon on Sylon. The only real issue was whether they keep it secret until it was too late. Kredor fretted over the situation right up until the door slid open and Ambassador MacDowell walked through it.
“Welcome, Ambassador MacDowell. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable.”
“Is your offer real?”
“I guarantee you that it is. As you might be aware, a human female and her mother have come to our ship.”
“I did hear of this situation. The younger was taken when our ozone layer collapsed. Amongst the chaos, your people were unsure what to do with her. Her mother and small sister recently joined her.”
“They have both taken as their mates, two of the princes that now rule Sylon. They have advocated not only for fair and responsible treatment of human females brought to our world, but also for the males on Earth. Their compassion knows no bounds and their males can apparently deny them nothing.”
“The Sylon princes are offering the people of Earth an entire continent on your home world in exchange for human brides?”
“We are offering you much more than simply land. We are offering your people a fresh start. We offer not only the land, but equal leadership on our world. One human w
ill be chosen by and from the humans who reside there to rule equally with the other princes. We also offer you safe passage on our ships for any who wish to live. Naturally, we would not have space for all the people of Earth but we will take all that we can.”
“All you want in return is access to any females who wish to mate with you?”
“We require a draw of one thousand a month over the next year, as your people prepare to relocate. We will host whatever scouting parties Earth wishes to send to our home world and give them whatever assistance they need to break ground on a human city.”
“Go on.”
“The most important facet of this plan is that it remain unknown to other worlds. If other species hear that we are planning to relocate large numbers of people from your world, the Galactic Council will get involved. If that happens, the red tape will be never ending.”
“Aren’t you a member world? If so, you are obligated to follow their mandates even as we speak.”
“The princes have broken with the imperial house and the Krylon home world. We have petitioned to join the Galactic Council and foresee no problems. However, the process sometimes takes a full solar year, which is an equivalent of fourteen Earth months. Your people must be made ready and actually be relocated prior to the end of that time. Our fastest ships can carry us there in six months. That means you must ready a scouting party immediately and have your people prepared to leave within eight Earth months. Only those settled before our membership solidifies are guaranteed settlement on our world.”
“I get the feeling there is something you aren’t telling me.”
“Our people will not tolerate any abuse of females or children. The penalty for such crimes is death.”
“Sounds harsh but doable.”
“We expect you to only bring males who won’t continuously fight with us over females or discourage their women from joining with us. If that becomes a problem, you should know in advance we will simply eliminate them. We offer this deal with the understanding that we continue to get access to human females inter-generationally. We have confidence in our ability to woo brides. We just respectfully request that no additional barriers be placed there intentionally by your males. The female’s choices will be final.”
“Anything else?”
“We refuse to permit the corporations who have destroyed your world free reign on our world. If we find your kind exploiting our planet, the penalty will be immediate death.”
“Go green or die. That should have been on a billboard at some point. Is there anything else we should take into consideration?”
“We request mostly stable families be sent to settle on our world. We welcome children. There will be no more one child rules. If population gets to be an issue at some point in the future, we will seek out another habitable world. As long as you deal in good faith with us, the princes of our world will never forsake you.”
“We are humbled by your generous offer. I am to take your words back to Earth Gov and ask for time to decide. Between you and me, I cannot imagine them turning you down. I will get started on selecting the first thousand brides and ask our military to put together a scouting team.”
“We care not who is chosen as long as they are cooperative and willing to participate in building a settlement. If you send a bunch of high-ranking politicians who refuse to get their hands dirty, we will be forced to eliminate them in order to make room for men willing to stay on task.”
“I can tell you right now, they aren’t going to like your people killing everyone who doesn’t follow the rules.”
“When I say we, I mean you will be asked to handle that yourselves. Remember, you are part of the we moving forward.”
“I see where you’re going with that.”
“Please look at it from our standpoint. We are traversing huge distances and giving humans a stake in our world. It’s not like we can drag every uncooperative person all the way back to Earth. It’s not fair to take resources away from the settlers to expend on law breakers. Some worlds get rid of undesirables by indenturing them to ships heading for deep space. Our people do not believe in such things.”
“I suppose that’s all true. I don’t suppose we should stay focused on the big picture here, which is human beings given the opportunity to survive the devastation of our world.”
“Agreed. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Remember, no one can know or the Galactic Council will have much to say. I have included all the information we just shared in written form. We will need the signatures of Earth Gov’s ruling body affixed in the appropriate places then the princes will add their signature.”
“I understand perfectly. I will see it done.”
CHAPTER 15
Koal climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around his beloved.
“How did the meeting with MacDowell go?”
“Extremely well. You and our daughter are clever females. Between the two of you, we may yet save your people.”
“Thank you for agreeing to give settlements a chance. Humans may not have been careful with our planet, but we learned a lot and our people deserve a chance.”
“If even a few are as sweet and loving as you, they deserve all we can give to them. I have spoken with my people, all forty-seven freighters. We agree to join together and build the human colony before we turn our efforts to our ocean homes.”
Elaine began to tear up. “That’s really sweet. I chose well when I decided to say with your people.”
“I am the fortunate one. Now that I have you, my heart is full. Saving your people is worth delaying the construction of our cities for a year. In the end, we simply could not tolerate the thought of any human children not having suitable living conditions when they arrived.”
“I love you. I hope you know that.”
A quick flip of his head and a dazzling smile almost stole her breath. “I do now. I love you as well. You never did tell me about this human kissing. I hesitate to overlook an important part of the mating rituals of your world. I wish to be a good mate to you. Will you teach me?”
She responded hesitantly. “You may not like it.”
“Tell me and I will know.”
“You know how sometimes when you are preparing me for sex, you use your mouth on me?”
Images of licking her clit must have sprang to mind because his expression turned heated. “This I enjoy very much. It is kissing?”
“Not quite. You do the same thing only to my mouth.”
Instinctively moving closer, he rumbled. “I see. You have done this with other males?”
Nodding, she worried that he wouldn’t like her response.
“You will do it with me. Now.”
The tiny bit of demand in his voice sent a thrill snaking through her gut.
He lifted her face bringing her mouth to his. She began the kiss and nipped at his bottom lip. When he opened his mouth, she slid her tongue into his mouth. She knew the exact moment he understood because his arms came up around her, pulling her closer. Suddenly, she wasn’t in charge of the kiss anymore. Koal slid his mouth over her, teasing and tantalizing her. Her legs wrapped around him and he gently rocked his hard on against her tender bits as he continued to explore kissing techniques. He was like a man on a mission and she slid her arms around his torso, gently clawing at his back. That was normally something that brought out the beast in him, and tonight was no different.
She began sliding his pants down. He responded by pulling the thin gown she wore to bed over her head, breaking their lips just long enough to toss it aside. Wrapping one hand around his thick cock, she whispered against his lips. “I want to taste you here.”
“Not on your life, female.”
“Why not?”
“I would never expect such of my female.”
“Is it something only naughty girls do on your world?”
“It is something males pay for.”
“You mea
n single males.”
“Unattached males. Mated males. It’s all the same.”
Planting a hand on his chest, she caught his eye. “You don’t have my permission to pay women to do anything sexual to you.”
His eyes gleamed with pride. “You are possessive of me?”
“You had better believe it.”
A single sharp toss of his proud fin let her know exactly how pleased that made him feel. Laying back, he murmured. “Then you should attend to me.”
Eyeing him suspiciously, she climbed over to him. “We’re circling back around to this conversation. Don’t think for a minute, I’m going to forget either.”
“Suck me, before I fly off to Dracon Four. It is said to be the planet of endless pleasure.”
For some reason, she could tell he was just teasing her. Smiling slightly, she responded playfully. “Spent a lot of time on Dracon Four, have you?”
His eyes were practically shimmering with lust as he stared down at her. Her face hovered over his magnificent rod and she thought he’d lost the capacity for speech. Licking her lips, she leaned closer.
The man had a seriously nice rod. Elaine’s mind drifted back to the very first time he made love to her. She could hardly believe she’d been reluctant to look at his manhood. Her own anxieties now seemed ridiculous in retrospect. Come to find out, she worried herself over nothing. His cock was a thing of beauty compared to a human male. It was long and thick with soft teal coloring. His skin was soft and his balls were more of a hairless pouch about the size of her cupped hand located exactly where a human’s were.
He was one handsome, well-endowed male, and he was all hers. Well mostly. Becoming irritated with herself, she realized she really didn’t know what his Dracon Four comment meant. Damn it, he was probably teasing about that. He’d better be because thinking of another woman touching him brought out the tiger in her.
Not breaking eye contact, she trailed her tongue all the way from the base to the tip in one long fluid motion, earning her a hiss of pleasure. She repeated the move, flicking her tongue back and forth along his rod. He tasted like absolutely nothing. She supposed that was better than tasting bad but still, she hadn’t expected that.
Maruvian Bride (Alien SciFi Romance) (Celestial Mates Book 5) Page 22