Claimed by the Zandian Page 12

“I’m sorry.”

  “The strap again, and here comes your fifteen.”

  “But you already did…”

  “Now it’s twenty. Quiet.”

  “But I…”

  “Twenty-one.”

  I bite back my retort. As hot as it might be in theory, when he’s making demands, I get angry and defensive.

  He raises his arm. “One.”

  The strap comes down hard. I cry out and squirm.

  “Stop fighting me and lift up your ass for the next one. And say, thank you.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “Too bad.” The strap stings my ass again and again. “These don’t count until I hear a genuine response, Zina.”

  “Thank you!” I cry out, as my entire ass throbs. Stick my hips up. “Here, I did it.”

  “Was that so hard?” He chuckles. “This will be hard, though.”

  Now he’s using his hand again, spanking my upper thighs.

  After a while, I don’t know the count and I’ve lost track of time. I’m sweaty and needy and my ass is killing me, and I swear I’m so wet between the legs that I must be dripping onto the floor.

  “Tarek, stop,” I whisper.

  “You learned your lesson?” He spanks me once, but lightly—almost a tap, then runs his hand over my sensitive skin.

  “Yes,” I gasp.

  “What lesson did you learn?”

  I’m supposed to say, I won’t question your authority. I won’t bring young into the dome without prior permission. But what’s really sunk into my mind is that he wants me as badly as I want him.

  “Kiss me,” I mumble, and a split second later he’s pulled me up into his arms and his lips are on mine, hungry. Demanding. Devouring.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him with all I’ve got. Bite his lip once, then harder.

  “Veck,” he growls, and reaches down to squeeze my sore ass. “Yeah, bite me hard, little human.”

  I bite down again and he runs his nails over my ass, making me whimper—but I love it. I absolutely love it. The pain mixes with the growing need in my pussy and makes my desire burn so hot I’m shaking with it.

  “I need you,” I whimper. “Please.” My breath comes in uneven gasps. I shift my thighs wider, as if he didn’t already know where. What I want. “Tarek.”

  “You’re going to obey me,” he whispers into my ear, his hot breath making my insides liquefy.

  “Yes, every planet rotation, always.” I’m ready to say anything to feel his cock inside me.

  “You’ll respect me and the rules of the dome. If you don’t, you’ll get the strap, harder than I gave this planet rotation. You think this was a punishment? This was barely a taste. Trust me, if I wanted to really punish you, you’d feel it for planet rotations.”

  That should be terrifying, but it turns me on more. I think about having a sore ass at my dorm, feeling a warm burn when I sit… and thinking of the being who put it there. Tarek. Remembering how he felt inside me. I’m practically having an orgasm just at the idea.

  “Veck, your nipples got even harder when I said that.” His voice is reverent, surprised. “Stars, Zina, you’re so wet I can…” He curses, I think; something in Zandian I don’t understand.

  “Down on your knees,” he orders, his voice rough. “Let’s see how good you are at taking direction. I want your pretty little human mouth on my cock.”

  I’m eager to obey, because I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I get to my knees and wait, breath coming fast. Watching intently.

  He undoes his breeches and kicks them away, and his massive cock makes my eyes go wide. He must have the biggest cock on all of Zandia. I’ve felt it before, seen it before, but each time, it surprises me anew.

  “Open your mouth.” He sits down and spreads his thighs. “And keep your legs wide. I don’t want you getting off too soon.”

  I moan in irritation, because I was hoping to have a starter orgasm while I was sucking him. “Yes, Master,” I murmur.

  “You don’t come until I say. If you don’t do this the way I want, I won’t let you come at all this time.”

  This time. That implies a next time. And that concept, along with my arousal, makes my mind fly into some kind of supercharged sexual dimension.

  “Yes, Master,” I repeat, and inch forward. “May I?” I duck my head.

  “Yes, you may. And you may take me all the way into your throat. And you may suck hard while I come down the back of your throat, Zina.”

  I grab his powerful thighs and open as wide as I can to take him into my mouth. Despite what he said, he’s so large that I can barely fit him into my mouth, and it’s probably not possible to take his length down my throat. I give a valiant effort though, and he grabs my hair and tugs my head, adjusting as he likes.

  He’s good at this, though: He knows when to pull back so I can breathe, and after a few minutes, I relax into the rhythm. It’s incredibly erotic to hear him groan in pleasure and feel his cock twitch under my tongue. I play with his skin, run my lips and tongue over and around. Learning his taste, his shape, his responses.

  Before long, though, he pulls away. “If I don’t veck you soon, I’m going to come in your mouth.”

  “I don’t mind—”

  “But I do. It’s your pussy I want. Get on all fours and stick that red ass up in the air. I want to take you from behind. Feel my balls slap against your tender skin.”

  I make some incoherent sounds and do as he orders, spreading my legs wide. I’m dying for his touch, so needy that I think I’ll explode from the very first contact.

  I’m so wet that he slides in easily, even as large as he is. My pussy stretches to accommodate his girth and my muscles contract, and then he moves. Thrusts.

  His long cock presses on all the right spots, and he reaches under to squeeze my nipple while he pumps me. “Legs wider, or I’ll get that strap back out,” he murmurs.

  The thought of more strapping on my tender ass makes me cry out in desire. I wiggle my legs further open. “Let me come,” I beg.

  “Soon.” He slaps my ass. “I’ll tell you when.”

  It’s only a few seconds later, though, that he grabs my hips. “When you’re ready,” he whispers, and begins a rhythm that’s demanding, and rough, and perfect.

  I clench down and push back at him, and the feeling grows inside my pussy until it bursts out into an explosion of sensation so powerful that I scream out his name, as loudly as I can, not caring if any being hears me.

  He roars out his own pleasure and collapses onto me for a second before rolling over and tugging me into his arms, and we lie there together, panting, sweating. I’m euphoric. The residual sting of the spanking and the afterglow of the orgasm have my whole body tingling with the most amazing feeling of contentment and perfection. I could spend forever here in his arms, in this moment.

  “Sometimes I swear you’re looking at me,” I tell him, hoping he won’t take offense.

  “I’ve learned to turn my eyes in the direction of the person who is talking. My sensors are in the same location to help me orient as if they worked.”

  “What do your sensors tell you now?”

  He brushes his thumb across my cheek. “Your skin temperature reads hotter than normal for a human, which indicates a blush.” He smiles. “Are you blushing for me, little human?”

  I smile back. “Can you see me smile, Tarek?” I ask softly.

  He runs his fingertips lightly over my lips. “My sensors report it. It’s not the same as seeing of course. I’d love to know what you actually look like.” He runs his fingertips across my cheekbone, touches my ears. “Such tiny ears,” he murmurs. “I cannot tell details like color. Smiles. Faces. Oh, I can tell you the wavelength of light emanating from an object, if my sensors are working correctly. I can discern whether a being’s lips are turned up or down, if I focus and use my analyzing kit. But I have never actually seen the face of anyone I care about. The color of the sky.”

&nbs
p; I touch his face back, just because I want to know what it’s like to “see” with one’s fingers instead of eyes. He tenses at first, but then relaxes under my touch, a small smile playing around his lips.

  It’s over too soon. His comm chimes with a repetitive beep; he extricates his arm and glances at it. He gently pushes me away and sits up. “Get dressed. I have a surprise for you.”

  I nod and sit up, a little dizzy. I wait a few minutes for my body to adjust to reality, then locate my panties and my dress.

  “If you want to clean up?” He gestures to the side door where the commode and water wash station are located.

  I’d actually like to wear his rainbow cum all planet rotation, but that would be socially inappropriate. Humans, no matter how sexually sated, don’t walk around with Zandian cumstains on their legs. Plus, I’ve heard Zandians have heightened senses. The others might recognize the scent.

  After I’m refreshed, I come back out to see that Tarek has cleaned up all evidence of our tryst and is dressed, professional.

  I blink hard. Does it smell like sex in here? Tarek’s opened the skylight windows, so a fresh breeze is blowing through.

  Chapter 11

  Tarek

  I take Zina’s small hand in mine, suddenly nervous. Not that she won’t like my surprise—but for the emotions it might bring up.

  “Come.” I lead her outside and lock up the training dome.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the palatial dome.” I slow my walk when I realize she can’t keep up, her limp growing more pronounced. I’m tempted to simply pick her up and carry her, but I fear it would garner too much attention.

  Besides, she’s my trainee, not my mate.

  I can’t mate.

  The trip—a short walk—takes twice as long as usual at Zina’s pace, and she surprises me by not asking a single question.

  I have the sense she knows—or hopes she knows—where we’re going, but is afraid to ask in case I dash her hopes. Or perhaps she’s simply the type who enjoys a surprise.

  I’m not.

  I vecking hate surprises.

  We reach the palatial dome and I tell the guard we’re here to see Bayla.

  Zina catches her breath, and turns her gaze up to my face. I squeeze her hand. The guard leads us into a comfortable sitting room and tells us to wait.

  “Tarek, did you… are we—” It’s like she’s afraid to ask.

  “Yes, little human. I made an appointment with Doctor Daneth and used my time in his office to request a visit for you with Enya. But it turns out, they were already planning on it. The child isn’t adjusting well and misses you terribly.”

  “Oh!” Zina covers her mouth with her hand. Then she throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you, Tarek,” she breathes beside my ear, then drops a dozen kisses along my cheek and temple.

  I wrap my arms around her, careful not to squeeze my delicate human too hard.

  I just hope this meeting doesn’t cause everyone more pain.

  Zina

  “Enya!” My whole body suffuses with joy. I grab her into my arms and hug her as tightly as I can. “Oh, Mother Earth. I missed you. Are you all right? How are you? Are you okay?” I grab her, let go, take her face into my hands. Kiss her short hair. Examine her pretty dress. “You look so beautiful, sweetling. Are you okay?” I can’t stop saying it. Can’t stop hugging her.

  We’re both crying and laughing at the same time. “Look!” I hold up my trembling hand. “I’m shaking!”

  “Me too!” She sobs and grabs me again. “Zina, I wanted you so much. I have to tell you everything.”

  She smells different, and after a second, I recognize that it’s something missing, not an addition. There’s a lack of the acrid aroma of sweat, the cold adrenaline-laced dew that always broke out on our skin back on planet.

  It’s a good change. Her face, too, is lighter. Easier.

  “You look good.” I peer hard at her face.

  “You do, too.” She examines me. “Happy.”

  “I guess I am.” It’s a surprise, especially since I had missed her so much, but it’s true. “You, too?”

  She purses her lips and looks to the side, and stiffens up. Looks at the lovely young female hovering in the doorway, hands twisted together.

  I blink hard and step back. “I’d love to meet your mother.”

  “Okay.” She takes my hand, almost defiantly. “Come on.” She squares her shoulders and sticks her jaw up. “Her name is Bayla.”

  “I know.”

  I know much about her. I’ve squeezed her life story out of Mirelle and Abbi and Kara.

  I expect to have anger toward Bayla for keeping me away from Enya, but the instant I see her face, all I feel is sympathy and the desire to help her. Her expression is so full of hope and love and sadness… emotions I recognize on a fundamental level.

  Instinctively, I hug her, and although she’s startled at first—I can tell by the way she’s stiff, she softens and hugs me back. Then we’re both crying.

  “Thank you for raising and protecting my baby,” she says though her tears. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you see her. She raises her hand, as if she doesn’t know what to say.

  “It’s all right,” I tell her. And suddenly, for the first time, it is. “I understand.” I look at Enya.

  “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.” She touches my arm, her voice pleading.

  “I know that. She’s an amazing girl. So strong. So brave. Did she tell you about our escape? She was the only reason I’m here.” I take Enya’s hand. “She saved my life, too.”

  Enya smiles, proud. Shy. I can tell she wants to impress her mother.

  “Did you tell your mother about it?” I touch her shoulder.

  Enya shakes her head. “Um, no. We haven’t talked much.” She darts her eyes up at her mom. Does she feel guilty about something? She has her “I messed up” face.

  “You’ll be so impressed, Bayla. She’s fierce.” My voice shakes, as much from the memories of the past as the uncertainty of the future.

  Enya looks at the ground and twists her toe.

  “May I talk to you alone for a minute?” Bayla touches my arm.

  “Yes, Enya, if you don’t mind?”

  The girl nods.

  Bayla leads me a few feet away and lowers her voice. “I want to explain. When she came back, it was everything I wanted. And I was grateful to you for being her mother in my absence. But also, I was angry and jealous, because you’d replaced me.”

  Even as she talks, making eye contact with me, she keeps looking away to check on Enya. The girl is tracing a pattern on the ground with her shoe, but I’m pretty sure she’s listening intently as we speak. I know her habits, and this is one of them. She’s an expert listener-in. She could always sidle up to groups of humans or Ocretions, unobtrusive, and listen to all kinds of gossip and information. But I don’t care. At least this time she’s hearing people talk about how much they love her.

  I grab Bayla’s hand. “I promise, she thought of you every planet rotation. It was her dream to be with you again.”

  Bayla’s eyes fill up. “It’s harder than I thought.”

  I take a breath. “I was very angry at you. But now I’m not.”

  “No?” She searches my face.

  “I was a slave for so long, and a caretaker. Now I have the freedom to choose what I want. And I don’t know what I want. Taking care of Enya and the other young was not easy, but it was a known thing.” I take a breath. “I missed her and was mad that you kept me away. But part of my anger was… because I was scared. Of my future. Of the decisions I need to make alone, as an independent being.”

  She nods. “I see.”

  “I never knew my mother.” My voice is low. “But I hope she loved me once as much as you love Enya.”

  “I know she did.” Bayla touches my face. “Every mother loves her young.”

  “I never had a sister, either.” I hesitate. “Perhaps here, Enya could be like
my sister.” I tense up a little, awaiting her answer.

  “I would like that.” Bayla’s voice quivers.

  “Me too.” Enya is by my side now, leaning in to me.

  She didn’t give us privacy, of course. She heard the whole thing. I knew it!

  “Sisters would get to do fun things together.” Her voice is hopeful. “Like maybe never have to do exercises in a field and cut our hair with a rock.” She smiles a little. “Like maybe we could just go see the river or the crystals and not have to talk about avoiding Ocretions.” Her voice trembles through her smile, like she’s afraid to even ask for these things. “Maybe we could just… exist.”

  My heart breaks. “Oh, sweetling, that would be perfect. Yes.”

  She takes my hand and examines it. “Look, the cuts are healed. Mine too.” She wipes her eyes. “Maybe now that we live here they’ll stay this way.” She wiggles her fingers up in front of her face.

  I laugh. “Maybe we’ll decorate our fingernails with that shiny star powder that seems to be so popular here.”

  Somehow, we’re all relaxed now. It’s like the second all three of us stood side by side, the puzzle pieces turned and locked into place, the right place. I used to be the replacement mom, and I did the best I could. Now that Enya’s with her real mother, all three of us are free to be who we were meant to be.

  “Okay then.” Bayla reaches out her arms, and Enya hesitates, then nestles into them. After a second, she gestures to me, so I join the embrace, and we share a three-way hug.

  “So maybe…” I remember the cafe where humans eat. “We can all three try that orange slice thing tomorrow? After you two talk?”

  “Okay.” Enya smiles at me. “Then I’ll tell you everything.” She turns to her mom, her voice suddenly shy. “But I want to tell you the thing Zina mentioned. How we escaped. It was really amazing.”

  “I want to hear all about it.” Bayla’s face is so full of love and happiness that I almost want to cry.

  As Tarek and I depart and the two of them walk away, I don’t feel any sense of jealousy. For the first time since I came to this planet, I’m at peace with what I came to think of as the “Enya Situation.”