Claimed by the Zandian Page 8

  I note his smile as he walks away.

  I turn back to Zina.

  Zina

  Now it’s just the two of us: Tarek and I.

  He grabs a large ball. “Stand six feet away from me. I’m going to toss this to you. You catch it.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “That’s considered a test of coordination? Ooof.”

  The ball is heavier than I expected, even though it’s padded, and I barely manage to catch it. Then it drops.

  “Skills assessment and training at the same time.” He appears to be suppressing a smile.

  “Wow, okay you surprised me. Go again.” I pick up the ball.

  “Toss it back.” His voice is deep and commanding. Something in me melts. I don’t understand why. I hated being commanded what to do… from Master and other Ocretions. But Tarek’s authority is totally different. Sexy. I want him to be my new master.

  I hurl it over. “Oh, heavy.” It falls short.

  He jogs over to pick it up. “Let me show you.” He hands me the ball and positions himself behind me, his arms framing mine, his large lavender-skinned palms completely covering my smaller ones. “It’s like this,” he murmurs, his lips right at my ear. The heavy ball floats up in the air as he does all the lifting. “Bend at the elbows.”

  I seriously don’t know how he makes the word elbows sound so incredibly sexy.

  My nipples grow taut and sensitive beneath my Zandian gown—the nicest, most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn. I follow his lead, taking the ball behind my head.

  “Now throw.” The ball flies through the air through absolutely no help of mine. “You see?”

  My laugh sounds strange to my own ears—sort of… husky. “I think you did that.”

  “You try,” he coaxes.

  I jog over to the ball and pick it up. Why does it have to be so damn heavy? Just lifting it over my head the way he showed me throws me off balance and I weave and stumble.

  Tarek’s lips twitch.

  I throw the ball. It flies through the air—for about the length of my leg. Then it drops and rolls. “Ooph.”

  I bend over, panting, hands on my knees. My leg is starting to ache, and I rub it, hoping he won’t notice.

  He comments immediately. “You in pain? Sit down.”

  “No, it’s nothing.” At his lifted brow, I amend it. “Nothing unusual. It always aches when I do physical activity. But it hurts regardless, and this at least makes me stronger, so… I try to ignore it.” I rub the twisted muscles and sit down.

  He comes and sits near me, not touching, but close enough so that I want him nearer.

  “What happened?” He brushes a hand across my knee and I try not to gasp at the touch.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.” I swallow hard.

  “I’m just trying to get to know you—”

  Panic surges through me, even though this is what I wanted. I can’t talk about my leg right now. “Do you want to talk about this?” I snap, touching his forehead, near his left eye.

  He flinches. “No.” His voice is cold. He turns away. “I apologize.”

  “No. It’s my—I apologize. I’m so sorry.” I reach out again, hating to see his expression change. “Tarek, this is hard for me.”

  He takes a breath. “I understand.”

  We’re silent for a second. It’s quiet in the dome, and the only sound is some kind of metallic screech in the distance, maybe a saw. The light is soft and even, coming through the skylights above.

  I don’t believe he can’t see. His eyes are so kind, so intuitive. Or am I imagining what I want to see there?

  “It’s killing me that right now they won’t even let me see Enya. I want to see her, Tarek. I’ve been with her for so long. Don’t they know that I need to be part of this with her?” I’m helpless to describe it. “Why won’t they let me?”

  Tarek rubs his forehead. “I know, beautiful. But they’re doing what they believe is best.”

  “Well, it makes me feel like garbage.” Tears burst out. “Like I’m worth nothing. I was used to that back on Ocretia, but on Zandia, I thought—I hoped…” I sniffle. “That it would be different. That I’d be valuable. But now it’s like I just got tossed aside.”

  “That’s not what it is at all.” He takes my hand, his voice earnest. “Zandians are not as aware of human emotions. They’re doing their best, too. And think of her mother. She’s been many solar cycles without her child. Surely you can give her this chance.”

  I can’t answer. It’s just too much right now.

  “And you.” I turn to him accusingly. “You never told me about her, on the ship. You were part of it, too. Just taking me because I was a tool, a means to an end. I want to be more than that!”

  Now I’m sobbing outright.

  “I’m sorry, Zina. I was under orders not to communicate her status to you.” His voice sounds pained. “I could not betray my commander. I wanted to tell you. I—worried. I still do.”

  “You do?” Surprised, I glance up at him.

  “Yes.” He clenches his hand on mine, then loosens it. “I didn’t want to surprise you with it. But”—he shrugs one shoulder—“it was out of my hands.” He pulls me closer. “Just give it time. Of course you’ll see her again. This is temporary, as she adjusts.”

  I nod. Sniff. “Yes. I just miss her. I promised her we’d somehow always be together. I just want to see her in person, to really know she’s okay.”

  “I understand, little one. I’ll make some inquiries. See what’s possible.”

  “You will?” My voice is tremulous. But there’s something here I just know it. Beyond the words, there’s something between us, something that’s growing stronger second by second.

  He reaches for me, sliding his fingers into my short hair.

  I go still, eyes trained on him, body trembling in anticipation.

  “Did they cut your hair? Your slave masters?”

  “No, I did it,” I admit. “So we wouldn’t look so feminine. To deflect male attention.”

  Anguish flickers over Tarek’s face. Then his jaw tightens. “And did you?” His voice is tight.

  I swallow. “Not always. But I kept Enya safe. That’s all that matters.”

  Tarek’s great hands close into fists. His nostrils flare. “No female should be taken against her will.”

  “No,” I agree, my voice soft.

  He suddenly stiffens. “You didn’t feel—did I—Stars, Zina—”

  “No,” I interrupt. “I liked the way you touch me.”

  Tarek’s eyes change to bright purple, his horns—stars, his horns appear to pulse. And then, as if the leash he’d kept himself on snaps, he lunges for me, catches the back of my head with his hand and claims my mouth.

  Instantly my body is pulsing to the rhythm of his. My lips part to allow his tongue to sweep between them. He pushes me onto my back, covering my body with his.

  I inhale sharply, fill my nostrils with his scent—masculine and rich. He nips down my neck, sucks a spot on my shoulder. All the while, the pulsing between my legs grows stronger. I arch my hips into him, climb to his huge, muscular shoulders. He shoves my dress up to expose my nipples and swirls his tongue around one.

  I make a hungry, eager sound. He pinches the other one as he continues. I rock my pelvis, grinding against him. He slides his hand between my legs. “Did you want me here?” His voice is rough and raspy. So incredibly deep.

  “Yes,” I gasp. “Please, Master.”

  Tarek

  I don’t know why she called me that—I haven’t agreed to be her master, but the words feel so right. My cock punches out, painfully thick and my skin turns hot. I don’t need sensor read-outs to feel her heat.

  I’ve always felt less-than with my sightlessness. Always needed to be on the defense, extra-prepared for attacks, whether real, or social. But right now, I am the master.

  Her body responds to my every touch. So willing, so open. She wriggles beneath me, making tiny cries of pleasure and
it’s all I can do not to veck her four meters into the ground. I free my erection, then pick up her hand and close her small fingers around the base. “Feel what you do to me, little human?” I ask her.

  “Tarek,” she breathes.

  I could hear my name on her lips every moment of every planet rotation until I die and not grow tired of it. Especially in that breathy, shocked way she just said it.

  “That’s right, beautiful. I’m dying to get inside you. Are you going to open those thighs and let me in?”

  She inhales sharply and my sensors show her spreading her knees.

  “Good girl,” I murmur. I pull off her panties and reward her with a long, slow lick.

  She shivers, her muscles tightening around my ears.

  “You like that?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  Oh, veck.

  “That’s right, sweet female. I’m your master right now, aren’t I?”

  Stars, I shouldn’t make declarations like that. I can’t be her master, but in this moment, I don’t give a flying veck about any of that. All that matters is that I’m master of her body. Master of this moment. Master of the pleasure about to happen between us.

  “Yes,” she breathes. She grips my horns—I don’t know how she knew to do it, but now I’m the one filling the room with a growl as they lengthen under her touch. “Oh!” Her little syllable of surprise gets me even harder. “D-do you like that, Tarek?”

  Oh stars. “Veck, yes, little human. Squeeze them tight!”

  She does and pre-cum leaks from my throbbing cock. I lick into her pussy, showing my appreciation with each sweep of my tongue, each flick, with the penetration of one thick digit.

  “Tarek, Tarek, please,” she whimpers.

  I veck her faster with my finger, sucking on the nubbin of her anatomy known to make human females wild.

  “I want you inside me,” she cries out hoarsely.

  I can’t move fast enough. I’m up and spearing her with my erection in a flash, swallowing her scream with a hard kiss.

  She’s tight—so vecking tight—so I stop and let her get used to my size.

  “Is this all right, little human?”

  She answers by reaching for my horns again, alternating squeezing first one then the other. I can’t help myself, I thrust into her like a rutting beast. Every stroke sends shivers up my spine, heat across my skin. She’s so small and pliable, so eager, it turns me into a wild animal. I brace my hands on the floor beside her head and pump into her with enough vigor that she bounces on the mat.

  “Who’s your master now, little human?”

  “You are,” she cries out. “Tarek! Oh please!”

  I wish I had more finesse. I want to work her nipples more with my mouth, or somehow be sure she receives maximum pleasure, but I’m lost. Lost to her scent, the openness of her soft form, the incredible sounds she’s making beneath me.

  My balls tighten. Heat spikes at my tailbone. I can’t hold back any longer. With a roar, I come, spurting my seed into her and I continue to pound.

  She wraps her small legs around my back and stills my motion, tugging me deep inside her as she comes, her muscles squeezing and releasing around my cock. I stay inside her, my dick twitching as our mingled breath slows. Then I drop with a groan to my side and ease out.

  I yank off my tunic and use it to wipe my cum from her legs.

  She gasps. “It’s rainbow-colored!”

  I don’t know what that means. Logically, I do, but I’ve never seen a rainbow. “Do you like it?” I ask softly.

  She runs her finger between her labia and lifts it up. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers.

  I chuckle and settle beside her. “You’re beautiful.”

  “I’m not,” she says. “I’m quite plain, actually.”

  I catch her jaw and turn her face toward mine. “You’re beautiful,” I say firmly. “I may not be able to see you, but I know. And a Zandian never lies.”

  My sensors show the corners of her mouth lift in a smile and I’m stunned by the corresponding joy that fills my chest.

  Strange how these humans can affect the Zandians’ normal stasis.

  Zina

  We lie together, the soft light streaming down on us lying on the training mats. This time the beams are delicate and soft, teasing my skin and him, and I only feel contentment. Not just from the phenomenal orgasm, but this feeling—being safe in a beings’ embrace, it’s the most amazing sensation I’ve ever felt.

  It feels really good to—for once—be the one who’s protected, instead of doing the protecting. Not that I’ve ever minded putting Enya first, because I love her. But setting down my burden for a second, letting someone else watch my back? I’ve never felt this. And it’s so good.

  A tear runs down my face.

  “Hey. What is it?” He touches my skin. He’s so intuitive, blind or not.

  I reach up and put my hand over his, feel his strong fingers on my face. “Nothing. I’m happy.”

  “So am I.” He speaks quickly, then his face darkens, and he turns away. He doesn’t let me go, but I sense him start to pull back in some ephemeral way. And I know that I need to keep him here with me, in this moment. It’s what I want and need, and I think he does too.

  I take a deep breath and bring out my emotions.

  “My leg.” I speak quickly, trying to suck him back into the bubble of the two of us. I’m not really ready to speak of it, but I’d do anything to get his attention back.

  He turns back.

  “I was born into house slavery. When I was young, there was a doctor on the planet, trying to improve Ocretion strength and muscle tone. And see if he could make humans stronger for their tasks. He decided to experiment on a few young humans. Master offered me up in exchange for a monetary reward.”

  I clench my fists tightly and squeeze my eyes shut.

  “He did some operations on us. Took out some nerve and muscle tissue to see if it could be used to strengthen Ocretions. Broke the bones and watched how they healed under various conditions. Mine”—my voice is dark, bitter—“were some of the less fortunate circumstances to be tested.”

  “Oh, stars, vecking stars,” he curses. “Zina, if I could I’d go there right now and slaughter them all.” His voice is so full of passion that I’m able to continue.

  I nod. I’m not crying now. This pain is too deep for tears. I speak as if I’m a robot, telling a story that belongs to another being. “Eventually the Ocretions decided he was too vile even for them, which is saying a lot.” I chuckle without humor. “He was sent away off planet, I don’t know where, and his program disbanded.” I touch my leg. “But you can’t disband this.”

  I touch my belly. “After the leg, Master had me sterilized with implants. Said I wasn’t worth wasting on breeding, so he’d keep me safe from accidental pregnancy. Costly, you know. And the implants have been in for so long that it may have become permanent. I know I’m not worth much, but I do my best anyway.”

  Tarek is silent, and when I look at him, his face is twisted in sympathy and anger. He opens his mouth like maybe he wants to argue with me, but closes it. After a few seconds, he touches my head once. “Such a difficult life.”

  We don’t speak for a while.

  “I’m all right, though. I train and work hard despite the injury. I call it an injury, because that’s easier.” I take a breath. “And Enya gave me purpose. I went on for her—to make our lives livable.”

  He squeezes my hand. “When I was young…” He waits so long that I think he’s done, and then he continues. “My father wasn’t affectionate. Zandians aren’t, typically, but he was cold, even for our species.”

  “Oh?” I sense that he’s going to tell me his own horror story. And although I’m afraid of what I’ll hear, my heart warms, knowing he’s sharing something personal with me. An honor; according to Abbi, Zandians are notoriously stoic and don’t open up to new beings easily. If ever.

  “I was born blind, and he blamed me.” Hi
s voice is low and tight.

  “I’m no expert, but even I understand you can’t blame a newly formed child for defects.” I grasp his hand harder. It’s so huge, it dwarfs mine. But right now, I feel that I’m the one giving him strength as he speaks.

  “I was a smaller fetus than expected, and lacked a critical enzyme in my mother’s womb. Her body overcompensated trying to support me, and was able to sustain me, except for the eyes.” He touches his forehead. “But… it was too much for her. She died in childbirth.”

  “But that wasn’t your fault.” Horrified, I touch his face. “You know that.”

  He turns away. “My father said that I was a greedy parasite who sucked out her very life. He never forgave me.”

  “But couldn’t the doctors help during her pregnancy?” I don’t know what to ask. “Supplement her… or something?”

  “The medicine and technology were unavailable to my family. She died.”

  He swallows hard. “As I grew up, he didn’t hesitate to tell me how he felt. He died in the Finnian invasion when I was eight suns. And honestly, I felt mostly relief.”

  “I’m sorry.” I don’t know what to say to this story. It’s as bad as mine. Worse, in some ways, because this was someone who was supposed to love him, and had turned away. At least I never expected anything from the Ocretions.

  “I promised myself I’d never do that to another child.” His voice is fierce. “There’s a chance I can pass on this condition, and I will never do that to a baby, or its mother. No child should grow up knowing they’re a weak link who destroyed a being of beauty.”

  “But you’re strong.” I grab his hand. “The best navigator Zandia has seen. You know this! You’re a blessing to the planet. Your disability has turned you into something magnificent.” And large. For a small baby, he turned out to be one of the biggest Zandians on the planet. With muscles atop muscles.

  He shakes his head. “Do you know how much time and energy Dr. Daneth has invested in trying to fix me?” He snorts. “And that’s only because Zandians are nearly extinct. Otherwise, the royal physician never would’ve wasted his time on me. And then there’s the time I’ve spent training myself. Zandia is good at making the most of a bad situation, but I will never foist tainted offspring onto our people.”