Zandian Lights Read online

  But Mykl’s disappeared. I glance around wildly, trying to locate him, but through the increasing throng, I can’t see where he went.

  “Veck,” I curse. Like my human friends, I’ve adopted some of the Zandian words into the Ocretian we all speak.

  Then I think I glimpse his cloak over to the left, away from the masses, behind a tree. I head over, and there he is—in a semi-secluded spot. Strange to find privacy in the midst of such a gathering.

  “Mykl.” I’m panting a little. “Hi.”

  He scowls at me. “Where are your young warriors?”

  Is he jealous? Hope—a dangerous thing—flutters up in my chest. “I left them when I saw you.”

  The hardness in his face softens momentarily.

  “It’s good to see you here.”

  “Indeed.” His walls are back up already. He looks at me warily, like my body is a weapon that might go off any minute and take him prisoner.

  “Are you here with anyone?” I glance around, but I’m pretty sure he’s alone. Like usual.

  “Wouldn’t you say we’re here with a thousand other beings? Surely you have eyes in your head. Even humans can engage in reasonable crowd estimation, I’d think.”

  I’m used to his stinging replies, so I ignore the intended dig. “Humans can engage in a lot of things.” The words come out a little on the sultry side, and something flares in his eyes.

  A muscles twitches in his cheek and he looks me up and down. I’m wearing tight pants that show off my legs and ass, which—and I’m not going to brag here, I’m just being honest—is a pretty fine one. And a flowing Zandian top which is gossamer and light and clings to my breasts and curves when the breeze blows.

  “You look impressive.” I note he’s wearing a traditional Zandian attire of a white tunic and pants.

  “You look nearly naked.” At his words, we both seem startled. “I hope you’re not planning to wear something like that to work.” He clasps his hands in front. Covering for his interest, maybe?

  I sidle closer, watching as a muscle twitches in his cheek.

  He acts like he’s so disinterested. I think he’s protesting too hard. “I agree. I should wear less, because if my arms are free I can work more effectively. Perhaps a swimming costume?”

  “Not what I meant.” Somehow we’re close. Very close. I feel his hot breath on my cheek, and my heart beats double time.

  “Oh, well, perhaps I should obtain a costume like the females wear on Ralia. Full body cloak with only slits for the eyes.”

  “It would work better if it masked your mouthy replies,” he says.

  “I think you like my mouth.” I whisper the words, but he hears them.

  His gaze drops to my lips for a beat, then snaps back up. His jaw tightens. “You are under a severe misapprehension.”

  It sounds cold, but oh, that look in his eyes… could start a wildfire.

  “Then enlighten me. Because otherwise I’ll have to wait several long solar cycles for enlightenment.” I gesture toward the crystal caves. “And isn’t sooner better than later?”

  “Ah, Kianna,” he growls and leans down. We’re so close he’s pressed against me. I could say it’s because of the surging crowd, pushing on us from all sides. I could argue that we’ve been tossed together by the undulating currents in the seething mass of life. But we’re still alone in this small grotto. The truth is that I’m here because there’s no other place I’d rather be. And I swear, by the look in his eyes, he feels the exact same way.

  A collective hiss and sigh of appreciation grows as the sun hits the edge of the crystal. The light is so brilliant—it’s easy to imagine that the next time the sun hits this crystal, it will light up the entire planet.

  And as the beams spread out over all of us, I can’t resist. I stand on my tiptoes and press my lips to his for a second.

  “Veck, Kianna,” he mutters against my mouth. “What are you doing?” Then he takes my lips with his, kissing me like his life depends on it.

  I’m caught up in the moment. I’ve never felt like this in my entire life. I’ve not kissed a being before, but it’s like I know what to do. Mykl’s body and hands mesh with mine effortlessly. He snakes one arm around my waist, the other behind my neck pulling me to him. His hips press into me and his cock prods my belly, so hard I suck in my breath and moan, a breathy little noise.

  He growls and nips my lip, then thrusts his tongue into my mouth, playing with me. I’m ready to swoon against him, but his strong arms support me.

  I’m full of giddy tingles. Electricity. The light is like a lover’s caress, touching my hair, my cheeks, my eyelids. And then there’s Mykl, with his real embrace, and between the two sensations, I can barely handle the stimulation. A growing need in my core has me pushing harder into him, trying to ease the want.

  Beside me, I hear someone murmur. It sounds like, “Are you seeing this?” The intonation makes it clear that she’s talking about me and Mykl, and not the crystal flash.

  Fuck. Other beings have entered the grotto.

  Mykl pulls away from me. For a second we both just breathe, harder than usual, before he turns his eyes away. “Kianna… that was a mistake. I am your master, not your mate. It will never happen again.” He runs a hand over his mouth.

  “But I…” I’m still panting, still mesmerized by his aroma, his feel.

  He takes my arms and holds me in place while he steps back. I’ve never seen his horns so thick, so slanted forward, like they’re reaching for me. “It was an… aberration.”

  “An aberration?”

  “If you don’t know what it means, I suggest you consult a dictionary. I thought you humans had a greater capacity for absorbing knowledge.”

  There it is. The familiar cutting reply. He crosses his arms, looking supremely uncomfortable. “And I’m not sure your mates-in-waiting would appreciate the fact that you’re off kissing another Zandian. It’s not honorable.” He spits the words out, like my dishonor is proof I’m not worthy.

  Oh, fuck me right now.

  “That is not fair.” My voice rises. “You kissed me back. You liked it.”

  “That may be, but it can’t happen again. Go find your young warriors, Kianna.” His brows slash down even more than usual.

  “What if I don’t want them?” I blurt it out.

  Again, I swear I see something flicker in his expression. Is it relief?

  For one long moment, we stare at each other. His nostrils flare, a muscle jumps in his jaw. But he thrusts the knife in deeper and twists. “Find someone else. But it won’t be me, Kianna. It can’t be me.” He sounds tired, suddenly.

  I suck in my breath. It’s one thing to know it. Another to hear it.

  “Why? You think I’m not good enough?” I’m poking a fingernail into a wound. But I need to ask.

  Regret flickers in his gaze, then he looks away. “If I mate any being, it will be a full-blooded Zandian.” His voice is low. “Or no being at all.”

  I shake my head. “You’re such an ass.”

  He rakes me with his eyes. “Don’t tempt me again. And never dress like this at work. You must comport yourself in a professional manner.”

  Comport myself? Go take a flying fuck, Master.

  He turns and walks away, pushing through the throng easily, leaving me there—surrounded by hundreds of happy beings, and entirely alone.

  Tears come to my eyes and I swipe at them. Curse.

  A few beings glance at me, curious. We were seen, obviously.

  Oh, Mother Earth. What will Arc and Bow think, if they find out? They’ll think I’m some loose slutty human, and maybe they won’t want me anymore. They’ll start courting another human.

  I know that should worry me, but instead, it gives me a giddy lightness in my chest.

  Then the guilt presses back down. I look around me, at these incredible beings. Strong purple-hued warriors, tall and muscled, horned. Eyes flashing with pride. And the smaller, softer humans, whose laughter and exclamations
are like a glue, binding us all together. I see the tiny halflings, some walking with their parents, some in arms—gorgeous combinations of the two species.

  I see the future. A future that I, so far, have not fully joined.

  I take a deep breath. When I see Arc and Bow approach, Cressa beside them, chatting away rapidly, as if her words might power a fighter jet, I stand up tall.

  I owe it to Zandia to give this a shot, at least.

  So when they come up to me and offer me their hands, I take them. Force a smile which feels as fake as the one pasted onto Cressa’s lips. Why this human doesn’t like me, I don’t know—and right now, I don’t care. I have bigger issues.

  “The light is beautiful.” That much is true.

  “Indeed.” Arc squeezes my fingers. He and Bow exchange a meaningful look. I’m intrigued by how they can communicate without words, although it also makes me uneasy. I don’t share in their special communication, and I feel like a young child left out of a game.

  Cressa looks at the ground. Her bubbly chatter is gone. I notice that the trailing hem of her pretty gossamer dress is ripped, like some beings stepped on it in the exuberance of watching the crystals. She looks so bereft that for a second I want to hug her, tell her that whatever it is, it will be all right.

  She sniffs and then looks up. Smiles. “Well, I guess I’ll be… going. Leave you, ah, three, alone.”

  She sticks up her chin. “See you later, I guess, Kianna.”

  “Sure, okay, Cressa. See you around.”

  I’m eager for her to go, and also dread the vacuum her exit will create. If she’s not here to fill the space with Arc and Bow with her endless flow of words, I’ll need to talk to them.

  What will I say?

  Across the large field, I sense him. Mykl. I know this sounds crazy, but that kiss—it’s like it only strengthened some bond between us, even though he pushed me away. I look over, and he doesn’t look away. The second stretches out, and sounds go silent; all I hear is the power of his gaze.

  But eventually he looks away, turns, and strides out of view.

  I deflate.

  Arc’s eyes are curious. “Everything all right?”

  I take a breath. “It’s fine. I’m affected by the energy here.” Not a lie. It’s just that it was Mykl’s energy, not just the crystal energy.

  “Us too.” Bow speaks for both of them. “We feel like this is a perfect time to talk to you about the future.”

  The crowd is not dying down. Although the peak light is over, everyone seems to want to linger here at the epicenter of the event, talking about the even bigger light show that will occur.

  “Can we go somewhere more private?” Arc takes my hand. “It’s loud here. Unless you want to stay and appreciate the light for a while?”

  “Of course.” I force a smile. He’s really quite thoughtful. “We can go somewhere else.”

  Away from Mykl.

  “We have something we want to show you.” Arc sound excited. “It’s something—”

  ‘That we created recently while we were speaking of the future. Exciting.” Bow finishes his sentence.

  I raise an eyebrow, sort of horrified. Do they also chew each other’s food and hold each other’s members while urinating?

  I snort, wanting to share this awful, inappropriate joke with someone. Mirelle—maybe. Of course, she has two mates. But she’d understand that I’m not saying two mates is weird for everyone. Just for me. I also think Mykl would snort—reprimand me, but laugh. He likes my rude comments, I’m pretty sure. I swear he appreciates humor now, because I tease him so frequently—his whole disposition is lighter than when I first meet him.

  Instead, I nod. “I like exciting things.”

  It couldn’t sound more stupid, but both of them nod back, then lead me to their private hovercraft.

  I have this horrible vision of the future. The three of us sitting around some dome, nodding at each other, while the two of them hold hands.

  I cross my arms and watch the landscape blur past me. City buildings, tall and strong—shining metal and glass, although between them some rubble still exists here and there, left over from the devastation the Finn left. Patches of gorgeous trees and landscape. Over all of it, the new light, tinted rosy at this hour was lending everything an extra beauty. It touched each broken stone and blade of grass with a kiss and a promise.

  I can’t stop thinking about the kiss with Mykl, and then of his hard words. Why does he have such a grudge against humans? Or it is just me?

  I sigh.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Arc is perceptive. Or else just normal. I’m probably acting like my entire world is falling apart.

  “I’m just thinking about the future.”

  “We think about it all the time.” Bow speaks as Arc smiles. “And how we asked you to share it with us.” A muscle jerks in his cheek. Is he nervous?

  “We want to show you our home. It’s new.”

  The hovercraft stops, smooth and even, in front of a new building. Curved steel makes a honeycomb domed roof, and there is so much glass.

  “Oh, it’s lovely.” Despite my internal mess, this place is glorious. “Look at all the light that comes in! It’s like living on the sun. But not too hot or anything.”

  It’s perfectly arranged, and the view—of the city and then purple-hazed mountain outlines in the distance, is phenomenal. “Wow. You built this?”

  “With help. Nothing but the best for our family.” Arc takes my hand. “We’d like to stand here in the sun after we give you our crystals. Talk about our future.”

  I bite my lip.

  “Because,” Bow adds, “we made you a promise. An offer. And Zandians never go back on their word.”

  “It’s dishonorable,” Arc agrees. “Once we say something, we carry it out.”

  I nod. “Of course.” Zandian honor.

  Arc’s shoulders look tight. Is he worried I’ll renege? I mean, I never actually said yes, to them. Just… I never said no, either. And that was as good as a yes to them, I now realize.

  Bow looks away and clenches a fist, then turns back to me, a smile on his face that looks somewhat forced. “So, Kianna, what do you think?”

  “I think a family could be very happy here.”

  Arc takes a deep breath. Hesitates a second before taking my hand. “May I kiss you?”

  Stars, this is awkward. “Um, yes. Sure.” I clear my throat. Try to summon the slightest bit of excitement at the prospect.

  “Good. Then I will.”

  “All right.” I nod.

  “Okay.” He nods.

  Fuck, the nodding again.

  He clears his throat too.

  I close my eyes and wait, stomach muscles and toes clenched tightly. As if I’m going into battle.

  When his lips touch mine, I squeak. Tense my back so hard it hurts.

  Then I relax into his touch.

  “It’s all right,” he murmurs. Kisses my neck, my jawline.

  Despite my confusion, my body starts to react. I sigh and release the tension in my limbs. Tentatively, I reach out, put my fingers onto his strong arms.

  “Touch me,” he whispers, his voice rougher now.

  I squeeze—his muscles are like rock. Iron. It’s nice.

  I squeak again when Bow comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me, then soften. Allow myself to relax against him.

  “Yeah, that’s it,” he murmurs.

  “Just let us take care of you.” Arc’s voice is identical. As if they’re twins.

  “Mmm.” As long as I keep my eyes closed, this is… nice. They are strong and sexy, after all, and the way Arc nibbles my neck, makes delicious little spikes of passion course through my body.

  Yeah, I could get into this.

  I push back against Bow for a second, feeling his arousal. Knowing that these two powerful warriors like me, want me—it’s a heady feeling. I lean my head back onto Bow’s hard shoulder, inhaling his aroma, and when Arc presse
s in closer, so I’m locked between their two bodies, I don’t fight it. I kiss Arc back when he lowers his head and puts his lips on mine.

  But when Bow’s arms snake around and find my breasts, I freeze.

  Naturally the two of them stop, also—so thoughtful. For a second, the three of us are locked into place like some odd statue.

  I snort a little and then push them away, just a twitch of the hips, but they release me. Immediately.

  “Maybe we’re moving a little fast.” I wipe my mouth, and the gesture makes me think of Mykl, back in the grotto. Then, to my horror, I burst into tears. Sobs, really, body-wracking heaves.

  “Kianna!” Arc’s voice is startled. Concerned.

  He reaches out for me, then drops his hand when I flinch.

  I wipe at the flood of tears. Start to laugh at the same time. “I’m sorry. I’m, um, just overwhelmed. You know, human emotions.” I pause. “I should probably go.”

  “Sure.” The two of them exchange another glance, tilt their heads.

  Veck their secret language.

  I feel as lonely as I did back when Mykl abandoned me, and I long to be back in my dormitory. I need to figure things out.

  “Let us just show you…”

  “The crystals we’ve picked out.”

  My stomach tightens. A box is produced before I can say no. When they open it, I gasp at the pretty pieces of perfection that sparkle within. Small, gorgeous orbs that will—if I say yes to them—decorate my breasts. My ears. My belly.

  I put a hand over my stomach and take a step back.

  I don’t know why I want to vomit.

  “Those are lovely.” I agree.

  “We picked them out for you.”

  I don’t know which of them has spoken, only that I need to leave. Now. “I’d love to see them again, but later. I’m feeling ill.”

  “We’ll take you back to your dormitory. And in the future, when you are better, we will discuss details.”

  “Of course.” I speak automatically.

  They’re somewhat mechanical as they usher me back into the hovercraft, and none of us speak as we traverse the city to the dorm the Zandians set up for unmated humans. No human can live alone without a sponsor to ensure we integrate properly into their society. It’s humble, but twenty times nicer than what I had as a slave in Ocretia, so I love it. Our dorm mother, Octavia, is a sweet old Zandian female who was off-planet during the Finnian invasion.