Zandian Lights Read online

  He glides his fingers over my slick slit, then thrusts inside me.

  “Mykl,” I gasp his name.

  He takes his hand away, and flips me over so I’m sitting on his lap.

  “You like that?” His rough whisper makes my skin burn.

  “Yeah.” I tip up my chin.

  When he takes my lips, he’s voracious. No hesitation. He kisses me like it’s his last task on this world. His tongue teases mine. “Open for me,” he demands, one hand pulling my head closer, the other tapping my thighs.

  “Yes,” I say into his mouth, and then I lose myself in his embrace.

  This feels so right. Kissing Arc (or was it Bow?) was… adequate. This? This is stunning. This is fireworks and magic and everything I dream about.

  The angle of his hand is different now, and he strokes my clit with his finger. Soft, so softly.

  “Mykl.” My cry is soft and plaintive, and I push into his touch.

  “Like this?”

  But he doesn’t need to ask. It’s perfect. Like he knew, he knows how to do it. For me.

  My naked ass is sensitive to his strong thigh. When he shifts, his muscles move under my body and it makes me burn hotter. Mother Earth, he’s pure power. I want to feel him over me. Pressing into me, his length against mine. In me.

  I whimper. “Please.” He smells like the machine shop, and his own essence below it. Something masculine, strong. I press my face to his neck, inhaling.

  “What are you doing?” He sounds amused.

  “I like the way you smell.” I don’t feel any embarrassment.

  “I like your scent, too.” Before I know what’s happening, he scoops me up in his arms, and drops me back down onto the hoverseat. But gently, with care. Arranging me.

  “Let me,” he whispers. A demand. A plea.

  I lie back and allow him to spread my thighs. When he kneels between my legs, I gasp. And then, at the first touch of his tongue to my clit, I cry out his name. “Mykl!”

  “Veck.” He sounds amazed, like he’s worshipping. “Kianna. So perfect. Delicious.”

  His tongue, oh, stars, his tongue! He could take down entire planets. He teases my clit with soft strokes, then glides along my body, using the perfect amount of pressure to drive me insane.

  “You,” he tells me, in between licks, “are. The. most. Troublesome. Female. I. have. Ever. met.”

  “Am I?” I squeeze my eyes shut, seeing colors burst behind my lids. Cerulean blue. Amethyst, like his eyes. Emerald.

  “Which is why I had to spank you.” His voice, a cross between a growl and a purr, makes me wild.

  “Oh, you didn’t have to. You wanted to. Ah.” I writhe as he licks my clit in a way that nearly makes me come.

  “I more than wanted to.” It’s like the words are torn from him. An admission only given because he’s entranced with my body. Like he’s fighting it. “Ugh.”

  “Did you?” I push my hips up.

  “Don’t you vecking come.” He grabs me with his strong hands, pulls me up just a bit, and slaps my ass. Hard. “You don’t ever come until I grant permission.”

  “Then you don’t get to come, either, until you get my—ooowww!”

  He slaps my inner thigh. “Mouthy little human.”

  “You want to see what my mouth can really do?” I’ve never done what I’m thinking of doing. But I want to, for Mykl. In fact, I’m dying to feel his cock with my tongue. Make him as needy as he’s getting me.

  “Later.” He sticks his tongue deeply into my body and I scream in pleasure, nearly lifting off the cushion. “Mykl! You’re going to make me—”

  “Did you get permission?”

  “No but—”

  “Then you wait.” He sounds pleased with himself. “Or I’ll spank you again.”

  I think he means it. I think he’d like that. And as much as I enjoyed it the first time—because it got me hot, right now all I want is the impending orgasm. And if he makes me take another spanking first, I’m going to die. Literally die.

  “I’m waiting!” I grab my hair. “Stars, please.”

  “Beg me. Say my name.” His voice is rough with passion. I look at him—really look. His horns are so hard. His eyes gleam with a passion I’ve never seen. An openness that’s new. It looks good on him.

  A rush of emotion suffuses me. “Mykl. Please?” My voice is so soft. For a second, a split second, the image of the rushing grass fills my mind. Then it’s all Mykl, because he says:

  “Yes.”

  And when he puts his mouth back to my body, and his hands, too, I let myself go into his touch.

  He’s got me, safe and secure, and it’s all right to fly away into the passion we share.

  I let the orgasm grow as he licks me, no rush, no pressure to perform, and when it peaks, I scream out my pleasure into the glowing air. The light refracts all around me, flashing into my eyes and his, and I look at him the entire time, because he’s so beautiful to me.

  And I come, and come, with his name on my lips and his face forever etched into my brain, with his heart and mine beating the same fierce rhythm.

  I’ve never been this close to another being, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life, before I even knew this kind of bond existed.

  I know this will change everything.

  Mykl

  * * *

  This changes nothing.

  I loved the feel of her coming under my tongue.. Giving me her body.

  The problem is that she’s giving me more than that—she wants to give me her soul. That essence of which humans speak, something we don’t have an exact translation for in the Zandian language. I suppose “heart” comes closest. But I can’t take Kianna’s heart. I can’t take any of her.

  She’s still panting, an expression of pure bliss on her face, when I pull back and lie beside her, stiffly. I’d love nothing more than to have her put her mouth on me like she offered, and then come into her sweet pussy.

  But I made a promise long ago to only mate with another Zandian or not at all. And as my father told me, it’s only by keeping our bloodline pure that we ensure that our warrior genes stay strong, so we can secure our future. And we Zandians keep our promises. It’s part of what sets us apart. It’s part of our code.

  Even though this is on my mind, I automatically wrap my arms around her and tug her small body to mine, noting how well we fit. Two pieces of a puzzle. And it’s the most extraordinary thing, because just lying here with her—even though my cock is still rock solid with need, is somehow relaxing.

  She stirs. “Let me.” Her voice is honey. “I want to make you feel good, too.”

  Her small hands undo my trousers, and even though I meant to tell her no, I adjust my hips so she can tug the cloth down my legs.

  “I think I’ll go like this,” she announces, and straddles me in reverse, so that glorious ass and pussy are right in my face.

  “Kianna—” is all I manage, because veck, she bends down and takes me into her mouth and the whole planet tilts on its axis.

  “Holy Zandian star.” I lie back and allow her to work my cock.

  She’s never done this before; I can tell. She’s sloppy and tentative with her tongue, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt. Knowing she wants to do this, almost begged to do it—it sets me on fire.

  “Suck a little tighter,” I advise her. “Pull harder on the tip.”

  “Like this?” She comes up for air, then reapplies herself.

  “Oh, stars, yes. Just like that.” My voice is taut with growing need.

  This little human doesn’t need much instruction at all. With every second that passes, she gains confidence and skill, and suddenly I’m lost under her body, her hot tight mouth, her small working hands.

  “Kianna, I’m going to…”

  She doesn’t stop, only sucks harder and grabs my thighs with both hands, digging in. It doesn’t hurt; small human fingers wouldn’t, but it stokes my passion.

  I grab her hips and sm
ack her ass, once, again, wanting to lick her pussy, finger her, touch her, do everything imaginable to her—

  And it explodes. My orgasm is immense, the best I’ve had in many solar cycles. In the moment of bliss, I’m completely vulnerable to her power, and I don’t vecking care. I come and roar her name and then growl, tugging her down beside me, letting the waves of pleasure wash over me.

  She’s supremely self-pleased. I can tell by the way she wiggles and hums beside me, her little body pressed up against me. “Did you like that?”

  “You know I did.” I stroke her hair.

  We’re silent, then she speaks. “Why do you hate humans so much?”

  I’d normally not talk about this, but for some reason, the words just come out. “I don’t hate them.”

  “But you don’t want… one.” She tenses up the slightest bit. “For a mate. I just want to know why.”

  “It’s a private reason.” I take a breath. She says nothing, and I continue. “I made a promise a long time ago, and I will not break it. A sacred vow to my father.”

  “To avoid humans?” She lifts her head up. “Did you even have them on Zandia when you were young?”

  I shake my head. “Not like now, no, but we were aware that Zandians could successfully mate with other species. The Finn were in the initial attack stages and we’d lost many warriors. My father had a gift…” I break off.

  She touches my hand, saying so much with the simple gesture.

  I look away. “I merely…” How can I say that I still miss him in a way that sends jagged daggers through my chest? Zandians are stronger than that. “He was one of the finest warriors Zandia has ever seen, Kianna.” I struggle for the words to describe his power. “He could fight like ten others.”

  “Wow.” She weaves her fingers between mine.

  “And I was like him, when I was young.” Now this part is something I don’t often talk about, not to anyone, not even my friends. “Then I was injured, and was no longer able to train.”

  “I had no idea. You were injured?” She hovers over me, blinking. “Where? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” She touches my shoulder. Bites my lip.

  I snort. “Not there.” I grab her hand and place it over my chest. “Here.”

  She presses into my pecs. “But you don’t have scars.”

  “Inside.” My heart begins to race and I concentrate to still it. “I breathed poisonous gas. The Finn unleashed it into a school, hoping to kill young Zandians. They did kill many, but I survived. My lungs were scarred, badly. I almost died. By the time I recovered, I’d already matured past the point where I’d need to really engage in training. It was too late for me to reach my full potential. And my lungs were no longer at peak capacity.”

  “So you became an engineer? There’s honor in that, Mykl. The warriors could never do what they do without you as their base.” She touches my chest again, softly, her fingertips like silk.

  I pull away. “I know that. It doesn’t make it easier to bear.”

  “But I don’t understand about humans, though. Because, Mykl, humans are so compassionate and thoughtful. Surely a human’s emotional support could help you—”

  “My father made me promise him that I’d mate a Zandian female who had genes that matched mine in power and lineage, so that our fighting skills could be passed on to the young.”

  “Oh.” Her voice is suddenly flat.

  “That I’d wait for her, as long as I needed to wait. Because that would be my duty to Zandia. I would honor my planet and my king by passing on the gift I cannot use, to a being who can.”

  Of course my father could not have known when he exacted that promise that Zandian females would be nearly wiped out of existence. Only a handful remain, and those of breeding age are already mated.

  She rolls away from me. “I see.”

  “And Zandians don’t break promises.” I sit up.

  “I understand.” She grabs for her pants.

  I dress too. “So, Kianna, that is why nothing can happen with me and y… any human.” I shrug. “I just can’t. I’m waiting for my destiny.”

  She nods, head ducked down, hair flowing over her face. I hear her sniff and my chest constricts.

  Normally sniveling drives me mad, but I feel the curious inclination to comfort her.

  I fight the feeling and pull away. “Please behave from now on. At work.” It’s a cruel thing to say after what just happened. But I don’t know how to handle this.

  She puts her face into her hands.

  Veck, I’m a monster for doing it, but I walk away.

  I can’t be here with her, because if I stay any longer, I’m going to take her back into my arms and get carried away—to a place I can never go.

  My promise matters. Zandia matters. I have to do what’s right.

  She’ll be fine with Arc and Bow.

  But as I walk out the master door and out into the sun, thinking about her with other males, I roar into the air, causing a few passersby to look, curious. Then I race away, fast, running as hard and strong as I can, until my scarred lungs burn with pain.

  I embrace the pain. I deserve it after the way I just toyed with Kianna’s delicate human emotions. After I just used her with no intention of keeping her.

  She’s been waiting for me.

  I haven’t acknowledged what I’ve known until this moment, but I see it now. She hasn’t moved forward with her other suitors because she was holding out for me. And now I just crushed any hope she might have. Told her in no uncertain terms why I won’t—can’t—take her as my bride.

  I did the right thing, though. Leading her on is a cruelty.

  I’m waiting for a Zandian. I have to. And when we find the rest of our scattered species out in the galaxy, and I know we will—I’ll be ready to take on the challenge of siring strong, perfect warriors. Like my father and grandfather, and those before them. I come from one of the strongest warrior lines on Zandia.

  If I weren’t injured long ago, I’d be out there like Lanz and Domm, rescuing others. Instead, I’m vecking stuck here designing the tech that powers them. And I don’t mind. It’s doing my part for our future.

  But I want to own the future in a visceral way, too. Bring new life to our planet. Send forth a child to do what I can’t any longer. But what’s needed for Zandia’s future.

  Why, then, does the image of Kianna’s belly swollen with child keep flickering in my mind?

  And the thought of touching another female—even a Zandian—depress me?

  Chapter 4

  Kianna

  * * *

  “What happened? Anything to tell me?” Mirelle prances through my door. If she weren’t a fighter pilot, I think she could be a dancer. Once again, I’m struck with jealousy at how easily she won the hearts of her mates.

  I look away, out the window of my home. “We, yes. We kissed. Then we…” How to describe it? “Were intimate.” My face is hot, and I can’t help but smile, even if my heart breaks at what came after.

  “Oh, Kianna.” She claps her hands and grins. “That’s such great news! Did they give you their crystals?” She comes up to me, face eager. “Show me.”

  “Crystals? No.” I scoff. “In fact, he left—oh. You’re talking about Arc and Bow.” I tighten my hair tie and sit down. Put my face into my hands.

  “Who are you talking about?” Her voice goes up. “Did you…” She hesitates, her voice soft. “Mykl?”

  I nod.

  “Oh, Mother Earth.” She comes up and sits beside me, wraps her arms around me. “Oh, Kianna.”

  I shake my head. “He said he’s waiting for a pure-blooded Zandian female to carry on his super special warrior genes. A solemn promise to his dying father.”

  She squeezes my hand. “I see.”

  “Yeah.” I wipe my eyes. “He’s attracted to me, but I’m inferior.” I shrug. “Not good enough for his precious DNA. It is what it is.” I stand up and pace. “He told me to leave him alone. He’ll never want any human.”r />
  “I’m sorry.” Mirelle is somber. She knows as well as I do how the Zandians believe in their word.

  “There’s nothing I can do, I guess.” A tiny inkling of an idea starts to grow in the back of my brain, though. Just a flicker. A crazy, insane little plan.

  I look out the window. “I mean, unless I suddenly turn into some fierce warrior princess and go off and do some kind of amazing feat, the thing people write about in history books. Then maybe, just maybe, he’d accept me as an inferior but acceptable substitute.”

  Mirelle gives me a look of such sympathy that I almost die. “Kee. You deserve someone who doesn’t just tolerate you, but thinks you’re the most amazing being on this planet.”

  “Like Arc and Bow?” Their kisses were tepid compared to Mykl’s.

  “They’re good males, and will give you a good life.” She sounds cajoling. “It won’t be so bad. You’ll learn to love them.”

  “And they’ll think me the most amazing being?” I roll my eyes. I sensed many things from them: honor, integrity, kindness. Strength. But unrelenting passion was not one of them.

  “I don’t know.”

  We’re silent for a second.

  “Can you teach me to fight and fly like you?” I look at her, eyes wet with tears. “Remember the time you killed that vipn, before we were friends? Then you started training me? We can do more of that.” My voice rises with hope.

  “Aw, Kee.” She touches my hand. “I don’t—”

  “I don’t expect to be exactly like you.” I stand up, my voice fierce. “But I want to stop being exactly like me.”

  “You can come to my new class. But…” she hesitates. “If you’re not doing it for the right reasons? It’s not going to go anywhere.”

  “Who are you to tell me the right reason?” I snap.

  “I’m not.” She gives me an even look. “Only you can tell me if it is.”

  I slump back down. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Give Arc and Bow another chance?” She squeezes my arm. “For now, just think about it. And don’t forget. We’re meeting later to work with the planning committee. Helping with the ceremony setup will surely lift your spirits.”