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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

While Maria was meeting with her fellow humans and their mates, Zepharos was giving a much more in-depth accounting of what happened during the games, what he had done, and what in the world possessed him to take such a risk.

“I had no choice,” he explained. “I know the human plight and how they arrived on our world. We have two under our care already. How could I just let this injustice play out?”

Rohanna shook her head and sighed. “So, you thought it wise to break into a secure holding facility and steal a prisoner? From an elite? And Chancellor Vinchi, no less?”

“It was that or let her become a slave.”

“Risky, Zepharos. Very risky. And what if you’d been caught in the act? Did you even consider what they would have done to you?”

“She was the first disqualified, and as such she was under minimal guard. It was the best opportunity I would be presented, and I do recall a lesson I was taught as a young boy. One about recognizing opportunity and seizing it without hesitation. ”

Tikanna laughed. “He’s got you there, Rohanna. Using your own words against you.”

The Oraku leader shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose between her eyes as she let out an even more exaggerated sigh. “Zepharos, I did not teach you that with this sort of thing in mind.”

“But the lesson holds true all the same, does it not?”

“It does.”

“Then, so far as I see it, I did the right thing.”

Rohanna knew better than to argue the point. Much as she cared for their village’s most rambunctious member, she was simply not in the mood for a protracted back and forth.

“There is no sense discussing it further. What is done is done. Now, please fetch Maria. I would like to speak with her before dinner.”

“I’ll get her at once,” he replied, leaving the two women to talk about him and what he’d done in his absence.

Maria entered unaccompanied a short while later. “You wanted to see me?”

“Relax, we only wanted to have a little informal chat now that you’ve settled in. Come, sit with us,” Rohanna said, patting the seat between her and Tikanna. “So, we hear that Zepharos has taken you on quite the adventure.”

“I’ll say. He pushed me hard and got me to do things I didn’t realize I could.”

Rohanna leaned forward, her eyes sharp. “Did he force himself on you?”

“What? No, I don’t mean like that. I mean he motivated me to not give up.

To run harder, and faster, and farther than I thought possible, but he did it in the most supportive and considerate way he could.

At least, considering the circumstances.

But force himself on me? He has been nothing but a gentleman. ”

The women shared a glance .

“We did notice the way he looked at you,” Tikanna noted. “He desires you, that much is clear. And while he has been improving himself, we only ask because he has always had a bit of a reputation.”

“I’m well aware of that. He told me about his past. How he used to be.

And you’re right, there is an attraction, and one I’ve very happily participated in, but on equal footing.

Hell, he was so dead-set on not crossing any boundaries of propriety that I practically had to jump him to—uh, sorry. TMI.”

The old woman cocked her head. “TMI?”

“Too much information. I didn’t mean to?—”

Tikanna laughed. “Girl, it’s been a long time since I’ve taken a lover. These days, living vicariously is about all the excitement I get. So don’t you worry about any of your TMI.”

“Still, I’m speaking about things I should keep private.”

“But you are happy?” Rohanna asked. “You feel safe? Seen?”

Maria’s radiant grin told them more than words could. “It’s been amazing.”

“Well, then, we are glad for you. For you both. Now, tell us more about your arrival on our world. Your Raxxian experience, recapture, and transport to the arena, and, of course, what happened at the games themselves.”

“Okay, but you’d better buckle up. It’s been a pretty wild ride.”

She sat and told her tale, urged to go into great detail, especially about her treatment as a forced competitor at the games.

The women knew of them, of course, but neither had ever ventured out to attend them in person.

Only Zepharos had made the trek. But he was a man of the world, and much as he appreciated the Oraku ways, he also reveled in travel.

Technology. Novelties and excitement. And, it seemed, their guest had provided him with a reason to indulge in all of that.

The women talked for hours, then Maria was shown to her lodging.

It was a simple but very cozy structure that looked like a yurt from the outside, but it had been decked out on the inside into something more akin to what she’d imagined a magical Bedouin desert camp might look like.

Cushions and low seating, candles, and colorful tapestries.

It might not have been quite as lavish as the spa, but it was wonderful in its own way.

She headed out and walked the village a bit, taking in the sights and meeting the locals as she simply wandered without any destination in mind. This was her unwinding time. Her chance to let her body fully prepare for the completion of her runes in the morning.

Zepharos found her a short while later while out for his own mind-clearing stroll.

“I see you are exploring,” he said, his eyes flashing a look of barely contained bodice-ripping heat that made Maria’s nether bits tingle with delight.

She managed to contain herself, not jumping him then and there but rather taking his hand with a warm squeeze. There were too many questioning eyes around, and this was his home. She would be on her best behavior. For now, anyway.

“I was just enjoying this place. You’re lucky to have grown up somewhere so tranquil.”

“Some of us would call it boring, but your point is taken. And the more I travel, the more I do appreciate the beauty of it here. The lack of commotion. Mind you, I love the commotion, but sometimes some peace and quiet is nice too.” He turned for a side path that appeared to lead out of the village.

“Come on, I want to show you around while it’s still light out. ”

He did just that, guiding her through the woods he’d played in as a boy, the streams he swam and fished in.

The natural springs where he and the rest of the village soaked in giant communal baths.

By the time they returned to the village it was finally growing dark and the smell of food filled their noses .

“Wow, that smells amazing.”

“Dinner is nearly ready.”

“They’re not doing this for me, are they? I don’t want to impose.”

He put his thick arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.

“No, it isn’t. We eat as a village, sharing everything as has been done for generations.

And speaking of food, it’s time you sampled some Oraku fare.

It’s not as fancy as what we ate last night, but little is.

I do, however, find it quite delightful in its simplicity. ”

“That sounds great. Lead the way.”

They found Darla and Shalia already seated, a chair held open between them for their new friend. Only one, though.

“Go on. Sit with your friends. You have a lot to talk about.”

“You’ll be okay?”

“Dearest, I’m always okay.”

He headed to a nearby table where the humans’ mates were eating, said his greetings, then moved to a table a little farther away to eat with some of his village friends.

He watched as Maria dined and drank and talked excitedly with Darla and Shalia.

Finding women from her home world was doing her so much good, and the look of relaxed happiness in her eyes made his heart grow warm with delight.

It was odd how much he cared for her, but rather than question things, he was just enjoying the feeling.

Dangerous as their situation was, it could end at any time.

He hoped not with all his heart, but he wanted to make the most of it while he could.

He finished his dinner and left for a stroll, leaving Maria in the care of the others. This was just what she needed, and there was no reason to insert himself into their girls’ night out.

Maria stayed late, drinking and chattering away with the ease and joy she’d forgotten she could have.

It was one thing talking to aliens, but these women were from home, and they had so much shared culture and history, not as people from the same town, but from the same planet.

By the time she made her way back to her lodging she felt like a million bucks.

She took one more breath of the delightfully fresh night air, then went inside and changed out of her clothes into a sheer, soft gown that had been provided for her.

The material was bright and cheerful, fitting her perfectly, grazing her skin in the most delightful of ways.

She was well-fed, a little tipsy, and her whole body felt amazing. Still, one thing was missing.

Maria quickly made up her mind and changed back into her clothes then headed outside with the thought of looking for Zepharos, though she realized she didn’t know where he lived.

“You look lovely,” his voice said from nearby, surprising her with his presence.

“I was wondering where you’d gone. You left early.”

“You were enjoying yourself; I didn’t wish to intrude.”

“It wouldn’t be an intrusion.”

“Perhaps not, but I wished for you to have time to yourself with your new friends.”

“But you came back.”

“I did. I…I missed you.”

She felt her heart beat hard in her chest, her belly warming at his words. “So, what are you doing out here?”

“It is your personal lodging, Maria. I did not want to intrude on your private space.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s a bit late for that now, don’t you think?”

He shrugged, almost bashful. It was freaking adorable.

“I am learning that one should not take such things as a given. I will sleep in my own residence, if you prefer.”

She pulled him close, hauling him lower and planting a firm kiss on his full lips. “How about I join you?”