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XAREX

Xarex was pulled back from the brink of no return by the sound of the Primiens all around them exclaiming.

He blinked and let the ripe nipple he’d been sucking slip from his lips. His W’rx side had almost come out. What was happening? Everyone seemed to be looking at him and Nora , who was still panting, with her breasts fully exposed. But no—not exactly at them—they were staring at something behind them.

Xarex turned and saw that the mound of blue and green and purple vines had split open. Rising from inside it was a milky-white blossom. It had a sweet, enticing fragrance and looked a little like a rose from Earth , only it was three times as big.

“Do you see? The Bloom has emerged because it likes your sacrifice!” the One who Cares for All exclaimed. “ But you cannot pluck it yet!” they warned, as Nora reached for the stem of the alien flower. “ First you must make it shine for you. Otherwise it will die and be no use to you the moment you pluck it.”

Nora drew back her hand, a look of longing and uncertainty on her face.

“But what makes it shine?”

“Pure emotion—only the most intense sexual sacrifice will make it shine for you,” the One told her. “ Continue what you were doing—give the Bloom what it wants and feed the People as well with your emotions.”

Xarex frowned. The white blossom seemed to be glowing very faintly but clearly that wasn’t enough—it wasn’t really “shining” yet. But despite the lust he still felt, he was uneasy about continuing what they had been doing. His W’rx half was very near the surface—he didn’t want to give it an excuse to come out.

But Nora was looking at him hopefully.

“Please, Xarex —kiss me again,” she pleaded softly.

“I want to…” He stroked her cheek. “ It’s just… I’m afraid the W’rx half of me has been awakened by that drink we had. I’m trying to keep it in control, but?—”

“I don’t care if you lose control, do you hear me?” she demanded fiercely. “ I have to get that flower and you promised to do anything you had to in order to help me get it! So help me!”

Xarex clenched his jaw. He would just have to hold back the W’rx urges by sheer force of will.

“All right, ellana— as you wish,” he growled.

And then he dropped to his knees before her and began pulling up the hem of her dress.