Page 8

Chapter Eight

VOLAN

I called this little human my mate. In the middle of the battle, surrounded by my enemies, bloodlust had ridden me hard. I’m familiar with life-and-death moments thanks to patrolling the kingdom’s borders with other warriors, ensuring peace. I’m used to protecting those weaker than me…but this moment felt remarkably different. She was there. Not just another female, but her. An instinctual response, a snap decision, propelled me to chase after her. To claim her and declare to the world that she was mine and mine alone.

She isn’t. But she could be, a little voice whispers in my mind. I’m a prince. I work hard for my people. I deserve this. I deserve her. It’d be easy to just tell her who I am, to have her fall at my feet and promise me her body and soul…

But then she’d just be like everyone else. I wouldn’t know if she’d be with me because she wants me, or if it’s because I’m a means to an end.

And so I follow the human in a thought-fueled daze as she chooses to run not towards her village but away from it. Everything about this female intrigues me and draws me in; her smell, her appearance, even her behavior. I find myself wanting to know more about her. No, I want to know everything about her.

It’s clear Maya isn’t accustomed to traveling outside the safety of her tribe’s walls. Her long dress scrapes on the ground, catching impossibly at what seems every root and rock. Her feet slip in icy patches unmelted beneath the thick tree canopies. She grumbles constantly.

I keep her in my sight, watching over her closely. It disturbs me how confidently she walks through the undergrowth, making so much noise, as if she is completely oblivious to the dangers that lurk on the surface. She doesn’t carry provisions with her, and unless the box she carries is some sort of formidable weapon—it might be—she is entirely unprepared to defend herself.

Occasionally, Maya glances over her shoulder and shoots me a glare, but does little else. For each of my steps, she takes nearly three. There is little hope that my little human will ever be able to outrun me. Even if she did, I’d hunt her down endlessly until I had her back in my grasp.

Maya’s dress once again snags on the undergrowth. She tugs at it with her hands and screams in frustration. I try to hold back my chuckle, but her roar of anger was perhaps the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She truly appears like an angered halvi.

Of course, she hears my laughter, and she shoots me a glare that’s as icy as our surroundings. Seeing it as the perfect opportunity to engage her in conversation, I jog to her side.

“Why are we running?” I ask her.

“Maybe I’m running from you!” Maya snaps at me. She tugs on her dress repeatedly, ripping the thick material. I sigh. If she continues like this, the material will be completely ruined. Fabric isn’t the easiest to come by, even for my people, and it’s best to reuse it whenever possible.

I kneel before her and slip a blade free from its sheath around my thigh. Maya sucks in a quiet breath between her lips, and her whole body goes still.

I hate how she does not trust me in this moment. Had I truly intended her harm, she would have no hope at defending herself. She is small, fragile, delicate…she needs a strong warrior to protect and care for her.

She needs me.

I don’t find myself objecting to the idea. If I take her back to my home, then I will be able to care for her properly there. She will want for nothing. I want to learn just what makes her smile, all the while spending countless hours in her company.

But first, I have to actually get her back to my tiny kingdom, ideally without me throwing her over my shoulder. It’s an appealing thought, but somehow I doubt this courageous female would appreciate the move.

Deep in thought, I slice through the material until it reaches her knees, then I carefully rip the fabric along the grain until it pulls free. The action causes my arms to encircle her, my fingers brushing against the smooth skin of her legs. My face is close to her hips, and her scent is so alluring…

Maya places her hands on my shoulders to steady herself.

“What are you?” she asks me, scowling down at me with a serious expression. For just a brief moment, she appears so vulnerable, like a youngling who’s lost and searching for their home. There’s a fear behind her eyes that I find myself wanting to dispel. I long to pull her close and tell her that she will be safe with me, that I will protect her even at the cost of my own life.

I place a hand over my beating heart and gasp. “How rude! You don’t just go asking a male what species he is! You don’t see me commenting on your deliciously soft skin, or your lack of a glow.”

To emphasize my point, my fingers circle around her ankle and I run my hand up her leg, stroking up the length of her calf.

I look at Maya’s face as she rolls her eyes. She kicks my hand away, not unkindly.

I stand up, dusting off my knees. With an overly exaggerated sigh, as if I am put out to discuss this information with her, I tell her, “I am a sulthari. My people live not far from here.”

I enjoy the way her lips quirk at my antics. I’m a little surprised at just how much pleasure I feel when she smiles up at me.

“Tell me, little human, why is it you are unafraid of me, yet the rest of your people run from me?”

Maya accepts my offering of the cut hem of her dress. She frowns at it for a moment before wrapping it around her neck like a scarf and tying it off. She considers me for a long moment as she gathers the one thing she carried into the forest with her—a thin, rectangular device with a glowing screen.

“Perhaps they run because you and the green guys just stormed into our settlement? Or maybe it’s that you kidnapped Ariana in the first place.”

“I don’t know this Ariana, and I certainly did not come here with the harkcana. In fact, if you recall, I was inside your village long before they arrived,” I tell her honestly. If I can gain her trust, perhaps she will follow me into the tunnels beneath the surface without hesitation.

She narrows her eyes at me for a long moment. “Like I said, thank you for helping out with the guards, but I have things to do, places to be now, so if you don’t mind…”

I do mind, but I don’t let the words slip through my teeth. Maya will be mine, and I always get what I want. I’m not easily distracted once I’ve made up my mind.

I’m impressed that the female seems so determined to ignore me. The few females of my kingdom are overjoyed to be in my presence, whereas this female seems to not care at all for me. She pulls out her device and taps at it with delicate fingertips. The screen lights up with a faint glow.

For a brief moment my heart jolts, thinking she is flashing her luminae for me…but no, it’s just a result of her technology. I’ve seen devices like this, but the portable ones are rare. My father barely ever lets them out of his sight, especially since they can control so much of our tiny kingdom with a few touches to their screens.

I step close to her, feeling the warmth of her body gently caressing my front. It would not be hard to take her in my arms right now…instead, I lean over her, peeking over her shoulder at whatever she is doing on her device. Given how she clutches it so tightly, it must hold the answer to the puzzle of my little halvi. Why isn’t she afraid of me? Why is she choosing to run into the wilderness on her own?

My breath fans across the little female’s neck, ruffling her soft hair. She jumps, practically throwing herself away from me. It’s as if she’s only just noticed my presence; she was so absorbed in her technology. Her eyes look at me wide, fearful, before she masks the expression with a glare.

“Do you mind?” she practically spits the words out at me. “I’ve got things to do. I really don’t need you hanging around and slowing me down.”

I snort. My halvi thinks that I will be the one to slow her down? When Maya puts her hands on her wide hips and glares at me fiercely, I can’t hold my laughter back anymore. My head tilts as I laugh, and laugh some more.

With a huff, Maya pushes past me. She walks far more easily this time, right until she slides in the mud again.

I chuckle as I follow her. My halvi is stubborn and determined. I will enjoy learning just how far my human will bend, just how flexible she is as I…

I growl, adjusting my stiffening cock within my trousers so that it doesn’t bulge out so visibly. You do not gain the trust of a female by walking around her with a proud erection, no matter how attractive either of you might be.

“You never explained why you personally are not afraid of me, little female,” I call after her as I follow in her footsteps. I’m all too aware of how she doesn’t mind her surroundings, instead focusing heavily on her device as she walks. It would be all too easy for a predator to stalk her…like I am now.

“Most humans have never met aliens, so they tend to be a bit of a scary first experience. Especially when they are waving weapons around and acting like barbarians,” she gives me a pointed look that just leaves me smirking. She scowls down at her tablet for a moment, before dimming the screen and slipping it into the pocket of her skirt. Finally, she admits, “And you aren’t the first alien I’ve met.”

She gives me a slow look, her gaze caressing from my dark locks of hair down to my thick boots. Everywhere her eyes wander, my skin heats and my luminae flares. It’s almost as if she’s touching me with her fingers… “I’m not aware of your race though. For what it’s worth, I’m glad my translator has your speech files though. Talking with you would be, well, pretty impossible otherwise. At least my parents didn’t cheap out in that aspect.”

Her lips twist in a rueful smile. Perhaps she is like me, never quite living up to her parents’ expectations. The revelation has me pausing, considering her in a new light. She’s more than just a simple female to possess. Suddenly, she’s interesting to me in a way that no one ever has been before.

I will never admit it to anyone, but I’m lonely. I lack a companion that I can talk freely with, one who understands me. Most of my people interact with me not for who I am, but for who I will be one day soon. Even Tanis is reserved around me when I truly wish he’d relax.

I desperately want to ask her more about her parents, but cycles of training have taught me that such a conversation would likely not go well between two complete strangers. There’s a story there, one that I hope she will one day feel comfortable enough to reveal.

“Ah, so you are at least aware of other species,” I reply, doing my best to direct our conversation to slightly safer topics.

Maya nods. “Before I left Earth, I was a tier five citizen. I’ve had a couple of chances to interact with different species. Nearly married one once.” She gives me a brief glance before she continues talking. Her lips quirk. “You’re not the scariest male I’ve ever seen.”

I huff in disbelief, a jolt of frustration—no, jealousy running through my body. This female is absolutely confounding!

“Well, you should be scared of me,” I tell her with all seriousness. Sure, I don’t look like Tanis who towers over even me, and I lack his muscular build, but compared to her tiny frame I must appear impressive. Many fear me, even Tanis, yet she taunts me. Me! I’d say she’s standing tall and proud, just she is still so much smaller than I am.

Maya gives me a secret smile, her eyes glittering. Then she turns, leaving me standing in absolute bewilderment.

“Maybe I am just acting friendly so you are unafraid of me,” I call after her. Immediately I curse at myself. Why did I say that? Why did I give her the impression she can’t trust me and my words. The whole point is to gain her trust, to take her home…

Why does this female make me feel like a youngling determined to impress her, to make her see me as strong and capable of protecting her? I am strong and hold a powerful position in sulthari court. She should be impressed. I shouldn’t need to try, I just am.

Maya glances at me, brow furrowed.

“I do not wish to scare you though,” I quickly assure her. “I am merely pointing out my better qualities. You should consider me an escort, a protector. After all, your friend asked me for help, so I will do so.”

Maya’s steps falter, and for a brief moment a flash of pain crosses her eyes. In a moment it’s gone, replaced with her stern resolve and determination.

“You’ve already helped me with those three guards, so thank you,” Maya replies stiffly. “I don’t expect you to accompany me any further. I’m sure you are busy yourself.”

I shrug, feeling the sting of how she doesn’t want me around. I am honestly enjoying her company, far more than I thought I would. Our conversations aren’t free-flowing or unguarded, but they are engaging. “Not busy enough to abandon your side in the middle of the wilderness. So what are we doing?”

“I am going for a walk,” Maya replies rather elusively, brushing me off. To emphasize her point, she changes direction slightly and sets off again with a firm step, this time avoiding slipping in the icy mud puddles.

Ah, but I won’t be having that. I want her to tell me everything. I want her to open up to me, trust me, and give me all of herself.

“A walk usually implies a destination. So where are we headed?”

Maya gives me a long, considering glance. She doesn’t have markings for me to gauge her emotions, but thankfully her face is equally expressive. Eventually, she gives a long, suffering sigh. She pulls her device out of her skirt pocket and flicks the screen to life. She holds it out to me, though the tightness of her grip implies she’s not going to hand it over completely.

“This is the map of the area. I’m going to this building here,” she taps at the location with a delicate finger and long fingernail.

I stare down at what she has shown me for a long moment. I know this location well; all my people do. It’s probably the one reason that my people have maintained our power for so long on this blasted planet.

“Why do you want to go there?” I ask her, keeping my voice as even as possible. Curiosity burns at me how she came by this map, though I guess it was only a matter of time before the location was leaked to the surface dwellers; everyone panders for strength and control in this world, and my people are the same.

Maya bites her lip, her eyes flickering between her tablet and mine, indecisive. I’m a stranger to her, and she doesn’t know if she can trust me. Wise, for not trusting a stranger… I’m more startled by how strongly I want her to trust me.

“I know this location very well. It’s only accessible by a couple of select tunnels, and I’d guess that only a few know how to access it. Conveniently for you, I’m one of them.”

I don’t voice how only a few souls have permission to go anywhere near the location. It’s heavily guarded. Only the highest ranked warriors, ones who have proven themselves to our people, have the privilege of patrolling the tunnels nearby for intruders. Only those who are infinitely trusted.

“Can you take me there?” She asks me, her voice hesitant as if she’s afraid to hear the answer.

I hesitate. What purpose does this little female have going there? I bite my tongue, refusing to voice my myriad of questions. I rub my chest, fighting this strange stem of jealousy at the thought she does this for another. I’ll get answers, eventually, I always do. With a female such as her, I’m sure I can find some creative ways to get her to scream and spill…and maybe even beg.

The little female steps back, eyes narrowing on me.

“I can,” I tell her quickly, seeing her withdrawal. Because I need a female. Any female, really, but this one’s presence screams at me until she’s all I can notice. She’s the one I want.

What are the chances of coming across a female willing to leave her territory, unescorted even? It’d hardly take any effort at all to guide her where I need her. I can take her home with me, stand her before my father and the council, and prove that I am ready to lead my people.

Maya will never reach her destination. Even if I wanted to take her there, it would be foolish. It would put her at risk, and make her people an enemy of mine. She will never step foot in that place.

I stare into Maya’s eyes and smile. It feels forced.

“I can take you exactly where you need to be,” I tell her, my voice soft.

A look of relief crosses her face, before she smiles up at me. Her expression is stunning, brightening my day.

Her face dims, and quickly she returns to her determined scowl. She glares down at her portable technology device like it’s personally offended her.

As soon as her smile slips from her face, I find myself missing it. I long to see more of it, and I am a little shocked at my own determination to make her laugh again.

An uncomfortable and entirely unfamiliar emotion settles behind my breastbone. What have I possibly got to feel guilty about? I’m not lying to her, I tell myself. She wants to know about the underground kingdom—so I’ll be her personal guide. It feels wrong, even if what I do is in her best interest. In ours. She’s not happy here if she’s willing to run from safety into the wilderness. I’ll take her home with me, and I’ll keep her safe and spend my days pleasing her. She will want for nothing.

It’s just an added bonus that she’ll help me achieve everything that I’ve ever wanted. I needed to find a female that would return with me to my kingdom willingly. She’s practically asking me to take her there herself! This is a perfect arrangement. It’s not like she has to know about my father or my quest… All she needs to know is that I will watch over her, protect her from any danger…

I’ll lead her to my kingdom, and once I have her there, I’ll just keep her.