Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (12 page)

“Oh. They can smell us?” She blushed.

“Yes, it’s okay.” He smoothed back her curls.

“Val, we can’t tell my father about this.” She looked down, her cheeks turning pinker. She was hot, burning up, and he could feel the heat rolling off of her. He stood up to put on his clothes.

“About what?” He stooped down next to her, pushing the wayward hair behind her ear. He regarded her seriously.

“Us, being together like this.” She looked at her hands. “A woman of my class isn’t supposed to have unmarried sex. It’s a shame.” She continued to look down.

“So, you don’t want to be with me anymore?” He knew his tone was curt, but his heart felt a sharp pain. He could hardly breathe. Emotions were ready to overflow, so close to the surface. “What do you mean?” he bit out too forcibly.

“No.” She shook her head, never meeting his eyes. “I mean yes, of course I do. But we have to court without sex or least have sex secretly. I know we won’t be able to stop having sex. Not now. Not after what we’ve shared.” She made a goofy face then played with the tent material, which was their bedding.

“I see.” He bit his lip.

“This is a difficult situation.”

“It seems so.” He looked behind her out of the tent.

“I don’t want to stop having sex with you.” Finally, she looked at him, her eyes pleading. “I can’t stop being with you. I don’t want to.” She shrugged. “But I can’t let my father know we’ve been intimate. Please understand our culture is very different. He would be outraged with my behavior. You have no idea.” She touched his hand. “Please, Val, understand. I do not mean to hurt you.” Her hand was warm and soft, and she cooled his ire with just her touch. “I want you, Val. I want you so much it hurts. Please know it’s true. I love what we’ve done.” He softened more with her words. His hair relaxed on the nap of his neck.

“I can’t hide it from my people.” He shook his head, looking away. “I’m sorry. They’ll know what we’ve done. You smell like mine. There’s no mistake. My scent, my hormone, is all over you. It can’t be washed off.”

“It can’t.” She looked oddly at him.

“No, but my people will be discreet and respectful of our privacy.” He ran his hand over her back. He loved her curves, and the feel of her skin caused desire to hit him again. He adjusted his cock under his uniform. Pulling away, he pointed to her clothes. “Now get dressed. Kade approaches. Our people aren’t concerned with nakedness or that we’ve had sex. It’s natural, part of life. It’s what happens between…Hurry, Kade delays for you.” Zalora pulled her clothes on in record time. Val shook his head as she jumped up and skipped away, grabbing her clothes and putting them on as if her life depended on it.

She amused him. He grinned.

“Why are you grinning at me?”

“You can move fast when motivated.” He patted her on her behind. He stepped out of their tent. “Kade.” He looked out into the forest. “You can come into camp.”

* * * *

“Val.” Three men approached them from behind the trees. “Sorry.” The leader gestured to himself. His grin made his entire face glow. Immediately, she could tell he was a rascal. He looked very much like Val. They were all huge men, well built. Especially the one she thought was Kade. Val had told her he and Kade, like his father and their grandfather, were Alpha Prime Wolftons. They were the biggest and most powerful of their kind. They were natural-born leaders. “We shifted, leaving our clothes at our ship. It was easier, faster.” Heat rushed over Zalora as she finally noticed they were completely nude. She turned to look at Val. Nerves rocked her composure. “Now we’ve found you, I’ll call for the gliders.”

“Zalora, if you’re more comfortable, go wait in our tent. Get your coat, too.” Val turned her in the direction of their tent. Gratefully, she did as he suggested.

“LD569 send three glide disks and our uniforms to this location,” Kade spoke into the communicator strapped to his wrist.

“Copy that.”

* * * *

“Okay.” Kade walked over to Val, slapping him on the back. “Good to see you. You had us worried. I’m pleased you’re well.” He looked around Val toward the tent. The other men hung back by the fire, giving them privacy. “Very well, it seems. Very well.” He grinned. “You’ve not suffered one bit.” Kade grinned. “You always surprise me.”

“Yes, I’m good. Be discreet, Kade.”

“Absolutely.” He put his hands up. “My brother-nephew, as is my nature. I’m always discreet.” He grinned.

“No, please try harder than usual. She’s shy. Their culture is very different from ours.”

* * * *

Zalora waited in their tent while Val visited with his men. She could hear their voices, but they were facing the other way. They spoke too low for her to make out what they were saying. She dozed off a bit then woke when she heard a loud buzz coming their way. She looked to see three glides, small vehicles, pull up next to their campsite. They were the perfect size for traveling between trees.

Within minutes, the camp was dissembled and the men fully dressed. They were all in a glide. Each glide efficiently held up to six passengers. Zalora was in a glide alone with Val and Kade. Val drove. The other soldiers rode in other vehicles. After traveling back through the forest, they drove the glides right up inside their waiting loaddisk. It had been waiting in the clearing near the swamp. Inside the loaddisk was much bigger than it appeared with room to transport not only people but also bigger things. As they drove by Val’s spacedisk, she noticed another loaddisk was clamping onto it.

“Zalora.” Val offered her his hand to help her out of the glide. “Come with me. I’ll take you to the passenger area, where it’s comfortable. We’ll be at my battleship soon. Your father and his wife are waiting for you.” Val patted her hand, clasping it between his.

“Wonderful.” She smiled. Zalora followed him to the front of the ship. Taking a seat, he helped her fasten in safely.

“I’ll be right back.” He moved closer to her as if to kiss her, but at the last minute, squeezed her hand and turned to walk away. A female soldier approached. “Princess, I’m Officer Vera Contrace. Would you like something to eat?” Vera handed her a plate with various food, mostly meat. Zalora took some, gobbling it down. She was hungry. Then Vera handed her a glass of water.

Everyone was overly respectful to Zalora as if she were a Xihirian princess and not one from a world practically destroyed. Vera had a smile glued to her face, making Zalora uneasy. She seemed overly happy, but sweet. Before they took off, Val sat next to her as promised. After a quick trip, the loaddisk entered into the gigantic spaceship and came to a stop. She could hear mechanics moving and doors closing as the loaddisk came to a secured rest. After they were fully secured, the pilot announced their safe arrival. Val stood and faced the other passengers. Everyone began to exit. Val escorted Zalora out toward a reception area. Vera waved then went the other direction. Val, she, and some others walked down a long narrow corridor. The walls were made of shiny metal. They gleamed and mirrored her reflection. The ship was spotless. She’d noticed she looked so small next to him. When they entered the waiting room, a carpeted, comfortable room full of chairs and tables, she saw her father waiting next to her stepmother.

“Father.” Zalora ran to him. He stood to greet her, hugging her tight.

“Oh my precious daughter, I was so worried.” His expression was distressed. “You’re so headstrong, Zalora. You should’ve obeyed me and come with me. Obedience is very important. Never mind all of this. I do forgive you.” He waved his hand. ”I love you. I’m so happy you’re safe.” He kissed her cheek. “I want our surgeon to give you a physical exam. It’s protocol. I want to make sure you’re okay. I can’t believe you crashed into the planet. Go on now. Go be evaluated by our surgeon. We’ll talk over a meal. I’ll meet you in Captain’s dining area. They’ve prepared a nice meal.” His kissed her cheek again. Before she left, she turned to greet her stepmother.

“Zalora, I’m so happy you’re safe.” Colletta embraced her. Her protruding belly poked Zalora.

“How’s my brother?” Zalora patted her belly.

“He’s good.” She smiled. “Missing you.” Colletta hugged her again. “You’re so brave, but disobedient.” She looked sideways at Zalora’s father. “But mostly brave, I think,” she whispered in Zalora’s ear.

“Thank you.”

“We love you. Go now, and get a clean bill of health. We’ll see you in a bit. I want to hear all about what you’ve been through.” Zalora followed another Xihirian soldier. She was a tall woman, beautiful, as all Xihirians seemed to be. “I’m Tantia Tantrick. It’s a pleasure to know you, Princess Zalora,” she respectfully greeted her. “We’re all very fond of Captain Braeden. He’s an exceptional leader and an excellent pilot. He’s one of our very best.” Zalora followed Tantia down winding hallways.

“Yes, it’s a good thing.” Zalora nodded. Uniformed soldiers passed, all politely acknowledging her. Doors swished open then closed, and beepers and buzzers went off all around her. A computer voice spoke to others at various times, and they responded. This ship was an amazing and busy place.

“We’re almost there. This is a big ship.” Tantia looked back at her. “Am I walking too fast?” She slowed.

“No, you’re fine. I’m just looking around. Val is remarkable,” Zalora added. “This ship is huge. It’s really marvelous.” Zalora paused and turned to look all around.

“I’m pleased you’re impressed.” Tantia’s smile broadened. “I’m taking you to one of our med clinics. Your father’s surgeon or medtor is waiting for you. Your father insisted on using his medtor. I hope it’s all right?”

“Yes, I know Surgeon Triller. He’s taken care of me all of my life.”

“This is standard procedure to be examined after a crash. By the way, the Realmist have all left Tallusia.”

“Oh, wonderful news.” Zalora put her hands together in her excitement. “Thank our Creator for sending you. Finally, their destruction has ended. How is the Med-Vac camp?” Zalora touched Tantia’s arm.

“Doing well.” Tantia smiled. “We have several Med-Vac camps now. There are thousands of survivors who have been helped.”

“Val promised to take me to the one where my friends are at.” Zalora hustled to keep up with the long-legged woman. “Will Val be examined, too?”

“Oh yes, we’ll take good care of him. Don’t worry.” Tantia smiled again. “I know how it is to worry about your man.” She grinned. Zalora blushed hot then cast her eyes down to the floor. “I’m sure he’ll do as he’s promised you. Our men normally do.” A double door swooshed open. They entered a sterile-looking room filled with medical equipment. A strong medicinal odor made her feel queasy. She swallowed hard to keep from retching. Her sense of smell was stronger than usual. “This is our main med clinic.” Tantia motioned. “Most of our staff is on the planet helping survivors. So I’ll stay with you while your male medtor examines you.”

An older man greeted her, “Good to see you, Zalora.” He’d been sitting at a desk at the other end of the room. He got up to meet them in the middle of the room. “Here, sit up here on this table.” He patted where he wanted her to sit. Zalora complied.

“Hello, Surgeon Triller. It’s good to see you.”

“Thank you. You’ve been through a lot.” He touched her arm.

“Yes,” Zalora agreed. She did as he instructed. Triller ran several tests, taking her fluids, running machines. He pinched and poked at her. He asked many questions. Tantia stood nearby as her chaperone, not letting her out of her sight. By the end of her examination, Zalora noticed Surgeon Triller’s happy deposition changed. He had a deep frown on his wrinkly face. His concerned emotions washed over her, making her stomach upset and tighten into a ball.
Sometimes I wish I could turn off this gift of feeling other’s emotions. Val is a relief to be around. Children’s emotions are simpler. Xihirians are easy to be around, too.
She looked at Tantia.
Their emotions don’t attack me like this.
She watched Dr. Triller.

“I’ve concluded your testing.” He walked over to her to stand in front of her. His expression was bleak.

“So how am I?” Zalora tried to lighten the mood. “I feel good.” She shrugged.

“Healthy. You’ll live.” His succinct answer worried her more. He was usually a jolly man, overly talkative.

“Officer.” He turned to Tantia. She nodded, stepping closer. “Please escort Princess Zalora to her quarters. She needs to shower then change into clean clothing before meeting with her family.”

“Yes.” Tantia nodded, looking puzzled by Triller’s change in behavior. Zalora shrugged, following Tantia out of the clinic.

“He usually talks me to death.” Zalora shrugged. “It seems he was worried about something.” Zalora followed Tantia to her assigned room.

“He seemed fine to me, and then he got strange, almost impolite. Never mind his behavior. You’re fine. Nothing else matters.” Tantia looked back at her. She slowed, turning the corner. “Princess, here are your quarters. A change of clothes are on your bed. Enjoy a shower then change into the clothes provided. I’ll wait here to escort you to our dining area. Your father is waiting there. ” Zalora immediately saw the clean clothes laid out on the comfortable-looking bed. There was a long-sleeved yellow shirt with black pants. A pair of slippers parked near the bed.

“These will be a comfortable change from my boots.” Zalora sat on the bed’s edge. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a comfortable bed.” She pulled her boots off then undressed. She walked into the cleaning chamber. She showered and changed. The water felt wonderful as it rolled over her sensitive skin. When she stepped out of the shower, she studied her reflection. She looked thinner.

There was some colored lip balm, blusher, as well as facial lotion on the counter. She applied some of the makeup. “Much better.” She smiled into the mirror. She fluffed her drying hair and arranged it in an attractive way. She wanted to look nice for Val. “All I can do is think of you.” When she was all finished, she opened her door. Tantia was waiting, leaning against the wall outside the room.