28. Skylar

28

Skylar

After Tan killed the final Gice Kohath, I used my newly born telepathic skills to pry the location of the beacon from Manipulator Skargath's mind. We found the beacon, destroyed it, and between the data I'd pulled for Skargath and the hard work of the healers, the virus was neutralized.

Now, seven day-cycles later, Tan and I will finally have our ceremony of mating.

Bokzari. Joined by breath, hearts and spirit.

Not that I need the words to know the truth of our bond. I feel it in every touch. His love whispers along his scales. I feel it in his kisses, the heat of his body on mine, and the echo of his pleasure through me when we are together on his sleeping furs.

But it's good to make it official.

This is the start of a new alliance between humanity and the Asheraah. Together, we will end the Kohath. That, and my new joy in navigating with the support of the Starshadow.

The only thing missing is my sister Ishini. Now that all on the ship have proof of my loyalty, it wasn't too hard to get a message off in my escape pod. And we got vid confirmation she made it off the Titan with the other pods and onto the Federation rescue ship. No one knows what happened after. If that rescue trawler was anything like the Titan though, this is a recordkeeping issue, and she should come forward when she knows I'm looking for her.

Hopefully soon.

Tan has agreed to a second ceremony on his homeworld once we find Ishini and can bring her to join us. I think she'll like it here. And if nothing else, she'll get some new skills she can use if she goes back to the Federation after her visit .

As Tylan drapes a shimmering gold robe of joining over my shoulders, again, they apologize, "I should not have left you, and—"

"For the fiftieth time, none of it was your fault. And I'm glad you weren't there. That horrible creature would have killed you." My stomach twists, remembering how the thing posing as Subcommander Quayl had feasted on the corpse of his victim. If I'd had been trapped there with Tylan's corpse, I think I would have lost it. As it was, holding myself together had been a near thing.

But now, all I can see is my future together with Tan.

"I am glad to have you at my side," I reassure Tylan, squeezing their hands. Tylan carries the bracelets of joining, which is like being a ringbearer, but not in a kid way.

I even got Tylan to admit, grudgingly, we are now friends.

"My family is proud," Tylan says. "You give me a great honor."

I wave away their words. "Honor schmonor. I might not even say the vows right, and everyone will laugh when I promise to make Tan the very best toasted marshmallow to ever float between the stars."

I'd had to memorize the traditional vows so I could say them. Even with the help of telepathy, though, my accent is still pretty lousy.

"Your Asheraahn isn't that bad," Tylan protests, weakly, adding. "And marshmallow isn't even a word in our tongue. You'll probably promise him something like Yahila."

I laugh. "Could be worse. At least I've got the intonation right on that one." Since I ask the dispenser for it every morning now. And not once since the Gice Kohath's death has it been seeds, thank the Stars.

The ceremony is breathtaking. It takes place in the same hold where Tylan first showed me Asheraah can fly. Now, all the crew that isn't needed to run the ship are here. Some standing around us, some perched on the walls. Soft, ethereal lights flicker above, casting a warm glow over the massive chamber. Incense fills the air as the Janu and lower priests and priestesses hum the song of joining.

I stand beside Tan, and I feel almost like I have two hearts. I am so full with love and gratitude. Tan looks magnificent in his ceremonial attire, his golden skin gleaming. His eyes meet mine, and I see the depth of his love and devotion reflected in their amber depths.

The Asheraah priestess stands before us, her voice resonating as she begins the ceremony. The ancient words wash over me. I get the gist. Love. Joining. Eternity. And I feel a profound connection to this moment, to Tan, and to the Asheraah people who have welcomed me as one of their own.

Tylan steps forward, holding the delicate bracelets that will symbolize our eternal bond. As they wind them about our wrists, tears of joy gather in my eyes.

Tan and I clasp hands and face each other, our gazes locked. The cool metal feels like a comforting embrace, a tangible representation of our love and commitment.

We repeat the last words of joining, and the cavern erupts in stomps and cheers. I lean up, pressing a kiss to Tan's mouth. This isn't a part of the ceremony, but he returns the kiss with enthusiasm as the sounds of joy and celebration echo around us.

After the ceremony and feast, we return to our quarters. As the door slides shut behind us, Tan pulls me into his arms, his eyes shining. "My beautiful mate," he whispers, his voice filled with reverence. "My bokdazi. I am the luckiest Asheraah in the universe to have you by my side."

"And I am the luckiest human to have found you." I smile up at him. "You are my everything, my home among the stars.

Tan picks me up, as his fingers caress my cheek, sending a fission of desire through me. I lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his skin against mine.

Slowly, Tan lowers his head, his lips brushing against mine in a soft, loving kiss. I melt into his embrace, my body molding to his. The kiss deepens, a delicate dance of passion and devotion.

As we break apart, Tan rests his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with my own. "I love you, bokdazi. With every fiber of my being, I love you."

"And I love you, Tan. More than words could ever express. "

He starts toward the bedroom with me in his arms, his loving gaze growing more intense.

"Now, it is time for me to show you just how much I love you," he rumbles. "Again… and again. I want to taste you."

I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck, my body already aching for him. "Yes, my love. Yes."

I want him to make love to me, to say all the dirty things he knows I like to hear.

I want him to eat me, lick me and make me moan with pleasure.

But most of all, I want him to hold me tight and never let me go.

And as the door closes behind us, I know I have found my home.

Here, in the arms of my alien warrior, I am safe and loved.

I want to be his, now and forever.

I want him to claim my body, mind, and soul.

Because he already has my heart.

He does not disappoint. After stripping me bare and laying me on the bed, he devours me with his eyes. "Open your legs for me. Show me what's mine."

I widen my legs as far as I can.

"That's my bokdazi," he murmurs, then crawls on the bed between my legs. That's what I love about him; he always takes care of my pleasure before his own. He kisses up my inner thighs as my arousal rises. Pressing a finger into my pussy, he smiles as I buck.

"You're so wet for me. So wet and ready," he says as he slides a second finger inside. I can't help but groan.

He licks my clit with a firm tongue, flicking the bud. My breath catches.

He looks up at me, eyes dark with lust. "Mine."

I'm panting now, desperate for his touch. "Yes, I'm yours. I've always been yours."

He continues licking me, adding a third finger. His fingers are thick, and he is careful, so careful with his claws, so all I feel is an exquisite fullness as my desire rises. But it is not enough .

I need him. All of him.

I grab his shoulders and pull him up.

"What's wrong?" he asks, concern etched on his handsome face.

"Nothing," I pant. "I just need you inside me."

He smiles, understanding dawning. "I will never get enough of this. Enough of you."

He presses his cock to my entrance, the blunt tip already slick with pre-cum. Then, he slides into me, inch by delicious inch, until he's fully sheathed.

Yes. This feels so good. The orgasm builds.

Tan groans, his muscles tensing. "You're so tight. So perfect. My love. My bokdazi ."

We move together, finding a rhythm that sends waves of pleasure crashing over me. He hits all the right spots, and I know I won't last long.

I dig my nails into his back, urging him on.

"More, Tan. More!"

He picks up the pace, his thrusts becoming more erratic as he nears his release.

"That's it, nymara. Come for me," he grunts, his voice husky with desire.

I can't hold back any longer. I come screaming his name as my climax hits me.

He follows close behind, spilling his seed inside me in hot, glorious bursts as I spasm around him.

I've never felt more complete, more satisfied, than I do at this moment.

I am Tan's, and he is mine. Forever.

We lay together in the afterglow, our bodies entwined, our hearts beating as one.