Chapter 30

Ravok

I've never been as touched as I am when we approach my ship and realize that Leelee – entirely on her own – tried to camouflage and hide my vessel. To protect me – before I had even regained consciousness. She had no idea if I was dangerous, and she had done her best to assist a stranger, one not of her species at that. If she'd had any idea who I truly was, there was no way she would've rendered assistance. Because if I had been uninjured when I first woke, there is an excellent chance that I might've attacked her without provocation. In that sense, I am glad of my injuries – otherwise, I would've never had an opportunity to get to know this unusual female.

I don't know how Leelee has gotten herself exiled to her lonely, isolated hut. However, I do know that she is vulnerable there, completely alone and unarmed, with only Mango and his minuscule claws to protect her. She is damned lucky that no one has taken advantage and hurt her. I've dealt with enough of her fellow humans to know that many are as vicious as the worst Cryzorian Executioner.

I might not be on this planet long, but while I am here, I can protect Leelee. Once my wounds heal completely, perhaps I will build fortifications around her home to keep out intruders. Then Leelee can be safe and have memories of my generosity – a token of my thanks and affection.

I decide to do whatever I can to ensure her safety, to do what I do best.

Once we enter my ship, I prompt the computer to do a complete diagnostic check.

As I approach my cryo-pod, Leelee raises her hand to stop me. I stare at her worried face. "It is safe, Leelee," I warn her. She might not understand the exact words, but I know she understands my meaning when she nods.

As the plas-cover slides into place, encasing me in the cryo-chamber, I instruct my nanites to interface with my ship's computer system. My pod appears fully functional despite the crash and curious human scientists trying to pry my ship apart. The rest of my ship hasn't fared as well. The ship's structure is fully intact, but several systems have either been damaged in the crash, or beforehand by my captors. I push away the concern that I might be unable to fix all the systems to make my ship usable again. Being unable to leave this planet is not an option.

Once I settle back into the chamber, I look at Leelee through the clear shield. Worry is etched clearly on her face. I give her a reassuring look that helps settle her a little.

My fingers dance across a small console panel inset inside the chamber. I command the cryogenic chamber to run diagnostics on my body, specifically targeting my universal translator.

The analysis system beeps in warning, and I lie back, holding myself still so that the system can work.

With a final glance at Leelee, I watch her tense up as the chamber fills with white gas. I know she is scared and worried for me – I marvel at how revealing her expressions are. I wish I could explain to her that this is normal and not to be scared, but I can't. My reflection in the glass flickers like a distant star before the gas swallows my vision until all I can see is white.

When the universal translator becomes operational again, it will be a relief. The idea of bridging the communication barrier that separates me from Leelee is more than appealing.

As I surrender to the hum of the cryogenic systems, the familiar procedure begins. Searing cold surrounds me, metallic and unforgiving, like the cosmic winds that howl across the polar cap of Cryzor. My consciousness dips and fades into nothingness, quickly pulling me beneath the icy waves of forced slumber.

A soft beeping sound slowly wakes me. Opening my eyes, I watch as the white gas begins to disperse. I roll my shoulders and am pleased that there is finally no lingering ache from the projectile wounds in either my shoulder or my side. I send a quick command to my cybernetics to verify that my body is whole and healthy. As my nanites swarm through my body, I check the analysis report on the tablet attached to the cryo-pod. It details the injuries from the projectiles, the fracture in my arm and one of my ribs, and a few strained and torn muscles and ligaments. The nanites hum softly within my cell layers, broadcasting the promising news of my full recovery. The stinging bite of my injuries has been subdued into a distant echo and the report says that my universal translator should be fully functional. I type a quick command for the cryo-chamber to open.

Through the transparent chamber top, I glimpse Leelee. She hovers outside the cryo-pod, her brown-green eyes radiating worry. She bites her lip and twists her fingers in distress, betraying her concern for my well-being. She is too lovely for this universe – and for me.

In her gaze, tenderness intertwines with a paradoxical strength that doesn't line up with her diminutive stature. This softness tugs at something uncharted within me, threading an unfamiliar warmth through my veins.

"Ravok, are you okay?" Leelee's voice finally reaches me when the cryo-chamber lid retracts.

I sit up from where the chamber has me reclined, swinging my feet to the side and standing up. What a relief to finally feel how a warrior should once again.

I give Leelee a wide grin. "I feel much better."

Leelee blinks at me, her face dropping slack in shock. She stares at me, her eyes wide and unblinking for a moment before she shakes her head. "Wait a minute, you can understand me now?" she blurts out, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"The cryo-chamber… It didn't just heal my injuries," I elaborate, tapping a spot behind my ear. "My universal translator has been fixed."

Leelee squeals in delight as happy laughter spills from her mouth, echoing around us. "Oh, Ravok, that's… that's fantastic!"

Her happiness kicks off a sudden burst of joy in my heart. The corner of my lip quirks up, and I struggle to keep myself composed.

Before I realize what is happening, Leelee is bounding forward, throwing her arms around my neck. She is small and warm against me, her soft form comforting. Suddenly, she realizes what she's done, makes a shocked gasp, and then tries to pull away. But I don't want this to end, especially now that I feel like myself again. I quickly wrap my arms around her, pulling her firmly against my front. She makes a slight squeaking noise like the silbi, a small desert rodent from my planet. I press my face into her nest of hair and enjoy the scent clinging to the strands, "Yes, Leelee. It is good. Very good."

Why shouldn't I have this for myself? The comfort and gentle touches that Leelee so freely offers. We are fleeting in this universe – a spark that extinguishes almost as quickly as it is lit. I can't stay here on this planet, but I can savor the moments I do have. To receive – and to give – comfort and caring is something I may never have again, so I want this experience, just this once.

Cradling Leelee in my arms, it feels as though I'm holding something rare and precious. Her petite form fits perfectly against the rugged contours of my torso as if she is made to fit me. I feel filled with a tranquility I never even thought to imagine. I take a deep breath, letting her unique scent intertwine with the cool, metallic tang in the air of my ship. When I brush back a loose curl from her temple, she tilts her head back to meet my eyes. She is a beacon of vulnerability and strength, her eyes twinkling with unspoken trust and happiness. Her presence, a balm to my raging heart, somehow numbs the last lingering hostility for her species. Even if she is an anomaly among her people, her existence means that all humanity must be protected. I wonder briefly if there are others of her nature among the population. Even if there aren't, she is worth saving an entire planet for.

With a gentle touch, I brush my fingers along the soft, downy skin of her jawline. Her eyes reflect surprise for a mere second before shifting to something almost hungry-looking. Her gaze flutters between my eyes and my lips. She rises onto her tiptoes, edging closer to my face.

My stomach lurches with adrenaline, and my heart echoes the rhythm of a war drum just as she brushes her lips feather-light against mine. It is just like the ‘kizz cam' from her sportz, but better than I could've imagined. The planet seems to pause in its pivot as if all the elements of nature have chosen to bear witness to this intimate moment between an earthling and a Cryzorian.

My body stiffens like I am suspended in a photon beam, freezing me in space. With a silken caress, Leelee traces a soft pattern on my lips. The warmth of her lips causes a tremor to pass through me. Without thought, I curl my arm around her waist, pulling her as close to my body as possible.

Blazing want flickers in the depths of my soul as Leelee starts to pull away.

"I—I'm sorry… I shouldn't have—" Leelee starts to stutter, her pretty eyes wide and shiny. She is so close that our breaths still mingle.

I need more.

Instead of allowing the distance to grow, I slide my hand within her curls, cupping the back of Leelee's head. I meet her gaze, staring into her lovely eyes which are filled with a strange blend of hazy shock and something nameless – perhaps desire. The look in her eyes mirrors my own turmoil. Even now, as I hold her captive, Leelee returns my stare without fear, perhaps the first sentient being to do so. If you'd asked me a week ago, I would've said I want all beings to cower before me. But now I know that is no longer true. Leelee looks at me like I am something wondrous. Her admiration fills a spot inside me that I never knew was empty until she pulled me from the wreckage of my ship, bringing a warmth and brightness that I hadn't realized was missing.

I don't know what Leelee sees when she looks at me, but it must be pleasing. "Leelee—" I start to say, but my words are cut off when she presses her lips against mine again. This time I have a better idea of what she wants from me.

With a single, swift movement, I lift Leelee off her feet, bringing her face to mine. I curl my fingers around the base of her skull, cupping her nape in my hand and tugging her lips to mine. My other arm is wrapped around her back, supporting her weight. I worry for a millisecond that I am being too forward with a female, but Leelee wraps her legs around my waist, using her ankles to pull me further into the cradle of her body. Caught in the unexpected softness of Leelee nestled against my chest, a low, deep growl – a sound of pure, untamed desire – escapes my lips.

Keeping her in my grasp, I press my lips to hers, mirroring her earlier actions, exploring this strange, new sensation. Leelee makes a soft sound as her eyes slide closed. She gives a little happy groan before placing one hand on my shoulder, kneading the thick muscle under her hand, much like Mango and his ‘maykin beezcutz'. Her other hand cups my jaw as if she is trying to make sure I can't escape. Our breaths intertwine in the tight space between us as I close my eyes. As my lips meet hers, a surge of unfamiliar warmth envelops me. She grazes her mouth over mine, then does it again. I mimic her movements, pressing light, fleeting kizz cams on her lips. When I part my lips on a low growl, Leelee darts her tongue into my mouth, flicking it against my own. I shudder and shake, almost overwhelmed by this intimate touch. When my cock thickens and hardens, I don't send my nanites to repress my reaction this time. With the apex of her sex pressed against my member the feeling takes me back to this morning when I'd awoken with her body pressed against my cock. At the time I had been mortified and worried about Leelee's response. Thankfully, she seemed only slightly embarrassed, so I had faked sleep until Mango had made my subterfuge impossible.

It is a relief to allow myself this indulgence, of allowing my cock to rise. My senses, heightened, relish the tender play of her lips and tongue against mine. Her sweet flavor spreads through me, an intoxicating thrill invading each of my senses. I pull her closer, her tiny body fitting perfectly against my broad frame.

Her essence begins to etch itself into my being, forever branding my heart with the imprint of this moment. The taste of our shared breath spirals a heady feeling through my body, sending electricity surging through my veins, too profound to comprehend, yet gloriously beautiful.

Leelee makes lovely, enchanting sounds as I trail my lips along her jaw and down her neck. Her scent is strongest in the small, sweet divot beneath her ear. I suck on that spot, wanting to take her scent into my body and make it my own. To catalog and keep it. What I am doing would be a death sentence on Cryzor – to touch a female without authorization – but this feels right. Leelee is pulling me closer, wanting more and I desperately want to give her everything she asks for.

Leelee murmurs my name in a low, gasping voice that electrifies me and plunges my reeling senses into a tailspin of lust and want.

The loud, incessant beeping of the ship announcing that the diagnostic report is complete startles us apart. I immediately feel the loss of Leelee's warmth and see the same regret mirrored in her lovely eyes. I struggle to recapture my breath, my skin tingling where we had touched.

"What is that noise?" Leelee asks, her voice worried as she looks around as if expecting an attack.

"Ship report," I answer as the beeping finally ends. "I need to check it."

When I turn to head back to the cockpit, Leelee catches one of my hands in hers, lacing our fingers together. I stare at our entwined hands for a moment before lifting my gaze to meet Leelee's. She gives me a small, shy smile that makes my breath freeze in my lungs. Together, hand in hand, we head to the cockpit. Leelee slides into the seat next to me, pressing her hip against mine. She watches me with curious eyes as I click a button to display the report. "The diagnostics are complete. I need to find out what's wrong with my ship," I explain.