Chapter 10

Chapter 10

J eb stared out across the vast cavern as Mattie fell asleep against his side, relieved that she still trusted him enough to do so. Even more relieved — and shocked — that she loved him too, that she really didn’t seem to care that he was no longer entirely human.

He flexed his cybernetic hand, the metal skin gleaming softly in the dim light from the bioluminescent lichen. It moved easily, already recovering from the earlier damage. In fact all of his injuries were healing with unusual speed. The faintest touch feathered against his arm and he looked down to see a tendril of lichen absorbing the last traces of dried blood around the wound.

Had the presence of the lichen helped him heal? It seemed unlikely, but he definitely felt much better, stronger than he had been when they’d entered the cavern. His nanites worked quickly, but not that quickly and even the heat they generated as part of the healing process had settled into a comfortable warmth.

He stroked a cautious finger across a nearby tendril—there seemed little point in keeping his distance now that it had crawled all over him—and it curled briefly around his finger in response before withdrawing. How strange.

He tucked Mattie a little closer against his side, then closed his eyes. Since his transformation he didn’t sleep in the same way as a full human, but he could rest while a small part of him remained alert to any danger. He closed his eyes, and then he began to dream.

He was flying, powerful wings catching the air as he soared above a verdant landscape, the plants grouped around a long canal that sparkled in the sunshine. The air was warm, rich with the scent of flowers and something else, something even more intriguing. He circled the air and immediately spotted her — a small figure with shimmering green scales who darted provocatively around a nearby peak.

A smile stretched his mouth, exposing his fangs, and then he took off after her. She led him a merry chase, her movements quick and graceful, but he caught her at last, holding her against him as they soared together. Her features were unfamiliar but he still felt as if he knew her and when she smiled up at him, the sun glinting off her emerald scales, he felt as if he’d come home.

He awoke with a start to find Mattie still nestled against him and a strange sensation of loss clawing at his chest.

A dream. It had just been a dream. Yet it had all seemed so real. So vivid. He shook his head. It must have been brought on by the trauma of the morning or perhaps simply by being surrounded by this alien environment.

Mattie stirred in his arms, and he pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, before she looked up at him, her eyes heavy with sleep — and something more.

“I had the weirdest dream,” she murmured, and he jerked.

“I did too. About flying.”

“Me too. Someone was chasing me, but I wanted to be caught because I knew what would happen when he did.”

The sweetness of her arousal began to perfume the air and his body responded.

“And what was that?” he growled.

“This,” she whispered, raising her head to meet his mouth.

He kissed her eagerly, groaning as she pressed against him, her hips wriggling deliciously against his erection. Her hands slipped between them, then hesitated just above his cock.

“We shouldn’t do this. You’re still healing.”

“I think it’s more accurate to say I’m already healed.”

Her eyes widened.

“Already? That’s impossible.”

“It’s unusually fast,” he agreed. “Even for me. But look.”

He showed her the same wound he’d shown her earlier. No sign of the injury remained except for a slight redness. She sighed with relief and gave him a tremulous smile.

“Thank goodness. I was so afraid that my foolishness would cause you permanent damage.”

“I’m fine,” he assured her. “There’s just one last ache.”

“Oh no. Where?”

“Here.”

He guided her small hand to his cock. He’d told her truth, it did ache, throbbing against his pants, but she rolled her eyes and gave him a playful squeeze.

“You must be feeling better if this is what you’re thinking about.”

“It’s not the only thing, but right now it seems like the most important.”

She hummed thoughtfully then trailed her fingers along the edge of his waistband, making him shudder.

“Then I suppose we’d better take care of it. So you can think about other things.”

Giving him a teasing smile, she freed his erection, and he shuddered again as her small hand tried to close around him.

“I love the way you respond to me,” she whispered, then bent over.

He jerked when her lips touched the sensitive tip of his cock, the sensation rushing through his body. She grasped him even more firmly as she tried to take him into her small, hot mouth. She only managed to take the head, but when she swirled her tongue around the tip, a groan escaped his lips and his hands clenched helplessly on empty air.

He knew he wasn’t going to last, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of her.

“Stop,” he said hoarsely. “I want to be inside you.”

She lifted her head, her eyes hazy with desire as she gave him one last, lingering lick.

“I want you too, Jeb. Please.”

“Take off your clothes,” he growled, stripping away his own as she obeyed.

As soon as she was naked she straddled him, the slick heat of her cunt sliding against his cock. With a groan, he lifted her higher, his mouth moving from breast to breast as he teased the rigid nipples. He was holding her just above his cock and he lowered her until the tip rested against her clit. Her eyes widened as it began to vibrate against her.

“Oh my God.”

“There are some advantages to being a cyborg,” he growled, pulling her more firmly against his cock.

Her nails dug into his shoulders, her mouth open in a wordless cry as her climax swept over her. Her body was still quivering when he pulled her down over his cock, sheathing himself to the hilt in tight, liquid heat, her body rippling around him.

“Look at me,” he demanded, and her eyes fluttered open. “I love you, Mattie.”

“I love you, too,” she whispered, and his thrusts deepened as he lost control, driving into her.

She moaned, then cried out again as she came, her pleasure setting off another fierce, glorious orgasm as he thrust into her.

She slumped against him and he wrapped his arms around her, cradling her as he allowed himself to relax, but his worries returned as the haze of passion eased. The knowledge that she loved him filled him with triumph, but he was determined to keep her safe—which meant getting her out of this cavern.

He gave her a last hug, then gently lifted her free.

“I think you’d better get dressed.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Believe me, I would much rather concentrate on your beautiful body, but we can’t stay here forever.”

“I suppose not.”

She dressed, then ran her hand across the water-bearing lichen, gathering enough in her palm for a quick drink. He followed her example, delighted with how well his body responded, then perched thoughtfully on the edge of a boulder.

“I think it’s too risky to go back through the main lava tube. Even if they didn’t follow us, they know we’re down here. They could simply be waiting for us to come back out, figuring that we’ll eventually get hungry and thirsty.”

“You mentioned before that there might be another way up to the surface?”

“It’s definitely possible, but I’d have to find it.” He hesitated, already hating the next part. “I think it would be better if you stayed here while I explored. I can move faster on my own and I need very little light.”

Her eyes went wide and scared.

“You’re going to abandon me?”

“Never. I’m just leaving you for a very short time.”

He could see the struggle on her face, but he waited patiently until she managed a tiny nod.

“You’re right. It does make more sense for you to go alone. I’ll wait here.”

She gave him a pitiful attempt at a smile and he almost changed his mind, but this was the best way he could think of to protect her.

“That’s my brave girl. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

He brushed a kiss to her trembling mouth, then left quickly before his resolution failed.