Chapter 15

Ethan bounced on his feet with every step on their way back to the Anamafrid, and he chatted excitedly, often speaking so fast he tripped over his own words as if his mouth was moving faster than his mind. Kipexo watched him closely and cautiously, but the Earthling seemed no worse for wear. Back in the common area with the rest of the humans, Ethan told them all about Kipexo’s meeting with the Veil and its outcome, though Kipexo noticed he left out everything about his treatment and the Lifreet’s promise to try their best to extend his life. Kipexo followed Ethan’s lead and didn’t mention it either, not even to Grolpre, though it made his guts churn a bit to keep something that big from her. He told himself it wasn’t his choice to make and that his loyalty lie with Ethan first and foremost. If Ethan wanted to keep this news to himself for now, Kipexo would honor that.

Once the other humans’ curiosity was satisfied and Grolpre had returned to a game of cards with Sam and a few others, Ethan came to Kipexo where he stood at his usual spot by the wall.

“Sir?” Ethan said in a low and submissive voice that made Kipexo tilt his chin up on instinct. “There’s something I’ve been wanting since I woke up from my treatment.”

The corners of Kipexo’s lips twitched in a barely-contained grin. “Oh? What is it?”

“It’s… something you’d have to give me in private.”

Kipexo swallowed down a groan at the look Ethan gave him at that moment. Ethan’s eyes were so full of need they sent a jolt of pure desire straight to Kipexo’s groin. He pushed off the wall and laid his hand on Ethan’s shoulder, directing him toward the door. If anyone noticed them leave, no one said a word. When they walked into their quarters, it was all Kipexo could do to wait for the door to close behind him before he turned Ethan by the shoulder, took him by the throat, and smiled.

“Now,” Kipexo said, lowering his voice to a deep, guttural growl. “What is it you want so desperately it’s put that look on your face, boy?”

Ethan swallowed under Kipexo’s hand. “I want you to lock my cock in a cage, throw me down on my back, wrap your hand around my throat, and choke me while you fuck me. You’ve cut off my air with your cock plenty of times, so you know what I can handle. I want to feel completely helpless beneath you then feel you come inside me as if I’m nothing but your plaything. Use me,” he said, his voice heavy with need. “Please use me like the slave I am for you, Sir.”

Kipexo’s eyes fluttered from pure, intoxicating desire at the words. He grabbed Ethan by the arms so fast the Earthling gasped. Kipexo shoved him against the wall.

“You want me to treat you like a fucktoy, is that it?” Kipexo growled.

“Yes,” Ethan said breathlessly.

“You want me to lock up your cock and not let you come until you’re begging me to unlock you?”

Ethan moaned softly. “Yes.”

Kipexo let him go. “Then strip.”

The Earthling ripped his clothes off in record time, tossing them away until he was naked on his knees before his master.

“Get on your back on the floor and spread your legs.”

Ethan did so, and his erection bobbed between his thighs.

“That better be soft when I come back with your cage.”

Kipexo went to his locker by the wall and retrieved Ethan’s cock cage from a small box in the bottom where they kept their shafts. When he came back to the Earthling, his cock was still semi-hard but soft enough to slip the ring and cage in place and lock them together, encasing Ethan’s cock in thick metal bands that kept him from getting erect. His cock immediately swelled against the cage and leaked a drop of precum.

Kipexo chuckled mercilessly. “Better get used to leaking. You’re not coming any time soon.”

Ethan whimpered.

“Roll over,” Kipexo ordered, and when Ethan obeyed, he shoved the Earthling’s head down to the floor with his ass stuck up in the air behind him. He retrieved their bottle of lube and used it to slide shaft number ten deep into Ethan’s ass, taking his time to work it clear in to the base, then he fucked him with it until Ethan’s legs were shaking with the need to come.

“You’re gonna sleep with this inside you tonight,” Kipexo murmured. “You’re gonna be a tearful, begging mess by morning.”

“Please, Sir,” Ethan begged. “Please fuck me.”

Kipexo yanked out the shaft and hauled Ethan up to his feet, spinning him around so they faced each other. He backed Ethan slowly toward the bed, and just when the Earthling’s legs bumped the edge of the mattress, Kipexo picked him up under the arms and tossed him across it on his back.

Ethan landed with a bounce and stared up at Kipexo, panting as he waited for his master to use and abuse him. Kipexo glared down into Ethan’s eyes as he tossed the silicone shaft on the bed then unbuttoned his pants, slowly, and shuffled out of them, taking time to lube and stroke his cock until it was rock hard and slick enough to ram it hilt deep in one good thrust. He leaned over Ethan and struck out with his hand, grabbing the Earthling quickly and roughly by the throat and shoving him down hard against the bed. Ethan lifted and spread his legs in response, opening himself up for his master, and the act nearly tore Kipexo’s already-frayed self-control to shreds.

“Tap my arm if you want me to stop,” Kipexo said with a growl as he set the head of his cock against Ethan’s hole.

“I will,” Ethan whispered. “I love you.”

“I love you,” Kipexo said, then he thrust hard inside Ethan, enjoying the little whining cry of pleasure he earned from his Earthling before he tightened his fingers around his throat. He upped the pressure slowly, and as soon as he heard Ethan’s breathing stop, he held it, stared into Ethan’s face, and started fucking him.

He pounded his hips against Ethan’s, making the bed groan under the strain of each thrust. Ethan’s face began to turn colors, but he didn’t tap, and he didn’t break eye contact. His mouth was open, but no sound came out as Kipexo used him just as he’d asked to be used. Kipexo’s orgasm was already swelling, but he pushed it down, waiting until he’d given Ethan everything he knew the Earthling could handle before he let himself finish. Tears welled in Ethan’s eyes and trickled down the sides of his face, but still, he didn’t tap.

“My perfect little slave,” Kipexo crooned. “I wish you could see yourself right now. Fuck, Ethan. Your cock is all pink and straining, your ass is clenching around me, and your throat keeps convulsing under my palm, begging me to let you go. Do you want me to let you go?”

Ethan shook his head as much as he was able under Kipexo’s hand.

Kipexo chuckled. “I didn’t think so. My boy likes when I fuck him like this…” Kipexo rammed himself into Ethan, causing the Earthling to slide a little across the bed from the force. Ethan closed his eyes with a grimace, but his cock leaked another gush of precum at the same time. “Look at that pretty little cock weep. Gods, you’re perfect.” He sped his thrusts. “I’m going to fill you with my cum just like you wanted, my little fucktoy.” Kipexo moaned and arched his back. “Then I’m going to fill your ass with a shaft and watch you sleep in agony until… fuck!”

Kipexo came, spilling his seed deep in Ethan’s ass. Just as the Earthling’s eyes began to flutter, Kipexo loosened his hold on his throat, and Ethan gasped and coughed and started to sob. Kipexo held him close, still buried inside him, and spoke low, calming words as Ethan came down from his high.

“Good boy, Ethan,” Kipexo murmured. “Breathe now. You did perfect. My perfect boy. Breathe. Slow down a bit. Good.”

“I love you,” Ethan croaked between hitched gasps. “I love you so… fucking much. Please… please let the Lifreet treat me. Please let me have… more time with you. Please.”

Kipexo’s heart clenched painfully in his chest as he nuzzled his Earthling. “Ssh, Ethan. Calm down. If the Lifreet can extend your life safely, then we’ll let them.”

“No. Promise me you’ll let them try as many times as it takes to get it right.” Ethan wrapped his arms around Kipexo’s neck. “I don’t want to give this up. Not when I know there’s a chance I can have you for centuries instead of decades. Please trust them enough to give us that. Promise me we’ll do everything we can.”

Kipexo rolled and tucked Ethan tight against his chest in his four massive arms. He brushed sweat-slick hair from Ethan’s forehead and snuffled the strands. “Alright, Ethan,” he said softly. “If it means that much to you…”

“It does.”

“Then I promise.”

Only once he had Kipexo’s word did Ethan finally relax in his master’s arms. He scooted closer and nuzzled up under Kipexo’s chin as his breathing finally slowed and the sweat dried. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep, and Kipexo checked Ethan’s pulse twice before covering him up. The shaft could wait for another day. Ethan’s body had been through enough.

He’d given Ethan his word he would trust the Lifreet with Ethan’s health and safety, and that promise was more binding than any order Kipexo had been given throughout his entire career in the Galacorp. He’d suspected this situation with the Lifreet would draw him in far deeper than he’d originally planned to go, and here he was, neck deep in a conflict he’d thought he’d left behind. Not only that, but Ethan was in it just as deep now. As much as Kipexo wanted to blame himself for that, he knew he couldn’t. Ethan would never let Kipexo leave him behind, and he was right. As denmates, they were in this together, as they should be, and there was nothing in the universe that could make Kipexo regret making Ethan his equal. He had no choice now but to completely set aside his doubts and trepidation, take a deep breath, and make that final plunge.

He only prayed they wouldn’t drown.

A few hours later, Sam and Grolpre joined them and quietly scooted in under the covers. Grolpre smiled at Kipexo over Sam’s head, and he couldn’t help but smile back. Tension he didn’t even know he was carrying melted from his back and shoulders. Everything felt right in that moment, complete, and when Grolpre reached for his hand across their snuggling Earthlings, he didn’t hesitate to reach for her too. They interlaced their fingers on the covers, and Kipexo closed his eyes and quickly slipped off to sleep.

*****

Reseila’s arrival the next day went as smoothly as they could’ve hoped. Her ship hyperjumped to the coordinates Sovereign Luxtetana’s men provided at dawn Raug time, which ended up being early evening on Dradaheirn. A shuttle soon left the Raugon ship and docked at the end of the same walkway Kipexo and Ethan walked their first day on the Lifreet homeworld. Coincidentally, they were the only ones waiting for her on the other side of the arch, which wasn’t turned on today.

Reseila stepped off the walkway with a genuine smile on her face at the sight of Kipexo, and he couldn’t help but smile back as he stepped forward to welcome her with a firm handshake. She was followed by two Raugon Galacorp soldiers, neither of whom Kipexo recognized.

“Welcome to Dradaheirn, Chief,” Kipexo said.

“Home of the Trotag blue tree,” said Reseila. “I couldn’t help but stare out the window as we flew in. Such a stunning planet.” She turned to address her two guards. “Thank you both. You’re dismissed. I’ll comm you when I’m ready to return to the ship.”

The two soldiers bowed and turned on their heels, marching back down the walkway toward the waiting shuttle, though they glanced back over their shoulders at the chief a few times as they went.

“A couple of yours?” Kipexo asked.

“They used to be. I requested my old squad be the ones to escort me on this assignment.”

Kipexo grinned. “Afraid I won’t send you back in one piece?”

Reseila chuckled. “It’s more about their loyalty than my safety.” She looked down at Ethan at Kipexo’s side. “Hello again, Ethan. You look well.”

“Hello,” Ethan greeted. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure how I’m supposed to address you since I’m not in the Galacorp or a Raugon…”

She smiled at him. “Reseila is just fine, little one. That goes for you too, Kipexo. We’re not Chief and Sargeant anymore, just Reseila and Kipexo, old comrades and dare I say friends?”

“Am I to take that to mean I have been dismissed from the Galacorp entirely?” Kipexo asked.

“Not officially. But I think it’s safe to say the outcome of this meeting will have a drastic effect on your status going forward.”

Footsteps from behind him told Kipexo the sovereign had arrived, and he turned with an open arm to introduce him to Reseila. “Chief, this is—”

Reseila stepped forward, and her smile never wavered as she shook the sovereign’s hand. “Sovereign Luxtetana,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”

“The pleasure lies with me, Major,” the sovereign replied. “You look well.”

“It’s not Major anymore.”

The sovereign bowed his head. “Congratulations on your promotion.” The smile on the sovereign’s face was odd, almost mischievous, and Reseila smiled back in the same manner as she thanked him.

Kipexo furrowed his brow. “I’m confused,” he said truthfully. “Do you two…”

“Oh, yes,” Reseila said, never breaking eye contact with the sovereign. “We’ve met.”

Kipexo blinked in surprise. “When? Where?”

Reseila gave him a knowing look. “Frohmire,” she said in answer to both questions.

Frohmire. Reseila’s greatest achievement in her career, the achievement that no doubt prompted her promotion to Chief. Kipexo looked from her to the sovereign and back again. “You planned this,” he said in disbelief. “You planned all of this, didn’t you?”

Reseila turned and clapped Kipexo on the shoulder. “We’ll explain everything.”

Sovereign Luxtetana waved an arm toward the door at the back of the room. “Come. Let’s all talk privately. There is much to be said and to be heard.”