17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Chloe

As our transport pod hurtles through the inky void, I press my face against the small viewscreen, my breath fogging up the glass. After hours of nothing but stars, the sight of Mythos growing larger by the second makes my heart race like I've downed three espressos.

"Holy crap," I whisper. "Is that really it?"

The planet looms before us, a swirling mass of greens and blues that looks like Earth's cooler, edgier cousin. As we breach the atmosphere, I catch glimpses of vast jungles, oceans, and canyons.

It looks beautiful from afar, but just what are we going to find when we land? A welcoming committee, or a war zone?

It isn't long before the pod starts shuddering violently as we breach Mythos's atmosphere, the viewscreen flaring with orange heat. My stomach lurches as we plummet through layers of clouds, the ground rushing up to meet us. At the last second, our descent slows, and we touch down with a gentle bump that belies our chaotic entry.

After a long silence, the hatch hisses open, and a wall of humid air hits me. I blink, my eyes adjusting to the vibrant greens and splashes of color from exotic flowers as the Saberkai jungle stretches out before us.

Vornas steps out first, scanning the area, his nostrils flaring. I follow, my legs wobbling slightly after the long journey.

"It's beautiful," I whisper, taking in the towering trees and the sound of bird calls and insect chirps.

Vornas nods, but his eyes are darting around, searching. "Something's not right," he mutters.

"What do you mean?" I ask, suddenly tensing.

He turns to me, his expression grim. "It's too quiet. My people should be here. They would have seen and heard the transport pod."

I almost don't want to say it. "Do… Do you think Krakenos and Draven…"

Vornas's tail lashes back and forth. "I don't know. But yes, they might have taken advantage of my absence."

We stand in silence for a moment, the weight of uncertainty heavy between us. Then, a rustle in the underbrush catches my attention. Vornas whirls around, claws extended.

Suddenly, the jungle comes alive. Saberkai warriors melt out of the foliage, their striped fur blending seamlessly with the dappled shadows. They approach cautiously, weapons raised.

Vornas steps forward, his stance proud and regal. "I am Vornas, your king returned," he announces, his voice carrying through the clearing.

The warriors freeze, their eyes widening in recognition. One of them, an older battle-scarred female, steps forward. "My lord? Is it really you?"

Vornas's shoulders relax as a fond smile crosses his face. "Yes, Nira."

The atmosphere shifts instantly. Weapons are lowered, and excited murmurs ripple through the group. Nira drops to one knee, the others following suit.

"Forgive us, my king," she says. "We've been on high alert since your disappearance."

Vornas nods, understanding in his eyes. "You've done well protecting our people. But now, I bring news of great importance."

He turns to me, extending his hand. I step forward, feeling all eyes on me. "This is Chloe from the planet Earth," he announces. "She has helped me secure a cure for our people and rescue our missing females."

The Saberkai gasp and chatter excitedly. Nira looks at me with a mixture of awe and suspicion.

"A human?" she asks, her tail twitching. "Just like the new queens of the Drakari and Aquarian kingdoms…?"

"Yes," Vornas says firmly. "And she is to be treated with the utmost respect. She's risked everything to help us."

I feel a blush creeping up my neck as the Saberkai warriors study me with newfound interest.

Nira stands and approaches me, her movements graceful yet predatory. She stops just short of where I'm standing and inclines her head. "Then we owe you a great debt, Chloe of Earth. Welcome to our jungle."

The other warriors echo her sentiment, and I'm struck by the sudden shift from suspicion to acceptance. I meet Vornas's eyes, and he gives me a small, proud smile.

"Thank you," I say. "I'm honored to meet you all."

Everyone cocks their heads, and it occurs to me then that they haven't had translation devices forcefully installed into their temples like I have.

But Vornas is quick to translate my words, and they all smile and nod.

Welp, I guess that means I'm going to have to learn a whole second language. Not that I'm complaining; they're my new people, after all.

"My king," Nina interrupts, her voice tinged with both hope and caution. "There's something you must know."

Vornas inclines his head. "What is it, Nira?"

The battle-scarred warrior's eyes turn to the dense foliage behind her. "Only a few hours ago, a miracle occurred. Our sisters… they returned to us."

The jungle parts, revealing a group of young female Saberkai. Their fur shimmers with vibrant patterns I've never seen before, and their eyes shine with a mix of curiosity and wariness.

These must be the preserved Saberkai females we had returned using the Host's protocol, having arrived just before us.

Nira continues, "We are so grateful for their return. Yet the plague… it still haunts us, and I don't know if these young ones have been spared."

Vornas shakes his head and smiles. "I have more good news." He pulls out a small, glowing device that pulses with an otherworldly light. "This," he announces, his voice ringing with authority, "is our salvation."

The clearing falls silent, uncertain eyes waiting for further explanation.

"This device," Vornas continues, "contains the cure for the plague that has ravaged our people. No longer will we face extinction. No longer will we watch our numbers dwindle year after year."

Gasps and murmurs ripple through the crowd. I see hope dawning on faces that moments ago looked weary and worn.

"How?" Nira asks, almost desperately.

Vornas explains the device's function, how it will disperse the cure through the atmosphere, healing not just the Saberkai, but all the races of Mythos. As he speaks, I watch the reactions of his people. There's joy, of course, but also disbelief and even suspicion.

One burly warrior steps forward, his tail lashing. "And we're to share this cure with the other races?" he growls.

"Your caution is wise, Tarak," Vornas says. "We have all paid dearly for the mistakes of the past. But this," he holds up the device, "this is our chance to right those wrongs. To heal not just ourselves, but our world. Know that not only have I made the choice to cure all three of the great races of Mythos, but so have the Drakari and Aquarians. None of us want to see each other's demise—not any longer."

His words seem to soothe the crowd, and I see nods of agreement.

As I watch him address his people, I'm struck by the change in Vornas. Gone is the arrogant, self-serving prince I first met. In his place stands a leader, one who understands the weight of his responsibilities.

And I couldn't love him more.

The night is a blur of celebration, laughter, and the intoxicating sweetness of plyput fruit. The Saberkai warriors, once so fierce and guarded, let their joy shine through as we feast under the canopy of massive trees. I find myself swept up in their excitement, trying to follow conversations through a haze of alien words and gestures. Vornas stays close, his warmth a constant reminder of why I'm here.

As the moons rise high in the sky and the night grows long, Vornas guides me away from the festivities. We make our way to a secluded clearing where the cure device sits on a makeshift altar of vines and flowers.

"This is it," Vornas says, his voice low and reverent. "Now we will release the cure."

I watch as he begins the activation sequence on the cloud seeder device, just as the Host had shown us.

He pauses a moment, his eyes locking with mine.

Then, with a final gesture, he activates the device. At first, nothing seems to happen. Then, a soft hum fills the air, growing in intensity until it vibrates through my chest. A shimmering mist begins to rise from the seeder, swirling around us before drifting upward into the night sky.

I hold my breath, watching as the mist spreads and thins out until it's nearly invisible.

"How long will it take?" I ask.

Vornas shakes his head. "I'm not certain. We will have to wait and see."

We stand in silence, watching the sky as if expecting to see some dramatic change. But the stars continue to twinkle, unmoved by the monumental shift happening beneath them.

Our quiet moment is interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. A young Saberkai warrior, his fur still fuzzy with youth, bursts into the clearing.

"My king," he pants, dropping into a low bow. "Forgive the interruption, but there's news you must hear."

Vornas's tail twitches with irritation, but he nods for the warrior to continue.

"Not so long ago, we received word from the Drakari and Aquarian kingdoms," the young Saberkai says. "Draven and Krakenos have begun peace talks. They extend an open invitation for you to join the discussions."

I feel Vornas stiffen beside me. I look up at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

After a moment, Vornas nods. "Very well. Send a messenger to both kingdoms at once. Inform them that I will join these talks."

The young warrior bows again then scampers off into the jungle. Vornas turns to me, a mix of emotions playing across his feline features.

"It seems our work is far from over," he says with a wry smile.

I reach out and take his hand, feeling the soft fur and sharp claws beneath my fingers. "We knew it wouldn't be easy. But we're in this together, right?"

His smile softens. "Always." He glances back toward the Saberkai settlement. "It will take some time for the messengers to reach the other kingdoms. In the meantime, how about I show you our new home?"

I nod eagerly, and Vornas leads me through the jungle until we arrive at the base of an enormous tree. I ask, "Is this…?"

"Yes. This is one of our most ancient Mother Trees," Vornas explains as the bark opens for us to step inside. "It's been the home of Saberkai kings for generations."

The interior is a marvel of nature and craftsmanship. Spiraling staircases wind up through the living wood, leading to chambers carved directly into the tree's heartwood. The gem hanging from the middle of the cavern lights everything in an amber glow.

As Vornas gives me a tour, pointing out the various rooms and their functions, I'm struck by the enormity of my new life.

"What do you think?" Vornas asks, his eyes searching my face.

I pause, trying to sort through the whirlwind of emotions. "It's overwhelming," I admit. "But also… exciting. I never imagined I'd be part of something so much bigger than myself."

Vornas pulls me close, his purr rumbling through my body. "You've already changed our world, Chloe. And I have a feeling you're just getting started." He pauses, a cheeky smile forming on his face. "Now. Shall I show you our royal chambers?"

As I follow Vornas through the Mother Tree, my jaw drops at the sheer grandeur. Each room is more stunning than the last, and when we reach our chambers, I'm floored. Gemstones glitter on the walls, and the ceiling looks like a planetarium on steroids. The bed could fit a small army, draped in fabrics that probably cost more than my entire college tuition.

I catch Vornas watching me, his eyes glittering with amusement and a hint of pride.

I arch an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing him. "You're trying to impress me, aren't you?"

His grin turns roguish. "Maybe just a little."

"Well, you're succeeding."

I inch closer to Vornas, every nerve in my body buzzing with awareness. Vornas's gaze captures mine, his pupils expanding as he picks up on the subtle change in atmosphere. He moves toward me, his presence enveloping me like a velvet embrace.

Maybe it's the adrenaline still coursing through my veins, or the flickering candlelight dancing across his chiseled body, but something pulls me toward him, an irresistible force. My pulse quickens as I take in the raw, powerful beauty of his form, those muscles rippling with every movement.

His eyes, a molten mix of curiosity and desire, hold mine as he closes the distance. I feel the softness of his fur as he draws nearer, and that familiar shiver runs down my spine as he leans in, his warm breath tickling my ear. "Chloe," he murmurs, his eyes dark with need.

My breath catches in my throat, and suddenly, the words I've been holding back tumble out.

"I love you, Vornas," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I don't think I've told you that yet."

His eyes widen, then he cups my face in his large, gentle hands, his claws carefully retracted.

"And I love you, Chloe," he purrs, his voice deep and rich with sincerity. "More than all the stars in the Mythian sky."

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, I place my hands on his chest, feeling the steady, strong beat of his heart beneath my palms. It's a rhythm I'm quickly coming to associate with home.

When Vornas finally kisses me, I'm lost. His lips move with mine, his tongue a playful, sensuous partner that leaves me breathless. Every touch ignites a fire within, each taste a shockwave of pleasure.

His hands explore my curves, reverent and eager. A moan escapes me as his fingers graze the sensitive skin of my inner thighs, and I feel his soft growl vibrate through his chest in response. His eyes burn with a primal hunger that mirrors my own.

I tug at his loincloth, needing to see all of him. Vornas obliges, letting the cloth fall away as his cock springs free—massive, alien, perfect. His hands return to my body, eagerly letting loose my clothes. I arch into his touch, silently urging him to take more.

"Vornas," I whisper, my voice hoarse with need. "I want—"

"I know," he growls, and in moments he aligns himself with my pussy. He presses in slowly, sliding in with ease as I adjust around him. But this time I don't need him to take it slow, and it's like he can read my mind, because a moment later he pushes deeper, claiming me with relentless, urgent thrusts.

Our hips snap together, a sharp, rhythmic sound that echoes through the room. My body moves with his, swept up in our primal passion. I cry out as he plunges into me, his purr reaching such a level that his cock vibrates, sending a dizzying amount of sensations through my core. I want him to own me, to make me his, to fill me completely and leave his mark. The thought of carrying his child flits through my mind, a secret, tantalizing desire, even as I know the consequences of such an act. But in this moment, all I can think about is how he makes me feel—like a woman, like his mate, his queen.

His hips move faster, the sound of our bodies colliding filling my ears. I match his rhythm, meeting his ardent gaze as the pleasure builds like an impending storm, and I know that with one more thrust, I'm one more delicious stroke from the peak.

"My queen," he grunts, his voice hoarse and raw. "Let go. Come for me."

That's all it takes, and my body shudders, convulsing with each wave that washes over me. Vornas follows my lead, his release filling me, claiming every inch of me, hot and thick, until we're both blissfully spent.

And just as quickly, we fall into a calm peace, one that I suspect will last the rest of our lives.