A Desire for Higher Heights

Xion stretched out on the divan, sighing, and ran his hand over his jaw, beard, face, and locks while exhaling.

Katya sat waiting, heart pounding, bracing for the inevitable rejection or incandescent anger.

It never came.

Instead, the Rider knifed up, placed his hands on his knees and propped his chin on his fists.

‘Tell me about her. Is she the toddler called Kaaia?'

Katya met Xion's eyes with a shuddered breath. ‘Naam, that's her name.'

‘What of Akira? Is it true you refused him access to her?'

Katya shook her head, eyes brimming with sadness. ‘Akira? Oh, hell no. He took off as soon as he heard I was pregnant. A home life with a woman and kids was not for him; he was a hardened, happy-go-lucky pirate.'

‘Where did you meet?' Xion urged.

‘At a bar on Enia, working a heist,' she sighed, her gaze distant. ‘We hit it off at once. I fell hard for him. But when I was expecting, he disappeared. I thought I'd found the love of my life, only to be left with my daughter to raise alone.'

Xion grunted. ‘And you've been riding solo since?'

Her laughter was bitter, tainted with the weight of years of isolation. ‘Naam. I had no time for anything or anyone else. I was also feeding a dozen other kids. My mother helped look after her and her siblings while I was scouring Pegasi for ways to keep food on our plates. It's been a lonely ride, kodan, but my situation was nothing I wanted to load anyone else with.'

Silence fell for a beat as Xion's eyes gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

After a few moments, he flicked them back to her.

‘I care about you, Katya. Why did you think having a bio-daughter would make a difference to me in how I felt for you?'

Xion's eyes flickered with hurt as he rasped the words with a husky intonation.

Katya drew a ragged breath, hands twisting in her lap. ‘I didn't know how open you'd be to the idea. Akira viewed Kaaia as a burden. I didn't keep him away; he did all the running until I woke to my senses and realised what a manipulative bastard he was.'

She paused, staring down at her kneading palms. ‘My love, I'm a lot; I'm a criminal, a fraud like he said and also a single mum with a dozen kids and one bio daughter that I adore. I'm a hefty package, and I was scared if I let it all out with you too soon, you'd -'

‘I'd what?'

‘Well, you'd walk. Let's be honest. You've shared that you've not been the most committed partner in the past. I didn't want to scare you with too much too fast.'

Xion's expression softened.

The raw honesty in her voice cut through to any lingering doubts in his mind.

He reached out a hand to cup her cheek, his touch grounding and reassuring.

‘Katya, you're not just a criminal or a fraud. You're a survivor,' Xion rasped but with conviction. ‘And as for being a single mother of orphan kids and a biological daughter you love in the same way, it doesn't change how I feel about you. Not now, not then. You didn't scare me away; you intrigued me from the start.'

Katya's eyes searched his, seeing sincerity and understanding reflected in her. ‘You mean that?'

He huffed and nodded. ‘Khaliya, you don't have to fear I'll skip and run out on you. When I commit to something, I do it with all my heart. You've seen my dedication to the Riders and our small family; extending the same rock-solid love to you won't be a hardship. I may not have been the most committed in the past, but that's because I hadn't found my woman, my ride or die. Now I have,' Xion continued, his gaze unflinching.

He reached out, lifting her chin so their eyes met. ‘You are everything to me, and if you come with a daughter and twelve other kids, then that's how my destiny was meant to play out.'

‘You really do mean that?' Katya whispered, her walled defence crumbling in the face of Xion's genuine declaration.

He paused for a beat. ‘Any doubts that may have lingered in my mind have been silenced by the unwavering love I see in for your children and the care you've taken to protect them. I see that same devotion when I look into your eyes, how you cherish me. It's righteous, and I'm not even sure I deserve it myself.'

Katya was imbued with feeling as the weight of her man's words settled over her.

Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting a mix of emotions—relief, vulnerability, and a glimmer of hope. She had never expected to find understanding and acceptance in someone like Xion after all she had been through.

The burden of her past mistakes seemed to lessen as she allowed herself to believe in the possibility of a different future—one where her lawbreaking history didn't define her.

‘But you might need to make amends for some of your waywardness,' he rasped, cutting into her thoughts.

‘I plan to,' she said. ‘Starting with this.'

She reached into her suit, in between her breasts, reaching into a hidden pocket on her bra.

Xion's brow furrowed as she pulled out an object.

His eyes widened when he recognised it. ‘The Iris?'

‘Naam,' Katya confessed, dropping the glittering crimson gem into his hand. ‘I plucked it off Akira's pockets on his ship when he came at me as I tried to exit the bridge.'

Xion chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. ‘Of course, you did. Why the hell did he have it?'

‘K'Sumi gave it to him. Had we made it to the Sable vaults, we'd have needed to test the frequencies of the Viper's Eye and the Serpent's Iris to ascertain they matched.'

Xion sobered up. ‘Which might have caused an epic geological fallout across Eden II, or worse, this corner of the universe.'

‘Seems neither K'Sumi nor Akira and perhaps not even my brothers, had thought that far. Or had a clue about how monumental its power is, sufficient to change the course of a universe.'

‘Damn woman, you rock my world,' Xion rasped.

‘I hope I'm enough for it, for you,' Katya breathed.

Xion's thumb brushed away a tear that escaped down Katya's cheek, his touch tender and reassuring. ‘You are more than enough, and I mean every word,' he affirmed, his gaze unwavering as he held hers. ‘I see you for who you are now, not for who you used to be, khaliya. Your dedication to your kids has much to do with your redemption and my regard for you. You're more righteous than many a so-called holy man or woman I've met.'

His words sank in, and a sense of warmth bloomed in her chest, thawing the ice that had encased her heart for so long.

‘I may need some time, kodan,' she said after a beat. ‘To reassure my kids, settle them down, and perhaps relocate them from Iccythria. I'm not sure I want them nor my mother living there any more.'

Xion's brow lifted. ‘Take all the time you want. You've got a home on Eden II should you require one.'

Katya's eyes widened in surprise at Xion's offer, his unwavering support catching her off guard. It was rare it was to find someone who not only accepted her past. Furthermore, he was willing to stand by her side as she navigated the complexities of her present.

‘Sante, kodan,' Katya whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and a hint of disbelief. ‘I never imagined finding this level of understanding and kindness.'

Xion's hand remained on her cheek, a silent gesture of comfort and reassurance. ‘You don't have to face your future alone, khaliya. I'm here for you, whatever you need.'

The weight of his words hung in the air, wrapping around them like a protective shield against the uncertainties ahead.

For the first time in a long while, Katya believed that maybe, just maybe, she had found a glimmer of solace in the arms of a man who valued her beyond her past and for her soul, which was the best redemption ever.

‘You and your children are welcome wherever I am,' he grunted. ‘I want you to feel safe and supported, no matter what comes our way.'

Katya let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding.

‘Sante.'

It was all she was able to whisper.

‘Lips, woman,' Xion growled, dragging her onto his lap.

Their kiss was a mix of raw emotion and unspoken words, a silent promise of unwavering support and love.

The chaos of their experience to date faded into the background, their world shrinking to just the two of them in that moment.

For Katya, the touch of his mouth was a lifeline in the storm, grounding her in a reality she had almost lost hope of finding again.

In the aftermath of the shakedown, Kisan and Kage raced back to Eden II's surface, with the pirates locked in the secure holds of their frigates.

Xion lingered on the Tachy's bridge, wrapping up a report on the incursion.

Needing to refresh herself, Katya stepped into the head cleanser and let the soap, suds, and warm mist wash away her troubles.

Her mind drifted back to her and Xion's recent conversation and his promise of understanding and acceptance.

She slumped against the wall, tears flowing free.

He'd given her a rare gift she had never dared hope for in her tumultuous life.

Emerging from the shower, Katya's soul lifted, lighter, freer as if she had left behind a heavy burden in the steam-filled room.

She wrapped herself in a plush towel and took a deep breath, savouring the moment of tranquillity.

When she returned to where Xion was waiting, she found him looking out at the vast expanse of stars in the sky.

His silhouette against the panoramic view was everything: his physique beyond the next level and the perfect amalgamation of grace and brute size.

Xion turned as Katya approached, his eyes meeting hers with a soft intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

Without a word, he held his hand to her, a silent invitation to stand beside him and gaze at the endless sea of astral bodies together. Katya took his hand, feeling a sense of connection that transcended words.

The night sky stretched out before them, a canvas of twinkling lights that seemed to hold secrets and promises in equal measure.

Their eyes locked, the air between them electrified with craving.

Xion tapped his heart and rasped; his voice timbered with longing. ‘So much churning in here for you, woman, let me show you, better than I can tell you.'

With a small smile, Katya led her man to his bed.

The soft glow of starlight filtered through the windows.

It cast an aura over the room as Katya and Xion stood facing each other, their eyes engaged in a silent sea of feeling, thick with desire and need.

Without breaking eye contact, Katya reached out with trembling fingers to trace the line of Xion's jaw, her touch feather-light yet charged with emotion. The heat of his skin beneath her fingertips was almost scorching, a stark contrast to the cool air that enveloped them.

Xion's gaze never wavered as he captured her hand in his, bringing it to his lips to press a gentle kiss on her palm. The gesture was tender and possessive, a silent declaration of his feelings for her that transcended mere words.

In that intimate moment, the world outside their embrace ceased to exist. The only sound was the soft rustle of fabric as they drew closer, their hearts beating in sync with the universe's rhythm.

A surge of emotions welled inside her, a mix of longing and vulnerability that she had buried for far too long.

Xion's lips grazed hers in a caress, and a wave of electricity shot through her, igniting a fire that had been persistent, smouldering within her soul.

Their bodies moved together in a dance as old as time, each movement a muted conversation between them, speaking volumes without uttering a single word. Their passion was primal and raw, a force of nature that defied logic and reason.

Tumbling onto the divan in a tangle of limbs, the cool surface did nothing to dampen their heated skin as they gave in to their shared desire.

His mocha-jade eyes smouldered with intensity and tenderness as he gazed down at her.

At that moment, nothing else existed for Katya except the man beside her, his presence anchoring her in a reality where she was seen and cherished for who she was now, not for her past mistakes.

She breathed his essence, his musk, his power, luxuriated in his strength, his mass, his weight on her. He was everything.

In seconds, Xion whipped off her robe and then his clothes.

To reveal his ripped, corded, muscled arms, the ink that swirled on his skin and the tautness of his belly and his beautiful, diamond-hard cock.

He stared at her through the curtain of his locks, a vulnerability in his eyes that she'd never seen before.

His hand slid down her side, tracing the curve of her hip and dipping lower, teasing her with every caress.

Katya's breath hitched as she waited for his touch.

She reached for him, and they kissed long and sensuously, taking their time to nip at each other, taste and adorn each other.

‘Kodan,' she breathed. ‘I can't get enough of you.'

‘Khaliya, I adore you.'

He bent over her and stroked her clit.

She arched her back, and his chest rumbled at her quick reaction to him.

He kept working his hands all over her.

Xion's touch was tender and possessive, his hands exploring every curve and dip of her body with reverence.

He tugged at her tits, sucked on her nipples and nipped at her throat.

She, in turn, tweaked his nipple, caressed his chest and palmed his throbbing, weeping length until he threw his head back, veins jutting as she brought him close to eruption.

He pulled away from her. ‘Woman, you are wild but not yet, khaliya,' he warned, flipping her so she could sit astride him. He knifed up and tugged her to him, latching to her breast.

She mewled as his mouth pull sent a jolt of electricity through her.

His fingers reached her slit once more. With a moan, she writhed under his ministrations, their bodies moving together in a primal rhythm, igniting a fire that blazed brighter.

Katya's senses were overwhelmed by his heady scent, a mix of musk and sweat that only fueled her hunger for him.

With a groan, he positioned himself beneath her and, seizing her hips, plunged deep into her wet heat.

He began to piston in and out of her, his body a whirl of motion as he drove them both towards the pinnacle of ecstasy.

‘Faster?' Xion whispered, his voice a husky growl.

Nodding, she reached for him, her hands gripping his broad shoulders, thighs banded around his waist, thrusting her hips up to him in utter surrender.

‘Naam,' she breathed, thick with desire. ‘Harder.'

With a soft grin, Xion pressed his lips to hers, their tongues dancing together in a frenzy of need. Katya let out a gasp as his hand found her core,

His pelvis pounded against her, their bodies merging as one in a frenzied dance of raw passion.

Each grind drove her further into higher heights of pleasure, her moans and sighs melding into one continuous soundtrack of ecstasy.

Xion's grip on her hips tightened, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he plunged himself deeper into her, his movements more erratic, more urgent.

As they started to crest the peak of desire, Katya could feel her body tightening around his, the familiar sensation of release building within her.

She was close, so fokkin' ready to succumb to their love's raw, primal power.

Their eyes connected, and Xion groaned, his face contorting in a mix of pleasure and pain.

He growled hoarsely, ‘Now, khaliya. Now.'

A jolt of electricity coursed through her, and she trembled in anticipation as Xion snarled above her, his neck veins jutting, his beautiful features contorted with desire.

With a cry, she gave in to the all-consuming bliss that engulfed her, convulsing around him.

Their orgasms crashed together like waves upon the shore, the room filled with a crescendo of cries and gasps.

Katya's groans mingled with his, echoing through the room as he took her higher.

The pleasure built until it shattered into myriad shards of pure ecstasy.

With a final, guttural cry, Xion collapsed into the bed, his body shivering with the intensity of his release.

Katya held him tight, her heart swelling with the radiance of becoming one overwhelming her.

She reached the peak of bliss, collapsing in waves of bliss, falling on him, panting and spent.

Xion thrust a hand into her hair, pulling her close, rasping into her ear.

‘Sweet Eden, I love you,' he rasped.

She pulled away with a smile. ‘I love you too, Rider.'

Xion's eyes were locked on hers, the incandescent ecstasy of their connection undeniable. She traced the lines of his face, the raw emotion etched deep within his features.

The tenderness in his gaze made her heart swell, and Katya let her soul fall into his, forever bound to him by an unbreakable thread of devotion, love and desire.