Chapter 16

I start to feel like a withered-up prune. I know I am going to have to get out of this water, but his shaft remains hard and locked inside of me. Raising my head up, I get to admire his resting form for a moment before his bright orange eyes pierce mine.

Runningmy fingers down his face, I trace all the marks that I have been so fascinated with from the first moment I saw him. His comm unit has gone off several times in the last few minutes, but both of us are in denial that there is an outside world.

ZoDpulls me back to his chest, tucking my head under his chin. AsI lay here listening to his heartbeat, my eyes wander around. My mind drifts off to all the events that have happened in the last few days, or years if I want to believe I was asleep that long. The things that were always so important to me seem kinda silly now and I wonder once again what my role will be in this new world that I have been thrust into.

"Your mind is busy, little one. I must not have done my job well enough if you still have the ability to think."

"I have jelly legs and I think I may have had an out-of-body experience at one point back there. However, I am a female, and it doesn't take much for our minds to kick back in gear. If it makes you feel any better, I wasn't thinking anything bad. Just wondering if this is a dream and if it's not, what's my role in this new world."

"Amori, I am glad this is not a dream, and your role is to be by my side until the Lord of Light takes us."

"What if you come to regret this … us? Your people may accept me as your pet, ZoD, but they may not if this is more than that."

"You know you are more to me than a pet, Amori. You have been since the moment I put you in my arms. I don't know how to voice these new feelings I have for you, but I know that I will tear the heavens apart to keep you in my arms."

Justas I start to answer him, his comm unit goes off again. "Amori, as much as I hate to, I am going to have to answer that."

Inod my head yes and lay back down on his chest, suddenly feeling empty when his softened shaft slides out of me. His voice is soothing against my chest as he talks quietly to someone. The light above us shifts, suddenly glowing onto the white crystals lying behind ZoD's head. Reaching up hesitantly, I pick one up gently, as they look extremely sharp. It takes me a second to realize what I am seeing and why the water tastes the way it does. I touch my tongue on it and sure enough, there is no missing what it is, its salt. That has somehow formed into these sparkling crystals.

"Hey, did you know the whole back of this cave is lined in salt crystals? Do you guys use this as a spice to cook with?"

"Ewe, who would want this nastiness in their sustenance?"

"If done correctly, salt really brings out the flavor in things. This may be a moneymaker for you guys."

"See, you are already thinking of my people as your own." ZoD picks me up, untangling my legs from around him before sitting me on the edge of the hot spring. "It's getting late, Amori, and we have escaped as long as they will allow it. That was Raya, I have a visitor headed towards the dock and I need to be there when they arrive. There is a drying towel in my cape for you."

"Oh, I see you had this planned all along. You come prepared."

"A male can dream, and yes, I was hoping this rising would bring us closer. You are dearer to me than you realize. The connection I have towards you is like no other before, my body has never locked itself within another. Everything about us is a new experience."

"I kinda like you too, big guy. If you want, I'll dry your back if you'll do mine."

"IfI touch you again, we will never leave this place."

"You see me just running out the door to get away from you, but I'll be good, party pooper." Growling, he lunges after me as I turn and shake my ass at him. Screaming playfully, I run towards his hover machine, grabbing his cape and trying to hide under it. His large fingers grab me around the waist, and I can't hold back the laughter as he tickles me. Trying to squirm away, I drop his cape on the ground only to find myself pressed up against ZoD once again.

"I thought you didn't want to play with me anymore?"

"I have never been a male who played until you came along. Now behave yourself before I end up bending you over my speeder, playing with that pleasure nub of yours until you scream out my name and are too weak to hold on as we head back."

"Damn, can I think about it, I mean that really doesn't sound like a bad deal." His stupid comm unit goes off again and I have to bite the inside of my lip to keep from laughing at the look on his face when he answers.

"What?"

"Father, SiN is asking for permission to dock. I thought we were supposed to send a shuttle out to him?"

"That's fine, Raya, have your brother detain him until I arrive."

"Onyx has not come back from rotation yet. I will meet him myself."

"ShouldI be worried?"

"Onyx's locator is still green, so he is not in distress, but I would appreciate it if you would speak with him. NothingI say penetrates his stubbornness, and I need him here. No matter how much I tell him that, he is constantly disappearing."

"I will take care of the issue when I return. We are getting ready to head back now."

WhileZoD is speaking to his daughter, I go ahead and get dressed. As much as I would like this day to continue, it has run its course. ZoD has enough burdens on him right now, and I don't want to add to that list.

Idon't even hear the last couple of things they say to each other, but his body language is easy enough to read. He went from relaxed to stiff and formal in seconds. I can't imagine the stress he is hiding from everyone daily. When he turns back towards me. I hold his cape up and help him slip it over his head, hating the fact that he has to hide all that lusciousness.

"I am sorry, Amori."

"What for? You can't control everything. We had a wonderful time. Thank you for taking time out of your insane world to share this place with me."

"I want to share everything with you. This need that I have for you is overwhelming. I swear there are moments I can feel you inside of me and if I were inside of you, I still wouldn't be close enough. I have no idea what's going on with me, but I feel like I am being pulled in two different directions. One with you and the other with my people. I don't know if I can choose one over the other."

"ZoD, I am never going to make you do that. Things are still new between us, and we both are on unsteady ground right now, but as long as I don't wake up from this dream back in my own bed alone, I believe we will have time to figure all this out. I have a feeling in the long run, you are going to have to be more patient with me than I am with you. Come on, we might as well get back."

Hemakes sure my mask is in place as he lifts me up onto the hover thing. I slide up to the front seat.

"Amori?"

"Hey, I can't see around your big ass, so can I drive? You can ride bitch for a while. If you are worried about someone seeing you, we can swap places right before we get back."

"You have no idea how to drive a speeder?"

"It can't be that difficult. I rode a motorcycle daily back home; I am sure this is somewhat similar."

Justwhen I think he is going to make me move to the back he shocks me by throwing a leg over and sliding up against me. "This is the throttle, to get it to slow down, you simply let off it. The speeder will follow your body, so lean the way you want it to go, but it's sensitive. If you act recklessly, it will throw you off. Let me steer us out the opening and then it's all yours."

"You're ok with this?"

"I consider it an honor to ride behind you. If you are willing to learn, I will teach you all that I know. I never want you to feel helpless when I could have given you the knowledge to feel powerful."

Hesteers us out of the opening, and the dry air instantly takes my breath. It's amazing the things that are hidden right in front of us sometimes. Inches are all that separate a paradise from this desolate area. ZoD takes his hands off the controllers and sits back. With a smile on my face. I reach up and we take off in a flash. An excited yell leaves my throat as ZoD grabs ahold of my boobs, trying not to be thrown off the back. I finally slow down, playing with the controls as the machine dips from side to side. "Hey, big guy, those are not handle grips."

"That's a matter of opinion, I am enjoying this immensely. I may ride back here from now on."

Shakingmy head, I set us at a steady speed so that I can look around. At first, everything appears the same, but that is far from the case. There are mountain sides that seem to reach clear up into the heavens covered in thick layers of clouds and what looks like snow. Fields of sand dance in ripples across the ground as the wind moves them around effortlessly. Unfortunately, the sands are blowing so hard around us it is stinging my cheeks where my mask has fallen down. I slow down and turn back so that ZoD can see and point towards my face.

Assoon as he sees the damage. He grabs me around the waist, moving me up and over until he can slide into the driver's seat, before placing me back behind him. This happens so fast I barely have time to grab on.

"Until we can get you coverings that fit properly, you will not be out here again. Tuck your head down behind me. We have soothing creams for the sand burns back home and I will put it on you as soon as we land. You should have told me sooner."

"I wasn't complaining, ZoD. I was just going to have you pull the mask back up."

"You're bleeding, Amori, we need to get you back quickly. The smell of your blood could attract predators and we are still quite a ways out."

Ipush the cape up under my eyes. "Great, something else to worry about. Give it hell, big guy, and get us out of here."

ZoDgrabs my hands, tucking them around his sides, then takes off. Apparently, this bike will really cruise because things are going by so fast it's making me a little dizzy. I end up closing my eyes and tucking my face into the middle of his back, enjoying the subtle movement of his body.

Suddenly, we come over a rising, and the pods appear magically before us. I don't know how he finds anything out here in these rolling fields of sand, they all look the same to me. ZoD slows down as we approach an outer cave that, if you didn't know was there, you would never see. The temperature change is so drastic that the front of the cave is foggy. Within seconds, he has us stopped and once again I am in his arms.

"ZoD, damn it. I can walk."

Thesound of something large heading down another part of the ramp has me looking over his shoulder.

"Looks like you have company?"

"They can wait until I look at your injuries."

"It's just a scratch."

"The dirt can be poisonous if not treated properly; humor me, Amori. Can you hit the button on my comm please?"

Itouch the device and it beeps. "Raya, have Elexa come to my chambers with the soothing cream, Tessa's skin was ripped by the winds. TellSiNI will be down momentarily."

"Acknowledged, Father."

Mycheek has started to sting, and when I pull the cloak off, I realize it's covered in blood.

"Don't touch it, the oils off your fingers will make it burn worse and your hands have sand all over them. Now you realize why we go out completely covered. My skin is thicker than yours, but the sands can be brutal."

"Lesson learned for sure."

Weno more than enter into his dwelling when Elexa comes in. ZoD sets me down on the couch immediately tugging my cape off. His bright orange eyes flash as I feel a small stream of blood roll down my cheek.

"ZoD, I am sure it's not as bad as it looks. Go on, you have things to do, and I am a big girl."

"Father, I will make sure Tessa is well taken care of, Raya will need you. She is not the most diplomatic one of us."

Ican tell he is torn, so I hop up and grab his arm. Pulling his face down to mine, I kiss him gently. Then turn him around and smack his ass. "Now, get out of here."

Agiggle leaves Elexa, but when he looks over at her. She instantly sobers up, looking innocent. "Do not leave her alone."

"Yes, Father."

Heturns from both of us, disappearing through that vacuum elevator thing. "In all my rotations, I have never seen my father flustered. He has always been a male driven and on course. It's nice to see him shaken up some, I can tell he genuinely cares for you, Tessa. Now let's get you treated before he runs back in to make sure I am taking care of you properly."

"Does it bother you that he cares for me? I mean I'm not like you."

"Love doesn't see differences, so why should we? If you can bring him a moment of happiness, you have my approval. He is dedicated to us all and Father needs someone to take care of him, personally and emotionally. Father has no one to confide in and we all need that special someone."

"Thank you for that. It's not been an easy change, but I am determined to make the most of it and not become bitter on the how's, why's, or what ifs."

"TheLord of Light always has a plan, it may seem the wrong path from time to time, but in the end, you will be exactly where he wants you to be. This may sting slightly."

Iam glad she warned me before cleaning my face off and applying this jelly-like goop to my face. While she is leaning in front of me, it gives me time to admire her markings. "You know, for an alien, you are quite beautiful."

Shesmiles, shaking her head slightly. "I am rather plain compared to most of the others but thank you for the compliment."

"Are you guys born with those marks or do they form later on?"

"As we age, certain places will darken further, but most of the birthmarks are there when we are born. I have never been off-planet, so my knowledge is limited."

"Well, from my point of view, they are wicked cool looking. I don't know if it's your skin tone, the black hair, or what, but somehow it all works. How bad is my face?"

"You were correct, it did look worse than it is. Your kind must leak easily. Keep the cream on for half a rotation before you wash it off, simply to make sure there is no scarring left behind. Wait a moment, I must have missed a spot."

Shedoes that cute head tilt thing that must run in the family before gently moving my face one way and then the other. "I am going to go get a wet cloth from the refresher area. For some reason, instead of your skin lighting where it was damaged, it seems to be getting darker. It almost appears to be, … oh, but it can't be one of our marks because you are not one of us. We will have to watch this; Father will never forgive me if our creams damage you more than help."

Hercomm unit goes off. "Excuse me for a moment." She walks away, towards the bathroom, talking low, before turning back to me. "Here, put this on your face and lie back. I need to return to the substance area, one of the main fryers is down, but I promised Father, I would not leave you alone. So, I hope that you don't mind that I called Zllera to come sit with you?"

"No, not at all, but I don't need a babysitter. My stomach is a little upset and honestly, I think I might just lie down and take a nap. There is no reason for you to pull that kid away from whatever she is doing to come up here with me."

"I will inform her to finish her studies before she comes. That should be another half a rising or so, you should rest while you can. Zllera has not obtained the ability to be quiet or sit still as of yet. Father may be a while before he returns. From my understanding, the male who just landed is a criminal. Father will stay close to him until he departs."

"Go on, Elexa. I have my little talking wrist thing if I need you guys. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to take care of me."

"You are most welcome, Tessa. Please don't hesitate to comm me if you need anything." Elexa turns disappearing as quickly as her father did down that elevator shaft thing. The silence in the room becomes quickly apparent and I wonder if they have some type of music player or anything that makes noise. I press the damp cloth against my cheek as I walk around nosing. Nothing makes me feel more like an alien than not being able to recognize the symbols on anything.