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Planet Etteria
Issneen, the Royal City
The palace dining hall.
Later that day.
Xeus strode toward the table where his Dar Eth waited. She wore a dark blue tunic with her blue breeches, and she’d kicked off one blue footwear as she swung her foot back and forth. He knew she’d dressed so for him. This pleased him.
Her hair cascaded over one shoulder, beautiful against his bloodline color. With her fingers, she twirled a strangely shaped glass goblet filled with a deep red liquid. She raised it to her lips. The gentleness and grace with which she held the goblet were magnificent to behold. He watched as she swirled the sip in her mouth before swallowing. It had to be the beverage that tainted her lips a tempting red color even as it flushed her cheeks.
Her thoughts were far away on something that made sadness shimmer in the depths of her brown eyes. He didn’t like to see her so.
“Thamani,” he said, sliding onto the bench opposite her. He needed to touch her, but he also needed to see her face, to read her thoughts, her emotions, to discover the reason behind her sorrow.
“Zoo,” she said with a bright smile. He studied her sincerity. She was pleased to see him.
“What is that?” he asked, gesturing to her beverage.
“It’s red wine. It makes me sleepy...” She pushed the goblet across to him. “Taste, see if you like it.”
He picked up the fragile goblet, as she had done. Taking a deep inhale, he noted the alcohol and strange scents he couldn’t name. He took a sip, swirled it in his mouth, and froze. The flavors exploding across his tongue were sharp, fruity, spicy, and bitter. He swallowed while gazing at the liquid. The alcohol tingled in his mouth then moved swiftly through his body, his metabolism eradicating its effects before it could take hold. The wine was delicious.
“I like it,” he said, pushing the goblet to her. “This will make you sleepy?”
“Wine has that effect on me.” Her shrug disturbed the waterfall of her hair.
“Are you not sleeping in my arms this evening?” He arched an eyebrow even as he prayed she hadn’t changed her mind.
“Yes, I just don’t want to disrupt your sleep. You need it more than I do.”
“I am your Eth, Macera. It pleases me to hold you, to tend to your needs, whatever they may be.”
She blinked, her mouth parted, then her blush deepened. The scent of her arousal hit him. He flashed her a mischievous smile, joyful that she thought of other needs than sleep.
“So, what will my tasks be as your queen?” Her eyes lowered with a lust that made him Fuyra-hard again.
Maker! He squirmed in his seat like a youngin under Remi’s stern gaze.
“There has not been a queen for many years. You will need to determine what tasks you deem necessary for Etteria.”
“No guidebook? No historical records of the previous queens?”
“Perhaps there are in the archives.”
She tapped her chin. “There is one thing. A welcoming committee for the new humans. A support group where they can learn about Etteria, your culture, and not be so nervous about meeting the all-powerful King Xeus. Why I was so nervous, I don’t know.” She raised the goblet to her lips, though it didn’t hide her pink cheeks.
“I agree, to assist in the transition, but it is our culture now, my Dar Eth.”
She beamed. “Are your marriages like Earth’s?”
Xeus waited for the O.D.I. to inform him of her word choice. He scowled at the information that flashed into his mind. “No, when we...marry for politics or anything else other than the Ethera, we live apart. You would call it separated?” At her nod, he continued. “When it is a pairing, as we are, then we become inseparable. If you die, Macera, I die. I would choose to follow you rather than live a life without your radiance.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “That was beautiful. No one has ever spoken to me like that. Thank you, my Eth.” She clasped his hand, giving him a watery smile. “But I don’t want you to die...” She leaned back and swiped her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”
“The wine perhaps?” he teased her.
“I’m just going to have a good cry,” she said, rising to her feet, “especially since you interrupted the last one.”
He stared at her. His concern warred with his need to hit something. He didn’t like seeing her sorrowful.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, my Eth.” And she limped away, sans one slipper. Nuos and Azan dropped their eating utensils mid-meal and hurried after her. What did I say to cause such a reaction? Stunned, he watched her disappear through the door.
Just hold me and let me cry on your shoulder.
He burst into a run before he thought to. Not caring that a sprinting king might alarm his people, he ignored anyone he raced past. His Dar Eth needed him. Now. As he neared her from behind, Nuos and Azan jumped out of his way, allowing him to scoop her into his arms. She squealed, her arms flying wild before she latched onto him.
“What the hell?” She glared at him.
But at the sight of her tear-stained cheeks, his heart lurched as pain lanced through him. He didn’t speak, simply carried her to her chambers.
Azan opened her door and closed it behind them.
Xeus kissed her temple. “You told me to hold you when you cry, thamani.”
~*~
Macy blinked at this great hulking brute who cradled her as if she was precious to him. His warmth and tender care opened the floodgates. She clung to his tunic, drenching it with tears. That she didn’t know why she was crying made her sob even more.
Maybe she hadn’t mourned her gran properly?
Maybe she hadn’t dealt with the kidnapping, being stunned, injured, and was now a refugee on another planet?
Maybe being Zoo’s anything scared her? To have the Etterian empire turn to her for guidance—her, ex-shop-assistant and underground lounge singer?
Maybe it was the intense emotions in his eyes whenever he looked at her?
Maybe what he invoked within her frightened her? Feelings she’d never felt for anyone?
Maybe all of this was too good to be true? Who could love an unattractive fat woman?
And through her sobbing and wailing, he rubbed her back, whispered soothing words in a language so lyrical, and pressed kisses to her temple.
As her tears dwindled into hiccups and sniffles, embarrassment descended, flooding her with heat from her ears to her chin. Mortified by her red cheeks, swollen nose, and puffy eyes, she hid her face in his damp shirt.
“Feeling better?” he asked.
“No, now I’m hideous,” she mumbled past her raw throat.
“Never,” he said. “If I had a scar down to my jaw, would I be repulsive?”
“You’d still be handsome.” She smothered her face against his chest, inhaling the addictive cut grass scent of him that made her heart staccato.
“Then why would you believe crying would detract from your beauty?”
She sighed. The poor male didn’t understand. How could she explain to him that she wasn’t as pretty as Ava, Cyndi, or Quin? Even Olivia was stunning.
But she was just Macera Mitchell, with her dull coloring and generous curves. Zoo got the shit end of the stick if she was his Dar Eth. His enemies would pity him. A sob escaped her. She’d embarrass him, or worse, shame him.
Yet he said he’d die without me.
“I’m so sorry, Zoo.” She cupped his cheek. “That you are stuck with me.” She dipped her chin and tried to pull away. Dull, unattractive? She hadn’t spoken those words, but they sat on the tip of her tongue. She cursed herself for mentioning her insecurities, forcing him to spout platitudes. But he wouldn’t release her.
“I disagree.”
“What...?” She shifted to meet his gaze.
Tears pricked behind her eyes again. Here comes the fake compliments. She hadn’t expected them from him. It would hurt a shit load more coming from him. Since Lysara, she’d hoped to be his. And she’d wanted to find her Eth? A husband? Days ago, she was plain old Macy Mitchell. Now she was Queen Macera. It had happened as fast as she’d wanted it to. Still, her mind reeled while her heart forged a new path.
The responsibility of a planet fell on her shoulders. How insane is that to put that much pressure on a single person? Her eyes widened when she realized Zoo must be so overwhelmed. Her gaze shot up to admire his features, strength, and authority.
“You are the most exquisite creature in all the known galaxies, Macera Mitchell. I will not have you think less of yourself. It ends now.” He commanded her as only a king could, expecting full obedience. “You are my sunlight, my air. I need you, your softness. Can you not see what you bring with you when you enter a room? When you speak to my males?”
She gaped at him, her skin tingling, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. Never had someone spoken with such conviction that she believed him in an instant.
“The red oceans are magnificent, but so are the gray beaches. Neither is more wonderful than the other.” He stroked her cheek, captured her chin, then held her still for a lingering kiss. “Etterians do not lie, ensa.”
“Zoo,” she whispered, dazed. Oyaz and Illan had believed males would want to mate with her. Rior and Xeus said she was beautiful. “All this time, I thought you had sweet males.” She moaned, now seeing all their words as compliments. “Oh, no.” Shame, hot and accusatory, burst across her cheeks. “And I mentioned my nipples to Oyaz...”
Zoo growled, “Why would you—?”
“He was concerned my clothing would be too revealing. So, I threatened to wear a see-through shirt to show my nipples.” She gasped. “That was mean of me. He was trying to protect me.”
“Yes, as expected of a male.” Zoo’s gaze traveled over her face and down to her blue shirt. “I would like to see you in such a garment.”
The intensity in his eyes widened hers. A flutter consumed her stomach. He meant it. He found her attractive.
This is real? I have an alien male, an Etterian.
Dumbass, her conscience said using her gran’s voice.
“You’d like to see me naked, as well,” she teased, regardless of her reeling thoughts and emotions. It was difficult when it was real, to flirt, especially with a male who meant more to her than she’d realized.
He rubbed his chin across her temple. “Yes.” His embrace was gentle despite the hard evidence of his arousal pressing against her ass. Physical proof he liked the look of her.
“You can see me naked tomorrow after a good night’s rest.” She looped her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder.
~*~
“And if I wanted to see you naked now?” Xeus slid his hand under her shirt and over her stomach.
He shuddered at her warm, silky skin beneath his fingers. He hadn’t considered she’d be even softer than when he hugged her. Under his vigilant gaze, her nipples pebbled, her reaction to his touch instant. She dug her fingers through his tunic into his chest muscles. He glanced down to meet her gaze, her eyes hooded and darker. He watched, mesmerized as she sat up to brush her sweet lips across his.
With a guttural grunt, more animalistic than Etterian, he claimed her mouth, plunging his tongue in, unrepentant with his demand, in his need. He stamped her as his territory even as he marveled at her taste, the addictive depths of her mouth, the heat pulsing off her.
His eyes stuttered closed when she slipped her tongue into stroke his, dueled him for supremacy, challenged him for control. He wrapped his arms around her back, crushing her to him as he tilted his head to the side, gaining better access to her. She tightened her arms around his neck, bringing her closer. This allowed him to feel her trembling body, pounding heart, and moans, which vibrated down his throat. He welcomed the sensation, as if they were merging into one being.
He inhaled deeply, attempting to trap her essence inside his lungs and failing miserably. She nibbled on his bottom lip, and all was lost. The groan that tore from him made her whimper. When she swiped her tongue across her lips, he ravaged her then, not giving her any mercy, unable to do so.
Her shiver penetrated the lust haze in his mind. Only then did he register the dark circles under her eyes. He broke the kiss and rested his temple on hers as he fought for calm. His ragged breaths didn’t help, bringing her aroused scent into him.
“Maker, Macera, you shatter my control.” Gathering her close, he rose to his feet to carry her to bed, his gaze not leaving her face. After he’d settled her in the middle of the bed, he slid on beside her. He pulled her into his arms, tucking her against him. “The quicker you rest, the quicker I will claim you,” he said, even as his malehood throbbed and pulsed with need. “Sleep, ensa.”
“I don’t have a say?” she teased but ruined it with a yawn. She sighed and snuggled into his arms, resting her face in the curve of his neck. Her breath tickled.
“I want to kiss you all over.”
He shuddered at her whisper. He ached for her to do so as well, and Maker willing, it would happen tomorrow. As an Etterian male, he must find the strength to last a few more hours. He focused on his breathing, on clearing his thoughts, on anything other than the warm, soft, and sweet-scented female who lay trustingly in his arms.
He wouldn’t fail his Dar Eth.
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