Page 28 of Offering Herself to Darkness

14

XAREX

Xarex held his new bride close, and sent silent thanks to the Goddess that Nora was still willing to trust him, even after what had almost happened both in the shower and just now when he was tasting her.

His W’rx side had already been close to the surface and he’d been fighting to keep it from coming out as she pulled his hair and moaned his name. But when he felt her coming for him and her pussy got even wetter as he licked her, it had been simply too much!

The W’rx half of him had been urging him to take her—to flip her over into breeding position and thrust his cock to the hilt in her tight little pussy. It had been all he could do to resist the violent urge, knowing that Nora would be hurt if he took her so roughly.

I have to do a better job controlling myself, he thought as he stroked her back and cradled her against him. She’s so small—so delicate. I can’t treat her like a W’rx would treat his mate!

This had never been a problem in the past. The unfortunate thing about having a broken emotion damper was that he couldn’t control what emotions he had. Even the violent lust from his W’rx side broke through.

Well, he would have to be careful to keep it contained, Xarex told himself. He would rather die himself than hurt the curvy little female who was sleeping so peacefully against his side. And probably he should get rid of the ropes he’d bought to tie her with. It was too bad, but he was afraid if he bound as his W’rx side wanted to, he might lose control and take her too roughly. No, it was better to just forget the bondage part of his fantasies.

That was all right, though—as long as he had Nora, he didn’t mind foregoing some of the sexual experiences he’d fantasized about. Having her near him, safe in his arms, was worth much more than any cheap gratification he might find in acting out his crudest desires.

He looked down at her, sleeping so peacefully in his arms. Her long brown hair was spread like a silken waterfall across his chest and her face was lovely and serene. It made his heart squeeze almost painfully to see how she trusted him enough to be completely vulnerable with him.

Xarex didn’t know the name of the emotion that was flooding him—it felt like a mixture of the need to protect and the desire to keep her close—but he knew it was the right feeling to have. Not the ravenous, mindless lust that had reared its ugly head in the shower.

I’ll be more careful, he promised himself as he savored the sweet, secret flavor of his honey, still on his lips. I won’t hurt her, no matter how strong the W’rx lust gets! And I’ll never tie her down—it wouldn’t be safe.

Still promising himself to work on his self-control, he finally drifted off to sleep with his new bride cradled against him.

15

NORA

“There it is—Primus Nine,” Xarex rumbled, pointing to the lush green world spinning in the center of the long-range shuttle’s viewscreen.

“Oh—it’s beautiful.” Nora thought it looked like a jewel floating in the velvet blackness of space. “Will we get there soon?”

“Very soon,” Xarex promised. “I have the landing coordinates they sent when Commander Sylvan called to ask permission for us to come and try for the Flower of Healing.”

“I hope we can get it!” Nora couldn’t keep the anxiety out of her voice. She was still emotional about having to leave her daughter for a time to go get the flower. But her mother was with Anna and Dr. Olivia—who had told Nora to just call her “Liv”—had promised to check on her twice a day for as long as they were gone. She had also given Nora’s mother a Think-me—a silver wire band that fit like a crown on the wearer’s head and made mental communication possible.

“If Anna starts having trouble breathing or seems to be in any distress, Bespeak me right away,” she had instructed Nora’s mom. “No matter where I am on the ship, I’ll come running.”

Knowing that her little girl was in good hands was the only thing that allowed Nora to go on this quest. She wasn’t sure how long it would take to get the Flower of Healing or even if she and Xarex would even be able to get it at all. She only knew she had to try—it was her last hope to cure Anna’s Pulmonary Crystalosis.

Suddenly, a voice came over the long-range shuttle’s com-link.

“Kindred vessel, you are cleared to land,” it said in a mild, neutral tone which made it impossible to know if the speaker was male or female. “Please set down at the coordinates we have provided. The One who Cares for All will be waiting to meet you.”

“Thank you—beginning landing sequence now,” Xarex replied. He looked at Nora. “Hang on—time to land.”

The landing went smoothly and before she knew it, Nora was following her new husband out of the shuttle and into what looked like a tropical rainforest.

“Oh, it’s beautiful!” she murmured, looking around the small clearing where they had landed the long-range shuttle. Most of the vegetation was green but not any color of green she’d ever seen on Earth. There was a metallic, almost golden shine to the leaves and vines she saw all around them. That must have been what made the whole planet look like a giant emerald from space.

There were lots of colorful flowers too—most of them in deep jewel tones like ruby red and sapphire blue. Again, they had a kind of golden shine that made them glimmer in the reddish sunlight.

Xarex was looking around too, but in a guarded way, she saw. His silver eyes were narrowed, scanning in every direction as though he was looking for threats. He kept her protectively close to his side and after a moment, Nora realized he was guarding her.

The realization made her feel special and protected. Her ex had never even bothered to walk on the outside of her when they were out on a sidewalk together. And Nora was sure if they’d ever been attacked, he would have run off and left her to fend for herself.

Things couldn’t have been more different with the big Kindred. Xarex was alert and protective, ready to guard her with his life, just as he had promised in his wedding vows to her.

---