Page 29 of The Death Striker's Partner
“Which are?” She asks me and I scan the area with my dark gaze. I spot one of the senior Elite guards coming towards us and place a hand on her shoulder.
“We’re about to find out.”
“…So Gestra was telling the truth. A Death Striker? A Peacekeeper?” The Guard had dull green scales with sandy stripes travelling length ways to the very tip of his tail. His bronze armour was the same as the other Elite Guards, but he also had a headdress with brown feathers splaying in a line from his crown to the back of his neck. It was a sign of his station. “And they sent you to the Palace of all places?”
“Peacekeeper Tumva of the 21st pit, reporting for duty.” I tap the lanyard. “We’ve been cleared already.”
“I know. Byme.” He sneered. He had to be the Guard Captain if he cleared our entry. He grimaced, cupping his face and looking down at Hannah. Well at leastthisguy wasn’t going to flirt with my partner. Her pheromones werenotpleasant to his scent pits. “And you’re Officer Hannah Blac, right?”
“Yes sir.” She answered dutifully with pride.
“Let’s get you somewhere where you candiscretelyoversee the festival. If you are needed to respond to anything, we’ll let you know.” Fine by me. We followed him up the left slope of the hall until we were level with the primary display areas. He pointed into one of the hollowed-out areas in the wall and ushered us inside. There were two coil stools so at least we would be able to be comfortable whilst here. “Stay in here unless summoned.”
“Yes Guard Capitan.” He nodded curtly at me and slithered off quickly. “You might as well take a seat.” I use my tail to slide the stools closer to the edge.
“But I thought patrolling would involve, you know, patrolling?” Hannah pouted and sat on her stool with a huff.
“Had we taken one of the main street duties on the bottom or middle tiers of Orna, we would have.” I chuckle and coil my tail around the stool to also rest.
“At least we get to watch the main event.” She pointed down to the primary display areas. “And we can see the Royal platform from here too. As long as Billie isn’t too far back, I’ll be able to see her.”
“Hopefully.” The end of my tail winds around her stool to bring her close. “It will be worth sitting in this hole all night if you get to see her.” Hannah turns to stun me with a beautiful smile.
“Yeah. Hopefully. And you never know?” She chuckles and winks at me. “We might still get to see some action. The Guard Captain might need some help?”
“…I doubt it.” I shrug and really don’t mind. Sitting beside Hannah and basking in her lovely scent, all to myself, all night? I can think of far worse ways to pass my time. I can only think of a few better ways to pass my time, come to think of it. All of which involve Hannah in a tangle with me…
Chapter 25
The guests arrive
Hannah
My dark brown eyes are wide and I know I’m openly staring. Ucfeni are slithering into the lower platforms of the festival hall. It was an amazing sight. The Ucfeni were wearing beautiful feathers and fabrics of every colour. I couldn’t look away. Just watching them enter the hall looked like some sort of parade. Everyone seemed to be giddy with anticipation and most headed straight for the dance floor. Even before musicians started to fill hollowed out rooms in the walls. The musicians thrummed exotic looking string based instruments. Some looked remarkably similar to miniature harps and lutes, where as others were uniquely alien to me. One looked like a set of stings that were twirled from metal sticks, and the speed by which they were twirled changed the note. There were plenty of woodwind instruments too, and drums arranged to allow for the clap of a hand, a stick, or a tail. The symphony made was primal and enticed erotic displays from the Ucfeni. Singers dripping in gems and gold ululated with beautiful light tones. Dulcet and seductive.
There was a small table between me and Tumva and he poured us both a glass of water.
“Here. Stay hydrated. It’s going to be a long night.” I smirked and looked at him like I thought he was referring to our ‘debrief’ later. His throat scales darkened, almost impossibleto tell to the untrained eye. I’ve spent so long with Tumva now that I am an expert and noticing these things. Including when he starts to avoid my gaze because he’s shy. When we wake up in bed together, which is totally normal for Ucfeni who practise communal sleeping, I tend to wake before him. When he comes to he see me smiling at him and his throat scales darken. As close to a blush as I think Ucfeni get. Then he avoids my gaze and snuggles us closer until it’s time to wake up.
It’s pretty clear to me that Tumva has never been in a relationship with anyone. He probably doesnt know what it feels like to have someone like him. To be desired by someone. I’m making my life here on Thelia. There is no going back to Earth, nor do I want to. My life is way more interesting now I’m a peacekeeper on an alien planet, than the mad scramble to work every hour under the sun to barely make rent. Sure Tumva has giant snake sized baggage, but I’ve always been good at helping to lighten the load of others. Normally it’s my sister, but I’ve taken to Tumva. I was lost when Billie was taken by Prince Izule. I wasn’t emotionally prepared to be without her. But then there was Tumva. Right beside. It’s hard to describe, but he’s given me purpose with this new career. He’s given me support, when I’m used to being the one holding up others. I relax around him in a way that I don’t around others. I’ve always been Hannah the strong one. With Tumva I don’t have to be the strong one. That vulnerability he hides behind his glossy black scales calls out to the carer in me. Other people don’t get to see the tender part of him. The noble guy who takes every job seriously and genuinely believes it’s an honour and a privilege to serve. I feel like I’m making a difference just by working with him, and it pisses me off when everyone treats him like a terrible monster. Just because his ancestors used to eat other Ucfeni. It’s bullshit, is what it is, and if I was Tumva I know I wouldn’t be so calm about it. I’d rage and bite the likes of Officer prickless in the ass.
This isn’t what I signed up for when I agreed to come with Billie. I thought I’d be holding her hand as we navigated living on an alien planet in a human colony complex. Instead, Tumva is holding my hand as I learn more about myself. My own adventure. I love my sister, and I really hope I see her today, but I have enjoyed the freedom i’ve had since coming to Thelia. I’m looking forward to finding out what the future brings. A future with Tumva. It also helps that I happen to fancy the pants off the giant black snake dude. I want to get up his skirt, at least. My mind flashes to the Xeno-porn we had to analyse and wonder…if Tumva is that well endowed too. I’ve had quite a few frisky dreams since where I’m the one climbing Tumva and being fucked into the tree. My legs are the ones wrapped around his glossy black waist and I’m howling with wanton need for more.
I don’t know when I stopped looking at the thriving party below us, but I’m staring at Tumva. I can only imagine how coy I must look, because his throat is the darkest I’ve ever seen it. He leans closer and his tongue flicks at my nose. I chuckle, finding that something that used to creep me out was now something I found pretty cute. When I imagine him flicking that tongueelsewhere,I blush too. “We are on duty.” His deep rumbly voice isn’t helping me calm down.
“We are.” I agree and can’t look away. His fathomless black eyes are locked onto me and he leans closer still.
“You are looking the wrong way.” His voice is deep and has no hint that he wants me to look away. If anything I think we’re in danger of kissing. I want him to. Hell, if we weren’t out in public I honestly think we’d be tongue deep in each other. Namely because I’m seriously fighting the urge to pounce on the big guy. “…Hannah.”
A massive horn sounded out and broke the tractor beam of his dark and broody stare. “Ah.” He clears his throat and leans away from me. “Here they come.”
“Here who come?”
“The main event of any Gcorket. The Lunar Dancers.” Tumva chuckled, finding something amusing. “The bane of any patrol officer’s existence during Gcorket.”
“Why is that?” I ask as I locate the source of everyone’s excitement. On the upper platforms, beneath where the Royals would reside but looking over the main floor, came a procession of female Ucfeni. The gathered crowd beneath them all turned to watch with awe as they lined the platform edge and posed with their arm like flamenco dancers. Each held a fan with a long piece of thin fabric attached to the splayed tips to shimmer around them as they danced. Regardless what kind of Ucfeni they were or what colour their scales were, they all wore white. This was clearly some sort of uniform for the Lunar Dancers. I counted 20 of them. Their headdresses held a lion mane of white feathers with pointed tips that arched around their faces. The fabric band holding it in place glittered with golden sequins contrasting the white band. They wore long white arm sleeves that elegantly hugged their middle finger up to their biceps. I expected them to wear a sparkly breast wrap or bra, like a Vagas show girl, but of course the Ucfeni don’t have breasts so there is no point covering the chest area. They wore a golden V belt to compliment the shape of their pelvis and long, wide strips of white chiffon flared downward toward where I imagine their knees would have been if they were human.
I had to admit, they looked beautiful. There was something hypnotic about they way they started to sway and undulate their abdomens to the music. I think human belly dancers would have wanted to take notes from these women. The dance was clearly choreographed as they coiled on theirown tails, and over each other’s, both in perfect sync to each other and the music. I watched their wrists roll over each other, their fabric fans flutter as they span circles above their heads. The dancers were having fun too, as their smiles were wide, their eyes were bright, and their energy was infections. Before I knew it I was swaying happily in my seat. The crowd below were cheering, ululating, and dancing once more.
