Текст книги "Wed To The Alien Prince"

Автор книги: January Bell

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CHAPTER TWELVE

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KANUZ

I am an idiot. I never should have brought my mate into this temple. What was I thinking?

My father would be so disappointed. Worse, he would be unsurprised.

I grind my teeth together.

“What do we do, Kanuz? Where is the riddle?” My Gen’s voice is even and serious, none of her usual mirth and sarcasm present.

She is counting on me.

I snap out of my self-loathing.

“There,” I tell her, jerking my head towards the far wall. I glance back, just in case, but sure enough, the arched door has disappeared again. The only way out is forward.

“I don’t see it,” she says. “Put me down and let’s run for the other side. From the looks of it, we don’t have a lot of time. That guy is for sure out of time.” She nods at the skull hanging on the opposite wall.

I do not do as she asks. Instead, I carry her to where the newest puzzle lies.

“I am glad you are my partner in this,” I tell her. “You solved the last where I would not have.”

“Nah, you would’ve gotten it together eventually.”

It’s not exactly a rousing endorsement of my intelligence, but I smile at her nonetheless, sprinting to the far wall.

“This is a word puzzle. Child’s play.”

“If you can read the language, I suppose. For me, it would be xenolinguistic’s play. Or doctoral dissertation, more likely. And my crew member who’d kill at this, Michelle, isn’t here.” She chuckles, but the sound lacks her normal humor.

She is frightened. It is my fault for bringing her here. For thinking we could easily obtain the goddess’ blessing and find our way through this temple.

“It is all right, little female,” I tell her, setting her down. Her worried gaze flits between the ancient script on the wall and me. Around us, the sound of stone-on-stone grates ceaselessly, the spikes coming closer with every minute.

This is not just a language test. This is a test of nerves under pressure, something that my father always complained I did not have. That I was too selfish, too cocksure, too inexperienced to be able to manage any tasks to his liking.

But now I have my mate to think of, and I squelch the sound of my father’s complaints in my head. There is no room for his disdain now. There is only my Gen, and our combined need to leave this place.

I interlace my fingers with hers, careful to keep the sharp points of my talons away from her delicate skin. There is something about her that grounds me. Her steady gaze on me, trusting, despite all I have already put her through, since the first moment we sealed our bond in the wedding ceremony. Despite her thorny nature and sometimes thorny words, my Gen looks to me with hope and a trusting calm that makes my heart hurt.

I cannot let her down.

I will not.

Her hand squeezes against mine, and I feel it all the way in my chest.

I take a deep breath, and I begin reordering the words. For once, I am thankful for the endless lessons spent with the priestesses of the many-faced-goddess, something younger me would no doubt be agog at.

Because I recognize these words. Even in my state of heightened anxiety, my fear for my sweet golden human next to me spiking the closer the sharp points get, I recall them easily.

“For it is not the blossom of spring or the chill of winter, nor the first zitsu leaf of fall or the flood of the rainy season. It is none of these things, and it is all of them. She is in the riotous crack of thunder, the smile of sunlight, and the glint of water in moonlight. The many-faced-goddess is everywhere, and she speaks the language of truth.”

As soon as I slot the last word into place, the walls grind to a stop, the closest spike nudging against my hip.

“You did it. Oh my god, you did it,” Gen whispers, and as she sucks in a shaky breath, it hits me again, how foolish I’ve been to endanger her like this.

A new door swings open ahead of us, and the next room is not dark at all.

I’m so focused on what’s beyond, on my task of getting us out of here, that I don’t realize she’s wreathed her small hands around my neck until she gives my head a forceful tug.

And when her lips find mine again, possessive, searching, I nearly fucking lose my mind.

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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GEN

I’m just so glad I didn’t get squished to death. I’m surfing the wave of adrenaline, hanging ten like a badass, and all I meant to do was hug Kanuz.

And then the next thing I know, I’m kissing the daylights out of him.

It feels really fucking great, too, like the whole damn death trap temple disappears from around us, leaving only the feeling of his hands on my back, his gentle mouth against mine.

It’s not enough. I want more.

I open my mouth, and he groans, his textured tongue rasping against my teeth. A taloned hand slides into my hair, tugging my head back as the kiss deepens. It’s not just a kiss anymore.

It’s a claiming.

It sears across my body, and desire shoots through me as Kanuz proves that all his practice did, in fact, make perfect.

My alien prince is a great kisser.

My alien prince? I pull up short, some sense finally driving itself into my skull.

Better sense than a sharp spike, I guess.

My breath’s coming in hard pants, like I’ve just run a mile. Kanuz stares down at me, his diamond pupils so dilated his eyes are nearly full black.

“Where do you think you are going?” he asks, the question husky and rough. His mouth slams into mine, his hand possessive and tight on the back of my neck. I love it.

I wriggle closer to him, giving in to the need to touch him, the need to feel the hard, reassuring muscle packed tight on him. He groans his approval, the sound blazing through me. More. Faster.

His tongue flicks against mine, rough and bumped and completely alien. I run my hands up the jacked curves of his biceps, and he tugs my head closer still, his other hand making gentle circles on the small of my back.

Shivers run down my spine, dampness pooling between my legs.

Something thick wraps around my ankle, and I break off the kiss in alarm only to realize it’s his tail.

“Okay,” I say, pulling away. “Good job.” My voice is unsteady and breathy and not at all like me.

“Why do you run from me, Gen?” Kanuz grates out, his body taut.

I want to rub my hands all over him. His skin—hide?—is tough, but smoother than it looks, and all that muscle? Yum.

But I don’t. I stare up at him, wild-eyed and breathless, and I don’t know what to do with myself.

“Is this some human courtship game? To make me want you until I am mad with needing to feel you deep inside?”

Oh god, not the dirty talk again.

“I just, Kanuz, I know you think we’re married—”

“We are married, wife.”

“Okay, but here’s the thing, I don’t know if I can be what you want me to be.” The statement spills out of me, and I blink, surprised by my own honesty.

Surprised by what I’m even freaking saying.

Because my rejection isn’t because of him. It’s not. The dang jolly green alien giant wormed his way into my brain. I want him.

He blinks slowly, his third eyelid retracting.

“Kanuz, I’m not a princess. I’m not a Suevan. This is all moving really fast. While I’d like to take a ride on the Prince Kanuz train, I know you’re just going to be upset when we’re back with the rest of your people.” If we get back. “I’m not ready for kids. Younglings. Babies. Like, not at all. In fact, I have an IUD—”

“I do not know this word.” He steps closer, his hands on my hips as he pulls me to him again. Ooh, I like that. Concern wrinkles his brow. “Are you ill? Did you leave a lover behind on Earth? Now that I know you did not come willingly…” Kanuz breaks off, staring at me with wide, open eyes.

“No, I have a—” I pause, casting around for the right word. “I have a thing inside me. It stops me from getting pregnant. It keeps your swimmers from meeting up with my eggs.” Eggs. “Oh god, you don’t expect me to lay an egg, do you?”

“I do not even know how to answer that question. Are you asking about how Suevan’s reproduce? We do not lay eggs.” He huffs a laugh, affection curling his lips into a small smile. “Our females gave birth, like yours. That is why we are a compatible species. Does that mean you are thinking about expelling this device? For me?” His fingers clench on my hips, and I nearly moan at the contact, at the clear desire in his touch.

“I can’t expel it. And no.” I shake my head. “No lover, not any that mattered. And no? I’m not thinking about expelling it?” But I say it like a question, and it’s clear from the look on his face that he thinks he’s persuaded me. I’m confused, because suddenly, I am imagining it. I am. And it freaks me right the fuck out. “Kanuz, seriously. I just… This timing is bad. Listen.” I take a step back from the alien looking like Christmas came early.

I swallow hard. Now is not the time to think about anything coming, Christmas or not.

“Tell me, my golden flower,” he murmurs, watching me carefully.

“I gave up all hope of a family after the Roth came to Earth. This is… This is a huge adjustment. I realize that the Federation is likely not going to accept us back with open arms.” A pang goes through my chest. “But… I don’t think I can just undo years worth of changing what I wanted after the Roth invasion.”

His grin deepens, and he closes the distance between us with two powerful steps. “Then I see no problem at all.”

“But you want babies. That’s like… the whole point of me being here. Of all of us being here.” I close my eyes, concern for the rest of the crew resurfacing. God, I bet they’re spitting bullets. “Right?” I open my eyes.

His hand cups my face, and his smile’s gone, replaced by an intent focus that has my toes curling in my boots.

“You do not want children.”

“Not right now,” I agree. I never in a million years thought I’d be having this conversation, let alone having it with my alien prince husband.

“You cannot have children, because of your device,” he adds, his smile returning.

“Correct.” I frown at him, confused at his delight.

“Then I see no problem with me thrusting deep inside you, my flower.” His thumb strokes across my cheekbone.

It takes me a minute to process what he’s said. “Wait—”

“I am tired of waiting,” he growls, tilting my head back once more. I close my eyes, preparing for the feel of his mouth against mine.

When it doesn’t come, I gaze up at him, confused.

“But I will wait as long as you need to be ready, Gen. In the meantime, let us proceed to the next delightful chamber the goddess has in store for us.”

I can’t help but smile at his obvious sarcasm, even though I’m still weak-kneed and wanting.

I suck in a deep breath, and Kanuz trails his hand down my bare arm, only to close it around my hand, like he needs to be touching me at all times.

It’s really sweet, and tiny butterflies take flight in my stomach. Who knew a massive, taloned, scary ass alien would be a bigger, sexier softie than any man I dated on Earth?

Not me!

The warm fuzzies don’t last long, however. As soon as we walk through the door, it slams behind us, so hard it sends grit and dust cascading down in a thick cloud. Nothing like a shower of sharp rock to cut off any sexy ideas.

I throw my arm over my head on instinct. It’s not necessary, though, seeing as how Kanuz tackles me, diving to the floor with me in his arms as though he expects the ceiling to cave in at any moment. He traps me under his big body, and I curl up around myself. Just in case he’s not overreacting, and the ceiling is about to bury us alive.

A full body shudder shakes me.

It’s one thing to face a platoon of angry Roth aliens with my weapons spitting hellfire, but it’s another to think about the possibility of being buried alive.

My throat closes up, and a small whimper erupts from my throat.

“My flower, are you hurt?” Kanuz’s gaze scans me from head to toe, his expression turning thunderous. “You are bleeding.” I wince as he gently runs a fingertip across a gash in my forehead.

It doesn’t hurt, though, which is either a sign I’m truly fucked… or that it’s not that bad. I take a deep breath and force my breathing to slow before touching it myself. Gingerly, I explore the small cut and bump, before exhaling a huge sigh of relief.

“It’s nothing,” I tell him. “One of the rocks must have caught me before you threw yourself over me like a massive alien blanket.”

“My hide is more well-equipped than your fragile skin.” His voice is pitiful, and I blink up at him. “It is my fault you are injured. I should have found a way out of the jungle by now. We should be in Edrobaz, sipping their delicious cold drinks and pleasuring each other. Instead, you are bleeding and dirty.”

“It’s really not a big deal. I’m not concussed. Besides, we can’t sit here and worry about what we should have done. You need to put on our big boy alien pants so we can get the hell out of here. We don’t have time to look back. I’d like one of those drinks, when we get there.”

“Big boy alien pants are the only pants I have.” He stares down at me mournfully, and I wipe away the blood and grit smeared on my face.

I snort a laugh, and a small smile tugs up one corner of his mouth. Like this, with his oversized body pressed up against mine, I’m all too aware of him. It’s more intimate than some kisses I’ve had back on Earth. My body goes hot all over, and something changes in Kanuz, too, like he’s in tune with me.

Shit. He’s probably doing his weird arousal sniff again.

But I mean, if I’m going to be buried alive, maybe death during a dicking down wouldn’t be the worst way to go. I shake my head a little. Maybe I am concussed, because that’s not a great idea.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, his arms caging me in. My breathing quickens, and I nearly tell him.

“How a hot bath and some soap sound like heaven when we get out of here,” I lie. “Nothing better than some pampering post-near-death experience.”

Another cloud of dust explodes overhead, and he pushes me into his chest, cradling me.

“I would pamper you, my Gen. I would pamper every inch of your body, until you cannot even think of this anymore, until all you can think of is me.”

I gotta be honest, it’s sounding better and better the more he talks about it.

“You make a lot of promises, my dude.” I try to keep my voice light, try not to let on how scared and worried I am. “You could really get a girl’s hopes up high.”

“I heard no complaints about my kiss,” he says. His voice is strained, rock and grit continuing to shake free of the ceiling overhead.

“Mmm…” I say, shrugging against his chest, my small smile hidden against his skin.

“What is this mmm?” he asks, and this time, there’s consternation in the question.

I bite my cheeks.

“What do you mean by mmm? What does this mmm mean?” He glances down at me, eyes narrowed. “You did not melt against me to make this mmm sound. You did not fill my nose with the scent of your cunt just to tell me it was mmm. You were wet for me,” he accuses. “Do not pretend otherwise.”

“Mmm,” I hum agreeably, and he tilts his head, inspecting me as though I’m a greater mystery than this damn temple.

Finally, the temple finishes vibrating. I exhale. We’re not going to be buried alive.

Yet.

A few more rocks tumble down, the last-minute drama queens. Kanuz eyes them warily before standing. The look he gives them promises death, which would be hard to do, even for the muscle-bound alien prince of Sueva, considering they’re rocks.

“I will not hear this mmm from you,” Kanuz says to where I sit on the ground, stretching my neck out.

“Mmm,” I repeat, trying not to laugh.

“You are teasing me,” he says. “You think to tease me about my prowess in mating?” There’s no humor to the question, his tail slashing the air behind him. “I will show you, my little human flower, and then you will not make this mmm noise again.”

A tiny shiver of anticipation goes through me, silencing the spark of humor. Kanuz continues to stare at me, rolling his shoulders. When he winces, I stand up, ignoring the pain jolting through me.

“You’re hurt.”

“Better me than you,” he says. “And I am fine. Now, let us discover the surprises this room holds. That is, if you can concentrate while you think about having sex with me.”

“Excuse me,” I exclaim, putting my hands on my hips. “The only one thinking about sex is you, Prince!”

His fangs flash as his smile deepens, his tail slapping the ground. “You are a pretty little liar.”

“Argh!” I throw my hands up in frustration, taking stock of the latest room in this stupid labyrinth temple. I gotta get out of here. I’m stuck in this year’s production of Alien Indiana Boner and the Temple of Gloom, because the alien who married me can’t think past his magic stick.

The room’s filled with rock dust, and I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to clear it. I reach for the tank knotted to my belt loop… and come up with a handful of smashed fish.

“Gross,” I mutter.

“I am sorry,” Kanuz says. “I did not imagine the ceiling would give in and crush our meal.”

“Can’t say I blame you on that one,” I say, wrinkling my nose and tossing the fishy fabric far away.

There’s water in this room too, a huge dark pool, and the sealed off entrance to the last trap. I squint, in the dim light cast by the line of fire embedded in the wall, trying to see if there’s another touchscreen anywhere.

Nope. The walls are all rough stone, no carvings, no symbols, nothing.

Just the dark, rippling expanse of water stretching before us.

I purse my lips.

“I have a feeling we’re going to have to go in there,” I tell Kanuz.

He grunts in agreement, his movements stiff.

I can’t say I love the idea of getting in it. The pool isn’t nearly as inviting as the last one, and that one was about as inviting as a shark-infested riptide.

I mean, some people might be into that kind of thing, but I’m not.

Shit. I wish I hadn’t thought of sharks.

“There isn’t anything… living in here, right?” I peer at the pool. “Besides dinner? Or is it lunch?” I don’t have a clue what time it is.

“There may be fish.” He lingers on the last word, drawing it out in a way that tells me he’s worried about whateverthefuck might be lurking in there, too.

I take a hasty step away from the pool.

Well, at least I can’t be scared and horny.

Right now, that is.

“Your scent has changed.” Kanuz drapes an arm across my shoulders, pulling me into him. “Do not be afraid, Gen. I am here.”

“Yeah, but what the fuck is in there?” Knowing this temple, it could be a prehistoric snake. A megalodon. A nightmare.

“Are you afraid of swimming? Of water?” He puffs his chest out, side-eying me. “I can swim well enough for the both of us, my princess.”

“No,” I say, and I’m not. “I’m actually a fantastic swimmer, thank you very much, Captain Condescending.”

“I am a prince, not a captain,” he retorts.

And just like that, I’m smiling again. Still less than thrilled about getting in the stupid ass dark water, but his little misunderstandings are… endearing.

“It’s just something humans say,” I explain, then stop short. The water ripples. Bubbles burst at the surface.

Big bubbles.

“That could be from the shaking, right? Like…something in there is loose. Right?”

“Perhaps,” Kanuz answers. He cocks his head, watching the water, and I relax against him slightly. “It is more likely there is something in there,” he adds.

“Fuck.” I eye the water. “What do you think we have to do? You’re the expert. God, I wish I had a weapon, I hate this.”

“I am your weapon,” Kanuz tells me earnestly, and my heart does that little squeeze.

“I appreciate that,” I say, because I do, “but I would feel better if I had my gun. Or an energy weapon. Whatever it is you Suevans like.”

He holds up his talons.

“Right.”

“We use energy weapons as well,” Kanuz says with a hint of a laugh. “I will find one for you as soon as we are able to.” He tugs me closer to him, and for a moment, I simply breathe him in, letting his now-familiar masculine, earthy smell wash over me.

It calms me, my heart slowing. It’s probably just because I’m breathing slowly… but he does smell nice.

More bubbles appear.

“What would make those?” I ask conversationally, eyeing a skull-sized rock. Swimming with a rock is probably not my brightest idea.

“Probably a zeloth. They are very cute when they are small.”

“Oh.” Relief washes over me. “That’s good to hear.”

“They are deadly when they are full-grown, and I imagine the one that might make its home here is ancient.”

“Oh.” I swallow hard. “So… we’re in trouble.”

“It could be the rocks shifting, as you hypothesized.” He shrugs, and pain flickers over his face.

“Why don’t you let me look at where you’re hurt?”

“Because there is nothing to do about it.”

“Sure there is—"

“Our best bet is to keep moving, as you remind me every time you become aroused. If you did not keep telling me you are uninterested in exploring my sexual prowess, I would think you were in a hurry to bed me, Gen.”

I huff an indignant breath.

Water surges upward, and my jaw drops as a wave drenches me.

“Oh, shit.”

The thing that surfaces is, like everything on Sueva, huge. Tentacles flail, and as one slams into the rocky ground beside me, I note that the suckers are lined with what looks like tiny teeth. It’s near translucent, blue veins and muscle visible underneath the clear skin. One giant eye protrudes from the sharp tip of a bulbous squid-like head.

“Lovely,” I mutter.

“A zeloth,” Kanuz proclaims, laughing a little as he shoves me behind him.

“Is it an ancient one?” I ask, suddenly yelling over the splashing of water and the strange squelching and clicking noises the creature’s making. “It’s pretty big!”

“No, my sweet golden flower, this is a medium-sized one.” And with that, Kanuz laughs again, then swan dives into the black pool of water, disappearing under the thrashing tentacles.

Perfectly rational behavior.

When confronted with a big ole alien tentacle monster, laugh and dive in the water and take a nice swim with it.

Why not?

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