Текст книги "Alien Tyrant"

Автор книги: Ursa Dox

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 14 страниц)

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Buroudei

This was it. The reason for my existence. The purpose driving my entire life. The answer to every question I had ever had. Being with my mate, nestled in her soft body, was a pleasure so exquisite it almost did not seem real. And yet, it made everything more real. Every sensation was magnified, every sense sharpened. The scent of Zeezee’s arousal, the slick tightness of her cunt, the smooth milk of her skin – all of it was making and remaking me. I felt truly a Gahn, now. Built into a better sort of man. Because of Zeezee.

I was already stirring with desire again, even though I’d just spent myself so forcefully into Zeezee’s warmth. But we both needed to rest after our long journey and the trials we had endured tonight. And we had more trials ahead: the battle with Gahn Fallo. Regretfully, I pulled out of her, and she gave a wordless mew of disappointment. That one sound almost undid my will right then. I growled, low in my throat, laying down then pulling and turning her so that her back was against me. My half-hard cock was pressed beautifully between her thighs.

“This doesn’t feel close enough,” she complained, wiggling her rump, pressing against my cock. I gritted my fangs, bending my head to whisper in her hair.

“You must rest, my mate.”

“Don’t need to...” She said, even as her words trailed off in a tiny, adorable yawn. I pulled the dakrival hide up over the both of us and nuzzled closer, breathing deep the intoxicating scents coming from her hair and neck.

“Mmm.” She grabbed at the arm I’d slung over her torso, snuggling up to it. Curse me, she was irresistible. My cock pulsed. But I could already feel her drifting into sleep. I tried to quell the burning of my blood, taking long, slow breaths. Zeezee’s breath came rhythmically, a haunting melody to punctuate my dreams.

She had fallen asleep. I forced myself to relax and do the same. Because wherever Zeezee went, I would always follow.

ZEEZEE WAS STILL ASLEEP when I awoke the next morning to the sounds of new voices, shouts, and many irkdu. My blood rushed through me and I rose immediately, strapping my loincloth and weapons on with practiced ease. I was not expecting Gahn Irokai and his men to have gotten back this soon. But if it was not him, it would have to be Gahn Fallo. Black rage rose in me at the thought of Gahn Fallo threatening me here, among my tribe, where my precious mate slept. I would slay him on the spot for the insolence.

“Buroudei?” Zeezee was rising, sitting and rubbing her eyes sleepily, and the sight, though soft and lovely, pierced me like a spear. She was too beautiful for this world. I longed to dive back into the hides with her, to see what she tasted like when stained with sleep. But there was no time.

“I hear warriors. I must go. Stay here.”

Here eyes grew huge, her face turning white. I could not stand around and explain. I gave her a hard look, as if to reinforce my command that she not move. The last time I had told her to stay in a tent, she had not listened. But she could understand me now. Somehow, I was still worried she would not listen.

With one last, long look at her, I turned and jogged out of the tent, heading towards the sounds. About forty irkdu were approaching the tents, and my warriors were already gathering, weapons drawn. Galok sprinted to my side, squinting, then giving a wild cry.

“Gahn Irokai has returned!”

He was right. At the head of the pack of irkdu was a beast carrying Gahn Irokai. I grinned, raising my axe in greeting as they approached. They had made very good time. Such good time I would not have believed it. This was fortuitous. We could put our plan into motion even quicker than I’d anticipated. Then we would have all the human women, and Zeezee’s gratitude would forever drench my cock. My blood surged at the thought of the battle, and of claiming Zeezee afterwards, again and again. I was sure I looked half-crazed as I smiled widely at Gahn Irokai, who had dismounted and was stalking towards me, followed closely by Taliok.

He stopped before me, and we raised our tails. Taliok and Galok did the same.

“You have made very good time, Gahn Irokai.”

His tail thumped. Taliok’s gaze was intense upon me.

“My men were willing to push themselves beyond anything before. This cause is a noble one. I will not deny that many of my men hope for a mate from among the new women.”

I stiffened, some of my excitement abating. I’d ignored the fact that we hadn’t addressed what would happen after the battle with Gahn Fallo. I was not willing to let Gahn Irokai take all the women. My Zeezee would not be happy to be separated from them again.

“Has the Lavrika come to any other men in your tribe yet?” I asked, my gaze narrowing. Gahn Irokai watched me closely, then slashed his hand through the air.

“No. Only to Taliok.”

This was good. So far, we had equal claims to the women. I had a mate from among them, and so did one man from Gahn Irokai’s tribe. I wondered if, after battling Gahn Fallo, Gahn Irokai would turn on us, and try to take them all for himself. Clearly, he was thinking the same thing about me as his gaze bored into me. Wondering if I would betray him.

I was not sure what would happen. I knew that Zeezee wanted to be reunited with her friends, and that I would do anything to make her happy. And if that meant fighting with two Gahns, then, so be it. But for now, Gahn Irokai was my ally. I needed him, just as much as he needed me.

To dispel the tension in the air, I smiled, relaxing my stance.

“We are glad to have you here as allies. Come, set up your tents. You will need rest after your journey. We will leave at dawn tomorrow.”

“This is acceptable,” Gahn Irokai grunted. Then he and Taliok turned to relay their orders to the other warriors. With Gahn Irokai’s numbers, our forces were more than doubled. We had more men than Gahn Fallo, now. Yes, I was sure we would be victorious. This would work.

GAHN IROKAI AND HIS men spent much of the day sleeping in the tents they’d brought. They truly must have ridden almost endlessly to get here so quickly. But with the potential of finding a fated mate driving their desires, I could not blame them. I did not get to spend any time with Zeezee that day. Galok and I joined the hunters. With so many extra mouths to feed, we would need to bring down more dakrival than usual. We were lucky to find a large herd, though, and killed eight of the great horned beasts, dragging them back behind our irkdu. The women and children got to work skinning and butchering the animals, and by the time Gahn Irokai and his men emerged, the sun was dipping, and the evening fire was blazing, meat sizzling on huge bone skewers.

I stood, raising my tail to Gahn Irokai, gesturing that he and Taliok to join me at the fire. They and their men approached warily, but soon enough everyone had settled in and was eating. Gahn Irokai sat on my right hand side, Taliok to his right. Galok was seated on my left, but he leaped up, raising his tail to his eyes and moving, when Zeezee appeared with Rika for the evening meal. My heart was a clenched fist in my chest. Though it had only been one day, I ached for her already.

Rika sat with Balia on the other side of the fire, and Zeezee looked between the healers and me, as if unsure. She was likely unsure if she should be next to me when I was conversing with another Gahn. But no Gahn’s presence would keep my mate from my side. With a quick word to Gahn Irokai, I rose, jogging to her and taking her hand.

“Hello,” she said, and even in the dimming light I could see the crimson smear of desire across her cheeks. If I slipped a claw beneath her tunic and sniffed, I knew I’d smell her arousal, too. But there would be time for that later. Her small hand safe in mine, I led her around the fire, returning to my place next to Gahn Irokai. My hackles rose as I felt the eyes of many warriors fall upon her, some with apprehension, some with curiosity, many with lust. If any man looked too long, I’d be forced to tear his eyes from his skull.

Galok, who was now seated on Zeezee’s left, having moved over for her, seemed to sense the dark waves rolling off of me. He averted his eyes and took a large bite of meat, chewing forcefully, staring into the flames. Taliok, however, did not avert his eyes. His tight gaze tracked back and forth between Zeezee and me, forcing a warning thrum to build in my throat. Only then did he finally look away, though the gesture did not seem submissive.

Gahn Irokai distracted me from my possessive rage by speaking.

“Have you learned anything else about these women? About where they come from, who they are?”

“They come from a place we have never known. Beyond the stars.”

Gahn Irokai sucked in a breath.

“Impossible,” he said, regarding me with suspicion.

“Trust me, I know how you feel. But it’s true.” Zeezee’s voice drifted past me to Gahn Irokai, shocking him like lightning from a desert storm.

“She speaks!” He thundered, rearing back. Taliok jerked to look at us, jaw tight, sight stars spinning.

“Do you deceive me, Buroudei? Last time she pretended she could not speak.”

I was about to answer when Zeezee cut me off. I was not used to having a woman speak for me like this, especially to another Gahn. But Zeezee did not seem like she could be stopped. She shook her head quickly, leaning around me to better see the other Gahn.

“No, it’s true. I couldn’t speak your language then.”

“Then how do you speak with us now? You only have one tongue. It does not seem like you would learn our language so easily.”

My pride flared in defensive anger. How dare he insult my mate’s perfect, single tongue.

“Zeezee has learned many of our words on her own. Her people are resourceful and intelligent.”

Zeezee patted my shoulder.

“It’s OK. He’s right. I’m good with languages, but I’d never learn to speak it this fast.”

Between the two of us, we pieced together the story of our night at the space ship, including how I’d killed one of Gahn Fallo’s men, and how I’d rushed to the Lavrika Pools to heal Zeezee. Gahn Irokai looked drawn. Taliok was silent.

“I wonder if am I grown too old to be a Gahn, in times like these. Strange things are afoot.”

I snorted, knowing Gahn Irokai was not serious. No Gahn would ever admit to a true vulnerability like that, not in front of another tribe’s men. He was one of the most powerful warriors of the Sea Sands, even at his age. I imagined it would be many ages before he would choose a successor, or call for a baklok, a tournament meant to determine a tribe’s next Gahn if there was no successor chosen.

Gahn Irokai and Taliok did not continue the conversation, lost in their own thoughts. I turned my attention to my mate as Balia laid down a bone tray with the choicest bits of meat before us, raising her tail before returning to her seat. Zeezee grinned, reaching forward and to grab some meat and popped it in her mouth.

“Mmm. Tastes like steak.” I did not know what steak was, but the eroticism of the image before me led me to think it was something to do with mating. I pulled her against my side, sniffing at her neck, at that sweet spot behind her ear as she gasped, then giggled.

“Hey, I’m trying to eat here!”

It was good she was eating. Though the Lavrika Pools had healed her completely, she had still been through a lot. Lots of food and good rest were in order, especially since she would soon be carrying our cub. The thought lit a fire in my chest, and my arm clenched around her, my cock growing hard. I could not wait to mate her again tonight.

After eating, we bid goodnight to our allies, and Zeezee and I returned to our tent. As soon as we were inside we were on each other, mouths searching, hands grappling. As I reached for the hem of Zeezee’s tunic, to pull it up and over her head, she stopped me, yanking it back down.

“Wait, wait a second. Before we get down and dirty, we should talk about tomorrow.”

I frowned.

“What is there to talk about?”

“Well, like, what’s the plan? I know we leave at dawn. But is there anything else I need to know?”

Perhaps the Lavrika had imparted our language imperfectly. I thought I had heard Zeezee say “we.”

“The other warriors and I,” I began carefully, watching her with suspicion, “will leave at dawn tomorrow. Gahn Fallo’s territory is one day’s ride from here. We will attack tomorrow night and retrieve your people.”

She crossed her arms, causing her breasts to plump up in the most delicious way. I reached for her again, but she stepped back.

“Doesn’t sound like a complete plan to me. You left something out. Or someone.”

“And what, or who, is that?” I asked dryly. I already knew the answer.

“Me. I’m coming with you.”

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Cece

Buroudei didn’t seem to like that I wanted to come with him. His face hardened, and he stared at me flatly as I told him I was coming with him. But what the hell did he expect? That I would just let him ride off into the sunset with his warriors, tossing women over their shoulders like cavemen? I ignored the fact that that was exactly what he’d done with me.

“You are not coming.”

I rolled my eyes.

“And why is that? Because I’m a woman?”

Buroudei cocked his head, as if confused by a question with an obvious answer.

“Yes.”

My mouth fell open. I wasn’t expecting such a blunt answer, but I shut it quickly.

“Where I come from there are male and female warriors, you know!”

Buroudei looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Are you one of them?”

I felt heat creep up my neck. Ah, yes, Officer Celia Heaney, a well-trained, decorated soldier in the regiment of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Toronto. Good grief.

“No,” I admitted. “But I’m still coming.”

Buroudei sighed, reaching forward to brush a finger along my lower lip. I fought the urge to open my mouth and suck. I need to be serious here.

“It is too dangerous, my mate. You do not know how to use a blade. If you are present, I would only be distracted.”

A sharp pang went through me as I remembered how terrible my distraction had been last time Buroudei had been fighting with another warrior. It had almost cost him his life. But, then again, I’d still ended up helping him in the end.

“I don’t plan on fighting. I’ll stay far back, and wait until everything is over. Maybe there won’t even be any fighting. Can’t you just creep in and sneak my friends out?”

“That will not be possible. And it is not our way. We settle things on the battlefield, not sneaking under the secret cover of night.”

I blew out a harsh breath.

“I don’t understand why you need to kill each other over stuff like this, especially when your population is so depleted. Alright, well, battle or not, I am coming. I haven’t seen my friends in days. I need to make sure they’re alright. I need to, Buroudei.”

My throat tightened with unexpected tears. I was desperate to make sure my friends were OK. If I could have gone to see them tonight somehow, I would have. Now that I knew they hadn’t died that first day, I couldn’t wait to see them face to face. And beyond that, I needed some human connection. Something to tie me to my old life, just a little. I loved Buroudei, and I was happy to be with him. But I needed to be around my people, too.

Buroudei’s mouth flattened as he thought about my words. I got the sense I was wearing him down. I pressed on, laying argument upon argument, feeling like I was a lawyer arguing my case before a very attractive, very grumpy tyrant of a judge.

“I’m the only one who speaks both languages. What are you going to do, storm in, kill Gahn Fallo, and take my friends by force? They’ll think you’re abducting them. They’ll think you’re worse than Gahn Fallo. They won’t want to go with you. Some of them may even get hurt. You need me there so that they can talk to me and see that it’s safe to come with us.” He didn’t respond, instead sitting down cross-legged on the hides. I knelt in front of him, placing my hands on his knees, leaning in. My nipples hardened through my tunic as they brushed against his chest. I felt him stiffen, but still he did not speak. He eyed me warily.

I moved up and forward, straddling him, pressing my butt against his straining erection. As if he couldn’t help himself, his hands ran up the outside of my thighs, gripping my hips. One of his thumbs moved inward, drawing circles over my clit. My pulse skyrocketed, and I tried not to grind against his touch. Instead I wiggled myself on his cock, watching as he swallowed hard, every muscle in his neck straining.

I moved my hands from his shoulders to the sides of his rock-hard jaw, bringing my face in closer until we were nose to nose, speaking against his mouth.

“Please, Buroudei. My mate. My Gahn. This is something I need to do.”

Apparently calling Buroudei my mate and my Gahn was equivalent to breaking out the big guns. He groaned, his hands clenching at my hips, before he forced my mouth open with his tongues, his thumb working faster against my clit. I was already so close.

“Let me come,” I whimpered, pulling back from the kiss. I almost laughed when I realized the double meaning in my words.

“You have no honour in your negotiations,” he muttered darkly, voice gruff. His hips rocked, his cock pressing against me as his thumb circled. Pulses of pleasure were building, now. Just as I was reaching the edge of orgasm, Buroudei stopped, looking my in the eye. I held my breath in anticipation.

“I will bring you with us. But you will remain with Galok on his irkdu, far from the battle. That way you can speak to your friends immediately after our victory. And if we are not successful, he can bring you safely back.”

I could have cried. I threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him, over and over, mumbling, “Thank you, thank you,” against his lips. He groaned, and moved to lay me down, but I stopped him, pressing gently against his chest, indicating that he should lie down instead. I was already so wet as he laid back, watching me. I stripped my tunic away quickly, then undid his loin cloth, his hardness straining straight upward like some incredible alien stone formation. He hissed as I ran my fingers up and down. I wanted to be the one giving him pleasure right now. He had done so much for me, and was going to put his life on the line for me and my friends tomorrow. He was so good, and all I wanted in this moment was to be good to him. To show him how much I wanted him, and how much he meant to me.

I moved forward, placing myself above his hips, rubbing my wet folds along his tip as I worked my clit with my fingers. Buroudei looked luridly fascinated, his breath becoming ragged, his nostrils flaring. His hips bucked up against my wetness, and with a small cry, I pressed myself down onto him.

Seeing my big, bad alien flat on his back for me like this was fucking intoxicating. I waited a moment, allowing myself to adjust to his girth, then started moving up and down, up and down, over that hardness. I alternated touching myself with caressing the two spears of flesh beside his cock, urging them against my folds to crest at my clit. Fuck me. I was going to come already.

Buroudei didn’t look like he would last much longer, either. His hands ran up my sides, brushing over my breasts then squeezing, the muscles in his thighs and glutes clenching as he rocked up into me. Unable to take it anymore, I leaned forward, placing my hands flat on his chest and lifting my hips a little so that he could drive into me harder and faster. His hands moved down to grip my ass, hard, massaging the flesh there as he hammered upwards, his movements becoming erratic and primal. One of his hands slid up my back to my neck, pulling me down until my torso was flat against his as he thrusted. His fingers buried themselves in my hair, and his breath was hot against the side of my face as he groaned.

“Zeezee, my mate, I... I am undone by you.”

For a species our military had described as primitive, that was a hell of a lot more poetic than anything I could manage at the moment. All I was capable of saying as I came was, “Oh, fuck, fuck!” My voice became strangled, words fading into a keening whine as Buroudei gave a few more powerful thrusts before exploding inside me.

I collapsed into him, all my muscles giving out at once. I pressed my face into his broad chest, reveling in the solid strength of him. A knot of nerves took root deep in my guts as I thought about tomorrow. About the fact that something could happen to him. But there was no other way to get my friends back, and I wasn’t willing to leave them in the hands of a Gahn like the one Buroudei had described.

With a slick pop, Buroudei shifted, pulling out, leaving a clenching emptiness inside. He ran a large hand up and down my back as I laid on top of him.

“I would mate you again and again tonight, Zeezee, if I had my way. But we must sleep. Dawn comes on swift legs.”

I nodded into his chest, sliding down until I was nestled into his side. He pulled the hides over us, and chewing my lip, thinking of tomorrow, I fell into a restless sleep.

BUROUDEI KISSED ME awake before dawn. In my sleepiness, all I wanted to do was melt into that kiss. I snaked my arms around his neck, pressing myself closer. I felt him harden against me, and his kiss grew deeper, before he pulled back with a growl of complaint.

“We must prepare ourselves, my mate.”

Right. Today was the day. Adrenaline jolted me awake, and I got up, quickly yanking on my tunic and my new riding pants. I scrunched my sun protection jacket up and shoved it into the backpack, along with a couple of water bottles, before slinging the bag over my shoulder and putting on my socks and boots. Then I combed my hair with my fingers, tangled from sleep, sweat, and sex, and tied it into a messy braid.

As I got ready, Buroudei dressed in his usual loincloth, adjusting his erection to get it on. Then he layered strap after leather strap across his chest and back and hips, tucking many ablik blades of varying sizes against his skin. I couldn’t help but stop and stare. There was something distinctly masculine and erotic about the way his muscles rippled and bulged as he carefully strapped his weapons into place. He hefted his axe, tucking it into the usual place at his belt, and grabbed the spear he’d retrieved from outside the space ship, turning to face me.

I pressed my lips together, my heart pounding. Standing at his full height with his spear at his side, he looked awesome, and not awesome in the wow-that’s-so-cool way, but in the holy-fucking-shit way. He inspired awe. And a lot more than that. He inspired love.

I rushed towards him, enveloping him in a hug.

He dropped his spear, arms circling me. I felt his hand brush at my braid, fingering the loose hair at the end.

“I am very glad you have fallen in love with me, Zeezee,” he said against my hair. I let out a small, tearful laugh, pulling away and swiping at my eyes.

“Yeah, you and me both.” It was strange. But it was true.

And with that, we were ready. We exited the tent and moved to join the others.

Buroudei’s warriors, as well as those of Gahn Irokai, were already hard at work getting everything ready out by the boulders beyond the tent. A massive herd of irkdu, ours and theirs, remained still as their masters loaded them with weapons and supplies for the journey. I watched as women brought valok and dried meat, carefully wrapped for the trip, to the men packing the irkdu. When I saw Rika speaking to another warrior, I turned to Buroudei.

“How come you don’t bring Lavrika’s blood to a battle? That way you can heal people who get hurt.”

Buroudei led me towards his irkdu. It was easy to spot. It was the only one with the saddle. As he began detaching my saddle, he answered my question.

“To heal fatal wounds, you need large amounts of Lavrika’s blood combined with the skills of a healer. Unless you go to the Lavrika Pools, as we did, but that is not common practice. It was the first time it has been done, to my knowledge.”

My heart swelled as I digested this fact. No one had ever gone to the pools to get healed before? And Buroudei had done that, just for me?

I cleared my throat.

“OK, but can’t you still bring some small jars anyway, just in case?”

Buroudei pulled the saddle from his mount. Though it was a large piece of equipment, it almost looked like a toy in his arms.

“It is pointless. The Lavrika’s blood does not stay fresh long in the sun. It must be kept shaded, so it is difficult to travel with. When our healers travel to the pools to refresh their supplies, they must take special heavy jars and travel with canopies over their irkdu to keep it fresh before reaching the shade of their tents where they store it deep in the sand. It is not practical to bring all of that to battle, especially when, without a trained healer, we would only be able to deal with very superficial wounds. And we do not bring our healers to battle as they are too important to the tribe.” He stared at me as he said that last part, and I panicked, thinking he might suddenly change his mind about bringing me with him.

“OK, I get it. Let’s go find Galok.” I spoke quickly as if to distract him. He regarded me warily, but acquiesced all the same. He left his spear resting against his irkdu’s side, hefting my saddle and taking my backpack from me.

“I can carry it. It’s my stuff.”

Buroudei just grunted. He did not give it back.

It didn’t take long to find Galok. Even with the addition of Gahn Irokai’s men he was still the tallest of the group. His long black hair, usually flowing freely down his back, was braided for battle.

“Galok. Your orders have changed. You are to travel with Zeezee on your irkdu, and keep her out of harm’s way. You are to keep her away from the battle, and only if we are successful in our endeavor, are you to reunite with the group.”

Galok’s brows contracted.

“You mean I will not be fighting? I will not be joining in the glorious battle for the new women?”

“Hey,” I cut in, not sure I liked the way he’d phrased that. I didn’t like the idea that my friends were being fought over like objects.

Buroudei’s voice lowered in warning.

“Galok. These are your orders.” Then, his voice softening somewhat, Buroudei added, “There is no one else I trust to do this for me.”

That seemed to satisfy Galok for the moment, and he raised his tail over his eyes. I was beginning to recognize the gesture as one of greeting, acknowledgment, and respect.

Buroudei handed the saddle to Galok, then turned to caress my cheek.

“I must go speak to Gahn Irokai and ready my mount.”

I nodded, leaning into his touch.

“I understand. I’m good here.”

His tail twitched. Then, with a quick, soft kiss on the top of my head, and a don’t-fuck-up look tossed at Galok, he put down my bag and moved away through the crowd. I watched him until I could no longer see him among the other men, and then turned to Galok.

Galok was strapping my saddle to his irkdu with ease, as if he already knew how. It struck me as strange, since I hadn’t seen a single other person use a saddle.

“You really seem to know what you’re doing,” I remarked as he got everything into place. When he was finished, he turned to me.

“Yes. We use saddles when we are cubs.”

I frowned, unsure if that was meant to be some kind of backhanded comment. But Galok grinned, and I relaxed. I didn’t know him well, but Buroudei trusted him, and so far he seemed like a pretty good guy.

“Do you have any children?” I asked. His face fell for a moment, then blanked into expressionlessness.

“The Lavrika has not yet blessed me with a mate. But soon, I hope. Very soon.”

Poor guy. It was heart breaking to see how lonely these warriors were. But the amount of hope so many of them seemed to be placing upon the human women was making me uncomfortable. I was pretty sure that not all of the other girls would be as happy to fall into bed with an alien as I apparently was. I changed the subject.

“Sorry you got stuck with babysitting duty.”

He cocked his head.

“I do not know this word, babysitting.”

“Ah, I mean, sorry you have to look after me instead of joining in with the other men.”

He grabbed my bag and handed it to me before helping me up into the saddle. Then he got up behind me, making sure there as a good few inches of space between our bodies. I stifled a laugh at the subtle show of chivalry. Or maybe, rather than chivalry, it was done out of fear of what Buroudei would do to him if he got too close.

“Do not concern yourself. It is a great honour to guard the Gahnala.”

Gahnala. That was a word I hadn’t had the chance to as Buroudei about in detail yet.

“What is that? The Gahnala.”

I strained in my saddle to look at Galok behind me. His gaze was unnaturally intense on my face and he leaned forward, the glimmers of his eyes drawing tight. Then he shook himself and shifted back a few inches further. I guess I’m just as alien to them as they are to me. Not like he’s ever seen a human woman this close. His obvious curiosity didn’t offend me. In fact, it was kind of cute. If anyone else ended up with a willing human mate, I secretly hoped it would be him.

“The Gahnala is the mighty Gahn’s mate. She is very respected among our people. Usually, after a Gahn is mated with his woman, there is a ceremony to mark her as the Gahnala. But there has not been time for that yet.”

A ceremony? Like... a wedding? I flushed at the thought and turned around, facing forward.

“Thanks.”

We didn’t get much more of a chance to speak after that. Because soon after, just as the asteroid moons were falling and the hot Zaphrinax sun began to rise, we departed, and the sounds of the irkdu and the battle cries of the warriors would have swept my voice away, unheard, over the sands.

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