Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Takkian
Takkian gazed at the cabin as another wave of uncertainty flooded him. With Bruil at the controls, focused intently on the display and the coordinates sent by the Dokkol, he was alone with Sevas. She stayed clipped into a seat, arms wrapped around herself. The distant hum of the ship resonated in the silence between them.
“Takkian…” Sevas began. “Tell me what is on your mind.”
He took a breath, pushing past the mix of emotions spinning in his head. “I would like to hear everything you know about the overseer. The one from your settlement.”
Sevas’ expression shifted. The warmth in her eyes dimmed slightly. “He was…hard to explain. He protected us, but he was also the reason we lived in constant fear. He marked Turi’s doors with a symbol. It kept the wild creatures from bothering her family’s crops.”
“Marked how?” Takkian asked, folding his arms. “Why did he do that?”
Sevas hesitated. “Turi never told us why. She might not even know. But it gave her family a break from the cibrats , filbats , and irgs that constantly invaded the farms. They left her land alone,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Takkian frowned. “So he was a tool for the Axis? A puppet?”
“I don’t know,” Sevas replied, her brow furrowing. “The overseer kept the peace in the settlement, but he couldn’t override the Axis’ order to let the raiders abduct us. He could negotiate with them to keep Turi, because he had laid claim on the land she lived on—and we were abducted from her family’s land.” She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “It was a hard life. They drained our resources until we barely had enough to survive.”
“That is what they do to penal colonies,” he said coldly. “I—I’m pretty sure I served on one.”
She peered at him. “You don’t have a number on your neck.”
“No, I don’t.” Takkian’s voice held a dangerous edge. “But I’m wondering if I’m marked somewhere no one can see.”
“What do you mean?” Sevas asked.
“The officials at the arena somehow found out about our escape plan,” he said. “Bruil and Ulo didn’t tell them. Neither did you. And Bruil and I did regular, thorough checks for listening devices.” He shrugged. “Add in that I can’t remember much of anything before I arrived at the arena, and…I wonder if the listening device is me .”
Her eyes widened. “Could they be listening now?”
“I don’t think so,” Takkian replied, considering her words. “If they could, they would be here now.”
Sevas nodded. “That’s true. You’re well out of range.”
Takkian clenched his fists, anger tightening his shoulders. “But I might not be if we come near an Axis ship or facility. If there’s an implanted device in me, I need to find and remove it.”
Her gaze met his. “Then, when we get to this outpost, we find someone to do that. The overseer and this other Zaruxian—Cyprian—may have had one, too. And if the overseer isn’t at the settlements anymore, that means something big happened there.”
Takkian let out a deep, steadying breath as he pulled Sevas closer, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder. The warmth of her body against his steadied the turbulent thoughts racing through his mind. He could still sense the lingering fear that the Axis might be watching, waiting for them to slip up. But right now, in this moment, she was his sanctuary.
“No matter what happened at your settlement, if the Axis are looking for you, I won’t let them take you,” he murmured into her neck, feeling her pulse beat beneath his lips. The very thought of anything happening to her ignited a fierce protectiveness within him he couldn’t ignore. The way she had faced the arena and stood by him had made him feel alive. Truly alive.
Sevas tilted her head back, catching his gaze with those deep, dark red eyes that swirled with emotion. She wrapped her arms around him, fingers digging lightly into the hard muscles of his back. “I don’t want to lose you either, Takkian. We have too much at stake.”
He leaned in closer. Their lips nearly brushed as he whispered, “We’ll make it. Together.” There was an intensity to his words that burned between them, thickening the space with unspoken desires.
Then, in one fluid movement, Takkian closed the distance, capturing her mouth with his. It was an embrace that had been hanging in the air between them for too long. Her warmth radiated through his scales, to his bones. Their kiss deepened and Takkian groaned, sinking into the sensations of her .
Sevas responded with a teasing tilt of her head, leaning into the kiss, her lips molding against his as if to seal a bond. His heart raced as heat unfurled between them. All worry, every nagging doubt he had melted away, leaving behind nothing but the intoxicating taste of her.
The world outside the ship faded into nothingness. All that existed was this moment—their connection, their defiance against the harsh reality waiting beyond the metal hull. He pressed closer, his hands exploring the contours of her back, fingers tracing the soft fabric of her shirt as he pulled her deeper into him.
Sevas let out a soft gasp. Her hands tangled in his hair as she returned the kiss with fervor. But this wasn’t enough. He wanted more. So much more. His instincts surged, primal and raw. The need to claim her—to bury himself in that warmth and live in the moment—overwhelmed him. She was strong, fierce, the perfect counterbalance to all the darkness they faced. The taste of urgency filled his senses and mingled with emotions he hadn’t dared to embrace before her.
“Sevas,” he breathed against her lips, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. They sparkled like stars caught in the veil of night. Takkian’s breath caught as he gazed at her. The weight of anticipation in the charged silence made his chest ache. The moment felt like a sanctuary amidst the turmoil in their lives.
“We’ve waited long enough,” he murmured, his voice low and throaty and filled with a promise of what lay ahead. He grasped her hand and gently unclipped them both from their seats, then tugged her toward the short corridor in the upper deck that led to the stateroom.
Sevas didn’t hesitate as she went with him. Her fingers intertwined with his as if they were two flames drawn together. As they entered the room, Takkian pushed the door shut behind them, sealing out the rest of the world. The air felt thick with possibility as he turned to face Sevas. His heart raced against a steady beat of desire. They were alone now. And both of them knew what was going to happen in that room.
Sevas shifted closer. The distance between them shrank to nothing as she pressed against him. “Takkian,” she breathed. The way his name sounded on her lips made him want to bellow in triumph. This incredible, beautiful, powerful female wanted him. Him . A scarred warrior with no past.
He reached for her, pulling her into him, their bodies colliding in a rush of warmth and need. The kiss they’d shared before turned into something deeper now, hungry and fervent. The world outside dimmed. It was just the two of them, bound by the fire they had stoked within. Takkian’s hands slipped to her waist, fingers splayed possessively against her, drawing her closer as their mouths moved against each other.
Sevas let out a soft sigh, hands weaving into his hair, pulling him closer still. Her warmth pressed against him with a yearning that threatened to consume them both. The longing that had been building since the moment they met now exploded.
In one swift motion, Takkian pulled Sevas to the mattress. He held her against his body as he maneuvered the gravity blanket over them. It pressed them together and to the mattress with its grounding weight. Takkian’s silver eyes burned into Sevas’. His chest heaved. There was no arena, no mechs, no confined cell—only her, and the fire blazing between them.
His rough palm cupped her cheek and his thumb moved in slow, deliberate circles over her cheekbone. “Sevas. You’re mine,” he rasped. “And now, I want all of you.”
Sevas’ lips parted. Her breath hitched, but she didn’t look away. “Yes, Takkian.” There was no fear in her voice, only a punch of urgency laced with the same hunger that mirrored his own. Her fingers brushed over his jaw, tracing the hard planes of his face. The pulse in her neck beat wildly against his touch, as if daring him to claim her fully.
“We’ve faced death,” he continued. “We’ve fought, bled, and survived together. I know I don’t deserve you, but…I can’t hold this back. Not anymore.”
Her lips curved, and her arms tangled around his neck to pull him closer. “Then don’t,” she murmured against his lips. “I’m not asking for perfection, Takkian. I’m asking for you .”
Like a match to dry wood, her words consumed him. One arm looped firmly under her back, holding her where she belonged—pressed against him. He kissed her deeply, fervently, as if sealing both of their unspoken promises. There was nothing hurried in his movements; instead, there was a purposeful, magnetic energy that surged between them.
As their lips parted, Takkian’s voice found her ear. “I’ll be gentle,” he vowed. “But Sevas…” His claws traced a deliberate path down the gold spots on her spine. It sent a shiver through her trembling frame. “I will make you mine completely. No one else will touch you. Not in this lifetime.”
Sevas’ breath trembled against his neck, her arms wrapping tighter around him. Their gazes locked with a trust that made his chest ache. “I already am yours, Takkian.” Her voice was sure and steady. “You’re all I want. All I need.”
His lips brushed against hers again, softer this time, reverent, as if sealing a bond forged in fire and blood. She arched into him, a silent, unspoken surrender that resonated deep within him. Every wall he’d built, every defense, crumbled like sand under the force of her acceptance.
Under the grounding weight of the gravity blanket, the ship’s soft hum faded into the background. There was only her. Only them. Takkian’s large, scaled hands slid over her sides, exploring the curves of her body with a mix of awe and restraint.
His fingers curled into the fabric of her shirt and yanked it open, baring her breasts to him.
Sevas let out a soft gasp that sent vibrations rippling through him. “I thought you said you’d be gentle,” she teased, her fingers running over the ridges of his chest. Her touch was light, but claiming him all the same.
Takkian’s lips quirked into a rare smile, his wolfish grin full of adoration and heat. “Gentle,” he murmured, cupping her breasts in his hands and squeezing gently. “But thorough.”
With that, he dipped his head. His mouth trailed kisses down the smooth column of her neck toward the stiff peaks that beckoned him. Her soft sighs and whispered words spurred him on. His large frame shifted over her, enveloping her entirely as if shielding her from the galaxy beyond.
Takkian explored her body as his gaze tracked every curve, every plane of her skin, as if memorizing her by touch alone. The gaping shirt clung loosely to her arms. The way her nipples hardened under his gaze sent fire roaring through his blood.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with awe and possessiveness. His fingertips carefully skimmed along her ribs, afraid to press too hard, to leave marks on skin that deserved only softness. But beneath his restraint was a surging hunger he could barely contain.
Sevas’ hands were far less tentative. She braced against his muscled chest and slid them downward, following the hard ridges of his abdomen before reaching the fastenings of his leather pants. Her fingers were deft and impatient, seeking the laces and tugging them loose.
“Off,” she murmured against his lips. Her breath fanned over his jaw. “I want to feel all of you, Takkian.”
The words sent a shiver through him. He shifted back just enough to allow her access, growling softly as her delicate fingers pulled the material down. His cock sprang free. It jutted proudly between them, and she peered under the blanket to see him. Its dark length was veined and ridged. Sevas’ breath caught. Her lips parted as she stared at him.
“Takkian,” she whispered, her voice trembling with both longing and a hint of surprise.
“Too much?” he rumbled. He wasn’t shy about his size. His cock stood tall against his taut abdomen, curving slightly at the tip where a faint gleam of wetness had begun to form. The base was thick, tapering upward before ending in a bulbous crown. It was just him , but it occurred to him that she may have been expecting something else.
Sevas swallowed hard. “It’s different from what we were told Terian males were like.”
He frowned and paused. “Is it a problem?”
In answer, her hand skimmed downward between her own thighs, under her pants, seeking the slippery heat there. “Not at all,” she said breathlessly. “You’re perfect.”
He could smell her arousal, hot and needy. Takkian groaned as her fingers found his cock. He shook his head when she began to close her thighs. “No. Show me,” he growled, his voice rough and heavy. “Let me see you, Sevas.”
She unfastened her pants and pushed them off. The blanket hindered his view, but he lifted it enough to see under and allow the light to show long, smooth legs. She spread her thighs slowly under the weight of his heated gaze. He sheathed her in his shadow, a primal predator appreciating its chosen mate. Her cunt was glistening. Her arousal was slick and inviting, driving the last vestiges of control from him. He watched her trace delicate circles over her clit. Her breaths came in quick gasps as her fingers teased and coaxed her desire higher. It was the most exquisite sight he’d ever witnessed and drew a sharp growl from his throat.
“You are everything,” he whispered, his voice ragged with want. His claws extended slightly and clenched into the mattress at his sides. Restraint was becoming a tenuous thing, and it wouldn’t last. It couldn’t last. The need to claim her, to fill her, was a storm surging in his veins.
Sevas’ gaze met his, her red eyes smoldering. She reached for him, her voice soft but commanding, “I need you, Takkian. Now.”
Her words shattered whatever thread of control he’d clung to. In one fluid motion, he captured her wrists and pinned them above her head. He was aware of his strength and careful with her, but his unyielding grip was a promise of what was to come. His lips came down on hers, searing and ravenous, as though he could consume every part of her with his mouth alone. His free hand roamed her body, memorizing each curve, each shiver of her beneath his touch.
His hips pressed forward, aligning his cock with her entrance. The blunt head brushed against her folds, slick and hot, and they both groaned at the contact. Takkian’s breath was heavy as he whispered against her ear. “Tell me if it’s too much. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Sevas arched into him. Her thighs wrapped around his hips to guide him closer. “I trust you, Takkian. I want all of you. Please.”
With her encouragement, he pressed forward. The wide crown of his cock breached her entrance. She gasped, fingers curling into his hands where he still pinned her wrists.
“ Fek , you’re tight,” he ground out, his voice strained as he inched forward. Her slickness welcomed him, but the stretch was intense for both of them. He moved slowly, giving her time to adjust. Every primal instinct warring with his need to make her comfortable.
Sevas’ moan sent fire racing down his spine. Her muscles clenched around him, pulling him deeper. She gave a breathless laugh between gasps. Her voice trembled with pleasure. “I told you… I’m not fragile.”
Takkian growled low in his throat. His gaze moved over her with a mix of lust and reverence. “You feel…” His words failed, but he pushed deeper. His thick length filled her inch by inch until the base of his cock pressed flush against her slick folds. His hips trembled as he held still, panting at the heat and tightness that enveloped him completely. “Perfect. You feel perfect.”
Sevas’ back arched beneath him. Her breath hitched as she whispered, “Move, Takkian. Please.”
Her plea unraveled him. He withdrew slightly. The friction drew a strangled sound from both their throats. Then, he thrust back in with a controlled force that sent her body rocking into the mattress. The gravity blanket pinned them down together, grounding each thrust with an intensity that made driving into her all the more consuming. He felt like he was buried not only in her body, but in her very soul, connected in a way that transcended the physical.
Sevas cried out his name. He released her hands and suddenly they were everywhere—in his hair, sliding over his chest, his wings, his arms. Her nails dug into his thick back muscles as she writhed against him, hips rising to meet each of his thrusts. “ Fek , Takkian—don’t hold back.”
Her words struck him like lightning. Takkian’s control snapped and he let the raw power of his body take over. His pace quickened as the room filled with the rhythmic slap of their bodies. Her breathless cries and moans blended with his guttural growls. He pinned her more firmly, his lips brushing her ear as he gritted, “Mine.”
“Yours,” she gasped. Her voice broke on a moan as his cock dragged against her walls. Her hands tangled in his hair, tugging hard as he pressed his forehead against hers.
The coil of pleasure in his belly tightened. Her thighs tensed around his hips as he felt her body move with his. Release was just within reach. Takkian felt her walls fluttering around him, pulling him deeper. He angled his hips. He knew his cock found her most sensitive spot when Sevas’ gasp turned into a sharp cry. Her body convulsed. The waves of her climax washed over him as she tipped her head back.
“Takkian!” she screamed, clutching at his shoulders. Her muscles clamped down on him like a vise, and the slick heat of her release around his cock was almost too much for him to bear.
The sight of her unraveling beneath him, her body arching in ecstasy, was enough to shatter his own restraint. His hips bucked harder, deeper, the primal rhythm consuming him completely. The feel of her, her scent, her cries—it all engulfed him until his own release slammed into him like an explosion.
A guttural roar tore from his throat as his cock pulsed inside her, filling her with every ounce of his release. His wings wanted to flare out behind him, but were held in check by the blanket. His muscles went taut as he trembled above her, body wracked with spasms. He buried his face in her neck as his breath went hot and ragged against her sweat-dampened skin.
They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies locked together. The room was filled with the sound of their panting. Takkian shifted slightly, keeping most of his weight off her as he propped himself on his forearms. His body felt like it was floating, despite the gravity blanket, as the aftershocks rippled through him. He brushed a loose strand of hair from her flushed face. His thumb lingered on her cheek. “That was… Ah, I don’t have words,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you. To my very bones, I love you.”
Sevas smiled up at him. Her fingertips moved over the sharp planes of his jaw. “And I love you,” she whispered. “Always.”
Their foreheads touched as they caught their breath. Their hearts beat in harmony. In that moment, amidst the chaos and danger of their lives, they were two beings bound by something far stronger than circumstance. They were unshakable. They were home.