Chapter 2
Tsok
“Honored char, the transport ship has just been given clearance to enter the atmosphere. She’ll be here within a quarter mark.”
Turning from the excellent view through the large window of his office, Tsok gazed back at his steward, the male who was in charge of the manors and grounds of his property. He also served a secondary purpose of being something of an aide to Tsok. His name was Davard, and he had been an exemplary assistant since Tsok got into politics. Tsok had given him the job as a steward in an attempt to force him to relax more as he got older, but he only worked twice as hard. And now, he refused to give up either job, stating that it was his honor to serve Char Tsok.
When Tsok found out his mate had been found through True Match, there was no one else he would trust to prepare for her arrival and oversee her transportation and care. There was already a lot involved in bringing a mate from somewhere on the planet. The fact that his mate was from offworld made it doubly difficult. However, added to it that she was human…
Humans were only protected by the Coalition, they weren’t true members. They could, however, mate with aliens through the True Match program, a program invented by another one of his people, the kreecharma. That was why he had been scanned, in fact. He was trying to lead by example and encourage his people to do the same.
Finding his mate was the next step in his plan to help alter the culture of the entire planet of Kree and the kreecharma that called it home. He was going to prove a point, using her to do so. Of course, he was going to be a good mate to her and compensate her properly at the same time as well. That only seemed fair, he was sure she would agree.
Her being human was a bit of a surprise though. Tsok had met humans before. He had, in fact, been there when the vote passed for them to become a protectorate. Human females were, of course, stunning. Their sexuality was surprising, even when a male had been warned about it. The entire reason they were protected was because human females were such a temptation. Their beauty, their allure, their fertility even amongst species not their own all combined together to make them far too tempting to the unscrupulous. Tsok could certainly appreciate it himself.
But for all that, he couldn’t imagine actually being mated to one. They were so small, so fragile. He preferred a female with more substance, more flesh, more luscious curves. He would be too afraid to mount a human female for concern of breaking her.
That was why he had been shocked to learn his mate was a human. And it certainly made things difficult concerning his plan. A kreecharma female would understand him and he could compensate her knowing what she might need. But human females, he understood, were quite a bit more difficult. That was why he was thankful for Davard.
Unlike Tsok, Davard had plenty of time to research what she would need and adjust things for her. Tsok could leave everything to him. He didn’t really need to be involved.
He did know she was arriving today though. When he checked his schedule this morning, there was a solid mark built into his afternoon that was free of meetings or duties. He imagined Davard put it there knowing his mate would be arriving in that window. Tsok intended to introduce himself to her properly. That was only polite, after all. They were going to be mates, so it seemed appropriate that they should have some sort of friendly relation.
Of course, he could only spare that mark. He still had a great deal of work to do, and he couldn’t be expected to spend the rest of the day getting the female set up in her new home. Of course, he would rely on Davard for that as well.
Everything was going according to plan. Still there was a part of Tsok that was just a bit concerned, even despite Davard’s reliability and trustworthiness.
“You made sure she has everything she should need?” Tsok asked, coming around his desk and down the short stairs leading into the lower half of the room.
“Indeed, char,” Davard assured him as he approached. “I made sure to check all human nutritional requirements and stocked her kitchen appropriately. I’ve hired a chef who has been studying human recipes that come from one of the other mated humans. From Turv, I believe. She assures me that she can handle any dish – kreecharma, human, or fusion – as the need arises. Furthermore. I’ve replaced all the linens with flower silk to be sure her skin is well cared for, as humans have very soft flesh that is completely exposed at all times.”
Indeed. Another concern. Under their fur, kreecharma had flesh as well, but it really wasn’t the same. Humans were just so soft . He’d never touched one personally, of course, but you could see their blood vessels right beneath the skin. That’s how thin and delicate it was.
That’s why he nodded in approval as Davard explained how they had all the furniture reupholstered in softer fabrics meant for her delicate flesh. He had also replaced all the cushions and pillows with softer ones. The security system had also been completely revamped, making sure that no one could get to his human mate without permission.
“We’ve also finished setting up her credz account and I’ve deposited her first allowance in its entirety. She’s free to use it immediately for whatever she needs. But I’ve already stocked her closet with any clothes she might need when she lands, and we’re ready for whatever luggage she brings with her. As I understand it, she is bringing a pet. It is a tiny carnivore from a species called cat, and I have prepared accordingly.”
“A tiny carnivore?” Tsok chuckled, amused, leading the way out of his office and through his home. A beautiful, sprawling manor with a great deal of bright, open sunlight.
“My research shows that the cats are quite common as pets. Hers has been neutered, so it is not at risk for breeding, and it underwent a health check before leaving the Earth satellite ships. It is not bringing any diseases or parasites. All the usual animal immigration things.”
“Wonderful.” Tsok said in approval. “A companion will be nice for her. Make sure it cannot get itself into trouble.”
“Of course, char,” Davard inclined his head. “Though, I’ve been informed that she will be bringing many supplies for the creature already and that it is unlikely to be a bother.”
“Good. Anything else?”
“Just the one. Would you like me to find an opening in your schedule? I’m sure we can make half a mark, maybe a quarter mark, for her every few days. At least once a tenday.”
“Huh? Why?”
“For whatever mated beings do, I suppose.”
Tsok frowned, thinking, before he waved away the words. “I’ll see her for events and important meetings. I can’t imagine any reason I would need to spend so much time with her aside from that quite yet. That can wait.”
Davard hummed. “As you say. However, the human manuals do indicate that humans require a courting period as part of their mating process.”
“Ah, I see the misunderstanding. I’ve actually read the report from the experiments that formed those manuals. The courting period isn’t required, it’s highly encouraged. Humans can mate by first sight alone. And even if she doesn’t, I shall not be properly mating her anyway, so there’s no reason to expect she properly mate me.”
Davard brightened. “You are indeed wise, honored char. That is very fair. Though, what if she does bond to you?”
“You think that’s a concern?”
“You are a highly desirable male,” he said, inclining his head, like it was a simple fact.
And it really was. It wasn’t at all vain or prideful to state a simple fact. Tsok was a highly desirable male. He’d enjoyed the company of his fair share of females. Though his species did not mate, there was no taboo against sex. In fact, with proper protections in place, it was quite a wonderful way to spend some time and release some stress.
Though, of course, as a mated male, he would not be doing those things any longer. Ideally, he could enjoy physical pleasures with his mate, though he could concede that it might not happen. After all, his former bedmates were females of equal rank to him. Important females that, like himself, wanted only a few marks of fun between their busy schedules.
Though, as this human was his mate, she would be a perfect match to him. She might be inclined to schedule their liaisons anyway. They could get their pleasures, then go about their lives, all without needing to make or steal time from elsewhere.
Yes, that would be perfect.
Though humans did enjoy a longer courtship, the type he wouldn’t be able to spare time for, he imagined it wouldn’t happen. That was fine. He had come to terms with his future celibacy. Unless, of course, she asked for him. If she desired his company, or perhaps younglings. Then, of course, he would do his duty for her.
Yes, Tsok was going to be a good and accommodating mate indeed.
“Tell me about the changes to her manor,” he said to Davard as they came down the stairs.
“Ah, yes. You’ll really like this. Fellbud Manor’s unfortunate state of disrepair was indeed a tragedy. It has such historical significance as the home of the charina.”
“The what?” Tsok blinked, confused.
“Charina,” Davard grinned. “It’s an old term. It’s meant to refer to the mate of the current acting char. Fellbud Manor was created for a charina many generations ago who did not like it here in the Glass Manor. Her mate was a fiercely loving and devoted female who then built Fellbud Manor to be more to her tastes. That’s why the two manors are so different. And since then, the charina was always given Fellbud manor to do with as they pleased. Some lived there, some worked there, others used it for charity purposes. But after the last charina retired with his mate, it has been largely ignored. Which really is a shame, because the gardens alone are a marvel.”
Tsok chuckled. “You are quite interested in history.”
Davard held his head proudly as they walked down the long, glass stairs of the Glass Manor. The beautiful, crystalline structure was absolutely exhausting to keep clean, but the effort was well worth it as it sparkled with golden rails and accents.
“History is one of the most important subjects to learn. It forms who we are as people in the present. It’s quite important for the future. It truly was a pleasure to restore Fellbud Manor to its former glory. With modernization, of course. Only the best for the newly revived post of the charina.”
Tsok smirked, pleased. He was a male who demanded the best. Both from himself, and from the people around him. And in return, he also gave the best. Fellbud Manor was indeed beautiful, though in an old style. Reviving it and making it a comfortable home for his mate, his charina, truly was a worthwhile endeavor.
He listened as Davard described everything done to the manor to make it not only modern and repaired, but safe and ready to welcome its new mistress. While Tsok was leaving all of this to Davard, he felt it was only proper that he made sure it was done right.
The transition for her was sure to be a strange one. He had been informed, through Davard from the ratchi ambassador to Earth who handled the transfer of human mates, that his mate was quite eager and willing to make this change and that, per her own words, wasn’t leaving anything worthwhile behind. But still, it was a large change for her. A good mate would be understanding about that and ensure that everything went smoothly.
Glass Manor was a very old building. It sat on land belonging originally to an old king from many ages past. There had once been a grand castle here, but it had been destroyed in a war generations ago. The land had then belonged to the government and wasn’t utilized for anything. However, after joining the Coalition, it was given to the current acting char as their residence. The char was the kreecharma’s representative among the Coalition. It was a position you could only be designated to perform by the leadership of Kree, but once yours, unless expressly taken from you, it was yours until you retired. It was a position Tsok had been filling for over a decade now.
And, upon the land granted to the char, the Glass Manor had been built as something of a recreation of the castle that had once been there. But, aside from the general shape and design, the colors and construction were very different. All the windows were widened, much larger than their historical counterparts, and there was an abundance of sunroofs. The grand glass staircase was just one of the many glass adornments. There were glass statues and many mirrors in beautiful, golden wood frames spread throughout the entire manor.
Some thought it bordered on tacky, but he’d always found the stylized palace beautiful. His mate would agree, he was sure, but the second palace on his land, Fellbud Manor, was equally beautiful, just completely different in style.
The last time Tsok had seen it, the gardens had been overgrown and untended, and the manor itself was dirty and dark. The colors had all faded, the windows were all grungy. None of the appliances were updated. No one had cared to maintain it beyond what was strictly necessary since the char lived in the Glass Manor nearby. The two were close enough to walk between, connected by a fine gravel path that passed under a lovely, beautiful gazebo with an intricate stone mosaic placed in the floor, but Tsok had never gone that way himself.
He was rather glad. It made the moment he came around the tall hedges, Fellbud Manor coming into view, that much more breathtaking.
Fellbud manor was named for the abundance of fell flowers filling the garden. The flowers grew as a rich, deep purple, turning into a pale, delicate purple at the tips of their long, elegant petals. The flowers themselves hung from tall, delicate trees with rounded, gray-blue leaves. They created a tunnel of beautiful, airy shade over the path that led to the front of the manor.
The manor itself, in direct contrast to the Glass Manor, was primarily wood and stone. It had wide, pane windows, but it wasn’t as open as the Glass Manor. It was warmer, more tranquil. Though his land wasn’t far from the city, here, surrounded by all the bright nature in the manor gardens, it seemed like another world. He could see why the historical charina had preferred this to the Glass Manor.
Yes, this place would do quite nicely for his small human mate. Plenty of trees to shade her delicate skin; fresh air, nice views, peace, quiet.
And an advanced security system. Human females had a dangerous tendency to be taken against their will. That would not happen to his. His mate would be protected by top of the line security – both systems and personnel who would patrol out of her sight. Her manor looked charming and simple, but it was impenetrable to everything short of a large scale explosion, and it could take one of those without enough structural damage to put the building in danger of collapse.
Because Tsok was going to be a good mate, and his female would be safe, happy, and comfortable in her new life here. He thought that was a fair demand of him, and one he was quite happy to fulfill. He was very satisfied as Davard explained all the upgrades, pointing out the hidden security points as they walked around to the rear of the manor.
Back there, placed at a safe distance from the building, was a solid, circular landing pad for small shuttles or hovers. The char was a position that demanded he leave his planet at least once a year, sometimes more. It would make sense that his other half, the charina, would have to do the same, so the landing pad wasn’t a surprise.
They stood there, Tsok and Davard and a few of the staff that would be tending to his mate and the manor, all waiting for her arrival. He could already see the dot of her shuttle making its way towards them in the bright, pale purple sky.
They all fell silent as the landing shuttle drew closer. Tsok was quite interested in what his female looked like. Her appearance didn’t matter to him personally. However, he was a public figure. His mate, apparently, was also a public figure. There would be certain expectations upon her for the way she dressed and presented herself. She could wear whatever she wanted when she was at her leisure, of course, but when it came to formal or official events, it was expected that she dress a certain way, and he would insist upon it. He felt he would be able to judge her style by what she wore now. After all, this was their first meeting. It was expected that she make herself more presentable. Like this was an interview for a job.
Oh, he did so hope she dressed appropriately. It would make things so much easier.
The landing shuttle was a small vessel, meant to carry only a few people. But it did have a large amount of storage space in the back. He’d picked that specifically because he wanted to make sure she had enough room for all of her belongings. Whatever she might bring.
The vessel was longer than it was tall, flat, with an angled body. It was designed to be able to cut through the atmosphere smoothly and cleanly. As the engine powered down, going into idle mode, the ramp in the back opened. Immediately, some of the staff started forward to begin unloading the suitcases and boxes his mate had brought.
He looked at them curiously, wondering what she considered essential to bring to another planet. There were quite a few suitcases and bags, none of which matched each other. The boxes were plain black bins giving him no clue as to what rested inside.
Then, the second ramp on the side, the passenger ramp, came down. Immediately, his eyes snapped to the new entrance, luggage completely forgotten.
Because there was a human female walking down the low incline, a bag over one shoulder, a carrier in her hand, peering around curiously.
Tsok blinked, stunned. Gaze darting quickly from her outfit to the abundance of jewelry on her face to the dual colors of her hair. The style, the look, the presentation-
She was absolutely perfect.
Tsok had seen humans before. He’d met the original ones that found themselves in Coalition space as the result of an unfortunate abduction. However, none of them were like this !
There went all his worries about her being too small to take him. Her body was luscious and thick and full. Enough for a male to grab on tight as he pounded her from behind and above and sideways and any other ways he could think of. She wasn’t as short as the other humans either. And that might have been due to the elevation granted to her by the thick, black boots that tied halfway up her calf, but it was still true that she didn’t evoke fear of her fragility in him.
And maybe that was partially due to how she walked. She moved with strength and confidence, looking around curiously, but with no shyness or fear. She stepped off the ramp and looked past him and the others, staring with wide, impressed eyes at the manor. But she only indulged in her wonder for a moment before focusing on them.
She was beautiful. The humans he’d met before hadn’t adorned themselves like she did – with flagrant appreciation and enjoyment of their bodies. Like she had done, gold dotting her face, her ears, layered necklaces hanging down her chest. It was wonderful. Like a kreecharma!
His people loved decorating their bodies in jewels and precious metals. Everyone here now had multiple rings on their ears, around their necks, wrists, some had waist chains, others had chains across their chests – like Davard. All of them had jeweled nasal filters.
His human mate was decorated similarly. She had gold rings on her face. Two small ones in her left eyebrow above her bright green eyes, one with a little jewel in her right nostril, and twin, tiny spikes through her bottom lip that were reminiscent of his own saber teeth. Thanks to the shirt she wore that only covered part of her torso, he could even see more bright gold on her belly button, complete with a dangling, marquis shaped pink charm that bounced as she walked.
It wasn’t the only thing bouncing. Her hips, her thighs, those high, heavy breasts all jiggled with each of her steps. It was mesmerizing. Glorious. Her pants were black and tight around her thighs and hips, though they gaped open at her waist. Like they weren’t tailored to fit her body. Though, he had to admit, he loved the effect and the hint of purple lace he saw peeking out.
Her top was like a corset, tied tight around her chest, the laces bouncing just in front of her tits, with more lace straps that had both fallen off her shoulders to lay against the rich brown skin of her arms. She had decorated her tiny, flat human claws, painting them a vibrant, stunning green with pretty white accents. He saw flashes of them as she adjusted the strap on her shoulder, bringing his attention further up to her hair. Such pretty hair.
Did humans have purple hair naturally? Did their hair coloring separate like that – black on top, purple on bottom? He didn’t think so, according to the last humans he met, but he couldn’t be sure. Regardless, he loved how bright the underside was, compared to the strands on top that were such a dark, shiny black. Her hair had been set in tight, dramatic waves reaching just past her chin. They bounced as she walked, along with everything else about her.
Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy.
Oh, yes. She was quite perfect.