Chapter 1
Chapter one
On’nas
There was a tension in the halls of the Aunga’ri palace, and I could feel it to my very bones.
The Vul, our greatest enemy, had followed us to Earth, and now they threatened the civilization where we hoped to make a peaceful home.
Our compound had been infiltrated without our knowledge, and tension would be high until it was once again secure. Until Earth was once again secure.
The Vul weren’t evil, not on an individual level at least, but they were loyal to a leader who was — a leader who destroyed worlds for his own gain.
And his scouts, at least, were here, infiltrating the human population and our own.
The Vul looked nothing like us, but their uncanny ability to disguise themselves struck a chord of fear across our entire compound.
Rigorous training allowed me to recognize a skin suit, but only on close inspection.
Most of my people didn’t even have that ability.
But my current concern was our commander, who had allowed his emotions to overrule his cool, calculating intelligence.
Our people were known for their reserved, analytical nature.
It was something which had led to tremendous scientific accomplishments and a fearsome army, the only one to stand up to the Vul.
But sometimes our primitive emotions still boiled to the surface.
Humans were different. They were in touch with their emotions.
They may not have our lethal military, but in the year I’d been here, I’d discovered they had a warmth and emotional intelligence that most of my people lacked.
So, when I needed advice of that nature, it was a human woman I sought.
One in particular — my cousin’s lover, who was here for that explicit purpose.
She wasn’t a soldier like the rest of the humans that occupied this compound, just a lovely woman who kept my cousin grounded and sane in a way he’d never been before.
I knocked on the door to Thrikteols Bhusl’ai An’T’ukka’s outer chamber, hoping that his human woman was present and, sure enough, she was the one to answer.
Mia Tsung smiled up at me, craning her neck a bit to meet my eyes.
She was so petite that I couldn’t imagine her as a sexual partner for an Aunga’ri prince, but she didn’t seem at all intimidated by me.
She probably should have been — I was a dangerous warrior, and she was so tiny she barely came up to my chest. Maybe she had become accustomed to us.
T’ukka was similar in height and build to me, and she was comfortable around him.
“Hi,” she said, smiling warmly. That warmth was something the humans had that I appreciated. It reminded me of my mother, one of the few emotionally open Aunga’ri I’d known.
“I have a question,” I said.
Oddly, I was the one who was intimidated.
I should not have been intimidated by such a little thing, but I couldn’t help my nerves.
I found the blatant sexuality of the humans a distraction, and I wasn’t particularly suited for a role in the commander’s guard on Earth.
But those were my orders, and I had no choice but to accept them.
I stood for a moment on the threshold to their rooms, fiddling with my shirt, until she rolled her eyes, grabbed my hand, and yanked me towards her couch.
I could have resisted, because I outweighed her significantly, but I wanted her counsel, so I sat down.
But perhaps seeking her advice was a mistake.
What would a human know about matters of the Aunga’ri?
“You had a question?” she prompted when I said nothing for far too long.
I glanced at her, flushing, feeling my heart race, my body responding to my nerves.
I had come to her because I didn’t think that what I had to say would be a big deal to a human, though to my people it would be enough to get me imprisoned.
“It’s a little embarrassing. But my cousin tells me you bring him great joy.”
She snorted, her eyes sparkling with humor. “He did not say that. I can’t imagine T’ukka saying that.”
“Fine, well, he didn’t say it in those words, but he is happier than I’ve ever seen him. And because our planet is no more, perhaps we need to embrace new ways. Or old ways? I’m not really sure—”
“Thrikteols Azal An’On’nas! Stop freaking out.” She carefully used my formal name as she interrupted me with a laugh, patting my forearm. A sign of great respect, and I appreciated it.
“You can call me On’nas. You are family, sort of.”
She smiled gently. “You’re almost as nervous about things as your cousin.”
“My cousin doesn’t get nervous,” I muttered.
“Oh, he does. He just expresses it differently.” Her laughter came easily, perhaps because she was in a happy, loving relationship. It was lovely, a light tinkling sound that was accompanied by a sparkle in her eyes that almost looked like mischief.
“It’s a question of an intimate nature,” I murmured. “I came to you because I know you have more expertise than most.”
“Oh. Well, there’s nothing embarrassing about exploring your sexuality. It’s a natural part of life. Your people have denied yourselves for far too long, I think. Who is it you find yourself attracted to?”
I took a slow breath. “The commander. Mu’ol.
” This was the first time I’d said his informal name out loud, and the first time I’d admitted that attraction.
Even that sent shudders down my spine and a rush of blood to my groin.
I had been uncomfortably aroused often lately, especially after stumbling upon intercourse between my cousin and his lovers.
Witnessing that pleasure had been my undoing.
I had only glimpsed them for the briefest of moments before I had fled in embarrassment, but that impression had stuck with me through countless sleepless nights.
Mia studied me for a moment, letting the silence stretch. “Interesting. I thought he was taken with Lieutenant Wilder. The human soldier who accompanies him everywhere.”
“He might be, but she has no affection for him. She finds him very irritating.” I smiled at the thought of Nora Wilder, who I enjoyed in a completely different way than Mu’ol.
She stood up to him, challenged him, and I found that intriguing.
I could see why he did as well. It wasn’t something he was accustomed to.
A smile played around Mia’s mouth. “Irritation doesn’t always mean what it appears to mean.”
Leaning forward, I rested my elbows on my knees and stared at the floor. “Well, right now, he is exhibiting signs of stress and worry. I thought perhaps I could provide him with some relief.”
“Relief?” That smile fought its way through. She thought I was funny, but she was trying to be serious. Fuck, this was embarrassing.
“It’s stupid,” I muttered. “I am… more sexually experienced than most Aunga’ri, but I’ve never…”
She reached out and laid a hand on my forearm, her voice gentling.
“It’s not stupid. I don’t mean to tease you.
I was just thinking that you’re right, that the commander could use some relief.
It might help with his temper.” That had been exactly what I’d been thinking.
She tilted her head. “Isn’t he old for you, though? ”
“I am younger than Prince An’T’ukka, but I am of age.” Finding the words that I needed to explain my attraction was a bit of a struggle. We didn’t have these kinds of words. “I am attracted to his age. To the idea of someone who is commanding and assertive.”
“You’re submissive,” she murmured. “See? You know yourself well. Do you wish for him to be gentle with you, or rough?”
I blinked at her. “That’s a thing? Being rough with your sexual partner?”
“Yes, some people even get off on some level of pain. Say, spanking, for example.” My translator chip struggled to give me an Aunga’ri equivalent for that word, and she smiled.
“Hitting, open-handed. Usually on the bottom, or another erogenous zone.” And fuck if my cock didn’t immediately harden at that thought.
His hands on my body, manipulating me, controlling me, punishing me when I needed it.
“That sounds, um, pleasant,” I squeaked, a strange rush of excitement making my body tingle.
“Have you thought about talking to him about it?” she asked.
“I do not think he would respond well. It is illegal still to feel these things.”
She smiled. “I think you’re right that he needs a release, and maybe companionship. I’ve found that your people respond well to the physical affection you deny yourselves.”
This reminded me so much of my mother that my heart ached. “We do,” I whispered, not explaining how I knew that.
“And now, with Axel and Nora gone to their military meeting, he might find comfort in having someone he could trust. Someone he could talk to.”
“I shall try.” I met her eyes, which were kind, and nodded, leaving her in her rooms, unable to stop the wild fantasies from spooling through my mind.
No matter how much I agreed with her, the prospect of actually discussing anything with him made me sick to my stomach as I wandered slowly back towards the commander’s quarters.
I was one of his guards and slept in a room outside of his private rooms. In fact, I had never been inside the suite of rooms that was his sanctuary.
It took a lot of courage for me to tap on the door, requesting entry.
I wondered if my mother was right, if my people used to seek physical comfort in each other the way humans did. My instincts were certainly leading me down that path.
Mu’ol himself answered the door, and he looked agitated.
He was shirtless, without armor, and his beautiful skin glistened with sweat.
His muscles bulged and flexed with every movement.
I knew he used exercise to relieve his stress, so it was likely he had been training.
He frowned when he saw me, his expression irritated.
Perhaps he had been expecting Nora Wilder. Or hoping for her, anyway.
“Is there something you need, young princeling?” His tone was a little harsh, as always, but I suspected that was more to do with his mood than how he felt about me.
I opened and closed my mouth, at a loss for words as I watched a trickle of sweat trail down his chest, to the V of his abdomen, and further.
I wanted to lick it. The urge to drop to my knees and offer to serve him had never been stronger, and I took a deep breath, trying to control my lustful thoughts.
Those in my caste were known for our height and dark purple, almost black skin, but Mu’ol, despite originating in a lower caste, was almost as tall as me.
He did not defer to me as many did. The centuries-old caste system was ingrained in our culture, but Mu’ol ignored it.
Instead, he met my eyes boldly, as my military commander should.
His silver eyes flashed with light as he studied me.
And I realized he was waiting for me to speak.
I cleared my throat. “I spoke with Mia Tsung about something that I wanted to share with you.”
“The prince’s pet?”
“I do not think she would see herself that way, perhaps more his lover. His partner.”
He huffed impatiently, crossing his arms over his chest, the massive muscles of his shoulders bulging with the movement. My mouth watered.
“Is this going somewhere? I am a busy man.”
“May I come in?” I asked, and then, because I had been raised a prince, and he had been raised a commoner, I pushed past him into his quarters without waiting for permission.
“Insolent boy,” he muttered.
“I’m not a boy. I’m of age.” I didn’t know why I had to keep confirming that I was an adult with him.
He knew it was true, but my words earned me a slow, confused blink.
“Look, I know you’re stressed out that Nora is gone.
I know you have needs you haven’t been dealing with.
I’m available. That’s all I’m here to say. ”
“I don’t know what you mean,” he muttered, turning and pouring himself a drink of water, then chugging it down. I watched the muscles of his throat work, wondering why it was so sensual.
My heart pounded as I met Mu’ol’s eyes. “Do you need me to spell it out for you, commander? My body is yours to play with. To use. Sexually.” The words spilled out of me in a rush, and I instantly wanted to take them back.
But I had to remind myself that there was power in sharing my feelings.
I was free from something that had been holding me down for as long as I had worked under Mu’ol.
Even if he denied me the pleasures I yearned for, I had finally been open about it.
He stared at me for so long that I thought perhaps he hadn’t heard me. I waited for him to throw me out of his rooms in a fit of rage, my heart pounding as he quietly studied me. Then he said the words I wanted to hear; “On your knees.”
As I dropped into a kneeling position, he stepped forward, until the thick ridge of his erection strained at his pants and brushed against my lips. And I kissed him through the fabric, wishing that I could get rid of the barrier between us.