Chapter 17
I watched Harold work his magic on Senator Moali Krullo, his easy charm and quick wit drawing genuine laughter from the usually reserved Chokreini leader. The crowd of supporters and security personnel formed a tight circle around them, but I had a clear view from my position at the edge.
Despite my best efforts to blend in, my massive wings and moss-green skin made me stick out like a sore thumb. I shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware of the curious glances thrown my way.
“Easy there, big guy,” Zarath muttered beside me. “You look about as inconspicuous as a Thrakian battle-beast at a tea party.”
I snorted. “Thanks for that stellar observation, Z. Real helpful.”
As I turned to shoot him a mock glare, something strange caught my eye near the D gate. A flicker of movement, a shadow where there shouldn’t be one.
My wings twitched instinctively. I tapped Zarath with the tip of my left wing, inclining my head subtly towards the disturbance. His silvery-purple eyes followed my gaze, widening as he registered the threat.
“Intruder,” he hissed. “D gate.”
We broke away from the crowd, moving swiftly towards the potential danger. My heart raced, adrenaline surging through my veins. This was what we were here for — to protect the Senator at all costs.
Suddenly, all hell broke loose.
A plasma blast sizzled past my ear, scorching the air. Screams erupted from the crowd as panic set in. I caught a glimpse of our assailant— a hooded figure wielding a sleek cannon, taking aim for another shot.
“Go!” Zarath shouted, drawing his own weapon. “Get the Senator!”
I didn’t hesitate. With a powerful thrust of my wings, I launched into the air, soaring over the chaos below. My eyes locked onto Senator Krullo, her luminescent skin a beacon amidst the sea of terrified faces.
Another plasma bolt whizzed by, missing me by inches. I tucked my wings and dove, scooping the Senator into my arms in one fluid motion. Her startled gasp was lost in the wind as I shot upwards, cradling her protectively against my chest.
“Hold on tight, Senator,” I grunted, banking sharply to avoid incoming fire.
A searing pain suddenly blazed across my shoulder. I bit back a cry, my wings faltering for a heart-stopping moment before I regained control. The acrid smell of singed flesh filled my nostrils, but I forced myself to focus on our escape.
“Are you hurt?” Senator Krullo’s voice was steady, despite the chaos.
I managed a strained chuckle. “Just a flesh wound, ma’am. Nothing this Aikkoan can’t handle.”
As we soared towards safety, my thoughts raced. Who was behind this attack? And more importantly, how the hell had they gotten past our security?
I whirled through the air, my muscles straining as I cradled Senator Krullo close. The pain in my shoulder throbbed with each wingbeat, but I gritted my teeth and pushed on. Safety. I had to get her to safety.
“There!” The Senator pointed to a fortified structure ahead. “The safe zone!”
I angled my descent, fighting to keep my vision from blurring. As we touched down, I stumbled, barely managing to set the Senator on her feet before collapsing to one knee.
“Zarath,” I gasped, scanning the area desperately. “Where’s Zarath?”
“Dave!” I heard his voice, tinged with panic, before I saw him. Zarath and Relzo were racing towards us, weapons raised.
Relief flooded through me, quickly followed by a wave of dizziness. I swayed, feeling consciousness slip away.
“Stay with me, guardian,” Senator Krullo’s voice seemed to come from far away. I felt pressure on my wound, her cool hands against my feverish skin. “You’ve been so brave. Thank you.”
The world faded to black.
I didn’t know how much time passed before I jolted awake, disoriented. The harsh lights of the med bay assaulted my eyes as Zarath’s face swam into focus above me.
“What happened?” I croaked, trying to sit up. “The Senator-“
“Is safe, thanks to you,” Zarath interrupted, gently but firmly pushing me back down onto the stretcher. “Now lie still, you idiot. You’re injured.”
I waved him off. “I’m fine, really. Just a scratch.”
Zarath’s eyes flashed, his worry coursing through me. “A scratch? Dave, you nearly bled out! I swear by all the gods of Chokra, if you don’t let us take care of you-“
“Us?” I raised an eyebrow, wincing as the movement pulled at my injury.
Zarath’s expression softened slightly. “I’m taking you to Delilah. She’s the only one I trust to handle this.”
I couldn’t help but smile, despite the pain. “Aw, you do care.”
“Shut up,” Zarath muttered, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. As he wheeled me towards the ship, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to relax under his watchful gaze.
As we entered the med bay, Delilah’s eyes widened, a mix of concern and excitement flashing across her face. She rushed over, her tight braid swinging behind her.
“Oh my goodness, Dave! What happened?” she exclaimed, her voice a touch too loud in the sterile room.
I winked at her, trying to lighten the mood. “Just wanted to give you some practice, doc.”
Delilah’s hands were already moving, efficiently cleaning and examining the wound on my shoulder. Her touch was gentle but sure, belying her lack of formal medical training.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she murmured, more to herself than to us. “But it definitely needs closing. We could do stitches, or...” Her eyes lit up. “Or we could use the flesh mender!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her barely contained excitement. Glancing over at Zarath, I was surprised to see his usual composure cracking. His skin had shifted to a pale, sickly blue, and his silvery purple eyes were wide with panic.
“Hey, big guy,” I called out, “you okay over there? You’re looking a little green around the gills. Well, blue, I guess.”
Zarath scowled, but I could see the worry etched in every line of his face. “Just get on with it,” he snapped.
I turned back to Delilah, who was practically bouncing on her toes. “Well, far be it from me to deny you your fun. Let’s give that fancy gadget a whirl, shall we?”
Delilah’s face split into a wide grin. “Really? You’ll be my first flesh mender patient?”
As she rushed to prepare the device, I couldn’t help but think how far she’d come from the sheltered farm girl we’d first met. My heart swelled with pride, even as my shoulder throbbed with pain.
“You know me, sweetheart,” I quipped, trying to ignore the nervous flutter in my stomach. “Always happy to be your guinea pig.”
The flesh mender whirred to life, its metallic arms extending towards my shoulder. I winced instinctively, but Zarath’s hand suddenly gripped mine, his skin cool against my palm.
“It’s alright,” he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “I’ve got you.”
The machine worked with uncanny precision, stitching my wound closed with rapid, intricate movements. I felt a slight tingling as it injected antibiotics, my enhanced Aikkoan healing already kicking in to aid the process.
Delilah’s gasp of wonder filled the room. “Oh my stars, it’s incredible! Look how cleanly it’s closing the wound!”
I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as I focused on the comforting pressure of Zarath’s hand in mine. His earlier panic seemed to have subsided, replaced by a laser-focused attentiveness that was oddly touching.
“All done!” Delilah announced, carefully removing the device. Her fingers gently probed my shoulder, and I suppressed a shiver at her touch. “Dave, it’s healing beautifully. How do you feel?”
“Like a million credits,” I grinned, my voice a bit husky. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving me acutely aware of their care and proximity. My cock twitched with interest, the spiraling veins along my shaft beginning to pulse.
Zarath’s eyes focused on my groin, and a wave of hot, lusty emotion flashed off of him. He’d noticed my growing arousal. Before I could think better of it, I blurted out, “Hey Zarath, want to help a guy out?” I gestured suggestively towards my groin.
Zarath rolled his eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous, Dave. You’ve just been shot.”
I pouted, my enhanced libido and the rush of being so tenderly cared for overriding my better judgment. “Aw, come on. What better way to celebrate a successful medical procedure?”
I batted my eyelashes at Delilah, knowing she’d be more susceptible to my charms. “What do you say, Doc? Isn’t a little TLC just what the patient needs?”
Delilah’s eyes sparkled with mischief, a stark contrast to her stern tone. “Mr. Lonoa, you need rest.” But even as she spoke, her hand drifted to my waistband. With deft movements, she freed my rapidly hardening cock.
My breath hitched as her warm fingers wrapped around my shaft. “Oh, that’s... that’s nice,” I murmured, watching as she traced my shape.
Delilah winked at me, then turned to Zarath. “Assistant, this patient requires oral ministrations. Attend to him at once.”
Zarath’s silvery-purple eyes widened, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. The sight sent a jolt of arousal through me.
“Well?” Delilah prompted, her fingers still lazily stroking my length. “I believe I gave you an order, Zarath.”
I barely had time to register Zarath’s movement before I felt the wet heat of his mouth engulfing me. A soft moan escaped him as he took me deep, and I fought to keep my hips still.
“There, there, sweetheart,” Delilah cooed, running her fingers through Zarath’s hair. “We know you were worried, but he’s fine now.”
I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by sensation and emotion. Who would have thought nearly dying would lead to this?
As if reading my mind, Delilah leaned in, her warm lips caressing mine tenderly. “We’re so glad you’re okay, Dave.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but her words were a balm to my soul.
I cupped the back of Zarath’s head, guiding his mouth to my cock. His eyes met mine, and I could see the hunger and need there. My dominant, protective nature surfaced, and I thrust deep into his eager throat, savoring the tight grip of his throat around me.
Zarath’s iridescent skin flushed darker, his sharp features twisting in pleasure-pain as he took me to the hilt. He pulled back, gasping for air, then dove back in, devouring me with renewed hunger.
Delilah’s hands moved to rub Zarath’s back, praising him for tending to me so well. Her soft touches sent shivers down my spine.
“Dave,” she purred in my ear, her warm breath tickling my skin, “I want you to feed him your load. Let him taste how much we appreciate his care.”
A surge of pleasure coursed through me at her filthy words, fueling my desire. I gripped Zarath’s hair tighter, fucking his mouth in a primal rhythm.
Zarath’s eyes widened, and he moaned around my cock, his hips bucking in time with my thrusts. The sight of him, so eager and lost in the moment, was a turn-on I couldn’t deny any longer.
“I’m close,” I growled, and I felt Delilah’s hand squeeze my good shoulder in encouragement.
I was lost in a haze of pleasure when Zarath did something utterly unexpected with his tongue. It was like he’d found a secret button, sending waves of ecstasy coursing through my body. A guttural moan escaped my throat.
“Oh stars,” I gasped, my wings rustling against the med bay bed. “Zarath, what are you- ah!”
I tried to hold still as Delilah had instructed, but my body had other ideas. My hips bucked involuntarily, driving my cock deeper into Zarath’s eager mouth. The veins along my shaft pulsed, heightening every sensation.
“Easy there, big guy,” Delilah murmured, her hand on my chest. “Let Zarath take care of you.”
I met her eyes, seeing a mix of concern and desire. “I’m trying, but he’s... fuck, he’s too good at this.”
Zarath hummed around my length, the vibrations nearly sending me over the edge.
“That’s it,” I panted, threading my fingers through Zarath’s hair. “Just like that, I’m so close...”
The pressure built, coiling tighter and tighter until I couldn’t hold back any longer. With a strangled cry, I came hard, my entire body shuddering as Zarath skillfully milked every last drop from me.
As the aftershocks subsided, I collapsed back onto the bed, breathing heavily. “Holy shit,” I whispered, a giddy laugh bubbling up. “Is this standard medical care on your planet?”