Chapter 5
The melodious notes of the baby grand piano echoed through Cora’s dwelling as Draevan went back and forth carrying her luggage to his vessel.
She was keeping Meela occupied by playing songs for her.
Occasionally, he heard a discordant note and realized Cora was allowing his niece to pluck the keys herself.
His heart lifted whenever he heard a giggle or one of the strange-sounding notes that didn’t quite fit with the rest of the song.
Unexpectedly, warmth filled him as he thought about Cora.
Not only did she seem to like Meela, but Meela seemed taken with her in return.
The baby never reached for strangers, yet she’d reached out for Cora, insisting upon being held by the human female only moments after they entered her apartment.
The pleasant sensation filling Draevan turned scorching hot when he considered Cora’s exceptional beauty.
Truly, he’d never seen a female so lovely before.
Her golden hair reminded him of the sun that beamed down on New Vaxx, and her blue eyes made him think of the mountain lakes near Starzzia.
She was tall for a human woman, with shapely hips and slender legs.
And her bosom… his pants became tight as he recalled how firm and round her breasts were.
The shirt she was wearing accentuated this part of her anatomy, all of which he found very pleasing.
As he continued to think about his new mate, he placed most of the bags in the cargo hold, making sure they were secure and wouldn’t jostle around, but brought a few of the smaller suitcases to his quarters, luggage Cora had indicated held her toiletries and other essentials she might need easy access to during the return trip to New Vaxx.
He paused in his quarters, his eyes fixed on the large bed. His pulse accelerated, and his pants became even tighter. On the way back to New Vaxx, he would have to claim her. He tried to tell himself it was only to assure her safety, but that wasn’t quite the truth.
The truth was, he couldn’t stop imagining what she might look like unclothed. He also couldn’t help but wonder what sorts of noises she might make as they consummated their mating union. Would she whimper, perhaps even moan? Would she find pleasure in the act and reach a climax?
He resolved then and there that he would do whatever he must to bring her to an orgasm. He wanted her to enjoy their first mating session. He wanted her to burn for his touch just as much as he found himself burning for hers.
Fluxx. He ran a hand through his hair.
He hadn’t expected to feel such a strong attraction to his assigned mate. But there was no denying it. He wanted Cora. He wanted to kiss every little part of her body, run his hands through her golden hair, grasp her shapely hips, and plunge deep into the sweetness between her thighs.
Was her skin as soft as it looked? He couldn’t wait to find out.
He started to depart his quarters, only to pause when he realized just how tight his pants had become. A growl built in his throat. Even though he’d just brought the last of Cora’s luggage to his ship, he couldn’t return to her apartment with a raging hard erection.
He started pacing his quarters. A glance out the viewport showed the landscape of Manhattan looked much the same as when he’d arrived only a short time ago.
There were no additional plumes of smoke, no buildings suddenly missing from the skyline.
Though his Vaxxlian cruiser was well-armed and impervious to human weaponry, he was still anxious to leave this place, eager to take Cora away from the war zone she was so clearly desperate to escape.
His heart ached when he considered that she didn’t seem to be leaving any family behind.
Her parents were both dead, and since she hadn’t mentioned any siblings, he assumed she was an only child.
He wasn’t certain how old she was. Perhaps twenty?
She appeared so young, but she had to at least be eighteen, per the rules of the VAMOB program.
At thirty-eight, Draevan was considerably older than her, but he quickly reminded himself that their lifespans would both be long, perhaps even hundreds of years, thanks to the nanotechnology one of their most renowned healers, Stax, had invented.
Once injected, the nanobots repaired damage at the cellular level, stopped illnesses before they could even start, and healed any existing health conditions.
Yes, he might be a bit older than her now, but in the grand scheme of things it would not matter much, given how long they would both likely live.
Once his pants were no longer so tight, he hurried to the cargo hold to retrieve the box of corrliana crystals, which he immediately delivered to the guards.
He also made the arrangements with the shipping company and coordinated the appointment with the guards who would allow the company access to Cora’s apartment.
He wanted to make sure her baby grand piano, an item that seemed to mean a lot to her, arrived on New Vaxx in pristine condition.
Then he headed straight for Cora, practically running through the corridors of the building in his eagerness to reach her.
He entered the dwelling quietly, careful not to make too much noise as he approached her music room.
She was playing a beautiful song that tugged at his heartstrings, though every few moments, a discordant note or two echoed in the apartment, followed by a giggle that made Draevan’s chest tighten with emotion.
He peeked through the doorway of the music room, stunned by the sight that greeted him.
Meela was seated on Cora’s lap, a huge smile on her face, her chubby cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
His little niece appeared truly happy, and oh how it lifted his spirits and brought him hope.
His heart softened further toward Cora. He started to wonder if perhaps their mating union wasn’t simply a chance arrangement made by the VAMOB program…
but fate. Some of his people believed the couples brought together by VAMOB were truly soulmates.
He hadn’t given the idea much thought until now, but he liked the thought of Cora being his soulmate.
Warmth continued spreading through him as he watched Cora’s sweet interactions with Meela.
Had his heart ever felt so full? He doubted it.
He’d only been around the human female for a short time and already it felt as though they were meant to be.
How astounding. Did she feel the same way?
He wasn’t brave enough to ask, but he sincerely hoped she at least found him tolerable.
He suddenly found himself thinking of all the ways he might woo the young woman. Then he nearly scoffed aloud. He was a fierce Vaxxlian warrior, a respected commander who’d never lost a battle, and he was unaccustomed to such… tender thoughts.
He suddenly noticed the framed photographs and colorful posters that hung on the wall in the music room.
Most seemed to depict Cora, though if it was her in all the photos, she was wearing strange attire that sparkled and revealed a shocking amount of flesh.
She also wore so much makeup that she looked almost like a different person.
Was she some kind of performer? In some of the images, she was holding an instrument with strings or was seated in front of a piano, her face bent close to what appeared to be a speech amplifier.
Before he could contemplate Cora’s possible career as a performer—a musician—Meela emitted a delighted squeal.
When he looked at his niece, she was staring straight at him, having finally noticed him peering through the doorway.
The child giggled and plucked a few more keys on the piano, humming loudly and eventually singing in her own way.
She wasn’t singing any actual words from what he could tell, but it fascinated him, nonetheless.
It also brought a smile to his lips, one that made his cheeks ache since he was so unfamiliar with the expression.
But it felt good to smile. It felt even better to see Meela having such a wonderful time with Cora.
During the three moon cycles she’d been in his care, he had never seen her looking so joyous or animated.
Fate.
The word echoed in his head.
Yes, perhaps fate had led him to Cora.
Dare he to hope?
“Ah, there you are,” Cora said with a smile as she continued playing the song until reaching the conclusion a few moments later.
Meela beamed at Cora, then leaned closer to her and wrapped her arms around the human woman, hugging her tightly.
Draevan was heartened by how quickly Meela was becoming attached to Cora.
Yes, he’d worried it would take a while for the baby to become comfortable in the company of a complete stranger, but he was pleased to find that his concerns had been unfounded.
“Yes,” Draevan finally said. “Here I am. All your belongings are loaded on my cruiser, Cora, and I’ve already made arrangements for a shipping company to pack your piano and bring it to New Vaxx.
I’ve informed the guards too so they will know to expect them and allow the movers into your apartment.
Captain Ambers has promised to personally oversee the packing of your piano. ”
Cora rose from the piano bench and hoisted a still-smiling Meela onto her hip. “That is great news. I can’t thank you enough, Draevan. Perhaps as I teach Meela how to speak Galactic Common, I can also teach her how to play the piano.”
“That is an acceptable plan,” Draevan replied, trying to maintain his smile even though it was beginning to feel awkward. Despite his approval of Cora, as well as his attraction to her and his ponderings about fate, there were moments he feared it could all be ripped away from him in an instant.
He knew all too well how quickly joy could turn to grief. The war against the Irrcons had taught him that nothing was ever certain. Death, destruction, and loss could come for anyone at any time.
Draevan drew in a deep breath. “It is time,” he announced as he reached out a hand to Cora. “It is time to leave Earth.”