Chapter Eleven
Jax
T he whiplash of the last hour had me simultaneously horny and wanting to punch something, but there was no time to express either since Narrou was shaking like crazy and they were practically screaming something about a mystery ship. Their trills and tones were cycling too fast for me to follow completely, but they were scared for me specifically.
I led Thanh to the command deck where I found my mother on the pilot’s pedestal, a small raised platform with a semicircular command console. Some of Narrou’s tendrils were imbedded in Mother’s temples and I heard Thanh gasp in shock for a second before recovering. It was definitely weird to anyone who didn’t grow up around it, I’ll give her that, especially with Mother’s eyes closed and moving so fast. Her hands coasted over the controls and Narrou started to glide down and to the side as two bolts came close to hitting us.
“Who is it?” I asked, charging into the support seat.
“Thalanites,” my mother said, her voice an odd combination of her dulcet tones and Narrou’s high chiming.
Thanh let loose a whispered swear and drifted to the nav screen, as the odd, egg-shaped ship zoomed toward us.
I quickly examined the scanning info and the data for the last few minutes since the ship started attacking us. It was unusually fast for a craft that small, and the energy its systems were giving off should’ve belonged to a much bigger ship.
“There’s a weird sonar-like scan hitting Narrou,” I said as I looked at the beam.
“It’s trying to penetrate the hull,” Mother said, “and it’s…looking for something.”
“What?” Thanh asked.
“Why aren’t we fade jumping?” I asked.
“Power cells haven’t recuperated enough solar energy,” Mother responded in a distant tone.
“Is there a way to do an energy transfer?” Thanh asked
“Negative. Five minutes more of solar absorption required.”
“We don’t have five minutes,” I said
“What about guns?” Thanh asked, pacing.
“Narrou doesn’t have them,” I jumped up and started running for the corridor, “but we have fighters.”
“No Jax!” Mother screamed and Narrou let loose with a panicked series of tones that made me wince.
“Why the hell not? I’ve actually gotten better at flying them since —”
“They want you, the Thalanites. They’re scanning your quarters…the ship you came in…they want you .”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
Narrou trilled and Mother nodded.
“There’s a strange code hidden in the scan…Narrou says it has your…DNA in it.”
“What the fuck?” Thanh gasped.
My stomach hit the deck and I swallowed hard as the ship made another pass that we barely manage to avoid.
One bolt fired across the bow and the second hit Narrou. They let out a screech and we began erratic evasive maneuvers.
“We don’t have time for this,” I said, starting to march out of the command deck.
“No!” My mother’s voice was panicked and unnaturally loud as Narrou amplified it. “If you go out there…I have a very bad feeling that I won’t ever see you again.”
“Mom, c’mon...”
Narrou’s tone went low and thunderous, letting me know how angry they were with me even thinking of disobeying a direct order from my queen.
“I’ll go,” Thanh said.
The thought of her out there by herself, against a technologically superior foe, had my heart in a chilling grip. I snagged her arm and was about to tell her no, that I couldn’t risk losing her, and the words stuck in my throat.
“What?” she asked.
“Be careful.”
A softness crept into her gaze and for a second it was like we were back in the bathroom.
“I won’t make you widower yet, snookums,” she said with a grin.
“You better not, princess.”
“Anton is on his way as well, he’ll get you into the fighter,” Mother said.
I had to watch her run down the corridor, Narrou lighting the way to the shuttle bay. It was like the Battle for Sanctuary all over again, knowing that I couldn’t be there to keep her safe.
With a frustrated growl, I headed back to the support console and began examining the Thalanite ship for weaknesses. In record time, Thanh and Anton, a crew member I hadn’t met yet, were out there running interference.
Our fighters were sleek and agile, their silver bodies slim with deceptively slender wings. Each one held a series of small torpedoes that were almost impossible to target and destroy. They also locked onto a target and stuck with them until they detonated, so they were hard to shake.
“We’re locked and loaded,” Thanh announced, letting out a whoop as her fighter took off toward the Thalanite ship. “Damn, these move!”
I couldn’t help chuckling as she giggled in the coms. Leave it to Thanh to find giddy joy in the middle of a firefight.
“Alright, scans indicate that they have a weak spot in their shielding on the starboard side,” I said.
“Copy that,” both fighters replied.
Mother flew Narrou in the opposite direction, leading the Thalanite ship in pursuit and directly into the path of the fighters. Thanh fired her torpedoes at the exact spot when the Thalanite ship did a one-eighty and the torpedoes hit their more shielded port side. They spun and fired simultaneously, hitting Anton’s fighter.
“I’m okay,” he relayed, “it didn’t hit any vital systems.”
Anton was flying the fighter well, but Thanh was spinning and diving as if it were an extension of herself. I’d never seen flying like that, and I’d been serving with Thanh for years now. She buzzed the enemy ship, causing them to break pursuit of us, and my heart was choking me as I kept my eyes glued to the monitor. The enemy ship was right on her tail, matching her speed and maneuverability. I couldn’t quite believe my eyes.
“Thanh, you have to shake them, they’re in firing range!”
“And they haven’t taken it,” she replied, darting to the port so fast that scans momentarily lost her.
That’s true…why? She’s clearly a threat and they had no problem firing on Anton…
I looked at their attack pattern and realized that none of their shots were directed at any vial systems. In fact, all of them were meant to momentarily cripple Narrou, not destroy them.
Almost as if they planned on boarding us. Which, if they wanted me specifically, it would make sense.
The Thalanites were pursuing Thanh, but instead of firing their weapons, they were trying to scan the fighter. She was moving too fast for them to get a lock on her though, and I suspected that’s why they weren’t firing. Still, it was odd that they were trying to scan her at all. Were they interested in the fighter technology?
Then the Thalanite ship did fire at Thanh, hitting the starboard side of her ship.
“Thanh, get out of there!” I said, heart in my throat.
“Trying, they’ve locked on me after that hit.”
They were going to drag her into their ship, I was going to lose her.
“No…no way!”
I was about to run to the fighter deck when Anton suddenly appeared. He fired to the rear and then starboard side of the Thalanite vessel and the ship slowed. Thanh broke free of the tractor beam, executed a flip and ended up above the Thalanites, firing a moment later.
The ship was now obviously damaged, as explosions erupted.
“Solar sail is charged in one minute,” Mother said.
“Copy that. Fighters, get back here now!”
“Copy!” Thanh said with another whooping giggle.
The moment the fighters were back onboard, I sensed the change in Narrou, a heightened anticipation and quiet that I had always loved as a kid because it meant we were about to ‘zoom’.
“Both fighters onboard. Solar power threshold reached,” Mother said. “Fade jump in three…two…one…”
The room around us stretched moments before the stars started to do the same and we were jolted forward. I wasn’t used to this anymore and my legs wobbled when I stood up, though I adjusted quick enough to take off for the fighter bay. I needed to see her, touch her, know that Thanh was safe.
I got there just as the jump was ending and Thanh was leaning against the fighter. A fade jump could be disorienting the first time or two someone experienced it, that was the only reason I ran to her. I was just worried about how she was doing…that was all.
When she tried to take a step away, she started to stumble. Without a second thought, I ran to her and caught her around the waist with one arm.
She gave a loud gasp of shock and then stared at me, my arms under her perfect ass. Her legs went around me but she was too far up on my chest for her core to be near my now extruding dick, which was probably for the best.
“That was some incredible flying,” I said, my voice rough.
“Thanks…I um, really like that ship.”
“You can have it when we’re done.”
“Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not. I’ll…you can have whatever you want.”
What the fuck am I saying?
My body started to get hot all over, a feral need eating away at all the reasons why I could not, under any circumstances, let my guard down with Thanh. But her body was pressed to me, all its dips and curves, soft mounds and tempting peaks at my mercy. Her cool fingers grazed my neck as a slow smile crept across her mouth, almost as if she could read my mind.
“Careful what you promise me, I may just take you up on that.”
My mind stuttered, trying to remember what I’d promised her and then it hit me.
Oh…right…the fighter…come on, Jax, get your dick under control.
“You don’t scare me,” I said, carrying her away from the fighter.
Ancestors, she fucking terrifies me. Focus, Jax…focus…her ass is so…
My mouth watered and somewhere deep inside a growl was building that I tamped down.
“I should scare you, it’s the pint sized ones you gotta worry about.”
“True, ankles are sensitive.”
She smacked me across the chest and I chuckled.
I had intended to take her away from the fighter bay and then set her down, but I realized that I’d walked us to a small alcove that was out of the way of prying eyes. Her back was facing a wall, and she was giving me no indication that she wanted me to put her down.
“How’s your back?” I asked.
Her mouth was closer to mine and I couldn’t remember when that had happened.
“Surprisingly good. That oil is a miracle.”
“Might have something to do with my hands too.”
“Are you saying your skin has some kind of healing property?”
“Well, I have been told I’m good with my hands.”
“Oh really?” Her mouth was achingly close now, her fingers digging into my shoulders as she held me. “I think I’m going to need further proof of that.”
“Academic or experiential?”
“The latter.”
“I can arrange that.”
I took her mouth with brutal force, pouring all the unfulfilled lust and confusion of the past months down her throat with each thrust of my tongue.
Thanh gave as good as she got, biting my lip and drawing blood but I couldn’t give a shit. I resisted the urge to slam her against the wall and instead spun around and sat on the floor with her straddling me. I’d be lying if I said this hadn’t been a favorite fantasy of mine for weeks now.
My hands gripped her hips and I thrust myself up against her. Thanh’s mouth popped off mine with an obscene grunt, head thrown back exposing the gorgeous column of her throat. I nipped it with my teeth while I let her grind herself mercilessly against my now hard and fully-extruded phallus.
“This doesn’t mean… I like you,” she panted. “It’s just…adrenaline — ugh!”
I bit hard on her breast through her shirt, drawing her erect nipple into my mouth and sucking hard. She gripped one of my horns and dug the nails of her other hand into my shoulders under my shirt. I knew she drew more blood but at the moment, most of it was in my dick, so I wasn’t too worried.
“I know,” I breathed against her skin, unable to stop from biting and sucking on the spot where her neck and shoulder met. “I don’t care…wanna see you come.”
She ripped her shirt over her head and I yanked the cup of her bra down exposing one dusky nipple. I sucked it brutally into my mouth again and used my teeth as she cried out low in her throat. My other hand kneaded her covered breast, rolling the nipple and pinching it through the thin cup of her bra. She was falling apart on my lap, in my hands, and I wanted more. I wanted her to shatter, to never want anyone else’s mouth or touch but mine.
It was the mating rut starting to take over, I knew that, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop it. I was at least coherent enough to know that I had to keep my dick in my pants right now. If I fucked her, if she even touched my phallus, it would be over. I’d be bound to her even if she didn’t want me in return, and the rest of my life, I’d pine for someone who wanted nothing to do with me.
No matter what, my cock wasn’t getting wet tonight.
“Fuck, you… are good with your hands.”
“I told you…this is just the beginning…I have toys in my room.”
“No…so close.”
She took the hand at her breast and brought it to her waistband. Then she gripped my chin again forcing my head up so I was looking up at her glittering gaze. Gone was the playful pilot, the woman who had scorned me all these years. Instead, I was looking at a wanton dream who demanded worship and obedience, a dominant I couldn’t help but submit to. My body trembled as a familiar sensation took hold of me. It had been a very long time since I was able to trust anyone like this, and it scared me that I was so willing to do it with Thanh.
Just keep your dick in your pants…no fucking…no fucking…
“Put your hand down my pants,” she ordered, her husky voice a tempting caress on my skin.
I did as she commanded, popping the button and drawing the zipper down. My fingers grazed her stomach, below her panties, and down to her bare slit and I nearly came the second I felt her. She was drenched and her clit was hard, a perfect little pearl for me to play with.
Her eyes rolled back and she groaned when I pinched the bud between my thumb and forefinger.
“Like that?” I asked, my voice begging for her approval.
“That’s so good, you’re…ugh, god!”
I slid down further, letting two of my long fingers enter her tight, wet heat while she rode my palm.
“Breast…mouth,” she ordered.
I obeyed with gusto, laving her darkened nipple with my tongue and mouth and teeth. The faster she rode my hand, the higher her mewling cries became until a rush of wet coated my fingers seconds before her nails scored my throat. I watched her face, mouth gaping and eyes closed, head thrown back in ecstasy, while I got her off.
I could’ve sat there and played with her pussy and breasts all night if it meant I could watch her give herself over to me. When she came down, the only sound was our harsh breaths until I slid my fingers out of her. My eyes soldered to hers, while I slid my cum soaked fingers into my mouth and sucked them clean.
Her taste was exquisite, a trick of my mating instincts but I didn’t care. She tasted salty and sweet to me, and I knew that it had been a mistake to take her fluids into my mouth. I would never, ever be able to get her taste out of my mind now; she was starting to imprint on my soul like a mate should.
But I can’t…it would be torture living without her and she’d never agree.
“Why is that so damn hot?” she breathed, taking my fingers and licking them too.
I groaned and hit my head against the wall.
“You’re gonna be the death of me.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I may be a princess, but that doesn’t extend to the bedroom.”
She reached for my pants and I seized her hands in panic.
“No, I’m good, honestly, watching you come? That was amazing.”
She frowned and the pliant, relaxed posture of her shoulders stiffened.
“You don’t want me to do anything?” she asked, a hint of hurt in her voice.
Oh no, that won’t do.
I framed her face in my hands, which were so big compared to her that my fingers extended to her scalp behind her ears, and looked her straight in the eye.
“I need you to hear and believe me. I want to fuck you, more than I should considering our history. I want you so bad that I…I will regret not doing it right now for the rest of my life. But I wanted this to be about you, I don’t always need a release. Okay?”
Thanh’s intelligent gaze studied me, searching for the lie. Was she always this distrusting, or was it just with me?
The creases on her forehead eased but instead of the relaxed expression she’d worn before, there was nothing but a hard set to her jaw. This look, I knew it all too well and I braced for her harsh rebuke.
“Then I need you to understand something too,” she said.
“Okay,” I said warily.
Thanh took my hands from her face and stood up.
“This was a one-time thing. I always need to fuck or masturbate after a good firefight, you were just…conveniently placed. Got it?”
Apparently I hadn’t braced good enough because the words hit me in the gut. But I swallowed back the hurt because what good would it do to show it, and put on that smirk that drove her crazy. If I had to suffer, then so would she, even if it wasn’t in the same way.
“Sure, princess,” I said, getting to my feet and chucking her under the chin. “Whatever you say.”
“I’m serious, Jax.”
“So am I.”
“This was the only time.”
“Heard you before.”
“Okay…”
Her eyes narrowed and she put her hands on her hips.
I threw up my hands.
“What are you looking for here?”
“I don’t know but…” she shook her head. “No, I’m not letting you take away my post orgasm bliss. I’m going to get some food now.”
She buttoned up her pants and marched out of the alcove like the royalty she was, while I watched her ass in those pants. It took her a minute and half to stop, clench her hands into fists and turn around, face schooled as if she didn’t care.
“Which way to the galley?” she asked.
I didn’t bother to keep the crooked grin off my face as I pointed in the opposite direction.
With her head held high, stride confident and ass swaying in front of me, Thanh strutted down the corridor with me snickering right behind her.
Just before we rounded the corner to the large room we used as a dining space, Mother and Father intercepted us.
“That was some incredible flying,” Mother said with a wide grin.
“Thank you,” Thanh replied, face still flushed. “That ship was incredible, it practically flew itself.”
“We’re almost to our first stop for your mission,” my father said as we resumed our walk toward the galley. “But we’ll have plenty of time for dinner and the ceremony before you need to meet your first crew member for the job.”
I arched an eyebrow and was about to ask why he was being so cryptic about this person’s identity when Thanh’s voice interrupted.
“Ceremony?”
The thrill of finding something to needle her with shot through me and I put my arm around her, bringing her close to my side.
“Yes, princess, you’ll be a part of the family, officially with your very own tattoo. It’s what you said you wanted, remember?”
Her face went pale and there was a light her eyes like she was about to run. My arm tightened around her and I swore she sagged against me for a moment before straightening up.
“Oh right, snookums,” she said, pinching a spot on my back, “I did. How exciting.”
I forced back a gasp of pain and slid my fingers under her shirt to rub her side.
Mother was looking at us like we were both a little nuts, but Father just grinned and shook his head.
“I remember what that was like,” he said, slinging an arm around Mother, “I couldn’t keep my hands off Teneras when we were first mated.”
Thanh opened her mouth to reply but I cut her off, not wanting to be subjected to whatever further torture she had in mind.
“Why don’t we go get some dinner now,” I suggested, dipping my finger into her waist band.
“Good idea, I’ve worked up an appetite.” Thanh took a handful of my ass and gave it a hard squeeze.
I yelped loudly, her hand having grazed one of my most ticklish spots. Thanh seemed to realize what she’d done because she was giving a truly devilish grin.
“You two are adorable,” Mother chuckled. “You go on, we’ll be right there.”
As we started walking away, Thanh grabbed a large section of my back and squeezed hard.
“Ouch!”
“You’re going to tattoo me? What the fuck, Jax? How could you not tell me this!” she hissed at me.
She leaned against a nearby wall and started breathing fast. The humor in the situation drained out of me fast.
“Thanh, what’s wrong?” My hand went to her shoulder.
She shrugged me off and it looked like she was forcing her breathing to slow down.
“I’m fine,” she ground out after a moment. “Just…don’t like surprises like that.”
I frowned at her as she got whatever was happening under control. When she looked back up at me, her face was even more devoid of color and there was a shakiness to her hands.
Maybe she’s afraid of the tattoo…huh. I didn’t think she was scared of anything.
“Are you alright?” I whispered, aching to touch her.
“Fine,” she sniffed, tossing her head and straightening her shoulders. “Let’s go eat.”
I walked a beat behind her, watching for any sign that she was going to need to stop again. But other than some wobbling first few steps, Thanh seemed fine. It irritated my mating instincts that she was hiding something from me. I didn’t just want to help her, it was an empirical need to fix whatever was wrong. I may not have had Zorestran parents to help teach me about my culture, but I’d devoured every bit of information I could get my hands on and I knew how males became when their mating instincts went off. We were obsessed with taking care of our mates and any offspring; it was a biological imperative.
So the fact that I was watching her so closely wasn’t because I was falling for this spitfire, it was just the way I was wired. When she stumbled or her lip trembled, the pain in my chest was just biology, nothing more.