Chapter 7
"What?" Zahra squeaked, as a male stepped up to her and presented her with a plasma spear. She glanced at the weapon and then up at the male’s face. He’d better take it easier on her because she wasn’t keen on the idea of being pulverized.
“If you don't wish to challenge, you place the spear on the ground at his feet." The emperor explained as Holly continued to scan through the tablet in her hands.
"And if I challenge?" Zahra asked, unable to refrain from voicing her curiosity.
"Then you will either have to kill him or wait until he subdues you." The emperor informed her.
Zahra accepted the plasma staff and stiffly rose from her seat. "If I challenge and win?"
Holly shook her head knowing what Zahra truly asked. "You need to give the marriage a full year for the treaty to be in effect. If you win and refuse him, there’s no treaty because there’s no marriage."
"Wasn't like I'd have a shot in the galaxy at defeating him." Zahra mumbled under her breath as she walked around the table. She caught the general shaking his head out of the corner of her eye. He knew her too well. How tempted she felt to challenge Khaazai. But she wasn’t a fool. They needed the alliance, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself challenging a stronger opponent.
She intended to yield to her future husband.
Zahra stepped up to him and placed the staff in both hands horizontally. As she prepared to go down to her knees in front of him he uttered, "No challenge? What female have I bound myself to tonight?"
Grinding her molars, Zahra met his electric blue eyes which swirled with his challenge.
Sending a silent apology to the general, she launched herself at Khaazai.
His electric blue eyes flashed with pleasure as he stumbled back.
A growl rumbled up his chest, and she knew he was pleased rather than angry.
Squaring up, Khaazai deactivated the blue plasma on the end of his spear. "Wouldn't want to hurt you, wife."
Zahra's eyes narrowed on him. "I'll keep mine activated. And I’m not yours… not yet." She said as she brandished the glowing end of her spear.
"Good. I do enjoy a little pain with my pleasure." He teased her.
Was Khaazai flirting with her?
He didn’t leave her much time to ponder his playful mood as he attacked, and she defended.
Again, she knew he held back as their spears met and her arms wobbled under the impact.
He could have driven her to her knees in one single blow, instead he held himself back.
She’d think he was toying with her under normal circumstances, but she felt like this was some sort of courtship dance for him.
He backed up and allowed her a few swings.
“End this.” Zahra hissed at him through clenched teeth. “We all know you are a better and stronger fighter than myself.”
“As you wish.” He whispered back.
In the blink of an eye, her spear soared into the air, and he shoved a hand against her chest, knocking the breath from her before she landed on the ground.
Zahra gazed up at him from where she laid sprawled out on the floor.
Khaazai had definitely pulled his punches, but it still hadn't stopped him from kicking her ass fully.
"Forfeit." Khaazai demanded as he prodded the end of his plasma spear against her throat.
As tempted as she might be to insist and see if he actually turned it on to finally bring her to her knees so to speak, she decided she did not need to experience the sting of a plasma shock.
With a frustrated purse of her lips, Zahra muttered, “I forfeit.”
Khaazai pulled back and then extended her a hand. She accepted, slipping her hand into his.
"You fight well." He complimented her as he pulled her to her feet.
"Thanks."
Wrapping an arm around her, he pressed his large black hand against her abdomen. Glancing down, she marveled at how his hand thoroughly covered her abdomen from right below her breasts to almost the juncture of her thighs. Again, their size difference both excited and scared her.
Khaazai shoved his spear straight up into the air and announced to the crowd gathered in the hall, "Meet my wife, Zahra."
Wife. A shiver raced up and down her spine as cheers and growls echoed in the room. One year. It started tonight.
"Come, wife." Khaazai tugged her back to his seat at the head table, handing off his spear to someone she didn’t see.
Wife. Husband. Wow. Zahra hadn't expected to say husband quite so soon. She'd always thought about getting married, but her career had always come first. Maybe she could think of this as a trial run? Maybe the next guy to propose wouldn’t be left alone in a restaurant like poor David.
She glanced up at Khaazai. No. No, this wasn't a trial run. She'd always planned to marry a human man. Not an alien. This would be different than a human marriage. There’d be differences, of that she was certain. Already the wedding night was turning out to be quite the show.
Khaazai took his seat and pulled her onto his lap.
"To your conquest, cousin!" The emperor held up a cup of something, toasting them.
Khaazai took his own cup off the table with a light rumble of his chest. A chuckle? Had to be. It was the only thing Zahra could come up with for the noise.
"Would you like some?" He asked after taking a sip from his cup and then offered it to her.
Hesitantly, Zahra accepted the cup from him and sniffed the contents. "What is it?" It smelled strong. Stronger than any whiskey she’d ever tasted.
"A liquor we enjoy. Made from a fruit that only grows on our most southern continent. A land which gets more sun than here."
"What's the normal climate here?" Zahra asked as she took a tentative sip. She wasn't the most adventurous person when it came to food, but just because she didn't seek out interesting food didn't mean she wouldn't give it a try. At least once.
"Rain and lots of it."
"I like the rain." Zahra mused as she took another sip. It was a strong alcohol, but it also tasted sweet and suited her taste buds perfectly.
"Be careful, wife." Khaazai took the cup away gently. "With your body weight you'll be incoherent in no time."
"Thanks for the warning."
The both of them settled into a comfortable silence as they watched the group in front of them slowly dissipate. Most humans had decided to go to bed, leaving mostly Khuuz’eth to drink and party.
Zahra's eyelids sank shut as she allowed herself to enjoy the feel of her husband at her back. Warmth poured off him, and she soaked it up. Maybe the next year wouldn't be so bad. Maybe they could fall into a comfortable routine for both of them. The male seemed reasonable.
When Zahra felt one of his hands skim up her thigh, she cracked her eyelids open to watch the daring hand slip under the hem of her dress.
His claws scraped lightly against her sensitive flesh, and she shivered.
When his hand reached the apex of her thighs, she slammed them shut, trapping his hand but also allowing him no further.
“Khaazai.” She hissed as her eyes darted to see if anyone watched them.
“They are enjoying themselves. No one will notice us doing the same.” He whispered in her ear. “Over there a couple is screwing.” He raised his other hand to point a claw at them.
Zahra glanced over to where his other hand pointed, and she spotted the couple going at it on top of a table.
And as her eyes continued to scan the area, she had to agree that no one would notice with everything they were enjoying.
His warning from earlier came back to her.
He’d been right. His people didn’t seem to have any concerns about openly enjoying themselves.
A good thing most of the humans had departed the area.
This would be uncomfortable for some humans.
Even Holly had found a quieter space nearby where she could hide her nose in her pad.
“Relax.” Khaazai’s hand pressed more firmly, widening her thighs until he reached her pussy.
Zahra could scream and run away. Or she could sit still and see where this led.
A mixture of apprehension and excitement rolled through her.
Then his finger found her clit, and she gasped, her hand darting to the skirt of her dress.
Through the fabric she clung onto his wrist, halting him.
But it didn’t stop his finger from caressing her clit, and her vision hyper focused, her peripheral vision narrowing down.
She should stop this. But what was the point? Tonight they’d join, whether it started here or not. She and Holly had already gone over it earlier. The marriage night needed to happen, but sex afterward didn’t.
Something hard and long pressed up against her buttocks from behind. Her breath caught in her throat, and then she let out a whimper as one of his fingers dropped down from her clit and entered her center. With sure fingers, he seemed to automatically know where and how to touch her.
Zahra gritted her teeth as she refused to let her body move. She wanted to grind against the hand bringing her pleasure. With a gasp, she turned stunned eyes to him when he removed his hand and smoothed out her dress.
“Wha-” Zahra wanted to protest. Her core ached with need, but he’d stopped. He’d worked her up and then left her needing more. She might be a mix of yes and no, but she’d wanted more.
Then a couple of female Khuuz’eth glided over and stopped in front of Khaazai’s chair. Her maids from earlier. He patted her butt. “Up, wife. You must go with these women to prepare yourself for our wedding night."
Zahra's heart felt like it'd gotten stuck in her throat. Wedding night. She'd felt his cock through his clothing. And her imagination ran wild with her heated thoughts.