Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Ella went from dreaming about eating in her favorite cafe with her bestie, to waking to the unexpected but quite welcome delicious smell of hot food sizzling nearby.
She rolled over, occupying the space Draikis had slumbered, and watched as the beautiful specimen of a man crouched over a small camping stove.
It wasn’t exactly that, however. This was an alien world, after all, and they were a bit more advanced here than the barbaric outdoorsmen back home.
Her host was not burning wood, though he had no compunction about doing so, as evident from the prior night’s small fire.
But in this instance, he was utilizing a small metal disc that seemed to levitate above the ground.
The top of it was clearly hot, as the flexible pan he had locked into shape to cook with, was giving a nice sear to whatever it was he was making, and it smelled fantastic.
Draikis looked over, his silver eyes catching the morning light, the same light that was accentuating his marvelous cheekbones.
“Ah, you are awake. I took the liberty of preparing some breakfast.”
“It looks great. What is it?”
“A protein mixture scrambled with a bio-designed egg substitute.”
“No real eggs?”
“No. They are common, of course, but with the ability to replicate many types of foods, my brotherhood abides by the ancient tradition of not consuming eggs. It may seem a bit outdated, but it served a purpose back in its time. Some say it is a moral thing, not eating the young. But my studies have led me to believe that it has a simpler explanation than that.”
“You don’t believe your own scriptures?”
“It’s not that. But there are records that clearly document that when livestock was scarce eggs were a precious commodity. A new generation that could provide far more food than just one small part of a meal.”
“Makes sense.”
“I think so. And in any case, why harm a life when the ability to replicate the protein exists?”
“You’ve got a good point there. But then, why do other people still do it?”
Draikis sighed. “There are some forms of technology that are quite scarce. This is one of them.”
“But the good it could do.”
“Yes. However, the expense would be extreme to feed a large quantity of people. Not only are the machines incredibly complex and costly, but the raw molecular materials utilized to synthesize edible matter is also well beyond the means of all but the most wealthy.”
“And a bunch of priests, it seems.”
He laughed. “Touché. But our order is the sacred tool of the Dotharian Conglomerate. There are sacrifices in our lives, no doubt, but there are also certain perks afforded us. Here we go. All done. Would you hand me a plate, please?”
“Where are they?”
“Right there.”
Ella stared at the small stack of metal triangles with a rounded side he’d nodded toward, doing her best to hide her confusion. “Oh, right,” she said, picking one up.
It was surprisingly light. More shocking was the way it unfolded easily, like a metallic origami, snapping into place in the shape of a medium-sized plate. How it maintained its form without visible seams or locking mechanisms was beyond her, so she just handed it to him and opened another.
Draikis loaded both up with respectable helpings, then wiped his small pan clean and folded it up, just like the plates. Somehow, it had gone from hot enough to cook on to cool enough to touch. A moment later he grabbed the heating element and did the same.
Whatever it is, that’s some seriously cool technology, Ella marveled.
Draikis handed her a surprisingly unexciting utensil—an alien spork of sorts—and watched her with an expectant gaze. She took the hint and dug right in.
“Ooh, that’s really good,” she said. And, truth be told, it actually was. Like a mixed smoky sausage and hash scramble of some kind.
He grinned, pleased his camp stove cookery had met her approval. “Glad you like it,” he said, pouring her a frosty cup of an amber juice. “Glinkin cooler. Refreshing and restorative. I think you’ll enjoy it.”
She took a sip, her tastebuds buzzing from the odd liquid but in a pleasing way. “That’s really tasty.”
“Good. Eat up. You are still regaining your strength, and every bit of nutrition helps. We must keep your body on the mend.”
“I feel pretty good, actually,” she said between bites.
“I’m sure you do. The springs have that effect on people. And we will soak again before we depart. But I do worry that perhaps I pushed you a bit harder than you were expecting.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” she replied, thinking back to her midnight festivities and just how good her newly healed body could feel.
“Perhaps. In any case, a good meal and a soak will set you up for a positive return trek. And, if the waters have done their trick, your skin should be ready.”
“Ready? For what?”
“For your new runes, of course. It was one of the reasons I selected this for our outing. To give your dermis an extra boost of healing from the minerals in the springs. We’ll take a look after breakfast. For now, eat up. Don’t let your food get cold.”
Ella shoveled another bite into her mouth with gusto. “Oh, I won’t.”
They ate well, taking their time, stretching out in the warming rays of the sun to digest before moving toward the hot springs once more. They would have a bit of a trek ahead of them, and the soak would definitely serve them well.
Again, Draikis shed his clothes with no hesitation or shyness, his exceptional cock swinging free as he strode into the steaming pool.
Holy hell, Ella thought as she watched his chiseled ass move with fluid grace.
And his back? The man’s musculature was perfect.
Not so bulky as to be musclebound, but considerable and strong.
Whatever he did to maintain his fitness, he was quite a formidable specimen.
Draikis put in the work, and it showed from head to toe, and all the glorious bits in between.
He was only thigh deep when he abruptly crouched down, submerging to his chest and rising with a broad grin, the water running down his body in rivulets, serving to enhance the defined lines of his muscles even more.
Ella felt her mouth water and her heart beat a little harder as he turned his delighted gaze upon her.
“Come on, what are you waiting for? This feels amazing!”
Ella undressed, sensing his eyes on her with a bit more intensity than usual.
She felt her nipples harden, delightful tingles radiating between her legs.
She quickly moved to the water’s edge and stepped in, the heat distracting her at least a little from the way the last droplets were slowly running off his impressive manhood.
She stepped past him and submerged into the deeper part of the pool, swimming to a little flat rock below the surface she’d found previously.
A nice little perch that allowed her to sit comfortably with her breasts just below the water line.
Draikis turned and flopped into the water, sending up a splash.
“Hey!”
“Oh, come on. You’re already wet,” he chided with a smile.
Again that tingle between her legs. If you only knew.
The violet-skinned alien swam a few laps around the pool, clearly enjoying himself, utterly at ease and without a care in the world so far as she could tell.
After several minutes he finally came to a stop in a shallow spot, the water coming to only just above his groin.
His eyes locked on her, assessing, probing. Something was going on in there.
“Come here,” he said, utterly calm, but also sure in his directive. Not an order, exactly, but his intent was clear. She was to come to him, and that was all there was to it.
Ella’s clit thrummed, a hot ball of arousal flaring to life in her belly. Holy shit, that’s hot, she marveled, her body already in motion of its own accord, obeying his command without a second thought.
She swam to him, crouching hesitantly in front of him, his cock right there just below the surface.
Draikis reached down, gently grasping her shoulders and raising her to her feet.
Ella’s nipples were already hard and the feel of air on her wet breasts only tightened the flesh more, sending wave after wave of tingling delight low in her belly.
His hands were surprisingly soft for such a powerfully built man.
There were faint callouses, but overall his touch was of a softness backed by pure strength.
Slowly he ran his fingertips over her collarbones, tracing the lines from her shoulders to her neck, then sliding up on either side until they touched the sensitive spot just below her ears.
Ella trembled involuntarily but somehow managed not to groan though her body felt aflame at his touch.
The delightful sensations shifted, moving lower as his fingertips moved down now, shifting to her shoulders once more, then her chest, grazing her nipples as they ran down her sternum then under her breasts to her sensitive flanks.
Every inch of her was absolutely buzzing to the point she felt lightheaded, and not from the heat of the hot springs.
Draikis’s hands dipped beneath the water, touching her waist gently but firmly and turning her around, her back to him.
Oh my God.
It was so confident. So sexy. He moved her and she obeyed, his touch guiding her in the most perfect way, as if her body knew exactly what to do without question, and her clit was thrumming with a shocking ferocity.
His hands slid up her back, sending shivers down her spine, finally resting on her shoulders.
Ella moved back, her ass pressing against his glorious cock, the length of it warm and thick against her ass.
He was impressive in that regard, but, to her surprise, still flaccid.
At least, mostly. The faintest stirring was all she felt, not the raging beast she’d expected.
He turned her around to face him. Ella looked up at him, her heart pounding. His silver eyes gleamed, his gaze intense, taking in the woman in front of him. A pleased smile spread across his lips.
“Yes. You are ready.”
Ella’s pussy pulsed at his words. “You think so?” she asked coyly.
“It is clear, you are.”
“Then what are we going to do about that?”
Draikis took a step back. “We’ll get you back to the compound. Your skin has been well served by the restorative waters. You’re ready for your runes.”
He turned and walked out of the water, his amazing body moving like a big cat, sure of its footing and totally at ease.
“My runes?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, right,” she said, hiding her disappointment. “You were making sure my skin was healed.”
“And now we’ll get you those runes. It must be so distressing losing them like you did. I am impressed at your stoicism. Not all would be so calm.”
“I’m nothing if not calm,” she lied, her swollen clit already aching with conflicted feelings, her mind and body both well aware that she was going to be enduring the trek back with a nasty case of blue bean and no means for relief.
Ella followed him to shore and dried off, the two dressing and loading up their gear then setting off on the return trip.
The ache was better, but only a little. Heading out, she felt it with every step.
Diminished but not gone. She sighed quietly, following Draikis, the gorgeous man leading the way without a worry in the world while his frustrated companion kept pace.
But keep pace she did, no matter the discomfort. It was the only option.
This is going to be a long walk.