Chapter 24
Survii
He enjoyed Egypt greatly. The ancient human country stretching back to the beginning of the rise of their species was fascinating.
Moreover, Alanna was beautiful in it. The bright sun, the startlingly blue sky, and the golden sand were a stunning backdrop to her dark skin and glowing eyes. She had once again let her hair be fluffy and curly with pretty golden jewels accenting it. Perfection.
It was almost a shame to move on. They continued across an equally ancient sea towards a country made up of multiple islands which was also home to ancient human ruins.
They called it Greece. An ancient tie to their past seemed to be a common theme for all the countries – save the first, Switzerland – that they had visited so far.
It was like the humans wanted to show them everything they had ever done.
It was kind of cute. And highly preferable to violence – which was always a possibility when it came time for first contact.
Not that every single human was happy to see them.
There were a lot of humans – a lot – so, of course, they weren’t all of one mind about welcoming interstellar visitors.
But the grumblings online were the minority, and he had already been assured by Tuvo and the security team that they had their eyes on everyone who might try something.
No one was genuinely concerned anyone would. Just a precaution, they said. The humans were eager to prove that they weren’t a danger.
Survii wasn’t worried. Though the Jutiron Stor had no weapons on it, as promised, the domini military squad on board certainly did.
Moreover, since Romival had properly done the difficult initial calculations to plot a route here, a military ship that did have weapons on it could be here in a matter of days.
The domini might be extending the hand of their species as a protector for Earth, but behind them was the permission, and therefore the power, of the entire Coalition.
The contact delegation was safe from threat if only because of the promise of what would happen if they were harmed. It was too great a risk to take.
The minority of humans unhappy to see them, unhappy to see them mating with human females, did their grumbling. Survii simply ignored them.
And instead, he enjoyed the Greek Isles.
They were stunningly beautiful. So blue.
The sky and water on Turv were green, so the abundance of blue was a great change. But not an unpleasant one. And here, on the stunningly white sand beaches, looking out over the ancient waters, Survii was fully aware he was on an alien planet. And a beautiful one.
Though, the most beautiful thing of all was the female before him.
They were being recorded from afar by cameras, and they had known they would be, so Alanna had dressed up.
She wore a beautiful, flowing dress that faded from a dark, burnt orange at her bust to a deep, rich purple at her feet.
Pretty sandals wrapped up her calves and complemented the ethereal appearance of the dress.
She had taken them off to walk into the surf.
She held up her skirt but had become so entranced by the water rushing around her calves she hadn’t realized it was dipping down.
Her eyes were closed, facing the rising sun as her skirt was pushed about by the waves. The others were walking around on the beach, chatting with the leaders of the country while posing for the photo opportunity, laughing and talking like old friends.
Alanna seemed so completely separate from them. In her own little world. It made him understand what she meant by ‘space case’.
But the separation wasn’t a lonely one. It was a mystical, magical one. Concepts that the domini didn't really have. He had to go off world to learn them. Seeing her like this, however, was the first time he truly understood them.
He made not a sound; he didn't even move. He was standing behind her, out of reach of the water, his own bare feet in the sand, pants rolled up around his calves. Just enjoying the sight. He hadn’t even moved when she turned and looked over her shoulder.
The sun as her backdrop. The contrast of her dark skin and dark dress against the blinding sand was mesmerizing.
She smiled and it struck him in the chest like a fist.
Without saying a word, she held her hand out. Inviting him in.
Exactly what he had asked for.
He didn't hesitate to step into the cool, salty water. He took her hand and let her pull him forward until his chest met her back. She reached around, grabbed his second hand, and brought it forward as well until he was holding her. Her head rested back against his chest as he hunched around her.
“Tell me what you feel,” he said, longing to be part of her world.
“Close your eyes,” she said, and he obeyed. “Feel the sand under your feet. Feel it conforming to you, soft but still unyielding.”
He wiggled his toes. Pressing into the sand. Strong enough to hold him up, but soft enough to shape itself to him. Rough in the individual particles, but smooth as a whole. A solid that acted as a liquid. A stable place to stand that was washed away with each rushing wave.
“Feel the rushing of water on your skin. Cool, then cold as it draws away and the air hits it, then strangely warm as it surges forward again.”
The water swirled around their legs. Its endless eb and flow undisturbed by their limbs.
So small, but the sheer power of the rush hinting at the strength of the ocean at its back.
Then, the pull as it was yanked back again, the whisper of that strength threatening him.
Warning him not to lose his balance lest he be swept out with it.
“Smell the salt in the air. The sting of it in your nose, on your skin.”
Briny. A strange combination of harsh and pleasant. It made the water almost seem colder. It left a taut itchiness on his skin when the water receded before it came rushing back. He could feel it in the air, so heavy it coated his skin.
“Feel the breeze on your face, in your hair. Pressing against your clothes. Filling your lungs. Bask in the warmth of the sun. Hear the rushing of the water. The crashing of the distant waves. The birds as they call.”
It was a natural symphony. Life itself singing along with his heartbeat as he drew in each breath.
Such a simple thing, standing in the surf.
But there was so much depth to it. A depth that she allowed to fully consume her.
And there was even more, because she didn't mention their embrace.
The warmth of her body in his arms. The softness of it conforming to him.
Her chest expanding with each breath. Her scent, fresh and rich, coming from her hair.
It must be a human scent, because he didn't recognize it, but it seemed so perfect for her.
“Oh, great. There’s two of them now.”
Survii turned his head. Alanna did not. She remained lost in the sensation, leaning her head back against his chest as he looked behind them to the shore.
Peony was the one who had spoken. The words had no bite thanks to the smile on her face as Hattie chuckled at her side.
Atem stood behind them, glaring. No doubt growling, though Survii couldn’t hear him over the rushing waves.
He respected Alanna’s decision, but that didn’t lessen his anger towards Survii.
He was being kept at bay by Holly and Scarlet who were both grinning.
Survii hadn’t even realized the others had gathered. The last time he saw them, they had been further up the beach. The Greek leaders weren’t even around anymore – they had retreated up the private beach to speak with the press.
How long had he and Alanna been standing there?
Alanna hadn’t heard them yet. She was still lost in the trance. He didn't want to let her go or prematurely break her out for no reason.
“We’re having lunch down the beach,” Peony said, pointing. “They hired a private chef to make us traditional Greek food.”
“We’re coming,” he said, softly so as not to disturb Alanna, but making sure Peony could read his lips.
Peony grinned before gesturing to the others to follow her down the beach. Under a thatch roof, in what looked to have been a bar on the beach, a chef had taken over the space and was cooking vigorously.
Survii turned back to Alanna. She hadn’t been at all disturbed by his voice. He smiled, wrapping himself, his arms and his tail, around her. Holding her tight.
“Vi Vitralai,” he whispered directly in her ear.
She hummed gently. Snuggling back against him. She had released her dress and was now holding onto his arms instead, unconcerned about her skirt swirling in the waves. When had she done that? He didn't know, but he certainly didn't mind. He would gladly stand there for the rest of the day. But…
“It’s time for second meal.”
She let out a long sigh. Not of annoyance, but of contentment. Somehow, she managed to melt further against him. He tightened his hold, burying his nose in her hair. Taking a deep of her scent and shuddering with pleasure as it filled his nose. His mind. His world.
“What is this smell?”
She chuckled. “Shea butter.”
“An Earth scent?”
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
He drew in another breath. “It’s wonderful. When we leave, you must take a great deal of this with you. At least enough to last us until we come back again.”
She chuckled. “You’re that confident the agreement will go through?”
“I know it will.” He nuzzled her head. “Are you hungry?”
She thought about it for a minute before humming in agreement. “Yeah. What are we eating?”
“Traditional Greek food, apparently.”
“Yummy.”
“You like it?”
“Don’t think I’ve ever had it.”
He chuckled. “Then, how do you know it’s yummy?”
“I like everything. I’m not picky.” She turned in his arms so she could look up at him. He happily let his hands come to rest on the curve of her luscious ass. He squeezed just a bit, indulging himself and making her laugh at the same time.
“I can’t wait to take you to new planets so you can try some truly unknown food.”
She smiled, trailing her fingers down his arms. Letting them trace the contours of his muscles with an approving smile on her face that made his cock harden between them. Her adorable brow tufts went up even as her eyes glanced down. She lifted them up again slowly, her grin salacious.
“I see you enjoyed the ocean.”
“It’s very sexual.”
She threw back her head, laughing. “Sexual? The ocean? How?”
He tightened his grip on her ass, pulling her close. Rocking their hips together. Thrusting forward, pulling her back. Matching the waves as they rushed forward and pulled back. In and out. Eb and flow. Mimicking the slow love making of the land and sea.
Each thrust of his cock against her belly, Alanna panted a bit. Her lips parted, tempting him forward with that flash of pink beyond the brown.
A temptation he saw no reason to deny.
He lowered his lips to hers. Claiming them in an equally slow kiss. Matching the movement of his tongue, of his hips, to the rocking of the tides. Making love to her with their clothes on. Drowning in the sensation of her and nothing else.
He got a peek into her world, and he understood how she lost herself now. But his focus was not on the water or the breeze or the sun on his skin.
His focus was her. She was the thing that let him shut out the rest of the world. She was the only thing that could possibly make him forget about everything else.
And he reflected that in his kiss. Showing her that she was the only thing that mattered. Making sure that she could focus only on him as well.
“Join me in my room tonight, vi Vitralai,” he said, damn near begging.
He would get down on his knees right now if it meant she would say yes.
He might do it anyway for the chance to taste her.
He didn't care if that was the only thing she let him do.
He would do it gladly. He wanted her flavor on his tongue, her thighs crushing his head, her shouts of ecstasy in his ear as she came against his mouth.
He’d heard so many things about humans. Rumors and facts alike.
He knew her blood was an aphrodisiac. He heard her cunt was the hottest, wettest, and tightest in the universe.
He knew that her body would actively try to get pregnant if something didn't stop it.
He heard that humans could take their males in their mouth because they lacked fangs.
He was eager to parse out truth from lies. He was no scholar, but he suddenly felt the call of research begging him to do some experiments to find out for himself.
“Please, Alanna. Return with me.”
“I… I can’t,” she breathed, pulling back from him. Giving him a look so full of sorrow and guilt, it made him uncomfortable.
“Vitralai.” He stroked her cheek gently. “Don’t feel bad for telling me no.”
“But that was such a good move,” she whined, running her fingers down his chest. “And I want you. So badly. I do.”
“But you don’t want to want me?” He hummed thoughtfully. “That’s fair, since that’s what I did to you before.”
“No. No!” She said quickly, leaning into him. “That’s not… I’m not trying to get back at you or something. That’s not what I mean.”
“What do you mean then?” He cocked his head curiously.
“I just…” She licked her lips. Her eyes moved back and forth in her head. Trying to chase down her own thoughts and feelings. “I want to be in love. I’m not in love yet.”
Instead of disappointing him, he found himself grinning. “Yet? So, you are falling in love with me?”
She laughed. “That’s what you got from that?”
“It was the most important part in my opinion.” He tightened his arms around her waist. “So, does that mean, when you tell me yes, I’ll know you’re in love with me?”
She bit her lip but nodded. “I want to be in love. I want it to be special. If you’re my mate, I want it to mean something when we come together.”
Survii beamed and kissed her again. Quick and sweet this time. “It will mean something every time we come together. And I can wait for you. Come, vi Vitralai, let’s go explore traditional Greek food together.”
She smiled and let him take her hand as he pulled her from the surf and onto the beach.