Chapter 14 – Motok
My seed was buried deep inside my Venya and I selfishly hoped our night would bear offspring.
Perhaps if I gave her my child, I would solidify a deeper bond between us, one that couldn’t be broken by interspecies laws and government interference.
I stayed buried inside her as she lay in my arms and my cock – as the humans called the sexual organ – refused to soften for long.
My lust and need were too strong. Soon I was hard again and began to move slowly, my hips gliding in a deliberate but languid rhythm.
I’d never felt anything as warm and perfect as her wet, tight heat.
“Don’t pull away,” she whispered softly, her voice husky. “I still need you.”
I still need you. How I wished I could hear her say those words every day for the rest of my existence.
“My Kerra,” I breathed, temporarily forgetting that I shouldn’t voice the bond or our permanent connection aloud.
She wouldn’t understand why I was leaving her when we arrived on Vindar.
My hearts beat erratically, and I held her closer, plunging into her tight walls again and again as I stretched out the time that I could call her my own.
Every thrust was felt through our bond as it grew stronger, solidifying our mating.
Only once I had filled her again did I finally withdraw a little, hoping I kept every drop inside her sweet and tight channel.
Her wet heat convulsed as her orgasm faded and a smile of contentment crossed her delicate features.
I had thoroughly claimed and bedded my mate.
Only the Cosmos could now intervene. Pulling her close and finally giving in to the lust, desire, and uncontrollable need to claim this female as my own, I was spent but happy.
Our vows were consummated, our bond complete.
I love you, Venya.
I couldn’t say it aloud, but I’d said it with every kiss, every thrust, and every caress of my hands. How I wished the words could be spoken as I gazed deeply into her eyes, but she would have too many questions and I would be unable to give the right answers.
“That was amazing, Tok.” Her breathless reply cut deeply. Was I only a fleeting moment of pleasure? Did she miss the strength of connection and the undeniable unity as we combined our bodies?
My arms held her tighter and I couldn’t voice my thoughts and doubts out loud. The words were stuck in my throat as I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. If she didn’t want more, I was unable to hear it. My hearts would break and shatter. There was no recovery from such rejection.
We stayed on that bed for only a total of four hours, but it was long enough.
The most amazing hours of my existence would soon become a distant memory.
Jealously, I guarded and horded every second until I could no longer push the inevitable away.
Rexnor knocked a few minutes later and informed us of our impending arrival on Vindar and I was unable to answer for so long he must have thought something was wrong.
“Motok?” he repeated.
“We’ll be out shortly,” I finally answered, my voice nearly flat and expressionless. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to leave my star, my reason for living. How could I possibly give her up?
Kerra placed a tentative hand on my chest as I sat up and dressed. “What happens now?”
My gaze devoured the perfect heart-shape of her face and the deep emerald gaze that was filled with uncertainty. “You will meet the council.”
“What are they like?”
I shrugged, a human response I had picked up from her when she didn’t want to answer.
“Tok?” She noticed my reaction.
Guarding my emotions, I answered, “yes?”
“Did I do something wrong?”
My breath caught and I turned to her, placing my palms against the silken texture of her pale face. “No, not ever, my Kerra. This I swear.”
Relief briefly flashed in her eyes and then she moved to dress as I stood.
Once we were ready, I led her down the corridor and to the ship’s docking bay.
The exit ramp lowered inside the hangar as my grip tightened on her hand.
Catching her nervousness, I tilted her head up, placing one last, desperate kiss on her lips for reassurance.
The loading dock would be full of Braxthar warriors as was custom, including the council’s Elite Guard.
My hand reluctantly released hers as we disembarked, and I immediately hated the loss of her warmth.
She didn’t like that I distanced myself and I caught her brief frown.
The council formed a line as the Elders and their dark robes stood out among the Elite.
Only the fifth tier and highest-ranking warriors were in attendance.
We bowed, giving our respect to the council as custom dictated.
Stopping next to my bonded Venya and being unable to touch her was a torture I would never forget.
The new few minutes were a blur. I nearly panicked with the knowledge that our last seconds together were approaching.
Senators Bly and Rymar introduced themselves as she was ushered away from my side and led inside the massive complex of the Braxtharian Capitol.
The entire meeting was nothing but white noise in my head.
I couldn’t focus. My breath was short, and I felt on the verge of passing out like a complete fool.
A peculiar ache settled within my chest and I stepped forward without thinking.
Rexnor’s hand landed on my shoulder and stopped me before I could follow. “She has her duty now.”
Growling, I spun to face my brothers. “I do not care.”
“You do,” Orion contradicted softly. “Your choices were always going to lead to this outcome. Do not act rashly and compromise the importance of their meeting.”
Although he was correct, I still snarled my reply. “I don’t have to like it.”
“No,” Rexnor agreed, “but it is vital that you follow protocol.”
I turned to walk with them toward the warrior’s quarters, resigned to my fate until I heard Kerra scream.
Her frightened cry unleashed something deep inside and I bolted forward.
She was calling my name in confusion. I saw her fighting against the council’s guards.
Why was she so scared? What did they say to her?
The main doors of the entryway stood wide open as the council began to file inside.
They almost faded from view when both Senators became aware of the commotion I was causing.
My erratic behavior would land me in the medical bay where I would be decommissioned.
The threat of death was nothing compared to the horrified screams of my Venya.
She was no longer in my line of vision. I didn’t know what was happening.
Were they restraining her against her will?
Rexnor held me back as Orion stepped in front and blocked the council’s view of my defiance.
Snarling and fighting against my brother’s hold, I didn’t stop until Kerra’s screams faded and I no longer heard her cries and pleas for help.
The silence was as devastating as my failure to stand by her side.
“What have I done?”
Rexnor let go as I dropped to my knees, my hearts breaking with the pain and anguish of our separation. My breath stuttered. I could hardly function. Every part of me felt ripped apart all at once.
My Venya. She was gone.
I didn’t fight hard enough. Why didn’t I insist on joining them and explaining the delicate situation? The council didn’t understand humans. I left her vulnerable and without representation.
It was unacceptable.
A deep roar launched from my throat as Rexnor and Orion looked on in panic. My quills rose as if I was threatened and I jumped to my feet, hell bent on retrieving my mate. Damn the republic. My hearts could not bear this loss.
My brothers tackled me to the ground before the council’s Elite Guard could return and lock me away, my treachery moments from being revealed.
I’d done the unthinkable. I’d bonded, loved, and touched a human female protected under the Cardinal Edict.
I was guilty of breaking my word and my oath, of proving that the Braxtharian people were guilty of all accusations.
Orion and Rexnor tugged me in the opposite direction as I fought back but the two overpowered my struggles with Valtus’s help.
Threats were issued against my brethren and I couldn’t stop the red haze of rage that filled my brain.
I didn’t care that I angered them. My last thought before Valtus’s fist connected with my jaw was that I had abandoned my mate and she would never forgive me.