Xilon (Aliens of Renjer Book 3) Page 8

  Electricity raced through him, but he backed up and let her have some space while she gulped down the water through her cracked lips. Then she devoured the food.

  “You’re not hungry?”

  He shook his head.

  “Well, it’s weird you being naked and staring at me while I’m eating.” She cocked her head to the side, a faint blush dotting her taupe-colored cheeks. “Um… why don’t you sit and tell me how is it you’re human. Where you always able to shift?”

  “No. It’s complicated.” He sat across from her still marveling how she survived on his planet this long.

  Her hair was damp and hung in curly rivulets that fascinated him. Were they soft as they appeared? Her clothes were drying too. But her tunic was gone. She only wore trousers, her coat, and a small black thing that hugged her breasts making him envious.

  “Where’s your tunic?” he asked.

  She popped another handful of berries into her mouth. “My what?”

  “Your clothing.” He tapped his stomach then pointed to hers.

  “Ah… I kinda left it behind during an encounter.” She shrugged. “No idea where it is now, but I’m okay. The fire’s keeping me warm.”

  The muscle in his jaw tightened. “What encounter?”

  She waved a hand. “Nope, you first. Stop stalling and tell me about how you’re human and naked now.”

  “All right, but then you must tell me everything that has happened to you since I left.” At her nod, he continued letting her know he’d taken another dragon shifters blood and rode the lightning down to Earth. How he got arrested and Dena and Isabelle’s sister bailing him out. And about her Grams.

  “Is she okay?” she swallowed, her eyes hopeful as they waited for him to answer.

  “She was in bed when I visited. Coughing, but was more concerned about you than herself,” he admitted.

  “That’s true.” Ash grabbed the second leaf. “She’d take care of the whole town before herself if she could.”

  Xilon leaned back against the cave wall behind him. “There was a young man there in the house with her. He was worried about you too.”

  “Brice? That’s a first. He only cares about himself and football, but I guess that’s his age. I tried to shield him from what happened to our parents. Football became his obsession and fighting, mine.”

  “Tell me what happened…to your parents,” he whispered.

  She hesitated but he gave her time to collect her thoughts and decide if she wanted to share with him or not.

  “Sorry, if it’s too hard to talk about,” he said.

  “No,” she swallowed. “I’m okay. It was dark that night. All the lights in the neighborhood were out like a hurricane had come through,” Ash said, staring at the fire. “No one had picked me up from camp like they were supposed to, so I got a ride home. I knew the moment I smelled the stench of spoiled milk and skunk that something was wrong.” She shivered. “My mom’s body was flayed open and laid across the table. At first, I didn’t realize it was real. Thought maybe I had to be seeing things. But I slipped in her blood as I fled. Dad’s head was ripped off, black locust demons pouring out of his neck.

  “That night, I ran all the way to Grams’ house. She told me what I’d seen and I dedicated my life to find and kill as many of those bastards as I can.”

  “I understand.” Xilon shared his experience with the Tryns. How they killed their king, his brother and his father had to take over. That they weren’t allowed to hunt or sun themselves during the day for fear of attack. And while they’d had their weapons early on and were winning the war, the Tryns had been able to destroy all the quasicrystals that made them function. “And my brother Kohl believes there are undiscovered crystals on Earth. Enough for us to turn the tide of this war. With them, our shields will be up and the venom and poison won’t reach us.”

  “If I find any of these quasicrystals, I’ll send them your way.”

  “Let’s get some rest.” He added more wood to the fire, then stretched out on the ground beside her.

  When she raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, he chuckled.

  “I promise, I won’t grope you…unless you ask me to.”

  “Hmm... ” She stifled a yawn and laid down next to him, her back to his chest.

  He placed his arms around her and for a second, she stiffened, then her body relaxed. The scent of her, spicy and musty, filled him. He could sleep with her in his arms forever. Already, the fatigue of the day and his transformations tugged at him. “Come morning, I’ll be able to fly us out of here.”

  “I can’t wait to ride you, dragon,” she said sleepily. “In more ways than one.”

  Chapter 16

  Ash woke with a jerk, her eyes flung open. Panting. It took her a minute to realize she was with Xilon. His warm body enveloped her. For the first time since her parents had died, she felt safe, even on this blasted planet. And she couldn't wait for Xilon to show her the wonder of his world.

  What would he think of her city? Of chocolate or pizza or crawfish? Would he like rollercoasters and bungee jumping? Or cave diving and race cars? She shifted her weight until she could watch him sleep.

  His cheekbones were chiseled and while he smiled softly in his sleep, and a hint of dimples tantalized her. Across one shoulder and halfway down his arm was an intricate scaled pattern of emerald and pale green crisscrossed across his bronze skin. His lips were full and perfect.

  He was magnificent, but what had she suspected when his dragon form had swept her away when she first saw him. As though feeling her watching him, he roused.

  “It's not even daylight yet,” he mumbled.

  “Sorry, I couldn't sleep.”

  He opened one bright green eye, his gaze roving over her, pausing at her bra before coming back to her face. Her body heated from the inside out.

  “You know, I've never kissed a dragon before.” She licked her lips, waiting for his reaction.

  “Neither have I. Kissed a human, I mean. Other species on other planets, certainly. Even a—”

  She placed her finger over his mouth. “Please, I don't want to hear about the other women in your life.”

  He nodded, leaning forward and she removed her finger and placed her lips on his. Nibbling at first, tasting him. Exotic like a spicy coffee, but sweeter than honey. She couldn't get enough. Never wanted to stop kissing him.

  His hands traced down her sides, across her abs and up to the underside of her breasts. She moaned against his mouth as he circled her nipples through the fabric with his thumbs.

  Soon, his erection pressed against her thigh. What would he feel like inside her if his mere kiss and touch drove her insane? His presence made her want him.

  What would it hurt to see where things lead? Give into her feelings and emotions and let come what may. Risk her heart and let love inside?

  Who cared if she hadn’t had sex in months? Or that Xilon wasn’t really human. Yet here she pressed her body against every hard inch of him, wrapping her legs around his. God, the man...dragon was sex on a stick. She doubted she’d be able to walk away from this unscathed. But damn, she wanted to take that risk.

  He traced the edge of her bra and struggled for the hook.

  “Let me.” Her voice was breathless.

  Once she tore off her bra and jacket, he worshiped her breasts, kissing one then the other. His hands kneading and massaging and driving her insane. She slid her hand down his body, tracing over his pecs, then abs before she grasped his dick: steel wrapped in silk. And by God, he was huge. But he pushed down her pants, then her undies and her body craved him. He stood, giving her light kisses along the side of her neck. Warm breath touched her earlobe and she was gone.

  “Does it feel good?” he asked.

  “Oh, hell yes.” She stroked him up and down with both hands and still there was more of his sex she couldn’t encompass. His innocence of never making love to a human, yet knowing how sex work enthralled her.

  Kissing her with a
passion she matched made her head spin. She was utterly lost. She poured everything into their kiss. Her excitement, her fears, her longing.

  Briefly, she pulled away, unable not to be with him a second longer. “Please, I need you so badly.”

  He eased inside her, stretching her. When she moaned, he paused.

  “Why did you stop?”

  “I-I thought I was hurting you.”

  She cranked a hand around his neck and yanked him down to her. “Don’t stop, whatever you do, please don’t stop.”

  His hips moved with hers in a dance millions of years old. Every slap of his body against hers made her mewl in pleasure. She took one of his hands and showed him how to stroke her clit. He continued rubbing her sensitive nub until he bent and took her breast into his mouth, sucking soft at first then harder. Her orgasm broke forth and every muscle in her body relaxed. She lifted her hips to take more of him as another wave of pleasure cascaded over her. She wiggled more the sensation exploding around her.

  “Don’t…move like that,” he panted.

  “Like this?” She wiggled her hips.

  “That feels amazing.” He let out a cross between a roar and a yell, spent.

  Back home, no one would believe she'd just made love to a dragon. But she didn't care what anyone said. Her heart was full of longing for this man…this alien dragon. There was nowhere else she wanted to be but here in his arms, basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

  Sunlight beamed across the cave entrance and she tucked her arm over her eyes. “I need another five hours of sleep before I can move again.”

  Behind her, Xilon tensed, “Shh.”

  Every nerve in her body went on high alert as a shadow blocked the sun at the cave’s opening.

  Chapter 17

  Xilon pushed himself up, calling his Renjerian form forward. But silence answered him. Shit! How much time did he need to recover?

  He crept in front of Ash, protecting her from whoever had found them.

  Ash stood her ground, unafraid, but she didn't draw her sword. Was she that confident in his skills?

  “Get your weapon ready,” he whispered and clenched his fists, rolling his shoulders forward in preparation to fight.

  “I can't.”

  He spared a glance back at her. “Why not?”

  “Cause it kind of melted when I stabbed it in the biggest demon I've ever seen.”

  His blood turned cold. “What? When was this?”

  “Yesterday.” She nodded her chin to the opening. “Here comes company.”

  What else could the larger Tryns do that he nor his people were aware of? And why had they shown themselves recently rather than months ago at the beginning of this endless war?

  He inhaled, scenting Taurian.

  “Peace, brother.” Taurian raised a hand as he entered. “Morning, Ash.”

  Xilon looked at her and back at his brother. “You know each other?”

  “Yeah. We met in New Orleans, Grams ran him through the ringer and I gave him a ride on my bike.”

  Taurian tossed Xilon some human clothes. “Put those on, we've a Tryn troop scouting near here and it's too bright to fly.”

  Dressed, Xilon pulled Ash into a hug. “Don't worry, we'll get you back home soon.” But the words stabbed his heart. He didn't want her to leave. How would he be able to breathe without her? Just thinking of her gone and away from him ate a hole inside him.

  “Let's go.” He nodded to his brother. “The sooner we can get her back to Earth, the better.”

  One by one they left the cave. Xilon let his brother take the lead while he took the rear with Ash between them. No way was he going to let her out of his sight until he knew she was safe.

  They crouched along the path, stopping whenever Taurian gave the signal.

  At the base of the mountains, Ash looked over her shoulder at him. “I can't hike, not with my ankle like this…maybe we should fly over?”

  Xilon shook his head. “We aren't going over, we're going through.”

  Her eyebrows rose and he pointed ahead to Taurian.

  His brother checked the area, then nodded for them to enter the secret caves.

  “I can't see a thing,” Ash said, her voice echoed off the walls.

  “Let me guide you.” Xilon took her hand. The tunnels seemed so huge compared to his Renjerian self.

  She limped along with him and he led her to the healing chamber.

  His sister was there in her with a fierce frown on her face. “You had everyone worried!”

  “Sorry. I'm fine. Can you heal her ankle and she's got a cut on her cheek too.”

  “No, it's okay.” Ash touched her face. “Just the ankle would be plenty.”

  “Nonsense.” Desmonda shook her head. “We're not going to send you back home all banged up. Are you hungry?”

  “Starving,” Ash admitted. “And I could use a drink or five if you have any to spare.”

  “Take off your boots and let me see your ankle, then we'll see if the healing water will be enough to fix you up.” His sister turned to Xilon. “Stop hovering like a whavil and go get her something to eat and a flask of moonwine.”

  He nodded.

  Xilon left his sister and Ash alone while he grabbed the food. In the pantry, he ate four jerkys and a flask of moonwine before returning.

  With a smile that brightened his mood, Ash soaked in the healing water of the underground spring. Leaves coated her cheek.

  “Yay, food!” Ash held out her hands.

  “Once you've eaten, I'll fly you to a storm and we'll hitch a ride back to your world. But I'll have no control over where we land though.”

  Sadness crept into her eyes and she stared down at the breadroll in her hand. “Thanks. I needed to check on Grams anyway. Maybe later, I can return and you can show me your world.”

  Desmonda snuck out of the room to leave him and Ash alone.

  “I don't think that's a good idea.”

  Ash jerked her head up. “Why not? Once I get my weapons I can return here and help you and your people fight.”

  “No!” He couldn't lose her again. Not when she'd come back into his life. “It's too dangerous.”

  “Excuse me? Who saved your ass back in the forest?”

  “This is different. I won't be able to concentrate on my enemies if I'm worried about you.”

  “Then don't.” She stood, water dripping off her body. “In fact, don't think of me at all.”

  “Ash, wait.” He grabbed her arm, but she pulled away.

  “No, it's fine. I understand, believe me.” She squared her shoulders. “I wouldn't want strings of anyone tying me down either. Too much risk.”

  “It's not like that.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Let me explain.”

  “Sorry, Xilon, but I've got people waiting for me back home that need me. Call me when you get your shit together.” She brushed past him. “Good luck with everything.”

  “Ash!” He chased after her, but his sister blocked him.

  “Let her go. She needs to be among her own kind. Taurian will see her home.”

  And just like that, the hollowness in his chest opened up to a dark void.

  For the next hour, Xilon paced in his chambers. He kept his human form as it allowed him to punch the wall periodically without bursting through the rock.

  A wail sounded. The alarm. He raced up the winding path. Seeing Sevrx, he shouted after the Renjerian. “What's happening?”

  “Tryns. They've found our hide out.”

  Impossible. “How?” But his question hung on the air.

  He transformed into his dragon, roaring from the pain of shifting so fast. Following the other warriors, he barreled out of one of the cave openings and into the air. Outside their home, thousands of Tryns stretched across the land in every direction. They’d been found out. Their last sanctuary gone.

  Unless they were able to kill every single Tryn here, they had nowhere else to go. Nowhere to hide. Their planet was doomed, o
verrun by these vile creatures.

  Xilon blasted his firebreath over the enemy. There was so many of them. He had to get Desmonda and the others to safety. He dove back inside the caves.

  “What is it?” his sister asked.

  “Here.” He held out his hand to her. “Take some of my blood, then ride the lightning storm back to Earth.”

  “What about my younglings?” She rubbed her belly.

  “They’ll probably shift to humans when you do. Now hurry.”

  She did as he asked, and he raced to the next Renjerian. All who were too weak or old or shouldn’t fight. By the time he was done, he stumbled on his feet. Now he had a battle to finish.

  Chapter 18

  For an hour, Ash sat beside the bed while her Grams slept. Her breathing was shallow and rattling, but Ash didn’t want to wake her no matter how much everything she had recently experienced burned on her tongue.

  When Grams stirred, Ash leaned over her. “Hi! May I get you anything?”

  “A shot of tequila.” Grams smiled, sitting up partially.

  “What about some water or coffee instead?” Ash fluffed up her pillows. “Are you hungry? I can make pancakes and bacon.”

  “No.” She patted Ash’s hand. “Coffee is fine.”

  Ash kissed her grandma’s cheek, then dashed to the kitchen. Her hands shaking slightly with the news she had to tell her Grams and that she knew about the cancer. She returned with a cup of coffee with extra cream and sugar. “Careful, it’s hot.”

  “Thanks.” The old woman set the mug on the nightstand, then grasped Ash’s hands. “So tell me what it is you’ve been dying to tell me since you got back.”

  “You were sleeping? How’d you know I was back already?”

  Grams only winked, then picked up her coffee, blowing across the liquid. “I’ve my ways.”

  “I-I wanted to apologize.” Ash’s voice trembled slightly. “All this time, you were right about everything. About demons and dragons and other worlds—though I only got to see Renjer.”

  “Ah.” Grams took a sip of her drink. “And you look smitten…with just the planet?”