Zylonn's Human Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Tarrkuan Masters Book 1)
Author: Lyndon, Sue
Date: 2019-05-29
Publisher: Sweet Savage Press

Zylonn’s Human Bride

Tarkkuan Masters, Book One

Sue Lyndon

Contents

About this book

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

About Sue Lyndon

Zylonn’s Human Bride

Copyright © 2019 by Sue Lyndon

All rights reserved

No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Sue Lyndon. All names, brands, characters, and settings are purely from the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to real people, real brands, and real locations is a coincidence. Contact: authorsuelyndon@gmail.com

Editing by Celeste Jones

About this book

The stern alien expects her absolute obedience.

Nova doesn’t want to leave home, but she doesn’t have a choice. Earth has agreed to provide the Tarrkuans with a steady supply of fertile human females—and she’s found herself among them. When her intended, Zylonn, catches her speaking out against the trade agreement only minutes before their wedding ceremony, the no-nonsense alien scolds her and promises her a strapping. His stern words both surprise her and leave her quivering with anticipation. Will the handsome blue alien really punish her on their wedding night? And does he really expect her to call him Master?

Zylonn has been waiting for his human bride his entire life. One glance at Nova and he knows the reluctant female is meant to be his. She’s the loveliest creature he’s ever seen, and he can’t stop stroking her beautiful golden hair or staring into her expressive blue eyes. He’s shocked by her rebellious behavior, but he’s determined to tame her, claim her, and make her his in every possible way.

A passion that knows no bounds soon flourishes between Zylonn and his precious little human. Once is never enough. He’s driven to claim her again and again, and her sweet surrender calms the darkest parts of him. But when an old enemy threatens their union, he’s forced to reveal a secret side of himself no one has ever seen. Can Zylonn protect the little human who holds his heart?

Publisher’s Note: Zylonn’s Human Bride was first published under the title Promised to the Alien in the Alien Alphas box set. This re-released edition has been significantly expanded from its original form. It includes spankings, sexual scenes, and other delicious naughtiness. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

Chapter 1

Nova stared out the window at the brilliant night sky, thankful the most recent dust storm had lifted to reveal the moon and stars. She sniffled and covered her face in her hands, shedding quiet tears in the privacy of her bedroom. It was her last night on Earth and she didn’t want her family and friends to know how upset she was over leaving. Her throat burned, her tears kept falling, and her body heaved under the impact of her increasing sorrow.

I can’t believe this is finally happening.

If only she could slow time down. She would give anything for another week with her family and friends. But, tomorrow, she would board a Tarkkuan ship and leave the only home she had ever known. Her stomach flipped when she imagined becoming a complete stranger’s mate. And not just any stranger—but an alien.

She didn’t want to travel to a faraway planet and become the bride of a Tarkkuan male she’d never met, but she didn’t have a say in the matter.

None of the human brides did.

She uncovered her face and inhaled several deep breaths in an effort to calm herself. The murmur of voices, the familiar song her sister was playing on the piano, and the clattering of dishes drifted upstairs. Everyone would start to worry about her if she didn’t go back downstairs soon.

She really should have tried to remain at her going away party, but the second her younger sister, Julie, had started playing the piano several minutes ago, Nova had had to excuse herself and rush upstairs. The knowledge that she would never hear Julie play piano again or hug her or laugh with her had hit Nova with a sudden, painful force that left her reeling with heartache.

Of course, if Nova hadn’t been chosen at a young age for the eventual honor of becoming a Tarkkuan’s bride, her parents would have never been granted permission to have a second child. Julie would have never been born. Saying goodbye to her sister would be especially bittersweet.

After a few more minutes, Nova managed to stop crying. She sat in front of her mirror and reapplied her makeup. Everyone at the party was sad enough that she was leaving. She didn’t want to add to their upset by walking around with swollen eyes.

Once, as a little girl, Nova had heard sobbing and followed the noise to her parents’ bedroom. She had peeked in and witnessed her father holding her mother, while her mother repeated over and over again, “I don’t want Nova to leave, I don’t want Nova to leave…” It was a week after she’d been chosen as a Tarkkuan bride, when she was almost too young to understand what it meant. But she remembered attending a ceremony in the center of New Leesburg and hearing her name called on a loud speaker. Her mother had gasped but many in the crowd had clapped, and then Nova had been escorted up onto a platform and introduced to the elderly Tarkkuan teacher who would take over her schooling from then on.

“I don’t want Nova to leave, I don’t want Nova to leave…”

Her mother’s despair had burned into Nova’s psyche.

From that point forward, she had resolved to put on a brave face and not let anyone know how frightened and nervous she was over leaving her home planet. She stopped asking questions that might upset her mother and she never dared voice her desire to remain on Earth.

Instead, she’d focused on her Tarkkuan studies with a forced enthusiasm and tried to act cheerful whenever the subject of her leaving came up naturally in conversation. Most of the time, she would smile and claim she was excited to embark upon an interstellar adventure.

Apparently, she was a good actress. Just this morning, her mother had hugged her and told her how much she admired her positive attitude.

She sighed, knowing she had to hurry up and go back downstairs and maintain the façade. Even if she screamed to the entire dome-city that she didn’t wish to leave, the Tarkkuan security guards from the spaceship would force her onto their vessel anyway. Her opinion didn’t matter and it would matter even less once she reached the alien planet.

With another glance at the moon and stars, Nova straightened her dress and exited her bedroom. She descended the stairs and joined in the party, her smile in place the entire time. She made a point to talk to everyone in attendance, even friends of her parents that she didn’t know very well. She soaked up each kind word and about a thousand hugs, by some miracle managing not to break down into tears again.

Maybe she was stronger than she thought. Maybe years of pretending to be strong had in fact left her fortified and ready to face this next, inevitable phase of her life. She could only hope.

“How are you holding up?” Maggie asked, appearing at Nova’s side with two pieces of cake. With a mischievous grin, she handed one plate to Nova, along with a fork.

“Thanks. And I’m fine. Promise.” Nova gave her best friend a smile and realized her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much. She stabbed her fork into the cake and took a bite, savoring the taste of the homemade icing.

Maggie lifted her eyebrows at Nova and her expression turned skeptical. “I know you better than anyone. You’re not fine, but it’s okay to be scared. Anyone would be. Just remember the Tarkkuans need us as much as we need them. Your new husband is probably anxious for your arrival and I’m sure he’ll treat you well. I know a lot of people think all Tarkkuans are barbarians, but I don’t think that’s true. Not all of them, anyway. For the sake of my best friend, I refuse to believe it.”

Nova glanced around to make sure no one was standing close enough to overhear their conversation. She allowed her smile to falter and gave her friend a solemn look. “I’m really going to miss you.”

“I know.” Maggie blinked rapidly as tears filled her eyes. She reached for Nova’s hand and squeezed it. “Besties for life.”

“Besties for life.”

They set their dessert down and enveloped one another in a long, tight hug. A few tears escaped Nova’s eyes, but she discreetly wiped them away, thankful that she was facing a wall and no one was standing nearby. Maggie seemed to know just how long to hug her, because she didn’t withdraw from the embrace until Nova had managed to regain her composure.

The party ended around midnight and Nova was exhausted by the time the house emptied out. Only her parents and sister remained. They all exchanged looks and started cleaning up from the party, but Nova’s mother put a hand on her shoulder and shook her head.

“You don’t need to help. Go ahead to bed. You have an early start in the morning.” Her mother smiled, though tears glimmered in her eyes, revealing her true feelings. She was just as heartbroken as Nova. “I don’t want Nova to leave, I don’t want Nova to leave…”

“I want to help,” Nova replied in a cheerful voice. “Besides, I can take a nap on the ship tomorrow.” She suspected lots of human brides would board the Tarkkuan spaceship dead tired after staying up late to spend extra time with their loved ones. “Honestly, Mom, I can’t imagine even going to sleep tonight. I’m too…excited.” Another forced smile.

Julie walked up to them, holding a stack of dirty plates. “I don’t think I could sleep either. How about you have a sleepover in my room, minus the sleep?” She laughed. “It’ll be just like when we were kids.”

“I’d like that,” Nova said, her throat burning again. “Thanks, Julie.” She smiled and prayed she managed to hold it together for the rest of the night. Even though it would no doubt be difficult, she couldn’t bear to spend her last hours on Earth alone.

Once the house was in order, Nova hugged her parents goodnight, squeezing them so tight her arms hurt.

Her father made a humorous choking sound until she finally let go, making her laugh. He leaned down to kiss her forehead and for the first time in her life, Nova thought she saw tears shining in her normally stoic father’s eyes. “Everything will be okay, little slugger,” he said.

She laughed again. “You haven’t called me that in years.”

“Just promise you won’t punch your new husband in the face the way you knocked that neighbor boy down for pulling your hair all those years ago,” her father said. Though his tone was humorous, she detected a warning look in his gaze. Tarkkuan males were not as easygoing as most human males. Unlike Earth, Tarkkua was a strictly male-dominated society. Many of the freedoms Nova took for granted here would require permission on her new planet.

“I promise,” she finally said, trying to repress a shudder. Tarkkuan males were huge. She wouldn’t dare try to hit one, especially not her husband. “I also promise I’ll try to contact you, even if my new husband doesn’t own a video comm.” Most Tarkkuan males didn’t have one in their household, from what she’d heard, but perhaps she could ask her husband to arrange for her to use a wealthier Tarkkuan’s interstellar communicator.

“That’s my girl. You ladies have fun tonight,” her father said with a glance at both Nova and her sister. “But no jumping on the bed and no pillow fights! I mean it!”

Nova and Julie both laughed and headed upstairs.

She would miss her father’s good humor, as well as her mother’s patient wisdom and kindness. She couldn’t have asked for better parents. Though she’d felt unlucky for much of her life for having been randomly selected to become a Tarkkuan bride once she reached her twentieth year, Nova felt like the luckiest girl in the world whenever she thought about her family.

No matter what happened on Planet Tarkkua, at least she would always have her memories.

Chapter 2

Zylonn disembarked the transport ship with the other surviving asteroid miners and looked around. The lush greenery of Tarkkua instantly soothed his darkened spirits. After spending over two thousand days in space, he was glad to be home. He hoisted his backpack higher and walked down the ramp from the landing platform that led into Ashorr, the capital city of Tarkkua.

Thousands of people lined the streets, all of them outside to welcome the miners home. Mining the Feshinga Asteroid Belt was dangerous work, but all able-bodied Tarkkuan males were expected to make the sacrifice in order to help their planet thrive. Zylonn had done his duty and now he would soon be rewarded with a human female to take as his bride.

He wouldn’t have to wait long, either.

The pilot of the transport ship had informed the returning miners that their human brides would be arriving in ten days.

Only ten days.

Zylonn’s blood heated as he imagined his petite female. He had no idea what his bride would look like, but most women from Earth were tiny—compared to Tarkkuans, at least—and very pleasing to the eye. But no matter what she looked like, Zylonn would accept and care for the bride he was given. As soon as possible, he would get her with child and they would start a family. His heart warmed unexpectedly at the thought.

As he neared a Tarkkuan-human couple standing on the street, he noticed the male was glaring at his female. The woman had a defiant gleam in her eye as she returned her mate’s hard glare. While he had no idea what they were fighting about, clearly the male did not discipline his female on a regular basis, else she would not be defying him in public and making such a scene. Zylonn noted he wasn’t the only one watching their tense interaction. He observed them for several seconds more, wondering just how obedient his own chosen bride would be. Some human females were headstrong, while others were almost as meek as Tarkkuan females.

As he finally passed the couple, the male grabbed his human bride by the arm and led her away. Zylonn resolved that he would not abide any disrespect from his own female, especially in public. He would insure he had a study leather strap hanging on the wall in their bedroom to deter his mate from breaking any of his rules or planet-wide laws instated by the ruling class. Even if his bride did not wish to come to Tarkkua, Zylonn would expect her absolute obedience. The slightest amount of defiance would be swiftly punished, for both the sake of their marriage and for her own safety—he would not risk her breaking any laws and drawing the ire of the ruling class.

Zylonn had no intention of mistreating his female, however, and he resolved to show her kindness and affection too. He didn’t even know her name yet and already his arms ached with the need to hold her. It was a completely odd sensation, one he’d never experienced before.

He only hoped the darkness that had often hovered over him during his bleak years mining the asteroid belt didn’t prevent him from embarking on a meaningful relationship with his mate.

Would he truly be able to treat her with kindness?

His thoughts on his future bride, he finished the long trek to his home on the edge of the city, grateful to be home after what felt like an eternity spent in space. Two thousand and forty cold days, to be exact. Thank the Gods, not only had he survived, but he hadn’t endured any grievous injuries either. Several of the miners in his unit had lost arms and legs during the dangerous mining operations. Many had died as well, and he said a quick prayer for their departed souls as he entered his house.

He strode into the vestibule and tossed his backpack to the floor. Walking from room to room, he was satisfied that everything was as he’d left it—not that he’d expected to find anything missing. Tarkkuans respected one another’s property and instances of thievery were rare. The comm imbedded in his wrist buzzed and flashed with an incoming message, and he lifted his arm slightly and a holographic display appeared in the air. The message listed the arrival details of the Tarkkuan spaceship that was bringing this year’s supply of Earth brides to the capital city. His heart pounded faster. The message also revealed the name of his human bride-to-be.

Nova.

He said the name aloud and a great warmth filled him. Anticipation hummed through him and he hoped the next ten days passed swiftly. Upon closer inspection, he also noticed an image of Nova’s dome-city crest of New Leesburg. He committed the image to memory, then closed the message and traipsed upstairs, heading for his bedroom. Once inside, he opened all the large windows, allowing in much needed fresh air. It had taken some time to walk through the city and evening was now approaching, which meant the temperature was finally cooling down. Days on Tarkkua were sometimes quite hot, but the nights were soothingly cool.

He couldn’t help but wonder if Nova would like his planet. Surely it had to be better than the climate-controlled dome-city to which she was accustomed. He couldn’t imagine growing up in an enclosed space, never able to leave and go exploring on the planet.

At the thought of an enclosed space, he shuddered and tried not to think of the asteroid mining operation. Living on a crowded mining ship for years had left him greatly appreciative of large, open spaces. He reminded himself that his time as a miner was finally over. Now he could move on to the second stage of his life, claim his mate, start a family, and contribute to the welfare of his people by working in a defense laboratory on the other side of the city.

He’d recently accepted a position working on a planetary defense system. Tomorrow was his first day on the job and he hoped it proved a challenge so as to distract him from constantly thinking of Nova. Perhaps his new job would help the next ten days pass quickly. He could only hope.

He wondered more and more about her as the evening progressed, unable to chase thoughts of this human female called Nova from his mind. He kept trying to conjure images of what she might look like and became frustrated because he didn’t even know her hair or eye color. Tarkkuan-human matches were randomly paired and detailed information was never exchanged. Though she would be told his name, she would have no idea what he looked like either. Still, he kept thinking about her and trying to guess whether she had brown eyes or blue eyes, golden hair or dark locks.

And what about family? Did she have a family on Earth? This sudden thought struck him, leaving him slightly conflicted. He still mourned the loss of his parents and younger brother, all of whom had died in a transport accident shortly before he’d joined the mining mission.

Grief visited him as he remembered his family. His mother had been one of the few Tarkkuan females to survive the Dying Days as a small child. She’d always been doting and kind to Zylonn, much more so than he had deserved growing up. His father had been strict and quite hard on him at times, but now that Zylonn was older he respected him for it. And his younger brother, Ronnas, had been his constant companion for so many years. He missed them and would give anything to bring them back. But he couldn’t. They were long gone, buried in the catacombs beneath the Hashronn Mountains.

Part of him hoped Nova had a family, but another part of him hoped she wasn’t leaving anyone important behind. If she was leaving a great number of loved ones on Earth, she would probably be all the more reluctant about traveling to Tarkkua where she would spend the rest of her life.

A sinking feeling came over him, because Nova’s losses would be his gain. He had no family left and felt quite alone most of the time. Having a wife and starting a family would change all that and he looked forward to it more than he had originally expected.

He had to remind himself that he’d incurred losses too. He’d lost friends in mining accidents, including his partner, all for the chance at one day having a human bride. If his people didn’t mine enough materials from the asteroid belt for the TEC600 reactors the humans used to power their dome-cities, the Tarkkuans wouldn’t receive yearly shipments of human females from Earth and their population would drastically decline. A reduced population would leave them weakened and vulnerable to other alien races. It was a necessary arrangement and he hoped Nova was appreciative of the help his people provided hers.

He thought again of the tense Tarkkuan-human couple he’d passed in the streets and prayed Nova did not resent him or blame him for tearing her away from Earth. He wasn’t sorry for it. He needed a mate. And he’d earned her. Thank the Gods he’d finally mined his quota of materials from the asteroid belt and had been able to return to his home planet.

Standing at the window that overlooked the city, he stared in the direction of the landing platform from which he’d just walked. For the briefest moment, he thought he saw a shadow in the shape of a man standing near a row of bushes below his house, but when he looked down, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He shook his head to clear his mind and focused on the landscape beyond the city.

The setting sun dipped below the mountains, bathing the horizon in a thousand shades of orange and gold. He loved this house for its spectacular views and extra privacy.

Would Nova like it?

He imagined her standing at the window, wearing nothing but a bedsheet which she had draped around her shoulders after a long session of mating, and his cock went rock hard. Soon. He would have his female—his human bride—soon.

He would claim her, tame her, and make her his in every possible way.

Chapter 3

The twin moons rested high in the star-encrusted sky, casting an ethereal white glow over the mountainous landscape of Tarkkua. Nighttime insects hummed and screeched against the backdrop of a breeze whistling through the trees. After weeks spent aboard the relatively quiet interstellar alien ship, the Zenallia, the swell of noise overwhelmed Nova. She paused on the walkway that led away from the landing platform, taking in her new surroundings. Her heart skittered and flutters climbed in her stomach as reality began to set in.

This strange planet was to be her home. For the rest of her life. She had known, ever since she was a small child, that she would journey here shortly after her twentieth birthday, but despite an entire lifetime of preparation, she had never truly felt ready to face the future that had been chosen for her.

Someone behind her cleared their throat, prompting Nova to continue down the sloping stone path to a set of stairs that descended to the capital city. Clutching her suitcase, she caught up with the line of women in front of her. Including Nova, three hundred and fifty-two women, one from each dome-city on Earth, walked in silence through the night, flanked by over three dozen burly Tarkkuan guards.

Setting foot on this world and finally breathing in its humid but fragrant air left Nova with a stark sense of finality, but the beauty of this planet buoyed her spirits somewhat. If the world was this breathtaking during the nighttime hours, she supposed it would be more magnificent by the light of day.

You’re going on an adventure, Maggie had said six weeks ago. I will miss you, terribly so, but you must not dwell on the past. You must focus on your new life and all the joy that comes with marriage and starting a family.

Nova thought back on her dear friend’s comforting words and hoped she was able to at least find some measure of happiness on this world. Perhaps her chosen mate, Zylonn, would not be as rough mannered as most Tarkkuans. She could only pray. Swallowing hard, she entered the alien city with the rest of the human women. There were no streetlamps, but the moons, along with the brilliantly shining stars, provided more than adequate lighting. The houses were large with huge arching doorways, and vines blooming with tiny, glimmering blue flowers covered the sides of many structures. Though the streets were cleared of trees, the spaces between houses and other buildings remained thick with vegetation.

The din of the nighttime insects buzzed as loud inside the city as near the landing platform, making it difficult for Nova to sort out her thoughts. She gazed at each house they passed, wondering if she would end up calling Ashorr her permanent home. Or did her intended mate live in another city entirely? It was possible he did and they would travel there after the mass nuptial ceremony.

Her breath caught in her chest, and her stomach did a little flip. She also couldn’t help but ponder what Zylonn would be like. That he would be tall, muscular, and dark-haired with blue skin was a given, as most Tarkkuan males looked similar in appearance, but would he be kind and patient?

Though she had studied this world her whole life, even learning the native language, she felt a stab of self-consciousness knowing she wouldn’t likely acclimate to the Tarkkuan way of life overnight. Their culture was vastly different from Earth’s. Females on Tarkkua didn’t work outside the home, and to even walk out the front door, whether on an errand or to visit a friend, she would need to obtain permission from her mate. The very idea of requesting permission for such a simple thing already riled her.

In her dome-city back on Earth, Nova had had much freedom. She’d gone wherever she pleased, no matter the time of day, without worry. Of course, dome-cities were safe—free from crime and any dangerous predators. But here on Tarkkua, there wasn’t a dome to keep the scary things out. This world was wide open, intimidating, and there were rules and customs to adhere to that would take some getting used to.

The guards directed the women to turn left, down a wide street lined with more houses and trees, until they came to a massive building decorated with glowing purple lanterns. Music spilled out from within. It was tradition that all the Earth women were married to their new mates immediately upon arrival, and with her pulse jumping, Nova realized this was the venue for the ceremony.

Her mouth went dry and she placed her suitcase down outside the doors, as directed by the guards, and tried to will her nerves to calm. But it was no use. In mere moments, she would meet Zylonn, and not long after making his acquaintance, she would become his wife. His mate. She gulped and exchanged a worried look with Meris, the petite redhead she’d shared her quarters with during the last six weeks as they journeyed through the stars.

Despite her obvious anxiety, Meris flashed Nova a smile. “Come on, then. We mustn’t keep our new husbands waiting.”

“Right,” Nova said, rolling her eyes. “Somebody has to pay for all the energy it takes to run Earth’s booming dome-cities. Too bad the Tarkkuans won’t accept universal credits in exchange for their TEC600 reactors. We could still be on Earth, with our families. But instead, here we are. Bought and paid for by a race of barbarians.”

“Females are worth more than universal credits,” said a tall alien, in perfect English, as he emerged from the shadows.

Meris gasped and hurried into the building, but Nova froze and stared at the large Tarkkuan who was walking closer and closer. He came to stand directly in front of her and gave her a stern look of disapproval, making her instantly regret her words.

What had she been thinking, speaking so freely about her feelings regarding the arrangement Earth’s dome-cities had with the Tarkkuans? One of the first things she’d learned in school was that speaking against the trade agreement in any way was strictly forbidden. She hoped this alien didn’t seek out Zylonn and inform him of her lapse in judgment.

He leaned down, until his face was level with hers. “I suggest you keep your opinion on the Earth–Tarkkua trade agreement to yourself, little human, unless you want to endure the strap on your wedding night. If I heard my mate speaking as you just did, I would punish her severely for disrespect. If not for the Tarkkuans’ assistance, your dome-cities on Earth would have perished long ago.”

Taken aback by his great size, she studied him for a moment. God, he was huge and muscular—intimidatingly so. Having glimpsed plenty of Tarkkuans before, when they came to visit her dome-city on official business, she had not expected to see an alien this large here in Ashorr, and she felt a stab of pity for whichever human woman found herself mated to this male. He was easily more than two heads taller than her, and aside from his size, this particular Tarkkuan seemed overly stern.

An involuntary tingle raced across her bottom at the thought of enduring a punishment from the no-nonsense male who was glaring down at her. Despite her fear, her face heated and a sudden ache throbbed between her thighs. She quickly lowered her head, hoping he did not notice her blushing.

What was wrong with her? How could she experience such a visceral reaction in the presence of one of these savages? She lifted her chin, reminding herself of why she was on Tarkkua in the first place. Not of her own free will, that was for certain.

She resented having to leave her home and spend the rest of her life here, and she’d promised herself she wouldn’t become attracted to her mate, or worse—develop tender feelings for him. But the odd tremors racing through her left her shaken, and she tried to push her sudden uncertainties away.

She would do her duty and marry the Tarkkuan that she’d been assigned to, but she would not develop tender feelings of any sort for her mate. Her marriage to Zylonn was a business arrangement and nothing more. Hopefully her mate wouldn’t stare at her with the same feral intensity as this alien, and hopefully he wouldn’t be as large and strict, either. Or as ruggedly handsome, she thought, fighting back another flush as she helplessly admired the way the lantern light danced over his blue skin.

“Excuse me,” she said, trying to walk around him. “I must get inside. My mate will be waiting.” The rest of the women were inside the building now, as were all the guards, leaving Nova alone with this fierce-looking alien. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

The Tarkkuan stepped aside, though he held her gaze the entire time. As she walked by him and entered the building, Nova felt his eyes hot upon her back. But at least she’d managed to get past him, and hopefully he wouldn’t tell her new husband what she’d done.

With a sigh, she searched for the official crest of her dome-city, New Leesburg, painted on the floor. It wasn’t difficult to locate, as the cities were placed in alphabetical order, and she rushed to stand at the base of the painting that depicted a sun rising over a lush green valley. She tried to shake off the pang of homesickness that resonated in her chest.

This is home now. Stop thinking of Earth.

Glancing around, she found it curious that a Tarkkuan male already stood next to each woman, but her mate hadn’t yet approached her dome-city’s crest. She waited, alone, as the crowd around her murmured, and on a dais high above the gathering, five males in red robes stared down. From her studies of this culture, Nova knew they were the priests that would perform the wedding ceremony. Her gaze traveled higher to a balcony section where dozens of Tarkkuan males and females were seated, the latter being a mix of full humans and half-bloods. Some of the males were probably half-bloods too, but she’d heard such men usually didn’t differ in appearance from a full-blooded Tarquan. The trade agreement had been in effect long enough for the children born of the first Tarkkuan–human matches to have reached adulthood already. The number of males, though, vastly exceeded the number of females.

Where was her mate? Had Zylonn changed his mind? Or was he simply running late?

Her mind spun as she considered all the possibilities for his absence, but before she could worry herself any further, a tall male came to stand beside her. His muscular blue arm brushed against hers, and she glanced up, ready to greet him, but only a gasp escaped her lips.

Oh, God. It was the same Tarkkuan who’d scolded her outside.

“Zylonn?”

“Hello, Nova.”

“You-you’re my mate?”

“Yes. I am. You would do well to keep that in mind before you make any more brazen comments about the arrangement my people have with yours.”

Before she could think of a response, the music ceased playing and the crowd quieted. The wedding ceremony was about to begin.

Chapter 4

Zylonn inhaled the sweet, feminine scent of his new mate, Nova. She was a small creature, but quite pleasing to the eye. In fact, he found her to be the loveliest female he’d ever seen, with luminous blue eyes and wavy golden hair that swept down past her shoulders. His pulse raced and his blood heated as he stood beside her, watching as she trembled and stared at the floor while the priests bestowed a blessing on the mass of gathered couples.

When he’d overheard Nova’s rude remarks outside, he hadn’t known she was his mate, as the only thing he’d known of his mate beforehand was her dome-city and her name. However, when he’d overheard her rude comments about his people, he’d been enraged. She ought to be grateful his people were helping hers survive.

Outside of the climate-controlled dome-cities, Earth was a dangerously hot barren wasteland. Without the Tarkkuan’s technology, humans might have had to abandon their planet entirely, and millions, if not billions, of souls would have perished. All that the Tarkkuans asked for in exchange for the use of their TEC600 reactors and a continuous supply of reactor material was the gift of a female from each dome-city every year.

The sound of a horn being blown by the oldest priest indicated the ceremony was over, and all the human females had officially become the property of their Tarkkuan mates. Eager to escape the crowd, Zylonn grabbed Nova’s arm and guided her outside into the humid night air.

“Where are your belongings, little human?”

She glanced at him, wide-eyed, before nodding at a small black suitcase with a purple ribbon tied to the zipper. He released her arm only long enough to pick up her luggage, then continued leading her away from the building.

He couldn’t wait to get her home, alone, this little human female who was now all his.

Of course, there was the matter of her disrespect to address first. He couldn’t ignore her earlier comments, nor the irritated tone in which she’d spoken them. He couldn’t risk her speaking in such a rude manner again, particularly in public.

If others heard her, it might cause discord among the human females. His people would not tolerate any form of rebellion from their otherworldly mates, thus any females who spoke out against the arranged marriages must always be dealt with firmly.

Judging by her rapid breaths and her incessant shaking, Nova likely realized he hadn’t forgotten about their earlier conversation. She knew she was in trouble.

They continued walking through the streets in silence, the rest of the crowd already dispersed. The breeze picked up, blowing Nova’s golden locks about her shoulders, and bringing the sweet scent of her directly to his nostrils.

Gods, she smelled like the rare lunar flowers that bloomed on the Gerrona Mountains. His gaze swept over her luscious curves, and he appreciated that she’d worn a form-fitting dress that hugged her in all the right places. She had ripe, full breasts, and though she was a slender girl, her hips and bottom flared out nicely. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her, couldn’t wait to strip her clothes off and claim her as his.

Finally, they reached his abode. The front door automatically slid open upon their approach, and he ushered her inside and set her suitcase down, but he didn’t release her arm just yet. He was not entirely sure she wouldn’t try to run from him, and he had no desire to spend his evening chasing down his new mate.

“Luchunna amor-hel.” He gave the verbal command for the front door to lock, and only then did he loosen his grip on Nova’s arm. He didn’t have a security system in his house, but at least the front door locked and wouldn’t open unless he gave the command. If she tried to run now, she would not make it very far.

“You-you have a beautiful home,” she said softly, but avoided making eye contact.

Zylonn stepped back and stared at her, waiting to see if she would offer an apology for her disrespectful comments, but she pressed her lips together and said nothing more. She wrapped her arms around herself and shifted awkwardly in place.

“Nova, I understand you don’t wish to be here, but you must never again speak as you did earlier. I will not stand for it.” He stepped forward and placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Yes, you were bought and paid for, in a way. But remember, it was your people who sold you to me, and that makes me your master, little human. You had best not forget it.”

Defiance flashed in her eyes and her jaw clenched, but still she said nothing. No apology, and no hint of acceptance for her new place in life. He took a deep, calming breath, and tried to expel his building anger. But as she persisted in her stubbornness, glaring at him in silence, his rage began to simmer anew.

Didn’t she realize the price his people paid to maintain the TEC600 reactors on her home world? Gathering the materials needed to fuel the reactors was a dangerous undertaking, and many Tarkkuans had lost their lives while mining on the Feshinga Asteroid Belt. Zylonn had spent years there, living on a crowded ship in the cold darkness of space, until he’d reached his quota and mined enough reactor material to earn his retirement and his human bride.

During those bleak years, never once seeing the sun rise over the Tarkkuan mountains or breathing fresh air or hearing the rain splatter on the leaves in the forest, he’d watched many friends die in mining accidents. But every Tarkkuan male went to the space mines once they reached adulthood, unless they were ruling class members lucky enough to find themselves betrothed to one of the half-blood females, because the survival of their race depended on it.

Zylonn growled and jerked Nova against him, letting her feel the fullness of his arousal. Despite his frustration with her, her feminine presence, and the heady knowledge that she belonged to him, made his cock harden and his balls draw up tight. She gasped and all the defiance left her eyes, to be replaced with fear. But Gods, he didn’t want her to fear him. Not truly. Instead, he wanted her respect and her obedience, yearned for her to surrender her body and soul to him.

“You speak English very well,” she said. “I-I did not realize any Tarkkuans on this planet would have learned any Earth tongues. I mean, when I spoke so boldly outside before the marriage ceremony, I had no idea any of the Tarkkuans might be able to understand what I was saying.”

When Zylonn reached for her, she flinched, as if fearing he was about to strike her, but he simply wished to stroke her hair. Gods, it was soft. Her skin was soft, too. He let his fingertips trail over her neck, and a shudder ran through her.

She flinched again when he lifted his hand to resume stroking her hair.

“Nova, I will never strike your face. An honorable Tarkkuan does not hit his mate in anger.”

A sheen of tears formed in her pretty blue eyes, and she blinked hard and took a deep breath. “I suppose that is a relief, but I am still afraid of you, and I very much wish I could take back the words I spoke earlier. I-I did not mean them. Well, not entirely. It’s only that I miss my family and friends. I miss Earth.”

He appreciated her honesty and felt the rage draining from him. He continued combing his fingers through her hair and reveling in the silkiness of each individual strand. He tried to understand the situation from her perspective and felt a pang of sympathy for her. Though she’d been preparing for her journey to Tarkkua her whole life, having been taught his language and about his people’s customs by an elderly Tarkkuan teacher from an early age, he supposed even the knowledge that she would leave Earth couldn’t erase the pain of leaving behind everything she’d ever known. Friends. Family. All that was familiar and comforting.

Though he understood why she’d spoken out against his people, even going so far as to call them barbarians, he could not ignore the fact that she’d said it—and in a public setting, no less. He still had to punish her for speaking out of line, and he steeled himself to be firm with her.

“Nova, it is time we go upstairs.”

Chapter 5

The first thing Nova noticed when she walked into Zylonn’s bedroom was a leather strap hanging on the wall near the bed. From her studies of his culture, she knew Tarkkuan males typically kept an implement of punishment on display near the marital bed, the sight of it meant to serve as a daily reminder to their wives of the consequences of disobedience.

She gulped, remembering Zylonn’s words from earlier in the night.

If I heard my mate speaking as you just did, I would punish her severely for disrespect.

Oh, God. Would he really whip her before he claimed her? Her heart pounded and pounded, and she could scarcely catch her breath.

She turned, ready to bolt from the room, but Zylonn blocked her path with his huge body. His face was set in hard, resolute lines. He stepped closer, and she glanced at the bulge of his erection tenting the front of his pants. Would he claim her before he punished her, or vice versa? She wasn’t sure which option she preferred. Perhaps if she offered him a more heartfelt apology than the one she’d attempted downstairs, he might be swayed to forget about the strapping. She could only hope.

She swallowed hard and met his dark, penetrating stare. God, she felt stripped naked from the intensity of his gaze alone. She couldn’t imagine actually taking her dress off in front of the man, and she crossed her arms and dug her fingers into the fabric of her clothing, as if clutching onto the material would keep him from disrobing her when the time finally came.

“Pl-please, Zy-Zylonn,” she said, her voice shaking. “Please know that I am very, very sorry for the way I spoke about the Earth–Tarkkua trade agreement. It was a foolish and rude thing to say, and I realize it’s forbidden to speak out against the agreement our worlds have. I understand that your people are helping mine to survive, and I should have thought more carefully before I spoke.” Her eyes danced to the intimidating strap before she once again looked at her mate.

“I appreciate your apology, Nova; however, I cannot simply let you off with a warning.” He stepped forward, cupped her face, and stroked his thumbs along her cheeks. “You committed a serious infraction, and you will be punished for it.”

Severely punished. Those were his exact words from earlier. Fear clutched her heart and she started to tremble. How much would it hurt? How many times would he bring the strap down across her bottom? Her lips began to quiver, and tears burned in her eyes. Would he remove her clothing and whip her on the bare? She trembled anew.

She hadn’t been looking forward to her wedding night with her new Tarkkuan mate, but now she was dreading it even more. Would Zylonn really be such a beast to punish her before he claimed her? She couldn’t fathom it, and though it hurt her pride, she decided to plead for leniency.

“Please, Zylonn.” She took a deep breath. “I am truly sorry, especially for any upset my words might have caused you. I promise I will be more careful about what I say in the future, and I swear I’ll never speak ill of the trade agreement again. I give you my word. But please, please don’t punish me.”

“Have you ever been physically punished before, Nova? Spanked, perhaps?”

“No, never.” The very idea of physical punishment was foreign to her.

“Well, then perhaps this is long overdue,” he said, an odd hint of amusement in his voice.

He dropped his hands from her face, then grasped her upper arm and led her toward the bed. She had no choice but to walk with him, though her level of dread increased with every footstep. Once again, she eyed the leather strap and shuddered.

“Wait!” She spun and faced him, craning her neck to look up and meet his dark, inhuman gaze. “I-I will do whatever you want tonight. In-in bed, that is,” she said, softening her voice. “I won’t spurn your advances at all. I-I’ll submit to you, I promise. Just please, please do not punish me.”

Panic swelled in her chest when his eyes darkened further.

“Are you trying to manipulate me, Nova? Are you saying that if I punish you, you will not willingly consummate this marriage?” A growl rumbled in his throat. “I suggest you bend over the bed before you get yourself into any more trouble.” He turned her around and pressed on her back, forcing her to assume the vulnerable position of being bent over the bed.

Remorse swept down upon her. Now that she considered it, her last plea had sounded as if she were planning to resist consummating their marriage. She hadn’t meant it that way—only that she would try her best to please him tonight, no matter what he wanted. Not that she had any experience in these matters, as she had never even kissed a man before, let alone slept with one, but she supposed if she followed his lead and didn’t resist, her capitulation would no doubt please him.

Oh, how had she made such a mess of things?

While she’d promised herself she wouldn’t develop tender feelings for her Tarkkuan mate, that didn’t mean she wanted there to be discord between them. She tried to think of something to say to soften Zylonn, but she worried anything she said would come out wrong again.

“Nova,” he said, cupping her bottom over her dress. “I will not stand for a disobedient mate. You belong to me now, and you will respect and obey me, or suffer the consequences. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Zylonn.”

“No, not Zylonn. By the laws of my people, I own you now. I think it will better help you to remember your place, little human, if you address me as ‘Master’ from now on, as that is what I am to you.”

Her breath left her in a rush and her mouth went dry. He gave her ass a light squeeze, and heat commenced gathering between her thighs. Shame coursed through her, that she could feel any amount of arousal in this moment, when he was preparing to whip her soon.

“Master,” she said, and the word felt strange on her tongue. “I didn’t mean that I would refuse to consummate our marriage if you punished me. My words came out wrong, and I’m sorry. Again. I only ask that you take into consideration that I have never been struck before, and I am quite afraid of you right now.”

Perhaps there was no avoiding the thrashing. Perhaps she could only mend the rift between them if she accepted her punishment. Then, afterward, she would be sure to never disobey him again. Tears burned in her eyes. This was not how she’d envisioned her wedding night at all.

He sank down on the bed next to her and continued stroking her backside. He leaned over her, coming closer until the heat of his breath wafted against her face. “You need not be so scared of me, little human. I will never punish you in anger, nor will I cause any permanent damage to you. I give you my word. But when you misbehave and are in need of correction, nothing you say will sway my mind on the matter. You cannot talk your way out of a thrashing once you’ve earned one, not with sweet words, and especially not with threats. Now, let’s get on with it. I am going to spank you using my hand, and then we’ll finish up with the strap. You will survive it, I promise.”

He gave her bottom an affectionate pat, before rising to fetch the dreaded strap off the wall. Nova peeked up at him from her spot on the bed, not daring to move out of position. He placed the implement on the bed and came to stand close to her, again touching her ass. She couldn’t repress the whimper from escaping her throat.

“Do you understand what would happen if the wrong person, such as a member of the ruling class, were to overhear you speaking badly of the arrangement our people have?” His voice was stern, but she also detected a note of sadness that she didn’t understand.

“I-I understand. I know I might be arrested and sent away to reeducation. Again, I would’ve never spoken so boldly had I realized some Tarkkuans spoke English.”

“Most Tarkkuans do not speak English or any other Earth tongues, which is why all chosen brides are required to learn all dialects of Tarkkuan. However, there is always a chance the wrong person might overhear your rebellious words and I will not allow you to risk arrest, little human. You are mine now and I mean to keep you safe. It is a Tarkkuan male’s sacred duty to ensure his female is always protected.” There was a touch of warmth, perhaps even affection, in his voice that left her confused and somewhat shaken. For a reason she couldn’t quite grasp, her throat suddenly burned, as did her eyes. She blinked fast and tensed as she heard him moving behind her.

To her mortification, he made quick work of baring her bottom, lifting her dress up and peeling her panties down to rest at her ankles.

“Spankings and strappings will always be delivered on your bare bottom.” He stood at one side of her and pressed a hand down on her lower back, as if worried she might move out of place.

The heat that had been gathering between her thighs smoldered to a full-blown blaze, the constant pulses of sensation making her breaths come in rapid puffs. She pressed her legs tight together and hoped the quickening in her core soon ceased.

“Spread your thighs, Nova.” He tapped the back of her leg, and she had no choice but to comply. “Wider. A bit wider. Good girl.”

Her shame deepened, knowing he now had an unhindered view of her pussy. She quivered in place and closed her eyes, willing him to get the punishment over with, and once again cursing herself for her unruly tongue, as well as her ill-timed building desire.

He trailed his fingers up her inner thigh and over the smooth folds of her pussy. Like all the Earth brides who came to Tarkkua, during the journey here she’d received laser hair removal treatments all over her body, including her privates, and she wasn’t yet used to the feeling of the bareness between her legs. She whimpered and tried to move, but he pressed down harder on her back, forcing her to remain in place for his explorations. He slipped one digit between her folds.

“I thought it was your arousal I smelled, Nova, and it appears I was correct. You’re soaking wet.”

“No, Master, I’m not.” She shook her head against the covers and wished she could disappear, her shame was so great.

He withdrew his hand from her center and gave her ass a hard slap. She gasped and twisted around, but it was no use. He had her pinned firmly down.

“Don’t you dare lie to me, little human.” He returned to touching her pussy, gliding his fingers beyond her folds and into her scorching heat. “The evidence speaks for itself. So wet, and so naughty, my sweet little human mate.”

Chapter 6

Though he knew he should get on with her punishment, Zylonn couldn’t resist stroking through Nova’s wetness. The heady scent of her arousal drove him wild, causing his blood to heat and his cock to harden painfully in the confines of his pants. He couldn’t wait to pound into the sweetness between her thighs, couldn’t wait to make her his.

He withdrew his hand from her pussy and moved his gaze to her bottom. Yes, he had better get her punishment over with soon, for both of their sakes. Even if she was aroused by the prospect of a spanking, it didn’t dampen the fear he still sensed from her. Rather than use the strap for the entire duration of her chastisement, he had decided it best to start with his hand in order to warm her cheeks up for the heavier impact of the leather implement, with which he would only give her a few well-placed strokes.

Admiring the swell of her bottom cheeks, he raised his hand and prepared his aim. He brought his palm down with a resounding smack on her right buttock, then quickly delivered a blow to her left cheek. She gasped and squirmed a bit, but didn’t try to escape her position. But by the time he delivered the tenth blow, she was whimpering and clutching at the covers.

He paused and stepped back to gaze upon her reddened cheeks, then ran a hand over her bottom. The scent of her arousal thickened in the air, a sweet pungent temptation, and he had to steady himself to continue her punishment, when everything inside him burned to claim her now. Soon, he thought. Soon he would be buried inside her, showing her what it was to belong to a Tarkkuan male.

In rapid succession, he gave her ten more sharp swats to her bottom, thus ending the spanking portion of her punishment. She still had a dose of the strap coming. That couldn’t be helped. If a member of the Tarkkuan ruling class discovered she’d spoken out against the trade agreement, there was a good chance a judge would sentence her to reeducation. The thought of having her ripped from his arms and sent to a facility on the other side of this planet, where she would be retaught the value each of their worlds brought to one another, until she wholeheartedly professed that the trade agreement was for the benefit of both their races, left him seething with rage and preemptive despair.

No. He would not let that happen. He would keep an eye on her and make sure she never did or said anything to rouse the suspicions of the ruling class. Though he hadn’t officially claimed her yet, he took the marriage blessing very seriously. He was her mate, her master, and it was his duty to protect her, even from herself. He stroked her enflamed backside before reaching for the strap.

He’d expected her to start pleading when he picked up the implement, but she remained silent, aside from the occasional whimper. She fisted the covers tighter and took a deep breath, though, as if bracing for the first searing thwack of the leather across her already punished bottom cheeks.

“You’ll receive five,” he announced, once again pressing a hand to her lower back. He raised the strap and brought it down across her ass.

“Oh!” she cried out, but didn’t put up a struggle. It pleased him that she wasn’t trying to escape, though if she did attempt to leave her position, he would simply hold her down more firmly and deliver the final lashes.

Thwack! Thwack! He delivered the second and third strokes without a pause for breath.

Sniffles drifted up from the bed, and to his utter surprise, his heart contracted to hear her crying. He had never considered how profoundly his human female might affect him. In this moment, all he wanted to do was gather her up in his arms and offer her comfort.

But he couldn’t. Not yet. He had to finish delivering the punishment he’d promised her—the punishment she had earned. He hoped once this was over, her tongue would not be so loose and that she would truly consider her words more carefully in the future, especially when out in public. The ruling class had eyes and ears everywhere. Just three days ago, a human female who lived down the street had been sentenced to reeducation and had already been taken away from her mate until she completed a round, or however many rounds it took, of rehabilitation.

Zylonn gripped the strap harder and struck Nova’s bottom again. And again.

She released a heartfelt sob and shuddered on the bed. He tossed the implement down and immediately scooped his little mate up in his arms, just as he’d longed to do moments ago. To his relief, she didn’t push away from him, though she didn’t snuggle up against him either.

He sat on the bed and arranged her in his lap, rubbing her back and stroking his fingers through her hair. Using his thumbs, he wiped the moisture from her face and waited until she met his eyes. She sniffled and tried to look away again, but he caught her chin and forced her to hold his gaze.

“Nova, are you all right?”

She gave him an incredulous look as more tears formed in her eyes. “How can you treat me so gently now, so soon after I displeased you and you punished me? Aren’t you still angry, Master?”

“After a punishment comes comfort and forgiveness, little human. As your mate, your well-being, physical and emotional, is the most important thing in the world to me. I was angry at you earlier, yes. However, my anger has long faded. You understood what you did wrong, apologized for it, and took your punishment well. I’m proud of you, Nova.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and used his thumbs to wipe her fallen tears from her cheeks, keeping his touch as gentle and affectionate as possible. Yes, he would be stern with her when he had to be, but he wasn’t a tyrant. He would also be loving.

He’d been waiting for his human female his whole life. Now she was finally here.

She remained silent for the longest while. He kept holding her and stroking her hair and her back, hoping to provide her with much needed comfort. A sense of responsibility swept down upon him as he tightened his arms around her. She was his forever and he vowed to always take care of her, through the difficult times and the happier times.

Would there be happier times? Gradually, she relaxed further and further into his arms, bringing him hope that perhaps once they got to know one another better, things would become easier between them. He withdrew slightly from the embrace and stared into her pretty blue eyes. Her tears had stopped falling and she appeared much calmer.

“I like holding you, sweet Nova,” he found himself saying, as if the words flowed directly from his rapidly beating heart.

She gulped hard. “You-you are not what I expected in a mate, Master,” she said, placing a hand on his chest. She moved closer and finally leaned her head against him, and he hugged her tighter.

“You are not what I expected either, little human, but I am not sorry for it.” And he wasn’t sorry. He’d pictured himself claiming his new mate for the sole purpose of getting her with child, as was his duty to his people. He hadn’t expected his heart to swell with tenderness for the human that had been given to him, especially so soon after she had come into his life. The affectionate emotions rolling through him were almost foreign, it had been so long since he’d felt even the tiniest spark of happiness. The cold darkness of space, and the despair of watching many of his friends die in mining accidents, had followed him back to Tarkkua. But now, as he held this petite human girl in his arms, he thought perhaps he was starting to thaw.

He inhaled deep, breathing in her exquisite scent, a mix of floral perfume, shampoo, and the unique fragrance of her delicious arousal. She shifted on his lap, and the slight movement renewed the aching in his cock. Lust spiraled through him, and he fought to contain it and hold her a while longer, savoring the feel of her resting in his arms, and the tickle of her increasing breaths on his chest, hitting his flesh just above the collar of his shirt.

She pulled back and peered up at him, her face flushed and her eyes wide. “Master?”

“Yes, little human?”

“I’m, um, ready. For the mating.” She said the last three words as a whisper, as if the very idea of being claimed by him was a most scandalous affair. He supposed she was a virgin—most human brides were—though it wasn’t a requirement put forth in the trade agreement. But the females chosen as brides were given medical treatments from an early age that altered their DNA enough to enable them to conceive a child with a Tarkkuan male, and as a typical side effect, these enhanced human females generally weren’t attracted to human males. The scent of her arousal hit him again, sweet and pungent and uniquely hers, reminding him of the hot slickness between her thighs that he’d touched but moments ago. In all likelihood, Nova was experiencing arousal for the very first time.

Finally, he cupped her face and teasingly said, “Are you, now?”

She flushed further and had a difficult time holding his gaze. “Yes, Master. I’m ready.” She shifted on his lap again, this time deliberately, rubbing her bottom over his hardening length. “Please. I am feeling things that I do not understand, but I know that we must join together now. I’m… aching for it.”

Her confession spurned a growl from him, and he grabbed onto her hips and jutted his groin against her backside even harder, letting her detect the fullness of his stiff cock. She gasped and clutched at his shirt, as if she wished to rip it off.

He reached underneath her, caressed her inner thighs, then touched the immense wetness of her smooth pussy. “You’re mine, little human. All mine.”

Chapter 7

All coherent thought faded as Zylonn spread Nova’s moisture around on her clit. She’d never known such pleasure existed, and she opened her legs wider to give him better access to her intimate parts. Her bottom still smarted from her recent punishment, but for a reason she couldn’t fathom, the lingering sting only enhanced the throbbing of her pussy.

He withdrew from her center to arrange her on the bed, and with another one of his sexy animalistic growls, he proceeded to rip her dress off. She gasped at his brutal treatment, even though it sent a delightful quiver through her. Her panties had long fallen off, as well as her slippers. He gazed at her bra, the only remnant of clothing left on her body, with a bit of confusion.

“Oh, you just unclasp it from the back,” she said, but a moment later, he reached for the bra and ripped it off from the front. She watched as he tossed the scraps of fabric to the floor. When he pinned her with a feral stare, she gulped and eyed his clothing, wondering when he would finally get naked, and wondering what he would look like unclothed.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. He gave a frustrated growl, as if realizing he had to take the time to get undressed himself, and he crawled off her with great reluctance and stood beside the bed just long enough to slip off his shirt, boots, and pants. She noted he wore no underwear of any kind, and as she gazed at his dark blue, fully erect cock, a tremor of nervousness jolted her. It was so incredibly long and thick, she wasn’t sure she would be able to accommodate his great size. Her stomach did a quick flip, though she instinctively parted her legs when he crawled on top of her, allowing the tip of his mighty length to trail along her inner thigh.

She thought he meant to impale her immediately, and she was surprised when he instead leaned down to capture her lips in a kiss that made her lose all sense of time and place. His tongue glided against hers and he clutched her face, holding her in a firm grip as he explored her mouth with a tenderness that belied the sternness he’d displayed as he’d punished her. She felt small and vulnerable beneath him, but also, strangely, protected. He wasn’t putting his full weight on her, and she was still able to breathe. And the fact that he’d actually comforted her after punishing her remained on the forefront of her mind.

She would never forget the feel of his arms around her, and the sound of his heartbeat against her ear, while he rubbed her back and her hair. She would also never forget the moment he’d wiped her tears away. Nor the look of concern in his dark beautiful eyes when he’d asked if she was all right. Despite herself, her heart squeezed with emotion for this huge Tarkkuan male she had met but two hours ago.

He deepened the kiss and caressed her breasts, each in turn, while still keeping one hand cupping the side of her face. The throbbing between her thighs became more urgent, and she tried to lift her center and angle herself toward his cock, even though she still had doubts it would fit. Somehow, despite not knowing much about him, she trusted him not to hurt her during their lovemaking. Perhaps it was the comfort he’d given her after her punishment, or perhaps it was something else. But she knew, deep down, that he wouldn’t inflict unnecessary harm onto her.

He broke the kiss and gave her an amused look.

“Is my little human bride impatient?”

She tried to reach for his cock, but he gathered her hands and pinned them above her head. She struggled against his hold, but her efforts proved futile. He wasn’t letting her go anywhere. She was at his complete mercy, and a thrill swept through her, knowing that he could do whatever he wished to her. Part of her wished he would be rough and take what belonged to him already by law.

“Ask me, little human,” he said. “Ask me to pound my cock into you.” He pressed the tip of his length to the sensitive opening of her core.

She moaned and savored the slight pressure of his manhood at her entrance. All he had to do was thrust forward. Her anxieties about his massive size melted away under her building lust, her desperate need far surpassing any worries she’d harbored about his fitting inside her pussy. She exhaled a quick breath and met his dark bottomless depths.

“Please, Master,” she finally said. “Will you please… pound your cock into me?” She uttered the last few words in a whisper, and she once again flushed, embarrassed yet equally excited to have spoken such crass words to this handsome Tarkkuan male she barely knew.

His eyes darkened further and his nostrils flared. Another low growl emitted from his throat, and he slid the tip of his cock up and down her wet slit. But he didn’t have to use his hands to make his length move. It moved as if it had a will of its own, or just as he might move an arm or a leg. She stared at their bodies, pressed close together, wondering if human men could move their cocks in such a fashion. But such thoughts soon vanished as he ceased sliding his manhood around and positioned it back at the entrance of her virginal opening.

“I have heard human females sometimes experience a bit of pain during their first time, Nova, but that the pain only lasts but a moment or two. Then comes the pleasure. Do not be afraid, my sweet human. Though I’ll soon pound into you, I promise to be as gentle as possible until any discomfort you experience passes.”

Her throat suddenly burned. “Thank you, Master.”

In the next instant, he began a slow, gradual push into her tightness. She spread her legs wider and gasped at the fullness of his huge cock inching inside. By some miracle of the human body, her inner walls stretched around him, accommodating him perfectly.

“Are you all right, Nova?”

She opened her eyes, not even realizing that she’d closed them, and stared up at her strict but affectionate Tarkkuan mate. Perhaps spending the rest of her life with him wouldn’t be so terrible, her grief over the loss of her family and friends notwithstanding. Kindness was a quality sometimes lacking in humans, she reminded herself. Though he expected her obedience, and as he’d already demonstrated he wouldn’t hesitate to punish her if she was naughty, he didn’t strike her as cruel. Perhaps there wasn’t any truth to the rumors she’d grown up hearing that Tarkkuan males were violent barbarians.

He released her arms and grabbed onto her hips. His muscles flexed as he began moving inside her, gradually increasing the pace of his thrusts.

“Lights off,” he said in his native tongue, and the bright sconces lining the walls went dark in an instant.

It was then that Nova noticed a large skylight above them, and the moons and stars shone down bright into the room, bathing their bodies in hues of silver and blue.

He leaned further over her, looking her directly in the eyes. She peered at him as he continued to plunge in and out of her pussy, wondering about the building pleasure she was experiencing. A second later, she became lost in the hot, urgent pulses of ecstasy. Waves of sensation crashed over her, making her shudder and writhe. She gasped for air and moaned repeatedly, the noises torn from her throat as she lost all control. Her vision darkened, and, unable to focus, she shut her eyes and fully surrendered to the sweetest rapture she’d ever known.

In the aftermath of this sensual release, her moans gradually turned to soft sighs of contentment. He paused momentarily in his thrusting and brushed a hand through her locks. She finally opened her eyes, affected by an odd squeeze in her chest as she met his gaze.

“You look beautiful in the light of the moons, little human,” he said with a husky growl. “So beautiful, and all mine.”

Chapter 8

Nova undulated her center against his and cried out, coming around his cock for the second time. The feel of her walls clamping down again on his shaft pushed him over the edge, and he pumped faster as his seed spilled into the depths of her womanly core. Stars danced in his vision and he blinked hard, trying to reclaim his sight and his senses. His thoughts had gone muddled and he was breathless, his muscles weakened in the aftermath of their first mating.

Gently, he withdrew his length from her and lay down beside her on the bed. He reached for her and pulled her to his chest. Running his hands up and down her back, he reveled in the feel of her smooth skin. With her golden hair, bright blue eyes, and silky skin, she was all softness and light. She was everything he’d longed for during the dark cold years he’d spent in space, unsure if he would make it out alive and return to his home world. Unsure if he would ever get the human female that was promised to him, so long as he did his duty and helped keep the trade agreement with Earth alive.

If the Tarkkuans couldn’t keep the TEC600 reactors working, then the trade agreement would collapse. Without a yearly supply of human females arriving on Tarkkua, they wouldn’t be able to grow their population as fast as needed to attain the great numbers of males required to protect their species from any interplanetary invaders.

Though they had no breathing enemies at present, it would be foolish to let their guard down and allow themselves to weaken, not when they had the opportunity to become the strong, resilient species that they once were, before most of their females had perished when a terrible illness swept across their world. Zylonn hadn’t been alive during the Dying Days, when over a million of their females, both adults and children, died before a cure was discovered. Thankfully, his people were much more technologically advanced now, and any new illnesses were easily combated and extinguished before they were able to spread or cause great damage.

His thoughts wandered as he continued holding Nova and stroking her hair. Her breath tickled his chest, each little exhale dancing across his flesh like a whispered promise, her presence deepening his sense of peace. To finally have a female in his arms, and in his home, was a bit surreal. He’d built this house with his own bare hands many years ago, when he was still a young male who hadn’t yet ventured to the asteroid belt, laying the stones one by one in preparation for his bride’s eventual arrival, fortified by the knowledge that he would one day have a family of his very own.

The sound of her stomach growling brought him back to the present, and, with great reluctance, he disentangled himself from her and crawled off the bed.

“Where are you going, Master?”

“To fetch you something to eat.”

“Oh. Thank you, Master. I confess I was too anxious to eat on the ship when they served our last meal.” She sat up against the pillows and tucked her knees to her chest, peering at him with wide, beautiful eyes that reflected the light of the moons. “The guards gave us a three-hour warning before we landed. Told us to bathe and make ourselves look pretty, and urged us to eat something, though I don’t think anyone was able to take more than a few bites. I’ve never known such nervousness, such anticipation, in my whole life, as I did in the hours before I was to meet my husband.”

Before he could respond, a shrill scream pierced the air, and he turned to stare out the window. Though all the windows and doors were closed, they’d both still heard the noise of distress, one that clearly came from a human female. He turned back to Nova, to find her biting her lip and looking increasingly worried.

“What is it?” she asked.

A moment later, a masculine growl resounded outside, followed by a shout and booted feet pounding on the street.

“Master?”

“It is nothing to worry about, little human. It sounds as if a new bride has momentarily escaped her mate.”

A shadow crossed her face. “Perhaps she had a good reason to run away. Perhaps we should help her.”

“No. A Tarkkuan does not interfere in such personal matters.”

“I’m not a Tarkkuan,” she said, her voice taking on a sharp edge of defiance.

“No, but you are mated to one, and you will abide by the rules of my people, little human.”

On that note, he departed the bedroom and went to the kitchen in search of food, his instincts warning him that Nova might not easily let this issue go. He admired that she had a kind heart and harbored a concern for one of her own people, but he would have to make sure she didn’t stick her nose where it didn’t belong—an apt human expression under the circumstances, he thought with a shake of his head.

When he returned to the bedroom, he found Nova staring out the window that faced the forest and a distant mountain range, the snowcaps illuminated by the moon and stars. He set the tray of food down on a table and approached her from behind, then wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to place his lips at her ear.

“What are you thinking about, little human?”

She sighed. “I’m hoping the human woman we heard scream is all right. And I’m also wondering what your world will look like during the light of day.”

“I assure you, she will be fine. Tarkkuan males treasure their mates, even when they are naughty,” he said, squeezing her bottom through the bedsheet she had wrapped around her. “As for what my world looks like during the daytime, did the Tarkkuan instructor who taught you about our language and about our customs never once show you an image of our planet?”

“Only a few, but they were mostly of towns and cities.”

“Sunrise is in a few hours. Eat something, then get some sleep, Nova. And if you’d like, I can wake you up just before dawn breaks over the mountains.”

She turned in his arms and stared up at him, an excited gleam in her eyes.

“I would like that very much. Thank you, Master.”

Chapter 9

The next morning, Nova awoke to the most delicious sensation in her pussy. She peered down and noticed the bedsheets were pushed to the side and Zylonn had his head buried between her thighs.

What was he doing? Her heart pounded faster and faster.

She froze and watched and felt as he licked her intimate folds and trailed his tongue over her pulsing clit. Oh, sweet mercy. She was going to shatter into a million pieces if he continued his ministrations.

“Master,” she said in an urgent whisper.

He withdrew from her center only long enough to say, “Good morning,” before he delved his head back down between her thighs and resumed pleasuring her. Judging by the faint light spilling in the windows, it was early morning. Probably just before sunrise. Well, he had awoken her before the sun came up, just as he’d promised. Though she was surprised by what he was doing, she couldn’t complain about his methods for waking her up.

She tried to sit up slightly, but he clasped her thighs and held her in place. Once she settled, he released one of her legs and brought that hand to her sopping wet entrance. Without warning, he shoved two fingers inside while he persisted in circling her clit with his tongue. Waves of ecstasy approached and a heated flush rolled through her entire body. The sensation built and built until finally she gasped and moaned while gyrating her pussy against his face.

Then it happened.

She shattered into a million pieces, just as she’d known she would.

In the aftermath of her immense quaking pleasure, she fought to catch her breath and felt quite faint, as if all the blood in her body had rushed between her thighs. Finally, he allowed her to sit up slightly, but when she did, a spell of dizziness assailed her. She blinked against the dark spots dotting her vision and gasped in air, a bit embarrassed by her extreme visceral reaction. Would it always feel so good when Zylonn kissed her sex?

She hoped so. Then she couldn’t help but wonder if he expected her to return the favor and suck his cock. A bout of shyness overcame her as she met his dark, unfathomable gaze. The sun still wasn’t up quite yet and there weren’t any lights on in the bedroom, but his eyes seemed to gather what little light was available and reflected it back to her.

“Good morning,” she finally said to break the silence. “That was…wow. Thank-thank you, Master.” Wow? Thank you? Had she really just said that? She flushed, feeling increasingly awkward. Zylonn was still very much a stranger to her.

But you’re going to spend the rest of your life with him.

Her pulse quickened as he rose from the bed, stark naked, and lifted her up. Before she could summon the courage to ask what he was doing, he carried her to one of the large windows and gave a verbal command for it to open. She spied an orange glow on the horizon and smiled. He sat on the window seat, still holding her in his arms, as a gentle breeze drifted inside. She inhaled his intoxicating masculine scent and relaxed in his embrace.

But it wasn’t long before she felt the hot thickness of his cock becoming erect beneath her bottom. She stifled a gasp and continued staring out the window, pretending she hadn’t noticed his mounting arousal.

They watched in silence as the sun rose over the greenest mountains in existence. Rays of light sparkled over a clear, blue lake in the lush green valley that rolled toward the mountains, and Nova couldn’t look away. It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight. Her Tarkkuan teacher back in New Leesburg had never showed her pictures like this. The elderly man had focused more on pictures of cityscapes and buildings of historical significance.

“I’ve never seen a sunrise so lovely,” she said.

“Did you have a view of the sunrise from your house in the dome-city?” He stroked her hair, drawing his fingers through her long locks as he nuzzled his face closer to hers. Her heart fluttered at his nearness.

“No, Master, though sometimes I could see the sunrise from my friend Maggie’s house. In between dust storms, that is. Sometimes days would pass without even a glimpse of the blue sky or the stars. Unfortunately, the area surrounding the New Leesburg dome-city is very prone to severe dust storms.”

“Here on my planet—your new home—you can watch the sun rise every morning from this window,” he said, “and you can watch the sun set every evening from that window.” He pointed at a window on the opposite side of the room and a sense of wonder rushed through her.

It was as if a whole new world had been revealed to her. She couldn’t believe she would get to glimpse so much natural beauty on a daily basis. She gulped hard. For the rest of her life.

The loss of her family and friends notwithstanding, perhaps being chosen as a Tarkkuan bride wasn’t the worst thing to have happened to her. Hope began to rise in her chest as Zylonn continued stroking her hair and even trailing a hand down her back on occasion. All the while, she was aware of his hardness beneath her sore bottom.

Their eyes met and she stared at him for the longest while, unable to look away. There was a primal gleam in his dark depths that sent a delightful shudder through her. Her pussy began to quake, sharp heated pulses afflicting her and making her ache with the need to feel his hardness filling her up. She both flushed at the thought and reeled under the realization that she wanted him in this moment. She truly wanted him. Without meaning to, she squirmed in his lap. The slight movement drew a low growl from his throat that only deepened her arousal.

“I can smell you, little human,” he said, his eyes darkening further as his nostrils flared. “I’ll always know when you’re aroused, Nova, and you’ll never be able to hide it from me.” He paused and placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to hold his gaze. “Spread your legs. I want to feel just how wet you’ve become.”

* * *

Zylonn watched and waited to see if Nova would obey. A look of hesitation crossed her face, but to his relief he saw no hint of rebellion. After a few moments, she drew in a deep breath and slowly worked her legs apart while still sitting on his lap. As she moved around, her buttocks glided over his rock-hard cock, drawing another growl from him.

Once she had her legs spread wide, the scent of her arousal increased and he inhaled deeply, savoring the enticing fragrance of her femininity. Ah, he would enjoy waking her up the way he had earlier every day for the rest of his life.

He reached between her thighs and stroked through her immense wetness.

“Just as I suspected. So very wet.” He caressed his fingers through her slick folds and drew the moisture over her swollen nubbin. “Tell me, Nova,” he said, meeting her eyes, “is your bottom still sore from the punishment you received yesterday?”

She flushed and tried to look away, but he used his free hand to force her gaze back to his.

“Answer me,” he commanded. “I don’t like having to ask twice.”

Her eyes widened and she nodded. “Yes, Master. I’m still sore, but only a little.”

He continued rubbing her pussy, until her breaths came faster and she began squirming insistently upon his lap. His cock throbbed and his blood heated. He had to have her. Right fluxxing now. When he sensed she was close to an orgasm, he withdrew his hand completely and lifted her to her feet. He stood her between his legs and stared at her, admiring her gorgeous naked body. She had the smoothest skin and the most alluring curves.

“I want you to turn around and show me your bottom, little human. I want to see if you have any marks from the strapping.”

Again, he saw a look of hesitation enter her eyes. “Please, don’t make me do that,” she said in a pleading tone that he found strangely adorable. “Please, Master, it’s so embarrassing.”

He lifted an eyebrow at her in censure and steeled himself to be firm with her. He was surprised she was disobeying him so soon after a strapping. Perhaps he had been too easy on her last night. “You will do as you’re told, Nova, or you will receive another dose of the strap,” he said sternly. “Is that what you want? To be punished?”

She shook her head so rapidly her hair flailed around her shoulders. “No, Master, I don’t want to be punished.” She inhaled a slow breath and gradually turned around.

His gaze dropped to her delectable bottom. He touched her backside, inspecting it for damage. Only the faintest redness remained in the center of each cheek. He straightened and turned her to the side, still keeping her standing between his spread legs. Though he was sitting down, he was so much larger than her that his head was currently level with hers.

“Nova,” he began in a scolding tone, “I am going to give you five quick smacks to remind you that when I give an order, I expect you to obey me without hesitation and especially without arguing. However, next time something like this happens, you will feel the sting of the strap.”

She trembled in place and nodded. “Yes, Master.”

He sat taller and tucked one arm around her stomach, holding her steady for what was to come. The bedroom soon rang out with the sound of steady smacks, but he delivered them quickly and her punishment was over almost as rapidly as it had begun. He cupped her behind and gave it a firm squeeze.

“Now, little human, I want you to go bend over the bed, spread your legs wide, and reach around to pull your naughty bottom cheeks apart.”

Though her eyes widened and an uneasy look crossed her face, she did as she was told and traipsed across the room to the bed. She bent over the side and spread her legs much wider than he’d expected. Once she was settled in this position, she finally reached around and pulled her cheeks apart, revealing her slick pussy and her tempting bottom hole to his gaze. He rose to his feet and growled, satisfaction filling him. He was pleased by her obedience and he intended to reward her—he wouldn’t stop pounding into her until she’d come at least twice.

He reached her and drew his hand through her increasing moisture, spreading her slickness all around her pink privates until everything between her thighs was gleaming in the sunshine that entered the windows. He noticed her sex was noticeably swollen, as well, and he couldn’t wait to sink inside her tightness and commence thrusting hard and fast. And deep. In this position, he would be able to fuck her as deeply as he desired.

“Good girl,” he said, rubbing a thumb along her clit. She shuddered and whimpered as her hips rose to meet his touch. “Tell me, is your pussy aching right now, Nova?”

“Yes, Master,” she replied in a breathless rush.

“You may release your bottom cheeks now.” He removed his hand from her center and replaced it with his cock. “I’ll keep your bottom spread nice and wide for you while I pound into you. I enjoy gazing upon your little pink puckering hole.”

She released her hold on her behind and brought her arms forward onto the bed. She clutched the covers until her knuckles turned white, occasional whimpers and moans leaving her as he dragged his ready cock through her warm slickness, coating the bulbous tip with her arousal. Whenever his length grazed over her clit, he felt it pulsing against his flesh.

In a haze of desire, he placed his cock directly at her entrance and grabbed ahold of her hips, digging his fingers into her delicious curves. Then he surged fast and deep, filling her up in one rapid drive that left her gasping and clutching the covers harder.

“I am going to pound into you until you’re sore and dripping with my seed, little human, and you’re going to lay there and take every hard thrust I give you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master,” she gasped out in a high-pitched tone.

He commenced doing just as he’d promised, fucking her long and hard while she rested on the bed beneath him, unable to do anything but take every thrust he gave her. His balls impacted against her clit with each drive into her tight pussy, and it wasn’t long before she screamed out in pleasure as her first orgasm swept through her.

The pleasure of her inner walls spasming around his plunging cock was enough to make his vision blur. He slowed for a bit and fought to regain control, lest he spill himself inside her too soon. Once the worst of his urgency passed, he resumed claiming her with the same rapid force as before, plunging as deep as he could possibly go.

In the end, she came twice more before he spilled his seed inside her, and afterward he scooped her up in his arms and cradled her against his chest. She glanced up at him with a sweet but fatigued smile and his heart contracted with warmth.

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, Zylonn was already completely taken by Nova from Earth, the sweet human bride who had been randomly assigned to him. But perhaps there was nothing indiscriminate about their pairing. Perhaps it was fate. As he held her, he couldn’t imagine having been matched with any other human and he looked forward to the days to come. He only hoped she felt the same.

Chapter 10

Several days after her arrival on Tarkkua, Nova stared across the dinner table at Zylonn, trying to work up the courage to ask him about the video comms she’d heard some of the wealthier Tarkkuans had in their houses. She picked at her food, wondering if perhaps he knew anyone who owned one. She hadn’t seen him talking to any other Tarkkuans since her arrival on their planet to have an idea if he even had friends who might be wealthy enough to possess such technology, as she hadn’t left the house yet. Each day, he left for work in the morning and returned before nightfall though, so she reasoned that even though she hadn’t seen him speaking with anyone, he probably had at least a few friends.

She glanced out the dining room window as the sun set over the distant mountains. Although she hadn’t left his house yet, she didn’t feel like a prisoner. His house was huge and contained many windows, all with resplendent views. For the first time in her life, she had gone more than three days without seeing a dust storm. Now that she knew how beautiful and lush a planet could be, she couldn’t imagine ever returning to Earth.

As that thought crossed her mind, she felt immensely guilty. She’d left so many wonderful people behind. Her throat burned as she tried to guess what her parents were doing at this very moment.

“I don’t want Nova to leave.”

Was it dinnertime in New Leesburg right now? After traveling for weeks through space, she had lost all track of Earth time.

“I don’t want Nova to leave.”

But she’d left. She’d left and she would never return.

Was Julie still playing piano every day? Did Maggie stop by the house and visit her family, just as she’d promised to keep doing?

The Tarkkuans would deliver written letters from female humans every year when the Zenallia traveled to Earth to collect brides for their returning miners, but she couldn’t imagine waiting an entire year to send word to her family and friends. She prayed there was a way to arrange for her to use a video comm. But would Zylonn be angered by her request?

She hadn’t spoken out against the agreement between their worlds since the first time he caught her talking out of line, the night she first arrived on this planet. She’d been on her best behavior since then, only earning the short reminder spanking for not turning around and showing him her bottom fast enough. She had also tried her best to keep house and make traditional Tarkkuan meals. Part of her education while growing up had included cooking classes. Her father had once joked that he never thought one of his daughters would go to a finishing school, and when she’d gone to her room and looked up the meaning of finishing school on her computer, she’d realized that yes, she was basically attending a finishing school of sorts—except instead of an Earth girl from the 1800s or 1900s preparing for life as a housewife to a human man, she was preparing for life on another world entirely.

“Nova, are you all right?”

She peered at Zylonn, admiring the way the light from the sconces danced across his blue skin as he shifted in his seat. “I-I am fine, Master.”

“What are you thinking about?” His dark eyes bored into hers and her heart started hammering in her chest.

Perhaps she ought to speak the truth. If he somehow found out she was keeping something from him, he might be angered. She didn’t wish to displease him, even if he didn’t punish her for it. She wanted nothing more than for the two of them to continue growing closer. He was the only family she had now and she didn’t wish to be alone. “I…” Her voice trailed off and she struggled to come up with the right words.

“Is there something you wanted to ask me, little human?” He set down his utensils and focused his undivided attention on her.

“Well, yes, Master.” She inhaled a steadying breath. “While I was still on Earth I heard that some Tarkkuans owned video comms similar to the ones we have in our dome-cities, and while I was traveling to Tarkkua, some of the human females aboard the Zenallia also spoke about Tarkkuan video comms that can connect to Earth video comms. However, the women who spoke of this all claimed that only the wealthiest Tarkkuans possessed such technology. I was wondering if…”

“You wish to speak with your family?”

She nodded, her heart in her throat as she awaited his next words.

“It is true that only the wealthiest Tarkkuans usually have video comms in their homes. I do not know anyone who owns one, however, I am willing to build you one so that you may speak to your family whenever you wish.”

It took several seconds for her to process his words. Had he really just said what she thought he had? She stared at him, feeling her mouth drop open as surprise took over. Tears blurred in her vision and she rose to her feet and scrambled around the table to throw her arms around Zylonn.

“Oh, Master. Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She squeezed him tight, overcome by emotion. His kindness touched her. She’d been worried he might be offended when she asked for him to arrange for her to use a video comm, as she feared he might think she was drawing attention to his financial status. Though apparently, he must be wealthier than she thought if he could afford the materials to build such a device.

Zylonn scooted his chair back and guided her to sit down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead, and when he pulled back his eyes were brimming with warmth. “I can buy old materials from the laboratory I work in and have it built in a matter of days.”

Her heart nearly stopped. “Days? Did you say days?”

“Yes, my sweet human.” He studied her with an intensity that made her feel vulnerable, but not in a bad way. Instead, she found herself wanting to open up to him, wanting to share her secrets and dreams.

“Master, I can’t thank you enough for your kindness.” Her eyes burned and tears finally escaped them. He brushed them away with his thumbs and rubbed her back. “I always worried I’d never get to speak with my family again. I grew up believing that once I came to Tarkkua, I would only receive letters from them each year when the Zenallia returned from Earth. But before I left Earth, I promised my family I would find a way to communicate with them soon. On my way here, as I heard the women aboard the Zenallia talking about how rare video comms were on Tarkkua, I worried that I would end up breaking that promise to my family. Thanks to you, I won’t be breaking any promises.” She smiled through her tears and sweetly pressed her lips to his.

* * *

Nova was kissing him, actually kissing him, of her own free will. A surprised Zylonn grasped her face in his hands and returned the kiss with vigor, drinking her in and reveling in the sweet taste of her. His heart warmed, knowing he could give her something that would make her happy. He wasn’t a rich man—he would never be wealthy, as he wasn’t a member of the ruling class—but the knowledge that he could give her a gift she would truly appreciate brought him joy. He resolved to buy the materials tomorrow and build the video comm as quickly as possible.

When their kiss finally ended, he pressed his forehead to hers and stroked his hands up and down her arms. “It is my hope, Nova, that we can find happiness together. Also, I know you didn’t choose to come to Tarkkua, but I hope that one day you will start to like my planet and perhaps start thinking of it as home. Is there anything you would like to change about the house that would help you feel more welcome here?” He pulled back to stare into her lovely blue eyes.

“Master, your home is beautiful and I can’t think of a thing I would like to change, but I appreciate the offer. It means a lot. Truly.” She paused and gave him a profound look. “The breathtaking views from your house fill me with wonder every day. I had no idea a place so spectacular existed anywhere. I know I haven’t been here for long, but I’m starting to feel at home already.”

Her words pleased him and he drew her in for a tight hug. When they finally pulled apart, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, inhaling the scent of her as he did so. Her hair smelled like a field of wildflowers blowing in a gentle breeze, and the comparison brought a smile to his lips. She seemed to enjoy the view from the house, but perhaps she would appreciate a tour of the countryside surrounding the city. He resolved to arrange for it as soon as he was able to take a day off work.

“Master, I have another request, though I’m not sure it’s possible.”

“Tell me.”

“I became good friends with a young woman named Meris while on the Zenallia. She was my roommate on the ship and we grew close during the six-week journey. I have no idea who she is married to now, but I would very much like to see her—that is, if you allow it, and if her husband allows it.”

“Why would you think I or any other Tarkkuan male would keep his female from having friends?” He clasped her hand.

“Well, I’m not allowed to leave the house without permission, and Tarkkuan males legally own their wives.”

“While that is all true, you are allowed to have friends, my sweet bride. My only request is that you do not spend so much time with them that you neglect your duties at home. I will inquire when I go into the city today and find out who your friend married. Keep in mind that it is possible her husband isn’t from Ashorr, as several of the males who claimed brides at this year’s mass nuptial ceremony were from other cities and even some smaller villages on Tarkkua. However, if her new home is close to ours, then I will grant you permission to visit her during the days. And, if she happens to live far away, perhaps we can arrange a trip for you to see her. I would accompany you during such a trip, of course. In any case, I promise we’ll find a way for you to reconnect with your friend, little human.”

Her entire face lit up and she hugged him again.

Chapter 11

Two days later, Nova was delighted when Zylonn walked her to Meris’ home on his way to work. She embraced her friend and met Meris’ mate, Allonis, who left for work himself shortly after Nova’s arrival. As it turned out, Meris lived only a short walk away from Zylonn’s house and Nova was ecstatic that she had permission to visit her friend during the daytime hours while her master was at work.

“I can’t believe we’re both finally here,” Nova said as they sat in the living room, both with a cup of Tarkkuan tea in their hands. “The trip to Tarkkua seemed to last forever.”

Meris smiled. “I’m so glad you found me and I can’t believe we live so close to one another. It’s nice to have a friend nearby. Hopefully, Allonis will grant me permission to visit you at your house soon.” A strange look entered her eyes that piqued Nova’s curiosity.

“Why wouldn’t he? Did something happen?”

Meris flushed. “I kinda sorta ran away on our wedding night,” she confessed.

Surprise and concern filled Nova. “I heard a female screaming outside in the darkness that first night. Was-was that you? Are you all right?”

“Oh, I’m fine. But I was so nervous about consummating my marriage with Allonis that I couldn’t help it. After we got home, he kissed me and hugged me and…and I felt it. His cock. Through his pants. It felt so very big and he’s so much taller than me. Well, I worried we wouldn’t be very compatible. When he excused himself to fix us something to eat before we ventured to the bedroom, I bolted through the front door and ran blindly through the streets.”

Nova reached over and grasped Meris’ hand. “Did he hurt you?”

A soft smile grazed her friends’ lips. “No, he didn’t hurt me. He was angry that I ran off and I was certain he was going to punish me after he caught me and carried me home. He carried me upstairs to his bedroom and I saw a leather strap hanging on the wall and I believed he might really hurt me. But then he sat me on his lap and asked me why I ran away. We talked about it and he promised to treat me gently during our first time together.”

Relief spread through Nova. She was glad—and a bit shocked—that Allonis hadn’t beaten her for running away. She imagined what would have happened if she’d tried to run from Zylonn that night. Considering he’d already had reason to punish her, he would have probably spanked her for longer. “I’m happy to hear your mate didn’t treat you cruelly, Meris, truly.”

“Based on what I know about Tarkkuans, I expected him to be stricter with me. But he hasn’t struck me once, not even a single swat to my bottom. He did, however, forbid me from leaving his house for a while. I know I would have needed permission to leave anyway, but he’s informed me that it will be quite some time before I’m allowed out beyond these walls. He says he must trust me first.” Another soft smile played across her lips. “But I think we’re getting there. Hopefully soon.”

“Well, until that time, I plan to come visit you often. Zylonn says I’m allowed to leave the house and come here whenever I wish, though I’m required to get permission to go anywhere else.” She started to roll her eyes and then stopped. Even though she was still sometimes frustrated with the Tarkkuan’s backward customs, she suddenly realized she didn’t wish to disparage her mate in front of her friend. When she thought of Zylonn, a warmth unlike any she’d ever known filled her.

“Wait a second,” Meris said, her eyes widening as she sat taller. “Zylonn…he looks familiar. Isn’t he the same Tarkkuan who caught you speaking ill of the trade agreement between our worlds?”

“Yes,” Nova replied with a laugh. “It was just my luck.”

“Sorry I ran off after he emerged from the shadows. I-I was a bit flighty that night.”

“It’s all right. Besides, there was no sense in the both of us getting into trouble for what I said.”

“You got into trouble?”

A heated flush rolled through Nova and she squirmed in her seat. She hadn’t meant to allude to the fact that she’d received a punishment for her brazen words, as she didn’t wish to frighten Meris or cause her to become worried for Nova’s safety. “Um, I got into a little bit of trouble,” she admitted.

“What kind of trouble? Did he whip you with one of those awful straps the Tarkkuan males keep beside their beds?” Meris shuddered and Nova sincerely hoped that if Allonis ever strapped her, he would at least be as gentle as Zylonn had been.

Nova exhaled a long breath and met her friend’s troubled gaze. “Yes,” she finally said, deciding that honesty would be the best policy. “But he gave me a spanking first and then only struck me with the strap five times. It hurt, but considering his size and strength, he could have made it hurt a lot worse. But he didn’t. And afterward he held me in his arms, wiped away my tears, and comforted me. He wasn’t cruel. He didn’t yell at me or call me names or anything like that. I-I have to admit, what came after the punishment was…nice.” She flushed again just thinking about it.

Meris’ eyes had grown even wider as Nova recounted what had happened. Nova found herself hoping that her friend didn’t think badly of Zylonn. She was starting to really like him and the thought of someone believing him to be a bad or unjust person left her with an uneasy feeling in her gut.

“He spanked you first?” Meris eventually asked and then gulped. “As in, he turned you over his knee and spanked you?”

Nova was surprised that Meris was asking her for such details, but she answered anyway. “Not exactly. He ordered me to bend over the bed.”

“Oh my,” was all Meris said before her face reddened and she took a long sip of tea. When she came up for air, she met Nova’s eyes with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry that happened to you. I suppose I’m lucky Allonis didn’t give me a spanking or a strapping after I ran away. He’s said he’ll only physically punish me in the most extreme of circumstances. I’m hoping I never do anything to incur his wrath.”

“Though I don’t know your mate well, from what you’ve told me of him, it seems he’s an understanding and patient Tarkkuan. Even if he does punish you one day, he will probably be gentle about it. Well, as gentle as a Tarkkuan male can be while wielding a strap.” She gave Meris a reassuring smile.

“I hope you’re right.”

Feeling the need to both change the subject and reassure Meris of Zylonn’s kindness, Nova said, “Guess what? You know how we heard some of the women on the ship talking about video comms that can contact Earth?”

“Yes. What about them? I’ve heard only members of the ruling class are in possession of them. They are said to be quite expensive.”

“Zylonn is building me one. He started working on it last night.”

“Oh my goodness!” Meris flashed a bright smile. “That’s amazing. How is that possible?”

“He’s a skilled engineer. He bought some old parts from the laboratory he works in, refurbished them, and says he’ll have it built in a matter of days. I can hardly believe it myself, but soon I’ll be able to speak with my family and friends.”

“That’s wonderful. Oh, Nova, I’m so happy for you.”

“You can use it, too. If you’d like, that is.” Nova recalled that Meris had never spoken about her family. Whenever Nova had asked her questions about them, the petite redhead had always either given vague responses or scrambled to change the subject.

“I appreciate the offer. I might eventually decide to contact them, but not yet.” Meris drew in a deep breath and looked uneasy. “My younger brother was always the favorite child. He was the child who wasn’t leaving them one day, so I guess that’s why my parents always focused on him and ignored me. I was never close to them. Sometimes when I tried to be, I would be rebuffed and reminded that soon I wouldn’t be a part of the family anymore. Anyway, thank you again for the offer, but I don’t think they want to hear from me.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Nova said and once again she appreciated her lot in life. She’d had the most supportive and loving parents she could have ever imagined. She’d been close with both of them and Julie as well. “What about old friends? You are welcome to use the video comm to reconnect with any friends you wish.”

Thankfully, Meris grinned at this suggestion. “I have a couple of good friends I would love to contact. Thank you, Nova. I’m so glad we were roommates during the voyage here. Your company made the trip all the more bearable. I was so nervous about coming to Tarkkua.”

“You’re very welcome and I’m so glad we were roomies, too.” Nova glanced out the window at the mountains in the distance. “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this out loud, but this place is starting to feel like home.”

“It feels like home to me already,” Meris said, her voice strained. “I know this might sound crazy, especially since we’ve only been on Tarkkua for a few days, but I think I’m falling in love with Allonis. He’s so kind to me and after the way my parents treated me, I feel like I’m finally where I’m meant to be.”

Nova squeezed Meris’ hand and stared into her friend’s tear-filled gaze. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all.”

Though she wasn’t ready to admit it aloud, Nova was starting to wonder if perhaps she was starting to fall in love with Zylonn, despite her initial resolve not to do so. Her initial fear of him had long faded. Though he could be stern with her, he was also understanding and showed her affection on a daily basis. She always looked forward to his arrival home from work, anticipating what would happen between them in the bedroom and simply looking forward to their long conversations.

She also awoke each morning in his arms, feeling cherished and protected.

Yes, it was probably safe to say that Nova was developing tender feelings for her new husband. Though at one point in time she’d promised herself that she would never feel affection for the stranger she was forced to marry, she couldn’t deny the warmth that was brimming in her heart for Zylonn. She also couldn’t help but wonder if he starting to fall for her too.

Chapter 12

Nova sat in a large, plush chair in the living room, browsing the vast selection of books on the e-reader she’d brought with her from Earth. The e-reader contained over a hundred thousand titles—more than enough reading material to sustain her for the rest of her life. It was the most precious item she’d brought with her, as she much preferred reading books in her native language and she wasn’t sure if books written in Earth tongues were sold in the Tarkkuan marketplaces.

Finally, she found a historical romance novel that caught her eye and opened to the first page. In mere moments, she became lost in another world, swept up in the strange complexities of navigating the ton in Regency England. She found herself empathizing with the heroine whose social ladder climbing parents forced her into a courtship with a suitor—a known rake, no less—whom she didn’t particularly care for. The man might be a duke, but the heroine didn’t care for lofty titles and fancy things and she dreamed of marrying for love.

As far back as she could remember, Nova had known she would never marry for love. But, as she once again examined her growing feelings for Zylonn, she considered herself lucky. She liked him, that was for certain. She enjoyed his company and there was no denying the building passion they shared in the bedroom.

But was it truly the beginnings of love she was experiencing?

She wished she knew what it felt like to fall in love with a man. She’d never dated and had never been in love before, but what she felt for Zylonn was similar to the unwanted attraction the heroine in her historical romance novel was starting to harbor for the duke. She sighed and sat the book aside, feeling silly for drawing a comparison between her own situation and that of fictional characters, as the heroine in the book would no doubt get her happy ending.

But what about Nova?

Would she get her happy ending?

Nova heard a noise and looked up to see her husband standing in the doorway, a sensuous smile on his blue-green lips. She marveled that his lips and the palms of his hands were a slightly different shade than the rest of his body, a beautiful blue-green shade that always drew her gaze. Her heart fluttered at his sudden presence and she couldn’t help but feel the first stirrings of arousal. It was just after dinner, but perhaps he intended to call her to bed early.

“It’s ready, little human.”

Too distracted by her thoughts of being bedded by Zylonn, she peered at him in confusion, not quite grasping what he was talking about. “What’s ready?”

“The video comm, and it’s working perfectly. I tested it out by contacting an old Tarkkuan teacher who lives on Earth that I knew as a child. Come, my bride, and you may contact your family. Based on what you’ve told me about them, I am certain they will be overjoyed to hear from you.”

She jumped to her feet and rushed to grasp his large hand. “Oh, thank you, Master.” Tears burned in her eyes and she blinked rapidly to keep from crying, but she knew she would probably burst into tears of happiness the moment she saw her parents and sister.

Zylonn gathered her close and kissed her forehead, then he handed her a clean white cloth. She accepted it and gave him a confused look.

“I figured you would need that while you’re talking to your parents.” He gave her a wry grin, kissed her again, and led her into the library where he’d been working on constructing the interstellar communicator.

“You think of everything, Master,” she replied as they entered the room.

He guided her to sit in a chair at the video comm and asked her about her parents’ full names and their address in New Leesburg. He used this information to connect to the video comm in their home. The screen remained blue with Tarkkuan symbols on it for several minutes. She waited, trying to be patient. Perhaps her parents weren’t home at the moment. Or maybe they were sleeping. Oh no. What if it was nighttime in New Leesburg?

As if reading her thoughts, Zylonn stroked her hair and said, “It’s late afternoon in your dome-city.”

“My parents might still be at work, but Julie usually gets home from school around three. I hope she answers.” Nova held her breath and continued waiting, picturing Julie’s face and chanting her name in her mind, as if she could somehow send a psychic message across the stars to her sister.

“If no one answers now, we’ll keep trying for the rest of the night,” Zylonn said. “In fact, you are welcome to sit here as long as you wish.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’m going to get ready for bed, but I will come check on you soon.” He kissed the top of her head and departed the library.

Please answer. Please be home soon Julie.

Mom and Dad, please come home soon too.

Please pick up. I need to see you. I need to talk to you.

She wiped away her tears with the cloth Zylonn had thoughtfully provided her with and kept staring at the screen, praying there was an answer soon. The room dimmed as the sun set and the sconces lining the walls automatically brightened. Nova ran a hand through her hair and straightened her blouse, wanting to look as good as she possibly could when someone finally answered. She didn’t want her family to worry about her. She’d always done her best to protect them from the fallout of her inevitable departure from Earth and she would continue doing so.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she were about to lie to them and promise them she was happy on Tarkkua. When she told them about her life here, she wouldn’t be lying when she claimed it was starting to feel like home.

To her great delight, the blue screen suddenly transformed to an image of Julie sitting at the video comm in their living room.

“Nova?” Julie’s face crumpled. She covered her mouth and her eyes filled with tears.

“Hey, little sis.” Nova dabbed at her own tears and drew in a deep breath. “I’m so happy you answered. I miss you so much.”

“Not as much as I miss you. Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re really contacting us so soon. I worried it might be impossible for you to get access to a video comm, though I didn’t dare voice those thoughts aloud because I didn’t want to upset you.”

“My new husband built this video comm in our library. I’ll be able to talk to you guys whenever I want now.”

“That’s incredible.” Julie straightened in her chair and a look of interest crossed her face. “That’s really kind of your husband. Tell me about him. Does he treat you well?”

“He is a kind Tarkkuan. Much nicer than I expected,” Nova replied, deciding not to mention anything about the punishments she’d endured at his hand. She hoped her family never asked her if it was true that some Tarkkuan males physically disciplined their wives. “His name is Zylonn and I must confess—I like him very, very much.”

* * *

Zylonn headed back downstairs, dressed in a pair of black pajamas that he intended to strip off as soon as he went to bed, as he was used to sleeping naked. However, he hadn’t thought it would be appropriate to enter the library unclothed and frighten Nova’s family members. He hoped someone on the other end had answered the video comm.

As he approached the library, he heard voices and his heart warmed with the knowledge that his little human had finally gotten an answer. Then his soul danced with joy when he walked closer and overheard Nova’s next words.

“His name is Zylonn and I must confess—I like him very, very much.”

“Oh, Nova, I’m so happy to hear that. What does he look like?” Judging by the youthful tone of this female voice, Zylonn surmised Nova was speaking to her younger sister Julie.

“He’s big and blue and quite handsome.”

Zylonn cleared his throat to announce his presence and entered the library. Nova glanced back at him with a huge smile and reached out a hand to him.

“In fact, here he is now. Zylonn, I would like to introduce you to my sister, Julie. Julie, meet Zylonn.” The smallest glint of worry flashed in Nova’s eyes as she used Zylonn’s first name, instead of calling him Master. He realized they should have discussed her use of his name in front of her family members beforehand, and he gave her a warm smile in hopes of alleviating her worries before turning his attention to Julie.

“Hello, Zylonn. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Julie. I am pleased to meet you, too.” He wrapped an arm around Nova and felt her relax at his touch.

“Nova says you built the video comm. That was very kind of you. Thank you so much. It’ll be wonderful to be able to talk to her on a daily basis. I thought I was losing my sister, only to be able to send handwritten letters once a year, but now we can truly remain part of one another’s lives.” Julie wiped away her tears and laughed. “Ah, sorry. I always cry when I’m really happy.”

Nova giggled and wiped at her own tears with the white cloth. “It must run in the family, because I can’t stop crying either. Any idea when Mom and Dad will be home?”

“They should be here any minute.”

“My parents both work in the same factory,” Nova explained to Zylonn. “They always walk home together.”

Zylonn left Nova for a moment to pull up a chair next to hers. He sat down in it and wrapped an arm around his sweet bride once again. “We’ll wait for as long as it takes for their return.”

“Is it late where you are?” Julie asked.

“Yes, but that’s okay. There are twenty-six hours in a Tarkkuan day, so we’ll be on a constant rotation of weird times compared to Earth. But we’ll figure out good times to talk to one another.”

“I don’t care what time it is in New Leesburg when you call, sis. I’ll always answer.” Julie glanced away from the video comm and called out. “Hey, Mom and Dad! Come quick!”

What followed next was a joyous reunion. There were so many voices speaking at once that for a while Zylonn had a difficult time following the conversation, even though he considered himself fluent in English, as well as several other Earth languages. Finally, once the conversation slowed down somewhat, he was able to fully understand what was being said.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Zylonn,” Nova’s father said in an overly formal tone. Though he was smiling, Zylonn noticed a suspicious gleam in his eyes whenever he looked at him. No doubt he was worried over the well-being of his daughter.

“I am pleased to meet you as well, Robert,” Zylonn finally replied. “Your daughter is a fine female.”

Both Nova’s parents gave him a strange look and he wondered what was wrong with his statement. But he didn’t intend to apologize for it, even though he thought he’d paid Nova a compliment. He reminded himself that all humans were at the mercy of the Tarkkuans and Nova now belonged to him by law. Even if her parents disapproved of him, it was not as if they could travel to Tarkkua and rescue her.

“So what’s been going on since I left Earth?” Nova asked, moving her hand into his lap to squeeze his hand, out of the video comm’s view. Zylonn appreciated her rapid ability to change the subject, for her parents started to look more comfortable and her father stopped giving him suspicious looks.

“Sara and Heath got married last Saturday,” Julie said. “We all went to their wedding.”

“That’s right. I knew that was coming up soon,” Nova said before whispering to Zylonn, “Sara lived down the street from us in the dome-city. She’s my age. We grew up playing together.”

Zylonn nodded at her in appreciation, thankful that she was trying to include him in the conversation. However, he realized that perhaps it would be best if Nova had a chance to speak with her family while he wasn’t in the room. No doubt her family felt guarded about what they could say around him. He couldn’t blame them, as he realized he was a complete stranger to them.

He rose from his seat, still holding his little human’s hand. “I’m going to retire for the night, Nova, however please feel free to stay and speak with your family for as long as you wish.” He turned his attention to the screen. “It was nice meeting you, Robert, Anna, and Julie. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” the three of them said.

He gave Nova’s hand a quick squeeze before departing the library. Though he longed to hear the rest of her conversation with her family—in particular, he wished to know what she would say about him—he did not feel right eavesdropping, so he ascended the stairs and went to bed.

Nova joined him sooner than he expected she would. She entered the darkened room and went into the adjoining bathroom for several minutes, then she slipped under the covers next to him, completely naked. She snuggled up to his side and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you, Master. For everything.”

He gathered her in his arms and stroked her hair until she drifted to sleep, his entire being resonating with affection for the sweet little human nestled next to him.

Chapter 13

Several nights had passed since Nova had first contacted her family. She’d spoken with them every day since then, as well as Maggie and a few other friends. She was glad to have reconnected with all those she’d left behind and doing so had brought her much closer to Zylonn, for he’d given her the greatest gift imaginable.

Her husband’s thoughtfulness had served to further open the lines of communication between then, and in the days since he’d finished building the video comm, they had shared more about their former lives with one another. Every day, more and more, she found she truly enjoyed talking to him and learning about his past.

He also always kept her up to date about the news of Ashorr and the other large cities on Tarkkua, for which she was grateful. Most of the news was always positive, as the crime rate on his planet was extremely low. She’d originally worried his planet wouldn’t be the safest place since the cities weren’t enclosed in domes, but she was glad she’d been wrong about that. However, he did warn her that she was never to walk in the forest by herself, as there were large predatory animals that might harm her. She had no intention of disobeying this rule of his, as the very idea of coming face to face with an alien forest beast made her blood run cold.

Sometimes Zylonn even surprised her with little gifts he picked up in the marketplace on his way home from work, which always touched her. Just yesterday he’d brought her a soft blue scarf home that he’d said reminded him of her beautiful blue eyes. She smiled briefly at the recollection.

However, despite their newfound closeness, she was starting to worry she’d recently done something wrong. At the moment, she stood in the bedroom naked, per her master’s instructions, as she awaited his arrival upstairs. Despite believing she hadn’t disobeyed him in any way recently, she couldn’t help the nervous flutters that rose in her tummy. After dinner this evening, he had instructed her to go to their bedroom, strip off all her clothes, and wait for him in a no-nonsense tone.

Though it wasn’t the first time he’d ordered her to do such a thing, this time felt different. A dark gleam she’d never seen before had entered his eyes and his voice had sounded deeper than usual. The aura of dominance that always surrounded him had felt more pronounced, leaving her wondering if perhaps she’d unknowingly broken one of his rules.

When his footsteps sounded on the stairs, her stomach did a little flip. She stood taller, which caused her legs to press together harder and made her ever aware of the ache in her pussy. Despite her worry that she had a spanking coming—or worse, perhaps a strapping—she couldn’t help the heat that was gathering between her thighs.

Zylonn appeared in the doorway and his strong presence immediately filled the room. She gulped hard and met his dark, glimmering gaze. The sun had already set and the only light in the bedroom came from the numerous sconces lining the walls. His dark blue skin looked so beautiful during the nighttime hours, she mused, when the illumination from the sconces danced across his muscular body with his every little movement.

Her breath caught in her throat as he entered the bedroom and strode directly for her. She noticed he was holding a small box in his hand and wondered what it contained.

“You’re nervous, little human,” he said, placing a finger beneath her chin. He forced her face higher and peered down at her, capturing her gaze in his. “Why are you nervous?”

“I-I’m worried you’re going to punish me, Master.” She paused for moment. “Are you going to take the strap to me?”

“That depends on how obedient you are tonight in the bedroom.”

“I’m always obedient in the bedroom,” she said, and it was true. She never spurned his advances and she was always quick to comply with his demands, no matter how much they sometimes shamed her—like when he commanded her to bend over the bed and pull her bottom cheeks apart.

“I know you are, and your submission always pleases me. But tonight, we’re going to try something new, something I suspect will make you a very nervous little human.”

“What-what are we going to try?”

“Anal training.”

Her breath left her in a rush and she tried to step back, but he kept grasping her chin and wouldn’t allow her the movement.

He continued holding her gaze. “Eventually, I plan to claim your bottom hole with my cock, however that part of you isn’t yet ready to accept my size. That is why you require training.” He released her chin and opened the box, revealing the contents to her.

“What is that?” she asked, but she already knew the answer. It was an anal plug and he meant to insert it into her bottom. Her cheeks involuntarily clenched and she resisted the urge to reach around and shield her behind.

“I think you know what this is, little human.” He pulled the plug from the box and held it up in front of her face. “However, I will explain, just in case. This is an anal plug that will increase and decrease in size. This is how it looks in its smallest form, but when I press the buttons on the base of it, like this,” he said, pressing one of the buttons, “it will become larger.”

The plug increased in size before her very eyes and it took all her self-control not to step away from him. She didn’t want him to put the plug in her ass, but she also didn’t want a spanking or a strapping.

His cock. He eventually plans to put his huge cock in my bottom hole.

Her heart skipped a beat. How long would her training last before she was able to accommodate his huge size in her most private place?

“Go bend over the bed and pull your cheeks apart, Nova,” he said in a commanding tone. “Failure to comply at once will result in a painful strapping on your bare bottom.”

Though her legs felt weakened with nerves, she somehow managed to rush to the bed and bend over it. Anxious to avoid a strapping, she immediately reached around and spread her cheeks wide apart, knowing the wider she spread herself, the more satisfied her master would be.

“Good girl.”

She heard him getting something out of a dresser drawer but didn’t dare turn around and look. She pressed her eyes shut and concentrated on holding the embarrassing position. Even though he’d ordered her to assume this very position many times in the past, she couldn’t quite get used to it. She was always filled with shame as she displayed her privates to him in such a manner, and her shame always deepened the harder her pussy throbbed and the more moisture she felt trickling down her inner thighs.

“Your smooth pink folds are all swollen and wet, little human,” Zylonn said, standing behind her and reaching for her throbbing core. He stroked his thick digits through her wetness and she soon felt something odd on her bottom hole. She jerked forward slightly, but he held her in place and continued pouring something cool onto her back entrance. Lubrication, she realized, with a quickening of her pulse.

He removed his hand from her lower back, ordered her to stay in place this time, and commenced massaging the lube around her bottom hole. All the while, he kept stroking her pussy with his other hand, and the sensations building in her center were enough to draw a moan from her. She buried her face in the covers. She was wet, throbbing, and spread wide open to her master’s gaze while he touched her most private places and prepared to insert a plug into her tightest hole.

* * *

Zylonn’s cock thickened in his pants, growing harder and harder by the moment. His blood heated as he stared down at the most erotic sight he’d ever seen—Nova with her pussy and ass spread wide open while he rubbed her slick folds and massaged lubrication into her pink pucker.

“Now, Nova, I want you to listen to me very carefully. During your first few sessions of anal training, I will insert the plug into your bottom for you. However, there will come a time when I will expect you to take over and begin wearing the plug every morning for at least two hours, though I will sometimes still insert it for you in the evenings. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good.” He inserted the tip of one finger into her bottom hole and she gasped and lurched upward on her tiptoes. He responded by striking her spread pussy with his other hand, using the flats of his fingers to deliver a powerful sting to her intimate folds. “Do I need to get the strap, little human?”

“No, Master. I’m sorry. Please, I’ll be good.”

“Keep yourself spread while I work the plug into your naughty little hole.”

She sucked in a shaky breath but obeyed him, keeping her cheeks spread wide while he started working the tip of the plug into her tightness. He had reduced the size of the plug, setting it on its smallest size, though he planned to gradually increase the size of it as she grew more used to having her bottom filled up. His cock throbbed harder. He couldn’t wait for the day when he could finally fuck her snug little hole.

“You’re doing great,” he said in a soothing tone as he worked the plug deeper and deeper, until it was fully seated in her behind. “There, it’s all the way inside. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

He hurried to the bathroom and washed his hands, then returned to her side in a flash. “How are you feeling, Nova? Does it hurt?”

“I feel strange…down there. It wasn’t very comfortable going in, but it doesn’t hurt.”

“Good. The further you get into your anal training, the easier it will become.”

A whimper escaped her and he noticed her pussy had swollen even more so since he’d placed the plug into her bottom. Her clit protruded from her delicate folds, and he reached down to stroke her moisture over this hardened nubbin. She whimpered again and arched her back, pressing her center into his touch.

“Does my sweet little human want to come?”

“Please, Master.”

He’d never heard her sound so desperate. Reaching for her sex, he stroked her to a fast orgasm. She quivered in the aftermath of it, gasping for breath as he guided her hands away from her bottom. He freed his length and impaled her in the next moment, driving all the way into her tight depths.

“How does it feel to have both your little holes filled at once, Nova?”

She couldn’t form a coherent reply and he hadn’t expected one. He set a fast rhythm of fucking her, pounding her with all his might while grasping her hips and holding her tight. The sound of flesh slapping flesh filled the room, so loud it was heard over the swell of nighttime insects singing in the surrounding trees. The windows were open and a breeze drifted inside the room, ruffling her hair around her head on the bed. He gathered her hair in one hand and pulled it tight, but not hard enough to cause her immense pain. With a single tug, he forced her to arch her back further, allowing him to fuck her even deeper than before.

A powerful release soon swept down upon him and he pumped his seed into her depths, growling as the waves of ecstasy rolled on and on, causing sweat to trickle down his temple as the last remnants of his orgasm finally began to recede.

With his cock still buried in her pussy, he released his hold on her hair and ran a hand slowly down her back. “You please me, little human. I have a feeling it won’t be long before I’m claiming this back hole of yours,” he said, tapping at the wide base of the phallus shaped object. “You’re mine to claim. Every last part of you.”

Her reply didn’t come for a while, but when it did, she sounded so blissfully sincere that his heart swelled with an affection for her that knew no bounds.

“Yes, Master.”

Chapter 14

Dark clouds gathered overhead and thunder rumbled. Zylonn tightened his grip on Nova’s hand and urged her to walk faster down the street. In his other hand, he held a large box filled with food, household supplies, and female clothing items in the Tarkkuan style they’d purchased in the bustling marketplace.

Over two weeks had passed since she’d arrived on this planet, and Nova had been delighted when Zylonn announced he had taken a day off work in order to take her on a long walk through the forest, followed by a tour of the city. She squeezed his hand in return and hurried to keep up with his rapid pace.

They reached home just as the storm broke out. Rain pounded the roof and the wind picked up, a dissonant howl through the trees. But the warm coziness of Zylonn’s home—her home now, too, she reminded herself—wrapped around her like a welcome embrace.

She followed her new husband into the kitchen and helped him unpack their purchases. Once all the food and household items were put away, she gathered up the clothing in her arms and ventured upstairs. As she climbed the steps, she felt as if she were floating on a big white fluffy cloud, despite the increasing noise of the storm raging outside. Her mind buzzed with pleasure and her spirits soared.

A dreamy sigh escaped her lips. In the days since Zylonn had claimed her, they had gotten to know one another much better, and she found she rather enjoyed his company and respected him as a person. She was certain he enjoyed her company as well, judging by the way his face lit up when they became engaged in conversation.

He showed a genuine interest in her past, routinely inquiring about her life on Earth, and he patiently answered all her questions about his life growing up in a small village on another continent. She also admired his strong work ethic and his desire to help his people. Highly intelligent and driven, during his off hours on the Feshinga Asteroid Belt, he’d studied hard and completed an advanced engineering program, ever focused on the future. He now devoted his time to working on a planetary defense system at a laboratory on the other side of the city—his reason for not returning to the village of his birth.

Most of all, she was elated that he routinely joined in her calls to her family and was making an effort to get to know them better, particularly her father. Though he’d never said so, Nova had suspected her father hadn’t liked Zylonn at first. She understood he had likely been worried about her, but luckily her father was starting to warm to her husband. No doubt, her father noticed her happiness with her new life and had decided to give Zylonn a chance. And speaking with her family and friends on a regular basis only buoyed her overall bliss. She had never believed she would find joy on this planet, but she truly had. She couldn’t imagine life without her husband, whom she grew to adore more and more each day.

She smiled to herself as a feeling of utter contentment washed over her.

Zylonn was also ever-focused on her basic needs, always paying attention to whether or not she was cold or hungry or tired… or aroused. She flushed at this last thought, heat quickly gathering between her thighs, despite the fact that he was all the way downstairs.

The aching in her core increased as she replayed the last few days with Zylonn, many an hour spent in bed together. He’d made love to her dozens of times, sometimes with slow, careful reverence, and other times, with feral animalistic vigor.

She entered their bedroom and traipsed to the closet, wondering if perhaps once she had all the clothes put away, Zylonn would come upstairs to seek her out. His desires were already deeply attuned to hers, and sometimes, only moments after she physically felt the quickening of her own arousal, he would give her a dark primal look, as if knowing exactly what she’d been thinking that had brought on the abrupt slickness between her legs.

She finished hanging her new dresses in the closet, then headed for a dresser against the far wall of the room, to place all her new undergarments—sheer, soft pieces of fabric, really—into the top drawer. The sound of a floorboard creaking behind her brought a smile to her lips, and she took a deep breath before turning around to face Zylonn and give him her most seductive look.

Except it wasn’t Zylonn.

There was a stranger, a huge Tarkkuan she’d never seen before, blocking the doorway of the bedroom. She felt her eyes go wide, just as her throat dried up and her heart commenced pounding an erratic rhythm in her chest. She backed up against the dresser and gulped hard as the strange alien stepped inside the room, striding toward her with a predatory grace that made her shudder.

“Who-who are you?” she demanded, forcing a boldness into her tone that she didn’t quite feel. Inside, she was shaking and scared. She thought about yelling for Zylonn, but a lot could happen in the few seconds it would take him to bound upstairs. The stranger didn’t look happy, and she didn’t wish to anger him further.

“I am Hethron. Your mate’s family owes mine a blood debt,” replied the Tarkkuan, looking her up and down with a lewd expression, “however, I think I’m inclined to keep you alive. At least for a little while.”

Horror clutched her heart and she opened her mouth to scream, but he lunged forward and clamped his hand over her mouth. She pushed at him and fought with all her might, but it was no use. He easily subdued her, moving behind her and holding her tight against his chest, while keeping her mouth covered. She felt dizzy after her exertions and the lack of air—she could scarcely inhale through her nose, as his hand was partially blocking her nostrils as well.

Panic swirled and her vision darkened, as she blinked hard and fought to remain conscious. She wasn’t sure if she was on the verge of fainting from pure terror, or if it was only the lack of oxygen leaving her weak. Thankfully, he shifted his hand a bit and she was able to get a few much needed breaths of air. She glanced at the doorway, praying for a sign of Zylonn. She could hardly think or hear over the pounding of her heart in her ears.

Then two things happened in quick succession.

Zylonn appeared in the doorway.

And the cool sharpness of a knife pressed against her throat.

Nova’s stomach dropped and she ceased all movement. Her captor uncovered her mouth and chuckled, while she gasped for breath. Zylonn growled, a deadly sound, and his muscles tensed as he directed a dark, menacing glare at Hethron.

“Nice of you to join us, Zylonn. As you can see, I’ve come to collect the blood debt your family owes mine.”

“My family owes yours nothing, Hethron. Now let my mate go, or it will mean your death.”

The blade pressed harder to her throat.

Oh, God. No, no, no. Her heart pounded. Had she arrived on this planet, only to meet her demise not long after? Tears burned in her eyes and her throat became clogged with emotion.

She looked desperately at Zylonn, wishing he would meet her gaze, but he kept his stare steady on Hethron. Look at me, she thought. Look at me, so if I die, your dark handsome gaze will be the last thing I see. It was ridiculous to wonder if Zylonn would miss her when she was gone in this moment, but such thoughts entered her mind unbidden.

She’d once heard when a person was about to die, their life would flash before their eyes. But instead of her life flashing before her eyes, all the things she would never have flashed before hers. Watching yet another sunrise in Zylonn’s arms. Both of them smiling down at their first baby. In a few years, the laughter of children as they ran around the house.

Yet none of these events would come to pass. Not if she died. Not if Hethron used her to exact some kind of vengeance against her mate. Vaguely, she wondered about the so-called ‘blood debt.’

Had Zylonn harmed one of Hethron’s family members? She studied her mate, and it wasn’t hard to imagine him killing another male. He certainly had the strength, but she didn’t think he would murder anyone in cold blood. Whoever had died that Hethron cared about enough to avenge, Nova supposed the perished male had invoked the wrath of her mate, perhaps trying to kill him first.

She held her breath, praying for a miracle. Zylonn was strong and larger than Hethron, but would he be able to reach her in time, before the knife was drawn across her throat?

Chapter 15

Zylonn seethed with fury.

How dare this male touch his mate? He owed Hethron nothing, least of all a blood debt. Worry for Nova echoed in his heart, but he pushed the vulnerable emotion away and focused on his wrath for Hethron. The Tarkkuan would pay dearly for threatening the life of his mate, as well as scaring her. Fear glimmered in her tearful gaze, her hands shook at her sides, and her lips were trembling. The sight of her visible fear strengthened his building rage.

He concentrated on the hand that held the weapon, as his peripheral vision blurred and swirled with bright colors. Pressure built behind his eyes, interspersed with sharper pains, but he didn’t dare blink or glance away from the blade.

“What are you doing?” Hethron’s tone wavered. His fingers began to uncurl around the knife.

Zylonn increased his mental energies on the weapon, willing it toward him and away from Nova, and far from Hethron’s reach. Sweat trickled down his temples. He walked further into the room, careful not to break his concentration as he approached Hethron and Nova.

“What are…” Hethron’s voice trailed off as he watched the knife float out of his hand, his grip on the weapon now entirely loosened. “You-you’re an aberrant!” he eventually said in shocked disbelief. “I thought they were all dead.”

“Not all of us.”

Once the knife was close enough, Zylonn reached out and plucked it from the air. Hethron’s arms began to open up, again under the force of Zylonn’s focus, and Nova soon fled out of his hold and hurried to stand behind Zylonn. Relief swept through him, to have his little human safe again. He longed to hold her and soothe her fears, but he couldn’t comfort her yet. First, he had to deal with the intruder who’d threatened her life. He would show no mercy.

The instinct to lunge forward and throttle Hethron to death, or perhaps stab him with his own knife, pressed at the forefront of Zylonn’s mind. But he couldn’t commit such a violent act in front of Nova. Not unless it was a matter of life or death. In this particular moment, it wasn’t. He could vanquish the enemy by shifting his focus to Hethron’s throat.

And that’s exactly what he did. He glared at the man’s neck and imagined it collapsing on itself. Not long after, Hethron started making wheezing noises. He clutched at his throat and fell to his knees. Zylonn reached one hand behind him and urged Nova to leave the room, and thankfully, she didn’t argue. By the time her footfalls hit the creaky board on the bottom step of the staircase, Hethron was sprawled motionless on the floor, no longer making a sound.

He was dead, and Zylonn wasn’t sorry for it.

If not for his powers of the mind, abilities his ancestors had passed down to him and his father had helped him understand as a young child, Nova might have gotten injured. The very thought of any harm coming to his mate, no matter how small, left him seething with rage all over again. He took a few deep breaths and willed himself to calm down. He didn’t wish to frighten his little human any further. When he went to find her, he wanted to offer her nothing but genuine comfort.

He set the knife down, turned, and ran downstairs. “Nova!” he called. “Nova!”

“I’m here,” a small voice whispered from a darkened corner of the living room. He found her curled up on the other side of a sofa, hugging her knees to her chest. She peered up at him, her expression a mixture of fear and curiosity. “Is he dead, Master?”

“Yes, little human.” He knelt before her and looked her over, making sure no blood had been drawn. Fortunately, she didn’t even have a scratch. He reached for her hands and gave them a squeeze, and to his relief, she didn’t flinch or pull away from him.

“Why did he want to hurt me? What is this blood debt he spoke of?”

Zylonn lifted her out of the corner and carried her to the large sofa on the other side of the room, beside a window that had a perfect view of the forest and mountains. When it wasn’t overcast and storming, that was. In the distance, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, and a moment later, thunder rumbled so loud, the walls of the house rattled. She snuggled deeper in his embrace, and he reveled in the feel of her in his arms, safe and unharmed.

He cleared his throat, preparing to tell her of the reason behind the attack. He had thought the matter long settled, though, and Hethron’s appearance in his home had come as a shock. Had he suspected he had any enemies at all, he would have installed a security system. Most homes on Tarkkua didn’t have one, as most Tarkkuans didn’t even lock their doors at night. Guilt settled on his shoulders. Even though his planet was generally safe, he should have been more cautious, and he vowed to be even more protective of his mate in the future. He would die before he let anything happen to her.

“Hethron’s younger brother, Lazon, was in my mining unit. Not only that, but we shared a bunk and often paired during work. We worked fast together and between the two of us, we usually managed to mine triple or more of the materials as the other males in our unit, on a daily basis. He was my friend,” Zylonn said, his grief over the loss of Lazon lending an extra darkness to the stormy afternoon. He gazed at the trees blowing in the wind, then returned his eyes to Nova before continuing in his story. “Unfortunately, one day his oxygen tank was struck by debris. Before we could get back to the ship, he ran out of air and stopped breathing.”

“And Hethron blamed you for Lazon’s death?”

“He accused me of cold-blooded murder, insisting I must’ve damaged Lazon’s oxygen tank myself in order to claim all the materials we had mined together, but a formal inquiry into the matter proved my innocence. A judge dismissed Hethron’s accusations against me, and I never heard from him again. Not until today. It’s unheard of for a Tarkkuan to disregard a judge’s decision. I am sorry for Hethron’s family, for now they will grieve the loss of another son, but I am not sorry I killed him.” He tightened his hold on her, a deep, low growl rumbling in his throat. “No one touches what’s mine.”

Chapter 16

The storm had passed as quickly as it had rolled in, the dark clouds dispersing and the Tarkkuan sky returning to its normal brilliant shade of aqua blue. Nova sat on the patio that faced the forest, watching as the sun glittered on the droplets covering the trees and underbrush, while the authorities removed Hethron from the house and talked to Zylonn.

She blew out a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair. A lot had happened this afternoon. She’d been attacked, had a knife pressed to her throat, and believed she was about to die. But then she’d been saved by Zylonn, who could apparently make objects, and even people, move with his mind.

In all her years of studying the Tarkkuans, she had never learned anything about them that might explain Zylonn’s unusual powers. The word Hethron had called him translated as aberrant. She wondered what other abilities he possessed and if their children would inherit them.

She looked down and realized her hands were shaking in her lap. She twisted her fingers together and focused on breathing in and out. Everything would be fine. She was still alive. Hethron hadn’t harmed a hair on her head, let alone managed to nick her throat in the slightest.

Why then, did she feel so uncertain about the future and her mate?

She’d been on Tarkkua with him for a full month now. He’d told her all there was to know about his family and his past, but he’d omitted his supernatural powers. As she’d fled the bedroom, he’d been in the process of choking Hethron without even laying a hand on the man.

“Nova?”

She turned at the sound of her mate’s deep voice. He entered the patio and sat down beside her, placing an arm around her and drawing her close. She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking comfort in his presence, even if he had been keeping secrets from her. Was there anything else important he hadn’t told her yet, about himself or about this world? During the last month, she’d begun to feel at home on this planet, and with Zylonn, but now she once again felt as uneasy as she had the moment she’d stepped off the Zenallia. Once more, she felt like a stranger in a foreign land. Would she always be an outsider looking in?

“The authorities are gone, and Hethron, too.” He ran a hand through her hair and kissed her forehead. His woodsy masculine scent enticed her to snuggle closer, and he responded by lifting her into his lap and cradling her against his chest. “I am sorry for the fright you endured, little human.”

She gulped hard and withdrew partially from him to stare up into his dark gaze. Her heart squeezed with emotion at the tender yet possessive gleam in his eyes. Despite his secrets, she felt safe in his arms and secure in the knowledge that he would protect her from any danger that came their way. But was he hiding anything else?

“Master?”

“Yes, Nova?”

“Why didn’t you tell me about your… abilities? I’ve never heard of a Tarkkuan who can move objects or people with their mind.” A sudden unnerving thought struck her. What if he could read her thoughts? She stared at his chest, awaiting his answer as a ball of worry tightened in her stomach.

“An aberrant—that is what my kind have been called for generations—only uses their powers in matters of life and death. I am sorry I did not tell you of my abilities sooner, little human. I had intended to tell you when I felt the time was right—I didn’t want to frighten you—but it did not occur to me that I would have need to use my powers so soon.”

“I see.” She supposed it made sense. Had he told her on her first night here that he possessed special mental powers, she would have been even more anxious on their wedding night, and she certainly would’ve been downright terrified when he punished her. Her bottom clenched involuntarily at the memory of his hand, and then the leather strap, cracking down on her ass cheeks. “Master, how did you get these powers? Were you born with them, or did you learn them?”

“All the males in my family have psychokinetic abilities. Our sons will have them as well, though it will take them some time to develop them fully, with the proper training, of course. Once, during the time of my great-grandfather, a rogue group of Tarkkuans known as the firebloods set about slaughtering all the aberrants on the planet, but a few managed to escape their notice, before our government rounded up the firebloods and executed them.”

“You didn’t answer my question yet. About having other abilities. Can you do more than move objects and, um, choke people?” she asked, repressing a shudder at the image of Hethron, his eyes bulging and his face bright purple, that flashed in her mind.

He looked thoughtful for a second, then said, “No. That is the extent of it.”

“So, you can’t read thoughts or anything like that?”

“No, little human. Nothing like that. I can’t read your thoughts any more than you can read mine.”

She sighed. “Well, that comes as a relief.”

He waggled his eyebrows at her, his teasing serving to lessen her anxieties. “Why is that, Nova? Do you have a habit of entertaining naughty thoughts?”

She laughed and playfully tapped his chest. “Never. I’m quite pure, in fact. I came to you a virgin, did I not?”

“Ah, you did, and I must confess I have enjoyed breaking you in.” He reached underneath her to squeeze her bottom.

She peered at him, suddenly breathless and aching, despite the seriousness of what had happened upstairs. The sorrow that had befallen her when she feared she might die, when the images of the life she would never live flashed in her mind, returned and left her needing to reassure herself that she was still very much alive. She leaned up to press her lips to Zylonn’s, and he grasped her face in his hands and growled, kissing her back with the same urgency.

After a while, he withdrew from her mouth without warning and grabbed a handful of her hair, forcing her head back. “You’re my mate, little human. My sweet bride. I will never let anyone hurt you. I swear on the Gods.” He released her hair and stood up to unfasten his pants, pinning her with a feral look that made her flush all over. He gave a command for the clear walls of the patio to darken, leaving the walls black all around except for directly overhead, where the sun still shined down upon them, affording them complete privacy. Her heart raced as she realized his intent.

She rose up, slipped her panties off, and started to remove her dress, but he turned her around, pushing her dress up to her waist and then forcing her to kneel on the loveseat. He guided her to bend over the back of it, the position leaving her bottom jutted up, her thighs spread, and her center oh so vulnerable to his ministrations. He plunged two thick fingers in and out of her pussy, and she clutched onto the sofa as the pleasure built and built, a blissful quickening of sensation that left her panting and spiraling closer to the abyss of her release. But just before the wave of ecstasy could crash over her, he pulled his digits from her core and replaced them with his cock. She shuddered and arched her ass, eager to meet his entrance.

“I need to be inside you right now,” he said in a deep, rumbling voice. “I want you just like this—bent over with your pussy offered up to me, wet and aching to be filled up by your mate, your master.”

He surged inside her, the force of his entry taking her breath away.

* * *

Zylonn pounded into her like a man possessed. He gripped her hips and plunged deeper, faster, the urge to claim her thoroughly and fill her with his seed dominating his every thought. He hadn’t entered the patio with the intent to fuck her, but when he’d detected her arousal and sensed her desire to be taken, it had been as if a beast had awoken inside him.

He slowed his strokes and spread her ass cheeks wide, revealing her secret pucker. He traced a finger over her asshole, enjoying the sight of it clenching at his touch. As she whimpered, he increased the pressure on her tight pucker, until the tip of his finger finally entered her.

“Master, please. You-you’re embarrassing me.”

She gasped and clamped down around his digit, and all the while he maintained a slow thrust in and out of her pussy. He didn’t understand why she was protesting, as he touched her asshole almost every day. He told her as much, and she confessed to always feeling ashamed when he touched her most private hold.

“You ought to be embarrassed,” he said teasingly, adding a second finger to her ass. “You ought to be deeply ashamed at how wet you are becoming, with both your holes filled up at the same time. Naughty, naughty little human.” Once he had both digits seated deep in her ass, he commenced pounding into her pussy as hard as he had earlier.

“Master, please.” Her voice came as a soft whimper, drifting over the noise of flesh slapping against flesh, but he didn’t think she was begging him to stop. No, she was pleading for him to fuck her harder and make her come.

With each drive of his cock into her tight, wet channel, his scrotum impacted upon her clit, and it wasn’t long before she cried out her release, gyrating back against him as her knuckles turned white while she clutched onto the sofa.

“Master,” she breathed, her tone one of dreamy satisfaction.

Slowly, he withdrew his digits from her ass, once again enjoying the erotic sight of her pucker clenching and unclenching. Ah, one day soon he would fuck her ass. With this thought in mind, he grabbed her hips and slammed his hard length into her, again and again, his desire swelling with each delicious plunge into her tightness, until at last he came with a thunderous roar, his seed spurting deep into her womanly core. When he pulled out of her pussy, a trickle of his essence ran down her inner thigh, milky white against her pale flesh, a mark of his ownership.

He sat on the sofa and drew her into his arms. Second best to claiming her was cradling her against his chest and running his hands through her hair. Gods, she was delicate, but she was strong. She hadn’t broken down weeping after her ordeal with Hethron, though he wouldn’t have thought any less of her if she had. He thought she would make a fine mother one day, and he absently caressed her stomach, wondering how long it would be until she was with child.

She cupped the side of his face and stared at him for the longest while, her expression one of urgency, as if she had something important to say. But he wouldn’t rush her. Whatever it was, he would be patient and allow her to confess it on her own time. However, what she said next surprised him and shook him to his very core.

“Thank you for saving me, Master. I-I worried that I might die, and then I saw the life I would have missed with you in my mind, flashing as if the events had already come to pass. Resting in your arms as we watched another sunrise. Our first baby. Then many more children. It broke my heart to think none of those events would come to pass. I-I realized in that instant, that I am growing to care for you, even though I fought it at first. I-I am glad that you were chosen as my mate. I cannot imagine being mated to another, Master. I feel as if my heart didn’t truly start beating until I met you.”

Gods, what could he say to that? She’d laid her soul bare before his, and for a moment, his throat burned with so much emotion that he couldn’t utter a single word, let alone a coherent sentence. Finally, he leaned down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.

“I have grown to care for you, as well, my sweet human. In fact, I’ve grown to love you, Nova.” He’d been waiting for the right moment to confess his true feelings to her, and it seemed the proper time had finally come.

“Oh, Zylonn.” She sniffled. “I love you, too.”

“We will make all those memories, and more. I promise. Now come here. I intend to claim you, but slowly this time.”

And so he did.

He kissed her all over, worshipping every little part of her body, until the sun set and the moons rose high over the distant mountain peaks, until finally, they collapsed breathlessly into one another’s arms.

Epilogue

Five weeks later…

Nova bustled around the house, straightening up after a pleasant morning spent having tea with Meris. She finished cleaning the kitchen, got her supplies organized to cook dinner later, and then ventured toward the stairs, intending to make the bed next. But a noise near the door caught her attention and she spun around, her heart pouding. Weeks had passed since her encounter with Hethron, but she was still jumpy from time to time whenever she heard a sudden noise.

Thankfully, it was just Zylonn.

He entered the house and strode toward her with open arms. She met him halfway and snuggled into his embrace.

“You’re home early, Master.” Then her stomach flipped…because he was home early and she’d been most disobedient this morning. She’d intentionally not worn her anal plug. Her heart pounded and a chill went down her spine. What if he checked her bottom hole and discovered her naughtiness? A quiver raced across her behind cheeks. She prayed he didn’t ask about it. Maybe she could sneak upstairs and put it in before he realized anything was amiss.

He tightened his embrace for a moment and then finally released her. “There was a power fluctuation at the laboratory today and all the workers were sent home early.”

“Have you had lunch yet?” Maybe she could distract him with food.

“It’s not even close to lunchtime.” He stroked a hand through her hair and his gaze darkened with lust.

Oh no. Her pulse spiked. If he tried to make love to her now, he would most definitely discover her naughtiness. She was supposed to put the plug in directly after he left for work and leave it in for the equivalent of two hours. He hadn’t even been gone for an hour and a half.

She was so screwed.

“Come,” he said, guiding her toward the staircase.

“Please, Master, I-I have a lot of chores I still need to complete.”

Annoyance flared in his eyes and her stomach abruptly clenched. “Are you saying you are too busy to please your master, little human?”

“No, of course not. But…” Her voice trailed off. But what? She couldn’t think of a good excuse. Perhaps she ought to confess to him right now what she’d done—or failed to do, that is.

“Nova, is something wrong?”

She lowered her head. “Master, I did not insert the plug in my bottom hole this morning. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” She held her breath, waiting for his reaction.

“I see,” he finally said. “And if I wouldn’t have come home early, would you have confessed this to me? Or would you have led me to believe you’d done nothing wrong today?”

Tears brimmed in her eyes, blurring her vision as she stared up at her displeased master. Her throat burned and she debated whether or not to continue telling the truth. She opened her mouth and then hesitated.

“Trust me, little human, I will know if you’re lying. You don’t want to find out what happens when you lie to me.”

She felt her face crumple and she lowered her head once again. “I-I was not going to tell you I failed to put my plug in.”

“Thank you for being honest. Now explain to me why you failed to put it in.”

She swallowed hard. “I-I didn’t want to wear it while Meris was visiting.”

“I did not give you permission to miss a day of anal training, Nova. You have worn the plug while you went about your daily chores without complaint; surely you could have worn it while having a guest over. It is not as if I make you walk around naked. Fully clothed, your friend would have had no idea you had a plug seated inside your bottom hole. I am very disappointed that you disobeyed me in this, little human, and you will be punished.”

Her bravery, what little she had left, fled as he grabbed her by the arm and guided her upstairs. Once they reached the bedroom, he immediately stripped her of all her clothing. Next, he sat on the bed and forced her to stand between his legs. He reached around and cupped her bottom, drawing her closer as he spread her ass cheeks and caressed her quivering pucker. She lowered her head, embarrassed. Though he had touched her asshole many times, she always experienced a hot flush of shame, as if she had never been touched there before. She often wondered if the embarrassment would ever cease, or if years from now, she would still be blushing and fidgeting awkwardly every time he paid attention to her most private hole.

She whimpered and tried to stand still while he pushed at her tight entrance.

“Not only did you intentionally fail to wear your plug today, Nova, but you also planned to deceive me. I believe such defiance has earned you a bottom hole punishment.”

“Master?” Alarm filled her, because she had no idea what he meant. He had never punished her bottom hole before, and she didn’t want to find out exactly what that sort of chastisement entailed. She tried to turn and escape, but he grabbed her and forced her over one of his knees, then quickly draped his free leg atop her kicking ones.

“None of that,” he said sternly, giving her a warning swat. “You will submit to your punishment, little human. You were naughty, and this is what naughty girls get.”

Before she could plead with him to simply spank her, he splayed her cheeks apart, and, with the flat of his fingers, delivered a sharp crack over her spread anus. She jerked in his hold and cried out, only for him to continue on, spanking her pucker as he scolded her for disobedience.

“Naughty girls get their bottom holes spanked, don’t they, Nova?” He swatted her again. “Nice and hard.” He must have given her a dozen more slaps before releasing her cheeks and cupping her behind.

Tears stung in her eyes—not from the pain, but rather from the humiliation of being punished in such an intimate, shameful manner. She made a mental note to never, ever fail to wear her anal plug again. She was only required to wear it for a short while every morning, and soon, once she was able to take his cock in her ass, he would not require her to wear it as often. She sniffled and buried her face in the covers, too embarrassed for words.

* * *

Zylonn brought his flattened palm down hard on Nova’s ass, peppering her curvy cheeks with sharp spanks. It didn’t take long for her buttocks to turn a deep shade of pink, but she didn’t whimper or cry out nearly as much as she had when he’d been swatting her bottom hole.

He paused and pulled aside one of her cheeks to glimpse her reddened pucker. She tensed and gasped, no doubt expecting another slap to her asshole. But he didn’t plan to spank her there again—he planned to finally fuck her snug passage instead. She’d planned to deceive him and he needed to be especially firm with her. This would be a lesson to remember.

“Stand up and bend over the bed, little human.” He urged her to her feet and nodded at her to take up position. Teary-eyed, she gave him an uncertain look, but then soon complied. “Good girl. Now, reach around and spread your ass cheeks.”

“Master?”

He removed his clothing and reached for the bottle of lubrication. She peered at his cock in disbelief, finally realizing how he intended to finish her punishment. Despite her reluctance, she sighed and started to reach around to grab her buttocks, but she didn’t spread her cheeks right away. Her hands hovered over the freshly spanked globes of her ass, trembling as she exhaled a shuddering breath and held his gaze, giving him her most pleading look.

“Please, Master. Not in my ass. It will never fit.”

“I assure you, it will.” He felt the corners of his mouth twitch. “It may be tight, but it will fit. Now spread.”

With one final whimper of protest, she pulled her bottom apart, revealing her little quivering pucker, still red and slightly swollen from her earlier punishment. She’d been taking the plug on its largest setting recently without any apparent trouble, and he was certain she would manage his cock.

He moved behind her and trickled a generous amount of lubrication over her asshole, then massaged it around, ever so slowly, until he breached her entrance and slid two fingers in and out, coating her insides with the lube in preparation for the much larger intrusion of his painfully erect cock.

“Sometimes I will fuck your ass for our mutual pleasure, little human,” he said, positioning his length at her opening, “but this is not one of those times. You were naughty, and this is part of your punishment. You disobeyed my orders, and now this is your penance. A good, hard fucking in your virgin asshole.” He gripped her hips and started pushing inside, careful not to truly hurt her. Her tightness stretched around his shaft.

Fluxxing Gods. He had to pause mid-thrust, to take a deep breath and steady himself, lest he spill his seed in her too soon. Once he was back in control, he finished driving his length all the way inside her. He began a slow thrusting motion in and out of her, and gradually built his speed, claiming her private hole. He felt the wetness of her arousal when his balls slapped against her slick pussy lips, but he wasn’t about to reach under her and stroke her clit. Perhaps later, if she took her punishment well, he would allow her to reach the heights of her pleasure.

“Master?” she asked, her tone finally apologetic.

“Yes, little human?”

“I-I am sorry I didn’t listen to you. I thought you wouldn’t find out. I never expected you to come home from work early and find me not wearing it. I know that was wrong, planning to deceive you, planning to lie to you.” She gasped when he gave her an especially hard thrust. “I am so very sorry.”

“I appreciate your apology and your honesty, Nova.” He continued fucking her ass, moving faster now. “I’m going to spill my seed in your ass soon, and then this will be over. Do you think you can be a good girl and take the rest of your punishment?”

“Yes, Master,” she said with a groan, and when she tried to rub her clit on the bed, he lifted her hips higher, preventing her from such naughtiness.

Before he could scold her for her wantonness, his inner thighs clenched and blinding white pleasure stole over him. He came hard, pumping his essence into her taut hole, while she moaned and whimpered beneath him, taking every last hard thrust he gave her.

Once he caught his breath, he withdrew from her ass and inspected her adorable little pucker, making sure he hadn’t been too rough with her. Satisfied that she was all right, he left her for several moments while he quickly cleaned up in the bathroom and returned to her with a warm wet cloth, which he used to tend to her secret punished parts.

“Mm. Thank you, Master. That feels nice.” She peered over her shoulder at him. “I really am sorry. I felt guilty all morning about what I was planning. To be truthful, a part of me was glad when you caught me. It won’t happen again, Master. I promise.” She sniffled and her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back a wave of emotion.

He sat on the bed and gathered her in his arms, keeping the warm cloth tucked between her ass cheeks, and holding her close while he stroked her hair. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight, and when he felt the wetness of her tears on his chest, he wiped them away with his thumbs, giving her an encouraging smile as he did so.

“You’ve never tried to deceive me before, Nova, and that is why I was so hard on you,” he explained in a gentle voice. “I hope this is a lesson we won’t have to soon repeat.”

He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead. She melted against him and shuddered, as if she’d been waiting for him to kiss her, so he kissed her again and again, on her forehead, her cheeks, and then her lips.

Soft, sweet kisses meant to soothe her pain.

“Gods, I love you, little human. I am blessed to have you as my bride.”

“I love you too, Master.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “I never planned to, but I do. Very much. And I am glad for it.”

He kissed her again.

THE END

About Sue Lyndon

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUE LYNDON writes naughty, heartfelt romance filled with sexy discipline, breathless surrender, and scorching hot passion. Hard alpha males, strict husbands, fierce alien warriors, and stern daddy-doms make her go weak in the knees. She's a #1 Amazon bestseller in multiple categories, including Sci-Fi Romance, Historical Romance, BDSM Erotica, and Fantasy Romance. She also writes vanilla sci-fi romance under the name Sue Mercury—but no matter the genre or pen name, her books always have a swoon-worthy happily ever after.

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If you enjoyed Zylonn’s Human Bride, you might like the following titles by Sue Lyndon:

Alien Daddies: A Sci-Fi Reverse Harem Romance

Kenan’s Mate (Kleaxian Warriors, Book 1)

Tavarr’s Mate (Kleaxian Warriors, Book 2)

The SEAL’s Captive Bride

His by Law (Dark Embrace, Book 1)

Saving His Runaway Bride (Dark Embrace, Book 2)

Papa’s Little Bride (Dark Embrace, Book 3)

Taken by the Admiral

Punished by the Admiral

Daman’s Ward (Jackson Settlement, Book 1)

Shana’s Guardian (Jackson Settlement, Book 2)

Sold into Marriage

Taming Princess Anna

Claiming His Human Wife

Rules of War (Rules of War, Book 1)

Rules of Command (Rules of War, Book 2)

Owning His Bride

Claiming Their Maiden (Barbarian Mates, Book 1)

Claiming Their Princess (Barbarian Mates, Book 2)

Claiming Their Slave (Barbarian Mates, Book 3)

Big Blue Valentine

His to Educate

Surrender (Alien Warriors, Book 1)

Commander’s Slave (Alien Warriors, Book 2)

His Naughty Little Mate

You’re also invited to check out Sue’s non-bdsm sci-fi alien romance titles written under the name Sue Mercury:

The Reestrian Mates series:

Step Alien (Reestrian Mates, Book 1)

Sweet Alien (Reestrian Mates, Book 2)

Double Alien (Reestrian Mates, Book 3)

Boss Alien (Reestrian Mates, Book 4)

Savage Alien (Reestrian Mates, Book 5)

Reestrian Mates: The Complete Series

Mail Order Human series:

Alien’s Innocent Bride (Mail Order Human, Book 1)

Alien’s Princess Bride (Mail Order Human, Book 2)

Alien’s Reluctant Bride (Mail Order Human, Book 3)

Alien’s Orphan Bride (Mail Order Human, Book 4)

Alien’s Beloved Bride (Mail Order Human, Book 5)

Mail Order Human: The Complete Series

The Vaxxlian Mates series:

Alien Protector (Vaxxlian Mates, Book 1)

Alien Healer (Vaxxlian Mates, Book 2)

Alien Giant (Vaxxlian Mates, Book 3)

Alien Brute (Vaxxlian Mates, Book 4)

Alien Hunter (Vaxxlian Mates, Book 5)

Sue Lyndon has written dozens of short stories, novellas, and novels. For a complete listing of her titles, please visit:

Sue Lyndon’s Amazon Author Page

or

www.suelyndon.com