The Dawning of Fate

Kyrin left. The three of us sat in tense silence as we processed everything he had to say. Something about the way we ran into him was just too coincidental. I mean, what are the odds right? Matu was playing her games again and I didn’t like it. My life is mine to live, not some toy to be meddled with in her past time. But what could I do? She was a fucking goddess! If she wanted to pluck my mortal ass right off the side of this planet, she could. Then there’s Dronan, an actual warlord. I wonder if it's too late to ask for a ride back home. What would my life even be like back on Earth? My van was likely towed away. I wonder if my folks were looking for me. I could find another job, no problem. I might even be able to get my old one back though I have no idea how I would explain why I’ve been missing for all this time. Spiritual retreat? I inwardly snort.

Glancing over, I watch Azandum and his brother as they discuss options amongst themselves. The thought of never seeing him again causes an uncomfortable pain in my chest. Nowadays even being too far from him causes a deep longing in my entire being. He’s become a part of me on a level much deeper than words can even describe. I know I wouldn’t be able to connect with someone else like this. Just imagine being planets-galaxies- away. I’d survive, emotionally wounded, but alive. The idea brings the memories of my time in that- I shudder. I’d been doing well not to think about it but that place was… despair.

“We can’t trust him. We don’t even know him! You expect me to sit here and wait for his return? He could be setting a trap for us as we speak!” Footsteps clicked on the wood flooring. Azandum shakes his head. “No.”

Amondis opens his mouth to respond.

“No,” he repeats. “You can’t expect me to risk her life further than I already have. Dronan is here, brother. We were already riding on a fine line by coming here. Now, you’re just tempting fate.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in fate, Z.” Amondis counters.

“Life has a way of making you a believer.”

Crossing my legs, I lean against the wall. Perhaps I should care more about whatever alien bacteria I was getting on my clothes but at this point, that’d be a mercy. “What’s going on now?”

Azandum turns to me. “My wombmate is being an idiot.”

My eyebrow arches. “Strong choice of words there.”

“He thinks we should stay here and wait for the Xoid to return with more information. We should leave,” he asserts, glaring pointedly at his brother. “The two of us are perfectly capable of finding her ourselves or have you forgotten who you were?”

Amondis’ wings draw in tight to his back. “If anyone has forgotten it's you, brother. You’ve been hiding on that backwater planet for years. I’d be surprised if you remembered how to fight.”

Irritation and an eerie sort of anticipation tickle my senses. “I can show you much better than I can tell you.”

My fingers pinch the bridge of my nose. “There’s a girl missing, we’re in hostile territory, and there’s the possibility that another war is brewing. But despite all of that, the two of you are going back and forth like children!” Amondis purses his lips. Azandum opens his mouth but I beat him to it. “How are we going to find her on our own? Zan, baby, I know you’re worried about me but we’re here now.” I spread my arms out.

“It’s not safe, Echo.”

“I know.” I drop my hands to the side. “And I’m scared too.” His jaw tightens, not wanting to admit his fear. “Before we can go anywhere we need information. None of us trust Kryin but what else can we do? From what you’ve told me, everyone here hates your people. We probably found the one Xoid who is willing to help us. Call it divine timing or luck, I don’t care but unless you know someone else, this is all we got.”

“Worst case scenario is that this a trap,” Amondis picks up where I left off. “If so, we’ll just have to fight our way out of here. We’ve been in tough spots before.”

Zan glares at his brother. “I didn’t have anything to lose then.”

Amondis places a hand on Zan’s shoulder. “No. Now, you have something to fight for.”

Zan glances at me and his eyes soften before he huffs. His shoulders rise and fall with a deep breath. “I’m sorry for what I insinuated, A. My emotions are heightened these days.”

The twin slaps his shoulder. “Water under the bridge. I know you didn’t mean it. Neither did I.” Amondis chuckles. “It’s been so long since I been around another of our people. I’ve forgotten how high our tempers ride. How did we all coexist on one planet without tearing each other apart?”

Zan snorts. “Hunting and vratting.”

I know it was before we met but the thought of Zan having sex with someone other than me causes a surge of possessiveness. Irrational? Yes. Do I care? No. He’s mine. I have this intense urge to stake my claim on him, to show him who he belongs to, and mark his skin with bite marks and scratches. I’ve never felt so…primal. The potency of this new desire is heady but strange. I’ve never been the jealous type of girl. Truthfully, in my previous life, men were simply a means to an end. I didn’t have time for a serious relationship what with my research taking up most of my time.

With Amondis around and our perilous predicament, exploring this new side of myself will have to wait. I satisfy my needs with fantasies of things I’ve only imagined doing in my wildest dreams. Through the link, I projected images of himself, restrained, with me taking his thick cock into my mouth. His sharp eyes snap over to me. I smirk deviously as I imagined him on his knees with one of my legs on his shoulder. My fingers would be wrapped around his horns, stroking them as I forced his head between my legs. Goosebumps pepper my skin as moisture gathers between my thighs.

He growls low in his throat and stalks toward me. I look up at him innocently. “Yes?”

“What…are you doing?”

I raise my eyebrows. “I have no idea what you’re talking about Zan. As you can see, I’m sitting here waiting patiently for Kyrin to return.”

He chuckles softly, bending over to take my chin between his fingertips. “Then why can I smell your desire from across the room? I bet if I spread your legs right now, you’ll be soaking wet.” My breath hitches. He hums, watching me before a smirk turns his full lips. “Don’t like the idea of someone else touching what’s yours?”

My eyes narrow at him and I tug my chin from his fingers. He smiles, squatting down in front of me. Zan places his hands on my waist and pulls me closer. I’m forced to uncross my legs so he can fit in between them.

“I only want you, Echo. You’re my everything. My haju doesn’t get hard for anyone else.” I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out. He grins, showing a hint of his sharp teeth. “I’m serious. You want me to prove it to you right now?” Yes. I shake my head but he gives me a knowing look.

My fingers trail through his hair and across his chiseled jaw before I rest my hand on his cheek. The golden sclera that circles his black eyes is shown in the dimly lit hovel. He had the eyes of a king; intense and penetrating. He was powerful and willing to take on the world for me. How could I even consider leaving him? I wanted so much more time with him. I wanted to get to know every aspect of the man who has carved himself a place inside of me. I want to give him everything that he feels like he lost, and then some. He deserves it all.

“I love you.” A smile slowly forms on my lips as I realize that that’s my first time actually telling him. I’ve felt it, deeply. And with him able to sense my emotions, I’m sure he knew, but the words themselves never actually left my lips.

I could feel the purring of his drakul through his chest. He kisses the center of my palm before carefully resting his forehead against mine. “Echo,” he sighs. My heart flutters. Azandum whispered my name like it was the sweetest relief, an answered prayer; with reverence. He pulls back and presses his lips to my forehead before doing the same to my nose and finally my lips. “Mr i Tn, Echo.”

“Not going to lie, I am a bit jealous that the two of you can mentally talk like the Quai. Is he talking about me, Echo?”

“Why would I want to talk about you in my head when there’s enough of you as is?”

My head shakes as a smile plays on my lips. I had no idea what our next moves were going to be and there was still so much about living outside of Earth that I didn’t understand. I mean, I’d been on one planet for my entire life and now suddenly planetary travel was not only possible, but it was normal! I wasn’t sure I would ever wrap my head around all the new developments happening around me, but I had Azandum. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me and I would work hard so that I could protect him as well. Together, we would get through this.