Apparition (15 page)

“I don’t think that animal likes me,” Cobra said musingly.

Zoe giggled. “Don’t feel bad, he bit Doss on the ass
once. Now he just tolerates him.”

“Gee thanks,” Doss drawled.

Cobra sighed. “Well, it’s not you he looks like he’s
about to destroy.”

Cobra began to descend. When he settled Zoe on her
feet, she went to calm the stallion that had obviously been looking for her.
When he bent his knee, Zoe climbed onto his back. Two
Castian
warriors were scowling at the horse. Zoe smiled at them in passing as she
leisurely rode Caveat back to the horses’ area.

Chapter 10

Zoe could see Caveat and the herd in the distance
outside a huge window. Amidst the massive trees
was
the occasional open space and the horses seemed content. This was her new home
on
Bagron
. She and Doss had been there two weeks. It
was strange, almost confining, to be in the apartment-type dwelling with a
sliding door. Zoe had spent so much time outdoors. The ceiling was high and
domed. The walls and floor were made of the same sponge material the planet
sported. The window she gazed through was about two feet high and about six feet
long. Doss said no one could see in.

There were many levels in the apartment-type complex,
but Doss had requested the main floor. He had spent too long in a cave to be
comfortable living anywhere not on the ground. Zoe was fine with that too. With
the press of a button, she could slide the window back and feed Caveat and the
other
horses
apples and carrots. All of the horses
knew where to find Zoe and often milled about near the large window.

The planet was much the same as
Ulsy
.
Massive trees, tons of brilliant foliage. Odd holograms mixed with Earth
animals. The complex where they lived was also domed and made from interlocking
trees. It looked like a giant beaver dam from the outside. Inside were many
levels and many more apartments. It was the size of a football stadium, and Zoe
learned there were many more such complexes in various places on the planet.

Zoe was bored to tears. She was no longer hiding and
running for her life, which she was grateful for, but there was nothing to do.
The apartment cleaned itself; the bed made itself. She had no need for money or
a job; everything they needed the replicator made, including all meals. It left
her free to do anything she wanted. She looked wistfully at the horses, itching
to ride Caveat. She lacked companionship at the moment and was desperate to be
outside. Doss had asked her to wait for him and so here she sat impatiently.

Zoe had spoken to the fearful earth women who had been
raped or beaten on many occasions. The women were put in pairs with their own
apartments, also on the first floor as the domed structure had no elevators or
stairs. Many had become friends. Zoe described her own experience; her fateful
flee in the forest and her meeting with Doss. Brandy had become a close friend
and spoke about her own encounter with a basically unknown warrior who gave up
his life to save her, and his mate who accepted her and her unborn baby without
question. Brandy said she loved Loy; he had risked his freedom to save her
because of how loyal a
Castian
warrior was. Some were
willing to give the
Castian
warriors a chance to
prove they were honorable. Many were skeptical; Zoe didn’t blame them.

Doss had been instrumental in saving the lives of
hundreds of women, children and
Castian
warriors. In
many instances, because he was different, neither
Castian
nor
Tonan
, the women and children found it more
comfortable to be around him. Doss had been overwhelmed; going from centuries
of being a loathed hybrid to hero and savior to so many in such a short time
was humbling. He no longer masked his emotions but wore them with pride.
Because of that, Doss had made numerous friends. And because he was related to
Loy and
Raiden
, his
Castian
scent seemed stronger on him. That coupled with the fact he had no lying tail
was proof he was a warrior who could be trusted, a male with honor.

It had been a heartening experience to see women and
children who were saved from the
Tonan
prison camp
playing or just wandering freely outdoors. It seemed Cobra had a passion for
earth animals, real and holograms. Elephants washed at lakes in the distance.
Deer roamed and nuzzled food from an open palm.

Because the holograms could create anything in various
sizes for the parts
Castians
needed, they were able
to replicate larger toys. It was nice to see the warriors bending over
backwards to play ball with a quiet child, or pushing a swing, or manning one
side of a teeter totter with only a huge hand.

The human children had described Earth games and the
replicators made hundreds of balls, gloves, bats. It didn’t take the warriors
long to fall in love with football. And many of the warriors were already
planning and designing an ice rink, which before would have seemed a laughable
idea on a planet with two suns. It was a new experience for them all.
The humans having come from a dying planet to a lush new world.
The
Castians
having no women, knowing nothing but
war, were playing side by side with the children and each other.

Zoe was happy for Doss who seemed to be welcomed with
open arms like a lost brother—which he was in fact. Cobra and Loy had taken him
under their wings to teach him about
Castian
ways.
Before long, Loy and Doss were the envy of warrior mates. Their fighting skills
were unsurpassed with Doss’ lightning moves.

As though Zoe’s thoughts had conjured him up, Doss
entered their home smiling. Zoe was in his arms. His kiss was hungry when he
captured her mouth and Zoe was breathless before long. Doss backed her up to
the bed. Zoe landed on it with a gentle plop.

“Well you’re in a good mood,” Zoe said and gazed into
gray eyes rolling with billowing with clouds.

“I met my brother
Raiden
and
his warrior mate
Cace
. They are back from a mission.
It seems another world that has been unexplored may have life on it.
Raiden
wants permission to land on the planet, but he was
eager to meet me and my chosen.”

“When will I get to meet them?”

“Tonight.
Loy and Brandy are having us all over for dinner.”

Zoe was thrilled. She wondered what she should wear
then chuckled. Besides different colors, the women wore basically the same
thing. It was a necessity when it came to the warriors and their armor.
The less encumbering the clothing, the better.
A few of the
warriors made suggestions that perhaps nude would be easiest. But Cobra put his
foot down. Whatever the women chose to wear or not wear was up to them. Zoe
thought he was a good leader.

Doss settled himself on top of her. His hand brushed
back a lock of her hair. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” he
said making Zoe smile.

“Prove it,” she said cheekily.

“Hmm,” Doss said as though pondering. “Let me start
with your beautiful nose.” Doss kissed the tip of her nose, Zoe giggled.
“Your eyes.”
He kissed her eyelids. Zoe would have once
thought the kiss was that of a butterfly wing, but the butterflies on this
planet were a foot high. When they batted their wings it was enough to cause a
substantial breeze.

“What else?” Zoe whispered.

“Every part of your body is gorgeous, everything about
you is stunning, but your true beauty comes from within. That’s what makes you
beautiful.”

Doss lifted her shirt over her head and licked her
breasts. He sucked each nipple until it hardened to a bud. He pulled her up and
removed their pants. He sat her on his lap facing him. He was hard as steel and
Zoe felt the tip of his erection glide into her ever so gently. His powerful
hands did all the work as he lifted her and slid her down over his long hot
length.

Zoe groaned at the sheer strength of the warrior as
his hands settled onto her ass. His power was unsurpassed. His huge hands that
could crush were tender and loving. She was panting before long and she tried
to move against him faster. Zoe planted her knees on either side of him and
pulled up. Her hands rested on his broad shoulders loving the feel of his
muscles. Doss let her set the pace, until her head dropped to his chest. Once
she was exhausted, he smiled at her and Zoe hung on. She gasped as she rose and
fell, bouncing like an uneven trot on a huge runaway horse.

Their mouths met and tongues intertwined. Zoe nipped his
bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth and releasing. She licked the soft skin
around his perfect jaw, loving the fact there was no rough stubble. His tongue
glided around her ear making her giggle and shove at him, but he held tight.
His one hand gripped her long hair and he pulled her head to his chest. His
stunning erection began to grow larger and larger and Zoe offered him her
throat and begged to be bitten. Doss sunk his teeth into her and Zoe settled.
Doss held her cupped to his chest. She felt safe and warm and loved. Everything
was so perfect. Doss roared a release. He stilled, but they stayed together for
long moments.

It took effort, feeling so languished, but Zoe lifted
her hands to rub at his chest. She loved the feel of his muscles under her dainty
hands. Her nose nuzzled him. She sighed in contentment.

“Hmm, what did you say?” Doss asked.

Confused, Zoe leaned back to peer into his face. “I
didn’t say anything. I just sighed.”

“I was sure I heard something.” Now Doss looked
confused, he looked around. He seemed to be concentrating hard. A huge grin
split his face. “I thought we had missed the last of the
must
cycle. I was wrong; a
Tonian
is the same as a
Castian
in must, at least I am. I am guessing my cock won’t
grow as huge again for another four years when a warrior must is high again. It
won’t need to fill with the added pressure of a piece of my shield.”

“What do you mean?” Zoe asked.

Doss slipped from her and sat her beside him. His hand
pressed to her belly. “Breathe me in,” Doss commanded.

Dutifully Zoe sniffed him, although she felt a bit
self-conscious. “Uh, Doss? I feel silly.”

“Sorry, Zoe.
You’re going to have to let Loy and
Raiden
come close and take a good whiff of them. The babe
needs to identify with family. Let her scent them, she’ll do the rest.”

“Baby?”
Zoe said startled.
“A baby?
My baby?
Your baby?”

“Our baby,” Doss said and smiled.

“You mean I can toss a warrior on his ass without trying?
Like Brandy did? Man, that
Tonan
went ass over tea
kettle, it was awesome.”

“Well don’t look so excited.”

“I am excited,” she exclaimed. “She has a mommy and
daddy and family. All thanks to you and your compassion. You saved us, Doss.
You have given me everything I ever wanted. I love you so much I think my heart
will burst.”

“We have just enough time to go play in the healing
waters if you’d like to wash before we go for dinner,” Doss said and winked.

Zoe thought it was a wonderful idea, but washing was
the last thing on her mind.
Especially when her mate was
looking so big and sexy.

Epilogue

The suns were burning brightly and Zoe waddled along
outside in the small field smiling. She was picking the beautiful white Effie
flowers that smelled heavenly. A multitude of bird songs sang in her ears as
she strolled. She had missed the sound of birds on
Ulsy
.
It was a shame no one thought to save any on Earth. The
Castians
had. Many things the
Castian
warriors had done were
endearing. She no longer feared them. Many females had mated with them. Some
had missed the last female must, some had not. Some women were still healing
while the warriors continued to do their best to be acceptable and less
threatening. After all, the
Castians
had all the time
in the world.

Zoe was with Caveat, they were alone. Her hand rested
on the small of her back, her rounded bare belly protruding, catching the suns’
rays for her baby’s shield. As her pregnancy progressed, Zoe’s tolerance for
brighter sunlight increased dramatically. The shield that not only required the
sunlight also protected Zoe from it as well. At first, she had been worried
about burning, but Doss had explained there was a catch to the shield. Nothing
was allowed to harm Zoe while carrying. She thought the idea highly amusing
that she could stand outside all day long absorbing rays without the need for
sunscreen. The concept made both mother and child content.