Kor walked in and stopped. For the first time since he'd laid eyes on Diana, he thanked the Oracle. And, yes, he'd finally relented enough, or should he say groveled enough, that Alphie had given him his mate-to-be's name, along with some basic information about her, but not too much. Kor, for some unfathomable reason, looked forward to discovering more about his chosen. He especially couldn't wait to see how she'd look naked with face flushed and her body aroused. That erotic thought presided at the forefront of his mind as he viewed his intended looking radiant as the moon goddess wearing the flowing garments of his people. Her shapely curves, both hidden and revealed by the strategically draped cloth, made her look good enough to eat. As soon as Diana opened her mouth, though, Kor rolled his eyes and lost his appetite. "I demand you find me some proper clothes," she stated, hands on her hips, glaring at him, not realizing what a fetching picture she made. "I refuse to be dress
Diana allowed him to seat her, still somewhat stunned by the reality of her situation. I'm really on a spaceship flying through the universe on my way to a new world. Holy crap! And by the sounds of it, I'm not the first one. A giant screen that had dropped down from the seamless ceiling lit up, and Kor stood beside it, pointing to the large planet that appeared in the middle of it. "This is my home world, Xaanda, or, translated, Planet of Bounty. You'll notice it resembles your planet Earth quite a bit, although we are several times larger. We have a bright sun much like your own and a second, smaller, red sun. Rotating around our planet are three moons, the resting place for our ancestors. But that is a history lesson for another day." Kor touched the planet on the screen and zoomed in quickly 'til the view shrank to a panorama of a city-a futuristic one by Diana's standards. It gleamed silver, white, and cream with some buildings towering high while others se
"No, absolutely not," Diana said, arms crossed, shaking her head. Kor sighed and resisted the urge to rip out his hair. "These shots are necessary to ensure your health and well-being once we arrive on my planet." Not to mention one of them had the implant that would allow her to speak and understand all languages. He'd thought it best not to tell her about it being included in the shots, given her earlier rant about implants turning humans into killers. Earthlings had way too much imagination. "No way. I am not letting you inject me with some weird alien cocktail," she repeated stubbornly. "The shots will barely hurt. Please cooperate. We need to vaccinate you." "Not to mention make your Earth eggs more viable," piped in an unhelpful Alphie. With a mentally groan, Kor braced himself. "What?" she shrieked. "You're trying to pump me with fertility drugs? I haven't even agreed to marry you yet." Kor brightened. She used the word 'yet' instead of
Diana giggled as Kor told her far-fetched stories of alien life. I know he's got to be pulling my leg, but at least he's entertaining. After one tale on the mating rituals of the Xianmalons-it seemed odd that you needed to die in order to get married first-she broached the subject of bonding. "Okay, so you need to explain this bonding thing to me a little better. I mean, it is why I'm here. Mind you, I'm not saying yes. I'm just curious." Kor, who had gotten closer to her while he talked-disturbingly close-seemed pleased with her question. "What do you want to know?" "If I understood you correctly before, we get naked, then say some words, and we're, like, married?" So much for a white wedding. "Bluntly, yes, although it is a little more spiritual than that." "I still don't see why we need to be naked." Although she had to admit that a part of her looked forward to seeing him naked again. Surely he can't be as big as I remember. Can he? "As par
"Kor," said his mother in a firm tone, "what do you mean you have not bonded yet? You are almost home. What are you waiting for?" "She hasn't said yes yet, Mother," said Kor, restraining an urge to run his hand through his hair, a sign of agitation his mother was sure to recognize. "What? Who cares if she hasn't said yes? She was chosen by the Oracle. Now do your duty and bond with her." What did his mother think he'd been trying to do? By all the silvery moons, he thought he'd had her the last time they'd kissed. She'd been ripe for him. He could sense it, smell it. His body still twitched in remembrance. Yet, she still hesitated. He'd never understand females. "I'm trying," grumbled Kor under his breath. But his mother, of keen ears, heard him. "Well, try harder, son. Have you not explained the plight of our world?" "Of course I have. But she insists that we date." Dating, an unfamiliar term that Kor had researched and found to mean, on her p
"Come with me," Kor said mysteriously, interrupting her virtual game of chess with Alphie. Diana barely glanced at him, intent on her next move. But her body sure knew he was there. Treacherous body. She'd barely slept the night before for thinking about him. At least she'd come to a decision. She'd bond with him before they got to his planet, but only when the time seemed right, which, judging by her reaction to his presence, would probably be the next time he kissed her. However, she had no intention of telling him that. A lady should always play hard to get if she wanted her man to appreciate her. Kor leaned into her line of sight with a pleased look on his face, like a little boy who had a surprise and couldn't wait to reveal it. "Come with me," he repeated. "Where?" Kor shook his head with a smile and didn't answer. Diana found herself intrigued at his mysterious, almost playful air and rose from her seat. Tugging her hand, Kor led her to a bland room
"This better be good," grumbled Kor. "Stolen vessel spotted on the other side of the moon. Could be some contraband inside. Shall we disable it?" said an eager Alphie. "Not now, Alphie," said Kor, distracted, watching Diana saunter down to the water. He turned away from her, trying to control his urge to chase her down and make her his. I am a warrior. I have control over my body. Kor repeated this mantra to himself, but his body didn't seem to be listening. "Come on, Kor. She won't even know," the computer whined. Frustrated with himself for not being able to resist her allure and with Alphie for continually interrupting, Kor almost snapped. "Alphie, if it were any other time, I'd say go after it, but I am so close to getting her to bond, I can't risk it." "You are no fun," said Alphie in a distinct pouting tone. Kor, about to respond, instead jolted into action when he heard Diana let out a piercing shriek. Looking around, he realized she'd w
Diana's mind spun. Things had happened so rapidly. Only seconds ago, she'd watched Kor running for her, his face grim and his eyes flashing. A moment later, she found herself in a dank room that smelled bloody awful. Her captor let go of her, and Diana rubbed her arms where he'd gripped her, trying to erase the slimy feel of his touch. Diana looked about frantically for a place to run-any kind of refuge-but found herself surrounded by loud, hulking creatures. The crew of dubious origin-although judging by some of their porcine features, she could guess-leered and grunted at Diana. The unpleasant aroma of unwashed alien and something even more rancid tickled her nose as they swarmed around her. The foulness in the air made her stomach churn. Diana tried to take shallow breaths, which were not much better, as she could almost taste the filth. I wonder if they'll let me go if I puke on their feet? But judging by the grime on their boots, that had been tried before, and she didn't th