This tunnel must have been honed with the Orb-Weapons that these aliens all seem to have. Well, had. Only Forn has a single one of his daggers left.
I’m going into completely unknown territory, and yet I feel safe and secure with Forn behind me. The huge alien’s presence is reassuring, and he doesn’t feel like that of a stranger even though I’ve only known him for a couple of days.
His words echo in my mind as we walk. It’s true - I do feel a connection; not only to him, but to the two other aliens as well.
Perhaps that’s simply a connection based on the fact that these three have saved my life countless times over the last few days?
I mean, given the circumstances, of course I’d feel a connection!
Forn reaches forward and grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I’m constantly aware of how much bigger he is than me. His fingers wrap around my arm easily, while mine wouldn’t be able to fit even around his wrist.
What about around his cock? Would my fingers be able to fit around that?
I feel a flush of shame.
Oh! Get your mind out of the gutter, Tammy.
Forn’s looming bulk makes me feel so tiny, so vulnerable and yet so protected all at the same time. I know how easily he could push me against the wall right now, pressing his lips against mine. If I tried to push my hands against his chest, he’d simply grab my arms by the wrists or merely swat them away. I’m helpless in the presence of this huge, gorgeous alien – but when I shudder at his touch, it’s not out of fear.
“I go first,” Forn warns, as we approach the end of the tunnel. “Not all within are friendly.” His voice is a deep rumble that echoes in the tunnel. I nod, my heart pounding.
Forn travels down the last of the long hallway. He’s usually calm and composed, but I can feel an edge to his body language. He stalks like a jungle cat, ready to pounce at any moment.
We turn the final corner, and my heart suddenly breaks.
I was expecting a proud, warrior society, with tall fighters ready to protect their women and children.
I’m greeted instead by a scene straight from a hospital. Huge Aurelians lay on the ground, coughing and hacking. A stream runs through the large cavern with a vaulted ceiling, and torches give the entire place a warm, welcoming feel. This contrasts with the pain and suffering being experienced inside.
Women hold crying children, yet are themselves coughing and hacking. Some of the once-proud warriors are so weak that they can’t even stand.
There’s a throne of sorts, hewn from stone, where an older Aurelian sits. I know instantly that he must be their leader. Near him stand two other large Aurelians, both with short, gruff beards. I know that the leader must be part of a warrior triad, just like Forn is, and that the other two are his blood-brothers.
The leader tries to stand, but is wracked with a deep cough. His white beard is flecked with blood and when he flops back down, he looks utterly defeated.
“Chief Rattler” Forn calls. “I come with my mate.”
The Chief doesn’t answer. One of his men steps forward, giving a harsh gaze to Forn.
“This is the one you bring? Who did Hadone steal her from?” I can hear the venom in his voice, and I’m glad that I’m with Forn and not Hadone. The leaders of this tribe must obviously have a bone to pick with the second member of Forn’s triad.
“We did not steal her,” Forn counters, his hands balling into fists.
The Chief coughs, then holds his hand up. “You did not earn her, either. You did not bring a sacrifice to our Orb-God. Before you speak to us, you must consult with the Orb. If she…” Chief Rattler suddenly coughs hard, but his face is grim and resolute even as he struggles to find breath. He wants to finish his sentence despite the pain.
“…if she survives, she may stay. If not, the problem will be… resolved.” The chief forces the last of the words out.
If I survive?
My understanding of this culture is basic. I wish I’d asked Lord Tenderfoot more questions. I know that they use an Orb-Sphere for travel, and that they deified an Orb – worshipping it as a God.
It makes sense. All Aurelians are born male, and the future of their lineage depends on travelling to other worlds where there are human females to birth their offspring.
Except that Aurelians can’t have children unless they’re bonded to human females – and the Bond is incredibly rare; so rare that the Aurelians from my part of the universe are on the brink of dying out.
If that’s true, how in the hell are there so many children and pregnant women in this Aurelian society?
I think analytically. One possibility is that the Bond is not actually as rare as we have been led to believe; or that since Aurelians have only one bonded female, their Orb-God brings them together with that match; ensuring they find a mate in manner that the Aurelians of the Empire back where I’m from can’t.
But then why are some warriors attended by multiple women, like the Aurelian harems on their homeworld of Collosus?
I know what my brain is doing. The moment that Chief Rattler said that I would be judged by the Orb-God, I’d felt panic gripping my heart. My mind is trying to think analytically; as though this is a math problem and not my life hanging in the balance.
If I let myself think too hard about what Chief Rattler just said, I might break down and run for my life – not that there’s anywhere to run on this wild, jungle world.
“There is no need for that,” growls Forn. “She
