Page 7 of Ngozii's Plight

“I see what you’re doing, Kari. It’s not going to work.” He grins as he leans over my limp body, his nose grazing mine. “You’ll be screaming my name like a goddamn prayer when I’m done with you.”

“Is that a promise?” I smile, fighting not to laugh at the look on his face. He’s trying not to show his amusement, but he knows I’m funny.

Without warning, he slams into me, causing me to scream and grab onto him for purchase. Since he spent so much time devouring me, there was little resistance, my body fully prepared to take him. That fact is what has him moving at an unrelenting pace, not allowing me time to think or fight my instincts.

His lips brush my neck, his teeth grazing the skin as he teases me, one hand sliding up to pinch my nipple, hard, as he grunts. “Say it.” He bites down on my shoulder, the same one containing his mark, and I can’t hold back any longer.

My body arches, convulsing and clenching as I scream his name for the universe to hear. That’s all it takes for him to finally come undone, groaning as he slams into me one final time, his cock twitching in release as he moans, “Good girl.”

I shiver, my legs wrapping around him as I hold on, needing him to hold me up. If he pulls away, I’ll fall to the ground in a puddle. No bones left in this body, that’s for sure.

“There’s still one bone.” He chuckles, and I can’t help but laugh, my body shaking along with his. He kisses me gently before slowly helping me up, disentangling our limbs as he steadies me on my feet. “Let’s get cleaned up, and I should probably clean the console, too. Don’t need Garvon yelling about ass prints on his equipment.”

I laugh as I gather my clothes, heading for our room to get cleaned up and changed into something more suitable for my life back in the village. Excitement to reunite with my friends bubbles to the surface as I hurry along, eager to begin our descent.

Chapter 4

Tavionna

Stepping into my private sanctuary cave deep in our system of tunnels, I breathe deep of the crisp air. My gaze takes in the gently glowing blue and pink crystals, the space littered with them and the naturally occurring abundance of flowers. There’s a trickling of water in the far corner, a tiny spring, which I use at times for tonics and other things. Heading for my altar on the far end of the small space, I light several intention candles, dipping my fingers in oil and dabbing it at my temples to help me focus and connect.

I sit cross-legged in the center of the cave, two hands pressed together in front of my heart, the other two resting on my knees, forefinger and thumb together. Taking several deep breaths, I calm my heart and empty my mind, focusing on what it is that I need at this moment, who I need to speak with. My voice is barely a whisper when I speak my intentions to the universe.

“Please, my guides, show me what you can. I am unsure of what to do, how to help. The conditions in the caves worsen, my people growing sicker each day, more of them falling, and I can’t seem to find the cure. What is it that I’m missing?”

I pause, growing silent and continuing my deep breathing as I open my heart and mind to them, begging them to help me. Fear creeps in as they remain quiet, refusing to answer my plea. Maybe I’m doing all I can? That can’t be right, there has to be a way to fix this, I know it. I feel it deep within my heart. If only the solution were clear enough to read so I could save us.

Are you the only one to have answers?

My brow jumps at the thought whispered in my mind. The gentle sound of it tells me it came from my guides, but I have no idea what they mean. They can be so cryptic, pushing and pulling at me without ever directly giving help. It’s as frustrating as it is helpful.

Do they have a point, though? I’m not the only person living here. I’m not the only one capable of studying the illness and trying to find a solution. But who? Who could help me? Who knows enough about our ecosystem to find the problem? Is this an issue that requires a technology and understanding that we don’t yet have? How would I even find someone like that to help me?

Xenshay.

Xenshay? What about him? He arrived unannounced, out of the blue, and asked to move in. No one has ever sought sanctuary here. No one leaves and no one comes. We’re an isolated society of individuals. The only ones on the planet to my knowledge as well. We have many caves, a very vast system that, as far as we can tell, expands the planet. He didn’t bring anything with him to help with such a crisis, nothing more than himself and some connection that I’m a bit afraid to analyze. So what part does he play in all this?

It is ironic and surprising that he just so happens to come from the same planet as my useless sperm donor. I wonder all the time if he knows things that could help me take him down and save my people. If I can’t find a solution within these caves, then maybe the solution is outside of them.

Xenshay. Key.

Key? He’s the key to my problems? The key that holds my answers? The key to what? Specifics would be great right now, but, of course, they won’t be giving them. I must figure out this puzzle with nothing but pieces on my own. Even though I’m uneasy about getting close and dealing with the bond I fear, it seems that I must push past my trepidation for my people. If Xenshay is a key, then I need to know how to use him.

Trust him. Confide. Patience.

Hmm. Perhaps those emotions, the things I felt when we met were real. Maybe there is something between us that I don’t yet understand. I take another deep breath, trying to understand what they’re telling me, when I’m sucked into a vision, gasping as my eyes fly open.

Xenshay holds me close, kissing from my neck up to my lips, his hands and lips both gentle and insistent. He whispers sweet words to me, promising to worship me as I deserve.

Lying on a blanket in a dimly lit cave, Xenshay lays atop me, his body sliding into mine as he caresses my face, a look of pure adoration in his eyes.

Standing among my people, Xenshay at my side, he reassures me that I’m doing the right thing for them. He promises to have my back, to support and help me through my endeavors. He calls me his mate, his love.

Blinking as the visions fade, I refocus on the cave I’m in, the emotions swirling in my heart. I suppose that answers my questions, we’re meant to be, but how can I just jump to trusting a total stranger? Just because we’re meant to be, fated to be, doesn’t mean I should just fall into his arms and beg for his help.

However, I will need to give him a more permanent placement within our caves, within our lives. He can’t leave now that I know I need him. I can’t afford to lose him when I may very well need him most. It’s time I begin to get to know Xenshay, establish this bond, and build a relationship worth sticking around for.

Xenshay is where he’s meant to be. He’s a key for you.

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