Page 43 of Whispers of the Void

I take everything Vynia has told me into account about the fashion culture of Zeahiri when I piece together what I’m going to wear tonight. I’m sure that Raiz doesn’t want me pulling undue attention to myself, although seeing as I’m a human, I’ll stick out like a sore thumb regardless. I settle on an all black ensemble of black pants and a soft top. The outfit manages to completely cover me and yet leaves nothing to the imagination in terms of my shape.

As Raiz steps into my room that last sentiment is confirmed. I feel the intensity of his look from my head to my toes. Including places I have no business feeling him. My body doesn’t catch the hint, though, as my nipples bead under his appraisal.

“Is this okay?” I gesture down my body. “I assumed you would want me inconspicuous.”

“Yes, it’s fine.” His gaze lingers on my body like a phantom touch.

“Should we go then?”

My question breaks his trance. “You’ll need a cloak, too. The village is on the surface.” He walks to the armoire and riffles through the few cloaks, finally pulling one that matches those I’ve seen him wear. “This one will work.”

“Thank you.” Our fingertips brush as I take it from him.

“I’ll need to scent mark you again. My scent will ensure no one pays too close of attention to you.” He watches my face as he tells me, looking for something in my expression.

“Okay.” I take the few steps necessary to put me right in front of him and tilt my head back, giving him access to my neck.

That thrumming noise comes from his chest again as his eyes become those of a predator. Heat floods my body when his large hand cups my cheek, his fingers threading through my hair, and he lowers his body over mine. He envelops me, and my hands find his waist for balance.

Stars, he’s so solid against me.

A shiver rolls through me as his skin brushes mine. This feels different from the first time, I swear I feel the slightest graze of his lips against the column of my neck and it makes me melt against him, to leave my own mark. My fingers dig into him, as my body bows closer to his.

Goosebumps roll across my body when he pushes my hair behind my shoulder. The action opens the other side of my neck to him, causing the thrumming to increase. Without realizing it, my hands have moved around his waist to his back, pulling myself closer.

As he begins to straighten, my eyes find his again. His pupils, normally an elongated oval shape are blown, the black nearly eclipsing the green. As odd as it sounds, I could swear his fangs look a bit longer, poking free from his lips. It should be a terrifying sight. Instead, I’m imagining those sharp points on the soft curves of my body.

“You guys ready?” Hyva’s voice breaks our trance, and we step away from each other.

“Yes,” Raiz answers roughly. He tosses the cloak around my shoulders and pulls the hood up. “You should keep this up tonight. Not just to help hide your identity but also because of possible radiation. All our clothing is repellant but only to a point. The more layers, the safer you are.”

We once again find ourselves trapped in Hyva’s curious gaze. He taps an impatient hand on the door frame. “Let’s go.”

Once we get to the front door, we follow a polished stone stairway up to the ground. I take in the wide expanse around us. The path we travel winds between rocky hills. Everything is a shade of gray or black from the rocky soil to the little bits of vegetation dotting the ground on the sides of some hills. The landscape is severe and violent but in the most beautiful way.

I gasp when we round a corner into a small valley between the hills. Small flowers blanket the ground with black stems and pale pink petals. I bend down and reach out to run my fingers over one. I manage to stop myself first, looking up at Raiz and Hyva.

“Can I touch these?” I remember from my reading that some of the plants on this planet are poisonous.

“Yes,” Hyva answers.

The petals are so soft under my fingers. With each touch a soft fragrance wafts into the air. It’s completely foreign, I can’t even find a comparable scent to describe it. Much like I can’t for Raiz. Both males wait patiently while I take in their home planet. I can hear them murmuring to themselves, a quiet conversation not meant for me.

As soon as I push back to standing, we begin to walk again. They flank me on either side as light from the village shows over the horizon. A field full of strange four-legged creatures grazes beside us, looking up curiously before dismissing us and going back to eating. There are no fences, which strikes me as odd.

The village is surrounded by a low rock wall. Tall torches line the streets, in front of the dwellings and businesses. Set up wise, it doesn’t look too different from ancient human settlements I’ve watched documentaries on. The juxtaposition of the seemingly archaic town and way of living on the planet versus the incredible tech that they have is fascinating.

How did they manage to evolve with these circumstances?

“Stay close to one of us,” Hyva says, stepping closer to me as we walk into the town.

“What was that? I didn’t catch it the first one hundred times you two told me.”

“Human sarcasm is such a joy,” he deadpans.

The cloak was a good call; everyone is wearing one. It adds a spooky ambiance to the village, seeing all these tall beings walking around in black cloaks like wraiths. If I weren’t a solid foot shorter, I would blend in perfectly. It doesn’t help that I’m walking sandwiched between two of the tallest males I’ve ever seen.

The buildings that line the streets are all uniform, only the signage changes. People gesture with a closed fist over their chests as Raiz walks past. All he does in response is incline his head toward those doing it in acknowledgment. I feel their curious looks as they see me. The hood covers enough that it shadows my face entirely. I’m not sure that it’s clear I’m not Zeahirian.

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