Page 3 of Kazzon's Human Bride
He performed his duties to the best of his abilities, but outside of his work he did not socialize or confer with anyone. May the Gods help him when he finally took a wife.
After thanking the pilot and co-pilot, Kazzon exited the bridge and disembarked theCorrannelia.He glared at the humans as they approached. To his surprise, he realized one of the humans was a female, though she wore the same masculine uniform as her male counterparts. A female Leader. He glared at the group, wondering if perhaps she was the reason New Leesburg hadn’t yet agreed to the new treaty.
Before the Leader in front could utter a word of welcome, Kazzon cleared his throat and got straight to the point. “Every other dome-city on Earth has agreed to our new terms,” he said. “You are the last holdout, and on behalf of my planet, I am prepared to exclude New Leesburg from the treaty entirely. Of course, exclusion means we will repossess the TEC600 reactor we’ve given you and you will be on your own to find a new power source for your city.”
Uneasy glances passed between all of the human Leaders. Several of them avoided Kazzon’s gaze, shuffled their feet, and looked around the hangar. He made them nervous. Good. He hoped hefluxxingterrified them. One word from him and their power supply could be shut off—for a brief time, an entire day, or even permanently.
“Ambassador Kazzon,” the female Leader said, her eyes narrowing at him. “It is difficult enough for our people to part withoneof our citizens a year, but to eventually be required to hand over five young females per year is unthinkable. We are worried it will cause discord in our settlement, particularly in the aftermath of a tragedy we just endured—one of our factories caught fire about six months ago and we lost fourteen souls.”
Kazzon studied the elderly woman, curious about her. Though he’d come across human female Leaders before, it still always came as a surprise to him. Unlike Earth, Tarrkua was a strict patriarchy. Females on Kazzon’s planet were expected to be submissive and obey their mates in all things, and they certainly were not permitted to hold any positions of power. In fact, females on Tarrkua did not work outside the home in any capacity.
Despite their cultural differences, he couldn’t help but admire this human female who had spoken so boldly. No black mist had appeared around her head since he’d seen her and he respected her honesty and forthrightness, even if he sought to change her mind.
“We cannot simply agree to your terms immediately,” one of the human males said, his gaze traveling around the hangar in a nervous manner. “We must have a lengthy, more open conversation.”
“Perhaps we can continue this discussion at a reception we are hosting in your honor, Ambassador,” another of the human males said. “No matter the reason for your arrival, the citizens of New Leesburg are always honored when a Tarrkuan scientist or official comes for a visit.” Black mist hovered around the small human male’s head before fading away, though Kazzon didn’t need special powers to detect the man’s lies.
“Thank you,” Kazzon replied, preparing to tell one of his own untruths. “I would be honored to attend your reception.” Perhaps the Leaders just wanted to give the appearance that they had tried to negotiate a better agreement with Kazzon’s people, lest the citizens of New Leesburg think their elected officials surrendered too easily to the Tarrkuans. Though he was annoyed by the prospect of a longer than anticipated stay, he could respect their methods.
“The reception is scheduled for this evening,” yet another male said, his voice tight. “We invite you to not only attend the reception, but to stay in our dome-city for several days and enjoy our hospitality. It is not often that a Tarrkuan ambassador visits us and we wish to honor the occasion properly.” Black mist added to more black mist, yet Kazzon had to play along.
He took a moment to consider this offer and allowed his gaze to sweep along the five Leaders who had arrived to greet him. While he could continue threatening to have New Leesburg’s TEC600 reactor repossessed or turned off, he reminded himself that he shouldn’t allow his impatience to leave Earth cloud his judgment. If a more peaceful resolution could be reached, it was his duty to make the attempt.
“Very well,” he finally replied. “I will accept your offer, but know that I must depart your dome-city within three days, though I would prefer to conclude our business sooner than that, if possible.” Two or three days should be sufficient time for the humans to play their game and save face in front of their constituents before they inevitably acquiesced to the new treaty.
The human Leaders escorted him into the dome-city and proceeded to give him a tour of New Leesburg. He feigned interest, though he found this settlement to be rudimentary at best.
The city was illuminated with streetlights, even though it was still daytime, as the dust storm currently blocked out the sun. Many of the buildings constructed inside the dome-city appeared in ill-repair and the entire place had a dismal feel about it.
As the Leaders guided him down yet another street, Kazzon spotted a little blonde female exiting a business. She wore an apron that was smudged with white marks and her cheeks were flushed. He watched as she sipped at a glass of water and sat down on a bench near the shop. Upon further inspection, Kazzon surmised that the business was a bakery and this young human female must work in the store.
Gods, she was beautiful. Like a ray of sunshine inside this otherwise dilapidated dome-city. Her hair was wavy and golden, coming to rest over her shoulders. His fingers tingled with the urge to touch those soft looking tresses.
One of the human men droned on and on about the particular statue they stood beside, a memorial of some sort that had been erected in the middle of the street. Kazzon only half paid attention, for he was still fixated on the lovely human female.
The pretty blonde took another sip of water, and he watched the delicate lines of her slender throat as she swallowed. His cock stirred as he watched her, and he had to take several deep breaths in order to calm the sudden lust surging within him. The longer he stared at her, the more he felt drawn to her, as if by a greater force. He continued staring, willing her to lift her face so he might have a better look into her eyes.
When she finally glanced up and her startlingly blue gaze collided with his, it was all he could do to hold back the growl that threatened to erupt from his chest. Feral need pulsed through him and his blood heated. Tingles swept through his body and a quick spell of dizziness swarmed him. He couldn’t seem to catch his breath, nor calm the rapid beating of his heart.
Fluxx, what was happening to him?
He had never felt more drawn to a female in his entire life, this little blonde human whose name he didn’t even know.
Chapter 2
Fatigue pulled at Caylee.On a much-needed break, she sat on the bench outside the bakery, taking occasional sips of water. Perspiration clung to her from a morning spent toiling over a large wedding cake that needed to be completed by this afternoon. Thank goodness her part of it was finished and her co-worker Mindy was currently putting the final decorative touches on the project.
She closed her eyes briefly, enjoying the cooler air. The dome-city was dim today, illuminated with streetlights even though it was early afternoon. She sighed and continued staring at the ground, trying to pretend that if she looked up, a vibrant blue sky with billowing white clouds would greet her. The kind of sky she’d only seen pictures of.
She heard a man talking, near one of the old statues in the middle of the street, and she finally glanced up to investigate.
Shock reverberated through her when her gaze met with huge, dark otherworldly eyes.
A massively built Tarrkuan male stared straight at her.
Panic filled her, but she attempted to maintain her composure. The five elected Leaders of New Leesburg accompanied the alien. Perhaps he was a Tarrkuan official who’d come for a visit. That wasn’t unheard of and it appeared the Leaders were giving him a tour of the dome-city.
She averted her gaze and willed her hands to cease shaking. She always got nervous when she saw a Tarrkuan visit New Leesburg, but this particular alien male terrified her because he’d been looking at her so intently.
