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“Sara? You’ve gone silent. Have I said something to upset you?”
She met York’s beautiful gaze. “No. I’m always learning something new here.”
He grinned. “Cathian, my captain and best friend, can only get his life-lock pregnant while in heat every three years.”
She pondered that. “Does that mean they only have sex when he’s in heat?”
He chuckled. “They have sex often.” His humor faded. “It’s why I’m always alone. The Pods keep to themselves. Midgel, our cook, spends all her time alone, too. Dovis, my other best friend, just found his mate. They lock themselves in their cabin to have sex when they aren’t working. Raff is single, but he doesn’t like to talk. And Marrow is spending all her free time searching for her own mate, contacting other planets on our comms to talk to different males.”
“They’re the rest of the crew on your ship?”
He nodded as a look of misery crossed his face again. “I am hoping that once Nodo and I are alone, she won’t be so distant. It was rough on all Parri when our planet began to die. Some of us accepted our new circumstances but others are still bitter. Time should help her heal. I’ll help her as well. Mass evacuations took place just over three years ago. It’s difficult, knowing you are without a world and dependent upon others to share theirs.”
“I’m so sorry.” The idea disturbed her.
He nodded. “My people lost everything. I was lucky to find a job with Captain Cathian on The Vorge. Nodo and her family ended up here. There’s a Parri settlement, but they aren’t happy living on Relon. They were given an old section of town to call their own. Her family used to be wealthy, but now they’re considered indigent. She wants to live in comfort again.”
“She was terrible to you. You deserve better, York. I still think you should wait to find someone else.”
He sighed, staring into her eyes. “I’m suffering depression all the time. Parri are social by nature. My friends kept me from feeling loneliness but now they have their females to occupy their free time. I need a mate, too. The choices are few for my kind. The Parri have been shoved into overpopulated settlements on various planets or become homeless wanderers.” He gave a sad smile. “Refugees aren’t exactly on any female’s wish list as an ideal male. I live on a vessel. I was fortunate that Nodo even agreed to be my bond mate.”
Sara let the topic drop. He looked miserable enough without her pointing out yet again what a bitch Nodo was. Maybe the alien woman would be nicer once she didn’t have her friend around. Sara highly doubted it, though.
The hover transport slowed and lowered, coming to a stop. The doors opened and the other passengers exited. She glanced around, seeing familiar buildings. The trip was over.
“This is my stop.”
York got up and offered his hand. “Mine, too. I’ll walk you to your home to make certain you get there safely.”
She reached up and clasped his hand. It felt good in hers, comforting and warm. “Thank you. The shelter is close.”
They walked side by side down the street. He kept hold of her hand and slowed his pace to a stop in front of the building she’d indicated was her destination.
“Sara?”
She looked up him. “Yes?”
He paused, glancing around, seeming almost nervous before looking back down at her. Finally, he said, “Thank you for talking to me. I’ve enjoyed our conversation.”
“Me too. Thank you for escorting me home.”
“I wish you luck on Relon. Are you going to be searching for a mate?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Not for a while, anyway. I’ve got a lot to learn before I make any life-altering decisions.”
He gave a nod, glancing away again. “I will wait until you go inside before going to my lodgings. I wish we could talk longer. The bonding ceremony isn’t until nine in the morning, but I need to pack my belongings. Once the ceremony is over, Nodo wants me to take her shopping, and then a shuttle will fly us up to The Vorge.” His gaze returned to hers, his expression almost…wistful. “Be safe and well, Sara.”
“You too. Good luck, York.”
She turned away reluctantly and left him in front of the building. He was the closest thing to a friend she’d made since reaching Relon, and he was leaving the planet in the morning.
Bonding to a bitch.
She shook her head, waved her wristband at the lock on the door, and it slid open. She turned back for one last look at York. He watched her silently. Sara lifted her hand in a final wave before entering.
Inside, various alien women were talking amongst themselves. Most of them ignored her or shot her distrustful looks. She went to her bunk in the sleeping section of the building and rested, waiting for dinner. When the bell finally rang, she followed everyone to the dining hall, getting in line. A few of the women whispered, gossiping about her just loud enough for her to overhear the insults.
“I’m not some plant sent here to pick out targets to be kidnapped,” she loudly declared to one of them, getting fed up. “I was sold by my own kind. Understand?”
“Humans are vile beings,” the woman hissed, flashing a row of sharp teeth. She reminded Sara of a shark with limbs. “Untrustworthy slavers!”
Sara was already beginning to hate her new life. The women didn’t trust her and the men kept offering her money to sleep with them. Was that her future? What she’d have to deal with year in and year out?
It finally became her turn, and she got her plate of food then carried it to a table. No one sat with her. They grouped together, staying away. She lowered her head, eating quietly.
York kept entering her mind. He had the kindest eyes she’d ever seen. He also seemed to be a really good person, and so desperate to no longer be alone. His refugee status wasn’t a problem as far as Sara was concerned. She didn’t have a home world anymore, either. Earth had betrayed her, and there was no going back. That still stung, and she knew it would for a long time.
Tomorrow morning, he’d bond to Nodo the bitch, get treated like crap, and end up miserable. It wasn’t fair that such a nice guy had that kind of future awaiting him. Then again, she didn’t deserve her rotten fate, either. She’d been a good person all her life. Never stealing or treating others badly.
Nice people got screwed in the end, she decided.
Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. Self-pity wasn’t going to do a thing but make her eyes puffy and give her a runny nose. She finished her meal and went to the classroom in the basement of the building.
Two instructors waited. Tonight, they taught the women about various neighborhoods on Relon, and which ones would be safest for them to move into when they got their own apartments. When the class ended, Sara approached one of the Relon males.
He looked at her with a smile. “You have questions?”
“Yes. What can you tell me about a Parri?”
He cocked his head. “Did you visit their settlement?”
“No, but I met one. He’s getting bonded. I was curious about that.”
He studied her. “Why?”
“Is it possible for a Parri to bond with a human?” The question burst out of her unexpectantly, but she didn’t regret asking.
He glanced down at the pad in his hand, tapping it. “There have been two records of Parri and human bonding filed in the last three years. Neither has been revoked.” He looked up at her. “I would assume it’s possible.”
“What does bonding to a Parri require?”
He looked down at his pad, tapping it once more. He read from the screen, “Fluid exchanges during sexual encounters with the pair.” He turned the pad her way.
Sara gaped. It was a picture of a naked Parri male, his face blurred out, but she got a full-frontal view. Their bodies looked human, except bigger, and were that same light blue—every inch of them. The male in the picture was aroused, and she couldn’t help but feel a tinge of trepidation. That was the biggest cock she’d ever seen. It looked long and thick
.
She lifted her gaze to find the Relon grinning.
“Most females who consider a Parri change their minds after seeing one nude. Their average height is seven feet tall, and they are the largest race body-wise who live on Relon.”
He turned his pad and tapped again, then showed her another image. It was a photo of a naked human man, his face blurred out, too. There were markings on the wall behind him. She could tell this guy was much shorter than York, a bit on the thin side, and his cock looked small in comparison when he was aroused.
“Do you want to see the side-by-side comparison?”
She shook her head, looking up at him. “No thank you.”
“I wouldn’t suggest spending time with their males. A bonded Parri male needs skin-to-skin contact with a female often. They have a difficult time feeling happy, sleeping, or maintaining an appetite without constant physical interaction, once the bond is formed. That means regular sexual and skin contact. Your race is frailer than theirs. Though, the males are extremely mellow unless they’re in protective mode.” He tapped on his screen, and then showed her yet another picture.
She felt her dinner almost come up and raised a hand, covering her mouth. It was an image of one of those rabbit-looking lizard aliens, only he was in pieces. Something had torn his limbs off and crushed in part of his head.
She now knew that particular race had green blood.
The Relon blanked the screen and folded the pad against his chest. “That is what a Parri male did to a Yuna for touching his bond mate. The Yuna did not survive. Security reached them in under a minute, but damage is done quickly when the male Parri is in protective mode. There have been no reports of them harming females, but you would be subjected to a demonstration of their extreme ability to commit violence if you were ever assaulted by another male.” He touched the device and turned it once more. “I would choose the Avials, if blue males are your preference.”
She stared at the screen. It was another nude blue alien, this one with a slim body. His face was blurred but he had long braided hair that fell almost to his waist. His penis was thin and would be considered average, if he were human.
The Relon explained, “They are a peaceful race who have a settlement here as well. The Avials grow herbs and other plants, never eating the flesh of animals. They have no violent tendencies.”
“Can you tell me more about the Parri?”
He looked disapproving. “Avials are a better selection for you, if you wish to marry someone from another race. Parri males are too large.” His glanced down at her body. “You’re a fragile species.”
She’d heard him the first time. “Thank you for the information.” She didn’t want to start an argument or upset him. The instructors were her only source of information on her new planet. “I’ll think about it.”
She had just a few more questions. “Where exactly do the bonding ceremonies take place in Mar?”
“The records department.”
“How many are there?”
“One in each city.”
“And what do bonding ceremonies entail?”
“Blood samples to make sure your races are compatible, an agreement not to do each other harm or hold our planet responsible for anything and, depending on the race, there can be a fluid exchange.”
“Like a kiss?”
He nodded. “Mouth-to-mouth touching is common with many races.”
“Got it. Thank you.” She walked away, returning upstairs to her bunk. The other women were already getting ready for bed, some having earlier work shifts than Sara. None of them spoke to her, of course. Humans just weren’t popular on Relon; she’d have to get used to that treatment if she stayed there.
She lay down, staring at the bunk over hers, thinking about York. He seemed super nice, and that Parri woman was truly awful…maybe Sara could offer to be his mate?
The sex sounded a bit scary though. He was huge, and now she had no doubt his cock would be, too, if he looked anything like that picture she’d seen. She thought she could deal with cuddling him skin to skin. York had been gentle every time he’d touched her.
Sara tried to rest but sleep wouldn’t come. She thought about her old life on Earth. She’d lived in a tiny apartment, her mother her only family. Her death had been extremely hard on Sara. She’d had some friends, though, who had gotten her through her grief.
They were probably worried about her, since she hadn’t been allowed to tell anyone goodbye or that she was being sent off world. Now she was completely alone on Relon. Making friends on her new home world wasn’t going to be an option, unless someone overlooked where she came from.
Chapter Three
Sara woke earlier than normal thanks to a few of the women getting into an argument. Someone’s shoes had gone missing. An orange fish-looking woman smacked around a mouse-like female, who made screeching noises until other women broke them apart. That was a common occurrence, living in the shelter. Different kinds of aliens put together from various worlds tended to argue quite a bit, sometimes getting into physical altercations.
She went into the bathroom and took a shower. A bird-like woman hissed at her as she got out. “Slaver.” She spat on the floor at her feet.
Sara sighed. “I am not a slaver.” That was getting old fast. “I was taken from my planet and sold. I’m just like you.”
“Lies!” the alien hissed, stepping closer.
The woman suddenly threw a punch.
Sara had grown up in rough neighborhoods; fighting was nothing new. She dodged the strike, nearly slipping on the damp floor, then swiftly threw her towel over the woman’s head. She gave her a hard shove into one of the shower stalls being used by someone else. The women instantly began to screech at each other and fight.
Sara hurried away, relieved when she wasn’t followed and attacked. She went to her bunk and took clean clothing out of the drawer under her bed. It didn’t take long to get dressed. When she entered the dining area, she noticed a lot of women glowering at her. Again.
She stopped, meeting their gazes one by one.
“Not all humans are slavers. I was sold by my own kind. How many times do I have to say it? What is wrong with all of you? We should stick together, not pick on each other.”
They just continued giving her dirty looks.
She sighed and made it to the front of the line, picking up a bowl of what passed for oatmeal and a glass of some veggie drink popular on Relon. No one sat with her as she ate, as usual, and her gaze kept going to the clock. She’d have to leave at half past nine to be on time for work. One hour.
The woman from the shower came in with two others who appeared to be from the same race. They headed straight toward Sara.
She stood, prepared for the worst, dread filling her. She was outnumbered, and they looked angry enough to do some damage.
Right at that moment, one of the guards walked in to get a drink.
The women glanced at him before quickly changing direction.
They were still going to attack her when given the chance. New planet, same old crap. Bullies existed everywhere. Only now, she wasn’t being targeted for not having a father or being poorer than most, but for being born human.
She fled the dining area to go back to her bunk. York flashed in her mind yet again. She pushed thoughts of him back and decided it was best to leave for work early.
She left the building and headed toward the hover transport, men staring at her. A few blocked her path, offering her credits to allow them to touch her. One even tried to grope her breast. She slapped his tentacle away.
The transport loomed, and she quickly reached it…but hesitated at the door.
One of the men already inside smiled, giving her body leering glances. “What are you?”
The way he visually inspected her body made her skin crawl. “Fed up.”
“I haven’t heard of that race. Which planet are you from? I’ll pay you if you let me take you home. Your skin looks soft and delecta
ble.” His tongue flicked out, revealing it was forked. Next, he made soft moaning noises.
Why did aliens always assume she might say yes? It was never going to happen.
“I can’t do this every day of my life,” she muttered, mostly to herself. “I just can’t. I’m a person with feelings. Not a sex toy, damn it! I didn’t end up on this planet to be propositioned by idiots all the time!”
He looked surprised, mouth hanging open.
She spun around and stormed to one of the visitor information booths next to the transportation station. “Tell me where the records department is, please.”
The automated system showed her a map with symbols, and the image of one particular building glowed on the screen. She memorized the location, since she couldn’t read the Relon language. It was only about four blocks away. She turned left and sprinted in that direction.
What if she were too late? What if York and the bitch had gotten there early and their alien version of marriage was a done deal?
Panic set in as she ran faster.
She found the building with a group of people waiting outside. It appeared the offices hadn’t opened for business yet. Sara spotted York easily, standing taller than the rest of the people there. She grinned, heading right toward him.
She had to wiggle between bodies to reach him. He was near the front of the group, closest to the door. Nodo was with him, as well as her yellow-skinned friend. Sara came to a stop behind York, tried to catch her breath, and then gently tapped on his broad back.
He turned, staring down at her. Surprise widened his eyes. “What are you doing here, Sara?”
“Yeppel, I was talking to you!” Nodo stepped around him, spotted Sara, and growled low in her throat.
Sara faced her. “His name is York.” She sounded it out for the blue bitch—twice. “It’s not hard to say. You could at least try to be polite enough to make the effort to learn it.” Her gaze locked with his. “Don’t bond to her, York. It will be a mistake.”