“I saw the way he stared at you on your wedding night, Zahra. Don’t dismiss the man so soon.”
Zahra rolled her eyes. "Don't try to play matchmaker, general. It doesn't suit you."
The general barked with laughter. "Probably true. Go, Zahra, or you'll be late, and I get the feeling your husband is losing his patience with you."
With a sigh, Zahra ended the call and grabbed her packed bags off the floor. She’d get no help or sympathy from General Bohler then. Time to go and meet her husband on the shuttle pad and enjoy a holiday away from technology.
When Zahra left her room, Holly greeted her on the other side of the door, a bag held in one of her hands. "Mind if I join you to Khaazai’s family home?"
“You heard?”
Holly flushed. “I’m supposed to keep up with everything going on in case you need me. There might not be a whole lot of privacy right now. Not when they really want this alliance to go through without a hitch.”
Zahra shrugged a shoulder. "You can come along if Khaazai agrees. It's definitely fine by me."
"Thank goodness."
Zahra frowned as she noticed the relief wash over Holly’s face. "Umm, what’s going on?"
"I think I may have caught the eye of a Khuuz’eth warrior." Holly shook her head with a grimace. "I need some space between us. I’m here to study the people and culture, not get married like you. Once this year is up, I’m hoping to get another placement, if they are pleased with my efforts here.”
“What better way to study the culture than to participate in it? Like me.” Zahra joked, but then sobered up when she saw the frown on Holly’s face. The other woman looked worried, and that Zahra’s protective side rose.
“He’s a bit intense for me.” Holly admitted as she lifted a hand and rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m being sensitive, but he rubs me the wrong way.”
“Is he being threatening?" Zahra asked, ready to come to Holly's defense, maybe even bring Khaazai into this. She felt decently certain he’d kick any ass she asked him to kick.
"No. Just persistent." Holly smiled weakly. "Let me come? Out of sight, out of mind, right?"
"Come on then." Zahra led the way to the shuttle pad. “Let’s get you out of here, and me to my impatiently waiting husband.” She'd had to look over a schematic of the building, butshe had memorized the path to the shuttle pad and felt certain she could get them there without getting lost.
Zahra had barely left her room in the last few months, and she’d though Khaazai hadn't seemed too bothered by it. He’d left her alone and hadn’t mentioned anything. Which had made her hope she could make it through this year without much interaction with him. She supposed that'd been wishful thinking on her part. Seemed it was now time for her to finally play the part of wife. Three more months before her side of the bargain was done, and she could return back to duty.
As they entered the shuttle bay, Zahra found Khaazai standing beside a sleek triangular shuttle. He had yet to notice their arrival, and she took the chance to really soak him in. Their first night had been a blur, and then she'd done her best to avoid him.
The alien man before her was a striking specimen of male masculinity, and he commanded her attention with his mere presence. His height towered impressively over the shuttle bay, his naked chest on display, allowing her eyes quite the view. She admired the traditional skirt of his people, thevriga. The vibrant blue a symbol of his house. All the clothing she’d been provided was black with the same vibrant blue. She belonged to his house now.
"Where are we going again?" Holly asked.
"His family lands. He said it was in the mountains." Zahra replied without taking her eyes off the striking male in front of her. She'd avoided Khaazai because she worried she might fall in love with him. This man would proudly walk beside her, not behind her or in front of her. He wouldn’t demand a normal wife who kept the house. He’d be the kind of man who’d support her in her military efforts.
Although their first and only night had been primal, it still stuck in her mind. Every time she closed her eyes to get tosleep, it flashed in her mind. It'd been the best orgasm of her life, and she wouldn't mind another round… or two… or three.
"Let's go meet his family then." Holly eagerly said as she jumped into action, striding towards the waiting shuttle.
Zahra watched Holly walk over to the shuttle and wondered what exactly she was running from. Holly always seemed the go lucky type who would take any opportunity in stride and yet she ran from this mystery alien man she’d encountered. It didn’t seem like her, and it made Zahra worry.
Khaazai turned, presumably hearing Holly's footsteps. His electric blue eyes widened for a brief second when he spotted Holly, and then his gaze swung to Zahra. Relief filled his eyes, and she guessed he’d wondered if she wasn’t coming when he’d only spotted Holly.
Kicking herself into gear, Zahra joined them beside the shuttle.
Khaazai leaned down when she stopped before him and he whispered, "Thought we needed a chaperone, wife?"
Zahra shrugged one shoulder. "She's the one who asked to join. I figured you wouldn't mind. Do you?"
"No. I don't mind." Khaazai leaned away from her. "My home is spacious enough for her to join and not get in our way."
Zahra’s eyes narrowed on him. Sounded like her husband was also hoping for a round two with her. A thrill of delight zipped over her. "Good, because I think something... or someone scared her here."
