Her Alien Bodyguard: The Guards of Attala: Book One Read online

  MY EMOTIONS ARE SNARLED into a giant knot that I can’t untangle, so I’m ecstatic in the morning when Mallyk announces there’s a window of good weather and it’s time to move on the mountains. I could use a good distraction, and it’s a relief to finally be here, ready to climb. We’re one step closer to achieving our goal and saving our planet.

  Now that I’m in my element, everything alarming about our environment has dissipated and I find our surroundings somewhat magical. Snow is falling in big lazy flakes. The crust on the ice crunches as we trudge through it. The breeze is cold on my face and I feel energized despite the huge pack of supplies I’m carrying.

  I’m convinced it’s going to be a great climb. A quick run through to familiarize ourselves with the tools our hosts have supplied, since many of ours are still on the ship. And both the ship and Margo are still in the wind.

  I lay out the tools provided by the city and I’m impressed with their variety and quality. Boot crampons, ice picks, ropes, pitons, spring loaded camming devices, nuts and quick draws. Everything I need to blaze a trail so that everyone else can follow safely behind me. And then I realize what a fool I am for using the word safe – because nothing is ever safe when it comes to climbing. There’s dozens of ways to die, plenty of them unrelated to skill level or lack thereof. So much can go wrong when you’re dealing with nearly vertical slopes, like we are right now. Equipment failure, hypothermia, altitude sickness, storms, falls, avalanches, frostbite, unstable ridges of ice, falling once your limbs go numb. I’ve seen almost all of these play out over my years climbing, and I’m not eager to ever have a repeat.

  “I will climb with you,” Mal says as he joins me as I hike to the nearest slope. He’s determined to protect me, and I don’t think there’s any way to stop him at this point. So I don’t bother to argue.

  “Don’t you want to dress in something a little warmer?” His skin is exposed to the bitter cold. It’s hard to look at, even though he’s explained his ‘upgrades.’

  “The cold and the altitude don’t affect me like they do you. It’s what will make me such a good climbing partner.” He gives me a playful slap on the ass and takes the lead.

  “Or an infuriating one,” I say as I scramble after him, determined to keep pace even though my short legs needs four steps to his one. “Why do you assume I need a climbing partner, anyway?

  “You’re in unfamiliar terrain in an unfamiliar environment. Of course you need to be accompanied, to ensure your safety.” He looks baffled that I would ask him. If he hadn’t touched me in such mindblowing ways last night, I would probably slug him for his arrogance. He can’t help himself from treating me like a frail little flower that will break with the slightest touch.

  “I appreciate your responsibilities, tough guy, but I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve done a hell of a lot more climbing than you have.” We reach the base of the mountain and I’m relieved that I can stop and catch my breath. Trying to keep up with an over seven foot tall alien is taxing, even though I consider myself to be in great shape.

  He motions to the wall of frozen rock, ice, and snow in front of us. “Then be my guest. I’ll follow behind and try to keep up.”

  I use my pick axe and boot crampons to slowly scale the icy ascent. The first hundred feet or so I make quick progress. After that, I’m completely exposed on the side of the mountain. There’s nothing on either side of me to protect me from the unrelenting winds. I’m clinging to the rocks so tightly, my hands and feet start to go numb. I try to wedge a nut in a crevice, but my fingers aren’t obeying my commands. I need to secure the rope and click on if I’m going to continue higher safely. I may be a bit of a daredevil, but I’m not a total fool. I struggle and struggle without success, and the cold creeps up my limbs. I’m shocked at how the wind tears at my face and penetrates my protective clothing.

  That’s when I realize I needn’t have worried about the equipment; the weather is going to be the problem on these slopes.

  For me at least.

  Mallyk seems totally unaffected. I should be in awe of his physical prowess, but his effortless success just annoys me at the moment. He doesn’t use ropes or any other tools. Just punches into the rock, creating foot and hand holds. I have to stab and stab with the pickaxe to do the same, but he’s barely breaking a sweat.

  I venture a little higher and I know I’m in trouble. The snow pelts my face now, driven by hurricane strength winds. My goggles have iced over, and it’s hard to me to see. I can feel the ice form on my face, crusting around my lips and mouth and I wonder how I’ll breathe. I wish I had my supplemental oxygen right about now.

  I steal a glance at Mal, telling myself that if he looks comfortable I’ll probably scream, but he looks decidedly miserable himself. He struggles for breath, as I do, and I find it interesting that his kind appear to be susceptible to some sort of altitude sickness, despite their enhanced abilities. I guess their creators didn’t see the need for them to scramble to the top of the highest Attalan peaks.

  “We must turn back,” he shouts to me. I hesitate, not ready to give up yet. Then he takes a step closer to me, and I realize he’s not joking, he’ll remove me physically if necessary. I nod my agreement and slowly begin to repel down. It takes every ounce of concentration and strength I have, not to mention the better part of the day, to make it back to the bottom. And I feel like shit when I make it there. The parts of my body I can feel are in excruciating pain. The ones I can’t worry me even more. I’m trembling from the cold and the exertion, and when Mal wraps his arm around me and starts half-carrying me back to the outpost, I don’t argue.

  After we go a few feet, I drop to my knees in the snow. “I need a minute. Every part of my body hurts,” I say, wrapping my arms around my waist and tucking my head down to block out some of the cold.

  “I THOUGHT you were suppose to be an experienced mountain climber.” I can tell he’s teasing me but I’m not really in the mood right now. The problem is that I am an experienced climber and this mountain just kicked my ass. That doesn’t bode well for the rest of the mission. One thing I know for a fact, we didn’t realize how volatile the weather would be every damn day.

  “AND I THOUGHT you wouldn’t be affected by the altitude with all of your ‘upgrades.’” I might be taking my frustrations out on him, but I don’t care right now. The weight of the mission is pushing down on me so much that I’m having trouble breathing. I didn’t think getting to the top of the mountain would be the problem. I assumed this would be the easy part and the trouble would start when we tried to find the Eclaydian. If we can’t get to the top, I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do.

  He goes to his knees in front of me and takes my face in his hands. “Look at me, mate.” I’m defeated and exhausted but his tone is commanding in a way that won’t let me deny him. I look up into his blue eyes, swimming with emotion. “We will find a way to get to the top. Do you trust me?”

  It’s such a loaded question. Do I trust an alien warrior that I’ve only just met? Is it possible for me to put my complete trust in him, to rely on him, when I know how important this mission is for Earth? I’m adrift in his eyes, the intensity and emotion that I see in them. I could try to dip into his thoughts again, to know if what he says is true. But somehow, I already know it in my heart.

  “Yes, I trust you,” I say, my answer fueled with much more of an admission than he realizes. Maybe even more than I realize.

  I tuck my face into his neck, letting it absorb his warmth. It goes against physics that he can still be warm to the touch even in this type of weather. The wind whips around us as I cling to him for warmth. Hopefully my strength will return in just another few minutes so I can get to my feet and get my ass back to camp. Somehow, being held in his arms makes me stronger. It fills me with a renewed determination to get back to camp and figure out what we’re going to do next.

  “Okay, I can make it back now.” I willingly let him lift me out of the snow and wrap his arm around my
waist again. There’s no use pretending I don’t need the support right now. We huddle together and trudge our way through the snow.

  When the camp finally comes into view again, he leans toward my ear and says, “We’re going to need a new plan.”

  The wheels in my mind are already turning.

  TEN

  MALLYK

  “WE DON’T NEED A NEW PLAN,” she says. “I know what to do differently next time. I need to lighten my pack, double up on my protective gear.” I look at her like she’s crazy, because she is crazy if she thinks I’ll permit her to undertake something so dangerous again.

  “I’ll need some sort of breathing device so I have increased oxygen. Do you think your scientists could help with something like that?” I can’t believe she’s still talking, as if today was no big deal. I try to jump in, but she just talks over me. “Of course, if we had Natalie here, she’d be able to rig something up for me. And if we had our ship, we could just fly up to the height we need. Which reminds me, any news yet on Margo? Or on the ship?”

  “No.” My reply is curt. “My men have not checked in yet. But that doesn’t mean anything out here. Our communications systems are always going in and out and it’s hard to stay in touch. Don’t read anything into it.” I’m so frustrated right now, I don’t know what to do. So I settle for hoisting Diana against my side, supporting all her weight, so that we can move faster. I need to get her inside, so she can warm herself and we can have a rational conversation. “Also, the presence of your ship here would not make a difference, considering it crashed the moment you entered our atmosphere.”

  “Hey!” She smacks my chest as a new idea occurs to her. “What if we slapped the magic disc on top of it? The one that creates the climate-controlled dome and allows technology to function. You still have that one we used on the way to the outpost, right?”

  “Of course I still have it, but they only worked when they’re in a fixed position. We’ve tried mounting them on ships before, and it doesn’t work.” I don’t know why I’m so upset with her. That’s not right, you know why you’re so upset. Because I understand the pull of duty, and putting aside personal safety for a larger cause. I’ve done it dozens of times myself.

  I’d be disappointed in her if she just gave up without a fight. And still, the part of me that recognizes her as my mate wants to forbid her from trying again. As if I had any right. She offered herself to me, something I thought would never happen, and I didn’t let it happen. I let out a huge sigh. “You have our warriors’ strength at your disposal. Couldn’t we start mining at the base of the mountain? We can start digging out the rock with our bare hands.”

  “Your people sent readings of the mountain terrain,” she explains. “Our scientists have located three probable areas of deposits of Eclaydian, and the closest one is about 30,000 feet up.”

  I look up the giant peak beside us. “How high did we get today?”

  “About 10,000 feet.” She suddenly sounds so despondent. It breaks my heart. Silence sits between us as we both process the implications of our effort today.

  “We’ll find a way to make it happen.” I lean in and kiss her forehead, right where her brow has knit into worry. Her skin is so cool against my warm lips. “I promise.”

  “I hope so. Otherwise we came a long way out here for nothing.”

  I bristle at her suggestion. “I hope you don’t really think it was for nothing.” I know I’m being unfair, but the implication still hurts.

  “You know what I mean,” she says gently. “It’s hard for me to be happy about finding love when the fate of my planet hangs in the balance. Especially when that love has to stay unrequited.” The outpost comes into view and I lower her to the ground to walk under her own power. It wouldn’t do for the men to see me carry on over her. Not when they already suspect.

  “I appreciate your help, I really do,” she says, “but it’s not on you to solve my problems. I’ll get fresh gear and supplies together tonight, see if the doc can hook me up with anything that will help, and I’ll give it another try tomorrow. Maybe we I just need to look for a different route of approach. Something that will shield me from the wind.”

  We walk in silence then, side by side through the snow. Up to the fortress, through the gate, and into the yard. It takes me that long to get my anger and frustration under control.

  “I’m sorry, but I cannot permit you to try again.” She turns to look at me and her eyes widen in disbelief. Or maybe anger.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You pushed yourself beyond acceptable limits, today. You took risks that were foolish. It can’t happen again.” I stop to turn my attention to the warriors in the square. “None of the Earth women leave the outpost without my permission. Until I tell you otherwise.” They nod their assent. I head for my quarters, eager for a meal and a change of clothing.

  “Hey, asshole,” she yells as she follows me. “We’re not done talking about this. Who the hell do you think you are?” The other Earth women hear the commotion and watch from the doorway of their quarters.

  “You heard my orders, Captain.” I open the door to my room and walk through it. “You almost got yourself killed today and I won’t let it happen again.” She storms through the door behind me and slams it closed.

  “Are you telling me that as Commander of the Guard? Or as my mate?”

  “Does it really matter?” I flip on the heat cube and toss my cloak on the chair. “The outcome is the same either way.”

  “Of course it matters.” She’s as frustrated as I am. “Or maybe you’re right. It doesn’t. Because no matter what your answer is, I’m still going back tomorrow.”

  Why must she fight me like this? I move into her space and struggle to keep my voice under control. “No you aren’t. The warriors will not allow you to leave.”

  “I’ll find a way out.” She curls her hands into fists and pounds them against my chest. I grab her slender wrists and hold her still. Her body is tightly coiled in anger, as is my own. Our faces are inches apart and I want to kiss her more than anything in the world. But I’m afraid she’ll bite me. Is love always so confusing?

  “If you disobey, then I’ll lock you up and put you under guard.” She makes a sound unlike anything I’ve heard. Part growl, part moan, part scream. I take her face in my hands and force her to look at me. “Don’t you understand? I can’t lose you. I wouldn’t survive it.”

  My admission shifts the anger inside of her and she uses all of her emotion for a different purpose entirely. She mashes her lips against mine with such force I can hardly breathe. I return the kiss with a ferocity that matches hers, forcing my tongue between her lips and devouring her with my mouth. She pulls away for a moment, to tear away her coat and kick off her boots, and I feel like the sun has stopped shining on me. Her touch means everything to me, and I can’t go without it another second, consequences be damned.

  I follow her lead and quickly strip off my pants and boots. My cock slaps up against my belly once freed from its leather prison. I’ve never been this hard in my life; my cock aches with desire.

  “You’re still wearing too many clothes.” I take her in my arms and pull her shirt over her head. Her fingers work at the buttons on her pants, but I’m too impatient to wait. I pull the waist apart and the buttons scatter across the floor. I tug her pants down and toss them on the floor. When I rise to my feet, I scoop her onto my shoulder and cross the room to my bed. I toss her down and she laughs. It’s the most beautiful sound I’ve heard. And she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

  “Listen,” she says as she reaches back and unclasps her bra. “We can take our time later and explore each other for hours. Right now, I just need you to fuck me.” She shimmies out of her panties and stretches out before me like a cat.

  I understand what she means, because nothing has ever been more important to me than making love to my mate is right now. Duty is a weak construct compared to the hot-blooded woman in front of me. She
pulls her knees to her chest and spreads her milky white thighs, inviting me to claim what’s mine. To claim what’s ours.

  She’s right. There will be time for soft caresses and sweet whispers later. Right now, my only concern is easing into her slick cunt and taking her as my own. I climb onto the bed and kneel between her thighs. She moves closer, thrusting against the air, trying to force my swollen member inside of her. I reach for the small pelt between her legs and stroke her there, rubbing her pretty pussy and strumming her clit with my fingertips.

  “Mal, I need you now.” Her voice is thick with lust and need and love.

  I take my cock in my fist and guide it to her opening. She wraps her legs around my back and gives a throaty moan, driving me on. I nudge my swollen head against her wet warmth, determined to ease into her slowly. I’m proud of my self control, but my plans evaporate the second her greedy pussy clamps around my dick and tries to pull me deeper. I’ve waited so long to claim her, to complete our bond, that I can’t wait another second.

  I take her hips in my hands and thrust into her with one deep stroke. She cries out and reaches down to rub her clit, lost in the frantic pleasure of our joining. I’m lost too. I feel pleasure surge through my body like a powerful drug. I had to wait so long for her to finally arrive, but in this moment, it was worth it. My past encounters pale in comparison to this planet-shattering coupling.

  She matches my every thrust in enthusiasm and vigor. Sweat drips from our bodies and our faces contort in lust. I struggle to stay quiet, when all I want to do is shout to the universe that I’ve found my mate. She’ll never be alone again, and neither will I. She is my everything in this moment.

  We race towards the finish line together. I struggle for control, wanting to make this moment last forever, trying to memorize every detail of our joining. Her hand works furiously between her legs and her whole body tenses as her pussy starts to clench around me. I explode inside her with unmatched intensity, spilling into her as she milks me dry. Dozens of emotions swirl through me at that moment. Fierce love and devotion. A determination to never see her harmed. Gratitude for finding each other. Fear at the thought of losing her or being discovered.