Davin's Quest (11 page)

Davin collapsed over her, his eyes shut against the glare of the glowing crystal. For all he cared, the cave could collapse over them right this minute. His life was complete. He had his mate and he was still part of her.

He had no idea how long they lay there, breathing hard as their bodies came down from the highest high Davin had ever experienced. He wasn’t sure about Callie, but he knew she’d experienced pleasure. He counted that as a miracle, considering just how out of control he’d been. Wearily, Davin opened his eyes and levered himself off of her as much as he could. He refused to leave her completely, but he wanted to see her reaction, watch the dawn of expression over her lovely face.

“Callie?” His question was barely a whisper, but it resonated through the chamber, reflecting off every facet of every crystal, a whisper of love from the Earth itself.

Callie’s expression held wonder as she smiled up at him, then looked past him, over his shoulder to the brilliance of the chamber itself. She caught her breath and squinted against the bright rainbows of light.

“Davin!” The awed tone of his name held many meanings and the crystal reflected and heightened every one, straight into Davin’s heart. Born to wrangle wild crystal, he knew its ways better than anyone else on this planet. He twisted his head to the side and noted the wonder all around them.

The crystal deposits were lit with nearly blinding intensity, but their power couldn’t hurt the two beings at the center of the storm. The energy of a thousand stars ran through the rich crystal deposits, and through the two lovers, entwined within.

Davin chuckled as he imagined what this kind of energy must be doing all over the globe. The Earth would stand still—or at least its new inhabitants would—as the massive surge of wild energy flooded all
Page 59

nearby power sources, overwhelming the grid and causing spikes in Alvian cities and installations.

But Davin didn’t care.

No, for once in his life, he cared only about the woman in his arms who made him whole. Callie seemed to be reveling in the energy flow as much as he did, calming his fears for her safety and reassuring him that she really was meant for him. She was incredible, this small human woman of his, and he would never let her go. Not now. Not ever.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Callie covered his lips with one finger, her eyes alight with humor. “I know you love me. I can feel it with every fiber of my being. And I love you. But I have one question.”

He kissed her soft fingertip. “Ask me anything.”

“What did we do to this chamber?” Her tone reflected the awe in her wide eyes.

“Our love made the crystal shine, Callie. It resonated with us as we resonated with each other.” He began to realize what this could mean for their future and a smile lit his face. “I bet this entire chamber—perhaps the rest of this network of caves and crystal deposits is now tuned to us. We’ll have to do a bit of exploring to find out the extent of the effect.” He felt the twitch of her tight body around his cock and it roused in interest. “Later.” He leaned down and kissed her neck, nipping gently and sucking.

“Right now, I have some loving to make up to you. This time I promise it’ll be better.”

“I don’t think it can get any better.”

“Watch and learn, sweetheart.” Davin began to move slowly, caressing her shoulders with his hands, her breasts with his chest. They were perfectly aligned in all ways. “I love the way you feel around me.”

Callie’s voice was pitched low with excitement. “I love the way you feel inside me.”

It was a slow, sensuous loving, now that Davin was fully bonded with his mate. He was sure of her, the beast inside him sated as he pleasured his woman. She was pure magic to him and he wanted to bring a little bit of that to her. He stroked into her slowly, with greater care than he could have managed before.

He regretted his loss of control, but she didn’t complain. Her big heart encompassed all of him—his faults, his weaknesses, his
humanity
.

Davin had more in common with Callie’s people than his own. But for his looks and lack of psychic skills, except those used in crystallography, he could be one of the survivors of humanity. If they’d have him, he’d be happy to make his home among them. For certain, he’d be using all that remained of his skill and position—if anything—to champion their cause.

But those thoughts percolated deep in the recesses of his mind as he loved his woman. She was young, to be sure, but she would grow and mature at his side. He’d nurture her. He’d give her everything in his power to give. He’d do anything for her.

Callie moaned under him as he sped his strokes. Reaching down, he played with the little nubbin at the apex of her thighs, gratified when she cried out. She was close now, and he couldn’t hold back.

“Come for me now!” Davin’s voice echoed through the chamber, amplified and reflected back in a chorus of love and need.

60

A strangled moan tore from Callie’s lips as her body spasmed around him, drawing him over the edge.

He spiraled over the cliff of pleasure with her, his body seizing as his seed splashed into her womb.

He had just enough energy to roll to his side, taking his weight off her softly curved body. He brought her with him, careful of her comfort, snuggling her into his body and wrapping her in his embrace.

“Rest now, my love.” He kissed the softness of her hair as he held her small body against his. She felt so right in his arms, so perfect as she settled to sleep in his loving embrace.

He woke her several times in the night to gently make love to her, bringing her to a higher climax each time. And each time, the crystal chamber glowed and tuned even more to their energies as it welcomed their resonance with matching vibrations. It was a miracle of grand proportions. Not only did Davin claim his resonance mate and save himself from insanity, but an entire chamber of wild crystal had been tamed—a feat that otherwise would have taken years, if not lifetimes.

Callie woke sometime later and noticed immediately she was alone in the big bed. The crystals of the chamber glowed white, rose, gold and purple, the white breaking into rainbows here and there, spilling a comforting, almost magical illumination throughout the vast chamber. Callie sat up and tucked the blanket around her like a toga. She went searching for her lover and found him not far away, deep in thought as he studied a huge crystal that stood several feet off the floor of the cave.

“Davin?”

He spun when she spoke his name, echoing around the chamber in a chorus. A broad smile lit his face as he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. The kiss he bestowed spoke of love, possession and joy in a way that made her breathless. He let her go much too soon, but kept one arm around her shoulders as he brought her over to the crystal he’d been studying.

“Look at this.” He motioned to the giant crystal sticking up from the floor.

“What is it?”

“A near-perfect beacon. This single crystal could power an entire city. Maybe even act as the focal for an entire power grid. It’s a rare specimen, worth much to the Alvians. And it’s tuned to us.” His arm tightened as he sought her gaze.

“What does this mean?”

“It means we can pretty much write our own ticket.” Davin gave her a smacking kiss, grinning widely. “I hoped things would work out something like this. I mean, I hoped you’d have some crystal talent we could barter with, but I didn’t dare dream anything as big as this. For one thing, until we got here, I wasn’t entirely certain you’d be able to withstand this chamber. Wild crystal can be very unpredictable.

When I realized you were comfortable here, I began to hope. I thought if we could work together to retune a little bit of this deposit, we might have some leverage in bargaining for your safety.”

“And your job,” she reminded him, but he shook his head.

“Personally, I don’t give a damn if I never see another Alvian ever again. I don’t belong with them, Callie. More than ever, I realize I belong with your people. The only reason I’d go back to the Alvians is
Page 61

to help humans. They don’t deserve the way they’re being treated. I didn’t have enough power before, but now, with you by my side, and this—” He gestured to the glowing crystal all around. “With this, our position has vastly improved. If they want these riches, they’ll have to keep us happy. Both of us.”

“This chamber is really that important?”

“It’s not the chamber itself. It’s the vast quantities of crystal—now tuned to us, Callie—and the power it represents. The Alvian race is expanding their hold on this planet. They need crystal to power all their technology. We’ve been having trouble meeting the increasing needs. There just aren’t enough crystallographers, for one thing, and those we do have are swamped and can only handle the smaller tasks. Up ’til now, I’ve been handling all the bigger jobs personally. All the major crystals are tuned to me, so they need to keep me around—at least until the crystals settle and new engineers can be trained to resonate with them and keep them in tune.”

“I didn’t realize.”

“Few people do. But the Council is well aware of how much they need me. I think that—” he looked pointedly at the beacon crystal, “—will point out how much they need you as well. Maybe now they’ll let me institute the plan I devised for training some of your people to work crystal.”

“That’s what I love about you, Davin.” She reached up to peck his cheek. “You’ve got a sharp mind and a warm heart.” She settled her head against his chest, snuggling in his arms. “Do you think they’ll let you train people? I mean, they have no reason to trust that their prisoners won’t turn around and sabotage the crystals once they know how to use them.”

“True.” Davin stroked her hair. “But Alvians won’t realize that. They no longer understand the concept of holding a grudge or true anger and hatred. If they’re too blind to see it, and change their behavior toward humans, then they deserve whatever they get for their shortsightedness.”

She leaned back, looking up at him with concern in her expression. “Aren’t you worried your students might turn on you?”

“No. If they don’t realize pretty quick that I’m on their side, then I won’t have been doing my job. Plus, you’ll be with me. I can withstand anything, as long as you are by my side.”

“You say the sweetest things.” She sighed and rested her head under his chin. She fit so perfectly in his arms, he had little doubt she was made just for him.

Rick jumped when the lights flickered and went out. The entire city seemed to be without power. Was this his chance?

He’d planned for a situation like this for years, but still he hesitated. To escape with a large group, he’d need a few hours. He didn’t want to leave anybody behind. The power outage would have to be a massive one. That was the only way they’d be able to get everyone out. They’d tried a number of times before, but were always recaptured before they even got above ground. This time the power was out.

62

That might make all the difference.

“Do you think this is it?” one of his cellmates asked.

“Could be. The forcefields are off. Let’s go out into the hall and see what’s going on.”

The scene in the common hallway connecting all the pens was chaotic. Emergency lighting gave the entire area an eerie golden glow, but the rest of the alien technology seemed nonfunctional.

When Rick stepped into the hall, people quieted, looking to him for leadership. It was a role he hadn’t sought, but one he’d come to accept.

“Are we going?” a voice called out of the crowd.

There it was. Decision time. Rick quickly weighed the possibilities. Heaven knew, things couldn’t get much worse. He grit his teeth and strode forward, toward the single exit. Only one guard stood watch over the narrow door, but he knew others would soon be on their way.

Rick faced down the big Alvian warrior.

“Get out of the way, friend.”

The soldier bristled. “Go back to your cell.”

“I can’t,” Rick said, moving into position for best advantage.

“You must comply.” When the soldier went for his weapon, Rick acted. His foot smashed into the man’s hand, sending the weapon flying even as his fist connected with the Alvian’s temple, felling him like a tree.

Rick didn’t wait to see who followed. He knew everyone who was mobile would be right behind him as he sped out the door and headed upward—toward freedom.

It was a valiant attempt, but just as the ragged group of humans reached the perimeter of the city, the power kicked back on. Rick could see the green forest beyond the city’s shield. It was so close—he could smell the loamy pine scent of the area.

But it wasn’t meant to be. Rick went quietly with the platoon of soldiers that cornered them. It wasn’t worth the fight. The shield was back up. They’d never get out of the city now.

Callie and Davin made love repeatedly, in many different ways. She was an eager pupil and he loved teaching her every aspect of lovemaking he’d always longed to try. Callie was more adventurous than he would have imagined and even managed to surprise him a few times.

He pushed into her from behind, loving the feel of her tight sheath encasing him in warmth. She reached back and cupped his balls, teasing him with curious touches as she felt around the place where they were joined.

“Are you trying to kill me, sweetheart?” he asked, not entirely joking.

63

“Davin,” she asked hesitantly, “I’ve heard things I’m curious about.” She seemed reluctant to go on as he slowed his pace, enjoying the feel of her and the shyness of her well-loved body. She was still new to loving, but by no means afraid. At times though, she managed to remind him that up until a few days ago, she’d been a virgin.

“What have you heard? You know you can ask me anything, don’t you?” He leaned down to nip her shoulder, then placed wet kisses over the little love bite.

“Harry told me about some things an Alvian woman asked him to do to her. He said…he said she took him in her bottom.”

Davin felt his heart stutter. Did she want him to try it? Did he dare? It was something he’d done before, with Alvian women, but he hadn’t thought a newly broken-in virgin would even know of such things.

Davin had thought to introduce the subject in a few months, perhaps, and see what she thought of the idea, but here she was, surprising him again.

“Did I shock you?” She pulled away from him, disengaging their bodies as she flipped over on the bed to look up at him. A sexy blush covered her cheeks and the tops of her breasts.

“Not at all.” Davin sought for composure, but couldn’t get the idea of coming in her ass out of his mind.

Oh, yeah, he’d like to show her that dark pleasure.

“So, um, you’ve heard of it?”

Davin stalked forward on his hands and knees, coming over her as she lay back on the bed. “Not only have I heard of it, I’ve done it. Many times, in fact. It’s not for the faint of heart and it’s said men like it more than women, but none of my partners ever seemed disappointed.” He grinned, taking her mouth in a swift, hard kiss as the fires of passion revived within him.

When he let her up for air, she smiled at him. “Would you show me how it’s done, Davin?”

“Would I?” Davin gave her a teasing, leering grin. “It would be my pleasure. Quite literally, in fact.” He stopped teasing for a moment to see if she was really ready. “I’ll try to prepare you as best I can, but if anything bothers you, I want you to tell me and I’ll ease off. We don’t have to do this. Do you understand?”

She lifted to kiss him quickly, her lips a thankful benediction, her tongue sweeping over his once in promise. “I love you, Davin. More than that, I trust you. I’m curious.” She shrugged, lying back. “I want to know everything there is to know about loving you. In every way possible.”

“Well, then.” He moved back and flipped her onto her stomach once again. “Let the lessons begin.”

She had the most beautiful ass. Davin had spent more than a few hours dreaming of the pert, rounded cheeks. And now it was his.

Davin bent to trail kisses down her spine, nibbling as he went, his hands kneading the fleshy globes of her ass, spreading them apart as he left his saliva there to mix with her own syrupy fluids. Dipping inside her dripping pussy, he moved the lubrication where it was needed, sliding one finger inside her to see how easy or difficult the task ahead might prove.

64

Davin was pleased with the way she relaxed around him, taking him in. He pulsed his finger in and out a few times, letting her get the feel of it.

“How’s this, love?”

“Mmm. Feels good. Weird, but good.” She squirmed a bit in a way he now recognized meant her passion was rising. He withdrew and added another finger, stretching this time, going slow, doing his best not to cause pain. “Oh!” She gasped as he slid farther in.

“All right? I’ll stop if you don’t like it.”

“No, I like it. Don’t stop.” Her words came on panting breaths as he began to stroke within her. She was a natural at loving. He should have known she’d take to this unconventional method as easily as she’d done the rest.

Using his other hand, he added more lubrication. He really should have some kind of cream, he realized, pulling away to search through the bag of belongings he’d salvaged from the ship. There was something there he could use. A tube of cream meant for first aid. True, this use was a little unconventional, but it wouldn’t harm her if used internally and the viscous liquid would definitely make his invasion easier.

Callie leaned up on her elbows to watch him and he’d never seen a sexier sight.

“I hope you’re planning on coming back,” she said in a sultry tone of voice that set his cock to twitching.

“It was just starting to get interesting.”

“Never fear.” Davin held up the tube he’d just recovered. Rising, he stalked back to the bed, noting the way she watched him—or rather, his cock. She seemed fascinated by it.

“What’s that for?” She tore her attention away from his cock and nodded toward the tube in his hand.

“Normally it’s for disinfecting wounds, but for us, today, it’s going to serve as lubricant.” He grinned as he opened the tube. “Give me your hand. I want you to put this on me first, so you’ll know how it feels.”

She held out her hand and he squeezed a large dollop of the fluid into her palm.

“It’s warm.”

“The gel heats when it comes into contact with flesh. Very therapeutic.” He moved to present her with his cock and she didn’t hesitate to reach out and slide her slick palm over him, again and again. “That feels almost too good.” He stepped away before he let his instincts overcome his sense. There was more work to do to prepare her.

“Now what?” The saucy grin she gave him told him she knew damn well what came next, but she liked to tease him into giving orders. And he found he liked giving the orders as much as she enjoyed taking them.

“On your elbows and knees. Stick that pretty ass up in the air for me like a good girl.”

“Yes, Davin,” she agreed with a secretive little smile that lit fires in his system that only she could contain.

Davin didn’t waste any time. He squeezed a dollop of the gel into the crack of her ass, sliding it around with his fingers and right up into her, paving the way for what would come next.

65

“Not only will this be the most hygienic fuck I’ve ever given, but no doubt the hottest.” He could feel the warmth of the gel against his fingers and could only imagine what it must feel like for her. Taking the final precaution, he pushed three fingers into her tight hole, going slow so as not to hurt her. “Do you like it so far?”

She writhed, but he noted she was careful not to dislodge him. “I love it. Come into me now, Davin.

Please!”

“As you command, my love.” Davin pulled his fingers away and rose up on the bed, positioning his cock at her rosy entrance.

With great care, he pushed within, going slow. His cock was a lot thicker than his fingers, but she seemed well able to take him. The lubricant helped enormously, but Callie’s willingness counted for a lot too. She relaxed and pushed out at the right moment, all without being told what to do. It was as if she were born to take him any way he chose—or any way she could dream up.

When he was seated fully, she whimpered and started to push back. She wanted him to move, and she wanted to come. He could read all that from the small sounds and movements he’d learned over the past few days. She was expressive in a non-verbal way, though she did speak her mind when they made love as well. Quite different from what he was used to in Alvian women, this miracle girl was everything he’d ever hoped for in a woman—in a mate.

“Oh, Davin!” she panted. “This feels so good. I never dreamed…”

He rounded his back, moving over her for better leverage, enjoying the heat of her skin against his belly and chest. “I never dreamed I’d find anyone as perfect as you, Callie. Never.”

“Davin!” Her body began to clench as her orgasm drew near. Davin pulsed faster into her, feeling his balls tighten in readiness for release. And this was going to be a big release. He could feel it.

He reached around with one hand to tease her clit and she cried out at the overload of sensation. “Now, Callie. Come for me now, my love.”

She screamed his name as she came harder than he’d ever seen her come before. A heartbeat later, he followed her over the edge into blissful oblivion as he shot inside of her again and again.

He had just enough presence of mind to pull out and move to her side before falling unconscious from the pleasure. He woke a short time later to find her snuggled into his arms. They hadn’t moved far, both wearing the silly smiles of the well pleasured.

“Are you all right, my love?” He squeezed her closer and placed a kiss on the crown of her head.

“Never better, Davin. That was better than anything I could have imagined. Thank you for showing me.”

“It’s I who should be thanking you. Not one man in a thousand is blessed with such an adventurous and willing mate. You continue to amaze and delight me, Callie. I love you so much and so deeply. Now that I have you in my life, I could never exist without you.”

She reached up to stroke his cheek, a smile curving her lips and tears of joy shining in her eyes as she looked up at him. “I feel the same, Davin. I love you, so much. And no matter how this all turns out, I
Page 66

wouldn’t trade a single moment we’ve shared for anything.”

They slept, then woke to love again and Callie couldn’t believe how perfect Davin was in every way.

Sure, he had his idiosyncrasies, as all people do, but the ways they complimented each other were far greater than the ways in which they conflicted. All in all, Callie thought she was a very lucky woman to have such a loving, thoughtful and sexy resonance mate.

She still wasn’t sure she understood all the ramifications of resonance mating, but Davin believed in it, and she respected his beliefs. She couldn’t hear the Hum, but her skin tingled every time they touched and her empathic senses were bathed in the most amazing mix of love, caring and desire. In short, he was good for her. And she would spend the rest of her life being good to him.

The sex was out of this world too. She’d known what to expect from frank discussions with her brother, but he’d never explained how incredible it could feel to share something so intimate with someone you loved. Davin made it special. He cared so deeply and devoted so much effort to her pleasure, she was moved to do the same for him.

She’d stretched her own boundaries further than she ever would have believed and Davin had been right there with her, teaching her and never pushing for more than she was willing to give. Of course, for him, she’d do just about anything.

And he’d be certain to make her enjoy every last minute of it.

They stayed hidden in their little lovenest for a few days, but Davin knew after the energy disturbances they’d caused—and kept causing with their wild lovemaking—they’d be found sooner or later. Then they’d be taken before the Council. He thought it better to arrive before that unforgiving group on their own initiative.

He laid out the options, describing each of the Councilors and their views to Callie before they ever set foot outside the resonance chamber. He also packed up the beacon crystal and a few other specimens as insurance. They wouldn’t harm him or gainsay his wishes while they carried such a dangerous and valuable artifact in their ship.

The beacon crystal came in handy when they were intercepted shortly after leaving the cover of the trees. All he had to do was send an image of the crystal to the warships that ordered them down and hold it up to the window so they could see it wasn’t a ruse. The soldiers backed off, escorting them directly to the Council compound.

Callie held his hand, sitting beside him in the two-person ship. She was handling this so well, he was proud of his young mate. She had poise and intellect to match any of the Council. They were all in for a surprise when they finally met one of the Breeds they so disdained.

67

“How dare you defy the will of the Council?” Councilor Troyan’s words were haughty, and as close to anger as one of the modern Alvians could come. Davin stood with Callie at his side, in front of the full Council, already in session. He’d timed their appearance to the weekly meeting he knew would be taking place. No sense having to wait to get them together when he needed their full attention as soon as possible. Best to take them by surprise before any of the troublemakers had time to work through the possible countermoves in their devious minds.

The Council Chamber held the Council Crystal, a large beacon of superior lines that sat in a place of honor behind the U-shaped Council table. It powered all the workings of the Council Compound and surrounding city.

The Councilors themselves were arranged along the two sides of the table, with their nominal leader, presently Councilor Hearn, at the center of the gently sloping U. Eight other Councilors sat at intervals on each side of the table, four to a side. Some were male, some female, each representing a different branch of Alvian society. There was a female crystallographer, Councilor Beyan, who oversaw all of the engineering facilities planet-wide. There were representatives of the various scientific fields, Councilor Gildereth from the military, Councilor Troyan representing the clerical workers, Councilor Hearn for the medical workers, Councilor Orin for those employed in language professions and the arts, and so on.

Each represented their own interests and the interests of those who worked in their fields.

The new beacon crystal had gained all of their attention. All Alvians understood the nature of crystals and knew how rare the larger ones were. Though the big crystal rested far back in the gallery, they could all see it, and watch it respond to Davin’s every breath—tuned so closely to him and his mate. He let the crystal glow and flux, drawing the Councilors’ eyes in a small demonstration of his power that was not lost on any of them.