Soleil

My eyes sting, and my eyebrows scrunch up in confusion. There's a fog in my brain that I haven't been able to get through for a while. I've been able to pick up on some murmuring, voices that couldn't quite pierce through the veil of darkness.

It's only just now starting to get through. I start by wriggling my toes, meeting some resistance. My nose furrows. My feet move back and forth, as I realize I'm wearing a warm pair of socks. And there's something on my head too. A hat?

Moaning, I move my legs, and then my arms. Something is touching my hand, and I squirm, trying to open my eyes as light floods my world.

Memories come and go, but the last thing I remember is an avenging angel carrying me to safety.

I blink away the grogginess as best I can, trying to see my man through the fog.

"Fray." I breathe, my heart racing quicker at the thought of him. Where is he?

He's asleep, his sweet head laying so incredibly close to my hand, which he has clasped in his own hand. He slumbers quietly, his silver hair glinting in the dim lights.

I stay very still for a few moments, simply drinking in the moment before I have to think about where I am or what happened to me.

His tan skin is dotted in tiny scars and scrapes from battles, a map of soft patterns across pointed bone and swollen muscles. His orange eyes are hidden from me behind flickering lids.

I reach out carefully, as if the motion will scare him away. I open my hand, gently spreading my fingers into his soft locks. The strands tickle my palm.

I only get to enjoy the soft feeling for a few seconds before he reacts. Always a warrior, he's quick to jump away as if he's been burned.

His wickedly handsome face stares at me, his stubble-lined jaw dropping.

"Soleil. My Soleil." He says, as if he can't believe it.

I sit up a little bit straighter when he says those words. His Soleil? I like the sound of that. Never in my life have I wanted to belong to someone. I wanted to be strong and own myself.

But now? Meeting Fray has changed everything.

I think, no, I know that I love him. I want to say as much, but it might not be the best time to do so. I have so many questions that my brain throbs in my skull.

"What... what happened Fray?" I look around, acknowledging the fact that I'm on his space ship. The thing hums all around us.

"Are we.. is this thing...?" I drift off, not knowing what to say or where to even begin.

"We are going back to Rytaria. That is okay, yes?" He's so polite, the worry in his tone translates on his face.

I smile, reaching out to cup his neck, my thumb brushing his ear.

"Of course. There is nowhere I'd rather be than with you."

Fray sneak attacks me with the most dangerous weapon in his arsenal. He flashes those pearly whites that look oddly sharp, and my breath catches in my lungs.

His expression of joy vanishes before my eyes, and he springs forward like the massive predator that he is.

"What is it? What is wrong, my sweet mate. Are you still in pain?" Large hands begin manhandling me, searching for any sign of disfigurement that he can mourn.

I attempt to tear my arms away from him, but he's too strong. I sigh, shaking my head in amusement.

Well, it seems that he hasn't changed his mind on making me his mate, so that's good.

"Where is Elodie? Is she alright?" I wonder, but Fray won't stop until his orange pupils have gazed at every inch of my exposed skin.

"Fraaaayy." I complain, and he finally releases me with an unhappy grumble.

"She is fine. She and your Mama come to see you everyday."

The words take a second to register, and when they do I'm grabbing Fray's shirt and demanding more answers.

"What? My mom? She agreed to come? She's here?" The words flow so fast, and I'm helpless to stop them. I can't believe it.

His eyes widen, before his lips twitch. A gentle look appears, and he rubs the top of my head affectionately.

"Yes. Of course. I could not leave her behind. And she wanted to be here. Her mate treated her very poorly. She will find a new one that will appreciate her, you will see. I will take care of you both until then." He caresses my face, and so much joy wells up in my heart.

I grab his wrist, pulling him down until our lips connect. My eyes flutter close and I just sigh into his mouth and enjoy the taste of him.

He's never been more attractive to me more than he is now.

Fray sticks his tongue in my mouth, getting excited very quickly. He hovers over me, crawling into the bed and caging me in under his enormous body. I groan, rubbing my hands up and down his biceps.

After several blissful moments of being connected, Fray breaks off, staring down at me with so much adoration that I think my chest will explode. Even though I'm panting, the Rytarian warrior is fine.

He does look worried though. I don't particularly like that.

"What? What is it?" I press, and Fray shakes his head once.

"We can't do this now, not when you just woke. You are still healing." He offers, but I see the desire in his eyes, and I'm sure the same look is in my own face.

I squirm under him. I don't know what to say, so I just say what I feel.

"I love you." I murmur.

Fray goes completely still, his weight pressing into me in all the right places. My heart thumps in my chest. The sound of my blood rushing through my ears.

Maybe I shouldn't have said it so soon. He asked me to be his mate, but he never said he loved me. What if aliens don't love? What if they just mate to reproduce? Does he even know what it means?

My throat suddenly feels clogged, and my eyelids burn as I try to prevent the tears from welling up.

"I love you so much." The husky words are pressed right up against my ear. I shiver, both from desire and relief.

I never thought I'd fall in love, or be lucky enough to have a man that loves me back, just me, no other women.

"If you want to wait, we can, but I feel good enough. I'm not in any pain. I love you, and I want you, but I can wait." I relent, resting my hands on his chest.

It's enough for me to know he loves me. I can definitely live with stopping now.

I see the fight in him, his resistance, and so I close my eyes, prepared to go back to sleep snuggled against his body. His hold is so secure and warm. I'm as content as a cat right where I am.

But, Fray's lips find my neck. I arch into him, my body responding in surprise. It's not too long before things begin heating up between the two of us.

My spirit ignites with love and passion. We move in sync together. Every push and pull, every kiss and tug, it's all perfectly aligned.

Words of love are constantly exchanged between us, hushed and sacred and so special that they bring tears to my eyes.

I give all of myself to him, and he shares himself in return.

Growing up, I always feared intimacy. I could never picture having sex with someone without being reminded how cruel our society was. Things are so different now.

I've never felt so safe, so loved, so whole.

I had no idea how truly amazing it could be, especially with someone I love more than life itself.

Thanks for reading! I'm trying super hard to write more because I love all of you, and I have a passion for writing.

Comment to let me know what you think :)

Until next time