“Stars, Jovie…” I grunt and lose control. I gently brace her beautiful head. “I’m going to blow…”
My sack tightens, and my hips beg me to thrust. But I won’t hurt her. I won’t give in. Resisting is a fight with as good as she makes me feel. And as I pump into her, Jovie takes it all, sucking and slurping me down as if she can’t get enough.
I can’t catch my breath. Jovie makes me lightheaded, giving me a rush like a good buzz but in my entire body. She has a power over me that no one else does.
Jovie sits back and tilts as if listening to something. “Do you hear that?”
I lug myself upright. “No.”
“Someone is calling for you.”
22: Aurelius
Jovie gets to her feet and leans into the path. Once I’ve tucked myself back inside my suit and zipped up, I make my way to her.
She points. “From there.”
“Prince Aurelius?”
A human guard with an ABR badge hurries up to us. “Sir, we have a situation. Anelectricanimal is loose in the creatures’ area. Security is trying to contain it, but we’re not doing great with that. Think you could help us?”
“Of course. Lead the way.” I catch Jovie stealing a glance at me and pursing her lips to hide her smile.
I kiss her neck and take her by the hand. “You did not have to do that for me.”
“Wanted to.” Jovie hugs my arm and rests her head on my shoulder for a moment.
The man motions to the building, where electric arcs are clearly visible through the windows. “Ooh. Let me guess, the meratadon? Like a lizard with bony plates along the spine? Blue and gray in color?”
“Yeah. None of the racers this round are from the same homeworld. But you’re closest inskill.”
“Right.”
“Please don’t hurt it,” he adds. “I’m sure it’s scared. We just need it collected and put back in its environment, which is zone D, row five, door two.”
I hold them back when we get to the complex. “Please keep everyone outside. I will handle this better if we’re alone. Fewer distractions.”
“You cannot be alone.”
“Then send a drone with me.”
The man coordinates with inside security.
Jovie clutches my arm. “Be careful.”
“It’s just a lil’ zapper. It can’t hurt me. I’ll be right out.” I kiss her temple, then hold the door for the drone. A few other racers inquire with security outside. I flip off the lights and walk quietly into the room, watching for arcs. The drone scans the space from behind me.
“Do your kind always have that wispy light?” the drone asks.
“Depends.” I stop to glare back at the drone in the dim light of the other cages and the windows. I see my radiant reflection, including my green eyes, in the drone’s lens.
“On what?”
“Hush or you’ll scare it.”
I see an arc under an information podium in one of the feature creature areas and stop. Squatting down, I find the meratadon curled up under it. Whistling quietly through my teeth, I wiggle my fingers, showing it my static sparks.
The creature uncurls and looks at me.
