Page 10 of My Alien Pirate

In the dead of that click’s night, I stood again outside Nova's quarters. This time, with a resolve to speak to her, to learn more about this mysterious creature that had somehow come to hold my attention so deeply. It went against every pirate instinct honed over cycles of spacefaring, but something told me it was the right thing to do. My tentacles reached out, not just to open the door, but also to unlock the chains of indifference and caution that had bound me for so long.

As I stood outside Nova's quarters, my tentacles hovered over the door controls, hesitation gripping me. What was I doing? This went against every instinct, every rule I'd set for myself and my crew. But the compulsion to see her, to understand her, overrode all logic. I pressed the panel before I could talk myself out of seeing her, and the door spiraled open with a soft hiss.

The room was bathed in the gentle glow of the bioluminescent walls, casting a warm light over everything. Nova was curled up on the bed-cocoon, her back to me. Her shoulders tensed as she heard the door open, and she turned slowly, her wide blue eyes holding a mixture of fear and defiance.

I stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft click. Her gaze darted to the door, then back to me, her body tensing as if readying to flee. I held up my hands, palms out, in what I hoped was a universal gesture of peace. Her eyes flicked to hands, then my tentacles, and I consciously stilled them, not wanting to frighten her further.

"I mean you no harm," I said, my voice low and steady. I knew she couldn't understand my words, but I hoped my tone wouldconvey my intentions. She watched me warily, her small body poised for flight.

Slowly, I moved closer, giving her ample time to bolt if she chose. She didn't, but her eyes never left mine. I stopped a respectful distance away and lowered myself to the floor, trying to make myself smaller, less threatening. Her gaze followed me, curiosity beginning to replace fear.

I pointed to myself. "Zharrox," I said, reminding her of our previous interaction. Then I pointed to her. "Nova."

Her brow furrowed, but then she nodded hesitantly. She sat up, pushing some of the long, black filaments behind the tiny little growths that grew on the side of her head. Daz had hypothesized that they were for hearing.

"Zharrox," she finally repeated.

A warm sensation spread through me at the sound of my name on her lips. I smiled, showing my teeth, and her eyes widened slightly before she tentatively returned the gesture. The sight of her small, flat teeth sent a peculiar thrill through me. Everything about her was so different, so alien, yet so captivating.

Encouraged, I thumped myself on the chest. "Xalith," I said, then pointed to her. She blinked but said nothing so I tried again. "Zharrox, Xailith." I motioned to her again, raising my brow ridges in question.

She cocked her head, her brow furrowing. "Za...it?" She hadn't gotten it exactly right but I imagine there were sounds we made her particular vocal cords might not be capable of. I nodded enthusiastically any way.

"Xalith," I repeated again then. "Zharrox, Xialith." I pointed to her again. "Nova,..."

The wings of filament above her eyes scrunched with what I assumed was concentration. Suddenly, they climbed up her forehead and her lips broke into a blindingly white smile. She touched her chest with one small, delicate hand. "Nova, human."

"Hoo-man," I repeated, and her smile widened as she nodded.

"Nova ezzzz hooman." Her soft voice made my hearts skip.

"Nova, hooman. Zharrox, Xialith," I repeated, and her head bobbed up and down enthusiastically.

Species identified, we sat in silence for a moment, simply smiling at each other. Her fear seemed to have dissipated, replaced by a intense curiosity. I felt my tentacles twitch, wanting to reach out to her, but I kept them still, remembering her reaction the last time I'd touched her with them.

9

The Bond

Instead, I allowed myself the gift of studying her, my eyes tracing the lines of her face, the curve of her cheeks, the fullness of her lips. The cascade of black filaments that grew out of her head were particularly fascinating. I reached out a finger slowly, giving her plenty of time to pull back if she wished. She tensed but didn't move away. Gently, I touched a strand of her long black filaments, marveling at its softness.

Her breath hitched as my fingers made contact, but she didn't pull away. Emboldened, I let my hand slide down the length of the fascinating strands, feeling its texture. It was unlike anything I'd ever touched before, soft and silky, yet strong.

As I explored her filaments, she reached out a hand, her fingers tentatively touching one of my tentacles. I felt a jolt of sensation at her touch, something electric and primal. Her fingers were warm, her touch gentle yet firm. She traced the length of my tentacle, and around each small suction cup, her eyes filled with wonder.

"Soft," she said, her voice barely a whisper. I wasn't sure what the word meant, but the way she said it, the look in her eyes, sent a shiver of pleasure through me.

I wanted to touch her, to feel more of her. I reached out another tentacle, slowly, giving her time to retreat if she wished remembering her first reaction to the touch of my tentacles. She watched me, her breath catching slightly, but she didn't move away. Gently, I touched her cheek, the tip of my appendage tracing the curve of her jaw. Her skin was so soft, so warm. I felt a low rumble building in my chest, a sound I'd never made before.

Her eyes widened at the sound, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The scent of her filled my nostrils, a sweet, intoxicating aroma that set my senses on fire.

I let my hand slide down her neck, feeling the pulse of her lifeblood beneath her skin. Her single heart was racing, but she didn't seem afraid. When her eyes met mine, I saw something there, something that sent a surge of heat through my entire body like lava.

Her hand reached up, touching my face. Her fingers traced the lines of my ridges, sending sparks of sensation through me. I felt my ridges pulsing with color, responding to her touch. She seemed fascinated by them, her eyes following the play of light across my skin.

"Bu-ti-ful," she breathed, her voice filled with awe. I didn't know the word, but the way she said it, the look in her eyes, told me all I needed to know.

Her fingers then copied mine, tracing the line of my jaw, then slid down my neck, sending shivers of pleasure through me. I let my tentacles join in the exploration, wrapping gently around her waist, feeling the curve of her hips. She gasped at the contact, her eyes flying open, but she didn't pull away.