Zercy (The Nira Chronicles, #2)

by Kora Knight

“Son of a bitch,” Helix cursed. The dekdónni bared their fangs. Goddamnit, Garret thought. Not again.

The guard at his back chuckled. “Moyo ochay.” Chet turned around and glared poison daggers at the guy. “No, you purple kumquat. I’m not a funny creature. I’m a fucking pissed off human, ready to murder.”

Sirus gave it a sniff and smiled. Alec watched him. Really? They were sophisticated enough to have their own friggin’ language, but couldn’t resist smelling piss like it was pizza?

“Do you have to restrain me?” Alec asked, complying. “Tah. Keeps movements minimal. Very helpful.” “For you,” he muttered. “I happen to like moving freely.” “Tah. As do I. At least one of us will be happy.”

The king stepped close and clutched Alec’s jaw, turning his head firmly to face him. “It is not meant to degrade,” he murmured. “But to emphasize. That I value you. That you please me. That I do not wish to lose you.”

He paused, eyelids hooding. His voice dipped again. “Besides,” he took the leash and started drawing Alec forward, “I want your adoration, not resentment.”

“Don’t. Just… don’t touch me.” “I cannot help it. You ceaselessly compel my hands to your body.” His fingers slid down Alec’s throat and traced his collarbone “You compel other parts of me, too.”

He settled his hand on Alec’s hip and closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he exhaled. Alec frowned. “For what?” His regal vibe sobered as he drifted toward sleep. “For giving me something to finally be happy about.”

Shoulders easing, Zercy turned back. “There. It is done. No one shall mount you, vigorously or otherwise. Nor shall they eat you for dinner.”

Alec glanced over in time to catch Lotis squeezing Chet’s ass. “Smooth and firm.” Lotis nodded. “The perfect canvas.” Chet whirled around and glared. “Keep your purple paws off me.” Lotis cocked a brow, studying him, then glanced at the guards. Setch chuckled. “We think perhaps he is defective.”

“Pliant and thick, yet soft like a flower petal. A second skin you will relish.” He pulled one out. Alec eyed the black scrap. It was tiny. He frowned. Surely that wasn’t their attire. Lotis held it up proudly for the whole team to see. “Aw, fuck,” Alec groaned. It looked like a toddler-size jockstrap.

“Oh, God. Here we go,” Bailey muttered. “I’m gonna puke.” Jamis quickly inched away. “Aim for the guards.”

Zercy stared at him. Several moments ticked by. “You do not see me,” he finally muttered, “though I stand right before you.”

“If you’re tired, then let me carry the weight.” Zercy frowned and glanced away, but Alec cupped his face, his hands barely covering the Kríe’s cheeks. “Listen to me,” he commanded in his captain’s voice, resuming eye contact. “My back is sturdy. My back is strong. Lean on me. Let me be your support.”

But as he rode out his release, caged tight in the king’s arms, Zercy suddenly felt like Alec’s stars. Like Alec’s home.

“I don’t like you.” Sirus chuffed, beaming wide. “I think you do.” “No.” Chat stalked back in. “I seriously don’t.” Alec sighed and looked at the ceiling. Sirus emerged, still talking to Chet. “Then I will like you enough for the both of us.” “Oh, Jesus,” Chet muttered, out of view. “Please don’t.” Sirus flashed his fangs, “Too late,” and shut the curtain.

“Just ‘cause you fantasize about a merman doesn’t mean I’m into guys.” “No,” Noah corrected. “You’re into Roni specifically.” Jamis snorted. “Wait. Wasn’t it the other way around? Pretty sure it was Roni who was balls-deep into Chet.”

“They’re my home.” Alec held his gaze. “Maybe I’m theirs, too. Maybe they miss me… like I miss them.” Something dimmed in Zercy’s eyes. “I would like to be your home. If you left me, I would miss you more than they.”

Alec barked out a laugh. “Bite me. I’m not that much smaller than you.” Zercy slid him a side glance, then slowly licked his fangs. “I would love nothing more than to bite you, Alick. Come closer and I will sink my teeth in deep.”

“Bellah. Now remember, I am Kríe.” “Meaning?” Alec chuckled. Zercy donned a salacious grin. “The more debauched my king behaves, the happier his pet.”

“Mah. To have an idle mind is to think. So, I stay ever busy until I drop from pure exhaustion. It is the only way to keep what is left of my sanity.”

Alec’s chest tightened. He turned his head and gazed at the king. Studied every nuance of his face. His heart sank in realization. When he finally left this planet, he wouldn’t be going home. He’d be leaving it.

“You don’t listen, you know that? What’s wrong with your ears? They’re big as fuck, how come they don’t work?” Mannix squared his shoulders and glared at him from the other team’s end zone. “You said to catch the ball and run very, very fast!” “Right!” Chet hollered, pointing to the opposite end of the field. “That way, you brainless dildo! Now we’re losing!” Setch and Kellim swapped looks, then erupted into laughter. “What is a dildo?” Kellim chortled.

He flicked Airis a smirk. “I’m gonna hold you to that, Tohrí. We humans frown pretty heavily on being chow.” Airis cocked a brow, then glanced down the length of Garret’s body. “Pleasant thought, I admit…” He grinned and looked away. “But you are far too small to hold me for long against anything.”

“They are mine!” Gesh exploded, throwing his blade to the ground. “I had them first! But you stole them like rotten thieves!” Airis scoffed, lowering his bow. “We have stolen nothing, boor. We do not claim a single one of these strange oddlings.” Garret fought not to roll his eyes. Could Airis not just call them humans?

“If you knew they were at the castle,” Garret shook his head, aggravated, “why not just tell us that before?” “Because,” Gesh complained, “you would have asked me more questions. Questions about things I could not reveal. ‘How did they get there?’ ‘Why do they linger there still?’… I can only lie so much. It bothers my stomach.”

Gesh scowled as Noah turned and jumped down to the other side. “But I rescued you,” he grumbled under his breath, climbing over. “Took three arrows in my ass to make this happen.”

Alec grimaced and peeled his eyes open just as Roni stepped forward angrily. “So it is okay to champion your meesha, but I cannot champion my bitch?” “I’m not your bitch!” Chet barked from somewhere nearby.

Alec glanced around. “Really?” Miros nodded. “Tah. My pack has added another safeguard as well.” “Nice. What kind of safeguard?” “We pissed a circle around the campsite. Its scent will deter predators.” Alec coughed a laugh and looked at him. Miros beamed an arrogant Kríe grin. “Our mighty cocks are good for many things.”

“Mah, Alick,” he murmured, his hunger laced with emotion. “I do not want this, for us to bond, as a way to ensure you stay… I want it because now I know with absolute certainty that you would stay with me even if we did not.”

Zercy’s eyes dipped to Alec’s mouth, then slid back up to Alec’s stare. “You are everything to me,” he rumbled. “I want you to know this. That I put you above all I hold dear. Nothing means more to me. Not my kingdom. Not my crown…” His hips started to move. His black lashes fluttered. “Not even life, or Nira herself. I live for you.”