Blinding sunlight burned through the trees, waking Sophia from her blissful rest. She had fallen asleep in Tyrex's arms.
She felt safe. She finally found the home she was looking so desperately for.
Tyrex's eyes opened slowly. “How did you sleep?”
Sophia stretched out in his arms. “I was completely knocked out. Last night was the most exercise I'd had in a very long time.”
Tyrex raked his fingers through her hair and pressed her head against his chest. “I never knew I could feel so much pleasure.”
Sophia giggled. “And I never knew someone could have so much stamina. We only stopped because my body couldn't handle anymore.”
“I think one more time would've killed me too.”
“What was that thing you did with your tongue? It drove me wild!”
“I don't even know. I was too caught up in how good you tasted.”
Sophia closed her eyes and remembered Tyrex between her legs, her fingers tangled in his hair. She wanted to feel that way forever.
“I didn't expect anything like this to happen when I left Earth.”
“I bet you didn't,” Tyrex replied. His fingers tickled Sophia under her arms until she howled.
“Stop it, Tyrex! Someone might hear us.”
Tyrex continued his assault, squeezing the inside of her thighs. “If they can hear you now, then they definitely heard you you moaning my name last night.”
Sophia blushed all over. Last night she was too caught up in the moment to keep quiet. “So what do we do now?”
“I think we should probably get dressed before somebody finds us.”
Sophia searched for her clothes and found her chest piece hanging from a tree branch. Sophia got fully dressed or at least what this world considered “fully dressed.”
“Okay, now what are we going to do about us?” Sophia asked.
“Sit down.” Tyrex motioned to the spot that they had just spent the entire night having sex on.
“I assume that what we have between us is not exactly accepted here?”
Tyrex smirked. “That might be an understatement. The history if this ritual goes back a long way. A male Jeorn must find his Intended so they can be Joined. If he can not find a suitable mate then he is put to death.”
“Sounds barbaric.”
“That is our culture. We do not think of it in those terms. It's always been like this.”
“So does that mean there is no future for us?”
Tyrex shook his head. “You are the one I've been searching for Sophia. You are my Intended.”
Sophia couldn't handle the emotions. So much had happened to her the past week that she burst out crying.
Tyrex embraced her. “Did I offend you, Sophia Jordan?”
Sophia wiped away the tears. “No, Tyrex. I'm just being emotional.”
“Do you not want to be my Intended?”
Sophia broke away and put her hands on Tyrex's shoulders. “Of course I do.”
She knew she was making a big commitment. This was bigger than just “I love you.” This was akin to marriage back on Earth. But she wondered how she could fall so fast for this alien that she knew barely anything about.
That's the thing. She felt like she had always known him. That this was preordained. She was meant to crash land on this planet and find Tyrex. Now all she had to do was go along with the flow.
“Then I will have to tell the Council of Elders about my choice.”
“And what are they going to do?”
Tyrex looked up at the sun. “Honestly, I have no idea. Nobody has ever done something like this before.”
“I will stand by you, Tyrex Luk'ta.”
“Well I hope you will stand by me when I break the news to my parents. I'm more scared of them than the Council of Elders.”
“Then let's go now and tell them the good news.”
–
Tyrex and Sophia walked hand-in-hand back to the village. They received some strange glances from other villagers but they ignored them and kept on walking.
When they entered the living room of Tyrex's hut, they didn't have to say anything. His parents saw their hands and knew immediately what had happened.
Lija fell to the ground with tears in her eyes.
“How could you do this to us, Tyrex?” Kitor said. “You have dishonored the family.”
Sophia was ready to turn around and run away but Tyrex didn't let go. She never in a million years could've expected a family to act this way. But this was a planet light years away from Earth with different customs. She was going to have to understand.
Tyrex went to his mother and hugged her. “Don't you understand, Mother? This is what I want.”
Lija nodded, sniffling. “I know, Son. I want you to be happy. Your father and I will support whatever decision you make.”
“Lija!” Kitor yelled. “We cannot accept this alien as part of our family.”
Lija raised from the ground with the help of Tyrex. “We will support our son, Kitor. No matter what he does.”
Kitor backed off. “What about the Council? They surely will not accept this.”
“I will speak with them today. No reason to put it off any longer,” Tyrex replied. “Thank you for your support, Mother.” He kissed her on the cheek.
Tyrex turned to Sophia. “Will you stay here with my parents while I go to the Council?”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, that wouldn't be wise. They might see it as an insult to bring you there. This way I might actually have a chance.”
“Son, I've always trusted your mother in every matter. This is very tough for us but I will go along with her.”
“Thank you, Father.” Tyrex shook his hand.
“Good luck, Tyrex.” Lija hugged him tightly.
Tyrex and Sophia walked outside. “That was terrible,” she said.
“That actually went better than I thought,” Tyrex replied. He took her in his arms, staring deep into her blue eyes. “I need your strength, Sophia Jordan. Kiss me.”
Sophia complied, locking lips with the blue alien and enjoying every second of it.
“I'm going to call an emergency meeting with the Council now.”
“I'll be here waiting for you,” Sophia replied.
They held hands as Tyrex walked away, not wanting to let go.