Free Embracing Ember by Astrid Cielo Page A

years ago, two of our people came to investigate Earth. They met two females and took them home with them. Both females were pregnant when we left Salin. I know it may sound unbelievable, but our scientist concluded that we were the same species. On our world there is a story of how our ancestors left their dying planet in order to survive. Their planet was once teeming with life and resources, but they failed to care for it and in the end the world was dying. The stories say several ships were sent out to different planets that could sustain life. We believe your planet was one of those just like our planet.”
     
    Maria was so confused. Are these people bad? Silvius had just owned up to their kidnapping of two women. “So, you’re telling me that your people came here two years before and kidnapped two women?” she asked her voice rising with her panic. Here she was sitting on a ship that could leave at any moment and take her off to God knew where to be God knows what to these aliens. They already said they were hard up for females.
     
    “Maria, I think you have the wrong idea. They are safe and happy with their chosen mates,” Silvius said taking Maria’s hands in his own. She looked down at their entwined hands and basked in the warmth.
     
    “So, what is your deal or your endgame, whatever, why exactly are you here?” Maria asked her voice nearly a whisper. Silvius released her hands and cupped her face bringing her eyes back to his. She stared into their pale blue depths and she knew she was lost. There was that connection that she had waited her whole life to know, to feel and this alien, this man he did it for her. She didn’t question it, not at this moment because if she did then she would let this opportune moment pass and she would regret it every moment of her life.
     
    “We want mates, females to have our children and females to love and protect,” he said as he stared into her eyes. He must have seen something there, and whatever it was Maria was grateful as he brushed his lips against hers. She smiled as he pulled back searching her eyes for permission, for answers she didn’t know. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him opening her mouth and tracing his lips with her tongue. He opened his mouth and allowed his own tongue to duel with her. With just one erotic swipe of his tongue he effectively took back control. Maria moaned as he pressed her back against the mattress. She pulled back, taking a deep breath her mind catching up with her. Was this truly a good idea? Her decision was taken from her when he nuzzled her neck before returning to her lips and leaving her brain a pile of mush and need.
     

 
     
    SIX
     
    Kaysar, high lord of the planet of Malum – or what was left of it, sat in his office/throne room and contemplated how he would one day rule the universe. Already Salin’s numbers were dwindling and his troops preparing for invasion. Salin would be his. All of those resources to harvest adding to the resources that advanced the Maluminians and leaving the rest of the Salinians a dying planet. It was what they deserved.
     
    He still remembered the story of how his ancestors reached Malum. Their home planet was dying due to overpopulation and pollution. They separated the population and sent each ship to a different location that their scientists had assured would support life. So far that held true, except for Malum. Their ancestors had only been there for a mere year, instating their colony when the planet began to die. The rivers turned to sludge, unfit to drink. The plants all withered and died. The storms blew through and nearly decimated their population. Their pleas for help went unanswered. The leader at the time, Marcson declared that the government was no longer a democracy as was practiced for millennia on their old home planet, but to be changed to a monarchy. He was this generation’s High Lord, and he would ensure that their people had the revenge that