The Elder's Mate

Three - Warm Bodies

Artemis dreamed of a sandy beach where she lay under the sun feeling the hot rays upon her skin. The sun was sweltering but she didn't care. It felt good against her skin.

For too long she had been kept from the blazing ball of heat. She even missed feeling rain kiss her skin as the sky wept, thunderous rolling dark clouds smothering the sun in its darkness. This time she just enjoyed the intense heat that surrounded her.

Damn she wanted to stay here forever, here where the sun warmed her skin unlike the cold clinical artificial lights.

There was none of it here. Only intense warmth. The heat enveloped her, made her body curl closer to it. Every part of her wanted to stay by the warm rays of sunlight. Never before had she loved the warmth of the sun nor appreciated it.

It was much better than the stark coldness of her current world. A world where it was always cold and white. A world she had come to hate.

She awoke with a start. A tickling at the back of her brain told her that she was not alone. There was another presence.

Instead of being back in her cell like she thought she would, she was lying in Rhage's bed in his cell still. It was with that that she acknowledged the intense heat that surrounded her from behind. The source of that blazing heat that felt so damn good. A warmth that radiated from the giant that big-spooned her like an oversized cat. An alien cat with scales and long claws.

Rhage had somehow moved to curl around her. His body was the rays of sun that chased away the frigid cold.

Damn did it feel amazing.

A heavy leg weighed down her legs under the immense weight while a thick arm, one that was scratchy and rough against her skin, held her close with the limb protectively covering her rounded swell. She could feel the baby stirring within at his closeness — the little traitor, she thought. Stretching her legs she exercised her muscles as best as she could under the heavy weight of Rhage's leg.

The damn alien was heavier than she had thought he would be. Yeah, the male, the father of her child was fucking massive and jacked to hell but she underestimated how heavy such a body would be. Surprisingly, she didn't mind it. Being held like that she felt safe and comforted for the first time in a long time.

His presence was much appreciated. She was fast growing attached to this strange alien.

Rhage's deep growly voice drew her attention from the wayward thoughts, his leg releasing her own. "I forgot how small you are. I hope this is acceptable."

Huh? Why was he apologizing? He hadn't done anything.

"No, it's fine."

He started to pull away, the heat leaving her in the sterile coldness of the cell. She didn't like it. She wanted his heat back.

"Wait, stay there! It's cold." Grunting a little, she turned over to snuggle closer into him and bring back the warmth she liked so much. "I'm sorry if this is awkward but...umm...I find your warmth comforting. It's always so damn cold in my cell. The little one likes it, too."

Her body was shaken gently as he chuckled, the deep sound filling the void. That long thick arm resumed its position around her.

She could feel his claws curl away from her delicate exposed skin as he balled his large hand. In her sleep the thin white shirt she wore had slid upwards exposing her maternal swell and back. Once again she wished she could see him without the shadows hiding him. That urge to see him was strong but she respected his decision.

Maybe he was hiding a face that would be scary, she thought. When he spoke he sounded like he was a wise old sage. He spoke with careful and gentle words.