ZEDD
I watch helplessly as Thomas starts thrashing on the table as he had yesterday, completely ignoring Dar's efforts to drag me out of the room. "Come on, Zedd. He's right - you don't need to be here to see this and he'll be all right. Pina will take care of him."
I level a look at him. "Would you be so willing to leave if it was Scorpina lying there?"
Defeated, he admits, "No."
Finally, Thomas' current torment seems to be over. "Thomas?"
I don't know if he's heard me or not as he turns on his side and curls up in a ball, moaning in pain. The desire to hold him is almost overwhelming, but I don't dare as I remember the pain a simple kiss on the hand caused him. Pina scans him again, frowning as she reads the results. "What the hell is going on?" Suddenly, her eyes widen even as Thomas goes limp on the table once more. "Uh oh."
"What is it?" I demand.
She looks over the scan results once more before she looks up at me. "Remember how I said he was evolving so that he could better be suited to hold the power he now has? Well, I might have misjudged just what species he's evolving into." I don't like where this is going.
"I thought you said he was becoming more like us. More Eltarian."
"No, I said he was becoming more like us, but I never actually specified Eltarian. I just sort of assumed because of the readouts I was getting that that was the closest species to compare it to. Also I sort of just took a calculated guess since you're his mate and you're Eltarian" Pina states seriously. "However I think a now better comparison would be he's evolving to be what the powers see as a closer and more suitable match which would be Phadosian."
"Why do you think that? The two species are close enough in genetic design, unless there's a specific reason or tell that-"
"It looks like - if I'm reading this right - he's about to go through what I just did" Pina states cutting me off with a sigh.
"Huh? How?"
She sighs. "It's simply called 'the drive'. It's a time when - for Phadosians - our animal instincts take over. It usually doesn't last very long. For a full Phadosian, it happens roughly every hundred years. I haven't - hadn't - gone through it in a long time because I'm only a quarter Phadosian and I haven't been back there in a long time. Anyway, I'm guessing that he'll go through it because his powers and animal spirit are linked to the great temple there."
"So - someone's going to have to fight him?" Dar asks.
I'm surprised when Pina blushes fiercely. "Um, not necessarily. When the drive took me over, we were sparring so it presented as blood lust. There are two other options, but they're almost as bad."
"What are they?" I ask, not really sure I want to know the answer.
"Well, he could be restrained until it passes." Yeah, that's not going to happen and I'm sure she can tell that from the look on my face. "The other way that it could present is, well, a drive to mate."
Cautiously, I say, "That doesn't sound so bad."
She sighs. "Until you both end up sore and exhausted." Oh. Yeah, that wouldn't be good…well not good for him as I don't want him hurting…though a bit of aching isn't always a bad thing. "I know what you're thinking Zedd, and this wouldn't exactly be a one or two session mate. Think your younger years when you hit sexual maturity and then times it by ten with a good dose of aggressiveness thrown in."
"What other choice is there?" I say. "With what happened to him on Earth plus what happened when he restrained himself here - he won't be like he was when he was under the spell will he? You said aggressive, but there's a difference between aggressive and violent. Aggressive I can deal with, him trying to punch me in the face again not as much."
"He won't be vicious or evil, no, just very animalistic. I also highly doubt he would purposely try and harm you."
"There really isn't another option. I'll - stock your room with food and such. How long will it last, Pina?" Dar asks.
She shrugs. "Hard to say. It could just be a day or it could be longer." Dar nods and disappears. She turns her attention to me. "For the moment, he's unconscious. After that, he'll probably sleep. When he wakes up, well, don't be surprised if he's very aggressive. He'll be acting mostly on instinct, like you saw with me. No rational thought. Quite frankly, I'd suggest that neither of you are wearing anything when you go to bed."
O-kay. This will be interesting, to say the least. I remember something that Thomas had said when they'd come back. "So, he said that he had to bite you to bring you back to yourself."
She nods. "Since we were battling, it was a matter of dominance. It won't be the same if you're mating. At that point, it just has to run its course. Be thankful that your natural healing rate is higher than that of a normal human."
"But you said that he was changing to be more like us, or you, so doesn't that put him above a normal human, too?"
"Well, yes, but I'm not sure how much above. You need to make sure to eat before you move him. Once you do, you'll need to lock the door to keep him contained. Realistically except for bathroom trips, you probably won't be able to leave his side."
"I need something to use for him then, until I know how above human he is now." At her confused look I heave a sigh. "Human males aren't like Eltarian males, they don't…you know, they can't naturally prepare for being taken." I don't know why exactly I feel like an idiot stating this, but I know by the snicker she gives me I do and I must be looking more than a tad embarrassed now. "I don't have anything that's suitable right now and what I ordered won't arrive for another day or so, so I need something in case he still can't get ready himself or I'm going to end up harming him if I do take him."
Pina starts hunting through the cabinets. "Odds are this will be unnecessary. The aggression will make him more apt to want to take you, however just in case such a need should come about I will find you something for his well being. What worries me is that you're a naturally dominant person anyway. I don't really know that you'll be able to accept the submissive role for the entire time."
I sigh. "I'll do what needs to be done despite what my preferences are and given the choices, that's what I'll do, simply because he's not quite ready for it yet - at least at the speed that aggression would demand. He'd be worse than sore, I've no doubt."
Pina tosses me a container. "Then you might need more healing salve." She digs in a cabinet once more. "Ah ha! Here it is. I knew I had something. It's not ideal, but it should work, as you said just in case." She tosses me another container.
I look once more at my mate. "He'll be out for a while yet?"
She nods. "Quite probably long enough for you to, as I said, eat and move him at the very least. Possibly long enough for you to take a nap as well."
"I really don't see sleeping being an option, Pina."
"I know, but you really should try. Either way, you need to get going and get done what you need to get done before he wakes. I guarantee you that if he wakes and comes after me, we'll go from drive to mate to blood lust faster than you can blink."
I definitely don't want that and I hurry out of the room. Theoretically, the bond would have him seek me out, but on the other hand, if it is pure animal response - well, then it would probably be more about breeding than actual mating. I can't even begin to imagine what hell my home would become if Thomas were actually able to overpower her.
I go to my room and organize a few things before I head to the kitchen for food. Dar sets a plate in front of me and I eat quickly. "There's some food and water in your room on the table."
"I saw. Thanks."
Dar laughs lightly. "Two months ago, I never thought I'd ever see him again, never mind actually not hating him and even going so far as to help him."
"You two seemed to be getting along yesterday. When I came in the kitchen you were both working together and talking comfortably" I remind him, though make a point not to mention what I'd heard them actually discussing.
"He's tolerable now…even if he wasn't you know I couldn't harm him as it would harm you. I'll admit that does help me be a bit more patient with him when he does start to grate on my nerves a bit." Good to know.
"If you two could find some common ground to meet on, I think you'd get along quite well."
"Possibly, but what?"
Suddenly, it hits me and how did I not think of this before? "Why not cooking? At least as a place to start."
His eyes widen slightly as he considers it. "I hadn't thought of that," he admits. "And it's better than having nothing to talk about besides you and battling."
"Well, it's not like you have to decide this minute" I point out seriously as I rise from my seat. "Though we both know I am a fascinating subject of discussion." As he rolls his eyes at me, I continue seriously. "Speaking of discussions though, do me a favor and do what you can about some of the new contracts. There are one or two that I think that your sources will be better than mine where gaining a bit of information is concerned."
"I'll take care of it. You just take care of your boy."
I nod and head for the infirmary. Once there, Pina looks up from the scan she's just finishing. "He's still changing, but it does certainly seem to be more Phadosian than Eltarian. He's still partly human too. It's almost like he's a half breed - as if he were born that way."
"Can you tell if he-"
"No, I can't - not yet. As I said, it's not quite over yet. But I see no reason for you not to take him to your room now."
I nod and carefully pick him up. He sniffs my neck and then wraps his arms around it. "Zedd." His voice is rough, not the smooth baritone I've gotten used to hearing say my name. Wondering if this is a permanent change or just a result of his earlier heaving and howls of pain, I look at Pina, who simply shrugs back.
"I'm here Thomas, you're going to be all right. I'm going to put you to bed so you can rest now." Not getting a response aside his hold on me tightening a bit I head for our room, hoping that he won't have lost too much of himself again with these new changes.
Once there, I lay him on the bed, close and lock the door, undress him and tuck him under the covers. He sighs softly and shifts into a more comfortable position. I undress and slip under the covers with him, pulling him close as I do. I allow my thoughts to wander as I wait for my Ranger to wake up.
Eventually drifting off myself after becoming rather comfortable and settled with Thomas curled up against me and for once resting peacefully I wake up suddenly, not sure at first what woke me as I'm still trying to get my bearings. It quickly becomes apparent what the problem is when there's a small whimper at my side. "Thomas? You all right?" A quick look shows me that he's still asleep, but his need is obvious as he rubs up against me another small whimper accompanying his actions. "Shh, it's okay, I've got you, rest Thomas. You'll feel better if you-"
Abruptly, his eyes snap open and lock on me. Pina's right - there's no hint of the man I've come to know. He growls low in his throat at me and his thrusts become more insistent. Before I can decide what to do, he pulls away from me, but only far enough to start pushing my body where he needs it. I accommodate him, turning on my side before reaching back to pull him closer and guide him where he needs to be. In a moment, he's in and moving quickly. I allow myself to enjoy the sensations that are building.
I'm surprised when he suddenly thrusts in deeply with a grunt and I feel him throb inside me. Damn Pina, I thought she said this would be almost a marathon of mating. That was hardly even a sprint. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed that it's over so quickly, even if I am glad he'll be back to himself. About to check on him and see if I can actually get a bit of relief myself now I stop abruptly when I realize that he's not pulling out nor is he softening. After a quick minute to catch his breath somewhat, he begins again. Oh, this might be fun after all. This time he lasts a little longer - and I get closer and closer to my own release. It hits me hard and I can't stop the cry of surprise and slight pain when he sinks his teeth into my shoulder and lunges deeply once more. If this keeps up, we're definitely going to need the healing salve that Pina gave me.
He keeps working on my neck and shoulder as we both recover, but it's not all that long before he's ready again. I'm surprised, however, when he pulls out of me - that is, until he starts moving me again. Once more, I follow his direction and he puts me on my knees before kneeling behind me. There's no thought to me at all while he's in this state and I understand what Pina meant when she said this is not very different than when Eltarians reach maturity. At that point, that's mainly what we think about - very little difference really than human teenagers in general.
My attention is fully returned to him when he shifts his position and he's hitting that pleasurable spot once more. I can't help the loud moan even as blood rushes to fill my spent organ. I know it does no real good as he can't understand me, but I find myself encouraging him. "Oh hell, Thomas, yes, like that." Again the sensations build, this time more quickly. If I didn't know better and it wasn't for his own orgasms, I'd believe that this was like when he was evil and his whole goal was to please me without taking his own pleasure. That thought as well as any others disappear as the pleasure consumes me once more.
