Breeding Ground Part 35

"I love you too," she whispered. "I've missed you so much."

They hugged for what felt like forever, but not nearly long enough to satisfy. Swiping a rogue tear from her cheek, she backed up and looked him in the eyes.

"Do you still feel the way you once did?" Alexandria asked.

"What do you mean?"

"That you and I are not strong enough to end this war together and bring peace between the races?"

Malik stilled. His gaze searched her face. "You make me believe we can do anything...together."

Her smile was the most beautiful sight in the world. He returned it with one of his own.

"That means," she said, "no more hypnotizing-or whatever it is you do-to Takuri females."

His smile faded. He could well imagine how happy the Xandi warriors would be to hear this announcement.

"On the same token," she conceded, "the males of Takuru are no longer held as slaves."

He didn't smile, but his eyes showed respect for the changes she had accomplished in a mere month's time. "I accept your terms."

"That's only the beginning."

Malik snorted, the first time in his life he'd ever come close to laughing. "I daresay I do not doubt you."

Alexandria gazed up at him. "But we can save that for another time and place. Right now I only have one request of you."

Malik lifted an eyebrow.

"I want my king-G.o.d to f.u.c.k me."

His c.o.c.k grew erect at her words. She had a way with him like that.

"That's good," he rasped, "because I'm going to go insane if I don't get inside my queen-G.o.ddess' p.u.s.s.y right now."

One minute they were standing there staring at each other and the next they were all over each other, tearing at what little clothing the other wore. "Be careful," Malik chastised as he lowered her naked body to the bed, "do not hurt our baby."

"The baby is fine." Alexandria's eyes widened. "Wait...how did you-?"

"Your king-G.o.d knows all," he growled.

She grinned as he came down on top of her, then groaned as he thrust his huge c.o.c.k in her flesh all the way to the hilt. He made slow love to her, just as he had the last time they'd been together. Just as he would on many more nights to come.

"I love you, Alexandria," he whispered against her ear before sucking it. His thrusts were possessive, branding. "I will always love you."

"I'll always love you, too, Malik." Her smile was voluminous. "Always."

They spent the entire night and well into the next day and evening making love, talking, and planning out the changes that would be forthcoming for Takuri and Xandi alike. It would be a long, hard road, but one they would venture down together.

Alex had been in shock when Malik had informed her of what the bite to her neck signified. Not only could she s.h.i.+ft when a predator threatened, but she was now an immortal. She couldn't be killed.

It would take a while for the impact of all that entailed to sink in.

Usually Fija knocked before letting herself into Alex's bedchamber. Tonight, Peac.o.c.k at her side, she didn't.

"Dinner is prepared, my queen..." Fija's voice trailed off and her eyes widened as she took notice of the uninvited guest lying naked and stretched out on Alex's bed.

Peac.o.c.k sighed. "Oh boy," he muttered. "Guess who's coming to dinner."

Alex threw her head back and laughed.

Epilogue.

One week later

Alex blew out a breath as Fija nodded toward the relic that had been stored for thousands of years inside the Hall of Herstory. Looking first to Malik and then to her crew, she approached the holographic display.

The crew of the Methuselah was here for this moment, as were Fija, Malik, and both races most trusted warriors. The uncertainty of what was about to be revealed to Alex and all those present had her insides shaking.

"Go on, my love," Malik murmured. "We needs must know."

She inclined her head. Placing her hand on the scanner, her DNA was a perfect fit for the person that the advanced computer console had been searching for. Within moments, the machine was whirling and a holographic display of the Zutairan man appeared before them.

Alex stilled. He was older than he'd been the last time she saw him-very old and very sick.

"Greetings to you from one year to the day of Armageddon, Dr. Frazier. I have spent my entire adult life building upon what other scientists have learned and, I believe, created the ability to time travel from a singular wormhole in deep s.p.a.ce. If years of scientific questing has aided me and what I have done has worked, then you and the crew of the Methuselah entered that wormhole and have reached Earth's distant past rather than its nonexistent future."

Her teeth sank into her lower lip.

"To answer the question foremost in your mind, neither side won the war." His sigh was reflective. "But then, is there really any other outcome to be expected?"

Malik looked down to Alex and then back to the display.

"Since the dawn of recorded history, humanity has waged war on itself in the name of power and greed. In this, the final chapter of the book called New France, both sides lay dead. We defeated the enemy, but we have killed ourselves off in the process. Those few of us that remain are aging at an astronomical rate. Within weeks, all will have perished."

Alex closed her eyes briefly, pained by his words. Malik threaded his fingers through hers and squeezed. She took strength in his presence, just as he took strength in hers. Her eyes flicked back open.

"You have the power within you, Alexandria the Great, to carve out a new destiny for humankind. There can be peace or there can be war, but there can never be both. Each side must learn to give, each culture much realize it is superior in no one's eyes but its own."

Tears threatened to spill as Alex watched the Zutairan man age another twenty years right before her eyes. His voice grew gravellier, his eyes tired and ready to sleep...forever.

"I have lived long enough to do what it is I feel the G.o.ds put me here to do. I have given humanity another chance in you. A chance to know love instead of hate. A chance to realize peace instead of death. A chance to thrive instead of perish.

Lead your people with a wizened hand, Dr. Frazier. This way lays death. It is up to you to carve out a new destiny for the world formerly known as Earth."

The Zutairan managed one, final, weak smile.