Embracing Ember (18 page)

“Yessss…Ceylon, please.” Ember’s words cut the rope he had used to hold himself back, the neediness in her voice spurring him on, and he drove into her in one swift thrust. Ceylon bottomed out in her warm, moist sheath and had to breathe through the pleasure to keep from spilling his seed so quickly. “I love you, Ember. You are mine.”

***

Ember screamed in pleasure, her sheath clutching at his shaft that had taken her so completely with one thrust. “
Sum
diligo vos
, Ember.
Vos sint mea
.” Ceylon’s words were said with a growl making her heart speed up. Ember had a brief moment to wonder what he said, wishing she understood his language, before he began to thrust, slamming against her in frenzy. Ember’s sheath fluttered around his plunging shaft in pending release. Her whole body burned with the need to come, to feel him come inside of her.

Ember imagined having Ceylon’s baby, her womb expanding and carrying the life of a child that the man she loved helped to create. She could almost see the baby’s beautiful skin coloring, hoping for her eyes to be the same blue as her father’s.

Ember was taken from her musings when Ceylon’s hand reached under her sliding down her abdomen to worry her clit with small circles even as he increased his pace and that was all it took. Ember’s world shattered as she came, her vagina clamping down on his shaft as he groaned his own release, bathing her channel with his seed.

They collapsed together, his shaft still buried deep within her. Ember allowed Ceylon to position her, moaning as he pulled free of her. Ceylon kissed her on the neck as he spooned himself behind her. She had never felt so content. Her heart beat for Ceylon, even now it felt as if a piece of her had connected to him, tying herself to him for all eternity. Her eyes drooped, becoming heavy as lethargy and contentment lulled her into sleep. “I love you, Ceylon,” she whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

***

Ember walked the now familiar halls of the ship that Ceylon had told her was named,
V
olucris
I
gnem
.
She wasn’t sure what that meant, but it was a mouthful. The past two weeks had moved in a blur. Ceylon had opted to stay aboard ship because he stated that she would be safer. Ember smiled at his consideration.

Ceylon made love to her every chance they got. He had become insatiable since he had awoken unscathed from the medical scanner. Ember didn’t mind, just the thought of Ceylon made her folds moisten and her mind to turn to naughtier thoughts. Even now she had become hungry for his touch.

There was only one thing that bothered her, he still hadn’t told her that he loved her. Ember knew she had done so many times, especially during the heat of the moment. Although he murmured to her in his own language, he never once told her that he loved her. She had tried to contact Ashwin, to ask her, even though it would be kind of weird to talk to his dead wife, but she was near desperate to know how he felt. Of course she could always ask him, but she didn’t want to drive him away by seeming needy.

Her steps brought her to the conference room where Ceylon was speaking with the rest of the crew. She almost stepped inside, but his words stopped her, causing the blood to drain from her face. “So, we are set to leave in two weeks?” Ceylon asked Cedwin.

“That’s affirmative, so far. I believe they are sending a new shipment of diplomats including a few of our females. Serenity stated that Earth’s media has questioned the females place in society and she believes a few females acting as diplomats will ensure Earthlings that we are not, sexist, I believe is how she put it.”

“Can we afford to allow some of our females to come to this planet?” Merrcum asked.

“Serenity says we have no choice. I want each member of this team ready to leave in that two week period. If any has an objection to leaving let me know and I will talk with another crew to see if we can accommodate your stay. I believe a few of you have found potential mates and I would hate for our departure to put that chance at jeopardy.” Cedwin announced.

“I have no objection to leaving, Cedwin. I will be ready in two weeks,” Ceylon announced.

Ember felt her world crumble, the tears began to flow down her cheeks. She had to go, because there was no way she could stand to stay and watch him leave her, stomping on her heart in the process. She ran back down the hallways to the room where she and Ceylon had made love countless times, her heart bleeding from the pain.
What did you expect? Landon always said that you were worthless.
For the first time ever, Landon’s words became her mantra. Always able to disregard his cruel words, now she couldn’t deny their truth. She was worthless and even Ceylon knew it.

***

Silvius couldn’t believe she had run, leaving him with no indication of where she had gone. Yeah, Maria had said she was going to see family, but she had a lot of family. What he didn’t understand was why she had run. Silvius knew he wasn’t dreaming when she responded to his touch and kiss, even though it had been like a dream.

Why are you even worried about this little female? Earth has plenty of females to choose from.
Even as he thought it, the idea was expunged like yesterday’s trash. Silvius realized he couldn’t find another when she was his, his
mea,
his love. Maria was the other piece of his soul and the one he had hoped to find when he accepted his position on the diplomatic team. It was simply Maria or no one.

Silvius inputted the necessary information to contact Dais, hoping his old friend could help him like he had helped Ceylon find Ember. Dais’s eerie pale blue eyes peered at him from the screen, a look on his face letting Silvius know that Dais already knew what he was calling about. “Hello, Silvius. It seems as if you have lost something important also.”

“Yes. Her name is Maria and she was supposed to wait on me to go with her to meet her family. After I ensured Ember and Ceylon’s safety I went to find her, but she is missing. There was a small note stating she went to visit family. It was addressed to me.”

“Why do you think she left you, even after promising to wait?” Dais’s voice held accusation, but Silvius couldn’t understand why. He didn’t understand what he had done wrong when it came to Maria.

“I really don’t know,” Silvius answered honestly.

“Then, my friend you are not ready to know where she is. Perhaps in your journey to find her, the answer will come to you.”

Silvius was angry. How dare Dais state he was not ready to find Maria, he needed to see her, hold her and know that she was safe. “Anger at me will not help you find your mate,” Dais stated with a smile. Silvius sighed and nodded his head in acceptance.

“Your right, Dais. I apologize. I am going crazy not knowing that she is safe. I need her.”

“Of course you do, and just to alleviate your worry, Maria is perfectly fine and healthy. Although a bit confused.”

Silvius was relieved to hear that Maria was safe, but his next question died on his lips when he heard the small sob. Silvius turned to see a flushed Ember with tears running freely down her face. He moved swiftly and took Ember by her shoulders and looking down into those troubled green eyes. “Ember, what’s wrong? Are you injured?”

Ember couldn’t speak from her tears, but she shook her head letting him know she was okay. “Silvius, what’s going on?” Dais’s voice brought Ember’s attention to the screen. One glance at her eyes and Dais knew exactly what was ailing Ember. “I see. Silvius, aid Ember to leave as she now wishes to do. Tell Ceylon after you deposit her that she is gone but do not tell him where she is. If he truly loves her he will find her,” Dais stated in their language. Silvius almost didn’t recognize the language after speaking English for so long with the crew. In order to learn their designated Earth language the crew had foregone the use of their native tongue and used English for everything. Silvius nodded his understanding to Dais before taking Ember and leading her to the transport bay. “Oh and Silvius, when you figure out the answer, then you’ll find your Maria.”

With those cryptic words, Dais’s face faded from the screen and Silvius helped Maria into the transporter. “Now, do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”

“He doesn’t love me.” Ember’s tears were still flowing, but for some reason they had slowed enough for her to talk.

“Who, Ceylon?”

“Yes. I have told him many times that I love him, but he hasn’t told me once that he loves me.” Silvius was confused. He had heard Ceylon profess his love for Ember many times, telling her over and over again that she was his and that he loved her. Then a light bulb seemed to shine its light on the situation. Ceylon had told her those words over and over again, yes, but Ember had no idea what he meant. He always told her of his love in their language.

“Have you ever thought to ask how he feels?” It seemed like the most pertinent and logical thing to do. Ember nodded but didn’t elaborate. It seemed like an eternity before she spoke.

“ I heard them during the meeting. They are leaving in two weeks. Cedwin gave them the opportunity to petition to stay, but Ceylon said there was no reason for him to stay and he would be ready in two weeks.” With those words she dissolved into tears. While he knew that some of the crews would be going back to Salin, Silvius knew that Ceylon intended to take Ember with him. Ember was his mate, but it seemed that she didn’t know that. Silvius shrugged and did as Dais asked. Dais had never led him wrong before, and it seemed as if Ceylon had something he had to learn in all of this.

***

Ceylon had looked everywhere for Ember. It wasn’t like she could have just gone out for a few minutes, they were in the ship, for goodness sakes. Ceylon was beginning to panic when Silvius stepped into the hallway. “Ceylon, I have a feeling you are looking for something.”

“Do you know where Ember is?”

“I can only tell you that she left. I took her back to Earth?”

Ceylon saw red and grabbed Silvius by his shirt pinning him to the wall. “Why would you take her from me? And it better be good, or so help me you will die.” Silvius’ eyes widened at Ceylon’s uncharacteristic behavior. Ceylon was surprised at the deep growl his voice had become. He had become a healer because of his very easy temperament. He released Silvius and stepped back. “I’m sorry, Silvius. I can’t lose Ember, she is my mate.”

“I know that, but she didn’t. She requested to leave, said that you were leaving and that you didn’t love her.”

“But that is ridiculous. I tell her all the time that I love her.”

“Right, but did you ever tell her in English?”

Ceylon looked at Silvius as if he had grown two heads, wishing he could punch the smirk off of his face. “Of course, I…”

“No. You didn’t. Everyone on the crew heard your praises and exultations of your love for Ember. It got nauseating honestly, but Ember didn’t understand a single one of those. She was heartbroken. I was going to explain to her, but Dais made me promise to allow you to search for her. I believe there is a reason in it. I don’t know. I’ve known the guy my whole life and he baffles me most of the time. But I will say this, he has never led me wrong.”

“So what do I do now?”

“You find your mate and tell her that you love her and bring her back. A little advice though, tell her those things in English this time.”

“Tell everyone that I’ll be back when I’ve found her.” Ceylon turned to leave when Merrcum stepped out of the medical bay nearly being plowed down by Ceylon.

“I’m sorry Ceylon. I was looking for you and Ember.”

“Well, Ember is missing and I’ve got to go find her.” Merrcum looked baffled. “It’s a long story, that I am sure will be funny in years to come, but I don’t have time to talk about it now.”

“Well, I just reviewed Ember’s medical scan and I believe you’d like to take a look. It will only take a moment.” Merrcum turned around and Ceylon followed. His heart aching at losing Ember, yet again.

THIRTEEN

Ember attempted to focus on the project at hand, but she wasn’t succeeding. Her mind constantly wandered to Ceylon, how he looked, the sound of his voice, and the way he made love to her. It had been three weeks since she had ran from him, her heart in shards. It wasn’t getting any easier. Ember had read somewhere that time healed all things, but she was sure that time would never heal her heart. She had thought many times that she would go back to the ship and ask Ceylon how he felt. She never did and the fact that he was probably gone settled in her stomach like a rock sinking in the ocean.