Broken: The Discordant Earth Series 1.0 Read online

  Alyssa sat surrounded by a mix of preteens. Twice a year, she taught a class about Asen’Sha and what the children should expect their first time. She enjoyed spending time with the children and talking to them about the most wonderful experience she’d ever had.

  “What’s Zion look like?” A young girl with curly blonde hair and dimpled cheeks waited for an answer, eyes big and inquisitive.

  “Well, Sarah, Zion is magnificent.” Alyssa replayed every inch of her experience in her mind’s eye, grinning ear-to-ear. “It’s like Earth, but so much more beautiful and bright. The air makes you feel so light and happy. Some people can do things they can’t normally do, like run extra fast or jump real high. If a person is in a wheelchair, they can walk on Zion. The colors are so vibrant; the leaves are the brightest green and the sky is the clearest blue. Better than the sunniest day you could ever imagine.”

  The children all gazed at her with wide eyes and open mouths. Everyone knew about Asen’Sha. Parents taught their children, or older siblings shared stories with the younger kids, but this class ensured the children had clear and realistic expectations. Alyssa had once heard a boy in her elementary class talk about flying cows, fire-breathing chickens, and other strange creatures. She almost didn’t go to her first Asen’Sha.

  “Miss Rose, what if I can’t concentrate? I don’t know how to mediate.”

  “It’s meditate, and the Szu’Kara guide will help you focus.”

  “How long does it last, Miss Rose?”

  “At first, it will only be a few minutes. Once you get used to the process, you’ll spend more and more time on Zion. Your guide will decide how long you go each time. Then, someday, we’ll all be able to go to Zion together and live long amazing lives in everlasting peace.”

  “How will we all get there? My brother says we can’t get there ourselves.”

  “No, Emily, we can’t get there without the help of the Szu’Kara... yet. The commander has promised to find a safe way for us all to physically enter Zion someday.”

  “What if I don’t want to go, Miss Rose?”

  “I’m sure once you see Zion you’ll change your mind, but if you still don’t want to go then you won’t have to. The Szu’Kara will still be here to help care for our beautiful planet and anyone who stays behind.”

  “They aren’t going with us?”

  “No, the Szu’Kara can only guide us to Zion. They aren’t able to live there. Besides, they’re the guardians of the universe. They’ve helped restore many planets for other human-like species. Some of them even have their own place like our Zion.”

  Looking around at the bright faces of the children, Alyssa felt a sense of pride helping to guide them, in her own way, to Zion.

  ***

  When Alyssa returned to the office that afternoon, she found Kayn alone talking to the speakerphone while facing the big picture window. Not wanting to disturb him, Alyssa busied herself at her desk, being as quiet as possible.

  “What is your progress with the Key, Melina?”

  Alyssa perked up when she heard her mother’s name.

  “Everything’s moving along spectacularly, sir. We’ve isolated the formula to create an injectable compound.”

  “When will you have a final product?”

  “It will require several tests, Commander, before we can mass produce the Key.”

  “Fine. Keep me up to date. I had intended to announce this when I deliver my speech, but it will have to wait, I suppose.”

  “Yes, sir.” Melina sounded nervous. “I apologize. I will inform you as soon as I have a definitive date.”

  Aggravation leaked into Kayn’s tone. “Please do.”

  Kayn turned back from the window and punched the phone’s off button forcefully enough to make Alyssa jump in her seat. The irritation on his face melted when he noticed her staring at him. He gave her a tight smile. Alyssa waved and smiled back, curiosity nagging at the back of her brain.

  Chapter 3

  “I would like to thank you all for joining us on this magnificent occasion, including everyone viewing this broadcast.”

  The crowd applauded as everyone gazed at the beauty of the Szu’Kara leader, dressed in his finest commander uniform. The deep, midnight blue of the silky material complemented Kayn’s flawless, steel-blue skin. Brass buttons gleamed in the sunlight that shined through the crystal-clear sky.

  The stage canopy provided just enough shade to protect Kayn’s smooth, hairless head. His liquid-gold eyes captured the attention of every single person in the crowd, including the children. Alyssa glowed with pride for him and for herself as his chosen consort, the only human he’d ever shared Asen’Sha with. A fact very few knew, since he kept his personal life highly confidential.

  “Twenty years ago—” Kayn’s gaze swept proudly over the crowd “—my people made the decision to alter our role from observers to protectors. Earth was a battleground. Humans fighting each other, killing each other. Nearly half the population of this planet perished in the four years prior to our arrival. The land was barren and contaminated. Your landfills were overflowing, cities littered with trash and debris from the destruction of war. We could no longer stand by and allow humanity to obliterate itself.”

  Kayn’s deep, booming, and breathy voice enthralled the crowd. Awed, Alyssa felt the vibration of his words flow across her skin, and couldn’t take her eyes off him.

  “Within one year, Szu’Kara eliminated the terrorist threat. Year two, we helped to establish the Unity Committee, a joint government comprised of leaders from every country, including myself and my most trusted advisers. Together, we have rebuilt a civilized society. Though it may not be the same society once known to humans, it is a peaceful society.

  “As we continue to rebuild, we also create anew. New towns. New cities. New technologies. New materials created from the refuse of a dying generation. Fields no longer lie fallow. Ruins no longer litter the landscape. Fossil fuel use has been eliminated. Earth is, once again, glorious.”

  The crowd erupted in applause and loud cheers with every single person in the audience filled with a sense of pride. Buoyed by the energy of the excited crowd, Alyssa dashed to the edge of the stage, waving and beaming at Kayn. He turned to sweep his hand towards her father’s painting, displayed on a gilded easel with large sprays of flowers framing the outer edges.

  “Someday soon, humanity will be free from the toil of this life. You will all be able to bask in the everlasting splendor of Zion. Until that day, my people will stand with you. And, even after Final Asen’Sha, we will continue to protect this sacred planet and those who choose to stay behind.” Kayn gave a small, respectful bow to the onlookers. “Please enjoy the festivities. Thank you.”

  Stepping off the stage, Kayn held out his arm in a gentlemanly fashion for Alyssa to thread her hand around his elbow as she gazed into his molten eyes. “That was wonderful, Commander.”

  “I had an amazing speechwriter.” He winked and grinned at her.

  Alyssa flushed under his gleaming eyes.

  Perking up, she asked, “Shall we make our way through the art gallery?”

  “Yes, I would enjoy that.” Kayn gently cupped her chin. “I have arranged a small, private celebration in my quarters for this evening. Will you join me?”

  Alyssa flushed, breathless with excitement. “Of course, Commander.”

  ***

  “You spoil me, Kayn.”

  “Your beauty demands my affection.” Kayn’s hot breath caressed Alyssa’s skin, lips grazing the sensitive spot under her ear. Goosebumps prickled along her arms, and anticipation danced in the back of her mind of what she hoped would soon happen. Kayn had yet to mention it, but Alyssa thought tonight would be her second time to experience pure bliss.

  “Did you enjoy the food, my dear?”

  “Yes—” Alyssa sighed “—it was delicious. The chocolate-covered strawberries were to die for! You must have paid a fortune for them.”

  “Strawberries are more
available now, but yes, I did procure the very best. You and my child deserve a few extravagances.”

  “I hope you remember that when I’m a giant whale in September and October, screaming about the heat. Maybe you can invest in a room made of ice.”

  Kayn purred softly in her ear. “Whatever you desire, my dear.”

  Giddy, Alyssa relished Kayn’s unusual affection, remembering the first time they’d been together, where he’d been stiff and almost indifferent. Over the last few weeks though, he’d gradually warmed up to her, stealing kisses and caresses here and there, finally leading to this first real ‘date’.

  General Ras had been away on a long trip, visiting several compounds to oversee security upgrades. Kayn and Alyssa had been working long hours on planning the Arrival Day celebration as well as the mountains of work that fell on the leader of an entire species who also sat on the Unity Committee.

  The two had shared many late-night dinners alone, sometimes spending all night going over proposals and budgets. On one of those nights, Alyssa and Kayn sat on the sofa together, surrounded by stacks of papers, and she’d started to nod off while waiting for him to read through a requisition form. When her head fell forward she woke abruptly, snapping her eyes open to find him gazing at her. Alyssa’s breath caught, surprised at the attention. Although she’d harbored feelings for Kayn for many years, she believed he’d never care for her as anything more than a trusted employee.

  At twenty-two, Alyssa was mature and intelligent, happy with her career choices. She’d dreamed of, but never expected, a relationship with the most powerful creature on the planet, much less carry his child. As a realist, her goals were simple: have a fulfilling career, meet a man and have children, spend time with her amazing family, and live happily until they all went to Zion. She’d tried to maintain a detached business relationship with Kayn, but when she saw the way he looked at her that night, all her good intentions went right out the window.

  Now, sitting on the floor of Kayn’s living room, basking in the glow of his adoration, Alyssa couldn’t imagine anything better. His slender fingers entwined with hers as she leaned against his chest, his soft uniform jacket draped over her legs, the gentle hum of the music in the background… Perfection.

  “My dear?”

  “Hmm?”

  Pulling her onto his lap, Kayn kissed her forehead gently. He slowly dragged a fingertip down her rosy cheek, grazing the corner of her full lips. Alyssa nuzzled her face against his chest, soaking in the heat of his body.

  “Would you like Asen’Sha?”

  “Yes... please.”

  Kayn slid his arms underneath Alyssa, lifting her slender body. He stood up carefully, his jacket falling from her legs, and carried her through the candlelit haze into his luxurious bedroom. Carefully placing her onto the velvety white duvet covering the large, mahogany-framed bed, he held his hand over the light sensor until the overhead lighting dimmed. Slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt, Kayn gazed at her with eyes that caught the faint illumination and shimmered like a flowing river of molten gold.

  Shirtless, Kayn was an Egyptian god. His perfectly sculpted chest and washboard stomach begged to be worshipped. His thin waist tapered, as if pointing out the direction of pure bliss. Biting the corner of her moist bottom lip, Alyssa watched with bated breath as he approached her slowly and kneeled beside the bed, towering over her, eyeing her like a prized possession. His dark hand inched toward the hem of her navy-blue blouse, sliding under the edge.

  Alyssa’s breath caught as Kayn’s fingers trailed over the skin of her belly along her waistband. She reached up to caress his cheek, her light skin a stark contrast against his steel-blue, as he turned to kiss her palm, soft lips tickling her. Alyssa could feel a light tingle of the tiny bit of Valene Kayn released from his pores, a misty sheen coating his skin, causing her to gasp as the sensation traveled to her most intimate places.

  Kayn pushed at her blouse, his cool fingers grazing her sensitive skin as she leaned up for him to pull it off. Reaching behind to undo her bra, she tossed it to the floor before quickly slipping out of her skirt and panties, quivering with anticipation as she gaped at Kayn while he removed his trousers. Not that I have anything to compare it to but… damn!

  Szu’Kara were humanoid, and had all the necessary equipment, but the males were endowed with more girth and length, as well as several nodules that conveniently rubbed against just the right spots. According to Jess, “alien cock rocks!” and Alyssa couldn’t agree more.

  Kayn crawled over her, onto the bed, and reclined against the wooden headboard. Alyssa sat up on her knees between his long legs, touching her lips to his, looking into those golden eyes she adored so much. His tongue caressed her bottom lip, as her small, perky breasts smashed against his barrel chest, her palms stroking up and down his sides, savoring the sensual heat.

  With a growl, Kayn’s tongue slipped between her lips, exploring her hot mouth with fervor, his hands sliding down her back to grasp her buttocks, pulling her tight, shivering body against his. She squealed with delight at his sudden move, his chest rumbling with laughter as he smiled against her lips. Tenderly, his hands moved down to the backs of her thighs, lifting her legs while holding her up, her hands quickly wrapping around the back of his neck, holding on, gasping as his body searched for entrance.

  Kayn gently lowered Alyssa, driving himself deep inside, her breath coming in little gasps with her head tossed back, reveling in the overwhelming sensations. The intoxicating Valene absorbed into her skin wherever she touched him, inside and out, the pleasure radiating throughout her core as she moaned and squirmed with each thrust into her tight, aching body.

  Buried deep inside, Kayn held her still, curving his long torso down to drag his rough tongue over the sensitized skin along the side of her neck. Alyssa grasped his shoulder, gasping and moaning, relishing the feel of him filling her and the waves of Valene-induced ecstasy. She could barely hold on to her sanity as the pleasure built from touching him so completely.

  Holding her in place, Kayn pressed his moist mouth against hers, growling rhythmically in his throat while Alyssa gradually adjusted to the sensations, floating away from the precipice. Her mind slowly began to clear as he continued to cradle her, kiss her, his tongue dancing against hers. She clung to him with one hand while caressing his cheek with the other, kissing him back with all her unbridled desire.

  As the sensations started to level off, Kayn rolled them over suddenly, causing a shriek of laughter to burst from Alyssa. Head at the edge of the bed, she gazed up in wonder at the glorious being above and inside her as he grinned with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

  The dim lighting reflected off the oily sheen coating Kayn’s skin, and with a smirk, he slid a Valene-coated finger over her nipple, sending jolts of heat and electricity through her body. Sensuous tendrils pushed at a wall inside her mind, taking it down brick by brick, filling her with a wondrous, dreamy sensation.

  Kayn growled as he started to drill into Alyssa, the air around them sizzling with passion, neither of them able to catch a breath. Choking on the almost unbearable pressure, she sucked in air as Kayn suddenly slowed his thrusting pace.

  Alyssa continued to gulp in deep breaths, savoring the small explosions in the nerve endings scattered all over her body. Kayn stopped moving, keeping himself pressed deep inside, and kissed her with a heated passion that made her sob with joy. Astounded by how amazing she felt, Alyssa poured her heart out through her mouth and into this creature that had opened up her soul to so much pleasure.

  With one last growl, Kayn suddenly thrusted into her again and again, causing her to scream and gasp with abandon. Clutching at his strained arms, Alyssa dug her nails into his thick skin, calling his name over and over until a burst of heat and bliss exploded from inside, radiating pulses of ecstasy.

  Riding wave after erotic wave, Alyssa gripped Kayn’s bulging muscles as he thrusted, one, two, three more times into her, finally bellowing in release. A jolt of e
lectricity from deep within zipped through her body as Kayn spilled his Valene-laced seed inside her.

  Wrapping his arm around her waist, Kayn lifted Alyssa up, still nestled inside and laid back on the bed with her body draped over him, both of them struggling to catch a breath. Lulled by dim waves of ecstasy, Alyssa couldn’t move a single muscle. With her cheek pressed against Kayn’s heaving chest, she allowed herself to succumb to the grip of Valene, welcoming Asen’Sha.

  Like floating up into thick, fluffy clouds, Alyssa’s body loosened and her mind stretched. Still caught in the after-effects of the mind-blowing orgasm, her physical body shattered into formless particles, distantly sensing Kayn as he cradled her, mentally guiding her to Zion.

  Drifting like a spirit without a body, Alyssa could see Zion gradually appear around her. Mile-high trees towered over her and lush grass carpeted the ground beneath. Within a minute, Alyssa’s body took shape, yet even with this level of immersion, she’d still be unable to take solid form, although that didn’t prevent her from experiencing the heavenly dimension. A luxuriant thrum of pleasure settled deep in her bones, and the air had a slight haze that seemed to frame each individual leaf, branch, and blade of grass.

  The aqua blue of the sky reminded Alyssa of a painting she’d once seen of a tropical beach. Wispy, bright-white clouds lingered above, drifting lazily in a warm summer breeze, and splashes of neon pink and yellow flowers blanketed nearby bushes. Alyssa made her way over to a small, grassy hill, sighing happily as she reclined against the side to revel in the glory of Zion.

  Breathing in the intoxicating atmosphere, Alyssa allowed her mind to drift along, expanding her consciousness to absorb as much of the beauty around her as she could. Still naked, the grass underneath her body cradled and caressed her like loving fingers, the surrounding haze flowing over her glowing skin like a cool mist as she bathed in the warm rays of an unseen sun.

  A faint echo that flowed over the ethereal terrain, Kayn’s voice called to her. At first she couldn’t make out the words, unwilling to focus on anything but the luminous, celestial scenery of Zion, but after a few minutes, she could clearly hear his voice coaxing her back to Earth. With great reluctance, she allowed her body to dissipate, descending back to a place of dull colors and limited awareness.