Kozantei, Fourth Quadrant, Andromeda galaxy.

Zogan sighed as he looked over his suit in the reflector. He wore a deep blue tunic and pants, both embroidered with gold trimmings, his mother had it specially made for his return celebration. He shook his head as he fastened the family's crest onto his right chest, she really loved to plan celebrations, and the day he decided to mate he could only imagine the lengths she would go to for the after-mating ritual. He had to find a mate first though, and that was another story. The females he'd bedded in the past were all just that, something for him and them to find pleasure in. He'd never felt anything more than a physical connection, no matter how much they'd tried to lure him into a relationship of more meaning. He didn't want a female who would lay down everything for him, someone who would willing lose herself just to become a belonging, which was what he'd seen in them all. They wanted the status of the royal family but not the responsibilities, he needed someone who would be able to rule at his side and not one whose only interest was glutting themselves on the perks that came along with his lineage. He hissed, of course his mother had asked him if he'd found anyone during his travels, the same question she asked him every time he returned as if he were away perusing the females of the galaxy. He was trying to win a war and keep the quadrant safe. His left horn ached as Mya flashed in his mind's eye and he hissed again. Fllt – his tongue shot out.

He left his quarters and walked toward the great hall, thinking of the refugees he'd brought with him, hopefully they'd be able to rest and heal before they headed back to their home world. He'd briefed his father on all that had happened, it was fact that he'd taken over all war leadership from his father, but he still liked to run things past him. His father had after all been the greatest commander in all of Andromeda, before Zogan had reached adulthood and proven his prowess too.

His mother smiled when she saw him and hooked her arm into his, his Father went before them into the room where the celebration was held. Loud calls and whoops filled the hall when he entered, the room was filled to capacity, as it always was whenever there were celebrations held at the palace. Everyone was invited; no doubt there'd be revelers in the courtyards, gardens, and the waterfront. There were many different species present, his home world was diverse as the Kozan had many allies, powerful ones and vowed to protect those who were unable to do it for themselves – all of them had free passage to the planet. He began to move throughout the room with his mother on his arm, greeting and thanking all those who had made an appearance, making sure to remind them that his warriors were just as responsible for their safety as much he was. He carefully avoided the females that tried to catch his eye, for some reason he was not at all interested, they suddenly seemed tiresome in comparison too- he shook his head to clear it immediately as he realized where and to whom that dangerous thought was headed. His mother eventually left him to speak to the nobles of another world and he immediately looked for Ravanna. His friend was seated in one of the circular cushion seats located in the center of the room, grabbing two cups of leevine he headed over and sat next to him.

"I hate these gatherings, it's always a security risk." Ravanna said gruffly, taking the offered glass from Zogan who inclined his head in understanding. Ravanna was his Logistics lieutenant, it was always hard for him to take a day off -thankfully. He'd saved Zogan's life many times due to that inability to rest. The prince settled into the chair and relaxed, eyeing those dancing and talking around the room while sipping from his cup.

He smelled her before he saw her, she smelt of the Gruut Gruut but there was an underlying sweet spice and smoky nut smell. His senses had been become much attuned to her from their time together. He scanned the room and almost choked when he saw her, she was swaying her hips and laughing with Nezerra and Yavik. She wore a sleeveless wrapping that left little to the imagination. It was skintight, black and had lace depictions of slithering Nynsar serpents on it, the dress was representative of his family crest. He couldn't look away from the slits that flashed her hazel legs whenever she moved a certain way.

This human will be the death of me. He thought as he shifted in his seat, trying to get rid of the heat that had suffused him. His sister caught the look on his face and flashed him a mischievous smile. She'd planned it all, he wouldn't be surprised if she'd chosen the dress just to catch his attention, both her and his mother were always ready to play matchmaker it seemed.

Forcing himself to look away he noticed Ravanna stiffen as one of his old lovers approached him, Ravanna had never been a fan of hers. She sat too close and Ravanna hissed a warning, it was an effort for Zogan to school his face into a pleasant look, they hadn't ended on good terms.

"I think you look even better now than I remember Zogan." She said sultrily, boldly ignoring Ravanna and placing a hand on Zogan's thigh.

His eyes followed the movement, and his bare brow bone lifted "Why would I care about what you think Aini?"

She looked up at him and pushed her lips into a pout, "I would have thought that you missed being away from me." She pressed closer to him, "I know I missed you."

Zogan cocked his head, "What makes you think you can touch me?" He forcibly removed her hand from his thigh, trying his hardest control his roiling emotions.

Her eyes widened in alarm, "Still playing games, are we? I didn't mean all those things I said love, I swear it."

"I don't care, I did."

He'd thrown her out of his quarters after he'd realized she had an unhealthy obsession with him. She'd tried to go behind his back and organize a mating ritual unbeknownst to him. She had almost gotten him to mate with her, but Ravanna had shown him that she'd been manipulating things from the get-go, all she had been interested in was power. He'd immediately ended things and she'd screamed and begged threatening him and his family. Zogan had had to physically hold himself back from dragging her out of the palace, instead Ravanna had done it for him. They'd kept it quiet to save her dignity, but it seemed like she hadn't learnt her lesson at all.

"I know you'll forgive me, what we had was real, we were almost mat-" she stopped midsentence looking up at Mya who'd stepped directly in front of him, his sister having led her over.

Ravanna tensed, ready to protect them if Aini tried anything crazy but Mya flicked her hair over her shoulder and sat directly onto Zogan's lap, twisting so that she was facing Aini as she looped her arms around his neck, his arms automatically encircled her waist. She fit into him perfectly. Aini hissed and opened her mouth to say something poisonous, her face contorted with hatred, but his sister pushed herself between her and Zogan effectively removing her from the chair. She would've fallen onto the floor but Aini caught herself, got up and looked around hastily making sure no one had seen her dismissal by the princess. At this point everyone was too drunk or busy dancing to notice, she turned and fled the room, too afraid to offend his sister.

Nezerra snorted, "Odious thing."

Zogan chuckled, tightening his arms around Mya's small waist, she settled into him more.

"We came to rescue you, Nezze told me all about her." Mya said still leaning into him as if she too enjoyed the feeling of their closeness.

Zogan found himself hardening, he could not help it. He looked down at Mya to see if she noticed, she shifted in his lap grazing her rounded buttocks on him and he almost groaned. His sister who'd pulled Ravanna over to her was now telling jokes trying to get him to lighten up and enjoy the party, they paid them no mind.

She looked up at him and whispered, "I think I'd like to see those moons I heard about."

He was mesmerized by her freckled face and eyes, he'd never taken the time to study them during their last encounter, and he almost missed what she said.

"I will take you to the star room."

She hopped off him and he grasped her tiny hand, leading her through the crowded place. She silently walked beside him through the outdoor corridors, the cool breeze causing her red curls to dance, her lips shone and the urge to kiss her blossomed, he'd enjoyed it when she had done it before.

She looked up at him then and smiled coyly as if knowing what he was thinking, "If you keep staring it's going to be very hard to make it to that star room you spoke of."

Her gaze roved over his body and it as if she touched him. He felt himself grow harder and hissed; he could sense her arousal in the air. His footsteps quickened. The corridors had some couples who were looking out over the garden below so he couldn't give into his impulse to grab her and love her senseless, not that they would've minded or cared, but Zogan knew his human was not yet accustomed to the open ways of the Kozan. So, he pushed down his urge and focused on the fastest way to get to their destination.

When they entered the star room she gasped, looking up at the translucent ceiling. He looked around making sure they were alone. The room was the place where they viewed any meteor showers or space activity as a family; he'd hoped she would be blown away by the unobstructed view of the moons and the lights in the sky.

They sat on a soft reclining seat directly in the center of the room, her eyes were still fixed on the dancing galaxy clouds of pinks and blues that stained the skies. His eyes were on her, looking at the lights reflected in her eyes and the pinks and blues that highlighted her beautiful brown skin. She was magnificent to look at. How hadn't he noticed that before? She looked over at him, her eyes shimmering as she pressed her hands over her heart.

"It's beautiful," she said, voice wavering, "I've never seen anything so..." she looked up again at a loss for words.

Zogan, swallowed painfully, "Do they not have viewable moons and galaxy storms on earth?"

She shook her head sadly, eyes once again settling on his, "We destroyed our planet with war, I was born too late to ever see our moon or sky."

Zogan nodded understanding, there were some planets in the first quadrant like the home world of the Ajal and Zon that had suffered the same fate due to their greed. He started when she spoke again, not realizing she'd climbed closer to him.

"Tell me about them, the moons and the stars."

She climbed onto his lap and settled in, looking up as if in a trance, unaware of the effect that she had on the silent commander. He curled his arms around her, breathing in her unique scent and told her about his planet's moons, the colorful dancing galaxy storms she saw and some of the constellations that he knew of. She listened intently, eyes never leaving the shifting lights above, while his never left her face.

When he was finished, he saw little rivulets of liquid on her face and before he could ask why she leaked, she turned toward him and kissed him. Not the wild kiss from their first time together, this one was deep, probing as if she wanted to know his secrets. He returned it, pulling her closer to him and stroking her tongue with his own. She moaned into his mouth as she pressed closer, as if wanting to climb into him.

He pulled back and looked down at her, she gazed back at him "What do you want?"

"You, just you."

Her answer undid him, and he gently laid her back against the seat, slowly undressed and then pleased her. He drew out her pleasure for as long as he could stand it, until she begged him to take her over the edge. It was only then that he obliged her, becoming so overwhelmed by her pleasure that he joined her and shouted his release to the on looking heavens above them.

When they finished, Amaryah kissed him leisurely and softly along his neck as he laid next to her panting from his release. She'd curled into him and looked up at the skies, sighing her contentment in the moment.

Zogan's mind was a swirling mess of thoughts, was this truly just for pleasure? Or could it be something more? Did he have time for it at such a volatile moment in his world and galaxy? His thoughts quieted as a soft snore sounded beside him, his hearts squeezed as he looked down at the little human female who made him feel brand new, hopeful, and fearful all at the same time. She was so fragile, so easily extinguished, he shook his head. He rose quietly and wrapped her in his tunic. He took the secret passageways back to her room and laid her on her bed, she snuggled under the covers still asleep despite her journey.

Zogan rubbed his left horn as he walked back to his quarters, wondering at the ache in his chest. Mya was indeed small but what she lacked in size she made up for in her bravery, wit and compassion. When he'd seen her helping the refugees relentlessly forgetting even about her own needs he'd felt a growing respect for her, he'd admired her for it. He couldn't ignore the lure when he'd taken her to the eating area, especially when she'd joked with him and smiled, not even slightly intimidated by his status or the obvious predator prey relationship that would have existed between humans and the Kozan if their species had met under different circumstances. His hearts pulsed at the memory and Zogan hissed. What in the heavens was he getting himself into?