Reaver's Kiss — Elin Wyn

What are you? a deep voice rumbled, and I sat up in shock then froze.I was at the side of a clearing, tall, twisted trees lacing the sky with slender branches far overhead all around, deep shadows at their bases.A circle of dark sky above was filled with a giant full moon.I swallowed hard.To its side, I saw a second smaller orb.Two moons. That... that was different.I looked around again. Who's there? Who spoke to me?A dark form separated from one of the trees and I stayed very still.From a distance, in the shadows, it looked like a man. Very tall, with broad shoulders.But one head, two arms, two legs, and--I blinked.A tail. Yes, a thick tail swishing in the air behind him.When he stepped closer into the moonlight, I swallowed hard.My rescuer was unclothed, other than a short loincloth and a broad strap running diagonally across his chest.The light was enough to give me a clear view of the rich striped green of his skin, the strong planes of his face, not softened in the least by the frame of dark brown hair.This was no gentle gardener.Are you here to help me? I whispered.It was more than a little terrifying to be by myself in the dark with a naked alien.Naked, giant alien...Please note: A previous version of Reaver's Kiss was included in the Claimed Among the Stars anthology. This is the revised and substantially expanded version.