Date: 2015-06-15 05:27:16+00:00
Keywords: Romance; Erotica; Fantasy; Paranormal; Space; Reverse Harem; Menage; Science Fiction; Science Fiction Romance; Aliens
Description: She is mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed and mine to cover. When she is weak, I shall be her strength. She was stolen from her world by our captors. Now her survival is my responsibility. It is her duty to endure my lust, respect my nest mates and honour our union with offspring. I revere this giver of life, as is the way. " Venomous One, formerly of Rok, enslaved gladiator Abducted from Earth and transported to a slave planet in an unknown galaxy, Lumen finds herself, shackled, naked and put on display before an alien horde. Told the males will battle for the right to slake their
Publisher: Stephenson & Fletcher/Smashwords Edition

Venomous

Alien Warrior, Volume 1

Penelope Fletcher

Published by Stephenson & Fletcher, 2014.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

VENOMOUS

First edition. December 23, 2014.

Copyright © 2014 Penelope Fletcher.

Written by Penelope Fletcher.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

EPIGRAPH

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

EPILOGUE

THEN | In a spiral star cluster a bazillion galactic leagues away, Vayhalun, the Royal Atoll, a bedchamber....

NOW | A galactic moontide later, in the Milky Way you live in, on the Earth you live upon, in Scotland, on a mountainside....

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

NEWSLETTER | Please sign up to be notified of new book releases. | PLEASE CLICK OR TAP HERE

Further Reading: Smolder

EPIGRAPH

“She is mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed and mine to cover. When she is weak, I shall be her strength. She was stolen from her world by our captors. Now her survival is my responsibility. It is her duty to endure my lust, respect my nest mates and honour our union with offspring. I revere this giver of life, as is the way.”

~ Venomous One, formerly of Rök, enslaved gladiator

––––––––

“Six things a woman should not have to deal with: 1) More than one barbaric alien lover/life mate. 2) Long term stay on a slave planet where you’re one female amongst thousands of ‘needy’ males. 3) Killer space pirates. 4) Psychotic mother-in-law. 5) Putting your alien lover/life mates species under the threat of annihilation because you ticked off the wrong Slave Chieftain. 6) A marauding overlord with a harem four hundred strong who is determined to make you concubine number four hundred and one. My name is Lumen. I am stranded in a galaxy far, far away and here be huge fucking aliens.”

~ Lumen Young, formerly of Earth, lost in space

PROLOGUE

Great Serpent, I hurt.

Separated from kindred and lonesome. How did a sane mind survive the endless spans of misery?

Rock, blood, heat and grief.

There! Bone-shaking sensation. There! Fang-rattling pleasure.

Air floods the pits of lungs atrophied from disuse. Blood rushes into muscles long dormant. Bright surges of vigour and strength infuse the warrior with purpose.

The one is female.

Rock, blood, heat, grief and her.

Hurtling through the darkness the warrior stalks the scent. Elusive. Fading.... No! Growing stronger.

Run faster.

A clawed fist smashes rock. Feverish eyes glint from the dark. Bared fangs drip venom as a guttural hiss pierces the din.

I need. I need. I need.

Unimaginable pain. Male. Hope bursts through the agony of existing for existence sake.

The noise of the horde silences.

Flames of hell transform to a cage of black rock, and a roar quakes the foundations of a nightmare.

Shock ripples.

Disbelief.

A dawning realisation and yawning of dread.

Foes tremble and shy into the bowls of the great nothing. Sheer terror. Terror of what the warrior has become.

It sends them rabid with fear. Trapped. Trapped with a beast seeking to mate.

Blood drenches the battlefield.

Fight for her. The command rings in his ear. I shall fight without end. Never-ending. The devotion to her is never-ending.

Fangs aching. Muscles swelling. Gold glinting. Hearts beating.

Mine to protect.

Wild with lust the warrior fights in desperation. Mine to shelter. Straining, howling, desperation. Mine to feed. Tear flesh with tooth and claw. Not enough. Shatter bone with muscle and might.

And mine to cover.

They are weak and he is strong.

Mine.

CHAPTER ONE

Dread gripped cold, steely fingers around my throat and squeezed at the grinding, grating noise of rock on rock.

I scuttled from the door to my lightless hovel as it whirred then crashed open.

Currents of damp, stagnant air brushed against my huddled figure.

Eyes averted, I shrank into ‘my’ corner.

My battered face ached as I pressed it to the gritty wall, arms burrowed into the cradle of space between my knees pulled to my chest.

Finding the strength to resist my captors, to show courage was growing difficult.

Claws fisted in my hair, dragged me off the dirty blankets onto my bruised feet.

Jaw clenching, I hid my anger.

There was a little fight left inside me.

Urine trickled down my thigh to puddle around my scrunched toes.

Shame assaulted me, and scorching heat flooded my cheeks.

I saw it through to the end and kept going.

The alien holding me reeled back retching then hauled me from the cell.

He held me far, far from his body, now reluctant, his grip didn’t pinch and hurt as usual.

All I managed were trivial displays of defiance that annoyed my captors.

Each victory allowed me to cling to a sliver of self-respect.

The thought of soiling myself had once been repugnant.

I’d thought nothing could bring me so low, but the constant fear of being raped, tortured and murdered changed me, and each inch of flesh protected from prying fingers became an obsession.

Boosted by my trifling rebellion, my eyes remained fixed downward at the bare dirt floor, but I smiled inside.

The guard would backhand me if I glared at him again.

He hated me.

Hated touching me, looking at me, being near me.

I just made it so he really hated it.

Dim green lights dotted the craggy walls, nestled into geodes that glimmered and sparkled with crystals.

In the distance was the eternal reverberation of hammers and pickaxes, the cracks of whips and soul destroying wails of pain.

It was the sound of back breaking labour.

The aliens that had purchased me from my abductor were slavers.

The grotesque ‘lizards’ forced dozens of alien species into mining the ores and minerals abundant in the obsidian rock below the planet crust.

I glimpsed one of the massive caverns filled with the rest of the cattle.

Inexplicable creatures chained together.

The fleeting look scratched the surface of my nightmarish subsistence.

Though I’d yet to meet a miner, I heard them howling through the night.

The cell beside mine overflowed with bloodcurdling screams.

Insensate the first wakeful night of my capture, I vomited myself unconscious as I waited for them to come for me, submerged in a suffocating, blinding kind of terror.

Huddled in the dark, rocking back and forth as I tore at my hair and flinched at the feel of my own skin.

When they came, I screamed for so long my voice broke.

The experimentation....

Harsh light gleamed off subdural needles.

Claws on my skin.

The cold press of surgical instruments.

Chest cracked open.

Scalpels, forceps, tubes, clamps, bloody wisps of smoke as drill tips met bone.

Healing pain blistering my soul as they fixed me up to start over, lower, deeper.

My cheeks heated, and the muscles of my rectum and vagina clenched as I remembered other painful invasions, the metal rods they inserted into my orifices.

Jagged fragments of rock cut into the soles of my feet as I shuffled along.

We turned a corner, and the light brightened.

I blinked to clear my whitewashed vision, bleary-eyed from being submerged in the darkness.

Shoved into the middle of the room, my legs wobbled then folded.

I tucked them under and cradled my head, waiting for the blows.

It was cold.

My cooler body temperature was the result of lingering shock and maltreatment, I knew, but even chaffing my hands against chest didn’t help heat me up.

“Pathetic.” The rustling, whispery voice came from across the room followed by heavy, scraping footsteps.

The menacing advance ended before my dirty knees.

I managed an alarmed glance at the coarse scales and talons shaped into a humanoid foot.

Terror rendered me speechless.

My eyes clamped shut.

I couldn’t look, they were disgusting and violent to behold.

“You can’t even look at me, can you? Sickly, weak, pathetic, worthless creature.”

Fuck you too, I snapped from the fortress inside my mind.

The alien grabbed my chin then jerked my head up.

It hurt, but everything the creatures did hurt.

“I knew when I saw you, you were too weak to bear the weight of a mighty warrior.”

Unmoving, voiceless, I stared at the back of my eyelids.

The shock of seeing people who were not human still hadn’t eased its grip over my mind even if the disbelief of knowing there was life beyond Earth had passed.

The universe was a big place.

I wasn’t so arrogant to believe there couldn’t be sentient life amongst the stars.

It didn’t matter how many unique elements needed to merge to create a planet able to support life.

If it happened once in one galaxy, it could happen again in another.

Had I been asked what my reaction would be to first contact, I’d’ve said something inane, like, I’d make them tea, and educate them on the finer points of human culture.

I’d roll my eyes at the triteness if I wasn’t scared stiff the monster before me would react to the gesture with violence.

Asked now, I’d warn the person to run if they came into contact with extraterrestrials.

Run, I’d screech. Run until your feet bleed.

Afraid of the darkness beyond the shield of my eyelids, wondering if my imagination had made my captors more hideous than reality, I opened my eyes.

Sneering, the alien’s rheumy gaze bored into mine.

You are disgusting, I thought. You make me sick.

He reminded me of a lizard, a bipedal komodo dragon.

I knew his species called themselves L’Odo after overhearing them debating the scientific benefits of vivisecting me again as they examined the differences of my sex.

They spoke in ear-grating, sibilant rushes and frothed gunk through their serrated teeth.

Their saliva thinned into rotten drool as it dribbled down the lower mandible of their snouts, hanging in ropey lengths that dripped onto their hefty trunks.

L’Odo scutum ranged from sickly yellow to dull orange.

This grungy, yellow-skinned alien, stockier than the other males of his species, I’d never met before, and his arrogance denoted a rank of superiority.

The sinister aura shrouding him coated my spine in frost.

His harsh grip on my chin ached, and his odour made me retch.

He offended every possible sense.

“As you cannot take our shafts you are worthless. More worthless than the food and water it would take to keep you alive until we could sell you.” His putrid breath washed over my face as he snapped his jaws. “And you are too weak to be a miner. The rock would shred your thin skin and the heat from the planet core would burn your flesh.”

“There is an auction scheduled within the next ten-span,” the guard interrupted. “Sell it then.”

“The auction is cancelled. The asteroid storm blocked the jumpway from here to Zoi Quay. There won’t be another during the dark season.”

The guard grunted. “Give it to me.”

“Think you I didn’t ask if it was suitable to ease me? Not one stiff rutting will it survive.” He sounded annoyed. “Our shafts will tear it in half.”

“I need one hole once, Sorkbhal. We can use it as meat when we’re done.”

Panic crawled over my scalp and I couldn’t breathe.

They spoke of raping me then eating my corpse as if it was nothing.

A long, thoughtful silence.

“No, Morpo. I have another use for it.” Sorkbhal flung me away. He snorted. “It stinks.”

“It soils itself.” The guard sounded disgusted. “Humans are animals.”

“Good enough for the other animals to mount.”

Arm raised to protect my head, I curled into a ball and hugged my knees.

My mind pried apart at the edges.

Blocking as much emotion as I could, I glued it back together with willpower alone.

If I gave into insanity all hope of somehow getting out of this would be lost.

Giving up ... I wasn’t quite there yet.

I needed my mind to stay calm and focused. I didn’t have a clue how to escape, but keeping my self sane seemed the best place to start.

“Give it to me,” Morpo pressed. “There will be meat. The slaves will tear it to pieces after they plough its holes.”

Sorkbhal made a deep, snoring rumble in his snout. “Depends on who wins the fight. If it’s one of the Zozon it will be kept alive. Many will find relief. If it’s one of the Yoni they’ll share.”

Air whistled through my clenched teeth.

I didn’t dwell on the hell those ominous statements alluded to.

The hinges of my jaw throbbed, and my chest constricted.

Hold it together.

They’ll get bored with you and put you back in the hole.

“Any of the others will kill it,” Morpo muttered. “Except the Verak. It will start a harem and guard her jealously.”

“So? This way the gladiators will stop trying to escape for a moontide. We give them females to cover, and the anger is replaced with a need to please us for more.”

“The Rä is the strongest. A mate would make it harder to control. The seeding is powerful.”

Sorkbhal sniffed. “That cockless savage wouldn’t know where to stick it.”

Stomach-churning laughter.

“Shall I drop it in the pit?” asked the guard.

“Arena. Let them fight,” Sorkbhal said. “The winner gets it.”

“A waste.”

“I do not care. It came free as part of the Strophig shipment. The Zutki trader couldn’t even shift it as pleasure stock. Remove it. Its stench sickens me.”

Pulled by the hair, I lurched up.

I staggered as Morpo prodded me into walking.

Movement was surreal for a second as I reigned a sense of orientation, shaking off a head rush.

It was such an effort to lift one foot in front of the other.

I hadn’t eaten since traded and ran on empty.

Morpo marched me from the room into the dimmer corridor.

A siren bleated then echoed long after the original blare faded.

Sounds of labour were replaced with trampling feet.

The narrow tunnel amplified a murmur of gruff voices lifted in confusion, and the angry shouts of the slavers.

The L’Odo’s conversation looped in my mind and I tripped over my own feet. “Wait.”

“Silence.”

“Where are you taking me?”

Morpo cuffed me upside the head. My ears rang and white dots skittered across my vision.

“Do not speak,” he spat as he shook me. “You are not worthy.”

Hating the ease with which he abused me, I wished for the millionth time I were strong enough to beat the living shit out of him, but being a chubby, five-foot nothing who couldn’t run a mile without wheezing, I doubted I’d suddenly develop mad mixed martial arts skills a la Gina Carano.

I possessed an average intelligence, and I was not considered a take-charge kind of person.

In college I’d been the quiet loner who never tried hard enough, and not quiet because I was shy, quiet because life in general bored me, and the people drawn to me were more often than not self-serving assholes who made me want to poke my eyes out.

I matured into an unexceptional twenty five year old who worked as a dental receptionist.

I had acquaintances, people I hung out with, but no real friends.

I’d never needed them or found anyone I clicked with.

My only true companion?

A fat tabby I rescued from an animal shelter and was insipid enough to christen ‘Ginger’.

I wasn’t beautiful or witty.

There was nothing remarkable about me, and no one awaited my return.

Back on Earth, I was nobody.

My disappearance would elicit no more than a lax investigation by the police.

I’d be forgotten.

My home would gather dust, my job would be given away, and my cat would leave me for the old lady next door who fed him fish guts.

As an only child there were no siblings to grieve me.

My parents, also only children, died a decade before in a head on collision, my Dad had been drunk, my Mum high.

That pretty much summed up my childhood, my parents splurging their government handouts on booze and drugs while I sat hungry, needing a warmer coat for winter.

I supposed it was fitting I’d be the human suffering like this.

Because of me other women wouldn’t suffer this fate.

Failing to sell me at auction after auction, the Zutki trader who abducted me aborted plans to harvest more warm bodies from Earth, and cursed the value of its location as worthless.

“Who wants to know where to find a planet filled with ones such as you?” he’d sneered stuffing me back into stasis, but not before branding Earth’s coordinates onto my forearm with a laser.

I’d made such a bad trial specimen even the L’Odo considered my species too weak to be their slaves.

In a way, my unremarkable ass saved planet Earth.

And my collage professors lectured I’d never amount to anything if I didn’t apply myself.

As Morpo dragged me towards the growing uproar, I remembered how he argued the slaves would tear me apart as they raped me.

Despite his continuous blows, I struggled against his spiked, armoured side, scratching my skin, wishing nothing more than to be thrown back into the lightless hole in the ground.

We approached a platform that jutted into a larger space.

The immense cavern below augmented the ululation of alien screeches.

My knees banged together. I would have pissed myself if my bladder weren’t already empty. “Okay, I admit, we got off to a bad start, with the peeing and all. I don’t think it warrants doing this to me.”

Morpo adjusted his grip to my upper arm. He lugged my floppy body behind him. “This is all you are good for.”

“Can’t I starve to death in my cell?” I’d thought things couldn’t get worse, but I’d been wrong. So bloody wrong. “Did you hear me?”

Ignoring me, he yelled at a brawny male with a whip coiled at his waist. “Phugort. Ready the shackles.”

Snuffling, Phugort peered at me, pity clouding his dull eyes.

Morpo cut away my dirt-smeared blouse.

When he finished ripping off my threadbare jeans, I was left in a pair of panties that passed decent days before.

I recoiled in embarrassment.

I cannot explain how relieved I’d been each time my clothes were thrown into my cell with me.

They’d become my only connection to my past life, mine, a reminder I once had a home. I was once safe, warm, fed, and master of my own existence, even if it had been unremarkable.

My back hunched and my limbs jerked inward in a futile attempt to cover myself.

That last comfort had just been stripped away, as if they hadn’t already stolen so much.

Morpo looked me over with a grunt, handling me with the rough, impersonal touch of a farmer at market.

His skull crest lifted, spread then he spat phlegm from his snout.

“Under me you would have died quickly,” he said then stormed into the tunnel without looking back.

I crawled after him yammering to be taken back to the cell.

The devil you know and all that.

Phugort grabbed me around the throat then hauled me up.

Unseen manacles clamped around my wrists and ankles.

Gripped by a force field, I jerked up and back.

I flailed and whimpered, fettered, spread-eagled within a gleaming circle.

Sparks of energy crackled as it jumped from the beams of light circling my wrists and ankles to the inner surface of the metal.

Phugort bounded off the platform. “Die well.”

My eyes bugged. “Don’t.” The panicked plea turned into a breathless shriek.

The machine holding me prisoner jettisoned into the air then dropped in a vertical decent.

Wrenched to a stop, the air left my lungs.

The energy cuffs bit into my skin with a painful sizzle, and I cried out.

Blood dripped down my wrists onto my shoulders.

Panting in harsh puffs, my eyes darted.

In front of me was a sheer wall of rock.

My head snapped side to side and there was nothing but craggy stone.

A dissonance of sound resonated around me.

It sounded....

It sounded like....

Unable to contextualise the ghoulish symphony without seeing my gaze dropped.

Hundreds of impossible to describe eyes gazed up at me, straining orbs opened wide and set into alien faces savage with sexual hunger.

The optimistic ran up the walls, twisted, launching their bodies airborne.

They reached for me with freakish hands and paws as if they could grab me where I hung thirty feet above.

The mass of bodies surged.

Pushing, shoving, screeching they became agitated, enraged, and a swarm of bodies tried to scale the walls or leap straight up to reach me.

A thunderous voice filled the room ordering for calm.

The slavers cracked their whips and swung their batons, ripping flesh from bone and knocking people senseless.

The restless throng settled.

My stomach churned at the savagery towards the miners, but it also revolted at the sight of the males themselves.

Are those tentacles?

“Slaves,” Sorkbhal’s disembodied voice boomed. “See it above you? It is female. She goes to the strongest. Fight for her,” he finished on a roar as the transmission ended in a tooth-grinding squeal.

The scene became a bloodbath as the males turned on each other.

Smaller, humanoid beings squatted near the fortifications, removing themselves from the struggle and their chance at winning me for a prize.

The monsters enduring resembled human men crossed with mutated predators lost in berserker rage.

A handful of fights with three to five males brawling merged into a penultimate scuffle of aliens biting and slashing in a ferocious mass.

My sob echoed above the skirmish.

I blinked and my tears fell like rain.

Blood sprayed the walls and misted the air.

The stink of sweat and gore mixed with the cloying heat, rising to choke me.

There was a sudden lull.

Tearing my eyes from the dead and clumps of viscera, I realised only two remained standing.

Eerily, they looked at me at the same time as if reminding themselves what they fought for.

The larger male was golden, his features feline and his eyes a vibrant green.

Furred skin the colour of rose gold shone in the dim.

A wild mane of silken hair rippled from the crown of his head to his waist, and twin flesh-coloured horns curled through his hair like a laurel wreath, the points at the back of his head tipped with black.

His expression turned bestial, possessing a domineering slant that made my skin crawl.

He opened his mouth and roared, sounding like an enraged lion.

Muscles slick with sweat rippled and gleamed as he lifted a clawed hand to swipe in my direction.

My gaze darted to the stranger alien.

Seizing, my heart gave up the struggle to regulate itself and blood drained from my face leaving me pale.

There were no words to describe him.

Head turned into my shoulder, I squeezed my eyes shut, praying the more human-looking creature won.

I could not deal with the one that looked like that.

Restless, the horde chanted from the sidelines.

The brash sound bounced off the walls until it seemed a gathering of thousands brayed for blood.

Tension in the room mounted as the two males circled.

The chanting silenced.

Lunging, they clashed in mid air.

A hissing, snarling battle ensued.

Claws and venom spitting fangs were their weapons of choice.

They broke apart.

Feinted.

Came together with primitive fury.

I yanked on my restraints.

Free falling to death was the better alternative than being given to the winner.

Vicious snarling ended with a wet crunch.

Choppy breaths razed from my lungs.

My jaw wrenched open in a silent scream of denial as my mind accepted whom the dying snarl belonged to.

Quivering, I beheld the arena champion.

Head thrown back, arms flung out from heaving sides, the victor stared up at me with intense, narrowed eyes.

He stood triumphant over a broken corpse.

“Give it to ... him,” commanded Sorkbhal’s ghostly voice. “I am entertained.”

I shrieked as I plummeted, my stomach crawling into my throat.

The circle of metal slowed a foot from collision, setting down with a clang on the rocky ground.

It crushed the squidgy body of a dead slave, popped its skull in a mushy splat of oozing puss.

The alien trampled over the dead challenger.

Jarring to a stop at my wail, he reared back, stopped charging me as if about to lop off my head.

Now as he advanced it was with a look of passionate focus.

The vast rise and fall of his powerful chest halted as he inhaled deeply then held it.

Fisted hands, all four of them, clenched and unclenched as the aggression leached from his frame to be replaced with another kind of tension.

Considered by me a far more dangerous kind of tension.

His jaw tensed and his nostrils flared. A slash of blue-black flickered past his lips too fast for me to see.

The manacles of energy holding me bound snapped open.

Weak in the knees, I tumbled forward into a solid wall of flesh.

My arms throbbed as blood rushed into my fingertips.

The shakes of my body were so violent I barely kept upright.

I looked up, and up, and up.

Obsidian eyes peered down at me.

The alien’s mouth parted as it let loose a throaty hissing-growl.

A strangled, “Ugnh?” gurgled from my throat.

Another snarling-rumble from the beast.

I helpfully translated it for him into an outburst that explained in excruciating detail my upcoming rape, torture and death.

Annoyed I didn’t respond with anything other than a strangled rasp, the alien bared twin rows of sharp teeth.

Oh Jesus, oh Lord, take me now.

I swayed on the brink of blacking out as I took in the lethal enormity of the elongated, curved fangs dripping with viscous fluid.

Again, the slash of black with a sheen of electric blue pushed past his lips.

I saw it this time.

A forked tongue flickered at the seam of his lips.

His angular face creased into a scowl, and a clawed hand shot out to grab me by the throat.

Another nabbed my arm as its twin took possession of my thigh.

The last clutched my waist, his hand span so large half my middle was engulfed.

The edges of my world turned dark.

Strength flowed from my limbs in a lingering tingle, and white noise roared in my ears.

Pungent sweat plugged my nose, and the macabre scene bleached into a colourless smudge as the floor rushed me.

Hot points of pressure burned my flesh where his hands held me.

He plucked me off the ground as if I weighed nothing.

Crushed to a hard chest, arms of steel banded about me.

Tight.

Too tightly.

Claws dragged down my back in a spine-chilling stroke.

The world rotated as I was slung over the hard round of a shoulder.

Sucking in a much-needed gulp of air that stuck in my throat, my self-preservation finished kicking in.

Lumen, you are utterly fucked.

I passed out.

CHAPTER TWO

I woke to footsteps.

Hanging limp with rest of my body, my arms swayed in the snarled nest of my curly hair.

My hands bumped into the back of the alien that carried me, fingers grazing over scaled flesh.

Ropey lengths that grew from its head slithered along my naked skin.

Dread had me tensed into rigid, broken lines, and the arm hooped around my legs tightened its possessive clutch.

An acknowledgment of my waking.

Claws landed on my backside in a distracted pat as another hand stroked my calf.

Cold air stung my teeth as I inhaled in slow pulls, and I sucked up a lungful of woody aroma, smoky, spicy.

Rather than relax me, the exotic fragrance made it harder to shake off my disorientation.

The scent reminded me of hot days at the beach, lazing on sand dunes as warm breezes tugged my hair, and the underlying muskiness to the bouquet made me realise the snaking tunnel we haunted smelt as I remembered, dank and mouldy, overlaid with a chemical bite that stuck in my craw.

The heady scent came from the alien.

We forged deeper into the black.

The sound of sodden, guttural breathing.

Scuttling feet.

Decay.

Dozens of unblinking eyes stared from the shadows.

A shape darker than its surroundings emerged from an offshoot behind us.

It stopped in the middle of the passageway.

The alien halted, so I strained to see why, lifting and twisting my body to witness another large shadow blocking the path ahead.

Slumping over, I closed my eyes and waited to be savaged.

An alien was an alien was an alien.

It wouldn’t end well for me whatever happened next.

The being holding me tensed then jerked forward.

A shrill whine as scorching liquid slapped my thigh.

Mass hit the dirt with a flat thud.

The shadow behind took a hasty step back and melted into the darkness.

The one in front was gone, disembowelled judging by the waft of iron-rich blood and faeces, and we moved again, faster than before.

We made a number of turns, and there was no chance of me tracking his movements to plan an escape, even if I had somewhere to flee to.

He jumped, vaulted over something high then landed crouched.

We travelled the labyrinth until we exited from splinter in a mountainside boarded by jungle.

With a silky hiss the alien plunged into the bush.

We moved with such speed leather like leaves and hairy twigs stung like lashes from a whip.

My eyes rounded as I walked my hands up the creature’s back to lift my torso and take in the strange natural world.

Twin moons hung in a starry sky.

Fog hugged the ground, and the lush vegetation pressing in on us was a luminous riot of colour searing my eyes after the empty void of the tunnels.

The mournful howl of a hunting beast soared over the canopy to blend with the screech of a nocturnal raptor that dived into the undergrowth.

Underlying it all, a hushed song akin to crickets chirruping.

The scent of wet soil and green things was cleansing to my palate, welcome after the dank musk I’d grown accustomed to.

The grind of stone moving against stone startled me into again using his lower back to push up.

The alien ducked, stood, and then turned.

Moonlight faded.

The scraping noise returned then silence and artificial light.

Frightened, I dropped to hang lifeless over his shoulder, forcing my mind not to dwell on what was about to happen.

Gruesome images slid in regardless.

The alien bent near double to set me on my feet then straightened in a fast jerk.

The rough floor was cold.

I hopped from foot to foot at the sudden tepid to freezing transition and held out my hands to keep him at bay.

We stared at each other.

The alien hadn’t been the biggest of the males but he may as well have been.

His aggressive posture obliterated the meagre courage I had left.

Musky and humid, the den he brought us to was dimly lit by a stark light wrapped in rusted wire.

It was precariously secured to the curve where wall met domed ceiling.

My gaze whipped around.

Oblong, the space was no more than fifteen feet across and twenty feet deep, a sad bundle of blankets shoved into a corner.

A stone worktable lined the straightest wall holding a chaotic assortment of hooked screws, bolts, a jumble of cords, and a snarl of corkscrewed wires.

The reddish-grey clay walls were covered in junk.

At a longer, less harried look, I recognised circuit boards and random pieces of electrical mishmash.

Wedged into another corner was a blackened mesh shelf fastened to the wall above a ring of glowing pebbles.

That was all there was inside the pitiable hole the creature surely lived.

Piteous or not, it’s more than I have to my name.

Chest tightening, I remembered to inhale, and hints of damp rock and smooth chalk flooded my nose.

My attention snapped to the alien when he shifted.

Menacing to behold.

I shuffled backwards until my shoulder blades bumped metal nailed to the wall.

Panting fright, I sank until my bottom hit the floor.

Even motionless he looked fierce.

He was shaped human.

My gaze scudded over his immense frame and my pulse froze.

A bestial countenance bore equivalent features in the right places, but beyond that I failed to comprehend his differences.

The most noteworthy being he possessed six limbs instead of four.

Strange as he appeared he’d yet to make a violent move toward me.

Despite the life forms I’d encountered inflicting nothing but pain, hope kindled in my breast the creature was kinder than its predecessors.

It must be said, and even though his dealings with me were passive, his glare screamed black, painful death.

I was a firm believer actions spoke louder than words though.

Swallowing to ease a dry mouth, I croaked, “Hi.”

An ebon stare.

Intimidated by his hulking size, my gaze skimmed his face as I tried to humanise him, make him less imposing.

There was no hair as I knew it anywhere on his body, and against the rock walls that lack of softness gave him a mean, hard appearance.

Ropey braiding from his skull seemed textured like dreadlocks and could be considered hair, I supposed.

Pierced with golden rings, medallions and intricately knotted thread wreathed the onyx mane, yet the sides of his scalp were smooth.

Slinky cords grew in a strip down the middle of his head, hung to mid back and cascaded across his shoulders.

His skin, if you could call it that, was a sheathe of serpentine scales plating his epidermis.

The armoured shell lay as an intricately interlocking pattern that grew in dimension to protect his joints and overlapped vulnerable areas such as his throat and groin.

Mottled bronze, mixed with shades of olive and yellowish-brown, they had a faded lustre, as if supple, or slicked with the barest misting of mica.

Stalking closer with predatory grace, he knelt.

Two of his hands pressed to the ground for balance, the other two hovering in the air before me mere inches from touching.

He released a string of growling hisses then he cocked his head, expectant, waiting.

Expecting what exactly?

Me to respond in kind?

My nostrils flared as my breathing quickened.

Was I supposed to prostrate myself and beg for his beastly compassion?

“I....” Stalling, hoping I didn’t court death attempting to communicate, I licked my lips. “I can’t understand you.”

He snarled and glared.

Blanching, I whispered, “How am I to know what you want?” Fierce was my need to survive. “Am I to be quiet? Submissive? Prove myself by being aggressive? Keep spitting nonsense until you get me?” In a moment of madness, I thrust my face forward to get in his. “I don’t know what to do.”

Raising his lower fists from the floor to rest on the wall either side of my head, he reached out.

To touch me.

Touch me with those horrible, bloody talons.

Cry for help strangled by fear, I jerked my knees to my chest and reared back so fast I bashed the back of the skull against the rock.

A burst of pain exploded from the impact and radiated across my cranium.

Hissing, angrier, he moved with inhuman speed to grab my chin.

He twisted my head to the side and his other, bloodier, hand lifted.

Scrunching my eyes shut, I braced for pain.

A heartbeat later my eyes popped open. I stared at the grubby bedding in shock.

A gentle trace of claws on skin.

Out of the corner of my eye, I studied his other hand resting on the apple of my cheek.

Claws were the same shade as his scales, but lustreless, and his fingers seemed dexterous, his thumb as long as his fingers.

During the brawl he’d used his talons to rend, hack and sever.

He could shred my flesh to ribbons with a flick of the wrist yet he rubbed the skin behind my ear with the lightest of pressure.

The juxtaposition of claws and tenderness baffled me.

It also gave me hope.

Had I met my first civil extraterrestrial?

He looked like a barbarian, fought like a demon, but first impressions could be deceptive, couldn’t they?

I mumbled, “They put a translator there so I could understand them,” as said machine shifted under his touch. I again braved his wrath to communicate. “They had questions about me. Well, about my species. Humans.” My hands lifted to push him away. I dithered, not wanting to touch him and make him cross when his claws were on me. Heat from his chest beat against my palms. “I can’t understand you though,” I finished on a whisper as my gaze wandered up to his face.

Darker scales underlining a sloped forehead implied slashing eyebrows and the curvature of a flattened nose bridge.

High cheekbones lent his rugged features an arrogant cast and just softened a feral visage all too predatory.

His lips had a leathery look, as did the pale spaces between his scales.

Though unlike mine, his mouth was sensual with a spiky cupid’s bow, the crease on the bottom lip shallow enough so as to suggest softness yet not be pouty.

Afraid he’d be offended by my blatant stare, I licked my own lips, gaze darting away only to be drawn back as if to a loadstone.

Lying almost flat to his head, he had external ears, pointed at the helix and serrated around their curve.

Lobes connected to the upper camber of a rough-hewed jaw gave him an appearance of stealth.

Gold studs lined both pinnae, and the ivory tooth of an animal etched with glyphs speared through his left tragus.

His forked tongue flickered as he ‘spoke’ again and my gaze zeroed in on the ball piercing just before the split in the thick muscle.

I ogled it with wide eyes.

He shook his head in apparent irritation.

Thick dreadlocks tumbled over his shoulder as he did, a grouping of burnished beads and gold clinking and glinting in the light.

Releasing me, he leaned back and swept his gaze over me again.

The distance gave me the opportunity to take in more of him in scattered, twitchy glances.

Wide shoulders cut a sharp line under his thick neck, no weak slope to their structure, and supported upper arms roped with adamantine muscle.

After the winding journey, I knew the rugged dimensions of those shoulders well.

Magnificently crafted, a band of gold curled below bulging triceps and above an iron-hard bicep and was engraved with a language I couldn’t read.

A sinuous torso narrowed to a trim waist making his physique an eye-catching mesomorph.

He had no nipples, just broad pectorals.

Slabs of muscle defined his ribcage, where lower just as muscled arms attached, and swelled as he breathed.

I counted eight abdominal rows before the strips bracketing his groin distracted me.

Unsettled, my gaze flitted over his genitals.

I quivered.

The sticky-looking protrusion grew larger under the harried look.

A ribbed sac beneath didn’t dangle, but bulged and throbbed to the naked eye.

Basically, there was a lot of giant, alien maleness flaunting its ability to break me in two right up in my space.

Humanising failed.

A deep rumble escaped his chest and his nostrils flared.

He pointed to the blankets and snarl-growled something that in no way could be perceived as anything but a commandment.

I glanced at the rumbled bedding, no, I stared at the bedding.

The world spun as I connected the dots.

He’s dizzy and confused in the head if he thinks I’m going to climb in there and let him have at it.

My gaze clashed with his. “No.”

Wet with liquid, his solid black orbs gleamed an opalescent sheen.

I could see his cunning stirring, taking my measure.

Those large ovals, tilted at the corners and cast into shadow by his brow ridge, and high, plated forehead, were both mesmerizing and terrifying.

Stark and direct, they watched me watch him.

I quaked as if stricken with palsy.

It was easier to think of rebellion than actually act on it yet I found the strength to shake my head and repeat, “No.”

Clicking his teeth, he stood.

I relaxed, thinking I’d gained a measure of control.

Long arms shot out and snatched me from the floor.

Squeaking, I flailed, bowed my back and violently kicked out my legs to try and break his ironclad hold.

The alien dropped to his knees on the bedding then lay me down.

He didn’t toss me.

He lay me as a bride on her bower then slinked down to cover me.

Had I been less alarmed, I might have noticed the care with which he handled me, but to my fear-warped perspective it was a savage descent that ended in imprisonment.

Kneeling, he planted two hands either side of my head.

Another two clamped down on my thighs and spread them.

He easily subdued my bucking body, his knees bracketing my hips then squeezing to secure me under him.

Fear blindsided my earlier bravado, and it shrivelled into a mindless female panic.

I twisted in the cage of limbs remembering what the L’Odo guard Morpo said to Sorkbhal about the slaves ripping me apart from the inside.

Ripped apart from the inside.

My throat closed and I couldn’t breathe.

Screaming proved impossible.

You need air to scream.

I scratched at his face with my broken nails.

Grunting, straining, seething at the unfairness of it all, I smacked his chest and punched his side.

Thinking, fuck it, I bit him.

My rounded teeth glided off his tough scales.

Squirming lower with my wild movements, the alien lowered until I was pinned by his brawny chest.

Murmuring, his forehead pressed mine.

I didn’t like this closeness, this forced intimacy meant to pacify me for the violation to come.

I turned my face away and cringed when his lips rubbed and bumped at the back of my neck trying to gain my attention.

I fought.

Victory was impossible, but I’d be damned if I’d lie and take it.

No more.

I could not do it anymore.

No more giving in with the hope I’d not get hurt.

I tired as I pounded his shoulder and tried to gouge his freaky eyes out.

My legs were just useless, flailing and kicking at the air as he straddled me.

Exhaustion claimed me, I’d been stressed for too long and gone without nourishment other than terror-induced adrenaline.

All my effort ended in cries muffled by the musky softness at my back, a furry hide of some nameless beast this barbarian had probably slaughtered with his bare hands.

The alien lifted his bulk.

He paused, waiting to see if I had a reserve of energy left to attack.

Drained, I did nothing as defeated sobs shook my body.

“Fuck this place,” I blubbered. “And, seriously, fuck you.”

The alien lowered his head and nudged the underside of my jaw with his flattened nose.

He hissed, a gruff, staccato noise that vibrated against my skin.

A hot tongue slithered over my throat.

Recoiling, I pushed at his weighty chest.

Making another pitiful attempt to break free, he let me struggle before clasping my wrists and yanking them over my head.

He made a pained noise.

Shuddered.

He licked at the hollow of my neck in frantic lashes of his tongue, lapping up beads of sweat.

The rough texture of the barbed muscle was a scratch against my pulse.

Head rising, his black eyes locked with mine then he lowered his face until our breaths mingled.

He slowly spoke in his strange language.

He made an effort in holding my gaze and modulating his voice, roughened with what I suspected was frustration.

The cause became apparent when his hips shifted.

A sizeable lump of heat pressed at the juncture of my thighs.

“No,” I shouted right in his face. “Get off me, you animal.”

I screeched soundlessly until I was hoarse and my throat bled, the metallic tang of blood coating my tongue as I bit it yelling an incoherent plea for him not do what he wanted.

Silent, unmoving, the alien didn’t press the issue.

He waited until my protest reduced to harsh whimpers that puttered to noisy gasps for air.

Releasing my wrists, he pushed onto all fours.

His attention diverted from my face to my body then his hand touched my side in a tentative encounter that drew a haunting noise from low in his throat.

As I did nothing but flinch, his claws dragged across my skin, pressed until the rough calluses on the pads of his fingers rasped my straining flesh.

I couldn’t find the energy to give more than a squeak of protest when his textured palm covered my breast.

The hand remained there, a searing heaviness that melted the brittle frost coating my bones.

As if unsure what to do with it, the alien palpated the soft mass, intrigued when my nipple responded to the experimental petting and puckered.

He ran a claw tip over the crinkled nubbin.

I shivered and pressed my face deeper into the furs.

My confused body relaxed under his weight, the sensations of warmth and pleasure it understood too well.

It felt like forever since I’d had simple humane contact.

Hideous as it was, the alien gave the touch my soul cried out for, even if it lacked the compassion I craved.

He snarl-hissed as his dry lips nuzzled my jawbone.

He inhaled.

Purred.

His heaving chest pushed against mine.

Again, I was struck by how heat pulsed from him in waves, his scent a spritz of hot, fragrant ginger.

A clawed hand gripped my hip and he leaned back to stare straight into my eyes.

Holding my gaze, he waited for me to accept it, and in his strange eyes I saw the truth.

There is no going home.

No one was coming to rescue me.

There was only this alien and enslavement.

He was aggressive, brutish, but there was no anger or violence in his touch, and I’d yet to feel pain of his making.

During my struggles, he restrained me when he could have beat me, hell, one good punch and it would be lights out so he could have his way with my body without the bother of deflecting my blows.

I didn’t get the impression my terror pleased him.

Looking into his face, I decided the opposite.

My heighted fear disturbed him.

Most significantly, we couldn’t understand each other.

He could be communicating all sorts of things, could be undergoing some ritual native to him but frightening to me, so as much as I begged and pleaded, I knew he was going to listen then carry on as he pleased.

That is what people did when faced with something strange.

They did what came natural, what gave comfort.

I didn’t think he was cruel in my sense of the word though his actions to me were barbaric.

He isn’t hurting me.

My inner turmoil stilled, and I ran the comforting thought through my mind again, and again.

Other twisted notions tumbled into the mix.

I’m safe here.

He just wants my body.

My mind screamed death was better than what he planned to take, but my infallible human spirit strived to survive.

So, I gave up, and I didn’t struggle when his claws dipped under my panties and yanked them down.

I lay supine, fuzzily wondering if I was the weakling the L’Odo declared me.

Satisfied I wasn’t going to go into another mindless rage, he dragged them off and tossed them away.

He lifted fully off me and rested on his heels.

Now is the time to run.

Where was I running to?

How would I move the boulder blocking the exit, and again, just where the fuck was I running to?

Conquered, I peered at the ceiling.

Maybe if I don’t watch him on top of me once it’s over I can forget.

There was a long, awkward pause and a lengthy bout of joint breathing.

At his reticence, hope surged within my breast.

Maybe he doesn’t like what he sees and my human sex is repugnant to him.

Cool air hit my pussy as two fingers spread my lower lips.

Horrible heat rushed to my face.

I thought I’d past the brink of tears, but another managed to gather and roll down my temple into my matted hair.

A finger brushed my clitoris.

Choking sounds escaped my throat.

My legs tensed, and a sharp inhalation of air rushed past my dry lips.

Just relax, relax, relax.

He paused then slowly did it again, his stare intent on my face.

When another touch elicited much the same reaction followed by an undeniable softening in my spine, his body shifted.

He pushed at my hip, coaxing me to turn over, I did, and he quickly pressed his groin against my behind.

My teeth pushed together so hard biting back a scream my jaw ached.

Again, his face rubbed against the back of my neck.

The head of his cock pressed against my asshole, an orifice distinct in its virginity.

Before I uttered a protest, he shifted to align with my tensed entrance.

I breathed out and fisted my hands.

Everything turned hazy and I realised more tears wet my chin, throat and chest.

I expected pain, braced for the savagery of it.

Nothing happened.

Struggling to sustain a mental distance, a mounting irritation he took so long to get on with it had me glaring over my shoulder, mouth tight, expression pinched.

My eyes went wide when I saw uncertainty and frustration stamped across his unusual features.

Twisting, I pushed his hands away when he tried to stop me then flinched expecting a hit for the defiance.

He did nothing.

I peered into his strange face, confused, uncertain.

He was stronger than me, much stronger, and had no reason temper his touch yet I felt his restraint.

He radiated frustration in his inability to join his body to mine, not anger at me for resisting.

It was stupid to feel it, to hope for more from a barbarian moments from ravaging me, but my heart thudded in understanding.

In contrast, my body stiffened.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel, but there was one certainty at the forefront of my mind.

I am done with pain.

Giving my body to the creature wasn’t what I wanted, but void of choice, I chose to accept what would be.

Making the experience as pain free as possible was as good as it was going to get.

Resigned, my gaze dropped to his groin then froze there in abject horror.

Throbbing veins ran the length of his penis and his glands was so swollen it seemed to pulsate.

There is no way that thing is going inside me when I’m dry.

So I decided to do something about it.

Chances he’d fuck me once then let me scrounge off him for the rest of my life for food, shelter and safety were marginal to nonexistent.

This wasn’t a one time deal.

I needed to make clear what he had to do to take me.

My hand inched across the furs until it reached his.

Just do it.

Gathering my courage to initiate contact, I clasped his thick wrist.

He startled but didn’t lash out.

Good start.

I tugged.

He resisted, snarling lowly, muscles swelling.

Shit, shit, shit.

I pulled his hand towards me, spread my knees then used it to cup my mound.

That got his attention.

Go slow before he claws your face off.

The snarling eased, replaced with a soft hiss.

He stopped swelling larger and rocked forward, the black orbs of his eyes alert rather than aggravated.

Scooting forward, I opened my legs wider and pressed myself into his hand. “You have to get me wet.”

Jaw clenching as I grated the words, I stared past his shoulder.

His knife-like gaze cut too deep.

The alien could take my body, but I’d shield my soul from his view.

He didn’t get that part of me.

“It’ll hurt if you don’t,” I whispered, “and I am done with hurting. I don’t care if that makes me weak. I want to survive this. You.” I drew in a shuddery breath. “Enter me dry and I’ll tear. You’re larger than I’ve seen before.”

Even though he couldn’t understand, I kept talking.

It was for my own comfort, and that was okay.

Forgetting I was afraid, mostly of the alien I sat next to, my other hand came up to rest on his rock-solid shoulder.

I used his long, thick middle finger to delve between my outer lips and rub against my clitoris.

“Whacked,” I muttered. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

His head turned in a gradual arc downward.

He stared at my hand.

Gawping at the appendage as if it conspired against me, I snatched it back.

Rather than continue to explain, I rubbed faster worried he’d forgo preparation and get inside me using brute force.

With enough fingering my body creamed for penetration.

The stimulus was painful, and my expression mashed into a grimace.

Moisture dampened my pubic curls.

Granted, not a lot, but enough.

It wasn’t going to get better as I consciously fought the pleasurable sensations.

“I will never forgive you for this. Ever. I don’t care how nice you pretend to be.”

Our gazes tangled, and a glimmer of awareness met this self-righteous little speech.

Maybe he gleaned the meaning behind my incomprehensible language.

“I don’t care if this is your culture,” I whispered holding his eyes. “I do not give a single shit if this experience is the highlight of your miserable, fucking life. I’ll never forget this, and I will hate you for it.” My voice lowered, and I hissed the final word with as much derision as I could muster. “Forever.”

It felt as if I chose to give over my body.

Was there a choice in its truest sense to be had when I stopped fighting out of desperation, exhaustion and to avoid being taken in violence?

Expression vacant, I flung his hand away then turned to stick my ass up in the air. My voice broke. “Get it over with.”

Heat warmed the backs of my thighs.

The tip of his cock burned as it bumped against my ass then slid down my crease to rub at my cleft.

Breathing guttural, he coated himself in my juices then clamped both hands on my hips.

Claw tips pricked the creases joining my pubis and thighs.

The bulbous head butted against my entrance, and a good measure of my detached haze lifted leaving me exposed to the rawness of what was about to take place.

My heart beat so hard against my chest I feared it’d bloody my skin.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to visualise my last boyfriend.

No matter the desperation with which I clung to the memory of a flashing, white smile against ebony skin, all I saw was the alien’s feral visage glaring back at me, commandeering my mind as he plundered my body.

He breached, burrowing into me.

Lips crushed together until they numbed, I fisted the fur padding my knees from the rock floor.

I expected him to hammer into me, eager to get off, but he went slow.

It wasn’t sycophancy when I told him he was bigger than anything I’d seen.

His cock was thick, heavily veined and had curved towards his hard lower stomach.

Now it slid into me.

My inner walls clenched and my fingers dug deeper into the furs. I concentrated on staying relaxed to ease his way.

And he kept coming.

There came a point where I thought of bursting, splitting in two.

“S-Stop.” Anxiety spiked. My fingers curled under and scraped stone. “Too m-much.”

I dry heaved when it got worse.

He held me fast and continued to drive forward, stretching me to a disarming intensity.

My hand flailed backwards and hit flexing abdominals.

I dropped it lower to feel just what the fuck was going on back there.

There was more of him to come.

The worst possible outcome of my discovery happened.

My body tightened, withholding the final inches of penetration to my womb.

He halted, unable to tunnel forward.

Adjusting his hold, he started shoving and the pressure was agonizing.

Horror gripped me when his chest covered my back and his clawed hands bracketed mine.

His body swelled in preparation of a final, forceful thrust to break me in.

Losing the battle to stay detached, I crashed headlong into the moment.

I hated the feel of him and was enraged by the injustice yet all I did was tremble, fearful I wouldn’t survive resisting.

I was too scared to fight anymore.

Hissing in my ear, he slammed into me forcing past the clenched muscles denying his entry.

Arms collapsing, choked noises ripped from my throat. It hurt. It really did. I wasn’t prepared enough and no matter how hard I tried to relax I was too tense.

My spine remained rigid until the piercing pain eased to a pulsation.

Throaty noises and feral moans filled the air as his limbs shook.

His body vibrated in pleasure.

My heart hurt in deep, damaging ways previously unknown.

The sensation of his large body shivering against my flesh was unfathomable.

My body short-circuited, not understanding if it was in pain when that area had been used for pleasure.

He sat heavy inside.

The heat from his chest, legs and arms was overwhelming, and his rich scent saturated my every breath.

There was no escape from him or what he did, I was trapped, impaled, and there was no getting away from it.

He said something in a softer tone then gyrated his hips against my backside.

The movement was so unexpected my eyes opened.

Fear gave way to confusion.

One of his muscled arms twined around mine, and our thighs pressed together.

His pace increased.

The weight of him rocked me, rubbing my breasts on the warm blanket as he stayed locked in place, rolling my hips and groin in tandem with his.

I let my forehead drop onto my forearm.

It’ll be over soon.

Sensing my acceptance, the male behind me hissed a sigh that doubled as a moan when he increased his pace.

His thighs flexed to sink deeper.

There was no pain, my body forced open to him.

The glide and drag of flesh against flesh felt ... it just felt.

I jerked when his finger delved between my legs, hooking to press the side of his claw against my clit as he rubbed.

Risking physical reprisal, mad enough not to care, I grabbed his wrist and yanked.

I’d shown him that to avoid pain not for pleasure.

Ignoring me, he kept at it, going so far as to rub harder and faster.

A coil of shivery sensation crept from where we joined.

My tugging hand stalled as I scrunched my eyes closed and strained to feel nothing.

I’d rather die than enjoy this.

Thought blasted out the side of my head when he increased speed and pressure, stroking me as if a lover.

I twisted tighter.

Tighter, until I sobbed, feeling the familiar sensation of approaching orgasm and completely fucking horrified by it.

Sweat and sexual juices soaked my thighs.

My sex swelled and ached as I climbed to treacherous heights.

His pelvic grind lost rhythm, turning into frantic shoves of his hips.

The struggle tripped the lock in my pulsing sex as he hit a spot inside so tender my bones quaked.

My climax erupted in a nerve-scrambling frenzy.

Gasping, crying, I rode out the brutal orgasm with my head tossed back against his shoulder, spine arched.

The release was accompanied with such a jumble of emotions, it hurt.

It was less pleasure and more an acquittal of conflict.

The male panting and groaning behind me jerked then snarled as he tried to shove deeper.

The violent throb of his shaft was a smack in the face.

I felt his seed spurt into me, and my stomach churned with sick.

Bitter, the taste flooded my senses along with my sweat and his musky scent.

The aftermath was short, reality an unpleasant intrusion.

Revolted by him, disgusted with myself, I struggled and pushed away with a hoarse yell.

He slipped from me, softening cock smearing damp across my ass cheek.

Scrambling to put distance between us, I rolled onto my side at the edge of the fur next to the wall.

I curled into tight tangle of limbs.

Ugly words bubbled in my throat.

I wanted to rise up and hurl them at him, spit in his face, but speech and rational thought was beyond me.

Semen mingled with creamy fluid slicked my quivering sex.

I let him.

I sucked in a breath, but choked midway on a keening sob.

The alien loomed above me on his knees.

His laboured breathing slowed, and he carefully lay beside me, keeping quiet.

The light died turning the room pitch black.

He muttered something and acted hesitant to shift closer, my disquiet creating a heaviness to the atmosphere.

Tired of staring at nothing, I shut my eyes.

It was cold again, and I shivered, my teeth chattering.

A strong arm curved around my waist to draw me over the blankets.

Warmth covered me then so did his body.

His strange scent enveloped me.

As an alien rubbed my back and used his forked tongue to taste my skin, I wept.

CHAPTER THREE

He, Venomous One watched the female slumber.

The harsh, droning light flickered on.

He stood from the warm goodbeast fur to flex his now naked body.

All four arms stretched wide as he tossed his head back.

Before, he would have been decent in his lack of covering, but now he was male....

He sighed, and rolled his stiff shoulder.

It ached from where the sadistic Verak Obryn ThunderClaw gored him during the battle.

The condescending fool knew not to fight to the death knowing Venomous’ mating instinct had roused yet did so regardless.

The draw of a breedable female proved too great even for the cunning of a Verak.

Though he did not blame Obryn for being confused by the crushing ferocity of his response to her.

She was not of Venomous’ kind.

What in the name of the Serpent was I thinking?

He rubbed a hand over the brille veiling his eyes.

How am I supposed to protect my Rä’Na in this hellish place?

He didn’t remember much after scenting her.

The pheromones, though faint, wielded devastating effect.

His body had enflamed and his muscles swelled, mirroring the painful distension at his groin as an uncontrollable frenzy of want and need descended upon him.

He’d been nothing but violence until the last neck snapped within his grasp, until the blood painting his flesh cooled.

By then it was too late.

She was his.

He’d had no choice but to claim her.

She was so feeble she wouldn’t survive their lusts long if he abandoned her, and that was as good as killing her, a crime so heinous it nauseated him.

Venomous felt the lingering tingle of spent heat at his groin.

He shifted, uncomfortable, and heaved a sigh of regret.

The mating was bad.

There had been no Elders to witness and bless the bonding, no kindred to hold her hands and remind her of a mate’s duty to bare her back as her male broke her in.

Sorrowful, he gazed upon her with tenderness for all she’d endured.

It was clear she’d not been able to read his expressions and body language as he could hers.

She was very expressive.

He knew his own face was less decipherable, something that acted as an advantage whilst smiting one’s enemy.

His female wasn’t built like the Rä’Na of his birth planet.

He’d tried not to harm her, but Great Serpent the female bore two vents.

Does her species mate more than one male at a time, or do the males possess two seed stems?

Knowing which orifice to impale had been a trial he’d rather have avoided for it was the male’s responsibility to guide the mating.

He’d failed the undertaking.

Miserably.

Having her direct his hand had been upsetting, and worse, she made her exasperation with his deficiency plain.

All feelings of humiliation had shattered once he’d entered her.

To his eternal shock, the clasp of her body had not felt rough and painful.

Rä’Vek of his guild advised him as an a’Rä that Rä’Na disliked penetration as their bodies could not secrete to lubricate, but his alien was warm inside.

Soft and wet.

Not dry, but soaked with a creamy liquid laden with the same heady pheromones that called forth his stem.

His brow prickled then inflamed remembering his hardness enclosed in her hot wet.

Her body was not angular and resistant against his own, but delicately rounded.

It pillowed his heavy mass like the softest Zýt nest.

The thrilling difference made up for her lack of gold.

She had not one piercing.

But she was wet.

With a start, Venomous remembered his father’s advice; he would strive to avoid the experience of clutch after the first successful penetration yet he stood above his female and craved more.

The urge to cover her again and again until they were both limp and sticky wracked him.

He remembered her bending over, her horribly inflexible spine arched in the manner of Rä’Na submission.

Gangly thighs had trembled with invitation.

Her smooth buttocks had wobbled disconcertingly as she presented, the glistening vent she made him finger winking as his stem pressed forward.

It had convulsively sucked at the air, teasing him to get inside.

Now as she slept he could spread her legs, fall upon her and rut, rut, rut until he’d wrung them dry of even the faintest of urges to bring forth life.

Shaken, feeling unnatural due to the incessant lust she summoned within him, Venomous retreated a hasty step.

He stared broodingly at his tormentor.

Perhaps my seeding begins early.

She is fertile then.

He held hope for so long he’d be freed from slavery and retuned to his home where he could seek a desirable life mate.

I wanted no more than any other, a normal mate that understands me, what is expected.

A pang of pain stabbed his primary heart and the second throbbed.

I hoped for a beauty.

Venomous sighed gustily.

His dream Rä’Na was not meant to be.

I would be honoured merely to have a strong, sturdy mate.

Why this puny, ugly thing?

If he was bitterly honest the release of his shaft had been a relief, even if it was a singularly painful sensation and for an unsightly alien.

Venomous set aside his past desires.

He was Rä’Vek now, a male of his species.

Against Senate law, he’d taken an offworlder mate.

He stared at the alien primitive in his nest with a strong sense of incredulity.

The creature lying there is mine.

His gaze flowed over her body, her shape familiar, but bewildering.

The reality she missed two limbs was difficult enough to accept, but the fleshy nub between her thighs appeared a sore protrusion he worried over.

Recalling her agitated reaction to his touch, it was easily upset, a crude thing he refused to believe existed as by nature’s design.

He’d hoped it was an external pressure point that would open her womb when she directed him to it, not a mere disfigurement as the malleable lumps on her chest, yet the more he’d stimulated the reddened flesh, as she instructed, the more her body bucked and shuddered, the tighter the many sphincters in her channel clutched his stem and made it difficult to remain seated.

In the end, she gasped for air as her alien speech tore from her throat between agonised wails.

Had they been pleas for mercy?

After all, her entire body had spasmed uncontrollably in pain, and to his eternal shame that tightening of muscle robbed him of control.

He’d spilled deep within her hot wet.

The gut-twisting pleasure of his sac squeezing, his buttocks flexing burned him even now.

A ghostly memory of his loins bucking as his shaft spewed endless seed, flooding her sheathe and marking her with his scent altered him on a fundamental level.

It dishonoured him to seed her before bringing her to the emotional harmony that mirrored his physical one.

He hoped his ancestors looked away, sparing him their condemnation.

Then she’d pushed him away and shut him out.

What more did he expect with his appalling display?

He had revealed nothing of what should be a warrior’s ability to control himself during clutch.

If he were a Scholar or an Artisan then perhaps he could say sentimentality overwhelmed practicality.

He could not.

He’d been trained to control his body’s responses since a hatchling.

He felt her disgust at what had happened, tasted it at the back of his throat, acidic, resentful.

It wounded him.

So he would do better and she would not lash out.

Yes, she is ugly, but she is mine.

She deserves the best of me as I do of her.

Clutch was shared in honour of life and its creation, and it pained him he could not comfort her with a vow to build her a larger lair, share with her the joy of her womb opening for him where he planted his seed.

Venomous snorted in disbelief at his thoughts.

How can I be so cruel as to bring newborn life into this place?

What was supposed to be the greatest moment of their lifecycle left him feeling replete in body but hollow in his soul.

It almost felt as if their coupling damaged her in a hidden way.

As if she hated him for joining them as was natural.

Venomous shook himself at his senseless thoughts to focus on what must be achieved.

It was early, most of the slaves had yet to rise, and now was the best time to gather nourishment; less than a span since the L’Odo dumped it.

He’d need as much variety as possible to tempt his mate into eating.

She was stunted, and her stomach rumbling through the night in hunger disturbed him.

Truth, her littleness unnerved him as his species was not sexually dimorphic, so he was not used to her frailty.

Though she was physically weaker he could tell some of it stemmed from a lack of rest and food.

He was impressed she’d fought him as long as she had the night before.

She had spirit, and more than proved she would be adept at protecting their egg should they be so blessed.

He touched her frail ankle. “Waken.”

When she did not stir, he gave her foot a gentle tug, careful to leash his strength.

The female made a low sound.

Eyes fluttering open, she groggily peered around.

Her eyes were bizarre, her pupils round, black, and circled by a colour he’d previously seen only on hard-stones mined from the deepest caves on this L’Odo slave planet.

This attribute of the alien Venomous found pleasing.

The stones were transparent, treasured, and greatly expensive, which was why the L’Odo enslaved other species to extract them.

The volatile caverns were dangerous, and they considered themselves a superior genus, too precious to waste digging in the dirt.

Erratic, her eyes slid side to side.

Wispy filaments on her arms lift as they settled on him, and her breathing coarsened as her eyes leaked clear fluid.

She pushed onto her hands and knees then scrambled back until she hit the wall.

Venomous hissed, his tongue snatching at the air, tasting her fear.

He waited for her to calm then greeted her with a big, welcoming smile. “Good rising.”

When she whimpered, eyes locked on his mouth, he exhaled, nice and slow, then tried again reason with the creature, his mate, stooped at his feet.

Filthy, covered in dirt and bodily fluids, she huddled in the corner.

It was a pitiful sight, one he never imagined of his honoured Rä’Na, and her fear grated on his nerves.

What have I done to deserve her hysterical behaviour?

He bred her and ensured his protection for life.

Was he too optimistic to think his mate would be pleased by him?

Perhaps she did not understand what he offered?

The nonsensical thought irritated him.

How could she not know?

Some things went beyond the divide of species.

Male takes female.

It was elemental, as deep-seated a need as air and water was to survival.

He wished she’d cease to act like a backwater savage and attempt to communicate as an enlightened being so they might move forward.

Snatching up the smooth cylinder containing the last of his liquids, he frowned.

Judging by her wet insides and supple flesh, she needed hydration much more than he did.

Crouching, he pushed the canister of sweet water to her mouth. “Drink.”

Sucking cushioned lips into her mouth, she turned then pressed her rounded forehead to the wall.

Venomous growled.

Drawing her knees to her chest, she lashed out a hand, knocking the canister from his grip.

It skidded across the floor to clang against the worktable.

Tangled filaments obscured her subtle features as the female rocked back and forth.

She breathed in ragged pants that spoke of her terror as did her dilated pupils, empty expression and trembling limbs.

Annoyed by this irrational response, Venomous crossed his upper arms, lower hands fisting.

His tongue flickered at the seam of his lips, and tasted a range of emotions that translated to a state of denial.

He’d long come to terms with his slavery, but his mate did not acknowledge the reality of her new existence.

It took solars before his defiance had changed to weary acceptance, so he could relate.

Expression gentling, he gazed at her with compassion.

The alien was strange to his eyes, unattractive compared to Rä females, but he had seen uglier specimens.

The brown membrane that covered her was not so deviant from the tawny umber of his anima though his under hide was paler, more similar to the membranes on her palms and the soles of her feet.

Her filaments were unlike any he’d felt, not fur and not bristles.

Aliens he’d come into contact with in the mines called the filaments hair.

The kinky strands sprouted from her cranium, on her brow ridges, around her eyes and grew around her female core.

There were many curious textures on the female.

Mostly so very, very smooth.

Intrigued as he was to explore her, he felt no leave to touch.

Much to his surprise, his desire to do so was strong, and grew stronger with each moment he passed in her company.

She offended a traditional sense of beauty, but she did attract his sexual interest.

Venomous’ eyes narrowed.

Does that make me perverted?

How could it when she was his?

His fingers twitched as he imagined stroking all that softness at his leisure.

Strange thoughts swirled inside his mind, but he didn’t suppress them.

I want to hold her.

Indeed, he longed to caress the soft curve of her face and without thinking, he reached to touch her.

Jerking, he closed his hand into a fist then pulled it back.

Rä were not overly affectionate as a species, the occasional touch between mates was expected in private, and rubbing mandated during clutch.

Certain touches were encouraged, but at no point was it considered normal to yearn to make prolonged bodily contact.

He stared at the mass of curling, coiling filaments that sprouted from her head and flowed across her neck and shoulders.

The colour had many names.

It reminded him of the universe, the colour left behind by empty space.

He wanted to run the mass through his claws to see if it was as soft and dense as it appeared.

Gem eyes glittered with emotion as they connected with his.

They jerked to the canister he retrieved then back to his face.

She moistened her lips.

Her pink tongue had a rounded tip.

It was an anomaly to him, but not, he admitted, as unattractive as he’d first considered.

He tried again to wean her onto the sweet water and felt aggravation when rebuffed. “You thirst. Why do you not drink?”

Again her eyes darted to the canister then roamed the lair before returning to the cylinder as she licked her parched lips.

The blatant distrust of her environment kindled suspicion in Venomous.

A Rä’Na of his birth world outside of the Warriors Guild would never worry her refreshment was unclean.

She would expect her mate to have provided well for her.

His mate’s dramatic change in circumstance and the battle to win her might have brought her to the conclusion he was too brutish to know how to care for a mate.

After all they could not communicate as free-thinking beings!

He had traded his hardsuit solars ago for machine parts.

Such things allowed sentient beings to judge the technological advances of a race at a glance.

Judging by how she stared and gulped at his gold, she found such displays of virility and strength primitive, in addition to being unnerved by his size and physical differences.

He found her strange to his eyes, so the reverse must be true.

Yes, he was certain her intelligence matched his as her reactions indicated a strong, stubborn personality.

If they could speak to each other they would do better.

Venomous understood he might appear hostile from her perspective, so his offer of water would rouse suspicion.

Holding her gaze, he put the canister to his lips and drank.

Again, he offered the cylinder.

Slender fingers tipped with flimsy, translucent claws snatched it from his grip.

He chuckled as his mate struggled to understand the push and suckle mechanism needed to release the sweet water, but she reasoned with gratifying swiftness.

Soon she gulped the nourishment, her malleable cheeks hollowing.

She paused only to swallow and breathe.

Her gaze alternated between his face and her surroundings in panicked flicks, and the apprehension causing the anxious movement proved distressing to his anima.

It rippled across his scales in a gold-tinged rainbow.

She froze, watching his scales with wide eyes.

Venomous shuffled back a step to give her space, show he meant no harm.

Though she did not drink from his hand as was proper, she drank, and that was good enough.

He shifted from his knees to his buttocks then placed both palms on the floor exposing the backs of his hands to maintain a visual communication of nonviolent intent.

He returned the female’s blank stare with one of his own.

She responded better to his lack of expression and silence.

Venomous began to think she did not like it when he smiled or tried to share amusements with her.

Or perhaps a smile did not mean the same to her as it did him?

Soon her desperate, dry sucks at the canister echoed off the walls.

“More will come.” He pulled the empty canister from her grasp and met no resistance. “We will visit the fountain. One thing they do not keep from us is water. Gladiators make Sorkbhal no credits if they die of dehydration while mining for the wealth of the L’Odo home world.” He set the canister between his legs then crossed them. “I am appreciative of this now. Your skin is fragile. You need watering often in the dry heat, I think.”

Remaining silent, her eyes narrowed.

He found them striking, beautiful even, and when she understood him he would tell her so.

Perhaps he’d been judgemental and hasty when he called her ugly.

There was much to enjoy in her alien shape.

“I know you cannot understand me,” he muttered, “but that will change.” Venomous rose and left the female cowering in her corner. He reached the slab of rock that acted as a door then motioned her to come. “You cannot stay here alone. The others fear me, but not enough to ignore the temptation of stealing you. I must not make it easy.”

He waited with all the patience and grace he could gather and again motioned her to his side.

He had no desire to drag her around, and carrying her was not good.

He needed his hands free to fight to protect her.

Venomous grew weary of waiting and dropped his gaze to the floor in resignation.

Straightening his shoulders, he readied himself to deal with her pathetic blows and shrill noises as he manhandled her into doing what was necessary.

He did not want to, he hated her fear, but there were things they must do to survive the harsh environment.

Her reticence in approaching him did not make the burden of her protection easier to bear.

Small feet padded across the dirt floor.

She warily advanced, eyeing him as if he were a wild animal known to bite.

Venomous controlled the surge of joy that urged him to sweep her up and press her to his hearts.

His movement was faster than hers and he tended to frighten her when he acted on impulse.

Nostrils flaring, his tongue flicked out and lingered to curl and clasp at the air.

A curious fragrance as alien as her appearance drenched his taste receptors.

The alien’s scent was cold, tingly mentha bloom with salt mineral overtones.

It wasn’t more pleasant than the burnt, spicy smell of the Rä, merely different.

The waterfalls found below the surface of Rök had a similar etherish fragrance, but hidden caves and glorious subterranean caverns that stretched for land leagues, and were filled with ecological systems unable to thrive in the scorching heat aboveground is where the main body of her aroma could be found.

What grew in these havens on delicate, blue creepers was the mentha bloom, a leafy plant energizing to scent and taste.

Those caves had been a source of great joy during his youth, and he’d always brought home a fistful of mentha for his father to season the meat for high meal.

His female smelt like Rök salts, cold water and his favourite fresh cut herb.

To Venomous, she was a piece of home.

She stopped a pace from him, and her gaze steadily moved over his body.

Strange colour suffused the lower layers of her brown membrane when she reached his groin.

His seed stem was exposed, it would always be now that he was male, and would reach full maturity within another half-rotation.

Waking from his sleep to growing pains, he’d looked down and fretted that her tight body would reject him once it grew to full size.

To his relief his growth slowed, and he was sure with preparation she could take him in at least one of her vents.

This calmed his fears she would suffer during his seeding.

Already he could feel the fires heating his blood, the tightening of his sac.

Am I pleasing to her view?

His chest puffed out and he widened his stance to show his physique to its advantage.

It was his wish that she took pleasure from examining his form with her eyes.

She might grow bolder, and continue her exploratory perusal with her hands.

He felt a dart of disappointment when his preening met with a shuffling of her feet, and an alarming heating of skin.

Excessive touch was not a Rä trait, but he’d hoped his mate’s species took a more tactile approach to affection.

“There is danger outside.” He pointed hoping his message would penetrate her uncertainty. “You must not leave my side.” He clasped her squashy hand between his then ducked his head to level their gazes.

It was peculiar to look down on a female.

Lowering his body to meet hers yielded a more natural result to his mind, which expected his female to be equal with him in all things.

“Stay with me and no harm will come to you,” he promised squeezing her hand to physically convey his pledge of protection.

At her return squeeze, he thought she understood him as her head bobbed in what he assumed was a gesticulation of agreement.

She said something with an attitude that could be obedient, or highly offensive, who knew?

He gave into an urge to run his claws through her cranial filaments.

She shied at his touch, but did not stop him.

Encouraged by her lack of trepidation, he feathered his finger pads though the soft mass, taking care not to sever the delicate strands with his claws.

He kept his secondary hands behind his back, fighting the temptation to grab hold of her and explore to the content of his hearts.

As she remained docile, so far as to lean into him, he broadened the contact to a gentle sweep of his knuckles across her cheek.

It was an intimate gesture of affection most Rä’Vek indulged in after many solars of a happy union.

It pleased him she did not flinch, or think him overzealous.

She caught his hand and said something in her melodious voice.

When he angled his head sideways to indicate amusement, she looked stressed and pointed to her stomach.

Shapely legs crossed, she hopped from foot to foot.

He realised she needed to expel wastewater, a function not inherent in Rä, but he’d witnessed in other species since his enslavement.

Patting the juncture of her thighs to show he understood, he turned and shoved aside the heavy black rock.

Dawn had yet to come.

Moist air and the pungent scent of jungle billowed through the opening.

A knife thrust from the shadows.

He grabbed the shank aiming for his neck then yanked the malefactor close enough to wrap another hand around its throat.

The emaciated Zozon squealed, its many eyes blinking in its sallow face.

Zozon were a nonviolent species from a world with a lower point of gravity.

Their planet’s temperate atmosphere and gentle terrain developed the bipeds physically inferior to the warrior species that originated from the more hostile worlds.

Often the slaves forgot they came from nations of great honour.

They had forgotten there was more to life than digging in the dirt, fighting for dominance, and trading flesh to mount or eat depending which hunger reigned fiercer.

It should not have challenged him.

Venomous snapped the Zozon’s spindly neck then spun at his mate’s horrified shriek.

Tensing, he expected her to fly at him in a fearsome rage.

She kicked the unclean blade from the limp, three-fingered hand across the lair then looked to him, concerned for his wellbeing.

The considerate reaction pleased him.

A smile dawned, yet his mouth thinned at the last moment, setting the warmth into cold dark.

It was not care she displayed, but self-preservation.

She realises my worth to her survival at least.

Nonetheless, impressed by her practical response to a threat, he knelt to shove aside the dead, floppy head.

Using a talon, he sliced under pallid flesh and removed its translator.

The one his alien mate wore was a newer model, but it wasn’t programmed with the languages of the slaves, nor programmed to communicate with his own device, so he could at least comprehend some of her words.

He needed her to understand him, and wanted to understand her, so he could better care for her needs.

Disturbed by the stink of the dead, he picked the Zozon up by its foot then tossed it out of the lair into the jungle.

Other gladiators would appreciate the meat.

Feet pounded and sent vibrations into the soil as opportunists who waited to see the outcome scattered.

A blur darted past the liar entrance.

The Zozon carcass was gone.

Venomous sealed the exit then gestured his Rä’Na closer.

She hesitated only long enough for his dual hearts to thump thrice, and stopped closer to his body than before.

The signs of acceptance were satisfying.

He clasped her chin and turned her head.

Seeming to understand his intentions, she pushed her filaments back to bare her rounded ear.

Treating her flesh as the most precious fleck of gold, Venomous used a claw to slice open her skin then plucked out the disc shaped translator.

She whimpered, so he rumbled soothingly.

After licking it clean, he replaced the old with the one he’d pulled from the Zozon.

It concerned him her skin did not seal itself.

He laved her bleeding flesh with his tongue, holding her chin tighter when she gasped and jerked.

“If you were Rä my saliva would cleanse and heal you,” he lamented. “I can only hope this provides comfort.”

Her gaze locked with his as she smiled. “Understood you!”

Venomous grinned back, and tried not to feel discouraged when she paled and flinched.

Why do my smiles distress her?

He replied, “As I now understand you.”

She touched under her ear. “Happy we talk.”

“I am He, Venomous One.” His voice was gruffer than intended. Emotion swelled in his chest at the importance of the moment. He was to learn his mate’s name. “What do your people call you?”

“Am Lumen Young.” She stuck out her hand. “Call Lumen.”

He clasped the breakable appendage between his own, sensing she wanted to ritualise this greeting.

It felt odd, they had already mated and bonded, but he would do whatever made her happy and feel secure.

“Lumen,” he murmured.

A strong sounding name, but he didn’t know what it meant and it was short.

It did not describe her hatching nor the traits her kindred hoped to nurture within her.

No matter, she was his.

She, Lumen of the Stars he would call her.

While he felt uncertain if she deserved the honour of the name, a deeper drive from within compelled him to bestow it.

“What species are you?” he asked. “I have never seen your kind.”

“Am human.” She looked him over. Lost colour as her gaze lowered. “You?”

“I hatched in the Northern province of Rök. I am of the Warriors Guild.” He boasted, but only in wanting her to know she was well protected. “I was a’Rä. As your mate, I am now Rä’Vek.”

Her expressive eyes widened and jerked to meet his. “Mate?”

What happened between them had been definitive and needed no explaining.

He tilted his head, amused at her shock. “I always felt an affinity for the masculine, but no female called forth my stem. Then you. Now I grow stronger until my seeding.” He was so curious about her. He wanted to touch but she seemed afraid. “What is your planet called?”

“Earth.”

Unoriginal.

Younger civilisations tended to be so.

Venomous tasted the air.

Emotions too jumbled and numerous to isolate into a sole state of being.

He scowled, unsure of what to do or say to appease her as he could not determine her mood.

“How long here?” She motioned to the lair. “On planet.”

“More solars than I care to remember.”

“Oh.” Her feet shuffled. “Trader take. Snatch from home.” She rubbed her protruding nose, and her eyes became wet. “Am frightened.”

His hearts sank. “You fear me?”

“No.” Her lips curved at the corners.

To Venomous it was not a nice smile, but filled with loathing.

“Last night scary. Now?” She lifted her shoulder then let it fall. She turned her face from him. “What worse?”

Venomous’ brille threatened to unveil his eyes.

This was not a normal reaction.

Usually Rä’Na avoided clutch and expressed fear of the act until acclimatised to the pain that went hand in hand with joining.

He gazed down at his mate and felt heat stirring his blood.

Startled, he straightened to loom over her as his seed stem swelled and his sac grew laden.

Great Serpent, I must take her again?

Provisions would have to wait.

Distraction was a death sentence.

He could not afford to be preoccupied with carnal urges while his most precious possession depended on his protection.

“Good. You do not fear our nest.”

Truth, it was a relief to know he did not cause his female agony each time they came together in the hope of creating life.

“I will take you now.” He pointed to the furs. “Down. I will cover you then we will wash and I will feed you.”

Her mouth opened then closed.

“My blood is heating,” he reminded in a gentle tone to assure her he was willing to guide her until she recognised the signs of his urges.

Perhaps my size frightens her.

“The seeding will be hard,” he said, “but I will not kill you.”

Making a noise, she lifted a palm and pushed it towards him.

He mirrored the action until their palms touched.

Liking her affection, he smiled.

Eyes rolling into the back of her head, she dropped the hand. “Not,” she leaned forward, hands fisting, “hearing my words? Say no.”

Aggression Venomous expected and knew how to manage.

She’d end up working herself into another fit should she continue.

He lunged across the distance separating them to gather her in his arms.

She didn’t fight when he lay her down, but did protest when he tried to roll her onto all fours.

She failed several times to hold his questioning gaze. “Must?” Her voice was quiet with defeat.

Compassion for his human softened him. “I will not kill you.” He said this as a vow. “Never fear my strength for I shall not use it against you with the intention to hurt you.” He sighed at her trembling. “I will release upon entering to spare you pain.” She would not reach harmony, but he didn’t have the stomach to overlook her fear scent again. “Soon your body will adjust to my difference and your womb will open to receive me. Until then be still, my Rä’Na.” His voice gentled. “Be still.”

The translators stripped the complexities and nuances of their languages down to their most basic so translation was as fast and accurate as possible, and much was being lost, yet a simplified, stilted conversation was better than no conversation.

Chin lifting, she shook her head and refused him making him wonder if she did not just resist his sexual advances, as he expected, but him all in all.

Tasting her exhilarating pheromones thick and potent at the back of his throat, his need rose in a fiery surge.

Venomous hissed furiously.

He didn’t want to wait until his desire blinded him to her presence.

It increased the risk of him hurting her again.

He leaned closer until he could feel her warm breath on his scales, and truth rumbled from him like thunder.

“You were made a battle prize by the L’Odo. I won you. By the rules of this hell you are mine, but know, even if by Right of Might I earned you, it is because you awakened my anima, as blessed upon me by my Grandfather the Great Serpent God of Sands, S’q’ama’ta, that I claim you, and for that reason alone. I am now Rä’Vek. There is no going back. You are mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed and mine to cover. No other will touch you, so no other will harm you. When you are weak, I shall be your strength. You were stolen from your world by our captors and now your survival is my responsibility. It is your duty to endure my seeding and honour our union with offspring. I revere you, giver of life, as is the way.” He leaned back and studied her. Pitiless. There were things in the cosmos one could not change. She had to accept what was. “Do you heed the words of your Rä’Vek?”

Fluid leaked from her eyes down her cheeks.

The translator must have gotten enough right that she comprehended his words, or perhaps his tone alone educated her.

She cut her gaze to him then away, expression scathing.

“You are my Rä’Na and my mate,” he bit out not liking the insult in her eyes. He’d treated her with nothing but the highest respect. “Be honoured, I am Grandfather’s fiercest warrior and feared by many on this world and our own.”

“Own?” Her forehead furrowed then smoothed. She shook her head angrily. “My world Earth.”

“My world is your world.” In time, she would accept it. He patted the furs in encouragement. He would be patient. “Come, my Lumen. My need grows stronger.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Refusing to move, I fidgeted under He, Venomous One’s unblinking stare.

What kind of name is that?

He didn’t rough me up, just sat there, watchful, patient even after his big speech illuminating why demanding my obedience was his right.

Slouching, I sighed.

No matter how pithy and defiant my thoughts there was no getting out of what he demanded.

I won’t bend over and take it this time.

I wanted to look him in the eye as I reviled him.

His merciless face would be the reminder of why coming hard with his cock buried inside me was bad for my mental health.

So utterly fucked.

I wiggled a hand between our bodies. “Take me this way.”

Venomous One, Venom, I decided to call him, shifted closer.

He rumbled in his deep bass, “No understanding....”

My eyes narrowed, and I hoped my steely glare shrivelled the club between his thighs. “Take me facing you.”

“Do this why?”

Anger burst through my awkwardness.

“You said...!” Huffing, I snatched at being calm. “You said I’m your mate. Right?”

“Mine Rä’Na.” His lips caressed the word. “Yesss. Your Rä’Vek.”

“That sounds permanent.”

“Until mighty Zython guides us home,” he stated in a way that seemed to make all clear to him but oblique to me.

Still, I gleaned this Rä’Na and Rä’Vek business meant I held value beyond sex.

Value to him at least.

Swallowing the sour flooding my mouth, I focused on clarifying our tenuous arrangement. “You don’t see me as a convenient fuck?”

A blank expression.

“Fuhuck?” he echoed lowly. “Last word no translating.”

The simple conversation took forever, and after being forced to screw him my patience with his lack of comprehension was nonexistent.

I sifted a hand through my ratty hair, wincing when I encountered knots. “Don’t you want me, your mate, to enjoy your lovemaking?”

“Thsst!” Irritation whitened his lips. “Last word no translating!”

“Lovemaking? You’re right that’s not appropriate. Um, fucking?” I made a crude finger-shoved-in-hole gesticulation. “What we did last night? What you’re demanding right now?”

“Clutch.” His tone conveyed disbelief. “You feel pleasure where we join?”

I eyed him despairingly.

Did he screw me under the assumption I’d be in pain the whole time?

Was that what got him off?

How did I even process something that?

“Last night was awful because, well, the circumstances were messed up, right?” I stared back at him when he gave me no indication he’d understood or even heard me. “But you figured out how to get me off. Not that it excuses what you did to me.”

Silence and more of a blank stare.

“I came,” I elaborated slowing my words.

Echoes of the orgasm stole my concentration.

I felt ashamed.

Considering how awful the exchange had been, he’d still made me come, hard.

What did that say about me?

I didn’t understand how or why I responded that way, and it made me feel dirty.

Venomous seemed bewildered at the admission. “Feel good?”

“Yes,” I mumbled. “So?”

He leaned way, way forward into my space and I resisted leaning back.

He’d just follow me until I backed against something.

An aggressive male coming at you looking as intense as he did was teeth-grindingly....

My mind blanked.

I wanted to say it was fearsome, but the reaction of my body was peculiar.

My nipples were hard.

I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.

Tense, crouched on the furs as if a gargoyle on a weathervane, he looked about to pounce.

“Smell sweet.” He made a rough sound at the back of this throat. “Show me.”

I double blinked, thighs squeezing shut. “Beg your pardon?”

“Show me.” He moved with speed to cup my sex in his palm. “Good feelings.”

Muscles unclenching, I shivered, and breathed, “No?”

Say it like you mean it.

I coughed to clear illusory chunks of gravel. “No.”

“Yesss.”

I thrust my face in his. “How about hell no?” My tongue flicked on the ‘hell’ and elongated the word ‘no’ to end on a lip pucker.

Venomous proved uninterested in my refusal.

He pushed another hand between my knees and spread them apart, as if I wasn’t using all my strength to keep them closed.

Lips parting, he moaned. “I ache.”

A deeper, visceral shiver whipped through my body setting a blaze of warmth in my core.

With those simple words his ache became my ache.

He had to learn to respect me though, and if it was down to me teach him how then so be it.

“I. Said. No.”

The look on his face turned frightening.

There was an indeterminable period where I forgot my own name and what I refused him because his stare held me immobile with fright.

Scrambling to remember, I stiffened at his feral growl.

And grew wet.

My eyes shut briefly as I struggled with it.

The all-consuming desire scared me more than anything I’d experienced up to that point.

I resolved to fight the feelings and him to the bitter end.

Even if doing so felt like a vain, destructive pique.

My gaze locked on his claws gripping my legs, and I saw visions of my blood spurting against the walls.

Reneging on my earlier resolution to trade sex for safety pricked my conscience, especially if he was under the impression I’d become his new battle bride/mate/whatever.

I mentally slapped myself because it wasn’t the time to be sentimental.

I was laying down the law.

So I planned to order him to back the hell up, deliver a bitchy remark that would make his dick shrivel off, but while busy ruminating in my head, I gazed at him with a jaw growing slack.

Strong, handsome male.

My jaw chomped closed as if eating that thought alive.

“Lie on back.” His claws squeezed. Tingles rushed up my inner thighs. “Now.” His voice rumbled like the earth quaking and his glare turned dark and threatening.

Let’s be honest, I squalled, jerked, and did as told because there was defiance and there was outright stupidity.

Pick your battles and all that.

I just wished I’d occasionally win the ones I did choose to fight.

I allowed him to kneel between my splayed legs and managed not to kick him in the face when a seeking hand delved between them.

My sex grew moist, swelled with heat as he stroked me.

Dazed, I palmed my lower belly, frantically kneading the flesh to focus my mind on some other task.

How could I react this way after what he’d done to me?

I am wrong inside.

“Lumen.” Venomous’ tone grew impatient. “Show me.”

Chastising myself for being self-conscious when this alien had already seen down there, I coaxed myself into touching first my mound then my puffy outer lips.

“Mine gold here,” Venomous crooned as he petted me. A calloused thumb brushed over the hood of my clit. “Soon.”

Deciding to misunderstand because the implications were so scary it made me faint, I knocked his exploring hand aside and stroked the aching bud.

Venomous’ inky orbs latched onto my movement, and the liquid sheen veiling his eyes flowed like a bottomless ocean.

Starting to breath in jagged pulls, I pressed harder.

He grabbed my wrist.

Many expressions passed over his expression, lust reigning chief amongst them until a glower of disapproval etched his features. “No hurt mine.”

Tugging free, I peered past shuttered lashes.

The vehemence surprised me.

It was almost as if he cared....

Cautious, I went back to it, the button of flesh slippery as my finger teased it in sweeping glides.

His powerful gaze jumped from my face to my hand.

He watched me play with myself and looked uncomfortable as my finger dipped to penetrate my channel.

Swallowing, Venomous studied my heaving breasts.

His own chest rose and fell in large undulations as he fixated on my peaked nipples, making a connection between their turgid state and my arousal.

Erection bobbing between his muscled thighs, it distended further in a rush, curving up to strain against the slabs ribbing his lower abdominals.

The hunger ravaging his face embarrassed me, so shutting my eyes, I focused on the twisted sensation coiling through my sex.

I tensed when the tip of his claw nudged my finger aside.

“Wait.” My eyes snapped open. “I’m soft down there. Fragile goods, you know?”

He’d managed fine before, but there was no point tempting fate.

Brow ridge rumpling, Venomous looked at the tips of his fingers then back at my sensitive flesh.

Jarring at first then smooth, his claws retracted leaving blunt fingertips.

Dumbfounded, I stared.

“No doing many solars.” He peered at his hand as if the appendage were foreign. “Keep ready must fight.” He glanced at me, expectant. Hopeful. “No fight mine mate. Mine Rä’Na.”

To my extreme unhappiness, I felt bad for him.

That he had to keep his natural weapons unsheathed in case of attack struck a cord because I knew what it was like to feel terrorized.

Unlike him, I’d only been dealing with such danger for a matter of....

My mind blanked again, empty of answers.

The sense of time passing grew as I tried and failed to remember.

How long had the trader kept me?

One thing I did know was Venomous One suffered for years, and coming right down to it, he was a slave like me.

Venomous inched closer.

He put his hand back on me, face relaxing. “Hot and wet. Soft. Wet.” A long finger thrust inside. Now words accompanied his touch his behaviour approached worshipful. “This vent? Opens pouch?”

Not sure what he was getting at, many of the words hadn’t translated, and I heard them as snarling growls, I nodded with caution. “That motion makes me come.”

His hand stilled. “Come from where?”

“What?” It took a moment for his meaning to sink in. He was fiddling with me, making my insides squirm. “Uh, I meant orgasm.”

The uncertainty marring his face cleared. “Female harmony.”

Over trying to explain, I shrugged.

Jerking, he stared in alarm at my shoulders then relaxed and refocused his attention on moving his hand.

Shuddering under the rough caress, I moaned and clasped his shoulder.

To push away?

No, I tugged him closer.

Indecision swamped me, and tempting as it was to close my eyes and imagine someone else, I stared into his face.

I dared trace his harsh features with trembling fingertips.

Am I really enjoying his touch after he forced me?

Perturbed, I fought to come to grips with my own mind.

I’m not putting up a fight, but what would one achieve now that it didn’t before?

Being brutally honest, hadn’t I known from the onset Venomous wouldn’t hurt me?

I’d felt it in how he’d handled me, and it was why I’d felt safe enough to give up the fight assuming he’d protect me afterward, confident when he was done, he wouldn’t snap me in two.

Why make that assumption if I didn’t feel a measure of safety?

I decided my unbidden desire was tied into his offer of protection.

He was big and strong.

Scars patterned his flesh as a testimony to this.

He wanted me.

That a being so powerful coveted me, even if it just was my ‘hot wet’ that drew him was a primal attractant that went beyond the civilised mores of seeking permission.

Longing to physically connect with another being for comfort wasn’t impossible to imagine in my situation.

A gruff rumble from Venomous’ throat captured my attention.

Dry lips nuzzled the hand clenching his shoulder. “Mine strange female.” He pushed on my hip. “Turn.”

“No, take me this way.”

Studying my mulish expression in consternation, he then peered down the length of our bodies.

He jerkily shifted over me.

“Be still,” he rumbled. “I no kill.”

“How polite of you, Venom.”

He froze. “Am He, Venomous One.”

“And I don’t want this, but we all have to make sacrifices.” Tamping down the inner bitch, I softened my tone seeing my sarcasm served nothing more than to confuse him. “I know who you are.”

He stared stonily. “Your Rä’Vek.”

I swallowed then gave him what he wanted. “My Rä’Vek.”

“Yesss.”

Satisfied I wouldn’t wriggle away, he grabbed my outer thighs and pulled them apart.

“Must no move,” he murmured sliding his hips between my legs.

I made a strangled noise at the back of my throat when he pushed forward.

“Great Serpent. Hot. Wet.”

A hectic flush of cold raised goosebumps as I gripped his shoulders and gritted my teeth.

Black eyes narrowed with passion and locked unerringly on mine.

We shared a beat of silence.

Angular face feral, his skin pulled taut over sharp cheekbones.

Square jaw clamped shut, he breathed out in a heavy gust through his blunted nose.

Shoving forward another inch he was fully inside.

His lips parted on a whoosh of air.

I didn’t even blink at his pointed teeth or the curved fangs his studded tongue flickered between.

As Venomous retreated fully to thrust, his expression underwent a dramatic change and he started seizing and hissing as he drove home.

Blinking, I gasped as yet again I felt him coming.

Strong, hot bursts were accentuated by the frantic grind of his hips and dying plunge of his cock.

He slumped, covering me with his warmth.

That wasn’t so bad.

Shocked it was over so fast, my hands inched up his sides.

He could control his ejaculations.

Meaning he’d held out before to ensure I reached ‘female harmony’ as he called it?

Ignoring the keeled scales beneath my fingertips, I shoved aside the strange thoughts and feelings threatening my sanity because it was insane to think even the slightest element of the traumatising encounter of before was for my benefit.

I luxuriated in the simple connection with another living being, not caring there was no love behind it.

A renegade tear broke rank and streaked down my temple.

“Bound as one, mine Lumen, for good or ill.” Lifting up, he gripped my chin when I twisted my face away. “You leak.”

I hummed an affirmative and swiped my face dry.

His chin touched his chest in a move I now understood conveyed puzzlement. “Mine body no leaking.” His fingers brushed over moisture clinging to my lashes. He brought a droplet to his mouth. Tasted it. “Make healing?”

“No,” I replied tersely not feeling chatty.

“I try no fail bring harmony next time. Spilt seed quickly for good feelings.” He offered a sheepish look that turned into one of angst. “Many moontides no losing control.”

I gathered Rä didn’t thrust in and out while having sex, but stayed seated, grinding against each other.

Maybe it was more the pressure on his cock rather than the movement that felt good?

He seemed awed by my wetness, so the logical assumption was his species’ females were dry and the friction of pounding back and forth would hurt.

“Listen, I....” I turned my head away. “How can I still be scared of offending you? I don’t want you think I’m weak, but how can you not when I behave this way?”

“No fear. Lumen weak body. Venomous One born warrior. Am strong.” He brushed a ridged knuckle across my cheek. “Lumen warrior mind and heart. Know this. Light of the stars lead me do better. Speak.”

I snuck a peek at him and found his gaze direct.

Nonjudgmental.

“This isn’t easy for me,” I mumbled. “I only had sex before this with my ex and it wasn’t a casual relationship. We were committed. Well, I was, at least. ”

His body turned to stone under my fingers, the hiss escaping his lips the most menacing thing I’d heard.

I cringed back into the furs.

His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “Other male?”

“Y-yes. Before I met you. Obviously.”

His head lowered as he gave me that fearsome black glare.

I felt oddly defensive, as if I’d broken trust with him.

Come on, I don’t owe him jack.

“I wanted to share that with him so I did.” I managed to glare back though mine was less scary. He didn’t react at all. “I thought we would be together forever, sappy as that sounds. I wouldn’t have wasted it on him had I known what a bad bet he was.” My bruised heart ached. I huffed, shrugging it off. “Why are we even talking about this? It’s not your business.”

His body tensed further and his gaze turned icy. “L’Odo take from male’s lair?”

“He left me over a year ago.” I repressed the old pain when it threatened to rise. “People tend to do that with me.”

Lowering, his expression changed.

He rubbed his forehead with infinite care against mine. “Mate die. Lesser mate leave unprotected. Mine poor Rä’Na. No worrying. Am very strong. Hard to kill.”

Well, I wasn’t going to enlighten him of the erroneous notion my ex was deceased if it kept him friendly.

Touched he tried to comfort me, hesitant, I squeezed his shoulders. “You certainly are.”

Giving up the pretence of not being fascinated, I gazed upon him with a grudging kind of respect.

I set aside how appalled I’d been to watch him fight for me.

The other painful stuff, I blotted out altogether.

I said, “You tore those things in the arena to pieces.”

The benefits of having that kind of strength as my protection was nothing to sniff at.

Amused, Venomous’ head tilted. “Because mine. Lumen awakened mine anima. Call forth seed stem.” He rubbed me up with his body. “Soft and smooth.” He stilled. “No other touch. Keep legs closed.”

My mouth dropped open.

Without thinking, I smacked his chest. “Did I deserve that? No. Yes, I had sex with you before I knew your name, but you didn’t give me a choice in the matter. I’m not like that under normal circumstances.” An indignant look. “I’m not.”

“Sex musk sweet.” His tongue flickered. “Arousing.”

I threw an arm over my eyes. “Sex musk? Seriously?”

“Other males scent. Challenge He, Venomous One. Present no other.” His plated forehead tilted to a jutting angle, as if ready to charge an imagined rival. Warm hands gripped my knees as his other two bracketed my head. “Keep closed.”

“Whatever you say.”

Granted, Venomous was scary-looking, but he seemed to care enough for my safety to make me believe he’d keep the others from harming me.

“You don’t have to warn me. I get this is the safest I’ve been since I got here. I have many faults, but a lack of intelligence isn’t one.”

He stood pulling me after him. “Enough fucking.”

I froze in the act of bending over to pick my panties up off the floor.

Shuddered.

He’d said the word fucking in English, and it sounded so inhuman coming from his lips chills rippled across my scalp and down my spine.

Unconcerned by my reaction to his speaking a human language, he shot me a considering look. “Like Lumen’s tongue. Come back, teach more.”

Fear hunched my shoulders at the thought of leaving the safety of his nook. “Where are we going?”

“Expel waste water,” he reminded.

“I can hold it.”

Ignoring me, he picked up the canister then handed it to me. “Gather food.” He levelled me a look that said I didn’t fool him. “Must void.”

At another mention of peeing, my bladder throbbed.

I crossed my legs and grimaced. “It’s safe?”

“No.” He turned. “Stay close always. No leave mine side.” He brushed his knuckles over my cheek. “Never, ever, mine Lumen.”

The corner of my mouth curved when he rasped my name.

Unlike his previous attempt to speak human, the way he shaped the word sounded exotic.

“Aren’t you fighting today?” I asked.

“Rest time. Healing. Two-rotations dig or fight. Then rest.” His expression hardened. “Sorkbhal want gladiators strong.”

As he leant to place his weight against the stone, I raked my gaze over his back then lower.

Muscular to the nth degree.

Circling a finger around the canister spout, I considered a long, well-formed leg.

A lean thigh tapered to defined calf muscle, and a massive foot with razor-sharp talons shifted back and forth in a rather human manner.

Helpless to deny my curiosity, my gaze latched onto his firm buttocks.

Toes curling, I averted my eyes to the pitted clay wall.

So his unearthly appearance was peculiar?

He wasn’t ugly, just not human.

It would be foolish to pretend I didn’t find his powerful frame, rugged features and dominant aura attractive.

His features and limbs were arranged in such a familiar way, and if I adjusted my perception of attractive skin shades to include olive and gold then boom.

Hottest freaking male this side of the galaxy.

His differences were still conspicuous, the spiky ears, slanted, all black eyes, harshly defined lips and flattened nose bridge that ascended to a high, proud forehead, but I now appreciated the masculine beauty of the whole.

Does he find me attractive?

At the thought he might find me lacking, I straightened, and my mouth pushed out.

Well, even if I’m not what he fancies it hasn’t hindered his libido.

I dismissed the fact there were no other females around.

The most daunting thing about Venomous was the sheer magnitude of his size.

Bottom teeth gnawing the corner of my upper lip, I checked the impulse to ask him to straighten then measure him by hands.

He’d hit over seven feet upright, yet his body proportions were stunning in their symmetry.

Never had a man made me feel petite, as most were only a foot taller than me, but this male did.

And he wasn’t even standing straight.

I took my time inhaling, to encourage composure, and sucked down a lungful of the fresh stripped bark, crushed ginger aroma saturating the moist air of the den.

My sex clenched.

A strange reaction to a smell, but whatever.

I inhaled again then shuddered.

Eyes hooded, lips parting, I shuffled from foot to foot as my lower belly roiled with a familiar ache.

His seed dripped warm between my inner thighs.

Unlike the trauma of before the sensation now felt enticingly illicit, erotic, a reminder of how he strained and bowed over my naked....

Snapping out of my unsettling haze, I cast a horrified glance down my filthy body. “I can’t leave this room.”

The entrance was already open.

He glowered over his shoulder then crooked a finger. “Come.”

“I’m naked,” I whispered as if he couldn’t see that. I held the canister to my breasts. “Naked, naked.”

His gaze slinked over me. He pointed at my panties. “Vents covered.”

Clearly he saw no problem with the rest of me being on display as long as my pussy wasn’t presenting.

If I’d been less distracted, I might have wondered why he spoke of my sex in plural form.

“Those are males,” I hissed, “out there,” on a wild swing of my arm leaving a breast to jiggle free. “I can’t let them see me like this.”

“Why?”

“Because it’d be hazardous to the health of my vagina?”

Muttering, “Strange female,” Venomous arrowed his bright gaze into the indigo press of the thicket at pre-dawn.

Dancing wind kissed my ankles with dew, and I sniffed at the floral, woody scent drifting from the lustrous foliage rustling at the base of giant boles.

The aimless flit and of buzz of insects teased my ears, and I waved off a gnat trying to use the bridge of my nose as a landing strip.

The rusty croak of native fauna, and primal screams of greater beasts, while petrifying the night before, now sounded natural.

I couldn’t see past a few steps from where Venomous stood, a noble sentinel far from home, yet as indigenous to this foreign land as a lost traveller could be.

He’s probably making sure no one lurks nearby ready to make with all the stabbing and raping when our backs are turned.

My head rolled on my neck, and I glared at the root-wreathed ceiling with a huffy sigh.

I hate this place.

He ducked back in to face me. “On home world Rä’Vek and Rä’Na cover things.” He cupped his cock. “No dishonour bare flesh on slave world.” His hand dropped. “Understand?”

I got what he was saying, but my human modesty wasn’t having any of it. “You want other males looking at me?”

“Males look.” He shot me a look of finality with those bottomless black pools. “Make peace. No coverings.”

I held up my palm. This was another of those moments I needed to lay down the law. “I’m just not comfortable walking around naked.” When he remained cold and silent, I hunched over. “Please?”

Studying my huddled shoulders, he softened. “I trade. Cover mine Lumen’s vents and chest lumps.” He touched his palm to mine. “Pleases you?”

Appreciative, I relaxed and gave him a soft look. My fingers curled through his. “Yes. Thank you. I’m so glad you under–”

Venomous clasped my hand in a vice grip then yanked me from the room.

“No! Wait!” I rocked on my heels. “I can’t!”

Venomous shifted the boulder that acted as a door. “Stay close. Always. Forever and always.”

Finished sealing the crevice, he clutched my hand then dragged me after him.

CHAPTER FIVE

At first, I tried to cover the whole of my chest with the canister as I stumbled behind him.

The aliens we passed eyed my breasts so absorbedly, I realised I gave off an alluring vibe to the needy males rather than one of modesty.

Out of sorts, I opened my mouth wide to complain.

Seeing how Venomous walked naked with his head lifted high, I snapped it shut.

Intrigued, I observed him, learned from him.

He exuded a ‘don’t fuck with me’ aura even though he was bare.

Lifting my chin, I straightened my shoulders and dropped my hands.

I made ‘come closer and I’ll end you’ eye contact, and as soon as I did, most of the slaves averted their faces.

I even growled a little when a gaze lingered at the apex of my thighs.

The aliens followed a dominance hierarchy.

Venomous sat entrenched at the top, it seemed, and by extension, I was regarded as someone not to offend.

It made sense.

From their perspective if Venomous’ female became ‘upset’ he might get angry and react accordingly.

Hissing and poison spitting in honour of yours truly.

It was kind of hot.

I found more and more about my alien appealing, his magnificent body and protectiveness included.

This happy conclusion gave my courage a boost, and my stressed heartbeat steadied.

Alas, it tangoed again when he pulled me through a large fissure that opened into a cavern.

I calmed at a glance as it was empty but for two.

After witnessing the fight to win me, I knew Venomous could wipe the floor with them should they feel idiot enough to attack.

A waterfall gushed from an aperture in the ceiling and streamed along the stone floor until it eddied down a crack acting as a drain.

Venomous stood in the middle of the room as if lord of the domain.

His gaze landed on the massive furry creatures cavorting in the middle of the spray, but he made no aggressive advance.

Jaw slackening, I gaped, stacked it and near dropped the canister.

Pink sasquatches barked in lyrical bursts as they frolicked under the glistening falls.

A little hysterical, I giggled, shrill, and then anchored my nails in Venomous’ arm.

He’d have to amputate that baby to pry me loose.

Ignoring them, he lifted me into his arms then carried me under the cascade.

The ice fucking cold deluge that pelted my skin like kamikaze wasps on crack.

Shrieking, I twisted violently against his chest then tried to escape by crawling over his head, only to be tugged back under the freezing torrent.

Turned to face the glacial flow, I spluttered and gasped.

Screeched, “Stop.”

“Wash,” he ordered.

Babbling an incoherent plea about the painful cold, I sobbed, relieved when he sighed and put me down.

I bolted out of the spray.

Drenched, my wet corkscrews sent water flying as I skittered back then flung out a trembling arm. “What the fuck, babe?”

“Am full grown.”

Flashing both palms, I took a breath.

I wheezed another, stronger one then finally calmed. “Okay. Okay. Where’s the loo? All this water, Venom, I seriously need to go.”

He tilted his chin as he reasoned out what I needed then pointed to a stream running alongside the wall. “Go.”

Twisting, I stared at the thread of water. “Where...? I can’t pee in that. And how will I...?” I made a motion with my hand over my ass and eyeballed him.

Considering the ‘vacancy’ sign that made up his expression, he did not get me.

“That is where it goes. Go then return.” He tapped the space in front of him with his foot. “Here.”

Dismissing me, he rubbed himself down vigorously, evidently enjoying the copious amounts of water on his dry scales.

Bursting to go, I put the canister down then hurried over to the stream.

I squatted in the far corner.

My face burned as I released my hold on my bladder, and I was all of a sudden grateful I hadn’t eaten, as my bowels were empty sparing me that last degradation.

I walk-skipped back to Venomous then dithered at re-entering the waterfall.

I inhaled and caught a whiff of my own funk.

Unenthusiastic to the utmost extent, oh yes, to the highest bloody degree, I dipped a toe.

Shivered.

Girding my loins, I gave the water my back then shoved under.

Cringing at layers of filth I could feel, I tried to move my arms, but was cruelly thwarted by the cold.

I shoved my hands under my pits and huddled into myself.

Teeth clattering, I stood there daydreaming about the luxury of hot showers in clean, private bathrooms then peered down at my grubby legs and dirtied stomach.

I bore the brunt of it until my skin shrivelled, tingled, and my nipples peaked so hard, I wondered if they’d snap off.

“S-soap-p-p?” I stuttered.

Venomous’ head was tipped back and water sluiced down his face. The no blinking thing was so weird. “Only water.”

I scrubbed my fingers through my hair.

Though the temperature was arctic, it felt amazing to get clean after days of smelling myself.

Mortified Venomous met me when I looked so nasty, I scrubbed harder.

How could he bear to touch me let alone have sex when I stunk to high heaven?

Something soft and spongy brushed against my behind. “What–”

A furred hand pushed hard on my upper back, bending me so fast the air whooshed from my lungs.

Something humungous pressed against my panty-covered sex.

Squealing, I flailed my arms and lurched forward. “What the fuck is happening?”

Venomous grabbed me before I head butted the floor.

He spun to set me upright behind him then pivoted back around. “No, Griergermon. Mine.”

The alien that grabbed me, Griergermon, wrung his wrinkled paws.

Dense pink fur bristled then stood on end as he whined and rubbed his distended groin.

Griergermon made a series of motions with his stumpy digits then spun to the other alien, its pelt cerise tipped with grey.

That creature made a flurry of agitated hand motions back then bent over on all fours.

Griergermon mounted him and they started rutting and grunting right there.

Peeking from around Venomous’ broad back, gobsmacked, I watched this happen with wide eyes.

Not only had my alien lover/mate/whatever reacted different than expected to another touching me, it staggered me these creatures were going at it, anally, in a public bathing space.

My skin crawled.

I so don’t want to be barefoot in here.

Venomous’ tongue flickered.

Wrapping an arm tight around my waist, he hauled me into his side. “No fear.”

Griergermon shuddered, his fur flashing bright blue as he came inside the smaller one that then shot its fluorescent load over the floor.

Barking at each other, they separated then went back to frolicking.

“Yoni are sexual,” Venomous said. “Mate always. When angry, happy and sad. In greeting and farewell. In good news and bad news. When eating. When they wake to say good rising. Understand?”

“Fine. I get it’s a custom of theirs. That doesn’t mean it’s one of mine.” I shook remembering the alien’s club of a shaft pressed against me. “I’ve seen smaller dicks on horses.”

“Is their way. Means they like mine mate.”

“Well then.” I swept out my arm in a semi circle. “All is forgiven.”

“Good.”

Sighing, I pinched my nose. “No, I was being sarcastic.... Oh, just forget it.” I waved my hand knowing I fought a losing battle. “An apology too much to hope for?”

“Yoni intelligent, but no speaking. Communicate using galactic signs. Barking happy sounds.” Venomous studied me then tightened his hold. “No hurt. Yoni no insult. Gentle.” He brushed his knuckles against my damp chin. “Griergermon learn no touch. He tell Vardermon.” Venomous hesitated. “Yoni friend. No harm.”

Shaken, I leaned into him and snuck my arms around his waist. “Okay, babe. I trust you.”

Eyes narrowing, his chin lowered. “Am no hatchling.”

He pushed me away.

“It’s an endearment.” It was silly to be hurt, but damn it, I was. “It’s meant to be affectionate.”

“No like.”

I snatched up the canister. “Am I caring? No.”

Not sure what to make of the exchange, he dismissed me to finish washing.

I waited, arms crossed, drilling holes into the side of his head.

Venomous strode past me towards the exit.

When I didn’t follow, he backtracked, clasped my hand then yanked me after him.

“Wait.” I planted my feet and tugged, shivering, dripping wet. “It’s chilly. I need to get dry.”

He stopped and turned to stare.

Total blank.

I said, “I’ll catch a cold if I stay like this.”

His stony expression didn’t change. “No catch cold.”

“I’ll get sick,” I amended rolling my eyes at how I’d assumed the saying would carry from my language to his.

“Because wet?” Mood softening, he chafed my arms. His scales were already bone dry. “Human need strange caring.” Hissing a sigh, he fingered my wildly curling hair. He ran a claw across my goose pimpled clavicle, mesmerized by their appearance. “Must gather food. Trade. Keep warm and dry.”

Telling myself I quivered because of the nippy air, not his touch, nor the intense look of possession honing his features, I bobbed a sullen nod.

“Come.” Apparently over our tiff, Venomous picked me up and held me to his chest.

Looping my arms around his neck, I got over it too and pressed closer to his warm chest.

He navigated the dark passageways with ease, and anticipated fissures, slopes, dropped ceilings and uneven surfacing with such surety, I wondered how many years he’d been a slave.

We passed creatures I’d never dreamed could exist outside my kookiest imaginings.

Most were bipedal, males with segmented bodies like insects, spiderlike limbs with hundreds of tiny blinking eyes.

The monopods resembled balls of slime with wriggling tentacles that reached for me.

After we passed the first one, I plugged my nose whenever I caught them drawing near.

They smelt boggy like sulphur and stagnant pond scum.

It was the aliens with gills and finlike appendages on their ribcages that more intrigued then revolted me.

Communicating in clicks and whistles they seemed partly aquatic in nature.

Those ones smelt like ocean, and it was comforting as it reminded me of the seaside.

The oily pong of cooking food cut through my musings.

My gut clenched, the grumble of my stomach unmistakable.

Venomous eyed my middle. “Easy.”

Saliva slicked the walls of my mouth. “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“What is horse?”

“A four legged animal we call a beast of burden on Earth. They’re travel companions and can be ridden wild or trained if you know what you’re doing.”

“Like goodbeast,” he said and smiled, a macabre scene of fangs.

Blinking, I looked at his mouth then up at his eyes then I smiled back, shaking my head.

He turned into another cave then set me down.

Hundreds of slaves milled about, the atmosphere edgy and volatile, unwashed body odours mixing together into a torpid reek.

Heaps of jumbled garbage and grungy streams of faecal waste added to the sweaty miasma.

Metal grills embedded in the ground released twisting clouds of icy vapour, and there were jagged spikes stabbing from the ceiling with lumpy protuberances lanced onto them, but my eyes weren’t keen enough to make out what.

Wide-eyed, I plastered my front to Venomous’ side because I spotted females.

A pair bickering over scraps had burgundy feathers, prehensile tails and curved red horns.

Another had pale green flesh, no discernable eye sockets, and a hole for a mouth ringed with vibrating feelers.

A stumpy, bald female with pointed ears and a vertical slit that glistened wetly in her abdomen lumbered about on all fours and bleated when touched.

It was the last that made me shudder.

She was humanoid, so much more so than the others, I felt a kinship.

Her translucent skin was waxen, ivory, and like Venomous, she had two sets of arms except the upper ones were so minor they were near vestigial.

She didn’t have hair, but ropes of flesh that ran connected down her back, and between her flat chest and faint nipple outlines.

Slanted eyes were luminous ingots, empty of life and unbearably sad as she stared into the distance with a flat, vacant expression that made me wonder if she’d fled so deep into her own mind, she no longer perceived the hellish environs.

A rusted link of chains wrapped around her delicate neck, and she knelt docilely beside a corpulent alien that reminded me of a blob fish.

A line of twitchy males ringed the disquieting twosome.

One of the most unattractive argued with the blob, waving what looked like a purple banana. “Nothing is wrong with it, Grol. You try to cheat me.”

Venomous pushed my cheek to turn my face away.

I tossed my head to break his hold, chafing under the domineering act, disliking how he thought it was okay to grab and manoeuvre me like an inanimate object.

He directed my attention to a pile of food dumped on the grimy cesspit of a floor.

My knee-jerk reaction was to snub eating anything from the pest-ridden mound, yet it appeared to be the sole option available.

I asked, “Isn’t any of it cooked?”

Sniffing, I followed my nose to a stall flanked by slavers with spiked cudgels where, ominously, stood no line of slaves to partake of the offering.

The guards were intimidating, but I hungered.

It wasn’t the faint hunger of my old life, but sunken belly, hollowed out stomach that gurgles, cramps and burns with acid hunger.

Focus narrowed to a pinprick, swallowing thick spit, I stepped in that direction. “There’s food right there.”

Venomous towed me back to his side by hooking an arm around my waist, heaving a long-suffering sigh at my ineffectual efforts to break free.

He clasped my chin and turned me to face the raw supplies. “Cook own. Safe.” He pointed to the food stall. “Bad things. Make mine Lumen ill.”

Keeping me close, Venomous plucked three items from the pile.

As he reached for more, the slaver shoved him back with the handle of its whip.

“Have female.” Holding his ground, Venomous squared his shoulders. He towered over the cruel being and glared. “Need.”

The L’Odo eyed us, rubbery lips crinkling. It snorted, dark yellow crest lifting. “Two more.” It jerked its ridged snout to the skinned carcass on its other side. “One flesh cut only.”

Venomous sniffed at the meat.

Unsheathing his claws, he sliced a slab from its flank, selecting the least sickly looking area to carve.

The fat marbled portion dripped viscous black blood through his claws.

He nudged me. “Choosing.”

None of the bruised, overripe fodder looked appetising.

I picked a knotted orange root because it reminded me of a potato, and a blue string of orbs that resembled tomatoes.

“Eat those?” Venomous asked. “Good for insides?”

“We’ll soon find out, won’t we?”

Glowering at that answer, he snatched them from me then examined my hands.

Well, what does he expect?

I had no idea if I could eat the food.

I’d starve if I couldn’t, and there wouldn’t be a thing either of us could do about it.

Sighing, I looked at my hands and figured he checked to see if I’d had a reaction to anything I’d touched.

Hissing at the leering guard, Venomous clasped my arm then guided me to a grouping of flat-topped stonework, a seating area, a short length from the leashed female and her master.

He sat me down, making sure my limbs were arranged before seating himself.

I huffed, but didn’t change position.

Scrutinizing the fare thoroughly, Venomous sniffed each piece, letting his forked tongue flicker over their dimpled, porous rinds.

Unexpectedly, I felt reassured not patronized by the meticulous inspection.

Hungry as I was, I would have stuffed anything in my mouth then died of food poisoning, or choked on its noxious peel.

He’s not being controlling, he’s taking care of me.

My heart softened towards the big lug.

“What now?” I asked wondering when I’d get to eat.

I felt weak limbed, lightheaded.

“Trade.”

“Okay, but with what....” I froze, my eyes round in my face.

The blob called Grol took the payment then yanked on the chain, jerking the female forward.

She didn’t react much other than to choke then hunker down to spread her legs.

The male who’d argued with his purple banana came up behind her then whipped his thing out his soiled loincloth.

Penis bloated into a misshapen club covered in hooks, he mounted then thrust hard, holding onto her slim hips to keep her steady.

He came at once scratching at her back and squawking.

Cheek pressed to the dirt, the female vacantly met my horror-struck gaze as I’d made an inarticulate noise shrill enough to draw the attention of half the damn cave.

The male pulled out to climax again, shooting runny semen over her back then rubbing it in.

“No scent mark,” Grol yawped. His oral cavity smacked together in a squishy mess. “Costs more.”

Grunting, the alien shoved off, carelessly knocking the female over with his bushy tail.

He ambled into the tunnel shaking drips of greenish fluid from his now flaccid member.

“Am next, Grol.” Another male with leathery wings thrust forward another piece of food.

A burly slave with no neck stopped him from going further with a sound shove of his fingerless stumps.

Grol tossed the bruised edible back at the punter. “No enough.”

Another male covered in tan fur with a rack of antlers growing from its spine to the ground stepped into the circle.

He grunted at the irate winged creature. “Share?”

Gasping, gold eyes sharpening then dilating with dread, the alien female sobbed and tried to crawl away.

Scared for her, I whimpered.

A hard yank on the leash dragged her back.

Collapsing, she gave up.

She didn’t seem to have the energy to lift her head let alone attempt escape.

My hand fisted on my lap and the knowledge that could be me burned unnaturally hot in my breast.

Had the alien been stolen from her home too?

If Venomous hadn’t fought for me, if he hadn’t claimed me for his own needs, how many would have raped me last night?

Would I now be kneeling at Grol’s other side?

Feeling a deeper comprehension of exactly what Venomous spared me by choosing me for his own, I glanced at him hoping to share a moment of connection.

He missed it, busy scanning the alien horde, keeping an eye out for danger, and I’d never felt more indebted to anybody in my life.

Sensitive to the mewling cry of the female being mistreated, my head turned of its own volition.

Grol accepted the revised payment with discernable reluctance, but gestured for his lackey to let the pair go by.

Both males were erect by the time they grabbed the listless female off the floor.

Arranging her between them, they used rough fingers to grope and probe, negotiating in an indifferent exchange what penis went in what hole.

They bent their knees and impaled her.

She whined a protest, but didn’t struggle, hanging limp as they jostled her.

Unable to comprehend the hard-hearted act, my gaze travelled to their faces, expecting to see shame or desperation, maybe, as an explanation for their sordid behaviour.

My eyes connected with the winged male as he was already watching me.

A fleeting look at the other alien showed him staring at me too.

It was sinister how focused their attention was on me while rutting inside someone else.

Pissed, unable to sit there and do nothing, I opened my mouth to spew the sickness roiling inside.

I pushed onto my feet with every intention of going over there and, I don’t know, making a scene.

I had to do something, couldn’t just sit back and watch.

“No look,” Venomous ordered his eyes passing over me before returning to our surroundings. “Sit.”

My lips pressed into a white line of tension knowing there was nothing I could do to help her without him backing me.

It was a reminder though he’d fucked me and claimed me we weren’t a couple.

He didn’t have my back.

Seething, I did as I was told because I wasn’t brave enough to risk the alternative.

Sitting naked and exposed as sanctioned rape happened an arm’s length away made me feel unhinged.

Throat tight, pushing words out was an effort. “You could stop them.”

“Yesss.”

My fists banged my knees as I twisted my face to him. “Then do it.”

Cold eyes met mine. “I fight. Take mine Lumen when I no look. Trade you for her?”

After a brittle pause, I fitfully shook my head.

Quivering with anger, with shame, my palms sweated and my pulse quickened.

If I screamed in this godforsaken place would anybody care?

The otherworldly screech of alien laughter raked across my sensitive eardrums.

I jumped at a loud bang.

Cracking my knuckles, hugging my hands to my belly, I frantically looked for a reason to it all, hell, for an escape route.

If I scream will no one listen?

I couldn’t breathe.

My throat closed and my vision darkened.

If I scream will–

“Like Lumen’s world?” Venomous asked then jerked his chin. “Two males, one female?”

His dispassionate tone of voice filtered past my crazy, and my fracturing psyche snapped shut.

My body unknotted, and I realised with a jolt I’d teetered on the brink of losing my mind.

Shaken, I looked up at my alien.

His expression was curious not goading.

He interpreted my preoccupation wrongly.

“No.” Appalled, I shut my eyes and faced away. “Some women do, but I never did. I don’t condemn the act. People should do as they please, as long as it makes them happy and hurts nobody.” Hollow inside, I opened my eyes. “Does she look happy to you?”

His answer was an unaffected stare I thought might have flickered with compassion, but he turned to conceal whatever emotion he felt.

Other trades, sexual and clandestine happened within our vicinity.

The room grew noisier and busier, the pungent smell of sex and alien stink making my gorge rise.

Piles of discoloured, tarnished scrap and debris acted as room dividers, and lower hillocks of rock and metal rubble created pathways.

Slaves burrowed into and dug around in the towering heaps, salvaging what refuse they found.

Thinking of the odds and ends in his cave, I wondered what my alien had rooted around for.

Venomous mentioned he would trade for cloth.

Contemplating him then myself, I couldn’t figure out what we had to offer.

A terrible thought struck me.

Afraid looking over might bear the consequences of before, I darted a split second peek at the slave female.

Bit by horrified bit, my gaze travelled to my bestial protector.

My mouth opened to threaten him, but then I remembered his claws, his curved fangs dripping with poison.

Nothing but a puff of air eked out.

Venomous eyed me askance. “No trade mine Lumen’s flesh.”

My panicked foreboding was replaced by a welling of shame.

What was I supposed to think?

Apologetic, I touched the back of his hand. Umber scales felt like warm satin. “I shouldn’t have assumed....” My eyes darted to then from the atrocity happening not a stone’s throw away. “Maybe I don’t need clothes. We should go.”

His giant hand twitched under mine.

Head canting to the side, he considered me. “Need.”

My composure splintered, the thought of him trading anything with these savage people disturbing.

I dug my fingernails into the back of his hand, anger making my voice harsh. “I’m tired, I’m hungry and I’m cold. You have no idea how hard I’m struggling not to get up and run, and run, and run.”

Eyes closing, I just breathed for a while.

My voice could go no higher than a pained whisper as I heard yet another male humping on top of that poor slave. “Please.”

Venomous turned his hand and gripped my wrist, thick fingers engulfing most of my forearm.

He pulled me over the stone bench.

When my softer thigh pressed against his hard one, he gentled his touch.

He ran his thumb over the pulse at my wrist. “No be sad.”

“I’m tired of not knowing what’s going on. I’m tired of not understanding you or you not understanding me.” My eyes opened and lifted to his. “I’m scared.”

Tongue flickering, he hissed as he lowered his head, black gaze locked with mine.

A wild thought skittered across my mind.

He’s going to kiss me.

My lips parted and my lashes lowered.

Venomous jerked straight.

His attention switched to our surroundings then roamed as if he sensed something.

A male had pushed away from the far wall and headed our direction.

Venomous released me and stood, shifting to place himself directly in front of me. “Halt, Kilboh.”

The alien’s green unibrow fluttered at the protective stance.

A gammy eyeball rolled to me as it blinked, eyelid closing left to right instead of up then down.

After that lingering look, he dismissed me then inclined his spherical head at Venomous. “Trade?”

“Need cloth.”

Kilboh smiled. All his teeth were black. “Offer this.” He tugged on his tunic.

Relaxing into a more approachable stance, Venomous gestured him to spin.

Wiry, ankle length arms held out from his swollen sides, Kilboh waddled a circle.

Venomous appeared satisfied. “Fee?”

“That seed sac Yofk spat rotten chaw on my rations. Poisoned me.” Kilboh stomped his hoof. “Kill him.”

Clicking his teeth, Venomous shook his head. “Truce with Yofk.”

The eyeball rolled. “Cut him then. That Krael cover-beast must bleed.”

“Agreed.” Venomous thrust out an upright palm. “Payment now.”

Kilboh stripped revealing a circular chest covered in bristly green hair then tossed the balled up material.

Making a satisfied noise, he marched back to his spot holding up the wall.

Gathering everything together, Venomous tied our produce inside the tunic then handed me the smelly bundle. “We go lair.”

“Yuk.” I held my arms out. “This stinks.”

“Wash later.”

“No. Now please.”

Eyes flickering in what I strongly suspected was the Rä version of an eye roll, he gripped my chin then touched his cheek to mine. “Very well.”

CHAPTER SIX

Venomous watched his mate out the corner of his brille.

She wandered the lair touching the fragments on the walls making a sweet humming noise under her breath then singing the words to a strange song.

Earlier, she’d tried to help him cook.

He’d been so flustered when she touched his things and moved them about, he’d hissed and flashed fangs.

Aghast, he withdrew at once, realising how selfish he’d become of possessions that were of no real consequence.

It was a shameful way to behave.

I’ve been here too long, far too long.

Instead of punishing him with silence and derision, she’d held up her soft skinned hands and backed away looking sympathetic.

Her compassion made him feel worse.

His human had nothing of her own, only what he gave, and as his mate everything he owned was hers.

I am worse than a misbehaved hatchling.

Venomous peeled layers from the glowing stones until satisfied they were hot enough to roast the meat.

Similar in composition to the hot rocks of his home world, they were precious in this place yet numerous enough he didn’t fear theft.

Not that any male would dare steal from him.

Glancing at his mate, he clicked his teeth at his thoughtlessness.

He needed to remember that verity had changed considering the rarity of his latest acquisition.

He placed a metal dish on the one side of the metal grill and boiled the plant roots in the sweet water.

He worried his Lumen would derive no nourishment from the food, so strange was she, but there was nothing else.

All he could do was pray his merciful Grandfather sheltered her under his hood now that she’d mated his warrior.

He seared half the meat, set the rest aside for last meal then bid her come to him, vastly satisfied she approached without hesitation.

My mate begins to trust me.

Lumen sat then eagerly reached for the smaller portion of seared meat.

Venomous pulled her hand back. “We shall do this the proper way.” He lifted her onto his lap and picked up the juiciest serving of animal protein. “Open.”

Her cushioned lips flattened.

Unimpressed with her refusal, he held the meat away until she relented.

He pressed it to her thinned lips. “Open, dearest.”

Shifting until her buttocks rested comfortably in the groove between his thighs, she tried to take a bite, but drooled over the meat and his claws.

Cheeks emitting a rush of heat, she rolled her eyes in a human gesticulation then gnawed the charred edge with a determination that spoke of her hunger as much as the fearsome snarls of her stomach.

Venomous retracted a claw then pushed the blunted finger into her mouth.

He ran it over her teeth ignoring her struggles of protest. “The L’Odo defanged you?” She already possessed no natural weapons. To be deprived of another was sickening. “Do not worry. They will grow back after your shedding.”

Lumen gurgled and murmured, “Babe.” She pulled her face away and her chest lumps wobbled.

He realised she shook because she laughed then remembered she would not shed her skin after injury to heal a deep hurt because she was not Rä.

Though such a realisation was distressing, her mouth stretched into an obscenely wide smile as she enjoyed their repast.

Her rounded face is so pliant and expressive.

Venomous found he liked her protruding features and how they reflected her inner thoughts, even if it was grossly improper to be so emotional.

His head tilted in amusement.

She is outlandish, but endearing.

Tearing the meat into tiny slivers, he slowly fed her, watching carefully for a bad reaction and choking.

When she longingly eyed the blanched legumes, he gave her a meagre amount of each, pausing between mouthfuls to make certain her insides adapted to the foreign fare.

She didn’t like the tart fen roots.

Her lips turned inward, cheeks hollowing as her eyes yet again leaked fluid.

Apprehensive, he rubbed her lower back as she made funny faces and wagged her tongue.

He pressed her to drink fresh sweet water until the symptoms eased. “Are you full?”

Nodding, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand then burped, a squeak of a sound. “Gratitude.”

Venomous picked up the rest of the meat, unhinged his jaw then devoured it whole, throat muscles constricting, rippling to mash it down then carry it to his stomach.

Lumen watched him do this with her mouth gaping, but he ignored her to belch making her jump then hunch her shoulders and giggle.

He chewed on the crunchy fen root and found it delicious, such a shame his female didn’t agree.

He gulped half the remaining sweet water then pressed her to drink more.

He did not know how much she needed, but decided more was better than less considering how often she leaked fluid and how wet she got for him during clutch.

“Venom?”

“My Lumen?”

Her eyes were downcast. “How long here?”

He deliberated what she could mean and decided she wanted to know how long he’d been a slave rather than how long they would remain inside the lair or on the planet itself. “Aeon and three.”

“No translate.”

“Thirteen solars.”

She inhaled sharply and stopped plucking at the canister spout. “Solar mean planet circle sun one time?”

“Yesss.” Not sure what troubled her, he tasted the air. There was too much to make sense of. “Why?”

“Escape?” she asked. “We try?”

“No.”

Had she not seen the rebel leaders quartered then staked to the stalactites in the marketplace as a warning to those who’d dare dissent?

He fell silent watching her thinking of all that had happened.

He’d fed her, traded for her clothing and they’d begun the first stages of the bonding rites by mating.

Even his first seeding would begin soon.

“Tell me why no?” Edginess crept into her tone. She twisted to face him fully with her hands resting on his chest. “Why no escape?”

Venomous softened under the press of her small fingers and his stem stiffened.

He shifted her weight, and forced thoughts of clutch from his mind, distressed how often his mind veered towards it.

Perhaps it would help if she were not so close?

Hesitant, Venomous stared at her face and was unsure of how to proceed.

On Rök the important roles of Rä’Na and Rä’Vek were clear after maturing from carefree a’Rä.

Males, Rä’Vek, sheltered, fed and protected his mate and offspring.

He worked, provided, and took up leisure activities with those in his Guild or Caste.

Females, Rä’Na, endured her male’s seeding, tended the lair, laid, nested and hatched their offspring.

She had her own interests separate from that of her mate, her own profession should she want one, and while she may see him at festivals and gatherings of kindred, she did not actively seek out his attentions in private.

As they were no longer eating, it was proper he set her away then go about his individual interests.

Venomous did not want to do this.

He liked her slight weight, and enjoyed having her in his arms, even if it did make him want to bend her over and....

“It is not possible,” he grumbled.

“Accept this?” Face scrunching, her arms waved about. “Accept until die?”

Head shaking, fingers stabbing, her mouth moved with words he was sure were convincing, but the translators stripped it down to practically nothing.

“Way out. Us find.” Stopping her rant, she speared him a narrow-eyed look. “Well?”

“Well what?”

“Escaping how?”

How was he to handle her question?

A well behaved Rä’Na would not question her male’s way of providing, or ask him to explain himself as long as he did provide all she needed to survive.

He did not blame her for asking, truth, he was impressed she did.

Venomous understood his obligations and what was appropriate, but using logic as a guide, one could argue the unspoken rules of decorum didn’t apply in their circumstances.

Concessions had to be made.

Was upsetting her with the details one of them?

“Venom?”

“Are you not pleased? You are warm, dry, fed and safe.”

She nodded slowly, head tilting in amusement, but her expression was puzzled. “Still escape, no?”

“You are displeased with your Rä’Vek.”

Hesitant, she touched his jaw. “No want go home?”

“I do, but escape is not possible. I watched others fail.” He had a plan, but was it time? “I must be patient and survive until success is certain.” Happy at her touch, no matter how unsure, he cradled her closer. “And now I have you. You are my priority.”

A rush of breath left her lips. Her hand dropped to more firmly pat his chest. “Sweet and kind.”

Venomous barely heard her. His attention was narrowed to her miniature hand rubbing his chest scales.

Arousal was instant and powerful.

He stood with her in his arms then headed to the nest.

This time it was different.

Tendrils of fire raked his flesh.

Need stoked heat in his belly and bit into the backs of his thighs.

“Again?” Lumen pushed against him when he tugged on her still damp coverings. They washed the cloth on returning to the lair as his fastidious mate swore not to wear it otherwise. “Need talk more.”

“My seeding. It begins.”

“Look.” She sat and patted the space before her. “Talk. Want know you. No want know me?”

“You are human and hail from Earth.” His breath came in great bellows and the fire burned hotter. “You catch cold, leak from your eyes and are wet inside.” His claws dug into the furs and he leaned closer. His tongue lashed the air and he groaned. Great Serpent, her scent torments me. “I will mount now.”

She looked him up and down. “Why shake?”

“The seeding. It is hard to ... to concentrate. Very hard.”

She leaned back on her arms, cocking her head. “What seeding?”

Venomous hissed for his sac ached. “A Rä union is sacred. His hearts beat for her, and her body calls to his. The seeding heightens the chance of my seed taking root. You near your the first of your fertile times. It is soon, yesss, but I am strong. We will manage. S’q’ama’ta watches over us.” His whole body shook with the strain of not pouncing on her. “It is painful if ignored.” He tried to urge her onto her hands and knees. “Bare your back.”

She held up a palm, expression creased in confusion. “No under–”

A fiery whip lashed his spine, and he hissed, baring his fangs.

The mating neurotoxin secreted from his glands, preparing him to subdue his mate for the duration. “I will cover you now.”

Gaze clouding with fear, fixed on his mouth, she nodded as she turned.

She went to all fours then looked over her shoulder with glassy eyes. “No bite? Too different. Might hurt.”

His mind cleared long enough to see she spoke rightly.

Different yet similar enough my anima reacted to her pheromones.

The bite on a Rä female would sedate her so she could withstand the endless spans of rutting.

His human was small, and he doubted her body would react favourably.

Her genetic makeup was entirely different to his species.

My body craves hers, is trying to get her in swell.

Venomous crawled closer and covered his female.

He nuzzled and bumped the back of her neck seeking her approval and felt her trembling.

He tasted the air.

She’s frightened.

This time he could not ignore her quivers as fear of the painful joining to come because she told him clutch was not painful, so why would she fear it?

He could not bite her, could not keep her calm during the seeding, and if she struggled or tried to fight him he could incurably hurt her.

His reaction to her resistance would be to bite harder.

Biting might kill her.

Distraught, Venomous lurched off his mate then staggered into the far corner.

Lumen’s voice shook as she called out to him. “Venom?”

Why will she not say my name properly!

Not sure what to do, but desperate to douse the flames scorching his insides, Venomous grabbed his shaft and enclosed it in two fists.

He fell to his knees and squeezed until it resembled the pressure he needed to release.

Seed erupted from him in a forceful spurt.

Waves of relief were instantaneous, but brief, too short.

The banked fires rose and heated his groin, tightened his sac.

“Venom?”

He felt the vibrations through the floor and air as Lumen sidled closer.

“Back,” he bit out. “Stay still and be quiet.”

He didn’t look at her, knowing to do so would damn them both.

Salty water misted the air, and he knew she leaked.

“Venom?”

He didn’t hear her.

Couldn’t.

Blindly, he gripped himself and squeezed.

Snarled and hissed in the corner like an animal.

His body shook and twisted as he released himself upon the ground again, and again, and a tarn of seed ran between his legs and snaked down the slanted floor.

It was obscene, and through his haze of need it shamed him.

He sensed his Lumen’s terror and wanted to calm her, but he suffered, and could not comfort her as he wished.

Venomous understood she hadn’t realised what he meant when he spoke of pain for if she’d known, she would have spared him this.

He had to believe that.

His broad back tensed and his hips thrust impotently at the air.

Realising he was not going to enter the warm grasp of his mate, after spans of endless pain and release, his body calmed, the fires cooling into a low throb in his gut.

Venomous’ harsh panting ceased. “Rä’Na?”

Her head shot up. “Babe?”

She hesitated, but when he turned to her, braced himself against the wall to stop his knees giving out, she stumbled to her feet and across the lair, skipping over the puddle he’d made.

She knelt gingerly at his side and he grimaced with her.

He was a sticky mess.

“How feeling?” She touched his face and seemed alarmed to find his flesh cold. “Come to nest. Come.” She coaxed him up and guided him back to the furs. “Lie.” Her hands fluttered over him, face crumpled. “Wash better, but no let others see this.”

“I did not hurt you.” His muscles were lax, his body limp. “I would never hurt you.”

She ran a finger down his scaled cheek.

Her beautiful eyes peered into his, and he saw she now believed his word, distrust no longer holding sway.

Something inside him broke, cracked wide open and filled with her. “My Lumen.”

Though his eyes didn’t change, he was no longer conscious in the way she knew him to be.

His body needed rest and he let his hearts slow, his breathing deepen.

It was a state just before the true sleep and awake each warrior knew could be the difference between life and death if attacked while resting.

He was aware of her and what she did, but his body and mind were dormant.

Lumen looked him over and winced.

Knees and elbows scraped from where he’d crouched in the tight corner, dirt was ground into the wounds.

His stem was flaccid, sore and ruddy at the tip.

Quiet, she curled up at his side.

After a moment’s hesitation she wrapped an arm around his waist and embraced him, but because he was so heavy, she ended up mashed to his side.

Tittering, she rose to pick up the shallow pan he’d in which he’d cooked their repast and poured the remainder of the sweet water.

She peeled one of the dark rocks as she’d watched him do, and made a happy noise when the liquid inside steamed.

Lacking spare cloth, she ripped a strip from the bottom of her tunic then used it to clean his wounds.

The dead weight of his arm was a struggle for her littleness.

She persevered, concentrated on using the edge of the cloth to painstakingly clean between the larger scales and plates covering his joints.

Time passed in silence as she tended him, and he basked in the tenderness of her care.

She spoke of herself, the journey of her lifecycle before coming to him, and some things he understood, others he had no hope of comprehending.

‘After parents die, I no believe God real....’

‘....missing Marmite....’

‘Think there be planet where people travel on rainbow? I thinking....’

‘....humidity bad for mine curly hair....’

‘Aliens go Earth before. Ancient Egyptian time, I think....’

‘....so gratitude for saving me.’

Venomous woke.

Her random chatter ceased when she felt his arm tense. “Soon finish. Knees now.”

Head lifting, he studied her. “I heal.”

“Filthy lair.” Her nose lifted and she sniffed. “Catch bad thing.”

His hand clasped her forearm, claws overlapping. “I will not get sick.”

“No argue.” She slanted him a teasing look. “Be still for mate.”

Venomous didn’t remove his hand.

He rubbed her arm then followed it up to her shoulder, higher still to finger the curve of her jaw. “My thanks.”

Hesitating then leaning into his touch, she stared at the cooling, bloody water, rubbing her lips together.

She wrung out the cloth with more force than needed, splattering droplets over them both. “No gratitude. Mine fault.” She shifted to blot his kneecaps in jerky strokes. “Think you dying.” She exhaled shakily. “Next time no suffer.” She blew a stray spiral of hair out of her face. “No bite?” Her remorseful gaze met his. “Right, babe?”

Venomous pushed himself upright, bending the leg she cleaned and leaving the other straight. “Pain is fleeting.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “I would never place you in danger. You feel good beneath me, and I knew if you moved I would bite.” He sighed. “Thank Grandfather’s Hood we have aeons to learn each other before we must endure the last seeding.”

Lumen blindly wiped at his knee.

She made a humming ‘um’ noise. “Rä female fertile twice whole life?”

“Yesss. It is not this way for humans?”

More humming ‘ums’ “No same.”

“How different?”

“Fertile, uh, more.” She moved onto his other knee and he helpfully bent his leg. She frowned and spoke fast as if to forestall his imminent questions of what more meant. “When Rä female mature?”

“All Rä complete adolescence once they find their mate. There are no Rä females or males before adolescence.” He rubbed her lower back, not letting her distract him. “How many times in your lifecycle are you fertile, my Lumen?”

She dabbed at his knee.

Mumbled, “Every moontide.”

Venomous’ scales blanched and the bottoms of his black eyes glowed as his brille almost unveiled in shock.

Twin slivers of iridescent light were revealed before they turned dark with the return of his control.

“Each moontide?” His mouth parted showing sharp teeth. “Each. All twenty of them?”

“Twenty?” She twisted her body, slapping her hands on his chest. “Moontide on Earth four cycle. Twelve each solar.” She counted in silence, moving her lips. “Twenty-span is rotation, yes? How say seven rotations?”

“In galactic standard time the next is cycle. That is five rotations. There is no seven.”

Momentarily distracted, curious, she asked, “Follow on Rök?”

“Yesss.”

“How many seasons?”

He jerked his chin down. “It is hot and dry all solar and never changing. Few planets support an atmosphere as you describe.” He watched her with a bad feelings stirring in his gut. “Earth must be rich with different species.”

Her eyes flickered over his features, and he realised she’d somehow learnt to read him. “Why bad?”

“Your planet has not yet achieved intergalactic space travel. If the L’Odo bought Earth’s location from the slave trader or he sold it to others it is a matter of time before others do too.”

“No good?” Her rounded teeth chewed her lip. Her fingers passed over the brand on her forearm. “Expand horizon.”

Venomous had no desire to alarm her, but he would not lie.

“Most peaceful species feel no need to travel beyond their own borders.” For once, he averted his gaze unable to look into her striking eyes and watch them fill with pain caused by his words. “Conquerors are restless. I pray to Grandfather the people of Earth are strong, my Lumen.”

Face paling, her hands trembled against his chest.

Her rounded forehead came to rest atop them, and she rocked it this way and that as if to burrow under his flesh and hide there.

Venomous wrapped an arm around her, the other clutching the back of her head, pressing her closer still.

Jerking then leaning back, Lumen’s brows pulled together even as her eyes rounded. “What mean no young male or female Rä?” She darted a glance at his stem. Lines around her mouth eased. “I confuse?”

Venomous straightened his legs then pulled her onto his lap chuckling when she squirmed against his hardness.

His seeding was done, but he desired her still.

Beguiling creature that she was.

He rested his square chin on her head as it seemed natural to do so. “Rä have three genders. A’Rä, Rä’Na and Rä’Vek.” He took her hand, shoved it between them and pressed it to his groin. His voice lowered. “You called forth my seed stem. I am Rä’Vek now.”

She gawked at his lap, and didn’t remove her hand when he released her.

Slender fingers curled around his length.

“No sex?” she whispered. Her head jerked up and their gazes locked. “Me only female to cover?”

“A’Rä must wait as long as it takes to meet a compatible mate. The wait can last for aeons. It never ends for some.” He rubbed his scaled cheek against hers. “I never would have thought an offworlder would awaken me.”

Venomous took advantage of their closeness to explore her soft skin, and the different textures that felt good to his flesh.

He stroked her slender throat then traced the single pulse that fluttered against his finger pads.

One lonely heart.

Fascinating.

Languid exploration expanded to the twin mounds on her torso.

The dusky nipples gracing the tip of each fleshy mass were responsive, hardened into buds entreating his touch.

Though their appearance and function were alien, he enjoyed their shape and movement.

She allowed his petting in silence before she heaved a troubled sigh. “Babe?”

“Rä’Na?”

“Am fertile each moontide.” Her eyes searched his. “This fine?”

His hand froze on her chest bump. “I do not know what to say. It will be difficult, not covering you was painful in a way I do not wish to endure, but I will not harm you.”

Giving him a funny smile, she placed her hand over his.

She adjusted his hold so he cradled the mass of flesh he toyed with, and the raised nubbin grazed his palm.

He liked the heavy weight and agreed holding her like this was better.

“Am terrify meeting you. Vowing no forgive, but....” She sucked in a breath then cupped his face in both hands, her thumbs rubbing his cheekbones.

He rumbled in pleasure.

“You lovely,” she whispered. “Try hard make happy. Safe. I see. You strive put weaker first, so spare pain by use force. No lie, babe, you dominant ways drive me mad. No way I sit here and say I have you other way. No you, I be dead, maybe worse. I know.” She bit her lip. “Not knowing to be with you as need. I get better. Practice make perfect. Yes?”

Venomous brightened. How profound. “It does.”

“Make anger you. Confuse too.”

“You can be trying.” He squeezed her waist to lessen the sting of his words.

Her mouth quirked. “Yes.” Her eyes traced his features. Her smile grew until her whole face lit up. “We talk. Keep open, knowing each other be at.”

“I know where you are at.” He glanced between them. “My side.”

“Yes,” she murmured. “Make work.”

Venomous considered her words, at least the ones that the translator let through then narrowed his eyes.

His Rä’Na did not comprehend her place.

“When a male and his female join in your world what is it called?” he demanded.

A puzzled pause then her eyes sparked.

“Marriage,” she replied rubbing the scales on his jaw. “Think we have?”

“Explain how you join in,” he stumbled over the word, the sounding strange and difficult, too lyrical for his tongue, “mar-ige.”

“Ceremony. Male and female’s family come. Female in white dress, man in suit. They exchange rings. Eat special cake, lots of food and dancing.” She jerked a shoulder, and he thought she might be spasaming, but she didn’t look alarmed, so he relaxed. “Promises of fidelity and life long affection.”

“Festival,” he murmured happy to know of the similarity in their cultures. “A Rä union is the same, but no rings or cake, though most exchange gold in the bloodletting, of course.”

Though he supposed he could get gold for her arm and a matching one designed for himself.

While he longed for his gold to pierce her, he did not think his human would bear up well under the tradition.

“After clutch is witnessed by the Elders, we have the lesser ceremony to protect the widow then merriment to join the two families as one.”

Her head drew back on her neck. “Sex people to see?”

“To join the families as one.” He scrutinised her. “This is not done on your world.”

“Old times, maybe.” She paused. “We no married.”

Venomous cupped her throat, finger pressing her pulse.

Being so near to each other they aligned.

The beat of his hearts thumped the exact moment of hers then resumed its native rhythm.

“A formality,” he said. “You are mine.”

“Okay,” she whispered her breathing shallow. Her fingers tightened on his face. “Think must speak against, but,” she swallowed, “am stranded on danger planet with hostiles. Yet am warm, fed, safe and smiles. Gratitude to you.” Her face came closer until it filled his view. Her expression suffused with something he could not name. “Mine mate okay with me.”

“Good,” he muttered wondering over the sentiment he heard in her voice.

Tongue flickering, he tried to understand it but got nothing.

He rubbed his check against hers. “Now, we sleep.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Venomous woke with the dawn.

Even trapped in darkness, his body acclimatized to the stirring deep within the planet.

He needed not sun nor moon to track time passing.

A slender arm was tight around his waist, clutching his side with feeble strength.

Another tucked to his side by his lower arm as a small body huddled closer into his heat, and a stumpy leg was flung over his own, toes anchored on the inner knee of his opposite leg.

Lumen’s head lolled on his chest, puffs of breath wheezing from her pouted lips.

He shifted and she snuffled, burrowing deeper, rubbing her cheek on his shoulder like a newborn Zýt seeking warmth.

Without thinking, he touched her silken filaments.

Hair, he thought with a touch of wonder.

Rä took great pride in the shape of their skull.

Females were admired for having a smooth, rounded head whereas males let quills grow from their cranial ridges, as he had, braiding them into intricate cascades pierced with gold, and silver, if you fancied the old-fashioned ore.

Venomous shaved the sides of his head for practical reasons, to keep his sensitive hearing unobstructed and let the rest grow unchecked.

Though she kept it covered by hair, the trait masculine, yet unreasonably suiting her daintiness well, what he felt of his Rä’Na’s skull was perfect.

The texture of her skin was different, but the shape wholly sublime.

She had no cranial ridges, her scalp exquisite in its flawlessness, yet inexplicably, he delighted in the wild coils that covered it in a glorious halo.

It reminded him of the blue-black night at third moon on Rök.

How strange her differences embody my home world.

The heavy mass was soft on his palms, and he longed to thrust his hands in the kinky spirals while his lower appendages roamed the many delights of her lush, rounded figure.

Madness that she can be so unlike me yet so appealing.

He brushed damp strands from her clammy cheek, made an affectionate noise in the back of his throat.

Poor thing.

She was always leaking.

During the sunless hours, salty liquid seeped from her flesh as she slumbered.

It smelt divine, tasted out of all worlds.

His tongue was sore from its constant flickering to lap up drifting stray molecules.

Her cold scent saturated their lair, and made his seed stem throb.

Venomous recalled their whisperings from the night as they lay snuggled in their nest, her head pillowed on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her, legs tangled.

Lumen had come to embrace him willingly, and not because she was chilled, or scared, but because she enjoyed his handling.

He had asked, “What is your world like?”

“Many different peoples. Traditions.” Her eyes were faraway, the striations in the light brown circle flecked with green that darkened with her emotions. “Buildings of stone, wood, and metal. Orange sun and one moon. Trees, flowers, concrete and glass. Much pain yet much beauty.”

“My planet is different. Sweltering under the red sun, but the sand is fine, like powder, and water from underground caves flows everywhere, even on the quartz buildings. Such structures you have to see to believe.”

He slapped at the barren rock in abhorrence, brille sweeping over their musty, tattered blankets, and his mate’s second-hand rags.

She deserved diaphanous softsuits in vibrant colours.

“Nothing so primitive as this,” he finished.

Biting her lip, she’d stroked his cheek. “Sounds nice.”

After learning more of her species, he understood how wrong and startling his actions seemed.

Human mating rituals were much different to Rä.

They only had two genders, and courting for affection occurred before a union not after.

It unsettled him to realise what had been the most important event in his lifecycle was one she would forever look on with terror and loathing.

She had leaked as she spoke of her treatment at the hands of the slave trader and the L’Odo master who purchased her.

She warily confessed meeting him had frightened her out of her wits, and told him she considered clutch to be a violation of her body until she’d understood why he acted as he had.

Saying this she had looked expectant, as if waiting for him to declare something, but he had no words to covey his shock at her perception of the encounter, he was still baffled by it.

Venomous did not understand how the joy they shared could be misinterpreted into an abuse of the body.

He empathized with her frustration at being helpless at the hands of their captors though, and for his part, he swore he’d try to take her feelings into account before acting in future.

As they spoke, she had touched him often, running her fingers over his scales in awe as his anima reacted to her affection.

They grew to care for each other.

His patience and perseverance brought him much in return.

It would be easy to use his strength to bring her to heel, but a broken, vacant-eyed mate who despised him didn’t appeal to Venomous as it did other males.

He wanted his female to enjoy his presence and seek out his company.

He wanted her to care for his opinion, and wish to build a good future for them and their offspring that would weather the hurricanes of life as the rocky mountains resisted the brutal sandstorms that raged across Rök from the Empty Quarter to the Great Abyss.

Rä’Na grew comfortable with their male after aeons, but for one to laugh, joke, enjoy cuddling and agree to present freely was unheard of.

With her gift of trust, Lumen humbled him.

Venomous stroked her hair again and again as his chest tightened. “Waken.”

He lingered, and continued to gently shake and call to her when she refused to leave her dream world.

“Lazy Rä’Na,” he teased as she mumbled and patted his chest in greeting. “Good rising, dearest. Time to work.”

Her eye membrane slid open, the other scrunched shut. “Digging?”

“Yesss.”

“I stay.”

“It is not safe.”

She burrowed deeper into the warm furs that now held a tang of her crisp mentha as well as his spiced scent then hooked a leg around his hip. “Outside no safe.”

“Indeed.” He was glad she understood this. “But you will be with me.”

Venomous started when she sat up to rest her head on his shoulder, leaning into him.

His arms closed around her.

More closeness.

Yesss, she humbles me.

Lumen yawned, jaw popping.

She tilted her head back to look at his face. “Get mine own helmet? Axe?”

Chuckling, he helped her stand. “You will sit by me and rest.”

“L’Odo let slave do nothing?”

“Bring me water. I won’t have you digging. There is enough danger having you down the mine. I will not have you any closer to harm.”

“Wash first?”

“There is no time. You slept over long, my Lumen. Next shift, I shall wake you earlier.”

She grumbled scratching her head and flashed him a smile.

Using the rest of her expression as his guide, Venomous doubted she was gladdened by waking early.

When they got to home world, he would be sure she slept to her single heart’s content.

“You must promise you will not wander when my back is turned,” he said. “Females are rare. Those who would steal you from me would not be kind. They would hide you well. By the time I found you....” He refrained from scaring her further. She’d frozen proving she understood his point. “I may have to fight for you. Do not get involved, I will be the victor.”

“F-fight?”

The tremor in her voice was gratifying.

She cared.

“Do not fear. They will try because they underestimate this Rä’Vek’s devotion to his Rä’Na.” He held her face between his palms. “If there is an explosion while I work stay with me, even if your instinct is to flee. I will get you out.”

Eyes wide, she leaned into him, her hands resting on his lower stomach. “Big boom?”

“Yesss.” He repressed laughter with trembling lips. “Big boom. There are natural gases under the rock. We sometimes hit pockets and chemical reactions cause eruptions.”

She nodded weakly. “Whatever saying, babe, I listen.” She pulled on her scruffy covering and pushed the mass of her hair off her face. “Let’s do this.”

Not seeing what task she needed him to complete, Venomous turned, looking around. “Do what?”

She tittered. “Go work.”

“Thsst!”

He moved the boulder and made sure she stayed within sight as he closed off their lair.

She slipped her hand in his and they made their way through the expanse of moist, thorny jungle into the black mountain and down the chilly tunnels that were thick with murk and treachery.

Lumen tripped on the uneven surfaces, and soon, Venomous ignored her protests that she was fine to walk and carried her.

They joined the sluggish stream of gladiators trudging towards the mine entrance.

The Yoni greeted him in a flurry of fingers.

A surly Strophig leered at the quiet bundle secured in his arms.

L’Odo guards stood on outcroppings of rock, their whips uncoiled, ready at the slightest provocation to lash out and strip flesh from bone.

At the smell of unrefined oil and damp darkness, Venomous tightened his hold on his mate.

He was careful not to bump into another slave as they boarded the subterranean engine that would transport them to the pit.

Venomous climbed into the crammed open top motile that was no more than a metal bucket suspended on a thick cable with a control panel at the rear.

He kept Lumen close to his chest with his upper arms while the lowers gripped the ragged motile edges and lowered them down.

The lack of safety never bothered him before.

Now his hearts drummed a wild beat.

Having witnessed chunks of rock fall from overhead, and crush the skull of a fierce gladiator not a cycle before his mate’s arrival, he now considered it a disgraceful death trap.

He hunkered down in a corner then set Lumen on the cold floor, bracketing her head with his arms, and curving over her to shield her from debris.

His lower limbs he kept free to defend from attack.

If you join the Great Serpent who will care for her?

There is no lesser mate to honour your widow.

Distressed at his maudlin thoughts, he put his back to the others and boxed her in.

He brushed his knuckle against her cheek when her rounded eyes roamed her surroundings in fear, as much for her comfort as his.

Soft and small hands balled into fists then pressed against his chest, her knees pulling up under her chest lumps. “How deep going?”

Venomous considered the fact they’d be delving almost a quarter into the planet’s outer crust. “It will not comfort you.”

She scowled. Rapped a fist against the rusted metal. “Long in this thing?”

“Half-span.”

Her sweet face paled. “Much long?” She scooted closer and plucked at his shoulders with shaking fingers.

Ducking her head, she huddled closer as the motile shot forward then juddered into a downward tilt.

Excavated rock walls rushed past in a shimmering blur, faint green lights zipping past at regular intervals.

A glow from the control panel beat back the darkness.

Sallow light limned his Lumen’s terrified face when it lifted a quarter-span later. “We there yet?”

Wind created by the motile’s high velocity made her words difficult to catch.

He placed his mouth by her fluted ear. “Almost.” His lips brushed her skin, and she shivered.

Cursing his short-sightedness, he wished he’d thought to bring a fur to wrap about her softness.

He should have realised the winds would cool her too much, and swore to himself he’d be more attentive to ensure she did not catch cold, an ailment that sounded as unpleasant to suffer as it was dangerous.

Crowding closer to offer his warmth, he again spoke in her ear. “You are safe, my Lumen. Do not be afraid.”

The motile vibrated and jerked to a stop.

The gladiators climbed out then headed to the tool dump, the simple machine dropping a pickaxe and a sweet water canister when the lever was pulled.

The mine pit itself was a gargantuan cavity Venomous had seen enlarged from a fissure.

There had been a great vein of precious elements and the L’Odo were determined to suck it dry in-between fighting contests.

Slaves chipped away at the walls and the noise echoed in deafening waves.

The haunting groan and metallic screech of mining equipment created a cacophony of sound.

Lumen stared in dismay at the equipment. “That all? Where helmet and goggles? Gloves? Ear defence? You say big boom. For crying aloud one water bottle! Half rotation of manual labour and no food. They take piss out of us?”

Venomous decided it was not a good time to correct her assumption they were only working for half a rotation.

He noticed a L’Odo slaver eyeing her and fingering its whip, so urged his Rä’Na towards his sector. “I will be fine.”

“No right! No treat people this bad way!”

Venomous reached his subdivision and settled her in a vertical crevice.

It was recessed far into the cavity wall, and the shadows offered concealment that worked in their favour.

He did not like to see her upset, so knelt to stroke her stomach and chest lumps in what he hoped was a soothing way as his upper arms gripped her shoulders to keep her seated when she wanted to get up and make more noise.

“Will you bring me sweet water once a span?” he asked not that he needed it, but it was a task to exercise her in safety, and would ensure her adorable inquisitiveness did not lead her astray.

Sighing, she splayed a delicate hand on his knee. “Of course. Me help? Quota must meet?”

There was a quota for each slave, but he would labour for her and keep her safe.

Venomous knew if she discovered he took it upon himself to do her work, she’d take offence, and try to do for herself at the expense of her safety.

Lumen chose to express her independence in the oddest of ways.

“Stay,” he ordered.

He clasped her throat then leaned closer to touch his cheek to hers.

He’d used the gesture of fondness many times without thinking, but it did not feel premature.

It felt very right.

Then his female did something beyond his understanding.

She turned her face and pressed her lips to his.

The soft strips of flesh moulded to his mouth, and the moist caress of her tongue swiped over it, sending his taste receptors into an uproar.

Frozen in place, his body tightened.

A rush of prickly heat arced down his spine and ignited a heavy ache deep in his groin.

Seed sac drawing up tight, his stem twitched and filled.

His hearts quivered in his chest, and grew laden with emotion that made his breath catch.

All four arms flexed and rose to grab her as half formed visions of pinning her down and thrusting inside washed across his hunger glazed brain.

She cupped his cheek with a tenderness that sliced through the sharp bite of lust.

It left him reeling, adrift in sensation unlike any he’d known.

Her fingers stroked his jaw and grazed down the sensitive column of his throat until her palm rested over his pounding hearts.

Another gentle press of their mouths then she retreated.

She smiled as she lowered her eyes, short and dark eye filaments fanning over her rounded cheeks.

She leaned back to prop herself up then met his gaze again. “Me wait.” She shook the canister. “Bring drink soon. Yes?”

“What is going on?” a L’Odo yelled from its perch. Skull crest flattening, it clearly wondered why a slave knelt for so long. “Get to work.”

Staggered, Venomous jerked onto his feet. He pointed. “I will be within sight. Shout if you are approached.”

“Be fine, babe.” Lumen eyed the whip griped in the slaver’s meaty fist. “Go before trouble.”

Shaking off the last of his astonishment, hefting his axe, Venomous dragged a cart from where he stored it last then returned to the section he’d mined during his last shift.

It was hard to believe the last time he’d stood there, he’d been no more than a’Rä forced to serve a species that held a treaty of peace with his world.

He’d been empty, despairing.

Now, he was Rä’Vek, and he had a mate.

A mate that touched her mouth to his.

Keeping half his attention trained on where he’d left his Lumen, and the other on his work, he struck the unforgiving stone until a large enough slab broke off to put in the cart.

The punishing stretch and flex was a welcome reprieve from the fiery tension locked deep in his muscles since his hellish seeding.

Venomous fell into a monotonous routine, and almost cleaved Lumen’s head off when she appeared to thrust sweet water under his nose.

He drank the liquid, but was concerned upon seeing how dry her usually moist lips were.

He handed it back to her. “Now you.”

“I no work up sweat.”

“Sweat?”

“Um, water from skin for cooling.”

“Thsst!” She spoke of her delicious sleep leaking. “Rä do not sweat.”

She tried to pass the canister back. “Take more.”

He plucked it from her grasp then put it to her lips, remembering well their lushness rubbing against his own.

Venomous repressed a shiver and wondered if he could touch his mouth to hers.

Would she welcome him, or were only the female of her species allowed to initiate such contact, as the male of his initiated clutch?

“You need to hydrate, so I will wean you.”

Her lips remained clamped shut.

“I will stand here and miss my quota,” he warned. “They will tie me to a post and lash me.”

She suckled, hands on hips, glaring.

Seeing her presence began to attract unwanted attention, he sent her back to the recess.

He hissed a warning at the grisly Strophig with broken tusks that drooled with rapacious absorption at her departing backside, the same brute that leered at her earlier.

The time passed, and Venomous grew amused at how solicitously his Rä’Na delivered his refreshment, always having to be forced by him to drink.

She insisted he needed it more, and refused to hear him when he explained his body retained water in a far more efficient manner than her own.

If desperate circumstance called for it, he could go moontides without water.

He would be weakened, his warrior skills lacking, but he would survive.

Fifteen-span passed, and Lumen began to look fatigued.

The next time she delivered water, she lingered. “Babe, shift no over?”

“Another rotation and five-span. Then we go above.”

“No understand. Working two rotations no stop?”

“Yesss.”

“No stop?”

“It is tiring, but we manage. Remember there is a rest rotation.”

“V-Venom!” Her voice wobbled. “Me no stay awake. Need sleep. Five-span each rotation.”

Pausing mid swing to stare at her, his lower hand caressed her hip in concern. “So much?”

“Mind break no sleep.”

“It is not safe for you to sleep here, my Lumen.” He set the axe down and turned to her. “I must work. You must stay awake to call to me if someone manages to get close enough to touch you.”

Rubbing her eyes, she hugged his middle and lay her head on his chest. “Me try.”

Aware she again attracted attention, he briefly rubbed a knuckle across her cheekbone then escorted her back to her nook.

He had worried she might find it too trying, but there had been no other option but to bring her.

He couldn’t risk leaving her alone in their lair.

The boulder was heavy enough it would take three of the stronger males to move it, but with the motivation of a female for mounting many would offer themselves for the task, waiting until his shift began and he was unable to reach her.

It would be two rotations before he got her back, and by then who knew if she would be sane.

Another five-span passed, the clunk and chink of metal hitting rock tedious.

He heaved jewel–encrusted rocks, hauled the cart, dumped his cache then returned to his axe to begin again.

A Zozon fell to its death from the dangerous upper levels after its frayed harness gave.

A screeching wail silenced upon its body thudding the ground in a gritty cloud of dust.

The pulverised corpse was dragged away without ceremony.

Venomous knew what would be served in the cooked food next rotation.

A kind of mercy, he supposed.

The Zozon were less warriors and more meat for the gladiators to ruthlessly tear through during contest.

When his mate didn’t react to this commonplace horror, he realised she had not brought him water in the last span.

Venomous spun, the pickaxe dropping unnoticed as his hearts leapt into his throat.

A slimy Opda had its tentacle wrapped around his Lumen’s waist and tugged her across the floor.

She was fast asleep or unconscious.

The canister rolled off her lap, her arms stretched out behind her as she was dragged through the dirt towards the pitch-blackness.

Anger and protectiveness exploded from him in a roar.

Venomous reached the body snatcher in three bounds then lashed out with his claws, severing the thick tentacle.

Gloopy yellow blood splattered the wall.

The Opda squealed, scurrying into the darkness as fast as its squidgy lower limbs could carry its rotund body.

Venomous let it go; he had priorities.

Scooping his Rä’Na from the rocky ground, he rushed back to the crevice and dropped onto his behind.

Frantic, he rubbed her cheek with his. “Waken. Waken.”

Opda secreted poison through their suckers that paralysed their victims.

Is she asleep or did the Opda sting her?

He ripped the severed tentacle from around her waist and saw the needle thin stingers were extended.

Chilled, he pushed her grubby tunic up and ran a palm over her skin, but couldn’t tell if she’d been punctured.

Surely I’d see the sting marks?

Pressure crushed his chest as he realised he needed help.

She needed healing he could not provide.

Hoping against hope, he looked towards the slaver, Snorg, who oversaw his sector.

The L’Odo’s spiky crest lifted then flattened as it pointedly turned its humped back.

Cradling his Lumen to him, Venomous again pressed his cheek to hers.

Great Serpent, spare her.

He rubbed her chest feeling the slow, slight beats of her human heart.

He felt familiar vibrations of a scuttling tread travel through the ground into his body, so the voice that spoke above him did not incite surprise.

“Heard you got yourself a female.” A hard clicking noise followed a heavy footfall. “Break her already did you?”

“She is unconscious from an Opda sting, I think.” Anxious then suspicious, Venomous raised his head to glare at Yofk, a Krael, the sole other creature aside from the Yoni Venomous called friend in this place. “What do you do here? Your shift is over.”

“I have not seen you all cycle. Heard the rumours you defeated the alpha Verak for a female and wanted to see if it was true.” He buzzed a laugh. “I would have spewed to see that arrogant fool bested. Vain beast-coverer.”

Too distraught to pay attention, Venomous brushed Lumen’s hair from her cheek.

At a loss, his tongue flickered, and he tasted nothing amiss.

What if humans do not produce odours that indicate sickness?

Yofk sidled closer. His antennae twitched in curiosity. “Is she dying? Shall I spew in her mouth? My enzymes might help.”

“No,” Venomous barked thinking he’d only subject her to that when all other hope was lost. “She is having a bad reaction or is sleeping off the tranquillizing effect.” He rubbed her chest lumps harder, hoping that would help. “She will waken.”

The Krael knelt, awkwardly folding his lower body segments.

The claspers on the ends of his fingers unfurled and quivered. “May I?

It turned his stomach over to let another male touch his fragile Rä’Na, but Venomous hissed his agreement.

Respectful, Yofk passed the fine appendages over her soft abdomen. “Well, my friend, these are very sensitive.” The claspers curled in to rest on the backs of his fingers. “She got stung, I feel punctures. She is still breathing, and if she were going to die it would have happened by now. She will sleep then wake.”

Venomous slumped in relief. “Thank Zython.” The most pressing emergency solved, he looked at her slack face in dismay. “I must work.” But he wanted to hold her until her membranes fluttered open revealing her gems.

Yofk rubbed his plated chin. “Do not leave the female asleep down here. She will be snatched before you can blink.” He buzzed, knowing the Rä didn’t blink. He inhaled. Trilled a sound of yearning low in his throat. “She smells compatible. I will take her.”

Venomous stilled.

A dark, primal part of him demanded he strike at this new threat.

He stifled the savage impulse. “No.”

“Not a permanent trade. Come for her when your shift ends.” The Krael bravely patted Venomous’ shoulder, its bristled forearm scraping his scales. “My mound is safe. I will feed her.”

Venomous gnashed his fangs, too enraged to speak.

The Krael snorted. “You would kill her then?”

Vibrations in the earth warned another drew near.

Venomous hugged Lumen closer.

The heavy stomp of a slaver rounding the corner of the recess had them jerking onto their feet.

The L’Odo Snorg looked at the severed tentacle, the trail of blood, at Venomous, at Yofk, and then at the unconscious female draped in the Rä’s arms. “I do not know what happened here nor do I care. Get back to work.”

“My mate was stung by an Opda.” Venomous’ glands swelled with enough poison to take the aggressive male down. The preparation of his body was instinctive. The slaver stank of menace. “She is sick.”

“So what?”

“I must take her back to my lair. I will return.”

“No.” There was not an ounce of compassion in Snorg’s gravelly voice. It oozed contempt. “No special treatment. You are lucky you have a female to rut. It is your own fault you did not protect her well.”

Venomous repressed the fury braying for the tinny heat of the male’s blood.

One dead L’Odo would not help his Rä’Na when he was trapped in isolation for tearing one of them apart.

I must use my intelligence, not my strength, to keep her from danger.

He grated, “Surely you can see it is not safe for her here.”

“Dump her on the ground. She will recover or die.” Heartless, cloudy eyes narrowed. “You look fine and that is what matters.”

Snorg cracked his whip.

The metal tip Venomous had seen slice muscle from bone lashed near his mate’s tender flesh.

It made his hearts stutter.

“Get back to your zone.” The L’Odo directed its ire at Yofk. “What are you doing here? I do not know you.”

The Krael’s antennae flattened. “My shift is over.”

“Leave.” Snorg shot a vicious look at Venomous. “Do not make me come over here again.”

The slaver lumbered off to break up a scuffle over a sweet water canister the next section over.

Whistling, Yofk said, “My offer stands.”

Infuriated by his lack of options, Venomous hissed.

“Fortune keep you, friend.”

Venomous grabbed Yofk’s lower arm segment.

Mottled blue chitin was hard and textured, and patches were loose as the Krael prepared to moult for the new season.

Venomous’ gut churned.

He stared agonizingly at Lumen’s face as he struggled to consider her what her eccentric human perspective might have him do.

He swore to always consider her opinion, but what was he to do when she would not wake?

Yofk did not offer to protect her out of the goodness of his chest valves.

The male was an ally but had needs.

Krael were a species that revered their egg layers, hundreds of males seeing to the wellbeing of a dominant female.

Yofk missed the feeling of unity that came with belonging to a hive.

His had been destroyed in a raid for the rare and much coveted nectar his kind regurgitated to feed their larvae.

It was nourishing to many species, a small bottle replenishing the strength and vigour of a male as large as Venomous for an entire solar, fighting infection and curing internal ails.

As an accidental survivor, Yofk had been taken as slave labour rather than put down with the rest of his hive, his spew harvested by the L’Odo once a cycle.

No, the Krael would not harm Lumen, but Venomous did not like him touching her.

The horrid thought of Yofk coaxing her into accepting his penile cluster into her body....

Venomous shuddered inside.

She was his, yet his options were limited.

He could leave her in the crevice until she woke, but the chance of her being molested as he took the cart to the drop off zone was high, and he had to meet their digging quota.

Failure meant the bladed lash, and she would not survive the brutal flogging.

Now aware of her, the L’Odo Snorg would not let her stay without working, especially if her presence continued to cause a disturbance.

The mental image of his delicate human waking in a strange environment with a lusty male set his fangs dripping.

His hearts pumped to prepare him for battle, but the struggle was internal.

The hands not caressing his mate clenched and unclenched in impotent rage.

Yofk was not the enemy, merely an opportunist, as most became when surviving.

Keeping her was a deadly risk.

Giving her away was temporary, and ensured her safety with the only other male strong enough to protect her in his absence.

Perhaps this was the Great Serpent’s way to provide a male to protect his widow should his life force depart this world.

It sickened him, this was not how a lesser mating was done, but nothing came without cost.

I should not be emotional over a Rä’Na after two rotations.

It should not be hard to share her body when the act of clutch is a small part of the life bond, but I cannot help what I feel.

Words tore from him in a pained rasp. “You will not hurt her.”

“I vow it. I will take no more than she gives.” It was a concession most would not offer. Yofk held out his thorny fingers. “Give her to me.”

Venomous’ jaw clenched as his back teeth ground together. “Kilboh traded with me to cut you.”

The Krael laughed. “After. I need my strength to protect her.” His segmented arms came closer. “Give.”

Venomous hugged Lumen to his chest and rubbed his brow to hers.

She smelt of him, spiced, but that would change.

Yofk would scent mark her.

Venomous’ guts pitched and he repressed a snarl.

She would be distraught and annoyed with him.

Lumen disliked not having her views heard.

She was so proud.

“You will forgive me,” he murmured. “I think you will know what is in my hearts.”

He imitated her intimate act as best he could and pressed his mouth to hers.

It made him feel so close to her.

Another male would not give her up.

He would fight and let her die if needs be to maintain his honour, but I cannot do that.

Hearts sinking, he passed her over and watched as the Krael took his mate to protect when he’d failed to.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Who the holy fuck are you, and where is Venom?” I held a hairy branch like a rounder’s bat to keep the alien at bay.

I’d woken in a hovel I didn’t recognise with the insect thing looming over me.

Bulging eyes, wet pincers at its mouth, swampy scent, and its sodden breath blowing over me.

I didn’t want to be a discriminatory bitch, or anything, but what the fuck was he?

Although I felt as if I’d gotten a grip on the whacked out shit I’d encountered since my abduction, I wasn’t handling the shock of the unidentified creature to my system well at all.

Tears pricked my eyes as they showed too much white and rolled seeking escape from the strange den.

Venomous had been right; I’d fallen asleep then gotten snatched.

Did he search for me even now?

Could he?

Would they let him leave the pit to find me?

A worse, near impossible thought occurred.

Did this fiend kill my alien?

Sonofabitch.

“I am Yofk. Venomous One toils. He will retrieve you at the end of this rotation when his shift ends.”

That sounded like welcome news yet I remained wary.

I lowered my weapon a fraction.

Our translators seemed to communicate well with our respective languages.

He didn’t sound as stilted as Venomous, and there were no annoying blank spaces where words or phrases should be.

“He knows where I am?” I asked still suspicious, and justifiably in my opinion.

“We traded for your protection. You are safe with me in my mound.”

“Oh. Thank goodness.” The air left me in a giggly rush. “I worried there for a second.”

“Be comfortable.” He pointed to a pile of decomposing leaves. “Touch me before you present. The Rä warrior is protective of you, and it would not do to harm you. Touch helps prepare females for males.”

Able to stop channelling my inner badass and take stock of my body, my arms and legs felt tingly.

My stomach ached, and my mind was foggy as if I’d taken drugs.

As I watched Yofk lower to his leafy, moss speckled pallet these symptoms faded into the background.

Something uglier took their place and sick crawled up my throat.

Seeing how he studied me, his expectant gaze lingering at my breasts and groin, I experienced a hideous foreboding.

“What,” pained swallow, “did Venom trade for my protection?”

Yofk’s antennae lifted straight up into rigid points. “You will copulate with me. The Rä do not have hundreds of hive males like my species.” He made it sound as if that was foolish. “They have one lesser mate to watch their females. There are no other Rä here, so I offered.”

Reeling, I tried to think through the insinuation, no, declaration, that Venomous, the alien I’d begun to think of as my man traded me out for sex.

Something he said he’d never do.

He never said never.

My gut clenched and my heart pounded.

I’m an utter fool.

I’d trusted him, accepted belonging to him wasn’t as bad as I’d feared it’d be, and he’d turned around and betrayed me.

“I–I thought mating meant something different.” I grasped for an excuse. Maybe I’d misunderstood what a mate meant? “I thought it meant I’m for Venom alone.”

“You are.” Yofk sounded confused. “You are his mate. He told me so. You made him male.”

Muddled and frightened, I shook my head, my fingers hurting.

Why did my fingers hurt?

I looked down and felt surprise at seeing them digging into the branch.

I brandished my makeshift weapon again, shaking it like I knew how to use it. “You’re not making any sense.”

Yofk muttered, “No wonder he worried about giving you over.” He peered at me with curiosity. “Venomous One gave you to me so he could finish his shift. You were stung by an Opda that tried to steal you away.”

I jerked. “What?” I remembered nothing of this little tale.

Is that why my muscles twitched and I felt so spacey?

“I suspect you fell asleep, and it took advantage of his distraction when the Zozon died.” Pincers bracketing his mouth clicked. “It is what I would do. Your mate did not want to give you up. It was best. The L’Odo would not let him return you to his lair. Not that that would have kept you safe long.” Yofk sounded pleased. “I expect this will be a longstanding arrangement.”

My mouth dropped open with a soft pop. “He had no right to offer me for sex without my consent. None whatsoever.”

Twitching antenna drooped. “You will not honour the trade?”

“No, I bloody well shan’t. He had no right. None.”

Awkwardly gaining his feet, Yofk itched his trunk segment. “But female, Venomous One will be distraught if I set you outside to be harmed.”

“I’ll wait here.” I glanced around. Dark, dank, but enclosed and safe. “They haven’t bothered me yet. I’ll just wait patiently until he comes for me.”

Yofk again clicked the hard appendages at his mouth. “You expect protection for nothing in return. Why? You are not my female. I have not offered my mound to you free of trade.”

My eyes rounded. “You won’t let me wait here?”

“Do people give things of value away for free on your planet?”

I opened my mouth to confirm that yes people most certainly did, but then stopped.

That would be an outright lie.

Even if I dismissed my own low opinion of fibbers, and lied my ass off, what if the alien detected the untruth by scent, or some other sensitive sense?

It wouldn’t respect me if it thought me untrustworthy.

I choked out a few nonsense syllables before quieting.

Standing outside the safety of this burrow would be astoundingly unwise.

I looked away from the alien, afraid he’d glimpse my terror. “There must be some other way....”

“You want to open a trade exchange for protection?” asked Yofk in an odd tone.

He placed his scraggy arms one on top of the other in a dominant gesture reminiscent of arm crossing.

“Yes!” I jumped at the offer. “Let’s trade. Agreements made about my body should be made by me and me alone.” I lifted my chin. Temporary or not, Venomous trading me for sex was wrong. It disgusted me beings who were slaves themselves would stoop so low. “I am not a thing to be passed around.”

“Fine.” Yofk opened his long, thin arms and proffered his seven-fingered hand. “What do you offer?”

I blinked.

Trade; an exchange of valuables.

The only thing I had was my tunic, but if I used that I’d be down to panties again.

Then I remembered Venomous’ deal with Kilboh to hurt this alien.

What would happen if I traded with that, persuaded Venomous not to hurt Yofk in exchange for protection?

Kilboh will be pissed if Venom reneges.

A refund to that alien meant I’d have to give back the tunic, so once again, I ended up disadvantaged.

Why am I always the one to suffer?

I didn’t want to be the whiner that made everything about them, but fate had it out for me big time, and must have put a bounty on my head misfortune and serendipity were hell bound to collect.

Part of me wanted to say fuck Venom, and let him deal with the fallout, but my practical side knew even though he’d made a serious judgement error, Venomous was my best shot at surviving.

He wouldn’t have made the choice to trade me lightly.

Was it stupid to defend him?

Surely I should at least give the male himself a chance to explain before I went off all half cocked and stopped trusting him.

“Well, Human?” Yofk’s warbling drawl filled with pity. “What have you to trade?”

It was humiliating how he eyed me as if I were pathetic.

“Can’t I owe you a favour?”

“What good does that do me here? You might die tomorrow. What returns would my expenditure afford me then? Each span you are here I risk my life.” Bulbous eyes blinked. He buzzed high in his chest segment. “You have nothing but the cloth on your back and your body. I do not need coverings. I need the clasp of a female.”

I shrivelled inside.

Out of options, I resorted to begging and met his gaze, bottom lip trembling. “Please don’t ask this of me.”

“Why? It is an arrangement as old as time.”

“I’m mated to Venom,” I hedged.

“You are loyal. Commendable, but you forget who gave you to me. This is not infidelity. It is a concession to your circumstance.”

“We’re not compatible,” I blustered. “You have no penis.”

Nothing dangled between his legs.

Yofk made a sound of relief as a cluster of fleshy, moist rods appeared from behind a soft flap at his lowest segment to thrust at the air.

Squalling, I plastered myself to the wall, dropping the branch in my haste then too scared to bend over and pick it up.

“You have a vent.” Yofk stared at my groin as if he could see the space between my legs through the tunic. Who knew, maybe he could. “This will work.”

“I’m not having sex with you,” I snapped my fear deteriorating into fury. “I’m not attracted to you. Even if I was, I already said, I’m mated and will not sleep with another alien for safety that should be offered out of common fucking courtesy. Been there, done that.”

“I don’t want to sleep.” His stiff, beetling brow pulled lower. “I want to enter you.” He inhaled. Downy appendages on his hands uncoiled. “You are in heat, but there is nothing I can do about that. I would think Venomous One has planted his seed, but if I breed you, it only ensures my protection for life.”

Horrified didn’t begin to describe my thoughts on birthing a child in this hellhole.

I got that’s what Venomous assumed would happen, but I clung to the feeble hope we were too different to conceive.

I pressed closer to the wall, sticky with a sour, whitish secretion I didn’t look too close at. It stank. “I won’t do it. Don’t come near me. I’ll scream.”

He screeched laughter. “Go ahead. Waste your breath.” He studied me. “Some females are difficult. I will touch you until you need release. My female considered me skilful until they killed her. I was a great favourite of hers.” Yofk lowered himself to his knees. “Come.”

I lunged for a dark hole that just had to be the exit.

“Have you seen the Vudwani? She was not always Grol’s property.”

A flash of memory; the leashed female pinned between two rutting males.

I slammed to a stop.

Satisfied he had my attention, Yofk carried on. “She ran from her protector too. She once belonged to the Verak Venomous One bested.” Buzzing in a sigh of irritation, Yofk inelegantly rose and strode to a rocky slab that jutted from the wall, his waist high. The spotted shell of his back to me, he chopped something I couldn’t see. It smelt herby. “By the time the Verak tracked her to the inner tunnels where she fled, she had been taken by three males.” He paused then added matter-of-factly, “He didn’t want her after that. Verak are territorial and possessive of their harems. They do not share. Once a concubine is soiled they cast them aside.”

“Venom,” I whispered, “isn’t Verak.”

“It is much the same with his species. They set their damaged females aside,” he explained and continued to hack up food.

My stomach rumbled.

“So now the Vudwani services the males in this place,” he continued. “Lines and lines of males per rotation. They would eagerly welcome a new female.”

A high keen strangled from my throat. “Right.” I dragged in a ragged breath. “So it’s better to only whore for you and him?”

“Venomous One is your mate,” he reproached. “He did not agree to this without personal cost. It damaged his honour to give you to another. He did so to spare you worse.” Yofk plated a portion of the raw food on a leaf then placed it near the mound of dry leaves that made up his bed. A lure. “On his planet, he would be considered weak for sacrificing honour to spare your life.”

Anger tore through me in a jagged spike. “Spare me?”

“If you stayed in the pit bad things would happen. Understand the outcome for you would have been the same no matter what he did. Venomous One would have fought to protect you from the next male that tried to grab you. He would have been subdued by the L’Odo, and you would be ravaged by any who could get hold of you. They would not be patient. They would fill any orifice yielding enough to take them. Brutally. Without care of killing you.”

“The guards would have stopped them.” I wrapped my arms around my middle. How sad imagining the best was my only comfort. “They want them to work.”

“The frenzy that would begin when word spread the warrior Rä’s female was unprotected would have been fierce. You are more attractive to them because you are his. All want the female of a strong male. They would wonder what you had that was special enough to ensnare such a male as he.” Yofk sent me a gloomy look. His antennae wiggled. “No, small one, the L’Odo would not save you. They would let the slaves take their fill until you expired.” He paused. “Do you believe your dead are sacred? Some species do. Many here do not. They would mount your corpse, or simply touch your sex to gather your pheromones and expend over you. Venomous One would rampage, but they would subdue him. In the end, you would be a sad memory. Maybe even a source of sorrow to him as the solars wore on.” Yofk sighed. “The next rotation the desperately hungry would eat small one stew. That is if your meat was not carried off to be eaten raw by the more savage creatures.”

“Stop.” Broken, I fisted my hands in the fabric of my tunic. “I’m well aware the only thing standing in the way of those monsters is Venom.”

“Is that all you see him as? A shield?”

I shrugged, lifeless.

“Then why deny me? I am the second strongest slave. Only the Verak and Yoni come close. I can protect you as well as Venomous One can. Why may I not exchange protection for mating when the Rä can? What did he say or do to garner your approval?”

“He didn’t–” My mouth clicked shut.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

“Ah, he did not ask did he?” Yofk’s stare became piercing. “He took.”

Shaking, I glared and stood my ground.

If he jumped me what could I do?

When Venomous had done so there was no escape, and I doubted the outcome with this alien would differ.

This time I have a voice.

Yofk understood me.

Would Venom have stopped if he’d understood me?

“Hate you forever,” I mumbled.

“You have a high opinion of yourself to assume I care what you think.” He rubbed his chest, eyeing me with amusement. “Your planet must be a proud place.” His hand dropped to his side and his fingers clenched. Amusement faded, replaced with anger. “That male would die for you because you are his, yet you speak of him with scorn. You are naïve. Set aside this past life and expectations. Realise how lucky you are.”

I stumbled on the spot. “Lucky?”

“You were abducted from your home by a superior species that might mean to enslave your people. You were bought by a violent slaver species then thrown into an arena with sex-starved gladiators that have not known softness for solars, only to rouse the interest of the strongest. You see how the Vudwani is used, still, you show no gratitude. The Rä sacrificed his personal honour to ensure the flame of your life burns bright, and you piss on his offering thinking yourself above the natural order.”

Oh, no, he bloody well didn’t.

“Being forced to fuck anything that moves is not the natural order of things.” Incredulous, I jabbed my forefinger at the floor, steaming mad. “Fuck you and fuck your fucked up world.” All but hopping now, my head shook with the force of my words. “I didn’t ask for this.” My pitch climbed. “I don’t deserve this shit. I’m doing the best I can. You’re judging me for trying to maintain a modicum of pride, so I don’t lose all will to live.”

“I hear nothing but whining, female. It is not attractive.” He looked me up and down. “You ask to trade? Well, what can you offer? What skill of the mind? What strength of the body?”

The callous words knocked into me like blows from his thorny fists.

“You are weak. You should be on your knees begging to receive me.”

Breathing hard, I backed up and twisted my face away. “I’m physically weaker than you, so what? If I were male you wouldn’t expect me to do this or back down.”

An amused whirr contracted the segments of his long neck. “You are not male, and if you were, I would break you for entering my territory.”

“It’s not okay for people to assume I lack a sense of worth, and can be used and abused because I don’t have a dick. I won’t accept it. I won’t make it easy for you people to act heartless, to act like my choice doesn’t matter.” I thumped my chest. “I matter. My feelings are not irrelevant.”

“Feelings? I want to stick it in.”

Words spoken to me by another alien echoed in my brain.

‘You were made a battle prize by the L’Odo.’

Was my resistance to bartering my body impractical when I was considered a prize by, hands down, the scariest male in the place?

‘You are mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed, and mine to cover.’

A striking realisation tore through my fear of the mauling I believed imminent.

As much as he talked the talk, Yofk hadn’t touched me.

“You want what this female refuses to offer?”

“I do.”

“Then take it by force like the monster you choose to be. I won’t let you scare me into spreading my legs, just so your conscience lets you sleep at night.”

Yofk recoiled.

Damn straight, I called him on it, and I was right to.

He didn’t want to force me, wouldn’t, or Venomous had warned him not to, and he tried to bully me into offering myself.

‘Sickly, weak, pathetic, worthless creature.’

The L’Odo were wrong.

Yofk was wrong.

I might not be the strongest creature on the planet, but that did not make me weak.

True strength came from making sacrifices and beating the odds to survive.

It didn’t come as a happenstance of birth.

Bulging eyes frosted over. “I no longer desire the clasp of your hole, female. Ungratefulness is ugly.” He retreated. “You turn my stomach.”

Spine straightening, I crossed my arms over my breasts. “Right back at you.”

He spat phlegm at my feet, but he let me stay.

And he laid not one feeler on me.

CHAPTER NINE

Batting aside a vine, Venomous stooped and thumped a fist against the hard earth above the tunnel leading into Yofk’s mound.

He wanted to tear the crude structure to pieces and rage at the male within.

That would be dishonourable.

Venomous swore, if the Krael had hurt her, he’d break his chitin in half.

He wondered if she’d bared her back, and gazed at the male in the same soft way she did when he pleased her with the gift of cloth.

No trace of her pheromones hung in the misty air, did that mean her body did not dampen for Yofk?

Bizarre as he found the notion, he wanted her to react that way to his body alone, yet surely to be otherwise would mean it was painful for her?

Would she understand this was the best he could do in the place of a trusted clan male as her lesser mate?

A globular head popped from the hole, and furious, bulging eyes met his. “At last. Take her before I do something I regret.”

Anger surged within Venomous’ blood, and burned his insides.

He had no reason to strike the Krael for taking what he’d been owed.

And yet....

“I owe Kilboh,” he rumbled waving the male forward.

“Not now.” Yofk clicked a series of ear-splitting trills. “You do not want to fight me. I am enraged.”

Lumen pushed past the male then climbed from the tunnel looking flustered.

She spun once she’d cleared the threshold and they locked gazes.

Her lips thinned to a bloodless slash. “Gratitude.”

Snorting, Yofk dismissed her brusque parting and shot Venomous a look of sympathy. “I do not envy you. Bring her to me if you need someone to watch her. Another would tear her limb from limb.”

Lumen said nothing in retaliation, only watched as the Krael disappeared into the dark recesses of his mound.

She stared at her grubby feet as they squirmed, and dug furrows into the soil.

Venomous tasted the air, but could not gather the potent musk she emanated during clutch.

To his shame, his hearts lifted.

Yofk could not coax her into mating.

Then why did she avoid his eye as if disgraced?

Disquieted she thought he would reject her, he reached for her. “My Rä’Na–”

Flinching, she shied away. “Cold. Go back Venom’s lair now?”

Why does she put emphasis on my possession of the space? “It is our lair.”

“Whatever you saying.” She peered into the dark spaces of the jungle then shivered. “No safe. Us go?”

The journey back to the lair was fraught with quiet.

She would not let him help her, and struggled over the craggy, mountainous terrain, often falling to her knees, or bashing her legs until he saw bruises staining her flesh.

Venomous became convinced the Krael had harmed her.

Once he got the ragged covering off, he’d inspect each speck of her flesh for damage then take reparation out of the male’s hide.

When she slipped on a steep incline, and fell flat onto her front, he rushed to help her stand.

She shoved at him. “Let go.”

“I will carry you. There are no healers here. If you harm yourself–”

“Fine.” She folded her arms and hid her face. “Do whatever. Me no stop. Me no have choice!”

The bitter tang of anger misted the air.

“My care upsets you?”

Air rushed past the plush strips of her mouth, gem eyes dull when they met his. “Me tired. Please go?”

Later, inside the safety of the lair, she wriggled from his arms and headed for the nest.

She sat then stared at him with a stony expression.

Venomous did not like the weight of her scrutiny, it felt as if she judged him and found him lacking.

He surmised, “You are angry.”

“Yes,” she snipped.

His tongue tasted the air.

The jumble of scents confused him, and made him restless. “You are unhappy I sent you with Yofk.”

“Unhappy?” She glared. “Me swear, if you no so damn scary.” Her slender fingers curled in the air to shake in a fist. “Know what like waking to strange place with alien demand sex? Again.” Her voice was loud by the time she finished. Her eyes glittered, and her cheeks flushed. “Well?”

“What would you have had me do?” He closed the space between them then crouched. “You were unable to stay awake. I could not protect you in the pit. Yofk offered, and I accepted. He is the best lesser mate I will find you in this place.”

The angry glare remained in full force. “Lesser mate?”

“On Rök, a female takes a lesser mate. If her primary mate dies, she has a protector.” He tilted his chin to his chest. “That is not your way on Earth? Many cultures have this practice to safeguard their widows, my Lumen.”

“Culture....” Her eyes rounded. It reduced the effect of her angry stare. She swallowed. “You die and Yofk be mine mate?”

“Yesss.”

“No mean take mine body now!” She flung out an arm, expression murderous. “No like Yofk!”

“A lesser male need only join with you each time his scent fades, and your body no longer recognises his claim.”

“No!” She flashed her palm. “Human no like Rä. No choose mate by scent. Male who no Venom taking sex is–!” A stream of words he didn’t understand came out garbled through the translator. “No be with Yofk! No ever!”

She ranted on, but he had to interrupt her. “These important words do not–”

“Argh!” She clutched hanks of her hair. “Try remember different customs. Hard when no talk right.”

“Indeed,” Venomous gestured between them, “but I am here for you. Ask what you will of me.”

“Sweet again.” She gazed at him helplessly then let go of her hair. Her hands slapped her thighs. “Try understanding my view. What call when male force female who no Rä’Na?”

It took many moments for what she implied to sink in, and take root in his mind.

The idea was so startling, Venomous plopped onto his backside. “No. No. This is not done. There is no forcing.”

“Venom, please. Rä have male and female. Must be history where male use force.” Her lips thinned. “Forced me.”

He dipped his head in a downward jerk, a strong denial of her claim. “It is not possible. When our mate calls forth our stem, we align to her, and this locks our reproductive cycle to hers. It will not firm for a female we are not mated to. Only as a lesser mate, or widowed can a Rä take another.”

Lumen rubbed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger. “Lesser mates? How stem go hard if a’Rä? Me think a’Rä no gender.”

“Only Rä’Vek are granted the honour of a widow’s protection.”

Stilling its circular motion, she pressed the flat of her hand to her brow. Her voice was odd. “You be lesser mate?”

“It is a likelihood.” Even after mating an offworlder many would seek his strength to protect what they cherished.

“Right,” she whispered. “No like this thing.”

“There are no other Rä here,” he pointed out feeling as if she needed reassurance, but unsure of what words would ease the rigidity of her body.

“Asked you do?”

Venomous sensed his answer was important.

He also sensed the right answer was one that would displease her. “It is an honour. A tradition I am obligated to accept if it comes from a male I respect.”

Averting her gaze, she trembled as she pushed the hand that rested on her brow into her hair again. “Okay. Talk on that other time. What happen when Rä’Na die and leave behind Rä’Vek?”

“Not a thing. His urges fall dormant unless his scent brings another a’Rä into maturity.”

“Trade lesser mate place so Yofk keep me safe when work?”

“Yesss. I would have explained.” He inched his clawed hand closer to her leg. “You were recovering from the Opda sting.” He hesitated before touching her ankle. When she didn’t shake him off, he eased closer to rub her cheek with his knuckle. “I did not mean to frighten you. I had no choice.” He took a long breath, hoping she would not think him weak for his next confession. His voice was as tight as his chest when he spoke. “I did not want to give you to him. It pained me.”

The scent of her resentment dissipated.

“So mad at you. Understanding now.” She huffed a laugh. “No think Yofk happy with trade.”

Venomous struggled not to snarl.

He did not care if the male was fulfilled, he should have been honoured to touch her soft flesh. “I scented his arousal, but not yours.”

“Apology.” She held his claw with her hand, and moved her cheek against it. “Me understanding lesser mate part of Rä world, but no mine. I no do.” She chewed the side of her mouth as if fearful of his reaction. “Clutch for He, Venomous One only. Fight other male. Understanding?”

Knowing her vibrant emotions, part of him did understand.

He felt protective and possessive of her in all ways.

The shame he’d felt during his internal debate to hand her over no longer mattered.

They had much the same thinking about whom her body belonged to, but the practicality of having a lesser mate remained.

Never would he encourage a deprivation of her basic rights.

“When we return to Rök, one must be chosen for you, my Lumen.”

“No!”

Aggravated, his brow scales bunched.

A battle for another time then.

“Yofk has agreed to watch you without payment, though I believe he will try to coax you still.”

She snorted.

He fought a grin, his human found his sharp teeth disturbing.

“I will not insist you accept him,” he decided, “but upon return to home world you must take a lesser mate.”

“And I say– Wait.” She gripped his arm, gaze sharpening. “Return Rök?” Excitement coloured her tone. “Us escape?”

“Thsst! I told you that is impossible.”

Her elation died, hold relaxing. “How get there?”

Venomous rose then went to the stone slab seeking the thing he’d traded his hardsuit for.

The item he’d traded treasured gold for.

He picked up the communication unit he’d worked on for twelve solars then handed it to her.

Up until she’d come into his life, he’d felt a vague need to return home, but now it was the most pressing thing on his mind.

He could not keep her safe until an opportune time as he had hoped.

Eventually, the other gladiators would find a way to stow their differences, and attack as one to take her.

They had to leave.

As she cradled it with wide eyes, Venomous ran his thumb over the activation pane registering his print for access.

The device lit up and pulsed.

Dark red light splashed across their engrossed expressions.

Venomous watched it with a deep sense of satisfaction.

Building it had been trying.

He was not a Scholar practised in mechanics, but he’d remembered enough to hobble something together from the cluttered heaps.

“We cannot escape, my Lumen, but we can be rescued.”

She gazed at him as if he’d forged the three moons. “How quick come?”

Turning his attention from the communicator unit to her eager face, he realised she didn’t comprehend how the technology functioned.

He had to manage her expectations, perhaps disappointing her.

Sighing a hiss, he pulled her from the nest onto his lap. “It could be cycles. I calibrated the transmitter to a frequency often used by our communications axis, so we have a good chance of being discovered.” He paused. “Rök is a closed world. We do not promote our existence, nor do we welcome offworlder settlers. There are only Rä on home world, and Sylphs, a species contented to serve. We shun visitors. Our galaxy is a busy place, but we live outside the normal political manoeuvrings.”

“No see how matter? Send message, they hear.”

“No. The only communicator shell I could salvage was not compatible with the Rä signalling system. It is a wave formed in a specific pattern that repeats our location.”

At her confused look, he simplified, so the translators would work.

He could see some of what he said was not getting through, and she guessed as best she were able.

“A beacon that will guide one who searches,” he made clear.

“Have machine to tell friend calls home?”

“Only if they look, and we do not scan for deep space transmissions often. As I said, we do not concern ourselves with offworlders.”

She frowned then rubbed his shoulders. “How L’Odo catch?”

“Dei San pirates captured me on Zoi Quay. As a warrior for the Northern province, it was my turn to visit a trade planet for supplies with warriors chosen from the other territories.” He slumped. “They caught me unawares. The tourist quadrangle is chaotic. So many scents and vibrations surrounded me, I could not differentiate a threat from a mere passerby. I was unaccustomed to the big crowds and loud noises. It is the seat of the Intergalactic Alliance. A Council is always in session to hear petitions, so many alien species visit there for that. Or to trade flesh.” He sounded pissed. “My kindred warned me not to think myself invincible. I was a gifted a’Rä, and grew arrogant. I travelled from my group to explore the marketplace, its strange architecture. Zoi Quay is overwhelming, and I was an easy target.”

“People looking for you?”

“No. In the event of an emergency, such as one of us going missing, it is protocol to return to home world. This is what they would have done. The Senate would have convened, and a vote cast as to whether a search for me would be successful.” He brooded over it, but the indignation passed quickly. He no longer felt bitter or forgotten. “Many slaves are bought and sold on Zoi Quay. It was my own fault I was lost.”

She accepted this with a sympathetic look. She studied his face. “Tired?”

“It will be good to rest. Are you hungry?”

“Yofk feed.” Her lips quirked at some memory. “Am worry for you. Two rotation no rest.” She rolled out of his arms, dragged her tunic off then burrowed under the furs. “Come.”

He greedily took in her nudity.

Two palms rubbed his thighs as the other two reached for her. “You invite me?”

Eyes laughing, she shook her head then went to grab hold of his hand. She hesitated. “No claws?” He retracted them, and she tugged on his hand to draw him down. She pillowed his head on her chest lumps then massaged his throat scales. “Relax.” Her voice infused with dry amusement. “Protect you.”

Laughter vibrated his chest as he settled his weight between her legs.

He liked her funniness.

Unsure of how far his welcome extended, he wrapped his arms around her then waited for rejection.

He allowed his mind to quieten when she did not protest the intimacy. “You are appeased then?”

Frowning, she made a noise indicating she didn’t understand.

“Yofk,” he clarified.

She tensed. Her touch moved to his face. “No have choice?”

“No.”

“Well then.” She stroked his quills. Gold beads tinkled. “Put trust in you. You do things I no understand, well, I must manage.”

“It is not my intention to displease you.”

She hummed. “You seem care. Hard stay mad when you want make happy and keep safe.”

“You are priceless to me.”

“Gratitude.” She quieted, thoughtful. “Am excited by rescue.”

“I understand this.”

“Maybe.... Um, maybe Rä come, go Earth?”

Venomous’ hearts stopped.

A savage sound vibrated in his chest before he controlled himself. “Do you want to go back?”

She seemed startled then uncomfortable. “Why no want go home?”

“Answer my question. Then I shall answer yours.”

“Am obligation,” she announced. “Venom no want human.”

“Untrue.”

“Think me pretty?”

“You attract me,” he confirmed grimacing at where her thoughts headed.

“How clear,” she muttered.

A short, uneasy silence.

Her caress fell away. “You no pick me if had choice. Biology force you.”

“What you speak of is the way. Grandfather chooses his warriors’ Rä’Na.” He paused. “This choice pleases me.”

“Here we alien. On Rök, I alien.”

Venomous found it gratifying she believed their return to home world was definite, and not an uncertain hope.

“You are my Rä’Na,” he said wishing to soothe her. “That is all that will matter to them, and all that matters to me.”

“Rä no care me human?”

Venomous would not lie, nor would he invite problems to their nest with premature fretting. “I mated a who not a what.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Rä experiment?”

“If our positions were reversed, would your people do such bad to me?”

“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. “For knowledge.”

“Then do not judge my species by the standard of yours. This Rä’Vek will never let such evil touch his Rä’Na.”

When she spoke her voice was small. “Take me from you. Do horrible things like L’Odo.”

“It will not happen.”

“You say mate offworlder no happen much.”

“It is not done,” he corrected as she wouldn’t be one of a few offworlder mates.

She would be the only one.

“Am try be wise,” she said chin lifting. “Am try–”

“And succeeding in convincing yourself of fears you needn’t have. I am with you. You will be safe on our home world. You know I will protect you.”

Head bobbing, her hands returned to his body, stroked the flesh between his shoulder blades. “Okay, babe.”

The trust implied by her tone and sudden acceptance had him frozen.

He’d come to expect far more resistance from her when she grew upset about a thing she believed she could change, or influence by being stubborn.

She’d conceded only after he assured her that he was hers, and would keep her safe.

The lure of strong kindred did not pacify her, only his promise.

It was strangely compelling, endearing.

Holding him tighter, his mate snuggled deeper into their nest, and caressed his head, breathing in his scent, and taking comfort in his warmth.

The last thing he saw before succumbing to sleep was the communicator blinking.

***

Venomous’ Rä’Na woke to dry lips nuzzling under her chin.

His tongue flickered over her skin tasting the delicious, heady scents she secreted, the finest he’d known.

She giggled, scrunching her snub nose then snuffling like a hatchling.

Venomous’ mouth twitched into a closed smile then he stood, and stretched. “Good rising, my Lumen.”

Warm in their nest, she watched him with slumberous eyes.

She pushed onto her elbows. Yawned. “Why up? Rest rotation?”

“We shall wash then gather food.” He helped her stand then shimmied her ratty tunic over her head. “Remember to–”

“Me know, me know.” The material pulled free, and the black-blue spirals of her hair swirled around her face and rounded shoulders. “Stay near all times.”

“Always, always.” He touched his knuckle to her jaw. “You feel refreshed?”

“Much.” She leaned into his body and rubbed his sides. “Sleep healer.”

Her caress lengthened and turned rougher.

“Venom,” she breathed clutching his hips.

He dithered, but finally placed his lower hands on the small of her back. “My Lumen?”

“Touch.”

“I am.”

Gnawing the inside of her cheek, she lowered her gaze. “Like me?”

He narrowed his brille, wondering if she asked a trick question.

There were times he read her so well.

Others....

He thought he understood her signals, but while his instincts insisted one thing years of training advised another.

“Yesss.”

She brushed her lips over his jaw.

Taking his hand, she guided him lower on her supple body.

Lower still when he hesitated on the gentle curve of her stomach, so unlike the ridges of muscle on a Rä female.

“Touch,” she repeated then leaned up on her toes to touch mouths.

He remained unmoving as she used her teeth to tug on his bottom lip.

Smiling eyes met his. “Kiss back?”

Kiss, a wonderful thing she did he treasured.

Making a funny sound in his throat, he slanted his mouth over hers.

It was good, so he applied pressure, as she had, and he found this, too, was good.

Exploratory, his tongue flickered over the seams of her parted mouth then withdrew as he opened all his senses to make certain she enjoyed his play.

She licked at the threshold of his mouth then hummed in pleasure at his taste.

Pushing her tongue deeper, she licked at his fangs.

The play was no longer playful.

Play took on a blatant, erotic slant when flickers of the rocking, thrusting movement his Rä’Na preferred flashed in his mind’s eye.

His body heated, and his thoughts veered to clutch.

Why the kiss made him think of it, he did not know, and the desire to grope, squeeze, and cover her became urgent.

The intensity unsettled him.

Venomous broke away, panting.

His upper hands wrapped around her arms to keep her steady, lower at her waist. “You invite me.”

“Soul search after talk. Fears aside, me wonder if be silly about this.” She waved a hand between their embrace then splayed her dainty fingers on his abdomen. “No know how many times wishing for someone for sharing life. Never finding on Earth. Now, I no fear. Am looking at, well, us, with new eyes. You strong, kind, and,” bloody colour sent waves of heat from her face into the air, “handsome. Looking after me. Treating with respect. You listen.” Her teeth sank into her lip leaving white indents. Her eyes turned pained. “What me do for you? Why I no try be mate you deserve? Yes, make mistakes, but explain after when no have to. I say talk and be fine. Talk and avoid misunderstandings. What happened mine fault. Stupid to sleep. You make best decision, and me get angry, blaming you for keeping safe.” She sucked in a breath. “Yofk say bad things about mine treating you. He right. I do better. Put old life behind to build new.” She pressed closer, and her voice lowered. “Love you no hard. Soon, I thinking.”

Most of what she spoke, he understood.

She offered an avowal of lasting affection, but wanted to be convinced. “Love?”

“Heart full.” She slid her hand higher onto his chest then pressed. She moved it to her own. “Love.”

Venomous’ lower hands slipped to clench her hips. “You feel this for me?”

She hesitated then shook her head. “Soon, maybe. I bad before, still good to me. Gratitude.”

“You were frightened,” he reminded trying not to feel sad she did not feel the love. “I know this.”

“Rä sense feeling, yes? Taste them. Must know me hate when meeting.”

“I was not hurt.” He rubbed her back. “Confused by my body, and our difference, I admit it, but your response was expected. Clutch is not welcomed by our females. I told you this.”

“Brave to sex creature no see before. No hurt when I fight. Forget alien you be to me, I same you. You no sex before, and still take care. Babe,” her voice hitched, “you slave, alone, no good peoples here. Many males bad after. You open lair and heart. That huge.”

To this, he replied, “I have two hearts.”

Stilling, she stared at him then burst into body shaking laughter. “Right.”

His head dipped, and he touched his cheek to hers. “I am gladdened you value what blooms between us, my Rä’Na.”

She placed her hands on his chest. “Us couple now. No check invite. Just touch and take.” She ran her hands down to his stomach and smiled, shy. “Gratitude for ask.”

“You speak of clutch.”

“Uh huh.”

“Your cycle is ending. There will be no egg.”

“Human knowledge for you. Sex fun. Taking pleasure.”

Brow ridges rising, Venomous shook his head. “It is not the same. Rä only partake in clutch to mate, or make offspring.”

“Try know if just say, or no want.” She squinted. “Me be blunt. Appreciate that?”

“Indeed.”

“Want clutch. Now. Yes or no?”

His chin dropped and his expression tightened. “I should not, but I do.”

That was all he would reveal.

Telling her he desired to rip the cloth from her body, force her down, and ram inside would likely shock her as it shocked him.

“We must feed you,” he reminded. “For that I must gather food, or you will not eat for two-rotations until Yofk comes for you.”

“You right. Better priorities to survive.” She adjusted her frayed tunic and smiled as she did it.

Happiness bubbled from her, and it seemed after all that talking, his human was in a much better place.

Grabbing the empty canister, she waited by the exit. “Ready when you be.”

He lifted all four arms. “I am ready now.”

She giggled. “Good then.”

Relieved she was in better spirits, Venomous let them out then they walked hand in hand to the marketplace.

It was easier to select the foods as she recognised pieces.

Venomous passed over the meat declaring it spoiled.

They washed fast because of the males that followed Lumen’s scent, and watched her cleaning was distressing to her.

The Strophig who’d leered at her in the pit touched himself while watching her from across the cave.

Venomous did not challenge the male, fearing for her safety whilst he fought, but he did let the intrusive beast-coverer know the next time they went down the mine, and Lumen was safe in Yofk’s mound there would be a reprisal.

Spans later, as Venomous pushed aside the boulder blocking the entrance to their lair, a deafening blast echoed throughout the jungle.

Lumen pressed herself into his back. “What happens?”

“Put the food inside.”

She did as asked.

When she glanced back and saw him hovering at the doorway, she rushed back then hopped from foot to foot. “Coming inside?”

“We must go to the arena.”

Tendrils of fear-scent uncoiled in the air. “Why?”

“That noise was a call for contest.” His voice sounded bitter even to his own ears. “It is soon after the last. They are either dropping another female, or offering another incentive for the gladiators to fight for the spectators’ amusement.”

Lumen grabbed his hand. “No fight. Hide. Rä rescue.”

“I have tried to sit out before.” He urged her from the lair and closed it off. “They will come for me.”

Venomous took her hand, and they navigated their way back to the main passage under the black mountain.

It filled with slaves brought up from the pit to be shepherded into the cavern that housed the arena, a circular space of rock and dirt ringed by stalagmite and stained by blood.

As soon as they entered, Venomous drew his Rä’Na to the side then searched for a familiar, entwined scent.

Unable to locate it, he made a deep, rumbling sound in his throat that cut through the alien babble on a lower frequency.

The Yoni shoved through the rabble to box them in.

Venomous and Griergermon communicated with hurried hand movements as Vardermon kept a close eye on their surroundings.

Satisfied by their arrangement, he touched Lumen’s hair. “They will watch you while I fight. Do not run from them.”

She wrapped her arm around his, holding onto his claw with her hand. “They no, um, you know.”

He patted her chest lumps. “I reminded them you are not for mating.”

She sucked in a breath then released it on a shudder. “Say what for luck?”

“Fight well.”

She gazed steadily into his brille, her own eyes glistening with concern then she shut them, and lifted up on her toes as Venomous obliged the tug on his shoulder.

He lowered his head, heavier braided quills sliding across his middle back to tickle his side.

A plush mouth pressed to his.

They shared stunned breath as the connection between them deepened, grew stronger and poignant.

Cold gold pressed against his passion-heated flesh and warmed between them as his tongue sought hers.

I never realised one might feel like this.

He never understood the capacity he had to care for another.

Zython watch over us, my third heart beats outside my chest.

A swipe of her moist tongue against his made him quake, and her musical voice escaped as a strained whisper. “Fight well.”

CHAPTER TEN

Parading himself in front of the slave horde, and the affluent, cynical spectators never failed to sicken Venomous.

This time, however, his back was straighter, his head held higher.

His gait was a graceful, prowling glide, and his scales glinted like polished metal armour.

All because his Rä’Na watched him, and cared enough to be frightened he might get hurt.

Usually the slavers had to flog, or threaten the weaker gladiators with a blaster to get them to enter the showground.

Many dreaded being summoned to face him, and soiled themselves as they drew nearer, shrinking as they passed into his looming shadow.

Part of him felt sadness they reacted so at the sight of him.

Another, stronger part celebrated their fear.

His formidable reputation kept his mate as safe as one could be in hell.

So it was strange when the challenger stormed from his side of the earthwork, and met his eyes as an equal, defiant, impertinent.

Truth, it rankled, but Venomous wasn’t the hot head of his youth.

Age and experience taught him not to fly into a rage at even the most grievous of slights.

Fighting with anger instead of icy focus might cause the death of even the mightiest warrior.

“Fight,” Sorkbhal boomed. “Tear each other apart.”

The L’Odo Tribal Chief, his malicious commanders, and his ill-in-the-head mercenary associates, watched the fights from the observation platform, a jutting ridge of stone high above.

They placed bets, and broadcasted the skirmishes to other likeminded brutes that paid exorbitant amounts of credits to watch the L’Odo gladiators bloody each other.

Usually the contest began with an outright brawl between the species to whet the appetite of the sadistic audience for more skilful, deadly bloodshed.

Venomous was a favourite for the one-on-one clashes.

Millions of credits were bartered on the odds he’d keep or lose his head.

There had been a mêlée to win his Lumen, so perhaps they wished to bear witness to his increased strength, now that he had matured.

The Strophig narrowed its beady eyes, tusked snout wrinkled in a snarl.

It stomped its hoofs, and lowered its stout trunk in preparation of a charge. “I Garfmunt.” Its grunting voice was an offence to Venomous’ ears after the lyrical cadence of his life mate. “Remember. Last thing you know. I kill. Female mine then. Take her hard.”

Venomous didn’t bother respond.

He’d been the arena champion for over an aeon.

The gladiators knew if they wanted him to spare them, all they need do is fight fair, and show respect for his prowess.

He would give them a fight, but wouldn’t end them.

Garfmunt decided to try best him.

Foolish, he thought, but who was he to naysay a warrior that wished to die a glorious death in battle for a trophy so precious?

Natural ferocity surging, Venomous’ senses narrowed to the threat, but snapped wide when he felt a heavy, thudding vibration in the hard-packed dirt behind him.

The sound of the approach was drowned by the chanting slaves, and the sneering laughter drifting from the observation stand.

He spun then dropped letting the slathering Drakni bound over him with its backwards facing legs and hooked beak.

Venomous was on his feet with his hands wrapped around the sneaky Drakni’s neck in the time it took most species to blink.

He ripped the male’s birdlike head from his feathered shoulders then tossed it.

Aggravated, he again faced the Strophig that charged with a shrill squeal.

Bracing, letting loose a wrathful bellow, Venomous balled up a fist.

He threw his weight behind the blow he swung at the hideous beast.

The punch landed true.

Fist met mandible, and Garfmunt yelped as his jaw gave way.

Staggering back several paces, the Strophig regained its balance, and snorted a fuming gust.

He charged again in a lumbering surge, as if he truly expected to break past Venomous’ defence.

Making it look good for the spectators, Venomous and Garfmunt traded heavy blows.

If the fight lasted longer, and looked more intense, there was a chance he would have less rounds to fight.

He might return to his mate faster.

When Venomous killed his foes before they realised he moved, Sorkbhal made him fight, and fight until it seemed blood, screams, and the groans of the dying encompassed his whole world.

He took pounding knocks to his chest and arms, but the slight touches bothered him not, and his anima remained dormant.

During contest, it only rose for the Krael, the Yoni, and the Verak.

Garfmunt was clumsy, his chunky limbs better for feats of brute strength opposed to a skilled attack.

Venomous drop kicked the Strophig then twisted onto his feet, leapt the distance, and then dragged the gladiator back when it tried to crawl away.

The bloodthirsty horde chanted, “Death, death, death.”

Drawing his arm back for a final blow to sever the creature’s head from its shoulders, Venomous bared his fangs.

The booming sound of rock crashing into rock stayed his claw.

Squealing, Garfmunt scrambled on all fours.

He lurched onto his paws then lumbered into the crowd, shoving past slaves too slow to move from his path.

Sorkbhal stood.

He peered at the jagged ceiling, his powerfully built arm raised for silence.

Vibrations under Venomous deepened to subterranean tremors.

Head cocking, he squatted.

His gaze roamed, unsure what he felt because the shivering beneath and above did not make sense.

Rock and stone overhead coughed dust.

He caught a handful, rubbing the black grit between his finger pads as his hearts quickened.

Grinding, grating noise loud enough to make his eardrums burst tore through the air and shook the arena.

Hot sparks rained upon him as the rock splinters scratched the metal support beams embedded in the walls.

Stalactite formations draping the roof in a toothy maw broke free to stab the ground then fragmented into glittering shards that exploded outwards as lethal daggers.

A gaping hole baring starry sky flooded the showground with shafts of moonlight.

The hovering transport ripping the roof free descended, a hatch spiralling open in its underbelly.

Ropes uncoiled from the craft to fall through the puncture and graze the arena floor.

Armoured, shadowy forms rappelled to the dirt in near silent whizzes to land with muffled thuds.

He was surrounded.

The group put their backs to him until one did an about-face then stepped forward.

A claw tapped the control mechanism on the side of a sleek helmet, and an opaque visor folded back to reveal liquid black brille, reddish scales, curved fangs.

The grim-faced Rä bowed, fist to chest. “Warrior.”

“Lockdown,” Sorkbhal roared.

The L’Odo aimed blasters at the transport then released a cannonade of laser fire until it banked out of sight, yanking one of the warriors into the air.

Hissing, the Rä unhooked its harness, plummeted, but flipped to thump down in a crouch, two hands on the floor for balance, the other two, gloved, fisted in anger.

It shook out its short quills with a muffled snort as it straightened.

Another plucked a plasma grenade off its hardsuit, swiped a claw over the backlit depression in its shiny surface then tossed it towards the spectators’ platform; the source of the laser salvos.

Deafening, the explosion blew the platform from its rocky perch, and crumbled the fortifications beneath it into rough dust and billowing fire.

After a stunned lull, the slave horde erupted into a shrieking, thrashing mass of terror and hope.

They attacked the startled L’Odo and each other in a bid to climb free.

Those possessing the strength scuttled up the walls like a swarm of insects while others bore down upon their captors in a vengeful fury.

“Venom!”

Whipping around at the panicked shout of his life mate, Venomous pushed past the rescue team, ignoring their shouts to return.

He dodged a falling stalactite then sprinted across the arena, skidding, darting to avoid meteoric debris.

Barking feverishly, the Yoni struggled to keep the surging tide of bodies from his mate.

He reached them and swept a leaking Lumen up into his arms, tucking her face into his shoulder.

Her shaky arms snapped tight around his neck.

“Hush, I have you.” He faced the Yoni then signed, ‘Gratitude, come with me.’

Vardermon responded, ‘No, friend of Vardermon, friend of Griergermon. Our kind come. We feel them draw near.’

Dubious, Venomous turned to the Rä that had followed him. “Others have come?”

“Yesss. Your distress signal was picked up by a broadcasting hub. News of a slave planet spread. Many more species sent retrieval teams for their people.”

‘Too dangerous to wait,’ Venomous advised. ‘Come with me now.’

Griergermon declined. ‘We find Yofk. Take mate, friend of Griergermon, friend of Vardermon. Go with your people.’

Without awaiting his reply, they headed for the tunnels.

Since the murder of the female that completed their mated triad, the Yoni had been reckless.

Venomous didn’t like their leaving, but he was not their keeper.

He turned to find the bundle in his arms under suspicious inspection.

The Rä cocked its head. “What is it?”

“Mine.” Venomous slammed the side of his fist to the warrior’s chest when it reached to prod Lumen’s forehead. It was imperative he set the tone, and set it strongly, viciously if needs be. “My Rä’Na.”

Shocked, the warrior recoiled.

Disturbed and confused, it growled, face wreathed with revulsion. “We come for you, and you alone.”

Lumen burrowed closer, fingers digging into his chest as she panted. “What it say? I no understanding.”

Venomous’ lips thinned.

He did not care what this Rä thought.

Even standing raw as he was, naked, weaponless, changed, he felt his anima evolving.

He was becoming more powerful and dominant, adjusting to the new threats surrounding his mate.

Venomous was not as he once was.

He was Rä’Vek, and would command obedience until the ones who’d heeded his call for salvation learned to trust his word. “Your name?”

“Great Voice to Roar.”

Hissing, Venomous swelled, his anima flashing a threat as he rumbled, “I am He, Venomous One.”

The a’Rä’s chin dropped.

It retreated a step, still confused, but its confrontational attitude lessened.

Their attention shifted upward as a screeching L’Odo was lobbed off what remained of the observation ridge.

A group of gladiators heckled as the tormentor that had plagued and oppressed them landed with a bone-snapping thud.

The L’Odo groaned, spine broken, riddled with lacerations.

Claw marks across its snout revealed how its eyes had been gouged out.

It convulsed, squealing, choking on its own blood.

Then it was still, and the rancorous mob moved on for fresh meat.

Lumen jerked her face away. “The fuck stand here? We go.”

“Hush, dearest.” Venomous glared at the a’Rä. “We are leaving.” He scooped his skittish mate into his upper arms. “Lead on.”

Other Rä closed in then exchanged glances with Great Voice to Roar.

Unsure of what to do, the battle group did not move.

They remained still, and stared with distrust at Lumen even as a ground-shaking boom reverberated through the blood-soaked arena, and earth crumbled from the ceiling.

“What is going on?” The warrior that had fallen when the transport came under fire elbowed through the gathering, tapping his helmet, so his visor sprung back.

A fang-filled grin spread across his face when his gaze settled on the disturbance. “Venomous! It is you!” He thumped a fist to his chest and bowed, expression alight with joy. “Praise Zython.”

“Fiercely?” Venomous was stunned. Fiercely Comes the Night had been a friend when they were hatchlings. His hearts soared. “It has been a long time.”

The a’Rä chuckled. “Too long, and to think I grieved you all these solars when you are here, whole, and Rä’Vek! Where is your Rä’Na? The beacon did not indicate there was a female Rä to save....” His gaze drifted to the terrified being in Venomous’ arms. His brow scales climbed to his quill line in surprise. “What is it?”

“She, Lumen of the Stars,” Venomous growled, maddened they dared call her ‘it’ and denounce her as lesser. It was clear she was female! “My life mate.”

Fiercely lost colour. “Venomous.... You cannot think this creature is yours.”

“Right,” Lumen snapped. “I no understanding, but I see look on face and hear tone. He be rude. I know shock and blah, blah, but move on, or I be mad.”

Fiercely wore an appalled, yet fascinated look on his face. “What did it say?”

Venomous cursed. “You cannot understand her?”

“I am not wearing a translator, so, no.”

“She cannot understand you either. The translators we have are at least three generations old.”

The thwoop-shwoop of sonic blaster shots echoed through the cavern.

Venomous plopped Lumen on her feet then shoved her behind him.

The deadly weapon used sound waves to shake apart the molecular structure of solid mass upon impact.

Instead of exploding outwards, the negative charge broke the particle bonds then imploded the matter, obliterating it into nonentity.

Destabilisation and annihilation occurred within a nanosecond.

A bright flash of light then nothingness.

Venomous’ matured anima could deflect a glancing blow.

Those clad in hardsuits could withstand a point-blank shot to the armoured textile.

Lumen would evaporate.

Vanish.

Nothing left to piece back together.

Alarmed, he searched out the source of the gunfire.

The blaster was yanked from the claw of the L’Odo slaver wielding it to corral a faction of Zozon.

Now armed, the vengeful rabble killed the slaver then attacked another who frantically cracked a whip trying to restore order.

Lumen attached herself to his side, tremors of fear rattling her small frame.

He stroked her hair, and assured her he’d keep her safe, keeping his arm tight around her hunched shoulders.

The raid escalated as more of the rescuers fought their way into the inner sanctum.

A legion of roaring Veraks with braided manes, and painted blue for war exploded from the murky tunnels to swarm the arena.

They battled the L’Odo cudgels and whips with singing labryses and pyreblades that razed their victims to ash with a single, brutal slice.

The enslaved Verak rallied to them. “Great One,” they yowled. “The Great One has come for us.”

The L’Odo commander assigned to hold the arena signalled a retreat.

Fiercely grabbed Venomous’ stiff shoulder then shook it. “Enough of this. ThunderClaw has arrived. This planet is about to be torn apart.”

“Yesss, too dangerous for my Lumen.”

“You will leave it. We are your people, and we have come for you, and you alone, not some alien refugee that has twisted your mind.”

Infuriated at the heartless instruction, and the casual dismissal of his mate, the one most precious to him, Venomous thrust his face into the space of the a’Rä who used to know him better than any other. “I am not leaving my Rä’Na. Either help us, or get out of my way, so I may seek asylum with the other species who have come to liberate their people. You see I am male.” His seed stem was bared to view. “It might be ancient law, but it is still law. I am her, she is me, and even if that were not so, the likes of you cannot naysay me.”

In the silence that followed, Venomous feared Fiercely would not relent.

Face creasing in frustration, the a’Rä jerked its chin. “The transport had to land, but commed me coordinates. Follow me.”

They stampeded across the arena then ducked into a tunnel, passing skirmishes of slavers being viciously set upon by the gladiators.

Venomous tried to keep Lumen from seeing, but there was carnage at each angle, every turn, and she refused to close her eyes and let him carry her.

They dashed past the charred corpse of Vardermon.

Next to him lay Yofk, chitin crushed into his chest valves, his bulbous eyes sightless glass.

“Oh, no,” Lumen choked her feet slowing.

A furious howl snapped them from their shock.

Fur bristling and catching the light from laser fire further down the passage, Griergermon battled a team of seven L’Odo.

His giant paw crushed the heads of those who got too close.

He picked up another then broke its bones by slamming it into the wall, a tortured keen of grief pouring from his throat.

Lumen yelled, “We help him! We–”

A L’Odo jumped and clubbed the Yoni across the back of the head.

Crumpling under a hail of punishing blows, Griergermon’s head was left a bludgeoned mess of shattered bone and pulsing brain matter.

Hissing to articulate the menace boiling his blood, Venomous bared his fangs, glands swelling.

Mind wiped clean but for the need to kill, he crouched to lunge, prepared to fight to the death to avenge his allies.

“To the transport,” Fiercely bellowed. “There is nothing you can do for them now.”

Lumen protested, shouting at the a’Rä it was none of his, “bloody business,” and that, “they his friends,” and “let him fuck them up.”

Her hysterical voice alone brought Venomous back to sanity, reminded him it was better to survive not only to protect his mate, but to see the Yoni and Yofk avenged in truth.

Each pull of breath was a razor in his lungs, but he turned from the dead, snatched his Lumen into his arms then ran.

She kicked and bucked moments later.

Lost in a haze of grief for his friends, panicked because his mate was vulnerable and in the middle of a battle zone, he lost his grip on her wriggling body, and he dropped her.

Lumen landed on all fours with an oomph.

She did not accuse him of being inept, even as he shakily apologised and helped her up, her attention focused elsewhere.

Cooing into a murky crevice, she knelt.

Glancing behind then skidding to a stop, Fiercely called the battle group to a halt.

He barked profanities at the delay, pacing the short width of the passageway.

Anxious, Venomous clasped Lumen’s hand and tugged.

She yanked back to stand her ground.

She reached a slow, careful hand to the snivelling ball of limbs Venomous recognised as Grol’s Vudwani whore.

“Come,” Lumen coaxed. “Come. I take. Promise. We go and no look back. Take mine hand.”

Creeping forward, wary, the haggard female looked his mate in the eyes.

She froze when she noticed him, yet her gaze slipped back to Lumen.

Gaunt face vacant, her gold ingots sparked bright in recognition of a kind face, a slender hand proffered in a gesture of peace not a meaty palm raised to strike, but the hurt of the past was too great, too terrible a burden, and the glimmer of life died.

The female grabbed a blaster from the grasp of a dead Zozon crumpled near her, its pants around its ankles, flabby member seeping seed as its thin body stiffened in death.

Hearts exploding into a furious beat, imagining his life mate disintegrated because she cared enough to try help, Venomous reacted.

He shoved Lumen aside to absorb the blast, knowing it would blow his chest away, cause indescribable agony.

The Vudwani squeezed her eyes shut.

Screamed an eerie wail as she lifted the blaster to her temple and–!

Venomous slapped a hand over his mate’s eyes then dragged her towards the fortifications to avoid falling debris.

The tunnel quaked under another explosion.

Lumen slumped, legs failing as she cried in broken gasps.

Venomous picked her up, draped her over his shoulder then sprinted after the others.

As much as he’d rather cradle her, he needed one set of hands free to defend her.

His joy was strong.

He was moments from freedom, and in the presence of his people, but he did not trust them.

Not with her, not after their aversion and doubt.

Surrounded by the battle group in arrow formation, they exited the black mountain to pandemonium.

Hovering shuttles descending from battle cruisers seen only as scintillating droplets amongst the stars, jammed the blue and pink vista.

The air was choked with the bitter stench of death and smoke.

Flies buzzed over burnt corpses, and streaks of laser fire crisscrossed the sky in a sporadic neon webbing.

Fiercely barked a rousing command then led the charge towards an edgeless Rä terrestrial craft visible across the heaving landscape.

Creatures poured from the tunnels fleeing the confused slaughter.

L’Odo stood posted through the jungle, massacring those who thought to hide until their people found them; killing the witnesses that might testify to the Intergalactic Alliance.

A L’Odo barked, and pointed towards their group.

The Rä didn’t slow, ploughing through those that dared attack.

Slavers toppled under the enraged onslaught of the Rä battle group, so retreated to hunt weaker prey.

They reached the transport, sprinting the length of the sloping ramp as the engines hummed to life.

Venomous’ mind was awhirl, senses scrambled after the laser fire, sonic blasts and acrid smoke.

Unused to being airborne, he experienced the pitch and roll sensation of vertigo as the ship launched in a brutal vertical ascent.

Even less accustomed, Lumen mumbled about ‘g-force’ then swooned.

He pressed his mate’s cheek to his chest, her choppy breath against his scales soothing.

Blinking lights from the dashboard splashed over them.

Radio static scratched a hole in Venomous’ fugue, and he jolted, looked around in disbelief.

Lumen was free.

Grandfather’s hood, he was free.

The battle group filling the area to capacity hiss-snarled, exultant one of their own had been liberated from enslavement.

Coming to, Lumen’s hold on him tightened at the demonstrations of triumph.

Rä thumped fists to chests, and grabbed the necks of hardsuits to crack skulls, celebrating their strength and cunning.

The trip from planet surface to outer space in the crammed terrestrial craft took less than a quarter-span.

Unsettling, the shudder, bump of it docking with the larger spaceship had Venomous releasing a wobbly hiss, yet he squatted on his haunches, tense.

Too many solars of being on edge.

It was better than before, as his Lumen was not in peril, but only once their feet touched Rök would he relax.

He curtly refused offers for Lumen to be put in stasis, repressing the aggressive response of punching at the insult.

She was not live cargo.

He shot possessive glares at the Rä craning their necks to better see her within the shield of his arms.

Holding his head high, Venomous stepped into the metallic landing bay.

The air was cool and fresh.

Subtle vibrations of the engine beneath his feet and its droning resonance created an unexpected purge of negative emotion.

Sparks of hope Lumen fanned to life within him flared bright.

He strode to a stack of metal crates filled with merchandise.

This explained the swift rescue.

The Rä warriors were already offworld on a routine trade expedition.

Sitting on the freightage, he stroked his Rä’Na’s hair, muttering assurances, now believing it auspicious she couldn’t understand the others.

He wanted to ease her fears before they advanced further into the vessel.

There would be a sizeable contingent of warrior Rä onboard, and she needed to understand she’d come to no harm despite the unfriendly reactions.

To his surprise, her mind did not play upon her new surroundings.

“All those people,” she whispered. “The Yoni. Yofk.” She trembled and choked back a sob. “The Vudwani.”

The compassion of his mate touched him.

She was so gentle, so caring, yet her morals would have her snapping at him, a most feared warrior, if he crossed her.

Guilt swamped him.

Had he not called for rescue those beings, his friends, might still live.

“I vow to you, dearest. The L’Odo will suffer for the pain they have wrought. They. Will. Suffer.” He nuzzled her hair. It smelt like bitter smoke. “First, I will bring you to our home world. There I may rest easy knowing you are far from danger.”

Lumen clung to him, trembling, body pressed into his as if she’d die without the contact.

Puffs of breath were hot and damp against his throat, a single heart drumming against his ribs.

She lay rigid in his arms, and the sounds of the Rä disembarking, roughhousing and shouting amongst themselves made her jump, grasp him tighter.

He rubbed her back in long, slow strokes. “I have you. You are safe. Safe now.”

Scowling, Fiercely halted before them.

He studied their intimate clinch in bewilderment then blew a weary sigh. “What is it?”

“She is human.”

“We are not prepared for an offworlder. What do you want us to do with it?”

Venomous gave the warrior a short, annoyed look before refocusing on his mate. “Treat my Lumen as you would an honoured Rä’Na, except better because she is mine and treasured by me. Take us to quarters so we may bathe, eat and rest. Truth, I wish you to do nothing. I detest how you look and speak of her.”

Dismissing the narrow-minded a’Rä from his mind, resolving to find a secure place to nest on his own, Venomous did not see the underhand deed coming.

Certainly, he never thought such a thing could occur, so did not imagine to be on guard for it, thinking himself secure amongst his people.

Lumen stiffened then made a pained noise.

Eyes watering, she peered at him with betrayal as her gaze unfocused.

Dark lashes fluttered closed as her head lolled and her body sagged.

“Lumen,” he bellowed, cupping the back of her head, supporting her motionless limbs.

He did not understand!

Had she fainted?

Was the blood, gore and terror too much for her poor human sensibilities to take?

“Waken. Wake–”

A pressure injector darted towards his neck.

Venomous snarled, but couldn’t move fast enough with his hands on his fragile, unconscious mate, nor could the lethal blades of his anima rise with her flesh pressed to his.

Fiercely caught Lumen as Venomous’ body went limp and slid toward the metallic floor.

The vilifying glare he speared at the a’Rä promised death upon his waking.

Then nothing.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Fiercely Comes the Night realised the moons of home world had circled three times since the alien came aboard.

Still she did not drink.

Nor did she eat.

Talk.

Sleep.

The edgy silence she dwelled in disturbed their healer.

Her inexplicable rages more so.

He, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon warned should she continue the physical deprivations, and mental isolation, her emotional state would deteriorate.

Her mind would shatter.

Being a good warrior was what Fiercely wished to be remembered for in the chronicles of his people, not for reducing Venomous One’s Rä’Na into a drooling husk ailed with space madness.

Tired from the long voyage, and eager to return to quarters for an interval of rest and recuperation, Fiercely’s patience withered.

A twitch of fingers signalled to a Sylph.

It belonged to an androgynous, quadruped species that willingly dedicated their lives to the servitude of others.

It was the only offworld species tolerated on Rök.

The pale creature waited on its double-jointed knees by the haze, cocking its smooth head when signalled to, and then scuttling to attention.

Fiercely ordered, “Schedule the implant replacement.”

Bulbous, multifaceted eyes fixed on the human.

The servant lowered its forelegs in a bow to indicate acceptance.

Obedience of the Sylphs was unimpeachable.

What made them remarkable was they refused to blindly follow unethical commandments.

If a Sylph felt a command caused harm to another being they would decline to act, even unto torture and death.

Though impatient, Fiercely remained.

No doubt an explanation for the command would be demanded.

Disturbances during a sleep cycle were unacceptable.

Yes, the a’Rä’s body grew eager for rest, but its thoughts were ... disordered.

They were too focused on Venomous One’s mate.

Disconcertingly so.

The alien female is nauseating to my brille.

The hollow, pitching sensation while looking over her nudity could be naught but disgust.

Swallowing with difficulty, Fiercely shuddered.

How does Venomous One endure clutch with such an outlandish creature?

The female was stunted, and weak, and missing limbs, and possessed no natural defences and ... and ... she was not Rä.

How would she lay a strong egg?

More troublingly, Fiercely did not understand why the vision of her eyes going stark with fear as she clutched her Rä’Vek to her malformed chest kept cropping up.

The flash of uncertainty across Venomous One’s face, as if worried the rescue by his people was a threat to his female, disturbed Fiercely to the core.

“I did nothing wrong.”

Only followed orders as a good warrior.

So why was the accusation in the female’s expression before the sedation took effect so bothersome?

“Warrior!” He, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon stomped through the haze. His anima roused in a blend of colour betraying disquiet, and the material of his over robe swirled about his knees as the ventilation system pushed fresh air into the enclosure. “I refuse to operate on this female until she understands we mean her no harm.”

“You come to tell me you disobey a direct order?”

The male went rigid. “My request to have the female’s consent does not qualify as insubordination.”

“Refusal to obey me does.” Fiercely’s veiled gaze tore from the human to pin a look of censure on the riled male. “She is not adapting. It is clear her kind has not explored the galaxy and encountered sentient life beside their own. An adolescent race to be sure. It would be a travesty if this female did not reach home world alive.” Fiercely paused. “Venomous would kill us when he woke for not protecting her in his stead.”

“Thsst! I am not unaware of the circumstances. I wish the female a happy lifecycle with He, Venomous One. My hearts sing for his return. However, you ask me to bear the dishonour of forcibly implanting a foreign device into the body of this terrified creature. It is against the creed of the Healers Caste. More to the point, she will never forgive me. I will never forgive myself for such a heinous violation.”

“The dishonour is not ours. It belongs to the L’Odo who forced us into this position by implanting her with faulty technology. Venomous’ implant has been removed. How will they communicate? We cannot understand a word she babbles when she does break her silence. Her translator cannot link with what we do not wear. It must go, and our tongue implanted directly into her memory centres. He would want us to do this.” Fiercely gave the male his back ending the debate. “You have your orders.”

The healer stomped from the enclosure muttering curses to Grandmother under his breath.

Fiercely followed at a sedate pace.

From behind the shielding drone of the haze, a transparent force field, the a’Rä absorbedly watched the alien female fall unconscious as the enclosure filled with odourless vapour.

The floor rippled, a liquid metal puddle appearing in the centre.

Globules of silver dripped upwards and coalesced into a solid structure, flattening into an oval at the apex.

Shallow divots formed.

The examination slab would hug the alien female’s anatomy, the curvatures moulding to her musculature and ensuring absolute comfort.

A Sylph transferred the human from her cramped corner onto the glowing silver surface.

Robust features knotted, Nāga entered the enclosure then halted at her head.

Sighing as his device dove into her rounded ear, he waited until it bleeped then drew out the apparatus to let a thin, sharp needle extend.

Steady hands held the metallic rod still until the machine beeped again.

Nāga removed the old translator from behind her ear and crushed it.

The procedure was minimally invasive, and completed within nanosecs, so simplistic was the human’s cerebral cortex.

Curious, Fiercely crossed his lower arms, and used the upper to scrutinise her internal scans.

They were so unlike, yet alike, to Rä.

Simplistic did not always mean unintelligent, and the alien brain was proof of that canon.

The vibrant explosions of firing synapses dancing across the holograms were arresting sparkles of energy.

She was an emotional creature, and her species possessed the potential to reach the technological aptitude of the Rä.

They knew from what corner of the universe and galaxy she hailed from for it had been branded onto her arm.

The information would never be used.

Regardless of Rök’s insular society, its blood soaked past, the more adventurous a’Rä would consider travelling to her birth world to see if human females called forth their seed stems, for an ugly mate was better than no mate, but it would not be allowed, and the information suppressed.

Fiercely felt a twinge of pain at a longer study of the female, and an ominous sense of dread grew.

The trials to come were to be difficult.

Venomous One never succumbed to envy during the harsh training undertaken in their youth, as most did.

The battle for dominance to prove an a’Rä was Grandfather’s favourite seemed asinine to them both when acceptance into the Warriors Guild meant they already were the Great Serpent’s treasured ones.

The two of them had been close, as if they hatched from the same egg.

Venomous One had changed.

He had been a playful character, frivolous, quick to laugh and make jokes, but seeing him for the first time in solars, Fiercely glimpsed deeper and darker traits as he had cradled the female, and pledged himself to her.

Fiercely Comes the Night knew trying to lay claim to the fertile ground the male cherished more than his own life would see no peace between them.

Nāga’s terse voice came through the intercom. “The bio-implant has successfully assimilated into the alien brain tissue.”

“Give me an estimation of when the implant will reach full effect.”

“Nanosecs after waking. This species is unlike any I have encountered.”

Fiercely remained apathetic.

Rä were not impressed by other species as they were physically and intellectually superior to most.

“She is bipedal, as we are,” he stated knowing the healer waited for a response.

“Yesss, but there the comparison ends. She has a limited ocular range, but that lack is compensated by overdeveloped olfactory and vocal characteristics. Her body is covered in sensory receptors with no exoskeleton to regulate sensation. Pain must inundate this creature. Information as diminutive as a filament follicle changing direction is transmitted to her nervous system. The thin membrane covering her musculature, to a great extent less fibrous than our own, responds to pressure unlike anything I have experienced. Her skeleton is comprised of a rare structural protein and calcium. Fiercely, her bones are crushable.” The healer sounded fascinated. “The outer membrane is fragile, and moults at a rate far accelerated to even that of a Rä during a shedding. Her cells do not regenerate, but re-grow, the old layers detaching cell by cell, taking in the region of forty galactic rotations to complete. Scarring is of a high likelihood after the lower layers of membrane are breached. It must be noted ritual piercing is unadvised.”

Meaning this female could not take part in the bonding practice used in Rä culture to tie her to her Rä’Na.

What a troubling revelation.

The ritual was not based on the glorification of pain.

The bloodletting was an intimate gesture of complete submission to bind the male and female.

If the creature could not consciously deaden sensation partaking in the honoured ceremony would be nigh on impossible.

How would she take Venomous One as her life mate before his kindred?

Perhaps the humans used verbal ceremonies as the more primitive species did.

Brow ridge pleating, Fiercely paid more attention to what was being said.

Once Venomous One and his Rä’Na had been rescued, Fiercely had transmitted the particulars to the Northern Senate.

The Elder’s had given strict orders to confirm the human had not enslaved Venomous with offworlder trickery.

In the meantime, they were to treat the female well, and keep her under close observation whilst isolated from her Rä’Vek.

After sedation, Venomous had been put under immobilisation, so he didn’t tear the Trekker apart looking for her.

Such behaviour was expected and understandable; it was a biological imperative he protect his mate.

Unfortunately, caution came before consideration of their feelings because of the precedent their mating set.

This was the first time in unknown aeons a Rä matured for an offworlder.

How worrying Nāga highlighted such vast anatomical differences between the human and her new people.

How would she survive the deadly environment on home world being so physically vulnerable?

“What of her reproductive compatibility?” Fiercely asked and wondered what offspring between the two would bear a resemblance to.

Nāga startled.

Had he forgotten she was not a scientific specimen, but a bonded Rä’Na?

His voice wavered. “Warrior?”

“Simple curiosity, Healer.”

“I suppose you would be concerned.” Nāga sounded less apprehensive. “The Warriors Guild grieved for He, Venomous One for solars. Reproduction between a human and others of her simian genus, saurian, felid, and a few others is theoretically possible. She is not compatible with many species, like those of arthropod origin, such as the Krael. They could copulate, but little else. Her species hasn’t evolved that far as yet. What the offspring will look like is debatable.”

“It is possible, and that is all that matters.”

If the human had not been compatible, she might have ended up despondent, weary of life, and ashamed to show herself in public, unable to do her duty and provide her Rä’Vek with offspring.

“This membrane is astonishing.” Nāga bent over double. His claws retracted, and he undulated his fingertips over the female’s prone body, various flashing, beeping devices held in his grip. “Not only is it incredibly sensitive to pressure, it responds and adapts to changes in temperature. She excretes liquid as a means of instant thermoregulation, and her cells produce a hormonal chemical to darken their pigmentation to filter prolonged exposure to sunlight. It is a peculiar contradiction. The membrane is multifunctional yet easily breached leaving her internal organs vulnerable. She has no natural armour plating aside from her skull bone under her membrane. Even that is brittle. That Venomous One kept her alive in that place is a miracle. The alien female is–”

“Delicate,” Fiercely murmured hands clenched into fists. What would it be like to have a Rä’Na like that? “How long until she regains consciousness?”

“Nanosecs from now.”

Grabbing a fresh water pouch, Fiercely re-entered the enclosure and stood beside the examination slab.

Tension threaded through the a’Rä’s body, coiling and bunching its muscles tight, but it did not know why.

Fiercely stared at the mass of coiling filaments sprouting from her head, and flowing across her neck and shoulders.

Venomous One had stroked them as they’d come aboard, unashamed to be handling his female intimately outside the privacy of their nest.

She seemed to take comfort from the petting rather than see it as a gross presumption, as a normal Rä’Na would.

So strange, so different.

Captivating.

It had been proven she held no chemical or psychological hold over Venomous.

Theirs was a true mating, and they would be reunited.

“Shall we shave her bald?” Fiercely asked. “Remove the filaments on her limbs and the fur between her legs to make her more attractive?”

“My data concludes humans grow membrane filaments as a means to reduce contamination by hostile microorganisms and viral pathogens. Much like the Verak. As mentioned, the filaments act as sensors, a biological defence mechanism adopted by her ancestors’ evolutionary path.” The healer’s hand hovered over the cranial mane, as if he longed to feel the strands. “I advise against removing them. She has a considerable adjustment to make. If we remove body parts designed to protect, she may become distressed, and fear we mean her harm. I do not think the human considers their removal necessary as part of grooming.”

“Venomous liked touching it when we brought them aboard.”

“I can imagine why. I enjoy the softness of my Rä’Na. This female is very soft.”

Fiercely sighed.

Some species were so strange, and so were some males.

The a’Rä often wondered if it would be a male.

I do not think I would like to be mounted as a female is.

“The unsightly fur may remain.”

Fiercely remained unconvinced it was the right choice, but was willing to concede to a professional opinion.

Nāga looked offended on behalf of his patient.

As he stared at her, the outer corners of his brille softened. “The human is fine. She is one of us now. Rä’Na. She is to be honoured.”

“You do not think her hideous,” Fiercely observed.

“I do not.” Nāga looked surprised at the unspoken suggestion the warrior did. “Unnerving at first sight, but appealing once you get over the shock. She is different. I find it exciting and intriguing. Such is my nature though. Venomous One is blessed. Only the closed minded will think otherwise.”

The human made a low sound, and her head rolled.

Soft membranes veiling her eyes slid up, remaining concealed, and round pupils were circled by a ring of smoky quartz Fiercely had previously only seen on rare gemstones at market.

This attribute of the alien the warrior found pleasing, much more so than all the hair.

Did Venomous find this and more attractive about the creature?

Her eyes slid from side to side, and the flimsy filaments on her arms lifted as they settled on the healer.

Her breathing increased, and her eyes leaked fluid.

“Peace, Human. Call me He, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon. I am a healer. I mean you no harm.” He smiled, flashing his sharp teeth. “Have your optical orbs sustained injury?”

Blinking, the alien female turned her head, fleshy lips parting. “Venom?” Her eyes connected with Fiercely’s. “No, you’re not him. You look like him, but you’re not him.” Her voice was accusatory, as if she thought they tried to deceive her.

“The Rä to your other side is Warrior Fiercely Comes the Night and guild kin to He, Venomous One. Fiercely is unmated, a’Rä, and commands all aboard until your mate is ready to assume authority.”

The alien jerked her gaze from Fiercely’s when Nāga reached to touch her.

In a graceful movement, she rolled from the slab then landed crouched.

Avoiding the healer, she fled to the corner.

Frustration built within Fiercely. “She speaks, but she does not understand us when we say we mean no harm. You told me the implant would activate immediately.”

“Scans indicated it would. It has. The procedure was perfect.” Nāga was confused. “Perhaps her eye injury makes her inconsolable.”

“You told me she was unbroken.”

“The scans–”

“I know what the scans say. She remains uncomprehending. Either she is dumb, or the procedure failed.”

At his raised voice the female pushed further into the corner, her eyes snapping between them.

Nāga sent him a look of reproach. “You scare her.”

“Thsst!” Taking a step forward with the intention of shaking sense into her, Fiercely backtracked when the female pushed back with such strength her head slammed against the wall.

Predators understood prey, and instinctively they lowered to appear less aggressive.

Fiercely felt a welling of shame at scaring one so small.

“Female, please, cease.” The healer held out his hands claws down to signal his peaceful intentions. “You will damage yourself.”

The rocking stopped.

“She understood you.” Fiercely thrust the pouch towards her. “Drink. You are dehydrated. Drink or you will die and Venomous will take my head.”

The alien glared.

“She does not like you.” Nāga chuckled. “If looks could kill you would be meeting your ancestors.”

Fiercely ignored the jibe.

If the female felt anger at her treatment then she grasped an understanding of her situation.

“Unlike our esteemed healer, I have no patience. If you do not drink this, I will strap you to the examination slab and intravenously force nutrition. Do you wish to be treated as a science experiment instead of Venomous’ honoured Rä’Na?”

She reached, took the pouch then drank, eerily intelligent eyes narrowed.

“Praise Zython.” The healer slumped. “I feared the human lost the will to live. I would not have liked to tell a warrior we were unable to care for his mate when we forced him into stasis.”

Fiercely grunted. “Bring food, and more sweet water. Also, bring uncut roots and a selection of raw meat. She does not trust us. We may reassure her by offering a meal that has not been tampered with. Did you run an allergy analysis?”

“The human may eat our produce except for the Zýt eggs. She will acquire the nutrients she needs to thrive. No additional supplements are necessary.” He hesitated. “It is worth mentioning while she was unconscious, I gave her a sequence of vaccinations. There is no longer a risk of her contracting harmful microbes from our native foodstuffs, and in preparation for arrival on home world, I coated her airway with a gel cartridge that will dissolve in increments and regulate her biochemical respirations. It will ease her into breathing our nitrogen rich atmosphere, and absorb any impurities. Otherwise, she would have had a dreadful time of it. She must have felt light-headed and muddled on the slave planet.”

“That will not harm her?” Fiercely demanded sharply.

“Do not fret. I am monitoring her baselines and metabolic readings with great care. Once she develops the relevant antibodies her immune system will attack the gel residues, and discard it as sputum. Now then, Warrior, I will return shortly.” Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon initiated a traditional bow of respect towards the alien. “Honoured Rä’Na.”

He left the enclosure.

Fiercely returned the female’s blank stare.

They stayed that way until the healer returned with a large platter and three water pouches.

Trailing behind him, Sylphs brought a low table and three seating cushions.

They left as silent as they’d entered.

Nāga lowered onto his seat, crossed his legs then motioned for them to join him after setting down his delicious smelling burden.

Deciding to give the cunning tactic a try, Fiercely rose, and left the female cowering in her corner to join his fellow Rä.

They ate in silence for what seemed an age.

Fiercely grew weary of the game, ready to give the order for the female to be sedated and fed through a tube.

Feet pattered across the smooth floor.

The alien sat, her movement refined, but wary.

Her gaze moved over the platter then a strange colour suffused the lower layers of her brown membrane.

“Scans suggest humans do not have anima.”

“They do not.” Nāga appeared deep in thought. “Their membranes communicate biological distress. Perhaps the food is not pleasing to her eyes.”

Fiercely studied the platter, and tried to see it objectively.

The fat grubs were rare delicacies, a treat.

They had been removed from a vat of sweet water kept cool to ensure their shells and innards remained the optimal consistency; a pop followed by a gushing pulp when bitten.

Fiercely supposed the wriggling would be off putting if you were unused to live food, but she distrusted previous offers of cooked nourishment.

Nāga also procured several berries and roots that were tasty eaten raw.

The alien’s chest expanded with air.

She released it in a stream from plump lips that curved at one corner as she shook her head.

“What does that gesture mean, do you suppose?” The healer’s interest in her behaviour was obvious. “We know her vocal range is impressive, but perhaps humans place an emphasis on nonverbal communication, like body language, facial and hand gestures, as the Yoni do.” He frowned. “However, the longer I spend in her presence, the more I am reminded of the Verak. I wonder why Venomous One matured for such a creature. He seemed intimate and protective of her, yet I do not get the impression they have been together long. He did not seem resentful, or ashamed of the fact she is not Rä.”

Distracted by a surge of jealousy at the knowledge Venomous had found a life mate, in captivity no less, Fiercely was unable to respond, and instead watched the human, finding it impossible to tear its brille from her slightest movement.

She selected a berry from the platter, as far from the grubs as possible then brought it to her nose to sniff it.

Her tapered tongue laved the berry surface then after an uncertain pause, she slipped it past her lips.

“She eats like a Rä’Vek testing the meal for his Rä’Na,” Nāga noted.

“Venomous must have taught her. I doubt the L’Odo fed them well.”

“He is malnourished.”

“Yesss, to keep his strength contained.”

“It is strange they let him keep his mate considering a’Rä grow stronger when matured into male to protect their female.”

“Perhaps they did not expect his anima to mature for an offworlder. We only match with our own species.”

Nāga clicked his teeth. “Not in the past, not anymore.”

“Truth,” Fiercely admitted perturbed their unchanging world was about to twist on its axis.

Eyes brightening, chewing, the human’s brow filaments lifted with the gentle slope of her eye ridges.

Her lips curved.

Pleasure.

She scooped up a handful of berries then stuffed them into her mouth, chomping until she snagged the sweet water and suckled from the pouch spout in thirsty pulls.

Happy as Fiercely was to see her eating, only eating sweets was not conducive to one’s health.

As Venomous’ guild kin, and in the absence of a lesser mate, it was an a’Rä’s duty to care for her until her Rä’Vek woke.

Fiercely picked up a grub then plopped it in her palm.

She stared at the squirming delicacy filling her hand.

Its legs, crunchy and tart, undulated in a synchronisation at counterpoint with its segmented body.

Her blank expression folded into one of horror.

Lips peeling back to reveal blunted fangs, and the back of a fleshy oral cavity, she emitted a high, trilling sound that had the Rä slamming their hands over their ears.

To the a’Rä’s horror, its eyes unveiled.

Experiencing the same problem, limbs rigid, Nāga averted his gaze to preserve their modesty.

Movement uncoordinated and wild, the human’s hand flailed, smacking the a’Rä across its armoured face.

Crunch.

The human howled.

Clutching her hand to her chest, she hunched over.

Though her cranial filaments streamed forward to obscure her face, Fiercely witnessed her eyes leaking.

Ears ringing, shaking off a lingering disorientation, the a’Rä made the connection. “She is injured. Her eyes leak when she is in pain.”

“Yesss, same as the Verak.” Whispery voice cracking, Nāga stood then stumbled towards the haze. “It sounded as if her bones crushed upon impact with your armour. The density of her skeleton is light, and susceptible to breakage with forceful contact. We must take care when touching her. Caution her to do the same. I will return after consulting the scans.”

Rising unsteadily, balance compromised by the shrill human wail, Fiercely was left with the alien female who made soft, throaty sounds as her shoulders shook.

Coupled with her leaking eyes, the motions and sounds were melancholy.

“Stop leaking, Rä’Na.” Wary of activating the vocal defence mechanism, the a’Rä spoke quietly. “Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon will make you well, and Venomous One will be here to comfort you soon.”

“Promise?”

Fiercely didn’t startle, didn’t blink betraying surprise at her sudden communication because Rä veiled eyes didn’t require moistening, nor did the a’Rä make a movement that might reveal its innermost thoughts.

At that moment, Fiercely felt grateful for the Rä’s stoic mannerisms.

As per the Senate’s mandate, the alien was under constant surveillance, and the last thing Fiercely needed was for a fellow warrior to recognise the telling reaction of his anima to the female’s voice.

The a’Rä slowly sat back down.

Unlike the gravelly, rough tone of the Rä, the human’s lyrical intonations caressed Rök’s native tongue.

A tingle of sensation skittered beneath Fiercely’s spinal plating, and left a prickling burn in its wake.

Disconcerted by the unexpected and unwelcome stimulation, the a’Rä attempted to deaden the nerves along its back.

And met with failure.

It is happening.

Serpent’s Hood, I am maturing.

I am to be male.

Alien or not she was going to be....

Lightheaded, Fiercely ignored the burning between his legs; now it had begun it would not be long.

Excitement rose, and he shifted in his seat.

Did she even realise she’d sparked a tremendous change in him?

“You look like Venom, even sound like him a bit, but you’re not him.” She clucked. “Your quills are different, scales too. Silly me.” Her eyes avoided his. They had dried, were tinged with red, but her cheeks and chin were damp. “It’s Fiercely, right?”

He inclined his head as he corrected her, though he did not yet speak of his gender, by instinct knowing it would alarm her. “Fiercely Comes the Night.”

Amused, she mimicked his inflection as she repeated his name words. “May I call you Fiercely?”

“No.” That she wished to be familiar was shocking.

They were to be mates, but there was no need to be forward.

Perhaps....

Did she feel the same pull to him as he did her?

Did she try to further intimacy because she felt the intangible force pulling them together, and that now bound them for life?

Cradling her hand, she stared at the empty cushion between them. “I hurt you?”

“I am unharmed.”

“I hit you hard enough to hurt my wrist.”

“My anima kept me from harm. Though it was no defence against your original formidable attack.” Approval crept into his voice. Strength he admired. “Your vocal weapon is powerful.”

“Weapon?” Her head tilted sideways. He recognised it as a gesture of puzzlement by how her tone lifted with a questioning lilt and her brow filaments lowered. “Do you mean when I screamed?”

Intrigued, Fiercely placed a hand on the table, and leaned toward her, breathing deep of her waterfall scent.

The longer he spent around her, the more he understood what Venomous One might see in her.

The more he saw in her.

“That was a scream?” he questioned.

“It wasn’t a weapon.” Her gaze flicked to the grubs. She shuddered. “The maggot you put in my hand scared me. I wasn’t expecting it.”

“Maggot?”

She directed her gaze to the writhing mass on the platter.

“They are sand grubs, rare, a delicacy to welcome you. Very tasty.”

Her eyes wandered. “Uh huh.”

Fiercely’s attention settled on her mouth.

It was bizarre to watch her generous lips form the hissing sounds of his language. “Our scream is much different.”

“Different?”

The noise he emitted to demonstrate wasn’t particularly loud, but inhuman.

Unlike her scream, which made a listener startled, or afraid this sound roused a protective impulse.

Her blunted teeth raked her lip, holding back a grin? “The men of my world would rather die than scream like a girl.”

“I am not of your species.”

Her eyes rolled. “You’re so literal, just like Venom.” She paused and then admitted, “Which is nice. I feel less afraid because of it.”

“Venom?” Fiercely’s forehead smoothed. “You speak of Venomous One.”

“He was weird about me shortening his name too, at first.” Her voice lowered, and she leaned forward as if sharing a secret, back of her hand pressed to the side of her mouth. “Now he likes it, though, he’d never admit it.”

She sat back and her face was soft, eyes dreamy as she thought of the male who would be his nest mate.

Jealousy speared his hearts, and it took a moment to be able to speak.

Hesitant, daunted by the emotional torrents she invoked, he offered another wiggling morsel.

His hearts pounded at the thought of her eating from his hand. “Will you eat more, Rä’Na?”

“I’ll finish the berries in a moment.”

As he ate the grub, she studied the blunted talons of his other hand resting on the silver tabletop.

The natural inquisitiveness he sensed within her was overcoming her fear, but she made no overtures.

Perhaps she wasn’t sure enough of his intentions to let him know she was interested in assuaging her curiosity about him?

Her gaze caught for gratifyingly long periods on his gold.

Would she like me to display myself for her pleasure?

Was this how Venomous earned her affection?

The male had much gold, even after trading some whilst in captivity.

Rä that felt a pull to a potential mate would know to ask the a’Rä that caught their eye to draw closer, to see if a deeper scenting roused further interest and was reciprocal.

The more aggressive simply grabbed the mate if the change came upon them then took off.

Barbaric, the practice was, of course, much condemned in modern society; they’d evolved past such appalling base behaviour.

Perhaps human courtship was more subtle, or she worried she might offend?

“Shall I stand and turn, Rä’Na?” His voice lightened as he indulged in the hope she would say yes, and then realise what he was to her. “Come closer? It would make your study easier.”

Heat suffused her cheeks. “Just looking at the differences between you and Venom.”

Fiercely scowled.

She compared his attributes to his nest mate’s.

Did she find him wanting?

How embarrassing.

Venomous would be primary mate then; he was more dominant.

Most other species did not see the differences between Rä, and that the female was intriguing.

Though she was not beautiful and strong, she was alluring in an exotic manner.

Nāga had been right, he’d been closed minded.

It had taken a single conversation for her to awaken him, and stir his intellectual interest.

Her pheromones were faint, but pleasurable, her fragrance icy, fresh minerals.

His taste receptors were tingling.

He, Fiercely Comes the Night continued to eat ... and watch.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Okay, I pulled my shit together, and stopped freaking out.

Listening to the aliens chat, I realised they held no sinister plans to torture me then felt mortified I’d made such a big deal out of it all.

I felt relieved when the healer left.

Dealing with one seemed more manageable than having to keep an eye on both.

After learning from Venomous about his people, I was confident I knew enough to handle myself until he came for me.

The a’Rä looks scary because you don’t know him, uh, it.

Venomous had been terrifying until I learned his temperament.

I just needed to get to know the new Rä.

There was no tension in the a’Rä’s frame, and it made no outward indication of sexual interest I could interpret, not that I was expecting it to.

It was switched off sexually; if I hadn’t misunderstood the explanation of the three genders.

Irked, I looked around for my ratty tunic, thinking I’d feel much less like I was about to be ravaged if covered.

I was naked.

Again.

This time I couldn’t even drum up enough energy to get mad.

When I woke in the silver room, I’d been horrified to be separated from Venomous, and again be deprived of the courtesy of being kept clothed.

I hadn’t handled it well.

I’d shut down, convinced myself they locked Venomous up too so they could experiment on me, but now we were communicating.

As the Rä didn’t avoid or ignore my questioning, weren’t making any outward sign of being affected by my nudity, I relaxed.

They’d put me under to change my translator, that was all, and they took my clothes because....

I didn’t have an answer for my nudity, but I was reasonably certain it’d be logical.

I felt better for having the upgraded technology too.

They sounded normal to my ears rather than the stilted exchanges Venomous and I dealt with on the L’Odo slave planet.

I couldn’t wait to talk to him.

Oh, I hope he’s alright.

I forced myself not to fidget or betray extreme emotion.

Why had I been separated from my alien lover?

They wouldn’t hurt him for bringing me along, would they?

Venom is sure his people will be accepting of my differences, or at the least, his right to call me his Rä’Na.

I might not trust the stranger Rä before me, but I did trust Venomous, he’d earned that from me.

If he said it would work out fine then I believed him, and would wait patiently for him to find me.

I just had to keep myself out of trouble until then.

I’d ask a few questions, and muddle out what I could to calm my fears he was hurting.

I doubted it though.

These were his people.

To my stressed senses of before, the Rä looked and smelled so much like Venomous it had spooked me.

Taking a longer assessment, as I wasn’t stupid with fear, it was taller, leaner, and its scales more greenish, as if liquid emeralds swirled with molten silver.

The scent emanating from it was tamer, more vanillin pepper than aromatic spice.

So alluring, but subtle.

The kind of scent you ignored until one day you caught a whiff then were obsessed in keeping it splashed over you.

Its lips were fuller, nose broader.

In fact, Fiercely’s face was entirely different to Venomous’ rugged composition.

Its blunted angles and rounder planes lacked the hewn, rough edges of my mate, though its cheekbones were as high, forehead that distinct flat slope, and its chin a square jut that suited its harsh jaw line well.

Thin quills were trimmed at the back and sides, the dark locks longer at the top, but still short, giving it a rather roguish, windswept look.

It had a ring piercing its septum, studs lining one ear, and two piercings in its brow.

That was all the gold it wore.

Unlike the healer who had piercings all over his face, in both ears, and in the single braid down his back.

This a’Rä, one I’d bet money would be male after maturing, wore a matte bodysuit in dark grey that opened to expose its chest in a wide V that joined together where a navel should be.

Thinking about it, Venomous didn’t have a bellybutton either.

He’d said he hatched in the sands of Rök, but the meaning hadn’t sunken in.

Rä females didn’t have live births.

They laid eggs.

Struggling to come to terms with this, instead of shuddering in prejudice and freaking out, I missed how uncomfortable my silence made Fiercely Comes the Night.

“I apologise for the grub.” Its rumbling voice, baritone to Venomous’ bass, broke into my thoughts. “I feared for your health. I wanted to ensure your meal included meat, to rebuild your strength. Venomous One will want you well cared for. As do I.”

Talking of my future with my mate while looking me in the eye, a good sign, and it was sweet to mention my health was important to it too.

Calmed by reason, and its matter-of-fact demeanour, my terror abated to nothing more than wary concern they kept us apart.

Obviously seclusion was standard procedure for an alien life form on their vessel.

Or they kept me isolated for an equally innocuous reason.

“Thank you. Just know I don’t eat creatures that are alive. At least, I try not to. I suppose I’ve never been given the choice. There are places on Earth where food is eaten alive and considered a delicacy. Still, it’s not for me. Please don’t do something like that again. I won’t react well.”

“Will you eat more if it is cooked? You refused previous dishes.”

“You speak as if I did something wrong.”

“Thsst! You threw food at the Sylphs.”

“Sylphs? You mean that pale, skinny creature that moved like a spider?” They looked identical to me. I was flabbergasted. “There was more than one?”

“I do not understand spydur. Why do you shudder?”

“Never mind.”

“Explain.”

“Look, strange creatures took my clothes, dumped me in a cold room then tried to force feed me weird food that smelt funky. Of course I threw it at them.”

“We made a mistake in how we escorted you to the Trekker,” he construed. “I was under orders to keep you separated from Venomous for his safety, and ours, until a full scan and analysis was completed.”

“Are you going to let me go to him now?”

Fiercely’s head tilted. His tongue flickered. “You are anxious. You care for him?”

I ignored the question, wanting mine answered. “Do you need something from me? Is this some kind of experiment that has yet to finish? Are you interested in studying Earth now?”

“No.” Fiercely’s expression lightened. “I am pleased.”

“Okay.” I gave it a second. When it didn’t elaborate, I asked, “Um, why?”

“This extended communication is encouraging. You ask practical questions that are not a waste of my time, an endearing quality.”

“Because I live to please.”

“You will make a good life mate.” Fiercely drummed claws against the table top. “There is a scholar aboard, Nāga’s Rä’Na, but the primary designation of this vessel is trade. We have no scientific, or political interest in the planet you call Earth.”

“If that’s true what possible explanation do you have for taking me from Venom?”

“I note the strained tenor in your voice. Your breathing has accelerated. Tell me why you ready for battle.”

“Listen,” I clipped losing my temper. “I’m scared. I may not fear you’ll take my life, but there are worse things than death.”

“It was not our intention to frighten you.”

“You failed.”

“Indeed. We have ascertained you are no threat. Be calm.”

My eyes circled the metallic enclosure. “Then why am I imprisoned?” I glanced down at my crossed legs. Grimaced. “Why am I naked?”

“These accommodations were meant to allow you a tranquil space to meditate. You were supposed to adapt, so we could move you to private quarters. Do you understand we would have done this rotations ago if you had demonstrated a single act of acceptance to our hospitality?”

My expression was as dubious as my voice. “Like?”

Flat, black orbs latched onto me. “Not throwing the food prepared for your enjoyment.”

I snorted and broke eye contact to glare at his freakishly wide, sculpted chest, and the rigid, deep indentations of his abdominals.

Flushing, I shifted and tore my gaze away only to hitch on his broad thighs exaggerated by the muscle-hugging bodysuit.

“And you are bare because the rags you wore were contaminated with over eighteen alien viruses out of good fortune alone you and Venomous One did not contract. Furthermore, we decided it was a security risk to provide you with fabric in case you used it to do harm.”

My gaze whipped up and I blinked.

I understood its point of view, but there was mine to consider. “You say things as if I’ve been offensive. Do you understand from my perspective what you’ve done is offensive and frightening?”

“Past transgressions between interplanetary species make us reluctant to tamper with the minds of sentient life without consent.”

“What happened?”

“It is past. Rä are sensitive to such things. Nāga would have fitted you with a communicator without delay if you had not reacted so adversely to our presence.”

“You’re making out like the inhospitality was my fault.”

Fiercely leaned forward, jaw clenching. “In no way did you indicate–”

“I didn’t understand you.”

“Understood. In no way did you indicate nonverbally that you were open to our handling. That you trusted us, and would not attack making yourself vulnerable.”

“You’re not getting me. Remember the moment we met? You looked at me with disgust. Then you drugged me. It was you that did that to me, wasn’t it?”

“I carried you from the landing bay to this enclosure, yesss.”

“Thought so. You do that, and I’m supposed to turn around and trust you? Please.” He was lucky my injured hand rested on my lap because he would so be getting palm right now.

Pain radiated through my wrist scattering my thoughts.

Frustrated, I tried to put my point into a context he’d relate to. “You removed me from my protector then placed me in a bright room devoid of anything. Do you know what that’s like? To be displaced and isolated after trauma? It’s torture.”

Scowling, Fiercely stiffened. “This enclosure is designed–”

“We’re veering off topic.” Mouth tight with annoyance, I gave him the hand in spite of the pain because he was trippin’. “Regardless of where you put me and how you got me there it is now the why I’m concerned with.” I shifted on my cushion, wondering how something so simple could be so comfortable. Then again anything would be more comfortable than the cold, hard floor. “Where is Venom? I’m going crazy not knowing.”

“You are not mentally deficient. You are being extensively monitored to ensure you are not adversely affected during space travel.”

“Lucky me, I can now say I’m not crazy because I’ve been tested. Where did you say Venom was again?”

“Honoured Rä’Na, I assure you, you are safe with me.”

Not appeased by his cordiality at all, I tried a different tactic. “My name is Lumen.”

“Loo-ma.”

“No.” I was not dealing with a mispronunciation of my name. “Listen.” Tugging on my ear, I puckered my lips and drew the sounds out for him to emulate.

“Loo-mah,” he repeated shifting closer.

“Luummeenn.”

Black eyes twinkled. “Luh’men.”

“Fine,” I snapped, jerking back. “That’ll have to do.”

Fiercely bowed, a hand placed over where Venomous told me lay a Rä’s primary heart.

Odd.

I’d gotten the impression it was an intimate gesture for spouses. “You honour me, She, Lumen of the Stars.”

“What did you just call me?”

“Venomous One told me your name words. He made clear your importance to him. I am Warrior He, Fiercely Comes the Night of the Eastern province, and guild kin to Venomous One.”

“Oh, you’re a He? Male?”

“This distresses you?”

Discomfited by my mistake, I gave him a sheepish look. “No, I’m sorry, I thought ... I heard wrong. The translator was fuzzy when I first woke, and I must not have been paying attention the second time.”

Knowing he was a male made being naked awkward, but Fiercely was so polite it didn’t bother me too much.

I clumped my limbs together tighter. “It was Venom who called me Lumen of Stars?”

“Lumen of the Stars.”

Arguing I had a last name that served me well for twenty-five years seemed pointless.

My alien gave it to me, it wasn’t a presumptuous decision on Fiercely’s part, so I accepted it.

And it was kind of cute.

It made me feel a smidgen closer to being accepted by the Rä.

“May I have ice for my wrist?”

“Nāga will finish analysing your scans soon. I will see what can be done to make you comfortable before he heals you.” Fiercely’s gaze travelled to my mouth again. It wandered over my face then back to my eyes. “Then you will be returned to your Rä’Vek.”

I simply nodded, withholding any telling reaction in case they plotted to use the relationship against me.

Better safe than sorry.

“Why isn’t he here? He’d never leave if he were able to stay and protect me himself.”

“I sedated him,” Fiercely admitted, “then put him in immobilising restraints that act as a portable stasis unit. I did not want to panic you by informing you your Rä’Vek was unconscious. You were already suspicious of me.”

Trust had to begin somewhere, so I took him at his word. “When will he wake?”

“We have removed the device, so within a span.”

It made it better to know Venomous kicked up a fuss when they took me.

Feeling more at ease, I nodded in understanding.

They hadn’t hurt me; only wanted to make sure I wasn’t a threat to their rescued countryman.

I understood their reservations, Venomous had made it clear mating offworlders was not done on Rök.

Until they got to know me, they’d be leery, and treat me as an outsider.

“May I go to him after we finish eating?”

“Why?”

“I’d like to hold him as he sleeps, be at his side when he wakes.”

Fiercely’s chin lowered. “I am confused as to why you want to comfort your male when it is his duty to comfort you.”

“Seriously?”

“Are you not upset Venomous was not strong enough to stay at your side?”

“Well, no. You made it so he couldn’t. Why would I blame him for something you did?”

The baffled look showed he didn’t get it.

“Can I go to him?”

“As you wish.” He remained seated assessing me.

“Now?”

“Soon.”

Holding back a stream of profanity, I studied my surroundings. “The Trekker is this ship?”

“Yesss. We are on a deep space vessel we use for planetary defence and offworld trade.” Fiercely motioned around us. “Trekker.”

“How long until–”

An explosion shook the walls, and the lights cut as an alarm bleated.

The room fell into darkness and quaked.

Flashes of white light blinded me, the hallucinogenic effect causing me to scuttle on all fours.

I wrenched my mouth open to scream as Fiercely dove over the table to scoop me up.

Stumbling when I sucked in a breath then screamed again, he slapped a hand over my mouth.

“We are under attack,” he announced.

Dragging his hand away from where it engulfed the lower half of my face, I shrilled, “No shit.”

A bluish screen appeared out of thin air to hover in front of us.

Hieroglyphs and rectangular sequences of data scrolled across the flickering display in a jumble of information.

Whatever it revealed made Fiercely spit a low curse. “The Trekker is breached. We must evacuate.”

“Who the hell is attacking us?” The wailing alarm almost drowned my words.

“Raiders.”

“What?”

Though his voice remained calm, his expression was alarmed as he sprinted at the silver wall.

I clutched him desperately, bug-eyed, and braced for impact.

We passed straight through and stood in a deserted hallway.

Nothing but lights blinking, alarms blaring, and an eerie barrenness that sent chills down my spine.

Breathing hard, Fiercely spun as if shocked.

A worried noise broke from the warrior’s chest, a cross between a hiss and a growl.

I gleaned the lack of other Rä was not good.

Peeking over his shoulder, I saw back into the enclosure that was my prison.

I’d dreamed of the moment I no longer had to look at those blank walls, but now, I wanted nothing more than to curl up in one of the corners and hide.

Fiercely took off down the empty corridor.

He leapt through the apparently solid wall at the end causing me to have another minor cardiac event.

We exited into chaos.

The air was rank with the tinny stench of blood and sweaty male, the usually cool battleship muggy, a crush of bodies flooding the junction with heat.

Strobe light made the gruesome scene worse by cutting it to black then throwing it into stark relief.

Warriors seemingly froze in mid battle, grotesque spectacles of destruction before the lack of light cloaked the mayhem.

Crouching, moving side to side as if ready to pounce, Fiercely hissed, “Dei San.”

A memory unravelled, but I lost the thread. “Who?”

“Space pirates. Backstabbing thieves that prey on unsuspecting vessels.”

“Do we have things to steal?”

Grim, he held me tighter. “Yesss. And Rä fetch a high price on the black market.”

Sold at auction a-fucking-gain?

No, not sold, tossed in as a free damn purchase.

I gaped in horror as I realised my mate was somewhere on the ship unconscious and vulnerable because they’d made him easy prey.

“Don’t just stand there,” I raged. “Do something.”

A slathering Dei San lumbered our direction with a piercing screech.

I recoiled at the monstrous, bulging muscles and blistering red skin covering its cadaverous body under dented, tarnished armour.

The Dei San’s prehensile tail cracked side to side, sharp tip scratching a groove into the floor.

A mouth full of needle thin teeth gnashed, and notched bones running its elongated spine snapped erect.

A rotten, pungent stench wafted from the creature, and a pronged cock engorged as it thrust out its snout and sniffed the air, scenting female.

“Don’t let it get me,” I whispered huddling.

It would hurt me, damage me in some screwed up way to add to the never ending pile of fucked up shit I needed therapy for since I’d been abducted.

Snuffling as it stalked my scent, the Dei San grew close enough to spot me.

It threw back its bony skull with a guttural shriek then charged, a lumbering giant possessing the power to crush me with a single blow.

Hand on heart, my life flashed before my eyes.

It was a pitiful flickering I swore to change if fate intervened.

Never again would I trudge aimlessly through life, I’d do better, I’d make something of myself.

My death scream was strangled when the world upended.

Fiercely somersaulted in a feat of gravity defying acrobatics.

We went up, twisted, rolled over, and landed with him on the balls of his feet, five paces back from where we’d been, facing the opposite direction.

With me clutched to his chest, I thought he’d run, but no, the tumble gave him enough space to jump over a swinging blade, and deliver an airborne butterfly kick to the Dei San’s head.

Lurching to avoid another slash of the toothed blade, Fiercely flipped me over his shoulder, and I ended up attached to his broad back, the breath knocked from me, tangled hair obscuring my vision.

I scrambled to grab hold, sinking my fingers into his rubbery bodysuit, and wondering just what the fuck he thought he was doing.

Free to advance a frontal attack, Fiercely lashed out, grabbing the thick neck of our aggressor to hold him fast.

Using his talons, he gouged into the spaces between its metal armour, drawing a viscous spurt of blood, and hit a lumpy swelling that popped then splashed the wall with acid puss that ate through the metal.

The Dei San keened, crashing to its knees.

Snarling, Fiercely didn’t stop.

Claws embedded deep, he used the others to shred the breastplate from our assailant.

He plunged his fists into its chest.

Bones shattered as he punched past a fused ribcage, and dug into the Dei San’s steaming innards, macerating them to mush before wrenching back his gore-slicked hands, pulsating viscera clinging to his claw tips.

The pirate gurgled, mucus dripping from its serrated teeth.

Bowels loosening, it keeled over dead.

Rattled by the viciousness and gagging at the rancid stink, I stifled a scream.

It was the slave planet all over again, but in outer space, on a spaceship with a pressurised hull that might get punctured by one of the brainless uglies shooting lasers.

We’d be sucked out into the airless void.

If I didn’t breathe out, I’d have nine seconds of agony where the liquid in my mouth and eyes evaporated with frostbite, my lungs ruptured, and my flesh swelled with water even as the outer layers of my skin flayed from extreme heat caused by radiation.

The agony would end as I passed out from the eye rolling convulsions.

Oh, wait, no eye rolling because my eyeballs will be sightless lumps of ice.

Should I, of course, have enough wits to exhale as my limp body whiplashed out of the jagged tear in the ship, and I hurtled through the black nothing at incalculable speeds, unable to breathe, unable to move, I might even last up to half a minute, and experience the excruciating torment of the bends multiplied by a trillion, as my paralytic husk shattered to fragments when it finally collided with a speck of cosmic dust, but really, why bother?

I wanted off the space voyage and on terra firma in a bad way.

Blocking my nose, counting breaths, I pressed my forehead onto Fiercely’s scaled nape.

It took every ounce of my common sense and self control not to jump off his back then run screaming for Venomous.

The ship was under siege.

Warriors died horribly paces from me.

It was not the time to act on flight impulse because if I ran, I’d get caught.

If I ran, I would die.

Slipping, I wrapped my legs around Fiercely’s waist then clasped my own wrist, arms locked around his neck.

It hurt, my wrist throbbing, but my fear of falling was greater.

The corridor was crammed with six-limbed Rä battling Dei San.

The raiders stood two to three feet taller with considerably more mass, rendering the superior Rä warrior skills equal to their brute strength.

Physically, it was all I could do not to faint, emotionally, I was all over the place.

Why hadn’t Venomous found me?

Hadn’t he woken?

Please let him be awake and able to defend himself.

I was beside myself with worry.

How will I find him if they get him off this ship?

Panting with fright, I pressed my mouth to Fiercely’s spiky ear. “How did they find us in open space? Are we ship jacked? Is there ship jacking in space? Is ship jacking even the right term?”

Babbling, I gulped down far too much air, panic building on top of the stress that had been built on more panic.

I didn’t know how to maintain equilibrium.

How am I supposed to deal with the constant terror without going nuts?

“Are we in a shipping lane?” I shrilled. “Because if we are I don’t think that was smart. Not that I’m judging the pilot.... Actually, I am judging. Harshly. Considering the circumstances, I have every freaking right to be pissed. This was meant to be a rescue! They are ruining this rescue, and it is rude.”

Ignoring my high-pitched blether for what it was, nonsense, Fiercely retreated until my back bumped the wall.

“Thsst!” He’d put himself between me and danger. “They must have lain in wait until we were out of range of an Alliance planet to launch this attack.” Thumping a fist against the inner hull, he hissed, a savage sound of frustration. He clamped a hand around my ankle. “I cannot get you out. They block the route to the escape pods.”

Chills rippled across my flesh. “We can’t leave the ship. Where’s Venom? We have to get him first.”

More Dei San flooded the corridor.

The conflict swung in their favour, overwhelming the warriors with sheer numbers.

Cursing, Fiercely shuffled until we ducked around a corner ignoring my anguished pleas to find my mate.

Running a claw along the dented wall, he grew still, palms pressed to the metal, his head tilted back.

A black opening appeared above us.

It hummed, the noise originating from recessed fans, and blew fresh, cool air onto our upturned faces.

He lifted me. “Get inside.”

I did, but turned around to stick my head back out. “Venom–”

“You are no good to him dead.” Bloodied talons stroked my hair. “In here you will be safe. It is better this way. I can look my nest mate in the brille knowing I did all I could to keep you from suffering at their hands.”

Mind fixed on one thing, finding Venomous, the meaning of his words flew right over my head.

I grabbed his hand.

It was slippery with gore, still, I held it tight. “Hide with me. Once they pass, we’ll go after Venom together.”

“You will never know how your words tempt me. Lumen you are.... I am becoming....” A violent tremor shook him then he pulled himself together. “Venomous One must be seeking you. I will go to him. I cannot abandon him now I have found him, and Nāga has a female on board who needs protection.”

Terrified of being abandoned, I wanted to beg him to stay. I sucked it up. “Please find him. Please.”

“Venomous will come for you. If not.... Thsst! Honoured Rä’Na, Lumen, death is worth it to have found you. Forgive me. I should not have separated you from him.”

The vent snapped closed, and I was alone in the darkness.

For the longest time, I huddled there, immobile, staring at where his face used to be then I fell onto my back and covered my face with my hands to weep.

Tears streaked my temples and wet my hair.

It felt as if I lay there forever, sobbing, digging my fingertips into my skull worried I’d go insane.

Time passed.

I grew to hate the dark.

How long has it been since Fiercely left?

The fighting had been so close, I’d heard the horrendous screeches of death.

In a brief moment of calm, I rallied, hoping the warriors would beat the Dei San back, but when it became clear by the terrible sounds that wasn’t happening, I simply begged for it to end.

I could hear their torture.

The screams, the screams, the screams, they were horrifying.

Sounds of pain and anguish tore at my soul, and I believe for a time, I lost my mind.

Venomous was out there.

Surely he’d be awake, and not lying defenceless, his body dragged away to be shackled, or worse, made sport of.

Made to scream.

The thought made me physically sick.

Luckily, the little I’d eaten made a syrupy puddle that wasn’t too bad to lie in.

What if I never see him again?

More time passed.

As the gurgles of death quietened, I became conscious of pressing matters requiring my attention.

I was stuck in a vent, and I had no idea how to open it.

Only Fiercely knew where I hid, and there was a strong likelihood he’d died trying to reach Venomous.

Therefore, no one knew where I was.

Not only was I locked inside a vent I couldn’t unlock, I was aboard an enemy occupied battleship floating, literally, in the middle of nowhere.

There was no food, and no water.

I had no weapons.

Hell, I didn’t even have clothes on.

I could crawl my sobbing, petrified, naked self ten feet back and forth.

Taking the time to pace my breathing, I focused on one thing at a time rather than have a breakdown and chew my lips off.

What would Venomous do?

Assess the risks with keeping me safe foremost in his mind.

I can do that.

It was just thinking, after all, nothing difficult about it.

My hiding place was secure; the Dei San hadn’t found me.

They may not even know of my existence, as Fiercely gutted the one that scent tagged me.

If I could find a way to leave the vent, and sneak about the ship, I might find food and water.

I could scope out what the pirates were doing then figure out how to proceed after my most pressing needs were taken care of.

What is the easiest, safest thing to do?

Wait where I was ... and starve to death because no one was coming back for me.

The sensible action was to creep around the, fingers crossed, deserted Trekker corridors until I found the escape pods.

That was where Fiercely tried to take me, so I knew the correct direction to head in.

Will the pods get me where I need to go?

Maybe if I get to one in time, I could fetch the Rä help.

There was the worry they’d all been used, but I intuitively knew the warriors wouldn’t have abandoned ship.

They would have shoved Nāga’s female into a pod then fought to the death.

Curling into a ball for warmth, I wished I’d been stuffed into a heating vent instead of a cooling one.

I cursed Fiercely for disposing of the tunic Venomous had gotten me.

After cursing him, I wept, taking it back and begging any cosmic deities listening to keep him safe from harm if he was alive.

Maybe then he will bring me some bloody clothes.

Anger narrowing my will to a burning desire to find clothing is what caused it to happen.

Globules of silver dripped from the wall to land cold on my shoulder.

I squealed, frantic to somehow rub it off without touching it, but more splashed onto my skin then coalesced into a pool near my hip.

Then nothing, no fiery pain, or microscopic nastiness trying to devour me whole.

Feeling stupid to have reacted so badly, my panic abated.

A sliver of light came from the wall.

I pressed my eye to it, and saw it was the corridor.

Fiercely and Nāga had made things happen in the enclosure with a thought, like bringing up holograms out of thin air, or making lights beam brighter or dimmer.

I had guessed it was a Rä thing, and even if it wasn’t, I’d assumed they would have ensured I was unable to exercise control of my environment as their prisoner.

I have to think the vent open?

Dropping my head back, I pretended to stare past my metal cage into the vastness of outer space to stave off the encroaching feeling of claustrophobia.

Rä used mental commands to control minor functions on the Trekker.

A logical conclusion and not a crazy one?

As crazy as being kidnapped from Earth then falling into lust with an alien warrior?

I blew out a breath then shifted to face the wall.

Trying not to feel stupid, I directed ‘open’ thoughts at it. “Come on, come on. Melt or whatever.”

The wall rippled, as if a pool I’d dabbed in the middle.

Globules separated into metallic beads so minuscule they appeared grains of sand.

The fluid mass ran into a mercury puddle under my knees, cold, yet not wet.

Relief soothed my ragged nerves as the wall opened into the same sized hole I crawled in.

Then I froze.

It took far too long to gather the courage to leave.

Rocking, crying because I was so fucking weak, the entire time, I ignored the urge to pee.

I trained my chaotic mind to focus on one simple fact; staying here means you will die.

But even that wouldn’t get me moving.

Venomous might be alive, and might die if you do nothing.

I inched forward.

Stopped when the smell of blood wafted from the corridor.

Soon the dry clicks of my tongue and the rumblings of my empty stomach overpowered my fear.

The last thing I wanted was to grow too weak to move.

Dehydration would make me useless, affecting my decision-making abilities, not that they weren’t already messed up.

Mincing to the mouth of the vent, I stilled when the walls vibrated.

Nothing is wrong, you’re trembling, keep going.

Sucking down a breath, I popped my head out, snapped it left then right then jerked back inside within a second flat.

The corridor was empty.

Scooting around, complicated when a space is only four feet wide, I slid out toes first.

An errant thought halted my movement, and I dangled mid air, half in and half out.

How will I get back into the vent when it’s so damn high?

It was the only secure hiding place I had, and by leaving it, I’d be adrift with nowhere to run to if discovered.

Indecision ate at me, the lip of the opening cutting into my stomach hurting.

Just fucking do it.

Decision made, heart pounding, I eased down until my arms were fully extended.

My fingertips gripped the very edge then I took the drop to the floor with enough grace to boost my confidence.

I spun to put my back to the wall.

The corridor extended out in a curve in both directions.

Knowing what lay to my right, I wanted to go left, but the need to know if Fiercely survived was overwhelming.

The escape pods were in that direction too.

There would be food rations, and water on one of them for sure.

Pressed to the wall, I shuffled along until I reached a tight bend.

Peeking around the corner, I stifled a gasp.

Vomit surged into my throat, and I clasped a hand over my mouth to smother the sound of my retching.

Bodies littered the blood-drenched deck.

Rä warriors had been hacked into pieces then left to rot beside their enemies.

Was Fiercely among the slain?

Venomous.

Before I realised my feet moved, I rounded the corner and blindly staggered into the intersection.

Panic had me scanning the mutilated bodies of the dead in a detached haze.

They stank.

My toes squished together in a thick, black substance spilling from the disembowelled body of a Dei San, and I fought a hysterical scream.

Some of the Rä faces were so damaged, I couldn’t recognize the mashes of bone and brain matter as facial features.

None of them looked big enough to be Venomous, nor was their colour right.

There were moments his scales appeared molten gold, and were otherwise deep olive mottled with bronze and amber.

They were unforgettable.

Calming, I again scanned the bodies, unable to spot Fiercely’s distinct emerald shade.

Nāga’s sedate, dark blue was absent too.

Relief stole through my body, the force of it making me woozy.

Could they be alive?

Hurt pierced the horror of my environment.

If they had survived, why hadn’t they come for me?

Captives?

The Dei San would be terrible considering the carnage they left behind.

Is it down to me to save them?

Slapping the heel of my palm to my forehead, I leaned against the wall as my knees knocked.

What if they were no longer on the Trekker?

How could I do anything worthwhile to help them?

A more terrifying thought occurred.

What if I was alone on the ship?

What if as I stood there woolgathering, the vessel flew into a blazing sun, or an asteroid belt because the pilot was gone?

After taking a moment to frighten myself silly, imagining the worst, I squared my shoulders.

I had two options; find the escape pods or save the Rä.

Only one of the choices was acceptable to me.

If there was a chance Venomous and Fiercely were alive, I would find them and set them free.

They’d wrest back control of the ship, and only then would I be safe to completely fall apart.

Until then suck it up, girl.

I had to keep focused or I’d go back to rocking in a corner and tearing my hair out.

A thorough search of the ship was the only way forward.

Staying where I was any longer increased the risk I’d get caught.

The Trekker was used in planetary defence, so there had to be a place to detain prisoners, holding cells of some kind like ... the one I’d been in.

Shamefully, I considered pilfering clothes from the dead to cover my nakedness.

I decided against it out of respect.

Determined, I retraced Fiercely’s steps.

It took a while to navigate the corridors he had raced through during the attack because they all looked the same.

I’d worried about the walking-through-the-walls issue, but the entire ship seemed more open.

Or maybe I just wasn’t being such a sissy.

Each wobbly step I took, I expected to round a bend and confront a hulking Dei San.

Sheer willpower kept my feet moving.

It can’t be much further.

Fiercely ran fast, but he hadn’t been moving long.

I turned a corner then choked.

Jerking back, I slammed against the metallic wall and the world darkened.

Face crumpling, my shoulders shook from the force of my tears, and I slapped the back of my hand to my mouth to muffle a whimper.

Dei San.

It lay sprawled across the corridor next to the threshold of a hazy force field.

Its snores thundered down the corridor.

A bright thought sliced through my terror, and the risk of blacking out from sheer fright vanished.

Didn’t a guard meant something of value to protect?

Something like prisoners.

All I had to do was sneak up to the force field, peek inside, and check if Venomous and Fiercely were imprisoned.

I’d figure out how to pass through the barrier without waking the Dei San if they were inside.

All I needed was courage.

I slinked around the corner, breathing in shallow pulls.

Rather than creep along, knowing I’d lose my nerve long before I got there, I picked up my feet and sprinted on my toes then softly slid to a stop a foot from the sentry’s paws.

I swivelled to stare inside the enclosure.

My heart skipped a beat as I took an unconscious step, hands flying to cover my mouth in case I squealed.

Rä warriors filled the room.

In the middle of the battered gathering was my male, my Venomous One.

Fiercely sat next to him, head bent, deep in discussion.

I swung my arms not wanting to make noise, but couldn’t help a hiss-whispered, “Babe.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Venomous woke.

He inhaled, lungs expanding with cool air, his chest enclosed in....

His hands came up to smooth over the matte textile of his full body hardsuit.

The resilient material hugged his musculature, yet sensation wasn’t dulled nor movement hindered.

It felt good to be in the garb of a warrior, to be in decent accommodations, and to breathe air not rancid with sweat and death.

The furs at his back were clean and fresh, the mat beneath them thick and comfortable.

My Lumen will finally....

Jerking up, Venomous scanned the quarters.

“Lumen?”

Nothing, he was alone.

His hearts tried to fly from his chest, but he calmed himself.

Thoughts in disarray, he looked down at his empty arms.

He could feel her soft, warm weight.

Impatient, Venomous stretched his mind back, memory tapering into blood, screams, and his alien mate’s salty musk as she wept for those they’d lost.

She’d ... died in his arms!

His hearts stuttered then surged on when his instincts forced him to think past the foggy remembrance of her limp body and sightless eyes.

The memory was a falsehood, distorted.

His body knotted in spasms as a bone-deep, numbing current of energy passed through his fibrous tissues.

Gritting his fangs, tendons popping and ligaments stretched tight, irritated, Venomous shook off the lingering malaise.

The effects of the immobiliser would continue to sap his strength for the rest of the rotation, but he would steadily regain his power, and his mind would clear.

A nanosec of separation from his Rä’Na was unacceptable, so not having her to hand was infuriating.

Why was I in stasis?

Unease overcame his composure as he thought of his frightened, little human.

Where is my defenceless life mate? Lumen needs me.

She cannot be without my protection.

Venomous knew he had felt her single heart beating before the darkness claimed him.

She was alive and needing him, he knew it.

Lumen had been sleeping because of....

Fiercely Comes the Night.

“If he has hurt her....”

Growling, Venomous eased across the nest, his limbs weighty.

He gained his feet then stormed from the comfortable quarters without looking back.

He glanced at the far wall to speed read the glyphs on the mounted plaque, gained his bearings then set off for the command deck.

His twin hearts beat too fast, pushing fiery anger through his veins and rousing primal instincts to prepare him for a confrontation with the a’Rä who’d dare meddle in his affairs.

Squaring his shoulders as he heard approaching footfalls, Venomous stiffened, and forced his emotions into a tight ball he hid behind a wall of superiority.

A hologram blinking a proximity warning flickered before him as the Trekker had already logged the change in hierarchy.

His stride faltered, brille fighting to unveil, so great was his shock.

He choked on fear, not for himself, no, never for himself, and felt no worry for the warriors aboard beyond a vague concern because death in battle was a risk a warrior acknowledged with an open heart.

The fear he felt was for her, for his Lumen.

Graphic, the hologram showed the shocking image of a Dei San battlecruiser dropping its stealth shield as it enclosed the Trekker within its pincers.

And so, edgy with panic because he was separated from the one who needed him most, Venomous was alerted to the raider spaceship the moment they launched a pulse blast.

The world shuddered.

He staggered, shoulder crashing into the wall beside the startled Rä’Vek travelling from the opposite direction.

The shrill grinding of tearing metal echoed down the corridor, and a tremor shook the Trekker.

Central lights died leaving nothing but the intermittent blink of the emergency strobe.

Backup generators trundled to life, pushing oxygen through the ventilation system, the artificial atmosphere maintained on its default setting until the ship’s mainframe rebooted after its forced dormancy.

Defensive capabilities were inactive, communications severed.

Offensive weaponry was good for nothing until the ship recovered.

“V-Venomous One?” Voice trembling, the Rä’Vek failed to hide his fear.

Dread thickened the air Venomous dragged into his lungs, yet his voice remained cool. “It is Dei San.”

“O-Orders, Warrior?”

“You are a Scholar?”

“Healer. I am He, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons. I was coming to check on you to ensure you were not experiencing complications from extended stasis in the immobiliser.”

“Nothing unexpected. Muscle spasms, memory loss.”

They snapped to attention as pounding, thumping sounds echoed down the corridor.

“My Rä’Na,” Nāga whispered. “She is alone.”

Venomous knew how the male felt. “Is your life mate a warrior?”

“No, Sweetly Cries the Beast is a scholar.” The male made a low, pained noise. “She came on this expedition because she did not want to be parted from me for so long. She is not a fighter. She is delicate.”

“We will find her. Remain at my side, and protect my back as I shall yours.” Venomous pushed away from the wall, gaze spearing into the dark abyss at the end of the passageway. “We must go for my Rä’Na as well. She is offworlder. Perhaps you have seen her?”

“I cared for her during your convalesce. She was doing better the last I saw. Fiercely Comes the Night was with your human this last span. He will not abandon her.”

“Fiercely is a great warrior, but his instincts will draw him to me. It is my duty to protect my Rä’Na. I must find her. She is not strong like Rä. The invaders will savage her.”

Dei San infiltrated unsuspecting vessels in great swarms, overcoming even the greatest warrior species with their sheer numbers, yet if the Rä greeted them in hand-to-hand combat they may be victorious in beating them back just long enough to deliver the females to safety.

The fight would be brutal, many would die, but the females would suffer unspeakable violations if they did not succeed in holding off the assault long enough to get them to the escape pods.

Venomous thought it was a kindness there were so few females on board then blanched at thoughts of how cruelly his mate would be used if found.

I have to find my Lumen, and get her to an escape pod.

They were programmed to fly to home world, or to the closest Alliance planet.

They were stocked with enough nutrient feed to support life for up to six galactic moontides.

Crouching, Venomous faced the healer without taking his eyes off the corridor.

The rancid stink of Dei San infested his nostrils.

“Where did you take my Rä’Na?” he asked.

“She is in a holding enclosure near the medical bays.”

Hissing, Venomous took off and Nāga followed as he headed towards the bowels of the ship.

Before long they came across a swarm of Dei San at an intersection.

Venomous’ acute senses were bombarded by stimuli.

Vibrations juddered through the soles of his boots into his tensed lower body.

The smell of putrefied body odour flooded his nose working his gag reflex.

Heat battered his scales.

Dying screams and screeching roars reverberated against his sensitive eardrums.

The battle group trying to hold the pirates at bay were outnumbered, but fought bravely.

Scowling, Venomous’ claws sliced the throat of a Dei San that spun to leap at him with a piercing shriek.

Another used a three sided blade to gouge Nāga, who had yelled over the skirmish searching for his female, and drawn its attention.

Venomous grabbed the Dei San by its spiked tail then swung it into the wall, caving its head in.

Shaking out the tremor in his arm, flexing his rigid fingers, he went to ask the male what his Rä’Na, Sweetly Cries the Beast, looked like, but a familiar tantalizing fragrance and taste sent his senses reeling.

Head snapping around, Venomous’ tongue flickered and curled at the threshold of his lips.

He tasted blood, hot flesh, pungent musk and terror.

I know I scented her....

He took an unconscious step, breaking the neck of a lumbering Dei San as it charged him, gaze roaming the senseless carnage.

Over the stench of death, he smelt the crisp waterfalls of Rök.

Lumen.

Head swivelling, his wild gaze sought her out over the fracas to alight on a sight that made his gut churn.

Fiercely Comes the Night battled a monstrous Dei San with Lumen clinging perilously to his back.

Fury blasted through him.

Why has he brought her to the most dangerous place on the ship?

Venomous’ attention darted to the access strip blocked by the conflict, and he realised Fiercely had tried to deliver her to the escape pods, but ran into the core of the Dei San infiltration.

Impatient to enclose his Lumen in his arms, and bear her to safety, Venomous signalled to Nāga to stay close.

The healer dragged himself up.

Blood marred his shoulder where a lesion gaped.

Breathing laboured, he swayed then righted himself, plastering a bleak look of determination across his blunted features.

Unlike the Healers, Scholars and Artisans, Rä Hunters and Warriors were protected by their anima.

The defence mechanism was an involuntary reaction to danger, otherwise, only visible when the Rä suffered intense emotion.

Only a mated Rä fighting in defence of their mate could summon the full force of the anima, and continuously shield their flesh.

As he strode into the battle, Venomous felt his anima flourish at the threat to his life mate.

Gold scales merged then hardened, creating armoured plates across his chest, back and thighs.

Keeled scutes on his forearms and calves jutted into bladed edges able to slice and maim when delivering a strike.

His brow ridge slanted down his nose to extend protection to his brille, giving him a fearsome glare.

A Dei San that jumped into his path tucked tail then staggered back as his attention snapped to it with a black promise of evisceration.

Venomous snarled, the glands bracketing his forked tongue swelling causing his fangs to drip, and his hiss to deepen into a menacing scratch.

Biting his prey would inject the vicious fluid into living tissue, destroying it as it filtered into the bloodstream to cause internal haemorrhaging.

The recipient spent the last moments of its life locked in a yawning rictus of gnawing, burning agony as its heart seized and its blood boiled.

Unlike the numbing, paralysing blend of the seeding toxin, and because of the fatal effects, envenomation by bite was used only in the direst of need.

Dying, crippled warriors grabbed hold of Dei San ankles, sinking their fangs deep into their tainted flesh.

As their brille dimmed from black to blind grey, they sought Grandfather’s embrace at peace, knowing their poisoned bite ensured the guild kin they left behind had one less enemy.

Venomous powered through the swarm, crushing those that dared obstruct his path.

He grew closer to his Rä’Na, her scent becoming stronger with each head he took, with each spine he snapped.

Bony skull thrown back in a screech, the Pirate Chief ploughed its behemothic mass through the gory fray to throw its immense weight behind a sideswiping lunge.

Venomous was forced to abandon his single-minded pursuit.

It felt as if the bonded molecules that were the sum of his existence shuddered upon impact.

Absorbing the force of the blow from a being three times his own heft, he grunted, using the creature’s own power to his advantage.

He twisted at his middle, gripped the Dei San’s rusted armour then went down, dragging the pirate with him.

Rolling onto his back, gathering speed as he went, he launched it across the intersection into the bulkhead.

Its ungainly hurtle took down three others.

Venomous ended the tumble squatted, the claws on his lower arms anchored to the floor for balance, hissing a threat as the Chief bounded onto its taloned feet then charged.

The Dei San fought with a savagery that taxed Venomous’ fighting abilities to the limit.

Its boulder like fists and spiked tail were unwieldy, but even a glancing blow from the heavy, over muscled appendages felt as if he’d had a near miss with a battering ram.

Lingering weakness from the immobiliser slowed his movements and made his counter attacks slipshod.

A swipe to its throat that should have landed true fell short because his shoulders were stiff, and a knee jab to the creature’s iron gut held but a fraction of his strength.

Out of the corner of his brille, he saw Fiercely hurl himself into the heat of battle.

Great Serpent, where is my Lumen!

Spasms bunched the muscles in his thighs and locked his back mid duck.

A blow to the side of the head knocked Venomous to his knees.

Fighting through his knotting muscles and blurred vision, he knelt ready to surge onto his feet, but an onslaught of hammering fists to his head and chest kept him stooped long enough for a shock collar to be clamped around his neck from behind.

Voltage ripped down his spine and exploded in his brain.

He crashed to the ground, the nerve clusters in his body on fire.

Wracked with unbearable pain, he convulsed, head bashing against the floor, lips peeled back in a fang-baring grimace.

The last thing Venomous heard before oblivion was the Dei San screeching their victory.

***

Darkness fell away, and Venomous stood on a bank of green, powdery sand.

The red sun of Rök warmed his scales, and the air was laden with the scent of cold waterfalls and fresh cut mentha.

Lumen walked past him, her gossamer softsuit shimmering in the light, billowing on a gust of spicy wind.

She smiled over her shoulder.

“This way,” she whispered and took off at a run.

He chased after her, not understanding how or when his life mate developed the speed and agility of a razorbeast as she glided over the shifting dunes.

Laughing, not a pace away, he reached out to grab her for a kiss when she was jerked into the air by an invisible force, and catapulted into a vast, starry sky, screaming for him as she disappeared into the inky nothingness.

Head snapping back, he searched for her, pulse racing as he was unable to follow. “No, no, no.”

“Venom!”

He spun and there she was, held aloft by the throat, small legs kicking at the air as she struggled to breathe.

Snout parted in a sick grin, the Dei San Pirate Chief screeched as it broke her neck then tossed her lifeless body to the ground to mount her like the soulless animal it was.

“No.” He rushed toward her, but another scream from behind had him spinning once more.

There she was again, battered, bloody, on hands and knees scrambling across the sand as Sorkbhal stalked her.

The L’Odo stomped on her back, snapping it as she extended an arm, fingers reaching for him, eyes begging him to save her.

Roaring a challenge, the L’Odo ripped her head from her shoulders.

Fearing he had gone mad, Venomous fell to his knees then screamed and screamed until a flash of light blinded him and he smelt blood.

***

Hearts thundering, Venomous snapped into consciousness in a heaving, thrashing mass of limbs.

Moaning stopped him cold.

Tensing, unsure why he lay prone, arms pulled to the middle and small of his back, his head twisted to the side, he tried to shift then realised he was in irons

The indicator light on his chest blinked yellow; active.

Indestructible restraints bound his ankles, throat and hands, the links so tight he could barely move.

Using his shoulder, he pushed onto his spread knees then groggily looked about.

He recognised the red haze denoting the enclosure he woke within secured prisoners.

His brille roamed the environs in his line of sight as his tongue flickered to absorb what his eyes could not see, nor his tactile sense feel.

Eighteen beaten Rä warriors surrounded him, including Fiercely and Nāga.

Eighteen had survived from two hundred; fifty warriors from each province was the normal number assigned to offworld trade.

There had not been a massacre of that magnitude in aeons.

And his Lumen was not within sight.

With a sense of growing trepidation, he inhaled, but could not smell her cool scent.

He focused, but did not hear her soft voice, or the gentle rush of her breath.

Dread washed over him as he remembered his horrendous dream.

It was not real, she could not be dead.

His stomach roiled as he struggled with painful reality, the likelihood Lumen perished during the raid that had stolen the lives of so many.

His chest felt like a block of stone.

A river of icy pain spread through his extremities.

Bile scalded the back of his throat.

Distraught, Venomous held his breath until his brille ceased threatening to unveil, and dug deep for the strength to endure.

Allowing himself to fall apart was not acceptable.

His responsibilities to his mate did not end with imprisonment, or his loss of her.

He resolved to see the Rä through this.

They were his people and deserved him at his best.

All had kindred awaiting their return, and they deserved a chance to get home.

And he was owed retribution for his fallen Rä’Na, his beautiful Lumen of the Stars.

Zython, hear me, I vow I will not stop until each and every misbegotten Dei San spawned into existence lies broken at my feet.

I ask for strength, I ask for vengeance.

Grandfather, I beg you shield my mate until I join her at your side.

Settling into a cold, steely kind of focus, Venomous shifted to face He, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons.

As a mated male, the Rä’Vek was restrained as tightly as he, though it seemed a precaution done in vain.

He sat slouched, expression empty, brille vacant.

“Healer.”

No verbal response, just a blank stare that cut through him to sights unknown.

“Nāga,” he called and repeated the male’s name in a steady, commanding voice until he shuddered.

“Venomous One.” He cleared his throat yet his voice remained a dry rasp. “You have awoken.”

Venomous studied the smears of blood covering the warrior, most of the gore holding the vile stink of Dei San, but not all.

The Rä’Vek had been courageous to face such impossible odds.

What wouldn’t a male do to keep his female from harm?

“You fought bravely,” he commended.

“Not well enough. Sweetly Cries the Beast.” His voice broke. “My Rä’Na did not survive.”

Sensing that was not the whole of it, he was almost afraid to ask. “How do you know this?”

“I saw her body. Her brille was grey and they were ... they were on top of....” He shuddered then looked away.

Venomous bowed his head, wishing he could succumb to the wrenching draw of grief. “We mourn your loss.”

It would be years before the Rä’Vek recovered emotionally.

Venomous knew he would never recover from his own loss. “Take comfort, she sits at Grandfather’s side with my–”

“Lumen.”

Venomous’ head flew up.

Had he imagined the mumbled word? “Fiercely?”

Swaying as he pushed onto his knees, Fiercely Comes the Night shook himself lucid. “Lumen. She is safe, Venomous. I put her in a vent. The Dei San will not find her there. I sealed it shut, hid it from view.”

Joy blasted through the fibres of his being. “She is alive.”

Rocking back on his haunches, Venomous’ breath released in a hot rush of mind-numbing relief.

Renewed thoughts of finding her, keeping her safe crashed into the void losing her had left behind.

He felt weak to the tips of his claws. “My Rä’Na is alive, but will die if we do not reach her.”

“It may take the cycle, but we shall escape and–”

“Humans are not like us,” he interrupted knowing a cycle alone would be difficult for her.

“Scans suggest humans cannot survive long without water,” Nāga added shifting to face them with a sigh. “After three rotations her internal systems will fall into crisis.”

Mouth opening then closing, Venomous struggled not to growl.

He’d known his human was fragile after their time in the L’Odo slave mines, but this was ridiculous.

Has she no natural preservations?

“Are you certain?” he asked.

Slipping into medical mode, Nāga answered, “Lumen has a high metabolism. She is soft instead of muscular, but will burn through her energy reserves quickly. I estimate we have two rotations until she dehydrates.”

“She does drink a lot of water,” Venomous confirmed.

“After the two rotations, another before she begins to hallucinate, suffers convulsions then death. We have more time if she is in a dry, warm environment. Shorter if cold and wet.”

Fiercely winced. “Cold like an air vent?”

“She can catch cold,” Venomous revealed worry biting his insides. “It will take over a cycle to reach the auctions on Zoi Quay.” His jaw clenched and anger was a blistering well within his chest. “Even if I get to her, all I offer is death at the claws of monsters if they take her from me.”

“She is exotic,” Fiercely said and not unkindly. “They will gentle their urges to keep her.”

“That is no life for my mate,” Venomous snapped. “How can this have happened?”

“You know how. These miscreants have gotten hold of Baxnonian stealth tech. Who knows how many ships have fallen prey to their villainy.” Twitching, Fiercely’s lips thinned. “Is slavery at the hands of the L’Odo so bad?”

“Yesss.” He began the arduous task of escaping his bindings.

Perhaps if I break a wrist and the bones in one hand it will be bendable enough to wriggle free.

“My Lumen needs me. She will not survive unless we figure out a way to retake the ship within three rotations. We must remove these irremovable restrains, bypass the impenetrable force field, defeat the Dei San swarm, and do this without destroying the Trekker as my Lumen will need somewhere decent to recover after this mess.”

“You are not asking much of us then,” Fiercely noted blandly.

“If you knew my Rä’Na and how vulnerable, how dependant and–”

“Babe. Over here. This way.”

Everyone in the enclosure stopped moving, stopped breathing.

Venomous slowly turned his head to the haze.

Hallucinations were not uncommon in warriors who suffered the horrors of a battle.

He had known his guilt over his failure to keep Lumen safe would haunt him the rest of his lifecycle, but this was too much to take.

Fiercely jolted and hissed sharply.

Venomous knew then it was no fanciful delusion that surmounted the reason of his mind, but the flesh and blood reality of his life mate calling to him, much like she had in his nightmare.

Forgetting he was bound, he tried to stand.

He lurched, the restraints connected from his neck to his ankles pulling taut and throwing him off balance, but was saved from falling on his face by the steadying push of Fiercely’s shoulder.

“Lumen?” Disbelieving, his gaze dropped to the slumbering Dei San guarding their prison.

Fear gripped his hearts, and he motioned with his head for her to come.

When she hesitated, a growl rumbled from his throat.

He wanted her away from the beast lying not a foot from her.

“Come to me,” he beckoned. “The haze will not harm you.”

She ran through the force field, darted around the haphazard grouping of warriors shocked to see her, and then slammed into him.

Unable to catch her, or balance himself, they crashed to the ground.

Her arms hugged his neck, and her cheek pressed his. “I found you.” Her moist, warm breath gushed across his armoured flesh.

He shivered.

The enticing feel of her softness sprawled atop him erased his discomfiture from the fall.

“Thsst!” he hissed.

The veils covering his eyes trembled, and his anima infused the olive shades of his scales with iridescent gold.

Much more of her squirming would rouse a primal drive he was in no fit state to relieve.

“My Lumen,” he murmured. “Up.”

“Sorry.” She scrambled off then helped him onto his knees. Her face was bright and animated. “I’m so happy to have found you. I thought you were dead.” Planting a soft hand on his thigh, she lunged over his lap to grip Fiercely’s shoulder. “As for you, mister, you scared ten years off my life.”

“You are here.” Fiercely clicked his teeth. “How?”

“I used the power of my mind,” she answered in a grave voice her fingers touching her temples.

Fiercely’s slanted brille widened, the gleaming black liquid shining with pride. “Humans have the necessary cerebral capacity to link with the Trekker, but I never imagined you would accomplish it so readily. I assumed you would not think to try.”

“Honestly, I didn’t.” She accepted a discarded robe an a’Rä dragged closer with its knee to cover her nakedness. The dark, tattered fabric swamped her frame, but she tied the sash with a happy noise and stroked it as if it were the finest of softsuits. “It happened and I went with it.”

Lumen let Fiercely go, but kept a possessive hand on Venomous’ thigh.

It tensed under the slight pressure.

He didn’t ask her to move it, he needed the connection, no matter how inappropriate.

“You were unseen?” he asked as he envisioned the Pirate Chief dragging her away from him as it had in the night terror.

“The ship is abandoned apart from,” she swallowed, “the bodies.” Her hand clenched. “It’s awful, Venom. The warriors have been left to rot, as if they don’t even matter.”

He wanted to press his lips to hers, but the intimate contact in the presence of the warriors would be improper.

He shouldn’t even think it, but she’d proven herself strong and capable, appealing traits he never knew his life mate possessed, and it was arousing.

Will my Rä’Na ever cease surprising me?

“We must see to your safety,” he said.

She blinked. “I’m not the one tied up and imprisoned.”

“When we reach the slave auction you will be in danger.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders drooped. “I hoped you’d escape and retake the ship.”

“Thsst!” Venomous’ tongue flickered at the seam of his lips. “I cannot launch an offensive with you so inadequately protected. Not only do the Dei San outnumber us, you are the only of us not locked out of the ship’s cerebral controls.”

“Their battlecruiser is large enough to house a queen,” Fiercely added. “Only a fraction of her swarm boarded, and look at the damage they wrought.”

Lumen looked between them. Her shoulders squared. “Just tell me what we need to do to make this happen.”

Venomous grimaced.

The thought of asking a Rä’Na to fight was humiliating.

It went against every instinct and nurtured belief they had, and not because she was incapable.

The task she appointed herself was a warrior’s duty.

If those dedicated to protect and serve didn’t have that then what did they have?

Sensing their discomfort, Lumen crossed her arms. “What?”

“You can hear our plans, your perspective is valuable. However, once we decide on a course of action you will go back to the vent and hide.” Venomous made his voice firm. He wanted her at his side, of course he did, but not when being there placed her in danger. “You must be kept safe, away from harm.”

Fiercely said, “The Dei San would do great evil if they captured you. They would use you to control the strongest of us. Venomous would do whatever they said if it kept you from suffering.”

Ducking her head, she studied the length of her arm where a dark brand marred her fragile skin. “I’m out of my comfort zone, hell, out of my galaxy, but I’d rather die with you, Venom, than be without you.” Her head lifted and she met his stunned gaze. “I promise to stay out of the way. Deep down, you must know there’s nowhere safer for me than with you.”

Fiercely clicked his teeth in irritation. “Rä’Vek, you are not listening to her? She must be kept safe!”

Sighing, Venomous flexed his aching arms.

They could argue the point until the end of time.

A decision had to be made.

“She made it this far,” he said. “I trust my female to know her limits.” Breaking Lumen’s stare, he looked the a’Rä in the brille, his tone commanding and final. “We must break free and retake the Trekker.”

“The Dei San will have the remote to our fetters,” Fiercely said in a tired voice.

“Maybe I could lure him in here,” Lumen said.

“No,” the two males barked then huddled closer together to plot their escape.

Standing in a huff and glaring, Lumen stalked off.

“We do need to in some way entice him into the enclosure,” Venomous said.

“Yesss, but how?”

“My mate is too precious to risk, but perhaps if it catches a whiff of female scent on this side of the barrier it might.... Lumen!”

While they’d bent their heads to discuss their plans, she’d snuck through the red haze.

She crept towards the slumbering Dei San.

In the faintest of whispers, Venomous heard her muttering, “This was a dumb idea. Dumb, dumb, dumb....”

She reached the ungainly sprawl, studied it then looked back towards their prison and made a frightened, unsure face.

“The remote is round,” Fiercely whispered limping forward. “Grey with a black glass face and blue lights.”

Biting her lip, Lumen bobbed her head.

She squatted.

Her knees stuck out from under the robe as it pooled between her spread thighs.

Her little hand darted forward.

Venomous’ breath caught.

Easy, he thought. Quick and with care.

Slender fingers flitted in erratic bursts over the pirate’s grubby, mish-mashed armour.

An edgy nanosec later, she pulled back.

The Dei San was too large, and she was too far away to search the pockets on its far hip.

Lumen scrunched her eyes closed, and breathed in measured pulls.

Mouth setting into a firm line, they opened and flashed in determination.

She eased onto her hands and knees then crawled closer.

Leaning over a mound of violent male three times her size, her hand slid over a folded pocket at its waist.

A fat, circular shape bulged the fabric.

Spine hooked, body coiled with tension and ready to spring at the first sign of movement, she happened to inhale as the Dei San expelled gas.

Chronic flatulence was one of the more unpleasant traits of the foul species.

Even as far back as they were, and shielded somewhat by the haze, the sensitive noses of the Rä burned.

A few heaved with the effort of not vomiting.

Eyes popping, Lumen blanched and gagged.

Her cheeks puffed then she turned her face away to retch into her shoulder, whole body bucking at the fetid stench of decayed meat and rotten eggs.

Venomous didn’t breathe.

Gaining control, she cringed then carried on.

Her eyes watered as she unsnapped the fastened pouch, and as she tugged the device free, her fingers shook.

Clasping it in her fist, she inched back.

She jerked onto her feet then spun towards them, holding up the remote with a triumphant grin.

Slouching, Venomous swore the ground beneath him slanted, but it was merely his own body swaying.

The sleeping Dei San snorted and inhaled, nostrils flaring.

Blood-stained eyes snapped open.

Fiercely hissed. “Run.”

Eyes blanking with dread, Lumen broke into a sprint.

Without looking back, trusting them, her arms stretched out to reach.

She knew just her fingertips past the haze meant they could yank her to safety.

She wasn’t fast enough.

On its paws in a nanosec flat, the Dei San grabbed the back of her head, its hand span so large, its claws caged her terrified face.

I am going to watch her die.

Venomous’ hearts crashed. “No!”

The Dei San dragged Lumen, his brave female who’d made it so close to refuge, kicking and screaming into its gargantuan frame.

It turned her around to sniff at the crown of her head.

A monstrous shaft swelled and jutted out of its codpiece.

She raked her flimsy claws across its eye.

Screeching then shaking her like a rag, it slung her across the corridor.

Her back thudded the wall.

She hit the floor on her front, forehead rebounding with a sickening smack.

Squirming, her fingers and toes scrabbled against the tile.

Sobbing his name, crying out for him, Lumen crawled in an aimless daze then collapsed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Crazed out of his mind, Venomous beat against the haze with his shoulder.

His anima rose in a painful surge.

Not enough.

It was not enough to break the restraints that hobbled and bound him.

Agitated by his distress, roused into frenzy, the warriors in the enclosure snarled.

They banged on the walls.

Armoured scales rippled and flashed threat displays to attract and intimidate the pirate.

Snuffling, senses muddled from its abrupt waking, the Dei San clumped towards them.

It snapped its jaws, paced their frenzied line grunting vile taunts, reacting to their aggression with its own instinct to assert dominance.

Jerky, hunched in an awkward knot of limbs, Lumen dragged herself onto all fours.

She lurched onto her feet using the wall as a crutch.

A fist punched the air.

Clutched in her trembling fingers was the remote.

Swaying as her nose dripped blood, she whimpered as she fumbled with it.

The locking mechanism on Venomous’ sternum bleeped, and with a faint click, the lock disengaged then the indicator switched from yellow to red.

The restrains slackened.

He shrugged off the chains, the manacles on his wrists, ankles and waist snapped open.

Around the enclosure was the echo of metal shackles crashing to the floor.

Startled, the Dei San squealed.

It slapped a blackened hand to its waist, searching for the remote Lumen bashed on behind him.

“Drop the haze,” Fiercely bellowed slamming a fist to it. “You must drop the haze.”

She glared at him then scrunched her eyes shut.

A heart-stopping moment later, the haze vanished.

Venomous and the warriors exploded into the corridor as a stentorian tide.

They fell upon the Dei San then dismembered it into gummy chunks.

Fiercely snatched Lumen into his arms.

Pressing her face into his neck to silence her painful wail, he hurried her into the enclosure.

He carefully set her down then ran frantic hands under the torn robe, checking her flesh for lacerations.

Nāga knelt to examine her injuries.

He shoved the warrior aside when he protested, barking, “Are you a healer?”

Chest heaving and spattered with gore, Venomous stormed into the enclosure.

Striding up to his mate, he bent over double to thrust his face in hers. “What in the name of the Serpent were you thinking? Tell me! Explain what went through your mind.”

“Venomous....” Fiercely warned.

“Be silent,” he snapped then faced his Lumen. “Well? Speak?”

“I will never act that s-s-stupid ever again.” Haunted eyes were so dark and wet they reflected his snarling image like glass. She leaked until her face and chest were soaked, and her terror scent filled the enclosure. “I s-swear.”

Venomous went to his knees.

He cupped her beaten face between his sticky palms then pressed his cheek to hers.

He gasped for air.

It felt as if the Dei San were alive and crushing his windpipe. “I couldn’t get to you.”

“I s-swear, never again. I d-d-don’t know what I was thinking.”

Pushing past the stormy thicket of his wrath, Venomous pulled back then used her robe to clear the blood he’d smeared on her cheeks, annoyed he’d marked her with filth. “I did not mean to shout.”

“S’okay, babe.” She inhaled on a shudder. “It’s d-dead, right?”

“In pieces.”

“Good.” Lumen peered at the Rä re-entering the enclosure.

The warriors were exhausted, battered, but steady on their feet, and they bared their fangs to click their teeth at her.

He could see it took her a moment to realize they were being respectful, not indicating an intent to bite.

She smiled shakily. Edged closer. “D-Did you finish coming up with a p-plan?”

Fiercely shot her a dark look. “We were distracted.”

“Lumen must return to her hiding place.” Venomous curled an arm around her trembling body. “The longer she remains with us the greater the chance of her discovery.”

Fiercely stared baldly at their embrace.

His muscles locked, and what looked like jealousy twisted his expression.

He ducked his head to stare at the floor.

Brille narrowing, a suspicion kindled, and a violent flare of torrid emotion settled before Venomous’ anima betrayed him.

Fiercely Comes the Night is no longer a’Rä.

A’Rä had no sexual feelings until another called them into maturity.

They did not experience resentment over sexual contact because that drive was dormant.

Aggressive behaviour Venomous had assumed was concern for the Rä’Na of guild kin was in truth rabid fear for a life mate.

“Agreed,” Fiercely said after a long silence. He looked back up, expression cleared of emotion. “There will be a questioning to determine how we were freed from the restraints if we fail and are recaptured.”

Lumen roused, and her quivering abated. “I get begging you to keep me close is cowardly, and I’m a hindrance in battle, but I no longer care. You are not leaving me again.”

“You are no burden to me, my Lumen.” Venomous frowned as he eyed her dry lips. “I see you thirst, but we are locked out of the sensory controls. I cannot get you fresh water, but there will be spare, partly used pouches around the ship.”

“I’m okay.”

“Our control over the Trekker can be reset easily enough,” Fiercely said after a pause.

“Yesss. The dominant Dei San that defeated me will likely be at Command,” Venomous replied. “It is there we must go.”

“That does not solve the problem of the rest that undoubtedly remained aboard to ransack our stores.”

“Once I kill the Pirate Chief they will flee to retrieve reinforcements. We must be away by then.”

Many of the Rä hissed, ready to battle and restore their honour.

Others hunkered down, silent, deadly glints firing deep within the liquid depths of their brille.

Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons remained subdued, staring at nothing now he’d finished ensuring the female charge of the group was mostly unharmed.

Lumen smacked her head. “How thoughtless of me. Nāga, where’s your Rä’Na?” She looked around keen to see a female. “Did you get her to an escape pod?”

“Sweetly Cries the Beast sits at Grandfather’s side.” The male swallowed then looked at her. “She no longer suffers.”

“Oh, no.” Lumen crawled the short distance to where he knelt then struggled to wrap a too short arm around his wide shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”

Venomous took hold of her waist and peeled her away.

It was not proper for her to touch a male who was not kindred this way.

“My Lumen, you must not–”

“I just wanted to offer comfort.” She winced at Nāga. “Are you going to be okay?”

“I live,” he replied, “and I will see her again in the next life.”

Venomous helped Lumen onto her feet.

He gripped her chin to hold her eyes. “Stay directly behind me, do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good.” Venomous studied the ragged battle group and felt a stirring of pride. The odds were against them, but they were strong. “Follow me.”

They travelled the Trekker corridors in tight formation, Lumen safe in the middle.

The Rä kept a slow speed in deference to her petite legs and shorter stride that could not cover as much distance as fast.

Rather than cause annoyance, the need to protect one who was weaker united them, and added a sense of urgency to reclaiming what they had lost.

Not long after they set out they came upon a splinter group of the raiders slumped against the walls, snoozing at an intersection.

They were slaughtered before they realised death ghosted upon them.

Moving stealthily, ravenous for raider blood, the Rä travelled most of the craft without a serious encounter, dispatching the odd pirate that had peeled off from a larger swarm.

The raucous, grunting squalls of a sizeable Dei San gathering echoed from the principal deck.

Their rancid stink grew more pungent.

Venomous drew the battle group to a halt just before turning the sharp bend.

He deliberated his options, listening to the sounds, counting the differences in tenor and pitch.

He tried to separate the number using his other senses, but the stench was overpowering, and the droning vibration of the ship meant he could not use touch to discern the enemy’s number.

It was a matter of time before the pirates realised the scent of Rä was fresh and not a lingering hint in the air.

“There are less than thirty,” he decided.

“But more than twenty,” Fiercely added head cocked as he too listened with care. His gaze cut to Lumen. “Eighteen of us.”

“It is enough that we have a chance to prevail.”

“The odds are bad, Venomous, especially considering what lies in our care.”

“You overstep your place.”

“This is not about which of us is the bigger male.”

“I know this because I am the bigger male.” His gaze dropped to the groin area of their hardsuits then lifted accompanied by a smirk. “I am also the strongest. We attack.”

Fiercely’s jaw worked.

Disapproval turned the lines of his body rigid. “Very well.”

“You think I am reckless,” Venomous bit out his mocking expression unexpectedly brutal. “I am acutely aware of what will happen should I fall short endeavouring to do what is needed to ensure her survival.”

“I bear the same burden. I do not want you to make a mistake.”

“Do not judge my care of her or question how I achieve it at all. She is mine to protect.”

“And mine,” Fiercely whispered. “Whether you acknowledge it or not.”

“You compromised my ability to care for her once,” he hissed back as vehement. “You almost cost me everything I hold dear by separating us. Everything. Now you come before me demanding your rights as a mate to protect that which you endangered?”

“I am well aware of my failings.”

“Good. This means you will not get in my way again. I tolerate you near her as it is, Rä’Vek. It would not be wise to provoke me.” Dark expression softening, Venomous glanced over his shoulder. “Lumen. Come to me.”

She shuffled forward from where she had been enfolded in the grouping of Rä then snuck under his arms to burrow into his side.

Her hand landed on his lower stomach causing the muscles there to contract. “Babe?”

“You will stay between Fiercely and I. You do not move an inch from where we put you. Move on our command. Understand?”

She nodded fast, her eyes wide.

He rubbed a knuckle on her cheek. “My brave, Rä’Na. How you please me.” Venomous rounded the corner with Lumen pressed into his back, her arms tight around his waist.

His gaze skimmed the scene once, twice.

“Twenty three,” he murmured over his shoulder knowing Fiercely’s keen ears would hear.

The principal deck of the Trekker was a bright, metallic emptiness that echoed a shout to its trussed ceiling.

Around its inner curve wrapped an upper level bordered by handrails from which corridors and stairways branched off.

Beneath the suspended deckheads were riveted girders, as if the curved metal ribcage of some great beast that had swallowed them whole.

Over the vast compartment’s breadth stretched a flat bridge where one might look down on the communal mess deck.

Here, a swarm of Dei San fought over a heap of ill-gotten gains.

One paused, a wad of fine material clutched in its bloody talons then snorted a noise of confusion.

Detecting the scent that had drawn the curiosity of the first, another pirate thrust its snout into the air.

It sniffed and snuffled until its bony skull jerked towards the corner.

Venomous remained still, his female burrowing into his back with a whimper.

The Dei San shoved its fellows in excitement grunting its bestial language and pointing out the fresh meat it believed had wandered into their clutches.

Plodding closer, they were hesitant at the sighting of a warrior roaming free, but when no daunting battle group appeared, they gained confidence.

Gathering speed until a lumbering charge, they came at him, a screeching, weapon-swinging, armour-clattering mob thirsty for bloodshed.

With a bellow of challenge, warriors streamed from behind Venomous to meet them head on.

Again outnumbered, but no less determined, the Rä battled for possession of the ship.

Fiercely brought up the rear, his arms crossing in boredom as he surveyed the killing, smarting over his earlier set down.

When Lumen shivered at the slimy entrails slapping the deck, Venomous twisted at his middle to stroke her chest lumps and hips. “Be still, Rä’Na.”

“Why do you do that?” she whispered.

“Do what?”

“Feel me up at the weirdest times.”

His brow pulled low. “You do not like me to rub your chest lumps?” He squeezed one and her nub poked his palm. “I like doing this, I thought it brought you comfort. I like this nubbin.”

She choked as he rubbed it firmer enjoying its hard yet soft prod. “They’re called breasts, and it more, um, arouses than comforts–holy shit!”

Pirates jumped from the upper deck level to join the struggle below.

A giant pair of Dei San came upon them hefting their rusty swords.

Venomous grabbed one by the throat and dragged it to the side away from his Rä’Na.

The second went for Lumen, but Fiercely grabbed it then hauled it to the other side.

He grabbed its skull ridge then rammed its face into the hull until it buckled.

With clean efficiency, Venomous snapped the Dei San’s neck then flung it into another as a Rä warrior stood poised above it to deliver a death strike.

The weight of the Dei San carcass crushed the other’s head then both were still.

The a’Rä shook its fist at Venomous with a roguish grin before spinning to find a new quarry.

Another Dei San came at him with a cudgel, and Venomous found himself taunting the beast further into the fray, only to duck, grab the weapon from his aggressor’s paw then bludgeon him to death with it.

“Babe!” Lumen ran to him and he near keeled over when a Dei San jumped into her path making her skitter back on a shrill scream.

The Rä warriors flinched and staggered.

Hefting the cudgel, Venomous hurled it with such force its bladed spokes punctured the Dei San’s rock hard skull.

It toppled, dead, but Lumen stood frozen, face pale, eyes glassy with fear.

Venomous pointed to the spot before him. “Here. Now.” His sharp tone snapped her out of a stupor.

Fingers twisted into the skirt of the robe, she shuffled over.

She kept her eyes downcast, lips clamped together.

Gnashing his fangs, angry to a measure only she provoked in him, he crossed his arms. “What did I say?

“Um,” her eyes flicked to the side. “Stay where you put me, don’t move?”

“And what did you do?

Glancing surreptitiously at where she was meant to be, Lumen licked her lips. “I, uh, moved a bit.”

They stared at each other both knowing she’d sprinted half the deck.

She said, “I don’t know why you’re making out like this is my fault.”

“Because it is,” he replied.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe,” he repeated his tone flat.

“Depends.”

“Depends on what,” he grated as his hands fisted.

She made a wide, encompassing gesture. “On your point of view.” When the muscle under his brille twitched, she muttered, “Sorry,” then burrowed into his chest. “You trusted me, and I screwed up. It won’t happen again.”

Sighing, he wrapped his arms round her and nosed her hair, feeling his terror ease.

Fiercely came up to them, chest heaving. He glared at her. “You moved.”

“Yes,” she snapped. “Yes, I’m stupid, put my life at risk, hard of ears. Bad Lumen, I get it. Drop it!”

The Dei San were greater in number but lesser in skill, and without reinforcements those left alive broke rank to flee towards the command deck.

Manner darkening to one of ominous threat, Venomous pulled Lumen from his front to his side then followed after the warriors who had set off after them.

Finally, they reached the entrance to command, but could venture no further.

Venomous’ gaze dropped to his mate then he squeezed her shoulders.

Lumen peeked up at him, white indents in her ruddy bottom lip as she bit it hard. “You want me to drop the haze.”

“Yesss.”

Giving a bob of the head, she faced the barrier and lifted her chin.

“Ready?” Fiercely asked. At Venomous’ affirmative reply he yelled over his shoulder. “Prepare yourselves.”

Eager, snarling, the warrior Rä crouched.

Some leaned forward, palming their blades, ready to make their last stand when the barrier dropped.

Lumen sucked up air then winced.

Venomous straightened in a jerk then stared with astonishment. He turned to his Rä’Na. “I told you to drop the haze.”

“I did.” She jabbed a finger with a guarded, somewhat wounded look. “What does that look like to you?”

Head cocking with a grunt, Venomous watched as the squealing Dei San were sucked into the hard vacuum of outer space.

His Lumen had indeed dropped the haze as ordered.

Just not the one he’d thought she would. “Thsst!” He supposed it was impractical to assume her mind had drawn the same conclusions as his looking at the same scene.

“I don’t get it.” She clutched the edges of the robe together over her chest lumps. “You asked me to do it.”

Her breasts, he amended, aroused. Soft, squeezable breasts.

“Why don’t you answer me?” she cried. “What did I do wrong? I killed them. I know that’s horrible of me, but I thought that’s what needed to be done!”

Venomous pondered her reaction.

Was she upset she’d rid them of a pack of murdering brigands that would have killed her in the most debauched, agonising way?

Humans are eccentric, he decided.

“We thought you would drop the haze before us.” Fiercely ran a palm over it. “So we could make our last stand. Not the mother haze.”

Lumen gaped then her face twisted on a sound of exasperation. “Why would we risk our lives making a last stand when we could win without lifting a finger?” Her hands flew into the air. “Aliens make no sense.”

“Indeed,” Venomous agreed in an amused tone. “You confound me.” He brushed his fingers to her jaw. “Rä’Na, might you drop the haze blocking our entry onto the command deck. We must regain control of the Trekker.”

She peered into the now empty, silent enclosure. “I suppose....”

Fiercely stayed her with a hand. “Do not forget to engage the mother haze.”

“As if I’d be that stupid.” She scoffed, but when she faced away she looked a shade paler and swallowed guiltily. “There. Done.”

Waiting to be sure the artificial atmosphere of the enclosure; the temperature, air pressure, and gravity had stabilised, Venomous crossed into the half circle of the command deck.

Marks of the despicable Dei San remained though most of their filth had been sucked out with them.

Their repellent, squalid stink was replaced by unsullied air pushed through the vents, but gashes, dents and oily blood smears desecrated the interior hull, no doubt caused by irrational quarrels between the belligerent species, or a casualty of their base urge to defile and destroy.

Wiring spilled from beneath freestanding workstations where it had been tampered with.

Domed monitor glass capping the workstations was cracked or shattered.

Venomous kicked aside communicator tablets that lay crushed, and toed padded seats that had been slashed into metal skeletons, fabric and wadding strewn across the grease-stained floor.

His head tilted up to examine exposed circuitry.

It crackled, sparked and belched clouds of bitter smoke towards whirring metal grates recessed into the ceiling.

Cables hung from disordered tiles in tangled loops, and the overhead lights not smashed to satisfy the Dei San’s light sensitivity flickered.

He snarled, the fits and starts of light starkly illuminated the wanton ruin, and made him want to punch something.

Overlarge robe dragging behind her, Lumen came up beside him.

She leaned into his side, and as her eyes bored into their newest crisis they dimmed with weariness.

“This is the worst rescue ever,” she declared.

He pressed a hand to the small of her back. He found himself calmed. “Interstellar travel does not come without its dangers.”

She slid him a furious little look. “Understatement, babe.”

Scowling, Fiercely halted at her elbow.

Venomous didn’t have spare time to hiss at or threaten the presumption.

Out the dark window of the mother haze, a plasma barrier that acted as the foremost curve of the Trekker’s prow while roving deep space, he glared at the monstrous Dei San battlecruiser entombing the Rä vessel in its pincers.

Undaunted, Venomous rumbled, “To your stations.”

Booted feet stampeded at the order.

“Life support?” he asked rubbing Lumen’s tense back.

He repressed a shudder as he imagined the critical system failing, her falling limp in his arms, suffocating, gasping for air he could not give.

“Operational,” Fiercely replied checking the utility himself. He glanced at Lumen. “I want her to wear a visor.”

“Agreed.” Venomous cupped her bruised face then stroked her rounded cheeks with his thumbs. “Dearest, go with Fiercely to the fabricator. It is a machine that will scan your measurements then weave you a softsuit that fits. It will also print you a mask that protects your beautiful eyes and a mouthpiece connected to a tank that holds enough air to get you across the ship, to the escape pods, if needs be.”

Reddened eyes squinted in suspicion. “But you’re not sending me away?”

“No.” He nuzzled her temple. “A fabricator is there. See?” He directed her gaze to the ceiling to floor tube in the corner that was mainly used to fabricate hardsuits for battle. “You will be in my view, as I will be in yours.”

She hesitated as she searched his face, but impressed him by responding with practical obedience. “Okay.” She pushed onto her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips then hurried after Fiercely Comes the Night.

Watching her for a moment, deeply fulfilled with the knowledge she belonged to him, and he to her, Venomous could not find fault with her open display of affection.

Satisfied she would be cared for and protected, even if it was by a male he felt like strangling, he narrowed his focus to the mission at hand.

Solars of unnatural inertia shed away.

He slid into the role he’d trained for since hatching. “Navigation?”

“Non-operational,” an a’Rä replied. “Star maps are recorded in the matrix, we can plot a course, but the automated steering is defunct.”

“Telemetry?”

“A mess,” the same a’Rä replied its voice tight. “Good enough to comm call home world. It will be distorted, but it will transmit.”

Now for the worst of it.

A crucial workstation stood unmanned.

“Is the pilot dead?” Venomous held his breath.

If the autopilot could not guide the Trekker to home world, he could put his Rä’Na in an escape pod and pray the Dei San did not shoot her down.

Even if he sacrificed himself and the vessel to cause a distraction, she might not survive the fleeting yet violent fallout of an explosion in the capsule.

Perhaps if I jettisoned all the escape pods, she might slip away unnoticed in the opposite direction?

“Yesss.” Delivering this dire news, the Rä’Vek, gold tipped quills swinging, stepped forward. It bowed. “I am He, Krait that Shines. I have piloted the Trekker on previous ventures. With permission, I shall again.”

Venomous’ relief was short-lived. One problem of a dozen solved. “See to it then.”

Brille gleaming under a flicker of harsh light, it hesitated. “How are we to get free?”

“The simplest way.”

Krait that Shines appeared dubious, but went on his way and approached the navigation workstation.

He had a word with the a’Rä there then approached the pilot controls.

He slid his fingers over the tarnished surface with competent ease, cursing at its grubby state.

Venomous turned to check on his Rä’Na, only to find her grinning at Fiercely.

She touched his arm and giggled, head bobbing at something he leaned to whisper.

Fingers curling under into fists, claws scraping his palms, Venomous took an aggressive step.

He was more than ready to pound the male into the ground for the return smile, and tentative caress to her rounded shoulder, a shoulder belonging to him, when Krait that Shines asked a question.

Halting, peeling his gaze away, he faced the Rä’Vek to answer.

An enraged roar erupted through the command deck.

Hearts stuttering, Venomous knew time fled in mere nanosecs, yet the subsequent fragment of his lifecycle happened in slow motion.

He spun, taste receptors flooded by a smog of Dei San stench.

A terror-stricken scream.

Back bent, limbs akimbo, his Lumen was about to be severed head to hip, sliced through the middle, split.

Light flickered over a blade’s ragged edge as it descended in a sweeping arc.

Seeming to move outside of time, warped with speed, Fiercely grabbed her by the waist.

He twisted as he dragged her into the shield of his body and slid into the path of the strike.

With a faint peal the blade tip scored his armour plated spine.

Fiercely dropped.

He halted his descent with his lower hands then pushed off the floor before squashing Lumen to land hard on his side.

Hooked blades jutted from his forearm, whipped, and severed the heel tendons on the Dei San.

It toppled with a piercing screech.

Kicking it onto its back, Fiercely lunged from his knees over Lumen’s flailing body then plunged his claws into the Dei San’s exposed neck.

He ripped out its throat then flung the black gore across the deck with a hiss of victory.

Ending their mad dash to reach the scuffle, the Rä warriors snarled.

They banged fists to chests to honour his triumph and growled his name.

Venomous bellowed, “Search the enclosure. Ensure it was the only one.” With an unsteady gait he headed towards his life mate. “Where did it come from?”

“Inside the fabricator,” Fiercely replied his posture rigid. “As soon as the machine engaged it sprung.”

Breathing in frantic bursts, Lumen staggered onto her feet.

White-knuckled fists lifted to her temples. “Can I not catch a motherfucking break?”

Before Venomous reached her, Fiercely was on his feet.

He wrapped an arm around her waist then hauled her into his body. “Do not leak, Rä’Na. I am here.”

Venomous’ step faltered.

He did not like it, but could not deny the male earned the reward of his Rä’Na’s touch.

Collapsing into Fiercely’s embrace, Lumen returned his hug.

Pulling back on a wobbly laugh, her eyes shone as they caressed his face. “You saved me.”

“I let no harm come to what is mine.”

Lumen’s worshipful gaze blanked. Her sniffles ceased. “Y-Yours?” Easing her head back, eyeing him askance, she shoved at his chest. “Babe?” Her voice climbed with her panic. “Venom?”

Jaw clenched, Fiercely refused to release her. “She, Lumen of the Stars you have awakened my anima, as blessed upon me by my Grandfather the Great Serpent God of Sands, S’q’ama’ta. I claim you. I am now Rä’Vek. You are mine to protect, mine to shelter, mine to feed, and mine to cover. When you are weak, I shall be your strength. I revere you, giver of life, as is the way.”

Shocked into motionlessness, she glared with a baleful expression that boded ill. “You need to take your hands off me,” she ended on a shout into his face.

“You are mine,” he bellowed.

“Too late,” she shrieked. “I’m taken. By him.” She stabbed a finger at Venomous. “So, back the hell up, and let me thank you instead of this screaming match.”

“You are infuriating.”

“You’re a presumptuous dick.” She shoved at his arms, back bowing, straining. “Aren’t we the matching pair?”

Cursing, he let her go.

Lumen pushed hair out of her face, cheeks puffing with her breaths.

She inhaled, eyes closing then released the air in a steady stream as she breathed, “Woosah.” When her eyes opened, her expression was serene. “Thank you for saving my life. Are you hurt?”

Fiercely lifted four arms wide. “Do I look so weak as to let that end me?”

“As a matter of fact you don’t. Good.” She gave him palm. “It means I get to do this without feeling guilty.” She whirled, hair slapping across his face then staggered the distance to Venomous. She fell into his arms. “And where the hell were you?”

Tearing his gaze from Fiercely’s heated one, Venomous dropped his brille to his distraught Rä’Na. “It is best if you stay with me from now on, I think.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

“Rä’Vek,” an a’Rä barked. “Movement from the Dei San. Sensors detect a surge in electromagnetic interference. They are preparing to stun.” Drumming fingers skimmed the monitor, tabulating reams of data calculations. “We have a quarter-span. Kick that to ten units if they have Hydokon booster tech.”

“Orders?” demanded Krait that Shines. “What am I doing, Rä’Vek?”

“Yesss, Venomous One, what are we doing?” Fiercely drawled.

Venomous merely lifted his brow scales. “Divert auxiliary power to the mother haze. Shield the Trekker’s outer hull. Include the energy augmentation to the bulkhead to strengthen the stability of the internal enclosures. Comm munitions to prime the spar cannons.”

Silence bludgeoned the command deck.

Spluttering, Fiercely rallied first. ”You cannot mean to–”

“Yesss.”

“They stole the sonic cartridges. Only the hydrogen maser–”

Venomous cut him a look. “Yesss.”

Fiercely palmed the back of his neck. “The explosive discharge and matter will not annihilate but expand. The ejecta will tear through us like comets. Venomous, the shockwave–”

“The mother haze is strong enough to withstand the energy release.”

“Is it?” Fiercely bit out. “It sounds to me you have decided to kill us all.”

“If the Dei San give chase they will capture us. We cannot withstand another infiltration, and by then the escape pods will offer no solution. I am not prepared to lose my Rä’Na to those depraved creatures. Tell me, do you have a better plan?” Venomous glared when he received no response. “Now, are you capable of handling this, or must I do it myself?”

Averting his gaze, Fiercely gave a chin jerk.

Decisions he made didn’t have to be popular, nor were they exempt from scrutiny, but they would be obeyed.

Venomous shouldered past. “Get to it then.” He had no problem with constructive objections to his plans, or suggestions to improve them for the betterment of all.

He did have a problem with dithering and fear-mongering.

No matter what they did, they were at a disadvantage.

His plan gave them their best chance at survival, and survival was something he’d learned well.

He took Lumen to the command hub that stood isolated on the middle of the deck.

Sinking onto his buttocks, he pressed the length of his spine to the console stand, bent his knees then planted booted feet flat against the other.

The block shaped columns were no more than the width of a body apart, waist high, so he was able to exert enough force to be reasonably certain he could keep them secure.

Lumen’s eyes were bleak pools. “B-Babe?”

“Hush.” Tucking her close, he wrapped his lower arms around her trembling body then stretched his upper arms over her head to anchor his claws into the metal of the command column. “All will be well.”

Glowering when he received the signal to commence, Fiercely addressed Krait that Shines. “Reverse. Set bow thrusters to maximum then lock yourself down.” Grim, he glanced behind him to the a’Rä manning the communications centre. “Send a ship wide alert to brace.”

The ship’s aft-most outer hull collided with the battlecruiser pincers.

Their bodies rocked as they changed direction to accelerate forward.

Jerking to a stop, the Trekker reared again with more force, using its stern as a battering ram to force its way out.

With a deafening screech the craft ripped through the metal cage to pull free.

Humming engines exploded into a growling purr as they shot backwards.

Looming on a giant web of stars, the Dei San battlecruiser shrank then passed from sight.

“Ready.” Fiercely ducked under Venomous’ arms to wedge himself into their clinch.

It made the fit tighter, safer.

He braced his legs outside of Venomous’ at his waist then dug his upper claws into the command column to create another set of bars.

His lower hands settled on Lumen from behind.

She ended up huddled in the middle of their caging limbs.

“Fire,” he roared.

The Trekker released a fiery barrage from its maser cannon.

The explosion was small.

A fraction of a nanosec skipped by then the hot pinprick expanded into a cutting flash of luminous light.

The blinding shockwave hit the retreating Trekker like a sledgehammer.

Catapulted off course, shuddering in bone-wrenching vibrations, the vessel tumbled, spun and twisted in a geodesic hurtle through the black nothing.

The force hammering their bodies increased to crushing degrees as the ship accelerated.

They were shoved along the explosive path as if part of the battlecruiser debris, the deafening sound, so loud as to be silent, a harsh counterpoint to the nauseating churn.

Temperature skyrocketing, the wafer thin, metal panels that encased the workstations began to glow and bend.

The engines failed then the lights cut plunging them into darkness.

Around and around they flipped, faster and faster still.

Venomous and Fiercely bared fangs at each other in support of their efforts to keep their Rä’Na pinned.

She was held fast between them instead of ricocheting off the unforgiving surfaces of the command deck shell.

Other Rä who’d lost hold on whatever equipment they had braced against suffered this fate, but they had armoured scales.

Lumen’s delicate skin punctured at the lightest scratch.

She had fainted at the first neck-snapping judder.

Her limp body pressed into them at awkward angles, her head bouncing back and forth on their chests.

Even that scared Venomous, knowing her skull was hard, but not harder than his chest plate.

Muscles locked to bear the agonising strain, he felt the moment they reached terminal velocity.

The brutal drag on his body became an endless wrench.

He feared his scales peeled from his flesh and whisked his organs off with them.

Fiercely’s claws began a horizontal scud as he lost grip.

If he slipped he’d drag them out.

Doused in the terror of what came next, their gazes locked.

The chance of Lumen surviving without snapping her neck, breaking her spine or having her head caved in was not only slim, but simply not possible.

“Do not dare,” Venomous mouthed. “Hold.”

Those brief heartbeats lasted an eternity.

Finally, mercifully, the density of the explosion waned.

The spiralling rotations slowed, the Trekker’s mainline system’s rebooted, and the thrusters engaged.

They steadied.

The abrupt transition from chaos to calm caused a wave of queasiness.

Thumping to the floor, or trapped under workstations torn from their moorings then scattered across the rumpled deck many hunched over and were violently sick.

The astringent tang of singed metal stung the nostrils and overpowered wisps of smoke.

Static electricity crackled over the interior skeleton in a neon fizzle then was absorbed into the mother haze, dissipating with a plosive pop.

A broken energy conduit flipped and coiled across the floor like a writhing Zýt, showering the pitch-black enclosure in fiery sparks.

Gulps for air and breathless wheezes from the pummelled warriors echoed over the clanking engines.

A groan ghosted through the ship as its sizzling hull cooled.

Swallowing, Fiercely rasped, “Report,” as soon as he regained the ability to speak.

A battered warrior crawled to his station.

He lurched onto his knees wiping grit from the monitor glass. “Compression from the blast has fractured the outer hull causing the artificial atmosphere to leak. Thsst! It is localised to the cargo area. Stronger than Mountain Rock is supervising engineering on the level above. He is headed down there to visually assess the damage.”

Venomous listened to the rest of the report with half an ear, most of his attention centered on his Rä’Na.

He stroked her hair then shakily pressed his fingers to her throat.

Her pulse was as expected, he no longer worried at the slight tap of it.

She was unconscious, but no more damaged than before.

Coughing, the back of his head hit the console.

His mind raced over the last rotation, and he had a series of striking realisations.

Life was too short to waste on petty jealousy, and deny another’s right to happiness.

It was too changeable to fret over a touch that might be considered unseemly.

It could all be over in a blink.

They had to live.

Live hard and wild, laugh, touch, kiss, love make, do fucking, and eagerly consume whatever rich crumbs fate saw fit to pass their way.

Honour demands I do what is right.

“If she accepts you,” he murmured shifting his gaze to the male easing away from them, “I will not stand in your way.”

Stilling, Fiercely stared.

Hope brightened his sullen countenance then he dared a smile.

With a brief yet longing gaze at their unconscious mate, he strode away to secure the ship.

He returned. “What is dick?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Lumen stumbled into the cleanser. She leaned against the cubicle wall and wriggled her fingers. “Abracadabra.” When nothing happened she gazed up and made a noise of aggravation. “No motion sensors? How do you turn the water on?”

Pressing into her from behind, Venomous gripped her nape. He murmured in her ear, “You tell it so, dearest.”

“How does that even work?” She turned to him as the water began to flow. “Is the ship, like, alive or something?”

“Nothing as fantastical as that.” He chuckled at her fanciful imagination. “There are thread sensors worked into the metal of the inner hull. They are attached to nodules that are connected to the ship mainframe. They are also present in the fixtures and most of the enclosure mechanics. They are calibrated to pick up cerebral frequencies.” He tapped her temple. “Brainwaves flowing in certain patterns correspond with specific fibres and trigger actions. It is not artificial intelligence, merely pre-programmed responses. This is why you have to concentrate, or at least think clearly. If your thoughts are jumbled the command is muddled. The sensors cannot interpret what you want.”

She blinked. Smiled and touched his jaw. “You have nice lips.”

Venomous laughed then soaped up a cloth to scrub her down as she lacked the energy to do for herself.

He washed her hair, her graceful back and shapely legs.

Skimming his lips over the outer curve of her hip and thigh, he was gratified to see, though bruised, nothing was punctured or broken.

As he washed her face, she tipped her face up.

Venomous covered her mouth with his then submerged himself in the firm glide of her tongue.

The moist rush of her breath, and her sweet sigh of pleasure blended with his groan in an abandoned melody of carnal wanting.

Heat pooling in his gut, he held the back of her head and deepened the contact, melded them, her fresh taste, musky scent and cool skin a riot to his senses.

The smooth texture of her tongue was a delight as it caressed his, her leisured sweeps rousing an intoxicating kind of desire.

This passion made him wonder how he had survived the solars of his lifecycle without it.

Lumen responded with a fervour of her own, rubbing her soapy body against his, wet spirals of hair slicking his flesh.

She wilted and whimpered when she broke free. “I’m sorry, babe.” She kissed the scales over his hearts. “I’m exhausted.”

“Yesss, I see this. We shall go to nest in our quarters after this.”

He managed to wash himself with her slumped against his front, her slender fingers tracing his lower abdominals as she dozed while standing.

Chest throbbing with the ache he associated with her endearing quirks, he lifted her up and cradled her.

Warm air dried them.

“Your hair is fluffy,” he murmured.

“Frizzy,” she mumbled then tugged at it.

She grabbed one of his quills and stroked it, ran it across her lips.

He quaked, feeling the touch to his marrow.

“Your quills are like silk ropes.” Her head lolled on his shoulder. “I need to go, babe.”

“Go where?” Hearts clenching, he held her tighter. “You stay with me. We have discussed this many times. You are mine, my Rä’Na, and we are going to Rök where we will be happy.”

She was quiet. “I meant I need to void.”

“Thsst! Where would you like to go?”

“Well, we’re in the bathroom. Where’s the, um, bodily waste disposal?”

“There is no bodily waste disposal.”

Another quiet moment. “Babe, I think you’re so cute, but now is not the time for jokes. I’m tired, I need sleep, and I seriously need to go.”

“But, my Lumen, where? Rä anatomy does not have such an inefficiency.”

“Are you saying you don’t void ever.”

“My appetite has increased because I am producing seed, and have matured, but never will I produce waste.”

“How does your body rid itself of impurities?”

“The shedding occurs when we take heavy damage or fall to sickness.”

“Shedding. Sounds like a snake moult.”

“Thsst! Krael moult chitin, Rä shed scales.”

“Does this mean you have no....”

She struggled, so he set her down, and she slid a hand along his flank to his buttocks then her fingers delved....

Brow scales hitting his quill line, Venomous made a pitched noise then went up on his toes.

Clasping her arm, he stilled the startling inspection that made the backs of his thighs tingle.

He did not mind her touching him, truth, he yearned for it, but it was the way she had done it.

It seemed forbidden.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Having a ‘my lover is an alien’ moment.”

“I am no more alien than before.”

“Yes, I know. It’s just you seem normal to me now. You’re not an alien, or Rä, you’re my Venom. So when I find out you have no anus it freaks me out. That explains why you were confused when you–” Her expression stiffened with rigor then blanked. She sighed. “You realise your human needs something permanent for wherever we live?”

“It will be taken care of,” he promised as they dressed then snapped off an oil vial to tend to his quills, rubbing the lengths in brisk sweeps of his palms. “For now use the container for the purification tablet then dump it in the waste receptacle.”

He showed her the chute aperture.

“Where does that go?” She grimaced. “You don’t dump it into outer space do you? Because that would be weird.”

“It is incinerated. The ash from a cycle of general waste is compressed into discs no bigger than my fist and stored. We jettison them into any sols we pass. The matter is obliterated by the solar flares.”

“Works for me.”

Breaking an oil vial in her palm, giving the lucid ointment an appreciative sniff, she ran it through her coiling spirals.

She used the excess on her face and body drawing his interest.

“Next time I am going to oil you up.”

She paused then slanted him a look. “Oh?”

“Yesss.” He gave her a mouth touch, suckling on her lips, reluctant to let her out of his sight. “Call to me when you are finished.” Venomous headed outside to where he heard muttering and pacing. “What are you doing here, Fiercely?” He leaned against the bulkhead then crossed his arms. He stretched his neck until he heard ligaments pop. “We can find quarters on our own.”

“I noticed you were gone and I ... I missed her.” The other male stopped. His jaw clenched and his brille narrowed. “What do you mean what am I doing here? You said you would not stand in my way.”

“Yesss, I recognise your claim, but you will not push her. This journey has been hard. Humans are not hardy like Rä. She needs time, and you will give it to her.”

“I never meant for this to happen.”

“You are fortunate it has.”

“Fortunate? You are the last male I expected to say as such.”

“Why?”

“She is yours.”

“Ours. You protected her when I could not. Put her first, and I will welcome you.” Venomous’ gaze flattened. “Hurt her, and I hurt you.”

“Why would I hurt her?”

“Lumen is not Rä. Her differences unsettle you.”

“That is natural.” Fiercely thumbed his brow gold. “You cannot tell me you did not find yourself confused or dis...concerted when she made you male.”

“Truth, I was confused.” Venomous blew a blustery sigh. He shook out his quills then confessed, “I took her the old way.”

Fiercely lost colour. “Barbaric.”

“That place was hell.” He dry washed his face. “I barely knew what I had done until it was over. She seems at peace with it. I do not think she knows it was ancient custom.” He paused to click his teeth. “That might be why she is jumpy around you. She might think you mean to carry her off for clutch. Truth, Fiercely, yesss, I was disconcerted but never disgusted, which is what you meant to say. I was foolish enough to think her ugly and dim-witted because she is not like me.” Humour lifted his mouth for a moment then his expression grew clouded. “Never was I revolted. I accepted her as mine, wholeheartedly, and what we have has grown from it. My acceptance ushered her own.”

“I no longer feel that way.”

“So quickly?”

“How long did it take you to no longer see disfigurement when you looked upon her?”

Shameful as it was he once thought her less than himself, primitive, Venomous refused to lie. “Less than half a rotation.”

“So quickly?” Fiercely echoed with a sneer, embarrassed it took him near a cycle to see her for what she was.

“Do not be jealous. There is no need.”

A flush of colour dappled his emerald scales and betrayed any repudiation he wanted believed. “I am not.”

Venomous snorted. He pushed away from the hull. “Give her time. Accept her, and she will steal your hearts as she has stolen mine.” He frowned. “How long does it take to void?”

Fiercely balked. “How am I to know this? Nāga took care of that.”

“It cannot take so long, surely?” Venomous stepped inside to find his Lumen curled up on the floor fast asleep. He knelt then picked her up. She smelt fresh with a chemical bite from the disinfectant in the purification tab. “Come, dearest.”

Despite his agreement to keep his distance, Fiercely shadowed them to their quarters.

Muscles losing tension, the tip of his claw followed the curve of Lumen’s cheek when they stopped to part ways. “In two rotations, we reach home world. I will visit.”

“Very well.”

“Have you considered who to select for her lesser male?”

A twinge of doubt thrummed in Venomous’ chest.

With it came memories of Yofk, and he near staggered under a wave of sorrow.

He stowed his grief.

Time would come when his fallen allies were avenged.

“No,” he replied at length.

“I know of an honourable Rä’Vek. He is Master for the Hunters Caste. He, Cobra that Strikes would make a good lesser mate for Lumen of the Stars.”

“I warn you, our Rä’Na is not receptive to the custom.”

Fiercely looked troubled. “Are you to deny a widow protection, Venomous One?”

“It will be dealt with. Good parting.”

Venomous entered the habitation enclosure he had been immobilised in before the Dei San attack.

This time he glanced around with more than a cursory eye.

The modest space comprised of two interconnected domes, stark walls and furnishings, clean lines and sharp edges.

The foremost dome held a seating area with a curvilinear divan facing the ovoid holoscreen, a squat table, a cookery area, a miniature replicator, and a wall mounted console that had limited access to the Trekker’s communications hub.

Less a separate space and more an alcove, the minor dome was filled by a circular platform covered in the dense fur pelts of the goodbeast, and padded by a synthetic mat.

The contrast of the austere, sterile lodgings with his rough, clay and dirt lair on the slave planet was laughable.

Neither were his preference, but soon, he’d have his Rä’Na safe at home in his lair, and all would be well.

Sensing a change in her environment, Lumen stirred.

Her eyes opened and the corners of her lips turned up. “Babe.” Her gaze slid around. She yawned then stretched her arms overhead, legs kicking out. “Is this where we’re staying?”

“Yesss.” He set her onto her feet.

She seemed awake and refreshed from her nap.

Brow scales bunching, he noted the air pushed through the vents was cold, the ship cooling from its earlier sweltering temperature.

“Are you warm enough?” he asked fearing her catching cold.

“I am. This softsuit is amazing.” She flashed him a grin over her shoulder as she wandered to explore. “Definitely the comfiest piece of clothing I’ve ever worn. It feels thick like wool but breathable like cotton. Is it woven from animal hair?”

“No, a species of plant called kakt-kakt. It is native to Rök and grows abundant even in the dry heat because it stores water in its hollow stems. The smallest kakt-kakt grows as tall as you. We boil it to break down the rigidity then spin it into thread that is bleached or dyed.”

She eyed the divan then jumped onto it, bouncing slightly. “Your hardsuit is made from the plant too?”

“No. It is a synthetic alloy infused as it is tempered with a vanadium isotope, a rare chemical element created during supernova nucleosynthesis then coated in compressed carbon atoms mined from our ring system. It enhances our strength and acts as ancillary protection when our natural armour plating will not suffice. Warriors and hunters wear hardsuits. Rä in non fatal professions wear softsuits or robes.”

Lumen had frozen.

She pivoted to face him, expression bare, lips twitching. “So hardsuits are badass.”

“Thsst! Yesss, bad as ass.”

She staggered on a shout of laughter, waving a hand as if telling him to stop then dropped onto the divan to sit. “Babe, you crack me up”

He contemplated her words.

She was not, in reality, cracking, so he deduced she made a humour reference.

His chest puffed. “I am hilarious.”

Clutching her middle, she laughed harder. “I love hearing you talk like this.”

“It is better,” he agreed thinking of the communication troubles they’d overcome.

Venomous watched Lumen with a faint smile as she exclaimed over the fixtures, prodded buttons and lifted lids.

He should be exhausted, want to curl up in his nest alone to sleep a full rest phase uninterrupted, yet he craved the touch of his Rä’Na.

So much so, he was maddened by the ache between his legs.

Their kiss in the cleanser had ignited his ardour, but he wondered if she was too tired for clutch.

She’d been through much and was bruised.

Head canting, Venomous drank in her paradoxical appearance.

Though he’d kissed her the human way, stroked her soft flesh to dam her leaking and had fingered her wet sex, still, he experienced jolts to his system when he realised the alien female was his.

At a glance her body was lush and soft, yet her limbs were long and lean hinting at flexibility.

While many might see her plump breasts and flaring hips to be fleshy and disconcerting, as he once had, he now saw her curving lines as lush, her roundness parallel to ripeness.

She brought to mind sweetness and life.

Fertility.

He knew he could hold her hips tightly as his claws pricked her skin.

Round buttocks would bounce and push up against his groin and lower stomach.

His hard thighs would rub against her soft ones as he sank deeper into the hot, swollen wetness that made his claws curl and his fangs drip.

Lumen was designed to bear the weight of a male; his weight.

Protruding yet neat features that she scrunched into adorable shapes or stretched into hilarious snarls of anger held him rapt.

Her face was enigmatically unique, expressive, but held a delicacy that left him breathless.

Remarkable to him was the rarity in which she succumbed to despair.

For all she’d suffered through, always did she recover and seek happiness.

Lumen often appeared timid, even afraid of him and the Rä warriors, but the moment she felt pushed or saw a wrong being done to herself or another, she was stubborn, bold, and, Grandfather help him, exploded with a passion impossible to quell.

Often he found he had no desire to manage her piques as her magnificence grew in tandem to her confidence.

To him, there was no more splendid a sight than his female exerting control through the power of her mind and the haunting exquisiteness of her body.

Though, he admitted, it would be a moontide before he slept without seeing the Dei San dragging her away.

The burst of self-sufficiency had been ill-thought indeed, even if it had resulted in their liberation and saved them from a fate worse than death.

Unknowing of how her male lusted for her, Lumen rolled her head on her neck with a low moan.

She stretched her arms over her head then yawned.

As her back bent, her breasts thrust forward and her buttocks pushed out in invitation.

Venomous struggled to draw a full breath.

Her waterfall scent intoxicated him.

The swelling in his stem turned painful, and he found himself looming behind her, staring at her backside in agonised rapture.

She turned waving a hand towards the nest. “Time for ... uh ... sleep?”

Watching the bulge in his hardsuit grow, Lumen’s eyes were big as he clasped the nape of her neck.

Venomous grazed his lips over hers.

Another soft touch to her luscious mouth caused a needy sound low in her throat.

He slanted his mouth fully to hers, and moist, clean musk greeted him.

Gladly, he let his tongue slide deeper into the slick depths.

The taste of her exploded in his brain, and weakened his knees to the point of collapse.

He groaned into her mouth then tugged her wilting body into the shield of his embrace.

Small hands unfurled on his chest then clenched in a violent spasm as he licked the tip of her tongue.

She moaned. “The things you do to me.”

His kiss became hers.

She aggressively plundered his mouth, nibbled his lips.

The sides of her fists pressed into his muscle, demanding more, insistent.

Her hands uncurled to reach up and clutch his shoulders, nails digging in.

Breaths growing slight, rapid, the frenetic panting matched the hammering of her pulse at the base of her throat.

Pressure throbbing through his shaft grew unbearable.

He rocked his hips, shuddering when the underside of his stem rubbed against her yielding stomach.

That difference in itself thrilled him.

Rä were hard, humans soft.

The dichotomy of their bodies crushed together, joined as one, seemed profound to him.

The rounded tip of her smooth tongue found his then caressed the sensitive spot between his bifurcation and piercing.

Venomous grew still, fearing he’d spend if he so much as breathed too hard.

Lumen pulled back, licked her lips, eyes locked on his mouth. “You taste good. Like gingerbread dipped in icing. Love me some gingerbread.”

“I need.” His nostrils flared. He groaned in anguish. “I scent your sex musk. You invite me.”

“Well.” A sweet kiss to his collarbone. “You started it.”

The hand on the back of her neck released to flex then gripped her again, tighter, possessive, and he controlled the urge to manhandle her to the floor, splay her legs then thrust.

Bite and suck until delirious with it.

Buck, grind and plunge until her body juddered from the force of his body rending hers.

Her hand cupped around his shaft.

Raw desire surged through his veins, searing spangled nerves until his body sensitised to her slightest movement.

“Babe, your cock is like stone.” She sounded delighted by his engorged flesh. “It scared me before, but I confess, it’s looking mighty fine right now.”

He used the grip on her neck to lift her face to his. “What do you call it?”

Going up on her toes, she pressed her mouth to his ear. “Cock.” She squeezed his stem through the textile at his groin then ran her knuckles up and down the solid length. “This is your cock, babe. That’s what we call it.”

Shocked, aroused, by how sensual and illicit she made the alien word sound, his chest heaved.

Sensation skittered over his spine and blazed the nerves in the backs of his thighs.

His laden sacs drew up tight, and he released a staggered grunt when she tugged on him demandingly.

A slow smile curved her lips. “You like how it sounds?”

“Yesss. And lovemake.”

“Lovemaking?” She chuckled in his ear. “You know the words I prefer.”

He swallowed.

“What do I say, Venomous?”

Dazed, he ran a hand down her back.

Quietly murmured, “Fuck,” into the soft spirals of her hair as he buried his face in it.

“I didn’t hear you.”

He jolted at the forceful demand in her voice, and a tremor ran through his body.

More blood rushed to his stem as he repeated, “Fuck. Fucking.” He knew this because she’d said them before.

At the time he’d been bemused why she used the words with relish, but now....

Close again, her tongue flicked at his neck in reward. “Very good.”

“These words are crude.”

“Filthy,” she breathed. “But I like it.”

Teeth sank into his ear then she sucked the gold studding his lobe into her mouth.

Feeling crazed, he cupped the heavy globes of her breasts then squeezed.

Pressure felt good to his own needy flesh, and he felt compelled to tend to them.

She arched into his touch with a cry, rocked harder against him.

Another wave of musky arousal slammed into his senses and sent him reeling.

Great Serpent, the taste of her need....

Venomous was aware of his own body in an unknown, unexplored way.

The urge to touch and be touched clawed at his gut.

He never knew desire would be so visceral, and wondered if all Rä’Vek battled such ferocious passion.

Venomous took her to the floor by the divan.

She rucked her softsuit to her hips, and he ripped open the seam of his hardsuit.

Gripping his shaft, he aligned the bulbous head against her slick core.

The wetness made his fangs drip, and he bared them with a hiss. “You are readied?”

She writhed beneath him. “Yes. Now, babe. Now!”

The blunt tip wedged inside her.

“My Lumen!”

“I saw this,” she whispered. “I imagined this. You pushing inside. Fucking me. Hard.”

Her words drove him mad. “Don’t. Say. Such. Things.” He punctuated each word with a shallow thrust of his hips. She was hot and tight and enveloped his stem with a silken grip. “I try to keep from hurting you.”

“You won’t. Harder.”

“Lumen!” Two arms straight either side of her head, he used the others to grasp her bucking hips as she tried to impale herself. He groaned when their flesh pressed, rubbed. “My Lumen.”

The haze crackled, and Venomous’ head jerked up with a feral growl.

Scowling, lost in thought, Fiercely Comes the Night strode in with his mouth open to speak.

Until he caught sight of them.

The male slammed to a halt then bounded back a step.

Scrubbing a hand over his mouth, he took in the scene with his brille threatening to unveil.

Venomous thanked the powers that be his mate had fallen so deeply astray in pleasure, she paid no heed to her surroundings.

He didn’t want to stop; she fused her supple body to his so sweetly.

He shook himself and forced himself to think.

Why has he returned so soon?

Fiercely Comes the Night was Lumen’s second mate, nothing he did would change that.

Truth, there was no need to deny Fiercely access to their quarters.

There would come a time when Lumen would accept him into her hot wet.

Venomous would never leave them alone, regardless of what the other male wanted.

It would not be fair to expect Fiercely to act differently.

Spearing his nest mate with a look warning him back, a chin jerk to order him from sight, he lowered his head then drew her nubbin into his mouth.

Shivering, she whimpered.

He bit.

Screams of ecstasy raked his eardrums.

Lumen thrashed and called his name, grinding her hips.

Her face creased as if tormented, and he watched the light caress her graceful jaw, catch upon the droplets of water beading her slim throat.

Expression suffused with bliss, the defiant jut of her pointed chin softened.

Her eyes flickered open.

They were so clear, he felt as if she saw past his flesh to the core of his anima.

Her brown skin glowed, her adumbral hues radiant, healthier after drinking more sweet water in a sitting than he needed a cycle.

Each span in her company more of her intelligent, inquisitive nature reached past the cultural divide between them.

To him, her beauty became incomparable.

Longings secret and deep roused within.

Dormant drives to conquer and possess, to dominate, roared to the fore.

Expression cruel in its ardour, Venomous crouched over his mate to whisper in halting, guttural bursts. “Where is my cock, female?” He gasped. He needed her coarse words like he needed air. “Where?”

Her back arched. “In me.”

“In where?”

She pumped her hips when he slowed the thrusting, grinding movement she loved best. Her eyes slid open. “You want to learn my crude words?” The mischievous tease in her voice lowered to sultry. Provoking. “Do you want to know where you are fucking me?”

Gut burning with lust, his breath escaped in him a rush.

Though near crazed with the urge to ram inside her hard without end, the pendulum swing of his hips ceased.

The rigidly defined muscles in his back bunched, and the cords in his neck popped.

Lumen rose to press her torso to his, stiff nipples rasping and prodding his scales in waves of bliss. “Don’t stop.”

Fangs bared, he gnashed his teeth as more of her wet warmth slicked his groin.

Soft, fragrant hair brushed under his chin.

Her juices perfumed the air with rich pheromones that made him want to howl and rut like the goodbeast.

“Tell me,” he grated tormented by his need. “Tell me everything.”

“Fuck my pussy.”

Stunned, he grunted then surged.

The chaotic slap, slap, slap as their bodies collided shocked him, its blatant rhythm exciting.

Stabbing thrusts of his cock into her sheathe were brutal and fast.

Knees spreading to widen her thighs, he hooked her leg over his arm then sank deeper.

He pushed harder, quickened, shared her pants for air.

Never would he have thought to take his mate with such strength, as rough and fast as physically capable.

The plunge of his hips increased until he slammed into her with tooth-jarring force, each connection wrenching a sharp cry or feral grunt.

Lumen slapped his shoulders with both palms, sucked up a chain of wild gasps. “I’m coming.”

He didn’t understand. Couldn’t think. “Where were you?”

“Right fucking here.”

Snug heat strangled his shaft in a noose.

It robbed him of thought, of life’s breath, and as his mind froze in a whiteout, he met a sublime end.

Venomous flung back his head then roared as the pressure burst from the tip of his cock.

Release blasted though his limbs, and the spurts of seed bathing her deep inside ignited a pleasure so fiery and deep, he feared he’d be forever lost.

Marked, he thought as his rutting died.

Trembling, Fiercely Comes the Night backed out of the enclosure, shaking his head.

He passed though the haze as if he’d never come.

Noticing his departure, Venomous’ brille narrowed.

Does he think our lust perverted?

If the other male could not accept their mate and her offworlder ways, he would not be allowed any of the joy of her.

Lumen lay sprawled beneath him.

Hands stretched above her head, she looked sated and sleepy-eyed, so he found it beautiful when the sultry gaze melted, and a shy fingertip pressed to his bottom lip.

“So?” she murmured. “What did we learn?”

“Enough to know this is how it will always be between us.”

“Mmm.” She touched her cheek to his. “I liked that, babe.”

He rumbled an agreement, tongue still flickering to capture the aftermath of their frantic ... fucking.

Stiffening, Lumen sniggered.

Chortled.

Her nasal giggles turned into outright laughter.

She buried her head into the crook of his neck and shoulder then screamed with hilarity.

Her small fists beat against his chest.

Venomous couldn’t help but smile.

He was inside her and her laughter caused attention-grabbing sensations. “Why do you laugh?”

She thrilled him, and he wanted to know her mind as well as he did his own.

He squeezed her in a hug. “Tell me.”

“It’s just....” Her body shook with fine tremors. Her lips wobbled as she struggled to keep a straight face. “It’s just I’ve travelled untold light-years to another galaxy. Mated a warrior alien and have been invited to make a home with his kindred. I’ve seen wondrous sights people on my planet would kill for. Experienced things others would sacrifice wealth for. You’ve placed untold knowledge at my fingertips, so much, it boggles the mind. You’ve taught me more about myself in one week, pardon me, cycle, than I knew in twenty-five solars. You’ve shown me how to survive, and be confident in who and what I am. And what do I do in return?”

Venomous lowered his chin then nudged her to continue.

“I teach you to fuck nasty.” She studied him with solemn deliberation. “I am the worst Earth representative ever.”

She rolled him onto his back then straddled his waist.

Her moist sex collided with his.

His brow scales lifted, and he eked a strangled noise.

“Calm down,” she said. “I won’t mount you just yet.”

“Mount me,” he echoed intimidated, aroused, and eager to merge their bodies once more.

The image of her taking him inside the hot wet, riding him with breasts bouncing as she rocked and rocked....

He growled and grew hard.

“Before we sleep I wanted to talk,” she licked her lips, “about Fiercely.”

Venomous curled his abdominals to sit up, adjusted Lumen on his lap. “I am glad you brought him up.”

“I don’t want you to worry,” she said in a rush. “I won’t cheat on you, babe. Not ever.”

“Cheat me.” His lower arms gripped her hips. “How could you deceive me with Fiercely? Is it a game?” He sniffed. “Why have you not played it with me?”

“I mean, I won’t betray you.”

Venomous scratched his chest with an upper hand, mouth turning down as his hold on her hips tightened. “Lumen–”

“I won’t sleep with him.”

“It is unusual for a male not to nest with his Rä’Na.” He paused thoughtfully. “It has been done in the past when there were irreconcilable differences. You have not tried to make peace with him in our lair, though, my Lumen. It is unfair to send him from our nest when he has not been given an opportunity to court you, and win your affections, I think.”

Her lips parted, and her eyes widened. “You’re talking as if this is a forgone conclusion, as if I want him to be my mate.”

“Do we not speak of sleeping arrangements?”

“We’re talking about me fucking Fiercely.”

“Are we?” He clicked his teeth. “Dearest, sleeping and fucking are two very different activities.”

She slapped his shoulder. “Listen to what I’m saying.”

“You are speaking and I am listening.” Venomous studied her trying to understand what went on in her head. His tongue flickered, but her scent was chaotic with too many scent markers. “Do you claim you have no sexual interest in him? You do want him, I think. I taste lust when you hear or speak his name. It is strongest when you and he quarrel.”

“That’s besides the point,” she replied in a strained voice. “It’s about being loyal, and I am.” She patted his chest. “You’re my guy.”

“So is he.”

“No, he’s not. How can you say that?”

“He matured for you.”

“I feel like a bitch to say it, but I can’t handle him. I’m just about managing this relationship with you. I told you this on the slave planet. It’s you for me, and me for you. That is it. No lesser mates. Just us.”

“He is not your lesser male, but your second mate.” Venomous ran a claw tip down the bridge of her nose. He was fascinated by its shape. “You say this because you are angry with him.”

“So what if I am? That doesn’t change what I say or feel.”

“Forgive his harshness. He was surprised by your reaction to his maturing. He expected you to act differently. Finding a life mate is a joyous event for Rä.” Venomous sighed. “Fiercely Comes the Night is Rä’Vek now. Your Rä’Vek.”

“This is like a replay of what happened before. Only weirder, which if you’d asked me eight days ... rotations ago that my life would get stranger after how we met, I’d’ve said you were bloody bonkers.” She exhaled. “Venom, are you saying in your culture no matter how many males a female might, uh, mature she’s expected to mate with them? Forever?”

“Yesss, as a life mate. My life giver has such a bonding. I know there can be peace in the lair between nest mates and their Rä’Na.” Venomous stroked her hair. “Do not worry. I accept your second.”

Lumen swallowed then closed her eyes. “Can we go to the nest, and can you hold me without talking?”

“As you wish.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

One moment, I stared into Venomous’ black eyes as I clung to him, fully expecting a calamity to befall us, knowing his arms was the safest place to be then the next moment it was lights out.

I woke to him licking my lips, and the mouth-watering aroma of hot food.

My belly responded to the appetising smell with a ferocious growl.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I’d sleepily kissed him then spread my legs to take him inside.

He’d covered me with his hard body then sexed me awake.

Later, lying on my back, top and tail with my warrior, I sifted through the gold covering the furs.

Venomous had been busy as I slept.

The Rä onboard had been visiting our quarters to thank me for liberating them from the Dei San.

He’d been accepting gifts of the precious ore for spans as I slept.

I wiggled my toes against his chest, wanting his attention.

Dark eyes locked on mine.

His full lips tipped up at the corners, and the lower arm wrapped around my hips squeezed, encouraging me to talk.

My heart fluttered.

It hurt how sexy I found him.

I hadn’t decided if I was perverted for desiring a male of another species, or bodacious in my radical free thought. “Can I ask you something without you being a smartass?”

Ditching the translators for whatever they’d done to my brain to make me read, speak and understand Räni, I’d learnt he had a wicked sense of humour.

Dark and twisty in a way that made me secretly thrilled even as I berated him for being dark and twisty.

Mortifyingly, I realised when we met he hadn’t been baring his fangs in threat.

He’d smiled and joked to lessen my fear.

I now knew Venomous One motivated into a full threat display stopped the heart and was a precursor to evisceration.

He jerked his chin. “Ask.”

“So we get to Rök. Then what?”

“We live.”

“Aren’t we being generous with our words?”

And with the communication upgrade, he’d begun to grasp sarcasm at startling speed.

His growled warning skittered over my flesh. “Lumen....”

“What will I do? Back on Earth I had a job.” I pushed up on my elbows then looked down my sprawled body.

My specially made softsuit gathered at my waist from our earlier coupling leaving me half unclothed.

I forced myself not to be distracted by his equally undressed state, his long body corded with muscle, and covered in iridescent scales the colour of aged gold that was all mine to pet, and lick and....

Woman may not thrive on orgasms alone.

Focus.

I eyed him askance to minimise the arousal effect. “You’re not expecting me to push out, uh, offspring all the time now that you know I can?”

Venomous had had angry words with Fiercely and Nāga about what went down when we were apart.

With Fiercely, his ire centred around him drugging then separating us, and he’d warned the male against trying it again, something along the lines of, “Do it again, and I end you.”

Expressionless when Nāga advised conception between us was viable, he’d cuttingly responded with, “She would not have made me male if it was not,” in a tone that said he believed the healer short of brain cells for thinking otherwise.

He only eased his hostility towards the subject once I assured him I didn’t feel as if I’d been experimented on.

I understood the practical reasons behind what they had done.

“Venomous?” My nervous pause cranked the tension when he didn’t answer. “Are you?

Another smirk. “No.”

I blew him a kiss. “Good.” I flopped back. “So when you’re off being hot warrior guy what will I be doing?”

“Whatever you wish.”

Face scrunching, I waddled through the happy miasma to sit up fully.

Half because the conversation had to turn serious, and half because the many layers of gold wrapped around my neck began to choke me.

Perhaps he’s right and thirteen necklaces is a tad excessive.

I pushed hair out of my face. “Babe, seriously, won’t I need to work? On Earth we need money to buy food, clothes and put a roof over our heads. Now would be a good time to reveal your princely status to my angst and hidden joy.”

He chuckled. “I will provide.”

My mouth opened then closed as I impersonated a guppy.

Rök wasn’t a male dominated planet that played at democracy while its leadership and social heartbeat encouraged gender inequality was it?

Not that Earth wasn’t exactly that.

Still, I wanted to go on to better, not be trapped in the same prison of materialism and passively support the illusion of ‘freedom’ so many thought they had in the western ‘civilised’ world.

“It’s not.... Rök isn’t....” My mouth worked as panic made me sweat. “I’m allowed to work aren’t I? I am equal to a male?”

Venomous gave me an odd look.

He appraised me then said in a mystified tone, “Do whatever you wish. Work. Do not work. Who will stop you? Why would they?”

“So females can do whatever males do? Even when they’re mated?”

“Ye–” He stopped then nodded in a fast spasm of his neck and head.

He seemed pleased to have remembered the gesticulation he viewed as part of another language.

“It won’t matter that I’m different? That my culture and skin is not the same?” I sounded as dubious as my expression looked. “I’m going to have the same rights and privileges as a native? I could be, say, a warrior, or hold a position of rank?”

“Yesss.”

“How can you say that? You don’t know how your people, how your leaders, will react. They might be prejudice because technically, I’m an immigrant, a flipping intergalactic refugee with nothing to offer. There are political parties on my world that treat such people like shit. I never cared before, I’m ashamed to say it didn’t affect me, but now I’m the one up shit creek without a paddle, and I don’t fucking like it.”

“Lumen–”

“Do not sit there and pretend your people aren’t the same. Your world is closed to outsiders, babe. That isn’t a ringing endorsement for interspecies tolerance.”

Venomous sighed. “I admit there will be those ... troubled and afraid of us, but the Rä who lead Rök are of different backgrounds, gender and rank. We have creative minds and logical thinkers who will approach any social disturbances because of our arrival with wisdom and fairness.”

“I want to believe you. It just sounds too good to be true.”

“It is how I say. Otherwise, how can justice be impartial, and, therefore, our world safe? How can the perspective of our Senate represent a balanced view of our society, and guide it wisely? If things were as you fear, my Lumen, we’d repeat an endless sequence of wars, and turn on those who are different merely because they were hatched in a different province.” He frowned. “Worse, we would never evolve. Rä with the same views retaining power throughout many generations would limit us to one note, one pallid shade. That is not a world of freedom and choice. That is a world shackled, its inhabitants willing slaves. Should Rök sink so low, I would fight for change.” He stared at me. “My Rä’Na, do not fear our home world. Should your voice not be treated with respect, I will stand with you, and for you until you are heard. I expect my Elders to heed, and fear us. If they do not they will lose my strength which feeds their power. With my loyalty withdrawn, I will not follow them. My obedience to their political views is a gift, not a right they may demand without cause, or abuse without repercussion.”

“You really think they’d listen to you? That the people of Rök have that much influence over their government?”

“True leaders serve the people. They have no power but what we lend, and what I give in good faith can be taken away.”

“The wealthy own my world.”

“Then it is broken.”

Holding out both hands, fingers splayed, I shook my head, overwhelmed.

Seeing my disbelief, my male mimicked a one-shouldered shrug that smacked of me in a snit.

My eyes smiled.

I dared not show my amusement in a more obvious manner.

I’d seen him practicing gestures like shrugging, nodding and thumbs up when he believed my attention elsewhere.

What Venomous didn’t understand was I always watched him.

Why did he hide it?

I found my gruff male practicing how to communicate as I did adorable, and it was a help to know he didn’t look down on me for coming from a different civilization.

Knowing he respected my background went a huge way to lessening my fear of the unknown.

He was interested in my culture, questioned me on how I felt about my world, what I found abhorrent, and what I’d change for the better.

Quick to point out similarities between our people, or comfort me if I appeared daunted by his, he never passed judgement when I spoke of humanities blood-soaked past, present and likely future.

The effort made to ease me into my new existence made me hopeful he’d continue to be interested in my thoughts and opinions.

This was my shiny new life, a chance to better myself.

I had no intention of being relegated to ‘my hapless alien wife who does as I say,’ territory.

Sensing I wasn’t done freaking, he added, “To be a warrior you must train. Same with other things. You choose, no one will stop you.”

Undecided if sold on such a utopia existing, I pursed my lips.

Turning over a new leaf to be a better person than I’d been on Earth, and make something of myself, I attempted to make smart, non-life threatening decisions.

So, if I could make something of myself on Rök, training with alien warriors that could flatten me with a nonchalant slap wasn’t one of them.

“Other things?” I prompted.

“There are the Elders, the Warriors Guild, the Scholars, the Healers Caste and the Artisans.”

Well, aside from the fact I couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag, so joining the Warriors Guild was not for me, reading sucked.

I suspected to be a Scholar you’d have to do bookish things like reading.

Blood made me faint or cry.

Anyway, I doubted any sane being wanted my panicky, fumbling fingers digging around inside them.

So that was a no to the Healers Caste, and did we really want me leading a bunch of people as an Elder?

I asked, “What do Artisans do?”

“Make beauty.”

I clicked my tongue against my teeth. “Crystal clear as always, babe.” I thought about it. “Like painters and stuff?”

“All kinds of beauty.” Venomous held up another morsel of roasted meat on its way to my mouth. “They play instruments, write verses of poetry and perform theatrics. Artisans tattoo and pierce with gold.” He touched his quills then fingered one of the shining rings there. “They dance.”

Excitement coloured my voice. “Dance?”

Venomous’ grin was devilish. “I never appreciated the Rä’Na dancers. I had no urge for clutch, but now I will find the act titillating, I think.” His black gaze sharpened. “You dance, my Lumen?”

Averting my eyes, I fought a smile and eased from his hold, picking up on his predatory vibe and feeling playful.

“A little,” I demurred.

Dancing was something that came easy.

If I’d had an once of ambition in my B.A.B.A (Before Abduction By Aliens) days, I could have gone to dance school and made a profession out of it.

I wasn’t going to be miserable or directionless in my new life.

I was determined to build a career, at the least do something I could be proud of that offered value to the world ... universe ... whatever.

Naughty thoughts of dancing on my male’s lap slid from my mind.

The muscled specimen inches from me roused like a slumbering beast scenting prey.

Still sidling across the bedding, I tensed in anticipation.

Venomous pushed up on his lower arms with his upper hands free to grab me, but he didn’t.

My male was nothing if not adaptable.

He’d learned fast I liked to play. “Don’t make me chase you.”

“Don’t act like you don’t like it,” I shot back climbing off the platform the furs were bundled on. I backed up facing him, hands spread and waving back and forth in a taunt. “Look at you, all hard,” I paused to let that sink in and enjoyed his startled gawp, “and trembling.”

His gaze shot to his crotch.

He made an inarticulate sound of embarrassment at his tumescence.

The near constant erected state of his dick since meeting me was something he confessed confounded, and, at times, bothered him.

He’d been taught as an a’Rä lusty urges would be few, far between, and that release inside his Rä’Na would cure it until she came into season, her pheromones triggering his seeding.

The intense desire bolting between us threw his world out of balance.

Neither of us minded.

While he found my physical differences perplexing, some of my cleansing and grooming rituals odd, he accepted me, unconditionally, and expected me to do the same.

Frankly, I adored his sexual inexperience.

He was confident about his sexuality, but not arrogant, grew dexterous at kink I introduced, but never jaded, and despite an endearing innocence in passion, he soaked up sexual play and innuendo with diabolical delight.

He never made me feel immoral.

He met my newfound need with a hunger all his own, and explored the physical connection as acutely as he did our emotional one.

A heavy thump announced Venomous’ dismount from the nest.

Shuffling back with a pronounced sway of my hips, I winked then spun to dash towards the seating area.

Halfway to the divan, I threw myself to the side and dropped a squat.

He was right on my ass.

Arms swiped past my head in a hugging motion.

He moved with such power, I felt the air shift.

Scrambling to right himself, he did so in the time it took for me to blink in admiration.

I leapt over a low table, screeching, “How you amuse me, tiny alien male.”

Venomous tossed his head back and roared in outrage.

He came at me in a blurred streak of colour.

Next time I might evade capture for a whole minute, I thought proudly as my waist was snagged.

Strong arms with a gentle hold enfolded me.

His body trembled with laughter as I wriggled and squirmed.

Ringing peals of delight escaped the heart of me.

I was glad to know this male, I was so damned happy.

“Impressive,” he rumbled. His nose burrowed into my neck. “But I claim my prize.”

I heard a clink of teeth on metal.

A tug at my throat and the weight at my neck lifted.

Polished balls of gold fell to the floor in a shower of golden raindrops.

The beads bounced and pinged off furniture.

Top half of my softsuit bunched around my waist, my hands flew to cover my chest in false modesty. “I liked that one!”

He murmured, “I will trade for another,” and lowered me to the floor, nudging aside my hands to bare my breasts.

Liquid eyes devoured them greedily.

His firm mouth followed.

Arching into his caress, I grabbed the back of his head as he sucked and tongued my nipple.

My eyes lost focus then rolled.

I was consumed by the sheer deliciousness of the sucking sensation.

Stomach cramping under another brutal flow of pleasure, I gasped. “I’ve created a monster.”

Giving me a grin, Venomous lowered his body on mine then his hips shoved into the cradle of my thighs.

He kissed me.

I’d never get used to the drugging effect of his lips.

He kissed as if each connection of his mouth to mine imparted a secret.

I heard the static fizz of the haze as someone passed through it.

Crouched over me, Venomous stiffened.

His head lifted to consider the newcomer, and he confused me when he asked, “Again?”

“I could say the same. The nest is but ten paces from you.”

Arching my back, I strained my neck until the crown of my head touched the floor.

I blinked at the upside down vision of Fiercely.

He stood with his powerful arms crossed over his chest, expression closed, but his eyes....

I pushed at the heaving chest shrouding me in warmth.

Venomous bounded upright with an agile swiftness that belied his immense size to extend an arm.

Covetous eyes locked onto my back like laser beams, and boy, I felt that burn.

The nape of my neck prickled as I wrapped an arm over my breasts then clasped the proffered hand.

Venomous pulled me up then drew me into his earthy heat.

He wrapped his lower arms around me, covering my front, and most of my back.

He hadn’t gotten around to ripping off my softsuit, so my backside was, at least, concealed, not that nudity mattered.

Rä culture viewed the bare form differently to my own.

They saw it as beautiful to decorate with gold.

I was grateful Venomous cared enough to respect my sensibilities when it came to nakedness around others.

He no longer viewed Fiercely as a stranger, but as part of our clan, and thought nothing of me being seen this way by his ‘nest mate’.

However, he was sensitive to my needs.

He wanted me to feel comfortable with the other male, so he didn’t push.

Venomous kneaded his hands into my curly hair to hold it off my face.

Ebon eyes stared at me with a questioning gleam.

I gave him a brave smile, as if my pounding heart didn’t batter heat against him.

I had to get used to Fiercely.

For all our sakes, I needed to stop unintentionally pitting them against each other.

Venomous’ attention moved. His gentle hands never stopped petting. “Nest mate, you are needing us?”

My grip tightened then relaxed with a twist of my lips.

No, Venomous didn’t push me, but he’d made it known Fiercely was ours.

He acknowledged the male as my second mate even though I had yet to.

Fiercely didn’t speak, seemed unable to.

Tension corded the muscles in his face and neck, his desire to close the distance and hold me suffocating.

Back becoming ramrod straight, his shoulders squared as if preparing to suffer torture, and his hands fisted as he glared, but the surface anger failed to hide the yearning.

Forcing myself to meet his hot stare, the lump in my throat grew from a pebble to a boulder.

I offered him a conciliatory smile, nothing more.

It left me feeling like a bitch.

The male wanted what he’d been told his whole life would be the other half of his soul.

Against the odds he’d found her, but not only was she already taken, she told him she didn’t want him.

I was sympathetic, but I couldn’t bring myself to go along with what he decreed without serious consideration on my part.

I felt as if I didn’t have a choice in what happened with my body.

Fiercely had to be patient.

I needed room to breathe.

Too much had happened too fast.

One alien mate was enough to keep me busy.

Taking on another?

Madness.

The silence lengthened.

I considered breaking away and returning to the nest, so they might talk alone, as him seeing me and my mate undressed, and in each others arms while his were empty seemed needlessly cruel.

I tugged to free myself.

Venomous resisted. “Fiercely?”

“Krait that Shines eases us into orbit around home world as we speak.” His gravelly voice filled with effort as he restrained himself from saying what he obviously wanted; pleas for me to consider him worthy, demands asking why I spurned him.

Fiercely’s fiery gaze swept over me.

It cooled as it wandered back to Venomous, but genuine respect resided there.

It relieved me to see it.

My actions might cause strain, but they weren’t causing irreparable harm.

Fiercely’s lower arms uncrossed and landed on his narrow hips.

His upper limbs hung loose at his sides, but large hands fisted betraying how hard he found the situation. “The communications feed will be updated shortly.” He cleared his throat then spoke at a louder, more confident volume. “I thought to give you early warning, so you might prepare.” His gaze slid to me. “Does this please you?”

Krait was a navigator turned pilot meaning we were landing, landing on Rök, my new home planet.

Thunderstruck, I stared at nothing, face slack.

“Our gratitude,” Venomous said as I balked.

Fiercely’s shoulders tightened, dissatisfied.

Venomous took advantage of my distraction to shuffle us forward.

It put me within touching distance of the other male, but as I was distressed about our arrival on their birth planet, the furtive move didn’t bother me.

No matter how frustrated, Fiercely would never harm me.

Honestly, his reticence allowed me to keep him at arm’s length.

Enslaved and with nothing to lose, Venomous had claimed me on the slave planet, his hold on me set in stone.

He’d smashed through my emotional barriers with his blameless need for affection.

Even when we communicated with the second-rate translators, and I made it known I didn’t appreciate his Neanderthal behaviour, he dismissed my knee-jerk reaction to hold back emotionally, leading and guiding our relationship as I wavered.

He had forced me to bend, or be broken by his superior will.

It chafed.

I sometimes felt as if my acceptance of his heavy-handed dominance was an outbreak of itchy hives I’d never cure, but hadn’t I ultimately towed the line when it counted?

Why then was I being stubborn in my refusal of Fiercely?

I struggled not to compare the two, yet I kept thinking that Fiercely accommodated everything I did without question.

I set a boundary, and he towed the line, no arguments.

He did as I bid, and I carried on as I pleased.

In essence, Fiercely endorsed my running roughshod over him.

Realising this, I began to understand why Venomous acted so aggressively to get me to submit to his claim.

He’d recognised the likelihood of my resistance, and decided early on to lock me down tight.

Converse to this tactic, Fiercely backed off, and sought my approval, something in my past life I believed I’d respond positively to.

Ironically, Fiercely Comes the Night wouldn’t get what he wanted acting as he did.

His hesitant courtship and Venomous’ assertive one taught me about myself.

I didn’t want any male I fell in love with to crush my spirit.

Equally, I didn’t want to be the aggressor in my relationships.

Perhaps giving me time to mull over and dissect the situation had me over thinking it.

Did Fiercely expect in time his passive courtship would wear me down?

That in the end I’d roll over and let him in?

If he took the time to really look at it, at me, he was already in there.

Fiercely saved my life.

He’d protected me when the circumstances prevented Venomous reaching me.

That alone earned him a lifetime of devotion if not my affection.

That didn’t mean I’d pretend to feel what I didn’t.

I liked him, a lot, and I was attracted to him physically, but what red-blooded woman wouldn’t be attracted to a fierce warrior with an eight pack, killer smile and the noblest of intentions?

I wasn’t in love with him, though, and I refused to call him my mate when I didn’t feel that way, and hadn’t taken some time to take stock and make the right decision.

It would cheapen the budding friendship between us, and lessen what grew between Venomous and I.

Could I fall in love with him?

Scary as it was to admit, yes.

After talking to Venomous about it, I developed an understanding my love wasn’t diminished by numbers, and he would not see me as unfaithful.

The riot of emotion I felt around Fiercely did have the potential to settle into me loving him.

Based on how he reacted to displays of affection between Venomous and I, would he be comfortable with the physical manifestations of my love?

I worried he looked on my relationship with his guild kin, and expected the connection between us to be the same.

Our personalities would bring forth a relationship of a distinctly other kind.

“Did you hear, my Lumen?” Venomous asked with a caress of knuckles to my hanging jaw. “Soon you will be forever safe, sheltered by our kindred. Are you pleased?”

My mind was stuffed, but I focused long enough to work up a panic over what was to come.

What if the Rä couldn’t see past my occasional neurosis to my better qualities as Venomous did?

“Was it not thoughtful of your second to go out of his way to bring this news so you can prepare?” he coaxed rocking me side to side.

I mumbled, “Sure,” not really paying attention.

Would the Rä forever see me as an offworlder?

An interloper who didn’t belong?

An ugly alien?

Considering the amount of controversy I’d be inviting into his life, aside from the biological tie, why Fiercely wanted to be mine I didn’t know.

We got along well enough before his wanting to mate me, but his decision to push for more confused me.

I knew why I liked him, but what did he like about me?

Was it all biological?

Would it offend him if I asked him to explain what he felt in detail?

Venomous cooed, “And you are pleased by his actions?”

“Mmm.”

“Good.” My male was tenacious in carrying the discussion. “This is wonderful.”

“A most joyous event,” Fiercely ground out.

He sounded anything but happy.

Oddly, it was that which pulled me into the conversation.

Sensing my attention had engaged, Venomous pressed on, determined to make the vision of family he had in mind work. “This is a chance for us all to have a new beginning. Returning home to build a new life. Together.”

Repressing the urge to run off boohooing because I was so bloody stressed, I faced Fiercely and deliberated forcing a smile.

I decided against it because likely it’d appear more a grimace.

For all my dithering, I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea by thinking I didn’t want him around.

Was that healthy?

To want his attention, yet hold him at arm’s length until I was sure he wouldn’t ruin what I already had?

Would it be better to bow to the inevitable and give in, but then wasn’t I just sure a passive courtship wouldn’t win me?

Biting my lip, I eyed him.

He stood before me seeking approval, so could I really call it passive?

Was I being unreasonable, setting a standard he’d never meet because I was unsure of myself?

Should I not give the male a break?

Fiercely Comes the Night wasn’t just impressive to look at, he was gorgeous by any standard of masculinity.

Tall and muscled with strong features that were handsome in a softer, more symmetrical way than Venomous’.

The gold in his septum, ears and brow scales verified his prowess if one acknowledged the Rä way.

The reality was physical looks mattered little.

Gazing at the beautiful face of a soulless brute wouldn’t make me happy for the rest of my life.

After losing my world, my way, I needed to laugh and feel joy.

I needed true desire for the mind, body and soul of my mate, or mates, as the case might turn out to be.

Nothing less would satisfy.

So, I waited for Fiercely to give me a sign.

A sign that made accepting him as my second mate beyond doubt the right thing.

He needed to join my clan and enhance it, not cause friction or foster negative vibes that might destroy what Venomous and I built.

So, yes, he did have to meet a standard.

I had ones to meet myself, acclimatising to a new world and its culture without losing my mind.

I had to put other people first.

It was a frame of mind I was inexperienced with having lost my family young.

Even as he put the happy median I’d achieved at risk, Fiercely had proved he’d protect us and respect Venomous’ place, had he not?

He’d demonstrated a willingness to give me space, took my emotional welfare into account, all at his own expense, giving me time to adjust.

Taking a breath, I asked, “You come from the Eastern province, don’t you, Fiercely?”

It was the first time I’d spoken to him since our confrontation.

“Yesss,” he replied and edged closer. He ran all four hands down his torso to smooth out nonexistent wrinkles in his hardsuit. “It is warmer. Flatter.” He angled his face towards me. “Flowers of red and blue grow from the sands. Our Zýt do not rattle. They have beautiful hoods like Grandfather. Shapes and patterns and colours like you’ve never seen.”

I scrunched my nose at the unfamiliar term. “Zýt?”

The males shared a short, perplexed look.

“Creatures that live in our home,” Venomous said.

“Distant cousins that did not evolve,” Fiercely added.

It sounded as if they were pets. “It sounds lovely.”

He bent until our faces were level, voice lowered as he grinned. “It is.”

“Is the North as pretty?”

“Better,” Venomous assured. “Nowhere on Rök is as scenic.”

“The East is more bountiful,” Fiercely boasted his eyes narrowing.

“But the Northern Warriors Guild is undefeated, and our Hunters Caste superior.”

“They have to be. There is hardly any prey.”

Venomous’ lip quirked, ceding the verbal joust. “Truth.”

Body vibrating joy, he gave me a squeeze.

It told me without words how excited he was to return home after years of slavery.

I latched my gaze onto Fiercely because he’d shifted closer.

Close enough, I felt the heat of his body.

He would be leaving us then.

My stomach knotted. “You’re staying with us for a while? Aren’t you?”

Hearing something indefinable in my voice, he studied my expression.

“For a while,” he echoed.

The tangle in my middle came undone.

My lips curved. “So you’re going to show me around? You’re not going to hide me away?”

Fiercely remained wary, but didn’t conceal the hope that flickered across his features. “We will visit many places once you feel settled. I am honoured to be there as you experience our home world.”

Gosh, but I like him.

I liked that he didn’t pretend he was above showing me he cared, and wanted my attention.

Working with the tentative flow we had going, I wrapped my arm around his waist.

I held both males, and it felt right.

Shy, working through new emotions, I hid my face to speak. “How long until we land?”

Fiercely said nothing.

I felt his arm curl around my back, and another lift, so his knuckles could ever-so-softly rub my cheek.

Pushing aside uncertainty, I nudged into his hand, showing my affection, hoping he gleaned the unsaid in my display of faith.

I kept my eyes averted, but saw his chest flex as he released a breath.

I snuck a look at Venomous.

He gazed down on me with a tender expression then kissed the side of my head. “Nest mate, how long?”

Fiercely’s hand fell. “Less than a span.”

“We will be ready.”

Reluctance threaded the lines of his frame as Fiercely stepped away. “I await you on the command deck then.” With a last look at me, he spun on his heel then left.

Blowing a breath, I peeked at my mate. “This is it.”

“My Rä’Na.” He cupped my jaw, and touched his forehead to mine. “Always do you surprise me.”

My face blanked, my tone nonchalant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You accepted him.”

Unable to hide my feelings, my gaze skittered from his. “No I didn’t. Don’t assume anything.”

“Lumen....”

Damn him and his sexy rumble of a voice.

I shivered in pleasure even as I glowered. “It’s not like I have much choice.”

“So you accept him?”

I lobbed him a dark look.

His hands went up in the air. “What are you waiting for?

There was a jumble in my head and heart, especially when it came to the subject of how Venomous claimed me.

Fiercely’s claim dug up shit I wasn’t ready to work through.

Part of me rejoiced in being Venomous’.

An unforgiving part that was heartsick, bruised, slashed through my happiness when I least expected it; like right then. “Did you ask to be my mate?”

“What need was there to ask? You are mine. I knew it the moment I saw you. But Fiercely Comes the Night is not me.”

Thoughts untidy, feeling too much emotion to process in a healthy, meaningful way, I traced the engraved gold on his bicep.

My fingers danced from hard metal to scaled flesh. “Whatever.” I shoved hurting, less agreeable emotions deep into the recesses of my mind. “Leave it for a while, okay? It’s him I need to talk this out with, not you.”

“Poor male,” Venomous murmured speaking more to himself than me. “He does not know what to do with you, I think.”

“He’ll have to learn, won’t he? He says he cares, and deserves to be part of this clan.” My chin lifted. “Fine. He has to prove it though. I won’t accept him because his biology is forcing me to. He has to show he can love us.”

“Rä males court their female after the mating, my Lumen. You know this.”

“So? I’m not like the females he knows. I won’t give in just so his feelings aren’t hurt.”

“No, you most certainly are not like Rä females. Though you drive me to madness, I thank Zython for it.” Venomous urged me towards the nest. “Come. We must make ready. It is time for us to go home.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Battling the urge to tremble, I stood riveted on the viewing platform of the Trekker.

In front of me was the mother haze.

I focused on the majestic sight of Rök, on the sparkling bands of its silvery ring system.

I did this because all that separated me from the yawning vastness of outer space was a gaseous substance calibrated to turn see-through, and act as a viewing portal, evaporate completely to become a doorway, or solidify into a barrier.

Wearing a sleeveless green softsuit that swept the floor, and exposed my back to the cleft of my bottom, I wore my second choice of the gold necklaces Venomous gifted me, and one of Fiercely’s armbands doubled over on my bicep.

Upon reaching command, he’d taken one look at my gold, glowered at Venomous, and then ripped off some of his own with a gruff request I wear it.

I smiled into my shoulder at the memory.

As we approached the planet, I inched closer to the haze.

I couldn’t help it.

The view was magnificent.

Smaller than Earth, Rök’s curve was a fuzzy white with colourful swirls that made up the upper atmosphere.

Below that were vast stretches of green.

Because of the angle we approached all three moons were in view.

You could see one in the morning, one during the day, and the last at night.

I looked forward to seeing the Bluest Moons, when all three were in the sky together, something that happened once a solar in the North where we were to live.

My mounting excitement had me fidgeting.

Yes, there was a chance Venomous’ kindred would freak when they saw me in the flesh, a chance he’d kept his worry from me, and when we landed, I’d be detained, locked in a dungeon then fed a mouldy crust of alien substance until I perished.

But alien freaking planet!

I was Lumen Young, explorer of the cosmos.

It sounded grand, and my chest puffed up because I felt like a boss.

I might not have been special back on Earth, but I’d survived everything hurled at me once yanked off it.

Fuck it, I’m a rebel cosmonaut.

A welcome presence joined me.

Brawny arms banded about my waist then tucked me into a muscular chest covered in matte black armour.

Stand up collar hugging a strong throat, the anise, etherish tang of the rubbery textile enhanced the earthy scent of the powerful male it sheltered.

Twitchy with anticipation, I twisted my head. “How hot does it get?”

Venomous’ square chin landed on my shoulder. “Very. The sand will burn your feet. I shall carry you until we find you footwear made from a material light enough.”

While the fabricator onboard the Trekker could make boots my size, it was made from a material so heavy, I couldn’t lift my feet.

Venomous nuzzled my throat.

The a’Rä monitoring communications glanced our way, a telling thing.

Its stare lingered on our entwined hands resting at my middle.

The Rä warriors hadn’t grown used to how touchy-feely Venomous and I were.

They didn’t know what to make of us, of me.

Venomous didn’t care what they thought, ignored their censorious reactions, and not once had he withheld his touch, or withdrawn from mine.

His indifferent attitude was sweetly reassuring, badass, meaning I didn’t freak when I felt eyes on me, which was all the time I was outside our quarters.

As far as I could tell, the Rä were appreciative, if not darn grateful for my assistance when they were captured by the Dei San.

The head bows and claws pressed to secondary hearts proved they at least respected me as Venomous’ Rä’Na.

What more could I ask for?

Less than a span later, Venomous and Fiercely ushered me to the landing bay and led me into one of the small, ten-seat crafts.

The a’Rä pilot, Great Voice to Roar, inclined his head to me as the doors slid shut, tasting my mounting apprehension as his tongue flickered. “Nothing to fear, honoured Rä’Na. We shall land safely.” His attention turned to his dashboard. His voice took on a commanding slant. “Base, domestic planetary vessel originating from the Trekker requesting permission to begin atmospheric entry in quarter-span. Please lower shields.”

I tuned out the radioed response.

Entranced, I gaped as the metal shields slid back from the nose of the bullet shaped transport in concertina folds.

Onboard the Trekker, I’d resolved not to look out the window when on the smaller craft, knowing the immensity of space would overwhelm me.

Yet as we breached the outer atmosphere, I couldn’t peel my eyes away.

The glowing curve of the planet grew larger and brought tears of joy to my eyes.

I chanced a glance at Venomous and my face crumpled.

He wasn’t looking at Rök, his beloved home world, but at me.

The black orbs of his eyes gleamed as they watched me react to what would be my home planet.

He grinned, joy suffusing his rough-hewn features.

His shuddering breath conveyed how important it was to him I be happy.

Pings echoed across the hull, and the craft shuddered with turbulent vibrations.

Jumping, I flung out my hands.

To my panicked mind, I defended against, and attacked whatever came next.

One set of clasping fingers latched onto Venomous’ groin and the other dug into Fiercely’s throat.

“What’s that?” I hissed eyes darting. “Slavers? Pirates?”

“Atmospheric drag,” Venomous wheezed prying me loose. He set my white-knuckled hand on my arm rest, but kept hold of it.

Fiercely did the same to the other. He stroked the skin. “Friction from re-entry can cause vibrations. The ship mechanics are working to offset the extreme heat. So we do not explode.”

“Explode.” I pressed the back of my head deeper into my seat and braced for the boom. “We’re going to explode?”

Venomous glared over my head.

His narrowed eyes dropped to me then softened. “No, my Lumen. He made a funny.” He grimaced. “You know our humours clash.”

I slanted him an incredulous glare. It turned into one of suspicion. “Does this look funny to you?” My head whipped around so Fiercely would see the depth of how not funny I found him. “Do I look amused?”

“No,” he was quick to reply stroking my hand harder as he straightened. Preparing to argue? “You look unreasonably–”

“Unreasonably what?”

“Beautiful,” Venomous barked.

He cleared his throat, and gave Fiercely a pointed look. He continued at a more modulated tone as his gaze lowered to my heated one.

“Unreasonably beautiful,” he purred caressing my cheek, shooting Fiercely another look then jerking his chin, prompting.

“So very beautiful,” Fiercely parroted.

Letting it go, I nudged Fiercely with my elbow. “You look handsome too.” A soft look at Venomous. “You both do.”

Fiercely released a strained chuckle then collapsed into his seat.

With a knowing look at my mate, I returned my attention to the spectacular display out the haze, which acted as a viewing portal, and, if what Fiercely said was true, a buffer from being blown to smithereens.

We descended from wispy, multihued clouds streaking pale sky.

The sun was a fiery ruby, beneath it a moon, a shadowy, hoary giant.

My hand, entwined with Fiercely’s, flew to my mouth, pressing them there. “Oh, la. Look at that.”

The city of the Northern province sat perched on a wind-blasted, stone plateau.

Surrounding it on either side were mountainous dunes of unblemished green sand, and a riot of pastel and rust colour streaked the highland stratums and its steep canyons.

From the gorge overhangs cascaded sheets of opaque water, the glossy liquid a vivid whorl of colours, and nestled in the canyon basins were lush jungles of blue and yellow.

I stammered, “T-The colours.”

“Not the same as Earth,” Venomous guessed.

“N-No. Our sand is white, yellow or black. Our water clear. Plants green. The sky is blue. Sun yellow. I am so freaking right now. Oh, and our clouds are white.”

Fiercely snorted. “It sounds odd.”

I spared him an incredulous look. “You have rainbow clouds and water. Rainbow clouds and water.”

“I heard you the first time. You did not need to speak louder and slower.”

Eyes wide, I looked back out the haze.

Bracketing the ravine and its toothed peaks was a sprawling metropolis.

Spires and vine-wreathed roofs lidded asymmetrical buildings hewn from crystalline rock.

The constructions flowed sinuously with the land to compliment and enhance its raw beauty rather than eclipse it.

The transport flew close to the top of the spires.

So close, if I reached out, I’d touch them.

Squinting, I made out throngs of people moving below.

I spotted grazing herds tramping over tended squares that suggested cultivated fields, farming.

The blur of ground transports as they navigated traffic was unmistakable.

Stunned by its sheer beauty, I craned my neck to see behind us. “We passed it.” I wriggled in my giant-sized seat.

“We must land at the spaceport,” Fiercely explained. “By law, it is situated outside the city borders to lower levels of secondary radiation and noise pollution. It is also a preventive measure in times of conflict. By the time we reach the city proper, it will be second moon.”

Venomous smiled, gave my hand an encouraging squeeze. “And you will meet our kindred.”

“Yippee,” I cried weakly.

I wasn’t thrilled to meet the in-laws, but understood it wasn’t a reunion to be postponed, nor would I be so unfeeling as to fuss when he must be excited to see them.

Less than a span later the planetary transport docked with a faint shudder.

I shot the males sat either side of me quick smiles.

Supportive, they each held one of my hands tight in theirs.

Venomous also rested a hand on my upper thigh, fingers grazing the crease joining it to my groin.

Fiercely had seemed close to doing the same, but decided against it.

I’d have thought he’d use my apprehension to push his own agenda.

That he didn’t impressed me.

Excitement dowsed my disquiet. “What now?”

“A short walk to customs where we will be scanned. We cannot bring harmful bacteria to the planet surface.” Fiercely let go of my hand to unbuckle the four-point harness securing him to the seat. “Then we will use the gliders to reach Northern Prime, the capital city of this province. It is a shame we cannot ride the goodbeasts, and tour the territory. The gliders are faster, and Venomous One’s kindred are eager to see him after so many solars.”

“Home,” Venomous rumbled on a pleasured sigh.

He kissed the hand he held as his other hand went to work on my buckle, the one on my thigh petted me in comfort, and the fingers on his last free hand undid his own harness.

Fiercely yelled, “Good parting,” to Great Voice to Roar on our behalf.

Disembarking, I staggered as a solid wall of heat slammed into me.

Air flooded my lungs, dry and heavy, causing a deep ache.

My body felt as if it weighed twice its normal heft, and I staggered like a drunk. I yelped as my feet burned with each wobbly step.

Venomous swept me into his arms. “Your little toes must not touch the sands at high heat. Remember?”

He grabbed my foot then tickled my sensitive arch as we walked the designated pathway.

I thrashed and laughed until I struggled to catch my breath. “Why do I feel heavy?”

“Our gravitational pull must be stronger than on Earth.” His nose kissed mine. “You will find you cannot lift as much mass as you did before. Take care not to overestimate yourself.”

I nipped his chin. “And you take care not to underestimate me.”

“Thsst!”

As we walked, I inhaled the spiced fruit air and pointed with a joyous shout as a flock of birds soared overhead.

Rök was an alien Eden, and I was shocked at the richness and variances of colour.

Knowing it was a desert world I’d expected it to look dry and drab.

I should have known from the green, green stretches of sand I’d glimpsed from space the planet would trample my wildest expectations.

Harsh rays from the red sun beamed from a cloudless sky that was so light, and clear, I could see a glimmer of stars and the faint outline of distant planets.

A painful drumming started in my temples, and my head spun as I jerked to better see a furry critter burrowing into the sand.

Sweat dripped from my pores, sliding between my cleavage.

Venomous and Fiercely spoke of male things as we trotted along, trading tales of their lives from over an aeon of separation.

I listened for a while, smiling at the happier stories, but blocked my ears when Venomous spoke of darker tidings.

When he spoke in an empty voice of fighting in the arena and killing others for sport.

During those stories, I listened to bird caws and whistling wind, preferred to watch the rolling, dancing landscape.

Time passed in a happy daze.

Though we covered a significant amount of ground there was not a hint of shade in sight.

A twinge of apprehension had me squinting, hoping to see customs, but there was nothing, just an endless stretch of wending, metallic pavement bordered by a chest high rail and hot sand.

The longer we walked the more intense my symptoms became.

Heat stroke might turn out to be an issue much sooner than sunburn.

“Never dreamed the weather would be this intense, babe.”

Basking, Venomous hummed a happy noise.

Twenty minutes later the sweating stopped.

The skin on my face felt tight against my skull, as if it’d crack if I dare smile.

Heat shrouded me in a somnolent cloud, and my creamy brown skin lost its sheen, taking on a flatter shade.

Honestly, I didn’t want to be girlie and ridiculous, Venomous carried me, so I wasn’t doing anything strenuous, but I was struggling, and when the nausea escalated into gagging, I decided to speak up.

“Babe,” I mumbled resting my forehead against his broad chest.

His scales weren’t hot like my skin.

In comparison, I’d go as far as to say they were cool.

I rolled my face against them with an appreciative sigh.

For once, I was too tired to appreciate the physical beauty of what I touched, or desire it under my lips and hands.

Disturbed by my sluggishness, Venomous’ hand brushed my exposed throat.

He halted, voice vibrating unease. “You have stopped leaking.”

“Too hot,” I croaked. My parched tongue rasped over cracking lips. “I need a drink. What happened to a short walk? If you’d said it’d be this long I’d’ve mentioned the need for water.”

“Customs is no more than a span at our current pace,” Fiercely tossed over his shoulder striding ahead. “As for the water, you should have said something before we left the transport. We did not bring any.”

“She will not last so long. She is overheating.” Venomous’ voice was tight. “Her skin is too hot under my hands. We must find shade and liquids.”

Fiercely paused long enough to get a good look at me over his shoulder.

Brow furrowed in impatience, he spun, backtracked, and then placed a hand on my forehead. “Thsst!”

“Water is close,” Venomous said. “I feel the current below my feet.” He glanced about. “That gathering of stone will do. We will rest.”

“We should not leave the authorised travel lanes. If we do not reach customs within the required time they will issue an alert of border breach.”

“Feel free to carry on then return with transport. I am happy to care for our mate by myself.”

Venomous bounded over the chest high partition and off the metallic pathway.

He made the agile, full body movement, whilst burdened with me, seem as easy as taking his next step.

“I should have anticipated this,” he muttered. “Foolish, too excited to be home.”

“No,” I objected. “It’s good to be excited. You’ve been waiting for this for solars. Be happy, I’m happy, just overheated.”

Holding me close and nuzzling the top of my head, Venomous reached the cluster of rocks.

He lowered me to the dusty base of the largest boulder in the deepest, coolest part of the shade.

Oddly shaped stones blasted smooth by sand, wind and time were cool against my reddened skin.

Fiercely said, “I will return.”

He frowned at us from a short distance away.

Venomous grunted.

Kneeling, he brushed his rough knuckles over my cheek, not watching the other male stalk off, broad back stiff.

My eyebrow quirked, questioning. “I get the impression you just gave him the Rä version of a slap down.”

“He should not have blamed you.”

I clasped his wrist, and leaned into his touch. “Was kind of my own fault.” I cleared my dry throat. “I should have asked more questions about the journey. I know better than that.”

“You have no knowledge of this place or our routines. We do.” Our joined hands lowered to my throat. He caressed me absentmindedly. “We also know your anatomy is accustomed to a climate much different than this. The mistake was ours. You could tell us what you needed if we had informed you better.” His mouth tightened. “Your pulse is racing.”

I leaned forward to nip his lip. “I’m fine. Promise. How about you take half the blame, I’ll take the other and we move on?” I gave him a flirty smile to revive his positive mood. I missed the boyish delight. “I won’t expire now I’m under shade. And you’re going to be miraculous and find me water, aren’t you?”

“Yesss.” He vanished then returned cradling a hollow leaf sloshing with liquid. “This is kakt-kakt.”

Too thirsty to ask where he’d unearthed it, I was moments from downing the lot, but paused. “This won’t make me sick? Drinking untreated water like this?”

Venomous’ angular face slackened. “I do not know. It should not.”

“The sweet water didn’t,” I reasoned.

“Because it is filtered and enriched with enzymes. Sweet water is used across the galaxy. There are planets where contaminated water is a serious issue for the inhabitants.”

“Well....” I stared at the water. Saliva pooled in my mouth, and I wiped drool off my chin. “Why is it coloured like this? Sweet water is clear. So is the water of my planet.”

“Yesss, so is this. Light is reflected and scattered by the native minerals suspended in the liquid giving it these hues. Filtered it is clear. Predominant colour warns of an ecological imbalance.”

It was coming to my attention my mate had brains as well as brawn.

At the least, he sounded more intelligent compared to the caveman speak of the slave planet.

“Just a sip then? I’ll wait a while then if I don’t start puking or hallucinating I’ll assume it’s good.”

“You should have been given any vaccines needed whilst on the Trekker.” Venomous’ jaw clenched. “They would have been sensible enough to inoculate you, I think. Considering the other things they felt leave to do without our permission.”

Shrugging, I angled the tip of the leaf to my lips then gulped several large sips rather than a single tiny one, but oh, refreshing.

The water was thick, more the consistency of full fat milk than the water of Earth.

Unlike sweet water, it held a brackish aftertaste, but it was cool liquid, and eased the dryness burning my throat.

Smacking my lips to reintroduce moisture, I offered some to my mate.

Crouching, he declined.

“I’m okay,” I promised then finished the water.

He muttered darkly, “We will see.” He tore open the wet leaf and revealed nutritious gel inside.

He rubbed it into my burned skin.

I hummed a thank you, relief from my sunburn immediate.

Venomous watched me and stole glances at his environs.

Tension I didn’t realise he carried eased from his rugged features.

“I’m glad,” I whispered into the peaceful silence. “I’m happy we got you home.”

His gaze sharpened. “Even though this is not your Earth?”

A shaft of pain hollowed out my middle. I twisted my face away, but didn’t hide the rawness of my expression. “Yes.”

“I do not believe you.”

My neck snapped back. “I won’t lie and say this isn’t hard. There are things I miss, but they’re just things. I had no special person back there.” I looked him in the eyes. Beautiful ebon orbs that gleamed like black oil. “You’re my special person now, okay? This is my home because you’re here with me.” After a beat I added, “So is Fiercely.”

Venomous’ calloused palms came up to cup either side of my face.

It felt nice, but I found all his touches pleased me now.

If he didn’t have a hand on me, I felt out of sorts, and if he wasn’t in sight, I missed him.

Couldn’t move my head though.

I searched his gaze for the reason why he restrained me. “What’s wrong?”

“Look.”

My next intake of breath hitched.

Black shields Venomous called ‘brille’ rolled back until luminous quartz orbs were exposed.

Twin slits of his gold pupils shifted back and forth as they dilated, and refracted light dappled my face.

Their radiant power was delicate, yet more profound because of it.

Dumbstruck by his beauty, I stared.

His liquid brille slid back down, and his gaze returned to a mysterious void.

Chest heaving with effort, he held himself rigid and seemed braced for rejection.

Reeling, I wound my arms around his shoulders. “You’ve given me a gift I don’t fully understand because I am not Rä.” Touching my forehead to his, I closed my eyes. Saying ‘I love you’ seemed trite in comparison. “I swear, you’ll never regret it.”

Deep rumbles vibrated his chest as his tongue feathered over the shell of my ear. “You taste wonderful. Not like lust. Softer, deeper.” He sighed. With it drained his tension. “This is your love, I think.”

Tears washed my eyes, and I nodded, bit my lip. “It is. And this is yours.”

No, I didn’t fully comprehend what he’d given me, yet deep within, it resonated, a lost chord plucked into song.

That was overwhelming enough.

I sought his mouth to kiss him the human way, as he called it, coaxing him into the act until he took control.

He crushed me to his hard body, banding all four arms around me then falling back onto his ass.

I straddled his thighs and nibbled his pouty bottom lip.

A bulging erection pressed and rubbed against my sex making me wet. “Can’t wait to get you back to our lair.”

He laughed.

His grin stretched wide as he angled his head back to look down at me. “Our nest should be ready. Comm calls with my kindred were encouraging. My lair was left unmolested.” His face clouded. “It is small, a lair for an a’Rä. I vow to provide you with bigger, grander, as soon as–”

I slapped a hand over his mouth.

Satisfied he got the point, I moved my hand to cup the side of this thick neck. “Honestly? I just want us to burrow down somewhere warm, dry and safe. I’m going to sleep for a whole cycle.” I rocked him slightly. He let me. “My priorities have realigned in a massive way. All I need is you and food. Everything else is detail.”

“I do not think your second will like being treated thusly.”

“What are you–” Fiercely’s mulish face popped up in my memory. “Ah.” I deliberately widened my eyes then joked, “Think he’ll want to join us?”

“Yesss,” he replied in earnest.

My humour faded. “Right.”

Venomous nuzzled my temple. “All will be well, my Lumen. I vow it.”

“Okay, babe.”

We sat contentedly in each other’s arms under the shade.

I felt stronger and less giddy, but Venomous refused to let me walk, certain Fiercely would return with a transport to ferry me there in comfort.

Rä from the Trekker passed by.

Venomous waved them on when they asked if we needed help.

Fiercely showed up in a glider, a hovering vehicle that resembled a double-wide sleigh.

A pane of darkened glass curved over the front two seats leaving the back two exposed to the sunshine.

The sleek dashboard was lit up with a navigational system, and between the front seats were driving controls.

He hesitated. “Venomous, you wish to navigate?”

“No.” Venomous helped me into the shaded passenger seat under the protective glass. He jumped into a back seat, sprawled out. “Go.”

After a stilted enquiry as to my health, Fiercely piloted the glider to the pathway.

He followed it back to a grouping of single level domes on either side of the road.

A crackling force field blocked the way, and extended out of sight in either direction.

A security checkpoint.

It was comforting to know any old alien couldn’t just wander onto Rök and into a major city.

I saw the precautions as vital rather than encroaching.

Venomous helped me out of the glider then bent his knees to pick me up.

I stopped him with a hand to his hollowed cheek then shook my head.

My eyes slid to the side to find us under study. “Fiercely?”

“Yesss?” He drew closer and dropped his chin, angling it to the side and away from me.

It was a strangely defiant gesture.

“Thank you for coming back for us. I feel better now.” Holding onto his shoulders, I jumped up and pecked him on the cheek. “Would you mind carrying me? My feet are burning.”

Without delay, he lifted me, tucking me close.

I winked over his shoulder at Venomous who grinned.

Fiercely led us inside the sterile-smelling medical dome then explained the process of being scanned for my benefit.

I tried to ignore the gawking a’Rä conducting the security checks. “Do you need to declare foreign seeds, devices, or other items in your possession not noted on the shipping manifest?”

“No,” they replied.

The a’Rä hesitated. “Is that not a pet?”

Fiercely scowled. “She is our life mate. It is clear she is female and sentient.”

Venomous murmured, “Now you know how I felt.”

Unsure, the a’Rä checked his workstation.

Whatever he found there satisfied him, and he motioned us towards an area cordoned off with the haze.

“I will be scanned first,” Fiercely decided putting me down with clear reluctance. He gave me a squeeze first too. “There is nothing to fear.”

With a faint smile, he stepped backwards through the haze and into the shimmering particle beam.

The a’Rä studied the readout then made a noise of approval. “The readings are clean. Please proceed, and the next step forward.”

Fiercely passed through the haze without problem then spun around to wait on the other side with an encouraging expression.

It was thoughtful to wait, and I forgave him his earlier surliness.

He must have been stressing about being back on Rök, bringing what he hoped was his alien mate home to his kindred.

I wasn’t making it easy on him.

Grabbing Venomous’ hand, I stepped into the beam then gave his fingers a playful tickle before releasing them.

A clicking alarm stuttered into life making me jump.

The innocent, fuzzy yellow force field on both sides of the particle beam changed colour.

The red hue told me the haze imprisoned me within its confines.

Shooting onto his feet, the a’Rä stared wide-eyed at his monitor. “Thsst!”

Fiercely strode over to the screening station, expression furious. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Scans detect a parasitic life form has taken residence within the female.”

“What,” the three of us yelled though mine was more a breathless shriek while Venomous’ and Fiercely’s were bellows of horror.

“Oh no,” I breathed. “Oh no, oh no, oh no.” My hands flapped as I bounced from foot to foot. I imagined something exploding from my ribcage. Something with tentacles and acid spit. “Babe, I should not have drank that water.”

Venomous moved to stand just out of reach on the other side of the haze.

Tremors wracked his frame, and he looked desperately like he wanted to snatch me up then run.

“Fix her,” Fiercely snapped as he loomed over the a’Rä. “Fix her now.”

I clutched my chest. “I feel it moving.”

Venomous paled.

“Oh, no, that’s a necklace, but it’s only a matter of time.”

“Be calm, Rä’Na.” The a’Rä pushed onto his feet and shoved Fiercely out of his personal space. “I am called Seeker of Hottest Rock.”

“Okay, okay. Hello there.” I pointed a thumb at my chest. “Lumen of Star ... Lumen Stars of the.... I don’t bloody remember. Help me!”

“I have been trained to eradicate such infection. Please, follow the path the haze allows to the treatment centre. I will remove the hostile from within you.”

Venomous turned to him with a threatening, “Yesss, you will,” the or else I will rip out your spine not needing to be uttered.

“Right,” I whispered nodding. Seeker sounded confident and assertive. That worked for me. “Right.”

I did as he asked, and followed the path from the screening area to an alcove filled with shining medical utensils, and a sharp, carbolic odour.

Can’t I get from a spaceship to my new home without a major fucking catastrophe?

A silver slab like the one I’d woken up on when aboard the Trekker came into view.

Giving Venomous a brave look, I turned my back and hopped on.

They helped me remove my softsuit from my upper body.

An oily cream that smelt antiseptic was swiped over my stomach and numbed the area.

As he cupped my shoulder to help me lie down, Fiercely’s gaze arrested on the mounds of my breasts.

The globes wobbled with my movement.

My nipples tightened under his scrutiny, a fusion of dread and panic tinged with enough desire to make the nubbins peak.

The a’Rä displayed no other reaction than a wrinkling of his nose.

Venomous clicked his teeth, and Fiercely looked away.

Shaking, I lay back until radiant roots growing from the domed ceiling came into my line of sight.

The blue stemmed vines lit everything with a mellow glow.

I lifted a hand, fingers curling. “What’s it called?”

“Glister creep,” Venomous answered his deep voice altered under a slight quaver.

“Pretty.” My chest felt as if boulders piled on. “It won’t hurt?”

Seeker bent over me, cranial ridges shimmering in the light.

Its brille seemed gentle, its voice kind. “A pressure and warmth. That is all there is to it.”

A robotic arm whirred closer to extend a pronged appendage.

The a’Rä relieved it of a tapered device, then slid a finger pad over a backlit button.

Its conical tip burned blue, and the a’Rä hissed in satisfaction

Moisture in my mouth dried, and I looked away to blink at the ceiling.

Something about the situation was surreal, unreal, and it tugged on an elusive memory at the back of my mind.

It didn’t feel right.

Shouldn’t I feel sick or invaded?

I flailed my arms and tried to sit up. “This doesn’t feel good.”

Venomous leaned over me.

He petted my hair as he settled me back down. “Peace, my Lumen. I am here. We shall remove this abomination, and all will be well. You will feel no pain.”

“No pain,” Fiercely echoed voice strained.

“Okay, but....” I swallowed, a reflex easier said than done. This is happening too fast. “Where is it?”

Seeker had the laser prepped, looked irritated by the delay. “Rä’Na?”

Something is wrong about this.... “Where in my body is the parasite?”

“It has taken residence within your egg pouch.”

The smog of panic rolled back.

I lifted my head, eyes darting as doubt swelled into an icy gush tossed at my face. “In my womb?”

“The life pouch,” Seeker confirmed then lowered the laser. “Do not fret. This will not damage your ability to produce offspring.”

The bright tip was nary a millimetre from my skin when it clicked into place.

A deranged she-creature, I screamed.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“What is going on here?” The woven threads of his dark robe ragged, face drawn, He, who is Widowed, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons stormed into the medical enclosure.

“They’re trying to kill my baby,” I screeched flailing my weapon.

At that accusation, he took in the scene with a sweeping glance, yanked Seeker of Hottest Rock further away from me then stood between me and the males trying to get to me.

I held the laser having ripped it from Seeker’s claws as I scrambled off the table.

Backed into a corner, I held them off with the surgical tool as my spare hand struggled to right my softsuit.

The futility of it was maddening.

If they moved to seize me using force my weapon wouldn’t damage them enough to save me.

They only came at me softly because Venomous warned should one hair on my body be harmed, he’d disembowel them.

He threatened this even as he tried to nab me himself.

“Explain,” Nāga ordered in a tone of paternal authority making me realise he was older than he appeared.

It was not just grief lining his features.

“Scans indicate a parasite has attached to her inner soft tissues and feeds off her as a host. She claims she is breeding, not infected, but I have checked the readings. Carefully. Repeatedly.” Seeker waved his portable monitor in agitation. He spoke slowly and clearly. “You are not in swell. We must take the hostile from within you before you grow sicker.”

“Please, my Lumen. Come to me.” Venomous sounded agonised, expression pained. All four hands reached for me. “Let me help you.”

Wavering, I considered it.

My defensive stance eased, and the laser I gripped in my clammy palm lowered a fraction.

He sounded worried, so sincere, and why would he want to hurt me?

All Venom ever does is protect me.

What if I was wrong, confused and sick, protecting an invader that hijacked my bodily systems to use my emotions against me?

I’d made an assumption based on vague knowledge and a gut feeling.

Seeker had medical scans and supercomputers.

Out the corner of my eye, I caught Fiercely creeping closer, taking advantage of my distraction to gain ground.

Whimpering, I swung towards him.

I whirled back to the front when Venomous jerked forward.

My eyes popped, pulse thundering. “Back the fuck away.”

Nāga grabbed the tablet the a’Rä held.

Magnifying the images on the oval screen, he looked through them in hurried flicks.

He stilled.

Hissing, he shoved the piece of equipment in the a’Rä’s face. “What do you see here?” His voice was tight, expression dangerous.

Seeker glanced at it then clicked his teeth. “A parasite that has lodged in her egg pouch!”

“On a Rä, yesss, but she is not Rä. She is offworlder, and you have the scan parameters set for our genetics not hers.” Nāga amended the settings then showed the image again. “Look.”

Seeker of Hottest Rock balked at the modified readings on the macroscopic knot of cells. “That is not an egg.”

“Of course it’s not a bloody egg. I’m not a fucking chicken.”

“I have set the parameters to that of a Verak,” Nāga explained ignoring my hysterics. “This is the morula. See how it looks like a berry with these nodules. Thsst! Very fast, is the growth. It should not be so far along.” He frowned. “I scanned you on the Trekker and you had not conceived. When did you begin your fertile cycle, Rä’Na?” He glanced at Venomous and Fiercely, when I failed to answer. His face paled. “One of you endured the seeding aboard the ship?”

I realised it was something he considered near impossible considering the attack by the Dei San. He must think.... “The Dei San never had me, Nāga. I didn’t lie about that.”

The fatherly healer checked on me when we were on the Trekker, examining my sprained wrist and fading bruises.

He’d delicately asked if I’d been captured by the Dei San, and I’d replied with the truth.

The healer slumped then looked at my mates. “Well? Which of you?”

Mouth curving down, Venomous crossed his arms. “Not on the Trekker. On the slave planet.”

“That does not make sense,” Nāga contested.

Fiercely reminded, “You have mated since then.”

Grunting agreement for Nāga’s sake, Venomous shifted to avoid my narrowed gaze.

So I looked sharply at Fiercely. “And how would you know that?”

He stared back impassively.

“Why would you clutch if not to seed her?” Nāga asked.

“That is private.” Anxious to get his hands on me, Venomous eased closer.

I waved the laser as I eyed him, still on guard.

“Thsst!” Nāga smacked the screen. “The readings remain abnormal. The processor expects a Verak and not a Rä-Human crossbreed. I wonder if I adjust the parameters to recognise the chromosomal markers from our male, and use the genetic data I collected on the human female if it will rectify the timeline....” He muttered and paced, tapping information into the tablet then stopping to stare at the ceiling. “Verak four, so a human must be longer. A rough calculation then. It must be....”

“So no parasite,” Seeker of Hottest Rock checked backing out of the alcove.

Stiffening, Nāga slowly looked his direction. “Get out.”

The a’Rä fled.

Reaching the end of his tolerance, Venomous batted my stabbing hand away.

He plucked the laser from me, tossed it, then picked me up. “Healer, there is something wrong?”

“You mean other than you?” I snipped still angry. “You didn’t listen to me. You were going to hurt–” I choked off unable to accuse him aloud.

“They were not to know,” Nāga said. “The scans indicated you were unwell.”

Venomous’ hold on me tightened to a painful degree then relaxed. “For all I knew, your mind was infected.” He plonked me back on the observation table then lifted my chin. His face creased with disquiet. “Forgive me?”

Mollified and needing him close, I propped my chin on his shoulder. Fidgeted. “Are you happy about this?”

A stroke to my back, a cheek to cheek touch. “There are no words for the joy in my hearts.”

On the L’Odo slave planet the mere notion of getting pregnant made me want to break out in hives.

Safe in Venomous’ embrace, head to his warm chest, his hearts thudding with power under my ear, I felt something else.

As he inhaled my scent, and caressed me with aching tenderness, frantic sparks of excitement merged to create a blazing core of joy.

Even if I had been too unnerved to be pleased, I’d unconsciously declared how I felt about becoming a mother, moving to protect my unborn child as soon as it was threatened.

Scary, yes, but a miracle too.

“I am to be a father,” Fiercely rasped. He looked bonked on the head. “Serpent’s Hood, my kindred will hold festival for aeons.”

My lips parted in surprise as I wondered why he spoke with possession over something he had no hand in creating.

“Indeed.” Venomous bared fangs in a grin. “Our union bears offspring.”

My mouth opened to question them but then closed.

Watching them clap each other on the back, I gave up trying to understand their ‘nest mate’ ways.

They were happy.

What might I ask other than clumsy questions that would dim the outpouring of joy?

Preoccupied, Nāga asked, “Rä’Na, how long does a human gestate?”

“Nine moontides.” I twisted to face him. “Give or take two cycles either side. We divide it into trimesters. Three.” I paused, thoughtful. “That’s pretty much the sum of all my prenatal knowledge.” I snapped my fingers. “And that giving birth? Not so much fun.”

Nāga didn’t appear surprised. “Like the Verak.”

“Everything is ... normal?” I asked then held my breath.

“Yesss.” He glanced up. “Normal as can be considering nothing like this has been seen before on Rök or Earth. You are healthy, it grows strong.” Finally, he held the tablet behind his back then smiled. “You will greet your hatchling in three moontides. I offer congratulations.”

“Three moontides,” Fiercely breathed. “So quickly.”

“So that’s unusual for you guys too, huh?”

“Yesss.” Nāga’s mouth curved. “It takes two solars after laying for an egg to hatch.”

My head popped forward on my neck as I gaped. “Seriously?”

“We keep it warm and safe in the furs. The life giver dedicates herself to guarding the nest, and her male protects the lair.”

“What about work?”

The three Rä’Veks stared at me as if I’d sprouted horns.

“There is no work during nesting,” Fiercely said in a tone filled with outrage at the suggestion of an alternative.

“How do you pay the bills? Buy food?”

“We have not consumed the fossil fuels of our planet for aeons, and kindred on the nesting calendar bring gifts of grain and meat.” Venomous appeared startled I didn’t know this. “Fruit, roots and roughage are taken from the garden. Wild yeast is caught and preserved. Eggs from the Zýt. Mylk from the goodbeast.”

“What else do you need?” Fiercely demanded.

They peered at me as if telling me sky was white and grass blue, but they didn’t appreciate how outside the realm of my experience it was.

Fiercely asked, “Where would you get your food on Earth?”

“We’d visit the supermarket. It’s a place where all the food is stored in bulk.”

Venomous looked as puzzled as the rest of them. “How do they keep so much fresh?”

“Uh, chemical preservatives.”

“That explains the frightful levels of toxins stored in your tissues,” Nāga muttered.

“Your kindred would not be insulted if you did not honour them on the nesting calendar?” Fiercely asked.

“Firstly, I don’t have any living family,” I motioned to them, “aside from this one.”

They sucked in breaths and keened.

Venomous also stroked me, already gleaning this much about me from our conversations on the slave planet.

“It’s okay.” It touched me it affected them. “My life is different now. Secondly, I don’t know what a nesting calendar is.”

“A visitation and gift giving schedule for the solars of isolation,” Fiercely enlightened. “They also bring word from the provinces. There is the communications matrix, of course, but it is not the same as hearing it from a live source. Public news broadcasting is biased and you lose nuances.”

The Rä clearly had a strong sense of kith and kin, and even the smallest blood relation was cherished.

Coming from a tattered family, it was daunting.

Thinking on what I’d learnt, I frowned. “Nāga, I don’t understand how a Rä female can give birth to an egg without, forgive me if this is insensitive, cracking it.”

The healer sobered. “It happens. Sometimes the egg sets hard early. Even if the hatchling survives the laying, the nesting and the hatching, they are deformed, and do not survive long. Taking an egg away from a life giver during nesting, damaged or not, is dangerous. They are ferocious during that time. They have been known to kill to protect it.”

Explains why my hysteria didn’t faze him.

“How soon do they, uh, lay after conception?”

“Within two cycles.” Nāga tapped a claw to his chin. “I surmise your gestation period is accelerated because you are incubating your offspring inside an embryonic sac, as the Verak do.”

“What is that?” Fiercely asked sounding worried.

“A membrane,” Nāga replied. “Think of it as a soft, thin egg.”

“So her egg is inside her body.” Fiercely leaned against the table as his knees wobbled. “It is there, we just cannot see it.”

Venomous pressed two palms to his brille and breathed out harshly.

His lower hands patted and rubbed me.

They looked relieved I was carrying an ‘egg’ but I had bigger concerns. “What about pain relief? Is my system and the baby’s ... hatchling’s compatible with your drugs?”

Nāga gave me the Rä chin drop. “I do not understand.”

“I’m pregnant. That means labour.”

“Labour?”

Stares of absolute non comprehension.

“Laying ... labour ... whatever. When the hatchling comes, I will have excruciating stomach cramps to push it as it crawls out.” I feared I’d start hyperventilating at the thought of what was to come. “Labour.”

Fiercely bent to study my stomach in morbid fascination.

“There is no pain in egg laying,” Nāga stated.

I eyed Venomous’ broad shoulders.

Skimmed my gaze down his very, very large four-armed frame.

I faced Nāga. “My labour will not be painless.”

“Nature will prevail. You breed. Your body would not allow this to take place if you could not lay.”

Cold at the thought of a natural birth, having seen enough films to know I was in for a world of hurt, I pressed a palm to my forehead.

Chaotic thoughts smashed together. “Okay. Okay. You’ll be my healer?”

“As I am the only Rä with practical experience of your kind, modest as that practice may be, I deem it best. We glimpsed the problems caused by one ill-equipped with Seeker of Hottest Rock.” Stern, he switched his attention to Venomous. “I need to see her once a cycle.”

Fiercely straightened. “So much?”

“This will be my first human laying, Rä’Vek. I must monitor the hatchling’s development to catch any irregularities before her time to lay...labour.” He made a notation on his tablet. “I need to put in a request with the Senate for permission to contact the medical subsidiary of the Intergalactic Alliance. The more data we have on offworlders similar to Lumen of the Stars the better. I would rather be over prepared than lacking knowledge if a complication arises.”

“That will not be an issue,” Venomous stated. “I will speak to my father.”

“Comm me if you have any concerns. Unless an emergency, do not let another healer touch her without consulting me first.” Nāga clicked his teeth. “Even then scrutinise their every move until I arrive.”

“We heed your words.”

“Our gratitude,” Fiercely said his expression and tone of voice heartfelt. “If you had not come upon us when you had....”

“Think no more of it. If you will excuse me, I have an engagement with my Rä’Na’s kindred.” The glimmer of excitement lighting his eyes died. He bowed out the enclosure. “Good parting, Rä’Veks. Honoured Rä’Na.”

I stared after him. “I feel bad. He’s alone.”

Venomous sighed. “He has his kindred. They will care for him.”

“Does he have offspring?”

“No,” Fiercely replied.

Shaking off my sadness, I placed both hands on my stomach. “I’m excited.”

“So am I.” Fiercely grinned. He pulled out his communicator. “I’m going to comm my father. He has prayed for a hatchling to spoil for solars.”

“Wait.” I looked between them. “I get the feeling Rä don’t conceive easy or often.”

Venomous grinned. “Yesss, it is a special time.”

“Would you mind if we kept this to ourselves for a while? Just until I’m settled.”

Crestfallen, Fiercely clicked his teeth as he looked at Venomous.

“If it makes you happy,” Venomous agreed seeming disappointed himself.

“Thank you.” I slid off the table. “Now let’s get out of here.”

We climbed into the glider then set off for Venomous’ lair.

He lived in the same district as his parents, so we agreed to stop there first for what I hoped would be a low-key gathering as he reunited with his people and introduced me.

“What is that material in the drains?” I looked at the pavement. “And the walkways?”

“Feldspar,” Fiercely answered. “It is a popular a building material for the watercourses and bathing enclosures due to its high mineral content and antiseptic properties.”

“Everything is so pretty here. It glitters.”

“The shine is called adularescence. See how the lustre comes from within?”

“And you use it for drains?” I sounded as incredulous as my expression. “It reminds me of moonstone from Earth. The gem isn’t too expensive, but still, not used to manage sewage.” I paused. “You don’t have sewage as I think of it though, do you?”

“Aeons past we used chemicals to filter impurities from our water. Is that so on Earth?”

I nodded an affirmative.

“We found it harmed us and the soil. We are a closed world, and once our healers conquered the worst of the bacterial infections that plagued us, it became a case of maintaining ecological harmony, which we as a people are a part of, more than the stripping of impurities. The algae, moss and Feldspar act as natural filters. The waste water travels the aqueducts, rubs against the rocks and plant life and is purified then reused. It is why you see water everywhere.” He smiled. “Simple but effective.”

“So all of it is dirty?” I gestured to a slanted wall we passed that cascaded water. “That kind of ruins the magic.”

“The large particles dissolve before the water leaves our lairs. What you see here is going through the last of the cleansing process.” He gave me a stern look. “It is safe to drink from fountains, but not the gutters.”

On a gust of wind, my hair streamed over my face.

I pushed it over one shoulder, holding onto the ends. “Sweetheart. That will not be a problem.”

We passed under a canopy of flowers growing on arced, curlicue trellises.

Kneeling, my fingers strained to reach a fat cluster of blooms as we idled.

“How do you know my hearts are sweet?” Slowing behind another glider, he studied me. “Do humans eat the flesh of other humans, so you think mine might be tasty too?”

Straightening in the back seat, Venomous cocked his head then fell back laughing.

Hearing this, I dropped my arm to the side of the transport to keep from toppling out of it as I spun on my seat to gawk. “Fiercely! It’s an endearment. Humans aren’t cannibals.”

“Yet you have a name word for sweet tasting hearts.” His brille narrowed. “And for humans that eat humans.”

I threw my hands up. “It means I think you’re sweet emotionally.” I blinked then wagged a finger. “I don’t even know why I call you it. You’re so touchy and argumentative.”

Fiercely looked sceptical, but let it go to focus ahead as the congestion cleared. “Look there.” He pointed to a clearing in the rooftops where the city roads converged. “It is the Senate Quarter. It leads to the marketplace.”

Gripping the padded headrest of the seat adjacent to him, I shielded my eyes with a hand and squinted at the bustling hub.

Glider traffic and the goodbeast bridleway flowed in that direction.

I twisted to Venomous. “May we go? Can we? Please?” I bopped side to side, excited to explore my new home world. “Please?”

Smiling, he rubbed a thumb across my lips. “There is nothing I will not grant you when you smile at me so.”

Fiercely altered the glider’s course in a sweeping arc over the spiral tipped domes, and we soared towards the city centre.

We flew under a pavilion then floated around until a docking port opened then landed in front of a cylindrical post, a strip of metal near its apex, etched with a flashing cipher.

As we disembarked, Fiercely swiped his personal communicator over the numerical glyph, and the blinking light vanished.

The transport was entombed in a protective force field once we stepped out of range.

Walking between them, my head swung side to side taking in the architectural splendour as we followed the footpath into the marketplace.

Streams of people ambled around, and many stopped to stare at me, but I barely noticed them, starry eyed at the urbane shopping precinct.

Held up by crystal columns crafted into archways, the octagonal plaza had an outer facade overgrown in blue creepers.

Inside the arched piers were four merchant plots apiece, the pattern repeated on the mezzanine that was reached by a floating corkscrew stair with wide, shallow steps and no handrail.

Venomous clasped my hand and led the way, Fiercely sauntering up behind us.

Yellow and blue plant life grew from clay pots brushed with a rose-pink glaze.

The manicured topiaries attracted chirping birds with singing wings.

Springing forth from a floor of quartz and stone sanded smooth was a sculpture of intertwined animals native to Rök.

A raptor with its wings spread in flight, an ursine predator pushing through tall grass, and a breaching leviathan were hewn from polished feldspar.

It radiated its bluish lustre as the mouth of the river monster spewed rainbow water.

The glistening surge reached beyond the upper level, and cooled the sweltering air, shifting its aromatic, cacao scent to a crisp, resinous one.

Rä motifs of four upturned hands and three sided faces signifying the gender triad were engraved into the fountain edging.

Instead of cascading into a walled basin, the water flowed across the terrazzo wetting the feet of passersby.

Giggling, an a’Rä youngling, no higher than my hip, kicked up its teeny clawed feet to splatter droplets over its mother’s robes.

She picked the tot up, plonked it on her hip then marched off scolding it all the while.

I’m sure I looked creepy as I gasped and cooed at the hatchlings, but they were adorable.

My hand went to my stomach and I grew excited again.

I’d have my own squalling terror in three moontides.

Tapping personal communicators, a’Rä that had the look of temperamental, unkempt adolescents loitered in clusters and trudged through the water as if beleaguered, but must have enjoyed the feature.

Those who did not want to get their feet, or robe trains wet could use one of the eight bridges that crossed from one side of the plaza to the other.

They arced above the mezzanine level creating cool shadows for the shoppers below.

The lofty bridge junction had a decorative opening at its heart to let the fountain spray burble unimpeded.

I watched a grinning Rä’Vak catch the arm of a hatchling determined to touch the water with its pudgy fingers.

It stuffed its lower hand into its happily smiling mouth, stout legs doing that overexcited hop-bounce babies do.

Running along the underside of each bridge was an aqueduct, and I realised the plaza was part of the purifying watercourse running through the city.

The plaza was filled with noise and life, and I loved it.

The only thing that dimmed the experience was when I turned to a freestanding holoscreen twice my height, and saw my own, very human, very out of place face staring back at me.

The hologram was a still image of me arriving at the spaceport; I was smiling up at Venomous as he cupped my jaw.

Disconcerted, I backed away.

I hadn’t realised Rä would be taking pictures then plastering them over public channels.

Under the lifelike image was a description of why I had been granted permission to dwell on Rök, my trailing name, my species, and who I was mated to.

There was a Senate contact cited should any citizens have ‘concerns’ they wished to raise at ‘conclave’ which I guessed was an open forum.

I licked my lips, gaze slingshoting all over the place.

A lot of people were staring at me.

This time, I felt it.

“Do not let that trouble you.” Venomous noted my preoccupation. He put a hand to the curve of my hip. “Your arrival is out of the ordinary. Soon enough, people will see you as I do. The fascination will pass.” He pulled me into his side. “My return would have made the broadcasts on the communications matrix regardless. That I brought home an alien adds a tantalising slant.”

He squeezed my hip to let me know he was teasing.

I lay my head on his arm in a bid to soak up his confidence then peeked at Fiercely to see how he handled it.

He scowled at anyone who dared let their gaze linger longer on me than he considered proper.

I loved him a little for it.

Putting aside the negative feelings, I made a happy face. “Thank you for bringing me. I needed fun after the drama.” I twiddled loose thread poking from the hem at my side. “I know you’re anxious to see your kindred, so am I, but would you mind if we stopped here for high meal?” I tucked an errant curl behind my ear feeling a burst of shyness. “We haven’t had a first date, and now seems the perfect time. We have so much to celebrate. Our freedom, the hatchling, the fact our relationship hasn’t imploded because we’re a different species....”

“Date?” Fiercely questioned.

“It’s a Western Earth custom. The male,” I amended that to, “males,” at Fiercely’s glower, “ask the female out on a date. They get dressed up, pick her up from her lair and take her somewhere nice. Most often they share a meal. They act on their best behaviour to show what a good partner they’ll be. It’s an opportunity to learn more about each other.”

Fiercely screwed up his flattened nose. “I prefer the mating teachings as set out in the way. Does it not make sense to learn of each other whilst sequestered in the lair as the solars pass? And why put on a false face when your life mate is supposed to feel affection for you unconditionally?”

I rubbed my lips together thinking of how to counter such reasoning.

“There is a lot of talking in human culture,” Venomous told the other male in a low aside. “They debate everything and need words to calm them. I wager there is much talking during this custom. Watch me as I make our mate happy with words.” He straightened and smiled with fangs. “My Lumen, will you date with me?”

“Date with me too,” Fiercely said at speed fingering his quills. “If you want to. If not, I will wait here while you and Venomous endeavour the courtship ritual.” Arms crossing, his brille narrowed. “It still sounds like trickery.”

Holding back laughter, I held out a hand to each of them. “I would love to date you both.”

They exchanged smug, proud looks then each clasped a hand.

“Now what?” Fiercely demanded.

“We choose a place to eat.” I peered around, tongue poking the corner of my mouth. “Suggestions?”

Fiercely stared at his nest mate with expectation.

So I did too.

“I have been gone a long time,” Venomous muttered. He jerked his chin making his gold clink. “There. That seems a fine enough establishment befitting our Rä’Na.”

Strolling across the plaza then climbing the sloping steps, we approached a freestanding plaque displaying the eatery name in ornately painted glyphs.

Underneath the arched belvedere were clusters of low, circular tables and puffy cushions, most of which were occupied.

Themed black and gold, the ambient music was low.

The place settings were extravagant, and I could tell after a glance the place was not my style despite the delicious fried banana scent wafting from its outdoor cookery.

My eyes wandered from the tables to the people.

Face lowering, I stepped back into my males, hugging my middle.

At the abrupt change in body language, they were at once protective, tongues flickering as they tried to understand my mood and decipher its cause.

Frozen, claws half way to mouths, the Rä patrons inside the restaurant ogled me with stunned, horrified expressions, as if I were a feral, dangerous creature prowling unchecked in their humdrum suburbia.

That was how they looked at me; like I was an animal.

“Not here,” I mumbled then hot footed it down the causeway.

I chose a place where I could sit and watch a troupe of drummers beating wooden sticks on barrel shaped drums bolstered on slanted stands.

Loose robes in subdued tones fluttered as they thumped a rousing, hypnotising beat, their identical stances bold and tense, expressions focused as they drummed a synchronised rhythm.

Vibrant glister creep, a laid-back tone, and a lip-smacking meaty, nutty aroma that reminded me of oriental cuisine went a long way to dissipating my discomfort.

There was staring, but no one froze in sheer terror at the human roaming in their midst.

We sat on patchwork cushions in the outside seating area and ordered drinks.

It was here I got to study my first Rä female up close.

Dropping my chin into my palm, I chewed on my fingernail and watched the female on the ground level trying on a bangle.

Bald, her reddish cranial ridges were polished, and she wore a beaded headband across her brow with a teardrop gemstone between her black eyes.

Her brilliant white softsuit was a work of art.

Halter necked, it was richly embroidered with silver thread and teensy mirrors were sewn onto the diaphanous fabric.

The front hem reached her knees, showing off strappy sandals, while the back was damp, brushing the mosaic tile of the shop she stood on the threshold of, as if not convinced she wanted to go inside.

She stood a head taller than her Rä’Vek, and looked as if she could bench press him with one arm.

Her male had wavy quills streaked with grey that reached his behind, and so much gold pierced them, I wondered how he managed to keep his head straight.

Seeing so many Rä in one place, I found it easy to decipher the three genders, despite many of the males wearing skirted robes, and the muscular females with flat chests in hardsuits.

A’Rä that were not hunters or warriors wore nothing.

The longer the quills the gruffer the male, and the smoother the skull ridges the more dainty and feminine the female.

Which begged the question.... “Do you think I’m masculine because I have long hair?”

“I like your hair. It smells good.” Venomous buried his nose in it and sniffed. “I like how it feels against my scales when we are snug in our nest. It makes you look bigger than you are, and is a frightening threat display when you wake.”

“Maybe if you found me a brush the situation would be less frightful.”

A Rä’Vek ambling past us gasped as Venomous kissed my pouting lips then hurried his hatchling along covering its eyes.

“It gets in my way,” Fiercely said after a meditative pause. “I was going to shave you bald on the Trekker to enhance your beauty. I still can.” He cocked his head. “If you want.”

“Her skull is perfect,” Venomous confided.

Menace thrummed in my tone. “Cut my hair and I will end you.”

Fiercely grunted, perturbed, but said nothing more of it.

As the jittery waiter took our order, I could feel the eyes of the clientele riveted on me.

I pushed through the awkward feelings knowing Venomous was right; I was a novelty, and soon, the Rä would get used to the human and gawk at something else.

“Your home world is beautiful,” I gushed. Fake it until you make it. “It feels good to not worry about what’s going to happen next.” I grinned. “Well, I admit I’m nervous about meeting your kindred, but worst case scenario is they don’t like me. After killer space pirates meeting them seems, oh, dare I say it?” I waggled my eyebrows. “Easy.”

Venomous chuckled. “It brings me joy to see you like this. So carefree.”

“Well, you got me here in one piece. I’m safe now, so why shouldn’t I be cheerful?” I beamed at them. “Life is going to be good. I can tell.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Our food arrived, and we traded stories and jokes as we ate.

They fed me with their hands, and I tried everything offered.

Fiercely’s stew was a favourite.

It was rich and gamey, accompanied with floury flatbread he dipped in aromatic butter made from fermented goodbeast mylk, hand curdled then rolled in a blend of wild herbs.

Then Venomous received his order of chargrilled patties.

Salty, with a seasoned, crunchy crust and a moist, flaky centre, he dipped it in a fruity chutney before feeding it to me.

Realising I loved the dish, as I devoured the first patty, he teased me, yanking his hand back as if scared I’d chomp his fingers.

Determined to get them to laugh at one of my jokes, I said, “Why don’t customers ever return to restaurants on the moon?”

I waited a beat to drop the punch line.

“They are usually freezing,” Fiercely mused between bites.

“Or ablaze from solar radiation,” Venomous added. “Often lacking gravity, so there would be no at–”

“Because there’s no atmosphere,” I squeaked in a rush because he was about to ruin it, as he had the last six. “Customers never return to restaurants on the moon because there is no atmosphere.”

“They were on a moon,” Fiercely pointed out. “It was likely there was no atmosphere.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

Venomous finished guffawing at me rather than my joke. He told one of his own. “Greedy Baxnonians will charge a Zutki nugget even for a Hydokon plasma blaster if you visit their star cluster, yesss? But what can they not charge you for?”

I mumbled, “It’s a good thing you give me orgasms.”

“The free trip around their sol each rotation,” he finished.

Hands thumping the tabletop until the dishes rattled, Fiercely cracked up.

Venomous bellowed right alongside him.

They leaned over to crack their heads together with such force the table rocked.

My gaze pinged between them. “And you think I’m not funny.” I poked Fiercely’s hard stomach. “You tell one.”

“Thsst! I do not do jokes. I do riddles.”

I folded my arms on the tabletop then dropped my forehead onto them. “Okay, I’m in the crash position. Go.”

“Your lair has three hot spring toggles that each control one running spout in the bathing pool. All three point in the off position. You do not know which toggle controls which spout. You want to know which spout connects with each toggle, but you can leave the pool no more than once. You flip the toggles, leave the pool, and reason which toggle goes with each spout.”

My head lifted, and I just stared.

With a self-righteous smile, he crossed his lower arms, upper ones opened wide. “How did you do it?”

My eyes crossed. “Ugh.” I decided there was no point in even trying to figure it out. “So you trained as warriors together?” Unrepentant, I snagged a juicy segment from the platter of citrus fruits and cheeses in the middle of the table. “How does that work, when you come from different provinces and belong to separate guilds?”

Fiercely looked disgruntled at my abandonment of his mind twister. “My life giver is a renowned musician. She came to perform here at a festival with her troupe and met my father. They stayed until I was grown then returned to her birth province.”

I nodded chewing food then displayed terrible, bad manners as I spoke with my mouth full. “You were friends?”

“Friendly rivals,” Fiercely replied with a smirk. His expression fell serious. “Lumen? Venomous One?” His fingers twitched then tightened on his drinking bowl. “May I ask some things that plague me?”

Hearing the weightiness of his tone, my eyes rounded as I picked up my pannikin.

Pale liquid and balls of rainbow ice swirled inside.

It was my second bowlful of the delicate, floral concoction that had a light fizz perfect for the dry heat.

“Of course,” I replied. “That’s the point of a date. It’s time for us to talk one on one.”

Venomous made no indication he knew what was troubling the other male.

Wolfing down his food, he grunted, which seemed encouragement enough.

Fiercely inhaled. “I have three things I wish to ask. First, what is dick?”

I choked on the refreshing drink and waved Venomous away when he thumped my back hard enough to bruise. “What?”

“On the Trekker you said I was a presumptuous dick. I do not know what ‘dick’ means. What is it, and why am I one?”

Clunking my drink down, I remained silent.

“Lumen?”

I expelled a burst of air, knowing it was my own fault for letting my mouth run away with me. “It’s a euphemism, sweetheart. A human word for your, ah, male part.”

He scowled. “Which part of my male part?”

“The part that, um, uh, gets stiff.”

Upper body shuddering, Venomous turned away.

“Dick is meaning when it is hard or when it is soft?” Fiercely drummed his claws on the table top, looking for all the world expectant of a serious answer.

My betraying lips twisted, so I sucked them into my mouth. “S-soft?”

Venomous made a nasal sound a cross between a snort, laughter and a grunt.

The drumming claws stopped.

Silent, staring, Fiercely’s expression voided.

Feeling awful, I placed my hand over his. “I didn’t mean it. I was angry.” I hesitated. “Would it make you feel better if I told you it wasn’t as bad as calling you a cock?”

A pause.

“What is cock?”

Twisting back around, Venomous lost it.

He slammed a fist to the table and hooted as he rocked into my side. “Now that, my Lumen, is funny.”

Fiercely chuckled at my woebegone expression. “It is fine, Rä’Na. I deserved it. Without doubt, I am too sophisticated to act the rutting barbarian. It did not sit well on me.” His black eyes twinkled mischief as he used flatbread to mop his stew. “Then again since a youngling, I displayed superior, more cultured traits than my peers.”

Venomous’ head snapped down, quills bouncing from the force of the movement.

He slapped the food from Fiercely’s hand.

It splattered his chin then dripped onto his hardsuit.

“Not so sophisticated now,” Venomous sneered.

Leaning over the table, in each other’s space, they bared fangs, hissing.

“Barbarian,” Fiercely snarled.

Venomous pounded his chest. “I am strong.”

“Males are males no matter where you go in the universe,” I muttered stealing food from their plates.

They were too busy having a pissing contest to feed me, and making a hatchling was hungry work.

Gaze sliding away, Fiercely snorted like a lathered bull then backed off.

Venomous grinned, thinking he’d won the confrontation, and shaking out his quills, turned to me.

Stew hit the side of his face.

It dripped to his jaw, slicked his still smiling lips then dribbled down a neck that now popped tendons.

His head, ever so slow, turned to face the front, and his eyes caught fire.

I treble blinked. “Uh oh.”

A smudge of time later, we trudged onto the pathway outside the restaurant with passersby staring at our dishevelled state in a mixture of curiosity and revulsion.

We stood covered head to toe in not only our food, but the meals of the diners surrounding us.

My corkscrew curls were sticky with fuck knows what, Fiercely’s supernova hardsuit was torn, and Venomous fingered a bloodied quill that had lost a gold ring, as Fiercely had ripped it out with his teeth.

Breathing hard, I relived the humiliation of the proprietor’s verbal warning to never, ever return.

They had laid waste to the outside seating area.

Tables lay overturned or broken into rocky chunks, crystal was smashed, and drinking bowls crushed to shards.

Cushions bore claw marks, the fluffy stuffing floating above the decimation.

I wiped my forefinger through the lumpy blue paste streaking my nose and forehead then rubbed it and my thumb together.

“Now, have we worked out whatever,” my hands moved in flat circles, “this was?”

They resembled naughty boys, hanging their heads, scuffing their boots as they mumbled an apology, promising it wouldn’t happen again.

Holding back a smile, knowing to reinforce such behaviour would be a bad idea, I grabbed Fiercely’s hand. “There were three things you wanted to talk to us about. What are the last two?”

“They are connected.” He took a breath. “I wish to be your Rä’Vek. I have made arrangements to stay at the guild, but I wish to stay with you.” Looking at our joined hands, he seemed hopeful. “Will you welcome me to your lair, to your nest? This is what I want.” He looked displeased all of a sudden. “Our date did not show I will be a good life mate. Perhaps it is a trick, as I said, and you expected us to fight to show dominance?” His head cocked. “I would have told you Venomous is primary, if you had asked. Regardless, I vow to do better.”

“Just throwing it out there, aren’t you? Letting it all hang out.”

Fiercely shot Venomous a baffled look then gave me a faltering smile. “Is that yesss?”

“We’re going to take things slow, but yes. I want you with us.”

He grinned ear to ear, touched his cheek to mine, rubbed as his chest vibrated from a jubilant hiss that Venomous then echoed with his own cheek touch.

We visited a technology emporium where they procured me a personal communicator, the flat oval bendy, its surface pliable, like silicone, and it glowed when touched.

After Venomous traded for his, they tuned their frequencies to mine then showed me how to use it.

Soon enough, we were back in the glider and headed towards Venomous’ childhood lair.

“What if they don’t like me?” I asked wiping my sweaty palms on my thighs. I took in our scruffy appearance. “We should change first.”

“There is no time,” Fiercely said, apologetic. “We were supposed to be there at high heat.”

“You told them I’m an alien, right?” I tried to smooth my frizzing hair. “We’re not springing this on them? That would be bad.”

“My Lumen, all of Rök knows of your coming.” Venomous pulled me onto his lap. “I doubt my own kindred will not know you. I did, after all, comm call them and tell them of you from the Trekker.”

He told me their names and what they did for a living.

It settled me some, hearing about his relatives before meeting them.

We’d barely landed on a swathe of blue grass bordered by spiky, crimson blooms before a stream of people spilled from the majestic structure of quartz to converge on us.

The gleeful charge was led by a pair of older Rä with green-gold scales, white-quills and lined faces.

They were handsome, as Rä had become attractive to my human eyes, and possessed a refined, imposing dignity.

Dark, jewel-coloured robes shrouded their tall musculatures in stiff, sweeping folds and billowed as they moved.

They grappled Venomous into their eight arms and hugged him tight between them, laughing as he pretended to escape.

Chuckling, Fiercely held onto me as our group shambled inside the cool lair on a tide of yelled, “Good greetings,” and a swelling wave of shouted, “Praise Zython.”

“It does my hearts good to see you,” Venomous admitted with a grin as we paused in the double-tall entryway.

As there were creepy Sylphs and curious kindred wandering about, I stayed close to Fiercely.

I took in as much of the bright, airy space as I could while keeping an eye on Venomous’ reunion.

Scenic paintings adorned the pellucid brick walls, and the polished floor reflected my own frazzled image back at me.

Past the foyer was an open space with comfy looking divans big enough to seat six Rä apiece, and upholstered in dark green fabric that matched a muted tapestry fixed to the main wall over a sputtering water feature.

Glister creep radiated light onto the vaulted ceiling, but as rosy sunrays shone through lancet windows its effects were muted.

Animal hides with their heads attached were strewn about the floor.

I stared into the angry, beady eyes of a lupine predator, razor teeth bared in a grimace of death, and cringed at its fate.

A feasting table hewn from a solid slab of rock on spool-shaped pillars had been erected behind the seating area, its embossed surface laden with skewers of charred meat, overloaded platters of lustrous fruits and sweating rounds of rich cheese.

Standing separate from the food, a metal trough was filled with bottles of fizzy, purple liquid buried in piles of bluish sediment that gave off wisps of vapour.

It was called cold ore.

This was explained to me after I questioned Fiercely about the fixtures and objects I saw, but could not understand their function or purpose.

Seeing the generous spread and excited gathering, I felt a twinge remorseful for wheedling a lunch date out of Venomous.

His kindred were thrilled to see him.

A dozen of the Rä connected to me by mating browsed the offerings, murmuring amongst themselves.

Several couldn’t help but flick probing looks in my direction.

None of them sneered, or cut me when I smiled, so I relaxed.

All in all, the atmosphere of the reunion was of joy, not fraught with uncertainty and disgust, as I’d feared my presence would make it.

Breaking off from what he’d been saying, Venomous cocked his head with incomprehension then pulled free of his fathers’ embrace.

His frown was directed at the male his features resembled most. “Why are you limping?”

With a dismissive snort, Wind Dancer slapped the limb. “It is nothing but my age making itself known.”

“You have not had a healer see to it?”

“I am not so vain as to have every imperfection expunged. Leave my eccentricities alone. I am old.”

“And nursing an irrational phobia of the Healers Haven,” Dawning light revealed with an amused curving of the mouth.

“Old males go in then never come out,” Wind Dancer protested. “You cannot tell me this is not truth.”

“Yesss, but those old males are ready to sit at Grandmother’s side, nest mate. You will grace us with your charm and wit for aeons to come.”

“I am not going, and you cannot make me.” Wind Dancer’s piercing gaze settled on me. “On to important matters. Who have you brought to meet us?”

It felt as if he raked out my guts to pore over what made me up inside.

Venomous pulled me in front of him. “Fathers, this is my Rä’Na, my Lumen of the Stars.” He sighed. “Is she not as exquisite as I said in my comm calls?”

Face heating, knowing the Rä did not find my ‘petite’ stature and mass of curly hair appealing, I smiled warily. “Good greetings.”

Wind Dancer bowed. “Good greetings, daughter.”

“You are most welcome in our lair,” Dawning Light said as his gaze flicked over me, then to the floor, back to me, before twitching to the wall, then sliding over me again.

“Fiercely Comes the Night.” Wind Dancer stepped back to take him in. He moved forward for an embrace. “I have not seen you since you were a youngling with flaky quills.” They touched foreheads, a glancing movement I gathered was a traditional greeting between kindred, and those considered kindred because of long-term friendship.

“Lumen is with egg,” Fiercely blurted. He dropped me a sheepish glance. “I could not hold it in.”

Nose scrunching, I gave him a sceptical look.

Venomous splayed a palm over my stomach and grinned. “Truth. Our Rä’Na is in swell.”

Wind Dancer rocked back on his heels, and sucked in such a large breath, I thought he was about to keel over.

He exploded in a buzzing hiss, joined by his nest mate, and a few of the less chary Rä enjoying the reunion. “Great Serpent! We are blessed!”

I released a shaky breath and slouched into Venomous. I offered a tentative smile. “We think so too.”

“Thsst! Come here, daughter. Come.” He took my hand and fussed over me until I sat on the huge divan. “Sit. Be at ease.”

Venomous and Fiercely sat either side of me as the Rä’Veks sat opposite, a low and narrow table between us.

The family members clustered around.

“Now,” Wind Dancer began, “when was your seeding?”

I wasn’t touching that one.

“Lumen is human. Her cycle is different,” Venomous answered, evasive.

“Yesss, but we must establish when she will lay, so we can arrange the nesting calendar.” Wind Dancer whipped out his communicator in a grave ‘let’s get down to business’ fashion. “It is a good thing He, Cobra that Strikes is so talented a hunter. I will comm call him, and add you to the–”

Venomous reached to close a hand over his father’s tapping claws. “We greet our hatchling in three moontides. There is no need for us to sequester.”

The older males shared uneasy looks.

“The egg will not be hard?” Dawning Light asked. His face creased. “Is it because she is offworlder? We must get our wisest healer on this. There must be a solution. Your egg will not crack before its time. I vow to you, my offspring, we will fix this.”

“Aw,” I murmured, chuffed they were so concerned. “Nāga is my doctor. I like him. I trust him, so I want him to stay my healer.”

Venomous, now rubbing my back, hushed his parents’ anxious exclamations. “You misunderstand. Lumen will carry the hatchling inside her for three moontides. She will lay, and it will come out grown.”

“Developed,” I corrected. My assurances calmed the paling females who appeared moments from swooning. “A fully grown person won’t burst out of me.” I wheezed a dry laugh. “It’s tiny. Well, not tiny, I mean, it’s going to be big enough to hurt.”

I again eyed Venomous’ shoulders then felt like sobbing.

Another stunned silence.

“Serpent’s Hood,” Dawning Light whispered.

“There is a shielding egg inside that stays soft the whole time,” Fiercely explained as if retelling a gory horror story. “The babe hatches in her belly then it crawls out in stomach pains called labour. It is called that because the human female pushes for spans and spans to give it its own life.” He studied me speculatively. “She says it might take a whole rotation, but I do not see how it will take so long. She is so small, and it is such a short distance to travel.”

The Rä looked queasy.

Some went as far as to set their food aside then excused themselves.

The rest broke off into their own separate conversations, eyeing me askance as if I were about to blow.

“Doubt they’ll be back,” I muttered watching as the less hardy fled.

“A hatchling in three moontides,” Wind Dancer breathed. “There is much to be done. Venomous, at the time it was adequate, but your Rä’Na and offspring need more space. We must build a bigger lair.”

“There is no time,” Dawning Light cried. “We must purchase the hatchling haze without delay. It is the only solution.”

“Daughter, will you be working in the solars to come, or must we consider kindred care? Perhaps She, Adder of Dark Places?”

“Yesss,” Dawning Light agreed. “She is firm, but fair, and only bites when necessary.”

“And what do you mean no sequestering?” Wind Dancer turned on Venomous with a stern look. “Time is short, but there are still three moontides before the hatchling arrives. Surely you cannot mean to let her leave the nest.”

Dawning light inhaled sharply. “Should she even be here?”

“Ready the goodbeasts.”

Listening to them chatter, my head spun.

“Good Grandmother, I did not even think!” Dawning Light flailed a hand calling off the request as another Sylph brought a tray of water bowls then divvied them out. “The bonding ceremony. We must prepare, send invitations.”

“A small gathering, closest kindred only.” Wind Dancer glanced at us with a frown. “Have you selected a lesser male?”

“Venomous and I discussed Cobra that Strikes,” Fiercely announced.

Floundering as I tried to keep up, my gaze skidded to Venomous. “Did you now?”

“Thsst!” Wind Dancer rocked in his seat. “An excellent choice. He is Master Hunter.”

“Father, we must speak with the Senate about the bonding ceremony.

“I will arrange it.”

“We cannot do closest kindred only,” Dawning Light reprimanded stealing Wind Dancer’s attention, pounding away at his communicator. “You forget we have to include Fiercely Comes the Night’s kindred, and give them time to journey here to meet with her. They might wish to aid in the preparations. Also, we will cause offence if we do not invite all our kindred from the four provinces. They might refuse to send nesting gifts if we exclude them. You know how spiteful southerners can be, and westerners do know how to hold a grudge.”

My mouth hung agape.

Venomous’ fathers were positively motherly.

I’d been scared to meet these Rä, but they were so lovely and welcoming.

I felt like an idiot for believing they’d be unkind because I was an alien.

“We are the primary male’s kindred,” Wind Dancer declared to his nest mate with a lofty quirk of his brow ridge. “Our decision is final, and will be respected.”

Dawning Light hissed. “I think–”

“Fathers!” Venomous laughed and held up two hands. “My clan and I will take care of this our way in our own time. All you need do is be ready to bounce a hatchling on your knees.”

“No nesting calendar?” Wind Dancer looked hurt. “It is no trouble.”

“You do not think we can do it the proper way,” Dawning Light accused.

Glowering, Venomous went to decline, but I stopped him with a hand to his forearm. “I won’t be, uh, living in the nest, but I’m unused to how things work on Rök. It would be wonderful to not worry about cooking, or going to the market as I adjust. I’ll take all the help I can get. So, if you want to do a nesting calendar go right ahead.”

Wind Dancer seemed thrilled yet perplexed. “Why would you cook?”

I blinked. “U-Um.”

“You have Sylphs,” Dawning Light reminded.

I failed to stifle a grimace. “Right.”

“Lumen is disconcerted by the servants,” Venomous explained. “We host none in our lair until she feels comfortable with them.”

Wind Dancer shifted forward then patted my hand. “You understand they are benign creatures that would not lift a feeler to harm you, even at the cost of their own life?”

“Yes.” I caught and squeezed his hand. It was warm, but not calloused like his son’s. “I just need more time.”

He returned my smile as he sat back.

“Who will do your lairwork?” Dawning Light argued.

“I will,” I replied with a confidence I didn’t feel. “I want to find a job, but it won’t be for a while, not until after I have the hatchling, settle down and I figure out what I want to do.”

Squinting, Wind Dancer queried, “How do you not already know what you want to do?”

“I was a receptionist on Earth. From what I’ve learnt about Rä culture, there won’t be an equivalent.” Their heads cocked, so I clarified. “I managed communications for a, um, tooth healer.”

“Thsst,” they hissed.

Venomous looked proud and intrigued. “You were apprenticed to a healer, my Lumen?”

“No, babe. Our employment structure is different.” I explained the private and public sectors, industry, organisations, and the hiring process as best I could. “I was a receptionist because I have good organisational skills and a pleasant voice.”

Fiercely scowled. “I have no notion as to how that contributes to a larger purpose.”

“It was a decent job and it paid well, meaning I got to eat and keep a roof over my head. There’s your larger purpose right there.”

Wind Dancer scrutinised me. “So you will not be joining the Healer’s Caste?”

I rubbed my forehead. “Not unless they need someone to manage their correspondence.”

Venomous sensed my agitation and interrupted. “We have discussed this. Lumen will decide what she wants to do in her own time.” He ended the subject then moved on. He glanced around, annoyed. “Where is mother?”

Dawning Light found the worn rug fascinating all of a sudden, and Wind Dancer floundered for a distraction.

In the end, he muttered, “She wanted to be here, but was needed at the Trade Quarter.”

I winced, because even I could tell he fibbed.

“She went to work on the rotation of her offspring’s homecoming?” Fiercely asked in an incredulous manner, utilising no tact whatsoever. “After he was lost to her for over an aeon? And he brings home a Rä’Na and nest mate?”

Nostrils flaring, a muscle in Venomous’ jaw ticked.

The unspoken statement behind his mother’s absence was obvious.

She did not accept me.

Dawning Light twiddled his thumbs then cried, “The hatching.” He bounded onto his feet then hurried across the room to a shelving unit. “Daughter, would you like to see the hatching of our offspring?”

Mortified, Venomous clicked his teeth. His leg bounced next to mine, booted heel lifted off the floor. “Lumen does not want to see such things.”

I halted his jumping knee with my palm. “Babe, wonderfully, this is something we do on Earth.” I nudged him with my shoulder. “I’d like to watch you being born.”

“See.” Dawning Light rushed back holding open a hinged trinket box made of crystal with a cushioned interior. What looked like wadded cotton padded the hollow space. “Look, here is part of his shell.” He placed a creamy shard into my open palm. “Careful, please, this is all that is left.”

My heart throbbed at the depth of which they loved their son.

The inner surface of the fragment was silky, blameless white while the exterior was a rougher texture and speckled with gold splotches.

Shimmering specks weren’t present as an outer sprinkling.

The sparkles faded closer towards the inner side.

Angling it so the sunlight cut through, I could see the shell was made up of hundreds of paper thin, freckled layers.

“He was a beautiful egg. Perfectly formed, and so heavy. Eight and a quarter parts.” Wind Dancer slapped his muscled thigh. “He was a record breaker. No bigger egg that aeon.”

Dawning Light chuckled. “And here are his hatching fangs.”

Trading the shell for the new treasure, I ran my fingers over the lustrous enamel of curved teeth no bigger than my smallest fingernail. “Hatching fangs?”

“They develop in the egg to tear the inner membrane then crack the shell. That is why they are so pretty. They fall less than a moontide later.” Crinkled lines around his eyes deepened as his arresting features softened. “Though Venomous kept his for two.”

“He always has been a late shedder,” Wind Dancer whispered sotto voice gazing at his son with fondness.

Leaning over me to get a better look, Fiercely snickered.

Looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but where he was, Venomous shot him a frosty look. “Laugh hard, nest mate. You forget your kindred will do the same, if not worse. I remember your life giver being fond of recording your youthful blunders. Perhaps I will comm her, ask her to send her favourites.”

Spine snapping straight, Fiercely lost colour.

Dawning Light took back the fangs to return them to the keepsake box then glanced at an ovoid screen on the adjacent wall.

His voice brimmed with excitement. “Now for the main event.”

Cringing, Venomous slapped a hand over his face.

A hologram came up of a white and gold egg snuggled in a dense crumple of green and yellow fur.

Rä claws were on the egg, but pulled away as it wobbled, and a fracture appeared on the outer surface with an ear-splitting crack.

Another snap of sound, a larger fracture, and then a curved fragment fell free.

“Look, here he comes,” Dancing Light whispered sounding lost in a memory.

Glistening wetly, an arm came into view, hiding a scrunched up face with a dazedly shifting eye, its pupil contracted to a slit.

A shaft of light hit the egg, and black brille snapped down as a vivid ripple of gold passed over minuscule scales.

“I knew then,” Wind Dancer murmured. “Seeing his anima rise so strongly, and not even out of his shell. I knew that he was to be the greatest of us.”

Burrowing under Venomous’ arms, I watched, round eyed, as he hatched.

By the end of it, I fought tears.

It was beautiful, incredibly moving, and I wondered how I was ever repulsed at the thought of an egg hatching.

His curled body lay shivering on the shards of his shell, looked so soft and vulnerable, it struck me a beautiful contrast to the powerful warrior seated beside me.

“I remember it as if it were a moon past.” Wind Dancer sighed. His gaze sharpened then he smiled at me. “Now, Lumen, how many will you have with you during your laying, apologies, your labour? Two, three?”

I blinked then reached for my water to wet my throat.

“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” I confessed, “but two or three people sounds about right. There’ll be Venomous and Fiercely, Nāga–”

“Oh, no, daughter, I meant two or three hundred of our kindred.”

The drinking bowl I lifted to my puckered lips slipped through my numb fingers.

I splashed water over my lap as I scrabbled with it.

“Though it would be better if we could try to bring that number up to four hundred so we have enough room to invite Fiercely’s kindred.”

The two older males bent their heads together and began planning.

Sweat beading my upper lip, I stabbed an harassed glare at Venomous who slid his fathers brooding, irritated looks, but said nothing to end their enthusiastic preparations.

He did a double take at my expression, then brushed his knuckles from my cheek to my jaw, eyes tender. “Do not fret, Rä’Na.”

“We will make them invite less,” Fiercely soothed as he snuck an arm around my back.

I exhaled, lifted the drinking bowl.

“No more than two hundred,” Venomous promised. “I will be firm.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

As the sun set, sending streaks of purple and pink across the dusky horizon, the bluest third moon rose high in a star strewn sky.

The glider set down on a peaceful three sided courtyard, the broad, dead end avenue overlooking the sprawling metropolis below.

Stone and wood stables for goodbeast, roaming space fenced-off, were situated centric to the lairs dotting the terrace.

A waft of musty hay and peaty manure made my nose wrinkle, the smell more pungent in the sweltering heat.

Canals of rainbow water, ankle high, snaked from each building to join with a larger duct that disappeared down the mound of rocky earth towards the city.

Parked next to the smallest, most quaint residence, blue vines with yellow, pyramid-shaped flowers overgrew the exterior walls of the single level structure.

Bristly shrubs hugged the foundations, and piles of green sand lay in the nooks and crannies where gales of wind had blown it from the mountainous dunes that bordered the outskirts.

I shambled up a stone inlaid path overgrown with thorny weeds, and patches of indigo grass.

Closer to the edifice, I lay a hand on the tall, sparkling wall and found it warm from the sun, looking smooth, but grainy to touch, druzy.

It seemed a solid block, cloudy with striations of amethyst and smoky grey, but my fingers slipped over a squared shape, and I squinted, realising it wasn’t a lone slab of quartz, but crystal bricks slotted together in a tongue and groove formation, leaving thin, glowing lines between; glister creep roots.

Venomous stalked to the recessed doorway then pressed his palm to a sensor pad.

The doors ground open, leaving behind the fluid swirl of the haze.

Taking my hand, Venomous led me inside.

Head cranking back, I twirled, my lips parting because the ceiling looked as if a giant geode had been cracked in half, pointed prisms thrusting from glowing creepers, their soft radiance lighting the spacious area.

“Oh, la, I whispered then took in the rest.

The furnishings were sparse, but well crafted.

From the lack of dust, grime and mint scented air, I could tell everything had been recently cleaned, the fixtures scrubbed, the surfaces wiped.

The lair was earthy, yet stylish, modern, yet snug.

Comfortable looking divans upholstered in dark, silver specked flocking were placed in front of a dozen shelves bracketing an oval holoscreen as tall as I was.

Displayed on the floating shelves were metal and wood puzzles that twisted and interlocked in confusing patterns.

A shaggy hide rug dominated the floor, and puffy, embroidered cushions were stacked against the base of a solitary plinth upon which was a piece of artwork, a twisting stone figurine shot through with luminous orange, as if the person was being consumed in flame.

It was a pretty, creepy piece I made a mental note to hide in a dark corner somewhere.

The floor was once again polished feldspar, and the walls were opaque quartz.

There were four arched doorways leading off into other rooms.

I poked my head into one and found what looked like a kitchen from the gleaming black surfaces, hinged compartment filled with cold ore, and open-faced oven filled with hot rocks.

The room was curved, and was another door opening on its innermost plane, but I backed out to investigate the rest.

Seeming familiar with the place, Fiercely sat on the divan and watched me.

Venomous went to a console mounted on the wall next to the haze, and it lit up as he swiped his fingers over its rounded surface.

Blue light limned his features.

“My kindred let the Sylphs in to clean,” he revealed. “The nest should be fresh, and the garden weeded and replanted.”

“Garden?” I murmured walking through another doorway, which ended up being no more than a storage space.

I tried another, and found the bathroom.

“Oh.” I walked over to a newly added fixture. It looked like a toilet. I confirmed as such when I waved my hand over a circular nub on a bowl-like reservoir, and it flushed. “Well that’s a relief.”

I glanced about and saw there was a bath, its rim flush with the corrugated tile flooring, a wall to ceiling mirror, and a sink area; a wall of water falling into a thin, long basin.

Wandering back into the main living area, I saw I was alone, so passed under the last archway to find Venomous and Fiercely talking between themselves, standing before what I assumed would be our nest.

At the sight of the squashy bundle, my head grew heavy with a wave of drowsiness, so I trudged over to it then flopped down.

Rolling onto my side, I gathered the blankets, snuggling, then stiffened when something shifted near my leg.

Is that a warm spot?

Feeling a twinge of worry a creepy-crawly was in the furs with me, I groaned as I leaned up on my elbow to see if my imagination played tricks.

I blinked away the rasping burn at the rims of my eyes to focus.

Body uncoiling, large head slinking towards me, a sinuous, muscled length rose up.

A heart-shaped hood flared brilliant crimson, and a banded tail rattled.

Making pitched, squeaking noises that contracted my stomach as I tried to catch a breath, it lowered to my height, looked me right-in-the-eye, then hissed, baring fangs.

Managing a short, sharp scream, I leapt off the nest onto Venomous, the nimble movement astounding us all.

I scrambled to climb him like a tree. “What the fuck! What the fuck?”

“It is fine.” He plucked me off him then turned me to face the monster slithering closer. “It is our Zýt.”

“Our what?” My pattering feet slipped and slid as I pushed back, but moved nowhere. “It’s coming closer.”

“It is saying good greetings.”

“It’s going to eat me.”

Fiercely choked laughter then approached the entity.

He rubbed its wedge-shaped head, roughly, as one would a treasured pet. “No, Rä’Na. The Zýt eat lower creatures. They do not consider us food, not since our age of enlightenment when we stopped hunting them, so they stopped hunting us back.” The Zýt coiled around his body and bumped its head under his chin. Fiercely smiled. “Come greet her.”

Breathing under control, I stopped trying to escape. “How do you know it’s a her?”

“The normal way.” He pointed to its rattling tail. “No seed stems.”

“Oh.” Still cringing into the safety of Venomous’ embrace, I looked the Zýt over.

It looked like the mythical, giant anaconda, only had a spread neck, a ‘hood’, a rattling tail and was slashed with vivid blue and green.

It was longer than me by ten feet.

I was not convinced live-in, feral animals were meant to be bigger than their hosts, and able to swallow them whole.

“It’s human friendly?” Swallowing was tough. “It won’t try to, oh, you know.”

I made chomping noises.

Laughing, Venomous nudged me. “Say good greetings. She will know you, and all will be well.”

Mincing closer, I jerked out a hand, and the Zýt advanced, its body undulating laterally.

It rose up, its spine arched, head cocked.

Dark eyes with slitted pupils glimmered with intelligence, and its cherry-tinted tongue flickered.

“I’m Lumen,” I whispered touching my fingertips to its ridged belly. “S-sorry if I scared you. You did s-scare me first.”

My palm flattened against it.

It had a coarse texture.

The sensation was tolerable, nice, even.

The Zýt scutes didn’t feel glossy and supple like Rä scales, but were pleasant in their own way.

Gaining confidence, I pressed harder and gave it a pat.

Shivering, it darted closer then pushed the top of its head under my chin before dropping down, coiling around my ankles then slithering off.

Muscles unlocking, I released a stunted breath as I staggered towards the nest, deciding life couldn’t get weirder.

My hand reached to set down on the raised platform, but I froze, uncertain about climbing back on.

I glanced over my shoulder, eyes wide and glassy. “T-There’s only o-one.” My voice quavered. “Right?”

Shaking his head, Venomous stalked from the room throwing over his shoulder, “I will secure the lair.”

Fiercely, sniggering, snatched me up to topple us onto the furs. “It is time for you to sleep, Rä’Na. Your eyes are red and heavy.”

“But–”

“There is only one. Zýt do not share territory unless to mate.”

I relaxed and shifted closer, just in case. “We’re still dressed.”

“There are worse things.”

“Fiercely?”

“Yesss?”

“Can I have a kiss?”

A lengthy silence.

“This is the mouth touch you do with my nest mate, yesss?”

I nodded.

“Why?”

“Um, why what?”

“Why do you want to kiss?”

“To see if I’m as attracted to you as I think I am.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth.

After a wavering pause, he angled his face to offer his closed lips.

Okay, if he’s just going to lie there, I’m going to take advantage.

I scooted closer until my breasts plumped against his strapping chest then hooked a leg over his powerfully hard, tensed thigh.

He startled, made a noise of confusion.

I clasped his head, behind those spiky ears, then I settled my mouth atop his.

I bore down until his lips parted then snuck inside.

Fiercely stiffened.

He eased back, hand coming to my waist to apply pushing pressure.

Desire a smouldering ember that kindled, I held on, and glided my tongue over the rough, catchy surface of his.

I lapped until he, cautiously, pushed back.

The hand on my waist tugged.

Our bodies connected.

My hips rocked, and by instinct, his knee lifted to press my cleft.

He tasted peppery, a flavour that deepened to malted vanilla, his mouth hot and moist.

The smooth, warm gold ring piercing his septum rubbed against my philtrum, and I licked it, making him hum a breathy noise.

I raked my teeth on his bottom lip then plunged inside again.

He met me with a firm brush of his tongue, and I moaned, hearing a reciprocal, throaty sound torn from him.

Molten heat spread from my pussy, and my limbs grew heavy, weak.

Tingling, sex clenching, I pulled free to pant against his parted lips.

I fell onto my back, noticing the glister creep had dimmed, until all I perceived was a faint delineation of his profile.

Hearing him swallow, I felt him shift his hips. “Your tongue was in my mouth.”

Breathless, I jerked my head. “So it was.”

“It licked me.”

“You licked back.”

“It seemed rude not to.”

“Well....”

“I did not expect the biting.”

“Didn’t you like it?”

“Like is not the word.” He paused. “My ... cock is hard.”

“And my pussy is wet, but we’re nowhere near there yet, so make it lie down.”

“I do not know how.”

“Think of a Dei San.”

He sighed, forlorn. “I have a limp dick now.”

I bit my lip, smiling into the dark. “You do good pillow talk, sweetheart.”

“I did not know I was good at it. I have always slept alone before this.”

“How are you finding it?”

“Noisy.”

I snorted laughter into his shoulder.

“I like it,” he whispered.

Coming back to the nest, sniffing then chuckling, Venomous joined us on my other side then wrapped an arm around my waist.

His hard-on dug into my ass.

I wriggled against it, but he tightened his grip to hold me still.

He kissed the top of my head and muttered, “Sleep.”

So I did.

***

I wiggled my toes in my new, custom made strappy sandals then skipped to catch Venomous and Fiercely. “Okay, I’m ready.”

I jumped to a stop, my riding softsuit bouncing around my ankles.

It was a plain woven dress in sunny yellow, skirts divided, so I could straddle a saddle. “Show me the goodbeast.”

A Sylph scuttled from the dung-scented building leading two readied mounts.

Getting my first decent look at a goodbeast, I grinned.

The first thing I noticed was their big, big eyes, the sea blue pools screaming, “Love me, love me, love me.”

I focused on the lead animal, inching closer.

It had a stocky trunk with bloated sides, stout and short, in relation to its own body, legs, and cloven hoofs for feet with sharp dew claws.

Face ebon and thick skinned, it was sort of squished.

It bore coiling horns over its floppy ears, tusks that curved a foot from its mouth, shaggy cream fur tipped with grey, and a squat, bushy tail that swept side to side.

Venomous took the reins as he thanked the Sylph that bowed then scuppered back into the stables.

Shivering, I forced myself to watch it leave until it was out of sight.

I didn’t care how benign they were, the pale Sylph’s bore resemblance to arachnids.

They were taller than me on all fours.

Shoulder height to the Rä, true, but as they scared the panties off me, their large dimensions didn’t help none.

Everything about them was eerie, from their oval, multifaceted eyes, pale, skeletal frames to their damp, mineral scent.

The worst was their movement.

Scurrying and scampering in quick, darting spurts that made the sinewy muscle of their androgynous bodies slip and slide under hairless, waxy flesh.

When they spoke it sounded like dry leaves rustling.

Nope, can’t hack it.

Of all the strange wonders I’d seen, I reached my ‘this shit is real’ limit with them.

I’d accept them, didn’t have much of a choice, but I needed time.

A lot of time.

Waiting docile to be ridden, the goodbeasts panted in the heat, veined blue tongues lolling from their mouths.

Groaning, the lead animal hunkered so Venomous could put me on.

He gripped the pommel, swung up behind me then made a clicking sound the animal responded to with another doleful moan.

It rose rump first, so we jerked forward then back when its front legs straightened.

Deft from practice, Fiercely mounted then we were away.

The heavy, thudding footfalls of the goodbeast was lulling, and I settled back against Venomous’ chest to watch third moon rise.

It had been an amazing day.

I’d seen more of the city, and bought essentials I’d badly needed.

No hairbrushes on Rök, though, as quills were smoothed with oil, pierced or cut.

Seeing my disappointment, Fiercely had had one commissioned as a gift.

It earned him an excited squeal, and a chaste kiss, one he enjoyed so much, he grabbed me as I pulled away to lay a hot, heavy one on me.

This spurred Venomous to snatch me up and plunder my mouth, leaving me light-headed and stumbling as they strutted off.

Unpredictably, they showed an eager enthusiasm as we shopped, and when I hesitated to buy, fretting over cost, they chided me before purchasing the style I wanted, in several shades with matching accessories.

Venomous’ explanation had been simple. “On the slave planet, you wore rags, the best I could provide. Now you wear riches, the best I can provide.”

I had a whole trunk of gorgeous softsuits and hooded robes, but no underwear, as trying to explain a bra had caused an awkward silence, so even thinking of describing a thong made me uncomfortable.

Boots were on order, and a downy mountain of adorable, hatchling rompers being hand sewn.

Spotting an Artisan working her craft, I’d gone nuts for her designs.

Holding the wee bodysuits had reminded me how much my life had changed, and was going to change.

Now, we headed to a festival Venomous had belatedly accepted an invitation to, thinking it a good idea for me to see a bonding ceremony.

Afterwards, we had a private audience with the Senate to discuss my arrival, and what was ‘required’ of me to become a citizen.

Stabling our mounts, we meandered inside arm in arm.

Fiercely peeled off at the entrance with a promise he’d return.

“I hope you meet my life giver this moon,” Venomous muttered his gaze roaming.

I made a noise I hoped sounded like a murmur of agreement rather than a doubtful snort.

Judging by the look he dropped me, I didn’t carry it off, so avoided his eyes to focus on the decorations.

Spiral streamers made a canopy under glowing glister creep, and a light, sugary musk wafted from white and silver flower arrangements.

Water features gurgled, and stone tables piled with cold ore and refreshments dotted the crammed room.

Luxurious robes rustled, fang-filled smiles were broad, and laughter filled the air over a rhythmic drumbeat.

My arrival heralded stares and whispers, but I shrugged them off and tried to look welcoming should anyone want to come over and say hello to my life mate, as I knew before his slavery, he’d been well-liked.

Venomous turned us, and from a break in the crowd came Fiercely, three people following behind.

Smiling, my gaze skipped past him.

I stilled.

My heart skipped then broke out in a sprint.

Plainly, I’d grown too used to aliens tossing me over their shoulders, or hauling me in to declare their intentions.

I’d forgotten the primal surge of attraction I might feel watching a male prowl towards me.

Fiercely reached my side then gestured to the male. “Lumen, this is He, Cobra that Strikes, Master of the Northern Hunters Caste, and my good friend. Cobra, you remember my nest mate, Venomous One. This is our Rä’Na, She Lumen of the Stars.”

Venomous and Cobra exchanged greetings, but it was so much white noise.

The male before me needed to carry a warning sign.

‘Beware, glorious face alert, please take care not to trip, walk into walls or swallow your own tongue.’

A face of deep hollows under sharp cheekbones, severe brow shadowing slanted, onyx eyes of bespoken storms, and features brutal in their quest for perfection.

Cobra smelt of freshly split wood and clean burning smoke.

Air around him was crisp with ether, as if he’d run a misty, moonlit forest.

Sooty, slinky quills were pulled into a topknot at the back of his head and secured by a leather thong.

A shorter length fell free of the binding to run the hard angle of his jaw, his squared chin an arrogant jut.

The thick, lustrous lock was pierced by silver hooks tipped with engraved beads.

The silver snagged my attention utterly.

Rä were all about gold, and his boldness in breaking the mould impressed me.

A row of silver studs lined his ears, and ivory teeth speared both lobes.

Cobra was not as giant as Fiercely, nor as brawny, but a rousing balance of tall stature and wiry strength, hinting stealth and whispering power, rather than roaring it, as Venomous’ musculature did.

His hardsuit was not black, but dark grey, and sleeveless leaving his strong, blue arms bared, a band of silver coiled around his lower left one.

Arresting was the wild beauty I sensed within him, an aura that made a female long to touch, long to shelter within its feral energy.

Someone nudged me.

“Good greetings,” I blurted and stuck out my hand forgetting Rä didn’t use the custom.

I went to pull back when he just stared and stared with a closed expression.

He caught my hand between the lower two of his, and his upper hands reached as if to hold on as well.

“No,” he murmured. “This is ... good.” His mouth twitched. “Honoured Rä’Na.”

Nostrils flaring, Venomous glanced at Fiercely and a silent communication passed between them.

At their self-satisfied exchange, the name of the male before me knocked loose a memory.

I wanted to snatch my hand back.

This is who they want for my lesser mate?

“Thsst!” Sapphire scales shimmered a faint, darker blue. “I am He, Cobra that Strikes.”

I bit my lip on a smile. “I know.”

“Forgive my foolishness. It is just.... You are not what I expected.” His fingers shifted over mine, the movement ever so slight, but a definite rub. Tingles jumped from his palm. “You are so–”

“Puny,” one of the females flanking him declared. “The extremist matrix feeds have you seeming as fierce as a razorbeast in heat.” She honked laughter. “I could crush you with one hand.”

I half laughed and fought the urge to run.

She was massive.

“Good greetings,” I said.

“And to you. I am She, Deathly as It Goes. Huntress, and soon to be Master Hunter for my Caste.”

I looked a question at Cobra, who retained hold of my hand. “I got the impression there’s only one Master Hunter?”

“There is,” he replied, expression and tone wry. “She has been after my place for over a solar now.”

“Bold as ever,” Fiercely smirked at the broad-shouldered Rä’Na. “You could not wait for an introduction? Most improper.”

“Thsst! What?” She tossed her quills and snorted. “You take too long, and I want to get a good cushion near the nest.”

“You know your Rä’Vek will save you a seat.”

She crossed her arms, biceps bulging. “Do not tell me what my mate will or will not do, runtling. I will break your fangs.”

Fiercely, grinning, turned to me. “We should head to the front, so you can see.”

A throat was mellifluously cleared.

We all turned.

The second female waited to be introduced.

Her gaze landed on my hand enfolded in Cobra’s then flicked to my face.

Cobra let my hand go, keeping contact until our fingertips slipped apart.

He stepped back. “Lumen, this is my Rä’Na, She, Singing Water.” His tone had changed, hardened, but No one else noticed, or cared enough to take heed of it, so I didn’t react either.

Singing Water inclined her bald, near smooth head.

She was the daintiest Rä I’d seen, features small, her softsuit mauve, a flattering contrast against her green scales. “An honour, Rä’Na.”

“Good greetings,” I murmured with my own head bob.

Cupping the side of my throat, my gaze hit the floor.

I’d checked out the female’s life mate.

Is she okay with the lesser mate idea?

I sure as shit wouldn’t be if it was me in her position.

“It is starting, I think.” Taking my hand, Venomous guided me forward. “Come.”

Deathly as It Goes peeled off, but the rest followed behind us.

Greeting people he knew, Venomous sat on a cushion in the front row then pulled me onto his lap.

There were blatant stares and clicked teeth at this move, but he ignored them.

Fiercely sat beside us then took hold of my hand.

Cobra and his Rä’Na dropped down on the other side of Venomous.

They sat apart, chilly air between them.

I ventured a hesitant smile at Singing Water, which she returned, then leaned to ask if we could speak in private afterward, but a Rä’Na was ushered to soft furs bundled before us, so I snapped straight.

She was coaxed into removing the sheer fabric covering her body.

Eyes wide, I took in the naked Rä female who looked indistinguishable in shape to a Rä male, except she didn’t have a penis, or ribbed testes, but a puffy-lipped vent at her groin.

She bore no breasts, no curved hips, no indented waist, nothing I, as a human, considered feminine.

No wonder Venomous was freaked out.

I must have looked flabby and fleshy and gross in comparison.

The female was agitated, and it took persuasion by the older Rä’Na to get her onto her hands and knees.

The old female gripped the younger Rä’Na’s wrists, half chanting, half singing soothing words and noises until the newly matured Rä quieted.

I whispered in Venomous’ ear. “I don’t know their names.”

“She, Glorious Stars at Dusk, and He, Killer of Black Omens.” he murmured.

An aroused and erect Rä’Vek, Killer of Black Omens, broke free of his kindred to hurry forward then dropped to his knees.

He crawled over her, covering her back, then bumped his face against the slope of her nape.

Her response was to whimper, and deeply arch her spine.

Killer of Black Omens scooted closer.

Trembling, Glorious Stars at Dusk began to grow restless, inching forward, away from the male that mounted her.

The female holding onto her cajoled her into staying still.

“I wish you had had this,” Venomous whispered. “A trusted female to ease you. Our kindred to lend you strength.” He sighed, full of sorrow and apology. “You have been deprived of much. No more, my Lumen. No more.”

Killer of Black Omens thrust, and a piercing cry from the female made me cringe.

The male grimaced, rolling his hips, struggling to stay seated as the female beneath tried to throw him off.

It wasn’t sex as I knew it.

I had a flashback of Venomous pinning me down, and the pain as he forced himself inside me.

As much as I loved him, the memory hurt, and I stiffened.

He felt the change, and stroked my arms as Fiercely squeezed my hand.

Little by little, I relaxed then turned deeper into Venomous’ embrace.

My mind was chaotic, my heart hurting from what he’d done, yet so full of love. “Babe.” My voice was as shaky as my emotions.

“Easy. There is nothing to fear. She will find harmony with her male. You will see.”

He wasn’t wrong, for no sooner than he spoke the words, Glorious Stars at Dusk quieted.

She stopped fighting, letting the male rock them back and forth until he shuddered then tensed.

Glorious Stars at Dusk smiled, peeked shyly over her shoulder.

Killer of Black Omens hesitated, wanting to stay, but the older female shooed him off, waving another erect Rä’Vek forward.

I stifled a gasp, realising what was about to happen, and became aware Cobra that Strikes’ face had angled toward me.

Venomous bent to speak in my ear. “You remember how a lesser mating is done?” He jerked his chin at the female, bent over, presenting her opening. “Her pouch will only open for her mate’s seed, but the exchange of pheromones at this time allows them to align.”

“I remember.” My hands balled into fists on my lap. “I don’t need this, Venom.”

“Watch.”

Looking down with a sigh, the Rä’Vek knelt, then penetrated the newly mated Rä’Na.

They flinched, the act appearing less emotional, and as painful.

The Rä’Vek released, the blissful expression on his face celebrated by his kindred, but the Rä’Na looked in pain.

“I don’t like this,” I whispered averting my eyes.

The ordeal ended and the pair parted.

Glorious Stars at Dusk was embraced by birth kindred, then left them to join the relatives of her male.

“It is done. They are joined.” Venomous sounded pleased.

Grins and enthusiastic cries of best wishes spread through the gathering.

There was no inappropriate signs of arousal, just a sense of happiness another couple had been united, and the atmosphere gained a bubbly lightness.

The lesser mate tradition was an accepted, necessary custom for the Rä.

However, my reservations remained, and I didn’t understand why it was a requirement for me as I was human, and not biologically vulnerable in the manner the Rä females were.

Fiercely rubbed my hand between his and grinned.

Returning his smile, I looked away as my face fell and my expression grew haunted.

Why do I get the feeling I don’t have a choice in the matter?

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

As we got up to leave, a Rä’Vek approached us. Bowed. “Venomous One. It brings me joy to see you.”

“Murk of the Gloaming.” Venomous inclined his head. “I see you are Rä’Vek now. I too have changed since we last spoke. This is my Rä’Na and nest mate.”

After the introductions, Murk of the Gloaming faced Venomous. “May I speak with you in private?”

They moved aside, and Fiercely stared after them.

“Something wrong?” I twisted my head to watch the twosome converse.

Bowing, Venomous said something the other Rä’Vek reacted to disapprovingly.

He made hand gestures that grew forceful when my mate didn’t tell him what he wanted to hear.

“Think nothing of it. Venomous knows what he is doing.” Fiercely gripped my chin and turned my face away. He ducked until we were eyelevel. “Are you having a good time.”

I scrunched my nose. “Good and bad.” I beamed. “Mostly good because you and Venomous are with me.”

“You liked Cobra that Strikes?”

Knowing why he asked, I gave a noncommittal, “Hmm.”

He studied me then let my chin go with a click of his fangs. “Venomous told me you were resistant to the idea of a lesser mate. Why?”

“I feel as if my choice in the matter is being overlooked. After being a slave, my free will is precious to me.”

“I understand this, but do you understand we do not insist upon this to hurt you? Cobra is a good male. He will be gentle, and you see here there is nothing to fear.”

Frustrated by the speed at which he dismissed my qualms, I didn’t get to reply, as the male under question approached. “Fiercely, may I speak with you?”

“I must stay with my Rä’Na. She is not used to festival, and it would not do to leave her alone.”

“I will stay with her.” Singing Water came up beside her Rä’Vek. “We will speak of female things, while you speak of male things, yesss?”

Satisfied, but glancing to check I was fine with it, at my nod, Fiercely and Cobra stepped aside to talk.

Tongue-tied, I puffed out my cheeks and looked around.

Singing Water gave me a thorough inspection with her eyes. “I confess, I am astonished.”

Wary, I faced her. “About what?”

“They say you are ugly.” Her expression was open, tone matter-of-fact. “You are not, only different.”

“Uh, thanks?”

She laughed, a gentle sound. “That was rude, forgive me. Since your arrival, I have heard rumours, and was fearful. I almost did not come worrying over it, thinking you savage.”

My mouth slanted. “Underwhelming am I?”

Making a humming noise of agreement, her tongue flickered. “Truth, Venomous One shocked me. Many said he must feel shame to have matured for an offworlder.” Her chin dropped. “He does not hesitate to introduce you though.”

The underlying message was what?

He should be embarrassed because I was ugly, human?

Posture tight, I asked, “Why would he feel ashamed?”

“He is Venomous One,” she replied as if that explained. “I heard tales, that his might is surpassed only by his arrogance.” She shifted and changed subject, sensing she riled me. “I saw how my,” weight on the possessive, “Rä’Vek enjoyed meeting you. You will do well together.”

Startled by her frankness, I scrambled for a response. “I ... um....”

“Then it is true. You are not used to this custom?”

A slight shake of my head.

“This means?” She imitated my head shaking.

“Sorry, it means no. I’ve gotten so used to Venomous and Fiercely copying, I forget most Rä don’t understand my gestures.”

“They indulge you.” Disapproval edged her tone, but she smiled off the back of it. “I would help you too. Should you have need of a friend, call upon me.”

I gave her an unsure smile. It’s nice of her to offer. “Really?”

“Your males intend you to be the lesser mate of my Rä’Vek. It is proper.” She lowered her voice, manner conspiratorial. “The Rä’Na of my lesser mate is a terrible creature. She is mean. I would like it to be different between us.”

“So would I.” Thinking I might have an ally in her, I confessed, “I want to be a good life mate, but I’m completely out of my depth. I need a friend. Rök is so different to my birth world.” I swallowed, mortified. “I don’t even know how to cook them a decent meal.”

“This is something I can help with. I shall give you lessons.”

“That would be great.” Excitement made me bounce. I wasn’t used to people making such overtures, but I liked it. Her kindness went a long way to making me feel more comfortable with what my mates wanted to happen between me and Cobra. “Thank you so much.”

Looking animated, Venomous rushed up and caught my hand. He tugged. “Come.”

“Another time,” Singing Water promised as I gave her an apologetic wave.

She looked at my hand with incomprehension as the mass of people concealed her from sight.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Venomous grinned over his shoulder. “My favourite part of festival when I was a hatchling was story time. I thought you might like to hear one. You can tell it to our offspring. Teach me yours, and I will tell them too. This will show our offspring we accept both sides of its heritage.”

Stunned, I let him tow me along, weaving through the gathering.

He’s thinking so far ahead?

I’d barely gotten over the surprise I was pregnant.

We stopped in a quieter corner where two, semi circled rows of cushions were arranged on a furry rug.

“Gather, younglings. Gather.” A wrinkled Elder sat near a bowl of hot stones, his charcoal robes shrouding his shrunken limbs. A wooden cane was clasped between his crooked claws. “Let me tell you of things ancient past.”

Two dozen hatchlings, seated and giggling between themselves, hushed and scooted closer.

Venomous sat at the back on the edge of the rug.

He set me between his bent legs then wrapped his arms around me, nuzzling the crown of my head.

I curled my legs under, leaned back and sighed, glad to be with him, happy he was happy.

I glanced about for Fiercely.

It’d be perfect if he was with us, but the Elder began to speak diverting my attention.

“There are great forces at work in the universe, but who can tell me, which of the forces guides and cherishes the Rä?”

“I know,” a thickset hatchling announced with a flamboyant wave. “It is Grandfather! I know because my father told me I am his special one. My anima showed two moontides after I hatched! I am a warrior!” It screwed up its face as purplish colour stuttered over its still soft scales. “When I die, I will sit at his side.”

“Die a death in glorious battle, or in defence of honour and truth, yesss, Dark like Moon Shadows, you will sit at Grandfather’s side.” The a’Rä looked amongst the group, squinting. “What happens to those of us who choose the path of beauty and peace?”

A hand shot up a hair faster than those around it.

“Proud as Shining Sun?”

A runty hatchling fingered its quills shyly. “We go to Grandmother, Elder Stalking East.”

“That is right. Grandmother is as wise as she is beautiful.” Stalking East took a sip of his drinking bowl then leaned closer. “Who knows the story of how we came to be?”

The hatchlings looked at each other.

“My life giver is a scholar,” Proud as Shining Sun said, diffident. “She says at the beginning of time a giant comet of fire and ice travelled the universe. Shards fell off to land on many planets then life took root. Rök was one of them.” The hatchling paused, slender brow scales furrowing. “But my father says that is science nonsense, and Grandfather made us.”

Smiling at the latter theory, the old a’Rä settled back. “The Great Serpent S’q’ama’ta created Rök then wandered its sands alone. Cut off from the cosmic pantheon, he grew lonely. But S’q’ama’ta was a powerful god! He became female and hatched offspring.”

“Zython!” Proud as Shining Sun chimed. “Who hatched male.”

“Yesss. S’q’ama’ta saw this was good. He held great affection for his offspring. Though he loved his parent, Zython was young and bold. He hungered for glory. He left his home world to travel the stars. Wise and understanding the restlessness of youth, S’q’ama’ta blessed his son and let him go to seek his destiny. Aeons and aeons passed. Great God S’q’ama’ta grew lonely once more, and as his son would not return, he again drew into himself. Grandfather became Grandmother, and lay an egg that hatched under a rare moonless night.”

“The Raging One,” Proud as Shining Sun whispered, knees drawing up, shivering. “The Dark Goddess that screams in the wind. Zaconda.”

“Do not speak her name,” Stalking East snapped striking the ground with his cane.

At the ear-splitting crack, I jumped along with the hatchlings.

Venomous chuckled as he tucked me closer to his front.

Laughing quietly with him, at myself, my hands cupped his knees.

Fiercely dropped down beside us crunching on the rind of a fruit.

He offered me a bite, but I declined.

I watched him use his sharp fangs to tear at its tough flesh, and knew my teeth weren’t up to the challenge.

“Never speak her name,” Stalking East warned in a calmer, but no less sombre manner. “It will call her dark spirit upon you and your kindred.” Eying them cagily, his shoulders curled forward, rugose face grave. “The goddess grew jealous of her warrior brother for S’q’ama’ta ever awaited his return.”

“Jealousy is bad,” Dark like Moon Shadows declared.

“As is pride.” Stalking East stared at the hatchling until it hunkered lower than its hatchmates. “Zython returned to Rök, and he was not alone.”

“He brought his life mate,” Proud as Shining Sun sang. “She, Born of Starlight.

“Yesss, Zython travelled far into the cold, empty black. There he found warmth, beauty and light. He brought home to Rök his Light of the Stars.”

I gasped and jerked my head to look at Venomous, finally understanding what my name meant to him, why he’d chosen it.

His lips curved as his gaze locked with mine.

Clasping his hand and entwining our fingers, I turned to listen to the rest of the story.

Stalking East was staring at me, a funny glint in his dark eyes. “They bonded as one, and she gave her back for him to cover. From Zython’s blessed seed came Rä.” The a’Rä focused on his small, bright charges. “He made us in his father’s image as a sign of respect. And so, we do not become our true selves until we find the beat of our hearts.” His tone grew heavy with foreboding. “But the Dark Goddess was envious of her brother’s fortunes. The evil bled from her egg pouch. Compelled to protect the offspring of his son, S’q’ama’ta cast her out into the great nothing. Her blood spilled forth in a devouring stain, and offworlders came to be. Not made to honour S’q’ama’ta’s image, but in the darkness of her own.”

My head drew back on my neck, and I double blinked at the fanaticism brimming in his reedy voice.

The legend had taken a dramatic turn that left a sour taste in my mouth.

Venomous tensed.

Fiercely stopped munching his fruit to glower at the a’Rä.

“So offworlders are evil,” Dark like Moon Shadows reasoned. “If they were born of dark blood then it flows within them.”

A dozen little eyes set in solemn faces focused on me.

“What do you believe?” Venomous asked cocking his head at the hatchling who had asked the question.

Eager to please, yet unsure of what was right, Dark like Moon Shadows peered up at the warrior. “I do not know what to think, Honourable Rä’Vek.”

“Perhaps if you know the rest of the story, you will,” Fiercely said his mouth tight. He tossed the last of the fruit to a passing Zýt that gobbled it without a hitch in its lithe, tangential prowl. “Finish, Elder.”

Stalking East sniffed. “Great God S’q’ama’ta was enraged by his daughter and her betrayal.”

When the Elder spoke no more, Fiercely hissed.

He drummed the floor with all four palms to draw the attention of the hatchlings. “The Great Serpent also came to know there are two paths in life one may tread, yet reach the same end.” He crooked his finger to beckon them. “Life can spring from the dark of night as much as it can from the light of day. What you must remember, younglings, is you cannot have light without darkness, nor male without female.”

I stared, marvelling at the instant rapport he’d gained with the young ones, glimpsing hidden dimensions to the warrior who claimed me as his.

“Zython mated an offworlder,” Proud as Shining Sun mused after they whispered amongst themselves.

Dark like Moon Shadows frowned. “That was before the Dark Goddess tainted the great nothing with her evil.” The hatchling paused. Its four hands fiddled with loose threads on its cushion. “But there cannot be light without darkness.”

Proud as Shining Sun bared tiny fangs. “So if we are light, we can mate dark ones and all will be well.”

Dark like Moon Shadows peeked at me in wonder. “You are She, Lumen of the Stars.”

“I am.” Moving away from Venomous, closer to them, I gave a closed mouthed smile. It was discomfiting they were just taught by one of their respected Elders I was created from an evil blood stain. Is that what other Rä think of me? “Good greetings.”

The stout hatchling bounded onto its clawed feet, ran to me, then threw itself into my arms knocking us flat.

Air pressing from my lungs, I wheezed.

It was small, but mighty.

“I do not think you are evil,” it yelled in my face grinning as it thrust its lower hands in my hair then brought fistfuls closer to its brille to study.

Its upper hands pinched my ‘protruding’ nose, yanked on my ear then tugged on my tongue as I unwisely opened my mouth to yelp.

Fiercely plucked the one tonne ‘hatchling’ off me.

He sent it and the others scurrying, shrieking giggles as he chased them on all fours, pretending to be a beast.

Setting me to rights, Venomous glared at the old a’Rä. “There is no honour in poisoning young minds. Casting them into doubt because of your own fears.”

Stalking East huddled into himself, but angled us a brittle look. “I teach them the way, Warrior.”

Standing us up, Venomous loomed over him. His tone was cutting. “Teach it as it is meant to be taught, without bias.”

“Come, nest mate.” Fiercely returned dusting himself off of loose sand, and clasped Venomous’ shoulder. He forced him to move. “Show our Rä’Na what we do for fun.”

We approached a cluster of Rä chatting and laughing, pointing to something in the middle of their group.

Venomous and Fiercely kept me between them.

Unable to see past the bodies, I peered at the eager faces then wanted to share in the merriment.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Venturesome,” Fiercely replied hefting me up so I could see. “A game of skill and cunning. He, Stronger than Mountain Rock is good.” He pointed at the Rä’Vek in a sleeveless hardsuit. “Spy the Waxing Moons has been Venturesome champion eight solars running though.”

The Rä knelt on bolsters facing each other, and next to them were ornamented, lacquered boxes.

Stronger than Mountain Rock placed a metal card etched with glyphs on a short stack. “I summon a mated razorbeast with poison dew claws.”

“Oooh,” the crowd murmured leaning forward.

“Brutal,” Venomous muttered.

Spy the Waxing Moons rubbed its cranial ridges then smiled, sly. “I block with my elder creature, and counter attack with an enchanted sand flurry cloaking a Viranid swarm.”

The Rä swelled forward on a rush of excited hisses.

Sucking in a breath, Venomous rocked back on his heels.

He laced the fingers of his upper hands behind his head, lower arms crossing. “An unstoppable move.”

Fiercely made a noise of agreement.

My eyebrows bounced to my hairline then I rolled my eyes to the glister creep, motioned for Fiercely to lower me.

I thanked him with a kiss to his warm cheek on the way down.

“Venomous!”

The knife-like cry stabbed through the enclosure.

Wincing as a group, we turned to find a robust female in a voluminous teal softsuit bearing down upon us.

“My precious offspring!”

Smiling, a smidgen forced, but with genuine affection softening his features, Venomous embraced the female. “Mother.”

“I am happy to see you.” She pressed her brow to his, the gliding motion lingering. “You have grown.” She leaned back and grabbed his shoulders, giving them a shake. “Male, and strong, but we knew you would be.” Her face creased. “I have missed you.”

His head cocked and his voice grew tight. “So much, you were not there when I came home to introduce my clan?”

Her face dropped.

It sprung back with an impish smirk. “You know how busy I get.”

“No matter.” Disengaging, he twisted to me then cupped my cheek. “Mother, this is my Lumen of the Stars, my life mate.” He urged me forward. “Dearest, this is my life giver, She Venin Stings the Sweetest.”

Hostility and revulsion pulsed off Venin in waves.

Overpowering, hot, thick, the solid intensity of it made me shaky and feel unwell.

Mumbling, “Good greetings,” I stepped back.

I know it seemed timid, but I was upset.

Hatred rolled off the female I didn’t even know, and who was supposed to be family.

Picking up on my distress, Fiercely moved to my back then placed a hand on my waist.

Gaze snagging on the soothing gesture, Venin’s lip curled.

Her eyes twitched to Venomous then she plastered on a smile. “I must see to your fathers. I shall see you again in the Senate Quarter.”

She patted his cheek then sashayed off.

Venomous’ voice was cold. “You have not greeted my mate, nor my nest mate. I have not told you of my good tidings.”

“Later,” she called over her shoulder then was swallowed by the crowd.

“That went well,” I muttered and rubbed my face.

I’d known from the start when she hadn’t shown at the reunion it was going to be bad, but I hadn’t realised it be that sucky.

Peering after his mother, Venomous’ wide shoulders drooped.

He turned to me with a rueful expression. “It will get better.”

“Of course it will,” I replied with cheer and conviction I didn’t feel. “I grow on people, like fungus.”

He laughed. “No, like fresh scented mentha, dearest.”

Fiercely gave me a squeeze. “My kindred are anxious to meet you.”

“I’m looking forward to it, sweetheart.”

The personal communicator in Venomous’ thigh pocket bleeped, and he pulled it out to glance at the screen. “It is time.”

We left the hot, noisy festival hall and strolled into the starry, cooler night.

The haunting groan of stabled goodbeasts, and trickling of water from the aqueducts calmed me after the bombardment of the celebration.

I tucked away snippets of conversation, and slight facial gestures, to mull over them when I was alone.

“Am I supposed to say or do anything?” I asked. “Is it tradition to bow a certain way?”

Venomous nipped the back of my hand. “Do as you have done this moon. A dip of the head to knowledge an introduction.”

“Other people do a proper hand on heart bow.”

“You are my mate. You are not lesser, so there is no need.”

Pondering that pronouncement, we entered the archway of the haze into the Senate Quarter vestibule, and then navigated the imposing crystal passageways.

The architecture was glorious, but I’d seen too many dazzling structures to get excited at the sweeping quartz walls, polished stone columns, and twinkling vines woven into the rafters.

We came to a cavernous room where a trio of robed forms sat crossed-legged in a line.

Behind them were lancet windows spanning the length and breadth of the wall.

Shafts of bluish moonlight shone upon them as if they were celestial beings made flesh.

Venin Stings the Sweetest was seated next to Wind Dancer, and watched us gain our own seats with a glare of loathing fixed on me.

Venomous directed me to my own thickly stuffed cushion.

He offered a bow. “Elders. This is my Rä’Na, She, Lumen of the Stars.” He faced me. “You know my father. The Elder to his left is She, Calm as Thunder. The a’Rä to his right, Elder Dare Viper to Bite.”

The three genders were represented equally on the Senate.

I inclined my head. “Good greetings.”

Calm as Thunder smiled. “I bid you welcome, and offer congratulations.” She patted her stomach. “New life is a blessing I have not yet known.”

She slid a glance at her Rä’Vek seated beside her.

He gave her a fond look. “We are hopeful.”

“Pleasantries aside,” Dare Viper to Bite said, brisk, “You are here to address the matter of citizenship.” He looked at Venomous. “We have debated it, and your Rä’Na must partake in the bonding practice of our people. We will not grant residency without it.”

Surprised, I made a soft noise.

I hadn’t realised Venomous had taken my comments into deliberation, and had considered skipping the ceremony.

“The ritual piercing is not required, we are aware it would damage her,” Calm as Thunder added, “but certain people are anxious. We need to dispel paranoia Lumen is something to fear. Taking part in the tradition, holding festival, will see to it more than our platitudes.”

Chest heaving on a sigh, Venomous turned to me.

I swallowed not able to speak.

“Clearly she cannot accept our ways,” Venin said on a huff. “Perhaps it would be better to send her back to her home world. Back to this Earth, where she can be amongst her own species.”

Tensing, Fiercely made a rumbling noise.

“And our offspring?” Venomous asked in a quiet tone that meant bad things.

Venin hesitated. “There are ways–”

“Sending Lumen of the Stars back to her Earth is not a matter for discussion,” Wind Dancer cut in seeing the choked fury rising in his son. “She is mated to two of our males, and carries their young. She remains here. What is to be decided is how to go about the lesser mating tradition.”

“Will you compromise?” Calm as Thunder asked. “Accept a lesser mate during the bonding ceremony, so we can assure the populace you are one of us? Your rights will have been met, and you will have the understanding of this Senate, your life mates and your lesser male that you do not need to partake in clutch when his pheromones leave your body.”

I cupped my forehead, elbow on my knee.

It was a compromise, but I could tell it was a nonnegotiable one.

If I declined, my mating with Venomous and Fiercely would not be seen as legitimate to the Rä people.

I would not be seen as Rä, I would not be allowed to remain on Rök.

Even if I could get around the residency issue, it seemed risky to not try and integrate to the best of my ability.

I never wanted to deal with a situation where my rights, or the rights of my hatchling were brought into question because we were not considered true citizens.

I didn’t want to be seen at the standoffish, biased alien.

I wanted to fit in, to be accepted, and that was what they were trying to do, but it pissed me right off I had to have sex with some random male, no matter how attractive, in public, to do so.

My sexual appetite was healthy, but it went hand in hand with commitment.

I didn’t know Cobra that Strikes.

Putting what they asked into perspective, it seemed overwhelming.

I hadn’t even grown comfortable enough with Fiercely yet to make love to him, let alone a stranger.

I muttered, “You’ve picked Cobra then?”

Venomous hissed, the low sound relieved. “Yesss. He is our choice.”

“He accepted.”

“Yesss,” Fiercely doubly established.

Weary, I looked at the Elders. “May I please have some time to adjust and make peace with this?”

“Yesss,” Calm as Thunder agreed and not unkindly. “It is decided then. We shall make the relevant announcements in the matrix feeds. May the Great Serpent shelter you until we meet again.”

As we walked to the exit, Venin rushed to waylay us.

Well, to waylay Venomous.

She ignored me and Fiercely. “Did you speak to He, Murk of the Gloaming?”

“Yesss, I did.”

“Good. I am proud. You are a strong provider, and the ideal lesser mate for She, Bright as Moon Glow.”

My head snapped around so hard ligaments in my neck popped. “I beg your pardon.” My eyes pinged between them. “Who is becoming what to whom?”

Pulling me into his side, Venomous lifted a hand for me to calm when I struggled. “I declined the request.”

Venin froze. “You did what?”

“Lumen is not comfortable with the tradition.” He inhaled. “I find myself agreeing with her views. The mere thought of clutch with another is repellent. I will never be a lesser mate.”

Mouth pushing out, Fiercely slipped a considering look my way. “It will please you if I vow the same?”

I nodded with such force, I gave myself a headache.

“Then I shall deny the requests I have received too.”

“Requests,” I breathed my pulse jumping, voice climbing. “As in plural?”

“You may not decline,” Venin spat. “It suggests you think him dishonourable, and he is distant kindred.”

“Not that I needed to, but out of high regard, I explained my decision in depth to Murk of the Gloaming. He was disappointed, but respects my answer. So must you.”

“Venomous–”

He brushed his brow scales across hers. “Good parting, mother.”

Outside under the cool light of third moon, numbed, I stared at the dark sand and let Venomous pick me up then carry me to the goodbeast.

Fiercely walked behind us, close, but quiet.

Mounted, plodding home, half way through the journey Venomous pressed his cheek to mine, and his arm tightened around my middle.

He held me against his thumping hearts. “Cobra is a good choice, my Lumen.”

“I don’t want to do it,” I whispered a spiced breeze ruffling my hair, watching the monochromatic landscape shift under the same eddy of wind. “You’re not, Fiercely’s not. I shouldn’t have to either.”

“You will forgive us, I think.”

I said nothing.

When we arrived at the lair, I let them undress me, wash me then put me into our warm, cosy nest.

Shivering, finally, tears streaked down my temples.

I was the only human, an alien, on a planet so far from my own.

Rä culture dazzled and frightened me.

I didn’t fit in, and I worried I never would.

Going home wasn’t an option because I was in love, and falling in love.

I was having a baby, and its life would be filled with suffering if I didn’t find it within myself to bridge the gap between my beliefs and those of its father.

Venomous draped himself over and around me.

Fiercely hummed me a lullaby.

They took care of me until I slept.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Cycles had passed, and still, memories of the festival where Venomous and Fiercely showed me what happened during a bonding ceremony disturbed my sleep, and dominated my waking thoughts.

Lips parting, I groaned then flung an arm over my face, blocking out the weak light from the glister creep.

Fiercely was too matter-of-fact about the bonding ceremony for me to have an ally in him, but Venomous?

He felt the dread of it as much as I did, not for the same reasons though.

Our time on the slave planet formed a strong bond.

What he once considered a time-honoured ceremony now caused unease.

He acknowledged the culture clash and it disturbed him.

I wasn’t happy he felt that way, but I did feel relief, however, when he displayed reservations over the ritual.

It revealed on an unconscious level, he recognised my right to choose what I wanted wasn’t being respected.

Consciously, he wasn’t impatient to get me up on that nest where he would watch He, Cobra that Strikes gentle me.

Toes curling, I shivered.

I’d never been comfortable with the lesser mate tradition.

After meeting the male they’d chosen, I still wasn’t okay with it, although, I agreed their choice suited me.

Even if I didn’t find Cobra pleasing, contesting who they picked had never been a consideration for three reasons.

A, I originally thought I’d be able to get out of it.

B, I didn’t know any other males.

C, my mates would never pick someone who wasn’t honourable in the ways that mattered to me, and them.

So, my emotions were confusing, intense and plentiful, but I wasn’t angry.

I disliked the thought of the lesser mate part of the bonding ceremony, but it wasn’t being enforced to upset me.

It was a way of life for the Rä, as commonplace as any rite of passage on Earth, and my refusal to adapt, to become one of them was alarming, and inappropriate in their eyes.

The real issue for me?

I didn’t have a choice!

Okay, so I had expected the Rä to be a violent, warmongering species.

Even knowing the inner goodness of my mates, I’d used their ‘barbaric’ appearance to judge what lay beneath.

Truth, they were a peaceable, sophisticated people that tolerated me, notwithstanding personal opinions viewing my mating with Venomous and Fiercely as misguided.

Admittedly, I wasn’t wholly understanding of why they felt it unwise.

I gathered from snippets of ‘overheard’ conversations there were those who fretted over our crossbreed offspring.

Most of the talk revolved around fear of what the blending meant for the future of Rök’s restrictive stance on offworlders.

Change seemed to frighten the Rä.

Or maybe it was something that occurred in the history of their species that caused the disquiet?

For all the scandalized stares, chill greetings, never did anyone make me feel as if my life were in danger.

After what I’d experienced on the slave planet then during interstellar space travel, that was good enough for me.

I was pregnant, Venomous and Fiercely were in hyper protective mode, so I didn’t know the minutiae of the political situation caused by my arrival, but I was aware of its existence.

Chiefly because Venomous held to his promise.

He discussed with me the rumours concerning us circulating the planet, and relayed the concerns brought up to be debated during the Senate conclaves, and what he’d argued to mitigate them.

Fiercely categorically did not follow this open, trusting behaviour.

Realising I wouldn’t hold my tongue, nor overlook discussions he felt were inappropriate for me to hear, he began waylaying me with trivial errands when he needed to speak to Venomous.

I caught onto the ploy at once; I was pregnant, not simple.

The deception put me on guard, and caused a great deal of resentment.

One moon, as I retuned from digging around in the garden for a root plant he mentioned he wanted with last meal, I discovered him whispering to Venomous.

It was a blatant attempt to keep me oblivious.

So, that first time, I didn’t freak out like a hormonal mess.

Hurt, but calm, I sat him down and expressed his behaviour upset me.

“We’re a team,” I said. “A clan building trust. We must respect each other.”

“I respect you,” Fiercely protested.

“Do you? Situations affecting us as a clan need to be discussed as a clan. Keeping me in the dark is not only dangerous, but disrespectful. Okay?”

He’d hissed and hugged me, so I thought he’d understood.

However, Fiercely Comes the Night proved once again that males are males no matter where you go in the universe.

What we discussed went in one pointy, gold-studded ear then escaped out the other.

The second time I caught him whispering to Venomous in a corner, it was about Venin Stings the Sweetest.

She had reached out to his kindred hoping to find support for her protests against our union.

I again sat Fiercely down to explain he needed to talk to me about his concerns.

His impassioned comeback enlightened me as to the drive behind his behaviour.

“You are with egg.” His arms were crossed, chin lifted as he stared me down.

He’d shot to his feet when I rehashed my R.E.S.P.E.C.T speech of before, and yes, I did break out into song.

“You are supposed to be sequestered,” he said, “thinking only of the hatchling. These matters will cause you undue stress.”

“Okay, sweetheart.” I inhaled to keep my composure, and clasped a lower hand. I squeezed his rigid fingers when he didn’t grip back. “First, thank you for protecting us.” I rubbed the slight curve of my stomach. I loved to touch it almost as much as he did. “I appreciate it. Now, I need you to hear me when I say I’m feeling more stressed by not knowing what’s going on. I sense the tension in you and Venom. It bothers me. Please, in future, talk to me.”

A cycle later, I waddled off to cook lunch, as he was hungry, but backtracked to ask if he wanted poached Zýt eggs instead of mylkgrain.

I was allergic to the eggs, but I knew he liked them.

Stopping outside the living enclosure, head cocking at the hushed argument occurring inside, I eavesdropped on his hurried explanation to Venomous why he had turned Singing Water and two other Rä’Na away from the lair the rotation before.

He feared their judgements on my alien physique and hesitation to do the bonding ceremony would upset me.

Also, that they would repeat a growing belief our ‘freakish’ hatchling would end up a mutated nightmare.

Of course such bullshit might upset me.

The real problem was his controlling manipulations and lies over things I felt capable of handling myself upset me more.

To elevate our relationship to the next level, he needed to trust me, involve me in what he was doing and thinking.

He needs to care about what I think, and take my opinions into account.

Fiercely didn’t get it.

I’d told him flat out to communicate over things that effected us as a clan, that effected me, and he just did not freaking get it.

That third time, listening to him prattle on, knowing his actions patronised my intelligence, demeaned me in front of Venomous, my vision glazed red.

I lost my motherfucking mind.

From that point on, we didn’t speak to each other without going at it like goodbeasts with locked tusks wrestling for territory.

“I refuse to be civil towards someone who lies to my face then demands I show affection, as if nothing is wrong.”

“I am protecting you,” Fiercely raged as he loomed over me. “You are ungrateful!”

“Kiss my natural black ass. I don’t need your protection right now. What I need is your respect, or else this,” my bladed hand stabbed between us, “won’t work.”

Arguments about his domineering behaviour frequently ended in tears and screaming (me) and snarling hisses (him).

One moon, I yelled, “No matter how many times I tell you not to keep important shit from me, it never takes hold. Why won’t you listen?”

As I came to no physical harm during these clashes, Venomous refused to get in the middle, or accept they caused me psychological harm, as I tried to argue.

He was right to do so, as I wasn’t coming to harm.

I was just pissed.

“I need you to support me in this,” I gritted to Venomous in the aftermath of a bad squabble. “When you talk to him without me you’re enabling him.”

“Dearest, I must discuss these things with my nest mate.” Sighing, he cupped my wobbling chin. “Though I will not do so if it is clear you could be part of the discussion. Is this compromise agreeable?”

“See, you get it. Compromise. Why doesn’t he?”

At my urging, Venomous explained the benefits of what I sought, and how it deepened the love connection; a deeper connection Fiercely pushed for whilst throwing in my face I showed one mate favour over the other, implying it was bad manners for my part.

He even took offence Venomous dared get involved.

While I understood Venomous wasn’t picking a side (much to my annoyance) that was how my second mate perceived his giving advice during a disagreement.

Frustrated, I had propped my fisted hands on Venomous’ broad chest, putting my back to Fiercely, brooding over my failure to make him understand the reasons why I needed him to talk to me about what was going on.

Venomous held the back of my neck as he kissed me the Rä way. “This is between you and your second. It is not my place to interfere.”

He was right, of course, as he often was.

Insufferable know it all.

As primary mate, he could tell Fiercely to do as I said.

Such heavy handedness would create a tenser atmosphere than we already lived in, though.

Not wanting to fight both males, I dropped my insistence he exert his dominance for a quick-fix.

Taking comfort from him, I’d snuggled closer and glared over my shoulder at Fiercely, who glowered, watching the exchange with covetous eyes. “Stop looking at me like that. You’re the one keeping our love from thriving. I’ve told you what I need. You’re choosing not to give it to me.”

Fiercely’s nostrils flared. “And you are choosing not to follow my customs.”

“I can only compromise so much.” Changing who I was simply to please him was not in my nature. “You’re refusing to bend at all. It won’t get better between us until you acknowledge that and do something about it.”

“Refusing to bend? I altered my perception of beauty for you. Is that not change enough?”

Fuming, I ripped away from Venomous to get in his space.

I jabbed a finger against his chest. “What have you changed aside from that and the province you live in? I don’t see you doing human customs to make me more comfortable, and you’re not the only one who had to adjust to our physical differences.”

“Thsst! We did dating!” He stiffened. “And I am prepared to suffer clutch your human way.”

“We had one date, during which we got kicked out of the bloody restaurant. You believe that buys you a lifetime of breaking my back as I pander to the Rä traditions you throw at me?” My eyes narrowed. “And don’t worry about having to suffer clutch. You aren’t touching me until I’m satisfied we’re connecting as we should be.”

To that, he’d bellowed, “I would never break your back.”

Amidst this quarrelling, there were other stressors disrupting ‘the peace in our lair’ as Venomous said.

Their fear for my safety was relentless.

I spent the first cycles on Rök clueless to the reality of my situation, despite numerous softly-worded hints then more harshly delivered warnings.

Venomous lectured me on my awareness of my surroundings, and asked me to be on the look out for potential threats.

Feeling safe in our refined, sheltered neighbourhood, I failed to comprehend the panic.

I pranced around far less cautious than he considered necessary.

In my mind, there was nothing to fear.

Compared to the traumatising slave auctions then the terrifying L’Odo slave planet, Rök was a five star resort, only free, with gorgeous males catering to my whims.

As I wasn’t brave enough to ride a goodbeast alone, and couldn’t pilot a glider, yet, when I travelled to the inner city marketplace to shop, I used public transport.

There was graffiti on the poorly maintained seats, litter under the benches.

The announcement system was croaky, and the timetable all screwed up.

So it was just like riding the trains underground back on Earth.

Only the carriages flew aboveground, and were free of charge.

Whispers and stares from the Rä didn’t bother me much.

I was used to it, and I felt certain they’d become accustomed to the alien in their midst sooner or later.

I took rambling walks across the green sand dunes using the twisting building spires as a roadmap if I happened to misplace my personal communicator.

It had a lair locator beacon I found handy when completely turned about.

On hotter rotations, where there were no clouds to lessen the sun’s burn, I explored the underground caves near the outskirts.

I went as deep as my courage allowed, aware cave-ins were common and dangerous.

The plant life I glimpsed in the caverns was breathtaking, and I swore once I wasn’t pregnant, I’d grab my males to go back and explore in depth.

I thought the nature I’d seen out on the sand plains was beautiful.

It was nothing compared to the beauty hidden underground.

Rotations I was too tired to leave the lair, I taught myself how to cook, cleaned, and spent hours playing with the adorable Zýt, letting it lead me to its hidey-holes, and stroking it until its sinuous body writhed in paroxysms of delight.

For the most part, my eyes were fixed in a state of rounded awe as I roamed my new home.

Excitement became a familiar sensation as I gorged my senses on experiencing the regional culture; culture that thrilled even as it terrified me.

Lured by the exotic beauty of Rök, I forgot the landscape, while extraordinary, was treacherous.

It overflowed with perils my puny human body hadn’t evolved with, and was, therefore, in no way equipped to deal with unless vigilant.

I had pregnancy fugue, so vigilant, I was not.

One rotation, I failed to remember to activate the haze as I meandered off.

I returned laden with parcels, calling a greeting to whoever was home.

Waking from a nap, Venomous sauntered into the living enclosure.

He greeted me with a sexy smirk that transformed into an expression of utter, unrelieved terror.

Arms going slack, I dropped my burdens, eyes darting. “B-Babe?” I startled when he charged me, much like he did the first moment we met.

Snatching me into his arms, he plucked me off the floor as a thumb-sized stinger struck the ground where my foot had been about to land.

Heart skipping, wide-eyed, I slung my arms around his neck.

I cringed at the fist-sized creature’s spiny bristles and snapping pincers. “What the hell is that thing?”

“Viranid.” He kicked the scuttling, poisonous insect out the haze then solidified it with a nonchalant thought.

The considerable weight of his disapproval crashed on me. “I have told you to be careful.”

“But I didn’t even see it.”

“Viranid have a natural camouflage.” Chest heaving as he struggled to calm, he shuddered at how close I’d come to a deadly sting. “They like the cooler atmosphere inside our lairs.” He’d set me down on the divan after he’d checked it over then searched the rest of the lair. He routed four more of the insects. “Two were in the nest,” he informed me struggling not to shout. He cautioned me never to leave the haze open and unattended. “What if next time I am not here, Rä’Na? You must take more care.” He dry washed his face then ran his hands over his quills with a fatigued sigh. “Perhaps it is best if we install the hatchling haze early.”

Face lowering, my cheeks heated. “I’m not a hatchling.”

Without doubt, I didn’t want to be treated like one, not to mention precautionary measures of that nature would provide Fiercely ammunition not to tell me things.

Chastened, more than freaked, I swore to be more careful.

I was good, for a few cycles, but complacency relaxed my guard.

As I tried to figure out what to do with my life, and explored my options, I grew interested in Rä husbandry, a trade falling into a subset of the Hunters Caste.

While the Hunters were paid well by their clans to hunt fresh meat, commercial flocks were maintained as secondary provisions.

These farmed droves were cultivated for emergencies.

The Rä learned from their ancestors the adverse effects animal and crop monoculture caused their planet.

It had endangered their survival as a species.

So the Senate only allowed access to the herds in the direst of need, such as a plague in the undomesticated animals, or when the sandstorms that passed were so fierce, they disrupted the migratory habits of the wild game.

I found the agricultural practice fascinating.

As my new life had become about experiencing life to its fullest, and not taking anything for granted, I ventured farther from the safety of our district into the rural areas to learn more firsthand.

Second moon waning, I observed friendly a’Rä shepherds as they drove a groaning herd of goodbeasts to a waterhole before being put out to pasture for the night.

I trotted behind to watch the process from beginning to end, and decided it was too much physical labour to be suitable for me, but found it interesting nonetheless.

Humming a tune I’d heard at a recent festival, I picked wild flowers growing from tufted blue grass.

Dusk fell, casting purple shadows over the sand.

Engrossed in the plants, and lulled by the sounds of nature, I didn’t see how dark it had become.

Third moon crested the inky horizon before I took in my environs, and realised I needed to head home.

I was put out to realise I’d lost track of the herd, and hadn’t a clue where they’d disappeared to.

There were tracks in the sand, but they told me nothing about what direction they went in; not that I’d ever learned to read animal tracks.

Which direction is homebound?

Stalking forward, heedless, I near tumbled down a hundred foot dune then off a cliff that opened into an underground cave.

Ironically, the cave was the location of the waterhole and my missing herd.

So, I would have found them.

I’d just would have been broken, bleeding and clinging to life when I did.

Now, I appreciated that if I had been Rä, I would have felt the earth move different as I approached the crest of the mound.

I’d have taken more care with my footing, known not to trust my eyes in the moonlight.

But I was human, clumsy and distracted.

Stood at the edge of the precipice, my arms pin wheeled as I squeaked.

I tried to throw my weight backwards, but my centre of balance had changed.

Gravity took hold, tugging me forward as the sand gave way under my feet.

I skipped back trying to outrun the slippage, but it was a losing battle.

A wedge of bank gave, and I careened forward with a panicked scream.

Fiercely swooped in to save me.

He snagged my waist, hauled me into him then lunged free of the slippage as the ridge of sediment crumbled to avalanche down the chasm.

Fiercely landed sure footed on solid earth with me tucked to his armoured side.

He adjusted me into the pannier-like hold of his arms. “My Rä’Na.” He searched my face, brushed shaking claws over my flushed cheekbone. “You are unharmed?”

“Y-Yes.” I clutched his shoulders fighting to draw a full breath. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Thank you.” My heartbeat slowed, and my quivering eased. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not freaking stoked to see you. Your timing is flawless.”

“I returned to the lair, found you gone then set out after you.”

Steadying, I gazed at him with admiration. “How did you find me all the way out here?”

“Warriors spend a solar with the Hunters Caste learning how to track.”

I studied the tick in his rigid jaw. “You seem angry.”

“Thsst!” was the beginning of a cutting lecture that turned the tips of my ears red, and had my eyes swimming with tears.

He carried me the whole way home, refusing to put me down when I struggled.

Embarrassing me in front of our gawking neighbours, he gave me such a stern talking to, I threatened I wouldn’t talk to him for a whole cycle.

Being towed around like a naughty child infuriated me.

“Let me go,” I cried. “Stop and let me walk.”

He did put me down when we passed through the haze, only to haul me through the lair, so fast, my toes barely touched the ground.

“Fool,” he barked keeping his hold firm and moving faster. “You never listen. Stubborn. Wilful. Stupid.” Holding onto my arm firmly, but not hurting, he pushed me down onto the soft bundle of the nest. He thrust his furious face in mine. “If I had not checked on you, we would be scraping your pulverised corpse off the bottom of the gorge.”

Don’t get me wrong, I was downright grateful he’d saved me.

I understood why he was angry.

I’d risked my life by being scatter-brained, and come close to having a seriously bad accident.

I wasn’t grateful for how he scolded me in front of the whole bloody world then forbid me from leaving the nest until I learnt to pay attention.

I was new to the planet, and needed time to adjust.

I was never going to familiarize myself with my new home, my way of life, hiding inside the lair all rotation, every rotation.

“Do not,” I spat, “treat me like that again. Do not speak to me like that.” I rose up on my knees then shoved his granite shoulder. “Ever.”

“How many times must I say, for you, it is dangerous out there.” He flung out two muscled arms, claws scratching an unseen jeopardy. “You are too weak to wander alone.”

Feeling imprisoned in what was supposed to be my sanctuary, pissed at the derogatory manner in which he spoke, and how he viewed me as weak, I refused to back down or apologise for exploring.

We had a yelling match that shook the walls.

When we didn’t come to a peaceful solution, or at least a compromise well into the night, Venomous intervened.

He asked me to take one of them with me the next time I felt the need to explore.

I grudgingly agreed.

He also demanded Fiercely back off, which put the other male in a vile mood.

That awful fight had been the night before, and Fiercely left before I apologised for my part.

I lay in the nest, courting a headache as my mind refused to quiet.

I replayed the ferocious argument over and over, wondering if we’d ever reach a truce.

Teary, I cuddled into a fur that held Venomous’ wood and ginger scent.

Another smelt peppery, of Fiercely, so I grabbed that too because as much as he pissed me off, I cared for him.

I rubbed my face against the musky fuzz, the texture caressing my cheek almost as soft as my males’ touch.

I had to make this work with Fiercely, and I had to shake off my reservations about the lesser mating.

The last thing I wanted was for Venomous and Fiercely to be seen in a negative light.

Talk and exaggerated rumours already circulated the entire freaking planet because they brought home an ‘ugly’ offworlder.

Taking part in the bonding ceremony not only solidified my place in their lives, but would prove to my doubters I was determined not only to survive on Rök, but thrive.

I’d been given time to acclimatise because I was pregnant and my mates didn’t want to stress me, but I knew each day that passed where I didn’t vocalise my readiness to become theirs in the eyes of their kindred wounded them.

Fiercely already felt unsure of his welcome with me.

That in itself caused me constant worry.

With him everything was tumultuous.

If he’d been the first Rä to claim me, we’d have been perfectly happy, I’m sure.

Upon meeting Venomous, it all would have gone to shit, because he was meant to be my primary mate.

There was room in my heart to love Fiercely, of course there was, but it pained me that as I originally suspected, he expected me to act as I did with Venomous, with him.

His expectations were wrong.

The idea he would never accept, and appreciate what we did have scared me.

I could see the lines of tension between him and Venomous when we were in the same room and I did something affectionate for one and not the other, which made me hesitant to offer anyone affection at all.

The last thing I wanted to do was pit them against each other, but I refused to divvy out touches and kisses just to keep things equal.

I needed to be free to express my love as and when the desire moved me.

I had yet to make love to Fiercely, and I didn’t see it happening anytime in the near future until he got over his jealousy.

Our first kiss set me afire, and I wanted him, badly, but I simply wasn’t ready to go there until I knew we connected as we should.

Speaking of not ready....

He, Cobra that Strikes’ face floated into my mind’s eye.

Huddling into the furs, I shuddered.

Fiercely mentioned the hunter would view me in a possessive light, as it was to be his duty to guard me, and care for me if my mates perished, but the way he acted when around me seemed too uncomfortable.

Yet instead of avoiding me, I had an inkling he sought me out....

He has a Rä’Na.

I kept this in mind whilst dealing with him, to soothe my fears, and keep my shameless ogling in line.

The whole thing was going to be a disaster.

I felt it, but no one believed me.

I sensed a hovering presence, and my eyes fluttered open, brows pulling together as my head lifted, so I could look around.

Gasping then recoiling, I peered into She, Venin Stings the Sweetest’s face.

What the Rä’Na was doing in my nest, I did not know.

I did not like it.

It was rude, and totally out of order.

Who marched into someone’s bedroom then boggled at them sleeping until they woke?

It was creepy and disrespectful, and something the majority of Rä would never entertain even if they didn’t like me.

But she was Venomous’ mother.

I felt obligated to carve out some semblance of a familial relationship.

Stifling a yawn with the back of my hand, I managed a tight smile that failed to reach my eyes.

“You will get up and come.” The older female stripped back the warm furs. “We will go now.”

Be the bigger person, turn the other cheek.

“Good morning.” At her contemptuous look, I revised that to, “Good rising.”

I coughed to clear my croaky voice, rubbed crusts of sleep from the innermost corners of my hooded eyes.

All that sand.

I often woke with dry eyes and a sore throat.

“I didn’t expect you,” I said.

Hazy from sleep, I took a moment to move my thoughts beyond my dislike of her.

“Did Venom or Fiercely leave me a message before they left?” I asked.

“Up.” She slapped at my legs, stinging them. “Up.”

Rubbing the abused area, I gritted my teeth.

Wanting to please my mate by getting his mother onboard with our relationship, I did as asked, without cursing, and unpacked the softsuits Venomous bought me at the market from the trunk at the foot of the nest.

I asked, “Would you mind if I bathed?”

“There is no time. You are going to make me late. Get dressed.”

“Want to get out?”

“Do you have something to hide? More disfigurements? Is your body as unsightly bare as it is clothed?”

Counting to ten to give a violent wave of anger a chance to diminish, I dragged the shift I slept in off then chucked it to the floor at her feet.

A flattering shade of taupe, the softsuit I donned, made in the clinging fabric the Rä preferred for casual wear, accentuated my creamy brown skin.

The simple lines and colour really worked for me.

The design and fabric were practical in nature, yet I looked curvaceous and elegant.

I fluffed my springy hair, hoping it didn’t look too wild then glanced at Venin Stings the Sweetest.

She hadn’t spoken in a full minute, so unlike her.

She loved the sound of her own voice.

The older Rä’Na stared, dark gaze crawling up and down me.

As we were alone, she didn’t bother hide her disdain. “My son says you are beautiful to his brille. He calls you exotic.” She spat the word, as if it tasted foul. “You are attractive to your species?”

I thought about that.

Be honest, or exaggerate in hopes of impressing her? “I’m average.” And happy with myself fuck you very much.

I’d never felt self conscious about my big hair, curvy body and skin colour.

I wasn’t about to start, no matter how strange these people found me.

Venomous and Fiercely saw something in me they considered beautiful.

That was all I cared about.

“Rä look identical to the human eye at first,” I said hoping to steer the conversation in a less antagonistic direction. This female will not break me. “There are differences obvious to you that weren’t to me. It’s becoming easier for me to recognise people at a glance. Human skin tones are much more, uh, divergent in shade, but less in colour. Same with our hair, eyes, body shapes.”

“You are fat heavy.”

One could never accuse her of not speaking her mind.

“I suppose, to you, I am. Humans can be very fat or thin. Females carry extra weight on their breasts, thighs, hips and bottom.” Basking in the growing warmth I felt while thinking of the miracle Venomous and I created against the odds, my hand fluttered up to rest on my middle. “Because we carry children.”

Following the motion of my hand, Venin’s face curdled.

She shuddered. “Your skin is sticky to touch and colours oddly.”

“I sweat,” I replied my face tight.

It gladdened me she skipped saying anything derogatory about my baby.

I wouldn’t hold back if she went there.

It’d be awkward for Venomous to come home, and find his mother passed out on the floor because I’d screamed in her ear.

“I know that’s bizarre to you,” I said, “but it’s how my body works. It’s how I don’t overheat in the sun. As for my skin.” I shrugged. “Again, humans come in all shapes, colours and sizes. Most are a nice mix, and fall somewhere in-between each end of the scale. We don’t all look muscled as Rä do. In fact, few do. We’re predisposed to carry fat from our hunter-gatherer ancestors.”

Venin Stings the Sweetest hissed.

The crackling quality to the sound was disparaging.

I wished I could go back to not hearing the subtle differences in the sounds my new family made.

It’d be easier to ignore the ones that barely tolerated me then.

Making a grumpy noise, I crossed my arms, expression sullen and stance defensive.

I waited to be told why I’d been ousted from the cosy nest that smelt like my males. “Is there somewhere we’re meant to be going, or something you’ve planned where I’m needed?”

I didn’t want to be disrespectful or seem rude, I was rising above it, but I was sleepy, and had a double helping on my plate.

I needed thinking time to obsess over my nightmare bonding ceremony.

Something else important came to mind.

“We have to be quick. Singing Water is coming just before second moon to give me a cooking lesson, and I’ve slept most of the morning away.” I smiled thinking of Cobra that Strikes’ mate. “I have no idea how to prepare most of the food, and she offered to help.”

“Your plans with She, Singing Water have changed.” Venin waved an imperious hand. “You have no need to learn such things. Use the Sylphs.”

“I’m not yet comfortable with the Sylphs. None stay here, so, my plans with Singing Water are important and have not changed.”

The matriarch looked disgusted. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, but–”

“Then we will go.”

I gave her palm. “Let me holocall Singing Water first. Then we can go.”

Aggravated by her high-handedness and lack of respect, I stomped past before she replied.

In the living enclosure, I used voice control to navigate the communications matrix as Fiercely had demonstrated during my first cycle.

You could tap the screen, or issue mental commands, but the former made me miss my Earth gadgets, and the latter gave me headaches if I did too much too often.

Itching my scalp, I hoped Singing Water would see how sorry I was to change our plans last minute.

The dainty Rä’Na appeared in life size before me in full shape and colour.

I adored Rä technology.

It looked and sounded as if she were in the room with me.

“Lumen of the Stars.” Singing Water gave me a mystified smile. “Is all well?”

“Yes. Good rising. I wanted to let you know our cooking lesson might have to be pushed to tomorrow if I’m not back from.... Uh....” I turned to look over my shoulder at Venin Stings the Sweetest who floated into the room behind me. “Where are we going?”

“To meet a trader at the spaceport,” she replied without her usual spew of rancour. “He owes me jewels. I thought to take you along, show you the sights.”

I made a face. “Isn’t Rök a closed world?”

“Approved traders may land to refuel. Such is a stipulation for being registered to the Intergalactic Alliance. Our laws say offworlders who use this service cannot leave the spaceport.” Her thin lips winched into a stiff smile. “My Rä’Vek mentioned you dislike being sequestered all rotation, and how your mates must accompany you outside the lair.” Another haughty hand gesture. “As they are busy until third moon, I merely thought to relieve your boredom before your hatching traps you nesting.”

“Oh.” I blinked. “That’s actually nice. Thanks.” Surprised, I turned back to Singing Water and opened my eyes wide. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all,” she was quick to reply with a flighty movement of her claws.

Disappointed, I slumped.

I’d been looking forward to spending one on one time with a Rä female that didn’t hate me.

My males wanted this Rä’Na’s Rä’vek to be my lesser mate, and I was dying to get to know her better.

Maybe we’d end up being friends rather than just acquaintances.

No harm in being hopeful, right?

“I know.” I gave a little jump and clap. “Why don’t you come with us. We can go to the spaceport then go to lunch, and then shopping.”

Singing Water and Venin Stings the Sweetest exchanged a look.

The younger female broke away first. “Unfortunately, I cannot,” she murmured her face lowering. “She, Venin Stings the Sweetest commed me at first moon with your change of plans. I amended my day. I am going to the market with Cooler Sky who is visiting from the West. I have kindred there who left my home province when I was a hatchling. I am eager to see Cooler Sky.” Her voice dropped quiet. “Sincerest apologies, She, Lumen of the Stars. Perhaps there will be another time.”

“Of course there will be. No worries.” I smiled big to reassure her and hide my distress. “It’s my plans that changed after all. Well, good parting.” Before I could wonder if her stricken look was real or a figment of my imagination, the call ended, and the hologram winked out.

An a’Rä I didn’t recognise passed through the haze bringing with it a trail of sand and hot, fruity air.

It ignored me, and addressed Venin Stings the Sweetest. “What is taking so long?” A short glance at me. “The planetary shield cannot remain deactivated for long. We must not miss them. They land within two-span.”

Venin Stings the Sweetest barely waited for me to slip on my sandals before she shoved me towards the haze after the a’Rä.

She kept putting hands on me.

The next time, she’d draw back a bloody stump.

Weighty body slithering over my foot, the Zýt’s muscled length rose up to my shoulder and blocked my way.

Wedge-shaped head tilting, her tongue flickered.

Flaring scarlet in colour, her tail rattled.

Intrigued, I hesitated because I didn’t recognise the rhythm.

I knew her ‘I’m happy to see you’ and ‘feed me treats’ noises rather well.

The rest confused me as they were similar.

Shrugging, I stroked under her chin then nudged her aside.

She seemed unharmed.

I’d figure out her noises eventually, but right then wasn’t the time to puzzle over it.

Venin Stings the Sweetest was running late after stopping to pick me up.

Overbearing as her behaviour was, she too was making an effort by including me.

I wondered if Venomous had had a word with her.

I knew her discrimination troubled him, and he wanted us to bond.

Last thing I needed was to make her miss the trader and get all cranky.

I tried to move around the Zýt, stepping over her coils seemed rude, but she shifted and danced until I stopped with a noise of exasperation.

“Enough,” Venin snapped, shoving past.

Rattle sounding like a swarm of angry bees, the Zýt snapped at her throat, head darting in a striking motion that made Venin skitter.

Is she picking up on the I hate my mother-in-law vibes?

Venomous mentioned the Zýt were sensitive and attuned to the family they nested with.

Alarmed by her aggressive behaviour, worried she learned bad manners from me, I paused long enough to give her a kiss on her head. “Behave. I’ll be home soon. We’ll have a nice long snuggle and nap. I’ll even feed you some of those disgusting, cricket-looking things you love.”

Drawing my hood up to shade me from the sun, I stepped through the haze and the rattling faded.

Climbing into the four-seat transport next to the pilot, who barely acknowledged me, I hunkered down in my seat feeling ill at ease by the lack of greeting.

Rä were not touchy-feely, but most were chatty, curious, and even if they didn’t like me they greeted me.

The a’Rä escorting us were taciturn the entire journey.

Music came from the transport speakers and relaxed me as I stared at the spectacular landscape.

Rök was a beautiful planet.

While occupied by higher life forms and peppered with cities and settlements, it retained a raw beauty Earth lacked outside of its uninhabited areas.

Second moon rose high in the sky with the sun.

I leaned on the side dash taking in the rolling, emerald dunes and the flashes of animal life when we slowed to turn a corner or descend into a ravine.

The droning engine died, and the transport landed.

I shimmied off my seat, lips pushed out.

The spaceport we’d driven to didn’t look familiar.

As She, Venin Stings the Sweetest and her attendant disembarked, the a’Rä pilot strode over then clamped something around my wrist.

Startled, I glanced down to see a manacle.

As I yanked back, he grabbed my other hand, slapping another circle of metal on.

Magnetised, the cuffs slammed into each other, yanking my arms together.

It took several scary hard thuds of my heart for the implications of what happened to sink in.

I looked around with wide eyes. Up at the a’Rä in white-faced shock. “I don’t understand.”

“Human, you do not belong here.”

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Swallowing, I twisted my face from the a’Rä shackling me to seek out Venin Stings the Sweetest. “W-Why are we here?”

She looked smug. “Finally, I am to be rid of you.”

Dread crept cold and dark though my veins. “I’m beginning to think....” I cut off. This is not happening. I’m meant to be safe here amongst these people. “Are you....” Again, words escaped me. My breathing hitched. “Are you leaving me here to die?”

Venin looked badly like she wanted to say yes.

I’d been warned time and time again by my males how dangerous it was for me to be outside alone.

We’d travelled for spans to the outskirts.

All they had to do was march me into the sand plain, turn me about then leave me to my fate.

I was a forgetful fool, so I didn’t have my personal communicator to call for help.

The sun would continue to shine relentlessly leaving me dehydrated and likely ambulating delusional circles.

No water; dead.

Stumble into a predator’s territory; dead.

Sting from a Viranid; dead.

Fall down too steep a slope, and snap my neck; dead.

Caught out in the brutal sandstorm Fiercely warned me of last moon; so freaking dead.

And those were the dangers I recalled off the top of my head.

Worst of all, neither of my mates knew I needed rescuing from my whacked out mother-in-law.

“No,” the a’Rä replied levelling an irritated look at Venin. “We are not leaving you here to die.”

“Okay,” I said evenly not appeased or reassured. “Do you mind telling me what is happening?”

I lifted my hands then waved them so it caught my meaning.

“You do not belong here. We are sending you to live in the care of those more like you.”

Nodding, my bound wrists lowered. “I see.”

No, I did not fucking see.

What else did one say when confronted with such utter bullshit?

How mercurial my life had become.

Suddenly, I was so not shocked or staggered by the turn of events.

The moment I became excited about spending the rest of my life with Venomous and Fiercely was the perfect moment for something shattering to occur.

I’d been through so much, it was difficult to drum up anything but a vague sense of disappointment and pain on Venomous’ behalf.

He would be beside himself when he discovered me missing.

When he deduced his mother was to blame, and he would work it out, he’d be devastated and feel betrayed.

“Venin,” I began, “I need you to listen to me. Carefully. This is a mistake. Take a moment to think. You’ll realise it too.”

The Rä’Na shook her bald head. “There is no mistake. My widowed offspring will grieve, but another will mate with him in time. He must be patient.” She sneered. “He will come to see your disappearance as best.”

“You can’t just give me away.” I was beginning to get flustered. “I trusted you. Venomous trusts you. This will destroy him, especially because it’s you doing it.”

“He will never know. I will tell him I took you out to the Empty Quarter to teach you its dangers, and like the deformed idiot you are, you wandered off alone into the wilderness. When they search for you there, find nothing, they will declare you dead. That will be the end of it.”

“That’s your plan? He won’t believe you.”

“You are wilful and I gave him life. Many times have you nearly come to death in an accident of your own making.” She drew herself up tall. “I will be believed. You will become no more than a shameful memory.” She motioned to the a’Rä. “I have witnesses to testify how I was distraught when we discovered you gone from the transport. All because you disobeyed, and roamed astray when our attention was diverted to finding your weak human body water.”

Incredulous, I gawked then eyeballed the a’Rä askance.

The seven foot giants flanking me barely paid me any mind.

They wanted me gone, wanted my strange offworlder presence off their precious planet.

My wrists hurt.

The manacles used to secure me were strong with sharp edges, and because of the twisting I did to free myself they were now reddened, raw and bleeding.

One of the a’Rä hissed, tongue flickering. “You bleed.” It cast me a glance that actually looked concerned then reached to stop me moving.

Seeing an opportunity, I kicked it hard between the legs.

It looked at its crotch in confusion then at me as if I was demented.

So I screamed.

All three Rä slammed their hands over their ears, dropping to their knees.

I legged it towards the transport.

Made it five running steps too, before I was lifted up and shaken.

“Do not hurt her,” cried the a’Rä that had shown concern for my wounds.

The a’Rä that caught me sniffed then dropped me onto my feet.

I shrugged it off, glaring. “Don’t touch me.”

There was revulsion in its return stare that made me feel small.

Was this a’Rä one of the Rä that believed Venomous and Fiercely were sexual deviants for wanting me?

There was so much more than what the naysayers tried to reduce our relationship to.

We adored everything about each other.

Our differences had become nothing to be afraid of, or repulsed by; they were attractants that made us value each other because we were unique.

I loved Venomous with all my heart, and he’d earned my loyalty through blood.

He was tied to me physically and emotionally.

I’d made him feel with more depth, and in a way that made him feel secure and appreciated.

Fiercely had bound himself to me as well.

As much as he annoyed me, as much as we fought, I was falling in love with him because he truly cared and tried his best to make me happy.

Tears welled in my eyes at the thought I may never see them again.

Venin Stings the Sweetest loomed over me. “Do that again and I will cut that thing out of you.”

Rendered mute by the horror of it, I nodded woodenly.

“Even if you managed to get past us with that oral weapon, where would you go? You cannot operate this transport.” She pointed towards the sand dunes. “There is nothing but death out there for a weak one such as you unprotected.”

“You would not survive,” the a’Rä affirmed.

Scared out of my wits for myself and my baby, I choked on a sob, and covered my stomach as best I could with my hands.

“Cease your noise and fidgeting,” Venin Stings the Sweetest ordered. “Conserve your energies. You need them.”

“W-What for?”

“The Verak who has bought you was kindred to the one Venomous killed in pursuit of you on the L’Odo slave planet.” Her attention drifted. “He is aware you are mated. He will want to cover you many times to establish his dominance, and remove their scent. It is their way. Be still. Prepare yourself.”

Aghast, I gaped at her. “You can’t do this to me! I’m your daughter-in-law! I’m pregnant with your grandchild!”

She grimaced. “The Verak will get rid of the aberration.”

A shiver of disgust raced through my body at her callous words, followed by a mind-numbing bolt of terror.

I couldn’t even wrap my arms around my stomach to protect the fragile life inside.

Venomous was overjoyed we were having a hatchling.

To him, it was a sign our mating was as natural as any other.

He was vocal in his belief we were destined for each other as his people believed mates were.

News of our child reassured the fears of many people who withheld their approval.

It allowed them to accept an alien as part of the Rä, and to see me as not a big deal, or someone to fear.

My participation in the bonding ceremony was the last step in setting most of those objections to rest.

“Venom will never forgive you,” I whispered. “He’ll hate you.” My face heated. “Don’t force him into that position. He’ll choose me and our aberration.”

Venin stared me in the eyes, hers hard and uncompromising. “He will not find out.”

“Don’t be stupid. He’ll piece it together and know you had to have something to do with it. If not him than Fiercely.” I had a thought and smiled triumphantly. “Singing Water will tell them we came to the space spot not the Empty Quarter. Now do you see this won’t work?”

Venin snorted. “That Rä’Na wants rid of you as much as I.”

Paling, I whispered, “What?”

“How do you think I was able to bypass the planetary shield? She has connections.” Venin paused then snorted. “She did not like the way her Rä’Vek stared at you. She is to corroborate the story I took you to the Empty Quarter to show its unusual beauty and warn you of its dangers. She will further rumours you were flighty and unstable. My heartfelt testimony will be believed.” She made a dismissive gesticulation. “You wandered off and were killed. Simple, believable.”

Betrayed.

It cut deep, yet I didn’t let doubt cast me into despair.

Venom and Fiercely will work it out then come after me.

I had to stall for time.

“No, he won’t. He knows me. He knows since my argument with Fiercely I wouldn’t wander alone. I promised them I’d be careful.”

“He will believe.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I am his life giver. I know my offspring.”

“And I am his Rä’Na. I know him! I know the strength of his mind, the depth of his honour! I am telling you he will never forgive you this.”

“You overstate your worth. My son will call forth a new Rä’Na, and you will be nothing more than a sordid memory. He will be glad to have rid himself of you. Fiercely Comes the Night will return to his home, and that will be the end of it.”

Infuriated by her short sightedness, I stomped my foot. “Lady, I didn’t want to get nasty, but you are a screaming bitch.”

Afraid for the life of my unborn child, I was beyond pissed, but out of ideas.

All I had was the hope my males would come bounding to the rescue.

Wonderingly, I hadn’t broken down as I had when snatched from Earth.

I’d grown and matured, was stronger emotionally.

Venomous would be proud if he could see me.

Fiercely would somehow make this out to be all my fault, but he’d hug me tight while he did so.

Venin’s eyes burned with anger.

The female Rä’Na sneered at me as if I were goodbeast droppings she stepped in then scraped off on the doorstop.

Whatever.

After dealing with the despicable L’Odo on the slave planet, and the violent Dei San pirates, the bigoted Rä’Na didn’t scare me.

A sleek spaceship dropped from the upper atmosphere, silhouetted by the sun.

The machine throttled then slowed as it lowered to the hot sand, sending a gust of burnt ether billowing out on a chalky cloud.

Burning sun rays glinted off the hull of the dented ship, and glimmered with vapour from the vast cold of outer space.

The spaceship settled with a hiss of air and groan of metal.

A circular hatch in its underbelly spiralled open, a ramp lowered then a trio of predators prowled forth.

Their feline grace and long, flowing hair almost suited the desiccated environment.

Loose trousers and tunics were embroidered with lustrous thread and jewels.

The biggest, behorned Verak slinked closer.

A feathered eyebrow rose, astonishment clear in his expression.

That was swept away by a dark look as he took in how I was bound.

Muscles bulged under his clothing, and the long cape he wore fluttered in the breeze.

Tufts of smoky fur sprouted from the deep collar of his thigh length tunic, and engraved metal bracelets encircled his thick wrists.

Chains and medallions hung around his thick neck, and silver studs pierced the curve of one pointed ear.

He wore animal-skin boots that kicked up sand as he loped the sloping dune.

The power of his golden gaze intensified as he drew nearer, and it was possessive.

Trembling, I broke eye contact.

I had to admit, if my heart wasn’t consumed by my Rä warriors, I might have found the advancing male enticing.

He exuded raw sexuality and masculine virility.

I peeked at the Veraks following a protective, yet respectful distance behind.

They stared back with curiosity, and a glimmer of lust.

“Greetings, Great Alpha,” Venin said. “Here is the female as promised.”

The Verak tore his gaze from me to She, Venin Stings the Sweetest. His head cocked. “This is the female my kin lost his life for?” His voice was gruff, holding an underlying silkiness akin to a lover’s caress.

“Yesss.” Venin waved a hand. “She has sustained no damage, as was agreed.”

“She appears whole. Angry, but unharmed.” His eyes flickered over me. His attention snagged on my restraints and caused a frown. “Is she violent?”

Venin Stings the Sweetest hesitated. “Wilful. A great warlord such as you will have no problem breaking her to your hand.”

“Why sell her?” His tone revealed he was not persuaded by her attempt to stroke his ego. “Her mates are displeased?”

“The human creates trouble among my kindred. She bends minds into accepting her strange offworlder ways. My son partakes in clutch many times a rotation.” Venin’s lip curled. “Noises come from their lair, frequently, at all moons, loud and crude.”

I blushed, but lifted my chin when the Verak’s eyes returned to me.

I wasn’t ashamed of wanting my male and making him want me.

Besides, we didn’t even have sex that often, not with him worried about knocking the hatchling, and Fiercely staring hungrily when we did get hot and heavy.

Most of what we did was tell stories of our pasts, plan for the future, talk about the hatchling, laugh, and fool around.

“So bold,” he murmured. It wasn’t disapproval. His eyelids lowered in thought then lifted as he pinned She, Venin Stings the Sweetest with a glare. “I shall take her.”

My lips pressed together.

I lowered my chin to my chest to hide my anger.

There was no point yelling.

I needed to stay quiet, and think my way out of this, for the hatchling.

For Venomous and Fiercely.

If I got myself killed, they’d never forgive themselves.

The Great Alpha Verak jerked his head at his subordinates.

They moved with military precision to secure me.

Feline features set in scowls, their eyes narrowed, and they bared sharp teeth at the a’Rä who stood silent and menacing either side of Venin Stings the Sweetest.

The second largest Verak, a male with a silver-white mane that hit his knees, and snowy chest fur, clasped my bound wrists in one of his huge hands with an expression of distaste.

Was his expression displeasure at my appalling treatment, or of my otherworldliness?

The shortest Verak, standing only seven foot high or so, tossed a sealed pouch at Venin Stings the Sweetest.

It clinked and chimed as it landed in her outstretched palm.

She clutched the offering then ripped open the purse, eyes gleaming.

Her brow scales rose in appreciation as she poured out a dozen multicoloured jewels. “Superior quality.”

“You expected different?” the Great Alpha said, dismissive. It was clear he held little respect for her judging by how he kept his distance.

“Our transaction is complete. Do not forget to dispose of the crossbreed offspring.”

The Great Alpha blinked. “We are done here. She no longer concerns you.” Turning, he walked back towards his ship.

She, Venin Stings the Sweetest didn’t look at me, or offer a farewell. “Come, Roam,” she ordered when one of the a’Rä hesitated.

Expression unhappy, it turned then left without a second glance.

Stumbling when the white-maned Verak tugged on my restraints to get me moving, I followed behind them.

I kept quiet and mentally prepared myself for what happened next.

It’s not like last time.

Last time you were alone.

This time you have two mates who will move heaven and earth to find you.

Stay calm and stay in one piece.

I was guided into the spaceship with more care than expected.

A gentle humming and vibration amplified beneath my feet.

Knowing the craft left the ground as I marched meekly to my new fate, I whimpered a protest.

I was taken through the luxurious hallways to a plush sleeping chamber, which had a viewing screen that acted as an outer hull wall.

As we left the planet atmosphere, I watched Rök become a whitish sphere then a shining speck as the blackness of space closed around me.

I stared after my new home world long after it winked from sight.

Would Venomous know to look offworld for me, manage to get the truth from Venin Stings the Sweetest, who I knew would withhold who she sold me to, even if her evil plot was discovered?

Would they figure out Singing Water played a part in it?

Behind me the portal hissed open then in strode the Verak Great Alpha.

The hatch twisted closed behind him, circular panels shrinking to a knot in the centre.

The mechanics of the portal were entirely different from the haze, and I stared dumbly before starting then refocusing on the living, breathing threat stalking closer.

Pausing, he studied me with unnerving intensity.

The glory of his burnished mane was brilliant in the light.

He tilted his head inquiringly, motioned to my restraints. “If I remove these will you attack?”

My lips worked silently on a response.

The male had yet to hurt me, but the truth was the second I figured out how to get free of him, I’d do it.

If attacking him meant I’d be safer, damn straight I’d go for the balls and have him talking soprano for the rest of his life.

Veraks were taller than the average Rä, not more muscular though.

After spending months in the presence of big males, I was able to hold my own without feeling insignificant.

I wasn’t fooling myself, his hulking size was dangerous.

However, it didn’t intimidate me into a quaking mess, as I’d been when I first met Venomous.

Instead of giving a reply that would see me tossed into the bowels of the ship, I asked a question of my own.

My chin lifted in defiance. “Are you going to rape me now?”

He sucked in a breath. His head drooped. “It chills me one so delicate must ask such a question of the male she should expect to care for her.”

“Pretty words.” My face was as hard as my voice. “You didn’t answer my question.”

The Verak’s lips curved. “I see why Obryn wanted you.”

I stared blankly.

“My cousin,” he clarified. “Such spirit you have.”

“If your cousin is who I think he is, he fought after seeing nothing more than my skin. He didn’t know me.”

After a long pause where his face turned scary, he blew hard through the wide nostrils of his muzzled nose. “I fear you have seen the worst of my kind in that place.” He slowly drew closer to make sure I knew he wasn’t attacking.

Reaching out, he ran a finger under one of the manacles.

They snapped open then fell to the floor with a solid clunk.

Experiencing a cool swell of relief, I checked out the damage.

My sore wrists needed a bandage.

Seeing he watched me, waiting for my response to his earlier comment, I shook my head.

“I saw the worst of many species,” I murmured dabbing my wrists with my fingertips and wincing at the sting. “Not just yours.”

I shivered at the memory of what I witnessed on the slave planet.

The violence, the rape, the miasma of despair and pain that seeped from the rock into your bones.

Venomous surviving with his honour in tact for as long as he had was a testament to his strength.

“Thanks,” I said lifting my hands to indicate my freed limbs.

He crossed over to a floating shelving unit, grabbed a tube of ointment then convinced me to smear some on my wounds.

There was a burning sensation when the cream hit the raw flesh, but within moments, the injury was gone, new, sensitive skin left behind.

“I grieved when I heard of Obryn’s capture and death,” he said. “Yet as I look into your eyes, I think I would not have liked the male he’d become. Such places destroy the soul. They make the good do bad to survive.” The Verak nodded as if he’d made up his mind. “On his behalf, for any harm he inflicted upon you, I apologise.” He went to one knee. “As restitution for my cousin’s disgrace, I offer you a place as one of my concubines.”

I shuffled back. “Um, I think ... ugh....”

“I offer my seed. You will be my favourite for as long as you can hold the position. This is the highest honour a male or female of my world can receive from one of the five Mighty Houses.” His furred chest puffed until the fabric cape about his shoulders threatened to tear. “I come from the noblest House, that of spirit. I am the Great Alpha. You will want for nothing for the rest of your life.”

I confess it took me a moment to catch up.

I was stuck back at, ‘I offer my seed.’

“Um....”

He jerked when I hesitated then shook his head, disbelieving I wasn’t falling over myself to accept.

His gaze fixed on mine, mouth quirked. “We are not like the serpents. Our world is open. Many of us take otherworlders as concubines and lovers. I like you. You smell good, and my ship’s scanners confirm you are compatible. We will make strong cubs.”

“I see.” No, I did not see.

I was freaking the fuck out.

Chewing my lip, I took in his alien, yet undeniably handsome face and wondered how differently things might have turned out if he’d been in that pit fighting against Venomous instead of his brother Obryn.

“My name is Lumen ... of the Stars.” I gave a little wave. “Yours?”

“Beowyn ThunderClaw. An honour, my Lumen.”

My heart squeezed, and my eyes flooded with tears.

I missed the way Venomous said those words in his deep, husky timbre.

Even the way Fiercely spat it out in his harsh tone, when he was pissed at me, would be a thousand times better.

Beowyn’s voice was silken, velvety.

Wrong.

I wanted my aliens to hold me, and call me theirs, their firm skin hot against mine.

I wanted Venomous’ bottomless eyes to peer at me as he told me how I became the reason for his hearts’ beat.

Fiercely’s big knuckles rubbing my cheek in affection, even as he searched my face for welcome.

Sniffles turned into shoulder shaking sobs.

Face creased in concern, Beowyn stood and swept me up into his arms.

He sat on the overwhelmingly large bed and patted my back.

“This is not what usually happens when I ask a male or female to join with me.” Concern threaded his tone, but amusement too.

“I-It’s not y-you. You’re actually really s-s-sweet. Even as you a-ask me to join y-y-your harem.”

His calloused thumb captured a tear. “Then why weep?”

“I m-miss my m-m-males.” I wailed the last syllable and buried my face in his furry chest, bawling my eyes out. “I don’t understand why when everything starts looking good it turns to steaming, sticky shit. What did I do to deserve this?” I dragged in a quaking breath. “They must be worried sick. And I know Venin is filling Venomous’ head with lies. Why is she such a fucking beast? Why, why, why?” I ranted. “Tell me why? I just wanted them to like me.”

“Them?”

“The Rä,” I yelled and flung out an arm. “I wanted Venomous’ kindred to give me a chance. Who knows how Fiercely’s people will react when they arrive for the bonding ceremony, to meet his freaky human. If we ever get around to it because I still don’t want a lesser male.” I sunk further into my pity party. “Everybody hates me. They will too.”

“Surely not,” Beowyn muttered.

“Yes,” I screeched back. “It’s bullshit. Even the one Rä I thought could be a friend betrayed me. I’m not asking for much. I just want to fit in as much as a two armed, smooth-skinned, no-forked-tongue girl can. I hate that my males might be ashamed to be seen with me in public. I hate this is hard on them. I’m terrified to bring my hatchling up in a world where he or she will always be thought of as less because they’re half human. I just want them to accept me without having to fuck a stranger. Is that too much to ask?”

Beowyn stopped patting my back and tensed.

Chest heaving from my ear-splitting outburst, I looked up through my tears. “Beowyn?”

“I know what I must do.” He sighed. “I do not wish to do it. That is a problem. I get what I want.”

Sniffing, I rubbed my stuffy nose. “What?”

Beowyn’s eyes burned, and took on a depth of colour and magnitude of presence that had the air seizing in my lungs.

Incredibly beautiful incredibly deadly.

I gasped as I was tossed over his shoulder onto the enormous bed.

Bouncing slightly on my back, terror scuttled over my flesh, and I froze.

Prowling on all fours up my body, his gigantic frame caged me in.

Citrusy musk teased my nose, and the heat from his downy flesh made me flush.

Our gazes locked.

Mine skittered with shock, while his grew piercing with arousal.

Star shaped pupils dilated, sparked with primal intent.

His chest vibrated as he lowered his maned head then sniffed my front, nuzzling the upper slope of my breast, before burying his head in my cleavage.

When I pushed at his shoulder, he made a low, rumbling purr.

I coiled further into myself.

Something happened during my tirade, and I hadn’t been paying attention. “Beowyn?”

“Perhaps, I can change your mind.” He murmured so quietly, it was more speaking aloud to himself rather than answering me. “If I show you pleasure you will stay with me.”

Not expecting that from him, my mouth dropped open and flapped.

Hadn’t my devastated sobbing clued him in?

The only place I wanted to be was on Rök in the arms of my Rä’Veks.

I can’t believe this is happening again.

All be it the Verak went about it in a much nicer way than Yofk or even my Venomous ever did.

“Beowyn,” I forced my quivery voice firm, “I do not want you. Seducing me won’t change my mind. It will achieve the opposite of making me want you. I have a male.” Fiercely’s tentative smile flashed in my mind’s eye. “Two, in fact. I want to go home to them.”

He lay fully on top of me, rocking his hips into the apex of my thighs. “I smell your sex.”

“That’s kind of rude.”

“You want me.”

“You’re tricking my body into a response.”

His black-tipped eyebrow quirked. “You claim not to desire me? If I tongue your slit will cream not drench my tongue?”

“Okay, you know what? Forget this. Get off me.”

Angry and mortified, I struggled under him.

After a minute I gave up with a huff.

He hadn’t budged an inch, not a single flex of muscle to betray an effort at keeping me pinned.

Saving face, I flopped back and glared. “You know exactly what you’re doing. So do I. Stop it. This is not a game.” When he smirked, I decided to take away the power of the unspoken. “Fine, you win. I’m aroused and attracted to you.”

Beowyn’s grin was jubilant.

His head lowered as if he was going to kiss me then fuck that arousal into submission.

“But as the moment passes and my heart and mind take back control from my hormones, I want nothing more than for you to get off of me. I’m pledged to two males who can do what you’ve achieved and more. I want to go back to them.”

Beowyn’s mouth stopped an inch before touching mine.

Malty breath gusted over my face as he pushed air through his flared nostrils.

“Be my lover then,” he said tightly, letting me see how much the concession cost his pride, “if you do not wish to be my concubine. You confess you want me.” He inhaled and circled his hips against mine, sending ripples of pleasure through us both. “You need a male right now.” He drew even closer then whispered, “Take what you want.”

Breathless, shifting my hips against his, I swallowed.

Beowyn ThunderClaw radiated strength and raw, feral sexuality.

If I were weaker and not infatuated with my Rä mates, I’d be a moaning, writhing mess being pounded into the mattress.

“You’re ... persuasive,” I managed. “Beautiful. Exotic. Powerful.” I touched his cheek. “Kind.”

His striking eyes widened at that last one.

Ebony lashes double blinked, lessening the intensity of his sensual assault.

“I’d be dysfunctional not to be attracted to you,” I admitted. “That attraction does not mean I don’t possess enough self control to resist your charm. My heart belongs elsewhere. It will still do so after the sordid act between us is done, should I succumb.”

“Sordid,” he murmured a flash of hurt crossing his now stony expression.

“It would be,” I whispered, “because of how I feel about them.”

“I could belong to you.” His voice lowered. “As lovers we’d be equal and free to be with others. I want to taste you. Drive inside you until I am crazed with it.” He shuddered. “You smell incredible, and you are beautiful to my eyes.”

“I’m flattered. Truly. But–”

His eyes flashed fury. “Do not deny me.”

A dart of fear was fleeting.

To back down would be to lose another piece of my soul I simply wasn’t prepared to sacrifice. “As I already said, I’m taken.”

Golden eyes narrowing, Beowyn brought his blunted nose to mine.

His voice turned low and smooth, cajoling. “I will please you. I will take you to my harem, and let you witness true mating.” He gyrated against me. “I will breed them all, and you will see my prowess. I will prove I can pleasure you in all ways.”

I got the impression while Verak concubines weren’t quite sex slaves, they weren’t quite free either.

His new plan of seduction was to fuck his sort-of-wives and sort-of-husbands in front of me as proof of his virility?

“This conversation has officially turned weird.” I placed my hands on his boulder-sized shoulders and grazed his horns. When he purred and rutted into the mattress, I snatched my hands back. “Beowyn, I’m having their hatchling. You’re not going to win here.”

His mouth snapped shut then his gaze turned calculating. “No mother should be parted from her young. I will welcome the offspring, and raise it as my own.”

This time, I double blinked. “Wow. That’s generous of you. Really. But I–”

“You will want for nothing,” he interrupted sensing weakness and pouncing like the predator he was. “I would never leave you unprotected. It is known the harem of a Verak is the safest place in the universe.”

“Now hold on.” I bristled. “Venomous didn’t know what his mother was up to. Neither did Fiercely. The second they figure it out, they’ll come after me, and you’ll be in a world of hurt.”

His expression was as dubious as his reply. “If you say so.”

“They will!” I shot him a cross look for making me bring it up. “Must I remind you what Venomous did to your cousin?”

Beowyn looked unconvinced. “Obryn always was weak. It’s why he was enslaved. The Rä bested him in fair contest, proving he does possess some strength, but he did not keep you safe. You wish to return to those who cannot keep you from danger?”

“I love them.” The sincerity of my words couldn’t be denied.

Beowyn’s glossy mane caught the light as his head cocked.

I spotted a slim silver translator hooked around his pointed ear. “This does not translate.”

“Bloody translators.” I grunted my annoyance. I understood him though? I wondered how many languages Nāga had put in my head, and how to access the speaking part. “My heart is theirs, and theirs are mine. Understand?”

Stiffening, Beowyn sat up on his knees bringing me with him.

His eyes softened. “You are One?”

Relief washed over me.

Firstly, because his luscious body no longer teased mine.

Secondly, he finally understood he wasn’t getting any kiss-kiss-bang-bang from me.

I nodded to his awed statement. “Venomous says I make his hearts sing. Fiercely is less open, but his eyes say it all.”

“To be One ... this is rare on my world. Having so many concubines and lovers makes it hard to find the special one who will accept and understand....” His eyes met mine, and held them. “And if I say that I will ... I will forsake my harem? If....” He trailed off at my crumpled features.

“Oh, Beowyn. That’s beautiful to offer. I just ... I just.....” Lashes wet, I shook my head and struggled to hold back a sob. “It’s them for me.”

He slumped. “You wish to return.” He sounded miserable, and his eyes reflected that sadness.

“Please,” I choked out, my heart lifting. “I love them so much. They’ve got to be so, so worried about us.” I placed a hand on my lower stomach. The other cupped Beowyn’s bearded cheek. “Please? Take me home?”

Thwarted, he eased us off the bed, as if hoping I’d change my mind, or maybe reluctant to forever close the opportunity of bedding me.

Sullen, Beowyn set me with care onto my feet.

Grumbling under his breath, he stalked to a mounted communication panel.

He jabbed a button. “SnowBlade.”

“Great One,” a voice returned in greeting. “You require assistance with the female? Desire another spouse to service you?”

“Nay.” He rubbed a thumb over the bridge of his nose. “Return to Rök.”

There was a brief, loaded silence then a hesitant, “As you command.”

I clasped my hands together and brought them to my lips.

Tears of gratitude blurred my vision as I launched myself across the room to do a face plant in his chest.

He patted my upper back. “Be calm, small one. Your mates will be displeased to know you and the cub were distressed.”

“Thank you, thank you,” I chanted in return.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

His mind was a tumult, hearts pounding a furious beat against his chest.

Breathing ragged, Venomous paced the base of a rusted landing pad.

Prior to the voluntary seclusion of their species, it had been an imposing congregation quarter for offworlder dignitaries, and ambassadors.

Forgotten for generations, the regal courtyard had fallen to shameful ruin.

It was a dumping ground for unwanted, outdated technology and weed tangles rather than for the welcoming of honoured guests.

Rodents scurried underground in a lattice of  burrows, rocky Zyt nests were piled in dark corners, and the rotten stench of decaying leaves and animal droppings, made for an unpleasant locale.

Fiercely Comes the Night stood off to the side.

His eyes remained fixed on the roiling clouds.

He impatiently waited for them to break, for the Verak spacecraft to descend, and bring their Rä’Na back to safety.

The male might never let her from his sight after the horror of receiving the communication she was lost to them.

Dressed in his hardsuit, Fiercely crossed all four arms in a defensive pose. “He has had her for spans. He might have–”

“No.” Venomous sliced a hand through the air. “No.” He repeated it so forcefully, it was as if he did so to convince himself. “He would not dare harm her then bring her back.”

Fiercely held his gaze. “We have been betrayed.”

Resuming a frantic pace around the landing pad, Venomous’ head jerked.

He had thought the danger behind them, overjoyed to be home and amongst his people, bringing with him his light of the stars.

How has it come to this?

He, Wind Dancer burst from the Senate Quarter.

Robes swirling around his old joints, he hurried as best he could across the weedy, pitted courtyard.

He rushed to his son then grabbed his armoured shoulders. “I just received word.” His aged face creased with trepidation. “My son, my son! So dire is this news.” He cast a harried glance at Fiercely in commiseration then returned his gaze to his offspring. “I feel the tension within you. Your Rä’Na is not safe? I was told her captors return her as we speak.”

Conflicted, Venomous’ rugged features twisted.

Arms uncrossing, Fiercely eased closer, a hand drifting to his dagger.

He was ready to defend his nest mate if needs be.

Elder He, Wind Dancer might be old, white-quilled and heavy with gold, but he was Grandfather’s Warrior too.

The male remained a deadly threat through his cunning and emotional hold over his offspring.

If he deceived them as part of the conspiracy to steal away their precious mate, he might become dangerous once confronted.

Venomous stared into his father’s brille.

He searched for the lie in the worry presented to him.

He saw only concern and distress.

“My Lumen is fine,” he rasped at last, relieved he sensed no mistruth in the male he respected above all others. “King Beowyn ThunderClaw, and his High Commander, Éorik SnowBlade are scheduled to land within the next quarter-span.”

“ThunderClaw?” Wind Dancer shook himself, head rearing back. “Serpent’s Hood! How did the Great Alpha get hold of your mate? Is our planetary defence so compromised?”

How indeed, Venomous thought bitterly, again feeling the heavy blows of treachery to the core of his hearts.

“Elder,” Fiercely began with a neat bow. Regardless of his suspicions, the male was his father-by-mating, and deserved deference. “Where is She, Venin Stings the Sweetest?”

Shaken and confused by the change in focus, Wind Dancer’s mouth opened then closed before responding.

“F-Forgive me,” the old warrior stammered. “I know I am not being helpful, but this is a shock. My Rä’Na was unavailable when I tried her communicator. Do not fear, my son. Your life giver will be here as soon as she hears this terrible news, I am sure. Do you know how they managed to take Lumen from your lair? Do we even know how they circumvented the terrestrial force field? Such a thing has never happened before! I am outraged.”

“Where is mother?” Venomous grated.

Realising the wrongness with the line of questioning, He, Wind Dancer’s brow scales pleated. “I have said I do not know. She does as she pleases. I doubt I will see her until third moon, when we seek our nest.” The older male released his hold. Head angled to his chest in confusion, he limped a step back. “Why do you ask this? Are there not greater concerns?”

Filled with anger, Venomous inhaled to begin an infuriated outburst about his traitor life giver, but the ground beneath his boots trembled.

Small rocks and pebbles bounced.

His head shot up to restlessly search the skies above.

Humming an anxious note, Fiercely drew closer to his nest mate, as he too, scoured the sky for sight of the Verak.

There was a crack of thunder and the echoing boom of a roaring engine.

The stormy clouds parted then coalesced.

They blended with twin tunnels of contrail as the sleek craft ploughed through the overcast at an angle.

Rocketing over the municipality, it decelerated almost to a stop then vertically descended to hover over the landing pad.

Metal legs unfolded from the hull.

The spaceship settled with a mechanical creak and whoosh of air.

Impatience spiking, Venomous bounded up the steps onto the landing pad then sprinted right to the foot of the extending ramp.

Just as edgy, Fiercely kept pace then stood to his right, vibrating with tension and stress.

The hatch opened, and two figures haloed by light and vapour stepped forward.

Rage poured through Venomous’ veins.

It blistered his insides, and turned his muscles to stone.

The possessive hold the Verak had on his female, his Rä’Na, was a transgression of the utmost order.

A snarl ripped from Fiercely’s throat. “He touches her. The Verak must die.”

Lumen ripped away from the male holding her as a lover might.

She bolted down the ramp at a dangerous speed, screeching their names.

Small legs pumping, one arm hugging her slightly rounded belly, and the other outstretched as if to grab them from a distance, he could see her eyes leaked.

Her face scrunched and reddened, but a brilliant smile stretched her lips the closer she drew.

Venomous’ dark eyes hungrily stared as she ran.

Nothing could express the depth of his relief and gratitude at seeing her safe and whole.

Dropping to a crouch, he opened all four arms wide.

Yelling, she leapt off the ramp.

She hit him so hard, he took a step back then straightened.

Swept up two feet off the ground, she locked her legs around his waist, arms cinched around his neck.

Her fingers gripped his quills, and tugged his gold, and frantically stroked the mass as she struggled closer.

Sobbing and hiccupping filled his ears.

He failed to understand her babble because she spoke so fast.

Overcome by it all, Lumen thrust her face into the side of his throat then fell silent.

She released a shuddering breath that told him explicitly how she felt about being tucked in his arms once more.

He touched his forehead to hers, and murmured soft words begging for her to calm.

His silky hiss of breath rushed over her wet cheek, and that alone relaxed her.

Glimpses of Venomous’ anima cascaded over his scales.

Hearts thumping with the exhilaration of watching her announce to all how she felt about him through her joyous flight to his side, he clutched her tighter.

So tight, she squeaked before he eased the pressure, so as not to squash her.

“My Rä’Na,” he rumbled body quaking. His brille threatened to unveil such were the dizzying heights of his emotion. “My Lumen.”

Taking a series of quick steps back, he let Fiercely take the lead in her protection, all his hands were filled or gripping her.

He had no intention of letting go.

Stance protective as he reached a hand back to touch Lumen’s thigh, Fiercely assured himself of her safety before focusing his attention on the offworlders.

Defensive blades on his forearms, legs and spine snapped through the specially designed vents in his hardsuit.

A trio of Veraks sauntered down the ramp.

Bending his knees, Fiercely held position. He threw up a hand. “Close enough.”

Leonine expression inscrutable, the lead Verak inclined his head.

His star-shaped pupil slits drifted toward Lumen then his gaze turned indulgent.

A smile curved his mouth.

Fiercely struggled with the instinct to fight the ones who’d brought his mate to safety.

They were clearly not an enemy he needed to slay, but it was hard to go from dark thoughts of rending flesh from bone, to benign ones of welcome.

Aeons of warrior training prevailed.

He rose from his defensive crouch into a non-confrontational pose, hands held away from his weapons.

Finally, his chin jerked.

It wasn’t the most refined gesture of peace, but he best the could do under such uncertain circumstances.

“Why?” he demanded, tone hard.

Murderous impulses under control, Venomous stared at the aliens.

He lowered his chin to his chest and, too, brusquely asked, “A fair question. Why bring her home?”

The lead Verak, the Great Alpha, as denoted by his colossal size and dominant aura, looked amused.

Then he glanced at Lumen.

Her slack, utterly relieved demeanour showed how she felt to be in the arms of her life mate.

He studied Venomous and the way he cradled her to his chest, and watched as Fiercely caressed the nape of her neck, his breaths huge and shuddery.

“She wished to return to you,” Beowyn told them with a roll of his horned shoulders. “I found myself unable to persuade her otherwise.”

“Good greetings,” Wind Dancer called as he cautiously climbed the last of the steep steps onto the landing pad.

Expression guarded, he trudged towards the huddle gathered at the base of the spaceship.

Blustery wind whipped his ankle length quills and shining gold into a tinkling frenzy.

The weather worsened, and a bolt of lightning zigzagged across the sky.

Sand scattered across the paved ground.

Leaves and stones tumbled over their feet until they fell off the edge from view.

The air smelt spicy and hot, and the heady pressure one felt before a hurricane grew in potency.

Puffing out his chest, the old male squared off with the Verak. “I am He, Wind Dancer, Elder of the Northern Senate.” He touched Venomous’ spare shoulder as Lumen’s face was buried in the other. “This warrior is my offspring. Lumen of the Stars is my daughter-by-mating.” Taking in the stances of those gathered, he decided upon courteousness despite the Veraks’ unsolicited appearance on their closed world. “I welcome you, Great Alpha, to our province.”

“Good greetings to you in return, wise one.”

Following their leader, the Veraks showed respect and bowed.

Beowyn bowed deeper. “Gratitude for your hospitality after what must seem a terrible offence.”

Wind Dancer’s brows pulled tight as he nodded, lips parting to reply.

“We will speak inside,” Venomous said.

“Our Rä’Na is best taken out of this weather,” Fiercely put in when it seemed Wind Dancer would object. “A storm alert went out last rotation. It is nearly upon us.”

“We have no provision for visitors on an extended stay,” the old male blustered. “No security, or accommodations, or–”

“So we make do,” Venomous interrupted.

“They can stay with us,” Lumen mumbled. “Beowyn is my friend.”

Venomous shushed her, and touched a hand to the back of her head, breathing in the crushed mentha scent of her curls.

Brushing his cheek to her sweaty temple, Fiercely addressed the Veraks. “Follow me.” He turned to Wind Dancer. “Elder, may I assist your descent?”

Taken aback by how the young males wrested control of the discourse from him, the old male reluctantly nodded.

He took up the strong, young arm offered.

With a sigh of long suffering, he began the arduous limp down the stairs.

At ease, the Veraks followed after one of the minor Commanders sealed their spacecraft.

Venomous went after them, refusing to put his back to strangers while Lumen rested in his arms.

He glanced over his shoulder at the coming sandstorm and sighed.

The group entered the Senate Quarter, and were converged upon by three a’Rä from the Warriors Guild.

Venomous had called upon them himself, reaching out to those on duty to help him track his missing Rä’Na when they thought her lost in the wilderness.

He, Cobra that Strikes, and two of his best from the Hunters Caste, Jinx the Storm and She, Deathly as It Goes also approached.

Jinx was young and untried, but Venomous had known Deathly in his youth.

He’d always thought she’d become male, her mannerisms and demeanour being serious and rough in a way most a’Rä wishing to be male affected.

It was a surprise to know not only did she not mind being female, but also that she relished it.

Considered the epitome of beauty by many of the Artisans, not just by her sculptor Rä’Vek, Deathly’s skills as a hunter were surpassed only by the leader of her caste.

It was a true accomplishment that allowed her to hold her head high.

She had been mercilessly teased for her low birth.

Her position now meant she had become superior to those who’d looked upon her with scorn.

Dressed in a softsuit of muted grey over an off-white hardsuit that complimented her indigo scales, she wore one side of her head shaved, and a single plait in her dark quills, threaded with gold.

A thick band of the precious ore wound about her upper arm and was studded with jewels.

Cobra broke away from his hunters to eye the Verak’s with blatant suspicion.

His gaze landed on Lumen then softened. “All is well.”

“No,” Venomous refuted. “Far from well. Come.”

He led the way into one of the informal seating alcoves.

He sat upon a cushioned divan, keeping his mate wrapped tight, for she still quietly wept and trembled, though he knew from her tone, it was an outpouring of joy rather than sadness.

Stooping until in Lumen’s line of sight, Fiercely ran his knuckles over her curved jaw.

Unable to stop, the touch lengthened down the column of her throat. “Must I send for our healer? This is not good for our offspring.” A long finger lifted her chin. “Calm yourself.”

Nodding, she focused on steadying her breathing, leaning into his touch and holding his eyes.

She gazed at him with consummate trust.

Studying the two of them, Venomous could tell a barrier had fallen.

Lumen sighed. “You’re right. I’m too stressed. I’m calming down, so there’s no need to worry Nāga over it. He has his own grief to deal with.”

“You know that does not signify.” Fiercely murmured the mild rebuke, brow scales lifting. “If you need a healer–”

“I’m fine.” She kissed his palm then gave him a weak smile. “Not a scratch on me. Promise.”

“Are you hungry?” Venomous asked.

Fiercely watched another shiver wrack her small frame, well aware of the last time she suffered heat stroke. “Overheated?”

“Thirsty,” Venomous decided. “You were under the sun too long.” He aimed a commanding look at Cobra that Strikes.

“Have a Sylph bring sweet water,” the male ordered and gestured to Jinx the Storm.

Jumping to attention, the a’Rä hurried from the airy recess.

Venomous was surprised Cobra remembered the intricate detail about his mate’s preferences.

It was proof the male was the right choice for his Rä’Na’s lesser mate.

Beowyn lowered onto a divan opposite the trio.

His navy cape swathed his musculature as he lengthened a thick leg and bent the other.

Resting an elbow on his knee, his loose fist fell between parted thighs.

His piercing gaze roamed the woven rugs and tapestry-draped walls with rampant curiosity.

The Verak Commanders flanked their Great Alpha.

Hands behind their backs, their gazes remained cool and aloof, even as the jittery Rä who were not used to offworlders in their province, surrounded them.

Done scrutinising the room, Beowyn grinned at Lumen. “I see why I was unable to switch your allegiance. They all but worship you. Why would a female give up such adoration to be one in a harem of many?”

Regaining some of her spark, she peeked from her mate’s shoulder to wink.

He threw his head back and boomed laughter.

The Rä startled then looked to each other for reassurance.

Failing to ease each other, not sure what to make of the visitors, they turned to the senior Rä’Veks for direction.

The Verak Commanders’ lips twitched as they exchanged a humoured glance.

They remained comfortable as the Rä warriors palmed their blades and eyed them.

“Come now,” Wind Dancer said disgruntled. “This matter must be settled to my satisfaction.” He checked his personal communicator. “I have confirmation the planetary shield is functional. We gave you access codes to return Lumen of the Stars, but how did you bypass it to abduct her?”

“We did not.” Beowyn sounded grim. “Two cycles past my Commander received an encrypted transmission. It offered a chance for Dyna ThunderClaw, my House, to acquire the female my first cousin Obryn hoped to make his One.”

Lumen twitched in Venomous’ hold.

She sat up, wide eyed. “What? I assumed he wanted me for more, um, earthy reasons.”

Beowyn smiled, eyes sad. “Aye, he felt the pull. Those of my people rescued from that hell told me so.”

“Oh. I never said it before, but I’m sorry he died. I wouldn’t....” She sent the male a look of guilt. “I wouldn’t change it.”

“I know this.” No censure bled into his baritone. Shifting forward, he propped a fist on his knee. “In the transmission were access codes to the force field, a galactic standard date, time and location coordinates. My Commanders brought the message to my attention. I decided to accept the offer, and liberate the female who might have been the One of my kin. I planned to offer her a place in my harem. To my mind, she deserved to be pampered and regarded with fondness for the rest of her days.” Beowyn paused. He looked Venomous then Fiercely in the brille. Direct and blunt. Male to males. “Know this,” his finger stabbed air, “I believed her mistreated. I would never have taken her otherwise.” His expression turned terrifying. “She was crying. Shackled. She scented of terror and blood.”

The Commanders flanking him shifted, and formerly blank expressions twisted in wrath.

“A delicate, intelligent female,” Beowyn continued, “swelled with cub treated so shamefully. I would have warred unto death to take her from such imprisonment and cruelty. Or so I thought. I believed you cast her aside, allowing the Rä female to dispose of her. She was treated like rubbish. I tell you freely, I hated you before I laid eyeson you, thinking you had done this evil to her.”

Venomous drew inward out of self-preservation.

He felt crushed under the pressure following the hideous narrative.

My mate and offspring endured terror and enslavement at the hands of the one who gave me life.

Only Lumen’s soft weight in his arms kept him from descending into a rampaging nightmare.

Not trusting himself, Fiercely removed his hands from their mate.

He gripped the carved edge of the divan base.

The polished stone fractured.

He let go then turned his face away, his breath a laboured pant.

“It’s okay,” Lumen whispered patting his stiff back. “We’re going to be fine.”

Sedate, Éorik leaned to speak in his liege’s pointed ear.

A reluctant expression crossed Beowyn’s expression.

He dropped his gaze to his laced boots. “I am loath to tell you the rest.”

“Animal.” Fiercely surged up. “Did you force her? I scent you on her, monster.”

“Sweetheart, no,” Lumen cried reaching to grab him.

“Enough.” Venomous silenced their outbursts with a searing glare. He faced Beowyn and grated, “Speak it all.”

Pale, Lumen shook her head at the Verak.

Beowyn grimaced. “There was payment.” The words seemed to echo and grow louder. “A fortune in Zutki jewels. Enough to barter for an outer band planetoid in this star system.”

Wind Dancer lurched onto his feet.

He shoved away the hands trying to help him, barrel chest heaving as he jerked to face Venomous. “This is why you asked for your mother.” He juddered, legs rickety. “This. This.” He retched, staggering as he hunched over with a rattling cough.

Fiercely’s legs buckled, and he dropped onto the divan with a grunt.

“Serpent’s Hood,” choked Cobra expressing the revulsion and shock of those present.

“This is a great shock then,” Éorik murmured.

“No matter how angry, how vengeful, Rä simply do not do such things,” he rasped. “We do not betray our own. And to betray kindred.... After what happened in our past, it is anathema to us.”

Venomous clutched his Rä’Na tighter.

She was more precious to him than a whole planet of Zutki treasure.

His life giver knew how he felt about her.

She knew.

He’d spoken frankly, passionately, about his feelings to his kindred when they questioned if he were addled to want her.

Rushing forward, Deathly as It Goes coaxed Wind Dancer into regaining his seat. “Please, Elder. Rest. You are not well.”

“I am well enough to know my Rä’Na has betrayed her kindred! Has betrayed me! Our offspring.” He clutched at his throat and wheezed, shook his white-quilled head as the huntress tried to press water upon him.

A Sylph scuttled into the room and up to Cobra that Strikes.

He listened to the servant’s rustling voice then his sapphire scales bled colour until he appeared washed-out. “Venin Stings the Sweetest is here asking for her Rä’Veks.” He hesitated then added, “She is ... distressed. Wailing her offspring’s mate is lost in the Empty Quarter, and demanding a search party go after her.”

Deathly murmured, “The abandoned spaceport is nowhere near the Empty Quarter.”

“Hunters know the winds in the wasteland are so strong, trails are lost within moments of being laid. It is impossible to track through it.” Cobra’s face darkened. “With the storm coming in, we would have given up the search within spans. Based upon the Rä’Na’s word, thinking it truth, we would have not looked elsewhere. For what reason would we?”

“If the small one had not convinced me to bring her home, she would be dead to you,” Beowyn concluded. He whistled under his breath and shook his shadowy mane. “A devious beast warms your pelts, wise one.”

Wind Dancer’s expression was livid. “Bring her to me. Find my nest mate. Dawning Light needs to be here for the judgement.”

“I will bring him,” Cobra said then left.

“There were two others with the Rä female,” said the white-maned Commander. “Sexless ones.”

“Aye.” Beowyn nodded. “‘Tis truth.”

“Her attendants,” Éorik speculated. “One seemed contrite for what Lady Lumen suffered.”

Jaw clenched, Venomous jerked his chin at Fiercely then towards the haze.

The suspicious male narrowed his eyes at the Veraks, but stood, and loped after the warriors and hunters who went to help secure the traitors.

“Father.” Venomous’ voice swelled with crashing power. “Vow those responsible for this offence will be punished.”

“I....” Wind Dancer hesitated, eyes averted. “Lumen has yet to complete the bonding rites. She is not considered Rä, but offworlder.”

Venomous stiffened. “You dare to speak of trivial legalities? Look at what she has done!”

“It is law. There is room for leniency.” Wind Dancer’s shaky hand tucked into his robe sash. “I am not asking you to forgive. I ask your clan to consider mercy.”

“Done,” Lumen said. Her head swung back and forth between them. “For my part, it’s given. We can work through this somehow.”

Bowing his head, Wind Dancer murmured, “You humble me, daughter.”

Venomous’ hearts squeezed. “No.” He stared his father down, not a hint of give in his black stare. “No.”

“Babe,” Lumen whispered.

“You are my everything, and she wanted me to believe you dead. I cannot express the horror of it. Do not defend her to me.”

Shadows bruising the skin beneath her eyes, Lumen lowered her head to his shoulder, held on, fingers stroking his nape.

Wind Dancer turned his face away, a tremor wracking his frame.

The haze of the Senate Quarter stretched across a tessellated archway, leading from the vestibule out onto the central plaza, yet the stalls were empty, the space void of life except for the gurgling fountain.

The Rä people were hidden in their lairs from the eclipsing wave of black and green dust billowing from the desert.

The turbid cloud tore across the province, swallowing the land in its cumulonimbus maw, casting shadows at its fore and in its wake.

Flashes of lightning set the mass afire from within, and thunder pounded the earth with its roaring boom.

Hushed voices drew closer.

An older, feebler voice rose in tremulous anger.

Wind Dancer stood as Cobra that Strikes and Dawning Light emerged from a passageway.

The robed Rä’Vek hurried across the polished stone, gaze snapping between those assembled. “Does this Rä’Vek speak truth?”

“Yesss,” Venomous answered when his other father seemed incapable of speech. “She is being brought to us.”

“Substantiation for this dire wrongdoing?” he demanded.

“Irrefutable.” Venomous’ fists clenched. “My Rä’Na, the Verak Great Alpha and his Commanders have given testimony.”

“Guilty?” Dawning Light croaked. “I knew she was struggling to accept Lumen’s differences, but she seemed to do better when told she could plan the bonding ceremony.” He blanched then swayed. “A guilty verdict by us means....”

“The shunning,” Wind Dancer whispered aging before their eyes.

The haze fizzed as Fiercely returned, body tight, strides clipped, and his expression rigid.

Venin Stings the Sweetest’s shrill voice rang out as she swept in behind him, flanked by her a’Rä accomplices.

Escorting them were the Rä warriors privy to the treachery.

“I demand you explain why I have been detained! Did you not hear me? We are in crisis. As we speak your Rä’Na is out there dying! You thoughtless....” Venin Stings the Sweetest trailed off as she realised the vestibule was filled with witnesses.

Her eyes landed on the Veraks.

Whipping straight, she jerked backwards.

Her gaze unerringly found Lumen in the knot of bodies, and she heaved a stunted breath. “Whatever they have said is a lie.”

“Foolish,” Beowyn denounced shaking his dark head. “You would have done better to confess and plead mercy.”

Wind Dancer limped forward. His eyes burned as he stopped before his life mate. “How you shame me.”

She gasped, hand flying to her throat. “My Rä’Vek.”

“That you could do this to our offspring after he was lost to us for so long! Grandfather watched over us. Blessed us. Our offspring was returned a mated male. He has seeded life of his own.” He staggered, repulsed, hand coming to his mouth as if about to be sick. “All you had to do was accept your new daughter and get ready to swaddle a hatchling close to your hearts.”

“We do not even get to warm the egg as is proper,” she spat. “I doubt the half breed will ever welcome our touch.”

“I do not know you.”

She took a jerky step, but stopped as he recoiled further. “She is the one–”

“No more,” Dawning Light whispered voice reedy. “No more lies. No more hatred. No more poison. I refused to believe this of you, but I see the truth on your face. You have always been difficult, wanting impossible things your way. You pushed us to the brink with your demanding ways, yet we cared for you. We gave you all you desired.” He, too, withdrew with a revolted expression as she went to touch him. “You have gone too far this time, and we cannot save you.”

Shaken by the wall of cold, Venin shied back. “I wanted to send her somewhere better. Somewhere she could be happy.”

“Don’t.” Lumen pushed forward. “Do not stand there and pretend you care. I begged you not to do it. You called our hatchling an aberration. You told Beowyn to kill it.”

“This is truth,” Beowyn grated. “It turns my stomach. A warrior of honour would never hurt a cub.”

“You said nothing,” Venin snapped. “You were happy to take her.”

“Aye. I would do it again, a thousand times over, to keep her from you.”

Venomous could not bear to look at his life giver.

The weight of his fury landed upon the a’Rä. “Do you deny you kidnapped my Rä’Na and sold her to the Great Alpha?”

They exchanged a look.

It was clear from their expressions contesting the evidence was pointless.

“No,” one replied.

Wind Dancer tore his gaze from his mate.

His mouth thinned. “Choose judgment. The vote, the blade or exile?”

“I choose the knife,” the quiet until now a’Rä said in a strong voice.

“Hunter, hand Gently Falls the Rain your blade,” Wind Dancer ordered of Cobra that Strikes.

Grim, the Rä’Vek unsheathed the unadorned dagger at his waist.

“May I not have a warrior’s blade?” the a’Rä asked.

Venomous gritted his teeth. “No.”

Gently Falls the Rain winced, but took the dagger Cobra offered, tolerating the insult.

To die on a blade used for animals signified the a’Rä was no better than one.

“What’s going on?” Lumen asked, arms crossed over her chest, chafing.

The air temperature dropping because of the storm.

“Last testimony?” Wind Dancer asked ignoring the question along with everyone else.

Gently Falls the Rain glared at Venomous. “The alien does not belong here. It will be like the blood pure all over again. I sought to preserve our peaceful way of life, I meant her no harm.”

“A ridiculous leap of reasoning,” Venomous said, voice cold. “That time of darkness was caused by people like you, not my Lumen.”

“What do they speak of?” Éorik asked.

“The blood pure hail from our primitive past,” Deathly enlightened. “Two thousand solars ago, our species blended so deeply with others, less than a sixth of the population were purebred Rä. A fanatical sect emerged and propagated the belief that if you possessed a drop of offworlder blood, you were no longer Rä, and to be treated as lesser. It took solars to end the eradication of offworlder mates, and those who refused to shun them.”

“You’re talking about honour killings,” Lumen whispered her face ashen. “The family murder the members they think disgrace them.”

“Yesss.” Deathly crossed her arms to clasp her elbows. “The Great Senate voted unanimously to close our borders. The mixed blood were purged during the dark time, and their descendants shunned. We rebuilt our civilisation, and stopped travelling the stars to avoid the offworlders that might awaken us. It is a part of our history we remember with shame.”

Beowyn’s expression sharpened. “One human is no great threat. Unless there are others here?”

“No,” Lumen whispered rubbing her forearm. “Just me.”

Gently Falls the Rain sniffed. “You may think my reasoning flawed, but my intentions were–”

“Pure?” Venomous finished, scathing. “How noble you make your evil seem.”

“I was the one who suggested the Verak.” The a’Rha jerked its head to Venin. “The Rä’Na wanted us to slit her throat then dump her body for the razorbeasts.”

Venomous felt the world tilt.

Fiercely looked moments from beating the perpetrators to death.

Even Cobra growled in anger.

Drawing herself up, Venin Stings the Sweetest hissed. “Lies.”

“Even as you stand beaten, you fail to act with honour. Why did I follow you?” Fangs clicking, Gently Falls the Rain turned to face the haze. The a’Rä knelt then rested back on its heels. “Tell my kindred, I spoke truth in the end.”

“Hey,” Lumen said with more force. “What is happening?”

“It will be done,” Cobra swore.

Angling the blade to point just under its breastbone, the a’Rä repressed its anima as it rose to protect.

In a short, brutal thrust, it sheathed the blade into its chest.

Lumen screamed, causing the Rä to flinch, and skittered back.

Gently yanked the blade free then plunged it again with a harsh rasp for air.

Hands falling to the side, Gently Falls the Rain folded over in a bow.

With a final twitch, the a’Rä grew still.

Lumen chanted, “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.”

Wind Dancer turned to the other a’Rä who watched resignedly. “Roam the Highest Peak?”

Serene, the a’Rä spun around and peered into the storm. “I choose exile.”

“W-What about t-the vote?” Lumen’s hand pressed her forehead, the other fisted in the material of her softsuit. “Doesn’t that mean judgement goes to trial before the Elders?”

“Yess,” Deathly said in a quiet aside. “But the transgression.... Lumen of the Stars, the Senate will vote unanimously to sentence the a’Rä to painful death. They are not mated, so punishment is severe. There can be no other judgement. Choosing this end is valiant. It removes the pain of inflicting the burden of punishment from the kindred, and the a’Rä regains honour. Gently Falls the Rain and Roam the Highest Peak may now enter Grandmother’s embrace without shame.”

Roam the Highest Peak turned to the female he’d wronged, and who protested on his behalf. “You speak for me.” His head cocked. “I do not believe your presence on my world is right, but I apologise for the harm I caused you.”

He inclined is head then faced the haze.

Distraught, Lumen moved forward.

Deathly as It Goes slid into her path.

Gold-braided quills swung as she jerked her chin. “Do not. Your males fight to remain in control. They want blood. This is all they get, and you must let them have it.”

“Venom.” Lumen’s tone was sharp. Her finger jabbed towards the floor. “Stop this now.”

“No,” he bit back.

“Roam showed concern when I was hurt, hesitated when I was given to the Verak. I can forgive this.”

“I cannot.”

“Nor can I,” Fiercely said.

“Someone,” Lumen beseeched when Deathly would not let her pass, and her mates refused to intervene. “Someone do something.”

Troubled by her reaction, Cobra started towards her.

He stopped cold when Venomous spun with a vicious snarl.

Beowyn spoke to Lumen with quiet intent. “You must understand, small one, any who think to dare harm you will wonder, if he does this to kin, what would he not do to them?”

“Last testimony?” Wind dancer asked again.

“There are three others as guilty,” Roam the Highest Peak replied.

Venomous lowered his face, felt as if he’d lose the contents of his stomach.

How many times have I told my mate she is safe amongst my people?

“Name them,” Fiercely demanded.

“I do not betray my own,” Roam said.

Venomous laughed, a rough, bitter sound. “You betrayed me. Fiercely. We were your own.”

Jaw clenching at the truth of those words, Roam the Highest Peak stepped outside into the forsaken plaza.

The a’Rä did not falter, even as raging zephyrs buffeted its body.

Its long strides covered the distance towards the roiling, heaven-high barrage of emerald and onyx silt and sand.

Roam the Highest Peak vanished as the dust storm swelled and devoured him whole.

Clutching her head, Lumen hunched. “I wanted them punished but this is....”

“He may survive.” Fiercely grabbed her shoulders when it seemed she’d swoon. “We are strong, and Roam has regained our respect. A clan may take pity on the a’Rä if it survives, and makes it to a settlement outside of the province.”

Shrugging him off, Lumen whirled with a cutting glare.

Her face crumpled, and she shook her head as her eyes watered.

She shoved into his arms.

“Enough of this. I can take no more.” Dawning Light turned his back to the haze and Venin Stings the Sweetest. “I shun you.”

Venin’s face slackened. “R-Rä’Vek?”

The warriors and hunters not restraining the disgraced Rä’Na turned their backs.

Pretensions of grandeur petering, Venin Stings the Sweetest bawled. “Do not forsake me. Do not.”

Burrowing closer to Fiercely, Lumen sobbed.

He cupped the back of her head, and pressed her cheek to his chest. “Do not watch.”

Clutching his sides, she pressed her other hand to her ear to block out the dirge.

Wind Dancer shuffled around to face away from his life mate. “I s-shun you.”

Contorting in undignified shock, expression twisting into raw disbelief, Venin struggled to reach her mates, brille snapping up and down.

“Rä’Veks,” she cried. “My Rä’Veks. I beg! I beg!”

Wailing, she collapsed onto her knees, arms outstretched in supplication.

When her plea’s did not break them, she stooped over to rake her claws across the stone.

Tore her chest and face bloody.

Bashed her skull with balled up fists.

“Nooo,” she moaned. “Forgive me. If not the razorbeasts the storms....” Keening, she crawled towards Venomous. “My son. Forgive my trespass.” She grasped his boot. “Spare me.”

“For the beat of my hearts.” He shook free of her hold. “For the miracle that grows within her.” Venomous turned his back. He imagined he was stone inside. “I shun you.”

Hurling curses, she reared up to strike his armoured shoulders with her fists. “Ungrateful, perverted spawn.” Flailing onto her back, she kicked his legs. “I hate you. I wish you died. Curse you! Zaconda curse you, and your tainted clan. Death to your freakish offspring.”

Cobra grabbed her by the scruff of her softsuit.

He dragged her kicking and spitting towards the haze then dropped her there. “I will take you no further. Your kindred have suffered enough. Get up, and embrace this fate of your own making.”

Then he too gave her his back, ordering the Rä who had yet to turn to do the same.

Veraks observed the customs of their hosts, and so out of respect, followed suit.

Though Venin Stings the Sweetest shook, wailed and prostrated herself, her kindred did not go to her.

Grief carved grooves into Wind Dancer’s face, but not once did he make as if to turn.

Dawning Light leaned on his nest mate.

“Go,” the male grated. He did not look behind, clear who he spoke to so bitingly. “As your second mate, I command you to leave us to our shame. Leave us in peace.”

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Huddling into Fiercely, I watched Venomous, Dawning Light and Wind Dancer stand with their backs to Venin Stings the Sweetest, who ranted and refused to walk through the haze.

“Why don’t they leave?” Beowyn asked, puzzled. “The female has no shame. She will torture them with this as long as she can.”

“It is the shunning,” Cobra that Strikes explicated. “The kindred remain to exorcise their grief. After this, it is not proper to express sorrow outside their lair. Venin Stings the Sweetest is no longer considered kindred, and not welcome in this province. She is dead to us. Only if strangers take pity on her elsewhere will she know home and hearth. She will wander alone, ignored until she succumbs to the long sleep, or is savaged by the beasts that roam the wilderness.”

Éorik bobbed his head towards me and Fiercely. “They are kin, yet they have moved away.”

“Venomous and I agreed Lumen need not stay if she grew distressed.” Fiercely palmed my belly. “We fear she has become too upset too often.”

“Ah.” Éorik returned to watching Venin’s spectacle, his nose wrinkled.

“The Rä are kind,” Beowyn murmured to his Commanders.

I twisted my face to him, stiffening. “You call this kind?”

Éorik’s head cocked. “Aye. If you were my One, those sexless ones would scream for death as we speak. Only the female would be spared torture.”

Beowyn grunted. “A beheading for that one. Quick. Quiet.”

Sick crawled up my throat.

My gaze darted anywhere but towards the haze.

Roam the Highest Peak had marched fearlessly to his fate.

He’d apologised then spared his kindred pain by taking his punishment into his own hands.

As ever, Venin Stings the Sweetest was being a selfish cow.

Venomous and Wind Dancer were being lenient.

If it went to a Senate vote, she’d meet an end much like Beowyn described.

Still, she could not find it within herself to give them this last bit of peace.

“What of the conspirators the sexless one spoke of,” asked the Verak Commander whose name I didn’t know.

Becoming still, my gaze shifted.

Singing Water was as pale as I’d ever seen a Rä.

Hovering on the periphery of our group, having arrived sometime during the confrontation with Venin, she stared at me with over-bright brille, wringing her hands in herky-jerky fits.

Fiercely felt me tense. “Do not fear. Those responsible will be found.” The smooth area around his mouth pulled taut. “And punished.”

“Severely,” Cobra vowed an animalistic growl just held in check.

Singing Water grew paler.

Beowyn stared at me, having caught my distressed expression at the subject matter.

His slanted eyes narrowed, but he held his peace.

My lips parted, yet nothing came out.

Fuck, I can’t do it.

I couldn’t watch another person go through that degrading scene, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Cobra would shun his Rä’Na.

She’d acted as she had because of how he looked at me.

It was a cycle I could break by showing mercy.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I turned my face into Fiercely’s chest, inhaled his soothing blend of vanillin pepper. “Take me home?”

“The storm?” Beowyn questioned.

“Will go no further,” Cobra assured, “and is receding.”

Éorik turned to his leader. “We can leave.”

“Stay until tomorrow?” I asked. “I’d like to have a meal, get to know you.”

Beowyn blinked. “Are you sure? This is not a time of grief?”

“I want you to stay.” Maybe their presence would help. They were decent, and I wanted to be friends. “The least we can do is invite you over for last meal as thanks for your help.”

“Where to put them?” Cobra muttered.

Beowyn waved him off. “We have comfortable quarters on our ship. We will rest there for the night.”

“Nest mate,” Fiercely called. “We return to our lair.”

Venomous stiffened, heaved a sigh, and then walked to meet us.

Without another word, Fiercely lifted me.

Over his shoulder, I saw Singing Water slouch into her Rä’Vek.

Cobra that Strikes appeared shocked she’d touched him.

He clumsily put his arm around her.

She cringed then shrugged him off to scurry down a passageway into the main body of the Senate Quarter.

He sighed and turned to watch me leave.

Venin hissed at me with fangs dripping toxin as we went to pass through the haze.

A shadow fell over her.

She cowered, shielding her face as Venomous jerked as if to shove her aside.

“As if I would sink so low,” he growled then snatched me from Fiercely.

He left her there without a backward glance, just the same as when she sold me to the Veraks.

We rode the goodbeast home.

Handing them off to the Sylphs, Venomous put me in Fiercely’s outstretched arms, so he could dismount.

Disorientated, I let them move me about like a ragdoll without stuffing.

It seemed too complicated to talk, or walk, or even think.

The shunning had been horrific.

I just wanted to curl up in our nest, safe with my loving mates, and sleep forever.

Seeing the entrance to our lair grow nearer, I struggled to get down.

I lurched towards my safe haven, but hands stopped me.

Venomous and Fiercely cut formidable silhouettes in the starry sky.

The winds picked up, stirring their quills, entwining their scents.

Their gold reflected rays of burnt sunlight as the sun set into a rumple of green powder, the sandstorm a fuzzy mess.

With as much patience as I could muster, I waited for them to speak.

Watchful, pensive, their expressions twisted in worry and resolve as their bodies braced.

Fiercely said, “Lumen, you need a lesser male.”

“I can’t do this right now.”

Venomous hissed. “This must be resolved. I want you bound to us.”

I swallowed. I am not ready to deal with this. “I know this is important.” My throat closed. “But you’re asking me to do something else that’s going to be traumatic so soon after....”

“There is nothing to fear,” Fiercely said his tone short. “It is a celebration. Cobra that Strikes will be gentle. You saw this moon how he cares.”

“Won’t doing this so soon be in bad taste. Aren’t we grieving?”

“I am not,” Venomous snapped.

Fiercely snorted.

Irritation flared. “I’ve told you it’s not a matter of knowing Cobra cares about me and will be gentle. It’s not the act itself, but the emotional implications of it.” I dragged a hand though my hair. “I’m exhausted. Can we do this tomorrow? Please?”

The males exchanged a speaking glance.

“No,” Venomous refused. “We do this now.”

“Has this upheaval not proven why you need the ceremony?” Fiercely demanded. “Had this been arranged, you would be considered Rä, not offworlder. That red-kneed animal would never have had the nerve to take you if you had listened to us cycles ago.”

Venomous went pasty at the vulgar insult, but uttered nothing in reproach.

I shoved a finger in Fiercely’s face. “Don’t talk about his mother that way. And if you’re so concerned about my safety, one of you should stay here with me, while people get used to me, or I’m ready to have the bonding ceremony.”

“You refuse to be reasonable?”

“It’s not reasonable for you to say I’m unreasonable because I need time to adjust to this new world I’m living in.”

“Lumen,” Venomous entreated, “please.” He cradled me to him. “You know there are important reasons this must be done.”

I shoved against him to get free.

Panic had my heart crashing. “I can’t. I can’t.”

“It will be fast,” he soothed. “We will bathe you and I will never be spoken of again. Cobra will not hurt you.”

“You’re not hearing me.” I ripped away from him. “When I was with Beowyn, all I could think about was getting home to you.” I looked at Fiercely. “To both of you. I made promises to myself that I’d try to be a better person for you both. That I’d try harder to accept your culture,, and what you need from me despite the cost.”

“Cost?” Fiercely scoffed. “We wish you to gain a protector and citizenship.”

“The cost is the abandonment of my personal pride! The disregard of what I hold sacred to pacify the whims of a people who have not taken a second to consider my way is in no way damaging or threatening to them or their way.”

Fiercely sighed. “Lumen–”

“Have you once considered doing this will make me so unhappy, it destroys what we’ve managed to build between us?”

Venomous stared for long moments; Fiercely responded with anger.

“We’re rebuilding trust between us, and this threatens to ruin it.”

“When have I ever damaged the trust between us?” Venomous demanded. “I have protected you. Given concession after concession. Brought you to my home world, proudly, happily. Each rotation, I walk into the Senate Quarter to face condemnation and insult to ensure your safety, as I vowed I would.”

My lips parted, yet I was shocked into silence. I rallied. “I told you they wouldn’t accept me.”

“They will be made to see. I will make them see.” He took an aggressive step. “Your accusation is untrue. I introduced you to my kindred without shame. Never have I done you harm!”

“You raped me.” The words exploded from me. With such volume even I jumped. “You forced me to.... You took away my choice. You are still taking away my choice.”

Venomous went tight all over.

Fiercely’s chest heaved.

His frantic gaze snapped between us in confusion, in fear and growing anger.

Shaking, I lifted my face skyward. “It happened. It was the single most terrifying, hurtful, most degrading experience of my life. It always will be. The male I care about, who did this to me, hasn’t apologised. He doesn't acknowledge he crushed my pride. He doesn’t spend time agonising over the offence he committed. Instead, he pushes me to again set aside my self-respect to meet a tradition that exists for his people alone. Because of a biological quirk I do not possess.” Swaying, I mumbled, “I cannot explain any plainer than that. I do not want to do this.” I met his gaze. “If you make me, I can’t stop you, but you will break us if you force me before I’m ready.”

Venomous’ hands shook. “I do not force you.”

“Not now. I love you now. The first time–”

“There is no forcing.”

Fiercely glanced at Venomous.

Watching the other male, he stood pale and stiff.

I said, “Venom, I need you to acknowledge what you did to me, and be sorry.”

“You are my Rä’Na. Mine. I did not need to speak to you to know this.” His face lifted and went cold. “I did not force you.”

“Yes. You. Did.”

“You showed me how to make you wet.”

“I fought you. I showed you that to spare myself pain because you gave me no choice. I fought you.”

“The female always fights.” His arms lifted, hands fisted. “Always. You have seen this.” His gaze skittered. “I captured you the old way, but I did not....”

He ran out of words and stared.

“I keep telling myself, if you’d understood me, you would have stopped.” I shook my head. “Even Yofk showed me more respect. So did Beowyn.” Tears pooled in my eyes. “How can I get over it when I what feel doesn’t even matter right now? You know what it’s like to have no choice.” My tone turned bitter. “Whether it’s your culture or not, you did that to me, and you need to face it. How am I meant to be happy, when you keep taking away my right to choose? My freedom?”

I hit Fiercely with a glare.

“You too. You’ve made me too scared to enjoy what is supposed to be my home world. You condescend because I don’t know how things work here.” I flung my arm out. “Instead of helping me, you’ve locked me away. You expect me to act as if I’ve lived on Rök my whole life. When I do things wrong, you shame and scold me. You try to guilt me into treating you as you feel you should be treated rather than earning my love.”

Fiercely made a strangled noise.

He withdrew a step, angling his face away.

Venomous lunged to grip my face in two hands.

He rasped to the stars, “Grandfather, give me the words.” His gaze lowered, stark with hurt. “I needed you.” He rubbed his cheek to mine. “Terrifying. Hurtful. Most degrading? Your words are fearsome.” He shuddered. “If this is what you must feel, then feel it. To me that act is one I will never regret. It gave me you.” His voice quavered as his hand settled on my lower stomach. “It gave me both of you. Understand why I can never apologise for it. Each moment of our past brought us to now. I wouldn’t change the pain and risk the glory of our future.”

Kneeling behind me, Fiercely wrapped his arms around my middle then leaned his head on my upper back. “We will do better.”

Their strength surrounded me, supported me.

The apology offered wasn’t what I’d wanted.

It was, however, what I needed.

A flood of tears wet my face before I covered it with my hands.

I wept for what I’d lost, and all I’d gained.

Let it go, just let it go.

The desolation swept away as it hit me what the hurts of those early days bought me.

A family.

Love.

This is why Venomous would not repent.

He cradled me close, and led us inside our lair.

I leaned on him, my hand was enveloped in Fiercely’s warm palm.

As the lanced wound festering in my heart healed, the odd sad noise, or choked sob fell from my lips.

I could stay pissed, grow bitter and mean about their failures, and mine, or I could accept the past was past and move on.

Love them unconditionally.

Fiercely pulled on my arm, bringing us to a stop just past the threshold. “The lesser mating?”

My face crumpled, and I whimpered.

Venomous muttered, “As I a speak my deepest truths, I admit I do not want this.”

“What?” Fiercely hissed. “You leave what is ours vulnerable.”

My heart soared.

Is he saying....

Venomous rubbed his sloped forehead, the line between his brows deepening. “Lumen, it is wrong of me to wish this. To deny you the basic rights of protection as Rä’Na. As Rä.”

“Don’t care,” I said quickly.

“I do,” Fiercely snapped.

A muscle ticked in Venomous’ jaw. “As do I.”

“You just said you didn’t want it either,” I cried.

“Yesss, but I want you safe and protected.” He inhaled and his tense body uncoiled. “What I wish does not matter, only what keeps you safe does.”

The glimmer of hope shrivelled into a husk.

I could point out his mother had been dealt with, and I now had the time I needed, but that seemed cold. “When do you want the ceremony to happen?”

“In three moons,” Fiercely replied.

“I refuse to wait longer,” Venomous added.

We stood in a tight triangle.

They stared down at me as I struggled to think of a way to change their minds.

Slumping, I held their hands, my neck bowed. “Will you hold me? During.”

“A Rä’Na will guide you,” Fiercely murmured. “Do not worry all Rä females will forsake you. I received a message on the journey back from Cobra. She, Singing Water has offered.”

I mumbled, “Did she now?”

Covering her own ass, but whatever.

She had to live in fear with what she’d done, and the leverage I had on her guaranteed she’d tow the line.

I said, “I need you to be the ones who comfort me.”

“It is not done,” Venomous hedged.

“Since when does that stop you?”

Shoulders curling in, silent, Fiercely didn’t try to grasp for my favour as usual.

Apparently this wasn’t a task he wanted anything to do with.

Venomous’ breathing quickened. “You would suffer us close?”

“Yes,” I replied. “I’ll deal with how I feel after, and hope for the best, I suppose.”

“Hope for the best?”

“I might not feel the same about you after it’s done.” There was an ache at the back of my throat, a shakiness deep in my limbs. “I might not feel the same about either of you. That will be your consequence to deal with.”

“I will hold your hand as you bear your back,” Fiercely growled then stormed out the haze into the night.

Venomous remained, struggled with it. He wet his lips. “I do not want to.”

“So it’s okay for your friend to fuck me,” he flinched, “but you don’t want to watch? You get to separate yourself from it, but I don’t? You are refusing to stay with me and,” my breathing hitched, “hold my hand to give me strength?”

Lips pressing into a white line, he twisted his head to glare at the wall.

“You abandon me to this when I need you?”

Venomous swallowed, twitched, wanting to turn to me, but kept his face averted.

His body froze and he denied us both.

“That sick, ugly feeling crushing your chest? I feel it, times a hundred.”

“You know nothing of what I endure.” His voice was dangerous, low. “It is not natural for me to quake at the thought of a lesser mate gentling you. It is not Rä. It is not of a warrior to deny you the right of a widow’s protection.” Cords in his neck popped as he thumped his chest. “There is no honour in what burns here, yet I stand wishing with two hearts your custom was my custom. That he would never dare feel what is mine.” His fist pounded again. “His seed in your hot wet.” Another thump. “My Rä’Na.” Thud. “My hearts song.” He spun then roared, “Mine,” so loud the room shook.

Fangs dripping, his brille snapped open to reveal his true eyes.

His arm lashed out to smash through the wall.

Then he lost his shit, in monumental fashion, and trashed the place.

Eyes so round and big they were celestial freaking bodies in my face, I watched my reasonable, composed alien lover and doting father of my as yet unborn child have the Rä version of a complete and utter meltdown.

So....

Turns out, I was wrong.

Venomous did know what emotions he was dealing with.

He’d been controlling them as best he could, but my self-absorbed insecurities prodded the wound until raw and bleeding.

The only escape he had was to explode.

“Babe–”

“My female.”

Crash.

“Darling, put that down!”

“My hot wet.”

Shudder, boom.

Chaos whirled, I stood unharmed, in the eye of the storm.

I grew scared when his rage didn’t abate. “Venom.”

“To touch what is mine in anger.” He snarled and slashed apart a divan. “No one looks upon what I have mounted and seeded with life in disgust. No one. How dare she? How dare they!”

I shut my mouth.

This release of anger was about more than the lesser mating.

He’d tamped down the fury at finding me gone as best he could to stay logical, speed up my return to his side.

Aggressive as he was, emotions didn’t rule my man, he ruled them.

Now we were alone, and I was safe, he threw it all out there, caught in a helpless rage over his mother’s betrayal, and the narrow-mindedness of his people.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’m safe. She didn’t harm us.” My hand came to my belly. “I’m safe here with you, with Fiercely. I trust you. I know you’ll never let it happen again.”

“No one takes what is mine from our lair,” his muscles swelled, “from our nest,” his body shook, and his voice trembled at the notion someone dared breach the sanctity of our home, “where she rests to breed my young and does beg for mercy as their innards bleed. What was done was not enough. I want to hunt her down and–”

“Babe,” I whispered again to stop him saying words he couldn’t take back.

Maybe I’d pushed him a wee bit far beyond what he could take.

“I will stay with you,” he bit out switching to the other thing pissing him off. “I will hold your eyes as he takes you. I am glad of it. Your beautiful gaze, your soft touch, will remind me why I must not rip his entrails to shreds when he releases.” Venomous clicked his teeth. “Speak of it no more.”

Shaken, I nodded fast.

Turning his head to face me, he looked at where I stood, where he stood.

Then he looked at the ceiling. “She hurts my hearts.” His tone turned guttural. “My Rä’Na will not even hold me.”

I sucked my lips into my mouth and blinked back even more tears.

Heart filled to bursting, I tripped and stumbled over the broken debris strewn between us then did a solid face plant into his chest.

He cupped the back of my head, and a tremor passed through his hand.

He’d leashed the fury.

Barely.

Claws unsheathed.

Eyes unveiled.

The full force of his anima turning his scales into lethal spikes and blades.

Yet he held me as if I were precious.

“There is darkness in me. I am not as I was.” He paused, the scales around his eyes bunching. “I frightened you. I know you think me cruel for doing that to her. To send her into the wilderness without food or shelter. To deprive her of a future, or hope of reconciliation. So do I.” His voice thickened. “To those who harm you, the darkness grants no mercy. I fear had you not been there, I would have done worse. Acted in ways you would not forgive.”

“Venomous.” I cupped his face, ran my thumb over his bottom lip. “I will love you no matter what you do. Okay?”

“Promise,” he rasped.

“Always, babe. Always.”

Arm tight around my waist, the possessive hold on my head moved to beneath my chin.

He pushed so my face lifted to his.

Our lips brushed.

“Do you wish to invite your friend?”

I ran my nose along his throat, breathed in his earthy scent. “Beowyn?”

“Our kindred give permission.” Tension threaded his frame, still roiling with emotion. “This has not happened in living memory, my Lumen. It is a great honour.” I went weak in the knees at the livid twitch near Venomous’ mouth. “If you were with the Great Alpha, you would not have to do this.”

“I’m not with the Verak.” I refused to let him think that way. I couldn’t bear it, and neither should he. “Rä warrior hearts beat for me.” I held his gaze. “There is nothing that could make me renounce Fiercely. You. Nothing. Not the males who protect me. Who make me laugh. Who rage at the thought of another touching me. Who think I’m asleep when they whisper names to our hatchling as I lie between them. And no, we are not naming our child Terror from Above.” I gripped his chiselled jaw. “Who set aside their jealousy to ensure my safety in case of their demise, even when I fight against what they consider best. Nothing.”

I was done.

The venting of pain had been cathartic.

We were stronger for it.

There was enough to deal with the next day.

Right then, I just wanted to curl up beside them.

“Invite Beowyn,” I decided. “We’ll need all the support we can get.”

Venomous’ tongue dabbed at my neck.

His piercing was smooth and warm, causing a shiver of lust I was too exhausted to indulge. “Our hatchling is well?”

“Oh, la!” My palms rubbed my tummy. “It’s so small, I doubt it knows much of anything.”

His hand closed over mine, as it often did when I touched my stomach. He couldn’t help himself. “Tomorrow we will see Nāga. To be certain.”

“Whatever you say, babe.” I yawned into his shoulder then rubbed my nose and cheek on it. “Let’s go grab Fiercely then go to nest.”

“Yesss. I ache to love you.”

I snorted. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Thsst!”

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

“What I wouldn’t give for an icy bottle of Russian Standard, and a tall shot glass.”

Naked, using my bonding robe as a blanket, I ran a shaky hand across the side of my neck and bent my head.

In the festival hall, over six hundred Rä and three Verak envoys waited for me to gather enough courage to climb onto the nest, and consummate my mating, in the ancient tradition as defined by the way.

Other than royalty, who invited that many freaking bodies to the equivalent of their wedding?

I couldn’t decide if all these people had turned up because Venomous and Fiercely were so well liked, or because they wanted to see a ‘grotesque’ human bare.

And the number was those who hadn’t turned down their invitation because they were busy, or opposed to the idea of and offworlder.

Trembling had turned into outright quakes as I, let’s face it, hid inside a meditation pod.

I had sidled into the hall then frozen as a sea of dark eyes locked on me.

I’d fled like a pusillanimous fool.

Yes, I needed that big ass word to convey the depth of how not well I was handling the situation.

Fiercely sat, watching me.

Down on one knee, Venomous gazed at me, eyes and mouth soft. “My Lumen, I know the beauty of this act seems incomprehensible to you, but do you know why I kneel before you the happiest male on Rök?”

“Because you’re about to gangbang me in public?”

He eyed me, chin dropping. “I do not know what that means.”

“Why are you happy, babe?’

“I am about to declare to all,” a slow smile, “how perfect you are to me. This is but another of many steps I take with you.” He cupped my face. “Walk with me, and know my joy.”

Rapt, my lip wobbled. “I don’t know how you make the weirdest things all right, but you do.” I clutched his shoulders then pressed my forehead to his. “Is there anything I need to know?”

“It is important certain traits of your species are hidden.” Venomous’ thumb swiped over my lips. “You must never tell anyone how we make you feel. Understand? It must remain secret.”

Breathing shallow at the hot look in his eyes, I jerked a nod.

Worry flipped my stomach over.

“I do,” I swallowed, “but I don’t know if I can hold still ... during.”

Spectators or not, Venomous had a habit of turning me inside out.

“We will take care of you,” Fiercely promised, sliding close.

Venomous nuzzled my temple. “Trust us.”

Then they were touching me.

I don’t think there was a part of my body not connected with a large, brawny hand.

Warm, rough palms, calloused fingertips, light scratches of claws.

They rubbed and squeezed, stroked and pressed.

Need engulfed me, their touch fire that burned a trail, left radiant joy instead of devastation.

I drew a short, sharp breath as the flames rose ever higher and set me ablaze.

Dragging me flush to his heaving chest, Fiercely cupped my face. He searched my eyes. “If only you wanted me as I want you.”

Placing my hands over his, I gripped his fingers.

I held his bottomless gaze. “If you don’t know how I feel about you, you aren’t looking hard enough.”

Grip tightening, his mouth descended to mine.

Thick fingers tunnelled into my hair to hold the back of my head.

Claw tips pricked my scalp, and I shivered.

His raspy tongue plunged past my parted lips and twisted around my own in a delicious, bold stroke.

There was no give in his kiss.

It was a taking, a forceful claim that seared his mark upon me, a claim I surrendered to with a groan of conquest.

Venomous’ finger probed my cleft.

It slipped into my folds and circled the swelling bud it discovered there.

Questing lower, it dipped into the opening of my core and swivelled.

Fiery pressure built under the surface of my skin, a million needles nicking my flesh, sparks of pleasure hiding behind shadows of pain.

Clouds of reason rolled back to leave me a hungry void.

The throb of my clit, and sucking ache hollowing out my pussy expanded.

The powerful cravings forged new universes of passion, exploded into unfamiliar dimensions of need.

I rolled my hips to increase the contact, felt the pulsations quicken, and my thighs grow slick with wet.

Greedy, famished, I rocked, succumbing to my baser instinct to allay the rising tide of bliss before I drowned in it.

The surges of pleasure filled me up, spilling over to douse my shaking limbs in rivers of ecstasy.

Fiercely broke the connection of our lips to mouth the arced length of my neck.

Hot breath kissed my skin.

His closed fist pulled on my hair, drawing my head back to endure his dangerous, yet sensual play.

Lethal fangs scored my pulse, followed by a stroke of his barbed tongue.

Stunned, I realised unlike my first alien lover, Fiercely needed no direction from me.

He chartered the hollows, curves and peaks of my landscape with an eager confidence that contrasted sharply with his emotional restraint.

I hadn’t been alone in thinking on our first kiss, and embellishing it in my imagination, it seemed.

Venomous’ attention arrowed to the triangle of my sex. “Dearest, so hot, tight and wet you are. We are to prepare you now. Be still.”

His fingers petted crisp, dark hairs.

He fondled my swelling cunt lips, rubbed, and teased the wet inner core until I writhed between them.

I tugged hard on Fiercely’s short quills as he sucked my breast into his mouth on a rushing hiss.

Head rolling on Venomous’ chest, I looked down my straining body to the other male ravishing me.

How to describe the decadence of watching him feast on my wanton flesh?

Long, strong limbs flexed a lure to stroke.

Broad shoulders begged me to grab hold, and brutally honed abdominals pulled into a tight curve as he bowed over me, as if knelt at the foot of an idol in sensual worship, demanded my touch.

Hard ridges bracketed his groin, and my eyes latched onto the veined, jutting shaft straining towards me.

His penis was the same vivid sapphire as his scales until it reached the apex were the colour darkened to a deep indigo, and the slit in his bulging crown wept lucent cream.

Panting, I squeezed my eyes shut and fought for air.

I craved that cock.

I had to be clever though, play it cool because if they caught on to how much I wanted it, they’d get shifty until we were consummating as their tradition dictated.

Fiercely shuddered as he tasted me, powerful arms tensing, and caging me from escape.

A pair of hands curved around my knees then began a slow, taunting glide upwards.

Thighs stiff with excitement brushed mine from behind.

Forgetting about playing it cool, I choked on my own frantic sounds, pushing back and forth, not sure who I wanted more, but determined to get someone up in there or flee the mortal coil trying.

Venomous caught me against him with the flat of his palm on my lower stomach.

His hold was firm, but gentled in deference to the beloved life I carried.

Beautiful did not begin to describe the dynamic perfection of the cock pressed against me.

It dug into my ass, and, I swear, I whinnied in desperation.

Languid, he smoothed another hand over my torso, passing over my navel with an amused chuckle as it was now an outy.

He stroked circles around the feature common to me, yet beguiling to him.

Calloused finger pads tickled my ribcage until they grazed the outer swell of my breast.

A thumb swept over my taut nipple.

I groaned, undulating under the caress.

Its twin tingled and burned at the merciless, raspy tongue flicking at it.

The fleeting lashes caused toe curling ripples within my clenched sex.

Fiercely released the mound he tortured with a slow lick.

“I do not think she can be still,” Venomous mused over my head.

“A show of force then,” Fiercely replied.

Clasping my throat, fingers splayed over my chin, Venomous turned my head then tipped my face upward.

He leaned to whisper against my lips. “Very well, my Lumen. It is fine to resist, to struggle.”

The words knocked loose bad feelings alongside darker, needier lusts.

“S-struggle?” I echoed in a trance.

His palm boldly cupped my pussy. “Yesss. We will hold you down.”

“Try to be quiet,” Fiercely murmured his thumbs sweeping the sensitive undersides of my breasts. “We have explained you are different, but we do not wish to distress our kindred.”

Hearing these strange things in the heat of passion, I felt conflicted.

This came out as a querulous outburst, tinged with the shrill voice of one suffering fevered delirium. “I need you. I don’t give a shit what your kindred might feel if I orgasm. I can’t take anymore. A noisy, messy orgasm is going to happen. I am going to murder you if I don’t come. Someone fuck me. Here. In the middle of the damn street. Just jump on it. On me.”

Abandoning me to the fiery current thundering through my veins would redefine my comprehension of cruelty.

“The death threat was sarcasm,” Venomous enlightened in a low aside.

“Was not,” I snapped. “It was a vow–”

Cut short by Fiercely crushing his mouth to mine, he pushed inside.

The scent of his peppery musk intensified as he dragged me onto his spread thighs.

A sweet, vanilla tongue thrust and parried against mine in brutal, hard stabs.

He kissed with instinct, weaved a spell as he gyrated his groin in tandem with the enchantment he conjured on the tips of his tongue.

Venomous rumbled, “We must do this quickly.” His rumbling voice was strained. “I fight my instincts. It does not matter who watches, I will take her as I wish.”

Fiercely broke away on a hiss. “We go now.” He lifted me up and followed Venomous out the meditation pod into the darkened festival hall.

Nuzzling his strong neck, I was so out of it, the change in scenery didn’t register.

The milieu was a splodge of dim colour and of indecipherable hum of muted sound.

The only real and true thing in sharp focus were the two males I wanted pounding inside me, fucking me hard, making me scream.

Fiercely climbed onto the nest, set me down on my side then backed away before I could snatch at him.

I was rolled onto my front, hips jerked up, presented.

Face pressed to the furs, Venomous caught my scrambling hands then pinned them over my head.

A thick thigh pressed between my legs to open them wide.

Grateful I’d get what I’d been wanting, a whimper punched past my lips.

A rough palm closed over my mouth to muffle the sound.

My nose pulled air, nostrils hollowed the suck was so hard.

I made a wild, guttural sound that felt so good, I squeezed my eyes shut, and groaned with abandon when I felt a prod at my opening.

A bucking of narrow hips, and the distended head breached, pushing deep, the thrust a delicious glide of hard cock into wet cunt.

I would have tried to high five somebody if my eyeballs weren’t rolling around my sockets like runaway marbles.

Moaning, I worked my hips and plunged headfirst into the sensation of my clit swelling, my pussy clamping tighter around his shaft, rubbing against it.

Stirring, stirring.

The rod of iron easing back and forth created a concentrated friction that drove me out of my mind.

I needed faster, or harder, or rougher.

My keened protest didn’t invoke the change I wanted, but one I really hadn’t needed.

Venomous clamped his hand tighter over my mouth which caused my sexual charge to skyrocket, and I struggled to break free, so I could tackle him, and take what I wanted in earnest.

Which made things worse because he simply held me tighter, and moved slower.

I couldn’t tell him to stop restraining me.

The silent command to hold still made it worse, smashed against the primal urge to buck my hips and draw him deeper, nor could I tell him to fuck me, and make me come, so I could blink, and breathe, and function once more.

On a laboured grunt, Venomous’ shaft throbbed and swelled to bursting then he jerked, and sighed as he flooded me with heat, hips grinding.

He slipped out, hot cock smearing seed over my ass, and I have never wanted to maim someone so bad in my life.

But then deliverance.

“Lumen.”

Fiercely’s breath caressed my ear and chills whipped down my spine, arching it, pulling my stomach taut, neck straining as his heat covered me.

A wild gasp come scream was smothered by another palm.

“Feel me, Rä’Na.” That beautiful cock of his pushed into me. “Feel me as I feel you.”

On my hands and knees, I managed to pull forward an inch then slammed back.

He choked and clasped my hips, but allowed it.

Within five stunted thrusts, I was there.

The pleasure centres in my brain failed to absorb the sensations twisting my insides, so flipped switches and threw levers to force my body to release the pressure before meltdown.

My jellied muscles jumped and twitched, my eyelids flickered, and my mouth opened and closed.

I was one hundred percent certain I was having a grand mal seizure because all I could think was, fuck me, fuck me, fuck me.

Then his shaft rubbed against a swollen, hot spot on my inner walls and I was coming.

Coming so hard, I feared spears of fire shot from my eyeballs.

As I seized on him, Fiercely muttered heated words of devotion then I felt his seed filling me up, and marking me as his.

Squirming, I grew dizzy and the world smudged, grew darker, and I lost contact with the rest of my body.

I toppled, but was caught and steadied.

I gradually became cognizant, shook myself then grunted, frankly, thrilled to be alive after such delightful suffering.

Whispering above me then the warm rush of vanilla breath at my ear. “Rä’Na?”

Languorous, I made a complaining ‘what do you want?’ noise.

“I know you are tired,” Fiercely murmured, “but there is only one more.”

The words began a steady meander through the nebulous layers of my satiation, but didn’t reach my ‘holy fuck this is happening’ centre fast enough to prepare me.

A warm arm encircled my waist then a shaft penetrated my quivering depths, stretched me, which said a lot because Venomous had girth.

It was like being dunked in ice water.

Flutters tightened my chest as my heartbeat exploded into a mad dash.

I inhaled, and smoky musk, thick and rich, stole up my nose.

Limbs tingling, my back went rigid, my eyes rolled, showing too much white, and I peeped a squeak.

Shock held me immobile as I realised who rolled his hips against my backside, was lodged within, who ever so subtly caressed my sides.

Tremors wracked my frame.

I struggled to decide to scream, cry or come again as he sighed, his hot come spurting deep.

Dazed, I happened to look up at Venomous and witnessed the exact moment he snapped.

Gleaming brille solidified to flat black orbs.

His lips peeled back revealing curved fangs dripping with poison, muscles swelling, bunching, as he hissed like a feral beast and a wave of gold dappled his armoured scales.

Spitting a curse, Fiercely hooked his lower arms under me, and with a neat yank and roll, he pulled me off the nest and into his upper arms.

Venomous launched himself at Cobra that Strikes, and they collided with a sickening thud of flesh.

If the hunter, my lesser mate, had still been inside me, I would have been crushed.

The males wrestled and grappled with each other, but it was clear Cobra was done for because Venomous had him pinned then went to town on him, raining punishing blows the other male was forced to endure, as after the first barrage, he seemed too stunned to fight back.

Abruptly aware we had a sizeable audience, I snatched the white robe Fiercely held out to me, his attention on the tussle, and wrapped it around my nakedness.

The crowd of kindred looked disturbed, but not surprised at Venomous’ reaction.

I demanded, “Why isn’t anybody stopping him?”

Fiercely’s face twisted. He dragged on his hardsuit. “You do not stand in front of the tempest, my Rä’Na. You get out of its way, and hope for the best.”

“Hope for the....” I scoffed. “Enough.” I scrambled onto my feet, staggering when my legs wobbled.

Waving Fiercely off, I eyed the violent clinch, thinking how best to break it up, knowing to draw near would be suicide, when it came to me.

I yelled, “Venom, save me.”

Just like that, he detached from Cobra and was in front of me, using his body as a shield.

Crouched, he snarled as his gaze snapped side to side searching for the threat, tongue flickering as he sought a taste of his enemy.

As he was bent, we were eye level, and I draped my arms around his neck, and propped my chin on his shoulder. “Now, babe, thrilling as that was to witness, it’s time to feed me then make merry.”

“Aye, ‘twas arousing,” Beowyn agreed as he bounded up to us, cutting cheekbones flushed, his slanted eyes shining with feral excitement, and a darker, wilder kind of lust. “But why did you stop the sporting?”

“Sorry to cut short your entertainment,” I said dryly, “but I didn’t fancy burying my lesser male under the same moon of my nuptials.”

“Oh, ‘tis no bother. I recorded what was important.” He held up a device he’d called his SonCom when we had eaten high meal together before the ceremony. “Doubt I shall leave my harem for a cycle once I play it back in my apartments on Vayhalun.” He glanced around then his face brightened. “Food!” He sauntered off whistling and bobbing his head at a leery passerby.

Bringing one of my hands to his sensual lips for a kiss I wasn’t convinced was proper to bestow on a mated female, Éorik smiled at me with genuine warmth. “Many happy returns, Lady Lumen. I wish you and your mates all the blessings of the Mighty Boar.”

Fighting to tame my ‘I just got fucked’ curls with my free hand, cooling seed slipping wet down my inner thighs, I smiled. “Thanks.”

“Think nothing of it.” He chucked me under the chin. “You have a pretty cunny. I am quite jealous of your males, and of you, truth be told. They are magnificent.”

At that, he strolled after Beowyn leaving me with my jaw swinging, and my face a million times hotter than Rök’s red sun.

After a lively feast, where Cobra and Venomous made peace, apparently the whole ‘trying to kill the lesser mate’ thing happened often in the ancient past, or with the more aggressive males, and was quickly forgotten, I cleaned up then walked the edges of the celebration with a cold drink of water in hand.

I watched the jovial festivities experiencing waves of relief that bled the tension from my shoulders.

The bonding ceremony was done, over, and I’d never have to do it again.

Just about to rejoin the party, a familiar face I really hadn’t wanted to see approached me.

I was not going to talk to her, never again would I talk to her, so I would remain aloof and cool until she buggered off.

I am ice.

“Salutations on this most joyous of festivals,” Singing Water said with a polite bow.

Staring through her, I said nothing.

“Your mates look thrilled, and you look happy,” a glance at my swelling belly, “and healthy.”

“No thanks to you.”

Damn.

At least my voice was derisive instead of catty.

“Yesss. That is truth. It is also truth my Rä’Vek covets you.” A tense pause. “And Lumen, it is truth you covet him. Perhaps you cannot admit it to yourself.”

She’s making out like this is my fault? “Why are you talking to me?”

“I have approached to apologise, make amends.”

“I don’t want you to. Frankly, I wish you didn’t exist.”

“But ... you did not speak when ... when....”

“No, I didn’t. Partly because I couldn’t take anymore. Partly because it hurt Venomous to have to do that to his mother and I didn’t want to add to the burden, and, yes, I’ve come to care for Cobra. Speaking out meant laying at his feet the choice of shunning his Rä’Na, or enduring the wrath of my vengeful mates.” I didn’t look at her. My face would give it all away if I did. “So what I did, I did for them, not you. You are just the worst type of person. You made me think we could be friends.” My voice cracked. “You look sweet, but you’re rotten, and I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“Cobra that Strikes is my Rä’Vek.”

“I understand feeling so strongly about someone that you would consider the most unreasonable of things, but what you tried to–”

“There is no affection between me and him.” She sounded nauseated by the suggestion. “Truth, I feel nothing for him. He dishonours me by the way he looks at you.”

And I don’t see him as just a friend either, not anymore.

I hate this female is what he goes home to, but it’s not my place to interfere.

I said, “He’s never behaved improperly.”

“Of course not. He would never, but the look is enough to cause me offence. To shame me.”

“The shameful person here is you. You, and the six others like you that tried to rip apart a happy clan because of arrogance, pride and jealousy.”

“It will sound insincere, but I did think the odds of you being happier outweighed the risk of you suffering.”

“The lives of others are yours to gamble with?” My fingers dug into my drinking bowl. “I was sold into a harem. If Beowyn had been different, my offspring would have been torn from my body and discarded like waste. I would have been raped, repeatedly, and my Rä’Veks would have grieved thinking our young and I had died.”

Could she not comprehend how twisted that was?

All because she was jealous of a few stolen looks when she couldn’t be bothered to feel anything for Cobra?

“They would have blamed themselves,” I finished.

“I did not think of that. You must see my intentions were not evil.”

“Oh no, just selfish and nasty. You stand there and tell me you played a game of chance with fate, and expect me to, what? Forgive you? I am on to you, you crazy bitch. So back the fuck up, and go pray to your gods my males don’t find out what you did.”

“Y-you will not tell them?” She sounded faint. “You vow it?”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut. I refuse to hurt Cobra that way. And yes, I do covet my lesser mate. He is a good male. He deserves better than you.”

I beamed a smile at a passing a’Rä then waited until it was out of earshot.

Finally, I turned to Singing Water, keeping my expression carefree in case my mates glanced in my direction, but my eyes were evil. “If I get so much as an inkling, you’re plotting to hurt me and mine again, I won’t send my Rä’Veks after you. I’ll send the Great Alpha, and his big fucking sword. See, he offered to take the heads of those who piss me off as a bonding present. I’m sure Cobra will get over it with me to help him through.”

Ugly hatred twisted her mouth in a sneer for the briefest moment before she masked it with remorse. “Lumen–”

“You were right before. This is a festival, a celebration, and I don’t want you here poisoning it. Leave. Now.”

“He may want you,” she hissed, “and you may want him, but he can never have you, and you must forever look on knowing he is mine.”

She fled.

“Bitch,” I muttered.

I can’t say I was proud of how I behaved.

I can say it felt bloody good to get that off my chest, but the truth?

She’d got the last word, and it was a direct hit.

Not long after I got shot of her, I went looking for Cobra for two reasons.

One, I just wanted to see him.

Two, I needed his help.

Looking left then right, I sidled up to him during a dramatic re-enactment of Zython and Starlight’s love, and nudged him with my elbow.

He slowly turned to look down at my arm then higher at my face. “Yesss?”

“You want to be a good lesser mate, right?”

His attention sharpened to such a degree, it felt as if twin lasers drilled into my skull. “Yesss.”

“Lovely. Here’s your chance to earn some of my goodwill.” I glanced around to check we were alone. The Rä were so light footed, I couldn’t tell if Venomous or Fiercely were standing right behind me. “Between me and you, where’s the good stuff at?”

“Good stuff?”

I gripped his shoulders and stared into his handsome face, pleading. “Where is the sugar at?”

“We do not have such things.”

Liar. “Fine. What about those sweet berries? Where can I get more of those?”

His lips twitched. “Delicacies bought during trade. There will be none available to purchase until the expedition offworld next solar.”

Silent, I eyed him until he shifted.

I sensed a conspiracy.

No is there nothing sweet on the whole damn planet.

He’d been forewarned I’d approach him.

Letting him go, I pursed my lips and squinted. “They talked to you about this, didn’t they?”

He reached to touch my cheek, but snatched his hand back. He sighed. “Rä’Na....”

“Oh, yeah, they talked.” I stomped my foot. “Clever bastards. I’d hate them if their deviousness didn’t make me hot. They’re challenging me.” I snapped my fingers then dropped a loose fist to my cocked hip. “It’s so on.”

“Venomous has spoken to me and others of your fondness for such things. Scans from the healer He, who is Widowed, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons show damage to your body from your Earth diet. It will take solars for you to heal. So many toxins and chemicals are stored within you.” He cocked his head. “We do have confectionary on Rök, but they are to be consumed within moderation. Our species learnt this in its infancy. The population developed health concerns that seemed trivial, but had devastating accumulative effect.”

“Sooo,” I drawled, “what it sounds like you’re saying, is you’re not going to help this hormonal female feed her sugar addiction.”

“Yesss.”

My face crumpled. “But why?”

He clicked his teeth, exasperated. “They are bad for you, and for the offspring until you heal.”

Pouting, I grumbled under my breath.

How did you argue with common sense like that?

Still, I was a sugar junkie like you wouldn’t believe.

Shit would get ugly if I didn’t get a little somethin’ somethin’ sweet.

Drawing nearer, Cobra asked, “Why does this anger you?”

“Because they’re cramping my style! I can’t be crafty and sly when they’ve warned everybody that I’m being crafty and sly in my hunt for decent food.” I chuckled and shook my head. “They know me better than I realised.”

“The fare they provide is purchased from the Hunters Caste. I assure you, it is of the highest quality.” Shoulders tense, he looked indignant. “The meat for this festival was hunted by me.” He inched closer to murmur, “My gift to you.”

“Was it?” I one-arm-hugged him. “Thanks. Not what I meant though.” I tipped my head back and stared at the glister creep. “I need sugar or I’m going to die.”

“Die,” he whispered rubbing his waist where I’d embraced him.

“Yes!”

As I performed a rain dance to the heavens, begging for Snickers to plummet from the sky like manna, Fiercely had a meltdown.

He grabbed me, scooping me to his chest.

He bolted through the concert bellowing for my mates.

The actors were startled, but carried on with their performance, even when half the audience craned their necks to see what happened to the alien female.

Rushing into one of the meditation pods, he settled me onto a divan with piles of hand stuffed cushions adjacent to a stone pond filled with aquatic creatures.

The fountaining water feature was lit with diffused blue light.

It drew the eye to help the supplicant seeking inner peace relax.

Incense wafted by as purple curls of fragrant, liquorice smoke.

Shadows hugged the pod corners, and the music from the festival hall was a low hum in the background.

The quiet, intimate space was a welcome change of pace after being on display.

Shaking, Cobra pressed his calloused palm to my forehead. “Are you chilled? Your skin feels cool. Your life force dims as I speak.” His voice turned hoarse. “Grandfather’s Hood, I never should have listened to them. I should have given you all you desired.”

This killed the hasty assurances that I was fine and he was overreacting.

I blinked.

Cocking my head, I thought of the possibilities....

“All I desire?”

Nominal time later, feet up, nestled into the pillows, I let Cobra feed me what he’d found.

Clutched in one claw was a pannikin of fruity liquid called amrita.

It tasted similar to crisp wine.

The naturally occurring plant nectar slid down my throat like runny honey.

In another of his hands, a deeper bowl of blue grain with the texture of couscous called kakt’mi.

Boiled in goodbeast mylk the grain went down like porridge.

But the flavour!

Rich chocolate pudding with a hint of salted caramel.

After the first hesitant spoonful, my mouth watered just thinking about it.

The look and consistency might be of sludge, but it tasted scrumptious, and I hummed with pleasure as Cobra brought the rim of the drinking bowl to my lips.

After making sure I was comfortable, Cobra had flown into action like a whirling, howling dervish.

He’d barked orders at scurrying Sylphs then haltingly explained what happened to Venomous and Fiercely when they thundered into the pod looking for me, wild eyed and hissing with worry.

Now my mates watched me with exasperation even as they shoved Cobra out of the way and took over my pampering.

“I need at least one sweet treat a day,” I informed as I lay back. “You know, for my emotional health.”

Venomous looked suspicious, but was too relieved I wasn’t dying to naysay me.

Fiercely said, “I will make provisions.”

As he hustled from the room, no doubt to see to the ordering of more grain, I nibbled my luscious treat as Cobra continued where Fiercely left off.

Venomous crossed his arms over his chest, lips thinning as he picked up on my not-so-secret smugness. “Truth, dearest?”

“Really, babe?” I shot back not caring in the least. “Do you think I haven’t figured out unless we’re in the same room at the time of a meal being served, I don’t have to sit in your lap, and have you hand feed me?” I flung out my arm knocking into the spoon headed for my mouth. Delectable gloop went flying. “If you want to fight this, fine, but be prepared to lose.” My voice turned shrill. “I’m a woman on the edge.”

He eyeballed me harder before deflating. Leaning over, he cupped my jaw and touched his cheek to mine. “Loving you.”

“More than all your gold?”

“Much more.”

I sniffed and tugged on his ear to draw his mouth within kissing range.

It was a wet, leisurely knot of tongue and press of slanted mouth.

The kind of kiss where you meet in the middle, breathe the same air and your lips part forever because the clench of your sex, blood rush in your ears and the sensation of free falling has your jaw dropping.

All you can do is kiss, and kiss, as your heart races, your toes curl, and either he breaks away or you pass the fuck out.

When we pulled apart, gasping, and grinning sappily at each other, I caught a spasm of envy streaking across Cobra’s face.

He turned away and clutched the bowl tighter. He made as if to rise. “I shall give you privacy.”

“There is no need.” Venomous extended a fist in a commanding gesture that he remain. After another press of his mouth to mine, he tore his gaze away to focus on the other male “Stay with her. There are things I must see to before she rejoins the festival.”

When we were alone, Cobra returned to feeding me.

This time a trace of agitation slowed his movements. “You care for them?”

I moved aside the bowl he brought to my lips, forestalling my answer, even as his expression begged I respond. “I do. Why do you ask?”

“I was not liked as a youngling. My temperament was changeable and considered unpleasant. I had no gold. Fiercely was my first true friend. He saw my worth, my potential before all others. He is not even of my Caste. My experience with females ... I was worried when I learnt of who he matured for. It is my wish he be happy.”

Cobra’s tongue flashed past his lips, its lustre more a iridescent purple than blue, as he tried to gauge how I reacted to this revelation.

“I got the impression life has been harsh on you.” I bit my lip, unsure if what I wanted to say would offend him. “I think in certain ways it still is.”

His black eyes gleamed and his lips curved. “You do not like my Rä’Na.”

I blinked at his bluntness, shocked he’d sussed what I thought I’d hidden. “Um....”

“It is fine, Lumen. Singing Water is skilled at making friends. It is the keeping of them she finds difficult. We both know it is not because she attracts bad people.”

As he had opened up such a candid line of communication between us, I thought maybe it would be prudent to address the whole ‘staring longingly at me’ situation, and how I thought it might ‘upset’ his life mate, when an eight foot, half naked Verak bounded into the pod then skidded to a halt before me.

Beowyn threw his arms open and grinned. “Small one!”

“Hello,” I laughed then my eyes snagged on the up-tilted, angry-looking erection bobbing between his thickset thighs. I slapped a hand over my eyes. “Wyn! Where the hell are your pants?”

“I cannot recall.” Amused by my refusal to look at him, he grabbed my hands and pulled them off my face. “‘Tis only a cock.”

“Sit.” I tugged on his arm until he flopped down next to me, chortling. “Are you drunk?”

He blew a raspberry, rolled onto his stomach then wriggled on the divan knocking the cushions off. “Nay.”

I eyed his flushed cheeks and glazed eyes. “I feel like you’re not being honest with me.”

Grinning, cheeky, his legs flopped off the divan edge, and tanned bare buttocks dusted in golden hair flexed as his big feet hit the floor.

I laughed. “And where are your boots?”

Éorik popped his head into the pod then huffed. “There you are.” He stepped into the room with an unlaced pair of breeches draped over his arm, a pair of boots in his hand. “I am sorry, my Lady. He brought you a bottle of rare Aztekian wine as a gift, but after learning the Rä serve no ale, he drank the whole thing.”

He made a feeble gesture towards his liege.

“It’s okay. He can sleep it off in here.” I stroked Beowyn’s mane from his face. He purred and burrowed into my side, rubbing his horns against my thigh. “Are you having a good time?”

He dropped his head onto my lap and grinned up at me. “Aye.” He brushed his fingerclaws to my jaw. “Are you happy?”

“More than I can say.”

The shiny mist receded from his catlike eyes as he focused on my face. “You will always have a place with me.”

Cobra rumbled a warning, but I held up a palm to shush him. I used the same hand to cup the Verak’s bearded cheek. “I won’t need it, but thank you.” I kissed his hand then held it in my own on his chest. “You and I are going to be friends, Beowyn.”

“Friends,” he repeated with a slow blink.

Éorik dropped down on my other side.

He relieved Cobra of my drinking bowl then took a deep glug. “The Great One does not have friends.” He licked his lips and made a pleased sound. “He has concubines, servants, vassals and allies, but no friends.”

“He does now.” I snatched the amrita from him with a sniff. Who knew when my mates would let me drink it again? I waved it under his nose. “Mine.”

Excited voices drifted from the main hall.

Intrigued, I looked a question at Éorik who’d just come from out there.

“Oh, nay,” he replied to my unasked query with a shake of his silver mane. “I shall not be the one to ruin the surprise.” He helped me onto my feet, smirking when Cobra glowered at what he considered his duty being usurped. “I will take you to your males.”

“And I shall escort all of you,” Beowyn declared brandishing an arm.

He lurched onto his feet, swayed, lunged a step then crashed into the wall, getting tangled in the tapestry.

He yelled and fought it as if it were alive, calling for his sword, and for his legions to, “Rally to me.”

“Ignore him,” Éorik muttered. “I do.”

A hand shot out from under the wall-hanging to point damningly. “I heard that.”

Heaving a long suffering sigh, the Commander handed me off to Cobra who was happy to scoop me up.

Freed from the drapery, Beowyn yanked on his breeches.

He wobbled from one leg to the other, and slapped at Éorik when the male tried to expedite his drunken fumbling.

The Verak King stomped into his knee-high boots then shouted a triumphant, “Ha,” as he thumbed his nose.

Using Éorik as a crutch, he hooked a beefy arm around my shoulders to plaster me onto his side.

He crowed his delight about my charming ceremony, and invited me to an upcoming carnival on Vayhalun as we tottered towards the festival hall struggling to keep him corralled.

Everything we passed grabbed his attention, and stirred him into raptures.

Accented drawl shaking the glister creep, Beowyn bellowed a vulgar ditty about a lusty, behorned wench, and dragged our motley foursome along in his rambunctious trail.

We careened through the hallways and bounced into furniture before stumbling into the celebration; me giggling, Beowyn attempting a partner dance with Éorik who unflinchingly refused to shuffle along, and, finally, a traumatized Cobra, who tried to sneak away, but couldn’t, because I had hold of his belt to keep myself upright.

I laughed so hard, I crossed my legs to alleviate the need to pee.

Watching us with a crooked smile, Venomous waited in the middle of the festooned enclosure.

He motioned me closer then said in a strident voice, “This is a ritual my Rä’Na has on her home world. As we have joined and created new life, I wish to honour her by sharing her traditions.”

Dumping Beowyn on his Commander, I hurried to my mate then clasped his outstretched hand.

Face exultant, Fiercely strode through the gathering of kindred clustered around us.

He held aloft a shiny that caught the light. “I have the rings.”

He did, indeed, have rings; six of them.

It hit me what they were doing, and a hand flew up to cover my mouth.

The engraved gold circles were more like bangles, but I beamed a smile from behind my fingers because it was the thought that counted, and the pieces were exquisite.

I whispered, “Who is the third set for?”

I understood why there would be four.

Two for me, given by each of them, and one for them, given by me.

“Your lesser mate, of course.” Fiercely held up the two most slender. “They are thinner and less decorative, but he is not your third life mate, only your lesser male, and the story of your union was not needed. Only his name is carved here.”

I swept a finger over the delicate curves and flicks of the glyphs. “Who wrote the stories?”

“I did.”

“You did these?”

The scales around his spiky ears and sharp cheekbones darkened. “I wanted it to be special.” His tone was defensive. “I am no Artisan, but I did my best.”

Pressing myself into his side, I tugged his head down to kiss his scowling mouth. “You did good, sweetheart. I love them almost as much as I love you.”

“You love Venomous One,” he countered as if it were set in stone.

“I do.” I held his gaze. “I also love Fiercely Comes the Night.”

Too overcome to speak, he rubbed his cheek to mine, arms holding me tightly as his body trembled.

Cobra that Strikes had not moved since it had been revealed he had an armlet too.

He stared at the rings. “Gold for me?”

“You are part of us now,” Venomous said, “For good or ill.”

“Don’t take the for ill part lightly,” I advised.

Chuckling, Venomous took the largest, most ornate of the rings from Fiercely.

The hammered, polished ore caught the glister creep glow.

Engraved with a lyrical account of our meeting, there was a brutal beauty to how it read.

Fiercely hadn’t glossed over the truth, nor had he downplayed the love that flourished amidst the hurt.

“I marriage you,” Venomous declared in a clear voice as he pushed the cold metal onto my upper arm.

“I marriage you too,” Fiercely blurted as if at risk of being left behind.

He slid his gold onto my other arm.

His band wasn’t as thick, nor the narrative he’d written as poignant, but there was a compelling purity underlying the account that moved me.

“I like this custom much,” he announced with a stare that radiated masculine satisfaction.

“As do I.” Venomous ran a claw down my arm. “It is a softer, but no less powerful claiming.”

They turned to Cobra who took a step back then took three closer.

Hands shaking, he gently lifted the arm bearing Fiercely’s gold to add his own below it.

His gaze met mine and shone with a powerful devotion then he bowed his head. “I do not know the words for the lesser male.”

I thought about it, not wanting to embarrass him by saying there were none.

“Neither do I. What a pair we make.” I smiled, happy he was with us, then slid my gold onto his forearm. I turned to Fiercely and curled my finger. “Come here you.”

His was one of the last two armbands in the form of an adjustable cuff, as no way was a solid circle sliding over his bulging muscles. “I marriage you too, sweetheart.”

Taking the last cuff from him, a magnificent piece with remarkable attention to detail on the etchings, I faced Venomous.

At once, my eyes watered and my chin wobbled. “You remembered. You did this.”

His big body curled around mine, and he cupped my face between his rough palms. “You try hard to please me. I could do no less.”

I slipped the ring into place then kissed it.

Four arms wrapped around me tight, and claws stroked down my back. “My Lumen.”

I snuggled into the male holding me close to his hearts. Happy tears streaked my cheeks as our hatchling quickened between us. “I marriage you too, babe.”

Naked as the day he was born, Beowyn staggered to us, arms outstretched for a hug.

His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he dropped.

His laurel horn cracked the floor, saving his noggin, as he passed out cold.

Éorik strolled up, nudged him with the rounded toe of his boot.

He jerked a shoulder. “’Tis fine.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Idyllic didn’t come close to the following cycles.

I luxuriated in the attentions of my mates.

In what seemed overnight, I passed into the second moontide of my pregnancy, and grew plump.

One moon, Nāga showed us a hologram of our hatchling.

It was so freaking teensy, curled up, sucking its thumb, its wee spiky ears twitching as its gushing thwomp-thwomp heartbeat filled the room, the most beautiful sound I’d heard.

Venomous and Fiercely were boisterous in their delight.

Swaggering about with their chests puffed up, exclaiming how it was going to be a strong a’Rä, grinning ear to ear.

When Nāga advised the hatchling had a sex, they’d looked so aghast, I’d laughed myself sick.

No, seriously, I puked over the rug.

My morning sickness had been hellish, and I’d been getting booster shots because I couldn’t keep enough down, so as to be healthy.

The unsettled stomach didn’t stop me from consuming everything edible in sight though.

Overcoming their shock, Venomous and Fiercely spent the rest of the appointment assuring me what grew inside me was the second most precious thing to them, after me.

Which made me cry because I was hormonal, and it was said with such blunt sincerity.

On the rotations my Rä’Veks didn’t leave me to potter around the lair, we toured the province on the goodbeasts, and took lazy meals at high heat in the scenic, rural areas outside the city proper.

My favourite spot was a secluded vale with a waterfall that flowed into a rocky pool just deep enough for me to stand in.

The foliage was abundant, but less savage than typical, giving its uncultivated nature a wild, yet embracing feel.

Powder fine, green sand dunes rolled on a gentle slope towards the quartz city then on to shadowy mountains that held up an endless horizon.

Dawning Light offhandedly noted it was land for sale, and would make a lovely, rustic lair for raising hatchlings.

I’d glanced at my mates in longing, but Fiercely had looked dubious, Venomous uninterested.

Wind Dancer and his nest mate joined us several times on our excursions, attentive in what they saw as their duty to help me acclimatise, and were delighted by my eagerness for the indigenous cuisine.

Thanks to my accelerated pregnancy, I had a big appetite, so set upon the widowed Rä’Veks’ efforts with relish.

They always brought a delicious spread, which made my mates happy, as I wasn’t the best cook.

I still wouldn’t let Sylphs into the lair, and took it upon myself to do the domestic chores, much to their consternation.

Most of the dishes were far too sour or spicy for my palate.

I enjoyed food eaten by hatchlings, like creamy fermented goodbeast mylk flecked with sweet kakt-mi, tangy cheeses infused with tenderised, salted meat, and fruits sautéed in amrita nectar until they melted on the tongue.

Blitzed vegetable paste that reminded me of guacamole texture wise, but was yellow, and tasted like roasted, caramelised parsnips was a savoury favourite.

I gobbled it using fresh, pan fried bread to scoop it from the bowl.

Mischievous, Venomous once tried to steal some from me when my back was turned, but my sixth sense pinged, and I spun brandishing a knife, seriously considering cutting the fool for even considering it.

“Don’t muck about,” I warned as he fell back laughing.

Cobra that Strikes came along to these outings, but there was always a reason his Rä’Na skipped attendance.

It was no skin off my nose.

The Rä’Na avoided the intimate get-togethers because she knew I would betray how much she disgusted me.

Other than that one cloud, my life was perfect.

I was nervous about the hatchling, flipping out when I felt it move for the first time.

I gave my mates heart palpitations when I screamed the lair down then demanded they feel up my belly, but mostly I laughed, sang, experienced the day to day joys of living well, and got rode hard and put up wet by lusty males who couldn’t keep their hands and mouths off me.

“A man would not partake in clutch like a Rä’Vek,” Venomous stated apropos to nothing one sweltering morning as we lounged in the garden.

It was his turn to stay home with me as Fiercely went to the guild.

“Yes, he would. Just in other ways too.”

Sprawled on the blue grass playing with a three dimensional puzzle, he abandoned it to roll onto his back, closer to me. “Other ways?”

“Different positions. Kink. Fetishes.”

“Explain.”

“Anal and oral are popular kink,” I replied distracted half by the Zýt’s fascination with my hair, and half by the hologram soap opera Fiercely had shown me how to download from the matrix, which was television, the internet, the telephone, email and radio rolled into one console.

The lead Rä couple were fighting because the male wanted the female to quit her job as a warrior, and lay an egg, as the last fertile time of her lifecycle was upcoming.

He had their kindred’s support.

She didn’t want offspring, and threatened to move to a separate lair to live independent of him.

She had her lesser mate’s support causing friction between the males, and physical confrontations that ended in stylized, martial arts scenes on sweeping landscapes as the female’s softsuit fluttered on the wind, her agonised face haloed by third moon as the credits rolled.

Avowal of Affection was dramatic, much better than its sober rival For Honour and Duty, which was about a widower who was in love with an a’Rä that matured for someone else.

Avowal of Affection had a moody underscore, angst-ridden expressions, cliff hangers, the works.

For Honour and Duty made me want to slit my wrists.

The lead character was a vain, selfish prick who needed to get laid, and stop fixating on someone else’s wife.

I was hooked, wringing my hands as I awaited each new episode, watching them religiously, and getting choked up as I ate frozen sweet kakt’mi and guzzled chilled amrita.

My mates didn’t get it, preferring to complete puzzles and read, but it worked for us.

They lounged around doing their crap, and I did mine, until we got frisky then fucked on whatever surface was handy.

Consequently, most of the lair was acquainted with my bare ass.

“So is doing stuff like you did at the bonding ceremony,” I carried on. “Restraining me, holding me down.” I winked when he made a strangled noise. “Fetishes are fixations with unusual things. Toe sucking.” I lifted a foot to wriggle them at him. “Voyeurism. Swinging.” I tapped my chin, eyes dancing. “You guys can’t do anal because you have no anus.”

“Yesss, but you could.”

“Yup.”

“Oral means ... your mouth.” Venomous sounded strange, as if he couldn’t find air. “Humans like this? You like this?”

“Oral? Sure.” I tore my gaze from the hologram and cocked my head. “What’s wrong, babe? Where’s this coming from?”

“Nothing and nowhere.”

“Did Wyn comm call you again to ask inappropriate things that made you uncomfortable? He only does it to get a rise out of you. I don’t want to join one of his orgies either, no matter what he implies.”

“All is well,” he muttered, yet his expression was thunderous.

The savage blackness of his mood swamped the room until he touched his cheek to mine, muttered something about Veraks then left.

He came back hours later looking calmer, but preoccupied.

Over the next cycle, I knew he thought hard on something because I’d catch him watching me with that powerful, feral gaze.

I asked what troubled him, but he flat out denied there was anything wrong.

Then one day, he stopped brooding and started doing.

Oh la, did he do.

Returning early from the Guild, unexpected as warrior training had intensified, and kept my mates from our lair longer and longer, he stalked up then hauled me off the divan.

I was overjoyed; his timing was flawless.

She, Singing Water and I had been stuck in an awkward conversation.

After my bonding ceremony, she’d sent me a comm call of her hands fluttering this way and that, stammering another apology for her part in selling me into Beowyn’s harem.

She convinced me she had started to like me, but became distrustful, and scared of how her Rä’Vek softened as he looked at me.

How he grew alert when my name was spoken in passing.

She even confided he spoke dotingly of me when they were in their lair, and confessed in a furious rush, she suspected his feelings towards me were more than those for a lesser mate.

I considered letting her off the hook and giving another stab at friendship.

Jealousy was a difficult emotion to handle.

It made us act in unstable ways.

Forgiveness was divine, was it not, and my mates were becoming suspicious of why I had no interest in her when I’d been tenacious in making friends.

After taking some time to mull over it, I decided to dismiss the hatred I’d seen twist her expression the last time we spoke.

I’d hate too if my mates looked at another female the way Cobra looked at me.

My own behaviour had been deplorable, threatening her, rubbing Cobra’s feelings in her face.

It wasn’t cool, and it wasn’t me.

Singing Water’s expression was priceless when Venomous ordered her from the lair.

He bent, tossed me over his shoulder then strode out the living room.

Setting me down in our nest enclosure, he planted both fists either side of my head.

Stumped, I didn’t speak.

His frame of mind was too changeable to get a grip on.

His gaze fixed on my mouth, as it did when he wanted a kiss, but there was an edgier glint in his eyes that made me pause.

Hissing low and long, his thumb pressed hard against my lips.

Thinking playfulness would break his strange mood, I licked the appendage then smiled.

Something worked behind his brille, but I couldn’t decipher what.

A spark glittered within the inky voids, and my alien smirked.

“I messaged Beowyn,” he rumbled. “He replied with a recording.”

“Oookay.”

“To your knees, my Lumen.”

Suspicious, I angled my chin and squinted. “Why?”

Crowding me against the wall until my spine flattened against it, he leaned in and down.

A hard length pressed against my stomach.

My sharp intake of breath lodged in the middle of my airway.

A gush of wet warmed the space between my thighs.

His tongue curled out and clasped at the air then he knew exactly what effect he had on me.

The flex of his hips told me he liked how he made me feel.

“To your knees,” growled at my ear “because I fucking said so.”

Shivers wracked my bones. “Oh, la,” I gasped as I sank to my knees, opened my mouth, and gave him what he wanted.

Pulling his member free of his hardsuit, I dared a heated lick to the moist tip.

Chest heaving, he shuddered.

My fingers dragged up rocklike thighs until they sank into the hollows at his taut buttocks, anchored there to rub hard.

I massaged him through the rubbery textile enclosing his glorious body, and I loved the contrast of its sharp, clean scent to his woody musk.

Venomous hissed, flexed under my palms and rocked.

Tingling ginger spice, dark honey and wet earth dappled my taste buds.

The exhilarating scents grew pungent as the back of my head pressed against the wall, his jutting length nudging my mouth.

A sticky smear on my bottom lip was lapped up by my tongue, the sharp bite of ambrosial cream, tart, fresh. “More.” I dabbed my tongue in the droplet beading his slit.

He roughly gripped himself.

“Yes,” I breathed the sight causing a visceral spasm of lust, a trampling gallop to my pulse. “You saw Veraks do this?”

“Yesss.” He guided himself to my mouth. His breathing coarsened. “Suck me in.”

I laughed, delighted and thinking I needed to send Beowyn his heft in gold.

Moaning, I rubbed my tongue against his flared crown.

Sighed.

His flesh was satiny there.

More fluid weeping from him, the flavour richer, more aromatic.

A pained whistle burst through clenched teeth. “Do you taste me?”

“I do.” My pussy was wet and aching. Its needy depths craved to be filled with the stiff cock sitting heavy on my tongue. “I like it.”

A grunt.

Growls of disbelief.

His abdominals contracted and rippled as his hips rolled, and his arm moved, fist tightening around his moist shaft as he stroked himself off.

Venomous grated, “Suck me.”

My head dipped, and I licked his balls instead.

Jerking, his knees unlocked.

The straightened arm holding his body aloft buckled.

He pinned me against the wall with his lower body, pumping into his jerking hand beside my head.

Thrilled his control fell apart, I nuzzled his sac.

Nipped it.

With a wild yell, he thrust his cock in my face and cried, “I need!”

Aching for him, I took him deep, suckling as his hips worked like a piston.

“I come,” he rasped. “Drink me?”

Slipping a hand between my legs, I touched myself, the grazing pressure to my clit so severe as to sting.

I whimpered, greedy for him.

Venomous stilled.

His forehead thunked against the quartz as he hunched over.

Gripping my head in both hands, he fucked my mouth as my fingers dug into his ass spurring him on.

He knocked my tonsils, I gagged, and the warm squeeze proved his undoing.

A bellowed roar then thickness sliding down my throat.

I swallowed with a muffled keening.

My throat worked to take each tart expulsion that splattered the roof of my mouth, each swallow longer and hungrier than the last.

Breathing ragged, he slipped free of my wet lips on a muttered curse.

Nipples prickling, hard points rasping my softsuit, I barely caught a full breath before the world upended.

Venomous had me on my back, thighs parted, heels pressed into his shoulders as he burrowed his groaning mouth against my cunt.

I gathered enough air to yip encouragement.

Splayed out on the floor, the cold shocking my bare ass, a ridge of material under my heaving, swollen breasts, my arched spine cricked as the fork in his tongue bracketed my clitoris then lashed, twirled and laved.

The ball piercing came into play, and I started making these noises.

He did lethal things that should be against the fucking law when a cry of distress came from the doorway.

Suddenly Venomous ripped away.

He hurtled across the room as a dozen Rä poured in and pounced.

Bundled into strong arms, I was spirited from the room.

Panicked, aroused, scared, I started screaming.

Jaw cracked wide, whole-body-shaking-with-the-force-of-it, lungs burning screaming.

I had one proven weapon against the Rä in my arsenal, and I whacked that baby up full force resolved to do damage.

A clawed hand clamped over my mouth and nose.

Shrieking into the scaly palm, I bucked.

“Silence, female!”

I wrenched my head free, spitting mad. “The fuck? Take your damn hands off me before I rip your dick off.”

“Lumen!” Singing Water bustled up. “Praise be to Zython. You are unharmed.”

I elbowed the steely abdominals of the warrior restraining me, signalling I wanted down.

He didn’t even have the decency to grunt.

My eyes were wild, nerves skittering. “They attacked Venom.”

“Venomous One will be punished for his mistreatment of you.” She clutched my hand. “It does not matter if you are an offworlder. Mistreatment of Rä’Na is not accepted.” Her grip crushed my fingers. “Venomous One is bound by law to give all he has to support you. Do not fear you will starve. If Fiercely Comes the Night is convicted of the same offences, you and your offspring will stay with....” The words lodged in her throat. Her eyes fired then she cast her gaze downward. “Your lesser mate will shelter you, unless you call forth another a’Rä.”

I slow blinked.

My hand ripped from hers, and I put it in her face.

Right up in her face.

So close, her neck snapped back.

“Let me see if I’ve got this straight.” Voice pitched low, I moved my hand aside. “You saw my Rä’Vek, come into our lair and take me to our nest, where he did things to me, things meaning I’m worried my insides will never unravel, and you had a cadre of warriors break in then attack him because of it?”

Up went my palm, back in her face as she went to speak because I did not want to hear her bullshit.

I moved my hand, and began in a reasonable tone, “Have you lost,” then detonated and screeched, “your ever loving mind?”

“You moaned and cried.” Singing Water wrung her hands. “I followed you to see if he had discovered–” She broke off gaze darting to the male that held me. “If you needed aid.”

My eyes narrowed. “Oh?”

Had she been snooping, worried he’d found her out?

Had she been hoping they’d kill him first then ask later?

I can’t put anything past her.

I could not trust this female, I decided it’d be insane to try.

“Does it matter?” Green scales leached into a dull, washed-out colour. “He had you pinned to the wall. His....” Her chest shuddered. “In your mouth.”

Scandalised, her gaze met that of the Rä’Vek holding me captive, who had, I’d forgotten, been listening.

He stiffened then made an expression of disgust and pity.

I was so mad everything was blurry. “You’ve got to be kidding. I was gagging for it.”

“Yesss, yesss.” A frantic nod. “You were choking.”

I face palmed. “No, I let him do that to me. I let him.”

Appalled, she stumbled back a pace.

Cobra that Strikes stomped from the archway leading to the nest enclosure and headed straight to me.

He placed his claws on my brow. “Do not fret. All is well.”

Nope, all is not well, all is fucked.

“Where is Venom?” I demanded my voice wobbling.

“Contained.”

At his vicious tone, I blanched.

Whatever he did was serious because I couldn’t hear him fighting.

What kind of measures would the Rä have to control a fully mated Rä of Venomous’ powerful anima?

“Let him go,” I begged. “Whatever you’ve done or are doing stop. We were making love. That’s all.”

“Making...?”

“Clutch,” I snapped. “My Rä’Vek and I were mating. That’s all you saw.”

Cobra spoke in a soothing tone, as if I were simple. “You are breeding, Lumen. There is no need to suffer clutch.”

The stress of the situation overwhelmed my anger and I shook.

Pale and sweaty, I grabbed Cobra’s arm.

His grey hardsuit was sleeveless, so I touched, warm sapphire scales.

“I get I’m a different species,” I said. “I do. But Cobra, you cannot freak out when you see Venomous and I doing something you don’t understand.”

“This is not the first time he has acted destructively concerning you. What happened at the bonding ceremony–”

“Happened,” I cut in and thrust a hand through my hair then held it off my nape to cool it. “He got mad during the gentling because he didn’t want you touching me, not because he was insane with lust. He’s protective. What your Rä’Na saw in there,” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder, “was consensual.”

“I witnessed his abuse with my own brille. He had you on your back, and his face between your thighs.”

“I saw him force his stem into her mouth,” Singing Water wailed. “Over and over again. I saw it happen.”

“Keep,” I glanced around at the tense warriors, “your voices down.”

“He was rough,” she cried. The volume of her outburst didn’t get quieter. “Snarling, and shoving, and growling such filth.”

“They were, um, play words.”

“Filth!”

Cobra’s expression switched from concern to fury. He addressed the Rä holding me. “Slayer of Fearsome Beasts, take my lesser mate to my lair.”

Slayer moved to comply.

I exploded into a thrashing mass of arms and legs. “Don’t you dare step a toe out of this fucking room. Don’t you dare.”

“Calm, Rä’Na.”

“Shut it,” I spat feeling rude as hell. “Do as I say. I am pissed at you, and I don’t even know who you are.”

Satisfied he wasn’t moving, I speared Cobra with a glare.

He was scared for me, and yes, he had my best interest at heart.

No, I wasn’t feeling reasonable, and no, I was not going to calm down until Venomous was back where he belonged.

And where the hell is Fiercely?

“I am done with this,” I declared. “This is none of your business.” I flailed an arm at the gathering of Rä filling my living space. “None of yours. My Rä’Vek and I are fine. We’re happy. Perfect. Put me down, let Venomous go then get out of our home.”

“You do not understand,” Cobra whispered. “You are my lesser mate, and if Venomous One is unable to care for you, and Fiercely Comes the Night has been turning a blind eye to his abuse, it is my duty to see you from this place. Your safety is my utmost concern.”

Singing Water shot him a furious glare at the last comment.

Can’t say I blame her.

Processing the possessive way he spoke of me, understanding he wasn’t going to back down unless something changed his mind, I returned his stare.

Mumbled, “Right.”

My temper wasn’t helping to clear this up.

Taking a moment to compose myself, I forced my mind to think ‘Rä’. “Why do you believe my Rä’Vek unable to care for me?”

“His behaviour is strange.”

“How?” I demanded knowing to show weakness, or submissive behaviour would have Cobra thinking he needed to take control.

“Since his return from slavery, he has been aggressive, possessive and irrational. When it comes to you, he is a savage.”

“Warriors are aggressive by nature.”

“Not to the point of insanity, not to where he harms his Rä’Na with deviant lusts.”

“We were just mating.”

“It was violent.”

I sucked down a lie, because honestly, yes, it was.

Passion was like that.

Venomous was violent in his need for me, but he’d rather slice his own dick off than hurt me, especially knowing I was capable of pleasure at his touch, not discomfort or pain, as he’d been raised to accept.

I bit my lip. “Cobra–”

“Do not seek to protect him in his disgrace.” The warrior lifted his square chin, black eyes cold. “He will be punished. Stripped of honour. Blooded for restitution to you, and the sacred union he destroyed when he forced his perversion upon you.”

“Oh,” I whispered at the rage twisting his features.

I had to explain, make him see what he’d witnessed was joint pleasure, not a violation, but my hands were tied.

Venomous and Fiercely told me, emphatically, I was not to reveal I enjoyed clutch.

They feared the reaction of the Senate.

I wasn’t biologically tied to them as the females of their species were, and, mated to them or not, it made me an anomaly Rä would not stand for.

It would effect the way a’Rä viewed the Rä’Na of their species.

The Elders were not stupid.

Our relationship didn’t only work, it thrived.

So much so, the result of our love grew inside me.

We sexed, we loved, we bred.

What my Rä’Veks had others would covet, want for their own.

Desperately.

Rä leaving home world to seek a distant planet in hopes of mating alien females that enjoyed clutch?

That was not tolerable, considering their savage history, and a threat to their culture they would shun me for.

I’d been told not to speak, but what choice did I have? “Cobra, we have to talk in private.”

“Lumen–”

“Please. If you hold any sort of affection for me ... as your lesser mate I’m begging you.”

That was all it took for him to grant my request.

He ordered Slayer of Beasts to put me on the divan then demanded the room cleared.

Once Singing Water shuffled out, her face drawn and shades paler than normal, he turned to me and clicked his teeth. “Speak.”

“I’m a human, different to Rä.”

His head tossed, topknotted quills shaking. Impatient. “I know this.”

“Listen,” I stressed then gnawed my inner cheek.

This was going to mess with his head, but Venomous was being penalised unjustly, and that shit was just not on.

“You’re the only Rä who’ll understand what I’m about to say, and take me by my word. I cannot believe I’m about to say this,” I glared upwards, “but it’s a good thing you and I had sex. Otherwise, I don’t think you’d believe me.”

I stowed the humiliation at revealing such private details.

This was my lesser mate.

“Clutch isn’t painful to me,” I admitted. “I like it. Love it, in fact. When my mates touch me, I get excited.” At his aggravated expression, I expounded, “I get wet inside.”

“I know how you feel,” he rasped body shifting in a way I realised meant the experience had affected him far more than he was comfortable with. “What does that have to do with Venomous One harming you?”

“This is awkward, but listen to what I’m saying. He makes me wet. I’d be as dry as a Rä female if he didn’t arouse me, if I didn’t enjoy what he did. Do you understand?”

“You expect me to believe you wanted him to do these things to you?”

“Yes.”

Cobra took a step back.

A range of emotions passed his face, including repugnance, which hurt a bit, but he settled on aggrieved. “Lumen, I cannot believe this of you.”

“It’s different here,” I whispered. “I know you think it’s dirty, but on my planet there’s nothing wrong with what we did. Venom contacted Beowyn then watched a recording of Veraks and–” I stopped. Licked my lips. “He knows the customs of Veraks and humans are more similar than Rä when it comes to clutch, and figured out from what he saw, there are things we can do together that feel good.”

“Venomous One is not Verak.”

“No, he’s not.”

“He is Rä. You are Rä.”

My mouth worked as I sought the response he needed. “Yes, but I’m also human. I embrace what I am, and what I’ve been. Venom did what he did to be closer to me. You know there are ways I’m not like your females. Not all of these make him happy. My sexual freedom brings us pleasure, yes, but it’s a reminder I can’t bond my body to him as your females do. They can’t choose to leave you for another.” I sighed. “I can. I can choose to leave Venomous and Fiercely. I could take another male to nest, and bear that male offspring.”

Cobra’s chest rose and fell, anima roused into dappled colour cascading over his scales. “No.”

“Yes. It’s a reality he lives with, one he wasn’t raised to be prepared for. He’s dealing with it the best he can.”

“You are his Rä’Na. You would not–”

“Never, and he knows that. It’s the nature of love to make us vulnerable though.”

Cobra drew closer then dropped into a squat.

His brille reflected the glow from the glister creep wreathing the ceiling. “He fears losing you.”

“I believe a part of him does, yes.”

“He did these things to bind you to him?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“He was not hurting you, but giving you pleasure, so you would not seek others.”

“I don’t think he consciously knows that was what he was doing. He’s just trying to make me happy.”

“The Senate know of this?”

I searched his face wondering if he meant to tell them. “Venom and Fiercely told me to keep it a secret. Our future here on Rök depends on it. You can’t tell anyone.”

“Because the purist Elders do not want the a’Rä to seek offworlder Rä’Na as we did in aeons past.” He hissed a sigh. “You risk much telling me this.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my Rä’Vek.”

I meant it down to the deepest depths of my soul.

My place was at Venomous’ side with Fiercely, and the male before me with us.

Strange I should feel that way, considering how hard I fought the lesser mating, but now it was done, Cobra was dear to me too.

I couldn’t help it.

I’d shared my body with him, and for me, sex and love were irrevocably tied.

He wasn’t mine in the truest sense, but he was part of my clan.

It’d have to be enough for both of us.

His hand hovered over the round of my stomach. “Yesss, you risk much.”

“For love,” I said because to me it explained every crazed deed.

“I begin to understand what this means to you. Love. Loving.” His mouth wrapped around the words as if they were strange, strange and wondrous. “Fiercely loves you too, does he not? Both of them do.”

“They do, even before Venomous knew such a thing existed, he gave it to me. It’s why he’s worth everything.”

“You are easy to love.”

I blinked.

“You trust me. To tell me this, you must.”

“I do.” I rubbed my lips together. “You’re special to me too, Cobra. It’s important you know that.”

Pain of what would never be, and gratitude for what was, flashed across his expression.

He bared fangs in a quick smile. “It feels good to be noticed.” He stood and stalked out.

She does not deserve him, but I cannot, must not, interfere in their relationship.

I wanted nothing more than to find my mate, but knew Cobra wanted me to stay where I was.

Expression contrite, he returned.

Venomous shoved past, limbs twitching, but unharmed.

He snatched me off the divan.

His hearts battered my chest through his hardsuit. “You are unharmed?” He laid a palm on my stomach. “Both of you?”

“I’m fine, babe.” I pressed my forehead to his. “You are the one I’m worried about. You’re all twitchy.”

“Lingering effects of the immobilising restraints.”

The room again filled with warriors that now appeared annoyed.

They’d gleaned their presence was an intrusion of their superior’s lair, meddling in a blameless, intimate matter rather than the mistreatment of a vulnerable female.

Singing Water plodded in behind them. “All is well?”

Venomous snarled, not cooling off at all.

He looked a word away from gutting Cobra where he stood.

The jealousy from seeing the male behind me during the bonding ceremony hadn’t dissipated.

Amplifying his hostile response was knowing, yet again, the sacredness of our nest had been breached.

The added insult of tearing me directly from his arms didn’t help.

The fact it had been my lesser mate....

Shit is about to go down.

Cobra realised how thin a wire he dangled on, as he spoke slow, and with care. “I apologise for disturbing you and your mate, Rä’Vek. My Rä’Na comm called me in distress, saying you were abusing Lumen, perhaps killing her. I reacted with more force than warranted.”

“You acted like a fool. I would rather die than harm a hair upon her head.”

Cobra gritted his teeth. “You charged me with her protection and I–”

“She needs no protection from the one who is devoted to her. Perhaps I made a mistake in thinking you were the one to safeguard this precious burden.”

“Apologies.”

“I am not appeased.”

Venomous was looking for a fight, and the conversation headed nowhere good.

I sought to diffuse the situation the only way I knew how, by grabbing his attention so firmly, he’d forget everything else.

Wilting, I moaned and fanned my face. “Babe, it’s too crowded. I need space and a drink to cool down.”

Attention snapping to me, he hissed. “Get out. I must tend to my life mate.”

Seconding the request for the lair to be cleared, Cobra himself hesitated to leave.

He detained Slayer of Fearsome Beasts.

“Take my Rä’Na back to our lair,” he ordered.

Slayer inclined his head then gestured to Singing Water. “Rä’Na?”

“Why are you not coming with me?” she asked ignoring the other male.

I gave the lumbering Rä’Vek a commiserating smile when he shot a long-suffering look at the ceiling.

I wondered if his life mate was more biddable than us, as he seemed aggravated by my and Singing Water’s defiance.

“I stay to see them settled,” Cobra replied frigidly. “We made this mess. I will clean it up.”

Her brille narrowed then she waved Slayer of Fearsome Beasts away. “I, too, shall remain. I share a part in disturbing their ... activities.

Venomous settled me on the divan as Cobra and Singing Water went into the cookery to bring us refreshments.

They returned just as I coaxed a reluctant smile out of my brooding mate, making him chuckle as I scratched my nails up and down his throat.

I nuzzled his lips, and reminded him of the fun we’d had before we’d been interrupted.

Huskily, I promised a repeat if he was polite to our guests.

Fiercely ran through the haze as Singing Water poured us bowls of water.

His piercing gaze sought us out first, afterwards, registering the others present with a scowl.

“Venomous,” he said, “we are called to conclave.”

Lips pursing, I straightened. “Why?”

Fiercely took my mouth in a hot, quick kiss then grinned. “Never you mind.” He stroked my stomach. “Are you well?”

Venomous grumbled, “Well enough.”

Conscious of our audience, he gave the other male a curtailed rundown of what transpired over the last span.

“That explains why you comm called me,” Fiercely surmised his jaw tight at the affront on his nest mate’s behalf.

“Again, I offer apologies,” Cobra said his brow scales gathering, lips downturned.

Frustration loosened my tongue. “You aren’t the one who should be apologising.”

Singing Water’s gaze clashed with mine then skittered.

“Lumen,” Venomous admonished. He focused on Fiercely. “Is it urgent? We need to be here to settle our Rä’Na.”

“It cannot wait. I have a feeling you want to be there for this.”

“It will be a pronouncement of what to do in retaliation to my enslavement at the hands of the L’Odo, I think.”

“Perhaps,” Fiercely replied with a menacing glint in his black pools.

“Rä’Vek,” Singing Water murmured. “We have done what we can to see them well. Let us leave this clan in peace.”

Cobra jerked his chin towards Fiercely. “I am interested in the conclave. We will go with them.”

Features pinching, she opened her mouth to argue, but he turned his back.

She all but bit her forked tongue.

Her gaze flicked to me with a subtle credit of blame.

I didn’t understand why, I knew nothing, had done nothing, except be cruelly robbed of an orgasm and given a dreadful fright.

Venomous sighed and rubbed his knuckle to my cheek. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I’m going to take a nap while you’re gone.” I’d also comm Nāga to ask if he’d visit to check on the hatchling.

All the stress could not be good for the little tyke.

I didn’t say it aloud because they would flip, and I could tell Fiercely itched to go.

“I’ll see you later.” I offered my mouth to Venomous for a lip touch, hugged Fiercely, and then gave Cobra a wave.

Singing Water got a passing glance.

Realising how that might come across, I hesitated.

I inclined my head, formal, polite.

Cobra was in my life, and she came with him.

“Good parting,” I told her.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Impatient to learn why he and his nest mate had been summoned, Venomous lowered to his floor cushion.

He turned his head slightly to see Fiercely doing the same on his other side, looking just as on edge.

“Venomous One,” Dare Viper to Bite greeted. He looked up from his personal communicator. “We have decided you will go to Zoi Quay to lodge a complaint against the L’Odo objecting your enslavement.”

“We have debated this extensively, and feel this is the most diplomatic solution,” Wind Dancer added. “Does this satisfy your need for justice?”

“Yesss,” Venomous replied relieved they’d decided on a course of action that was not inaction.

For a time, he’d wondered if they were truly going to turn a blind eye, and pretend the L’Odo had done no wrong for fear of retaliation.

“Now we address the main reason for calling you here.” Calm as Thunder focused solely on Venomous. Her expression was unreadable. “Scholar Wise are the Brave has finished his inquiry into the events surrounding your Rä’Na’s abduction.”

Singing Water sneezed into her dainty palm.

Rising, she whispered to her Rä’Vek she needed fresh air then glided from the enclosure.

Grim, Venomous turned to the bookish a’Rä. “You have discovered the rest of those responsible.”

“Yesss.” Wise are the Brave rubbed his cranial ridges where age had stolen his quills. His expression creased into one of disquiet as his gaze jumped from the departing Rä’Na to his questioner. “I fear the consequences of my words.”

“Truth is truth no matter who speaks it,” Wind Dancer said. “We must not shy from it, no matter how hard it is to hear.”

The Elders uttered agreement.

The scholar looked at Venomous and Fiercely with a solemn expression. “There were two other a’Rä who conspired with Venin Stings the Sweetest, Roam the Highest Peak and Gently Falls the Rain.”

He gave their names and warriors were dispatched to apprehend them.

“It was they who supplied the access codes,” he continued, “so the Verak could bypass the terrestrial defence shield, and who waylaid reports of its unscheduled downtime when logged into the matrix for investigation. This was an intricate plot faultlessly executed, but for one variable beyond the realm of control, Lumen of the Stars herself.”

Wind Dancer frowned. “To my knowledge my Rä’Na had never spoken with these a’Rä. How would she have known who they were to approach them?” His confusion grew. “Moreover, where would she have met them? They would not have socialised in the same circles.”

“Indeed.” Wise are the Brave hesitated. He eased out his limbs as if the room were overcrowded. “There was, of course, the final perpetrator linking them together. That made the plot feasible.”

Fiercely leaned, hands gripping his knees. “A name?”

The scholar eased open the throat clasp of his robe. Sighed unhappily as his eyes wandered to the exit. “She, Singing Water.”

Silence descended.

Cobra that Strikes slapped a lower palm to the floor in a crack of sound. “How–” He cleared the harsh growl from his throat distorting his words. “How did she know them?”

“They are distant kindred on her life giver’s side, though that is not the evidence I must present that verified her guilt, Rä’Vek.”

Back stiff, his shoulder blades locked. He shuddered with fury. “Bring her.”

Bowing, the warrior attendants ghosted out into the entrance hall to take the collaborator into custody.

They duly returned with their quarry in tow.

“She was on a comm call to one of her kindred,” a warrior stated holding up her personal communicator.

“Rä’Vek,” Singing Water cried as she was marched back into the room. Elbows pressed into her sides, she made herself small. “What is happening? I do not know why–”

“Silence,” Cobra thundered. He gained his feet in jerks. His nostrils flared as his breath gushed in great bursts. “Look at me. For once, look at me and speak truth.”

Singing Water froze.

Then the timid demeanour melted away.

Her neck lengthened, chin jutting as she stood tall. “Very well? I am looking at you.”

“It is claimed you knew Roam the Highest Peak and Gently Falls the Rain. That you conspired to sell Lumen of the Stars to the Verak.”

“I seemed to have already been judged. On what evidence? Other than the word of an alien.”

Venomous cocked his head then shared a bewildered glance with Fiercely.

“On the word of an alien,” he mouthed, but his nest mate shook his head, as lost.

“Is it true?” Cobra demanded.

“They are your distant kindred, are they not?” Wise are the Brave interjected.

“Yesss,” she snapped. “That means nothing.”

“You introduced them to Venin that Stings,” Cobra accused.

Her mouth screwed up. “The human told you this,” she deflected ignoring her Rä’Vek to question the scholar. “How else could you have known? Why else would I stand here as if I am a criminal?” Her scathing cadence thickened to drip malice. Her gaze dropped to flicker at sights unseen. “I knew she would not keep her word. That spawning creature is nothing but a blight upon us all.”

Calm as Thunder sighed. “Oh, Rä’Na. Such a web of lies and fear you have woven about yourself.”

Wise are the Brave grimaced. “I received no testimony. My findings were gathered unaided, Rä’Na.” He paused. “Truth, my deductions found nothing linking you with those named other than distant blood ties. It was only when I accessed the communications matrix to review the comm call between you and She, Lumen of the Stars, hoping to glean something from Venin Stings the Sweetest, did I realise the connection and your involvement.”

Singing Water frowned. “I do not see how a comm call is evidence. So what if I spoke to her before her kidnapping? That proves nothing.”

Wise are the Brave turned to the Elders. “I have the recording.”

“Present it,” Wind Dancer ordered.

The sound of their voices filled the room.

Once it was done, Wise are the Brave put his personal communicator away. “I confirm the matrix logs show Venin Stings the Sweetest did comm call Singing Water, though, the content of that conversation is different than indicated by the transmission you heard.” He grimaced. “I have the recording of that as well, but it is deeply unpleasant and disturbing to hear.”

“Ensure it is logged as evidence. I see no need to poison our ears further,” Wind Dancer said, pale after hearing his Rä’Na’s voice.

“Last of all, I contacted Cooler Sky of the Western province. The a’Rä did not visit with Singing Water on that day, nor were plans made to meet. I infer, it was a falsehood to persuade Lumen of the Stars she could not attend, and keep herself removed from the deed in case it failed.”

“She knew?” Venomous’ voice was quiet as he stared at the deceitful female. “My Lumen knew what you had done?”

Singing Water spared him a cutting look, all pretence of diffidence vanquished.

“Your overconfident life giver told her,” she verified. “We spoke of it at your bonding ceremony, and she made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me. So I have stayed away.”

“Then why were you at our lair?”

A tightening of her lips as her gaze slid, oily, devious. “To ask forgiveness.”

Venomous studied her defensive posture and betraying gestures. “You tried to lure her into being your friend, so she would not change her mind and speak of your treachery.” He exhaled, seeing past her rueful façade. “It is why you panicked and called your Rä’Vek when I ordered you gone. You wrongly assumed I suspected you, and sought to get rid of me.”

Singing Water tensed, but declined to shed light on her actions. “I was certain I left no trail. Certain.” She scoffed. “I did not. The human commed me.”

“Yesss.” Fiercely bared his teeth. “How does it feel to know her good manners is what caught you out?”

Her lip curled even as she retreated from his lethal glare.

Calm as Thunder said, “This recording confirms not only did you know Lumen of the Stars was at the spaceport, but who took her there and why.”

“The truth will out.” Wind Dancer’s murmur met with mumbled agreement. “Master Hunter, if you seek to plead mercy, now is the time.”

Venomous turned to Cobra. “I will fight you, and shed blood as payment if you wish her spared. I offer this because I respect you, and my Rä’Na would want you to have a chance to save your mate.” He held the male’s gaze. “I tell you plainly, I want her dead, and she will never be welcome amongst or near me and mine.”

Head jerking up, Singing Water spun to Cobra. Hope shone in her brille. “You will do this, Rä’Vek. Fight for me.”

Cobra’s gaze tore from Venomous’ intense one.

He lanced his mate with a glare, a look that roiled with resentment. “I am to bleed to restore your honour? Die to spare my traitor Rä’Na who shames me?”

“It is your duty,” she reminded, cutting, an ugly twist to her mouth. “Have you forgotten what it means to be strong Rä’Vek, and not an alien sycophant?”

Sagging, Cobra hung his head.

“And what of yours to him?” Unable to remain silent, Fiercely faced Cobra. “Do not take up the blade for her. I have no desire to see a male of honour perish for that. I want her head for what she did to my mate and young, not the downfall of a friend.”

“Would you abandon your Rä’na?” Cobra asked his arms heavy, shoulders pulled low.

Fiercely blanched. “She does not deserve it.”

“I, too, prefer to see the true perpetrator punished,” Venomous said more reasonably.

Disturbed, he stood then closed the distance between him and the other male.

He hesitated before gripping his slumped shoulders. “Cobra, I see you do this out of duty, not affection. I beg you consider my clan will mourn you.” Their gazes locked. “My Rä’Na seems flippant, but does little without purpose. She kept this hidden to spare you pain, I think.”

“At risk to herself,” Fiercely added in a furious aside.

“If I may,” Calm as Thunder interjected addressing Cobra. “None here will condemn you for forsaking her.” She paused. “Truth, I insist upon it. Our province must not lose its Master Hunter for one such as her.” The elegant Rä’Na pinned Singing Water with a look of disgust. “I put to this Senate, She, Singing Water should face the shunning. I vote yesss.”

Wind Dancer concurred without missing a beat. “I, too, vote yesss.”

“No is my vote.” Remorse coloured Dare Viper to Bite’s voice. His mouth downturned in disapproval as his vote would not stay the verdict. “I deplore slavery, and the actions of the Rä’Na were unconscionable ... had they been perpetrated against a Rä.” His gaze slid boldly to Venomous. “I refuse to side against one of our own for an offworlder.”

“It is a good thing the honourable choice achieved majority,” Wind Dancer declared pounding on his personal communicator with excessive force.

“Indeed,” Calm as Thunder said before Dare Viper to Bite responded and the barbs became unseemly bickering. “Warriors, please escort the offender to the haze.”

“No,” Singing Water shouted startling the gathering. “You cannot do this to me. Wait!” She slapped at the clawed hands reaching for her. “I demand my kindred be informed, so the ruling may be protested.” Lifting her chin, she drew herself up tall to look down on the Elders. “The cousin of my father holds a seat on the Southern Senate. He will be enraged I am being treated this way, for an alien, no less.”

Cobra’s mouth worked without sound as he rocked back, wanting her out of his space. “Even now, you show no remorse. You insult the one you harmed so grievously.”

“Oh, swallow your fangs,” she spat her voice brimming with vitriol. “Do not deny this,” she gestured around, “is what you wanted. You did this to me.”

“Thsst! I could not even conceive of this madness.”

Sensing blame would not influence him to defend her, Singing Water’s face crumpled. “I did it for us.”

Cobra studied her, his face wreathed by sorrow. “I almost believe you, wish you did care enough.... You acted for you, and you alone. That is why I do not pick up the knife in your name.”

“Very well.” A sneer twisted her features. “If you will not protect me, my kindred will.” Her eyes cut to the Elders. “As soon as this Senate contacts them.”

“Denied.” Wind Dancer said, happy to see an end to the atrocious argument. Rä did not act so reprehensively. “The vote has been cast.”

Singing Water stomped her foot. “I insist my kindred contacted.”

Raging, she lashed out at the nearest thing to her, pushing over an ancient statue of a firebird in flight.

The priceless artwork shattered on the stone floor in a crash of sound.

“I demand it,” she shrieked.

“Spoilt,” Fiercely scoffed. “Rotten. You are-”

Venomous held up a hand, slanting a look of pity at Cobra.

He had wondered why the Rä’Vek acted cool towards his ‘timid’ mate.

It was apparent they witnessed the true nature of the female Cobra had nested with.

“They shall, of course,” Calm to Thunder assured her manner frosty, “be sent a notification of your transgression, a transcript of the testimony spoken during these proceedings, the recorded evidence, and confirmation of your sentencing.

“You cannot do this. You have no right. My kindred are powerful. Elder Rising Tides–”

“Is not recognised by this conclave,” Dare Viper to Bite said in a cutting voice his compassion for her plight diminishing under her deplorable behaviour. “Rising Tides’ power as an Elder holds no sway here. And this is not a case deserving of the Great Senate. Therefore, you will abide the judgment of your Elders and go.”

He jerked his chin, summoning the guards to seize her.

Backing away, face wild with panic, she twirled to Cobra, hand at her throat. “My Rä’Vek.”

“He, who is widowed, Cobra that Strikes is yours no longer,” Calm as Thunder stated. “Be gone.”

The warriors forcibly removed her from the enclosure.

Head held low, Cobra followed after her.

“Scholar Wise are the Brave,” Wind Dancer began, “is it your opinion this investigation can be closed? Or is there other pertinent information this Senate must be made aware of?”

“None, Elder.”

“Praise Zython.” Calm as Thunder shivered. “The investigation into the atrocity that befell She, Lumen of the Stars is closed, and this conclave is ended.”

“Home?” Fiercely asked as the space cleared.

Venomous turned to stare after Cobra.

He experienced an echo of the agony he felt shunning his life giver.

His hearts squeezed.

He’d had his Rä’Na to cleave to in the raw aftermath.

Who would Cobra that Strikes turn to for comfort?

“Not yet,” he murmured.

“He will be fine. He does not feel for her as we do our life mate.” Fiercely scowled. “I want to go back to the lair and find out what Lumen was thinking protecting that horrid creature.”

“Not her. Us.” Venomous went to the Senate Quarter vestibule, finishing over his shoulder, “Lumen was protecting her males.”

A scene much like the one he’d experienced himself not too long ago played out.

Mouth tight, Cobra that Strikes had his back turned.

“Do not turn your back on me, Rä’Vek.” Singing Water paced as she vented her spleen, spittle flying. “You will admit your part.”

“I shun you.”

“You pushed me to this.”

“I shun you.”

Planting her feet wide apart, she screamed, “You lust after her.”

“Have you not done me enough harm?” Cobra bellowed. He shoved at the air as if pushing her away. “Must you destroy everything I am? Are you not happy I must bear the stain of your actions for the rest of my life?”

“Admit it, and I will go.”

Breaking tradition, Cobra turned.

His features etched anguish. “Then give me truth and I shall repay you in kind. Admit you never cared for me. Admit you did what you did to Lumen for yourself and no one else.”

“Truth, I never cared for you. Your low birth was a humiliation I endured each time I was forced to acknowledge you were mine. Truth, your touch made my scales crawl.” Her face wrinkled with the revulsion saturating her words. “Since you made me female, I prayed Grandmother would make me a widow. Truth, since that filthy alien came, I wanted her dead, and I would have tried to see her so, over, and over again until she was.”

Cobra wilted.

He pressed four fists over his hearts. “Truth, I desire another.”

“I wish you misery and loneliness for the rest of your life.”

“Little changes then.”

Clutching the skirt of her softsuit, stamping her feet, Singing Water screeched.

She stopped to glare, face misshapen.

Nose crinkling, she spat in his face. “Unnatural.”

Singing Water twirled to tromp through the haze without looking back.

Venomous gave the male a moment.

The vestibule was empty, so Cobra was able to deal with his sorrow in peace.

Fiercely murmured, “That was horrific. You were right to stay, he is alone.”

Venomous said nothing. He strode across the space and halted in front of the embarrassed Rä.

“There is no need to comfort me. I nested with what you saw for over an aeon. That was the female no one but I knew existed.” Cobra’s head lifted, expression awash with abject relief. “Her hatred was a poison that infected my life. I am sorry it tried to consume yours.”

“It is over. As long as you are at peace, that is all that matters. Do not forget my own life giver betrayed me. I know of poison.” He paused. “If ever you need a friend, my lair is open to you.”

Cobra tried a smile, but it faded into an expression of intense longing. “Venomous One?”

Patient, expectant, Venomous quirked a brow. “Yesss?”

Hesitating, Cobra bowed his head and averted his gaze. “Nothing.” Frame sagging, he offered a lethargic good parting then turned to leave.

“Cobra?” Venomous grabbed the male’s shoulder, wrenched him around then slammed the heel of a palm to his chest.

Alarmed, Cobra struggled in vain to free himself from the grip of the powerful warrior before his disgrace was discovered.

He gave up and twisted his face away in shame at Venomous’ sharp intake of breath.

“Your hearts beat for her,” he whispered, feeling the beats under his fingers align with his own.

Cursing, Fiercely elbowed Venomous aside then felt for himself.

He shoved the other male away, infuriated, fists clenching, but then his gaze slid questioningly to his primary nest mate who appeared unruffled. “You knew!”

“Aside from Singing Water’s screaming accusations, you mean?” Venomous clicked his teeth. “He knew slight, intimate details only we would know. Not because he was told them, but because he watches her.”

“He is her lesser mate. He would know such things so he might better care for her.”

“Truth, yet I sensed there was more behind it than preparedness. Always coming to high meal. How he reacts with crushing force when he thinks her in danger. He looks at her.... He looks at her the way I look at her, only with longing. He knows the value of what he covets.”

Cobra made a pained noise, and looked as if he might be sick. “I vow I will never–”

“Cobra,” Venomous interrupted with an upheld palm, exasperated. “Ask.”

The male’s chin jerked towards his chest. “Ask?”

“You are widowed, and aligned to my Rä’Na. You know our traditions.”

Cobra’s mouth dropped open.

He hissed, anima rising in a riotous flood of vibrant, blue-tinged shades. “You would consider it?”

“I would accept it.” An amused snort. “Did I not tell you to ask?”

“V-Venomous One,” Cobra stuttered shocked to utter words he’d daydreamed of speaking. “I wish for Lumen of the Stars to be my Rä’Na.”

“You do not need time to grieve?”

His back snapped straight. “I refuse to lose another moment of my life to that female.”

Grinning, Venomous crossed his arms. “Then I will not stand in your way.”

Flummoxed at the turn of events, Fiercely seemed ready to battle it out, but then exhaled gustily. “Grandfather’s hood!” A troubling thought occurred, and his brille narrowed. The emerald ripples of his anima roused in challenge. “Agree I am second. We will fight, if you prefer?”

Overwhelmed by the calm acknowledgment of his formerly licentious feelings for their Rä’Na, Cobra hastily held out four hands claws down, showing the soft backs in submission. “I would be happy to be third.” His voice was a dry rasp. “Honoured.”

Chest puffed, Fiercely clasped his shoulder and shook it roughly. “Then welcome, nest mate.”

He stilled his congratulations, lips twisting oddly, and then he burst into hysterical laughter, slapping his thigh.

Cobra startled.

“What is funny?” Venomous asked keen to share in the joke.

Fiercely jerked straight his shoulders quaking. “You have to tell our Rä’Na.” He bent over and howled, clasping his middle as he staggered.

“Perhaps I should leave it a while,” Cobra muttered. “I do not wish to upset her when she is in swell.”

Venomous bared fangs. “My Lumen may look fragile, but she is mighty when her temper is riled. You return to the lair with us.”

“This might anger her?”

“Yesss.” Venomous sighed. “I fear what happened to Singing Water will distress her human sensibilities. She did not take my life giver’s shunning well.”

Fiercely sobered. “She must be scolded, Venomous. Had we not found out what truly happened, it would have ended badly. She was alone with that corrupt Rä’Na in our lair not a single moon ago. I vow, my hearts have not stopped racing.”

Riding the goodbeasts back to the lair, Cobra pulled reins a number of times to receive condolences from Rä he hunted for, withstanding exclamations of distress and sadness his old Rä’Na committed such a wrongdoing.

When the first Rä delicately inquired as to why he travelled in the company of the Rä’Veks involved in the downfall of his old life mate, he endeavoured to make noncommittal remarks, but a wily old a’Rä backed him into a corner.

He forced Cobra to admit as he was Lumen’s lesser mate, he had asked to join the clan, had been accepted by the Rä’Veks, and rode to seek the approval of who he hoped would be his future Rä’Na.

Rather than the denouncement expected, the a’Rä rushed him along, calling out a promise to pray to Zython to bless the union.

As they reached the lair, Venomous and Fiercely received notifications to their communicators the a’Rä that aided Venin Stings the Sweetest and Singing Water had been confined, and would be adjudicated upon at the next conclave.

Relieved, they stabled their mounts and went inside to find Lumen dancing to music with the Zýt.

Half its muscled length coiled, its tail rattled in time to the beat.

It bobbed unsteadily, spotted hood flaring as it wound around Lumen’s twirling body then playfully bumped against the underside of her jaw.

Her wild hair was sloppily bound in a thong on the crown of her head, and she was dressed in a cream softsuit that made her skin glow.

Spinning with a beaming smile, she threw herself at Fiercely, humming the dyad cadences of the melody when she couldn’t remember the lyrics.

“Sweetheart, you smell yummy.” She nipped his lips then pulled free to wrap her arms around Venomous then crush her mouth to his. “I missed you. Come dance with us.”

Laughing, she wiggled a circle around them, waved at Cobra then went to dance away.

Fiercely switched off the music as Venomous caught her arm.

Sensing the heaviness they brought to the atmosphere, she gave him a probing look. “Babe?”

“Singing Water has been shunned, the remaining two accomplices who conspired against you are no longer a threat, and I no longer consider Cobra that Strikes your lesser male, but your third, and my nest mate.”

Face slackening with each word, her welcome expression fled and her smile withered.

A spasm of disbelief flitted across her face. “W-what?”

Fiercely clarified. “Singing Water faced the shunning, the other two beast-coverers that sought to harm you–”

She lifted a hand to disrupt. “No, I heard him, sweetheart. I just ... I just ... I....” Horror-struck, she double blinked. Pressed both palms to her cheeks, mouth making an ‘o’ shape. “I’m She, Tempestuous like the Wind.”

“No,” Cobra refuted in a careful tone, shooting the other males a worried look. He was scared her mind broke under the shock. “You are She, Lumen of the Stars.”

“For Honour and Duty,” she shrilled as if that explained. “My life is a hologram drama, and not even one I like.”

“Rä’Na,” Fiercely snapped. “What does a fictional production have to do with the discussion at hand?”

“I can’t believe this. I don’t know what to think.” She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. She turned on them suddenly, expression alarmed. “This shunning decree scares me. What happens when I do something wrong? Will you turn your back on me too?”

“Never,” Fiercely vowed.

“You can’t say that. Shit. I don’t believe this.”

“You would not lift a finger to harm an innocent,” Cobra said deflated.

This was not going how he’d imagined.

Though what had he expected, her to love him?

The last female he’d spent over ten solars with loathed him, felt sick at his touch.

“Even I know this about you,” he finished.

Lumen dropped a hand to her hip then hung her head.

Dark spirals of hair covered her oval face until they could only see her shapely lips move. “I’m disappointed in you. This could have been handled different.”

Venomous felt gut punched. “Everything I have done, I have done for you. Everything we have done is to ensure you are safe.” Anger stirred. “It is not fair for you to make that judgement knowing how hard it was for us to endure the shunning.” His tone hardened. “And it was handled by the Senate. They arbitrated fairly, without bias.”

Sucking her lips into her mouth, she tried to avoid his gaze, but it slipped to him regardless, her stark emotions bared for him to see.

Venomous growled. “My Lumen, your eyes are unkind.”

“Because I feel that way.” She smacked her chest. “I have to be that way to process such cruelty. I feel like he discarded her.” She seemed unable to look at Cobra. “Like she was undeserving of a second chance. One I gave.”

“You forget yourself. It was not your chance to give alone. There are others in this clan affected by what you do.”

And if she knew how Singing Water threatened her life, I doubt she would sleep well, or try to make a friend again.

“You’re right. I apologise. But after Venin, Roam and Gently, I couldn’t bear it. I was worried you were too angry to show mercy. You confessed as much afterwards. I didn’t want to put any more strain on this clan. And I....” Lumen looked at Cobra that Strikes then, anguished. “I didn’t want that for you. Not if it could be avoided.” Her expression reflected her inner turmoil. “She did wrong, but it worked out in the end.”

“What of the next time she became jealous?” Fiercely demanded. “Would her heinous plans have escalated to such extremes there was no saving you the next time she struck?”

“I doubt she would have repeated her mistake.”

Without having to discuss it, the three of them said nothing of Singing Water’s declaration she would have continued in her quest of jealousy if not discovered.

“That ‘mistake’,” Fiercely bit out, “was a carefully planned and executed attack that might have cost you your life. The life of our offspring.”

“Beowyn didn’t hurt me.” She patted herself down then threw her hands up. “I’m fine.”

“That is of no importance,” Venomous grated.

Gaze twitching between them, Cobra remained silent, feeling somewhat out of place and unwanted.

“What if it had not been a mercurial warlord that had you?” Fiercely asked. “What if it had been a slaver like Sorkbhal, or the Zutki trader, or the Dei San raider whose blade almost cut you to pieces?” She paled, but he refused to be swayed. “Think, Lumen. You cannot act as if such people are your friends. They would see you gone rather than happy.”

Her chin wobbled. “Thanks for that, sweetheart. I now feel so safe and welcome here on this alien world.”

“This is our home,” Fiercely spat. “Here you are the alien.”

Whimpering, Lumen recoiled.

Venomous hissed.

He thumped his callous nest mate in the side. Hard. “Never say that again.”

Cobra fired the male a scary look. “It was cruel.”

“So?” Fiercely glowered even as remorse flickered across his brille. “She claims that is what we are, though we strive to keep her protected.” His gaze cut to his Rä’Na. “Despite her endeavours otherwise.”

Lumen held up her palm. “Well, I guess I’ll be going to nest now. Alone.”

After she fled, Venomous turned on Fiercely. “You hurt her badly. She fears being the only of her species. We are meant to make her feel secure. Welcome. If she does not feel she has us, what does that leave her?”

Subdued, Fiercely clasped the back of his neck. “I took it too far.” He cursed. “I want her safe. It makes me crazed when she acts impulsively.”

“There was nothing impulsive about keeping Singing Water’s involvement a secret,” Cobra said. “She did it to protect a great many people from pain, myself included. It was ill-advised, yesss, but I think we agree her actions were noble at heart.”

Venomous murmured, “Our nest mate speaks truth.”

Lumen stormed back into the living enclosure, her sleeping gown sweeping behind. “Why the hell haven’t you followed me?”

Fiercely’s chin lowered, befuddled. “You said–”

“I know what I said because I said it.” She glared. “I can’t sleep without you.” Her arm pointed over her opposite shoulder. “Now march your cute badonkadonk’s into that nest.” When they stared, she snapped her fingers, pointed, expression nonnegotiable. “Now.”

Wary, Cobra backed towards the haze. “I will return–”

Fiery eyes turned on him. “And where do you think you’re going?”

He stilled mid step, foot lifted. “Home?”

Lumen licked her upper row of teeth, eyes narrowing. “I don’t understand.”

Fiercely mumbled, “Neither do I?”

“You want in my nest?” Lumen asked Cobra.

His foot lowered and he straightened. “Yesss.”

“Then get the hell in there.” She spun on her heel and vanished under the archway, muttering, “Lucky I’m tired, or I’d ream you out, no matter how sexy you are.”

They plodded behind her, undressed, and then climbed onto the lake of plush, dense furs, bolsters, cushions and blankets.

They did not sleep side by side, but entwined in a warm tangle of limbs, their female in the centre.

With an ease that let Venomous know he belonged, Cobra slid into formation, even if his expression was astounded.

Lumen’s head was pillowed on Venomous’ chest, her thigh hooked over Fiercely’s, and, now her hand settled on Cobra’s stomach.

The male tensed, but then placed his palm over hers.

Venomous was the last to succumb to sleep.

His gaze wandered over what was once a cold, lonesome nest.

Warm air gushed over his scales as his Rä’Na breathed deep.

His alien wife, with her bold temper and big, single heart made his chest ache.

How did I think her anything but beautiful?

Her slender hand cupped her belly, rounded with the seed he planted there, and she smiled her secret smile as she slumbered.

Fiercely, scowling while at rest, had an arm flung out to the side, and twisted at his middle to face outwards.

He would move no further, even asleep, in case he lost contact with his mate.

His vivid green scales seemed darker in the dim light of the glister creep wreathing the ceiling.

And now Cobra, his sapphire scales a striking contrast with Lumen’s warm brown flesh, curled towards her, his expression relaxed into one of consummate peace.

He, Venomous One sighed in pleasure, lowered his head, and dreamed the dreams of a male contented.

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

Venomous watched Cobra that Strikes and Fiercely Comes the Night crest the sand dune that abutted the picturesque land he desired for his Rä’Na’s lair.

He wanted to be furious by the encroachment, but experienced nothing but a niggle of irritation.

They wanted the favour of their female.

It was not their fault they lacked the knowledge to please her and dogged his every move seeking to learn from him.

“This will do?” Cobra asked his expression dubious. “She will be satisfied with so small a lair?”

Venomous glared.

“It is small,” Fiercely added his gaze sweeping the mountainous, bountiful vale. “It does not show consideration for her high standards. Perhaps we should find another–”

“Lumen is not like our females. She places value on genuine emotion and feeling, not on possessions. She finds this place soothing. The water. The seclusion.”

And he’d decided it was the best place for her to get her confidence back.

He knew being so exposed to the public eye when she was the only human on Rök made her uneasy.

The new lair would give her the peace of mind she needed to tend to her outdoor spaces without scurrying inside each time a stranger passed then stopped to stare.

She would feel comfortable enough to let their hatchling play, instead of curbing any exploratory exuberance, and hiding them away as if ostracised.

As the cycles passed, his Lumen ventured outside less and less.

He knew it was partly because she was increasing and nearing her laying time ... her labour, but it was also because she had had too many close calls with danger, and grown overly guarded.

Though loathed to admit it, he wanted her to again feel confident enough to roam the province as she wished.

“I do not think it is wise to allow her to segregate herself.” Cobra twisted his body to face Venomous head on. “It keeps her from accepting our ways.”

Venomous chuckled. “Keeps her from accepting you is what you truly mean. Do not think I cannot see to the heart of your desires.”

“I am her mate,” Cobra snarled more a venting of frustration than a noise of aggression. “Though she says she accepts me, she ignores me.”

“It is disrespectful,” Fiercely acknowledged.

“You know as well as I do it is not disrespect.” Venomous spoke with quiet menace, enraged they would say such things about their female. “She is frightened and troubled.”

“We have done nothing but protect her,” Fiercely protested.

Cobra looked worried. “I have not offended her. Have I?”

“You have done nothing wrong,” Venomous assured. “She is not frightened of you, but of what mating you means. Her culture is not our culture. What happened to Singing Water disturbed her. She feels guilt. Do you not see, she refrains from showing you her true feelings thinking it improper?”

“Thsst! It was not her fault. She was the victim. She protected Singing Water.”

“I know this. We know this but.... She is eccentric. There were many times during our captivity Lumen and I were not at peace. We assumed the other would understand meanings or actions when our customs are different. We agreed to be blunt with each other, and to be honest when we felt slighted or misused.”

“The way you are with her....” Cobra sighed. “I envy you the closeness. I long for it.”

Venomous wanted his nest mates contented, but in this he had little say.

Truth, a part of him revelled in the knowledge his Lumen loved him so deeply, she struggled to bestow her affections upon another.

“If you wish for there to be peace in our lair, you will accept the things she cannot change about herself,” he said, “as she has accepted the things we cannot change, like the lesser mating.” He jerked his chin at Fiercely. “Do not make his mistake. Be open about your feelings. Humans need to be told of affection, not just shown it by being given food and shelter. I learned this soon after meeting her.”

Venomous liked giving them advice.

He enjoyed the companionship, and it lessened his grief over losing the Yoni and Yofk.

Fiercely cringed. “You have not told her of He, is who Widowed, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons, have you?”

Venomous blew out a breath, tongue flickering. “It took many cycles to convince her it was needed. She barely accepted Cobra.”

“Truth.” Cobra’s tone lowered. “I begin to understand why you reacted as you did at the bonding ceremony. I have not yet lain with her for her pleasure, and the thought of Nāga touching what is mine....”

All three growled.

“Perhaps this is why our species are the way we are.” Fiercely gazed out over the wild terrain. “Lumen is always within our view. Always touching and laughing and simply being with us. It rouses beastly instincts.”

“That is not her fault.” Cobra said.

“No,” Fiercely admitted. “No, it is not.” He tugged on his quills then huffed, “Do you ever feel as if the world is judging us?”

Cobra’s laugh lacked mirth. “I have always felt this way.”

“Yesss,” Venomous replied, “because it is. I pity the male who is not me. As you should pity those that are not you. We found a mate who cherishes us.” He looked at Cobra. “Once her love is bestowed, it burns brighter than our red sun.” He smiled more to himself than them. “Grandfather willing, we will be blessed with many sons and daughters. Trapped in that hell, my life was over before it began. Then she came. I am privileged. Let them judge me, I want for nothing.” Venomous growled then glared at them. “Now, I had to tell her last time. This time, it must be one of you.”

“You are primary,” Fiercely reminded, brow ridge climbing to his quill line as he grinned. “This is part of the burden you bear being first in her heart.”

“You know that is not true.” He grew bad-tempered as they tried to unload the dreaded task on him. “We are equal in her eyes.”

“Agreed, but we know without doubt you are primary. She would have it no other way.”

Cobra made a sound to agree with this.

Venomous dry washed his face. “She is going to kill me.”

Fiercely punched his arm. “She forgave you once. She will again.”

They returned to the lair to find their Rä’Na in the cookery with smears of food paste on her sweet, happy face.

Clumps of blanched kakt-mi grain matted the unruly mass of her hair, and stuck together folds of her modified softsuit, the hems loosened for her growing stomach.

Ironstone pots and hammered metal utensils were dirtied, abandoned with crusted foodstuff.

Half mashed meat littered one surface, and trailed on the floor to the clay oven.

Foul smelling smoke billowed from the furnace, and the cold ore was, for an unknown reason, piled in the middle of the room creating a slippery ice patch.

Venomous looked into the sparkling eyes of his mate after she cheerily greeted them.

He explained how things would be, as she tottered about making them last meal then watched her freeze, and turn a slow circle, her grip on the pan she held tightening with such force, he heard the squeak of her skin against the handle.

Her eyes widened in shock, narrowed in anger, and then combusted in pure, unabashed fury.

“No fucking way.” Lumen hurled the saucepan she held against the wall in an explosion of yellow sludge that splattered them all. She stormed around the cookery in a flurry of jabbing limbs. “You lying shit.”

He winced, sidling towards the exit, fully prepared to leave a startled Cobra and scowling Fiercely to deal with the fallout.

“I’m not doing it. Do you hear me? I’m drawing the motherfucking line, and it’s right here.” She drew an invisible slash between them. She stomped her foot then nearly fell when she slipped on the ice patch. “Between the three of you, what the fuck is getting past to hurt me? Huh? Nothing. I do not, I repeat,” trilled at the top of her lungs, “do not need a lesser mate. No bloody way are you getting me to go through another of those ceremonies. No freaking way, is another male climbing on top to satisfy a completely illogical view we need a male outside of this clan as a safety net. No! I did it once, and you promised it’d only be once. You promised! I did it, and I’m not doing it again. No.”

Chest heaving, she faced them and raised her fists.

He wanted to laugh, but swallowed it when she started shaking and making odd squeaks from the force of her anger.

“Venomous One did not break trust with you, my hearts.” Cobra held up his hands, but stayed plastered to the wall where he’d fled when she erupted. “That vow was before I became third.”

She whirled on him, eyes blazing. “Fuck you.”

He shrank back and snapped his mouth shut, not willing to risk further disfavour.

He already strived to gain as much approval as possible, having tasted the sweetness of having her smile at something he’d done, having experienced the unparalleled joy of knowing it was he who satisfied her needs.

Venomous snorted.

This is good.

Now Cobra that Strikes had tasted the darker side of their mate, her ferocious temper, he’d be less willing to side with Fiercely the next time he needed an ally.

“I’m fragile,” Lumen announced.

“We know,” Cobra cooed. “This is why you must let us care for you. Come to us.”

“This is stressing me out.”

“I cannot imagine how it must.”

She cupped her belly. “Freaking me out.”

“Come here,” Fiercely ordered.

“I can’t go through all that again.”

Fiercely stopped trying to command her to him and became still.

Venomous knew why because his own retreat halted, and Cobra straightened from where he held up the wall.

Her voice.

The pain in it pierced them, letting them know she was not coping with the news.

“Lumen,” Venomous murmured. “Come here, dearest.”

Lip trembling, she shuffled. “It was kinky and fun once, but I cannot go through it again. Please. You promised.”

“Things have changed.” He crossed the distance then hugged her. “I am sorry.”

She ripped away to stalk across the cookery.

She went back to crashing pots and pans, mashing the pulverised food. “How am I supposed to believe a word you say? It’s not like I wanted Cobra to be my lesser mate. Not only did it push Sing off the edge, it caused me serious stress. I guess I got my wish in the end, huh? He’s not my lesser mate, and I’m back at square one.”

Cobra made a pained noise.

His hands fisted, and the havoc her rejection wreaked upon his hearts was written all over him. “You do not want me.”

Lumen hung her head.

Setting a pot down, she turned to face him. “Cobra–”

“Is it that I am ugly?”

“Yes.”

“I have other qualities beneficial to this clan. I will be a good father. I am a good provider. I am intelligent, and come from a venerated life giver though she sought Grandmother’s lair when I was but a hatchling. I am–”

“Honey, you’re handsome, and have all those qualities and more.” She thrust a hand into her curls, sending a burst of her mentha fragrance into the air. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m honoured you want to be mine.”

“I do not understand. Why say as such if you did not mean it as truth?”

“I was trying to postpone the conversation. I thought you’d get mad, and storm off like Fiercely does when I hurt his feelings.”

Offended, the male in question made a griping noise.

“Sweetheart, you know you can be sensitive.”

Hissing, Fiercely stormed from the room.

Lumen made a face then turned to Cobra. “Venom gives me everything I need. I didn’t want Fiercely. Harsh, I know, but it’s true.” Her face softened. “Now I can’t imagine life without him. There was no option but to love him. He was prepared to die for me. That kind of beauty deserves to be acknowledged, and knowing how Rä mature for a mate they hope to be with for their whole life, I couldn’t turn Fiercely aside. Not knowing he’d make my life sweeter if I pulled my head out my ass, and understood Venom wouldn’t hold it against me, nor would it change how he felt about me. Now you....” She peered up into Cobra’s face, as if seeing him for the first time. “I feel as if I’ve made a mess of this. I care for you. I do. But I can’t overlook how our relationship began, and how you’re here.”

“I do not understand.” Cobra’s voice was hoarse. “I am third mate. I only want to take my place as part of our clan.”

“Everything else aside, you understand I am in love with Venom, with Fiercely.”

“I understand Venomous One is primary mate, and Fiercely Comes the Night is second. It is them who make your hearts ... your human heart sing. I do not wish to replace them.”

“I know that.”

“Then why deny me my place? I am happy to be third. Just to know the joy of a union is enough. To be a parent, and be part of a clan that cares.” The reality that his own fell apart because of her arrival went unsaid. He swallowed. “If you find me repulsive, I will not cover you. I vow it.”

“Bloody hell,” she muttered hearing the pain, dejection, and the feeble, strained hope in his voice. “My objection is not to you personally.” Heat seared her cheeks. “If you must know, I think you’re gorgeous.”

Cobra looked stunned then pleased then disconcerted. “Then it is as Venomous One and Fiercely Comes the Night says. You do not accept our traditions allow this?”

“I respect the way things are done here, even when it doesn’t make sense to me, I respect it.”

“Then why, Rä’Na? You cannot know how I ache to call you my own.”

“Did Fiercely tell you how I resisted him?”

“Yesss.” He moved closer. “He said you feared Venomous would spurn you for accepting him.” His voice deepened. “That the love between you would fade if you let Fiercely cover you.”

“That was also one of the reasons I didn’t want you to be my lesser male. No matter how much Venom claimed it didn’t affect him, how he reacted spoke for itself.”

“My Lumen, how I behaved at the bonding ceremony was shameful.” Venomous straightened from where he leaned against the quartz. “You should not worry over how I, or your second feel. We accept your third.”

Fiercely returned, peeved, realising he acted as sensitive as his mate declared him when he’d strode off. “Venomous is right. We see Cobra as our nest mate. He protected you by ridding himself of his traitor Rä’Na. I am satisfied, he will always put you first.”

“Subtle as a bull in a china shop,” Lumen muttered. Her gaze locked on him. “You know, after I realised I loved Venomous, I grew afraid there was nothing left for anyone else, let alone someone as special as you, sweetheart. It felt like I was being forced to accept your claim over me, and I pushed against it.” She smiled at him then. “I know the same thing happened with Venom, but it was different. I can’t explain how, it just was. He was enough for me. He would have been for the rest of my life. You did the impossible and changed that.” Her eyes shifted to Cobra. “I wouldn’t change what I have. I’d die without it. I won’t say it’s not hard. The pressure to make Fiercely know I love him, while not letting my feelings for Venom overshadow that love kills me. Cobra, I don’t know if I can....” She exhaled, uncomfortable. “I’m working blind here. I don’t know if I can give you what you need, or what you expect. What I give Venom is different to what I give Fiercely. What I give you will be different too. If you push this.... I worry you won’t be satisfied, and feel cheated. You’re used to having the sole attention of your Rä’Na. You’ll be sharing mine with two others. That’s before the hatchling comes along.”

Cobra’s chin lowered. “I know Venomous is primary and that you share love. Just as Fiercely knows his place in your heart.”

Her face creased. “I hate how that sounds. Knows his place.”

“I admit I will court you for your affection,” Cobra continued staunchly, “but understand if you cannot give it. I will accept your respect of my place in our clan and be contented.”

“See that’s the problem. To me, that is not okay. You mean something to me. I want you to have what Venom, Fiercely and I have for yourself.” She blinked at the floor. “Singing Water brought what happened on herself, but I still feel responsible. I don’t ever want you to look at me and feel regret.”

“Then give me the gift of love. I will cherish it as my nest mates do.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“What love you give me will diminish what you feel for them? It is lessened by numbers? You can only love two?”

Her mouth opened then snapped closed.

She blew out a breath while grabbing the hand closest to her then laced their fingers together. “No.”

A spontaneous display of affection, normal to her, yet unspeakably moving to them.

Cobra cupped her cheek. “Do you not understand that even this,” he lifted their joined hands, “what you consider little, is everything to me?” His tone and head lowered. “What you give, I accept. I cherish. What you give is what I need. Never will I demand more, though I promise to show you I am worthy of whatever your heart generously offers. I will strive to deserve more.”

Her lips parted in shock.

“I had a Rä’Na for over an aeon. Finding her so young, I believed myself blessed. I gave her everything. Still, she did not care for me. Then you came. Only then was she moved to feel more than duty, and that was petty jealousy. She sensed I wanted you. Seeing you, Venomous and Fiercely together changed my world. How you talked, played, laughed, loved.... It showed me how a mating is meant to be.” His tone grew grave. “It is not good to compare one to another, so I will not. But know, what I had with her did not come close to what I now see is caring and respect between a male and his female.” Bravely, he touched his cheek to hers. He lingered, rubbing and growling low in his throat. “We share more emotion between us than I did with her, and you have yet to accept me.”

Venomous felt a pang in his hearts for his nest mate.

After experiencing affection and emotion between him and his female, settling for less seemed a horrific depravation.

Fiercely clicked his teeth in sympathy.

“I do not care she is gone. How can that be? After so many years, I should mourn, yet I feel nothing.” His voice turned sad. “She is dead to me, not because I wished her gone, but because of her own selfish actions. I console myself with the knowledge I must no longer hurt myself keeping secret what I felt the moment I met you. It has left me free to express to you what lies in my hearts. My anima did not mature for you. But my hearts? They sing your name, and will until the day I ride the storms to Grandfather’s side. I was honoured to be your lesser mate, but I will not stop until you accept me into your clan as third.” He swallowed. “I wish to marriage you too.”

Closing her eyes, she leaned into Cobra. “Babe?”

“Dearest?” Venomous murmured.

“It’s a good thing you’re building us a bigger lair.”

His mouth curved, even though she knew of what was supposed to be a surprise.

He leaned forward to rub his knuckles across her jaw. “Why?”

Her eyes opened and they were smiling. “Because our family of four just grew.”

“Indeed,” he rumbled for he had known this cycles prior.

It was merely a matter of her accepting it.

Now, I must tell her I will be gone for a moontide.

He swallowed.

Leaving her behind would be difficult.

“My Lumen,” he began, “I–”

Fiercely held up a palm. “We can discuss the rest later. First, we bathe her.”

Lumen looked down at herself then at the dried food splatters on the floor, cookery walls and her mates.

She cringed. “Sorry about the mess.”

Tugging her into his arms, Fiercely grinned, finding amusement in her fit of temper. “Come.”

The walls of the bathing enclosure were constructed from cloudy quartz bricks, unlike the pellucid blocks used in the rest of the lair.

The grey feldspar flooring had been textured with thin furrows.

Wet feet would not slip.

Recessed into the floor, border ringed by tiles engraved with the gender triad motif, the bathing pool was fed clean water from the reservoir.

It churned as the currents pushed out old water and let the new flow freely.

Fiercely undressed their Rä’Na.

He pushed the softsuit off her shoulders and over her flared hips, letting the material puddle around her ankles.

Momentarily distracted by her nudity, his hands roamed.

He lustily squeezed breasts, reverently stroked her swollen stomach.

She laughed huskily and kissed his throat.

Her seeking fingers found the hidden seams in his hardsuit then relieved him of it.

Aroused, Venomous stripped, watching their play with what seemed to him an unending hunger for his mate.

Fiercely helped Lumen descend the shallow steps into the water.

She sighed.

The cool temperature was a welcome relief from Rök’s sweltering heat.

Happy to be accepted into the clan, yet still wary, Cobra shed his hardsuit then entered the pool behind them.

He hovered close, but made no move to touch his Rä’Na in the intimate ways his nest mates did.

Soaping Lumen’s hair, at first, Venomous worried.

Did the male find their open affection too strange, too improper?

He soon realised the expression was not disgust or disapproval on Cobra’s face.

It was quiet longing.

He wanted to touch their Rä’Na, but was not sure how to go about it.

He must fear losing her favour after fighting hard to gain it.

Resolving to help transition the male into the unique life of the clan, Venomous rinsed the delicate strands of his mate’s hair.

Washing his scales, he relaxed into the swirling water.

He enjoyed the sight of his Lumen being pampered, splashing and laughing as Fiercely cleaned her body, tickled her sensitive spots.

Thinking it an excellent time to deliver disagreeable news, hoping she might shoulder jerk it off, he said, “I must journey offworld to Zoi Quay.”

The bubble-slicked wash cloth Lumen prepared to hurl at Cobra fell from her limp fingers.

It sank under the rippling pool surface.

She spun to face him. “Zoi Quay?” An avalanche of emotion swept across her face. “The place where the Dei San captured you over an aeon ago? The place the Zutki trader punted me off to the L’Odo as a freebie?”

“Yesss?”

She made a rude noise. “Why?”

“It is the official seat of the Council that upholds the Intergalactic Alliance and its Edicts.”

“You’re making a complaint about the L’Odo.” White teeth raked over her bottom lip. “So this is important to you, and I should support you like a good Rä’Na instead of pitching a screaming hissy fit like I want to, right?”

Scrubbing her back with the rescued cloth, Fiercely chuckled.

He brushed his fingertips to her cheek, leaving a trail of fruit-scented foam.

“Okay.” Sniff, shoulder jerk. “I was enjoying the downtime, but I could see some sights.” She flashed them an eager grin. “I should do more exploring. I might be the first human to leave the Milky Way galaxy. When do we leave?”

Venomous’ long arm reached out, and his hand encircled her throat.

The steady thump of her pulse calmed the disproportionate spike of terror at the thought of her on the dangerous planet.

“Only I must journey to Zoi Quay,” he said. “You will remain here. Safe with Cobra. Fiercely will represent us at conclave.”

“Hmm.” Her gaze slid to the side as she pondered the announcement. “No. I don’t think so.” Her eyes flashed. “When do we leave?”

Venomous released her to jerk back. “Thsst!”

“Hiss all you want. Won’t change a thing. Now, are we talking beachwear or winter whites?”

“You are not going.”

“Wrong way to go,” Fiercely muttered to Cobra as he massaged his skull ridges. “She never responds well to that tone.”

“You’re not going without us.” Lumen crossed her arms. “I’ll sneak after you if I have to, and they will follow.” She pointed at the two of her mates standing clear of the oncoming quarrel. “That will put me, and them, and, consequently, you in danger. Who knows what crazy shit I’ll get up to. So, you might as well take us along and save yourself the effort of rescuing me, and them, when my attempt to be clever and follow you fails.”

Venomous grated, “Why try if you know you’ll fail?”

“Unlike you, some of us don’t know how to do everything. Doesn’t mean we don’t have as much courage to try. I’ll follow you because I love you. I want you safe too, and have convinced myself as long as the four of us are together, everything will be okay.” She slapped the water. “I don’t care if that sounds irrationally female either.”

“Do you see how she speaks as if he can turn dark into light, whilst we are helpless victims too feeble to help her, or ourselves, instead of a Master hunter and mighty warrior?” Cobra asked wryly.

“Welcome to my world,” Fiercely mumbled.

Cobra looked thoughtful. “That said, her argument is persuasive. Together as a clan, we stand strong.”

Scrubbing his quills with a purification tab, Fiercely grunted.

Venomous grew aggravated. “You know where I go is dangerous.”

“Precisely why you need us.” Lumen spoke with a serious face, as if she hadn’t outlined the likelihood of their attracting trouble he’d have to rescue them from.

He glared, spoke through his teeth. “You would make me worry over you and my nest mates when I have an important mission to complete?”

“You’d make us worry over you?” she shot back.

“It is not the same.”

“I say it is. Besides, I’m breeding, remember? I won’t sleep or eat well until you get back. Do you want that on your conscience?” She slanted him a look of hurt. “How can you be so selfish?”

“Our Rä’Na fights dirty,” Cobra muttered.

Another grunt from Fiercely, this one tinged with humour and pride.

“Venomous, I’m not feeling accommodating about this. At all.” She jerked her shoulder again. “Either you take us, or you don’t go.”

The muscle under Venomous’ brille twitched. “This is not acceptable, Lumen. You are being unreasonable.”

She went from laid-back to furious in a heartbeat. “You want to know what is not acceptable? Our clan has grown, and our leader is off cavorting in space barely a rotation later leaving his pregnant mate to face his grieving kindred, who give her condemning looks after their loved ones were shunned, exiled and committed suicide from the shame of trying to get rid of her.” Her voice turned cold with a lethal edge. “And do you know what is unreasonable?”

“No, my Lumen.”

“That you would go back to that place alone considering the last time you were there alone you were sold into slavery.” She jerked back and water sloshed over the basin edge. She levelled an irritated look at her other mates. “Don’t leave me to fight our corner alone. What do you have to say for yourselves?”

After a tense pause, Fiercely sniffed. “Is something burning?”

Lumen cringed. “Last meal.”

He sighed. “I agree with Venomous. You should stay.”

Sticking her tongue out, she splashed water at him. “Oh, you would.”

Cobra tentatively said, “I agree with our Rä’Na. We stay together.”

Venomous and Fiercely gave the male a withering look.

“You would agree to anything she said. Even if it did not make sense.” Venomous’ jaw clenched. He shot Lumen a chilly look. “You win. We go to Zoi Quay.”

Instead of crowing in victory, she breathed out shakily. Slumped. “Thank you.”

Only then did Venomous see her stubborn petulance for what it was.

Fear.

Reacting protectively, Fiercely picked their mate up then set her bottom on the edge of the bathing pool.

Her legs were free to kick at the cool water.

With a wicked smile, he pressed his face into her throat and eased between her legs, parting them wider.

Lumen moaned and gripped his shoulders.

Sucking in a breath, Cobra retreated to give them privacy.

He did not understand why her pheromones were thickening as if she wanted clutch when moments ago she’d scented of anger then sadness, but he would not stay and be a nuisance.

Venomous heard him leaving, and twisted his head to demand, “Where are you going?”

The tongue-tied male paused then shifted closer to egress. “Fiercely means to be with our Rä’Na.”

“And so shall we.”

“All of us together?” Intrigued, still, Cobra hesitated. “I ... don’t know how to be with her as you are.” The confession shamed him. “I want to please her.”

Crooking his finger, Venomous smirked. “Then you will learn. Fear not you will hurt her. She feels pleasure at our touch.”

“I know this,” Cobra replied hoarsely watching Fiercely press Lumen onto her back, and fondle the wet flush of pink and red between her thighs.

“Do you know she likes to have her nubbins sucked?” Venomous prowled closer to their writhing mate then crouched. “How she likes to mate mouth to mouth to get wet inside.”

All three males growled.

“I want this,” Cobra murmured. “I want her.”

“Yesss. You will take, and she will give. Freely. She is so responsive.” Venomous pushed his fingers into her curly hair. He trailed them down the side of her face and neck in a lingering caress, not stopping until he reached the breast Fiercely abandoned to suckle the other. He squeezed the plump mound then rubbed the hard nub tipping it. “I would kiss you, dearest, but your third desires a taste.”

“Not if I taste her first,” Fiercely muttered as he nuzzled her belly towards the thatch covering her female core. “That recording Beowyn commed us had me hard all cycle.”

Lumen moaned. “Are you going to eat me out?”

“Nothing so primitive as that,” he said coolly then leaned over her supine lushness to drawl, “I am to tongue your pussy until you come on my face.”

She shouted laughter. “I didn’t teach that one.”

“I make them up on my own now,” he boasted then grazed his teeth down her throat making her gasp.

Cobra knelt on the other side of Lumen at the edge of the bathing pool.

He touched his lips to hers then startled as she licked at him then invaded his mouth.

Venomous knew well what it was like to have Lumen kiss him the human way.

It was like falling from a great height as your lungs threatened to burst and your cock explode from spine-bending pleasure.

Cobra jerked away breathing hard.

Shaken, he touched a claw to his lips then looked at his hand, aghast, surprised to see the sharp talons.

He retracted them and then clenched his hand into a fist.

Panting harsh breaths, he leaned over their sensual mate again to crush his mouth against hers, drinking deep of her heady taste.

Fiercely gripped Lumen’s knee and pushed it towards the floor, spreading her open.

He muzzled her inner thigh then tongued the crease between it and her mound.

She whimpered when his mouth latched onto her sex.

He groaned and rutted into his own fist.

Lumen grabbed his short quills, hips grinding against his nose and chin. “You’ve done it. I am going to come all over your face.”

A breath shuddered from her parted lips, and her legs gripped his shoulders tighter.

Three sets of coal black eyes turned molten.

Venomous rumbled, “Show us, dearest.” He pinched her nubbins. “Come.”

Fiercely’s tongue lashed her reddened bud.

He nuzzled her with rough, lapping strokes and rode the jerky kicks of her hips as she struggled to press closer and escape.

Lumen’s back arced as a breathless wail tore from her throat.

Cobra swallowed it with a kiss.

Mouth pressed against her pussy, Fiercely ran his claws down her thigh then retracted his longest one to press a finger inside.

She came.

All over his face.

CHAPTER THIRTY

“Petitioner for Enquiry 122390654756.”

Venomous held my hand as we trudged down the echoic chamber that smelt like atomised chemicals, towards the ring of glowing pews at the back.

Fiercely and Cobra flanked us, silent, watchful.

We’d had a blast travelling to Zoi Quay.

My mates were so cute and funny, and I was getting used to shooting through the universe.

We stayed at the Alliance headquarters, an imposing edifice with bombastic, sweeping architecture, its towering walls storm clouds caught between glass panes.

The accommodation we were allocated was a pod attached to a twisting stalk of metal that stretched into the pink sky.

We were thousands of floors up.

I learned fairly quickly not to look out of the ceiling to floor windows.

There was nothing but churning smog below.

My mates grew serious once our comm panel lit up, and glyphs scrolled across the wall summoning us to the Council chambers.

I channelled their mood, especially after Venomous explained the L’Odo might declare war on Rök after the proceedings.

I didn’t understand why they would, but we hadn’t the time for details.

Once back in the elevator I grew distracted by the amazing transportation system.

The ‘elevator’ was an oval capsule that moved in any direction through the Alliance Headquarters.

As so many alien species petitioned the Council, there were natural enemies, and belligerent species that needed to be kept separated.

Also, it was sensible to be sure vindictive defendants didn’t know where an accuser’s pod was located.

To avoid messy complications outside of assembly, there were no corridors anywhere in the building.

You had to use a windowless capsule.

It took you from door to door, and you were given location codes to rooms pertaining to your business, meaning you couldn’t wander around until you found the right place.

We came to a stop before the rows of pews and my mates bowed.

I stood there not knowing what to do, so, I waved.

“I am the Premier.” A thunderous voice echoed through the cavernous space. “I am the voice of this congress. The Petitioner charges species L’Odo of Registered Planet 336754 of enslavement, poaching, torture, cruelty, and sexual abuse.” The Premier paused. “Are these accusations correct?”

“Yesss,” Venomous stated.

“Then we proceed. Bring forth the Defendant.”

My worst nightmare stormed into the chamber.

He headed right for us, rheumy eyes blazing fury.

“Sorkbhal,” I gasped and quailed.

As the threat drew nearer, Venomous pushed me behind him; done with such force, I skidded backwards.

Cobra wrapped an arm above my stomach and fastened me to his side.

Snarling, Fiercely was two steps ahead, prickly, crouched and baring dripping fangs.

Satisfied I was safe, Venomous twisted to meet our attacker and took the lead, his clan protected behind him.

He hissed with a viciousness that caused the curly hairs on the back of my neck to snap straight.

His anima rose and the armoured scales on his spine, forearms and calves jutted up into lethal blades.

Snout snapping open, Sorkbhal roared.

He crouched onto his haunches then lunged, lashing out with hooked talons.

Venomous braced to meet the attack, but a blade of light flared to the arched ceiling.

Rebounding off the transparent screen, Sorkbhal flew across the chamber to thump onto his back.

He rolled onto his front then lumbered upright, tail whiplashing behind him.

“Defendant representing registered Planet 336754.” A shaft of pale light shone on the small, wizened form at the apex of the rising stands of shadowed figures. “You are here to address the charges of unlawful enslavement and poaching of a primitive species indigenous of Category One Unregistered Planet 2276549. How do you plead?”

Sorkbhal spat putrid phlegm then paced.

Skull crest spreading, he stopped and glared at the figure on the dais. “We accept the charge of enslavement for the Rä. The other thing is our property. We bought it fairly. He stole it.”

Venomous reacted vehemently to the lie, crashing against the partition, punching it.

Warning light rippled from the impact.

“Lie!” he shouted.

Sorkbhal cracked his tail.

He grinned, an evil stretch that distorted his hideous phizog. “Return my property.”

The Premier was silent, shadowy figure motionless.

His voice seemed resigned once it spoke. “Justice be done. This creature’s planet is protected under Universal Moral Law, and the charge of poaching is valid. You bought her legally, and so you bought responsibility for the crimes done against her, and the risk of being prosecuted for them. However, her species is not registered, and she does not come from an Intergalactic Alliance Registered planet. Her world is not included within our sphere of penalty. Therefore, secondary charges of enslavement, torture, cruelty, and sexual abuse brought forth on the creature’s behalf will be struck off the record. The creature must be returned to her legal master, Sorkbhal, Tribal Chief of the L’Odo.”

Venomous went rigid.

Cobra’s grip on my ribs turned punishing as his body turned to stone.

I squeaked, “Returned,” and my knees knocked.

Spinning to face the front, Fiercely snarled a denial.

“The Defendant will pay a fine of ten million standard credits,” continued the Premier, “as we find the Defendant guilty of poaching. The penalty must be paid in full by the end of this cycle or a further million standard credits will be levied each rotation past due.”

“My Lumen is Rä,” Venomous protested his four arms thrown wide, stance aggressive. “The protection of the Edicts apply to her as our Rä’Na.”

“A moment.” The Premier fell quiet.

I realised the rows of figures discussed the case then fed their opinions to the Premier.

“Petitioner,” his voice boomed. “Present evidence the creature is yours.”

My head twisted to Venomous, expecting him to do something that did that.

“Her name is She, Lumen of the Stars and she became my mate during captivity by the L’Odo.” He motioned to us all. “She carries our offspring.”

“Rök is a registered planet,” Fiercely added. “As such, our laws and traditions must be respected by this assembly.”

Cobra nodded, the set of his mouth grim.

“This is truth,” the Premier droned.

“The creature was taken from its world by a lawful trader, and I purchased it fairly. It is my possession,” the pugnacious L’Odo bellowed. “The Rä soft-scalp had no right to mate it.”

“This is not truth,” the Premier replied. “Registered species, even as slaves, retain that right under Intergalactic Prime Edict Five.”

Weak with relief, I slumped into Cobra.

His upper hand stroked my hair as his lower one patted my thigh, soothing me even as he glared daggers at the presiding Speaker.

“However, if Lumen of the Stars is afforded the right by the laws of her people is unknown,” the Premier mused to a rumble of agreement from the Council members.

“It belongs to me,” Sorkbhal snarled. “If I am denied my property, the poaching fine and allegation must be overturned.”

My jaw swung open.

I turned to look at the shadowy figure with a horrible feeling, my presence complicated things for the Rä complaint.

“Our decision is this. We are to contact Lumen of the Stars’ birth planet to determine if she holds the right to relocate, and mate with the Rä warriors. If approval is not granted, Lumen of the Stars will be returned to the L’Odo. Though she was apprehended during unlawful poaching, which we have levied a fine against, regardless of outcome, her species is not protected, and she was purchased legally during a sanctioned auction.”

Crest flaring with glee, Sorkbhal jerked forward. “As it was originally my property, I demand the right to its return until final judgement.”

A short, electrifying pause where my heart stuttered.

So followed the six hearts of my mates.

“Denied. Lumen of the Stars carries Rä offspring. The males may legally claim a percentage of her body mass. The right to protect genetic progeny outweighs the right to protect property, until this Council’s final conclusion. The Rä already have Lumen of the Stars in their possession, and possession is the fundamental backbone of Intergalactic Edict. Your request is illogical. We reconvene next rotation. A notification will be sent to your pods.” A gavel banged. “Next!”

Clutching my throat, I turned to Venomous. “It’s a bloody good thing you knocked me up, babe!”

The force field kept us separated from a sneering Sorkbhal, until we were out the chamber, and into the transport capsule.

Returned to our habitation pod, we trundled into the living bubble then stood in a circle.

We stared sombrely at each other.

Making a face, I walked away, spun around then flopped onto the cushiony mat on my back.

I slapped the bedding. “Now what?”

Venomous crossed the pod to stand at my feet. “We wait.”

“For what?” Fiercely raged. “For those cold-hearted bureaucrats to take our life mate because of some imbecilic law? So they may give her to that sadistic monster?”

“All will be well,” Venomous averred his expression strained.

“You cannot say that. We should not have come here. We risk everything.”

“What else was there to do? You sat in the same conclaves as I. The Senate floundered for an answer to appease the populace. They need to see justice done against those who treated me like chattel. They need to believe they are safe from subjugation. Coming here was the safest, most diplomatic resolution. One that I could live with.”

“We could have declared war on the L’Odo mother planet. Lumen would have been kept out of harm’s way.”

“We leave,” Cobra declared. “Withdraw the complaints, and return to home world.”

Venomous shot him a forbidding look. “Fleeing won’t solve this. The L’Odo need to be punished, or they will dare more in future. We must protect our people from the cruelty I endured. And our Rä’Na wouldn’t be in danger, if she was back on Rök, safe, in our lair as I wanted.”

“You don’t know that,” I protested popping up. “That I’d be safer on Rök. The events of the last moontide have proven that.” I angled my chin up. “My presence here is not the issue.”

Venomous glared.

“Okay, so maybe it would’ve played out different if I hadn’t come, but you couldn’t make charges of poaching, and the other offences against me stick without my testimony. I complicate things, yes, but I do add weight to your case. Other species might complain too, especially if they’re too intimidated to speak out about the L’Odo’s crimes for fear of retaliation. Our actions may inspire courage.” I gave them each a smile far braver than the dread turning my insides to slush. “I’m not afraid to stand up to these tyrants. Neither should you be, not because of what you fear will happen to me.”

“Not afraid?” Cobra thundered his eyes burning. “If that vile male gets hold of you, the depraved things he will–”

“I’m fucking terrified of what he’ll do should he get hold of me again. But I have faith. Not in the Intergalactic Council’s procedures. Not in some deity, or my own intrepid ability to avoid disaster by the skin of my teeth. I have faith in you. In Venom, and in Fiercely.” Passionate words filled me up then spilled over in a messy rush. “My fears are not flesh and blood reality. You three are. I know you will protect me from Sorkbhal, making my fear of what he might do obsolete. We have to make a stand.” Feeling powerful, I faced Venomous. “We have to be strong for beings like Yofk, who lose their family to greed. For females like the Vudwani, who are savaged, so destroyed they don’t want to exist anymore.” I knelt then tugged him down so I could cradle his gorgeous face in my palms. “So honourable males are not forced to spend years alone, cut off from those who love them.” Besieged with the realisation of how important seeing this through to the end was, my eyes watered. “And so plebs like me don’t get snatched, and terrified to within an inch of their lives.”

“You did not do so bad,” Venomous rasped, cupping my face in return. “I found you.”

“What about the ones who don’t have a warrior to fight for them? Babe, if you hadn’t been captured and sold into slavery think about what would’ve happened to me.”

He blanched.

“I won’t back down from this. We can’t. Not if it protects another soul from the horror we suffered.”

Tearing my gaze away, I held out my hand.

Cobra grabbed it like a lifeline.

I stared into his panicked eyes, and my heart thudded at his distress.

He cares so much.

“To do nothing, or to run because it’s dangerous is wrong. Not when what we do here might save others.” I squeezed his hand. “Be brave for me, honey, so I can be brave for them.”

Cobra made a pained noise then snatched me off the mat.

He crushed me to his heaving chest. “My Rä’Na. You are fearless.”

I laughed, and rubbed my face against his throat that smelt of charred, campfire wood and herby smoke, knowing to move my nose higher would lighten the scent to fresh split bark.

“Not even,” I said. “I’m just pissed. So pissed, I’m determined to slap the L’Odo down so hard they struggle to get back up.”

Fiercely said, “The sensible decision is to return to home world, and that is what we must do.” He levelled Venomous with a damning look. “You are primary. You must make her see this, even if it means she sulks for a moontide.”

And here comes the tough sell.

I faced him with a sober expression. “Sweetheart–”

“Do not think to try your wiles on me, Lumen.” His jaw clenched, arms crossing his front as if they were armour. “I am proud to be mated to one so valiant,” a fist thumped his suited chest, “so very proud. But it is your safety and wellbeing I defend. It is you I am pledged to, no other. I am He, Fiercely Comes the Night, Rä’Vek to She, Lumen of the Stars. My priorities are her, our offspring and our nest mates. It always will be this way. Come philanthropic undertaking, come galactic war, come the obliteration of the universe as we know it. So, I say, we are going home,” he ended on a roar. “Because I refuse to lose you.”

Flabbergasted, I hung frozen in Cobra’s embrace and stared.

And stared.

And just freaking stared at the impassioned warrior declaring himself my eternal champion.

He’d never been so open.

My reply eked out in the faintest of whispers. “W-What did you just say to me?”

Alarmed by my wild expression, Venomous held up his hands. “Let us calm down....”

I wrenched from Cobra’s arms and launched myself at Fiercely with a battle cry that had all three males jumping.

He caught me, startled.

Then smiled broadly as I peppered frantic kisses over his face.

I mumbled, “You are so getting laid right now.”

“Laid?” he and Cobra muttered with identical chin drops.

Used to my dirty talk, Venomous rumbled, “I think it means you lie back....”

“And I have my wicked way with you,” I finished on a leer.

Handsome face creased with laughter, Fiercely’s brille gleamed as he strode to the mat, twisted, and then tumbled us to bounce around, copying what I’d done earlier.

I adored how they did that; how they accepted my human gestures and claimed them for their own.

“Ooh, la, la.”

Straddling magnificent, muscled thighs and a filled out hardsuit bulging in all the right places, I dragged my nails down his rubber-clad pectorals.

Hard, hot male mine to touch and taste.

I grinned, and I just knew it was fiendish. “This is going to be epic.”

He rolled on top of me. “Indeed.” He darted down to score fangs over my throat, meandering lower as I bent my legs to accommodate his hips.

Desire sank needy claws into my limbs, like tangled holdfast.

His weight pressed me into the spongy mat, and his peppery heat, his rumbling hiss, the hard prod of his cock on my inner thigh drove me fucking crazy.

A bell climbed a scale of high notes.

“Ah,” Venomous murmured. “Things were about to get interesting.”

Back arching, I gasped, “Busy, babe. Send them away then come play with me.”

Winking at him, I sought and found Fiercely’s panting mouth.

Cobra slinked up to watch our heated clinch in a lustful daze.

Venomous sounded irked. “As you wish. It is nothing but a gift. I thought you might like it, but I shall just–”

“Gift?” I mumbled detaching my lips from Fiercely’s with a wet pop. “I love presents.”

I wriggled out from under my mate.

Fiercely fell face first into the mat and groaned, humping the air.

Cobra snickered and helped him up, clapping his back in commiseration.

I hop, skip, jumped to the door.

“Give it.” I bit my lip. Hands behind my back, I added a polite, “Please.”

Dropping a kiss to my nose, Venomous hit the backlit, glass control panel next to the doorway.

The barrier whirled open.

On the other side, stood Commander Éorik, and peeking from behind him an amused Verak King.

Hands flying to press my mouth, I gave a happy shriek.

I hustled forward to hug Éorik’s middle. “Oh-la! What-are-you-doing-here? It-is-so-great-to-see-you!” I spoke so fast my words mashed together. I gasped for breath, so forced myself to slow. “I can’t believe it.”

Debonair in black jodhpurs, a white lawn cloth shirt with a starched collar, and glossy thigh high boots, Éorik tossed his hooded cloak over his shoulder.

He put a hand to the hilt of the blaster at his trim waist then gave Venomous, Fiercely and Cobra solemn bows of respect.

A waterfall of silver hair shrouded his body, and his alabaster horns were buffed to shine.

“Good greetings.” He straightened, and his solemn expression lightened. “I too am surprised. I expected your husbands to keep you far from this one,” he bobbed his head toward Beowyn, “for the rest of your life. But Venomous One commed us, and asked us to journey here to meet you for last meal. How could we decline such a gracious invitation?”

I turned to the Great Alpha with a giggle at his clothing.

Beowyn ThunderClaw skipped debonair, and went straight to hot-fuck-on-legs with a bare, furred chest delineated with deep cut muscle, over which draped a cape of russet pelt.

A roughly-sewn loincloth covered his groin, and animal hide enclosed his large feet.

His black and silver mane was tamed by two warrior braids at the front to keep the wild mass from his slanted eyes.

Strapped to his back was an ornamented broadsword, the leather belt criss-crossing his lissom torso.

Topping all this off was an imposing crown made of thorny bones that sat on his head like a diadem, crafted to encompass his onyx laurel horns.

“The ancient ceremonial garb of our people,” Éorik mumbled sounding tired of explaining the raiment.

“Lumen,” Beowyn boomed his arms slung wide. “Come, small one. Come to who you fancy best.”

Éorik sighed then murmured apologies as my mates bristled.

“You’re so bad.” My arms encircled Beowyn’s boulder-big shoulders. I near gored myself on the bony, curved spurs tipping his clavicles. “Don’t provoke them. I have no desire to scrape you off the floor.”

“She of little faith.”

He lifted me up to jounce me in his arms then stopped at the shouts of my ‘delicate’ condition.

With a sheepish wince, he enquired, “How is the cub?”

“Healthy. Snug. Loved.”

“And safe?” he questioned his gaze directed over my head.

I tutted. “Of course.”

“What is that doing here?” Fiercely demanded with a rude finger stab.

“Jealous?” Cobra teased.

Fiercely spat, “Yesss,” without shame.

Biting back his amusement, Venomous shrugged. “He is my Lumen’s friend. A visit from him makes her happy, and will cause no harm.” Then he muttered, “And we will not have to invite him planet side for at least another solar.”

Fiercely and Cobra made approving, “Thsst,” noises.

Venomous plucked me from Beowyn to bundle me into a neck to ankle ebony robe with a deep cowl to hide my face.

We summoned then boarded a transport capsule.

Though designed roomy, the space crammed with muscular warriors that smelled of smoke, wood, nuts, dark chocolate and vanilla, and who looked down at me as if I were the most precious body in the world.

Gosh, it ended up a squeeze, but I white-knuckled my way through it.

“I know of a place,” Beowyn confided his thick finger punching in the location code. We zoomed off. “The most exclusive restaurant on Zoi Quay. I have an executive pass.”

Blinking, Éorik winced. “Great One, I do not think-”

The doors peeled open, and the sound of a breathy, screaming orgasm split the air.

It took a while for the writhing fur, twitching skin and ruffled feathers to make sense.

“Here we are,” Beowyn said with a sinful curve of the mouth, stepping out to throw open his arms. “Come for me.”

Éorik sighed again.

Sensing credits, a fawning bevy of courtesans pivoted his direction.

They cooed a welcome, licking lips and plucking nipples.

At my ear Venomous hissed, “Do not even think of stepping off this transport.”

I nodded, picking my jaw up off the floor.

Green and blue light illuminated the mass of bodies in a garish blaze.

Humping buttocks and spread legs jostled under, on and above the floating dining tables.

Leashed servers in skimpy uniforms fucked and sucked the patrons who fornicated on any horizontal or sloping surface.

They quenched their thirst by sipping drinks from fleshy hollows, assuaged hunger by nibbling morsels off plump curves.

The live band was reminiscent of trashy Europop.

A percussionist with a jillion tentacles bashed crazily on drums and chimes from a silo of orange gloop.

The lead singer, trussed in what looked like gunmetal duct tape, strummed and plucked an instrument that resembled an electric guitar come harp.

He, or she, I couldn’t work it out as it had a generous cleavage and an imposing penis bulge, wailed about dark, wet holes on somewhere called Paniki pleasure station.

Dressed in nothing but hot pants, the coltish female rocking the synthesizer pumped her cloven hoof and shook her bushy tail.

The air was redolent sex and perfume, clashed with the smell of vinegary alien fodder.

Googly-eyed, I mumbled, “Bloody hell, Wyn.”

“This is not a place for eating,” Fiercely snapped.

“Aye, ‘tis,” Beowyn argued. “You can just eat if you do not wish to frolic. Look.” He pointed. “There. What the Hydok is eating smells delicious. No one is bothering him.”

There was a sole male in the middle of the orgy eating chunks of browned meat from a greasy platter.

His elephant-sized ears undulated, reaching a foot above his head and stretched down to his portly waist.

Suddenly they went stiff and he trumpeted.

Everything froze.

The tawdry music, gasping moans and cries of ecstasy lulled.

A gaggle of spritely females with gauzy wings, and petite, curving horns giggled as they clambered from under the table at the Hydok’s hind paws.

One wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, winked at the gorging male then staggered off, righting her teeny skirt made of flowering vines.

Éorik yanked Beowyn back into the capsule, ignoring the courtesans’ whines of protest.

Cursing, Cobra slapped at the control panel until the door slid closed.

Stone faced, my mates glared at Beowyn.

“What?” he asked genuine confusion painting his features. “Nay, truth. What did I do?”

With Éorik controlling our course, we exited the elevator into a quiet restaurant with an aristocratic flare.

The blood reds and midnight blues gave it a moody, cosseted edge.

Sultry ambient music and dim light conveyed elegance.

Customers, refined, upper class folk, eyed us, Beowyn in particular, before diverting their attention elsewhere.

Draped in gold and diamonds they clustered together in intimate circles.

My males voiced their satisfaction and ushered me forward.

It suited their need for me to be in a quiet, safe space in the aftermath of Sorkbhal’s threat.

Quarrelsome L’Odo wouldn’t know the existence of it, let alone gain admittance to such an eatery.

Wandering paws, feelers, or claws on the serving staff would likely get you tossed out.

Beowyn swept a critical eye over the décor.

He pouted at the attendants wearing layer upon layer of stiff fabric over their sexless, willowy bodies.

“Pretentious,” he grumbled as we were seated in a circular booth by a deferential maître d' who knew straight away Beowyn was royalty rather than a barbarous primitive who’d gotten turned about.

Come to think of it, the outrageous crown might have given it away.

A curved glass pane made up the back wall, and gave a panoramic view of Zoi Quay’s lawless tourist quadrangle.

As we ordered and received our drinks, I people watched.

I turned my attention to the disordered, alloy jungle of pronged skyscrapers, and cochlear-shaped pod clusters dominating the fuchsia horizon.

Gyratory lights beamed over shuttles haphazardly docking at the spaceport, and hovering planetary transports filled the moonless night sky.

Streaming crowds visiting to purchase exotic slaves, merchandise that was prohibited on their home world, browsed ramshackle stalls and junky emporiums.

Vendors sold hot meat straight from the skillet, and gangs of rough-looking thieves roamed unchecked.

It was hectic, perilous, bright and vibrant.

I understood why Venomous put his foot down, and declared I wasn’t going ‘adventuring’ or ‘gambolling,’ as Beowyn put it, down there.

Just past the brightness of the main jetty was a shadowy ghetto I doubted the lost and innocent came back from.

I let my males have their intense debate over what to order, as I had no clue what I’d like, and used the opportunity to speak to Beowyn and Éorik about my self-appointed mission.

“Do you know why we’re here?” I asked.

They nodded soberly.

I told them what transpired in the Council chambers, Sorkbhal’s threat to my safety, Venomous’ need to find justice, and Cobra and Fiercely’s desire to leave.

I explained why I needed to stay and see it through to the end, no matter how dangerous.

“Well,” I prompted, “what do you think?”

“That you have a death wish,” Éorik replied. He tipped his refreshment bowl at me then took a glug. “If you were one of my concubines, I’d tie you to my lap then pilot the first bucket of bolts I commandeered home.”

Dropping my chin onto my palm, I cupped the stone bowl holding my drink.

I took a sip of creamy fruit nectar, bubbles tickling my tongue.

It wasn’t as good as amrita, but it’d do in a pinch.

“No, please,” I said, “don’t hold back. Tell me what you really think.” I licked my lips, frowning. “Do you honestly believe I’m putting myself at risk for nothing? That it’s not the right thing to do?”

Éorik’s lips compressed into a bloodless line of tension.

He and Beowyn shared a look.

The white-maned Verak shook his head, but Beowyn stroked his beard, eyes heating.

“The victims from the slave planet amongst my vassals have been on edge since they returned to Vayhalun,” Beowyn confessed. “Traumatised, our wise ones say. I had not yet decided whether to obliterate the L’Odo scourge as recompense, or sequester my warriors with their harems, so they might get over it and our serfs move on.”

“Or,” I said, “you could lodge a complaint with the Intergalactic Alliance, take zillions of L’Odo credits in fines, and then sequester your warriors. They’ll have enough funds to retire and heal their emotional wounds.” I clunked my drink down. “What the L’Odo are doing is criminal. They take advantage of helpless creatures, and enslave them when they hold treaties of peace with their worlds.” I tapped my fingernail to the table. “You should consider taking a stand against them too, Wyn. For Obryn. For the others who were stuck in that hell. As ruler of Vayhalun your displeasure would carry considerable weight. Wouldn’t it?”

“My word carries the weight of an empire, but–”

“But? There is right and wrong. What the L’Odo do is wrong.”

“That is too simplistic a way to look at it,” said Éorik. “A wise being sees the world as shaded.” Horned elbow to the polished table, he pointed out the window. “‘Tis the dark season, so we are spared the depravity, but during the summer solstice, there are slave auctions each span for cycles. There is no despair stink worse than Zoi Quay during that time. ‘Tis legal, and accepted as part of the universe. Species like the L’Odo thrive on the misery and suffering of others. They thrive on the auctions. Yet this unthinkable atrocity happens a stone’s throw from the assembly elected to keep watch over, and guide us. It happens so close to the seat of a Council that preach fairness and justice ... as long as you follow their Edicts.” He made a sweeping gesture. “The slavers follow the law, accepting the captives raiders like the Dei San sell them, and pretend the people were indentured because of defaulted debt and crime, not because the were stolen from their world, and torn from their families. They peddle their flesh right outside the sanctuary the subjugated, the wronged and the vulnerable flee to for shelter because the Alliance receive a cut of the credits for each auction held.” Lacing his hands, he tapped his index fingers to his lips then pointed them at me like a blaster. “What does that tell you, Lady Lumen?”

I whispered, “That you don’t think complaining will achieve anything.”

“Oh, ‘twill achieve much. ‘Twill anger the ones you stand against.” He peered at me, silver lashed eyes aflame. “What will the Rä do when the L’Odo retaliate? When they come with war machines that make the ground quake. Lodge a complaint as their crystal cities burn? They have no allies. They are a closed world, cut off from those who might help in times of need. Everyone knows it. Including the L’Odo.”

I swallowed and looked away.

Venomous’ hand covered my fisted one. “All will be well.”

The svelte maître d' sashayed back to us, and took our meal orders on a portable holoscreen, his millions of eyeballs endlessly blinking.

Beowyn put in his request then faced me, expression grave. “Do not let Éorik frighten you. As High Commander of my legions, he seeks to strike hard, fast, and most importantly, first in any argument. That he deigned speak with you on this reveals how highly he regards you, and your intellect.” Beowyn paused then in a cavalier manner declared, “I will petition. Might as well, as I am here.” His eyes slitted. “I ask a boon as a gesture of goodwill from one dignitary to another. My support does not come without cost.”

Biting my thumb, I braced. “What is it?”

“A kiss.” He tapped his scruffy cheek. “Right here.”

Deflating, I rolled my eyes then popped a smacking kiss to where he’d pointed.

Claws grabbed my chin. “No,” Venomous barked. “You do not put lips on others.”

Cheeks and mouth smooshed, I nodded fast.

Éorik slammed down his bowl. “Great One-”

“That is that, Commander.” Beowyn’s stately aura infused his voice with power. “We contact the Council in the morning.”

Sensual lips compressed, Éorik inclined his head then took another, longer draught of his ale. He muttered into his cup. “Just this morn, I thought, ‘Do you know what my planet needs? Aye. Yet another war.’”

Cobra and Fiercely had their heads bent together, arguing lowly, probably about how to convince me and Venomous to leave Zoi Quay.

“Lumen,” Beowyn began jolly once more. “Should you wish to negotiate a treaty of peace for the serpents between Rök and Vayhalun, let me know. I am sure you will find something of value to stir my interest.” He winked salaciously. “‘Twill stay between you and I.”

Fiercely and Cobra stopped talking to snarl at him.

Chuckling to himself, Beowyn’s attention switched from teasing me and taunting my mates to the skyline.

When it returned, his eyes were alight.

A wicked grin split his face. “Lumen, do you dance?”

Sucking in a breath, I let loose an excited squeal.

“No,” Venomous said. “A thousand times no.”

Arms crossing, Fiercely nodded agreement.

Cobra, on the other hand, looked intrigued.

He burst out laughing when my chin jutted, my zeal not quelled in the least.

Wolfing down a scrumptious leafy salad of purple and blue leaves with braised carroty meat, I was amped up, and ready to absorb the local culture.

As I was banned from the quadrangle, getting my mates to agree to hit up a nightclub was easy.

They hated telling me no.

We walked into the dance club, and I clapped.

Pulsing music with a deep bass drummed into the soles of my feat and vibrated through my body.

The rhythm was tribal, a haunting vocalist crooning about her sordid affair with a promiscuous diplomat.

Creatures of all species rollicked to the heavy beat, and totally into it, I tapped my feet and bopped.

Tossing his horned head, Beowyn grabbed my hand as he strutted out into the crush.

As we snaked through the gyrating bodies, I peered down to see the illuminated dance floor was glass.

Aquatic aliens boogied underwater in a club beneath us.

Tentacles and webbed appendages glided back and forth.

Beowyn spun me around, wagging his upswept eyebrows.

We danced.

I couldn’t shake it out like I usually would, conscious of my unborn passenger, but I made a go of it, swaying in time to the melody.

I wiggled my hips instead of my waist, and twined my arms overhead, singing along to the catchy chorus.

I didn’t jump, but bounced on my toes and shuffled side to side.

Beowyn cut loose.

His vigorous shaking and stomping feet were evocative of a war dance.

Slapping his chest, he flung back his head to roar.

To my shock, other aliens tossed their heads and screeched along, sounding like prehistoric barbarians out for blood.

They started moshing, slamming into each other and head banging.

Again forgetting I was one hundred per cent knocked up and fragile, Beowyn abandoned me to jump right in there.

Realising the situation was deteriorating, I began two-stepping off the dance floor.

I found myself surrounded by an impenetrable wall of Rä warriors.

As Fiercely and Cobra shoved people aside, Venomous glowered at me.

I cringed. “Okay, so this turned dangerous, but I thought I’d be dancing.” When he turned to lead the way out, I grabbed his hand. “As you’re already here....” I gave a shimmy. “Please?”

He smirked then wrapped his arms around me and started to move.

With the three of them keeping me safe I was able to enjoy the song, slipping in and out of their arms, being lifted, twirled and dipped to the beat.

I loved how their bodies moved.

Sinuous, flowing movement, yet powerful and strong.

I found it sexy as they rubbed their hands over me, erotic when I groped them back.

Sweaty and ready to call it quits, I pointed in the direction of the exit.

I looked about for our Verak companions as my mates forged a path out of the dancers.

Smiling at Cobra who held my hand between his, we passed a group of booths along the wall.

I glanced in one then stumbled to a halt.

Staid Commander Éorik had a male on his knees thrusting into him.

Crown askew, Beowyn had legs on his shoulders as his battering ram of a cock pounded something into the table.

“Hey, uh....” I faltered when they looked at me. “We’re, um,” awkward swallow, “leaving now. See you soon?”

Beowyn grunted in bursts as he rutted, “Good. Parting. Small. One.”

Éorik nodded then closed his eyes and started coming.

I turned to my mates. “Is that what my face looks like?” I rolled my eyes. “Stop being judgmental. You all held me down then tag-teamed me in public. If that’s not kinky, I don’t know what is.”

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

My edgy life mates and I were back in chambers the next rotation.

I was shrouded in my cloak because the hall was chilly, and I’d grown too used to Rök’s scorching temperatures.

A grunting, snorting Sorkbhal, spoiling for a fight, paced the other side of the security field.

He stopped to send Venomous evil glares, and holler out to me with lewd promises of pain and death.

My hand emerged from the folds of my cloak.

I offered him my longest finger then gave him my back.

“A decision has not been made on case 122390654756,” the Premier advised sounding beleaguered. “The sentient beings on unregistered planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, refuse to cooperate unless they see their citizen unharmed.”

A flickering projection appeared in the space between us and the pews.

“We shall resolve this,” the Premier said. “Please watch the holoscreen.”

A boardroom with oak panelling, heavy wood furniture and dark green leather appeared.

I peered into a handsome face bordered with blonde hair fading to grey, and bearing solemn lines around the eyes and mouth.

A familiar face of a stranger I’d never, ever expected to see again.

Moreover, her roaming gaze fixed on me as if she knew me.

My screechy, strangled tone sounded horrible to my own ears, and I pushed my hood off to get a better look. “Madam Prime Minister?”

“Good morning to you, Miss Young.”

“Lumen,” I amended with a feeble wave.

“Lumen,” she murmured then laced her fingers on the desk. “You may call me Sarah. Ms Weston if that feels too personal.”

I gawked then shook my head. “Pardon me, it’s been a rough few months.”

“I can only imagine.” She glanced at her hands. Her nails were short and unvarnished, shirt cuffs crisp and clean. Weston gave a twisted smile when her green eyes lifted. “I must confess, this is not what I expected when I took a late night call on my emergency line.”

Leaning in, I lowered my voice. “I’ve learned to just let these things play out. You’d go mad trying to control it. Trust me.”

She smiled.

It didn’t reach her eyes.

Looking at this living, breathing embodiment of my old life, I thought of the things I’d missed on Earth.

Who won Wimbledon?

What was the newest cute-cat-compilation on YouTube?

What the hell happened in the series finales of my favourite programmes?

It all seemed trite and immature, though, so I said, “How’s the weather?”

“Cats and dogs. Flooding in the south-east counties, but we soldier on. What about your end?”

“Lots of sun.”

“Lovely. And are you keeping well?”

“Very.” I directed a grin over my shoulder at my clan. “Couldn’t be better.”

“We expect your return to Earth as imminent then.”

The certainty in her voice surprised me. “Oh, no.” Turning back to face her, I gave an awkward laugh. “I’m not coming back. I’m staying here with Venomous, Fiercely and Cobra. Well, not here.” I glanced around the austere chamber. “Back on Rök.”

“Rök?” The Prime Minister blinked. “Venomous?”

“Venomous One.” I pointed behind me. “He is the warrior who saved me from the L’Odo.” I then pointed to my mates in turn. “The tallest one with the gold bars through his brow scales is Fiercely Comes the Night. He saved me from space pirates called Dei San. The brooding one with his quills in a topknot is Cobra that Strikes. He brought me kakt-mi otherwise known as chocolate pudding. We can all agree that is equal to saving my life.” My chin lifted. “Venom and Fiercely are of the Warriors Guild. Cobra is Master of the Hunters Caste.”

I doubted she’d understand the immense honour in having such males for my mates.

Weston shook her head as she struggled to pick which matter to address first. “L’Odo?”

My expression turned grave. “The L’Odo got me from the Zutki slave trader that kidnapped me from Earth. The auctions were bad enough, but the L’Odo and their experimentation....”

I had a hard time swallowing.

Warmth came up behind me, followed by a wave of Venomous’ earthy, masculine musk.

Relaxing, I forged through the thicket of dark memories. “It was bad. If Venom hadn’t claimed me I’d be dead and Earth would be none the wiser ... until something worse than the L’Odo showed up, that is.”

“While I’m sure your experience was vexing, it is biased and–”

“V-Vexing?” I stuttered. “I was kidnapped by aliens then sold to giant, talking reptiles who did such invasive experiments on me, I still have nightmares. When they were done, they discussed whether to rape, eat or do a combination of both before throwing me into a pit of bloodthirsty, sex starved gladiators out of a Lovecraftian wet dream. You call it vexing?”

“They are the species who are now showing an interest in Earth.”

“Believe me when I say that is not a good thing.”

“Our liaisons would prefer to gather information on them independently, preferably directly, to ascertain–”

Growing disenchanted as she spoke, I turned to the daises. “Can you send her a picture of Sorkbhal....” From the harsh intake of breath, I knew the Council had obliged my request. “Thanks.”

The elected leader of Great Britain blanched bone white.

She cleared her throat, patted it when she still couldn’t speak, and then smoothed a shaking hand down the crisp linen of her blazer.

Her gaze slid off screen, widened in controlled panic as she shook her head, and then slid back to the screen sharper than before.

“Well,” she began her voice tremulous and high. “That is a conversation for another time.” She drew in a breath. “In light of recent events, we’d rather you were returned home and examined by selected medical personnel, so we may determine your health for ourselves.”

“No,” Fiercely said as Cobra’s arms came into view on my other side.

Venomous wrapped a possessive, clawed hand around my throat, seeking my pulse, lower arms cinching around my waist.

Weston’s eyes narrowed.

Lips flattening, she eyed them in suspicion, and I understood why.

I was surrounded by a seven foot wall of deadly-appearing aliens who bore no weaponry, but as their bodies were weapons, they looked feral, lethal, and their hands were all over me.

“After prolonged contact with extraterrestrials,” she said her mouth tight, “any number of physical or psychological maladies might plague you, Miss Young.”

“She is well,” Cobra assured.

“With all due respect, Mr Cobra that Strikes, I’ll ask Miss Young to respond for herself.”

“Technically, he’s equal to a Baron in our peerage,” I said. “So it’s Sir Cobra that Strikes.” I looked up Venomous. “You’d be a minor Duke. Fiercely a Lord.” I brightened. “That means I really am a Lady as Éorik calls me.”

Chuckling, Venomous patted my head.

Fiercely replied to Weston. “Her words will be our words.”

“Because that’s going to make her think I’m speaking of my own free will.”

I sighed, rubbing Venomous’ upper set of arms, which snaked around my shoulders, so my entire back was pinned to the broad planes of his chest, my entire front covered by him.

Fiercely and Cobra crowded closer either side of me.

“These humans,” the Premier said, “believed the Intergalactic Alliance abducted and violated you, Lumen of the Stars formerly of planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, as a tactic in a prior declaration of war. We tried to gain the required statement from your leader as required, but met with resistance. Therefore, as the human can see you are unharmed, we may gain the relevant statements, so the matter of your status can be clarified.”

Looking at the Premier’s impassive expression then the red, furious one of the Prime Minister, I whispered. “Oh.”

“It is our thinking,” the Premier continued, “they erroneously assume this congress or the Rä coerce you.”

“Right.” I returned my attention to the screens. “Is he right?”

Weston’s eyebrow rose. “We’d be remiss to take everything at face value.”

“Okay, Ms Weston, may I be frank?”

Exasperated, she gestured. “Please.”

“Take all the preconceived notions you have about what this moment should be,” I held her gaze, “and toss them out the window. Nothing you’ve thought up will be correct. No scenario a war council, or think tank come up with can come close to how these beings act and think because they are not us. What I’ve witnessed....” I huffed a laugh. “We’re one species in a universe of thousands. Think of all the different cultures on Earth then apply that on an infinite scale. You’re not working on your terms, but theirs.”

“Miss Young, I assure you, we are equipped to handle contact from alien life forms.” Her gaze flattened. “Neutral or hostile.”

“You forgot benign.”

“Pessimism is part of the job.”

“The intent of this transmission is to gather information. The actions of the Intergalactic Alliance are neutral, and upholding the greater wellbeing of the universe is its ethos. This Council polices nine thousand five hundred and eighty six species.” The Premier spoke without a glimmer of conceit. “Should our intentions have embodied penalisation, by now, your planet would be nothing but burnt red sky, scorched ground, boiling seas and–”

“Bloody hell,” I cut in when the Prime Minster’s jaw dropped, and she began sweating. “You are not helping.” I looked at Weston. “First things first, this hasn’t caused any issues has it?” I winced. “No riots or doomsday panic?”

I didn’t like the idea of the Earth falling into a global frenzy because aliens phoned home on my behalf.

“Some thing appeared on the Piccadilly Jumbotron at midday requesting the leader of humans come forth.”

“Oh, la.”

“Oh, yes. We made out it was a new Doctor Who trailer.” The Prime Minister exhaled. “So, fortunately, the media remains unaware of what has transpired. SETI were the first to detect the signal. Deep Space Satellites owned by US Space Command were next. They bounced the transmission to NATO, who then contacted the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs, who convened, and responded on behalf of the United Nations members. This video conference was arranged as a result of that response. Once it was confirmed you were a British Citizen reported missing, it was determined best if the UK led first contact, as you were cited as the reason for contact, and, as of yet, despite talk of scorched earth and boiling seas,” she shuddered, “we have been given no reason to believe there is a significant threat to terrestrial security. We are happy to continue discourse until-”

“Human,” the Premier interrupted, “do you acknowledge Lumen of the Stars formerly of planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, has the right as a citizen of your realm, to relocate to a new domicile in a galaxy of her choosing?”

Cut off from her speech, Weston was speechless.

She fiddled with demure pearls dotting her earlobes. “There is no regulation in Common Law prohibiting galactic emigration for a British Citizen.” Her eyes rounded. “Why on earth would there be?”

“Why indeed,” the Premier replied.

Her mouth worked without sound, astounded to be speaking of such a thing.

She jumped when an advisor off screen hissed legal jargon at her. “There are of course official channels she must–”

“And as leader of her people, do you acknowledge the Rä warriors as her legally bound spouses, as per the mating and claiming traditions of their species? There are no interspecies restrictions to be taken into account?”

“Interspecies.... S-Spouses?” Gripping the arms of her leather chair, Weston ogled me. “You married them? All of them?”

“I know they look menacing, as if they’re about to break me in half, but really, the snarls are more smiles, the fangs look worse than they feel, and they’re sweet.” I tugged on the hammered gold cuff circling Venomous’ thick bicep. The swirling pattern matched mine, Fiercely’s and Cobra’s armlets. “They’re adorable. I’m so in love.”

“As we are loving you,” Venomous returned.

Fiercely nuzzled my cheek, and Cobra stroked my hair.

Dreamy eyed, I leaned into their petting.

A random thought drew my eyebrows inward. “How can you understand them?”

Weston cocked her head. “I hear English when you speak, but your lips move out of sync. It’s like watching a dubbed foreign film.”

“Her lips move strange to us also,” Venomous revealed. “But we hear our tongue.”

“I am translating as we converse,” the Premier said. “There is a nanosec delay as I feed our verbal interaction into your minds. I cannot cerebrate faster across such a distance with the rudimentary cortexes you possess. Under regulation 334587 Lumen of the Stars is officially recognised by this congress as having joint citizenship to that of her unregistered birth world, planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth, and the registered planet of Rök. We hereby decree any offspring as a result of this union will fall under the protection of Intergalactic Edict. Lumen of the Stars remains with her mates, and retains the right to bring charges against the Defender. File a petition for a new case to be opened, in addendum. This ruling is final.” The Premier banged his gravel. “Go in peace, human on planet 2276549, known to the native inhabitants as Earth. Next!”

“Wait,” Weston cried lurching from her seat to lean over the desk. She panted, pressed a white-knuckled fist onto the polished wood. “Nothing has been resolved this end.”

The Premier was silent.

“Oh!” I was ecstatic.

My misty eyes went to Cobra then bounced to Fiercely.

Lastly, I gazed up at Venomous over my shoulder.

“Here that? Our hatchling is the first official Rä-Human, legal and everything. Look at us trailblazing.” Turning in his hold, I lifted up on my tiptoes to kiss his flattened nose. “Right on.”

His inky eyes smiled.

Fiercely grinned and Cobra rubbed a knuckle to my cheek, sighing satisfaction.

“H-hatchling?” Weston whispered. “Baby? I didn’t notice, the cloak.... They can breed with us. Good god, woman. I can’t imagine one of those things on top of me let alone three–” She abruptly looked off camera. “Stop shouting at me, and get off the teleprompter. So far your advice has been utter codswallop. The alien head of government thinks we’re fools. I.... Security,” she screeched. “Security.”

A pimply, buck toothed face popped onto the screen.

“Lumen!” a nasal voice cried. “Doctor Quinton Canner, Senior Research Scientist for SETI, and official liaison to the Ministry of Defence for operation Illuminate here.”

He pointed to his laminated name badge, which flaunted the American and British flags and other organisational symbols underneath.

“Return home!” Hands from uniformed bodies off screen grabbed at his shirt. He resisted. “There is so much you can teach us. Prepare us for.”

Grunting, he was dragged away only to return missing half a shirt.

Hair mussed, his eyes were wild. “What we could learn from studying your blood and tissue after extended space travel outside of our galaxy boggles the mind.”

“I’ve been on three different planets without oxygen tanks, and seen, like, dozens of different species.” Finally, I had someone to boast to. My voice lowered darkly, conspiratorially. “I’ve eaten things you wouldn’t believe.”

Quinton’s face pressed closer until I saw an unsavoury amount of nose hair. “And you’ve had sexual contact with the extraterrestrials. You’re pregnant with the alien foetus. Think of what its genetics and organic tissues could teach us. You are the mother of a new race. Proficient in extraterrestrial coition.”

I narrowed my eyes.

It sounded awfully like Quinton suggested scientific experimentation on my extraordinary hatchling with its twitchy, spiky ears and adorable rib kicks.

Kicks it did in the middle of the night that freaked my mates out, so much, they lost sleep thinking it might crawl out if they weren’t keeping a constant vigil.

Quinton squealed when half a dozen bodies dived on him then manhandled him from sight, yelling for me in the background before a door slammed shut.

“Earthlings,” I muttered. “Extraterrestrial coition?” I scoffed. “He insinuated I was some kind of intergalactic slag. Do I leave such a vulgar impression?” Forgetting I stood mashed between three hulking aliens who had twelve hands all over me, I flung my arms out. “Do I?”

Cobra stared, undoubtedly wondering what I needed from him to be happy.

He looked at his nest mates for advice.

Fiercely shrugged.

Lowering, Venomous touched his cheek to mine and nudged.

Sighing, mollified, I rubbed back.

The Prime Minister gave a loud, “Ahem.” When she once again had my attention, she held out both hands. “Lumen, I apologise. This is all incredible on so many levels, and exciting. First contact has been imagined as many things. To have progressed so far in intergalactic relations,” delicate cough, “is both daunting and encouraging.” Hitting her political stride, Weston straightened. “At this time, we think it would be best if you acted as liaison to the Rä, and we will send an elected representative from the United Nations to the Council headquarters so Earth may further–”

“The Intergalactic Council denies this request. We do not recognise the authority of legislative bodies from unregistered planet 2276549, but we shall take your comments into consideration, and record them for analysis upon further communication in aeons to come.” His tone turned gentle. “Earth will join us when it is ready.”

Floundering after being concisely smacked down, Weston spluttered, “How do we keep other hostile visitors from–”

“The L’Odo will be fined for illegal poaching and enslavement. Under Code 998765, as a human, Lumen of the Stars has no rights protecting her or any purebred offspring from enslavement. But as you have acknowledged her union with the Rä, who are a registered species on a registered planet, she and her genetic descendants are now protected under Intergalactic Council Edict.”

“Wonderful. Our gratitude for upholding the rights of our citizen, and protecting her interests. But, um, ah....” She smoothed her hands out in front of her. “Other than fiscal penalties, what is stopping these L’Odo, and others like them from taking more of us?” Weston licked her lips, nervous at the thought of aliens snatching her countrywomen from right under her nose. “You cannot expect us to sit here and–”

The Premier gave a wearied sigh. “Due to the abundant life forms, and potential for humans to be exploited as livestock, slaves and breeders on the black market, planet 2276549 known to its native inhabitants as Earth, is being placed on the Protected List, until humans demonstrate an ability to defend its residents from encroachment.”

“Livestock,” Weston echoed then flushed angrily. “And I beg your pardon! We can defend our citizens perfectly–”

“Yes, yes,” the Premier interrupted. “You harness the atom. Crudely and without finesse. So far you’ve managed to blow yourselves up.” He paused. “Several times. After you accomplish worldwide peace, deep space travel, stop poisoning your own air, bodies, and repair your ozone, planet 2276549, known to its native inhabitants as Earth will be considered for membership.”

“You made contact!”

“To clarify Lumen of the Stars’ right to remain with her legal spouses, as ownership was challenged by the L’Odo,” he enlightened as if she were a bit slow.

Weston placed a hand on her lined brow. “So that’s it? That’s all?”

“This congress has no desire to interfere with the natural progression of your civilisation. Analysing the data we’ve siphoned off your databases, we see you are aeons from harnessing the elements of your world to achieve deep space travel. That is the bare minimum requirement of membership.” His tone softened. “You are impulsive children who think you are intelligent. Your consciousness and technological advancement compared to those of other species will have you categorised as animals, if registered now. Reviewing the interbreeding between Lumen of the Stars and her Rä spouse, we have determined humans have the potential for more. The philosophy of his Council is to protect. You are not ready.”

Weston rocked back then planted both palms on her desk.

She leaned as far over as possible to snarl, “Impulsive? Why you–”

“And arrogant enough to argue with an entity eons older and wiser who councils patience.”

“But–”

“You are not ready.”

“That is not.... I....” Weston gathered a mantle of diplomacy about her. The snarl eased, and she met him head on with a threatening glare. “I am the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. During this discussion, I represent countless nations around the globe. You will take me seriously. We meet one of the requirements you define as needed to apply for membership. Sir, you must–”

“Outside of this esteemed Council, I am the Emperor of eight star systems,” the Premier corrected then his voice heightened to a deafening resonance that crashed with a terrible, vast power. “The correct way to address me, alien, is Highest Majesty. You rule the lump of rock you squat upon, but that does not give you dominion over one such as I. You are lesser. Dust to my sun. I could focus my mind, and purge the threat your savage civilisation poses to the cosmos should I deem it prudent. The recklessness I sense from you, one who leads, persuades me to deliberate the deed knowing a seed of your species, no matter how small, thrives elsewhere.”

“How dare–”

“Sarah,” I cut in. “Shut the fuck up.”

Her head popped back on her neck.

The Premier’s voice returned to a tedious monotone. “The crashed Drestoni civilian-grade vessel you have in storage under the ice of your northernmost pole is defunct technology from a now extinct species that will never work within the atmosphere of your planet. You are not as close to deep space travel as you assume.”

Her eyeballs popped. “That project is classified top secret. How did you–”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the Premier interrupted, exasperated. “As I have said, at best, it will be your children’s grandchildren who are ready to meet with us. Until then, leader of humans, go in peace.”

“But-!”

The screen went blank.

“She is going to be pissed,” I said to the room at large.

Venomous bent to talk in my ear. “Your species came a word from eradication, my Lumen. The Premier is a Godai Emperor. They battle with their minds.”

“Your people will never know you saved them,” Cobra said looking proud.

I shrugged. “I’m sure it’ll even itself out in the end.”

“We find the L’Odo guilty on all accounts. Another complaint of enslavement and cruelty from a registered species has been logged. Charges include a demand of restitution for the death of a royal from the planet Vayhalun. The Verak hold the L’Odo responsible.”

Sorkbhal roared in outrage.

Gleeful, I mentally fist bumped Beowyn.

“Consequently,” the Premier continued, “all trading privileges between the L’Odo home world, Od, and Alliance registered planets are suspended until further notice. Registration of Od is now under review, until our investigation is completed.”

And I’d wondered why the L’Odo might be moved to declare war on Rök.

There was my answer.

I frowned, thinking it’d make more sense for them to declare war on Vayhalun than Rök because we only got them fined, whilst Beowyn got their trading stopped.

“Defendant, you are required to compensate the Rä one million standard credits for each year of his slavery, which he states to be aeon and three. Justice be done.”

“You kill us,” Sorkbhal bellowed. “Without import we will starve!”

“Nothing more than you deserve,” Venomous growled, scowling over my head. “Your reign of terror is no more.”

“Oh my gosh,” I breathed. “Am I rich now? Are we rich now? Finally, fate gives us a break.”

“The ten million standard credit fine for poaching contributes to payment for conservation of your birth world, my Lumen,” Venomous elucidated. “This reduces Earth’s galactic debt substantially.”

I didn’t even want to think about the galactic debt Earth could have when they hadn’t known life existed on other worlds.

Protection by the Intergalactic Council came with a hefty price tag.

“So the money’s not mine? Well, okay. What about yours?”

“Ours. It will go into trust. Should we need to leave Rök, we will have enough credits for what is necessary.”

Fear gripped me and I froze. “Why would we ever need to leave Rök?”

He touched a claw to my lip. “Think of it no more, Rä’Na. We have been avenged, we are free, make love, and my young grows within you. Life is good.”

I smiled when he nuzzled the top of my head, and my mates gave me congratulatory kisses. “Life is good.”

“Next!” the Premier called.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Crossbow latched to his back, Cobra that Strikes sprinted across the sand plain.

Hoofed tracks and paw prints preceded him.

The sweaty odour of frightened animal marked the trail.

Warbling a signal call, he plunged under the shady canopy and into the hinterland.

Granular sand gave way to green, argil soil sprouting chest high blue grass, and wild cereal grain.

The willowy stalks whipped aside in muffled cracklings as he blazed through, and stagnant, marshy air filled his lungs as he urged his body to run faster.

He hurdled a fallen log.

Angled his body forward to climb with the land then dropped to skid down a slope, rolling into a crouch at the base.

Sensitive palm to the ground he centred himself.

The earth vibrated. Life forms moved in several directions.

Cobra’s focus tapered, using his innate skill to fade the natural terrain quakes, movement of the plant life and smaller, scurrying creatures that made up a cacophony of background noise.

All Rä sensed vibrations, but those initiated to the Hunters Caste nurtured the inherent ability into an art.

He picked out the tremors most relevant to his chase.

Grazing six-legged to the east, and a cantering four-legged stalking it; the predator his quarry.

The creature mistakenly considered itself safe deep in its territory, and had ceased fleeing to hunt a meal of its own.

Mouth downturned, Cobra peered over his shoulder.

Running two-legged behind with a hip-rolling gait.

She, Deathly as It Goes closed the distance between them at impressive speed.

The accomplished huntress never did like him to stalk razorbeast alone.

The killer animal had been known to take down inexperienced Rä caught unawares, as had the one he tracked and its mate, but he was no ordinary hunter.

He’d gained the rank of Master, and could singlehandedly bring down creatures thrice his weight.

He’d called the rest of the hunting party off the trail before entering the forest, stalking what spoor indicated was a prime breeding male following its female, yet Deathly had taken it upon herself to ignore his command.

The huntress forgot she wasn’t a Master Hunter yet.

Cobra caught glimpses of sky as he pressed on.

Clouds were bountiful in the pale welkin, the radiant crescent of second moon obscured by the auroral mantle.

Garnet, sapphire, emerald and amethyst vapour streaked the heavens portending a long awaited downpour.

Always Lumen of the Stars gazed at the overcast with awe, her jewelled irises alight, mouth curved in a winsome smile.

She claimed the clouds of Earth were opaque white billows wind blew across a firmament of blue.

Cobra could not imagine such a spectacle.

Snug in their nest, she often regaled them with accounts of remarkable sights he’d strived to imagine, but failed to picture.

Tales of frozen liquid that blanketed the ground in crystallized flakes.

Mountains that spewed stygian smoke, ash and hot, viscous rock.

Great expanses of salt water that covered vast stretches of the planet called oceans.

Using her dainty hands to paint the scenes above her head, she’d try to describe her alien world, laughing at their stunned expressions, and tirelessly obliging their desire for more.

He was astounded by Earth’s differences, while at the same time, surprised by the similarities.

Cobra paused his loping strides to listen to the muted sounds of his prey.

Smiling as more thoughts of his mate intruded, he decided he couldn’t wait to see Lumen react to the rainstorm forecasted for third moon.

He would take her and his nest mates to his sanctuary.

There they could revel in the wonder of nature together as one.

His hearts swelled and ached when thinking of his Rä’Na.

He felt touched by Grandmother’s benevolent hand.

Blessed.

Cobra believed he’d been privileged to be Rä’Vek, he still did, even though his past held great pain.

Maturing after a trifling eighteen solars, he’d clung to the wide-eyed naivety possessed by the young.

Like all a’Rä he’d dreamed of his life partner and worried over becoming male or female.

As a fledgling, he’d wander the verdant oasis adjacent to his guardian’s modest lair.

The solitary walks settled the wilder instincts of his anima, and eased the pain of his parents’ untimely passing.

The cantankerous Rä’Vek who took him in after his kindred perished was a widower.

His Rä’Na had caught the wasting disease that swept Rök aeons past, leaving him alone, and without offspring.

The male was gruff and idiosyncratic, but good at hearts, and opened his lair to a grieving waif without reluctance or stipulation.

What little he had, he’d shared, and the sorrow of Cobra’s departed kin faded from his young mind.

Already a proficient tracker, and prophesied to lead the Caste as Master Hunter, he had worried if he’d thrive as his fated gender.

Would he gain affection for his mate, and would they be fortunate enough to hatch more than one offspring?

Though healthful with imminent opportunities, he failed to convince his adolescent brain his existence would be a happy one.

Losing his kindred as a hatchling meant his self-worth had suffered.

It resulted in an unwholesome inclination to expect less for himself than his contemporaries did, yet with attention, and true affection from his guardian, as the bad-tempered as the ancient male was, he’d grown into an jovial a’Rä satisfied with his lot.

He’d been content to await his life mate, and looked to the future with excitement.

Hailing from the Southern province, Singing Water caught his eye as he’d delivered his plenteous catch to Calm as Thunder’s predecessor, Elder She, Soars Just Truly.

The old Rä’Na hosted a private festival for her visiting kindred, and comm called him to request he bring more meat than usual.

Accepting the invitation to remain for repast, he’d strolled into the garden behind Soars Just Truly to be introduced to the gathering, as was proper.

He’d taken not one step past the threshold when his body rioted, a floral scent hijacking his taste receptors.

Singing Water had glanced up, gasped, and then stilled as her brille unveiled her true eyes.

They’d matured within moments of being within scenting distance.

All Rä considered it romantic.

Many retold the encounter with relish, genuine in their delight for the new couple.

After all, the chances of him meeting her in a social setting had been slim, considering the disparity of their birth.

Cobra himself was caught up in the splendour of finding his mate.

He’d thought Singing Water’s stiff expression had been one of shock.

Unaware of how she felt in truth, elated, he’d proclaimed his intentions to be the best hunter in the Caste before they succumbed to the long sleep.

He told her of his hopes and dreams for their future, for offspring, for affection, assuming her silences were contemplative, misjudging her caginess as shyness.

He was a blind fool.

Shock wasn’t what worked behind her pretty face.

It was disappointment.

Solars older, aloof and quiet, he’d thought Singing Water the most wise and beautiful creature he’d ever beheld.

Now he knew what true beauty was, it made him sick how shallow he’d been, how idiotic.

What he’d taken as maidenly reserve had been a barrenness inside.

An emptiness of heart and soul.

She, Singing Water did not care for He, Cobra that Strikes, not as he’d adored her.

As the solars dragged on, he realised no matter how hard he tried, nothing he did changed the reality she was dissatisfied by Grandfather’s choice for her Rä’Vek.

It broke his hearts.

Yet instead of conceding defeat, he worked himself ragged to earn more gold to trade for whatever she desired.

He hand built a lair three times the size they needed, telling himself they would eventually hatch young.

Rationally, he knew such a thing unfeasible.

His Rä’Na reviled his touch, refused to bear her back.

He’d covered her once; their bonding ceremony.

Worse than the lack of physical companionship, nothing he did, or said, pleased her, not that she ever lowered herself to say as such.

It proved beyond her to sit and talk with him, as his Lumen did, so that they might do better.

Instead they slowly aged in their affectionless subsistence.

Any time he tried to bridge the yawning distance between them, she fled to visit her kindred in another province.

Singing Water’s odd silences, and her unsettling, manic rants were insidious, leaching all that was good and pure from him.

Then a shooting star of light and life burst into his bleak existence.

A peculiar alien female, brave and mischievous.

Lumen of the Stars with her bright smile, and anima-nourishing words, a female that hugged, kissed and petted her males without shame, or fear of shunning.

A Rä’Na who was interested in what her Rä’Veks had to say, and enjoyed silly tales they brought home to the lair.

Cobra had been lost.

His hearts beat for her the moment she echoed his name then offered her delicate hand to shake in the human way.

While he’d gawked, and stumbled his way through a polite greeting, her eyes had been alight with kindness and curiosity.

And the sparks.

He swore to Zython there had been sparks between them.

He’d been shaken to his core.

He didn’t know it was possible to align with one who was not your life mate.

Upon further reflection, he decided it made sense.

Widows took on new mates.

It was rare, but it happened.

Rarer was what happened to Lumen; calling forth two mates when most were privileged to find one.

Perhaps his hearts had been broken in the truest sense.

His anima, sensing power enough to heal his emotional hurts, aligned him to her out of self-preservation, as was its purpose; to protect.

Many Rä called her deformed.

Hideous.

They fixated on her squeamish-inducing ‘weaknesses’ and ‘unsightly hair’.

Bewildered, he failed to comprehend the nasty reaction.

To his brille, she was exquisite.

Cobra came to the realisation he saw her as such because he’d glimpsed beyond the corporeal and straight to the spirit.

What he’d experienced upon meeting her humbled him, entranced him, and so when he did scrutinise her earthly form, he’d been so besotted, her physical appearance mattered not.

Truth, once he did start noticing it, he was attracted to her generous contours in ways that had him hard and aching without surcease.

Aghast at his salacious thoughts, he’d tried to capture the heart of his Rä’Na with renewed fervour.

He even tried to cover her after years of abstinence, thinking it was time they behave as was right.

She’d recoiled and barred him from their nest.

Lumen became all he thought of.

He collected anecdotes and news of her wherever he could find, attending festivals and conclave at the Senate Quarter, knowing discussions about the outrageous offworlder Venomous One and Fiercely Comes the Night mated would be abound.

When the infamous males approached him, to offer the honour of being her lesser mate, it seemed mighty Zython took pity, granting a lowly hunter his most fevered dream.

Oh, there was still shame.

He lusted after Lumen in a way that was forbidden!

But he’d be part of her life.

He’d experience the joining of their bodies at least once, and get to watch over her as only a lesser mate could.

He knew she did not feel for him as he did her, but he was used to that.

Existing on the fringe of her life was enough, more than he’d dared wish for.

He’d hoped in time she would look upon him with favour instead of disdain.

When Fiercely had comm called in a blind panic with the tale of her missing in the wilderness, Cobra swore his hearts stopped beating.

Terror unlike he’d known had stolen the warmth from his blood, and he’d feverishly prayed for her return as he rushed to do all he could to find her, knowing if it was true, and she was in the Empty Quarter as a sandstorm rolled in, it was already too late.

Seeing her safe soon after, he’d almost fallen to his knees in worshipful thanks to whatever powers worked in her favour.

The bonding ceremony had been the best and worst rotation of his lifecycle.

Finally, he was a part of Lumen, his hearts sang the joy of it.

Solicitation of her attentions would not be perceived as wrong.

He’d joined their bodies, an unsurpassed span of ecstasy, and for the first time in solars, he’d felt whole.

The beating had been worth it.

Most had not understood why he had been so forgiving, but they could not know the passion she inspired.

Truth, Venomous One guarded her jealously, but she was worth it.

To feel what he’d be missing near ended him.

To witness Venomous and Fiercely locked into a passionate embrace with the female he adored, and who would never feel the same in return, cut so deep, he feared he’d bleed out on the alter of their marriage.

To have her so happy, and delighted with them, for her to glow so magnificently as she rounded with their young ... bittersweet.

All was as well as could be, and his secret was safe.

So he’d thought.

Singing Water noticed his fascination, and reacted in a way he’d never deemed possible.

Anger gripped him in a chokehold when he contemplated the plot she’d colluded in with Venin Stings the Sweetest.

During the terrible session at the Senate Quarter, when Scholar Wise are the Brave exposed her perfidy, for a sickening heartbeat, he worried if his deviant lust for another had driven her to madness.

Cobra realised he’d given himself far too much value in her eyes.

She did not care for him, let alone his affections, she simply couldn’t abide the notion he no longer yearned for her.

She knew the strength of his honour, knew he would never behave improperly.

Her actions were not prompted by irrational qualms the sanctity of their union was under threat.

All she’d had to do was speak with him.

Explain she’d noticed his fascination, and ask him not to be Lumen’s lesser mate.

He would have submitted.

She had been his Rä’Na.

Instead, Singing Water lashed out at Lumen rather than her usual whipping post.

Him.

Her misplaced envy and spite ended in a senseless act of maliciousness that still gave him chills.

As Fiercely had claimed, she was rotten.

Spoilt by her privileged upbringing, and embittered by the truth he would not rise to the Senate; the most powerful rank a Rä could attain on Rök.

Cobra set aside dark thoughts of his past, and lowered to a crawl.

The lucent, rotund stalks of low growing kakt’kakt and blossoming vines masked his presence.

A resinous blend of smoked wood and leafy herbs, his scent, blew downwind.

It transformed his advance to an unearthly dance, each twitch precise, each pull of breath deliberate.

Ripe, sweet aromas filled his nostrils as a sticky kakt’kakt spike tipped with a paralysing toxin grazed his hardsuit.

He craned his neck to peer over the protruding stem.

Covered in pustules, it oozed whitish acid from its barbed spine clusters, and its bristly stalks were festooned with orange and purple buds.

Come the dawn, they exploded outward in dramatic orgies of colour.

Allotrope seeds nestled within the sprouted blooms melted in the sunlight to drip clear amrita nectar.

His mate drank bottles of the chilled fluid, vowing it tasted like fruity wine.

Too sweet for the indigenous palate, Rä used it in its oil state as an ointment to moisturise dry scales.

The liquid possessed a floral, saccharine fragrance that attracted firebirds, named so for their crimson feathers and flaming tails.

Pretty beasties that fed off the nectar in seed form and lived underground.

Tasty plucked, seasoned then roasted over glowing stones.

Brume snaked the underbrush, and coiled around his crouched figure lending further concealment as he edged nearer to the razorbeast.

The carnivore hunkered beneath a spray of succulent plant fronds.

Silent death, it prepared to pounce.

Its nine-tails were held low, swaying pennants caught in the breeze.

Green fur stippled with blue and slashes of yellow, allowing the creature to blend into its environment, lay flat against its sinuous trunk.

It tufted, giving the illusion the creature doubled in mass, and further protected its tough hide from attack.

Cobra unlatched the crossbow secured to his back.

Took aim.

His free upper hand crept to his waist to grip the hilt of a falcate blade designed to cut through armoured flesh.

Chirring insects quietened.

The fluted ears of his quarry’s prey twitched and swivelled at the lack of sound.

With a twang and a whistle, the bolt loosened from the bow.

Mewling, the newborn goodbeast vanished into the shrubbery.

Dart embedded in the razorbeast’s vulnerable scruff, the creature whipped around then bared its serrated fangs proving true to its awesome moniker.

Loosing a spine-chilling caterwaul, it reared up on powerful hind paws, and exposed a bloated, downy underbelly, the barren patch between its inflamed teats a weakness in its furred hide.

Bellowing a roar of challenge, Cobra that Strikes, struck.

He leapt forward to stab the beast’s gullet then twisted.

Pulling the blade free, he yanked flesh, fur and gristle with it.

Blood gushed.

The dirt beneath his boots swamped into ore-scented mud.

Hooked talons scrabbled over his hardsuit then fell away as the gravid kill hit ground with an ear-splitting snap of crushed kakt’kakt, and the fractious chirping of firebirds burrowing deeper into underground aeries.

Cobra knelt to mutter last rites in respect of the life he’d taken, as was the way.

He stabbed his weapon into the ground to clean the blade.

Thank you, sister, for your gift.

Tomorrow, your sacrifice will feed the hundred and ten clans I hunt for.

A dim vibration tickled his senses.

The gentlest stirring of air brushed his nape.

Unsheathing the spare blade holstered to his boot, turning in an agile twist, Cobra collided with a male razorbeast as a thunderclap reverberated through the lowlands.

Growling, he grappled with a yawning maw barehanded.

Genuflect, spine bent under tremendous weight, Cobra’s poison glands swelled as his anima flourished in a threat display.

Fangs dripping, he spat toxin into a beady eye wild with too much white.

The razorbeast yowled with primeval rage.

Fighting for its life, and furious at the death of its mate, the animal hissed and scratched, knocking the dagger from his lower fist.

Sour pants of breath gusted over Cobra’s face.

Foamed slobber dribbled over his forearms, compromising his grip.

Using brute strength, he shoved the creature upright in increments and gained his feet.

Grunted when he slid flatfooted through the loamy soil as the beast flailed and pranced on its haunches.

Tendons in his neck popped as he hugged the razorbeast’s head with his lower arms then wrenched.

Crack.

The animal slumped, dead.

Breathing strained, legs wobbly, Cobra laid it down, patting its still warm side in condolence. “Rest now.”

“Oh, la!” Deathly as It Goes grumped mimicking someone he knew well.

His brow ridge rose. “Problem?”

“What am I to hunt? Your racket has scared the game deeper into the forest.” She sniffed. “You have made my hunt that much harder.”

Still out of breath, he snorted. “You are welcome.”

She laughed. “Good hunting, Rä’Vek! That was thrilling to witness. I shall tell my Rä’Vek and your clan of your skill.” She said over her shoulder, “All of you should speak of this. It was a worthy kill. Did you see how Cobra that Strikes had the dagger ready when the female reared in warning? Remember that your primary weapon may not be enough to take down larger prey. And did you see, even when offering last rites, he did not lose awareness of his environment? Defending against the male’s pounce a moment later would have seen his head bitten from his shoulders.”

Roving through the kakt-kakt, the apprentices mumbled between themselves, and sidled closer to get a better look.

“Slaughter the beasts and packet the meat.” To Cobra, she said, “We will deliver it to your lair by third moon’s end, so your apprentices may deliver to the clans you hunt for.”

“Set aside the prime cuts and hides,” he replied. He gave a small smile. “I will make a gift of them to my nest mates.”

“It will be as you say. Go.” A knowing, female smirk. “Enjoy the rain with your clan.”

He badly wanted to go, but she had clans to hunt for too.

His personal desires should not disrupt the balance. “Do you need me to watch the fledglings?”

“No. I teased earlier. While you were playing with razorbeasts, I downed a docile ruminant or three.” She waved away his heartfelt congratulations. “It was nothing compared to this. But–” brille narrowing “–I will become Master Hunter yet. Watch your back, white-quill.”

Laughing, thanking Deathly for the help, Cobra paused to offer her apprentices murmured words of encouragement.

After answering the more pressing questions of tracking technique, washing his arms off, he left them to butcher and dress the meat.

Usually he did such tasks himself, but it was part of his duties to guide and train the younger generation.

“Do not skin it like that,” Deathly shouted exasperated. “You ruin the pelt. Look! Look how you have punctured the viscera, and it is staining the fur. Empty skull. Watch me as you insist on being simple. I do not understand why you struggle with this. I have shown you a dozen times. Watch. The female’s blood has already drained, so we need only peel back the hide, eviscerate then split. The male is an extra step. Sever the artery like so, peel, remove the organs, and only then do you divide the carcass in half.”

Her well-meant diatribe faded as Cobra wended his way back through the forest, and out to the sand plains.

The colours in the multihued sky grew darker and ruptured upon reaching the city proper.

Excited Rä stood on their stoops, and awaited the downpour as he rushed homeward.

Yammering to his nest mates, Lumen bounced on the pathway as he rode up.

He let the Sylphs lead away his white-flecked mount, requesting three more readied and brought to them.

Skipping to him, Lumen slapped both hands to his gore-spattered chest. “Welcome home, honey.”

She went up on her toes to hug him around the neck.

The hard yet soft mound of her stomach pressed against him, making his hearts ache with hope for the future.

Venomous and Fiercely traipsed after her, yet their expressions were indulgent, happy she was happy.

“Lumen,” he muttered embarrassed, but also thrilled to be greeted with enthusiasm.

He grimaced.

She’d dirtied her softsuit, an occurrence that would have sent Singing Water into hysterics.

Glancing down at the blood, she shrugged it off. “You’re a Hunter. Shit might get messy. Bag anything good?”

“Razorbeast. A mated pair.”

“Impressive,” Fiercely said. He clicked his teeth. “I knew there was a reason I did not gut you.”

Venomous chuckled. “Does this mean you have a spare rotation to spend with your clan?”

“It does,” Cobra replied with a fang-filled smile.

Gaze drifting between them, Lumen chewed her lip. “Isn’t killing a mated pair kind of cruel? What if they had cubs?”

Cobra decided not to reveal the female had been breeding.

“So compassionate,” Venomous murmured.

“A weakness,” Fiercely stated with a vexed scowl.

Venomous shot him an ominous look. “I disagree.” His tone was icy, final.

“Something I should know?” Lumen asked not bothering to look at them.

Lines of tension bracketed her mouth.

A pause that lasted a beat too long.

Fiercely replied, “No.”

“Usually we do not condone such action, as it would destabilise the food chain,” Cobra explained diverting her attention.

He knew why Fiercely worried over their Rä’Na’s vulnerabilities, but he sided with Venomous.

The moment was wrong.

Though the discussion with their mate was a long time coming, it could wait.

“Part of my responsibility as a Hunter is to preserve the nature in my territory,” he continued, “but at sunrise an old Rä’Vek was caught unawares, and mauled to death outside his lair. His body dragged away to be eaten.”

Her lips parted as she gasped. “His Rä’Na must be devastated.”

“Indeed. I tracked this pair from the site of the tragedy because they developed a taste for Rä flesh, and would have taught this to their young. There were plenty of wild goodbeast, and other animals for them to hunt. It was sad, but necessary for the safety of our old and young. Larger predators are too wary to come close to our lairs. Usually.” He clicked his teeth. “These two showed no such fear.”

Venomous said, “A hatchling fed them scraps during infancy, I think.”

“Yesss. It is likely.” Cobra gazed upon his mate. “Are you ready for the rain, my hearts?”

Her brilliant smile returned. “Am I ever. I’m wearing white because Fiercely said it’s better that way.” She looked puzzled. “I get this is a big deal as Rök is an arid planet, but why...?”

As she spoke the heavens opened.

A drop of blue splattered her shoulder. Splashes of yellow and green against her creamy brown cheeks.

Eyes round with wonder, Lumen held up her hands, fingers splayed.

Rainbow droplets sprinkled her palms.

“Oh my gosh,” she shrieked, “This is incredible.”

Smiling at her antics, his nest mates angled their faces to the sky, the spate growing into heavy drizzle.

Rä celebrated the rain, revered it with a spiritual fervour left over from their primordial origins when soothsayers considered the life giving waters divine.

Apathetic about the rainstorm, the Sylphs returned with a triad of fresh mounts, saddled and ready to ride.

Taking the reins of the lead animal, he asked Lumen, “Will you accompany me?”

Laughter chimed like a tintinnabulum over the pattering rain.

She whirled to him and nodded.

They rode in formation, Cobra at the head with Lumen perched on his lap.

She crowed with delight, and pointed out quartz structures dotted with trailing colours as they passed.

Rä stood outside with their faces turned heavenward.

Many wore white softsuits they’d keep in remembrance.

Rainfall was incredibly rare, occurring once an aeon or so.

Hatchlings played in puddles, splashing and chasing each other.

Elder a’Rä not blessed to find life mates stood amongst their kindred and rubbed the liquid gemstones into their scales, praying to Grandfather for strength and Grandmother for wisdom.

Mated couples inched closer together than was proper, and the bold exchanged touches of affection.

Old and young, wealthy and deprived; all were coloured equal when touched by the rain.

Asking if she could drink it, then rolling her eyes and answering her own question, yes, Lumen opened her mouth then stuck out her tongue.

She waggled it provocatively whilst wriggling her brow filaments.

The males chuckled as she proclaimed it refreshing and delicious.

“How long will this carry on for?” she asked soaked to the skin as they dismounted a span later.

Venomous warned their mate could catch cold.

Cobra and Fiercely had deduced her flesh might freeze if its temperature dropped too low, implausible in the arid climate.

So, he was not yet concerned.

The weather was muggy and her flesh felt warm.

“Through the night until first moon,” he answered.

Hands encircling her waist, he set her down on the blue grass then helped her to balance as she wrestled with the sodden fabric wrapped around her ankles.

Deeply satisfied with caring for her, he pushed wet spirals off her face.

The kinky strands appeared longer and darker when weighted with water, reaching below her shoulder blades, the length of his quills.

“This is my favourite place.” He clasped her hand between his, and held it over his hearts.

Filled to bursting with emotion, he walked her towards the glossy pool he’d swum in as a youngling, leaving his nest mates to tie up the goodbeast.

A watercourse ran through it, and meandered into the flowering brushwood.

“After my parents perished, here, I found peace.” He glanced at her, nervous, wondering if she thought it sentimental foolishness. “Perhaps it will become a place of reflection for you too.”

Shoal a ring of black pebbles, the silt bed glowed with bioluminescent algae.

Head resting on his arm, Lumen peered into the rippling basin.

She cooed as silvered fish arced from the green beck to gobble hovering flies then hit the water with gentle plops.

Translucent beetles with dozens of skinny legs skated the choppy surface to hide from the downpour under porous leaves of aquatic plants.

“Beautiful,” she breathed.

“Yesss, you are.”

Her eye filaments were spiked when she jerked her chin up to look at him. “Thank you for sharing this with us.” Her arm swept out flinging water. “Thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for being kind, and generous, and bringing your quiet joy, your wisdom. For the things you do I’m not smart enough to know you’re doing. Just thank you.”

Cobra went to his knees.

He was thankful for her, for his clan.

He felt cherished, and longed to find the right words to express the depth of his happiness.

Return words of gratitude clogged in his throat.

He knew what it felt like to be trapped without hope.

Lumen set him free.

Speechless, he pressed his forehead to her breasts, rubbing his face into the soft mounds.

Nimble fingers tugged on the thong tying his quills to his crown.

Loosened, the jet lengths draped his face and bunched shoulders.

She massaged his scalp then trawled her fingertips from his crown to his nape.

Shivering, he hesitated then slid his lower arms around her to cup her buttocks.

The drenched cloth moulded to the ample globes, her curves, and he found them maddening, arousing.

He squeezed then muttered a harsh curse when she rocked against him.

She invites me.

With frantic roughness, he roamed her sensitive flesh.

He tried to temper his touch, but was swept away by a shockwave of sensation.

Then she was under him.

Cobra shoved a thigh between hers and gripped her softsuit at the neck.

He ripped it open to bare her breasts.

The startled gasp torn from her lips jolted him out of his haze.

Then the salty musk of her sex invaded his nostrils, and blanketed his mind with ferocious yearning.

It had never been like this.

As if he’d die if not inside his female.

As if his flesh would implode, and he’d cease to exist.

Cold water drops hit his back.

They slid down his heaving sides to wet her skin warm.

Their gazes tangled, breaths mingled.

“Cobra.” Lumen hooked a rain-slicked leg up his waist. She gripped his quills, and spoke with resonant belief. “Never doubt you were meant to be mine.”

Moaning, his head drooped.

Her words of possession seized yet another fragment of his soul.

He pushed downward to suck on her nubbins, as he’d seen his nest mates do.

She arched her back as he tongued the dusky nubbins until they wrinkled and puckered.

She responds to my touch.

He dragged his hardsuit down, and pushed the waterlogged skirt of her softsuit to her thickening waist.

Beauty, he thought as his hand passed over her rounded stomach.

My offspring, a hatchling of his heart and soul seeded by his nest mate.

His thigh connected with her bare core, and he shuddered.

Wet heat.

His lower hands spread her legs, and he impaled her on his turgid length.

Tender flesh yielded as he powered inside.

Lustful frenzy descended as her channel sucked him in.

Panting, grunting, he shoved into her until her body jarred with each hip kick.

Nails raked his back.

Roaring, he rutted her as if one with the beasts he hunted, driven by primitive instinct.

Fiery twilight glinting off metal, the point of a dagger pierced his throat.

Another pressed into his lower spine and stilled his violent bucking.

Incensed he’d been caught off guard, panicked his mate lay pinned and defenceless beneath him, his lips peeled back to bare dripping fangs.

Fiercely applied pressure.

Cobra’s neck moved with the blade lest it be severed.

His back bowed, forced upwards, yet he refused to leave the suction of Lumen’s sheathe.

He adjusted his hold, so he lifted her, speared on his distended length, as he bent.

“Animal,” Fiercely snarled. “She swells with what is ours.”

A ruby bead rolled down Cobra’s neck.

He struggled to order his thoughts and understand the charge laid against him.

Lumen’s hand landed on the blade at his throat.

She closed it in her fist then carefully pulled it out and away.

Her fingers trembled, but she was strong, and her chin lifted. “Tisk, tisk.”

“Too rough,” Fiercely bit out.

“I make that call. Not you.” Her heated gaze took in his erect state. Her tongue dabbed her lip, as if imagining the tip of his shaft perched there. “Play nice.”

Undaunted by the tension, Venomous prowled towards them.

He tore out of his hardsuit.

Blunt features contorted as he hit his knees then pressed his chest flush to Lumen’s back, hand cupping her slender throat.

His tongue flickered, expression awash in bliss as he felt the vital beat of her heart through her pulse.

His thumb hooked up to press into her mouth, pumped between her lips.

Eyes sliding closed, she sucked on it until her cheeks hollowed.

She licked his palm, curled her tongue around his fingers. “Touch yourself.”

The slow smack, smack, smack of his fist working his length caused a rash of bumps to pebble her flesh.

“Faster,” she whispered. “Make me feel it.”

Venomous made a rough sound then buried his face in the fragrant arch of her neck.

His upper hands clasped her breasts and squeezed.

He rocked into her with gasps and guttural notes of strain.

At her ear he rumbled, “Can you feel my cock, Lumen?”

Her head bobbed.

“Tell me how it feels.”

“Good,” she breathed. “Hard. Stroke it faster, babe.”

“When we get back to our lair, I am going to eat your pussy.” He nuzzled her neck, nipped her ear with a savage grin. “Then fuck it.”

Bright eyes opening, she laughed, breathless. Her fingers reached back to graze under his jaw. “Promises, promises.”

Cobra’s brille threatened to unveil his true eyes, so stunned was he at the hushed exchange.

Yet there was something intimate about it.

Titillating.

He wanted a part in creating this secret world.

“Why have you stopped?” Lumen demanded eyes stormy. “Take me.”

Her lips latched onto his, and the thrust of her tongue was brutal, sharp, tingly mentha.

Grasping hands traced the lineaments of his face.

She stroked his chest and stomach.

Flushed with heat, her eyelids fluttered, as if touching him overwhelmed her.

“Cobra,” she moaned, “I want you.” Her hips corkscrewed as she sank her teeth into his chin. Bit down with a mean little snarl. “Come for me.”

“Rä’Na.” Fiercely’s erratic breathing turned ragged, discordant with the erotic tide. “I need you.”

Lumen startled, the hoarse rasp breaking her from a trance.

She blinked realising she held his blade. “Free yourself.”

Hands shaky, he did.

“Give it.”

Shaft in palm, Fiercely hesitated.

His gaze dropped to her fingers wrapped around the blade.

He glowered at Cobra.

“Now,” she snapped.

Quivering under the weight of his arousal, he fed her his engorged length.

He choked a cry as she swallowed him with a happy noise, spat curses when she hummed, bobbed, and then swirled her tongue over his inflamed head.

Fiercely tangled his claws in her hair, tightening them to a fist that yanked her head back.

He pulled out of her mouth then drove deep, holding her at his mercy.

He propelled his hips in a steady thrust and retreat.

Soft slaps of Venomous’ fist on his stem grew louder and faster as his fingers tugged and rubbed her nubbins.

Shuddering, Fiercely again withdrew.

Lumen whispered, “Mark me.”

Full of him again, she quieted, but tugged the knife free of his white-knuckled grip to drop it at their feet.

Gazing up, her pupils dilated to starless voids.

Kaleidoscopic rain dripped from her eyelashes, nose and chin.

Her lips parted from where they wrapped around him on a breathed, “Bukkake me, sweetheart,” then they sucked on his swollen sac.

Head thrown back, Fiercely exploded.

His mouth wrenched open in a silent howl, expression a near grimace of pain as his loins bucked.

With each convulsion, pearly arcs painted the lips and tongue that lapped and suckled so greedily.

Undone by the sight, the friction of his shaft enclosed within pulsating flesh, Cobra surged into his mate with all the force his body commanded.

He bellowed as his throbbing testes drew up tight.

Spasmed.

The slit in his crown tingled as it loosed his seed, each squirt a battering wave of pleasure that dragged him under.

Spent, the sound of blood rush crashing in his ears, he swayed.

Movement devolved to impatient jerks, Venomous snatched Lumen from Cobra’s arms.

He set her on all fours then pushed her head down.

Her rounded ass jutted high in the air, exposing her blushed sex dripping seed.

He pressed a blunted finger inside.

Pumped as he rubbed her swollen nub. “Dearest. Your hot wet grasps me tight. Needing me, yesss? Moving stiff and heavy inside.”

A strangled whine. “Babe.”

“My cock is stone, Lumen. I ache to fuck you.”

Cheek pressed to the damp-darkened sand, she mumbled, “You want my cunt.”

“Yesss,” he hissed. “Deep inside your cunt. Beg me to fill you up.”

“Babe,” her cry hitched, hollowed, wanton, “I’m going to come.”

“I long to take you here.” Another finger swirled against a furled hole. “Hard.”

“Venom.” She thrashed. “I’m going to ... you need to....”

He gasped, hips jerking, knuckles blurring. “I grow nigh.”

“Fuck me, I’m coming.” A wet slap to sodden ground. “Coming.”

The graceful musculature of her back locked.

Rigid fingers attached to burrowing hands clawed out clumps of sediment.

Abdominals bunching, Venomous yelled, “I come. Right,” smack, “here,” then his spend ejaculated in forceful spurts.

Slamming her hips back to spear his finger deeper, Lumen writhed as his seed erupted.

The creamy lashes to her flesh melded with the opaline water sheening her buttocks.

The fluid strikes to her body quickened her fires once more.

She reared a final time then screamed inhuman ecstasy, her stricken face bared to sky.

Prismatic cloudburst churned as the winds picked up.

The moist air chilled, tinged with the scent of camphoric minerals, and tall kakt-kakt bent under whirling currents.

The stream broke past its pebbled banks, sending a gush of brackish water to flood the dell.

Silhouetted by moonlight, Cobra and his nest mates loomed above their female.

They stared with hot possession, and thought the arch of her spine, the strain and twist of her body akin to a lunar-worshiping heathen sacrificed to a fertility god for carnal pleasure.

Strings cut, Lumen slumped.

Her rump pointed upward and her tattered softsuit was soaked in colour, muddy sand and bore flecks of blue grass.

Winded, Venomous went down with her, the rise and fall of his chest vast as he fought to draw breath.

Rain plummeted in a slashing torrent, a cooling draught after turbulent passion.

The domestic goodbeasts brayed their discontent for being abandoned to the inclement weather.

“Make clear,” wheezed Fiercely, “what just happened.”

Chiselled frame slack, flaccid member in hand, his face etched astonishment.

Falling onto his behind, Cobra chuffed a concurrence.

He too was shaken.

Never in a million solars would he have known to imagine....

Lumen and Venomous peered up at them with identical expressions of badly hidden mirth.

They eyed each other askance.

Curling into his side, Lumen coughed daintily into her palm.

Venomous’ lip twitched.

Another fleeting glance with muffled snickers.

They burst out laughing.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

He, who is Widowed, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moon stepped through the droning haze.

I stood on the other side, hands outstretched in welcome.

Used to my open affection after dealing with my prenatal appointments, he took them within his own and squeezed. “Honoured Rä’Na.”

“Hey you.” I peered into his face.

The grooves defining his features were lighter.

Though his outpouring of grief was not as strong, it still felt like a dull itch under my skin.

I wondered if Sweetly Cries the Beast knew how ardently her Rä’Vek had loved her, and if she had returned the sentiment.

Escorting me to the padded divan, he waved away my concern at his sunken appearance and fussed at me to be seated.

I pressed him to take from a platter of rich, spiced mylk curd and cuts of seasoned, cured meat from Cobra’s latest hunt.

My third mate gaily told me numerous heart-stopping stories of predator animals he’d tracked.

While I appreciated the meat, and how glad the simple intimacy of sharing about our time made him, the accounts caused me to lose sleep over his safety.

All three of my males did dangerous jobs.

It was something I had to learn to live with, but Cobra seemed to risk his hide every other day.

I shuddered then set those thoughts aside to smile at my guest. “Thank you for helping me with this.”

“It is no trouble.”

“I don’t think you realise how much you’ve helped me. You’re like a father to me.”

His face blanked then creased. “As you are a daughter to me.”

“I want this resolved. I know you do as well.”

Nāga sighed. “They want what is best for you.”

“I know, but this is perfect for everyone. They’ll understand.”

Adjusting the folds of his dark red robe, Nāga didn’t look convinced. “Perhaps.”

Timing impeccable as ever, Venomous and Cobra stampeded into the lair.

Nervous, I popped up to give them welcome home cuddles and kisses. “Where’s Fiercely?”

I wanted to talk to them together.

Instead of answering, Venomous’ brow scales furrowed. “Nāga. I did not know we had an appointment.” His sharp gaze flew to me, blue-black tongue flickering as he tried to capture my scent. “There is a problem with the hatchling?”

“No,” I assured. “I asked him here, about the lesser mating.”

“We do not–”

“Wait,” I cried palms flying up. I worried he’d shut me down before hearing me out. “Nāga is grieving his Rä’Na. We’ve added to his stress making him conflicted because he doesn’t want to turn you down out of respect. I don’t want him to cover me, he’s like, my dad. He doesn’t want it either because he sees me like a daughter. But! If we all agree he is my lesser male without the ceremony, without the expectation of him covering me, it’s all good. I get a lesser mate,” I made air quotes with my fingers by my temples, “you get peace of mind, and our hatchling gets another honorary uncle, who is also a healer. Yay for Lumen. Pat me on the head.”

Cobra shifted. “Who is the other honorary uncle?”

“Uncles.” I beamed a smile. “Beowyn and Éorik, of course.”

He grimaced.

Expression blank, Venomous turned to Nāga. “May we have a moment alone with our Rä’Na?”

“The garden is nice,” Cobra said.

Sending me a grim look, Nāga bowed his head then discreetly left.

Swivelling on my heel, I went to the divan and sat.

I folded my hands.

Then I fiddled with the crumbs on the platter. “I don’t why you’re looking so glum. I said I wasn’t going through it again. Nāga doesn’t want to either, but he doesn’t want to decline, offend you then be cut off from us. We all trust him, and he’s willing to act as a lesser mate without the need for clutch or a ceremony. I don’t understand why you’re not happy. You three win and I win. He wins too. A nephew will help ease his grief.”

“You are wise, my hearts.” Cobra’s mouth curved. “It is a fair compromise.”

I beamed a return grin, but his own seemed strained, as if he did it as a knee-jerk reaction to appease me, not because he was cheerful.

Why aren’t they happy about this?

I asked, “Where’s Fiercely?”

“At conclave,” Cobra replied.

“Oh.” I focused on Venomous, faced away from me, tense, silent.

Worried, I chewed my lip.

I pissed him off that much by talking to Nāga?

I shot a questioning look of concern at Cobra. “Why did he not come home?”

“He is defending our clan.”

Not what I’d expected to hear.

We’d done the bonding ceremony, so what need was there to defend us?

I digested these ill-omened words thinking back on the events of the last cycle.

I came up blank.

Nothing big happened.

Confident of this because in secret, I’d been celebrating the rotations that passed without catastrophe, the only thing I might have considered strange was the longer spans Venomous and Fiercely spent at the guild.

I’d assumed it was because they had to make up their absence whilst away on Zoi Quay.

I’d thought it odd, as it was tradition for the males to sequester themselves with the female to guard the lair when she was breeding, but we weren’t doing that, so I dismissed it.

Maybe they’d been busy with damage control?

Why hadn’t they told me then?

Protecting me, so I didn’t get stressed and harm the tyke in my tummy?

If Venom went along with keeping it from me it must be one hell of a problem.

My shoulders slumped.

I had had my fingers crossed I’d make it a moontide without being abducted, seduced, space jacked by pirates, sold, or the fate of my happiness bandied about by an omnipotent authority.

Yet it seemed another threat loomed.

“Defending us from what?” I asked mildly.

Underwhelmed by imminent misfortune, I wondered if we’d be home for last meal, or if we’d be dining out ... of the atmosphere.

Venomous and Cobra shared a look.

“The Elders are negotiating with the L’Odo,” Venomous said with reluctance. He stomped to the storage space then rooted around. “End of last moontide, they threatened war. As predicted.”

Right after the Intergalactic Council’s ruling, and while we travelled back to Rök, meaning the situation had had enough time to ferment, and get all kinds of fucked up.

My lesser mating issues paled in comparison.

I rubbed my temples. “Much as it sucks, I understand why the Senate wants to negotiate. We can’t be upset about that. Regardless of what happened on Zoi Quay, and nasty as the L’Odo are, war is never good. We should do whatever we can to avoid it.”

Venomous pulled baggage crafted from skilfully worked green and yellow animal hide out of the cupboard.

The luggage was a gift from Cobra.

I’d watched him work the raw hide then hand stitch the individual pieces, yet another thing he did matter-of-factly that amazed me.

Venomous dropped them at his feet.

My mates shared another long, silent look.

“And there’s more,” I sing-songed daring them to lie. “Isn’t there?”

“Yesss,” Cobra admitted.

Venomous shot him a dark, scowling look that had me nervous.

His gaze softened as it shifted to me. “Dearest, we are leaving. Gather things you wish to take. Leave all but the essentials. We will purchase whatever you need.”

Confused now, my eyes dropped to the luggage then flew to their edgy faces. “Are the peace talks not going to work?” My stomach clenched. “Is it going to come to war?”

“We are leaving because–”

“Cobra,” Venomous bit out. “No.”

“She is strong enough,” Cobra said then squatted. “You said we must be open with her.”

He took my hands in his lower ones as an upper hand caressed the bridge of my nose, glided over my lips.

Love at its most pure radiated from him.

“We are leaving because we fear the negotiations will succeed.” He exhaled in a gust. “A planetwide, public conclave began not a span ago. The twelve Elders of the four corners have convened as the Great Senate to arbitrate the conditions posed by the L’Odo Chieftain.”

Mystified, my head canted towards my shoulder. “I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“One of the conditions was you.”

“Me,” I repeated holding his gaze.

“They are dissatisfied with the Intergalactic Council’s conclusion, and enraged at the suspension of trading. Od ran dry of natural resources aeons past. The lack of trade will cripple them. They are requesting we turn you over to them as recompense, or they threaten to come down and take you by force, therefore, launching war between our planets.”

After horror-struck speechlessness, I coughed.

“Way to lower the boom, honey.” I blinked many, many times, but the scene remained the same. “I don’t have anything they need! I know I’ve gained a few pounds, but my meat can’t feed a bloody world forever! Why would they want me–”

A rough palm covered my forearm over the brand of Earth’s coordinates. “Why would they want you, other than the fact you bear the location of a mineral rich planet technologically inferior with a weaker species available for slave labour? Revenge. The L’Odo are unforgiving, and you slipped through their fingers on a technicality.”

“But I’m worthless. Sorkbhal said it himself. Pathetic, worthless creature.”

Cobra touched my face. “Never worthless, my hearts. Undervalued, mistreated, and needing us, yesss, but never worthless.”

My mouth popped open then snapped shut. “The L’Odo can do this and get away with it?” Disbelief didn’t come close to what I felt. “The Intergalactic Alliance will allow this? Earth is under conservation.” I made as if to rise. “We have an official certificate and everything.”

“They are already under threat of losing their registration. Fines matter not in the face of starvation.”

Plopping back down, I gripped the edge of the divan.

The hand still enfolded in Cobra’s tensed then twisted to grab his fingers.

“Please,” I begged, “don’t tell me my options are give them the coordinates and let them have at Earth, or refuse, and they make war here instead. The Intergalactic Alliance–”

Venomous said, “The Alliance is merely a way to register and air grievances to dissuade mass enmity. The Council will fine, but not put to death. They will remove sanctions on trade, devastating to capitalist societies, but will only intervene in warfare if it becomes clear one or more species runs the risk of extinction as a result of the conflict. Much suffering and death occurs before a situation reaches such critical levels.” He hissed. “This is about revenge.”

“Okay, but having me won’t reinstate their trade privileges,” I pointed out feeling faint. “Nor will enslaving Earth. Only the Intergalactic Council can do that. They took it away because of the death of a Verak royal, not because of me.... Not directly because of me.... I did persuade Beowyn to lodge the complaint about his cousin Obryn.... And Venomous only killed him for me because.... Okay, technically, Obryn ThunderClaw died because of me, and caused all of this, but there were extenuating circumstances and you get the gist.” I flung my arms up, expression overwrought. “They’re being spiteful because we spanked them on Zoi Quay.”

My eyes drifted to the bags.

It struck me.

“Oh, hell, we’re running.” I fought for breath. “The Senate are going to do it, aren’t they? They’re going to give me up.”

Throwing me and my birth planet under the proverbial freaking bus.

“We believe so,” Cobra replied. “When we left Fiercely that was the consensus. It won’t be long before they send warriors to detain you.” He winced at the pain that streaked across my face. “My hearts, we will not let them take you. Fiercely stayed behind to distract them. Once he can do no more, he will slip away and meet us at the spaceport. We are getting you out of here.”

“To someplace safe,” Venomous promised.

My voice came out small. “You said your leaders listened to the people. You said they’d listen to you.”

His expression folded. “My trust was misplaced.”

I’d gone from being unwanted and given away for free, to being sold for enough jewels to buy a small planetoid, and, now, I was the key bartering token for a war that might consume three planets, and claim billions of lives.

“Things keep escalating,” I muttered and hung my head.

The woven rug felt soft on the soles of my bare feet.

I scrunched my toes, stared at nothing, hard, blinking back tears.

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” I whispered. “The bully is supposed to back down not get meaner.”

I heard Éorik’s voice, saw storm grey eyes boring into mine.

‘Oh, ‘twill achieve much. ‘Twill anger the ones you stand against. Tell me, what will the Rä do when the L’Odo retaliate? When they come with war machines that make the ground quake. Lodge a complaint as their crystal cities burn? They have no allies. They are a closed world, cut off from those who might help in times of need. Everyone knows it. Including the L’Odo.’

“All this is because of me.” My gaze lifted and locked on Cobra’s tender one. “You’re readying to sneak off, as if we’ve done something to be ashamed of.” I looked at Venomous. My lip trembled. “Warriors running from a fight because of me.”

“Because of the L’Odo,” Venomous spat liquid eyes aflame. “Because those beast-coverers consider you an acquisition, a thing, that I stole when they tossed you into that arena believing they sent you to your death. Yet they vow without you no treaty of peace will stand. They vow to invade to find you. It is Sorkbhal! He is the nameless shadow behind this. He is blood related to the Chieftain. He cannot abide a creature he considers inferior, a female, bested him.”

“Cut it off.”

Cobra jerked. “What?”

“The brand. You skin things right?” I held out my shaking arm. “Cut it off. That removes Earth from the scenario, and it’s best in case they get their hands on me.” I blinked and a tear fell. “Maybe if they know the location is gone, they’ll leave us alone.”

He made an agonised sound. “I could never do such a thing.”

“If this is what it takes, you will do it.”

Cursing, Venomous spun, stalked to me then went to his knees.

He curled my fingers then my arm to press them to my chest.

“Dearest,” he said his voice as gentle as I’d ever heard it. “So brave, you are, but the scarring is too deep.”

“You don’t know that,” I protested. “Don’t dismiss the idea because you know it’ll cause me pain. Nāga is right outside. He’ll be able to heal me after....” When he twitched at the healer’s name, I trailed off. “You foresaw this and already asked, didn’t you.” My head tilted as another tear slid down my cheek. “He told you the scarring was too deep.”

“He has taken many scans of you, and the hatchling. We discussed it once. I wanted it gone to remove the physical reminder of your enslavement.” He paused. “The laser engraved your bone, Lumen. The brand is a scar that was not meant to be, but your skin is so fragile....” He stroked the bend of my arm with a pained look. “We would have to take half the limb, and I will not allow it.” His face darkened. “I will not let my people’s cowardice maim my female, destroy my clan, or enslave a world on the other side of the universe filled with innocents. Even if they are different to me.”

Cobra hissed. “Why you did not kill Sorkbhal on the slave planet, or seek him out for the same on Zoi Quay, I do not know.”

“I wanted justice not vengeance. I wanted my kindred safe from persecution. I did not want them afraid of the out worlds, therefore, unafraid of those who come from them, as our mate does, yet here we are, at risk.” Venomous’ head drooped between his shoulders then eased side to side. His mood permeated the room to fill it with despair. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “You are worth any price of honour I must pay, my Lumen. If it means we run, we run.”

My eyes slipped closed.

The words hit me like silken blows.

“I’m not worth this. Not worth you losing your honour, and, come on, I’m not worth a war.” Fear scraped my insides raw, yet, I stammered, “You s-should give me up t-to–”

Venomous jerked back onto his feet. “Do not dare finish.”

“Even if I agreed to go along with this, and I let you leave, when you glanced back at the devastation we left in our wake, you would look at me and know,” I leaned forward, blinded by my tears, “that I was not worth it.”

Venomous bent to get in my face. “How will you stop me doing as I must?” His head cocked. “Thsst! Why are you fighting me? I love you, my nest mates.” A quiver broke his rumbling bass. “My hatchling.”

“We love you too.” I stood. “But I won’t let you do this.”

“We tried to do what was right. We failed.” The line of his jaw snapped tight. “I place you above all others. The only way to keep you safe is to leave.”

“You think I don’t want to bury my head in the sand and run away?”

It was like the Vudwani all over again.

This time, I would make the choice I could live with.

One that would not leave me with the sting of shame I felt when I thought of how I’d abandoned her to save my own ass when Venomous asked if I’d risk trading myself for her.

Instead of being rescued, she’d been raped in the midst of what was supposed to be her salvation.

No wonder she blew her own fucking brains out.

The bitter truth was she was what I would have been if Venomous hadn’t been there to claim me.

I would not be so weak as to turn a blind eye to the suffering of a solitary being let alone a whole planet.

Meeting his black gaze, I said, “Ours is not the only love on Rök deserving of protection, Venomous One.”

He slammed a fist against the wall above my head.

I eyed the break left behind wondering how many more cracks our lair could take. “Better?”

“Do not push me.”

“Enough.” Cobra placed restraining hands on his chest.

Venomous ignored him, focused on me. “Perhaps ours is not the only love on Rök deserving protection, but it is the one that matters most to me.” He thumped his chest. “I told you, I do not follow my leaders blindly. If they are not loyal to me, I am not to them. They choose to turn their back on me, I turn my back on them. It is their own fault they have angered the one who might have saved them. One person can turn the tide. Each soul that comes into being is worth something, is worth protection, and they will learn this well.”

“Venom–”

“You will heed me, Rä’Na.” His anger faded and he sighed, cupping my cheek. “You are worth it.” His forehead touched mine. “I will watch Rök burn before I give you up.” He left me, snatched a bag up then started flinging things inside.

“You are worth it,” Cobra seconded. “But we would never, ever, have you bear that burden. Never. So we leave. If we do, the Great Senate will speak truth when they state they cannot bargain with your life, because they will not have you.” His voice turned biting. “You mean more to us than a people who will abandon honour and barter flesh to save their own necks rather than protect the innocent, as is their purpose.”

Breaking eye contact, he stood and grabbed a bag to join Venomous in preparing to flee.

Numb, I sat and stared into space.

I’d caused more trouble than I’d fixed.

Sighing, my hand came to rest on my protruding stomach.

What had I been thinking standing up to the L’Odo like that?

There was good reason why they were feared by so many different species.

Why so many cowered, and ran, instead of fighting back.

And what?

I thought I could swan in and change the universe with a snap of my fingers, and a saucily cocked hip?

‘They have no allies. They are a closed world, cut off from those who might help in times of need. Everyone knows it. Including the L’Odo.’

Éorik had seen the gaping whole in my plan from the get go.

I wasn’t a Queen with a cosmic armada to back me up.

I don’t even know anybody who....

Realisation of several facts smacked me upside the head.

I near fell off the divan.

Palms pressed over my thundering heart, I worried if I had a concussion once I’d finished ordering my thoughts.

The Verak complained and got the L’Odo trade privileges suspended.

So why wasn’t the Chieftain hovering above Vayhalun demanding Beowyn in exchange for peace?

“This is my fault. Not all of it, but I’m assuming responsibility for what needs to be done to fix it. Someone has to.” I straightened my spine. “I am not letting those malicious bastards steal another moment from us.” I twirled around, incensed, raring to go. “I need to make a comm call. You can’t be here for it. Don’t ask why, you just can’t. Honey, get the glider started. There’s no time to ride the goodbeasts. Babe, unpack!”

“–A comm call?”

“–For what reason may we not hear this comm call?”

“–To whom?”

“–I do not like it. It is strange, and I do not like it.”

I stared at them. “I refer back to the ‘don’t ask’ segment of my rousing speech.”

Lips pale with tension, holding out an empty case for me to take, Venomous shook his head.

The gold piercing his dark quills clinked. “Lumen–”

“Please? Trust me? If this doesn’t work you can spirit me away to wherever you like. Right now, I have a plan, and it’s better than yours. I need to do the comm call without you because you distract me. I can’t think straight when you’re near. This needs my complete focus.”

Bags in hand, they hesitated.

“Please. I get the impression by the hurried packing and Fiercely’s stalling we don’t have a lot of time.”

Cobra and Venomous glared at me then at each other.

Forked tongues flickered.

They took the other’s measure then looked in opposite directions, cursing.

“As you wish,” Venomous slammed the bags down. “We will wait for you in the transport.”

He stalked out the haze without giving our Zýt a stroke revealing how frazzled he was.

He treasured the beastie as much as I did.

Without censure, Cobra pressed a lingering kiss to my lips then left.

Their loyalty humbled me.

I can’t fail them.

Rushing over to the communications matrix, I made my comm call.

A quarter-span later, impressive considering how quickly I achieved what I had, I skip-walked out of the lair.

I’d changed into a sleeveless, silver softsuit, and a white cloak woven from gossamer cloth with a deep hood to offer shade from the sun.

Both were cinched under my breasts by a gold belt to show off my belly bump.

My custom made, braided, thong sandals peeked out from under the ensemble.

Venomous gripped me with fierce tenderness then lowered me onto my seat.

He stopped to stare in the direction of the rolling, green dunes; the opposite direction of the city centre and towards the spaceport.

His face set with determination as he turned to me.

I clutched his fist with trembling fingers.

“Even if by Right of Might you earned me, it is because I love you that I claim you. I am now Rä’Na. There is no going back. You are mine to nurture. As you stand weak, let me be your strength.” My gaze bored into his. “Our survival is your responsibility, but it is my duty to honour your higher purpose. I revere you, protector of life, as is our way.” I swallowed, the future hanging by a thread. “Do you heed the words of your Rä’Na?”

Venomous’ chest caved, and his body quaked.

Hopping into the glider, he patted the back of the pilot seat. “Go.”

Releasing the breath he held, Cobra spared me an encouraging glance then took off.

“I comm called Fiercely,” Venomous said as we flew over glistening spires and flowering rooftops. “He is cross with you.”

Kissing my teeth, I hooked a finger around a curl of hair blown across my face to tuck it behind my ear.

“When is Fiercely not cross with me?” I leaned over to kiss the strain from his clenched jaw. I echoed words he’d told me time and time again. “All will be well.”

He touched the tips of his claws to my cheek. “It better be.”

We landed outside the Senate Quarter, and my mates helped me off with as much care as usual, but with quite a bit more haste, as a burgeoning crowd milled about near the haze.

The mass of bodies stretched as far back as I could see into the market square.

An enormous hologram of the debate happening inside the conclave projected just before the entrance.

“This Senate,” Dare Viper to Bite said in an imperious voice, “was elected to protect the Rä of Rök. That is what we must do.”

The agitated throng heckled agreement.

“She, Lumen of the Stars carries the blood of this world within her. She is Rä. At the behest of the Northern Senate, she partook in the bonding ceremony to make it so. She deserves protection the same as every other Rä’Na. If our leaders were not prepared to offer this, they should not have demanded the ceremony as proof of her allegiance.” Fiercely stood before the Elders, all alone, scowling and defiant. “You want to take away my Rä’Na? I surrender her only on the basis each male on Rök forfeits their female to the L’Odo tyrants as well.”

It took longer, but the crowd grumbled concurrence.

It wasn’t a well-liked opinion, but the populace recognised the unfairness of what the Great Senate asked, and the validity of what my mate said.

Dare Viper to Bite pushed onto his feet. “You are out of order!”

“I speak truth!”

“The sacrifice of your clan means we shall avoid war. How dare you put the needs of your clan above the want of our people! Many outweigh few. It is that simple.”

Fiercely was quiet, head lowered under the gravity of the statement.

His face lifted, determined. “Less than half of our world’s population is mated.”

“We are aware of this,” Dread the Darkness grumbled. “It is why each mating is celebrated with a festival.”

“We may not say it aloud, but we all know this is because we stopped mating with offworlders, and my mate–”

“Even if that opinion is proven as truth,” Dread the Darkness interrupted in a dangerous tone, “that is not relevant, and will not further your cause in any way.”

“Very well.” Fiercely’s eyes narrowed. “I put it to you, none of the a’Rä miss the touch of their mate. Wake each morning dying to once more feel the joy caused by something so small as a smile from them. This is because the a’Rä feel no urge to mate until they mature. At present, the need of my clan for our mate is greater than their collective, vague want. You cannot want what you have never had, as much as needing what you have lost.”

“Truth,” a Rä’Vek shouted in a pained rasp. “I am He, who is Widowed, Thorn like of Deadly Flowers.” He held up his arm so they could locate him. “He speaks truth. I lost my Rä’Na three solars past. Nothing comes close. Nothing. She eclipsed everything I, as an a’Rä, imagined she would be.”

Fiercely bowed his head in thanks. “There you have it. Confirmation from one who has experienced the loss my clan fears.”

Uncertain, Dare Viper to Bite angled his chin down. “What do you do? I do not understand what you hope to achieve here.”

“I am explaining why I dare place the need of my clan over the need of my people.” Fiercely shifted, awkward, realising his argument stood on shaky ground. “Rä’Veks are the strongest of us. We are strong as a species because we were born to a hostile environment, and even our Rä’Na are mighty warriors and hunters. We can survive for moontides in the wilderness without water if needs be. Lumen comes from a softer place. Her species evolved accordingly. She has no claws to fight with, no fangs to spit poison. Three rotations without water, and she will die. As of this moment, on the whole of Rök there is no physically weaker sentient being. Even the youngest of our offspring are physically stronger. She needs the protection of my clan, and the Great Senate more than any other Rä. Many may not want her to receive it, but that does not change the fact she needs it. It is a responsibility, no, an honour for the strong to protect those who are weaker. We do not sacrifice them like savages.”

“And what of the people’s needs?”

“Out of those who need protection, Lumen’s need is the greatest because she is the weakest.”

Chagrined, I harrumphed.

I glanced up at my mates only to find them nodding.

The Elders didn’t think it nonsense either; they exchanged pensive glances.

Many of the Rä surrounding us clapped and called out in support.

The mood of the public shifted in our favour.

Because they thought I was freaking weak.

I spun and yelled, “I’ll have you know my scream is gnarly! And that ‘hatchling’ who jumped me weighed, like, a tonne.”

“Of course,” said a kindly a’Rä in a placatory tone.

His lined face creased deeper in pity as he leaned on his cane and squinted into my hood.

Stooped as he was, he was still a foot taller than my height. “You are a ferocious little thing.”

“This is absurd,” Dare Viper to Bite grated returning our eyes to the holoscreen.

I started shouting an agreement before Cobra slapped a hand over my mouth.

“It is not.” Offended, Fiercely’s glower filled the display. He chafed the back of his neck. “It is truth. You cannot deny my words or ridicule them because they do not support your agenda.”

“You are–”

“Be silent,” Calm as Thunder interjected. “We heard you. Let him speak.”

“You are an alien sympathiser,” Dare Viper to Bite accused.

Calm as Thunder’s mouth whitened.

“Do you not hear yourself?” another Elder asked. “You speak as if her compassion and fairness is to be reviled. I will hear our citizen speak if it means I am remembered as just and fair rather than hidebound.”

Fiercely rolled his shoulders. “As I said, Lumen is Rä. If you do not believe the instant Venomous One claimed her she was made so, you cannot deny she became so after the bonding ceremony approved by the Northern Senate. We do not sell our people to slavers. I will not let you sell my Rä’Na for a peace the L’Odo have no intention of honouring.”

Pride in him choked me.

He was so brave as he stood up for our crazy/beautiful family.

I stepped forward and tugged my astounded mates after me. “Come on.”

Passing through the hologram and the haze into the air conditioned building, we rushed through the immaculate, echoic corridors.

We screeched to a halt at the back of the jammed conclave.

Setting me between them, to keep me from being jostled, Venomous and Cobra shouldered us a path through the middle.

Gasps and whispers followed in our wake then spread through the assembly.

We reached the front as Calm as Thunder stood.

Her voluminous, silver robes draped in sumptuous folds over her statuesque frame.

“We have heard the testimony of He, Fiercely Comes the Night on behalf of his clan. It was put to the Great Senate that She, Lumen of the Stars be given to the L’Odo aggressors, as they have stated it is a prerequisite of maintaining peace. Your Elders will now vote. Speak yes or no.”

Despite the tension thickening the air, the Rä’Na’s distinguished face was tranquil.

Her rosy brow scales rose as she declared in a voice that rang clear as a bell, “I vote–”

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

“–no.” She, Calm as Thunder glanced at those who exclaimed in surprise. Waved a hand in a ‘be as it will’ gesture. “I say, the L’Odo broke peace with us when they enslaved He, Venomous One. For over an aeon, he toiled for them, and his kindred mourned him. It is an offence we cannot forgive.” A thunderbolt of anger darkened her expression. “Truth, we are already at war. There simply has not been a formal acknowledgment.”

The rest of the Great Senate followed her example. “–I vote no.”

“–No.”

“–Grandfather shelter us, I vote no.”

“–I, too, vote no.”

“–No.”

“I vote no,” Dread the Darkness boomed gazing at his Rä’Na seated at his side. “We are strong. Let us not allow the threat of war to break us. Existing for existence sake is not what we revere. We fight for life, but only so we may live with those who bring us joy.” His gaze landed on me. He inclined his head. “I refuse to cut the joy from the lives of others in fear I might lose my own. Only the former is definite, and may be controlled. The latter is up to fate.”

Dare Viper to Bite looked dumbfounded.

He dropped onto his cushion in an ungainly sprawl. “She must be considered Rä. To vote otherwise for no reason would make me a fiend to abhor. We do not give up our own. I ... I vote no.”

The four remaining Elders voted no.

“We are unanimous,” Calm as Thunder stated. “She, Lumen of the Stars is Rä, and we do not betray our own. Let the L’Odo do as they are wont to do. If we must fight because they will not listen to reason then we will fight.”

She sat.

And I developed a girl crush because she didn’t look ruffled in the least.

Fiercely’s mouth popped open. “Gratitude. I ... will ... go over there now.”

He jerked a bow then stepped back looking bewildered.

It took him a while to come back to himself, and realise we surrounded him.

He scowled at me even as his arms wrapped around my shoulders and waist. “You were not supposed to come here.”

Lips curving, I rubbed my nose against his warm, peppery throat. “Good to see you too, sweetheart.”

“Perhaps now there will be a topic other than the ‘dangerous’ alien in our midst at next conclave.” Wind Dancer’s amused voice came from behind us. “One may hope.”

Surprised, I pulled away from Fiercely to face him, concerned. “Why aren’t you on the Great Senate?”

He glanced his forehead across mine in a paternal gesture of affection. “Venomous One is my offspring. You are his mate. These conflicts of interest were raised. This was truth. I abdicated my place to Dread the Darkness. Temporarily, of course. It was a good choice, I think.”

I hugged Dawning Light, and let him fuss over the folds of my robe until his nest mate yanked him off.

The conclave grew quiet as the looming shadow of war engulfed it.

Motionless on their cushions, the Elders took a moment of reflection.

Soon they might bear the unfair cost of doing what was good and right.

“Okay, Lumen, pretend you have big brass balls.” I inhaled the combined scents of my Rä’Veks, gathered my courage, and then nosily cleared my throat. I pushed my hood back to show my face. “May I speak?”

Hundreds of pairs of gleaming, black eyes turned to me.

She, Calm as Thunder cocked her head. “All Rä may speak here.”

Giving my mates a ‘this is it’ smile, I let go of their hands.

They walked with me for a couple of strides, but stopped when Venomous held out his arms.

Cams swivelled to follow me with a mechanical whirring.

Swallowing, my palms grew moist.

The cams projected my image to personal communicators and holoscreens planetwide.

Praise Zython, I changed my clothes, I mused in a rare moment of female vanity, and liking the way my softsuit glided over my curves, how my robe shimmered in the sunlight after Dawning Light’s intervention.

There was no helping the hair the Rä found so unattractive.

It was big, wild, curly and kinky.

I looked like a tiny marching ball of fluff.

They just have to deal with it.

“What the fuck is she doing?” I heard Fiercely hiss, only for Cobra to hiss, “Shut the fuck up,” back, only for Venomous to hiss, “Both of you shut the fuck up.”

Deep into the crowd, someone whispered, “What does fuhuck mean?”

And then, I just dove right in.

“Before I do what I need to, I’d like to say thanks to the people who have been kind to me, and who helped me since my arrival. Many of you know I was taken from my home. I guess Earth, my planet, is a closed world too, in a sense. I’d never seen aliens. The existence of life on other planets is ... fiction to my species. So when the L’Odo threw me into the arena, and I saw Venomous, I was terrified. He was alien, not like me. At first, being with him was bad.”

I heard a sharp intake of breath behind me.

I didn’t turn.

“Then it got better, and better, until he became my whole world. He treated me with respect. Building on that, we became friends, and then we became lovers in the truest sense. We forged a bond that will never be broken.”

I did turn then, and beamed a smile at my primary mate.

“Ever,” he vowed.

I grinned wider then spun back around.

“I worried about coming to Rök. I believed the Rä people would never accept me because I was different. But Venomous told me he mated a who not a what. He said that he would be my voice until I felt welcome. On the journey here, I met Fiercely.” I patted my chest. “And he carved a place out for himself in my heart by fighting for my life, as only a mighty Rä warrior can. He was victorious! He protected me from the dishonourable Dei San!”

Many of the warriors in the assembly growled and stomped their booted feet.

“So after defeating actual space pirates, they got me here.” My voice was as baffled as my expression. “And I was amazed. Rök is beautiful, and there are kind souls that have touched me, and have taught me lessons about myself and this endless universe I live in. But some reacted with hostility and fear. Afraid, of me.” I shook my head. “Despite being alone, the only of my kind, lost in space, to them, I was the terrifying alien. Not all of you acted that way.”

I looked over my shoulder and found Deathly As It Goes towards the front.

I glanced at Wind Dancer, Dawning Light, and then, finally, my gaze rested lovingly on my Cobra.

“Some of you accepted me without question,” I whispered. “Saw to the heart of who I was, and did not fear what I was. That’s when I knew I could make a home here for me and my clan. That my hatchling would be safe on this amazing planet, so far from my own.”

I faced the Elders again, voice growing strong.

“Venomous once told me, on his home world, the people were heard by their leaders. I didn’t believe him.” I paused. “I watched Fiercely stand before you, and was scared. I thought you’d ignore him, humiliate him for standing up for what he believed in, but you didn’t. You listened. You accepted his reasoning as your own. Thank you, Elders, from the bottom of my single, hardy, human heart. Your acceptance of me, an alien, means the faith of my mate in his people, in your integrity, is justified. It took you a while, long enough to shake that faith, but you’ve proven him right. It means there is a chance what I have to offer will be heard, and resonate as deeply as it is deserved.”

Folding her hands, Calm as Thunder lowered her head.

She spoke quietly, but with passion. “You humble us.”

“Speak on, Rä’Na,” Dread the Darkness urged.

There were more murmurs for me to speak, and I could hear shouts and calls from all the way outside.

The exuberant response and jubilant mood was good.

The rest was kind of radical.

I’m a rebel cosmonaut and this is my freaking party.

“I want a job,” I blurted. Backing up a bit, I fanned my warm face then tried again. “I put it to the Great Senate that I, She, Lumen of the Stars, am uniquely qualified to represent the Rä people as their Ambassador of Intergalactic Relations.” I hesitated. “I want that job.”

All twelve Elders exchanged puzzled looks.

Calm as Thunder lowered her chin. “I fear you have lost us. Rök is a closed world. We do not have, nor need an Ambassador of Intergalactic Relations.”

“Respectfully, I disagree. Considering current events, the job is critical to our survival.”

Dare Viper to Bite straightened. “Enough. We have no time for this folly. We must respond to the L’Odo Chieftain, and prepare for war.”

“Yes, we must,” I shouted over the rising din before I lost control and was set aside. “My first act of business if granted the post of Ambassador will be to secure a military alliance with a powerful ally to stand with us against the L’Odo menace. This united front will intimidate them into withdrawing their forces. I think. I mean, I hope.”

Behind me, I heard Venomous mutter, “Now I want to know what the fuck she is doing.”

The half circle of Elders stared.

One a’Rä with snow-white quills and milky brille went so far as to stick a finger in his ear then rummage around.

It was Dare Viper to Bite who replied, mockingly at that. “Even if we considered opening our borders, it would take cycles to commence worthwhile communications with a world powerful enough to daunt the L’Odo, and then moontides, if not solars, to reach an agreement that was to our advantage. At the least, did not see us held to their mercy, a state of affairs we have avoided for countless generations. We need help now.” He pointed upward. “Battleships are in orbit above us as we speak. You are suggesting we negotiate an advantageous treaty of such complexity within the next span, as our deadline to respond to the Chieftain looms nigh?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe,” he echoed.

“Depends,” I added leadingly.

Exasperated, he slapped his thighs. “Depends on what?”

“If I have the job or not.” There was still a chance they would discriminate against me because I wasn’t like them, refusing to put me in a position of power. “If you like my suggestion, but turn me down to appoint someone else, it won’t work. As I said before, I am uniquely qualified.”

“Why do you think this will work?” Calm as Thunder asked, curious. “Not only is it known we do not ally with others, so an approach on our part will be seen as weakness, and, therefore, seen as an opportunity to prey upon us, the L’Odo are notorious in their stubbornness. A united front with another planet may not deter them. Why do you believe this strategy will succeed?”

“Because the L’Odo are predators who may have made the grave mistake of thinking we’re predictable prey. Now, I’m not a hunter, so if you don’t mind, I know of a Master who can explain this next bit far better than I.” I turned to Cobra and asked, “Honey, the other moon you told me the story of the razorbeasts you’d taken down. How do they hunt?”

Cobra cocked his head, unsure of what I was doing.

Let’s be honest, I sounded all over the place.

As he spoke of his trade, it was with confidence. “They are lazy animals. They sleep through most of the day to avoid the sun, and hunt before first moon, or after third when it is cooler. They stalk waterholes, lying in wait amongst the wild grasses, and strong smelling kakt-kakt to mask their scent. But they can be opportunists. If something tasty runs past at high heat, they will take it down.”

“So they hunt the weakest prey?”

“Oh, no. That is a misconception. Goodbeast, while predictable,” he frowned at the word, “are fast. They might escape back to the herd if lucky. A herd with a strong breeding male can kill a razorbeast by kicking out its hooves, and stomping it to death with help from the others. So razorbeasts most often pick out not the weakest of the herd, but the ones who have wandered far from the group. Who are,” his eyes were huge, “isolated.”

“Thanks, honey.” I turned back to face the Great Senate. “Earlier when Cobra explained to me what the L’Odo were doing, I pointed out the Verak complained, and got their trade privileges suspended. It was indirectly my doing, but there was no possible way for them to know I had a hand in it. Then I asked myself a question. Why isn’t the Chieftain hovering above Vayhalun demanding the Great Alpha? Why did the L’Odo choose to target Rök instead of Vayhalun? Yes, I aggravated a minor Tribal Chief related to the Chieftain, but the L’Odo are a selfish, grasping species. They need to invade a planet to survive. However, in their eyes, the Verak took away their power to trade with registered planets, not me. Surely losing credits hand over fist because of a King, trumps getting even with an alien female from an unknown planet. So why Rök?”

“Veraks are strong,” a voice from the crowd called.

“The might of Venomous was put against that of a Verak, and proved stronger,” I said. “Many L’Odo witnessed this. They know Rä are strong. They must consider the Veraks weaker in comparison. So again, I ask, why target Rök instead?”

“Because we are the goodbeast who has wandered from the herd,” Calm as Thunder whispered. “We are isolated. An opportunity to take down at high heat.”

“The Verak have eight political allies, and five military alliances with other warrior species. One of those is with the feared Azteka.”

I had no clue what an Azteka was, or looked like, or anything about them.

Strike that, I did know the species made potent wine.

Albeit, his enjoyment of their intoxicating beverage had been great, happy-go-lucky Beowyn had spoken of them in a subdued, dark manner that had my hair standing on end.

From the reaction of the conclave you’d think I told them Beowyn was allied with the Great Serpent itself.

“The L’Odo knew if they declared war on Vayhalun they would lose,” I carried on. “The Great Alpha would call on his legions, call on his allies and obliterate them. They can declare war on us because they reckon they have a shot at winning.” I drew myself up then extended my arm to point. “I am not willing to send my Rä’Veks off to war knowing they might never come home when there is a simple way to ensure nobody ever fucks, uh, messes with us again. I say we take away the notion we can be bested. We make it impossible for the L’Odo to win by not being predictable, isolated prey.”

“As stated,” Dare Viper to Bite began with far more respect in his tone, “the Great Alpha will see our coming to him as weakness, and take advantage. We may gain an ally today only for them to become an oppressor in future. It has happened before.”

“We’ll be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The Scholars will help me review what happened back then, and ensure–”

“There is no time. We have less than half a span to contact the L’Odo Chieftain, and try to salvage–”

“I’m well aware we’re running against the clock. If you’d jump off my back, and let me do my job, you’d see I have a plan as Ambassador to send those bullies running with their tails between their legs!”

A silence almost as prenatally bloated as I was.

“But, Lumen of the Stars, we have not yet offered you the position,” said Calm as Thunder.

“Right.” I tittered, eyes darting. “Sorry. Got a little ahead of myself there, didn’t I?” I put my hands behind my back. “May I have the job? I explained why I believe it’s critical to the security of home world. Do you not agree?”

I got nine yeses.

Turns out, I wasn’t a Scholar or a Warrior.

I wasn’t an Artisan, a Healer or an Elder.

Turns out, I was all of these things.

I learned, I fought, I created new life, I healed the wounds of three amazing males, and through those trials, I’d gathered wisdom enough to save my adopted planet from destruction.

I was not average, not anymore.

With heart-rending effort and bloody hard work, I’d grown into more.

I’ve become a leader, who knew?

My gaze lowered and unfocused as I experienced a flash of memory.

‘No fear. Lumen weak body. Venomous One born warrior. Am strong.’ A ghostly touch brushing my cheek. ‘Lumen warrior mind and heart. Know this. Light of the stars lead me do better. Speak.’

Venomous had known from the beginning.

Everything I had seen, heard, and suffered since being abducted from Earth led me to an awakening.

I’d survived off the strength of others.

Now I thrived on my own.

Dread the Darkness said to me, “Proceed with your plan,” as if saying, “Now sprinkle star dust and conjure fantastical dreams.”

“A nanosec, please.”

Pulling a palm-sized oval from my cloak pocket on a grand flourish, I fumbled with my personal communicator.

My fingers shook.

I near dropped the futuristic device.

“Stupid thing,” I muttered.

I smacked it on the side of my fist when it didn’t do what I wanted.

I got hot in the face and panicky because it had chosen the worst time to malfunction.

A wall of protective male surrounded me.

I looked up feeling wretchedly silly. “Hi.”

“What do you need?” Venomous asked with nothing but devotion in his voice, the poignant emotion reflected on Cobra and Fiercely’s expressions.

“A holocall to Wyn,” I rasped out a throat bone dry. “He’s expecting us.”

The cunning that stirred his dark brille when we’d first met whirled.

A fang-filled smile glinted in the sunlight. “As you wish.” He used his communicator to make the call.

He placed it on the floor before the Elders, so the device would enlarge the multidimensional images for those in the enclosure, and the spectators outside.

Blue light transformed into a life size hologram of Éorik. “Lady Lumen.” He bowed. “An honour as always.”

“High Commander Éorik.” Having rehearsed this mentally on the journey over, I inclined my head. “As Ambassador for the Rä, I request a conference with the Great Alpha to open talks for a mutually beneficial alliance between our people. Please and thank you.”

Éorik’s lips twitched. “Of course.” He stepped back, and the hologram widened to include an opulent throne room. “I present my liege.”

On a colossal throne of alien skulls gilded silver reclined King Beowyn ThunderClaw.

Brawny, darkly furred chest bare, he was clothed in his ancestral loincloth and thigh high boots, the splendiferous Crown of Bones perched upon his black and silver mane.

Head pillowed on large breasts, his sword lay across his muscled thighs, and he sipped from a jewel-encrusted goblet proffered to him by an oiled-up male of stunningly erect proportions.

Naked concubines lolled at his feet, waved giant leaves to cool him, and knelt holding heaped platters of exotic meats and fruits upon their heads.

Others flanked the throne in dramatic poses waiting to service their liege at the slightest crook of his claw.

He really took it there.

During our hasty comm call back at the lair, he’d ever so nonchalantly mentioned he’d ‘titivate’ to impress the Great Senate.

Maybe I should have made him be a tad more specific.

“Great One.”

“Ambassador,” he drawled gaze twinkling mischief.

Only just keeping from rolling my eyes, I made introductions.

This duty took an outlandishly long time because Rä names were lengthy, complicated affairs due to the three genders and widowers.

Finished with that, I summarised the imminent threat then wrapped up with a brisk, “Will you ally with us against the L’Odo, who are a blight upon both Vayhalun and Rök?”

“Aye.”

I turned a sunny ‘ta-da-jazz-hands’ smile on the flabbergasted Elders.

Calm as Thunder’s voice was tentative, hopeful. “You offer aid?”

“I stand with the Rä against the L’Odo. I pledge the strength of my legions. I vow to call upon my allies and their vast armies until the deed is done.”

Taken aback, the Elders hissed agitatedly between themselves, pointing claws, flicking tongues.

“You offer much but have demanded no terms for such support,” Dare Viper to Bite noted with care waving his equals quiet. “I cannot help but look upon this grand gesture with suspicion.”

“I am aware the reputation of my species precedes me. We are known for pillaging those plentiful with the nubile. We are often in the mood to get frolicsome, and it takes countless hot, tight bodies to satisfy our passions.” He sighed lustily. “But my offer of aid is sincere, and devoid of hidden cost. I have no expectations. None but the hope, in the near future, we may use this short-term union as a bridge to build a lasting political and military bond between my people and yours. Such ties strengthen a realm.”

“Why offer this?” Dare Viper to Bite asked, perplexed. “We have never aided you in the past, never sought a connection.”

“Lady Lumen is my best friend,” Beowyn cried with a wave of his goblet. “Why I have bedded Empresses, Princes, and courtesans of incomparable beauty. I have crossed swords with the mightiest of warriors,” he grinned wickedly, “and debated with the keenest minds in the known galaxies. All wanted nothing but what my status gave. This human was the first to deny herself the awesome delight of my body.” He ran a hand down his brawny chest, chiselled abdominals, and then stopped over the shadowy crotch of his loincloth. He didn’t realise his sexual allure was lost on this crowd. “The first to deny herself the riches being mine would have rained upon her. Lumen of the Stars was the first to offer me a genuine hand of friendship.” His face turned serious. “How can I not repay this priceless gift by helping my friend and those she holds dear when in need?”

I sent him a ‘you are so full of shit’ look.

He smiled indulgently.

“I call for the vote,” Dread the Darkness said. “Do we support Ambassador She, Lumen of the Stars’ proposition to, for the interim, ally our military might with that of the Verak?”

I nabbed seven out of twelve yeses that time.

Light-headed, I released a shuddery breath once it was over, unclenching bloodless fists.

“Ambassador She, Lumen of the Stars has the majority,” Calm as Thunder announced. “I believe the deadline is upon us.” She glanced at the taciturn male beside her. “Song of my hearts, holocall the L’Odo Chieftain.”

The powerfully built Rä’Vek prowled forward in his scarlet hardsuit, the embodiment of an honourable Rä warrior.

He placed a communicator a fair distance from Venomous’ to avoid static feedback then retuned to his cushion beside his powerful Rä’Na.

As soon as the hologram stabilised, the hunchbacked L’Odo Chieftain barked, “Are you ready to give up the human female, or face eradication, weakling soft-scalps?”

Frothed drool slicked his scarred snout, and dented armour clanged as he paced a crooked line.

Sorkbhal, crouched beside him, snuffled laughter.

“Chieftain,” Calm as Thunder greeted icily. “In response, I defer to our newly elected Ambassador of Intergalactic Relations, known as She, Lumen of the Stars.”

“Who?” The Chieftain’s bulbous skull crest separated then flared. His tail curled. “Ah, the human.”

Despite all I’d been through, achieved, a welling of fear hollowed my guts.

The L’Odo treated me despicably, nearly broke me into something less than human.

Echoes of Sorkbhal’s debased treatment rendered me mute.

Then I remembered my darling mates.

I thought of my new friends, and recalled the overwhelming acceptance of the Great Senate declaring me Rä, and the immense responsibility of the post I’d fought for.

Reacting to my inner turmoil, likely because my adrenaline levels were wild, I felt my miracle hatchling tumble, punch my cervix then lodge a foot in my ribs.

Wincing, prodding the area in appreciation, I decided such a feisty tyke deserved to have a Mamma Jamma who was as badass as its daddies.

Run this bitch.

“I will make this brief and blunt, so even ones such as you will understand.” My voice cut like a knife. I flipped inside because I sounded killer. “Should the L’Odo threaten or participate in acts of aggression against the citizens of Rök, we will respond with swift, brutal action. All L’Odo craft orbiting our planet will depart without delay. If we find vessels connected with the L’Odo trespassing in our airspace within the next,” my eyes cartwheeled as I plucked a number out of the air, “span we shall see it as a declaration of war, and defend ourselves with ... really ... big weapons.” Running out of things to say, I threw my shoulders back, shook out my crazy hair, and said, “Do you under.... Uh....”

Out the corner of my eye, I glimpsed Fiercely and Cobra signalling for my attention.

Bouncing, waving, stabbing fingers....

Aha!

Pointing at something ... at....

Hand to my stomach, I shifted my weight and so turned a bit.

Venomous.

Kneeling in a mime of a shackled man.

He stood then forcefully broke the chains of enslavement to end with a chin lifted, chest thrust, hand on hips Superman pose.

I seriously had to start teaching my males the more upper brow facets of human culture.

He could have chosen a real hero pose like the Tommie Smith, Olympic Podium human rights salute.

I remembered telling him of that, but no, he went with comic book ending.

Okay, so I might have regaled him with stories of a dozen superheroes and their powers, but that was besides the point....

Rubbing my belly, I faced the L’Odo and glared. “And no more slaves! Stop that. That’s it. I think. Believe.” I sniffed in a self-aggrandizing way to cover up my bumbling. “Do you understand?”

Sorkbhal had stopped laughing and gaped at me.

Wily, the Chieftain narrowed his oily eyes. “What allies?”

Shimmering cloak fluttering around me, I swept out an arm in the most graceful movement I’d managed in my life, ever, and stepped aside to reveal the resplendent image behind me. “May I present, his most esteemed illustriousness and royal majesty, the Great Alpha Verak, King Beowyn ThunderClaw.”

Eyelid twitching, I could see Beowyn almost had a stroke to keep from busting a gut laughing at the embellished introduction.

He held it down and turned a stony face to the L’Odo. “I am indeed allied with the Rä. Through this alliance, they command the might of my legions. Through me, they hold alliances with the Yoni, the Hydok, the Drakni, the Baxnon.” Beowyn stopped to stare his enemy dead in the eye. “The Azteka.”

The Chieftain’s sallow scutes leached what little colour they had.

“You might win against one, even two warrior species, but seven? You are cut off from decent trade meaning soon you will run low on supplies, and will have to scavenge for scraps like the Dei San. The pirates will not take kindly to you encroaching upon what they consider their spoils. All but one of my named allies were wronged by you over the aeons, and recently, you had but a taste of our collective fury on the slave planet, where you held captive many of my own warriors.” Gripping the edges of his throne, Beowyn looked lethal as he leaned forward with a feral snarl. “I want you to be stupid enough to move against the Rä. I long to crush you.”

The Chieftain glared at Beowyn, at the Elders, and then, finally, at me.

I smirked. “That’s right. Schadenfreude, asshole.” I thumped my chest mimicking my mates then ended with a finger snap. “Feeling it, loving it.”

“She was doing so well,” Fiercely muttered.

Quaking with pent up fury, the L’Odo Chieftain bent over double, opened his mangled snout and roared like a prehistoric monster.

It was a beautifully horrific sound of unmitigated defeat.

Mountainous body lumbering a turn, he hefted a spiked cudgel.

As it descended in a death blow on the squalling Sorkbhal, the hologram wavered and the projection flickered out.

“And that is that,” said Beowyn. He looked at me, and his domineering manner vanished. He grinned. “You. Me. Paniki pleasure station. Comm me once you drop cub then we will go.” He paused. Purred. “Bring your males.” The hologram disappeared.

Calm as Thunder’s Rä’Vek picked up his bleeping communicator.

He glanced at me broodingly then peered at the screen.

His brow ridge bounced then he looked at me again.

Harder.

“I receive word from our planetary observation squadron and the advance scouts,” he said then paused. “The L’Odo battleships are pulling out of our orbit and retreating.”

She, Deathly as It Goes hooted into the silence, startling her Rä’Vek.

The burly male stared at her with heat, scandalously open about his desire for his life mate.

The gruff huntress intimidated the crap out of me, but we shared a grin.

Striding forward, Venomous picked up his communicator.

Calm as Thunder’s Rä’Vek bowed low to him in deference, and then it clicked for me.

“I am so freaking slow at times,” I muttered.

‘He commands all aboard until your mate is ready to assume authority.’

‘Worse, they would use you to control the strongest of us.’

‘...I knew that he was to be the greatest of us.’

‘...his might is surpassed only by his arrogance.’

Venomous wasn’t just a warrior, he was considered the warrior by his people.

And he’d been willing to relinquish that honour for his family.

He tucked his communicator into a thigh pocket on his matte black hardsuit then stood before me, powerful, strong, a warrior that defended me mind, body and soul.

Hissing a sigh, he cupped my face between his rough, warm palms.

His sensual mouth puckered, and I readied for a kiss of inconceivable beauty, but he paused, glared then rumbled, “We are not going Paniki.”

Biting my lip, thinking, ‘We so are,’ I took his mouth on a rush of breath then smiled radiantly as we parted.

I turned in his embrace to face the stupefied Great Senate. “I feel we should discuss my salary.”

A deafening crash of sound thundered into the enclosure from the citizens outside and merged with the hissing, stomping victorious mayhem setting the Senate roof afire.

EPILOGUE

Venomous asked, “How did you do it? How did you persuade the Great Alpha to agree to such decisive action without making us beggar ourselves for it?”

“Verak are notoriously ruthless marauders and skilled in negotiation,” Cobra added.

Apprehensive, Venomous scrubbed a hand over his mouth. “How?”

You know those people who are modest, demure, and shrug off feats of cunning and internal strength as part of a higher calling to help others, and so don’t preen like brazen hussies when they achieve greatness?

That’s right, I’m that good, bow down bitches.

Yeah, I didn’t quite get there.

I strutted my stuff as we walked towards the goodbeasts and didn’t try to hide my awesomeness.

I’d probably fuck up the next diplomatic task.

Wisely, in my lauded opinion, I felt it important to bask in my accomplishment. “It helps when your best friend is the overlord of those ruthless marauders.”

Fiercely took one look at my face then snorted. “And?”

“Sweetheart, Wyn is so dazzled by my beauty and charm he’d deny me nothing.” I slid him a withering glare. “Learn from him.”

“Lumen....” Cobra warned.

“Oh, alright.” I stopped and crossed my arms in a snit. “I used the skills I’ve learnt on my amazing adventure across the universe. I traded Wyn the might of his legions for something....” I airily wriggled my fingers then looked down at my nails. “Something he wanted that only I could give.”

“Indeed?” Venomous asked timbre laden with dangerous undercurrents. “What price did a rutting warlord ask of our Rä’Na?”

Sensing I’d waded heedlessly into treacherous depths, I avoided his gaze to peer straight up at the star strewn night.

Ooh, shooting star.

Finally, because I was a bit mental, I drawled, “Me. Naked. Willing.”

Edgy silence.

“I am going to smother that male with his own severed seed sac.”

A considerably longer silence.

Venomous threw back his head and roared laughter as he staggered to the side.

Totally deadpan, Fiercely added, “I spoke aloud?”

“You jest,” Cobra finally exploded. Anima rising, he planted two hands on the back of his head. The other two fisted. “Tell me she is jesting.”

“Let us say,” I began, rubbing my forearm, “theoretically, of course, that I, um, gave Wyn the location of a blue and white planet third from the sun in a milky way galaxy eight hundred billion stars that-a-way.” I overextended my arm to point up and to the left of nowhere. “How would you react?” I squealed, “Theoretically,” when all three males bellowed, “Lumen!”

“You did not,” Venomous stated more to himself than the rest of us. “You would not.”

“Whaaat? Look, I made him swear he’d only take one adult, unattached, mentally sound human per Rök solar who agreed to leave without sexual or violent coercion, and to not share the coordinates on pain of death.” After counting the stipulations off my fingers, I flung out my arm. “Everybody wins. This is the part where you clap.”

“It is against Universal Edict to poach humans from Earth. We lobbied the Intergalactic Council to make it so.”

“Balderdash.”

“It is only endearing to use words I do not understand when I am not maddened by you.”

“We did that to protect Earth, babe. Not to restrict the magic of true love conquering inconceivable odds.”

“And that,” Fiercely muttered, “is how she justifies it in her poor, addled mind.”

“Wyn can afford a fine if he’s daft enough to get caught.” I slanted them each a coy look. “Just admit it.”

I slipped my foot in a stirrup to mount the goodbeast they’d ridden to the Senate Quarter earlier.

Wind Dancer and Dawning Light had taken our glider, too overcome with the conclave to deal with their temperamental mounts.

I said, “Admit my diabolical genius gets you hot.”

They eyed me warily.

Venomous turned to Fiercely. “I blame you.”

“Unmerited!”

“Who taught her how to use the communications matrix?”

Fiercely’s indignant protest died.

He crossed his arms. “How was I to know our female, who looks so guiltless, would wreak this chaos? How?” A guilty scowl cleared to distort into one of accusation. “And which of us, infallible Venomous One, said no harm would come of her being best friends with a warmongering sovereign? A conniving male with a harem four hundred strong, and a predilection for raiding planets abundant with the nubile when in the mood to get, I quote, frolicsome.”

“Wyn has four hundred concubines,” I shrilled almost breaking my ankle as I twisted to gawp at them. “I dodged a bullet when I told him no. It’s going to take one hell of a woman to straddle that stallion.”

Cobra mumbled, “Truth, I believe she jested.”

Abandoning the stirrup altogether, I faced them, balled up hands on my hips. “Did I, or did I not, singlehandedly, negotiate a transient treaty of peace between the Rä and the Veraks that might lead to a stronger, permanent alliance securing peace for our future offspring, scare the living shit out of the L’Odo, averting a world war, win the respect and approval of the Great Senate, bag a kick ass job, and accomplish all this looking fabulous as I did so?”

They glanced at each other in angst.

“There is no pleasing some people. I’m only one woman. There’s only so much I can ... oh my gosh. We locked Nāga in the garden! We have to get back to the lair.” Flustered, I spun to the goodbeast then spun back to them. “Seriously? You couldn’t remember this? I had sooo much on my mind and I’m pregnant. What’s your excuse?”

Venomous clasped my nape and tugged me into him. “Dearest?”

“Babe?”

“I am loving you.”

Stilling, I melted into him.

“As am I.” Fiercely kissed me the Rä way.

“You know how I feel,” Cobra murmured. “I shall love you until the long sleep.”

“And beyond that,” Fiercely added gravely.

Venomous whispered, “Always, always.”

My eyes brightened with tears. “Loving you, too.”

Venomous One studied the triumphant faces of Cobra that Strikes and Fiercely Comes the Night.

As one they faced me.

The brille veiling their eyes lifted.

Their hearts beat for me.

THEN

In a spiral star cluster a bazillion galactic leagues away, Vayhalun, the Royal Atoll, a bedchamber....

Beowyn ThunderClaw, King of the Veraks gripped the striped mane of the brawny male that fellated him.

He came with a thunderous roar then roughly rubbed the male behind the ears as he suckled the last drops of spend from his softening member.

“Enough, Rykier.” The male didn’t disengage until Beowyn pushed his otherworldly handsome face away. “Hie yourself back to the harem.”

The Great Alpha left without a backward glance.

It was cruel to leave his husband aching for him, but he was displeased.

Rykier yet again intimidated the others into ignoring their liege’s call for a bed partner, so he might come himself.

Beowyn exited his luxurious apartments then the palace, home to Dyna ThunderClaw, the mightiest Noble House on Vayhalun.

He loped to his private shipyard then boarded the idling Dragonfly, a military-grade spacecraft and his personal conveyance.

Éorik’s nostrils flared when he arrived at the command centre. “Rykier again?” Grey eyes flashed. “You know better.”

Dropping into his chair, Beowyn grunted.

“He grows too attached. ‘Twill cause strife between you and your One.”

“If I find my fated mate, I shall deal with it then.” He slanted the male a cautioning look. “I manage my harem, no other.”

Imperturbable, Éorik entered the coordinates the Great One manipulated out of the kind-hearted Lumen of the Stars. “Are you certain this is a good idea?”

“My dreary minion, must you suck the life out of everything? Come now. Surely you are excited to explore the hedonistic pleasures these humans have to offer.” Beowyn purred thinking of how Lumen felt beneath him. “I am fair bursting with excitement.”

“I doubt you will find one as attractive and bright as Lumen. She is likely the best. You should have brought her back to Vayhalun, and bedded her whilst you had the chance. Mark my words, ‘twill be downhill from her.”

“Ye of little faith.” Beowyn stared broodingly out of the curved windshield. “Who knows? Maybe I shall find my One this time.”

“You think we are going to arrive on a backwater planet, and find a healthy, beautiful, intelligent nubile who is unwed, not an idiot, and who will agree to leave without sexual or violent coercion when sex, violence, or a titillating combination of the two, encompass the entirety of the knowledge and experience you gained over the solars of how to woo concubines and lovers?”

“Aye.” Beowyn started the engine sequence and took up the controls. “Truth, SnowBlade. How hard could it be?”

NOW

A galactic moontide later, in the Milky Way you live in, on the Earth you live upon, in Scotland, on a mountainside....

Bleeding from the lip, hanging by his claw tips off the edge of a cliff, a disgruntled High Commander Éorik SnowBlade turned to his liege and the bane of his existence.

The Great One clung to a branch jutting out of the fragmenting rock.

Attached to his back, their fated One, screaming obscenities, her curls a fiery tempest in the howling wind.

Her freckled face was deathly pale, yet her eyes were wild and wrathful. “I dinnae ken what ye are, but take me home. I cannae stand heights. And I cannae stand you.”

“What was it you said?” Éorik grated. “‘How hard could it be?’”

Beowyn’s SonCom bleeped.

He used his free fingerclaws, mouth and teeth to yank the device from his battlesuit and glance at the message.

“‘Tis good tidings.” He grinned. “Lumen has dropped cub. A male. I shall gift her an atoll on Vayhalun. I am to be an honorary uncle, and ‘tis best the cub has somewhere grand to stay when he comes to visit who he likes best.” He used his barbed tongue to touch type a reply. He purred over his shoulder, “I cannot wait until you swell with what is mine, sweet puss.”

Their mate screamed.

Éorik sighed.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

Thank you for reading. What did you think of Venomous? If you’d like to read a second book (ThunderClaw) please mention so if you leave a review for this novel.

Rock on earthlings.

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Did you love Venomous? Then you should read Smolder by Penelope Fletcher!

Wounded, a dragon drops from the sky to crash in front of Marina in an explosion of fire. She does the only reasonable thing a woman can do – she saves his life. Marina knows any moment may be her last, yet she cannot deny the connection between her and the alluring creature. When fierce dragon lords appear, leading a dangerous assassin to their hiding place, the truth about her dragon is unveiled. The consequences of falling for a beast gifts Marina wonders never before seen ... in this world.

Read more at Penelope Fletcher’s site.