Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

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

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Other Titles

Alien Breeder

Alien Invasion Book 3

Honey Phillips

Copyright © 2019 by Honey Phillips

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author.

Disclaimer

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design by Pro Book Covers Studio

Edited by Nikki Groom @ Indie Hub Editing Services

Chapter One

“S’rah N’derson.”

Sarah tried not to flinch when the massive Yehrin warrior standing at the entrance to the waiting room called her name. Even though she had agreed to this process, facing the consequences of her decision proved surprisingly difficult. She smoothed damp palms down the sides of her white pants and prayed that her face didn’t reveal the butterflies storming through her stomach.

As she got to her feet, the women around her darted nervous looks in her direction or ducked their heads to avoid her gaze. She had been talking quietly to them, trying to keep them calm, and she wondered what would happen after she left. Most of them simply looked relieved that their name hadn’t been called, but several were already crying again. Like her, all of the women were dressed in the white outfits that the aliens had provided. The identical clothing only served to accentuate the differences between them and she was supremely conscious that she appeared to be the oldest woman present. Most of them were barely in their twenties, let alone their thirties. Determined to set a good example, she plastered a pleasant smile on her face and approached the guard.

“I’m Sarah.”

His eyes flicked over her in the quick appraisal she had come to expect from the males she encountered, then he nodded abruptly and turned to lead the way out of the room.

“Follow me.”

Another guard waited in the corridor and he fell in step behind her. A half-hysterical bubble of laughter threatened to escape. Were they worried she would try and run? Since she, along with the other women who had chosen to accept a breeding contract, had been returned to one of the Yehrin spaceships orbiting Earth for the selection process, there was nowhere to go. A shiver ran down her spine as she tried to ignore the stark surroundings. She had spent four months on the ship before being transferred to a facility on Earth and she’d hated every minute of it, even though she’d done her best to hide her feelings from her fellow prisoners. After spending the past six months in a human building with access to the outside, the severe white walls and dark floor of the alien ship seemed even more claustrophobic.

In an effort to distract herself, she focused on the broad back of the alien in front of her, although his grey skin, sleeveless black uniform, and towering black horns did nothing to relieve the lack of color. Over the long months of her captivity, she should have grown accustomed to the alien warriors. She hadn’t, even though there were a few she counted almost as friends—and one she had hoped would be so much more. Pushing aside the familiar pain in her heart, she concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths.

The front guard stopped outside an imposing set of doors and used a panel to announce their arrival. The doors slid silently apart, and Sarah stepped inside, her face calm but her heart pounding.

More dark flooring stretched across a broad room which ended in a raised dais backed by a large viewport which had a vision of Earth floating far below. It was a harsh reminder of the superiority of their technology. Three Yehrin were seated on the dais—two of them were warriors like her guards and the third a scholar. With his short horns and slender build, he looked like a child compared to the massive warriors, but he held himself with a quiet dignity. Aware that her knees were shaking, she forced herself to keep a steady pace across the room, her two guards falling in behind.

“S’rah N’derson?” The large warrior seated in the center addressed her. An older male, he had an air of command which reminded her of her friend Emily’s Yehrin mate. He, too, gave her a brief appraisal, but showed little more than a clinical interest.

“Yes,” she replied, pleased that her voice remained calm.

He referred to his tablet. “You were arrested for violating curfew.”

Her eyes closed briefly. “Yes.” How often over the period of her captivity had she regretted that night. If only she’d had the resolve to leave her clinging former mother-in-law sooner, or the courage to sleep in her deceased husband’s childhood bedroom. Instead, she had been determined to return to her own home and she hadn’t made it in time.

“If you do not accept a breeding contract, you have another fourteen months to serve. You must complete the entire thirty-day period in order to have your remaining sentence waived.”

“I am aware of that,” she said quietly, determined to keep the panic out of her voice. She desperately needed her freedom back.

“Is that why you are here?” the scholar asked. An older male, his long white hair arranged in an elaborate style, he looked at her face, not her body.

“In part.” Her hand lifted briefly to touch her stomach. “I also want a child.” Even she could hear the longing in her voice.

“A Yehrin child?” the second warrior scoffed. His appraisal was unpleasantly thorough before he shrugged dismissively.

She raised her chin. “He would be my child as well.”

“You are not required to keep the child, should the breeding be successful,” the leader added.

Her heart skipped a beat. “But you wouldn’t take him away from me?” If losing the child was a possibility, she couldn’t go through with it. She couldn’t lose another child.

“Of course not. If the breeding is successful and you wish to keep the child, both of you would become the responsibility of the assigned warrior.”

A relieved sigh left her lips. “Yes, I would become his L’chka. I understand that part.” Both Emily and her other friend Rachel had been claimed by Yehrin warriors.

There was a startled silence and the three exchanged looks.

“No, S’rah,” the scholar said finally. “You do not. Of course, the warrior will provide for you and the child, but he may not choose to claim you as his mate.”

A bitter laugh almost escaped. Perhaps it had been too much to hope for—that she could have both a child and the kind of relationship her friends had found. She forced herself to shrug.

“The baby is the important part.”

The second warrior nodded in agreement, but she noticed that the leader frowned, and the scholar looked worried.

After a brief pause, the leader continued. “Do you have any questions?”

“How long do I have to decide?” This was the first day the women could choose to accept a breeding contract and she didn’t know how quickly the Yehrin would proceed.

“Decide?” the leader asked.

“Once I meet the warriors, how long do I have to decide on one?”

Another longer silence.

“You do not decide,” the second warrior said finally. “Your information will be presented to the candidates and one of them may choose to select you.”

“One will select you,” the leader said. “I have no doubt of that.”

“But what if I don’t choose him? Or if he doesn’t like me once we meet?” Her heart raced. She had thought she understood the process, but perhaps she had been naive. She had assumed there would be some type of match-making process, not that she would be merely assigned to someone.

The scholar studied her face, then turned to the other two. The Yehrin held a brief, heated discussion in their own language before he turned back to her.

“We have agreed that you may meet three candidates. You must choose one of them in order to be eligible.”

It was obviously a compromise and she forced herself to nod. “I understand.”

“You have no other questions?” The leader frowned. “Are you aware of the financial benefits?”

In addition to the early release, completing a breeding contract entitled the woman to a generous lifetime stipend.

“Yes, but I don’t need your money.” It was quite true. She had a trust fund from her father, her house was paid for, and Jeff had left a large life insurance policy.

“Hmm.” The leader rubbed his chin, then nodded. “Very well. Officers T’bukka and T’hadar will escort you to a room. The first candidate will be sent to meet you there.”

“Thank you.” The manners impressed on her since she was a child forced the words out, although part of her wondered why she was thanking her captors. They were the reason she was here in the first place.

The Yehrin had appeared in the skies above Earth a year ago, at first in the guise of the helpful scholarly aliens. Sarah had finally been recovering from the shock of her husband’s accidental death, but aliens and vague promises of technological advancement were of little interest to her. She’d been trying to decide if she had the courage to return to college at her age and pursue the teaching degree she had never completed. Just as she worked up the nerve to apply, the Yehrin embassy in New York had been sabotaged and overnight the world had changed. Instead of scholars, Yehrin warriors took command of the planet, imposing martial law and suppressing all opposition with brutal efficiency.

Mae, her former mother-in-law, had fallen apart. Jeff’s death had turned her from the kind, sensitive woman Sarah had known most of her life to a pale shadow of her former self. At first Sarah had grieved alongside her, but as the months passed, she found herself ready to move on. Mae had no intention of doing so. She had been appalled that Sarah was considering returning to college and the invasion gave her even more reason to cling to her. On the night the Yehrin arrested Sarah, Mae had been trying once again to persuade Sarah to move in with her.

As her guards escorted her to her next destination, she wondered once again what had happened to Mae. Had she been able to cope with a second loss? She pictured the woman drifting alone around the small house she had turned in to a shrine to her dead son. As terrible as it was to be imprisoned, at least Sarah had been away from the constant memories. Not only that but she had found several true friends and had, for a brief time, thought there was the possibility of a new relationship with an older Yehrin warrior. But T’gana apparently had not felt the same way. The memory of his desertion caused a familiar wave of pain.

“You will wait in here,” the first guard said, recalling her to the bleak present.

He led her into a small white room which had two of the high, uncomfortable Yehrin chairs arranged around a table on one side, but her eyes immediately focused on the extremely large bed occupying the other half. She stopped in her tracks, and the second guard brushed against her back. She had a brief impression of warm, hard muscle and a pleasant musky scent before he stepped away.

“W-why is there a bed? This is just a meeting room, right?”

The guards exchanged a quick look before the second one spoke. “Once the agreement has been reached, some of the breeders prefer to begin immediately.”

“The breeders want to start?” she asked skeptically.

A flash of discomfort crossed his face. “Once they become with child, they are no longer required to mate with the warrior under the terms of the contract.”

They just wanted to get it over with? She shuddered.

“But it’s my choice, right? He won’t force me?”

Both guards growled and the second one put his fist over his chest. “Of course not. It is my—our —honor to protect you.”

“Thank you, Officer—?”

“I am Officer T’hadar.”

“Thank you, Officer T’hadar.”

He put fist to his chest again as she smiled at him. As her nerves calmed a little, she realized that he was quite attractive. Pale blue striations rippled out from slit pupils, the color shocking against his dark grey skin. The harsh Yehrin features suited him, softened by a surprisingly sensual mouth. For the first time in six months, she felt a faint spark of attraction. Unfortunately, he wasn’t one of the candidates, but the fact that she was still capable of feeling interest in a male gave her hope. She had feared that part of her had died when T’gana left.

Officer T’bukka frowned and barked at T’hadar in Yehrin and she realized that she and T’hadar had been staring at each other. T’hadar’s cheeks darkened and he looked away as he spoke.

“We will wait outside.”

More waiting, and with nothing and no one to distract her this time. “Do you know how long it will be?”

“It will not be long. There is much… enthusiasm amongst the candidates.” T’hadar wouldn’t look her in the face and a shiver of unease trickled down her spine. From what she’d learned from Emily and Rachel, these aliens had been without women for over a year. What was she getting herself into?

Thirty days, she reminded herself. You can stand anything for thirty days. She had no reason to be afraid. It was in the aliens’ interest to see that she came to no harm. And at the end of the thirty days she would hopefully be pregnant. But if nothing else, she would be free at last.

“I understand,” she said quietly.

T’hadar paused, then gave a stiff nod and followed T’bukka out of the room.

As soon as the door closed silently behind them, her heart rate increased. She had the foolish desire to beat on it and demand to be released. They weren’t keeping her here; this was her choice. Her hand dropped to her stomach. Please let this work.

Too restless to sit, she prowled around the room. She’d started her fifth circuit when the door opened again. T’hadar hadn’t been lying about their eagerness.

T’hadar entered, followed by a new warrior.

“This is Sub Commander T’nasky,” he said stiffly. He looked at the newcomer and his fists clenched. “Do not worry. We will be right outside.”

He hesitated a fraction longer, then bowed his head and withdrew, leaving her alone with the new alien.

Chapter Two

Sarah and Sub Commander T’nasky stared at each other. Like all Yehrin warriors he was massively built with harsh angular features, but his face seemed somehow younger than most of the warriors she had met. He gave her the appraising glance she had expected, but it was more doubtful than lustful.

“You are not too old to mate?” he asked finally.

Great. Even these desperate-for-women aliens thought she was too old.

“No,” she said through clenched teeth. “Your medic performed an exam.” An extremely thorough and embarrassing exam, but to Sarah’s relief, she had declared that Sarah was capable of child-bearing. Sarah had kept her inner doubts to herself and prayed that the medic was right.

“I see.” He straightened into military rigidity. “I am Sub Commander T’nasky. I was recently promoted as a result of my performance during the battle of Mardaron and I will be a good provider. This is not my first time, so I understand what needs to be done. I had a previous breeding contract during my last campaign on Arkona Prime.”

“I assume that despite your youth, you were not successful?”

“No.” He ignored the barb. “She was not capable of bringing my seed to fruit.” A wistful expression crossed his face and he suddenly looked very young indeed. “She was a lovely female, tall and slender as a lindren tree with skin the color of the ocean and…”

“You cared for her,” she said softly. She could hear the longing in his voice.

The skin across his prominent cheekbones darkened. “Yes.”

Her initial annoyance disappeared in a rush of sympathy. “I don’t understand. If you care for her, then why didn’t you stay with her?”

“I was only permitted thirty days under the breeding contract.”

“You mean even if you realize that you lo… care for someone, you can’t choose to stay with them?”

He actually looked shocked. “But we did not breed.”

“Maybe you stopped too soon. Sometimes it just takes longer. But even if you didn’t, uh, breed, wouldn’t you want to stay with someone you cared about rather than trying again with someone new?”

He turned and paced the short distance to the door and back. “It is considered a high honor to sire a child. It is very important to our people.”

Her heart ached. “More important than love?”

“The Yehrin do not talk of love,” he said stiffly.

Sarah sighed and took a seat on one of the uncomfortable chairs. She already knew there was no way she was choosing T’nasky, but perhaps she could help him. “Why don’t you tell me more about this female?”

By the time T’hadar reappeared at the door, Sarah had convinced T’nasky to apply for another assignment on Arkona Prime and to seek out his female. She only hoped that the female would be as receptive to him as he seemed to think.

“Your time is up.” T’hadar darted a glance between them.

“Very well.” T’nasky stood, then turned to Sarah and bowed.

“Thank you, S’rah. I wish you every happiness.”

“And I wish you the same.”

He gave a quick nod, then strode eagerly out of the room, leaving Sarah feeling rather like a mother bird watching her chick leave the nest.

“You are not accepting him?” T’hadar asked.

“Let’s just say we are not accepting each other.”

“That is good. I have considered—”

“Where is the female?” A harsh new voice interrupted.

Before T’hadar could respond, a warrior strode into the room. Even for a Yehrin, he was huge, his arms so bulky with muscle that she wondered how he could move them. “Ah, there you are. You may leave, Officer.”

“I—” T’hadar cast an almost pleading glance at her, then nodded. “Yes, sir.” He headed for the door, but turned back long enough to add, “We will be outside.”

The new warrior ignored him; his attention focused on Sarah as the door closed.

“I am Commander T’drell.” He ran his eyes slowly over her body and Sarah had to fight not to flinch. Unlike T’nasky, his gaze was definitely lustful, and she felt queasy.

“You are acceptable. Remove your clothing.”

She blinked, not entirely sure she heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”

“I said remove your clothing. There is no reason to delay now that I have accepted you.” His hands went to his collar and with a grunt, he released a catch and his shirt fluttered to the floor.

“Wait a minute!” She jumped out of her chair and scrambled away from him. “Didn’t they tell you that I was going to decide?”

“Why would you not choose me?” He frowned, horns lowering. “I am a commander in the Yehrin fleet. I have an impeccable lineage and great success in battle.”

Even though he had thankfully stopped undressing, she kept a cautious distance between them. “That’s nice, but if I’m going to spend a month with someone, I want to get to know them a little first.”

“What is there to know?” He shrugged and to her horror, he started to release the wide utility belt that all of the warriors wore. “You are a female and not displeasing to the eye. I am a male with a ready cock.”

The belt went flying and he ran a hand over his crotch, squeezing an obvious erection. She edged away, trying to get closer to the door. “Please, stop. I’m not ready for this.”

He huffed impatiently. “You don’t have to play foolish female games with me. Now remove your clothing. My cock grows demanding and so do I.”

He took another step towards her and she lunged for the door, desperately searching for the release. “T’hadar!”

T’drell grabbed her arm, just as the door finally opened and T’hadar and T’bukka came rushing into the room.

“Release her at once, Commander.” T’hadar growled.

“Who do you think you are, Officer?” T’drell scowled at the younger warrior. “You do not interrupt a breeding contract.”

“The breeding contract is not yet in place. Have you consented, S’rah?”

“No,” she cried, trying to wrench her arm out of T’drell’s grip.

“You are not permitted to force her,” T’bukka said, his hand going to one of the weapons on his belt.

“Force?” The jerk actually looked shocked, but he finally released her. “I would never force a female. This is mere female modesty. Although I did expect more from an older female. It’s not as if she’s never been bred before.”

“Only by my choice,” she snapped. “And you are not my choice.”

“If you think you can do better, I assure you that you are mistaken,” he growled. “I will have no hesitation in passing the word that you are an unfit breeder.” He paused meaningfully, but when she did not respond, he sneered at her. “I should have insisted on a younger female.”

Unwilling to give him the satisfaction of a response, she watched silently as he pulled on his shirt and belt and stalked out of the room, offended dignity in every line.

“What an asshole,” she muttered as soon as he left, then winced when she heard a growl from the corridor. She had forgotten that the Yehrin had exceptional hearing. To her relief, he didn’t reappear.

“Are you well, S’rah?” T’hadar asked anxiously.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Despite her words, her voice trembled. “He just wouldn’t listen to me.”

“It is no excuse, but I do not think he intended to force you.”

“I believe you. I saw how shocked he was when you asked him. But if you hadn’t been here…” She shuddered. “Would he have stopped?”

The two exchanged a worried glance.

“I hope so,” T’bukka said eventually.

“I’m not looking forward to meeting the third candidate,” she said grimly. Maybe she had been too quick to send T’nasky on his way. Maybe a younger warrior would be more likely to listen to her.

“About that…” T’hadar said, and she sighed.

“What now?”

“Commander T’drell is not without influence. If he spreads the word that you are unfit…”

“I thought the Yehrin were desperate for females,” she said before she considered her words. Both T’hadar and T’bukka drew back.

“Why did you think that?” T’bukka said harshly.

Oops. Her friend Rachel had passed the information to her in confidence, to explain why the breeding contracts were so important. The Yehrin had tampered with their DNA many generations ago and they now suffered from a low birthrate and an overwhelming tendency to produce male children. If they could not find compatible females, their race would eventually die out, but that fact was a closely guarded secret. She understood their desperation only too well.

“Because you’ve been here for a year without women,” she said quickly. To her relief, they seemed to accept the answer.

“But you still think that no one will want to enter into a contract with me?” she continued.

Another exchange of looks.

“No, there will be candidates,” T’hadar said.

“But they are more likely to be ones who have missed female… companionship rather than ones who are looking for a mate,” T’bukka added.

Reading between the lines, she suspected that meant they would only be interested in sex. Great. Any chance of finding the kind of relationship her friends had found seemed more and more unlikely. The pang in her heart made her recognize that a part of her had been hoping for the same outcome. Think about the baby. Her main reason for doing this was the hope of having a child and she would just have to focus on that.

“Fine,” she said. “How long will it take to find the next candidate?”

“I will inquire,” T’bukka said, and started tapping rapidly with his claws on the wrist device that all of the warriors wore.

T’hadar stepped a little closer. “S’rah, we were interrupted before. I have been considering. I know that I am only an officer and I have little to offer, but I would be most honored if you would consider entering a breeding contract with me.”

“Is that permitted?” she asked slowly, not quite sure how she felt about his offer.

“No,” T’bukka said.

“Yes,” T’hadar said, glaring at the other officer. “It is not usual, perhaps, but it is not forbidden.”

T’bukka frowned but didn’t contradict him.

Sarah studied T’hadar. He had been nothing but kind and thoughtful so far, and she did feel a certain amount of attraction towards him. Not the type of heat that T’gana had once inspired, but maybe that was for the best. Her relationship with her husband had been built on friendship and trust and it had worked very well. Maybe she was never destined to find passion.

She looked up at the striking pale blue eyes watching her so anxiously. Yes, this could work.

“Thank you, T’hadar. I think perhaps I would like to enter into a breeding contract with—”

“With me,” a deep voice growled.

Chapter Three

T’gana watched in dismay as his female turned white and swayed on her feet. Was he so changed? So terrifying? The officer next to her started to reach for her, but T’gana growled and shoved him aside, drawing S’rah gently into his arms.

“T’gana?” she whispered. For a moment her strange, beautiful blue eyes sparkled with joy and he felt the connection flare between them, but then her eyes clouded over, and she tried to push him away. Her efforts were, of course, completely ineffectual but she was steady on her feet and he would not hold her if she was unwilling. He reluctantly let his hands drop.

“Who are you?” the young officer standing next to her demanded.

Before he could respond, the other officer spoke. “You are Sub Commander T’gana, are you not? I am Officer T’bukka. I was stationed under you on Gorganos.”

T’gana forced his attention away from S’rah long enough to acknowledge the other officer. “Yes, I remember you.”

“This is Officer T’hadar,” T’bukka said, before turning to the younger male.
“Sub Commander T’gana has been on Klendat Five.”

Even the name triggered a barrage of unwanted memories and he clenched his fists, trying to remain in control.

T’hadar’s eyes widened before he bowed his head respectfully. “I apologize, Sub Commander. I did not know.”

T’gana looked away, uncomfortable with the younger officer’s adulation, while he focused on the deep, calming breaths the medic had recommended.

“If the three of you have quite finished with your conversation, I would like to return to the waiting area.” A low furious voice interrupted, and he realized they had been speaking Yehrin. He immediately focused on S’rah. She looked pale and tired; her curves no longer as lush as he remembered.

“You have not been taking care of yourself, my—” He stopped abruptly. He no longer had the right to claim her as he had once hoped.

“Why should you care?” she hissed. “You left me.”

“I had no choice.”

“There’s always a choice.” Her eyes blazed with anger. “Now, I’m going back to the waiting room.”

T’bukka cleared his throat. “Sub Commander T’gana, S’rah is here to choose a candidate for the breeding contract.”

“I am aware. It is why I have returned.” Despite the advice of his medics, as soon as he could walk to a transport ship, he had headed back to her. And, still, he had almost been too late.

“Oh really? You think you’re just going to waltz in here after I haven’t heard from you in six months and expect me to choose you?”

“I do not wish to dance with you. I wish to enter a breeding contract with you.” His head was starting to spin, but he had to get the words out. “I…I know I can no longer expect more, but, S’rah, I want this time with you.”

A sharp noise sounded behind him. Every muscle went rigid. He tried to crouch and spin, but his wounded leg gave out, sending a bolt of agony from his ankle to his hip. The pain on top of the stress of his journey and the knowledge of how close he was to losing S’rah was too much. Black spots started to dance in front of his vision, and he made a grab for the wall, determined not to fall on her.

“Please, S’rah,” he managed to say, and then the world went black.

Sarah watched in horror as T’gana crumpled against the wall. Instinctively, she tried to reach for him, but T’bukka and T’hadar were there before her, catching his big body and holding it upright between them.

“Put him on the bed,” she said quickly. They exchanged a brief glance but followed her orders. “What’s wrong with him?”

They looked at each other again.

“Would you two stop doing that? Just tell me what’s wrong.”

“He was stationed on Klendat Five,” T’bukka said slowly.

“Okay. What does that mean?”

“It is the site of a great and glorious battle between the Yehrin and the—” T’hadar broke off when T’bukka kicked him.

“Battle?” she repeated, her lips numb. “He was in a battle?”

“Yes,” T'bukka said reluctantly. “I believe he was wounded.”

“Wounded?” She felt like an idiot, repeating his words, but her brain was still trying to process the idea that he had been hurt. He had always seemed so big and strong. She had thought she would never have to worry about him getting sick or injured. Looking at the big figure lying so still on the bed brought back memories of those horrible days after the accident when her husband had lingered, even though they had known there was no hope.

Forcing them aside, she bent over him. She had been too shocked by his presence to really look at him before, but now she saw how gaunt his face had become and the way his muscles were clearly delineated beneath his skin. He had tattoos down his arms that had not been there before either, but she was too busy running anxious hands down his body to pay much attention.

“His leg! His leg is wet. I think he’s bleeding. You have to call a doctor.”

“S’rah, wait.” T’bukka’s voice interrupted her frantic search for other wounds. He had stepped up next to the bed and he checked the leg as well. “It is not life-threatening.”

“I don’t care. If he’s bleeding, he needs medical attention. Call a doctor—a medic.”

“Are you sure you want me to do that?”

“Why not?” she asked impatiently.

“This room is designated for breeders. They will remove him to a medical facility.”

“That’s fine. He needs to be in a hospital.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw they were looking at each other again. Since she hadn’t found any more indications that T’gana was bleeding, she looked away from him long enough to glare at the two officers.

“Now what?”

“You would not be able to accompany him,” T’hadar said gently. “And if he is still recovering from his wounds, he is not eligible for a breeding contract.”

Oh. She still wasn’t sure she was ready to enter into a contract with him after he had left her without a word, but how could she leave him alone when he was so obviously injured?

“However, if you had already accepted him before his injuries flared up, the contract would still be in place,” T’bukka added. “We could serve as witnesses to the agreement.”

“We don’t have an agreement.” Despite the protest, her eyes went back to the still figure on the bed.

“We heard him ask you,” T’hadar said. “You have only to accept.”

“I thought you wanted me to enter a contract with you.”

“I do—I mean, I did.” Blue eyes sorrowful, he looked from her to the silent figure on the bed. “But it is obvious that there is more between the two of you than just a breeding contract.”

“That’s what I thought once,” she said bitterly, but it was hard to be angry when her heart ached at the knowledge that he was wounded.

“The contract is only for thirty days,” T’bukka reminded her. “Why not take that time and see if you can resolve your differences?”

“Why are you so concerned about it?”

“He is a great warrior and I was proud to serve with him. The conditions on Klendat Five are… difficult. Sub Commander T’gana behaved with great honor. He deserves a chance at happiness.”

Sarah’s mind whirled, a confused mixture of anger and pain, but the one thought that kept surfacing was that he was wounded and needed her help. She couldn’t abandon him now. She took a deep breath.

“Very well. I accept the contract.”

T’bukka gave a relieved sigh. “Good. It is duly noted. Now I will call for a medic.”

“No,” a hoarse voice growled. “No medic.”

“T’gana, you’re awake.” Despite everything, relief filled Sarah. “And what do you mean, no medic? You’re injured.”

“It is not life threatening,” he said, and she bit back a growl of her own. Apparently, anything less than a fatal wound didn’t count for the Yehrin.

“You should still have a medic look at it.”

“I have had enough of medics for a lifetime,” he said, and to her horror, he lurched upright and attempted to swing his feet over the side of the bed.

“Dammit, you’re bleeding. Lie back down.”

“The wound should be closed again,” T’bukka agreed.

T’gana’s face had paled with the effort, and he gave a reluctant nod. “Fine. If S’rah insists, you may close it. S’rah, you will wait outside with…” He looked at T’hadar and she heard him growl before he looked back at her. “You will wait in the sanitary facility.”

“I will do no such thing.”

He shrugged. “Then we will return to my—” He stopped abruptly. “I forgot. I came here straight from the transport. I have not yet arranged for quarters.”

“Why not stay here?” T’bukka suggested. “The breeding cabins have been set aside for the next thirty days.”

Sarah actually stomped her foot. “How can you be talking about cabins when he’s bleeding?” T’gana opened his mouth, but she beat him to it. “And if you say it’s not life-threatening one more time, I will make sure that it is!”

A muffled snort came from T’hadar and for the first time, a smile crossed T’gana’s face. “Such a fierce female. I will allow T'bukka to tend to me, but please, S’rah, it is not a fit sight for a female.”

“Females are tougher than you think,” she muttered, but she turned to T’bukka. “Do you know how to help him?”

“I have combat medical training,” he assured her.

She bit her lip and took another look at T’gana’s face, set in implacable lines. During their brief previous acquaintance, she hadn’t realized he was so stubborn. Finally, she gave a reluctant nod. “Fine, I’ll wait in the bathroom. I mean, the sanitary facility.”

T’hadar accompanied her to the wall to show her how to open the door panel, although she had spent enough time on the ship during her captivity to be familiar with Yehrin technology.

“This is for the best,” he said quietly. “No warrior wishes to appear weak in front of his female.”

“I am not weak,” T’gana growled from the bed, his acute hearing picking up T’hadar’s words.

“I’ve never thought that you were,” she said truthfully, and his face relaxed a fraction. “T’bukka, please let me know as soon as you are finished,”

“I will,” he assured her.

With a sigh, she entered the bathroom.

Chapter Four

As soon as the door panel closed behind S’rah, T’bukka pushed T’gana back down on the bed and released the catch on his uniform pants. T’gana heard his breath catch as his leg was revealed but he didn’t bother to look down. He was only too familiar with the damage. Pincer marks streaked from his inner thigh all the way down his leg. He had lost most of the muscle in his calf, along with his rear claw, and he would never walk without a limp.

“A warrior’s pride is one thing,” T’bukka said grimly. “But your female is correct. You should see a medic.”

“I have seen too many medics.” The previous month had been one long continuous haze of medics and pain. “Just seal the wound again.” The deep gash just above his knee had opened when he tried to turn on his bad leg.

“This will hurt,” the officer said unnecessarily.

“Proceed.” He closed his eyes and, as he had done so many times since he left, he pictured S’rah. He had only known her for five days before he forced himself to apply for an assignment away from Earth, but every moment he had spent with her was etched upon his memory, from the moment he was assigned to escort her from the spaceship to the Earth facility to the moment when he had boarded the transport taking him away and had seen her watching from a distance. He had clenched his fists on the harness to prevent himself from returning to her then and he clenched them now as T’bukka started work.

Instead of focusing on his wound, he remembered the warmth of her smile, the gentle curves of her body, the sunlight catching sparks of fire in the soft brown of her hair. It had reached her chin then; now it brushed her shoulders and he had missed seeing it grow.

Despite his attempts to distract himself, a groan escaped his lips as T’bukka cauterized the wound. He saw T’hadar put his hand on the door to the sanitary facility but thank the Ancestors, S’rah did not emerge. He never wanted her to see him like this, to know that he was less of a male than he had been. And his damage went far beyond the physical.

Was he foolish to have returned, knowing that he could no longer claim her as his L’chka? No. He couldn’t bear the thought of another warrior touching that soft body. At least he would have these thirty days with her and then she would be set free to return to her former life. His own future hung bleak and empty in front of him.

A bolt of pain shot up his leg and his vision started to darken, but T’bukka sprayed a healing gel over the wound and stepped back.

“It is done. I do not suppose it would do any good to tell you to stay off of it? It will not heal properly—”

“It will never heal properly,” he said bitterly. “But I will try to be cautious. Cover the wound before you ask S’rah to return.”

T’bukka looked at him and shook his head, but he did not comment as he bent over and bandaged the wound before sealing T’gana’s pants once more.

“You may tell S’rah to return,” he said to T’hadar.

As soon as the door opened, S’rah rushed over to him. “Did that work? Are you okay?”

“I am fine,” he said and started to sit up.

T’bukka started to push him back down, but he only allowed it because S’rah’s soft hands also urged him down. She remained next to him, her small fingers stroking soothingly down his arm. Such a strange hand, with four fingers instead of three and no claws with which to strike, but nothing had ever felt so comforting.

“You will be more fine if you do not move for the rest of the day,” T’bukka said. “Since you do not need to leave the breeding cabin, that should not be too difficult.”

S’rah looked around the bleak room, and he saw her shiver. “It’s not very welcoming, is it?”

Frustrated that he could not provide for her himself, he turned to T’bukka. “Could you bring additional pillows and blankets? The chairs are uncomfortable for Earth females.”

“I can do that,” T’hadar said eagerly.

T’gana frowned at the young officer but forced himself to nod. Her comfort was more important than his pride.

“While he does that, I will arrange for the medic,” T’bukka said.

“I said no medic,” he snapped. Hadn’t he just gone through the pain of having his injury treated like a battle wound in order to avoid it?

“Not for you. For S’rah.”

“For me? Why for me?” S’rah’s eyes widened.

“It is part of the breeding protocol,” T’gana said reluctantly. He had forgotten this aspect. “You will be given a drug to increase your fertility.”

Small white teeth clamped down on her plump lower lip. “Is that necessary?”

“You wish to have a child, do you not?” She had only mentioned it a few times, but he had seen the longing in her eyes. He had not had the heart to tell her that it was unlikely. The Yehrin produced few children of their own and even fewer with other races. Since the children they did produce were predominantly male, their future as a race was uncertain. It was one of the factors that led to their continuous search for new worlds to conquer. A search that was now having unfortunate consequences. Pushing the bitter memories aside, he returned to his argument.

“If this will help, is it not worth trying?”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”

“Good.” T’bukka nodded. “We will return shortly.”

Silence fell after the two officers departed. S’rah stared at the closed door, then down at her hand, still on his arm. One finger began to trace his tattoos.

“You did not have these before.”

“No.” He had the work started while on his way to Klendat Five.

“They’re beautiful,” she said. “Do they mean anything?”

Many things—all of them related to her—but he had no intention of divulging that to her now.

“Yes,” he said shortly.

Her hand stilled and she looked up at him.

“T’gana, why did you leave?”

“Because I could not stay with you for another six months without violating the Forbidden Cycle.” The Forbidden Cycle, which prevented any warrior from claiming a mate on a conquered planet for a period of one year, was one of their most fundamental rules.

“T’chok claimed Rachel.” T’chok was the officer in charge of the female prisoners. R’chel, too, had been a prisoner and S’rah’s friend.

“I know.” His commanding officer’s actions had been part of the problem. When T’chok had abandoned his duties to go after his female, T’gana had started to envision stealing S’rah away from the facility. That was when he realized that he would have to leave.

“You don’t agree with what he did?” she asked.

“No. No matter how much I might have wanted to do the same thing, the rules are in place for a reason. I could not abandon my honor.”

She frowned, and her lip caught between her teeth again. “You said ‘wanted.’ You don’t want to claim me anymore?”

“I can not,” he said, and looked away.

Before she could question him further, the door opened and T’bukka appeared with a female medic. T’hadar followed bearing a load of pillows and blankets.

“I am A’rathia,” the medic said briskly. “I am the medic in charge of the breeders. I understand that the two of you have entered into a breeding contract?”

S’rah hesitated, but to his relief, she nodded. “Yes, we have.”

“Very well. I am going to give you an injection.”

S’rah paled and he reached for her hand. “It will not hurt,” he promised.

“No, of course not,” A’rathia sighed. “I forget how primitive your medical treatments can be.”

“Is it necessary?” S’rah asked. “Emily—”

A’rathia promptly cut her off. “That was a different circumstance. We believe that this will help.”

“M’lee?” T’gana frowned. “Do you mean Commander T’lan’s mate? She was with child by a human male when he claimed her.”

The two females exchanged a glance, but before he could question them further, S’rah extended her arm. A’rathia raised the hypo-spray and S’rah tensed. He squeezed her hand reassuringly as the spray hissed.

“You were right. That didn’t hurt,” she said, then swayed. “But I feel strange.”

“That is a normal side effect,” A’rathia said. “You may wish to sleep.”

T’gana forced himself into a sitting position and pulled her down beside him. “Sit down, S’rah.”

A’rathia ran an eye over him. “You do not look to be in good condition yourself, warrior.”

“I am fine,” he assured her.

“Males.” She scoffed and shook her head. “If you decide you feel less fine, send for me.”

A warm weight pressed against his arm and he looked down to see S’rah leaning against him, her eyes half-closed.

“I feel so sleepy.”

“Then you should rest. I will take one of the chairs.”

A’rathia raised an eyebrow. “You are in a breeding contract. It is expected that you will share a bed.”

“Yesh,” S’rah slurred. “Shtay with me.”

He hesitated, but A’rathia nodded firmly. “Both of you lie down. You two, leave them alone.”

“We will make sure you are not disturbed,” T’bukka said, then all three left the room.

S’rah’s weight fell more heavily against him and he looked down to see that her eyes were closed. The exhaustion of the long trip dragged at him. All he wanted was to rest with his female in his arms. With a tired sigh, he laid down, tucking S’rah tightly against him. For the first time since his injury, his cock stirred, enticed by her soft warmth, but he was too exhausted to do anything more than pull her closer. As he dimmed the lights and closed his eyes, he set all thoughts of the future aside. They were safe and they were together and even if it couldn’t last, for now, it was enough.

Chapter Five

Sarah startled awake. For the first time in years, she wasn’t alone. Her head was pillowed on a massive chest, her body pressed against a warm, solid body. It took a moment for the previous day’s events to return and for her to remember that she was back on the Yehrin spaceship with T’gana sleeping next to her. He felt good, really good, and she couldn’t help snuggling closer. His scent, permanently imprinted in her memory despite the brief time they had known each other, surrounded her—the woodsy musk a pleasant contrast to the metallic tang of the spaceship.

She took a deep breath and felt heat flooding her. The hard points of her nipples rubbed against his side and a low, pulsing ache started between her thighs. She stretched a hand across the hard ridges of his abdominal muscles, frustrated when she encountered cloth instead of warm, silky skin. She was already tugging at his shirt before her brain kicked in. What was she doing? Despite the contract, she wasn’t sure that she was ready to have sex with him. Her heart was still bruised by his abrupt departure. But even as the thought crossed her mind, her hand kept trying to free his shirt.

T’gana groaned and tossed his head, his horns hitting the wall, and she realized the sound was what had awakened her. She moved higher, achingly aware of her body dragging along his, trying to see his face in the dim glow cast by the lights ringing the edge of the ceiling. Touching his face, she realized that it was cold and damp. He growled and tossed his head again, lips drawing back to reveal sharp white teeth, but he sounded more agonized than threatening.

“T’gana,” she said softly, stroking his cheek.

With shocking speed, he came awake and moved, flipping her beneath him and pinning her to the mattress.

A gasp escaped her lips, but his weight coming down over her, the thick ridge pressing between her legs, exactly where she needed it, his hard chest rubbing against her breasts—they all combined to send her desire soaring. The throbbing ache between her legs was almost painful.

“T’gana,” she whispered, her arms reaching up to circle his neck.

“S’rah? Are you really here?” His voice sounded thick and uncertain.

“I’m here. I feel so strange.” Her back tried to arch, tried to lift her even closer.

“Gods, I’ve missed you so much.” He buried his head in her neck, taking deep breaths, as if drawing her scent into his lungs. Then he licked her neck and she would have come off the bed if his weight hadn’t been holding her down, the sensation firing every nerve ending in her body. She was vaguely aware that his tongue was rough and slightly ridged, but then he started kissing his way down across her chest and all thought disappeared in a wave of sensation.

He fumbled impatiently at her top and then his mouth closed over one of her nipples, licking and tugging with frantic urgency. Every pull sent a streak of fire straight to her clit, throbbing harder now, the ache overwhelming.

“More. I need more,” she pleaded, her whole body focused on the pulsing need. She ran her hands down over his shoulders, frustrated when she encountered cloth instead of skin. She wanted to feel his skin against hers. “Take off your shirt,” she urged.

He froze for a fraction of a second, then shook his head. He reached out and the dim light disappeared, leaving the room in total darkness. Before she could protest, he returned to her breasts, and her thoughts scattered. He feasted on first one, then the other, moving back and forth until her nipples were swollen and distended. The darkness only increased the intensity, the sensations rolling over her in a continuous tide of pleasure.

“More,” she pleaded again, and he finally left her breasts. She heard a loud rip, then her legs were spread wide and his mouth closed over her swollen clit. One swipe of that rough tongue over the sensitive flesh and she exploded. He didn’t even pause, licking from clit to pussy with the same frantic urgency while she shuddered helplessly. His thick tongue plunged inside her empty channel and she raised her hips trying to get closer.

“Delicious,” he growled, the deep grumble sending shocks of pleasure through her system. Her hands flailed helplessly before they found his horns and she seized them, desperate for something to grasp. He growled again, fastening his mouth over her clit as he plunged a thick finger deep inside her empty channel. The urgency increased, her body demanding satisfaction, and she arched against his hand. He added another finger, then a third, the thickness almost overwhelming but her wetness eased the way as he set up a demanding rhythm.

“Come for me,” he ordered, drawing her clit into his mouth and scraping his teeth gently across the exposed surface. Her body shook with helpless pleasure, tightening around the fingers that were still demanding a response from her. Then he withdrew his hand, leaving an aching emptiness, but before she could protest, she felt a hot, thick head probing at her entrance. For the first time, he slowed his frantic urgency.

“Tell me you want this, S’rah,” he demanded, his voice strained.

“I—” Her mind whirled. Her body was demanding more, her hips already arching towards him, but a spark of doubt still lingered beneath the excitement. He had already abandoned her once—how could she trust him? Yet despite his obvious need, despite the strain in his voice and the thick cock throbbing at her entrance, he waited patiently.

A gentle hand came up to cup her cheek and his eyes glowed gold in the darkness. She heard him sigh and start to pull away.

“No, I want this,” she whispered, tugging on his horns. With a roar, he thrust forward, forcing his way into her tight channel. He stretched her to the edge of pain, but she was so wet, so ready, that the overwhelming stretch only added to her excitement. She could feel every inch as he worked his way deeper, the rough, slightly ridged surface setting her nerve endings on fire. He didn’t pause once he buried himself completely but immediately began withdrawing, and she could feel his cock undulating, rolling over each sensitive inch of her pussy. One hand still cradled her cheek, but his other came down to clasp her hip, holding her in place as he began thrusting urgently. Her clit throbbed and her pussy ached, overwhelmed by his size, but she found herself lifting her hips to meet him, her need just as urgent. He moved harder, faster, and she met every stroke, losing herself in this moment, this male, until she felt him shudder and grow impossibly larger, felt him bury himself so far inside her that he became part of her, felt him explode in a flood of heat as he called out her name. Her climax rolled over her like a tidal wave, leaving her limp and drained. When he gathered her close, she pressed her lips against the fabric still covering his chest and fell into an exhausted sleep.

When Sarah awoke, T’gana was gone. A pang of hurt swept through her as she regarded his abandoned pillow. Waking alone reminded her of the way she had felt when she discovered that he had left. She had made her way to his guard post, determined to apologize for gathering information about the security arrangements from him. But instead of T’gana, a strange new guard had been stationed there. It wasn’t until he casually informed her that T’gana had transferred to a mission on another planet that she realized just how much she had grown to care for the big alien. But, as always, she had forced down her anger and pain, smiled pleasantly and turned away.

There was no one around this time and she took a childish satisfaction in throwing his pillow across the room. The movement triggered a slight soreness between her legs and as she remembered more of the previous night, a hot flush of embarrassment covered her entire body. She had never behaved like that, never felt that rush of passion, or been so desperate to have a man inside her. Her husband had been her first and only lover and she had never felt like anything was missing, but the previous night had been a revelation. Guilt washed over her at the thought, adding to the confused mixture of emotions.

But wallowing in her emotions wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She sat up, noting that the lights were once more on low, and saw a clean white uniform neatly folded on the small table along with a covered tray. Her eyes also went to the pillows lining the uncomfortable Yehrin chairs. Both were thoughtful gestures, more reminiscent of the warrior she had known than this harsh new stranger.

Shaking her head, she turned up the lights and realized that her thighs were covered with a sticky blue substance and she remembered that Emily had told her that Yehrin semen was blue. She poked it with a thoughtful finger. He had definitely done his part; she could only hope that her traitorous body had done the same. But if she was like Emily, pregnant after one encounter, what would that mean for her and T’gana? Would he demand the full thirty days, or would he consider his duty complete and abandon her once more? And which did she want?

Pushing the question aside for now, she went to take a shower. As she moved across the room, she was conscious of the deep, not unpleasant, ache between her legs, and she realized that her body was still on edge—her clit swollen and needy and her nipples hard and throbbing. While she showered, she was tempted to try and relieve the need, but she had never found masturbation particularly satisfactory. She would rather have T’gana’s hands cupping her breasts, feasting on them the way he had last night as if she were a banquet and he were a starving man. She found herself toying with the stiff peaks and gave them a quick squeeze. A bolt of pleasure shot straight to her clit and her knees actually weakened. What was wrong with her?

“S’rah?” T’gana called from the main cabin.

A wave of relief washed over her. He had returned. Driven by an unexpected impulse and the desire throbbing through her body, she answered him.

“I’m in here.”

The door panel slid aside, his big body filling the opening, and his horns almost brushing the top of the frame. As soon as he saw her, he went rigid.

“I…I did not realize you were in the shower. I will leave.” Despite his words, he remained frozen in place, his eyes glowing gold as they surveyed every inch of her naked body.

The hunger on his face created an answering need in hers. This is why I’m here, she reminded herself. She had never made any attempt to play the seductress but the heat in his gaze and the massive bulge in his pants gave her courage. Her soapy hands caressed her breasts, lifting them towards him.

“Why don’t you come join me?”

Despite her attempted bravado, she could hear her voice shake and feel her cheeks heat, but she kept her eyes focused on him.

He took one step forward, his hand dropping almost absently to that enticing bulge, then froze again. After one swift look around, he shook his head.

“This is not the place,” he said, his voice hoarse.

Without another word, he turned and left, leaving her embarrassed, hurt, and still uncomfortably aroused. A crash sounded from the cabin, but she was too busy trying not to cry to care. So much for Sarah the Seductress. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Chapter Six

As soon as he closed the door panel behind him, T’gana picked up a chair and threw it against the wall. The resulting crash made him flinch, which only added to his anger. How had he become such a worthless male?

Unfortunately, he knew how. When he had spent a week pinned under a rock, feeling his wounds start to fester, and watching helplessly as his men had been taken by the bugs, one after the other. The bugs—the new race of aliens they had encountered—were the first species they had come into contact with in a very long time that threatened to match or even exceed Yehrin military capabilities. In the end, he had been able to organize the survivors and defeat the cluster of bugs, but he’d left that battlefield a changed male. It wasn’t just the deformed leg and the horrendous scars—the other changes were so much worse. Noises, flashes of light, even a smell could trigger an episode and send him back to that hell. He would never expose a female to his weakness.

Especially not his female. His thoughts turned to S’rah, flushed and glowing under the stream of hot water. Although he could see a little in the dark, he had only glimpsed her beauty last night, too distracted by need to really focus. Today every detail had been high-lighted in the bright lights of the san—long legs, heavy breasts, wide hips framing the small patch of brown curls which shielded her delicious cunt—she was perfect. He had caught the scent of her arousal and seen the shy invitation in her gaze, and he had almost gone to her. But the light that was so kind to her would cruelly reveal his own disfigurement. He couldn’t stand to see her smile dim and watch horror cross her face.

A light sound behind him made him turn. S’rah was standing there, neatly dressed in the white mutashi, her face set in the pleasant, neutral expression that he recognized from her time in confinement. His hearts ached, and he opened his mouth in a vain attempt to explain.

“S’rah—”

“So what happens now?” she asked, her tone equally as pleasant and neutral.

“I do not understand.”

“Am I to be tested? I understand your scanners can detect pregnancy immediately.”

He frowned. “How do you know that?”

Her expression faltered and she looked away. “Rachel told me.”

R’chel? Had T’chok brought her back after all? “When did you see her?”

“There was a celebration at the end of the Forbidden Cycle, and I was allowed to attend. Rachel was there.”

“With Commander T’chok?”

“Of course. He would never desert her.”

The emphasis on “he” was unmistakable, and he took a step forward. “S’rah—”

“Are you going to scan me? Or do I need a medic?”

“I can do it, but it is much too soon. It usually takes the entire thirty days to establish a pregnancy and even then—” This time he cut himself off. They were strictly forbidden from telling the inhabitants of the planets they conquered about the Yehrin issues with breeding.

“Even then what?”

He refused to lie to her, so he merely said. “It is not a subject I can discuss.”

“But if I am pregnant? Does that terminate the agreement?”

“No,” he growled immediately. “You are mine for the next thirty days.” He might be unworthy, but he would not bypass this opportunity to be with her.

An expression flashed across her face too quickly for him to read. “I see. I would still like to be tested.”

Frowning at her insistence, he pulled out his scanner and ran it over her. “You are not pregnant.”

This time her could read her expression—sorrow.

“I told you it was too soon,” he said.

“But—” It was her turn to stop abruptly.

“But you expected it to be different?” Unable to help himself, he stepped forward and drew her into a hug. For a moment she stood stiffly in his arms, then she sighed and relaxed against him. Unfortunately, the feel of her soft body and her intoxicating scent had his shaft returning to full, aching arousal. For a moment she leaned into him and her scent deepened, but then she drew back.

“Since I am not pregnant, should we… mate again?”

Yes. He forced his unruly body under control. “I have to report to Supreme Commander T’rarchar.”

“Is there a problem?” For a moment she looked concerned—for him—and he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he had not irreparably damaged their relationship by not responding to her.

“No. He wishes an account of the events on Klendat Five.” And he would rather be facing a public punishment, but he had no choice.

“Officer T’bukka said there was a battle?”

“Yes,” he said shortly. He did not want to discuss it at all; he was certainly not going to subject her to tales of the horrors he had encountered.

She pursed her lips together thoughtfully, and he suddenly remembered something one of the other warriors had mentioned—a human mating ritual called kissing. It had sounded strange at the time but now the idea of covering her soft lips with his own caused his cock to jerk. He realized he was still staring at her pretty little pink mouth when she flushed and cleared her throat.

“What am I going to do while you’re gone?”

“Stay here?” Even as he said it, he glanced around and realized that there were no considerations for her comfort in the breeding suite, not even the small accommodations the females had enjoyed in the Earth facility. “I could arrange to have something brought for you,” he added.

“Even prisoners are entitled to a few distractions?” she asked bitterly, her mask slipping.

“S’rah—”

“No, don’t. I know I’m still a prisoner for another twenty-nine days.”

“Let me speak, female,” he growled. He understood her frustration, but she was pushing his limits. “I was going to suggest that perhaps it would be best for you to meet with A’rathia. You could make suggestions for the other females as well.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks heated again. “Yes, I would like that.”

“I assumed you would. You are always taking care of those around you.”

She looked adorably pleased and confused and he had to fight back the impulse to take her into his arms again.

“Come. I will escort you to the medic.”

As he turned to the door, he put too much weight on his bad leg and a fiery line of pain ran from his calf to his inner thigh. The world went grey with pain.

“T’gana. T’gana! Are you all right?”

Soft fingers touched his arm, but he jerked it away, ashamed that she saw his weakness. It was bad enough that he had collapsed in front of her the previous day, he would not disgrace himself again.

“Do not touch me,” he growled, pain still rippling up his leg.

“Fine.”

He had noticed that despite his translator’s definition, that word did not usually indicate that conditions were satisfactory, but he was still too busy fighting through the grey haze surrounding him to pursue it.

“Follow me,” he ordered, and focused on putting one leg in front of the other without collapsing. S’rah sniffed and fell in behind him.

At the door, he paused and surveyed the corridor. All was quiet. Most of the other—healthy—males were probably still in bed with their breeders, he thought bitterly. They did not have to worry about concealing their flaws under the cover of darkness. Perhaps he could convince S’rah that requiring darkness was a Yehrin mating ritual? The thought pleased him and as the pain in his leg subsided to a throbbing ache, he was conscious enough of his company to realize that S’rah was stalking along next to him, offended dignity in every line of her body.

“I am sorry, S’rah,” he said quietly. Her posture didn’t relax, and he forced himself to be honest. “It is my flaw, not yours.”

“What flaw? You were in pain.”

“Pain is weakness.”

Her body finally softened. “No, it’s not. It’s a physical reaction. I only wanted to help you.”

“I am the one who should be assisting you.”

She cautiously touched his arm, and when he didn’t pull away this time, she tugged him to a halt. “Can’t we help each other?”

He looked down at her, so pretty and so sincere, and didn’t have the hearts to explain to her how badly he was broken. Instead, he gave in to his earlier impulse and bent his head down to press his lips lightly against hers. They were as soft as he had imagined, but then she gave a startled gasp and for the briefest instant her hot little tongue brushed against his. Her taste exploded into his mouth, every bit as delicious as her cunt, and his cock stiffened so quickly that he felt dizzy with the blood rushing away from his head. He staggered back, leaving her flushed and confused.

“I had no idea,” he muttered.

“No idea?”

“That this human custom—this kissing—would be so intoxicating.”

Her color deepened. “You mean you’ve never—?”

“No.”

“Perhaps we could do it again? Later?” she asked shyly, then her face shut down and he knew she was remembering the incident in the san.

“We will most certainly do it again,” he said firmly. Since only their mouths needed to touch, he would not have to turn off the lights and they could kiss whenever they wanted. “Soon. Perhaps even…” He started to lean towards her again but heard the sound of footsteps in the distance. He sighed. “Perhaps later would be best. Come, my L—, my S’rah.”

The neutral expression returned but she didn’t say anything, and she didn’t protest when he placed her hand on his arm and covered it with his own.

He left her with A’rathia, with strict instructions to wait for him there, and went off to face the Supreme Commander.

Chapter Seven

“You want to supply the breeders with something to occupy their time?” A’rathia said drily. “Are not their warriors supposed to be doing that?”

“Twenty-four hours a day?” Sarah returned, equally drily. “It seems a bit excessive.”

The Yehrin female laughed. “You are correct. And the warriors do not remain with them at all times. They still have to train, and they still have duties to perform.”

“Do they really have to train all the time?”

A shadow crossed A’rathia’s face. “Yes, and now more than ever.”

“Why now?”

A’rathia studied her. “There is something about you which encourages me to confide in you; however, this is not the place. Perhaps another time.” She reached over and picked up a tablet. “Now, what would you suggest?”

Together they discussed several options for crafts and books, including the possibility of some type of library. The Yehrin female seemed to have no doubts about procuring whatever they wanted from Earth and Sarah had to bite back a bitter thought about conquering races. When they came to the end of their list, she studied the other woman covertly from under her lashes. An attractive older female, A’rathia was neatly and elegantly dressed in a close-fitting black uniform which suited her tall, slender figure. Her long dark hair was arranged simply around the two small black horns emerging from her temples and the pearly grey of her skin contrasted with the odd slit-pupiled eyes that all of the Yehrin possessed. How many of those traits might carry over to her own child?

“You are staring at me,” A’rathia said mildly.

“I was wondering what Yehrin traits are dominant.”

“It is a little too early to tell.”

“Is it? Isn’t Emlan an example?”

A’rathia sucked in a quick breath, then got up and went to a cabinet on the far wall. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please.” Sarah watched the female’s quick efficient movements. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No. I was surprised, but I should have realized when you mentioned Emily yesterday that you might have met my, I believe you would say, great-granddaughter.”

“Great granddaughter?” Except for a few silvery strands, the woman didn’t look old enough to have a granddaughter, let alone a great granddaughter. “Wait a minute. Does that mean you’re Commander T’lan’s mother?”

“No.” A’rathia returned with a small tray holding two delicate cups and offered her one. “It is all rather complicated.”

“Oh, that’s right. I remember my friend Rachel said someone took advantage of Emily,” she said, and then could have bitten her tongue as she realized what that implied.

“It was not his fault,” A’rathia said fiercely. “He was manipulated.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know the whole story.”

The other woman settled back. “No, do not apologize. We have deliberately kept the circumstances quiet.”

“Is that why you cut me off last night when I asked about the breeding drug?”

“Yes. There is always a certain… fervor around the beginning of the breeding contracts. If the warriors knew there was a strong possibility that human women can be easily impregnated, it might get out of hand.” A’rathia sighed and picked up her teacup, turning it slowly in her hands. “It may be too late. I started doing inspections this morning. Two females are already with child, although they are not yet aware of that fact.”

“You didn’t tell them?”

“If I told them, they would tell their warriors, and the males would shout it from the highest deck.”

“You have to tell them,” Sarah insisted. “They could be finished with the contract now.”

A’rathia laughed. “Trust me, child. They did not want to be finished. They could barely keep their hands off each other long enough for me to perform my exam. Their males will claim them.”

A dull ache started in her heart. T’gana seemed very certain that their contract would only last for thirty days. Twenty-nine, now.

“I can examine you while you are here,” A’rathia offered.

“There’s no need. I’m not pregnant.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I am disappointed. I’ve wanted a child for as long as I can remember. For many years, the timing just didn’t seem to work and then…” Her breath caught.

“And?”

Rather than answer her directly, she asked another question. “Are you sure I can get pregnant?”

“You would not have been accepted as a breeder unless you were capable.” A’rathia frowned at her and put down her cup. “Would you like me to check your records?”

“Please.”

While A’rathia studied her tablet, Sarah tried to focus on her tea, taking small sips of the fragrant brew and letting the warmth soothe her nerves. She knew the minute she heard the quick intake of breath that A’rathia had spotted it.

“You have a child?” A’rathia asked.

“No.” Her throat clogged. “I… miscarried.” Would the ache ever go away? Since it had been over ten years, she suspected that it wouldn’t.

“I am very sorry for your loss,” A’rathia said softly, and briefly touched the back of Sarah’s hand with her long cool fingers.

“My doctor said that I was fine, physically, and that I could have another child one day.”

“I concur. There is nothing to indicate otherwise.” Those strange eyes studied her. “But you doubt. Why?”

“Does that say that I was married—mated—before?”

“Yes. And that your mate died.”

Such a blunt term. She closed her eyes briefly. “Yes. But before he… died, we had finally decided to try for another baby. It had been six months and it hadn’t happened.”

To her surprise, A’rathia gave a bitter laugh. “There are many, many reasons why a female does not get pregnant—and sometimes, no reason at all. My warrior and I tried for fifteen years before I was finally blessed by the Ancestors.”

“I don’t have fifteen years! I only have T’gana for another twenty-nine days.”

“And you want him to be the father.”

Yes. Her instinctive response caught her off guard, but then she remembered one day at the Colorado prison, before he left. They had been walking along the lake path, and he had stopped to help her carefully over a branch that she could quite easily have managed by herself. She had looked up at the big alien warrior, horns silhouetted against a clear blue sky, strange golden eyes glowing down at her, and felt the gentle reverence in his touch. She had known then that she wanted him to claim her, wanted to see him cradling their child with the same tenderness.

“Yes,” she admitted, feeling the truth in the words. “I really do. But you don’t always get what you want. Do you think that more of the breeding drug would help?”

A’rathia looked a little uncomfortable. “It is not actually a breeding drug. It is only to… relax the female and make her more receptive.”

Sarah’s cheeks flamed as she remembered the previous night. No wonder she had been so needy. She glared at the medic. “You roofied me?”

“I am not familiar with the term.”

“You drugged me and made me want to have sex.”

A’rathia shook her head. “Not at all. The drug does not create desire where none exists. Was there a lack of desire previously?”

It was Sarah’s turn to feel discomforted. “No.”

A’rathia raised an eyebrow but did not comment. After a significant pause, she returned to Sarah’s original question.

“The traits of a single child are not indicative, but M’lan has significant Yehrin characteristics—our horns and claws, our eyes, and our double hearts.”

“You have two hearts?” Now why did that surprise her more than the other traits? Perhaps because she hadn’t known until today that the Yehrin had double hearts.

“Yes. But M’lan also has human skin and hair, and her feet are shaped like yours.” A’rathia gestured at her own more bird-like feet, with the rear claw extending backwards.

“That means she will get to have the fun of shopping for shoes,” Sarah laughed.

“Shoes?”

“To, um, decorate her feet and make her look attractive to men,” she explained.

“Ah.” A reminiscent look crossed A’rathia’s face. “We decorate ours with jewels and little bells when we are courting.”

They smiled at each other, but the moment was interrupted by a harsh note from A’rathia’s tablet. As soon as she answered, a flurry of Yehrin emerged. A’rathia jumped to her feet and grabbed a silver bag.

“Come,” she ordered. “Your warrior is in trouble.”

Sarah fought down a wave of panic and fell in behind A’rathia. What had happened to T’gana? And why were they calling a doctor? Her mind kept flashing back to the image of Jeff lying so still and white in his hospital bed, while machines beeped around him.

By the time they entered what looked like a reception room, she was on the verge of panic. Relief overwhelmed her at the sight of T’gana crouching uninjured in one corner—and then she realized that something was very wrong.

He had one of the Yehrin weapons, a blast tube that could stun or kill, in one hand. He constantly swept the other hand behind him, as if keeping someone down. A steady stream of hushed Yehrin came from his lips but he didn’t seem to be addressing anyone in the room. His eyes were fixed on a—oh God, was that some type of head? A clear plastic box held what looked like a giant insect head, covered in red and black armored plates. One stalk-like eye hung down its cheek and the plates that formed its mouth gaped open.

A giant Yehrin warrior stood at the entrance to an interior room and two more perched along the far wall, their weapons in their hands as well. Her heart started thudding in her chest.

“What’s happening?” she whispered to A’rathia, afraid to disturb the situation. At the sound of her voice, T’gana paused momentarily, his head swiveling blindly, before he focused on the head once more.

“A’rathia, take the human female and leave immediately,” the giant warrior ordered.

“I will do no such thing. You sent for a medic. And S’rah is his female.”

At the sound of her name, T’gana paused again, but only for a brief instant.

“He is telling his comrades to keep down. That he will try and draw the fire away from them,” A’rathia said quietly. “He thinks he is in combat.”

Her heart ached for him. “What can we do?”

“I have a tranquilizer, but I have to get close enough to inject it.”

“Give it to me.”

“I can not do that. The blast tube is set to fatal.”

“He won’t hurt me,” she said as confidently as she could. “Every time I talk, he stops and listens.”

Unfortunately, as soon as she stopped talking his agitation increased. His voice started to rise, and she saw the two warriors tense. The situation was getting out of hand.

“Give me the tranquilizer.”

A’rathia sighed and handed her the hypospray. “Here. Just touch it to bare skin and press this button.”

She nodded and took one careful step forward. T’gana’s head swung in her direction. Her heart pounded so hard she felt sick, but she kept her voice low and soothing.

“T’gana, it’s me. It’s Sarah. Listen to my voice, baby. I’m right here in front of you and I need you to come back to me.” Repeating the words over and over, she moved forward one step at a time. He never took his eyes off of her, but she didn’t think he was actually seeing her. As she got closer, his weapon dipped, and she had to fight back a gasp of relief. When she was within arm’s reach, his nostrils flared, and then she saw the recognition cross his face.

“S’rah?”

With a relieved sob, she flung herself into his arms.

Chapter Eight

T’gana stood at attention before Supreme Commander T’rarchar’s desk, extremely conscious of the fact that his stance was no longer as perfectly balanced as it should have been.

“At ease, Sub Commander T’gana.”

T’gana rocked back on his good heel and focused on the Supreme Commander, resisting the urge to straighten his collar. Despite his many years of service, he was not accustomed to associating with the upper levels of command for anything more than an occasional military exercise.

“I wish to commend you for your actions on Klendat Five,” T’rarchar said.

As usual, even the mention of the name caused a trickle of cold sweat down his spine, but he kept his voice composed. “I did very little, sir.”

“You held off an attack of Saviji for a week and saved over a dozen warriors.”

The acrid smell of dust and smoke filled his nostrils, but he choked back a gag.

“Any Yehrin would have done the same.” Although perhaps another Yehrin would have saved more. Perhaps another Yehrin would have found an escape before his leg rotted and made him useless.

“Perhaps. But your efforts will be rewarded nonetheless.” An uncomfortable silence fell between them. They both knew that normally that reward would have come in the form of an increased rank; however, that was no longer an option.

“Thank you, Supreme Commander,” he managed at last.

“I have read your report, but I would like to ask you some additional questions,” T’rarchar continued.

“Yes, sir.”

“You mentioned that on the final day, you saw Icluthians at the communication tower?”

“I thought I saw,” he corrected. The tower had been cloaked in dust and he had been nearly delirious at the time, but several times he had thought he caught the distinctive flash of green and the sinuous movements of the reptilian aliens. The sight had inspired him to make a final desperate advance and, for whatever reason, the Saviji had been distracted enough for the move to succeed.

As he stood there, his leg aching, and answered the Supreme Commander’s questions, the neat military surroundings were overlaid by a green sky and a landscape of black rocks and endless swirling black dust. He knew it was only an illusion, only the memory of that horrible place, even as the sweat poured down his spine, and his leg began to itch the way it had when the rot set in.

“Thank you, Sub Commander. That is very helpful. There is one more thing. If you will accompany me to the outer office, we have managed to procure a specimen and I want to understand how their bite mechanism works.”

Too relieved to escape the lowering green sky, T’gana didn’t pay much attention to T’rarchar’s words as he followed him into the reception room. Until the Supreme Commander stepped aside and T’gana was face-to-face with a bug.

The office disappeared. He was back in the black desert, crouched beneath the rock that both protected and trapped them. His men, his few remaining men, gathered behind him.

“Stay down,” he ordered, as he tried once again to find a way out of this trap. His leg was a fiery agony and he knew he was close to losing it but there was nothing he could do. They had run out of medical supplies the previous day. A light flared in the distance. The bugs were readying another attack.

A soft voice drifted past him. S’rah? No. She wasn’t here. She couldn’t be here. He tried to prepare for the attack he knew was coming but her voice kept distracting him. He could almost see her walking towards him, and he wanted to shout, to warn her away, but he was so grateful to see her one last time before he died. And then her fragrance washed over him, replacing the bitter scent of dust and smoke, and he was no longer locked in the hell of the desert, he was crouched in the Supreme Commander’s reception room and S’rah was there, right in front of him, and then she was in his arms, bringing him back to himself.

“S’rah, S’rah.” He buried his face in her hair, the sound of battle fading around him. “I thought I was never going to see you again.”

She raised her head, water falling from her beautiful eyes, and grabbed him by the horns. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

He started to raise his hand to wipe the water from her cheeks and saw a blast tube in his hand, set to kill. A dull roar started in his ears and he felt himself sway.

“The tranquilizer,” someone called.

“I’m sorry, baby,” S’rah whispered, and he felt the cool hiss of a hypospray just before he descended into darkness.

When he awoke, he was back in the breeding cabin, alone in the bed. S’rah wasn’t with him and he had a confused memory of a blast tube pressed against her cheek. Before he could panic, S’rah’s soft voice sounded from close by.

“Good, you’re awake. I think A’rathia put enough tranquilizer in that spray to knock out an elephant.”

He turned his head, wincing at the pain, and found S’rah sitting in one of the chairs. She had a bundle of yellow thread in her lap and two long metal skewers in her hands. He remembered her doing that when they had been at the Earth facility. Knitting she had called it.

“Wh-what happened?” His throat hurt and his voice sounded hoarse and uncertain.

“Do you want something to drink?” She jumped up and pushed another pillow behind his head before offering him a cup of dark liquid. “A’rathia left this for you. She said it would replenish your energy.”

He noticed she hadn’t answered his question, but he was too thirsty to care. By the time he finished his drink, his head felt clearer. “What happened?”

“What do you remember?”

“This habit of answering one question with another is most annoying,” he grumbled, but he forced himself to think. He had taken her to A’rathia’s office and then he had gone to meet with Supreme Commander T’rarchar. He remembered entering the office and then… nothing.

“I was to meet with T’rarchar.”

“Yes.” She nodded encouragingly.

“I don’t remember anything after that until… You were there and you said you were sorry.” He suddenly remembered the hypospray. He pushed himself up to a sitting position, flinching at the pain in his leg. He must have aggravated it. “You drugged me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She climbed up on the bed next to him and tucked herself under his arm. Despite his pounding head and aching leg, his body responded to her nearness and he found himself leaning towards her, drawing her scent deeper into his lungs. Her fragrance washed over him and then he froze, another memory worming its way into his mind.

“We were in T’rarchar’s reception room,” he said slowly, horror crawling up his spine. “But I thought I was back on Klendat. The blast tube was set to kill.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” she said quickly. “Your idiot commander thought it was a great idea to make you recount all the horrible things that happened to you on that planet and then show you one of those… things.”

The bug’s face flashed in his mind, and dust filled his nostrils. He buried his head in her soft locks before he could help himself, then immediately tried to wrench himself away. But she had her arms wrapped tightly around him and he couldn’t figure out how to remove them without hurting her.

“I put you in danger.” The guilt was too much to bear. He should never have returned.

“It wasn’t your fault,” she repeated. “He should never have done that to you.”

“A warrior should be strong enough to recount the tale of a battle without losing his senses.”

“This has nothing to do with strength. Don’t the Yehrin have the concept of PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder?”

The term did not register but he looked it up on his wrist com. The brief description he read filled him with horror—and a sense of familiarity.

“I knew that I was broken,” he said. He gave up trying to remove her arms and stared up at the ceiling.

“You are not broken. I don’t know all the details, but I know enough to know that you were trapped in a horrible situation. And I also know that you were strong enough to make it out.”

Had he made it out? He felt like he’d left part of himself behind, trapped under that black rock.

“Why did they bring me back to this cabin?” he asked. “They must know I’m not eligible for a breeding contract.”

“You agreed to it,” she said firmly. “T’bukka recorded it. You can’t back out now.”

Did she not understand that he was not a fit mate? “But—”

“No buts. Officer T’bukka said that once the contract has been recorded, your medical condition doesn’t end it.”

T’bukka was correct. The provision had been added many generations ago to stop warriors from harming their rivals in an attempt to gain a breeder.

“But it was not intended to—”

“I said no buts.” In one agile move, she climbed over him and raised herself up high enough that she could press her mouth against his.

He started to protest, to tell her that she could not put herself at risk, and her soft little tongue invaded his mouth. Once again, her taste exploded over his senses and the delicate stroke tantalized him. Without conscious thought, he found one hand cupping her head, bringing her closer so he could explore every inch of her delicious mouth. His other hand grabbed her ass, pressing her against him so that he could feel every soft curve. She writhed and he could feel the hard points of her nipples stabbing his chest. Impatiently, he brought his hand around to rip the mutashi open, then dragged himself away from her succulent mouth.

Her lips were red and swollen, her eyes heavy-lidded with pleasure, and he lingered there for a moment before feasting his eyes on her large, soft breasts. He caressed one with his hand, relishing the sight of his dark grey skin against all that pink softness. Her nipples, too, were red and swollen and he teased one with a carefully retracted claw until she shuddered and pressed closer. He started to roll her over onto her back and his leg protested, sending pain shooting up his calf. The memory of his defects came rushing back and he tried to push her gently away. Instead of cooperating, she clung to him.

“Why are you pushing me away?” she asked gently.

“I can not cover you,” he admitted. He looked away, not wanting to see the disgust on her face.

“Cover me? Oh, you mean get on top? That’s okay. I’ve always wanted to try this.” She giggled and his eyes flew to hers. She didn’t look disgusted; she looked… eager.

“But this is not the proper way.”

A flash of sadness crossed her face. “That’s what I was told, too.” Her blunt little white teeth closed on her lower lip and then she nodded. “But we can do whatever we want.”

She leaned forward, deliberately dragging her nipples over his chest and her luscious ass came down to cradle his erection. Her hands fumbled at his shirt, but he grabbed them.

“No. The shirt stays on.”

Her lower lip poked out in a surprisingly provocative gesture. “I want to feel your skin against mine.”

He wanted that too, desperately, but he wasn’t about to let her see the scars covering his chest.

“No, S’rah.”

She tilted her head, considering, but to his relief, she didn’t argue.

“What about your pants? Can I take them off?”

“They stay on also.”

“That’s going to make it kind of difficult,” she said, and rubbed her hot damp little cunt over his aching cock.

With a muffled groan, he released the protective fabric that covered his groin, letting his cock spring free and slap against his stomach.

“Oh my.” Her eyes widened and her little pink tongue flicked out, licking her lips. His cock jerked, a drop of precum beading on the tip.

She brushed a curious finger across it, then brought the droplet to her mouth. “Mm, you taste good. I wonder…” A shadow of something crossed her face as she shook her head. “Best not to waste it.”

“Waste what? My seed? I do not understand.”

“You’ve never had a— Never mind.” The shadow deepened. “That’s not why we’re here.”

The reminder of the breeding contract came as an unexpected blow. It was all too easy to forget that she would not always be his, could not be his.

“Are you sure that this is what you want?” He couldn’t resist dragging a hand up his cock, offering it to her.

She licked her lips again. “Oh, yes. I just didn’t realize you were so big.”

Her hand slid underneath his, but the soft fingers couldn’t close around him. “Maybe it’s just as well we did this in the dark the first time. I didn’t have a chance to get scared.”

“My cock scares you?” he asked, horrified.

“Only in the very best way,” she assured him. Both of her hands were on him now. He wanted to close his eyes so that he could enjoy her touch, but he didn’t want to miss the sight of all those pale fingers surrounding him. “Human penises aren’t shaped like this,” she added, tracing one of the bulges that curved up his shaft.

“I have no wish to hear about human cocks,” he growled, but in truth, her touch felt too good to leave much room for anger.

“And the way you feel… These little ridges that make it feel rough and smooth at the same time.” Her eyes widened. “Your tongue is like that, too. That’s why it felt so good when you, um, licked me.”

His mouth watered at the memory of her delicious cunt. “I would be happy to do so again if you enjoyed the sensation.”

Her lids fluttered and her scent deepened, but she shook her head. “I want you inside me.”

Before he could protest, she lifted up on her knees and tried to fit herself over his cock. Despite the slickness caressing his cockhead, her entrance was too tight to take him easily.

“Slowly,” he whispered, and took her hips in his hands, lifting her a little and then letting his cock slide up between her lips to drag across the hard little nub at her apex.

“Oh,” she gasped. She leaned forward, grabbing his horns at the base and making his hips jerk at her tight grip on the sensitive area. He slid her up and down a few more times, deliberately teasing her clit until she was shivering with excitement.

“Now try again,” he urged, notching himself against her entrance. She pushed down and this time her entrance opened enough to take him inside, almost strangling him in the tight clasp. His balls drew tight, ready to explode, but he held on to his control by the barest thread.

A flush had spread from her cheeks down across her chest and her nipples were tight red buds. Her teeth once more fastened on her plump lower lip, she pushed down again, taking another inch inside the hot silken depths. She was panting, her breath coming in rapid little puffs, but she pressed down another inch. He kept his hands on her hips, guiding her, and trying not to hold too tightly to the soft flesh. He adjusted his position until his thumb could reach her clit and stroked across the exposed surface. Her hips jerked and dropped again, her way eased by her liquid response to his touch.

“You’re so big,” she whispered, looking down at her body still suspended less than a third of the way down his cock.

“Yes,” he agreed, and let her drop a little further. Her eyes flew to his and the expression of shocked pleasure was too much. A line of fire shot down his spine and then he was coming in great helpless waves, his cock jerking inside her as he fought for enough control not to slam her down on top of him and force her to take his seed deep inside her body. When the waves finally stopped, she was panting again, her eyes wide.

“I could feel that, all up inside me.” She twisted her hips restlessly and he felt her pushing again, trying to work her way further down.

“And you will feel it again,” he promised. His erection barely diminished, he pulled her slowly and inexorably down, her way eased by his seed, but the fit still so tight that he was rock hard again by the time he was finally buried completely in her body.

Sarah clung helplessly to T’gana’s horns. Her pussy was stretched to the maximum, and once again, it would have been painful if she hadn’t been so wet and so excited. She wanted to move but there was nowhere to go and the pressure building in her clit was almost overwhelming. Her body was shaking with the need to come. Feeling like a wanton stranger, she started to slide her hand down between her legs, desperate to relieve that ache, but T’gana growled.

“My pleasure,” he said, and unerringly found her clit with his thumb. Two quick strokes and she was flying, her pussy fluttering wildly around the huge invader, the resistance only extending her pleasure as she convulsed within his arms. Her body had barely stopped shuddering before he was lifting her almost to the top of his shaft then slamming her back down, each stroke setting up a series of mini shocks that sparked along her nerve endings like jolts of electricity. She met him every step of the way, trying to push her body down as hard as he was pushing up to meet her. A low, continuous growl came from his lips, echoing the thundering beat of her heart as they surged into each other, and she heard him call her name as a second flood of hot seed sent her overwhelmed body into yet another climax.

When her body finally stopped shaking and her head cleared, she was snuggled against his chest, still impaled on his cock, with his arms wrapped tightly around her, his woodsy scent surrounding her with a feeling of safety. She burrowed closer, her eyes already closing. She felt his massive chest raise and lower on a silent sigh.

“What is it?” she asked, yawning.

“Nothing for you to worry about, my L— my S’rah.”

It was the second time he had started to call her his L’chka, his mate, but once again he had stopped. A pang of sadness tugged at her, but her body was too satiated and her eyes too heavy to pursue the matter. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow we have to talk.

Chapter Nine

The next morning, Sarah woke up alone again. This time she threw both pillows. Aside from the fact that it was extremely frustrating that T’gana kept disappearing on her, she was more than a little worried about his leg. When they had brought him back to the cabin the previous day, A’rathia had made the Yehrin equivalent of a “tut, tut” noise about the damage he had caused to the already injured limb.

“If he is not careful, he will lose the leg,” she told Sarah. “And if he feels he is less worthy now, you can imagine how he will feel if that happens. Warriors do not handle permanent injuries well.”

After lingering during her shower in the hopes that he would return and catch her naked, she grabbed a quick breakfast from the replicator and decided to go see A’rathia. It was remotely possible that T’gana was there receiving treatment, but if nothing else, she could get scanned to see if she was pregnant. Could today be the day? After all, he had come inside her not once but twice, she remembered with a little shiver of pleasure. Lingering traces of arousal still hummed through her system.

When she walked out into the corridor, she found T’hadar standing at one end.

“Hi, T’hadar. What are you doing here?”

“I am on guard duty.”

An unusual wave of bitterness swept over her. For the most part, she had resigned herself to her captivity, but now that the end was in sight, those chains chafed just a little bit more.

“Of course. You wouldn’t want us escaping and taking over the ship.”

“I think you misunderstand. Breeders are highly desirable. A Yehrin warrior should always behave with honor, but…” He gave a very human shrug.

“Does that mean I’m not allowed to leave? I wanted to go see A’rathia.”

“You do not look unwell.” His eyes traveled over her with obvious appreciation and she blushed. He seemed so nice and… uncomplicated. If T’gana hadn’t returned, she would have accepted him instead and she thought they would have managed to have an amicable arrangement. Amicable. She snorted silently. Her relationship with T’gana was many things, but nothing so mild as amicable. Yet she wouldn’t trade a single moment with her extremely complicated warrior—when she could find him that was.

“Have you seen T’gana?”

“I believe he went to train,” he said hesitantly.

“Train? On that leg?” She wished she had something a lot harder than a pillow to throw.

T’hadar shrugged again, looking uncomfortable, and she suddenly wondered if it was because of her questions or the reminder that T’gana was wounded. Were Yehrin warriors averse to the sight of injury? She thought about asking him, but she didn’t want to put him on the spot, and she suspected that the medic would be a better source of information.

“I really need to see A’rathia. Is that allowed?” Her hopeful smile might have been a little too much on the friendly side because he blushed and immediately started tapping his claws on his wrist device.

“I will call for another guard and escort you personally.”

“You really don’t have to do that.”

“It would be my honor.” He put his hands over his heart—hearts, she realized now—and bowed. Oh, lord. Now she’d done it.

Unable to think of a reason to protest, she waited patiently until another guard arrived and T’hadar led her away. To her relief, he merely made friendly conversation as they walked, and she relaxed.

“I will wait for you,” he said once they arrived.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be. Can A’rathia just call someone? Or maybe T’gana will be free by then,” she added deliberately.

He opened his mouth, then closed it and nodded. “Perhaps that would be best. You are a worthy female, S’rah.”

“Thank you,” she said, and gave him a quick, neutral smile before slipping into A’rathia’s office.

The medic was seated behind her desk, examining a set of screens, but she looked up and smiled when Sarah entered.

“S’rah. I am surprised to see you. I thought you would be looking after your wounded warrior.”

“My wounded warrior left the cabin before I woke up. What’s more, T’hadar said he was going to train. Surely that can’t be a good idea?”

A’rathia sighed, then moved out from behind her desk, gesturing Sarah to the small seating area.

“Of course, it is not a good idea. But I told you that warriors do not handle injury well.”

“I’m not exactly an expert, but I would think that fighting tends to lend itself to getting hurt. Aren’t they used to it?”

“To an extent.” A’rathia brought over two cups of tea and handed one to Sarah as she sat down. “But the Yehrin heal quickly and if the injury is not life-threatening, they tend to recover completely. However, due to the extent of T’gana’s injuries and the length of time before he was recovered, he will never be the same. I am not sure that he has accepted that.”

“I know he does not feel worthy. I think that’s why he says he will not claim me.”

“Males,” A’rathia sniffed. “I am most unhappy with my own.”

“Who is your male?”

“T’rarchar.” Despite the sniff, her mouth curved when she said his name.

“The Supreme Commander?”

“Yes. And one would assume that having achieved such a high rank, he would have had better sense than to subject a warrior in T’gana’s condition to his questions.”

“It seemed… unfeeling,” Sarah said cautiously.

A’rathia took a sip of tea, regarding her over the rim of her cup.

“Warriors are not known for their sensitivity,” she said drily. “But there is more at stake than perhaps you realize.”

Sarah gave her an encouraging look.

“This is completely confidential, you understand?” At Sarah’s nod, she continued. “The Saviji, the bugs, are the first species in many generations to provide any meaningful resistance to the Yehrin. Of course, we have encountered such races in the past. For instance, we fought the Icluthians for many, many years before we entered into an agreement with them.” She stood up and paced across her office. “But that was a long time ago and now it looks as if those times are recurring. And it is not just the prospect of many years of battle that I dread. Despite their strange ways, the Icluthians are not that different from us. But from what T’rarchar has said, we have no common ground with the Saviji. I am not sure that we will ever be able to reach an agreement with them. While he would never admit such a thing, I suspect he is worried as well and that is why he did not consider your warrior’s situation.”

Sarah’s first response was an entirely selfish one. “Do you think the bug things will come here?”

“To Earth? I doubt it. They are currently swarming through a far distant sector.”

Sarah gave her a shaky smile. “I know it may seem silly, but the thought of those horrible things invading…”

“Does it make us look better in comparison?”

“I suppose so. There are a lot of things about the Yehrin that I have come to… admire.”

A’rathia shook back her hair, almost visibly pushing her tension away and smiled. “Such as a certain stubborn warrior?”

“Yes. Which reminds me, can you scan me again?”

“I see you found the best way to distract your warrior,” A’rathia said drily. She picked up her scanner and did a quick pass, then shook her head. “I am afraid not.”

Sarah found her eyes watering, but she forced the tears away. “I know it’s still early.”

“Yes.” The medic frowned down at the scanner. “I am sorry, S’rah, and perhaps you would rather not know, but four more humans are with child.”

“I’m happy for them.” The words did not sound as sincere as she would have liked. She couldn’t help remembering that a number of the women had applied for the contract as a way of shortening their sentences. Did they even want the babies? How ironic that she wanted one so desperately, but she wasn’t pregnant. Yet, she reminded herself, it had only been two days.

“I don’t suppose you’ve told them yet?” she asked.

“No.” A’rathia sighed. “I know you are right that they will need to be told but I am going to wait until at least halfway through the contract period.” Before Sarah could object, she changed the subject. “What do you intend to do about your warrior?”

“I was thinking. Could you forbid him to train? Can’t a medic do that?”

“It would be unusual. We are rather encouraged to have warriors back on their feet as soon as possible.” She shrugged. “But since in his case, I believe he is only going to cause further damage, I can issue a medical ban.”

“Thank you. Maybe that will force him to spend enough time with me for us to actually talk.”

“That does not seem to have been a priority so far,” A’rathia agreed with a straight face.

“Are you sure there wasn’t anything in that drug you gave me? I’ve never felt like this before.” Her cheeks heated as she remembered the previous night.

“It is usually that way when one meets one’s mate.”

“He has made it quite clear that this is just for the period of the contract.”

A’rathia shook her head. “And I say again. Males.” She stood up and brushed her hands down her uniform. “I will arrange for an escort for you back to the breeding cabins.”

“Not T’hadar, please.”

“He has acted inappropriately?”

“No, not at all, but I think he might if he believes I am encouraging him.”

A’rathia gave her a speculative glance but didn’t say anything before she started tapping on her wrist com.

A dour old warrior, who barely even looked at her, escorted her back to the cabins, and Sarah had to hide her smile.

The thought of sitting in the cabin alone didn’t appeal to her and she wandered down to the small area that A’rathia had designated for the crafts and books. Heather, one of the girls who had been in her group of prisoners, was sitting there, flicking through a book.

“Heather, I’m glad to see you,” Sarah said enthusiastically before she noticed her friend’s pallor. “What’s wrong?”

Heather turned her head away. “Nothing.”

“You don’t need to pretend to me, sweetie.” A horrible thought crossed her mind as she remembered some of the guards they had encountered when they were first taken. “Are you being mistreated?”

“No. I just— This is harder than I thought it would be.”

Sarah remembered that Heather was one of the women who had chosen to accept a contract in order to waive the rest of her sentence. She sat down beside her friend and took her hand. “Do you still want to go through with it?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“I don’t know. I can try and find out.”

Heather hesitated, then shook her head. “Don’t bother. It’s only twenty-eight more days. I can make it.”

It seemed they were both counting the days, although for very different reasons. She studied her friend’s face, seeing the circles under her eyes.

“Heather, who are you with? Are you sure he’s not hurting you? They are very big, and I know it’s been a long time for them.”

A faint hint of color crossed Heather’s face. “T’drago? No, I promise he isn’t. Even that first night when he was so enthusiastic, he made sure I was ready. He did the same thing last night, but it was just so business like. I don’t even think he was that interested.” Her face crumpled. “I’ve never had sex like that. I don’t like it.”

“Then break the contract,” Sarah said decisively. “The hotel wasn’t that bad, was it?”

“No, but I just want to go home.” The last part came out as a wail and Sarah was suddenly very conscious of Heather’s youth. She couldn’t be more than about twenty-two. The girl started to cry, and Sarah patted her back soothingly while she tried to think of a solution.

“S’rah, you have returned.”

Sarah bit back a groan as T’hadar’s cheerful voice interrupted. She looked up to motion him away, but Heather had already raised her head. Sarah saw the second tear-drenched brown eyes met Yehrin blue.

“Is something wrong? Are you injured?” T’hadar was on his knees in front of Heather, all thought of Sarah obviously forgotten.

“No, I’m fine.” Heather turned a delightful shade of pink, a small smile hovering on her lips.

Oh, lord.

“T’hadar, this is Heather. She is in a breeding contract with T’drago.”

T’hadar paled. “Yes, of course.” He started to climb to his feet, then his gaze hardened. “Did he injure you?”

“No, he didn’t,” Sarah said quickly. “Heather is just feeling a little blue because she misses her home, right, Heather?”

Heather finally tore her gaze away from T’hadar. For a dreadful moment, Sarah was afraid that the girl would repeat her complaints. She suspected it would take very little to send T’hadar after T’drago. Fortunately, Heather nodded obediently.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me. T’hadar, I need you to escort me back to A’rathia.”

“I can call for another escort,” he said, his eyes on Heather.

“I need you, T’hadar,” she said firmly. Did Heather just hiss at her? Ignoring the girl, she repeated, “I need you to escort me.”

To her relief, he stopped staring at Heather and nodded.

“Heather, I’ll be back shortly, and I’ll come find you,” she promised.

As soon as they were out of earshot, T’hadar burst into speech. “She is unhappy. T’drago is mistreating her.”

“He is doing nothing of the kind, and you need to calm down. Do you know T’drago?”

“Yes.”

“Is he an honorable male?” As far as she could tell, that was their highest praise.

“Yes,” he admitted reluctantly.

“Then can you believe that he is not hurting her and let me see if I can find a way out of this mess?”

“You would help me?”

In his excitement, he actually grabbed her hand. Immediately, his cheeks darkened and he dropped it again. He reminded her so much of a bashful puppy that she realized her earlier picture of their potential life together had been seriously flawed

“I apologize, S’rah.”

“Don’t worry about it. And don’t get too excited yet.”

For the second time that day she entered A’rathia’s office. She didn’t bother to dismiss T’hadar this time. Better to have him pacing outside than seeking out Heather.

A’rathia raised an eyebrow. “Do not tell me that you have already managed another attempt to get with child?”

Sarah laughed, even though her clit gave a hungry little pulse at the thought.

“No. So what do you know about breaking a breeding contract?”

By the time the evening rolled around, Sarah was tired, hungry, and annoyed. It had taken most of the day but between them, she and A’rathia had arranged to have Heather’s original contract dissolved and a new one drawn up with T’hadar. It had helped that T’drago was just as unenthusiastic as Heather, although he’d had to bluster and protest enough to save face while Sarah listened patiently. A judicious word from T’rarchar had been the final factor in his agreement, but the whole process had been exhausting. The young couple had already disappeared. Their happiness should have been sufficient reward, but it only reminded her of her T’gana’s unhappiness. What’s more, he still hadn’t returned. If he thought he was going to sneak in after she was asleep, he had another think coming. She would stay awake all night if necessary.

She was staring moodily at the replicator when the door panel opened and T’gana stormed in.

“Why did you do it?”

Chapter Ten

The previous evening

T’gana cradled S’rah closer as she drifted off to sleep. Never had he had such a delightful experience. To have her body rising and falling in front of him, to be able to see the passion on her face, to feel the way she had met his every stroke… His cock, still buried deep in the silken haven of her cunt, jerked at the memory and he felt her body tighten in response, but he would not disturb her rest. Reluctantly, he lifted her free, relieved when she only murmured a sleepy protest. Ignoring the screaming pain in his leg, he twisted around and placed her gently on the bed.

His first attempt to stand was a dismal failure and he was forced to sit back down until the dizziness and pain subsided. The second time, he made it to his feet and managed to stand, despite the sweat streaming down his face. He paused long enough to look back at S’rah. She was so beautiful sleeping there, and he wanted more than he had ever wanted anything in his life to crawl back into bed with her and forget everything. But he couldn’t forget. The memories would return, even in his sleep, and he couldn’t take the chance of hurting her. The events of the day were still cloudy but the image of a blast tube against her cheek haunted him.

She sighed in her sleep and shifted her position. He could see the blue of his seed glistening between her legs. Had it taken root? Part of him desperately hoped that it had—but another part of him prayed that it had not. A child would only deepen the bond between them and make it that much harder to leave her as he must. She shifted again and he knew that he should cleanse her but if he returned to the bed, he did not think he would have the strength to depart. One slow, painful step at a time, he forced himself to leave.

As he stood in the corridor, panting heavily, he tried to decide where to go. There were barracks for warriors on temporary assignment, but he had no intention of waking any traveling warriors with his screams. He had been lucky enough to have slept with S’rah twice without the nightmares, but he doubted it would last. He could spend the night in the mess hall as he had done the previous night but as much as he hated to admit it, he needed to lie down.

“Sub Commander T’gana.”

He whirled, his hand on his weapon, before the voice registered. Fortunately, it had been on his good side and he managed to stay upright as Officer T’bukka approached.

“T’bukka,” he said, despising the strain in his voice.

“Is there an issue with the cabin?”

“No. I have… duties to attend to.”

T’bukka gave a tactful nod, even though they both knew he had no duties and would probably never again be fit for active duty.

What had become of him? Now he was lying to a fellow warrior. T’gana shook his head. “No, I do not. I have no duties. I am concerned that I might harm my L’chka.” How easily the word slipped out when he did not have to face the consequences.

“I see.” There was no judgement on T’bukka’s face. “Where are you going to sleep?”

“I was just considering that,” he admitted.

“I believe that your possessions were retrieved from storage,” T’bukka said. “That means your flyer is in the hangar.”

His flyer? It was not designed as a residence but there would be room to lay down and, most importantly, privacy.

“That is an excellent suggestion. Thank you.”

“Shall I accompany you?”

His pride protested, but he remembered the distance to the hangar and the condition of his leg. His pride would be even more damaged if he was found collapsed on the floor, unable to stand.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“There is no need to thank me,” T’bukka said as they began the long walk. “I remember when you arranged that leave for me when my mother was ill.”

“Any commanding officer would have done the same.”

“No, they would not. It meant a great deal to me.”

He bit back the desire to protest again and simply said, “I am glad.” Then he concentrated on the walk.

Waking on the floor of the flyer was not the most pleasant experience. His entire body ached, and he thought longingly of a comfortable bed with S’rah tucked against his side. But despite the aches and the hard floor, he felt somewhat better. The pain in his leg had subsided and he was capable of walking without too much difficulty, although he had a noticeable limp. Yehrin bodies could recover from so much and he knew his leg would eventually heal—to a certain extent. Just not enough for him to ever resume duty.

Despite that knowledge, he headed for the training rooms, only to find himself in the corridor outside his cabin. Was S’rah still asleep? Perhaps he could sit and watch over her.

“Sub Commander T’gana.”

He barely managed not to flinch. Unfortunately, this time it was not T’bukka but the young T’hadar addressing him. He had seen the way the officer looked at S’rah. A growl started to rise but he forced it back down.

“Yes, Officer?”

“Is S’rah awake? Is there anything I can get for her? I mean for the two of you?”

“Are you suggesting that I can not provide for my female?”

“No, of course not. I had heard that you were injured but I can see that you are quite fine now.” The youngster thankfully wound to a halt.

T’gana stared at him, so young and healthy, capable of providing S’rah with whatever she desired. Perhaps she should have taken him instead. No. S’rah belonged to him, even if he could only be with her for this short period of time.

“I am going to train,” he growled, and stalked off before he sent the impudent youngster flying and showed S’rah that he was the only male for her.

The day did not improve from there. All of the private training rooms were in use and he could not face the thought of training in one of the common rooms. Everywhere he went, he felt as if he were being watched, and pitied. Twice he returned to the cabin, unable to stay away, and S’rah was not there. The final blow occurred when a training room opened up. He went to sign in and the officer in charge shook his head.

“Sorry, sir. The medic has you on medical restriction. You are not allowed to train.”

With a frustrated growl, he went in search of A’rathia.

She merely raised an eyebrow when he roared at her.

“Your mate suggested it and she is quite right. You do not need to aggravate your leg by training.”

S’rah had suggested it? He scowled at the medic. “My leg is fine.”

“Your leg is not fine and if you keep pushing it, you will lose it entirely.”

He would rather die.

“No, you would not,” she snapped, and he realized he had spoken aloud. “And you had better not even consider doing that to your L’chka.”

“She is not my L’chka,” he said, even though every atom of his being protested.

“Of course, she is. You may be too stubborn to admit it, but we all know it is the truth. Now go see her before she wears a hole in the ship worrying about you.”

Chastened, he headed for the cabin but as he limped along, he kept returning to the ban. He had trained every day since he was twelve years old. Even in the hospital he had resumed his exercise as soon as he was conscious. But now his mate thought that he was too weak? Shame was replaced by anger. By the time he reached the cabin, his frustration and pain had coalesced into an angry ball that exploded as soon as he opened the door and saw her standing there.

“Why did you do it?”

“What was I supposed to do?” she snapped, her pleasant mask completely missing. “The breeding contract had to be dissolved.”

The room reeled around him as his worst fears came true. His anger vanished in a wave of pain. His damage was too great for her to endure, even for thirty days.

“You dissolved our contract,” he repeated, his voice numb.

“What? No, of course, I didn’t.”

“You did not dissolve the contract?”

“I didn’t dissolve our contract. I did dissolve Heather’s. Well, I didn’t actually do it, I just helped them get it settled.”

His relief was so great that his knees weakened and S’rah frowned. “Sit down before you fall down.”

Her assumption of his weakness annoyed him, but in truth his legs were shaking. With a disgruntled huff, he collapsed into one of the chairs.

“You were not this bossy before,” he muttered.

“You weren’t the same either,” she said, and pain shot through him. Despite his efforts to hide it, she saw his reaction. “And I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t realize you were so stubborn and pig-headed.”

“I do not have an animal’s head.”

“It means you won’t act in your own best interest. Why the hell would you try and train?” His anger started to return but she was still yelling. “And why did you leave me again?”

The catch in her voice brought an abrupt halt to his anger, especially when he saw the water sparkling in her eyes. This too was not like the S’rah he had known before, but as much as her pain disturbed him, he found he preferred her honest emotions. She deserved his in return.

“It was not safe for me to stay,” he admitted.

“Not safe? What do you mean?”

He did not want to answer, did not want to reveal more of his damage, but he owed her honesty.

“I have nightmares,” he confessed.

Her face softened. “I know.”

“How do you know?”

“You had one the first night we were together.”

He gave her a horrified stare. “I did?”

“Yes, but I woke you up.”

“I did not hurt you?”

“Of course not. You made lo—you had sex with me.”

His cock went on full alert as the memory washed over him, but he forced it down. “You shouldn’t have done that. I could be dangerous.”

“If anything, my presence seems to calm you down. You have never harmed me, and I don’t believe you ever will.”

Her faith overwhelmed him. “Thank you, my L—” He cut off the word, and she sighed.

“Why won’t you say it?”

“Say what?”

“L’chka. It’s how you feel, isn’t it?”

He should deny it, but he could not lie to her—did not want to lie to her.

“It is. But I can not claim you.”

“Why not?”

“I am a damaged warrior. No, not even a warrior. I no longer have a purpose or anything to offer you.”

She studied his face, but to his surprise, and perhaps his disappointment, she didn’t argue. Instead, she prowled restlessly around the small room.

“Does the breeding contract require that we stay here?”

“In this cabin? No. Do you wish me to escort you around the ship?” The thought made him cringe. His experiences today had made him increasingly self-conscious. And what if some other warrior was seduced by his S’rah’s beauty and thought he was too weak to keep her? He would fight to the death for her, but he knew he was not at his full strength.

“No. I don’t like anything about this ship. It’s too hard and bleak and confined.”

“I see. You feel trapped?” He understood that all too well, the black rock hovering over him.

“Yes. Silly, isn’t it? I know how big the ship is but the whole time I’ve been on it, I’ve felt like I was being squeezed.”

Reaching for the control panel, he opened the view port. A brilliant vista of stars with the Earth hanging far below filled the rear wall. “Is that better?”

“T’gana! Why didn’t you tell me there was a window?” She moved over to the port, the reflection illuminating her beautiful face.

“I did not realize that it was important to you.” And he had preferred the ability to plunge the cabin into total darkness.

“Thank you,” she said. “It does help.”

She made a move in his direction, a soft smile on her face, and for a moment he hoped she would come to him, but instead she turned to the replicator. “Have you eaten?”

“No.” He had not been hungry since he had awoken in the hospital.

“I learned to use one of these at the hotel, but I don’t know any Yehrin dishes.”

He shrugged. “I am not difficult to please.” He had lived for a week on raw rodent flesh. Nothing she prepared would be worse than that.

Chapter Eleven

T’gana was tempted to reconsider that thought when S’rah proudly presented him with a brown disk topped by circles of bright red and a white oozing substance.

“What is this?” he asked, trying to conceal his doubt in view of her obvious pleasure.

“It’s pizza. Try it.”

He brought a piece suspiciously to his face, but the smell was surprisingly pleasant, and he took a bite.

“Don’t burn your tongue,” she warned, too late. He frowned at her but as the burn dissipated, the taste filled his mouth and he realized that it was delicious. For the first time since returning from Klendat, he found himself hungry.

“Apparently, you enjoyed that,” she said a few minutes later, smiling at him from across the table. A flush of embarrassment crossed his face as he realized that he had eaten the entire disk.

“Did I eat your portion?” he asked, horrified.

“That’s the beauty of a replicator. I can easily make more.”

Despite his attempt to eat more slowly, the second disk disappeared almost as rapidly. S’rah did not seem bothered. She only laughed and produced a third one.

When he finally sat back, he felt more satisfied than he had in a long time. It was not just the food, although the meal was far more satisfying than the nutritional supplements he had forced himself to consume. It was sharing a meal with her in a place that was their home, no matter how temporary. He wanted to give her that same feeling of peace. She had turned to look out at the stars once more and he studied her face.

“Why did you ask about leaving?” he asked.

“I just wondered if maybe we could get off the ship. There’s no real reason to stay, is there?”

Leave the ship? He tested the thought. Would leaving be akin to admitting that he was no longer a warrior? He couldn’t deny that the thought of being away from pitying eyes appealed to him. But they must have a destination and the Yehrin presence on Earth was primarily military or scientific.

“Where would we go?”

“Emily said that T’lan is building a place for warriors and their L—their females near their home.”

His hearts ached when she forced herself to use another term, but he did not say anything. He could not, when he had no alternatives. Instead, he shook his head. “We would need a place that is ready now.”

“Um. I have a house,” she said hesitantly.

“You have a domicile?”

“Yes. And it’s paid for, so I don’t have to worry that the bank foreclosed after I was… taken.” Her brows drew together, and he had a sudden impulse to smooth away the line. “It’s kind of big and pretentious, but the gardens are nice. You could get some fresh air and give yourself a chance to heal.”

That sounded rather pleasant. He had enjoyed the brief time he had spent on Earth with her. As long as the human domicile could be adequately secured, it was a viable solution. But she had only mentioned the advantages for him. “What about you?”

“I want to be off this ship,” she cried, then looked almost startled at her own vehemence.

“Then we will go,” he said firmly, casting his doubts aside.

“Really? Oh, thank you, T’gana.”

Impulsively, she jumped up and came to him, fitting her soft mouth against his. With a groan he lifted her onto his lap and pulled her closer. His leg ached, but the feel of her lush curves against him was more than worth the price. He savored her delectable mouth until his throbbing cock ached even more than his leg. When he raised his head, she was flushed and smiling.

“Thank you,” she said again, still smiling.

He started to lower his head once more and she put a gentle hand to his face. “Please stay with me tonight. Don’t leave me.”

“It is not safe for me to stay.” Despite his words, the temptation to stay with her was almost overwhelming.

“You aren’t going to hurt me.”

There was absolutely no doubt in her eyes, and he gave into temptation. “Very well.”

She gave him a brief, hard hug, then smiled.

“When do you think we can we leave?”

“I will check with my commander in the morning to make sure I am clear to leave.”

“Hm.” She traced a teasing finger down over his chest to his aching cock. “Then what will we do tonight?”

He growled and proceeded to show her.

A long time later, Sarah snuggled contentedly in T’gana’s arms, her body still humming pleasantly. Well, almost contentedly, she thought as she ran an idle hand across the uniform shirt he still refused to remove. She would have preferred to have his naked flesh against hers. Was it just his injuries, or could he actually be shy about undressing? During their time on Earth, he had been almost bashful around her and he had certainly seemed shocked when she proposed riding him.

“T’gana, have you done this before?”

“This?” Lazy satisfaction filled his voice.

“You know.” She gestured around the room, but she could feel her cheeks heating.

He looked down at her, eyes glinting gold. “Did you think me a virgin?”

“Now who’s answering a question with a question? No, I meant taken a breeding contract.”

“No, S’rah. During my first few campaigns I was too new and too undistinguished to be considered for one.”

“Undistinguished?”

“My family were not warriors,” he said briefly. “I did not come from warrior lineage.”

Before she could pursue the topic, he continued. “Once I had sufficient rank, I found myself… uninterested. There were always others more eager to do their duty.”

He rolled over and looked her directly in the eye. “I have had a few long-term arrangements when I was stationed on a planet for an extended period of time. But I have never had—or wanted to have—what we have together.”

A sudden pang of guilt hit her as she realized she had never mentioned her husband to him. She opened her mouth to tell him, but his head descended and once he was kissing her, all other thoughts left her brain.

When the next day dawned, T’gana was still in their bed. He had wrapped himself around her, one hand cupping her breast, the other gripping her hip possessively. She nestled back against him, filled with contentment. If only she could wake up like this every morning. Or at least for the twenty-seven mornings she had left, she reminded herself.

Despite his fears, the night had passed peacefully enough. He had woken her twice, once tossing his head, his horns hitting the wall, and once when he cried out in his sleep, but each time she stroked his face and told him that he was safe and that she was there. Both times he had settled back into sleep and she suspected that he hadn’t truly awoken.

A rush of affection filled her, and she had a sudden, wanton impulse. To hell with breeding, he deserved a reward. Twisting in his arms so that she faced him, she pushed gently until he settled on his back, his breathing deepening. He was, unfortunately, still clothed, and she was tempted to run her hand under his uniform, but she wouldn’t betray him like that. Instead, she only opened the fabric concealing his shaft. The heavy length sprang free, already half-erect, and she caught her breath. It seemed almost inconceivable that her body could stretch to take that thick rolling cock, but her clit spasmed in happy memory. Hopefully her mouth would be as accommodating.

She ran her hand lightly along his length and he sprang into a full erection with shocking suddenness. A quick peek up at his face revealed that his eyes were still closed. A little more boldly she traced the bulging rope of muscle twisting along his shaft. A sound escaped him, but he still didn’t wake up. Wetting her lips, she followed the path of her hand with her mouth, delighting in the texture against her tongue. He tasted pleasantly musky and she caught a hint of her own essence, but it only made her bolder. She circled the wide head and watched as a blue bead of precum pearled on the tip. She swiped her tongue across it and had to bite back her own groan of pleasure. He tasted so good. She licked again, eager for more, and realized that she was rubbing her damp pussy against the thick muscles of his uninjured leg.

“S’rah? What are you doing?” His voice thick with sleep and lust, he started to raise his head.

“Ssh. Just relax,” she whispered, letting her breath ghost over his damp flesh.

“Relax? How can I—” The words dissolved in a long groan as she enclosed him in the heat of her mouth. She licked across the broad head, searching for sensitive areas, and he buried a hand in her hair.

“S’rah,” he said again, but she ignored him, concentrating on the spots that made him shake, seeking more of the delicious fluid now flowing constantly. She rose up on her knees, determined to take more of him and felt his other hand curve down over her bottom, seeking the needy flesh between her own legs. She took him as deep as she could, feeling him at the back of her throat, before sucking gently. His hand tightened in her hair, a slight, delicious sting, and then she felt him penetrate her with one long thick finger. When she cried out, her mouth still full, he growled approvingly and began fucking her with his finger while his long thumb strummed her swollen clit. Her body quivered, already on the verge of coming. Determined to take him with her, she matched his rhythm, her mouth descending to meet her hand as she tried to take him deeper, suck him harder, as he grew impossibly bigger, as he exploded into her mouth in a gush of hot seed while he sent her own body over into a shuddering climax.

When she lifted her head with a last lingering suck, he was smiling down at her.

“You are a wonder, my S’rah.”

She smiled back, but before she could answer him, his face grew serious. “But you should not have wasted my seed.”

Her pleasure vanished.

“Fine. I won’t make that mistake again.” She started to fling herself out of bed, but he caught her arms and lifted her up effortlessly up his chest until they were face-to-face.

“I do not think that word means what the translator indicates,” he said. “Do not misunderstand. I enjoyed your mouth. Immensely.” His eyes dropped to her swollen lips and glowed gold. “But I know how much you want this child. I do not want to hurt your chances.”

The feeling of hurt lessened. “Well, you did give it two tries last night.” The joke fell flat, and she bit her lip. “I was just… happy that you were still here with me and I wanted to share that.”

“You made me most happy,” he assured her. “But then again, I too was happy to awaken with you.”

His eyes were still glowing, but it was a gentler gold and she realized that they were smiling foolishly at each other. Fighting back a sudden urge to cry, she cleared her throat and looked away.

“How do we go about blowing this taco stand?”

The complete lack of comprehension on his face made her laugh and she sat up, pushing her tumultuous emotions aside. “What do we need to do to leave?”

Chapter Twelve

T’gana brought his flyer in low over the address S’rah had given him, keeping it cloaked. The humans should be well accustomed to the Yehrin presence by now, but no need to cause undue alarm in a residential district. Their preparations to leave had taken longer than anticipated, and the sun hung low in the sky.

“That’s it. The big white one on the corner.”

He followed her gaze and frowned. All of the domiciles on the street were of respectable size, but hers was the largest. A sweeping driveway curved in front of a columned entrance and the facade was adorned with a quantity of carvings. Although the style was different, it reminded him uneasily of the area in which he had been born. When he had marched off to join a Warrior House at the age of twelve, he had never thought he would return to such a setting.

Shaking away his unease, he nodded politely. “It is quite large.”

“You don’t have to be nice. I know it’s too big and too gaudy.” Her nose wrinkled. “I told my—” She stopped abruptly. “We need to talk but I think I would rather do it inside.”

He nodded. “I would like to secure the domicile as soon as possible.”

There was a wide expanse of green enclosed by the driveway and he landed the flyer in the center. As he helped S’rah to disembark, she laughed.

“The neighbors aren’t going to know what to think about a flyer on the lawn.”

True. There was no reason to announce their presence. He cloaked the flyer again and her eyes widened.

“Wow. That’s a lot more disconcerting than it is from the inside.” She shook her head. “Now I don’t have a key since I never got my purse back, but there should still be a key hidden under this flowerpot. Yes, here it is.”

She held up a key while he stared at her in appalled horror. “You left a key to your domicile exposed?”

“Just in case I needed it.”

“You will never do so again.”

“Oh, come on—”

“Miss Sarah, Miss Sarah.”

The noise came from behind him and he whirled, one hand going for his blast tube. Sarah grabbed his hand just as he realized that two small human children were running towards them. He immediately released the weapon, but his hearts thumped uncomfortably and sweat trickled down his spine.

S’rah gave his hand a squeeze. “They’re just the neighbor’s children.”

She moved in front of him and he didn’t even have the strength to protest. The two small humans flew into her arms.

“We missed you so much,” one of them said.

“Gone a long time,” the other agreed.

“It does seem like a long time, doesn’t it?” S’rah laughed and hugged the children. As his hearts finally slowed, he surveyed the two extremely dirty beings. He suspected that beneath the dirt, they were female since one was wearing a bunch of bedraggled pink fabric around her waist and the other had a pink crown falling down over one ear.

The one with the crown returned his inspection, her eyes wide. “Who’re you?”

Keeping her arms around the children, S’rah smiled up at him. “Jane, this my friend T’gana.”

“I am pleased to meet you, J’ne,” he said formally.

The child narrowed her eyes at him. “You has horns.”

“Yes, I do,” he agreed.

After a thoughtful pause, J’ne gave a little nod and grinned, showcasing a missing tooth.

“And this little lady is Tabitha,” S’rah added, but the younger child only blinked up at him before sticking a dirty thumb in her mouth.

“She don’t talk much,” J’ne said.

“I can see that,” he said. “But she has you to translate for her, does she not?”

“Translate?”

“It means to talk.”

“Oh. Yep, I talk for her.” She turned back to S’rah. “And Tabby wants to know if you’re staying this time?”

S’rah looked up at him, her expression unreadable, then smiled at the children. “At least for a while.”

He caught the sound of an approaching vehicle. His pulse wanted to speed up, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to be calm. “Someone approaches.”

They all turned to look as a large white vehicle drove down the street and pulled into a dark blue house several doors down. A man hurried into the house without looking around.

“Your father’s home, girls,” S’rah said gently. “You should go home and meet him.”

J’ne scowled and T’bitha nestled closer to S’rah.

“I reckon,” J’ne said finally. “Can we come back tomorrow?”

“As long as it’s okay with— Who’s your nanny now?”

“Crystal,” Jane said gloomily. “She sleeps a lot.”

S’rah’s lips tightened but her voice was calm. “I’m sure she’s awake now. Go on, girls.”

Both of them gave her a fierce hug, then wandered slowly down the street, showing none of the energy with which they had rushed to greet S’rah. They both watched until the children disappeared into the blue house.

S’rah blew out a frustrated breath. “I could wring his neck,” she muttered.

“Whose neck?”

“Darryl. Their father,” she explained. “Their mother, Nancy, was the sweetest woman, but after she died, he just lost interest in those poor girls.”

“He neglects his children?” he asked in horror.

“Oh, he’s had nannies. Lots of nannies,” she said grimly. “I think he chooses them based on how attractive they are, not on how well they will care for the girls. And they never stay long.”

“And this is permitted?”

“They have adequate food and a big house in a good neighborhood.” She scowled down the street.

“Children should be cherished,” he said firmly.

“I agree.” Her hand crept to her stomach in what he suspected was an unconscious gesture. His hearts ached again as he remembered how her face had fallen when he had scanned her earlier and told her that she was not with child. He turned her gently towards the house. “Shall we enter?”

The inside of the house resembled the outside—everything was large and covered with an abundance of detail. It still reminded him uncomfortably of his parents’ home. What’s more, it did not seem to be a fit setting for S’rah.

“This is… pleasant,” he said as she led him from one large room to the next.

“No, it’s not.” She shook her head and opened a final door, tucked behind the elaborate cooking area. “Don’t worry. You’re not going to hurt my feelings. We had a decorator do all of the rooms except this one. This is my room.”

Yes, he could see that. This room suited her quiet beauty. White cases filled with old-fashioned books lined one wall. This, too, reminded him of his parents’ home, but it was a pleasant memory. Despite his disinterest in becoming a scholar, he had spent many hours reading. The entire back wall was composed of windows, opening out onto first a covered area and then a lush garden. He followed S’rah across the room as she flung open a glass door. The scent of flowers flooded the room along with the song of some avian creature. Something inside him relaxed.

“I like this,” he murmured.

Her hand slipped into his and they stood there for a moment before she tugged him out onto the covered area.

“I’m afraid the garden has been neglected,” she sighed. “It was always easier to find someone to ride a mower back and forth than to find someone who was actually willing to garden. I had to fight to keep this area from becoming more lawn.”

He had been approving the high wall surrounding the back area, but as he followed her gaze, he could see that the greenery did indeed appear to be neglected. Then her words registered, “Fight? Someone threatened you?”

“No. I didn’t mean it like that.” She took a deep breath. “Remember I said we needed to talk?”

“Yes. Will this be a long discussion?”

Her fingers twisted together. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Then I will first secure the domicile.” He would not neglect her safety.

“How are you going to do that?”

“I will set up a perimeter.”

“You’re going to wall us in?” Her eyes went wide with dismay.

“No, my S’rah. This will be to monitor our surroundings and raise an alarm if anyone approaches.” It could also be used to create a physical barrier, but he did not anticipate the need and decided not to mention it given her obvious distress. “It will not take long.”

She looked oddly relieved. “Okay. I think I’ll go see about a change of clothes. I wonder if they are in as good a shape as the rest of the house. It’s actually remarkably clean.” Frowning, she ran a finger over a nearby surface. “No dust. I guess the cleaning service just kept coming.”

“Everything looks well cared for,” he agreed, then handed her a small communicator. “If you need me, press this button. I will return shortly.”

Sarah looked down at the small device in her hand and shook her head. Did he really think she was in danger in her own home? Still his protectiveness gave her a warm glow—it was nice to be taken care of for a change.

As she walked back through the formal living rooms and up the main stairs, she noticed that the rest of the house was in equally excellent shape. The payment for the cleaning service was drafted automatically but it felt oddly creepy, as if she had never left.

When she opened the double doors to the master bedroom, the first thing she saw was a picture of Jeff sitting next to the bed. She could have sworn she had put all of his pictures away when she had finally decided to move on with her life, but it seemed so long ago now. Perhaps she didn’t remember correctly. As she went to remove it, a wave of affectionate sadness swept over her. She would always remember him fondly, but the wound had healed. She took another look around and realized she didn’t want to sleep here with T’gana. This room represented her past; he was her future. Although only for the next month, she reminded herself once again.

As she walked into her closet, she considered the options. The guest room on the first floor had never been used. Located at the back of the house, it too opened out onto the garden. It would be perfect.

After pulling on her favorite pair of jeans and a cute tank, she gathered an armful of clothes. She had just made it to the top of the stairs with them when she heard an outraged squawk.

“Who are you and what are you doing in my son’s house?”

Chapter Thirteen

Sarah froze as she recognized her former mother-in-law’s voice. Suppressing a cowardly instinct to hide, she dropped the pile of clothes and hurried down the stairs. T’gana stood at the foot and she could tell by his rigid posture and pallor that Mae had startled him. She brushed a soothing hand across his back and stepped up next to him.

“Mae.” She forced a pleasant smile. “This is a surprise. What are you doing here?”

The older woman perched in the doorway, one hand clutching the knob. The past nine months had not been kind to her. The hair pulled back into a stiff bun had turned completely white and she had gone from slender to gaunt. Her sunken eyes burned with outrage.

“What is that…that thing doing here?”

Sarah felt T’gana flinch at the high-pitched voice.

“This is T’gana. He is a… friend of mine.”

“A friend?” Outrage drove Mae’s voice even higher. “How can you be friends with one of them? They took you away from me!”

“I broke the law,” she said quietly, reaching for usual calm patience. “But I’m back now. Would you like some tea?”

“Not while he’s here.”

Sarah took a deep breath. “He’s going to be staying with me for a while.”

“What?!”

Even Sarah flinched at the shriek and she could feel a fine tremor running through T’gana’s body. She needed to calm Mae down. Now. She started to step forward, but T’gana’s hand clutched hers. Mae instantly zoomed in on the touch but fortunately she appeared too shocked to speak.

“Perhaps it would be best if you come back another day,” Sarah suggested, keeping her voice low.

“You have the nerve to stand here in your husband’s house—in my son’s house—and tell me to leave?” Mae hissed.

T’gana’s hand tightened. She snuck a glance up at him and saw the sweat beading on his temples. For once, her patience vanished completely.

“It’s not Jeff’s house. It’s my house. And right now, I would like you to leave.”

“You can’t make me.”

“I can and I will.”

“After everything I’ve done for you,” Mae sobbed. Her anger seemed to disappear, and a tear rolled down her face. A pang of guilt swept over Sarah, but she was only too familiar with the bout of hysteria that was about to ensue. She refused to put T’gana through that.

“Mae, I’m not going to ask you again. Please leave. When you’ve calmed down, we can talk.”

Mae opened her mouth again, but T’gana had apparently reached the end of his control.

“Leave,” he roared.

With a startled yelp, the older woman turned and ran out of the house. Sarah sighed and rubbed her now aching head. Mae had been like a mother to her for many years—she would have to mend that bridge eventually. T’gana’s hand left hers and she turned to look up at him. His face was rigid, as hard as she had ever seen it.

“You have a husband? A mate?” he growled.

“Had. Had a husband. He died before the Yehrin came.”

“You were mated, and you never mentioned it to me? You brought me to his house?” His voice was a low angry growl, but her own temper started to flare.

“It is not his house. It is my house.”

“The house you do not like? The house that does not suit you? The house you had to fight to have as you desired?”

She winced. “It’s… complicated.”

“No, it is not.” He turned and limped towards the door. “You may stay here in your husband’s house. I am leaving.”

“You can’t leave,” she cried. “We have a contract.”

He hesitated for a brief second but did not turn around.

“I dissolve it,” he said hoarsely.

Panic rose in her throat. He was leaving her again. “You can’t do it by yourself,” she said desperately. “We both have to agree to dissolve it.”

Very slowly he turned and looked at her. “Why are you fighting it, S’rah? You have what you want. You are back on Earth. You are free. You can find another male to father a child for you.”

“I don’t want another male,” she yelled, and then the tears spilled over. “I want you.”

For one long horrible eternity, she stood there alone with the tears running down her cheeks and then T’gana’s arms were around her, his scent surrounding her, and she wasn’t alone anymore.

“My S’rah,” he whispered. “Do not leak water.”

T’gana stood with his arms around S’rah, hearts aching at her obvious distress but his own feelings a jumbled mess. Every instinct he possessed rebelled against occupying a domicile where S’rah’s mate had resided, but he knew his reactions were not entirely to be trusted. His nerves still thrummed from the unexpected encounter with the shrieking female. Although his monitors had detected her approach and he had been about to alert S’rah, he had not expected the female to simply enter the domicile.

“Why does that female have a key?”

She sighed, her voice weary. “She was my mother-in-law. I have a key to her house also, although I would never use it without talking to her first.”

Keeping one hand firmly tucked in his uniform as if she was afraid he’d disappear, she moved away a little and looked around at the spotless domicile.

“I suppose that explains it. She’s been making sure that everything was still being done. I’ll bet that’s why the photo was back and—oh, no.” She looked up, her beautiful eyes still reddened. “I want to take a look at something. Will you promise not to leave?”

“I shall accompany you.”

“You might not like it,” she warned.

“I want no more secrets.”

“I suppose you’re right.” She smiled ruefully. “We really didn’t talk very much before, did we?”

They had talked frequently, but of nothing important. Every second they had spent together had been a torturous combination of delight in her presence and the agonizing knowledge that six months would have to pass before he could claim her. So they had wandered around the grounds together and she had told him small things about knitting and flowers. Only once had their conversation gone any deeper. She had been telling him about a job caring for small humans and water had fallen from her eyes. For a brief second, he had seen how much she longed for a child of her own.

Now he wondered if she knew how unlikely it would be for the breeding contract to succeed. He was about to broach the subject when she opened a large pair of wooden doors to one side of the entrance hall.

“Damn her,” she said furiously, and he followed her gaze to a large portrait over the fireplace. A male, a human male dressed in white, occupied the painting. He was not large, and his brow was bare and defenseless, but he had a smug, human smile and T’gana could all too easily picture him with S’rah.

“Is that your male?” Despite his efforts to remain calm, it came out as a growl.

“Was. Was my male, but yes. I had removed the portrait, along with all of the photos—” She gestured at a set of cases filled with photographs and framed documents. “Mae must have found them and put them back up. She just can’t let go of him. Her house is the same way—his pictures, his trophies, every inch is devoted to him.”

Unable to look at the smug face another instant, he ushered her out of the room and shut the door firmly behind them.

“I will change the locks,” he promised, “but first I believe it is time for that talk you mentioned.”

“Yes.” She sighed. “At least she probably left the wine cellar intact. Let’s open a bottle and sit on the porch.”

A short time later they were seated in the rear area overlooking the gardens. As soon as they were out of the house he felt better, more able to breathe. By tacit agreement they sat at opposite ends of a piece of furniture. He missed the warmth of her body and wanted to pull her closer, but he was still disturbed by the revelation of her former mate. He knew that human males did not claim their females the way a warrior claimed his L’chka, but the thought still troubled him. And yet, what right did he have to be jealous? He did not even have the courage to claim her.

S’rah leaned back against the cushions, cradling a glass in her fingers and he found himself mesmerized by the sight. The extra digits only served to accentuate their differences, yet his shaft unexpectedly thickened as he remembered those small fingers stroking his cock. Shifting uncomfortably, he returned to the subject.

“Why is this house yours but not yours?”

Small white teeth fastened on her delectable lower lip as she stared out at the gardens. He suspected he was not seeing them.

“My husband, Jeff, and I practically grew up together. His mother worked for my father, and after my mother died, I spent most of my time with them.” A shadow crossed her face. “My father worked all the time and he was rarely around.”

Another male who did not care for his offspring. He shook his head—he did not understand human males. S’rah tucked a leg up under her, the snug fabric drawing his attention to the soft curve of her hip.

“My dad approved of Jeff. He was happy when we started dating, even though we were only in high school. He even helped out with his college tuition and medical school.”

“Your mate was a scholar? A healer?” The old feeling of inadequacy tugged at him.

“Yes, I suppose you could say that. He was always good in school and he became a surgeon. So anyway, when he set up his practice, he and my dad decided we needed a house befitting his status.” Her brows drew together. “Neither one of them asked me. They just thought I would be thrilled because it was so big and fancy, even though it was all the way across town from the daycare where I worked.”

Another reminder of his failings. He would never be able to provide her with such a domicile, although if he could, he would consider her wishes of the utmost importance.

“The ironic thing is that even though it was Jeff’s taste rather than mine, Dad was the one who actually bought it and he gave it to me. It’s in my name.” She looked at him, eyes troubled. “So it is my house but not my house. I had been thinking of selling it and going back to college when I was… detained by the Yehrin.”

“You do not wish to live here?” he asked hopefully.

“Not permanently. I just thought that for now, it’s peaceful and it’s private.” She took a deep breath. “But if you really don’t want to stay, we could go back to the ship.”

He looked out over the garden, the lush greenery glowing in the setting sun. A faint floral scent drifted past and an avian chirped softly. His instincts still protested occupying another male’s domicile, but he realized that the serenity of his surroundings had already helped to ease the lingering tension from the female’s invasion. S’rah moved closer, putting a coaxing hand on his arm. “There is a bedroom down here we could share. No one has ever slept there. And it has a nice big bed.”

Despite his doubts, his cock jerked at the vision that sprang to mind of her sprawled naked across a bed. More importantly, now that he knew she had been unhappy on the ship, he did not want to force her to return. While he could not provide for her future happiness, at least he could care for her during their time together.

“Very well,” he agreed.

“Oh, thank you.” She climbed onto his lap, carefully avoiding his injured leg, and gave him a quick kiss. “Don’t worry. We’ll just use the bedroom and my room, and it will be our house within a house. And the kitchen, I suppose.” Her nose wrinkled. “I’ll miss that replicator.”

“Your cooking facilities are not adequate?”

“Are you kidding? I have every gadget known to man. I’m just not much of a cook. We ordered food or ate out most of the time.”

“I can obtain a replicator,” he assured her, “but I am intrigued by the idea of creating food without one.” And it would give him another way to provide for her.

“Maybe we could cook together,” she said almost shyly.

“I always desire your presence,” he said truthfully.

She reached up to kiss him again, but this time he didn’t let her escape so quickly. He cupped her head while he parted her lips, demanding that she surrender her mouth to him. She didn’t resist, melting against him as he took possession of her mouth, claiming her in the only way he could. His hand went to her waist and he growled in frustration when he could not slip his fingers under the tight fabric.

He lifted his head and frowned at her. “I do not like this clothing. It restricts my access to you.”

She tilted her head back, her pretty mouth flushed and swollen, and raised an eyebrow. “I feel the same way about your uniform.”

“Your clothes conceal only beauty,” he said before he considered, then cursed silently as sorrow crossed her face. He did not want her pity.

“Oh, T’gana—”

He covered her mouth with his, kissing her until she was breathless and he could feel her damp heat even through her annoying clothing.

“I believe you mentioned a bed?”

Chapter Fourteen

Sarah bit back a squeak when T’gana stood up with her in his arms. She had never been the type of woman that a man wanted to carry but T’gana lifted her effortlessly. Her already needy pussy gave an impatient little pulse.

“Through there,” she murmured, then devoted herself to nibbling kisses along his neck and shoulders.

He opened the French doors off the porch and came to a complete stop. When she reluctantly raised her head, he was staring around in shock.

“This is not like the ship,” he muttered.

Sarah had to hide her smile as she followed his gaze. She had managed to restrain their designer somewhat in the master bedroom, but here the woman had reigned unchecked and turned the guest room into an ode to Versailles. The huge bed was a gilded confection of ornate carving and pale blue velvet. Pale-blue silk wallpaper, delicately embroidered with tiny white flowers, covered most of the walls but the piece de resistance was the wall opposite the bed. Designed to resemble the Hall of Mirrors, ornate gold-framed mirrors were placed on top of more mirrors for a dizzying effect.

When she looked up at him, expecting him to share her amusement, he was staring at the mirrored wall looking horrified.

“What’s wrong?” she asked softly.

“I forgot that I am no longer myself.” He started to put her down, but she tightened her arms around his neck.

“You are still the man I fell in— the man I started to care for.”

“I am not a man,” he said stiffly, turning his head away from his reflection.

“You know what I mean,” she said impatiently. “You are the same male, the same Yehrin warrior.”

“I am no longer a warrior.” The pain in his voice tugged at her heart, but she refused to let her sympathy dictate her response.

“Bullshit. If someone broke into this house right now, what would you do?”

“I would protect you.”

“Of course you would. As far as I’m concerned, that’s what makes you a warrior. Not your position in the fleet.”

His head tilted as if he were considering her words and she took advantage of his hesitation.

“Walk over to the mirror with me.” He reared back, but she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. “Please.”

Obviously reluctant, he obeyed. When they were standing in front of it, she took a deep breath. Sarah the Seductress, attempt two.

“Now tell me what you see.”

“A beautiful female and a damaged male.”

She pushed lightly on his hands and he let her slide down his body to the ground. Despite his anxiety, the rigid bar of his cock proved that he was still interested in what they had started outside. She turned to face the mirror, keeping his arms around her.

“Should I tell you what I see?” Her voice came out surprisingly low and husky. Gathering her courage, she brought his hand to her breast. Long grey fingers tipped with black claws covered the generous mound.

“I see a big, strong warrior.” He flinched, and she repeated firmly. “A warrior. One whose hand is touching me, caressing me.” She pressed on his hand and it clenched instinctively, sending a little shock of pleasure rippling through her system. When she looked at his face in the mirror, he was focused on his hand. Good.

She slid his other hand down between her legs, and he needed no additional guidance this time, rubbing one thick finger along the seam of her jeans, pressing it against her clit.

“A warrior who knows how to touch me. How to send my body soaring.”

“Take off your clothes,” he said hoarsely. “I want to see you.”

Her hands shook as she pulled the cami over her head, leaving her in a white lacy bra. Their previous encounters had taken place in the dark or in a dimly lit cabin. She was all too conscious of the fact that she was no longer in her twenties but T’gana didn’t seem to find her lacking. His eyes were focused on her breasts and her nipples thrusting against the lace. He covered them with his big hands, squeezing and caressing the soft flesh and teasing the stiff peaks. Once again, he tried to slide his hand beneath her jeans and growled in frustration at the tight fabric.

“And these,” he demanded.

Peeling off the jeans made her flush, but his eyes heated, his hunger so strong that she felt an answering pulse in her clit. He covered her mons with one hand, pressing hard enough to make her knees shake. She chanced her own glance in the mirror. The sight of her body, covered in only a few scraps of lace, pressed against her warrior, still fully clothed, gave her an erotic thrill. He was just so big and powerful, from the massive arms wrapped around her to the awe-inspiring horns towering over his head. She was completely at his mercy, but she knew to the bottom of her soul that he would never harm her.

“Look at us,” she said softly. “We fit together perfectly.”

And it was true, despite the difference in size and species. Her pale skin gleamed against the dark uniform. They shouldn’t have worked, but they did.

“Remove the rest,” he ordered.

She shivered and obeyed, standing naked in front of him. Fighting back her instinctive desire to cover herself, she let him look, the heat in his eyes a reassuring warmth.

“You are so beautiful, my S’rah.”

“No—”

“Beautiful,” he repeated firmly. “And you are even more beautiful when you come. It is your turn to watch.”

One big hand parted her legs, his finger sliding easily through an almost embarrassing wetness. He circled her clit and she jumped and clutched his wrist, not to push him away but to anchor herself. With tantalizing delicacy, he teased the swollen nub until she was shaking with anticipation.

“Look,” he growled. “See how beautiful.”

When she reluctantly obeyed, she barely recognized herself. Her eyes were heavy, her mouth parted. A pink flush ran from her cheeks down over her chest, her nipples tight red buds. She looked wanton, beautiful, and the sight of that large alien hand parting her folds only added to the erotic picture.

“Come for me,” he ordered, pressing down on her clit, and she obeyed, her body quivering in helpless ecstasy.

Still lost in the sensation, she barely registered that he had freed his cock until she felt the broad tip probing at her entrance as he gently pushed her forward until her hands were braced against the mirrored wall.

“Keep looking,” he demanded, and drove into her in one long hard stroke which raised her high on her toes. Her pussy fluttered wildly, trying to cope with the overwhelming fullness, but he didn’t pause, dragging the rough surface of his cock over her sensitive nerve endings as he withdrew, sending sparks of pleasure rippling through her body. She watched in the mirror as he plunged forward, her naked body looking small and helpless compared to that big, dark figure. His horns reared above them, his eyes glowed gold, and her body hovered on the edge of climax once more. His hands tightened on her hips as he moved faster, driving into her with frantic urgency, and all she could do was accept him. Their eyes met in the mirror and his cock jerked inside her, then he was coming in a heated rush, taking her over with him into an overwhelming climax.

Later that night, Sarah was the one who couldn’t sleep. For once, T’gana slept soundly, his face serene in the moonlight slanting through the uncovered windows. Despite the unfortunate incident with Mae, she suspected she had been right to bring him here.

After their mirror encounter, he had carried her limp body to the bed, cleansed her gently, and they had both dozed until hunger drove them from the bed. He had combed through her kitchen cabinets—still stocked due to Mae—and together they had cooked dinner. It was an experience she had never shared with Jeff. When they were in college they weren’t interested; when he was in residency, he was too busy; and once he started his practice, he thought it unnecessary. She enjoyed it more than she had anticipated and the sight of T’gana’s tall horned figure bent over a cutting board brought both an unexpected flare of lust and a longing for more such nights.

After dinner, he proceeded to study her few cookbooks—chosen by the decorator because they matched the kitchen decor—while she dug through her patterns and her stock of yarn.

“What are you making?” he asked when she settled down with her crochet hook.

“Some toys for the girls. This will be a mermaid in a seashell and this one a mouse in a block of cheese.”

He stroked a finger across the delicate stitches, then studied her face. “You care for them, do you not?”

“I do. And I think they remind me of myself. I told you that my father was very busy. He did a better job of making sure that I was cared for than their father does, but I was often lonely. Mae was kind to me, but her world rose and set on her son.”

“I should meet your male parent,” he said decisively.

A lump caught in her throat, but she forced a smile. “I’m afraid you can’t. He died not long after he bought me this house. I think that’s one of the reasons I have waited so long to sell it.”

“I am sorry, my L— my S’rah.”

God, it hurt every time he kept himself from asserting a claim on her. Keeping the smile plastered to her face with an effort, she tried to change the subject.

“What about your parents? Are they still living?”

His face turned to stone. “I believe so.”

“Believe? You don’t know?”

“I have not spoken to them since I left to go to the Warrior House.”

“They didn’t approve?” she guessed.

“No,” he said shortly, then sighed. “They were successful scholars. This house reminds me of the one where I grew up in many ways.”

It was obviously not a compliment.

“We can go back to the ship,” she offered again, and tried to sound enthusiastic.

“No,” he said, and turned back to his book, his face grim. “After all, I will not be here for that long.”

Those were the words that were keeping her awake now. Twenty-six more days and then he would leave her. The way Jeff had left her. The way her father had left her. At least T’gana would still be alive, even if he wasn’t with her. She tried to take comfort in that thought but it didn’t change the fact that she would be alone again. If only she could get pregnant, and finally have someone to receive all the love locked in her heart.

She flipped to her other side, trying to find a position that would let her drift off, and a big, warm arm curled around her waist, tugging her back against his body.

“Sleep, my S’rah,” he said sleepily, and she tried to relax. His warmth and scent surrounded her, and she could feel his hearts beating a steady rhythm against her back. She tried to match her breathing to his and gradually her turbulent thoughts slowed, and she drifted into sleep.

The next morning, she woke up still tucked against his body. Despite her restless night, she felt surprisingly content and she nestled closer. T’gana’s hand slid from her waist up to cover her breast, plucking gently at her nipple and she was suddenly conscious of a massive erection nestled against her bottom. She gave a cautious wiggle and he groaned.

“You tempt me to forget my manners,” he said, deliberately sliding his cock deeper between her cheeks. Good lord, he was big. She still couldn’t believe that they fit together so well.

“Manners?” She rolled her hips, massaging his cock, and he immediately pulled her closer.

“To wait for you to awaken and indicate your desire.”

Despite his words, one hand held her firmly against his erection and the other teased her breasts into aching awareness.

“I’m indicating,” she said breathlessly, and he immediately flipped them over so that he was on top. His cock was a rigid bar between her legs, but he smiled down at her.

“Good morning, my S’rah.”

“Good morning, my T’gana.”

“I like the sound of that on your lips.”

“I like saying it.” She grinned and wiggled her hips. “Are the formalities over now?”

“We could recite the morning ritual of praise for the Ancestors,” he said solemnly, but he was grinding his cock between her legs, applying a steady pressure to her needy clit.

“That sounds very polite,” she agreed breathlessly. “But perhaps we could save that for another morning?”

As she started to draw him down, a bell chimed. He was off the bed and consulting his tablet before she could blink.

“What is it?”

His tense frame relaxed, and he smiled.

“The small females approach.”

“The girls? It’s awfully early, I hope nothing is wrong.”

She pulled on pajama pants and a tank and headed for the door, T’gana close behind her. They reached it just as the doorbell rang. When she flung open the door, the two girls were standing there in identical nightgowns, their hair unbrushed, and their faces as dirty as they had been the night before.

“Hi, girls. Is everything all right?”

“We’re hungry,” Jane announced. “And you said we could come back.”

Sarah cast an infuriated glance at their house, but their father’s car was gone. “Isn’t Crystal going to fix you breakfast?”

“She’s asleep. Daddy said she had a hard night and to let her sleep.”

Her fingernails were digging holes in her palms, but she smiled at the two girls. “I expect we can find something for you to eat.”

“Pancakes.” The soft whisper came from Tabitha. She was staring up at T’gana and he was returning her gaze with equal fascination.

“You want pancakes? I don’t know if I have—”

“Then you shall have pancakes,” T’gana said. Since he sounded absolutely confident, she didn’t argue.

“Come on then. Let’s get you cleaned up while T’gana cooks.”

“I wanna watch,” Jane said, and Tabby nodded.

“How about we wash your hands and face in the kitchen sink? Then after breakfast, you can have a nice bath in my tub.”

“Okay,” Jane agreed, and her little shadow bobbed her head.

Chapter Fifteen

The pancakes were a great success. Without fresh eggs and milk, they were a little dry, but copious amounts of syrup poured over the top disguised any shortcomings. T’gana refused the syrup with an expression of abject disgust. After depositing two extremely sticky children in the tub with a vast quantity of bubbles, she left T’gana to watch over them while she went to call Crystal.

“Hellooo?” the girl yawned.

“Crystal? This is Sarah Anderson from down the street. I wanted to let you know that the girls are here with me.”

“Oh, that’s nice,” Crystal said sleepily. “They talk about you all the time.”

Sarah closed her eyes in frustration. “You really need to keep a closer eye on them.”

“Darryl says not to worry about it. It’s a safe neighborhood and kids should be free to roam around.” The sulky note in Crystal’s voice made her sound not much older than a child herself.

Sarah ground her teeth, but in the face of their father’s attitude, she temporarily abandoned her attempt to bring the girl to her senses. “Is it all right if they stay with me for a while?”

“That’d be cool. I wanted to run some errands today and they get whiny in the car.”

“Can you bring me some clothes for them?”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll be right there.”

Sarah didn’t believe her for a minute, but to her surprise, by the time the girls were tired of playing in the tub and were wrapped in warm towels, T’gana told her that someone was approaching. Once again, he accompanied her to the door.

Crystal turned out to be a very young and very attractive blonde wearing a cropped tee and cutoff shorts. Her eyes widened at the sight of T’gana but then she gave his arms an overly appreciative stare and licked her lips.

“Cool ink,” she said. “You wanna see my tats?”

“No, he does not,” Sarah said. “Did you bring clothes for the girls?”

Crystal dragged her eyes away from T’gana to thrust a bag at Sarah. “Yeah. Here ya go. Is it cool if they stay with you all day? I’m gonna be gone for a while.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Awesome. I’ll be back later.” With one last lingering look at T’gana she sauntered down the steps, hips swinging.

Sarah looked up to find T’gana staring after Crystal and her heart sank. Would a hot young girl have convinced him to put aside his determination not to claim a mate?

“Take a picture, it will last longer,” she muttered, and his eyes swung to her.

“What?”

“The way you were staring, I thought you wanted a picture,” she said a little sheepishly.

“I was thinking that she was not a worthy female and wondering if it was because she was so young. That perhaps we should raise the minimum age for the breeding contracts.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks heated.

T’gana studied her expression and then a slow smile spread across his face. “My S’rah, are you jealous?”

“N-no. Of course not.”

He pulled her inside, closed the door, and backed her against it, his heat and scent surrounding her. His hips pressed against hers and she felt the enormous ridge of his cock. He lowered his head to whisper in her ear, the hot rush of his breath sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

“There is only one female I desire, S’rah. Shall I prove it to you?”

“Sarah,” Jane called, skidding into the foyer with Tabby in tow. “Why’s Tigga hugging you?”

“Because I like her,” T’gana said gravely.

Jane frowned. “Don’t you like us?”

“Of course.”

“Then hug us too,” she demanded.

Sarah had to blink back tears when T’gana nodded solemnly and went to one knee, opening his arms to the girls. Jane flung her arms around his neck immediately, but to Sarah’s surprise, Tabby followed just as readily, tucking her head against his chest.

This. This was what she wanted, but she wanted it with him, and he showed no sign of giving up his plans to leave.

Once the girls were dressed, T’gana declared that they needed fresh food so all of them climbed into her Escalade. Fortunately, she had taken the girls places before, so she still had car seats for them in the garage. They drew more than a few stares at the grocery store, but the Yehrin had been a constant presence on Earth for over a year and most people had warily accepted the aliens. She was able to ignore the reactions and, for a little while, let herself dwell in the illusion that they were just a normal family shopping together.

Over the next week, it was even easier to forget that they weren’t a family. No matter how sternly she talked to Crystal about keeping an eye on the girls, the girls showed up unaccompanied every morning and spent most of the day with them. T’gana had decided to take on the garden and Tabby was his constant companion, digging happily in the dirt next to him as he weeded and trimmed. Jane usually preferred to stay with Sarah and helped as Sarah once again boxed up all of Jeff’s things. Mae had even returned his clothes to the master closet. Once everything had been disposed of—permanently this time—Sarah started teaching Jane some basic crochet stitches and the two of them would sit on the back porch while T’gana and Tabby gardened.

Only two things disturbed her happiness. She still wasn’t pregnant. Every morning T’gana scanned her and every morning she knew from the look on his face that the results were negative. But even more than that, the knowledge that the days were counting down tore at her and her dreams were haunted.

T’gana found himself settling into life in S’rah’s house with an ease that he had not expected. He still found the domicile uncomfortably large and elaborate, but as S’rah had promised, when they were inside, they spent most of their time in her room and the kitchen. And, of course, the ridiculous bedroom—but how could he regret a room where his female came apart in his arms in such delicious ecstasy? Even the mirrors no longer held any terrors for him. Whenever he was tempted to dwell on his changed appearance, he remembered S’rah bent over in front of him, her eyes meeting his with undisguised lust and… something more.

The warmth in her eyes had not diminished and his decision to leave her at the end of the breeding contract no longer seemed quite so necessary. His strength was returning, and his limp did not seem to bother her. More importantly, his sleep remained undisturbed and he had not experienced the terrifying feeling of being out of control and trapped on Klendat once more. A’rathia had called to check on him and she had mentioned Commander T’lan’s Earth colony a little too casually.

“Is that a hint?” he asked bluntly.

Even in the small viewing screen, he could see her shrug.

“It is a viable option. The human females enjoy the company of their own kind and the warriors join together to provide protection.”

“I am no longer a warrior.” The realization still hurt—it was all he had wanted to be since he was old enough to remember. How ironic that he had fought his way past his parents’ obstacles only to wind up here, in a scholar’s house. No, he reminded himself, in S’rah’s house.

“You are not too damaged to watch a monitor or perform guard duty,” A’rathia said tartly. “Unless you are too lazy?” She only laughed at his answering growl. “Just consider it.”

He had been considering it, increasingly tempted, but one factor still weighed heavily against it. S’rah was not with child. Each morning he dreaded the moment when she asked him to scan her, knowing how her beautiful face would fall when he was forced to tell her that he had failed. He had tried to tell her that the Yehrin did not breed easily but he could see how much she hoped that it would occur. He knew how much it meant to her and seeing her with the girls only reinforced what an excellent mother she would be.

If he was no longer male enough to fulfill her desires, should he step aside? But the thought of another touching her body, hearing her gasps of delight, experiencing the tight clasp of her cunt, made him growl in anguish.

“Tigga hurt?” A small hand tugged at his leg and enormous blue eyes stared up at him.

He blew out a big breath and went to one knee beside her. “No, T’bitha. I had an unpleasant thought.”

She nodded solemnly and patted his cheek with a small dirty hand. Unlike her older sister, she preferred actions to words. When he returned her nod, she gave him a sunny smile and returned to filling her little pink bucket with the weeds he had plucked before trotting off across the garden to add them to his growing compost heap.

He regarded both the small figure and the pile of weeds thoughtfully. He would not be here to see either one mature, and he found the thought unexpectedly distressing.

“Tabitha. Time for your nap,” S’rah called.

T’bitha looked at him hopefully but he knew she didn’t really expect him to contradict S’rah. Since she turned obediently towards the house, he rewarded her obedience by scooping her up on his shoulder and carrying her to the house. She giggled and clutched his horns.

J’ne scowled at them from her position next to S’rah. “No fair. I want a ride.”

“After your nap,” he promised.

“I’m too old for naps.”

“Then you can just rest your eyes,” S’rah said firmly. “Come on now. I’m going to read the next chapter about Laura and Mary.”

“Okay. But I get the gold pillow because I’m the oldest.”

“You get it because it’s your turn.”

The three disappeared into the bedroom and he decided to take advantage of the time to start the casserole he was planning for dinner. Once it was waiting in the refrigerator, he poked his head in the bedroom door. All three of his girls were asleep. Good. S’rah still wasn’t sleeping well and she needed her rest.

Returning to the garden, he decided to take out his frustrations on some of the larger plants. The afternoon sun beat down and for a moment he was unpleasantly reminded of the Klendat desert. But here the earth was rich and fertile and the sky a brilliant blue. He dug his feet in the soil and realized that his missing rear claw no longer threw him off balance. He attacked the weeds with greater enthusiasm. Sweat dripped steadily down his back and after a cautious glance at the house, he stripped off his uniform top.

Except for a brief shower behind a locked door, he was never without his uniform. The sun and air felt surprisingly good and he took a moment to stretch before returning to his task.

The sound of S’rah’s soft footsteps on the grass reached him a fraction of a second before her delicious fragrance perfumed the air. He whirled, searching for his top, but it was on the other side of the garden.

“T’gana,” she gasped, and he closed his eyes, unable to face the disgust he knew he would see on her face. Fuck. A warrior did not hide. He forced his eyes open. She was indeed staring at him, but her expression was not one of repulsion. Instead, it was one of lust. Her scent deepened unmistakably into arousal as she came towards him.

“I thought you were asleep,” he said hoarsely.

“Hm?” She appeared to be too concentrated on his chest to listen to him. “No. I had a dream.”

A shadow crossed her face, but she shook it off and reached out to run her fingers across his naked abdomen. His cock surged into full, aching arousal.

“Why have you been hiding all this from me?” she asked, and he caught his breath as her hand traced the thin line of hair that disappeared under his uniform pants.

“You are not repulsed?”

She very deliberately licked her lips. “Repulsed? By tattoos and muscles all glistening in the sun?”

“But my scars…”

“These?” She stroked a cautious finger down the deep grooves that marred the right side of his chest. “I’m so sorry that you were hurt, but the scars are actually kind of…” Pink spread across her cheeks. “Kind of sexy.”

Sexy? He forced himself to follow her gaze. No longer red and ragged, the way they had been after the bug raked its pincers across his flesh… A faint chittering filled his ears and his breath started to speed up, but S’rah’s lips brought him back. To his infinite shock and gratitude, she was pressing small kisses along each ridged line. He could feel the hard peaks of her nipples as she leaned against him and caught the ripening scent of her arousal. The signs of her desire were unmistakable, and relief flooded him.

“I think perhaps it is time to grant your wish, S’rah.”

“My wish?” she asked absently, and he groaned as her small hot mouth closed down on one of his nipples, her tongue laving the hardened nub. He had never considered that such an action would be enjoyable but when she sucked gently, he felt it like an electric spark to his cock.

“To have your naked skin against mine,” he growled.

Her breath caught, but she shot a quick glance at the house. “What about the girls? They usually sleep for an hour, but…”

“Did you bring the communicator?”

“Of course.”

“Then I will hear them awaken.” J’ne usually started talking the moment her eyes opened. “But perhaps…”

He lifted her easily into his arms, relishing even the soft fabric of her dress against his bare skin. Before she could object, he whisked her around the row of bushes to the small structure half-concealed at the back of the garden. She had called it a gazebo, but all he cared about right now was that it was out of the direct view of the house and it had a wall to place her against.

Unwilling to give up the feeling of her body against his for even a second, he simply ripped the top of her dress open. They both groaned as bare skin touched for the first time. By the Ancestors, he had never felt anything as delightful as her soft warm breasts against his chest, her nipples scraping across his skin. Well, perhaps one thing was more delightful. He ripped the rest of the fabric between them away, then fumbled impatiently to release his throbbing cock.

“You could take those off too,” she whispered in his ear, before running a teasing tongue around the sensitive flesh. For a moment he almost considered it, but the damage to his leg was so much more extensive, the weakness so apparent.

“No. Not yet.”

“When you’re ready,” she said softly, then smiled seductively. “And when you are, I’ll kiss every inch.”

The thought of her soft mouth kissing his exposed flesh was too much. He pulled her down over his cock in one hard thrust. She was wet but not quite wet enough and she gasped and threw her head back as her cunt struggled to take him. Reaching between them he thrummed a finger across her swollen clit and she groaned again, deeper this time and pressed against his hand. Slowly he worked himself deeper, fighting for every inch, every drop of wetness to ease his path, while she shivered and rubbed her breasts against his chest.

By the time his cock was completely buried in her cunt, they were both panting, and fine tremors skated over his skin. He was aware of every sensation from the tight silk of her cunt to the soft press of her breasts. Her eyes opened, pale and human and beautiful.

“My warrior.”

“My L’chka.” For once he didn’t curb his tongue. Her eyes widened and then he felt her come, her channel rippling around him in exquisitely tight waves as she clung to him helplessly. His control deserted him, and he started thrusting desperately while she was still convulsing, his only thought to fill her with his seed. His world narrowed to the deep thrusts, the clinging withdrawals, the silken fist of her cunt drawing him impossibly deeper as his cock stiffened and his balls drew tight and he exploded in a series of heated waves that drained him completely.

He slid to the ground, still holding her impaled on his cock, and buried his face in her soft hair. When he finally raised his head, she smiled up at him, but her eyes were damp.

“My S’rah. Did I hurt you?”

“Of course not.” She shook her head, then devoted her attention to stroking his chest. “You called me L’chka.”

They both felt his cock jerk and stiffen at the word, but his hearts began to pound.

“You know that I want more than anything to claim you,” he said slowly.

“You do?”

“Of course, I do.” How could she doubt it?

“Why do I expect there is a but coming?”

“A but?”

“That you are about to tell me why you can’t.” He could tell she was trying to speak casually, despite the obvious pain in her beautiful eyes.

“I have nothing to offer you,” he admitted.

“I don’t need any—”

He put a gentle finger across her lips.

“And I need to find my place, now that I am no longer a warrior.”

“I suppose I understand,” she said reluctantly, and lifted herself free. He almost protested and pulled her back down where she belonged, but he clenched his fists instead.

She pulled what was left of her dress around her and gave him a watery smile. “I’d better go change before the girls wake up.”

Then she was gone, and he was left alone to curse his wounds, his fears, and the Ancestors forsaken day he had stepped onto Klendat soil.

Chapter Sixteen

A’rathia called again the next morning.

“Can you get S’rah? This may affect you both.”

He frowned at the small screen but called for S’rah. She looked pale and tired and he knew she hadn’t slept. He had not either. His words from the previous afternoon lingered and they had each remained on their own side of the bed, the silence like a wall between them.

“Hi A’rathia,” S’rah said, her face falling into the false pleasant mask he had not seen for many days.

The medic studied her. “Are you well?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Not pregnant, if that’s what you’re asking.” Her attempt at a casual tone fell flat and he saw her lip tremble before she controlled it.

A’rathia frowned, but let it drop. “I wanted to tell you both that the Supreme Council has decided to move up the schedule and open the breeding contracts to all human females.”

“What?” To his knowledge, the time frame had never been shortened before. Usually the medics took at least a month and often more to examine the results of the initial contracts before taking such an action.

“Yes. The results have been extremely… promising, and they see no reason to wait.”

His hearts pounded. Did this mean that humans were truly compatible for mating? If so, perhaps he could give S’rah what she desired most. Belatedly, he realized that this was also excellent news for his people. He looked over at S’rah to share his excitement, but she had turned pale.

“How promising?” she asked slowly.

“More than half so far,” A’rathia said reluctantly.

“Half? This is wonderful news,” he said. “No wonder the Council wishes to move ahead.”

A tiny cry, quickly extinguished, came from next to him and he turned in time to see S’rah sway.

“S’rah!”

He caught her before she hit the ground and cradled her to his chest. When her eyes opened, they were anguished.

“I knew it wouldn’t happen for me,” she whispered.

“T’gana. S’rah. One of you listen to me,” A’rathia demanded, the screen still open.

“What is it?” he asked impatiently, more concerned about the female in his arms.

“I am going to send more of the breeding drug. It may help S’rah to relax.”

“Thank you.” It was a thoughtful suggestion, and perhaps it would help.

S’rah leaned past him, her eyes on the screen. “What about Heather? Was she one of them?”

An unusually soft expression crossed A’rathia’s face. “Yes,” she said gently. “T’hadar has already claimed her.”

“I see,” S’rah said, and pulled her mask back in place. “Thank you for letting us know.”

“There could be some unrest,” the medic warned. “Be alert.”

She thought he needed to be told to keep his female safe? Biting back his outrage, he gave a curt nod and ended the conversation.

Still pale and trembling, S’rah clung to his arms, and he tried to find the words to comfort her.

“I am very sorry, S’rah but as I told you, the Yehrin do not… breed easily. This gives us great hope as a people, but it still doesn’t mean that it will occur quickly.”

“I think it will happen faster than you think,” she said, and he heard the edge of bitterness in her voice.

“What do you mean?”

“First Emily, then Rachel, now Heather. It seems to be happening pretty quickly for everyone else.”

“M’lee was pregnant with a human child,” he reminded her gently.

“No, T’gana, she wasn’t. And I’ve seen the baby—she is definitely part Yehrin.”

“She?” The world actually spun. A female child? Already? “I know you do not understand why, but this is wonderful news for my people.”

“I suspect I understand more than you think I do.” Her eyes flickered away from him.

Ah. The females had talked. The Yehrin issues with reproduction were a closely guarded secret but he doubted that any warrior would keep a secret from his L’chka.

“I am happy for your people, of course. I just wish that it would happen for me.”

“I will do everything I can to make it happen.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “And the trying is very pleasant, is it not?”

Her lips tipped up in response, but her smile did not reach her eyes.

S’rah’s frantic urgency infused their love making that night. While he couldn’t help but appreciate her passion, he didn’t like the desperation in her touch. Instead of letting her start a second round, he gathered her close and stroked her back until she fell into an uneasy, restless sleep.

By the next morning, the announcement was everywhere. Healthy, unmated females between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five could apply for a breeding contract at one of the new breeding centers which were being setup in all major cities. They felt the effects almost immediately. When the girls came over as usual, J’ne stared up at him.

“Daddy says you can’t have Crystal.”

“I do not want Cr’stal,” he said with a quick glance at S’rah. She shook her head, but to his relief she also smiled.

“I told him you only wanted Miss Sarah,” J’ne said importantly.

“You were quite right. She is all I will ever want.”

S’rah stared at him and he knew she was remembering his words from the previous day. His decision to leave at the end of the contract did nothing to change the fundamental truth—he was her warrior and he would be until the day he died.

T’bitha tugged on his pants. “Bacon, please.”

He bent down and scooped her up, her little arms going around his neck. “If my little one wants bacon, then she shall have bacon.”

“And strawberries. Can we have strawberries and cream?” J’ne asked. She tugged on his other leg, so he picked her up as well.

“I see that we will need to procure more supplies,” he said.

“Yes,” S’rah laughed. “Load up, everyone.”

As soon as they entered the store, he noticed the difference. During their previous visits, he found that people were curious, but not unfriendly. Today, he could feel the tension.

“Perhaps we should leave,” he murmured to S’rah.

“Let’s just grab what we came for quickly and then go.”

“Very well. Can you push the girls?”

“Of course I can. You just don’t usually let me.”

“Good. I want my hands free.” He dropped one to the blast tube on his belt, and her eyes widened.

“Are you expecting that much trouble?”

“No. These are civilians. But it is best to be prepared.”

As they made a rapid trip around the store, he kept one hand on the tube and listened carefully. There was a lot of speculation but most of it was not harmful.

“They look human,” one person muttered, obviously referring to the girls, and he shook his head. The Yehrin had only been on Earth for one year and the girls were clearly older.

“I thought she was such a nice lady too,” another idiot said, and he had to fight the impulse to defend S’rah’s honor.

“You think they’re, you know, doing it?” a young female whispered to her friend.

“But he’s so big! Do you think his dick is that big?”

“Maybe we should ask him.” The two dissolved into a bout of laughter.

The worst incident came as he was paying for their food supplies. The male cashier kept staring at S’rah’s stomach and he sneered as T’gana paid the bill. As they turned to leave, he heard the cashier quite clearly as he spoke to the next customer.

“Slut. Letting some fucking alien knock her up just to have her bills paid.”

Rage rolled through him.

“Take the girls to the car.”

“Is something wrong?” Fortunately, she did not appear to have heard the borag’s comment.

“Just something I need to remedy. I will not be long.”

She frowned but nodded and started for the car. As soon as she was away from the store, he stalked back to the register and hauled the man off his feet, his claws at his throat.

“If you ever dare to speak of my female in that way again, I will rip out your tongue and feed it to the rodents. Do you understand?”

The man choked, grasping ineffectually at T’gana’s claws, but he managed to nod.

“Good.” He dropped the man who fell to the ground, clutching his throat. He turned to the crowd, watching in shocked silence.

“All females will be treated with respect,” he ordered.

Without waiting for a reply, he went to rejoin his girls.

After breakfast, S’rah left the girls coloring and pulled him aside.

“What happened in the store?”

“I was forced to teach a male some manners.”

“You mean that creepy cashier?” She smiled up at him, her face more relaxed than it had been since their encounter in the garden.

“Yes.”

“Thank you for defending my honor.” She stepped close enough for her breasts to brush against his chest and his body responded immediately.

As he was bending his head to kiss her, her phone rang.

“How much do you want to bet that’s Crystal asking if we can keep the girls all day again?” she laughed as she answered. Her face immediately paled.

“Hello, Mae.”

Even through the phone, the unpleasant screeching voice made him wince.

“How could you?” the female demanded.

“How could I what?” S’rah said calmly, but her fist clenched. He put his hand over it, gently urging her to relax her hand.

“You’re one of them, aren’t you? One of those… breeders!”

“It’s really not any of your business.”

“It is my business! You’re betraying Jeff with that thing!”

“Mae, Jeff would have wanted me to be happy.”

“You don’t deserve to be happy! First you killed my son’s baby and—”

S’rah’s hand turned to ice. Without another word, she very carefully ended the call.

As she hung up the phone, a tidal wave of pain washed over Sarah. Mae had been upset at the miscarriage, but she had never outright accused Sarah of being at fault. Years of stored guilt churned in her stomach.

“S’rah?”

T’gana frowned at her, his horns lowered, but his hand still covered hers. She turned it over, grasping for his warmth and strength. To her vast relief, he did not pull away but enfolded her hand in his. Three long grey fingers with black claws—so alien, but so comforting.

“I suppose you want to know why she said that,” she said. Her lips felt numb.

“I think perhaps you should have some tea with that sugar you like so much.”

He guided her to a stool at the counter, choosing the infrequently used replicator to produce the tea almost immediately. The hot, sweet liquid flowed down her throat and she felt a little steadier.

“It happened when we were in college—” she started.

“One moment, my S’rah.” He went and spoke briefly to the girls, then came back and picked her up.

“What are you doing?”

“I think this will be painful for you and I want to hold you in my arms.” He carried her through into the bedroom but chose to sit with her in the big velvet chair by the window rather than the bed. “I told the girls you were going to take a nap.”

“Thank you.” For a moment she let herself relax into him, the heat of his big body and his comforting woodsy scent soothing her. But he deserved to be told, deserved to know that she probably wouldn’t be able to add to his race’s hope for the future.

She took a deep breath. “Our last year of college, I got pregnant.” His body tensed, but he didn’t speak. “We were planning on getting married after graduation anyway, so we pushed up the date and I dropped out. I was sorry that I wouldn’t be graduating with my class, but I was very happy.”

A lump filled her throat, but she forced the words out. “I lost the baby. The doctor said that sometimes it just happens, but I always wondered if I had done something wrong.”

“I do not believe that you would ever allow harm to come to a child,” he said firmly.

Through her unshed tears, she saw his sincerity and managed a small smile.

“Anyway, it was a long time before I was ready to try again. But by then, Jeff was in residency and working all the time. Then there was setting up his practice and this house and somehow… he never thought it was the right time.” This was the most difficult part and she found herself clutching his uniform. “About six months before he died, he finally decided we should try. But it didn’t work. I never got pregnant. I’m not sure that I can.”

“You were examined by a medic for the breeding contract, were you not?”

“Yes, but there must be something wrong with me. First Jeff and now you.” She shook her head. “Emily became pregnant after one encounter. Did you know that?”

“No, I did not. It is almost impossible to believe, but if Earth females are so receptive…” His face paled. “Perhaps it is not you. Perhaps it is me.”

“Oh, T’gana, I don’t believe that for a second.”

“You do not know,” he said stiffly. “And I was wounded.”

“Your injuries certainly don’t seem to have affected your dick,” she said, and rubbed her butt across his shaft. His body responded immediately, stiffening beneath her, but his face didn’t lighten.

“That does not mean that my seed will bear fruit. I must have it tested.”

He looked so worried that her own heartache subsided.

“I’m sure you’re not the problem, but if it would make you feel better, get the test done. You won’t have to leave me to get it done, will you?”

“No, S’rah. I will not leave you.” Yet. The unspoken word hung in the air between them, but he gently pulled her back against his chest and she snuggled into him, ignoring the future and taking what comfort she could in the present.

Chapter Seventeen

That afternoon when Crystal came to pick up the girls, a friend accompanied her. Both girls were wearing skimpy bathing suits with equally skimpy coverups. Despite Crystal’s casual explanation that they had been at the pool, Sarah suspected that the outfits were quite deliberate and had to fight down a growl of annoyance. T’gana was wearing off on her.

“Ooh, I’ve never seen a Yehrin before,” the new girl cooed, her eyes running over T’gana.

“I told you, didn’t I?” Crystal nudged her friend. “Becca didn’t believe I’d actually met one.”

T’gana looked amused rather than annoyed by being treated as though he was some type of exhibit, but Sarah didn’t like it one little bit.

“I’ll get the girls,” she said shortly.

“Can it wait just a minute? Becca has some questions about those breeding things they were talking about on the news so I thought she should hear it from the uh, horse’s mouth.” Crystal’s eyes dropped to T’gana’s groin and she giggled.

That was quite enough. She opened her mouth to say so in no uncertain terms, but T’gana was already answering.

“You would be best served by going to one of the new breeding centers. But I can attempt to answer your questions.”

Both women burst into speech. Becca’s questions didn’t cover anything that hadn’t already been mentioned in the announcement, while Crystal kept trying to turn the conversation to sex. Sarah was about to bring the discussion to a close, when Becca asked one last question.

“Is it true that you’re already doing this to the women you’ve taken?” Her eyes were focused on T’gana with almost painful intensity, and for a second, she didn’t look like a silly young girl, she looked much older.

“Yes,” T’gana said. “They were offered the choice.”

“Choice?” Her voice cracked and for a moment there was something dark in her eyes. Then her gaze flicked to Sarah and she giggled, all bubbly exuberance once more. “I guess you know all about that, huh?”

“I’ll get the girls,” Sarah said firmly.

Once Jane and Tabitha left—reluctantly—Sarah followed T’gana into the kitchen. She took her favorite seat at the kitchen counter and watched as he began assembling ingredients for dinner. He had taken the role of chef quite seriously and already far surpassed her very limited cooking skills. She rarely saw him as relaxed as when he was carefully preparing and assembling a meal.

When he brought the ingredients for a salad over to the island, a sudden impish idea hit her as she watched him wash a large cucumber.

“My, what a big cucumber you have,” she said innocently.

“It is no bigger than any other.” He frowned at the vegetable.

Reaching for it, she started stroking it seductively. “No? It feels so… big. And smooth. And hard.”

“Ah, I see.” His eyes began to glow as he watched her caress the cucumber, then he shrugged casually. “I am not impressed.”

“No?” A little embarrassed, but enjoying the game, she brought the cucumber to her mouth and ran her tongue around the tip. “It seems quite large to me.”

“Perhaps you need something to compare it to.”

He circled the island, then picked her up and placed her on the cool marble top. The warmth of his body felt even hotter in comparison and she was suddenly aware of the aching pulse between her legs. He leaned closer, deliberately pressing his hard cock against her swollen clit.

“You know, S’rah, that I believe in studying subjects in which I am interested in great detail.”

She certainly did. He had devoured her small collection of cookbooks, her much larger selection of gardening books, and was now working his way through the rest of her library. But what did that have to do with the game they were playing?

“I found some interesting reading in the cabinet next to the fireplace.”

Oh. Her cheeks heated. That was where she kept her romance novels. Jeff thought they were silly, and she had gotten into the habit of keeping them out of sight.

“Very interesting,” he repeated, and gently pushed her down until she was lying across the marble. Her shorts and panties disappeared in one quick move and she squealed as the cold marble met her naked bottom. Before she could protest, his head descended and he licked her in one long slow stroke, letting the rough surface of his tongue fire her senses.

“Mm.” She reached for his horns, tightening her fingers around the base the way she knew he enjoyed. He growled, the low rumble sending an exquisite vibration through her sensitive flesh, before attacking her clit, licking, sucking, even nibbling until all she could do was hang on. One long, thick finger forced its way into her tight channel, and she tried to clench down on it, but then it was gone. Two fingers followed, stretching her and sending a new wave of wetness over the thick digits. She cried out when he withdrew them, but then she felt something cool and smooth and hard probing at her entrance. Before she could decide if she wanted to protest, he was driving the cucumber slowly but inexorably into her pussy. He was right, compared to his cock, it wasn’t large, but it was big enough to make her feel the stretch and she squirmed at the shocking sensation. Then he sucked harder on her clit and the shock disappeared in a blaze of pleasure.

Without abating his relentless attention to her swollen nub, he began fucking her with the cucumber, the cool, thick stretch building her excitement until he gently scraped his teeth across the top of her exposed clit and she exploded into a shuddering climax, her body clenching down on the invading object. And then the cucumber was gone, replaced by his cock—larger, rougher, and infinitely more satisfying as he drove it deep.

“Touch yourself,” he ordered, and she obeyed, even though her body was still quivering from her last climax. He had her hips in his hands, holding her steady as he set a demanding pace. She could feel his cock, hard and slick against her fingertips as she rubbed frantically at her clit. Her body started climbing again and her other hand went to her breasts, tugging and pinching her nipples to the point of pain, but each pinch added another layer of excitement. T’gana’s eyes glowed gold as he focused on her busy fingers, his rapid strokes forcing her to take him deeper, harder, while her clit pulsed and her nipples throbbed, while he grew even larger, while he buried himself to the root with a roar and his seed exploded in a heated wave that sent her soaring with him.

He collapsed down over her, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding on to him for as long as she could.

T’gana admired S’rah’s beauty as he reluctantly withdrew from her body. She lay sprawled across the black marble, her body glowing like one of the pagan goddesses worshipped by his distant ancestors. She smiled up at him, her eyes heavy, and for the first time since the previous day, she looked relaxed. He picked her up, relishing her soft warmth, and carried her into the bedroom.

“What are you doing?”

“The meal will not be ready for another hour. You should rest.”

“I’m not sleepy—” A giant yawn interrupted her protest, and she grinned. “Ok, maybe I am a little tired.”

He laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket.

“Aren’t you going to join me?”

“I suspect that if I did, you would not get much rest.”

“But—” She bit her lip, and he suspected that she was as conscious as he was of the passage of time.

“I will make sure that the meal is in readiness and I will return,” he promised. He had another matter to take care of as well, but he did not wish to worry her.

“Don’t be long,” she said, and snuggled down into the pillows. He was almost unbearably tempted to join her, but he needed to get his business completed first. By the sound of her breathing, she was asleep before he even left the room.

After ensuring that the meal was prepared, he moved out onto the porch to contact A’rathia again.

“T’gana. Is everything all right?”

“I wish to be tested,” he said.

“Tested? For what?”

“To see if my seed is viable,” he said bluntly.

“Why would you think that it is not? Ah. Because of S’rah?”

He hesitated, but if anyone knew the truth it would be A’rathia. “She thinks that human females are extremely receptive to Yehrin males.”

A’rathia frowned, tapping her fingers on her desk. “She would appear to be correct; however, it is not a guarantee. Thirty-two percent of the females have not become with child. Given the high rates of success for the majority of them, we suspect that there may be other factors at work.”

His hearts sank. “Which means it could be my fault that S’rah is not with child?”

“I find that highly unlikely, but if you are willing to be tested, the data could be useful.”

“Very well. Do we need to return to the ship?” he asked reluctantly.

“Yes, but you do not need to stay. A few hours should be sufficient time.”

He breathed a silent sigh of relief. “We will come first thing tomorrow.” Then he reconsidered. That would interrupt S’rah’s time with the girls, and his time with them as well. “Or perhaps tonight?”

“You are anxious?”

“I wish to know if there is an issue. And perhaps set S’rah’s mind at ease.”

“Very well.” She shook her head. “I am not busy. My mate is monitoring the reaction to the announcement.”

A’rathia’s mate, Supreme Commander T’rarchar, was in charge of the entire Earth campaign.

“Is there trouble?” Not that he would be able to assist in his damaged condition. But then, even if he had been at full strength, he would not have left his S’rah.

“There is unrest, but that is to be expected. He is watching to see if it escalates.” She shrugged. “But I do not expect him to return any time soon so you may as well return now.”

“Return where?” S’rah’s sleepy voice interrupted.

He turned to see that she had joined him on the porch. Her rumpled hair and heavy eyes made her look unusually vulnerable and he opened his arms to her. She came and leant against him, snuggling sleepily as she peered at the screen.

“Hi, A’rathia.”

“Hello, S’rah.” An amused smile quirked A’rathia’s lips as she studied S’rah’s face. “You look very… relaxed.”

S’rah flushed but smiled back. “T’gana is very creative.”

He could feel the skin over his cheekbones heating as A’rathia raised an eyebrow. “We will see you shortly,” he said quickly, and ended the call.

“See her? Why?”

“We are going back to the ship so that I can be tested.” Her color faded and he added quickly, “Just for a short period and then we can return here.”

“Are you sure you want to do this? I’m quite sure it’s because of me.” Despite the sadness in her eyes, she smiled up at him. “And I have begun to accept it.”

“I have not. I wish to ensure that there is nothing wrong.”

“If you insist.” She tugged his head down and gave him a quick kiss. He was tempted to deepen it, but he did not want to keep A’rathia waiting.

“Do you wish to change?”

“You don’t think cut-offs and a tank are appropriate on the Yehrin ship?” She did a little twirl.

“You look much too enticing, my S’rah. I do not wish to fight the entire ship over you.”

“Don’t be silly. There will be much younger and more attractive women for them to choose from soon.” Despite her protests she looked pleased at his words.

“Younger perhaps, but never more attractive.” He turned her around and gave her a gentle push towards the bedroom. “Now go.”

Chapter Eighteen

Suitably covered in a wide-legged jumpsuit with a cropped cardigan, Sarah waited while T’gana set up some type of perimeter alarm and then uncloaked the ship. The sight of the alien vessel springing into view on her lawn still made her jump, even though she knew it was there. As they prepared to board, she heard a squeal of brakes and turned to see Darryl gaping at them from his car. She gave him a jaunty wave and laughed as she stepped into the ship.

“I bet that’s not something he expected to see today.”

“You wish to wager?” T’gana tilted his head.

“No. I just meant I’m sure he was surprised. If I wanted to ‘wager’ it would be on something more interesting.”

“Interesting? Such as?” He helped her into her seat and carefully fastened her harness.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe on who could be more creative?” she asked innocently, then laughed when the ship jerked.

“You are very distracting, my S’rah.”

“Good.”

They smiled at each other, then T’gana turned his attention to the controls and S’rah watched in awe as they rapidly left Earth’s atmosphere and approached the spaceship, She had been too focused on going home to pay attention when they left, but now she could see the ring of Yehrin ships orbiting Earth. The one they approached had two curved arms which appeared to almost touch each other, but as they flew between them, she realized just how far apart they really were. Across from the opening, a massive orb formed the other side of the ship. In the space between, a multitude of ships of all sizes maneuvered in organized patterns. Despite the size of the ship, Sarah felt the familiar claustrophobic feeling sneaking over her as they headed for a landing pad.

“We won’t stay long, will we?”

“No more than a few hours,” T’gana assured her, as he easily navigated their flyer to a landing in one of the open bays that ringed the inside of the larger vessel.

Once inside, T’gana stalked rapidly through the hallways, keeping a possessive arm around her shoulders. His touch helped to stave off her increasing dread as the walls of white surrounded her. A’rathia’s spacious office was somewhat of a relief. On one side, a glass wall separated the office from an exam room and on the other side, a large viewport showed an unimpeded view of the stars. Her tension started to slip away.

“We are here,” T’gana announced baldly, and she elbowed him, wincing as she encountered acres of hard muscle.

“Thank you for seeing us so quickly, A’rathia,” she said. “We appreciate you making the time.”

“The time would be the same regardless,” the medic said, “but I do not mind accommodating the two of you. S’rah, please accompany me into the examination room.” She picked up a rather large glass vial and handed it to T’gana. “Use this for your seed. Do you require a stimulant?”

He growled, looking at Sarah. “I do not.”

“Very well. You may use the sanitary facility. Come S’rah.”

Sarah tore her eyes away from the vial. Would he really fill it up? The thought of his hand bringing himself to a climax made her stomach quiver and she drew her cardigan closer to cover her suddenly rock-hard nipples. T’gana’s nostrils flared and his eyes started to glow.

“Stop that,” A’rathia demanded. “I can not test your seed once it has been inside S’rah.”

Cheeks flushed, Sarah forced her gaze away from T’gana and tried to wrestle her unruly thoughts in line. She followed A’rathia meekly into the exam room while the medic changed the glass from clear to opaque.

Sarah found the exam to be as embarrassing and thorough as her original exam and she pulled her clothes back on with a sigh of relief. When she followed A’rathia back into the main office, T’gana was pacing impatiently. Her eyes flew to the glass vial, now full of pale blue liquid. If he left that much inside her each time they made love, her body must be truly infertile. Her lips wanted to quiver but she forced them into a smile. By the frown on T’gana’s face, he wasn’t fooled.

“If you two will wait here, I will return shortly,” A’rathia said. She gathered the vial, along with the sample she had taken from Sarah and disappeared.

“Are you all right, my S’rah?”

“Yes.” He raised an eyebrow and she sighed. “No.”

“Come here.” He opened his arms and she went into them with a grateful murmur. He felt so big and warm, his woodsy scent surrounding her, and her unruly emotions started to settle.

“I honestly thought that I had started to accept that I would never have a child of my own, but this process is… difficult. Part of me actually hopes that she’ll find something so that I can finally just acknowledge it and move on.”

He picked her up and carried her to one of the chairs, sitting down with her on his lap.

“Have you considered other options?” he asked gently.

“Other options?”

“Are there children on Earth who need homes?”

“You mean adoption?” The thought had fleetingly occurred to her, but she had been so obsessed with her own failure that she hadn’t given it serious consideration. “Of course, it’s an option. I just wanted so badly to have a child, to have the whole experience of giving birth. But obviously, it’s not to be.”

“You do not know that,” he pointed out. “A’rathia still has to perform her tests. She may find some type of indicator that would help.”

“Maybe.” She gave him a weak smile. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Very well.” He tilted his head. “I am considering growing an herb garden.”

The statement was so unexpected that she giggled.

“I am quite serious.”

“I know you are,” she said quickly. Thankful to change the subject, she asked for details. By the time A’rathia returned, the two of them had almost redesigned her entire backyard.

When A’rathia raised an eyebrow, Sarah blushed and jumped up. Despite T’gana’s frown, she sat down next to him instead. Then A’rathia went to her desk, looking unusually serious, and her heart started to pound. She instinctively put her hand on T’gana’s arm for reassurance.

“What did you find out?”

“Is it my seed?” T’gana demanded.

“No, there is nothing wrong with your seed.”

She felt the tension leave him and bit back a sigh. While she was glad for his sake, it only confirmed what she already knew. She was the one who was damaged. A child was not in the cards for her.

“Then what is it?”

A’rathia looked back and forth between them, unusually hesitant.

“Please just tell us what’s wrong,” Sarah said quietly.

“There has been some discussion amongst the scholars that if the breeding contracts are not fruitful, they should be dissolved, and a new selection of partners assigned.”

T’gana’s arm turned to stone and ice crept up her own spine.

“Change partners?” Her lips felt numb.

“Yes.” A’rathia’s eyes darted back and forth between them. “In almost every successful case, the female is with child within a few days. You remember I mentioned that your friend H’ther was unsuccessful with her first contract but prospered in her second?”

Yes. It had hurt then, and it hurt now, but this was so much worse. She closed her eyes in despair. In assisting Heather, had she laid the groundwork for ripping away these last few days with T’gana?

Without waiting for Sarah to respond, A’rathia continued. “As a result, we plan to offer other breeders the same option. They must still complete the entire thirty-day contract, but they could choose another male for the second half. Because you are not with child, you would be a candidate, S’rah.”

“No, she is not,” T’gana roared, his voice echoing through the office.

A’rathia nodded and stood. “I will leave the two of you to discuss this.”

Sarah stared at T’gana, barely noticing that the other woman had left. The fierce expression on his face and his tensed muscles made him look every inch a warrior and her heart rate sped up. Was he finally going to claim her? But then his shoulders dropped. He put his hand over hers where she clutched his arm.

“Is this what you want, S’rah?”

“You want to give me to another male?” Despite her attempt to sound calm, she could hear the threat of tears in her voice.

Another growl, quickly suppressed.

“Never.” His claws flexed, but then he sighed. “But I know how much this means to you. Perhaps you would have a better chance with another, less damaged warrior. I want you to be happy.”

He would do this for her?

“I’m happy with you, T’gana. The only thing that would make me unhappy would be for you to leave me.” She took a deep breath, her heart overflowing. “I love you.”

“My S’rah,” he whispered hoarsely, his eyes glowing gold, before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with an intensity that made her toes curl and her pussy ache. When he lifted his head, she was trembling and clinging to him.

“You are sure?” he asked, studying her face.

“Yes. Will you stay with me?”

They both knew what she was asking. Even before he spoke, she saw the uncertainty on his face. “Of course I will stay for the remainder of the breeding contract. But I am not a worthy mate. I am still damaged.”

“Not to me,” she said fiercely.

“I know, my S’rah, and that means everything to me. But I must find my own path. If I am not a warrior, what am I?”

Her heart ached to see her proud warrior so uncertain, but she remembered that horrible emptiness after her husband had died. She’d had to put herself back together then—to go from being part of a couple to being her own person.

“Can I help?”

“You already do.” He kissed her again, this time with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.

“Let’s go home,” she said. “It’s getting late and the girls are early risers.”

“They are,” he agreed. “I rarely have the opportunity of pleasuring you before they arrive.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all. They are a very welcome part of our fam— part of our life.”

As he lifted her off his lap and stood, A’rathia reappeared.

“I don’t want to change partners,” Sarah said firmly.

“No, I suspected you would not.” The medic studied them and shook her head. “It is most perplexing. By every standard, the two of you should be ideal candidates.”

“We still have time remaining,” Sarah said, forcing a smile.

“Yes.” A’rathia hesitated. “It is possible that some additional pressure may be applied if another week goes by without success.”

“You wouldn’t force me to change partners, would you?”

“No.” The other woman didn’t sound quite as certain as Sarah would have preferred, but she simply grabbed T’gana’s hand and started heading for the door. There was no way they were getting T’gana away from her.

“Goodbye, A’rathia,” she said firmly. “Thank you for doing the tests.”

Chapter Nineteen

The next morning, the girls did not appear as usual. T’gana took full advantage of their absence to indulge in some creative morning love-making that left S’rah breathless and smiling. They were still curled together when his alarm sounded, and he flipped off the bed to check the monitor.

“Can you let them in?” she asked. “I want to take a quick shower.”

“The girls do not approach,” he said grimly, pulling on his shirt and belt.

“Who is it?”

“Their father.” He recognized the worthless male from the previous day.

“Darryl? Oh no. I hope nothing is wrong with the girls.”

“I am sure it is nothing. Take your shower while I meet with him.”

“But—”

“If you are needed, you should be ready to go,” he said firmly, and gave her a gentle push in the direction of the bathing room.

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes at him and disappeared, just as the doorbell rang. As he approached the door, it pealed again, followed by several hard knocks. He yanked the door open just as the male attempted a third knock and he stumbled forward. T’gana pushed him back, tempering his strength, but still forcing the man to the edge of the front steps

“What do you want?” he demanded.

Darryl was large for a human male, with a body turning from muscle to fat but he was still a head shorter than T’gana and his ruddy complexion paled as he looked up at him. To T’gana’s unwilling respect, he still straightened his shoulders and stepped forward.

“You can’t have her.”

“She is already mine,” he growled.

“Like fuck. Crystal belongs to me.”

“Cr’stal? I have no interest in Cr’stal.”

“Yeah, right. I saw you take Sarah off last night. She was too old, wasn’t she? Becca said it was only a matter of time before you came for Crystal and the other younger girls.”

“S’rah is not too old,” he growled. His horns lowered, his instincts urging him to butt the male off the premises. “I do not want your worthless female.”

Darryl puffed up his chest. “She’s not worthless. That mouth of hers could suck the chrome off a tailpipe, let alone her—” He stopped and looked confused, perhaps wondering why he was trying to convince a potential rival that his female was desirable. However, his words had no meaning for T’gana, and some of his anger disappeared in amusement.

“I do not want Cr’stal. I only want S’rah.” He felt the truth of the statement in every part of him. He would never want another female.

“Really? You didn’t get rid of her last night?”

“Of course not.”

“Oh. Well, good, good. In that case, how about I send the girls up here?” He closed one eye. “All that talk of Crystal’s skills has put me in the mood, know what I mean?”

T’gana stepped back when the male attempted to touch his shoulder. “No, and I do not care to know. But you may send the girls. I will wait here and watch for them.”

“Appreciate it. If I’m going to be late for work anyway, might as well make it worthwhile, am I right?” He closed one eye again. T’gana was about to ask him if there was something wrong with it when Darryl turned and rushed off down the steps.

As T’gana frowned after the male, S’rah came and slipped an arm around him. He instinctively tugged her closer, rejoicing in the way her soft body melded to his. Her delicate fragrance mingled with the floral notes of her shampoo and his shaft stiffened.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yes. The girls are coming. That male persists in thinking that I want his female.”

“Crystal?” S’rah sighed. “She is very young and pretty. Most men would want her.”

“I am not a man and I do not want her. He also says that she can suck the chrome off a tailpipe. I do not see that as a recommendation.”

S’rah choked and started to laugh.

“S’rah?” he asked, worried when her eyes started to water.

“Don’t mind me.” She wiped her eyes. “It’s really not funny. He’s such a jerk.” Stepping closer, she pressed against his stiff cock. “As for the chrome part, do you remember in the breeding cabin when I took you in my mouth?”

His cock jerked. The memory was engraved on his brain.

“I see that you do.” She shimmied closer. “He meant that she was very good at that.”

“I have no interest in her supposed skills, but I would be quite happy to experience yours again, my S’rah.”

“We might be able to arrange that,” she whispered, then tugged on his horns so he would lower his head and kiss her. He went willingly and was just about to lose himself in the succulent depths of her mouth, when he heard two little voices.

“Sarah! Tigga!”

The girls came flying up and wrapped their arms around them. He reluctantly raised his head and saw the same mixture of frustration and amusement in S’rah’s eyes.

“We missed you, but Daddy said we couldn’t come and told Crystal she was encouraging Tigga and Becca was crying and we didn’t have no breakfast,” J’ne said in one breathless sentence.

“We didn’t have any breakfast,” S’rah corrected.

“You too? Then can we have some now?”

T’bitha tugged on his pants leg and he bent down to pick her up. Her little arms went around his neck as she gave him a solemn stare.

“What is it, little one?”

“I wanna help you cook.”

“Me too!” J’ne said, jumping up and down.

“Why don’t we all help?” S’rah suggested. “I think this is a pancake kind of morning.”

After breakfast, he wandered out on the back porch while S’rah gave the sticky girls a bath. The “help” from the girls meant that he had taken longer than usual to clean the kitchen but as he wiped the flour off the cabinets and the egg off the floor, all he remembered was their happy faces. He understood why S’rah wanted this. He wanted it too, with her. None of them seemed to find him lacking—perhaps there was hope after all. Gathering his courage, he pulled out his communicator.

“Commander T’lan.”

“Sir, this is Sub Commander T’gana.” The words came automatically, and he winced. “I should say former Sub Commander.”

“I know who you are, Sub Commander T’gana and the title is still appropriate. Your exploits on Klendat earned you the highest honor.” For the briefest second, a faint chittering sounded in his ears, but he pushed it away as T’lan continued. “What can I do for you?”

“Chief Medic A’rathia mentioned that you were building a colony on Earth for Yehrin with human mates.”

“I am. Have you claimed your L’chka?”

“Not… not yet.”

“Why not?”

“I am no longer a warrior.” Somehow, saying it out loud this time wasn’t so hard. It felt almost freeing. “I need to find my place.”

“I see.” A long pause and T’gana found himself clutching the communicator. “Did you know that Commander T’chok resigned his commission? He will now build domiciles.”

“Domiciles?” He couldn’t picture the stern warrior doing anything so mundane. “Is that not a task for those following the Way of the Craftsman?”

“On Yehr, perhaps. Here it seems appropriate. My point is that there may be a similar task in your future. When you consider your options, you do not need to be limited by our traditions.”

“You do not think… less of Commander T’chok for his decision?”

“Of course not.” T’lan laughed. “And I suspect if I ever indicated as much, he would have no hesitation in challenging me to a training match and proving his worth.”

A grin twisted T’gana’s lips. Commander T’chok’s skills in horn-to-horn combat were well known.

“He is a worthy opponent,” he agreed.

“If you wish to join us you would be welcome. Our human mates are fragile. Together we can protect them more easily,” T’lan said.

“You are aware that I was damaged on Klendat?” he forced himself to ask.

“Warriors sustain damage. I have no doubt that you are still capable of defending our females.”

“Thank you.” The words caught in his throat.

After a brief silence, T’lan continued. “The building process has only just started, but if you wish to move here immediately, you could procure a prefabricated dwelling on a temporary basis.”

He considered the idea. Like many warriors, he had spent little of his pay over the years and had a sizeable number of credits put aside. The relatively low cost would not be an obstacle, and a temporary dwelling would provide the opportunity to explore the possibility without a major commitment. He and T’lan discussed options for a few minutes, but then he looked around the garden and heard a squeal of laughter from the bathroom. He was in no hurry to leave.

“There is no rush.”

“Very well.” T’lan laughed again. “I should warn you that my L’chka is eager for other human females to arrive. I will not mention this to her, or she will insist on contacting your mate immediately.”

“I have not yet claimed her as my mate,” he reminded T’lan.

“Do not delay too long, Sub Commander. Each day with your mate is precious.”

Before T’gana could respond, T’lan disconnected the call.

Another path? For the first time he realized that perhaps he had not opened his mind to all of the possibilities. If he could truly find a place with T’lan’s colony, would S’rah also be happy there? The fact that Commander T’lan still considered him worthy of protecting the females of the colony healed a part of him that had not yet recovered from his experiences. But if he was to be worthy of the task, he needed to resume his training. He had not attempted to train since the day he was refused admittance to the training rooms on the ship.

Now, he stepped forward onto the grass. The sun beat down and after a quick glance at the house, he shrugged and removed his top. S’rah was not bothered by his scars. She insisted that he remove his shirt whenever they made love. Would they frighten the girls? He looked down at the marks, no more than dark red stripes now, and decided they were too young to understand. With a deep breath, he assumed the first position and began the series of ritualized exercises that he had practiced every day since he was twelve. The first steps were awkward as he learned how to accommodate his missing rear claw and weakened leg, but he rapidly learned to compensate, and the movements began to flow more easily. By the time he finished the first set, he was sweaty, tired, and his leg was trembling, but he felt more at ease with himself than he had in weeks.

“Show me.”

The voice startled him, and he looked down to find T’bitha standing next to him, her arms awkwardly poised in the initial position. He went down on one knee next to her.

“This is not appropriate for—”

“I know you are not about to say that it’s not appropriate for females,” S’rah interrupted. She and J’ne were standing at the bottom of the steps watching them.

“A warrior’s job is to protect his females.”

“And sometimes a female needs to protect herself.” She crossed her arms and he had the sudden realization that this was a battle he could not win. He bowed to the inevitable.

“Yes, little one, I will show you.”

“Me, too!” J’ne yelled.

For the next thirty minutes, he patiently demonstrated a simplified version of the moves to both girls. J’ne wandered off about halfway through and went to sit with S’rah on the porch steps, but T’bitha kept trying. When he saw her small arms shake, he brought the lesson to a conclusion and picked her up.

“You did very well, little one.”

A beaming smile crossed her face. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes, if you wish it.”

She gave him a firm nod, then leaned over and traced a finger across his scars. “Owie?”

“Not anymore,” he said, realizing as he spoke that it was true. Even the lingering ache had disappeared.

Leaning over even further, she kissed his chest. “All better.”

He found that his chest ached after all and when he looked at S’rah, her eyes were bright with tears. “Yes, little one. All better.”

She smiled again and tucked her head into his neck.

“Why don’t you both come in out of the sun?” S’rah asked. “I have some new sticker books.”

“Does Tigga do sticker books?” J’ne asked.

“Probably not, but he has grown up books to read. Come on—”

His alarm sounded.

Chapter Twenty

T’gana’s muscles tensed as he checked the monitor and recognized the vehicle now parked in the driveway.

“It is the older female,” he told S’rah. Her mouth tightened, then she smiled down at the girls.

“On second thought, why don’t I bring the sticker books out to the gazebo. And since you'll be outside, you can each have a popsicle.”

“Yay, popsicles!” J’ne cheered and T’bitha smiled happily. He carried her into the gazebo and let her down, then accompanied S’rah into the house.

“What is she doing?” she asked quietly as she gathered the books and the frozen treats.

He checked his monitor. “Nothing as of now. Her vehicle is in the driveway and she is in it.”

“I’m going to have to talk to her.”

“We will talk to her,” he said firmly, and she squeezed his hand as they walked back into the garden.

“Are you sure? I know she upset you before.”

“Is there anything else that I do not know?”

“Nothing.”

“Then she will not disturb me.”

“Okay. It would make me feel better if you were close by.”

When she gave the girls the popsicles, she knelt down in front of them.

“Girls, T’gana and I have to go talk to someone in front of the house. She’s very sick and I don’t want you around her. Can you promise me that you’ll stay here?”

“But you’re coming back?” J’ne asked anxiously.

“Of course, we are. I just need you to wait here for us. Can you do that?”

“I guess,” she said, reluctantly, but T’bitha held up her tiny hand.

“Pinkie promise?”

S’rah nodded solemnly and hooked her finger around each of the girl’s fingers in turn. T’bitha raised her hand to him.

“Tigga doesn’t have a pinkie,” J’ne said scornfully.

“Does too.” T’bitha scowled.

“We can call his smallest finger a pinkie,” S’rah said quickly.

Not entirely sure he understood the ritual, he extended his hand. T’bitha’s dirty little finger could barely wrap around his smallest digit but from the way she smiled up at him, it didn’t matter. Despite her previous protest, J’ne immediately presented hers as well.

“There,” S’rah said. “Now we’ll be back as quickly as possible.”

As they walked through the house, he checked the monitor again and swore.

“What is it?”

“She has opened the garage. How did she do that?”

“Damn. She must still have an opener. Can she get into the house?”

“No. I changed all of the locks including that door.”

“Thank God. I don’t want her in the house or upsetting the girls.” As they walked out the front door, she turned to him. “I know this will be hard for you, but I have to talk to her. I wish you could have known her before grief destroyed her.”

“It did not destroy you.”

“It did for a while. And losing a child is a special kind of hell.” Tears glistened in her eyes and he drew her into his arms for a quick hug. She returned it, then stepped back and wiped her eyes. “Why don’t you wait here?”

“No.”

“Maybe just stay back a little bit? I’m sure the sight of you is going to set her off.”

They compromised with T’gana waiting at the foot of the front steps, while S’rah approached the garage. The older female was inside, tossing aside boxes as if she searched for something.

“Mae, what are you doing?”

“Where are they?” The unpleasant high-pitched screech reminded him all too clearly of the way the bugs cried before an attack. This is Earth, he reminded himself, even as his fists clenched.

“Where are what, Mae?”

“Where are his things? What did you do with Jeff’s things?”

“Mae, they’re gone. Just like Jeff is gone. You have to move on.”

“He’s not gone! You killed his baby! You made him leave!”

His leg itched and his chest throbbed, the sound of chittering underlaid the screaming, but he knew it was only an illusion. S’rah’s mouth trembled—she needed him. He stepped forward and the movement caught the older female’s attention. Her eyes swung to him and her face turned white.

“He’s still here.” For a moment her voice dropped, then she screamed again, a high-pitched shriek of frustration that scraped against his nerves. The bugs chittered.

“No! You can’t have the spawn of that thing! I won’t let you!”

“Mae, please. You have to calm down.” S’rah cast a desperate glance in his direction, but his feet felt frozen, trapped in the black sand of Klendat.

It’s not real, he reminded himself. Your female needs you. He managed another step.

The sound of another approaching penetrated his concentration. He flicked his eyes in that direction and saw Darryl stomping up the street, with Cr’stal hovering at the end of their driveway.

“What the hell is going on?” the male yelled, his face turning red. “This is supposed to be a nice neighborhood.”

“Another one!” Mae screeched. “You killed my son’s child and now you’re fornicating with evil.”

“She isn’t doing a fucking thing with me and I’m sure as hell not evil.”

The voices escalated and flashes of green showed in the sky. His fists clenched so tightly that his claws dug into his palms and he was vaguely aware of blood dripping to the ground as he tried to hold on, tried to fight back the images. A gust of sand-filled wind blew across his face. The older female reached into the bag she was carrying and pulled out an object. He just had time to recognize it as a weapon before she started firing wildly, still screaming. More cries came from the street as everything dropped into slow motion. He took a step. The bugs chittered and screeched. Another step.

S’rah fell and the world cracked open. Green sky pressed down on him and black sand filled his lungs. He grabbed his blast tube, determined to fight off the enemy, determined to protect S’rah. Some small distant part of him told him to leave the tube on stun and he obeyed, spraying the surrounding area until the high-pitched screams and loud noises disappeared. As soon as they did, he grabbed S’rah, pulling her back into the shelter of the rock and crouching over her, resolving to keep her safe no matter how many bugs he had to kill.

Sarah regained consciousness to an eerie stillness. Confused, she tried to see what had happened, but T’gana held her captive beneath him. A low, continuous growl rumbled from his throat and his eyes darted widely, tracking things she was quite sure weren’t there. His claws were clenched around a blast tube and her heart sank as she remembered the scene in the Supreme Commander’s office. What had happened?

“T’gana,” she whispered quietly, but his frantic scanning of the area barely paused.

She tried to slide out from under him, but he yanked her back, his hand unusually harsh.

“Safe,” he muttered. “Keep S’rah safe.”

“I am safe. You’re here with me—protecting me.”

“Not safe.” He swept the area with his blast tube, and this time she saw it clearly enough to see that the light was green. Thank God. That meant it was only set to stun.

“T’gana,” she said again, and tried to raise her hand to his face. A fiery pain shot up her arm and she looked down to see that it was red with blood. She remembered now—Mae…the gun. T’gana must have had another flashback. Gritting her teeth, she tried again to touch his face.

He looked down at her and for a brief second, he saw recognition flash across his face, then he saw the blood and he was no longer looking at her but at his own personal hell. Fuck. She had to bring him out of this. If only she had one of those tranquilizers or… she looked at the blast tube. His finger was poised over a depression at the base, so the odds were that it was the trigger. She checked again—yes, the light was green. It was only set to stun.

Taking a deep breath, she managed to wiggle far enough forward to place her hand over his where it was waving around wildly.

“T’gana,” she said softly. “Give me the tube. I need to be able to defend myself.”

“A warrior defends his female.” His voice sounded almost robotic.

“But sometimes a female needs to defend herself,” she said, repeating their earlier conversation.

His eyes cleared—just briefly, but it was long enough for her to grab the tube and, praying that she was making the right choice, turn it on him. He collapsed immediately, his weight falling over the lower part of her body. Somehow, she managed to squirm free, only to freeze in horror. Mae had fallen by the car, the gun by her outstretched hand. Darryl had collapsed on the curb and she could see the pool of red surrounding him even from here. Crystal also sprawled across the road, but she appeared to be unharmed.

Pausing only to grab the gun and check that Mae was still breathing, she hurried over to Darryl. His chest rose and fell slightly, making a horrible wet sound with each breath, but she was afraid to touch him in case she made it worse. Ambulance. She needed an ambulance. Casting a desperate look around, all she could see was the empty street. If not for the unconscious bodies, it could have been any other peaceful neighborhood morning.

As she started to race for the house to call for an ambulance, she remembered T’gana’s communicator. Pulling it from his belt, she pressed the largest key.

A deep voice started speaking in Yehrin, but she cut him off.

“T’gana is hurt,” she said rapidly, “And there’s a human man who’s bleeding badly and two more people who are unconscious.”

“Who is this?” a vaguely familiar voice demanded in English.

“I’m Sarah, T’gana’s mate. Please, can you help us?”

“I’m tracking your location now, S’rah. This is T’lan. We met at the celebration day; do you remember?”

“Emily’s T’lan? Oh, thank God. Please help us.”

“Help is on the way,” he assured her. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“My ex mother-in-law showed up, yelling crazy things and waving a gun. She started shooting and I think, I think she hit me. I passed out and when I came to, T’gana thought he was back on Klendat. He stunned everybody.”

“Stunned? You are sure? You said a male was wounded.”

“I think he was shot—there’s a lot of blood. Oh my god, the girls.” She started for the house at a run. The sound of a motor behind her barely penetrated, she had to make sure the girls were all right. As she raced through the house, she could hear T’lan calling to her, but she didn’t have time to stop. When she reached the gazebo, for a heart-stopping moment all she could see was red. Then she remembered that the popsicles had been cherry and she collapsed to the ground in tears as she gathered them close.

“Sarah,” Jane demanded. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, sweetie.” Forcing herself under control, she managed a smile. “I was just scared.”

“Popsicle?” Tabby asked, pointing at her arm. Following her gaze, she saw the blood covering her arm.

“Not exactly, darling.”

“We heard firecrackers,” Jane said excitedly. “But we stayed here, just like we promised.”

“Thank you, girls. Thank you so much.”

“There’s someone talking to you,” Jane said, and she finally remembered T’lan.

“What happened?” he demanded as soon as she raised the communicator again.

“We have two little girls visiting us. They were behind the house and I had to make sure that they were safe.”

“Yes, of course. Are you injured?”

“Um, yes. But it’s only a scratch.”

“I will send someone through to you.”

“No, I have to get back to T’gana.”

“He is being loaded onto the flyer now,” he said grimly.

“What? You can’t do that! Being on the ship is so much worse for him.”

“He fired his weapon.”

“Only to protect me. And he didn’t hurt anyone. You can’t take him away,” she cried, forgetting her audience.

Jane immediately scowled. “Don’t let them take Tigga.”

“He pinkie promised,” Tabby added, then her lip trembled. Within seconds both girls were in tears and Sarah wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold off.

“Please,” she begged.

T’lan sighed. “I can not argue with three females. I will leave him there, but he will be restrained until he can be questioned.”

She hated the idea and she suspected that he would hate it too, but if it kept him with her and the girls, it was worth it.

“Anything you say,” she promised, and turned to the girls. “He’s going to stay with us.”

A brief flurry of conversation in Yehrin erupted at the other end of the line, then he spoke again.

“Can the children hear me?”

She snuck a quick glance down at them. Tabby was still sniffling, and Jane had her arm around her.

“I don’t think so.”

“Good. You said the male is their father?”

“Yes.”

“He is in critical condition. We are not sure if he will live.”

Her heart ached as she looked at the girls. He hadn’t been much of a father, but he was the only one they had.

“And the others?”

“Merely unconscious as you said. The older female will be placed under confinement. The younger one will be watched until she awakes.”

She breathed a sigh of relief that no one else had been injured.

“What do you want to do about the children?” he asked.

“They will stay with me, of course.”

“You said you were injured.”

“It’s nothing. This is going to be hard enough on them. They will be happier here than anywhere else.”

A sigh. “Very well. But you will be treated for your injury immediately.”

“Yes, all right.”

“Keep this communicator with you. I will notify you once I have more information. The medic is coming to join you now.”

He disconnected.

“What happened, Sarah?” Jane asked.

“Do you remember that I told you that a sick lady was here? She hurt some people.”

“Did she hurt Tigga?”

“No, but he’s asleep now.”

“S’rah?” A voice called from the front of the garden and she stood up, swaying a little. Exhaustion was setting in and her arm throbbed in a slow steady ache.

Both girls stood up with her and she thought briefly about asking them to stay, but she didn’t want to let them out of her sight. As they entered the main part of the garden, she recognized the large Yehrin warrior waiting for her.

“T’bukka. What are you doing here?”

“I was transferred down to the planet to supervise one of the breeding centers,” he said absently, his eyes fixed on her arm. “What happened?”

“I’m sure it’s just a scratch.”

“You will let me look at it,” he ordered, then noticed the two little girls peeking around her skirt. “And who is this?”

“This is Jane and this is Tabitha.”

“I am pleased to meet you,” he said.

“We had popsicles and Sarah didn’t but she’s all red,” Jane informed him. Tabby’s thumb was back on her mouth.

“Then we should clean S’rah’s arm, should we not?”

“You said you only had combat medical training,” Sarah said nervously.

“Do not worry, S’rah. I will not hurt you.”

Rather to her surprise, he did not. Carefully keeping his body between her and the girls so they couldn’t see her injury, he cleaned away the blood to reveal a long shallow gash. He spread a healing gel on the wound, then wrapped it with a material that clung lightly to her skin, leaving a barely visible bandage.

“Your arm will be stiff for a few days,” he warned.

“I’ll take it easy,” she promised. “Where is T’gana?”

“He has been restrained to the bed.” For the first time, a flash of humor crossed his face. “It is a most interesting bed. Indeed, a most interesting room.”

“I want to see him.”

“You are not concerned that he will hurt you?”

“He has never hurt me, and he never will.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m afraid the fact that I was hurt is what caused this to happen.”

“It is possible,” he acknowledged, “but until he is awake, we can not be certain.”

“I want to see him,” she repeated.

“Very well.”

A small hand tugged on her skirt and she looked down to see Tabby staring up at her.

“Tigga,” she whispered.

“Do you want to see him too?”

“Both of us,” Jane said.

Sarah gave T’bukka a helpless look, but he only shrugged. “It is your decision.”

Looking down at the two pleading faces, she didn’t have the heart to refuse. She knew how much she longed to see him, to make sure he was still with her, and she suspected that they both felt the same way.

“Okay, girls. But you have to be very quiet.”

They both nodded solemnly and took a hand, Tabby taking her injured left arm in an amazingly delicate grip. Together they walked to the bedroom. Her heart sank as she looked at him. Even unconscious, he was not at peace. His head tossed restlessly, and she could see the sheen of sweat on his brow. His wrists and ankles had been chained to the bed.

“Is that really necessary?”

“Those were the orders. And you can see that he is not under control.”

“If I quiet him, will you release him?”

He hesitated, then nodded. “All but one restraint. If you can quiet him.”

“Girls, please stay here.”

They both stared up at her, eyes wide, and nodded. Praying that she hadn’t overestimated her influence, she crossed the room. As soon as she got close to the bed, his nostrils flared and his head stilled.

“S’rah?” he mumbled, then resumed his restless movements.

“Yes, my warrior. I’m here.” She crawled up on the bed next to him and stroked his head, murmuring softly, telling him that she loved him. His head stopped tossing, although his hands still grasped at nothing. A muffled curse sounded from behind her and then Tabby appeared on the other side of T’gana. She didn’t say anything, just gently patted his cheek with one small hand. Jane was seconds behind her, ducking under his outstretched arm and snuggling against his chest. A chest that gave a great sigh and relaxed. T’gana settled into a normal, peaceful sleep.

“I can not argue with that,” T’bukka said. He released all but one ankle chain. “Are you going to stay with him?”

She looked at the girls, already snuggled like kittens against his big body and felt exhaustion tugging at her.

“Yes.”

“I will remain in the room,” he said. It was clearly not up for debate.

“If you insist.” Too tired to make any additional protests, she tucked herself under T’gana’s other arm, pillowing her head on his massive chest. As she drifted off to sleep, it occurred to her that all she really needed to do to get the family she had always wanted was to get shot and tie a man to her bed. She was still smiling when she fell asleep.

Chapter Twenty-One

As T’gana drifted awake, he felt S’rah’s soft body tucked against his side and he smiled. He’d had a horrible dream where she was helpless and injured on Klendat and the knowledge that she was with him now helped to chase away the lingering unease. As he started to turn to her, he realized that more warmth surrounded him. T’bitha had her head buried in his neck and J’ne was curled under his arm. He gave a contented sigh, then frowned. What were the girls doing here? Had Cr’stal failed to retrieve them?

A distant memory of Darryl yelling intruded on his thoughts and unease crept up his spine. Despite the presence of his girls, something felt very wrong. Unwilling to disturb them, he raised his head to survey his surroundings. A Yehrin warrior stood at attention by the windows, watching him intently.

“Sub Commander T’gana,” he said quietly. “Are you yourself?”

A frustrated growl threatened to escape, but he kept his voice equally quiet. “Of course, I am myself. Officer T’bukka, why are you here?” His hearts started to race. “Is there an issue with the breeding contract? S’rah chose to stay with me.”

“No, that is not why I am here.” T’bukka hesitated, his eyes sweeping over the sleeping females. “It would be best to continue this discussion without the presence of the females.”

“I refuse to wake them.”

T’bukka bowed his head. “Then we will wait.”

He put his head back down, but his mind refused to settle. He remembered being in the garden, showing T’bitha the first set of training moves, and then… A dark cloud blocked his memory, but he kept probing at it. The monitor! The monitor had warned him that someone approached. No, not someone, the older female with the piercing voice. That voice, so much like the bugs sending their war cries into the night. His chest started to ache, and he remembered that it ached then, as he listened to her screech.

A confused mix of impressions flashed across his mind, the black desert, S’rah under the rock with him, S’rah falling… Suddenly frantic, he ran his hands over her. She was here, she was breathing, she was—he found the bandage. She was injured. He had failed her. The pain reached deep into his soul and broke him. Blackness descended, not the darkness of Klendat, but the color of his failure.

“T’gana, you’re awake.” S’rah’s voice sounded happy but her happiness did not reach him. He was trapped in the darkness.

“What is it? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Her beautiful face hovered over him, pale eyes anxious, but he closed his and shut her out. He did not deserve to look upon her.

“T’bukka, I think something is wrong,” she said urgently.

“If you will take the small females, I will examine him.”

“I don’t want to leave him.” He could hear the tears in her voice, but he could not push aside the darkness. She deserved someone far better to comfort her.

“Please, S’rah. You may return as soon as I have finished.”

“All right. I’ll be right outside.” He felt her lips touch his forehead, a brief spark of light and warmth, and then they were gone.

“If I pick up Jane, can you hand me Tabitha?”

“I can carry the child,” T’bukka answered. Some distant part of T’gana protested—the male should not be carrying one of his girls—but the voice was buried under the weight of his failure.

“Sarah, why are you crying?” J’ne asked, her voice thick with sleep.

“I guess it’s just been a difficult day, sweetie. I’m going to take you and Tabby into the other room so T’bukka can examine Tigga.”

“Is he better?”

“He… woke up for a few minutes.” Her voice cracked. “He’s asleep again now.”

“But I missed it.”

“It was just for a few seconds. I’m sure he’ll stay awake longer next time. Come on now.”

First J’ne left his side, then he felt T’bitha’s warmth leave his neck, leaving him cold and bereft in the dark.

A moment later, T’bukka returned. “They have left the room.”

It had not been necessary to tell him. He felt the emptiness.

For a few minutes there was silence except for the faint hum of a scanner. He paid no attention to either the scan or the fact that it ceased, and the silence deepened. T’bukka sighed.

“Open your eyes, warrior,” he ordered. “I need to take your report.”

Years of military discipline finally forced his eyes open. Officer T’bukka stood next to the bed, his expression stoic but his eyes sympathetic. They would not remain so once he was aware of T’gana’s failure.

“What happened?” T’bukka asked quietly.

“I failed to protect my female. She was injured because I am too damaged to function as a warrior.” His voice sounded oddly distant in his own ears.

“Can you tell me how that occurred?”

“No. I was more on Klendat than I was here. I remember that she fell because I was too late to stop the female with the weapon.”

“What happened to that female?”

“I used the blast tube.”

“Did you kill her?”

With the question, another memory surfaced—the voice urging him to keep the weapon on stun.

“No. It was not set to kill.”

“Was anyone else present?”

“I am not sure. I think, perhaps, the worthless human male who also lives on this street.” A bitter laugh threatened to emerge but was buried under the weight of his failure. “Who am I to say that he is worthless?”

A click broke the silence and he felt a weight lifted from his ankle. Ah. He had been chained. He could not summon any outrage. In fact…

“Why are you releasing me?”

“You did not cause any harm. Despite your condition, you disabled the female. You did not wield your weapon thoughtlessly.”

“I was too late.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. If you had not stopped her, she could have killed every person present.”

“Are you going to take me back to the ship?”

“No. Your female does not think it would help you heal.”

“Heal? I incurred no injury today, but nothing will help me heal.”

“I believe that there are three females in the next room who would help you if you would let them.”

“I would not ask it of them.” He closed his eyes against the pain.

“You do not need to ask. You just have to let them.”

When T’gana did not respond, he heard T’bukka sigh and move away. The door opened and closed, and he gave himself up to the darkness, floating down the long tunnel to oblivion.

Sarah met T’bukka anxiously as soon as he emerged from the bedroom.

“How is he?”

“Not well. Physically, he is fine. Mentally, he is suffering greatly.”

“But why? He protected us.”

“You were injured.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It is something to him. It is always hard for a warrior to know that his female has been injured. It is more so if he believes that he is at fault.”

“Why does he think that he was at fault?”

“He believed that he was back on Klendat and he does not think that he reacted quickly enough to the threat presented by the older female.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I agree that it is not rational, but I am not the one who believes it.”

He hesitated, then looked beyond the kitchen into her room. Tabitha was still asleep on the couch and Jane was coloring.

“Do you know what happened on Klendat?” he asked quietly.

“No. Just that it was bad.”

“We have encountered a new species, the Saviji—bugs. They are smart, vicious, and their technology rivals ours.”

“A’rathia told me that they were the first enemy you have encountered in many years that represents a true threat.”

“She is correct. Klendat was our first true test. Sub Commander T’gana led a squad of thirty warriors in an attempt to take down a communication tower. But it was a trap and they were pinned down for over a week before T’gana managed to destroy the tower and find a way out. Only thirteen members of his squad survived, and his leg was severely damaged. I am surprised that he was able to keep it.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. “He’s very brave.”

“He is. He was awarded our highest honor. He refused it.”

“Why?”

“Because so many warriors died. He saved almost half of his males under impossible conditions, but he thought only of those he had lost.”

“What can I do to help him?”

“You are his L’chka. Your touch, your very presence will help him.”

The familiar pang struck her heart. “I am not. He has not claimed me.”

T’bukka sighed. “That is… unfortunate. It was obvious from the first day on the ship that he wished to do so. If he had, I suspect it would be easier for you to help him heal now. But you can not abandon him.”

“I have no intention of abandoning him.”

“Good. This will be difficult, S’rah. He has retreated deep within. You must do whatever you can to bring him out of those depths.”

“I will,” she vowed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sarah took a deep breath, fighting back the tears again, and gave T’bukka a shaky smile. Her eyes went past him to the two little girls in the next room.

“I should call the hospital and find out how Darryl is doing. Do you know where he was taken?”

He raised his wrist com and clicked rapidly with his claws, then handed her the communicator. Apparently, the Yehrin didn’t worry about privacy laws because the male who answered had no hesitation in disclosing all of the details. The news wasn’t good. The bullet had nicked his heart as well as his lungs and despite an operation to repair the damage, he had yet to regain consciousness.

Somewhat to Sarah’s surprise, Crystal was at the hospital at Darryl’s bedside, so she asked to speak to her. When Crystal answered the phone, her voice was hoarse from crying.

“I’m afraid he’s not going to wake up,” she sobbed.

“I’m sure they’re doing everything they can. I have the girls here with me or I would come sit with you.”

“Oh yes, the girls,” she said vaguely. “Are they okay?”

Sarah bit her tongue to avoid snapping at the girl. “They’re fine with me. I’ll take care of them.”

“I know you will.” Crystal choked back a sob. “Do… do you think you should bring them to see him? Just in case?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea right now. If—I mean when—he regains consciousness, I’ll bring them. Are you by yourself? Is there someone I should call?”

“Becca’s here. I only just met her, y’know, but she’s been a really good friend.”

“I’m glad you’re not alone. If anything changes, will you call me?”

“Yeah, of course. Thanks, Sarah.”

“You take care of yourself, Crystal.”

Sarah hung up and sighed.

“What am I going to tell them?”

“Perhaps wait to see if they ask. It has been a difficult day.”

“You are a master of understatement, T’bukka,” she said drily.

He smiled and stood up. “I must return to my post.”

“You’re sure that T’gana is all right?”

“Physically he is fine, and I can not provide the assistance that he needs. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”

“No, thanks. You’ve been very kind.” She got up to accompany him to the door, but as they entered the front hall, a sudden thought struck her and she stopped. “Unless… You’re pretty strong, aren’t you?”

“Strong enough,” he said cautiously. “Why?”

“There’s a guest bedroom upstairs with twin beds where I was going to put the girls, but I would feel better if they were down here closer to us. Could you help me bring the beds down here?”

He laughed. “I should have known. Very well. I will move them.”

“I can help you,” she offered.

“There is no need.”

And indeed, he didn’t seem to require any assistance. At her direction, he removed the big desk from the office to the garage, then brought down the two beds. As he was carrying down the second bed, the girls appeared, Tabby clinging to Jane’s hand and sucking her thumb.

“Whatcha doing?” Jane asked.

“You girls are going to spend the night with me. Would you like that?”

“Yay!” Jane yelled, and Tabby gave her a small smile.

“T’bukka is putting beds in here for you.”

They followed her into the office. White painted bookcases lined one wall and a big bay window overlooked the street. With the desk removed and the picture of Jeff no longer looming over the fireplace, it would make a pleasant bedroom.

“What do you think, girls?”

“Can I have my bed by the window?” Jane asked.

“Me too,” Tabby squeaked.

She cast a helpless glance at T’bukka, but he just smiled and shook his head. Twenty minutes later, the beds had been rearranged to everyone’s satisfaction and T’bukka headed for the door a second time.

“Thank you so much, T’bukka.”

“You are most welcome. I have programmed my information into the communicator. Do not hesitate to call me if you need assistance.”

“I won’t—but I hope I won’t need to.”

He nodded, gave her a quick smile, and headed down the steps to his vehicle. It looked like an ultra-modern concept car—until it lifted into the air and departed with virtually no sound. She turned back to find the girls waiting.

“I’m going to see if T’gana is awake and then I’ll get some sheets and you can help me make the beds.”

“Unicorn sheets?” Tabby asked hopefully.

“No, princess sheets,” Jane demanded

“I’m sorry, girls, they’re just plain white.”

When their faces fell, she couldn’t resist. “I’ll see if I can order some online.”

“Yay!”

They followed her through the house into the bedroom. T’gana might as well have been still chained to the bed—he hadn’t moved. When she approached the bed, she saw his nostrils flare, but he didn’t move.

“T’gana, can you hear me? I just want you to know that we’re safe. You protected us.”

Did his eyelids flicker? She waited for a few seconds but there was no further response.

“When you’re ready, we’re here.”

Tabby put a cold little hand in hers. “Is Tigga sick?”

“No, sweetie. He’s just sleeping. Let’s go make the beds.”

“I’m hungry,” Jane announced.

Good lord, it was dinner time. “Then we’ll have supper first. What do you want?”

“Pancakes,” Tabby said, and she thought there was the faintest movement from the bed.

“I’m not sure I can make them as well as T’gana, but I’ll try.” As she herded the girls out of the bedroom, she debated closing the door, but in the end, she left it open. Hopefully, the normal sounds of life would give him a feeling of normality—and possibly even encourage him to join them.

However, even the smell of burned pancakes didn’t seem to have an effect. She hadn’t realized how much of the time she had spent “helping” him in the kitchen had consisted of her simply watching what he did. Those observations failed her now. The girls eyed the misshapen lumps doubtfully, but in the end, they poured syrup over them and ate them without complaint. She would have to do better from now on.

The rest of the evening disappeared in rounds of baths, stories, and bed. The girls were delighted when she put them in a couple of her shirts to sleep in, but she added nightgowns to her growing list of things to order. They both insisted on kissing T’gana good night, and once again, she was sure that she saw his face flicker, especially when Tabby whispered in his ear before she kissed his cheek.

“What did you say to T’gana, sweetie?” she asked as she tucked them in.

“That I love him, and I hope he’s better soon,” Tabby said solemnly.

A lump appeared in her throat, but she managed to smile. “Those were good things to say.”

“I can go say them too,” Jane piped up, starting to climb out of bed.

“That would be very nice, Jane, but you can do it in the morning,” she said firmly. “Good night, girls.”

Only after she slipped out of the room did she let a tear fall. Wiping it away, she went to clean up the kitchen—another task that usually consisted of her keeping T’gana company as he did the work. Then she settled down to place her online orders, but the deep silence filling the house made her unexpectedly nervous. She found herself pacing from the kitchen to just outside the bedrooms so that she could hear everyone breathing and know that they were safe. Turning on the television didn’t help because then she was afraid she would miss it if someone cried out. She tried reading, but none of her books kept her attention.

When she finally gave up and decided to go to bed, she found herself hovering uncertainly outside the bedroom door. Should she give him some additional time? What if her presence just made it harder for him? But then she remembered T’bukka’s words, remembered how T’gana always responded to her. Like it or not, he was not going to stay in the dark alone.

Entering the bedroom, she opened the curtains, letting the soft moonlight flood the room. After she finished her nightly bathroom routine, she deliberately undressed in the bedroom, letting the moonlight wash over her naked body. When she turned towards the bed, she thought she caught a flash of gold, but it was too fast for her to know for certain. She threw a robe over the end of the bed in case the girls needed her and climbed into bed naked.

Every muscle in his body tensed as she slipped into her usual place against his side. Definitely not asleep. Instead of saying anything, she started stroking his chest—long, soothing strokes intended to comfort rather than arouse. Despite that, the feel of his hard muscles, the warmth of his body, his scent surrounding her—they all combined to stimulate her own arousal and she felt the familiar ache in her pussy. When she brushed a casual hand lightly over his cock, she could feel his arousal, but he didn’t respond to her touch and she refused to push him. Leaning up, she kissed him softly.

“Remember that I love you, T’gana. I’ll be here waiting for when you’re ready to return to me. To me and the girls.”

Settling back down against his side, she snuggled closer. Were his muscles less tense? They seemed to be, but she wasn’t certain. All she could do was hope. To her surprise, her eyes suddenly felt heavy and she found herself drifting off into sleep.

She awoke to his mouth on her breast, sucking urgently, lips and tongue working her nipple into a tight aching point before moving to the other one. Her back arched, bringing her breasts closer to that demanding pull.

“T’gana? What—” Before she could complete the question his mouth covered hers, kissing her with the same demanding intensity. By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless and on fire. The moonlight still shone through the uncovered windows, the light bright enough for her to see his face, set in hard lines, but his eyes glowing gold. She opened her mouth to speak, but he covered it again. As he kissed her, his hand descended between her legs, moving easily in the slick warmth as he circled her clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure up her spine. He probed deeper, forcing a finger into her pussy, the sudden thickness causing her to cry out against his mouth, but he didn’t pause. Strumming her clit with his thumb as he fucked the thick digit in and out, he brought her to a sudden rapid climax. She was still shuddering when he rose over her, horns gleaming in the moonlight, his face unreadable, and then his cock was at her entrance, pressing inexorably into the tight channel. As soon as he worked his way completely into her pussy, he withdrew, only to plunge deep again, setting an almost frantic pace. Her legs came up to circle his hips, meeting his thrusts with the same urgency, until she felt him stiffen, felt the flood of warmth that triggered her own climax. His body came down over her, warm and heavy and relaxed, and for just a second his forehead rested against hers, but then he pulled away.

He laid down next to her, his body stiff once more. For a moment, she felt hurt, but the hurt was quickly replaced by sorrow—for him. Ignoring the tension that turned his muscles rigid, she tucked herself under his arm again. His need for her gave her hope. He would need time, but he still wanted her, was still comforted by her. She could give him whatever time he needed.

“I love you, T’gana,” she said softly, then closed her eyes. Tomorrow was another day, and it would be a better one.

Chapter Twenty-Three

T’gana did not sleep. The blackness that had been momentarily relieved by S’rah’s soft body returned, accompanied by guilt. He had needed her so badly that he had broken through the walls of despair surrounding him. The previous day was a long blur, broken only by a few bright spots. His T’bitha whispering in his ear. His J’ne’s sweet goodnight kiss. S’rah’s love. Love he did not deserve. When he had heard her pause outside the bedroom door, uncertain whether to enter, his heart had cracked a little more. But she had entered, she had not abandoned him. Instead, she had revealed her sweet body to him in the moonlight, she had touched him softly, and she had whispered words of love.

Aroused by her nearness, warmed by her gentle touch, he had controlled himself for as long as he could, but in the end, his need was too great and he had awakened her. Even then, she had been warm and willing in his arms. But as soon as his body had been satiated, his guilt had consumed him once again. He couldn’t stay here. He should leave and let her get on with her life. Let her find a worthy mate. Beneath the blackness what was left of his soul roared a protest, but he saw no other course.

By the time sunlight crept into the room, he had made his decision.

Against his side, S’rah yawned and stretched. She reached up to kiss him and her beautiful face smiled.

“Your eyes are open. Do you feel better?”

“I am fine,” he said. His voice sounded dull and lifeless in his ears. “I was waiting for you to awaken to tell you that I will be leaving.”

“What? You can’t do that! You promised to stay with me for the entire thirty days.”

“The breeding contract is not working. No one will force me to stay.”

“No, but they can force me to find another male. Is that what you want?”

No! “Perhaps it would be best,” he said.

“No, hell, it wouldn’t. Dammit, T’gana, everyone leaves me. You can’t do it too.” Beneath the anger, the tears were clearly visible, and he hesitated. As he did, he heard a giggle in the hallway.

S’rah leaned closer and whispered fiercely. “Now you listen to me. Even if you don’t care about me, those girls are on the verge of losing their father. You can’t leave them too. Promise me!”

They deserved better but she was right. For now, he was all they had. He managed a nod.

“Good.” Her eyes were still bright with anger and pain, but she managed a smile as the girls came rushing in.

“Good morning, girls.”

“Morning. Tigga, you’re awake!” J’ne bounced up on the bed, and he managed a smile although it felt stiff and strange on his lips. She frowned at him. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t look better.”

“Tigga’s fine,” T’bitha said firmly. She had climbed up on the bed too and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, a spot of warmth against the cold.

S’rah cleared her throat. “What shall we have for breakfast?”

“Pancakes,” T’bitha said.

“We had pancakes last night.”

“Not pancakes.” T’bitha shook her head and turned to him. “Tigga make pancakes?”

He had caught the scent of cooking last night and she was right—those had not been pancakes. The thought of forcing his body out of bed—and of cooking—almost overwhelmed him, but his little one had asked.

“Yes.” He pushed the words out.

S’rah nodded, her eyes bright again. “Good. I must admit they didn’t turn out the way I expected. But you will have fruit and juice as well, girls. Now come along. You can help me set the table while T’gana gets up.”

They left and his body stiffened, but he had promised. He made himself climb out of bed, even though the world felt shaky and distant beneath him. The ritual motions of cooking were surprisingly soothing, although twice he found himself starting to drift into darkness. Both times, T’bitha touched him and brought him back.

Unable to eat, he cleaned the kitchen, then started to head back to the bedroom. S’rah grabbed his hand. The warmth of her touch spread up his arm and a little of his darkness retreated.

“You can’t go back to bed. I need to wash the sheets. It’s such a nice day. Why don’t you help the girls get out their coloring books and take them out on the porch while I strip the bed?”

He nodded and went to obey her request. After he carried everything outside, T’bitha tugged him down into a chair and perched herself on his lap as she began carefully coloring a tree an improbable shade of pink. J’ne colored over the lines in her book with a profusion of colors. The scents of the garden—the garden where he had worked so hard—drifted up on the porch, along with soft twitter of a bird. T’bitha was a comforting warmth against his side. His body gradually relaxed and his sleepless night caught up with him. He drifted off before S’rah returned.

Sarah walked out on the porch to find T’gana asleep in his chair. Tabby looked up at her and pressed a finger to her lips and she hid a smile as she nodded. Even in his sleep, he did not seem at ease. While his body remained still, his face had not relaxed. He made a faint sound, and Tabby twisted around and gently patted his cheek. He quieted. Amazing.

Struck by a sudden impulse, she moved behind the chair and ran her hand through his close-cropped dark hair. He seemed to move into her touch, like an animal that wanted to be petted, so she kept up the strokes until she finally saw his face relax. When T’bukka had said that he would need her touch, he had apparently meant it quite literally. Keeping one hand on him, she pulled up a chair at his side, and joined the girls in their coloring.

Unfortunately, he didn’t sleep for very long, but his rest remained peaceful. When his eyes opened, he immediately focused on her and for a moment, she saw the familiar warmth. But then his face shadowed, and she could see him begin to distance himself.

“I was thinking of making chicken strips for lunch. Can you help me?” she asked briskly.

There was a long pause, but then he nodded, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The rest of the day followed much the same pattern. Each time T’gana attempted to retreat, she found some small task for him to perform. She also touched him as much as she could, and she noticed that both girls were doing the same. Jane took his hand to lead him through the garden in search of a lost toy. Whenever he sat down, Tabby would perch on his knee or nestle against his side.

Tabby also talked him into going over his exercises with her. It was while the two of them were moving through the steps, that Jane finally asked about their father. They were sitting on porch crocheting as they watched T’gana and Tabby.

“Sarah, how come we haven’t gone home to see Daddy?”

“I’m afraid your father is very sick.”

“Sicker than Tigga?”

“Yes. He’s in the hospital.”

“Oh.” Jane frowned down at her chain of stitches for a moment. “Mama was in the hospital. She never came home. We got Tabby instead. Is Daddy coming home?”

She couldn’t bring herself to lie. “I don’t know.”

“But we can stay here? We don’t gotta go anywhere?”

“Yes, sweetheart. You can stay with me as long as you want.”

“And Tigga?”

Sarah bit her lip as she watched the tall figure moving slowly and steadily through the exercises. There were definite signs of improvement, but he was still buried deep in his head. The thirty days would be up soon. Would he agreed to stay?

“I don’t know, Jane. I hope so very much.”

“Me too.”

The little girl sniffled, and Sarah abandoned her yarn to lift her into her lap and pull her close.

“I love you, Sarah.”

“I love you too, Jane.”

Together they rocked and watched T’gana and his tiny shadow.

When the girls went to take their afternoon naps, she led T’gana into the bedroom. She felt him stiffen as they approached, but she ignored it and pulled him into the room and shut the door. Rather than heading for the bed, she pushed him gently into the big chair by the window and followed Tabby’s example by climbing into his lap. However, her intentions were not so innocent. As soon as she was settled, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not a demand, but a gentle press of her lips against his. He didn’t respond immediately, but she didn’t let that discourage her. She pressed small kisses along his mouth, nibbled at his bottom lip, and ran her tongue along the seam.

“S’rah,” he groaned. His eyes were starting to glow gold and she could feel the stiffness of his erection beneath her bottom.

“Yes, T’gana?” she asked innocently.

“I…” Words seemed to fail him, so she returned to the gentle kisses. This time, when she stroked her tongue across his lips, he opened for her. She could feel his urgency, but she kept the pace as slow as she could, even though her own excitement was building. Pulling back a little, she kissed a line along the harsh angle of his jaw until she could tease his ear. He shivered, and his hands came up to clutch her waist.

“What do you say we get rid of this?” she whispered as she reached for the catch on his uniform top. Before she could release it, he covered her hand with his.

“No. Please.” The strain in his voice tore at her heart. He sounded as uncertain as he had been at the beginning. So much of the progress they had made had been destroyed. Part of her would gladly have seen her former mother-in-law in hell, although the other part knew only too well how much grief could destroy a person.

“All right, my love.” She turned her hand over to clasp his. “Not until you’re ready.”

He shuddered and pulled her close. Sensing that he needed comfort rather than seduction, she simply tucked her head into his neck and stroked his chest over the thin cloth of his uniform. Her eyes caught on his tattoos and she traced one with a curious finger.

“You never did tell me what these meant.” The intricate designs seemed somehow familiar, but the symbols were unrecognizable.

“They are memories.”

“Memories?”

“Of you.” He moved her finger to a set of intricate symbols. “This is your name in Yehrin.” A floral design. “The flower that you gave me when we walked by the lake.” An odd shape that she suddenly recognized as a type of skull. “The enemies I would kill to return to you.”

He kept tracing the symbol with her hand. “But it did not work. They might not have killed me, but they destroyed me just the same.”

“No, they didn’t,” she said fiercely. “You did return to me and you are still the male I love.”

“S’rah.” He cupped her cheek, his eyes glowing a soft gold, but his face still drawn and tense. “It is not that I do not lo—”

The monitor sounded. A second later she was in the chair alone and he was crouched over the monitor screen.

“A male approaches.” He was pale and sweating and his hand hovered near his blast tube.

“Let me see,” she said quietly as she joined him and placed a hand on his arm. His muscles were so tense, she could almost feel them vibrating. “That’s the delivery man. I ordered some things for the girls.”

“You are sure?”

“Yes. I’ll just go and meet him at the door.”

“No,” he roared.

“T’gana, it’s fine.” After a quick glance to make sure that the blast tube was set on stun, she added. “You can come with me and make sure that everything is safe if you are worried.”

If anything, he tensed even more.

“What if I don’t know?” The words seemed wrung from his depths.

“Don’t know what?”

“If you are truly in danger? If I am here… or if I am back on Klendat.”

“Part of you will know. Part of you knew when Mae showed up. You didn’t hurt her or anyone else.”

“I failed to protect you.”

“No, you didn’t. I’m just fine. And I’ll be fine this time too. I promise that he’s just here to bring me my order.”

He shook his head, but he followed her without additional protest. His hand still hovered over the blast tube as she opened the door. The delivery man almost dropped the boxes when he saw T’gana looming behind her, but he gulped and placed the packages carefully on the porch. As soon as he was done, he turned tail and not quite ran down the steps.

“Honestly. You’d think he’d never seen a Yehrin before,” she said lightly, turning back to T’gana, still frozen in place. “Can you help me bring these in?”

He gathered up the packages and carried them through to the kitchen table, still silent.

“The girls are going to be thrilled. They’ll want to model everything for you.” Her words fell into the silence between them.

“S’rah, I can not. Not… today.”

She chose to take the fact that he had added the qualifier as a good sign. “All right, my love.”

“I am going to rest,” he said. Before she could respond, he vanished into the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him. Perhaps he did need some time to come to terms with the events of the previous day. Her heart ached for his pain, but this time she didn’t follow him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

As predicted, the girls did want to show off their new clothes, but Sarah told them that T’gana was resting. She suspected that neither one of them was fooled but they didn’t protest. Their new toys kept them occupied for the rest of the afternoon. For dinner, she didn’t take a chance on cooking but put together some boxed macaroni and cheese. It still wasn’t quite right but at least it was edible and neither girl complained.

When it came time for bed, Tabby headed for the closed bedroom door.

“Tabby, sweetie, I’m not sure that this is a good time.”

“Goodnight kisses,” she said firmly.

Sarah sighed. Perhaps Tabby was right. A little time was one thing, but he couldn’t stay in there forever. The bedroom was in complete darkness, the curtains drawn over the windows so not a speck of moonlight entered. Tabby didn’t hesitate. She crossed the dim room, climbed up on the bed and put her arms around T’gana.

“I knows you there, my Tigga.”

Jane followed her up and kissed his cheek. Sarah saw a brief flash of gold, then a big arm encircled each girl in a gentle hug.

“Come along, girls. Let T’gana rest.”

“So he can cook breakfast?” Jane asked hopefully.

She bit her lip. “Maybe.”

“I will cook.” The deep voice still sounded hoarse and strained, but at least he was talking.

Jane gave an excited squeal and Tabby grinned.

“One would almost think you didn’t like my cooking,” she teased.

“You make good cereal,” Jane said.

“Thank you. It’s nice to know that my talents are appreciated. Now come along, girls. Time for bed.”

For just a second, T’gana’s arms tightened around the girls, then he let them go.

After she tucked them in and read them a story, she wandered back into the silent kitchen. The house had seemed lonely to her before on those long nights when Jeff was called away on an emergency, but never quite as desolate as it felt tonight. Even with T’gana in the next room, she could feel the distance between them. She had actually thought they were making progress before the delivery man arrived.

With a sigh, she picked up the communicator and called T’bukka. He answered immediately.

“Good evening, S’rah. Is there a problem?”

“I’m not sure.” She told him about the events of the day.

“This is excellent. I believe that you are reaching him.”

“But then he retreated so fast this afternoon and now I’m not sure what to do. Was I pushing him too hard?”

“What do your instincts say?”

“That he needs us.” She sighed. “It’s just easy to doubt myself when I want to help him so badly.”

“Did you expect this to be simple?” he asked gently.

A reluctant laugh escaped. “Maybe not expected it, but I guess I hoped.”

“Unless he manages to find his own way back to you, it will take time.”

“I suppose you’re right.” No matter how much her heart ached at the thought of her warrior lying there alone in the dark. “How is your new job working out?”

“Eventfully,” he said drily, then proceeded to entertain her with stories of some of the more aggressive women, already determined to be first in line when the breeding center opened. He had a caustic wit that soon had her laughing despite her worries. By the time she hung up, she felt much better. She decided to try reading again, but when she turned, she found T’gana standing in the door of the bedroom, eyes blazing.

“He is not for you, S’rah.” he growled.

“Who is not for me? Do you mean T’bukka?”

Another growl escaped when she said the other warrior’s name, then he stalked over and snatched her up into his arms and headed back to the bedroom.

“What are you doing? T’gana!” Torn between annoyance and amusement, and an unexpected wave of desire, she pushed half-heartedly at his chest. He paid no attention. It wasn’t until he had dropped her on the bed and followed her down that he hesitated.

Guilt finally intruded into T’gana’s possessive rage. He was behaving like one of his savage ancestors.

“I am sorry, S’rah,” he said, and started to pull away but she put her arms around his neck. He could easily have broken her hold, but he had no real desire to move away.

“What was that about?” she asked.

He looked away, ashamed. He had been lying in the dark, his mind flashing from Klendat to the bedroom, when he had heard S’rah laugh. The sound comforted him at first, and then he realized that it had been some time since he had heard her laugh. As he listened more closely, he had realized that T’bukka was the one bringing forth the joyous sound. An initial pang of sorrow that he had not been able to make her as happy was quickly replaced by anger as the conversation continued. Why was T’bukka still talking to her? What was he saying to keep her in such a ripple of amusement? How dare the other male try and seduce his female away. By the time the conversation ended, all he could think about was proving to his female that she belonged to him.

But now he remembered that she did not—could not.

“Was it because I was talking to T’bukka?” Her hands slid up his neck until she could grasp the base of his horns. The teasing touch in the sensitive area sent a streak of fire straight to his cock. His very hard, very ready cock. She must have felt it jerk against her because she lifted her hips in response.

“You don’t have any reason to be jealous, my love. You are the only warrior I want.”

He groaned and started to dip his head to kiss her but stopped.

“I am not worthy.”

“Oh, T’gana. Of course, you are.” She tugged on his horns and he let her pull him closer. “I know it’s going to take time for you to realize that and I’m willing to wait, but for right now, can we forget about worth and the future, and just be together? Just take one moment at a time?”

She raised a hand to the clasp on his uniform. “Let me touch you. Please.”

How could he refuse her? Just for tonight, he reminded himself, and nodded. She released the catch and the top fluttered away. Before he had a chance to regret it, she brought a hand down to stroke his chest and sighed with satisfaction.

“That’s better.”

“You too,” he urged.

With a breath-taking smile, she started to unbutton her shirt, but he was too impatient to wait. He ripped it open with his claws and tossed it and her undergarment aside, then cradled her against him so that he could feel her flesh warm and silky against his. His cock ached and throbbed between his legs but for the moment, he was content just to hold her, to relish this special intimacy. But her nipples were diamond hard and she shifted restlessly.

“Make love to me, my warrior,” she whispered.

He flinched at the term, but he put aside his fears and doubts and devoted himself to pleasing her. The darkness in his soul disappeared in a haze of soft flesh and silky heat and breathless cries. His seed erupted in an explosion of passion as she shuddered and clung to him. He felt her body grow limp and sleepy beneath him before he finally slipped free. She murmured unintelligibly and nestled against him.

For a long time, he lay next to her in a state of relaxed contentment, but the darkness gradually returned. As he tensed, he heard the sounds of the house and beyond that, the garden. An insect chittered and his skin turned clammy. Just an Earth insect, he reminded himself, but when it sounded again, he couldn't remain still. Slipping free of S’rah’s arms, he donned his shirt and went to investigate.

By the time he stood on the back porch, the night was silent. Had he even heard anything? Or had his mind betrayed him again. All he could do was keep watch and protect his females. For the rest of the night, he patrolled the house, moving from front to back, upstairs and down, in an endless loop, determined not to let anything escape him again.

The large bedroom at the top of the stairs opened out onto a balcony overlooking the backyard and he was there when the sky started to lighten. He greeted the sight of the rising sun with relief and a sense of exhaustion. Perhaps he could return to bed and hold S’rah before the day truly started…

He made it to the bottom of the stairs when the office door opened and T’bitha peeked out. When she saw him, she smiled and wandered over to him, yawning sleepily. The hair on one side of her head stuck straight up and strange creatures frolicked over her gown—she looked adorable. She held up her arms and he picked her up. She yawned again and snuggled against his chest, smelling of sleep and warm little girl. The tension inside him released a little more.

“Pancakes?” she asked around another yawn.

A laugh surprised him. “I don’t think you’re awake enough for pancakes, little one. Why don’t we go sit on the back porch and wait for S’rah and J’ne to wake up?”

“Okay.”

T’bitha fell asleep again as soon as he sat down, but he remained seated, letting her sleep. As the day brightened, a new chorus of insects released their cries, but this time he didn’t flinch at the noise or wonder if he was hallucinating. T’bitha kept him firmly in the present.

Cr’stal called after lunch. The morning had passed peacefully enough. T’bitha had asked him to show her the training exercises again and he found the same unexpected comfort in the familiar movements that he had the previous day. Despite his exhaustion, he didn’t feel as weighed down by despair today. It had finally occurred to him that S’rah and the girls were doing their best to help him. One of them always came to him whenever the darkness started to increase and today his mind was clear enough both to recognize what they were doing and to realize that it did help. After the midday meal, J’ne turned on the television to watch an animated program. An explosion of sparks lit up the screen as thunder came from the speakers. The green sky started to descend, but he forced himself to walk over to S’rah. He put his arms around her and buried his face in her hair, and the sky was no longer green.

“T’gana, is something wrong?”

“No. I… needed you.” He stumbled over the words, but she did not withdraw in disgust. Instead, she hugged him fiercely.

“Then I’m glad you came to me. Did something trigger you?”

Too ashamed to admit that a simple children’s program had shaken his already unsteady mind, he just shrugged. However, she peered past him and saw the screen.

“I see. Jane, can you turn off the tv? Why don’t you and Tabby go outside and play? I’ll bring you out a popsicle in a little while.”

They were out there now, pretending to be sailing across the sea and singing about a heart, when the phone rang. He froze and S’rah tensed, then shook her head.

“It can’t always be bad news, can it?”

As soon as his sensitive hearing picked up Cr’stal’s voice, he realized she was wrong. The girl was crying so hard that her words were barely intelligible.

“He’s gone. Darryl’s gone.”

“Oh, Crystal, I’m so sorry,” S’rah said in a low soothing voice, but her gaze had flown past him to the girls jumping in and out of their “boat.”

“I- I should tell the girls.”

“Not over the phone,” S’rah said promptly. “Or… or would you prefer that I do it?”

“God, yes. I don’t know what to say. I have to call his parents too.”

“Is Becca still with you?”

“Yeah, she’s here. But, Sarah, what am I going to do now?”

S’rah continued to talk gently to the girl as despair tugged at him. The male had been worthless, but he should have been fast enough to save him. The blackness crept back, and the dark bedroom called to him. He took a step in that direction and S’rah caught his hand. He remained obediently at her side until she finished her call.

“Poor girl. I think she genuinely cared for him. Although she does seem a little obsessed with wondering who’s going to look after her now.”

He didn’t respond and she stepped closer.

“T’gana, I suspect you’re blaming yourself. Don’t. The only person at fault here is Mae.”

“I did not protect him.”

“You protected me, and you stopped her as quickly as you could. Crystal is safe as well.”

He shook his head and cast a longing glance at the quiet bedroom, but her hand tightened. “You can’t go back to bed now. I have to tell the girls and they’re going to need you. I need you.”

Her plea broke through his despair. If she needed him then, the least he could do was to try and be there for her.

“I will come with you.”

Together they walked out into the garden. S’rah sat on the back steps and tugged him down next to her before she called the girls over.

“I’m afraid I have some sad news,” she said.

“Do we hafta leave?” J’ne asked, and T’bitha’s thumb crept into her mouth.

“No, that’s not it. Do you remember that I told you that your Daddy was very sick? I’m sorry but he didn’t get any better. He died this morning.”

“Like Mr. Bubbles?”

“Mr. Bubbles?”

“My fish. He died and we had to flush him down the toilet.”

“Yes, I suppose it’s like that.”

J’ne burst into noisy sobs and T’bitha followed, although she seemed more confused than upset. His hearts ached at their suffering. Suffering he could have prevented if he wasn’t so damaged. He forced his guilt aside when T’bitha reached for him. J’ne was already in S’rah’s lap and together they held the girls and let them cry until the tears died down into muted snuffles.

“What’s going to happen to us?” J’ne asked eventually.

“You’re going to stay with me,” S’rah said firmly.

“Like you’s our mama?” asked T’bitha.

“Yes, sweetie, just like that.”

“Mama Sarah,” J’ne said, and smiled for the first time.

“And Daddy Tigga,” T’bitha added. The words struck straight at his hearts. He wanted that so desperately, but could he protect them as a father should or was he too damaged? His eyes flew to S’rah’s and she nodded encouragingly, but no words would come. Instead, he put an arm around S’rah and J’ne and pulled all three of his girls close.

Chapter Twenty-Five

No one ate much at the evening meal, even though T’gana made pancakes for a second time. S’rah looked at the despondent little faces.

“Why don’t we all go curl up on the couch and watch a movie?” she suggested.

The movie was a classic quest tale with a female hero, and he recognized it as having inspired their earlier game. At one point in the story, an Elder Female died and then appeared in the water as a large sea creature.

“Do you think Daddy’s in the sea?” T’bitha whispered.

Most Yehrin believed that their souls went to join the Ancestors, but who knew what form they took?

“Perhaps so,” he agreed. She nodded and settled back against his chest and her thumb did not return to her mouth.

He found he identified with the warrior in the movie—one who had made a mistake and finally found a way to atone. Perhaps there was a way for him to move past his mistakes as well.

When bedtime came, both girls dissolved into tears again and clung to them. S’rah gave him a helpless look, then settled them both in the big bed in the mirrored bedroom and told them stories until their eyes finally closed.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“About what?”

“Having two little girls in our bed. We can’t… do anything tonight.”

“I always want you, my S’rah. But I do believe I can survive one night.”

She looked startled, then smiled at him. “Of course, you can. And I can too.”

Driven by his pleasure at her smile, he leaned over and kissed her until she was clinging to him.

“But not if you keep doing that,” she said breathlessly.

“Should I desist?”

“Never!” The word hung between them.

“S’rah…”

“One day at a time, my love. Remember?”

“You are as wise as you are beautiful.”

A delicate pink spread over her cheeks. “And you’re a sweet talker.” She bent down and kissed each girl softly. “Hopefully they’ll sleep now. Shall we go into the other room?”

He nodded, but as soon as S’rah started to ease her way out of the bed, J’ne woke up. The rest of the night followed a similar pattern. Both girls had nightmares and woke crying. In the early hours of the morning, his females finally settled into an exhausted sleep, but he couldn’t join them. His thoughts circled endlessly. Finally, he slipped carefully out of the bed and went to patrol the house.

When that didn’t work to settle his mind, he started moving through the training exercises, letting the familiar patterns calm his anxiety. By the time he found some measure of peace, his chest was dripping with sweat and his weak leg trembled, but he had reached a conclusion. He was not what they deserved, but his females needed him. For their sakes, he would find a way out of this pit of despair.

“T’gana, what are you doing?” S’rah asked sleepily from the doorway.

“I could not sleep.”

Without a word, she came over and put her arms around him, all soft, sleepy female.

“Do you really want me to stay with you?” he asked.

Her body stiffened and she leaned her head back to look up at him.

“You know I do,” she said quietly.

“I do not know how long it will take to become even half the male I was before.”

“My love, I don’t miss him. We only saw each other’s surface. What we have now, between us, this is real.”

His chest ached but he recognized the truth in her words. They had seen into the heart of each other and he could not regret that, no matter how much pain they had shared.

“And you would trust me to care for T’bitha and J’ne?”

“There is no one I would trust more.”

“Then we will still take one day at a time, but each day will be here with you.”

“Oh, T’gana.” Her eyes were bright with water, but her smile was as bright as the rising sun. “I love you.”

“I love you too, my S’rah.”

He bent his head to kiss her, to seal their love, and a small voice intruded.

“I’m hungry, Daddy Tigga.”

“Then you shall be fed.” His heart lighter than it had been in many days, he scooped up T’bitha, put his arm around S’rah’s waist and led the way to the kitchen.

As they moved through the morning, Sarah noticed that T’gana’s newfound peace seemed to help all of them. The girls behaved more like their usual selves and she, too, felt like a weight had been lifted. Although the strain had left his face, he still looked tired, so she lured him into the bedroom and coaxed him into laying down for a while.

“I seem to be spending a lot of time in this bed.” His eyes glinted at her. “And not for the most pleasant reasons. Are you going to join me?”

“If I do, you won’t rest. But if you catch up on your sleep now, maybe we can do some of those more pleasant things tonight.”

“Your reasoning is excellent, my S’rah,” he said, his eyes already closing, and she watched in satisfaction as he slipped into a deep, natural sleep.

Not long after T’gana drifted off, Crystal called. Darryl’s parents were in town for the funeral and wanted to see the girls. Sarah didn’t remember them being particularly interested in the girls before, but perhaps things had changed while she was gone.

“You can bring them over anytime,” she offered.

“Uh, no. They don’t even wanna come to his house. Said there were too many memories. They’re staying at the Hotel Grayson. I thought I could pick them up. Just for a couple of hours.”

“I suppose that’s all right,” she said doubtfully. “Isn’t that kind of a fancy place for little girls?”

“I’m sure it’s cool. I’ll be over in about thirty minutes, okay?”

Before Sarah could respond, she hung up.

Wondering what T’gana would think, she went to check on him. He was still sleeping, his face smooth and at peace, and she decided not to disturb him. Leaving him to sleep, she slipped quietly out of the room, closing the door behind her. At the last minute, she also took the monitor. The last thing he needed was to be startled awake by the alarm when Crystal arrived.

Jane and Tabby changed into two of their new outfits readily enough, but when Crystal showed up at the door, neither girl wanted to leave, and they clung to Sarah’s hands.

“Maybe I should come with them,” she said to Crystal as she went to her knees to wrap an arm around each girl. She didn’t want to leave T’gana, but it the girls needed her.

“No,” Crystal said quickly, then shot a nervous glance around. “Their grandparents want to see them by themselves.”

“But just for a few hours, right? You’re bringing them back this afternoon?”

“Yes, of course,” she agreed, but her eyes flickered. Sarah’s instincts kicked into overdrive. She couldn’t deny that the grandparents had a right to see the girls, but what if they were planning on trying to keep them?

“I don’t wanna go, Mama Sarah,” Jane whispered. “Last time we saw Grandma, she was on the phone the whole time and didn’t want to play with us and Grandpa always smells funny.”

“He smells yucky,” Tabby agreed. “Wanna stay with Daddy Tigga.”

Sarah’s heart sank even further but the complaints weren’t serious enough to give her a reason to prevent them from going.

“It’s just for a little while,” she said gently. “Then Crystal will bring you back to me. Right, Crystal?”

“Yeah, sure.” The girl darted another look around. “But we gotta go. I don’t wanna get stuck in traffic.”

Sarah hugged the girls, then disentangled the clinging fingers and sent them off, her heart aching. What was she going to do if Darryl’s parents wanted custody? Custody laws would surely favor their grandparents, even if they were virtual strangers. But those were human custody laws… Her hands shook as she went to find the communicator. So many times she had envied the Yehrin their prerogatives. Perhaps this time, she could use it in her favor.

A harsh voice answered in Yehrin.

“Commander, this is Sarah Anderson again.”

“Is there trouble?”

“No, or at least not of the kind I called about last time.”

“That is a relief. Why are you calling?” His voice was brusque, but not unsympathetic.

“When we spoke before, you said the girls could stay with me. Do you remember?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Can you enforce that? I mean, if someone tried to take them away?”

“My word is law,” he said firmly, and there was no trace of doubt in his voice. For once Yehrin arrogance came as a relief and she relaxed for the first time since she’d opened the door.

“Thank you so much. The girls have gone to see their grandparents. I am afraid that they won’t return them, or that even if they do, their grandparents will try and claim them.”

“If they do not return, have Sub Commander T’gana contact me. I am surprised he let them leave if you are so concerned.”

She winced. “I didn’t tell him. He’s still on shaky ground.”

“Your earth is moving? Should I send an extraction team?” he asked immediately, and she had to fight back the urge to giggle.

“No, sorry. I just meant that his recovery is still uncertain.”

“Ah. My advice to you is not to keep anything from your warrior. It never ends well.”

“I’ll let him know as soon as I can.”

“Very well.”

He disconnected. Apparently, the Yehrin didn’t believe in long goodbyes, or any goodbyes for that matter.

The monitor chimed softly, and she saw Becca walking up the driveway. Now what? She hurried to get to the door before the girl rang the bell and disturbed T’gana.

“Hi, Becca. Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, sure. Crystal sent me to get another shirt for Tabitha. She spilled grape juice on hers.”

“Already?” Apparently, the cute little white blouse had been a little too optimistic. “Come on in. I’ll find another one.”

“What’s that?” The girl gestured at the device she was still carrying.

“Oh, I forgot I was carrying it. It’s a communicator.”

Becca giggled. “It looks like something out of Star Trek.”

“I guess it is kind of like that.” She put it down on the island and gestured to a stool. “Have a seat. I’ll only be a minute.”

It wasn’t until she was combing through Tabby’s limited supply of clothes to find a suitable blouse that it hit her. The girls still had clothing at their house. Why couldn’t Crystal have used those?

“Becca, I’m not sure I have another top that will match,” she called as she headed back to the kitchen. “Can’t Crystal find—”

Her words came to an abrupt halt. The garage door was open, and Becca was no longer alone. Two men flanked her and just as she entered, the larger one brought a heavy pan down on the communicator, sending shards flying across the kitchen. Another sound penetrated her shocked horror and she looked across to see a third man standing at the door to the bedroom and, oh God, lowering an odd-looking rifle.

“What did you do?” she cried, racing towards him.

He caught her arm in a bruising grip. “None of that, missy. He’s alive. For now.”

“You shot him?” Visions of T’gana bleeding flashed through her mind and she started struggling.

“It’s just a fucking tranquilizer. Now settle down.” He yanked her arm behind her back and used it to steer her over to the island.

“Don’t hurt her,” Becca cried.

“Why do you care about some alien-loving slut?” the man behind Sarah demanded.

“It’s not her fault—they made her do it. And you said we would rescue her. Get her out of that bastard’s hands.”

The look she shot in the direction of the bedroom was so venomous that it shocked Sarah. The girl no longer seemed like the empty-headed young girl she had appeared to be before. Her pale face looked drawn and years older.

“Yeah, well, she’s away from him now, isn’t she?”

Becca nodded reluctantly. “What about him? How long until he wakes up and you can make him talk, Jim?”

The man holding her shrugged. “Hell, if I know. I shot him with an elephant tranquilizer.”

“Those aren’t intended for people,” Sarah cried, her heart pounding.

“He ain’t human. Or did you forget that when you were busy betraying your race?”

“Betraying my race? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Fucking a goddamn alien. Making more of the bastards. I bet you’re already fucking pregnant.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Becca cried. “What about my sister? How are you going to question him if you knocked him out?”

The men exchanged glances and she turned even paler. “Oh my god, you never had any intention of asking him, did you?”

“Your sister’s gone, Becca.” The man standing next to her said brusquely. Tall and slender with a serious expression, he seemed younger than the other two, but no sympathy softened his face. “If she isn’t dead, she probably already spawning another invader.”

Becca swayed, her hand reaching for the counter. “But, David, you promised me you’d help me find her.”

He shrugged. “We needed you to make contact with the bimbo up the street. You were our path in.”

“Crystal? Crystal is on this too? What has she done to the girls?” Frantic, Sarah started struggling again and Jim yanked her arm so high it felt like it was coming out of the socket.

“Stop that,” Becca yelled at Jim when Sarah cried out. “She’s human. She isn’t one of them.” She gave Sarah an earnest look. “The girls are fine, Sarah, I promise. We even made up the story about their grandparents to make sure they weren’t around here when the men came to deal with the alien. Crystal will take really good care of them until we get you out.”

“Get me out? I don’t want out!”

“Told ya.” The big man who had smashed the communicator spoke for the first time. “Fucking aliens do something to ‘em. My Margie’s always going on about Yehrin this and Yehrin fucking that.”

Since he was grossly overweight with sweat stains under his arms and what looked like food caught in his bushy beard, Sarah couldn’t blame Margie.

“You see, Becca. We did get her out,” Jim said, and laughed. The hair on Sarah’s arms stood on end.

“And now what?” she asked.

“We’re going to make an example of you.”

“What does that mean?” Becca asked before Sarah could work up the nerve.

“Becca, I think you should leave now,” David said. “You did your job and got us in.”

“But my sister… You promised.”

“You just have to accept that she’s gone,” he said gravely, as he took her by the arm and started walking her towards the door.

“I’m not leaving without Sarah,” she objected, dragging her feet. “This is my fault.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?” he said, studying her face.

When she nodded, he drew back his arm and with astonishing speed, punched her in the face. She didn’t even get a chance to cry out before she dropped to the floor.

“Damn, you’re a cold one,” the big man laughed. “Thought she was your little girlfriend.”

“Shut up, Tiny,” David said. “Are we ready, Jim?”

“Just have to bring in the rest of the supplies through the garage. It would be more dramatic at night, but I don’t know how long that tranquilizer will hold him.”

“Right. Come on, Tiny. Make yourself useful.”

“Shit. Why do I always have to carry stuff?” Tiny grumbled as he followed David into the garage.

“Because you sure as hell aren’t the brains of the operation.”

It wasn’t until he returned with a five gallon can of gas in each hand that Sarah understood.

“You’re going to burn down the house,” she whispered through numb lips. “With T’gana in it.”

“Yep.” Jim leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “And he’s not going to be alone.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

T’gana was dreaming. At first the dream was pleasant—S’rah leading him along a garden path, stopping to kiss him each time the path changed direction. The girls skipped ahead, J’ne singing and T’bitha collecting wildflowers. But the next time he looked up, the girls were gone. He took a firmer grip on S’rah’s hand and tried to catch up with them, but the path started to change. The dirt beneath their feet turned to black sand and the sky turned green. Bitter smoke assailed his nose, and then S’rah was gone and he was back in the desert on Klendat Five. The bugs chittered and screeched. He tried to run but the sand dragged at his feet until he could barely move. Blood dripped from his missing rear claw and his leg burned and itched. A distant scream penetrated his consciousness—S’rah.

Startling awake, he tried to sit up, but his limbs would barely respond, as if he were truly mired in the dark sands. It took an infinite amount of time before he could move his head enough to look down and see a dart protruding from his arm. Gritting his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead, he finally managed to bring his other hand over and pull it out. His mind immediately began to clear, although his movements were still sluggish. What had happened?

The smell of smoke drifted through the room and for a horrified moment he thought the Saviji had followed him here. Then he heard a human voice from the next room.

“We need to leave.”

A strange male voice in their domicile. Chills raced up his spine as he tried to bring his body back under control. Where was S’rah? Where were his girls?

“Shut up, Tiny.” A second voice spoke up. “I want to make sure the fire has caught first.”

“Why’re you in such a fucking hurry? We coulda had a little fun with her first.”

“You’re a sick fuck.”

Her? Were they talking about his S’rah? His skin crawling, he managed to push himself off the bed, landing on all fours.

“I’m a sick fuck? Hell, you’re the one who’s leaving her to be burned alive.”

Horrified, he dragged himself up as the rage and fear flooding his system helped to burn off the drug. And the girls—where were the girls?

A third voice intervened. “It is the only way. They must not be allowed to despoil our women and propagate their evil. Jim, are you ready?”

“Yeah, the signal’s transmitting. With any luck, the camera will be the last thing to burn and we’ll capture it all.”

Gritting his teeth, he took one step, then another, almost stumbling as his weak leg took the longest to recover from the effects of the drug. Instead of reaching for his blast tube, he pulled out his nano sword. These men deserved to die by the sword. He threw open the bedroom door to find three strangers staring at him, mouths agape.

“What the fuck, Jim? I thought you used elephant tranquilizer?”

“I did, I did.” The man started fumbling with his weapon but even with T’gana’s still shaky legs, two strides took him to the man’s side and one stroke removed his head. He whirled to the second man and just barely managed to keep his balance, but his blade was steady at the man’s throat.

“Where are they? Where are my girls?”

“The kids?” the big man babbled, his shocked gaze on his companion’s head. “They’re not here. That blonde’s taking care of them. We’re not fucking monsters.”

A surge of relief filled him that at least the girls were safe, but he still had to find his S’rah. “And my female?”

“It’s too late for her,” the third man laughed, his eyes filled with satisfaction, and pointed towards the front hallway. Flames crept up the walls and the acrid tang of smoke filled his nostrils. The green sky threatened but he pushed it back. S’rah needed him.

“Where is she?” he roared.

“I’ll never tell.” The man’s eyes gleamed fanatically and T’gana believed him. A second head joined the first and he turned back to the remaining man.

He immediately started babbling. “Don’t kill me. She’s at the top of the stairs, chained to the columns, Jim said it would be—”

A third head joined the others and T’gana raced for the entrance hall. Flames shot up the front door and were already licking up the stairs. He looked up and saw S’rah, her hands chained above her head and her legs fastened to the columns framing the upper landing. Her eyes were wide and terrified, her mouth covered with cloth. An anguished cry escaped his lips. The smoke was thicker here, creeping deeper into his lungs, and the floor threatened to turn to black sand beneath his feet, but he kept his eyes on S’rah as he fought his way up the stairs.

“You have to get out of here,” she cried, as soon as he removed the gag. “He didn’t even have a key.”

“Hold still.” One stroke with the sword, another, and one leg was free. The increasing heat pressed against his back as he tried to shelter her from the flames.

“T’gana, there isn’t enough time. You have to leave.”

“Never without you.” The second chain fell.

“The girls need you,” she cried.

“They need us both.” Only one chain was left but it was wound so tightly around her wrists that it was cutting into her skin and he had to be careful. A window exploded behind him, but he didn’t flinch at the sudden noise, couldn’t let it distract him. One more stroke and she fell into his arms.

“I thought you were dead,” she sobbed.

“I am not leaving you, my S’rah.” He scooped her up and turned to the stairs, but they were completely engulfed in flames now and he could not carry her safely through the raging fire. The upper landing was already smoldering as the conflagration advanced.

“What are we going to do?” she whispered, her arms tightening around his neck.

Without pausing to answer her, he took off for the back of the house at a stumbling run. His damaged leg still twitched and threatened to collapse but he refused to give in to it. Smoke already filled the upper hallway, but he found the door to the largest bedroom and pushed it open. Flames roared behind them with the influx of oxygen. Without pausing, he carried her through the room and out onto the balcony. They both gulped in the fresh air, but he could already feel the heat from the fire behind him.

“Do you think we can climb down?” she asked.

“No time,” he said, and headed for the railing at a run. He expected her to scream a protest but all she did was to bury her head in his neck as he reached the edge of the balcony and jumped. Throwing a protective arm over her head, he wrapped himself around her body as best he could, praying that he had judged the distance correctly.

Sarah clung to T’gana with all her strength as he sailed over the edge of the balcony. An endless moment of free fall and then they landed, the shock oddly muffled. Before she grasped what had happened, he was on his feet again and racing for the far end of the garden. When they reached the gazebo, he finally stopped and turned. Flames were shooting out of the upper windows and as they watched, the balcony they had just left started to burn. It looked so high above the ground she couldn’t believe that they had made the jump safely.

“Are you all right? That was a long jump.” She looked up at him anxiously and saw a weed tangled in his horns. She pulled it free. “Where did this come from?”

“I jumped into the pile of materials I was gathering for the compost heap,” he said absently, but his eyes were intent on her face, glowing bright gold.

“Fuck, S’rah, I thought I lost you. I love you so much.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. “I thought I lost you too, but you saved me. You saved us both.”

His mouth descended, at first tender and almost worshipful, then demanding her response. The shock and fear of the afternoon morphed into frantic urgency until she was meeting his kiss with the same desperate need. She fumbled for the catch on his shirt even as he ripped hers away. His hands were everywhere, caressing her breasts, teasing her nipples, ripping away her shorts to uncover the slick heat between her thighs. He growled his approval and speared her with one thick finger, sending her into a quick, shocking climax. Before she could catch her breath, she was on the ground and he was rising over her, his horns reflecting the orange glow of the fire. She could hear it roaring in the background but all that mattered was her warrior.

“I claim you as my L’chka.”

With one hard stroke, he plunged deep, the sudden fullness almost too much to take but she didn’t hesitate. She circled his waist with her legs, trying to pull him deeper even as he began thrusting urgently. He grabbed her hips with one hand, pulling her harder, tighter against him, and clasped her shoulder with the other, holding her in place as he moved faster, forcing her to take every thick inch of his massive cock. All she could do was cling to him and urge him on. His head dropped down against her shoulder, his hips still pounding out the urgent rhythm.

“My L’chka,” he repeated, and then his teeth bit into her shoulder. A brief flare of fiery pain was immediately followed by a wave of pleasure so intense that her vision dimmed and she started coming, spasming around him in helpless ecstasy as he buried himself in her, as his own body shuddered, as she felt him fill her with his seed.

They clung to each other in breathless happiness for a brief second before he raised his head. A flash of remorse crossed his face and she held her breath. Was he already regretting his claim? He stroked a gentle finger along her shoulder, and she winced at the reminder of the bite.

“I have marked you, my L’chka.”

“Yes,” she said cautiously.

He continued to trace the outline of the bite and even though it was still sore, her pussy started to tingle.

“Perhaps we are never far from our past. I find I like the sign of my possession on your skin.”

“Mm. Very primitive.”

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Now kiss me, my warrior.”

He obeyed willingly but just as the heat flared between them, he stopped and raised his head.

“What is it?”

“Fire engines approaching. We should get dressed.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” she said, but she kept her arms around his neck.

He returned her embrace, then reluctantly withdrew from her body. As she forced herself into a sitting position, aware of a slight, pleasant ache between her thighs, she started looking for her clothes. When she spotted them, or rather what was left of them, she sighed and shook her head.

“You realize you destroyed my clothes? What am I going to wear?”

“Here.” He had been gathering up his own clothes and he handed her his uniform top. The significance of the gesture did not escape her, and her eyes started to fill with tears again. But then she realized something even more important. For the first time he had fully undressed when they made love.

“You’re naked,” she gasped.

His body tensed almost imperceptibly, then relaxed as he met her gaze, his eyes soft gold.

“I did not want any barriers between us when I claimed you.”

A lump appeared in her throat, but she smiled at him. “Thank you, my love.”

The sound of sirens could no longer be ignored and she had only a minute to admire him before he pulled on his pants, but the sight etched itself in her memory—the thick undulating cock hanging heavily down his leg, the strong thighs still powerful despite the deep scars, the twisted flesh that was all that remained of his left calf.

“I promised you that I would kiss you all over and I intend to keep that promise,” she said as she covered herself with his shirt. “But right now, let’s go find our girls.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“T’gana, what happened to those men?” Sarah asked as they hurried to the gate at the back of the garden.

“They are dead, of course,” he said calmly, unlocking the complicated mechanism he had installed to protect the rear entrance.

She tried to find some sympathy for their fate, but she had none. They had tried to kill her. The only one that had protested had been—oh God, Becca. She suddenly remembered seeing her fall when David punched her. Had she still been in the house?

“What about the girl?” she asked urgently. “Did you see her?”

“What girl?”

“Becca. Crystal’s friend, although she wasn’t really. The last time I saw her she was on the floor in the kitchen.”

“No one was there when I came through it,” he said as he led the way out into the narrow service lane which ran behind all the houses on the street.

“Oh God, I hope she made it out.” The thought that the girl might have been trapped in that inferno made her feel sick.

Letting go of her hand, he tapped rapidly on his wrist com. “I will advise the team to look for her. If she is still alive, is she a threat?”

“I don’t think so. I believe she genuinely thought she was rescuing me. There was something about her sister as well. I think she was taken by the Yehrin.”

“I see.” He shot a glance at her but to her surprise, he made no further comment.

They had reached the entrance to Darryl’s garden and she tried the handle.

“Damn, it’s locked. I guess we’ll just have to go around—”

T’gana directed a short, hard kick at the gate and it flew open.

“—or you could do that. Are you all right?”

He had one hand braced against the opening as he clutched his leg, but he gave her a wry smile.

“I still forget that I am not the warrior that I was before.”

For the first time, there was no bitterness in his tone as he acknowledged his weakness and she returned his smile.

“I’m still impressed. Do you want to wait here while I go get the girls?”

His smile vanished. “No. We do not know how deeply Crystal was involved in this plot.” He scanned the open expanse of lawn but there was no sign of movement. “Stay behind me.”

With his hand on his blast tube, he led the way across the lawn, limping slightly but not much more than normal. No one appeared, even when they walked up on the deck and approached the back door. Her heart started to pound. What if Becca had been wrong? What if the girls weren’t here?

“Do you hear anything?” she demanded.

“Not yet.”

He started to raise his foot, but she quickly put a hand on arm. “Let me try this first.”

As she suspected, the door opened to her touch and he growled.

“That worthless female should never have been entrusted with our girls. I—” He stopped and tilted his head. “They are crying.”

Snatching her hand, he tugged her rapidly through the house and out on to the front porch. Crystal and the girls were standing on the front lawn staring at Sarah’s house as the flames shot up into the sky, resisting the efforts of the fire trucks spraying water on the blaze. Both girls were crying hysterically while Crystal gaped. Sarah would gladly have smacked Crystal for letting them see the destruction if she hadn’t been more concerned with getting to the girls.

“Jane, Tabitha, it’s all right. We’re here, we’re safe,” she cried, as she flew across the lawn and fell to her knees in front of them. They flung themselves into her arms as T’gana knelt behind them and encircled all of them in the protection of his body.

The next few minutes were a confused flurry of tears, and wet faces, and small arms strangling them in a desperate hold as she and T’gana murmured love and reassurance to the frightened children.

“Do not move,” T’gana ordered, his cold voice a complete change from the soothing tone he’d been using with the girls. She looked up to see that he was addressing Crystal as the girl tried to back away.

“Okay, okay. I’m not going anywhere.” She shot a nervous glance at him, then turned to Sarah. “What happened? I got a text from Becca saying she was wrong, and she was sorry and that she’d called the fire department. That’s when we heard the sirens.”

“And it didn’t occur to you to keep the girls inside?” Sarah asked through gritted teeth.

Crystal ducked her head. “Well, no.”

“Mama Sarah, we thought you was inside with Daddy Tigga,” Jane sobbed into her neck.

“Ssh, sweetheart, it’s all right. We’re both here and we’re just fine.”

“You left us,” Tabby said around her thumb.

“We are never going to leave you again,” T’gana promised.

“But there’s no house and we don’t wanna stay here with her,” Jane said, as her tears finally started to abate. Sarah gave T’gana a helpless look.

“We are going to go and stay with someone I know,” he said firmly. “All of us together.”

They were? She wasn’t going to question him in front of the girls, but she hoped he didn’t mean they were returning to the ship. Not that there was anything here for her anymore. A pang of regret surprised her as she looked up the street in time to see part of the roof cave in. Despite her lack of affection for the house, it had been her home, a last gift from her father, and there had been many happy moments under that roof.

T’gana started to get to his feet. “I need to speak to Cr’stal for a moment.”

“No!” Both girls threw themselves at him and it was his turn to give her a helpless look.

“It’s all right, girls.” She drew them gently back into her arms. “I’m here with you and T’gana will stay where you can see him. Right?”

“Yes, of course.” He disengaged Tabby’s hand from his arm and kissed the small fingers. “Do not worry, little ones.”

He stood up, and all three of them turned to watch as he stalked over to Crystal. She backed away nervously but stopped when he barked an order at her. The two of them moved to the front porch, still within view but out of earshot. Crystal started talking rapidly, flinging her arms around, but then she stepped closer to him and put a hand on his arm as she looked up at him. Sarah was suddenly extremely conscious of her own bedraggled state, especially compared to the pretty young girl in her cute sundress.

Tabby made a noise suspiciously like a growl and Jane muttered. “She shouldn't be touching our Tigga.”

They all breathed a sigh of relief when T’gana shook off Crystal’s hand.

“Are you all right, S’rah? And the girls?”

The deep voice from behind startled her and she instinctively crouched over the girls before she recognized T’bukka’s voice and relaxed.

“Yes, we’re all fine, thanks.” She smiled up at him. “Although, T’gana’s leg has been through a lot today. Maybe you could take a look at it while you’re here?”

“My leg does not need assistance,” T’gana growled, stepping between her and the other warrior. “Why are you here?”

“Commander T’lan sent me when he received your communication. A team will be arriving shortly to—” His eyes flicked to the girls. “—to access the wreckage.”

T’gana grunted. “The female on the porch was used by a resistance movement. She does not seem to know much but your time would be better spent interrogating her rather than bothering my L’chka.”

“Your L’chka?” A flicker of something crossed T’bukka’s face before he smiled and nodded to her. “I congratulate you both on your mating.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled back and T’gana growled again.

“The female,” he prompted, and jerked his head at the porch.

“I have not forgotten,” T’bukka said calmly. “Do you know if your flyer was damaged by the fire?”

“It is cloaked and shielded—it should not have suffered any damage. Why?”

“I was going to suggest that you leave the scene. I can report back to T’lan.”

T’gana hesitated, obviously torn.

“What about his leg?” she asked. “Shouldn’t you take a look at it?”

Her question appeared to decide the matter. With another growl, he lifted her easily to her feet, took Jane in one arm, wrapped the other one around her and Tabby, and started marching them up the street.

“Goodbye, T’bukka,” she called over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

“You have no reason to thank him,” T’gana said stiffly.

“He only came to help.” She poked him. “And at least he didn’t have his hands all over me like Crystal did with you.”

He came to an abrupt halt. “You can not believe that I have any interest in that worthless female?”

No, she realized. Despite the momentary flash of jealousy, she really didn’t.

“No. And you should know I have no interest in any other warrior.”

“I know, my S’rah.” Ignoring the girls watching them with wide eyes, he bent down and kissed her until Jane giggled. “Now let us leave.”

“Shouldn’t we at least get the girls some clothes first?”

“They do not need anything from this place. I will provide for all of you.”

This obviously mattered to him, so she didn’t protest. She took one last regretful look around the street and the remnants of her home. But this was her past, behind her now, and she would choose to remember only the happier times. Her future was with the big warrior beside her and the two little girls they carried between them. “Okay, my love. Then let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

As the flyer began to descend over the North Carolina mountains, T’gana hoped that he had not been too quick to reject anything associated with his females’ former life. He had sent an urgent request to Commander T’lan, but perhaps he was expecting too much from the busy warrior.

He shot a glance at his females. They were all strapped together in the other seat—not an ideal arrangement but it would do for this flight. He would have the flyer retrofitted to accommodate four immediately. However, none of them had complained about the snug fit, and now they were all leaning forward eagerly to study the scenery. The late afternoon sun gilded the soft folds of the ancient mountains with a welcoming glow.

“Are you sure Emily and T’lan are okay with us coming to visit?” S’rah asked.

“Yes. I believe that if I had still been on active duty, he would have made it an order.”

“Who’s Emily and T’lan?” J’ne asked. “Are they nice and does they have kids?”

“Do they,” S’rah corrected. “Yes, they are very nice, and they have a baby girl named Emlan. And I’m not sure if my friend Rachel is living here yet, but she has a younger brother called Benji.”

“Will he play with us and can we play with the baby?”

“I’m afraid he may be a little old for that and Emlan may be a little too young, but we’ll see.”

He interrupted the conversation to point out their destination. A broad meadow spread across the mountainside, ringed by forest on three sides and opening out over a valley on the fourth. A wooden house was tucked to one side, but he could also see two temporary dwelling units along the other. It appeared that T’lan’s colony was already expanding.

He brought the flyer in for smooth landing next to the small collection of other ships. A third building with an undeniably military appearance was hidden amongst the trees behind them. They had barely landed before Commander T’lan appeared with what must be his human mate. A small, curvy female with wayward blonde curls, she appeared ridiculously small next to the big warrior. Thank the Ancestors that his female was of a more reasonable size.

As he helped his females from the flyer, he noticed another warrior following the couple, cradling a child. One of his horns was missing and T’gana quickly averted his eyes from the shameful sight, then winced. Did other warriors feel the same way about his own injuries? Before he had a chance to consider the thought, T’lan’s mate came rushing up.

“Sarah! Are you all right? T’lan said your house burned down!”

T’gana shot a quick glance at the commander and saw him shake his head.

“She does not need to know the details,” T’lan said in Yehrin.

“Would you stop doing that? As if I didn’t know there’s something you’re not telling me,” the small female said impatiently. Then she caught sight of T’bitha and J’ne, both clinging to S’rah’s legs and her voice softened. “And who are these two pretty little girls?” She bent down to them. “My name is Emily, but why don’t you call me Auntie Em— Oh my goodness, I’m Auntie Em!”

She and S’rah both laughed while he exchanged a puzzled look with T’lan.

“This is Jane and this is Tabitha,” S’rah said after she stopped laughing. “Can you say hello, girls?”

T’bitha gave a shy little nod, her thumb firmly planted in her mouth, but J’ne, of course, immediately started talking. “Hello. Are we staying with you now ‘cause it took forever to get here and I’m hungry.”

Both he and T’lan growled. How could he have neglected to provide for his females?

“Then let’s go up to the house right now,” M’lee said. “I made some cookies this morning that I bet you’d like.”

“Cookies!” J’ne yelled, and even T’bitha smiled. “Is that your baby? Can we play with her?”

“I’m afraid she’s not really old enough to play. But you can hold her for a little while once we get to the house if you’re very careful.” This time the silent third warrior growled but M’lee waved a hand at him. “Stop it, Tren. They won’t hurt her, will you, girls?”

“Uh uh. I’ve never held a real baby before, but I had a baby doll with hair just like that and I used to play with her all the time.” As J’ne started recounting her adventures with her doll, they all started for the house. He picked up T’bitha while S’rah took J’ne’s hand. Instead of snuggling into him the way she usually did, she stared at the one-horned warrior. He returned her stare with equal gravity.

“Owie?” she asked, gesturing at the missing horn, and T’gana winced. Surely the warrior did not want attention drawn to his defect. To his relief, the other male did not seem disturbed but only nodded.

“Yes, but it no longer pains me.”

T’bitha considered him, then gestured him closer with a small, imperious finger. When he leaned down towards her, she bent over and pressed a kiss to the damaged horn.

“All better.”

“Thank you, small one.” A smile spread across the warrior’s face and T’gana suddenly realized that he was shockingly young. He must have been damaged on his first assignment.

“I am T’gana,” he said.

“I am aware of your identity, Sub Commander T’gana. I am Officer T’renan, although the human females choose to call me Tren.”

The baby in his arms started kicking her legs around and his attention immediately turned to her, rocking her gently until she quieted. T’gana focused on her for the first time. Despite her human features, he could see the small black buds of her horns amidst her curls and the tiny black claws topping each finger. His hearts ached. If they had been able to conceive, would his and S’rah’s child have looked like that? But as T’bitha tucked her head into his neck, he could not regret the loss. He had already been blessed beyond his wildest expectations.

“And this is M’lan,” T’renan continued. “She has my honor.”

“I see.” That explained his devotion. “You are stationed here?”

“Yes. Commander T’lan has ordered me to supervise the security protocols as we expand the colony. We are also including the human town at the base of the mountain. If you would care to review the plans, I would welcome your advice.”

“I am happy to be of assistance,” he said. A feeling of satisfaction filled him. Perhaps he did still have the ability to contribute.

Later that evening, T’gana leaned back in his chair in satisfaction. M’lee had provided a meal that satisfied both human and Yehrin tastes and he had been pleased to see that all of his girls had tried the Yehrin food. Two of T’lan’s other officers had joined them for the meal, but although he had eyed them warily, they had been polite and respectful and had not attempted to converse with his S’rah.

M’lee had provided her with alternate clothing and although he missed the sight of her dressed in his clothing, she looked lovely in a pale blue gown that matched her eyes. When she had returned his uniform shirt to him, it occurred to him that although he had been without his shirt until then, no one had looked away or flinched at his scars.

“I think we have two tired little girls,” S’rah said softly from her place next to him. T’bitha was asleep on her lap and J’ne was almost asleep on his, her commentary on everything finally winding down.

“T’lan, is there a place for the girls to lay down?” he asked softly.

“Ooh, yes,” M’lee answered instead. “Can you wait just a few more minutes while I finish feeding Emlan? I want to be there.”

“Yes, of course.”

When she finished feeding the child and buttoned her blouse, she looked around and sighed. “This is when I miss Tren. Did he really need to patrol tonight?”

The young warrior had disappeared with the two other officers once the meal reached its conclusion.

“He does have duties, my L’chka,” T’lan growled. “And I’m quite capable of caring for our child.”

“I know you are, big guy, but she’s half asleep already and I wanted to go with you.”

“We will all go,” T’lan announced.

Where were they going? He had thought T’lan had invited them to stay with him, but perhaps he did not want a damaged warrior in his home.

“Stop that,” S’rah whispered, forgetting that her words would be clearly heard by any Yehrin nearby.

“Stop what?”

“You have that look on your face. The ‘I’m not worthy’ look.”

“I do not know what you mean,” he said stiffly, although her words had an uncomfortable ring of truth.

“I suspect that your mate thinks you have assumed we are rejecting you,” T’lan said, raising a brow.

S’rah blushed. “I’m sorry. I forget how good your hearing is.”

“Isn’t it annoying?” M’lee leaned around T’lan to address S’rah. “It makes it so hard to keep a secret.”

“You should not have secrets from me, my L’chka,” T’lan said sternly.

“No, of course not,” she said, but he saw her eyelid flicker at S’rah in that odd human gesture. “But now isn’t the time for secrets. Let’s go.”

Handing the infant to T’lan, she led the way out of the house as he and S’rah carried their own girls. The cool evening air smelled pleasantly of green, growing things and he wondered if he could recreate S’rah’s garden here in this new place. As they walked across the wide meadow, a million stars glittered overhead. Would he ever travel amongst them again? Probably not, he thought with a mental shrug, but as long as he had his girls at his side, he had no reason for regret. He tugged S’rah closer to his side and she came willingly.

M’lee stopped outside one of the prefabricated dwelling units he had seen from the air, bouncing on her toes.

“This is it. Come on in.” She threw the door open with a dramatic flourish.

“I do not understand,” he said to T’lan.

“After our conversation, I did in fact discuss it with my mate. She insisted that we should proceed with arranging for the dwelling. I believe her words were ‘just in case,’ and as usual, she was quite right.”

“Do you like it? I hope you like it,” M’lee said as she gave S’rah a gentle push across the threshold. “It’s just temporary, of course, and you can change anything you like but the Yehrin buildings are just so… white.”

S’rah laughed. “They certainly are. Oh! This is perfect, Emily. Thank you.”

The main room had been transformed. Although the typical white walls, large windows, and high ceiling remained, there was a bright patterned rug on the floor, soft Earth-style furniture, and an abundance of small, colorful objects.

“And look.” M’lee led them into the small hallway separating the back bedrooms and the sanitary facility and threw open one of the doors. “This is all ready for the girls and I ran down to town this afternoon and got some clothes for them. I had to guess at the sizes, but I think they should be pretty close.”

Tears glittered in S’rah’s eyes, but her smile blinded him. “They are going to love it.”

An explosion of pink glittery objects seemed to fill the room, while white curtains strung with small flowers floated about the two beds. The assault of color shocked him, and he had a difficult time keeping his face neutral, but then J’ne stirred against his chest and her eyes opened.

“Oh,” she breathed, her expression filled with wonder. “It’s beautiful. Is this our room, Daddy Tigga?”

“Yes, little one.”

“Look, there’s a unicorn and a princess castle and two baby dolls and Tabby has to wake up and see this.” She started to reach for her sister, but he pulled her back.

“Not tonight, little one. In the morning.”

“Okay, but can I see the unicorn? He looks so fluffy.”

He let her down and she ran over to a large stuffed animal with a single horn protruding from its head. S’rah lowered T’bitha carefully into one of the beds, but she never even stirred.

“I should probably change her clothes, but I hate to disturb her,” she said softly.

J’ne was wandering around, touching everything with a curious finger and talking softly to herself, but yawns kept interrupting her words.

“There are nightgowns in the closet,” M’lee said quietly. Her own cheeks were wet with tears and he gave T’lan a concerned look. T’lan just shook his head and pulled his mate closer.

“We’ll wait in the other room,” he said firmly, and led her away.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Together, T’gana and S’rah got J’ne ready for bed as she chattered happily about the room, and the toys. It wasn’t until they tucked her in that a worried look crossed her face and she clung to their hands.

“You won’t leave us?”

“No, sweetheart,” S’rah said softly. “We’re just going to be in the other room.”

“But what if there’s a fire?”

“This is a Yehrin building,” he said firmly. “It will not burn.”

S’rah started a small device that played music and sent tiny lights flickering across the ceiling, then they kissed J’ne and left the room.

He stopped at the door and looked back. She looked so small in the bed by herself and his hearts twisted. “Perhaps I should stay with her.”

“Not right now. Let’s see if she settles down on her own.”

S’rah led him back into the main room where M’lee was curled in T’lan’s lap with the infant in his other arm. She jumped up as soon as they entered.

“Did the nightgown fit? I’m so happy she liked the room. Do you think Tabby will like it too?”

The excited flow of words reminded him of his J’ne and he had to hide his smile.

“She loved it and I’m sure that Tabby will as well. How on earth did you get it done so quickly?”

M’lee giggled. “It’s not exactly Earth technology. They had the building up in a single day. Then all I had to do was go shopping.”

“And she is very good at that,” T’lan said drily, as he stood. “Come, my L’chka. It is time to return to our own domicile.”

“Don’t you want to stay here and talk?” she asked innocently.

“No,” he growled. “I wish to be alone with my L’chka.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Sarah…” M’lee looked at the two of them and sighed. “Can you please go wait outside and cover those big ears of yours?”

“The Yehrin do not have large ears. We are not Pachadarns,” he said, frowning.

“I am sure that it is one of her expressions,” T’lan said. “Let us wait outside.”

M’lee closed the door firmly behind them, but he still caught hints of their conversation, including the word “bedroom.” He looked at T’lan, but the commander just shrugged.

“She has been very excited to have the two of you arrive. She enjoys the company of other females and R’chel and T’chok have not yet been here as much as she had hoped. I am glad that you chose to come.”

“I will do my best to be of service.”

“That does not concern me. I understand that T’renan has requested your assistance.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent.”

M’lee appeared at the door, her eyes bright with mischief. “Sarah has gone to take a shower. You wait in the living room for her.”

“M’lee, stop ordering my warriors around,” T’lan said. He picked her up with his free arm without disturbing the infant sleeping in the other. “Now say good night.”

“Goodnight, T’gana,” she said with a small wave, then frowned at T’lan. “You know I can walk.”

“I prefer to carry you,” T’lan said firmly, and the two disappeared into the darkness of the meadow.

Now that M’lee had mentioned it, he was conscious of the desire for a shower himself. The thought of his mate naked and wet as she had been on the ship had his shaft stiffening immediately. He took one step in that direction before he remembered M’lee’s order. Cursing under his breath, he prowled the main room instead. He caught the sound of the bedroom door and turned in time to catch the briefest glimpse of pale flesh.

“Your turn, T’gana,” she called.

Impatient to get to his mate, he took the fastest shower of his life. As he left the sanitary facility, he paused to check on the girls. J’ne’s bed was empty. His hearts stopped beating but then he saw the two small bodies curled together in the other bed. He checked their coverings, dropped a kiss on each dark head, and finally went to join his mate.

When he opened the bedroom door, his hearts stopped a second time, this time from excitement. Two small lights cast a soft glow on the large bed, revealing his mate sprawled naked across wine-colored sheets, her perfect body glowing against the dark cloth. All of the blood in his body rushed to his cock as he sprang into full, aching arousal.

“Mm, I thought I was going to have to start without you,” S’rah said in a seductive whisper.

“Start without me?”

She curved a hand over her breast, cupping the heavy flesh and running her thumb across a peaked nipple. His eyes were glued to her hand as she teased the distended nub. When he didn’t move, she bit her lip and started to remove her hand.

“If you don’t like—”

“I like it very much,” he growled, finally recovering from his shock and stepping inside the room, closing the door behind him. “Continue.”

Her cheeks were almost as red as those impudent nubs, but she obeyed and brought her other hand up.

“Take off your clothes,” she whispered. “I want to see you too.”

He didn’t hesitate. The shirt slipped free, then his belt. It was only when he came to his pants that his doubts intruded.

“Those too. There should be nothing between a warrior and his L’chka.”

This afternoon their mating had been fast and heated. She had not had time to linger over his damaged flesh. Would she recoil now that she had an opportunity to truly see his wounds? He looked into the pale blue eyes watching him so steadily, so filled with love, and his doubts disappeared. His pants fluttered to the ground.

“Come to me, my warrior.” She held out her arms and he didn’t hesitate. Just the feel of naked flesh against naked flesh had his cock leaking drops of precum. His lips met hers in an explosion of need and she returned the kiss with equal fervor.

“Oh, T’gana. I love you so much,” she whispered when at last he raised his head.

“I love you too, my S’rah.”

He started to lower his head again, but she pushed him gently. “Lie on your back for me.”

“But why?”

“You’ll see.” Her eyes were alight with love and a hint of mischief and he could not refuse her.

“Now hold still,” she said when he obeyed.

She started pressing a line of small kisses down his chest, then across his stomach. His cock jerked in anticipation, but she avoided the throbbing shaft and instead devoted her attention to his hip before continuing down his good leg. The soft, wet little kisses should not have been as arousing as they were but his whole body hummed with excitement. When she reached his ankle, she moved across to his injured leg and he realized that she intended to retrace her path along that leg.

“S’rah…”

“Hush now. I told you that I was going to kiss you all over and I meant it.”

His scars were not as sensitive as his flesh, but he could still feel the damp press of her mouth, the soft caress of her breasts as she moved higher, and his hands clenched so tightly on the sheets that he heard fabric tear. Her mouth skated across the deep scars on his thigh and nuzzled the base of his cock.

“S’rah,” he said again. He had to know. “You are not repulsed?”

“Repulsed?” A look of genuine shock crossed her face and then she responded without words. Her legs parted over his thigh and she dragged her very hot, very wet cunt the length of his leg, leaving his scars glistening with the proof of her excitement. The knowledge that she was not only not repulsed but was as excited by his body as he was by hers was the ultimate arousal. He seized her hips and pulled her down over his cock, exploding in heated jets of seed as soon as he felt the silky tightness of her cunt, as he felt her shudder and convulse around him, as he pulled her body down against his so that every inch of their bodies was entwined together in mutual pleasure.

The next morning, Sarah awoke feeling warm, content, and a tiny bit sore. The explosiveness of their first encounter last night had not slowed T’gana down at all. He had made love to her again as soon as they recovered their breath and then woken her twice more during the night. From the feel of the very hard erection against her stomach, he could probably continue again this morning. Not that she was averse to the idea, despite the lingering ache between her legs. She slipped her hand between their bodies to stroke the hardened flesh and—

“Pancakes?” a small voice asked, and Sarah jumped. She rolled over to see Tabby’s head peeking over the edge of the bed.

“Goodness, you startled me, sweetie. Is everything all right?”

“I’m hungry and Jane won’t leave our room.”

“Is something wrong with J’ne?” T’gana asked immediately.

“She’s playing,” Tabby said, making a face.

Sarah laughed. “Why don’t you close your eyes for a minute while T’gana gets dressed and then we’ll go see if we can lure her out of your room?”

Tabby scrunched up her face obediently and Sarah felt a brief kiss against her shoulder before the heat of his body disappeared.

A few seconds later, he appeared in front of her, once again wearing his uniform, and scooped Tabby up into his arms.

“Good morning, little one.”

“Morning, Daddy Tigga. Pancakes?”

“I will have to see what I can do with the replicator. Do you want to help while Mama S’rah gets dressed?”

She nodded eagerly and they disappeared. Sarah climbed somewhat gingerly out of bed and went to check the closet, blessing Emily again when she found a small collection of clothing already waiting for her.

The pancakes were not entirely successful and the syrup even less so, but the girls ate without complaint. Just as they were finishing, a knock sounded at the door. T’gana immediately placed himself in front of them as he went to answer it.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s early, but we just arrived and I really wanted to see Sarah.”

“Rachel?” Sarah was on her feet as soon as she recognized her friend’s voice. She ducked under T’gana’s arm and gathered Rachel into a fierce hug. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

When she pulled back, both women had tears in their eyes.

“You remember, T’gana, don’t you?”

“I remember he left you,” Rachel said grimly.

“Hush, zuzu.” Commander T’chok stepped forward and tugged Rachel against his side. A heavily muscled, older alien, T’chok had always intimidated Sarah, but she couldn’t argue with his devotion to her friend.

“Sub Commander T’gana chose an honorable path,” T’chok continued. “And his bravery on Klendat Five is admired by all.”

The faintest tremor crossed T’gana’s skin and she slipped her hand into his.

“He is the bravest warrior I know,” she agreed, and felt his muscles relax. “Now come meet my girls.”

“I can’t wait to meet them,” Rachel said. “And Lizzie and Benji are here as well.”

“If you’d stop blocking the doorway, we could come in,” Lizabet said. The pretty young teenager had been picked up accidentally by the Yehrin and now made her home with Rachel, T’chok, and Rachel’s younger brother Benji.

Rachel laughed and stepped inside and there was a blur of introductions and reunions. Tabby retreated to T’gana’s lap, but Jane stared at Benji in fascination.

“T’chok, why don’t you and T’gana take the kids outside to play,” Rachel suggested finally. “I want to talk to Sarah.”

T’gana raised an eyebrow at her and she nodded. He swept up the girls, T’chok ushered Benji and a protesting Lizabet before him, and then they were alone.

“Are you sure about this?” Rachel asked immediately. “He left you.”

“I know.” The next words escaped before she could call them back. “But in a way, so did you.”

“Me?”

“Oh, I know you didn’t have any choice and I’m happy that Lizzie got to go and live with you, but I was still alone.”

“Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry. I never thought of it like that.”

“I know you didn’t, and I honestly don’t blame you, but I don’t want you blaming T’gana either. He did what he thought he had to do also, and he paid a terrible price.”

Rachel frowned. “Do you love him?”

“I do. I think I have since the first moment I met him.”

“Damn, that’s too bad.”

A startled laugh escaped. “Why would you say that?”

“Well, Emily has been talking to A’rathia—you know, the chief medic?”

“Yes, I know her.”

“She thinks there is a biochemical reaction that determines pregnancy. If it didn’t work with T’gana, it might work with another male and I know how much you want a baby.” Rachel’s hand curved over her own stomach.

“Yes, A’rathia told me. And I did—do—want a child, but I have the girls and I have T’gana. We might even adopt another child at some point. T’gana is more important to me than the possibility of carrying a baby myself.”

“So you’re happy?”

“Very happy.”

“Then that’s all that matters. I’ll try not to blame T’gana for leaving you and can you please, please forgive me?”

“I’ll try,” she said drily, then laughed at Rachel’s startled expression and pulled her into another hug. “Of course, I forgive you. You’re my friend and I love you.”

“I love you too. And I’m sure everything is going to be smooth sailing from now on.”

Chapter Thirty

Despite Rachel’s optimistic pronouncement, the next few days were not without their troubles. Although she refused to talk about it, Jane was obviously hurting from her father’s death. She was subject to bouts of tears and finally threw a truly horrendous tantrum one morning over the color socks she wanted to wear. Sarah rocked her until she calmed and gently encouraged her to share her feelings. The storm seemed to relieve some of her tension, and she began to return to her normal happy self. Benji proved to be a very helpful distraction and Jane was on her best behavior whenever he was around. Despite his youth, the boy was extremely patient with her.

Tabby reacted differently. She showed few outward signs of unhappiness, but she had several nightmares and her thumb was never far from her mouth. T’gana started going through the training exercises with her again and they seemed to calm her as much as they calmed him. The sight of the big horned warrior and the tiny girl moving slowly and gracefully through the ritual motions never failed to make her heart melt.

T’gana too was having some difficulty adjusting. He was working with T’renan on the security plan and she knew that he enjoyed feeling useful, but he still worried that he did not have enough to contribute. At least he never seemed to worry about her love. Their nights were as passionate as ever, but she valued the time they spent cuddled together talking about their days almost as much.

“What would you do if you could do anything you wanted?” she asked him one night.

“Make love to you,” he said immediately.

She laughed and rolled her eyes at him. “You just did that.”

“I am quite prepared to do so again.” It was undoubtedly true. As far as she could tell, he was ready twenty-four hours a day.

“I’m serious, my love. What do you want to do?”

“I was serious as well, but I understand your question. Unfortunately, I do not know. I have been a warrior all my life. Other than the time I spend with you and the girls, I enjoy cooking and gardening but those are not professions.”

Of course, they were both professions, but she couldn’t see him as a chef in a restaurant any more than she could see him mowing someone’s lawn.

“So, shall we return to my current want?” he asked, beginning to ease her nipple into a tight point. She arched into his touch and temporarily gave up on the attempt to help him find a new purpose.

As for herself, she felt oddly restless. Being the calm center of the surrounding storms left her tired and out of sorts. After she yawned her way through one lunch, after picking at her food, T’gana ordered her back to bed.

“I am taking the girls this afternoon,” he said firmly.

“But, Daddy, we was supposed to go to Rachel’s this afternoon,” Jane protested. “Benji is gonna show me how to find animal tracks.”

“I will take you over there later,” he promised. “For now, we are going to let Mama rest.”

Three sweet kisses later, the house was quiet, and she climbed wearily back into bed.

T’gana took the girls for a short flight into town for ice cream before taking them to R’chel’s but he spent the trip thinking about S’rah. Her pallor worried him, and he debated calling A’rathia for advice, but when he dropped off the girls, T’chok informed him that Commander T’lan had requested his presence. Despite the apprehension that stiffened his spine, he reported immediately.

T’lan greeted him pleasantly and told him to take a seat. After inquiring about the girls, he sighed.

“My mate has an expression that I believe is appropriate in this instance. There is good news and bad news.”

T’gana frowned at him. “The good?”

“With the aid of Icluthians, we have defeated the Saviji on Klendat Five.”

“At what cost?” Even though they had come to his rescue, he found it hard to believe that the Icluthians had assisted them out of the goodness of their hearts.

“We are sharing the planet with them.” T’lan shrugged. “It is not a great sacrifice. Klendat is not particularly suitable for habitation.”

He flashed back to that green sky, the black desert, the searing heat, but it was just a memory, and he could nod and agree.

“So, we have agreed that the Yehrin Empire will have the mineral rights for the pole regions and the Icluthians will use the central portion for their clutches.”

“Clutches?”

“Yes. Their females—their queens—lay eggs and they bury them in the sand. Can you imagine?”

“It seems… unnatural.”

“I agree. And their queens choose many warriors with which to breed.”

He shuddered at the thought. “I would never share my S’rah.”

“Nor I my M’lee.”

“Is that the bad news you mentioned? This agreement with the Icluthians?”

“No. It is an unusual arrangement but not, I think, harmful. The bad news is that the Saviji were only forced off of Klendat Five. They are still swarming in that sector and we anticipate more battles.”

T’lan hesitated, clicking his claws together slowly.

“Supreme Commander T’rarchar has a request of you, Sub Commander.”

“I will not leave my L’chka and return to battle,” he said immediately. For all his longing to be of worth, he would not abandon his family.

“No, of course not.” T’lan looked genuinely shocked at the idea and T’gana relaxed.

“Then what is it?”

“The information you provided about your battle was most helpful. You have not only the personal experience, but the background military knowledge to understand their tactics. T’rarchar would like you to expand upon that. He will provide you with all of the information we have on the Saviji, as well as the information from any additional battles. He would like you to analyze the information and prepare consolidated reports of the results, along with any suggestions as to effective methods to combat their advances.”

T’gana considered. In truth, the idea appealed to him. To apply the scholarly tendencies learned from his parents to his chosen path seemed only fitting.

T’lan mistook his silence. “It is, of course, only a request. If it is too… difficult in light of your experiences, that is quite understandable.”

Difficult? The faintest chittering echoed in his ears. He suspected it always would, but as long as he had his L’chka and his family to keep him grounded, it was no more than a warning. If anything, the additional knowledge would only help to control his fears.

“No,” he said truthfully. “It will not be too difficult. I am ready to begin whenever he can transmit the information.”

“Excellent. He will be most pleased.”

A squeal sounded outside the room and both males froze, then T’gana laughed. “That is my J’ne. She sounds happy.”

“That is as it should be.” T’lan rose to his feet and extended an arm. The two males clasped elbows and T’gana departed, anxious to tell S’rah the news. And if she was still unwell, he would insist that they visit A’rathia.

He found S’rah no longer in bed but sitting behind the house staring out into the forest. As he walked around to kiss her, he saw the tears streaming down her beautiful face. He immediately dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hands in his.

“My S’rah, what is wrong?”

“Do you know what today is?” she asked.

“It is Thursday.”

“It’s the thirtieth day. The breeding contract is up today.”

He calculated quickly. She was correct. “Yes, my L’chka, but that no longer matters.”

“Scan me, T’gana.”

He frowned. After the incident with the older female, he had stopped performing the morning scans, and in truth, it had been a relief not to see her disappointment each time he was forced to tell her that she was not with child.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she said fiercely, still crying. “Do it.”

With aching hearts, he pulled out his scanner and aimed it at her stomach. He was already searching for the words to let her down gently when something caught his eye. Stunned, he forgot about his missing claw as he rocked back on his heels and almost fell.

He scanned her again, still unable to believe his eyes.

“S’rah—”

“I’m pregnant, aren’t I?” The smile that lit her face was so blinding that he wondered if they could see it from the ship. “I knew it. I just realized why I felt so different.”

For the third time, he waved the scanner across her body. “This must have happened the day of the fire. The day I claimed you.”

The tears were still flowing. “I can’t believe it. We’re already so lucky.”

“We are indeed. The Ancestors have smiled on us beyond my greatest dreams.”

He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her stomach. “Hello, little one.”

S’rah’s hands stroked his head, then tugged on his horns until he looked up at her. For the first time, a shadow crossed her face. “What if… what if I lose this baby too?”

“You will not,” he said with absolute certainty. “I love you, my S’rah, my L’chka, and I will do everything in my power to keep you and our child—our children—safe. We will have a healthy baby.”

And six months later when their son was born, his words came true.

Epilogue

Eight months later

Sarah smiled down at her son as he finished nursing and drifted off to sleep. Other than the pale blue eyes blinking up at her, he was the spitting image of his father. She’d had a difficult pregnancy and the fear that she might lose this baby too had haunted her, but as he had promised, T’gana had been by her side the whole time. Between his pampering and two mischievous little girls to keep her busy, she’d made it through with less stress than she’d anticipated. Although she suspected the Yehrin were somewhat disappointed that she had produced a boy, she had no regrets.

Gently untangling J’tem’s small fingers from her mating bracelets, she leaned back in her chair and took a satisfied look around. After some discussion, they had decided not to build an Earth style home just yet. Jane was still deathly afraid of the house burning down and she had latched on to T’gana’s statement that Yehrin buildings did not burn. Fortunately, the prefabs were remarkably adaptable, and he had converted their bedroom into a room for J’tem and added a new bedroom and bathroom for the two of them. He had also insisted on an actual kitchen rather than just a replicator, but the biggest change had been outside. Their home was now surrounded by a profusion of plants, from vegetables to flowers. Even this late in the year, fragrant blooms still added color to the greenery.

“Hi, Sarah.” Lizabet popped her head around the door, and Sarah bit back a sigh. The girl had let her hair return to its natural coppery hue, but in Sarah’s opinion, she still dressed much too provocatively.

“Hi, Lizzie. Are you back from school already? I didn’t realize it was that late. Are the girls with you?” Jane had started at the town school in September, while Tabby went to preschool two days a week, and one of the warriors escorted all of the children back and forth.

“No, school’s not out yet. I skipped.”

“Lizzie,” she sighed. “Rachel’s not going to be happy.”

“I know, but it’s so boring. The girls are only interested in clothes and the boys are just gross.”

Unfortunately, Lizabet was extremely intelligent and the classes probably didn’t capture her interest, but Sarah knew Rachel had high hopes of the girl going to college.

“I can’t wait until I’m eighteen and can apply for a breeding contract,” Lizabet added, wandering over to stroke J’tem’s cheek.

“Lizzie, do you really want a baby? At your age?”

The girl nodded, but Sarah saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

“Why not? I help out with Sophia all the time.” Rachel and T’chok’s daughter had been born only a month before J’tem. “At least some people would finally have to realize that I’m a grown up.”

“Some people? Or one particular person?” It hadn’t escaped her notice that Lizabet acted very differently around Commander T’kol, T’lan’s second in command.

“He thinks I’m a child.”

“I know you’re not a child, Lizzie, and I’m sure that he knows that as well, but neither are you an adult. You know Rachel wants you to have a chance to go to college.”

“She didn’t go to college.” Lizabet scowled at the floor. “And she wasn’t much older than me when she hooked up with T’chok.”

“No, but she took on a lot of responsibility at a very young age.”

“I could do that.”

“But do you want to?”

“Yes,” Lizabet said defiantly, before her face crumpled. “Fuck, if I know.”

“Just give it some time, sweetie. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up.”

“But what if he—I mean what if someone got tired of waiting?” Lizabet’s eyes went to the faint red mark on Sarah’s neck with undisguised longing.

“Then he wasn’t worth worrying about,” she said firmly. Privately, she had no doubt that T’kol was waiting for Lizabet. For all his attempts to keep the girl at a distance, his eyes followed her whenever they were in the same place.

After a brief hesitation, she added, “Did you know that they are discussing raising the age to participate in a breeding contract to twenty-one?”

“Twenty-one?” Lizabet looked appalled. “That’s so old.”

“Thank you,” she said drily.

“Oh, I don’t mean it like that, but that’s another four whole years. What the fuck am I going to do for four more years?”

“What do you enjoy doing?”

“Driving the flyer,” Lizabet said defiantly, and Sarah sighed again. Lizabet’s flying privileges had been suspended for traveling much too fast, although T’gana had admitted to her that she had exceptional skills.

“Other than that?”

“I like being outside. In Montana, T’chok would take me with him when he went into the woods and I was getting pretty good at hunting and tracking and stuff.” She shrugged. “Biology is kind of cool too, although maybe that’s because Mr. Harding is hot.”

A little reassured that Lizabet wasn’t so fixated on a Yehrin warrior that she was blind to an attractive human male, she encouraged the girl to talk, gently leading her into a more positive view of the future—one that didn’t revolve around a breeding contract.

“Damn, Sarah, you’re always so fucking reasonable,” Lizabet said finally. “But you still make me feel better. The girls are lucky to have you.”

“I’m lucky to have them.”

“And T’gana,” Lizabet said with a wink. “Bet you’re not so reasonable with him.”

As if the words had conjured him up, T’gana appeared in the doorway, a girl on each broad shoulder, and Sarah’s heart did a happy little skip. No, she wasn’t reasonable where he was concerned. She loved him with an intensity that still took her breath away.

“My S’rah,” he said in the deep voice that caused a little flutter of excitement between her legs.

“My love. Isn’t it early for the girls to be home?’

He shrugged and they both giggled as the movement jiggled them. “I was in town to meet with the sheriff and I decided to pick them up myself.”

Since it wasn’t the first time it had happened and it would undoubtedly not be the last, she simply shook her head. T’gana loved the girls to distraction and wanted to spend time with them whenever he could. While she didn’t begrudge it for a second, it did tend to cut into their own time together.

As if she read her mind, Lizabet spoke up as T’gana lowered the girls to the ground. “Why don’t I take the girls over to our house for a while? I’ll even take Junior here. Give you two some alone time. What do you say, girls?”

“Is Benji there?” Jane asked eagerly.

“He’ll be home in a little while, assuming he didn’t skip off to watch the warriors train again.”

“Can we, Daddy? Please?”

As usual, he could not resist the pleading face. “Yes, you may go. What about you, my T’bitha?”

Their other daughter gave one of her firm little nods. “Yes, I wanna draw.”

“Rachel lets her use one of graphics programs,” Lizabet explained. “She’s really good, too. Come on then, troops.”

She scooped up J’tem, grabbed his diaper bag, and marched the girls out on a whistled tune.

“I had thought they could join me in the garden,” T’gana said rather forlornly.

“Oh, no,” she said, running a finger along her mating scar. “That means it’s just the two of us. Whatever will we do?”

His eyes immediately started to glow. “Perhaps you could offer me some consolation.”

“Perhaps,” she agreed, and started unbuttoning her dress. She wished she was wearing something sexier than the sturdy white nursing bra but from the heat in his eyes, he didn’t object. When she stood up and let the dress fall free, he reached for her, but she danced away from him. They had learned from experience that interludes in the living room were unfortunately subject to interruption.

“Race you to the bedroom,” she said and whirled, but she only made it one step before he snatched her up and carried her the rest of the way. Despite the baby weight that showed no signs of disappearing, she always felt small and delicate when he carried her—and more than a little excited.

When they reached the bedroom, he kept her cradled in his arms while he kissed her with a thorough intensity that had her toes curling and her nipples diamond hard, then he let her slip down.

She smiled up at him. “Let’s play a game.”

The glow in his eyes intensified. “I like your games very much.”

“Good. Take off your clothes and lie down on your back, arms and legs out.”

He didn’t hesitate. The sight of her big warrior’s naked body spread out before her never failed to send a thrill straight to her aching clit. Knowing that his eyes were focused on her, she slowly removed her bra and panties.

“These are the rules. You can’t move. You can only touch what I bring to you.” She bent over so that her nipple just brushed his outstretched fingers. He rolled the stiff peak and she had to force herself to pull away. “Only taste what I give you.” She licked the seam of his mouth. “Do you understand?”

“S’rah,” he growled.

“I thought you wanted to play?” she asked innocently, then laughed when his fingers curled.

“Oh, and don’t forget the most important rule.” Her mouth closed over the head of cock for one brief second. “You can only enter what is presented to you.”

Then she began to play, teasing both of them with her breasts in his hands, his mouth, surrounding his cock, but only for a few fleeting seconds. She kissed his fingers, and licked his rock-hard shaft, and delved deep into his mouth. Drops of pale blue cum beaded on his cock and a low, continuous growl came from his throat, but he didn’t move so she increased her efforts. She dragged her wet pussy across his hand, shuddering with pleasure as he briefly caught hold of her swollen clit; she danced over his cock, rubbing herself against the broad head, then braced herself on his horns and hovered just above his mouth so his tongue barely reached her needy pussy. His self-control vanished. He grabbed her hips with both hands, and brought her down on his face, his thick rough tongue spearing deep inside her channel and sending her into an immediate, shuddering climax as he growled in approval and licked up every trace of her release before rolling her on to her back and plunging inside for his own explosive climax.

“You lose,” she said, laughing as she tried to catch her breath, but his face grew serious.

“Oh no, my S’rah. As long as you are mine, then I have claimed the ultimate victory.”

He bent his head and kissed her until she could only cling to him. When he broke the kiss, the humor returned. “But now I believe it is my turn to come up with a game.”

She shivered in happy anticipation. “I do love it when you get creative.”

And he proceeded to get creative enough to make her climax three more times.

“Mama, Daddy!” T’gana heard the door close a second before J’ne tore through the house. She stopped short at the bedroom door just as S’rah dove under the covers.

“Whatcha doing in bed? Are you taking a nap?”

He found himself at a loss for words. He would never lie to their daughters, but neither could he tell her the truth. “Not exactly.”

“Then whatcha doing?”

He could feel S’rah’s body shaking with laughter as he sought for an explanation. “I will explain it when you are older,” he said finally.

Her little brow furrowed but then she forgot her question in her excitement. “They’re having a game this afternoon and lots of warriors are coming and there’s going to be fireworks after it gets dark. Can we go watch? Please?”

Ah, yes. He remembered that T’lan had mentioned a training contest. At one time, he would have been eager to participate but although he had recovered much of his strength and balance, he was not an equal opponent for a warrior in his prime. S’rah’s head had emerged from under the covers and she watched him now, her face soft.

“We don’t have to go,” she said gently.

“No, we will go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” he said. “It will not bother me.”

And a few hours later, when they sat together watching the fireworks, he still had no regrets. He had noted a few weaknesses in some of the bouts that he would discuss with T’renan, but he found he did not miss the combat. S’rah was a warm weight against his side, their son cradled in her arms, T’bitha was half asleep in his lap and J’ne was peppering B’nji with questions from her place at his other side. He no longer felt damaged. His family had filled all of the missing places and he felt whole.

“I love you, my S’rah,” he murmured to his L’chka, the female responsible for this miracle.

“I love you, too, my warrior,” she whispered, her eyes filled with warmth.

“Me, too, Daddy,” T’bitha said around a yawn, and J’ne hugged his side. “Me, too.”

“Then I am the luckiest of all warriors,” he said sincerely, and gathered his family close.

Author’s Note

Thank you so much for reading Alien Breeder! T’gana ripped out my heart a few times but it was worth it to give him - and his girls - a happy ending! Whether you loved the book or not, it would mean the world to me if you left an honest review on Amazon. Word of mouth is incredibly helpful for authors and I’d love to know your thoughts!

As always, there are so many people I want to thank. First and foremost, I would like to thank my readers - I am constantly humbled and gratified by your love and support! As always, I have to thank my author BFF, Bex McLynn, for her neverending support! And last, but certainly not least, my awesome beta readers: Janet S, Tammy S, Kathryn S, and Kitty S!

Coming up next - Alien Alliance!

Lizabet has been waiting a long time for T’kol, but when she gets tired of waiting, an unexpected encounter makes her wonder if one alien warrior is enough…

Alien Alliance is available for pre-order on Amazon

For a glimpse at what happened prior to the invasion, Alien Selection tells the story of the first encounter between a Yehrin warrior and a human female! You can download it for FREE on BookFunnel or purchase it on Amazon for just $.99!

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Other Titles

The Alien Invasion Series

Alien Selection

Alien Conquest

Alien Prisoner

Alien Breeder

Alien Alliance

The Alien Abduction Series

Anna and the Alien

Beth and the Barbarian

Cam and the Conqueror

Greta and the Gargoyle

Deb and the Demon

Ella and the Emperor

Faith and the Fighter

Treasured by the Alien

with Bex McLynn

Mama and the Alien Warrior