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 One

Epilogue Two

Author’s Note

Other Titles

Alien Alliance

Alien Invasion Book 4

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

“Where are you going, L’zabet?”

With a sigh, Lizabet turned to face the massive alien warrior who had been a father to her for the past seven years—a much better father than her biological parent had ever been. Even in the darkened living room, he was an imposing figure, his grey skin and towering black horns clearly visible.

“I’m going up to the cabin, T’chok,” she said.

“R’chel will not be happy if you leave without saying goodbye.” Of course, his first thought was for his mate’s happiness and that just made her own hurt a little bit worse.

“I know.” She bit her lip. “I left her a note, but if I go talk to her, she’s only going to try and change my mind.”

He frowned at her. The lowering horns would have been intimidating if she hadn’t known it was concern, not anger.

“You only arrived home two days ago. Your brother and sisters will not be happy that you are leaving so soon.”

“I spent most of the past two days with Sophie and Jannie, but they’re too young to really notice that I’m gone. And Benji is too busy following the warriors around to pay any attention to me.”

“There was a time when you would have been happy to join him.”

“Yeah, well that was a long fucking time ago.” Despite her defiant words, she blushed.

“Not that long,” T’chok said calmly. “Is that why you are leaving?”

“No! Maybe. I don’t know.” She attempted a casual shrug. “I just need to get away.”

“You have been away.”

She had just completed her final semester of college, only a semester late despite her frequent changes of major.

“I know.” She twisted the strap of her bag and refused to look at him. “I thought now that I’ve graduated things might have changed. But they haven’t. I have to come to terms with that, but I can’t do it here with T’k—, with all of the warriors around. I’ll just go up to the cabin for a few weeks. I’ll be back in time for Christmas.”

He regarded her thoughtfully, the four long black claws on one hand clicking together.

“Have you tried talking to T’kol?” he asked at last.

Her cheeks heated as she remembered that encounter. “Yes. It was a fucking disaster, okay?”

“Did he behave dishonorably?” he growled, the blue streaks surrounding his slit pupils starting to glow.

“Dishonorable? T’kol?” The sarcastic laugh she intended came out a little too unhappy. “Of course not. He treated me the exact same way he’s treated me for the past seven years—like an annoying little kid.”

Not that she’d ever breathe a word of it to T’chok, but her statement wasn’t exactly true. There had been one or two times over the years when T’kol had given in to her teasing—and the memories still had the power to send arousal flooding through her body—but the older she got, the less willing she was to chase after someone who was so clearly opposed to being caught.

To her relief, he dropped the subject. “You can not take a flyer.”

“I know.” She rolled her eyes. “Break the rules one fucking time…”

“You break the rules all of the time, L’zabet. If anything, I would say you try and break them.”

A giggle threatened to escape. He was right, of course. She loved to fly, but even more she loved the thrill of pushing the craft to the limit of its ability and testing her skills. Unfortunately, that meant that her flying privileges were revoked on a frequent basis.

“No. I’m taking the truck,” she said.

“By yourself?” He frowned again. “It is not safe for a female alone.”

“T’chok, I may not be at Benji’s level, but I can more than take care of myself.” Her brother had been training with the warriors since he was ten. “Besides, I have this, remember?” She opened her bag and pulled out her blast tube. The Yehrin weapon was strictly forbidden to humans, but T’kol had given it to her before she left for college. With T’chok’s permission, of course, because heaven forbid that he violate some precious rule.

“I still do not like it. Why not ask B’nji to accompany you?”

“A, because I want to be alone. B, because high school isn’t out yet. And C, because he’s really working on his training and won’t want to leave.”

Benji was not actually her brother, he was Rachel’s, but she had thought of him as her brother since they had met. And she loved the little twerp enough not to try and drag him away when he was so happy right where he was.

“You will take a communicator and report in.” He held out the small device.

“For fuck’s sake. I’m twenty-two. I’m not a child.”

His hand remained outstretched and there was absolutely no compromise in that stern blue gaze. She rolled her eyes and grabbed the communicator.

“Fine.”

“I have never yet known the word to be used in the way described by the translator,” he muttered, and she grinned.

“Earth women defy translation.”

“You are quite correct, my L’zabet.” He pulled her into a quick, hard hug and she had to fight back the urge to just give in and stay with the family she loved so much. But the thought of seeing T’kol again, his face still set in those same stern lines, hardened her resolve. She needed to take this time, accept that her dreams were never going to come true, and work through her grief. Then she could return and dismiss him as easily as he had dismissed her.

“Travel safely, my daughter.”

“I will.” She forced a grin. “I’ll even obey the speed limit the whole way.”

“I do not expect miracles,” he said dryly, and her smile became more genuine.

“I’ll try anyway,” she promised. As she walked out of the house, her heart felt a little lighter. Unfortunately, her gaze immediately fell on the warrior complex at the far end of the clearing that made up the center of the Yehrin-human complex. Commander T’lan, the Yehrin leader of the Eastern Region, had established New Haven as both a military headquarters and a place where warriors with human mates could live in peace. She had foolishly assumed that one day she would take her own place here with T’kol.

A light still glowed in T’kol’s window. What would he do if she just showed up at his door naked except for the necklace he had given her? Her hand automatically went to the sparkling green stone dangling between her breasts as she considered the option. The same spirit of adventure that sent her soaring across the sky made her want to abandon caution and try again, but her heart was not as brave. No matter how much he wanted her—and she was quite, quite sure that he wanted her—he had proven more than capable of ignoring that desire when he thought it was in her best interests.

With a sigh, she threw her backpack on the other seat and started up the old truck. Her breath clouded the air as she waited for the heater to kick in. Even in North Carolina, early December was a cold month and Montana would be much worse, but she had never minded the cold. Tonight, she even relished the crisp bite in the air. Maybe it would help clear away the foolish dreams that had been clouding her mind. As she began driving—slowly—down the narrow mountain road leading away from her home, her mind flashed back to her earlier conversation with T’kol.

“You are too young, L’zabet,” he had said, his back turned to her. She had sought him out as soon as she was home, but he had not greeted her as joyously as she had expected. She had been so sure that now she had graduated from college, he would finally see her as an adult and claim her as his L’chka—his mate.

“You had me half-naked and bent over a log when I was eighteen,” she said furiously. “I wasn’t too young then.”

“I am ashamed of myself. I praise the Ancestors that I was able to stop in time.”

“You told me then that I had to grow up. Well, I did grow up. I’m old enough to vote. Old enough to graduate college. Just how fucking old do you want me to be?”

“It is not a question of physical age,” he said slowly. “I am just not sure that you are ready.”

“Ready for what?”

He finally turned and looked at her. “For a commitment. You still want to fly from one thing to another; to experience everything. How many times did you change your course of study? How many times has your flyer been taken away?”

Now it was her turn to look away. There was an element of truth in his words that she couldn’t deny. She did get restless and easily bored, her mind always searching for a new outlet, a new challenge.

“I commit to the things that matter,” she said quietly, but then anger once again replaced the hurt. “Maybe you’re the one who can’t fucking commit. Not to me or any other woman. Now that I’m at least physically ‘old enough,’ maybe I should try a breeding contract. Find a Yehrin warrior who isn’t afraid to commit.”

He growled and snatched her up against him so quickly that her head spun. She could feel every inch of his hard, muscled body and despite her anger, her nipples stiffened and an ache started low in her belly. His nostrils flared and she felt the unmistakable ridge of his erection against her stomach. Only a burning ring of green remained as his pupils expanded, and for a moment she wondered if he would finally let his desire overcome his caution.

“You will not apply for a breeding contract,” he growled.

“Why not?”

“Because you are mi—” He stopped and she held her breath, but he only sighed and stepped back. “Because you are smart enough not to take a course in anger which will alter your future.”

“Oh, yeah? Don’t be too fucking sure about that.” Combined hurt and fury made her voice shake and she whirled away. She heard him call her name, but she didn’t stop until she reached her home. Unfortunately, she ran into Rachel as soon as she entered. If T’chok had been her father, Rachel had been a combination of big sister and mother to her for the past seven years. Lizabet loved her fiercely, but she just couldn’t discuss her frustrations with someone who’d found her own warrior at nineteen and was already living happily ever after. Despite Rachel’s concern, she had managed to divert her attention to Sophie and Jannie. But knowing that Rachel would worry and fret about her had only added to her decision to leave.

Now, as she reached the bottom of the mountain, she momentarily considered turning east. There was a breeding center in Charlotte, only a few hours away. The breeding centers had been started the first year after the Yehrin conquered Earth in a desperate attempt to allow the warriors to father children. They offered a lifetime stipend to a human female in exchange for thirty days with a warrior, or warriors, in an attempt to become pregnant. At first the breeding centers had been greeted with distrust and only desperate women applied. Now they acted more like match-making services and even well-off women would choose to apply.

With a sigh, she turned the wheel in the other direction. T’kol, damn him, was right. The primary function of a breeding contract was to have a child, even though it often resulted in a permanent mate as well. As much as she loved her little sisters, and indeed all the children that now occupied New Haven, she wasn’t ready for one of her own.

The Yehrin curfew against driving at night without a specific purpose had been lifted a couple of years ago, but there was very little traffic. As her headlights cut through the blackness to show the long, empty road stretching out before her, her heart lifted a little. She always loved the anticipation of setting out on a journey. She cranked up her girl power playlist and put her foot down.

Chapter Two

T’kol heard a truck pass his window—L’zabet’s truck. Where was she going at this time of the night? Surely, surely, she would not be foolish enough to actually carry through on her threat and go to the breeding center? Not that it would do her any good. He had made it quite clear to the supervisor that if she showed up, she was to be immediately rejected. The officer hadn’t quite dared to laugh, but T’kol could sense his amusement. No matter. The warrior would obey his order and that was all that was important.

But she should not be traveling alone, especially at night. Perhaps he should go after her. His unruly cock jerked just at the thought of seeing her again. He had been painfully hard since their last encounter. The feel of her lush body pressed against his haunted him and he added it to his small list of memories of the times when she had been close to him. Inevitably, his mind traveled to the one time he’d had her naked in front of him, the lush curve of her hips filling his hands, her legs parted so that he could see the coppery curls surrounding the delicate pink folds glistening with excitement. His cock had actually kissed that silky heat before the sight of his massive head against her tiny entrance had made him pause. And when he paused, all of the reasons why he could not, would not, lay claim to her came rushing back. Pulling back had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.

And she still hadn’t forgiven him. Yet another of the many missteps he had made in dealing with her, starting from their very first encounter, almost seven years ago now. Some Yehrin warriors had been gathered to celebrate the end of the Forbidden Cycle—the first year of their occupation where interaction with human females was forbidden. He had known some humans were present and he had seen her from a distance, watching intently as he engaged in a training bout with one of his men. When he emerged triumphant, he had seen her slip into the woods with a provocative glance over her shoulder and flushed with victory and delighted that the ban was lifted, he had followed her.

She had been waiting for him, her scent intoxicating in the darkness and after only a few words, he had drawn her close, as excited then as he had been today to have her lush body against his. Yet despite her curves, her head only reached his chest and he lifted her up into his arms to pull her closer. Her breath had escaped in a shivering gasp as he deliberately drew her up over his rock-hard cock and her scent had increased. He had been about to lower his head to her shoulder, to taste her skin, when the moon had emerged from behind the clouds and he had seen her face and her unmistakable youth. For a fleeting second their eyes met, and he had felt the connection between them, but then his shock and dismay had taken over. He had pushed her away and he had not been as kind as he should have been.

That first encounter had colored every subsequent meeting. She teased him, tormented him, kept him awake at night with longing, but every time he allowed himself to succumb to her wiles, even briefly, he remembered her youth and was overcome by guilt. For years he had been promising himself that he would wait until she was ready, but she still seemed just out of reach. Was she right? Were his concerns about her readiness genuine or was some part of him still afraid to pursue her? In every other area of his life, he was known for his ability to make rapid decisive moves. And yet, one little human made him feel like he’d just emerged from the Warrior House.

But while he might not yet have the honor of being her mate, he could at least make sure she came to no harm. Perhaps a cloaked, late-night flight was in order…

He was on his way out of the door when his communicator signaled.

“Yes?” he asked impatiently.

“Commanders T’lan and T’gana request your presence in the main conference room.”

Fuck, this couldn’t be good. He immediately changed direction.

Senior Commander T’lan supervised Yehrin activities for the Eastern region of the United States, in addition to being the leader of New Haven. He had been the first to take a human mate and sire a female child. Despite the fact that many more had been born since that time, the miraculous fact that the Yehrin had at last found a race with whom they were both genetically compatible and who could provide them with rare female children had been established by this male. His legend had only increased when he subsequently sired twin daughters.

Commander T’gana was an expert in the ongoing war the Yehrin were fighting against the Saviji—vicious bug-like aliens—in other sectors of the galaxy. He too had a human mate plus two adopted daughters and a young son.

If both of them were willing to leave their families to meet at this late hour, it did not bode well. His apprehension grew when he entered the conference room and found former Commander T’chok present as well. The legendary warrior had resigned his commission when he found his human mate, but his advice was frequently sought on military matters. T’chok was also L’zabet’s adoptive father—no doubt the reason he was frowning at T’kol now.

“Ah, good, Commander T’kol. I apologize for disturbing you at this hour,” T’lan said, and T’kol suppressed a grin. The senior commander’s natural arrogance had been softened by the diplomatic duties he had been forced to take on as his rank increased.

“No doubt you were sleeping the sleep of an untroubled male,” T’chok added.

T’kol returned his gaze directly. “No. There was much on my mind.”

The two of them glared at each other until T’lan sighed. “I am not going to ask what this is about, although based on my L’chka’s conversation I suspect I already know. We are here on a military matter.”

“Yes, sir,” T’kol said.

“T’gana?”

The big commander stepped forward, one leg dragging slightly as a result of the damage he had suffered in battle with the Saviji.

“A party of Icluthians is aboard the command ship.”

“Icluthians, here?” T’kol had a difficult time concealing his shock. The reptilian race had been their enemies for generations, although an uneasy mutual agreement had kept them from open warfare. The arrival of the Saviji had turned them into reluctant allies.

“Yes,” T’lan answered. “They have brought a team of their experts to consult with us. We are both concerned about the latest exploits of the Saviji.”

“Sir?”

“Isolated flyers have been showing up in various sectors far from where the central horde is swarming. It has been suggested that they are scouts searching for suitable locations to form a new swarm.” T’gana spoke calmly but they all knew the possible impact. Together, the Yehrin and the Icluthians had just managed to keep the Saviji under control. If they were forced to fight on a second front…

“I see. But with all due respect, I am not sure why that necessitates this meeting?”

“Because the Icluthians will be joining us here, instead of on the ship,” T’lan said grimly.

“Here? In this weather?” The Icluthians were notoriously sensitive to cold and preferred much warmer conditions.

“It is not ideal, but they assure me that their technology can handle the temperature.” For the first time, T’gana’s face relaxed slightly. “It seems that their queen wishes to see Earth.”

“They are traveling with a queen?” This time he couldn’t conceal his shock. Queens were kept closely guarded and rarely interacted with other races.

“Yes. It seems that several members of their… diplomatic team are in her brace and she did not wish them to travel without her.”

The slight pause did not go unnoticed. The Icluthian delegation was undoubtedly composed of military spies rather than diplomats, but he expected no less. The mention of her brace also did not go unnoticed. T’kol still found it almost inconceivable that any warrior, even an Icluthian warrior, would share his female. And yet, as they began the tactical preparations necessary for the upcoming visit, he did think a little wistfully that it would have been nice to have someone to watch over L’zabet while he was forced to attend to his duties.

By the afternoon of the second day of her journey west, Lizabet was beginning to regret not having asked her brother to accompany her. She was growing extremely tired of her own company, especially since her thoughts had a distressing tendency to circle from T’kol to her own uncertain future. Despite several detours, she had managed to graduate with a double major in biology and anthropology. But what was she going to do with her degrees? The thought of teaching made her shudder. Most of the major research organizations on Earth were now Yehrin run and even though she would be dealing with scholars rather than warriors, she knew that it would only remind her of T’kol—which brought her back to the beginning of her circle.

A sudden gust of wind shook the truck and she cast an uneasy look at the sky. The clouds loomed heavily over the horizon and she knew the look of an upcoming storm all too well. Unfortunately, she was in the middle of nowhere and she cursed her decision to take the less populated route across South Dakota. At the time, she had thought it would be interesting to see another part of the country. Now, with empty plains stretching out in one direction and massive rock outcroppings looming in the other, she seriously regretted her choice.

A sharp ping made her jump, immediately followed by another. Fuck, now it was hailing. She watched in dismay as a thin layer of icy white pellets started to coat the road. The clouds were even lower now, and her windshield wipers were having a hard time keeping up with the steadily increasing accumulation of ice. She needed to find shelter, soon. As she leaned forward to grab her phone and search for the nearest town, a flyer roared overhead. Instinctively, she jerked the wheel and the truck slid slowly and inevitably across the road and down into the deep ditch lining one side. The wreck jarred her, but the slide had been too slow to cause any damage—to her. She suspected the truck was another matter, but at the moment she was more concerned about the flyer. She’d had a brief glimpse of it spiraling overhead in a way that was all too clearly out of control.

What if that had been T’kol, searching for her?

Fortunately, her door wasn’t obstructed, and she climbed out of the truck, slipping on the icy grass and shivering at the blast of cold air. When she managed to claw her way out of the ditch, the wind caught her with enough force to nearly knock her off her feet, but she kept her eyes focused in the direction the ship had been headed. There. She blinked back the tears created by the wind in time to see a ball of flames explode far out across the plains.

Her heart stopped beating. It couldn’t have been T’kol, she told herself. She hadn’t recognized the flyer—in fact, something about it had been rather odd. But the tears now coursing down her cheeks were no longer caused by the wind. She swiped them away with angry fingers and started to turn back towards the truck. As she did, a flash of red caught her eye. Only the color made it visible against the gloom, but she watched in horror as it was flung violently first one way then another. Was it some kind of parachute—and was that a person dangling beneath the red canopy? Another gust of wind and she saw it crash against one of the rock formations, then disappear out of sight.

T’kol or not, she was positive that someone was attached to the parachute. She had to go after them. A brief glance back at the truck was enough to assure her that it was not going anywhere. It was sprawled across the bottom of the ditch and from the angle of the front wheel, she suspected the axle was broken. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Swearing under her breath, she scrambled back down. The cab had already cooled off but at least it was out of the wind. She switched out her cute, wet sneakers for her winter boots, and pulled on thermals and her down jacket as quickly as possible. Thank God she had been expecting cold weather.

The sight of her phone sitting in her cup holder made her wince. Of course, she could call for help. She picked it up with shaking fingers, but there was no signal. Cursing violently, she looked for the communicator only to find it wedged down behind her seat, just out of reach. She had run out of options and the sleet was beginning to turn to snow. Every survival instinct she had argued for staying with the truck, but the thought of someone injured and alone—please God, not T’kol—was more convincing. She had to try and help whoever was at the end of that parachute.

Still swearing, she grabbed her pack, climbed back out of the truck, struggled up the embankment, and set off for where the parachute had disappeared.

Chapter Three

Hisst sent his flyer spiraling in a circle of sheer ecstasy. To be away from the dreary Yehrin ship, away from his nest mate watching his every move, away from the constant need to be on his best behavior just in case Queen Adorissa’s eyes should fall upon him and consider him as a potential addition to her brace. Not, of course, that there was much chance of that happening. As the youngest and least distinguished member of the diplomatic team, only his dam’s connections made him in any way desirable. But at least that connection had been enough to get him assigned to the mission and now that he was here, he was cursed if he was going to miss a chance to see an entirely new planet.

Not that he could actually see much. White and grey clouds carpeted the ground below him. Determined to see at least something of the planet in the short time he had remaining before his absence was noted, he sent the flyer plunging down amongst the clouds. A decision he immediately started to regret when gusty winds caught the light craft and started tossing it around.

He had always considered himself a good pilot, but he’d never encountered these types of conditions. Along with the wind, small pellets of what looked like ice beat against the outer shell of his craft in a constant barrage that assaulted the sensitive membranes of his ears. Just when he thought he had the flyer under control, another gust of wind caught the craft and sent it spiraling, not in ecstasy this time but in what threatened to be a deadly trajectory. With a prayer to the Great Mother, he prepared to eject.

Lizabet spent most of the walk along the road swearing. She cursed everything from the bastard who had given birth to her to the scrawny guitar player who had tempted her into breaking the Yehrin curfew and getting arrested. Of course, that arrest had resulted in her finding a new home and a new family, but she refused to let that soften her anger. The swearing helped to heat her blood and distract her from the searing cold and the increasing layer of snow she was trudging through. She would have cursed T’kol for forcing her on this journey in the first place, but she was still too worried that he might be at the end of the dangling red cloth.

She stopped periodically to check for a signal on her phone, but no bars appeared. Thank fuck that one of the Yehrin improvements had been phone batteries with almost limitless life. At least the compass was still working, and she checked it each time she stopped to verify that she was still going in the right direction.

The hardest moment came when she had to step off the road and head towards the rocks. No one would know where she had gone. The snow would soon cover her footsteps and there was nothing with which to leave a marker. Her hands shook from more than cold.

Stop it, Lizzie, she ordered herself. Just go find that fucking idiot and drag him back here.

One deep breath later she was off the road. Fortunately, the rocky ground wasn’t too uneven, and the snow didn’t completely hide the contours of the land, so she made good progress. It wasn’t until the rocks started to rise up around her that she slowed. The rock formations helped to block the wind, but they also made it hard to follow a direct path. Deliberately refusing to think about the possibility of getting lost in the narrow canyons, she kept moving. She had to check the compass more frequently now.

What little light made it through the heavy clouds started to fade and she could feel the temperature dropping, even with the rock pillars blocking most of the gusts. Just as she was beginning to think she had totally misjudged the location of the crash; she caught a glimpse of red fabric flapping in the wind. She forced her way through a gap in the rocks that was an uncomfortably tight fit and stumbled to a halt.

An alien sprawled on the ground, half-covered with snow, but he was not Yehrin. Most of his body was covered in a skin-tight silver suit, but she could see the smooth head, the greenish-gold scales, the reptilian features. If she remembered her xenobiology correctly, he had to be Icluthian. What on earth was he doing here?

A shudder shook his body and snapped her out of her hesitation. Icluthians were cold-blooded and these temperatures could be fatal for one of them much more quickly than for a human. She dropped to her knees next to him, noting that the tight suit he was wearing was ripped in several places, exposing his skin to the frigid temperatures. He had to be close to T’kol in size and none of her clothing would cover that extremely well-muscled chest, but she was about to start at least piling clothes on top of him when her gaze snapped to the parachute. It wouldn’t have much weight to it, but it should be weatherproof.

Yanking on the strings, she managed to pull it down off the rock. She brushed the rest of the snow off the Icluthian, checking for obvious injuries in the process. To her relief, she didn’t find anything more than scratches wherever his uniform had torn. Despite her anxiety, she couldn’t help but notice that he had an amazing body—firm and muscular, but leaner than the more massive Yehrin physique. Stop that, you perv, she ordered herself, and focused on trying to help him rather than admiring him.

She folded the tattered remnants of the parachute several times to make it as thick as possible, then tucked it around his body. His eyes flickered open for just a second—gold, slit-pupiled, but totally unlike Yehrin eyes. They widened at the sight of her and then an amazingly sweet smile parted thin lips. He murmured something, then his eyes closed again.

Fuck. He needed warmth at a minimum, and probably more help as well. She frantically searched for a solution. If she had fuel, she could make a fire but there was very little vegetation amongst the rocks. And although the surrounding pillars provided some protection, the small clearing was completely exposed to the sky above. Could she use the cloth to make a shelter? But if she did, he would have nothing to keep him warm. A more sheltered spot would help, but to find one she would have to leave him on his own. She put a hand on his head. His skin was cold—she suspected too cold—and his breathing seemed slower and shallower.

Determined to provide some additional warmth, she started digging through her pack again to look for anything she could cover him with, but as she did, she caught sight of the blast tube. One of the options on the weapon was to create flame. Could she use that to heat up some of the rocks? Her heart pounding, she changed the setting, then cautiously aimed it at the nearest stone pillar. A spear of fire shot out and she almost dropped the tube, but she kept it trained against the rock. To her relief, when she turned off the beam, a warm, steady heat pulsed from the stone. She brushed the remnants of snow away from the base of the pillar before they could melt.

After trying to tug him closer only resulted in her landing on her butt, she took a deep breath and tried rolling him instead. To her relief that worked, and she managed to get him almost up against the rock. The parachute blanket had come free in the process. As she started to cover him again, she took a second look at the spire. It reached a jagged crest a few feet over her head, then widened down to a base about seven feet across, perfect for forming one side of a shelter. Taking aim at the top, she flung the parachute in that direction. For a change, the wind actually helped, catching the lightweight material and sending it soaring over the spire.

A few minutes later, with the help of the remaining cords and some small rocks, she had a crude tent. Almost complete darkness filled the clearing and her teeth started to chatter as soon as she stopped moving. Grabbing her pack, she crawled into the makeshift shelter with the strange alien. He had rolled over on his own, almost plastering himself against the heated rocks, but when she checked, his eyes were still closed, and his body still felt cool enough to worry her. She dug out a scarf and wrapped it around his head, then laid her flannel shirts over his body. As she picked up his hands to wrap them in two of her tanks, she noticed that unlike the Yehrin, he had four fingers and a thumb just like a human—although human hands were not topped by sharp little points. For a moment, she allowed her hand to linger over his. His skin felt strange, the scales smoother than she had expected but with a distinctive texture and a cool dry feel.

When he was as covered as she could make him, given her limited supply of clothing, she leaned against his back and ate half a protein bar and sipped some water as she considered her options. It was pretty clear that she wasn’t going anywhere tonight. The walk had taken her over two hours in daylight. Aside from the fact that she didn’t want to leave her patient, she had no confidence that she could find her way back to the truck in the dark and the thought of trying to find her way using the small light from her phone made her shudder.

The little shelter actually felt surprisingly warm and her eyelids started to droop. She had spent the previous night in a rather seedy motel to which every male in her life would have strongly objected—which was partially why she had chosen it. But while she had been all bravado checking in, she found herself jumping at every sound once she was alone in her room and she hadn’t slept well. The long drive and the long walk only added to her fatigue. With a sigh, she tucked her much emptier pack under her head and snuggled up behind the Icluthian.

It wasn’t until she did so that she became aware of his size. She had gotten used to thinking of him as her helpless patient, but he was a full-grown male from an alien race. Although she knew that the Icluthians had a pact with the Yehrin and that they were fighting some enemy together, that didn’t mean the pact extended to humans. But then she remembered that brief sweet smile and relaxed. Still, she made sure her blast tube was set to stun and tucked it in her hand before she finally let herself fall asleep.

Chapter Four

Hisst came awake slowly, conscious of a delicious warmth against his front and another dimmer source of heat against his back. His arms were wrapped around something soft and warm and delightfully fragrant, reminding him of a fragment of a dream. He had opened his eyes to see the Great Mother smiling down at him, flames surrounding her head as it was silhouetted against the white skies of Valhassa. What a blessing to encounter the Goddess, however briefly. Was he still dreaming?

He tightened his arms and become simultaneously aware of two things. The bundle in his arms was unquestionably female, and of a lushness he’d never even known was possible. The second thing he realized was that for the first time in his life, his kradx was threatening to extrude. He could feel the pressure building behind his slit in heady expectation. As he drew back to get a better look at the female who had awakened his body, she stirred and sleepy eyes opened to meet his.

By the Goddess—she was human! He recognized the round little pupils, the funny little nose and ears protruding from her head, the quantity of fur springing from her skull in waves of fiery red. What he hadn’t realized until this moment was how attractive those strange alien features would be in person. And her body—he had thought the breasts of human females to be ridiculously oversized, and hers seemed even more so than normal, but having them pressed against his chest caused his kradx to pulse and push against his slit again.

Perhaps she felt the movement because her eyes widened, and she drew back. The next moment, instead of her delightful body, a blast tube pressed against his chest. Thank the Goddess it was set to stun, but he didn’t like the worried look on her face.

“I would never hurt you,” he assured her quickly, grateful that he had been provided with the human language interface.

“Oh yeah? You seem to be getting pretty friendly down there,” she said, waving the tube towards his groin.

“Only a physical reaction to the delight of your body. I would never presume.”

“Delight, huh?” She shrugged and, to his regret, moved even further away. At least she lowered the tube. “I suppose you’re not the first guy to wake up with morning wood.”

“Wood?” He took a confused look around. They were in a small area with sand beneath them and a rock wall at his back. The red cloth from the parachute draped over them but there was no wood in sight.

“Yeah, you know, wood? An erection?” Despite her casual tone, her cheeks flushed a delightful shade of pink that reminded him irresistibly of a queen’s mating signal. Did that mean she was aroused as well? He scanned her quickly. The flush on her cheeks extended down her throat as it should and disappeared under her clothing. Were her breasts also swollen from desire? He put out a hand to check and touched a hard little point before she jumped and pushed him away.

“What the hell happened to not presuming?”

“I was checking to see if you were aroused. Is that not how your mating customs work?”

“Not with someone you just fucking met.”

“But you have caused me to have my first, um, wood.”

Her scowl morphed into a frown and he watched in fascination as copper furred brows drew together. How delightful.

“You mean you’ve never had an erection before?”

“Of course not. It does not occur until we meet a queen and she awakens our kradx.”

“I think my class in xenobiology left out a lot of details,” she muttered, then moved back a little more. “Just because I awakened your whatever, doesn’t mean you can go around grabbing my tits.”

“Tits?”

The flush deepened but he didn’t make the mistake of trying to verify her arousal this time.

“My breasts,” she said.

“Ah. Then how does your mate know that you’re ready?”

“Because I tell him,” she said firmly.

It seemed a little awkward to him, but then again, he couldn’t expect human customs to match Icluthian customs. He wished that their mating rituals had been covered in more detail in the manuals.

“Are you aroused?” he asked.

“What? No!” Her color deepened even more, approaching that of a queen in full mating fury, but she looked away. “Well, maybe just a little. You felt pretty good.”

He started to reach for her, but she held up a hand. “That doesn’t mean I’m ready to, um, mate.”

“Of course not, my queen. Forgive my presumption. No doubt you have many, more desirable males to attend to your needs.”

“Well, you’re fucking wrong there.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t have any males,” she said bitterly, but he saw a sheen of moisture in her eyes.

How was that possible? Such a desirable female should easily have three or four males already gathered at her hearth. Unless… A sick feeling came over him. Human features were so different. Could he have misjudged her so badly? Surely, he couldn’t possibly have been aroused by an underage female.

“Are you too young to mate?” he asked, horrified.

“No, I’m fucking not. Why does everyone think that?”

“I didn’t think that,” he said hastily. “I was just surprised that you didn’t have a brace already.”

“Yeah, well I don’t.” She glared at him. “How old are you anyway?”

“I am twenty-three cycles. This is my first diplomatic mission. I was chosen to accompany Queen Adorissa and her team. It is a great honor.” He hesitated, then went with the truth. “But it has not been as exciting as I assumed it would be. A lot of meetings in small rooms with a lot of people taking a long time to say nothing. I managed to avoid having my presence requested at the last one and decided to borrow a flyer and see something of Earth. As you know, it didn’t end well,” he added gloomily as the full impact of his situation began to dawn.

As soon as they were discovered, he would be torn away from this luscious human queen. He would most likely be sent to his home planet in disgrace and no Icluthian queen would ever give him a second look. At the moment, that consequence seemed much less important than not having the chance to court the human queen.

Her brows danced again. “You stole a flyer?”

“Borrowed,” he said firmly. “It is—was—one of the small ones allotted to the escort team and I was quite within my rights to borrow it. I enjoy flying very much.”

“Yeah, me too. Nothing like the freedom, the power, the—”

“—speed,” he finished simultaneously. They smiled at each other. She had tiny blunt white teeth rather than a queen’s normal fangs, but he found the sight curiously erotic. Could she still give a mating bite with those blunt little teeth? His kradx stirred again at the thought, but he forced his mind back to the current conversation.

“No doubt they will revoke my flying privileges,” he sighed.

“Don’t worry about it.” She waved a casual hand. “They revoke mine all the time, but I always get them back.”

He suspected that it was much easier for an enchanting little queen to regain her privileges, but he refrained from comment.

“However, we do have to get you back so you can face the music.”

“What music?”

“Face the consequences, I mean.” She turned and lifted up part of the parachute fabric that enclosed them. A small pile of snow fell into the shelter along with a blast of icy air. He immediately felt his blood start to retreat from his extremities and he pressed back against the warm rock.

“Well, shit. That’s not good. I’m sorry—” She frowned. “What’s your name?”

He pronounced his full Icluthian name and her eyes widened. He sighed. “The Yehrin call me Hisst.”

“Well, it is easier to say. I am Lizabet. Or maybe Lizzie would be easier.”

“Lissie.” The name flowed off his tongue in the most delightful way.

“Near enough, I suppose. Anyway, Hisst, this is the situation. We’re stranded. My truck is in a ditch and your flyer exploded.” He winced and her eyes softened. “Sorry, but there’s no point sugar-coating it. We’re in trouble. The snow is still falling, and I suspect that you are not equipped for these temperatures.”

No. His suit was designed to handle temperature fluctuations but not to this degree. The tears he had noticed would make it even less efficient. But leaving aside his own problems, he didn’t recall that humans were equipped for these temperatures either.

“What of you?” he asked.

“Can’t say I am, either, even though my clothing is designed to handle it for brief periods, and I have no idea how long this storm will last. So, basically, we have very few supplies, inadequate shelter, and no way to call for help. I would say we’re up shit creek without a paddle.”

It took a few moments for the words to translate but he found he understood the idiom.

“I believe you are quite correct, my queen.” He sighed. He was already proving unworthy. “You have no communication device?”

“I do, but I’m not getting a signal.”

“Perhaps I could stand the cold long enough to climb to a higher elevation. I might be able to find a signal there.”

“You know, that’s not a bad idea.”

He bit back another sigh and started pulling together the items that had covered him in his sleep. Would she permit him to take them with him?

“What are you doing?”

“I hoped to use these for protection, but I apologize if I have overstepped.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m the one that’s going.”

“But you are a queen. It is my job to take care of you.”

“I can’t decide if that’s sweet or chauvinistic, but it doesn’t matter. I can handle the cold and you can’t. I’m going.” She picked up the blast tube and he drew back. Had he offended her that greatly? “I’m going to try and heat up the rock some more—without setting the parachute on fire. Can you come back here next to me?”

That was a request he had no hesitation in obeying. He pressed as closely to her side as he dared, letting her glorious soft warmth heat his side as he breathed in her delicious fragrance. He opened his mouth a little to let his tongue also taste that glorious scent. She looked up at him and her eyes widened.

“I had forgotten that Icluthians have forked tongues. Can you control each half individually?”

In response, he twisted them together. The mating blush returned to her face.

“I bet that makes you popular with the ladies,” she muttered.

“You forgot that as well. There have been no females until you. But if I could please you with my tongue, I would be happy to do so.” Ecstatic in fact. The very thought of applying his tongue to her flesh had his kradx surging once more.

Her color deepened and her fragrance increased, but she shook her head. “I don’t think this is the right time for that.”

A cautious hope sprang up in his breast. She had not completely rejected the idea.

“Now, hold still,” she said. “I don’t want to set anything on fire, including us.”

She directed a stream of fire at the base of the rock. The temperature in their shelter increased to such a degree that he trilled with pleasure. She terminated the ray all too soon, but he could feel the increased heat radiating from the rock.

“There. That should keep you warm until I get back.”

“I do not like you going alone.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not crazy about it myself, but a woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do. You just stay here and keep warm and I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”

To his shock, she leaned forward and pressed her full pink lips against his mouth for a brief instant.

“For luck,” she said, and ducked out of their shelter.

Chapter Five

Lizabet paused just outside the makeshift shelter to let the icy wind cool her cheeks. Now, why had she done that? Hisst was just so, well, sweet, and he looked so concerned about her leaving. She had never been attracted to sweet men, but then again, she’d never met any sweet men who were also large Icluthian males with amazing bodies. When she’d awoken earlier to find herself cradled against his chest, breathing in his exotic spicy scent, part of her felt strangely at ease. And when their eyes met, the strange face already seemed familiar. As he looked back at her, his gaze had been filled with appreciation, even though her makeup must have been totally gone and her body was hidden under her thick winter clothing. It wasn’t until she felt that odd bulge pressing against her stomach that her warning instincts kicked in.

Shaking her head, she pushed aside the intriguing memory and concentrated on her surroundings. Her heart sank. The snow had stopped falling for the moment, but the clouds hung low and ominous. Close to six inches covered the ground already and that was here where the rocks helped to protect them. She would be willing to bet that the open road had a significantly deeper layer. After ducking behind a rock for a quick pee, she double-checked to make sure that her phone was still tucked in her pocket and started looking for a way to climb up the rocky hillside.

The individual pillars started to coalesce into a solid embankment, and she found it easier going than winding through the rocks below. As she climbed, automatically noting her path, her mind kept returning to the morning. Had she really caused Hisst to have his first erection? She found the thought unexpectedly arousing. But the bulge she had encountered hadn’t felt like a normal erection. Rather than a solid ridge, it had felt flatter and wider. Her biology classes resurfaced. His absence of hair, the flat nose with slitted nostrils, and non-existent ears made his reptilian ancestry obvious. Was it possible that he had a hemipene? The thought that he might have a cock with the same characteristics as that intriguing split to his tongue caused an unexpected throb in her clit.

Fuck. What was she doing? She had flirted a lot during college and dated considerably less, but she had never experienced even a tenth of the attraction she felt towards T’kol. Now here she was lusting after one alien while she was supposed to be recovering from her apparently one-sided attachment to another. Not that her unexpected attraction to Hisst lessened her longing for T’kol. In fact, she had a sudden and very dirty thought involving the two of them, but she resolutely pushed it aside.

Puffing a little, she stopped to take in her surroundings. She was high enough to see out over the prairie but only a vast expanse of white running into a heavy grey horizon met her eyes. Nothing moved, except the wind. With a quick prayer, she pulled out her phone. No signal. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

It might be possible to climb a little higher, but the wind was already picking up and she felt a wet flake kiss her cheek. As she started retracing her steps, she tried to fight down the rising panic with a concrete plan. The parachute shelter was flimsy but so far, it seemed to be working. If more snow fell, she could start packing it around the base and create some additional insulation. Once she knew Hisst was protected from the weather, maybe she could hike back out to the road and leave a marker of some kind. She refused to think about the fact that she had not only seen no other vehicles, but she hadn’t detected any tire tracks.

Lost in her thoughts, she missed a step and her foot slipped on an icy rock. She caught herself in time to prevent a fall, but as she gratefully clutched the nearest boulder, a dark patch to the left caught her eye. Could that possibly be a cave? Moving as quickly as possible through the rapidly increasing snow, she went to investigate. The opening was low to the ground, but it was undoubtedly a cave. If it opened up inside…

Bending her head, she took a cautious peek, but it was too dark to see anything. Once again, she pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight. The light revealed only bare stone walls, worn smooth by time. She ducked inside. Not large, but considering they were going to have to heat it, that wasn’t a bad thing. Dried leaves and grasses were scattered across the floor and piled in one corner, but when she gave the pile a cautious inspection, she decided that it was the result of the wind, not wildlife. And fortunately, the wind was now blowing from another direction and no gusts entered the cave. This could definitely work.

She made good time back to the camp, only to slip inside and find Hisst on his feet. He had her scarf wrapped around his head and he was in the process of tying her shirts across his back and chest. He should have looked ridiculous but if anything, her clothing only emphasized his powerfully built frame. The skintight silver suit did nothing to conceal it either and she found her gaze dropping involuntarily to the area between his legs. Telling herself that she wasn’t disappointed at the smooth, flat surface, she forced her eyes back to his face.

“What are you doing?”

“You were gone a long time. I was getting ready to come and look for you.” He looked so concerned that without consciously intending to do so, she stepped across the narrow space and wrapped her arms around him. He immediately returned the embrace, bending his head to rub his chin against her hair. A faint spicy smell came from his skin and she found herself pressing closer. Her nipples started to tingle and the ache in her pussy returned. Something pushed against her stomach and when she blushed and stepped back, the front of his suit was no longer flat. A rather sizable vertical bulge had appeared. Telling herself to ignore it, she smiled up at him.

“I found a cave. It will give us a lot more protection, but you’d have to climb up there. Do you think you can do it?”

“Of course,” he said immediately, but she thought she detected the same fake note of confidence that she tended to use when confronted with an unknown situation.

“I thought we could heat some of the smaller rocks and you could carry them with you. And we can wrap the parachute around you as well.”

“An excellent plan,” he agreed.

“I’m not sure about that, but it’s the only one we’ve got. Let’s get going before the snow gets any worse.”

T’kol stood at attention and waited as patiently as possible for the Icluthians to descend from their ship. Two warriors led the way, every inch of their bodies covered in a thin silver suit and topped with a heavier quilted fabric garment that reached their ankles. He privately thought they looked rather ridiculous and had to suppress the impulse to flex his own bare arms. However, he did not make the mistake of dismissing them. Their weapons were strapped on over the coats and he had seen the vids of their fighting skills—they were both fast and deadly.

The queen emerged next, so heavily cloaked that her features were not visible, and flanked by two warriors on either side. Two more warriors followed. They arranged themselves in a semi-circle around her as Commander T’lan approached, pausing at a respectable distance to incline his head.

“Greetings, Queen Adorissa. I am Senior Commander T’lan. Welcome to—”

“Could we continue the pleasantries inside?” The voice emerging from the cloaked figure was undeniably female—low, sultry, and with a slight, not unpleasant sibilance.

“Yes, of course. This way.”

T’lan started to stride away before he remembered his company and slowed to a more measured pace. The Icluthian warriors fell into place around the queen and they all proceeded to the newly assembled building. Yehrin technology made it a relatively simple matter to erect new structures and they had decided that the Icluthians’ unique needs would be better served by creating an area especially for them.

The door opened into a large, high-ceilinged room, draped with a profusion of color and fabric. The effect was almost as startling to T’kol’s senses as the drastic increase in temperature. The Icluthians removed their heavy outer garments and released the coverings over their heads and hands; however, he noticed that they immediately refastened their weapons belts around their waists.

The queen threw off her cloak and removed a silver mask. Beneath the cloak she wore a silky garment that formed a stiff collar behind her head and opened all the way down the front from between her small breasts to just above the jeweled belt set low on her hips. As tall as her warriors, her slender body was covered with pale green scales. Faint pink patches marked her cheeks and a corresponding pink stripe ran from her throat down across her stomach, framed by the open front of her garment.

She wandered over and ran a hand along the rich velvet covering on a low couch while one of her warriors made a quick inspection of the rest of the building. T’kol knew it was comprised of an equally large bedroom, two small bunkrooms, a large bathing room and small sanitary facilities. T’gana had suggested the layout based upon his research and T’kol had arranged for the construction but, as with this room, he had not seen the finished result. No one moved or spoke until the warrior returned and nodded.

“This is quite acceptable,” Queen Adorissa said. “We appreciate your consideration.” She assumed a seat on the couch, two of her warriors immediately moving into position behind her.

T’lan’s posture relaxed almost imperceptibly. “My mate assisted with the decoration. She will be delighted that you are satisfied.”

“Your queen? No doubt she is at home with her other warriors?” She raised a delicate brow ridge.

The growl in T’lan’s voice could not be disguised. “She has no other males. She is at home with our daughters.”

“Ah.” Apparently losing interest, the queen waved a dismissive hand. “This weather is most unfortunate. I had hoped to see more of your planet but even as we approached, most of this continent was covered with heavy clouds. I was very disappointed.”

A slight motion caught his attention. Why had T’chok reacted to the queen’s mention of the weather?

The queen invited them to be seated, refreshments were served, and the next hour vanished in useless conversation. Every time T’lan or T’gana attempted to steer the conversation towards the Saviji, Adorissa deftly changed the subject. When she finally dismissed them with a reference to her fatigue from her journey—a journey that could not have lasted more than twenty minutes—he suspected they were all too relieved to protest.

“What the hell was that about?” T’lan demanded as soon as they were outside in the blessedly cool air. “I thought they wanted to talk to us.”

T’gana shook his head. “I am not sure. They have never been exactly open with us, but we have worked with them for the past few years. Then again, a queen has never been involved.”

“I did not think queens were involved in military matters.”

“I did not think so either.” T’gana shook his head. “I will conduct additional research.”

T’lan and T’gana departed for their respective homes, but T’kol stepped in front of T’chok as he prepared to follow them.

“Why did you react to the queen’s mention of the weather? Was it about L’zabet? Where is she?”

“I do not believe that is any of your concern,” T’chok growled.

T’kol growled back, on the verge of lowering his horns. L’zabet had been gone for three days now and the uncertainty about her whereabouts was driving him to distraction.

“She is most definitely my concern.”

“But you have not claimed her. Do you not wish to do so?”

“I wish that more than anything.” The words burst out before he could suppress them.

“Then why have you not done so?”

He found himself unable to meet the other male’s eyes. “She is too young,” he said, using the same excuse he had given her.

T’chok frowned at him. “Age is merely a number. My zuzu was much younger when I claimed her. Are you afraid?”

Under normal circumstances, he would have interpreted the remark as a deliberate insult and issued a challenge of his own, but despite his grim face, T’chok seemed more concerned than challenging.

“It is not fear. You could call it, perhaps, concern.” T’chok maintained a forbidding silence and T’kol finally forced himself to admit the question that haunted his dreams. “I am concerned that I will not make her happy. She has a restless spirit, a type of wildness that I fear would not be happy if tied to another. I had hoped that as she grew older, she would be more content, but if anything, her restlessness only seems to have increased.”

He did not mention his even deeper fear that even if he did claim her, the bond would not be enough to keep her at his side. Or worse, that like his mother she would remain but become bitter and resentful.

T’chok’s face had relented. “It appears you understand more than I gave you credit for. I will speak to R’chel.”

He stepped past T’kol and this time he did not attempt to retain the other warrior. Dual Yehrin hearts were no advantage today—both of them ached as he returned to his own small quarters. The sensation reminded him of the first miserable weeks after L’zabet departed for college. He had known she would stay if he asked her to, but he had also known what a bright mind she possessed, and he did not want to prevent her from continuing her education. Nonetheless, he had spent most of those first weeks agonizing about his decision. He had gone as far as taking a cloaked flyer to her campus and observing her from a distance. Only after he was convinced that she was safe and happy—and not interested in other males—had he been able to relax his surveillance. Although even then, many a lonely night had seen him make the same trip. At least then he had known how to find her. Now he did not, and worry tore at his insides.

Chapter Six

The trip to the cave had been even more draining than Hisst feared. The icy wind sucked the heat from his body and despite the heated rocks clutched to his stomach, he felt his steps and his thoughts slowing with each movement. Just as he was afraid that he would have to tell his queen that he could not continue, they reached the cave. She’d had to help him inside and he was too drained to do more that huddle around his rocks, but the lack of wind helped. When she began heating the rocks inside the cave, it helped even more.

As the warmth penetrated, he sat up and looked around with interest. Once past the entrance the ceiling rose high enough that he would be able to stand upright. The walls were composed of smooth striped stone and the floor sloped gently towards the entrance and was wide enough for perhaps four bodies to lie side by side. Now that they were no longer in the smaller shelter, she would not need to sleep pressed against his side, he thought regretfully.

The cave appeared to be unoccupied, but he filtered the air through his olfactory receptors, checking for the scent of a predator. He detected nothing recent, but tasting the air caused Lissie’s delicious scent to flood his senses and his kradx stirred. He hadn’t realized how easily it would be aroused after the initial awakening. Hoping she hadn’t noticed his unseemly enthusiasm, he snuck a glance in her direction, but she was using her small light to study the entrance to the cave.

“If I had a knife, I could probably rig up a cover for the door,” she said. “I usually have one in my bag, but I must have taken it out.”

Glad to finally be of some use, he pulled out his boot knife with a triumphant grin.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “I could kiss you, Hisst.”

“Kiss?”

The mating color covered her cheeks. “It’s a human custom. You press your lips to another person’s lips.”

“Ah.” A wave of heat washed over him and his kradx stirred again as he remembered the way she had touched her mouth to his before she left him. Although primarily used as a weapon, an Icluthian mouth was also used to bestow the mating bite. He had never heard of using it to bring pleasure to a female in any other way, but the thought had an illicit eroticism to it that stoked his arousal. Except…

“It probably would not work,” he said.

“Why not?”

“Because of my fangs.” He opened his mouth far enough to show her the two sharp points descending from his upper jaw.

“Those don’t look too bad.”

He shook his head. “They grow larger if I’m angry.”

“I’d hope you wouldn’t be angry if we were kissing,” she said, then her own small white teeth bit down on that fascinatingly plump lower lip.

“Or if I’m aroused,” he added.

“Oh.” She didn’t say anything else as she came over and took his knife, but as she knelt down to start cutting the parachute, he heard her whisper. “That might be kinda fun.”

By the Goddess, if his kradx didn’t stop reacting to her words he was going to be rubbed raw before he had a chance to extrude. It didn’t help that she was bent over in one of the forbidden positions. No Icluthian female had ever had such wondrously round buttocks and he could not help but wonder what they could feel like against his loins if he were behind her thrusting into her…

That’s not the way it is done, he reminded himself.

“What’s not?” Lissie sat back on her heels and looked over at him and he realized that he had spoken aloud.

“I was reminding myself of the rules for mating with a queen,” he admitted.

The color that swept over her was almost as dark as a queen in full rut and did nothing to quiet his arousal.

“What are they?” she asked, her voice low and husky.

They had been drilled into him since he was a small nestling. “The queen always chooses the male. The male must ensure that the queen is in readiness. Once the queen is ready, the male must present himself for her touch, should she choose to give it.”

“Oh.” Heavily fringed eyelids briefly veiled the soft green of her unusual eyes. “I was never one for rules anyway.”

She turned back to the cloth and he actually had to press his hand against his slit to keep his kradx tucked inside. The husky whisper, the implied invitation, even the suggestion that they ignore the endless rules that had frustrated him for most of his life—was there ever a more perfect queen? He had been blessed by the Great Mother that this human female had been the one to cause his awakening. He knew he could not hope to be a permanent part of her brace, but perhaps, perhaps he might be lucky enough for her to complete his awakening. A full body shudder swept over him at the thought.

“Are you cold?” she asked.

“No, I’m quite comfortable.”

“Good. I’m actually a little warm myself.” Sitting back on her heels, she removed her outer garment, and he was struck speechless. He had been aware when she was pressed against him in her sleep that her breasts were large and soft, but now… Even at her most aroused, an Icluthian queen would never come close to that size. Perhaps he should have been repulsed by the excess tissue, but he could only stare in aroused fascination. As he did, a point appeared in the center of each one.

“What are those? On your… tits? Is that what I touched this morning?”

To his infinite regret, she crossed her arms over the intriguing peaks, although the generous mounds spilled over the top.

“Haven’t you ever seen a nipple before?”

“A nipple?” He ran the word through his interface. “Ah, to feed your young. Are you with child?”

“Hah. I would have to have sex first,” she said, then colored again. “No, I don’t have a child and I’m not planning on having one any time soon. They also react to cold.”

“Then you should put your outer garment back on,” he said regretfully.

“I’m not cold.”

“But you said—”

“I know what I said and it’s true, but they also get hard when I’m aroused, okay?”

She was practically yelling when she finished, and it took him a minute to realize what she had said. He couldn’t help the slow grin that spread across his face.

“I aroused you?” How handy to have such a barometer instead of trying to estimate if a female’s breasts had increased in size.

“Yes, all right? You looked so… fascinated.”

“I was. I am,” he assured her. “Could you let me see them again? Please?”

She slowly lowered her hands and to his delight, the small points looked longer and harder than they had before. He started to reach forward with a cautious finger, but she pulled back.

“I agreed to let you look, not touch. Now let me get back to work.”

A tide of color still heated Lizabet’s cheeks as she bent over to resume cutting the parachute cloth, flaming even higher when she realized that Hisst had a direct view of her ass. She considered changing position but the knowledge that he was watching her was curiously arousing. Her nipples tightened ever further into aching points and she had to fight back the impulse to rub them. What was it about this alien?

Her breasts had been attracting attention since she was barely in her teens and had developed almost overnight. Once she realized that she couldn’t fight it, she started dressing in ways that accentuated them, determined to make it her choice. But despite the many comments, leers, and even attempted grabs she had received over the years, Hisst’s simple fascinated stare had been the only one that she’d really responded to—aside from T’kol, of course. At the thought of him, a confused mixture of longing and resentment bubbled up. Why could he never express his feelings as openly?

The only time he had come close had been that one incident in the woods. She had just turned eighteen and she had been teasing him relentlessly, sure that he would finally see her as an adult. On the day in question, she pranced into his office in a tight halter top with no bra and the shortest skirt she could find to ask him to go on a picnic. When he had predictably refused, she threatened to ask one of the other warriors instead. His horns had lowered, and he had agreed. She had been so triumphant as she led the way into the woods, sure that this would be the day.

Instead, he had scolded her about her attitude and her clothes and warned her to stop her games. To her horror, she had started crying. At the first sight of her tears, he had come to an appalled halt, and the next thing she knew she was in his arms, but the frustration and guilt were too much and she couldn’t stop crying. Until he kissed her. Then everything melted away except the two of them and before she knew what was happening, he was kissing her neck, worshipping her breasts, moving over her body with a fiery intensity that she didn’t quite understand but responded to instinctively. Before long, he had her bent over a log, her skirt flipped up, and her panties around her knees as he used his tongue and teeth to send her into a fast, shocking climax. Then she actually felt his cock, felt him press against her, before he came to a sudden frustrating halt. She had tried to push back, to urge him on, but he stopped her with a sharp smack to her butt.

Instead, he reassembled her clothing, told her kindly but firmly that she needed to stop her games and sent her home feeling like a stupid child. But that night she had seen her body in the mirror, seen the bite marks adorning her breasts, seen the red swollen nipples, and the lingering handprint across her butt, and her resolve only intensified. Now that she knew what he was capable of, she wasn’t going to back down. But they had never come so close again, and now, Hisst’s admiration both soothed those hurt feelings and fired her arousal.

Even after she finished cutting the cloth and managed to rig up a door flap, her nipples were still tight and hard, and she could feel the ache deep in her pussy. When she turned back to Hisst, he had his head tilted and she saw his cheeks moving. As she drew closer, she noticed a thin membrane on each cheek pulsating slightly.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I am tasting the air.” He looked at her, eyes gleaming gold. “Your scent was already most delicious, but it is growing richer. Is this a common human trait?”

“Um. I’m not sure.” Could he actually smell her arousal? Determined to ignore it, she sat down on the cave floor and began pulling everything out of her pack, using her phone light to assist the dim glow coming through the cloth over the entry.

“I believe it is my turn to ask what you are doing?”

“Taking inventory. One water bottle—half empty, but that’s all right. I can fill it with snow and let it melt. I’m more worried about food. I only have three more protein bars, some beef jerky, and a couple of apples.” She ran her eyes appreciatively over his muscular frame. “You must need a lot more than that to survive.”

“Don’t worry about me, my queen. I don’t need it.”

“You’ve very sweet, Hisst, but I’m not going to let you starve. The least we can do is split it.”

“Truly, I do not need it. My metabolism has slowed because of the temperature. You use that nourishment yourself.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“Of course, I am saying that.”

“No, I meant you were just saying that so I’ll eat instead of you.”

“Ah. A queen’s health and safety must always come first, but I spoke truthfully.” He held her gaze for an instant. “I will never lie to you, my queen.”

“I believe you.” Rather to her surprise she did. Other than her immediate family, she didn’t trust very many people, but she already trusted this strange new alien.

“So, we have heat, water, and a little food. We should be able to survive the storm for a while. Now all we need is to find something to fill the time.” Her light-hearted words dropped into the quiet cave with unexpected impact.

Chapter Seven

Hisst stared at his queen and tried desperately to suppress the thoughts that had immediately sprung to mind at her casual comment. She stared back and her cheeks assumed the mating hue once more. Could she possibly have some of the same thoughts? He dropped his eyes to check, and yes, her nipples were once again prominent.

“Would you like me to present myself to you?” he asked hopefully, even though he had little expectation that she would take him up on his offer.

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“Once the queen is ready, the male should present himself for her touch,” he quoted.

“And what makes you think I’m ready?” She sounded more curious than annoyed and he breathed a sigh of relief that he had not offended her.

“Your nipples are hard and the temperature in the cave has not decreased. Also, you have a mating flush.”

“A mating flush?”

“The color on your cheeks indicates your readiness. In an Icluthian queen, it will extend down to her cunt, but I do not know if that is true for a human queen. And of course, your clothing covers it,” he added regretfully. “If you wish to expose it so that I can judge for myself—”

“No!” Then she sighed. “Blushing is the curse of a redhead.”

“It does not signify that you’re aroused?”

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “It can also mean that I’m embarrassed, or angry, or upset.”

Disappointment filled him. He had thought it was too much to expect, and yet…

“Your nipples are still hard,” he pointed out.

Before his eyes, they tightened even further, and she pressed a quick arm against them as if to hide the revealing nubs.

She laughed ruefully. “You have me there.”

“I have you there? Does that mean I may touch you?” He was on his knees before her even as he spoke, his hands gently cupping the abundant flesh that filled his palms with soft warmth.

“I didn’t mean— Oh.” Her eyes closed and she swayed towards him when he ran a curious thumb over those tempting little peaks. “That feels really good.”

“Oh, yes.” His kradx throbbed impatiently against his slit but he was too fascinated by the soft weight filling his palms. He massaged her tits, memorizing the feel, and noting how her breathing quickened and her color deepened as he moved. When he concentrated on the entrancing strangeness of her nipples, rolling and plucking the taut nubs, her hands came up to cover his. For a moment, he thought he had erred, but all she did was encourage him, urging him to apply more pressure than he would have dared.

She writhed against his hands and then, wonder of wonders, she moved closer, seating herself across one of his thighs. Even through the layers of material separating them, he could feel the heat of her cunt as she rubbed her body over his thigh in an urgent rhythm. Her breath came in little panting gasps and he felt his own throat begin to trill in response. Her scent deepened to an intoxicating level as she clamped his fingers even more tightly around her nipples and they hardened in response to his touch. Responding to her excitement, he tugged harder and she moaned. She threw her head back, then cried out her pleasure as he felt the cloth covering her cunt grow damp against his thigh.

His kradx could not be contained, extruding from his slit and rubbing against the slick material of his suit in a surge of longing. She swayed, and he moved his hands to support her, but she scrambled back off his leg, pressing her hands against the beautiful red which still covered her cheeks.

Oh my god. Lizabet tried to hide the embarrassed flush covering her cheeks. One minute she had been guiltily enjoying Hisst’s gentle reverent touch, and the next she had been pressing into his hands and urging him on. The low-key arousal that had been haunting her since she woke up in his arms had escalated with a strength and speed she hadn’t anticipated. The feel of his smooth dry scales beneath her hands and the spicy scent of his skin surrounding her had heightened her arousal. Even the air seemed to vibrate with excitement, and the feel of his hard thigh beneath her swollen clit had sent her soaring into a fast, intense climax.

Almost too embarrassed to look at him, she snuck a quick peek. He had a strange look on his face, almost as if he were in pain. What had she done?

“I’m so sorry, Hisst. I didn’t mean to get carried away like that.”

“No one will carry you away from me,” he said immediately, glaring at the cave entrance.

“No, I meant that I got a little too… excited.”

“You are apologizing? For trusting me to witness your release? I am honored, my queen.”

He started to move towards her, then winced and froze.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t believe so, but this is the first time I have extruded, and the circumstances are… different than I had expected. I’m not sure what to do.”

“Extruded?”

“My kradx.” He gestured towards his groin and she couldn’t help but look. The odd flat bulge had disappeared and instead there was a very large ridge with…with a second smaller ridge next to it. Was that even possible? Her biology lessons resurfaced—many reptiles did have dual penises. Oh fuck.

“What did you expect to happen?” she asked cautiously.

A small area pulsed at the base of his throat. “After my queen awakened my kradx, she would make use of it.”

“Oh.” Despite the lingering heat in her body, she didn’t think she was ready for that. “Could you, uh, take care of it yourself?”

Shock crossed his face. “No one has ever suggested such a thing.” The spot pulsed again, and she suddenly wondered if it was the Icluthian equivalent of blushing. “I am not quite sure how it would be done.”

Could he really be that innocent? “And this has never happened before?”

“No. As I said, only a queen can awaken a male’s kradx for the first time.” He shifted uneasily. “It is not as pleasant as I had expected.”

She couldn’t resist, she looked at his lap again. The ridges had not diminished in the slightest.

“Maybe you should try, um, touching yourself?”

“Touch myself?” The shock returned, as did the flicker at his throat.

“Yes. You know, to relieve the pressure.”

“This is permitted?”

The color started to suffuse her cheeks again. It was a small cave, if he masturbated, she would know exactly what he was doing. But she didn’t want him to be in pain and especially considering that he had just seen her come, it seemed sort of silly to get shy now. She sternly suppressed the thought that she was actually curious—and more than a little turned on.

She attempted a casual shrug. “Sure, why not? Although if you want me to step—”

Before she could complete her sentence, he ran a finger down the front of his suit. It opened behind his touch, showing a wide expanse of well-muscled chest and… fuck. He definitely had two penises, both of them a deep shade of gold and glistening in the dim light. They were shaped the same—long, smooth columns that tapered slightly to a divided tip—but the front one was significantly larger.

The spicy scent that always surrounded him increased, filling the cave with an exotic aroma that seemed to draw a corresponding increase in her own arousal.

“Does this sight please you, my queen?” His voice was low, husky with what she suspected was his own arousal.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said honestly. Not that she had a lot of up-close experience with dicks to begin with, but she had seen enough to know that they didn’t look anything like this.

“Is that bad?”

He sounded so concerned that she felt a little tug at her heart.

“Not at all. Do you want me to, um, step outside the cave?”

“Why would I want that? Aren’t you going to instruct me?”

“Me?” she squeaked. “Don’t you know what to do?”

“No. I told you that my kradx has never extruded before. It takes a queen to make that happen and no queen has ever awakened my desire.”

That was both flattering and a little nerve-wracking. She bit her lip and moved a little closer. Fuck, he smelled good and those glistening columns of flesh looked extraordinarily tempting.

“I suppose you should start by just touching it—them.”

He grabbed himself so tightly that even she winced, and he immediately jerked his hand away.

“You need to be gentle,” she said. “Like this.”

Moving close enough that she was tucked against his side, she stroked a cautious finger along the larger shaft, sliding easily along the glistening flesh. Mm, smooth and silky and cool against her fingertips. He groaned and she immediately took her hand away.

“No.” He grabbed her hand to bring it back, then immediately dropped it, looking ashamed. “I’m sorry. I forgot my place.”

“It’s fine. I showed you how I wanted to be touched.”

He didn’t argue, promptly placing her hand back on his dick. She curved her fingers around it, realizing that they didn’t quite touch, and a little shiver traveled up her spine. What would it feel like to have that broad cool length stretching her pussy? Her clit throbbed and she shifted, trying to apply some discreet pressure to the demanding nub.

“You are aroused?” Hisst asked, and she looked up to see him staring at her once again very erect nipples.

“Well, yes. You’re almost naked and I have your dick in my hand.”

“You would prefer me completely naked?”

Before she could respond, he stripped away the rest of the suit to reveal an awful lot of muscled green alien. Her mouth went dry. The suit hadn’t exactly hidden anything but seeing him without it doubled the impact. Once he was naked, he brought her hand firmly back to his larger dick.

“Aren’t you going to get cold?” she asked breathlessly.

“Not while you are touching me,” he said, then put an arm around her and gently tugged her closer. “But of course, your warmth would help.”

He sounded so innocent that she shot him a suspicious look, which he returned with such limpid innocence that she laughed.

As her laughter died, he moved his hips restlessly and she focused on the smooth shaft filling her hand. She took a long, slow stroke and he groaned.

“Did I hurt you?”

“Oh no, my queen. Perhaps, harder this time?”

She tightened her hand and repeated the motion and a low vibrating hum filled the cave. When she looked up, she saw that the area under his neck was pink and slightly swollen. She put her hand to it, and she felt it vibrate beneath her fingers as the trill echoed again.

“You made that sound before, when I was on your lap.”

“Yes, my queen. It signifies the intensity of my arousal.”

With that to guide her, she returned to her explorations.

“Is your second shaft not as sensitive?” It was definitely smaller, no more than two fingers wide and about half the length, but when she stroked it cautiously, he trilled just as loudly. Returning to his main shaft, she ran a finger over the divided tip. To her shock, the ends parted, then enclosed her finger in a tight wet grip. She had a brief, shocking fantasy of that same grip applied to her clit and found herself rubbing her breasts against Hisst’s side, wishing that she was touching him directly.

As if he read her thoughts, he asked tentatively, “My queen, would you do me the honor of allowing me to see your body?”

Oh, what the hell. She pulled off her thermal top, tank, and lacy bra before she could second guess herself. When she snuck a look at him, he was staring at her breasts as if he’d never seen anything like them before. Actually, she supposed he never had.

“Beautiful,” he breathed. “And I see that the mating flush extends down across them.” He reached for her, then hesitated. “May I?”

Too embarrassed to speak, she nodded, and he immediately repeated his actions of earlier, but the feel of his smooth dry skin against her naked flesh was a hundred times more satisfying. When he tugged on one of her nipples, his cock jerked, and she suddenly remembered that she was still holding him. She gave him another long stroke and his fingers clamped down hard on her nipples, sending a shockwave of pleasure straight to her clit. His hands left her breasts, but before she could protest, he positioned her over his thigh as she had been earlier. This time it wasn’t enough—she wanted to be closer—and she moved forward until she was actually straddling his lap. His cocks reared up between her spread thighs and she could use both hands now. She started stroking him again, experimenting until she found the speed and strength that had him emitting a continuous trill. He focused on her breasts, not hesitating at all as he stroked and tugged, his fingers firm and sure. Both cocks throbbed in her hands, then hardened just before he sent four jets of golden liquid shooting into the air, covering his chest, his hands, and her breasts in fragrant warmth.

His head fell back, and she could have cried in frustration. Her body throbbed and ached, her clit swollen and demanding, her pussy squeezing on nothing. She sat back, trying not to scowl at Hisst’s limp satisfaction, but his hands followed her, still clinging to her breasts.

“You can let go now,” she said, trying not to sound as frustrated as she felt. Apparently, her efforts were not successful because his eyes immediately opened and focused on her. As soon as he saw the look on her face, he sat forward.

“My queen. I did not please you?”

“It wasn’t about me.”

“It is always about you.” He looked so obviously distressed that her frustration lessened, and she was able to give him a genuine smile.

“Never mind. I think you came enough for both of us.” The golden fluid was everywhere, and she ran a finger through it and brought it cautiously to her face. It too had that exotic spicy scent, and, with a mental shrug, she brought it to her tongue. Oh my god. It tasted amazing—sweet, but with an underlying spicy heat reminiscent of cinnamon.

As she followed the trails down his body, she realized that both his cocks had disappeared. All that remained was a long slit, the frilled edges a soft shade of pink. Without thinking, she traced the slit. He groaned and a bulge started to grow again.

“I’m sorry. Is it sensitive?”

“Yes, but do not apologize. I would ever welcome your touch—and I hope that I have more control now that I have been satisfied. I will not extrude.”

Pushing aside an impulse to challenge his control, she reached for her clothes. Before she could pull them back on Hisst reached out again, not for her breasts this time but to run a finger over her necklace.

“You have a dargan stone.”

“Is that what it is? It was a gift.” The reminder tugged at her wounded heart.

“Yes, of course. A most appropriate present for a queen.” He lifted the jewel, letting it catch the light. “It matches your eyes.”

“That’s what he said.” Dammit. She did not want to think about T’kol right now. Especially not with another male’s seed all over her body.

Redirecting her thoughts to more practical matters, she used her tank top to clean them both, decided not to worry about her bra, and yanked on the thermal top. Hisst pulled his suit back on, although he left the upper part open to reveal the smooth scales of his upper chest and the large circular tattoo on his right pectoral. She momentarily wished she’d had more time to explore that fascinating chest, then shook her head. The previous events had been the result of a long period of frustration and their unusual situation, she decided. Any red-blooded female might succumb to the appeal of an attractive muscular alien if she was trapped with him in a blizzard. She would just keep her distance from now on.

But then she looked up to find him smiling at her, his face relaxed and hopeful, and she realized keeping her distance was going to be impossible. They needed something to think about other than sex.

“Do you play cards?” she asked doubtfully. She always carried a deck with her because she found old-fashioned solitaire with actual cards curiously soothing.

To her surprise he nodded eagerly. “Yes, I enjoy card games very much.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, she dug through her pack for the deck. “Then let’s see if you’re any good.”

Chapter Eight

The second day after the Icluthians’ arrival was even worse as far as T’kol was concerned. L’zabet had still not returned. The Icluthian queen refused to see their party at all. One of her warriors announced that she had received distressing news and would not be receiving visitors.

“Visitors,” T’lan snarled when they gathered outside her temporary residence after the abortive attempt. “This is not a social call. If they have information about the Saviji expansion, true allies would be prepared to share that information.” He kicked at the light dusting of snow that had fallen overnight with a clawed foot. “M’lee has offered to make an actual social call but I am not sure I want her in their presence.”

“It could be helpful,” T’gana suggested. “From what I have been able to gather so far, I believe that queens tend to speak primarily to other queens. Perhaps that extends to all females.”

“If you think it could be helpful, I suppose we should try,” T’lan said reluctantly. “Perhaps tomorrow the queen will be more accommodating.”

The warriors disbursed, but this time T’chok was the one to pull T’kol aside.

“R’chel and I have discussed the matter. She believes you have a right to know.”

“Know what?”

“L’zabet was traveling to our cabin in Montana.”

“But that is in the area of the storm.” After the conversation yesterday, he had inspected a weather map. All of the northern states were under a blizzard advisory, but he had not realized why it would be of concern to T’chok. He had foolishly overlooked the cabin. “How could you have let her go?”

“At the time, I did not realize that the weather might present an issue.” T’chok scowled, his horns drawing together. “She called the first night, but we have not had any further communication. At first it did not concern me because, as much as I hate to admit it, she is an adult. But we have been trying to reach her since yesterday and there is no response. She knows how to handle these conditions and I hope that the transmission is simply blocked by the storm, but I admit that I am concerned.”

“I will go after her,” he said immediately. Since they were not meeting with the Icluthians today, his remaining duties were easily redistributed.

“I suspected you would.” T’chok tapped his claws together. “I am still not sure that it is an advisable course, especially since she left in order to avoid your presence.”

“She wished to avoid me?” Guilt washed over him. He had never meant to cause her pain.

“Your fears—your concern, if you prefer—have hurt her. She thinks you do not wish to claim her. If you go after her, are you prepared to be honest with her?”

“I am prepared for more than that,” he said grimly. Conviction filled him as he pushed aside the past. “Restlessness is one thing, but I will not permit her to put herself in danger. I believe it is time to claim my reckless little mate.”

His hearts lifted with the words and his doubts melted away. He would do whatever it took to keep her happy, but he would not wait any longer. It was time.

T’chok nodded. “Very well. But if you hurt her again, be prepared to meet me in the challenge arena.”

It was not an idle threat—T’chok’s prowess in horn-to-horn combat was well known.

“I will not hurt her,” he vowed. “Will you provide me with directions to the cabin?”

“Yes.” T’chok hesitated, and the worried look returned. “There is another location I wish you to check as well. The truck has a tracker. I checked it last night and it stopped transmitting along the route. This was around the same time the storm occurred, so it is quite possible that this is also due to interference.”

“I will check that location first,” he promised.

Ten minutes later he had gathered his supplies and was on his way. According to the weather forecast, there was a brief break in the storm, although it would return in full force later in the day. He was determined to find his mate before it did.

When he came to the coordinates T’chok had given him, nothing disturbed the blanket of white covering the road, the expanse of prairie to one side, and the rocky hills to the other. He swept back and forth over the area for several minutes before he picked up the faintest trace from the tracker. His hearts pounding, he brought the flyer in for a landing on the snow-covered road. The signal seemed to be coming from the area next to it. He headed in that direction and immediately plunged into a deep ditch filled with snow. His shoulder struck something hard and metallic and he dug at it with frantic hands. A bumper emerged and his hearts sank as he recognized the sarcastic bumper sticker. Gritting his teeth, he set his blast tube to a low flame and forced himself to maintain a slow pace as he began carefully melting away the surrounding snow. As soon as the window was clear, he peered inside, his stomach churning with apprehension at what he would find.

The cab was empty. His immense relief was rapidly tempered by concern. Where had she gone? Surely, she would have stayed close to the truck. As he climbed back out of the ditch and looked around at the vast white emptiness, all he could think to do was call her name. He strode up and down the road calling her name until he was hoarse, his voice muffled by the snow and the clouds gathering on the horizon. It wasn’t until the first snowflake hit his face that he had another thought.

Before she left for college, he had given her a necklace. The stone was a rare dargan from Jakuta Prime, renowned for its delicate beauty; however, it also emitted a low-level resonance. With any luck he could track that frequency. He knew she loved the necklace—he had never seen her without it. If she still wore it… If she hadn’t been hurt and angry enough to discard it…

His hands fumbled as he adjusted his scanner, made clumsy by more than cold. There! The signal was a considerable distance away and very weak, but he was sure he had found her.

The flyer took him part of the way, but the signal came from deeper amongst the rocks where he couldn’t land. He would have to make the remaining journey on foot. Shouldering his supplies, he began to climb.

“Eight fathers?” Lizabet asked Hisst the next morning. They were curled up on the makeshift bed they had made from covering the pile of leaves with the remnants of the parachute, and Hisst was telling her about his childhood. Despite playing numerous card games, both human and Icluthian, she hadn’t succeeded in establishing any distance between them. Truthfully, she found she didn’t want to push him away emotionally or physically. He liked touching her—a hand on her foot when they were playing a game, his arm around her shoulders when they were just talking. Even though she had always hated people getting too close to her, she found herself relaxing into his touch and even initiating touches of her own.

The storm hadn’t abated, and when it came time to sleep, they’d had an extended discussion of sleeping arrangements before she sighed and insisted that they share the primitive bed. Once again, she had awoken wrapped in his arms, her nipples hard and her pussy aching. By the bulge in his suit, he was equally affected but they both pretended to ignore the underlying tension. Instead, they snuggled together and talked.

“Eight?” she said again and shook her head. “I only had one and he was a worthless piece of shit. Still, I suppose it made me appreciate T’chok even more.”

“T’chok?” He frowned. “That sounds like a Yehrin name.”

“It is. I guess you could say he adopted me after the Yehrin invaded.”

“Adopted?” He tilted his head to the side the way he did when he was considering. “Ah. You mean he took you into his zimene.”

“If you say so.”

“Zimene means a family unit. A queen, her brace, and their offspring.”

“Her brace?” She remembered that he had used that term before, but she wasn’t sure what it meant.

“A queen’s chosen males. She always begins with two, then adds to it when she finds desirable males. My dam was negotiating for a ninth just before this trip,” he said, sounding gloomy.

“Nine? Why would she need nine males?”

“The latest male, Lessoran, belongs to a very important zimene. It would be a prestigious match.”

“Does she love him?”

“He arouses her.”

“That’s not exactly what I asked. But nine males…” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine.”

“I’m afraid it is not uncommon.” His body went oddly still. “Do you really not have a brace, Lissie? Not a single male?”

“Not even half a one.” She laughed and hoped it didn’t sound bitter. “No one wants me.”

“That is inconceivable,” he said, and his obvious disbelief was like balm to her heartache. She snuggled into his side. He pulled her closer and they laid together in contented silence until she realized that it was silent both within the cave and without.

“Listen,” she said around a yawn. Despite her pleasant languor, she needed to remember that they were still in danger. “The wind has died down.”

“Yes, my queen,” he said absently. He was stroking her arm, but the tips of his fingers were brushing her breasts and she could feel her arousal beginning to build again. His scent grew stronger.

“If the storm has died down, I can probably make it out to the road. I could leave a marker in case anyone is looking—Oh, God, that feels good.”

“I don’t want you to leave,” he whispered, as his hand slid round to fully cover her breast.

“Stop that and listen to me,” she said, and he reluctantly obeyed. “We can’t remain here forever. We need more food and you need to get away from the cold. Someone is going to come looking for one of us and they need to be able to find us.”

“I don’t like the thought of you going alone. It is my honor to protect you.”

The word honor reminded her of T’kol, and her eyes filled with unexpected tears. She was here with an alien who seemed to adore her after knowing her for two days. Why couldn’t she forget the one who hadn’t returned her affections after seven years?

“Is something wrong, my queen?”

“No. Just memories.” She dashed an impatient hand across her face. “But, seriously, the wind has died down and the storm must have abated. There is more light behind the door flap.”

They both turned to look at the thin red cloth just in time to see it darken. At first, she thought the clouds had returned and then she realized that there was someone, or something, outside the door. Before she could react, Hisst grabbed the blast tube, rolled over to get between her and the door, and fired. A loud crash sounded from outside, followed by a horrible slithering noise. Whatever was out there had just gone sliding down the mountain.

“What was that?” she whispered.

“I do not know.” Still crouched protectively between her and the entrance, Hisst looked completely different from the sweet, curious alien who had been cuddling with her. Instead, he looked every inch a warrior and her pussy gave an excited little pulse before she forced herself to concentrate. This was not the time. She started searching for her coat and gloves.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his eyes still on the door flap.

“I’m going to find out what that was. And if it’s still alive.”

“I only stunned it,” he said a little defensively.

“But it went sliding down the mountain. If it’s an animal and it’s injured, I may have to put it out of its misery.” She didn’t like the idea, but she liked the idea of leaving it to suffer even less. “It’s also possible that it’s edible.”

Hisst started to pull on the pieces of her clothing again.

“You don’t need to come with me,” she protested. “It’s much too cold.”

“I’m coming.”

“Fine. While you’re getting dressed, I’m just going to take a quick peek.”

“Lissie, wait,” he called, but she was already through the flap.

The first thing she saw was black Yehrin-issue duffel. Oh no. Who had come after her? T’chok? T’kol? Her heart started racing as she saw the path through the snow where someone large and heavy had slid down the steep hillside. Her only thought to find the person at the end, she raced down the cleared trail, barely keeping her balance. She came around a final boulder and found T’kol, sprawled against a rock, his lower leg at an awkward angle, obviously broken.

“No, no, please, no.” She went to her knees next to him, tears streaming down her face as she felt for his pulse. Oh, thank God. It maintained a steady beat beneath her fingers. She lowered her face to his and felt his warm breath. Still crying, she kissed his face over and over.

“Lissie, I told you to wait for me.” Hisst came skidding around the boulder and stopped abruptly. “Who is that?”

“It’s T’kol. He must have come looking for me and we shot him and now I think his leg is broken,” she wailed.

“He is your warrior?” His voice held an odd note, but she was too upset to worry about it.

“Yes, of course, he is. What are we going to do?”

“I can carry him,” he said. “But it will have to be quickly, before I lose my body heat.”

He had her clothing wrapped around him again, but it was very little protection against the frigid air.

“What about his leg?”

“We will attend to it once we are back in the cave.”

Without hesitating, he bent forward and picked up T’kol’s massive body and threw it over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. If she hadn’t been consumed with worry, she would have been awed by his strength.

The trip back up the rocky hillside was agonizing. Hisst never faltered but his steps grew increasingly slow. He barely made the last few steps up to the cave, but he placed T’kol carefully on the ground just outside.

“Go inside, right now,” she said. “I’ll see if I can drag him the rest of the way, but if I can’t you can help me as soon as you get warm.”

“Go,” she repeated when he hesitated, and he finally ducked his head and entered.

She tried to move T’kol and immediately realized she was going to need Hisst’s help again. And what were they going to do about his leg? Her knowledge of medicine was almost non-existent, but she was pretty sure you put a splint on a broken leg. A few scraggly bushes comprised the only vegetation in the immediate area, but they would have to do.

“I have recovered,” Hisst said a few minutes later, but from the slow drag to his voice, she wasn’t sure she believed him.

“Can you pull him inside? And hand me your knife? I’m going to see if I can find something to use as a splint.” She hated to leave T’kol, but she was the only one who could handle the cold.

“Don’t go far,” he ordered, as he handed her the knife.

“I won’t.” She started to pick up the duffle, but it weighed a ton. “Can you get this too? There may be something inside that will help.”

He nodded and she dropped a quick kiss on T’kol’s head between his horns. “I’ll be right back.”

When she returned a few minutes later with the straightest branches she’d been able to find, T’kol was inside the cave, her pack under his head, and his leg straightened. It looked much better, but she regarded it uncertainly.

“Should you have done that?” she asked.

“I have basic medical training,” Hisst said, his voice cool. “It appears to be a clean break and the Yehrin heal quickly. It needed to be aligned as soon as possible.” He took two of the branches she had cut, and, with the help of some of the parachute cord, tied them in place around T’kol’s leg. “That is the most we can do for right now. Once he awakens, we can ask him if there is anything further that should be done.”

He turned to her, his face rigid and somehow more alien than he had appeared since they first met. “Now, Lissie. Who is this warrior of yours?”

Chapter Nine

Lissie only stared at him and Hisst had a hard time biting back a growl.

“You should remove his weapons,” he said, trying to keep his voice even despite his frustration. His Lissie had said she had no brace, and yet she had claimed this warrior on sight. He should have known when he saw the valuable dargan stone that she was being courted. So much for the hope he had begun to entertain that she would be willing to form a brace with him. He had even started considering the other unattached males on the mission to see if any of them might be worthy candidates. How foolish he had been.

“Remove his weapons?” she repeated. “Why?”

“Because he is a warrior. When he regains consciousness, his first instinct will be to attack.” During his combat mission, he had seen the Yehrin fight. They were fast, aggressive, and deadly. His queen—Lissie—did not need to be in an enclosed space with an enraged warrior. The already small cave seemed to have shrunk with the addition of the third occupant. Without the horns, he and Hisst would have been of a similar height, but the other male was built along more powerful lines.

“He would never hurt me,” she said. He let his silence respond, and she flushed. Unfortunately, he recognized that this time, the enticing color was not the result of desire, even though his kradx automatically responded. “And I would never let him hurt you, either.”

“You will not get between us,” he ordered. If it did come to blows, he didn’t want her to make any foolish attempts to interfere.

“Why would I need to? He has a fucking broken leg.”

“He is a warrior.”

She stared at him for a minute, then threw up her hands. “Fine. Whatever.” She bent over and removed the blast tube, nano sword, and knife from the warrior’s belt, then hesitated. “Where should I put them?”

“Anywhere as long as they are out of reach.”

“I still think this is foolish,” she said, but she took the weapons and hid them behind the bed of leaves before returning to kneel at the warrior’s side. “T’kol is a very reasonable male. He’s a master at not letting himself be swayed by emotion.”

The bitterness in her voice struck a familiar note.

“Is he the one? The one you said did not want you?”

Despite his lingering hurt and frustration, he could have bitten his tongue when she paled, and tears appeared in her eyes.

“Yes, he is, all right? I’m surprised he even came looking for me. T’chok must have put him up to it.”

“But you care for him?”

“The first time I saw him, I felt the connection between us.” Her eyes softened for a second before her furred brows drew together. “I thought he felt it too, even though he never made me any promises because he always said I was too young. Now I think it was just a fucking excuse.”

“I was concerned about your age as well,” he felt obligated to mention.

“Yeah, but once you realized I wasn’t underage, you didn’t hesitate.” She gave him a sideways look and he was sure that this time her color was caused by desire, even if only by the memory of their shared encounters.

“I wanted you too much,” he said honestly.

“Why?” she asked bluntly. “Because you’ve never been with a female before? Never, um, extruded?”

“No. I have been around queens, many queens.” Did she frown at that? “But none of them caused my kradx to stir. You said you felt a sense of connection with that warrior. That is how I felt with you—that we should be together. I had hoped you felt the same.”

“I felt it too,” she said softly, and some of his hurt ebbed away.

A faint hope reappeared. Was it even possible? He’d never even heard of such a thing, but…

“Perhaps there is no need to choose,” he said slowly.

“What?” Her mouth formed the most entrancing circle.

“A queen may select as many males as she wishes for her brace.”

“Are you suggesting that I should be in a relationship with both of you?”

“It is the way of my world.” He forced a smile. “Although I hope you wouldn’t want eight other warriors.”

“You really wouldn’t mind sharing me?”

Would he be happy being her only male? To have all of her pleasure for himself? Of course, he would. But it would not be in her best interests.

“Do you know why a queen has a brace?” he asked. “It is for her protection and the protection of her offspring. And, of course, to have assistance in making sure that all of her needs are met.” The statement came out sounding more explicitly sexual than he had intended, but from the thrust of her nipples, she did not object. “I would never wish to endanger a queen by seeking to keep her to myself, although I admit, I had hoped to be part of a smaller brace.” He sighed. “I had certainly never considered the possibility of a Yehrin as part of it, but they are excellent warriors and could assist in your protection.”

The color danced across her cheeks as she looked from him to the unconscious warrior.

“This type of relationship isn’t common on Earth,” she said finally. “And I can’t imagine that any Yehrin warrior has ever considered it.”

She had not rejected the idea. “But you would consider it?”

“I… oh, what’s the point of even discussing it? He doesn’t want me anyway.”

“How could that be?” He looked at the Yehrin and sighed again. “He came after you.”

“But I don’t know why. He’s very big on duty. It might just be that he considered it to be his fucking responsibility, not because he wants me.”

“I want you, Lissie. Nothing would make me happier than for you to be mine.”

The warrior on the floor suddenly roared, his hand going to his belt.

“You can not have her. She is mine!”

T’kol came back to consciousness slowly, aware of a burning pain in his leg. Hard ground lay beneath him and the air was heavy with an unknown scent. He heard L’zabet’s voice and relief filled him. He had found her. She was safe.

But then he heard another voice—low, sibilant… Icluthian. He identified it just as he made out the male’s words. The damned lizard was claiming his L’zabet. He roared his protest and reached for his belt, intending to silence the other male, but his weapons were gone. Undeterred, he started to climb to his feet—his horns were weapon enough—but when he tried to move, a bolt of agony shot up his leg.

“T’kol! Dammit, stay still. You have a broken leg.” L’zabet’s small hands pushed against his chest and he grabbed them, pulling her closer. She landed on his chest with a small grunt and the movement sent another wave of pain down his leg, but he didn’t care as long as she was close.

“I do not care. I can still defend you.”

“Defend me? From what?”

“From him.” He gestured at the Icluthian warrior crouched against a rock wall, watching the two of them. His body was tensed and ready, but he had not yet made any attempt to intervene.

“Hisst isn’t going to hurt me,” she said softly, and he was suddenly very aware of the fact that she was sprawled across his body, her lush curves pressing into his chest and cradling his rapidly hardening shaft. He tried never to allow her to get this close because it destroyed his control. No longer, he reminded himself. The time had come to claim her. But first he needed to make it clear that the lizard had no right to her.

“He said you were his. I will not permit it.”

Her brows drew together and the soft smile with which she had been regarding him disappeared.

“Why the fuck do you care? Now let me go.”

She yanked ineffectually at his grip, but he didn’t let her go. When the lizard responded by hissing and moving closer, T’kol immediately released her. He wouldn’t take any chances with her safety if the Icluthian became aggressive. L’zabet scrambled away.

“Why are you here, T’kol?” she asked, but now she sounded sad rather than angry. The damned lizard put his arm around her. He would have crawled over there to free her, broken leg be damned, except that she not only permitted it, she leaned into his touch.

“I was looking for you,” he said stiffly, and forced himself into a sitting position against the wall, even though the effort left him sweating.

“I told you to be still,” she scolded. “We think you have a broken leg.”

“I suspect you are correct.” He pulled out his scanner and confirmed her diagnosis. Fortunately, it was clean break and should heal relatively quickly, but even with enhanced Yehrin healing, he would be incapacitated for several days. “How did this happen? I was searching for you and saw the cloth over the entrance and then…” His memories stopped at that point.

“I’m afraid you got stunned,” she said, shooting a quick glance up at the lizard. “Then when you lost consciousness, you slid down the hill and you must have hit a rock.”

“You shot me with the blast tube?”

“No. I did,” the lizard replied, watching him carefully. “I saw a large shape at the entrance and would not take a chance with Lissie’s safety.”

He couldn’t argue with that, and he nodded. “Very well.”

“Very well?” L’zabet frowned. “You have a broken leg and that’s all you have to say?”

“Hush, my queen. He understands that your well-being is my first priority.”

His queen?

“She is not your queen and she never will be,” he growled.

“I do not believe that is your decision,” the lizard said calmly, and gave a pointed glance at L’zabet, still tucked against his side.

“I have been waiting for her for seven years. I will not lose her to a damned lizard now.”

“Waiting?” L’zabet scoffed. “Hisst has only known me for two days and he’s ready to claim me. You don’t even respond when I throw myself at you.”

“I respond,” he growled.

“If you do, you don’t do anything about it. Hisst does.”

He looked at the way she was tucked so closely against the Icluthian’s side, her lush body small next to the warrior’s strong build, and a horrible suspicion crossed his mind. His hand automatically went for his missing sword.

“He has touched you?”

“Yes, he has. And he didn’t feel guilty about it.”

“It was a delight, my queen,” the lizard said, and to T’kol’s fury, one big scaled hand cupped his L’zabet’s breast. She flushed from her hairline to her neck, but she didn’t pull away.

“Release her at once.” He tried once again to stand but he couldn’t use the injured leg.

“Why should I?” The lizard looked down at L’zabet. “Her nipples are hard. She enjoys it.”

T’kol’s eyes dropped automatically to her breasts. The damn lizard was right. She was leaning into the hand covering her breast and her other nipple was clearly visible beneath the thin cloth of her top. His cock jerked involuntarily as he remembered his own all too brief encounter with her luscious breasts and the way her nipple had grown red and distended from his attentions.

“She enjoys my touch as well,” he said gruffly.

“I did—the few times you permitted yourself to lose control,” L’zabet said. “But you always ended up pushing me away and hurting my feelings.”

The Icluthian hissed and T’kol felt that rush of guilt again. It had never been his intention to hurt her. The fact that he couldn’t control himself around her was his fault, not hers.

“That is my failing,” he said honestly, but his eyes were drawn to H’sst’s hands. Both of them cupped her breasts now, and long green fingers pulled and tugged at her nipples. Despite his anger, his cock throbbed and ached, harder than he’d ever been. Her cheeks flushed as she leaned into the alien’s touch, and he caught the delicious scent of her arousal mingling with the heavier spicy note that filled the cave.

Her eyes had been half-closed with pleasure, but they opened now in a mixture of hurt and anger. “You don’t know how good it feels to be touched by someone who wants you and isn’t afraid to let you know.”

“I am not afraid,” he growled. “I can show you pleasure.”

“Then show her,” the lizard said.

Chapter Ten

“What?” Lizabet twisted her head to look up at Hisst.

“Let him show you that he can make you feel good—without causing you distress.” He glared at T’kol on the last phrase.

“You don’t mind?”

“My queen—”

She heard T’kol growl.

“—there is much history between you. I believe you’d be happier if it was resolved. And your happiness always comes first.”

She studied his face. He seemed quite serene, although his hands were still moving over her flesh, and she could see the smooth surface of his suit beginning to bulge. Her own body was already humming with arousal. When Hisst had touched her breasts in front of T’kol, she had started to protest, but then she decided defiantly, why not let him? Let T’kol see what he had thrown away. But the combination of Hisst’s gentle touch and the hunger in T’kol’s gaze as he watched them had her pussy dampening in a rush of heat.

Now to go from one male to another… Her clit gave an excited little pulse at the idea. The more reckless side of her definitely approved, even though she couldn’t think of anyone else who would approve of her actions. Yet, Hisst had suggested that she didn’t have to choose, and while she still didn’t think it was a possibility, maybe this was a small first step.

Her heart pounding, she gently pushed at Hisst’s hands. He immediately released her.

“Do you want me to come to you, T’kol?”

“Yes,” he said immediately.

“And you won’t push me away?”

He met her eyes directly. “I will never push you away again.”

Still hesitant, she crossed the few steps and knelt next to him. His face was a harsh mask, as stern as she had ever seen it, but his eyes glowed with green fire.

“Do you want me to touch you, L’zabet?”

Despite the confused thoughts racing through her mind, there was only one honest answer. “Yes.”

“Then remove your shirt.”

She felt her mouth drop open. It was the last thing she had expected him to say.

“B-but why?”

“Because you are not a gift from him.” He jerked his head in Hisst’s direction, but his eyes never left hers. “If you come to me, it will be my way. You will follow my orders.”

“Orders?” Her brows drew together as she instinctively objected to the word. “I thought you wanted me.”

“I do, very much, and I intend to prove it to you so that you have no doubts whatsoever about my feelings. But that does not mean that I will let you be in charge, L’zabet.”

When she hesitated, he shook his head. “This was one of my concerns. I am a warrior; I do not beg and plead. I command. And I will command your pleasure.”

The words were harsh, but she could see the tension in his body and realized how important this was to him. She knew him well enough to understand why he might need to feel as if he was in control. Hadn’t that air of authority been partially what drew her to him from the beginning? She thought of what Hisst had said—that the queen always chooses—and realized that it was still her choice. Yes, she thought. She could choose to give him this.

Her fingers shaking, she lifted the thermal top over her head. In her rush to leave the cave earlier, she hadn’t bothered with any other clothing and her breasts sprang free, gleaming in the dim light. T’kol growled and she heard a soft trill from Hisst.

“You are beautiful, my jewel. My memories did not do you justice.” Warm approval filled his voice and his hands unclenched. He traced a claw down her necklace to the stone glowing against her skin. “Kneel up and use your hands to offer me your breasts.”

A rush of heat swept over her body. Sure that her cheeks were as red as her hair, she obeyed, lifting the heavy flesh and offering it to him. With a growl he pulled her closer and fastened his mouth over one nipple. He was not soft or gentle or reverent. He attacked her breast like a starving man would attack a feast. He pulled her nipple deep into his mouth, then assaulted it with his tongue, sweeping the rough surface across the sensitive flesh. He scraped his teeth across it, the sharp points sending electric shocks straight to her clit, and her hands went to his horns as she pushed into his touch, demanding more.

When he finally lifted his mouth, she almost cried out in protest, but he simply moved to her other breast, attacking it with the same fervor. The cool air of the cave caressed her abandoned nipple, still swollen and distended from his touch. Her body was on fire with need and her hands clenched on his horns, her body reaching for the climax hovering just out of reach.

“T’kol,” she gasped, and he growled, a thrilling vibration against her aching nipples, and then his big hand was between her legs and his thumb stroking her clit. A flood of spice-scented air rushed past her, mingling with T’kol’s deeper musk, and she remembered that Hisst was watching. That thought, combined with the sensations flooding her body, tipped her over the edge. Her head fell back as she shuddered, her thighs clenching around his hand, but his arm was there to support her, pulling her into the warmth of his body as she climaxed.

As her trembling eased, she looked up at him, still half convinced that he would push her away, but he smiled and pulled her closer. “Beautiful, my jewel. Did that convince you that I could show you pleasure?”

“That’s not the part I was worried about,” she said ruefully. “This is.”

“I will not let you go this time.”

Warmth filled her. “Good.”

She started to snuggle closer when a slight hiss distracted her. She looked over to see Hisst leaning against the wall, his hand against his groin and a pained expression on his face. Oh, no. He must have extruded again. She couldn’t leave him like that. Instead, she pushed gently at T’kol’s arms.

“Let me go, T’kol.”

Watching his Lissie move over to the Yehrin warrior proved harder than Hisst had expected. After all, the possibility of not sharing a queen had never occurred to him before. All he had hoped for was to find a queen who would be satisfied with a small brace and not feel the constant need to add on to it that his dam had displayed. But after having Lissie all to himself for the past two days, he felt an unexpected pang as she knelt next to the other male.

His dislike grew when the male did not treat her as Hisst would have—he did not request her attentions, instead, his words were harsh and demanding. Hisst clenched his fists to resist the urge to snatch his queen away. This was her decision, not his. And yet, when she bared her breasts at the warrior’s command, when his mouth closed over the red peaks with fierce intensity, Hisst’s kradx throbbed and demanded. And when she climaxed, her head thrown back, her body flushed with the mating color, her scent filling the cave, his kradx could not be restrained, pushing through his slit in a rush of desire.

After her pleasure, the warrior behaved more appropriately, cradling her tenderly in his arms. Hisst fought back a sigh as his Lissie relaxed against the other male. The unexpected ache in his heart was matched by the ache in his loins as his kradx pressed against his suit. He shifted uncomfortably, hissing as the sensitive flesh rubbed against the material.

Lissie looked over at him, and then, to his astonishment, started to free herself from the Yehrin. For a moment the warrior resisted and Hisst gathered himself. He would not permit his queen to be held against her will. Fortunately, the other male growled but released her. Despite the harsh noise, the look that flashed across his face spoke of hurt rather than anger. An unwilling sympathy filled Hisst. If he already hated the idea of sharing his queen, despite a lifetime expecting such a fate, how much worse must it be for a warrior who had always dreamed of a single mate. But then Lissie knelt next to him, her fragrance filling his senses, and she became the sole focus of his attention.

“You extruded?” she asked softly.

“Yes, my queen. The sight of your pleasure caused me to lose control.”

The Yehrin growled, but they both ignored him.

“Do you want me to help you?”

“More than anything, but…” He gestured at big warrior watching them so closely.

“T’kol will just have to put up with it,” she said defiantly, even though her teeth caught at her plump lower lip. “That is… if you don’t mind that he’s here?”

“Not enough to step out into the cold,” he said dryly, then smiled at her. “This too is a queen’s decision. Some prefer to be with a single male at a time, although it is more common to have most or all of her brace present. My dam said it prevented jealousy.”

“So you do get jealous?” the warrior growled. “Even with your perverted ways?”

“We are only Icluthian,” he shrugged, then winced as the movement caused his kradx to shift. “Emotions are not always logical.”

“Unfasten your suit,” his queen ordered, and he gladly complied, breathing a sigh of relief as his cocks were freed from the tight fabric. Her small, soft hand reached for him, but just as he felt her touch his skin, the warrior interrupted again.

“L’zabet, stop. You can not touch him.” Beneath the growl, the warrior’s voice was anguished and once again Hisst felt an unwilling sympathy. However, sympathy was not sufficient to keep him from covering Lissie’s hand with his own and wrapping it around his primary cock.

“Why not?” She scowled at the Yehrin but, praise the Great Mother, she didn’t remove her hand. Instead she gave him a long slow stroke that caused a trill to escape his lips.

“I have claimed you,” the warrior said.

“Have you? I don’t remember you saying those words. And even if you did, you could have said them anytime over the past four fucking years since I turned eighteen.” Her voice rose and her hand gripped him more tightly, but the hard grip only increased his excitement.

“You know I was waiting.”

“Well, you waited too long and now I’ve met Hisst.” Her grip softened and she resumed the slow, gentle strokes.

“A fucking lizard? One who is willing to share you?”

“One who wants me enough that he’s willing to share.”

The words hung in the air.

Hisst dragged his gaze away from the small white fingers around his golden cock to look at the other warrior. For a fraction of a second, his shoulders slumped, then a look of fierce determination crossed his face.

“You do not need him, my L’chka. I can be everything you want.”

Lissie’s soft green eyes filled with tears, but her words were fierce. “You have no fucking right to call me that. Not when it took the presence of another male before you could bring yourself to do it. I think you’re just jealous.”

“Jealous?” The Yehrin scoffed. “I can command your pleasure even when you are touching him.”

“No, you can’t.”

The warrior’s face hardened. “Yes, I can. Present your breasts to him the way you did to me.”

Hisst was quite sure that his face reflected the same shock as Lissie’s.

“We don’t do that,” he protested, even though his kradx throbbed at the thought of covering her tits with his mouth.

“Why not?”

“Our fangs…” He opened his mouth to reveal his fangs.

“You are worried about those two tiny points?” The Yehrin bared his own sharp, pointed teeth. “If I could refrain from hurting her, you can do the same.”

Hisst refrained from pointing out that his fangs grew considerably when necessary. The thought of having Lissie’s breasts in his mouth, of exploring those strange tantalizing nubs, had his heart pounding.

“You… you would permit me?” he finally asked Lissie.

Chapter Eleven

Lizabet was still staring at T’kol, shocked by his command, when Hisst’s question penetrated. Did she want his mouth on her breasts? She thought of that forked tongue and shivered. Oh, yes. But first…

“Why? Why are you doing this?” she demanded of T’kol.

“Because you are mine, L’zabet,” he said fiercely. “You will learn that even when you touch another male, I can enhance your pleasure.” His tone darkened. “And you will learn that you do not need another male.”

She couldn’t deny that his dark, dominant tone sent a thrill straight to her needy clit, and she didn’t need to look down to know that her nipples had furled into tight little buds. A week ago, she would have never believed that she could want anyone other than T’kol. But she had met Hisst and despite the brevity of their acquaintance, she felt the same pull towards him that she had always felt towards T’kol. Hisst’s words kept teasing her—what if she didn’t have to choose? If T’kol thought he could convince her otherwise, could she use his arrogance to lead him into accepting the idea?

Hisst’s spicy scent, T’kol’s deeper musk, even her own arousal lay heady in the air. The three of them were alone in this small cave, surrounded by the raging storm, and there was no one here to judge. As she followed T’kol’s directions, kneeling up to offer Hisst her breasts, her empty pussy ached and demanded.

“Take them in your mouth, lizard,” T’kol growled. “Do not hurt her.”

“May I?” Hisst asked softly.

“Yes.” Her nipples, already sensitized by T’kol’s mouth, ached for his touch.

He very slowly lowered his head, the delay simply adding to the sense of anticipation. When his mouth closed oh so gently around a swollen peak, she gasped. His tongue lapped carefully, a pleasant coolness that both soothed and aroused, but then she felt it surround her nipple and tug. The sensation went straight to her clit and her back arched.

“Oh!” Her eyes flew open in shocked pleasure, only to meet T’kol’s glance. His face was a harsh mask, but his eyes blazed with green fire, and his hand was gripping his cock over his uniform. A tinge of guilt made its way through the shocking pleasure. She had come to ease Hisst, but T’kol must have been equally as aroused.

“Now…” After a barely perceptible hesitation, T’kol continued. “Now touch him, L’zabet. Take his cock in your hand.”

The position was a little difficult and when she tried to adjust it, Hisst clamped his hand on her back, attacking her breast with increased fervor. The cool tugs intensified, and she wiggled, wishing that she could touch herself, but one hand still offered her breast to Hisst and the other closed around his thick cock. He trilled against her breast, the vibration sending shockwaves of pleasure down her spine.

“Stroke him,” T’kol demanded, his eyes still fixed on her face. “Slowly.”

She tried to follow his command but every time Hisst tugged at her nipple, her hand tightened.

“Do you enjoy this, L’zabet? Knowing that two males are hard for you? Only for you?” T’kol gave a slow, deliberate stroke to his own erection.

“I want to see,” she gasped. “I want to see you too.”

His eyes alight with triumph, he released the patch of fabric covering his groin and his cock sprang free. Unlike Hisst’s, this was no smooth column of flesh. Instead, the dark grey shaft undulated from wide head to even wider base in tantalizing dips and swells. And the size… Even his big hand looked almost dainty against that massive shaft. Her heart raced in a mixture of fear and delight at the idea of that enormous erection entering her small pussy.

“Is this what you want, L’zabet?” He fisted his cock. “All you have to do is claim it.”

Hisst stilled beneath her, then released her breast. When she looked at him, his face was solemn, gold eyes studying her, but he did not protest. He seemed almost resigned, but her heart still hurt for him. She forced herself to think past the aching need that filled her body.

“No, T’kol. I’m not going to abandon Hisst.”

His face shuttered, but his erection didn’t diminish. When she looked back at Hisst, such astonished delight filled his face that she bent forward and kissed him. No actual lips met hers, only a ridge of smooth, scaled skin, but it wasn’t an unpleasant sensation, just different. He didn’t kiss her back, but she felt his trill vibrating against her lips before she drew back.

“Thank you, my queen,” he said softly, but she knew T’kol had heard him.

Very deliberately, she turned back to her other warrior. She wasn’t going to leave Hisst, but neither was she willing to give up on T’kol. “What do you want me to do now, T’kol?”

For a long moment he didn’t react, and her heart sank, then he grinned fiercely. “You are correct, my jewel. This battle is not yet terminated.” Before she could decide how she felt about his comment, he continued. “Have you tasted him?”

“No.”

Another brief hesitation, then he said. “Do so. From the side so that I may watch.”

Her pulse racing, she started to lower her head and Hisst reared back.

“My queen, what are you doing?”

“She is going to take your cock in her mouth,” T’kol said coldly. “Are you not familiar with the act?”

“It is forbidden.”

Hisst seemed genuinely shocked, and she sat back on her heels. “Of course, I won’t do it if you don’t want me to.”

“Want? I—” He looked from her to T’kol, watching them with a challenging look on his face and his own expression changed. “Yes. If it would bring you pleasure, I would be happy to have you taste me.”

As she lowered her head again, she caught a brief glimpse of T’kol’s face. He no longer looked quite so triumphant and she wondered if he had expected Hisst to deny her. But then Hisst’s cocks were right in front of her, his spicy scent filling her senses, and she forgot everything in her desire to explore those gleaming golden shafts.

She ran a tentative tongue up the smaller cock and moaned with pleasure. He tasted like cinnamon spiced honey.

“Oh, Great Mother,” Hisst sighed. “I never knew.”

“Take him in your mouth, L’zabet,” T’kol growled, and she obeyed. As her mouth closed over Hisst’s smooth, cool cock, she looked over to see T’kol watching them, his hand once more fisting his own shaft. “More,” he urged.

Circling the divided tip, she let her tongue explore the two heads, catching drops of golden precum from each. Hisst trilled continuously as she took him deeper, her mouth stretching to accommodate the increasing width.

“Touch her, lizard,” T’kol growled. “Put your hand between her legs.”

She suspected her face must be beet red, but it didn’t stop her from rubbing against the thick fingers Hisst placed between her thighs. He caught on rapidly, returning the movement with a firm pressure that felt perfect against her needy clit. Her breasts rubbed his thigh, the smooth scales pleasantly abrasive against her hardened nipples.

“Use your hands as well, L’zabet. You wished to satisfy him. Now do so.” T’kol’s command urging her on, she concentrated on Hisst even as her own arousal soared. She took him deeper, lowering her head to meet her hand on each stroke. The fingers against her clit pressed harder, moved faster, matching her own movements and she felt her climax approaching as Hisst tensed, his cocks growing stiffer beneath her hands.

“Now, L’zabet. Come now,” T’kol ordered, and with a helpless cry she did, her release triggering Hisst’s as he exploded in warm jets of golden seed, as T’kol shouted out his own release, as her body shook in helpless ecstasy.

As her shudders died down, she realized the wantonness of her position, sprawled half-naked against one alien, her breasts covered with his golden seed, while another alien watched. She waited for the embarrassed color to flood her face but to her surprise, she didn’t feel any shame. Instead, she was filled with a boneless contentment. She reached up and gave Hisst a quick, gentle kiss, then deliberately went to T’kol and repeated the gesture. She half-expected him to pull away, but he didn’t. Instead, he studied her face before his eyes dropped to the golden fluid covering her breasts.

“I do not like his seed on you,” he growled, but despite his words, he reached out and rubbed the glistening liquid into her skin. A black claw toyed briefly with her nipples as they inevitably responded to his touch and her breath caught.

“You had best resume your clothing, my jewel, or the games will continue, and I think perhaps we could all use a break.”

He had already tucked away his own cock—unfortunately—and somewhat reluctantly she picked up her top, but he was right. The emotional and sexual intensity of the past hour had left her drained. And hungry, she realized as her stomach growled.

T’kol’s eyes sharpened. “Are you in need of food?”

“I’m fine. I’ll have half a protein bar.” Only one more remained. “Do you want to split it with me?”

“I brought supplies. Can you bring me my bag?”

She regarded the large black bag doubtfully. “Maybe I can drag it—”

Before she could complete her sentence, Hisst picked it up and placed it next to T’kol before moving back to his side of the cave.

“Thank you,” she said.

T’kol gave a stiff nod before touching a release panel with his thumb and opening the bag. After a quick survey, he handed her one of her favorite Yehrin snacks and she realized that he must have brought it on purpose. A combination of warmth and guilt rushed over her. She’d never even realized that he had noticed her preferences.

“There are sufficient supplies for the lizard as well,” he added reluctantly.

“His name is Hisst,” she said, smiling at the other warrior. “And thank you, but he said his metabolism had been slowed by the cold.”

T’kol gave Hisst a skeptical glance. “Is that true? You do not wish to eat?”

“There is sufficient for Lissie?”

“Yes.”

She stopped eating in dismay. “You mean you’re hungry? Why did you lie to me?”

“I told you that I wouldn’t lie to you, my queen. When you asked, my metabolism had slowed. However, the warmth of the cave and our… activities have caused it to increase.”

“Oh, Hisst. You should have told me.”

“Your needs come first,” he said firmly.

T’kol grunted, and she looked up in time to see him nod in agreement. She rolled her eyes.

“I’m a big girl. We should all share, no matter how much we have.”

The silent response from both males was unquestionably disagreement but she decided it wasn’t worth arguing. The three of them ate, then T’kol scanned his leg again and checked the splint.

“An adequate job.” His mouth twisted, but he nodded at Hisst. “Thank you.”

“How do you know I didn’t put it on?” she demanded.

“Because you have many skills, my jewel, but medical aid is not one of them. I remember when B’nji cut his arm, the medic thought you were the one who needed assistance.”

Her cheeks heated and she scowled at him. “I just don’t like the sight of blood.”

“You should never need to see it,” Hisst said immediately, and she suddenly realized that they three of them were sitting in almost friendly proximity. A little spark of hope began deep inside. Perhaps the three of them could manage to find a way to be together. But then T’kol lifted his wrist and began tapping at his wrist com with his claws.

“What are you doing?” she asked suspiciously.

“Notifying T’chok that you are safe,” he said, then frowned, “and that I will need assistance returning to the flyer.”

Her heart sank. Once T’chok came roaring in, Hisst would be sent back to the Icluthians and she had a sneaking suspicion that T’kol would revert to his former distance.

T’kol swore at the wrist com and picked up his communicator instead.

“No luck?” she asked, trying to suppress the hope in her voice.

“Either the rocks or the storm are blocking the transmission.” He tossed the communicator aside with a disgusted growl. “For both devices. Is that why you didn’t contact T’chok?”

“I lost my communicator in the wreck.”

He shuddered and Hisst frowned.

“Your vehicle was damaged, my queen?”

“I slid off the road when I saw your flyer go down.”

A distressed look crossed his face but T’kol glared at him. “Your flyer? Did you have permission to enter Earth’s atmosphere?”

Hisst shrugged and grinned, unperturbed by T’kol’s annoyance. “I was just looking around.”

“And you wrecked?”

“Unfortunately. I have little experience with this type of weather. The flyer was destroyed.”

T’kol nodded. “Of course—that explains it. Your wreck must be the distressing news that Queen Adorissa mentioned.”

“She was distressed?” Hisst looked almost pleased and Lizabet scowled at him.

“Why do you care?”

“I did not realize that she noticed me,” he said, still looking far too happy about it, and a definite wave of jealousy came over her. As fascinated as he seemed to be by her, was she just an exotic diversion before he returned to his own species?

“Did you want her to notice you?” The words emerged before she could call them back. “Is she the queen you really wanted?”

He looked so shocked that some of her annoyance melted away.

“Although of course it would have been an honor to have been chosen, she already has six warriors in her brace, and I had hoped for a less ambitious queen.” Perhaps sensing that his answer didn’t resolve her questions, he reached over and took her hands. For once, T’kol didn’t growl. “And now that I have met you, there is no other queen for me, Lissie.”

“How can you know?”

“I know,” he said firmly, and the last of her jealousy disappeared. She looked over to find T’kol frowning at Hisst, but he seemed more thoughtful than angry.

“Now what should we do?” The two of them looked at her with almost identical speculation, but even though her clit pulsed, she laughed and shook her head. “Not that.”

Chapter Twelve

By mutual agreement, they ended up playing cards and the day passed in surprising amity. Lizabet quickly realized how much the games revealed about their personalities. T’kol’s moves were quick, decisive, and aggressive. Hisst played more cautiously, but despite his apparent reticence, several times he succeeded where T’kol’s aggression failed. After one such victory, she saw T’kol eyeing him with reluctant respect.

She started out a discreet equal distance from both of them, but T’kol somehow managed to keep pulling her closer. Hisst simply followed along. By the time she yawned and put down her last hand, she was tightly wedged between the two warriors.

“Okay, boys. I need to make a trip outside before bed.”

“I will accompany…” T’kol began, then gave his leg an annoyed look.

“I will go,” Hisst said.

“Neither of you will go. It’s too cold for you and T’kol needs to rest his leg. I’m quite capable of peeing by myself.”

She saw them exchange a frustrated glance over her head and hid a grin as she wiggled free. Perhaps they would bond over their frustration with her.

“Take the blast—”

“Take a weapon—”

“Good lord, it’s like there’s an echo in here.”

Rolling her eyes, she retrieved the blast tube. “While I’m outside, you might want to consider the sleeping arrangements. There’s only one bed and I plan to be in it.” She took a deep breath. “Either both of you join me or both of you sleep on the floor.”

T’kol growled, but she saw Hisst grin as she slipped through the door.

The wind still howled but the snow had temporarily stopped falling. Too cold to go far, she simply stepped around the boulder and quickly did her business, using a handful of snow for a quick cleanup. Fuck, that was cold. Hopefully, her two males would heat her back up, she thought, and a surprised giggle escaped. Two males. She never would have imagined she would be in this position.

As she darted back to the cave, she had the sudden sensation that she was being watched. She froze and scanned her surroundings. She couldn’t see anything in the surrounding darkness and even as she paused, the snowfall started to increase again. Finally, she shook her head and ducked back inside the door flap, making sure to fasten it behind her.

Despite her challenge, she hadn’t been sure what her males would do. To her surprise, T’kol was now lying along the cave wall on the bed they had made. Hisst sat next to it, obviously waiting for her.

“I assume that means I’m in the middle?” she asked lightly.

“If you insist on this ridiculous arrangement,” T’kol growled.

She was about to protest when Hisst very subtly shook his head. She took another look and saw the strain on T’kol’s face. The trip across the cave must have hurt, and she suspected that relying on Hisst for assistance must have been equally painful.

Determined to get his mind on more pleasant things, she went to her pack and quickly stripped out of her thermal top and into a thin tank. After a brief hesitation, she also removed her thermal leggings, leaving her bare except for a small pair of lace panties. When she turned around, they were both watching her with identical expressions of lust on their faces. She knew her cheeks were flushed, but she tried to look as composed as possible as she walked over and laid down next to T’kol. He immediately tugged her closer, and then Hisst fitted himself against her other side, his suit cool against her skin.

“Are you going to be warm enough?” she asked. “Should we heat the rocks again?”

T’kol sighed. “There is a thermal blanket in my bag as well. I do not need it, but humans—and Icluthians—are more fragile.”

Hisst retrieved the thin silver blanket and spread it over the two of them.

“Thank you,” he said quietly.

The three of them lay utterly still and she could feel the tension in both of the bodies surrounding her. This was ridiculous. She turned on her side and snuggled up against T’kol, then reached back and pulled Hisst closer. He fitted his body to her back, his face buried in her hair. She stroked T’kol’s chest in long, soothing strokes until his body softened. His warmth against her front was a pleasant contrast to Hisst’s coolness and her own body relaxed. Despite the tension between the two males, she felt safe and surprisingly content. She smiled as she drifted off to sleep.

T’kol knew the minute L’zabet fell asleep. Her body settled more heavily against his as her breathing deepened. His own thoughts were too confused to allow him the respite of sleep. Having her in his arms settled something deep inside him, but the knowledge that another male also touched her caused every instinct he had to protest. He fingered the nano sword hilt once more at his waist. He had discovered his weapons when the damned lizard had assisted him—carried him, truth be told—to the bed. When he grabbed them, the lizard raised a brow ridge and waited.

As much as part of him wanted to simply slit the lizard’s throat and eliminate the competition, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He suspected that L’zabet would never forgive him, but more than that, the lizard had done him no wrong. Not only had he helped him to the bed, he had provided the means for T’kol to relieve himself before L’zabet returned. Only after he sighed and returned the weapons to his belt, did the lizard open his palm to reveal a weapon of his own.

“There is no honor in fighting for a queen,” the lizard said. “The queen chooses. Always.”

“That is not the Yehrin way,” he growled.

“Ah, yes. But then again, you are barbarians, are you not?” The damned lizard said it so seriously that it wasn’t until he grinned that T’kol realized he was joking.

The attempt at humor had not improved his temper and he was still scowling when L’zabet returned.

Yet now, despite his frustration and the aching pain in his leg, the feel of her body against his and the knowledge that she was safe and protected gave him a measure of peace. His body relaxed a little more. The thought that having another male ready to protect her while he was injured might be a good thing flitted across his mind, but he immediately rejected it.

Just as he was finally about to drift into sleep, a faint scraping noise from outside the cave caught his attention.

“I hear—”

“I scent—”

They both spoke at the same time, their voices low so as not to disturb L’zabet. T’kol looked across her body to see the lizard with his head raised.

“There is something outside the cave,” T’kol said.

“Yes.” H’sst tilted his head and a thin membrane on each cheek pulsed. “Large. Feline, I believe.”

“Do you know anything about Earth wildlife?”

“No. Do you?”

“Not in this area. I do not know if it is a threat, but if it is outside and L’zabet leaves the cave…”

“Or if it decides to enter. There was a trace of a similar scent when we arrived, but it wasn’t recent. However, the storm may have driven it to look for shelter.”

“Or food,” T’kol said grimly.

“I will go after it.” The lizard rolled to his feet and began tying articles of clothing over his suit.

T’kol bit back his instinctive protest when he realized that the clothing belonged to L’zabet. If the Icluthian was willing to endanger his life by going after the unknown animal, he could not object to the measures he took to protect himself.

“Take the blanket,” he ordered quietly. “If you can tie it in place as well, it will provide additional protection.”

“But Lissie is wearing very few clothes. I don’t want her to get cold.”

He bared his teeth. “I am quite capable of keeping her warm. Do you need a weapon?”

“I will take her blast tube,” H’sst said as he tied the blanket in place. He should have looked ridiculous but T’kol found himself grudgingly impressed. The male had courage at least.

“Be careful,” he said, as the lizard prepared to leave, and forced himself to add, “L’zabet would be upset if anything happened to you.”

“I wouldn’t want to upset her,” H’sst said gravely, then flashed a grin. “I will endeavor to return safely.”

The Icluthian disappeared through the door flap. L’zabet stirred restlessly and he pulled her closer, stroking her hair as he listened, his other hand on his own weapon. A high-pitched yowl sounded from outside, along with a low hiss, and he tensed. Fuck. He was a warrior—he should be out there protecting his female, not lying helplessly in bed. And what if the lizard needed help? They were temporary comrades, however unwilling, and a commander never deserted his males.

Another yowl, abruptly cut off, then a slow dragging noise. Fuck. He was beginning to consider crawling over to the entrance to see if he could determine what had happened when the door flap moved.

“Don’t shoot,” said H’sst in a low voice.

Relief filled him and he almost laughed. He was actually glad the damned lizard was safe. His relief dissipated when H’sst stumbled inside. His suit was torn along one arm and blood welled from three long gashes. Perhaps more significantly, he was moving with extreme slowness and T’kol could see that the cold had affected him.

“Use some of the water to clean the wound. And there is healing gel in my bag,” he offered.

“Yes,” H’sst said slowly. “You mentioned that Lissie does not like the sight of blood.”

T’kol watched with concern as the male fumbled his way through cleaning and dressing the wound. He did not seem to be reviving even inside the warmth of the cave.

“Is the injury worse that it appears?”

“No. But the additional damage to my suit is making it hard to regulate my body temperature.”

T’kol bit back a curse, then carefully positioned L’zabet over his chest rather than at his side. “Bring the blanket and lie next to me.”

Gold eyes blinked at him, then H’sst slowly crossed the room and lay down next to him, clumsily arranging the blanket over them. The cold coming from his body radiated up T’kol’s side but he didn’t protest, only moving L’zabet so that her skin wouldn’t come into contact with the chill. Hisst’s body gradually assumed a more normal coolness and his muscles relaxed.

“What happened?” T’kol asked.

“A foolish mistake. The wind shifted and I didn’t realize that the creature was behind me until it sprang. A large feline with unfortunately sharp claws.”

“You eliminated it.” It wasn’t a question. He found he had no doubt that H’sst would have ensured the safety of their—of T’kol’s female before he returned.

“Yes. Then I dragged the body away from the cave and rolled it down the hillside so that it would not frighten Lissie or encourage additional predators.” H’sst laughed ruefully. “I may have overestimated my endurance.”

“Young fool,” T’kol agreed, but there was no heat in his words. “Sleep and recover your strength.”

“Now that we know there are predators, should we set a watch?” H’sst asked, his voice already thick with sleep.

“One of us would detect it,” he said, surprised to realize how confident he was in that statement. “Now sleep.”

“Yes, sir.” H’sst backed a little closer and T’kol fought back his protest. The male had earned some tolerance. The cave settled into silence once more. L’zabet murmured something in her sleep and nestled closer, her soft weight settling over him and causing his cock to stir. He allowed his hand to take a firm grip on one lush buttock and then finally settled in to sleep.

Chapter Thirteen

Lizabet woke the next morning on top of a very firm, very warm mattress. She wiggled into it and felt a long hard ridge against her thigh. Her body realized where she was before she did, her nipples tightening and an ache starting low in her belly. How typical that T’kol had taken possession of her. Eyes still closed, she reached over to check and make sure that Hisst was still close. He was, his body shoulder to shoulder with T’kol’s and she patted his arm sleepily. He hissed just as she realized that his suit was cut.

“Oh my god. What happened?” She sat up, still perched across T’kol’s body and realized two things simultaneously. T’kol’s weapons were once again around his waist and that three red gashes extended from Hisst’s shoulder to just beneath his elbow. The dark red streaks against his green skin made her head swim but she was too angry to give into it.

“T’kol! How could you?” She thumped an ineffectual fist on his chest as his eyes flew open.

“What is it, my L’chka?”

“Don’t call me that! You had to go after Hisst the minute I fell asleep, didn’t you?”

“No, I did not.”

Tears sprang to her eyes as she started struggling to free herself. His hands clamped down on her waist.

“I said that I did not hurt him.”

“Oh sure, he just tripped and fell on your knife.”

“Lissie, stop.” Hisst put his uninjured arm around her shoulders. “It is the truth. A predator approached the cave and we had to remove him.”

“A predator?”

“Yes. A large feline.”

Oh. She thought she remembered having read about bobcats in these hills. When she looked back at T’kol, his face was cast in rigid lines, but she suspected she had hurt his feelings. Fuck.

“I’m sorry, T’kol. I should have listened to you.”

“I would not lie to you, L’zabet,” he said stiffly.

“I know you wouldn’t and I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me. Can’t we kiss and make up?”

Before he could respond, she bent down and pressed her lips lightly against his. At first, he didn’t respond, and she started to withdraw unhappily, but then his hand came up to hold her head in place and that marvelously rough tongue swept in to claim her mouth in a long demanding kiss. Hisst’s hand slid down her back to curve over the expanse of buttock revealed by her skimpy panties. She writhed against his hand, rubbing her nipples against T’kol’s chest, and she felt the ridge of his erection pulse between her widespread thighs. By the time he released her head and ended the kiss, her body was demanding satisfaction.

“T’kol, please.”

“You would be well served if I left you in this state.” Despite the stern words, green fire surrounded those slit pupils. “Perhaps it is time for a lesson.”

Lesson? Before she could ask, he had her on her back, his body on one side, Hisst’s on the other.

“Remove your clothing.”

Still stunned by the rapid movement, she could only stare at him. He extended one long black claw and very carefully slit open her tank. The sides fell away, leaving her exposed to two avid alien gazes.

“Should I stop?” T’kol asked softly.

Her mouth dry, she shook her head.

Another quick flick of his claw and her panties were gone. Naked and vulnerable, she had never been more turned on in her life. Words escaped her but her silence didn’t deter T’kol.

“She is beautiful, is she not, H’sst?”

What? Now he was using his name?

“Very beautiful,” Hisst agreed. “Her mating color does extend all the way down her front.” He traced cool fingers lightly down her front to hover just above her mound. She could barely refrain herself from lifting into his touch. “Does it cover her cunt as well?”

“Look for yourself,” T’kol urged and she shot him a startled glance. He met her gaze impassively, but then she was distracted by Hisst very gently spreading her labia.

“By the Great Mother, I never dreamed that a cunt would be so lush and pink…” His finger dipped between her folds. “And so slick. Do all human females lubricate themselves?”

“Only when a male arouses them correctly. And you are aroused, are you not, my jewel?” T’kol flicked a careful claw across her nipple and her whole body shuddered.

Hisst’s cheeks fluttered. “I can taste her arousal in the air. So rich and delicious.” He continued his explorations, his touch tantalizingly delicate as he probed cautiously at her pussy. “Her entrance is so small. How can she take a cock?”

“She will stretch. Won’t you, L’zabet?” T’kol’s eyes were fixed on her face as he spoke, and she could only return his gaze silently. “Try your finger. Carefully.”

A slight stretch of her entrance and then Hisst’s finger slipped inside. She clamped down involuntarily and Hisst groaned.

“So hot. So tight.” He hesitated. “You have mated before, haven’t you, my queen?”

“Have you, L’zabet?” T’kol echoed.

“Yes,” she whispered. Tony Delano had taken care of that not long before the Yehrin arrested her for violating curfew. It had been fast and uncomfortable, and he had turned into a major jerk afterwards. She’d learned her lesson. Even when she’d dated in college, she’d never done more than fool around. At the back of her mind, she’d always been waiting for T’kol. “Before I met you.”

“I have not been with a female since we met,” he said, his eyes steady on hers. “I waited also.”

Her breath caught. “Really?”

“Of course.” He shook his head. “I always knew that you would be mine, L’zabet. I should not have let my… fears prevent me from making sure that you had no doubts as to my feelings.”

“Oh, T’kol. I wanted to believe but it was so hard sometimes.” She lifted her hand to his face. “Thank you for telling me.”

Hisst’s finger slipped free and then she felt him moving away. Her head jerked towards him.

“Where are you going?”

Despite the sadness on his face, he smiled. “I’m sorry, my— I’m sorry, Lissie. I don’t think I considered the depths of your feelings for this male when I proposed that you add both of us to your brace. You, both of you, expected to form a pair bond.”

“Maybe we did, but I have feelings for you too, Hisst. I don’t want you to leave.” T’kol’s body tensed next to her, but he didn’t protest. “Please keep touching me.”

Hisst studied her face then look across her to T’chok. She couldn’t read what passed between them, but his hand returned and this time he slipped two fingers inside her aching pussy. Her back arched involuntarily and he froze.

“Are you in pain, my… queen?”

“Oh no. That feels amazing.”

“Use your thumb to stroke her clit,” T’kol ordered, and her eyes flew back to his face. “I told you I would command your pleasure, L’zabet.”

“Her clit?” Hisst asked.

“Yes. Here.” T’kol’s hand skated across her mound and two wide fingers separated her lips. The already swollen nub stiffened. “Very, very carefully.”

Hisst’s unmistakable cool touch swept gently across the exposed flesh and she gasped. Her hand automatically reached out, looking for something to grasp, and she brushed against T’kol’s very erect cock. With a muffled growl, he opened his pants and she felt him for the first time. Not only did the massive shaft have all those intriguing swells, the surface felt slightly rough, almost like tiny ridges against her fingertips. What would he feel like inside her?

Hisst stroked her again.

“So beautiful,” he whispered. “Like one of the red pearls of Rondal quivering beneath my touch. And her fragrance… May I taste her?”

She realized that he was asking T’kol for permission, not her. The thought of protesting fleetingly crossed her mind but she was too lost in pleasure.

“Yes,” T’kol growled, “but keep fucking her cunt with your fingers.”

The crude words should have turned her off. They didn’t. She felt a rush of liquid heat between her thighs and then the cool pressure of Hisst’s tongue as he lapped at her. He hummed approvingly, the vibration sending a streak of pleasure straight to her clit. Her back arched again, but this time Hisst didn’t pause. His fingers moved in a steady rhythm as he explored, and then his tongue fastened around her clit, tugging and stroking with a firm touch

T’kol bent his head and kissed her, forcing her lips apart in a demanding kiss and stroking his tongue in and out in imitation of Hisst’s fingers. His hand went to her breasts, but he kept his touch light, just teasing her nipples with his claws. She tried to lift into this touch, and he raised his head, his eyes glowing green.

“Do you want more, my jewel?”

“Yes. Please.”

“Add another finger, Hisst,” he ordered, and she immediately felt the stretch. Every part of her body quivered with longing, straining towards her climax. T’kol returned to her breasts, rolling her nipples with a firm pressure as he watched her face. Her eyes started to flutter closed.

“Keep your eyes on me,” he ordered, and she obeyed. “Yes, L’zabet, now you are ready. Come for me.”

As he spoke, he clamped down on her nipple hard enough to send a heated spike straight to her clit. Hisst trilled against the sensitive flesh, and she exploded, her body convulsing as her pussy clamped down on his fingers while the waves of pleasure rolled over her. He gentled his strokes, but he kept licking her, prolonging her pleasure until she finally nudged his head away.

Hisst looked up from between her legs, smiling. “This time I am sure that I’ve pleasured you, my queen.”

A laugh escaped. “You have. Both of you.”

T’kol was still watching her, his face unreadable, but she realized that her hand was still fastened around his cock. His very large, very hard cock.

She hesitated for only a second. “Do you want me to take care of you, T’kol?”

“I am fine. The lizard will need you again.” He gestured at Hisst and she took a quick look over her shoulder to realize that he had extruded again. Before she could speak, he shook his head slightly and gestured at T’kol.

T’kol growled. “I said I will not accept you as a gift from him.”

“Not even if I want to come to you?” She tightened her hand as far as she could around the massive shaft and felt it pulse beneath her fingers.

“Is that what you want?”

She had never heard his voice sound so uncertain, but rather than respond in words, she bent over and licked his cock. Mm, completely different from Hisst but equally delicious. Instead of cool spicy sweetness, T’kol tasted dark and rich and warm. She licked again, and his hand went to her head, wrapping his fingers in her hair with a slight, delicious pull.

She felt, rather than heard, Hisst’s protest, but T’kol’s hand only tightened.

“She likes it, don’t you, my jewel? Now put your mouth around me.”

Despite the stretch, she managed to close her mouth around the broad head and heard his growl. “Very good. But I believe you can take more.”

Determined to please him, she sank lower until he brushed the back of her throat, until she gagged and drew back.

“You are hurting her,” Hisst protested.

“No, I am not.” T’kol’s voice was full of dark pleasure as he gently pushed her head down again. “Relax your throat, L’zabet. Swallow around me.”

“But—”

“See for yourself,” T’kol said impatiently to Hisst as he urged her to continue. With each descent, she could take just a little more.

A cool finger traced her labia and circled her clit.

“You are correct. She is very wet.”

Hisst started to move away and she thrust her hips in his direction. T’kol gave a dark chuckle. “You can not stop now. Pleasure her.”

“Of course.”

Hisst resumed his attentions and she hummed with pleasure, causing T’kol to groan and his hand to tighten. A pleasant feeling of power came over her as she felt his body tense. She could do this; she could bring her warrior the same kind of pleasure he brought her. With increasing enthusiasm, she worked his cock, taking him deeper even though her jaw ached. She stroked the sensitive underside with her tongue as he seemed to swell, stretching her to her limits before she swallowed again, and he exploded in heated jets as she gulped greedily. With one last lick she raised her head to find his eyes blazing green fire.

“You did not come, my jewel.”

Now that he mentioned it, she realized that her body once again throbbed with need. She had been too focused on T’kol to really appreciate Hisst’s efforts.

“I think it is time,” T’kol said slowly, and her heart started to race.

He closed his eyes briefly and she saw his shoulders tense. Despite his obvious reluctance, he didn’t hesitate. “You will go to Hisst first. It has been many years and you are very tight.”

Her mouth went dry. Could she really do this? Make love to one male in front of another? Her body argued that she could but more importantly, her heart agreed. Whatever relationship they were forging here, this was part of it. She turned to find Hisst watching her.

“Is this what you want, Hisst?”

“I could ask for no greater honor. If you are sure…”

She looked from the big grey-skinned warrior she had known for so many years to the other alien face, already so familiar, and nodded. Yes. Perhaps it was another reckless decision, but this felt right.

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“Then go to him,” T’kol growled, but she heard the strain in his voice. “Go,” he repeated.

Chapter Fourteen

Hisst lay back on the bed of leaves in front of her. “It is my honor to present myself to you, my queen.”

A mixture of pleasure and uncertainty rushed over her. That expanse of muscled green flesh was undoubtedly exciting, and her clit throbbed with excitement, but she wasn’t really sure where to start. She gave T’kol a somewhat helpless look.

“Kiss him, L’zabet. Let him discover the pleasure of your mouth.”

Yes, that sounded good. Simple, in fact. She bent over and brushed her mouth against those thin ridges.

“Open your mouth,” she whispered.

“But my fangs…”

“You won’t hurt me.”

When his mouth opened slightly, she kissed him again, and this time she slipped her tongue inside. He started, and then that marvelous tongue met hers, stroking and tugging until she was rubbing herself against him.

“Straddle him,” T’kol said.

Hisst had been holding her head to his, but he released it at T’kol’s words. “Please, my queen, mount me.”

A little cautiously, she seated herself across his thighs. They stared at each other and she wondered if he felt as nervous as she did.

“Help her to mount you.”

Hisst grabbed her hips, but he waited until she nodded before he easily lifted her and brought her down over his primary cock. The tip slid inside with astonishing ease but as he lowered her, the shaft broadened, and she could feel her pussy struggling to adjust. She leaned towards him to lessen the pressure and his second cock pressed the length of her slit. The head surrounded her clit in a cool firm grip, and she jumped. He immediately froze.

“Is something wrong?”

He looked so anxious that her own tension lessened, and she gave him a warm smile. “Not at all. That feels amazing.”

Pushing down with her hips, she finally took him completely. His secondary cock began working her clit while inside his primary cock also began to move, finding a spot that had her gasping with pleasure.

“Play with her breasts,” T’kol growled, and she looked over to find him watching her, but her self-consciousness had vanished. Instead, she felt beautiful and sensual. When Hisst cupped her breasts, she shifted slightly so that T’kol could see his fingers tugging at her nipples. T’kol’s eyes glowed with green fire and she wanted more of those heated looks.

Slowly at first, then with more confidence, she started to ride Hisst, leaning forward so that she felt every inch of both marvelous cocks. He caught on to her rhythm immediately, raising his hips to meet hers. As she moved faster, he abandoned her breasts to clasp her hips, urging her on, and she dropped down over his chest. His trill echoed through the cave and vibrated from her breasts to her clit. The increased pressure against her swollen nub sent her soaring, her vision hazing to white as her body convulsed around his cock as he responded with a hoarse shout and cool jets of seed exploded inside her and beneath her, surrounding them both with spicy fragrance.

As her pulse slowed, she snuggled into Hisst’s arms feeling sleepy and content. Her body hummed pleasantly, and she found she had no regrets. But even as she thought that, she turned her head to look at T’kol. He was sitting up against the cave wall, his eyes closed and his face carved in harsh lines. Her chest ached at how alone he looked.

Hisst ran a gentle finger along her cheek. When she looked up at him, he nodded towards T’kol and she realized that he was encouraging her to go to him. Her heart full of warmth, she kissed him—not too quickly—then moved over to T’kol’s side.

T’kol leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. His satisfaction at L’zabet’s pleasure had turned with shocking suddenness to what he could only admit was jealousy. Not even jealousy that the damned lizard had made her come, but that they had both looked so happy and that she had smiled and snuggled into his arms without even a glance at T’kol. Had he been foolish to permit their joining? At the time he had thought only of her comfort. She was too small and tight to take him easily and he had hoped that H’sst would prepare her for him, but now… Now it didn’t seem as if there was any need for him in this relationship.

A rustle of movement distracted him and then he caught her lush scent, despite the lizard’s heavier spice. He kept his eyes closed.

“T’kol,” L’zabet said softly. “I know you’re not asleep.”

“No.”

“Won’t you look at me?”

He finally forced his eyes open, expecting to see her glowing with contentment. Instead, worried green eyes looked into his. Was she concerned about him?

“What do you want, L’zabet?”

“I want you.”

“Do you? Because you seemed quite content with the lizard.”

“Don’t you dare.” Her eyes changed from soft to angry. “You can’t be all bossy and ‘fuck him’ one minute and now act all fucking hurt when I obeyed you.”

“I am not hurt.”

“Aren’t you? Because you’re sure as hell acting like it.” She glared at him, then her eyes softened once more. “Did you really hate it that much?”

He forced himself to be truthful. “I did not hate seeing him pleasure you. You are never more beautiful than when you come.”

“But?”

“But I did not like seeing you in his arms afterwards. I want to be the one to hold you.”

“Oh, T’kol.” With a lithe movement, she straddled his lap. When he didn’t react immediately, she took his arms and placed them around her, then nestled closer. His arms tightened involuntarily. Foolish as it was, her lush warmth tucked in his arms did ease his wounded hearts. He couldn’t help glancing at the lizard, but H’sst just nodded and turned his head, giving them the minimal privacy the small cave allowed.

L’zabet wiggled a little and her presence had the expected effect as his shaft stiffened between them.

“Mm.” Her breasts rubbed against his chest and he realized that her nipples had hardened. “You know earlier, you said first.”

“First?”

“You said that Hisst could have me first. I assumed you meant that you would be next.”

Yes, his cock urged, but he forced himself under control.

“Is that what you want, my jewel?”

“T’kol, I have wanted you since I was fifteen,” she said softly, her eyes glowing with warmth. “That hasn’t changed. I don’t think it ever will.”

Too full of emotion to speak, all he could do was kiss her until she was clinging to him and his cock was an iron bar between their bodies.

When he finally raised his head, they both noticed that H’sst had begun wrapping her clothing around himself.

“What are you doing?” L’zabet cried.

“My metabolism has awakened,” the lizard said easily. “I will take care of my needs and return shortly.”

Although he spoke to L’zabet, his eyes were on T’kol, and T’kol realized that he was trying to give them privacy. His pride should have been offended; instead, he found himself touched by the other male’s thoughtful gesture. Even though a part of him had begun to accept the fact that he might have to share L’zabet on a permanent basis, he was grateful that this moment could be between the two of them.

“Take the blanket,” he suggested.

“I will. But even with it, I can’t remain outside for long.” His eyes remained on T’kol, and he nodded. He understood that H’sst could only offer them so much time.

“No, of course, you can’t,” L’zabet said, looking worried. “Do you need help?”

Hisst laughed. “No, my queen. I’ll be back soon.”

“Do not endanger yourself,” he ordered, surprised to find that he too was concerned about the young warrior.

“No, sir.” Hisst grinned impudently and slipped out of the cave.

“Do you think he’ll be all right?” L’zabet said, staring after him.

“Yes, my L’chka.”

Her eyes flew to his and her mouth opened. He very gently closed it with one finger. “I’m not going to take it back. I know that you are my mate and I know you realize it as well.”

“But—” she managed to mumble around his finger.

“I also know that you have feelings for that damned lizard.” Despite the words, there was no heat in his voice, and he saw her relax. “I do not know how this is going to work, but I am willing to try for your sake.”

He removed his finger, but instead of trying to speak, she kissed him, her mouth opening readily to his, her soft little tongue caressing him. His cock had never really subsided, and it surged again now.

“I don’t want to wait any longer,” she said impatiently, and lifted herself over him. Just as on the long-ago time in the forest, the silky heat of her cunt brushed across his cock, but this time, he didn’t have to pull back. She started to lower herself but even with her abundant wetness, her little entrance strained to take him.

“Slowly, L’zabet,” he growled, even though every instinct he had urged him to bury himself in her.

She bit her lip and pushed harder and his cockhead finally breached her entrance. Her cunt was so tight, it was almost painful, but he still had to clench his fists to avoid the urge to thrust up inside her.

“Oh.” Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect circle. The memory of those soft pink lips around his cock made him jerk and she slipped down another inch.

“You’re so big,” she whispered. “I feel so full.”

“You are not full yet.” In spite of his resolution, he found his hands on her hips urging her further down his shaft. He forced himself to pause and let her adjust as her cunt fluttered wildly around his cock. Even with her willingness and the liquid heat covering his shaft, every inch was a struggle. He adjusted his grip so that he could stroke his thumb across her exposed clit. Another rush of heat and he gained another inch.

Her breath came in rapid pants, her breasts jiggling delightfully as her hand went first to his shoulders, then to his horns. He groaned as they tightened around the sensitive base. His hips thrust upward involuntarily just as she pushed down, and he was buried to the hilt in silken pleasure. Heat was already licking up his spine and his balls tightened but he forced himself to remain still. Her blunt little teeth worried her bottom lip and she kept shifting to ease the strain. Each movement sent another surge of heat to his cock and it took all of his self-control not to thrust. Instead, he worked her clit with his thumb, stroking the swollen flesh until she began to rock against him.

“Are you ready, my L’chka? I will try to be gentle.”

“I don’t want gentle, T’kol. I want you. I want the hard, demanding warrior—the one I’ve wanted since I was fifteen.”

He started to move before she even finished speaking, his hands tight on her hips as he began thrusting wildly. She matched his urgency, slamming her hips down to meet his strokes as the fire licked down his spine and he knew that he couldn’t hold out much longer.

“Come for me, L’zabet,” he ordered as he pressed against her swollen clit, and she obeyed, her cunt convulsed around him as he finally, finally lost himself in the woman for whom he had waited so long.

As she collapsed against him, her tight cunt still milking the last of his seed, the flap opened and H’sst appeared. By the slowness of his movements, the young fool had stayed outside too long but T’kol was still grateful that he had been blessed with this time alone with his L’chka.

“Come here,” he ordered, frowning as the other male stumbled across the floor. “Put the blanket over the three of us.”

H’sst clumsily untied the blanket and spread it out as he sank down next to them.

With a quick kiss, T’kol lifted L’zabet free and tucked her against his side opposite H’sst to prevent her from being exposed to the icy cold radiating from the lizard.

“Hisst, are you all right?” she asked anxiously.

“Fine,” Hisst said slowly, edging closer to T’kol.

With a resigned sigh, T’kol put an arm around H’sst and let him press against his side. Under the circumstances, sharing his body heat seemed only right. He had his reward when L’zabet smiled sleepily up at him before she reached across his chest to take one of H’sst’s hands in hers. Both of their bodies softened into sleep and he found his own eyes closing. Never in a million years had he expected his first mating with L’zabet to happen in this way and yet… he did not find himself discontented. His L’chka was safe and happy at his side and if the damned lizard was part of what it took to keep her happy, well, she could have made worse choices. A rueful smile crossed his face as he also settled into sleep.

Chapter Fifteen

Hisst awoke from his rest with a feeling of extraordinary contentment. For a moment he felt as comfortable as if he was entwined with his nest mates once again, but then he realized that the hard chest beneath his head was most definitely not Icluthian. More importantly, his queen mirrored his posture, her rosy little face only inches away and her delicate fingers tucked into his. The knowledge that she had chosen to claim him warmed him as surely as the warrior’s heat.

“Are you warm enough now?” T’kol growled quietly. “I did not intend to serve as your resting place.”

“But you did it so well,” he responded, equally quietly.

The choked off sound could have been a laugh or a growl, but he chose to interpret it as humor. His relationship with his nest mates had become strained over the past few years as they began to compete for a queen’s attention, and he enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie once again. However, he suspected that he could only push T’kol so far, so he reluctantly disentangled his hand from Lissie’s and sat up.

“So, we begin the day again.”

“Yes.” T’kol stroked Lissie’s hair, then looked past Hisst to the entrance. “When you were outside, did the storm show any sign of abating?”

“No.” Although he had been too busy huddling into the meager shelter of a crack in the rocks and trying not to think about the Yehrin taking his queen to really pay much attention to the weather. “Still cold and snowy.”

“If it shows any sign of clearing, perhaps it would be best for you to take the communicator and see if you can reach my base.”

Although they had continued to keep their voices low, Lissie raised her head at T’kol’s words. “Don’t be silly. If you insist on calling for help, I’ll do it.”

Her coppery fur in a wild tangle, her eyes heavy with sleep, she looked enchanting and he smiled at her. “Good morning for the second time, my queen.”

“Is it still morning?”

She yawned and sat up, then suddenly seemed to notice her lack of clothing. Her cheeks flushed delightfully but he suspected this was embarrassment, not arousal, since she immediately—and unfortunately—attempted to cover her breasts with her arms.

“You do not need to hide yourself.” T’kol lifted her onto his lap and kissed her just long enough for the scent of her arousal to perfume the air. “Good morning, my L’chka.”

Normally, Hisst would have never dared to presume, but then normally, he would never have experienced kissing. The knowledge gave him the courage to lean forward and take his own opportunity to enjoy those soft full lips.

“This is a most enjoyable way to start the day,” he said when he forced himself to raise his head. His kradx was once again pushing at his slit but he suspected his queen needed some time to adjust. “Although not as enjoyable to as our earlier encounter.”

The color on her face deepened as she looked from him to the Yehrin. “It really happened, didn’t it? I didn’t dream it?”

“You most certainly did not. You are mine—” T’kol broke off, an unreadable expression crossing his face before he continued, “—or I suppose ours.”

“Who would have believed it? I never expected this to happen when I left New Haven.”

“Neither did I,” T’kol said dryly.

“And I never dared to hope that I would be awakened and claimed by a queen. Thank you, Lissie.”

“Um, you’re welcome?”

To his dismay, she sounded uncertain. It was true that she hadn’t given him a claiming bite, but he had believed that it was due to her blunt human teeth rather than a lack of feeling. Had he been wrong?

“Is anything the matter?”

“No.” She managed to smile at them both. “I guess I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed. It isn’t everyday a girl goes from being practically a virgin to having sex with two—”

A horrified look crossed her face and his heart seized. Was she regretting it already?

“Please tell me that I’m not going to get pregnant. Fuck. Why didn’t I think of that before?”

“I’m afraid that our physiology is not compatible,” he said quietly. “I do not believe you could bear an Icluthian child.”

A combination of relief and understanding crossed her face and she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. They both turned to T’kol who was watching her, his face stern.

“Only a week ago you were threatening to take a breeding contract. You would have preferred to have a child by a stranger than by me?”

“No, of course not,” she said immediately. “And you know damn well I wouldn’t have gone through with it. But you’re the one who’s always going on about how fucking young I am. I would have thought you would want me to wait.”

His face relaxed. “I did. I do. Although the thought of your body ripe with my child is most enticing, I started the birth control protocol the day you returned.”

“I thought you weren’t going to touch me?”

“You have a way of overriding my control, L’zabet.”

She giggled. “Good.” Then she looked back at Hisst and her face turned serious. “Does it bother you to know that we can’t have a child?”

“Any child of yours will be a child of mine as well, regardless of the actual father. I told you that I had eight sires in my zimene. I do not know if one of them was a biological relation or not.”

“Wouldn’t it have to be one of them?”

“A queen is not bound by a mating claim,” he said reluctantly. “She may choose to experience pleasure outside her brace.”

“Fuck, no, she won’t,” the Yehrin roared. “You are ours, L’zabet.”

Hisst wondered briefly if T’kol even realized that he had said ours rather than mine, but he was more concerned with his queen’s reaction. Her chin lifted and for a moment, his heart sank. Did she intend to take advantage of a queen’s prerogative? Relief washed over him when she frowned.

“Do you really think I would do that, T’kol?” When the warrior shook his head, her posture relaxed. “Besides, the two of you are more than enough for me.” She started to stand up, then winced. “Maybe a little too much. What I wouldn’t give for a long hot bath.”

“I am afraid that I can not provide you with a bath, my L’chka, but I have cleansing cloths and a container in which to heat water in my bag.”

“That sounds amazing.”

Her face lit with pleasure and he couldn’t help but remember when his own dam had refused to speak to two of his sires for a week because the water in her bathing pool was not ready at the optimal temperature. He was a very lucky Icluthian.

Despite her objections, he ventured outside the cave to gather snow to melt for her makeshift bath. The frigid air slowed his blood, but he took a few extra minutes to cut the two longest, strongest branches he could find. Fortunately, the snowfall had diminished to a few lazy flakes and he had sufficient visibility to search the area.

“I thought, perhaps, you could use these to help you to your feet,” he told T’kol when he returned.

“I am most weary of this position. Thank you.” The warrior nodded, and Hisst felt foolishly pleased by his approval.

With his assistance, T’kol was not only able to get to his feet but, despite Lissie’s protests, also made it outside of the cave to relieve himself. Hisst accompanied him, lending a discreet arm when the warrior struggled with the makeshift crutches.

While they were outside, T’kol tried his communicator once again.

“Still no signal.” He gave the device a disgusted look. “How quickly our technology can fail us. Still, I will leave it outside and set it to repeat the transmission. Perhaps the storm will break long enough for the signal to get through.”

Hisst found himself wishing that it would not. Even though the outside conditions were most unpleasant, he relished the opportunity to be alone with his queen and his brace mate. He suspected that the bonds they forged now would be necessary to help them overcome the inevitable reactions once they returned to the company of others.

As the two of them returned to the cave, he was struck breathless by the sight of his queen, her skin flushed and damp, her nipples as pink as Rondalian pearls, while she cleansed her body. He heard T’kol’s growl and wished he could echo it. His kradx throbbed impatiently.

She looked up and saw them watching her and he could taste her arousal perfuming the air, but she held up her hands and took a laughing step back.

“Just hold on. I really do need some time to recover, no matter how tempted I am by the two of you.”

“Yes, of course, my queen,” he said, ashamed of his impatience.

“Use the healing gel, L’zabet,” T’kol ordered. “It will help.”

“I don’t think I need—”

“Or do you wish me to apply it for you?”

The Yehrin’s musky scent deepened when she hesitated, but she finally shook her head. “I think I’d better do it myself or I suspect I’ll just end up needing more.”

She retrieved the healing gel from the bag, then turned to find them both watching her avidly.

“Can’t you two turn your backs or something?”

“But then how would we know if you applied it properly, my L’chka?” T’kol said smoothly, and Hisst gave him an admiring glance. He, too, was quite eager to watch his queen touch herself.

“Oh, really?” Lissie tilted her head and eyed them speculatively. “You mean it’s just for my benefit that you want to see me spread my legs? To part my little pink lips?”

She matched her actions to her words and his kradx swelled inside him. T’kol growled.

“To run my finger across my clit and very slowly press it inside my tight little pussy?”

The sight of that small finger disappearing inside her body was one of the most erotic things he had ever seen. He took a half-step forward and the Yehrin matched him.

“Hold it right there, both of you,” Lissie ordered as she removed her finger. She laughed at what he could only assume were their equally frustrated expressions. “You wanted to see; you saw. But that’s it, no touching.”

“Do not play games, L’zabet,” T’kol growled.

She danced forward and slid her arms up T’kol’s chest. “But I like games.”

T’kol tried to tug her closer but started to lose his balance. Hisst stepped up behind his queen, pressing her closer to the other warrior and used his arm to brace him. Trapped between their bodies, Lissie shivered and her scent increased. He rubbed the bulge of his kradx, still within his body, against her soft curves, pushing her even closer.

“I especially like this game,” she whispered.

“So do I.” He bent his head and licked her neck, trying to identify the perfect place for his bite once she invited it.

“As do I.” Trusting Hisst to support him, T’kol raised his other hand and gently cupped Lissie’s cheek. “But you were correct—you need time to recover. We should wait.”

“Really?”

He could see enough of her face to see that her bottom lip poked out in the most entrancing way and he had the strangest urge to nibble on that plump little swell. Was that acceptable behavior amongst humans? Before he had a chance to inquire, T’kol turned her around and brought his hand down on one of her round white buttocks.

Hisst didn’t know who was more shocked—he or Lissie. An irritated hiss escaped as his hand dropped automatically to the weapons belt that he no longer wore.

“You will not damage her.”

“I did not.” T’kol nodded at the faint pink handprint on her pale skin. “I gave her a spank to remind her that I will not let her hurt herself.” He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I suspect she enjoyed it.”

“Enjoyed it?” He tasted the air. The warrior was right, he could scent her increased arousal.

“No, I didn’t,” Lissie protested.

“Your nipples are hard, your face is flushed with arousal, and I can taste your desire,” he pointed out.

“Should I repeat it to discourage you from lying to us?” T’kol asked.

“No!” Her hands rushed back in a vain attempt to cover the generous mounds, causing her breasts to jiggle delightfully. “I’m going to get dressed now.”

As she turned away to look for her clothes, T’kol started to reach for her and lost his balance. Hisst kept him upright, then tried to lower him to the floor. The other warrior snarled, then sighed and let Hisst help him into a seated position with his back against the wall.

“I apologize. I am frustrated by my weakness.”

“Don’t worry. I know that it’s frustrating. How is the healing process?”

Running the scanner over his leg, T’kol shrugged. “As well as can be expected. The bone is aligned correctly thanks to your efforts and is beginning to knit back together.”

“I wish we could get you to a medic.” Lissie dropped to her knees beside them.

To his disappointment, a shirt covered her upper half, although her legs still gleamed pale and bare.

“Do not worry, my L’chka. I will heal.” T’kol smiled at her worried face, then slipped a hand under her shirt and squeezed the buttock he had slapped. “As will you. And then you are ours.”

Chapter Sixteen

Lizabet laid down her hand triumphantly. “I win!”

Hisst gave her a mock scowl and T’kol shook his head, but she knew that neither one of them were upset by her victory. If anything, they seemed to enjoy seeing her win. In fact, she suspected that Hisst had deliberately tossed away the card she needed. He really was the sweetest male and she smiled at him. She was snuggled against T’kol’s side with her legs resting on Hisst’s lap. He had been playing with them throughout their games, seemingly fascinated by their smooth texture.

Her attention wandered to the door flap, shocked to see that it was growing dark. If someone had told her a week ago that she would spend an entire day trapped in a cave and not felt restless or bored, she would have laughed in their face. But between them, T’kol and Hisst had kept her thoroughly entertained. Of course, it probably helped that she was overwhelmingly conscious of the underlying sexual tension. Her mind kept flashing back to their morning activities, although every time it did, both of her males seemed to notice.

Hisst smoothed a finger over one of her toenails.

“Did you choose this color? Is it also an indication of arousal?”

“No, it’s an indication of a very expensive pedicure that I had done right before I came home. Although I was hoping to arouse someone else.” She elbowed T’kol.

“You thought that painting your claws would arouse me?”

He looked so shocked that she scowled at him. Why had she even bothered trying to make herself attractive to him. “You don’t have to sound so fucking surprised.”

“L’zabet, you have never needed an adornment to accomplish that. The moment you are near, I can think of nothing else. You do not need any artificial enhancement.” He ran his hand through her unstyled hair and studied her makeup-less face. “You have never been as beautiful to me as you are right now.”

Oh. Well, that was actually pretty sweet as well, although considering the heat in his eyes, perhaps sweet wasn’t quite the right word.

“You have no protection at all.” Hisst had been continuing his investigation of her feet and now he swept a finger across her sole. She automatically jumped. “Are they that delicate? Did I hurt you?”

“No, I’m just ticklish.”

“Ticklish?” He tilted his head the way he did when he was considering the meaning of the word. “Sensitive to the touch?”

He scratched lightly with his claws and she giggled.

“Ah, yes. I have seen T’gana ‘ticklish’ his girls. But I believe he does it this way.” T’kol’s hands unerringly found the exact spot under her ribs where she was most sensitive.

Within minutes she was laughing helplessly and thrashing in his arms as he continued the attack, while Hisst was equally persistent below.

“Stop, stop. I give!”

He stopped and she was suddenly aware that she was sprawled across his lap. His massive erection pressed against her back and Hisst’s hand slid up her legs to dance at the edge of her panties.

“What do you give, L’zabet?” T’kol growled.

“What do you want?”

“I want everything.” With a flick of his claw, he popped the button holding the shirt closed between her breasts and fingered the dargan stone. “How do you feel, my jewel?”

Horny. The playful wrestling had her pussy aching and her nipples in tight little points. T’kol’s eyes burned green fire and Hisst was equally focused on her. She wiggled a little and found to her delight that the soreness between her legs had disappeared.

“I feel ready,” she purred, and arched her back, knowing that it would thrust her breasts forward. “What did you have in mind?”

“It occurs to me that I have not had an opportunity to taste—”

He broke off and his body tensed.

“H’sst, do you sense—”

“Yehrin.” Hisst’s cheeks pulsed. He pushed her feet gently off his lap and stood up. As soon as he was standing, he reached back and pulled T’kol up next to him, handing him his makeshift crutches. T’kol held on to the one on his injured side, but his other hand went to his blast tube.

“What is it? Why are you two acting like that?” She popped to her feet, only to find herself blocked by two large bodies.

“It appears that we are being rescued,” T’kol said grimly.

Admittedly, that was a little disappointing, but…

“What’s the big deal?”

“L’zabet, it is either T’chok or one of his warriors. What do you think he will think when he sees you like that?”

“Like what?” The roar echoed through the small space as T’chok pushed his way inside.

His eyes began to burn blue as they traveled over T’kol’s bare chest and splinted leg, Hisst’s Icluthian features and half-open suit, and finally landed on her bare legs. His hand dropped to his blast tube, even as she yelled.

“No! Don’t hurt them!”

“Them? What the fuck is going on here, T’kol? Is the lizard to blame?”

“No!”

“No.”

She and T’kol spoke simultaneously as she tried to step forward, but neither Hisst nor T’kol would let her pass. T’chok looked at the three of them, his hand still hovering on the tube, before he focused on Hisst.

“Icluthians were not given permission to land anywhere on the surface other than New Haven.”

“I did not intend to land,” Hisst said quietly. “However, I can’t regret it since it led to my meeting with my queen.”

“Your queen?” T’chok’s hand clenched on the tube. “I know you do not mean my little L’zabet.”

“Your Lissie?” Hisst’s body turned rigid. “You cannot make that claim. She has no other warriors in her brace besides us.”

“Us? T’kol, you have two seconds to explain what the fuck is going on before I shoot all of you and figure it out later.”

“You will not shoot Lissie.” A blast tube appeared in Hisst’s hand.

T’chok tensed and she pushed desperately at her two males, but before she could get past them, T’kol hobbled in front of both her and Hisst.

“T’chok, calm down. Tell Hisst you are not going to stun L’zabet.”

“Of course, I was not. I would never hurt my daughter.”

“Your daughter? Ah, yes.” Hisst lowered the blast tube. “If you intend to stun me, please make sure I will not fall on her.”

“He isn’t going to stun anyone.” Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, she finally managed to slip past her protectors and rush across the cave to throw her arms around T’chok.

“Everything’s fine, okay? But T’kol broke his leg and he shouldn’t be standing and Hisst is a good guy so can you please stand down.”

T’chok finally released the blast tube and returned her hug but then he looked down at her and growled again.

“You are not dressed. I will choose to believe it is because it is warm in this cave.”

“Um, sure. Just give me two seconds and I’ll throw some clothes on, but can you please look at T’kol’s leg?”

“Very well. But we will be having a long discussion in the very near future.”

He looked past her, and his gaze sharpened as he saw that Hisst had slipped an unobtrusive hand under T’kol’s arm. “Sit down, you idiot. I promise not to shoot anyone. For now.”

While she hastily donned her leggings and buttoned up her shirt, T’chok knelt next to T’kol. Hisst hovered protectively on his other side, although he glanced frequently in her direction.

“Bring my bag, L’zabet,” T’chok ordered, and Hisst glared at him.

“You do not order a queen—”

“It’s fine. I’ve got it,” she said quickly. Fortunately, he had only brought a small lightweight bag and she didn’t need any help retrieving it from where he’d dropped it at the entrance.

T’chok scanned T’kol’s leg, gave a reluctantly approving grunt at the splint, then removed it and replaced it with a length of cloth. Just as she was wondering how that would support T’kol’s leg, he manipulated something, and the cloth inflated and formed a hard shell.

“Fortunately, your message contained enough information that I knew what to bring, but you will report to the medic as soon as we return,” he ordered. “I will assist you to your flyer now. L’zabet, you will return with me.”

“No, T’chok,” she said quietly. “I will come back with T’kol and Hisst.”

Despite her attempt to speak calmly, her stomach felt queasy. As much as she’d pushed the boundaries, she’d never really defied him before. The disappointment on his face tore at her but she couldn’t back down. If he didn’t understand, surely no one else back at New Haven would either.

“I do not like this, but we can discuss it after we return.” His gaze flicked to Hisst who had quietly fastened his suit once more. “Are you prepared for this weather?”

“I can manage.”

“That is not what I asked.” T’chok glared at Hisst.

“No. I am not prepared, although my queen has generously provided me with some of her clothing.”

There was a moment of shocked silence, then T’chok’s lips quirked. “I am sure that is an… interesting sight. In that case, you will not object to these. I brought them in case L’zabet needed them but, despite her original appearance, it appears that she was prepared.”

“I will not take anything intended for her comfort,” Hisst said firmly, and once again the look of reluctant approval crossed T’chok’s face.

“I will let L’zabet decide.” T’chok’s words hung in the air and she wondered if he meant more than just the clothing, but before she could decide, he began pulling items out of his bag.

A knit cap and a pair of gloves were followed by a thin silvery top.

“The material will stretch,” T’chok said as he offered them to Hisst.

“Go ahead, take them,” she urged. “I’ll be fine.”

Hisst still hesitated, then surprised her by looking at T’kol. She realized that T’kol had been strangely silent since T’chok worked on his leg and her heart sank. Was he regretting the situation already? But despite the grim look on his face, he nodded at Hisst. “Take them. We will watch out for her but for this distance, you need them more than she does.”

T’chok looked from T’kol to Hisst and shook his head, but all he did was hand the clothes to Hisst and order them to get ready to leave. Within a few minutes, everything was packed and ready to go. In addition to T’chok’s items, Hisst once again tied the thermal blanket over his clothing then helped T’kol to his feet. The new cast was apparently sturdy enough to support T’kol and he was able to stand on his own and walk with only a slight limp.

“L’zabet, you will walk with—” T’chok began, then sighed. “I suppose since we are the only two who are not incapacitated, we should each escort one of the walking wounded.”

“I am not incapacitated,” T’kol growled.

“No, I am sure you are in fine fighting form,” T’chok said sarcastically. “Now take your fighting ass back to your ship.”

As the four of them set off down the rocky hillside, she paused to look at the cave. So much had happened there. She didn’t regret any of it, but she couldn’t help but worry about what would happen next. Hisst stepped closer and put his arms around her. She heard T’chok growl, but she ignored him and leaned into Hisst, breathing in his reassuring spicy scent.

“Do not worry, my queen, we are at your side.”

She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

Instinctively, she turned from him to T’kol. He was regarding them with that same odd look on his face, but he smiled at her and her heart lightened. Together they set off down the rocky hillside.

Chapter Seventeen

They reached the flyers surprisingly quickly. T’chok assisted T’kol over several rockier patches but with the new cast, his leg didn’t seem to impede him much. Even Hisst seemed better able to keep up and had only slowed a little by the time they emerged on the road.

“You are sure you will not come with me, L’zabet?” T’chok asked, glaring at the other two warriors.

“I’m sure. Thank you for coming after me.” She hugged him and he returned it with a sigh.

“Of course. I will always come for you.” He looked at the two males waiting for her and his face hardened. “I will be behind you the entire way home.”

“Are you sure you can keep up?” she asked teasingly.

He shook his head. “T’kol, are you capable of flying?”

“Of course.”

“Thank the Ancestors. Let us hope there are no more unfortunate incidents along the way.” He watched until they were onboard, then waved a hand and turned to his own vessel.

She breathed a sigh of relief once he was out of sight. As much as she loved T’chok, his presence had definitely put a dent in the relationship she thought the three of them were building. They should probably discuss it, she thought as T’kol lifted the flyer smoothly into the air, but she didn’t quite have the courage. Instead, she focused on more practical matters.

“What’s going to happen now? I can’t take you both back to my house. I doubt T’chok would let either of you stay with me.”

“I’m sorry, my queen,” Hisst said. “I have no accommodations on Earth, and on our ship, I share a bunk room with other warriors.”

They both turned to look at T’kol. He sighed.

“You know my quarters are in the warriors’ barracks.”

“Yes, but at least they are private.” She remembered the stiff look on his face. “Unless… unless you don’t want us?”

“Of course, I want you, L’zabet.” He frowned at Hisst but there was no real disapproval on his face. “And I suppose the lizard comes too.”

“I certainly hope to come,” Hisst said, and Lizabet cracked up. Even T’kol smiled as he shook his head.

“My warriors are not going to know what to think,” he said as his face sobered.

“You’re the commander. Why are you worried?”

“Because it is important that my men respect me.”

“You think they’ll lose respect for you?” The prospect horrified her.

“I don’t know. You realize this goes against every tradition we have?”

“Should we stay apart?” she asked, her voice small. She couldn’t stand the thought that T’kol would lose the respect he had earned. Reality was quickly intruding on the mutual acceptance they had reached in the cave.

“No, my L’chka. I—we—are your males. I will not hide that. You will stay with me.”

“Perhaps I should stay with the Icluthian delegation,” Hisst volunteered. He clearly didn’t like the idea, but he didn’t hesitate.

T’kol paused and she held her breath, but then he shook his head. “It would only prolong the inevitable. If you are serious about this path, L’zabet, we should begin as we mean to continue.”

If? Did he doubt her, or himself?

“I’m quite serious,” she said firmly.

He nodded and turned back to the controls. The silence that filled the cabin felt curiously expectant, but the rest of the trip passed in silence.

When they arrived back at New Haven, the landing field was in darkness except for a few lights outlining the area. They all sat in the flyer and waited until T’chok’s flyer landed next to them.

“You realize that he will want you to go with him?” T’kol asked.

She sighed. “Yes, I know. But he’s going to have to understand that things have changed.”

“I will speak with him,” he said.

“No, it needs to come from me. Why don’t you take Hisst over to your quarters while I’m talking to him?”

“We are your males. We will not desert you,” Hisst protested.

“T’chok would never dream of hurting me.” At least, not physically. The remembrance of disapproval on his face still tore at her.

The three of them descended from the flyer to find T’chok waiting. He had never looked more intimidating. Slightly shorter than T’kol, he made up for it with his massive frame. Hisst’s leaner muscles looked positively child-like next to him. Both of her males gathered behind her as she faced him.

“We shall return home now, L’zabet,” he ordered.

“No.” Her insides quivered, but she kept her chin up. “I am staying with T’kol.”

“And the Icluthian?”

“Yes.”

“This is completely unacceptable—”

“I’ll listen to what you have to say, but before you get started, I want T’kol to take Hisst to his quarters and then go to the medic.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “Then go.”

Neither male moved. If anything, they stepped closer to her, and T’chok frowned, his horns lowering. She appreciated their concern, but this wasn’t helping.

“T’kol, please. Just show Hisst where to go and then have your leg examined. I’ll be there when you get back.”

He glanced from her to T’chok. “I do not like to leave you.”

“It’s fine. We just need to talk.”

“He is not treating you with the appropriate respect,” Hisst muttered.

“He’s my sire, he’s allowed to grumble at me. But he would never hurt me.”

“Hurt you? Of course, I would not.” T’chok scowled at the two warriors, then sighed. “You have my word of honor that L’zabet will not be damaged in any way by our discussion.”

T’kol nodded and, after a brief second, Hisst followed suit. T’kol touched her cheek and Hisst her hand and then, to her relief, they moved off into the darkness.

“I do not suppose we could have our conversation at home?” T’chok asked.

“I don’t think so. Rachel will get upset and you’ll be even harder to deal with if that happens.”

“Perhaps. But it is too cold for you to stand out here.”

“It’s not going to be lengthy conversation.” He didn’t look convinced, so she compromised. “What if we walk while we talk?”

“Very well.”

Together they headed for the meandering path that led along the edge of the open meadow. How many times in the past had they walked like this while he had listened to her troubles and encouraged her dreams? Her throat tightened as the memories swept over her. Tonight, it felt different. She still wanted his approval, but she had chosen her path and it was her turn to help him understand.

“L’zabet, what happened this week? When you left here, you said it was to forget T’kol.”

“That didn’t stop you from sending him after me.”

He shrugged. “He was as concerned as I was when I could not contact you. Besides, I suspected that despite your words, you still cared for him. It appears that I was right.”

“Yes, of course, you were right. I did—I do—care for him.”

“Then for the love of all the Ancestors, why the Icluthian?”

“I don’t know exactly. After he crashed and I rescued him—”

“What?”

Briefly she explained the scenario leading up to their time in the cave.

He shook his head grimly. “He sounds as reckless as you are.”

“Perhaps that’s part of it. In some ways we are very much alike. More alike than T’kol and I. And I think I need that—I need someone to laugh and play with me.”

“That is not the job of a warrior. A warrior protects his mate.”

“Oh, he’ll do that too. He even stunned T’kol.” Now that she knew T’kol would be fine, she couldn’t help but giggle at the memory.

“He did what?” T’chok looked outraged but once she explained, he reacted as T’kol had done and nodded.

“He acted correctly,” he said begrudgingly.

“And I love that he wants to protect me, but I also love that he can relax and have fun with me.”

“But what of T’kol?”

“That’s different. He’s just as protective but he’s that way all the time, as well as being dominant and possessive and bossy.” She smiled reminiscently. “I love the way he takes charge.”

“That is the Yehrin way.”

“I know it is and I love it, but I think I need both.”

They had reached the far end of the meadow, where the mountain dropped away to reveal a vast expanse of rolling hills dusted with snow. The stars twinkled overhead, seeming to shiver in the cold night air, but it was a peaceful sight and some of her tension started to ease. They stood there in silence for several minutes before T’chok sighed and pulled her against his side. His warmth made her realize that she was beginning to get cold.

“I think perhaps I understand.” He turned her back in the direction of the warriors’ barracks and they resumed their walk. “I wondered how T’kol could agree to such a situation, but I suspect that he too understands your needs. Although I do not know how any warrior could agree to share his L’chka.”

“Do you think it will be too much for him?” The question had been plaguing her since she had seen his face when T’chok appeared.

“Honestly, I do not know. But he is very strong, and he loves you very much.”

“He does?” Her throat closed.

“L’zabet, no warrior would ever even consider such an arrangement unless he loved his mate. Do you doubt his feelings?”

She kicked at the snow. “He hasn’t said anything.”

“It is not the Yehrin way. Our mates have had to teach us.”

He stopped and turned to her. “You must be very sure about this, L’zabet. We are not human—when we claim a L’chka it is a lifetime commitment. It does not change upon our partner’s whims.”

“Is that what you think this is? A whim?” Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes.

“No, my daughter. You can be wild, but you are never thoughtless. But a triad…” He shook his head. “It will be difficult, and each partner must be committed. Even the lizard.”

“His name is Hisst and if you weren’t so damned prejudiced, I bet you’d like him.”

“If he makes you happy, then I will… accept him.” She couldn’t prevent the eye roll and he smiled. “Now come. You have been long enough in the cold.”

They turned and walked towards the barracks. T’chok’s words echoed in her mind. Was she one hundred percent sure? When the three of them were together, she had no doubts, but it was harder to maintain that certainty when faced with the knowledge of how their relationship would be viewed.

“Are you sure that you do not want to spend tonight at home? To take some time and consider matters?”

For a moment she was almost tempted, but then she shook her head. Aside from the fact that she was already missing her males, she suspected that separation would cause more damage than benefit. Their bond was still very new and very fragile. It needed nurturing, not testing.

“No. I know what I want.”

“Very well.” T’chok sighed. “I will ask R’chel to wait until tomorrow to come and see you.”

“Come see me?”

“You know that she will want to talk to you… and see your lizard. I suspect S’rah and M’lee will also insist on coming.”

“Great,” she said gloomily. She counted the other two women amongst her closest friends, but they would definitely want to cross examine her. Sarah would be worried but would try and cover it with a cheerful face. Emily would undoubtedly be amused.

“As I said, you must be sure.”

“I am,” she said firmly.

T’chok gave her a quick hug, watched her enter the building, then turned and walked away. As she watched him leave, she felt as if her childhood was leaving with him. Excited and a little nervous, she went to find her males.

Chapter Eighteen

T’kol left the medic’s office feeling both relieved and annoyed. Although he was annoyed that the visit had taken so long, he was relieved that the medic had assured him that no permanent damage had been done. The medic had used a healing ray on the bone to hasten the mending process and told T’kol to use the cast for another week.

Halfway down the path to his quarters, a tall slender figure waited for him. He bit back a sigh as he recognized B’nji, L’zabet’s brother. He both liked and respected the young male, but he was not in the mood to deal with him tonight.

“Greetings, B’nji.”

“Did you really bring an Icluthian back with you?” B’nji burst out.

“Yes.”

“And he’s… with you? With you and Lizzie?” Disgust dripped from every word and for a second, he was almost tempted to deny it, but he could not.

“Yes, B’nji. That is what your sister wishes.”

“But an Icluthian! I remember all those stories you told of the battles against them.”

“Battles from a long time ago. We have not been enemies for many generations, and you know that we are allies now.”

“But they’re lizards. What does Lizzie want with one of them?”

“They are of a similar age, and more alike than you would expect.”

“My sister isn’t like a fucking lizard.”

“He is a good male,” he found himself saying. “And he cares for your sister very much.” As much as he did not want any additional drama tonight, he added, “Do you want to meet him?”

“No, I don’t. I don’t know if I ever want to see her again. But if I do, I’m going to tell her what I think about the way she’s acting.”

He turned as if to stomp away and T’kol grabbed his arm.

“B’nji, you are entitled to your opinion and I understand that you may need some time to adjust.” He lowered his head so that he could gaze directly into the younger male’s eyes. “But understand this. I will not permit you to make your sister unhappy. Unless you can be kind to her and polite to H’sst, I do not want you to come near either of them.”

“You can’t keep me away from my sister.”

B’nji didn’t seem to realize how quickly he’d contradicted himself but T’kol kept his face stern. “I can and I will, unless you can behave yourself.”

The young male glared at him and T’kol gave his shoulder a gentle shake. “I recall you told me that you did not accept T’chok at first either.”

“Dad’s not a fucking lizard,” he muttered, and T’kol’s grip tightened.

“Polite and respectful, B’nji. The younger children look up to you and you must set a good example.” B’nji opened his mouth but he didn’t give him a chance to speak. “No matter what you are saying now, I know you want your sister to be happy, and she will not be happy if she thinks that one of her males is not being treated well.”

He didn’t relax his grip or his gaze and after a few seconds, B’nji’s belligerence faded.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I reckon the least I can do is meet him.”

“L’zabet will like that. Come by tomorrow.”

B’nji suddenly grinned. “I’ll probably have to stand in line. You know all the women are going to want to come.”

He bit back a groan. The young male was undoubtedly correct. “Perhaps I need some additional training.”

“Not on that leg. You’ll just have to suffer through it.”

He scowled at the reminder. “Do you not need to go home now?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m going.” He hesitated. “But give Lizzie my love, okay?”

“Thank you, B’nji. I will.”

As T’kol continued down the path, he realized that the encounter with B’nji had undoubtedly only been the first in a long series of conversations to come. All of his warriors would be shocked, and many of them would not be as quick to consider his mate’s feelings as the young male. The fact that T’kol had always conformed so perfectly to Yehrin standards for a warrior’s behavior would make this aberration only that much more obvious. He had been foolishly relieved earlier that he had not encountered anyone while taking H’sst to his quarters.

And yet, when he opened the door to his office and heard laughter coming from the bedroom beyond, he found himself smiling. Just knowing that L’zabet—that both of them—were waiting for him gave his return an unusual warmth.

“Should I even ask what the two of you are doing?” he asked as he opened the interior door. L’zabet was sprawled across the bed looking entirely too tempting, while H’sst was prowling around the walls.

“Hisst is measuring,” she said innocently, but her eyes danced. His hearts responded to the warmth in her eyes, even as his body responded to the sight of her finally on his bed where she belonged.

“Do I even want to know why?”

“For decorations, of course,” H’sst responded with a disapproving look. “This decor is not suited for a queen.”

“You are criticizing my quarters?” He looked around with a frown. The plain white walls and padded black floor were standard Yehrin decor. He had a large bed, a comfortable chair, and a small set of shelves. What more did they need? Although he supposed he would have to add two more chairs.

“T’kol, the only sign of personality in the whole room are these carvings.” L’zabet bounced over to his shelves and he felt his cheeks heat. “They’re beautiful. Where did they come from?”

“I made them,” he admitted reluctantly.

“Really?” She picked up one of the polished wooden creatures. “The detail is so perfect. You never told me you did anything like this.”

“It is just a hobby.” He didn’t mention that it was one of the ways he had passed the long empty nights without her.

“You are very talented, brace mate. This is the only part of the room worthy of a queen.” H’sst shook his head. “A queen needs color and soft fabrics that suit her beauty. She needs to be surrounded by life.”

Despite his immediate instinct to protest, as he looked at L’zabet, her cheeks flushed with laughter, her coppery curls glowing, he couldn’t disagree. She did deserve to be surrounded by life and color.

“Perhaps you are right. When we build our house, you may decorate it as you wish.”

The room went silent and he suddenly realized what he had said.

“Our house?” L’zabet whispered.

Part of him had the sudden frantic urge to take back his statement, but he had agreed to try and the three of them could not stay confined to one small room.

“If we are to be together, we will need more space.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That’s the second time you’ve said if. I thought we had an agreement.”

“We agreed to try. Are you without doubts?”

His question hung in the air.

“I have no doubts,” H’sst said quietly. “You are my queen, Lissie, and that will never change. I have accepted T’kol as my brace mate, even though he is a barbarian.” A quick smile crossed his face before it turned serious again. “But I don’t expect that this will be easy on any of us.”

“I don’t have any doubts when we are alone together.” L’zabet stepped up to him and H’sst followed, fitting himself against her back.

Their position already felt familiar to him, felt right, and he sighed. Was he still fighting this?

“I agree that when we are together, it is easier,” he admitted.

“Then maybe we can take advantage of a nice soft bed,” she suggested, and rubbed her breasts against his chest. His cock immediately stiffened and H’sst’s scent began to fill the air.

“Perhaps we should.”

“Mm.” She wiggled, her soft curves a delightful caress, then hesitated. “Can you hold that thought while I take a quick shower?”

“It is a very large shower,” he found himself saying.

“Even better.” She grinned up at him, then slipped away, pulling her shirt free in the process. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

H’sst looked as confused as he felt. “That does not sound pleasant.”

“It means get in, boys,” L’zabet called as she kicked her leggings free.

His confusion vanished. He tossed her over his shoulder before she could reach the door of the sanitary facility. She shrieked and giggled, smacking at his back.

“Stop that! Your leg is injured, remember?”

“It is fine, but if you insist. You take her, H’sst.” He tossed her gently to the other male who had been watching with a smile on his face and she shrieked again.

“Dammit, I’m not a football.” She tried to sound stern, but she was still laughing.

Quickly stripping away his own clothes, he started the shower, then turned to find L’zabet wrapped around H’sst as she kissed him. For a moment jealousy flared, but then it was swept away by arousal. Her body glowed pale and perfect against the Icluthian’s golden green scales. His big hands cupped her buttocks as he held her easily in midair.

T’kol stepped up behind her and slid his hand between her legs. H’sst obligingly lifted her slightly away from his body and spread her legs further apart so he could explore each tender crevice. He circled her clit, delighting in her shudder, then probed her tight little cunt. Even one finger was a tight fit, but she didn’t flinch, instead she pressed back against him. He worked first one digit, then two into her body, until she was moaning with pleasure. Withdrawing, he teased her clit until she was quivering, but when he moved this time, he didn’t pause at her cunt but kept going until he reached her perfect little pink asshole. He circled the delicate flesh, then pushed gently at the tiny entrance.

“T’kol,” she gasped.

“Relax,” he urged. “Push back against my thumb.”

“But—”

“Push back, L’zabet,” he repeated, his voice firm, and she complied. His thumb slipped inside, and he groaned at the heated embrace. “You are very tight, my jewel. We will need to train you well.”

“Train?” Her voice sounded dazed and he pushed deeper, even as he used his other hand to stroke her swollen clit. H’sst lifted her higher so that he could suckle on her breasts and she gasped again, clinging to his shoulders.

“Yes, my L’chka. So you can take us both.” His already aching cock throbbed at the thought.

Without removing his thumb, he returned to her cunt, suspending her on the two digits, even as he kept working her clit, circling the hardened nub.

“Oh, that feels so strange.” She sounded uncertain and he almost hesitated, but then she pushed down. “But I want more.”

He gladly complied, sliding another finger into her impossibly tight channel. Her body quivered again, and he pressed down hard on her clit. “Come for me, L’zabet.”

With a hoarse cry, she obeyed, clamping down so tightly on his hand that he almost followed her over. To be inside her body when that happened, when her muscles convulsed and her liquid heat flooded him… The temptation was too great. He removed his hand and pulled her down over his cock. Her slickness eased the way, but she was still impossibly tight. She cried out as he entered her and he felt her climax again, milking the length of his cock in waves of silken heat. Lightning streaked down his spine and then he was shuddering too, his seed flowing from him in heated jets.

His knees actually weakened, and he was vaguely aware of H’sst supporting them both as his body shook. He finally raised his head to find L’zabet limp and smiling between them. He carefully lifted her free as she murmured a sleepy protest, but she didn’t show any signs of soreness.

“Now, my L’chka. A shower, then bed.”

As he lifted her free, he realized that H’sst’s cocks were fully exposed. The other warrior winced.

“I can’t help it. Her pleasure always causes me to extrude.”

“That’s all right. It’s kind of flattering that you get so excited.” L’zabet smiled at him, then gave the shower a longing look. “But can we shower first?”

Chapter Nineteen

Despite the eager pulsing in his kradx, Hisst nodded. “Of course, my queen.”

The three of them entered the shower. T’kol frowned at him when they both reached for the cleansing cloth to wash Lissie, but he finally shrugged and stepped aside. Hisst couldn’t help but feel that it was the least he could do. He could not regret any activity that gave his queen such pleasure, but his kradx was demanding his turn. It was the queen’s choice, he reminded himself. But perhaps if he presented himself once they were in the bed, she would choose to satisfy him.

He concentrated on washing her to the best of his ability, lingering over those delightfully lush breasts until her strange little nipples were pink and throbbing. The mating flush covered her body as he took the cloth lower, carefully cleansing each delicate fold. The pearl of her clit was also pink and throbbing as he very carefully brushed over it. She jumped and her small hands clutched at his arms. Had he hurt her? No, her mating color had increased and her scent had deepened. He brushed it again, using only his finger this time so that he could feel the smooth surface harden.

“She is going to come again if you keep doing that,” T’kol said. He had stepped behind Lissie and reached around to tease her nipples. His black claws looked threatening against her pale flesh and he tugged and squeezed much more firmly that Hisst would have dared but she didn’t protest, only thrust her breasts further into his hands.

“That’s okay,” she panted.

“But have you earned it, my L’chka?”

“Earned it?”

“What of poor H’sst? Can you not see that he needs you?”

He wanted to protest, to remind them both that she must decide, but his kradx ached for her touch.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Hisst.” Her soft fingers barely brushed him before the warrior turned her away. A hiss escaped his lips. By the Great Mother, it was his time. Before he could protest, T’kol gently positioned her so that she was bent over in front of him, her little pink cunt gleaming. His mouth went dry. He wanted to bury himself in her, to feel her soft flesh cushioning his hips as he thrust inside her with complete abandon.

“It is forbidden,” he mumbled, even as he took another step forward, his eyes locked on that small entrance.

“Is it forbidden if your queen wishes it?” T’kol tugged a nipple. “Do you wish it, L’zabet?”

“Oh, yes.” Lissie looked over her shoulder at him, her face flushed with the mating hue, her eyes heavy and expectant.

He couldn’t resist. Stepping behind her, he lifted her on her toes, then carefully positioned his primary cock at her opening. He pushed gently but despite her copious wetness, her body resisted. He hesitated, but T’kol nodded.

“Go ahead.”

He pushed again, more firmly this time, and then his cockheads were buried in liquid heat. He separated them so that he could feel every silken inch and she moaned. Once again, T’kol gave him a reassuring nod, and he kept going, moving as slowly as he could in order to enjoy the increasingly tight fit. As he reached the halfway point, his secondary cock touched her body and he realized that he was pressed against the pink pucker of her bottom hole.

“Oh!”

She jumped, but when she did, he slid inside the tight ring of muscle. Great Mother, he had never known such ecstasy. A trill escaped his throat and he felt his fangs growing larger.

“T’kol,” she gasped.

“You are fine, my L’chka,” T’kol said soothingly. “Consider this the next step in your training. I wish you could see how beautiful you look with your little asshole opening around his cock.”

T’kol eased her back and more of Hisst’s cocks disappeared into heated pleasure.

“I… I…” Lissie gasped, her body dancing.

“Touch her clit,” T’kol ordered, and Hisst adjusted his grip so that he could reach the little pearl.

The heated flesh throbbed against his fingers, and this time she pushed back on her own. Gritting his teeth, he let her lead the way, slowly sliding backwards until she had taken all of him into the heated depths of her body. They were both shaking, and he looked up to find T’kol watching, his eyes alight with green fire. He still supported Lissie, his arm firm beneath her clutching fingers, but his other hand was on his own cock, stroking it as he watched.

“Move now. Slowly, until she adjusts.”

Very carefully, he drew back, the sucking clasp of her body as great a pleasure on the retreat as it had been on the entry. When his secondary cock was on the verge of coming free, he thrust back in harder this time, matching it with a firm pressure against her clit.

“Oh my god. Do that again,” his queen demanded, and he gladly obeyed.

His trill filled the small room as he lost himself in pleasure. When he realized that she was throwing her ass back to meet his thrusts, he lost all control, plunging into her body with wild abandon. Her lush body cushioned his just as he had imagined, but he had never imagined the incredible pleasure of having both cocks surrounded by such a tight heated grip. Her body tightened and then a wave of liquid heat surrounded him as she shuddered, her grip so tight that he couldn’t move, but he didn’t care because his own body responded, his cocks jerking as jet after jet of his seed flooded forth.

He barely retained enough strength to support her as he slipped free and his kradx retreated, but T’kol was there to gather her into his arms. Pale blue fluid coated her front half and he realized that T’kol had come as well. He remembered the time in the cave and stepped further under the shower, letting the other warrior have this time to hold her. To his surprise, once he was finished washing, T’kol passed a clean, sleepy Lissie to him.

“Take her to bed. I will wash and join you.”

He carried her under the drying unit, then followed T’kol’s orders. She curled sleepily into his arms and barely stirred when T’kol followed a short time later. Again, to his surprise, the other warrior didn’t pull her into his arms, but placed himself at her back. For a minute their eyes met. T’kol looked oddly thoughtful but he didn’t say anything. Instead he simply closed his eyes. Hisst followed him, allowing himself to relax into the comfort of a warm bed, a satisfied queen, and a brace mate close at hand.

A sharp buzzing noise woke Hisst from a pleasant dream of warm sand and even warmer female. Lissie had turned in her sleep and was now nestled against T’kol’s chest, but her lush buttocks were cradled snugly against his groin. The memory of the previous night and the overwhelming pleasure of the forbidden position rushed over him and his kradx stirred. Before he could give in to the impulse to see if his queen would consider repeating their joining, the buzz sounded again, and he belatedly realized that it was an alarm of some kind. He sprang out of bed already reaching for a weapon.

“It’s just the door alarm.” T’kol scowled. “I should have realized that it would start early this morning.”

“What’s the matter?” Lissie asked sleepily.

“It seems the stream of visitors has started.” T’kol examined his monitor and swore.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“Senior Commander T’lan.” T’kol pulled on his uniform with astonishing speed. “Perhaps the two of you should wait here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Lissie was already searching for her clothes. “This involves all of us.”

Hisst pulled on his threadbare thermal suit, regarding its shabby appearance with disgust but determined to accompany his mates.

“I am not sure this is going to help,” T’kol said grimly.

“It really isn’t his concern,” Lissie said firmly. “What you choose to do with your life outside of your command duties is not under his control.”

“I am not sure that we consider the situation the same way.”

“He is correct, my queen. A warrior’s actions always reflect upon his queen and his brace mates.”

“You’re acting like T’lan is some kind of ogre,” she said dismissively. “I know he can be a little intimidating, but he’s really very sweet.”

T’kol choked. “I do not believe that is an accurate description, my L’chka.”

The three of them walked out into the front office, although Hisst and Lissie stayed behind T’kol. A very large Yehrin warrior was waiting. His air of command was unmistakable and Hisst found himself instinctively straightening his posture. The commander’s eyes traveled from one to the other, his face unreadable.

“I understand that your situation has changed, Commander T’kol.”

“Yes, sir.” T’kol hesitated only briefly. “You know L’zabet, of course, and this is my… brace mate, Officer H’sst.”

“I see.” The senior commander’s eyes focused on him, but he did not look disapproving as much as he looked speculative. “I assume that you are the missing warrior who has caused your queen so much distress”

“I suppose so, sir, although I did not realize that she was even aware of my existence until Commander T’kol mentioned it.” He hesitated, then added, “And she is not my queen. Lissie is my queen.”

“The commander’s eyebrow rose. “Will that be an issue for Queen Adorissa?”

“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “I do not believe it has ever occurred before.”

“You understand that we are very interested in the information she has to share. I would not be… pleased if your situation interfered with the communication between our species.”

“Of course not.” The underlying threat was only too clear and both T’kol and Lissie tensed.

“Despite your doubts about her concern for your well-being, she has already used your absence to delay any further meetings.”

Hisst frowned and rubbed his jaw. “I don’t understand her behavior. I was under the impression that she was open to sharing the information. Has your queen raised the matter with her?”

“Our queen?”

The senior commander did not seem to understand his comment and Hisst shot T’kol a confused look. T’kol nodded for him to continue.

“Which of your queens is conducting this discussion? Perhaps it would help if I talked to her.”

“We have no queens. I have been talking to your queen myself—or at least trying to talk to her.”

His shock must have been written on his face.

“You are attempting to negotiate with the queen directly? And she has spoken to you?”

“No, she hasn’t,” T’lan said grimly. “Is that why she will not speak to us?”

“I do not know for sure, but it would be most unusual for a queen to negotiate with anyone other than another queen.”

“Did you send your mate to speak to her?” T’kol asked.

“I did.” T’lan scowled. “It was not a successful visit.”

Hisst frowned. “I do not understand. Queen Adorissa should be happy to speak to another queen. This is why we made the trip.”

“She did not seem impressed by the fact that M’lee only has a single mate. She treated my mate as if she were a child.” He sighed. “As I said, it did not go well.”

“Ah, I see. A queen with a single mate is almost unheard of amongst the Icluthians.”

“Surely, she knew that the Yehrin take only one mate?”

“Perhaps. I did not realize, and I have not heard any of my fellow warriors mention it either. Only after I met T’kol did I understand that a pair bond is your chosen path.”

His queen stepped forward. “Maybe she’ll talk to me? I do have two mates after all.”

They all saw the hesitation on the senior commander’s face, but before he could speak, Lissie held up her hand.

“And before you say something annoying about me being too young, I will remind you that I studied biological anthropology. Not to mention that I have had an up-close and personal experience with Icluthian culture.”

T’lan’s eyes closed briefly. “I would infinitely prefer not to consider that last statement. However… Do you think that Queen Adorissa would speak to L’zabet, Officer H’sst?”

“A queen would never refuse to see another queen. It would cause grave offense,” he said truthfully.

“But will she negotiate with her? Although she does not wish me to mention it, L’zabet is young by our standards.”

“That is of no consequence. A queen is judged more on her standing and on her brace than on her age.”

“My standing?”

“The queens from whom you are descended.” He brushed his hand across the circular tattoo on his chest that recorded his lineage, spiraling outward from the first great queen, Queen Larissima.

Lissie gave a bitter little laugh. “I don’t have anything to brag about there. My mom ran off when I was just a kid.”

Responding instinctively to her distress, he put an arm around her, noting that T’kol had moved to her other side. The senior commander watched but didn’t comment.

“I am not sure that it would matter,” he said slowly. “The history of the queens on this planet is unknown so she would have no reason to judge your heritage. As for your brace…” He looked at T’kol and felt a surge of pride in his brace mate. “We are both worthy warriors.”

“She would not be offended by the presence of a Yehrin warrior?”

“I don’t see why she would be, although, of course, the ways of a queen are always a mystery.”

T’lan smiled suddenly, displaying a somewhat intimidating array of pointed white teeth. “I suspect that females are always a mystery.”

“We’re not mysterious,” Lissie protested. “You males just don’t think logically enough to understand us.”

“I believe M’lee would agree with you,” T’lan said in a tone that absolutely did not convey his own agreement.

“So, what now?”

“I wish to discuss this with Commander T’gana. Assuming he agrees, I would like him to brief you on the existing circumstances.” T’lan paused and looked around the small office to the bedroom beyond. “These quarters will be a little confined for the three of you. We have the plans for the Icluthian residence, it would be a simple matter to make an additional copy for you.”

“That’s really not necessary—” T’kol began.

“If L’zabet is to meet Queen Adorissa on equal terms, it may be necessary. Review the plans with your mate—your mates—and let me know.” T’lan studied the three of them and shook his head. “These are interesting times in which we live.”

Again, he seemed speculative rather than disapproving, and Hisst decided he liked the big warrior.

T’lan headed for the door, then turned back with a grin. “I suspect my mate will be not long behind me. Be prepared for more visitors.”

Chapter Twenty

As soon as the door closed behind T’lan, Lizabet turned to T’kol and smiled.

“See. Nothing to worry about.”

He did not look convinced. “I do not know if it escaped your notice, my L’chka, but he quite clearly indicated that he would not be happy if this interferes with the discussions with the Icluthians.”

“Don’t be silly. What’s he going to do?” She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes because he looked so serious.

“He could strip me of my rank. He could force us to leave New Haven.” The color drained from her face and his eyes softened as he continued gently. “He could assign me to a campaign on another planet.”

“Another planet?” Her heart stopped. “Could we go with you?”

“You would do that? You would leave Earth?”

“Of course, I would.” She didn’t hesitate. Although she hoped with all her heart that it wouldn’t come to that, she wouldn’t let him leave alone. But neither could she leave Hisst. She gave him a separate look. “That is—”

He immediately nodded and stepped up next to her.

“We go where you go,” he said firmly.

T’kol’s eyes flashed green fire. He put one hand on Hisst’s shoulder and his other arm around her. “Thank you, H’sst. Thank you, my L’chka. I hope I never have to ask you to leave your family but the fact that you are willing to do so means everything to me. If necessary, I could always resign my commission.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that. I know how much it means to you.”

“You mean more,” he said simply, and her eyes filled with tears. Before they could fall, he drew her closer and kissed her, tenderly at first, then more demandingly, his roughened tongue firing her senses. She felt Hisst start to pull away, but T’kol drew him back. Hisst fitted himself against her other side and began pressing kisses across her neck. Her pussy ached and her nipples tightened into firm little peaks. T’kol’s erection pressed against her stomach and she could feel Hisst bulging against her back. Just as she was about to suggest that they go back to bed, the door alarm sounded.

“Fuck. Now what?” she muttered.

“T’lan did warn us,” T’kol said ruefully. He checked his monitor. “It’s T’gana, and S’rah and the children.”

Sarah was one of her oldest friends and she loved her dearly, but right now, she wished the woman could have waited another thirty minutes. Even fifteen.

“We could pretend we’re not here,” she whispered.

“I am already quite aware that you are inside.” The deep rumbling voice from outside the door could only belong to T’gana.

“Lizzie, are you all right? We were so worried.” Sarah came rushing in as soon as T’kol released the lock, and she immediately regretted her previous wish.

“I’m fine,” she promised, as she returned her friend’s hug.

“Why did you leave as soon as you got back from college? Did something happen?” Sarah glared at T’kol, but then noticed Hisst for the first time. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

Jane and Tabby, her friend’s young adopted daughters, were staring at Hisst as well. Their brother, J’tem, already almost as tall as Tabby, scowled at him. “You’re one of them lizards. What did you do to our L’zzie?”

“He didn’t do anything to me,” she said quickly. “He wrecked and we were caught in the storm together.”

The boy studied her for a minute, then nodded, although he still looked suspiciously at Hisst. He was a miniature replica of T’gana except for his pale blue human eyes. T’gana rested a hand on his son’s head, and the boy leaned back against the big warrior.

“So, he’s going back to the Icluthians now?” Sarah asked, still staring at Hisst.

“No, Sarah. He’s my mate.” She held out a hand to him and drew him to her side.

“I am very pleased to meet you,” Hisst said gravely.

“I’m pleased to meet you too,” Sarah said politely but doubtfully. She looked at T’kol, the question in her eyes so obvious that Lizabet took pity on her.

“And T’kol is my other mate.” He, too, took her outstretched hand.

Sarah’s mouth actually dropped open and Lizabet had to suppress a giggle. She had worried that she would feel uncomfortable about introducing her males, but she felt only pride.

“Two mates?” Jane asked, her eyes wide. “That’s so cool.”

“I thought you wanted Benji,” Tabby said, scowling at her sister.

“I do, but two males would be even better,” Jane said eagerly. Sarah looked appalled, but then the girl continued, “One of them could cook and the other could wash the dishes.”

Sarah and Lizabet exchanged an amused look as Tabby shook her head. “Benji wouldn’t like that.”

“He would too.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

“Girls, stop it,” Sarah said firmly.

“There will be no talk of mating until you are at least thirty,” T’gana added.

“Thirty? But, Daddy…” Jane wailed.

“Perhaps thirty-five.”

Tabby smiled up at him. “Or when we’s ready.”

T’gana shook his head. “Perhaps so, little one.”

“Good,” Jane said happily. “Can we go now? Benji is training this morning and I wanna watch.”

Tabby bit her lip. “They’re doing horn to horn combat. He doesn’t like that.”

“Oh, poo. He’ll be fine. Can we go, Daddy?”

“Yes, but take your brother.”

J’tem’s small shoulders straightened. “I will take care of them.”

“I know you will, my son.”

The three children disappeared, and Sarah shook her head. “I swear, Jane is eleven going on twenty-one.”

“I was the same way.”

“I’m not sure that makes me feel better,” Sarah said, but her voice was affectionate.

“You would be most lucky to have your daughter grow up like Lissie,” Hisst said firmly.

Sarah gave him a surprised glance, then nodded. “You’re quite right. Now, why don’t we leave the males to talk business and you can tell me all about it?”

“My business is with L’zabet.” T’gana limped over to her. He was so big and strong looking that she always forgot about his damaged leg until he moved.

“With L’zabet? But why?” Sarah asked.

“Apparently, I’m going to be a kind of ambassador.” She shrugged. “We’re hoping the queen will talk to me.”

“Really? Emily said she was polite but kind of, well, snooty. You know you don’t respond well to people like that.”

“I’ll just have to mind my tongue.”

Sarah’s brows drew together and even T’kol frowned, but neither T’gana nor Hisst reacted.

“I am sure you will do an excellent job, my queen,” Hisst said firmly.

“Queen?” Sarah’s eyes widened. “Oh, I have so many questions, but of course, he’s right. I’ve always said you could do anything you wanted to do, Lizzie.”

Warmth filled her and she gave her friend another hug. “I know you have.”

“Should I leave now?”

“No, my S’rah. The first order of business is to arrange for the construction of the new residence, and I suspect that L’zabet would like your advice.”

“A new residence? So quickly?”

Her cheeks heated. “T’lan thinks it would make me more equal with their queen.”

“I suppose appearances do count. Are you going to build the same thing she has?”

Lizabet looked at T’kol and he shrugged. “Whatever makes you happy, my L’chka.”

“You are a young queen,” Hisst added. “You are not expected to make an extravagant display. Choose what you like.”

T’gana had settled himself at the desk and he brought up the plans. “This is the current residence.”

“It seems a little… big.” She studied the layout. “Maybe just the big room and the bedroom and… is that a pool?”

“Every queen must have a bathing pool,” Hisst said firmly. “For an Icluthian, it helps to maintain our scales.” Lizabet caught Sarah giving Hisst a fascinated look, but she ignored it. “In your case, it would simply be… enjoyable.”

His eyes heated and she caught his scent. She avoided looking at Sarah, sure that her cheeks were on fire.

“Then that should be enough.”

“That’s only one bedroom,” Sarah pointed out, then it was her turn to blush. “I mean, if you ever wanted some time alone?”

Lizabet gave Hisst a quick glance, but as she expected, he shook his head. T’kol was more of a question mark. Would he want his own space? She regarded him a little doubtfully, but to her relief, he, too, shook his head.

“I do not wish to be separated from you, my L’chka.”

“Looks like that will work for us,” she told T’gana.

He studied the three of them thoughtfully, then nodded and pressed a few buttons. “Work will begin immediately. Now. Shall we discuss the current situation?”

T’kol watched his L’chka’s face as T’gana briefly explained the war with the Saviji, the alliance with the Icluthians, and their current concerns about the Saviji scouts. Impressed, but not particularly surprised by her quick grasp of the situation, he found his mind wandering back to the earlier encounter with T’lan. The senior commander had been surprisingly tolerant. Was it because of the current situation or was T’kol’s fear that their relationship would not be accepted another way of holding back that last piece of himself?

He envied H’sst. The other warrior seemed to have no hesitation at all. Of course, from what H’sst had told him, he had grown up as part of a close knit zimene, not with a mother and father who could barely stand each other. His parents had claimed a mating bond but neither of them had been happy and that had influenced his own doubts about such a bond. But now he tried to push those doubts aside. He would not let his unpleasant memories spoil what they had started here.

H’sst had been listening quietly to T’gana’s explanation, and now he leaned forward. At the last second, he shrugged and smiled, apparently decided not to speak. However, his eyes met T’kol’s and he understood the message. There were matters that they should discuss. His Yehrin warrior side wanted to demand that the lizard speak up, but as his brace mate, he found he was content to wait. Rather to his surprise, he trusted H’sst.

As the conversation drew to a conclusion, S’rah and L’zabet decided to go see R’chel.

“Do you wish me to accompany you?” he asked.

“No,” she said slowly. “I think it might be best if I talked to her alone first. Well, alone with Sarah to calm her down.”

“Perhaps it is just as well. I have duties to attend to.” The thought of returning to his daily routine held surprisingly little appeal.

T’gana cleared his throat. “Senior Commander T’lan has ordered that you devote your attention to the negotiations. All of your other duties are being handled.”

His fist clenched under the table. Perhaps T’lan had not been as accepting as he appeared.

“It is not a punishment, T’kol,” T’gana said quietly. “This is the most important issue facing the Yehrin Empire at the current time. And right now, you—all three of you—are in the best position to assist.”

Slowly his hand relaxed and he forced himself to nod. “I understand.”

“I will escort S’rah and L’zabet to R’chel’s domicile and I will return to meet with you this afternoon.”

“Very well.”

L’zabet came over and kissed him, a brief taste of fragrant warmth, before kissing H’sst and departing, leaving him alone with his brace mate.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Now what should we do?” T’kol asked, trying not to feel bereft without his—their—mate.

“I would be most grateful for a new thermal suit,” H’sst said ruefully, surveying the torn cloth. “I don’t do credit to our queen dressed in rags.”

He laughed. “I suppose not. Do you want to go to the queen’s residence to get a new one?”

“I think it might be best to stay away from there until we make an official visit.” H’sst raised a brow ridge. “If no one sees me, then no one can order me to return.”

“Would you?” he asked curiously. “Return, I mean?”

“No. And if it was another warrior, I would have no hesitation in declining.”

“Even if it was your commanding officer?”

H’sst shrugged. “They understand that a queen’s command must always come first. But that is my concern. If by some chance I should encounter Queen Adorissa… It is bred into us to always obey a queen and if my own queen is not there, it might be difficult to refuse her.”

“All right. Let me see what I can do.” He made a few quick calls. “A new suit will be delivered this afternoon. It will not be quite the same, but it should serve.”

“Thank you.” H’sst rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Now, unless you want me to beat you at cards again—”

“If I recall correctly, I won most of the games.”

“Only because I let you.” The other warrior grinned at him. “However, I was about to say that I would enjoy some exercise. Do you have a training facility? Preferably inside?”

“We do. Are you not concerned about being surrounded by Yehrin warriors?”

“Not when I have my brace mate at my side.”

A surprising warmth filled him at H’sst’s confidence.

“There is a training center inside this facility. Would you like to borrow a training uniform?”

H’sst nodded and a few minutes later they were on their way. The standard black training uniform did nothing to disguise H’sst’s appearance. If anything, it accentuated the differences. As they moved through the corridors, T’kol couldn’t help but wonder how his warriors were going to react. The Yehrin had a long-standing animosity with the Icluthians and although they had been working together to defeat the Saviji for the past few years, it was hard to overcome the historical antipathy between the races. For the warriors here on Earth, they had even less reason to trust the Icluthians because they had never fought side by side with them in battle.

A wave of relief swept over him when they entered the training center and found it empty—even though he knew it was only prolonging the inevitable.

“Do you have a preference?” In addition to the mats roped off for individual matches, a variety of areas dedicated to specific types of activity lined the walls.

“What is that?” H’sst pointed to the obstacle course that dominated one wall. Designed to test both strength and agility, it included everything from an area requiring the warrior to traverse a path across the top of widely spaced columns to using a metal bar to lift oneself from one level to another.

“Just a path,” he said casually. “You enter here and come out at the far end. If you can make it.”

“Why, that sounds like a challenge.” H’sst lifted a brow ridge.

He opened his mouth to agree, then swore. “One I would be happy to take but the medic ordered me not to strain my leg.”

“No, of course not. I had forgotten about your injury.” H’sst looked abashed, then gave him a slow smile. “Our queen would be most displeased if you injured yourself further and were unable to pleasure her.”

“It hasn’t stopped me so far,” he growled.

H’sst laughed and nodded. “You are most talented in that regard. I will see if my own talents extend to this path of yours.”

T’kol watched, reluctantly impressed, as H’sst moved through the course. He might not have the musculature of a Yehrin, but he was strong and fast.

“You move well,” he said when H’sst completed the circuit and returned to his side.

“Thank you.” The younger warrior looked delighted by the praise. “We train just as you do.”

“When does it begin?”

“In the nest.” H’sst grinned. “There is always competition amongst your nest mates. And I was from my dam’s second clutch, so our older nest mates made sure to try and keep us in line.”

As H’sst reminisced, T’kol realized that the Icluthian training was every bit as extensive as Yehrin training, even though they did not go to a Warrior House but trained in small local schools. They were discussing the merits of various bladed weapons when he heard a muttered curse and looked up to see B’nji approaching.

“That is L’zabet’s brother,” he said quickly. “He is not happy about our relationship.”

“He cares for her?”

“Yes, very much.”

“Then I will be patient.”

Hisst watched as the young human strode across the floor toward them. He was tall for a human, possibly even approaching Hisst in height, but he had the painfully thin build of a young male. He felt a fleeting pang of sympathy—he remembered those days all too well.

“T’kol,” the young male said, but his eyes were fixed on Hisst. “I would have thought you could find better company.”

“B’nji,” T’kol warned. “We had this discussion last night.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t like it then and I like it even less now. He’s a goddamn lizard.”

T’kol growled and started to stand, but Hisst put a restraining hand on his arm.

“Do you have an issue with Icluthians, young male?”

“Yeah, I do. Why the hell are you here on Earth anyway?”

“I’m not going to bother to answer that for my people since I suspect you know, but I am here for Lissie.” He very deliberately leaned forward. “She is my queen.”

“She’s not fucking yours.”

“But she is mine. Mine and T’kol’s.”

Benji’s face twisted. “That’s disgusting.”

His patience came to a rapid end and the words came out in a low hiss. “You are saying that your sister is disgusting?”

“No! Not her. It’s your fault.”

At the familiar cry of youth everywhere, his anger started to vanish. He suspected that his queen would not approve, but in his experience, the best way to resolve this type of tension was physically.

“You are very free with your accusations. Shall we see if your actions can match them?”

“You mean a training match?”

“Yes.”

Benji glanced at T’kol a little uncertainty, then his face hardened. “Sure. Bring it on.”

As Hisst followed him onto the training mat, he hoped his estimation had been correct. If he defeated the youth too easily, it would only increase his resentment. Fortunately, the match proved most satisfying. Benji had obviously been well-trained and he was a quick, smart fighter. He knew that he couldn’t match Hisst’s strength, so he relied on his technique instead. Hisst treated him as he would one of his nest mates, not holding back too much, but also not trying to inflict a decisive victory. He won the first bout, moved just slowly enough to let Benji win the second, and brought the third to a rapid conclusion.

As he climbed to his feet, he reached a hand down. To his relief, the young male shook his head and took it.

“You fight well, Hisst.”

“So do you,” he said sincerely.

“Look, I’m sorry about what I said.”

“I know you are.”

“It’s just, Lizzie deserves the best, you know?”

“I agree, and I will try to make sure that she has it.”

Benji studied him, then extended an arm. They clasped elbows and a feeling of satisfaction filled him. T’kol came to join them but didn’t make any reference to their match.

“What happened to J’ne and T’bitha? I thought they were coming to watch you?” T’kol asked.

The young male laughed and shook his head. “Jane left at the first sight of blood. I’ll bet Tabby would have stayed, she’s been training with T’gana since she was little, but she always follows her sister.”

“You are very patient with them.”

“Nah, they’re good kids.” Benji checked his wrist com and swore. “I have to run or I’m going to be late to class. Tell Lizzie I’ll come by later.”

“I will.”

The young male disappeared and T’kol nodded.

“That was well done. You gave him a way to express his anger.”

“I hope Lissie thinks so.”

“She is a female so probably not. But as long as the two of you have reached an understanding, she will be satisfied.”

As they walked back to T’kol’s quarters, Hisst finally asked the question that had been troubling him since their time in the cave.

“Why did you not claim Lissie before?”

T’kol hesitated, but eventually spoke. “She was very young when we met—too young—and I tasted her before I realized. But it haunted me, so I built up walls to keep her out. And every time she found a crack in one of those walls, I built them back stronger and taller.” He sighed. “If I had knocked them down sooner, she would never have met you.”

“I would not have been able to resist her,” he said honestly.

“I suspect that is because you are as reckless as she is.” T’kol looked at him thoughtfully. “Perhaps it is for the best. She needs two males to keep her in line.”

“We believe that it is a queen’s job to keep her males in line.”

“That is most definitely not the Yehrin way. We believe that it is our duty to protect and care for our mate above all else.”

“Are you unhappy with what has occurred?”

T’kol didn’t answer immediately. They had reached the small entry hall outside the entrance to his quarters. Through the glass exterior wall, they could see the snowy open meadow and the ring of residences surrounding it. More were visible amongst the trees.

“Most Yehrin believe that the bond between a warrior and his L’chka is unbreakable,” he said slowly. “It is something they search for all their life and cherish when they find it.”

“You do not believe that?”

“My parents were… unhappy. They used the terms, they claimed the bond, but it only served to make them both miserable.”

“And you also?”

“I was a child,” he said dismissively, his face rigid.

“A child is still conscious of an unhappy environment. When my dam was displeased with one of my sires, we all felt the tension.”

“Perhaps.”

Hisst suspected that was as much of a concession as he would get from the big warrior about his childhood misery.

“As a result, I suppose you could say that I was somewhat less optimistic about finding my own L’chka. And then I met L’zabet. Despite her youth, there was no doubt in my mind that I had found my L’chka.”

T’kol stared out across the meadow, but Hisst doubted that he was looking at the scenery.

“If I had claimed her then, perhaps it would have been different. But as I said, I built up walls, and the memory of my parents made up part of those walls. And she is human—she doesn’t even have the Yehrin instincts and culture telling her that this is a lifetime bond.”

“You think she will leave you? Leave us?” The thought horrified Hisst. A queen never abandoned her brace. In truth, some members might lose favor from time to time, but once she marked them, they were hers for life. Of course, Lissie had not yet marked him.

“I do not believe so. She may be restless, but her heart is loyal. When she gives her love, she gives it completely.” For the first time since the conversation started, T’kol looked directly at him. “I believe she has given her heart to you.”

“And you?”

“That part is perhaps more difficult to believe.”

“I don’t find it so.” Lissie’s affection for the Yehrin was quite clear and yet, aside from his initial feeling of dismay when T’kol had found them, he wasn’t troubled by it. He could accept that each of them brought different aspects to their relationship. He found the idea of Lissie with another Icluthian much more difficult to contemplate.

“I hope you are right. But to answer your original question, no, I am not unhappy.” T’kol shook his head. “Even though I never expected to be in a triad with a damn lizard.”

His tone was almost affectionate and Hisst didn’t take offense; however, the next voice to speak was clearly disdainful.

“What the fuck is that lizard doing here?” Two burly Yehrin warriors came down the corridor towards them. The one who had spoken drew up short as he looked beyond Hisst to see T’kol. “I did not see you there, Commander T’kol.”

“Since you are quite aware that the Icluthians are our guests, Officer T’fardar, my presence or absence should make no difference to your behavior.” T’kol’s voice echoed the cold outside.

“Yes, Commander.” Officer T’fardar gave Hisst an uncertain look. “But why is he here? These are the warriors’ quarters.”

“Officer H’sst is staying with me.”

“With you?” Shock and a hint of disgust flickered across the warrior’s face.

“Yes,” T’kol said briefly. “I believe you are scheduled for the afternoon patrol, T’fardar. I suggest you report to your post before you are late.”

The warrior couldn’t quite hide his scowl, and Hisst saw the look he exchanged with his comrade before both males saluted and left.

“You did not mention Lissie,” he said mildly.

“It is not their concern.” T’kol shrugged. “However, I suspect that all of New Haven will be aware of our situation before nightfall.” He looked back out at the meadow and sighed. “Another confrontation awaits. I see that R’chel has decided to accompany L’zabet.”

“Ah. L’zabet spoke of the older female with much affection.”

T’kol’s face lightened. “I am far from knowing everything about human females; however, I suggest that you not refer to her as the older female in her presence.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lizabet followed Rachel as she marched determinedly along the path to the warriors’ quarters and tried to control her annoyance. It had been inevitable that Rachel would demand to meet Hisst and while she didn’t really object, she found it annoying that Rachel had immediately gone into protective mode. Even Sarah had been surprised by how fiercely Rachel had voiced her initial objections.

“You leave to get over T’kol and you come back not only mated to him but to another alien as well. And an Icluthian at that?” Rachel demanded.

“Yes,” she said shortly, trying to contain her annoyance.

“What were you thinking? Or were you even thinking at all? This is just like you, Lizzie. Charging headfirst into a situation without even thinking about the consequences.”

That stung more than she’d like to admit, but she kept her voice calm. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you? What’s going to happen now? Is he going to stay here? Get a job? Or are you going to leave with him?” Rachel’s voice cracked and Lizabet was horrified to see tears in her eyes. Rachel rarely ever cried.

“I don’t know yet, Rach, but we’ll work it out.”

“You’ve spent all these years hell bent on mating with T’kol and now you’ve added this Icluthian? Are you sure?”

“I am. I lo— I care for him very much. And for T’kol. That’s the most important thing.”

“Is it? How can you be so reckless?”

“Rachel, you climbed down ten stories of rickety fire escape and swam through a mountain lake. I don’t think you can accuse me of being reckless.”

Rachel scowled at her. “I had to do that.”

“And I have to do this.”

“But what about your future?”

“I don’t know. Just like you didn’t know when you went off with T’chok,” she added pointedly.

“Love can make anyone reckless,” Sarah said soothingly. “Rachel only wants the best for you, right, Rachel?”

“Well, of course, but—”

“And you know that Lizzie is an intelligent young adult, right?”

“I suppose.” Rachel did not appear convinced.

“Then have a little faith in her,” Sarah said gently.

“I’ll remind you of this conversation in seven years when Jane turns eighteen and wants to run off with the first male she meets,” Rachel muttered.

Sarah shuddered. “Please don’t. At this point, I’m afraid she won’t even wait that long.” She smiled at the two of them. “But T’gana will never let anything happen to her. How does T’chok feel about this?”

“He told me it was Lizzie’s decision,” Rachel admitted reluctantly.

Thank you, T’chok, she thought silently. He had listened to her last night.

“But he’s also investigating this lizard.”

“What? He can’t do that.” Her appreciation disappeared immediately.

“He most certainly can. You don’t know anything about him.”

“I know a lot about him.”

“You’ve known him for less than a week.”

“And how long did you know T’chok?”

Rachel blushed. “Okay, you have a point there. But it’s different with the Yehrin. They know right away when they meet their mate.”

“Do they? Look how long it took for T’kol to make a claim on me.”

“How does he feel about this?” Sarah asked. “He didn’t say much this morning.”

“He said he was willing to try,” she said slowly. “When we were alone in the cave, I wasn’t worried about it at all.”

“And now?”

“It’s still fine when we’re alone. He bosses us around, but in a really good way.” Her cheeks heated, but both of the other women nodded. “And he treats Hisst almost like a younger brother. It’s just that when others are around, he seems very… stiff.”

“Most males aren’t known for their communication skills, regardless of their species.”

“I think Hisst is going to surprise you,” she said dryly.

“It is an unusual situation,” Sarah pointed out. “Maybe T’kol is just coming to terms with it.”

“I hope that’s all it is. I don’t want to lose either one of them.” The truth of that statement echoed in her head.

“Well, I want to meet him,” Rachel said. “Sarah, will you watch the girls?”

“Of course.”

Lizabet rolled her eyes and accepted the inevitable.

A few minutes later they were on their way back to T’kol’s quarters. Even Rachel’s back looked stiff and angry.

“Rach,” she said softly.

“What is it?”

“Please give him a chance. I know you think I’m being reckless, but I feel surer about this than anything else I’ve ever done. I really want it to work and I want you on my side.”

Rachel stopped and turned towards her. “Oh, Lizzie. I’m always on your side.”

“I know. You’ve been there for me since the first day on the ship. Can you please, please be here for me now?”

Some of the tension eased out of Rachel’s posture. “I’ll try my best to give him a fair chance. What’s he like?”

“Green.” When Rachel rolled her eyes, Lizabet laughed. “He’s sweet and funny but he’s also brave and fierce.”

“He sounds a lot like you.”

She ducked her head to hide the pleased look on her face.

“But if that’s true,” Rachel continued, “Where does T’kol come in?”

“It’s different with him. Like I said, he’s bossy but he’s also protective and caring. If I wanted to jump off a cliff, Hisst would jump with me but T’kol would be there to catch me—and now I think he would be there to catch both of us. Does that sound dumb?”

“No, Lizzie.” Rachel stopped and pulled her into a quick hug. “It sounds perfect for you.”

The two resumed walking, a little more slowly this time. After a thoughtful minute, Rachel shot her a speculative glance. “Isn’t there’s only one bed in T’kol’s room?”

Her cheeks heated again. “Yes.”

“You kinky girl,” Rachel teased.

“Oh, please. At least I don’t call either of them Daddy.”

Rachel blushed and laughed. “Smartass.”

They were still laughing as they approached the door. Through the surrounding windows, she could see T’kol and Hisst and her heart did a funny little flip. She had missed them, she realized. Even though they had only been apart for a few hours, she had felt their absence. As soon as she walked through the door and breathed in their familiar scents, something clicked into place, like the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle. She moved into Hisst’s arms and he immediately wrapped them around her. Since Rachel was present, she wasn’t sure if T’kol would also want a hug, but to her surprise, he stepped up behind her while she was still in Hisst’s arms and circled her from the back. She smiled happily at both of them.

“Hi, boys. What have you been up to?”

“I have been on the training path, but alas, T’kol could not follow me.” The black uniform that Hisst was wearing suited him—the dark color accenting the golden sheen to his green scales and the width of his shoulders.

“I told you that the medic would not let me participate,” T’kol growled.

“Of course, my brace mate. Did I say otherwise?” Hisst looked so innocent that both Lizabet and Rachel laughed.

“Hisst, this is Rachel—my friend and my sister.”

“I am pleased to meet one of Lissie’s fellow queens,” he said gravely, bowing his head to Rachel. “I have already met so many today—Sarah and the two young ones. Humans are greatly blessed.”

“Queen?” Rachel looked startled.

“It’s a long story,” she said. “Do you want to join us for lunch?”

“I don’t want to leave Sarah with my two ‘queens’ for too long, but maybe a cup of coffee?”

Despite her protest, Rachel stayed for another half hour and by the time she left, Lizabet was sure that she’d been won over by Hisst.

“Alone at last,” she said playfully. “Maybe we should take advantage—”

The door alarm sounded and T’gana appeared to brief them on the existing situation with both the Saviji and the Icluthians. Several times Hisst amended one of T’gana’s statements and the big warrior nodded gratefully. Before he could leave, Emily appeared. The senior commander’s mate had a baby in each arm, but it didn’t slow her bubbly personality or her relentless enthusiasm. Her older daughter, Emlan, watched everything from enormous green eyes with Yehrin slit pupils. She was almost a year older than Lizabet’s sisters, but she was a tiny little thing, with small black horns peeking from her blonde curls, and she spent most of the visit leaning against T’renan. The big, one-horned warrior had been her protector since she was born, and he showed no sign of relinquishing that responsibility.

Just as they left, Benji appeared with her sisters. To her surprise, he was cordial to Hisst. Knowing how much he identified with the Yehrin warriors, she wouldn’t have been surprised if he had been rude to the Icluthian. Sophie and Jannie were fascinated with Hisst and wanted to examine his eyes, and his nose, and his ears, all of which he bore with extreme patience. He seemed equally as curious about them and before long he was sitting on the floor playing tea party with them and keeping them giggling.

A pang of guilt hit her as she watched them. He would have made a wonderful father and now he would never have the chance.

“He’s okay,” Benji said grudgingly as he joined her on the couch.

“Hisst? I know he is, you twerp.”

“You really like him, Lizzie?”

“I do.”

“But you still like T’kol?” He dropped his voice, but she was quite sure that T’kol heard him from across the room where he was talking to T’renan because his body tensed.

“Very much so,” she said firmly, and saw T’kol relax. Was he really that unsure about her feelings?

“I don’t understand it.” Benji shook his head. “But if this is what you want, I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks, bug.” She hugged him and he returned it for a second before pushing her gently away.

“Don’t get all mushy on me, lizard breath.”

The old nickname made her choke with laughter and he flushed to the roots of his hair. She took pity on his embarrassment and changed the subject.

“Have you decided where you’re going to college?”

“No. I wanna stay close to home, but none of the nearby schools have the right programs.”

“It’s only four years, and you can come home whenever there’s a break.”

“I know.” He looked over at T’kol and T’renan, the longing obvious on his face. “But this is where I want to stay. This is part of me.”

No matter how much he wanted it, nothing was going to turn him into a Yehrin warrior. Since he knew that as well as she did, she changed the subject again and they were soon in a heated discussion about the latest flyer model.

More visitors came and went and by the time everyone finally left, she was exhausted. As soon as the door closed behind the last one, she yawned and stretched. “Can’t you put a lock on that thing? Turn out the lights? Disable the door alarm?”

T’kol shrugged. “This is intended as an office, not a social center.” An odd expression crossed his face as he picked up his tablet. “But T’lan did say that my other duties were being handled. I will indicate that we are not to be disturbed.”

“You are tired, my queen?” Hisst asked anxiously. He picked her up and sat back on the couch with her tucked against his chest and she settled into his arms. Mm, he smelled so good. “I wish we had a bathing pool so that I could take care of you.”

“We will tomorrow,” T’kol said grimly, looking up from his device.

“Really?”

“Yes. The residence should be assembled by then.” He scowled. “It has been decorated according to Icluthian tastes.”

She pushed gently at Hisst and as soon as he released her, she went over to T’kol and wrapped her arms around him.

“If you would rather stay here, I don’t care what T’lan thinks. We’ll stay here.” She hated seeing him look so unhappy.

To her relief, he returned her embrace, then bent his head to nuzzle at her curls.

“I believe you are forgetting that this entire building is under his command,” he said dryly. “But it is not really about my quarters. There is little enough here that is truly mine.”

“Then, what is it?”

“The relationship between a warrior and his L’chka should be private,” he said finally. She heard Hisst stand but T’kol shook his head. “You do not need to leave, H’sst. You are part of this relationship too. I just do not like feeling as if we are being used for other purposes.”

Hisst’s cool body pressed against her back but his eyes were focused on T’kol.

“What would you have us do?” he asked. “I think it is important to have this meeting, but if you do not want to go through with it, I will follow your lead.”

“You will?”

“Of course. You are my brace mate.”

T’kol unwrapped one arm from around her so that he could clasp Hisst’s shoulder. “Thank you, brace mate.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

For a long moment the three of them stood together in silence, but then the feel of L’zabet’s lush body pressed against T’kol’s had the inevitable effect on him. As his cock hardened, her nipples pressed against his chest and he caught the scent of her arousal, even as H’sst’s spice flooded the air. Despite the unexpected comfort of being surrounded by his mates, frustration still filled him. This relationship should have been theirs to explore, not a tool to be utilized.

“Shall we adjourn to the bedroom?” Lizabet whispered.

He wanted to lose himself in her soft body as much as he had ever wanted anything in his life, but…

“I am not sure that I can be gentle, my L’chka.”

“I do not believe that you would hurt her,” H’sst protested.

“No. But I will fuck her. Hard. So that she feels every inch of me in that tight little cunt.”

L’zabet’s funny round pupils dilated and her scent deepened.

“I’m okay with that.” She swayed towards him.

“This is your wish, my queen?” H’sst asked.

“Oh, yes.”

T’kol scooped her up and headed for the bedroom. As he went to place her on the bed, he suddenly realized that his leg was never going to allow him to take her the way he wanted. Trying to suppress his annoyance, he let her slide to the ground.

“Remove your clothing.”

The color on her cheeks deepened, but she did not protest. As soon as she discarded her garments, H’sst stepped up behind her, his hands curving around to cup her breasts and toy with her already distended nipples. The sight gave him an idea.

“Put your hands under her thighs and lift her into the air facing me,” he ordered. “L’zabet, reach back and put your arms around H’sst’s neck.”

Neither one of them hesitated and a wave of satisfaction washed over him.

“Now spread her legs.”

Perfect. H’sst held her suspended in mid-air, her pale skin glowing against the Icluthian’s golden green scales. With her arms around his neck, her luscious breasts jutted forward, flushed pink with arousal, and her nipples as hard and red as two ripe berries, while his stone glowed between them. Between her legs, coppery curls framed her delicate pink folds, already glistening with arousal. He fisted his cock, taking in the erotic sight, and her eyes followed the movement, a small pink tongue wetting her lips.

“T’kol,” she whispered.

“Do you like this, my jewel? Being spread open for my pleasure?’ He stepped closer, close enough that his cock brushed against the silken heat between her legs, then bent his head, his mouth voraciously attacking a taut peak. She gave a breathless gasp and arched against him, causing his cock to slide deeper between her folds. He deliberately dragged the roughened surface over the swollen pearl of her clit and felt it throb beneath him. She tried to writhe but H’sst held her firmly in place.

“You are beautiful, my queen.”

Knowing that the Icluthian watched only added to his urgency.

“I can not wait any longer.”

He adjusted his angle and all three of them watched as the broad grey head probed the small entrance. Even with the copious wetness bathing his head, he struggled to breach the tight ring of muscle. He grabbed her hips and thrust harder. As her body stretched to accommodate him and he finally delved inside, a current of energy flowed between the three. H’sst’s scent and L’zabet’s arousal made his head swim. It took all of his self-control to moderate his pace and let her body adjust as he pushed slowly, inexorably deeper until she took all of him.

“Brace her,” he ordered with his last shred of restraint. H’sst pulled her upper body tight against his chest, his hands covering her breasts, and T’kol lost all reason. Pulling her hips against his with every thrust, he slammed into her over and over, his hearts thundering, the pressure already building at the base of his spine as he sought to bury himself deeper, harder into his mate. Fire roared through his veins as he exploded. He felt her channel convulsing around him as his own body shuddered and H’sst supported them both. His legs trembled, and his injured leg ached, but satisfaction filled him. This bond between them felt so right.

A sharp sibilant sound penetrated his contentment and he looked up to meet H’sst’s eyes. The obvious need in them forced him to pull free. As soon as he withdrew, H’sst spun L’zabet around and brought her down on his primary cock. Her back arched and she cried out with pleasure. For once there was nothing slow or gentle about H’sst’s actions. He thrust into her as eagerly as T’kol had done, while she keened her pleasure and clung to him.

T’kol had thought himself sated, but the sight of his mate being so thoroughly pleasured had his shaft stiffening once more. He moved up behind her, his cock cradled delightfully between her lush buttocks. For a moment he was tempted to take advantage of her second tight little hole, but she was not prepared, and he would not cause her pain.

That did not mean, however, that he could not continue her training. He dipped a finger in her copious moisture, then circled her bottom hole. He pressed gently against the small entrance, not forcing his way in, but each stroke that H’sst made pushed her back against his finger until at last the tight ring gave way and he slipped inside.

Her cries increased and he felt her convulsing around his finger, the grip so tight that he could barely move. H’sst let out a matching cry and T’kol felt him harden through the thin membrane separating them. The feel of both his mates’ pleasure triggered his own, and he came in a second heated rush, coating her back in his seed.

L’zabet cried out again when he removed his finger, then collapsed forward onto H’sst’s chest. She turned her head enough to give him a sleepy smile.

“It just keeps getting better.”

“Yes, my L’chka.” His earlier frustration had disappeared, and he was filled with contentment. He lifted her gently free of H’sst and cradled her in his arms as the Icluthian also gave him a contented smile.

“Now, I think that all of us could use a shower. Then I assume a quiet dinner alone?”

“Mm, that’s sounds nice.” She snuggled closer.

“Most definitely,” H’sst agreed as he followed them into the sanitary facility and turned on the water. “And perhaps a game of cards?”

L’zabet raised her head at that and gave them both a speculative look. “There’s one game we never got around to playing in the cave. Have you ever heard of strip poker?”

The next morning, they moved into their new domicile. It was at the farthest end of the meadow, overlooking the valley below and a cynical part of him wondered if the separation had been on purpose. He had no particular sentiment towards his quarters—although last night had certainly created some pleasant memories—but it definitely felt odd to be leaving the place where he had been housed for the past six years.

He had one container for his clothes and another for his carvings and a few additional personal items. Very little to show for his life to date, but then again, he had never been bound by material things. He tucked them under his arm as he opened the door to their new domicile and led the way inside. Since he had been in the queen’s building, the explosion of color and texture didn’t surprise him, but it didn’t make it any more palatable. The standard white walls and black floor of a Yehrin dwelling were hidden behind deep patterned rugs and embroidered wall hangings. Two plush semi-circular couches faced each other across an array of small tables in the center of the room.

“Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this,” L’zabet breathed.

H’sst nodded approvingly. “This is an appropriate setting for your beauty.”

“You don’t think it’s kind of gaudy?”

“I don’t understand.” H’sst rubbed his chin, looking distressed. “It doesn’t please you?”

Her face softened. “No, it’s fine. I’m just not used to it.”

“The bedroom is back this way.” T’kol led the way.

Wide double doors opened into an even more elaborate bedroom, but the enormous bed at the center of the space did much to reconcile him to the decor.

“The bathing pool should be over here.” H’sst led the way through another set of doors.

This time they all smiled. Water trickled down a wall of golden mosaic tiles to land in an enormous circular pool filled with gently steaming water. He could see various ledges and seats under the water so that there were many options for seating—or more enjoyable activities. He had a very clear image of L’zabet, flushed and damp, sprawled across one of those ledges while he plunged into her willing cunt and H’sst pleasured her exquisite little mouth. The realization that he’d automatically included the other warrior in the erotic image brought him to a sudden halt.

“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?” L’zabet asked.

“No,” he said slowly. “In fact, I think perhaps something is very right.”

She looked so adorably confused that he picked her up and kissed her until her confusion turned to heat. When he lifted his head, he grinned at H’sst.

“Shall we see how much our mate enjoys her pool?”

The door alarm chimed.

Fuck. He released L’zabet and headed for the front door. He checked the monitor, then slid the door panel open to be confronted with a strange Icluthian. This was the first time that he’d seen one away from the queen, but even without the silver suit the stranger was wearing, he would instantly have known that it was not H’sst. Over the past few days his brace mate’s features had become almost as well-known to him as his own.

“Yes?” he asked.

H’sst appeared next to him.

“What are you doing here, Rasster?”

The new warrior raised a brow ridge, somehow managing to appear condescending even in that one gesture.

“Is that any way to greet one of your nest mates?”

“Now you choose to acknowledge our relationship?” H’sst asked.

T’kol noticed the tension in H’sst’s frame and realized that his brace mate did not seem pleased by the visit from his fellow Icluthian. He instinctively placed himself shoulder to shoulder with H’sst.

“Do you have business here?” he growled.

“Why yes. Queen Adorissa is devastated that my nest mate has not chosen to report to her and assure her of his well-being.”

“What’s happening?”

At the sound of the soft voice from behind them, both he and H’sst tensed. Before he could urge L’zabet to withdraw, she poked her head in between them. R’sster’s eyes widened.

“And who is this?” he asked.

T’kol growled again. He did not appreciate the speculative nature of the question nor the way R’sster’s eyes lingered on L’zabet.

H’sst studied the other warrior, then with an almost apologetic look at T’kol, he stepped to one side so that L’zabet was clearly visible and put his arm around her.

“This is our queen,” he said proudly.

L’zabet flushed and R’sster let out a soft hiss. An acrid scent washed over them and H’sst immediately stepped back in front of Lizabet. His hand went to the blast tube on the weapons belt that T’kol had given him.

“She is not for you,” H’sst said, his voice low and dangerous.

“I believe that is for her to decide,” R’sster said.

H’sst hesitated, clearly torn, however T’kol had no such hesitation. He stepped forward, using his larger size to force R’sster to retreat.

“She has decided,” he said. “Unless you have further business, it is time for you to leave.”

Rasster took a step back before he caught himself. “I came to escort Hisst to Queen Adorissa.”

“He will accompany our queen when she meets with Queen Adorissa,” he said firmly, and before the Icluthian could respond, he shut the door in his face.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Hisst stared at the closed door and fought to keep his temper in check. While he was still a little surprised that Queen Adorissa seemed to have an interest in his welfare, he was not at all surprised that Rasster was the one who had come to retrieve him. Rasster was from his dam’s first clutch and had never overlooked an opportunity to assert his position in the nest and to make Hisst feel lesser.

“What was that all about?” Lissie asked, her delicate little fingers touching his arm. “Are you in trouble because you did not report to the queen?”

“As I said before, as my queen you have the ultimate claim over me.” He shook his head. “I still do not understand why she is interested in me.”

“Maybe because you’re such a handsome warrior?” Lissie smiled up at him, and his heart skipped. What had he done to deserve such a caring queen?

“I do not like it,” T’kol said, regarding him thoughtfully. “Is there more at stake here than just a mission to exchange information?”

“If there is, I am not aware of it. But I am only a junior officer. It is quite possible that matters have been discussed at a higher level of which I am not aware.”

Lissie sighed. “I suppose the only way to find out is to have this meeting with the queen. T’kol, do you know if it has been arranged?”

T’kol was already tapping at his wrist device with his claws.

“T’gana says that we are to join the queen for the noon meal.”

“That doesn’t give us much time,” Lissie said. “Do you know if my outfit is ready?”

Hisst had provided T’gana with the specifications for clothing that would emphasize Lissie’s status and they were being prepared. T’kol’s claws kept tapping.

“He says they are ready so I will go and pick them up. H’sst, will you go over the meeting protocol with L’zabet?”

“I think I understand what I need to do,” Lizabet protested.

T’kol raised a brow. “Are you accustomed to meeting with a queen from a new race?”

“You know damn well I’m not.” She scowled at him. “Don’t you have any faith in me?”

In response, T’kol lifted her into his arms and kissed her until her stiff body relaxed and she returned the embrace. Hisst’s kradx stirred at the sight of his mate flushed and willing in his brace mate’s arms. He stepped closer to appreciate her deepening scent and started dropping a line of kisses along her shoulder. She sighed happily and reached back a hand to caress his cheek.

“Do we have time to try the bathing pool after all?” Her voice was husky with arousal.

T’kol hesitated, then checked his wrist device. “I am afraid not, my L’chka. To be late would be to cause offense, and I do not wish to hurry through our enjoyment of your luscious body.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she said affectionately, then gave him a teasing smile. “Maybe I should show Hisst what a quickie means.”

T’kol gave a quick smack to one round buttock. Hisst fought back his instinctive desire to protest. He knew that T’kol would never harm their mate—in fact, he had observed that Lissie seemed to enjoy the mild reprimand. Even now, her scent deepened, and she wiggled in T’kol’s arms.

“You will behave yourself until I return.” T’kol kissed her again and let her slide to the ground. “I will return as soon as possible.”

When the door closed behind him, Lissie gave him a speculative look. He laughed and held up his hands.

“Do not tempt me, my queen.”

“Why not?” Her face turned from teasing to serious. To his relief, she did not seem annoyed, merely curious. “Will you always do as T’kol orders?”

He rubbed his chin and considered the matter.

“Of course, I would never do anything that would result in your harm, but neither do I believe that he would ever order me to do anything to cause you harm. Otherwise…” He regarded her seriously.
“There is always a ranking within the nest. It is important to him to be in command and I am willing to give that to him.”

“You don’t want to be in control?”

“No.” He gave her a slow smile. “And of course, there are more ways to be in control then just by giving orders. I suspect you can appreciate that.”

She laughed. “I’ve seen how you play cards. You’re very sneaky, Hisst.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“You can choose to take it that way.” She put her arms around him and smiled up at him. “You know, a week ago, I never thought that I would be this happy. First finding you and then having T’kol find us… I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”

“This is far beyond my expectations as well,” he said sincerely. “To have a queen such as you and yes, a brace mate such as T’kol. It is much more than I had expected.”

Only one thing disturbed his happiness. Rasster’s appearance and his thankfully futile attempt to entice Lizabet had reminded him that most queens decided to increase their brace as soon as the initial joining had been completed. Admittedly, Lissie had shown no interest in other warriors, and T’kol had seemed very confident that she would not, but the worry lingered. Having had the opportunity to participate in such a small brace, to know his queen so intimately and to know that she cared for him as an individual, these were things he did not want to lose. He thought about asking her to confirm that she was satisfied, but in the end, he decided not to raise the subject.

“Now, about those lessons…”

They were just finishing the review when Hisst looked out through the window to see T’kol coming up the path to the residence with a container under his arm. As he neared the building, the two Yehrin warriors who had confronted them earlier that day stepped out of the woods. Hisst did not trust their aggressive posture or the fact that they appeared to have been lying in wait and found himself walking over to the window to observe. He saw T’kol tense, and immediately headed for the door.

“What’s the matter?” Lissie jumped up and followed him.

“I’m not sure,” he said, “but I don’t trust those two.”

She peered out the window. “I don’t know the smaller one, but Officer T’fardar has always been kind of a jerk. He tried to get a breeding contract and couldn’t get matched with any females.” Her copper furred brows drew together. “I’ve seen him at the training matches. He’s vicious.”

“I’m going out there.”

“Then I’m coming with you.”

He turned and placed his hands on her shoulder. “No. my queen. You must stay here.”

“Why? If T’kol’s in trouble, I want to help.”

“Lissie, please. I can’t help T’kol if I’m worried about you too.”

She looked past him to where the two officers were obviously confronting T’kol and sighed. “Okay, fine. But if it looks like the two of you are in trouble, I’m coming out.”

“To save us?”

“If nothing else, they should think twice about hurting me. T’chok would kick their ass and they know it.”

He pressed a quick kiss on her sweet lips and went to join his brace mate.

The cold hit him as soon as he stepped outside, and he hastily pulled the hood of his thermal suit up over his head. Fortunately, the Yehrin-made suit worked as well as one of his own Icluthian suits and he should be able to handle the cold long enough to assist T’kol.

“I already told you I had no intention of explaining my actions to you or to anyone else.” T’kol’s voice was as icy as their surroundings as Hisst approached the trio.

“It is not that fucking easy,” Officer T’fardar blustered. “These human females are supposed to be our chance at having permanent mates. And you are willing to fucking share one?”

“It is not like they feel the bond the way that we do,” the other warrior interjected. “What if they all decide they want to have multiple mates?”

“It has not been an issue so far,” T’kol said calmly. “Now return to your duties.”

“We are off duty and you are not in charge anymore.”

Hisst saw T’kol’s back stiffen.

“I am still a Commander of the Yehrin fleet, and you will do as I command.”

The two warriors looked at each other and then they both stepped forward, the larger one getting right in T’kol’s face.

“Listen, you fucking lizard lover, you need to put an end to this. Show that little bitch that she can only have one male. And if you are not warrior enough for her, I would be happy to show her what a real Yehrin warrior can do for her.” He grabbed his crotch suggestively.

The snowy landscape disappeared in a haze of red. Hisst went for the vile male who dared to insult his queen but before he could get there, T’kol’s claws were at the warrior’s throat. The second warrior aimed his own claws at T’kol’s undefended back but Hisst grabbed his arm and yanked it up behind his back before he could strike.

“Let go of me, you fucking lizard,” the warrior growled, but Hisst had him in a firm grip and he couldn’t move. The male tried throwing his horns back but Hisst pulled his arm even higher, forcing him to bow forward in order to avoid having his arm broken. He looked over to see that T’kol’s claws were now buried in the other warrior’s neck.

“You will never speak that way about our female again. If I hear even the slightest rumor about her, you will meet me in the challenge circle, and it will be a death match.” More blood flowed from around his claws. “Do I make myself clear?”

Officer T’fardar actually hesitated and Hisst wondered what the consequences would be if T’kol ended the worthless warrior’s life. The male he held in his own grip gasped. “Do not be an idiot, T’fardar.”

Reluctantly, the officer growled his agreement. Before letting him go, T’kol raked his claws from T’fardar’s neck down across his chest, leaving three deep bloody gashes. “That is so that you remember this discussion.”

With a contemptuous shove, T’kol pushed T’fardar away and deliberately turned his back on him. The male glared at him with hate filled eyes, but he did not pursue the attack.

“Are you going to behave sensibly?” Hisst asked his own prisoner.

“Yes,” he growled.

Despite his obvious defiance, Hisst released him and moved to stand next to T’kol. The other two males glared at them and T’fardar’s hand inched towards his weapon belt. Both he and T’kol echoed the gesture and after a tense moment, T’fardar lowered his hand. He turned away with a disgusted growl and his companion followed, keeping a wary eye on T’kol and Hisst as he moved down the pathway.

T’kol stared after them, his eyes still blazing green fire.

“I wonder if I should have ended it there,” he said.

“It is a tempting prospect,” Hisst agreed. “No male should be allowed to speak like that about our queen.”

T’kol sighed. “One of the things that I have learned as a commander is that sometimes the preferable action must be delayed for the expedient action. I must bring this to T’lan. He needs to determine if this a symptom of a deeper problem.”

“A deeper problem?”

“Many of our warriors have found human mates, but certainly not all. If this is cause for unrest amongst the warriors, it needs to be addressed.”

“I understand. We also have much competition amongst the warriors who are seeking to be chosen by a queen.”

Since T’fardar and his companion were now out of sight, T’kol picked up the discarded container and they headed back towards the residence.

“How do you handle it? Not knowing if you’ll be selected?” T’kol asked.

“We know that most of us will be, eventually.” He shrugged. “Perhaps by a lesser queen or by a queen who already has a large brace, but even then, there is comfort in knowing that you have been chosen and that you have found your new zimene.”

They were just outside the door now and T’kol reached out and clasped his shoulder.

“I find I share that comfort. Thank you, my brother.”

Hisst grinned at him. “I am quite sure you did not need my assistance; however, our queen would be most displeased if you caused additional damage to your leg.”

“You’re damn right I would.” Lissie stood at the open door, a blast tube at her side. “Are you choosing to stand outside and talk all day or are you going to come in out of the cold?”

They followed her inside and she looked from one to the other.

“I don’t suppose that you’re going to tell me what that was about?”

“No, my L’chka.”

“Hmph.” Her gaze traveled to him speculatively, and then she shook her head. “And I suspect you will be just as close mouthed.”

“You would not expect me to betray a confidence?” he asked, giving her his most innocent look.

“Not even if your queen demanded it?”

The question unsettled him. In his previous life, it would never have occurred to him to hesitate in complying with a queen’s request, but things seemed so different here on Earth. Everything about the situation was new. Was he behaving inappropriately, even though his instincts told him to follow T’kol’s lead?

Lissie must have recognized his distress because she stepped forward and reached up to put her hand on his cheek.

“Don’t worry, Hisst. I was teasing. I never want to set you two against each other.”

Yet another example of the difference between an Icluthian queen and a human queen. An Icluthian queen would frequently cause disruption amongst her brace, either to determine the strongest member or even simply for her amusement.

“Thank you, my queen,” he said sincerely. “I am the luckiest of all warriors.”

“We are both blessed,” T’kol agreed as he handed Hisst the container. “These are the initial outfits. Can you assist L’zabet? I wish to speak to T’lan.”

“Are you leaving again?” Lissie asked. “You are coming to see Queen Adorissa with us, aren’t you?”

“Of course, my L’chka.” T’kol smiled at her. “However, I suspect that it will take you longer to prepare than it will take me. I will return shortly.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Lizabet did a slow turn, admiring herself in the mirror. Hisst had helped her dress while T’kol went to discuss the situation with the two officers with T’lan.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said.

Her gown was made from an emerald green silk fabric that rose up behind her head in a stiffened ruff. Hisst had directed her to arrange her curls in a loose bun on top of her head so that her face was clearly framed by the stiff material. The front of the gown opened all the way from her neck to below her belly button, each side edged by a row of silver embroidery. The inside curve of her breasts was clearly visible, and even though she was used to wearing revealing clothing, this was a little bit more than she generally revealed. However, the look of appreciation in Hisst’s eyes did much to offset her self-consciousness.

“This is a traditional outfit for a queen?”

“Yes, my queen. But never have I seen it worn so well.”

She lifted her hand to the dargan stone dangling between her breasts.

“And the jewelry is acceptable?”

“Yes, of course.” He frowned. “I wish that I had a present to give you that would also enhance your beauty.”

Her throat ached. He really was so sweet. She stopped admiring herself in the mirror and moved over to put her arms around him.

“You’re the only present I need, Hisst,” she said softly.

The door monitor chimed softly and Hisst immediately tensed. It still astounded her how quickly he could switch from devoted lover to prepared warrior. But then his shoulders relaxed.

“It is your sire.”

“T’chok?” She cast a rueful look down at her garment. He was not going to approve. Taking a deep breath—which did interesting things to the neckline of her gown—she accompanied Hisst as he went to let him in.

T’chok took one look at her outfit and outrage filled his face.

“This is not acceptable,” he roared at Hisst.

Hisst looked remarkably calm. “She is properly dressed by our customs. Indeed, this outfit would only be worn by a queen of the highest rank.”

T’chok scowled. “I do not like it.”

“You never like my outfits,” she pointed out. “At least this one isn’t ripped, and for that matter, it reaches all the way to my ankles.”

“A small benefit,” he muttered.

“Did you just come here to give me a hard time about my clothing?” She grinned up at him, unfazed by his anger. T’chok had always been there for her and she had no doubt that despite his bluster, he was here for her now.

His horns lowered as concern crossed his face. “T’gana has informed me that Queen Adorissa is insisting on meeting with you alone.”

“Alone?” Her heart started to thump uncomfortably.

“Alone does not mean without your warriors,” Hisst said firmly.

T’chok nodded reluctantly. “That is correct. She merely stated that no other Yehrin could accompany you. I do not like it.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” she said as reassuringly as possible, trying to hide her own doubts. “Maybe she just wants to have a little girl talk.”

“It is most common for queens to only speak with other queens,” Hisst agreed. “I was surprised to learn that she had even agreed to meet with Senior Commander T’lan.”

T’chok sighed. “I must admit that it was not successful visit. So as much as I dislike her request, I suppose we have no choice.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” she said, and patted his arm. “We’re in the middle of New Haven. What is she going to do?”

“I suppose you are right.” T’chok fastened a burning blue gaze on Hisst. “You will ensure her safety.”

It was not a request, but Hisst nodded solemnly. “With my life.”

T’chok studied him, then dipped his own head. “Very well. I can at least accompany you to her residence, and I will wait outside until you return.”

The familiar lump filled her throat. After fifteen years with a father whose only interest in her was that she took care of the house and stayed out of his sight, T’chok’s kindness and concern still surprised and delighted her. She gave him a quick hug and then turned a watery smile on Hisst.

“Is there anything else I need to do to get ready?”

“The ceremonial belt.” He cast a somewhat nervous glance at T’chok, although it seemed an innocuous enough piece of clothing. “It is traditionally fastened by your brace.”

T’chok frowned, but he did not seem unduly upset. “I will wait here.” He sat cautiously on the low couch, a disgusted expression on his face. “I do not understand this desire for furniture designed to trap you in its embrace.”

She giggled. “Some of us like to be comfortable.”

His face softened. “If it makes you happy, then I can accept it, my daughter.”

“Please send T’kol to join us as soon as he returns,” Hisst said lightly as he urged her back towards the bedroom.

As soon as they were inside, she turned to him. “Do you know why she won’t let the Yehrin accompany us? Do you think something is wrong?”

“No, I do not believe so. I think perhaps it is a good sign Queen Adorissa is treating you as another queen.” Despite his words, he did not look quite as certain as she would have liked.

“Is this one of those occasions where there is something you’re not telling me because you think I’ll be worried?” she asked suspiciously.

He shook his head. “No, Lissie. I just suspect that this will be a new experience for all of us. I am not sure that Queen Adorissa has met with anyone outside of her own species prior to this visit.”

“But I thought…” She hesitated, trying to find a tactful way to state her question. “I thought that the Icluthians also… explored other planets.”

He raised a brow ridge. “Do you mean conquered?”

That was exactly what she had been trying not to say. The heat rose in her cheeks, and she shrugged.

“My understanding of Yehrin history is admittedly limited, but I was under the impression that both you and they were competing for planets.”

“To a certain extent that’s true, although the Icluthians have always had a preference for uninhabited planets.” He looked out the window at the snowy landscape and shuddered. “And preferably ones with a more comfortable climate. However, that did not mean that we did not often challenge each other over a specific solar system. Some resources are always in demand.”

That made sense now that she thought about it. And of course, the Icluthians did not seem to suffer from the same need to find mates which troubled the Yehrin.

Hisst raised his head and his cheeks fluttered.

“Our mate approaches.”

T’kol walked into the bedroom, took one look at her and growled.

“That outfit is not appropriate.”

“Hisst says it is what a queen should wear,” she informed him.

T’kol gave Hisst an outraged glare. “You want to reveal our mate’s body to other males?”

Hisst sighed. “As I explained to T’chok, this outfit establishes her status. It also speaks highly of us as her warriors. Only a queen with a powerful brace would choose to wear the traditional gown.”

T’kol stopped scowling as he considered Hisst’s response. “The power of a brace is not determined by its size?”

Hisst shook his head. “Not at all. While it is true that some queens choose to enhance their status by collecting a large brace—my dam was one of those—the worth of the brace is in the worth of the individual members.”

“I still do not like it.” Despite his words, T’kol seemed somewhat appeased by Hisst’s statement. “But I suppose I have no choice. Are we ready to leave?”

“There is one more thing.” Hisst reached back into the box that had contained her outfit and pulled out a small case. He opened it to reveal two strands of sparkling silver metal inlaid with tiny stones. “This is her belt. Each strand represents a member of her brace. It is traditional that we place it around her together, weaving the strands together.”

With Hisst guiding T’kol, the two males intertwined the strands in a complicated pattern, the resulting belt resting low on her hips with the free ends falling down between her legs. The feel of their fingers caressing her through the thin silk as they constructed the belt caused an ache in her pussy and her nipples tightened. When they finished and she surveyed herself in the mirror, she realized how blatantly sexual the belt appeared, drawing the eye directly to her sex. Her cheeks flushed as Hisst stepped up to one side of her and T’kol to the other.

The three of them made a striking picture. T’kol in his severe black uniform, with his arms bare and his horns towering over his head, looked every inch a warrior. Hisst was equally as striking, completely covered in the tight black suit that accentuated his lean muscular build and made a distinct contrast to his golden green scales. Even with her curves, she looked tiny between the two tall figures, but the gown gave her a regal appearance despite its unabashed sensuality.

“We look good together,” she said softly.

“We are good together.” Surprisingly, T’kol had been the one to speak and she turned to him.

“Do you mean that, T’kol?”

He looked at her, and then at Hisst watching them both intently, and nodded firmly.

“Yes, my L’chka. While this is certainly not what I had envisioned for my future, I find that having two mates is a far more rewarding experience than I had anticipated.”

Tears threatened her carefully applied makeup and she blinked them back, smiling at both males.

“Then let’s go show Queen Adorissa what a worthy brace truly looks like.”

Her happiness supported her all the way to Queen Adorissa’s door.

Unfortunately, she immediately recognized the Icluthian warrior to open the door—it was the same unpleasant male who had visited them earlier. Once again, an acrid scent washed over her and Hisst snarled.

“I told you that she was not interested.”

The warrior smirked at him. “And I told you, it was her choice.”

Did he seriously think that he was going to attract her attention? She opened her mouth to tell him in no uncertain terms that she was not interested, when a low voice came from behind him.

“Rasster, move aside. My guests do not have time for your futile and embarrassing attempts to attract attention.” The male meekly bowed his head, however, she noticed that he appeared to be hiding anger rather than shame.

As they stepped into the building, her attention was diverted to the Icluthian queen coming towards her. Like Lizabet, she was dressed in a flowing gown, although hers was a rich gold that accented the pale green hue of her scales. The neckline of her gown descended even further than Lizabet’s, almost to the top of her pubic area, revealing a strip of pale pink scales down her front. Two smaller strips of pink scales also appeared on her cheeks. As she surveyed the queen’s coloring, she realized why Hisst had always seemed so interested in her blushes.

She let him remove the cloak that matched her gown before turning to the queen. According to Hisst’s instructions, she did not bow to her but merely inclined her head.

“Greetings, Queen Adorissa.”

“I am most pleased to present Queen Lissie,” Hisst said proudly.

Adorissa gave him a speculative look but nodded to Lizabet instead.

“I am delighted that you found time to join us for a meal.”

“Thank you for inviting me.”

“It is well that you have begun to collect your own brace.” Adorissa’s gaze flickered over the two males flanking Lizabet. “A promising beginning, but I do hope you intend to expand it further. Your status will only be enhanced by a larger brace.”

She felt, rather than heard, T’kol growl and knew Hisst stiffened.

“I couldn’t ask for a better brace,” she said quietly, remembering Hisst’s earlier words. “I’m quite satisfied with these two, Queen Adorissa.”

“Call me Adorissa.” The queen waved a hand. “A pity, but at least you had the sense to gather more than one male. I don’t understand how any female can be satisfied with a single mate.” She shuddered delicately, then indicated the low couch next to her. “Please be seated.”

“Thank you.” She took a seat on the low couch, uncomfortably aware that the opening to her gown spread even wider as she sat.

T’kol and Hisst moved into position behind her, mirroring the two warriors standing behind Adorissa’s couch. When Hisst had explained the expected behavior to her, she had protested. Why couldn’t they eat with her and the queen? He had assured her that to do so would lower her standing. Her brace was expected to keep watch over her at all times.

“I don’t see why you can’t watch over me and eat at the same time.”

He laughed and tucked her closer. “Or even watch over you and eat you at the same time.”

Now she hid a smile as she remembered his devilish grin and kept a neutral expression plastered on her face. An array of small dishes were scattered across the tables in front of her, each of them beautifully prepared and entirely unrecognizable. Hisst had assured her that they would be safe for human consumption and T’kol promised that he would scan them unobtrusively to confirm their safety.

Putting her faith in her warriors, she mirrored Adorissa and took small bites from the assortment of dishes. Thankfully, none of them were repulsive, although a few of them were not truly pleasant either. A thick golden wine accompanied the repast and that she enjoyed tremendously.

Adorissa made polite conversation, telling small stories of amusing incidents that had occurred on board the ship. She also probed delicately at Lizabet’s background.

For her part, she made no attempt to conceal anything. Instead, she discussed her studies, using the same light tone. The queen’s face remained as neutral as her own, but the meal passed pleasantly enough.

After the meal was completed, the dishes were cleared away by another silent Icluthian, and the two females contemplated each other. Lizabet decided to be blunt.

“Why did you refuse to meet with the Yehrin? It is our understanding that you wish to provide some information to assist in the war against the Saviji.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Queen Adorissa contemplated Lizabet, then sighed.

“You are correct that we journeyed here with the intention of discussing our information with the Yehrin. I was, perhaps, not fully prepared for the absence of a queen with whom to discuss these matters.”

“There are both human and Yehrin females here.”

The queen waved a dismissive hand.

“Females, yes. Queens, no.”

“Because they have no brace?”

“Exactly.” For the first time, some of Adorissa’s composure seemed to depart. “And I believe this is a matter which requires discussion with a queen.”

“I’m listening,” Lizabet said softly.

Adorissa studied her, then nodded at T’kol and Hisst still standing silently behind her couch. “I wish to speak to you privately.”

She heard T’kol growl, but she ignored him. Whatever the queen wanted to say, apparently, she was not going to say it in front of any males.

“Very well,” she said. “However, they will remain within a short distance.”

Queen Adorissa nodded, a look of relief briefly crossing her face. “Perhaps we could adjourn to my bedroom? Your warriors may remain here.” She gestured at the double doors behind them. “This is the only entrance into the room.”

Now Lizabet turned to look at Hisst. He gave a slight nod. T’kol did not look as convinced but he also nodded.

“I will inspect first,” he growled.

Both of the warriors behind Adorissa tensed, but she lifted a shoulder.

“If you wish. Nosstra will accompany you.”

“That is acceptable,” T’kol said shortly.

T’kol and the chosen Icluthian disappeared through the bedroom doors while Hisst remained at her back. Adorissa’s eyes traveled to him, wandering over his body in a way that Lizabet did not appreciate in the least.

“You did not ask my permission to leave the ship,” Adorissa said, her voice cool.

“No, Queen Adorissa. I wished to see something of this planet. I did not intend to be gone for long.”

For a moment, Lizabet thought that the queen was about to speak; however, before she could say anything, T’kol returned.

“We will wait out here,” he agreed.

Adorissa rose gracefully to her feet and led Lizabet into the bedroom. She had thought that her new bedroom was elaborately decorated, but it was nothing compared to Adorissa’s room. Every inch of the surface was covered with decorative touches, and the bed would easily have slept ten people.

“This is very… elaborate,” she managed, still a little stunned by the array of color and glitter assaulting her eyes.

“It is satisfactory,” the queen said. “I wish that you could see my residence on Icluthia. It is a setting truly befitting a queen.” She eyed Lizabet speculatively.

“I’m sure it’s very nice,” she said politely.

Adorissa led the way to another one of the low couches, this one angled across the corner of the room. To Lizabet’s surprise, she curled up on the couch, her posture surprisingly relaxed. Lizabet mimicked her position.

“We’re alone now. What is it that you want to tell me?”

“It is a question of breeding,” Adorissa said, and Lizabet had a hard time keeping her face calm.

“Yes?” she asked cautiously.

“It seems that the Saviji also have queens.” For the first time, the queen’s composure vanished. “I find the idea most distressing; however, our spies have established this beyond a doubt.”

Uncertain what to say, Lizabet maintained an encouraging silence.

“Of course, there are many differences between an Icluthian queen and a Saviji queen. The primary difference is that while they have only a few queens, those queens do not lay a small clutch. Instead they produce thousands of eggs at a time.”

“Thousands?” She knew she sounded as appalled as she felt. She had heard enough about the Saviji to know that they were both deadly warriors and a distinct threat to the galaxy.

Adorissa nodded grimly. “Yes, and it appears that this is why they are sending out scouts. The main swarm has divided. The Yehrin are aware that the Saviji appear to be looking for a new place to swarm, but it is much worse than we originally assumed. We believe they have produced multiple queens and each queen is looking for a new place to lay her eggs and produce warriors.”

“Is there anything that we can do to prevent it?” she asked desperately, the vision of the vicious bug-like aliens taking over the galaxy sending a chill down her spine.

“Perhaps. Based on their knowledge of Icluthian breeding…” her throat pulsed to indicate her embarrassment, “…our scientists have theorized that the new queens are most vulnerable at this stage. It appears that they travel to a temporary location and wait there until their scouts return. They cannot remain with the main swarm or the original queen’s warriors will destroy them. But their resources will only support them for a limited time. If they do not find a new world on which to lay their eggs, they will die.”

“So, if we can find where they are waiting, we can block them or possibly even destroy them at that point?”

“Exactly. We believe we have identified a pattern which indicates their locations, but we do not have the resources to handle all of them.”

“You know that the Yehrin will assist.”

Adorissa nodded slowly. “Yes, I believe that they will.” Her statement did not seem to make her happy.

“But there is something else, isn’t there?”

Instead of answering her immediately, Adorissa picked up one of the embroidered cushions and began playing with the fringe surrounding it. Lizabet waited in silence.

“This is surprisingly difficult,” Adorissa said at last. “We are a proud race, with a long and proud history.”

“I know that you are,” Lizabet agreed. “And there is much about your people that I have come to admire.”

“Or at least as represented by one young and rather reckless warrior?” Adorissa raised a brow ridge, and Lizabet laughed and nodded.

“We do not want the war to resume,” Adorissa said at last.

“What war? If we defeat the Saviji, there will be no war.”

“No, I meant the war with the Yehrin.”

Lizabet frowned at her. “I don’t understand. You have had a treaty with the Yehrin for many generations now.”

“You are correct, of course. But the Yehrin are a warlike race. We are concerned that having had this taste of battle, once their opponents have been eliminated, they will turn to us.” Her face darkened. “The Yehrin have conquered many worlds and they have many races from which to select if they choose to fight. We have kept to ourselves, and now some amongst us consider that a mistake.”

Lizabet thought about her response while the queen waited patiently.

“It is true that the Yehrin are warriors,” she said at last. “But you also bring up your males to be warriors. Perhaps it is somewhat ironic for me to say this, considering they conquered my planet, but I don’t believe that the Yehrin seek out fights. I also think their code of honor would prevent them from engaging in battle with an ally. Of course, I’m speaking only from my personal perspective.”

“And that is why I trust your words.” The queen hesitated. “It is a difficult situation.”

“You know that the Saviji must be defeated. Is there anything that the Yehrin could do to reassure you?”

“We would like a new treaty, assuring us of their continued interest in peace between our races.” She shrugged. “I know that all agreements can be broken, but I agree with your assessment as to their sense of honor. As part of the agreement, we would also like permission to travel into Yehrin occupied space. I believe both species would benefit from the interaction and it would open up new trade opportunities.”

Lizabet nodded. “It seems reasonable to me; however, I do not speak for all of the Yehrin.”

Adorissa raised her brow ridge again. “You should. You are a queen.”

“A very new one,” Lizabet admitted.

“That is irrelevant for this purpose. You will present our proposal?”

“I will.”

Adorissa’s body relaxed back against the cushions. After a moment of silence, she gave Lizabet a speculative look.

“I understand that you are a new queen, so I hope you will not take offense.”

“Offense?”

“I wish to make use of Hisst,” Adorissa said bluntly. “He has the most enticing mating scent and I believe that he would serve me well.”

Lizabet stared at her, not entirely sure that she had heard correctly. “What do you mean by use?”

“I wish to make use of his body, of course.” Adorissa frowned. “Do your queens not share?”

“Under no circumstances whatsoever.” She sprang to her feet. “He is mine.”

“As I said, I did not wish to offend you.” The queen sighed. “But since I noticed that you have not claimed him nor he you, I thought you might be open to the prospect.”

“What do you mean, claimed? We have most certainly claimed each other.”

Adorissa stroked her hand across the ring of raised red dots surrounding her neck. “These are the results of a claiming bite, one from each member of my brace. In return, each one of them wears my mark.”

Lizabet stared at her. “Are they required to form a brace?”

“It is certainly traditional.” Adorissa eyed her speculatively. “And usually, unavoidable while in a mating heat. But perhaps human females do not experience that level of heat?”

“I assure you that lack of heat is not an issue.” Her cheeks flamed as she remembered their encounter of the previous evening.

Adorissa nodded in approval. “It is well that you reflect your desire on your skin.” She hesitated. “So Hisst is not available?”

“No, he isn’t.” Curiosity got the best of her. “May I ask why you are interested? I mean, I know that he’s wonderful, but you have many warriors to choose from. And he said that you did not seem interested in him previously.”

Adorissa sighed. “It was a mistake. I told his dam that I would consider one of her offspring for my brace. Rasster is the elder and seemed to be a better choice.”

“Although I have only met him twice, I’m pretty sure that he would never be a better choice.”

“You’re quite correct. My use of him was… disappointing, to say the least, and he has neither the intelligence nor the charm to compensate for the lack. I had intended to send for Hisst before we left the ship, but unfortunately, he disappeared.” She sighed again. “Perhaps it is just as well. As much as I would like to add such a fine young warrior to my brace, he is, perhaps, too impulsive.”

Despite Adorissa’s words, Lizabet suddenly realized that the pink stripe up the front of Adorissa’s body had deepened to a rosy hue. The damn female was getting aroused by thoughts of her male.

“As I said, he is taken.” She could hear the hostility in her own voice, but to her relief Adorissa only laughed.

“I remember those first days with a new brace. I envy you.” She rose gracefully to her feet. “I will let you carry my message back to the Yehrin.”

“I’m sure that they will listen,” she said hopefully.

As they turned towards the door, Adorissa placed a hand on Lizabet’s arm. “A word of advice. I believe that your brace is meaningful for you, but you should demonstrate your commitment. You should claim them and let them claim you.”

Lizabet couldn’t decide if the advice was intended as a warning or as an encouragement, but she nodded. Whatever it took to make this relationship work, she was willing to do it. And in truth, the thought of both Hisst and T’kol marking their claim upon her caused a low ripple of arousal. Sarah had a mating bite and she had always envied that red circle, such an obvious sign of her warrior’s claim upon her.

“Thank you, Adorissa,” she said sincerely.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Although T’kol managed to keep his face impassive, the conversation between L’zabet and the Icluthian queen had his mind racing. Apparently, the Icluthians did not realize the sensitivity of Yehrin hearing, although from the occasional look H’sst shot in his direction, he suspected his brace mate was not fooled.

When L’zabet finally emerged from the queen’s bedchamber, she seemed quite relaxed, although he couldn’t help but notice the speculative glance that she shot at both him and H’sst. Was she also considering a claiming bite?

“Thank you for the visit, Queen Adorissa,” L’zabet said formally. “I will let you know as soon as possible the results of my discussion.”

“Thank you, Queen Lissie. I look forward to hearing from you.”

While the females had been sequestered in the bedroom, H’sst had been engaged in a low voice conversation with one of the Icluthian warriors. As he came to join them now, T’kol thought that he looked worried, but this was obviously not the time to discuss it.

As soon as they emerged from the queen’s residence, T’chok came striding towards them.

“What did the queen want? Is she willing to talk to us?”

“Yes,” L’zabet said slowly. “But there are conditions.”

“Then we should include T’lan and T’gana in this discussion.” T’chok hesitated, looking at L’zabet. “Do you wish to change first?”

She rolled her eyes. “Is my appearance more important than ending a war?”

T’chok shrugged. “I suspect that five additional minutes will not make much difference.”

L’zabet looked at him then shook her head. “Queen Adorissa chose to speak to me because she regards me as a queen of equal stature. This outfit represents that, and since I am in that position, I think I should continue to wear it.”

T’kol could see the argument raging in T’chok’s head, but he finally inclined his head in acknowledgment.

“Perhaps you’re right.”

Together the four of them went to T’lan’s office.

The meeting with T’lan and T’gana went better than T’kol had expected. L’zabet had provided Queen Adorissa’s conditions clearly and concisely, speaking with an air of authority that both surprised and impressed him. While the idea of allowing Icluthians to travel freely into the Yehrin Empire might be a difficult concept for some Yehrin to accept, as a practical matter the Icluthians had been moving through the Empire on a routine basis during the ongoing battles. T’lan promised to pass the information on to the Earth commander who in turn would address the Supreme Council. He expected a rapid decision, especially given the imminent threat of the new Saviji queens.

As they stepped back out into the cold, T’chok turned to L’zabet. “You did well, my daughter.” He gave her a rueful smile. “It is difficult to accept that one’s children do grow up.”

“It’s good practice.” She smiled up at him. “Remember that you have three more to go.”

T’chok growled. “B’nji is already a fine young warrior. S’phia and J’nnie are but children.”

“For now,” she teased.

“For many years to come,” he said firmly. “But speaking of your sisters, do you have time to come and visit with them?”

“I’d like that.” She closed one eye in that odd human gesture. “And I’m sure they’ll love my gown.”

“And I am sure that you have other clothing in your room.” T’chok looked over at him and H’sst and frowned. “I suppose you had better pack some of them.”

L’zabet squeezed his hand. “Yes, my place is with my mates now.”

Warmth filled his chest, and he saw H’sst smile. Despite T’chok’s presence, she kissed each of them before she left with him.

As they walked back to their domicile, he noticed that H’sst appeared to be deep in thought. He didn’t press the matter.

The domicile seemed oddly empty without L’zabet and he briefly toyed with the idea of returning to his office. However, T’lan had not ordered him to return to his duties so he had no real excuse to be there. After pacing restlessly for a few minutes, he pulled out his woodworking supplies and began working on a new carving. H’sst maintained his thoughtful silence, gazing out the window with rapt attention, although T’kol suspected he wasn’t really looking at their surroundings.

“There is something I wish to discuss with you,” H’sst said at last.

“I am listening.”

“You may have noticed that I was talking to Nosstra.”

“Yes?”

“He believes that Queen Adorissa is going to request that Lissie accompany her back to Icluthia.”

“What?” he roared. “That is unacceptable. I do not care if it kills the negotiations. I will not allow her to leave us.”

“No, no,” H’sst said quickly. “We would accompany her, of course. No queen would travel without her brace. It would mean that the three of us would travel to Icluthia.”

Leave not only Earth, but the Yehrin Empire behind? And his career, he realized. There would be no hope of advancement if he were the sole Yehrin on a foreign planet. As he contemplated that rather dismal future, he noticed that H’sst did not seem any happier.

“I thought you would be happy to return home.”

“It might be nice to see Icluthia again.” H’sst shrugged. “But it is of no great consequence. The day I accepted Lissie as my queen, I knew my path would be tied to hers.”

“This way you would have both,” he pointed out.

It was H’sst’s turn to pace. He prowled around the room twice before he finally blurted out. “I do not want to take Lissie to Icluthia.”

“Why not?” T’kol scowled at him. “Are you ashamed of her?”

“Ashamed? Of course not. She is everything that I could want, and that is the problem. What if I am not the only one to see her beauty? What if other warriors approach her and ask to be added to her brace?”

“Under no circumstances is she going to add any more males to our arrangement,” he snarled. “I have learned to accept you.”

“Why, thank you.”

“…but that is my limit. Surely, you do not want additional males in our brace?”

“No, of course not. But it is the queen’s decision and on Icluthia, surrounded by other queens… What if she decides she needs to enhance her status?”

“She may be your queen, but she is also my L’chka. A L’chka does not have the option to decide to take another mate.”

H’sst gave him a half-smile. “Perhaps there are some advantages to this barbaric custom of yours.”

Despite the smile, the distress was obvious on H’sst’s face.

“I do not think you have anything to worry about. L’zabet chose us because she felt a connection with us. She has no interest in status and I do not believe that she would ever change to the extent where she felt that she needed additional males to enhance her standing.”

H’sst’s shoulders finally relaxed. “Perhaps you are right. I should know better than to assume she would react according to Icluthian tradition.”

He made another turn around the room, but this time he seemed thoughtful rather than stressed. “Do you think Lissie will require assistance with her clothing?”

T’kol hid his smile. “In other words, you wish to see her and reassure yourself?”

“Perhaps,” H’sst acknowledged. “Do you think she would mind?”

“T’chok might object, but I am sure that our mate will not.”

“Then I will go to assist.” He was already halfway to the door.

“H’sst?” he said quietly.

“Yes?”

“I am… glad that L’zabet chose you.”

H’sst dipped his head. “Thank you, my brace mate. I, too, am most satisfied.”

“Go on now,” he said gruffly, surprised by the depth of emotion sweeping over him.

H’sst grinned and slipped out of the door.

T’kol’s words had reassured Hisst and he hummed happily to himself as he went to find his queen. His olfactory sensors flared tasting the cool mountain air, redolent with plant life. He could detect the lower musky notes of the Yehrin, interspersed with brighter scents of the humans. And one particular human… He smiled as his queen’s fragrance drifted through the air, but then it changed, taking on the tang of… fear? He took off at a run.

A heavy, sour note began to obscure her scent and he recognized the two Yehrin that had accosted T’kol earlier. He ran faster, racing around a corner in time to see the two males trying to drag a wildly struggling Lissie off into the woods. Even as he approached, she swept her foot out and threw one of her captors off balance. She managed to wrench herself free from him but the other one still had his hand clenched around her arm.

Hisst reached for the blast tube, then swore. He had returned the weapon to Lissie, never suspecting that it would be needed in her home colony. Instead, he yanked the knife out of his boot sheath, paused just long enough to take aim, and let it fly. The knife buried itself in the throat of Officer T’fardar. The male grabbed for it, but he was already falling. A grim satisfaction filled Hisst as he saw the male’s blood arc out, vivid against the white snow. Despite the current peace between their races, all Icluthian warriors knew the best way to kill a Yehrin.

The second male stared at his comrade’s fallen body with his mouth open before his hand reached for his weapon. He was too late. Hisst retrieved his knife, pulled the male’s head back, and slit his throat in one smooth movement.

His queen stared at him in shock and for a brief moment, he worried that his kills might have upset her, but then she threw herself into his arms.

“Thank God, you’re here.”

He picked her up and turned so that she couldn’t see the bodies, even as he tested the air for other attackers.

“Were there more?”

“No, I don’t think so.” All of a sudden, she began to shake. “They - they said that since I liked more than one mate, that I could just take them as well. I think they were going to…”

Her voice trailed off and then she burst into tears. As he rocked her soothingly, he wished he could kill the animals all over again.

“Close your eyes,” he ordered as he bent over to retrieve his knife.

“No. I want to know that they’re dead,” she said fiercely.

“They are,” he assured her, but he checked both bodies to make sure. The Yehrin could be hard to kill but even they could not survive having their neck arteries severed. For once, their double hearts put them at a disadvantage, pumping the blood out through the fatal wounds too rapidly for them to recover.

Lissie stared at the bodies, then buried her head in his neck.

“Where’s T’kol?” she whispered.

“At home.” He cradled her more tightly against him and began to run as rapidly as possible towards their home. She needed both of her mates around her now.

T’kol looked up casually when they entered, then roared as he took in Lissie’s condition.

“What happened?”

Lissie was still clinging to him and T’kol pressed himself against her back so they surrounded her.

“Those two animals that confronted you attacked her.”

T’kol swore long and viciously. “I will kill them.”

“Hisst already did,” Lissie whispered. “He won’t be in trouble, will he?”

His sweet queen, to worry about him when she was the one who had been damaged. He dropped a kiss on her head. “Of course not, my queen.”

Over her head, he raised a brow ridge at T’kol, aware that the circumstances might be somewhat awkward.

“No, L’zabet,” T’kol echoed. He looked down at her and then reluctantly stepped back. “But I need to make sure that it is handled as soon as possible.”

“Don’t leave me!”

“I will not,” he said soothingly. “I just need to make a few calls. H’sst will take you to the bathing pool and I will join you as soon as I can.”

“T’kol,” she pleaded.

“I know, my L’chka. I will not be long.” His claws were already tapping at his wrist device as he gestured at Hisst to take her into the other room.

By the time Hisst had her undressed and in the water, T’kol had joined them. He lifted her onto his lap while Hisst knelt behind her, both of them enclosing her in safety.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

As L’zabet slowly relaxed, her eyelids began to droop. T’kol lifted her out of the water, then held her while H’sst dried her carefully. He carried her into the bedroom and the two of them surrounded her again as she drifted off into an uneasy sleep. He did his best to keep his body calm but the anger that raged through him had his claws digging into his palms hard enough to draw blood. When the door monitor chimed, it was almost a relief.

“It is T’chok,” he said quietly. “I will go and talk to him.”

“I can go if you wish to stay with her,” H’sst offered.

“No. I need… I need to let go of this anger.”

“I understand.”

“I almost wish you had left one for me, my brother.”

H’sst reached over and clasped his shoulder. T’kol covered it briefly with his own, then went to answer the door.

T’chok stalked into the living room, eyes blazing blue fire and anger emanating from every pore. T’kol held up a hand before he could speak.

“She is sleeping. Do not disturb her.”

The growl that erupted from T’chok’s throat was no less fierce for its low pitch.

“I want to see her.”

T’kol considered him, then nodded. “H’sst is holding her.”

“Good.” T’chok said, surprising him. “She should not be alone.”

Together, both males stood at the bedroom entrance. L’zabet had her head buried in H’sst’s chest and he was stroking her back. He looked up at them but did not speak. T’chok bowed his head, then stepped back and closed the doors.

“T’lan has arranged for the bodies to be removed. He has also started an investigation to make sure that they acted alone.” T’chok’s horns drew together as he scowled. “I thought we had eradicated this type of rot years ago.”

“I am afraid that there will always be warriors without honor.” His fists clenched again, the stinging pain his only outlet. “I am full of rage, but I also feel…”

“Helpless?” T’chok asked. “I understand. R’chel was attacked while were together and I felt that I had failed her. Not that you did anything wrong,” he added hastily. “We had no reason to suspect L’zabet would not be safe within New Haven.”

The older warrior’s words did not comfort him, his guilt still weighing heavily on his conscience. “I should have escorted her.”

“And I should have taken her home.”

They stared at each other, then T’chok said, “Come. I know of only one way to relieve this frustration.”

“I do not want to leave her.”

“Then we will not go far. The meadow outside your door will serve.”

“Serve for what?”

“A training match.” T’chok grinned fiercely and T’kol found himself nodding.

Yes, he needed that. He paused only long enough to let H’sst know before he followed T’chok outside.

When he returned a short time later, he felt better. His horns ached from ramming against T’chok’s, his leg throbbed, and he had a vicious set of scratches up his right arm, but his anger was under control. T’chok, too, seemed more at ease after their bout.

H’sst looked up and shook his head as he passed through the bedroom on the way to the shower.

“Was that necessary?” he asked quietly when T’kol joined him.

“It helped.”

“Yes, I suppose I understand. If I had not killed them, I suspect I would have joined you.”

“T’chok told me what you did. That was an impressive display.”

H’sst gave him a fierce grin. “One doesn’t have to be a barbarian to know how to kill.”

“Apparently not.”

They were both silent for a minute, then he sighed. “If she is asked to travel to Icluthia and if she chooses to go, then I will not object. I will accompany her.”

“I will also, although a part of me still hopes that it will not occur.”

This time, neither broke the silence. Twice L’zabet cried out in her sleep, but she settled down when they spoke to her. He didn’t sleep and he suspected that Hisst didn’t either, but they remained wrapped around her until her eyes finally opened. She looked at each of them, and to his relief, she smiled.

“Thank you for being here.”

“We will always be here for you, my L’chka.”

“Of course,” H’sst echoed.

“I love you, you know. Both of you.” Her eyes were alight with warmth as she put a hand on each of their faces.

His hearts beat uncomfortably fast.

“I have loved you since that first kiss in the woods,” he said softly.

“And I have loved you since I awakened to find you kneeling over me.” H’sst touched her hair. “I thought you were the Goddess. I still suspect that you are sometimes.”

The three of them smiled at each other.

“In that case…” L’zabet’s hands traveled from their faces down across their bodies. “Adorissa mentioned to me that part of establishing a brace is to mark each other.”

His cock went rock hard just as her hand touched him.

“I see you like the idea,” she purred.

He growled and reached for her just as the door monitor chimed.

“Fuck. Who the hell is it this time?” He reached for the door monitor and saw an Icluthian warrior standing outside. “Do you know him, H’sst?”

“Yes. That is Kenesst. He is part of Queen Adorissa’s team.” H’sst’s voice sounded oddly stilted.

“Then I suppose we have no choice but to admit him.”

Cursing under his breath, he pulled on his clothes, only to find H’sst and L’zabet dressing as well.

“Why don’t you remain here?”

“If Adorissa sent him with a message, it’s most likely for me.” Her smile held its familiar mischief. “And there’s not much point staying in bed without my males.”

Unable to resist, he caught her against him and kissed her much too quickly.

“Come, my L’chka, my brother. Let us find out what he wants.”

Hisst’s heart sank as he followed his queen and his brace mate out into the living room. So it began. He knew Kenesst, of course, and he was a fine warrior. Back before T’kol had shown up at the cave, he had been one of the males Hisst had been considering as a possible candidate for Lissie’s brace. Now he wondered how he could ever have been so foolish.

He, T’kol, and Lissie did not need anyone else—they were a perfect fit. The thought of another male sharing their bed, of having to take his turn at her side, made his insides twist with a combination of jealousy and hurt. He had allowed T’kol’s earlier words to comfort him, but it had been a mistake. And they hadn’t even had to go to Icluthia for his nightmare to come true.

The male was still waiting patiently at the door when T’kol opened it.

“Greetings. I am Kenesst. Queen Adorissa sent me for Queen Lissie.”

“Come in,” T’kol growled.

His queen had seated herself on one of the couches, and she smiled at Kenesst. He had the audacity to head for the same couch and Hisst found himself echoing T’kol’s growl. Looking a little abashed, Kenesst seated himself on the other couch instead.

As he sat, Kenesst released a hint of his mating scent, and even Hisst had to admit it was not unpleasant. It was, however, presumptuous and he had to resist the temptation to smack the male across the back of his skull. Instead, he positioned himself behind his queen and glared at the other male over her head. T’kol mirrored his position—and his glare.

“You said that Queen Adorissa sent you?” Lissie asked.

“Yes.” Kenesst gave her a charming smile. “She hoped that I would be suitable. Do you have any questions for me?”

He released another hint of scent, and to his horror, Lissie smiled.

“How did you come to be here?”

“I had the honor of being chosen for Queen Adorissa’s delegation due to my knowledge of our history with the Yehrin.” He gave her what even Hisst had to admit was a charming smile.

“Her delegation? You are not part of her brace?” Lissie asked curiously. Thank the Great Mother she seemed unaffected by Kenesst’s mating scent.

“Of course not.” Kenesst looked shocked. “She would not have offered me to you under those circumstances. One joins a brace for life.”

“Offered you to me? I don’t understand.”

“Queen Adorissa thought I might be an acceptable candidate if you wished to expand your brace. And I… I was grateful for the opportunity to present myself to such a fascinating queen.”

Kenesst’s expression was openly admiring and Hisst saw T’kol’s hand tense over his sword hilt. Despite his own desire to eliminate any competition for Lissie’s attention, the Yehrin – Icluthian partnership was still fragile. He forced himself to brush T’kol’s arm lightly in warning. T’kol growled under his breath but his hand dropped away from his weapon.

“Thank you, Kenesst,” Lissie said gently. “I’m very flattered by your interest, and I am sure that you would be a worthy addition to any brace. But I already have everything I could ever want.” She looked from him to T’kol, her face soft and loving, and his fears finally melted away. He believed her words, but more importantly, he believed in the love behind them. If, by some unthinkable circumstances, she did choose to add another member to their brace, he found he no longer feared losing her affection.

Kenesst bowed his head, obviously disappointed, but accepting her refusal graciously. In his newfound confidence, Hisst could even admire the other warrior’s poise.

As Kenesst rose to his feet, the door chimed again. When T’kol answered it, T’chok was standing outside, a grim look on his face. T’kol shot a quick glance at him as he stepped aside to let the older warrior enter. Hisst’s heart sank. He suspected that the rumor he had heard was about to come true.

“If I may,” Kenesst said hesitantly. “I believe I know why your commander is here. Queen Adorissa asked me to speak upon this matter as well if you became aware of it while I was here.”

Lissie frowned at him and then at T’chok, before her eyes traveled to T’kol and Hisst.

“Why do I suspect that everyone here except me knows what is going on?”

“Because you are a bright female,” T’kol said grimly, then tried to smile. “Just remember that we will support whatever decision you choose to make.”

“What fucking decision?”

“Calm down, L’zabet,” T’chok said.

“I would have thought you’d have realized by now that telling a woman to calm down has the opposite fucking effect,” she yelled.

He could tell that she was worried as well as annoyed, and he stepped up behind her only to find that T’kol had mirrored him on her other side. T’chok apparently decided that it was best to simply tell her.

“The Icluthians would like you to travel to Icluthia. Specifically, they would like to use you as their main point of contact for the ongoing negotiations.”

Lissie’s mouth dropped open.

“You mean like some kind of ambassador?”

T’chok nodded, not looking any happier than he had when he arrived. “I do not like the idea. You will be very far from home.”

“But I thought we had reached an agreement?”

“It is still under review, although I have every expectation that it will be approved.” T’chok hesitated. “But it is true, that the agreement is only the beginning. There will be many details to work through.”

“Queen Adorissa is most anxious that you accept the position,” Kenesst said. “The queens would be more comfortable dealing with another queen. What’s more, she values your efforts on our behalf.”

“But I don’t have any training for this,” she protested.

“You have demonstrated that you understand and accept our ways. In addition, you are uniquely positioned to both understand the Yehrin and to give us the perspective of a conquered planet.” Kenesst hesitated. “She had hoped that if you chose to include me in your brace, I could provide additional perspective on Icluthian ways.”

Hisst scowled at him. “I am quite capable of advising my queen in that matter.”

“Yes, of course, but I have had more recent… political experience.”

Although he would never admit it out loud, Kenesst had a valid point. Hisst’s dam had spent much of her life increasing her power and wealth, but she had never chosen to become involved in political matters. However, he did not think it was sufficient reason to include the other warrior.

“I can manage,” he growled.

“You’re both discussing this as though it were a settled matter,” Lissie said, looking frantically from him to T’kol.

“No, my L’chka. This is your decision, but as H’sst said we will support whatever choice you make.”

“Surely you don’t think I’m qualified, T’chok?”

The older warrior sighed. “I have no desire for you to leave New Haven, but it is because we will miss you, not because I do not think that you are capable.” His face softened. “You will accomplish whatever you set out to do.”

“I… I…” She looked helplessly at them, and T’kol took charge.

“We will discuss this matter privately. Please give us some time.”

Kenesst nodded respectfully and departed. T’chok hesitated a moment longer then looked at the three of them and sighed.

“I suppose that I must accept that I am no longer the one you turn to for advice.”

“I think this is a decision the three of us must make,” Lissie said softly.

“I agree, my daughter. And whatever you decide, I will support your decision.”

Lissie hugged him, and he, too, left.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Lizabet stared at the door as it closed behind T’chok. Her mind was a swirling mass of confusion. While she couldn’t help but be flattered by Queen Adorissa’s obvious appreciation, she felt woefully unprepared. She turned to find her mates studying her.

“Do either of you really think that I should do this?”

She saw them exchange a look and scowled.

“And why don’t either one of you seem surprised?”

“I admit I heard a rumor that this might occur,” Hisst admitted. “I mentioned it to T’kol earlier while you were away. I didn’t intend to keep it from you; however, our time has been somewhat interrupted.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” she said reluctantly.

He seemed quite serene about the prospect and she couldn’t help but wonder. “Is this what you want, Hisst? Do you want to go home?”

“You are my home, Lissie,” he said softly. “If anything, I was reluctant to return.”

“Why would you be reluctant?”

His throat pulsed. “I was afraid that you would choose to expand your brace. But I find that I am no longer worried.”

Her heart melted. “I meant what I said to Kenesst. The two of you are everything that I could ever want.”

T’kol had been strangely silent, and she focused on him now.

“What do you think, T’kol? You, too, would be a long way from home, and from your people.”

“You are my L’chka. I will follow you anywhere.”

“That’s not exactly what I asked.”

“I am afraid that I do not have another answer. I will not be separated from you and if you choose to go to Icluthia, of course I will accompany you.”

“It has to be the decision that’s right for the three of us. Hisst has explained why he was worried. What are your worries?”

He turned away from her and paced restlessly to the window. She could see the tension in the lines of his back but even though she wanted to go to him, she let him take his time. At last he turned to face her.

“I have always been a warrior and I have always had duties and responsibilities. As much as I enjoy being with you—with both of you—I am not sure that I would be completely content without an additional purpose.”

She gripped her lower lip with her teeth. Unlike Hisst’s concern, this was outside of her power to resolve. She knew the countless hours that he worked and had seen how dedicated he was to his job.

They stared at each other as she tried to think of something to say. But then his shoulders relaxed, and he walked over to her. He gently raised her chin.

“But in the end,” he said, “you are what is most important to me. I love you, L’zabet. If this opportunity will make you happy, then I will adapt.” His lips quirked. “Perhaps I could become a full-time woodcarver.”

“I do not think you understand, my brace mate,” Hisst said. “A queen’s brace has many duties that go beyond just pleasuring her body. It is our responsibility to investigate and to guide. That is why Kenesst made the point about my limited political experience. It is true that I will not be able to guide you in those matters initially, Lissie.” He rubbed his chin, then sighed. “Although I will endeavor to learn to do so as quickly as possible, perhaps admitting him to your brace would make sense.”

“No,” she said firmly. “Our brace is based on love, not political expediency. We will learn together.”

T’kol looked thoughtful. “Do you believe that my military experience will be useful?”

“Yes, of course.” Hisst said at once. “I have only served in one campaign. You have the background to talk to the more senior warriors.”

Lizabet realized that T’kol was not the only one who had misunderstood the relationship between a queen and her brace. She loved the idea that the three of them would be working together for a common goal.

“Since it seems that neither of you will object, does that mean that we’ve made a decision?”

“What do you want to do, my L’chka?” T’kol asked gently.

Now it was her turn to pace to the window and back. What did she want to do? Once the initial shock had worn off, she found the idea rather exciting. True, she would be living in a completely different culture, but her studies had at least somewhat prepared her for the differences among races. And as she looked at her Icluthian lover, she saw no reason to be afraid of those differences. With Hisst and T’kol at her side, she could take on anything. The same reckless excitement that filled her when she soared across the sky, on the verge of flying too fast, filled her now.

“If you two are truly in agreement, I think we should do it.”

The three of them stared at each other in silence for a minute, then Hisst laughed and lifted her into his arms, swinging her around.

“Congratulations, my queen.” He had barely completed the circle before T’kol pulled her into his own embrace.

“You will make a fine ambassador, my L’chka,” he whispered, and then his lips descended over hers and she forgot the excitement of her new future in the present wonder of his mouth.

When at last he raised his head, she was breathless and needy. Her nipples had turned diamond hard against his chest, and she could feel the cool press of Hisst’s body against her back. Her pussy ached, and she was suddenly desperate to be filled.

“Back before we were interrupted, I believe we had decided that it was time for the two of you to mark your claim on me.”

T’kol’s massive erection throbbed against her front, and Hisst’s spicy scent filled the air. With a muted roar, T’kol lifted her into his arms and headed for the bedroom.

As he kicked the door closed behind them, her heart beat rapidly from excitement and the tiniest amount of trepidation. He released her and she slid down his body, more conscious than ever of the size of his erection. She turned to find that Hisst had already discarded his clothes.

“You’re wearing entirely too many garments,” he said, even as his long cool fingers went to the hem of her T-shirt.

He pulled it gently over her head, his fingers skating up her sides and leaving a trail of excitement behind. T’kol moved closer to her back and she could feel the warmth of his naked chest.

“I think you two are ahead of me,” she gasped.

“Not for long, my queen.” Hisst slipped his fingers under her waistband and removed her panties and leggings in one quick motion. As often as she had been naked before them, this time she felt unusually vulnerable.

“You are shaking, my L’chka,” T’kol said softly. “We do not have to do anything that you do not want to do.”

“No, my mates, I want this.”

As she ran her fingers over Hisst’s smoothly scaled chest, it suddenly occurred to her that he was expecting her to claim him as well, but she wasn’t sure that her teeth would penetrate.

“I’m not sure that I can bite you hard enough to leave a mark.”

He shrugged. “What is important is that you care enough about me to try, not the actual results.”

She reached up and put her hands on that no longer alien face.

“I do, Hisst. I love you.”

His lids dropped over those golden eyes, but not before she saw the emotion that filled them.

“Then the Goddess has truly blessed me.” His engaging smile appeared. “I admit I had my doubts when my flyer was being tossed around in that storm.”

“I find it concerning that you think your reckless behavior was rewarded,” T’kol said dryly.

She looked over her shoulder and grinned at him. “I always told you that you worry too much.”

“I will always worry about you, my jewel. And now it appears that I have two of you to worry about.”

Although his voice was stern, his eyes were warm as he looked from her to Hisst.

“Let us prepare her.”

Once more he lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the bed, laying her down in the center before stepping back to admire her. Hisst stepped up next to him and the sight of her two warriors gazing so appreciatively at her naked body intensified the needy ache in her pussy. She squirmed restlessly.

“Are you just going to stand there all day?”

“I could spend all day admiring your beauty, my L’chka.” T’kol stroked his hand along his cock and the sight had its inevitable effect upon her body.

Next to him, Hisst also shifted impatiently. His cocks bulged beneath his skin but had not yet extruded. She beckoned him closer and he obeyed readily. Very delicately, she ran her fingers along the ruffled edge of his slit. He shivered at her touch and the bulges seemed to increase in size. Driven by a sudden impulse, she rose on her knees and grasped his hips, then brushed the very tip of her tongue along the narrow line. He gave a wordless cry and clutched her head. Encouraged by his reaction, she licked again, working her tongue very gently into the small opening. He tasted delicious, like spiced honey, and she hummed appreciatively. The vibration apparently was the final straw and his slit parted, both cocks emerging, golden and glistening. She licked them as well, delighting not only in the taste but the way he shuddered beneath her touch.

T’kol had moved behind her while she concentrated on Hisst and now he pulled her firmly backwards so that she was sprawled across his lap. He used his legs to push hers further apart and she shivered as the cool air of the room drifted across the slick heat between her thighs. His big hands cupped her breasts, working her throbbing nipples.

“Pleasure her,” he ordered Hisst. “I want her to come at least twice.”

Hisst nodded eagerly and buried his face between her legs. That wicked forked tongue went to work, sliding into her empty pussy until she was thrusting against him, and then concentrating on her swollen clit, pulling and tugging the same way that T’kol tormented her nipples. His spicy scent surrounded her and the combination of T’kol’s warm body and Hisst’s cool tongue sent her spiraling into a rapid climax.

“Use your fingers this time.”

T’kol had barely finished speaking when she felt Hisst insert two long cool digits into her empty channel, still convulsing from her previous climax. Before she had a chance to catch her breath, his tongue was moving even more insistently on her clit. T’kol tightened his grasp on her nipples almost to the point of pain but the tight pinch sent spikes of pleasure shooting straight to her swollen nub. The combination of sensations overwhelmed her, and white lights flashed before her eyes as she cried out, a second climax sending her soaring.

Hisst sat up and rocked back on his heels while T’kol lifted her in one easy movement, then lowered her over Hisst’s cock. They both cried out as the cool length of his primary cock drove easily into her wet channel and his secondary cock came to rest against her clit.

Hisst brought her head to his shoulder. “Please, my queen,” he gasped.

Her mouth closed over the smooth scales and she rather tentatively bit down. He trilled and his cock jerked, driving deeper inside her.

“More,” he urged.

The tips of his secondary cock worked her clit while his primary cock writhed inside her. T’kol’s fingers returned to her aching peaks and he tightened them.

“Harder,” he ordered.

The intensity of the sensations flooding her body encouraged her to bite harder, but his skin resisted her attempts. Hisst had his hand clamped on the back of her head, but he released her as soon as she pushed back.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t do it.”

T’kol’s hands stilled, then he moved her head gently to one side. Before she could protest, he leaned past her and bent his own head to Hisst’s shoulder. Hisst groaned, and when T’kol drew back there was a small break in the skin.

“Now, my L’chka.”

Her stomach wanted to protest, but she closed her eyes and tried again. The coppery taste of blood hit her tongue, but it was overlaid with the same sweet spicy taste she associated with Hisst. She bit down and this time her teeth penetrated, widening the small mark that T’kol had left.

Hisst trilled in helpless ecstasy, his hips jerking upward as she felt the cool rush of seed filling her channel. The jets from his secondary cock bathed her sensitive clit and a third climax swept over her as she clung to him, T’kol supporting them both.

When she finally released his flesh, no blood seeped from the wound, but the outline of her teeth was clearly visible. Hisst regarded the small semi-circle with a proud smile.

“Thank you, my queen. I am honored by your claim.”

Chapter Thirty

T’kol waited as patiently as possible for his brace mate to admire his mark. His own mouth watered for the taste of his L’chka, but this was not an occasion for haste. However, his patience could only last so long. He finally growled and lifted her free.

“Now it is my turn.”

“Do you want me to bite you too?” she offered with a teasing smile.

“I would be proud to wear your mark, my jewel.” His eyes went to the small stone dangling between her breasts. As much as he enjoyed the sight, he wanted her to wear a more permanent mark of his claim. “But right now, all I can think about is burying myself in your body.”

He went to roll her over and realized that his leg was still an issue. After a brief hesitation, he turned onto his own back and lifted her over him, holding her poised over the broad head of his cock. The position went against every Yehrin tradition and yet, it had unexpected advantages. He could see each detail as her small entrance stretched to accommodate him. The delicate pink flesh gradually parted and the silken heat of her cunt gripped his cockhead.

Every instinct urged him to force her down over him, but he kept his pace slow and patient as he waited for her to adjust to his size. Each inch she gained increased the torturous pleasure and he shuddered as she finally took all of him. Her eyes were wide, her blunt white teeth digging into her lower lip, and he could tell she was on the verge of being overwhelmed.

“Help her, H’sst,” he ordered, and his brace mate knelt behind her, gently caressing her luscious breasts.

“You’re beautiful like this, my queen,” H’sst whispered. “The mating arousal glows from your face down to your perfect little cunt.”

H’sst reached down to part her folds and reveal the deep glistening pink of her swollen clit, and T’kol felt his cool fingers brushing the base of his cock where he was buried inside L’zabet. The contrast between the coolness and the heated grip of her body added to his arousal and his hips bucked involuntarily. L’zabet gasped, then moaned, and he felt her channel flutter around his shaft. He bucked again and she lifted up with his movement, rising halfway along his length, before she pushed back down with another moan.

“Yes, my L’chka. Show me how much you enjoy having my cock in that tight little cunt.”

Her eyes flickered, and then she began rising and falling over him in slow, languid movements. His hands tightened on her hips, but he didn’t try and make her move faster, letting her rock herself over the edge into a slow, shuddering climax as H’sst stroked her clit and urged her on.

The feel of her body tightening around his almost destroyed his self-control, but he held himself in check and let her have her pleasure. When she finally stopped shaking, she collapsed down over him with a purr of contentment.

“We are not through yet, my jewel,” he chuckled, even as he stroked the fiery strands of her air. “Prepare her bottom hole, H’sst.”

“What?” She tried to sit up, but he kept her cradled against his chest.

“We will take you together,” he said. “Both of us buried in your luscious body, and both of us marking you at the same time.”

She shivered, but he did not think it was from fear.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. The three of us will be bound together by our bodies as we are already bound together by our hearts. I love you, L’zabet.”

“I love you, too.”

H’sst bent down to press a kiss against her back. “I love you, too, my queen.”

She turned her head and smiled at him. “I know, my love.”

After returning the smile, H’sst continued his journey down her back. T’kol knew when he reached her tight little hole because she jumped and quivered against him.

“Hush, my L’chka. Let H’sst make you ready.” He stroked her back soothingly, even though he could feel the other warrior through the thin membrane separating them, sending an oddly erotic thrill down his spine. A finger replaced the tongue, then two. L’zabet gasped at each intrusion but she did not protest, and the scent of her arousal deepened, mingling with H’sst’s spice.

“I believe she is ready, my brace mate.”

“Then enter her, very slowly.”

The pointed tip entered almost easily but as H’sst’s shaft widened, L’zabet’s breath quickened.

“T’kol!”

The additional pressure against his cock had him on the verge of exploding, but he managed to keep his voice low and soothing.

“You can take him, my jewel. You can take both of us.”

He reached between their bodies and strummed the exposed surface of her clit. Her body clamped down and both he and H’sst groaned. A fresh wave of liquid heat bathed his cock and he felt her push back against H’sst.

“Perfect. I knew you could do it.” He kept his thumb against her clit until the full length of both cocks filled her tight little channels.

“So full,” she whispered.

“Filled with our bodies as you are filled with our love,” H’sst said softly.

A poetic sentiment and one he might appreciate later, but now his cock throbbed and his balls ached, and he wanted to move. He began a slow withdrawal, then pushed in when H’sst withdrew in turn. Alternating their strokes, the pace increased until L’zabet moaned helplessly, trying to meet their thrusts. He heard her breath catch and felt her body tighten and knew she was close. His eyes met H’sst’s.

“Now.”

They both slammed into her simultaneously as H’sst took the right side of her neck and he sank his teeth into her left. Her delicious taste flooded his mouth. At the last second, she whipped her head around and he felt the tiny sting of her teeth just behind his ear. Then she cried out as her body tried to arch into them, her channel clenching so tightly around him that he couldn’t move but it didn’t matter because at last he was coming in wave after wave of hot seed as he poured everything he had into this female he loved so much. He could feel H’sst jerking against him through the thin separation and the knowledge that his brace mate too had found his pleasure only enhanced his own.

When he finally stopped shaking, he lifted his head and lapped at the claiming mark. H’sst had left two neat puncture marks on the other side and he regarded them proudly.

“Now no one can argue that we are not a proper brace,” H’sst said with a satisfied smile.

“That’s nice,” L’zabet mumbled, her face still buried in his neck. “I vote we celebrate with a long nap.”

“Bath first,” he said firmly.

“I don’t wanna,” she protested, then winced as first H’sst withdrew and he followed.

“It will ease you. I do not want you to be sore.”

“You should have thought of that before you decided on double penetration,” she muttered, but she smiled as she spoke.

“If you think this was challenging, wait until it is my turn to take your tight little ass.”

Her mouth dropped open and he laughed, feeling remarkably light-hearted.

“Come, my queen,” H’sst said. “Let us tend to you. T’kol is right, the bath will soothe you.”

His brace mate carried L’zabet into the bathing pool and settled back with her curled on his lap. As T’kol joined them, his eyes traveled across the two claiming marks and up to meet H’sst’s eyes. He smiled at him and settled back into the water, certain that this bond would not fail.

The hot water swirled around Hisst as he gently adjusted his queen so that her body rested partially against him and partially against his brace mate. Sharing her felt only right and he smiled as his hand once again traced her mating bite. The small mark filled him with satisfaction. Perhaps it was not as impressive as those which marked the necks of Queen Adorissa’s brace, but he knew that this one meant so much more. An unusual mark, an unusual queen, an unusual companion—yet, he had never imagined such happiness. In the quiet room, he closed his eyes, and once again thanked the Goddess for sending him helpless into the storm.

Epilogue One

Three years later

“The ship will not travel faster just because you are pushing against the console, my L’chka,” T’kol said dryly.

She laughed and curved a hand over the slight swell of her stomach. “I’m just impatient to be home. He wants to be born on Earth. You should let Hisst pilot.”

“Under no circumstances whatsoever.” He frowned at the Icluthian currently cradling her on his lap, but his eyes were full of warmth. “I have no desire to lose you—either of you—because of this foolish desire for speed the two of you share.”

Lizabet laughed and settled back against her other mate. The past three years on Icluthia had been both challenging and fulfilling. With the information provided by the Icluthian scientists, the warriors from both races had been successful in eliminating the new Saviji queens. The original swarm had been weakened by the attempt to multiply and was now safely confined to one sector. With the end of the war against the Saviji, Adorissa’s plan for more interaction between the two species had begun and, as T’chok had predicted, it meant a constant stream of details to be negotiated.

T’kol and Hisst had proved invaluable. Hisst took to political life as if he’d been born to it while T’kol’s experience and his more direct approach earned the respect of the Icluthian warriors. The other queens had accepted her without blinking an eye, although they quite frequently urged her to increase the size of her brace. T’kol in particular had excited a fair amount of admiration and more than one queen had taken her aside to ask for his use. When she adamantly refused, they often asked her if she thought other Yehrin warriors would be open to the idea. She just smiled and shrugged. She suspected that her mate was unique, but she wasn’t going to dissuade them from making the attempt.

“Do you think our house is still waiting for us?” She had extremely fond memories of the place where they had truly come together.

“I am afraid it had to be removed,” T’kol said. “They were only able to retain one building and I asked them to keep the residence that was built for Queen Adorissa since it is larger.”

“The one with the additional bedrooms?” Her heart sank. Their residence on Icluthia had been set up with the traditional layout and they had decided to experiment with each of her males having one night alone with her. It had been a disaster. When she spent the night with Hisst, T’kol was stiff and angry the next day and it had taken both of them to cajole him back into a good mood. In some ways, Hisst had been even worse. He had been so pale and sad the next morning that she had immediately taken him back to bed and loved him until he smiled again. But now they were back on Earth and amongst the Yehrin, would T’kol want more separation between them?

“Yes, my L’chka. I assume you will want the additional rooms for our children.”

Her heart melted. It must be the pregnancy hormones making her worry; she knew the deep bond they had established over the past three years was too strong to be broken. And during that time, the Yehrin had become much more accepting of the Icluthians. The new agreement was working just as Queen Adorissa had hoped. The Icluthians traveled more freely across the galaxy, and she had even heard rumors that some queens had started expanding their braces to include new species. She also knew that T’lan had been working with the Supreme Council to try and eradicate any lingering prejudice against the Icluthians amongst the Yehrin.

As the Earth grew larger in the viewport, she leaned forward eagerly. It had been three years since she had set foot on her planet. Fortunately, she had been able to keep in touch with her family and her friends via the Icluthian equivalent of video messaging, but her sisters had grown so much, and Benji had taken on the unmistakable signs of manhood. She couldn’t wait to see them all.

As they approached the eastern coast of the United States, T’kol began to veer south.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I checked the weather forecast. It is currently snowing in New Haven.” He raised an eyebrow at Hisst. “I thought that my brother would enjoy a brief period of sunshine and warmth before we returned to the cold.”

The all too ready tears brought on by her pregnancy sprang to her eyes. What a thoughtful gesture, but…

“We will be home for Christmas?”

“Yes, my L’chka. I know that it is important to you. I have merely arranged to hire a boat for a week before we return.” He studied her face anxiously. “Is that acceptable? I know you are anxious to return.”

“I think it sounds wonderful,” she said sincerely. The past three years had been exciting and challenging, but they had also been tiring. The idea of a peaceful week with just her and her mates before she began her new responsibilities was infinitely appealing. She had agreed to represent the Icluthians in the constant rounds of negotiations over trade and resources and competing rights to various sectors of the galaxy. Their faith in her made her both proud and nervous but she was looking forward to being on the other side of the negotiation table for change.

“It seems the most delightful prospect,” Hisst said softly. “Thank you, my brother.”

As they drew closer to the vista of small islands scattered amongst crystal blue waters, she smiled in happy anticipation.

That afternoon, she and Hisst sat at the end of a dock, waiting for T’kol to return with supplies. The people of Earth had grown accustomed to the Yehrin but most of them were still shocked by the Icluthians and it was easier to just avoid people and remain near their boat. The sleek motor yacht T’kol had hired gleamed behind them.

A gorgeous wooden ship sailed into the next berth and a slender pretty woman began to fasten the moorings. Lizabet was just wondering if they should introduce themselves when a massive Yehrin warrior appeared from nowhere. Compared to every Yehrin she had ever met, he looked completely wild. His skin was tanned to a dark charcoal while his long hair curled to his shoulders and a beard obscured his jaw. He held his sword at a threatening angle as he snarled at Hisst.

“An Icluthian? Here? Explain yourself, lizard.”

“I don’t have to explain myself to you, barbarian,” Hisst said almost tauntingly,

as his hand went to his own weapon.

“Stop it, Hisst.” She elbowed him and turned to the warrior. “It’s fine, we have permission to be here.”

“T’saran, what’s wrong? Why did you uncloak?” The pretty woman appeared next to him, her hand resting on a bulge in her pocket that looked suspiciously like a blast tube.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Lizabet said quickly. “I was just trying to explain that Hisst is my mate and—”

“Your mate?” T’saran looked so shocked she almost felt sorry for him.

“Well, one of them. My—”

“Has Earth fallen to the Icluthians?”

“No, of course not. We are working with them now.”

“And you had best lower the sword you have pointed at my brother before I remove your hand.” T’kol sounded cold and deadly as he stepped up behind the strange warrior.

“Please, everyone. Just calm down.” She cast a desperate glance at the other woman and to her relief, the woman put a soothing hand on her warrior’s arm.

“T’saran, please. Let’s just listen to what they have to say.” The woman gave Lizabet a tentative smile. “My name is Lauren.”

“I’m Lizabet, and these are my mates, T’kol and Hisst.”

Lauren looked a little shocked, but she didn’t say anything. T’saran growled.

“I do not understand.” He sneered at T’kol. “Did the lizard force this upon you?”

For a moment, Lizabet feared that T’kol would respond aggressively to the all too obvious insult, but three years serving in a diplomatic capacity had somewhat blunted his natural Yehrin aggression.

“No,” he said shortly. “I was lucky enough to be able to choose this path. I could not ask for a finer L’chka nor a finer companion.”

T’saran continued to scowl at them but Lauren tugged gently on his arm again.

“Perhaps we could invite them aboard the boat? It would be nice to have some company.”

At the unmistakably wistful note in her voice, T’saran’s hostile expression softened.

“Of course, my lady, if this is what you wish.”

A short time later, they were sailing out of the harbor on the Lady’s Pride. Lauren had insisted on taking them to a nearby island where they could catch fresh fish for their dinner. The three warriors stood at the helm as T’saran showed them how to steer the ship. His initial aggression had eased, and Lizabet knew that Hisst was at least partially responsible. Her mate could be extraordinarily charming and after three years with T’kol, he was quite adept at handling a moody Yehrin. T’kol, too, had also relaxed as T’saran’s mood had softened.

Seated in the bow with Lauren amongst a pile of cushions, she felt the tension leave her own body. The sun shone warm and inviting and the breeze that blew by her face held a hint of tropical fragrance mixed with the smell of the ocean. A few seabirds circled overhead, their cries mixing with the rush of the water.

“This is wonderful.” She settled back against the cushions and smiled lazily at Lauren. “I can understand why you choose to stay here.”

“It is wonderful,” Lauren agreed. “I was worried that T’saran would regret exiling himself, but if anything, he seems even happier than I am.”

Lizabet looked at the warrior just as he threw back his head and laughed. The strong dark body, the wild hair and beard—if not for the horns towering over his head, he would have been the perfect image of a pirate.

“He certainly seems happy. Do you live on the boat full time?”

“No. We have a small home on the island for which we are headed. We use it when we want to take a break from sailing, but somehow, we still end up spending most of our time onboard.” Lauren looked around with a contented smile. “I had an unhappy childhood and a miserable marriage, but perhaps I had to suffer through that to know how lucky I am now.”

“T’saran is good to you?”

Lauren’s cheeks flushed. “Very. He thinks I’m perfect.”

“The Yehrin make wonderful mates,” she agreed.

After a brief pause, Lauren leaned forward. “And the other one?” she whispered. “He’s very different.”

“I suspect you thought T’saran was pretty different the first time you met.”

The other woman laughed. “I did. I thought he was some kind of monster come to life—but still, for some reason, I trusted him.”

“When I met Hisst, I felt that same connection. He, too, is a wonderful mate.”

“I’m glad.” Lauren’s eyes traveled past her to where the three males were gathered, and a shadow crossed her face for the first time. “T’saran has made me so happy. I just wish that I had been able to give him a child.”

Before Lizabet could decide what to say, Lauren added, “I’m infertile. He says it doesn’t matter to him, but he has told me about some of the Yehrin history and we listen to the news occasionally. A race doesn’t set up breeding centers unless children matter to them.”

Lizabet’s hand went to her stomach automatically. Lauren followed the gesture, her eyes wistful.

“Are you?”

“Yes. I’m pregnant,” she said softly.

“Congratulations.” Lauren gave her a sweet, genuine smile. “T’kol must be very happy.”

“He is, but it’s not his child. It’s Hisst’s.”

“Humans are compatible with Icluthians as well?”

“Well, no. Not exactly.” Lizabet grinned. “It’s actually kind of ironic. As much as the Yehrin need children, they are surprisingly ignorant about female fertility. The Icluthians have a female dominated society and they are experts. Their females can even control the sex of their children. Each queen only has one female child in order to maintain the balance of their society.”

Lauren’s eyes widened. “And they helped you get pregnant?”

“Yes. One of my friends knew that I was unhappy that Hisst and I could not have a child and she offered to help. One year and a lot of procedures—” embarrassing and sometimes painful procedures “—later, I’m pregnant with his child.”

Lauren bit her lip and snuck another glance at T’saran. “Do you think they could help me?”

“I don’t know, but if T’saran is willing to end his exile, I can put you in touch with my friend. She was quite thrilled to assist me, and her scientists enjoyed the challenge.”

Emotions crossed Lauren’s face almost too quickly to read but Lizabet saw both the hope and the uncertainty.

“There’s no rush and no pressure,” she said gently. “The two of you talk about it.”

“We will.” Lauren’s eyes flicked back to the males. “T’kol doesn’t mind?”

“Mind? He is the one who encouraged me. Despite their differences, there is a deep bond between the two.”

“It sounds like you’re a lucky woman, Lizabet.”

“I think so.” She grinned. “Now shall we make sure they don’t get so involved in talking that they forget about our dinner?”

Lauren laughed and together they went to join their mates.

Later that night, she remembered Lauren’s words. The couple had offered them the use of their house for the night and she had gladly accepted. One of the bedroom walls was completely open to the sea, only a thin layer of netting separating them from the nearby beach. Beyond the translucent curtain, which moved gently in the warm breeze from the ocean, she could see the moon lighting a path across the water and could hear the soft susurrus of the waves. The bed was much, much smaller than they had become accustomed to, but she didn’t mind being snuggled between her two males.

“You’re not sleeping, my queen,” Hisst whispered.

“No, I’m thinking.”

“That is always dangerous,” T’kol growled and she jabbed an elbow at his stomach. Of course, it did absolutely nothing except make her elbow sting, but he drew back far enough to smack her butt, leaving a much more pleasant sting.

“I can see that none of us are going to get any sleep,” Hisst said. “We might as well use our time wisely.”

He kissed her, using his wicked tongue to tug and tease until she was breathless, then slid down her body to focus on her breasts. They were already sensitive and slightly enlarged from her pregnancy and he was fascinated with each tiny change. T’kol curved one hand past her stomach to tease her already swollen clit, while his other hand reached behind her and began probing her bottom hole, firing the sensitive nerve endings.

“It has been far too long since I have had the pleasure of taking you here.” T’kol’s low growl in her ear sent shivers skating over her skin. “H’sst, present yourself to our queen. I think she needs both of us tonight.”

As Hisst lifted her over his body and T’kol began caressing her bottom, she reflected that she was indeed, a very lucky woman.

Epilogue Two

Six years later.

“Boys, stop that right now.”

Jasson and Tressor turned and gave her identical looks of limpid innocence. As it turned out, Adorissa had left out one tiny detail about her pregnancy—they had succeeded in implanting two embryos. When the medic had informed her, Lizabet had almost fainted, but Hisst had been so overjoyed that she had recovered quickly. He later confided in her that he had been worried that his son would feel alone without a nest mate.

“We weren’t doing anything wrong, Mama,” Jasson protested.

“You were trying to wake up Katie up from her nap.” Since the moment her daughter had been born two years ago, the boys had been completely and utterly devoted to their sister. Unfortunately, their eagerness to include her sometimes made it difficult for Lizabet to keep them apart.

“No, we weren’t. We were just going to keep her company.”

She laughed and steered them away from Katie’s room. The separate bedrooms T’kol had included in their house in New Haven saw little use. The boys hadn’t slept a night apart since they were born, and most nights, she found them snuggled around their sister as well. She didn’t usually try and prevent them, but Katie really did need a nap today in preparation for the celebration tonight.

Neither Lizabet nor her friends lived permanently in New Haven these days, but they had all returned to celebrate Emlan’s sixteenth birthday. She only hoped that the girl would enjoy the celebration. T’renan, the big Yehrin warrior who had watched over Emlan for most of her life had left abruptly six months ago. For two weeks, Emlan had barely spoken, driving Emily into a constant state of anxiety. But eventually communications began to arrive from T’renan and Emlan gradually started to return to her normal self.

Tressor kicked impatiently at one of the many rugs covering the floor of the main reception room and she bit back a smile. She no longer found the Icluthian style of decorating strange. Because they entertained visitors on a regular basis, her houses were all designed to reflect her status as a queen. The thought that they owned multiple houses still made her want to giggle. They had returned to Icluthia twice for an extended stay, bringing the family with them, and Adorissa had insisted that the palace there belonged to her, even when she wasn’t in residence. Since T’lan was now Supreme Commander for Earth, he had been forced to spend most of his time at the Yehrin complex in Washington and their family had a house there as well for the constant round of diplomatic and trade negotiations.

“Why don’t you go play outside?” she suggested. “That way you can see your daddies as soon as they return from training.”

T’kol and Hisst had taken advantage of the peace and safety of New Haven to challenge each other to a race around the obstacle course in the woods.

“I bet I see them first,” Jasson said, and Tressor scowled. “I bet I do.”

As much as they loved each other, they were also innately competitive. Hisst had gently urged her to let them be and, unless actual bloodshed was involved, she did her best to stay out of it. If a little childhood competition resulted in two males as fine as her mate, she couldn’t argue.

“Go put on your thermal suits and we’ll see who’s right.”

The boys didn’t handle cold much better than Hisst, and she decided that after the party she would suggest that the whole family go visit Lauren and T’saran and their daughter to enjoy some warm weather.

As soon as they were dressed, the boys raced out of the door, still arguing about who would spot their fathers first. A peaceful silence fell over the house and she returned to reviewing the latest negotiations about mineral rights on Quatar. The planet was located in a dangerous sector. An aggressive new race had emerged in that area and both the Yehrin and the Icluthians were battling to keep them contained. Were the minerals worth the risk? She lost herself in research.

When she finally looked up, she was just in time to see her mates emerge from the woods. Her heart still skipped a beat at the sight of them, both so tall and handsome despite their differences. The boys raced towards them and all four were soon rolling around in the snow. She laughed as she watched, and T’kol’s head came up. He said something to Hisst, then shook the snow off his horns and headed for the house.

Her nipples tightened as she recognized that determined step. The three of them still slept together every night, but both her males liked to sneak a few minutes alone with her as well.

T’kol didn’t even pause as he entered, heading straight for her and sweeping her up into his arms. His skin was as warm as ever, but his uniform was icy cold, and she bit back a yelp.

“You’re freezing,” she gasped.

“Then I shall have to warm you up, my L’chka.” The green flames burned in his eyes as he lowered his head to kiss her. The demanding warmth of his mouth, the rough sweep of his tongue, and the feel of his hard muscles against her soon had her pussy aching.

He squeezed her ass with his big hands, then scowled when he tried to work his hand under the tight denim. “I do not like these clothes.”

“I can’t wear my gowns all the time. It’s nice to wear jeans for a change.”

“Your gowns are much easier to remove.”

She darted a glance over his shoulder but Hisst and the boys were still playing in the snow.

“Why don’t you take me into the bedroom and see how quickly you can get them off?”

“You know I like a challenge,” he said, deliberately rubbing her over his erection.

This time it was her turn to frown as her jeans prevented her from feeling every thick inch.

“You’re right. I definitely need them removed.”

Already halfway to the bedroom, he laughed, but before he could respond, they both heard the plaintive “Mama” coming from Katie’s room.

“Maybe she’ll go back to sleep,” he whispered.

Unfortunately, Katie’s hearing was Yehrin sensitive.

“Daddy,” she squealed.

With a reluctant grin, he gave Lizabet a quick kiss and set her on her feet.

“Later,” he promised, and went to get their daughter.

The boys were buzzing with excitement by the time they arrived at the party. They squealed with joy when they saw J’tem and would have tugged Katie over to see him, but she clung to Hisst’s hand. A thumb tipped with a tiny dark claw disappeared into her mouth. The little claws and her Yehrin green eyes were the only signs of her mixed heritage.

“She will be fine with us,” T’kol said. “Enjoy yourselves but do not forget that you are young warriors.”

Their chests puffed up proudly as they strutted over to J’tem. Sarah’s son had almost reached his full height, despite his youth, but he always treated her sons as his younger brothers and the three were soon huddled around a game board.

Lizabet knew that Emlan had only wanted her extended family at the party but they still filled the big living room. Only Benji, Jane and Tabby were missing. Benji was on assignment with the Yehrin fleet and Jane and Tabby weren’t due home from college for another week.

Even though it was her birthday, Emlan slipped quietly into the room. Her younger twin sisters, Lillie and Leslie, were much more boisterous, dancing into the room to show off their new party dresses. Emlan smiled after them as she bent to pick up Tribs. The small pet’s six legs were almost concealed under his mop of purple fur as he nestled against her shoulder.

“Emlan is so pretty,” Lizabet whispered to Emily. Like her mother, the girl had a mop of blonde curls, but in her case, they curled around the small black horns on either side of her head. She had also inherited Emily’s lack of inches but not her voluptuous build. Instead, she looked almost fragile, although Lizabet knew that her delicate appearance concealed a surprising strength.

“Isn’t she?” Emily beamed proudly, then sighed. “I only wish she wasn’t so shy. She was quiet before, but since Tren’s been gone, she seems almost invisible sometimes.”

A burst of infectious laughter from Emily’s other daughters made everyone smile, but Lizabet couldn’t help wondering how much of Emlan’s silence was simply due to a lack of desire to compete with her much more out-going sisters. The twins had been the center of attention since they were born. For a race starved for females, the birth of twin sisters had occasioned much rejoicing and Lizabet suspected that Emlan had gotten somewhat lost in the excitement.

However, Emlan seemed content enough as she circulated through the party, making sure to speak to everyone present. When it was time to blow out the candles, she blushed but came forward and blew them all out with a look of fierce concentration.

As they were distributing pieces of cake to the excited children, T’lan’s wrist com flashed. He gave it a casual glance, then froze, his face a rigid mask.

“What’s the matter, Daddy?” Emlan asked.

His face was completely unreadable, but Lizabet saw his eyes flash to Emily. “We will discuss it later.”

Emlan stepped closer and put her hand on his arm. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?”

“I’m sure everything’s fine, sweetie. Right, T’lan?” Emily asked.

“I do not wish to lie to you,” T’lan said slowly.

“It’s Tren, isn’t it?” Emlan’s face turned white. “What happened?”

He gave Emily an almost helpless glance, but she put an arm around Emlan and nodded.

“His ship was attacked near Quatar,” he said slowly. “They do not believe there were any survivors.”

Emlan swayed, only Emily’s grip holding her upright. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t believe it. I can still feel him. He’s still with me.”

“I am truly sorry, my daughter.”

Tears began to roll down her cheeks, increasing in intensity until her small body shook. T’lan picked her up in his arms and she turned her head into his shoulder, her desolate sobs trailing behind her as he carried her out of the room. Emily followed them with Tribs trailing behind, chirping anxiously.

“Lillie and Leslie, why don’t you come and have a sleepover with Sophie and Jannie?” Rachel said quickly. Emily’s sisters looked stunned and lost, but they nodded and Rachel and T’chok had them out the door in a few minutes.

“I’ll just put this food away,” Sarah said quietly. Lizabet shook off her shock and went to join her. A few minutes later, everything was tidy, and they all prepared to leave, but Sarah hesitated by the door as T’gana and J’tem waited patiently.

“Do you think I should stay in case Emily needs me?”

“I left her a note telling her that Rachel had the girls and to call us if she needed us,” Lizabet said gently. “We’ll check in on them tomorrow.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Her friend gave her a quick, hard hug. “Love you, Lizzie.”

“Love you, too.”

As they trooped across the meadow towards their home, all of them were unusually silent. The boys clung to T’kol’s hands rather than racing ahead. Hisst had Katie cradled against one shoulder and his other arm around Lizabet.

By the time she put the boys to bed, they had recovered some of their normal exuberance, but tonight she didn’t even bother to try and separate them from Katie. All three curled together like puppies, and she knew that even if they didn’t really understand what had happened, they took comfort in each other.

Her own sources of comfort were waiting for her. T’kol and Hisst removed her clothes and led her to the bathing pool. It wasn’t until she was seated in the gently steaming water that she started to cry.

T’kol lifted her onto his lap and tucked her head against his shoulder, while Hisst stroked her back.

“Please don’t cry, my queen,” Hisst whispered.

“I can’t help it. That poor child, to lose her mate so young.”

“Her mate?” he asked.

T’kol sighed. “T’renan gave her his honor when she was just a babe. I do not doubt that he intended to claim her as soon as she was old enough.”

The words brought back her ancient heartache and she cried harder.

“My L’chka, stop. You will injure yourself.”

“It’s just… what if that had been us? What if something had happened to you before you had a chance to claim me? What if Hisst had died in that crash?”

“But nothing did happen,” he said firmly, and pressed his lips to the claiming mark on her shoulder. Hisst mirrored the gesture on the other side.

“You have us, Lissie. You will always have us.”

Hisst kissed her until her tears subsided, while T’kol surrounded them both with his warmth and strength. Although her sorrow for Emlan remained, she let herself relax into the comfort and safety of these two males that she loved so much. Her restless spirit had found its home and she could only pray that someday Emlan would be able to find the same joy.

Author’s Note

Thank you so much for reading Alien Alliance! This is my first ménage romance and I had so much fun writing it! 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 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! And of course, my author BFFs, Bex McLynn and Emmy Chandler! And last, but certainly not least, my awesome beta readers: Janet S, Tammy S, Susan H, and Kitty S!

Coming up next - Alien Hope

When she finally accepts that T’renan is gone, Emlan is forced to move on with her life. Ten years later, she is overjoyed to find out he’s alive – but both of them have changed. Will they be able to find their way back to each other?

Alien Hope 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!

BookFunnel

Amazon

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And now for something completely different! I’m so excited to announce that I’m participating in a collaboration with some amazing other authors – and each book is a standalone Happily Ever After. My book in the Cosmic Fairy Tales collection is:

Jackie and the Giant

Jackie works as hard as she can to provide for her younger sister, but they’re barely surviving. When she comes home to find that her sister has traded their COW (Comestible Organic Wafer machine) to an alien trader in return for a worthless bean, she is both worried and hurt. She thought she could trust the intriguing male hidden behind the forbidding armor.

When a giant beanstalk grows overnight, Jackie is desperate enough to climb to the top and demand the return of her COW. Instead, she finds a whole new world - and a very large surprise. Beneath the armor is a massive alien who seems to be as much plant as man.

Cormac is enchanted by the little human female who trades with him each quarter and makes his sap rise. He devises a plan to bring her into his domain, even though he knows he may not be able to keep her. But now that she’s here, how can he let her go?

A big green alien, a feisty heroine, evil storekeepers, and helpful plants - this sweet and steamy fairy tale is not the story you remember!

Jackie and the Giant is available for pre-order on Amazon!

And check out all of the fabulous authors in the Cosmic Fairy Tales collection, including this one from the fabulous Bex McLynn, The Ugly Dukeling

Other Titles

The Alien Invasion Series

Alien Selection

Alien Conquest

Alien Prisoner

Alien Breeder

Alien Alliance

Alien Hope

The Alien Abduction Series

Anna and the Alien

Beth and the Barbarian

Cam and the Conqueror

Deb and the Demon

Ella and the Emperor

Faith and the Fighter

Greta and the Gargoyle

Treasured by the Alien

with Bex McLynn

Mama and the Alien Warrior