Crouching down, she smiled slowly when Benjamin met her eyes.
“Benjamin,” she purred. “Calm yourself. I am about to make all your wishes come true. You want to lay with many females without concern? You want to be coddled and led about like a child? You wish to leave Kaidava, so you don’t have to be a decent mate for my cousin? Very well.”
She gestured to a heavily painted female who glided forward on a mass of rolling tentacles that made up her lower body.
“This is Varal. You may not recognize the species, but she is a Gida. Unlike Tajii and Kadesh females, Gida females do not form mate bonds. They live in a matriarchal society that has few males, but in which all those males they do have live a large communal harem. There, their every want and desire are indulged in, all in exchange for giving up their seed when females desire to breed or seek pleasure with them.”
Ben’s eyes widened above his gag as he attempted to scurry away from the tentacle that brushed his leg.
Varal nodded her head with a sharp smile.
“Thank you, Val’ee’na. This one will do splendidly. He is still a young human, which means he can sire many Gida young over the years he has left of his life. My sisters and I do not care for the name Benjamin, so we will call him Mal. It has a far nicer ring to it. Come, Mal, you will be well taken care of.”
Varal’s eyes lit up as she slipped several tentacles around him and hauled the struggling male aboard her ship.
Kaval and Sovuul stood at either side of Val’ee’na as the ship departed with their cargo.
“Well, that wasn’t too difficult,” Sovuul said jovially.
“Speak for yourself,” Kaval said. “You weren’t the one carrying him. Thanks to him tossing about I landed in a manythorn bush. I will be pulling thorns out of my backside all night. I think I may have bruised my tail base on top of that,” he grumbled.
“At least you get to go back to the party. I have to go sit in our room and pretend I am keeping Ben company. Just don’t forget to trade places with me so I can have some fun too.”
“I will endeavor to relieve you within reasonable time,” Kaval replied without much concern for his younger sibling.
Val’ee’na snickered as they headed back to the garden door.
***
Lerix was about to go and investigate Kaval and Sovuul’s disappearance when Cara tugged his arm, insisting that he had neglected to speak to a group of relatives at the other side of the room. When they circled the room again less than twenty minutes later, he was relieved to find Kaval and Esha participating in contests of strength with a mixed group of young males just outside the garden doors.
Although a bit rowdier than the typical mating party games, Lerix was just happy to see that perhaps his suspicions were wrong. Sovuul must have been with Ben. He was tempted to join the games and question Kaval, but Cara squeezed his arm again, alerting him to more approaching relatives. Lerix groaned and reminded himself that he only mated once.
He just had to suffer through one more day. Even if he would rather be outside throwing his cousins into the dirt.
By the time the evening was over, he was certain he had greeted every one of his relatives and friends, and all those who came for Mahuura. It seemed that his mate was determined that he fully play the role of proprietor of the estate. His father looked far too happy about that, judging by the pleased way he watched Lerix socialize for hours on end while he got to relax and observe from the pair of comfortable chairs he and Ordul had selected as far as possible away from the busy talk of guests.
Kaval and Sovuul seemed to trade off with Ben since he never saw both of them in the room together again, but at least now they were laughing and mingling rather than lurking in corners like specters. Lerix certainly didn’t miss Ben making a nuisance of himself. Even Val’ee’na was smiling and laughing, surprisingly more often than not at the side of her cousin. He hadn’t expected such a turnaround, but he was glad that the females were no longer casting less than veiled barbs at each other.
As people began to drift away to return to their rooms, Lerix felt a tug on his tail. He looked down and his eyes feasted on his mate’s wicked smile as she flicked her eyes over the door. Clearly, she was finally ready to let him off his leash for a bit.
Without needing any further invitation, he grinned down at her and yanked her up into his arms, carrying her out of the room as she giggled in his ear. The brief touch of her tongue on the rising crest of his ear made him shudder as he picked up his pace until he stumbled to their rooms.
Setting her on their bed, he made short work of pulling off his clothes, his mate watching every article of clothing strip away to bare more of his scales. She licked her lips, desire flaring in her eyes when he finally stepped out of his kodulth, and her fingers slowly slipped aside the simple green and pink fathee she was wearing. Unlike the ceremonial fathee that she would wear tomorrow, this one was not weighted down with heavy embroidery, so it slipped easily from her pale limbs. The lightweight fabric was made for both style and comfort. She was beautiful in it, but not as beautiful as she was bare, as far as he was concerned.
Impatient for his mate, Lerix pulled the material the rest of the way off her body and tossed it on a chair with his own clothes, his tail sliding up her legs as he did so. He was relieved to see that he was not the only one eager for their coupling. She moaned and wiggled enticingly against him, the wet heat of her center flush against his cock as he drew a pert pink nipple into his mouth.
“Lerix, I want to taste you this time,” she whispered against his jaw. Lerix paused. He didn’t care for relinquishing control over their couplings. Yet when she dragged her tongue along his jaw, he shivered in anticipation and rolled them so that he lay flat on his back, his mate held tight against his belly.
Cara started by kissing the protective scales on his neck as she made her way down his body, admiring every contour and line with her hands and lips as his grip relaxed enough to allow her downward passage. When her lips brushed against his shaft, Lerix nearly jolted off the bed. Never had a female enjoyed his body in this particular way before.
His mate chuckled, her hand wrapping around his cock to lightly pump it as her soft tongue swept over the tip, flicking and teasing as it worked its way along the entire length before she drew it deep within her mouth. Lerix felt his eyes roll back in his head and he moaned. His hips jerked beneath her ministrations as he allowed himself to surrender to her. His balls began to draw in and his lower back tightened as his breath fell ragged. He felt himself nearing completion when Cara’s hot mouth disappeared from around his cock.
Lerix murmured a protest, regaining focus in time to watch her straddle his lap and position his aching shaft against the lips of her cunt. With a rock of her hips, she pushed down onto his length, both of them moaning together as her tight walls slowly stretched to accommodate him with ease.
She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly, the lightest sweet brush before she began to move wildly over him, unable to control her desire. That was fine with Lerix; he loved when his mate allowed herself to get out of control and passionate. It was at complete odds with the sweet face she showed the world.
Throwing her head back as she gasped with pleasure, Cara dug her fingers into his abs and rocked with more energy, her breasts bouncing as she rode him. Each tight glide of her channel over him eroded more and more of the threads of his control until he couldn’t hold back a moment longer.
On her next downslide Lerix grabbed her hands, laced their fingers together, and stretched her arms above his head. He was taking back control. Securing his mate with his tail, Lerix rocked up into Cara, plunging into her in uncontrolled thrusts as her cunt clenched and erupted around him with fresh waves of wet heat.
Her entire body began to shake uncontrollably as one orgasm passed into another, but still he kept up his pace, his own body climbing rapidly, reaching for his own climax. As she mercilessly squeezed around him again, he buried himself deep as he coul
d get, grinding into her as he released the torrent of his essence within her.
As she panted and shuddered flush against him, Lerix wrapped his tail tighter around his female while his hands caressed her sweat-slick back. A satisfied smile pulled at his lips. He never imagined he wanted a mate, but now he couldn’t imagine spending his life any other way.
Chapter 29
Esha sat quietly and breathed in the pre-dawn air. He loved this time of day, before the bright sun of Kaidava shone down without mercy, forcing him to hide indoors away from its splendor. In the twilight hour, he could for a moment lose himself in the world around him. Exotic large-plumed birds sang softly to each other as they lit from tree to tree, defending their territories and calling for mates.
He could appreciate that.
Although he could not abide the midday, he marveled at the lush beauty that the bright sun yielded. Soft, dense foliage grew lush everywhere thick with large fragrant blooms. It was so unlike the low shrubs and scant bushes of Ikoru that managed to survive despite the scant hours of light that punctuated the long dark nights. Mahuura so much like the beautiful flowers all around him in the garden. And just as fragile. She would wither and die in the traditions and darkness of Ikoru.
She needed Kaidava to survive, and if he wanted his mate, he would need to adapt.
Lerix was a fine example of how a male, roughly formed from the harsh life of space, could adapt and transform to provide shelter and comfort for his mate. Esha would follow his newfound friend’s example. He needed to speak to Mahuura and pray that she would forgive him.
***
Morning came and Cara woke reluctantly to it. This was her mating day. She should be as excited as any new bride, but instead she felt dread. Not for the mating ceremony, though that was intimidating enough. No, she dreaded to see what fruit was born by the mischief cooked up by Kaval and Sovuul. That she’d played a part in it just made her feel sick to her stomach.
She needed to tell Lerix. Scratch that, she needed to confess to Mahuura.
Her mate’s hand stroked down her back, unwittingly providing comfort. Cara blinked back tears. She didn’t deserve comfort for helping to betray her best friend.
The hand stilled.
“Cara? Are you all right?”
Mutely, she shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” her mate whispered in a near panic. “Are you having second thoughts about our mating ceremony?”
Cara shook her head again, sniffling as she tried to choke back her sobs. “I don’t know why you want to be mated to someone like me.”
Lerix chuckled. “You mean a female who is sweet, generous, and compassionate to a fault?” he teased.
He jerked back, startled when she let out a long wail.
“I’m none of those things! If I were, I wouldn’t have helped ruin Mahuura’s mating ceremony,” she cried.
Silence fell and Cara just cried harder.
“What do you mean?” he said softly.
“Kaval and Sovuul wanted me to keep you distracted at the party so you wouldn’t interrupt them while they were getting Ben offplanet. I just wanted Mahuura to be happy… She wouldn’t have been happy with him.”
Lerix let out a long, drawn sigh. “Okay. The only thing we can do for it is to go tell Mahuura. Your heart had good intentions, but now it is morning and time to greet the consequences.”
Rubbing her fists over her eyes, she peered at Lerix.
“Do you think she’ll hate me?”
“I will not lie to you. I don’t know how she will react. I hope that she sees the gesture as it was intended, one born out of love and friendship. As I do,” he murmured.
Leaning into her mate, Cara took comfort from his embrace, his arms holding her close and his tail curled around her hips letting her know that, at the very least, he forgave her.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know,” he said as he pressed his lips against her temple.
***
Mahuura lowered her teacup with a frown. “I don’t understand.”
If it weren’t for Lerix’s stoic presence behind her she probably would have crumbled into a pile of tears and nerves the moment her friend had looked up at her from her chair in the common room.
“I’m so sorry, Mahuura. I have no excuse. I knew that your brothers were planning something. Even though I didn’t know the details, I went along with it. I kept Lerix occupied so he wouldn’t become overly suspicious.”
The Kadesh female slowly stood, her scales paling to an alarming shade of deep pink.
“Let me get this straight. My brothers stole my mate, and they made certain to ask you, who I counted as my friend, to help them cover it up?”
Cara nodded miserably.
“Why? Why would you do such a thing?” Mahuura whispered in a pained voice.
It was the moment of truth.
“Because anyone could tell that he was making you unhappy, and I couldn’t stand to watch him destroy your life.”
“You are wrong,” Mahuura protested weakly.
“No, she is right,” a smooth feminine voice interjected.
Cara glanced behind her. She hadn’t even been aware that Val’ee’na was in the room. Shame filled her that Mahuura’s cousin was now an unwitting witness to her confession.
“She is right, and I arranged for his departure for the same reason,” Val’ee’na stated in an even voice. “I was already trying to figure out how to save you from the sort of unhappy fate I have been unable to escape—mating with a male who you do not love. I could not stand the idea of you becoming one of those bitter Kadesh females who you call your family. Or those of Lerix’s relation who mock him for mating a human out of love rather than choosing a female of status and social mobility. I want you to be with a male who is your true match and a good mate for you.”
Mahuura paced the room, seemingly unaware of her brothers and Esha stepping into the common room if not for the glare she leveled at them before spinning around to resume her pacing.
Kaval and Sovuul stood frozen in place, neither moving a muscle, as if hoping she wouldn’t turn her anger on them as long as they didn’t move. Esha was little more than a silent shadow behind the brothers, but unlike them, he observed the female with a calm focus.
“You do not know what could happen with any certainty!” Mahuura challenged. “Many couples come to love each other, and I would have at least had the love of my children.”
“But many do not,” Lerix said quietly from behind Cara. “Some become bitter, and some just bide their time until they can run away with someone better. I refused to bind myself to a mate who would always attempt to escape me. Although I do not approve of their methods,” he said coolly, giving each of them a long, hard look, “I cannot fault them for risking your anger to do what they felt they must out of their sense of love for you.”
Mahuura stared at Lerix, weighing his words. Her shoulders finally slumped in defeat.
“I suppose you are all right. It is better for me that Ben is gone… I just thought it was my one real good chance to find a mate.”
“It was not,” Esha growled. “He was not your mate nor your chance at finding your mate. He served a purpose, but it was not for uniting with you. He served my purpose. He brought me to you so that I could witness the dance of your aura and know you as mine. You are my mate, and mine alone. If you must place blame on anyone, place it fully on me. All of this was my doing, because I refused to surrender my mate to that spineless, shameful human, but couldn’t tolerate the thought of stealing you away in the ways of the Ikoru,” he said, his back stiffening as he waited for the backlash of her anger.
To Cara’s surprise, Mahuura’s face lit up, her anger dissipating as if it had never been as she stared at the Ikoru in wonder.
“You really feel that way about me…?” she whispered.
The male nodded his head. His entire body was erect in anticipation of her anger but what he hadn’t
been prepared for was the small body that launched at him, her arms and tail winding around him. Esha shook with surprise, the most confounded look falling over his features. But when he smiled, his entire demeanor softened as he wrapped all four of his arms and his tail around his mate. Cara suspected that he would have closed his shoulder talons around her too if he’d been in a position to do so.
Mahuura had tears in her eyes as she looked up at him with a shaky smile.
“I don’t suppose you are interested in taking Ben’s place in the mating ceremony tonight?”
Esha chuckled. “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to join with you in mate-bond tonight.”
Cara sniffed despite Lerix’s amused huff as he watched her dab her eyes dry.
“Oh, shut up,” she said. “That was beautiful.”
***
The evening fell without a cloud visible in the sky, showcasing the bright sweep of the constellations across the heavens. Cara did not recognize a single one, but that was all right with her. She had plenty of time to become acquainted with her new homeworld.
The lights twinkled blue through the garden, reflecting off the golden brocade and embroidery on her fathee. The ceremonial dress itself was like a piece of art. Beautiful patterns of flowers in orange, gold, and peach were woven on a rose-pink background matching the pink blooms that Val’ee’na had artistically woven into her hair.
She grinned over at Mahuura, who was blushing a vibrant blue as she stood next her to towering Ikoru mate. No one had dared to gossip about Ben’s disappearance while Esha was at Mahuura’s side. Her parents had been a harder sell, but once they saw how much Esha doted on their daughter and how he’d won the support of Sovuul and Kaval, they’d been happy to welcome the male into the family.
Cara looked up at her mate as the priestess waved her ceremonial scepter with a strength and dignity unvanquished by age. The female’s hair was blue and her scales almost the color of rust, yet her eyes were clear and her will obviously still strong. The small bells that hung from the scepter chimed as her thin voice uttered prayers and blessings upon the couples joining as mates. Cara nearly jumped when the shell horns, not unlike giant conch shells, were blown by the attendant priests at the conclusion of each prayer.
A Kiss on Kaidava Page 21