Fierce Radiance

by Tymber Dalton

  Caz bowed his head. “I will gratefully accept your Master as my own, and serve her—and you and your Master—well.”

  “Obviously we will not ask anything of you other than loyalty, honor, and service in our home. I understand the loss you’ve suffered.” The Admiral reached over and squeezed the other man’s shoulder. “But you are a brother, and it is our duty to not turn our backs on you regardless of your bond to her. How long have you been with her?”

  “I’ve served with her a little over five years. She took me on when she was given the Candola Ryke and her other yeoman retired.”

  “How much do you know about us? What happened. Her history.”

  “I think she hasn’t told me quite everything. I’ve always suspected, since the first time I met her, that she carried a deep pain in her soul. I just never imagined what or how badly it hurt her. This explains why she so readily accepted me into her life when she pushed everyone else away. As you said, her instincts served her.”

  “I failed her. I never should have turned my back on her that day. I should have made sure she completely understood what I asked of her and why. I thought she was just being childish and stubborn. I never thought she would leave like that and I would never get to talk with her again. We were both so angry and hurting…”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I failed her,” he repeated. “And then she left and I could not contact her because of Master’s orders. I could not believe she would love a simple title more than she loved us. I could not believe she would leave. I wanted to calm down and talk to her again but then she was gone.”

  Caz shook his head. “I think a lot of things conspired to tip Fate against you. You have a chance to rectify it. She is currently overwhelmed with pain and regret. If the Ambassador talks to her personally, I think she would come around.”

  “He will not force her. Knowing how badly she aches, he will not say or do anything to influence her. He wants her return, should she choose it, to be of her free will.”

  “I’ll wait here for you tonight.” Caz stepped back and sealed the airlock before the Admiral could disagree.

  The hours crawled, but Aine was so exhausted Caz had no problems settling her into her bunk by 2100 hours. Within seconds, she fell asleep.

  He paced, waiting, unable to stay still. He finally made his way to the airlock fifteen minutes early and wasn’t surprised to find the men already there.

  Without a word Caz led them through the ship to her cabin and sealed the door behind them. He pointed to the door leading directly to his cabin. I will be in there. I will leave it unlocked, and I will come if she calls for me, you understand?”

  The men stared down at her sleeping form and silently nodded.

  “Good luck, gentlemen.” Caz stepped into his cabin and prayed as he closed the door behind him.

  Ker looked down at her, unable to believe after all this time he was back with her. Part of him ached even worse knowing she was not truly his, the sickness blooming deep within him. If she did not come back he doubted he would survive their voyage to Korellas. Not that he would ever admit that to her, and Sammuel was sworn to secrecy.

  He carefully stretched out on one side of her and motioned to Sammuel to take her other side. As Ker stared into her sleeping, albeit far from peaceful face, he thought about their many talks.

  Talk to me, Little One. Tell me your dreams.

  He wished he could weave himself inside her soul and have her love him the way she once had. All he could do is what he did. He opened his mind and soul and removed the barrier he’d placed against her that day long ago.

  After a few minutes she relaxed, molded her body to his. He risked slipping his arm around her, the old, familiar way he held her, snuggling her tightly to his side.

  Ker closed his eyes and forced himself not to cry. It hurt so bad, the ache within him. If she wouldn’t come back he might kill himself tonight just to end the agony.

  * * * *

  Aine’s dreams turned from unsettled to comforting. She dreamed of sleeping nestled securely between Sammuel and Ker, knowing she had no worries, no fears, no regrets.

  When her mind wanted to insist that it couldn’t be, she ignored it and relished the dream sensation of Ker’s soothing heartbeat against her flesh, the feeling of her soul no longer alone, being a part of their triad. Sometime deep within the night she tried to roll over and realized she couldn’t. Her eyes popped open.

  Sammuel’s sad, green gaze stared at her.

  That meant…

  She froze.

  Ker spoke in her ear. “I only want your happiness, however you feel you need to find it, Ki’ato.”

  Caz. She knew he arranged it. It was the only possibility.

  She didn’t want to cry, but that’s what she did. Ker gently rolled her to face him, held her against his chest as she sobbed. He stroked her back through her shirt while Sammuel pressed close behind her.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t know this would happen if I left. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Do not worry yourself. Past is past.”

  She tipped her face back to meet his gaze. “I’ve never stopped loving you.”

  He trailed a finger down her jaw, to her chin. “Neither have we.”

  “What now?”

  He shrugged. “What do you want?”

  “I want to fly.”

  “Fly you shall. I will never hold you back, you know that.”

  “But I’d have to give up my Confederation commission.”

  Sammuel spoke up. “There is no shame in being the commander of an ambassador’s flagship. I told you, you can have an equivalent commission in our fleet. Any rank you want is yours. Name it.”

  Her body shuddered as she took a deep breath. “Can I finish this assignment?”

  Ker smiled. “Of course, love. I am honored and proud to know you are the captain of this vessel. More than you will ever know.”

  “Then what?”

  Sammuel spoke up. “All you have to do is ask.”

  Ker silently swore, should have known Sammuel couldn’t keep his mouth shut, but he couldn’t blame him.

  Aine sat up and wiped her face. “What about Caz? I won’t leave him behind. He’s alone.”

  “We have already assured him that he has a guaranteed place in our home until his death.”

  “Really?”

  Ker nodded. “Really. We know he is devoted to you.” He played with the end of her braid, gently twisting her hair around his fingers. “I would not dare try to take him away from you, or you from him. Especially not when he has cared so well for you. Besides, he is a brother. It is our duty to make sure he has a home.”

  She took a deep breath, then asked, “May I come home?”

  As if a dam burst within Ker’s heart, the pain of the past several years left in a flood, bringing him to tears. He knew he was already healing, recovering as he felt their triad once again complete. He gathered her into his arms and kissed her, the way he’d imagined all these years. “You already are, Ki’ato. You already are.”

  Sammuel turned her to face him and kissed her, then nearly crushed her against his chest. “Gods, I’ve missed you so much, love. You have no idea.”

  At the sound of her renewed sobs, this time happy ones, Caz silently appeared in the doorway, concern on his face. Ker smiled and waved him over, indicated he should sit on the bunk.

  “Do you still wish to serve her?” Ker asked.

  Caz nodded.

  He placed a hand on Caz’s shoulder. “I swear to you, you are of our family.”

  Caz bowed his head. “I swear to serve you well, Master.”

  Ker squeezed and released his shoulder.

  Aine sat up and wiped her face before hugging Caz. “Thank you, brother.”

  He sighed, sensing the peace and happiness that now rightfully ruled her soul. “I told you, sister, my job is to take care of my captain. Even if she doesn’t want to be taken care of.”


  Chapter Twenty

  Caz left them alone and promised he would not allow them to be disturbed until morning. Sammuel grabbed her and pulled her down on top of him. He wrapped her braid around his hand and kissed her, long and hard, until they both gasped for breath.

  With his forehead touching hers, he closed his eyes and asked the question he wasn’t sure he wanted answered. “Tell me truthfully—”

  “No one but the two of you. Nobody since then. Caz is the only man who’s ever laid a hand on me, and it wasn’t romantic.”

  Sammuel crushed her body against his. “Thank the gods,” he said with a relieved sigh. “I had hoped, but since Master released you I was not sure.”

  She poked him in the chest, hard. “And you damn well better not hurt Caz. He’s never been inappropriate with me. He’s the only person that’s kept me sane the past few years.”

  “No, love. I swear it, he is of our family.”

  She sighed, relieved. “Good.” She snuggled closer. “In fact, the last orgasm I had before you showed up in my cabin last night was with the two of you. There wasn’t a single drop of desire in my body without you.”

  Ker cleared his throat. “What does she mean by that, Ki’ran?”

  She lifted her head and smiled as Sammuel blushed. “I came to talk to her last night,” he admitted.

  “And what did you do?”

  He couldn’t say it. She knew he thought it to Ker.

  It felt damn good to have that connection back with them.

  First, Ker frowned. Then a wide smile creased his face, which already looked years younger. He laughed, throwing his head back and falling onto the bunk. “I should have known you would find a loophole, you stubborn, willful man. You always have.”

  “Feel free to punish me, Master,” he said as he stared into her eyes. “I will gladly take it.”

  “No. Because I will not complain, this worked out for the best.” He crooked his finger at her. She rolled onto him and kissed him as he grabbed her braid and held her captive against his body. “I feared I might go the rest of my life without ever seeing you again, without being able to tell you how much I love you.”

  She stroked his cheek. “Are you going to be okay?”

  “That is not the only reason you returned, is it?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m sorry I didn’t listen and understand. I’m sorry I wasted all that time. Answer my question.”

  He kissed her again, slowly, deeply, gently tracing her lips with the tip of his tongue until she gasped at the tickling sensation feeding her desire. “Yes, I will be okay. I already feel better. The effects should fully reverse within a few days or so.”

  “Even if we’re apart while I finish this mission?”

  He smiled. “You will not start worrying about every little line on my face now, will you, Ki’ato?”

  “Do I need to?”

  “As long as I know you are part of us again, as long as our hearts and souls and triad are complete, even if you are physically away from me I will be all right.”

  That settled, she had something else she desperately needed to take care of. She squirmed free and worked her way down his body until she burrowed under his tunic and found his cock. As his taste filled her mouth, her senses awoke and she realized she’d spent the past seven years not just in an emotional haze, but a physical one as well. She closed her eyes and moaned, laid her cheek against his smooth thigh and felt comforted as she sucked him. Her senses felt sharper than they had, hearing and smell…

  And taste.

  Her mind swirled as her emotions swelled.

  Home. She was home.

  No fucking way would she ever give them up again. The Confederation could kiss her ass.

  Sammuel chuckled as he sat up. “I told you before, Ki’ato. Only Master and myself may kiss your beautiful ass.” He pulled her trousers down and proceeded to do just that, licking and kissing and nipping at her cheeks even as Ker rested his hands on her head.

  “Ki’ran, I suggest if you wish to have any opportunity to fuck her tonight, you do it now. Because once I get my cock inside her, it is staying there all night.”

  Heat curled through her body at his words. She took him even deeper into her mouth.

  “Thank you for the warning, Master.” She felt Sammuel leave the bed for a moment. When he returned, his naked flesh pressed against hers as he helped her shed her clothes.

  His hands stroked her back, but neither man made her relinquish the cock in her mouth. His knees nudged hers farther apart.

  She didn’t need a command to get wet either. Sammuel noticed. “You have missed us.” He plunged a finger deep inside her, drawing another moan from her.

  Ker’s eyes closed. “Love, this is just the first of many for you tonight.” His cock swelled. She moaned again as his thick, sweet juices hit her tongue.

  Sammuel’s cock pressed against her as his hands grabbed her hips. Then he plunged deep inside her, hard and fast, her body melting around him.

  Ker wrapped her braid around his hand. “Come for us, Ki’ato.”

  Aine’s body responded as if she’d never spent a night away from them. Her muscles clenched around his cock as her passionate cries were muffled by Ker’s member.

  Sammuel didn’t bother trying to hold back. He came and held himself still deep inside her. She felt him flooding her, warming her, renewing their bond.

  Relieved but far from sated, she shivered pleasantly when he feathered his lips down her spine. “I cannot believe you are back in our arms,” he murmured.

  Ker had already hardened again. Gods, how could she have wanted to give this up! His grip on her braid tightened even further as his cock grew hard and hot. When it throbbed, swelled, then exploded again, she let out another happy moan. Her lips and tongue lapped at him, sucking, swallowing it all and wanting more.

  “I need to be inside you, Ki’ato,” he said.

  She wrapped her arms around his hips, refusing to let go.

  Sammuel burst out laughing. “Good luck with that, Master.”

  He tugged on her braid. “You can spend the night with Ki’ran’s cock in your mouth.” He handed her braid to Sammuel, who helped pull her off him. He climbed out of bed and disrobed. Sammuel had to wrap an arm around her waist to keep her from diving for his cock again as he climbed back in.

  Ker took her braid back and placed his hand in the middle of her back. “I suggest you move fast,” he teased Sammuel. “She is desperate.”

  Laughing, Sammuel moved out of the way while Ker knelt behind her in his place. Sammuel stretched out on the bunk on his back. Ker guided her over to him where she wasted no time swallowing his member.

  Ker patted her on the ass. “I’m guessing that will keep you busy for a while.” He caressed her hips, his fingers parting her folds, playing with her, teasing her. “So beautiful, love.” He lined his cock up and quickly sank inside her.

  Aine sighed with relief. Not only from the comfort of Sammuel’s taste, but feeling full, feeling joined to Ker once again. His knot immediately swelled and tightened inside her as he slowly pumped his cock. “I will enjoy falling asleep inside you, love. It has been far too long.”

  Ker’s joy washed through her mind, body, and soul. Mixed with Sammuel’s, it felt nearly intoxicating.

  When the familiar warm flood filled her, she closed her eyes and took Sammuel’s shaft even deeper in her mouth.

  Ker closed his eyes. “Both of you,” he hoarsely said. “Come now!”

  It felt like a shockwave slammed through her body. Sammuel’s hand tightened on her braid as his body arched beneath her and his sweet seed filled her mouth.

  When his climax subsided, Ker rolled them to their sides, careful not to dislodge Aine from Sammuel. Sammuel shifted position too, to his side, so she could still suck him. Ker’s arm draped over her hip and his other hand drifted between her legs where found her clit.

  “Again, Little One. Come for me now.”

  W
ith his hard, hot body pressed along her back, she gave herself over to the pleasure. As she felt his knot pulse in time with her own release, she wondered how she could have been so stupid to give this up.

  He let her catch her breath before calling another one out of her. Then, with her weakly trembling in his arms, Ker kissed the back of her neck. “And now we sleep, love. Together.”

  Sammuel remained where he was, but he curled himself close to Ker and laced his fingers through Aine’s. “All night,” he said.

  Aine closed her eyes. For the first night in nearly eight years, since the night before she left on her mission on the Haltoran-dey, she went to sleep feeling whole again.

  * * * *

  Sometime in the early morning, Aine’s eyes popped open. Something felt wrong, but she couldn’t figure out what…

  The feel of Ker’s body along hers, his knot still tightly embedded inside her, that was as it should be.

  She took a deep breath and nuzzled Sammuel’s thigh. Smiling to herself, she realized what woke her. After a few seconds of searching, she found his flaccid cock and greedily engulfed it again.

  Next to her, Sammuel chuckled. When his hand settled on her head and stroked her hair, she took a deep, relieved breath and promptly fell asleep again.

  * * * *

  Hot lips on the back of her neck nuzzling her ear awoke her. “Aaaaine,” Ker teased. “Morning.”

  She pressed her cheek to Sammuel’s thigh. She didn’t want to let go. “No,” she mumbled as best she could around his cock.

  Ker stroked her cheek with his hand. “Love, you have a ship to run. Responsibilities.”

  Fuck. She did.

  He sensed her thoughts. “Two months until we reach Korellas. If you wish to turn the Candola Ryke over then, you can. Or if you wish to wait until you return to the Confederation to do it, Sammuel can come back with you. We will call it a diplomatic escort or something.”