Home World: An Alien War Romance (Galactic Order Book 2)

by Erin Raegan

  I followed them outside and to the small ship from the day before. I had to wonder how Tahk got back to the castle if he didn’t take it but looking up I felt kind of silly. Dahk were flying around in the distance. Haytu had said he didn’t want his mates flying through the cold for such a long distance, not that he couldn’t or didn’t want to. Tahk must have flown himself back.

  Isin joined us with large bags he managed to drag onto the ship. I jumped up to help him but Syn beat me to it, and I was pleased to see that it didn’t shock Isin to get help. He thanked him and sat beside me. He had to jump up and didn’t touch the straps. If they barely fit me, I doubted they would do much of anything for him. He just sat quietly and gazed out the window shifting anxiously. If I had known him any better, I would think he was excited. But he was alien, and I could totally be misreading him.

  The trip was felt shorter then it had before, but that was partially due to the pair of Dahk I was with. Syn was funny in an arrogant way, and Borv liked to tease and egg him on. Sex seemed to be their main topic of conversation, and no matter how many times Borv teased Syn for his age and lack of experience, Syn took it in stride and seemed to have a comeback every time. Their comradery made me curious. They seemed close in a way I hadn’t seen yet. Fihk and Yilt teased each other, but they were often very serious, especially Fihk. In the short time I had known him, he was singularly focused on every order from his Commander and had little time to relax. Plus, he just didn’t laugh a lot, that was more Yilt’s style.

  I enjoyed the view as we landed, much closer to the castle this time. Syn took great amusement from my sounds of shock and awe as an underground hangar came into view. A hole in the ice twisted open, and we flew down inside. It was the first really technological type advancement I had seen on Home World. For all the Dahk’s knowledge and advancements, they lived rather simply. The healing room was the most impressive before I saw the hangar.

  We left the ship and went through a large doorway up a set of wide stairs. Borv and Syn had grabbed Isin’s bags for him, and it made me happy and relaxed knowing they treated him right like I had hoped, not like a mule. It lulled me into a false sense of security. I regretted it immediately when Myrna met us in the entry hall.

  “Daughter,” she said with so little enthusiasm you’d think I stole her son and turned him against her. So not the case, but I had to admit the idea held appeal. I had a feeling holidays and gatherings would be so much fun with her around.

  “Myrna,” I said, equally unenthused. “What’s up?”

  She scrunched her face and mouthed the words before scoffing and waving her delicate fingers. “Come with me. I will introduce you to the Queen.”

  “Actually, I have to check in with my friends.”

  “No, you will come with me.” She spun on her heel and flounced away in her silvery gown, completely confident I would follow her. I shrugged and looked to the amused Dahk at my side. I smiled briefly and went in the opposite direction as her. Isin scurried after me. Syn guffawed and followed along with Borv.

  I took the route to the healer's room and practically ran inside. Vivian was sitting on a stool by Hector’s healing vat, and Colt lounged on top of the other chewing on a long brown minty leaf, like Ford wasn’t under him practically near death. Bobo spotted me first and barked twice before rushing over. His paws skated over the stone floor, and he went down on his belly, tumbling into Isin. The Findilis shouted and toppled over under the dog.

  “Peyton!” Viv jumped up and ran over sliding a little herself as she stopped just short of plowing into the dog and Isin. “What is that?”

  “That’s Isin.” I bent over and grappled with Bobo as he smothered Isin in drool. “You okay, Isin?”

  He huffed and shook as he stood, his long hair waving wildly. Bobo barked excitedly causing him to jump. “What is that?” Isin asked just as appalled as Vivian had.

  “A dog, what’re you?” Colt scowled and jumped down from the healing vat.

  “I am Findilis. A burrowing species.” Isin huffed and patted his fur.

  “Burrow you say? Like a prairie dog?” Colt looked at Isin dubiously.

  “We burrow to mine and breed.”

  My eyes bugged along with Viv and Colt’s.

  “You burrow to breed?” Viv looked like she immediately regretted asking. Colt scowled at her like he too would rather not know.

  “Into the female canal where we fertilize and release her egg.”

  Don’t do it, Vivian. I could tell she held back, and Colt even pinched her. We held our breath, but her face reddened the color of a beet before she practically shouted, “You climb inside her with your whole body?”

  “Yes.” Isin shifted his eyes to me, but I was gaping at him in incredulity and could offer no clarifications. That explained the undesirable size. Holy god, he would be far too large for something like that.

  Vivian winced and slapped her hands over her lap. “Ouch,” she breathed, shocked.

  I clenched my fists, so I wouldn’t do the same.

  “Now, you listen here, I ain’t needin’ to know all that.” Colt shook his face clear of his own horror and whistled for Bobo. The dog would not leave Isin. He was almost taller than the Findilis and was fascinated with him. His tail wagged, and his tongue hung out happily.

  I blinked rapidly and forced myself to look away from Isin. My eyes landed on Syn who had his teeth clamped so tight blood beaded on his lip. I scowled in warning at him, and he widened his black and silver eyes dramatically before losing the battle and howling in laughter. Borv rubbed his face and patted Isin on his head before moving around him.

  “How are the humans?” Borv asked.

  Vivian shuddered and shook her head. “Um, Gryo says they’re almost ready to leave the vats.”

  Isin ambled over to me and whispered beneath his breath. “I am aware you breed as the Dahk do.” He scrunched his eyes confusedly, “I did not mean to alarm you or the other humans with my species practices in procreation.”

  “Oh, Isin, it’s okay.” I patted his tiny shoulder. “You just took us off guard is all.” Colt snorted.

  “Does this bother you?” He looked so worried I couldn’t help but crouch and hug him a little.

  “Of course not, the way we do it is different but to you, it must have been just as―” I stopped before I said what I wanted to. It wasn’t strange to Isin, and it may hurt his feelings if I said so. It was his normal. Just because it wasn’t my normal didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt his feelings if I didn’t show him I accepted all of him. Burrowing into vaginas and all.

  He seemed to understand and patted my shoulder with a quiet chuckle. “The Dahk’s ways were just as alarming to me when I learned of them. The Juldo do not even procreate, and the Guhuvin are able to fertilize their eggs on their own. They have not participated in breeding amongst themselves in quite some time.”

  I blew a heavy breath. There was so much we didn’t know. Just how many species were there? Or at least how many did the Dahk know about?

  Isin lifted a bag, “I will take these to your rooms and return.”

  I nodded and gave him a relieved smile. I was glad we hadn’t hurt his feelings. Isin was nice and easy to talk to, and I hoped we would become friends.

  We puttered around the healing room for a while. Myrna hadn’t come looking for me yet, so I took the time to fill Vivian in on everything. She was shocked and angry and just as worried as me that the consorts weren’t so easily dismissed. She also thought Alyn might have heavier feelings for Tahk and agreed he might have hurt her by dismissing her. It made me feel worse about it all.

  “You’re his Pythe, Pey. You didn’t have a choice. It’s practically biological for them. You were meant for Tahk, and they know that. I can’t make you feel better about it, because back home you would’ve been the asshole. Here, you are his true mate, and they keep telling us how special that is, so they should have anticipated it being different from what they’re used to.” She squeezed my hand t
ight.

  “But it’s normal for them to have more than one mate. I love that Tahk sees how much it upset me and did something about it, but I can’t help but feel like I’m wrong for wanting it. For practically forcing it on him.”

  “You said yourself, he told you he didn’t want them,” she pointed out. He didn’t, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t still wrong that I pushed for it. I knew I couldn’t be with him while he was with others, I just couldn’t, but maybe that meant we shouldn’t be mated. My stomach hurt at the idea of never being with him again.

  “I don’t know. I just feel like he’s going to regret it or something. If he’s so used to having so many consorts, how can I keep him interested on my own?”

  “Peyton Elizabeth! Don’t you dare put yourself down like that! You, my best friend, are a catch. Your dad would pop from his grave if he heard you right now. You are smart and kind, and beautiful. You are so damn talented, and it honestly makes me sick to feed your vanity right now because you know all this! Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You got the guy, okay, he worships you. Don’t mess this up by feeling pitiful and downright pathetic.” With that, she stormed away without looking back.

  I flushed, ashamed. She was so right. I had never dwelled on silly stuff like this before, and I wouldn’t start now. Tahk had given me no reason to question how much he wanted me. He messed up by lying and taking me here without talking about it first, but he had never made me feel like he didn’t want me. Even when he was trying to make me jealous with Filiya, I could practically feel the need he had for me. It made me shiver just thinking about it.

  When he got back, I would trust he knew what he was doing, and stop questioning his motives. Tahk infuriated me with his bossiness, but everything he did was to make sure I was safe and happy. I needed to seriously pay him some extra special attention. The thought thrilled me with wicked delight. Dahk females had fangs, long sharp ones. There was one thing I was pretty sure Tahk had never experienced, and I was going to rock his world.

  Chapter 11

  Tahk

  I had been traveling the stars for three sunrings before landing on Hugund, the Orders outpost.

  It had been erected and floating amongst the debris of their moons for millennia. It was said the Order’s chosen planet was lush with life and had that of the most beautiful colors in all the galaxies. The Dahk had never seen it, the planet long dead before we ever knew of the Orders existence. Their outpost now was grander than most planets, built of the purest stones, and the toughest metals. It was circular and just as large as any planet. Millions of species resided on Hugund along with the Order and its armies.

  An Order emissary and his guard met us at our docking station and escorted us to a group of rooms held for me and my Dahk guard. He was Xixin. Tall and muscular, but not quite like their warriors. His fur was combed away from his sharp features, and his fangs were filed sharp along with his claws, but he did not wear the Xixin warrior garb. A much calmer Xixin to their normally chaotic males. Royalty.

  We waited now to be summoned. The Order would not be moved on their meeting time. It frustrated me. I had wanted to move the meeting up, but I could not deter from delivering Uthyf to Home World, and then the Council would not hear of moving the meeting up closer, not even by a sunring as I had requested. Selfishly, this did not bother me too much. I had needed that time on Home World with my mate. Had I left as soon as delivering Uthyf, I would not have had the chance to deliver my mate to Ilyndahdus. Nor would I have been able to comfort her and receive her forgiveness.

  I was grateful I had not left her still angry and heartsick. But the humans suffered for my selfishness. Every moment the Council waited, more humans perished, and their species survival became more perilous. The Vitat would have been defeated easily had they allowed us to aid them. The loss was pointless. A waste.

  The Vitat were strong in numbers, billions clustered throughout the stars, but their strength was no match for my Dahk. They wanted the human's sun and would harvest it if given a chance. Fihk and Dahk One were all that was standing in their way. They would inhabit the Earth while harvesting its sun, and they would enslave the humans they did not consume. Taking both the sun’s energy and the remaining humans back to their hive Queen as sustenance for the hive.

  The Council fed my impatience with their silence. We waited far too long for their summons, but when it came, I waited not a moment before following the Xixin to the Council room. I had been to Hugund only once before. My Commander, before he perished, and the Old King rose me in his stead, had business here that I was not privy to. I was high in his ranks, but he took none with him to his meeting with the Council. I did not follow his lead. Ryt and Dao followed me now, along with a small crew of warriors that had traveled with me from Earth. They would wait outside the Council doors, but Ryt and Dao would stay by my side.

  The Council was made of seven seats, but it was not always this way. Many remained empty, several species awaiting the Council's invitation. Aryx had not gained it when he took the throne. His father’s seat remained among the empty. Though dozens of species were members of the Order, only seven now spoke for them until another would join them. In times of the Old King, nineteen seats were filled. The Council seats were often only filled by a species ruler which made meetings very difficult to schedule. Not all could travel without ample warning. The head seat was the only to remain on Hugund. Viytenus had sat on the Council, ruling his species from afar for so long, no one knew how he came to gain head seat. He was Bour, his species just as mysterious as he. The other six seats were taken by the Xixin King: one of four Kings. They ruled as a brotherhood, each having their own places in the Kingdom.

  The Yuwak held another seat. A female ruler. Though it was difficult to see for she held no gender defining features on her slick body.

  The Polizinth Leader held another alongside the Owirden Lord, they were allies. The Guhuvin King held the sixth, and the Juldo Master held the seventh. I glared at him as I entered the room. His mechanical eyes whirred wildly as he watched me shrewdly.

  There were too little seats held now. The Council was upheld by the Order law, to govern for all species.

  Be Just. Be Fair. Be honorable.

  It was not so with so little species heard.

  “Commander Tahk.” Viytenus boomed from the center seat in the grand room. His chair on the tallest dais.

  “Viytenus.” I bowed. This was the first time we had met. I only knew it was him by the Bour ruling Jewels atop his smooth crown.

  “I was saddened to hear of your Commander’s passing.” His flat mouth spoke the words, but his pale face did not show any regret for his role I believed he played in my Commanders end those sunrings ago. “Though he chose well in his successor.”

  “Aryx rose me.” My Commander did not choose a successor. His end was quick and unexpected. Viytenus knew this.

  “Ah, so he did. Aryx has passed on as well? Is that why you are here in his stead?”

  I gnashed my teeth. They knew of my King’s assassination. He toyed with me. I had never had the patience for politics. “I am here on behalf of my new King, Uthyf, and the humans.”

  “We are aware.” This from the Xixin King. His feline eyes roamed my stiff posture, his furry brow lifting. “Why do you seek to aid such a species?”

  “He has mated a human.” The Yuwak ruler scoffed, her flat mouth pressing down in displeasure. Her unseeing eyes sealed shut behind the gems of her species.

  I clenched my jaw. Aryx had told them. I did not know why. He was to seek them for aid, not reveal my stake in the matter. I had not realized he had time to speak to them at all before his death. From my understanding he had been assassinated just after scheduling the meeting. Did he truly have time to disclose about my mate to all of the Council members? I did not believe so, so how did they know? Unless Aryx told them before I spoke to him. But why?

  “Yes, Aryx has informed us.” The Xixin King observed me curiously. “We were not aware
it was possible for your species to find a Pythen mating among another species.”

  “We were also not aware.” I gritted through my fangs. I had not anticipated them being so aware of my mate. This did not make sense. Why would Aryx inform them of this?

  “It bears thinking of, does it not?” The Juldo Master rubbed along his steel chin. “Perhaps, the humans are compatible with other species?” My father's words came back to me. Did the Juldo truly wish to procreate?

  “Yes, I agree, the humans have been too far for our interference. They reside in some backwater sector. But perhaps we should look into the matter. Many other species could benefit from their capture.” The Polizinth leader’s amphibious eyes roamed the other members wildly.

  “They are an intelligent species, not cattle,” The Guhuvin King sneered.

  “Are they?” Viytenus chuckled. “They cannot defend themselves against the universes pests. The Vitat have not been able to overcome a species in millennia, yet they took the human planet easily.”

  “Will you grant us your blessing in aiding them?” I thundered over their squabbling. I was done with this. I had come for one thing, not for them to discuss the usefulness of my mate’s species.

  “Yes.” Viytenus waved one of four hands. “Aid the humans. But our interference will not come without a price.”

  “The King is aware. We are prepared for you to seize our trading agreements in the dead sector until my King may renegotiate them with you.”

  “No.” The Juldo Master grinned. “The King is not here to offer supplication. The cost will not be yours to accept.”

  “He could not.” I bit back a sharp retort. “He lays his brother to rest.”

  “He is now King. Such things do not come before his duties.” Viytenus glared. “We will contact him directly but even so; the cost will be the humans to pay.”

  The humans had nothing to offer. I braced. “What do you ask of them?”