“The radiation is that bad?” Gwen gasped out, “This is about thirty feet away—”
“Yes Gwen.” Her mother looked pointedly at her then away, “I know how far away it is. Kneus said that Baylech was wearing some type of enhancement to his suit. His radiation wasn’t as bad—” her mother stopped talking but she had caught the implications.
“His condition wouldn’t be as bad as the others.” Brennae couldn’t stop the tears that were flowing down her cheeks. If Baylech was causing alarm and he had been wearing special armor, how bad must the others be?
“I’m not going to say that it’s okay.” Her mother drew her into her embrace, “I can only tell you to have hope. No matter what condition they find the other males, there is always a chance we can fix them. Never give up on Marcael. I know he would never give up on you.”
Brennae stiffened her spine. Her mother was right. Marcael would never give up on her if the situation were reversed. He would expect that she would come back to him, and she wasn’t letting him off the hook so easily. He was going to come through the portal. From there she would have to wait and see.
Time passed and the portable units were set up by the port pad. Her aunt had gone to help against the vehement protests of her mate. Now it was just a matter of getting the males into the portable units. Where were they? It seemed like it had been too long and she was beginning to worry that the rest of her family would be stuck on Earth.
Suddenly there was activity on the port pad. Brennae held her breath when she saw the figures materialize. It was her brothers and they were half-dragging, half-carrying Colle between them. He looked like some kind of science experiment gone wrong. He was pale, with sores all over what skin she could see, and he was obviously unconscious.
Her mother grabbed her hand and they waited. There was more activity on the port pad and another male was brought through. This time it was Mallex. Brennae waited time and again as the port pad activated and it wasn’t Marcael. Everyone was accounted for except for her father, Knaleg and Marcael. When with another burst of energy the port pad lit up and the three of them were there.
Brennae bit her hand to keep from crying out. None of the males had been conscious and Marcael was no exception. His silky white hair looked matted and missing in places where it had fallen out. His skin was covered in the same ruptured sores as the others had been.
“Kniam...” her mother yelled out relieved.
Her father just looked over as he hurried Marcael to a medical unit. Some unspoken communication had passed between them and her mother sighed. “Now we wait.”
Chapter Twenty Nine
Marcael was waking up and the first thing he heard was a muffled female voice.
“You have to get some rest Brennae. Sitting here is not going to make him wake up any sooner. It’s only been twelve hours or so since the treatment.” That was Amber talking and why did he have a sudden sense of déjà vu?
“I know mother, I’m going to rest soon. I know there isn’t much to celebrate, but the dance is still going on tonight. You should help prepare, it will give everyone a sense of continuity. The others would have wanted us to keep living our lives.”
He tried as hard as he could to stay awake but succumbed to his exhaustion, his last thought was that he was home on Terraneu, the rest could wait for just a little longer.
*~*~*
He heard music! It was not playing overly loudly but he could still hear it. Damn it all, he was missing another dance. Opening his eyes, he struggled to get his bearings. He was in the medical dome on Terraneu. Looking around quickly he could see Baylech and Mallex in beds next to his. They appeared to be sleeping soundly, their displays and monitors making soft beeping noises.
“You’re awake. Brennae is going to be so mad. She just left to get something from her dome.” He looked toward the entry doors and saw Gwen coming toward him. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I have been tasered by a weapon set on kill.” Marcael spoke softly. “May I please have some water?”
“Of course you may.” Gwen moved to a portable table set by his bedside. “There is water in this container for you to drink. Go slowly or you’ll make yourself sick.”
“Where is everyone?” Marcael whispered.
“There is the celebration dance tonight. The others were here until it was time to make an appearance. I stayed behind to make sure you three were watched over.” Gwen smiled kindly.
“How are my men?” Marcael needed to know. “I can see Mallex and Baylech but what of the others?”
“I’m sorry Marcael but we couldn’t save four of your men. Bregin, Stahin, Donal, and Rorie succumbed to radiation illness. Colle is in the other medical unit next door, he is still very weak, and his prognosis is not good. We should know by tomorrow if he is going to make it.” Gwen held his hand while he absorbed the news.
His mind reeled at the impact of what Gwen had said. He had lost four good men on this mission and the male he considered his best friend was dying. His display started to beep and flash. Gwen looked worriedly at his monitors then back to him.
“Marcael I can’t say that I know how you feel because frankly I don’t think any living person on Terraneu has any clue to what you are feeling.” She squeezed the hand over his in comfort. “You have been through too much and you need time to really heal.”
Marcael was taking deep breaths but he was not getting any air. He knew he was going to hyperventilate. Gwen frowned and pushed a button on his medical bed and he started getting fuzzy.
“I’m sorry Marcael.” His vision was quickly blurring, “I’m so sorry.”
*~*~*
The next time he woke, there was a weight against his side and he almost jumped off the medical bed before it dawned on him that it was Brennae pressed against him.
“Marcael,” She whispered sleepily. “It’s very late...make that early in the morning. Go back to sleep.” Her arms tightened around his middle and she pressed even closer. “My Aunt Gwen told me that you woke up. I am so sorry about your men. I know how close you were.” He felt hot tears against his chest and an unfamiliar lump rose in his throat. “Just know that I am here with you and I’m not leaving until you kick me out.”
She pressed a kiss against his skin and he felt the warmth of her lips through his medical gown. He sighed and let everything go for the moment, all the pain at losing his friends and the uncertainty of his future. He forced his whole body to relax until he felt like he was a boneless mush. He had not realized how tense he was until that moment. With Brennae at his side, he would face everything when he was healed. For now, he could delight in the feel of his mate’s soft skin and sweet breath fanning over him. Before he realized it, he fell asleep again.
*~*~*
“I am perfectly healthy and ready to be released.” Marcael argued. “I do not need to stay in here any longer.” Looking around the room for someone to take his side he snapped, “You let Baylech go yesterday.”
“He was not as sick as you were.” Gwen was sitting at a display across the room, essentially ignoring Marcael’s pleas.
“Mallex you know me.” Marcael looked at his friend, “Would I say I was feeling better if it were not true?”
Mallex just sipped his water and smiled, “Yes, you would as a matter of fact.”
“Well I like that.” Marcael tried to look wounded, “After all the times I have covered for you.”
“I’ve covered for you just as much.” Mallex grouched back.
“What have you covered for him?” Brennae swept into the room with Star and the yet unnamed sacathie at her side. “Really Mallex you are just encouraging bad behavior when you cover for someone.” She stopped at Marcael’s bedside and gave him a lingering kiss. “If Aunt Gwen thinks you should stay in medical, please listen to her. You were very sick and I worry that you are pushing yourself too hard.”
“I am feeling fine and want to go home.” Marcael stressed the words and then whispered, “I really
need to get out of here, and there is no privacy.” He pulled her hand down his abs to show her what “needed” the privacy. Her answering blush made him wish for their private quarters even more.
“Well I can see your point.” Brennae gave a breathless laugh, “Maybe if you promise to drink extra water, take it easy in the sun, and not overexert yourself your doctor will let you out of here.”
Marcael looked to Gwen and hurried to assure her that he would indeed promise to do all the things Brennae suggested.
“Okay. I am not happy about it but I will let release you...this afternoon. Not a second sooner.”
Marcael matched the smile on Brennae’s face at the thought of getting out of here this afternoon.
Brennae sat by his hip, “Have you thought of a name for your sacathie? I know you haven’t had a chance to gauge his personality, but the poor thing really needs a name.” She reached down and stroked the male’s fur, which in turn made Star jealous for some attention. Both sacath were now clamoring at her feet.
“I think I like Jasper. There was a stray feline I made friends with at the academy when I was young. Its name was Jasper, and this fellow reminds me of that pet.” Marcael looked down at the sacathie then at Brennae.
“Jasper sounds like a great name. I will start calling him that right away.” She looked around the room the sighed, “I better get to work. I will be back this afternoon to walk home with you. Do as Aunt Gwen orders and drink all your water.” Kissing him quickly on the lips her eyes were dancing with merriment. “Until later.” She winked at him and left the room calling the pets after her. “Star. Jasper. Come.” The threesome left the medical dome and Marcael’s smile faltered as soon as they went out the door.
“Whatever you just thought...” Mallex spoke softly next to him, “Stop thinking it.”
Marcael looked over at his friend quietly sipping his water. “I was not thinking anything.”
“Yes you were.” Mallex took their talk to the telepathic link, “I know you better than anyone, well except for Colle perhaps.”
At his friends name the frown on Marcael’s face sharpened. His friend hurried to say, “Colle is going to make it Marcael. You heard the doctor this morning say that he is improving finally. With Chloe in there talking to him all day long he just might come out of it to ask her to stop.”
“Yes, Colle is going to be okay.” Marcael stiffened, “But what of the others. I lost four men—”
“You were the leader of the mission and we all followed you because we wanted to.” Mallex interrupted him, “Don’t lessen their deaths by making it about something you did or didn’t do. Honor their sacrifice by living your life fully. That is all any of us could have asked if we hadn’t made it back.”
Marcael could only nod his head. This advice was close to some Colle had given him. He knew it was not going to be as easy as flipping off a switch and he would stop blaming himself, but with Brennae at his side, he was willing to try to let go. What Mallex said rang true and he needed to work at honoring his friend’s memories. Taking a few sips of water, he turned on his side to get some rest.
“Thank you Mallex, for everything.” Marcael spoke aloud.
“It’s what friends do for each other.” Mallex kept quietly sipping his water. “It’s what we’ll always do for each other.” He promised even more softly but Marcael still heard him.
Chapter Thirty
Brennae was whistling a happy tune as she headed home from work. Marcael had been released yesterday to return to his living quarters. Brennae had warned him to listen to her Aunt Gwen but he had done some errands, and visited with Baylech before heading to his dome. By the time she had joined him he was exhausted. He had tried to stay awake but she knew it was taking a toll on him and insisted that he go to bed, after she made him drink a huge glass of water. He had grumbled about being forced to bed like a child, and she had responded that if he acted like one she would treat him like one. Laughing at the look on his face, she had given him a quick kiss and promised to see him today. Which is why she was whistling a happy tune as she went to his dome. He had promised retribution for her last taunt, with a promising smolder in his eyes.
“Marcael are you home?” Brennae called from his living room, he had authorized her to enter his dome so she didn’t have to wait for him to let her in. Not getting an answer, she figured he might not hear her calling over the sound of the music blaring in his quarters. “Computer lower music to twenty percent.” She hurried through his living room and into the bedroom. “Marcael?” She had made it between his bedroom and the bathroom when he pounced.
“Gotcha!”
Brennae let out a muffled shriek, he had scared her senseless. She found herself pressed face first against the wall with his hard length pushing behind her. His heat burned into her skin from her head to her thighs.
“Now what should I do with you?” He pulled her arms up over her head placing her palms flat against the wall. Thrusting his hips against her bottom, he nipped her ear lobe. Brennae felt the soft rub of his cheek against her. “I think I have a few ideas on what we can do.” His tongue swept out and tickled down her neck, causing the gooseflesh to rise along her arms. “It has been forever since I have held you.”
Brennae could feel what was causing his impatience against her lower back. Marcael had been close to death and she was too grateful to have him here to waste any more time. Twisting so her back was against the wall, Brennae pressed herself against Marcael. She wasn’t even surprised that he was naked. As far as she was concerned, it would save time. Since Marcael still had a hold of her hands, she used the rest of her body to strain into his embrace. Fixing her mouth on his, she didn’t waste time playing. She thrust her tongue into his mouth and engaged his in a sparring battle.
Holding both of her wrists in one hand Marcael used the other hand to pull her dress up over her thighs. His fingers found the side of her thong and pulled hard. The material was not made to withstand that kind of abuse and before she could mumble a protest, which she would have to stop kissing him to do anyway, he had ripped the other side. There went another pair of underwear. She might consider just not wearing any since he ripped them off her all the time. Then she stopped thinking about her thong because Marcael’s hand was between her legs, and his fingers were working their magic against her moist flesh.
Raising her knee to rest along his hip to give him better access, Brennae strained against the hold he had on her wrists. She wanted to be touching him too. Since he didn’t seem inclined to let her hands free, she decided to use her mouth on the area available to her. Breaking their kiss, she latched onto his nipple and sucked hard. He groaned and his head fell back to push his chest forward for more attention. Nipping his skin, she moved to the other nipple and gave it the same treatment. The whole time she was laving his chest with kisses her lower body was moving against his fingers.
“No more playing!” Brennae wiggled against him, “Hold my hips up.” He complied by holding her hips steady and helping her adjust her body until she locked her legs firmly around his hips. Marcael was pressing in front of her, hard and unyielding. The wall behind her kept her from moving back.
With her hands free, she was able to grab Marcael’s throbbing shaft and rub him against her until the tip was soaked. With a growl, he moved his mouth against her neck. His voice was thick with passion, “Hold on.” She moved her hands to grip his shoulders when with a fierce thrust he bounced her against the wall.
She couldn’t help the startled gasp that escaped her lips. His throbbing length was fully enveloped in her moist warmth, and she experienced a moment of stinging pain until her body adjusted to his size. He held his body still looking at her with concern.
“I was too rough.” He went to move away and she locked her legs more tightly around him.
“No.” She moved a little against him to gauge if the stinging was stills strong, “It is better now.” Moving her hands to his hips, she urged him to move. “I don’t wa
nt you to be gentle.” She was using the wall at her back to make him move against her. “I can take it.” She had pushed him back, and then pulled him forward with her legs.
“Stop teas—” she did not finish. Marcael had reached his limit of patience and her words were cut off on a grunt. He was not holding back as she had asked. He was pushing her against the wall with enough force to bounce her forward with each thrust. Talking ceased to be possible. The only sounds in the dome were their fevered breaths and the slapping of skin. Marcael withdrew half of his length then drove forward. Brennae raked her nails down his back and dug her nails into his ass. The feeling of his marble hard shaft, covered in velvet skin driving into her, then pulling back was so intense she almost screamed. Before she could fly apart, Marcael thrust again and grabbing her hips started walking to the bed.
Brennae couldn’t stop moving against him. Being impaled on his shaft as he walked was enough to send her over the edge. With a muffled cry, she bit into his shoulder and trembled against him.
Marcael had almost reached the bed and when she bit his shoulder he stopped walking, grabbed her hips to grind himself against her.
Brennae could feel the warm spray of his release deep inside of her, and he returned the favor and bit into her shoulder. At the sharp feel of his teeth in her shoulder, Brennae muscles flexed harder.
“I almost made it to the bed.” Marcael laughed, and then turned toward the shower. “I think we should get wet instead.”
Turning on the bath water, he sat with Brennae still in his arms. Their bodies still fused together.
“I am a fool Brennae.” She heard him say over the rush of the water. He was holding in his arms and she looked into his face.
“Why do you say that?” She wasn’t sure what he was referring to and her confusion must have shown.
Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five Page 16