"I will do so tenfold, Grace."
He reached down to her velvet folds and reveled in the thick moisture that coated his fingers. He tested her entrance and this strong woman whimpered.
"Zhadra. Now!" Her blue eyes were warm pools of need.
He quickly freed his raging cock and lifted her hips. Loving the way the cheeks of her ass fit into his hands, he let his fingers drift between her cheeks to stimulate her nerves, tapping softly at her tissue there.
Grace sucked in her breath and he felt her moisture gush near the tip of his hard cock. She widened her legs and welcomed him inside.
He surged forward slowly, teasing her, nearly withdrawing, checking that he was welcome, checking that she was as mindless with pleasure as he felt. He had to smile at her curses. He never smiled during sex.
Finally, he was fully seated. She perfectly sheathed him. He could already feel her small quivers around his erection. He sighed with relief to be inside her again. And he wanted to just remain there reveling in her warmth.
In truth, he was a bit amused at her grumbling.
"Move, damn you!" She released one of his shoulders and then punched him in the same spot.
He showed his teeth, then leaned forward and nipped her shoulder. "My warrior is greedy."
She clenched her walls around his cock, reached up and grabbed his horns and squeezed.
Zhadra lost all sense of teasing.
He pulled back and sank into her, over and over. He stilled and gritted his teeth as she came around him in strong gripping contractions, loving the way she screamed in pleasure.
Then he began again. Burying himself in deep, long strokes, shifting her to maximize her pleasure. Still teasing and fondling her back entrance.
He could feel her once again gasping, tightening, and he allowed the pressure in his balls to climb. He could feel his cock swelling even greater, pulsing against her walls.
This time when Grace came around him, he submerged his whole body and soul within the miraculous woman. He released himself deep inside her, pulsing, giving her everything he was, unburdening every care within his weary soul.
He had held her gaze the entire time, but now he buried his head in her neck and purred with contentment. He'd never felt so welcome in a woman's body. He was home.
He carried her to the bed and laid down on his back, still joined to her. He kissed the top of her head and pressed it to his shoulder. "Sleep for a time. All will be well."
Chapter Fifteen
When Grace woke up two hours later, she stiffened with surprise. She had not meant to sleep. She had not meant to have sex again.
Pushing herself up off Zhadra's chest, she wrapped a sheet about her and sat on her knees, ramrod straight, facing him. It was tough to focus.
Tough to ignore that warm chest. Or the sleek black hair that touched his shoulders. Or those horns that caused him to moan when she stroked them.
She wanted to moan just looking at him.
But there was much at stake here, and there were many more than just her who had an uncertain future.
She pasted on a smile she did not feel and stared at his golden eyes. "We need to talk."
Zhadra studied her for nearly a half minute before he sat up against the wall behind the bed and folded his arms. "Why do I think I will not like this talk?"
Damn it. She kept forgetting there was a big brain under those horns.
"I am very concerned about our future."
A little jerk went through his body and his eyes suddenly looked cautious. It even looked like he swallowed a few times before he spoke.
"I would not be a good mate, Grace." He cleared his throat. "It is not you; I assure you. It is me."
Though a little dart of pain hit her heart, most of her was just astounded at the universal nature of male trepidation. And arrogance.
"Not our future." She motioned wildly back and forth between them with her hand. "My future." She put a fist to her chest. " And my crew's future." Then she nearly hissed. "You and I do not have a future."
A little neon gold began in his eyes. "That remains to be seen."
So, the big lug didn't like being told she was taking herself out of the game. Men.
"I want to know what awaits us on your planet, " Grace said. "It does not seem as if they are used to women such as us."
"I guarantee you they are not."
"And I didn't get a lot of warm fuzzies talking to your sister."
"What is warm ----." He shook his head. "Never mind. Did she look unhappy? Abused in any fashion?"
"Well, no. But there was something about her . . .." She trailed off as she considered Lhiranna. The woman hadn't looked entirely comfortable.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed. "This can all be settled after we reach Obos. Let us go check on your male family member."
He refastened his clothing. As he led her to the replicator to replace her torn clothing, he muttered almost to himself. " I must also make certain Lhiranna is safe. She should not be here."
"But you said she is the most talented physician on your planet."
"She is. But it is not her place to be on an Obosian battleship."
Not her place? Before Grace could say another word, they were out the door and he was plodding down to sick bay.
It was a good thing that Grace was nearly six-foot tall and had long legs. The man could move. And she'd complain about having to trail behind him, but the view of his ass was truly excellent.
Grace entered sick bay to see a fully conscious Scott standing by a berth. "Holy hell, Scott. You were near dead last time I saw you. And I thought your legs were broken."
Her cousin grinned. "The technology is amazing, Gracie." He looked over warmly at Lhiranna. "And I have the best physician in the galaxy."
Lhiranna’s horns were smaller than Zhadra’s and there was a faint hint of amethyst violet in the depths of their tone. Her violet eyes were a nice contrast to the glowing silver skin.
"Scott exaggerates,” said Lhiranna. “Once he stabilized, the medics were able to initiate standard treatment."
"Yes, but you got him stable so they could." Grace touched the woman's arm. "Lhiranna. Do you have a few minutes?"
Zhadra looked around and frowned. "Lhiranna. Where is your chaperon?"
Lhiranna closed her eyes for the merest fraction and when they reopened, it was as if a veil had descended. "I sent her to our quarters so that she could prepare appropriate garments for Obos."
It was Grace's turn to frown. "Why do you need a chaperon? I can understand an assistant, but . . . "
"Since I am unmated, I remain in my father's household and must be chaperoned when I go out. I am four and twenty, which is old for an Obosian female." She had the merest of a pink tinge to her cheeks. "I do have a few more liberties than younger women."
"But you aren't able to live on your own?"
"Oh, my. No."
"Don't you want to?"
Lhiranna looked puzzled. "I am allowed to see patients. Even though much of our medical care is delivered at medbot stations, the complex patients are referred to the health center. And I am allowed to work in my laboratory another two days per week."
"Allowed?" Grace was getting very sick of that word. She met Zhadra's eyes. Before he could respond, she turned back to Lhiranna. "What about the other days?"
"I oversee my father's servants and act as hostess for his important gatherings."
"What if you just, you know, want to go out with friends? Go shopping? Go for a run, for god sakes?"
"If my father approves, I may . . .."
Grace growled. Lhiranna leaned back with alarm.
Scott glowered at Grace, then gentled his face for the little Obosian woman. "Grace is upset, Lhiranna, because it sounds as if you are not as free as your brothers."
Zhadra, who had stood stiffly silent during this exchange, narrowed his eyes at Scott. "Our customs are none of your affairs, human."
Lhiranna looked di
stressed at the conflict. "Our planet is undergoing many changes."
"What do you mean?" Grace asked.
"Our females are now given more say in their matings."
"Wow. That's incredible." Grace was pretty sure the sarcasm was lost on Lhiranna, but she saw Zhadra fold his arms in displeasure. Tough, thought Grace. She needed answers. "And why has there been a change?"
"Our birth rate has been dropping," Lhiranna said, "especially in the traditional, Arranged Matings. And fewer young girls are born."
That sounded weird. "Is there any explanation?"
"The researchers are uncertain, but Chosen Matings, those entered freely, some even in defiance of family or political tradition, have been more fruitful."
Grace must have looked stunned, because Lhiranna hurried with more information. "And the Chosen Matings; it is said there are excessive secretions from the mating glands, and these are the matings lucky enough to still be blessed with female offspring."
"What mating glands?"
Now it was Lhiranna who looked confused. "Your species does not have the pheromone glands behind the teeth?" She looked at Scott. "Or the neural pathway to detect them?"
Scott spoke up. "Many other mammals on our planet have such a mechanism. But it was thought to be obsolete in humans."
Grace wondered. Zhadra had a powerful effect on her. She sneaked a look at his mouth and saw that he was watching her.
"So. Now the Council of Obos has changed the laws. They now sanction Chosen Matings after the fact. They really have had no choice, the fertility rates being what they are."
Grace wanted to stop talking about matings, that circumstance of which Zhadra wanted no part. "Do any women live on their own?"
"No," Lhiranna said.
"Well that is certainly going to change in at least one household." Grace put her arm through Zhadra's and pulled him out into the corridor.
"What is it?" His voice was slightly husky, and his eyes had the embers of sexual glow coming on.
Grace steeled herself and ignored the corresponding wave of heat between her legs. God, he was sexy. "You know that favor you owe us for helping with the Vermians and rescuing Khaid?"
"Yes." Wariness had crept into his voice.
"I have calculated our repayment. It begins with living arrangements on Obos."
He looked confused. "I told you that you will be guests in my father's household."
"And as gracious an invitation as that is, Zhadra, we decline. We want an Earthen Embassy compound on Obos. And we will live there."
"But there will be protection at my father's --"
"Z. I'm in charge of our security. I will hire staff."
He narrowed his eyes. The golden glow had faded. "With what credits?"
"That's part two of the favor repayment. You will set up an account with credits for the Embassy, and we will expect you and Khaid to fund it."
"Why do I think there is going to be a part three?"
She smiled brilliantly. "I knew you were smart the minute I laid eyes on you in your Vermian cage. We need jobs. Meaningful work."
"I'm not certain that will be possible. With rare exception, our women do not work outside the household."
"And my crew is not getting off this ship unless all of it is possible." She leaned in. "And if there was ever a chance of you and I continuing," she hesitated, "whatever this is between us, our demands need to be met."
Oh damn. Those eyes of his were on fire again.
"Female. You will not dictate such things on my planet."
"Well," she said sweetly, "perhaps I won't remain on your planet."
"You would prefer the Vermian cage where I found you?"
"At least there would be no illusion of freedom. It would be quite clear where I stand."
"Well, female. That can be arranged."
With that, he turned and stormed down the corridor.
∆∆∆
Grace was still glum when she found Keri's quarters. An impromptu crew meeting had been called now that everyone was healed and out of medical.
Grace informed Keri and the rest of the crew of where things stood with Zhadra.
"Now that you are all healed," Keri said, "the current mission is simple. Go forth and spy." They were to find out everything they could about the planet that might very well become their home.
Over the next several days, they did just that.
The Obosian crew did not know what to make of the women.
Sophie, the navigator, spent the days on the bridge learning all she could about navigating through the Sigma star system as if she had been born to it. And she'd need that knowledge if the crew decided to hijack a vessel and get the hell out of the galaxy.
Zhadra had assigned two guards to each human, ostensibly for their protection, but the guards just became one more source to pump for information. Emma, their intelligence officer, became their least favorite human.
Emma was a phantom. She disappeared hours at a time. Her guards became frustrated, and she was assigned an additional set of guards so that she was up to four by the time they landed on Obos.
Charlotte went down the proverbial rabbit hole into the engineering level and only emerged for meals and to sleep. Apparently, the Cyclone's engineering crew were enamored with her problem-solving skills.
Charlotte didn't understand all the Obosian technology, but she seemed to bring a new perspective to challenges the Obosians had encountered over the years in their systems. And as she helped solve their problems, she learned enough to be competent. Very competent.
Grace could also see that Scott was making headway with Lhiranna in their discussions of diseases and injuries in different species. More than once she had seen the warmth in Lhiranna's violet eyes as she laughed with Scott.
And though Scotty had never been one to bother too much with more than port call sex, her cousin seemed to genuinely enjoy the little physician. It was also rewarding to see the scowl Zhadra directed her cousin's way whenever he saw Scott with his sister.
Grace tried to get info where she could, but most of the males avoided her like someone with lice. And it was pretty clear why. Every time she turned around, Zhadra was watching her, looking very forbidding.
Only the Captain of the Cyclone, Philleh, seemed willing to risk the Admiral's wrath. He seemed to enjoy torturing his friend and helped her to understand the monetary system on the planet.
"Grace," Philleh groaned as he surveyed the activity on the bridge. "You already know more than me about how the credit system works. You understand the value of a credit. And," he said, as he looked over her shoulder, "you are going to get me killed."
"I've already figured out that you are friends, Philleh, so that's not going to happen."
"Perhaps." He winked at her as she heard heavy footsteps behind her. "But that doesn't mean I am not getting pounded into the training mat on a daily basis."
"Grace."
Zhadra's voice alone was enough to send a little shiver up her spine. She had been successful at resisting him, but it had not been easy. When she didn't immediately turn around, those big silver hands of his gently touched her shoulder and she wanted to melt back into his arms. She bit her lower lip and resisted. "Yes?"
"It is once again time for this endless negotiation with your captain. We are expected in the planning room."
"Ah, yes." Grace stepped out of his reach and began walking toward the meeting. "The last one before we land."
"Thank the goddess."
Grace and he entered the meeting room and joined Keri and Khaid, who were already seated at the table.
Keri began immediately. "At the end of the last meeting, you and Lord Khaiden agreed to fund an account with one billion credits."
Khaid grumbled. "An obscene amount for a mere little rescue."
Keri raised an eyebrow. "You would have preferred to still be fighting dragons in an arena?"
"Of course, not," Zhadra said. "We have settled the credit issue in you
r favor. I fail to see what else you could possibly want."
Grace groaned. They'd been over this. "An Embassy. An independent house. A settlement. A damn cave! Somewhere to live on our own."
"This is not up to me." Zhadra's eyes were a very cool amber today, as if the matter were of no consequence.
She placed her hands on the table and leaned forward. "Then give us a vessel to continue our mission."
Now the eyes lit up in neon. "Never, female. Over my dead body will you leave Obos." His chair toppled over as he stood.
The way she felt now, the option of a dead body was not out of the question. She watched he and Khaid leave the war room.
She felt stupid tears come to her eyes. No man had ever made her cry. If this was love, she needed to get over it. This sucked.
If she got stuck on Obos, how the hell would she avoid him for the next fifty years? But, in truth, if she left Obos, how the hell would she avoid dreaming of him for the next fifty years?
She looked at Keri. "If you all get the chance to escape, go without me."
Keri looked thoughtfully at the exit. "Not sure it will come to that, Grace."
Chapter Sixteen
Zhadra and Lhiranna departed the ship to travel to his father's home. They had to fly above the capitol city of Agros and into the nearby plains to his father's ancestral estate.
His sister was very quiet sitting next to him as he flew the new Tricraft he had ordered. His guard was in formation with three Phantom Bike escorts. Security was such a part of his life and travels over the years that he didn't need to communicate with them for the journey.
Zhadra was more comfortable with Lhiranna dressed once again in the long sleeved, loose traditional tunic, but had to smile when he saw that she had embroidered the front with brightly colored thread in the symbol of the goddess, Qala.
"Lhiranna. I want to thank you again for your assistance with the injuries to the humans and my crew."
She was staring out the screen at the passing fields of plustronut orchards and herds of dairy schlaks. The only sign that she had heard him was a nod of her head.
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