She shook against him, breath coming out in a heaving sob, her face buried against his chest. "I was so scared!"
"We've proven them the cowards," Lox said, his voice raw. He moved behind Thalia and held both of his bondmates. "There will be no challengers at our claiming ceremony."
Korsik's leg began to protest as they stood together, holding one another, while their brothers ensured there would be no more trespassers that night. He shifted his weight, tried to lean in against his lovers, but the old scar's ache pulled at his muscles while his fresh bruises throbbed. It was no use. Though he was somewhat grateful his attackers had stopped beating him once he'd fallen to the ground and pretended he couldn't get back up. He would've been in far worse shape if they'd intended to really fight.
There was no honor in what they'd done. No skill. No bravery. And as soon as the next day dawned, they'd all go to the authorities and make their report about the incident.
"Let's go inside," Thalia said from between them.
The trio settled in the sitting room until Vall and Glyn checked in with them again. They said their goodnights, then finally made their way back to the bathtub to run fresh, warm water and soak their tension away.
Thalia gently massaged soap into Korsik's skin with her long, delicate fingers. He watched with rapt attention as Lox, seated behind her in the water, washed her body with the same care. Korsik’s staff slowly rose to full attention before she stroked her fingers up and down its length while Lox's hands squeezed and caressed her soapy breasts for a second time.
They didn't have to share any words. They could feel the shared need simmering below the surface within one another. Already Thalia had enriched their lives, helped them find their strength as Alphans ran deeper than they'd realized, and they'd only known her for a day. His bond with Lox felt stronger, too.
Korsik leaned in, ignoring the painful pull in his leg, and captured Thalia's lips in a grateful kiss. "Let's dry off and go to bed."
****
Sleep claimed them before they could manage to do more than cuddle. Thalia became aware of Korsik getting up at some point, but Lox remained asleep, snoring softly, and she rolled against his side as she drifted back to a dreamless sleep.
She woke again to the scent of food cooking. Meat and maybe eggs? She pushed herself up and rubbed at her eyes, not surprised to see Lox had vacated the bed before her. Farm life would involve early mornings instead of late nights, but the change would be a welcome one, especially now that she could enjoy sunlight again without a window being her only access to the world.
Thalia slipped into her borrowed robe and tied the sash loosely, wanting to fully embrace how sexy she felt while in the security of her lovers' home. For herself now, not for anyone else. Although she couldn't deny she enjoyed knowing Lox and Korsik would love the way the lace edging of the too-small robe would look where she'd positioned it over her nipples, putting her cleavage on proud display.
At the kitchen doorway she struck a pose, arms crossed under her breasts to push them up, hip against the wall, head tilted to the side. But Korsik and Lox had their backs to the sitting room. She thought about clearing her throat or saying "good morning" to get their attention, but they sounded too deep in a serious conversation.
"The longer we wait, the more likely those Purists are to twist their misdeeds into our misdeeds," Korsik said as he used a pair of tongs to remove a sizzling sausage from the iron skillet suspended over the cooking fire. "We should wake Thalia. Eat. Go into the city before midday to make our report and initiate the claiming ceremony."
"I trust they've learned their lesson, those blasted old fools. We aren't to be trifled with. Either one of us." Lox waited until Korsik had plated the last of the sausages, then cupped his cheek. He gazed into his bondmate's eyes for a long, tense moment, then jerked their faces together in a punishing crash of lips.
Korsik grunted. The tongs clacked onto the counter. Then he wrapped his arms around Lox's burly shoulders, fingers carding through his braids while their tongues battled for dominance.
Thalia had never witnessed anything so sensual, so full of passion. Her nipples pebbled, and her pussy throbbed with need. She wanted to watch them, but wanted to join them, too. They still had so much exploring to do together, as a threesome.
"Is there room for one more?" she asked softly, not wanting to startle them.
Lox pulled away, his eyes unfocused at first. Then he licked his lips as his gaze traveled up and down her frame. Korsik's gaze lingered on the dark brown circles of her areolas visible through the pale purple lace of the robe.
Thalia took advantage of his unabashed appreciation of her breasts and ran her fanned fingers up and over the luxurious fabric covering them. Their lack of a verbal response made her bite her bottom lip in amusement. To be seen as captivating by her own design … it made her feel powerful, important.
Tark had desired her, had obsessed over the curves of her hips and ass, but he'd always forced her to wear those shapeless shifts that barely counted for clothes at all. He'd taken his pleasure from ripping the backs of her shifts open, using his serpent's tongue to flick over her from neck to knees in a way that made her skin crawl. Then after he'd finished toying with her, usually alone, but sometimes with one of his equally disgusting cronies, he'd make her walk around the house among his other slaves in her tattered excuse for a dress, unable to cover herself properly unless she wanted to risk being punished. He'd done everything possible to try to show her, and his other slaves, that slaves had no power. Humans had no power. Not next to Xyrans.
But knowing he'd been wrong hadn't been the same as experiencing power over her body.
The Alphans looked at one another and exchanged a few words in Alphan. Then Lox turned back to Thalia and arched his brows. "Are you familiar with the claiming ceremony?"
"Glyn explained it to me on the way to Alpha, yes," she replied with a smile and nod. Since the conversation had shifted gears, she let go of her sensual display and crossed the room to be pulled into her lovers' comforting embrace.
So many times she'd tried to imagine what it would be like sharing two lovers long term. She'd been made familiar with many sexual positions for three, but the logistics outside the bedroom had intrigued her just as much. She'd expected jealousy, but had found none. Expected awkwardness, but felt only warmth and easy companionship now that they'd all embraced their inexplicable draw to each other.
"We've been discussing when we should have it, but we forgot to include you since you were sleeping," Korsik said, his expression sheepish. "When do you think would be best for it to happen? I think the sooner the better, given the Purists might try to cause more trouble for us after the events of last night."
Lox bowed his head toward Thalia and shot a side glance at Korsik. "I think it's best to inform the ambassador of our intent, but to wait and invite our friends to attend. Their support shouldn't go unrecognized. Vall, Glyn, and Summer, at least, would appreciate the honor."
Thalia wasn't sure at first which option would be best. On the one hand, she desperately wanted to have the ceremony over and done with to prevent any other attempts to sabotage their new bond. But Lox was right, and she didn't want to snub her new friends. They'd been invaluable in their help, their support, and Summer was already upset with her.
"We should do both," she said, the idea making her smile. Of course, it might not work out exactly as she pictured it, but they could try for a compromise. "Well, let's ask Summer if she'd like to throw us a party to celebrate our claiming. If she says yes, we'll have the ceremony right away and the party will honor our friends by letting them celebrate with us. If not, we can plan ahead … if the ambassador allows it."
"Sounds reasonable," Lox said with a quick nod.
Korsik made a strained grumble in the back of his throat. "That's too many unknowns to be wise."
"Then let's eat breakfast and go into the city to maybe buy me some new clothes? And ask Ambassador Renlit's opinion
on the ceremony," Thalia suggested. She stepped away from them and smoothed her hands down over her waist and hips, sashaying from side to side to prove her point visually. There was no missing the way Korsik's gaze followed the bounce of her breasts. "Unless you think it's wise for me to wear this in public."
"No," Lox murmured. "Your dinap…"
"My what?" Thalia asked, ready for the first of many lessons in Alphan.
"Dinap … nipples," Korsik said. "They're beautiful. You're beautiful."
"We'll provide for you. Clothing. Food. A home. Everything within our power." Lox nodded sharply, several braids falling over his shoulder.
"I intend to help with the farm. Knit clothing for us and to sell. Help with the animals."
This wouldn't be an imbalanced relationship, not if she could help it. She'd do her part, gladly, and help the three of them work together as a unit. It would take time, of course, to figure out the best way to live together, work together, but her hopes were high.
"Women shouldn't be made to perform heavy labor," Lox said, his posture becoming rigid.
"It would be my choice. You wouldn't be making me do anything," Thalia assured him and reached out to take his hand. The cultural differences would only become a point of contention if they let them.
Korsik cleared his throat, then grabbed the serving plates from the counter and headed for the dining table. "We have much to do today. Breakfast first, then we'll make our way into the city. Thalia, I have a shirt and pants that might fit you loosely but comfortably."
And modestly. Thalia grinned, enjoying Korsik's possessive streak. It was more subtle than Lox's, but made her feel just as wanted. The idea of wearing his clothes made her happy, too. It was a sharing of something very personal, something she had never been able to do herself for any of her loved ones. Resources had been so lean before she'd been kidnapped and lost her family. Then she'd been given only the bare minimum and expected to appreciate it. She thought of Summer's wardrobe and the myriad colorful clothes hanging and folded within. It would be amazing to have three or four outfits of her own to choose from, and she could make her own additions with Korsik and Lox's yarn and fabric. Her sewing skills weren't the best, but she could lean on Summer's budding talent for help.
****
Thalia carried her happy, hopeful thoughts with her from their visit with Summer, to the city's marketplace, to Ambassador Renlit's office. She felt confident and beautiful wearing Korsik's deep green shirt belted at the waist, like a short dress, over a pair of his pants, cuffed neatly at her ankles.
"A delight to see you three again," Ambassador Renlit said as he stepped away from his desk. "I feel badly for the trouble you've faced—I've already received word from the report you made this morning."
"It was nothing we couldn't handle," Lox said with a nod.
"That's obvious to me." Renlit smiled brightly. "And the offenders will be punished accordingly for their brazen acts. However, as word travels throughout the region, it may be seen as a waiting challenge to Purists and others in your station alike, who'd prefer to see Thalia anywhere but at your sides."
Thalia hadn't considered the latter probability as a genuine threat, and neither had they. Suddenly, she felt small and powerless all over again. A lowly human at the mercy of an alien culture's traditions. She squeezed both Lox and Korsik's hands.
"That's why we came to seek your advice today." Korsik leaned heavily on his cane and looked from Thalia to Lox with warmth in his eyes. "Would it be possible for us to have a claiming ceremony immediately? If not, what would you suggest we do until one can be arranged?"
Ambassador Renlit's expression faltered, and for a moment Thalia expected him to tell them that they'd have to wait. Not just wait, but be placed at the end of some lengthy list of triads awaiting their turn to have their relationships made official.
"It won't be a grand affair," Renlit said with a shrug of one shoulder.
"Our safety is more important," Thalia assured him. And with Summer having agreed to plan a party for them—with excitement and relief over having something positive to focus on—Thalia felt more than certain they wouldn't regret rushing forward. That was how she'd arrived in Korsik and Lox's arms in the first place, after all. It only seemed fitting in the best way.
"Absolutely," Lox agreed.
"Thalia deserves to have her place on Alpha secured as soon as possible." Korsik gave her hand a little squeeze of reassurance. "She already knows how needed she is in our lives."
"Excellent." Renlit bowed his head and headed toward the door. "I'll gather everyone necessary, and we'll begin straight away."
"Thank you, Ambassador!" Thalia called after him as he left them to wait.
True to his word, the ambassador arranged the ceremony quickly. Those gathered were few in number, with people trickling in while Thalia, Lox, and Korsik exchanged their heartfelt promises of love and belonging to one another. There were no protests. No challengers. And at the wild cheering that brought the ceremony to a close, Thalia felt at home at last. Not just with her men at her side, but on the beautiful planet she'd once feared she'd never see. It had been an uplifting day, but Thalia was ready to rest after so much riding with Lox on his kaballu. Traveling had worn her out and made her back, bottom, and legs sore. She imagined her men were sore, too, from their fight the night before, but she doubted they'd admit to the aches and pains.
After watching Korsik and Lox stable their two kaballu, Thalia stopped at the fence of the dvod paddock and watched the fluffy animals graze in the orange-red light of the setting sun. The little ones bounced and head butted one another, making adorable bleating sounds.
"They remind me of rabbits and wild sheep from Earth, only mixed together," she told her bondmates. Knowing their bonding was official and would be socially recognized made her feel safe, tethered to this new world she'd only scratched the surface of living in. It made her smile twice as bright as Lox and Korsik joined her at the fence.
"I don't know much about Earth animals, but I've heard the sheep comparison before," Lox said, still smiling like he had at their ceremony. He carried the wrapped package containing Thalia's new clothes under his arm, so gestured at the playful dvod with his free hand. "I know you want to rest, but tomorrow I can show you how to take care of the dvod. The little ones like to be held."
"I'd love that!" It was easy to imagine how soft their fur would feel, but she had trouble picturing the energetic little animals holding still long enough to be handled.
"I'm glad we ate dinner at the tavern," Korsik said with a yawn as he leaned up against the fence for a moment, easing his weight off his cane. "This has been an incredible few days. I'm ready for a restful evening myself."
"We'll need to wake up early to tend the animals," Lox said in agreement, though the slide of his arm around Thalia's hips sent sparks flying within her.
In the house, they bathed together with scented oils Korsik had been saving for a special occasion. The heady fragrance was as relaxing as the firm, massaging motion of hands over every inch of Thalia's body. They touched, kissed, and teased in no hurry to reach release in their tender, sensual explorations.
When they toweled one another off playfully and migrated, half damp, to the bedroom, the spark of arousal faded in Thalia, replaced by bone-deep weariness. The room-dominating bed was as large as the one Summer, Glyn, and Vall shared. But this one was now partly hers. She slid up onto the comfortable, quilted bedding, claiming the center of the bed as she burrowed beneath the covers. Lox and Korsik slipped under the blankets with her, one on each side.
"You took my spot," Korsik teased with a smirk as he settled on his back beside her.
"Impossible," Lox said, punctuated with a yawn. "There was always room here for her."
"It's cozy, too." Thalia huffed a little giggle and settled half on Korsik, her head nestled against his shoulder, breasts pressed comfortably against his chest and side, arm draped across him.
"Very," Korsik murmu
red and tilted his head to press a kiss to Thalia's damp hair.
"Too cozy to bond?" Lox asked as he settled in behind Thalia, hardness pressed against her thigh. He draped his arm over, hand holding her arm where it lay across Korsik.
"For tonight, yes." Thalia bit at her bottom lip, feeling as if that were the completely wrong thing to say. They'd had their claiming ceremony, they'd stood up to their detractors, so shouldn't they reinforce their bond through sex? Was it required? She hoped not, but it was something she hadn't thought to ask about in the whirlwind of her new life on Alpha.
"We all need our rest. Together," Lox said in agreement. He kissed her bare shoulder before settling his head back against the pillow.
Thalia relaxed, exhaled a deep, grateful breath, and she realized she could feel the contentment and affection radiating from her men like a gentle emotional current. With Lox and Korsik there was no charade on her end and no expectations for her to be anything or do anything other than what she wanted. In that moment she only wanted to share their warm embrace. The worst was behind them, and both her men had the bruises to prove it. They'd fight again, if they had to, to prove Thalia had every right to remain on Alpha. To remain with them.
Her dream had been to escape and claim Alphan bondmates for her own. It had been a simple fantasy, one with faceless protectors shielding her from her past. As she lay nestled between Lox and Korsik, she realized her new dream was one of love, which had already begun to grow from the intensity of their passion, a dream that would take a lifetime together to fulfill.
The End
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