Determination. Her single-minded focus on her dream. Her persistence on following capture rules instead of extorting wealth in exchange for lenience. Her low birth. Her insistence on cleanliness. All those things combined to make her unworthy of romantic attention from the men she dealt with on a cycle basis.
Her character and behavior put off most men.
“So how does this pie rate with your favorite one?”
“It’s delicious,” she said, glad to have the pie to focus on. Thinking about Nanu and trying to forecast his actions confused her. “I’ve tasted nothing similar. It’s creamy and light and unusual because it has no lid to confine the filling.” She snatched the slice and tipped it upside down. The filling remained intact in the pie.
“This is a recipe we collected during our travels.”
“Where? Which planet did it come from?”
He hesitated. “I don’t recall.”
Lie. But why would he dissemble about a pie? Unless he wanted to keep the source a secret. “Are you opening a pie shop too?”
“No, of course not. I can cook. We take turns on the Indy and never rely on pre-shrunk foodstuffs. If I ever leave the Indy, I’ll do something with ships. When I’m working with ships, either repairing or maintaining them or flying them, it’s not a chore because I enjoy it.”
Jazen approved of his confidence and wished for the same certainty and conviction in her plans. She might fail. The notion jarred her, twisted her stomach into a knot. No! This was her dream. She took a defiant bite of pie and focused on deciphering the ingredients.
Nanu portioned the capon and pushed the platter in her direction before picking up a leg for himself. He chewed on the meat and drank his cacjuice.
Jazen picked up her goblet while watching Nanu. She tried to tell herself she wished to work him out, but her attention lingered on his lips, shiny from the capon juices.
“If you keep staring at me, we’re moving back to the gel-pad,” Nanu announced.
Unbidden, her gaze darted to his groin, and she stared in fascination at his cock. The ridges appeared more prominent than she recalled, not that she’d taken in much during their joining. Instead the sensations had claimed her, and she’d been the recipient of his generosity in making certain she enjoyed their mating as much as him.
She savored another bite of pie, and this time it was him who stared. His hair tendrils lifted and waved around his head, the gentle hum they emitted soothing rather than weird. A crumb tickled the corner of her mouth and she licked it free.
Nanu placed his partially eaten leg of capon back down on the platter without taking his gaze from her. Secs later, he pounced. He scooped her up and carried her to the gel-pad, heedless of the goblet that toppled to the gattoc floor.
His lips stemmed any argument, the caress of his mouth against hers killing every single objection. She stroked a waving hair tendril and relaxed into his embrace. The man had skills, and she intended to enjoy every sec before she escaped.
Nanu slid from her body after once again failing to lock in place. Every part of him claimed her as his life partner, so why did his cock fail to lock each time they fucked? Instead, Jazen had fallen into a deep sleep. From memory, that part was normal.
Nanu cursed under his breath, distress and anxiety setting his hair tendrils writhing and hissing. Aware of the possibility of wakening her, he edged from her embrace and strode from the gattoc into the fresh forest air that Leeam’s and Sheera’s Incorporeal magic had created.
Mogens. He’d speak with Mogens.
The seer would listen and offer advice. He’d read the clouds to discern the future, although Nanu wasn’t sure he wanted to learn of the coming cycles if his mating to Jazen failed.
He watched his lover for long secs, listened to her deep, even breathing. She’d slumbered for ages last time, and his father had told him a life mate always slept after loving, especially during the first days. He’d speak to Mogens and arrive back before she awakened.
Decision made, he pulled on clothes and boots then crept to the far end of the forest and fumbled for the invisible lever that would open the door to his chamber. He located it without difficulty, and his locks opened with a low clunk.
The soldier outside his door came to attention, his steely gaze watchful, his muscles taut as he prepared to spring into action.
“Stand down.” Nanu made a mental note to inform Ellard of his soldier’s dedication on what must be a boring assignment. “I need to speak to Mogens. I shouldn’t be long. Jazen—the prisoner—is asleep at present. I doubt she’ll locate the exit, but if she does, make sure she doesn’t escape.”
“Yes, sir,” the soldier said, standing military-straight in his hunter-green uniform.
His green eyes and black hair indicated his shifter status, but one eye was a slightly darker shade of green. He might have lost the ability to shift. Eye color was the usual indication of a loss of shifter abilities, and Nanu approved of Ellard’s policy to hire any fit and intelligent men as guards at the palace rather than follow his father’s edict of healthy feline shifters only. Thanks to Mogens and the medical team, some of the shifters who lost their powers to shift due to a stealthy attack by the House of Cawdor were recovering.
“I shouldn’t be long,” Nanu promised.
“Yes, sir,” the soldier acknowledged, and Nanu headed off in search of Mogens.
He discovered Mogens pulling weeds in his medicine garden, the seer’s favorite place to spend his cycle. Verdant plants filled every space in the corner of the bright and sunny castle grounds. Floral scents bombarded his nostrils, and he ducked when a buzzing insect dive-bombed his head. His hair tendrils hissed a warning.
“That is interesting,” Mogens said, staring at his hair. A tiny arrow of black feathered through Mogens white countenance.
“Yes,” Nanu agreed. “It’s most disconcerting when they act independently.”
Mogens peered at him. “I didn’t expect to see you for many cycles. Is something wrong?”
“No. Yes.” Nanu hunched his shoulders before a single hair tendril whacked his cheek. “Ow.” He rubbed his stinging face.
“Unusual.” Mogens’s violet eyes filled with unexpected humor. “Let us have a seat and you can tell me of your problems.”
Nanu followed Mogens to a secluded bench deep in the center of his garden. It sat beneath a framework draped with a vine bearing pink and blue and violet flowers. Each colored flower was a different size and shape even though they appeared to bloom on the same plant.
He sucked in a deep breath and drew the scent into his lungs. The tension in his muscles released as he sank onto the bench beside Mogens.
“This is the tranquil plant from the planet Floridia. It bears special properties which help to relax and clear the mind. I always sit here before I read the clouds.”
Nanu rolled his shoulders to loosen his muscles. He inhaled, yet the turmoil in his mind refused to settle.
“Is something wrong with Jazen?” Mogens asked.
“No, she is fine. I left her sleeping. It’s me who has the problem.”
“Oh?”
“Everything went well. Jazen is attracted to me, and our joining was most enjoyable for both of us. The problem is that I should lock inside her on completion. This ensures a successful mating. This…this isn’t happening,” Nanu confessed. Mogens wouldn’t poke fun at him as Kaya might have, but the seer’s advice might not be what he wanted to hear. Failure to lock was a serious thing on Indra. This would set alarm bells ringing for a potential life mate.
“Is this unusual?”
“Once my inner beast awakens to a female and chooses her as his life mate, his goal is to plunder and breed the next generation. Children are wealth on our planet. I… I have failed.”
“Surely there must be anomalies,” Mogens said.
“I never heard of this problem occurring. Once the inner beast chooses, nature takes its course.”
“You are of different races. It’s
true you’re both humanoid, but perhaps your differences will yield varied results.”
Nanu shrugged. “When I am with Jazen, all I think of is caring for and protecting her. I wish to give her everything—my love, my seed, my child.”
“Can she still get with child without the locking process?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is it possible she is using a contraception to avoid conception?”
Nanu’s head jerked upward. “Huh, I never asked.”
“Or, it might be her parentage. Some races do not conceive unless the mind accepts the mating. Is it possible that your races are not compatible, and this is nature’s way of avoiding a mistake?”
“No.” Nanu refuted this last suggestion. “My inner beast would never steer me wrong.”
Mogens reached over and patted his hand. “I agree. All I’m saying is there are many reasons for the mating not proceeding in a traditional manner. My suggestion is to return to your gattoc and spend time with her. Try to learn of her and understand her personality—her hopes and her dreams.”
“She wishes to retire and open a pie shop.”
“Good lad. You’ve learned about her already. If she is speaking of her future, this means she trusts you at a basic level. You need to strengthen this trust, bond emotionally and physically. Use this time wisely and savor the positives instead of worrying about the end result.”
Nanu listened closely. Mogens gave excellent counsel. As Camryn often said, he was worrying about maybe instead of living in the now. Nanu rose and thrust out his hand to Mogens. “Thank you for your advice.”
Mogens ignored Nanu’s outstretched hand and drew him into a comforting embrace instead. Nanu relaxed to savor Mogens affection and friendship, and once again, he gave silent thanks to the goddess for thrusting the crew of the Indy into his sphere.
Mogens released Nanu and stepped back, his face a striking pearly white.
“I follow your suggestions with Jazen.”
“Has she tried to escape?”
“No, she hasn’t. Not that I have given her a chance to worry about an escape. We’ve talked and eaten and made love.”
Mogens glowed with whiteness and approval. “Clear communication is the perfect basis for a relationship. I have confidence in you, Nanu. You will win Jazen. I only hope you gain her loyalty and her love. Your life and also Amme’s depend on her.”
“I believe Ry is attempting to wipe the warrant from the active files. Amme’s too, now that we’ve learned she is in danger.”
“An excellent suggestion. I shall ask Ry how this strategy is working.”
“We’re a long way from Indra.” Nanu lowered his voice. “Earth is even farther away. It’s only pure bad luck that has set Jazen on our trail.”
“She excels at her job. There will be others as tenacious.”
Nanu sighed. “You’re right. I’d better return to Jazen before she awakens. Thank you for listening.”
Mogens pressed his palms together and bowed his head. “You are welcome.”
Nanu left Mogens and discovered a bounce in his step. Mogens was right. He needed to trust in his beast and enjoy the process. And most of all, he had to secure Jazen’s loyalty and love, so she never betrayed him or his friends. A difficult process, but he flew on the Indy.
They laughed in the face of impossible.
The Brother’s Arrival Causes Suspicion
“Chobe, we’re entering Viros airspace. They wish to know our purpose since we didn’t acquire a pre-arrival permit.”
Chobe Lav straightened from his sprawl and scowled at his business partner Hanoid. His mind worked busily as he determined and discarded excuses. “Tell them our ship has developed mechanical problems. The engine is overheating, and I don’t wish to place my wife in danger by risking a flight to our intended destination of Dalcon.”
“And if they still ask questions?”
“Tell them I’d also intended to meet with my sister.” He wasn’t sure what Jazen was doing, but it appeared she was on the trail of a claim. Perhaps a benefit for him. “Don’t offer this information unless the first excuse fails.”
Hanoid rushed back to the bridge while Chobe flicked through the bond notices. He had an excellent memory, and although warrant-taking was no longer his chief profession, he still dabbled. He’d told his self-righteous sister he imported and sold luxury goods when he wasn’t pursuing bounties. The truth. He grinned because she wouldn’t approve of the details.
These days he ran his own gang with his partner-in-crime Hanoid. He invested and sold in the valuable slave trade, and it made them rich men. A wealthy man had expenses, which was why he wanted Jazen’s entire savings, not the crumbs she’d sent him. He intended to take over the territory of a rival gang, and for that, he required mercenaries and weapons. While the initial expenses were immense, the sweet reward beckoned and drove him onward toward their goal.
Soon, no one would dare call him a nothing or a nobody again.
* * * * *
Happier after his discussion with Mogens, Nanu strode back into the castle, intent on getting back to Jazen. He grinned. He’d never raced to a woman with this eagerness. Normally, it was the morning after and he ran in the other direction. Him and Kaya both.
“Nanu!” Kaya hailed him before he hung a left into the corridor leading to his chamber. “Wait!”
The serious tone in her voice had him slowing his steps instead of blowing her off. He grinned again, amused by the Earth expression. One day, perhaps, he might take Jazen there and show her the stunning and majestic blue planet. Of course, this might place Amme and Marcus in danger, so maybe not.
“Spaceport security contacted Ry. Jazen’s brother has arrived.”
Nanu stilled. “Her brother?”
“Chobe Lav.”
Anxiety blasted Nanu. If Jazen attempted to leave now, he wasn’t sure he’d control his inner beast. If they’d locked and mated properly, he’d not have a problem, but with the ties only on his side, he hated to risk her leaving. He shoved aside the insidious, viperous whispers about never locking and completing the mating.
“Is he asking for Jazen?”
“No, and that’s the weird thing. At first, he told us he had engine trouble and wanted to stay to repair his ship rather than risk his wife in deep space. Then, he said he’d come to visit his sister.”
“Why didn’t he say that first?”
Kaya bobbed her head, her blue hair swinging and catching on her pointed ear. “My sentiments exactly. Ry said it might be innocent, but we’ve decided not to mention Jazen and wait for his next move.”
“You’ll keep me appraised? I can leave my chamber for short periods of time.”
“Won’t Jazen notice your absences?”
“She goes to sleep after each round of sex. I tire her out.” He met Kaya’s gaze with smugness.
“Huh,” Kaya said. “Are you sure you’re doing the right thing? Tell her if she hurts you, I will beat her arse. A promise, not a threat.”
Nanu gave Kaya a quick hug, buoyed by her show of support even though the stakes had raised with the brother’s arrival.
“Is Ellard having him investigated?”
“He is,” Kaya confirmed. “Ellard told us to give you a message. You need to pump Jazen for information about her brother. The more information we have, the easier it will be to check into this Chobe Lav’s past.”
“I believe he is a warrant-taker too.”
“We’ll check,” Kaya said. “You haven’t made life easy for yourself.”
Nanu shrugged with nonchalance, but his hair tendrils writhed and hissed.
“Whoa.” Kaya eyed his hair with suspicion. “That’s new.”
Nanu struck a pose, one hand on his hip. “Another weapon in my arsenal, or at least the tendrils will be once I’ve mated. At present, my control over them isn’t great.”
Kaya winked at him. “Better get on with the mating then. I need my friend back. I’ll tell Ry you’ll try
to learn more about the brother. See you later.” She jogged away and disappeared around the bend in the corridor.
Nanu sucked in a breath and strode back to his chamber. Nothing like a little pressure.
Jazen woke alone on the gel-pad. She sat upright and stretched her hands above her head. She hadn’t slept so well for cycles and her muscles flowed with ease—limber and loose after her vigorous exercise. Her belly let out a rumble, and she rifled through the basket for more of the delicious pie.
“Nanu?” Chewing, she scanned the gattoc. She rose and wandered to the doorway of the tent structure. “Ah, you’re there.”
“Stretching my legs.” Nanu lifted his arms above his head, flexing his muscles. “Did you have a good sleep?”
Jazen blushed, the reaction so out of character, she averted her gaze to stare at her bare feet He wore trews and she remained naked.
“Why do you have clothes?”
“The biting insects are ferocious during the evening. I didn’t wish to volunteer my flesh.”
Her stomach gurgled again, loudly enough for Nanu to hear.
“You’re hungry. I am too. I’ll prepare a meal for us. If you wish to bathe, there is a waterfall and a warm hot spring to the right of my gattoc. It’s why I placed my gattoc here. Take your robe with you because of the insects.”
A robe. Jazen rubbed her arm as she spied the two green robes sitting near the gel-pad. She hadn’t noticed them earlier, because Nanu drew her attention.
“Or wait until after we eat and we can visit the pool together.”
She reached for a robe, looking forward to the excursion. Nanu interested her, fascinated her more than any man of her acquaintance. He discussed a variety of topics and listened to her opinions. He hadn’t denigrated her dreams of opening a pie shop. The one time she’d spoken of it to Chobe, he’d acted as if she were short of brainbox filling. In other words, an idiot for having such a vision for her future.
“That sounds nice.” Nice? What was Nanu doing to her? She was a skilled warrant-taker and feared by those attempting to flee. She shook her head, trying to nudge good sense into prominence.
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