Precious Starlight (Quads of Galafrax Book 3)

by Angela Castle

  She gripped the sheet, tugging it around her body like a toga, before moving to the edge of the tall, wide bed and slipping down onto the floor. Slight vibrations hummed and she guessed they were on a spaceship of some sort.

  “Miss Daisy, are you all right?”

  Sneaky devil, she hadn’t noticed anyone move in to where she stood as she watched the commotion. Tilting her head to take in his height and appearance, she realised he was an identical version of that commander, Loz, but something different. There were no hard edges to his face, but softer features, filled with concern as he gazed down on her.

  That’s right, these aliens came in sets of quads.

  “Well, other than hunger and ringing ears, fine. So which one of the four are you?” she managed, just as Peta, now awake, joined in the screaming. “Don’t happen to have ear muffs, do you?”

  He cocked his head, a smile on his handsome face. “I’m Cir, third, and a healer. You're safe here with us.”

  Her gaze took in his black uniform. What was it with the no-sleeves thing? Admittedly, his shoulder muscles were emphasized in black over the sleek red skin. Yum. He didn’t disappoint in his wide shoulders, narrow hips and long, thick legs. For aliens, they were damn good-looking and built.

  Yeah––as if she regularly met other sexy aliens, to compare them with.

  Still, the clean-cut lines of his face, high symmetrical cheekbones and full lips in a cocky grin made him, on the hot scale, way over a perfect ten. His nose was long and angular, but it suited his face. Inky black hair curled around his handsome ears. His eyes, like molten gold, held a kindness, which made her want to trust him. She doubted there was a single ugly spot on the Demos man.

  “Come this way, and we’ll leave, uh, those to the other medical staff.”

  She got the distinct feeling he wanted to be around the screaming women about as much as she did, and followed after Cir.

  They both heaved a sigh of relief when, in another room, the door slid shut to cut off the noise. She gathered up her sheet, holding the end over her arm, feeling a little under-dressed as his golden gaze swept over her no-doubt mussed appearance.

  Daisy mentally shrugged. She didn’t care what she looked like. It wasn’t as if anyone like Mr Hot Alien would take an interest, in someone like her.

  Ugh, did she want them to? No, she should focus on getting home, not finding an alien boyfriend, or four for that matter.

  “You surprise me. I would have thought…” Cir still stared at her.

  Daisy snorted. “What, that I’d scream hysterically like those two twits?”

  He nodded, showing her to a seat next to a table set into the wall. “I don’t know what a twit is, but I get the sense you are not friends with your fellow human females.”

  When she struggled getting onto the high seat of the chair, he moved, grabbing her around her waist and lifting her up.

  God, she loved how strong he was and that he didn’t utter a single complaint about her weight. From the size of these Demos men, someone like her would seem smaller, lighter. She luxuriated in the feeling of being petite for once. Once home, she could go back to being frumpy, short, colourless Daisy.

  “Well, there’s no love lost between us. We’re fellow captives, that’s it. Plus, I’m the oldest of five sisters. I learned early on in life, panicking about things never gets you anywhere. So no matter how bad things get, there’s always a way to work things through without, well, getting hysterical.”

  He moved about and she watched with fascination as he produced food from a glowing box, set into the wall. He carried it over and set the large, loaded plate in front of her. Spices and hot scents wafted into her nose, making her stomach grumble.

  She picked up and popped a fleshy bit of what looked like yellow bacon into her mouth, moaning in delight at the flavourful salty treat. It wasn’t quite bacon, nor quite beef.

  Cir shifted, his gaze apparently fixated on her lips as she hungrily devoured more of the meal.

  He shook his head and took a seat opposite. “It is a marvel to have five females in one family.”

  “Uh, trust me, it’s not so wonderful when you have to share one bathroom with four younger siblings. They fight over clothes, make-up, boys.”

  “With a history of producing females, you would more than likely have female off-spring also?”

  Cir’s ‘matter of fact’ tone made Daisy splutter the drink she’d just swallowed, half-choking on it. Female offspring? Oh, hell.

  He quickly scrambled away, racing into the other room, returning just as lighting fast as she spluttered.

  “Slow breaths, Miss Daisy.”

  She sucked in several slow, even breaths, bringing herself under control. Cir ran his instrument over her.

  “I’m okay,” she croaked, trying to shove Cir away, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Just don’t say things like that to me while I’m drinking.”

  “Sorry,” he muttered. If not for his red skin, she would have thought he blushed. “I am unaccustomed to, uh, talking with human females.”

  “Hey, don’t sweat it. I should be thanking you and your people for saving me from, well, being sold off like a piece of furniture.”

  “We are sorry we could not act sooner. The least we can do is provide for your needs and see to your return of health. I’ll show you where to bathe and make sure you have clothing once you have finished your meal.”

  He was a sweetie, and Daisy smiled. “So am I really stuck here? Is there any possibility of returning to Earth?”

  Cir leaned forward, capturing her free hand, and heat blasted through her arm, making other body parts tingle and naughty juices flow where they shouldn’t.

  Bad body, bad…

  “I am so sorry, Miss Daisy––if there was a way to return you safely, we would. What the Jorval risked by bringing you through the black portals...”

  He paused. “It is criminal, and the journey back is not worth the risk of any of your lives.” His golden eyes darkened in anger.

  Daisy swallowed, trying to press down the fear rising inside. “Can your, uh, people stop it? I remember Loz saying human women were protected by your people.”

  Daisy hadn’t realised she’d curled her fingers around his until she glanced down. She cleared her throat and pulled her hand back.

  “You are protected, so have no fear, and we will do our best to give you a good life within our society.”

  More unease trickled down Daisy's spine, recalling more of her conversation with the commander.

  The door opened, admitting a Cir and Loz look-alike, another one of the quads. This one’s wide cocky grin, as he spotted her sitting at the table, told Daisy it was not the commander.

  Cir’s groan was one of frustration. “Be warned, Miss, as you’re about to meet our youngest brother,” he whispered.

  Be warned? She quirked an eyebrow, studying the newcomer with simple curiosity.

  “Miss Daisy,” he purred with a seductive tone, walking towards her with a sexy, yet predatory grace. His smile hung lopsided––utterly panty-melting.

  Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?

  “How wonderful to see you awake and looking in much better health.”

  Snatching her hand, he raised it to his lips. She swallowed as more heat shot through her body. “I’m Bex, and youngest of four, but as you can clearly see, the better-looking of all my brothers.”

  She tugged back her hand and scoffed at him, while trying to tame her naughty reactions to these quad brothers. “You’re identical, so how can you be better looking than Cir?”

  “She’s got you there, brother.”

  Cir had leaned back against the wall, clearly amused and no doubt watching the interaction, seeing how it played out. She doubted she’d get intervention from the doctor of the family.

  “Oh, moonbeam, there’s a world of difference between us. My older brothers can be far too stiff and formal.”

  “Ah, you’re the fun one, right?”
<
br />   “Yes! I see you’re smart as well as beautiful.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes, even if her smile widened slightly. “I’ve only just met you, but already I see you’re full of hot air. I know your type … even back on Earth, we had the men who thought they were God’s gift to women.”

  Bex blinked and Cir’s laugh warmed her to her toes and tickled her hidden pink bits. “I had no idea human females were so amusing.”

  She picked up her drink and hid her grin behind the glass, swallowing down the sweet liquid before muttering, “I do what I can.”

  “Well, speaking of un-amusing, your two human friends in the other room? The other medics have just sedated them. They could not be calmed.”

  Cir sighed and pushed to his feet. “I’d best go check on them. I am head healer, after all. Miss Daisy, do you have any suggestions on how to help the other females adjust to their new circumstances?”

  “Other than keeping them sedated? No idea. They weren’t exactly nice to me or my other friend while were being held in the cage.”

  “Your other friend, what was her name?” Bex inquired, still standing there, no doubt plotting his next move.

  “Ruby MacTavish.”

  “Ruby? I do believe we’ve met her. She was on board just before we were sent to rescue the remaining human females being sold by the Jorvals.”

  Surprise rolled through her. “Really? Is she all right? I remember she was sold to some fish-like creature.”

  “She is fine. Ruby was rescued by a security team many days ago. They have become a mated family and are on Galafrax making their bonding official.”

  “Oh, wow, and she’s happy?”

  Bex nodded. “As I saw, happy to be the sheraz to her quads.”

  Daisy frowned. “What’s a sheraz?”

  “When a female decides on a set of quads for her mates, she becomes their sheraz, the heart and love of their lives and home,” Cir smiled kindly. “Take care of her, brother. I’ll be back soon. See she has clothing and anything else she needs.” Cir shot her an apologetic look.

  Uh-oh,

  Bex’s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with clear anticipation of getting her alone. “Of course, I’ll take care of her.” Cir made his exit and Daisy sighed.

  Bex took Cir’s vacated seat. “Have you eaten your fill? We can’t have you wasting away on us.”

  Daisy snorted. “As if that’s going to happen. So, Bex, I assume I can call you that, or is there some title like your eldest brother?”

  “Bex is fine, moonbeam.”

  She liked his endearment… the commander had told her the same thing. “How much do you know about human women?”

  “Only from reports I’ve read, and seeing Ruby up close when she was brought into Cir’s medical bay.”

  “You’ve seen Stacy and Peta, right? The other two women.”

  He nodded.

  “So, notice anything different between us?” she asked, trying to point out the fact they were skinny, taller and held an outer beauty she would never match.

  “That you are far more beautiful than they are?” Bex stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Daisy spluttered more of her drink. Damn, she’d have to give up drinking liquids altogether if they kept making her choke on it.

  Bex moved around, gently patting her on her back. “Are you all right, Miss Daisy, or should I call for Cir?”

  “No, no…” She waved him away. “Fine, really.” She took in several slow breaths as her breathing returned to normal.

  If that was Bex’s perception of her, then who was she to change it? She was glad these men had no preconceived notions that women should be skinny and beautiful.

  Daisy grinned at him. “You’re a charmer, Bex, and you’re right. You are fun. Doesn’t mean I’m going to just fall into your arms.”

  “Oh, you’ve seen past my devious plans, then?” His smile was sly and oh, so sexy.

  “Of course.”

  “Good, now eat up, and I’ll get you some clothing. Although I’d rather see you naked.”

  Oh, boy…

  Daisy sighed, knowing this quad brother was going to be a handful. She hid her shudder at just how much of a handful.

  Bad mind…get it out of the gutter, woman!

  Bex’s grin widened and he knew.

  Oh boy, am I in big trouble.

  Chapter Three

  Commander Loz adjusted the front of his uniform pants for the… damn, he'd lost count of how many times he’d done it. No, he didn’t want to know. Fact was, his rod refused to obey and deflate.

  His jaw tightened in frustration. A trip down below decks to use a sex droid held no appeal. Smiling, he recalled the lush flesh of her pale naked skin, and when he’d held her, oh how soft the little human female had felt in his arms, as he’d carried her from the Jorval slave ship to his. The poor female hadn’t bathed for many days, but still she carried her own sweet scent, which he couldn’t scrub from his mind. His body screamed in protest when it came to leaving her in Cir’s care.

  Even when he’d come to check on her and tried to warn Bex away from getting any ideas, he’d given in, for his own selfish reasons, passively encouraging Bex’s eagerness to have a human female for theirs. A hunger for their own soft, curvy human female mounted with each passing Galafrax day, especially after meeting the lovely Ruby.

  When the high council had sent them on the mission to rescue all the human females they could from the Jorval slave traders, he’d counted it as a blessing from the gods, but the orders had been clear: once rescued and treated, the human females were to remain apart from the male crew.

  It was foolish to get his hopes up, and the last thing he needed was to start behaving like Bex. No doubt his youngest brother was hatching a little plan to keep their precious little starlight on board with them–– and between them. Bex wouldn’t fuck her, but it wouldn’t stop him from touching her in other places.

  Unlike with Demos women, not all four brothers were needed when it came to a female’s pleasure. If all the rumours and reports were true, simple touches in the right places could make a human female peak, and more than once.

  Being the eldest, he would have the privilege of sinking his hard rod into her first.

  You have to stop thinking like this––she is not for us. Daisy, along with the other women, needed to be delivered safely and untouched to Galafrax, where they would be wooed by a host of high-ranking and privileged Demos quads.

  The thought made his tight control push to its boundaries at the thought of someone other than he or his brothers touching her.

  “Commander, we’re nearing the Kalen station.” At Tos’s voice, Loz’s mind snapped back to the present. He had a ship to command and a mission to complete.

  “Good, thank you. Let’s send out scuttle ships. I want all exits covered, in case they try to escape with one of the females.”

  “Yes, commander. Scuttles employed.”

  “Hail the station.”

  “Communicating wave open.”

  “This is Commander Loz of the Galafrax warship Pyro. We’re tracking down human females illegally trafficked by the Jorval. Through the recent recovery of files found in the Jorval’s possession, it was indicated several human females are being kept on this station.”

  The usual protest of innocence, that no human females were on the station, came spluttering over the speakers.

  “Then you won’t object to being searched.” Loz folded his arms, standing before the view screen.

  Silence filled the room.

  “Let me put it this way: send all the human females out, unharmed, and we will forget about this incident. If we are forced to board and search the station, then we will not do it with care. If we find one human female has been harmed, you won’t like what we will do to every single one of you on board.” Loz growled out his menacing threat.

  Anyone living within the Hellios Galaxy knew you never messed with Demos soldiers. Never had they lost a battle or backed do
wn from a fight, and they always left their enemies in utter ruin.

  “Choose, now!”

  His mind still held the images of first seeing his Daisy in a cage, the flash of fear, the confusion.

  Fuck, I need to stay focused and think clearly.

  “Allow us a few moment to make sure we have them then send them on an auto-shuttle to your ship.” The Kalen station commander had a note of panic in his voice.

  Panic they should, if Loz ever got his hands on them for buying human females. He’d rip the fur from their bodies.

  “You have ten minutes to comply.”

  The line was cut as they scrambled to comply. He stood stiffly on the bridge, ignoring the side glance from his second in command and younger brother.

  Every solider under his command depended on him to be level-headed and steadfast, including his brothers. The high lords knew he’d always been loyal and followed orders to the letter.

  With that he had no issue, but the one soft little human woman below being cared for by his younger brothers...

  He found himself wavering. Fuck, this was not good.

  No, the sooner he finished this mission and got the females off his ship, the sooner things would return back to normal. Bex could whine all he wanted, it was time the youngest grew a backbone and became a proper solider.

  Life moved on, and so would they.

  “Shuttle deploying, Commander. I read four human female life signs on board, no Kalen.”

  “Good. Once they are safely on board, scan the Kalen station. I don’t want to leave any behind. Then depart to the next stop. Three more human females are still unaccounted for.”

  * * * *

  “Oh, come on, this is stupid. No one is going to believe I’m a red-skinned Demos citizen. My colouring will be spotted miles off. You're red, I’m white and a heck of a lot shorter.”

  Covered head-to-toe in black, Bex assured Daisy she wouldn’t stand out. One hand on her hip, she pointed her cup at him and glared.

  “You wanted to see the ship, this is the only way I know how.” He pulled a black scarf out of another wall box. She discovered the walls were filled with invisible seams and storage areas, where they kept, well, everything they needed.