The Nanny and the Alien Warrior
Page 16
“Tell me a story,” Tavi demanded.
That put an end to her pacing, but she wasn’t ready to return to the ship yet. There was a small office attached to the warehouse and she remembered seeing some seating in there. She had barely started the story when Tavi jumped up and moved restlessly around the room.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“We’re back in Isokau, right?”
“That’s right.”
“And Papa is going to get rid of the bad man so I can go home again?”
“That’s the plan,” she said as confidently as possible.
“But I don’t want to go home!” The words burst out as a tear appeared on Tavi’s cheek.
Joanna’s heart sank. She had never considered the possibility that Tavi might not want to return. Were the memories too hard for her?
“Why not?” she asked gently.
“Because Papa will go away and you won’t be my mama anymore.”
Her heart ached at the pain on her daughter’s face. “Tavi, I am always going to be your mama, no matter where we are.”
“Really?” Tavi gave her a hopeful look. “But you weren’t before.”
Several explanations sprang to mind, but she settled for the simplest. “You may not have called me that, but I knew you were my daughter the moment I met you.”
“Your heart daughter?”
“Exactly.”
Tavi threw her arms around her neck, hugging her fiercely. She could feel the dampness of tears against her neck, and she had to hold back her own.
“I can still call you Mama, even here?” Tavi asked at last.
“Yes, sweetheart. Even here.”
“And Papa isn’t going to go away?”
“No. We’re a family now, and families stay together.”
Tavi gave a sigh of satisfaction, and her small body relaxed.
“I want some shoko now,” she announced, a few minutes later.
“Do you want to go and see if Miss Rissta has finished making it?”
“Okay.”
Tavi jumped up and started for the door leading into the warehouse, but as she did, the outer door opened and an Allikan male stepped inside.
It was Besu.
Joanna’s heart started to pound as she saw him look from her to Tavi, and his lips curled into a twisted grin.
“Well, isn’t this nice? The two of you are going to make me a very wealthy male.”
He tried to grab Tavi, and she kicked him in the shins. It was one of the moves Craxan had been teaching her, and although Joanna doubted it had hurt him, it startled him enough that he let her go.
“Run, Tavi,” she yelled. “Run!”
Her daughter darted out of the room, and Besu snarled as he turned back to her. “I’ll find her soon enough. But I guess I’ll just have to start with you.”
“Don’t you dare touch me,” she hissed. “My mate will kill you.”
“Mate?” His mouth twisted into a cruel sneer. “No one is going to mate a primitive human. You’re only good for fucking.”
He came a step closer, and she braced herself, ready to kick out as soon as he was within range.
“That is where you are wrong.” Craxan’s familiar voice was taut with anger as he stalked into the room.
Besu took one look at him, and his already ashy skin paled. “I… I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Yes, you did.”
Craxan stalked towards him, and Besu tried to feint to one side. Craxan caught him, grabbed his neck and twisted. Joanna heard Besu’s neck snap with a sickening crack before Craxan tossed his body aside and rushed over to her.
“Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him, even though tears were pouring down her cheeks. “Where’s Tavi?”
“With Merios and Rissta. They are just outside but I did not want her to see this.”
“What happened at the compound?”
“T’paja is dead,” he said in a satisfied voice.
“I thought you were only going to scout.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I decided there was no purpose in waiting.”
“Does that mean we can take her home?”
“I will have to replace the staff first, but yes. She is once again Lady Sultavi of House Sodan.”
Relief washed over her. Craxan and Tavi were both safe and unharmed, and they would have a home together.
“I thought you would be happy,” he said, his tail coming up to caress her damp cheek.
“I am. I just can’t believe it’s over.”
“Only the bad parts,” he assured her. “Now we have the rest of our lives to be together, to enjoy our daughter, and to love each other.”
And as he bent his head to kiss her, she knew that he was right.
Epilogue
One year later…
Craxan strolled through the dark gardens of the compound. He liked doing this last check at night, liked knowing that everything was secure. A patrolling guard nodded respectfully and continued on his way, his eyes alert. The training program for the guards was coming along well, and he found a great deal of satisfaction in the job, although more and more of his time was occupied with managing the affairs of House Sodan.
The Tribunal had granted them legal guardianship of Sultavi and he was determined that her legacy would be preserved. Fortunately, he and Joanna divided the duties between them so they still had plenty of time with their family.
As he passed the kitchens, he could hear Rissta scolding an unfortunate assistant. From the tone of her voice, he could tell she liked the young male, but he doubted the male would believe that. Everyone had been shocked when Rissta announced that she was coming with them to take over the compound kitchens. He had ventured to suggest that they would be happy for her just to live with them.
She had smacked his shoulder, a surprisingly strong blow, and laughed. “You don’t want that. If I’m not cooking, I get a little grouchy.”
Now she ruled over the kitchens with an iron hand and seemed extremely satisfied. Merios had accepted her decision with a casual shrug, but given his frequent visits, Craxan suspected he missed the old woman. He was due to arrive tomorrow, along with the rest of the crew, including Yengik. The young male had somewhat surprisingly decided to remain on the ship, although he had worked out an agreement with Merios and was also developing a line of mechanical toys. Rafalo and Alicia were coming as well, and Tavi was eagerly anticipating a new dress from Auntie Alicia.
Pots clattered inside the kitchen, and he ducked his head through the door to find Rissta glaring at her assistant as he stacked dishes with a trembling hand.
“You are up late, Rissta.”
“Mating feasts don’t cook themselves,” she said tartly.
“You are supposed to be a guest,” he reminded her, but she only shrugged.
“So I’m both. Now let me get back to work.”
He accepted the inevitable and withdrew. Suzanna had finally consented to accept Jed as her mate, and they were having a ceremony the following day. Craxan had watched in bemusement as Jed had wooed her slowly and patiently over the past year. Thank Granthar his own mating had been accomplished in far less time.
Thinking of his mate made him hurry down the path and into the family quarters. He found Joanna in their bedroom, reading in the soft light. Their son Vani was asleep at her breast. He still couldn’t believe that he had both a daughter and a son. They had named him after Vanha, and the night he was born, Craxan had lifted a silent toast to his friend and mentor, sure that somewhere he was smiling.
As he drew closer to the bed, he could see Tavi curled up asleep on Joanna’s other side.
“I see you have company,” he said softly as he crossed to her side.
She looked up and smiled at him, beautiful in the lamplight. Her pregnancy had been difficult for her, and there would be no more children, but she was once more healthy and glowing. Very healthy, he thought appreciative
ly as his gaze traveled down over the lush breasts she had uncovered to feed their son.
“Tavi had a nightmare,” she said, immediately diverting his attention.
“Is she all right?” They had occurred several times after they returned to the compound, but it had been months since the last time, and he had hoped that they had finally ceased.
“She is now. Rouvi was here today, bringing ale for the mating feast, and I think it reminded her of when we were hiding.” Her face softened. “Waiting for you to come and save us.”
“I think the two of you are the ones who saved me.”
It was a familiar argument, and she only shook her head, her eyes warm.
“Why don’t you carry her back to bed? I’ll see if I can get Vani back in his crib without waking him.” He followed her gaze and saw that their son was still latched onto her nipple. He seemed to be asleep, but Craxan knew from experience that he didn’t like being removed from that position. He couldn’t blame his son; he was very fond of his mate’s nipples as well.
His tail curved around her other breast at the thought, gently circling the taut peak, and he heard her breath catch.
“Tavi, bed. Vani, crib,” she whispered. “Then it’s our turn.”
He pressed a quick kiss to his mouth, then picked up his sleeping daughter. Once they moved in, they had rearranged the rooms and her bedroom, while still grand, was only a short distance from theirs.
As he put her into her bed, her eyes opened.
“Papa.”
“Hello, princess.”
“I had a bad dream.”
“I know. Mama told me. Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head vehemently, dark purple locks flying. “No. But will you stay with me for a while?”
His mate was waiting, but his daughter needed him. He sat down next to her and she snuggled closer.
“Tell me about how you found us.”
It was her favorite story, retold so many times that it bore little resemblance to the actual events, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was the fundamental truth - he had found them and claimed them as his.
“It was a dark and stormy night,” he began.
By the time Tavi was asleep and he returned to their bedroom, the room was dark and quiet. He undressed and slid quietly into bed. As much as he wanted to wake his mate, she needed her sleep.
“You were gone a long time,” she murmured.
“Tavi wanted me to tell her our story.” He drew her into the curve of his body, his tail settling over her stomach. “She never gets tired of it.”
“Neither do I.” She began stroking his tail, lightly scratching her blunt little nails along the sensitive length, and he shuddered.
“You know what that does to me,” he warned.
“Of course. Why do you think I’m doing it?” She gave a teasing wiggle, the soft curves of her ass caressing his already rigid erection.
“You are not too tired?”
“Tired of waiting for you to take a hint. Is this better?”
She twisted around in his arms, and then the sweet warmth of her mouth closed over his cock and he lost the ability to speak. Fortunately, he did not lose the ability to move and his tail dipped between her legs, finding her already wet and ready for him. He pulled away from her mouth, despite her murmured protest, and placed his cock at her entrance. He pressed slowly against the tight opening until she gave that soft gasp he loved so much and flowered open around him.
Usually, he left a light on so that he could appreciate her lush beauty, but tonight the surrounding darkness let him concentrate on the other details of their joining. The way her breath hitched as he slid deeper into her silky cunt. The way her scent increased, making his head swim. The way her breasts pressed against his chest, the hard peaks damp with milk. The way her skin tasted as he buried his head in her neck.
They rocked together in the darkness, a long, slow slide into pleasure until she shivered and her channel fluttered wildly around him, and he could no longer resist the urgings of his body. His hips jerked forward, burying his cock deep inside as his knot expanded, locking them together.
Her legs and arms wrapped around him, holding him just as tightly, and she sighed happily.
“Have I ever told you how much I love it when we’re together like this?”
“You do seem to enjoy it,” he agreed. “But then you seem to enjoy all of the bases.”
She laughed, and the vibration made his cock jerk.
“I do, because we’re reaching them together.” Her lips brushed against his cheek as they had done the first night they met, and then her breathing deepened as she drifted off to sleep.
How well he remembered that day. He had been so empty—and now he was overflowing. He had a mate, a family, friends, more happiness than he had ever dared to hope for.
He held his mate as she slept and smiled into the darkness.
Authors’ Note
Thank you so much for reading The Nanny and the Alien Warrior! We hope you enjoyed our sweet and steamy story! As always, found family plays a huge role in this book - as does love, in all its many guises.
Fun fact about the heroine in this story...
We chose the name Joanna because it's a mashup of our debut SFR heroines: Anna from Honey's Anna and the Alien and Seph (Josephine) from Bex's Thanemonger. Kudos to those who figured out that bit of trivia beforehand!
We want to express our undying gratitude to our beta readers, Janet S., Nancy V., and Kitty S. Thank you, ladies, for helping us perfect our story!
We also want to give a huge thank you to Cameron Kamenicky and Naomi Lucas, the amazing graphic designers who created our outstanding cover. They perfectly captured the relationship between Craxan and Tavi.
Lastly, we'd like to thank our families. The support of our spouses and children has been phenomenal. We couldn’t do it without you!
Again, thank you so much for reading our book! It would mean the world if you left an honest review at Amazon. Reviews help other readers find books to enjoy, which helps the authors as well!
All the best,
Honey & Bex
The next book in the Treasured by the Alien series will be coming in late fall 2021!
Honey’s next book, Kate and the Kraken, is coming at the end of July!
When rebellious Prince A’tai rescues a stolen human scientist, she may turn out to be the key not only to his happiness, but to the future of his planet!
Click here to order Kate and the Kraken!
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Other Titles
Treasured by the Alien
with Bex McLynn
Mama and the Alien Warrior
A Son for the Alien Warrior
Daughter of the Alien Warrior
A Family for the Alien Warrior
The Nanny and the Alien Warrior
Cosmic Fairy Tales
The Ugly Dukeling by Bex McLynn
Jackie and the Giant by Honey Phillips
Books by Honey Phillips
The Alien Abduction Series
Anna and the Alien
Beth and the Barbarian
Cam and the Conqueror
Deb and the Demon
Ella and the Emperor
Faith and the Fighter
Greta and the Gargoyle
Hanna and the Hitman
Izzie and the Icebeast
Joan and the Juggernaut
Kate and the Kraken
The Alien Invasion Series
Alien Selection
Alien Conquest
Alien Prisoner
Alien Breeder
Alien Alliance
Alien Hope
Exposed to the Elements
The Naked Alien
The Bare Essentials
A Nude Attitude
The Buff Beast
/>
The Strip Down
Cyborgs on Mars
High Plains Cyborg
The Good, the Bad, and the Cyborg
A Fistful of Cyborg
A Few Cyborgs More
The Magnificent Cyborg
The Outlaw Cyborg
Anthologies
Alien Embrace
Standalone Books
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Rein: A Tidefall Novel
The Ladyships Series
Sarda
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