Elise and Georgia were half primitive, half Ardani. Lorelei, as the legends held. And they were related, though only distantly. Cousins, many times removed, as they had been raised to believe. Krysta wasn’t a true halfling, but she had enough primitive in her to interest every single warrior on Arda.
Because of their Ardani blood, Elise and Georgia were members of a race exempt from claiming by any man, save one of their own choosing. And so Lord Gith lost any right to complain, and he took his broken skulls and went home.
Within hours, word spread all over Arda of the coming of the Lorelei, and how Elise had fought for and laid claim to Ki Tul’Mar. All stains on Ki’s honor vanished, and once more, his people worshiped his mind’s breath in their sails. Elise had completed the ceremony, still filthy from her flight, by making her swirling handprints on the Wall of Life and speaking her pledge to remain by Ki’s side, always..
And then she had come to the bath alone, daring Ki to follow.
She was still mad at him.
Why didn’t he tell her about the Law of Keeping? He had almost been beheaded. She had been so terrified he would die that she almost jumped out of a speeder in the middle of the Ardani atmosphere.
And afterwards, all he did was stare at her, gaping at her pa marks and mumbling, “Lorelei,” over and over.
Men.
Honestly.
And warriors.
Ardani warriors were like…men times ten, or something. Even Fari had been a clod after Astoria docked. Staring at her. And staring at Georgia like she was a fresh piece of meat. Akad had to have Fari carted off by a bunch of sailors, just so Georgia could get some peace and rest.
Elise sighed and brushed her hands over her skin. Pa tickled her palms.
She supposed she was clean enough, but when she left the bath, she knew Ki would be waiting in the bed chamber. No doubt he had bathed somewhere else, in five minutes flat. No doubt he was stretched out on the pillows, displaying his sculpted muscles, his cock hard and throbbing, waiting for Elise to submit to his charms.
This image made her pa channels pulse, and her hands traced them to her nipples. They ached. The rest of her ached, too. For Ki. She wanted exactly what he did, and she knew it.
After one last dive and swim around the bath, Elise got out and toweled off. The soft Ardani fabric was sweet torture on her sensitive places, and she barely took the time to push her damp hair behind her ears before she left the bath chamber.
Ki Tul’Mar was indeed waiting right where Elise thought he would be, in exactly the state she imagined him.
With no shame, she stared at his high cheekbones, his ebony hair and eyes, his hard chest—and his hard cock.
What a magnificent man.
From his heavy-lidded gaze, Elise knew Ki thought she was magnificent, too.
“Come here,” he demanded. “I have been too long without you.”
Elise responded to his edgy, husky tone with shivers. She walked slowly toward him, running her hands over her nipples and pinching. Dropping her fingers to her wet, curly hairs and touching her pussy where she knew he could see.
The moment she reached him, he grabbed her hands, pulled her down, and gently rolled her beneath his strong bulk. Her wrists were trapped as he lowered his lips to hers, but not unpleasantly trapped. Like a playful challenge. A sweet claiming.
And then his mouth did claim her, totally.
She opened her thoughts to him, and their minds joined with a jolt. A full Ardani joining, like Elise had so deeply wanted.
And God, was it worth everything, and then some.
The full measure of Ki’s love flowed into Elise. His dreams, his sensations, his pleasures—everything he thought and felt were hers to share at that moment, and she willingly gave him access to every corner of her mind and soul.
“Never leave me again,” he whispered. A plea, not an order.
Elise let him see how she never planned to be away from him. Not for a stellar hour. Not for an Earth minute.
“No more secrets,” she murmured.
Ki responded with helping her delve farther into his thoughts, so deeply that she knew his every secret and hint of a secret—and found that there were no nasty surprises, waiting to hurt or frighten her.
His lips traveled from her mouth to her neck, tracing and nibbling the flames of pa coursing over her. Elise moaned at the feel of his teeth on her flesh, biting what ached and screamed for his attention. Her pa marks warmed to blazing, touching her intimately with Ki, increasing the flow of pleasure and energy between them.
Still, he held her wrists above her head, and Elise writhed in his grip. The pleasure was almost too much, but as they shared it, it became bearable. Ki’s mouth found her nipple and fastened on, sucking deeply. His tongue raked against the hard, tight flesh, and Elise cried out, halfway to orgasm already.
Ki let go her wrists at last, to grasp her other nipple in his strong fingers. He pinched as she had done to tease him, but firmly. Elise arched beneath him, begging him with her body. Pleading for him to keep going, down to where she needed him.
He did, but he took his sweet time, kissing every inch of her along the way. Pulling her skin into his mouth. Caressing her curves. Licking hollows and dimples. When his fingers finally sank into her pussy, she came immediately, thrusting against the gentle pressure of his palm against her clit.
Before the aftershocks finished, he buried three fingers in her wet slit and ran his tongue over her swollen bud. Elise jerked and groaned, lost in the skill of his mouth and hands. In minutes, he brought her to two more orgasms, all the while sharing his love-struck thoughts and sensations through their psi link.
And sharing his fantasies, too.
In response, Elise sat up before he could enter her, smiling as she took his thick, hot cock in her hands. Stroking it like he wanted, up and back, gently, then faster and harder, eyes open, staring straight into his.
He came with a deep groan, and she slid down and took his already-hardening cock in her mouth. His salty taste filled her senses, and she loved it, just as she loved him.
The feel of his swelling cock in her mouth thrilled Elise. Ki sat on his haunches above her, rocking as she sucked, taking him deeper and deeper into her throat until he came again, shaking as she drank down what he had to offer.
Ki’s breath came in jagged gasps as he pulled himself from her lips, lifted her up on the pillows, and bent to kiss her. The combined smell of their sex made her heart beat faster, and she opened her legs.
With a sigh of complete satisfaction, Ki rubbed his soft cock against her welcoming slit. In no time, he hardened again, and she arched back, lifting her hips to accept him as he plunged inside.
“Yes. Ah, God.” Elise wrapped her legs around him and held him for a moment, savoring how he filled her pussy, basking in his feelings of perfection and joy. Then she opened herself wide and turned loose her thoughts. Letting him know how fast, how strong, and how completely she wanted him.
Ki growled with delight and rammed into her.
She couldn’t get enough, even when she lifted herself to slam against him.
More, she pleaded. Fuck me harder!
In a frenzy, Ki pumped as hard as he could, pulling Elise’s hips to meet him. Over and over. Harder and deeper.
For a long moment, they were one mind and one body, pouring their essence into one another, until they both saw shooting stars and exploded with screams and groans and boneless gasps.
Elise welcomed Ki’s spent weight on top of her, and held him close.
Never again would she let this man go. He was right where he belonged.
* * * * *
Ki woke to find his shanna, his Lorelei, still beneath him. His cock was hard again, begging for relief in her sweet quim. And yet Elise’s sleeping face was so peaceful, so beautifully exhausted, he was loathe to disturb her.
Sensing his thoughts and desires through their complete psi link, she stirred, just enough to open her legs and draw him in
side her slit. As she woke, he was rocking her gently against him, and she smiled.
“Yes. Don’t stop. Yes.” Her hips lifted from the bed, then her legs splayed wide. Ki put his hands on her wrists because she liked that, and quickened his pace.
Elise rewarded him by groaning and bucking, demanding more. And he gave her more, hammering against her soft quim until she moaned with pleasure and release. In seconds, Ki found his own release, spilling himself inside her until he had nothing left.
Or thought he had nothing left.
Elise wasted no time kissing him, running her nails along his back and his buttocks, cupping his tender sack in her skillful fingers. When his cock quickened again, she rolled to her knees and offered him a choice of pleasures. This time, he took the tighter entrance, gasping as her ass closed firmly around his throbbing length.
He pulled her to him, slapping flesh on flesh, gently at first, but she urged him on.
“Don’t hold back. I can take what you’ve got.”
Elise’s words lit a fire in Ki, and he worked her masterfully, plunging in, pulling back, and using his hands to knead first her nipples, then her swollen clit until she screamed. And scream she did, only moments before he climaxed with a loud bellow.
And still the Sailmaster’s woman was not satisfied.
She bid him lay down, which he did. With short, unabashed sighs of desire, she straddled his face and worked her quim over his tongue and lips. Honey and musk. Her scent filled him as he found her wet slit with his hand.
Elise eased her quim up and down on his fingers until she came again, and again. And then she turned and used her mouth on his cock, drawing the last bit of his seed from his loins in one hot, long spurt.
Ki fell into a sleep like the dead, knowing that when he woke, they might eat or bathe—but they would surely start again, enjoying the depths of each other’s soul. His heart felt light, and glad, and grateful.
This is as it should be. As it always should be. And I am the most fortunate man in the universe.
Epilogue
Two stellar weeks after her timely arrival back home, Elise rested her hands on her swelling belly, gazing across the spacious, rolling lawn of Camford. Ki’s strong chest made an excellent recliner, and Arda’s soft grass felt like silk against her bare legs. She was wearing one of Ki’s tunics, and that was all—as was customary for a happy pregnant woman.
Servants bustled in the distance, cleaning walks, polishing statues, and pruning plants. Since the Ardani Fleet overwhelmed the combined OrTan and Galactic forces, and since the Lorelei had made their presence known, there had been renewed patriotic fervor and planetary pride. Ki had to turn away people wishing to serve the Sailmaster and his growing family.
Overhead, the crystal sky gleamed, and big sun shone beside little sister with no clouds to block them. Elise enjoyed the light whisper of unborn Katryn’s thoughts. She couldn’t make them out just yet. A hodgepodge of sensation, really, but definitely the mental stirrings of a secure and healthy infant-to-be.
“I think our daughter is eager to be born,” Ki whispered in Elise’s ear. His rich, deep rumble gave Elise pleasant shivers as his hands cupped and gently squeezed her breasts.
“Don’t tease.” She nudged him with the back of her head. “You know Akad already restricted us from sex. Slightly different biology, too many energies, crash trauma—all of that bull.”
“He is a worrier, that priest.” Ki sighed and relinquished his hold. “I do not know how I will survive prolonged celibacy.”
Georgia came into view in the distance by the main gates, holding hands with Krysta. They spied Elise and Ki, waved, and changed direction to join them. Krysta’s skin had returned to its normal rich shade of brown, but her hair retained the changeable silver from her pa exposure. She was still a walking rainbow, and Georgia’s honeysuckle and rose pa markings glittered in the suns as well.
Ki groaned. “More unbearable teasing, to have the three of you in one spot, and no chance for relief.”
“Behave.” Elise grinned. She knew Georgia and Krysta had been getting friendlier, and she hoped it had gone much further than playful touches and kisses—but she didn’t know yet.
Georgia wasn’t saying much, except keep that man away from me.
Meaning Fari, of course.
The Sailkeeper of Arda had found his soul’s mate.
Only his soul’s mate was none too sure of the massive, self-assured, spear-toting second in command of the Ardani Fleet. Because they were all planetside and not in desperate straits, the relationship could follow a more traditional course. A true Ardani courtship, with all the trappings.
Elise was loving it. The songs, the bouquets of wildflowers left outside Georgia’s door. The long looks over expansive dinners.
He’s arrogant and obnoxious, Georgia kept saying. But she also kept looking, at his muscles. At his dream-dark curls and night-black eyes. Elise had no doubt that Fari would win her cousin over and have his prize.
Sooner, rather than later.
Krsyta was having less trouble with Georgia, as the two found common ground in the care and training of the lovely Chimeras. Elise enjoyed watching them ride together. The way they held each other, and moved like one body on the Chimera’s slender backs. She liked watching them kiss, too. Just like she knew she would enjoy seeing Fari and Georgia kiss.
One day, soon. And after I give birth, look out. Ki and I—and our family—will be very, very busy people.
Georgia and Krysta approached them laughing, and settled on the grass beside them. Georgia bent over and kissed Elise on the lips, lingering for a moment, as they had been doing since Georgia learned the freedoms and privileges of her new life. Krysta went next, lingering longer, until Ki groaned and pleaded for mercy.
“You are all unkind, to torture a warrior so,” he grumbled. “Where is Fari, anyway? I assumed that where fair Georgia tread, my brother would be close behind.”
“He is turning out the herd,” Krysta said. “Best to keep him busy.”
Georgia sighed. “I so don’t want to talk about this. I know y’all think we’re a match made in Heaven—or wherever Ardani good folk go when they die—but I’m not so sure.”
He’s very well endowed, Elise thought, directing the sentiment at Georgia, along with a mental image of Fari’s well-honed physique.
“Hush your mouth. Um, brain.” Georgia punched Elise lightly on the arm. But she was smiling. Elise could tell she was interested. Scared, but fascinated.
Krysta lay back on the lawn. “The Festival of Seasons approaches soon. You will have ample opportunity to know Fari better then, sister-to-be.”
Elise raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know much about this festival. Tell me more.”
Ki coughed, then laughed.
Krysta laughed, too. “Trust me. You will like it.”
Georgia went a little pale beneath her silver markings. “Will I?”
“Oh, yes.” Krysta rolled to her side, winked at Ki, then took Georgia’s hand. “I suspect it will be the best week of your young life.”
At that, Georgia blushed and covered her face. Krysta gave her a playful hug and kiss, and the two snuggled into Elise’s side. She stroked their hair, and leaned back against Ki, enjoying the weight of his arms around her.
He was definitely the most un-boring man in the known universes. Slayer of Elise’s First Rule, and Elise’s Second Rule, too. Ki would never make her yawn, and she trusted him totally. Elise’s Third Rule stayed intact, though. She would always take care of Georgia—but not because Georgia was her only treasured family. Simply because Elise loved her so dearly.
If life got better than this for the Sailmaster’s woman, Elise didn’t know if she could handle it.
But she sure would try to find a way.
The Arda Collection
Glossary
Akad
High Priest of Arda, marked with pa like henna tattoos on his cheeks.
Arda
40,0
00 stellar years old. Home planet of Ki, Fari, Krysta, and the Royal Fleet. It is famous for its metallurgy, fine castles, magnificent Chimera, and towering warriors. Arthurian in rule and structure, but enlightened and modern, Arda has an excellent reputation in the Free Galaxy. Ardani citizens carry pa-marks, and most are psychic. The generous and respected Tul’Mar clan has ruled them for thousands of years.
Astoria
Flagship in Arda’s Royal Fleet.
Bandu
Fierce purple fighting women, valued by OrTan slavers.
Camford
Palatial ancestral home of the Tul’Mar clan.
Camford Forest
Thick woods surrounding Camford’s grounds.
Chimera
Multicolored horse-like creatures native to Arda, with giraffe and unicorn features.
Coscans
Blue aliens often enslaved by the OrTans; females have a single breast.
Denovan
Furry, manlike, very stinky aliens. Often make use of OrTan pleasure slaves.
Elise Ashton
28 Earth years old, blond hair, blue eyes. Dreams of a spacepirate rescuing her from her boring life.
Fari Tul’Mar
Sailkeeper of Arda. Brother to Ki and Krysta, guardian of the Sailmaster and the Royal Fleet. 120 stellar years old, marked with pa in the shape of a great winged bird on his chest. He carries a barbed, spiked sapphire blade.
Fergilla beasts
Ugly, hairy white buffalo-like beasts native to Arda, often used in name-calling and insults.
Festival of Seasons
Ardani celebration of the harvest. Involves mating of unwed citizens.
Galactic Council
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