by Rachel Clark
Fuck, how was it that a fragile relationship and complex situation could become even more fragile and more complex on a single thought?
His hand tightened over Kam’s stomach, the reaction possessive as he urged the man closer.
* * * *
G’baena lay still, controlling her breathing, trying not to give away that she was awake. She watched as Kam caressed Devlin’s fingers and Devlin’s reaction as he pulled the man closer. She’d seen the love and affection between Kam and his brother, but this was different, more possessive, and she wondered where exactly this development left her.
She wasn’t completely naïve. Her time as a slave had shown her that some males preferred other males, but she hadn’t actually considered a relationship between Kam and Devlin. To be honest, until last night, she really hadn’t considered anything beyond her own confused emotions. She wanted Kam and Devlin both to love her, but she hadn’t given a thought to how they would interact. She’d never considered the ramifications of two non-related males sharing her bed.
A small kernel of jealousy wormed through her, but she realized that by loving them both, she wanted them to be happy, even if that meant they loved each other. She just hoped they had room in their hearts for her also.
“Dev,” she said quietly, hoping that she was taking the right approach. His hand stiffened momentarily on Kam’s stomach but quickly resumed the gentle caress. “I love you,” she blurted out, as sudden panic squeezed her heart.
“I love you, too, Bae,” he said, as he leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “So does Kam,” he whispered conspiratorially, even though the other man could see and hear them both.
She nodded and raised her eyes to Kam’s. “I love him, too.”
“I know, baby girl,” Devlin said in that deep, sensual voice that sent tingles to all her happy places. “That’s why we’re both going to keep you.”
* * * *
Almost a week later, Devlin stood at the engineering panel, monitoring the ship’s radars. They approached G’trobia with caution, careful to fulfill all duties and protocols of a merchant or transport vessel. The last thing they needed was for their true identity as a pirate ship to be discovered accidentally.
Considering G’trobia’s limited space capabilities, it was very likely that the ship would withstand a full-scale attack from the planet, but Devlin really didn’t want to have to fix everything again. He finally had the ship’s propulsion and weapons running the way he wanted them, and he really didn’t want that messed up.
“You have entered G’trobian space. Please advise the purpose of your visit?” Devlin shook his head, not for the first time, at the singsong quality of the G’trobian voice. It was almost bizarre how the words could be so formal in nature but the delivery of them so musical.
A small part of him worried that neither G’baena nor Kam sounded like the voice on the communicator, but he hoped that Tee-ani’s theory would prove correct. She’d suggested a few days ago, when he’d tried to casually mention his observation to her, that perhaps the musical quality of G’baena’s and Kam’s voices would improve over time. Both had been through traumatic changes in recent months, and hopefully, their voices would recover as they managed to piece their lives together again. She’d suggested that their relationship with Devlin should help.
Devlin barely heard the captain’s reply to yet another inquiry from the planet but was certain it was identical to what he’d said the last three times they’d been contacted. Ben and Trey had assured Jordan that multiple contacts and many probing questions would be standard procedure before they would be allowed near the planet, so no one was overly concerned at the moment.
Ben and Trey entered the bridge dressed in clothes not dissimilar to the clothing Kam had worn when he’d been brought aboard, but much fancier somehow. He supposed that, like ancient Earth royalty, G’trobian royalty would need to dress according to their status.
Tee-ani followed close behind, her manner suggesting she had much on her mind.
“How long do we have?” Jordan asked her.
“Sixteen revolutions of Keytark’s planet will be completed in about thirteen hours, and we have a forty-nine hour window after that. I would prefer sooner rather than later. I don’t know if the device will begin to deteriorate in that time or not, and I really don’t want to find out.”
Devlin felt a twinge of guilt when he realized that they were talking about Del. Devlin had been so caught up with his developing relationship with G’baena and Kam that he hadn’t given any real thought to how Del might be feeling.
They’d continued workouts and weapons training, of course, but Del hadn’t shown any nervousness or concern over the coming contact with Keytark. Although, considering that Del didn’t really know the full extent of his poisonous-tooth subspace-transponder, perhaps he didn’t know he should be worried.
“We’ll be on the planet before then,” Trey said, “but we don’t know if we will be able to return in time. Are G’baena and Kam ready to go?”
Devlin nodded. “They’ll meet us at Sarah’s ship. It’s going to be cramped, but we can’t risk taking any of the other transports in case they are identified as raiding vessels.”
Ben and Trey both nodded in agreement. “Thirty minutes,” Ben said to Devlin before leaving the bridge. Devlin checked ship’s systems again, feeling torn. His assistant engineer was very capable, but Devlin had always been on board when the ship was under threat.
He took a deep breath, trying to remind himself that the ship wasn’t actually under threat. Well, not yet at least. G’baena and Kam had even recognized his agitation earlier and suggested that perhaps he should stay here while they visited the planet and approached the kings. He’d nearly had a fit. To hell with the ship. G’baena and Kam were his family now, and there was no way they were doing this without him. It was too important.
He’d lain awake in bed for hours last night, his mind creating scenario after scenario, each just a little worse than the last. Kam had even changed places so that he could massage Devlin’s shoulders. His strong fingers had kneaded the tight muscles, and Devlin had finally fallen asleep. It had felt a little weird waking up with G’baena in his arms and Kam pressed against his back, but it also felt right. Like he’d finally found where he belonged.
Rolling over to kiss Kam good morning had felt normal, natural. Even the fact that it had been the first time either of them kissed another man hadn’t impacted on the rightness of the moment.
After traveling the galaxy for years with no real plans, other than to try and help those who needed it, it felt good to have found the two people who completed him. He laughed quietly to himself. He’d never considered that his future would include loving two people of a different species, or that one of them would be a man, but he wouldn’t change it for the world. Now, if only he could keep them alive through this mission. He’d felt it in his gut. Something wasn’t right, and he’d learned to trust his instincts.
“Dev,” Jordan said as he approached his workstation. “Go join them in the docking bay. We’ve got the ship.” Slightly embarrassed that his captain could read him so well, Devlin nodded and left the bridge.
Jordan was still the solid friend he’d always been, supporting his new relationship with quiet acceptance. In fact, no one on the ship had batted an eyelid at their unusual situation, except for maybe a couple of Kam’s old shipmates. The irony there was that they didn’t actually oppose the bisexual nature of their developing relationship, but rather that the G’trobians were in a mixed species relationship.
Kam had been furious when he’d overheard one of his old shipmates disrespecting Tee-ani, but Devlin couldn’t help but smile at the way Kam had handled it. He’d very casually walked up to his shipmate and kicked the guy’s kneecap hard, shattering the bone. Since Tee-ani was the only actual doctor on board, the guy had retracted all his previous statements and begged for medical assistance.
Devlin laughed quietly to himself and made a
mental note not to piss off Kam without making sure his kneecaps were well out of the way.
As he entered the docking bay, he found Kam with his arms around G’baena. Devlin didn’t hesitate. He did exactly what felt natural and wrapped his arms around both of them. G’baena turned and lifted her face to kiss him. He ran his tongue along her lips, marveling at the difference between hers and Kam’s. Where G’baena was soft and inviting, Kam was hard and challenging, and he found himself enjoying the extreme contrast. He and Kam hadn’t progressed past a few hot kisses yet, but Devlin had plans for when they returned to the ship. He just hoped it wouldn’t be long.
His gut still twisted, and he hadn’t been able to shake off the feeling. At first, he’d considered the idea that he was more concerned simply because the two people he loved were involved, but that didn’t lessen at all when he reminded himself that, despite his lack of formal training, Kam was a natural with a stun gun. Between the two of them, they would surely be able to protect G’baena.
He pressed a hard kiss to Kam’s mouth. Kam lifted a palm to Devlin’s cheek as they finally broke apart. He didn’t say a word, but the look of determination in his eyes said it all. He would protect G’baena and watch Devlin’s back no matter what.
Ben and Trey and another G’trobian male entered the area and headed directly for Sarah’s small transport ship. Kam went to step out of Devlin’s arms, but he held him tight. He wasn’t about to hide the nature of their relationship from his shipmates—not any of them.
“We have permission for a landing party of five. I’ve asked G’tarvey to drop us off and bring the ship back later. If we have any problems, any at all, head for the Temple of the Goddess and Tarv will extract us from there.”
Devlin’s gut twisted just a little harder. Hell, if Ben and Trey were setting up escape routes from the planet they should actually be running, things weren’t as straightforward as he’d hoped. He was starting to rethink the whole “demanding justice” idea.
* * * *
Kam felt the tension level increase as several more G’trobian voices contacted them before they could land the small ship. When they were finally allowed to disembark, G’tarvey waved them good-bye just a little too gleefully, and then their transport was gone. Kam barely had time to wonder at the man’s good humor before a very official voice ordered them to follow the green line into the building for processing.
Trey tilted his head toward the door, grabbed G’baena’s hand, and started walking. They’d decided yesterday that it would be safer for all of them if Devlin, Kam, and G’baena hid their relationship while on G’trobia. G’trobian society had very rigid social rules and harsh penalties for those who took a wrong step. There weren’t any rules dealing specifically with same-sex relationships, but there weren’t any openly gay or bisexual relationships, either.
The one about females being forbidden to leave the planet or have contact with alien species could be a problem, though. Kam had almost suggested again that Devlin stay on the ship but knew that his sense of responsibility wouldn’t allow him to stay behind. Devlin’s protective streak was about a light-year wide and included everything and everyone who needed help. It would damn near kill him to stay behind when the ones he loved were in possible danger.
Kam smiled at his own thoughts. He could feel Devlin’s love and affection for him grow each day. They’d shared only a few brief kisses, but the emotions were there, clear and strong for both him and G’baena.
“Name, please,” a singsong, disembodied voice asked Trey as he stepped through the doors of the small building.
“G’Beydeatrey,” he said clearly. There was a moment’s hesitation, a small laugh, and then, “There are severe penalties for impersonating a member of the royal fam—”
“I am well aware of the penalties,” Trey said sternly as he cut off the voice. “Order transportation and an escort immediately!” Even though Kam knew most of the royal family, he’d quickly grown used to seeing the princes as shipmates rather than royalty, so the imperious tone of voice was a little surprising.
There was another brief hesitation before a different voice, this one sounding a little nervous, spoke clearly.
“Yes, Sire, we have arranged transportation. It will be here shortly. Shall I contact the palace and notify them of your visit?”
“Yes,” Trey said, managing to pour all his annoyance into a single word. Kam carefully hid the smile that threatened to escape. Trey’s irritation was more likely due to the fact that, as royalty, he couldn’t follow his own instincts and thank the man for his assistance.
Kam glanced over at Devlin. He was playing the role of bodyguard to the royals—not exactly a lie. Ben and Trey were well armed and quite experienced in protecting themselves, but to have arrived without protection would have caused even more problems. Devlin looked menacing and very, very dangerous but, despite the fact that he understood very little of the G’trobian language, seemed alert, but more relaxed, now than he had back on the ship.
Kam had to hold back another laugh as the transport driver managed to somehow ignore the human’s presence without actually getting in Devlin's way. G’trobians did not have a warm welcome for outsiders, but obviously this one had a strong sense of self-preservation.
Once on board the outrageously oversized and hideously decorated transport craft, Ben and Trey settled G’baena in the seat between them, thankfully acting more like protective older brothers than intended mates. Devlin stood close, his attention on the pilot.
Ben watched out the window, his gaze seemingly on the approach to the palace. He turned and spoke quietly to Trey.
“Devlin, Kam, slight change in plans,” Trey said in the standard traders’ language. “If there is any trouble, stay in the palace. We suspect that if there is a problem, it is more likely to come from without rather than within.”
“How can you be so sure?” Devlin asked, sounding like their pirate shipmate rather than a deferential servant. Kam thanked the goddess for Devlin’s self-designed privacy field that currently shielded them from prying ears. The human really was an amazing engineer.
“We can’t be certain, but it looks like our unexpected arrival is cause for celebration.”
Kam moved from his seat to look out the side window. Almost everywhere he could see was covered in scrambling servants. Many unrolled the traditional green flooring reserved for the return of a royal family member after a long absence. Others dragged huge, deep, green pots filled with green foliage of every description into place as hundreds, maybe thousands, of workers tried to throw together a welcome ceremony with but a moment’s notice.
Kam shook his head at the obvious waste. Didn’t they know there were children dying of starvation on other planets?
The small transport craft hovered over the palace grounds, circling the area but not actually landing. Kam tried not to grind his teeth in exasperation. The pilot had likely been ordered not to land until the preparations were completed. He fell back into his seat. Fuck, this could take a while.
Chapter Eleven
G’baena tried to control the nervousness that currently gripped her. She really wanted to snuggle into Kam’s or Devlin’s embrace, preferably both, but Devlin had warned them that his privacy field only stopped sound from escaping, meaning that the pilot and whoever monitored the surveillance cameras could see them clearly.
She squirmed in her seat, trying to get more comfortable. It felt like they circled the palace forever, but finally the transport dipped lower and landed on the edge of the green flooring. The door opened, Ben grabbed her hand, and together, they followed Trey, Kam, and Devlin outside.
The loud traditional music and cheering crowd gave her a glimpse into what her life may have been like if Ben and Trey hadn’t left the planet. She tried to hide her distaste. These people worshipped the royal family but knew nothing about them. They’d been ordered to celebrate Ben and Trey’s return, so they did.
The kings and their queen stood on the bal
cony as a herald read a tediously long greeting from an electronic prompter. Judging by the small mistakes in pronunciation and flow, it wasn’t one he’d had time to practice.
She could feel both Kam and Devlin standing behind them. They were both alert for trouble, neither faltering as the speeches went on and on and on. G’baena was certain her legs were about to collapse when they were at last formally invited into the palace.
When the cumbersome ornate doors finally closed behind them, G’baena felt nothing but relief, despite the greeting they were expecting in private. Ben and Trey had warned that their fathers may react angrily despite following royal protocol for the masses to see.
“G’Beydeatrey, G’Bende-anrali, where in the name of the goddess have you been?”
G’baena smiled at the woman’s words as Ben and Trey’s mother pushed past her husbands and confronted her wayward sons. The princes smiled indulgently and greeted her with hugs and soft words. The woman fussed happily, even at Devlin, until her gaze landed on G’baena.
“G’baena?” she asked, sounding confused and looking at her sons worriedly.
“Yes, Mother,” Ben said quietly. “We have much to discuss.”