A Valentine for Two

by Lia Davis

  She thinks the best part of being a writer is how she writes about love and sex while most others struggle with daily commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers. Her inspiration comes from everywhere, but she’d particularly like to thank the Buffalo Sabres, the hockey team near and dear to her heart.

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  Triad

  The Chronicles of Mersenne

  Kim Carmichael

  Chapter One

  “His crewmate died in transit, and by our calculations he is less than fifteen minutes from touchdown.” The official from the space administration handed Kenna Poller-Madson the tablet with all the documents outlining the craft due to land on Mersenne.

  She glanced down at the information. “They are from Kinjani.” Those from the planet Kinjani were known to be brash, uncivilized warriors.

  “Yes, a simple trade mission, but they didn’t trust us to do it remotely.” As the official said the words he shrugged.

  “How did the other pass?” Kenna bowed her head in reverence for the fallen crewmember in Mersennean tradition.

  “Life support failure. When the Kinjanian woke, his crewmate was already gone.” The official lowered his voice. “The Kinjanian is not a pilot, our team is helping talk him down. Should he survive impact, we need your assistance with all the rituals surrounding laying his crewmate to rest.”

  “Of course.” As one of the Keepers of Ritual for her planet, Kenna’s responsibilities included incorporating the proper traditions when dealing with such an unusual situation. In addition, she was an expert in dealing with alternate life forms. “Are there any other details on the relationship between the Kinjanis?” She needed to know such private details in order to arrange for a proper ceremony. On Mersenne, females were forbidden from space flight—it was deemed too much of a risk. However, it wasn’t unusual for other planets to send actual mates together, especially on long journeys.

  “The craft has entered our atmosphere, t-minus two minutes.” A computerized voice rang through the speaker.

  “I have no idea. Would you like to stay here? This isn’t a scene for a female.” The official headed for the exit.

  “I would like to be with the Kinjanian as soon as possible. If he is injured, he will need an advocate. If he isn’t, he will need someone to speak with.” No matter what the males thought, she could handle the scene outside.

  “All right. We best get to the observation station.” The official motioned for her, and Kenna followed him out to an outside platform. Already, emergency crews had prepared for a crash land. There was no species better at dealing with any space flight situation than the Mersenneans.

  “Make sure she is well shaded.” The official ran toward the landing pad and signaled four other males who came dashing to her side with shades and ointment to shield Kenna from Helia’s mid-day rays. Once one of the assistants placed a pair of optical shields on her eyes, she looked up to see the craft approaching.

  What started out as a bright star in the sky grew, slowly taking the form of a space vehicle. Though she stood calmly allowing the assistants around her to fan her and to try to keep her body temperature normal, inside she heated, and fought the urge to wince or make any other movement that might denote her worry or anxiety. The ship seemed to be coming in too fast with an odd smoke trailing behind the craft.

  While around her sirens rang out, silently she said a prayer that the being inside would survive.

  “Please turn away.” One of the assistants stood in front of her.

  “I don’t mind.” She couldn’t take her eyes off the craft.

  “A female shouldn’t see this.” As if to block her vision, the male straightened up. “They should have made you stay inside.”

  Yes, she knew the protocol, studied it her entire life. She shouldn’t have to see the ravages life had to offer. Too bad they couldn’t keep her away from all of it. After what she had seen she might as well look, but not wanting to cause any upset, and knowing her actions were watched because of who she was, she did as the males requested and turned away.

  Actually, she didn’t need to see anything to know what was happening, the noise around her said it all. The distinctive rumble increased as the craft came closer, the crash of metal, and then the yells of the rescue crew.

  Still, she shut her eyes waiting for the verdict. There was already enough tragedy aboard this flight.

  Suddenly, around her echoed light applause. Due to the nature of this landing, the cheers normally associated with finding the crewmembers alive were subdued with simple claps. Kenna exhaled and turned around.

  One of the assistants read his tablet. “We are ready to take you to the site now.” On cue, a small vehicle glided up to their spot. The assistants guided her into it and drove her toward the craft.

  Rescue workers surrounded the exit and the official came up and assisted her out of the vehicle. “Would you like to speak to the Kinjanian before you instruct us on what to do with the fallen crewmate?”

  “Yes, if it is all right with him. Please don’t touch the body until we have conversed.” She went to an awning specifically set up for her. Already two chairs and a small table were placed there. “I will meet the Kinjanian. Please provide us with some pomum juice and a light refreshment if he should require it.”

  “Yes, right away.” The official pointed at the assistants.

  She walked toward the craft and the workers moved aside to let her through. Before she was able to climb the steps put there for the Kinjanian to exit, he hoisted himself out of the small door.

  At the sight of him, she gasped and tightened her hold on the railing. Oh, she wished Lucas, the male who she considered her life partner, could see the Kinjanian. Tall, no huge would be more accurate, with flowing white hair and silver eyes. Rather than one of the modern programmable fabrics Mersenneans and other advanced species preferred, he wore a tight outfit made of what appeared to be animal skins. Strapped to one hip was a large jeweled sword and on the other, two small daggers.

  He glanced around, went down onto the steps and stared down at her. “You are the one they sent to make it better, correct?”

  “I am Kenna Poller-Madson and yes, I have been assigned to be here for you in your time of need, be your guide.” She gazed up into those silver eyes.

  “I flew in a vacuum sealed trap and was put into a sleep I didn’t want to take to travel to a planet that I didn’t ever want to visit all out of duty, and then I wake up to find the person who is supposed to be my partner dead.” His jaw squared and with a glare, he crossed his arms.

  She held up her hand. Before she had a chance to suggest doing this elsewhere, he continued.

  “I almost make a trip to the great beyond myself, trying to land this thing on a planet that has a procedure for everything, including personally delivering me someone who looks like a character out of a film for gorgeous alien races who is supposedly some expert in rituals so I can say goodbye properly?” He leaned down and got right in her face. “Am I correct?”

  She blinked. Need she tell this creature that with his outburst he also just told her practically everything she needed to know? “I understand your hostility. Would you like to go sit down and have some juice or would you prefer to go inside and rest before deciding what to do?”

  “What do you mean, what to do?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  Apparently, a different tactic needed to be taken with the warrior. She put her hands on her hips. “What do you want us to do with the dead body in your ship?” At her frank words those around her mumbled.

  He took a breath and glanced around, his focus landing back on her.

  With his s
ilence, she pressed forward. “Would you like to sit down and discuss this?”

  “Will you make sure Alphax gets off the ship?” His voice lowered.

  His crewmate’s name didn’t give her a clue as to the gender. “Is Alphax-”

  Before she finished her question, he interrupted her. “Ambigender.”

  Interesting, a being of both genders. “Why don’t we go sit under the awning and await for Alphax to be brought out? We can arrange for a farewell ceremony tomorrow if you like.” She stepped down.

  “You have this all figured out.” The Kinjanian followed.

  “I have studied rites, rituals and ceremonies my entire life.” She guided him to the awning and poured him some of the juice.

  “Maybe so, but you don’t know how it feels.” With a sneer, he snatched up the juice and gulped it down.

  Her chest constricted. “I wish you were correct.”

  He turned to her.

  “I have also lost a partner. The third in my triad. The pain is great.” Her throat drying out at even the thought of Sandro, she served herself some of the beverage. Over fifteen Helia cycles ago, he passed right before she, Lucas and him were to be bonded. Now she and Lucas were in a permanent state of limbo. Couples weren’t allowed to be bonded, and they couldn’t or wouldn’t find a third to complete their triad.

  “They are bringing Alphax out. Would you like to accompany the caravan?” She made sure to keep her voice soft.

  “Will you be there?” Wide eyed, he looked over at the ship.

  “If you like. Of course.” She walked toward the ship.

  “I’m Talbot. Talbot Savita.” Rather than staying close to her side as Mersennean males, he motioned for her to walk ahead.

  She joined the line of workers and bowed her head as they brought the body out. Talbot remained behind her, and she swore she thought she heard him whisper the words thank you.

  Chapter Two

  Lucas Kerr finished pouring the vinum and brought both glasses into his sleeping chamber, smiling at the sight of Kenna already nestled among the pillows and blankets reading a document on her tablet. He never remembered ever wanting another female except Kenna. With her violet hair, matching eyes, sweet petite features, and perfectly soft, curvy body, there wasn’t a more beautiful female in the Helia system, dare he say the universe?

  He held out the beverage. “Here you are.”

  “Thank you.” Without looking up from her reading material, she took the glass. “Did you know that this is only the fifth time a Kinjanian has been on Mersenne?”

  Rather than answer, he gathered up another blanket, draped it over his always cold partner and slipped under the covers, then grabbed a book off the table. She already knew the answer to the question she asked, and he waited.

  After taking a sip of her drink, she turned to him. “Of course you knew that.”

  “Yes, I did.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss, the tang of the vinium mixed with her sweetness. He licked his lips wanting to savor the taste.

  “When I left him in the private quarters at the space station, he seemed sort of lost. Just sort of stared at me like he wanted to ask me a question, then said goodbye and slammed the door in my face.” A little chuckle escaped her throat. “He’s quite gruff.”

  Lucas stared up at the ceiling. Since he picked her up from the governmental offices, Kenna had been spouting off little tidbits about the Kinjanian. Now she was repeating her gathered facts for the second, maybe third time. He supposed a new warrior coming to the planet, one she was in charge of, was exciting, but it wasn’t like the intruder was staying. If she wanted to finally find their third, they would go and search for a male, but anytime he brought it up, she simply shook her head and walked away. “Yes, you mentioned he’s rather a heathen.”

  “I wonder why he felt the need to have three weapons on him.” She shook her head and put her glass aside.

  Maybe the alien would trip and fall on one of his swords. Then, after Kenna buried him, they could stop talking about him.

  Maybe a redirect was in order. “Today, at the university, I found that book of ancient stories I wanted to show you.”

  “Did you bring it home?” Finally, she put her tablet down on her lap.

  A surge of success ran through him. “I have it in the front room. Would you like me to read some to you?” They often spent their nights reading together then mating. However, in their case it wasn’t mating since they didn’t have a third set of DNA necessary to create any offspring.

  Before he got out of the bedding, she grabbed his wrist. “Lucas.”

  “Yes? Do you require something?” There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. Since they were less than five Helia cycles old, he was taken by her as was their other male, his partner. She, Sandro and he were inseparable. He inhaled. All this talk about mates passing was bringing up memories he tried not to think about, though it was always there. Maybe that’s why she was so fascinated with the newcomer.

  “Do you think there may be something unique in the book we can use for the ceremony?” With wide eyes, she stared into his face.

  All right, his tactic didn’t work. “I don’t think there’s anything there appropriate for a farewell ceremony.”

  “I spoke with him a bit about what he wanted for the ceremony. He said that Alphax loved space travel and he wants us to scatter the ashes in the sea. I set up everything to take place with the Helia set tomorrow.” She returned her attention to her tablet.

  He downed his beverage and moved closer to her.

  Though she continued reading, she put her head on his shoulder. “Will you come with me?”

  “Of course.” If nothing else, he had to see this being. He took the tablet from her and put it on the side table.

  “He said they were mates.” With a sigh, she lay back among the blankets. Her hair fanned out around her and she gazed into his eyes. “He was mates with an ambigender.”

  “All right. Does that change anything?” He pulled the tie of her robe open. Underneath she wore his favorite ensemble, nothing. Maybe he could distract her with something else.

  “Of course not.” Color took over her face as he ran his fingertips over her breasts. “I was just wondering...” Her breath caught when he bent down and guided one of her already tight nipples between his lips.

  “What were you wondering?” He kissed her between her breasts.

  “How they...”

  He lifted his head. Though still centered on the alien, at least their conversation was more intriguing. “How they mate?”

  She raised her eyebrows. “I wonder if he prefers the male or the female, maybe he likes both.”

  Merssennean women loved to watch their males play, something Kenna missed out on being with only him. Maybe tonight they needed a little more fun, and he leaned over to Kenna’s night table, opened the drawer and pulled out one of their toys.

  She bit her lip, turned down the lights and reached out for him.

  His lips met hers and he kissed her deeply, his body enflaming like anytime he even thought about joining with her.

  She rubbed her hands over him, across his back then down to his erection.

  As she stroked him, he moaned, and giving her a little preview of what was on the docket, flipped on their phallic shaped plaything and traced around her nipples.

  “Um.” She arched her back and deepened the kiss.

  He ran their toy down her stomach then grazed it over the junction between her thighs.

  Giving him the access he wanted, she lifted her knee. “Did I tell you he called me gorgeous?”

  “Well, then I have one thing he and I can agree on.” Fire raged through him at her words. Of everything she repeated, she never let that one slip until now.

  She giggled. “You’re anxious tonight.”

  “I just want you.” With the tip of the plaything, he teased her.

  “I want you too.” She squirmed and turned to her side.

  He spooned h
er and kissed the back of her neck. With her already slick and ready, he had no issue gliding the toy into her front opening.

  She sucked in her breath and turned back to kiss him. “Now you.”

  Just as Mersennean females enjoyed watching their males, the males also enjoyed watching their female with another. However it still heightened his arousal to watch her squirm at being filled by something other than him. His own desire growing, he hooked her leg over his hip and entered her second opening.

  Above all else, Mersennean females were made for two partners.

  “Lucas.” She put her hand over his and together they worked her front, thrusting the toy in and out of her.

  Through the thin membrane separating him from the toy, it slid against his length, heightening his sensations as well. Mersennean males were also made for two. “That’s good.”

  “Do you like that?” Now she added moving her hips, and they developed that magic rhythm.

  “Yes.” He drove harder into her, and she met his every movement. His need for her had always been insatiable. Even if they never had a third as long as he had her, he had everything.

  She tightened her hold on his wrist. The way she panted indicated her first release was pending, so he sped up to ensure she achieved the maximum enjoyment. “Oh, oh.” She stiffened and her body quivered around the toy, rippling through her to him.

  “Kenna.” He needed to let go and plunged into her, deep hard strokes as he thickened and prepared for his own climax.

  “Yes!” She writhed, twisting and turning her body and at last her second set of pulses raked over him this time.

  “Now!” The quivers were too much, he couldn’t hold back and rammed both the toy and himself into her.

  “Ah!” She tensed at her final orgasm hitting her, her whole body trembling as the pleasure overtook her.

  “Yes.” He couldn’t see her in that state and not give in, and the second her body wracked around his, he had no choice but to let go, filling her with everything he possessed and letting the euphoria of being with Kenna overtake him.

  They caught their breath and he slowly removed the toy, placing it aside and then turned Kenna to him. “Tell me you love me.” Something about tonight put him over the edge with need, maybe it was talk of the alien, maybe he didn’t like her attention being diverted to another, even though it was part of her job. Maybe he wanted more for her than a toy. He wondered if she ever pictured another with them? Did she fantasize about Sandro? Did she think about that Kinjanian? Would he always be able to satisfy her if there was never another?