by L. M. Brown
“This is the birthing room,” the guard said as they approached a closed door with a small window pane.
Farron rushed forward and almost pushed the guard aside in his desperation to reach Trix.
Finally, after so many months of searching, Trix stood before him. Farron gave a loud sob of relief.
Trix gaped at them from where he stood leaning on the bed he should probably have been on top of.
“Farron? Delta? What are you doing here?”
Delta waved Farron forward, but now he was here, his feet didn’t seem to want to move in the right direction.
Trix stared at each of them in turn. “Are you here to see me?”
Farron stepped forward at last. “Of course we are, you foolish feline. I’ve been trying to find you for months.”
“You have? Why?”
Farron frowned at him. “Are you being deliberately dense? Or is it litter-brain causing you to ask such silly questions?”
Delta approached Trix and wrapped him in his arms. “Did you think we would abandon you, right when you need us the most?”
“But I’m a whore,” Trix whispered.
“Not anymore,” Farron said as he hugged Trix too. “You’re about to become a papa.”
Trix sniffled and shook his head. “They’re going to take my babies from me. They can’t stay here on the Cage, and I wouldn’t want them to.”
“No one is going to take your babies away,” Delta assured him. “Farron and I are going to take you into our custody and we’re going to raise those babies of yours together.”
A cough from the doorway reminded them that Trix had to agree to their proposal.
Farron nodded and smiled at Trix. “If you agree, that is?”
“Yes.” Trix wept as he awkwardly hugged Farron and Delta. “I can’t believe you came for me. Wait a moment, what about your mate?”
“You’re my mate.”
“No, the one from your clan, who you were going back to. What happened to him?”
“He’s back on Cygon, looking for a new mate, no doubt.”
“What do you mean?”
Farron placed his hand on Trix’s belly, feeling the bump for the first, and he suspected only time. “You carry my babies, which means I’m yours, forever if you want me.”
Trix appeared confused but Delta stepped in.
“Farron partially bonded himself to you when he got you pregnant. He can’t mate with anyone else, now or ever, except you. And maybe me, but we won’t find out for sure until after he’s completed the bond.”
“Which I need to do before you give birth,” Farron added just as another contraction caused the two of them to stagger.
“There’s not much time,” Delta said. “Do you agree to the bond being completed?”
Trix laughed and shook his head. “I think it’s a bit too late for that. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m in labour, and there is no way a cock is going to be inserted into any part of my body until these babies are out. Well, there’s my mouth I suppose, but you risk me biting your cock if a contraction hits before you pull it out.”
Farron snickered and squeezed Trix in a close hug. “You’re thinking like a feline. My clan seals our mating bonds through sex and song.”
“Like I said, sex is off the agenda for the moment.”
“That’s perfectly fine, because we already did that part.” Farron rubbed Trix’s stomach again. “It’s just the song part we missed.”
Trix gave him a very dubious look. “You’re going to sing to me?”
“I am, if you agree to us sealing this bond.”
“If you don’t, Farron may be forced into a life of celibacy,” Delta added. “Or possibly stuck with me, which could be even worse.”
Farron rolled his eyes. “Ignore him. The choice is yours. If you think this isn’t right for you, I won’t complete the mating bond.”
Trix nodded. “I want my babies to know their other papa.”
“I could still see them, if you let me.”
“And I want to know you better too,” Trix replied. Another contraction came and after it was over he rolled his eyes at Farron. “I hope this song of yours is short, because our babies aren’t going to wait much longer.”
Farron dragged his attention away from Trix and faced the avian in the doorway and the healer who sat watching them from across the room. “Can we be alone please?”
“Absolutely not,” the healer snapped.
The owl smiled and nodded. “Of course.” He turned to the healer. “The bonding of swan avians requires privacy. The language of their song is not for the ears of strangers.”
Farron breathed a sigh of relief that the owl understood their need to be alone. “It won’t take long.”
“I know. Just call us back in when you’re ready.”
“We will.”
Delta shifted uneasily. “Do you need me to step outside too?”
“No.” Farron took his hand and pulled him close again. “You were inside me when I began the bond, this song is for you too.”
Trix closed his eyes as Farron wrapped his arms around both him and Delta. For the first time in months he felt safe, even cared for. Delta hugged him too, and he sighed in happiness.
Then Farron started to sing. Trix didn’t recognise the words, but knew enough about the swan clan to realise that the avian sang in the ancient tongue of his people. It was a language no other species was taught, and was not included in the universal translator that everyone used to communicate. The only time the swans used it was when they claimed their mate, or when they mourned their passing.
Peace and love washed over him, and he even managed to forget about the pain of the contractions for a few precious minutes.
He was enveloped in warmth that seemed to start in his chest and spread outward.
As Farron continued his song, Trix realised he could feel the bond between them already. It had always been there, ever since that first night, he just hadn’t known what it was. He had felt it when he had been alone in his cell, and without being told, he understood that Farron really had been there with him, in spirit, if not in body, holding him safe and loved.
The bond wasn’t just between the two of them though, Delta was there too. Bound to the both of them in a way that shouldn’t be possible, but was.
Inside him, the babes stilled, apparently content to wait for Farron to finish claiming his mates.
As Farron continued to sing, the ties between the three of them strengthened until Trix knew that he wouldn’t survive being separated from his mates again. He had never understood why those of the swan clan couldn’t survive the loss of their mates, but now he did.
The three of them were irrevocably bound. He could feel Farron’s love for Delta and the canine’s strong feelings for Farron. He sensed Farron’s relief at finding Trix in time, as well as his excitement at becoming a parent. Delta’s strength and power that came from what Trix now knew beyond any doubt was his wolf heritage.
He could feel what they felt, knew what they knew, and he was acutely aware that they could do likewise in respect of him.
There could be no secrets between the three of them, not now, not ever.
Farron’s beautiful song came to an end, and Trix blinked as he came out of the trance-like state he had been in.
Delta appeared a little dazed too.
“Um, that’s it,” Farron mumbled, his face flushed with what appeared to be embarrassment. “I know it was a little rough around the edges, but it’s what’s in my heart.”
Trix kissed him on the lips. “It was beautiful and perfect.”
Delta nodded and cupped Farron’s cheek with his hand. “Trix is right. We three are bound for life now and I’m honoured to have heard your song.”
Tears spilled from Farron’s eyes and he dashed them away with his hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so emotional.”
Trix hurried to assure him that it was all right, but now the song was over the babies
were making their presence known again. Farron gasped as he too felt Trix’s contraction.
“I’ll get the healer,” Delta said, though he lingered a moment longer to plant kisses on each of their heads, before rushing to the door.
The healer shooed Delta out of the room, but Farron stood his ground. Since he was clearly in some pain himself, he was allowed to stay.
Delta paced the corridor, but every time he tried to poke his head back in, he was waved away.
Part of him wanted to stay and support his mates, but the sounds of their twin cries of pain had him lingering just outside. He could handle his own pain, but when it came to his mates, he wasn’t sure he could.
Mates.
Fuck, he had two mates. How in the name of the moon did that happen? And more importantly, how was he going to explain it to his family?
He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. A cough beside him alerted him to the presence of the avian from the front desk.
“I have taken the liberty of transferring Trix’s belongings to your ship.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll need to take some details from you before I can release him into your custody. If you’d care to come with me, we can do that now. Then when your mates are ready, you’ll be able to leave immediately.”
Delta nodded and followed the avian back down the corridor. He had to stop thinking of him as the avian. “Do you have a name?”
“Oron.”
“I’m Delta.”
“So I gathered.”
“Do you have a lot of avians on the Cage? I thought only insectoids were hired.”
“They make up most of the regular guards, but the senior staff come from all species. There are a dozen or so avians, though only a handful from the Owl Clan.”
Oron sat at the desk and Delta took a seat opposite. The guard near the door appeared to be the one he had manhandled earlier. He wondered if he should apologise.
“Here we go,” Oron said. “Trixi.”
“Trix. He doesn’t like Trixi.”
“My apologies. Anyway, here are his records. His sentence was one which could have been avoided had he been able to offer anyone who could take custody of him. In those circumstances it is a relatively simple process to release him. So, name, Delta. Species, Canine. Bloodline?”
“Mixed.” Delta hoped he didn’t need any more detail than that.
“Can you be more specific?”
Damn. He knew exactly what he was getting at. “Yes, there’s wolf in my bloodline. That is what you’re asking, isn’t it?”
Oron had the good grace to blush. “You’ll know why we have to ask?”
“Actually, no, I don’t. Please feel free to explain.” Delta’s tone was biting, but he didn’t try to soften his words. His entire life had been spent hiding the wild wolf blood of his ancestors, and as far as he could see, it had no bearing whatsoever on whether he could take care of Trix.
Oron sighed and shook his head a little. “Do you think you’re the only species who has prejudices?”
“No, of course not. Look at how the felines treat their dual-gendered members.”
“Or how my clan rejects anyone who isn’t intelligent enough by their standards. We all have our issues. But the reason for the question isn’t because we’re prejudiced against those who carry the blood of the wolf within their veins. We have to ask because…”
“Because I might tear him apart if I lose my temper?” Delta suggested.
“You have to understand that we must ensure that any prisoner released into the custody of another, will be safe.”
Delta growled and leaned over the desk. “I would rather tear out my own heart than harm Trix.”
“Nevertheless, I do have to know what percentage of your blood is wolf.”
“My eight times great-grandfather was pure wolf.”
Oron frowned. “And no one more recent has been?”
“No.”
“I saw you fight out in the docking area.”
Delta didn’t reply. He knew what Oron was referring to.
“You fight like a pure wolf.”
“You’ve seen wolves fighting?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t the answer Delta was expecting. Most had only heard of the legendary fighting skills of the wolves, but never seen it for themselves.
“Now, let me ask you again, what is your percentage of wolf blood?”
Delta sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Try again?”
“I really don’t know. I was sick as a child, and when I recovered I was different. The healer apparently performed a ritual to call forth the spirits of my wolf ancestors, to give me the strength to fight the illness. I have no idea how much of me is wolf and how much is not. But I tell you again, I would never harm Trix. He is under my protection from this day forward and will remain so for the rest of his life.”
Oron sighed and returned to the data input screen. “I guess I’ll have to put unknown.”
“You do that,” Delta replied. “Next question?”
“Where do you intend to live?”
“I don’t know. Farron may wish to return to visit his family. Likewise, Trix may wish to be close to his. We obviously haven’t had any time to discuss such matters.”
“You don’t intend to go to Lupalia?”
“Maybe, though I doubt we would settle there permanently.”
“Why not?”
“I have no strong ties there. We may decide to live on board my ship.”
Oron made a sound of disapproval at that suggestion. Delta didn’t care whether he approved or not. It was none of his business.
Delta tried to remain patient as he answered more questions about himself, his family and his ship. Then, when the questions finally seemed to be at an end, they started again, but were about Farron. Delta answered as best he could, realising how little he knew about Farron despite the time they had spent together. He gave his answers as confidently as he could, and hoped Oron didn’t question Farron and find out Delta had been guessing and just plain making stuff up.
They were finishing off when the door opened and Farron waved him through. “Come see our babies, Delta.”
Ignoring Oron, Delta hurried back down the corridor, following Farron and the guard who had escorted him.
In the birthing room, Trix sat up in the bed, a small bundle in his arms.
“How many?” Delta asked.
“Three,” Farron replied. “One male, one female, and one dual.”
“One mutant,” the healer muttered as he washed up at the sink.
Delta had him up against the wall with his hand round the healer’s throat in seconds. “I dare you to say that again.”
Farron approached him with caution and placed his hand on his arm. “Let’s not get you locked up, now we’ve finally got our Trix out.”
Delta eased his grip on the healer and let him drop to the floor. He scurried out of the room, shooting a venomous glance over his shoulder.
Farron smiled and nudged Delta over to the two small cribs containing the newest additions to their family.
“Have you decided on names?” Delta asked Trix.
“Not yet. They were going to be taken off me and given names by their new family. I couldn’t bear to think about that, so I didn’t choose any. I’m sure we’ll come up with some soon.”
Delta peered at the two babes in the cribs. They each had white feathers on their heads and at first glance, appeared more avian than feline. A closer inspection revealed one of the babies had a feline tail, while the other had retractable claws.
Farron carefully lifted the baby to the left. “This little one was the first born. He’s male.” He nodded to the crib. “And she’s our little female.”
Delta moved to Trix’s side and their third baby. “Which would make this our dual-gendered baby, yes?”
“That’s right,” Trix said. “I’d like to give per a genderless name, if that’s all right wi
th you two. I don’t want per to have to put up with the snide comments that I did, thanks to my father naming me Trixi.”
“Per?” Delta asked.
Trix smiled. “We won’t know until pre reaches puberty whether pre’s male or female dominant. Until then we use per instead of him or her, pre rather than he or she and pres instead of his or hers.”
“I see.” Delta frowned. “How did you father know you would be male dominant?”
“He didn’t, no more than any parent of a dual-gendered baby knows.”
“Then you could have easily been female dominant, and the name Trixi would suit?”
Trix snorted. “You’re giving my father the benefit of the doubt and he doesn’t deserve it at all. He alternated between Trix and Trixi while I was growing up, just so others would know I was dual-gendered. Then, when it became clear I wasn’t developing breasts and wasn’t about to start menstruating, he stuck to Trixi, so everyone would know what was between my legs.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. He hated that he had a dual-gendered child. He found it shameful, an embarrassment. I won’t let my baby suffer the same way.”
Delta stroked the fur on the baby’s head, noting that their third babe was more feline than avian, with Trix’s black and grey markings, but also the slight webbing between the fingers like Farron. “Pre won’t,” Delta said, testing the new word on his tongue. “We’re going to make sure that pre knows how much we love per, just the way pre is.”
Trix chuckled at the way he faltered a little over the words. “It’ll come easier in time. And I know you and Farron are going to make sure we’re all cared for.”
The baby in Trix’s arms gave a small cry, and Trix shushed per as he lowered the top of his toga and revealed the small but perfectly formed breast.
Trix raised a brow when he caught Farron staring. “Um, yes, they’re a little larger than the last time you saw me.”
“Just a bit,” Farron replied. “I guess I forgot about how you would feed them.”
Trix shrugged as he guided the baby to his breast. “They’re at their peak at the moment, but as the babies grow and move on to plant milk, my breasts will reduce until I’m flat-chested again. Until then, I’m afraid you’ll both have to put up with my more obvious female attributes.”