by Renee Rose
The prince arrived on the scene. “The hole is nearly patched—what’s the progress on the generators?” He glanced her way, then did a double-take. "What is she doing here?"
"Lamira said she can help." The old engineer gave a dismissive shrug.
"And the generators?" Zander snapped, clearly finished with worrying about her presence.
"We need to rewire the atmospheric pressurizing system, but the panel has been crushed. It's impossible to open up and get in there. I can’t see what I’m doing. I'm trying to do it by feel. I’ve sent Jax to get a pry bar, but I fear it will wreck everything inside if we force it."
Wiring. Feel.
Could it be?
No. That was silly. She didn't know anything about wiring electronics.
But the prince turned to her. "Why are you here?" he repeated the question as if Lium hadn't already answered it.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry—I know nothing about engineering, my lord. I wish I could help."
Zander gave a wave of impatience. "Why do you think you're here? What could you possibly offer?"
Ouch. Harsh.
But something forced her lips to move. "I'm good with wires." She coughed at the effort to speak.
He'd started to turn away already, but he jerked back. "Excuse me?"
"I mean, I know nothing about wiring, but I'm good at bending wires." Her face grew warm. "I used to shape animals and other little objects from the bits of wire in the factory where I worked as a child."
Zander grabbed her arm and pulled her roughly forward. "Move aside. Let the human reach in there. Her hands are smaller and she knows wires."
The old engineer cursed, but grudgingly pulled his arm out from around the panel. He looked at his hands as if they were new to him, then at hers. "True enough,” he muttered. “But she doesn’t have an inkling of the schematics behind that panel. How in the stars will show know what to do?”
“You’ll have to talk her through what needs to be done."
Lium grumbled and barked an order at a warrior nearby. Paal arrived with a flight helmet, which he dropped on her head and fastened under her chin. Breathing immediately became easier.
She reached her hand behind the bent panel. “All right, what am I feeling for?”
Lium cut off a length of wire. “We need to bypass the diode…”
And he immediately lost her in a stream of technical speak.
When she shook her head helplessly, he snapped, “Just get familiar with what’s in there. I have Jax fetching something I can write with.”
She let her fingertips slide over the topography of electronics inside. Little bumps and ridges. Tiny poles and lines.
When the warrior returned with a flat board and some kind of primitive writing device, she watched as Lium sketched exactly what she felt under her fingers. “Your job will be to wrap this wire from here,” he pointed to a tiny pole, “around this button here, and over to this one. You can’t touch the wire and this pole here without getting shocked, so you’ll have to bend a little hook like this, see?” He bent the wire into a crude hook. “And then loop it around without getting your finger in contact. Understand?”
She nodded and took the wire from his fingers, quickly fashioning a sturdy, thick hook that wouldn’t slip off.
The engineer’s eyes widened with interest. “You are quick with a piece of wire. All right, human, let’s see what you can do.”
She reached her fingers in. Without being able to use both hands, it took her awhile to wrap the wire, but she eventually fastened it to the first pole, around the second button. Now she just had to hook the third one without getting electrocuted. She waved the wire hook back and forth, trying to connect with the pole, but without the sense of touch or sight, it was impossible. Setting the wire down, she reached in to locate the pole by touch, then picked up the wire again. It was too flimsy for her to hook it on. She brought it back out and twisted several lengths of wire to reinforce it, ignoring the tense questions from the half dozen beings gathered around watching.
It was the first time she’d been the center of attention for anything besides her body, and it surprised her how much she wanted to succeed. Not just to save the pod and ensure the safety of everyone on it, but also to prove to herself that she had some value beyond sex.
There.
She hooked the end of the wires and immediately the lights flickered and came on. Generators hummed, the air system blew clean air into the room.
“She did it!” One of the warriors shouted.
Lium thumped her on the back, nearly knocking her down before Paal swept her up against his body in a tight embrace.
Prince Zander barked orders about finishing the patch on the outer shell, and clearing debris, but she only half-heard. Instead, in the cavity of the helmet, she listened to the amplified beating of Paal’s heart, just beneath her ear.
Being held by him brought an unbelievable comfort. Emotions she hadn’t thought she ever desired to feel ricocheted through her chest. She felt cherished by him, protected. She sensed his approval, his happiness at her success. He was proud of her. Maybe even impressed by her.
And it wasn’t over sex.
A new hand touched her back and she reluctantly pulled away from Paal’s massive frame. Prince Zander loomed over her, beautiful and regal. “What is your name?”
“Leticia, my lord.” She dropped a curtsy.
“Thank you for your help. You have earned your place here with us and are welcome.”
She never knew the gooey warmth that came with belonging. With being accepted into a group. Welcomed.
Her cheeks heated as she curtsied, once more.
The prince changed his focus to Paal. “Get her back to the crystal bath until the air has cleared. Report to me the status of the rest of the females and young.”
“Yes, my lord.” Paal looped an arm around her waist and ushered her away from the wrecked side of the pod, to the dome-shaped crystal bath room. With the power returned, the doors should be working now, but apparently the warriors had broken them with their rough handling. The huge warrior who’d stayed to guard the bath—Granit, she thought she’d heard him called—was struggling to refit the door into the mechanism.
“All beings safe?” Paal asked.
“Yes. How about out there?” All the faces of the females and children turned to listen.
Paal squeezed her. “Leti fixed the wiring and restored the power and the hole has been patched. Prince Zander ordered you remain here until the air is clear.”
“And then what?” Bayla asked.
Paal shrugged, but Lamira spoke. “Then they go to war.”
5
Zander let out a string of curses in their native tongue. Three planet rotations and they would've taken the Finn by surprise.
Or maybe they wouldn't have. What if they had a mole and that's why the Finn struck this planet rotation?
He stood at the helm of the pod, where Seke and the rest of his advisors had gathered to both brief and counsel him.
"The pod is completely secure and flight worthy, my lord," Lium reported. "Just give the order and we can leave Ocretion airspace and put it in hiding."
He nodded. "And the attacker?"
"Dead. Single battleship, as far as we can tell. There was no sign of any other craft. The Ocretions supplied us with their recorded data, and it appears to have entered the airspace alone and without authorization," Erick said. "The Ocretions are, of course, swearing they had nothing to do with it and cooperating with our effort. That said, I'm sure they won't mind a bit when we relocate."
"And the target for relocation?"
"The Aurelian ambassador has agreed to keeping it in their airspace," Erick said.
Thank veck he had Erick to work the diplomatic channels, because his temper was far too frayed to do it well himself. "For how long?"
He met Erick's somber gaze across the oval table. "Indefinitely. They understand our plans and know the majority of us m
ay not return."
"Have they offered any other assistance?"
"None. They refuse to break their vow of neutrality."
"Begin relocation immediately." Erick nodded and left the war room.
Lamira entered without their young. "What do you know?" he asked her, dispensing with any greeting.
"Only what you've already decided. You will strike immediately." His female had developed a quiet strength since she'd embraced her gifts as a seer. He drew from it, trusting she would warn him if his decision was wrong.
He bowed his head. "Yes.” He turned to the warrior at the door. "All horns on deck—we meet in the Great Hall. Humans, too. Immediately."
The warrior pressed a button on his comms unit and projected the order throughout the pod.
Zander sank into a hoverchair for a moment of quiet before he addressed his beings. This was it. War.
Paal laced his fingers through Leticia's as they strode to the Great Hall. He wanted to be in contact with her at every moment—hated to leave her side. Probably because he knew they were about to be parted.
Veck.
What if he never saw her again? The thought ripped his chest open. Not for his own fate—he wasn't afraid to die. But for her. Who would care for her? What would happen if the Zandians couldn't return to the pod? Would the humans be returned to Ocretion slavery?
Probably.
That thought sickened him.
He hoped to the one true Zandian star Zander had made provisions for his own mate and the rest of them.
A throng had gathered in the pod, but Zander's throne stood empty. A tense silence reigned, only a few murmurs disrupting it. Every tight expression showed fear or anger.
Zander walked in swiftly and stood in front of his throne. "We strike tonight," he said without preamble. "You may have sensed the pod is already in motion. We will relocate to the safe airspace of Aurelia. All servants will remain. All humans will remain. The females and young will remain. I will send out a message to every Zandian in the galaxy and suggest they come to the pod for safe harbor until the battle is won."
Out of the corner of his eye, Paal saw Taramina make an irritated gesture, but Erick caught her hand and brought it to his lips.
"The training pod occupants have boarded the galactacarrier and battleships and are making their way toward our strike locations. The warriors on this ship will board the battleships we keep here." He scanned his warriors, who all raised their fists at 90 degree angles, pledging their undying fealty. "Two of you will remain behind to guard the pod. Paal and Ronan. Paal, you’re the lead. Ronan is your second-in-command. You will have the two trained warriors Lily and Cambry at your disposal, as well as the brain power of the remaining female council.” He nodded in the direction of Lamira and Taramina.
Paal’s heart dodged from side to side in his chest, as if unsure whether to lift or fall. Staying with Leti was his greatest wish, and yet he'd trained his whole life for battle. To be left behind felt a bit like an insult.
As if Zander guessed his thoughts, he met Paal's gaze. "You are responsible for the sole future of Zandia. If anything happens to the occupants of this pod, our species may never survive. I'm sure you comprehend the enormity of your position."
Humbled, he bowed, as did Ronan. "I am honored to be chosen for such a duty." He meant it.
Zander nodded. "Say your farewells. We depart immediately." The prince turned to his own mate and wrapped her in his arms.
Most beings remained in the Great Hall, as if needing to cling to one another in this time of great uncertainty. Lady Taramina argued with her mate. Like Paal, she probably didn't want to be left behind.
Erick pressed a laser gun into Mina's hands. "Your father is the greatest Master of Arms our species has ever known," he said. "I know you'll defend this pod as well as any of the warriors left behind." He looked at Paal, as if for agreement, so Paal bowed. “I’ll be grateful for your assistance.”
Annoyance flitted over the female’s face, but she nodded and pulled her mate’s mouth down to hers.
Paal wrapped his arms around Leti, allowing his relief at not having to leave her to pour into the embrace. Now he needn't worry what would happen to his lovely female if the others never returned. He would see that every being on this pod remained safe and lived a long life.
No matter what it took.
Leti peeled off her dirty clothes, exhaustion seeping from her every pore. She’d stayed in the Great Hall with all the beings on the pod until all the warriors had departed. Paal had been busy receiving last minute instructions from Master Seke and even now still was out patrolling.
The sun had risen, but after being up most of the night, she couldn't keep her eyes open much longer. And that delicious washtube was calling her name. Having such a posh chamber to return to still made living on the pod feel like a luxury. Even if they were under attack. She stepped into the washroom and groaned when she saw how dirty and tired she looked.
She hit the button to open the washtube and stepped in. Warm water started to fill it, spraying from every direction and she stifled a moan of contentment. Abruptly the water stopped.
"What the—?"
The washtube door slid open, revealing her giant warrior looming in the opening. He stood naked, and his eyes glowed bright purple, amplifying the bald hunger scrawled all over his expression.
She smiled—a genuine smile, not a seductive one—and stepped back to make room for him. He lunged for her, but his hands were gentle where they settled around her waist. He kept walking forward until he'd pressed her against the washtube wall, every inch of his huge, hard body in contact with her softer one.
"Leti," he rasped.
That was all—just her name. And then he went silent, stroking his large hands over her, as if just discovering the topography of her body for the first time. The washtube filled with water and he kissed her just before it was time to hold their breaths, his lips sealed on hers, as if keeping her safe from drowning. When the water drained and the light spray of scented oil coated their bodies, he stroked her again, rubbing it in. When she attempted to reciprocate, he pinned her wrists above her on the wall and continued his massage.
As his touch warmed her, she forgot about being tired, forgot about the drama and trauma of the night. She knew only Paal. His touch, his beautiful body. Heat coiled in her core and her legs began to tremble. He stroked up her legs, along her inner thighs, but maddeningly avoided her aching pussy.
Releasing her wrists, he slid his hands down her arms, along her sides, over her ass. He knelt in the tiny space and stroked down her legs, even picking up her feet and gently rubbing them, inspecting her wounds.
After he'd set the second foot back on the floor, he hooked his thumbs around her inner thighs and pushed them wider. Then—oh stars—then, he brought his face to her pussy and licked into her.
Although his reverence had been awe-inspiring, and incredibly sweet, she hadn't been sure if she appreciated it more than his rough passion. But she didn't have to choose, because as soon as he got the taste of her, he lost all control. He flung her leg over his shoulder and flattened her ass against the wall, opening her petals for his mouth.
She moaned as he turned feral, penetrating her with his thumb as he sucked and licked her clit, her inner lips. He pushed one well-oiled finger against her back entrance and she flinched, still tender from his ass-fucking during the night.
He stopped and looked up with bright purple eyes. "Too sore, little female?" His voice was soft, not the hard, demanding tones he usually used with her.
She wrapped her fingers around his horns to pull his mouth back on her. "No, Master. I like when you make it hurt."
He treated her to another epic tongue-lashing, but then he slid out from under her leg and stood. "No," he said softly. "I don't want to hurt you, lovely girl. Not tonight—this morning—whenever it is. I only want to make you feel good."
She bit back the sigh his words produced. Keeping the barriers
around her heart with this male was getting near impossible. Especially when he hit open the door to the washtube and swept her up into his arms, carrying her to the sleepdisk. He eased her onto her back.
"Spread for me, beautiful."
She bent her knees up to welcome him and he settled his hips into the cradle of her legs. He let her reach for his cock and guide it into her as their gazes tangled. Locked.
She held her breath, utterly destroyed and rebuilt by the intensity of the moment.
"I'm the lucky one," he murmured as he sank into her.
She arched her back and moaned.
"I didn't have to say goodbye to my female. I get to feel her beneath me one more time. Touch her sweet skin. Savor her taste."
"Paal." Now it was her turn to utter his name without any other reason than to say it. "Paal."
"That's it, beautiful. Say my name when I fill you with every inch of my passion." He rocked deep, with smooth, satisfying strokes. "Say my name when you take it deep."
"Paal." She reached for his horns, squeezing and releasing them.
Her warrior lost control, hammering into her with short, hard thrusts, his muscles bulging in his shoulders and arms.
"So good," she whimpered, matching the squeezing of her fists over his horns to his thrusts.
He roared and buried himself deep inside her, filling her with hot streams of his rainbow essence.
She squeezed her legs around his waist and took him even deeper, allowing herself to fly over the brink into bliss. Her inner muscles squeezed, inner thighs shook as she rubbed her clit down hard on the base of his shaft.
Paal jerked and shook her off his horns with an indulgent smile. "No nails in the horns, pretty girl. They're sensitive."
"I'm sorry," she gasped.
Again he rewarded her with the indulgent smile, his gaze soft and warm. "Don't be. I love to see you go over the edge."
"Paal," she murmured and he lowered himself over her, nuzzled her neck.
"You should sleep, beautiful."
She hardly noticed him easing out of her, covering her with blankets and kissing her forehead. Already she'd slipped into a restful sleep.