by Nena Duran
“So good…small inside…mine…I take you…mine…not let go.” Their combined moans filled the cabin. She whimpered, rubbing her ass against him. He growled, tightening his hold on her neck. Her channel rippled and grabbed his rod in a tight hold. His seed shot out in a stream so hard he felt her core melt.
“Yes, yes, yes…more, champion. I want all of it…give me more.”
He hadn’t known it could be possible, but her words spurred him on. Faster he pounded into her as his large heavy sac tightened again. This time his seed came out in a soft steady stream.
Completely spent, the beast curled inside in a peaceful slumber for the first time in his life. Before sleep claimed his sated soul, Briq heard a haunting song about make believe places and a noble beast.
* * * *
The conference room holovid activated, signaling an incoming transmission. Zaaq-niq had sent an encrypted message to the Council of Six the day before, asking for an emergency meeting. His father and the prime minister wanted more information about the breeder. Briq told them everything that had transpired on board the colony. Ha’rrra wished to ask for sanctuary on the breeders’ behalf. She placed herself in their custody as a show of trust.
“What do you think she wants? She’s just a breeder with no power over the colonies,” the prime minister said.
“I don’t know her intentions, but we’ve secured the colony. There are two hundred and nineteen breeders and eighty caretakers. Those appear to be loyal to them.”
“There’s something you’re not telling us, my son. What’s troubling you?”
“Something Ha’rrra said about restoring the balance, Lord Ooh-Baak. She said the mother creator foretold my part in their freedom. She played a recording of Gigi’s voice.”
“Why didn’t you mention this to me before, Brother?” Zaaq-niq asked, clearly upset.
“Because I didn’t know if you’d agree to grant her sanctuary. I don’t know if the council will even accept me as her supplicant. You know very well under the law the person receiving the request for sanctuary must be the one.”
“How can you of all people be willing to present their case? They tortured you for years with their horrid experiments. Brother, let me take your place. I’ll make sure they get a fair hearing.”
“I know you mean well, but Ha’rrra asked me, and she’ll only address the council with me by her side.”
“Why?” Zaaq-niq asked, eyeing him curiously.
“When I entered the breeders’ lair, I didn’t expect to see what I did. Their males are cruel beyond reason. They keep their females starved and collared to ensure absolute compliance. Their conditions are deplorable, the lair filthy, yet in the midst of it, Lady Ha’rrra emerged like a true leader. She told me how the males took over the colonies by becoming stronger. I think she knows I, more than anyone, can understand how brutal a Kreeh-noshian male can be.”
Briq told them what Ha’rrra had said about their origins. He didn’t know why, but he believed the female and wanted to help. The only thing holding him back was Gigi. She now approached her due date, according to Ounna.
What the breeder proposed had merit, but he had to think of his mate and children first. He knew Mor’u would want to help Ha’rrra in her efforts to bring peace to the colonies. Briq just had to find a safe way for her to do it.
“My son, I’m willing to present her case before the Protectorate council. We’ll hear what she has to say and reach a decision accordingly.” His father agreed to moderate the meeting as soon as they arrived.
“Lord Briq, why are you willing to ask your mate for help after what the Kreeh-nosh did to you? No one would blame you if you backed out,” the prime minister said wearily.
“Every fiber of my being tells me to keep her out of it. No one will oppose my decision. The Scrolls of Ka’ampali gives me the right to decide, but it’s not that easy. It’s not just about me, but the twin galaxies’ fate. If I don’t tell her what’s going on, she’ll never forgive me.”
“Brother, no one understands your situation better than I. To have a branded mate is a blessing from the goddess. But to have an Earthling branded mate is an all-consuming fire, because they’re so different. Their love for us, their passion, is so overwhelming it clouds our reason. You’re right. I can only tell you in my experience, keeping something this important from your mate could be bad. Mine doesn’t like to be kept in the dark. It means she doesn’t like secrets.”
“Lord Briq, let’s set speculation aside for now. Please bring Ha’rrra down to the planet so we might hear her out. After her audience, we’ll have more information to make a decision. You have our word your mate won’t be part of this unless you decide otherwise. Agreed?”
Briq inclined his head in deference to Eh’nen, the Glaxian council representative and his father’s best friend.
The trip down to Na’lycia took less than an hour since the Toq’ma’lal was in synchronized orbit over it. A level one lockdown was issued for the entire city, leaving the reporters to speculate. Some of them had flown out to meet the ship in orbit, trying to intercept any communications. Briq hated the gossipmongers with a passion. He’d destroy each and every one of them if he could.
Brooding turned to laughter as a feeling of happiness bubbled up inside. He glanced at his brother and knew he shared it as well. Their mates were close by.
“Warriors, guard the petitioner. Standard security formation now.” Briq ordered the warriors to surround their guest. He didn’t care about the curious looks everyone gave him. He only had eyes for her…the tiny female with the flaming red hair…Mor’u.
Briq didn’t give a frackk that this day would become one of the most important days in Protectorate’s history. He didn’t care about peace talks or treaties. None of that mattered to him. Right now all he could see was the beautiful woman. She was fuller, her belly round with their children. Her soft hands reached up and touched his face tenderly. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation.
“Are you going to kiss me or do I have to climb up myself?” His mate sounded impatient. “Well, are you being shy or playing hard to get?”
“If I kiss you here, you’ll end up in a compromising position. I’ve been dreaming of nothing else, Mor’u, thanks to the sexy connection. A warrior can only take so much before bending his mate over.”
“Since you put it so eloquently.” Her eyes darkened a deeper shade of green. “Why don’t we find the first empty room so you can frackk my brains out?”
Briq’s lungs stopped working, trapping the air painfully within. Another thing he learned during his conversations with Zaaq-niq was how explicit their mates could be. Pendo’rahn females didn’t talk during sparring.
Earthlings, it seemed, enjoyed sexual talk and innuendos. His mate’s candor hardened his cock, which was painfully trapped in his tight armor. Briq activated the holo display and entered the command to disengage it. In seconds, the nanites controlling the seams dissolved and the armor came off with a loud clang.
* * * *
Gigi roamed her gaze up and down his body the moment his armor came off. He stood there in front of everyone in nothing but his tight, very tight, flight suit. Every line of his hard body was outlined by the material.
“Oh, I see someone is happy to see me.” Her voice came out as a raspy whisper. She was aware of the many the stares his powerful body attracted from both female and male council members. Some of them stared openly at his thick ro’traal.
Her sister had told her once that every Pendo’rahn warrior had a sword specifically made for them. It was unique to their physique. While one warrior could use another’s, their own was preferable. The male warriors liked to call their cocks ro’traal. Typical.
One of the advantages of having a mate with a long tail was it freed his hands to do wicked things to her. Right now one of them was tenderly caressing her breast. It felt so good she forgot where they were at the moment.
“Ahem, um, you two might want to take this ins
ide. We don’t want a riot on our hands.” Ooh-Baak’s stern voice broke the spell.
Gigi angrily looked around. Well, now these people were just plain rude, inconsiderate jerks. They should’ve at least gone into the meeting room and given them time to say hello.
“It’s for your own protection. We hardly had time to evacuate the press out of the city. We don’t know if there are any illegal devices capable of transmitting out yet. Pendo’rahn security is sweeping the city as we speak. Please come inside,” the prime minister said, gesturing.
“Come, Sister. Let the men have their meeting while we plan dinner.”
Gigi gave Briq a smile full of wicked promises before walking away holding Amada’s hand.
Chapter Seventeen
Gigi’s Speech
The proceedings took place in the council’s main chambers. The building was enormous with rows upon rows of alcoves. Each council member had an assigned one that could be detached and moved to the middle of the room. When members wanted to addressed the floor, they just floated down in their alcoves. It in itself was a platform encased by some type of clear glass. When a member wanted privacy, they just darkened it.
This session was considered public-interest, because the outcome affected everyone. The council members had staff with them who communicated constantly with their home planets. No decision could be reached without a majority vote. Gigi was surprised when the Council of Six asked her and Amada to stay.
Their assigned alcove was the size of a studio apartment. Ounna, Ju’nii and a couple Trac’xian nannies stood beside them, tending to the children. Gigi looked around, hearing the collective gasp that followed a barrage of angry shouts. What could possibly be the cause? She tried looking around, but didn’t see anything wrong.
The hand on her shoulder startled her. She turned and followed Amada’s gaze to the chamber’s entrance. A detail of elite warriors marched in standard formation. She found Briq and Zaaq-niq among them, walking in the middle. It looked as if they were escorting someone in, but from her angle she couldn’t see very well. The angry shouts continued until the magistrate called for order. Gigi couldn’t tell what was worse. The shouts or tense silence that followed.
“I call this meeting to order. This is a formal request for sanctuary. No one is allowed to speak until the petition has been entered. Anyone speaking out of turn will be removed from the proceedings and lose their voting privileges. Do you agree?” The magistrate spoke in a strong commanding voice. It was protocol to warn participants of the rules every time the council was in session. The alcoves’ signs turned on, signaling the members’ agreement.
“Supplicant, step forward and plead your case before us. We’ll hear your request and reach a decision according to the treaties and regulations set forth by the Protectorate.”
“Thank you, Lord Magistrate. Distinguished Protectorate council members, I present to you Lady Ha’rrra of the Kreeh-nosh. Lady Ha’rrra, you may present your case.” Briq stepped aside after formally introducing the breeder.
Gigi couldn’t believe her eyes or ears. Her mate stood in the midst of the council, advocating on behalf of a Kreeh-nosh. Try as she may, she couldn’t understand why he was doing it after being tortured by them for years. As if sensing her misgivings, Briq looked up.
His feelings of compassion and hope spread over her like a warm blanket. Her champion felt sorry for the heavily-guarded creature standing next to him. She was frail and emaciated. Gigi knew then Ha’rrra was a noble spirit, and wished she could help. Little did she know her wish would come true soon.
“Lady Ha’rrra, the Protectorate high council welcomes you. We’re eager to hear your words. Come in peace and speak freely.” The magistrate extended the formal greeting, motioning to the center of the room.
Gigi watched proudly as Briq removed the maglocks from Ha’rrra’s arms. She understood the gesture more than anyone else. Her mate hated confinement of any kind. By removing them he showed everyone he didn’t blame her for his capture.
“Thank you for agreeing to hear my petition, honorable members of the council. I come to you on behalf of my sisters to offer a treaty.”
Ha’rrra’s voice wasn’t what Gigi had expected. It wasn’t the harsh screech she associated with the Kreeh-nosh, but rather a soft, soothing buzz.
“My lady, forgive my bluntness, but you’re just a breeder without real power in the colonies. By whose authority are you making this bargain?”
Gigi knew it was the role of the magistrate to rule impartially. Still, he didn’t have to be an ass about it, did he?
“If you’re willing to listen, I’ll tell you how it all came to pass. I want you to know the Kreeh-nosh weren’t always like this.”
“Let’s enter it to record. The Lady Ha’rrra of the Kreeh-nosh has the floor. She comes to us seeking sanctuary, offering a treaty between our people. I, Briq of the House of Pran-kril, will be her supplicant. You have the floor, my lady.”
Tension ran high, all gazes directed at the figure standing in the middle of the floor. Gigi had to admit Ha’rrra wasn’t what she’d expected of a typical Kreeh-nosh.
“For thousands of years the breeders have been victimized by our males. Our race wasn’t always like this. A long time ago it was the females who ruled the colonies.” Ha’rrra’s story unfolded as a powerful tale of betrayal and abuse at the hands of those charged to protect them. Gigi couldn’t help the flood of memories Ha’rrra’s story unlocked.
Generation after generation, the Kreeh-noshian females was subjected to cruelty. They were tormented and tortured by the same ones they’d hatched. Their basic rights denied, their freedom stolen. Breeders lived in filthy lairs with little and sometimes nothing to eat for weeks. When a colony’s warrior population was low, the males would fertilize them by force. Those who resisted died instantly. Not many did, because they were too weak to fight.
Gigi shook as tears spilled down her cheeks. Amada reached over and wiped them, understanding shining in her eyes. They’d grown close like real sisters during the month they’d spent together. She’d decided to come clean about Davide and her part in his death. She’d expected shock and revulsion. Instead her sister had given her love and support.
It seemed like a lifetime ago when she too had been the victim of Davide’s abuse. The more the breeder talked, the angrier Gigi got. Apparently, violence and abuse weren’t exclusive to Earth. She felt the whisper of a caress around her heart. Briq was looking at her, questioningly. Gigi smiled at him, deciding to let go of all the ugly memories.
After Ha’rrra finished her story, all the signs lit up. The A.I. kept track of the order, granting the floor accordingly. Each member had fifteen minutes to interview the petitioner.
“You expect us to believe the Kreeh-nosh were peace-loving creatures? Your people have brought nothing but chaos and destruction upon the twin galaxies.” Tril’cya’s, a Pendo’rahn council member, remarks reverberated throughout the chambers. “Our planet was almost destroyed by your poison. Our females left unable to form bonds or feel passion for our males. It’s a fate worse than death. Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”
“I’m deeply saddened by what happened to your people. You must understand the breeders aren’t responsible for these crimes. We’re as much the victims of the Kreeh-noshian Empire as the rest of the galaxies,” Ha’rrra replied softly.
Gigi felt a surge of anger so intense she wanted to punch the woman. It never failed. The outsiders always blamed the victims.
“What guarantees do we have that this isn’t another Kreeh-noshian ruse to make us lower our guard? After all, your lack of honor is well known.”
”Lady Tril’cya, magistrate, may I speak?”
Gigi stood when Briq asked to address the floor. She walked to the alcove’s edge for a better view.
“We responded to the distress signal thinking it was a trap. Despite our suspicions we went in because it was the honorable thing to do. What we found inside defied every logical e
xplanation.”
Gigi’s stomach lurched at hearing Briq explain how the males had killed each other in a mad frenzy to reach the breeders. He described in vivid detail how hundreds of dismembered bodies were scattered around. Some of them appeared to have been half eaten. The Kreeh-nosh were more brutal than anyone knew. It wasn’t until they’d arrived at the breeders’ lair that their true nature was revealed.
Stench and filth had assailed them after opening the doors. The warriors had rushed in, ready for combat, but found no opposition. The caretakers had surrendered instantly in exchange for the breeders’ lives. The females weren’t what they’d expected. Gigi cringed with revulsion, thinking of the poor females lying in filth, starving and so weak they couldn’t stand.
“Are we supposed to believe they surrendered without a fight? How convenient.” The sarcasm in Tril’cya’s voice didn’t escape Gigi.
“I give you my word of honor as a warrior, my lady. No one has seen a breeder before, because they’re kept as prisoners under the most deplorable conditions. They’ve asked for sanctuary, offering peace in return. I humbly ask we grant it.”
“Your word of honor?” The council woman laughed. “Are we supposed to believe you still possess such a noble quality? You’re nothing but a two-bit smuggler,” Tril’cya retorted derisively. The entire council came to a standstill.
“Council Member Tril’cya, your conduct is unacceptable. I’m hereby removing you from the proceedings.”
Gigi dug her nails into her palms, trying to remain calm. It wasn’t easy when someone insulted her mate.
“No, I refuse to leave. I claim the right of toq’ma’lal against Bah-Troy. He allowed hundreds of our warriors to die. My daughter was captured by the Kreeh-nosh. She was defiled and killed according to his account. He was there yet did nothing to prevent it.”
“Now isn’t the time to discuss this delicate topic. We’ll open an inquest at a later date if you wish to pursue this. If we find Lord Bah-Troy acted negligently, we’ll punish him according to the law.”