by Susan Hayes
There was Laesa.
They had taken her out for meals, and she’d even braved the dark and noisy Krytos bar on several occasions, though she’d stuck close to the two of them every time. They’d enlisted Sophie’s help, and bought Laesa new outfits in bright colors and flattering designs. They’d taken great joy in buying her anything and everything they could think of, and while she’d argued at first, eventually she’d given in and accepted their gifts. Now it had become something of a game, with both of them competing to see who could find the most interesting presents for their female.
A few days ago, the three of them had attended the opening ceremony of the station. It had filled Sabar with pride to be able to stand with Laesa at his side. It had made him even happier to see her move among the crowd without any hesitation or doubt. She walked with her head high and a smile on her face, wearing one of the dresses he’d chosen for her. Her confidence was growing, and so was her trust that he and Rhen would protect her from any threat. She’d proven her trust later that day.
After the ceremony, their friend, Alliance Liaison Officer Morgan D’Sil had been accosted and insulted by one of the D’Aire, Laesa hadn’t so much as flinched. She’d held her ground while Sabar and his brother had intervened on Morgan’s behalf. Not that the tough Alliance female needed their help, but they weren’t the kind to stand by and let a friend be mistreated.
Afterward Laesa confessed to being fascinated by the D’Aire since she’d spotted several of them outside her shop a few days before. Apparently she’d wanted to see one in flight so that she could paint them properly. When D’Aire Ambassador Orion D’Sil had flown in to see to his keeper, Morgan’s, wellbeing, Laesa had been too busy admiring his wings to be concerned about the violence she’d witnessed.
“I’m getting close to finishing your portraits, by the way. Another day or so, and I should be done,” Laesa said, drawing his thoughts back to the here and now.
“Already? You don’t need to rush, blossom. You know we’re happy to wait.” He and Rhen had already agreed that they weren’t leaving the station without Laesa. They’d postpone their next journey for as long as it took for her to agree to come with them.
Laesa laughed. “I’m inspired. I think of you both all the time, and it helps keep me focused on my work. I’d be done already, but I had that other commission come in, and it’s been taking up a fair bit of my time.”
“You mean that rainbow-hued explosion of color and cuteness you’ve been working on? That thing is so bright it hurts my eyes every time I see it.”
“It’s not that bad! Well, it’s a little colorful, but Commander Jacobson was very clear about what she wanted.” She giggled, her eyes dancing with mirth.
“I can’t wait for that reveal. We’re going to hear the bellows all over the station when those Krytos brothers see what she’s bought them. Not that you haven’t done a great job of it, but it’s so big and…cheerful.”
“Wait until you see the puppies I’m adding.”
“There are puppies now?”
She nodded, still giggling.
“Stars. That’s going to be a hell of a reveal. You know that’s not the artwork I’m keen to see finished, though. I can’t wait to get a look at the ones of Rhen and I. I’m a big fan of the artist, you see,” he told her with a grin and a wink.
“I happen to know that the artist is very fond of you, too,” she said.
He pulled her back into his arms for another kiss. “I’m glad to hear that. As it happens, I’m not fond of you anymore. I’m falling in love with you. When you think of me today, remember that.”
She stared at him wide-eyed for a moment before speaking. “I—I will. You really love me?”
“I really do. I’ve never said those words to any other female, and I don’t expect I ever will again. Someday, soon I hope, I know you’re going to agree to be our companion. We’re meant to be.”
She smiled at him with tears sparkling on her dark lashes. “I never expected this. You. The two of you. I never believed I could be this happy. But I am. I’m so happy it scares me because I don’t want it to end.”
“This isn’t going to end. This is only the beginning,” he told her.
“I love it when you say things like that,” she said before kissing him softly and leaving the circle of his arms.
Laesa had never been so happy, or so terrified. Every night she drifted off to sleep feeling safe and cherished, and every morning, she would wake convinced that her time with them had only been a dream. Joy and love were not things she’d ever expected to feel again, but she was coming to believe that the three of them truly were destined to be together. The shadows of her old life were falling away, and every day that passed, she fell a little more in love with Rhen and Sabar.
“You’re doing touch-ups on Sophie’s mural today, aren’t you?” Sabar asked, changing the subject.
“I am. I need to redo part of the first section. For some reason, the paint cracked and the colors faded a little. Sophie insists it’s fine, but I know it could be better, and I want it perfect before I leave—whenever that may be.”
“Say the word, and we’ll be on our way,” he said with a wink and a smile that made her heart beat a little faster.
“Soon. But not today. I have one more portrait to finish before I go anywhere. I promised Sophie one for her to give to her bonded on their anniversary.”
He caught her hand and kissed her fingers. “Soon, huh? I like the sound of that. I’ll see you for lunch, blossom. Rhen’s buying today, so tell Sophie I’ll take two of everything on the menu.”
“I’ll let her know,” she said with a laugh before heading inside. It would take her several hours to remove the damaged paint, prepare the surface, and redo the area she wasn’t happy with. With any luck, she should be done by the time the lunch rush arrived at the café, along with Rhen and Sabar, who had adopted Sophie and her restaurant as something of a second home.
* * * *
It took a little longer than Laesa had planned to redo the mural that covered an entire wall of Sophie’s restaurant. The concept had been Sophie’s, and the two of them had worked together to ensure that the mural melded into the color and style of the café. It was a warm, welcoming space meant to set people at ease as they enjoyed carefully prepared fare that was all made from scratch each day.
The mural started with a scene from Earth, showing a stretch of mountains that reached into an azure sky. As the picture went on, the scenery changed, each segment blending into the one beside it until there was a recognizable image from the home world of all of the Alliance’s allies. Helix, Arcadia, D’Aire, Reema, and finally Tartarus. Because the Krytos home world had been destroyed by the same vile alien race that had nearly wiped out Earth, she hadn’t been able to include a Krytos landscape. Instead, she’d finished the mural with an image of Asylum’s sign and doors welcoming patrons to the Krytos sanctuary onboard X21.
. It was the Earth portion that needed reworking, which meant that Laesa was near the front of the café, her back to the door as she worked on the lower corner.
Sophie’s bonded, Dan and Jake, were the reason it was taking her longer to finish than Laesa had initially intended. The two Alliance officers were both off-duty and spending the day with their chosen, and Laesa found herself drawn into their conversations time and again. Even when she was silent, it was easy to let her attention stray back to the bonded trio as they enjoyed each other’s company. There was such love between them it was hard to turn away. The three of them laughed and teased each other as Sophie organized herself and her staff. From time to time, one of her males would try to help, and she would invariably chase them out of the kitchen and back to their seat.
As she worked, Laesa remembered similar times from her childhood. Times when her parents had laughed and talked at the end of a day with the family together and happy. She hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on those memories since they’d died. In the beginning, there had been no time
to grieve for them or for herself. It had taken all she had to adapt to her new circumstances. She’d seen others refuse to accept what had happened to them. She’d watched as they had been punished and threatened until either their spirit or their bodies broke.
She’d been lost in her thoughts for a while before it dawned on her that she recalled those dark times without tears or anger overwhelming her. The grief of all she’d lost was still there, but somehow, the weight of it had become less than it had been. She was healing, and she knew that it was because of more than her new life and her pursuit of her art.
It was because of Sabar and Rhen. They’d brought joy and love back into her life. Once again she found herself looking over at Dan, Jake, and Sophie as they laughed together and the truth of what she wanted hit her with all the force of a runaway comet. She wanted what Sophie had, and all she had to do to make it happen was to say yes.
She was so distracted by her revelation that when her wrist unit chimed with an incoming call, she answered it without thinking. She expected it to be Rhen or Sabar, but instead, it was another familiar face that appeared on her monitor.
“How do you fare, Laesa? I’m pleased that you’ve finally chosen to speak with me.”
“Nevhar? Why are you calling me?”
Her father’s oldest friend had a disapproving scowl on his face, and it took her a moment to realize it was because she’d let her annoyance show. Nevhar expected the females around him to be respectful and submissive at all times.
“I am calling because I was worried about you. You have not answered any of my messages. I was concerned for your wellbeing.”
“I am well. I did not feel it necessary to reply to your messages because they all said the same thing, and you already had my answer to the question you continue to ask of me. While I appreciate your offer, I am never returning to Tartarus.” Laesa met the older male’s gaze squarely, and reminded herself that she was a free citizen. She didn’t have to answer to Nevhar or anyone else. Not anymore.
He sighed. “This stubbornness does not become you. As I explained to you before you left, you are much too lovely and gentle to go about your life without someone to protect you. I can offer you so much, little Laesa. It’s time for you to come home and take your place in my household.”
“Tartarus is no longer my home. I thought I made that clear to you. Your offer, while generous, is not something I will ever be interested in. My life is my own now.”
“Laesa, is everything okay?” Sophie asked. Laesa turned to find her friend and her two bonded standing not far away, their faces full of concern.
She nodded briefly and gave Sophie a brief smile. “I am fine. The caller is Nevhar Antor, a friend of my father. He is worried about my wellbeing, but now that I have made it clear that there is nothing for him to be concerned about, he should not be contacting me again.”
Nevhar’s scowl deepened, his eyes glittering with barely checked anger. “You need to stop this foolishness and return to Tartarus. I would keep you safe to honor your parents’ memories. It is what they would want for you.”
“I’m not returning, Nevhar. Nor do I need your protection. My life is my own, and I will live it however I choose. I think my parents would be proud of me for what I have accomplished.” Speaking to Nevhar reminded her why she’d left her home world. Males like him were resistant to the changes coming to Tartarus. If she returned to him, she would give up so much of her freedom in exchange for his promised protection that it would be as if she were still a harem slave.
“I think it would break your father’s heart to see what has become of you.”
Laesa stared at the monitor for a second, too stunned by his cruel words to speak. When she spoke again, she barely recognized the voice as her own. “You’re wrong. I have found the males I wish to be with. Males who are honorable, kind, and loving. I have a life, and it is not, and never will be with you. I never wish to hear from you again. My answer is as it always was. No. ”
She deactivated the link with a flick of her finger. “Thundersfury, he had no right to say such a thing about my father.”
“Did you just curse? You did! Damn, honey, I never thought I’d see the day.” Sophie was grinning at her.
“I think that was the sexiest thing you’ve ever done. I like the way you cut him off, too.”
Sabar spoke from somewhere behind her, and she spun around to find herself being pulled into his arms. “Hello, blossom. Who was that, and do we have your permission to kill him for talking to you that way?”
“Hello, Sabar. That was someone I hope never to hear from again. If I do, you and Rhen have my permission to tell him that I am very well protected by two big, sexy males.”
“Are you okay, love? That sounded…intense,” Rhen asked.
“I’m fine. Speaking to him only reminded me of all the reasons I left Tartarus. My life is out here now. In fact, I was thinking about you before he interrupted. I was painting the mural and then I realized—and I was going to tell you that I knew what I wanted. But then he called—and now here you are.” She laughed when she heard the tangle of words coming out of her mouth.
Rhen tapped a point behind his ear. “Want to say that again? Not even my language converter could make sense of what you said.”
Laesa waved her hands in front of her. “None of that matters. All that matters is this. My answer is yes.”
“Yes?” Sabar repeated, his arms tightening around her.
“Yes, yes, yes,” she repeated herself several times over as she threw her arms around Sabar’s neck.
Sophie cheered. “It’s about damned time, too.”
Rhen brushed his knuckles down her cheek and marveled that the beauty in his brother’s arms was going to be theirs. Always. “I’m glad to hear it.” Then he turned his attention to Sophie and her grinning men. “It appears we have somewhere else to be right now. Sorry, Sophie. We’ll be back for lunch…tomorrow.”
Sabar took one of her hands while Rhen snagged the other and made eye contact with his brother. They both started back toward the ship at the same time, taking Laesa with them. Now that she’d said yes there was only one thing on their minds. Claiming her as their companion and binding their lives together forever.
“I’ll finish the mural later. Can you lock up for me? Thanks, Sophie and uh…bye!” Laesa called out to her friend as they left.
“I’d apologize for rushing you out of there, but I’m not at all sorry,” Rhen said.
“Same here,” Sabar agreed.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going in such a hurry?” Laesa asked.
“Home. And none of us are leaving again until we’re claimed, life-locked, marked, and whatever else is required to make the three of us a permanent trio.”
Laesa laughed, the joyful sound loud enough to make everyone within earshot turn in their direction. “Then take me home, my beloveds. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Rhen’s heart soared when he heard her call them her beloveds. It was the first time she’d called them any kind of endearment. She had finally accepted what he and Sabar already knew. The three of them were meant for each other.
The walk across the station felt like it took an age to complete. The moment the Auranox’s door opened, the three of them rushed inside, getting tangled up with each other in their haste.
“Sirs? I understood that you would be having lunch with Laesa—Oh, hello, Laesa. I gather there was a change in plans?” Ashar was standing a few feet away, an expression of bemusement on his face.
“Change in plans. Yes. A big one,” Sabar said, wrapping his arms around Laesa.
“We’ll be eating in. For the next few meals, in fact. Please let Jonah know,” Rhen requested, hoping their long-suffering assistant got the message and got out of their way.
“I see. Since you’re here, I’ve got an update on that very special order you’ve been working on. Would you like the long version or the short one?” Ashar asked, and Rhen cou
ld have sworn he was making them wait on purpose.
“The very fucking short version, please,” Rhen snapped.
“I called in a few favors and tracked down a sufficient amount of the Nexerion coffee beans. They are already on their way here, and will arrive tomorrow. You’re welcome. I know I’m incredible, and yes, I deserve a raise.”
“Ashar, you’re incredible, thank you, and if you don’t get out of our way in the next three seconds you’re going to be looking for a new career,” Sabar said, his voice bordering on a snarl.
“Forgive them, Ashar. I’ve just agreed to be their companion, and they’re in a hurry to make it official,” Laesa explained.
Ashar’s eyes widened, and he grinned wide enough to show his fangs. “Is that so? Well then, let me be the first to congratulate you. And now, I’ll get out of your way.”
“Why, thank you, Ashar.” Sabar’s droll response had Laesa giggling.
“All you had to do was tell me why you were in such a hurry, sir,” Ashar said as he stepped aside.
“Why do we keep him around?” Sabar grumbled as they headed toward their quarters.
“Because I’m amazing, not to mention I’m the only one you’ve ever found who will put up with the two of you. Laesa, I wish you luck. You’re going to need it.” Ashar said, then turned and headed in the other direction before Rhen could do more than growl.
“I like him,” Laesa announced.
“In that case, he’s absolutely fired,” Rhen said, only half-joking.
“Right out an airlock,” Sabar agreed.
“I mean he’s sweet and bratty. Like a little brother. I am not looking to add anyone else to this relationship. The two of you are more than enough for me.” Laesa turned and offered them a smile that left no doubt as to her feelings. Her love for them glowed like an inner fire.
“Damn right. We’re all you’re ever going to need, blossom.” Sabar led the way down the corridor, passing the doors to both their quarters until he arrived at a door at the end of the passageway.