The female server came over to remove the empty noodle plate and smiled at them brightly. “The Chancellor is in the ceremony room waiting for you.”
Beren thanked her and took Rena’s hand. “Is the ceremony room in the same place in all Lero Prime outposts?”
“I’ll show you where it is,” the female said.
Beren and Rena followed down a short hallway that ended with huge double doors encrusted with jewels only found on this world. Beren pushed through them and found the Chancellor and two other males waiting for them. A long table stood behind the Chancellor holding a few silver items. Beren remembered that silver was sacred to the people here.
Rena seemed to get a little closer as they approached and he gave her a reassuring smile. She had nothing to fear from these people, but he knew that all males -- except for him it seemed -- frightened her.
“Are you ready to join your lives together?” the Chancellor asked.
“Yes,” Rena said in her soft voice.
“We’re ready,” Beren confirmed.
“Come stand before me,” the Chancellor said.
A white silk scarf trimmed in silver threads was handed to the Chancellor, as two silver candles were lit on the table behind the male. Rena held Beren’s hand tightly and the Chancellor smiled at her, which only seemed to frighten her more.
“Please present your joined hands,” the Chancellor said.
Beren lifted his hand that clasped Rena’s. The Chancellor wrapped the scarf around their hands.
“And now your other hands,” the Chancellor said.
Beren reached across the top of their bound hands and Rena gripped his hand. The Chancellor wrapped the scarf again, binding them tightly together. Reaching for the silver candles, the Chancellor dripped the wax onto the material, sealing Beren and Rena together.
“Beren, warrior of Zelthrane-3, do you promise to protect this female until your dying breath? Will you give her children, provide for her, and give her and only her your affection until death parts you?” the Chancellor asked.
“I will,” Beren said, staring into Rena’s eyes.
She blushed a little and gave him a slight smile.
“Will you put her health above all others, will you care for her until her last breath? If she is harmed, will you avenge her?” the Chancellor asked.
“I will,” Beren said again.
“Female, what is your name?” the Chancellor asked.
“Rena,” she said.
“Rena, will you do as this warrior says, will you defer to him all things? Allow him to protect you and guide you? Will you accept children from your union and maintain the home he provides for you?” the Chancellor asked.
“Yes,” Rena said in her soft voice.
“Will you honor him with your actions and words? Will you look only upon him with affection and never turn from his side? Do you vow to put him above all others and pledge your allegiance to him?” the Chancellor asked.
“Yes,” Rena said.
The Chancellor held out his hand and one of the other males placed two silver cuffs in the Chancellor’s palm.
“These are sacred and will bond the two of you together for all time. If either of you should stray from the other, the silver will turn black and all will know of your treachery. It will bring dishonor on both of you. Do you accept this bond?” the Chancellor asked.
“Yes,” Beren and Rena said together.
The Chancellor first placed the larger cuff around Beren’s wrist. The metal was cold as it touched him, then warmed. A hum filled the air and a bright glow surrounded the silver cuff as it sealed itself to his arm, never to be removed. Rena’s eyes were wide as the Chancellor did the same to her, and Beren tried to reassure her that it didn’t hurt. Once the cuffs were sealed into place, the Chancellor removed the scarf from their hands and handed it to Rena.
“A keepsake from your special day,” the Chancellor said. “Our females procure a small wooden chest and keep theirs locked inside. I can have one provided for you if you’d like.”
“Thank you,” Rena said. “I’d like that very much.”
The Chancellor nodded.
“A small home will be provided for you during your stay here. My mate has already stocked it with food and drink, changed the bedding, and made sure the home was prepared in all ways for you. My councilman, Poporv will show you the way,” the Chancellor said, motioning to the male on his right. “If you need anything during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, Chancellor,” Beren said. “For everything.”
The Chancellor smiled a little and nodded.
Beren led Rena out of the ceremony room as they followed the male called Poporv. The small home was on the edge of the outpost near a garden area with flowering plants of all shapes, sizes, and colors. The view was breathtaking as the light from the four moons bathed everything in shades of silver and white. Poporv bowed to them and then turned to walk off.
“Thank you,” Beren called out, but the male kept walking.
“The people seem friendly but a little strange,” Rena said.
“Could be worse. We could have landed on a hostile world, or the pirates could have caught us before we made it to Lero Prime.”
Rena licked her lips and stared at the home. “Should we go in?”
“You’re probably tired after everything that’s happened today, and the long walk to the outpost. If the homes here are like the ones in the main city, they have sunken tubs with bubbling hot water. Would you like to soak before retiring for the night?”
Rena hesitated only a moment. “Will you join me?”
Beren’s breath froze in his lungs and he slowly nodded. The way she trusted him was humbling, and he hoped he never did anything to break that trust. Rena was his now, his mate, his world. And he would do anything for her. He only hoped the Chief Councilor didn’t become angry when he found out what had happened. Beren could lie and say they were forced into it, but truthfully, he wanted to be mated to Rena.
Beren opened the door to the house and held up a hand as Rena went to step inside.
“Let me check things out first,” he said. “Lero Prime is a peaceful place, but I’ll feel better going in first. Don’t move from this spot, please.”
Rena nodded and Beren stepped into the interior. There was only one bedroom, a large bathroom, a sitting area, and a kitchen. It didn’t take but a moment to scout the area and make sure it was safe for his new mate. Beren led Rena inside, then shut and locked the door. When they entered the bathroom, she let out a soft gasp. The sunken tub was easily large enough for four warriors and steam rose from the water. The bubbles hissed and popped, and a soft floral scent filled the air.
Rena didn’t even hesitate as she began stripping out of her clothes. Beren waited until she was in the water before he removed his own, then joined her. As much as he wanted her, he knew that it was Rena’s first time with a male, and Beren decided to let her set the pace. If she wanted to wait until they reached his home world, then Beren would abide by that. Whatever his sweet mate wanted, he would give her. Never again would she be harmed or go hungry. He would take care of her, shelter her, and give her all the affection she could ever want. And he would fight anyone who tried to take Rena from him, even his own people.
Chapter Five
Rena didn’t feel nervous so much as… Well, she honestly didn’t know what it was she was feeling. Anticipation perhaps? She belonged to Beren now, but not as a slave. As his mate. No words of love had been exchanged between them, but she thought maybe he cared a little bit. He would have to in order to accept someone as broken as her, wouldn’t he? Rena hadn’t known love in so long, and never for a male she didn’t claim as family. Although, being mated to Beren did make him family, didn’t it?
He sat near enough that she could reach out and touch him, and he made no move to come any closer. Rena wasn’t certain if she was thankful for the way he treated her, or if she wanted more. Beren was
courteous and thoughtful, at least from what she’d seen so far, but as a warrior she knew he had to have a forceful side too. Despite his wounds, she would bet he was fierce in battle and not someone others would want to go up against. But his touch remained light with her, almost as if he were afraid she would break.
He’d gotten hard the last time they’d been undressed together, so she knew that he wanted her. He’d even admitted as much, so why hadn’t he reached for her? She was his now, his mate. He could touch her any way and anytime he wanted, but he held back. She didn’t understand why. A bolder woman would have asked, but Rena no longer spoke her mind. It had been beaten out of her long ago.
Her heart hammered in her chest and her fingers twitched as she fought not to reach for him. What if she moved closer and he rejected her? He’d seemed content to claim her as his mate, but what if he’d just felt obligated? What if the words he’d spoken on the Pryxus had just been that, words and nothing more? It hurt, thinking that a male she admired wanted nothing to do with her and considered her an obligation, but she’d never know if she didn’t do something. If he wouldn’t come to her, she needed to move closer to him. The thought of being the first one to act made her a little sick to her stomach.
Rena slowly eased closer to Beren until their bare thighs touched. He didn’t flinch, didn’t draw away from her. He actually reached out and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Being pressed to his side was rather comforting, something she didn’t think she would ever feel when a male touched her, but this wasn’t just any male. It was Beren, and she knew he’d sooner end his life than harm her. It was in the way he touched her, the way he spoke to her, and how he seemed to always be thinking of her needs first.
“I’m glad you were the one to claim me,” she said. “I know your Chief Councilor wanted to pair me with a councilman, but I didn’t want them. They would never understand the things that have been done to me.”
“They would have been kind to you, Rena, but I’m glad I was able to claim you. I tried so hard not to like you, not because there’s something wrong with you, but because I’ve seen the look of derision and revulsion in the eyes of so many females, and I was certain you would be the same. Then I met you, and you were nothing like any female I’ve ever met before.”
“Am I going to be your mate in all ways?” she asked, almost afraid of his answer. What if he thought she was too damaged for that?
“Is that what you want?” he asked. “I would never push you to do something you don’t want. You told me what happened to you, and I don’t want to press you for more than you’re willing to give. I won’t lie to you, Rena. I want you, I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. But I won’t force you to be intimate with me.”
“I’m scared. Not of you, but I’m worried that it will hurt. I know you would never hurt me intentionally, but I’ve heard the first time can be painful, and with my scarring down there…” She pressed her lips together. “What if they did too much damage and I can’t ever give that part of myself to you?”
“Will you permit me to touch you? If it’s painful at any time, I’ll stop. I want to see how extensive the scarring is, and find out if you can feel pleasure.”
“All right,” she agreed.
Beren gripped her waist and lifted her so that she straddled his hips. She gasped as she felt the length of him press against her. Beren moved his hands slowly, sliding them up and down her thighs, as if he were soothing her. Rena began to relax and found that she liked his touch. Beren began exploring her, his touch light as he traced her scars. Rena tensed when he reached between her legs and forced herself to hold still, fearing the worst. She’d only known pain from males since being sold into slavery, and while she knew that Beren wasn’t like the others, her body still tensed.
He caressed her, his callused fingertips tracing over the damage the males had done to her while she’d been tied down. While they hadn’t taken her virginity, they’d done their best to make sure no male would ever want her. Rena tried to calm her racing heart as Beren parted her folds and continued with his light touches. He caressed and stroked her, and Rena began to relax when it didn’t hurt. If anything, she was starting to feel this pleasant warmth spread through her. When Beren touched the little bud at the top of her pussy, she gasped and her eyes widened. No one had ever touched her there, not even herself, but the intensity of that touch had her trembling.
Beren wrapped an arm around her waist and Rena leaned back against it, her legs parting a little more. He kept his touch light, but every swipe of his finger across that secret place had her whimpering and wanting to beg him for more. She’d never felt anything like it before. Something was building, some just out of reach feeling, that Rena just knew would be amazing if she could ever get there. Beren pinched the little nub before stroking her some more, and a kaleidoscope of colors burst behind her closed eyelids. She gasped as wave after wave of pleasure rolled over her.
Rena clung to Beren as he continued to touch and caress her. Those incredible sensations were no sooner waning, than he began building them back up again. She twisted in his embrace, not certain if she wanted more or wanted to pull away. It was almost too much, and yet she wanted that incredible feeling once more. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. When it happened again, leaving her breathless and still feeling this ache deep inside, she cried out and ground her pussy against Beren.
While his thumb continued to press against the bud, she felt his fingers slide farther back, and soon one was slowly easing inside her. She tensed again, but only for a moment. As he continued to stroke her to another blinding release, Beren thrust his finger in and out of her pussy. Rena had expected pain, but all she felt was ecstasy. Soon, he was adding a second finger and then a third. It burned a bit as he stretched her, but it wasn’t overly unpleasant.
“Do you think you can take me?” he asked. “Do you want me to claim you fully?”
“Please, Beren. Make me yours.”
He hesitated a moment. “If we do this, you could end up pregnant. I don’t have a way to keep you from conceiving.”
She focused on him, wondering if he wanted children, or if he was merely concerned that she might not want them. Rena hadn’t thought of having a family of her own in so very long, but here with Beren, wrapped in his arms, and about to share something life changing, she knew that she wanted it all. She wanted to be his in every way possible, wanted to raise a family with him. As gentle as he was with her, she had no doubt he would be an amazing father.
“I want a family with you,” she told him. “If that’s something you want.”
“You would be willing to have children with me?” he asked. His head cocked to the side as he studied her. “You don’t have to say that just because you think it’s what I want to hear.”
Rena reached down and stroked his cock, making him shiver. “I want babies with you.”
She wasn’t going to admit that it had briefly crossed her mind that if she were pregnant, then no one would ever try to separate them. She didn’t care what the Chancellor of this world said. Just because he claimed no one would be able to reverse their mating, she didn’t believe it to be true. If her father, or the Chief Councilor on Beren’s world, didn’t want them to be together, then they would find a way to undo the mating. But if she were carrying Beren’s child, then no one would ever try to take her from him. And it wasn’t just for that reason she agreed. The thought of adorable little children with their father’s coloring made her smile, and gave her hope that maybe she could have a normal life after all.
“This might hurt a little, even though I stretched you, and the warm water is helping as well,” he said. “I would never hurt you on purpose.”
“I know, Beren. I trust you.” And she really did. It had been a long time since she’d trusted anyone, but she had no doubts that Beren wouldn’t betray her. He seemed to want her just as much as she wanted him. They needed one another in a way that other people
could never understand.
Beren continued to rub that spot that made her want to beg him for more, and he adjusted their bodies before easing his cock inside her. Rena bit her lip as he stretched her wide. He took his time, giving her body time to adjust as he claimed her innocence. She felt a pinch as he slid the rest of the way in, but none of the pain she’d been expecting.
“I won’t move until you’re ready,” he told her. “Just lean back against my arm and let yourself feel. I promise to make it good for you, even if I haven’t had much practice lately.”
With his cock all the way inside her, Rena felt incredibly full. It didn’t feel the way she’d thought it might, and soon her body was craving more. Her hips twisted and thrust backward and forward as she experimented, but she wasn’t getting quite what she wanted. It felt good, but not good enough. Beren continued to stroke her, and as that amazing feeling got closer and closer again, she couldn’t help but get a little wild. She lifted her hips, then quickly slammed down onto his cock. Her nails bit into his skin as she rode him, pushing both of them closer to climax.
Beren gripped her hip with one hand while he pleasured her with the other. As she came again, she screamed out his name. Beren used both hands to lift and lower her as he thrust into her pussy, his strokes fast and hard, then he was groaning his own release. She felt the splash of his cum inside her, and oddly, it made her feel complete. She’d never shared something so intimate with someone before, never been one with another person, and she liked that it was Beren she’d shared it with. It felt right with him. Almost as if they had been destined to be together, not that Rena really believed in destiny anymore.
Beren rubbed his fingers across her cheek. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No. It felt wonderful.”
He started to lift her, but she held him tight, not wanting to separate from him just yet. She could feel his cock throbbing inside her, his shaft still hard as if he hadn’t just found his release. Had she not pleased him? She remembered the males who had tortured her had stayed hard a long time. Maybe all males were built that way. Despite the things she’d witnessed as a slave, she really knew very little about males. It seemed they wanted sex frequently, and with as many females as possible, but was it different for a male who was mated? He’d vowed to be intimate with no one but her during their mating ceremony, but what if she wasn’t enough?
Rena and the Alien Warrior (Intergalactic Brides Book 16) Page 7