Marcun

by Sadie Carter

  “Actually, I called this meeting for everyone on the ship to attend,” Sacaren said.

  “If it is not a pack meeting then I choose not to attend,” Ioin said.

  “Oh, sit down,” she told him impatiently.

  He drew his shoulders up, his eyes darkening. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Sit down, shut up, and listen. Sacaren has something to say that affects everyone. If you don’t like it, you can leave. But I thought your job was to put the pack first and this affects the pack.”

  He let out a low growl and Marcun stepped in front of her.

  There was silence for a moment and she peered around Marcun’s wide shoulders to look at Ioin’s furious face. But by some miracle he nodded and stepped forward, taking a seat at the table they used for meetings. This room was circular and one giant window curved its way around most of the room, giving a startling view of the universe beyond. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

  The table was wide and circular. Everyone took a seat and she sat between Sacaren and Marcun, slapping Sacaren’s hand as he reached for the fudge once more.

  “Ouch, for a little thing you are strong.”

  “We need to keep it in case we need to sweeten some people up.” She nodded an Ioin who glowered at her. Marcun sat stiffly beside her, glaring back at Ioin.

  Okay, this had the makings of a disaster.

  Maybe some fudge was needed already. Grabbing the plate, she started offering it around. There were exclamations of pleasure as everyone took a bite. She left Ioin until last. He kept his arms crossed over his chest. Marcun let out a low, rumbling noise and she gave him a quelling glance then moved back to her seat.

  Reaching over, she squeezed Marcun’s leg.

  He leaned over. “If you pinch me again, I will take you over my knee.”

  She gaped at him then grinned. “Did you look up what BDSM is?”

  He winked at her.

  “Are we going to start?” Ioin asked. “Some of us have work to do.”

  “I called us together to talk about the mating law. I looked it up in the archives, just to see what we are dealing with. And I’m going to call that we abolish it,” Sacaren said.

  His words were met with silence.

  “Can we do that?” Tecan asked, looking shocked.

  Ioin slammed his fist down on the table, making the plate of fudge rattle. She jumped. “No, we cannot!” he yelled.

  “Do not yell in front of my mate, you are scaring her,” Marcun screamed back.

  “I will yell if I wish to!”

  “You will not.” Marcun tried to stand and she shoved the plate of fudge at him. “Here, have a piece.”

  He stared from her to Ioin then finally took a seat.

  “I’ll have more.” Sacaren stared at her hopefully.

  “And me.” Tecan smiled.

  “Me too,” Brogan said quietly.

  Nax just grunted but took a piece as she passed him.

  “So that is it? You are all won over by some sweet treat?” Ioin asked

  “You really should try it,” Sacaren said, licking his fingers. “In answer to the question, yes we can. The law was passed when our female population was low and we did not know we could mate with other races. Before that, packs did not always choose just one mate. In fact, they often didn’t. The way the law is worded, members of a pack can choose not to share.”

  There was more silence.

  “And if we overturned the law then Marcun could remain in the pack,” Tecan said.

  Everyone looked thoughtful except Ioin who just seemed angry. Her gut tightened.

  “I will only stay if that is what everyone desires,” Marcun said. “I will not have my mate attacked or slighted.”

  Ioin looked shocked. “I would not attack your mate.”

  “You told her everything without my permission.”

  “You had decided to leave.” There was such raw pain in Ioin’s voice that she froze for a moment. She got it now. He didn’t dislike her—or maybe he did—but that wasn’t the problem. He thought she was taking Marcun away. And he wanted him to stay.

  “You didn’t want him to leave the pack so you tried to separate us,” she said.

  “I thought if you were angry enough, you would send him away and he would remain with the pack.” He glanced around, looking tired now rather than hostile. “It is my job to lead, to protect all of us, safeguard against outside threats.”

  “My mate is not a threat.”

  “To me, she was.”

  “I threatened the pack because you were leaving with me. I get it.” She nodded at Ioin.

  Marcun stared at him. “It does not excuse what he did.”

  “No, but it explains it.” She squeezed Marcun’s arm. “And if the pack agreed to overturn the mating law. You would be okay with me? With us?”

  She held her breath, waiting.

  “Yes. I would.”

  “But that would mean leaving Earth,” Marcun told her quietly. “Are you sure you want to do that?”

  “Yes.” She looked at him, letting him see the love in her eyes. “The bakery was everything to me, but it consumed my life and it was failing. It’s gone now. And maybe one day I’ll start again. But for now, I just want to be with you.”

  “I would not be opposed to spending some time on Earth,” Sacaren said.

  “Neither would I,” Tecan added. “If we are going to find a mate each then Earth is the best place to find them. Plenty of females there. Beautiful ones, too.”

  “Really?” Brogan asked.

  Sacaren and Tecan nodded.

  “Then we vote,” Ioin said. “All those in favor of overturning the mating law raise your hand.”

  Marcun’s hand went up and Tecan was almost as quick to raise his. Sacaren’s rose too. Those were the expected votes. She didn’t know about the others. Brogan’s hand went up next and she started to breathe easier. To her surprise, Ioin was next.

  “I wish the pack to be together,” he said. “It was never anything against you.”

  She nodded although she knew it would take them a while to mend fences. But she’d do it. For Marcun’s sake.

  They all turned to look at Nax. They lowered their arms as he just stared at her. “They speak too much. I don’t like that.”

  She swallowed heavily. Other than Ioin, he was the Sky Warrior she knew the least.

  “And they cry. I don’t like that.”

  For goodness sake, didn’t Sky Warriors cry? Hmm, maybe not. But other species cried too.

  “They’re delicate. Breakable. I don’t like that.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. Not too delicate to knee him in the balls.

  There was silence. Then he raised his hand. “I’m in.”

  What? “Really?”

  “Yes. It was the fudge that did it. Is there more?”

  “For you, a lifetime supply.”

  “What about me? I need fudge too. Although I still like brownies. I need both.” Sacaren practically pouted.

  She smiled. “I’ll keep you all in a lifetimes’ supply of sweet things.”

  “Careful,” Brogan warned. “You do not know how much Sacaren eats.”

  “If he eats too much of this, he will grow fat and slow,” Ioin said after taking a bite of fudge. Then he finished off the piece.

  Sacaren snarled while the rest of them laughed and teased him until he broke and tackled Brogan.

  Marcun lifted her up into his arms and moved her safely away, heading towards his living quarters.

  “I can see I’m going to have to be careful not to play favorites,” she said.

  “I am your favorite.”

  She cupped the side of his face. “Yes, you are. And there will always be an extra piece of brownie. Just for you.”

  Epilogue

  Barry was Lighton’s bitch.

  She supposed she should have been horrified. Maybe she should have felt sorry for him.

  Instead she ha
d to hold back her laughter.

  They had landed on Lighton—the planet, not the person; apparently the planet was named after him which wasn’t confusing at all—about an hour ago. It had been decided that Nax and Sacaren should stay on the ship while the others escorted her to Lighton. Marcun hadn’t been far from her side for the last three days. She’d thought it cute for a start, but now it was starting to get ridiculous. He’d even tried following her to the toilet.

  Enough was enough.

  She knew he was worried that Lighton wouldn’t be able to remove the jewel and what would happen if that did occur. It had kept her up many nights as well. Normally, on those nights he wore her out with sex until she was so exhausted she drifted off into a deep sleep.

  But sex wasn’t going to help her nerves right now. Once this was over and they were safely away, they would both feel much better. So would she. It wasn’t like she enjoyed having this damn jewel attached to her throat. It freaked her out.

  Oh, but seeing Barry almost made up for her fear and discomfort.

  They had been escorted into a large, white palace. This planet was beautiful with huge, lush trees and sparkling clean water. It’s what she imagined Earth might have looked like once. The palace should look out of place, like a pimple on flawless skin, instead it almost felt like its surroundings embraced it. When they entered the huge doors, they were led to this long room. They walked behind the guards who had been sent to greet them. The long rug beneath them was plush and the same color as the jewel on her neck.

  At the end of the rug sat a big gold, ornate chair resting on a dais. It was something you might imagine from a medieval kingdom, except more beautiful. The chair would be considered almost simple in design if not for the sparkling red jewels running down the arms and each leg in a straight line.

  In the chair sat the man from the hologram. Not the most handsome man she’d ever met, nor the biggest. But there was something about him. Something that would make you stop and take a second look if you passed him on the street.

  Power. Arrogance. Confidence.

  Sitting naked at his feet with just a black leather harness criss-crossed over his chest was Barry. His mouth dropped open as he caught sight of her. He was paler than she remembered, his hair was now long and caught back in a ponytail and it seemed to be the only hair on his body. His legs, chest, and crotch were all free of hair.

  They all came to a stop, as though it were rehearsed.

  “Eden! Eden, you have come to save me! I knew you would.”

  Barry stood and tried to run to her. Suddenly she found herself surrounded by Sky Warriors. Marcun stood in front of her. Brogan to one side, Ioin to the other and Tecan was behind her.

  “Get down!” The harsh voice made her jump and she peered around Marcun to find Barry sprawled at Lighton’s feet. For the first time she saw the leather lead in Lighton’s hand that was attached at the other end to Barry’s harness.

  “I do apologize. Sometimes I like to give my pet a little leeway to see what he will do. He often disappoints me.” He patted Barry’s head, and she did find herself feeling sorry for him. Just a little.

  She tapped Marcun’s shoulder. “Let me see him.”

  He didn’t move for a minute then he stepped aside.

  She stared down at Barry and realized she wasn’t angry at him. Sure, he’d gotten her mixed up in this mess. He’d left her, stolen from her, taken a bribe from her mother. She’d made a call to her mother about a week ago. Even though she was still angry with her, she hadn’t wanted her mother to think anything bad had happened to her. To her surprise, her mother had been almost apologetic. She’d even paid Eden’s overdue tax bill. Apparently, she’d gone to the bakery to find her and encountered Mr. Jones. That little weasel hadn’t stood a chance against her mother. Things weren’t completely right between them but they were better. So while Eden didn’t like Barry, she was a little grateful to him. Because if he hadn’t left her, she would never have met Marcun.

  “Thank you, Barry. I owe you. If it wasn’t for you then I would never have met the love of my life.” She smiled up at Marcun.

  Barry sneered. “Him? He is a barbarian.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “But he’s my barbarian. Just so you know, I’ll be filing for divorce when we get home.”

  Barry just gaped at her. “You can’t leave me here!”

  “She can,” Marcun told him.

  “But-but—”

  “Quiet, pet,” Lighton growled, pulling on the lead.

  Eden turned to Lighton. “I would appreciate it if you would remove the jewel. It is becoming uncomfortable.”

  “Did you bring the box?”

  Tecan stepped forward with the box and gave it to him. Lighton held out his hand and said a few words. She felt a tingling at her throat. Something bright flashed in front of her eyes, then she was pressed into a familiar chest. Marcun.

  He pulled her back, staring down at her. He placed his fingers over her throat.

  “Well?” she asked.

  “There is no sign it was there.”

  Thank God. The relief made her feel light-headed. It was over.

  “The money will be waiting in your account by the time you get back to your ship,” Lighton said.

  “I trust we will be able to work together again,” Ioin said, ever the businessman.

  “Yes, I believe so.”

  The others turned away, but she stood, staring down at Barry. He just looked so pathetic.

  “Are you going to keep him like this forever?” she dared to ask.

  The others turned back, growing tense.

  Lighton looked down at Barry, then at her. “The usual punishment for theft on my planet is to cut off the thief’s hands. I asked Barry if he would rather be my slave for five years or permanently lose his hands. He chose his punishment. I will let him go when his time is up.”

  She nodded and turning, took Marcun’s hand in hers.

  “Let’s go home.”

  He smiled at her. “There is nothing I want more.”

  A note from Sadie

  Thanks so much for reading Marcun and Eden’s story. I really loved writing it. Writing about these guys is a lot of fun and Eden was a character who really spoke to me. Kind and sweet, without being a pushover.

  There are more Sky Warrior books to come, with Sacaren’s coming next. But for those of you who love my Zerconian Warriors, don’t worry. There are more stories to be written in that world as well. Wyan’s will be out by the end of the year.

  Sadie