‘Sera,’ Beno begged. ‘My love… join us.’
She wrapped her legs around them and lowered herself down. Her head dropped back against her shoulders as she took them in as far as she could, her body hungry for them and desperate for their sweet intrusion. With a shuddering breath, she tightened around them, and she was rewarded with a groan from Theyn and a sharp breath from Beno. She put her hands down so she could touch them both, and she began to rise and fall along their combined length and girth.
“Oh, God,” she groaned. “I love you…”
They began to thrust together, their timing perfectly in sync through the wonder of their merging. She gasped at the feeling of them inside her, and she reached down to touch them with questing fingertips, marveling at their combined passion even as she bobbed up and down, blissfully impaled.
Theyn reached down to her and began to rub her clit, adding more pleasure to her experience. She moaned and shuddered, tightening again. Beno pressed his hand, warm and strong, against her side, and she leaned into his touch. He helped support her as she continued to ride them, her movements growing faster and more urgent. Theyn groaned, and Beno tipped his head back, his eyes tightly shut. Their climax filled her and helped to send her over the edge as well, and she cried out in ecstasy as she exploded in pleasure.
They lay together in a satiated and boneless heap, sharing caresses and kisses, talking about nothing.
Inside Beno, the symbiont slept.
*
Beno left before dawn with his raiding party the day before the Festival of Flames, intent upon capturing a Taluan that the symbiont could ride. They went to the market outside the temple and spread out, watching for the foot patrol that was due to sweep through the area.
After an hour of pretending to shop, Beno finally saw what they’d been waiting for. A four-soldier Taluan patrol squad appeared in the entrance to the market, sneering at Ylians around them. The people made room for them to pass, but that didn’t prevent the reptilians from roughing up a few Ylians as they went by.
‘On my signal,’ Beno said to his team.
He watched and waited for the Taluans to fan out to better menace the market. They had the habit of splitting up to wreak maximum havoc, and he hoped that today would be no exception. The Taluans reached the center of the market square, and the sergeant leading the patrol nodded to his troops. They went in different directions, intent upon harassing the civilians.
They were going to learn that these Ylians were no civilians.
Every person in the square was a member of the Resistance, and all of them were armed and ready to attack as soon as Beno gave the order. All of the civilians had already been secreted in the mines, ready to make their break when the moment came. If the Taluans thought that these people were going to be pushovers and easily cowed, they were in for a big surprise.
One of the soldiers, the smallest of the lot, was standing at a kiosk selling bottled spirits. Beno decided that he would be his target. He moved forward, attempting to keep his body language nonchalant, until he was at the market stall next to the one the Taluan was pestering. He looked over at the reptilian creature, and his heart beat faster. He was ready for this to begin.
Over his shoulder, he took stock of the other Taluans. They were all surrounded by Resistance fighters, and none of them were within easy reach of each other. It was go time.
‘Now!’
The market erupted with laser fire. Beno leaped onto the Taluan near him and tackled him to the ground, where he pinned him with some difficulty. The Taluan growled and hissed, but Beno held on.
‘It’s now or never,’ he told the symbiont.
The creature moved up from the depths of his body, passing through his throat and his mouth and making him choke. The Taluan shouted for help, and when his mouth was open, the symbiont jumped inside.
Seizures took hold of the Taluan, and it was all Beno could do to hold on. The soldier thrashed and gibbered, its black eyes rolling in his head. It suddenly fell still, and Beno feared that it may have died. The Taluan opened his eyes again and focused on the Martial Ylian’s face.
The symbiont spoke. “I am in control of this vessel.” He was relieved in more ways than one. He stood up and let the Taluan’s body rise to its scaly feet. The symbiont added, “I will disable the Taluan ships so your people can escape. It’s been an honor to know you and your family.”
The Taluan’s hand reached out, and even though it made his skin crawl, Beno grasped it. “Thank you,” he said.
It grinned at him with the reptilian’s pointed teeth. “It’s my pleasure, believe me.”
It turned and rushed away while the Resistance surveyed its handiwork. Beno nodded to himself. One part of Theyn’s tripartite plan was in motion. Now they just had to get the rest in order.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was the morning of the Festival of Flame, the day when the plan was going to be put into motion. Sera was holding her baby and watching as her mates prepared to lead an attack on the Bruthesan High Council. The fountain in the center of the sitting room burbled, distracting Kira, but there was nothing that would pull Sera’s attention away.
When they were finished going over their equipment, Theyn kissed Sera and Kira and said, “I want you to go directly to the transports as soon as you hear the alarms. Don’t wait for us. We’ll follow you.”
“It’s most important that you and Kira get to Earth safely,” Beno agreed. “Asa and Joely will be going with you, so you won’t be alone.”
She frowned. “I don’t like leaving without you, but you’re right. We have to think of Kira first. Just promise me that you’ll be careful, as careful as you can be.”
“We promise.”
Alaia entered the room, her face filled with anxiety. “It’s time, Your Highness.”
He nodded to her, then kissed his lover and daughter once more. “I’ll see you soon.”
Beno kissed them both, as well, and he followed Theyn and Alaia out of the room.
Sera hugged Kira, who was far more interested in getting her hands in the fountain than in sitting with her mother. She brought her closer to the real and holographic water to let her play.
“She really likes that thing, huh?”
Asa came in from the room he’d been sharing with Joely. Sera smiled at him.
“Yes, she really does. It’s too bad we can’t take it with us when we go.”
He scratched his tawny hair. “It’ll be good to get home, I reckon.”
“Yes, indeed.” She watched Kira playing for a moment, then said, “You know, I still can’t believe that this has all happened.”
“Me, neither.”
The Texan sat down on the couch opposite her and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He looked like a man with a problem, and she waited for him to talk. She didn’t have to wait for long.
“Sera, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“You heard about this thing with my blood, right?” She nodded, and he continued. “Is it wrong that… I mean, I feel obligated to help them, but I really don’t want to, and the things that Itan fella was saying really creep me out. Is it wrong if I don’t let them have my blood? I mean, I need it.”
“Asa, you’re under no obligation to help them out. I love Theyn and Beno, and it’s a shame their people are having trouble, but sometimes that happens when there’s too limited of a gene pool. Maybe they’re inbred. Anyway, why it’s happening isn’t important.” She stopped and considered him. “What did Itan say that creeped you out?”
He looked embarrassed as he replied, “He said that him and me could… you know… do that thing…”
“Merge?” she guessed.
“Yeah.”
“But you’re human.”
“I know! It shouldn’t work that way.” He shook his head. “But his little stupid blood tester kit thingy said that we could, and now he’s all hepped up about it, mostly ‘cause I think he wants
to make time with Joely.”
“Wow.” She pulled Kira back from the fountain and put her on her lap. “That is really weird. I can’t imagine what he might be up to. I don’t trust him, though, I’ll tell you that much.”
“Me, neither.” He sighed. “But Joely likes him.”
“Like him,” she asked, “or likes him?”
“Honestly? I think she’s attracted to him.” He put his head in his hands. “I can’t believe I’m even talking about this. My God.”
Sera went to sit beside him. “Listen, Asa. I’ve known Joely a long, long time. She’s a responsible and honest person. If she’s feeling attracted to someone, that’s all it is. Attraction. She’s not going to do anything to hurt you or mess up what the two of you have.”
“I just want her to be happy. I just don’t want to lose her is all.”
Behind them, Joely quietly said, “You’re not going to lose me. I admit, there’s something about Itan that draws me in, but I’m not leaving you. No way.” He went to her and took her in his arms, kissing her sweetly. Joely leaned her head against his chest and looked over at Sera. “Tell me we’re finally going home.”
Sera nodded and repeated it firmly. “We are finally going home.”
*
Theyn and Beno followed Alaia to the temple’s main floor. The civilians who had taken shelter there watched in apprehension as they walked past, swathed in the robes of temple acolytes. Alaia led them to a hovercar, and when they climbed in, they found Rai, the ruafa, already waiting.
“Majesty. Commander,” she greeted with polite nodes of her head. “I am pleased to accompany you today.”
“Rai has been sharing her gifts with the members of the High Council,” Alaia explained.
Rai smiled. “I know the lock codes.”
Theyn’s eyebrows rose, but he said only, “That’s very helpful.”
“The High Council is in session today, since it’s a Ylian holiday. It helps them to keep track of what we’re doing,” Alaia said. “They have sensors and surveillance all over the city.”
“But not in the temple or the mines,” Beno guessed.
“Correct.”
“Will the others be in place?” he asked. A cadre of Resistance fighters were meant to have secreted themselves in the building already, posing as custodians and clerical staff.
“They are all at their posts.” She looked out the window at the passing streets. “I will not miss this place.”
The ruafa asked, “When we go to Earth, where will we live? On Itzela, or with you in your human compound?”
The bond mates looked at one another, and Beno told him, ‘I think we take Itzela and knock Apfira off that throne. She’s a menace, not a monarch.’
‘I agree.’ Theyn turned to Rai. “My family and I will be settling on Itzela. You may join us, or you may live in another place. Remember that your eyes are most distinct, and humans will fear you. It might be best to stay in the compound, or in a new city we will build in Siberia.”
“Building a city?” Alaia said, looking impressed. “That is an ambitious goal.”
“There are many people who will be making the trip,” he answered. “They deserve a place to call their own.”
The hovercar reached the outer gate around the Council House, and the driver stopped at the guard booth. A Bruthesan man with a missing nose tapped on the window. Rai hit a button, and the glass beside her became transparent. She held up an etched metal chip, and he nodded and waved them through.
“Gate pass?”
She looked a little embarrassed. “Slave tag.” She activated the window shading again. “I am technically owned by the Master of the Council. It was part of the arrangement for keeping the temple free of Bruthesan and Taluan oversight.”
“A slave…” Beno echoed. “That’s horrible.”
She shrugged and looked out the window, keeping her face turned away from them. “Sometimes.”
The hovercar took them to a set of brass doors, four in all, each one over twenty feet tall. More guards stood at these doors, weapons slung indolently over their backs. They stopped the new arrivals before they could approach the entryway.
“Name and purpose for visit,” one of the guards said.
Rai produced her slave tag. “I am the ruafa, bound to High Minister Exfrem. I was called to relieve his stress.”
The guard looked at her companions with a jaded eye. “And these others?”
She smiled. “He has a lot of stress.”
“Isn’t that the high priestess?”
Rai looked at Alaia. “Yes. And two of her acolytes. They are well trained in … certain arts.”
He examined the tag, his purple Bruthesan eyes scanning the intricate etching. He handed it back. “All right. You know the way, I suppose?”
“I do.” Rai kissed him passionately, her hand running down the midline of his torso. The Bruthesan shivered, and she pulled away. “I’ll thank you properly on my way out.”
He grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.”
The other guard opened the doors for them, nodding a silent greeting to the group. Alaia inclined her head gracefully in return.
The doors opened onto a surprisingly short hallway, little more than vestibule. Directly ahead of them, an open archway led to the bowl of the council chamber, which was shaped like an auditorium with tiers of seats leading down to a podium in the center of the room. A Bruthesan woman was standing at the podium, giving a speech about the Taluan Alliance, something that Theyn had never heard of before. To his knowledge, the Taluans never allied themselves with anyone. Behind her, seated at a tall bench, were three Bruthesans in scarlet robes, their faces concealed by featureless white masks. Only their purple eyes betrayed their race.
Alaia led the way down the center aisle, followed by Theyn and the ruafa, with Beno bringing up the rear. The speaker fell silent, and the assembled council members turned to stare at the intruders. As soon as he was into the chamber, Beno spoke in the minds of his companions.
‘Now.’
Blast doors descended on all sides of the council chamber, the intense security resources of the Bruthesans now in the command of the Ylian commandos. The council members shouted in alarm, and the woman at the podium hit a button that started the alarm klaxons shrieking. Theyn heard the alarms and knew that the signal for loading the transports had been given. He only hoped that the symbiont had kept its word and disabled the Taluan vessels.
One of the masked figures at the high bench stood and shouted, “How dare you enter this place!”
Alaia led her party to the podium, and Beno and Rai went up to the high bench, weapons in their hands. The faces of their three hostages were concealed, but their eyes were wide with fear. Beno pointedly powered up his pistol.
The priestess announced, “The people of Ylia are leaving this world. You have betrayed and abused us long enough.”
The woman at the podium laughed in her face. “You’ll never make it past the picket ships. This is suicide! And our own ships will add to your disgrace.”
“No, they won’t,” Theyn said calmly. He stepped forward with a weapon of his own. “You will send orders that your people are to stay on the ground and offer no resistance.”
“Why would I do that?” she scoffed.
He called on the power of fire that coursed in his veins, and his chest began to glow. The bright glow spread down his arm until it encased his hand like a gauntlet. He raised his hand and held it before her. He knew she could feel the heat against her skin.
“You will do it because you’ve been asked nicely,” Theyn told her. “I could phrase our request more emphatically if you need me to.”
She stared at his glowing hand, then into his eyes. “You’re a full blood royal.”
“I am.” He was getting angry. Every minute they wasted arguing with her was a minute that was stolen from his family’s escape. The glow intensified. “Give the order.”
One of the council members started to
babble. “You can’t do this to us. Haven’t we given you a place? Didn’t we take you in when you had nowhere to go? We depend upon you. You can’t leave.”
“Where do you think you’re going now?” asked another of the councilors. “Nobody will take you.”
“Where we go is not your concern,” Theyn told him calmly.
One of the blast doors opened a fraction, just enough to allow the Ylian commandos to enter. They were all armed with high-capacity laser rifles, primed and ready to deliver scorching pain. With grim faces, they took up positions around the room, encircling the council.
The royal Ylian turned back to the woman at the podium. “Give. The. Order.”
She hesitated, then pressed another button on her podium. She spoke in Bruthesan. “All Bruthesan citizens are ordered to stay in their homes. Do not interfere with anything you see happening. Go home. Stay home. Further orders will be given when it is time.”
“Awkwardly worded, but effective,” Theyn commented. “Now… we have no wish to harm you, despite the fact that we have every reason to do so. You sold my people to the Taluans and have been profiting from their misery for years. That ends today.”
One of the masked figures asked, “What do you want?”
“We want ships. Space-worthy ships large enough to transport large numbers of people,” he told them. “I am taking your fleet.”
Another mask-wearing Bruthesan thundered, “And just who the hell are you?”
“I am the last surviving child of Empress Kina of Ylia and I therefore rule in her place.”
“That’s impossible,” the Bruthesan grumbled. “Kina died when your planet was destroyed, and that was hundreds of years ago. How could you be her child?”
Beno answered for his bond mate. “It’s call suspension, idiot. Sit down and shut up.”
“How would you like to take possession of our ships?” the woman at the podium asked in surly voice.
“Have them taken to the temple compound,” Theyn replied. “All of them.”
“And our pilots?”
He smiled thinly. “They’ll be our guests.”
She contacted the Bruthesan fleet command. “Council to Command.”
Ignition: Alien Ménage Romance (Phoenix Rising Book 2) Page 25