“Why would a Casillian want to kill their next ruler?”
“Wait, it gets better. Payton picks herself up from the floor by using her bed as leverage. Lying on the bed is a cylinder, it glints and fades in and out like it’s not there. She palms it, and it becomes solid in her hand. The fight goes back and forth, but you can tell the male is playing with them. It’s fun, like he is a nassair baiting a tunquel.”
Malic pictured the animals one large and frightening, the other smaller but destructive.
“I was sure that she and everyone else in medbay were dead when she stuck something into his arm. He sat back and laughed. Then he died both his bladder and his bowels let loose as his systems shut down one at a time.”
“How?”
“With something, she calls a syringe.”
“A what?”
“A syringe. Its construction primitive, and it was slightly barbaric. There was a long needle at one end made to infiltrate a person’s body at the other end; there is a plunger. In the middle, it holds liquid that is forced into the body of the victim.”
“I’ve never heard of one of those.”
“The only two people who knew what it was were Payton and Second-in-Command Nevaeh.”
“That’s strange.”
“Wait, it gets better.”
“How?”
“The male trying to kill our teen was a Dequil.” The blood left Malic’s face as he tried to scramble out of bed. “Calm down, he’s dead.”
“How did they miss that they were taking a Dequil on board?”
“He had minor surgery to blend in with the Casillians. I checked all the others, and they are all Casillians.”
“How did Payton kill him? They can only be killed by one thing or so the rumor states.”
“Inside her syringe was a trace amount of silver nitrate, essence from the pocane plant, and A-B Lumen.”
“What! There is A-B Lumen on board?”
“No, not a drop.”
“But you said.”
“I did. Nothing adds up. The pocane plant only grows on one planet in total darkness. When I asked Payton about the A-B Lumen she had no idea what I was talking about. When I asked her where the syringe came from, she said it must have been in the supplies, and one of us dropped it on her bed. That’s when I told her I’d never seen a syringe before I saw this one.”
“She’s lying; she has to be.”
Cassic shook his head. “Sassy has the confrontation from the minute they walked into the medbay on vid. She’s telling the truth. Something is happening, but I don’t know what. I do know what was inside that syringe was perfectly calibrated to bring that Dequil down.”
“That brings us back to the Fulyer ship. Do you think that she can be trusted?”
“I do. I don’t think it’s something that Payton knows she’s doing. I’m not sure she’s doing it at all. I held her.” The confession came out as a whisper.
“You what?”
“She was falling. I caught her, held her, picked her up, and placed her on her bed.”
“Do you feel defiled?” Malic ran his fingers over Cassic’s arms as if he could feel Payton in them.
“I don’t, I kind of thought I would. She was soft.” He closed his eyes, remembering the press of her body against his. It was amazing for reasons that went beyond she was the forbidden fruit. When she touched him, he felt safe for a few minutes. It felt like she was the bond he had been searching for his whole life. It was ridiculous, of course. If she were his other mate Sassy would have alerted them.
“Maybe it was her softness, but something felt right about her. I wanted to reach out and get to know her better.”
“There is something about having someone soft to come home to.”
“That’s what you always say, but I didn’t get it before now. I was always attracted to the harder the better.”
“I spent some time with her in the observation deck the other day. I have to admit that I was intrigued by her.”
“Enough to eat a meal with her?”
Malic closed his eyes and laid back in silence. “Yes, we should ask her to the common area for a meal.”
Cassic smiled, more pleased than he should be.
*~*~*~*
Payton shifted and sat up on her medbed. They had moved it to a corner and erected a privacy barrier around it. She wasn’t worried about anyone seeing in or even hearing what went on behind the barrier. Tomorrow they would give her a room, but tonight she was close to help others if she was needed.
Needed. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt needed, even on earth. Her life had been one big downward spiral on the earth; it wasn’t the rose garden she tried to pretend it was. Her perfect marriage had shattered its shards, digging deep into her heart and her self-esteem. Her friends had picked sides. They wanted to be with the one who was coming out on top. That hadn’t been her. Her perfect job found a reason to get rid of her.
If she was honest, she would admit that she didn’t think she would be alive this long. She wasn’t planning to do herself in, but she was sure someone out there was planning to do it for her. No wonder she had walked around here with a death wish. A death wish that was gone. That had never been her wish; she simply thought it was inevitable. She moved higher in bed and ran her finger over her bird’s head when he hopped into her lap.
“You did well.”
Payton rolled her eyes at the sound of Sassy’s voice.
“You didn’t send help.”
“You didn’t need help.”
Didn’t she? She could have died, she didn’t, but still. “What made you think I could do it?” She did it with help, but still, she did it.
“I didn’t know if you could do it or not, but didn’t you deserve the chance?”
Well, hell, the correct answer to that was no, she didn’t deserve a chance. The better answer was that she would die for a chance at a new and different life.
“I don’t know if I deserved it, but you gave me a chance, anyway. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Can you tell me why you and Nevaeh and I are the only females aboard?” The Casillians had females with them, but they didn’t count.
“You should ask Cassic or maybe Malic.”
“Are they a couple?” She knew they were a couple she had seen them kiss, but there was a pull between them and her that made no sense. She wouldn’t break them up even if she could, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to be in Cassic’s arms again. It wasn’t like she fantasized about kissing Malic, a lot. She didn’t fantasize about other people’s husbands, unlike some hussy that stole hers. Turns out, she wasn’t over what happened to her. She didn’t want the man back. Please, Lord God, never that. His new woman could have the small dick wonder. It was simply that after all her time, effort, and investment in him, he traded her in for a new model like she was a car.
Still, without the drama in her life, she wouldn’t be here. She wouldn’t have helped to save a ship full of people. She shrugged as she thought of the color blue. Cassic had moved around the medbay with confidence as she took patients back to have surgery. He also stopped and gave her words of praise when he came for the next patient. By the end, she couldn’t stop smiling at him.
There was a gentle knock. When she opened the door to the privacy barrier, the teen from earlier stood in front of her.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, have a seat on the bed. It’s the newest, stylish accessory in-home décor.” The teen laughed and sat at the foot of the bed.
“I want to thank you for saving us.”
“I didn’t save us, we, you and I saved us together.”
“Maybe.”
“What’s your name?”
“Leela.”
“Leela, I’m Payton nice to meet you, work with you, and kill with you.”
“You too. Now at least, my people think I will try to save them.”
“What do they need to be saved from
?”
“Our planet has been under attack from an opposing regime. They’ve been trying to overthrow us long before I was born. My parents signed a peace treaty that they hoped would benefit out people. They were killed before the parchment was dry. Anyone aligned with them put to death. I took what followers that remained stole a ship and set out for a new world.”
“Yikes. Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. We are looking for a world that will allow us to establish a colony. I have about three hundred followers with us. The new regime wants us dead. There can be nothing left of my parents to rally the people.”
“Do you want to go back?”
“No. I want a place where my small community can thrive and grow. Is that too much to ask?”
Payton shook her head. “We’re not going to let them do that to you.”
“What?”
“This ship and the triad that runs it. They’re about freedom and justice. All we have to do is explain the problem, and they will come to your aid.”
“That’s nice of you to say, but anyone offering their help will become a target. My father didn’t think we stood a chance against them, that’s why the peace talks.”
“You said you signed a treaty.”
“They broke it and used my parent’s blood to swear there would never be another one as long as they were in charge.”
“How long have they been in charge?” Payton’s hand fisted her small nails, breaking the skin. How many times had she heard someone oppress the underdog? A picture of her husband, the lawyer, came to mind.
“Let me talk to someone, and then we’ll see what happens. No matter what, you have a friend in me.”
“Thank you, Payton, that’s the one thing I need.”
“What’s that?”
“A friend.”
Chapter Eight
“You have to help me.” Cassic stared at Payton as she stood before him, hand on hip, looking like he needed to drop everything and do what she said.
“What do you need?” He slid his hand down until he could rub his wrist against his pants.
“It’s not what I need. It’s what Leela needs.”
“Leela?”
“The teen who is now in charge of her renegade group.”
“What does she need?”
“Help, the new regime on her planet wants them dead. She needs a place where she can establish a colony.”
“We are on a ship. What do you expect us to do?”
“I don’t know, but you’re the medic or the healer around here, and I expect you to do something.”
Cassic’s wrist went over his heart, rubbing it. “I can’t…” His voice trailed off as she stared at him.
“We would have to talk to the captain.”
“I knew I could count on you.” She turned around, leaving Cassic in his office, staring after her.
“You told her we would what?” Malic stared at Cassic like he just grew a second head.
“What was I supposed to say? She has those eyes and those lips and things.” Cassic wailed, his hands flailing.
“Are you alright, sick, did you pick up a virus?”
“I’m well. We have to talk to the captain.”
“Cassic, the captain’s not sure he wants us on his ship. Now might not be the best time to talk to him.”
“We don’t have a choice. She promised her friend help, and I promised her help.”
“This is the problem. Do you realize our lives were perfect until a female entered it? True, we were dying.” Malic waved it off as no big deal. “Then she came along with her bewitching brown eyes and trapped me in the observation deck, making me think about her at night.”
“You think about her at night?” Cassic went over to the small couch in their cabin and took a seat. “Tell me more.”
“You’re missing the point.”
“Do you think about kissing her? Have you dreamed about what her breasts look like without the shirt on? Have you wondered how they’re attached and exactly how soft they are? Does she have nipples, are they flat?”
Malic walked up to him placing his hands on both sides of Cassic caging him in.
“Have you dreamed about fucking her?” Cassic dropped his eyes, unable to meet his mates. “You have!”
Malic took Cassic’s mouth in a rough kiss. Teeth met tongues dueled until he pulled him off the couch. They rolled around each trying to get the better of the other as they tore clothes nipping at exposed skin.
“This shouldn’t be happening.” Cassic cried out when Malic slapped his ass.
“I know. I have to be in you. My mind is filled with thoughts of you and her together. I can’t seem to control the thoughts,” He palmed his erection for Cassic to see before he flipped him over on his back.
He slid between his legs as his finger prodded his hole. He took his time fingering him until he felt the special gland that all males were born with now. It was part of them after so many years of being bio-engineered. Moisture, warm and slick covered his fingers.
“I hope you like it rough, love.” Malic lined himself up and pushed. “You’re so tight,” he growled.
Cassic gave a growl of his own. There were times when malic didn’t make love; he liked to possess him. He moved hard and deep until he was commanding his every emotion, thought, and movement.
“That’s it,” Malic’s voice was deep. “Open up for me, Cassic, let me in. That’s it, love. I need all of you.”
Cassic obeyed his legs falling further apart while his thoughts tried to roll up in his head. He palmed his cock, but Malic smacked his hand.
“That’s mine, no one touches it but me. Say it.”
“This is yours. Only you can touch it.” The words were torn from him. He wanted to spurt, to watch his essence cover his man. He knew better; Malic was in charge.
Malic pulled on his thighs, adjusting him before he pushed in harder.
“Please, Malic,” he screamed. It felt like he was tearing him in half but showing him the heavens that were once thought to exist in the sky. “Again, I need it again.” Cassic begged. He’d do anything to feel his mate deep within him. Malic owned him, reminding him why it was always the two of them.
“I bet she would love to see me make love to you. To hear you cry out my name as I pump my cock deep inside of you. Would you like that? Do you want her to see you helpless to do anything but beg and take me deeper?”
“Yes, I want that.”
“I knew you did. You want an audience. What about her, do you want to see me spread her ass and take her as deeply as I take you?”
“Yes, I want to see you deep within her.”
“You know,” Malic whispered in his ear. “She has two holes.”
Cassic whimpered. “What if she let us touch both holes? Please, love, I have to.”
“Not yet.” Malic pushed his legs back until his ass was up in the air. He looked at his tight globes before he sank into him again. “Are you ready, Cassic?”
“Yes,” he growled and whimpered at the same time. Malic took his cock into his hand and began to tug on it.
The move was soft at first, becoming harder with more friction as he pumped into him. “Now Cassic, now!” Malic screamed, unable to help himself as he spilled into his mate.
Cassic came spilling over Malic’s hand onto his chest. A cry of pure bliss left his lips before he finally found himself floating in a sea of color.
“So beautiful,” he whispered as Malic laid on top of him. “When I get your ass, Malic, you’re going to remember me every time you sit.”
“I’m counting on it, love.”
*~*~*~*
“Who is it?” Nevaeh’s voice came out from her Cabin in answer to Cassic knocking on the door.
“Cassic and Malic. We were wondering if we could talk to the three of you.”
There were a few minutes of silence before Nevaeh spoke again. “Meet us in the conference room, also known as the captain's war room. We’ll be
there in ten minutes.”
“Thank you,” Cassic and Malic called out before leaving. They took their time walking there, trying to calm their breathing.
“They may say no.” Malic cautioned as they sat and waited for them to show up.
“They may, but unless we ask, they will never say yes.”
“Yes, to what, I wonder.” Nevaeh walked into the room, followed by Rale and Julze.
Cassic slid his hand under the table, rubbing his wrist against his pants. Nevaeh watched but said nothing.
“Payton asked us to come and talk to you,” Malic told them.
Nevaeh raised a brow but said nothing.
“She had a conversation with Leela.”
“Leela?” Rale interrupted.
“That’s the teen who the Dequil tried to kill.”
“Aww, continue.”
“She and her people are in trouble. They need a world where they can start a colony. One of the problems is that they don’t know if someone from the old regime will be chasing them.”
“Worlds aren’t easy to come by,” Julze told them. “They don’t just drop in your lap. Most of the universe is vying for any world that is capable of sustaining life. Why would someone want to have that ragtag group of strays on their planet?”
“They need help. We’re in the business of helping others.”
“You’re in the business of helping others, Cassic. I’m helping you; I think my obligation has been met.”
“They need us,” Malic growled. “The same way you needed us when we boarded the Fulyer ship. Is that what Second-in-Command Julze and Third-in-Command Nevaeh teach when we come together for classes? We are to see ourselves as a whole, part something, and not just some clog that can be readily replaced.”
“I love it when they listen and learn.” Nevaeh grinned.
Rale threw her a look before turning back to the others. “Even if that was true, where do you propose we place your merry band of travelers. Who is going to help them get established? We don’t have the time.”
Payton's Surprise (The Perfect Match Book 2) Page 5