by L. M. Brown
Kit stared about the room, clearly observing the rising tensions. His fur stood on end and he hissed defensively.
The queen leaned back in her seat. “I said nothing while you took a feline into your nest because they are common companions, known for their unique talents in the bedchamber. I didn’t even say anything when you refused to expand your nest and treated the creature like an equal partner, rather than the whore he is. I can even overlook that he has claimed another besides you, because we all know that claiming and fucking aren’t necessarily the same thing.”
Logan nearly choked in rage and he could see Halor’s face had turned white. Kit inched closer and a low growl emanated from his throat.
Queen Valencia stared at Kit as though he were something she had trod in. “I thought when you expanded your nest with the human, you had finally embraced our culture. Instead, you just sit by while your whore not only fornicates with the human but also flaunts his unfaithfulness by bearing his child.”
Kit gasped and whimpered, and Logan held him close.
The queen hadn’t finished, though. “You know the traditional punishment for betrayals within a nest. A Prime Beak—if you insist on calling your whore such—is held to a higher standard than other nest mates. A Prime Beak’s sole purpose is the pleasure of the nest owner. He is there for your pleasure, not for the enjoyment of other nest mates.”
“I delight in watching Kit and Logan pleasure each other,” Halor said. “There has been no betrayal.”
“You mean you allowed this to happen?”
“Yes, I did. And furthermore, I envisage it happening again, many times.” Halor stood and held out his hand for Kit. “Come, Kit. You too, Logan, Darcy.”
Logan didn’t hesitate, helping Kit to his feet. He wondered whether Maz and Keeshan agreed with what the queen had said. If they did, at least they had been polite enough to keep their opinions to themselves.
Kit shrank into Logan’s side.
“Come on. Let’s go, so you can eat and get some more rest,” Logan whispered as they all walked towards the door.
“Your mother is furious,” Kit said after they had left Darcy at her room. “I thought she was going to have me thrown into a cage.”
Halor opened the door ahead of them. “Kit, no one is going to do anything to harm you while Logan and I are around. I promise.”
Logan placed his hand at the small of Kit’s back and guided him inside. “What did your mother mean about a traditional punishment?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” Halor replied. “Either of you.”
Halor obviously didn’t want to say what it was, but Kit answered instead. “While there is a lot of nest hopping amongst the lower ranks within the avian communities, the one who holds the position of Prime Beak is not allowed to pleasure anyone except the owner of his nest. To do so is considered the worst kind of betrayal. A Prime Beak who betrays the nest owner by having sex with another is publicly stripped of his title and made to give pleasure to everyone he or she has offended in front of the whole court. In my case, if Halor chose to punish me, I would have to offer my body to Halor and any member of his family who claims they are offended at my actions. Each of them would take turns to have me however they wish.”
“You mean they would rape you?” Logan whispered.
“It’s a barbaric practice and hasn’t been carried out in more than a hundred years,” Halor said. “I’m furious with my mother for even suggesting it.”
Logan sat on a large, comfy chair and pulled Kit onto his lap. He could feel the feline shaking at the thought of what Halor’s mother had suggested.
Halor stood over them and stroked Kit’s fur. “No one will hurt you while I live. I promise that Logan and I will keep you safe.”
Kit whimpered and burrowed deeper into Logan’s embrace. Logan grabbed Halor’s hand and squeezed it.
“The nest hierarchy is a lot of nonsense,” Halor said. “I’ve never liked it. If I could ignore it all, I would.”
“Why don’t you?” Logan asked.
Halor sighed. “I tried to, but Vorgan forced my hand.”
“I don’t understand.”
Halor stroked Kit’s fur as he explained. “When I first brought Kit here, he wasn’t my Prime Beak. If he had wanted to, he could nest hop. As a handsome feline, he wasn’t short of attention, and there were many who invited him to join them. Vorgan, in particular, harassed him repeatedly. Maz, too, though in his case it seemed to be worse when he was under the influence of berries, and he was most apologetic for his behaviour afterwards. Vorgan, however, didn’t want to take no for an answer.”
“I think I understand,” Logan said. “You made Kit Prime Beak so he was off-limits to everyone else.”
“Yes.”
Logan sighed. “Then I come along and undo all that by breaking the very rule you enforced to protect him.”
Halor shook his head. “Please don’t ever think that. I made Kit Prime Beak to protect him from those who would do him harm. I know you well enough by now to believe that you would never hurt him.”
Kit nodded in agreement. “Our nest is unconventional, but it’s our nest and no one else’s business. It’s just unfortunate that my condition makes it rather obvious to those who prefer to maintain a traditional nest.”
The three of them might not have a typical nest, but from what he had just heard, Logan didn’t want one.
* * * *
Logan sat on the balcony of Halor’s suite of rooms, sipping a drink that reminded him of red wine. He hoped it wasn’t alcoholic, it being rather early in the day to be hitting the bottle—or perhaps it was simply very late. With no clocks and an unfamiliar sky, it was rather hard to tell the time.
Halor and Kit remained in bed, fast asleep, but Logan had been restless for most of the night. Rather than risk disturbing his lovers, he had slipped out from the bed and sought the peace and quiet of the balcony.
The two moons hung overhead, a strange sight to someone who had grown up on a world with only one.
Even though he knew Halor spent relatively little time on his home world, Logan quite liked the view here. It was about all he did like, though.
No wonder Kit wasn’t so fond of the place. He had no liking for the short-flight crafts or the fact that there was so much water on the planet, and on top of that, he had the in-laws from hell. Certainly, only his love for Halor could persuade him to even visit this place.
Logan preferred being on Halor’s spaceship, as well, but Halor was right about the size. It simply wasn’t practical for their growing family. He hoped the newer model was everything Halor expected it to be.
The sound of movement behind Logan made him jump.
“Can’t sleep?” Halor asked.
“No. I hope I didn’t disturb you.”
Halor took a seat opposite him. “No, you didn’t. Are you troubled? If it’s about my parents, just ignore them. Only a nest owner can claim offence by his Prime Beak, and I have no intention of doing that.”
Logan shook his head. “Just thinking.”
“About your people?”
“Partly, but also about Kit. I realise how lucky I am that Kit was the one to buy me. Chances are that most of my people are in far worse situations. This rescue mission could be dangerous. I don’t want to put Kit at risk.”
“I agree,” Halor said. “But you know we can’t leave him behind—not that he would let us, even if we wanted to try.”
“I know. He’d starve without us.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I think we should stick to information gathering, find out where my people are, and leave any actual rescuing to the trained operatives from the Jupiter.”
Halor nodded. “I can still try to buy back any of your people who are in the possession of those willing to sell them, too.”
“Are you sure you can afford to do that? What if your parents disown you or something?”
“The Hawk clan are the third richest o
f all the avians, second only to the Owls and the Magpies. As one of the clan, I have access to our collective funds and that will never change. Don’t trouble yourself about the cost to free any of your people.”
“Thank you. I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you for everything you’ve done.”
“No repayment is necessary. You have given me and Kit so much already.”
Logan chuckled. “That’s one way of putting it.”
Halor nudged him with his foot. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Yes, I guess I do,” Logan said.
They sat quietly until the sun began to rise, Logan lost in his thoughts and Halor apparently likewise. Logan felt as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He had made his decision. He would do what he could to find the rest of his people, but he would do nothing to put Halor or Kit in danger. Kit and their babies were his top priorities, with Halor close behind.
Maz’s words about Halor and Logan’s relationship had hit a nerve with Logan. He cared for Halor and they had given each other pleasure on numerous occasions, but Logan, if he were completely honest with himself, couldn’t say that he was in love with Halor, not like he was with Kit.
The thought of living without Kit scared Logan half to death. The feline had taken his place as the centre of Logan’s universe and Logan had feelings for him that were so powerful that he thought they might one day overwhelm him entirely.
But Halor was another matter. Logan had a great deal of respect for the avian and he enjoyed what they did together, but was he doing Halor a disservice by not loving him as much as he did Kit?
Maz had, in the short time he had known them, picked up on the inequality of their so-called equal relationship all too quickly.
“Something else is bothering you,” Halor said.
Logan shrugged. “Just something Maz said earlier.”
“My brother came out with a lot of crap this afternoon,” Halor replied. “He is best ignored.”
Logan sighed. “Perhaps, but he did make one point that, while harsh, had a ring of truth to it.”
“Did he?” Halor stared at him with wide-eyed surprise. “Do enlighten me. I’ll have to make a note in my logbook of the momentous occasion.”
Logan gave Halor a weak smile. “He could tell that my feelings for Kit are stronger than my feelings for you.”
“Ah, I see.”
“No, I don’t think you do,” Logan said. “I don’t want our nest to be like that. I want it to be equal, with all of us in love with each other.”
Halor stood and held out his hand for Logan to take. “Come with me.”
Logan didn’t hesitate. He followed Halor back into the bedchamber and to the foot of the bed where Kit slept.
“Look at him,” Halor said.
Logan did as he was told and stared at Kit, taking in every detail of his naked body. As he watched him sleep, a small smile spread over Logan’s face.
Halor said nothing and Logan eventually nudged him back out of the room and onto the balcony once more.
“What did that achieve?” Logan asked.
“You’ll see,” Halor replied as he picked up a small holo-device from the end table. “Here. Watch this.”
Halor loaded a hologram of Logan watching Kit, clearly having been recorded just moments ago in the chamber behind them.
“There are cameras in the rooms?” Logan asked.
“The entire palace is covered.”
“But that means anyone can watch us having sex!”
“Yes, but it’s unlikely they actually do. If any of the guards have voyeuristic tendencies, there are far more exciting nests to watch than mine.”
Logan didn’t like the sound of that at all, but there was obviously nothing he could do about it. He gestured to the hologram. “What am I supposed to be looking for?”
Halor turned it off and brought up a second image, this one also of Logan, but on the Dart. Again, Logan was standing there with a sappy-looking smile on his face. He took a moment to worry about how vapid he looked.
“What do you see?” Halor asked.
“Me looking like a lovesick puppy again,” Logan said. “What’s your point?”
Halor hit a button that made the image pan out, and Logan stared at the rest of the scene. To his astonishment, Kit was nowhere in sight, and Logan had been staring not at the feline, but at Halor, fast asleep at the control panel on the flight deck.
“When was this?” Logan whispered.
“On the way here,” Halor replied. “Kit came upon you watching me and saw what you’re seeing now. He could barely contain his excitement when he told me. I have to admit I didn’t believe him, so he made me check the on-board cameras and see for myself.”
“I had no idea.”
“I know.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
Halor smiled. “You don’t have to say anything, not until you’re ready. Just rest easy in the knowledge that Kit and I are content with what you have given us—both of us—and we’ll wait patiently until you, too, are sure of your feelings.”
Logan stared at the hologram and tried to smother an inappropriately timed yawn.
“You should go back to bed,” Halor suggested.
Logan stood and stretched, his heart lighter. “I think I might do just that.”
This time, when Logan climbed into bed, he had a feeling he was going to sleep soundly, and when Kit curled up at one side with Halor on the other, he did just that.
* * * *
They remained at the palace for a little over a week. Halor acquired a new spacecraft that was more spacious and almost as fast as the Royal Dart.
“What should we name her?” Halor asked.
“We’re not calling it Kitty Carrier II,” Kit quickly said. “I think it should have an Earth name. Logan, what was it you said about what your ships were named after?”
“They’re named after planets in Earth’s solar system—Mercury, Neptune, and Jupiter, who were all ancient gods.”
“What other gods were there?” Kit asked. He always liked to hear about Earth customs and history and leaned forward eagerly.
“Oh, loads of them. Different cultures each had their own pantheon of gods and goddesses. I couldn’t tell you all of them because there were so many. The ones our ships were named after were Roman gods, but there were also Greek, Norse, Egyptian, as well as others.” Logan smiled as the image of one of the Egyptian goddesses popped into his head. “You’d like Bastet. She has a human body but the head of a lion or cat.”
“Really?” Kit asked with a grin.
“Yes. She was the goddess of cats, amongst other things.”
“Can I see a picture?” Kit asked.
Logan nodded and pulled one up on the computer. “There you go. She does look a little like your people.”
“She does,” Kit agreed. “What does the writing say?”
Logan read out the description of the goddess Bastet, with Kit becoming increasingly excited.
“We have to name the ship Bastet,” Kit insisted. “She’s the goddess of cats, fertility, and family. It’s perfect.”
“What do you think?” Logan asked Halor. “It’s your ship.”
“It’s our ship,” Halor replied, “and I like the name.”
Kit chuckled. “A ship named after a cat that humans worshipped.”
Logan laughed and pulled Kit into his arms. “Just so you know, I don’t worship all felines, just you.”
“Good,” Kit replied. “That’s just the way I like it.”
Halor spent a lot of time on board the Bastet, familiarising himself with the flight deck and making sure all the information from the database of his other crafts was imported to the new one, including the programming that would enable the ship to communicate with the Jupiter.
Logan and Darcy transported everyone’s belongings from the other two crafts to the new ship. After a brief discussion, Halor also removed all his personal b
elongings from the palace to the ship. He had no intention of returning any time soon, not after his mother’s treatment of Kit. He had flatly refused to attend any of the formal banquets, even the one that was supposedly held in his honour. The queen could squawk until the moons collided, for all he cared.
Kit, again under orders from all three of them to take it easy, resumed his role of supervisor.
Finally, they were ready to leave.
“Are we ready?” Halor asked after they had all taken their seats. “Everyone strapped in?”
“Yes,” Logan replied. “Darcy, are you secured back there?”
“Yeah, I’m good to go.”
“Kit?” Halor asked.
“Nearly ready,” Kit replied. “My safety belt is kind of tight. I don’t think they’re designed for the pregnant.”
“It’s only until we’re in orbit,” Halor said. “If it’s a smooth take off, you might not need to use it again, but I want us all strapped in until we know how she flies.”
When Kit was finally buckled up, Halor launched the craft, showing Logan what to do as they continued their lessons.
Kit retired to bed as soon as it was safe to do so.
“Do you think he’s going to sleep away the entire trip?” Logan asked.
“Yes,” Halor replied immediately. “I believe he probably will.”
Chapter Thirteen
A few weeks later Halor docked the Bastet with the Jupiter displaying his usual expertise.
“How are you going to do this?” Darcy asked Logan.
“We’ll round everyone up for the implants,” Logan said, “probably in the canteen.”
“That’s not what I meant. What about Kit? He can’t hide his pregnancy any longer.”
“Kit doesn’t intend to. He has nothing to be ashamed of, and I think he’s finally starting to accept that.”
“Are you going to tell the crew that it’s your babies he’s carrying?”
“Yes. We’re likely going to be spending a lot of time on the Jupiter from now on and I don’t want to lie to people.”
“You aren’t worried that people are going to have something to say about it?”