Feral Series IV: Feral Fallout (24 page)

Holding. My
huv'ria
couldn't hang on for long.

The jarring force of the hyper-jump flung the ship one way and then the opposite direction, flicked her toward Solvun who couldn't possibly move from the forward momentum. Her arms shook out until she hung by her fingertips.

And the damned hyperspace tunnel of blue light had only just opened. We'd just begun the blink of transecting movement.

The ship jostled her hold loose.

Sacred Five Fathers, the ship's momentum would smash her into the back wall.

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My
huv'ria
skidded across the floor toward me in the wrestling momentum caused by the hyper-jump. Past me. I grabbed her ankle. The blessed leather of the boot was strapped on in three places around the shaft. I needed to get her in my lap before her boot slipped free of her leg.

Fraction of microsecond by precious fraction of microsecond as time strained to snap back into one recognizable beat, I pulled her into my lap, careful not to bend her neck wrong. I wrapped both arms around her slim waist and held her to my chest.

Her head snapped back onto my shoulder.

I couldn't see her eyes.

The ship froze.

Her heart thrashed so wildly I knew she wasn't dead.

The computer reported. “Fifth hyper-jump evasive sequence interval. Jump in ten seconds. Nine—"

"
Huv'ria
?"

She threw up a palm at me. “Computer, destination one-one-niner Meta Plexus three."

"Are you in pain?” I asked.

"My leg. But if you can hold me, I'll wait until the next interval to strap back into my seat."

"As you wish.” I tightened my embrace and stared past the console at the most beautiful blue-and-white jewel of a planet. Something akin to M'yote's eye color. But lovelier.

Theo rode out the hyper-jumps under her !Dakos warrior's care on his lap.
He just kept saving me
, she thought. Perfect timing because
The Savior
landed right off Earth's atmosphere. Instead of reacting, I just sent us on our merry way. And nobody could convince me a
being
saved its mate or potential progeny for anything other than selfish reasons. Just another way to see he has a soul. End of subject. He could make his own decisions. Now, how he colored his soul was another can of worms, including the darkening aspects of betrayal and surveillance Solvun accused him of. Add to the mix Flonn needed Prall nanites to keep me healthy. The !Dako warrior was definitely here for me. Not working against the Prall's.

M'yote unbuckled his safety harness. “Flonn, please put her in her seat. I'll heal her leg."

Flonn gently placed me in my pilot's chair and knelt at my side opposite M'yote.

Maybe all of this mating stuff was going to my head. But I felt honored to have two males like these kneeling before me. Prime beef. Gods. Ribeye.

My mouth watered.

At least I didn't want to gag at the thought of food.

M'yote slid a hand beneath my heel and raised my boot slowly. His blue gaze caught mine. “Does this hurt?"

"No. It's my calf. It struck something when I was thrown aft."

"Yes. I see the red mark, darkening now.” He smiled serenely. “Sit back and relax.” He lowered my leg and plucked the fingertips of his black glove from one hand. “Now, Flonn, do not touch her as I work."

Flonn nodded and scooted back.

"You wouldn't want to accidentally rearrange his insides. Would you?” Sol goaded.

Not sarcasm again. Not now. I shot him a chastising smirk. “What's wrong with you?"

One of his golden eyebrows arched. “Never trust a !Dakos warrior."

"He just saved my life twice today! Maybe more. I can't remember. It's been a freaking blur."

A tingle of warmth tickled my calf.

Serenity washed through me.

Whoa. I turned back to find M'yote's twinkling star-enveloped hand on my leg.

"Better yet?” He smiled the naughtiest little smile on his perfectly-sculpted lips.

"Yes.” I settled back onto the headrest of the pilot's chair. “Very nice. M'yote, you may touch me anytime."

His naughty smile split into a broad sparkling grin.

Maybe I like him better all happy and open than aloof and mysterious. Hey, I was just talking to Sol. About what? “Sol?"

He stepped over into my view next to his kneeling half-brother.

"What were we discussing?” I asked.

"I had said never trust a !Dakos warrior. You were in disagreement."

"Be nice. Flonn is here to stay."

"He's probably reporting to the Council every place we land, every string of coordinates you rattled off to the computer."

Why did Sol have to say these things? Was he that threatened by sharing me? “Flonn can send information across Quadrants?"

Sol's brow knitted.

"You don't know where we are, do you?” I swallowed a laugh to keep from irritating him.

"Actually, no.” Sol snaked his arms across his chest.

I flicked my gaze to M'yote's eyes. “Would you like to explain since your touch has me a bit touched?"

He chuckled and sheathed his amazing hand in its glove. “We're heading back to an organization created by the Free-Thinking Council.” M'yote rose. “Theone is a member of this organization dedicated to helping cultures transition back into self-sufficient operation after Voldon was unseated from his reign."

Sol studied me with half-shuttered eyes.

A pinched look telling me he was trying to picture me and my duties.

"She's a Marshal, Solvun. Sent with me to free you from your captivity."

Flonn rose, emotionless, to tower over me.

Oops. I forgot to let Flonn in on the secret mission. “Uh, Flonn. This has nothing to do with anyone at Treusch except Sol. He's out now. And you're coming with me because I'm not leaving you on that planet full of bossy assholes.” Oh, I like that point. It suited our situation perfectly. “You've got a brain. And I want you to use it. With me in our little family."

Flonn blinked very slowly, taking in everything.

"Are you okay?” I asked him.

He stared down at me.

Crap. “Not you too. It's bad enough Sol can't behave. I just never thought you'd think I wanted anything but to be with you.” I shoved out of the chair and wrapped my arms around his formidable waist.

He remained motionless.

Indomitable. “Dammit, Flonn.” I pressed my body and cheek against his warm chest. “Don't lose it on me. I need you to just be here for me."

He used a warm finger to turn my chin up to his face. “I'm like your castle,
huv'ria
. I'll always be here for you."

My heart fell into my gut.

Tears stung the back of my nose.

Damn those nanites for sketching a castle on Flonn's waist. My fortress.

And my gut complained about nothing.

Intuition sided with Flonn.

"Don't listen to him, D'ena. He'll use what he has to get what he wants from us."

I shoved off Flonn's welcoming chest and braced myself to face Solvun. “You are King of Prall. You have seniority over your brother. But I can think for myself. You will not harass my !Dakos mate because of your prejudices. Fear will get us nowhere. The Blood Wars are over. It's time to make new beginnings. If you want Prall to flourish, you do things my way. It's my duty to ensure everyone has a voice. Including your enemy. And, Sol, I answer to no one except The Order of the Marshals."

"Nobody informed me of these conditions,” he snarled.

"You should have discussed the reasons for our arrival with your brother. Now, there's nothing you can do to change things. I am bound in this web of marriage with three of you."

M'yote shot me a brief warning glance.

Probably about mentioning Wrank. Fine. I could deal with that issue later. For now, we had to get Sol calmed down, under control. “Whether or not our union makes or breaks Prall appears to be up to you,
King Solvun
. You are the person creating friction within our little clan."

He snorted and walked away.

Although, Sol had no idea where he was going, he managed to disappear into the cargo hold and sleeping areas.

"Well, I don't know how long it will take my brother to accept his lot. He's stubborn."

Of course he is. Kings can be. “Alright.” I gave Flonn's chest the biggest monster hug I could muster, planting a kiss over his heart as his arms slid around me in a wonderfully possessive squeeze. Oh, for a lick of stuffed baked potato. M'yote wouldn't understand though. Time to get back to business. “Computer, take us to Luvk."

"Setting a course for planet Luvk, Captain Kemble.” I peered into Flonn's trace of a smile.

Was he trying not to laugh? Or something else? Just a few more problems to deal with before I'm standing before Wrank. Geesh. “I've got to go discuss Sol's attitude with him now. Is it okay if I leave you and M'yote here alone? Or are you both going to wind up in a knock-down drag-out fistfight like you and the King?"

Flonn burst into a chuckle. “I don't like wasting energy on fighting if there's a way to avoid it.” He winked at M'yote.

"Okay, nobody touches anything or commands the computer. I have one more thing to deal with before we can deal with Wrank. So, everybody sit tight. Or stand tight.” I wriggled out of my !Dakos warrior's amazing arms and set off to locate Sol.

I found the muscular blond staring out a view port in the cargo hold.

He couldn't miss the hiss of the closing door or my reflection's movement in the window's glassy surface. “Sol?"

The King turned, arms crossed over his bare chest, stoic mask set like ice.

Well, this wasn't going to be fun. I claimed a spot before him. “Sol, among my people on my home world, women take one mate. Don't think any of this is easy for me. But I've accepted my fate is one I can't change.” Is that really a lie? I hadn't thought about fate at all. Or the futility in changing my future. But, heck, this tangent just might work. “Sol,” I slid my palms across the corded steel of his forearms and stepped into the heat of his personal space, “there's no going back."

"I know. I just don't like bringing a
Rak
into the fold. They'll turn on you in a heartbeat.” His arms unfolded to slide down my back, pulling me against his iron shaft. “You're my D'ena, Theo. I've never had one before. I'm not going to lose you now."

Why hadn't he mated before? “How old are you, Sol?"

"Almost twice M'yote's age.” He tilted his nose down to inhale through my hair. “I wouldn't have mated with you if I didn't need to protect you in the prison. But M'yote brought you there. And I had to protect him as well. He obviously had an interest in you to have you with him at the prison."

Well, so much for my pride. Hell, I am beautiful. Whatever. So, Sol was stuck with me too. “Alright then. We'll just suffer together.” I forced an extremely huge fake smile.

"Oh,” he pressed his body into mine, “there will be no suffering, Theone. The only person who might find life lacking is Flonn because I intend to keep you extremely occupied.” He pressed his mouth over mine and sucked the life right out of me.

Everything down to my toes. Leaving an achy void so demanding that food seemed unimportant. Only his strong palms and fingers sliding over my ass held me up. To his hungry mouth. For someone who was just stuck with me in a relationship, he sure seemed content to hold on or lay me back and thrust home. Oh yes. Thrust. Like his strong demanding tongue.

Yes. Yes.

He suddenly drew his squared jaw back to study my face.

Oy! Air rushed back into my lungs. “Don't let go, Sol. I'll fall down."

A soft chuckle rumbled from his solid chest. “I bet you'd stand your ground. But it's nice to be teased for a change. That's what I like about you, Theo. You're intelligent, argumentative, and you say all the right things that make me want to throw you on the bed and flay you with my tongue."

"That's exactly what I like about you.” No kidding. The man kept me on my toes until I had to suffer some
punishment
. I laid my forehead against his collarbone and stared at the nebula glowing pink and green off to the right through the view port.

"I don't know these stars, D'ena.” His voice hummed in his chest.

"I don't really either. I just tell the ship where to go. Thank goodness it knows what I'm talking about.” I chuckled. Almost pathetically.

"Where are we headed now?"

"To speak with my commander."

"And then?"

"I'll take you to Prall. And then I'll have this baby.” Maybe now wasn't the time to bring up Wrank either. While Sol was romantic and snuggly. Cooperative. When he got what he wanted.

"You can't have that baby on Prall, D'ena."

"M'yote told me. I have to live on the moon."

He hummed an agreement. “Unless you can convince my hardheaded little brother to kill the fucking microbes attacking females on the genetic level of your new home world."

"Are you going to tell me what his problem is?"

"He can explain better than I can.” Sol pressed a warm kiss against my temple and leaned us against the cool glass. “Later. It's been a long time since I could stand or speak without fear of surveillance. And I get to do so with my D'ena in my arms."

Could I trust his sincerity? I shoved back to stare into his half-shuttered golden eyes.

"What are you thinking, little goddess?"

"Are you going to be happy with me? I know you had to do the noble thing and save my butt back on Treusch—"

"Theo,” he groaned, squeezing my ass, “no warrior ever had a mate like you. Or this perfect little ass.” He thrust his chin at the glass. “Look at yourself. See what the others see. And then look deeper. You are perfect. A true goddess. And if M'yote would cleanse Prall, I'd rip the golden curtain off my holy E'na altar and place you on the sacred pedestal of Prall for all to see. But,” he grinned, “something tells me you wouldn't like that.” He leaned close.

So close I could just slightly raise up on my toes and kiss his soft lips. “Why?"

The air grew extremely warm between us.

He fingered my leather sex garb's chain near the swell of my breast. “Because you hate this clothing. You'd certainly despise wearing nothing at all as well."