Upon the Threshold (21 page)

“It is called a
shovant
. It is what your people might call a house pet. I do not know the precise species to relate it to from your people’s zoology, since not even your fellow humans could assist in narrowing it down. It is small, furry, and a little odd looking, but all adore it and there have been many offers to take it home. It belongs to one of the high-ranking crew members of the resupply vessel and will be leaving with them when they go in another two days.”

“Well, I wonder what it is. We had these things called cats on old Earth. They were adorable, but they multiplied quickly. Sadly I think that if we do bring that species here, we will have to ensure that the mothers only have one, perhaps two litters of kittens before we fix them. If not, the world would be overrun with them fairly quickly.” They were wonderful animals however. Very intelligent and loving, on occasion.

“We think that is much what this compares to, but your people are not sure. Some said it reminded them of something called a lynx and others a lion. We are unsure what they meant by this, but they were going to try to find images so we could see. In here.” She tugged on Elisabeth’s hand and pulled her into another tent. Putting a finger to her lips to indicate silence, Danykia led her over to the little area that had been fenced off, and pointed inside.

Eli looked inside of the small area and smiled. “It is a kitten.” She was stunned and happy all the same. “How in the world did they get a kitten?” She reached in and picked the small animal up and scratched it just under its chin and was rewarded with a purr. “Hello, little girl,” she said after looking between the legs of the animal. “You are such a small little thing. When did they replicate you, darling girl?” she asked and cuddled the animal close. To Danykia she said, “You can pet her. She’s super soft and friendly.”

“And one of the most vicious predators in the wild on Droushanian,” Kraven’s voice said behind her. When she turned, he tipped his head to the animal in her arms. “It will also grow much larger over the next year. Much. If you pull the lip up, you will see the first set of teeth and understand just how much of a predator they can be. They don’t breed very well, so it’s rare to have one this small. But they are trainable as house pets.”

Eli smiled and cuddled the animal. “They are much like our cats from Earth, but the cats on Earth that were domesticated weren’t apex predators like humans were. In fact, people typically waited on them hand and foot. Not because they demanded it so much as… Well yeah, they demanded it,” she teased. Putting the animal down, she approached her mate and grinned up at him. “Have you missed me?”

“Yes,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “But you needed this time with Danykia. Otherwise, I believe she would have mounted a mission to abscond with you for some… What is the term? Girl time.” He looked to her.

“Yes, I did need this girl time.” Leaning her head on his shoulder, Eli simply sighed as the heat of his body surrounded her and made her forget absolutely everything else that was happening around them. “I’ve missed you too,” she told him with a happy smile.

He snorted and didn’t appear to believe her. But she caught the amusement in his eyes and knew he was teasing her. Then he looked to Danykia. “Would you see she gets something to eat? I need to go and see to a matter of discipline and won’t be able to watch over her. Lukkis will be along soon enough to join you but is still busy for a time yet.”

When Danykia nodded and agreed, Eli laughed. Looking up at Kraven, she asked, “Are you worried that I am going to lose weight and fall apart on you? I won’t, you know,” she teased. “Go. Do what you need to do.” She gave him another hug. “I love you too.”

He growled at her and tipped her chin up. “I worry about you, Elisabeth. Accept it,” he advised. Leaning in, he kissed her gently but bit her lip just hard enough to make her jolt. “That’s for teasing me about losing weight. Do not, ever. You are perfect as you are.” Another quick kiss, a gentle squeeze, and he left her with Danykia.

When he left her, Eli sighed. “See why I love him so much?” she asked with a grin. “Heavens, that man is amazing. Okay. Enough playing with the pretty kitty. Let’s go and get some lunch?”

“You should put it back so that no one fears it’s gotten loose and is about to rampage over the countryside. And no, I am not saying that to amuse you. Over lunch, I will tell you of some of the incidents of these beasts creating havoc in the wild. And of one that was house-trained that believed it could fly. They can’t, thank all there is in the universe,” Danykia muttered.

“Ah, okay.” Eli put the animal back and gave it another scratch. “You are adorable,” she whispered softly to the animal and wondered if she would be able to get her hands on the DNA sequencing to create kittens for her and for Danykia as well as anyone else who might want one. “I might have to talk to my dad and ask him to see about creating cats and small dogs next. The larger dogs they already have created and are training them as protectors to walk along with the guards, but the smaller dogs would be good as pets,” she mused aloud.

“You should keep them on track for creating animals for protection above other such things. At least for now,” Danykia said as they left the tent. “After all, we won’t be here forever to keep watch over you and ensure the others of this galaxy leave you be. Your people will need to be ready to at least hold them off until support can arrive.”

“This is true. I honestly hadn’t thought about it like that. I was beginning to see this as home. That was my error.” Eli chewed her lower lip and asked her friend, “How will I like your homeworld? Will I find a place to fit in there? I won’t hold Kraven and Lukkis back, will I?”

“You are their mate. You always will have a place wherever they are. Though Lukkis will be transferred over to Kraven’s vessel, which should be interesting. Those two can be like children at times. Too little to do and they get into much trouble. But you will like the homeworld—a lot, I think. It is an amazing place. The air is so clean and always carries just the faintest hint of berries to it. We’re not even sure why or what kind. It’s one of those ongoing mysteries the scientists work at forever without ever finding an answer. I know that Kraven has a property well outside the capital. You will like it, I am sure. I’ve heard it is very restful and calming, lots of space and amazing plants that are hard to find anywhere else.”

“I look forward to it,” she said with a smile. “All that I know is that I want to be able to have this time with my guys. I’m actually really happy that I was able to meet them like this because it gives us a great deal of time to get to know and learn how to live with each other. Right?”

“Exactly.” Danykia nodded. Hooking her arm through Elisabeth’s, she guided her through the makeshift town the Droushanians had set up for their temporary stay. “I don’t mean to worry you about anything, Elisabeth. I just am trying to give you an understanding of my people and our oddities. You are going to be just fine, so remember that, no matter what I tell you. You have two mates who would take on a planet full of people for you barehanded. And likely win.” She muttered the last with a grin.

“Life on the Droushanian homeworld is… Well, definitely different from here. This is very relaxed, and we have allowed some of our normal constraints to slip because of how open your people are emotionally. On the homeworld it’s a little more…” She frowned. “Stiff. ‘Formal’ is also a good word. But I will give you some lessons before you go back to get you through the first days without starting any wars. Promise.”

“Thank you. That would be very much appreciated. Yes, my people are very informal. I’m trying very hard to break myself of that simply because I assumed that your world was very formal because of how Kraven and Lukkis both acted when I first met them and still do at times.”

“Like they have sticks up their asses?” Danykia asked. Then she grinned when Eli shot her a look and giggled. “I’ve wanted to say that one since I learned it. But it is a most accurate description of how rigid they both can be at times, no? Kraven especially, but he does carry a very heavy burden as he is responsible for all the Droushanian people here.”

“This is true. I feel for the poor guy because he honestly is a very loving man. He’s hard out here because he has to be, but behind closed doors he’s amazing.” And there was that sigh that only Eli could give out when talking about Kraven—that sigh of longing and love.

“You are in love. That does not count,” Danykia said with a laugh. “And they are in love with you. Anyone with eyes can see that when they are near you. The way they look at you.” She shook her head. “They seem to soften just for you. It is amazing to witness.”

“That’s not a bad thing, right? That they care for me as they do. I happen to really and truly love the fact that they love me as much as I love them. I’m happy with them. Very happy with them. I have been blessed by the universe to have them in my life.”

“It is not a bad thing, my friend,” Danykia assured her. They entered the meal tent and went to collect food. Danykia pointed out some items that Eli’s men hadn’t yet had her try and told her the taste and texture of each so she could decide if she wanted to try them.

When they settled at a table, Danykia looked to Eli again. “It is a sign of a good mating, one of the souls’ as well as the Beasts’ acceptance of the bond, for the males to soften toward their female whenever the female is close. It proves that the mating is true and strong enough to whatever may happen in the years to come.”

Eli smiled and nodded. “I certainly feel as if it is a strong mating. I know that I couldn’t ask for anything or anyone more than the men that I have. They are both incredible, and I am a very lucky woman to have them in my life.” She knew she had stated that fact over and again, but she was still stunned that they were there with her and they were hers. She still had to keep pinching herself to ensure she wasn’t dreaming.

“You are indeed lucky.” Danykia nodded. “Many a female has attempted to gain their notice and failed miserably. Both Kraven and Lukkis knew that their mate hadn’t yet come into their lives. Both were equally determined to wait until she did, no matter how long that took. Which is why Kraven was so disappointed and angry with his family unit when they arranged the match between him and the other family unit. It took him a very long time, from what I understand, to calm enough to be around anyone.”

“He was very upset about it,” Eli admitted with a nod. “And I can’t say that I blame him. If your lifespans are as long as Kraven and Lukkis lead me to believe, then they should have listened to him and his desire to wait for his mate. Now, I could be upset simply because I am said mate, but who knows?”

“You also empathize with him,” Danykia said. “You are a very compassionate person, Elisabeth. Something more people should strive to be. But, yes, I am sure some of it might be because he is yours and not that other female’s.” Danykia grinned.

“True. I have to admit that I am finding myself more than slightly possessive of the man—heck, of both men.” She found she didn’t like when other women looked at her men in longing, and they did, often.

“You are their mate. You will be as possessive and protective of them as they will be of you. It is the natural order of things,” Danykia told her. Setting her juice she looked around and then leaned in. “I should likely warn you that there are followers who specifically come to meet the vessels when they return to the homeworld. They are there to try to lure the males into bedding them. They always start at the top and work their way down. These followers will still throw themselves at Kraven and Lukkis, just as they do all the men that are mated. At least until you make it very clear that if they touch your men…” She shrugged and smiled.

No help needed there. Elisabeth definitely had a clear idea what would be needed.

“I will beat them bloody,” Eli growled, nearly literally. “How do I ensure that these women don’t take it into their small little brains to toss themselves at my mates? I’ve seen your people. The women are larger and more skilled than I could ever hope to be, so how can I put the fear of the universe into these whores?” She amended her earlier thoughts as she realized she wouldn’t be able to take any of the women if she tried.

Danykia snorted and then coughed, reaching for her juice to take a sip. When she had herself under control, she looked to Elisabeth with a grin. “You have an amazing way with words, my friend. I’m quite sure you can come up with a way to impress upon them the dangers of touching your mates. And if all else fails, kiss your males right there. The possessive nature of their Beasts would show those females better than anything that they are fully and completely taken by their tiny female mate.”

“Oh, I can totally get down with kissing them anywhere and everywhere. Are you sure that won’t get them in trouble? Showing too much emotion or whatever?” Eli didn’t want to do anything that would ever get them in trouble, but the thoughts of kissing them and all but claiming them had her really wanting to do just that.

“Hardly.” Danykia snorted derisively. “And it is what those females deserve for the many cycles they have tried to snag one of your men. It would be wondrous to see those females’ noses finally rubbed in the fact that they never could get Kraven or Lukkis and now never will.”

“Well, then I do believe we have a plan.” Eli rubbed her hands together gleefully. “Thank you for the advice, for telling me how to deal with them in the most pleasurable of ways. You are truly a goddess for your help.”

“You are my friend, and it is my honor to assist you in putting those females in their place once and for all. Now, let us eat and then we can go and I will give you some idea of what you will likely see and need to do while you are on our homeworld. At least in the capital. Once on Kraven’s land, you can do whatever you wish. Unfortunately, there is an etiquette to be upheld in the capital. Bunch of stuck-up—”

Lukkis showed up just then, and Danykia cut off her words. “Hello, little mate.” He smiled at her. Sitting down, he settled his tray before him and cocked a brow. “Danykia, are you misbehaving?”