by Kyle, Celia
“Perfect,” I say, her sweet taste still coating my tongue. “So damn perfect.”
Chapter Seven
Fiona
Even though I’d known in my soul for a while that Montier and I were fated mates, part of me really didn’t believe it to be true. It was only a tiny part, but I didn’t truly think I could ever be so lucky. Seeing Varia, Lamira, and Ilya all find and fall for their mates was so wonderful and romantic and I’d never been anything but happy for them, but it just didn’t seem like something that would ever happen to little old me.
I’m so, so glad it did. And with someone as smart and strong as Montier…I’m a lucky girl indeed.
As soon as we kissed, I knew there’d be no way we wouldn’t take it to the next level. The tension has been building between us for weeks and it was only a matter of time before it exploded. I’d fully expected it to happen on Udrillon, especially since it was such a lush, beautiful planet that it nearly screamed romance, but I wouldn’t change our first physical encounter for all the credits in the galaxy.
Indeed, sitting on one of his workbenches and looking down to see his face buried between my legs, feasting on me like I was his last meal before a death sentence, is something I’ll never forget. It was so hot, and no one’s ever made me feel the way he does before. I only wish it’d lasted longer.
Even though I didn’t want to leave without returning the favor—especially since I’ve been incredibly curious to discover the Kilgaris’ famed dual members since I’d first heard about them—we both knew we’d wasted more time than we’d had awarded to us. Although Grantian was second in command and he had told us to take our time when he’d left us in the corridor, I’m certain we’ve left him waiting long enough.
Jumping down from the bench, I hastily gather up my clothes. Instead of throwing myself into them like I normally do, I take my time pulling them on. Montier’s eyes don’t seem to have fully taken their fill of my body, and I’m more than happy to let them linger as long as they like.
“You’re so beautiful, Fiona. I hope to tell you that every day for the rest of our lives,” he says.
I step into my pants and snap on my bra before pulling my shirt back on. Agonizingly slowly, I button it up, keeping my eyes on his. Finally, I find the thong he’d peeled off of me just moments ago, still sopping wet from being so turned on in anticipation of him kissing me, and carry it over to him. Before he can say another word, I stuff it into the pocket of his trousers, still tight from his dual erections that I so badly want to tend to.
“You don’t have to,” I say, “but I’ll never get tired of hearing it. My big, strong, jalshagar.”
I kiss him again and feel his whole body tense against mine, knowing he wants to take me again as badly as I want him to. Even though I don’t want to stop kissing him, I pull back and press my forehead against his.
“This time we actually should go meet Grantian,” I say. “Let’s get this mission done and then we can do this all over again. Many times, if you like.”
“Maybe not in a workshop? It’s not exactly a romantic atmosphere, or at all where I expected our first time to be,” he says.
“Oh? How much time have you dedicated to the thought of bedding me, Montier?” I ask playfully, even though I’m dying to know the answer.
“As much as you’ve spent thinking the same about me, mate—if not more,” he replies with a grin.
“Oh, so not that much at all then,” I say, unable to hold in my laughter when his mouth drops open in response. It comes out in an unbecoming snort, but I don’t care.
“Tease,” he says, but his voice is as loving as the kiss he presses down onto my lips.
“Always,” I say against his mouth.
He takes my hand before we leave the workshop, closing the door behind us. I follow him down the weaving hallways to the hold where we indeed find Grantian buried nearly up to his eyeballs in varying forms of tactical gear.
“There you are—finally,” he says. His voice is gruff as always, but there’s a knowing gleam in his eye. “By the time you’d left me waiting ten minutes I figured you were finally getting better acquainted, as opposed to all the pussyfooting around you’ve been doing for weeks now. I decided I’d better get started on sorting this shit myself.”
Again, Montier’s jaw nearly falls to the floor, but I only laugh in response.
“Was it that obvious?” I ask.
“Any more obvious and I think one of us would have had to take matters into our own hands. Our Monty here isn’t stupid by any means—obviously, since he keeps this bird in the sky—but when it comes to matters of the heart, I think he’s a bit clueless at times,” Grantian says.
“It’s not like she was just some female I was hoping to hump and dump!” Montier exclaims incredulously. “She’s my jalshagar!”
“I know. And I can smell her all over you, you old dog, so let’s get this show on the road so we can get to Perseus, hack the building, get the supplies, and get the fuck back here so you two can finish what you started. Shall we?”
Grantian’s grin is wider than a BBL field as he hands me a tactical suit. I can’t help but be amused by his banter. Since his mating ceremony with Lamira, we’ve all seen a different side of the ex-merc, and it’s one I rather enjoy. His sarcastic wit and dry humor are nearly unmatched by anyone else on the crew.
“Is this for me?” I ask, noticing the armor is nowhere near as big as the others.
“Sure is, little lady. I’ve fixed up more than enough suits in my heyday, so it took me no time at all to fashion something for you. It may not fit like a glove, but it’ll do for now. I’m not too concerned about your welfare anyway, to be honest. With your jalshagar by your side, you’ll be more than well protected,” he says.
“I’ll never get tired of hearing that word,” I say aloud before I even realize I’m speaking.
“Keep it up and you’ll make me lose that delicious calamansi I just consumed,” Grantian grumbles, but again his eyes hold a bit of a spark.
“Okay, that’s enough. We get it. We’re disgustingly soppy. May I remind you of how you pined for Lamira long before you told her you suspected she was your own true mate? You, more than anyone, should know how it feels immediately after confirmation,” Montier says, clearly irked by Grantian’s ribbing.
I’ve known since Varia became Solair’s jalshagar that Kilgari males become somewhat testy and territorial once their mating bonds are confirmed, but I’d never seen it up close. Although I don’t want Montier to do something he’ll regret to the Queen’s first mate, I must admit that seeing him all riled up on my behalf is a turn-on.
“Oh, he’s just having a bit of fun,” I say as I pull on the tac gear. “You needn’t worry about him offending me, Montier. It takes a lot more than that to get me going. I grew up with three older brothers who never stopped pestering me until the day I left home. No one’s got thicker skin than I do when it comes to someone trying to get my goat.”
“Why would either of us try to get you a goat? That seems like an awfully strange mating gift,” Montier says, his brow wrinkled in confusion.
At his comment, both Grantian and I burst out laughing. Clearly, the ex-mercenary has heard the old Terran expression somewhere before, which doesn’t surprise me given his former career with the Hael Hounds.
“I’m sorry. It doesn’t translate to galactic standard. It means when someone’s trying to get a rise out of you or annoy you. As the younger sister of three brothers, I’m more than familiar with big, strong males teasing me to the point of exhaustion,” I say to Montier.
“Well, I think I’ll be the only one teasing you from now on,” he responds in a low growl, obviously not caring that one of his commanding officers is standing right next to us.
“Okay, now I’m really going to vomit. Let’s get to work. Shall we?” Grantian says, unable to resist one final jab.
“You’re both impossible,” I say with a laugh, but I can think of no place I’d rather be than on this
ship with them.
I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. With another grin at Montier and a quick kiss to match it, we get to work.
Chapter Eight
Montier
Almost as soon as Fiona and I have finished sorting the tactical gear with Grantian, Solair calls the three of us back up to the bridge. The Queen is just about to touch down onto Perseus, and he wants to go over the mission plan with all of us at once. We double time it up to them, Fiona’s hand held fast in my own. Now that she’s mine, I’m not letting her go until I absolutely have to.
We enter the bridge as we feel the telltale drop out of superluminal speed and into the atmosphere of Perseus and then a soft bump as the Queen kisses the dirt under Swipt’s steady guidance. For all his posturing and cocky attitude, he really is the best pilot I’ve ever come across. I have no problem admitting that.
Although I could definitely do without the stupid, shit-eating grin that he plasters onto his face as soon as he sets eyes on Fiona and me.
“So that’s the reason it took you so long to secure the tactical gear! We were starting to take bets up here. Ilya, you win!” he calls to his own jalshagar.
My apprentice nearly bounces over to us, a warm smile pulling at her lips. When she finally reaches Fiona, Ilya stops and actually squeals as she grabs Fiona’s hands, nearly causing my eardrums to burst.
Just when I think I have the human females figured out, they go and do something I’ll never understand. I’m not exactly sure what shrieking like an injured Tartan numbat is supposed to mean, but Fiona is quick to repeat the sound herself and hug the other woman to her.
“I’m so happy for you, Fi!” Ilya says, pulling back to look at her friend. “I swear, this entire ship will be mated before we know it!”
Fiona laughs and smiles as Ilya releases her, immediately reaching for my hand once more.
“I couldn’t be happier,” she says as she looks up at me, and I swear I feel my heart nearly burst.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” Solair says, although he’s also smiling. “Congratulations on your mating, Montier, Fiona, but we have more pressing matters at hand. Once we’re all safely back aboard, we’ll celebrate, but let’s focus up first.”
We all gather around our captain, awaiting further instruction. I help Fiona into her tac gear as Solair begins the rundown.
“We’re going to separate into two groups. Montier and Fiona, you’ll go with Varia and me to the source of the transmission Fiona found. I’m pretty sure it’s a black site for whoever is running this Project Blue Dawn. Maybe we’ll find some answers as to who they are and why they kidnapped you. Monty, I’d originally wanted you to accompany my team anyway, as I’d like to have your cool head and muscle with us in case the situation deteriorates, but now I want you even more because I know you’ll do everything in your power to ensure Fiona’s safety.”
I nod in agreement and squeeze Fiona’s hand. It’s gone clammy and cold in my own, her nerves betraying her even though her face remains stoic.
“Grantian, as my first mate you’ll take Lamira, Swipt, and Ilya to this main market here,” on the map spread out before us he indicates a spot close to our landing place, called Farstrand, “and secure food and whatever supplies you can. Try and find some cargo to deliver. Any amount of money right now would help. Always keep your communication lines open. I want check-ins every thirty minutes. If you suspect anything that seems off—if you get even a whiff of something rotten—head back to the Queen immediately. We’ll do the same. Let me know when you’re on your way back and we’ll rendezvous as soon as we’re clear of the site,” Solair concludes.
“You got it, boss,” Grantian answers. “Any cargo we shouldn’t accept for delivery?”
Solair thinks for a second. “Don’t agree to transport any women in cryosleep, no matter how much they pay you. But other than that, we’ll take whatever we can get. The ships coffers are basically running on fumes right now.”
“There should be some work here if we look,” Grantian says. “Perseus isn’t as rough and tumble as the other frontier worlds. A variety of sapients from across the galaxy come here.”
“It’s still the frontier, so that means it’s dangerous. Watch your backs.”
We make our way down to the shuttles as a group, separating into two different crafts upon arriving in the hangar. Solair and Grantian shake hands as Grantian mutters a terse, “See you on the other side,” before climbing into his ship. I watch as the four of them clear the Queen’s bay doors, only slightly envious of their task and distinct lack of tactical armor.
It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to wear such heavy gear. My body is so large from slinging engine parts that it’s hard to outfit it, and I’ve never found a suit that fits me properly. I look over at Fiona, also ill-equipped in her tailored gear, and can’t help but chuckle. What a pair we make. My armor appears like it’s been shrunk in the wash, and she’s almost drowning in hers despite the Grantian’s adjustments.
“I’ll be glad when this is all over,” she says quietly to me, hugging her ever-present datapad to her chest.
“Me too. Eyes on the prize, my love. We’ll get in, get what we need, and get out. You know you can do this, and I do too. We’ll be back before we know it and then I’m taking you to my bed and you’ll not be permitted to leave it for at least a week,” I say, my lips pressed down against her ear.
“Do you promise?” she asks, eyebrow quirked as she turns her head to look at me.
“Better yet, I swear it.”
I kiss her one more time before assisting her into our awaiting shuttle with Solair already at the controls.
He’s already brought the location of the black site up on the nav screen of the tiny craft. It’s far removed from both the Queen and the little settlement of Farstrand. I’m not fond of how distant it is. If our mission goes tits up, how in the hell will we get back to the ship in time to make a clean getaway?
Part of me wishes Swipt had stayed behind on the Queen instead of partaking in the trade mission. At least if he were waiting on board, we’d be able to meet in the middle if we had to turn back. This far out…I’m not sure we wouldn’t be overcome by enemy fire first.
But I keep my comments to myself. I already know Fiona isn’t feeling as confident internally as she appears on the outside, and I don’t want to spook her or the rest of our team.
It takes us nearly ten minutes to reach the site, which seems like an astronomical amount of time when moving at the speed we are. The shuttles don’t have the ability to do subliminal speeds, but they’re still faster than the average craft. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop my guts from twisting.
The continent on Perseus that includes the Blue Dawn site and the settlement of Farstrand is a desert. Craggy mountains and giant sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see, and the atmosphere is arid and dry.
Solair keeps us some distance away from the building, which looms forebodingly before us. Like the one on Solace, it appears abandoned, but as we learned there looks can be deceiving. I wonder if this place is used for creating experimental bioweapons too, and then I shudder at the thought.
“Are you okay?” Fiona asks me with concern as she taps the screen of her datapad to wake it.
I’m not about to tell her I have a bad feeling about this.
“I’m fine,” I say, “just unaccustomed to such a bumpy ride.”
“Yes, shuttle travel is nowhere near as comfortable as being inside a ship. Is it?” she asks.
“Definitely not,” I agree.
“Are you insulting my piloting abilities?” Solair quips from the driver’s seat.
“Of course not, Cap. I would never,” I say, ensuring I keep my tone light for Fiona’s sake.
“Good. Let’s head out. Monty, we’ll recon the exterior while Varia and Fiona stay put. Who knows if we’ll even see anyone, but I’d rather they not know the girls are with us just yet. Varia, if anything
happens, you know what to do,” he says.
“Leave your ass in the dust and head back to rally the troops. I know,” Varia answers, but she leans in to kiss him all the same.
“You’ll be okay?” I say to Fiona before I turn to leave.
“Of course,” she answers with a blinding smile.
I wish I could believe her, but I already know my mate better than I know myself. I press a kiss to her cheek before exiting the shuttle, following close behind Solair.
“If this is anything like the other missions, this site will be mostly abandoned,” he says. “I have no idea what the IHC is doing with all these random, uninhabited buildings dispersed all over the galaxy, but whatever it is, it reeks of something foul.”
Together we approach the building. For having such large bodies, it always amazes me how quietly we Kilgari can move. No one comes to greet us, not even after we’ve swept the building’s perimeter. I can’t even see any cameras monitoring us, so it doesn’t appear anyone’s home.
“I think it’s safe for Varia and Fiona to join us. Let’s head back to get them,” Solair says.
I nod in agreement, despite my unease. I guess we’re going in.
Chapter Nine
Fiona
As Montier and Solair get to work reconning the building’s exterior, I recheck my pack for what seems like the millionth time today to ensure I have everything I’ll need to breach the servers inside. I already know it’s all there, but my nervous hands need something to occupy themselves.
After I’ve finished, I try in vain to access the server from where I sit inside the shuttle. I’m nearly certain it won’t work, but wouldn’t it be great if it did? Varia and I could call our jalshagars back to us, we could chat merrily amongst ourselves as the files download onto my datapad, and we’d be back aboard the Queen before Jax is ringing the dinner bell.
But of course, it doesn’t work.
