by Jade Waltz
His eyes traced my face before meeting my gaze once more. “You have my word.”
I leaned against him again and wrapped my arms behind his neck. His hand slid back down to cup my ass. Kissing the side of his neck in thanks, I breathed in his sharp, slightly sweet, musty scent.
His secondary penis traced my rosebud, tiny circles, spreading our moisture. The tingles spread and I writhed against the vise-like grip of his hands. The questing head pressed against my rosebud, sliding inside, the coolness of it against my inner warmth an odd sensation. Just as the first appendage had done, it writhed along my channel as it traveled deeper.
It stilled.
The tip of both cocks began to dance against my inner flesh, teasing, swirling, exploring my tunnels. Just as I was about to ask what was happening, a third appendage suctioned itself to my clit, and I bucked. Three appendages?
I groaned as Odelm’s tentacles slid back around to dance against my nether lips once more, spreading their tingling essence.
His hands kneaded my ass, and my arousal spiked again. His grunt vibrated through me, and I felt both cocks expand within me until I felt I couldn’t take any more. There was no more room.
I gasped, then sucked in a deep breath.
Everything felt tight and slightly achy. Both of Odelm’s cocks were huge as they stretched me, but my nestmates were right—there was no pain.
My pussy clenched in reaction, pulling another grunt from him.
I groaned at the satisfying fullness.
Instinctively, my hips tried to move as they straddled his lap, but his tight grip wouldn’t allow it. I could find no way to ease my steadily-building arousal and moaned again in frustration.
His tentacles stroked me, leaving tingling hot trails in their wake. His hands kneaded my ass, sending sensations throughout my nether region. His cocks, hard and filling me full to bursting, were too large to allow me to move, and whatever was suctioned on my clit massaged lightly, sending my arousal higher.
I growled in frustration, clawing at his back.
“Stars, Odelm! Please! I need you to move. Do something...” I moaned against his neck.
He groaned as his cocks started to vibrate within me.
A gasp escaped as my body shuddered in reaction.
The vibrations picked up. I could hardly stand the tingling arousal and writhed against him, my nipples dragging across the ridged scales of his chest.
Oh Stars, I needed more.
I growled, biting down on the soft spot between shoulder and neck as my hands dug into his back. He bucked, and his cocks pulsed deeper.
A sharp shock seared my clit, and I cried out, pressing harder against his neck. My body shook as the shocks traveled from my clit up my spine and back, settling deep into my core. My skin buzzed everywhere the tingling essence had coated it—as though his essence conducted the impulses.
The sensations were too much.
My teeth unlocked from Odelm’s shoulder, and I screamed his name as I climaxed. He held me tight against his body as my body trembled from the release.
My eyes drifted closed in relief, then flew open again as I realized the tingling shocks had not ceased. The suction on my clit increased, and his cocks vibrated harder. I could feel my body ramping up again as another rolling climax quickly approached. My body vibrated. The third appendage’s shocks increased in intensity, and I groaned.
My pussy clenched tight. My toes curled. My legs tightened as a hard shudder passed through me. Too much pleasure filled me all at once. A loud growl ripped from my throat as an orgasm—stronger than the last—rolled through me. My body locked up in pleasure.
Odelm moaned my name as he exploded in both my holes, filling me with his hot seed.
I gasped, inhaling sharply as I felt the familiar pop in my mind. My senses expanded, my pleasure multiplied as I sensed Odelm's presence within me.
Honor. Bliss. Disbelief.
His emotions battled my own before wrapping themselves around mine and merging, becoming one.
He sighed.
A deep lassitude fell over us both.
The suction on my clit disconnected as both of his cocks deflated. Small tremors—aftereffects of my orgasms—traveled along my spine. Satisfaction and contentment flowed through me as I laid my head on Odelm’s chest, listening to his dual heartbeats and feeling the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed deeply.
His tentacles unwound from around my thighs as his hands slid from my ass to cup my hips. He shimmied away from the wall until he laid prone on the bed, and I shifted closer, wrapping my arms around him.
A blanket was placed over us, and I glanced up to see Xylo looking at us with a small smile as he dimmed the lights and closed the glass-wall curtains.
Xylo laid beside us, the patterns along his exposed body glowing with bioluminescence. His patterns popped in swirls of nebulae and galaxies in the darkness until he covered himself with a blanket.
Dragging my gaze away, I laid my head back on Odelm’s chest, pressed up against his own lightly glowing violet speckles.
My eyelids drooped.
They refused to open again as I drifted into a deep sleep.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Selena
Gentle touches trailing along my back woke me.
My hands caressed Odelm’s chest as I rubbed my cheek against his cool scales. I smiled as I thought back to the night before. Odelm was mine now.
My stomach growled, and I realized—as wonderful as the night had been—we’d missed dinner. My body was sated, but I was dirty… and starving.
I groaned as I pried open my eyes and scanned the room. Someone had already turned on the lights and opened the blinds.
“I am sorry. Did I wake you?” Odelm whispered, his palms flattening against my back.
I sat up, still straddling his lap, my legs resting on his thigh fins. The blanket slid off my shoulders to pool around my hips. His hands fell to my thighs, cupping them, thumbs rubbing in small circles. His tentacles wound loosely around my ankles.
Smiling into his pale green eyes, I said, “Yes, but it was a nice way to wake up.”
He squeezed my thighs and returned the smile. “Thank you for last night. Thank you for trusting me and accepting my bonding spore.”
I bent to drop a kiss in the middle of his chest, then glanced to the spot where Xylo had laid. He was gone. Tracing our bond thread, I saw he was in the common room.
“When did Xylo wake up?”
“A while ago. He did not want to wake you but wanted to talk to the princes. He told me accepting my bonding spore had taken a lot out of you and to let you rest.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course, Xylo had still wanted to talk to the princes about me.
“I was hoping he’d let it go after you both knew what had happened.”
Odelm searched my eyes, a fleeting smile crossing his face. “He means well. We were both worried about you—you and our cubs.”
I gasped as tears filled my eyes.
Theirs—they considered my cubs theirs. Despite their species not caring for offspring or understanding family in the way human culture did, they considered my cubs theirs—just because it was important to me.
“Are you all right?” Odelm asked, his face worried as he stroked my hair.
“Yes. It is just... what you said. Ours... You called my cubs ‘ours.’”
“That is what Xylo and I consider them. We understand what you want for our family—our clan. So, it became important to us too, as you have shown things of importance to us—my music, Xylo’s research—are important to you.”
I leaned forward, cradling his face in my hands and crushed my lips against his mouth slit. Closing my eyes, I tried to push my warm feelings about him down our bond.
His mouth opened in a gasp, allowing me entry. I lapped at the roof of his mouth and his tongue entwined with mine.
I moaned at the strong sweet-salt taste of him. He buried his hands in my hair as my hands t
ightened on his cheeks. I wanted him—needed him. And he was mine—now and forever.
I pulled away, panting.
My eyes traced his face, trailing down his neck to his shoulder. A bite mark on the right side—in the exact same spot I’d marked Xylo as I accepted his bonding spore—the ridges of the already-healed scar also white.
Odelm’s eyes followed my hand as I reached for his mark, lightly tracing it with my fingertip. A shiver raced through his body, and he closed his eyes, swallowing.
“Selena...”
“Odelm, you’re mine. This mark proves it. You won’t ever be alone again.”
He shuddered and opened his eyes, his pale green eyes staring into mine.
“You have given me everything I have ever wanted. I hope I can give you everything you want in return.”
“Both you and Xylo are giving me so much—”
My stomach chose that moment to interrupt, rumbling. Odelm placed his hands over it with a chuckle.
“Okay, let us give you your bath and take you to breakfast.”
I smiled. “Okay.”
“Stay here. I will be right back.”
I leaned back and closed my eyes, reveling in the comfort on the nestbed.
The sound of the bathroom door opening brought me alert. Odelm swaggered into the bedroom, smiling proudly. He helped me up out of the nestbed and led me into the bathroom. My legs were still wobbly with fatigue.
Pale purple bubbles covered the surface of the water. Taking in a deep breath, my lungs filled with a light floral scent—perfect for the moment.
“I thought you would enjoy this.”
Looking around, I replied with a smile, “I do.”
I moaned as he helped me lower myself into the warm bathtub.
“Oh Stars. I will never get used to this—or take it for granted.”
Odelm swam to my side of the enormous tub and searched through the soap baskets. He picked a purple-swirled cube, then sat next to me.
“Can I wash you?”
A giggle escaped. “Of course. You don’t need to ask.”
I gave him my back, allowing him to take the lead.
Arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the ledge. He carried me into the deep center of the bathtub, lowering me into the water. His tentacles wrapped around my arms and legs as he cradled me in his arms.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”
Trusting him, I did.
He lowered me into the water, fully submerging me.
I kept my eyes closed and allowed the air to slowly exit my nose, listening to noises through the water. His tentacles gripped me tighter as he lifted me back to the surface.
I opened my eyes and gasped.
He carried me to the bench along the rear wall of the tub and set me down gently. Sliding his tentacles free, he allowed them to float among the bubbles on the surface. He picked up my leg and massaged it with both hands, rubbing the fragrant bubbles into my skin. A loud moan escaped at the heavenly sensation.
Odelm chuckled as he moved to my other leg.
“Odelm. If I wasn’t so hungry, you could do this to me all day long.”
His pale green eyes met my own. “I am glad I please you.”
“You have some magic fingers,” I confessed. “It must be the dexterity required for your music.”
“Turn around. Let me use my magic fingers on your hair and back.”
I smiled and turned obediently, presenting my back. He scooped up a handful of bubbles and placed them on my head. Combing his fingers through my hair, he worked the soap into it.
Odelm placed his hands on my shoulders and whispered into my ear, “Lean back. Let me rinse your hair.”
A shiver went down my spine.
Closing my eyes, I leaned into him and allowed him to dip my head in the water. His tentacles combed through my hair as he held my face above the water.
Slowly, he guided me back upright and slid my hair over my shoulder to expose my back. Starting at my neck, he soaped and massaged my neck and shoulders, silent as he worked his way down my body. His complete focus and the care with which he attended me reminded me of the way he played his music—made me feel as if I was one of his instruments and he my owner.
A shiver passed through me at the thought.
While the Yaarkins had treated me as an object, both Xylo and Odelm seemed to worship me. Though they claimed me as their nestqueen, it never felt like a statement of ownership—more like I owned them. Or perhaps it was mutual—we belonged to one another.
I wanted that to be clear to everyone. My marks on their necks were a symbol of our bond, but I also needed to make it clear I was proud of them, proud of our bond.
Somehow the Fates or the Stars had allowed me to escape my masters. More than that, they had put me in the path of the Circuli and given me Xylo and Odelm. That I had been lucky—or blessed—enough to be rescued, healed, cared for, and fed without a demand for some sort of payment by a crew that revered their females and treated other species with respect was astounding.
I sent another silent prayer of thanks to the Stars.
He stepped back and smiled, his warm eyes tracing my body.
I returned his smile, feeling clean and thoroughly relaxed.
Odelm scooped me, dripping, into his arms and carried me out of the tub. As he set me on the edge of the bath, he grabbed one of the towels sitting nearby to dry me. I could feel his happiness radiating through our bond.
When he’d finished, I stood and touched his chest. “Thank you Odelm, that was lovely. Why don’t you dry yourself? I will get dressed.”
“Are you sure?” His gaze went from my hand to my face.
“Yes.”
I smiled at him and went into the closet to grab a simple gown and a pair of slip-on shoes. I dressed in haste—conscious of my stomach’s angry growling—and headed back to the bedroom.
It was empty.
Tracing the bond threads to my nestmates, I saw both were already in the common room. I smiled. I pulled open the door to the common room and entered, walking right into the middle of an argument.
Kaede sat on my loveseat with his feet up on the center table, a pair of empty glasses near his feet. My nestmates faced him wearing identical expressions of fury.
They fell silent as I entered the room.
“What’s going on?”
All three turned to face me.
“Kaede decided to move in while we were sleeping. I woke up when I heard our main door open,” Xylo explained.
Glancing at Kaede, I raised a brow and asked, “How did you get in here? Who said you could move in?”
He chuckled with little humor.
“I told you. I have full control of the ship. I also said that I would come back to talk about what happened and follow you around from here on out.”
That was it. That was the last straw. Not so much as a by-your-leave. Arrogant ass. I couldn’t handle him right now. He’d hurt me. I’d asked for space and he still didn’t listen. For him to now abuse his power to get what he wanted—to invade my privacy—was uncalled for.
I turned on my heel.
“I’m going to have breakfast with my nestmates. You aren’t invited. When we return, you’d better be gone. I didn’t approve you’re moving in here. You aren’t welcome. Not until you apologize. Until then, I want nothing to do with you.”
He laughed.
I hissed in outraged anger and stalked out of the suite, my nestmates following behind me. They stayed silent until we were seated in our usual booth in the café—as always, Xylo to my right, Odelm to my left.
“I have been arguing with both Kaede and the princes since I woke. The princes apologized once more—though they refused to get involved in our dispute with Kaede. They said he controls the Destiny until we reach CEG HQ and they do not want to cause problems, not when this is a private quarrel between Kaede and our clan. They are not going to intervene.”
I growled, “Can’t we sedate
him until we reach the space station? Or something? He has to have some weakness.”
Odelm chuckled. Xylo and I looked over at him in surprise.
“What?”
“Unless Xylo knows something I am unaware of, I can think of only one weakness Kaede has.” Odelm smirked.
“And what is that?” I asked.
Odelm glanced at Xylo before locking his pale green eyes on mine. “Do not worry about it. Let your nestmates take care of it.”
I growled.
Yes, I trusted them, but I hated being kept in the dark. Glancing between them, I tried to read their expressions. Blank. Nothing but blank. They were not planning to tell me.
“Once we get done with your checkup, I think you should go talk to Kaede,” Xylo said, clearly trying to divert my attention. “Only you can fix things between you. He will not listen to anyone else on the ship.”
“Xylo is right. He may have hurt you, but he will not be going away. Like it or not, he is your Head of Security. Unless you have some way to contact his client—to go over his head—he will do what he must to fulfill his mission,” Odelm reminded me.
I growled again, tapping my fingers on the table.
I didn’t know who his client was, but I did have a connection with my cub’s sire. I pondered whether he could perhaps help—maybe get in touch with Kaede’s client... No. No help if I didn’t even know who the client was. Plus, I’d told him to leave me alone until we met in person. Which meant I’d have to ask Kaede’s assistance in contacting him... Nope.
Looks like I would have to deal with Kaede and his shitty attitude personally. I sighed.
Xylo grabbed my hands and I shifted my gaze to him. He squeezed them reassuringly. “Selena, I know you do not want to, but I really think it would benefit you in the long run. Having Kaede on our side when we get to CEG HQ would help us all.”
Odelm placed a hand on my thigh. A calming blanket soothed my agitation. “You need to calm down. Stressing is not going to solve anything nor is it good for you.”
We wrapped up our meal and my nestmates kept the conversation light, knowing I was dreading the coming discussion. I appreciated their efforts and felt a little less stressed by the time we arrived at the infirmary.
