Choosing Riley

by S. E. Smith

  Riley chuckled. “You lose?”

  Carmen nodded. “I never should have taught him how to play poker,” she said before a rosy blush swept up her cheeks.

  Riley sighed before she looked up at Carmen. “Will you help me get back home?” She asked nervously.

  Carmen stared into Riley’s eyes for several minutes before she nodded. “If that is what you want, I will do my best to see that you get back home.”

  Riley looked away as tears burned her eyes again. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Between the sudden hot flashes and the emotional roller coasters she was about ready to go postal on someone’s ass. She was too damn young for menopause.

  “I have family back home,” Riley said clearing her throat. “I have a grandmother and a baby sister. Not much, but it is all I have. Plus, I need to stop Dudley Dipshit and Daddy Dumbest from killing anyone else. I took the files and photos that would put them away but it doesn’t do a damn bit of good up here.”

  “I’ll talk to Creon and see what I can do. By the way, I love your descriptions. You wouldn’t have a few you could share on a couple of Bobbsey-twins that have been practically parked up my ass, do you?” Carmen asked humorously.

  Riley’s eyes glittered. “Darling, you are talking to the Queen of Mean. The mouth from Denver. The Bitch extraordinare. Give me a little background and we can make them beg for a transfer.”

  Chapter 14

  The next several days passed in relative quiet, at least after the first night. She had talked Carmen into helping her find a temporary place to stay until she could sort out her feelings and deal with what had happened. Vox had not handled the new sleeping arrangements very well. He had left deep gouges on the outside of the door when she refused to open it. According to Carmen, he had gone ballistic when he returned to their living quarters and found her things gone. He had roared, hissed, and snarled for over an hour before he realized that she was not coming out and he was not going to be allowed in. Riley shivered as she thought about his parting words. He had vowed that when he got his hands on her, she would never get away from him again.

  Lucky for her, she had a few hidden resources he wasn’t aware of, namely a couple of guys who were having way too much fun at his expense. Thanks to them, she had gotten really, really good at hiding from him. If she didn’t know better, she would think they were enjoying his discomfort. The first clue she had was when Creon’s face lit up with a huge grin as he showed her to her new living quarters then proceeded to show her a half dozen times how to override the system so she could seal it from the inside. The second clue was when Ha’ven had come trotting up to her early the next morning with a cool little device that showed Vox’s exact position at all times on board the Horizon. He had even shown her how to switch to a map that would display ways to get away from Vox should he get too close. She had eyed the two men with a cynical look but all they did was grin and slap each other on the back a lot. She had even approached Carmen about it but all her new friend did was roll her eyes and mutter something about little boys and payback.

  She spent most of the day with Carmen or exploring the ship. Her favorite time was when she and Carmen went to visit with Mel and Cal, two other humans on board. They had been abducted in much the same way as she had been and sold to the Antrox as well. The biggest difference was ‘Mel’ turned out to be ‘Melina’. Riley just shook her head in disbelief that no one else appeared to see through the oversized clothes and the ‘grandson’ references. One look at the way Melina walked and the soft sound of her giggle was enough for Riley to figure it out.

  She had been relaxing with Carmen and Cal when she put two and two together. She finally answered Carmen’s question as to how she had ended up with five mates instead of the one. That was when Melina had given herself away.

  “So, who is the scarecrow?” Riley asked Cal.

  “Scarecrow?” Cal repeated confused.

  Riley jerked her head toward the cargo crates where Melina spent her time hiding whenever anyone came into the repair bay. “Yeah, little miss Priss. Does she think I have cooties or something?”

  Carmen’s soft gasp told Riley she had let the cat out of the bag. “Granddaughter,” Carmen murmured. “That is why she stays hidden and doesn’t talk.”

  Cal had called out to Melina to join them and slowly explained why they had decided to continue the ruse. Cal mentioned that Creon promised that he would return them to Earth with the understanding that they could never tell anyone about what happen to them. Riley’s brain froze on those softly spoken words. Cal and Melina were going to be returned to Earth, so that meant she would be going as well.

  Riley listened absent-mindedly to the conversation going on around her. A part of her was interested as Cal relayed story after story of the past four years of their lives on the mining asteroid but it was only a small part. She was overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of never seeing Vox again. Sure she had been avoiding the big pussy cat, but she always knew where he was thanks to Ha’ven’s neat little device. She casually slid it out of the pocket of her skirt and glanced down at the mark showing Vox was back in their living quarters.

  His, Riley reminded herself. His living quarters. She thought sadly as she watched the tiny spec on the screen. I wonder if he misses me as much as I miss him.

  She was just sliding the device back into her pocket when the door to the repair bay opened and the other twin who protected Carmen walked in. Melina jumped to her feet and scurried back between the crates before he had taken more than a few steps inside. Riley’s eyebrow rose in wonder as she saw the dark hunger and confusion in the male’s eyes before he shielded them.

  Somebody is not happy, Riley thought with a curve of her lips. And somebody doesn’t realize that Mel is really Melina if the confused look is any indication of his feelings.

  Life, it would appear, was about to get very interesting for Melina if Riley had to make a guess. She had seen the same expressions on the other twin’s face. She wondered how long it would take before they figured out Mel was a girl. She also wondered if they would discover it before Cal and Melina made it back to Earth.

  “My lady, your mate wishes to see you,” Cree said in a low voice to Carmen before he cleared his throat and looked carefully at Riley. “Your mate as well, Lady Riley. Lord Vox said quote, “tell her to get her beautiful ass to our living quarters now’.”

  Riley snorted and tossed her heavy mane of blond hair over her shoulder. If he thought trying to be sweet while still bossing her around was going to work he had another think coming. It didn’t matter anyway. Now that she knew for sure they were heading back to Earth, she would do whatever she had to resist. Deep down, she admitted that if Vox ever got his hands on her again, she might not let him take them off.

  She shivered as another wave of heat started flaring inside her. She was already wearing lighter clothing. Ever since Vox made love to her she had been having blasted hot flashes. They were getting worse, especially at night. Not only that, she felt like there was something weird going on with her skin. She could swear something was moving underneath it. It was really beginning to freak her out. If it didn’t stop soon, she might have to ask Carmen for help again.

  No, Riley thought dismally. I need to stick with my plan. Staying away from him is definitely still the best for everyone, especially me.

  Her mind might rebel against the idea, her body might protest it vehemently, but it was the safest plan for a supporting character like her. That was one reason why she had made herself watch all the science fiction movies she had on her iPad again. She was not about to take a chance of having anything exploding out of her or morphing her into some disgusting creature that ate people.

  Riley drew in a deep breath before she responded to Cree with a determination born out of desperation. “Tell him quote ‘my beautiful ass is quite comfortable where it is and he can shove his…” Riley almost broke off when Cree made a choking sound during one of her really descriptive-fille
d sentences. She finally took pity on him when she realized there was no way he could remember everything she said anyway. “Oh, never mind. Tell him I’ll be there when I’m damn well ready,” she muttered instead in resignation.

  *.*.*

  Vox ran his hands through his hair and groaned as he bent over. The pain he was feeling was not just mental anymore but had manifested in the physical as well. His cat needed his mate as much as he needed his. The fact they were one and the same didn’t matter. His cat was clawing at his insides until he felt raw. The one night that he had with Riley would never be enough. He couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, he could barely function. He knew Creon and Ha’ven were having fun at his expense. He would have done the same thing to them if given half a chance. The problem is they didn’t understand how devastating it was for a Sarafin male to be separated from his mate, especially during the transformation. Riley would have begun feeling the changes almost from the very first. The problem was that the symptoms she was experiencing would gradually get worse. It could become dangerous to them both if he was not there to support her.

  Go get mate, his cat roared furiously, slashing at him again. You should have kept her with you.

  Vox grimaced at the fury in his cat. How in the Guall’s balls was I to know she would get a hair up her butt and hide from us?

  Need mate. Can feel her, his cat hissed back, pacing inside him.

  Gods, he probably should have told her about the transformation. In all honesty, he hadn’t thought about it since he didn’t think it was going to be an issue. Now, he wasn’t so sure that had been a good thing to keep from her. With his luck, she would finish shredding him to pieces once she found out what he had done.

  That’s what you get for thinking, his cat angrily snarled back.

  Will you just go lay down? Vox snapped back. And for the sake of all the Gods, quit using my insides as a scratching post! It is not helping me.

  Vox breathed a sigh of relief when his cat finally settled down in a sullen heap inside him. He tiredly ran his hands over his face. He straightened up when the chime on the door sounded to let him know someone was there. His heart jumped for a moment wondering hopefully if maybe Riley had finally come to her senses and returned to him before he remember that this was Riley. She never did anything that he expected or wanted for that matter. He gave the command for the door to open and let out his breath when he saw Cree standing outside of it alone.

  “She’s not coming, is she?” Vox said more than asked.

  Cree’s lips turned up in a slight tilt at the corners before he replied. “No, my lord. I have to admit I’ve never heard so many colorful and descriptive ways for body parts to be placed. She said to inform you she will join you when she feels like it. I would not expect her anytime soon.”

  “Thank you, Cree,” Vox said wearily. “I would just like to know how in the Gods she is able to avoid me.”

  Cree’s eyes lit up with amusement. “I couldn’t say, my lord. Though I believe the tiny device she carries around that Lord Ha’ven gave her might have something to do with that,” he offered.

  Vox’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you again, my friend. If you ever get tired of hanging with the Valdier, you could always come to Sarafin. Who knows, you might find your mate among our females.”

  Cree’s face smoothed into a blank mask but Vox saw the slight tightening around his mouth before he replied. “I appreciate the offer, my lord. I may take it under consideration.”

  Cree nodded to Vox before he turned and strode down the corridor. Vox stood at the door, watching. So, Creon and Ha’ven were behind Riley’s successful escape. He needed to find out what Ha’ven gave her. That damn Curizan was a wizard when it came to creating useful and annoying devices. It was about time he took some of his aggravation out on a couple of royal pains in the asses.

  “Computer, what is the location of Ha’ven and Creon?” Vox called out.

  “Lords Ha’ven and Creon are currently in the training area,” the automated voice replied.

  “Perfect,” Vox grinned as he headed out the door.

  *.*.*

  An hour later, all three men sat on the padding that covered the floor. They were drenched in sweat and a small amount of blood. Creon lay back, staring up at the ceiling drawing in deep breaths while Ha’ven checked out a new wound he had on the back of his arm. Vox sat with his arms draped over his knees, panting.

  “That was interesting,” Ha’ven said dryly. “Could you keep the claws in next time, Vox? This stings like a Sargum’s piss.”

  Vox looked up with a nasty grin. “You help Riley again and it won’t be your arm that feels my claws.”

  Creon chuckled from where he lay on the mat, exhausted. “So that was why you felt the need to kick our asses. I haven’t had to fight so hard since the wars.”

  Vox glared at Creon. “Don’t think I didn’t figure out that you were the one to help my mate relocate,” Vox grunted out. “You two owe me. You have to help me capture her.”

  “What the hell fun is that?” Ha’ven grumbled.

  “I need her,” Vox replied quietly. “She will be going through the transformation.”

  Creon sat up and stared at Vox. “I thought all your females could already transform into cats.”

  Vox looked at Creon before he turned his gaze down to the floor in front of him. “Sarafin females, yes. As you know, Riley is human. If a female is of a different species and is our mate, a warrior and his cat can share his essence giving a part of himself to her.” He looked up at his two friends who were now focused on what he was saying. “This leaves us vulnerable. Because we have given a part of who we are away, we must be near them or we suffer great distress.”

  Creon stared intently at his huge, spotted friend. “Define distress.”

  Vox grimaced as a wave of pain swept through him. “It is much like you and your dragon,” he said. “We feel intense pain, need, and anxiety. Riley will have already begun the transformation. I did not tell her about it. I was afraid if I did she would not be very happy,” he grinned briefly. “Riley can be very difficult when she is not happy.”

  Ha’ven threaded his fingers through his hair and looked at his friend in sympathy. “Gods Vox, if I had known it would be this difficult for you I would never have given her that damn locator. I was just playing around.”

  “I know, that is why I didn’t beat your ass into the ground,” Vox replied. “But, I will if you ever help her to get away from me again. You know, she is pretty good at that on her own. She put me on the ground twice already.”

  “If you tell us how she did it, we’ll help you catch her,” Creon laughed. “I would pay good credits to hear how she was able to put the mighty king of the Sarafin down on the ground. You know, she is not the most coordinated female I have ever met.”

  *.*.*

  Carmen came to see Riley later that evening. She explained Vox’s warship the Shifter had arrived. If anything, that made Riley want to stay locked in the living quarters even more. All she wanted to do was sit and cry. In fact, that is all she had been wanting to do since she moved into the stupid room. She had thought being away from Vox would have helped her put things in perspective. She was human and returning to Earth, he was an alien and would go off and kill other aliens. Instead, she was suffering from PMS, menopause, and newly discovered sexual frustration on top of feeling like she was about ready to pop out of her own skin when anything brushed against her. Hell, even her clothes were driving her crazy. This morning when she had gotten dressed she had actually hissed when she put on her bra! Who the hell hissed about a bra?

  “Are you okay?” Carmen asked as she took in Riley’s flushed face. “You look like you might be running a fever.”

  Riley’s eyes teared up. “Ever since Vox made love to me I’ve felt funny. I don’t know what is going on. I’m having hot flashes, my skin is so sensitive I want to scream, and it ..... it.....” Her voice hiccuped as she tried to talk over the lump in her throat. �
�I feel like something is crawling around inside me,” she wailed.

  Carmen’s eyes grew round as she listened to Riley’s choked explanation. Her mouth tightened as she remembered Creon forgetting to tell her about a vital piece of information when he had claimed her. She suspected what Riley was going through was very similar. Carmen put her arm around Riley and guided her over to a chair. Pushing her friend down, she sat across from her.

  “I didn’t understand what it would mean when Creon claimed me,” Carmen began. “I don’t know what it is like for the Sarafin species. I can only tell you what happened to me. When a Valdier warrior and his dragon claim a female they release something known as the dragon’s fire into the female. It changes her. I didn’t understand at first. It felt like there was something moving under my skin.” Carmen smiled in understanding when Riley brushed her damp cheeks and nodded. “Then, I heard another voice inside me. It turned out to be my dragon. I suddenly remembered seeing scales rippling across my skin when Creon and I were making love. When I heard the voice, everything fell into place. Creon had changed me somehow. I was now able to transform into a dragon as well. I was his true mate,” Carmen said before she looked over to stare out into the darkness of space. “It is still unbelievable to me how much my life has changed.” Carmen looked back at Riley with sad eyes. “I was waiting to die. My only focus was to return to Earth to do it.”

  “Do you still want to go back?” Riley asked sensing there was a lot to Carmen that she didn’t know.

  “A part of me does,” Carmen admitted softly. “I need closure for my life before. My husband ....” Carmen paused and took a deep breath, laying one of her hands across her stomach. “My husband was murdered in front of me. I was pregnant and had been shot several times. I lost them both. I wanted - needed - to kill the man responsible. I knew that I would die as well.” Carmen looked at Riley with a haunted expression in her eyes. “I wanted to die before. Now I have Creon and I’m expecting again. I have a chance at starting over.”