by Erin Raegan
“We will?” Pehytohn was smiling softly as she watched my father.
“It is tradition. A Dahk greets their siblings as they are given new life,” I told her and pulled her to my side. “You will come with me?” I glanced at her sad friend.
She glanced at Veeveen as well but squared her shoulders and looked back at me. “I would love to.”
“Thank you, my yula.” I kyssd her brow and pulled her from the room. Yilt and Veeveen followed behind us. I knew it would be difficult for her to leave her friend at the castle, but I was proud of her for pushing past her apprehension for my father’s House.
“I want to come.” Veeveen surprised us both with her announcement as we reached the entry hall.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to, Viv.” Pehytohn stopped and held her friend's hand. “Stay with Hector.”
“No, I-I can’t,” she choked, blinking away tears. “I can’t stay here another second wondering. I’m going insane, besides, a baby Dahk?” She grinned openly. “I love babies. I want to see.”
My mate smiled, “They’ve got to be adorable right? Tiny wings and fangs?” The two laughed and held hands.
“Come, then.” I guided them out the door, enjoying their excited whispers. I was immensely pleased to know my mate enjoyed babes, for I planned to give her as many as possible.
Borv and Syn waited outside the great hall doors and they filed out behind us. I was pleased to see they still guarded the humans, but I would be speaking to Borv at a later date. He had allowed Nonya to harm her. The despicable female should have never had the chance to get her claws in my mate's soft hide. I knew the Dahk guard felt shame for the attack, but I would not mention it to my mate, I thought, remembering how she reacted to Fihk’s shame. Although I would enjoy her denial and manipulations very much, she did not need the added burden she would no doubt take on herself.
I was disgusted with myself that a female that I had once shared a bed with hurt my mate. Filiya and now Nonya. I shook my head. I would keep my guard high. Alyn did not strike me as having such character, but I could no longer trust my own judgment. I would need to inquire about her and her actions. I would not risk her turning on my mate as the others had.
An example would be made of Nonya. Her death would warn any who thought to scheme and harm my mate. There were too many on Home World I could not trust with her safety. Nonya would die a painful death and let it be a lesson to all other Dahk. I would not tolerate any act against my mate.
The ride to Ilyndahdus was long and anxious. All seats on the ship were taken, and my father’s mates spoke with frenzied excitement. Seeing their joy and disbelief, I realized Uthyf spoke true. I could not remember the last time I held a dahkling. There were a few amongst the castle, but none near my own House. Byda gave us a gift. I was happy for my father, for I knew they tried for many sunrings. I prayed my mate and I did not have such difficulties.
I did not like how I suddenly questioned my own convictions. Were my father and Uthyf right? Should I reconsider their motives to aid the humans? If the Dahk truly struggled to conceive, was I an enemy of my own species to deny them the chance to align with the humans in this endeavor?
I was so lost in solemn thoughts of Uthyf’s plan, I did not realize my mate had been calling my name. She pressed her chest to my middle tightly. “Tahk? You okay?” I nodded and nuzzled her neck. Licking along the soft skin under her chin. She sighed and clutched my middle. “This is rare, isn’t it? Byda?”
“Yes. I had not thought on it too much until now.”
“Uthyf’s right, isn’t he?” She held her body stiff against me, dropping her brow onto my chest. “You guys need the humans, don’t you?”
“I fear this, but yes. I cannot remember the last birth in my ancestor's line. I believe it was Kudeyas. My father has three brothers, and only one of them have a dahkling of their own.”
“Wow. He doesn’t want to hurt them, though. He only wants to offer a chance for those that want to help you for helping us, right?”
I sighed and clutched her tighter. “I will be honest with you, mate. I will not risk our mating again by keeping anything from you.” She stiffened but did not move away. “Uthyf has become a Dahk I do not recognize. He has done things, made decisions I would not have expected from him. I do not believe him dishonorable, but I fear my judgment is already at risk after learning of Aryx’s betrayal.”
“I trust you, Tahk. Aryx did a bad thing, but from what I understand he was a good King besides that. Maybe not fierce or the strongest, but fair and kind to his own species. Everyone is susceptible to suggestion. Maybe his fear for his people got the best of him, and his Council was there to fuel the fire. I’m not a King, and I can’t imagine that kind of pressure, but my own people wanted to use nuclear bombs instead of allying with you. Everyone does crazy things when faced with insurmountable odds. Uthyf is now faced with that fear, and I hope maybe he’s stronger than his brother and can see a better way for both of our species.”
“My wise, mate. I hope you are right.”
I breathed in her sweet scent and held her close as we flew up to my father's House. I prayed to the ancestors for Byda’s safety and that of her dahkling during the birth. I prayed for my species and that of my mates. The coming days would be filled with darkness. But I hoped this day would be filled with only joy.
My mate and Veeveen pressed their faces against the portal, taking in the view of Ilyndahdus. Pehytohn had already seen it, but she watched the warm colors and lush life as if it were the first time for her as well as Veeveen. Looking at the warmest sector of Home World through my mate’s eyes, I realized it must have been very strange compared to her planet. We did not have blue skies, only the darkness of space. Our plant life was deeper in color and not the greens she was used to. Our toyl stones cast lavender tones off the ice on the planet, but in Ilyndahdus, the golden toyl glowed as if the sun was given new life and held this small piece of land in its warmth.
My father’s House was not far from my own, and we circled the base before landing. His House was larger than my own and was so deep into the mountainside, only a few portals could be seen. He did not have terraces as my House did, preferring to live deep into the caverns.
“It looks like caves,” Veeveen whispered. Pehytohn nodded.
We disembarked quickly and met my fathers herald at the bottom of the ship. “She cries for you, my Lord.” Liftu bowed deeply and spread his wings. Haytu did not look back as he followed the Dahk into the sky, his mates quickly flying up behind him.
“Come, lovely.” I lifted my mate, relishing as she embraced me so easily. She had been a reluctant passenger in my arms last we flew together. Now she held me close, her nails digging into my shoulders in fear, but her eyes dancing with excitement. My little mate did not like flying. I grinned and spread my wings wide. Soon I would show her the joys of flying high above her new home. I would have her overcome her fear and bask in her delight in the sight of looking down on all that Home World had to offer.
Yilt carried Veeveen, and together with my siblings, we met in the entry hall to my father’s House.
“Oh, wow.” Pehytohn breathed in wonder against my hima. I stiffened. Her warm breath stirred my member until it hung heavily against my thigh. I had her not but a few dimtides past, and already I craved more of her. She wiggled impatiently, and I growled low as her anxious movements forced me to release her. She dropped to her feet and gasped as she felt my hardness against her soft stomach. “We’re at your parents’ house.” She grinned through her scowl and shook her head. Her attention was quickly diverted back to her surroundings. She stumbled away from me, her neck straining as her head dropped back to stare at the dwellings cavernous dome. “It’s so beautiful.” Her mouth gaped in awe.
“It’s like a sparkly cave.” Veeveen pointed up at the toyl stone above us. They hung in pointed groupings, dipping down in sharp spikes.
“My father lives as the old Dahk did.” I murmured, looking a
round, seeing my world once again through my mate's amazement. Where now the Dahk carved and shaved the dangerous groupings of toyl, my father kept his home in its natural state. Even the ground beneath us was still as rough as the uninhabited caverns all over Home World. Only the sleeping quarters in his home were altered, as his mates would not sleep beneath the dangerous spikes.
“Is it very different from Earth?” Kudeyas asked my mate curiously.
“We have caves, and they are beautiful, but not like this. This is something else. The toyl stone reflects off itself here. It’s like a rainbow.” Her voice was low and husky. It did nothing but drive my lust for her.
“Come,” I growled. I could not listen to her a moment longer without dragging her to the nearest private cavern.
My mate startled as I dragged her from the room, but one glance at my hungry face and her steps quickened. She giggled sweetly and squeezed my arm.
Veeveen and Pehytohn were very difficult to corral to Byda’s room. They stopped to gape and point at every grouping of toyl. Every room more shocking to them than the last. Perhaps I would search for a similar dwelling for my mate, so she may look upon it with the same wonder. It could be gifted to her. I also had another thought in mind for the wanted gifts she revealed to Kudeyas, but I would need to speak to Veeveen.
At last, we made it to the rooms belonging to my father’s mates. They shared a wing of the House, with my father’s rooms on the opposite end of the dwelling. Pehytohn and I would not do this, I realized. There was no need for her to have her own space for I would never share my bed with any other but her. She would lay down in my bed every eve and wake the same. With me by her side. This pleased me so immensely I realized what a fool I had been on the journey here. There was never a chance I would mate another. I could bear no other but her, and our bond would be closer than any Dahk’s. She was mine, just as I was hers.
Byda’s cries were loud. My father’s nearly drowning out her own. My mate glanced at the door in alarm as my father roared in pain. I grinned and pushed through.
“Wait,” she hissed grabbing my arm. “Should we be going in there?”
“Why ever not?” Vyndor asked, easing past me and through the door.
“Isn’t it private?” Pehytohn gaped at him, and Borv and Syn moved through the door, grinning in excitement.
“Is a birth a private affair on Earth?” Kudeyas stopped and tilted her head curiously. My sister found the humans and their culture fascinating. If she were a traveler, I would be worried she had plans to see Earth for herself. But my sister had never left Home World.
“Uh yeah, sort of. Only healers and normally the female’s mate are allowed in the room.”
Kudeyas hummed and folded her arms. “It is not so here. A birth is just as a mating. It is blessed by the House. All attend.”
“Oh.” My mate looked adorably confused. I grinned and nudged her through the door. She crossed the threshold just as my father released another painful roar. Pehytohn gasped so sharply coughs racked her small body.
“Oh my god, I can’t unsee it!” Veeveen flailed her hands in the air and spun in a circle, smacking at Yilt as he blocked her exit.
“Um, Tahk?” Pehytohn shook my arm until I glanced down at her. Her eyes were squeezed shut tightly. “Why is your father’s dick out?”
“You have used this word before. It is a male's member, yes?” Syn asked casually leaning against the wall.
“No.” Borv crossed his arms, “She has called Cohlt this. It is a human curse.”
“She has referred to the Commander as a dihk as well.” Yilt grinned unrepentantly, corralling Veeveen into the corner of the room.
“You have?” I asked my flushed mate. “When?”
“No, not― it was a while ago.” Pehytohn turned her back on the room and stepped closer. Her eyes still carefully squeezed tight. My father roared again, and my mate flinched, her cheeks flooding with more color. “Why is your dad having sex right now?”
Chapter 19
Peyton
Apparently, the Dahk had sex to have a baby. While everyone was watching.
Vivian and I stayed in the far back of the room as Haytu humped Byda into the bed. Tahk found our mortification hilarious. In fact, all of them did. Syn particularly. He could not stop laughing at us every time Haytu or Byda made very loud noises. The strangest part was that Haytu sounded distinctly like he was in pain.
I would have left, but I didn’t want to insult any of them. This was clearly a really big deal. No one overtly watched the mated pair get it on. In fact, they carried on separate conversations all throughout the room like it wasn’t even happening. Myrna’s cool composure fascinated me, and I found myself watching her the most. There must have been over thirty Dahk in the room, and she traveled the room, welcoming each of them as her mate screwed his other mate on the massive bed.
Pyntera and Wayka huddled near the healers, directing some of them while they set up random supplies, and aiding others while they chanted low around the bed.
I suspected some of the Dahk were Haytu’s mates’ parents, but I couldn’t be sure. A lot of them looked older but not by much.
Syn watched Kudeyas in between teasing us, and the female seemed totally indifferent towards him. She instead grilled Tahk on Earth after he had gotten frustrated with her asking me and Vivian. I hadn’t minded when she did, though. I would gladly take the distraction from what was going on at the other end of the room. Just how long did they have to go at each other? Haytu’s stamina was impressive.
After Vivian and I made it clear that was not how humans gave birth, he told us it was totally normal with the Dahk. Something about coaxing Byda’s female canal to open and present the dahkling. Haytu’s skills would get her canal ready, and his seed would encourage her womb to soften for the dahkling’s departure.
Vivian giggled uncontrollably throughout Tahk’s entire explanation, and I worried she would upset him and everyone else. But he and the others laughed with her. It was clear we were shocked, and no one seemed to take offense. Yilt stayed close, but he had visibly relaxed after hearing Vivian’s giggles. It was a relief to see her open up and enjoy herself. I hoped it would last, but I knew eventually thoughts of Hector would tear her down again.
But in that room, we were like two little girls peeking through our fingers every few minutes and laughing uncomfortably every time Haytu or Byda roared. Vivian had asked Tahk why Haytu sounded like he was being tortured when I couldn’t summon the courage, and I wished she hadn’t.
Tahk had looked us strangely before calmly stating, “He finds release many times. Not even the strongest of Dahk accomplish the feat without a great deal of pain. Byda’s womb rejects him, but he proves his strength and desire for a dahkling by enduring the pain.”
“How does she reject him?” Vivian asked in alarm. I pinched her. Hard. “Ow, dammit Peyton, I want to know.”
“Well, I don’t.” I widened my eyes at her pointedly. Why was this knowledge we needed to have?
“You might want to know if you’re going to have Tahk’s babies.” Vivian squinted back and pinched under my arm. I yelped and glared at her. She had a point, but still. I think I’d rather worry about that if I ever got pregnant. I hadn’t gotten my period yet, but I wasn’t due for another week, at least.
Tahk sighed and rubbed my injured arm. “Females.” He scowled at our pinching fingers. “Byda’s canal contracts. Haytu forces himself through. If he does not, her canal will not be stretched for the dahkling. It does not injure her. It eases her pain greatly, but in this Haytu takes on her pain for her.”
“Oh, that’s kind of sweet.” Vivian smiled while blushing.
“When you have my dahkling, yula, I will endure this pain for you as well,” Tahk stated proudly. Vivian snorted while I flushed hotly.
“Oh, that’s really sweet.” I glared when Vivian snorted again. “But, humans contract in their womb.” And by the way, I was so not ready to have Tahk’s babies. But I just c
ould not wipe that endearing lovesick look from his face. Besides, it’s not like I was on any birth control way out in the middle of space. Not that I hadn’t tried. Gryo was so horrified I never brought it up again. I swear he was about to lock me up if I had continued to ask him. Now I knew why. Dahkling were so rare here that it was unheard of to prevent them.
“Your womb?” Tahk glanced down in alarm.
“Here.” I rubbed my pelvis.
“My member will not ready your canal? Will my seed soften your womb?” Tahk eyed my hand uncertainly.
“No…” I trailed off when he stiffened.
Vivian laughed. I glared at her again. “Tahk, human females bear the pain all on their own. You can hold her hand, though.”
“Yilt, call for Gryo.” Tahk stormed away. “I will speak to him immediately. I wish to know all he has learned of my mate's womb.”
I squawked and grabbed for him. “Are you serious? He studied my womb?”
“Yes, you know this.” Tahk clutched me close to him. “We will find a solution mate. I will not allow you to bear to the pain of our dahkling’s birth on your own.”
Vivian snorted through more laughter.
“I’m not pregnant with a dahkling yet, Tahk,” I said dryly.
“And you know this for certain?”
Oh man, Tahk looked devastated. I kissed his arm. “No, honey, I don’t know for certain.”
I was going to kill Vivian if she didn’t control herself.
Tahk’s lids lowered. “I like this word. Hooney.” His hand drifted low and brushed over the curve of my ass. I squirmed.
“Not here.” I scowled and pushed away from him. He could not turn me on right now. It was all kinds of creepy and inappropriate.
Tahk grinned devilishly and nuzzled my neck. “If you do not already carry my son, I will make it so this eve.”
I laughed despite myself and ran back to Vivian. I had to turn away from Tahk to get control of myself. His hot look of promise was killing me. I suddenly couldn’t wait to try for a baby.
