Elm: A Phoenix Warrior Romance (Phoenix in Flames Book 8)

by Catty Diva

  Her moan delighted him. His tongue licked her slowly getting more of her honey to enjoy. A finger moved up to plunge inside her as his tongue moved to her little bundle of nerves to circle it. The whimpers and moans that came from her drove his need higher. That they were about to mate forever made his excitement even stronger. His gums tingled as he fought to keep his fangs down until the time was right. They could hurt his mate if they cut her.

  Soon her passion would erupt, she would find her first release, and he would get a mouthful of her sweet juices. She was moving around and arching up against him. Her fingers were wrapped in his hair holding his face against her center. He now had two fingers inside her and added another as his tongue worked her clit faster than ever. Her moans grew louder as she began to thrash. Liquid honey hit his tongue in a gush of release.

  Once he licked up most of it, he slid up her body impaling her on his rigid staff. Her pussy clenched it tight still caught up in the aftermath of her climax. Gods, it felt amazing! He began to pump in and out of her sweet pussy feeling so good it was indescribable. His mate was everything to him. The rhythm he set was fast as it drove them both closer to their orgasm. Once achieved, he’d be ready to join them forever.

  While he kissed her, it wasn’t a deep kiss because his fangs refused to retract now. His whole body was aware of what was about to happen. Excitement even beyond what sex could give washed over him at the thought of claiming his mate. That moment was just seconds away as he felt her begin to tense just before her climax rolled over her. As he struck her neck where it met her shoulder, his orgasm hit him too. The taste of her blood was spicy and sweet.

  This joining was everything he’d thought it would be and so much more. A bond began to form and the connection between them was strong and instantaneous. The love filled him, although he’d already felt it. Now it was even stronger. Nothing mattered more to him than she did. As his seed filled her, he held her close drinking in the scent and the feel of his mate.

  They were both so exhausted they fell into a deep sleep. When he woke, Mike was up and cleaning her room. He felt good, rested and ready to make love to his mate again if he could pull her away from her cleaning chores.

  “How did you get so obsessed with cleaning?” He asked.

  She looked up surprised he was awake. “Earth military is strict about keeping quarters clean and watching out for your uniforms and equipment. Believe me, it is not worth letting things go. It’s not like it doesn’t have to be done at some point anyway.”

  “I just wanted to make sure you’re not a neat freak or a germaphobe.”

  “No. I was trained to be this way.” She admitted. “Since your up and I’ve already showered, why don’t I get dressed and you can shower and dress. Then we’ll go eat breakfast.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Why do you use so many Earth terms?”

  “We were on a space station with Patty and her mate for a while. She has the coolest parties and shows old Earth movies. You two would like each other.” He explained.

  “Patty is the one who runs space stations with her friend?”

  “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “I’d like to meet her sometime. I’ve heard so much about her.”

  “We’ll have to go there sometime when we’re on leave.” Now he rushed to get clean and then dressed. He was actually very hungry.

  They headed to the cafeteria. Down days were much like workdays when you were onboard the ship. Everything was well regulated and the choices of places to go were few. They could go to the cafeteria like they were to eat, work out in the gym, stay in their rooms which were somewhat confining, or go to the rec room to play games or watch shows on the screens set up around the room. While they ate, he thought about what they might do.

  He’d been onboard longer than Mike so maybe he could show her some less well known areas. “Have you seen the gardens yet?”

  “Gardens? Is that where they grow some of our food?” Mike asked.

  “It is, but they also have some flowers, herbs, and trees mixed in. They are lovely when certain plants bloom. Their scents can also be pleasant. There’s also a bay that holds aquariums of assorted sea creatures and plants. Some for food and some are interesting to watch.”

  “No one mentioned them before.”

  “It’s been hectic since you’ve come aboard. Normally new crew member are toured through the whole ship. There’s also a 3D room for entertainment. It’s only one room and often popular with most of the crew. Teresa plans to put in a few more to accommodate everyone.”

  “She’s a good leader, so is Flicker.”

  “I think we may not have her much longer.”

  “Is she leaving?”

  “No, but I think they may be enlarging their family.”

  “That’s why she wasn’t her usual self the other day?”

  “That’s what I believe.”

  “How will that effect everything else?”

  “Not much. She’ll work a while longer I would guess but she’ll stay onboard. At a certain point, Flicker will insist she stays on Oison and if she wants to work, she does it there. I believe she’ll understand. Wouldn’t you?” He looked to see what her answer would be.

  “I suppose so. Honestly, I never thought about it.” She admitted.

  “Under the current circumstances, maybe you should. I don’t think they planned the pregnancy so much as they did nothing to prevent it. Maybe that’s a talk we should have had a few days ago.”

  “I’m on birth control.” She explained.

  “I’m not sure it will work. We normally prevent our seed from getting inside except with our fated mate. That’s just to be completely sure.”

  “I’ve never heard that of any race. I guess I should have asked more questions.”

  “Would it be so bad if you conceived?” He asked.

  “No, I just like to have control of my life and plan for everything.”

  “You know it’s impossible to plan for it all, don’t you?”

  “Maybe, but I like to try.” Mike admitted. “Where are we headed? I’ve never been here before.”

  “This is where the garden is. Follow me.” He led her through the door into a tropical jungle. There were even a few bugs and animals loose inside.

  “What are the bugs for?”

  “The bees are to pollinate the flowers. The other bugs help break down the scraps and leftovers. Some of the small animals are exotic and look pretty.”

  “What the hell was that?”

  “The red lizard like creature?”

  “Yes, that.” She pointed. It was the size of a cat and seemed quite wild.

  “Flicker likes them and they are nearly extinct so when he found some on a raid, they put them in here. They don’t bite and are only dangerous to the bugs. They help keep their numbers where they need to be. It seems to be a good place for them. Their numbers are increasing. If we get many more we’ll release them into their native habitat.”

  “It’s pretty in here.”

  “I thought I would bring you here to talk. When we get our next leave, I’d like you to come to my parent’s house with me.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “You’re my mate now. Eventually you’ll have to meet them.” He grinned at her panicked look. “Angel met them and she’s still alive to tell about it.”

  She swatted his arm. “Stop picking on me. I don’t think they’re violent. It’s just a big step. I wish you could meet my family but with my parents gone, I don’t know where anyone else is now.”

  He pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I know you miss them. Maybe some of them will get found. Razar or some of the crew from the ships that go to Earth might have word of them.”

  “I doubt that. It couldn’t be that easy.”

  “There’s talk that in the near future our ship may run Razar to Earth to make another trade. It’s not a secret exactly, but they don’t want too many people to know.”

&n
bsp; “That would be great. You do mean this ship and crew?”

  “I do. It will be after our next leave. Certain things have to fall into place.”

  “I can understand that. Right now let’s just enjoy this beautiful place and a day away from work.” And that’s exactly what they did. It was a good day to be in love.

  Epilogue

  They were on leave for a month and she was finally getting to meet Elm’s parents. The other siblings, Oak and his mate, Ash, and Maple were all with them even though Ash and Maple would be returning after a couple of days. It was a well-deserved break and they both valued their time together away from work.

  While she had some family, they were scattered to the four winds. One sibling was on Earth, maybe more, but at least two were lost in space somewhere. Her parents? They died in the New York riots. Those occurred when people finally realized the Earth could no longer support them and that big business and corrupt politicians was to blame. Once her parents were gone, she was the only one who had tried to keep tabs on her siblings. She’d lost touch with them months ago.

  There was no point in losing herself in her sorrow, she had a future and that was what she would concentrate on. Life was moving on past Earth and all the pain she’d left behind there. That had been the whole point in coming to the Mazlans and joining their military. As far as she was concerned it had worked.

  She and Elm were solid as a couple and in time would expand their family, just not now. They would buy a house on Oison and build one near his family to prepare for the time they could afford to retire. Although their work was dangerous, she had found Elm hadn’t over stated her new abilities. If anything, he’d understated them. Her speed was substantially better, her endurance was amazing and she never seemed to be sick anymore. The strength she now had was incredible. All these things she hid from most people, but they would help her stay alive.

  No fire abilities had made themselves known yet, but they could still appear. Elm explained few mates developed them, but those who did discovered them later. That was after all other changes were noted.

  The shuttle was landing, all of them prepared to go moon side. It was more like a small planet with vegetation and animals. The Phoenix had built homes and other buildings. Everything was incredibly exciting.

  “You’re lucky.” Angel said.

  “Why?”

  “You have a crowd with you. I met them with only Oak by my side and I was scared to death.” She admitted.

  “But you said you liked them.”

  “That’s true, but I didn’t know how they would be. They were sweet and everything turned out well, but I didn’t know that it would.”

  “Elm said they will be great and Oak and you also. They have good children so I know they’ll be fine.” She explained. “Even had I met them alone it would be fine.”

  “You’re braver than I am anyway.” Angel admitted.

  “I doubt that is true. My experiences were just different.” She admitted.

  “You lived on Earth?” Angel asked.

  “I did, right in New York City among other places. My family lived in Chicago when I was younger and even Los Angeles when I was growing up. Always the big cities lured them in. My Dad was an engineer and my mother an archeologist.”

  “That’s an unusual combination.”

  “Not so rare as you might think. She made an amazing discovery beneath the subways system. He was called in to stabilize things so they could dig underneath. It was love at first sight. Their feelings for each other never changed.”

  “That’s beautiful. We’re here now.” Angel said.

  Ash and Maple just went right in and the two couples followed them. A sweet looking woman not old enough to have grown children ran to them hugging each in turn. “You’re Mike? I’m so happy to meet you.”

  “This is my mom.” Elm confirmed.

  “You can call me Mom.” She offered. “It’s what Angel calls me.”

  “Hello, Mom.” She said.

  “And I’m Dad.” A slightly older version of Elm and his brothers said.

  “Hello, Dad.” So far this hadn’t been too bad. It was a nice house. Large, but then again they’d had four children.

  “Lunch is almost done. Boys, you set the table while Maple and the girls help move the food out there.” The guys hurried out, all of them.

  “I’ll put everything on a serving platter or in a bowl and we’ll carry it to the sideboard.” Mom explained. “Maple or Angel can show you where to put things.”

  It was a feast for a large group, but with everyone helping, it was set up in no time. This was the type of family dinners she had missed after her parents died. She and her siblings had each ended up going their own way. While she’d tried to keep in touch, no one else had made an effort. The end result was none of them had any idea where the others were.

  “This is a wonderful meal.” She said. Looking around, it felt good to be with these people, both those she knew and the ones she’d just met.

  It was relaxing, even as they took a moment of silence for each of them to ask a blessing for this meal from whatever gods they prayed to. Once the moment was over, everyone was talking and passing the food around the table. Phoenix, even the females had good appetites but so did their mates. With all this food no one would go hungry.

  The atmosphere reminded her of home, way back when. When she’d been a kid and even when she was older and her parents had still been with them. She blinked back the tears that threatened but those were good memories. The best even and now with her mate and his family, she would make new memories. Someday they’d sit at a table with their own children. It might not even be too far in the distance.

  Elm rubbed her back lightly. He was always aware of her feeling and he probably even realized that she was recalling better times with her own family back on Earth. She smiled softly at him letting him know it was alright. Pushing back the old times, she began to eat her food as she listened to stories about Oak, Elm, Ash, and Maple. They had been the naughtiest kids. Soon everyone was laughing and she knew the future would be bright for all of them.

  After all, fate had decided and now she had her perfect mate.

  Book 9

  Ash

  He was thrilled to join the crew with his brothers, Elm and Oak. Young, only by Phoenix standards, he had now found his mate. She was young by human standards at twenty two. Her name was Nila and she worked closely with his sister by mating, Angel. Her past had been harsh and she fought getting involved with him but he would win her heart.

  Nila caught her breath the moment she saw him. If a perfect man existed it was him. But Ash was too good for her and he seemed so young. She’d not recovered from her time with the slavers and wasn’t sure she ever would. He wanted a mate, but he would have to look elsewhere.

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  If you want to
read books by Crystal Dawn, check out:

  Blue Moon Pack Series

  Planet Amazon Series

  Cousins of the Moon Series (a completed trilogy)

  Legends of the White Werewolf Series (A 12 book completed free series)

  Keepers of the Land Series (A completed 6 book series.)

  Frozen Origin Series (Complete 4 book series)

  Frozen Origin Quickies

  Loved by a God series

  Frozen Origin Demons

  The Southwest Illinois Pack Series (A ménage series)

  The Wilde Pack series

  The Strong Pack

  The Red Wolf Series

  Winged Beast Series

  Witches of Ulyss Series

  White Wolf Matriarchs (A complete Trilogy)

  Wolf investigations and Securities Inc.

  Serena’s Salvation (Part of The Fated & Forbidden Collection)

  Sentinels and Spies

  Zodiac Shifters (A collection of books by several authors)

  Erotic Fantasies (a books completed series)

  Big Cats

  The Lost White Wolves

  A Wolfish Holiday

  Kiss of the Slayer

  Witch Way

  Wild White Wolves

  Catty Diva

  The Mating Games Series (ten book completed series)

  Moon Hunter’s Inc. (ten book completed series)

  Phoenix in Flames series

  Phoenix Under Fire

  The Zodiac Shifters series

  There is a battle brewing and the witches are looking for allies. Annie's father plans to force her to mate a male of his choice. She wants her fated one and casts a spell to find him. Problem solved, right?

  Ramiros wakes up with sand up his nose. What happened to his nice comfortable bed? When he finds the person who dumped him on the beach thousands of miles from home, there will be hell to pay.