Breft fell silent. After several moments Amelia gathered her courage to speak. “What of love?”
“Nothing. I had few good friends, but there were men I was happy to have at my side in a fight. We were loyal comrades. The warmth of love – that was left to Rajhir and Flencik to teach once they took me into the clan. It was not easy for them. I was very young and more violent than some.”
“How were they able to reach you?”
“I quickly found deep feelings for them both, which helped. But these were fierce feelings, primitive urges to attack and destroy anyone who might harm them. I was unable to comprehend the gentler part of love at first.”
Amelia cocked her head to one side, studying the Nobek closely. A slight smile played at his lips, but there was a sense of embarrassment too. “So how did you get along? I mean, Flencik is not usually very aggressive. There must have been some conflict between your styles.”
Breft nodded. “There were a lot of issues to work through before we truly became a cohesive unit. Flencik’s gentleness was difficult for me to understand. I was hard like a stone wall, and he was yielding. I had never met anyone like him.”
His softened expression sparked Amelia’s suspicions. “You say you were in love. So the males in clans are … intimate? In a sexual way?”
Breft shrugged. “Our need for sexual release is great. There are too few Kalquorian women for us to enjoy traditional lovemaking among our own kind. We are not always among compatible females of other species either. We give each other pleasure when there is no other means to satisfy the flesh with.”
He spoke of it so offhandedly that Amelia assumed same-sex relations were normal Kalquorian behavior not worthy of discussion. She rolled the knowledge around, wanting to see if her puritanical upbringing gave her issues with the situation. Homosexuality was a death penalty offense on Earth. More than anything, same-sex relationships were abhorred and those caught performing such acts were the most brutally punished.
To her knowledge, Amelia had never met anyone who preferred his own sex to females. She expected to be repulsed, but thinking about the men of Rajhir’s clan being intimate with each other, imagining their magnificent bodies twined together in the act of love actually sounded rather titillating. Finding herself curious, not dismayed or disgusted, she waited for Breft to resume his story.
His eyes grew dark with memory, and a frown creased his face. “I hurt Flencik one of our first times together. I am much younger than he and Rajhir. When I came to them, my urges were greater and more frequent than theirs. Being the nurturer, Flencik did his best to ease the demands of my young body, but even he grew fatigued trying to keep up with me. And there was another element, one I wasn’t even aware of.”
As he told his story, Amelia imagined a younger Breft, the hunger in his lean face more pronounced. The tale unfolded before her mind’s eye.
Breft, already naked in preparation for love, eyed Flencik with a desperate desire. The Imdiko emerged from his bath, and the glistening skin made his magnificent body more chiseled. Seeing him that way intensified Breft’s hunger to feel the other’s wet flesh against his own.
“I need,” he said. His voice came out in a humiliating croak.
Flencik smiled, his eyes warming at the sight of his new clanmate. “Poor Breft. Youth is a brute to our people, especially those of your breed.” He stepped close and patted the bunched muscle of the Nobek’s shoulder. His hand slipped down and tugged once at Breft’s larger penis. He released the turgid organ and stepped away. “I’m not in the mood. You have to provide your own release this time.”
The brief contact made Breft’s body thrum with tension. He reached toward Flencik in supplication. The Imdiko shook his head with a smile as he backed away another step. “I’m tired, Breft. I’m worn out from keeping up with you.” He turned and went into their sleeping room.
Breft understood days of attending youthful hungers might be wearing on Flencik. As the top doctor on the entire planet of Kalquor, his schedule was packed, with little time to catch his breath. In the search for a medical solution to the imminent extinction of their people, he often forgot to eat and sleep. Concerned with Flencik’s well-being, Rajhir had insisted he take a couple weeks off.
Breft hadn’t allowed the Imdiko much rest. Sympathy for Flencik’s exhaustion did nothing to quiet the ache in the young Nobek’s loins. Pleasuring himself only offered hollow satisfaction. Having never touched a female, he knew nothing like the joy of touching Flencik’s solidity, of tasting and feeling his warmth.
“You are the Imdiko.” Breft heard the tremor in his own voice as he followed his clanmate into the next room, and it added anger to his frustration. He followed close, bumping into Flencik as the big man moved about in the room. “You must take care of my needs. That is your duty as my caregiving clanmate.”
He drew close and pulled at Flencik, pressing himself against the larger Kalquorian. The Imdiko grabbed Breft by the shoulders and thrust him away. “I’ve given you satisfaction twice today already. You’ll have to take care of it yourself.”
He turned away. A moan that originated from Breft’s aching groin spilled from his lips. He lunged for Flencik in a haze of desperation. He brought the bigger man crashing to the fur rug-scattered floor.
Flencik thrashed beneath him, but Breft had been well-schooled in subduing enemies larger than himself. Plus, his clanmate had no training when it came to fighting. The Imdiko’s immense bulk offered little defense, and Breft gave him no avenue for escape. Once Breft got him face down on the floor, Flencik was at his mercy. Breft rode the writhing body beneath him, enjoying his mastery. Every effort Flencik made to evade his clanmate’s need only increased Breft’s desire. Fighting excited him beyond thought. He eagerly thrashed the bigger man, wanting the Imdiko’s complete surrender.
Breft’s hunger for his clanmate allowed for no quarter. He straddled Flencik’s buttocks, pushing his manhood at the cleft between them. He barely heard Flencik’s shout, “Breft, stop!”
He guided himself to the muscular flesh and pressed into the enfolding heat. Breft closed his eyes and pistoned his hips. He felt the tightness of the Imdiko close over his iron flesh. Thought ceased in the sweetness of Flencik’s warmth. All Breft knew was the throbbing ache that must be obeyed. He thrust over and over, driving for the rescue of release. His body strained towards the lightening flash of climax. At last the dam burst, releasing the unmerciful pressure that drove him. His gasps lengthened into moans as his semen rushed in a ribbon of wet heat to coat Flencik’s inner flesh.
Breft came back to himself in degrees. He rose and fell on Flencik’s broad back as the Imdiko breathed. Otherwise, his clanmate lay still beneath him. Breft pushed himself up.
A wave of coldness overtook his body. Bruises and welts peppered Flencik’s back. The brutal marks Breft had inflicted in his attack glared at him in accusation. With a cry of horror, he threw himself from his violated clanmate.
Flencik lumbered to his feet and stared at Breft. His eyes were unreadable, his face emotionless. His cocks stood out from his body with rigid attention, but Breft barely noted that. Not with his mind shocked from the betrayal he’d committed.
A scream welled within Breft’s gut, but it stuck there, shredding his insides. All he managed was a hoarse whisper. “Flencik … no … my Imdiko … Flencik…”
“Breft.” Flencik reached for the Nobek.
The scream inside Breft tore loose. “No!” He flung himself across the huge sleeping mat that took up most of the room. He made it to the closet where he had temporarily stored his personal belongings until his private room was furnished and ready for his use. He shoved past clothing until his hands found his blade, handed down to him from his worshipped mentor, a hard but wise Nobek. He gripped it tight, ready to thrust it into his own betraying body.
Flencik crashed into him, knocking him face down to the ground. Air whooped from Breft’s lungs, but his fist held the blade like iron. No Nobek in hi
s first year of training loosened his grip on his weapon during a fight. Flencik’s hand clamped on his wrist, struggling to keep Breft from stabbing himself. He used his weight to keep the howling Nobek flat on the floor.
“Breft! Stop it!” Flencik bellowed in his ear.
“Release me!” Breft said. “I’ve hurt my Imdiko! I’ve betrayed my clan! I must die!”
He heard the home’s door open, and Flencik cried, “Rajhir, help me!”
Heavy steps thudded the floor, racing down the hallway to get to them. An instant later, fingers tangled into the black waves of Breft’s hair and yanked his head back. Breft looked into Rajhir’s stern glare.
“Stop fighting and drop your blade,” the Dramok commanded.
Obeying his leader was instinct, and the only way he would ever be disarmed. Breft’s hand opened, and the blade clattered to the floor. Rajhir kicked it away and helped Flencik haul Breft to his feet.
The Nobek bowed his head before them, waiting for the blows that must surely fall. His crime deserved the sentence of death. Why had they stopped him?
“Breft, look at me.”
Again, Rajhir’s voice commanded immediate obedience. Breft’s head snapped up and faced his clanmates who stood before him, shoulder to shoulder.
They smiled at him.
Stunned, Breft gaped. “What—?”
“Sit down.” Rajhir motioned him to the nearby conversation area. “We will talk of what has happened.”
Feeling unreal, Breft sat on a cushion. Rajhir and Flencik settled on either side of him, their larger bodies sandwiching his. Rajhir cupped Breft’s chin in his hand and tilted his head so their eyes met. “Are you all right?”
Breft blinked. “Am I? But Flencik … I hurt him … he’s the one who’s…”
Rajhir interrupted. “Look at Flencik. He’s not badly injured. He’s not even angry with you.”
“Why would I be?” Breft jerked at the good-natured tone of the Imdiko. His confusion mounted when he saw Flencik looking at him with the same compassion he’d always shown. “I can’t very well fault you for doing exactly what we wanted you to do.”
“What you … you’re insane.” The words fell from the Nobek’s lips before he realized he’d spoken.
“Not at all,” Flencik answered. He sounded amused. “I bathed in front of you. I touched you even as I said no. I was baiting you, Breft.”
The Nobek gaped at him. “Why would you do such a thing? You know how my needs torture me!”
Rajhir patted his knee. “Your training as a Nobek has made you a fine fighter, an unmatched protector for us, for all of Kalquor. However, it hasn’t prepared you to be a part of the clan. To take your place with us you must learn gentleness.” He caressed Breft’s cheek. “Fierceness is fine for those who threaten, but you cannot turn your savagery against us. You have to learn to touch us softly.” He inclined his head to brush his lips against Breft’s. Breft shivered at the touch. “To not force your passion at our expense.”
Flencik touched him too, his hands gentle. He was still hard, and the spicy scent of the Imdiko’s arousal hung heavy in the air. Despite his disgust with himself, Breft’s body responded to their petting, and desire tormented him anew. He feared his hunger now, feared how it made him into a mindless animal. “I don’t know how to be gentle,” he said.
“We understand that,” Flencik whispered. His breath warmed Breft’s ear. “We’ve been waiting for you to lose that iron control over yourself these last two days. Why do you think Rajhir kept coming home from lunch?”
“You held out beyond our expectations,” Rajhir added.
Wonder drove back some of the fog of arousal. Breft rounded on Flencik. “You wanted me to force myself on you!”
Flencik shifted and grimaced. “I wouldn’t say ‘want’, but we realized it was necessary. Your entire self-worth is wrapped up in protecting us from all harm, even though you’ve been dealing out small portions of it when it comes to sex. We knew the potential for real violence was there. To have you hurt us yourself will teach you the lesson better than anything else can.”
Rajhir’s expression was kind. “You are now open to learning compassion and to be tender. You’ll do anything to not harm Flencik again, won’t you, young Nobek?”
Fresh agony overcame Breft. “I shouldn’t be allowed to live. I attacked the very person I’m supposed to protect.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I pushed you to lose control.” Flencik pressed against him, his hand sliding up the inside of the Nobek’s thigh. Breft’s savage hunger came roaring back, and he reached for him.
Rajhir restrained him and forced him to sit still for Flencik’s attention. “The lesson begins. We will now teach you the tenderness your future Matara requires of you.”
* * * *
Breft told Amelia, “It took long for me to learn to be gentle, but I never lost control against a member of my clan again. It was a good lesson they taught me. The only pain I inflict on my clanmates now is the kind that brings pleasure.”
She hugged herself and wished his arms surrounded her despite the tremor of fear the man inspired. “You have to fight your own nature to not be a brute?”
Breft shook his head. “When it comes to my clan, there is no struggle anymore. I like to be caring. I feel a warmth inside where once there was only emptiness.” He smiled, and his sharp features became handsome to Amelia. “As I said, training for a Nobek begins in childhood. I am smaller than the average Kalquorian and had to fight hard to prove myself against other Nobeks. I wasn’t allowed to be compassionate from an early age.”
“How awful,” Amelia whispered.
He shrugged. “At that time, I was too much of a wild animal to comprehend kindness anyway. I am glad Flencik and Rajhir taught me so I can be that way now.”
He came to Amelia. When he took her in his arms, she settled against him with a sigh. He gazed at her with a tender expression overlaying the usual predatory demeanor. “I want to show you I can be loving, and you will not be afraid of me any longer.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
Breft’s kisses lit on her skin like the flutter of butterfly wings, tickling and delicious. The brush of his fingertips made her shiver. The hairs on her body raised with tiny electrical shocks. He took his time, his mouth tender as he tasted every inch of her flesh. His hands traced her curves, mapping her body without demand. For the first time since encountering the Kalquorians, Amelia felt safe with Breft. She knew instinctively he would never truly harm her and wanted him to realize her understanding. She opened herself to him.
Breft eased into her, slowly filling her with the delight of his thicknesses. His arms surrounded her so that he held her tight against himself. He rocked in and out, undulating so that they moved as one sinuous creature. She couldn’t tell where she began and he ended, so complete was their joining. Breft wasn’t just inside Amelia; he was part of her.
Their rhythm was a slow, steady, warming pulse, and Amelia’s orgasm stretched for a sensuous eternity. Breft watched her face register the thrill of release with a smile. He continued to slip slowly, gently within her until he brought her to another climax. Only after that did he finally allow his own ecstasy to pour into her.
The Nobek kissed her deeply for a long time afterward. Amelia lay against him and realized with a start that it wasn’t simply that she felt safe with Breft. She felt truly safe for the first time in her life.
I guess there’s nothing left to do but accept conquest.
As Breft continued to kiss her Amelia blinked back sudden tears. She savored her defeat at the hands of her abductors even as she savored the feel of the Nobek’s lips against hers. Her will had been vanquished; she could now accept it with grace. It wasn’t hard to surrender. In losing, she’d gained everything.
“You win,” she sighed when Breft’s mouth finally left hers.
“Win?” He smiled his puzzlement.
If this is a sin, forgive me God. And may the women whose lives I
’ve damned to slavery forgive me as well, because I cannot deny my love for Breft, Flencik, and Rajhir any longer.
Amelia took a deep breath. “I accept being your Matara. I agree to join your clan.”
Chapter 13
The next week passed in a happy haze for Amelia. Each day the clan accompanied her to her former quarters so she could work on her painting. Flencik treated her hands when needed to allow her to paint for hours on end.
The Imdiko took great delight in reminding her, “Soon we will go to Kalquor. I will cure you permanently.”
“I can’t wait,” she said. She meant it.
While Amelia painted, the rest of the clan kept busy. Flencik directed the packing of her belongings. He and Rajhir transferred them to the clan’s quarters. Breft, to Amelia’s amusement, stayed close to her at all times. She understood his continued suspicion of her motives. The Nobek’s nature demanded it.
“You are not offended I do not trust you yet?” he asked. He looked worried.
Amelia smiled, ready to indulge her fierce yet feeling clanmate. “You’ll figure out soon enough that I don’t want to run away. If babysitting makes you feel better, do it.”
Amelia knew she’d made the right choice. Her happiness with the clan was complete, no longer marred by doubts. She begged for details of how her life on their planet would unfold. Even Breft wore an expression of cautious joy.
Amelia wanted nothing of her earlier life to impinge on her newfound destiny. Her first act upon returning to her former quarters was to turn off the vid, silencing its beeped demands that she review dozens of messages.
Once Flencik finished overseeing the transfer of Amelia’s belongings, he dove into planning the formal ceremony making her a recognized member of the clan.
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