“Heck.” Callum breathed. “That's different.”
“I guess.” Kai smiled.
“Anything else really surprising?”
“Well...” Kai blew out his cheeks, considering whether or not to say it. He decided to. “You might have noticed I look a bit different?”
Callum leaned back, considering. “Not really...if I were pushed, I'd say you look a bit tanned, is all. Not that I know how you've managed it,” he continued, “I mean, we don't have much sun here this time.”
“Tanned.” Kai nodded. “Not...blue, or something?”
“Uh...” Callum thought about it, “maybe. If I were to really push it, I guess there is a slightly blueish cast to the color you are now. Why?”
Kai smiled. “Copper is a good oxygen carrier, yes? Not as good as ferrous material, but...”
“Oh!” Callum blurted, after a minute's thought, “you mean, you're blue? Really? Your blood has copper, not iron, in it?” He was smiling, amazed.
“To put it a little baldly, yes.” Kai sniffed, then grinned. “I'm glad it won't be a surprise, or anything,” he continued. “The cream our scientists gave me ran out two days ago.”
“Oh.” Callum smiled. “Well, I can't wait.” He smoothed Kai's unruly hair. “I mean, with those eyes, and a blue face, you'll look really stunning.”
Kai blinked. “Thank you.”
“Not to say you're not already...” Callum continued, “stunning, I mean...”
“Flattery,” Kai grinned, “gets you everywhere. Not so?”
“I do hope so.”
Their laughter shattered the morning silence, sending birds off the windowsill to circle the wakening city. It was a long time before either of them rose.
The whir of engines was a barely-discernible hiss in the background when Kai and Callum walked over to the bridge, to look out at the nothing beyond the windows.
“So.” Callum breathed, his breath tight, emotions tightly-reined. “This is it, then?”
“Yes.” Kai slid an arm around him, and held him tight. “I hope you are not too worried? I mean...”
“No.” Callum kissed him. They were silent.
Outside, they could see nothing anymore. The craft was travelling fast, near light-speed, across the galaxy, and they had long ago ceased to see the tiny orb of the planet they left that morning.
“Callum?” Kai asked, slowly.
“What?” Callum's voice ached with emotion.
“Thank you.” Kai swallowed, voice thick with care. “For doing this. For coming with me. It means...the world.”
Callum said nothing, but turned and held him in a strong embrace. “Of course I came.”
“I didn't think I could be this fortunate.” Kai breathed out, slowly, and he meant everything he said.
“I don't know.” Callum replied. “I mean, I'm the fortunate one.”
Kai blinked. “You are? I mean...how can you think that?”
“I have you, don't I?” Callum shrugged. “I'm here, with you, and we're going to an unknown land. I couldn't be happier if I tried.”
Kai said nothing. They held one another tightly, both too moved for speaking.
“Well,” Kai said, a little gruffly, “I need to plot our course, in a few minutes.”
“Oh.” Callum blinked. “How do you do that? I mean...” he ended, not really sure what he meant.
“You can help, really.” Kai added, smiling suddenly. “It would work even better with two of us doing it, I guess.”
“What do I have to do?”
“Close your eyes...” Kai began, “and imagine a big building, beautiful and big enough to house a small village in...it's made of gold-colored brick, and there are tall trees, like pines, growing all around. In the distance is a waterfall...”
Together, they imagined it, while Kai guided their imagery. Soon, the craft was making tiny, slight adjustments to its course, not perceived by them, but present, subtly altering their route and setting them on course for Cyanos, and for Kai's palatial house.
After finishing their visualization, they stood silent for a while.
“I guess it's almost time for bed.” Kai said, yawning. “After all that thinking, I feel exhausted.”
“Me too.” Callum confessed, stifling a yawn. “But, I hope not too exhausted..?”
Kai grinned. His hand, on Callum's own, was soft. “No.” He smiled. “Not too exhausted.”
They sat closely for a while, bodies pressed together, legs touching, Kai's hand making small patterns on Callum's skin, while Callum squeezed his arm or ruffled his curling hair.
“Shall we..?”
Kai smiled. “Yes. Let's.”
They stood, and, very slowly, arms around each other, walked through into the bedroom.
The sheets were soft, the pillows warm to the touch, the coverlet made of some exquisitely-fine fabric which warmed instantly, keeping them insulated and warmed, while weighing almost nothing.
Callum rolled over, amazed by the softness on his skin, and by the warmth. The whole room was bathed in a pale light. Kai lay beside him, looking completely relaxed.
Callum rolled back, and softly kissed him on the side of the head. “You look relaxed here.”
“I am.” Kai nodded.
“It suits you.” Callum added. “This place, I mean. I know it's the ship, not your house, but already you look so much...more at home.”
Kai stretched, languidly. “I am.”
“It is wonderful.” Callum agreed.
“Wait until you're on the planet.” Kai agreed. “Living sustainably sure has its advantages.”
“I like the sound of it already.” Callum smiled, rolling onto his stomach, looking down at Kai where he lay, one arm carelessly thrown behind his head. He looked contented.
“I want to show everything to you.” Kai said, seriously.
“I like what I have seen.” Callum said, green eyes kindling. “In fact, I love every bit of it.”
Kai smiled. Callum gently kissed his neck, and moved down to his shoulder, his lips soft and warm. He kissed down his chest, and Kai gasped. His hand reached out to caress Callum, and he marveled as always at the firm warmth of him under his hands.
Callum gasped, too, and redoubled his efforts. Kai felt himself lose almost all consciousness in the waves of pleasure that flowed through him. Gently, he moved back.
His hands stroked Callum, expertly, and gently turned, moving him along and back, so that they held each other in a loose embrace, Callum reaching back, while Kai explored his chest with his finger.
Callum pressed back, reveling in the feeling of Kai behind him, the sensation of his hardness pressed into his back. He moved several times, smiling, just to hear the sound of Kai's breathing change as the pleasure intensified. It was pleasure for him, too.
Kai moved him back and gently entered him. Callum gasped and closed his eyes. They moved together, like that, slowly, each finding joy in each other's joy.
Then, passion slowly developed, and they lost all hesitance, pounding back and back into each other with a speed that was unrestrained and passion.
Afterwards, each of them crying out in the gently-lit darkness, they collapsed, utterly spent, smiling as they fell, slowly and inexorably, to sleep.
As they slept, the craft headed out into the blankness outside the windows, searching, on the course they had set, the planet Cyanos. Home. To both of them, now.
Chapter 10
The morning filtered quietly through the tall trees outside the window.
Inside, the vast apartments of the Lorei were silent, the light soaking in and warming the place as it slowly stirred to wake.
“Hello.” Kai leaned forward, smiling, and kissed Callum, who lay as if asleep in the vast bed beside him.
“Hello.” Callum stroked his wrist, a touch that was languid and still stirred desire.
“You slept?”
“Very, very well.” Callum smiled. He moved up to lie with Kai on the soft pillows. H
is arm moved around Kai's shoulder and they lay utterly still, completely peaceful.
“I am glad. Me also.” Kai smiled.
It was their first morning on Cyanos together. They had arrived the previous evening, exhausted and drained, too tired to do anything besides report their arrival to the steward and then collapse, breathless and silent, into the vast bed that had been prepared upstairs.
Callum smiled. “We really are here?” His eyes were still closed, and he moved closer to Kai, enjoying their closeness.
“We really are.” Kai confirmed. “It's good so far?”
“Good?” Callum chuckled. “Perfect.”
Kai felt his heart swell, fit to burst. “I am so glad.”
Callum stroked him, smiling. He felt so wonderful. He was so tired he could barely open his eyes, but he was warm, and with his loved one, and happy.
He kissed Kai, slowly. “I could not possibly be happier.” he said, and meant every word.
“Good.”
They lay still for a while.
“Kai...” Callum asked, slowly. “Is it normal to feel a bit nauseous? I mean..?” If he really thought about sitting up, he realized his stomach lurched unpleasantly, as if he had eaten too much, when, really, he was rather hungry. He subsided under the covers, sounding concerned.
“My dear? You mean..?”
Callum blinked. Thought about it. “You mean...I guess it could be that.”
“You really are expecting a child?” Kai sounded so achingly happy, Callum swallowed.
“I guess so...”
“Oh, my darling!” Kai grinned. He kissed his hair and held him close, then sat up, barely able to contain his sudden energy. “That is the best, most amazingest...”
He grinned, and wrapped his arms around Callum, holding him so tight Callum coughed.
“Sorry.” Kai was contrite.
“No...” Callum laughed and rose, catching the sudden energy and enthusiasm.
He subsided onto the pillow, feeling slightly queasy.
“I should get a physician, or someone. Let me go...” Kai said, distracted, already half out of the bed.
“No.” Callum said, firmly. “I'm not having that, dear. Not yet, anyway. You can take care of me just fine. We'll take it slowly. See if we don't. I would rather have you here than the most skilled surgeon, trust me.” Callum leaned across and kissed him, passionate. “I trust you. I want you. We will be just fine, you'll see.”
“Very well.” Kai replied, sounding reluctant. “But later, when it starts to become clear, we'll have to tell someone.”
“Indeed we shall.” Callum agreed, firmly. “But now, I just want to wake up with you. In our new home. And enjoy it, with just us.”
“Us, and someone.” Kai smiled, stroking his stomach.
“Not for months yet.” Callum agreed.
“How true.” Kai smiled. “I had better appreciate my time alone with you.” he grinned, looking delighted despite the gravity of words.
“I will have you all to myself.” Callum smiled. “For now.”
“Uh-huh.” Kai huffed through the embrace.
“Good.” Callum said, satisfied, and lay beside him, quiet, for a while.
“We have to get up sometime, I guess.” He said, after a while. He was already eager to explore.
“Oh, yes.” Kai agreed. “Sometime this afternoon I need to state my intent to the Council, and we will introduce you, and give a statement of intent together, and...” He sighed. “For now, though, we can have some time for ourselves. I want you to see all the beautiful things. And have breakfast, of course.” He added. He could not remember the last time they had had a square meal and suddenly felt uncomfortably, voraciously hungry.
“Breakfast?” Callum asked, looking hopeful.
“Indeed.” Kai smiled. “Usually, my retainer will have found something for breakfast at around this time. We'll have something like your bread, only more delicious,” he smiled, “and we do have butter and eggs, although they are synthesized in the laboratory, not actual eggs from animals.” He paused, smiling. “We have no equivalent of coffee here, I'm afraid...”
“What?” Callum sat up. Kai, smiling, covered his face with his hand.
“I'm afraid so.” He looked grave, but his eyes were sparkling.
“But...” Callum started, then grinned, seeing Kai's expression. “Okay, I'm being silly.” He nodded. “Millions of miles from my planet, and all I'm scared of is withdrawal from my morning coffee? Really?” He laughed, surprised at himself.
“Well,” Kai smiled, “it is a serious consideration.” His face was grave. “As it happens, I did consider something.” He smiled, now unable to help himself. “I took the precaution of sampling it while I was there. I like it too. I sent the sample to the mages, last time I sent a report, and they tell me they have reproduced it.” He grinned, gratefully, “so please accept, as a wedding gift, the first coffee produced on Cyanos.”
They were silent, then, the words sinking in across the space between them.
Callum, eyebrows raised beyond their normal extent, whistled. “Kai? You didn't?”
“I did.”
“You...” Callum chuckled. “You dear!” He leaned over and cuffed him playfully, and caught him up in a big bear-hug. They rolled, wrestling, and almost fell from the enormous bed. Laughing weakly, they lay beside each other, quiet at last.
“I love you.” Callum breathed. “You know that, I think?”
“I do. And I love you.” Kai agreed. He held him close, pressing him to his chest in a passionate, fierce embrace.
“I am so pleased to be here.” Callum smiled. “To spend the rest of my life here. With you.”
“My dear, nothing could make me happier.”
“Me, too.”
They lay silent in each others arms, while, outside, a strange sunrise made its way over the deep green trees and sparkled on the distant hills, and the golden light brought the teeming, peaceful planet slowly and peacefully to life.
The End
Omega Saved and Mated
Ethan—tall, whip-smart and gorgeous—should be living a dream life. But instead he’s in serious trouble.
After splitting with his domineering, philandering alpha and moving across the country to escape his threats, he discovers he is pregnant with his ex’s pup. Alone, in a strange town, Ethan is vulnerable and miserable.
When Ethan gets a new job working with Hugh, the dashing young CEO of Performance Consulting, things finally start looking up. Hugh is dedicated, brilliant and caring; he immediately takes notice of his handsome new employee—and Ethan notices him too.
Hugh is everything Ethan has ever wanted in an alpha and they are soon deeply involved. But as time moves on Ethan finds it harder and harder to break the news about his pregnancy. And as the pressure mounts Ethan makes a horrifying discovery—his possessive ex has tracked him down and has made it clear that he will stop at nothing to gain custody of their offspring.
Can Ethan find a way to save himself? Or will he risk it all and hope that Hugh can accept his sordid past and continue to love him—and raise another alpha’s pup as his own?
Omega Saved and Mated
Light grey, cloudy and unsympathetic, washed in through the high window in the new apartment. Ethan sat at the kitchen table, watching the day settle into evening.
This was his first day in this apartment, in this town. He had moved in that morning; a chaos of pick-up trucks, movers and heavy furniture. He sat at the table studying the new view out of his kitchen. He sighed.
It doesn't really change matters, does it? He asked himself, staring moodily out at the drizzling rain. I still care about you. I still miss you, still carry the hurt of your cruel words. And I am still pregnant.
A month ago, he and his partner Alex —his beloved alpha—had split up. It was for the best: he was unthinking, uncaring and a serial cheat. Ethan—sensitive and as trusting as he was trustworthy—could not handle the moodiness and the pain
any longer. But that did not mean he did not feel, did not miss his partner.
And then came the slight problem. After two weeks his body (and a knowing doctor) had confirmed what Ethan had at some level known all along. He was pregnant.
As he thought about it, Ethan noticed the residual queasiness that never seemed to leave him now, curdling the pit of his stomach. Not again, he thought, as he finished his coffee and his stomach heaved.
Two seconds later, he was running for the bathroom.
After purging the day's meals, he felt empty and exhausted. He sat on the tiles a moment, leaned back on the bath, and contemplated his life.
New town, new house, new furniture. And tomorrow, new job. After applying for several vacancies, Ethan had been invited to an interview as a business consultant with Performance Consulting, a firm of high repute owned by Hugh Morris, himself a well-known business analyst.
Thinking about the interview tomorrow, Ethan felt a residual twinge of nerves, almost like the sensation in a healing injury.
I should be excited, he thought, weary.
He pulled himself to his feet, slowly, feeling drained. He leaned on the ridge of the basin a moment, looking at the face in the mirror opposite.
His reflection showed him an oval face with a firm, hard jaw; wide pale eyes under a strong brow and thick, wavy pale hair, its wheaten colour edged only slightly at the temples by grey.
Not bad, for thirty, he thought, a faint warmth in the thinking. Perhaps there is not so much to be depressed about, after all.
He washed his face and brushed his teeth, then went through to the kitchen.
I suppose I should prepare for the interview.
He looked through a file on the table but found there was nothing in it that needed that much preparation. He had probably overdone the preparation already. What you need is some working out and a shower. Then bed.
He went through to his bedroom to unpack his exercise gear. I wonder who will give the interview; and I wonder what Hugh Morris is like?
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