A heavy, sour note began to obscure her scent and he recognized the two Yehrin that had accosted T’kol earlier. He ran faster, racing around a corner in time to see the two males trying to drag a wildly struggling Lissie off into the woods. Even as he approached, she swept her foot out and threw one of her captors off balance. She managed to wrench herself free from him but the other one still had his hand clenched around her arm.
Hisst reached for the blast tube, then swore. He had returned the weapon to Lissie, never suspecting that it would be needed in her home colony. Instead, he yanked the knife out of his boot sheath, paused just long enough to take aim, and let it fly. The knife buried itself in the throat of Officer T’fardar. The male grabbed for it, but he was already falling. A grim satisfaction filled Hisst as he saw the male’s blood arc out, vivid against the white snow. Despite the current peace between their races, all Icluthian warriors knew the best way to kill a Yehrin.
The second male stared at his comrade’s fallen body with his mouth open before his hand reached for his weapon. He was too late. Hisst retrieved his knife, pulled the male’s head back, and slit his throat in one smooth movement.
His queen stared at him in shock and for a brief moment, he worried that his kills might have upset her, but then she threw herself into his arms.
“Thank God, you’re here.”
He picked her up and turned so that she couldn’t see the bodies, even as he tested the air for other attackers.
“Were there more?”
“No, I don’t think so.” All of a sudden, she began to shake. “They - they said that since I liked more than one mate, that I could just take them as well. I think they were going to…”
Her voice trailed off and then she burst into tears. As he rocked her soothingly, he wished he could kill the animals all over again.
“Close your eyes,” he ordered as he bent over to retrieve his knife.
“No. I want to know that they’re dead,” she said fiercely.
“They are,” he assured her, but he checked both bodies to make sure. The Yehrin could be hard to kill but even they could not survive having their neck arteries severed. For once, their double hearts put them at a disadvantage, pumping the blood out through the fatal wounds too rapidly for them to recover.
Lissie stared at the bodies, then buried her head in his neck.
“Where’s T’kol?” she whispered.
“At home.” He cradled her more tightly against him and began to run as rapidly as possible towards their home. She needed both of her mates around her now.
T’kol looked up casually when they entered, then roared as he took in Lissie’s condition.
“What happened?”
Lissie was still clinging to him and T’kol pressed himself against her back so they surrounded her.
“Those two animals that confronted you attacked her.”
T’kol swore long and viciously. “I will kill them.”
“Hisst already did,” Lissie whispered. “He won’t be in trouble, will he?”
His sweet queen, to worry about him when she was the one who had been damaged. He dropped a kiss on her head. “Of course not, my queen.”
Over her head, he raised a brow ridge at T’kol, aware that the circumstances might be somewhat awkward.
“No, L’zabet,” T’kol echoed. He looked down at her and then reluctantly stepped back. “But I need to make sure that it is handled as soon as possible.”
“Don’t leave me!”
“I will not,” he said soothingly. “I just need to make a few calls. H’sst will take you to the bathing pool and I will join you as soon as I can.”
“T’kol,” she pleaded.
“I know, my L’chka. I will not be long.” His claws were already tapping at his wrist device as he gestured at Hisst to take her into the other room.
By the time Hisst had her undressed and in the water, T’kol had joined them. He lifted her onto his lap while Hisst knelt behind her, both of them enclosing her in safety.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As L’zabet slowly relaxed, her eyelids began to droop. T’kol lifted her out of the water, then held her while H’sst dried her carefully. He carried her into the bedroom and the two of them surrounded her again as she drifted off into an uneasy sleep. He did his best to keep his body calm but the anger that raged through him had his claws digging into his palms hard enough to draw blood. When the door monitor chimed, it was almost a relief.
“It is T’chok,” he said quietly. “I will go and talk to him.”
“I can go if you wish to stay with her,” H’sst offered.
“No. I need… I need to let go of this anger.”
“I understand.”
“I almost wish you had left one for me, my brother.”
H’sst reached over and clasped his shoulder. T’kol covered it briefly with his own, then went to answer the door.
T’chok stalked into the living room, eyes blazing blue fire and anger emanating from every pore. T’kol held up a hand before he could speak.
“She is sleeping. Do not disturb her.”
The growl that erupted from T’chok’s throat was no less fierce for its low pitch.
“I want to see her.”
T’kol considered him, then nodded. “H’sst is holding her.”
“Good.” T’chok said, surprising him. “She should not be alone.”
Together, both males stood at the bedroom entrance. L’zabet had her head buried in H’sst’s chest and he was stroking her back. He looked up at them but did not speak. T’chok bowed his head, then stepped back and closed the doors.
“T’lan has arranged for the bodies to be removed. He has also started an investigation to make sure that they acted alone.” T’chok’s horns drew together as he scowled. “I thought we had eradicated this type of rot years ago.”
“I am afraid that there will always be warriors without honor.” His fists clenched again, the stinging pain his only outlet. “I am full of rage, but I also feel…”
“Helpless?” T’chok asked. “I understand. R’chel was attacked while were together and I felt that I had failed her. Not that you did anything wrong,” he added hastily. “We had no reason to suspect L’zabet would not be safe within New Haven.”
The older warrior’s words did not comfort him, his guilt still weighing heavily on his conscience. “I should have escorted her.”
“And I should have taken her home.”
They stared at each other, then T’chok said, “Come. I know of only one way to relieve this frustration.”
“I do not want to leave her.”
“Then we will not go far. The meadow outside your door will serve.”
“Serve for what?”
“A training match.” T’chok grinned fiercely and T’kol found himself nodding.
Yes, he needed that. He paused only long enough to let H’sst know before he followed T’chok outside.
When he returned a short time later, he felt better. His horns ached from ramming against T’chok’s, his leg throbbed, and he had a vicious set of scratches up his right arm, but his anger was under control. T’chok, too, seemed more at ease after their bout.
H’sst looked up and shook his head as he passed through the bedroom on the way to the shower.
“Was that necessary?” he asked quietly when T’kol joined him.
“It helped.”
“Yes, I suppose I understand. If I had not killed them, I suspect I would have joined you.”
“T’chok told me what you did. That was an impressive display.”
H’sst gave him a fierce grin. “One doesn’t have to be a barbarian to know how to kill.”
“Apparently not.”
They were both silent for a minute, then he sighed. “If she is asked to travel to Icluthia and if she chooses to go, then I will not object. I will accompany her.”
“I will also, although a part of me still hopes that it will not occur.”
This time, neither broke the silence. Twice L’zabet cried out in her sleep, but she settled down when they spoke to her. He didn’t sleep and he suspected that Hisst didn’t either, but they remained wrapped around her until her eyes finally opened. She looked at each of them, and to his relief, she smiled.
“Thank you for being here.”
“We will always be here for you, my L’chka.”
“Of course,” H’sst echoed.
“I love you, you know. Both of you.” Her eyes were alight with warmth as she put a hand on each of their faces.
His hearts beat uncomfortably fast.
“I have loved you since that first kiss in the woods,” he said softly.
“And I have loved you since I awakened to find you kneeling over me.” H’sst touched her hair. “I thought you were the Goddess. I still suspect that you are sometimes.”
The three of them smiled at each other.
“In that case…” L’zabet’s hands traveled from their faces down across their bodies. “Adorissa mentioned to me that part of establishing a brace is to mark each other.”
His cock went rock hard just as her hand touched him.
“I see you like the idea,” she purred.
He growled and reached for her just as the door monitor chimed.
“Fuck. Who the hell is it this time?” He reached for the door monitor and saw an Icluthian warrior standing outside. “Do you know him, H’sst?”
“Yes. That is Kenesst. He is part of Queen Adorissa’s team.” H’sst’s voice sounded oddly stilted.
“Then I suppose we have no choice but to admit him.”
Cursing under his breath, he pulled on his clothes, only to find H’sst and L’zabet dressing as well.
“Why don’t you remain here?”
“If Adorissa sent him with a message, it’s most likely for me.” Her smile held its familiar mischief. “And there’s not much point staying in bed without my males.”
Unable to resist, he caught her against him and kissed her much too quickly.
“Come, my L’chka, my brother. Let us find out what he wants.”
Hisst’s heart sank as he followed his queen and his brace mate out into the living room. So it began. He knew Kenesst, of course, and he was a fine warrior. Back before T’kol had shown up at the cave, he had been one of the males Hisst had been considering as a possible candidate for Lissie’s brace. Now he wondered how he could ever have been so foolish.
He, T’kol, and Lissie did not need anyone else—they were a perfect fit. The thought of another male sharing their bed, of having to take his turn at her side, made his insides twist with a combination of jealousy and hurt. He had allowed T’kol’s earlier words to comfort him, but it had been a mistake. And they hadn’t even had to go to Icluthia for his nightmare to come true.
The male was still waiting patiently at the door when T’kol opened it.
“Greetings. I am Kenesst. Queen Adorissa sent me for Queen Lissie.”
“Come in,” T’kol growled.
His queen had seated herself on one of the couches, and she smiled at Kenesst. He had the audacity to head for the same couch and Hisst found himself echoing T’kol’s growl. Looking a little abashed, Kenesst seated himself on the other couch instead.
As he sat, Kenesst released a hint of his mating scent, and even Hisst had to admit it was not unpleasant. It was, however, presumptuous and he had to resist the temptation to smack the male across the back of his skull. Instead, he positioned himself behind his queen and glared at the other male over her head. T’kol mirrored his position—and his glare.
“You said that Queen Adorissa sent you?” Lissie asked.
“Yes.” Kenesst gave her a charming smile. “She hoped that I would be suitable. Do you have any questions for me?”
He released another hint of scent, and to his horror, Lissie smiled.
“How did you come to be here?”
“I had the honor of being chosen for Queen Adorissa’s delegation due to my knowledge of our history with the Yehrin.” He gave her what even Hisst had to admit was a charming smile.
“Her delegation? You are not part of her brace?” Lissie asked curiously. Thank the Great Mother she seemed unaffected by Kenesst’s mating scent.
“Of course not.” Kenesst looked shocked. “She would not have offered me to you under those circumstances. One joins a brace for life.”
“Offered you to me? I don’t understand.”
“Queen Adorissa thought I might be an acceptable candidate if you wished to expand your brace. And I… I was grateful for the opportunity to present myself to such a fascinating queen.”
Kenesst’s expression was openly admiring and Hisst saw T’kol’s hand tense over his sword hilt. Despite his own desire to eliminate any competition for Lissie’s attention, the Yehrin – Icluthian partnership was still fragile. He forced himself to brush T’kol’s arm lightly in warning. T’kol growled under his breath but his hand dropped away from his weapon.
“Thank you, Kenesst,” Lissie said gently. “I’m very flattered by your interest, and I am sure that you would be a worthy addition to any brace. But I already have everything I could ever want.” She looked from him to T’kol, her face soft and loving, and his fears finally melted away. He believed her words, but more importantly, he believed in the love behind them. If, by some unthinkable circumstances, she did choose to add another member to their brace, he found he no longer feared losing her affection.
Kenesst bowed his head, obviously disappointed, but accepting her refusal graciously. In his newfound confidence, Hisst could even admire the other warrior’s poise.
As Kenesst rose to his feet, the door chimed again. When T’kol answered it, T’chok was standing outside, a grim look on his face. T’kol shot a quick glance at him as he stepped aside to let the older warrior enter. Hisst’s heart sank. He suspected that the rumor he had heard was about to come true.
“If I may,” Kenesst said hesitantly. “I believe I know why your commander is here. Queen Adorissa asked me to speak upon this matter as well if you became aware of it while I was here.”
Lissie frowned at him and then at T’chok, before her eyes traveled to T’kol and Hisst.
“Why do I suspect that everyone here except me knows what is going on?”
“Because you are a bright female,” T’kol said grimly, then tried to smile. “Just remember that we will support whatever decision you choose to make.”
“What fucking decision?”
“Calm down, L’zabet,” T’chok said.
“I would have thought you’d have realized by now that telling a woman to calm down has the opposite fucking effect,” she yelled.
He could tell that she was worried as well as annoyed, and he stepped up behind her only to find that T’kol had mirrored him on her other side. T’chok apparently decided that it was best to simply tell her.
“The Icluthians would like you to travel to Icluthia. Specifically, they would like to use you as their main point of contact for the ongoing negotiations.”
Lissie’s mouth dropped open.
“You mean like some kind of ambassador?”
T’chok nodded, not looking any happier than he had when he arrived. “I do not like the idea. You will be very far from home.”
“But I thought we had reached an agreement?”
“It is still under review, although I have every expectation that it will be approved.” T’chok hesitated. “But it is true, that the agreement is only the beginning. There will be many details to work through.”
“Queen Adorissa is most anxious that you accept the position,” Kenesst said. “The queens would be more comfortable dealing with another queen. What’s more, she values your efforts on our behalf.”
“But I don’t have any training for this,” she protested.
“You have demonstrated that you understand and accept our ways. In addition, you are uniquely positioned to both understand the Yehrin and to give us the p
erspective of a conquered planet.” Kenesst hesitated. “She had hoped that if you chose to include me in your brace, I could provide additional perspective on Icluthian ways.”
Hisst scowled at him. “I am quite capable of advising my queen in that matter.”
“Yes, of course, but I have had more recent… political experience.”
Although he would never admit it out loud, Kenesst had a valid point. Hisst’s dam had spent much of her life increasing her power and wealth, but she had never chosen to become involved in political matters. However, he did not think it was sufficient reason to include the other warrior.
“I can manage,” he growled.
“You’re both discussing this as though it were a settled matter,” Lissie said, looking frantically from him to T’kol.
“No, my L’chka. This is your decision, but as H’sst said we will support whatever choice you make.”
“Surely you don’t think I’m qualified, T’chok?”
The older warrior sighed. “I have no desire for you to leave New Haven, but it is because we will miss you, not because I do not think that you are capable.” His face softened. “You will accomplish whatever you set out to do.”
“I… I…” She looked helplessly at them, and T’kol took charge.
“We will discuss this matter privately. Please give us some time.”
Kenesst nodded respectfully and departed. T’chok hesitated a moment longer then looked at the three of them and sighed.
“I suppose that I must accept that I am no longer the one you turn to for advice.”
“I think this is a decision the three of us must make,” Lissie said softly.
“I agree, my daughter. And whatever you decide, I will support your decision.”
Lissie hugged him, and he, too, left.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Lizabet stared at the door as it closed behind T’chok. Her mind was a swirling mass of confusion. While she couldn’t help but be flattered by Queen Adorissa’s obvious appreciation, she felt woefully unprepared. She turned to find her mates studying her.
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