When he finally stopped shaking, he lifted his head and lapped at the claiming mark. H’sst had left two neat puncture marks on the other side and he regarded them proudly.
“Now no one can argue that we are not a proper brace,” H’sst said with a satisfied smile.
“That’s nice,” L’zabet mumbled, her face still buried in his neck. “I vote we celebrate with a long nap.”
“Bath first,” he said firmly.
“I don’t wanna,” she protested, then winced as first H’sst withdrew and he followed.
“It will ease you. I do not want you to be sore.”
“You should have thought of that before you decided on double penetration,” she muttered, but she smiled as she spoke.
“If you think this was challenging, wait until it is my turn to take your tight little ass.”
Her mouth dropped open and he laughed, feeling remarkably light-hearted.
“Come, my queen,” H’sst said. “Let us tend to you. T’kol is right, the bath will soothe you.”
His brace mate carried L’zabet into the bathing pool and settled back with her curled on his lap. As T’kol joined them, his eyes traveled across the two claiming marks and up to meet H’sst’s eyes. He smiled at him and settled back into the water, certain that this bond would not fail.
The hot water swirled around Hisst as he gently adjusted his queen so that her body rested partially against him and partially against his brace mate. Sharing her felt only right and he smiled as his hand once again traced her mating bite. The small mark filled him with satisfaction. Perhaps it was not as impressive as those which marked the necks of Queen Adorissa’s brace, but he knew that this one meant so much more. An unusual mark, an unusual queen, an unusual companion—yet, he had never imagined such happiness. In the quiet room, he closed his eyes, and once again thanked the Goddess for sending him helpless into the storm.
Epilogue One
Three years later
“The ship will not travel faster just because you are pushing against the console, my L’chka,” T’kol said dryly.
She laughed and curved a hand over the slight swell of her stomach. “I’m just impatient to be home. He wants to be born on Earth. You should let Hisst pilot.”
“Under no circumstances whatsoever.” He frowned at the Icluthian currently cradling her on his lap, but his eyes were full of warmth. “I have no desire to lose you—either of you—because of this foolish desire for speed the two of you share.”
Lizabet laughed and settled back against her other mate. The past three years on Icluthia had been both challenging and fulfilling. With the information provided by the Icluthian scientists, the warriors from both races had been successful in eliminating the new Saviji queens. The original swarm had been weakened by the attempt to multiply and was now safely confined to one sector. With the end of the war against the Saviji, Adorissa’s plan for more interaction between the two species had begun and, as T’chok had predicted, it meant a constant stream of details to be negotiated.
T’kol and Hisst had proved invaluable. Hisst took to political life as if he’d been born to it while T’kol’s experience and his more direct approach earned the respect of the Icluthian warriors. The other queens had accepted her without blinking an eye, although they quite frequently urged her to increase the size of her brace. T’kol in particular had excited a fair amount of admiration and more than one queen had taken her aside to ask for his use. When she adamantly refused, they often asked her if she thought other Yehrin warriors would be open to the idea. She just smiled and shrugged. She suspected that her mate was unique, but she wasn’t going to dissuade them from making the attempt.
“Do you think our house is still waiting for us?” She had extremely fond memories of the place where they had truly come together.
“I am afraid it had to be removed,” T’kol said. “They were only able to retain one building and I asked them to keep the residence that was built for Queen Adorissa since it is larger.”
“The one with the additional bedrooms?” Her heart sank. Their residence on Icluthia had been set up with the traditional layout and they had decided to experiment with each of her males having one night alone with her. It had been a disaster. When she spent the night with Hisst, T’kol was stiff and angry the next day and it had taken both of them to cajole him back into a good mood. In some ways, Hisst had been even worse. He had been so pale and sad the next morning that she had immediately taken him back to bed and loved him until he smiled again. But now they were back on Earth and amongst the Yehrin, would T’kol want more separation between them?
“Yes, my L’chka. I assume you will want the additional rooms for our children.”
Her heart melted. It must be the pregnancy hormones making her worry; she knew the deep bond they had established over the past three years was too strong to be broken. And during that time, the Yehrin had become much more accepting of the Icluthians. The new agreement was working just as Queen Adorissa had hoped. The Icluthians traveled more freely across the galaxy, and she had even heard rumors that some queens had started expanding their braces to include new species. She also knew that T’lan had been working with the Supreme Council to try and eradicate any lingering prejudice against the Icluthians amongst the Yehrin.
As the Earth grew larger in the viewport, she leaned forward eagerly. It had been three years since she had set foot on her planet. Fortunately, she had been able to keep in touch with her family and her friends via the Icluthian equivalent of video messaging, but her sisters had grown so much, and Benji had taken on the unmistakable signs of manhood. She couldn’t wait to see them all.
As they approached the eastern coast of the United States, T’kol began to veer south.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“I checked the weather forecast. It is currently snowing in New Haven.” He raised an eyebrow at Hisst. “I thought that my brother would enjoy a brief period of sunshine and warmth before we returned to the cold.”
The all too ready tears brought on by her pregnancy sprang to her eyes. What a thoughtful gesture, but…
“We will be home for Christmas?”
“Yes, my L’chka. I know that it is important to you. I have merely arranged to hire a boat for a week before we return.” He studied her face anxiously. “Is that acceptable? I know you are anxious to return.”
“I think it sounds wonderful,” she said sincerely. The past three years had been exciting and challenging, but they had also been tiring. The idea of a peaceful week with just her and her mates before she began her new responsibilities was infinitely appealing. She had agreed to represent the Icluthians in the constant rounds of negotiations over trade and resources and competing rights to various sectors of the galaxy. Their faith in her made her both proud and nervous but she was looking forward to being on the other side of the negotiation table for change.
“It seems the most delightful prospect,” Hisst said softly. “Thank you, my brother.”
As they drew closer to the vista of small islands scattered amongst crystal blue waters, she smiled in happy anticipation.
That afternoon, she and Hisst sat at the end of a dock, waiting for T’kol to return with supplies. The people of Earth had grown accustomed to the Yehrin but most of them were still shocked by the Icluthians and it was easier to just avoid people and remain near their boat. The sleek motor yacht T’kol had hired gleamed behind them.
A gorgeous wooden ship sailed into the next berth and a slender pretty woman began to fasten the moorings. Lizabet was just wondering if they should introduce themselves when a massive Yehrin warrior appeared from nowhere. Compared to every Yehrin she had ever met, he looked completely wild. His skin was tanned to a dark charcoal while his long hair curled to his shoulders and a beard obscured his jaw. He held his sword at a threatening angle as he snarled at Hisst.
“An Icluthian? Here? Explain yourself, lizard.”
“I don’t have to explain myself t
o you, barbarian,” Hisst said almost tauntingly,
as his hand went to his own weapon.
“Stop it, Hisst.” She elbowed him and turned to the warrior. “It’s fine, we have permission to be here.”
“T’saran, what’s wrong? Why did you uncloak?” The pretty woman appeared next to him, her hand resting on a bulge in her pocket that looked suspiciously like a blast tube.
“Nothing’s wrong,” Lizabet said quickly. “I was just trying to explain that Hisst is my mate and—”
“Your mate?” T’saran looked so shocked she almost felt sorry for him.
“Well, one of them. My—”
“Has Earth fallen to the Icluthians?”
“No, of course not. We are working with them now.”
“And you had best lower the sword you have pointed at my brother before I remove your hand.” T’kol sounded cold and deadly as he stepped up behind the strange warrior.
“Please, everyone. Just calm down.” She cast a desperate glance at the other woman and to her relief, the woman put a soothing hand on her warrior’s arm.
“T’saran, please. Let’s just listen to what they have to say.” The woman gave Lizabet a tentative smile. “My name is Lauren.”
“I’m Lizabet, and these are my mates, T’kol and Hisst.”
Lauren looked a little shocked, but she didn’t say anything. T’saran growled.
“I do not understand.” He sneered at T’kol. “Did the lizard force this upon you?”
For a moment, Lizabet feared that T’kol would respond aggressively to the all too obvious insult, but three years serving in a diplomatic capacity had somewhat blunted his natural Yehrin aggression.
“No,” he said shortly. “I was lucky enough to be able to choose this path. I could not ask for a finer L’chka nor a finer companion.”
T’saran continued to scowl at them but Lauren tugged gently on his arm again.
“Perhaps we could invite them aboard the boat? It would be nice to have some company.”
At the unmistakably wistful note in her voice, T’saran’s hostile expression softened.
“Of course, my lady, if this is what you wish.”
A short time later, they were sailing out of the harbor on the Lady’s Pride. Lauren had insisted on taking them to a nearby island where they could catch fresh fish for their dinner. The three warriors stood at the helm as T’saran showed them how to steer the ship. His initial aggression had eased, and Lizabet knew that Hisst was at least partially responsible. Her mate could be extraordinarily charming and after three years with T’kol, he was quite adept at handling a moody Yehrin. T’kol, too, had also relaxed as T’saran’s mood had softened.
Seated in the bow with Lauren amongst a pile of cushions, she felt the tension leave her own body. The sun shone warm and inviting and the breeze that blew by her face held a hint of tropical fragrance mixed with the smell of the ocean. A few seabirds circled overhead, their cries mixing with the rush of the water.
“This is wonderful.” She settled back against the cushions and smiled lazily at Lauren. “I can understand why you choose to stay here.”
“It is wonderful,” Lauren agreed. “I was worried that T’saran would regret exiling himself, but if anything, he seems even happier than I am.”
Lizabet looked at the warrior just as he threw back his head and laughed. The strong dark body, the wild hair and beard—if not for the horns towering over his head, he would have been the perfect image of a pirate.
“He certainly seems happy. Do you live on the boat full time?”
“No. We have a small home on the island for which we are headed. We use it when we want to take a break from sailing, but somehow, we still end up spending most of our time onboard.” Lauren looked around with a contented smile. “I had an unhappy childhood and a miserable marriage, but perhaps I had to suffer through that to know how lucky I am now.”
“T’saran is good to you?”
Lauren’s cheeks flushed. “Very. He thinks I’m perfect.”
“The Yehrin make wonderful mates,” she agreed.
After a brief pause, Lauren leaned forward. “And the other one?” she whispered. “He’s very different.”
“I suspect you thought T’saran was pretty different the first time you met.”
The other woman laughed. “I did. I thought he was some kind of monster come to life—but still, for some reason, I trusted him.”
“When I met Hisst, I felt that same connection. He, too, is a wonderful mate.”
“I’m glad.” Lauren’s eyes traveled past her to where the three males were gathered, and a shadow crossed her face for the first time. “T’saran has made me so happy. I just wish that I had been able to give him a child.”
Before Lizabet could decide what to say, Lauren added, “I’m infertile. He says it doesn’t matter to him, but he has told me about some of the Yehrin history and we listen to the news occasionally. A race doesn’t set up breeding centers unless children matter to them.”
Lizabet’s hand went to her stomach automatically. Lauren followed the gesture, her eyes wistful.
“Are you?”
“Yes. I’m pregnant,” she said softly.
“Congratulations.” Lauren gave her a sweet, genuine smile. “T’kol must be very happy.”
“He is, but it’s not his child. It’s Hisst’s.”
“Humans are compatible with Icluthians as well?”
“Well, no. Not exactly.” Lizabet grinned. “It’s actually kind of ironic. As much as the Yehrin need children, they are surprisingly ignorant about female fertility. The Icluthians have a female dominated society and they are experts. Their females can even control the sex of their children. Each queen only has one female child in order to maintain the balance of their society.”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “And they helped you get pregnant?”
“Yes. One of my friends knew that I was unhappy that Hisst and I could not have a child and she offered to help. One year and a lot of procedures—” embarrassing and sometimes painful procedures “—later, I’m pregnant with his child.”
Lauren bit her lip and snuck another glance at T’saran. “Do you think they could help me?”
“I don’t know, but if T’saran is willing to end his exile, I can put you in touch with my friend. She was quite thrilled to assist me, and her scientists enjoyed the challenge.”
Emotions crossed Lauren’s face almost too quickly to read but Lizabet saw both the hope and the uncertainty.
“There’s no rush and no pressure,” she said gently. “The two of you talk about it.”
“We will.” Lauren’s eyes flicked back to the males. “T’kol doesn’t mind?”
“Mind? He is the one who encouraged me. Despite their differences, there is a deep bond between the two.”
“It sounds like you’re a lucky woman, Lizabet.”
“I think so.” She grinned. “Now shall we make sure they don’t get so involved in talking that they forget about our dinner?”
Lauren laughed and together they went to join their mates.
Later that night, she remembered Lauren’s words. The couple had offered them the use of their house for the night and she had gladly accepted. One of the bedroom walls was completely open to the sea, only a thin layer of netting separating them from the nearby beach. Beyond the translucent curtain, which moved gently in the warm breeze from the ocean, she could see the moon lighting a path across the water and could hear the soft susurrus of the waves. The bed was much, much smaller than they had become accustomed to, but she didn’t mind being snuggled between her two males.
“You’re not sleeping, my queen,” Hisst whispered.
“No, I’m thinking.”
“That is always dangerous,” T’kol growled and she jabbed an elbow at his stomach. Of course, it did absolutely nothing except make her elbow sting, but he drew back far enough to smack her butt, leaving a much more pleasant sting.
“I can see tha
t none of us are going to get any sleep,” Hisst said. “We might as well use our time wisely.”
He kissed her, using his wicked tongue to tug and tease until she was breathless, then slid down her body to focus on her breasts. They were already sensitive and slightly enlarged from her pregnancy and he was fascinated with each tiny change. T’kol curved one hand past her stomach to tease her already swollen clit, while his other hand reached behind her and began probing her bottom hole, firing the sensitive nerve endings.
“It has been far too long since I have had the pleasure of taking you here.” T’kol’s low growl in her ear sent shivers skating over her skin. “H’sst, present yourself to our queen. I think she needs both of us tonight.”
As Hisst lifted her over his body and T’kol began caressing her bottom, she reflected that she was indeed, a very lucky woman.
Epilogue Two
Six years later.
“Boys, stop that right now.”
Jasson and Tressor turned and gave her identical looks of limpid innocence. As it turned out, Adorissa had left out one tiny detail about her pregnancy—they had succeeded in implanting two embryos. When the medic had informed her, Lizabet had almost fainted, but Hisst had been so overjoyed that she had recovered quickly. He later confided in her that he had been worried that his son would feel alone without a nest mate.
“We weren’t doing anything wrong, Mama,” Jasson protested.
“You were trying to wake up Katie up from her nap.” Since the moment her daughter had been born two years ago, the boys had been completely and utterly devoted to their sister. Unfortunately, their eagerness to include her sometimes made it difficult for Lizabet to keep them apart.
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