by Olivia March
“Closer to twelve months, my lady. I will have to monitor your pregnancy very closely. There has never been a mixed-race coupling that produced a child between a Keeper and human. I will want to check on you every day, perhaps even several times a day. You will need to eat plenty of good foods. Keeper pregnancies are always taxing on the energy of the mother, so you’ll also need lots of rest. And you will need intimacy with Helion several times a day. I can’t speculate on the exact number, but I will monitor if the child is getting enough essence to support his development. If he isn’t getting enough, you’ll have to increase the lovemaking.”
Gwen was gaping at Nathal now.
“I’m sorry, Nathal but…what is essence? And why do I have to have…intimacy…with Helion several times a day to get it? No offense, but I’m not sure I’d survive having sex with the Commander several times a day, every day! Jesus!”
Nathal’s eyebrows shot up and he exchanged a look with Helion.
“My lady, your offspring here on Earth doesn’t require infusions of essence? To grow strong and healthy? Keeper men carry essence in their ejaculate. It energizes the body of their mate, infusing her with strength and vitality, which she passes on to the growing child. The child needs this to grow.”
“Um…no, human women don’t require that. We just take vitamins and get lots of rest if we can, food as we can. Some women are luckier than others. Really it’s a good thing we don’t need this essence you’re talking about as many women find themselves abandoned once they become pregnant. A lot of men just don’t want to be fathers. That happened with me. Evelyn’s father dumped me like a hot potato when I told him I was pregnant.”
Silence reigned in the tent. Helion exchanged a loaded look with Nathal. Human males left their pregnant mates? That’s why Gwen was raising Evelyn alone? Helion had naively assumed the man had died during the invasions. Why else would a man leave a woman like Gwen, especially when she carried his offspring? It made no sense.
“My lady, I will monitor this situation. It’s odd your offspring don’t need essence but I’m not sure if a mixed-race child will need it or not. Right now I’m feeling your son is content but Helion informed me he took you just a few hours ago. You should eat now and in a few hours I will come back and see how your son is feeling.”
Verdun bowed and quickly left the tent, no doubt eager to document his findings so far on this extraordinary situation. Helion wouldn’t be surprised if it took a good long while for Nathal to reach his tent though. Verdun had probably spread the word already to the men and all would be understandably curious about this development. Helion was still having a hard time grasping the implications. It would no doubt take a while for everyone to adjust. But how exciting it was.
Chapter Eighteen
The tent was quiet when Nathal left. Gwen stared at her hand Helion still held in his. She was a little surprised he wasn’t ranting and raving at her. Sure, it wasn’t his style. He was more the coldly furious type. But she hadn’t thought ranting was Steven’s style either and when she’d told him about her pregnancy, he completely lost it. He’d called her a whore and accused her of trying to trap him and bleed his bank accounts dry.
It had been hard to accept she’d been totally deceived about what kind of man Steven was. Loneliness could make a person believe the most unlikely things. It made them accept as true words of love that never even came close to being sincere. For her desire to be close to someone she’d suffered through bad dates, worse sex and a terrible relationship. But even for all that, Gwen didn’t regret it. Evelyn was the light of her life and she’d never regret having her, no matter Steven was her father.
This situation though…could she have made her life any more complicated? Now she was going to have an intergalactic baby daddy? Would he just hop a starship a couple weekends a month to check on the baby? This was bound to be a terrible inconvenience for him.
But, really, how was she to know? That they could be genetically compatible for having children had never even occurred to her. The Keepers were so…other. From their size to their coloring to their strange abilities, they were nothing like humans. Helion being able to impregnate her was like a panther knocking up a field mouse.
“Helion, I’m…I’m so sorry,” she stuttered, not meeting his eyes. Her pulse was racing and she felt a little sick. That last ugly scene with Steven kept replaying in her mind over and over and she knew a scene with Helion would be so much worse. Helion was more, well, everything, than Steven had been.
“Sorry, little mother?” Helion asked, his voice mild. “Why should you be sorry?”
His grip didn’t change but Gwen felt something go through the connection. Something that made her tense.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen. I didn’t even know this could happen. I’m just… I don’t know. I’m sure this will inconvenience you, but I won’t make any demands. I know you won’t be here for very long.”
Silence stretched in the tent. Gwen could feel Helion’s eyes boring into her but this time she wasn’t brave enough to stare back. If he told her he didn’t want anything to do with their baby, it would crush her. He didn’t know she loved him and probably wouldn’t care if he did know but if he repudiated their child, those tender, new feelings would be crushed like a flower under a boot.
This was her child…their child. If she never did anything else with the rest of her life, she just hoped she could be a good mother to Evelyn and the new baby for as long as she was able. Already there was a connection there, though she’d known about her son for literally minutes. Gwen wondered if he’d have green eyes and white hair and if he would grow as big and strong as Helion. No matter what happened with Helion, her son would get all the love she had to give. It probably wouldn’t be able to make up for not having Helion around but she’d do her damnedest.
Helion released her hand and Gwen tensed, expecting the cruel words to start. But she heard nothing except quiet rustles and clinks. A quick look told her Helion was removing his armor. He didn’t speak, just methodically divested himself of all that golden plate until his body stood naked in the sunlight.
And what a body. In full daylight, bared fully, Helion was a stunning sight indeed. All that towering, rippling muscle. That incandescent glow of his skin that magnified in the sun…it made Gwen want to lick every exposed inch. Especially his cock. His fully erect, fierce-looking cock. It made her weak just looking at it, remembering his mastery over her the night before. Obviously he planned to take her again but Gwen couldn’t tell what his mood was.
“Get on your hands and knees, Lady Gwen,” came his voice, whipping out the command.
Gwen’s head jerked up from its fixation on his cock, her gaze jumping up to his in mild shock. Would she ever get used to how crude Helion could be? How arrogant he was, to just assume she’d do what he told her, as if she was some sort of puppet? Her own heated reaction to his commands infuriated her even while her pussy dampened. She wanted to do what he said, had to fight not to.
“I will not. I just found out I’m going to be a mother again—I don’t want to have angry sex right now.” It was a lie. She really did want to have angry sex right now.
“Yes, you’re going to be a mother. Again. Whereas this is the first time I’ve ever been told I’m going to be a father. You’ve lived only a fraction of my own years, yet you’ve been doubly blessed with children to love and raise. And now with your words you try to cut me out of my only child’s life, as if I’m not even a part of it. But I am going to be a part of it. That is my son and he needs my essence to fuel his growth. Hands and knees, now.”
“You just want to control me. Nathal said the baby was content and satisfied right now and we don’t even know if he actually needs essence. How are we going to find out if you won’t leave me be?”
The whole idea of essence was so strange. How did it give vitality to the mother? Why did Keeper children need it? What happened if they didn’t get it? Clearly Gwen needed to make a lis
t of questions for Nathal. She didn’t want to risk involuntarily hurting her child with her ignorance.
“That is my son. He needs essence, and a lot of it, to grow healthy and strong. I won’t wait for my son to suffer in need so you’ll believe the truth.”
“What truth, Helion?” she asked warily, not liking the hard look in those swirling eyes.
“The truth that you’re mine now. That we’re a pair, a mated pair. You insult me by suggesting I would leave you and my child behind in this decrepit backwater. We will stay only long enough to secure this region against the Scourge. Then you and I will be traveling together with our children to Arloren.”
While Gwen gaped at him in shock, Helion moved in on her, forcing her flat on her back under him. She was too stunned by his declaration to fight when he powered over her and thrust her legs apart to get between them. He didn’t lie on her stomach, though, sending more confusion through Gwen. Helion was already that considerate and conscious of the child resting within her.
“Wait, wait, Commander! Are you telling me you think just because I’m pregnant we’re what, going to be married? And live on your planet, together? I’m not agreeing to that. Earth is my home; Kentucky is my home. I was born here and I’ll die here.”
Gwen pushed futilely at the broad shoulders hovering over her chest. Helion’s presence was too suffocating, in fact too much everything. Too handsome, too commanding, too big. This close to him, Gwen could smell his delicious musk too and could feel his long hair dancing over her skin like silk. It was heavenly but she couldn’t give in to it, not when his words were so alarming. Especially when his eyes were jade fire and totally serious.
“You will neither live here any longer nor die here, little lady.”
And apparently that was that in Helion’s mind. He swooped his head down and caught Gwen’s lips before she could protest further, thrusting his tongue inside. He used one hand to hold her head still for his possession and the other to stimulate her pussy. Gwen was quickly overwhelmed by Helion. It was as if he was possessed, that knowing his son was inside her was driving him into a frenzy. He thrust two fingers inside her channel, his groan sounding as loud as hers when he felt her hot and wet and ready for him.
Gwen had never been with a man who could wring a response from her so completely, so quickly. She dampened for him with just a look, her body always primed and ready for him to take her. There was satisfaction in knowing he was as helpless as she was in this attraction. Being so out of control was humbling, especially when she was used to being in control at all times.
“Wait, Helion,” Gwen gasped as she finally pulled away from the Keeper’s drugging lips. “We have to talk about this.”
“No more talk, my lady,” he said, releasing her head and pulling back so he could grab her ass in his hands. Gwen gasped as he lifted her high before lining her up and slowly, ever so slowly impaling her on his throbbing erection, groaning in unison with her as he pushed inch after inch inside her. There was no stopping until he was fully seated inside her heat and her ass was resting on his balls.
Gwen was incapable of speech now, discarding thoughts of setting him straight to focus on the feeling of Helion powering in and out of her so unhurriedly it was driving her mad with the need to come. He was too big inside her but hit every nerve-packed spot as he thrust in and out in such a way that her body helplessly lifted toward him over and over, seeking her release. Her back was arched and her rock-hard nipples swollen and begging for Helion’s attention.
Attention he was all too happy to provide. He released her ass with one hand to grab her behind the neck instead, pulling her upward until Gwen’s nipples were right before his mouth for a proper feasting. Her gasps and moans rang through the tent like erotic music, urging Helion to thrust into her harder and to suck more strongly.
Gwen’s hand dared him on, tangling in his hair to hold his mouth hard to her nipple. She used her other hand to give herself leverage to ride him, lifting herself up until only the head of his cock remained inside her before dropping back down and filling herself to the hilt, increasing the speed to satisfy her need for a harder and faster ride. Before long they were in a frenzy, Helion powering in and out hard and deep, straining them both toward their peak. The friction was delicious, so amazing they got lost in it.
Too soon Gwen could feel her orgasm approaching like a freight train, and increased her frantic little motions to signal how close she was and how desperate she was to come. Helion responded, quickly laying her flat on the bed before raising her legs to his shoulders. Then he moved even more frantically, furiously pumping inside Gwen until they were both lost to reason, climaxing simultaneously in an explosion of pleasure that shattered them both.
His mate had passed out again. It gave Helion a primitive satisfaction to know he gave Gwen so much pleasure she literally blacked out after her orgasms. His mate. His son. And his daughter. Helion wrapped his body around Gwen, keeping himself tucked securely in and around her so not even one drop of essence was wasted. He had to marvel at how changed his life was now.
What had before seemed like an endless stretch before him of ruling his people and fruitless attempts to have a family, now everything was different. He was a father and a mate and obsessive and protective and a host of other things, other emotions he couldn’t put a name to. A son and a daughter and a wife. It felt so good he was almost too paranoid to believe it was actually happening. Never in a million years would he have thought this would be the outcome of his campaign to eradicate the Scourge. New life while on a campaign of death and destruction.
“Healer Nathal, I’ve just given my son a dose of essence. I want you to come and examine the results.”
After his summons went through to Nathal via the mind link, Helion looked down at Gwen. He didn’t want to leave the sweet haven of her body but he would preserve her modesty. He withdrew and covered her with a thin blanket, with just enough time to throw a robe over himself before Nathal came striding into the tent. He certainly didn’t waste any time, not that Helion could blame him. This was an exciting event for their race, a successful breeding with another species. There was no doubt this pregnancy would be closely monitored by many.
Nathal walked up to the resting Gwen and hovered his hands over her abdomen.
“There can be no doubt, Commander, your essence has transmitted much vitality to your son. He was fine before but now he’s humming with energy and contentment. I think it’s safe to say your essence is required for this pregnancy to succeed. That means of course you can’t go too far afield. No more missions that will take you days away from your mate.”
Helion nodded, already having thought of that difficulty. He hadn’t been happy being separated for days from Gwen even before he’d mated with her. Now there was no force on this planet that could keep him from her for long. His mission on this planet remained to be accomplished though; the Scourge still had their talons deep into this planet. Meaning he had to stay and he needed to keep his mate close to him.
The danger was something to consider, however. Helion couldn’t forget there was a traitor in his camp, one who had targeted Gwen and more than likely killed Mithrain. To make sure Gwen was safe while he completed his mission, he needed more men. And he needed to root out the traitor in his camp. Asking for help hurt his pride but nothing would stop him from protecting what was his.
“Keep an eye on the lady for me, Nathal. Verdun will return with my daughter momentarily and I want you both to stay here and watch my family while I’m gone.”
“Gone, Commander?” Nathal questioned, surprised.
“I need to report to High Commander Bron on our situation. And then I’ll be humbling myself before Commander Melithan and requesting to join our forces permanently.”
When Verdun arrived, he handed Evelyn to Nathal and quickly helped Helion dress and arm. Helion requested a meeting with Commander Melithan and the High Commander Bron, receiving permission to gate to Arthaneas to see both at
Bron’s war headquarters. Helion put Tohran in charge during his absence before briefly kissing the still-sleeping Gwen on her soft, sweet lips. He kissed Evelyn’s downy red head and left the tent.
Helion wasted no time in gating to Arthaneas, feeling at home the moment he entered the courtyard of High Commander Bron’s headquarters. It wasn’t his home but the smell of the air and the tranquility filling it, redolent of the smell of fragrant blossoms heavy in the cool breeze, all reminded him of his own kingdom. How he missed home. The wars against the Scourge seemed endless and every time he rested, he wondered when he’d be back where he belonged once again.
His homecoming now would be even sweeter, with a mate and two children. His fears that his parents wouldn’t accept the union were as nothing now Gwen was with child. King Louran, his father, could do nothing but welcome her, and with joy, since the little mother was carrying his first and only grandchild. All that needed doing was to finish the campaign against the Scourge and then he could bring his mate and their children to Arloren and settle into domestic bliss with them. Helion could hardly wait.
But first Commander Melithan was waiting for him in the courtyard. Helion nodded to him and fell into step next to him as they walked through a corridor toward Bron’s war room. It was more of an enclosed garden. Like all Keepers, Bron found peace and a steadiness of mind while surrounded by nature, so conducted all his meetings in the outdoors. A few twists and turns found the two silent Commanders arriving in the garden where Bron was already seated behind a massive desk under the shade of an ancient tree.
“Ah, Commander Helion, Commander Melithan. I bid you welcome.” Bron stood as he spoke, dipping his head, right hand over his heart in the way of their people. Helion and Melithan mimicked the greeting, then sat down in the chairs across from Bron’s desk.
“Very well then, Commander Helion, why have you called this meeting? I trust it’s important, to bring both you and Commander Melithan from the field.”
