But wallowing in her emotions wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She sat up, noting that the lights were once more on low, and saw a clean white uniform neatly folded on the small table along with a covered tray. Her eyes also went to the pillows lining the uncomfortable Yehrin chairs. Both were thoughtful gestures, more reminiscent of the warrior she had known than this harsh new stranger.
Shaking her head, she turned up the lights and realized that her thighs were covered with a sticky blue substance and she remembered that Emily had told her that Yehrin semen was blue. She poked it with a thoughtful finger. He had definitely done his part; she could only hope that her traitorous body had done the same. But if she was like Emily, pregnant after one encounter, what would that mean for her and T’gana? Would he demand the full thirty days, or would he consider his duty complete and abandon her once more? And which did she want?
Pushing the question aside for now, she went to take a shower. As she moved across the room, she was conscious of the deep, not unpleasant, ache between her legs, and she realized that her body was still on edge—her clit swollen and needy and her nipples hard and throbbing. While she showered, she was tempted to try and relieve the need, but she had never found masturbation particularly satisfactory. She would rather have T’gana’s hands cupping her breasts, feasting on them the way he had last night as if she were a banquet and he were a starving man. She found herself toying with the stiff peaks and gave them a quick squeeze. A bolt of pleasure shot straight to her clit and her knees actually weakened. What was wrong with her?
“S’rah?” T’gana called from the main cabin.
A wave of relief washed over her. He had returned. Driven by an unexpected impulse and the desire throbbing through her body, she answered him.
“I’m in here.”
The door panel slid aside, his big body filling the opening, and his horns almost brushing the top of the frame. As soon as he saw her, he went rigid.
“I…I did not realize you were in the shower. I will leave.” Despite his words, he remained frozen in place, his eyes glowing gold as they surveyed every inch of her naked body.
The hunger on his face created an answering need in hers. This is why I’m here, she reminded herself. She had never made any attempt to play the seductress but the heat in his gaze and the massive bulge in his pants gave her courage. Her soapy hands caressed her breasts, lifting them towards him.
“Why don’t you come join me?”
Despite her attempted bravado, she could hear her voice shake and feel her cheeks heat, but she kept her eyes focused on him.
He took one step forward, his hand dropping almost absently to that enticing bulge, then froze again. After one swift look around, he shook his head.
“This is not the place,” he said, his voice hoarse.
Without another word, he turned and left, leaving her embarrassed, hurt, and still uncomfortably aroused. A crash sounded from the cabin, but she was too busy trying not to cry to care. So much for Sarah the Seductress. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Chapter Six
As soon as he closed the door panel behind him, T’gana picked up a chair and threw it against the wall. The resulting crash made him flinch, which only added to his anger. How had he become such a worthless male?
Unfortunately, he knew how. When he had spent a week pinned under a rock, feeling his wounds start to fester, and watching helplessly as his men had been taken by the bugs, one after the other. The bugs—the new race of aliens they had encountered—were the first species they had come into contact with in a very long time that threatened to match or even exceed Yehrin military capabilities. In the end, he had been able to organize the survivors and defeat the cluster of bugs, but he’d left that battlefield a changed male. It wasn’t just the deformed leg and the horrendous scars—the other changes were so much worse. Noises, flashes of light, even a smell could trigger an episode and send him back to that hell. He would never expose a female to his weakness.
Especially not his female. His thoughts turned to S’rah, flushed and glowing under the stream of hot water. Although he could see a little in the dark, he had only glimpsed her beauty last night, too distracted by need to really focus. Today every detail had been high-lighted in the bright lights of the san—long legs, heavy breasts, wide hips framing the small patch of brown curls which shielded her delicious cunt—she was perfect. He had caught the scent of her arousal and seen the shy invitation in her gaze, and he had almost gone to her. But the light that was so kind to her would cruelly reveal his own disfigurement. He couldn’t stand to see her smile dim and watch horror cross her face.
A light sound behind him made him turn. S’rah was standing there, neatly dressed in the white mutashi, her face set in the pleasant, neutral expression that he recognized from her time in confinement. His hearts ached, and he opened his mouth in a vain attempt to explain.
“S’rah—”
“So what happens now?” she asked, her tone equally as pleasant and neutral.
“I do not understand.”
“Am I to be tested? I understand your scanners can detect pregnancy immediately.”
He frowned. “How do you know that?”
Her expression faltered and she looked away. “Rachel told me.”
R’chel? Had T’chok brought her back after all? “When did you see her?”
“There was a celebration at the end of the Forbidden Cycle, and I was allowed to attend. Rachel was there.”
“With Commander T’chok?”
“Of course. He would never desert her.”
The emphasis on “he” was unmistakable, and he took a step forward. “S’rah—”
“Are you going to scan me? Or do I need a medic?”
“I can do it, but it is much too soon. It usually takes the entire thirty days to establish a pregnancy and even then—” This time he cut himself off. They were strictly forbidden from telling the inhabitants of the planets they conquered about the Yehrin issues with breeding.
“Even then what?”
He refused to lie to her, so he merely said. “It is not a subject I can discuss.”
“But if I am pregnant? Does that terminate the agreement?”
“No,” he growled immediately. “You are mine for the next thirty days.” He might be unworthy, but he would not bypass this opportunity to be with her.
An expression flashed across her face too quickly for him to read. “I see. I would still like to be tested.”
Frowning at her insistence, he pulled out his scanner and ran it over her. “You are not pregnant.”
This time her could read her expression—sorrow.
“I told you it was too soon,” he said.
“But—” It was her turn to stop abruptly.
“But you expected it to be different?” Unable to help himself, he stepped forward and drew her into a hug. For a moment she stood stiffly in his arms, then she sighed and relaxed against him. Unfortunately, the feel of her soft body and her intoxicating scent had his shaft returning to full, aching arousal. For a moment she leaned into him and her scent deepened, but then she drew back.
“Since I am not pregnant, should we… mate again?”
Yes. He forced his unruly body under control. “I have to report to Supreme Commander T’rarchar.”
“Is there a problem?” For a moment she looked concerned—for him—and he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he had not irreparably damaged their relationship by not responding to her.
“No. He wishes an account of the events on Klendat Five.” And he would rather be facing a public punishment, but he had no choice.
“Officer T’bukka said there was a battle?”
“Yes,” he said shortly. He did not want to discuss it at all; he was certainly not going to subject her to tales of the horrors he had encountered.
She pursed her lips together thoughtfully, and he suddenly remembered something one of the other warriors had mentioned—a human mating ritual
called kissing. It had sounded strange at the time but now the idea of covering her soft lips with his own caused his cock to jerk. He realized he was still staring at her pretty little pink mouth when she flushed and cleared her throat.
“What am I going to do while you’re gone?”
“Stay here?” Even as he said it, he glanced around and realized that there were no considerations for her comfort in the breeding suite, not even the small accommodations the females had enjoyed in the Earth facility. “I could arrange to have something brought for you,” he added.
“Even prisoners are entitled to a few distractions?” she asked bitterly, her mask slipping.
“S’rah—”
“No, don’t. I know I’m still a prisoner for another twenty-nine days.”
“Let me speak, female,” he growled. He understood her frustration, but she was pushing his limits. “I was going to suggest that perhaps it would be best for you to meet with A’rathia. You could make suggestions for the other females as well.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks heated again. “Yes, I would like that.”
“I assumed you would. You are always taking care of those around you.”
She looked adorably pleased and confused and he had to fight back the impulse to take her into his arms again.
“Come. I will escort you to the medic.”
As he turned to the door, he put too much weight on his bad leg and a fiery line of pain ran from his calf to his inner thigh. The world went grey with pain.
“T’gana. T’gana! Are you all right?”
Soft fingers touched his arm, but he jerked it away, ashamed that she saw his weakness. It was bad enough that he had collapsed in front of her the previous day, he would not disgrace himself again.
“Do not touch me,” he growled, pain still rippling up his leg.
“Fine.”
He had noticed that despite his translator’s definition, that word did not usually indicate that conditions were satisfactory, but he was still too busy fighting through the grey haze surrounding him to pursue it.
“Follow me,” he ordered, and focused on putting one leg in front of the other without collapsing. S’rah sniffed and fell in behind him.
At the door, he paused and surveyed the corridor. All was quiet. Most of the other—healthy—males were probably still in bed with their breeders, he thought bitterly. They did not have to worry about concealing their flaws under the cover of darkness. Perhaps he could convince S’rah that requiring darkness was a Yehrin mating ritual? The thought pleased him and as the pain in his leg subsided to a throbbing ache, he was conscious enough of his company to realize that S’rah was stalking along next to him, offended dignity in every line of her body.
“I am sorry, S’rah,” he said quietly. Her posture didn’t relax, and he forced himself to be honest. “It is my flaw, not yours.”
“What flaw? You were in pain.”
“Pain is weakness.”
Her body finally softened. “No, it’s not. It’s a physical reaction. I only wanted to help you.”
“I am the one who should be assisting you.”
She cautiously touched his arm, and when he didn’t pull away this time, she tugged him to a halt. “Can’t we help each other?”
He looked down at her, so pretty and so sincere, and didn’t have the hearts to explain to her how badly he was broken. Instead, he gave in to his earlier impulse and bent his head down to press his lips lightly against hers. They were as soft as he had imagined, but then she gave a startled gasp and for the briefest instant her hot little tongue brushed against his. Her taste exploded into his mouth, every bit as delicious as her cunt, and his cock stiffened so quickly that he felt dizzy with the blood rushing away from his head. He staggered back, leaving her flushed and confused.
“I had no idea,” he muttered.
“No idea?”
“That this human custom—this kissing—would be so intoxicating.”
Her color deepened. “You mean you’ve never—?”
“No.”
“Perhaps we could do it again? Later?” she asked shyly, then her face shut down and he knew she was remembering the incident in the san.
“We will most certainly do it again,” he said firmly. Since only their mouths needed to touch, he would not have to turn off the lights and they could kiss whenever they wanted. “Soon. Perhaps even…” He started to lean towards her again but heard the sound of footsteps in the distance. He sighed. “Perhaps later would be best. Come, my L—, my S’rah.”
The neutral expression returned but she didn’t say anything, and she didn’t protest when he placed her hand on his arm and covered it with his own.
He left her with A’rathia, with strict instructions to wait for him there, and went off to face the Supreme Commander.
Chapter Seven
“You want to supply the breeders with something to occupy their time?” A’rathia said drily. “Are not their warriors supposed to be doing that?”
“Twenty-four hours a day?” Sarah returned, equally drily. “It seems a bit excessive.”
The Yehrin female laughed. “You are correct. And the warriors do not remain with them at all times. They still have to train, and they still have duties to perform.”
“Do they really have to train all the time?”
A shadow crossed A’rathia’s face. “Yes, and now more than ever.”
“Why now?”
A’rathia studied her. “There is something about you which encourages me to confide in you; however, this is not the place. Perhaps another time.” She reached over and picked up a tablet. “Now, what would you suggest?”
Together they discussed several options for crafts and books, including the possibility of some type of library. The Yehrin female seemed to have no doubts about procuring whatever they wanted from Earth and Sarah had to bite back a bitter thought about conquering races. When they came to the end of their list, she studied the other woman covertly from under her lashes. An attractive older female, A’rathia was neatly and elegantly dressed in a close-fitting black uniform which suited her tall, slender figure. Her long dark hair was arranged simply around the two small black horns emerging from her temples and the pearly grey of her skin contrasted with the odd slit-pupiled eyes that all of the Yehrin possessed. How many of those traits might carry over to her own child?
“You are staring at me,” A’rathia said mildly.
“I was wondering what Yehrin traits are dominant.”
“It is a little too early to tell.”
“Is it? Isn’t Emlan an example?”
A’rathia sucked in a quick breath, then got up and went to a cabinet on the far wall. “Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, please.” Sarah watched the female’s quick efficient movements. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I was surprised, but I should have realized when you mentioned Emily yesterday that you might have met my, I believe you would say, great-granddaughter.”
“Great granddaughter?” Except for a few silvery strands, the woman didn’t look old enough to have a granddaughter, let alone a great granddaughter. “Wait a minute. Does that mean you’re Commander T’lan’s mother?”
“No.” A’rathia returned with a small tray holding two delicate cups and offered her one. “It is all rather complicated.”
“Oh, that’s right. I remember my friend Rachel said someone took advantage of Emily,” she said, and then could have bitten her tongue as she realized what that implied.
“It was not his fault,” A’rathia said fiercely. “He was manipulated.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know the whole story.”
The other woman settled back. “No, do not apologize. We have deliberately kept the circumstances quiet.”
“Is that why you cut me off last night when I asked about the breeding drug?”
“Yes. There is always a certain… fervor around the beginning of the breeding contracts. If the warriors knew there was
a strong possibility that human women can be easily impregnated, it might get out of hand.” A’rathia sighed and picked up her teacup, turning it slowly in her hands. “It may be too late. I started doing inspections this morning. Two females are already with child, although they are not yet aware of that fact.”
“You didn’t tell them?”
“If I told them, they would tell their warriors, and the males would shout it from the highest deck.”
“You have to tell them,” Sarah insisted. “They could be finished with the contract now.”
A’rathia laughed. “Trust me, child. They did not want to be finished. They could barely keep their hands off each other long enough for me to perform my exam. Their males will claim them.”
A dull ache started in her heart. T’gana seemed very certain that their contract would only last for thirty days. Twenty-nine, now.
“I can examine you while you are here,” A’rathia offered.
“There’s no need. I’m not pregnant.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I am disappointed. I’ve wanted a child for as long as I can remember. For many years, the timing just didn’t seem to work and then…” Her breath caught.
“And?”
Rather than answer her directly, she asked another question. “Are you sure I can get pregnant?”
“You would not have been accepted as a breeder unless you were capable.” A’rathia frowned at her and put down her cup. “Would you like me to check your records?”
“Please.”
While A’rathia studied her tablet, Sarah tried to focus on her tea, taking small sips of the fragrant brew and letting the warmth soothe her nerves. She knew the minute she heard the quick intake of breath that A’rathia had spotted it.
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