by Amanda Milo
His tail comes around the back of my neck and pulls me in so his lips brush mine when he agrees, “It could be my bugle.”
“It is pretty deafening."
“I can’t help it when your mouth feels so good on me,” he says roughly, and kisses me.
I’m not going to be able to enjoy sex for a few more weeks. I guess Zadeon was under the mistaken impression that he wouldn’t either.
I set him straight.
My hands find his shoulders and wrap around his neck, the spines there flat and harmless where my skin brushes against them. “There’s nothing the doctors can do?”
“For a Rakhii?” He asks as if the question is ridiculous.
“Ah,” I say, my brows jumping in understanding. Then crashing with outrage.
Z sighs. “It’s fine, Callie. Don’t fret over it. I'm well adapted by now. It doesn't matter. I have never been so happy in all my lifespan as I have with you, really, truly here with me. I care about nothing else.”
I sigh too, and peck my lips against his jaw. “You’re an amazing man, Zadeon.”
◆◆◆
ZADEON
“She’s sleeping,” I say and open the door wide enough that we can comfortably speak, but I don’t invite him in.
His eyes say he knows better than to ask for entry anyway.
He looks at my son and his lips quirk a moment before he says, “I’ll come back another time.”
Patting Baskian on his diaper-padded, tailless rump, I read Dohrein’s lips clearly. “Now is fine. Callie told me she prefers that I listen and give her the highlights.”
Dohrein’s chin bobs in acknowledgment. “Of course. I don’t know much but what I do know, I believe you will need to be aware of.” He consults his tablet and dives right in. “Dendros didn’t just keep slaves. They kept breeders. Dendros bit the females they were using as their incubators. It’s not random; in order to reproduce,” his eyes flick to Baskian, “It is a necessity. The venom in their bite acts as a titer and prepares the host, then keeps the little one from killing its host and as I said, I don’t know much but it’s very lucky that Callie was far enough along in the process when you rescued her. Without enough venom in her system…” His lips peel back from his teeth as he sucks in a breath. “She must have been out of the danger stage.”
Then something flares in his eyes. “And you remember the scratches on her skin?”
My insides tighten.
“Accounts from incubators say that they experienced intense itching when the venom injections stopped. The areas with the worst sensation?”
“Near the young,” I say, my voice bleak.
Dohrein’s lips compress in confirmation.
I look down at Baskian.
What will this mean for his future mate?
My hearts hurt for him.
“Is there any way for the venom not to harm the… host?”
Dohrein grimaces. “I don’t know.” Then he straightens. “But perhaps we can synthesize it. We can run tests, if he even produces it later.”
“Why not test on full Dendros?”
“We would. If there were any left.”
I go still. “What do you mean?”
“Their planet surface is probably still on fire. When Callie claimed you, the Gryfala considered her under our planet’s protection - and worthy of their defense.”
I heave a breath. I don’t feel any regret for an entire planet being wiped out.
What they did to my mate?
That she was essentially their mate, yet they brutalized her, terrorized her, kept her beaten and filthy and starved. Intending her to be the mother of their offspring, and that was how they treated her?
Despicable.
No, I will waste no guilt on them.
“They’ve offered a bounty on any live Dendros brought as captives, but as of yet, none have arrived. In the end... he's half human. Creator only knows if similarities will even develop as he matures.”
I adjust Baskian, and although he’s too young by Rakhii pup standards, he has full control of his head and he gazes up at me and gives me a saliva-bubbled smile.
It’s happy, and bright, and baby-sweet.
Innocent.
CHAPTER 47
Epilogue
CALLIE
I did wonder how a Rakhii couple of two managed to haul around as many as eight ‘pups’.
I didn’t account for how broad a Rakhii gladiator’s back really is.
Zadeon's very beautiful, muscled back was hunching over what looked like a system of soft materialed straps when I found him.
“What’ve you got there?”
He looked up when I got close, making me think he hadn’t heard me speak at all. “Ah, my dream arrives!”
I smile at him and point at what is in his hands, my brows coming together to show my confusion as I cradle Baskian’s head.
As I wait for him to tell me, I return to patting a tiny baby back. I can't get over his size. I feel like I'm playing with a live babydoll.
But instead of telling me, Zadeon stands and shows me. It’s a harness.
A four-seater in back harness.
A two-in-front harness.
These are infant carriers.
Made for a Rakhii dad.
Hormones. It has to be hormones.
I burst into tears.
Zadeon is barely even worried anymore at the sight of my productive tearducts picking up more overtime. He smiles down at me as he pats my back as I keep patting Baskian’s.
“Dam’s have a harness too, but it too will take adjustments. You are much smaller than even a Rakhii female.”
When I have myself under (better?) control, I manage, “What are you doing to yours?”
He shows me how he is meticulously prying off straps. “I am paring it down to a single carrier, since the others aren’t necessary.”
It has to be hormones.
I feel sad that there are no other little butts to plop in and fill up his harness.
I put a hand on his arm. “No. Leave them.”
Zadeon looks into my eyes for a long time. Then he takes me by the jaw, and brings my face to his for a sweet, soft, kiss.
A handful of suns cycles later?
Arokh doesn’t make adjustments to his harness either.
His has three butts in it - and all three butts have tails.
Angie’s kids have tails.
Most of the time, his girls ride together in back so that they can be side-by-side.
But Baskian rides in front on his daddy’s harness.
“He’s so quiet, I’m afraid I won’t hear him if he needs something,” he tells me.
Zadeon’s almost always got a reassuring hand on him.
Like right now.
Gosh, I love my two guys.
Just seeing them together like this is enough to make my ovaries sit up and take notice.
DOWN girls!
“Thanks, Gracie,” I say, and she gives me a thumbs-up.
Tonight is special. Everyone got together to hold a dance competition and bust out the latest routines they’ve worked so hard on.
Best. Time. Ever.
The newest crop of beans is also finally planted and there’s a sort of a celebration feast that goes along with planting - there is one that happens at harvest too.
Coffee and chocolate? You bet your wings and tails there’s a harvest celebration.
And tonight also marks our one solar anniversary.
(Not the same as an Earth year, in case you were wondering.)
Gracie was supportive. “You want to celebrate when you were rescued by an alien? By all means. If anyone has a problem with it, they can go fu-”
She’d looked down at Baskian and corrected herself. “Fly off a highcliff.”
I haven’t told Zadeon that we’re celebrating.
I want it to be a surprise.
I want a special, romantic evening we’ll love looking back on.
Gracie not only a
pproved of my plan, she was only too happy to arm me.
I stalk quickly around the back side of the tent, knowing I have to hurry or Z will come looking for me.
When I get up behind him, he senses me.
But it’s too late.
He’s just starting to turn when the suction dart lands on his shoulder.
His back goes stiff.
His tail clanks to the floor.
I hand the dart gun to Gracie - who backs away quickly.
Carefully, Zadeon unbuckles Baskian, and hands him off to uncle Arokh, who adds him to his harness. Our little guy is no bigger than Arokh’s girls, even though they are so much younger. He gives them a little baby wave.
Cute, right?
But I don’t wait around to watch the adorable scene any longer. Just before I whirl around, Zadeon catches my eye.
He's smiling dangerously when he peels off the dart and mouths the word, “Run.”
I grin back.
Then I get the heck out of there.
I’m about to be chased by my monster.
Epilogue II:
NOTE: This second epilogue ends in a cliffhanger. Generally, I tend to avoid cliffies, but I thought you might want a glimpse into Baskian’s life in the future.
But if you don’t like cliffhangers, DO NOT CONTINUE - Zadeon and Callie’s story is complete without it. If you want to get newsletter/ARC/Facebook group info: flip past this Epilogue II it will be right after it.
(I can sense your question and here’s your answer: Yes, he’s got a book but Tara’s and Beth’s books are next up for release :) )
Many Solars Later…
BASKIAN:
Ask me, I plead with her silently.
Her cheeks flush in the way most of us half-humans do.
My chest feels like it will burst if she doesn’t speak soon.
But I can be patient. For her? I have been waiting all my lifespan. I smile at her warmly.
The sharp facets of the familiar gemstone hidden in my palm are both reassuring and exhilarating.
Will she accept my bauble?
“Baskian!”
We both turn to see one of the other half-humans. It is Nisha.
She’s nice, but she is not the female of my heart. We played together when we were young, but the last few solars I haven’t spent much time with her, because I have been sworn away from her.
And that’s fine by me.
She smiles at me now though, ignoring Tika.
Tika seems to bow her head in submission; but she is checking her tablet. Maybe she’s just sending a Comm.
Dread pools in my stomach.
Father warned me - warned all of us - that half-Gryfala females might challenge each other as they come into their Choosing.
The first sign starts off with slights.
Like ignoring a female they consider to be beneath their notice.
My Tika beneath anyone’s notice?
No…
If a Gryfala is challenged, but doesn’t engage, does that make her the victor?
It doesn’t feel like it.
It feels like Nisha is taking something from her.
Nisha opens her wings as if she’s stretching - but her fringe rattles slightly.
I notice it. Tika does too, and it causes her to shift uncomfortably.
A burst of protectiveness surges so strongly inside me that I sway a little.
Nisha smiles wider, thinking her display is what affected me.
It did. Just not the way she intended.
“That was an incredible fight. Dad says you remind him of your sire.”
I try to nod graciously. “That was very kind of him to say.” I am nowhere near my father’s abilities, but it is a kind thing to say.
I turn to my shy, shy friend. “Tika-”
“Baskian, please come with me,” Nisha interrupts.
I am not half hob. I’m not compelled to take orders. I almost refuse - then I see it.
She’s flexing her claws.
Now she does look at Tika.
Tika, who inherited her mother’s blunt, rounded nails.
They’re so thin I can see through them, and they’re pretty, and the white tips are so eyecatching against her skin.
But they are no match for Nisha’s.
I try not to grow angry. We were warned the females with with hobs for sires may inherit Gryfala instincts they can’t always control.
Instincts.
I want to scoff. Even instincts can be controlled. Hard to do? Of course. But as a fighter, I know all about working hard, and working against adversity.
Instincts can be no harder than facing off with a Rakhii opponent in the ring.
I rub my shoulder.
Nothing can wield hits harder than a Rakhii opponent, I can promise that. Teveking Morning Star Maces.
If Nisha really wanted to overcome her instincts, she would.
It’s that simple.
If she doesn’t… I and Tika may pay the price. It infuriates my parents that I and the other males will have to navigate the unfair side of our society.
My mother and her friends have gone on tirades about gender role reversals, and barbaric practices here similar to ones from old days in their original homeland - and the lack of equality grates on them.
Right now, it grates on me too.
But as I see the sun glint off of Nisha’s wing talons - which are ‘hooking’ the air, as my sire calls it - I realize I have to follow.
To protect Tika, I would do anything.
I send Tika a reassuring smile, and try not to dwell on how her wings droop.
My body tries to rebel, but I manage to turn, and take two steps towards Nisha.
Then a hand slips into mine from behind.
Stunned, I stumble to a stop.
“Actually, Bask and I were talking,” Tika says.
Nisha’s eyes narrow, and I wish I had the diplomacy of Tika’s father, Crispin. I try to emulate him now. I need to distract Nisha from challenging - and she is spoiling for it, I can see it in her eyes. “You know what, Nisha? It’s a good thing I ran into you. My brother has been searching for you. Would you like us to help you find him?”
Her wings snap closed, talons freezing. “No!”
Tika tugs me back - and I go willingly. She smiles - albeit timidly. “You’d better hurry off then, because he sent a Comm a moment ago asking where Bask was and I told him you’d just stopped by to congratulate Bask here.”
Ohhh, Tika is naughty.
And so much braver than she’s given credit for.
Nisha looks like she’s ready to claw her to shreds.
My brother will be consumed with rage when he hears what his future mate (as I refer to her. It’s important to note that he refuses to recognize the distinction; as far as he’s concerned, it’s not ‘future’ mates - he believes they are mates, like Nisha wouldn’t want to say otherwise.) is trying to do.
And without a doubt, he will know she was trying to collect me.
I sigh. “You’d better hurry off, Nisha.”
Her fangs show this time when she smiles. It isn’t a nice smile. “Tell your brother I’d rather take a dive off a highcliff with my wings closed - better yet, tell him he should take a dive off a highcliff.”
I let my lips make a popping sound. But it’s Tika who says it. “Essentially, you just told him yourself.”
Nisha’s eyes go round - her wings shoot out but before she can get enough beats to lift herself off the ground, my brother has her.
Her enraged screams are only broken by the moments she tries to envenomate him.
I shake my head. By now, I think she’s actually fanged him enough times that he’s built up an immunity. If Uncle Dohrein ever finds out, he’ll want to study that.
Or he’ll want to put my brother’s pickled body in a jar.
He’s quite protective of his offspring.
So is his mate. I shudder just thinking of what Aunt Gracie would do if she saw her of
fspring being carried off against their will.
They’d never stand for it.
No one would stand for it.
We all know it. And yet… Nisha doesn’t tell on him. Why? Don’t misunderstand - I don’t want to see my brother punished; he truly is in love with Nisha and he won’t hurt her. But if it bothers her so much, she could have him stopped.
If she didn’t really want him, he wouldn’t have her.
The most curious part of all of it is that our mother is aware.
When Nisha accidentally bit him - her fangs retracted - he’d crowed in shock and thrill.
Happiest I’ve ever seen him. He sang praises to her for a suns cycle: literally. He had to go into the forest to muffle his exuberance but his song is so loud, Nisha had to have heard him.
...Our mom did.
I expected my brother’s hide to be our new throw rug.
Instead, when he pleaded with our mother, saying that he’d dreamed of Nisha all his life… it was the strangest reaction I’ve ever seen.
With the last of Nisha’s outraged screams fading in the distance as she’s carried safely towards her parent’s castle, I focus on the present.
I feel my mouth pull up as I glance at Tika out of the corner of my eye. “Clever girl.”
She turns a dark, dark color and as always, I’m fascinated.
I’m fascinated about every part of her.
“Bask? Can I level with you?”
I roll my eyes. “You know you always can.” I fluidly sink to the ground in a cross-legged position.
After a moment, Tika follows suit and our knees press together.
I watch her face intently.
She can barely meet my eyes. She is very nervous today. “Spill it, Teek.”
She gasps an inhale - and her words come so fast it’s like she’s spitting them out before she can lose her nerve. “I’ve-never-Chosen-before-I’mnotsurehowtodothis!”
My heart pounds into my ribs.
I bring my fingertips to her kneecaps. “Teek,” and I surprise myself with how low and rough my name for her comes out. “I’ve never gentled a Gryfala; we’re even.” I flick her thigh, making her smile. “We learn everything together. Why should this be any different?”
An official declaration ceremony! We’ve NEVER done this before!
