KRAL: A sci-fi alien romance (Mail-Order Brides of Crakair Book 4)

by Ava Ross

  “This way,” he said, baring his fangs. She could tell by the concern on his face he’d read her confusion. “You will be happy.”

  She winked at him. “What about my feet?”

  “I am going to make sure all of you is happy. Soon.”

  Yes. Her body hummed already. After all, it had been hours since they’d had sex. She was almost going through Kral withdrawal. “You’ve got a bed, right?”

  “You will see.”

  “As long as there’s some sort of flat surface—even one with moveable memory foam—and you promise to massage my feet with a real boodler soon, I’m in.”

  He dropped the bag and, taking care of Chee-chee, swept her off her feet, spinning her around until she was dizzy and giggling like a teenager.

  “Kral!” She socked his arm. “Put me down. You’re going to hurt your leg.”

  “My leg is feeling much better already, thanks to your care.” His steps slowed, and his mouth dropped to meet hers.

  Sparks flew between them and as he lowered her feet to the ground, but he kept kissing her, showing her how much she meant to him with his mouth and his arms, plus his naanans teasing along her back.

  “Here are you,” a creaky voice said from behind Mila. “I have been waiting since word came from Tri’Arteele.”

  Mila and Kral broke apart, and the smile they gave each other contained a promise.

  The second they were alone…

  Mila turned, but her smile wavered when she found a full contingent of Crakairians—dressed in furs and leather outfits—staring at them.

  An older woman scowled at Mila.

  Twenty-Four

  Kral

  Kral stepped forward with an easy grin on his face. “Aunt.” He held her frail shoulders and kissed her weathered cheek. “You look well.”

  “You also, nephew.” The smile she gave him warmed his heart. This woman had nursed him back to health after the fire and then given him a home even after he had reached maturity. She’d guided him since he assumed leadership of the clan, and he’d often sought out her opinion when he had to make a big decision. “How your leg is?”

  Her translator was not fully functioning yet. It would need time to acclimate before the English translation would be seamless.

  “Better every day,” he said. “My mate is a therapist of the physical, and she is helping me.” His leg still ached but less, and even Mila had commented on his smoother gait.

  His Aunt Riella’s gaze fell on Mila, and her face softened. “Ah, mate to be is her? Find her, you did! So lovely.”

  He held up his hand, showing her the symbol on his palm, and her breath caught.

  “Happened it did?” She tipped her head back and shrieked, the way many females expressed happiness on Crakair. “Praise be. A matebond. And a female of alien race is. Nephew…” The skin around her eyes crinkled. “Pleased for you, I am.” She edged him aside. “See her, I must.”

  Mila shot him a concerned glance, but a hesitant smile rose on her face as Riella strode toward his mate.

  “Welcome,” Riella said. She blinked quickly at the meerdreg and took a step backward. “What that is?”

  “This is Chee-chee,” Mila said calmly. “He’s my friend.”

  “Crakairians not friends with meerdregs are.” Riella’s gaze spun to Kral. “Claws…”

  “Chee’s sweet,” Mila said carefully. “I can’t imagine he’d hurt anyone.”

  Kral could tell she was nervous about insulting his aunt, but Riella loved everyone. She’d never take offense.

  “See we shall.” With a pert nod, Riella glanced over her shoulder at Kral’s two male cousins lingering by the woods. “Sons. For the Selection you must enter! Imagine. Matebonds! Then someday, grandmother, I will be.” She rubbed Mila’s arm. “Welcome. Welcome.”

  Mila’s smile rose fully, and her posture loosened. “Thank you.”

  His cousins bared their fangs, and Hantir’s predatory gaze dropped down Mila’s body.

  Kral’s cousins strode forward, and Josik braced Kral’s shoulders and bared his fangs in welcome. Hantir did the same.

  “Too long has it been since seeing you I have,” Josik said. He dipped his head at Mila. “Welcome.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Mila beamed, jostling Chee-chee to her other hip. She held out her hand, and Josik took it, his surprised gaze darting to Kral.

  They would get used to Mila’s charming ways.

  Kral studied Hantir as he stepped forward and shook Mila’s hand. Hantir’s attention lingered on Mila more than Kral liked.

  While Kral and Josik had always been friends, he had never gotten along well with Hantir, though Kral had consistently tried. His sekairs bristled at Hantir’s greedy gaze, but he made himself back down. This was family. His cousin was without a mate. It was only natural Hantir would be attracted to the first eligible female to arrive at their clan.

  But Mila was Kral’s, and he would fight to the death to keep her.

  Riella swept her hand toward her sons. “My sons, Josik and Hantir. Good younglings they are.”

  Hantir grumbled about the youngling comment, but kissed his mother’s cheek. Turning, he sniffed the air and bared his fangs. “No bond with Earthling? Still free for take.” He moved closer to Mila, who stepped backward.

  Kral took her hand and tugged her into his side, partly to show her he was here for her but also because her hand had slid to the kitchen knife she wore in a sheath on her belt. If Hantir was not careful, she’d poke him.

  Josik frowned at his brother, and there was no missing the warning in his eyes.

  Mila lifted her free hand, showing off the symbol. “While it’s nice to meet you, Hantir, I’m afraid you’ll have to apply for the Selection like everyone else.” It was likely only Kral noticed her shudder. “Perhaps the computer will match you with an Earth mate.” She leaned into Kral’s side, whispering. “Perhaps not.” She smiled brightly up at him and lifted her voice. “Where’s your house? I’d love to get settled in. Wash my hands. Unwind.”

  “Show you, I will,” Riella said, revealing her fangs. “Almost daughter to me, now mated to my nephew you are.” She held out her hand. “Come. Come. Go to village together we will.”

  Mila looked Kral’s way, and he wanted to insist he would show her everything, but as an Elder, Riella’s word held sway. Besides, Kral was often busy with his leadership duties, and he hated the idea of Mila staying in their home alone. She would need friends, and who better than his beloved aunt? She was family, and family watched out for each other.

  He spied someone waiting just inside the woods and beckoned her forward.

  His childhood friend, Sereel, stepped their way, a hesitant smile on her face. Her gaze darted to Riella, and she stilled before moving closer, her long, dark teal naanans swaying across her back.

  “Ah Sereel. A new friend you must meet,” Riella said. “Linger in the woods, one must not do. A Vikir proud you must be.”

  Sereel came closer, but her gaze fell. “Pleased I am to meet you,” she said to Mila in a hesitant voice. She flashed her fangs at Kral, and he dipped his head her way. He’d loved Sereel from the moment she was born to his parents’ good friends. Five years younger than him, he’d treated her like an adored younger sister as he’d had no siblings himself. Their parents had hoped they would matebond, but he had never seen her as more than a friend, and she felt the same.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Mila held out her hand, and Sereel carefully took it. Her gaze shot to Kral’s, and it was clear she didn’t know what to do with the gesture. “Maybe you could walk with me to the village?”

  Riella frowned. “Me. Go with you, I—“

  “That is a good idea,” Kral said, dipping his head toward Sereel. Closer to Mila’s age, perhaps Sereel would make a better close friend than his aunt.

  Sereel’s attention darted to Josik before falling on Mila. “Yes, I would like that.”

  Kral didn’t miss the way Josik watched Sereel.
Finally. Sereel had adored Josik for years. Had he finally seen the kind person who had been in front of him all this time?

  While Sereel exclaimed about the meerdreg and Mila showed the creature off, the two women walked slowly forward, entering the forest on the well-worn trail. They chattered as they walked, and Sereel’s laughter rang out.

  “You have done well,” Riella said softly to Kral in Crakairian. Her arm went around his waist for a brief hug. “I am grateful the match has resulted in a matebond. Perhaps now my sons will consider the Selection for themselves.”

  “Perhaps.” Kral had his doubts whether Hantir would qualify. Josik, yes, but if he was wise, he’d ask Sereel about courtship. Hantir would need references—and a job—and he had never seemed eager to work for anything in life, including a mate.

  “No matter.” Riella hugged Kral’s arm. “You are home safe and you have brought our village a lovely mate. I hope she is soon with child, your heir.”

  Kral hadn’t thought that far ahead, though he wasn’t sure why. Maybe because they had spent so much time running from the Al’kieern and then getting to know each other. Was he greedy to want time with his mate before they had children?

  Although…He could picture a strong youngling son with Mila’s blue eyes and chestnut-colored naanans. Or a daughter with Mila’s silky hair and Kral’s dark eyes. Either or both would be welcome.

  One thing was clear.

  Mila had brought his clan hope.

  Twenty-Five

  Mila

  Sereel led Mila along a wide trail through the woods.

  “A meerdreg,” Sereel said in awe. “Thought who would have?”

  “He’s very friendly.” Mila leaned closer to Sereel, who froze when Chee-chee chirped. “He won’t claw you, I promise. You can pat him if you’d like.”

  Sereel carefully stroked Chee-chee’s back, and the meerdreg purred. He leaned forward, holding his four arms toward Sereel. Her eyes widened, and she gulped, but she took the creature from Mila, only releasing a cheep herself when Chee-chee wrapped his arms around Sereel’s neck.

  “Claws no harm?” Sereel said with a wince. Her hand rose, and she hesitated before stroking Chee’s head. The meerdreg’s chest rumbled with happiness, and he nuzzled closer, which made Sereel laugh. “Like this meerdreg I do.”

  Mila grinned. “Me, too. When I found him, he had a sore leg. I splinted it, and it’s healing. Soon, he’ll be running around everywhere.”

  Sereel’s eyes widened even further, as if she wasn’t sure if she was terrified or thrilled by the prospect.

  “Kral good male is,” Sereel said softly as they moved through the woods. In the forest around them, birds called and insects buzzed. Flowers bloomed in every color of the rainbow, contrasting nicely with the blue leaves on the huge trees they passed. “Honest, Kral is. Fair, as well. See, you will.”

  “I believe you,” Mila said, not hiding her grin. “He’s the best. I’m so happy I was matched with him.”

  Mila had seen the affection between Kral and Sereel, and while she hadn’t felt jealous, she wasn’t sure what their relationship might be.

  “Best you than…” She cut herself off and stared at the ground for a moment before looking up again to bare her fangs. “Already, care for Kral you do. I see. Good, this is. Like a brother to me, he is.”

  “You and he…” Damn, now Mila had said it.

  “Oh! No.” Sereel darted a look back at the others walking behind them. “Josik,” she sighed with longing. “Someday see me, I hope.”

  So that’s how it was. Maybe Mila could play matchmaker…

  “You and Kral, younglings many you will make, and auntie I will be,” Sereel said with another baring of her fangs.

  Heat rose into Mila’s face. She and Kral hadn’t talked about children, though the matchmaking agreement with Earth stated the woman must be willing to give birth to up to three children. After that, it was up to the couple if they wanted to have more. She could easily picture a tall son with naanans. How much of her genetics would show in their children? Or would they be pure Crakair? She’d be happy with any children and hoped they’d be healthy.

  “Too kind, he is,” Sereel added with another glance over her shoulder. Her fingers tightened on the belt of the supple leather dress she wore.

  “Is it possible for someone to be too kind?”

  “Times, yes.” Sereel voice lowered, and she leaned close to Mila. “Care, you must take. Some—”

  “Sereel,” Riella said pleasantly, coming up behind them. “Help me you must with feast we will hold. Celebrate Kral’s safe return and his mate we must. Tonight, I will host. Many will come.”

  “Yes,” Sereel said, dipping her head toward the older woman who seemed to be the clan matriarch.

  Riella’s twinkling gaze fell on Mila. “Hope I do that eat you like. Food much.”

  “I love food.” Mila sincerely hoped their translators got up to speed soon. She could understand what they said as long as they spoke slowly, but if they started talking fast, she’d be lost. She felt like she was conversing with a pack of Yodas. “What sort of dishes can I expect at the feast?” She turned slightly to include Riella and Josik in the conversation. Hantir, she ignored. “Thank you so much for doing this. It’s an honor to be here, and I’m looking forward to the feast.”

  “Sweet, she is,” Riella said, beaming up at Kral who walked beside her.

  Kral’s cousins paced behind them. Josik watched Sereel. Hantir dragged his gaze down Mila’s body, and goosebumps lifted on her skin.

  Jerk alert. No matter where a woman went, she always ran into a sneering, gaping dude.

  As if he thought she was looking at him, Hantir flashed his fangs.

  When Kral smiled, Mila’s knees went weak. With Hantir? Not so much. Creepy, he was. Avoid him, she would do.

  Shit, now she was thinking in broken English. She tapped her translator implanted behind her ear, hoping that would urge it along, because the problem was either on their end or hers. She’d been told to expect something like this, but it was a bit disconcerting. She hadn’t noticed this when she met Kral.

  As for Hantir, she could only hope Kral’s slimy cousin didn’t visit often, though the odds were poor from what she’d seen so far. Kral had mentioned there were only a few thousand people in his clan. They’d probably bump into each other all the time.

  So far, Riella and Sereel seemed nice. After growing up without a mom around, it would be awesome to have other women in her life. She could tell Riella adored Kral, and she was hosting a big welcome for Mila.

  They stopped at the base of a tree with a diameter that had to be at least twenty-five feet. The only trees she’d seen this big were during a hiking trip among the California redwoods. Around the tree, the ground had been well tamped down, almost as if someone cleared the area with an industrial weed whacker.

  “See you later, I will?” Josik said with a bow to Mila. His longing gaze flicked to Sereel.

  Mila definitely needed to play matchmaker. They were a matebond match waiting to happen.

  Josik and Kral braced shoulders again, then Josik loped away into the forest.

  “We’re…here?” Mila asked. She looked around and saw no houses, but maybe they were camouflaged to blend in with the forest around them?

  “Up, go we,” Sereel said, her lips curling into a teasing smile. She clapped her hands. “Kral secret has kept! Surprised you shall be.”

  Mila was surprised already. Up?

  “How do we get…up?” she asked. And please, let there be handrails wherever they went. She didn’t mind heights, but did they truly live in the treetops?

  She took in a deep breath and released it, determined to withhold judgment until she’d seen her new home. Kral loved it. So would she.

  “Ages past, climb we did,” Sereel said.

  “How?” Mila walked around the tree but didn’t see any handholds or way up unless she clung to the bark.

  “Clever,” Sereel
said. “Gone, old ways are.”

  Riella smiled and chatted with Kral.

  Hantir lurked and leered. Really, didn’t he have a job to get to?

  “Why not live on the ground?” Mila asked.

  “Dangerous, it is,” Sereel said, her smile faltering. Her gaze spanned the surrounding forest, but if something watched them, Mila didn’t sense anything. But this was a new world, with new creatures. If the Vikirs lived in the trees, they had a valid reason.

  “You have no cuts?” Riella asked, her concerned gaze skimming Mila.

  Oh, yeah. She was a healer.

  Mila blinked and spoke slowly. “No. I don’t.” Why ask about cuts?

  “Good. Safe you will be,” Riella said with a reassuring nod.

  Okay…

  Everyone crowded closer to the base of the tree, and Riella held up one arm.

  Tipping her head back, Mila tried to see what awaited her above, but leaves obscured the treetop. No ropes hung for her to grab onto and, sadly, she didn’t spy a stairway dropping down to meet her.

  Sereel handed Chee-chee to Mila before pulling a tiny metal tube from her pocket and bringing one end to her lips. With a puff and a wiggle of her fingers over three holes, she created a short melody.

  Kral moved up and wrapped his arms around Mila as if he sensed how unsettled she felt. She wasn’t truly afraid of what might happen next, but everything was new and different. It was normal to feel a little uneasy about all this.

  Chee-chee stared up, drawing her attention in that direction again.

  Long vines descended.

  “Someone sent them?” she asked Kral.

  “The tree.”

  “The tree sent the vines?” She must be mistaken.

  “We have a relationship with the home trees. You will see. Every evening, we play the music they need to grow strong and they, in exchange, give us limbs for homes.” One of his arms lifted while the other turned her to face him and tightened around her waist. He leaned close to her ear. “Hold on.” A vine encircled his wrist, and with a tug, they were lifted off the ground.