by Amber Stuart
Lista looked gob smacked. “Alright, if you wish.”
“My mother is Gildra and my father is Davar. They are both good people and will love you.”
“They won’t know me, why would they love me?”
“Because you are mine.”
Nothing else was said as Lista hurried to get ready taking extra care although she was already beautiful beyond words. They arrived to find most of his brothers were out working or exploring but that was alright because she could easily meet them next time.
“Mother, Father, Maxar, and of course Travlr already met Lista, who will soon be my mate. Lista, this is part of my family.”
Everyone spoke at once happy to finally meet her and she said the same even though her face sported a pretty blush. “Razar has spoken so much about you.”
“He has told us much of you as well.” Davar said. “Why don’t we sit at the table and have a drink?”
They sat and talked for a couple hours getting to know each other better. Razar felt good about the way his mate and his family interacted. If only he could convince her to mate everything would fall into place. “What are you two whispering about?” Razar asked when he saw his mate and his mother quietly speaking. They didn’t answer only laughing at him. “Mother, you’re not telling stories of my youngling days are you?” She blushed but laughed.
“Those stories are so good.” She and Lista exchanged an amused look.
“I’d best take Lista home before you tell her all my secrets.”
“Bring her back soon so the other brothers can meet her.” His mother came close so she could give them each a hug.
As soon as they were out of the house, Razar hurried them home. “I missed holding you.”
“I missed it as well.” Lista looked at him with need in her eyes.
“Every day I asked and I keep hoping you’ve made up your mind.”
“I think today I have. Your parents are still in love after all these years and they made it through hard times. The stories of you and your brothers as young ones were so endearing. It makes me want to have a dozen like you. Just joking, but maybe a couple and then we’ll see.”
“Oh, thank the gods that you’re willing to give us a chance.”
“Why do you say gods sometimes and goddesses other times?”
“We have both and it depends on the situation or which ones come to mind. Right now I should praise them all.” They were home and he picked her up carrying her into the house. Rushing to the bedroom he slid her down his body to where she could stand on the floor. He quickly undressed so he could watch her undress. “You are ready to become my mate?”
“Yes, I am ready to stand at your side for all time.”
“I am already yours forever, but now it will be official.”
Looking at his mate, he was awed by her naked perfection as always. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her until they were both breathless before he laid her on the bed like a perfect buffet for his hands and mouth to feast upon. His desire rolled over him hotter than ever since he knew she would soon be his one and only for all time.
“I love you Lista. Even though we have only had a short time together, I know you are everything to me and I will never let you go.” He slid over top of her keeping his weight on his elbows as he began to seduce her completely with his mouth.
Kissing her, he worked his way down her throat and to her perfect rosy nipples. His mouth tasted her nipples and they hardened until they looked like berries and tasted just as sweet. She writhed and moaned under him, her reaction making him hard as steel. Continuing on his exploration he kissed his way down her abs to her belly button. Laving it out, he loved the way she whimpered and squirmed under the lash of his tongue.
“Razar!” Lista screamed as he worked his way to the cusp of her thighs.
Breathing deeply and enjoying her full rich female scent, his tongue whipped out into her creamy goodness and he savored the small taste he’d gotten. He intended to taste a lot more. Opening her tender folds, he slid his tongue inside tasting and exploring. Her essence exploded on his tongue like the warmest honey and he sank his tongue deep into her channel. It flooded with sweet cream as her body prepared to explode. She locked her legs around his head squeezing as her body bucked and jerked with her release. Razar lapped up all the sweet juice her body released before he climbed up her body sinking his hard shaft deep inside her.
Relaxed, Lista would come alive again quickly. He would ensure it. Setting an easy pace to start, he aimed for all the pleasure centers she had. His speed, and depth increased as he slammed in harder with each stroke. Electricity zipped through him and pleasure was consuming him. All he wanted was for his mate to reach her bliss first. His gums hurt as large hollow incisors erupted from above his regular teeth ready to inject the mating venom into his mate. Now his gums itched with the need to release the mild toxin that would bind his female to him forever.
His nipples were beaded hard to the point of being painful and his cock ached with need to release its load of seed. Razar’s fingers worked their way to her nubbin and pinched it causing his mate to explode in wave after wave of pleasure. His fangs sank into her releasing all the mating serum into her blood as he filled her with his seed.
“You are mine always. Majestum cum mardling.” Razar made his claim and sealed it with the ancient words of a long forgotten tongue. It meant mine if the goddess wills it roughly.
“You are mine too.” Lista said her voice hoarse from screaming her pleasure and his name.
He waited for the sign that the goddess had blessed their union. It appeared seconds later as a mark showed above his heart. His sweet mate had one too and they were both purple and looked like the face of a wolf. That was the animal that represented his house and family line although on their old world the animal was red. Perhaps the mark was purple because the closest animal to a wolf was purple on this world. They might never know for sure.
His mate, the thought made him smile with happiness. “We will be together always, my love.”
“What is this tattoo and how did we come to have it?” She looked frightened until he explained his family history and that all his people would have mating marks. Something he should have probably told her beforehand but the excitement had carried him away. Lista accepted his explanation right away.
Pulling her into his arms he settled her against his chest and they slowly eased into sleep. Nothing seemed to worry him anymore and now his brothers had one less impediment to their own mating. One down, nine to go but he knew his parents would be happy that it was finally finished. Lista didn’t even know that his father was the Prorater of their world. As the oldest son, someday the position would be his. Similar to a king or a president, it was a little like both but yet not either. It was held by being the strongest demon but also because he did his best for the people of their world.
Razar hadn’t wanted her to know he was considered a prince. He wanted her to choose him not his position. Now that it was done, he would tell her everything a little at a time. They had chosen each other with no other considerations and he knew she loved him and she knew he loved her. Love was in the air and his brothers would find it too, he just knew they would.
Epilogue
“Razar, come quick!” Lista screeched as she looked outside.
“Calm down my love. What are you looking at?” Razar asked calmly.
“It’s the purple wolf from the cave.”
“Really?” Razar asked with interest. The wolf had been friendly, much like a pet.
He walked out in the yard where the wolf stood with his tail wagging. The wolf was dirty and half-starved leading him to believe he had made a hard journey probably from the other side of the mountains, around the end, and all the way here.
“Good Boy. Did you miss us?” The wolf nodded as if he understood and wagged his tail. “It will take a lot of food to keep you fed. You’ll have to get most of it in the wild. Do you understand
? I will go with you in the morning and we will find a nearby cave for you to live in. Nod if you know what I mean.”
“It seems he found his way out and followed us.” Lista said in amazement.
“Since he wants to live with us, I think he will make a good guard for our property.”
“Do you think he will play well with children?” Lista asked as she giggled.
Razar turned and stared at her. “Do you mean?”
“Yes, we are expecting.”
“Thank all the gods and goddesses. I can’t wait until our child is in our arms.”
Two weeks later Razar received a call and was uncertain how to handle it. “Lista, we need to talk.”
“Okay Honey. What’s going on?”
“I got a call from Earth. Your sister Narcissi is on her way here. I don’t really know why for sure but she said her life was in danger and used my family name to get on the ship that was leaving for here.”
“Did she find out who you were?”
Since he had told everything to his mate once they were bonded, it was no surprise she would conclude what he was already thinking himself. “She must have. Don’t worry, we’ll find her a mate somehow. I’ll make sure she’s not around long enough to cause you problems.”
“You’d have to shoot the ship down to guarantee that.” Lista said and it sounded sarcastic, but she meant it.”
“I’ll deal with her, I promise.”
Razar wouldn’t let a bad sister ruin his mate’s peace. The two of them were happy and they would face tomorrow together. Besides, he had nine brothers to mate and if none of them wanted her, there were thousands of males looking for a female. There was more than one way to deal with a bad sister and he would find the way that would keep her out of their lives. Once the sister was dealt with, he intended to bring Lista’s mother and her other siblings here once she had recovered from the operation she had undergone. He knew his mate loved all of her family, and wanted to be around most of them.
Pulling his mate into his arms he breathed in her sweet feminine scent, licked her neck to taste her salty sweet skin, and kissed her delightful mouth drowning in her spicy flavor. Nothing was going to mess things up for them now or ever.
“I love you, Mate.” Lista whispered in his ear.
“I love you more.” Razar said as he looked at her with his heart in his eyes.
THE END
HIS ONLY HOPE
By
ERICA CONROY
The aliens had separated her from her family more than a year ago. For the most part they ignored her, leaving her to her own devices until called upon. The walls of her prison kept her safe from the winter that had blasted the planet since her capture, but not from the aliens themselves.
She hissed when a hairy arm snagged her about the waist, drawing her closer. He barked in her face and tossed her aside in favor of a female of his own kind. Tonight, it seemed, would be another night of debauchery. Sex wasn't abhorrent to her, but her people at least had the decency to fornicate in private. These creatures, however…
"Psst."
Her head turned at the unusual noise. It came from behind one of the wall hangings that sometimes covered clear parts of the wall through which she could see outside. A lumpy part of the covering moved. Hesitantly, she drew closer, curious about what had attracted her attention.
Carefully she twitched the hanging but was dismayed to find one of the aliens hiding there. No doubt his intentions would also be unsavory. He pushed the hanging back further so she could see him better. He wasn't like the other aliens. She had never seen him participate in the behaviors of his kind. No, this one had been studying her. Once he realized they were causing her pain, he had stopped them. Or at least lessened it. They had spent a lot of time together and even created a shared way to communicate, using hand gestures and head movements.
She tilted her head to the side, wondering what he wanted. His response startled her. He pulled something from his clothing and opened it. Inside she saw the last thing she expected to see: a pressed flower. Not just any flower, but one only found near a sacred place. She looked from the flower to the intelligent eyes of the alien male before her.
Did he know what was expected of her? Had her people sent him to rescue her? She had no way to know, as their way of speaking was limited. The aliens communicated in an entirely different way than she did. Their means of communication were comprised of strange sounds that they strung together in ways only they could understand. Her people spoke in each other's minds, which was a more effective means of understanding one another.
Looking at the flower once more, she put her trust in that flower-bearing alien and smiled. He returned it and gestured for her to follow him behind the hanging. When he moved to allow her room, she could see that one of the portals was open. This was probably her only chance, so she took it—fleeing her alien captors for freedom with the help of one of their own kind. She hoped the flower had not led her wrong. She also hoped that she was up to the monumental task before her.
Cord stumbled into the bar. It was the first bar on the edge of human civilization. Normally he wouldn't set foot in society, but he was desperate. He needed a drink. The barman said nothing. Instead, he offered salvation, in the form of a short glass of the local brew. Not the bad stuff that the poor dregs of humanity were served, but the good stuff. Cord wondered if the man knew him. Whatever the reason, he didn't care. Not when that drink was waiting to be drunk. He obliged and down it went. A second, third and more chased after it and it wasn't long before he couldn't remember why he was there, where there was, or even who the hell he was for that matter. At least until some idiot, who couldn't keep his trap shut, also recognized him.
"You that tracker they says can track a harlot bird 'cross the Twin Rivers?" the idiot asked.
Cord looked up at the barman, already in the process of removing breakables from his bar, before he swiveled his stool around to face said idiot.
"Might," Cord said and waited for the inevitable demand to prove it.
"Oh I believe ya," said the idiot. "It's why I gotta kill ya."
Cord had trouble raising his drunken eyebrow at the unexpected development. "Go for it," he said and turned back to the bar, only to find the barman had not only disappeared but had taken the top shelf with him.
"Crut," he muttered.
"Face me, man. I can't shoot a man in t'back."
The unseen barrel of Cord's projectile weapon peeked out from under his elbow. "You should," Cord told him. He fired and watched the idiot’s reflection drop dead in the mirror over the bar.
"Surprised he lived this long," Cord said as he attempted to gain his feet.
He was up and lurching away on his fourth try. A glance was all the dead idiot got as he walked past. Cord was in no condition to bend over and search the body without falling on his face. He'd leave the pickings to the barman or some street urchin who needed currency more than he did. Cord already had what he wanted. He was beautifully drunk and this idiot had, unfortunately, reminded him he was here for a job.
"Crut," he swore again and veered off across the road. "Why ain't I dead yet?"
"'Cause you're one lucky sonuvabitch," a familiar voice told him. Gerrit, his old friend from back in the Corps, fell into step beside him.
Both had traveled across the universe to colonize this forsaken planet. Something in the ground acted like an electromagnetic pulse, rendering technology and circuits useless. Once they had gotten to shore though, any tech the colonists had harbored was now nothing more than fancy paperweights. Most of them, like Cord and Gerrit, had come properly prepared. The colonists welcomed the simpler lifestyle, or at least they had, until winter set in and kept going for well over a year.
Everyone knew it would be a one-way trip. The scientists figured there was enough water between the ocean floor containing the EMP-like dirt for shuttles to safely operate between the spaceship and ocean platform. And
they had been right. Sailing boats they had brought with them were then used to ferry the colonists from there to shore. Somewhere along the way, those boats had disappeared so they couldn't return to the ocean platform to send a distress call. Even if they could, it would be decades before help would arrive—if at all.
Cord grunted a greeting. "Cursed more like," he corrected.
Gerrit chuckled and shook his head. "You're looking at life all the wrong way, my friend. You should be thankful you're alive and living it up. Not drowning in that dross," Gerrit said, waving his hand in front of his face to waft the stink of Cord away.
"I am living," he argued.
Gerrit's hand kept Cord from stumbling into a water trough. "Drinking and whoring ain't living," he told him as he eyed the giant slobber-filled trough thoughtfully.
"Nothing else to spend my hard-earned currency on," Cord said and shrugged him off.
"Your cabin—"
Despite his drunkenness, Cord's strength was still punishing. Gerrit reeled at the blow to his jaw. He fell backward on the dirt road and rolled quickly back to his feet. With a yell of rage, Gerrit rushed his friend and both flew into the trough amid fists and fury.
Cord delivered the last punch before the combatants, energy drained, climbed out of the disgusting mix of water and mount slobber. Aching and gasping for air, both were a sorry sight and they knew it. Gerrit was the first to laugh and Cord reluctantly joined him.
"Come on, let's get," Gerrit said, pulling himself together long enough for common sense and the lure of a well-paid job set in. "We're already late."
Cord nodded but stopped his friend long enough to grind out the warning, "Don't talk about it—or them—again."
"Got it," Gerrit assured him. Cord didn't need to say their names for Gerrit to know he meant his late wife and child. Losing her and his young son was what had sent the once-proud and decorated war hero into this self-destructive tailspin. One that, hopefully, wouldn't last much longer.
