Mating Spark (Praesidio Book 1)

by Ava Ryant

  “Good, now that, that, is settled let's go over these…” And finally they began to go over the details of the Alliance and negotiate. She ignored the snide remarks from Sian but things grew heated with Ryhs as they argued over details on a trade agreement. Ryhs as it turned out was quite an expert negotiator and seemed thrilled as they sparred back and forth. She had never felt more exhilarated as they argued over the finer points. His eyes were bright and beautiful and she fought a grin several times. This felt a lot like foreplay. Her body agreed, because it was all she could do to keep from leaping on him. Only the others in the room and her self-control kept it from happening.

  “There is no way I can guarantee that.” Alexa ranted a little at Ryhs who smirked at her and she could see his amusement and it annoyed her. Greatly.

  “I must insist.” Ryhs maintained and she fought back a growl.

  “I can’t promise an endless supply of ice cream to the Laren world's!” She gritted out, this was ludicrous. It was only ice cream for god's-sake!

  “Fine.” He said then named a huge supply amount that surely succeeded the yearly consumption on Earth. She countered it by naming a quarter of the amount and every Laren frowned.

  “That’s not nearly enough.” Ryhs said disgruntled and Alexa fought off a laugh. This was the most bizarre trade negotiation ever.

  “Well it’ll be a delicacy then.” She smiled at their irritable looks.

  Ryhs countered again and they went back and forth until they finally reached an agreement on the stupid ice cream export.

  Once that was finally finished they got down to brass tacks. The Alliance. One she wasn’t sure would be possible. It would require opening up a Laren Embassy on Earth and allowing Laren residents to reside there. This was a sticking point.

  “Who would be the Ambassador for the Laren? You, Ambassador Lyric?” She looked at Ambassador Lyric in question. He gave her a startled look.

  “No, it would be someone else. I do not think my Spark would be very happy to relocate just when our son has...err...well...not at this time. We have several other candidates available.”

  “We would need to approve him or her. As well as any residents.” She sighed as the Laren exchanged glances amongst each other.

  “Then you think it might be possible?” asked the Cultural Attaché, Marq. His eyes still studying her. She fought not to fidget under his harsh gaze, returning his steady look by the skin of her teeth.

  “Anything is possible.” Alexa replied.

  _________________________

  Days passed as she hammered out details for an Alliance she didn’t think was possible. The ROE would have to approve this and...that would be beyond difficult. She sent her reports through to the Prime Commander and received a simple approval to continue to negotiate but had no further contact, despite the fact she had requested it. It was frustrating and it puzzled her since the Prime Commander usually took a more active role. Now after days of waiting and endless nights of...pleasured sleep, she was finally meeting with Gerome about the testing and treatment to break the Mating bond. It had been a struggle to keep her distance from Ryhs, each day was torture.

  “I’m sorry Alexa. There is nothing to be done. Your DNA has altered irrevocably. Any and every attempt we’ve made to reverse or counteract the changes has failed.” Gerome said, his voice the epitome of professional. His face a blank mask as he delivered the bad news.

  “I’m sorry.” He said again, his voice low and sincere.

  “The Prime Commander want’s to conference with you, I had to tell him the...results.” Germone said sympathetically and Alexa nodded numbly. Ryhs was next to her taking in the same news but she couldn’t look at him. Her emotions were...all over the place. Half of her was elated that the connection between them was secure, the other...devastated. The only saving grace was that Ryhs was in the same boat as her, he hadn’t asked for this. He was just as tied to her as she was to him. It made it more palatable when she thought of it like that.

  She said her goodbyes and left the Med Center walking towards her office, her head down, Ryhs at her side.

  “Will you please wait here.” Alexa asked him when they reached her private salon. She would take the conference call in her formal office next door, within the acceptable range of the the Mating Call. Ryhs was staring at her but she avoided his gaze, she was still reconciling herself with the permanence of their...Mating. He nodded to her and she left him, going into the austere office and leaning against her desk, closing her eyes. She took several deep breaths, hoping to exude an outward calm rather than the shock and panic she was feeling. Alexa picked up her data pad and the wall to her left lit up, floor to ceiling, as she placed the call to Earth. Apparently the Prime Commander could meet with her after all.

  The vis screen connected and opened up to the Prime Commander at his desk, a cup of coffee in his hands as he looked at her, giving her a kind, welcoming smile. From the looks of him, you would never be able to tell he was the Commander of the entire Praesidio Corp. Elected by unanimous vote immediately after the defeat of the Kraith when Earth was in disarray. He was an unassuming, quiet man with light brown hair, greying at the temples, medium build and eyes that twinkled with intelligence. He was the embodiment of a history professor, which, in fact, had been his profession before the invasion. Now, he ruled as the Prime Commander on Earth, re-elected two years ago for another term in office.

  “Sir.” Alexa said, standing at attention. Eyes straight, not letting her pounding heart show her anxiety. She heard a deep sigh and saw the Prime Commander roll his eyes.

  “Alexa, please, you know I hate that.” He said, in his usual low, calm voice.

  “Take a seat. There’s no need to stand so.” He asked pointing to her desk and Alexa sat, turning her chair to face him. Her nerves were causing her to shake slightly and she was glad to be sitting. What was going to happen to her now? Was she going to face a disciplinary hearing? Were they going to remove her as Chancellor? Oh god, were they going to try and separate her from Ryhs? That would be very bad. Already she could feel the anxiety uptick in her just from him being out of her sight. Not good.

  “Relax, Alexa. We’re just going to talk.” He said reassuringly. She took a deep breath and cleared her mind.

  “So, I’ve been going over reports of the...incidents and talking with Justine, Anabel, Gerome and Ryker.” He said looking at her in hidden amusement. Alexa fought back a grimace and annoyance. So he’d had time to speak to everyone but her.

  “Let’s first discuss the initial incident, shall we? You seemed to have torn several holes in the Colony and on the Laren ship during your...rampage.” He said with amusement and Alexa stared wide-eyed. Oh god, she had forgotten that. So much had seemed to happen that it completely slipped her mind. She was in so much trouble.

  “I’ve watched the vids of what happened. Both the first time you met with the Laren and the second time when you tore through the Colony and then...err...carried the Laren male back to the Med Center.”

  “I’ve gone over your scans and had them checked five-times over with different Meds on Earth. It seems you experienced a biological and psychic change that left you temporarily...irrational and therefore not truly responsible of your actions. The Techno’s assured me that everything has been fixed and no damage done.” He said waving away her actions as if it were nothing. Alexa felt her eyes bulge out. Then his voice got serious and Alexa braced herself. It was time for the other shoe to drop.

  “As for your...Mating, everyone is in agreement. The changes are permanent. Everything we’ve tried in simulations and in experiments has failed. Any attempt to reverse or counteract the bond between you and Ryhs, we believe, would endanger your lives. That is not a risk, I am prepared to take.” He said in a stern voice, lifting his hand to stop her when she would have interrupted.

  “You’re too valuable to the Praesidio and as a person. I wouldn’t allow even an Un-Alt to take the risk. Not to mention that Ryhs would also be
endangered.”

  She sighed and nodded. The Un-Alt, or unaltered was the term most used to describe the humans who hadn’t changed during the invasion. It didn’t mean they were any less valuable as people, at least not as far as most of the Praesidio were concerned and more importantly as far as the Prime Commander was. He was a good man and a great leader. She would abide by his decision. But where did that leave her?

  “So now we have a little complication. According to the Laren you are...Mated. The bond is physical as well as psychic. To them, this is their form of marriage. They do not have divorce and even if they did, you would have major difficulties being apart from your significant other.” Alexa nodded in agreement. She knew that all too well. Panic now threatened to overwhelm her as the scope of her predicament flooded her mind. She had been keeping it at bay with the hope of a cure - despite the fact a large part of her rebelled at that thought - and now...now she didn’t know what would happen.

  “So what to do? Hmm?” He questioned, eyebrows lifted and she glared at him. He had never lost that teacher-tone, always trying to turn a problem into something to learn from. It drove everyone mad. Especially the President of the ROE. A fifty-six year old woman from India who didn’t like being treated like a school-girl and often, she heard, tossed her drink at him when they were in meetings. But no one ever confirmed this. It was all just rumor.

  “I don’t know, Sir.” She gritted out, annoyed. He gave her a small smile, a little twinkle in his eye.

  “Well, I think it’s rather obvious.” He said and Alexa sighed.

  “We accept the Alliance with the Laren.”

  Chapter 12

  Alexa returned to her private salon to find a pacing Ryhs. He looked up at her, relief apparent on his face when she entered and wondered if the separation was as difficult for him as it was for her. It felt like her nerves were being shredded every time he was out of sight.

  Prime Commander Jones plans and instructions left her reeling. Alexa was officially back in charge of the Colony as Chancellor and she was to finish the negotiations for an Alliance with the Laren. The Prime Commander wanted the Alliance, but also wanted the best deal possible. He was interested in learning why the Laren were so eager and what concessions they were prepared to make. She had hesitantly voiced her doubts. The ROE would have major issues with accepting the alliance. For one, she didn’t think they would approve of the Laren having an Embassy on Earth and allowing the Laren free passage to visit and/or live there. But of course the Prime Commander waved away her misgivings, saying he would take care of that on his end. She was to focus on the negotiations. Alexa thought back to his parting words.

  * * * * *

  “And Alexa...no matter what happens, we will not abandon you.” Prime Commander said in a solemn and sincere voice. His face showing his absolute belief in that fact.

  “This situation with Ryhs...if the Alliance doesn’t go through…” Alexa couldn’t continue. Panic choked her throat and she couldn’t voice her fears. She could lose everything. Again. And a part of her knew if she lost Ryhs...she would not survive it. She had been kidding herself this whole time, thinking it would be possible to break the connection between them.

  “NO Alexa. You are a Praesidio.” He said forcefully.

  “One of my own. We do not abandon each other. This situation is difficult but we will stand beside you.”

  * * * * *

  “Is everything well, my Spark?” He asked, coming up next to her and taking her hand. Drawing her back into the now and instantly her body just...melted at his touch. Soothing energy flowing into her her.

  “Yes. He wants the Alliance.” Alexa said truthfully. It went against her every instinct to lie to him. Ryhs smiled at her.

  “That is good news. My father will be pleased. As I am.”

  “This doesn’t mean I won’t push for the best possible agreement for my people.” She said dryly, arching her eyebrow at him. Rhys laughed and nodded.

  “I would expect nothing less. It is quite thrilling to battle over the negotiation table with you, my Spark.” He leaned in close, his voice taking on a hint of a teasing quality. It made her smile as they stared at each other.

  “You like to fight with me, don’t you?” She said, knowing it was true. He just grinned at her.

  _________________________

  Alexa called a Council meeting and outlined the plans the Prime Commander had given her, Ryhs doing the same in the next room with the Laren, since physical distance was still a problem. Her body loathed her. It was a rioting mass of horniness that craved Ryhs and even this small separation would have to be short. Her temper was fraying and she knew she needed to keep a calm and steady head. Unfortunately things were not going her way. Which seemed to be the norm right now.

  Ryker had been vehemently opposed to the Prime Commander’s plans. He wanted the Laren out of the Colony, right quick. Only Alexa would either have to go too or...Ryhs would have to stay. She had explained this to the Council, bringing them up to date on the permanent situation of her and Ryhs’s Mating. The council all gave her wide-eyed and somewhat pitying looks. She chose to ignore them. Ryker pounded on the table interrupting her spiel to everyone. He had been allowed out of his solitary confinement for this meeting and would be returning right after. His face a furious mask of frustration. Shifters didn’t do well in solitary confinement, that was why it was such a punishment for them, and it was obvious in Ryker’s foul mood, he was no different.

  “This is bullshit.” He roared out.

  “You’ve read the report. You know there is nothing anyone can do to...change things. It’s done. I’m….I’m…” She took a deep breath and said. “I’m his Mate. We’re tied together irrevocably now.” There she admitted it out loud. A weight lifted off her shoulders as she stopped denying it and stopped fighting.

  “They knew this would happen!” Ryker yelled and she frowned at him. He was being irrational.

  “No, they didn’t. How could they? The Laren have never mated with another species before and you saw them when it happened. They were shocked.” She said calmly, trying to restore logic to this argument.

  “That’s true.” Anabel butted in earnestly before Ryker could growl out any more absurd statements.

  “I felt them react. They were astounded.” Ryker growled and Justine placed a hand on his arm, drawing his attention and instantly calming him. Shock around the table resounded as everyone watched her lean into him and whisper something in his ear. Their interaction was intimate and confirmed what she suspected of their new relationship. She exchanged knowing looks with Anabel and Alexa bit her lip when Justine drew back and Ryker sighed, his anger having disappeared.

  “Fine, I admit...they were surprised but I still think something fishy is going on, that’s all I’m saying.” He huffed out. Alexa nodded knowing that was all the concession she would get from him.

  “Well now we must go over these proposals.”

  Chapter 13

  Alexa moaned as hands spread her legs wide, those hands were wicked. Touching over her skin, setting her aflame with longing. Her clit was throbbing and she was soaking wet. She felt lips graze over her stomach and up to her aching, distended nipples. She reached out and thrust her hand in Rhys hair as he took one in his mouth, kneading the other with his naughty hands. She gasped and arched into his embrace, wanting to be closer, needing to feel him.

  “Ryhs.” She moaned as he took his time, his foreplay all too intense. Alexa had never felt so much desperate need in her life. She wanted him inside her, couldn’t take this waiting anymore. She needed him in her, damnit.

  Alexa hooked her legs around his naked waist and drew him close, rubbing her wetness against his hard, rigid cock. She spasmed with need as they touched.

  “Ryhs, please!” She begged.

  He thrust into her with a quick move and she gasped as her pussy stretched wide around his thick girth as he pushed to greater depths. The ridges she had noticed felt incredible insid
e her, pushing right up against her g-spot as he began to move in a time-old dance. Alexa clutched his back, digging her nails into him as he groaned. The feeling of him moving inside her was intense and sooo gooood. His face was taut and his eyes were closed in ecstasy. It made her hotter to see him in the throes and she arched into him. They moved together violently, she panted in exertion, this was no easy, slow, love-making. This was animalistic rutting and she was wild for it. He thrust forward urgently and….

  Alexa jerked awake and screamed in frustration, thrashing in the sheets angrily. Her bed looked like a wild romp had taken place, she was covered in sweat and her body….her body throbbed. She ached with it. Why was she doing this to herself? It was only sex. There was no undoing the mating, she knew this now. So why for-god's-sake was she still insisting on keeping her distance? She didn’t know and wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay away.