Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance)

by C. J. Scarlett

  Shar Jalon tried not to smile. He really did. “I agree. If the likes of you could somehow subdue me, my clones would certainly think you worthy of respect. You see, among my people, one-on-one conflict is the only true path to leadership. That means that I alone, have faced all ten thousand warriors aboard this vessel and stand victorious before you. Anyone may challenge another in single combat. I will make it easy for you. If you would like to challenge me as a unit, I will fight you both at the same time.”

  “You must think we’re pretty stupid.”

  “In fact, I do. Not only have you dared to challenge me but you’ve stood around talking long enough for my clones to surround you. Nothing goes unnoticed aboard a clone vessel.”

  Suddenly, there was much clamoring on the catwalk above as his males made themselves heard.

  “If you will follow me, gentlemen. I will show you to our training room. It is the only room on this vessel large enough to accommodate the number of clones that will want to see me defeat you.”

  Taking Madison by the hand, he asked. “Will you return to your quarters or visit Lar in the medical unit?”

  A shake of her head, indicated her refusal. “I’m with you until the end, sir.”

  Shar Jalon bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement of her show of support. Placing her in front of him, they headed for the training bay.

  With little other choice, the two men followed him.

  Shar Jalon was still preoccupied with his thoughts about the human female.

  As they approached the training room, Lar stepped forward. With a respectful nod, he drew his female away. The human in charge of the scouting team approached him, clearly annoyed at his two subordinates. “Sir, may I have a moment of your time?”

  “Certainly, Captain Douglass.”

  “I don’t think the stupid fools understand that this is a fight to the death.”

  “I am certain you are mistaken. Their intent was to discharge me from a one of our portside vents and to kill Miss Madison as a show of their power aboard my vessel. That sounds very lethal to me.”

  “I am begging you to allow me to discipline them myself.”

  “It is they who have challenged me. If they wish to withdraw their challenge, I will allow it. However, your entire team will suffer the loss of respect as a result of their cowardice.”

  “Boyd and Smithy. Get the fuck over here. Withdraw your challenge and apologize. That’s an order.”

  “You heard the man. If we withdraw, they’ll consider us cowards.”

  “You aren’t smart enough to be cowards. Withdraw the damned challenge.”

  “I ain’t walkin’ around here every damn day with my tail tucked between my legs.”

  Shar Jalon pointed out quietly. “Yes, it’d be humiliating but you would be alive. Simply put, if you choose to fight me, you will die.”

  Both men shook their heads one final time.

  “So be it. I will try to make it a quick and relatively painless death.”

  Captain Douglass shook his head in disbelief. “That’s real nice of you, sir.”

  They entered the room and Shar Jalon noted each of the four catwalks stacked one above the other was full of clones. The rest of the human soldiers arrived within moments and Korban and Koal shortly thereafter. The princes took up a stance on opposite sides of the fighting circle alongside Lar and Madison. Shar Jalon knew they had chosen to come for two reasons. They gave the appearance of unity and to make sure things didn’t get out of hand with the remaining humans.

  His clones brought out a huge rack of weapons and he kneeled on one half of the ring waiting for the two humans to select one. Whatever they chose wouldn’t help them much. Shar Jalon was unusual among his people. Most were not all that serious about training. Only a select few of his elite guards really honed their skills. Shar Jalon was different. He’d been training since he could walk. Fighting came as easily as breathing.

  Both men chose a kuln, a large axe-like weapon with double-sharp blades on each end. It was a poor choice for battling a quick opponent. They stepped into the ring and faced off with him, clearly waiting for him to retrieve a weapon.

  He spoke quietly. “The challenger has the right of choosing. You are to choose weapons for yourself and for me, if you see fit to give me one.”

  Smiling one of the males retorted. “Since you’re such a powerful warrior, you won’t need one.”

  Shar Jalon held up one hand to silence the grumbling. If the two humans had been smart at all, they would know that refusing an opponent a weapon during a challenge was a mark of weakness. “Advance when you are ready.”

  Feeling his blood pressure rising, Shar Jalon waited as the humans approached with weapons they could barely lift. They both circled him on opposite sides. He would need to be lethal and quick.

  One of the men ran towards him with the weapon raised. Shar Jalon remain still until he was right upon him, then he turned, and kicked him behind the knees with one leg. As the man lost his balance, Shar Jalon quickly grabbed his weapon and twisted his entire body, running the blade across his throat. As soon as the man hit the ground, he sprang to his feet and finished him with a full blow to the neck. A shadow caught his notice and he turned just in time to catch the second male across the stomach as he crept up behind him. Again, with such a wound, finishing him quickly was an act of mercy.

  Standing, Shar Jalon threw the weapon down and walked towards the Earth Gov scouting team. Looking from person to person, he asked pointedly. “Are there others who wish to challenge? If so, I am weakest after a battle.”

  One of the female soldiers spoke. “That wasn’t a battle. It was a slaughter.”

  Shar Jalon turned to her. Glancing down at her embroidered name tag, he replied curtly. “I beg to differ with you, Private Adams. It was a poorly executed battle between mismatched opponents. Perhaps you would like to think of this day before any of you think to impress your individual will upon the alliance again.”

  He sensed Korban and Koal ease up on each side of him. “Your men test our patience, Captain Douglass. I will tell you right now, it is not limitless.”

  Koal added his input. “If needs be, I can pack you all up and have you delivered back to Earth on the next Candorian freighter we pass. For a species so badly in need of rescue, you are certainly making it difficult to assist you.”

  The young captain held up two hands. “We are going to make good on the treaty. Some of my soldiers were dissatisfied about losing Sergeant Stevens. You also skipped rank when you put me in charge.”

  Shar Jalon spoke. “Then you have yourself an internal problem with your unit. I believe the treaty with your people has a built-in penalty system. Every time you do not hold to the specifics of the treaty, it increases the bride count by one hundred additional females per solar month. This is your second penalty. Earth Gov will now be providing seventeen hundred brides each solar month instead of fifteen hundred. Our ambassador will clarify where we stand. They will surely be contacting you for an explanation.”

  “Shit. We did not know that.”

  “You were given a copy of the treaty. It would be in your best interest to read it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  CHAPTER 10

  ~Lar~

  Looking down at the two tiny golden circles, Lar frowned at his longtime friend. “You are certain this is what binds an Earth female to her male?”

  Shar Jalon nodded. “I have spoken with a statically significant sampling of the females and this design was the one most often cited as representing their ideal symbol of peer bonding.”

  Pointing to the rings, Lar protested. “They each have the imprint of a chain stamped around the metal. I would be embarrassed for my bride to wear such.”

  “The humans do not associate the symbol with slavery as much of the known verse does.”

  Lar looked at his leader and closest friend. “What was their second choice?”

  Shar Jalon looked far from perturbed. His expressi
on was curious and almost wistful. “You are the first of our kind to secure the affections of a human female. All eyes are upon you. I believe that we should follow the feedback given by the females if we wish your peer bonding to result in offspring.”

  Lar could hardly keep the shock from his face. “You wish to ask the females about what is expected every step of the way and for me to woo my female according to their feedback?”

  “I wish only for your happiness. You wish to impregnate your female. This seems like the most reliable method of securing reliable intelligence.”

  Shaking his head, he tried to get his friend to understand. “My female is unique. Her pursuit of me was never ending and her eagerness for my body truly astonishing. I refuse to do anything to jeopardize what we are building together.”

  Frowning, Shar Jalon murmured thoughtfully. “Perhaps you are correct. How would you feel about soliciting feedback from Miss Kaylee?”

  Relief washed through him. “She would surely know her sister better than a multitude of strangers.”

  They messaged her to come to the medical center and chatted amiably while they awaited her arrival.

  Kaylee breezed in with Jacob trailing behind her. Clearly pleased to see them both, she smiled brightly. “Two of my favorite guys. What can I do for you today, gentlemen?”

  Holding out the rings for her to look at, Lar waited for her comment.

  “You do not mean to give my sister rings with such a symbol of overt submission stamped across them, do you?”

  “We were curious that so many of your women associated the symbol with their ideal mate.”

  Rolling her eyes, “I’m not surprised.”

  “Will you tell us the history of your people that explains this preference?”

  “How far back do you want me to go?” Getting only blank stares, she quickly explained. “In ancient times women and children were considered a man’s property. We were apparently traded in deals with other tribes right alongside livestock and animal skin. We were chained together to delineate who was being traded and probably to keep us from wandering off.”

  Lar realized he was gaping at the shocking story. Not trusting himself to speak, he clamped his mouth shut.

  “Hundreds of years later, women were merely forced into prearranged marriages and women were awarded beautiful rings to represent links in the chain. As the years wore on, the men gave their intended expensive bejeweled rings as a token of their affection. Finally wearing such jewels fell out of fashion. They got in the way when women joined the workforce. Now we prefer small streamlined pieces of jewelry. The designed stamped on it is going to be a problem if you’re thinking of gifting it to my sister.”

  Lar finally found his voice. “It did not strike me as something Madison would enjoy.”

  “Ha, you know my sister. She is not submissive at all. Over the last couple hundred years, women have become much more sexually liberated. Some women like to… take a more active role in the bedroom and others prefer for their males to be more dominant.”

  “My Madison is the former, therefore a different design might be more appropriate.”

  “Our family is Irish. A nice Celtic knot design would probably be better. I can find some in the database, if you like.”

  “I would like to have a new design as quickly as possible.”

  “Wow. You two are really going to get hitched?”

  “I wish to have the thing you call a marriage with my Maddison. I first need rings and then to find a wedding.”

  Smiling indulgently, Kaylee explained. “You don’t find one. You have one. Madison talked a lot about her dream wedding when we were young. As we got older, we both kind of lost hope of finding a husband, but here we are.”

  “I wish to have the dream wedding Madison has always wanted when we reach the Sylon home world. Will you assist me with this?”

  “I’d love to. I’m glad you two found each other. Madison is crazy about you.” Tapping her teeth with her fingernails, she thought it over. “Well, we’re going to need a long beautiful white dress, lots of fresh flowers, and a cake. I don’t know how we’ll find those things on a ship traveling through space.”

  Shar Jalon spoke up. Perhaps Selene and her mother can assist us. The Candorian freighters are always coming and going with trade goods. I’m certain they can obtain whatever materials you will need.”

  “We should focus on the dress first. Madison has always been fascinated by gowns.”

  “She should have a selection to choose from.” Lar never knew she liked fancy dresses.

  “That seems wasteful. She won’t like that. Brides only wear the dress one time.”

  Shar Jalon nodded. “We should purchase a selection of gowns for our new females. Madison will have her choice among them, as she is the first of the Shardon brides.”

  Half a lunar cycle later, Lar found himself standing in the loading bay, watching the Candorians unload huge rack after rack of long white gowns, each individually wrapped in a clear covering. He could tell by looking that each was a highly individualized and beautiful gown. Some were plain and streamlined while others had ruffles and sparkling gemstones attached to them. It took his breath away to realize his Madison’s perfect gown was somewhere in the lot. The gown she would wear to pledge her undying love to him.

  A small hand gripped his arm. “Don’t tear up. If you do, I’ll start crying too.”

  Looking down at Kaylee, he smiled. “Thanks to you, I have the perfect ring and soon my beloved will choose her perfect gown.”

  Kaylee watched the proceedings with glee. “The Candorians never do anything half-measure, do they?”

  “Not when it come to our brides. Candorian females take the bonding ceremony very seriously. They were instrumental in securing exactly the items we need.”

  “I look forward to seeing the Sylon home world. If it’s half as beautiful as you say, I’ll never want to leave.” Catching herself, she backpedaled. “Of course, I’ll go where Madison does. We don’t want to be separated.”

  “Is this why you have not accepted intimacy from Jacob? You are afraid you will have to choose between them if he changes duty stations?

  Nodding, she didn’t speak.

  “Clearly, space is a dangerous place. I’ve no intention of risking Madison or any children we have on long space missions. Jacob has accepted a position on the Sylon home world. We are required to establish a large medical center fit to provide services for the Shardon in this sector.”

  “I don’t want you take this the wrong way, but I need more time to adjust.”

  “But Jacob is your top choice, is he not?”

  “Butt out, mister nosey.”

  Lar smiled. “We will soon be family, so feel free to speak bluntly.”

  Grinning she responded happily. “You’re a subtly funny guy.”

  “I’m afraid that Miss Madison is the one with the sparkling personality in our relationship.”

  “I think the two of you are perfect for each other.”

  “I don’t like seeing you alone. It grieves me deeply.”

  He could tell she no longer wished to discuss this matter because she abruptly changed the subject.

  “I’m looking forward to the cake tasting.”

  Shaking his head, Lar hated to disappoint her. “We are still trying to figure how to create a cake that meets your taste expectation.”

  “Let me guess. It tastes like meat.”

  Surprised, he laughed. “How did you know?”

  “Two words. Meat cookies.”

  “We really have very little concept of what you humans call sweets.”

  Shar Jalon spoke up. “Do not worry. We have a team of eighty clones working on solving the puzzle of sweet confections.”

  “I didn’t realize you were coming to meet the Candorian freighter.”

  “Though the trappings for your bonding ceremony are indeed fascinating, I am here to escort Ambassador Teric to a meeting with the other princes.”
>
  Kaylee commented with genuine affection. “The alliance has all sorts of top-secret stuff going on. I wish I had the security clearance to hear all the dirt.”

  Shar Jalon smiled politely. “We are meeting because the ambassador has communicated that the Krylon home world will acknowledge our world’s independence but they wish a favor in return. We are curious to see if their acceptance of our separatism can be so easily acquired.”

  Kaylee’s eyes flew open. “I may not know much about politics in the region but this sounds like a big deal. Your meeting today could avert war between the alliance and the empire. I wish you well.”

  “Thank you, Miss Kaylee. Now, if you will excuse me.”

  CHAPTER 11

  ~Madison~

  Lar had been cryptic since asking her to engage in the ancient Earth custom of marriage. She’d long since given up on finding a mate on Earth, she now found herself head over heels in love with a Shardon clone. Lar was a kind and gentle healer. Someone she could count on to be tender with her and any children they were lucky enough to have.

  No sooner had she thought the words than they found themselves pressing past a group of Earth Gov soldiers, returning from their evening meal. She could hear them murmuring insults under their breath. Her rigid body stopped. She felt surrounded and unsafe. A large male stopped behind her and she clearly heard the word whore, before a large hand pushed her into the wall.

  Before she could turn around, Lar picked the large man up with one hand and literally threw him into the opposite wall. Two of the female soldiers landed on top of her and she realized they were protecting her with their bodies because all hell had broken lose in the corridor. Struggling to get away to help Lar, she peered between muscled arms only to see a clone she hardly recognized mowing through the soldiers with a vengeance.

  All the strength left her body as she watched him punching, kicking, and tossing the soldiers around like they were rag dolls. There were just so many of them. God, they were still agitated about what had happened at the beginning of their voyage from Earth almost three months ago. Her beautiful mate slowed as the sheer numbers wore him down.