Rak’s grimness eased a touch. “Your prospective clan checks out. All three men are well regarded. Their reputation is without blemish. They even contacted us to introduce themselves. They couldn’t have received our reply yet, but we sent one.”
Nayun nodded. “I appreciate that you asked them to speak to your parents. I also appreciate that they had the decency to do so.”
Bitev grinned. “They spoke to Joelle too. She was impressed with them.”
I snickered. I’d received Joelle’s message a couple of days ago. She had been impressed, all right. The middle-aged, gregarious Southern sweetie had fanned herself like she was going to claim she had the vapors and needed a mint julep. She told me in her rich accent, “Shalia, I’m gonna com Dr. Feru to check your sanity if you don’t give those gorgeous boys a chance. My heavens, what a bunch of dreamboats! Don’t tell your fathers I said that, because I wouldn’t trade them for the universe. Still, I would not be offended to have you and them sitting at the dinner table in the future.”
I smothered my giggles as Rak finished up his assessment of Clan Seot. “I think they are worth your consideration, my daughter.”
“With your compatibility scores so high, you must certainly allow them to court you,” Nayun opined, happier than ever. I guess the old man wants to clan me off so he doesn’t have so much to worry him. His hair was showing more gray than before, I thought. I hope it wasn’t because of me.
Bitev couldn’t resist weighing in. “Compatibility as measured by a computer is all fine and good, but you’ll still want to investigate other clans. Intangibles that can’t be found in questionnaires might make Clan Seot not so wonderful in person.”
Nayun nodded his agreement. “True. You should vet at least one more clan before reaching Kalquor. Check into several more once you land there.”
“You have plenty of time and choices,” Rak added. “Do everything possible to find the best mates for yourself and fathers for your child.”
Dads, dads, dads. I wonder how much nagging Kalquorian moms do? Jeez, am I supposed to date a hundred clans before picking one? I’m tired thinking about it.
Speaking of Clan Seot, I got a message from them only minutes after we came through the portal. The delay between me and Kalquor is growing less, which is kind of a consolation.
Have I mentioned how delicious those three men look? For heaven’s sake, it’s wrong for a single clan to have so much yummy going on. There should be laws against it.
Here I go again, getting all hot and bothered from ogling those guys. Ladies, start your libidos.
When they appeared before me, I was grateful I was sitting down. Those men make my knees weak. I was feeling pretty darn happy that my dads and stepmom approved of them so far. It would be depressing to have to shut down the potential for a groin-to-groin...ahem, face-to-face meeting.
They bowed, as courtly as before. Seot, with his smooth-as-butter voice, said, “Greetings again, Matara Shalia. We were delighted to receive your message.”
Cutie-pie Imdiko Cifa was missing a touch of his boyish exuberance. “But not so delighted to hear of the horrible ordeal you went through recently. Thank the Mother of All that you are safe and on your way to Kalquor once more.”
“As well as your child,” rumble-voiced Larten added. “I am beyond glad that the alien creature who abducted you is dead.”
That dark, stormy visage didn’t seem happy. Larten looked ready to bite the heads off a few Ofetuchans. I got that thrill of excitement again by how dangerous he seemed. Boy, I’m weird.
Seot nodded in agreement with his Nobek. “Please offer my congratulations to the man who killed your captor and managed your escape. He deserves all the accolades the empire has in its power to give him.”
“Plus many more,” Cifa added.
There was a growling sound that I thought might have come from Larten. I shivered.
Seot continued. “It was wonderful seeing you so healthy with your pregnancy. You are quite the beautiful mother-to-be, Matara. We are so very grateful that you have agreed to continue to speak to us. As to your concerns about your biological mother Eve—”
“Don’t be,” Cifa interjected. “Of course she should be a part of your life. There is no question about that.”
“Indeed,” Seot agreed. “Should we find ourselves compatible as lifemates, we would insist on your mother living with us. Our homes are large enough to accommodate her, and we have the funds to offer round-the-clock medical care. She will not go wanting for anything, including having her daughter nearby.”
For heaven’s sake, could these guys be any more perfect? It turned out they could.
Larten’s grouchy expression eased. The side of his mouth twisted up, as if he was barely containing a burst of humor. “If it would make your mother more comfortable, I would be delighted to supply her with a full vocabulary of Kalquorian insults and profanities that she may use against us. Don’t worry; we can take it.”
Cifa slapped a palm to his forehead as he laughed. Seot closed his eyes and shook his head, but a grin split his features. “By the ancestors, Larten, you just had to ruin the pretense of dignity.”
I howled at them. They have a great sense of humor from the sound of it. Teach Eve Monroe Kalquorian profanities! As if she doesn’t have enough to pull from in English.
Larten winked at his Dramok. “Shalia might as well find out what she’s in for with us.”
Cifa snickered. “Larten is the empire’s leading authority on put-downs and insults. You should hear what he calls his students at the training camp.”
Seot rolled his eyes. “I believe today’s best example was calling a tenth-year trainee, ‘prime flesh for a Tragoom loincloth’.”
“Harsh, my Nobek.” Cifa’s laughter filled my room. I had to laugh with him.
“But entirely true.” Larten’s expression was halfway between a scowl of irritation and hilarity. “That particular trainee has all the sense of a rock. If he asks me for a recommendation for future employers, I’ll recommend they use him for a doorstop. I’ll suggest they have a back-up doorstop for when he screws that up.”
I could barely breathe for laughing at Larten. Who would have thought such a brooding, fearsome man could have a funny side?
He folded his arms over his chest and mock-glared at his clanmates. “If you’re going to tell tales on me, I have a few I can tell on you. Like why Cifa is not allowed to drink on his own cruise ships.”
“No drunk stories! No drunk stories!” the Imdiko yelled, waving his arms wildly. “Seot, make him stop!”
“Oh, don’t be so modest. I’m sure your passengers were greatly entertained by that soulful rendition of ‘Give Me Your Passion Tonight’... even though you sang it to a lighting pole in the dining room. No doubt they got all their money’s worth for the trip on that moment alone.”
Even the dignified Seot guffawed at that. Cifa sputtered and made as if to stomp off.
“We’re not done talking to Shalia,” the Dramok reminded him between snickers. He directed his next comment to me. “Don’t worry about our Imdiko. He doesn’t drink often, so it doesn’t take much to get him tipsy. Even when he is drunk, he’s more cute than irritating.”
Aw, how sweet. As if Cifa needed to be cuter.
The blushing Imdiko said, “I can’t hold my liquor. That particular incident was long ago, when my siblings and I first started the cruise line. We’d hosted a clanning ceremony, and everyone kept handing me drinks to toast to its success. I knew better, but how do you refuse the happiness of new clanmates?”
It was amazing to see them move past the earlier formality and show me the real Clan Seot. Once again, I saw the easy affection between the three men. There seemed to be genuine warmth and love there. After watching the high level of angst between Betra and Oses in their star-crossed relationship, it was refreshing. I detected no drama.
Even if I don’t choose this clan, theirs is exactly the kind of relationship I hope to be a part of. Th
e lack of tragedy is nice for a change.
After seeing more of Clan Seot, I’m finding it hard to go along with my dads’ suggestion to contact a second potential clan. They seem so perfect. But I suppose it would be irresponsible to not look at more of my options.
But damn it, I really, REALLY enjoy what I’m seeing from Seot, Cifa, and Larten.
I did what I needed to do though. Yay for responsible Shalia. I sent an introduction message to Clan Candidates Number 2: Clan Aslada
Not a shabby bunch o’ fellas, if truth be told. I have a 92-percent compatibility rating with them. Yes, they’re easy on the eyes. I’m trying to keep myself as open to the possibility to this clan as with Clan Seot...but my number one prospect is a hard act to follow.
I can’t say I see anything amiss with Dramok Aslada, Imdiko Meyso, and Nobek Jaon. They rank as well stat-wise as my first pick.
Dramok Aslada is chiseled perfection as far as hotness goes. Dark, kind of brooding. Stunning. Me likey. He’s a territorial governor living on a different continent than where the Matara complex will be located. He says that’ll be no problem when it comes to visiting while we get to know each other.
Imdiko Meyso...hello curls. That’s a dashing fellow that gives me visions of romping all over him. He’s more of an intense Betra-type than Cifa seems to be. There’s a lot of warmth in his demeanor, but he puts off a more serious vibe. With his chosen profession, it’s no wonder. He’s a brain surgeon, of all things. I wonder if he’d be a good candidate for my mom’s issues.
Then there is the Nobek, Jaon. Just let me say, “Wow.” Big ol’ veined muscles. Huge chunk of a man. He didn’t say much in the introductory vid. His smile was friendly enough, but I had visions of him eating raw, bloody meat for some reason. There is an intensity to him that makes me glad I’m not one of the people he goes hunting for. He’s kind of a version of an Earther parole officer, except his job consists of hunting down escaped convicts and the most dangerous of felons. I have hopes that he’ll show some of the same personality that Larten did once we start talking a little more. Surely no one can be that serious all the time, right?
I introduced myself. I gave them the same spiel that I’d given Clan Seot about my mom staying in my life no matter how things turn out with her treatments. I want all the rough stuff up front with these suitors so I can quickly weed out those who won’t work out for me.
I ended up rushing my message a little. I kept hearing funny noises from my sleeping room off and on while I recorded it. I’m sure it wasn’t my imagination. As soon as I finished recording and sent the message off to Clan Aslada, I went to check.
I saw nothing amiss in my bedroom. I even challenged the spirit to come out and stop being a pussy. There was no answer, so maybe I was hearing things. This is growing old. Thank the prophets Betra is spending the night with me.
April 8
What a day. It started out with a scare in the middle of the night.
I woke to find a dark, shadowy figure standing over me and Betra as we slept in my bed. I sat up with a scream, which made Betra jump up. He took a swing at the shadow, which blocked him with lightning-fast reflexes.
“Damn it!” Betra yelled. “Oses, what the fuck are you doing?”
The Nobek’s voice rolled over me. “I came in to sleep with you two. Last I heard, you were both perfectly fine with that. In fact, I believe I was invited.”
“Lights up one-quarter,” I ordered before taking my turn yelling at the weapons commander. “For crying out loud, Oses. Give people some warning before you scare the hell out of them!”
He rolled his eyes at both of us. “I was trying to not wake you. Shalia, you are far too on edge if you wake up screaming. Why aren’t you taking your sedatives?”
I huffed at him, not ready to admit he had a point. “I don’t like being weak, okay? Taking the medication makes me feel as if I’m being wimpy.”
Betra settled back into bed, scooting to the far side to leave room. “She’s only required to take the ones that keep the nightmares away every few nights anyway. Are you taking those when you’re supposed to?”
I hemmed and hawed about that. I received glares from both men.
Oses’s tone was particularly severe. “By the ancestors, woman, no one thinks you’re weak except you. After what you went through, your strength cannot be doubted. If not for the baby, I’d wear your ass out.”
“I sleep fine when I have you or Betra with me,” I said. “At least I do when you’re not creeping in here and scaring the life out of me. How the hell am I supposed to sleep when my heart rate is going a million miles an hour?”
“Take your damned meds when you’re supposed to. Now would be a perfect start.”
“It’s too late.” I glanced at the chronometer. “I have a checkup with Dr. Tep in the morning. If I take the sedative, I’ll oversleep.”
“Give her an orgasm,” Betra yawned. At least he was able to settle down. “A good climax always puts her out.”
“That’s funny, coming from you,” I scowled. “Mr. Cum and Crash.”
He grinned at me. “Yeah, but you get off first so you can’t say I’m selfish.”
He had me there.
“All right,” grinned Oses as he peeled off his uniform and boots. Darn if he wasn’t already fully erect. “Orgasm coming up.”
“I wouldn’t mind helping.” Betra leered at me.
Oses gave him a glare. The Imdiko went still, not even breathing while the weapons commander sized him up. Then a cruel smile twisted Oses’s lips.
“You are not allowed to help. You’ll lie on your side of the bed and watch, boy, without touching Shalia or yourself. You may not climax either.”
Betra gave Oses a look that was both tormented and grateful. His cocks were filling, fattening as excitement began to have its way with him. He nodded. “Yes, Master.”
Satisfied that he would be obeyed, Oses came to me on the bed. “As for you, lovely girl, you may spread your legs for me. I want to play with that sweet little pussy.”
Same as Betra, I was happy to do as I was told. Oses laid on his stomach, his torso between my bent legs. He inhaled deeply of my scent. “That’s nice. Already wet too.”
His fingers went to my slit. I sighed and trembled as he explored my folds with a delicate touch. Oses took his time, his gaze moving from my sex to my face and back again as he gauged my reactions. My breath caught when he brushed carefully against my clit. I moaned when he pressed a finger in me.
He licked my juices from his finger lazily, a cat with cream. His eyes were heavy-lidded with pleasure. “Um. I love how you taste. Do you want some of this, boy?”
I’d been so caught up in what Oses was doing to me that I’d forgotten our silent third. His tone shaky with hope, Betra said, “Please, Master.”
“You’ll have to lick it from my fingers. You do not touch her or yourself while you do so.”
When the Imdiko didn’t immediately respond, I glanced at him. Desire warred with worry on his handsome face. This was not something Betra was comfortable with.
Desire won out, however...along with that need he had for being humiliated. Betra lowered his gaze from Oses’s. In a small voice, he answered, “Yes, Master. I still wish to taste.”
The Nobek pushed two in me, pumping nice and slow. I groaned as he found my sweet spot, producing core-melting friction. In and out, he pleasured me until I could feel bliss inflating like a balloon.
When my happy cries were almost continuous, Oses withdrew. He held the dripping digits out to Betra. “Suck off every drop and look me in the eyes while you do it.”
The Imdiko swallowed. For a moment, I thought he would back out of the play. Then his lips slowly parted. He opened for Oses.
The Nobek slid his fingers in, over Betra’s tongue. My liaison closed his lips over them. His cheeks hollowed as he sucked. He stared at his tormentor. I watched his throat work as he drew on my juices.
Call me weird, but it was hot to watc
h Betra clean my honey from Oses’s fingers. Really hot.
Oses pulled free. He glanced at me. “He’s pretty with something in his mouth, isn’t he?”
I sighed. “Betra is gorgeous no matter what he does. But yes, that was lovely to watch.”
Oses cocked an eyebrow at the blushing Imdiko. “Are you hungry for more, boy?”
Betra jerked a nod. When the Nobek glared at him, he quickly added, “Yes, Master.”
Oses gazed at him speculatively. So did I. Betra was fully, fiercely erect.
It brought out the sadist in the weapons commander...or maybe it was the frustration over not being able to have Betra the way he ached to. Or maybe it was that he’d had to remind Betra who was in control then. At any rate, Oses told him, “I’m warning you, you won’t be allowed to climax at all. You’ll remain hard and celibate for my pleasure. No matter how excited you become, you don’t get an orgasm tonight.”
Shalia's Diary Omnibus Page 97
