The men feeding that ravenous beast grunted and thrust, eager to unleash their own monsters. Their cocks jerked, swelling until I could feel every bump, every ridge, every vein of their engorged shafts. Harder and faster they worked, driven by lust. The friction maddened the creature within me, making it fight harder than ever to escape. I screamed and choked around the length beating in my mouth and throat.
As if in answer to my strangled cry, Oses’s prick jolted hard. He uttered a desperate sound as the length against my tongue shuddered. Then his thick spicy-salty cream poured, filling me.
As that sweet elixir flowed, Betra yelled, “Come, woman! Come now!”
The gates flung wide. The fiendish lust in me sprang free, trailing violent convulsions in its wake. There was nothing but that enormous tension flying free, eclipsing all sight, sound, everything. I was aware of nothing else; not of the last jets of Oses’s passion flooding over my tongue, not of Betra’s release, not of the screams and applause of those watching us. There was only the rapture of release, leaving me spent and drifting in euphoria.
The rest of the night was a blur. Leaving the playroom, recovering in the staging area, getting dressed again, being escorted through the compliments of the fellows in the club’s main chamber, going to my quarters, Oses and Betra showering me and getting the ten pounds of makeup off... it was all fuzzy and unreal.
What was real were the solid bodies against mine as we curled against each other in my bed. The strength of the lovers who held me between them as we drifted into sleep was solid. It was mine to borrow and use until I finished claiming my own.
I smiled as sleep pulled me into its embrace, experiencing the greatest security I’d known since Armageddon. Maybe since I was born. It was good that at last, I was truly on my way.
August 21
Oh my gosh. What a crazy, amazing, freak-out of a day. After almost three months, Anrel was finally released from Medical.
I put her in the iridescent dress Katrina had bought her ages ago on Tratsu. Anrel has grown, but she’s still so tiny! I think she’s about the size of a typical Earther newborn. I spoke to Tep about it, and he had some interesting stats from the reports he’s read. Most Kalquorian/Earther hybrids are far bigger than Earther babies. Some are so big that they have to be taken from Earther moms a few weeks early for the safety of the woman. I cannot imagine shoving out thirty pounds of baby, the biggest hybrid on record so far. Those Kalquorian genes are fierce.
At seven pounds, three ounces, Anrel’s a horse compared to what she was, but nonetheless ... sweet, itty-bitty baby. Betra did his pinning trick to make the dress fit her. The man is a wizard when making temporary alterations.
I clipped a purple bow in her black curls. Sorry to be so sappy here (no, not really), but big “awww” moment. Anrel was so adorable. She kicked and alternated between cooing and sucking on her fist. It was as if she was excited to break out of Medical.
Betra had my vid recorder ready to go and pointed at me as I picked up my baby. “Here it is,” he grinned. “The big day.”
I cradled Anrel in my arms and smiled. And then sheer panic swept over me. I started to hyperventilate.
“Shalia?” Betra lowered the vid recorder. “What’s wrong?”
“Get – get Feru,” I gasped as I set Anrel in her incubator-bed thing. “I can’t. I can’t do this. Get Feru.”
Looking scared, Betra stuck his head out the door. Feru was just outside, so it was barely a second before he came in. He stood in front of me and squeezed my shaking shoulders.
“Easy Shalia,” he soothed. “Do you need to sit down?”
Instead I grabbed onto him, partly because I was so scared and partly because the floor was starting to rock. “What if something goes wrong? What if I can’t get help for her fast enough?”
Feru’s gentle features didn’t change expression even though I knew I was being ridiculous. “Down, Shalia.” He guided me into a chair. “It’s all right. Breathe with me. In, one, two. Hold, one, two. Out, one, two, three. That’s my girl. In, one, two. Hold, one, two. Out, one, two, three.”
Little by little, my brain stopped feeling so swimmy. My heart rate slowed. I stopped gasping like a fish out of water.
“Okay, you’re doing better,” Feru praised, as if I weren’t acting like a world-class goof. “This is a big step taking Anrel out of here, isn’t it? No more monitors, no more doctors only steps away.”
I almost cried to hear my abrupt terror voiced out loud. He understood. He got it. I wasn’t completely crazy.
I didn’t bawl like I wanted to, but a couple of tears escaped. “After all she’s been through, what if I mess it up? What if I make a mistake? What if she has more problems from being so premature?”
“You won’t mess up, Shalia. At least not with the kind of error that’ll cost her life.” Feru’s tone was heaped with confidence. “Plus, guess what the emergency medical response time is to the Matara section of the ship?”
“You can’t know that.” I scowled to show I wouldn’t appreciate condescension.
“As part of this staff, I do. The placement of you and the rest of the women was carefully thought out. Just a little over a minute is the answer.” Feru’s grin lit up his dark, attractive features. “You can check with Tep on that if it’ll make you feel better. I won’t take offense.”
I blinked. “Really? That fast?” Okay, that was encouraging. The panic subsided. “I yell for help, and it’s there?”
Both Feru and Betra nodded. My liaison added, “I’ll be alerted too. I have first response training that’ll begin lifesaving measures until the medics arrive.” He smiled. “It won’t come to that. You’re too conscientious for anything at that level to go wrong.”
“You see?” Feru prodded. “Anrel is safe, even outside of Medical. I promise.”
I drew a deep, steadying breath. “Okay. I guess I’m freaking out over nothing.” Shamefaced, I dropped my gaze.
Feru stroked my hair. “Not at all. This is a huge step for you and Anrel. Having such worries is nothing to be embarrassed about, Shalia. In fact, I’d be more surprised if you weren’t overwhelmed.”
I peeked up at him and Betra. Neither seemed irritated or amused by my breakdown. All their focus was on confirming I was as ready for this as Anrel.
“Don’t tell anybody I flipped?” I asked sheepishly.
That won me grins. “No one will hear a word of it,” Feru chuckled.
Betra fiddled with the recorder. “Here, let me make sure any evidence that you are less than an absolute badass is erased.”
I laughed at him, at myself. “Thanks. I’ll try to find my nerve.”
Feru patted my shoulders and stepped back. “Com when you need me. No matter the hour, no matter how insignificant you think your fears are.”
“Thank you.” I squared my shoulders and stood. I remained shaky inside ... I can’t say I wasn’t ... but panic had retreated. I picked up Anrel again and cradled her in my arms.
Betra pointed the recorder again. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I beamed at the cherub I held. “Ready, pretty girl? Let’s go home.”
Anrel gurgled around her fist. I took that as my signal to get moving.
I stepped out into the main area of Medical. The staff waited for us and broke out into applause and congratulations. It helped vanquish most of the remaining nerves as I took in the many people who had become so familiar over these past few weeks. I could have named each orderly, nurse, lab technician, and doctor in the department. I noted a few in attendance who weren’t usually around for the morning shift. My being filled with warmth at how these Kalquorians cared about my baby.
Also waiting for us was Oses. The big Nobek stepped forward to stroke Anrel’s cheek.
“Congratulations, my warrior queen,” he rumbled in that deep voice of his. “Well done.”
Head doctor Tep also came forward. The sharp planes of his features were softened by emotion. He blinked overly bright e
yes. “I have looked forward to this because it means Anrel is strong and healthy. I have also dreaded it. I’ll miss visiting her all day.”
I surprised Tep by getting up on my tiptoes and pressing a kiss to his cheek. “You are welcome to visit her whenever the notion hits. You saved her life and her mother’s, more than once, so you’ve more than earned it.”
He flushed with pleasure and embarrassment. “It’s been my honor, Shalia. Truly. Get out of here already.” He said the last with a wink.
Before obeying his order, I addressed the assembled staff. “Thank you all for what you’ve done. Believe me when I say that I am more grateful to you than I could ever express. Anrel will know the name of each and every man who did so much to get her to this point.”
The praise sounded paltry when I thought of the effort they’d expended on us both. Yet they beamed at me as if I’d handed them the keys to Heaven. Ah, I love those Kalquorians.
With Betra in front to vid the event and Oses at my side, I walked to the door that would send Anrel out of Medical for the first time in her life. We stepped out into the corridor.
Ship life went on as usual outside of Medical. As momentous an occasion as this was for me, the universe refused to stand still. Yet there were stretches when it paused. Every crewmember I passed by in the hall stopped, gasped to catch sight of Anrel, and bowed to acknowledge us. A few were acquaintances, and they offered their congratulations on Anrel’s progress. I had to stop and thank them for their well wishes. We moved toward my quarters slowly, but neither Betra nor Oses complained. They appeared to take pleasure in Anrel’s grand procession.
The real surprise came when I entered the Matara area of the ship. The women lined the hall, eager to catch a glimpse. Most, if not all of them, had visited her in Medical at some point, but they acted as if they’d never laid eyes on her.
They crowded around, exclaiming with joy at her bright purple eyes, her rosebud lips (when her fist didn’t block the view), her mass of black curls, and her plump cheeks.
“She’s getting so big, Shalia!”
“Welcome home, Anrel!”
“Oh, such a beautiful baby!”
You’d think there had never been a child born in all the universe before, given how they carried on. I was no better, grinning from ear to ear and agreeing with each complimentary word spoken. Anrel acted as if she appreciated the attention too. She smiled as if she knew the fuss was all about her. Then darn if she didn’t open her mouth wide and laugh! The sound was as precious as birdsong in spring.
Oh, we lost our minds then. The level of high-pitched squealing from dozens of females would have driven a dog crazy. I think each woman present must have dropped an egg in that instant.
Katrina and Candy, honorary Grammy and Auntie, bullied to the front of the crowd. The others laughingly opened a path for the pair. After me, Katrina was given the privilege of being the first to hold Anrel outside of Medical. Since she’d had such a rough go of it recently, Candy and I had already agreed it was only fair.
“Oh sweet girl, do you even recognize Grammy outside of that medical ward?” Katrina cooed. Her eyes were bright with tears. I wondered if she was remembering holding her biological grandchildren as babies ... and if she wondered if she’d ever again hold the two belonging to her estranged son Matthew.
Her would-be beaus Captain Wotref and Nobek Siko were conspicuous by their absence. It was too bad Katrina’s problems with Matthew had kept them away. They adored Anrel too. At least Wotref’s Imdiko Dr. Ret had been at Anrel’s send-off in Medical.
“She’s so alert,” Candy marveled, looking over Katrina’s shoulder at Anrel. “Are you smiling at Grammy, Anrel? Yes, you are! She recognizes you, Katrina.”
Katrina kissed both downy soft cheeks. “Grammy’s so glad to see you healthy, little girl. Tell your mommy she’s not to keep you all to herself.” My friend fixed me with a mock-stern gaze. “I expect to babysit at least three times a week.”
I laughed. “You’ll have her spoiled senseless before we reach Kalquor.”
“That’s my diabolical plan.”
Anrel yawned and we made aahing sounds over it. Katrina handed her off to Candy. “That’s our cue that she’s reached her limit of social interaction. It’s hard work being the belle of the ball.”
Candy laughed and peppered tiny kisses all over Anrel’s face. “Just a few seconds of Auntie, pretty baby. Oh, look at this hair. I can’t wait to brush it and play with it and braid it in pigtails.”
Two minutes and six more yawns later, I at last reclaimed my child. I waved Anrel’s tiny fist to the gang. “Bye-bye! See you all again soon!”
On a chorus of goodbyes and blown kisses, I went into my quarters, Betra in front of me still recording. Oses followed, and the door shut behind him. Anrel was home.
“You’re here. You made it,” I whispered to my sleepily blinking child.
With two rooms, not counting the bath facility, it was a short tour. Anrel was too young to comprehend any of her surroundings anyway. She was more interested in the people who loved her. She kicked to catch sight of Betra and Oses when they entered her field of view. Betra was too delighted to be recognized to vid properly. Whenever Anrel gazed at him, he forgot the recorder in his hand. He had to make a fuss over her instead. Oses didn’t gush when Anrel squealed at him in recognition, but his grin stretched a mile. They love my girl.
Her activity level continued to drop however, and I tucked her in the crib Candy’s Nobek sweethearts had built for her. Anrel shoved her fist in her mouth and sucked until she fell asleep.
Betra recorded her slumbering for a few seconds and swung the vid up to get my reaction. I smiled. “She’s here. We made it.”
Betra stopped recording and fiddled with the controls. “Hand over your portable com.”
I did so, curious as to what he might be up to. Betra pulled a couple of connecting wires from a pouch on his utility belt. He connected the recorder and com together. Then he took them to the shelves next to my sleeping mat and set them up so that the vid was trained on Anrel.
“There. You can go in your sitting room, turn on the computer, and monitor her from in there.”
I was delighted. “Thanks, Betra. It’ll probably be a few weeks at least before I can stand to have her out of my sight.”
“I figured.” He seemed pleased that he’d done a good thing. Too bad I couldn’t reward him properly. I thought Katrina might be getting an early call to babysit pretty soon.
“Come on and I’ll show you how to bring it up.” Betra led us to the other area.
My liaison had set up the whole program at some point without my knowledge. It was simple too. At Betra’s order of, “Monitor sleeping room,” a holographic screen came up over the computer interface. I had a perfect view of Anrel slumbering in her crib.
“That’s it,” Betra said. “Just connect the recorder and com as I have it set up, and you’re in business.”
“Wow. Thanks, Betra. With all my heart.”
Oses looked impressed too. “An easy setup that gives Shalia plenty of peace of mind. It allows for us to have our intimate escapes as well.” His gaze looked me up and down.
I blinked. “With her next door?”
“Why not? She’s sleeping. We can close the door and still keep an eye on her.” The Nobek’s look got super naughty. “You’ll have to be quiet.”
I snickered. “Yeah, right. Since when am I quiet during sex?”
Oses dug in his utility belt pouch and brought out a gag. It had a thick bit similar to a horse’s bridle, but cushioned with a spongy covering. The straps would adjust to fit my head snugly.
My pussy spasmed as Oses eyed me, swinging the gag. The crotch of my panties went wet in an instant.
The Nobek inhaled. “That smells like a ‘yes’ to me.”
Oh, I wanted it. My gut ached at the thought of having that bit in my mouth, my teeth digging into it as Oses and Betra did heaven knows what to me. I swallowed and faced
reality.
“I could still scream around that thing. It won’t keep me quiet.”
A side of Oses’s lips quirked up. “Your obedience will. I’ll order you to remain silent, and you’ll do as you are told. Am I correct, pet?”
My whole body perked up at his easy presumption of control. Sweet prophets, how could I resist this man? Ha! I couldn’t.
“Sleeping room door closed.” My voice had a distinctive croak to it.
Oses didn’t bother to look pleased. He knew he had me long before I did. “Take your clothes off.” He turned to the silent Betra. “You too, my Imdiko.”
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