The Lady Goddess turned her gaze on him and he swallowed. Do you think I would mate you with my own flesh if she could not love you or trust you?
It wasn’t that. His mother brought him up to respect women. To revere women since they were so few. It was a testimony to her strength and courage that she and the ten other women raised one hundred and fifteen boys to maturity on a strange planet.
That is why you two are her mates. There is no one in this galaxy who will love her, protect her and see to her needs as you and Xymus will. Do not think yourself unworthy. There are no other males worthy of her love.
He swallowed again as a lump formed in his throat. I thank you. Xymus thanks you. He took a deep breath. Our children thank you.
She smiled. Your children. I like the sound of that. The thought of great grandchildren is very nice. Looking back to Ariella who now sat at the console, her fingers flying over the keys, she smiled. I shall leave you to it. Hmmm… Great grandchildren? Hurry please. I would like to help you shape their lives. The Goddess gave Ariella one last loving look and disappeared with style in a flood of sparkling light.
As if he or Xymus would say no to that! He turned from the fading light to see Xymus looking at him, a knowing grin on his face. He wondered if he’d heard her decree. Now he had his answer. His lips curved in a knowing smile and he nodded as they both moved closer to their mate. As soon as she entered the code and they had their information they could take the time to properly welcome their mate to their arms.
“I don’t believe this.”
The sound of her astonishment snagged their attention and for a moment, Demit focused his gaze solely on the screen over her head. Intergalactic maps with star charts of Hienial known systems flashed across the screen.
* * * *
Do you see this? Do all these worlds have Halflings on them?
Xymus reached over Ariella’s shoulder and thumped his finger on the screen. “What is the significance of the different colored planets? Do all of these star systems have Halflings?
Ariella shook her head. “No.” Pointing at the blue coded planets, she explained. “These are humanoid or human planets. Those they didn’t have the time to invade before the Triads wiped them out.” She placed her index finger on a red coded planet. “These are those they found and conquered.” Her expression was somber. “According to the notes, they killed or removed everyone from the red areas.”
“And the gold?”
“The gold is what interests me. The gold planets are the ones they took the kidnapped women to. They could still be out there, alone, like you.”
He could feel her sympathy through their matebond. He wanted nothing more than to comfort her, tell her that everything was fine. Their childhood wasn’t as bad as the thoughts that ran through her head. They’d had a good upbringing. Their mothers had seen to that. “How many of the gold planets are there?” He watched, awed as her fingers flew across the console again.
“It looks like about ten.”
“Ten? Ten worlds with Halflings?”
“We can hope.” Her eyes were filled with compassion as she continued, each of her hands covering one of theirs. “I have a feeling that some of them didn’t survive. Some women aren’t as strong as others and some planets not as hospitable.”
He nodded as a lump formed in his throat. So many innocents fell to the cruelty of their fathers. So many innocents died…
“We need to find them. We should tell Viktor what we’ve found.” Demit stepped forward and squeezed her shoulder. “What is this one? Why is it the only purple one? What does that signify?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. There is nothing about that in the database. We’ll have to study that a bit more. Perhaps once we travel to a few of the others, we’ll discover the significance of that lone planet. I have a wrist computer back at the campsite. We can take all this information back if it’s not too much for it to handle.”
Xymus, anxious to get to the computer and download the information, almost ran from the ship. It wasn’t until he thought of the other men that he paused. “Do you have a communications device?”
“The guards each had one. I did not need to carry a device.” She shivered with distaste. “Perhaps the others are still alive. I wonder if I can reprogram the ship’s communications to contact the others. If they’re still alive.” Her fingers flew over the console once again as she initiated another protocol in the system. “There, I’ve established a link.”
“Want to do the honors?” Demit asked. “I think the request would be better received if it came from you.”
Ariella nodded her head and spoke into the sending unit. “Team two, is there anyone there?” She breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed visibly when a voice came over the line.
“Yes, Highness. Have you a need?”
“Yes, Argen, as a matter of fact I do. Can one of you bring my wrist-com to the ship?”
“Of course. I’ll be right there, Princess.”
“Oh, and Argen? Bring the others. My guard has been killed by a chemical contaminant triggered by a self destruct virus in the computer system. Only non-Hienial males died. There are only my mates and myself here.”
It seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes before the others arrived. Argen handed Ariella the wrist-com and she immediately set the device to download while she contacted her ship.
“This is the Lioni ship, Pride. May I be of assistance?”
“Yes, thank you. This is Princess Ariella. I have managed to hack into the Hienial database. We need immediate transport for myself, my contingent and two Halflings at these coordinates.” She snatched up her wrist-com as though she feared leaving it behind.
Xymus stepped forward. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but perhaps it would be best if we went directly to your quarters and downloaded this into your personal computer. One not networked with the ships devices. We don’t want a repeat of the earlier incident.”
“Good idea. Pride, please transport myself and the two Halflings to my quarters.”
“One moment.”
There was a slight pause before a shimmering light transported them to the unknown vessel. Ariella handed the wrist-com to Demit and shuddered. “Do you mind beginning the download? I have to shower. I need to bathe away the scent of death before I am sick. Those men have protected me as long as I can remember. Their deaths haunt me.”
She turned and headed toward an adjoining room Xymus assumed was her bathing chamber.
* * * *
Anxious now that the time had arrived to take Demit and Xymus as mates, Ariella glanced into the mirror and tightened the sash of her silken robe. Leaving the bathroom, she slowed when she noticed the lights surrounding the bed were lowered, giving the illusion of seduction. Or, maybe they were trying to seduce her. Though why they would bother when getting her beneath them was as sure a thing as the suns rising over her world in the morning was beyond her understanding.
Wearing naught but a towel, Xymus entered the room carrying a tray loaded down with delicacies from her home world. After placing the tray on the bedside table, he returned to where Ariella stood. He tenderly took her hands in his and gave her a wry smile. “Just because we know that tonight will end in a mating bond, does not mean we cannot make this memorable for all of us, does it?”
Ariella could feel the blush heating her skin, her cheeks. Her skin warmed from her toes to the roots of her hair. Had she gotten so cynical in her young life that she looked for things to quibble over? Why could she not just go with the flow this evening—as her mother was known to say? She knew Xymus was right, this would be her only mating ceremony and she wanted to remember every moment of it. Dropping her gaze from his, she glanced around the bedchamber. “Where is Demit?”
“He is bathing, mi zoyma. He shall be along shortly.”
“Mi zoyma?”
“I believe it translates to my heart in your language.”
Ariella could feel a deeper blush warming her ski
n. Biting her lip to keep her embarrassment level to a minimum, she mumbled, “Okay.” After looking everywhere but up at Xymus, for she knew he’d see her confusion, she searched for something else to say, to do. What was she supposed to do now? She’d never been in this situation before. Should she strip? Get on the bed and wait for them to come to her? Hide beneath the covers?
Goddess, she was so unsure of herself. When had this strange feeling of inadequacy overcome her? Normally self-confident, she did not like feeling lost or unsure. Before she could fret even more, Xymus stepped closer, until only an inch separated them. Ever so gently, he pulled her body against his, until her body nestled snuggly against his chest.
She could feel his cock flex against her belly and she gasped at the size. She couldn’t help the reaction any more than she would have expected him to be hard already. With only a silken robe and a towel separating them, she could almost feel the veined ridges in his shaft.
Her heart stuttered in her chest, and a delicious shudder heated up her body. He was so stunningly gorgeous. All that muscle and sinew, moving in perfect rhythm as he wrapped his arms around her, could give a woman heart problems. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from his perfect profile. In fact, she had no desire to do so. He was all hers and she intended to revel in it.
At the base of her throat, a pulse beat and swelled as though her heart had risen from its usual place. She sank into him, compelled by her own passion. His sweetly intoxicating scent threatened to overwhelm her and she wondered if she had the same effect on him.
Gathering her into his arms, he held her tight against him. She buried her face against the large muscles of his chest, taking his scent deep into her lungs. She would know this man in the dark amongst a hundred men just by his scent alone. Not that she had any desire to be in such a situation.
His hands explored the hollows of her back then skimmed her hips, her bottom, before sliding back up and cupping her face in his hands. Warm lips pressed firmly against hers, gently covering her mouth. His kiss was slow and sweet, then it changed. His tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips then demanded entrance.
The kiss sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl, and her heart thudded in her ears. He lifted his mouth from hers and gazed into her eyes. As though unable to help himself, his lips and tongue seared a path down her neck, her shoulders, exploring her body with a thoroughness that astounded her.
“Xymus, if you don’t make love to me soon, I’m going to die.”
“I am making love to you. Can’t you tell?” he asked, as his lips trailed lower. “If not, I must be doing something very wrong.” His tongue encircled her nipple with tantalizing possessiveness, while his fingers trailed slowly across the other, bringing them both to hard peaks. He lifted his head long enough to ask, “Do you know how sweet you taste?”
She just shook her head, mesmerized by the passion and honesty she heard in his voice. There was such love and devotion behind his words. It was impossible for him to hide his feelings from her and she felt blessed.
His hand left her nipple and trailed down her tummy. His touch was light and painfully teasing as he continued to slowly explore her body. His ardor was surprisingly, touchingly, restrained yet there was no doubt that he was keeping himself tightly leashed.
Xymus took her hands and placed them against his chest, encouraging her to explore his body as he explored hers.
She couldn’t have stopped herself from touching him if her life depended upon it. She wanted this—wanted him. She let her hands slide down his chest, as his body moved to partially cover hers. “What are you waiting for?” she asked, barely able to form a sentence, her mind was so passion laden. She merely needed to be in the same room with him and she wanted him with a desperation that knew no bounds.
“I want our time together to last. And I want it to last a long, long time.”
“Oh.” Ariella didn’t know what else to say. She could go on touching Xymus and be touched by him forever. Parting her lips, she raised herself to meet his kiss. His mouth covered hers hungrily, devouring her, as though he were trying to absorb her taste, her essence and draw it into himself.
She couldn’t get enough of the feel of his skin beneath her hands. Her cheeks colored under the heat of his gaze as her fingers wrapped around his cock, stroked him from base to tip. She wanted her every touch to bring him immeasurable pleasure. This close to him, his emotions, his very thoughts seemed to echo in her mind. She could hear and feel everything he heard and experienced.
Her touch was driving him crazy. He didn’t know how much longer he could last. The feel of her hand wrapped around his dick was killing him. He hoped to the Goddess she was as ready for him. He was more than ready for her. A sense of urgency drove him. He needed to be one with her now.
Xymus gently pushed her down onto the bed. She gazed up at him, her expression filled with desire. It was nearly his undoing. He lowered himself over her and slid between her open thighs. His hands caressed the smooth skin of her legs then explored the soft lines of her hips, her waist, her back, and finally slid up her arms until he held her hands clasped in his. He slowly drew her hand to his cock and wrapped her fingers around his steely length. “Take me into your body and make me yours,” he pleaded.
“I have always been yours. Don’t you know that?”
Tears glittered in the corners of his eyes. “Wrap your legs around my waist, mi zoyma, and guide me home.”
His lips brushed her nipples as he slowly filled her. Her body melted against his. His tormented groan was a heady invitation, so she lifted her hips, allowing him to sink into her fully. This time, she groaned. Just the feel of him inside her almost sent her over the edge and he had yet to move.
She caressed the strong tendons at the nape of his neck then let her hands slide down his back until she had the luscious cheeks of his ass in her hands. “Move, Xymus, before I really do hurt you.”
Before she could finish her sentence, he slowly withdrew and thrust with such force he brought her to instant orgasm. Her eyes blurred, her heart pitched, and the room began to spin. “By the Lady Goddess, don’t stop,” she said when it appeared he was perfectly content to just sit there and watch her reaction.
“If I move now, it’ll be all over. Your body gripping mine is more than I can handle, it seems.” He gritted his teeth in an obvious effort to control his reaction to her. “I’ve never felt anything like it—like you—before. I’ve never been with a woman. You’re so wet, so tight. The way you squeeze my cock is good. So good.” He groaned, resting his forehead against hers.
Taking the decision out of his hands, she tightened her legs around his waist and brought herself up, forcing him to thrust inside her. Her mate lost all semblance of control then, taking her body with a forcefulness that left her gasping. In. Out. In. Out. Over and over, he lunged into her, hitting her womb on every stroke until she was sure she would die with it.
“Oh, Goddess,” she cried as she felt another orgasm begin to swell inside of her. As though he’d waited for just such a reaction, she felt his cock tighten and thicken inside her.
“Come for me, baby. Now,” he demanded.
As if she could do anything but what he asked. Waves of ecstasy washed through her. She lay drowning in a floodtide of warmth and contentment—of bone deep satisfaction unlike anything she’d ever felt before and she savored it.
Xymus began to move away from her, but Ariella would have none of that. Not yet. “Don’t move.”
“But, I’m too heavy to lay atop you like this, my mate.”
“I want to feel your skin against mine for just a bit longer,” she half whispered. “I want this moment to last.”
Xymus sighed. “I know, mi zoyma. But Demit will arrive shortly and he deserves some time with you as well.”
“There’s no need to rush off,” Demit whispered. Neither Ariella nor Xymus had heard him enter the room and yet he stood just a few feet away. She couldn’t help but wonder how long he’d
stood beside the bed watching them make love.
Scooting toward the edge of the bed with the sheet wrapped firmly around her, Ariella tried to stand so she could approach her other mate.
As soon as her feet hit the floor, Demit moved forward, swinging her into his arms, sheet and all. “You didn’t think we’d let you walk, did you?” he asked.
His rough voice sent shards of pleasure piercing her core. The second she felt herself melt against him in surrender, she remembered exactly why she should fight their seduction. “Put me down, Demit. Please.” When he only tightened his arms around her and sat on the bed, his back pressed against the headboard, Ariella’s heart began to pound against her chest.
“Not until I tire of holding you,” he growled.
She twisted in his lap. “But I want to touch you, taste you.”
Almost immediately, Demit’s mouth covered hers hungrily. It was a kiss of pure possession. She wasn’t even shocked at her own eager response to the touch of his lips against hers. She wanted—needed—to surrender to the desire she had for them. They were her mates. It was as it should be.
Demit’s lips seared a path down her neck, her shoulders, as he slowly unveiled her body to his gaze. She felt the heady sensation of his lips against her neck and arched her body in response. Her hands gripped his thighs to keep still for his questing mouth. His lips continued their exploration of her neck and shoulders, the hollow of her throat and collarbone, but she was having none of it. She wanted the taste of his lips against hers. She wanted to take control.
She thrust her fingers through his hair and pulled him to her. Her kiss was full of urgency and need, heat and passion, fire and ice. It only made their kiss that much hotter, that much more powerful.
It wasn’t long before kissing wasn’t enough for either of them. His lips slowly followed the path of his fingers as he lowered the sheet until her breasts lay bare and quivering in his hands. Unable to contain the fires burning deep within her, she arched her back, guiding his mouth to her puckered nipples, desperate to feel his lips against their sensitive peaks.
Sex Me Sweet Page 3
