by M. A. Church
“Understood.” Neo hopped up, but he didn’t go far. Instead, he sat on the edge of Hamza’s desk.
Hamza discreetly wiped his face on his sleeve. “I recently learned something. In an encoded subspace message sent to Duran, I found out that the Ne Reynians are in the midst of a civil war. It’s official. The males have revolted, and Tah’Nar is funding the resistance. I’m going to continue that.”
“What?” Kia yelled. “Civil war? Truly?”
“Tah’Nar is… what?” Gibor demanded.
“Oh crap, they did it. They’re fighting back!” Dale exclaimed. “And we’re helping? Hot damn!”
“By the gods!” Malk hugged Kia. “Do you hear that, Ipo?”
Kia bounced in his seat. “You want revenge, Hamza? What better revenge is there than taking power away from those females and giving it to their males?”
“I know that. It’s why I’m going to continue. I’m going to help them overthrow the females.”
“By the gods,” Keyno muttered.
Kia grinned evilly.
“The Unity rescued the Ne Reynian shuttle almost a unit month and half ago. I think this is the real reason the Ne Reyn attacked us.”
Gibor swore loudly.
“Dabba spoke with them and learned one of the males onboard, Camars, is the lover of Princess Dossi Verrell,” Hamza said.
Kia gasped. “You said lover? But females don’t take lovers!”
“But males are no more than slaves,” Keyno said. “So how could you call a male a lover—”
“Wait. Wait. Princess Verrell?” Neo interrupted. “Isn’t her mother Queen Ogill Verrell?”
“By the gods.” Doc gaped. “That puts an interesting twist on things.”
“Go back to calling Camars a lover,” Kia insisted. “What does that mean? I’m telling you females don’t—”
Hamza raised his voice to be heard over the shouted questions. “Just a moment, Kia. There’s more. Camars has a brother, Nak. He’s the one who actually piloted the shuttle. Nak had been taught to pilot in secret. And, he’s the lover to Grand Lady Impur of the royal court. Nak and Camars, along with a few others, were sent off planet by the princess and the grand lady.”
Shock caused the noise to rise to a deafening level.
Hamza tapped gently on the desk until he gained everyone’s attention. “The princess and grand lady, along with several others who hold positions of power, have been helping males in an uprising. So yes, those males of theirs are most definitely lovers and not slaves.”
“This is unheard of,” Kia said faintly. “I can’t believe it.”
“Once King Duran knew this, he started sending supplies, weapons, and financial aid. In a unit week, it’ll be time for another shipment. But he never made an announcement because he felt we’d already interfered enough.”
“That sounds like my mate,” Jolak said.
Hamza grinned evilly. “It does, doesn’t it? But I’m not my dabba. So, not only am I going to interfere with their politics, I’m sending Tah’Narian warriors to Ne Reyn as soon as King Duran’s laying in state is finished. I’m going to make damn sure the resistance wins. Taking those females’ power will be my revenge.”
NEO ARRANGED for a meal around midday since no one seemed like they wanted to leave. Unfortunately Raiden, Dayo, Szin, Takeo, and Laken weren’t there, but like him and Hamza, they hadn’t gone through the trials and tribulations everybody in that room had.
Grief still lined Hamza’s face, but his smile was now much more ready, and the hatred no longer blazed in his eyes. As they ate, Neo made sure to touch Hamza, made sure his glass was always filled, and generally tended to his every need.
After the meal, everyone left, but as much as he wanted to drag Hamza to their quarters, he couldn’t. There were still things to do to get ready for Hamza’s crowning. “Short of some planetary disaster, I want you to meet me in our quarters for final meal.”
Neo suddenly found his arms full of a Tah’Narian male bent on kissing the hell out of him. It had an edge of desperation, sorrow, and possessiveness. Neo ran his hands up and down Hamza’s back. When he finally moaned into the kiss, Hamza pulled back.
Hamza rested his forehead against Neo’s and sighed heavily. “Only a planetary disaster will stop me. I want you so much. I want to lose myself in you tonight.”
Neo’s cock filled. “I can’t wait to feel your barb in me. Try not to let what was discussed here weigh heavily on your mind, okay?”
“I’ll try.” Hamza stepped back. “You better go before I decide to throw you on top of my desk and to hell with everything else.”
“A bed would be so much better. Get done with whatever you have to do, and I’ll happily let you toss me on whatever you want.”
Hamza groaned.
With a wink, Neo hurried out the door. Jolak had moved his personal things from the King Consort office, and Neo had now made it his. He nodded to the guards at his door and entered.
Starting the viewing screen, he made a final check of his notes. The unit day after tomorrow was the crowning. The Quai president, President Hone, was due to arrive soon. The Kalgo Prime king, King Rhule, also planned to shuttle in, along with the Jigas Three king, King Zyon, tomorrow evening.
Their rooms, along with their entourages’, were readied. The palace kitchen was aware of visiting royalty and was prepared. Hamza insisted that there would be no celebration revolving around his ascension to the throne, but Jolak insisted a state dinner take place, since there was visiting royalty. Hamza hadn’t been thrilled, but he gave in.
The formal royal crowns had been removed from the palace’s vault, and their clothes had been cleaned and pressed. Tomorrow morning the royal procession would do a quick walk-through to Darkkit Hall, which was a freestanding building that was part of the original palace. It was rarely used now, except for instances like this.
Massive viewing screens were being set up so the public could watch. Once crowned, he and Hamza would stand on the front steps of the palace and greet their people. It seemed as if everything was ready to go. Neo refused to acknowledge the nerves dancing in the pit of his stomach. At least this time they didn’t center around what Hamza was threatening to do.
A low buzz told him it was time to call it a unit day. He hurried to their quarters, took a fast shower, and dressed in a black pair of sheer night pants. He wore nothing underneath. Twisting this way and that, he stared at his reflection in the full-length mirror in their bedroom. He was already hard, and it was clearly shown.
“That ought to get his attention.” Picking up the matching sheer robe, he left. On the way to the kitchen, he draped it over the back of the couch. It’d be the first thing Hamza saw when he entered their quarters.
His comm buzzed, and a message from Hamza popped up saying he was on the way. Neo programmed the reduplicator and set the table with the fanciest dishware and serving utensils they had. In the middle of the table he arranged three tall luminous Quai rock crystals. He tapped them so they’d glow.
“Computer, dim the lights to thirty percent. Start music track 2A.”
“Yes, Prince Neo.”
Sweet and soothing sounds quietly played from the ceiling. It made a pleasant backdrop to the lowered lights and romantic meal he’d planned. He poured a glass of Akdov and leaned against the kitchen counter, waiting.
A few moments later, the door to their quarters slid open and Hamza strolled inside, carrying a vase overflowing with Neo’s favorite flowers. Hamza’s gaze traveled from the robe on the back of the couch to Neo’s pants. “Oh, damn.”
Neo smirked.
“Did I say damn? I should’ve said hot damn, you look gorgeous.” Hamza inhaled sharply. “Your scent…. I’ve missed that.”
“Are those for me?”
A smile crossed Hamza’s face. “I look at you, and I forget everything. But yes, they’re for you.” He crossed to Neo and held the vase out. “Your favorite.”
“They are indeed. Thank you.�
� Neo carefully sniffed the blooms. He knew firsthand what touching them would result in. While he rearranged the rock crystals so he could place the flowers in the middle of them, he made sure to stretch as much as possible over the table. “There. Now it’s perfect.” Straightening, he faced Hamza. Hamza’s mouth was hanging open, and the front of his pants bulged.
“Why don’t you go shower?”
Hamza blinked.
“Hamza?”
“By all the gods, I think my brain short-circuited.”
Neo snorted. “That’s later. After final meal. So….” Neo pointed toward the bedroom where the master bath was located. “The sooner you shower, the sooner we eat, and the sooner I’ll short-circuit your brain.”
“By the gods! Fuck. A shower. Right. I’ll be back shortly. Ten unit minutes at the most.” Hamza rushed from the room.
Laughing quietly, Neo delayed several unit minutes then started the reduplicator. He hadn’t seen Hamza that randy since their mating night. He poured another glass of Akdov and placed it by Hamza’s plate. Almost to the unit second, a hard body pressed against him. Something light and soft tickled the naked skin of his back. He pushed back, and something hard and heavy pressed against his ass.
The reduplicator flashed, catching Neo’s attention. “Fuck. Final meal is ready.”
“Damn.” Hamza squeezed Neo’s ass before stepping around him. “What are we having?”
Neo turned and whined low at the sight that greeted him. “Fuck, Hamza, there’s no way I can eat with you sitting there in the nude. I’ll be so busy looking at you I’ll end up either stabbing myself with my eating utensil or choking on my food!”
A grin crossed Hamza’s face. He strode across the living area to the couch where Neo’s robe was thrown and put it on. “There. I’m not naked now.”
Neo covered his face with his hands and laughed. He peeked through his fingers at Hamza. “That’s not naked, huh?”
“No more than you, love.”
Neo groaned as he opened the reduplicator. “Didn’t think that one out, did I?”
Smirking, Hamza came back to the table. “So, what’s for final meal?”
“Not going to say, but I will tell you it’s something you really like.”
Hamza took a deep breath. “Ah, I know that smell. Can I help?”
“Sure.”
Once the meal was on the table, Hamza pulled out Neo’s chair for him. After Neo sat, Hamza took his place across the table. “Raymand’dar, searing, and my mate dressed in skimpy clothes. Yup, all my favorites.”
Neo flashed Hamza a look under his lashes. “Well, I do know what you like.”
Chapter Sixteen – Hamza
HAMZA’S GAZE lingered on Neo’s nude chest. “Yes, yes you do.”
But soft music, glowing crystals, and perfectly made food couldn’t outshine Neo himself. Or his sheer night pants. Hamza’s cock throbbed. Neo’s smile was no longer merely a baring of teeth, and real happiness replaced the awful blank look in his eyes.
Hands shaking slightly, he picked up his knife. Raymand’dar was much like Earth’s cows, but its meat was green and spicy. Searing was a mixture of blue and purple raw vegetables served hot instead of cold that Tah’Nar imported from Kalgo Prime.
They kept the talk light and pleasant. Nevertheless, Hamza counted every unit second until their plates were empty. When they were finished, he rose, and not saying a word, held his hand out to Neo. Scooting his chair back, Neo stood and came around the table, stopping in front of Hamza. Standing tall and proud, Neo gazed into Hamza’s eyes.
Like an equal, because that’s what he is. My equal.
Pulling Neo close, he traced the shell of Neo’s ear, and then he blew in it. They twitched. Neo loved them played with. “Before this night is over, I’m going to savor every inch of you.”
Neo trembled. “Yes. Please.”
“I’m going to worship your body. I’m going to show you just how much I love you.” He planted a quick kiss to the tip of Neo’s nose. “You’re mine, and I plan on claiming what’s mine tonight.”
A shudder racked Neo, his chest rumbling with a purr.
“Mmm,” Hamza groaned. “Love that sound.”
Neo stretched in Hamza’s arms, his body unwinding sensually. Hamza wanted to rub his scent all over Neo so everyone would know to whom he belonged. He dropped Neo’s hand and threaded his fingers in the soft waves of Neo’s hair. He stared into Neo’s bright blue eyes, suddenly serious. “You saved me from myself.”
Neo blinked in surprise. “I will always save you. You’re my life.”
“I want you to know you’re my equal in this new path we travel.”
Tears glistened in Neo’s eyes. “Thank you. Gods, thank you. You have no idea what that means to me.” He nipped Hamza’s jaw, then touched his lips to Hamza’s.
Such a simple gesture, but it ignited his desire and knocked every thought out of Hamza’s head. He ground against Neo. The thickness of the bulge that greeted him left him panting with excitement.
“Bedroom,” Neo whispered.
Hamza tugged Neo along after him, hurrying down the hallway to their room. As they entered, he ordered the main computer to dim the lights.
Neo yanked Hamza to a stop. Breathless, he grinned. “We have all night,” he said untying the robe’s belt. It gaped open, and he slid his hands over Hamza’s chest up to his shoulders. He pushed and it fluttered to the ground.
The material tickled as it slipped from his body. His need flamed higher. “I know. But I burn to be inside you.”
Neo smoothed Hamza’s hair away from his face. “Fast and furious the first time, huh? I can handle that. Then you can take your time and make love to me later.”
Hamza grunted. Words. Words floated past him, their meaning getting lost in his driving need. The night pants were sexy as hell, but he wanted to see that pale skin and admire those freckles Neo hated. He kissed the symbols on Neo’s neck. They matched his, and showed Neo was part of the royal family.
Reaching for Neo’s waistband, he brushed the head of his cock. Hamza gripped the material tightly, fighting the urge to rip them off. As patiently as he could, he eased them down Neo’s hips. Neo seemed to understand, and wiggled until the pants fell down his hips. He kicked them off to the side.
He picked Neo up. Neo snorted, but didn’t say anything. Instead he tortured Hamza by kissing his neck. Hamza’s tail whipped behind him. Grinning, he tossed Neo on the bed and followed him down. They tussled for position, but the playfulness morphed into something else when Neo nipped Hamza’s lower lip.
He managed to push Neo onto his back and straddle him, trapping both of his wrists above his head. Neo’s long red hair spread across the silky black sheets, and his eyes flashed with fire. Hamza’s breath caught. Without fail, that look always excited him.
“Mine,” Hamza growled, enjoying the sight of his willful mate. The sweet scent of Neo’s arousal wafted up to him. It was a fresh, fragrant, and citrusy scent that was bright and happy but had a bite to it. Kind of like Neo himself.
“Yours,” Neo vowed. “Just as you are mine.”
And he was. Love had bound them together before either one of them were born. He and Neo were meant to be. In his foolish anger, Hamza almost broke the tie.
“Always,” Hamza swore, and his hair came alive against his back, writhing with the need to touch, to hold.
“And forever,” Neo finished.
Hamza released Neo’s wrists. Still straddling Neo, he trailed his hands across Neo’s chest and teased a hard nub. These little bits of skin fascinated him. Playing with them drove Neo crazy. Neither Hamza’s dabba nor atat were human, so he didn’t have nipples. No pureblooded Tah’Narians didn’t. But hybrids, like Neo—who had human DNA—often did.
Neo’s eyes fluttered closed. A low sound of pure need escaped. He heeded the soft plea and rolled the nipple between his fingers. As he did, he leaned closer and nuzzled the soft skin at the junction of Neo’s neck and s
houlder, murmuring encouragements when Neo’s head rolled to the side, giving him more room.
Was there anything sexier than Neo lost in passion with his mouth slightly open, his face flushed, and eyes half closed? Gods above, he ached. Pulling his mind from his own need, his hands left the perky tips and went lower. Neo’s stomach muscles jumped. Washboard abs called to him, pale skin that begged to be touched.
His cock was so hard he hurt. Yeah, it was going to be fast and hard this time. He moved off Neo, crawled across the bed, and opened a drawer in an end table. Removing the small round container that held lube, he stalked back toward his mate.
Neo spread his legs.
Hamza’s heart skipped a beat. So open and willing. He seated himself between Neo’s thighs and opened the jar, wetting his fingers. Gently he spread lube around Neo’s hole, but he didn’t enter him. With his other hand, he stroked Neo’s cock.
Neo clutched the bedding beneath him and strained toward Hamza. His legs opened wider.
Keeping Neo’s mind on his cock, Hamza massaged Neo’s hole, getting him ready. When Neo snarled quietly, Hamza slipped his finger inside into hot, wet heat, and worked Neo open. When he pegged Neo’s prostate, Neo’s hard, muscular legs trembled. There was nothing like a strong male needing. Neo thrust his hips, a whine on his lips.
Such desperate want. He loved seeing his mate lose himself in pleasure. He pushed in another finger, and Neo tightened, silently begging. His control snapped and all hints of gentleness left as he banged Neo’s ass, scissoring his fingers, spreading Neo open more. Yeah, this was going to be hard and fast. He desired Neo too much. Sweet and romantic would come later. Growling, Hamza added another finger, and Neo gasped.
Heavy-eyed and lips pulled back from his fangs, Neo gazed at Hamza. “In me. I need you.”
Hamza removed his fingers and released Neo’s cock. He couldn’t wait either. Hands fumbling, he reached for more lube. Slick was important, especially since he hadn’t really given Neo enough prep. Panting, he slathered his cock, rose upon his knees, and positioned the head of his cock at Neo’s hole.
