“Please. Our stock of raw materials is depleted, or they were until you delivered these. We appreciate your quick response to our need.”
Ry grinned at the dragon shifter, liking his directness. “You’re paying us.”
“You risked your lives. We’re probably not paying you enough.”
“Don’t forget two pieces of jewelry is included in the deal. One piece for my mate, and Ellard wants a gift for Gweneth too.”
“Come and see my workshop. I think I have a few pieces that will work for your lovely lady. This Christmas thing sounds interesting. You can tell me about it.”
Five mins later, Ransom ushered him into a huge room holding pieces of mysterious equipment, sets of instruments and trays of stones. Some raw. Some polished to a vivid sparkle. Other trays of what he thought were different types of metals and flourishes to combine with the stones sat on shelves.
“The finished pieces are over here.”
Ry’s eyes widened as he took in the huge number of finished pieces. Jewels of different colors and in different styles—long, short, big, small. “How am I meant to choose something?”
“Your lady is active and busy. I think a pendant would work since she could tuck it under her tunic if she wanted to train or undertake any physical activity.”
Ry scanned the display and stopped at a stone that reminded him of Camryn’s whiskey-brown eyes. “That one.”
“The very one I was going to suggest,” Ransom said with a trace of smugness.
“I’ll take it.”
“I can put it in a pretty box for you. It is your tradition to place the gift beneath the decorated tree?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Ry scanned the display and his gaze settled on ear and nosepieces. “How much for matching earrings?”
“And now he asks the price?” Ransom mocked.
“Currency doesn’t matter. I want to do something special for my mate. Camryn is worth it.”
Ransom named a price—expensive but given the workmanship not unreasonable. “Done deal. Can I pick both up before we leave for Viros?”
“I’ll package them for you now.”
“Separately, please.” Ry went to leave and turned back. “Camryn found these two stones. Purple wasn’t on your list of colors so we kept them separate to ask you if they’re worth anything.” Ry pulled the stones out of his pocket and handed them over.
Ransom stilled. “You found these on the far side of the mountain range?”
“In the dry creek bed. The creek bed ended in a wall of rock where the water had gone underground. The entire wall of rock looked as if it were the same color—a mix between purple and black. Is it worth collecting?”
“This is Narendanite. I remember my grand sire talking about finding a piece. The sale of the jewelry he made from it paid to build our main dwelling. According to the stories he used to tell my brothers and me, the stone he found was the size of his fingernail.”
“These two stones are bigger.”
“Yes. And you think there is an entire rock wall of the stuff.”
“Which is surrounded by those plants. We’re not miners. We can only collect the loose stones.”
“We wouldn’t want to flood the market anyway,” Ransom said. “I definitely want to hire you and your crew to collect stones for us on a regular basis. Are you interested?”
“As long as we can find a way to deal with the plants.”
“I’m convinced fire might do the trick,” Ransom said with a gleam in his eyes. “Let’s talk some more.”
* * * * *
Aboard the Indy, heading back to Viros
“Nanu, you’re in charge, but take the long way back to Viros,” Ry said. “I don’t want to arrive back until morn.”
“Eew,” Kaya said. “You’re going to do sex things.”
Camryn felt color creep into her cheeks, even though she and Ry had been mates for some time. However, she knew better than to let Kaya get under her skin. “You’re just sore because we couldn’t stay long enough for you to flirt with Ransom.”
“True. Next time,” Kaya said, a determined gleam darkening the color of her blue eyes to indigo.
Ry tugged Camryn to her feet. His hand was warm and strong around hers. “Don’t call us if you want to live.”
They left the bridge to the sound of Kaya’s laughter and Mogens’s softer tones.
“Are we going to do sex things?” she asked once their cabin door closed after them.
Ry’s tender expression had her breath catching, her pulse rate jumping into a racy bump, bump, bump. Somehow, since they’d left Viros, he’d come to a decision and a raft of nerves jittered at the pit of her stomach on seeing his resolve.
This was her opportunity to express her concerns.
Ry leaned on the door for an instant, as if he were ordering his thoughts. He pushed away and prowled toward her, a cat stalking its prey.
“I’m not edible, so don’t try that intimidation with me.” Her tone emerged fall-leaf dry, and he halted, his features frozen in a mask of surprise.
“No.” He reached past her and pulled out a small package wrapped in gold foil from his jacket pocket. It bore a dragon seal. “I was going to save this for Christmas, but I want to give it to you now.” He paused, and once again, she received the impression her mate was concentrating on what he wanted to say.
Bad news?
No, he wouldn’t tell her like this. His manner had always been forthright.
“It’s also a thank-you for our children, a thank-you for agreeing to travel to Viros so I could find my family.”
The tension seeped from her muscles and her knees went weak, her butt hitting the conveniently placed bed. “You…” She sucked in a breath and tried again. “Once I got used to your bossiness, I came to love you. It’s easy to love you, Ry. Because of your stepbrother you lost everything you knew, your home and family, but you made another one.”
“Our trip to Viros was a waste of time.”
“I don’t agree. We’ve made more friends, have some good contacts and business opportunities, thanks to the dragon shifters. Our children will grow up knowing where they come from with a mixture of Viros and Earth customs. About that bossiness. You’ve been throwing your weight around more than usual.” Her gaze drilled him to show she meant business.
He sighed. “I know. Another reason for the gift. Open it. I have another small gift for our Christmas day celebration.”
She fumbled with the fancy ribbon and almost dropped the small box. Ry wasn’t one to give gifts. It didn’t seem to be a feline trait. Finally, she managed to unwrap the foil, and she opened the small box within. She stared at the pendant with the huge glittering brown-and-gold stone.
“It reminded me of your eyes,” Ry said. “Do you like it?”
She stroked her forefinger over the glowing stone, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
“Here, let me put it on for you.”
He fastened it around her neck and stepped back to survey the result. “Beautiful.” His husky voice contained approval and pleasure and a hint of feline arrogance. “Ransom told me the chain is extra strong, so don’t worry about losing it.”
Camryn fingered the pendant, the glittery coolness of the stone starting to take on her body heat. The huge stone caught the light and shone in a blaze of brown and gold and the myriad colors between the two. “Thank you, Ry. You should have spent the currency on something for—”
“No. I wanted to give you a token. Now, every time you look at the pendant you’ll remember how much I love you and our children.”
“I miss them.”
“Not their crying,” Ry said.
She spluttered in amusement. “No.”
“I needed to talk to you about something else. I know you’ve noticed things have become…that I’ve avoided making love with you.”
Her spine went rigid, and she turned to face him. His expression told her nothing, so she waited instead of voicing the que
stions tickling the tip of her tongue.
“Mogens has been researching a new birth control method for us.”
“What? Why? I’m using the same birth control method all the women use here, and before that I used the potions Mogens foisted on us.”
“Neither of them work, not for you, not for Jannike, not for Gweneth.”
“But the pregnancies…” Her brow crinkled as she thought back. “Yes, the pregnancies were all unexpected, but there were circumstances that explained each pregnancy.” Jannike and Gweneth hadn’t taken Mogens’s potions at the right time.
“They should have worked. Mogens has been trying to find a solution, but he thinks it’s something to do with your genetic makeup. You, Jannike and Gweneth all have non-feline genes.”
“So that’s why…” Her hand went to her stomach to rub lightly. “I might be pregnant again.”
“I hope not. You almost died with the twins.”
She lifted her chin. “I don’t regret having them.”
Ry crossed the distance between them in one giant step. “I don’t either. How could I? They’re perfect.”
Her throat tightened as she pressed against his chest and savored his warmth. “What are we going to do? I don’t hate the thought of more children, but if they come in pairs…”
“That’s the other thing that seems peculiar to the three of you. Mogens is certain that both Jannike and Gweneth are having twins. He’s done several cloud readings.”
“Jannike is huge.”
“In her case, Mogens is positive. He heard two sets of heartbeats. I heard them when I was sitting beside her, but Mogens said it’s best to humor Jannike and keep her calm.”
“You heard them? Why didn’t I?”
“I know what to listen for after the birth of our twins.”
“The idea of not having sex,” Camryn said. “I don’t know if it’s the feline part of me now, but not having sex makes me anxious and cranky and my mind starts to tell me there is a problem.”
Ry kissed the top of her head. “I know, which is why I approached Niran and asked if they would be willing to help us. Nanu had some condoms, and I gave Niran one to copy. Since they need us to have sex in order to begin a new colony on Viros, he was willing to consider our request. We’ll know their decision soon.”
“Nanu and the others laughed when I explained condoms to them. They thought them quaint and old-fashioned. I can’t believe Nanu kept some as a souvenir.”
Ry pulled away and led her to the bed, a grin playing on his sensual lips—the sort of grin that made Camryn want to participate. “You have to remember that our birth control shots kill all sexually transmitted diseases. We haven’t needed anything resembling a condom for a long time.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“It took you a long time to heal, then I kept thinking Mogens would come up with a workable solution. He always has in the past. I didn’t want to worry you.”
Camryn struck him on the shoulder in a burst of temper. “I’m not a sniveling, helpless female. We should tell Jannike and Gweneth too. I take it their men know?”
“Some of it. Mogens and I were both sure Mogens would find a way around the problem.”
“I wondered why he drew so much blood. I should have asked more questions. Jannike and Gweneth were complaining about the bloodletting too. He told them it was something to do with his research on feline versus non-feline genes.”
“He didn’t lie.”
Camryn sighed and slumped onto the edge of their bed. “So we won’t be having sex tonight. I was looking forward to it.”
“Not penetrative sex.”
“What if I’m pregnant already?”
“We’ll deal with it,” Ry said, taking a seat beside her. He slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his side. “We’ll love our children and give them a good start in their lives, teach them the skills they need to survive. And meantime, I’ve decided we’ll actively seek out contract work. I’m not cut out to stay in one place.”
“Me neither,” Camryn said in heartfelt tones.
“We’ll try and keep the contracts short and keep them low-risk as much as possible, so you and the twins can come too. I’d miss you, and I know you enjoy seeing new places and having a challenge. Besides, Kaya and Nanu are getting fat sitting around doing nothing.”
A rush of relief and gratitude filled Camryn as she hugged him back. He understood her need to be useful.
“What about Jannike?” she asked.
“I can’t see Lynx and Shiloh agreeing to let her work with us, even after she has her babies.”
Camryn tapped his hand in reprimand. “Baby.”
He grinned. “Yeah. I can’t see Jannike joining us with her royal duties, but I’m sure we can hire more crew if necessary. Ellard might like a change.”
“After we celebrate our Earth New Year,” Camryn said. “It can be a new beginning for us.”
“Agreed,” Ry said easily. “Now get into bed, so I can have a cuddle.”
“I’m going to pray Niran can help us in the birth control department.”
“Me too,” Ry said, his tone heartfelt. “Me too.”
Chapter 8
Christmas Eve, four cycles or Earth days later, small café, Viros.
“I’m so horny I could scream,” Kaya complained.
“Shush,” Camryn said, glancing around to see if any of the customers in the estaminet were eavesdropping. They were, their eyes bugging out as if someone poked from behind them with sticks. Even the Redd owner was busy polishing the same section of counter while he unashamedly listened.
“My new soldier man refused to have sex with me. He keeps putting me off with excuses. He’s too tired. He needs to sleep because he’s getting up early. And last blacklight he said he had a headache.” Her sound of disgust filled the estaminet and echoed back to them.
“Must be something in the water. My men have been falling asleep as soon as they get into our gel-bed,” Jannike said.
Gweneth frowned. “Actually, now you mention it, Ellard has been avoiding my advances too, and not making any of his own.”
Kaya turned to Camryn. “You too?”
“Yes.” But Camryn suspected she knew the reason, or at least part of the rationale behind the lack of sex around the castle. Except…Jannike and Gweneth…that didn’t make sense since they were already pregnant.
“It’s driving me crazy,” Kaya muttered. “I decided to take care of the matter myself and got out my Earth vibrator. My soldier man took it off me and said it was hurting his head and keeping him awake. He confiscated my vibrator.” Her aggrieved voice rose with equal parts of frustration and irritation.
Camryn felt her lips twitch. “What happened?”
“I would have kicked his arse out of bed, except I was in his bed. Every time I touched myself, he complained about the noise I was making.”
“Weird,” Jannike said. “What man complains about sex noises?”
“An epidemic? Just great!” Kaya complained. “Geishis refused to return my vibrator. I need to punch someone.” Her gaze strayed to Jannike, and her frown intensified. “You’d better hurry up cooking those babies. I can’t punch you in your condition.”
“Baby,” Jannike said through gritted teeth. “I am only having one.”
“I can’t see this lasting,” Camryn said. “Feline males love sex. They get cranky if they go without for too long.”
“Good point,” Gweneth said. “We’ll just wait them out.”
“Has everyone purchased their secret Santa presents?” Camryn asked. “They need to be under the tree by this eve, ready for Christmas cycle.”
“I’ve got mine,” Kaya said smugly. “It’s already under the tree.”
“I need help,” Jannike said. “I need a gift for a male.”
“A cattle prod,” Kaya said. “We’ll encourage whoever your recipient is to have sex.”
Somehow, Camryn didn’t think a cattle
prod would do the trick.
* * * * *
Christmas Eve blacklight, Castle, Viros
“Everyone seemed in a hurry to retire tonight. I thought we were going to teach everyone some Christmas carols,” Camryn said.
Ry tugged at her hand, leading her up the stairs and along the corridor to their private suite. They walked into the nursery to find their usual babysitter busily knitting while the twins slept.
Camryn smiled at the maid. “Thank you. Were they any trouble?”
“They cried and fussed a bit this eve, but they’re asleep now,” she said. “They like the tree and the lights.”
“What tree?” Ry asked.
“The one in your chamber. They noticed it when I brought them back earlier after their dinner. I’ll see you in the morn.”
“That tree wasn’t there when we left for dinner,” Camryn said. “It’s beautiful.” It was a miniature version of the one in the downstairs reception room, but the ornaments were all the same color, a vivid red.
“There is a present underneath and a note.” Ry picked it up. “It says, ‘Open the gift and use this blacklight’.”
“Well, open it.”
Ry made quick work of the ribbon holding the box shut. “Condoms,” he said. “And another note.”
“After much discussion, we have decided to grant you this boon since the benefits will spread to the Incorporeal people too. Please trial and let us know if we need to modify the design,” Camryn read. She glanced up at him and smiled through happy tears. “I vote for trying one right now.”
“Maybe two or three,” Ry muttered, grabbing her in a tight hug.
The box toppled to the floor, spilling shiny packets everywhere as Ry and Camryn dropped onto the gel-bed. Hands wandered, lips fused in a passionate kiss. With reckless abandon, their clothes and footwear joined the sea of condoms on the floor.
Camryn gloried in Ry’s every caress, the lack of restraint driving her to full arousal in record time. She ached for him.
“Are you ready to try one of these condoms?”
“Let’s do it.”
Ry reached over the edge of the bed and grabbed the nearest. He unwrapped it and rolled it down his shaft. “It’s cold,” he said.
“Don’t care. Put it in me.”
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