For a moment, she wanted to protest, then she nodded slowly. The room did feel different, but she hadn’t lost the memory of her sister.
“Yes, Devoji. Thank you.” She smiled tremulously. “A bed would definitely be an improvement.”
When she led Cestov down the hallway later that night, he obviously approved as well.
“I approve, my miri. That is—if you are sure?”
“Yes. I don’t need to keep her room as a shrine to remember her by.”
“Then I very much intend to put that bed to use,” he said, advancing on her with a gleam in his eyes that made her nipples peak and her pussy dampen.
“Oh?” she asked innocently. “What did you have in mind?”
“I noticed that this bed is a perfect height.”
“A perfect height for what?”
“For this.”
Her shirt disappeared with a quick yank, then he ripped her pants away with effortless strength.
“Cestov, I don’t have that many clothes. You have to stop tearing them off me.”
“They are in my way.” His eyes gleamed. “And I much prefer you this way, exposed to my view.”
“I like you naked too, but you’re still clothed—”
His clothes disappeared in a flash and he stalked closer, his thick, heavy shaft reaching for her. Her mouth went dry even as the slickness between her thighs increased. How did she ever manage to take that massive cock? She bent down, licking the thick nubbed length, and felt him shudder, but he pulled her away.
“As I was saying, this bed is the perfect height.”
He picked her up and placed her upper body across it face down, leaving her legs to dangle.
“It’s too tall,” she said breathlessly.
“Not for me. Your sweet little cunt is perfectly placed.” He nudged the thick head of his cock against her entrance as he spoke, groaning his appreciation at the slick heat waiting for him. “You are very wet, my miri.”
“You seem to have that effect on… Oh god,” she cried as he slid into her slowly and inexorably, the stretch almost too much as he filled her unprepared body, but the nubs sliding across her sensitive flesh turned the stretching burn to an aching pleasure.
He stroked his hands down her back, gentling her, as he waited for her body to adjust. His big hands covered her buttocks, then spread them apart in order to tease the sensitive crevice. Wet heat teased her bottom hole and she realized that his tail was circling the delicate flesh.
“Can you take more, my miri?” he asked, his voice dark and seductive. “Do you want me filling all of you?”
She hesitated and he moved his hips, just a little but enough to send a wave of desire washing over her. Her clit throbbed and her pussy tightened around him.
“Your body seems to approve.”
He adjusted his position again and she felt him stroke lightly—too lightly—across her swollen clit. She arched back into that frustrating touch and his tail breached the tight ring. Oh god. She shivered and he stroked her back again.
“Relax, Mariah. Or do you want me to stop?”
No. She wanted more of this tantalizing stretch, of this overwhelming fullness. More of him.
“No,” she gasped.
“Good girl.” He swept over her clit again, harder this time, and his tail slid in another inch. Sparks of fire shot through her body and she shivered again. The movement caused her nipples to rub against the coverlet, adding to the desire mounting within her.
“Please, Cestov.”
He started to pull out, leaving a trail of fire behind but he paused halfway, then thrust back in with a quick hard jerk that had her seeing stars. More, she wanted more, and when he paused again, she tried to push back against him. Her response seemed to unleash all of his restraint. He stroked into her hard and fast, his hand pressing against her clit so that each thrust sent a wave of pleasure shooting through her. His tail moved deeper, the burn increasing but only adding to the fiery pleasure that was creeping over her. Her nipples ached, her clit throbbed, her pussy tightened, and her vision sheeted white as her climax roared over her in wave after wave of pleasure. She heard him cry out her name, felt him thrust impossibly deeper as his cock swelled and knotted, the pressure sending her straight into another long rolling climax before he collapsed down over her.
“Mmm, you were right,” she whispered when she finally regained enough strength to speak.
“About what?” He sounded just as tired and satisfied.
“This bed is the perfect height.”
He laughed, the vibration rolling through their interlocked bodies so that they both moaned.
“Only because I have the perfect mate,” he whispered.
A lump formed in her throat and she reached for his hand, clasping it in demonstration of the feelings she didn’t have the words to say.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A small foot digging into his ribs awoke Cestov the next morning. He grunted and opened his eyes to find Charlie standing over him. The sight of his son—the son he had never thought to have—filled him with happiness.
“Good morning to you too,” he said and pulled Charlie down next to him, gently tickling his ribs.
The boy squealed with laughter and Mariah opened sleepy eyes.
“Apparently, someone thinks it’s time we were up.”
“Up, up,” Charlie agreed.
From down the hall, Claire cried out and Mariah laughed as she sat up. “I guess everyone thinks it’s time we were up.” She smothered a yawn. “Someone kept me up way too late last night.”
“I’m sorry, my miri.”
“Are you?” she asked, raising one of her adorable little furry brows.
Remembering her body stretched out before him, her tight clasp around his cock and his tail, the way she had flooded him with her pleasure, he shook his head. “Not at all.”
“Me neither.” She dropped a quick kiss on his lips and started to climb out of the bed just as Devoji appeared in the doorway that Charlie had left open with Claire in her arms.
“I’m sorry,” she said, blushing. “But I thought you might want to feed the little one?”
“Of course.”
Mariah retrieved Claire and the bottle and climbed back into bed, nursing the baby while Charlie told them in complicated and somewhat unintelligible detail about his plans for the day. Listening to his son while his mate fed their daughter filled him with contentment. He still was not entirely convinced about the benefits of staying in a single location, but about this, he had no doubts.
Charlie finally ran down and after watching Mariah feed Claire, announced that he was hungry as well. Cestov fought back his immediate panic at the thought that he wasn’t providing for his son and forced himself to remember that it didn’t mean that Charlie was in need.
“Then let’s get you to the kitchen,” he said. “I’m sure Devoji has something prepared.”
“Want Mama two to feed me,” he said, poking the bottle with his finger.
“But you’re a big boy,” Mariah said gently. “Remember? Claire is just a baby.”
“I guess.”
Charlie’s lower lip still stuck out, so Cestov lifted him up on his shoulder with a whooshing sound. To his relief, Charlie squealed happily, grabbed his head, and rode him into the kitchen without further complaint.
After breakfast, he decided he needed to get a better feel for the ranch and asked Devorat to accompany him on a ride around the property. Plovac agreed to stand watch once more while Maldost accompanied them. Charlie wasn’t happy to be left behind but Mariah distracted him with the promise of making cookies.
“Or rather Devoji will make cookies with him,” she said with a rueful smile as she accompanied him to the barn. “I don’t seem to have the knack for pioneer cooking. I miss the machines on your ship.”
“I can transfer them,” he offered immediately.
“I’m tempted, but it might not be the best idea. Devoji said they don’t work
well here and it’s hard to get supplies.” She leaned against him and stroked his tail. “Are you going to be gone all day again?”
“No. Just a few hours.”
Despite his reassuring words, he wasn’t any happier about the separation than she was. He missed their time on the Wanderer where they were never more than a few rooms apart. The noose of the ranch tightened around his throat, but he did his best to ignore it.
This was his brother’s legacy and it was best for the children. He would adjust.
He did find an unexpected pleasure in riding out into the morning. The gently rolling hills were lush with the low-cropped vegetation. Two of the world’s moons still hung low overhead, shedding a soft light on the peaceful scene. The herds of robedas ambled around, chewing gently, while the men he had hired watched over them from their xuths. He admired the way they handled the ungainly animals. He had proven competent but nothing more and he already suspected that Maldost would rapidly surpass him. His young crew member was deep in a discussion with Devorat about the way the herds were managed, and Cestov was surprised by how much the young Afbera had already picked up. Maldost looked happy here, he thought, already at home.
They rode along the boundary line towards one of the low hills as Devorat described the different areas.
“This land isn’t much use for the robedas,” he said, gesturing at the increasingly rocky ground. “Not enough vegetation and they have a tendency to disappear into the canyons where they’re hard to track. Dammit, there’s one now.”
They all turned to look as a robeda appeared amongst the rocks. The animals had a single massive horn extending from their foreheads, and this one seemed to be having an issue with her horn. She kept tossing its head back and forth as she stumbled towards them.
“What’s wrong with her?” Maldost asked.
“I don’t know.” Devorat frowned. “Let’s go see if we can head her back towards the herd.”
As they neared, the animal swayed to the right, then turned in a circle before swaying to the left.
“She looks like she’s drunk,” Maldost said.
“Drunk? Oh, fuck.” Devorat spurred his xuth closer, jumping off next to the animal that had now collapsed.
By the time they caught up with him, Devorat had already risen to his feet, shaking his head.
“We’re too late. Fuck. I really thought we had eradicated that stuff.”
“What’s wrong?”
“You see the green foam on her mouth? She’s been eating brillat seeds.”
“What’s brillat?”
“One of the plants that grows amongst the rocks. A small amount won’t hurt the cattle but taken in large quantities, it’s fatal. I don’t know where she would have found so much. We went through here a year ago and burned it out.”
“You can’t save her?” Maldost asked, staring at the robeda.
“I’m afraid not. Once they’re down, it’s too late.” Devorat reached for his gun. “I’m going to put her out of her misery.”
Cestov expected his soft-hearted crew member to turn away, but he only nodded, his face pale and serious, and watched as Devorat quickly dispatched the dying beast.
“I want to ride up into the hills,” Devorat said as he rejoined them. “To see if we can spot the patch.”
Cestov nodded and they followed the Granican further into the hills. He found himself envying the ease with which both Devorat and Maldost handled their xuths over the rough terrain. As they came around a rock outcropping, Devorat came to a halt. When Cestov pulled his xuth to a stop and looked up, he understood why. A small valley lay in front of them, every inch covered in low plants in a rich green color.
“Brillat?” he asked.
“Yes,” Devorat said grimly. “And it never grows like this under normal conditions. Someone planted it.”
“Why would they do that? To poison our herds?”
Devorat frowned, then shook his head. “It seems unlikely. As I said, we try and keep them far from the hills. That one must have wandered off undetected, perhaps in the confusion after your brother’s death.”
“Does the brillat have any value?”
“Not of which I’m aware. My grandmother used to make a medicinal tea from it. It combines a numbing effect with a slight euphoria, but it is easy to drink too much and become incapacitated.”
“Sounds like drinking too much ale,” Maldost snorted.
Cestov shook his head. “You would have to drink a lot of ale for that to happen. This, on the other hand…”
He turned back to Devorat. “The effect of the tea—it is pleasant?”
“Why, yes. I suppose so. I’ve never tried it, but my grandmother spoke of a feeling of energy and excitement. But it is also quite addictive, and she decided it was too dangerous. Most Granicans know to stay away from it.”
“Then you are a sensible people,” he said grimly. “I am very much afraid that someone has decided that there could be a market for this off-world.”
“Which would explain why the Dhalecs are here,” Maldost pointed out.
“Agreed. But they are just mercenaries. Someone else is behind this, and I suspect it is someone local.”
“One of us?” Devorat looked shocked. “I cannot believe that. As you said, we are a sensible people.”
“Unfortunately, the promise of wealth had corrupted many a sensible male. And female.” He turned to survey the expanse of green. “Does this land belong to the ranch?”
“Technically, yes, although we have never used it.”
“No wonder someone was trying so hard to purchase it,” he said grimly. “Will it burn?”
Devorat looked at him, then nodded. “Aye. This is the dry season.”
“Is it likely to spread? To cause damage to anything else?”
“No. You can see that vegetation is sparse here in the hills.” Devorat dismounted. “I approve of your idea, but you realize that someone is going to be upset.”
“Good.” He bared his teeth. “Then perhaps we will find out who is at the bottom of this. And who killed my brother.”
He and Maldost joined Devorat and together the three of them set the brillat on fire, watching as the field of green gradually turned to ash. The sun was high overhead when the last ember died down and all that was left was a grey residue.
“We should return to the house. My mate will be worried, and I wish to let her know about this.”
As they rode back down through the hills, Maldost asked, “Do you think we can expect an open attack?”
“I do not know. So far everything has been done quietly. Whoever is behind this does not want to reveal his hand. But I think perhaps it is time to bring the Wanderer closer. She should discourage any foolish attempts.”
Devorat nodded. “A sound plan. I will also check with Father to see if more of my brothers can join us. I will keep everyone working in pairs.”
“Thank you.” He shot the Granican a quick glance. “Have you been pressured to sell your land?”
“No, but our property does not border on the hills. I realize now that every parcel that has been bought is connected to them in some way. I believe this is the last homestead that’s still privately owned.”
“And those bastards killed my brother to get their hands on it.”
“I think so. I’m surprised that they didn’t push harder to take possession after his death, but with Devoji staying at the ranch and no one going up in the hills, they probably assumed they had time.”
“Their time has run out,” he said grimly.
Chapter Twenty-Four
As soon as they returned to the ranch, Cestov pulled Mariah aside to explain the situation.
“Someone planted drugs? On Judith’s property?” she said, outraged. “She would be so pissed—she hated drugs.”
“They are not there anymore,” he promised. “But we need to find out who is behind this.”
“You don’t think it’s those ugly blue guys?”
“The
Dhalecs? No, I don’t. I think someone hired them, but I suspect that the true culprit is probably a Granican.”
“I can’t believe that. They’re all so nice.”
“Not all people are alike. Just like Kwaret was a good Vedeckian, perhaps there is a bad Granican. Who else would have had the knowledge of that plant and what it can do?”
“I suppose you’re right,” she said reluctantly. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going back to town. That shopkeeper tried to warn me off. I find it hard to believe that he’s behind it, but I think he knows something.”
“Do you think he’ll talk to you?”
“I know he will,” he said grimly.
“Are you sure you have to do this? If this is anything like the drug trade on Earth, it could be terribly dangerous. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”
Her eyes filled with tears and he pulled her close, stroking her back with his tail.
“I know it’s not without risk, but I was brought up as a warrior.”
“Your brother was too, and it didn’t save him.”
The familiar guilt made his heart ache. Would it have been different if he had been here?
“I know, but I don’t think he knew what was happening or why someone was after his land. And whoever is doing this is trying to keep it quiet. That’s in my favor.”
She cast a nervous glance out at the quiet ranch. “What if something happens while you’re gone?”
“Before I head to town, I’m going to take Plovac to the Wanderer and have him fly her back here. He can land on the back pasture. The sight of a fully armed spaceship should dissuade anyone from doing something stupid. I’ll take the shuttle into town so I can avoid the roads. Just in case,” he added.
She tried to smile at him, but it was a woeful effort.
“Do not worry, my miri. Everything will be fine.”
His words didn’t help, and tears started to trickle down her cheeks.
“Why’s you making Mama two cry?” Charlie tugged on his leg, his little face belligerent.
“He’s not making me cry, sweetheart,” Mariah said quickly, wiping her tears away. “I’m just feeling a little emotional.”
A Son for the Alien Warrior (Treasured by the Alien Book 2) Page 15
