Kidnapped, ransomed, and rejected, she didn’t think things could get any worse until she realized that the rescue approaching was going to have conditions.

Misty survived a horrible life and terrible parents and siblings to make it across the stars when her world ended. Those that hurt her were on the same ship. Family groups needed to be kept together, and she accepted that her suffering wasn’t going to end.

Four and a half years of a menial job later, she meets a few people that are genuinely kind, and she enjoys the kindness while it lasts. A few days later, she is kidnapped and held for ransom, and no one will pay.

She is ready to be auctioned off to the highest bidder when a rescuer appears, and it is the person who offered her kindness at the café. Now, he is offering a contract, and she doesn’t have another option. She will sign a contract with the overseer and see how long she lasts.

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Unexpected Hero

Copyright © 2022 by Viola Grace

ISBN: 978-1-990635-10-6

©Cover art by Angela Waters

All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.

Published by Viola Grace

Look for me online at violagrace.com.

Unexpected Hero

Shattered Stars Book 10

By

Viola Grace

Chapter One

Misty smiled at the customers that came through the door, careful not to show teeth. She looked, assessed, and spoke while she signed, “Welcome to the Ridge Café. Would you like to sit indoors or outdoors? Would you like me to continue manual conversation or cease?”

She looked at the gaggle of young women with the soft silver skin and solid black eyes of the deep-sea folk. A young woman in front smiled and signed, “Please, continue manual conversation. Thank you. We will sit on the overlook.”

Misty nodded and gestured to lead them out to one of the tables for four. She waited until they were seated, and she used her hands to ask if they wanted beverages or water to begin.

She waited on them and answered questions about the food, the drink, and her species.

The spokesperson said, “Your people speak Vecchin manual?”

Misty smiled and said and signed, “Something similar. It was used by the hearing impaired on my world. When they offered me the chance to learn it here, I took it.”

“Misty!”

She cringed and turned. Her boss was there and scowling. “What are you doing?”

She spoke and kept her hands visible for the party of four to see. “Talking. Sorry. I will get back to work.”

The young woman got up and signed rapidly. The boss blinked. “I don’t understand. Misty, can you translate?”

“Uh, sure. Can you say that again? He doesn’t speak manual.”

“As a granddaughter of Vecchin himself, I find it very distressing that genuine interest in a new alien is considered unusual. You have a very interesting employee and should celebrate that fact.”

Misty smiled and said, “Thank you, but I am sorry. He’s right. I just don’t get to talk much, audible or manual.”

She nodded to her boss, who grabbed her arm. “You are going to find a way to pay your bond and get out of my sight. You have a month.”

Misty hung her head and nodded.

She got back to work. She delivered the ladies’ orders and asked if there was anything else.

The leader grabbed her arm. “What did he say to you?”

Misty patted her hand and then said, “Doesn’t matter. It’s fine. Let me know if there is anything else you need.”

“You got in trouble.”

Misty smiled. “I always get in trouble.”

She returned to the other six tables and checked on orders. The evening burned to night, and eventually, it was just the table of four, and they finally left the café. Misty started her cleaning protocol, and when that was done, she did quality checks on the food, and then, she studied. She was looking for office skills and filing familiarity for Vecchin standards.

She was on the overnight shift. It started around six and went until six. She was in for a long night, and as long as the customers were tended to, the boss didn’t care if she studied. He wanted her gone. She was too much of a talking point at the café. She was one of three humans on Vecchin, and the other two were her relatives. They were the reasons she had an interest in sign, but they had no interest in her. She was glad that they found a world where signing was common enough that fifteen percent of the population did it. All of the deep-sea folk could hear, but their speech wasn’t great. The manual language filled that gap. Misty was used to the silence, which is why she had taken the job at the café. The boss might be regretting her position, but she loved it. Small moments of bustle and large swaths of peace. She loved it on the ridge.

She sat and went through the course load with an induction unit behind her ear. The door opened, and she looked up, walking up to greet the patrons with a smile. She stared as three large men in armoured bodysuits came in. She paused, and then, she bowed and said, “Welcome.” She asked the question about manual speech, and the one with deep-sea roots smiled and said, “We do not require it today, but feel free to continue. We would just like a large table and keep the food coming.”

She smiled, bowed, and walked them to a large table in the rear of the café with an engageable privacy screen. She said, “Menu is in the table. I will bring you whatever you order. If the screen is engaged, I will enter and leave without speaking.”

The one with black eyes smiled and asked silently, “What do you think we will be talking about?”

Without missing a beat, her cheeks pinked, and she answered him with manual, “How you guys get in and out of those suits without having them painted on.” She bowed and left them to settle while the dark-eyed one laughed.

The drink order came in first with one for snacks, so as the machine did food prep, she brought the completed items to the defenders of Vecchin for close to an hour, taking away the empties and keeping more food coming in. They were really hungry.

When she brought the final fruit course, they all turned to face her. She had to field the question, “What are you?”

One of the men had silky red air, the other had vivid blue, both of their eyes were amber, and they looked like mainlanders. The third, with the inky green hair and black eyes, the silver skin, made him local.

She signed and smiled. “Terran, but not one of the good ones. Just one of the normal boring ones.”

The deep-sea one smiled. “Not companion class?”

She blushed. “Definitely not.” She was one mark off from companion class. Her mind wasn’t quite right. It was too open.

He blinked as if he had heard her. She blinked and stepped back. He reached out and gently caught her wrist in his hand. She felt a light pressure on her mind, and her brain did what it had been trained to do at the Education Station. She blacked out.

* * * *

“Mekked, what did you do?” Aldrun was glaring at him. Soith was looking at the woman in concern.

“Sartuth’s response. They give it to folks who can’t hold a shield. You prod her mind a little, and it shuts down.” Mekked looked at the unconscious woman in his arms. “I have been trained to identify them, but I had not seen one before, so I wanted to see it in action.”

She was limp in his arms, helpless, like a broken doll. He smoothed her dark brown hair from her face, touching her mind again. There was something there. He could identify it. “She’s an empath. A wide-open empath. How the hell did she end up here?” He glanced around the empty café.

Aldrun smiled. “There were three of them. Two went into research at one of the deep-sea stations. I am guessing this was the third.”

Soith scowled. “Weren’t they a family group?”

Mekked scowled. “How do you know so much about it?”

Aldrun shrugged. “Because we read the security briefings. The two researchers are mother-daughter. This is also a daughter but was not raised with little to no hearing. The Education Station brought them to species standard against their wishes, and they were assigned here.” He looked at the woman. “No mention of an empath, though.”

“I need to see her file.”

Aldrun snorted, and he brought up the data stream, found the café’s name, and sought out bondservants registered. There it was. “Misty Deluca. Terra. Skillset basic hospitality. Class is companion minus one. She was deemed unsuitable due to the issue with her open mind. She’s taking courses to switch into low-level administration.”

Mekked chuckled. “I will have to thank Hazda for the tip.”

Soith looked at him. “She drops like a rock the moment that your mind touches hers.”

“That is a failsafe to keep her from being used as a puppet. I can install protections in her mind.” He caressed her brow and cheek. “Ah. She’s waking up.”

Her lashes fluttered, and her eyes opened, then widened as her mouth made a small circle. He felt shame and panic coming off her in waves as she rolled to the floor and scrambled to her feet, apologizing.

She was broadcasting that she had done something wrong. He tried to calm her with words, but his alarm went off, and he and his team had to leave. “Contact the defenders’ office to settle the bill.”

She nodded, and they left.

* * * *

It took her an hour to clean up, and when she had managed it, she contacted the defenders’ office for payment. She got nauseous when the claim came up, Denied. They weren’t an authorized eatery. The boss would not like that, and no matter the proof on the vids, her butt would be on the line.

“What the hell am I going to do now?”

She held onto her elbows and put away her studying supplies. She just had to wait until the boss came in, and then, it would be back to the bond auction with a higher price on her head to make up for the loss of supplies consumed by three grown men who lifted buildings for a living.

She had new supplies ordered, and the delivery would come in after she was discarded. She was sure of it.

When the boss arrived to go through the receipts from the night, things went down as she thought they would. The bond auction transport arrived, and she left. The bill from the night before had nearly been equivalent to her entire value, so they had to put her up for auction with a reserve.

* * * *

Hazda was reading the news and the reports for the next open auction. “What the hell?”

She sent Mekked a note and bit her lip. If he was off-world or at the mines, he wouldn’t respond until he was back on Vecchin. She didn’t have enough spending money for the reserve, but she knew who did.

What the hell had gone wrong? She was sure that when he met her, he would see what Hazda did. She was his match. She glowed with it. What had happened, and why was Misty up for auction?

* * * *

Misty hated this portion of the auction. She was standing centre stage in a thin gown, a spotlight outlined everything, and the sensuality test was about to begin.

The assessor took her hand, and heat poured up her arm and over her, pooling in her breasts and groin. She gasped, moaned, and pressed her thighs together. The numbers on the bids continued to climb, and the assessor kept her arousal climbing higher until she cried out and collapsed to the floor, panting and sweaty.

“So, aside from the psychic interference response, she is a delightful addition to anyone or facility who treasures a stunningly high sensuality rating. She can also be made very ornamental with limited effort.” The bidding continued to rise higher.

Misty was helped to her feet, and she kept her eyes and head down.

There were cries of shock and anger moving through the space, and when she looked up, a team of shadows was coming toward her. Other women and men up for auction were being hauled off, and she was looking at the several people coming toward her. A touch on her mind caused her to drop, and that was it.

* * * *

Mekked was exhausted. Three days of fighting raiders near the mines was a tiring time at work. He wanted to get home, get changed, and get a decent sleep. Then, he would go back to that café.

The alert sounded. Soith muttered, “Attack at the bond auction.”

“Injuries?”

“Minor. No fatalities. They were going after the high-priced bondservants. They will probably be sold on the black market.”

“Lock the ports, and we will go looking for them tomorrow.” Mekked rubbed a hand over his face.

“Right. You look like shit. I will have Aldrun get information on the pulled personnel. It will be ready when we are.”

Mekked frowned and settled the shuttle at his home. He checked his message list as he headed in, and Hazda’s name appeared frequently. She probably wanted to know how the meeting went. He looked forward to the next time he saw Misty. He was going to ask her out on a picnic.

He headed to his quarters, got cleaned up, and dropped into his bed. He smiled and imagined how nice it would be to share the space with Misty. He was asleep in seconds.

Chapter Two

She was alone in a cage. It was a large animal cage. There was a container in one corner to relieve herself, and they came by and fed her twice a day. That was how she kept track of time.

Other kidnapped bondservants were being released and delivered to folks who paid their ransom. Misty knew she was stuck. She was going to be sold in some weird situation and shipped off-world.

A shadowy figure stopped in front of her cage and cocked its head. “What makes you worth so much?”

She shrugged. “It is what some folk have paid for specific women from my world. I think it is insane, personally.”

“But what is it, specifically?”

“We are a Hmrain food group.”

The shadow paused. “Interesting. Why can’t we find one willing to take you on?”

“I am defective. Close but not quite companion class.”

“But, you reacted properly at the auction.”

“Just because I can react to an assessor doesn’t mean that I will be a good companion. I have a psychic flaw that makes it unlikely that I will ever be considered a suitable match for anyone. Fun to play with, impossible to maintain.”

“Huh. Well, since your employer isn’t going to pay your ransom, we are looking for high bidders. So far, the brothels are coming in pretty consistently.” There was a nasty laugh. “Just so you know what you have to look forward to.”

Misty nodded and hugged her knees. “I figured as much. Thank you for the information.”

The shadow left her, disappointed that she hadn’t sobbed and wailed.

Misty sighed and located all of the dozen people in the building. The guards were regular, someone was preparing food, and the others were in the main chamber. There were two more kidnap victims left, and they were both relieved. Their ransom was being paid, and they would soon be back at the bond auction. Their employer received bond insurance for just this occasion, so no one was out any money.

She tried to imagine life in a brothel and stopped when she felt the sense of dread kick in. Misty wanted to be back on Earth, dying slowly as the planet starved. It had more dignity.

* * * *

Mekked got up, dressed, and headed to the kitchen. He started checking messages as Aldrun came in, scowling. “What is it, Al?”

“You know that server from the café?”

Mekked’s heart thudded. “Yes. Is she okay?”

“She was taken with the others from the bond auction.”

He was nervous, but these matters were usually sorted. “What is her ransom status?”

“None.”

“What? The employer is duty-bound to provide ransom, and bond insurance will reimburse them.” Mekked felt nervous dread trickle through his body.

“They refused.” Aldrun lifted his free hand helplessly. “They have the right. I have just never heard of anyone doing it before.”

Soith came in. “Are we going to see that cute server you have been mooning over, Mek?”

Mekked looked to Aldrun. “Are they seeking them?”

“No. There is no reason to. Your Terran is the only one unaccounted for. The last two were returned to the auction house at dawn.”

Hazda’s messages were heartbreaking. They cancelled her bond because the defenders wouldn’t pay your bill, and she didn’t have enough to cover it.

She’s at the bond auction. Grandpa says he won’t buy her bond as it would be wrong. Hope that you get back and can sort this out.

They stole her. They took her after the assessor proved that she is companion class. Please, let me know when you get this.

Mek. They aren’t going to ransom her back, and I have heard rumblings that she is going to be sold at an underground auction. Please, come home.

He sent her a message. Home. Searching.

She replied a moment later. Thank you.

Hazda didn’t usually get attached to people. She must have really connected with Misty.

“Well, Hazda wants me to go get her.” Mekked shrugged. “So I will find her.”

Soith frowned. “Find her? Did she run?”

Aldrun shook his head. “She was taken in a kidnapping for ransom.”

Soith shrugged. “Her employer should just pay the ransom.”

“He refused.” Mekked got his breakfast processing in the prepper, and he ran his hands through his hair. “I am going to seek her out.”

Soith paused. “Can you do that?”

Aldrun chuckled. “He touched her mind. He can do it.”

Mekked sighed as he got his meal. “I have never used it to find a girl I wanted before.”

He watched the other two get their meals, and they ate efficiently as they did when they were on their way to a mission.

“We don’t have official authorization to do what I am about to do.” Mekked finished his food and put the plate in the recycler.

Soith shrugged. “You are just meditating, and we are going for a flight after breakfast. In our suits.”

Aldrun chuckled. “It is an exercise, like jogging.”

Mekked nodded. “I am going to do the sweep. I will be back in half an hour.”

He went to his tower and settled on the bed, letting the automated systems support him as he spun his mind outward. There were only three of her kind on the planet, so he just needed to look for the one that was not next to another one.

He sent his mind out in a net, and when he opened his eyes, he grinned. “Found her.”

* * * *

She wasn’t in the cage. “What happened?”

The folks wearing the concealing shadow suits were surrounding her. One of them grunted. “You passed out.”

“What?”

“Like you did when we knocked you out. You passed out.”

“Oh. I will be fine. This is part of that defect I was mentioning.”

One of them nodded. “Right. That would do it.”

“Put her back in the cage. The auction is still rising. Defective or not, she is going to make us some money.”

She was grabbed, hauled back to her cage, and thrown inside. She fell heavily to the floor and winced. That was going to leave a mark.

She grunted and got back to her feet before settling on the cot. She wished for her class materials or even tables to tidy up. Misty kept her focus. She wasn’t dead yet, and if she didn’t miss her guess, Mekked had touched her thoughts and knocked her out. She was happy he had made it home safe.

* * * *

Mekked used the subsurface vehicle and got next to the base. Soith powered up his hands and nodded with his breather in his mouth, dropping out of the wet entry and swimming over to the building’s exterior before he sent the charge through it. The signs of light and life in the underwater base went silent.

Aldrun flexed his fingers, and Mekked attached the vehicle to the bottom of the base while the bots made an entry hole. Soith joined them, and when the hole was complete, they entered, one by one. Mekked knew that his team had his back, and he also knew that they were amused by his sudden obsession. They didn’t understand. Couldn’t understand. She was his key to completing the evolution of his secondary abilities.

He carefully did not make contact with her again but, rather, counted all the others in the building and looked for the hole. He had his target. Now he just needed to rescue her.

Mekked snorted softly as he knocked one of the kidnappers aside in the darkness. He had never rescued anyone with a raging erection before. This was a day of firsts.

* * * *

Misty crouched in the darkness, and she listened to thuds and screams. There were three new minds in the building, and one of them had hot thoughts. She wrapped her arms around herself and made herself small. They were getting closer.

Cowering wasn’t her favourite thing to do, but the complete lack of light confirmed her suspicion that she was underwater. She wasn’t suited to being underwater on Vecchin. She didn’t float. There was something about her body and the density of the water here, but she didn’t float. Entering the water was a death sentence.

Sparks lit the darkness, and the scream of something cutting metal hurt her ears. She saw sparks tracing in an organized line, and then, the door to the cage was moved. Hands touched her, and she knew that scent. She lunged at him and hugged Mekked. Whatever happened to her afterward, she was relieved right now.

She pressed her lips to his neck, and he jolted in surprise but kept his arms around her as he let out a series of soft clicks and then carried her through the absolute darkness. The occasional footfall behind them was confirmation that the other two were with them.

Mekked dropped down and kept her carefully tucked against him. When they landed in the vessel, the other two dropped down, and there was a whirring from above.

Once the noise above was over, the three exhaled. Mekked chuckled. “Misty, you smell.”

She blushed and tried to push away from him. “I am sorry. I... there was nowhere to bathe.”

Mekked sighed. “I apologize. You have been in that cage for four days?”

“Yes.”

“Soith, can you get us to the med centre near the house?”

“We are on our way.”

She kept pushing to get away from him, but Mekked sat on a sideways seat and held her against him.

Aldrun chuckled. “Don’t worry. We normally reek after four days in our suits, too. What are you wearing?”

“Ohgod.” She put her arm over her breast and angled the other over her groin. “It is the dress from the bond auction. They put everything on display.”

Mekked chuckled. “It certainly has that effect.”

She closed her eyes. “How good is your night vision?”

Aldrun laughed. “Mine is good. His is perfect. Soith needs us to guide him.”

Mekked chuckled.

She could feel their ship rising, and soon, they were out in daylight and cruising along the shore and heading for a very affluent neighbourhood until the ship settled on top of a medical centre. Mekked lifted her, and he opened a door with a palm scan before carrying her across the roof and into the centre.

Mitzy felt tears prick her eyes. “I don’t have enough for medical treatment. Please, put me down.”

“The defenders’ fund will pay for it.”

She felt ill. “I doubt it. They wouldn’t even cover your bill. That’s why I was sent to the auction.”

He tensed. “Who did you talk to?”

“Someone named Yusilo.”

He cursed, and they were met by some personnel in an exam room. Mekked set her on a med bed, and he pulled the scanning unit over her.

Misty was shaking from cold and hunger, she was bruised and grimy and smelled, and they were all looking at her.

The doctor said, “Relax, girl. This won’t hurt.”

She tried to relax, but cold and hunger locked her muscles. “I can’t relax.”

Mekked walked toward her and whispered, “I will put you out. All right?”

She nodded. “Go ahead.”

He touched her mind gently, and everything went black.

* * * *

Mekked watched as the physician did the scans and focused on her hips.

The physician frowned. “You said she was taken?”

“Yes.”

“She has internal injuries. She didn’t mention it?”

Mekked stiffened. “What kind of injuries?”

“There is no vaginal tearing, but there are claw marks along her inner walls.”

Mekked’s body went rigid. “What?”

The one thing he had been certain of was that they would not injure a woman on the way to the bond auction for fear of losing value.

The long line of the marks was displayed on the scanner, and they were rendered in three dimensions showing that something had shoved a claw into her and pulled it out. It had to have been after the auction, as there is no way she would have been bonded out with that kind of injury.

“It’s infected. It will take a few days to clear. She has a massive bruise on her left hip, another on her arm, and her entire body is scattered with minor assault damage. She’s also thermally unstable, and her metabolic rate is so far down, I would guess they haven’t fed her today.”

Soith frowned. “They couldn’t return her to the bond auction for full price in that state.”

Mekked stroked her hair. “Will you take care of her, doc? When she wakes up, make sure she is treated with respect. I am guessing that she hasn’t had much of it.”

Aldrun frowned. “Where are you going?”

“Back to that base to find someone with claws.”

“We will come with you.”

Soith nodded.

Mekked looked at them, nodded, and sent a message to Hazda. She responded that she was on her way.

He spoke to the physician. “Hazda is on her way. She will remain with Misty until I return. I am not letting her be swept away from me again.”

“Understood. We will take care of her. When will she wake?”

“About three more minutes.”

“Will you wait and explain things to her? I don’t think she should wake with the regen cylinder inside her and no idea what is going on.”

Mekked paused and then looked at Misty’s blank face. “Right. I will stay for a bit.”

He crouched next to her and stroked her hair back from her face. He was next to her with his hand on her head when her lids fluttered, and she woke up.

She saw him, jerked a little, blushed adorably, and then blinked. “Hi.”

“The scans have been done. Someone clawed you internally, which will need to be repaired. Hazda is coming to make sure that nothing else happens to you before we can get you safe.”

She stared at him. “Well, that explains the blood. I thought my birth control failed and I cycled.”

“The claws also infected you, so that is going to require a regen rod inserted to the point of irritation.”

“Oh. Delightful.” She winced.

She shuddered and inhaled sharply. “Now?”

The doctor finished setting the rod. “You were relaxed and distracted. Now that this is at work, we can supplement you and get your surface damage repaired. They were not gentle with you.” He checked something. “You are very deep.”

Mekked watched her blush and then scramble for composure.

“Yeah. That much I can remember.”

“The medical team will take care of you and maintain your dignity. Hazda will be here soon, and she will enforce it. Are you all right if I leave?”

She nodded. “Go and do what you need to. I will be fine. Am I going back to the auction when this is done?”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. She was hot. “No. You are coming with me.”

“Uh... oh.”

“Do you have another male in mind?”

“No.”

He smiled. “A female?”

“No to that as well.”

“Do you find me unpleasant?”

“Um, no. You are very... I mean... I like... Can you just knock me out before I say something stupider?”

He laughed. She looked so flustered. “No, and when we have time to work on it, we can stop that response.”

“How?”

He kissed her forehead. “I will explain it later. For now, relax and heal. I need all of you in full function and that treatment to work.”

The doctor snorted.

She nodded. “You can go. I have been in worse situations.”

He blinked. “You have?”

“You just pulled me out of a cage in an undersea base. So, yeah, this kind of thing happens more than it should. I guess I am just not cut out for life in the stars.”

Mekked felt the resigned despair in her, and he sighed. “We are going to fix that. It is a few small things that will change how you can live. Wait until I get back, all right?”

She nodded. “I am not going very far with this rod in me.”

He grinned. “Interesting thought.”

He kissed her gently on the lips and then got up and led his team back to the ship.

Soith muttered, “What’s the plan? The peacekeepers are already on site, getting them out.”

“I want to find the one with the claws and remove his hands.”

Aldrun tutted. “That will be a lecture and a meeting with the board.”

“Fine. I will find the one who smells like Misty, and I will crush their claws.”

Soith snorted. “They might let you do that. It is a sexual assault, after all.”

Mekked nodded as they headed to the site where the peacekeepers were on a floating platform. He rarely felt like ripping someone’s arms off and stuffing them down their throat, but this was one of those times.

Chapter Three

Hazda came in with a beaming smile. “Misty. How strange that we should meet again.”

Misty chuckled and sat up. “You may want to turn around and wait in the hall. They are going to use a sonic scrubber on me.”

“Aw, you are sweet, but I have been desensitized to those sounds.”

Hazda took a seat on a chair near Misty’s head, and she pleasantly nodded to the attendant who was there to give the bath. The woman straightened, smiled, and was completely professional as she cleaned Misty of the four days of skin, oil, and dirt.

Misty waited until she was clean, front and back, and then, the cleaning sheet was removed from under her and taken away.

“Hazda, why does everybody kind of stiffen up and pay attention when you and Mekked show up?”

She chuckled. “Ah, that involves our family lines. Mekked is my uncle, and my grandfather is the overseer of the region.”

“Region?”

“Star system.”

“Oh. So, your parents are acting as guardians somewhere?”

Hazda nodded. “Over on Siloven. My mom is the daughter of the overseer, and she found and rescued my dad two years before I was born.”

“If they are on Siloven, why are you here?” Misty paused. “Is that rude?”

“No. Sensible. I have another sibling, and they are being groomed for Siloven. Vecchin is Mekked’s, and I am here as his assistant. I do the interfacing between the team and the governing bodies, with the knowledge that Mekked gets veto power.” She chuckled. “Or he gets in a mood and shatters the senate. That had happened once when they stopped offering protections for bondservants. They started considering you and yours dispensable. Mekked put a stop to that.”

Misty sighed. “I was almost looking forward to just burning out at a mine. They leave you alone there.”

“They would put you into stress relief. They don’t let females manage equipment in the mines.”

“Stre—oh.” She grimaced. “I understand.”

“Good. Considering what I am guessing Mekked has in mind, it is the same variety with a singular patron.” Hazda grinned. “He’s so careful with you. It’s sweet.”

“You weren’t here when he was here.”

“I watched the security videos. I watch all of the security videos.” She laughed. “I am the Vecchin comptroller and the liaison with the defenders.”

“Oh.” Misty looked at the cuff that kept ports under her skin. “Do you know how long I have to be here?”

“No. How is that regen unit doing?” She looked innocent.

“It’s fine. It’s warm and humming, but I am ignoring it.”

Hazda chuckled. “The look on his face when the doc said you were deep was hilarious. It was hopeful and predatory all at once.”

“Oh. Wow. That is more information than I need.”

Hazda laughed. “My family is very frank about sex. We are all here because my grandmother has the same kind of brainwave projection that you do.”

“What?”

“She’s companion class. A deep-sea Vecchin.” She grinned. “Grandfather met her and was astonished when she was found to be suitable for him. She tried to swim off, and he caught her. She was very surprised that his wings worked underwater, and as she keeps telling us, very grateful that he can hold his breath for a long time.”

Misty covered her mouth and giggled.

“So, what do you want to do here, Misty? What do you want out of your life?”

Misty looked at her and stared while her mind whirled. “Um. I don’t know the answer to that.”

Hazda smiled. “What was your plan before you were taken to the bond auction?”

“Take some courses for office work. Find a job and eventually go for citizenship and find a place of my own.”

“Don’t you want a mate or family?”

She shrugged. “Wasn’t in my plans. I don’t like the idea of being dependent on someone, which I would be in that situation.” She smiled slightly. “One day, my world was hit by a giant rock, and two years later, I am lucky to be here. At home, all I wanted to do was move out on my own and live my own life. Then I did, and now, I am here, and I have to start all over.” Misty sighed. “On my world, I had to do for my family what you do here. Walk between them and explain things. Now, I am finally speaking for myself, and I need to learn how to do it.”

“What if you find a mate who will help you with that?”

Misty chuckled. “You mean Mekked.”

“Correct. You two move at the same frequency.”

“What?”

“Your minds. You two are the same frequency. It is very rare. My grandparents have that same connection. My parents are close, but you and Mekked are a match. That is what I believe, and I am never wrong. That is my talent.” She smiled. “I can’t lift like my uncle, but in this, I am his superior.”

“Uh-huh. What is he doing right now?”

Hazda chuckled. “Blowing off some steam. He was... upset... at your condition. That they had injured you in that way indicated that they were not going to return you to the auction.”

Misty shivered. “Yeah, I guessed as much. I really hated being in an underwater facility as well.”

Hazda blinked. “Why? Half of our population is in facilities like that?”

Misty sighed. “I can’t swim.”

Her new associate was shocked. “I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

“I can’t swim. I had to stay out of the water while my sibling had lessons. I never learned, so the first time I had a day off and went to one of the shores, I was wading, and someone bumped me over, and I couldn’t get back to the surface. I fought for air and got washed into shallow water. I got up and staggered to the beach. Locals were laughing at me, and I just sat on a chair for an hour and then left.”

“You started your swimming at a beach?”

“Coworkers said it was fun and would be enjoyable. It looked so easy. My sibling always said it was easy.”

“It is easy. For a Vecchin, we filter water through our skin. It is easy for us to swim.”

Misty nodded. “That is what it looked like.”

“So, what else have you done since arriving?”

“Um, I cook on my days off. I am trying to make things taste like what I was used to at home.”

“You have been here four years. What else have you done on your rest days?”

“Well, I have only gotten one every six weeks, so I just do some shopping or stay in and watch vids.”

Hazda stared at her. “That’s... you are supposed to have one per week.”

“Oh.”

“So, your wages should have you near to finishing your original bond.” Hazda whipped out her tablet, and then, she started typing. “You... what is this? Your bond was paid out six months ago. Oh... this isn’t good.”

Hazda frantically typed a message, and when her tablet vibrated lightly, she exhaled in relief.

“I thought he was going to the bond auction, but he went somewhere else to work out some tension.”

Misty cocked her head. “A brothel?”

Hazda laughed. “No. He has a line of women waiting if he wants them. He doesn’t. The moment he saw you, he was struck.”

Misty blinked. “You sent him there.”

“I did. Like I said, your frequency matches his. I don’t joke about that.”

Misty sighed and looked down at her fingers.

“So, the file says your mother and sister are here as well. What are they like?”

Misty mumbled. “I don’t know. They are doing research.”

Hazda scowled and sat down with the tablet, and she started flipping through things.

“Can I sleep?”

“What? Of course.”

“Thank you.” Misty leaned back and closed her eyes, seeking genuine, restorative sleep.

* * * *

Hazda acknowledged that Mekked and the others were on the way back. She looked at the nasty, degrading, and devastating comments Annabella and Lissa Deluca had ascribed to Misty. The hate and vitriol when they were asked to recommend Misty for citizenship were appalling. They hated the poor little bunny. There was nothing about Misty’s talents, sweetness, and eagerness to please. It was horrible. That is why she hadn’t gotten her citizenship. Her own family didn’t have theirs yet and didn’t think that a server could possibly have out-worked them. There was an investigation underway, and that investigation should have stopped her transport to the auction.

“Damn.” Hazda looked at Misty sleeping, twitching, and whimpering like a hurt animal, and she wondered if this was not the first time that she had been in a similar position. Her humble wish for a home of her own was easy, but it would come with a husband and, hopefully, children.

She took one of Misty’s hands, and she calmed down. It was a good tip to give Mekked.

The pressure change in the room told her that the defenders had arrived. She got up and smiled. She gestured for him to stop.

Mekked frowned. “What?” His hands moved silently.

“She is brittle and as delicate as a tiny kit. You need to be careful. She is brittle.” Reiterating it seemed important.

He looked at her and nodded, signing, “I know. She’s an open empath. She goes through the world being struck by others’ emotions. I can fix that. I want to fix that.”

“She cries when she sleeps.”

He froze and tensed. “Out of the way.”

She stepped aside, and he went to the beside, taking her small hand in his and pressing his lips to the inside of her wrist.

Her uncle closed his eyes, and she felt a wave of energy leave him to wrap around Misty. She had just gotten a shield.

Hazda watched as he pulled up the chair and sat with Misty’s hand pressed to his cheek. It was so sweet. Hazda looked forward to addressing her as aunt one day. Aunt Veru. Bunny.

* * * *

Misty woke up slowly. Someone was holding her hand. She opened her eyes, and Mekked was sitting next to her, his forehead pressed to the bed next to her arm and his hand holding hers. His breathing was even, and he looked tired. It radiated out of his posture.

She reached out with her tethered hand and stroked his thick hair. It was thick but feathery soft. His energy changed, and he lifted his head. At close range, he was nearly overwhelming.

She met his shining black gaze and resumed stroking his hair. “You look tired.” She murmured softly.

He smiled. “I am. Your treatment is nearly done. I will be taking you home, and we can negotiate a contract.”

Misty blinked. “I am not getting sold?”

“No. Your bond was actually complete. You just had an unscrupulous boss. They are being fined for theft of wages, using a bond contract as a threat, and withholding citizenship recommendation when you reached your allotted hours.” His thumb stroked her hand. “Not only are you over your needed hours, but you were underpaid, so you will be getting a bulk payment once the fine is collected. In the meantime, I would like to offer you a companion contract.”

She whispered, “Why?”

“Because we can make each other better. Whole. I can help you control what is swamping your senses, and you can give me what I need.”

“What is it that you need?”

“You.” The word was simple and absolute.

She stared as his face got closer and closer, and then, his lips touched hers. She felt a literal spark between them, and he brushed his lips across hers. Vecchin didn’t kiss. She jolted back.

He frowned. “Did I do it wrong?”

“What? No. It was right. Vecchin don’t kiss.”

“We don’t?”

“No.”

“Hmrain do. At least the ones that have read the Terran files do. Your people respond strongly to stimulation via the mouth.”

“Terran files?”

He grinned. “Oh, yes. You have a higher companion ratio than has been seen in recent years. All the Hmrain watch the station stats with focus.”

“Including the children of Hmrain?”

“Indeed. I am notable in that I don’t have wings, but I have the markings for them. There has been another case where a wingless descendant gained psychic wings after taking one of your people as mate.”

“Um... how?”

“You know we take energy from you, yes? We take pleasure because it is easily manipulated, and our companions are known for having unceasing appetites.”

She blinked. “I am pretty sure I am the exception. I don’t do that.”

He stroked her palm with his thumb. “When you are safe, comfortable, and trust me, you will.”

“You would wait?”

Mekked nodded. “For you, I will wait. Whatever you decide, you are still coming home with us.”

“Us?”

“Yes, the defenders all live at my home. It is easier that way.”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess that would be convenient.”

He laughed. “It is a big enough house. We won’t be on top of each other.”

She nodded and then felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. The idea of being on top of him had a certain appeal. She went white as the reality of the thought hit her.

He smiled and caressed her fingers, not pushing for a response. The doctor came back in, and when he reached for the regen rod to slide it out of her, she made a noise to stall the doctor, but he withdrew the rod and blinked. It was gleaming, dripping, and shining as the surprised doctor stared at it.

Misty covered her face, and Mekked smiled with satisfaction. The doctor quickly put the unit aside and put the scan over her abdomen. He nodded. “The gouges have been repaired.”

Misty nodded, and her voice was high. “Great.”

Mekked ran his thumb across her palm. “It is a very pleasant circumstance.”

Hazda had left at some point.

“So, Hazda is your niece?” She smiled and tried to dislodge his mind from the dripping slick he had focused on.

“Yes, my sister’s daughter.” He smiled. “She’s here to learn the family business.”

“Collecting aliens?”

He laughed. “Yes, but I will be happy with a collection of one.”

The doctor looked startled, stared at Misty, and then blinked. A moment later, he said, “Miss, I am going to remove the injector cuff now. The infection in your system has subsided, and you should make a full recovery in a matter of days.”

She nodded. “Um, thank you.”

Mekked frowned. “Infection?”

“From the injuries treated by the regen rod.”

“Ah, right. I should have hit him harder.” Mekked was grim. “I need the medical reports.”

“Of course.”

“Right, well, your female is good to leave. She needs to rest quietly for a day or two and then return for checks, but she’s otherwise fine.” He bowed slightly. “We just need to make sure that the infection is at bay. She also needs to renew some inoculations. A few of hers have run their course.”

She smiled. “Like the one that lets me digest Vecchin minerals?”

“That is one of them, yes.”

Mekked frowned. “Can’t you give it to her now?”

“We don’t stock them here. They are at the immigration platform near the space port. A few more days won’t hurt her.” The doc nodded. “I will send you the list as well, sir.”

“Thank you. I will source what she needs and makes sure she gets it.”

“Yes, sir. She can leave at any time.”

Misty sat up with the sheet to her chest. “Can I get a medical gown or something?”

Her clothing had been the first casualty, and she did not miss the auction gown, but she wasn’t going to run around naked.

Mekked got up and went to a corner. “Hazda brought you this.”

He pulled a dress along with some shoes out of a shopping container.

He smiled. “It laces to fit, so don’t worry about sizing.”

She looked at the style of dress that she had seen wealthy women wear to the café. “I can’t accept this.”

Mekked shrugged. “I have no problem flying you home naked, but this will set a better first impression if you are properly clothed.”

She looked at him and saw his determination and lack of concern. She loosened the ties, pulled the dress over her head and stuffed her feet into the shoes. She pulled the dress down under the medical sheet and swung her legs out of the bed. The sheet flipped back, and he was helping her properly fit the dress. He helped her to her feet and smoothed the fabric down before finishing the tugging at the laces. It was smoothed over her breasts and hips, and the ties at the side fitted it to her. The sleeves fitted to her elbow and then opened so that when she would move her hands, her arms looked graceful. That was a stretch.

A glance down made her blink. The cleavage was... extreme but well within Vecchin standards.

He smoothed the shoulders. “There. Nice and respectable.”

She chuckled and kept her gaze away from his.

He asked, “Are you all right to walk?”

Misty nodded. “I am.” She could probably walk for about half an hour, and then, she was going to need to rest, but she could make it out of the medical centre.

He touched her cheek and said, “I am going to be waiting for those reports, doc.”

He put his hand on her back and pressed gently forward, so she walked out under her own power.

“Why is it important that I am walking?”

“Because there are reporters outside, and they want to catch me with a woman and hauling her off without consent. Your situation is unique, and your options need to be clarified before any final decisions are made.”

She walked with him, and they entered the lift, lowering them to the main floor. When the doors opened, she folded her hands in front of her and walked out with Mekked’s hand on her back. He stepped away from her as a crowd surged toward them.

“What is going on?”

“Your employer has been exposed for their lack of inclination to pay the ransom, their theft of your wages, and paying you far below your worth to the business. Also, concealing your meeting citizenship qualifications is a huge issue.” As he spoke, the crowd surged forward, asking her questions.

She flinched and edged toward Mekked. She unlocked her hands and started to speak as she caught the questions coming while still walking out toward daylight.

She signed in manual as she spoke. “I have heard that my boss deceived me. I look forward to seeing what the result of the investigation will be.”

“I have met Defender Mekked once before at the café. I worked the late shift, and he, Aldrun, and Soith came in after work. They were covered with soot.”

“I am not his mate. It has not been discussed.” She felt a touch on her back. “But a discussion is in the immediate future.”

“I am companion class with a defect. It requires special handling.”

“I just want to eat something. It has been a day and a half since I have eaten, and I am a little dizzy. Please, excuse me.” Misty nodded and headed for the door.

Mekked stepped outside with her, picked her up, and flew off with her.

“You can fly?” Her strangled whisper got the point across that she didn’t actually know.

“Of course. You don’t watch news reels?”

“No broadcast at the café, and I didn’t have enough funds for a unit.” She focused on his face as he flew.

“What do you... he refused to pay you.”

Now knowing that it wasn’t supposed to be that way, she was grim. “Correct.”

“We will collect your possessions. Where do you live?”

“There is an alcove at the café. A full staff bath. I had the uniform for the café and one change of street clothes and a swimsuit that I used once.”

“Wait, so he didn’t let you leave for days off?”

She shrugged. “I had one once. I didn’t care for it.”

He nodded. “We will work on that. The idea of you relaxed and happy is an intoxicating one.”

“This is a little sudden.”

“You would prefer I buy you from the bond auction? As the local overseer, I don’t need to bid. It is up to us to come up with a fair bond contract.”

“Aren’t I up for citizenship?”

“Yes and no. There were some strenuous objections to your citizenship qualification, so it is being reviewed.”

There was a pause, and she slumped. “My mother and sister are fighting it.”

“How did you know?”

“I have met them.” She grimaced. “They do not care for me, and they never want to see me as an equal.”

“How do you know that?” He seemed appalled.

She sighed. “They told me so.”

He swooped upward in an arc and landed in front of a building that she didn’t want to look at. It was huge and elegant and terrified her. It wasn’t her kind of place, and eventually, they would dismiss her. Where would she go then?

Chapter Four

Misty looked around as he brought her inside. “Um, I can walk.”

A Srveda male came toward them with a bright grin. “So, this is the new acquisition?”

Mekked was precise. “Not yet an acquisition. For now, she is a guest. A hungry guest.”

The male chuckled. “I saw the report. As you have unwillingly fasted, I will start you off slowly. I am Kekkari. I am the cook and housekeeper for these three.”

Misty blinked and said, “Pleased to meet you. I am Misty.”

“Aren’t you just adorable? All soft and pale. Master Mekked, does she smell nice?”

“I am not going to answer. It will just make her nervous.”

“Well, I have some food for her in the dining room.” Kekkari left, and his tail lashed as he walked.

Misty would have called Kekkari a big kitty on Earth, but he was an uplander Vecchin. Vecchin the Hmrain had gathered and combined species that were compatible, and the combination had created three very visible genetic prints. Cat people, water people, and land people. Mekked was Hmrain with water people eyes and abilities.

Mekked carried her, ignoring her muttered mention that she could walk.

He sat down at a long onyx table, and Kekkari laughed as Mekked simply rotated her to face the table. “If he tries to burp you, I will call the authorities.”

Mekked snorted. “If you had a female as sweet as this one, your teeth would be in the back of her neck in seconds.”

“Like yours won’t be.” The cook grinned.

Misty twisted her fingers together nervously at that. Inside she was whimpering a little bit. She spent her life being helpless, but that didn’t mean she didn’t hate it. This was just another thing she had to get used to.

“Uh, is she all right? She got even paler.”

Mekked leaned to look at her. “He was joking.”

She looked at him and could tell he was lying to make her feel better. She started to shake, and memories from the last months on Earth rippled through her. It had not been a peaceful time, and things had happened to her that her mother wouldn’t forgive.

“There are a lot of shadows in your gaze, Misty.”

She nodded. “There is a reason for them.”

He hugged her. “Ah, little jewel, will you share them with me?”

She shook her head.

He sighed and touched his forehead to hers. “Maybe in time.”

“I don’t want you to know that.”

Kekkari grinned. “He will eventually know anything he wants to know. You may as well tell him.”

“He doesn’t want to know this.” She pressed her hands together. “I don’t want to know this.”

Mekked stroked her hair and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I have seen that look before. It was not your fault. Nothing that transpired was your fault.”

“You have had to say that a lot.” She understood at that moment that he knew what her expression entailed.

“Yours is not the only world with an occurrence of sexual assault. The victims always have that look of terror, shame, and anger.” He squeezed her ribs lightly. “It often happens on the worlds visited by the station. Some can glide through, and others barely make it out alive. I, for one, am very glad you made it out alive.”

Kekkari blinked. “I am sorry. I had no idea.”

Misty shrugged. “I am fine. I survive. I might not like how, but I did.”

“You won’t survive if you don’t eat. He has a big mouth, but he’s a good cook.”

Misty chuckled and picked up the two-pronged fork and started tasting things that she had only eaten cold at the café. She nibbled at something, and then, Kekkari removed the prong from her fingers and put a spoon in them.

“Start with soup. You need to line your stomach.” He put the bowl in front of her.

She dipped the bowl of the spoon in and tasted the soup. She quickly took another spoonful and then another.

Kekkari chuckled. “Mekked, you might have a problem controlling her appetite. Once she gets started, she gets fixated.”

Mekked snorted. “I am not worried.” He whispered in her ear, “You don’t have to use the spoon.”

She licked the spoon clean, picked up the bowl, and drank the soup. It was a cream of vegetables, and it settled her stomach nicely. She resumed her nibbling at the course that resembled stir fry. It was crunchy, sweet, savoury, and meaty. It tasted so good.

Kekkari brought in a dessert, and she smiled but said, “Thank you, but I don’t have room.”

Mekked rubbed her stomach lightly. “Are you sure? I think there is a little more room in here.”

She blinked. “On my world, they did that with children.”

He chuckled. “Here, too. I am working at building trust between us and trying to keep my mind off your curves, so treating you like a child is a suitable distraction. Also, you are small, so if I can keep my focus there, it will distract me from the stem of your neck.”

She tensed and tried to ease out of his lap. “No, I am really good. I am full.”

Mekked kept his grip on her. “What is the real problem?”

She bunched up her face.

“Truth is best.”

“I ate so many leftover desserts at the café, and some days, they were all I had to eat, so sweet stuff makes me a little ill.”

Kekkari stared. “You had to eat... you weren’t given food rations or vouchers?”

“No. It was a pretty rough few years.”

Mekked looked at his cook. “Misty, I think you made him cry.”

Misty looked over, and Kekkari looked stricken. She felt his waves of pity and anger. She knew the anger wasn’t aimed at her, but she said, “I didn’t mean to upset you. I am adjusting. This is enough for now.”

He nodded and disappeared with the dessert.

She drank the glass of water and slumped back against Mekked. “What now?”

“Now, we go to my study and negotiate.”

He set her on her feet, stood up, and offered his hand. She slid her hand into his, and he walked with her through the house. There was a combination of Vecchin servants and bots humming around. She tried to ignore the looks she was getting and just looked around. The house was big.

“The house belonged to the original overseer?”

“Yes. I grew up here. It was a little strange when my father handed things over, but I got used to it, set up the government, and spent all my free time trying to rein it in.” He chuckled.

“So, why defenders?”

“We have a lot of valuable mines and asteroid fields in the system. There are frequent incursions, so we need folk who can intercept and discourage that event. Aldrun and Soith are descendants of other Hmrain from other systems.” He opened a door and walked inside.

His study was light, bright, and had a set of couches, a desk, and some chairs. It was all scaled up for Mekked’s size. She walked toward a chair, but he sighed and pulled her around his desk, and a data terminal rose from the desk.

“I want you here so you can read it directly, so we can make alterations to it.”

“Why do I need one?”

“So that no one tries to send you into a bond auction or simply have you deported if I am summoned off-world before everything is ratified.”

She thought about her luck. “Fine. Please. Bring up the contract.”

He looked at her and kissed her temple. “I am not going to hurt you. It will be my honour to care for you.”

She nodded. “I know, but there are going to be a few problems. I am not... stable.”

“I know. I can help with that. Contact with me will help you gain control. I have instructed psychics before.”

Misty blinked. “You have?”

“Sure. The sea folk have always used mental communication for long-distance. We use the manual language up here if they haven’t been through speech classes yet, but psychic communication is our default. We don’t usually touch mainlanders, but I could feel the openness of your mind. I knew part of your troubles the moment you walked up to the table. So did Hazda.”

She swallowed. “Yeah, I have passed out a few times at work when there were deep-sea folk at the café. There was no malice, so I think it was just a reflex for them to try and get my attention that way.”

He frowned. “How many times?”

“Over the years, about a dozen.”

“What did your boss do?”

“Nothing. I was always on the floor when I came around. It only lasted a few seconds.” She shrugged. “Most folks were really concerned and made sure that I got a glass of water to help my dizziness. I got up and got back to work.”

He sighed. “No sense getting tense over it.”

“I am not.”

Mekked chuckled. “I am talking to myself. I want to grab your boss’s arms and pull.”

“Grab the arms and make a wish.” She caught his look. “Terran saying. It usually refers to the keel bone of a chicken. Each party holds one arm, and the one that gets the majority of the bone makes a wish. It isn’t legally binding.” She chuckled.

“Interesting. I will use the reference the next time I am out on a mission.”

The contract appeared, and they sat together as he went through the list of requirements. “So, my portion of the contract is fairly blunt. There is a three million-credit trust set up for you if you meet the contract stipulations and the standard hundred-year or first offspring timespan. I will be responsible for your housing, upkeep, and an allowance for personal spending will be set at around three thousand credits per month. Your clothing, jewellery, and makeup will be provided, as will your food and lodgings.”

“What do I need the allowance for?”

“Entertainment, items that are outside the norm. Luxury goods like a favourite pillow or books.”

She had a thought. “A unit?”

He chuckled. “I will provide you with one.”

She felt a flip of excitement.

“What do you want to purchase?”

“There is a Terran archive of music, and I know it is available as a data block. That would be the first thing I got, I think. I could get it after three or four months.” She smiled.

“Music?”

She nodded. “I like music. My house growing up was... very quiet. I got to listen to music from other worlds while on the Education Station, and I loved it, but the music of home is just that.”

“Right. Noted. Well, now for your portion of the agreement.”

Misty watched as he typed in a mention of her being given psychic reconstruction and shield counselling, therapy for the traumas that occurred in her past, and the proviso that the requirements would only activate when she was aware and consenting.

She frowned. “That isn’t in the standard contract.”

“You and I are not standard. You need time, and I am not in a hurry. Having you here is enough, and we can get used to each other.” He smiled. “Plus, it will be best that you go through therapy, and my work often takes me off-world. Getting you safe and settled into your new position will be good. As for more demands, if I have a need, you are not to refuse me without a very good reason. If a Hmrain is in rut, it is implacable.”

She swallowed. “Right.”

“You must be in my bed every night once we begin sexual interaction.”

She nodded.

“If you bear my child, the contract value will be provided to you, and you can leave Vecchin at your will from that point on. If we are still getting along by then, we can switch to a partner contract.”

“A partner contract?”

“A permanent contract will have me maintaining you and any children we have in perpetuity.”

“Can I ask something else?”

“Certainly.”

“So, you are a defender. What happens if something... unpleasant happens to you while you are on a mission.”

He blinked. “Ah. Good point. In case of my death, the contract will be paid out, and my father will be responsible for finding you a good match in another Hmrain or descendant.”

“What? Why?”

He smiled and stroked her cheek. “Once you and I have been intimate with the marks and such that go along with that will leave a certain... hunger in you. Another Hmrain will be able to enjoy that hunger and feed off it.”

“Oh. I keep forgetting about that part. How do you know you can even... feed off me?”

He stroked her cheek again. “I can feel it. Right now, you are broadcasting every ripple of fear and enjoyment along the frequency where we feed. Soith and Aldrun can feel it, but it doesn’t make them hungry. They are a few generations removed.” He sighed. “However, it makes me want to follow you around and catch every stray mental emission. The psychic nature of my mother’s people makes it more intense.”

“Oh.”

He nodded. “Indeed. Do you have any other addenda that you would like added to the contract?”

“Um, no. That covers anything I could think of.” She shrugged. “This is more than I need to survive. Oh, is my therapy coming out of my allowance?”

He looked surprised. “No. It will be on Vecchin or myself.”

“How will I get to therapy?”

“The therapist will come to you, or a transport will be arranged.”

“Oh, that’s it for... How will we know if I am ready to fully cohabit?”

“Ah, you may approach me at any time and see how you feel. If I feel fear or panic, I will cease.” He nodded, and then, he put that in the contract.

He finished it on the terminal and sent it to the tablet and signed it, pressed his thumb, and scanned his iris. He handed her the tablet. She read the contract, her mind spinning at the money he threw around so casually. When it read exactly what they had discussed, she pressed her thumb to the pad, signed, and scanned.

Just like that, she was companion to Mekked.

He smiled and sent the signed file off to the archive, and then, he turned her head. “And now, we seal the contract.”

She watched him get closer, and the kiss was politely dry, and the curl of pleasure that ran up her spine made his lips smile against hers.

He leaned back. “I could feel that.”

“So, Vecchin don’t kiss?”

“Not usually. I can see the attraction to it. You taste sweet.”

“So, it doesn’t offend you?”

He frowned and shook his head. “No. I enjoyed it.”

“Can I try something?”

He shrugged and nodded. “Sure.”

She touched his face and pulled his head to hers, kissing him softly, and then, she began to tease him with her tongue. He jolted in surprise and made a happy growling sound as her tongue parted his lips. She flicked his mouth open, and his arms tightened on her. When her tongue slid along his, he froze, and she slowly withdrew from him. She looked at his stunned expression. “So, was that repulsive?”

He cupped her head and repeated the kiss, going through the same stages that she did before sliding his tongue into her mouth. She clutched his wrists and moved her head to entice him deeper. The slick throbbing started between her thighs, and he shifted his grip to hold her carefully as she gasped and met him with every caress of his mouth.

She gripped his hands tightly, and he slowed and pulled back, his chest heaving, which was gratifying. She thought she was the only one who had gone from low idle into gear with that kiss.

He was looking at her, nostrils flaring. “I can get you hot just like that?”

“It’s a pretty solid start, and it isn’t something that I confuse with any other event in my life, so practicing that is always safe. No freakouts associated with kissing.”

Understanding lit his eyes. “Thank you, Misty.”

She swallowed and nodded. “You are welcome, Master Mekked.”

His eyes narrowed, but he smiled. “Mekked is fine.”

“If you get hungry and I am not able to... accept you, kissing and me rocking myself against your thigh should get you something to consume.”

Mekked smiled. “I have already gotten quite a bit just from that kiss. Interesting to be wired for mimicking food exchange.”

She shrugged. “I just know it works. As long as the folk involved aren’t eating, it doesn’t get weird.”

He laughed. “I am going to enjoy getting to know you better, Misty.”

She ducked her head and locked her fingers together.

He patted her hip. “Come on, let’s give you a tour.”

She straightened and got to her feet. “Can we start with where I can sleep?”

“Of course. You have a choice when I am not home, but when I am and after you are through your therapy, you will be expected to share my room. You can enter and remain there anytime.”

He took her hand and walked with her out of his study, and she smiled and waved at Aldrun, who was carrying a plate and heading down the wide hall.

“Hello, Misty. Are you all wrapped up?”

“I have a few things to do first, but the paperwork is complete.”

He nodded. “Good. You two look... energized.”

Misty went pink, and Mekked grinned.

“We will be incandescent when we finally complete our connection.” Mekked smiled. “I am just giving her a tour.”

“Starting with your room?”

“Of course. Then hers.” He grinned. “Then yours and Sioth’s, so she knows what to avoid.”

He walked with her to a hidden staircase and up the steps. The tour of the overseer’s home was extensive, but she had all the time in the world.

Chapter Five

It was surreal to be sitting with superheroes at dinner, but they chatted easily with her and asked her questions about her world and how it had been destroyed.

Her stomach wasn’t sure what to do with the extra meal, but she ate politely. She kept in mind that she would eventually be burning calories in a few new ways.

Misty set her eating utensil down and smiled with her hands in her lap.

Soith blinked. “That’s it? Mekked’s going to wear you out if you keep eating like that.”

“My capacity will grow with time.”

Mekked smiled.

She scowled at him. “I meant for food.”

He started laughing.

Aldrun chuckled and then perked up as dessert arrived. Kekkari looked at her with a raised brow, but she shook her head, and he sighed.

Mekked said, “Misty, come here.”

She got up and walked over to his chair, standing next to him. “Yes?”

“Sit.” He patted his thighs.

She settled on his lap, and he kept her seated sideways.

“Now, you don’t have to finish it, but you need to try it. Kekkari works hard on dessert. He loves making them, and since it is hard to find a cook willing to work with our schedules, we need to make him feel wanted.”

She sighed and nodded. “All right.”

Kekkari put two desserts down, and he smiled. “Just try what you can.”

Mekked picked up a long spoon, and he scooped up a spoonful of whipped fluff with fragments of fruit. “Open.”

She opened her mouth, and he flew the spoon in. She closed her mouth, and he pulled out. Her blush was scalding.

“Don’t worry, Misty, I am thinking it as well.” He smiled and got a larger scoop and ate it. “Oh, nice one, Kekkari.”

The feline male grinned. “Oh, look, she swallowed.”

She just wanted a giant hole to open up that she could drop into. She opened her mouth, and Mekked fed her a second scoop. It was really good, but she was too tense to properly enjoy it.

Mekked started a slow massage on her back, and she gradually relaxed. A third mouthful came and went, and she was able to enjoy it as the conversation flowed around her but didn’t involve her. When the two desserts were empty, he kept rubbing her back, and she scooted closer to him and leaned against him. She hadn’t been completely full in a few years going back before the asteroid.

He stroked her arm and ran his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. She was out in under a minute.

* * * *

Mekked chuckled. She was a little over-full but warm and sleepy.

“Aldrun, what was the name of that therapist you saw for trauma?”

“Dr. Ledeen. Why?”

“Misty and I aren’t going to settle things until she has gone through therapy to the point where she doesn’t cry in her sleep or flinch when I touch her.”

Soith blinked. “Wow. That’s some self-control you have there.”

“Her mind is perfect. It fits mine, and her body is soft, and she smells sweet. When she looks at me with those big eyes... I was lost the day I met her.” He continued to massage her scalp as she had fallen asleep on a wave of happiness when he flexed his fingers against her.

Soith frowned. “Are you sure you want her? She seems a bit of a project.”

“Yes, but it will be worth it in the end. She has strength and a lot of power once we can get her to use it.” He smiled at her. “That will come with time.”

Aldrun frowned. “She was raped?”

“All indicators are yes, and she has warned me that she wakes up screaming, so the inference is there.” He stifled his rage. “It will delay things but not by much. She finds me handsome, so that is a good start, and she speaks manual, which already endeared her to a lot of the population while we were at the hospital.”

Soith chuckled. “Yeah, a few of the folks at headquarters were shocked when she came out. She looks so small next to you until the cleavage and curves become apparent. At that point, it is very evident that she suits you.”

Aldrun smiled. “There were the inevitable sobbing girls, but I assure you that we will take care of them.”

Mekked chuckled, and Misty stirred. “I had better put her in her room and get her settled. I need to contact that therapist and make a few more arrangements for her. Then, we have to head out to check out a foundering freighter.”

Soith looked at the little Terran. “You are just going to leave her?”

“Hazda and Kekkari will take care of her. Her original files are being transferred to Hazda, and she is going to know everything in very short order.” He sighed. “She will be settling in while we are gone, and I am going to hate to miss it.”

Aldrun laughed. “So, you are going to be in a terrible mood. Got it.”

Soith smiled. “Then, put the missus to bed and make your arrangements. Delaying won’t do you any good, and if you get it all done, you can see her before we leave tomorrow.”

Mekked snorted and moved his hands to carry her, standing up and walking up to his bedroom, settling her on her side of the bed after he slipped her dress off and flicked off her shoes.

She snuggled down into the soft bedding and the pillow on the firm mattress. He pressed his lips to her forehead and headed down to the main level to order her a unit, get the therapist to make house calls, and make sure that Hazda was working on the wardrobe and documentation.

He smiled as he sent the requisition for the music files. If she wanted music, she would have music.

When he lay down on the opposite side of the bed, she scooted over to press against him. He blinked in surprise, but her mind was still sleeping. She was cool, and he was warm.

He held her lightly and murmured, “I hope this doesn’t upset you.”

She buried her nose against his chest, and he jumped at the cool pressure before laughing ruefully. So, he had a pet. Now how long until he had a mate?

* * * *

In the dimness near dawn, she felt soft kisses on her skin, and she reached out to find a man with a unique texture. This wasn’t anything familiar or terrifying. He felt wonderful. His skin was like hot, thick leather with a smooth finish.

“Misty, I have to leave now. I will be away for a few days, but Hazda and Kekkari will care for you. Wake up when you like. If they need you, they will come to wake you.”

She turned her face up and looked into the shining shadows of his eyes. “You have to go?”

He smiled. “Just a day or two. There is a freighter that needs emergency repairs, so we have to escort a crew up to it and get them home again. Routine. My duties are not very glamorous.”

Misty nodded. “Okay. Be safe.”

“For you, I will. What do you want to do when I get back? Eat at a restaurant, go to a concert?”

She blurted out, “Could you teach me to swim?”

He paused. “You can’t swim?”

“No. I sink. I never learned what to do.”

He stroked her cheek. “I can teach you. You need to relax and trust. I will do the rest.”

He kissed her lips, and she leaned into him, sighing softly as her sleepy body warmed to his touch. He groaned. “I have to leave.”

She nodded and returned to the flat pillow. “See you when you get back.”

He looked at her, lifted the sheet, and covered her. “Get some rest. You are going to need it.”

She chuckled and blushed at the wicked sound out of her throat. It was rather like taunting a bear that had a business meeting. Eventually, it would leave the meeting hungry, and it knew where to find her.

He growled at her and left the room.

She burrowed onto the spot where he had been sleeping and inhaled. He smelled really good. She wrapped herself in his scent and returned to sleep.

* * * *

Mekked sat at the controls as they lifted off.

Soith muttered, “You are quiet. I thought you would be crowing this morning.”

Mekked glanced at him. “I have a warm, sleepy woman in my bed who wants nothing more than to burrow into my side, torturing me all night. I am far too tired to crow.” He smiled. “But at the same time, I am charged up like never before.”

“Why?”

“Because every time I moved away, she came to me and pressed against me. She doesn’t have an aversion to me on reflex. Also, curling up against me makes her happy, so I feed off that.” He smiled as they left the troposphere. “It was like eating dessert all night.”

Soith chuckled. “Sounds fun and frustrating.”

“I believe that is what I have signed up for.” Mekked was smug. “I wonder if this is how my father felt when he met my mother.”

Aldrun came in at that moment and chuckled. “I think your mother felt a bit of panic when Vecchin got a hold of her.”

Mekked grinned. “Yeah, you haven’t actually talked to her. She felt a lot of panic. The flying fuck took off with her and got her away from the water, so she couldn’t get away.”

“You talk about the overseer like that?” Aldrun blinked.

“Yeah. He’s a great father, but he knows that she is the best thing that ever happened to him. He also knows that he is a bit of a bully. Hmrain are very aware of what they are. Father saw what he wanted, and he took it and kept it safe until he figured out a way to convince her that he was her destiny.”

Soith chuckled. “Did the fact that he owned the planet they were on sway her?”

“No, he was very good with his hands and learned manual to court her. Sound above the water hurts her ears.” Mekked shrugged. “Well, it used to.”

Aldrun nodded. “The repair team is settled and ready. We hope to make this fast.”

“Make it good. Fast is dangerous.”

Soith smiled. “Don’t you want to get back to Misty?”

“Not if the price is innocent lives. She would be appalled.” He smiled slightly. She had a fat streak of morality that was going to mean he always had a judging audience when he acted. He could deal with that. She would be a terror when she could stand on her own two feet.

Aldrun chuckled. “Then, we shall make sure the technicians have what they need and do the necessary heavy lifting to get you back to your patient seduction of Misty.”

Mekked sighed. “She is doing the seducing. She just doesn’t know it.”

Soith snorted. “She knows it.”

* * * *

The light was bright when Misty stretched and looked around. Hazda was sitting in a chair near the foot of the bed. “Hello, Misty.”

Misty sat up with the sheet held to her chest. “Hey, Hazda. How late did I sleep?”

“Kekkari is about to serve lunch.”

“Oh. Is it all right if I wear the dress from yesterday?”

Hazda grinned. “Sure. It is in the cleaning unit in the bathing room. Once you have cleaned yourself, we can have lunch, and then your therapist will be arriving.”

Misty was wrapping the sheet around herself. “My what?”

“Therapist. Have you met a Vecchin therapist before?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Well, they are schooled to desensitize you to your memories. You still have them, but your logical mind and instincts agree that they can’t hurt you.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“But none of this happens if you don’t get up and get dressed, so I am leaving.” Hazda grinned. “Lunch in half an hour.”

Hazda left, and Misty dropped the sheet and bolted for the bathroom. The dress was in the cleaner, and after necessities were taken care of, she climbed in the shower and let the light take off oils and dirt. It looked like there was a water option, but she didn’t have time.

She pulled the dress on, tightened the ties to fit it, and checked it out in the mirror. She looked okay, but she had to do something with her hair. It hung in a shiny wave down her back, but ladies on Vecchin did fancier stuff with their hair.

She just wanted to blend in, so she would be less noticeable.

In the bedroom, bots were making the bed, and she found her shoes next to the closet.

She put on the shoes and left the bedroom, looking around, and then she headed downstairs, heading toward the dining room. When she found it empty, she walked over to the kitchen and poked her head around the corner.

Kekkari grinned. “There’s the little princess.”

She huffed and walked into the room, seeing Hazda sitting with three tablets and humming to herself as she went between the three.

“Your therapist will be here an hour after lunch, but Kekkari isn’t going to let you go play psychosis until you have something to eat.”

The casual table that Hazda was seated at was soon playing host to a table setting and a spectacular salad with a pot of kio sitting and waiting for her. She sipped at the tart plant juice and swallowed. It was a cross between aloe vera and orange juice, and it was always served warm. She had gotten used to it.

She sat and ate the meal with efficient bites, and when the food was gone and she put the fork down Kekkari looked at her. “You didn’t taste it, did you?”

Misty looked down and felt a wave of guilt. “No. I am nervous about the therapist. I am sorry.”

He sighed. “It’s fine. I guess you only slow down when Mekked is with you. I will have to ask him to help you enjoy your food.”

She blushed. “I... am sorry.” She felt tears pressing at her eyes, but she held them back.

Hazda sighed. “Kekkari, he said that you weren’t to tease her. She’s in an uproar, and she wasn’t treated kindly since arriving on Vecchin. She’s delicate, so let her just get by, and enjoying her new surroundings will come with time.”

Kekkari looked at Misty, and he crouched next to her. “I am sorry. We are all having so much fun with this that we forget that you aren’t swept away by the romance of it all.”

Misty blinked. “Romance? There isn’t really much of that. I am a match; now I am here. The idea of fun is a bit of a stretch. I eat to live.”

Kekkari touched her hand. “No room for enjoyment?”

“Not yet. That will come in time, I think. I haven’t had much opportunity for that in my life to date. There was always something else to do.”

Kekkari looked shocked. “Not even on your own world, before the destruction?”

“No. I don’t think I have had fun since I was six.” She looked to Hazda. “Where should I wait for the therapist?”

“Mekked said you could use his study, but one of the day rooms is available if you like.” Hazda smiled. “The gardens here are very extensive and have been manicured into the Vecchin mark. It is fun to walk them.”

“Do you bear the mark?”

“Of course. Hip to hip. My brother has it around each bicep.”

Misty drank her kio and nodded. “So, where am I waiting?”

Kekkari nodded. “The day room? It’s this way.”

Misty got up and followed him to the day room. There were couches, chairs, a tablet sitting on a table, and windows all around. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. It felt calm.

“Mekked’s mother enjoyed this room. She said it felt like she was sitting in an ocean of light. She found it comforting, and I am guessing that Hazda knew you needed comfort.”

“She seems highly intuitive.”

Misty went to stand at the window, and she pressed her hand against the glass. The tints of Vecchin were not what she had grown up with, but after nearly five years, she was used to them. Pinks, reds, and silver were in every plant, rock, and tree.

The gardens were lovely. Pathways, wildflowers, and low walls curved through the space, not controlling nature, but giving it easy access to the soil that made it thrive.

Misty settled on the couch and stared out the window. She was still watching the flying mammals in the trees when there was a soft knock at the door. She turned her head and smiled. “Come in.”

The woman who was standing there was one of Kekkari’s people. The woman was surprised. “You are Mekked’s mate?”

“Currently, I am his contracted consort, but I am not on active duty yet.”

“Ah, that is where I come in.”

Misty got to her feet and looked at the elegant cat-woman. “Apparently. While I can control my physical responses, my emotions are all over the place, and they leak out. He can feel them, and it must be a little creepy.”

“I am Dr. Remak. Dr. Ledeen is my associate, but we agreed I might be a better fit for you.”

“Oh. Why?”

“Because Ledeen is male, and your type of trauma can make males feel a little irritated and helpless.”

“Ah. Would you like to have a seat? I’m Misty.”

They touched hands in a contact with no grip, and at the doctor’s urging, they had a seat.

“I have been told that you have a lock that will make you pass out, so we are going to do this the way your people do for now. I will monitor your situation with my own empathy and make notes on topics that require our accelerated version of treatment when we have access to it.”

She smiled. “So, tell me about your experiences with men.”

Misty inhaled. “It started when I was a child, and my mother started selling me to men for favours and groceries. It continued throughout my life.”

Dr. Remak’s eyes widened. “Holy stars. Tell me about the first time.”

Misty nodded and started to talk.

Chapter Six

Dr. Remak looked exhausted. Kekkari offered them dinner and a drink, and the good doctor took it.

Misty felt guilty for putting all that on the good doctor, but she felt lighter for getting it out. Her mother and sister could not be prosecuted here on Vecchin, but it was nice to know someone believed her.

They sat at the dinner table and shared the evening meal while the doctor kept looking at Misty and sniffling.

Finally, Misty asked, “Dr. Remak, did I break you?”

The doctor blinked and was being hit by waves of concern from Misty. During the session, she learned how to broadcast via trial and error. “Um, no, but you have had quite the journey to get here.”

Misty nodded. “That is an understatement.”

“How are you sane?” The question was blunt.

Misty was honest. “No idea. I just found things to make me happy, I guess. I didn’t tell folks what those things were, but I kept them going. Here, I liked the sunsets. It was my favourite thing when I arrived, and I looked forward to each one.”

Kekkari got nervous. “Should we be talking about it like this?”

Misty shrugged. “She is just talking about me as I am, not anything regarding our conversations. I had had therapy before when no one was looking.”

Hazda asked, “Why did no one have to be looking?”

Misty sighed, “Because the ones who betrayed my trust were the ones closest to me. They didn’t want me to get help, but I arranged it with the school when I was growing up, and they kept my secret but watched the house closely. Fortunately, after that point, it was harder for them to keep using me as the teachers and school were watching all the time. I have always been able to get out of horrible situations, but I have to go through the horror first.” She chuckled. “I really wish that the horror could skip and just go to warm and fuzzy for a while.”

Hazda chuckled. “Ask Mekked. I am sure he will be eager to give you whatever you want.”

Misty blushed. “We already negotiated what I want and what he wants. That part was pretty clear. Do you know how long they will be gone?”

Hazda checked her tablet. “It looks like the repairs will take a few days. They will be back before the weekend.”

Misty nodded. “Right. So, Dr. Remak. How much more of my chatter can you take?”

Dr. Remak gestured, and Kekkari filled her wineglass. “I will be here as long as you need me, and if we have to do it this way, we have to do it this way. I will ask Overseer Mekked if he will authorize a mind healer to remove the block.”

Misty chuckled. “I am sorry that you have to be exposed to it. It isn’t pleasant.”

Hazda smiled. “Why did you learn manual, Misty?”

“Oh, there is a version of it on Earth, so I asked to learn it when the family group was bonded here.”

“They requested a distant location.”

“They did. I don’t have degrees or secondary studies, so manual labour was what I was suited to. The café had applied for a bondservant, and I fit the requirements.” She smiled.

Hazda looked at her with a considering expression. “What did you do for fun?”

“Um, when I was alone and I could relax... I put on headphones, and I danced. For that moment, the world didn’t exist, and I was alone. It wasn’t graceful, but it was fun, and I felt so much better afterward.” She shrugged and waved her hand at her body. “I made this my universe, and parts of that universe were fun.”

Hazda smiled. “Well, your nest here has been feathered a little. The clothing that Mekked picked out has started arriving, so you have a choice tomorrow for clothing and shoes.”

Misty smiled.

Kekkari grinned. “Time for dessert. Misty, are you going to partake?”

“No. I am just going to head upstairs and get some rest. It has been a bit of an emotional day.” She got up from the table and nodded. “Please, excuse me.”

They nodded, and Misty headed up to the bedroom, hung her dress in the cleansing unit, washed her face, hands, and feet, and walked to the bed, crawling into Mekked’s side of the bed. She rubbed her face against the pad where he rested his head, and she breathed deeply and smiled as she relaxed.

“Misty! Misty! Wake up!” Kekkari’s voice was frantic.

Misty pulled herself out of a horrific dream, and she opened her eyes, covering her mouth as she stopped screaming her throat raw. She looked at his frantic eyes and burst into tears. “Sorrysorrysorrysorry.”

He sighed. “Aw. You poor little thing.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her onto his lap, holding her and stroking her hair.

She sniffled. “I am sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t. Mekked called me and told me to wake you.”

“He did?”

“Most of the house is wired for security, so I am guessing that he saw you or heard you.”

“Oh, I don’t know if that is sweet or creepy.” She sniffled and held onto Kekkari.

“He owns the planet. Consider it restraint. He could have had everyone you have ever met here soothing you or have the therapist sitting with you right now.”

She sniffled and wiped her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

He cuddled her against him and pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “It’s fine, little one. You have been through a lot, and it all came to the surface today. You are going to be experiencing issues with this for a while. You can let it out.”

Misty huffed. “I don’t like to let it out.”

“Let out the bad and let it soar into the night.”

“I can’t. It keeps creeping out when I don’t expect it.” She sniffled.

“You can, and you should. Mekked has authorized the mind healer, so you can have the block removed, and Dr. Remak will be able to work a little faster.”

Misty blinked. “I thought there wasn’t a hurry.”

He chuckled and smoothed his hand along her hair. “Mekked said something about adhering to the contract and then muttered about his time running out.”

“His time?”

“Sea folk run a little hot when they have a mate, and he has a mate that he has agreed to let go through therapy and come out whole before he begins to demand her attendance on him when he needs her to.”

She paused and chuckled. “Ah, so this is to get me to work as quickly as possible.”

Kekkari chuckled. “Something like that. The sensors are set now. If you cry out again, I will be here in a moment.”

“Thank you. I will be fine.”

“Hm. You plan to just stay awake through the night.”

“How many more hours are there?”

“Five. You will go to sleep, and I will stay with you.”

She nodded, and he let her crawl back into the bed, and she pulled Mekked’s pillow to her. There wasn’t enough scent left, so she sighed and moved over to her side.

Kekkari came around, and she took in his loose trousers and naked torso. Like most Vecchin, he was made of muscle and smooth hide. She pulled the sheet up, and he stroked her hair. “Why did you move, little one?”

“The scent was gone, so no point.”

“Ah. I thought that might be it. I will be back in a few minutes.”

She let her fatigue pull her under, and when the scent of Mekked was near her, she smiled and fell into a deep sleep. When she woke up with light streaming around her, she saw the shirt that had been tucked near her head, blushing. Hazda wasn’t waiting for her, but there was a ribbon tied around Misty’s wrist that led to one of the compressed wardrobes that the Vecchin favoured. She had no option. She had to walk to the wardrobe and open it to find a display of an astonishing array of clothing, some of which were lit up. She took the hint that she was supposed to select something new, so she did. Long sleeves, long skirt, and high neckline.

She took the dress as it was whirred forward and fluffed up. She carried it to the shower room and went to get showered and dressed. The dress was more modest, but it fit like a second skin from shoulder to hip.

Misty put on some matching shoes and headed down to the kitchen. Kekkari was talking as he worked, and he said, “She was fine after I found your gym wear. I just have to remember and save the shirt before the bots get to it and scrub it. I don’t know how much of your scented gear is left around here.”

Misty spoke up. “I put it in a cupboard in the lav. It should be safe there until tonight.”

Kekkari turned, and there was a slightly guilty expression in his eyes. “Ah, Misty. You are up early.”

The display on the counter turned, and Mekked’s face was in the unit. “Good morning, Misty. Rough night?”

“For Kekkari more than me.” She walked toward the display. “Getting the freighter fixed?”

He gave a slight nod of his head. “I hear therapy was hard.”

“Worse for the therapist than me. I knew what was going to come out of my mouth.”

“Do you ever have a bad day?”

She shrugged. “It is always worse for someone else.”

He chuckled. “Too much empathy. Are you going to keep yourself healthy and safe until I get home?”

She inclined her head. “Of course.”

He smiled. “The mind healer will be there today, and I would recommend not eating an hour before they remove the block. That dress looks lovely on you. The style suits you.”

“Thank you.” She smiled wryly. “And thank you for picking it out.”

He grinned. “You are welcome. I am glad to see that it lives up to my imagination.”

“Keep your mind on your work, Master. I will be here when you return.”

He sighed. “You don’t need to call me that.”

She shrugged. “That is the instruction that they gave us at the station.”

“I am not full Hmrain.”

“So... Mister?” It was hard finding a Vecchin equivalent word.

He snorted. “Enjoy your day, nap if you have to after the removal, and wait until you feel better. The repair here is going well and should be done soon. We should be back in a few days.”

She nodded. “I will see you when you get back.”

“You definitely will, and if Hazda offers to take you out and you want to go... go. Hazda will pay, and if she doesn’t, I have a spare credit chit in the bedroom inside my clothing organizer. You can bring that with you. It doesn’t require any code.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Well, I have to sign off. Take care of yourself until I can, and you can trust Kekkari and Hazda.”

“I know.” She smiled. “He found one of your sweaty shirts for me and tucked it in near me.”

“I didn’t know you were scent attached.”

Misty grimaced. “Neither did I.”

He chuckled. “Communication out.”

The screen went dark.

Misty looked to Kekkari, and he delivered a plate to the table where a carafe of kio was sitting. “I’m sorry. Did you need to discuss anything with him?”

“You were the topic of conversation, and you managed that just fine.” He smiled and patted her shoulder. “Eat. Are you always an early riser?”

“The café started to get busy early, and I couldn’t sleep through the sound, so I got up and started my day.” She settled and started to eat.

She had finished her meal and was sipping a cup when Hazda came in with her tablets and frazzled appearance. She looked so carefree at the café, but now, she was working.

Hazda grinned and said, “Sleep well?”

Kekkari snorted.

“Not particularly.” She smiled. “It got better eventually.”

Hazda sighed and put one of her tablets aside. “There. Done. Fortunately, when they are off-world, the damage is minimal.”

Kekkari brought Hazda her breakfast, and he chuckled. “They must be getting old.”

Hazda laughed. “Not fast enough.”

Misty sipped her beverage and filled Hazda’s cup.

Kekkari made himself a plate and joined them.

Misty finally asked, “Does anyone know when the mind healer is arriving?”

Kekkari smiled. “In forty-five minutes.”

Hazda smiled. “Mekked made the call?”

“He made the call. Poor Remak was all stressed out, so she wants to do it the quick way.”

Misty sighed. “Once she realized I wasn’t hiding anything from myself, she started crying.”

They sighed and talked about the day, and Misty got up and said, “I am going to wander around outside.”

She exited through the kitchen door and walked past the fresh veg and herb gardens. The patterned hedges called to her, and she ran toward them with a giggle.

* * * *

Mekked watched the surveillance on the gardens, and he grinned and felt relief that Misty would run and skip when she thought no one was looking.

She was laughing as she ran. Completely carefree. Her hair rippled out behind her, and she romped around for quite a while.

Soith looked over his shoulder. “This is seriously creepy, Mekked. She doesn’t know you are watching.”

“She knows.”

“How can you tell?”

Misty paused in the middle of some flowers, and she bowed toward the camera before she scampered off again.

Mekked chuckled. “That’s how I can tell.”

“How does she know?”

“Last night, she had a nightmare, and my sensors alerted me to audio interference in my bedroom. I called Kekkari, and he went to her and comforted her.”

“How is she today?”

“Trying to distract herself before the mind healer removes her block. I am very curious to see what happens when the block is lifted.”

Aldrun asked, “Do they know we are coming back today?”

Mekked sighed happily. “No, they do not.”

Soith laughed. “You are an ass.”

Mekked chuckled. “I know. It will be a bit of torture as her therapy won’t be complete, but I will get to hold her again.”

Aldrun muttered, “And that is all that matters, after all.”

Mekked watched Misty playing in the flowers and twirling in the early morning light. “Yes, it is.”

* * * *

The mind healer was efficient and a little bit brutal. When he left, Hazda touched her mind gently, and she didn’t faint.

The call to Remak happened quickly. The therapist arrived, and in between cups of tea, she ran the cycle through Misty’s thoughts until the horrors were worn shadows. It took hours, and Misty was lightheaded when it was over, but the memories were no longer slipping into her thoughts. She felt clean.

Misty’s legs wobbled as she stood up, and Kekkari helped her up and to the kitchen table. He got her a cup of kio and made her a meal of cheese and meat pastry with a side of crisp marinated vegetables.

He rubbed her back every time he passed.

She laughed. It was like he was trying to soothe a toddler.

Hazda got called away, and Misty was a little sleepy, so she headed to bed and lay on the covers, still dressed. She hadn’t taken an afternoon nap in ages, but Mekked had said to rest when she needed to, and her head pounded and memories now felt so small. It was like they didn’t fill her head anymore.

With her head aching and empty, she decided a nap would help settle her. She lay back and wrapped an arm around her ribs and slept.

Something soft caressed her lips, and the smell was flowers. She stretched and smiled, squirming in place.

She opened her eyes, sat up, and scooted back. “Mekked!”

He grinned and twirled the flower between his fingers. “We finished early and headed back. It seems that you finished your work as well.”

She stared into his black eyes. “I did. I took a nap because my head hurt.”

“How does it feel now?” He stroked her forehead with the flower.

“Better.”

“I have decided I want you to greet me with a hug and a kiss when we have been separated.”

She looked at his mouth. “When does that start?”

“The moment that I left. It seemed like a good idea that turned into a better idea as time went on.”

She leaned forward and touched his neck, pressing her lips to his softly. Misty felt his arms go around her, and he held her head as the kiss deepened until her soft sighs and gasps were filling the room along with his low humming and slow growling.

The kiss filled her with heat, and she relaxed into his grip. He slowed the stroking of his tongue, and his touch on her legs preceded his hand dragging her skirt upward. He didn’t hesitate, his fingers touched between her thighs, and he smiled when he found her slick and hot.

He touched and stroked; his fingers slipped and slid.

She clutched at his neck, and her other hand gripped his wrist as fingers delved into her, and she moaned, then whined as his very intuitive hand found the right spots to lead her to a deep, throbbing conclusion. She pressed her forehead to his and panted as her body pulsed and clasped around his fingers.

“And hello to you, Misty.” He chuckled.

She looked into his eyes, and tiny pinpricks of stars were forming in them. “Are you going to do that every time?”

He chuckled. “I certainly hope so. Are you?”

She blushed. “I certainly hope so.”

He grinned and kissed her again, slowly moving his fingers inside her. “No weird memories?”

“No. They have been run to ash. The therapist was exhausted but satisfied. It is a very efficient system.”

“And available only to the Vecchin.”

“Yeah, I hadn’t heard of it before. Also, nice tip on waiting an hour before letting a mind healer in. I am guessing they get barfed on a lot.”

He laughed. “They do, and they do not like it.”

She giggled and then gasped as his fingers sought and found her g-spot. She whined as his fingers began to slide over it rapidly. He flattened her to the bedding and kissed her again as he built the heat in her until she dug her fingers into his shoulders and screamed into his mouth.

He lifted his head slightly. “Oh, I liked that one. The energy streaming off you was intense. And tasty. I will be doing that again. You are lovely.”

She knew her expression was glazed, and she felt a little sweaty. She was a mess. She met his gaze, and there was satisfied admiration. To him, she was lovely. Oh, she was lost.

Chapter Seven

Misty was sitting on a bench in the shower, dazed and tingling. Mekked was humming with energy. “I now understand why my father is so protective of my mother. The rush of energy is incredible.”

He played the spray over her back and then around to her breasts. “How do you feel?”

She chuckled. “Fine. A little dazed. I didn’t expect to be seeing stars in your bedroom.”

He hummed happily. “How many times did you climax?”

“I lost track after six. I think you wore my clit out.”

He leaned in and stroked his hand gently over her sex. “No, it’s still here and as pert as ever.”

At his final gentle pat, she gritted her teeth to keep from sighing. “Am I clean yet?”

He knelt next to her and stood her up with her foot on the bench. She hadn’t expected him to look... but he looked. “You appear to be clean, but I think—” He leaned forward, and his tongue did the checking.

Despite his hands being on her thighs, she nearly pitched forward. She braced her hands on his shoulders and slipped down his back. She felt nodules under his skin near his spine and gasped and whined as his tongue delved into her, swirled, and he teased and taunted her until the slow circles around her clit caused her to whimper as her knees gave way. He caught her with a laugh and held her while she shivered and twitched.

“I think that’s enough for now. Kekkari will be upset if he has to hold dinner for us.”

She looked at him with wary eyes. “We can get dressed now?”

He kissed her softly. “Yes. Once we are properly connected, I will not have to take so much from you. Now, you are just a delightful source of energy that I can call on, but soon, we will be in a much better situation. Then, I can take energy from you, and you can take it from me.”

“What would I need it for?”

“Strength, healing, whatever you need.”

She swallowed. “Oh.”

He nuzzled her cheek in a sign of Vecchin affection. “Come on. Let’s pick something for you to wear, and after dinner, we can go walk in the plaza.”

“A walk?”

Mekked chuckled. “Just a walk. They have fountains and floral displays and stalls that sell all kinds of sweets.”

She perked up. “Fountains?”

“You like fountains?”

“I have seen vid clips on customer’s units, and they looked so pretty.”

“Fountains it is.” He stroked her cheek.

They got up, and he chose an outfit for her that was two pieces of fabric pinned with gemstones at strategic points. It covered her, but it wasn’t very thick and fluttered a lot when she moved.

He wore a Roman-style skirt and knee-high boots. His tunic was the same silky material that hers was.

He dialled up her shoes, and she grinned when it was boots that matched his. She hopped up and down and then stopped when he grinned.

“Oops. I know that there are undergarments available here.”

He nodded. “There are.”

“So, why aren’t I wearing any?”

“Because you are my contracted consort.” He slid his hand down her backside. “You are at my disposal at all times. It was in the contract.”

She blushed. “I remember.”

He kissed her shoulder. “Shall we head down to dinner?”

“Sure.” They were in the hall when she asked, “Is the surveillance in the bedroom on when you are here?”

He chuckled. “It is, but I am the only one who gets the recordings of it.”

“Ah. And you saw me goofing around in the yard?”

“I did. We were nearly back by then, just passing the moons.”

His warm hand pressed against her back as they descended the steps and entered the dining room.

Soith and Aldrun looked tired compared to Mekked’s glowing alertness. They looked at him and then her in surprise. “Well, damn. That explains the rush.” Soith smiled.

She blushed and went to take the empty seat, but he pulled her onto his lap.

The thin fabric put her smack on his erection without a solid barrier, and her face got hotter.

Aldrun snorted and shook his head. “A five-day mission in two and a half days. It’s a new record, all because the overseer finally found a consort. I think we should leave him behind next time.”

Mekked chuckled as he started to run his hands over her arms, ostensibly to warm her, but he was stroking his new pet, and she had no illusions as to his motivation.

Soith was practical as Kekkari put the food in front of them. “What kind of power bump have you gotten?”

“A solid five percent, and we aren’t even linked yet. I think once we have completed our connection, a seventy-five percent increase is not out of the question.”

The men looked at her, and she looked at the dinner. She reached out for her utensil, and Mekked’s hand beat her to it. He started to feed her, and she worried about her dress—or what there was of it—the whole time.

Soith smiled. “So, you two look like you are heading out. Where are you going?”

Mekked paused in the consumption of his portion of dinner. “To the plaza. We are going to walk around and see the fountains.”

Aldrun blinked. “Just walk around?”

“Yes. That is what couples do.”

Soith grinned. “Yeah, but no one has ever seen you do it before. You are going to be swarmed with fans.”

Misty asked, “Is it going to be a problem?”

Mekked murmured, “There will be no problem. Just stay close.”

She looked at his thighs and then his face. “Closer than this?”

He chuckled. “We have not gotten nearly close enough for my liking.”

Soith laughed as Aldrun snorted.

Kekkari came in with two desserts, and he grinned. “Since you two are heading out, you don’t get dessert. You will have to find it at the plaza.”

Mekked sighed. “Then, I suppose that we should be on our way.”

Misty squawked. “Please, tell me we aren’t going to fly in this.”

He stood her up and rose to his feet. “Even I wouldn’t be so cruel. We are taking a pod.”

She blinked. “Oh. Right.”

Mekked nodded to his team. “Get some rest. You look like hell.”

“We don’t have a battery with curves at our disposal, though now that we see what she can do, we might start looking for our own.”

Aldrun said, “There are two here on Vecchin.”

Misty paused and turned to them, speaking and using manual. “My sister is of age, but if you bring her here, expect me to be dead in a matter of hours. She hates me, and half of the memories that Remak burned out were of her and my mother torturing me. So, please. Don’t.”

She was tense and trembling. Mekked wrapped his arm around her, and the other two defenders looked concerned.

He said, “The Lacallan colony has a few thousand Terrans. Have the eligible females tested and see what pops up.”

Soith grinned. “Will you pay for testing?”

Mekked chuckled. “Sure.”

Aldrun was halfway through his dessert. “Excellent. Do they come in different colours?”

Mekked hugged her. “I didn’t notice any colours other than shining pink when she came, but I suppose they are all different.”

Misty was distracted, and she clamped a hand over her mouth when she realized what he was describing. “Ohmygod.”

He turned her in his arms and leaned in to kiss her. It got hot fast. She was whimpering and pressing against him, pulling at him, and she heard muttering in the background.

When he lifted his head, she pressed her forehead to his chest, and Aldrun asked, “What in the hells was that, and where do I get one?”

Mekked chuckled. “It’s a Terran thing. See you later.”

He kept his arm around her and walked her out of the dining room. Her lips tingled and throbbed, and her thighs slid together. He was bad for her dignity, but he didn’t care, and there were none of her people to judge her.

They walked to the small flight deck off one wing of the house, and he tucked her carefully into the pod before he got into the pilot’s seat, closed the crystal bubble, and they were up and off.

She folded her hands. “You have left them with the idea that I have an erogenous zone in my mouth.”

He chuckled. “Prove you don’t. I am enjoying it very much.”

He piloted them over the glittering city with sweeping spires and elegant bridges. It was a city for walking.

He settled the pod on a landing area with the same tattoo like the one on his chest. He lifted the crystal canopy, got out, and came around to her side. He held his hand out to her and smiled when she slipped her palm along his. She was out and in his arms, and they were flying slowly above the city to the plaza with the fountains.

He landed them carefully and took her hand to kiss it before he smiled, and they walked toward the fountains that all shared water through arcing jets that climbed higher and higher in the statues until they jetted skyward in a fine mist. The plaza was two kilometres long, and every ten metres was a new statue and fountain. It was spectacular.

Misty was excited, and as they started the walk, folks stopped and stared at Mekked. She ignored the crowd, and when she felt insecure, she felt his warm hand on her lower back. It let her know where he was.

The splashing of the water and rhythmic pulses moving from fountain to fountain was a pleasant sound, and she found herself swaying to the beat.

He murmured, “You are dancing again.”

She paused.

“Don’t stop. You are happy when you dance.”

She chuckled and resumed swaying and turning. He stayed with her every step.

They walked for over an hour, and at the midway of the fountains, he wrapped her in his arms and murmured, “Let’s find dessert.”

She looked up at him and grinned. “This had better be good and not something Kekkari would make.”

“I am going to tell him you said that.”

Misty thought about what she had said, and she gasped. “Do not tell him I said that.”

Mekked grinned. “What will you give me to keep quiet?”

She was pinned to his chest. “What do you want? My resources are limited.”

His hand on her back moved down to her butt, and he lifted her with his grip. “I want you. I want you with me and under me for hours and days.”

“That is pretty steep for an accidental insult.”

“Wrap your legs around me and kiss me. Would that be fair?”

She looked around at the audience they had. “Here? Now?”

“Yes.”

She looked at him and scissored her legs around him, draped her arms around his neck, and brushed her lips against his. “I still need to learn how to swim. Can you find me a tutor for that?”

“I will teach you. Tomorrow.”

She kissed him, and there were sounds of astonishment as their mouths met and mated. He bent so she was hanging from him and slid his fingers under her skirt. The public display of intimacy was commented on, and when one of his digits slipped inside her, she inhaled sharply and stifled a moan.

“Oh, no, I want to hear it,” he whispered as his middle finger flexed inside her and his thumb rocked around her clit.

“They will hear it too...”

“Tough. It is mine. I earned it.” He kissed her, his fingers slid, rocked, and worked her, and she bucked and shuddered in his grip.

He lifted his head, and his eyes glowed. He smiled and slowly pulled his hand free with a wet smacking sound. To her horror, he brought his hand to his mouth and licked and sucked her juices off. He grinned at her. “I have had my dessert; though, I would have preferred to get it from the source. Now we need to find something for you.”

She was blushing as he set her down on her feet. “I’m fine.”

“No. Kekkari would never forgive me if I didn’t get you something sweet.”

He put his arm around her waist and walked her toward the food vendors. Kiosks of sweet and savoury lined up together, and all trying to get Mekked’s attention. Calls of Honourable Defender rang in the air as they walked slowly down the path until he felt her tense slightly. “That one?”

She had seen it before but never up close. It looked like marshmallows, berries, and cotton candy on a stick. “Yes, please.”

Mekked stood with her at the vendor, and the startled man quickly pulled one of the confections together. Misty looked at it with mounting anticipation, and the man looked up and grinned.

Misty understood immediately. “Mekked, how long have I been broadcasting?”

“Since you started dancing.”

She sighed and looked at him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You were having fun; they were having fun. The couples on the plaza have all scampered off because what I didn’t consume reached them.”

She blushed, and he took the confection from the vendor and then tried to pay. The man wrapped the terminal in his own hands. “It’s on me, Defender Mekked.”

“I don’t accept gifts.”

“May your lady?” The grinning vendor gestured to her.

“Why?” He looked down, and Misty had consumed half the treat while he argued. It had seemed like a good time to go taste testing.

She wiped the corners of her mouth. “What? It was getting cold or warm or something.”

Mekked snorted. “Fine. My lady may accept something, but just this once and just because it is already gone.”

Misty shrugged. “Sorry. I worked up an appetite, and I am used to eating from your hand.”

The vendor cracked up and snickered.

Mekked looked at her and tossed the spike into a nearby recycling unit without even looking. He caressed her cheek. “You have quite the appetite, Misty.”

She licked her lips, and he leaned in to swipe the sugary stuff from her with his tongue. Her lips were tingling, and she clung to him before he finished. “So do you.”

He grinned, wrapped an arm around her, and said, “On that note, my appetites are wide awake now.”

She didn’t have a chance to reply when he launched them skyward and back to the pod. She kept her thighs tight together until he tucked her into the pod. At that point, keeping them together became impossible with his hand in the way. It turned out that the pod could fly by voice command.

His determined hands brought her to climax twice before the pod landed at his home.

He carried her inside and up to his bedroom.

He pulled off his clothing, tearing some of the pieces. He pulled his boots off and then looked at her. “You are overdressed.” He placed his fists near her collarbone, and the dress sheared in two with a wet tearing sound.

He dropped it to the ground and sighed. “There you are.”

She smiled. “I still have the boots on.”

He grinned. “I like them.”

“Of course you do. They match yours.”

He sighed. “Yes. So, are you coming to me freely and willingly?”

She stepped toward him, slid one hand up his chest and the other around the erection ringed by a set of marks that matched the one on his chest. His cock was conical and would enter her easily. After he was in, it was anyone’s guess how far he would make it because the base was huge. The ten inches in between were what had her worried.

“I come to you willingly, but I am under contract, so free is flexible.”

He grinned, and his teeth flashed. “Close enough.”

She felt nervous anticipation when he stroked her arms, but when he leaned in to kiss her, she went up on her toes to meet him.

He was really good at kissing. His tongue teased and flicked, and she moaned. His hands balanced on her waist gently, and he eased her to the edge of the bed platform.

She stepped over the slippery silk, and he knelt at her feet. She was confused until he raised her left leg and draped it over his shoulder. His hands lifted her up, and she yelped as her sex came down squarely on his mouth. “You are going to suffocate.”

He lifted her for a moment. “I can hold my breath for a very long time.”

He settled her on his mouth again, and she curled over him, clutching his shoulders as his tongue slipped and slid inside her. His hands held her securely, but she still dug her nails into his shoulders and the back of his hair as he took her to the edge of release and left her there. She whined as he lifted her off him, and his black eyes gleamed. His mouth was shining from the contact, and he set her on the platform before dragging her to the centre of the space and settling her on her belly.

“I don’t want to rush this, but the process needs to start, so I will, but let me know if it is too uncomfortable for you.”

She made a curious sound and tried to push herself to sit, but he pressed on her back and flattened her to the platform.

Misty felt him nuzzling at her neck, and then, his teeth bit into her skin, and she gasped as four and then eight needle-sharp teeth buried themselves in her skin.

His fingers slid into her and thrust deep without warning. Heat spiralled from the bite, and her world exploded in a parade of stars that didn’t stop.

Chapter Eight

Misty just had to react. There was no action called for that Mekked wasn’t already doing. His fingers found spots inside her that she didn’t know she had, and once she started cumming, it just kept going.

The moment his fingers left and his erection started to make itself at home inside her, she braced her hands flat on the platform to stop the friction from driving her toward the headboard.

Once inside her, he wrapped his arms under her and gripped her shoulders, stopping her sliding progress. He surged forward and inched into her as she whined and gasped. Full wasn’t a word that described how she felt, and when he finally stopped moving into her, it was because he was fully pressed against her thighs. Pain, pressure, and pleasure overwhelmed her.

She was gasping for air and gripping the thin layer of fabric under her. She didn’t want to move because she wasn’t sure what would happen.

He released her, nuzzled and licked at the bite. “That’s pretty.”

She swallowed. “What comes next?”

He chuckled. “I do, and then you do. And after that, anytime you do, I can consume it completely.”

She shuddered. “Oh. Good.”

“Don’t worry, sweet. I won’t take more than you can give, but we need to find your limits.”

“Today?”

“There isn’t an alert or distress call. I would like to proceed as far as I can.” His chest was sliding over her back.

“Are you slippery?”

He chuckled. “My mother’s heritage. That’s how I got into you to start with. You were hellishly tight.”

She took offense. “You are too big.”

He chuckled. “You have taken more of me than any other partner. Now, I just need you to ripple around me again, and the link will be complete.”

He moved a hand under her hips, and he started to stroke, rub, and swirl her clit. She started to shake, and he chuckled when her hips tried to move with him impaling her. Misty clenched around him, and he groaned, and then, waves of silky heat spread from him.

Misty expected a few spurts, and then it would subside, but he just kept coming. It made her feel super tight, and then, suddenly, everything relaxed. While the heat continued to spill, her body was doing something with it.

Mekked pressed into her and flexed inside her, and it still continued. When he finally shuddered to a halt, his hand under her moved up to massage her belly. “How are you feeling?”

She blinked. “Still seeing stars.”

He chuckled. “Good, it means the nanites are active. They will start working on you to link your body, energies, frequencies, and life span to mine. As I am not fully Hmrain, I will not live indefinitely, but for all of my days, you are with me.”

“That wasn’t mentioned.”

“It was in the fine print.” He nuzzled at her neck and ear.

“I should have gotten legal representation.”

“Aldrun was a barrister. He could have helped.” His palm tightened on her belly, and she gasped. “Too late though. You are mine now. My very own companion.”

She shuddered and moaned. “Where is it all going?”

“Well, some of it is looking to see if you have an egg available; the nanites are working on your ovaries and the rest of you. If you are cycling and they can get one ready, some of the seed will find it and hopefully start something.”

She wasn’t able to think of that. She was pinned under a superhero and had no idea what happened next. He licked at the bite again and sighed. “So pretty.”

He rose up off her and tilted her to one side, draping and supporting her leg over his arm while he turned her head and kissed her. His body was over hers at a right angle, and it blocked out the light.

His lips were soft against hers, and his hips started moving. Her grunt of surprise was swallowed in his mouth, and his hand teased her breasts with a light but firm grip.

Misty lost track of time as he remained inside her, moving gently through six positions and several hours. She had no idea how many times she had come, but his eyes glowed brighter each time.

A large hand smoothed over her back, and she groaned.

Mekked kissed her shoulder and trailed his fingers over her hip. “The aches and pains will fade quickly. Do you want me to take them away?”

She grunted.

He chuckled, and she felt the comforting touch of his mind on hers, cooling the hot spots and washing them away. The cool relaxation swept through her, and she stretched in place. In a few seconds, all the pain was gone.

She sighed and relaxed on the sheet. “Nice trick.”

Mekked chuckled. “You have seen some of my better tricks today. You did very well.”

Misty muttered, “Can I cancel the contract? I think you are going to wear me out.”

He lowered his lips to her ear. “No. You are mine, little Terran.”

She felt him touch her mind again, and he was teaching part of her thoughts how to do something. And he curled around her from behind, and his mind and hers remained locked together until she dozed off again.

Kekkari spoke in clear tones. “You have to feed her. She can’t live off sex like you do, Mekked.”

Misty lifted her head and said, “Yay! Food!”

Mekked eased her to a sitting position and cuddled her on his lap.

She asked Kekkari, “How long have we been up here?”

“Two and a half days. I left trays, but they went uneaten.”

Mekked’s eyes narrowed in embarrassment. “I forgot.”

“Stop forgetting. Come downstairs and feed your mate.”

Mekked sighed. “I know that tone. How many alerts have I missed?”

“Two. Aldrun and Soith covered for you. Flooding and landslides. No lives lost.”

Mekked slumped in relief, but he kept nuzzling at Misty until she lifted her head and reciprocated.

Kekkari asked, “Is she all right?”

Misty nodded. “Just tired and a bit achy and wondering when I got tattooed?”

Mekked paused. “Tattoo?”

“Your mark showed up on me.”

She looked below her navel, and the mark scrolled just above her pubic bone.

Mekked rubbed it slowly. “Look at that.”

Kekkari stared. “Already?”

Misty blinked. “What?”

Mekked chuckled. “I will tell you later. It’s a very good sign that we are compatible.”

She looked up at him sleepily. “I have to get showered and dressed.”

“I will help you, Misty.”

She smiled, and he carried her to the bathing room. Kekkari went down to prep their meal.

She sat while he tended to her carefully and sighed as he massaged her scalp. He held her while she dried and then picked a dress that was comfortable on her abraded skin. The deep-sea teeth were sharp. He hadn’t bitten her aside from the bonding mark, but he had come very close.

The gown was high in front and deeply cut in back. He stroked her hair over one shoulder and smiled. “It is still pretty.”

She blushed. “I don’t see how, but I guess it is in the eye of the beholder.”

He got dressed in a tunic and trousers, which were the Vecchin equivalent to jeans and a tee-shirt.

She was going to ask about shoes for her, but he picked her up again, and they were heading for the door.

In the dining room, he sat with her carefully cradled in his lap. Soith and Aldrun looked relieved.

“Well, Misty, you looked tired but healthy.” Soith’s relief was evident.

“Just a few twinges and lacking sleep.”

Aldrun chuckled. “That is a relief. We thought he was trying to pound you through the floor.”

She yawned. “No. That was yesterday.”

They chuckled, and Mekked kissed her temple. Kekkari brought out dinner, and Mekked fed her carefully, kissing her in between bites. It was cute. She was his favourite pet for the moment until someone shinier came along.

He murmured, “You are for me, from now until I cease to draw breath. No one else will come along.”

Soith blinked. “You merged minds?”

Mekked chuckled. “Emotional tether. If I focus on her, I can pick up her thoughts.”

Misty looked at him. “That is both sweet and creepy.” She felt a surge of caring with a tinge of lust. “I honestly don’t think I can. Certainly not at the dinner table.”

Kekkari came in. “Mekked! Feed her. No fucking at the dinner table.”

Mekked looked at her, and there was promise in his eyes. “Later then.”

“Kekkari, are there any hiding places here that Mekked can’t get into?” She spoke clearly.

Kekkari snorted. “Sorry, Misty. No. He can tear through just about anything we have here.”

Misty sighed. “Fine.” She poked him in the chest. “But you are doing all the work... again.”

He laughed and resumed feeding her. When he finished her meal and was eating his own, Kekkari asked, “What dessert did you have?”

Misty frowned. “It was a fluffy, sugary thing on a stick.”

Kekkari laughed. “My niece loves those.”

“The vendor gave it to her. He refused to let me pay.” Mekked mumbled around bites of dinner.

Soith blinked. “Why?”

Mekked chuckled. “I set her off in the middle of the plaza, and it was like a rock in a pond. Couples just disappeared.”

Aldrun blinked. “You didn’t.”

Mekked laughed. “I did. She broadcast across the plaza.”

Misty yawned and leaned against Mekked, rubbing her cheek against his chest. She felt a tap on her mind, and she looked at Aldrun.

He grinned. “She has a shield now.”

Misty breathed deeply and rested against Mekked again. His chest rose and fell, and he was so warm. His arm supported her, and she dozed off. Again.

* * * *

Mekked felt her slip into sleep again and smiled. They had coupled countless times, and she had responded sweetly each time. The energy running through his veins was heady. He had thought it before, but his parents’ obsession with each other was now making a certain sense. If anyone tried to part them now, he would simply destroy them.

Misty stirred and lifted her hand to his chest. His heart ached. He had touched her worn memories and knew what she had experienced at her family’s hands. She survived, and it was a testament to her inner strength that she had come out with her mind intact. At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to wrap himself around her and keep her safe.

“That is an expression I haven’t seen before.” Soith smiled.

Mekked glanced at him. “What?”

“You look like you are cuddling a kit.”

Mekked chuckled softly. “She is very soft.”

Aldrun smiled. “You think there are any more like her out there?”

“I think she is one of a kind, but we can keep feelers out for you at the new colony my father has started or the one my sister is maintaining.”

Soith grimaced. “Your sister is scary.”

He laughed. “I will tell Hazda you said so. She’s very proud of her mother.”

Soith rubbed his forehead. “Will you ask?”

Mekked tightened his grip on Misty. “I will ask.”

Aldrun grinned. “Don’t wear her out.”

“She’s in transformation right now. It’s why she’s so tired. She’ll be fine.”

Soith looked at her. “Is she glowing?”

Mekked chuckled. “Yeah. The nanites are having quite the time in her.”

Aldrun blinked. “Is she supposed to be glowing?”

Mekked laughed softly. “I have no idea. All of our consorts are different, and the programming given to Vecchin will manifest differently than your grandfather’s would.”

Soith looked at her. “Do you think she will get more than good health?”

Mekked shrugged. “Not a clue, but if she is healthy, I will be content.”

He looked down at the dark crescents of her lashes and stroked her glowing cheek.

Kekkari was clearing plates and said, “Maybe she would rest better in her bed.”

“I think she could rest well in a war zone right now.” Mekked chuckled.

Aldrun squinted. “Are her ears pointed?”

“They weren’t.” Mekked brushed her hair away. “But they are now. I wonder if she will like that.”

The alarm started chiming, and he looked at her. “Damn.”

Aldrun chuckled. “You can sit this one out.”

Kekkari said, “I will take her and tuck her in. I am pretty sure there is enough of both of you on the sheets to help her sleep.”

Mekked kissed her forehead and handed her carefully to Kekkari. He got up and ran up the stairs to change clothes. He was back down, and Soith blinked. “When did you get that fast?”

Mekked chuckled. “I don’t remember when, but there was a course of energy up my spine. That is when I knew I had gotten something extra like she was powering up an annex.”

Kekkari was nearly out the door, and he said, “Just remember that she doesn’t move at that speed, and friction burns are a real thing.”

Mekked watched his mate be carried to a restful sleep, and he sighed. “Right. Where are we going?”

The team formed up, and they were on their way out.

* * * *

Misty stretched and smoothed her hands along the sheets. Mekked was gone. She ached, and it wasn’t soreness. She missed him.

She sat up and rumpled her hair. She got up, got dressed, and put on some soft boots. Her stomach was rumbling, so she headed down to the kitchen.

Hazda grinned from the table when she came in. “Misty... you look. Oh, wow. Your eyes have changed.”

Misty shrugged. “I saw it in the mirror upstairs.”

“You don’t mind?”

Misty chuckled. “I don’t mind.”

Kekkari blinked and grinned. “You look... different.”

“Yeah, saw that, too. I feel pretty good. How long have they been gone?” She asked Hazda

“Twelve hours. Hostage situation. It has rectified, though, so they should be home in the next hour.”

She smiled. “Great. What can I eat?”

He grinned. “Have a seat, and I will bring something quick.”

“Thanks. Something with a lot of calories. Mekked is looking forward to a recharge.”

Kekkari paused. “You can speak to him?”

“Feel him. He’s hungry all over.”

Hazda grinned. “Oh. Wow.”

Misty shrugged. “Just trying to get used to the new normal.”

Hazda leaned forward and whispered, “Are you sore at all?”

“No. No aches or twinges.”

“Good. I didn’t want to have to get you a medical workup in the next hour.”

Misty chuckled. “I don’t think you have that kind of time. They are pretty close.”

A fruit smoothie was set down in front of her with a protein shake next to it. Kekkari muttered, “Get started.”

She laughed and slugged down the protein shake before starting on the smoothie. Her body absorbed everything, and by the time the solid food was ready, she was feeling sated.

She was sitting with a cup of tea and discussing career possibilities with Hazda when booted feet approached the kitchen. Misty was excited. When the exhausted and blood-spattered Mekked came in, she launched herself at him, and he caught her for a kiss.

Her blood heated, and the kiss got wild. When they parted their lips, they stood with their foreheads pressed together. He smiled. “Miss me?”

“Have a good day at work?” She grinned as he started walking to the stairs.

“Same old, same old. Kekkari, I would like some food in an hour if it’s not too much trouble.”

Kekkari smirked. “No trouble. Have a nice... rest.”

Mekked chuckled darkly. “Oh, I will.”

Misty nipped at his neck, and he moved upstairs quickly until they were in his bedroom and his hands were under her dress and stroking her as he kissed her neck. She sighed and ran her hands over his body armour. “One of us is grossly overdressed.”

He chuckled and dropped her to the platform. “You lose yours, and I will lose mine.”

Her dress was up and over her head, lying in a pool by the bed. Her soft boots were kicked off, and she was naked.

His body blurred, and then, she was staring at him, all silver and tattooed, and he was stepping toward her. His lust washed through her mind, and she chuckled and welcomed him. He tackled her to the bed and just stayed with his head between her breasts. He had had a rough day.

Chapter Nine

Misty grinned when he got up and lifted his head from her breasts to go and get the tray that Kekkari had brought up. He brought the tray and set it on the bed. “Will you help me eat it?”

She smiled. “I am full, but if you want to have a seat against the headboard, I will feed you.”

“That has not happened since I was a child.”

Misty snorted. “You do it to me frequently.”

“With you, it’s cute.” He smiled and stroked her cheek.

“It is caretaking. I am good at it. The faster you finish your meal, the faster we can take care of your other hunger.” She slid her hand up his inner thigh.

He grinned, there was a blur, and the tray was empty.

She sighed. “There goes my fun.”

Mekked pulled her to him, and he sighed. “When I am not exhausted and want nothing more than to be inside you, you can feed me.”

“I was thinking more of using you as a painting surface for the mousse desserts. And then, I would get to lick them all off. It might get me enthusiastic about desserts again.”

He grinned. “I would definitely be interested in that.”

“Well, since my plans are trashed, what were you thinking?”

He pulled her to him, kissed her until she was squirming against him, and then he turned and lay her back with her butt resting on his thighs, her legs splayed wide.

He ran his hand down her belly and spread his palm above her pubic bone.

“The mark is spreading a bit. What is it?”

“Gestation indicator.” He grinned. “You are pregnant.”

He lifted her carefully and slid her down until he was lodged in her entrance and slowly spreading her as her body weight pressed her onto him. She was staring up at him the whole time. “Pregnant?”

“We are a very good match.”

“But... pregnant?”

He smiled slowly and supported her hips as she descended until she had taken him all and he was surrounded by her. He kissed her, and she responded while her mind skittered around. He pressed kisses to her neck and licked the points on her ears. Her mind was spinning.

He leaned back, and she looked at him in confusion. “But... how?”

Mekked chuckled. “Allow me to refresh your memory.”

He held her close and tilted her to her back, carrying his weight on his elbows as he started to slowly move.

His mind was an excited inferno, but his body was calm and controlled until he brought her to the first climax, the second, the third, and then his thoughts overwhelmed her when his own washed over and into her.

Misty crawled up his chest and draped her arm across him. His arm was wrapped around her, and he sighed, then chuckled as his free hand touched her belly with wonder. “Look what you have started, Misty.”

“A tattoo.”

He laughed. “That as well. It’s a pity it is so low. I would enjoy showing it off.”

“I am suddenly glad about the placement. I don’t need to be flashing my vag all over the place.”

He stroked her belly. “I wouldn’t mind. Most Hmrain try for years before they manage to start a child.”

She swallowed. “Lucky you.”

“Yes, I have been lucky. How are you feeling? Are you tired?”

Misty sighed. “A little energized, actually.”

“Would you like a swimming lesson?”

She jolted upright. “Really?”

He grinned. “Really.”

“Do I have a suit?”

“You don’t need a suit. The pool is private.”

He picked her up and walked to the wardrobe, getting them both towels. His went around his hips, and she tucked hers around her breasts. He picked her up again and carried her through the house into a basement that she didn’t know about, and the humidity let her know where the water was.

She swallowed nervously, and he kissed her temple, licking her pointy ear.

“You are safe. We will take this slow, Misty.”

“Okay.”

He took off his towel, took hers off, and folded them neatly on a stone bench on the outside of the grotto.

He waded into the water, and he walked until he was hip-deep, and then, he turned back to her. “Sit on the side of the pool. When you have relaxed, I will show you the next step.”

Misty swallowed and walked to the edge of the pool and sat with her feet dangling in the comfortably temperate water. Mekked walked over, put his hands on the sides of the pool, and he kissed her.

She gripped his shoulders, and he was covered with a slick coating. “What’s that?”

He grinned. “My breathing layer. It absorbs water and filters the oxygen for me. It happens when I am in contact with salt water.”

He looked at her body and smiled. “And it seems to be happening to you.”

She looked at her arm and down at her body. She was developing a shiny gleam. “That hasn’t happened before.”

He chuckled. “I would guess not. The nanites have just finished with you. Well, are still finishing with you. You are still glowing.”

She looked around and held her hand up. “I thought my vision had changed.”

Mekked kissed her again. “No, just you, beautiful.”

She blushed.

“How are you feeling?”

“Embarrassed.”

He chuckled. “Tense? Panicked?”

“No. Warm and kind of limp.”

“Excellent. I am going to ease you into the water. Keep your hands on my shoulders.”

She nodded and leaned forward to kiss him as he pulled her into the water. She felt the water creeping up her body, but the kiss was her favourite distraction. The water crept higher, she kept the kiss going, then the water was rushing in her mouth, and she leaned back because she wasn’t coughing or spluttering.

He grinned and pulled them the last few inches so that she was completely submerged. His black eyes were gleaming. She looked around, and she was still breathing.

She used manual. “How?”

“You now have a membrane on your skin that will let you breathe underwater. So, now you need to learn to swim.”

“This is good enough.”

“No, it isn’t. You don’t know how to manage propulsion or direction. Surfacing...”

“Oh. I am just happy I won’t drown if someone holds me under.”

“The membrane only appears in salt water. You will still have to learn how to swim in fresh water, but I sensed drowning in open water was an issue for you.”

“You are correct. It is. So, how does swimming work?”

He grinned, and the lesson began.

Two hours later, she pulled herself to the shallow end and flopped onto the side and rolled her body out of the water. Mekked was laughing. “Not graceful, but I will allow it. You did get out of the grotto on your own.”

Her chest was heaving. “Sex underwater is still tiring.”

“I feel energized.” He stalked out of the water next to her.

“Yeah, well, you are weird.”

He chuckled, and as she watched, he went from shiny to matte. The membrane was back against his skin. She looked at her hand, and the same thing was happening. “Huh.”

He wrapped his towel around his hips. “Ready to go shower?”

She nodded and grunted as she pushed herself up to sitting. He pulled her up and wrapped her neatly. “Come on, sweet. You need a shower and a rubdown.”

She nodded. “And a nap. Water is heavy.”

He chuckled. “For a slip like you, it is. You will get used to it.”

Misty huffed. “No one mentioned manual labour would be involved.”

He laughed as he headed upstairs. “You didn’t ask. And it was in the fine print.”

She huffed, then paused. “Is swimming okay for the baby? I don’t have the high density that the deep-sea ladies have.”

“The tattoo is still slowly growing, so I am guessing it is fine. Perhaps not at depth when you are heavy with it.”

She blinked and slowly inched a hand toward her abdomen.

His mind sent her a wave of comfort. “You are nervous.”

“Terrified.”

“It will be fine. Would you feel better if I got your family off-world?”

She blinked. “How did you know I was worried about that?”

“Your mind was rifling through the faded memories at an astonishing rate.”

“If they could keep their credentials, that would be fine.”

“That isn’t possible. They are being tried for their crimes against you. Your therapist and the mind healer are testifying.”

“I thought that they wouldn’t be prosecuted.”

He chuckled. “The Education Station does not prosecute. The worlds they land on have the right to go over any questionable activities.” He had a grim expression. “We have the right to go through their minds and see any questionable activities, and if we find them, we can prosecute.”

“What would happen to them if they were found guilty?”

“We could either ship them to another colony, or we could blank their personal identifiers, leaving only the work skills.” He nodded. “Their intelligence will be untouched, but their emotional triggers will be completely erased.”

“That sounds tricky.”

“It is, but it is why we have specialists.”

Having felt the touch of a mind healer, she could only imagine what would happen if he had decided to purge and not wear those memories out. She wouldn’t have known a thing.

“Why didn’t you have me blanked? It would have been easier.”

“But, then I wouldn’t have had my perfect woman.” He smiled softly.

She blushed, he walked into his quarters, and they took their shower. When they were dried and dressed, he picked an outfit for her, and she blinked at how fancy it was.

“This seems weirdly formal.”

“I am taking you out to a concert tonight. If I get called away, Hazda is going to step in. Either way, you are going to see this concert.”

He wore a formal uniform with a silk sash across his chest, embroidered with the same mark as his skin. His black eyes were gleaming with happiness when he took her hand and led her downstairs.

Hazda came out when she heard them, and she stared. “Wow. I don’t think anyone is going to be able to deny that you found your mate.”

Hazda looked spectacular in a deeply cut gown that showed off her family mark.

“You look stunning, Hazda.”

Hazda came over and hugged her. “You look spectacular, and Mekked looks all kinds of smug. The only thing is that you don’t have a family mark yet.”

Mekked purred. “Oh, she does. It just isn’t readily visible yet.”

Hazda frowned. “But it will be visible?”

“It should start showing in about twenty weeks and grow more undeniable every passing day.”

Hazda blinked. Frowned. Looked at Misty with her eyes slowly tracking down until she stared at her belly. “Seriously? You got fucking lucky, Uncle. If you hadn’t met her at the café and gotten attached, you never would have gone to rescue her, and who knows where she would have ended up?”

Misty felt queasy. “Don’t mention that.”

Hazda winced. “Sorry.”

Mekked said, “Are you ready?”

Hazda nodded. “I am. Arrangements have been made. Everything is ready, but we need to go now.”

Mekked chuckled. “Then, let’s go.”

He kept his arm around Misty as they walked out to where a government transport was waiting. It had markings, armoured walls, and a driver.

Hazda entered first, then slid aside for Misty, and finally, Mekked settled in. The door was closed, and the driver turned into a pilot as they rose up and made a beeline for the capitol with no hint of paying attention to the flight corridors.

The concert hall was alight, and waves of pedestrians were heading inside. The transport descended and slotted neatly into a roped-off area, and Mekked got out, then Hazda, and finally, Misty put her hand in Mekked and let him pull her out. He immediately wrapped her hand around his arm and grinned down at her. “Ready?”

“For what?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Then, obviously not.”

He laughed. “Good.”

They walked toward the concert hall, and security came out to meet them and smiled. “She is waiting.”

Misty whispered, “Who is?”

Mekked grinned. “Your surprise.”

They walked inside with Hazda a few steps ahead. The dressing room had two guards. One of them knocked twice and then opened the door for their trio to walk inside.

Hazda turned to one of the attendants and spoke quietly. The woman scurried behind a separation curtain, and a very distinctive, “Holy shit!” rang out in perfect English.

Misty blinked. She knew that voice. “Abigail?” Her knees buckled.

“Get your pasty white butt around here, Misty!”

Misty had to be held by Mekked, but he helped her walk around the curtain where Abigail Yarrow was putting the final touches on her stage makeup.

Abigail turned and looked at Misty and her escort. “Uh, Overseer. I didn’t know you were with her.”

He chuckled. “I believe you. You look far too appalled.”

Misty blinked and looked up at him. “You speak English?”

“I got it from your mind along with ASL.” He winked.

She blinked. “Now I am regretting a lot of the things I said during sex.”

He laughed and leaned down to kiss her. She went up on her toes, and it wasn’t until Abigail cleared her throat that they separated.

She smiled kindly. “So, Misty, you are doing well?”

Misty giggled. “You could say that. I have gotten therapy and have a place to sleep, food, and clothes. I might eventually have citizenship.”

Abigail held out her hand, and one of her attendants put a pack in her hand. She smiled and got to her feet. “I believe that this is for you, from your overseer.”

Misty blinked and took the pack from her, opening it to find a unit inside, gleaming and new. She stroked it, and the words Terran Music Archive jumped out at her.

Her hands trembled, and she looked at Abigail, then turned to Mekked. “You got it.”

He stroked her cheek. “It was in the contract, the last item on my side of things, and you are now firmly bound to me.”

Abigail grinned. “Oh. Bondage.”

Misty giggled and went up to kiss him, and then, she turned to Abigail. “You are the performer tonight?”

“I am. I did my time as a peacekeeper, paid my bond, and now am travelling the stars as a diva. It’s kinda fun.” She wrinkled her nose. “And kinda boring. I am always keeping an eye out for somewhere to settle down. I would have tried for Vecchin, but you need four references to get citizenship here, and I only have you.”

Misty frowned. “You do, and you don’t. I am not yet a citizen, so I don’t count.”

She sighed. “Well, I think you do. Can I have a hug?”

“I don’t want to wrinkle you.”

Abigail hugged her, and Misty sighed and held her new unit behind Abigail’s back.

“I swear to god if you are making a playlist…”

Misty laughed.

Someone came in. “Overseer, if you and your party could take your seats, the diva needs to begin.”

Abigail paused. “Uh, Misty, I use some of my memories during the performance. Do you mind?”

“Nope. Plenty of therapy. Plus, I have my emotional support superhero.”

Abigail blinked, snorted, and then she nodded. “Got it. One more hug?”

Misty hugged her friend, and the only reason Misty had gotten off Earth... and the people of Vecchin were about to see how.

Chapter Ten

Hazda murmured to her, “What did she mean?”

“You will see.” Misty squeezed Mekked’s hand, and he kissed her softly. There was applause, and she jolted to look for Abigail on stage, but the crowd was staring at them and applauding. “Oops.”

He grinned and kissed her again. She somehow ended up sitting on his thighs. He wrapped his arms around her and kept his hand over her belly while the spotlight highlighted Abigail, and then, the announcer spoke that the Terran diva would be singing popular songs from her home world.

Abigail spoke, “I didn’t know this when I came here, but several of these songs feature the last day that I had on my home world, and they are graphic and violent. If you are upset by rape, blood, and murder, please look away.”

Mekked murmured, “What happened on your last day at home?”

She pulled out the worn memory and showed it to him. His hands tensed on her. “I would tear them apart if they were here... oh, wait. Heh. Little warrior.”

She sighed. “We made it out. That is what matters.”

The music swelled, and Abigail started singing. Misty smiled and leaned into Mekked while watching the display orb above Abigail’s head display her last day on Earth.

Hazda was sitting and watching with a hand over her mouth as the image of Misty splayed out between two men holding her and one man assaulting her on the valley floor. Abigail fired a warning shot, which scattered the men, but she was struck from behind, and she fell. The song wound on as hands tore at her clothing. The man’s face grew stunned, and he fell over. Misty was standing there with a bloody rock. She brought it down on the man’s head again.

Misty reared back when a man grabbed her around the neck. She lifted her legs, kicked down and bit through the man’s forearm until a chunk came out. He reeled back, screaming, and she pulled his knife and stabbed him through the heart. The next man tackled Misty, and she went down, grunted, then shifted to the side as she pulled a trigger. The gun that Abigail had been using was under Misty, and she had lost some of her waist but had shattered his arm. She rolled to her back and shot him again, full in the face, then kicked him away. The damaged part of her side dripped blood, but only the skin had suffered in the blast.

Misty came in and smiled at Abigail. “Thanks for saving me.” She helped Abigail up, and they staggered and limped toward the ship on a nearby bluff.

The first song was over.

The applause was thunderous.

Abigail smiled. “Well, since you survived that one, we can go on to our time reaching the Education Station.”

Misty looked up at Mekked. “Was it as bad as you thought?”

“I had no idea you were so capable of defending yourself.”

“I am not.” She looked at him seriously.

His eyes widened. “You were defending your friend.”

“Yeah. I have never been able to act in my own interest.”

“Sweet, you need to defend yourself.”

“Well, I will for the next nine months and anytime the baby is with me.”

He smiled. “So, the key is to keep a baby with you at all times? Noted.”

She narrowed her eyes at him and then watched their travel to the ship and their pounding on the door. Misty giggled when she drew a cock and balls on the door in her own blood, then started making hand prints using the same medium.

“Were you drunk?” He whispered it in her ear and then nibbled on it.

“No, missing a lot of blood and in tremendous pain. And stop that.”

He chuckled, and they watched the door slide open, and a surprised crewmember hauled them in in their bloody and fractured clothing. They were the last ones in, and Misty was strapped to a bulkhead for safety while she insisted that Abigail get the last seat. They took off, and she broke a few ribs as they escaped, but when they were in the air, she undid the latches and got to one of the small windows, watching the huge station that would sink or save them.

Mekked murmured, “I haven’t seen the station before. How large is it?”

“It can host half a million new bondservants at one time, then they are sent around the universe, and more are pulled from the surface before they starve.”

Abigail began a bright and cheery pop song that had them giggling in the acclimation classes. Everything was bright as they sprinted through the station and worked on their physical condition.

Her voice broke as she was watching Misty’s compatibility testing, and Misty began to tremble and twitch, but then, they touched her temple, and Abigail was pushed out of the room.

“That is when they installed the block?” He nuzzled her ear.

“Yup. I did not have just my test, there were other people getting assessed, and I was getting theirs as well. The tester picked up on it, and then, the block was put in place.”

He cuddled her close, and Misty looked to Hazda. She was crying softly.

Misty whispered, “Why are you crying?”

Hazda blinked. “You were friends, and then, they separated you.”

Misty watched the final view of her shuttle falling away from the station before it powered up. Abigail’s last sight of her.

Misty sighed. “That is sad.”

She watched the next bits of Abigail’s story. The peacekeeper training, her rescue of some citizens trapped in a collapsed building. That finished her bond. Her singing training was next, and from there, she started to travel.

Two years of travel took her to nearly two dozen worlds, and each was different and exciting. And then, she sang the final song that took them up to this moment, and she showed Misty and Mekked walking into the dressing room, Misty looking lovely and Mekked’s hand covering her belly protectively. The song was bright and triumphant, culminating in the hug.

Hazda had tears streaming from her eyes, and so did many men and women in the crowd. The song ended with Misty and Mekked kissing again. The image of their lips connecting was the final, fading image.

Misty smiled at the image, and when the light faded, she let out a, “Wooo! Way to go!”

Abigail grinned and laughed. The rest of the crowd burst into applause, and the concert came to an end.

Mekked said, “You can talk to her tonight. She will be staying at our place this evening before she heads out on her global tour.”

She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck and then paused. “I hope she isn’t too tired.”

He patted her backside. “I am sure she will make an exception for you.”

Hazda waited for them, and as soon as Mekked set her down, Misty was hugged within an inch of her life.

“Whoa. What is that for?”

“I don’t know how you made it here, but you did. I am so happy that you did.”

“Um. Okay.” She patted Hazda on the back. “I am glad you came into the café that day and then sent your uncle in after you finished doing recon.”

Hazda beamed and looked at Mekked. “You owe me a finder’s fee, Uncle.”

He chuckled. “Of course, I do.”

He reclaimed Misty, and they returned to the dressing room.

Abigail hugged her tight and laughed. “I think you inspired me. Are you going to be at any of the other shows?”

Mekked spoke, “If you would like, you may spend the night at the manor so that you and Misty can enjoy your reunion.”

Abigail grinned. “I can?”

Misty nodded. “You can if you want to. I mean, your schedule is probably pretty tight.”

Abigail snorted. “I build in time to see the worlds that I visit. I have a week before I need to be on the southern continent.”

“So, we can have a sleepover?”

Mekked frowned. “What is a sleepover?”

Abigail grinned. “We get snacks and watch a vid while we talk about boys while wearing sleepwear.”

Misty chuckled. “Kekkari will enjoy that. There are a lot of high-calorie desserts in my future.”

Mekked nodded. “I authorize this sleepover, as long as you are in my bed the moment it is over.”

“Yes, Master Mekked.” She grinned and then yelped when he lifted her for a kiss that scorched her toes.

She heard Hazda mutter to Abigail. “They do that a lot.”

Abigail chuckled. “Good. Misty needs reinforcement.”

In the midst of the toe-curling kiss, she heard Hazda say, “There is something familiar about your frequency.”

Misty’s lips were puffy as she was lowered to her feet and her knees wobbled. She murmured, “Abigail, watch out when she says she thinks she recognizes your frequency. It means she knows someone who has the same vibe. She’s a matchmaker.”

Abigail’s eyes flicked to Mekked and then to Misty. “Can I find out who she has in mind?”

Misty snickered, then said, “Hazda, do you have time to hang out for a girls’ night?”

Hazda grinned. “I believe I can clear my schedule. Shall I warn Kekkari that we need snacks?”

“Please. Also, best entertainment vids for critiquing the male leads and best costumes.”

Hazda chuckled and said, “I can think of a few.”

“Nice. I wasn’t allowed to watch stuff, and for some reason, I haven’t had much time since.”

Mekked chuckled and patted her backside. “Diva, do you need to meet your fans, or shall we depart?”

“There are no meet and greets here tonight, and my next local event is at the peacekeeper headquarters, so only a few hours, and then, we can go through some of the clothes I got while travelling, and Misty can pick her favourite designs and play dress-up.” She flapped her arms, and the silk panels shivered.

Misty chuckled. “Okay, let’s go.”

Mekked situated her hand around his elbow again, and they walked out with Abigail’s manager getting the details from the ever-efficient Hazda.

They were soon in the armoured transport and on their way home.

Abigail looked out over the city. “Vecchin is gorgeous.”

Mekked laughed. “I will tell my father you said so.”

Abigail looked at him. “I thought all second-generation Hmrain could fly.”

Misty smiled. “He can. He just doesn’t have wings.”

“Then why are we in the transport?”

He chuckled. “I don’t want to carry any woman other than Misty, and three of you would be awkward.”

The transport took them home, and Abigail whistled softly. “That is one big fucking house.”

Hazda frowned. “What did you say?”

“Oh, sorry. Slipped to English. A Terran language.”

Mekked explained. “It is the same language that Misty speaks.”

Abigail said, “Why would she be speaking English here?”

Misty’s cheeks pinked. “Nevermind.”

Mekked chuckled. “She defaults to her birth language when she’s extremely distracted. I try to distract her as often as possible.”

Abigail frowned, and then, her cheeks pinked a little in understanding. “Oh. Right.”

Misty nodded seriously. “He’s very good at it.”

They landed, and the driver opened the door. Hazda exited first and then Abigail. Mekked kept Misty with him and said, “As it seems I am losing you for the evening…”

She looked up at him and said, “Do you need anything?”

He didn’t reply with words but wrapped his arms around her and flew out of the transport and into the house. He pinned her against the wall in their bedroom, and he growled, “Since I am losing you for the night, I think I will take what I can now to keep me topped up.”

He reached between them, and his cock was released from the suit. His fingers stroked her, and when he found the slick mess she had become during the concert, he chuckled and nudged into her until he was lined up, and then, he surged into her. She shrieked, and he groaned. He pinned her arms above her head and hammered into her.

Misty came, and he kept moving, so she just hung on and let him surge into her while he kissed her and drank her sounds.

* * * *

Abigail looked at Hazda. “Where are they going?”

Hazda chuckled. “I think he’s having a snack before girls’ night, so we won’t be interrupted.”

“Snack?”

“He’s still Hmrain, after all. He needs to consume from her, and she will be down in about half an hour. Maybe an hour. Kio?”

“Sure. Does she mind?”

They were walking into the enormous house in pale grey stone, and Hazda led her to the kitchen where one of the feline Vecchin was working with focus.

“Hey, Kekkari. This is the Terran diva. Abigail, this is Mekked’s housekeeper, Kekkari. He takes care of Misty when Mekked isn’t here.”

Kekkari turned and bowed. “You are happy to see one of your kind out here?”

“Oh, yes, but Misty and I go back to Earth. We met on our last day there. It was... rough.”

“You know her?”

Abigail grinned. “Oh, yeah. We doodled on the pickup shuttle together.”

Hazda chuckled. “Yeah, they did a bit more than that.”

Abigail snorted. “Her defensive instincts are astonishing. She wanted to become a peacekeeper. We had it all worked out, but then, she took her compatibility test, and that was it. Then, I heard that she was being sent somewhere with her family, and she hated her family, so I worried.” She sighed. “I am glad she found a place here. How long has she been with him?”

Hazda smiled. “About two weeks. They have been... busy when Mekked is here, and she is learning what she can when he’s on a mission. But, she got the protection for her mind and the therapy to reduce the memories before they consummated their contract.”

“Two weeks?” Abigail blinked. “What the hell has she been doing for four and a half years?”

Hazda sighed, got a carafe of kio, and explained things to Abigail. She felt ill when the explanation was over. “She says she’s okay now?”

Hazda chuckled. “She says it is manageable.”

Abigail sighed in relief. “That sounds like her.”

There was a faint scream followed by a dark laugh, and Abigail blinked. “Does she know we can hear her?”

Footfalls behind her preceded the words, “Mekked knows. He doesn’t care. They are going to be glowing when they come down. Who are you?”

Abigail looked at the newcomers and saw two men in loose trousers, faint Hmrain markings, and nothing else. Her heart thudded, and she hid her sweaty palms in the folds of her skirt.

Hazda grinned. “Aldrun, Soith, this is the Terran diva, Abigail. She is going to be staying for a few days, so be on good behaviour. She and Misty are good friends.”

Abigail bowed formally. “Pleased to meet you.”

She slowly straightened and turned back to the counter where her kio cup was sitting. Looking them in the eye was out of the question.

Hazda laughed. “Well, that clears up my confusion.”

Abigail looked at her. “What?”

“You don’t have a match here. You have two.” Hazda grinned. “It is kind of funny.”

Abigail blinked and focused on her cup, willing Misty to come through the door.

Kekkari came to her aid. “Guys, back off. She’s embarrassed and a guest, and Misty will be upset if you sweep her away and try and seduce her guest.”

Abigail could feel that they were right behind her. The amount of heat they were putting out was extreme. She wanted to lean into it, but she stayed hunched over her beverage and tried to get the heat from that.

Soith snorted. “Try.”

Aldrun leaned in close. “Hazda is never wrong about these things.”

She shivered, and he chuckled, but the guys left her alone.

She pressed her forehead to the table. Hazda patted her on the shoulder. “Sorry. I knew the frequency was familiar, but I couldn’t put a finger on it. It was both of them overlapped.”

“Uh, I think I am just going to go through my tour and get the hell out of here.”

Hazda chuckled. “How long are you on Vecchin?”

“A month? I can dodge them for a month.”

Hazda laughed. “If you think so.”

Kekkari’s ear twitched. “Misty and Mekked are on the way down.”

Abigail asked, “Can you hear them?”

“Nope, there is a monitor in their room. It just announced the door closing.”

Abigail turned when she heard them and blinked when Misty was cradled in Mekked’s arms. “Holy shit, you are glowing.”

Hazda grinned. “Oh, come on. Tell them the other bit.”

Abigail shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

There was pressure on her mind, and Mekked started laughing. He turned and whispered in Misty’s ear, and she clapped her hand over her lips. “Oh, dear.”

“Why is he carrying you?” Abigail was concerned.

“Oh, um, my knees are weak and thighs are wobbly. He’s a lot to make room for.”

The he in question was nuzzling Misty’s temple like a puppy.

Mekked grinned. “Kekkari, snacks in the recreation space?”

“On the way.”

“I will escort the ladies in, and then, I will try to keep away from them.”

Kekkari snorted. “And keep the other two away. They want to sniff around Abigail’s skirts. And under them.”

Mekked snorted. “Noted.”

Abigail got her kio and carried it after Mekked. Hazda was chortling next to her.

“Misty... are your ears pointy?”

Misty broke out laughing, and it continued until they were in a lush room filled with couches and a viewing screen.

Mekked settled her in a deep chair, kissed her, and whispered in her ear, and she blushed. “I’ll be fine.”

He pressed a hand to her belly and kissed her again, then left.

Abigail let the air out of her lungs. “You are pregnant.”

“Yup.”

“Damn. There goes that idea.” She sat next to Misty.”

“What idea?”

“I was going to pay your bond and show you the freedom of the stars.”

Chapter Eleven

Misty blinked. “You have been looking for me.”

Abigail nodded slowly. “You are a friend. My best friend. My Terran friend. When they took you, I grieved and made a plan. I knew you would be helpless out here because you didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

Misty took her hand. “I absolutely was. Four years and a bit of misery, but I am free now. Sort of.”

“You aren’t. The folk locked to Hmrain go everywhere with them.”

“And they see the stars. The price is sex in exchange for a ridiculous lifespan, health, and enough spending money to buy a continent.” Misty smiled. “He is also a very good guy, and even with the defender stuff and stress, he is always super sweet and careful with me. Well, after our bonding time. That was a bit of a riot.”

Abigail looked at her with wide eyes. “What happened there?”

“I don’t know if Hazda wants to hear about her uncle in graphic terms.”

Hazda was flipping through the entertainment options. “Doesn’t bother me. I have had to acquire food for the guys before.”

Abigail blinked. “Food?”

Misty smiled. “The Hmrain descendants take in the energy the same way their original ancestor does. The defenders want to find partners that can do for them what I do for Mekked.”

“What is that?”

“Every orgasm I have makes him stronger. He has even developed a new skill for high speed since we have been together.”

Abigail blinked. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, part of what he needs is to consume pleasure. I guess they could consume pain, but I think they would have trouble finding another donor. Pleasure is easier, and the food comes back for more.” Misty smiled.

“The idea of being consumable is kind of freaky.”

Misty laughed. “There were at least four species on the Education Station that would have torn us limb from limb, cracked our bones, and sucked out the marrow. So, you are skittish about Aldrun and Soith, huh?”

Abigail blushed. “I have only just met them. I am not thinking about them at all.”

Hazda chuckled. “You always smell like you are starting a heat then?”

Misty patted Abigail’s hand again and held it. “Don’t worry about it. The original member of their line was designed to attract a mate. It runs pretty strong in the current generation. You haven’t been with anyone on tour?”

Abigail shook her head. “My time with the peacekeepers was surrounded by non-compatibles, and as a singer, I am usually under guard.”

Kekkari came in, and he led a parade of guys carrying snack trays. She muttered to Misty, “Do you have a harem?”

Misty cracked up laughing. The guys were all shirtless and wearing loose trousers, and not much was left to the imagination.

She asked Mekked, “Angling for an invitation?”

He chuckled. “Just showing you what you are missing with your sleepover.”

She spoke to him in manual, “If we leave this room, you are welcome to join us. We can then return here and finish the snacks.”

“You are classifying yourself as edible?” He was grinning.

“Of course. You have eaten me several times. I am still here.”

Abigail looked at them. “What are you doing? What language is that?”

Hazda grinned. “Deep-sea Vecchin. The manual language is for those who don’t wish to use the invasiveness of mind-to-mind contact.”

Hazda laughed. “She was just offering to let him eat her.”

Misty blushed, and Mekked laughed. She got up and went to him, cuddling up against his hard body while he cuddled her.

Abigail said something surprising. “The guys can stay as long as Hazda can find a romance.”

Hazda grinned.

Misty blinked. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I am here for a week. We can pick another day to kick the guys out.”

Kekkari grinned. “Can I stick around?”

Abigail said, “Of course. The more, the merrier.”

Misty grinned as she stroked Mekked, and then, everyone scrambled to get the best seat.

Mekked settled in the chair where he had put her earlier, and she leaned against him and sighed. The wide-sleeved robe was over a silky gown, and he cuddled her against him.

Abigail chuckled. “You look comfortable.”

Misty nodded with heavy eyes. “He’s really warm. I had forgotten what being warm felt like.”

The vid began to play, and she tried to open her eyes enough to watch. Abigail was looking at her with a soft expression. Misty pinked a little and nestled into Mekked’s arms.

By the end of the first movie, half the snacks were gone, the ladies and Soith were sniffling, and Abigail was sharing the wide couch with Aldrun and Soith.

Misty smiled. When the second movie was done, Abigail was seated on Aldrun while Soith had his hand up her skirt. Misty was smiling when the chime went off. Abigail looked surprised as they kissed her good night with heavy sighs, and Misty came over to sit with her on the couch after Mekked left them.

“What the hell was that?”

Misty chuckled. “They are planetary defenders. That nice little chime means the end of playtime unless they are rutting you at the time. In that case, they finish and then leave you.”

“You say they.”

“Oh, that’s for you. I just have the one.” She grinned.

Abigail elbowed her and grabbed some of the puffed crackers. “Doesn’t it leave you frustrated?”

Misty blinked. “No. Mekked never leaves me frustrated. It’s in our contract.”

Abigail looked at her. “You are serious.”

“Oh, yeah, We covered everything. It’s a pretty comprehensive document. After this little one is born, I even have the right to leave Vecchin.”

Hazda and Kekkari looked at her.

She laughed. “I said I had the right to, not that I was going to do it. It’s home; plus, if this is a baby and not a weird tattoo, I am not leaving it.”

The two locals sighed in relief.

They watched movies and ate snacks into the wee hours. Misty perked up when she felt them returning, and she left the sleeping Abigail on the couch while Kekkari got up to take care of hot beverages and some food for the tired defenders.

Misty stood on the front entryway as they landed, and she ran to her mate the moment his dusty, grimy head came out of their transport. She jumped into his arms, and he caught her as they kissed, and he spun her around.

“I got your gown dirty.”

She shrugged. “You can buy me another.”

He laughed. “Is everyone asleep?”

“Kekkari is doing prep, and the other two are out for the night. If you guys need the rec room to relax, I am going to have to ask for some help getting her up and out.”

Aldrun muttered, “I volunteer. I need to wind down after that building collapse.”

Soith nodded and headed into the house.

Misty blinked and then tried to break out of Mekked’s grip. “I need to go wake her up.”

He chuckled. “Why? She’s an adult female. She can make her own decisions.”

“But... there are two of them.”

He snorted. “They can share. We discussed it on the flyout. They are both third-generation, so they won’t carry too many characteristics on to the next generation.”

“You are pretty sure of that.”

“Hazda is never wrong.”

She blinked. “Hm. We will know in nine months.”

He grinned. “We definitely will. They might not be too far behind us.”

“She also has a job, obligations, and travel.”

“That is up for them to decide. Bribery may be involved.”

Misty tried to get out of his arms. “I should check on her.”

“You will not. You will check with your mind, and then, we are going to take a shower and retire until the morning.”

Misty frowned. “How do I do that?”

“Imagine lowering a curtain to peek over the edge with Abigail as your target.”

She nodded and tried to think of Abigail. A light came through her shield, and she peeked through. “Uh-oh.”

He chuckled and kept her in his arms as he headed through the house. “She’s fine. They are fine, and whatever you watched this evening softened her stance.”

“That was... is that what it feels like when you touch my mind while we are...” She rotated her hand.

“I do not know that hand gesture, but I am guessing you mean when I am inside you.”

“Yeah. That.”

He nuzzled her cheek. “You are like a white-hot star that burns for me alone. It’s a heady thing.”

They made it into their wing of the house and his bedroom while sweet kisses distracted them until he stopped in the bathroom and set her on her feet while he stripped and then did the same for her.

The water played over her as she yawned and leaned against him. He rubbed her back slowly, and he made sure they were both spotless before he carried her over the dryer and then to bed. Instead of foreplay, he tucked her against him and settled them into sleep.

Light kisses across her face and down her chest woke her, and she threaded her fingers through his hair. He nipped and bit gently at her breasts before continuing lower. He spent a lot of time worshipping her new marks before he went lower, and his tongue coaxed groans from her until she came apart in his arms.

Mekked moved up her body and wrapped her in his arms while her pulse settled and body relaxed. “I have a speaking engagement on the southern continent today. Did you want to come?”

“How long would we be gone?”

“Five hours. Abigail would be able to spend time with Aldrun and Soith. Well, more time.” He was smug.

“So... they...”

“No more than we did the first time you were in my bed.”

She blinked. “Oh. That’s... she might not come down for breakfast.”

He laughed and said, “Come on, we need our first meal, and then, we will travel.”

She sighed. “Fine, but if I am good all day, I want a treat.”

He laughed and lightly smacked her ass as she got out of bed. He blurred and beat her to her wardrobe, picking out some silver and black clothing and some mid-thigh boots.

The outfit was new. It was a tunic that picked up where the boots left off. There were panels of fabric and a short cape that hung to her knees, and that was it.

He snapped his fingers and got her a belt, settling her unit on it. “There. All ready.”

She snorted and headed for the bathroom to fix her hair in a thick braid. She got a clip and attached it to the end of the column.

Mekked was still getting dressed, so she headed downstairs and was halfway through her cup and chatting with Kekkari when Abigail came into the kitchen and then froze when she saw Misty. Her expression was dazed, and Misty realized that it was the same one she had been wearing for the first few days.

“Morning, Sweetie. How are you today?”

Abigail yawned and said, “Fine. A little sleepy.”

Misty walked up to her and hugged her, hearing the whisper, “How long can they do that?”

“Oh, hours. Days actually. They can be really tenacious.”

“So I am finding out. I have only ever bumped into Hmrain, who have been mated.”

Misty chuckled. “So, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you want to run for it right now?”

“I can’t run anywhere, so about a five.” She chuckled. “I am weighing the pros and cons, and you are definitely on the plus side.”

“If it is performing that you miss, you can always ask to go to their homeworlds for performances.”

“That isn’t it. I just never thought of this kind of life for me.”

“What kind?”

“A kept woman.”

Misty looked at her, and then, she burst out laughing. “We have both worked every second of our lives from the point it was feasible. I have finally found someone who wants to be there for me, and I am going to hang on. I can do what I like with a few restrictions, but that follows with every transplant to a new world. Were you free to do as you liked when you travelled?”

“Um, no. That is a point I hadn’t considered. I was just looking at it from our societal standpoint.”

“Our society didn’t keep us alive. We kept us alive, and we are here now and doing well.” Misty sighed. “For the first time in a long time, I don’t wake up scared anymore. That is a gift that I am not going to take for granted. This is where my life starts over.”

Kekkari came over and put a cup of kio in Abigail’s hand. “I have your breakfast ready.”

Misty blinked. “Kitchen table?”

He shook his head. “Dining room.”

Misty linked her arm through Abigail’s free arm. “On the plus side, endless cosplay.”

Abigail laughed the entire way to the dining room, where their settings were set out in very specific places. Their spaces were obvious by the taller chair in each place. Misty muttered, “Where the hell did they get those?”

Abigail laughed and went to sit on her chair between two other settings. “Toddler supply?”

They both giggled as they perched, and Kekkari brought them their food. It was easier to eat this way, and she didn’t have to sit on someone’s lap. So, dignity in a high chair.

Mekked came in, and he let out a startled burst of laughter. “Where did he find those?”

Misty kicked her feet. “No idea, but they are kind of fun. I am guessing your dad is tall.”

He snorted. “Yes. We are the same height, and my sister is only a few inches shorter. Not like your compact self.”

He sat next to her and pulled her over and onto his lap.

“I was enjoying the chair.”

“They are used for children.”

Misty nodded to Abigail, and they laughed. “We thought as much.”

Aldrun and Soith came in, and Abigail stopped laughing. They grinned, and each of them kissed her softly before taking their seats on either side of her.

She cupped her kio in both hands and occasionally reached out with her fork to get another piece of fruit.

Kekkari saw Misty, and he snorted. “You lasted longer on your own than I would have guessed.”

“The guys were talking about us in the hallway, so they gave us some time.”

Aldrun pulled Abigail off her chair and onto his thighs with a thud. He chuckled. “Mekked sets a bad example.”

He buried his nose in her neck and inhaled deeply. Abigail was startled. “What’s he doing?”

Misty shrugged. “Sniffing.”

Mekked started to eat his meal around her. “Memorizing. He’s a scent tracker.”

Soith grinned. “I slipped a tracker into her last night.”

Abigail blinked. “When? I don’t remember that.”

He reached over and stroked her cheek. “Good.”

Misty chuckled, then gasped. Mekked slipped a hand between her thighs and was idly moving his fingers against her.

Abigail looked at her. “You okay?”

“Yup. Just surprised by something that shouldn’t have surprised me. Mekked, when are we leaving?”

“Have you finished breakfast?”

“Yes.”

“Then, we are leaving.”

“What are we doing, exactly?”

“I am speaking at the opening of a new children’s hospital.”

“Oh. That will be interesting.”

He chuckled. “Glad you think so. Our vehicle is ready.”

Misty smiled at Abigail. “He said we will be back in five hours.”

“It’s fine. I will catch up on correspondence and stuff.” Abigail was trying to sound determined, but behind her back, the other two shared a look.

Misty hoped her expression didn’t expose her amusement, but Abigail looked shocked and amused when Mekked licked his fingers before setting Misty on her feet, and they headed for the door.

* * * *

Abigail tried to ease off Aldrun’s lap. “I should leave you to finish your breakfast.”

“Oh, no. You are a guest. It is our responsibility to keep you entertained.”

He lapped at her neck again, and she remembered the scrape of his teeth all over her from the night before. She was pretty sure that she was marked all over. She had been afraid to look when she got dressed.

She had explained her hang-ups about two partners the night before, so the moment Misty was gone, they were on her.

Given that she had been carrying on a conversation while being fingered, Abigail was beginning to believe that Misty didn’t particularly judge anyone’s sex life. If she stayed, Abigail figured that she might get to that relaxed state as well.

Soith smiled. “As your hosts, how may we entertain you?”

She swallowed. “Uh, I am fine. I really do need to get to work.”

Aldrun leaned back and let her go. “We shall not keep you. Come and find us if you wish for a tour of the city, a walk through the plaza of fountains, or just want company for lunch.”

Slightly disappointed, she hopped to her feet and said, “Thanks. I... uh... thank you.”

She didn’t bolt, but she headed back to the guestroom where her clothing had been when she woke up.

She got her com unit out and made the notifications and answered letters from fans on other worlds. She was done with it all in twenty minutes. She was delaying any further bookings for three months, and her schedule was clear aside from the tour on Vecchin.

The guys had not brought up a contract with her, so they were probably just playing. They were amazing with her. Played her like a fine instrument, but if they just wanted fun and games, she was here until the end of the week. She wasn’t going to cut off her nose to spite her face.

She went back to the kitchen and chatted with the housekeeper before heading outside with a warm cup. She looked out over the grounds and thought about Misty’s wardrobe and had to agree that Vecchin wasn’t a bad place to start over. She had a friend, guys that seemed interested in companionship, and they were a lot of fun. She couldn’t deny that.

She sipped at her cup and remembered days at the lake and looking around and thinking. To think, she wouldn’t be out here if Misty hadn’t taught her to sing.

“Lost, little bird?” Soith wandered up to her side.

She looked at him and smiled. “No. Just coming to a decision.”

He turned, and she faced him. He wrapped his arms around her. “What is your decision?”

“Well, I have taken some time off, so after I finish my tour here, I have three months to figure out what I want to do next. If Misty needs me, I will stay.” She nodded.

Soith touched her chin, and she lifted her head. “What if we need you?”

She blushed. “Oh, that. We can do that as much as you like, but if you find someone before then, I will just step aside.”

He scowled. “What?”

She frowned back. “What do you mean, what? Last night was fun, but I thought that was it. Just fun.”

He sighed. “We didn’t want to scare you. As you explained that our option was unusual for you, we thought to go easy.”

“It’s fine. I am pretty sure that having complementary frequencies isn’t legally binding.”

Soith laughed. “It is here. Aldrun has started writing your contract. He’s a lawyer, so it could take a while. I also don’t think there is much wiggle room for you to get out of it.”

She stared at his slightly predatory smile. “C-contract?”

“Of course, little bird. The scattered pleasure you were experiencing was the most delightful thing I have tasted in some time.” He smiled, his blood-red hair waving in the morning light.

“T-tasted?” She swallowed.

“Yes, little bird. My ancestor was a Hmrain, just as Aldrun’s was. Finding a mate to bolster our psychic energies is always the goal, even if we settle before finding one.”

“So, you are settling? I am not companion class.”

He chuckled. “You are not, but you are close. Your pleasure is very palatable for us.”

“Oh. That’s a good thing?”

He hummed happily. “A very good thing. How do you feel about it?”

She grimaced. “I have been going over that. I love being close to Misty, and staying on Vecchin would definitely be good for that. I would love to take a break from travelling and just figure out what to do next. I have been going constantly since the day the asteroid struck. I just want to rest a little, but I don’t think that will be possible with you two. You seem very high energy.”

Soith rubbed the back of her neck. “We can wait until you recover.”

“Can you?”

“Of course. Mekked set a very rigid example. He waited for Misty to complete therapy, and only when she was ready did they fully consummate their contract.” He rubbed her neck and chuckled. “I am sure that we can hold back until you are ready.”

“You might want to make sure that you and Aldrun are on the same page there. He was getting a little feral.”

A familiar voice spoke from the house. “I am rarely feral. You will know. Soith will warn you if nothing else.”

Aldrun walked up to them, his blue hair in a tight braid. He had a tablet in his hand. “I have a contract if you would care to peruse it and ask questions or add clauses.”

She blushed. “A contract?”

“Hmrain bloodlines require a contract so that we can offer you protection.” Aldrun was standing next to her.

She took the tablet and looked at Soith. “I would love to look this over sitting down. Is there a spot out here?”

They directed her to a seating area under a huge spreading tree. She looked at the document and started reading. Aldrun had been very thorough, and hours passed while she went over all clauses, offers, and restrictions. They even accounted for her periods. When she heard a sonic boom, she looked up, and Mekked was landing with a crying Misty in his arms. He settled on a balcony and walked inside, putting Misty inside before he turned and roared in panic and frustration.

Abigail was on her feet. “Is Misty all right?”

He looked at her and growled. “Against all odds. Yes.”

Soith made some gestures, and Mekked answered him, his hands flaring and flicking with jerky motions.

“Oh, shit.” Aldrun muttered and asked to borrow the tablet. He brought up a news feed.

The clip that he pulled up had Misty standing with a bunch of kids from the children’s hospital. There were screams, and a shuttle dropped from the sky, striking walls and hitting vehicles until Mekked caught it.

When he had stilled the movement, he got up and looked around. “Misty!”

An industrial vehicle had rolled near the stage where it was still teetering on its side. A wavy voice came from behind the vehicle. “Mekked... help!”

He quickly moved to where she was with the children and pulled the huge vehicle away, setting it down. Misty was kneeling on the ground with her hands up and her eyes glowing gold.

He came to her and asked, “What happened?”

“It was going to hit the kids.” She blinked and collapsed with her hands on the ground.

A little girl grinned. “She caught the crane! She held it and kept it from squishing us. Is she a defender? I wanna be like her when I grow up.”

A reporter rushed up and said, “Overseer Mekked, is your new mate an enhanced being?”

Misty was crying, and she looked at the camera. “I wasn’t.”

Mekked picked her up and flew off with her.

Mekked glared down at them. “What happens now? This is new. Hazda’s parents didn’t have this happen.”

Abigail looked at him and said calmly, “They weren’t linked to Misty. She would pull power out of the world beneath her to save someone.”

Mekked blinked.

“But right now, she’s upset, and I think she needs you.”

He sighed. “Right.”

Abigail nodded. “She’s probably in the shower, crying. That is where she would hide at the station.”

Mekked stiffened and went back inside.

Chapter Twelve

Misty looked at the palms of her hands and just sat under the spray while she cried. It had come at them so fast. She had felt the power come roaring into her at that moment, and her arms had felt the jolt of the impact, but it held. Ten feet from them, ready to crush them in a moment, she had held it. The whole time she worried about the kids who backed up to the wall behind her and the one she was starting.

The marking was still strong, but she was worried, so very worried. She didn’t know where Mekked had gone, but she was alone, and he told her not to leave their room.

He came into the room, still radiating tension. She cringed and moved against the wall.

He paused and looked at her. “Are you afraid of me?”

“You are really mad. I didn’t mean to do it. It just happened.” She felt lost. He didn’t contract with someone who could do what she just did. She had changed, and there was no clause covering what had just occurred.

He turned off the water, and her face got hot. “You were using cold water?”

“It keeps my face from getting red.”

He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. “I am so sorry that that happened to you. How do you feel?”

She mumbled, “Cold.”

He chuckled and walked with her to the drying air column and stood there until she was warm and pink.

She sighed and put her hand over the marking on her belly. It was still there and grew a tiny bit each day. By the end of the term, she would be covered if it kept going.

“It seems it’s okay.”

“We will have a physician check on you... tomorrow. I had no idea that you could pull your own energy back and use it like that.” He walked to their bed and sat with her.

“Is that what that was? It felt very familiar. That was probably why.”

He chuckled and said, “I wasn’t mad at you. I was very, very worried. I just wanted to get you out of there as fast as I could.”

“It’s cold for me when you fly at that speed.” She blinked.

“I know. I tried to keep you surrounded and protected, but I failed.” He pressed his forehead to hers.

“Warm me up?” She looked at him hopefully. To her, this was the test for whether or not he was still considering her a lover after she held back thousands of pounds of metal.

“Do you feel up to it?” He frowned with concern.

She blinked and looked away. “If you don’t want to... that’s fine.”

He stroked her head and cheek. “I definitely want you, but if you are upset, I don’t want to take advantage of that.”

Misty looked at him and said, “I just need to feel normal again. Just for a while, then I won’t bother you.”

“What do you mean by that?”

She swallowed at his sudden frown. “I know that someone who could do what I did today wasn’t what you contracted to. It isn’t a breach, but it is grounds to negate the contract on your end.”

“You think that I will reject you because you showed strength in defense of the innocent?”

Her tears started up again. When are they going to run out? “Yeah. I’m a freak.”

He set her down, and her heart broke. “Get dressed and come downstairs.”

Her throat swelled, and she nodded, walking to the wardrobe and picking something that covered everything. She put some utilitarian slippers on and headed downstairs.

Misty looked in at Kekkari. “Do you know where I am supposed to go?”

He looked at her, and his expression was stricken. “He’s in the entertainment room. You don’t look well.”

“It’s fine.” She turned and walked down the hall toward the entertainment room and remembered spotting the doorway before darkness took her over.

* * * *

Abigail heard the panic in Kekkari’s tone as he screamed, “Mekked!”

She ran inside and saw Mekked kneeling next to Misty, his skin pale. He gathered her up, and then, he blurred, and they disappeared.

Kekkari looked at her. “She collapsed. She was so quiet, so calm, and then she went down.”

Soith asked, “What happened? She developed a power; that’s wonderful.”

Kekkari sighed. “She doesn’t think so. Mekked left the security cams on. She thinks she’s not right anymore. She’s not the same person he contracted to, so he has the right to cancel, according to her.”

Abigail blinked. “Oh, shit. I think I know what has happened.”

Aldrun grunted, “What?”

“She was treated like shit by her family because she was different. They were generations with the same hearing loss, and because she had hearing, it made her stand out, and standing out was a bad thing. She had no right to be special.”

Soith blinked. “Shit. Does Mekked know?”

Abigail shrugged. “I doubt it. She told me as we limped to the shuttle when she had to explain how she ended up with those guys. Her mom sold her one last time for some food.”

Soith touched his com. “Did you hear that?”

Mekked’s voice came out of the wristband. “Yes. She’s with the doctors. They are running scans.”

Abigail asked, “Can you guys take me to her?”

Aldrun nodded. “Let’s go.”

They all got into a transport, including Kekkari. The trip was short, and they invaded the hospital, looking for Misty and Mekked.

They found them, and he had a sad expression on his features. Abigail thought the worst.

“Is she...”

He looked at her. “Her mind has retreated deep and doesn’t want to surface. They are contacting a specialist.”

Abigail sighed and walked over to him, beckoning him down so she could whisper in his ear.

He blinked. “That’s it?”

“Just those two things.”

He leaned in and kept hold of her hand as he whispered in her ear.

Nothing happened for a minute. He kissed her softly and then more aggressively as she slept. Her hand came up and tangled in his hair as she met him kiss for kiss.

Mekked shuddered in relief as he kissed her again and again.

Misty blinked. “You still want me?”

“I want you; I need you. Stay with me.” His voice was thick.

Abigail smiled and shooed the other three out.

Kekkari frowned. “What did you tell him?”

“He just had to tell her that he needed her, wanted her, and their baby needed her. That was it. She always does what is needed.”

Kekkari blinked. “Ah. I see. So, with the events this morning...”

“She thought she was different and would be rejected... again. I am guessing that he backed off from his normal behaviours and didn’t have sex with her when they got home. She changed, and he was acting different... so she was upset that the life she had been hoping for was shattered. It was one rejection too many.” Abigail wrapped her arms around herself.

Aldrun frowned. “How can this be fixed?”

“It can’t be fixed, but she needs to find her worth. She needs to be able to stand on her own feet. Personal pride and self-confidence are what she needs.” Abigail looked at the door. “And she has to be allowed to address her own needs.”

Soith said, “What do you think would help?”

“A modified version of peacekeeper training. I know she can do it, but she doesn’t. Singing with me at a concert.”

Aldrun blinked. “She can sing?”

“Better than I can. She gave me the idea to travel, singing Terran songs and using the memory projector.” She smiled. “So that is what I did.”

Soith smiled. “And it brought you here.”

“It did. At the end of the world, I had made a friend, and I did not want to lose her.” Abigail sighed. “And I nearly just did.”

Aldrun and Soith moved to sandwich her in a hug, and it felt nice.

* * * *

Misty sat wrapped in Mekked’s arms, and he pressed soft kisses to her cheeks and temples. He whispered, “I am sorry. I missed what you were saying.”

She swallowed. “I am not good at insisting. It scares me.”

“Why?”

“It has rarely been well received,” she murmured.

“I want you to insist. I need you to insist. You aren’t just my consort. You are Mistress of Vecchin.”

“Your dad?”

“Hah. Funny. The planet. The world beneath our feet belongs to you.”

“No.”

He chuckled. “Yes. Our child will grow up here and be educated to travel the stars or settled with a cousin, like Hazda, as a mentor.”

“It’s okay?” She had been feeling panic and dread all day. It was the reason they had a contract at all.

“It’s fine. The tiny speck of our cells is still producing and growing at a steady pace.” He kissed her lips. “You were really worried.”

“Still am. Don’t want to do anything wrong.”

He sighed and cuddled her tight. “You can’t do anything wrong. It is yours as well. You are the mother, and you will be bright and strong for the child’s sake and your own. Your assignment is to find a career or hobby or charity that you want to support, and then, you join it.” He grinned. “The world has seen your power now as well. What do you think you need to do another feat of strength like that?”

“You. You fully charged. I was afraid I had pulled too much out of you when you were busy catching the shuttle.”

“I barely felt it. You have been taking such good care of me that I was fully topped up. That is why I didn’t have you this morning. I thought you could use a day off.” He chuckled. “Of course, I was planning on using the trip home to top up any energy I may have expended. That malfunctioning shuttle wrecked my plans.”

“Should you have stayed to file a report or something?”

“No, that is what Hazda is doing right now.” He chuckled. “That’s her job.”

She smiled. “Right. Were the kids okay?”

“They were fine. One little girl wants to be just like you when she grows up.”

Misty blinked. “Really?”

“Really. It’s on the news feed.” Mekked stroked her cheek. “Those children are alive because of you.”

She shivered and relaxed against him. “Can we go home?”

“As soon as the others let the doctor pass so he can confirm that you are stable.”

She blinked. “They’re here?”

“Everyone important in our household except for Hazda is here. She is busy cleaning up my mess.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“For those who have affection for you to show it? That isn’t embarrassing. That is the way things should be. Just like when you see I am tired, you pull my head to your lap and stroke my hair. If you care for someone, you take care of them. I have faltered in that because you have a need to care for others that I did not properly appreciate. I was greedy. I will try and do that more in the future.”

She smiled and looked up at him. “Can I paint you with dessert and lick it off?”

He laughed. “I believe you should do that before the sun sets or the moon sets; you should do it soon. I will ask Kekkari to make something with that in mind.”

“I can ask him. I have a few things in mind.” She smiled. “It can be assertiveness training.”

He threaded his fingers in her hair, and the kiss was not consoling. She was straddling his thighs when the doctor came in, her hands locked in his hair and his pressing her spine and cupping her ass.

“Well, I see she has recovered full mobility. Congratulations on your reviving powers, Overseer.” The doctor smiled. “Mistress, I would like to run a final scan before we release you into his custody again.”

She nodded. “Of course.” She tried to climb off Mekked, but she was stuck. She looked at him. “I need to do this so we can go home.”

“Pay the toll.”

Misty snorted and kissed him until his hands clenched on her back, and then, she leaned away. Her pulse was fast, and her skin was hot, but she knew she was smiling. “I will ask you for the change later.”

He grinned, and she slid away from him. The doctor helped her into the scanner, and then the exam began.

It was several minutes in when she heard him say, “Huh. That’s odd.”

“What’s odd?”

“I thought that the event this morning was a camera trick, but no. You are exhibiting the secondary powers of a Hmrain.”

“That makes sense.”

He opened the scanner. “And you have created an energy field around your womb.”

She laughed. Mekked laughed. The doctor looked confused. “You knew about this?”

Mekked picked her up again and hugged her. “She’s a caretaker.”

Misty blinked and thought about it. It suited what she knew she could do. “Can we go home now?”

The doctor nodded. “You can go home.”

She smiled and said, “Yay!”

There was an answering sound in the hallway, and when she was carried out, she was hugged and patted by the guys, Kekkari, and Abigail.

They went to the exit, and she ignored the press, who wanted to know if something was wrong. She beamed up at Mekked, and he kissed her softly before he took to the air, flying home. She knew the inference they would draw, and she didn’t care if folks talked about her. She was ready for it.

She had someone to defend again, and it was herself. It was about time.

Mekked landed on the balcony of his bedroom and carried her inside. Her shoes were off, she was on the bed, and her dress was missing before she hit the platform.

“Where did you find that dress?” He crawled between her thighs, and his suit was off.

“It was in the wardrobe. I was feeling vulnerable, so I covered up.”

“How are you feeling now?”

“A little nervous. All your teeth are showing.”

He grinned and lowered his head, flicking her clit with his tongue. He repeated the caress a dozen times, and she shivered with a light release. She had been dealing with it all day.

“Aw, you were waiting for me.” He chuckled, and his fingers slid into her while she gripped the sheet.

“Yeah, and you were too dense to pick up on it.”

He returned to licking her clit with slow strokes, and he slid a third finger in and teased her until she shrieked. He moved slowly up her body, and she chuckled. “Abigail is staying.”

“That is not something I thought you would say right now.” He lined up and gripped her hands, pulling them up and over her head. He slid into her and kissed her. “I would rather you were thinking about me.”

She arched. “I am always thinking about you. For a moment, I thought about myself, and Abigail makes me happy. I like knowing she’s safe.” She whined and rocked her hips into his, and he went deeper.

He smiled. “Good, now pay attention to us.” He rocked into her, and she paid attention.

He kept her full attention for several hours.

She spent a few minutes talking to a laughing Kekkari, and he agreed to provide her with what she needed.

Dinner was quiet until Soith asked her, “Misty, did you teach Abigail how to sing?”

Misty spluttered. “Yes and no. I taught her how to use the voice she already had and then showed her occupational options with available technology.”

Abigail grinned. “She’s a far better singer than I am.”

Mekked rubbed Misty’s cheek. “Is she now?”

“It’s subjective.” Misty shrugged and nibbled at her vegetables.

“Will you sing for us?” Mekked asked.

Misty chuckled. “I sang plenty this afternoon.”

Abigail cocked her head. “I would have described that as a warbling scream.”

Aldrun shook his head. “Gasping shriek.”

Misty blushed scarlet. “Got it. I will try and be quiet.”

Mekked wove his hand through her hair. “Don’t you dare. I earned those sounds, and I will have them.”

He tilted her head back and kissed her. She squeaked and cupped his cheek as he continued the kiss until she was limp.

He looked smug when he raised his head. “Do we have an understanding?”

“We do.”

Abigail grinned. “Come on, we can sing a duet.”

“Now?”

“Tonight. We can sit outside, and we can sing something.”

Misty looked toward the nearest window. “It is tonight.”

Abigail grinned. “Exactly.”

They finished the fruit cup for dessert, and Misty smiled. Heading outside, she noted that Aldrun, Soith, and Abigail were close together, and Abigail didn’t seem nearly as jumpy as the day before.

They walked to the seating area. The guys sat, and then, Misty and Abigail argued about the song until they agreed. Abigail brought up the music, and they started to sing together.

Singing was something that had always healed Misty’s soul. She let her voice rise and soar around Abigail’s while the constellation of the Vecchin system swirled above them.

When the song was over, she smiled and hugged Abigail and walked over to Mekked. He was staring at her. “Why didn’t you use that as a job skill here?”

“I wasn’t asked. I was assigned based on my registered education level.” She grimaced. “And my mother’s recommendation. She didn’t like my singing. She couldn’t tell when I was doing it, and it was something she couldn’t control, so there was a punishment.”

He kissed her lips and then her throat. “It is lovely. The frequencies you produce are delightfully soothing.”

Abigail chuckled. “She sang as she helped me away from the scene of the attack. She sang as we marked up the shuttle, and she sang as we flew away from Earth. Her voice is the sound of my survival.”

Abigail looked at the tablet in her hands, looked at the men to either side of her, and signed the document. “For what it’s worth, here you go.” She handed it to Aldrun.

He grinned and chuckled. “Must always reside within ten kilometres of Misty? Easily done.” He authorized the change.

Soith got the tablet next, and he went through the change, authorized it, and then signed it. He handed it back to Aldrun, who got up and walked it back into the house.

Misty whispered, “Where is he going?”

Mekked chuckled. “He is filing the mate contract with the archive. If anyone tries to steal her, the penalty is death and torture. Not in that order.”

“Oh.”

Mekked chuckled and pulled her onto his lap to rub her thigh. “For stealing you, they would lose all their limbs and live like that for ten years before being killed.”

“Oh. That’s nice.”

“It avoids ransom situations. They will literally go out of their way to avoid you.” He chuckled.

“So, how will they know?”

“If you are not at my side, you will wear a beacon.” He nuzzled her neck. “Right on this pretty throat. If you are afraid, your heart rate rises, or you experience pain, it will notify me immediately, and as we have discussed, I am a lot faster since we mated.”

“Yeah, I noticed. When did your hand get in there?” She glanced down. “Checking your work?”

He sighed. “Just enjoying the downtime without an emergency. I have been thinking of adding some more team members to give us some relief now that we have mates to focus on. With luck, the families will begin by the end of the year.”

His thumb was stroking the marks while his fingers drove deep.

“I still need to learn how to swim.” She squeaked.

“We will get to it tomorrow. Tonight, I want you to feel appreciated.”

She giggled. “Oh, I will if you keep still. Kekkari is making me the paints I want for playing with you. Or rather, on you.”

His eyes gleamed. “Is he now?”

“Yeah, he laughed his ass off when I told him, but since I need to up my vitamin intake, I thought it would be a fun way, and all you have to do is lie still.” She clutched his wrist through the diaphanous skirt he had picked out for her. She gasped, shivered, and then twitching started.

His eyes glowed hot, and Misty asked, “Do you always look like that when I cum?”

He grinned and nodded.

“I hope the baby has your eyes.” She caressed his cheek, and Abigail laughed as Misty was swept up to their room, where the palate of concentrated fruit purées was waiting.

She painted sunset and a falling starship before he lost control, and they wrecked the sheets.

Epilogue

Misty looked down at her son, his dark eyes not giving a hint to the eventual colour. Right now, he looked like a frowning storm.

Abigail was sitting next to her and smiling. “The timing of that meteor was uncanny. Just after he arrived.”

Misty chuckled and settled back against the puffy pillows that had been brought in for her last trimester so she could get comfortable when Mekked wasn’t there to drape herself around. “I am glad. I would have hated for him to miss it.”

She sighed and wondered if the eyes would go black like Mekked’s used to be before she had started boosting him.

“How are you feeling, Abby?”

“Fine. I am just leaving month three. I have to admit that seeing how Mekked got you through it made me a lot less nervous about my own delivery.” She smiled and reached out to stroke the dark green hair and silvery skin. “He’s super cute.”

“He is. I am wondering if the marks are going to fade or if I am going to remain covered.”

Abby asked, “On that note, do you think Vecchin is coming to meet his new grandson?”

“I have no idea. I just hope if he does show up, Mekked is here.”

The voice from the balcony said, “I am afraid that I will dash your hopes. You are Mekked’s consort... Misty?”

She sat up and turned to the man and woman standing on the balcony. “Yes, Master Vecchin.”

The male Hmrain and his delicate female companion came into the room. The woman spoke softly. “Sit back. We thought there would be time before you delivered.”

“He was in a hurry.” She stroked the fuzzy cheek.

Yvetha stepped forward. “May I hold him?”

Misty held the child to the deep-sea Vecchin. “I don’t know what colour his eyes will be. Reedek, meet your grandma.”

Yvetha took the child and grinned. “I forget how small they are.”

Vecchin looked at the baby over her shoulder. “Not for long.”

Misty asked, “Can you tell me if the wing buds are normal?”

Vecchin looked at her. “They are visible?” His large dragonfly wings flexed and vibrated.

Yvetha carefully turned the baby over and unwrapped him. The wing bases were definitely visible. “Oh, my. None of my babies had wings.”

Vecchin smiled. “I am going to find a medic to take a swab, but I think you can breed true Hmrain. Do you have any marks on your body?”

“Oh, your marks?”

He nodded.

She pushed her bedding down and parted the drawstring blouse, showing the upper portion of her belly. “The marks go all the way down to my knees.”

A familiar warm presence in her mind warned her that Mekked was on the way. She covered up the marks and settled back where she had been. “This is my friend Abigail; she is the mate of Aldrun and Soith.”

Yvetha grinned. “Two?”

Abby blushed. “Yes, mistress.”

“Good. Babies need a lot of caretaking.”

“I will also have Misty to help by then. She’s an excellent caretaker.”

Yvetha nodded. “I have seen the vids of her at the children’s hospitals and the rescue centres. She is very compassionate.” She stroked her grandson. “A good mother for this little one.”

Mekked landed, and he grinned. “Father. Mother. I see you have met my mate and your grandson.”

Yvetha returned the baby to Misty’s arms. “He is lovely.”

“Thanks. It took a bit to get him out.” She chuckled.

Mekked hugged his parents and crossed to Misty and kissed her before taking the baby. “He’s amazing. Did you see the wing bases?”

Vecchin nodded. “We did. I am interested to see if that carries on in any other children.”

Misty blinked. “Let’s wait a bit on that. I need a chance to get my legs together, if nothing else. I don’t even know the ramifications of trying for another so soon, and breastfeeding in my species delays ovulation.”

Mekked chuckled. “I am willing to wait. She’s a mate, not a breeder. I need her for me, as much as for our children.”

Vecchin nodded. “I can understand that sentiment. I was happy with two, but if the wings can return to the bloodline, it would be wonderful.”

Kekkari knocked and came in. “Master Vecchin, Mistress Yvetha, why don’t you come with me, so I can show you the guest quarters that have been prepared.”

Kekkari whispered, “Abby, you, too.”

Abby got up, saluted, and left the new family alone.

Misty smiled. “You got the boat to safety?”

“We did. The guys will be here in an hour. I couldn’t wait to get here. The new recruits should be here next week.”

She grinned. “Good. I like it when you can escort me around town, and now people won’t be worried I am about to explode.”

He nuzzled her cheek and then stared in wonder. “You cleaned him up.”

“The med team did. He barely smells like he was inside me at all.”

“That is what you think. I would know that scent anywhere.”

She giggled tiredly. Her son started fussing, and Mekked returned him.

“This is an urgent matter you can’t handle, Defender.”

He grinned. “But I can enjoy watching.”

“Pervert.”

“Only those nine times.” His eyes were twinkling. He casually asked, “What is your healing rate like?”

“Ten days without me, buddy.” She poked his shoulder with one finger.

“I will wait.” He smirked. “Until day eleven. You will have to get used to me all over again.”

“I think it will be more fun to do it this time. I am not hesitant anymore, and I certainly am familiar with the topography.” She stroked his neck at the edge of his suit and slid her finger down, opening the closure that normally kept the suit in place.

“You are very good at that.” He kissed her softly.

“Practice. Undressing you is a fun hobby.” She smiled. “I will need something to occupy me when I am not with Reedek. Of course, I could continue with the peacekeeping training now that I am not carrying this little guy.”

He sighed. “I don’t like to think of you in a combat situation.”

“Me neither, but I do want to know the best move to defend myself against the Vecchin.”

“Call me?” He kissed her neck.

“Oh gee, Mr. Defender, sir... Can I get your contact info?” She fluttered her lashes.

“You have me anywhere and any time.” He stroked her throat. “I just need compensation for my services.”

She laughed. “Ten days.”

He lifted his unit and made a note. “Wear the blue panel gown that day.”

She smiled. “Why, Mekked, that one is transparent.”

He grinned. “I do recall that.”

They kissed, and their son snuffled between them.

She wasn’t whole yet, but she was getting closer with every single day. Reedek was a huge step, and the world was waiting to learn about him, and she was going to keep him safe. It was what she did.

Author’s Note

I was reminded of some horrible parenting witnessed when I was around foster children. No one is born cruel, and no one is born good; it is a choice made along the way. Every day is a choice, and those buttheads chose wrong every time.

I am glad that Misty made it out alive and Abigail found her. Buddies need buddies.

Thanks for reading,

Viola Grace

About the Author

Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, keeps her writing.

An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.

In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.