“Oh?” He didn’t care what color they were, so long as he could stay in her forever. He never wanted to leave.
But Mandy squirmed beneath him, so he withdrew.
“Oh boy. That’s a mess.”
He laughed, feeling so good he felt as if he could fly. Blessed phelthar linked him to Mandy, to Lore, and to everything around him. The roots of the maffet trees all around tightened in welcome. Kryllax blossoms opened all around her dwelling, the scent of life a burgeoning hope in Zehn that he’d finally found his center in the arms of Mandy and Lore.
He found some clothing and used it to clean his mate. Then he kissed her tenderly and hugged her to him, lying on his back with Mandy on top. So precious, his female.Our female, he sent Lore, feeling his bond-mate’s excitement that finally, they’d truly bonded. She’d opened to them fully.
“Why did you stay away from me?” She stared down at him with fire in her eyes.
He sighed and pulled her back down for a kiss, not surprised to find his body readying to take her yet again but knowing she needed a rest. “Lore and I want you to have a choice, Mandy. We do not want to pressure you.”Must tell her about the child. But how?“We want only your happiness, mate.”
He let the wordmatesink in.
She stared at him, and he had no idea how she felt about his claim.
“Lore and I would have your forever, Mandy. Our third. We wanted to wait, for you to accept our truth that we are one. Phelthar.”
“Yes, yes, phelthar. I can feel you two inside me. Okay?”
He paused. She sounded a bit…panicked.
“I also feel something else. I’m not sure what, but I’m different now.”
“Mate. Mandy. I must tell you something.” He feared seeing her rejection. Or worse, her hurt. “The Maker, our creator, blesses those of us who find our mates. If a mating is true, sometimes the Maker gives—”lifewas on the tip of his tongue when someone sounded the alarm.
“Stay here.” He gently moved her off him and darted outside. He’d get clothing once the threat was taken care of. Besides, Zhen he didn’t mind others seeing him naked, scenting his mate on him. He wanted everyone to know.Now I just have to find out how to tell her she’s with our young.
***
Mandy wanted to hit something. She’d been feeling a bit strange ever since they’d had sex in that pool outside the village. The sex had tied them even closer together, and she’d been feeling a pulse from the planet since. As if tapped into the same life-force—phelthar—the guys spoke of. Zehn had been about to explain it. She knew it. Because the sex with him this time was so much more intense. They must have mated, bonded. Joined. Whatever. Now she could feel Lore and Zehn deep inside her. A hum in her belly that made her feel not so alone. It was strange, satisfying, and alarming, because she felt more open than she’d ever been, with no one to catch her should she fall.
Then again, Lore would be there if Zehn wasn’t.
She smiled, wondering if just maybe she’d found a place to call home. Mates who would care for her as she cared for them. She loved Lore’s shyness, his strength coupled with that sense of aloneness. And Zehn’s confidence, his need to take care of her and Lore, to keep them together. She felt that she could belong, bringing with her a softness her barbarian warriors didn’t have.
Mandy dressed, not unduly worried about the alarm outside. The barbarians occasionally ran drills to get the villagers prepared for a raid. She liked that they took the protection of their people seriously. Even though only crazies would attack a village this well fortified, she was glad to be in a place where men like Zehn and Lore could look small. Goodness, but their leader, Talzec, was a monster.
She didn’t know how Skye handled him. Large and mean and scary looking, until he smiled. Then she saw the caring these barbarians tucked away.
Watta and another male approached her.
Mandy waited for more vitriol from the bitchy woman.
“I’m sorry,” Watta apologized, surprising her again. “I should not have been so cruel. But I have had feelings for Lore and Zehn.”
The aggressive male with her glared and prodded her, a hand on her shoulder.
“It was unbecoming of a Vyctore maiden. I offer my sincere apologies and restitution.”
Mandy didn’t want to know what that might encompass. “It’s okay. I understand.” She’d come to love the men in so little time. She could imagine how difficult it might be to live with them for years and not have them.
Yet, for all she’d come to care for her warriors, she didn’t know what to do about planet Ussed. Did they have to live here, together? Or could they travel this solar system and others? Explore new worlds she’d never seen?
The idea had been a part of her for so long, to escape Earth and be on her own. Yet now she was on planet Ussed. Had been for months. And for the first time ever, she felt at home.
“I will take you to the women.” Watta sounded sad.
