It seemed like a joyful night, a much needed one after the brutality of yesterday.Off to the side were a group of six Luxirians beating their drums, but what she hadn’t been able to hear from their house was that the drums were accompanied by other instruments.A woman dressed in a fuchsia gown played some sort of harp-like instrument, plucking the silver strings to create a beautiful tune, that blended surprisingly well with the harsh drums.Another Luxirian male blew into a silver tube, producing a sound that was a cross between a trumpet and a saxophone.The music was primal and raw and a small group of Luxirians had gathered to dance, grinding their bodies in a way that almost made her blush.
Vaxa led Kate to one of the head tables, where she saw Vaxa’s ambassadors sitting.There were smaller, just as lively gatherings on all the terraces throughout the Golden City, judging by the sounds of merriment echoing around the mountain, and it seemed that many had even journeyed in from some of the other outposts, none of which she had seen yet.As usual, Luxirians greeted them and brushed her stomach, murmuring prayers to the Fates as they scanned their eyes over her.It had been unsettling at first, but by the time Vaxa held out a chair for her next to him, she was at ease and excited for the night.
Lihvan was seated next to her mate on his other side and Rixavox was next to her.She leaned forward to smile and nod hello down at Kirov, Cruxan, and Vikan, all of whom were in attendance, on the other side of Rixavox.On the table in front of her was a heaping plate oftrixava, glazed and crusted in a sticky, blackened sauce.Next to it was what looked like a smooth rope, coiled around a conical black rock, with a tapered end.Next to that were richly colored Luxirian plums, or at least that was what she referred to them as since they tasted just as juicy as the ones on Earth.She also spied something that looked strangely like tapioca pudding, but it was lime green in color and the ‘tapioca’ was a shiny black.
There were no opening words or introductions.Once Vaxa took his seat, those that had claimed places at the long banquet tables began dishing up their plates.Her mate snagged her own plate and began piling on more food than she could probably eat in a week before replacing it in front of her.She grinned at him, knowing better than to protest.The babydidmake her pretty ravenous, so she might try to meet her mate’s challenge that night.
Luxirian men with gold cuffs on their wrists came to their table and poured something into each of the goblets.When she caught a whiff of it, it made her eyes water and her mate’s lips curled when he saw her reaction.
The terrace was loud and lively with an infectious jubilance, but she still heard him clearly when he leaned over to say in her ear, “Brew.It’s known to make even the strongest of warriors fumbling drunkards.”
“Seeing as how I’m pregnant with your son,” she said back, eyes twinkling, “I think I’ll pass.”
His eyes flashed with heat before he leaned back, snagging his goblet and lifting it to his lips.He took a long swallow, his hand landing on her thigh under the banquet table, before he returned to his meal, being drawn into conversation by Lihvan on his left side.His hand remained.All around her, the voices and language of Luxirians drifted to her ears, blending together.As she ate her meal, she observed the scene in front of her, her eyes flickering to Luxirian after Luxirian, to the dancers, to the musicians, to the couples and lovers that were eating and drinking in high spirits, to the amazing view of the darkened plains, its inky blackness slightly illuminated by the full moon overhead.What made the night even better was the warm breeze that swept through the revelry, rustling her hair and tightening her nipples.It felt like a calm, summer night on Earth, something she missed the most about her home planet.
This is my home now, she thought, with a slight smile and the truth rang through her.It was unfathomable to her that she had almost decided to leave it, had almost decided to leave Vaxa.The thought of leaving him now physically pained her, as though her body wouldn’t even allow her mind to think such a thing.
Their baby gave a kick in response, as if further punishing her for her thoughts, and she smiled, smoothing a hand over the bump in comfort.
Kate chatted with Rixavox next to her, asking him about what his outpost was like.Apparently, it was one of the furthest outposts in Luxiria, far enough away that whenever Rixavox needed to be present in the Golden City at her mate’s request—which was often—he stayed for the duration before returning to his true home.And he said his outpost was bitterly cold, towards the southern tip of the planet, which was perhaps why it wasn’t as populated as some of the others.Luxirians liked their heat, but much to Kate’s embarrassment and surprise, he’d told her that he had many willing mating partners that kept him warm at night.For a moment, Kate thought he’d just been teasing her judging by a sudden mischievous glint, no doubt fueled by the brew he was drinking, but Vaxa had cut in and told her that Rixavox had always had his share of female attentions.
“But, I thought Luxirians were monogamous,” she said, a burst of laughter threatening to rise out of her.
“For mates and breeding pairs, yes,” Vaxa said, settling back in his chair, taking another slow swallow of his brew.
“Mating partners are generally known to be more lax about such things,” Rixavox said, his mouth quirking.“And thank the Fates for it too.I do not believe I could be with just one female.”
“I agree,” Cruxan chimed in, raising his goblet.
Vaxa smirked.“I await the day you find both of your mates.Then, I will have a good laugh at your expense.”
Her mate’s hand was still on her thigh and throughout the meal, it had steadily been creeping upwards.And whether it was the frivolity of the evening or because she wanted to see what her kind-of-tipsy mate would do, since it intrigued her greatly to see him let loose a little, she let him take more and more liberties.
And eventually, as those around her careened more and more into drunkenness and Rixavox had left his seat to pursue a Luxirian female who had been making eyes at him all night, Kate found herself in Vaxa’s lap.Unlike the others, her mate had stopped drinking after his third goblet of brew.His nose traced a line down her throat, nipping at the skin, and he murmured in her ear, “Let us go find a quiet place.”
“Vaxa,” she said, huffing out a laugh, but it came out a little more breathless than she intended.“You are still recovering.”
“Hardly, mate.Would you like to inspect my wound to convince you?”
Kate bit her lip when his fingers bunched up her dress, drawing his hand under the material and gliding it up her thigh.No one would be able to see and with Rixavox gone and Lihvan drawn in conversation to his other side by one of the elders, Kate allowed it.Her abdomen clenched when his fingers found her wet center and she gasped a little when he nudged her clit.
“This should be your punishment for denying me,” he teased, his breath hot and raspy in her ear.“I should make you cum right here and make you squirm in my lap.”
“Vaxa,” she whispered, eye widening, grasping his wrist when he inserted a long, callused finger into her warmth.
A part of her wanted to let him do it, but she was still worried that someone might see.She’d be mortified if Lihvan figured out what was happening, given how much she saw him.At the same time, she was aroused and aching, turned on from her mate’s liberties and from watching the primal dancing that seemed only to grow larger in number by the second.There were not that many females present, and even less that were unmated.It didn’t stop the males from sniffing around and all those available were quickly being snapped up.Rixavox had already claimed his, with Cruxan hot on his heels.
“Okay, let’s go somewhere,” she whispered.Vaxa had told her that there was still a performance coming so they couldn’t leave for home quite yet.Instead, he helped her up.He leaned down to say something to Lihvan and the ambassador’s expression turned to one of knowing when he cast a look over her, much to her embarrassment, before nodding.
And then Vaxa led her away from the main terrace, leading her towards the mountain, crisscrossing stone alleys with a familiarity that had her pursuing her lips and saying, “And just how many times have you led someone backhere?”
Her slightly drunk mate finally picked a spot and gently pressed her against the wall of a darkened little alcove.She could only vaguely hear the sounds of the celebration but it was mostly quiet.Vaxa craned his neck and brought his lips down, whispering, “I remember none before you,luxiva.”
“Look at you and your honeyed words,” she whispered back.
“I do not know what ‘honeyed’ means,” he grumbled and she laughed.She’d known that Vaxa hadn’t exactly been a nun before he met her so she had no right to be jealous.
Still, she couldn’t resist tugging on the tiger’s tail, saying, “My ex-boyfriend never wanted to have sex in public.So this is a first.”
