Deadly Star, page 7
“There you go, Lily. Better?”
She moved closer to him and muttered, “Why did they tell us that the Hmrain were terrifying? You are stubborn and have weird kinks but are otherwise nice.”
He laughed. “Oh, we are very terrifying when defending our territory and indifferent to those whose lives hold no meaning to us. However, with a consort, body servant, or mate, we are doting and affectionate. You are precious to us and treated as such. We mark our consorts in different ways so that others may know who they are.”
“Doesn’t that tempt kidnappers and such?”
He chuckled. “If they dared, which they wouldn’t, I would get you back, put you somewhere safe, and tear them limb from limb or have the drones do it.”
“Wait. Put me somewhere?”
“Oh, yes. While you have your obligations to carry out, my duty of care is to you, then the worlds I guide and guard.”
She kept her head pressed against him as she thought about those obligations. What she had signed up for was gradually sinking in, and she was really hoping that he wasn’t in a hurry. She had never rushed into anything in her life, but one global-killing disaster made one rethink things.
Chapter Seven
Nova looked down at Heboren as she sank onto him, nearly to the hilt. “How the hell is that possible?”
She lifted and sank again. Yeah, she could go nearly all the way down. That was fast.
Heboren chuckled. “I told you; it is the first thing the nanites do. They build you to accommodate me.”
“And it isn’t reversible.”
He caressed her hips. “No.”
She rose and fell on him at his desk. He said he wanted to think of her while he worked, so they were defiling his office chair.
She felt a whisper through her mind, and her breathing came faster. She continued to move on him, her head lolling back on her neck, and moans rippled through her as every nerve was warmed and caressed. It was like fucking in warm honey. She clenched her hands on his shoulders as she came. A low moan and deep shudders accompanied the waves of colour behind her eyes. His hands cupped her hips and waist. He pulled her to him as a splash of incredible heat filled her. He held her in place and nuzzled her neck with soft kisses keeping her busy while another jet followed the first.
When he let her come up for air, he chuckled. “Just a little more, and we won’t have to be so careful. So far, you are providing an incredible rush of energy.”
She swallowed. “Will it drain me?”
He laughed. “No, I am not consuming you; I am consuming your pleasure. It is generated by our efforts and exists only for a moment.” He stroked her back. “I have to be quick and keep my mind open.”
She smiled. He was right. She was fatigued, but it was the physical effort that had caused it, and a solid nap would help her recover. Maybe a snack.
Nova leaned in and kissed him softly. His mind skated through hers with the care of someone stroking a bunny.
They were still holding each other when there was a knock on the door. Heboren lifted is head. “Come in.”
The crewman stepped into the space, paused, blinked, and shook his head. “Overseer, we are approaching Hebor. What do you want us to do with the Terrans?”
Nova was stuck where she was, so she looked at the crewmember while keeping her body pressed to Heboren’s.
“Put them in a separate drop shuttle and take them to the bond house.”
“All of them?” The crewman looked at Nova.
She looked back. “I have an active bond contract.”
Heboren chuckled. “She does indeed.”
“Yes, Overseer. Congratulations.”
“I will be in my own shuttle in two hours and returning to the surface.”
“Yes, Overseer. We will make sure it is staffed and ready.” The man with canine features kept staring at Nova.
Heboren sighed and folded his wing up between them. It left Nova peeping at the crewman over the silky feathers.
She watched as the man straightened, flustered, bowed, and accepted Heboren’s dismissal.
The Hmrain threaded his hand through her hair and pressed his forehead to hers. “I had not anticipated the reaction of the Hebor to your people.”
“I think it has to do with him being young and us being naked and still sweaty from sex.”
“And your mind is still warm and happy from your last release.” He chuckled. “I can see it was pretty much a perfect storm.”
“Right. So, shower and clothes?”
He laughed. “Soon.”
Nova looked into his eyes with the lazy stars moving inside. “Soon?”
He grinned, showing a lot of very pointy teeth. He lifted her hips from his, and she blushed at the slurping noise that sounded. Her body definitely reacted to his.
He kissed her, turned her, and draped her over his desk. When he used his thighs to widen hers, she understood a moment before he slid into her again. She grunted, and her nails clawed at the desk.
“What a pretty back, smooth muscles under the surface. You show every mark.” His hand drew across her back as the other gripped her hip while he slowly moved in and out.
He stroked the front wall of her sex with every move of his hips, and she was desperately clawing at the desk and whimpering.
“Ah, pet. Does this feel good?”
She groaned as he slowed his motions and shuddered as the slow drag of him set her off. She let out a sound that was part whine and a lot feline as her oversensitized flesh surrendered to the stroke. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she twisted under him. He slid back in, and she screamed and then went limp.
She heard soft laughter as he pulled out of her, kissed her temple, and carried her to the shower. He carefully cleaned her of sweat and fluids before drying her and setting her on the edge of the bed before he selected a dress for her that was in his colours but was more opaque than the one she had been wearing until he tore it down the centre.
Nova got dressed and cinched the wide belt under her breasts. She tried to stand under her own power and thudded to the bed again.
“Oh, pet. I suppose you will have to build up stamina.”
She looked up at him, and his fierce features were soft. He was practically glowing with energy. “You seem... different.”
He chuckled. “I have a proper bonded consort. I will get stronger with every coupling.”
“Stronger?” The thought was inconceivable.
“Indeed, and you will rise to meet me every step we take together. My body and yours will rise together.”
Nova blinked at him. “Wait. More?”
“Yes. You will undergo the same transformation that Lily is going through. Eventually. Your bones will increase in density, muscle attachments will increase, and skin will become more resistant to puncture.” He lifted her in his arms.
“Shoes. I need shoes. Please.”
He nodded. “Cultural importance?”
“My toes get cold.”
He chucked and set her back on the bed. She watched his wings sweep past her as he went to the wardrobe. He got some shoes and a bag and put a few dresses and slippers into it. She smiled when he slung it over his shoulder and brought her a pair of black slippers.
When she was properly shod, he picked her up again and pressed his forehead to her temple, breathing her in. “Now, we get to the shuttle, and then it is a leisurely fall to our home.”
“I thought the others were leaving in a few hours.”
“They are. We are leaving now. My ship is faster. You will be all settled in by the time your people arrive.”
She smiled, and he held her close as they left his quarters. He carried her through the ship and down to his shuttle. There was a crew waiting, who greeted them calmly. She was tucked into a smaller version of his bedroom and shown the jump seat she needed for landing.
Nova looked at him. “Can I see how the shuttle flies? I have my qualification.”
“Ah, yes. I nearly forgot about that. Of course. This is where you go when you are tired. Do not overtire yourself no matter how exciting playing at the helm is. You will not like the results.” His expression was fierce.
Nova looked at his posture, the tense set of his neck and shoulders. He was serious.
“I will keep track of my fatigue. I will not allow it to interfere with our contract.”
“No, I will not allow it to interfere with our contract. You remember the other clause regarding access?”
She swallowed. “Yes, Overseer.”
“Good. As long as we understand each other, you may play with the helm controls.”
She walked up to him and smiled. “Which way do we go?”
He took her hand and led her out of his quarters. When they reached the control deck, they were already easing out of the warship.
The captain smiled, nodding to Heboren. “Welcome back, Overseer. We will be on the surface in five hours.”
“Excellent. This is my new bonded consort, Nova. She has pilot qualifications and is interested in taking control.” He smiled. “Oh, and she is the hub of the Deadly Star.”
Six pairs of eyes turned to stare at her. She curtsied. “Hello.”
The commander looked at Heboren. “You are sure?”
Heboren nodded. “I have seen her in action. And flying as well. She is competent to fly for a few minutes.”
The commander nodded, and relief crossed his feline features. “Lieutenant Lr’toth, please, surrender your station.”
Heboren looked down at Nova. “You may have a seat, sweet.”
A canine Hebor got to his feet and stood to one side. “Lady.”
She blushed as they watched her, but she focused on the seat, settled herself in the chair, brought up the analytics, the trajectory, and asked, “Commander, how soon did we want to arrive at Hebor?”
There was a chuckle behind her. “How soon can you get us there, lady?”
“Two hours and twenty-two minutes. But I am still a little iffy on re-entry and landings. I can get us there in an hour if everyone has their original teeth.”
The commander’s voice said, “Proceed, lady. We can always slow down when we get to Hebor, and the lieutenant can take over to bring us in.”
“Fine. I have the helm.” She slid her fingers along the controls and felt the electronic pulse in the floor of the ship. This was what she loved.
She hummed and moved her hands over the panel. She had a display that showed the unmarked vastness. Satellites, distance between planetary bodies, it all made for a pattern that led directly to Hebor.
Nova controlled the ship at high speed until she felt fatigued. Her arms ached, and she was blinking to keep focus. “Lieutenant Lr’toth?”
“Yes, lady?”
“Please, take over. I am fatigued, and I am not allowed to be.”
“Uh, I am not comfortable taking over a manual piloting.”
She sighed and hit the automated controls. The ship immediately cut active engines and began to glide. She had been building speed, but the ship stopped accelerating, and they were sliding through space.
“There. Automatic. Good?” She glanced up at him.
He nodded. “Thank you, lady.”
“It should just glide to Hebor. I will leave you to land this sucker.” She got to her feet, swayed, and then lifted.
“You left it a little late, Nova.” Heboren sighed. “I was rough on you. I am surprised that you lasted this long.”
He didn’t speak to anyone but her as he carried her off the command deck and back to his quarters. “I am still undecided as to punishing you.”
“Even at this speed, we will be on your world in forty-five minutes.”
“You have time enough for a nap. Don’t worry. You will be alone. I have to speak with the commander.”
“Yes, Overseer.” She leaned her head against his shoulder and yawned.
He took her to his quarters, removed her shoes and belt, then settled her on the bed. “Rest. We will be home soon.”
He dimmed the lights and left her alone.
Nova pulled the sheet over her, curled up, and dozed off. When she woke up, she would be home.
Careful fingers feathered over her face and down her body. “Nova. We are home. Time to get up and start exploring.”
She blinked and rubbed her eyes. “So soon? I feel like I just fell asleep.”
“You have been out for two hours.”
The room was absolutely dark. “I am so sorry. I am assuming you can see in the dark?”
He chuckled. “I am guessing you cannot. Lights low.”
There was a pale dimness in the space, and she rose to her knees, buckling her belt back into place before she scooted to the edge of the bed next to the kneeling Heboren and stepped into her shoes.
Heboren stood straight and grabbed the bag he had packed. She looked at the hand that he held out and took it. He gently squeezed her fingers, and together, they walked out of his quarters and headed for the exit.
The walk was quiet, but she heard sounds coming from the open door of the ship. They walked out, and there was a roar that made Nova push against Heboren. He wrapped his wing around her but left her visible.
The people in uniform were lining their walkway. The roar was from them. Feline and canine were howling for them.
What is this about?
Heboren looked down at her and chuckled. They are congratulating me on finding a mate.
I thought I was a body servant.
Call it what you will; the result is the same. You are mine.
She sighed, and if her mind was as red as her face, it explained the knowing chuckles in the folks within twenty feet of them.
The path took them to the end of the crew. At that point, Heboren lifted her into his arms, put the bag on her lap, and opened his wings. He crouched, and the down sweep launched them skyward.
Nova gasped and looked at the world below her. It was amazing, and the structures were similar to pyramids in Central America.
The vehicles zipping around and the weird colours of the plants were new, but the feel was of an industrial civilization that had its shit together.
Heboren said, “That is where the Hmrain come in. We keep civilizations moving forward, directing them toward peaceful interaction with other species. At the same time, we prepare them for war. Just in case. Not all Hmrain are interested in peaceful progress.”
She watched the world go by and then saw the huge pyramid in the distance.
“That is our home. This is where we return to.”
The top of the pyramid was flat with the exception of a staircase that led below. He landed, walked to the wide staircase, and scanned the moment they touched it.
“I thought it would only accept Hmrain markers?” she muttered.
“It does. Your body now registers as a consort.”
She thought about the changes already felt in her system. “Right. So, any consort could come down here?”
“Certainly. Why do you ask?”
“Just in case Lily ever makes it.”
“Ah. Nebel likes to live among his artists and researchers. You may never see your acquaintance again.”
She felt a pang. “Ah. I felt a connection with her.”
He sent a soothing wave over her as he walked down the wide steps and into the depths of the building that probably was his home.
A female feline Hebor walked up and nodded. “Welcome home, my lord. We have heard that you obtained a consort. Welcome, lady.”
“Nova, this is Hekora, the housekeeper and grand vizier. She manages the entire place. Hekora, this is Lady Nova, my best and brightest hope for a future.”
Hekora bowed. “Also pilot of at least four vessel designs, including being the hub of the Deadly Star. It is a pleasure to greet you, lady.”
The female had solid black fur that was close to her body and huge yellow eyes that crinkled as she locked gazes with Nova. “Are your species always hairless?”
“For the most part. We are not particularly well insulated.”
Hekora nodded. “I see. Overseer, your chambers are ready. Would you like anything from the kitchens?”
“A meal for her. The seamstress is scheduled for tomorrow?”
“I had her on the schedule for today.”
“Push it back. We are going to spend the day getting Nova used to the view.” He nuzzled her temple.
Nova snorted. “Why am I suspicious?”
“Because you are a clever woman.” He sent warmth through her mind that turned to heat.
She squirmed and blushed as Hekora gave him a surprised look. Nova was pretty sure that Heboren had not shielded the wave of heat.
Hekora took the bag from Nova and carried it down to a set of two huge doors that swung open after Heboren was scanned.
The housekeeper took the bag to the closet, hung up the clothing, bowed, and said, “I will be back in a few minutes with a meal. Lady, Overseer.” She backed out, and the doors closed.
Nova found herself set on the bed that was wide enough to let Heboren starfish with wings and everything. “Do you do laps in here?”
He chuckled and slipped off her shoes. “Let’s find out.” He undid her belt and pulled her dress down over her shoulders.
She tried to free her arms, but he shook his head. “No. Your species’ lack of body covering makes the following easy.”
Nova was going to ask him what, but she figured it out when he flipped up her skirt and knelt between her thighs.
She didn’t even notice the tray dropped off for her until a smug Heboren sat up against the headboard and hand-fed her the food. After dinner, he settled her in bed, kissed her forehead, and then left her. She was too tired to care; she was out.
Chapter Eight
Lily started to shake when the pain flared up. She was confused as it was supposed to be healed, but since most of the pain emanated from her clit, she guessed that even the healing light couldn’t get where the sun didn’t shine.
