Page 42 of Interlude

“The dragon was the only one who would be fairly safe. There are no large, airborne predators.”

“I guess that seems reasonable.”

“He’s going to radio back in the morning and let us know what’s going on. But enough about that, why did you smell so needy when you returned from visiting with Nikos?” Maxsim asks, and I drop my eyes, unable to meet his gaze. “Is it really pregnancy hormones or something else?”

I shrug. “I find the merman sexy, just like I find the doctor sexy. It doesn’t mean anything.”

A rumbly sound comes from Maxsim’s chest, and I wince, worried my alpha’s jealousy is going to make an appearance, but instead of his scent turning sour with that particular emotion, it strengthens and deepens.

“Would you like to invite them into your nest to play with us?” he asks, and my eyes widen with surprise.

“You would be okay with that?” I ask him, unable to hide my shock.

“It seems that, like Caspian, now that you are pregnant with our kittens, I am not opposed to inviting others into our bed, or for you to anyway. I would do anything to make you happy, and if that’s what it takes, then I would allow them to fuck you and Lila while I watch. Are you sure the merman is interested?”

I duck my head in embarrassment. “I don’t know. He made a couple of sleepy comments that made it sound like he might be, but you know what he was like before he mated Lila—all suggestive and lewd comments—so maybe he was just reverting to his old ways.”

Maxsim shakes his head vigorously. “No, I don’t think so. He dropped that act the moment he realized Lila didn’t care about who or what he was. Usually, words muttered at our most vulnerable are the truth. We will discuss this later. Why don’t you come here so I can take care of that need? I don’t like it when my omega is aching with want.” He starts to purr, and I feel my cock leak and my slick drip down my thighs. My body is always ready to fuck, even though I’m already pregnant. It’s like I’m permanently in heat, ready for my alpha to drive his cock home whenever he wants.

I whine as he drags me toward him, taking my mouth with his. His tongue caresses mine as his hand goes to my cock, stroking up and down, using my precum for lubricant. I moan and thrust into his hand as his lightning pulses in his grip, mixing pleasure and pain. He growls his approval before releasing my cock.

Grabbing my hips, he manhandles me onto my front. “Present for me,” he commands as I lift my hips, giving him the access he requires, unable to stop the whine from escaping my mouth.

“Please, Alpha, fill me,” I beg as he uses his hands to spread my cheeks before running his tongue over my slick drenched asshole.

“Such a good omega, dripping with slick for his alpha. Ready for my knot? I’m going to fuck you hard and deep and make sure that you never feel needy.” He lines himself up before slamming home. My moan echoes through the cave as I sink into the pleasure my alpha wrings from my body.

Zeydan

The little earth elemental in front of me holds her breath as I reach for my cloak to reveal myself to her for the first time. Anticipation vibrates off her, and I feel a pang of worry. I hope she is not disappointed when she sees me. It’s been a long time since anyone saw me in my true form. I lost the ability to glamour when my power was depleted and decided that a cloak was a good way to keep myself anonymous, but this little mimic is my soulmate. I felt it the first time I saw her in the bar on Z68, when she was in her true form, meeting with one of the harvesters. I didn’t stick around, because I knew it was just a matter of time before I saw her again, and I needed to make arrangements. Previously, this dwelling was nothing but a place to lay my head and rejuvenate my power in the soil, so I had to make sure it was a comfy and cozy abode for my beloved.

I could have been knocked over with a feather when I finally realized what the pull to her was. I originally thought that maybe she was Lilessa, because she has the same kind of resonance that life had once upon a time, but I quickly dismissed it. Lilessa always claimed we had mates out there, and it was only a matter of time until we found them, but after thousands and thousands of years, we had given up hope—the four of us elementals even more so since Lilessa and Vivax disappeared. I haven’t seen any of my fellow gods in close to six hundred years. I have no idea where they are, or even if they still exist. Maybe they chose to fade.

For the first time ever, I’m nervous about my appearance. I have been worshiped by millions, yet this little Skarrian’s opinion is more important than any who have come before her.

I slowly drag the cloak back, revealing myself to her. The ears on top of my head twitch with agitation, and my tails do the same thing, all nine of them fanning out behind and above me as I allow the cloak to fall. When I finally meet her eyes, I brace for rejection, but what I find isn’t the anticipated shock, but a deep, throbbing burst of lust. My cock hardens beneath my skirt. It has remained unused and dormant for so long, I thought I had become impotent there as well as with my magic, but the mere scent of my mate’s arousal has it rising to attention, making it rock hard. I am thankful for my long skirt and its fullness for hiding the attraction. It isn’t something I want to force on her until she is ready.

“Wow, you’re a kitsune,” she says, standing up and walking toward me. “I’ve read about them in Japanese mythology. You could be a samurai warrior right out of a fiction book.” She reaches out like she wants to run her hand over my naked chest but quickly snatches it back when she realizes what she’s doing. I feel a wave of triumph flow through me and struggle to contain my smirk at the thought that my mate is as drawn to me as I am to her. A searing sting on my shoulder makes me shout out loud as the Skarrian attraction mark burns itself into my skin. I see her flinch and feel her somewhat disgruntled acknowledgement as the same thing happens to her. My glee fades as I try to get a read on her feelings, but from what I can tell, she’s not disappointed, just unsurprised. I can hear her thoughts.

Of course an attraction mark appears. This man is walking sex on legs. You are only human, Lila, or slutty Skarrian.

I drop my gaze so she doesn’t see me laughing at her words. It must be hard for someone who grew up without knowledge of her true nature.

“I don’t know what you speak of, this kitsune, but I am happy that my form does not repulse you,” I say quietly as she walks behind me and brushes a hand over one of my tails. My cock throbs and weeps, and it’s all I can do to muffle my groan.

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I couldn’t stop myself from touching your tails. That was rude.” She sounds embarrassed, and her cheeks are a darker green like she’s blushing when she steps in front of me. I reach for her tiny little hands, slightly frustrated by the size difference between us. She’s so small, I don’t want to break her.

“Don’t be, they radiate their own animal magnetism. They want you to pet them,” I tell her, and a little wrinkle forms between her eyes as she bites her lip.

“They?”

I release my hold on my pets. One by one, they take form and jump to the ground, crowding around her, their own bushy tails wagging with delight as they smother her tiny form in licks.

She collapses to the ground under all nine of them, and I lose her under the pile as they continue to lavish her with love and attention.

She giggles and squeals, the sound bringing a smile to my lips, her joy palatable. “Such adorable murder puppies. Stop, okay, stop, ugh. I’m definitely going to need a bath now,” I hear her mutter, but she doesn’t sound distressed.

I whistle and encourage them to retreat anyway. All nine of them sit in a line and wait for her to come to them instead. She stands up and gives them all a pat. “What are their names?” she asks, and I shrug.

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