Page 19 of The Omega's Unexpected Bounty
Graden slid his hands over the crystal control panel, and the top part of the ship melted down as if it were thin, wet sand against the surf.
His lips pressed together tightly as he looked out toward the jungle and center mountains. “It’s not my wish to be insulting, but every Augo Soturi thinks of this day. This is where we take our mates. However, it’s for those who are together, more than in name only.”
I wasn’t looking for a fight, but I spoke anyway. “Graden, you’re the one who wanted this arrangement. I wouldn’t have been here if you didn’t force my hand.”
His voice was quiet. “Merely sharing a revelation as mates are meant to do. No matter what the ‘arrangement,’ coming here is forced. We must give the appearance of a real mating period.”
He held out a hand for the barest of moments, and I asked myself if I should take it. He was right, we had to be civil to each other. I would be here for a full year, and it could be enjoyable or not. Some of that was on me.”
Warm fingers brushed against my own, and I inhaled deep. The weather was warm, but I felt his heat seep through, I heard Soturi had higher body temperatures, and he confirmed it. I thought I was hot myself, but he was a furnace.
We stepped off the bottom of the craft, and several black stepping stones appeared as they rose out of the white powder sand. Off in the distance was a mountain and I think I heard the roar of the waterfall. This didn’t look natural, and I presume the Volardi created it. There were plenty of insults you could give to the Volardi and most deserving. You couldn’t deny they were master builders – both good and bad.
We walked hand-in-hand, and I gave passing glances to hopping animals on the sand and in the leafy trees. New Texas imported animals from Earth, but there were similarities all over the galaxy. I saw things that looked like the crabs from my childhood books but pointier and bigger. In the distance were green little, jumping creatures I could only describe as ‘lizard birds’ They flittered around quickly and then flew away with membrane wings as we approached.
We walked to the sound of a crashing waterfall, and his voice rose over the torrent. “This is sacred to my people although I wonder if I’m dishonoring their memory.
“Because I’m here?” I asked.
“If one wants to be technical, yes. I’m bringing somebody who’s not really my mate, not because of who you are.”
Thanks?
“After my ancestors arrived on this planet and took a third as was the prior agreement with the Ryba, we set up this tradition. Some of my forefathers were conceived here. Some pregnancies didn’t take on the first day, so they were done later.” His voice drew out. “Tradition.”
“That won’t happen ‘Prince.’”
“Caan, you know my name. There is no need to use my title as an insult. Being a prince isn’t a life of wealth and indulgence. There are the responsibilities – mainly to my people. I’ve learned the lesson of the ‘Boot and Hand’ – to know when to help and to hurt. I’ve walked the streets and laughed within the crowds at the docks. They would not do this if I were the horrible monster you’re sure I am. If you stop looking for something wrong, you might find your stay could be pleasurable.”
“Do what I say, and everything is fine?” I asked.
“Stop your search for faults where there are none – at least not great ones.” His gaze settled on me and for several long seconds, he said nothing. “You agreed to this, and yet you are antagonistic as if hoping I will retract the offer. What are you afraid of?”
I felt my eye twitch. “I’m not afraid of you Graden.”
“Interesting, I didn’t ask if you’re afraid ofme. Yet my name is in your answer. How defensive. Do you think I am so isolated in my kingdom I cannot see the obvious?”
“And what would that be Prin– uh, Graden?”
“You are Omega in the galaxy where you’re rare. That gives you power, and yet the same power can force you into a role. I’m sure you know our history and what my people used to do to our Femeni. You don’t want that life nor do I blame you. Despite living on the fringes of society, and avoiding the more Volardi populated worlds, you find yourself near us, and it terrifies you.”
“To hell it does.”
His hand went up so slightly, but I still jerked away and far faster than the situation called for.
“Interesting.” His lips pushed together hard. “I cannot have you cower like a frightened animal from the slightest touch. Volardi males are known for their public affection.”
His thick brown-black hair waved in the soft ocean breeze. If he were Human, I would have done something already. Getting physical with him had plenty of implications. Memories of getting stuck on New Texas went through my mind. I wanted to take a shortcut and got caught in quicksand. One little indulgence had me there for hours.What would one here do to me?His deep voice tugged me away from my daydream and back to his fleck covered chest.
“Caan, I’ve read the reports and seen the records of what you’ve done. You’ve killed men while outnumbered. You fought creatures stronger than the Volardi Soturi. Yet…,” he inhaled deeply. “Mates can smell with certainty, but we are not mated. I smell the sour smell of fear. It’s faint, but there.” His gaze went off to the side as if thinking about something. “Perhaps I should…” he whispered, and I presumed it was to an internal thought.
“What,” I asked?
My reflexes are fast. They have to be in this business, yet I did nothing while Graden quickly turned and pressed his warm, full lips against mine. It was a few heartbeats before his tongue pushed my lips apart. His thick tanned hand massaged my neck, and he plunged deeper inside me.
Different thoughts went through my mind: Was it acknowledgment he was right? Did we need to be comfortable with each other? Perhaps it was pride to prove he was wrong and I could ‘endure’ his kiss. Another reason remained; as arrogant as he was, it wasn’tunpleasant. He’s not the first man I’ve kissed, but he was the first Soturi. His tongue slid back and forth over mine while I tasted his sweetness. Earlier I thought the beach was warm, but now I had nothing but tingling chills over my skin. I’m sure if I could look at my arms, I would’ve seen gooseflesh rise. Earlier he was kissing me, but now it was we.
Around our tongues went, but not softly as it did with other couples. They would try to give each other the most pleasure, but I could sense the dominance in his sucks and swipes, and I did the same back. We both forced our wills within each other’s mouth.
