Page 7 of Her Alien Mercenaries
It wasn’t until he tapped her on the shoulder that she snapped out of whatever strange thrall she’d fallen into. Once he had her attention, he pointed down.
The colony stretched out beneath them, cream and white buildings laid out in perfectly ordered squares. Each one had at a park or open area in the center, every one of them different from the others. Tile mosaics decorated some of the buildings and made repeated patterns along the walkways while murals adorned the walls near street level, adding splashes of vibrant color and giving each neighborhood its own personality.
Beyond the colony was an impossibly wide expanse of green. In some places the land was cultivated for crops while in others it looked completely untouched. Fields gave way to forests that stretched all the way to the distant mountains in one direction while in the other…
She caught a glint of sunlight reflected off of water. So much water. Was that theocean? She’d seen maps, of course, and knew the colony was less than fifty kilometers from the sea, but knowing wasn’t the same as actually seeing it for herself.
She twisted and turned, but try as she might, she couldn’t see more than the distant gleam of sun on water, so she turned her attention back to the immediate area. She spotted the river that bisected the two halves of the colony along with the bridge that connected the two sides. It was wide enough to allow for buildings, mostly market stalls and other semipermanent structures, to line both sides and still have room for pedestrians and traffic down the middle.
Torren pointed again, and she recognized their destination immediately. They were going to the Bar None, a human-owned tavern. That made her feel better. She wasn’t ready to be alone with her new mates yet. Though part of her was already wondering what that would be like… because she knew it would happen.Soon.
One thing she’d discovered during their flight was that Haven had more living space than she’d assumed. Almost every rooftop they’d flown over had at least a few pieces of furniture and other comforts. Many of them had gardens as well, adding even more color and perhaps even landmarks for those flying overhead.
Why hadn’t she considered that before? A species capable of flight would see perspectives no human would consider. The thought reminded her how far away from Earth she was, and how lucky she was to be here.
She’d always wanted this, a life that allowed for different perspectives and the opportunity to experience them for herself.
He set down on the roof of the Bar None, the landing surprisingly gentle. Planters edged three sides of the area, all of them full of carefully tended plants, some of which she actually recognized. Basil. Oregano. Mint. It was a kitchen garden, though on a scale she’d never seen back on Earth.
Instead of bending over to set her back on her feet, Torren released her legs first and then let her slide down the front of his body. She gasped at the delicious friction of the movement.
When she looked up at Torren, he grinned down at her, utterly unrepentant.
“I was right. Youaretrouble,” she said in Galactic Common.
His smile only widened. “You are an astute judge of character, mymahaya,” he replied in the same language. Unlike most of the others on the planet, Jenna didn’t need a translator implant, which meant she heard every word as it was spoken with no electronic interference. Torren’s voice was deep, confident, and lilted in a way she’d never heard during her studies of the main Vardarian languages.
“Ah, there he is. Late as always.” Torren tipped his head and glanced up, drawing her attention to a rapidly approaching golden shape in the sky.
“He’s youranrik?” she asked, suddenly nervous.
“He is. Though I’m certain he’d prefer it if you called him yourmahoyen.” The big male glanced down at her and took her hand in his. “As would I.”
Jenna nodded and squeezed his hand. “My mahoyen.”
Torren made a low rumbling sound of satisfaction and tightened his hold on her hand. “Yes, we are. And now, I want to know your name.”
The request surprised her. Hadn’t anyone mentioned her name yet? A quick replay of the day’s events revealed that she’d never introduced herself. Neither had Torren, but she’d learned his name from Saska before thesharhalhad slammed into her plans like a runaway starship.
“I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself.” She started to hold out her hand in greeting and then realized he was already holding it. “I’m Jenna.”
“No apologies. I didn’t introduce myself either.” Torren glanced skyward and then raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers gently. “I am Torren Vex. And the golden blur headed our way is Zanyr Sallesh.”
She tensed and glanced up at the sky again. “Zanyr? He’s on the leadership council. Isn’t he?”
Stars above and below. Was she mated to one of the colony’s leaders? She was accustomed to dealing with beings of high rank and authority, but only a member of the staff. Would he be like them? Had she come all this way only to wind up in the same situation?
Torren snorted. “Yes, he was foolish enough to agree to serve as part of the council. You know the council has equal representation from all the species on Liberty with beings from diverse backgrounds. Someone managed to convince him to represent the agriculturists.” Torren smirked. “So now he has to attend meetings and listen to long presentations while I enjoy quiet evenings at home.”
Agriculturist? Jenna wanted to ask for more details, but Zanyr was only a few seconds away. Questions would have to wait.
Unlike Torren’s earlier arrival, Zanyr’s descent was controlled in both velocity and accuracy. He touched down lightly, the wind from his wings fanning her face and making the skirt of her dress flutter around her calves.
She hadn’t had much time to envision what Zanyr might look like, but what she’d conjured in her mind had little in common with the reality. Instead of a well-dressed, refined male of power and influence, her mate was all rough edges and raw force of personality.
He wasn’t quite as tall as Torren, but his build was broader across the chest and shoulders. Hisbarechest. She noted. Golden scales with a reddish cast gleamed brightly as he turned to face her. She knew what that meant. Either he was aroused, or he sensed danger. Her money was on the former.
She looked her fill, taking in the hard planes of his body and the way his stomach showed ridges of hard muscle. She could have wrapped both hands around one of his biceps and not made her fingers meet.
