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Etterian battleship Phoenix
The common
Late one evening.
Macy scrolled to the next page, finding the O.D.I. as a reading device unusual. The words were legible against an opaque background, but she couldn’t read for longer than an hour before exhaustion fogged her mind. Curled into a corner in the common, the buzz of males coming and going added comfort. She glanced up to smile at no one. Returning her attention to the travails of forlorn lovers, she ignored the pang in her heart whispering that such an all-encompassing love wasn’t for her.
“Are you bothering Lady Macera?” a male asked, drawing her attention. Alongside her sat a Lysaran male, one of the prisoners Quin had freed. She hadn’t heard him approach, nor felt his gaze upon her.
“Forgive me, milady. I sensed your longing and pain.”
“It’s all right, Rior.” She smiled at the medic, hoping to ease his protective instincts.
Powering off her O.D.I., she faced the Lysaran, wishing she’d taken a moment to prepare herself. “Hello, I’m Macy, are you adjusting well to freedom?” She glanced down, tracing her fingertip along the edge of the table. What could she say? Damn, he was gorgeous with his caramel skin and brown hair. Those amber-gold eyes pierced hers every time she met his gaze. She drew in a calming breath before raising her chin to offer a polite smile.
“I am Myn-ras Bel-nataar. It is a pleasure to meet you, milady.” His voice dipped low with his gaze traveling her face. What he searched for or saw, she couldn’t say.
“Call me Macy, please.” Is that husky voice mine? Get a grip, woman.
“I would like to thank you for your bravery.”
Discomfort at his admiration lanced through her. She shifted on her backside then straightened her spine. “I did nothing, Myn-ras. Quin’s the true heroine.”
“I do not believe so.” He frowned. “I have saddened you. I am sorry.”
She gasped. “I’m not sad.” Or am I? Did I want to be the heroine? The way these men gravitated toward Quin? Yup, hot damn, I’d loved to be desirable.
The man drew in a deep breath and smiled, vampiric fangs dimpling his bottom lip. Holy shit, now that is sexy. Awe had her gawking at him. She hadn’t believed in vampires, but the man before her had her reconsidering their existence.
His sensual lips split into a wide grin. “Your emotions are passionate and intense. They perfume the air with delicate fragrances.” His amber-gold eyes turned molten. Excitement skittered goosebumps down her spine. It felt good to be the focus of such warmth, but alas, she didn’t trust it.
“You can smell my thoughts?” She tried to think of nothing—a struggle on its own.
“Emotions, yes. Our people are losing theirs. Without mates, they are withdrawing, and our world is dying.”
“Why can’t they find their mates? Too few females?” It was a common enough scenario with the Etterians not being able to produce girls.
“No, our females are dying inside and losing the urge to procreate. My kuna is searching for a solution but to no avail.”
Dying inside? Of boredom, loneliness? No, I know nothing of that. She smothered a snort. But at least her depression wouldn’t kill a nation. “How does that kill your world? Don’t you mean species?” Sadness at the thought of a dying people drew a shuddering breath from her. Perhaps they had no idea what the cause was?
“When a male and female mate, the heavens answer their cries of delight and drench our lands with much-needed rain.” His eyes became shiny as if he was about to cry. “It has not rained for over a year.”
She closed her mouth, aware she gaped like a fish. A planet destroyed for lack of sex? Laughter burst from her, and she clamped her lips shut, heat burning her cheeks. This wasn’t a laughing matter.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny.” But when she glanced at him, he was smiling at her again.
“I am exhilarated in your presence, Macy.” He leaned across the table to hold out his hand.
Long fingers gestured to her to accept his request to touch her. She placed hers into his, watching as his caramel hand layered hers. He was hot, like he carried the sun within him. His moan returned her attention to his contorted face, and she chewed on her lip in concern. Deep red blood dribbled from his bottom lip where his fang had pierced it. Was he in pain? Should she find Medic Rior? She glanced around the common searching for him since he wasn’t in medical. Where the hell was he? Typical. When she needed him, he was gone.
“I do not want to alarm you, but I find your emotions arousing,” Myn-ras rasped.
“What?” she squeaked. Heat burst afresh across her cheeks. She wanted to yank her hand free but didn’t dare offend him.
“Are all your females as emotional?” He licked the blood off his lip.
“Yes, so it’s not me you’re attracted to.” There it was. Her usual self-recrimination. Anger burned through her, and she scowled, tugging her hand free. She was miserable too, but it was better to embrace the anger than to cry.
“I meant no insult.” Darkness crossed his eyes despite the sexy smile curling the corner of his mouth. “Being near you feels like I am drenched in the warm rays of our yellow sun.”
He bounded up and circled the table, looping his arms around her waist to lift her to her feet. At the ease with which he picked her up, she grabbed his biceps, hoping not to hit the floor face-first.
“Come, I need you to meet my friend, Bry-dar. He will not believe me unless he feels for himself.”
Dizzy and a little breathless, she chuckled at his eagerness. She should be chasing him away, but he was an alien species, one she couldn’t tar with any brush she knew. “Where is your friend?”
“In the common the Etterians allocated to us. He is a late sleeper.”
She blinked at the man clasping her to the length of his body. Was he aware of their intimate position? Not that she minded the heat emanating from him. She cherished being held, even as a semi-hostage. His cologne was of an unknown flower with a citrus undertone. Perhaps his world had beautiful flora, and he wished to carry the fragrance with him. A little mesmerized, she sucked it in, wondering if his scent carried pheromones.
“Myn-ras.” She darted glances at the Etterian males gathering around them. They were a protective species, a mannerism she found endearing. “Are you aware you’re holding me too close?”
A peach-colored blush burst across his face, and he released her, his mouth gaping as he pressed his palms to his cheeks. “I am embarrassed? It is wonderful.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him, forging a path through the vigilant bronze warriors.
His strides were long, and she hurried after him, doing double the steps to keep up. Her thighs burned from the abuse, reminding her of what Oyaz had put her through. Myn-ras was too excited, and she didn’t have the heart to ask him to slow down. It was understandable that by the time they reached his Common, she was breathless, and a fine sheen of perspiration beaded her forehead. Her knees trembled. She prayed it was muscle-strain and not in reaction to the man still holding her hand.
It was easy to spot his friend among the prisoners. Most of them were Maloidian—a yellow-skinned species with undulating tentacles for hair. She hadn’t had an opportunity to chat with many of them yet, well, except for Pannos. The old man had weaseled his way into her heart within a conversation. She missed her gran. Pushing down the constant grief thoughts of her revived, Macy pasted on a smile, watching Pannos amble across the room. In his hand was the metal pole he’d leaned on when they’d first met.
“Lommia,” she said, accepting his offered hand for a squeeze.
“How fare’s my favorite Earthian?” he asked, a bright smile splitting his cheeks.
“I’m well,” she said. He arched his unibrow in disbelief. “Struggling to adjust and battling boredom.” She shook her head, amazed at how he managed to wheedle the truth out of her. Myn-ras released her hand and gestured to his friend, indicating he’d fetch him. “I’m making changes though, and Rior’s implanted an O.D.I.”
“Ah, now I see. You love change. A stagnating future saps your energy.” Pannos squeezed her hand again before releasing it. “I hope to see my son soon, and if the gods bless me, bring him home. It has been too long.” He smiled. “Poor Myn-ras is in a state. What did you do to him?”
“He smells my emotions,” she said, disbelieving the words even as she spoke them.
“Visit more often, mitkaari. I enjoy interacting with you.” Pannos pulled back, allowing Myn-ras to approach her. His friend trailed him with more reticence.
“I promise, lommia. I’ll visit daily,” she said, fighting the urge to beg him to stay with her. Myn-ras was a little too much for her to handle, and two Lysarans might overwhelm her.
“Lady Macera, this is Bry-dar Tol-aryss.”
“Please, Myn-ras, call me Macy.” She held out her hand for a shake, but Bry-dar clasped it between his large-thumbed hands. His eyes fluttered closed. His fangs pressed down on his bottom lip in the perfect image of ecstasy.
“I did not believe you, my friend,” Bry-dar said, opening his eyes with gold swirling in their depths.
Drawn to their beauty, she inched closer to cup his face, marveling at the satin texture of his skin. “You’re beautiful.” Gasping, she glanced down, praying the heat on her cheeks wasn’t recognizable. Please tell me I didn’t say that aloud? Sugar honey iced tea.
Bry-dar laughed, tightening his hold on her as he drew her closer. “As are you, milady,” he said, peering into her eyes.
Me beautiful alongside this Adonis? She snorted, slipping her hand free and removing her grasp on his cheek. Moving on.
“We need to inform our kuna of this, Bry-dar,” Myn-ras said.
“He will not believe us, as I did, my friend.” Bry-dar looped an arm around her and yanked her against his taut body.
She cried out, her hands flying to his biceps. What was this? Manhandling me as if I’m a sex-cyborg? Hell, no.
“Will you return to Lysara with us, sweet Macera?” His voice rolled over her senses like molten honey. There was a seductive lure to his words, and she opened her mouth to agree to whatever he asked. She snapped her mouth shut and stepped back, knowing full well that she did so because he let her. Her fingers had touched bulging muscles, confirming his superior strength.
“To visit?” she asked, hoping not to cause an intergalactic incident if she disrespected him, but dammit, they touched her as if they had a right to.
“For as long as you would like.”
Myn-ras crowded in as well, engulfing her with their combined colognes. Her heart quivered in her chest, but she wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement. A purr rumbled through the air, feathering along her skin. She gasped, taking another step back in sheer panic. The urge to stay there warred with her need to run.
“Macy, here you are,” Oyaz said.
She spun to face him, her cheeks flushing as if he’d caught her naked. Relief flooded her, and even though she’d like nothing more than to bask in the allure rolling off the Lysarans, Oyaz offered a refuge for her tumultuous senses. She broke away from Bry-dar, not wanting to run but unable to ignore Oyaz.
“Were you searching for me?” she asked, delighted her voice remained steady. Although, her chaotic emotions had to be thrilling to the two Lysarans with the way they grinned at her.
Myn-ras followed and caught her hand, halting her retreat.
Oyaz rattled something off in a lyrical language she assumed was Lysaran. He looked none too pleased. His posture stiffened, and it seemed as if he’d grown taller, more intimidating. Here before her stood a commander and a powerful warrior. She darted glances between them as they conversed, and when Myn-ras released her hand, she slumped, allowing relief to claim her. Oyaz strode toward her to loop an arm around her, securing her to his side.
“We need to discuss tonight’s meal,” he said, sticking to the ruse.
She flashed an apologetic smile at Bry-dar and Myn-ras and allowed Oyaz to whisk her away. As soon as they were down the passage and alone, he stopped and clasped her shoulders with a gentle touch.
“Are you harmed?” His brow furrowed with what she assumed was concern. Etterians didn’t like to feel emotions. She had yet to find out why. “You look dazed, and your face has red patches.”
She groaned, mortification claiming her fragile ego. “I’m fine, Oyaz, thanks for finding me.”
“Take care with the Lysarans, ensa. They believe you are their salvation as well.”
As well as what? As whom? “So they implied. I’m not, though. Maybe other women but never me.” Biting her lip at having revealed some of her inner turmoil, she squeezed Oyaz’s forearm and scurried off, wanting nothing more but to find a hole to crawl into.
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