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Planet Etteria
Issneen, the Royal City
Macy’s chambers
Macy folded Xeus’s scarf she’d just finished. Keryr and Ava sat opposite her, discussing how best to form a welcoming committee for human Dar Eths. So much had been left up to chance, and since Macy was now queen, she was determined to have someone mentor each woman landing on Etterian soil.
Hell, she might even compile pamphlets or a checklist.
She harumphed at the shortlist. It’s a work in progress. She wanted to touch on Etterian hair and how it was tied to their honor. Ava had just today explained it. There was also what the Ethera meant in terms of marriage. Macy tapped her chin. Maybe they needed to compile a pamphlet for the Etterians too. “What to expect when gaining a human spouse wife mate.”
“The twins were adopted today,” Ava was saying, snagging Macy’s attention.
“For realsies?” she gasped.
“Yup, a brother and sister owning a kreso farm two days ride from here.” Ava smiled. “Olivia vetted them first, watched their interaction with the boys, and when Dagon hugged them, that was it. Sealed.”
Keryr nodded. “Olivia cried.”
“And you, Keryr?” Macy clasped the female’s hand for a quick squeeze.
“I help where I can.” She laughed. “Kanzo took my image this day. Perhaps I will find an Eth.”
“What? No pairing ceremony?” Macy frowned. That too had been a recent discovery. Women paraded like cattle. Here, folks, step right up and get a wife. Taking images made more sense. What if the male couldn’t make it to the annual ceremony? What if Keryr’s mate was stuck on a battleship circling some planet?
Keryr’s O.D.I. buzzed, and she jumped, her cheeks darkening. While she read the message, Ava and Macy held a collective breath. When Keryr slumped, so did they. “My father.”
“This is nerve-racking.” Ava huffed. “I get that your image has to bounce from comm tower to battleship across galaxies, but could it please happen faster.”
Keryr laughed as she stood. “I have been summoned.” She waved Macy and Ava to remain in their chairs. “I shall let you know the moment I receive the news.”
After Keryr left, Ava circled the living room, pausing to finger silk roses Macy had shoved into a pewter vase. “Have I told you how I love what you’ve done with this space, Macy?”
“Yup, every time you visit.” She scanned the room now with a ‘Persian’ rug, woven cushions on the comfys, a wingback chair, and an ottoman by the tall windows. Despite them not being needed, curtains softened the room. Nuos and Azan had grumbled when they’d helped her install the railings. It had taken long to convince them and find a tool to drill. Except for the tapestry on one wall, the others remained bare. She planned to try creating artwork of some sort.
She’d even managed to have the replicator create a coffee machine. The aroma of roasted beans percolating first thing in the morning was worth it. All she needed now was a sink in the ‘kitchen.’ Washing the coffee pot in the bathroom was all levels of ew.
“Would you be interested in helping me decorate my home?” Ava pressed her palms together, added a pout, and widened her eyes. “Pretty please.”
Macy laughed. “Sure, but you get to choose the finishes. No point in replicating this space. It has to be all you.”
“Deal,” Ava squealed before slumping into a nearby chair. “I’ll find out from Kanzo if there are any incoming women we need to worry about. Might be a good idea to record a video to send to them as soon as they step foot on a battleship.”
“And here I was thinking a checklist,” Macy smirked.
“Well, we do need a list of topics to discuss.”
“I’d also like to find out how many Etterian females would be interested in mentoring.”
“Yes, I love that.” Ava leaped to her feet to hug Macy. “I have the children coming over for haircuts this afternoon. I wanted to turn the salon into a wonderland.”
“Oh!” Macy bounced on her ass. “I have my usual appointment with Xeus. After that, I’ll come right over.”
“Great.” Ava pursed her lips before forming a wry smile. “I might need all the help I can get.” She skipped to the door. “And thanks for mentioning the Crustiiu pools.” With a wink, she waltzed through the door and passed Nuos and Azan.
Stroking the scarf, she prayed Zoo would react as Oyaz had. Clutching it to her chest, she rose and placed it on the kitchen counter. It was nearing time for their usual alcove-meeting, but she wasn’t sure if it was still happening after this morning’s...sexcapades. She squeezed her thighs together, trying to calm the constant ache. One would think more sex meant fewer urges. Nope, she craved him, his touch, his mouth, that glorious tongue.
She grinned. Maybe it was time to show him what her tongue could do.
She swiveled and punched in her requirements—a sleeveless floral dress, a fresh set of armor for Zoo, and two sets of wireless earphones. After a quick shower, she dressed, donned slippers, fluffed her hair, and strode out of her home to face the biggest challenge—convincing Nuos and Azan to listen to music while she introduced Zoo to her mouth.
~*~
“The alcove,” was all Macera’s comm said.
Xeus reread it, wondering what she meant. What about the alcove? He glanced at the ambassadors waiting on him. They were discussing the increasing demand for kreso, not only for Etteria but for export. The great hairy beasts had formed the staple of their meals since the first annals were written.
Ambassador Nasu’s bloodline had been farming kreso for generations. He was as revered as Cales. Since Nasu had never allowed his training to lapse, Xeus respected his advice and opinion. Nasu was an honorable and true Etterian male.
“I assume it is a comm from your Dar Eth?” He offered a small smile.
Xeus frowned. “One that does not make sense.”
“Does it have to, my king?” Kanzo grinned. “I do not know if females have ever had to make sense, especially human women.”
“Truth.” Xeus chuckled.
At a timid knock, Kanzo rose to open the door.
Xeus leaped to his feet when a redhead peeked in. “What is it, Lady Ruby?” he asked.
She stepped into the room and smiled sweetly at Kanzo and Xeus then nodded respectfully at Nasu, her green gaze lingering on the ambassador before focusing on Xeus again.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Xeus, but Syna has arrived, and the children are scared. I was hoping you could spare Uncle Kanzo?”
“I will be there shortly, Ruby. Have you fetched Ava?”
“She sent me, Uncle Kanzo,” and with a glance at all, she left, closing the door behind her.
“Maker, she is breathtaking,” Nasu groaned.
Xeus shot a glance at the ambassador. It was Kanzo who scowled when Nasu’s eyes swirled between dark blue and ice. They knew so little about the Ethera, so why didn’t Nasu fall to a knee? Xeus stared at the door. Nasu had reacted, of that, there was no doubt. And Lady Ruby was far too young— Xeus stilled. She was too young. The Ethera acted the same with Etterian females.
“She is Lady Ruby, a human woman. Perhaps you could assist Kanzo in dealing with this matter? I will attend to my queen’s strange comm. We will conclude this discussion before dinner.” Xeus raced out of his office, heading for their alcove.
Macera sat on the bench, patiently waiting for his arrival. As he approached her, he admired the dark blue dress she wore, adorned with white flowers not of his world. No straps held up the top of the dress with her bare shoulders catching the afternoon suns light.
“What is it, my queen?” he asked as he strode toward her.
She smiled at him, the sight of which warmed his chest.
“How long do you have?” she asked when he sat on the bench beside her.
“What do you need?” He gathered her hands into his.
“You,” she said, slipping onto the blue grass before him. She grabbed his knees to spread them wider, settling between his thighs.
“To your bed then,” he whispered hoarsely, yet as he made to rise, she squeezed his knees.
“Stay,” she said.
Frowning, he lowered his backside to the bench.
She stroked his inner thighs through his military pants. He trembled from her touch, as if he was bare. “What—?”
She shook her head and placed a finger on his lips, before trailing that same finger down his chest to the mechanism at his waistband. She pressed it, and his pants parted.
“We need to be quiet,” she whispered while caressing the skin his gaping pants had revealed. She slid her hand in and wrapped her fingers around his solid girth, tugging his arousal free.
“Macera,” he groaned, wondering what she was doing but willing to be patient. She stroked him with her soft fingers. Maker, that feels so good.
“What is this?” She rubbed him but lingered on a hard ridge the width of her thumb that ran the length of him, from tip to his balls. As she brushed over it, he shuddered, with a pearl of need forming on the head of his arousal.
“My denit. The size and texture varies per male. It is...sensitive,” he gasped as she rubbed it.
She rose on her knees and pressed her lips along the length of his arousal. Ice and fire lambasted his senses, white need overwhelming his control. He’d claimed her that morning, then in the pools.
“What are you doing?” he growled.
“Tasting you.” Then she did, sliding her tongue over the tip before sucking him into her hungry mouth. Hot, silky heat engulfed him. The exquisite sensation squeezed his eyes shut, then he flicked them open, not wanting to miss a moment.
He was so big she’d struggle to take all of him into her mouth, regardless, she seemed determined to try. When she twirled her tongue, he rumbled and groaned. Then she caressed his balls with one hand while the other stroked his denit. He grunted and embedded his fingers in her hair. When his hips thrust upward in tiny movements, he prayed he didn’t choke her. She pulled him out of her mouth to run her tongue from balls to tip, all along his denit. Her gaze remained on him, watching him react to her ministrations. He clamped his teeth down on his bottom lip in an attempt to be silent.
Climbing to her feet, she raised the hem of the dress to slide onto his lap, resting her knees on his thighs. She tilted her hips until she had his head at her entrance. Excruciatingly slowly, she impaled herself on his length.
He gripped her hips, now aware of what she was doing. And when she’d taken all of him, she rolled forward and back, running the length of her channel along his malehood. He focused on her face, mesmerized by the blush that stained her cheeks, by the heat in her eyes, by the tip of her tongue dimpling her top lip. He was enchanted by her undulating hips and the exquisite softness, so tight around him. She made no noise, just rode him, the speed increasing too slowly for his liking.
He reached beneath her dress to stroke her nub.
She whimpered then yanked the dress down exposing one perfect breast. He latched onto the nipple to suck into his mouth. The pace increased. She came apart, quietly, her body twitching under his teasing fingers. He grabbed her, twisting to balance her backside on the edge of the bench to kneel between her legs, thrusting into her with such yearning and desperation. Within minutes, her channel tightened around him and tossed him over the edge. He rumbled instead of roared his release, his body shivering, tingling as waves of heat rippled over him.
“Macera,” he gasped, crushing her against his body, burying his face in the curve of her neck to place an open-mouthed kiss to her erratic pulse.
“Zoo,” she managed, still a little breathless.
“Could you not wait until this evening?” he teased, despite being delighted she’d messaged him.
“Never, my Eth.” She leaned back to kiss him.
He moaned and claimed her mouth for a thorough plunder.
“Did I disturb an important meeting with this quickie?” she asked when he let her breathe.
“Quickie? That is what you call this?”
“Yes, it’s short and sweet.” Her eyes sparkled.
His chest swelled with warm cresting waves of emotion. She is so beautiful, my queen.
“No, you did not disturb me. Syna has arrived, and the children are frightened of him.”
“Probably his height,” she said, stroking his forearms. “You can return to your office now. I think I can survive until tonight.”
He was still inside her and Fuyra hard. “I cannot return to the office. I scent of you again.” He cupped her adorable face. “And I do not think I can wait until tonight.” He withdrew his arousal only to thrust into her. She arched her response, her expressive mouth parting with a gasp. “But I also want you to scream my name.” He pulled out completely.
“You promise?” she pouted, her voice husky with need.
“My vow.” He grinned at her.
“Rinse yourself in the fountain and change into the spare uniform I brought for you.”
He chuckled at her imperious tone. “As my queen commands.” He laughed, the sound loud in the aftermath of their union.
She pulled the dress up to cover her breast and let the hem fall to her slippered feet. With a sigh, he whipped off his tunic and dropped it into her waiting hands. He removed his boots, followed by his pants. When her gaze traveled his form, he smirked.
“Keep looking at me like that, thamani, and I will take you again. This time I will not care who hears your screams.” While he rinsed off her fulfillment, he imagined a blush on her cheeks.
He faced her, donning each garment under her heated gaze. Her unflinching admiration made his chest ache. As soon as he was fully clothed, she sighed and folded his garments. Her doing so pleased him, but he couldn’t say why. He dropped a kiss on her lips before hastily stepping back.
“Wait.” She hesitated and pulled a blue bundle from under his armor. “I...made this for you, Zoo.”
He accepted the blue thing, not sure what to say. No one had made him something before. “What is it, thamani?” He dug his fingers into the gift and groaned at its softness. Rubbing it along his cheek, he breathed in her scent only.
“A scarf.”
His eyelids fluttered with images of women and men wearing this thing around their necks. He tried to mimic the wrapping and succeeded. “It is...amazing. Thank you.” He captured her chin between finger and thumb and kissed her, plucking at her bottom lip before delving into her mouth.
“You like it?” Her wide eyes revealed her anxiousness.
“I cannot believe you made this. Such an art form is lost to us.” He stroked its softness. “Yes, I like it.” He adored it, that she had thought of him, had spent the time crafting it, and in his bloodline color... He opened his mouth to reveal, as best he could, what these growing emotions meant. But no words formed.
“Tonight, ensa,” he vowed for the second time that day.
“Tonight.” She offered a sweet smile.
He forced his legs to carry him away, repeating to himself, tonight, I will see her tonight, even as he went in search of her guards. He found them less than ten meters away, within easy listening distance. But they didn’t turn when he approached. He had to tap Azan on the shoulder. Only then did the male tug white things out of his ears. The music Xeus had just deleted blared off the tiny devices. They must have had the birdsongs on their O.D.I.s before today. Azan nudged Nuos’s shoulder. At last, Xeus had their attention.
He grinned at his queen’s ingenuity.
“Guard her with your lives,” he said then returned to his office.
Sinking into his comfy, he raised the scarf to cover the lower half of his face, her scent clinging to it. With a deep inhale, he tried not to feel as if tonight would never come.
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