Kede settled into his makeshift office, easing into the chair and activating the screens embedded in the surface of his desk, encouraging them to rise from the level plane. One swipe to his left brought up crew assignments while a wave of his right hand unfolded Hassee’s report. Where his friend’s analysis ended, Resane’s continued.
The center of his viewing area remained barren. Normally yet another set of notifications would fill the space, but he needed a clear view of Joyce. Nothing could stand between him and his harae ever again, not even his responsibilities to Dosha.
He’d kept his distance after her injury for both his benefit and hers. He couldn’t keep his hands to himself if he remained at Joyce’s side and she couldn’t heal if he constantly bothered her. At the time, he’d decided his suit could be put on hold until she was healthy.
Obviously that had not been the correct course of action since he nearly lost her to Ambassador Martins’ machinations, which were aided by Doshan traitors. If he’d been at her side, the female would have never gotten so close, never been able to threaten his harae’s life.
Yes, he now knew, without a doubt, that had Martins succeeded, his harae would not have survived.
He brought the recent missive from the Terran government, notifying him of the female’s untimely death.
Brain aneurism… Apologies… Harm peaceful relations… Rogue…
If only Kede could believe a single letter of a single word.
A soft moan sounded from the other side of the room, the body beneath the sheets twitching, and he waved his hands, banishing the screens from view.
He accepted his earlier mistakes. He should have been at Joyce’s side, ensuring her health at his own hand. Hadn’t he been taught about the connection between a harae and her harau? Their bodies fed off each other, exchanging energies as they reveled in the touch of skin on skin. As one healed, that connection was vital.
For Joyce, as a new Doshan, it was doubly important. He cursed himself to the darkness and knew he should have listened to Resane.
“You must spend time with her.”
“Her conversion is slowing.”
“She is not healing as she should.”
Two days and he’d been a selfish bastard, worrying about his body’s response to her while he should have worried over her health. He did not deserve his harae, however he would not give her up.
It had changed now, all things had changed. The treaty between the Planetary Collective hung precariously above Dosha and Terra. Council members from their home planet were en route while the Terran government postured.
They had no idea about the information Joyce provided to them though they did know of her transition. He had no doubt the truth was fed to both Ambassador Martins and the Terran government.
Which is why they want you, my harae, but they shall not have you.
Another whimpering moan and Kede rose from behind the small desk. If Joyce’s recovery continued at its slow pace, he would have a larger workstation brought to his rooms. Even if they did not touch, his presence and scent were integral to her recovery and transition.
Which was why, as she slept, they’d relocated her to his suite. A new doorway to her quarters was already in place, installed after her injury when he realized he would never let her go. Now, her old suites would act as an escape for her as she came to terms with the changes inside her.
With his touch came the rest of her transition.
Quietly, Kede slid into bed beside her, careful of the sensitivity of her wounds. Resane reminded him that the new skin and flesh were vulnerable and should be treated gently.
He resolved to always treat his harae as if she were the softest petal.
With utmost care, he reached for her hand, smiling when her twitches and moans instantly eased. He lay on his side, head resting on a pillow as Joyce slept on. Instead of twining his fingers with hers, he let his hand lay passively beneath her palm.
Should she become restless, he did not want to hinder her.
More so, should an intruder venture into his private quarters he wanted to be ready to destroy the interloper. Now that he knew of the additional purpose behind the Terran implants, he’d ached to feel their blood flowing over his hands. Someone breaking into his suite would be the perfect answer to his prayers.
Joyce moaned and whined. She clutched his hand, fingers squeezing his and he was quick to soothe her further. “Easy, my harae. You are safe here.”
“Kede…” She sighed.
“Right here.” He reached up with his free hand and stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “I won’t leave you again, Joyce.”
“Mmm…” She nuzzled him and it took every ounce of training not to gather her into his arms.
Instead, he eased closer, allowing their arms to align from bicep to wrist. “Sleep now. I will protect you in the night.”
“Kede…” His name was said with yet another breathy sigh as she settled into sleep. “My Kede…”
Yes, he belonged to her just as she belonged to him. He just hoped she still wanted to claim him in the bright light of day. Tomorrow would bring many things. Most important among them—the truth.
Gently brightening light woke her, the glow growing with every breath. It lured Joyce from sleep and she really didn’t want to go there. Awake meant pain. Even with Resane’s treatments, her body throbbed with a never-ending ache. Would she ever breathe without discomfort? She hoped so.
A delicious scent drifted to her on the room’s cooled air. Sandalwood with a hint of sweet. Kede.
She’d dreamed of him, of his large body beside hers as he offered comfort. He hadn’t pushed and prodded for more. No, he’d simply gazed at her with those seductive eyes while he held her hand. Making up for lost time, it seemed.
He was sweet. Sexy. Delicious. She didn’t know how she knew about the last, but it seemed to fit. She imagined his skin would taste like caramel and she had a sweet tooth as big as the Grand Canyon.
Yum.
Joyce took another deep inhale, letting his flavors roll through her. She didn’t hear anyone else in the room, no shuffling of pages or low hum of machinery as Resane poked and prodded yet another panel. So, for now, she was alone in medical which meant she could let her imagination wander.
She could think of Kede’s smile. The way his eyes lit up with the curve of his lips. Or how, even though their direct contact was limited for the last month, his gaze seemed to always find her. She allowed her mind to drift toward the idea of Kede nude, lying beside her, his hands stroking her skin. Her pale, sensitive, damaged skin.
The “damaged” put an end to her fantasies and reminded her of her injuries once again. She swallowed the moan that leapt to her lips. Whining never did anyone any good. Complaining didn’t make the problem go away, so she could quit her bitching and do something about the now. Screw the “then” and the horse it rode in on.
“Joyce?” Kede’s voice rolled over her, sending a tiny shiver down her spine. Well, she had to be doing a lot better if hearing him talk got her motors running. The soft thumps of his feet on the biopad announced his approach. “Do you need anything?”
Warm, blunted fingertips brushed hair from her face then traced the line of her cheek. Her damaged cheek. She waited for the bolt of pain that came from the touch. Or rather, that should have come from the touch. Instead… nothing. Oh, there was sensitivity, a small tingling in the wake of his caress, but there was no aching sting.
That was enough for her to snap her eyes open and meet Kede’s gaze. He flashed that smile that seemed to delve into those yummy places.
If she was going to spend time in his company, she really needed to invest in more panties. Otherwise, she’d have to do laundry twice a day.
“Hi,” she whispered. She wasn’t sure why, but it seemed wrong to split the quiet with her raspy voice.
“Hello.” He rubbed his thumb across her lower lip. “Do you need anything?”
Joyce gently shook her head. “No. I feel… good.”
Unable to keep her hands to herself, she drew her right arm from beneath the blanket. Small twinges assaulted her, but she wanted to touch him, just a little. Her palm hadn’t been damaged and Kede was such a temptation.
Carefully, she laid her fingertips on his forearm, softly stroking his bronzed skin. Smooth and warm, the familiar deep tan that was inherent to his species. A dark hue that… matched hers?
Joyce jerked away from him, not caring if her movements caused any pain. There was something more important to address. Namely, how the hell did her whiter-than-white skin go from super pale to super dark? Scars covered her skin, yet they matched her new tone. They simply appeared as swirling dips and ridges. She… remembered something about this, but… Screw the scars. What the hell happened?
“Kede?” She couldn’t suppress her panic.
“Shh…” He slowly removed his arm from her grasp and cupped her hand between his. “There are some things you weren’t told about your treatment.”
“Like what?” Her heart fluttered in her chest, picking up an uneven rhythm.
“You were badly injured by the cilotha—”
“Quit with the recap,” she snapped.
“The only species immune to the cilotha is the Doshan.” He ran his thumb lightly across the back of her hand and instead of stinging pain, she felt nothing but a small tendril of pleasure unfold inside her. “In order to save you, we had to…” He frowned and she found she wanted to smooth the lines between his eyebrows. “Terrans call it genetic modification.”
Hybrid whore.
“You used Doshan DNA on me?” More panic rose, quashing the tiny bit of desire beneath its ragged foot. “You made me…”
“Resane analyzed your genetic makeup upon boarding. From there, he determined Terrans were a close enough match that a transition was possible.”
“Transition…”
Hybrid whore.
“How did,” she licked her dry lips. “How did that happen? I mean, how was I changed?”
Am I even Terran anymore?
Hybrid whore.
“Resane used our equipment to manipulate your DNA, combining it with a donation from a Doshan.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze from the copper hue of her skin. She was so pale growing up. While her friends got nice and crispy during the summer, Joyce burned. If only her friends could see her now.
Oh, god, her friends. She wouldn’t ever see them again, would she?
“Did you… Did you take the implant out? During the transition thing?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. We haven’t even attempted to tamper with it. A report has been filed with the council and I know the top medicos are researching the construction and implantation procedures. At this time, we are waiting for their reports to be completed.” He reached for her, cupping her cheek with a soft hum.
Even with the craziness surrounding her with this “transition,” she craved his touch. It made her wonder if her desire was due to the changes within her. Then she remembered she’d wanted to jump his bones from the moment she laid eyes on him.
“I will let nothing happen to my harae,” he murmured and she realized this wasn’t the first time she’d heard the term and her damned implant still couldn’t provide a translation.
“What does—”
A low tone interrupted her and Kede jerked away. “Identify.”
A computerized voice filled the room. “Chief Medico Resane.”
“Enter.”
The familiar portal slid open to reveal the male. “How is my favorite patient this day?” He pushed a cart piled with familiar equipment, smiling as he entered. Only… that smile slowly lessened as he looked her over. “Oh.” His gaze traced her, sliding over her hand and exposed arm before drifting to her face. “Oh. Kede? Last night you…”
Joyce frowned and it finally hit her that she really wasn’t in medical. She’d been so captured by Kede’s presence that she hadn’t realized she was no longer surrounded by sterile walls. Instead, she lay on a massive bed in the middle of a large room. A desk was tucked in one corner while two comfortable chairs occupied the other. It was cozy, comfortable.
And also not her assigned room.
“Where am I, exactly?”
Kede ignored her and responded to Resane. “Touch only, medico.”
“Where am—”
“Really?” Resane approached and gently took her hand, forcing her to lay back or bend at a weird angle. She rolled toward him. “This much progress with touch only?” The medico glared at the commander. “What types of touching?”
“Touching?” She turned a glare on Kede as well. “There was touching? While I was asleep? What does touching have to do with anything? Was there probing?”
“Enough of the probing. There were hands only,” he snapped. “And it was necessary to your recovery.”
“Oh.” Oh. Of course there’d be no other reason for him to touch her. Sweet looks and gentle caresses weren’t because he wanted to be near her. Apparently, it was “necessary” touching. “I appreciate your sacrifice and assistance in my healing. Is that why I’m here instead of medical? Is that necessary? And where exactly is ‘here,’ by the way?”
“No, my harae, you don’t understand. I touched you because I wanted—”
“Is anyone going to address the where am I question?” She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
“You are in,” Resane licked his lips, gaze bouncing between her and Kede, “Commander Kede’s quarters.”
“Why exactly?” She wasn’t going to yell, scream, or panic until she had all the facts. True, she wanted to be in his room, in his bed, doing naughty things, but only if he wasn’t being forced to be near her. Hearing “necessary” didn’t really sound like “willing.”
“The touch of a Doshan is integral to your healing. The transition…” Resane looked past her and to the commander. “You told her of the transition?”
“Yes,” Kede gritted the word.
“Good. The transition is smoother with the nearness of another Doshan, Joyce.”
“Uh-huh.” Something did not smell right in alien-land. “Another Doshan or a specific Doshan? Because I’m sure there are plenty of males in medical who could hold my hand. It doesn’t seem like my recovery necessitated hauling my fat ass across the ship and plopping me into Kede,” she cleared her throat, realizing she’d become too familiar. “into Commander Tria’s bed.”
“Tria-se,” Kede corrected. “And it was very necessary.”
“Because…” She raised her eyebrows, hoping he’d give a little more information. When Kede remained quiet, she looked to Resane except Resane seemed fascinated with the ceiling.
“Dammit, Resane,” Kede growled.
“What? You are the one who chose this path. I told you to visit medical. I told you forcing her to your bed was a mistake. I told you to give Joyce the truth. You did not listen and now it is ‘dammit, Resane?’” The medico ranted and Joyce hadn’t realized that Doshans could get flustered. “Joyce, please give me your arm, I must complete my inspection.”
Okay, she wasn’t getting answers, but she could talk while being prodded. She lifted her arm, holding it out for the medico’s exam. And as she held out her very tan, very healed arm, her sheet slipped. And when her sheet slipped the cool air of the room bathed her bare breast.
She snatched at the thin material and dragged it back up her body. “Okay, can we add me being naked to the ‘what the fuck’ list?”
Kede growled, Resane grinned and she glared at the commander once more.
“Dammit, Resane.”
“Oh, no, not damn me. Damn you.” The medico chuckled, his cool fingers skating over her skin. “Miss Enner—”
“Tria-se.”
Resane continued as if the commander hadn’t spoken. “Your skin is healing well. You should be fully recovered within two days as long as you remain in Kede’s company. Perhaps sooner.”
“Resane?”
“Yes?”
“You are my doctor, right?” She knew his correction was coming, but she pushed on. “Why exactly do I need to be in Kede’s company? In his bed? Naked in his bed?”
He tilted his head to the side. “The naked was not prescribed. You needed a soft surface to cradle you. Because continued contact with the Doshan who facilitated your transition through genetic donation will speed your healing.” He returned to his cart. “If that is all…”
Joyce took a deep, calming breath as her mind tried to assimilate the medico’s words. “Yes, thank you, Resane.”
The moment the portal slid shut behind him, she slowly panned her gaze to Kede. She only had one question in mind and she felt it encompassed her feelings perfectly. “What. The. Fuck?” Kede didn’t say a word which had her growling. Growling! “Kede?”
“Yes, my harae?”
The deep rumbling voice was way too sexy. “We’re gonna get to the harae bit in a minute. You facilitated my transition through genetic donation?”
“Yes.”
“And part of that transition requires contact to ensure it passes quickly?”
“Yes,” he nodded this time.
Good, at least he really was paying attention and not just repeating the same word over and over. “So you felt it best to haul my naked ass to your rooms?”
“It is more comfortable than medical and there are no other males who could challenge me for you.”
“Challenge…” She was getting light headed, the blood draining from her face as she pondered the sudden changes in her life. She’d dealt with being “chosen” and then abandoned by Kede when she wouldn’t be his sex slave. She’d had an enjoyable job then, puttering in the kitchen with Yare. “Kede, what is a harae and why did you add ‘se’ to your last name? Why did you spit ‘Tria-se’ at Resane when he said my last name?”
He squirmed, looking uncomfortable and like he’d bolt at any moment. He also remained silent.
“Kede…” she warned.
“You are my one. My bright light on the planes and ‘se’ signifies I am claimed. I will have your name placed in my skin as a physical reminder just as you…”
Joyce closed her eyes. “You’re telling me that somehow, after almost dying from chocolate you suddenly decided you’d like to be my genetic donor and husband all in one big sweep? You ignore me for weeks and now I’m tied to you?” She wasn’t going to yell, she wasn’t going to yell.
“I did not ignore you. You were always visible on my comm panels.”
She wasn’t going to yell.
“Your comm… You were spying on me?”
He frowned. “It is a method to monitor what I hold dear.”
“Hold dear? When I wouldn’t become your sex slave, you ignored me! How is that holding me dear?”
Oh, she yelled.
“I initially assumed you were to endure a Needing, but when that was not the case and you were emphatic in your rejection, I—”
“Needing?”
“Doshan females—”
“I’m not Doshan,” she snapped.
“You are now,” he volleyed back. “You are also mine so I shall see to your Needing.”
“I belong to myself.”
He nodded. “Yes, as long as you understand you belong to me as you belong to yourself, we shall have no problems.”
“What I said doesn’t mean what you think it means. Me, myself, and I.”
“You, yourself, and mine.” He grinned, obviously feeling proud of himself.
Who did he think he was? Turning her into an alien… and his… and sexy as fuck…
Joyce yawned, exhausted from Resane’s visit and their arguing. “I’m not.”
“You are.” He stroked her arm, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. “Sleep, Joyce.”
“Not tired,” she grumbled.
“You are. You are fighting just to fight now. Sleep.”
She hated that he was right. She let her eyes drift closed. “This fight isn’t done. I have lots of other things to say to you.”
His soft lips brushed her forehead. “I’m sure. We can finish this later. I vow it. I’ll listen to everything, but no matter what, there is one thing that shall not change, Joyce Enner Tria-se. You are mine.”