Marcael: A Terraneu Novel, Book Five (17 page)

Marcael was waking up and the first thing he heard was a muffled female
voice.

“You have to get some rest Brennae. Sitting here is not going to make him
wake up any sooner. It’s only been twelve hours or so since the treatment.”
That was Amber talking and why did he have a sudden sense of
déjà vu?

“I know mother, I’m going to rest soon. I
know there isn’t much to celebrate, but the dance is still going on tonight.
You should help prepare, it will give everyone a sense of continuity. The
others would have wanted us to keep living our lives.”

He tried as hard as he could to stay awake
but succumbed to his exhaustion, his last thought was that he was home on Terraneu,
the rest could wait for just a little longer.

*~*~*

He heard music! It was not playing
overly loudly but he could still hear it. Damn it all, he was missing another
dance. Opening his eyes, he struggled to get his bearings. He was in the
medical dome on Terraneu. Looking around quickly he could see Baylech and
Mallex in beds next to his. They appeared to be sleeping soundly, their
displays and monitors making soft beeping noises.

“You’re awake. Brennae is going to be so mad. She just left to get something
from her dome.” He looked toward the entry doors and saw Gwen coming toward
him. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I have been tasered by a weapon set on kill.” Marcael spoke softly.
“May I please have some water?”

“Of course you may.” Gwen moved to a portable table set by his bedside.
“There is water in this container for you to drink. Go slowly or you’ll make
yourself sick.”

“Where is everyone?” Marcael whispered.

“There is the celebration dance tonight. The others were here until it
was time to make an appearance. I stayed behind to make sure you three were
watched over.” Gwen smiled kindly.

“How are my men?” Marcael needed to know. “I can see Mallex and Baylech
but what of the others?”

“I’m sorry Marcael but we couldn’t save four of your men. Bregin, Stahin,
Donal, and Rorie succumbed to radiation illness. Colle is in the other medical
unit next door, he is still very weak, and his prognosis is not good. We should
know by tomorrow if he is going to make it.” Gwen held his hand while he
absorbed the news.

His mind reeled at the impact of what Gwen had said. He had lost four
good men on this mission and the male he considered his best friend was dying.
His display started to beep and flash. Gwen looked worriedly at his monitors
then back to him.

“Marcael I can’t say that I know how you feel because frankly I don’t
think any living person on Terraneu has any clue to what you are feeling.” She
squeezed the hand over his in comfort. “You have been through too much and you
need time to really heal.”

Marcael was taking deep breaths but he was not getting any air. He knew
he was going to hyperventilate. Gwen frowned and pushed a button on his medical
bed and he started getting fuzzy.

“I’m sorry Marcael.” His vision was quickly blurring, “I’m so sorry.”

*~*~*

The next time he woke, there was a weight against
his side and he almost jumped off the medical bed before it dawned on him that
it was Brennae pressed against him.

“Marcael,” She whispered sleepily. “It’s very late...make that early in
the morning. Go back to sleep.” Her arms tightened around his middle and she
pressed even closer. “My Aunt Gwen told me that you woke up. I am so sorry
about your men. I know how close you were.” He felt hot tears against his chest
and an unfamiliar lump rose in his throat. “Just know that I am here with you
and I’m not leaving until you kick me out.”

She pressed a kiss against his skin and he felt the warmth of her lips
through his medical gown. He sighed and let everything go for the moment, all
the pain at losing his friends and the uncertainty of his future. He forced his
whole body to relax until he felt like he was a boneless mush. He had not
realized how tense he was until that moment. With Brennae at his side, he would
face everything when he was healed. For now, he could delight in the feel of
his mate’s soft skin and sweet breath fanning over him. Before he realized it,
he fell asleep again.

*~*~*

“I am perfectly healthy and ready to be released.”
Marcael argued. “I do not need to stay in here any longer.” Looking around the
room for someone to take his side he snapped, “You let Baylech go yesterday.”

“He was not as sick as you were.” Gwen was sitting at a display across
the room, essentially ignoring Marcael’s pleas.

“Mallex you know me.” Marcael looked at his friend, “Would I say I was
feeling better if it were not true?”

Mallex just sipped his water and smiled, “Yes, you would as a matter of
fact.”

“Well I like that.” Marcael tried to look wounded, “After all the times I
have covered for you.”

“I’ve covered for you just as much.” Mallex grouched back.

“What have you covered for him?” Brennae swept into the room with Star
and the yet unnamed sacathie at her side. “Really Mallex you are just
encouraging bad behavior when you cover for someone.” She stopped at Marcael’s
bedside and gave him a lingering kiss. “If Aunt Gwen thinks you should stay in
medical, please listen to her. You were very sick and I worry that you are
pushing yourself too hard.”

“I am feeling fine and want to go home.” Marcael stressed the words and
then whispered, “I really need to get out of here, and there is no privacy.” He
pulled her hand down his abs to show her what “needed” the privacy. Her
answering blush made him wish for their private quarters even more.

“Well I can see your
point
.” Brennae gave a breathless laugh,
“Maybe if you promise to drink extra water, take it easy in the sun, and not
overexert yourself your doctor will let you out of here.”

Marcael looked to Gwen and hurried to assure her that he would indeed
promise to do all the things Brennae suggested.

“Okay. I am not happy about it but I will let release you...this
afternoon. Not a second sooner.”

Marcael matched the smile on Brennae’s face at the thought of getting out
of here this afternoon.

Brennae sat by his hip, “Have you thought of a name for your sacathie? I
know you haven’t had a chance to gauge his personality, but the poor thing
really needs a name.” She reached down and stroked the male’s fur, which in
turn made Star jealous for some attention. Both sacath were now clamoring at
her feet.

“I think I like Jasper. There was a stray feline I made friends with at
the academy when I was young. Its name was Jasper, and this fellow reminds me
of that pet.” Marcael looked down at the sacathie then at Brennae.

“Jasper sounds like a great name. I will start calling him that right
away.” She looked around the room the sighed, “I better get to work. I will be
back this afternoon to walk home with you. Do as Aunt Gwen orders and drink all
your water.” Kissing him quickly on the lips her eyes were dancing with
merriment. “Until later.” She winked at him and left the room calling the pets
after her. “Star. Jasper. Come.” The threesome left the medical dome and
Marcael’s smile faltered as soon as they went out the door.

“Whatever you just thought...” Mallex spoke softly next to him, “Stop
thinking it.”

Marcael looked over at his friend quietly sipping his water. “I was not
thinking anything.”

“Yes you were.”
Mallex took their talk to the telepathic link,
“I
know you better than anyone, well except for Colle perhaps.
”

At his friends name the frown on Marcael’s face sharpened. His friend
hurried to say,
“Colle is going to make it Marcael. You heard the doctor
this morning say that he is improving finally. With Chloe in there talking to
him all day long he just might come out of it to ask her to stop.”

“
Yes, Colle is going to be okay
.” Marcael stiffened, “
But what
of the others. I lost four men
—”

“
You were the leader of the mission and we all followed you because we
wanted to
.” Mallex interrupted him, “
Don’t lessen their deaths by making
it about something you did or didn’t do. Honor their sacrifice by living your
life fully. That is all any of us could have asked if we hadn’t made it back
.”

Marcael could only nod his head. This advice was
close to some Colle had given him. He knew it was not going to be as easy as
flipping off a switch and he would stop blaming himself, but with Brennae at
his side, he was willing to try to let go. What Mallex said rang true and he
needed to work at honoring his friend’s memories. Taking a few sips of water,
he turned on his side to get some rest.

“Thank you Mallex, for everything.” Marcael spoke aloud.

“It’s what friends do for each other.” Mallex kept quietly sipping his
water. “It’s what we’ll always do for each other.” He promised even more softly
but Marcael still heard him.

Brennae was whistling a happy tune as she headed home from work. Marcael
had been released yesterday to return to his living quarters. Brennae had warned
him to listen to her Aunt Gwen but he had done some errands, and visited with
Baylech before heading to his dome. By the time she had joined him he was
exhausted. He had tried to stay awake but she knew it was taking a toll on him
and insisted that he go to bed, after she made him drink a huge glass of water.
He had grumbled about being forced to bed like a child, and she had responded
that if he acted like one she would treat him like one. Laughing at the look on
his face, she had given him a quick kiss and promised to see him today. Which
is why she was whistling a happy tune as she went to his dome. He had promised
retribution for her last taunt, with a promising smolder in his eyes.

“Marcael are you home?” Brennae called from his living room, he had
authorized her to enter his dome so she didn’t have to wait for him to let her
in. Not getting an answer, she figured he might not hear her calling over the
sound of the music blaring in his quarters. “Computer lower music to twenty
percent.” She hurried through his living room and into the bedroom. “Marcael?”
She had made it between his bedroom and the bathroom when he pounced.

“Gotcha!”

Brennae let out a muffled shriek, he had scared her senseless. She found
herself pressed face first against the wall with his hard length pushing behind
her. His heat burned into her skin from her head to her thighs.

“Now what should I do with you?” He pulled her arms up over her head
placing her palms flat against the wall. Thrusting his hips against her bottom,
he nipped her ear lobe. Brennae felt the soft rub of his cheek against her. “I
think I have a few ideas on what we can do.” His tongue swept out and tickled
down her neck, causing the gooseflesh to rise along her arms. “It has been
forever since I have held you.”

Brennae could feel what was causing his impatience against her lower
back. Marcael had been close to death and she was too grateful to have him here
to waste any more time. Twisting so her back was against the wall, Brennae
pressed herself against Marcael. She wasn’t even surprised that he was naked.
As far as she was concerned, it would save time. Since Marcael still had a hold
of her hands, she used the rest of her body to strain into his embrace. Fixing
her mouth on his, she didn’t waste time playing. She thrust her tongue into his
mouth and engaged his in a sparring battle.

Holding both of her wrists in one hand Marcael used the other hand to
pull her dress up over her thighs. His fingers found the side of her thong and
pulled hard. The material was not made to withstand that kind of abuse and
before she could mumble a protest, which she would have to stop kissing him to
do anyway, he had ripped the other side. There went another pair of underwear.
She might consider just not wearing any since he ripped them off her all the
time. Then she stopped thinking about her thong because Marcael’s hand was
between her legs, and his fingers were working their magic against her moist
flesh.

Raising her knee to rest along his hip to give him better access, Brennae
strained against the hold he had on her wrists. She wanted to be touching him
too. Since he didn’t seem inclined to let her hands free, she decided to use
her mouth on the area available to her. Breaking their kiss, she latched onto his
nipple and sucked hard. He groaned and his head fell back to push his chest
forward for more attention. Nipping his skin, she moved to the other nipple and
gave it the same treatment. The whole time she was laving his chest with kisses
her lower body was moving against his fingers.

“No more playing!” Brennae wiggled against him, “Hold my hips up.” He
complied by holding her hips steady and helping her adjust her body until she
locked her legs firmly around his hips. Marcael was pressing in front of her, hard
and unyielding. The wall behind her kept her from moving back.

With her hands free, she was able to grab Marcael’s throbbing shaft and
rub him against her until the tip was soaked. With a growl, he moved his mouth
against her neck. His voice was thick with passion, “Hold on.”
 
She moved her hands to grip his shoulders
when with a fierce thrust he bounced her against the wall.

She couldn’t help the startled gasp that escaped her lips. His throbbing
length was fully enveloped in her moist warmth, and she experienced a moment of
stinging pain until her body adjusted to his size. He held his body still
looking at her with concern.

“I was too rough.” He went to move away and she locked her legs more
tightly around him.

“No.” She moved a little against him to gauge if the stinging was stills
strong, “It is better now.” Moving her hands to his hips, she urged him to
move. “I don’t want you to be gentle.” She was using the wall at her back to
make him move against her. “I can take it.” She had pushed him back, and then
pulled him forward with her legs.

 
“Stop teas—” she did not finish.
Marcael had reached his limit of patience and her words were cut off on a
grunt. He was not holding back as she had asked. He was pushing her against the
wall with enough force to bounce her forward with each thrust. Talking ceased
to be possible. The only sounds in the dome were their fevered breaths and the
slapping of skin. Marcael withdrew half of his length then drove forward.
Brennae raked her nails down his back and dug her nails into his ass. The
feeling of his marble hard shaft, covered in velvet skin driving into her, then
pulling back was so intense she almost screamed. Before she could fly apart,
Marcael thrust again and grabbing her hips started walking to the bed.

Brennae couldn’t stop moving against him. Being impaled on his shaft as
he walked was enough to send her over the edge. With a muffled cry, she bit
into his shoulder and trembled against him.

Marcael had almost reached the bed and when she bit his shoulder he
stopped walking, grabbed her hips to grind himself against her.

Brennae could feel the warm spray of his release deep inside of her, and
he returned the favor and bit into her shoulder. At the sharp feel of his teeth
in her shoulder, Brennae muscles flexed harder.

“I almost made it to the bed.” Marcael laughed, and then turned toward
the shower. “I think we should get wet instead.”

Turning on the bath water, he sat with Brennae still in his arms. Their
bodies still fused together.

“I am a fool Brennae.” She heard him say over the rush of the water. He
was holding in his arms and she looked into his face.

“Why do you say that?” She wasn’t sure what he was referring to and her
confusion must have shown.

“I am a fool for taking that mission to Earth without declaring mate
status.” He held her more tightly, “All I could think about while on Earth was
that it would have made you happy, and I denied you a small thing for no
reason.”

“Declaring mate status isn’t a small thing, and you wanted to wait. I was
okay with the decision.” Brennae insisted.

“I am just sorry it took going to Earth to open my eyes.” He paused and
the fingers stroking her hair tightened, “I was afraid to admit that mate
status means a lot to me. I did not have anything of my own besides my Un’ bah
all these years and deep down my fear is that I will lose you.”

Brennae put her hands against his cheeks and forced him to look at her.
“I am not going anywhere Marcael. I know it will take time for you to adjust to
life here on Terraneu, but you have to trust me that I am here for you.” She
kissed him fiercely and then broke the kiss to promise, “I will make a deal
with you. I won’t make any major life altering decision without consulting you,
if you will do the same for me. That way we each have a say in what will impact
our lives together.”

He sighed against her lips, “That is a deal I will happily make.” His
body had grown hard against her while they talked.

“We’ll have to seal our pact with a kiss.” Brennae teased his lips with
hers. “We can declare mate status when you are ready.”

Marcael was busy now. She would have to remind him later of this
discussion.