The Healer's Kiss: Book Four of the Forced To Serve Series (39 page)

Boca held up her palms, turning them to where he could see. “My evil emissary said you might be dying. I couldn’t let that happen. So I got ugly hands to help you. It burns to use them, but they worked on you and Kefira. I could have picked warrior skills instead.”

“You chose healing?” Chiang asked, planting a kiss in the middle of each scarred palm.

“I chose to save you. That’s all I was thinking at the time. There really wasn’t a choice,” Boca said, then giggled again. “Why am I laughing?”

“Euphoria,” Chiang said on a sigh. “It is a Greggor mating gift.”

“Finally, one I like,” Boca said, cuddling closer. “Can I bite you back?”

“Certainly,
A mea
. It seems only fair,” Chiang said on laugh.

When she bit down on his chest muscle, he screamed out in pain, but Boca only laughed and clung. He had to put the cover over the wound after. His giggling mate looked him up and down.

“Now where can I put another one?” she mused.

Chiang threw the completely soiled cover aside and thrust his now fully recovered bonding organ hard inside the laughing female to distract her.

“You do that so well,” she cooed, sliding up and down on him in blissful strokes. “My turn to be in control.”

With her fingers setting him on fire, his body twitched and writhed and fought to hold her in the Greggor mating pose. He needed to last six hours for the full effect of his pheromones to mark her as his, but all he really wanted was to beg her for the kind of mind-blowing release she could so easily give him.

It was going to be a long night. The two days rest he had missed were not helping his situation. Chiang sighed at her low humming of pleasure as she rode him.

“Promise me to stay in my arms and on me for six hours no matter what happens,” Chiang entreated. “This is very important, Boca. Promise me.”

Boca laughed, riding him blissfully. “
Mi volas rajdi al vi por la resto de mia vivo. Nokto neniam estus sufica
.”

Chiang laughed first at her declaration of wanting to ride him forever, and then at himself for actually understanding what she had said. Kefira, he thought. She had given them both a full understanding of each other.

“I agree,
A mea
. One night is never going to be enough.”

When the vibrations came, they were rolling and intense and Chiang was just glad Boca passed out on him before his own world went black.

When he opened his eyes again, it was to see small life force stains everywhere on the covers. His body was covered with bite marks, but there was no giggling mate in his bed claiming credit.

Panic sent him running for the door.

Chapter 27

“What’s wrong with her?” Gwen demanded. “And where the hell is Chiang?”

Boca had been sitting on a medical table singing the whole time a laughing Malachi washed the blood off her neck wound, treated it, and wrestled a tunic over her head.

Gwen got furious every time she thought of the blood that had been all over Boca. What kind of sick weirdo mating shit was this? She wanted to kick Chiang’s Greggor ass.

“There. She’s covered now, Commander. I have to admit Boca is a lot smaller breasted than I imagined her being. Glad I held out for a larger female,” Malachi said, drawing away at Gwen’s sharp slap on his arm.

“Stop commenting about her nudity. I left Zade chastising the ensigns who had been enjoying her naked happy dance down the hallway.”

“Sorry I missed it,” Malachi said, moving out of Gwen’s reach. “I did try to warn her about what would happen.”

When a completely naked Chiang rushed into Medical, Gwen stared at the blood and bite marks covering him. “Fucking hell, Chiang. Was the biting shit really necessary?”

She ground her teeth together when Malachi threw back his head and laughed.

Malachi had to put a hand to his gut because it actually hurt to laugh so hard over Gwen’s genuine shock.

Chiang on the other hand looked completely unrepentant.

“I see you took my advice about biting him back,” Malachi said to a grinning, humming Boca who was smiling at her mate.

“I asked nicely, and he said I could.” Boca stuck out her lip in a pout. “Did I hurt him?”

“Chiang? He’s probably the happiest male on this ship right now,” Malachi said, sincerely happy when Boca looked thoroughly pleased with herself.

Chiang stared at Boca and then pushed by a still staring Gwen. “Boca. Where did you go? I woke up and you were gone. You shouldn’t be out of our quarters right now,” he admonished, keeping his tone as gentle as possible, fighting the urge to growl at Malachi standing so close to her.

“Jurek’s ensigns found her doing a naked dance down the hall,” Gwen stated flatly. “What did you do to her, Chiang?”

“All this fuss. I just took a walk,” Boca said. “I was going to my room to get some clothes. What’s the problem with me being naked?”

“Euphoria,” Chiang said to Gwen, taking the pants the grinning Malachi handed him. “Stop staring at her, Malachi. It makes me want to kill you.”

“She is quite alluring in this condition,” Malachi said. “A happy, singing Boca—who knew that was possible? She only has the one mark, Chiang. You’ve got six or seven on the front. I didn’t get a good look at the back of you. What gives?”

Chiang tied the pants and glared at Malachi before swinging the same glare to Gwen. “What my mate and I do in private is none of your business, Commander.”

Gwen crossed her arms. “Zade is dressing down the three ensigns who found her and were too busy enjoying the show to call for help.
Everything
on this ship is my business. How long will this situation last?”

“Boca’s euphoria? I don’t know. Greggor females recover in a few hours. She had an extreme reaction the first time I got just a little carried away. Seeing her in this condition, I suspect she has a low tolerance for my pheromones.”

“You wish,” Gwen said, biting back the swearing she wanted to let fly. “She’s a damn warrior, Chiang. Boca’s not going to be reduced to this state on a regular basis by some horny Greggor who can’t handle a real female.”

No one was going to interfere with how he pleasured his mate. Chiang growled and started towards Gwen, only to feel Malachi’s firm hand clamping down on his shoulder.

“Down, Chiang. You can’t attack the Commander, even though I’d love to see it. This is a medical issue, but in your current condition, I’m thinking that leaves me in charge,” Malachi said on a laugh. He didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed by Zade walking into the room.

Zade looked at Boca and smiled.

“Hi, Dorian,” Boca cooed. “I’m mated. It’s not so bad.”

“Hi, Boca,” Dorian replied, mirroring her singsong tone. He looked at Chiang. “You look like you’ve been in a fight, Doctor.”

Chiang snorted. “I’ve learned it’s dangerous to mate a damn warrior,” he said pointing to Boca, who giggled.

“He said I could bite him back. He said it was only fair,” she whispered. “I waited until he was exhausted with pleasure, and then I did it.”

Dorian and Malachi both laughed when Chiang looked at her and sighed. “I meant you could bite me one time,
A mea
. One time—not a dozen.”

Boca shrugged. “I didn’t hear that part.”

Zade and Malachi laughed again, but Chiang saw Gwen was still frowning. “She is my mate—officially and in every way, Commander. I will see to it that Boca doesn’t roam around alone until the euphoria has passed. I’m sure she will develop a tolerance over time.”

Gwen pulled her weapon from her hip and pointed it at Chiang. “You damn well better make sure it does.”

Chiang swung a glare at Zade, who laughed loudly. “You’re laughing? Really?”

“I’m just glad it’s not me on the end of her weapon this time,” Dorian said.

Boca looked at Gwen. “Don’t be mad, Gwen. You should be happy. I’ve seen them both naked and I still prefer Chiang.”

“What?” Chiang bellowed, turning to glare at Zade, who suddenly found himself staring down both the angry Greggor and the end of his mate’s weapon again.

“It was nothing. I was merely dressing for meditation,” Dorian said, shrugging his shoulders, fighting the twitch at the corner of his mouth. His mate’s glare was so very tempting. The Greggor’s claiming vibrations had nearly driven him out of his mind. Now he would have a chance to use their effects himself.

Synar’s voice came over the intercom. Apparently, an unknown shuttle was asking permission to dock. It had a Peace Alliance logo, but after recent events, they weren’t inclined to give the benefit of the doubt to any strange craft.

“Zade, you and I are going to talk.” Gwen put her weapon back in the holster. “I like her, Chiang. Fix this shit.”

“Fix what?” Boca asked.

“Nothing,” Malachi said, patting her arm, snatching it away when Chiang growled. “Oh stop that noise. It’s creepy. No wonder she doesn’t like it.”

“Keep your hands off her,” Chiang said. He walked to the table. “Come here,
A mea
.”

Boca scrambled out from under the covers, launching herself into his arms. Chiang held her close, while she planted quick little joyful kisses all over his face.

Gwen shook her head in disgust as she walked out, followed closely by a grinning Zade, who turned back briefly to give Chiang a thumbs up.

“She is not harmed, Gwen,” Chiang yelled after them, defending himself. “She is just extremely happy. The Sirens can do this to their mates as well. It’s not my fault Zade chose not to do it to you.”

“That’s because he doesn’t want his ass fried,” Gwen said, walking fast to fight her temptation to turn around and plow her fist into Chiang’s face. The only reason she didn’t was that she might hurt Boca, who was clinging to him like a child.

“I think you and your mate might want to lock yourselves into your quarters today. The medics and I can take care of things,” Malachi advised.

Chiang slid a giggling Boca up and over his shoulder, grabbing a tunic on his way out. She might need another later. He didn’t want to risk Boca running around naked again.

“Will you explain this to Captain Synar—I mean medically?” Chiang asked.

“If it comes up,” Malachi said on a laugh. “I’ll have some food sent to your quarters. It might tone down the effects of this a bit.”

Chiang nodded and carried his happy mate back where he could keep her safe.

Chapter 28

“Kefira is a remarkable female. You must be very proud,” Ania said.

“Yes, I am. And I am most anxious to see her,” High Ambassador Jilco said, his gaze trying to stay on Captain Synar and Peace Keeper Looren, but it kept straying to the door.

“Kefira insisted on spending the sleep cycle watching over one of the members of her rescue team who was injured. It was Lieutenant Seta Trax,” Synar said.

“Ah yes. . .I recall your explanation. What is the condition of the Lieutenant’s sibling?” High Ambassador Jilco inquired politely.

“We are not sure she will survive,” Synar said.

“Kefira could not help?”

Synar shook his head. “She helped Seta. Rena’s situation is more severe.”

The conference room door opened to let in the officers, followed shortly by Seta Trax and Kefira, who rushed to embrace her father when he opened his arms.

“Praise the Creators,” High Ambassador Jilco said, uncaring how emotional his voice was.

“Praise Captain Synar and his amazing crew,” Kefira added. “They have been most kind to me.”

High Ambassador Jilco turned and looked at Liam Synar. “My personal gratitude is without adequate tribute to offer, but I can show my professional appreciation. You are to be given a Guardian level vessel. It’s not in the best condition on the outside, but it’s been completely overhauled internally. It has a name, but you may choose another.”

“A larger ship would be most welcome. What is its name?” Synar asked, proud that his attending officers didn’t embarrass him by shouting out their joy.

“There was a time when ships were just named for the series and numbered. It is called the Guardian 13. I assure you the old-fashion name does not do justice to its refurbished condition,” High Ambassador Jilco said.

“The name is just fine,” Synar said. “Thank you, High Ambassador.”

“Is Malachi coming?” Kefira asked. “I would like to say goodbye to him.”

“Ah…
the friendly demon
,” High Ambassador Jilco said dryly.

“No need to be concerned,” Ania said softly. “Malachi is not typical. The Xendrin collars for the Lotharians were actually his idea.”

“The males have become animals on leashes for the females who wished to stay with their mates,” he said. “Remarkably, there were a lot more than we imagined. I think some just wanted retribution. I am still not sure that was the appropriate measure.”

“Feeling the consequences of one’s actions often leads to redemption,” Ania said.

“Indeed. Let us hope that is the case with the Lotharians.”

“Seta and I will walk with you to Medical so Kefira can say goodbye to Malachi,” Synar said, rising. “He’s watching over Seta’s sibling, who remains in stasis.”

When the door closed behind them, Gwen turned to glare at her mate. “You are never to get naked in front of any female other than me ever again unless it is a medical emergency.”

Ania laughed. “I warned you, Dorian.”

“Does Synar know you’ve seen his best friend in the buff?” Gwen demanded of Ania.

“Liam has seen me often enough without clothes. I doubt it would surprise him,” Dorian said.

Gwen rolled her eyes, her hand dropping to her weapon. She raised it again, pushing temptation away.

“So has Chiang. The day she had her first trance, I dressed Boca back in her clothes to hide Chiang’s family’s mark from him. I had to dress myself after he got there. I don’t see what the problem is,” Dorian said with a shrug. “I am how the Creators made me.”

“I ought to strip and walk down the hallway naked right now. See how you feel about it,” Gwen said.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Dorian said with a grin. “You just had me lecturing the ensigns for staring at Boca. You’d make us both look like idiots. And I will refuse to chastise the ensigns for being innocent bystanders of our fight.”