Venomous: Erotic Science Fiction Romance (Alien Warrior Book 1) (53 page)

Dressed in a softsuit of muted grey over an off-white hardsuit that complimented her indigo scales, she wore one side of her head shaved, and a single plait in her dark quills, threaded with gold.

A thick band of the precious ore wound about her upper arm and was studded with jewels.

Cobra broke away from his hunters to eye the Verak’s with blatant suspicion.

His gaze landed on Lumen then softened. “All is well.”

“No,” Venomous refuted. “Far from well. Come.”

He led the way into one of the informal seating alcoves.

He sat upon a cushioned divan, keeping his mate wrapped tight, for she still quietly wept and trembled, though he knew from her tone, it was an outpouring of joy rather than sadness.

Stooping until in Lumen’s line of sight, Fiercely ran his knuckles over her curved jaw.

Unable to stop, the touch lengthened down the column of her throat. “Must I send for our healer? This is not good for our offspring.” A long finger lifted her chin. “Calm yourself.”

Nodding, she focused on steadying her breathing, leaning into his touch and holding his eyes.

She gazed at him with consummate trust.

Studying the two of them, Venomous could tell a barrier had fallen.

Lumen sighed. “You’re right. I’m too stressed. I’m calming down, so there’s no need to worry Nāga over it. He has his own grief to deal with.”

“You know that does not signify.” Fiercely murmured the mild rebuke, brow scales lifting. “If you need a healer–”

“I’m fine.” She kissed his palm then gave him a weak smile. “Not a scratch on me. Promise.”

“Are you hungry?” Venomous asked.

Fiercely watched another shiver wrack her small frame, well aware of the last time she suffered heat stroke. “Overheated?”

“Thirsty,” Venomous decided. “You were under the sun too long.” He aimed a commanding look at Cobra that Strikes.

“Have a Sylph bring sweet water,” the male ordered and gestured to Jinx the Storm.

Jumping to attention, the a’Rä hurried from the airy recess.

Venomous was surprised Cobra remembered the intricate detail about his mate’s preferences.

It was proof the male was the right choice for his Rä’Na’s lesser mate.

Beowyn lowered onto a divan opposite the trio.

His navy cape swathed his musculature as he lengthened a thick leg and bent the other.

Resting an elbow on his knee, his loose fist fell between parted thighs.

His piercing gaze roamed the woven rugs and tapestry-draped walls with rampant curiosity.

The Verak Commanders flanked their Great Alpha.

Hands behind their backs, their gazes remained cool and aloof, even as the jittery Rä who were not used to offworlders in their province, surrounded them.

Done scrutinising the room, Beowyn grinned at Lumen. “I see why I was unable to switch your allegiance. They all but worship you. Why would a female give up such adoration to be one in a harem of many?”

Regaining some of her spark, she peeked from her mate’s shoulder to wink.

He threw his head back and boomed laughter.

The Rä startled then looked to each other for reassurance.

Failing to ease each other, not sure what to make of the visitors, they turned to the senior Rä’Veks for direction.

The Verak Commanders’ lips twitched as they exchanged a humoured glance.

They remained comfortable as the Rä warriors palmed their blades and eyed them.

“Come now,” Wind Dancer said disgruntled. “This matter must be settled to my satisfaction.” He checked his personal communicator. “I have confirmation the planetary shield is functional. We gave you access codes to return Lumen of the Stars, but how did you bypass it to abduct her?”

“We did not.” Beowyn sounded grim. “Two cycles past my Commander received an encrypted transmission. It offered a chance for Dyna ThunderClaw, my House, to acquire the female my first cousin Obryn hoped to make his One.”

Lumen twitched in Venomous’ hold.

She sat up, wide eyed. “What? I assumed he wanted me for more, um, earthy reasons.”

Beowyn smiled, eyes sad. “Aye, he felt the pull. Those of my people rescued from that hell told me so.”

“Oh. I never said it before, but I’m sorry he died. I wouldn’t....” She sent the male a look of guilt. “I wouldn’t change it.”

“I know this.” No censure bled into his baritone. Shifting forward, he propped a fist on his knee. “In the transmission were access codes to the force field, a galactic standard date, time and location coordinates. My Commanders brought the message to my attention. I decided to accept the offer, and liberate the female who might have been the One of my kin. I planned to offer her a place in my harem. To my mind, she deserved to be pampered and regarded with fondness for the rest of her days.” Beowyn paused. He looked Venomous then Fiercely in the brille. Direct and blunt. Male to males. “Know this,” his finger stabbed air, “I believed her mistreated. I would never have taken her otherwise.” His expression turned terrifying. “She was crying.
Shackled
. She scented of terror and blood.”

The Commanders flanking him shifted, and formerly blank expressions twisted in wrath.

“A delicate, intelligent female,” Beowyn continued, “swelled with cub treated so shamefully. I would have warred unto death to take her from such imprisonment and cruelty. Or so I thought. I believed you cast her aside, allowing the Rä female to dispose of her. She was treated like rubbish. I tell you freely, I hated you before I laid eyeson you, thinking
you
had done this evil to her.”

Venomous drew inward out of self-preservation.

He felt crushed under the pressure following the hideous narrative.

My mate and offspring endured terror and enslavement at the hands of the one who gave me life.

Only Lumen’s soft weight in his arms kept him from descending into a rampaging nightmare.

Not trusting himself, Fiercely removed his hands from their mate.

He gripped the carved edge of the divan base.

The polished stone fractured.

He let go then turned his face away, his breath a laboured pant.

“It’s okay,” Lumen whispered patting his stiff back. “We’re going to be fine.”

Sedate, Éorik leaned to speak in his liege’s pointed ear.

A reluctant expression crossed Beowyn’s expression.

He dropped his gaze to his laced boots. “I am loath to tell you the rest.”

“
Animal
.” Fiercely surged up. “
Did you force her? I scent you on her, monster.
”

“
Sweetheart, no
,” Lumen cried reaching to grab him.

“Enough.” Venomous silenced their outbursts with a searing glare. He faced Beowyn and grated, “Speak it all.”

Pale, Lumen shook her head at the Verak.

Beowyn grimaced. “There was payment.” The words seemed to echo and grow louder. “A fortune in Zutki jewels. Enough to barter for an outer band planetoid in this star system.”

Wind Dancer lurched onto his feet.

He shoved away the hands trying to help him, barrel chest heaving as he jerked to face Venomous. “This is why you asked for your mother.” He juddered, legs rickety. “This.
This
.” He retched, staggering as he hunched over with a rattling cough.

Fiercely’s legs buckled, and he dropped onto the divan with a grunt.

“
Serpent’s Hood
,” choked Cobra expressing the revulsion and shock of those present.

“This is a great shock then,” Éorik murmured.

“No matter how angry, how vengeful, Rä simply do not do such things,” he rasped. “We do not betray our own. And to betray kindred.... After what happened in our past, it is anathema to us.”

Venomous clutched his Rä’Na tighter.

She was more precious to him than a whole planet of Zutki treasure.

His life giver knew how he felt about her.

She knew.

He’d spoken frankly, passionately, about his feelings to his kindred when they questioned if he were addled to want her.

Rushing forward, Deathly as It Goes coaxed Wind Dancer into regaining his seat. “Please, Elder. Rest. You are not well.”

“I am well enough to know my Rä’Na has betrayed her kindred! Has betrayed me!
Our offspring
.” He clutched at his throat and wheezed, shook his white-quilled head as the huntress tried to press water upon him.

A Sylph scuttled into the room and up to Cobra that Strikes.

He listened to the servant’s rustling voice then his sapphire scales bled colour until he appeared washed-out. “Venin Stings the Sweetest is here asking for her Rä’Veks.” He hesitated then added, “She is ... distressed. Wailing her offspring’s mate is lost in the Empty Quarter, and demanding a search party go after her.”

Deathly murmured, “The abandoned spaceport is nowhere near the Empty Quarter.”

“Hunters know the winds in the wasteland are so strong, trails are lost within moments of being laid. It is impossible to track through it.” Cobra’s face darkened. “With the storm coming in, we would have given up the search within spans. Based upon the Rä’Na’s word, thinking it truth, we would have not looked elsewhere. For what reason would we?”

“If the small one had not convinced me to bring her home, she would be dead to you,” Beowyn concluded. He whistled under his breath and shook his shadowy mane. “A devious beast warms your pelts, wise one.”

Wind Dancer’s expression was livid. “Bring her to me. Find my nest mate. Dawning Light needs to be here for the judgement.”

“I will bring him,” Cobra said then left.

“There were two others with the Rä female,” said the white-maned Commander. “Sexless ones.”

“Aye.” Beowyn nodded. “‘Tis truth.”

“Her attendants,” Éorik speculated. “One seemed contrite for what Lady Lumen suffered.”

Jaw clenched, Venomous jerked his chin at Fiercely then towards
the haze.

The suspicious male narrowed his eyes at the Veraks, but stood, and loped after the warriors and hunters who went to help secure the traitors.

“Father.” Venomous’ voice swelled with crashing power. “Vow those responsible for this offence will be punished.”

“I....” Wind Dancer hesitated, eyes averted. “Lumen has yet to complete the bonding rites. She is not considered Rä, but offworlder.”

Venomous stiffened. “You dare to speak of trivial legalities? Look at what she has done!”

“
It is law
. There is room for leniency.” Wind Dancer’s shaky hand tucked into his robe sash. “I am not asking you to forgive. I ask your clan to consider mercy.”

“Done,” Lumen said. Her head swung back and forth between them. “For my part, it’s given. We can work through this somehow.”

Bowing his head, Wind Dancer murmured, “You humble me, daughter.”

Venomous’ hearts squeezed. “No.” He stared his father down, not a hint of give in his black stare. “No.”

“Babe,” Lumen whispered.

“You are my everything, and she wanted me to believe you dead. I cannot express the horror of it. Do not defend her to me.”

Shadows bruising the skin beneath her eyes, Lumen lowered her head to his shoulder, held on, fingers stroking his nape.

Wind Dancer turned his face away, a tremor wracking his frame.

The haze
of the Senate Quarter stretched across a tessellated archway, leading from the vestibule out onto the central plaza, yet the stalls were empty, the space void of life except for the gurgling fountain.

The Rä people were hidden in their lairs from the eclipsing wave of black and green dust billowing from the desert.

The turbid cloud tore across the province, swallowing the land in its cumulonimbus maw, casting shadows at its fore and in its wake.

Flashes of lightning set the mass afire from within, and thunder pounded the earth with its roaring boom.

Hushed voices drew closer.

An older, feebler voice rose in tremulous anger.

Wind Dancer stood as Cobra that Strikes and Dawning Light emerged from a passageway.

The robed Rä’Vek hurried across the polished stone, gaze snapping between those assembled. “Does this Rä’Vek speak truth?”

“Yesss,” Venomous answered when his other father seemed incapable of speech. “She is being brought to us.”

“Substantiation for this dire wrongdoing?” he demanded.

“Irrefutable.” Venomous’ fists clenched. “My Rä’Na, the Verak Great Alpha and his Commanders have given testimony.”

“Guilty?” Dawning Light croaked. “I knew she was struggling to accept Lumen’s differences, but she seemed to do better when told she could plan the bonding ceremony.” He blanched then swayed. “A guilty verdict by us means....”

“The
shunning
,” Wind Dancer whispered aging before their eyes.

The haze
fizzed as Fiercely returned, body tight, strides clipped, and his expression rigid.

Venin Stings the Sweetest’s shrill voice rang out as she swept in behind him, flanked by her a’Rä accomplices.

Escorting them were the Rä warriors privy to the treachery.

“I demand you explain why I have been detained! Did you not hear me? We are in crisis. As we speak your Rä’Na is out there dying! You thoughtless....” Venin Stings the Sweetest trailed off as she realised the vestibule was filled with witnesses.

Her eyes landed on the Veraks.

Whipping straight, she jerked backwards.

Her gaze unerringly found Lumen in the knot of bodies, and she heaved a stunted breath. “
Whatever they have said is a lie
.”

“Foolish,” Beowyn denounced shaking his dark head. “You would have done better to confess and plead mercy.”

Wind Dancer limped forward. His eyes burned as he stopped before his life mate. “How you
shame
me.”

She gasped, hand flying to her throat. “
My Rä’Vek
.”

“That you could do this to our offspring after he was lost to us for so long! Grandfather watched over us. Blessed us. Our offspring was returned a mated male. He has seeded life of his own.” He staggered, repulsed, hand coming to his mouth as if about to be sick. “All you had to do was accept your new daughter and get ready to swaddle a hatchling close to your hearts.”