Maud has known that she is destined for life as a dragon’s wife, but she has contractual obligations that she has to finish first. On her last assignment, everything goes wrong and she goes from filing paperwork to being scooped up by Raiders for use in one of their arena facilities, providing black market fighting to an entertainment hungry universe. Tridell has been patient, waiting as dragons do for his woman to come to him. When he finds out she is lost in space, he pushes to find her and puts his own life on the line to bring home the woman of his dreams.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Intercept Copyright © 2011 Viola Grace ISBN: 978-1-77111-017-4 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.eXtasybooks.com
Intercept A Terran Times Tale By Viola Grace
Chapter One aud hooked her arms under her partner’s arms and hauled with all her might. Breathing into the emergency mask was tough enough, but dragging an unconscious Kalordan with her was a workout she was not prepared for. “Lekar, you are one heavy son-of-a-bitch.” She grunted again, but got him into the emergency pod. Gasping and shoving, she rolled him into a life-support chamber. She leaned against the pod and sighed with relief as it registered his life signs. Pressing her fists to her forehead, she tried to run through what she needed to do as quickly as possible. The protocol flashed in front of her eyes and she got to her feet. On automatic, she verified food and water supplies, sealed hatches, transferred breathable atmosphere and prepared to uncouple the emergency unit. She counted down, watching the transfer of vital fluids and fuels until the pod was as ready as it could be. The release was on a timer, so she set it
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Viola Grace and climbed into her own safety pod. With her hands and feet hooked into the bands, she hung on as the lid of the pod came down over her. A sedating gas hissed out of the ports and she let her head rest on the flat pillow. She had done what she could and if the planet beneath her was hospitable, then they would survive. If not, this was her last moment alive. Maud bit her lip and thought of all the ice cream she had missed in her life as she slipped into a sedated sleep. **** The Raider ship swooped in and grabbed the low-hanging fruit that was the Alliance escape unit. They didn’t know what was inside, but the exploration vehicle that had been found dead in space was a two-man ship. “Captain, do you want us to crack the unit when we get it on board?” The captain shook his head. “With all of the trouble we have been running into lately, keep it sealed until we arrive at the base. They can deal with our findings there. I am not opening that box on my ship.” If there was a talent inside that unit, he was not equipped to deal with it and if it wasn’t, there would be plenty of folk in need of a simple 2
Intercept domestic. His ship would get the finder’s fee regardless. He sat back and watched his ship approach the small capsule of life in the blackness of space, with the flick of his hand, his ship was set to intercept. **** Dimly, Maud felt the rocking of the emergency unit. She reached under the side of her bedding and clawed at the beacon activator. The minute hiss as the beacon rocked free was a comforting sound. She had no idea how long she had been in the compartment, but she knew it wasn’t time enough for an Alliance ship to have answered the distress call. Maud wasn’t even sure that the shorted systems of their explorer vessel were capable of sending the message. The storm that they had flown through while leaving the death throes of Jskor had started a cascade of disaster running through their systems. Lekar had been touching the controls when the jolt hit the navigation station and he had been thrown backward, whacking his head on another panel. She had administered basic medical care to him and hauled his carcass to the relative safety of the separation chamber. Time would tell how safe it actually was and as the small escape unit 3
Viola Grace shuddered again, she admitted that she had serious doubts. **** Containing his fury was difficult. “What do you mean they disappeared? They were finished with their assignment and on their way home. What happened?” Tridell ground his teeth and started to pace, his wings opening and closing as he crossed the room. “We have our best trackers looking for them, Tridell. Calm down.” “I will not calm down, Vasu. Maud was on her last assignment before we were to meet face to face. Now, you tell me she has disappeared? What about her partner?” “Lekar Wineholt is also missing. Their ship is not responding to any attempts at communication and our seekers and seers are looking for them. The moment we find them, you will know.” Tridell gave the other Drai a long look. “The moment that you find their trail, you will let me know and I will come with you to find her.” Vasu looked so formal in his uniform with its banding and a design that matched Livin’s, his mate. Tridell had met Vasu again when he needed his assistance with a fugitive on the world under his protection, it had been quite the reunion after 4
Intercept centuries of separation. Drai always asked for permission when entering another’s territory if the Drai were of the old-shifter generation. Vasu and his mate had helped Tridell find his own mate amongst the Terran Volunteers, a consultant named Maud Odette Mickaelson. Maud had greeted his formal overtures with amusement, but she had kept in touch every day of her assignments that she had a communications array. Their mutual attraction was morphing into something more lasting and for that to happen, they needed to meet in person. When she didn’t call him at her normal time, he had contacted Vasu immediately and when the Sector Guard showed up at his door less than a day later, Tridell knew that something was very, very wrong. Somewhere out in space, Maud was lost and alone and even if her partner was nearby, she was in danger. Tridell gave Vasu a terse nod and flew out the window to shift into his greater form. He had to burn off some energy, or he would rip his home apart. As he moved his scaled dragon form through the sky and exhaled a gout of flame, he circled around and around the building he had created with his own hands. Maud was going to love it and if anything interfered with her coming to his home, that thing had better run. 5
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**** Maud yanked at the chain links that bound her to the wall in what appeared to be a medical facility. Lekar was next to her, bound in the same kind of heavy linkage that she was wearing. “Well, this is just lovely. How are you feeling, Lucky?” Maud tried to keep her voice chipper even though she was freaking out. Every Raider report that she had ever read was scrolling through her mind and the chains really did not bode well. “Just fine, Maud. Despite their rude behaviour, the healers here are fairly skilled. I barely feel like the ship tried to kill me and you bounced me across the decks.” He gave her a sarcastic look through his dark pewter eyes. His shaggy golden hair was lying in waves along his skull, mimicking his other form. “Hey, you were just lucky that I have been working out, Lucky.” She jerked at the chains again. They had been left alone for hours with no one checking on them. Only the cameras aimed at them confirmed that they had not been abandoned. She ran her gaze over him with concern. Lekar was like a brother to her. The moment that they had been introduced, they knew that a sexual 6
Intercept relationship was out of the question. He simply wasn’t her type and she wasn’t his. They both were attracted to very different sorts of people, but they made an excellent team when it came to recording and examining dying worlds. Lekar was the rarest of Kalordans, a geologist. With Maud’s simple skill of remembering everything she read, she had the peculiar status of Recorder. It was the perfect skill set to memorize the data that spilled through the instruments as a planet ripped itself to pieces. Lekar set the instrument packs and she verified and memorized the data that streamed into the ship computer. The electromagnetics of a dying world could easily blow out even a shielded computer, so Maud was the ideal backup. She read and absorbed the data before it entered memory, a living backup drive. It wasn’t glamorous, but she enjoyed her work. She jumped when the door opened and a scar-faced Raider, with the look of an administrator, came in. “Kalordan, you are being assigned to the arena.” Two burly guards came in with stunners at the ready. They hauled Lekar away from the wall and he fought the whole way. “What are you going to do with her?” Maud sat with her eyes wide. She hadn’t even thought that she was basically useless for anything and everything outside her profession. 7
Viola Grace The administrator looked from Lekar to her and back again. “She is to become a prize, Kalordan. If you are good at your job, you can keep her to yourself. If not, get used to sharing.” Clutching at the wall, Maud watched her friend get hauled off to the arena. The administrator crouched near her and examined her features closely. “You are flawed, but tolerable enough. If your species wasn’t in demand, I would simply throw you in with the rest, but I think we can do a little better than that. Come along, woman. You have to get presentable. Your male fights in two hours.” Blinking and in shock, she didn’t fight him as he tugged her to her feet and used the chains to lead her to the women’s quarters. While she was being primped, polished and plucked, her manacles remained in place. It was a reminder that she didn’t need. She wasn’t free to leave any time soon. In one moment, she had gone from free consultant to captive and she didn’t like it one bit.
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Chapter Two aud jumped as the Selna next to her placed a hand on her back. “Don’t try and back up. The fighters have the right to examine us before every fight. Just hold still and encourage the ones you like.” Maud twitched. “How am I supposed to do that?” The women were lined up like cheerleaders waiting for the team to arrive. Each was in a distinctively suggestive outfit in what appeared to be a signature rank colour. Maud and three other women were wearing a diaphanous pink affair consisting of strategic ribbons and a mid-thigh fluttering skirt. The skirt was almost completely transparent, inviting passing males to stare until they could see through it totally. The guards were handsy, but they didn’t get out of control. Instead of the boisterous arena that she had been expecting, the only watchers were row after row of recording devices. The Raiders
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Viola Grace running this facility were not dumb enough to allow a physical audience, plus they could make a lot more money selling the images of the fights across the galaxies. When the fighters came forward, the women in the darker clothing leaned forward to catch the attention of their favourites while Maud and the other newbies hung back. Members of races that she had read about but never seen were looking her over with a speculative gleam in their eyes. The men were scarred, burned and generally the worse for wear, but they acted as if the women should be pleased by their attentions. Maud bit her lip and watched for Lekar. “Where did you come from, little thing?” The voice was dark and the touch on her cheek caught her by surprise. The fingers were rough and he was caressing the scar on her face. As she jerked back in shock, he laughed and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against seven feet of scaled and muscled male. She looked up in surprise and winced at the leer of interest on the features of a male with tusks and a hard-on of frightening proportions. “I was floating in a biohazard container in space. How about you?” The men within earshot barked laughter as her friend released her with incredible speed. She stumbled a little, but managed to regain her 10
Intercept footing. Lekar was the final male to exit through the doorway. He came up to her and bent his head close to hers. “If you see anything that can help me, shout it out. I will hear you.” She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Whatever I can, Lucky.” He blinked in surprise and quirked a grin. “Is it that bad?” “Wait and see.” The women were herded and lined up on the edge of the fight area, in order of their clothing colour. Darker colours belonged to the more experienced and more desired of the women and the paler the colour denoted the newer that they were to the arena. The matches were called, stats displayed and it was at that point that Maud kicked into high gear. She read every displayed stat on each monitor in her line of sight. When Lekar was called as the second fight, she used her hands on her hip and shoulder to tell him where to strike. He nodded and turned to watch his opponent lumber toward him. Maud held her breath as the fight progressed, Lekar clawing at the turtle-like carapace on his opponent, finally concentrating on the areas she had pointed out. 11
Viola Grace The lumbering hulk went down in under five minutes. A respectable time for a first fight and Lekar didn’t have a scratch on him. Maud fought the urge to fidget as the remaining fighters paired off and bashed the hell out of each other. She was sure that two of the combatants were dead and just as sure that the organizers didn’t care. Her little pink dress was spotted with blood from a variety of the fighters and as the final battle between the highest-ranked fighters wound to a close, she sensed a wave of anticipation in the women around her. The winning fighters stood and fixed their gazes on the women’s side of the arena. “Oh, balls.” One of the new women clutched her arm, “What is happening now?” “The men get to pick one of us.” “Why?” Maud looked down at the woman clinging to her arm with her hands forming claws that drew blood. “I am guessing it is for sex. Aside from that, I have no ideas.” The woman released her and stumbled backward. Maud wasn’t worried. The Alliance had brought her into space for her analytical skills, but her true talent resided in her ability to repel men. 12
Intercept Any male trying to take her by force would end up limp and ineffective. She knew that her body would probably be beaten for the effort, but death before dishonour was the way to go for her. She couldn’t help it. She held her breath as the senior fighters picked first. Her earlier suitor paused near her, but passed and went for one of the more senior females. When Lekar came to her and held out his hand, she took it gratefully. One more night of not having to worry was all she could ask for and he was being a good partner and giving it to her. They were locked into Lekar’s quarters and he wrapped his arms around her, settling them on his bunk. One night of rest was all they could hope for, because in the morning, it would all start again. **** Tridell didn’t understand. “Why don’t we just go in and get her?” Vasu rubbed his forehead. “Because they are watching and waiting for something. We need to be more subtle, to get someone on the inside to control events on the ground when we come in.” “Fine. Send someone in. Send me in.” He opened and closed his wings in agitation. “They won’t believe that you were in the area by coincidence.” 13
Viola Grace Tridell had an idea. “Fine. Don’t tell them that it is a coincidence. Tell them that I am looking for Maud. Send an open message through the area and tell them that I am looking for her.” “What will that achieve?” “I will then fly a shuttle through the area looking for my missing mate. From what you have told me, no shifting Drai has ever been caught in one of these arena events. I am a prize that they cannot pass up.” Vasu nodded. “I will run it past Relay and if she gives the go ahead, you will be able to take your ratty shuttle out within the hour.” Tridell grinned, showing his fangs. “And if it takes more than an hour, I will go anyway.” **** The moment she woke, Maud was hauled back to the groomers for a new dress and hairstyle. Eight hours later, she was in a powder blue dress that accented her silvery eyes and standing to watch men pound each other to goo. Lekar did a good job, won his two fights, but when the time came to choose his female, her earlier suitor got there first. Maud looked up at Dihar and smiled. “Whatever passes between us will be just between us. Do you promise?” 14
Intercept He gave her a dazed look as she laid a soft hand on his arm. “Of course.” She grinned, sent an okay flick to Lekar with her hand and wandered off with the champion of the day. In the room, Dihar pressed her against the wall and lifted her to face his grinning tusks. Maud reached into her soul and poured disinterest into him through every point of contact. The erection that he had been prodding her with faded swiftly. “What the hell?” Dihar dropped her as if she was on fire. “I won’t tell anyone that you are no longer able to sate your lust as long as you don’t tell anyone that I can do it. You will be able to say that you did any vile kind of anything to me that you wanted to do. I won’t contradict you.” She watched Dihar mull it over. His mind grappled with dignity versus violence and he nodded, reclining on his luxurious bunk. She eyed his wounds. “I can tend those if you want. I have some skills in the immediate-aid area.” He grunted in the affirmative and she opened some drawers in the champion’s room, finding the medical supplies that she needed. “How do your people mate if you kill the lust of your men?” 15
Viola Grace She smiled. “You are quick. It isn’t all Terrans, just me as far as I am aware. I have a true mate, but I haven’t met him in person yet.” “Then how do you know he is your true mate?” Dihar was interested. “I just know. The same way that you noticed that the Brevil was going to go for your knees.” She blotted at his skin and cleaned the wounds left by that fight. “Some things you just know on instinct.” “Your friend…is not your mate?” “No. He will say it as well. We have worked together for years and were on an assignment that went bad. Now, we are here and survival is all that we will focus on. I will work for his survival and he will work for mine.” They kept up polite chat and she learned that Dihar had been a farmer transporting a crop when he was taken. After a light meal, they played the Alliance version of chess and then he rested on the bed while she took the floor. In the morning, she quickly crawled into bed with him minutes before they came to get her. Dihar quickly whispered in her ear what he would have done to her body in the darkness and when they came to get her, she was fighting involuntary arousal. The groomers washed, brushed and prepped her for yet another day, but this time, she wore 16
Intercept silver that matched her eyes, her nails, skirt and shoes all matched in glowing metallic. A few of the higher-ranking women came to her and pried her for details about Dihar, but thanks to his emergency-prep class, none of them suspected at thing.
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Chapter Three aud watched Dihar walk past her, a wink from his left eye as he passed her indicated he had something to do with her new finery. Lekar came behind him, an arched brow showed his amusement for her new conquest. He knew all about her talent, but had never experienced the effects. The final male out of the fighter quarters was her big surprise. She widened her eyes and watched as the familiar face of Tridell came from the doorway, his huge frame and flared wings made her mouth dry. What he was doing there, she had no idea, but her body seized in lust the moment that he met her silver gaze with his gold one. He moved past the other women fawning over the first Drai they had ever seen and came straight toward her. She noted his intent an instant before he grabbed her around the waist, lifted her to meet him and brought his mouth down onto hers. They had been engaging in a courtship of sorts
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Intercept for months. This tension-filled first meeting was all she needed to wrap her arms around his neck and hold him tight, welcoming his tongue and the taste of him. He jerked under her hands and he slowly released her. She came to the awareness that there were guards around him, hitting him with stun rods, trying to get him to release her. Tridell smiled and lifted her hand to his lips. “Until later, Maud.” She blushed and led the women to their position around the arena while Tridell was led off with the men. Several of the fighters were elbowing Dihar and jerking their heads toward Maud. He was grinning savagely, but when she met his gaze across the fight zone, he nodded. Tridell was wearing a thick set of ankle bracelets. Apparently, they were unaware of his true nature. Nothing stopped a shifter from taking their battle form. They didn’t waste Tridell on an exhibition fight. He was placed halfway through the matches for the first fight. He didn’t bother making it look good. The Nyal he was fighting was struck hard and skidded across the fight area before scattering the women. He was unconscious and bleeding from one ear. The guards and medics hauled him away while Tridell went to stand with the winners. 19
Viola Grace Maud winced at the smug set of her soon-to-be mate’s shoulders. He was not going to make friends with his fellow fighters if he didn’t play the game that the Raiders had set up. Lekar was fighting a S’then and he managed to trip him and get him on the ground, his fists and claws shearing through the scaled hide. The S’then’s tail propelled it back to his feet and he circled Lekar quickly. Maud cried out, but Lekar moved to counterattack before she was even able to finish her scream. The frown that rippled across Tridell’s face was not good, but she ignored it in favour of watching Lekar get his opponent in a headlock and slowly suffocate the S’then into unconsciousness. When he was declared the winner, he took his position next to Tridell and from across the arena, Maud could see them speaking casually. Other fights rippled through the arena until Dihar was up against his match. While she watched her new friend from the previous night, Tridell was being restrained by Lekar. Another fighter was casually speaking to Tridell and it seemed to be upsetting him. Maud took a deep breath and focussed on her Drai. Stop getting pissed. Nothing happened. Tridell’s head came up swiftly and he met her gaze from across the crowded arena. How are you 20
Intercept doing this? Enough of a connection, I suppose. That was quite a first kiss. It was indeed. So I am to ignore what is being said about you? Don’t ignore it. Just know it for a lie to save face. A guy thing. No one gets that close to me unless I wish it. What of your friend here? If you are up against him, knock him out, but don’t kill him. He tried to keep me safe and I am not letting him stick me with the paperwork from this fiasco. She had to watch his shoulder’s shake with amusement and not be close enough to enjoy it. She was able to absorb the details of his physique from that distance though and use her memory to provide the textures to go with them. He was nearly seven feet tall, if not over. His shoulders appeared close to four feet wide and his arms could wrap around her almost twice over. The heavy muscles of his pectorals were echoed by the ridges that surrounded his wings. Enough power to flap the wings that could hike his body into the sky. The ridges of his abs covered a flat belly and his navel was located low enough to be hidden by his trousers. She really wanted to go in search of it. Am I simply a piece of meat to you? The amusement in his mind was unmistakable. Not yet, but I can hope. She smiled shyly. I hadn’t realized that your hair was as dark as mine. It always 21
Viola Grace glows dark gold in the displays. It has strands of gold in the black. The surrealism of having a conversation on hair colour while two men fought until near death was not lost on her, but when the battle was over and Dihar was standing triumphant, she had to pay attention to her surroundings again. It was time for the winners to select their females. Dihar was still breathing heavily from his fight against the cybernetically enhanced Tival. He took a few steps toward her and then was stopped by the guards. They spoke quietly to him and he looked over to Tridell. Shrugging, Dihar selected his previous favourite and wandered off with her. Two other winners tried to approach her before Lekar did. Each of them was told by the organizers to choose another. Lekar selected one of the women still wearing pale pink. He behaved in a courtly manner and Maud was so busy watching him that she didn’t see Tridell moving toward her with purpose. “I believe that your display of enthusiasm got someone’s attention, Maud. That I let it be known that I was looking for my mate and then greeted you with that same enthusiasm has let them know that intimacies may be theirs for the broadcasting.” Maud swayed in shock. “What?” “Just go with me on this. If nothing else, it will 22
Intercept be something to tell the grandchildren.” He offered her his hand and despite her surprise, she took it. The guards took them away from the fighter quarters to a far more luxurious cell. Maud blushed at the knowing look on the face of the guards as they left them, but she turned back to Tridell and threw herself into his arms. With her face against his chest she mumbled, “I am really glad you are here.” His arms around her relaxed her. The huge expanse of his hands covered her back completely. The heat that radiated into her body from that simple touch started the surge of arousal that she had felt the moment that she saw him. One year ago, Maud had undergone treatment to make her a suitable mate for a Drai. It involved some changes to her body that would make her an appropriate physical match. Drai women were approximately the same size as Terrans, so Maud was fairly sure that Tridell wouldn’t hurt her with his enthusiasm. The only thing was that Maud had not tested her new equipment, so when he gently rubbed at the base of her spine and she felt a rush of moisture from within, she wasn’t sure if that was the change or if she had just been celibate for too long. Either way, she was willing to road test her new systems and based on the ridge of flesh pressing against her abdomen, so was he. 23
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Chapter Four he recorders were subtle, but Maud knew they were there. “Be easy, Maud. This is simply between you and me.” He gently placed a hand under her chin and lifted her face to his. “Just us. No one else.” His kiss drove out the reality of being on an unnamed station or world without knowing where she was and how she was going to escape. She wasn’t alone and Tridell wasn’t going to let anything happen to her that he wasn’t responsible for himself. “You look lovely, Maud.” His words were like warm honey. She smiled up at him while her tongue flicked out to taste the residue from his kiss. “Thank you. Dihar picked the outfit.” His hand on her waist clenched in reaction and she laughed. “He was very nice to me. All I had to do was make sure he stayed flaccid with a little prolonged
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Intercept contact with his arm and we had a pleasant night of chatting and chess.” Tridell’s eyes widened. “You told me when we were chatting that you had the ability to drive men away, I didn’t realize how.” She snorted. “I can control it.” “Obviously or I would be huddled in a corner by now.” He lifted her and spun her around. “You have no idea how long I have waited to hold you in my arms.” She clung to his shoulders as he twirled her in the air. She squeaked and sighed as he lowered her until he was holding her face to face. She wrapped her arms around his neck and angled her head so she could inhale his scent. He groaned when she let her teeth graze his neck and shuddered when she wrapped her legs around his hips for stability. The skirt she was wearing did not include underwear, so the scent of her heat was glaringly obvious, even to her. He supported her with one hand while loosening his trousers with the other. She slid and rocked herself along his erection. The hard column soon became slippery with both of their contributions. Friction heated her skin and as she angled her hips, the contact with her clit built her tension to the shattering point. She gasped and froze as release swept through her. Tridell pinned her against the wall, lifting her so 25
Viola Grace that her breasts were even with his mouth. His teeth pulled away the ribbons that bound her breasts and he licked and sucked at her flesh with a ferocity that rebuilt her arousal in moments. She let each sigh and murmur reach his ears and it seemed to drive him higher. Two fingers were fit into her, carefully stretching her and drawing forth more slick honey to ease his entry. Maud clenched around him, trying to hold him in place, but he withdrew his hand and fit the wide head of his cock against her. He used the wall to support her as he thrust in slow, measured movements. He kept one hand between her and the wall, fingers curled around her shoulder to hold her in place as he worked himself fully into her. When he started the heavy push and pull of fucking, they kissed intermittently when the surges brought them close enough. She looked forward to each kiss, nipping at his lower lip with every approach. He groaned at her light nibbles and encouraged her with his increased speed and the muttered words in ancient Drai. His wings were out for his balance, but a quick realization that he was blocking the cameras from viewing her completely increased her feeling of intimacy to the breaking point. She screamed and clawed at Tridell’s shoulders, trying to gain 26
Intercept enough purchase to push herself down onto him all the way, but he kept thrusting steadily. Her orgasm became endless as his cock worked against the frantically contracting muscles inside her. When he threw his head back and roared his release, she was still shaking from her unending orgasm which spiked again as he jetted into her. He cuddled her against him, remaining inside her as her body slowly wound down to a slow flutter around him. “Thank you, Maud.” She blinked and looked up to see his forehead resting against the wall next to hers. “For what?” “For being honest in your reactions. I know that being watched threw you off, but it was fairly successful for a first time.” He pressed a soft kiss against her cheek. She turned her lips to meet his and they joined in a sweet kiss that took them back to all those conversations while she was travelling and he was waiting. The waiting was over, but now, they had to find a way out of there. Do you have a plan to get us out of here? Of course. I am part of the plan. We will be gone in within three days. The Sector Guard has to amass their ships and prepare to attack. So, we have three days while you fight for your life and then we fuck on film? I prefer to think of it as making love with an audience…but yes. 27
Viola Grace She shrugged. I think that we need some food and then perhaps a slight slower coupling. There is a lot of you that I haven’t gotten to touch yet and it’s making my mouth water. He blushed. Under his bronze skin, he blushed. He slowly lowered her to the floor and the result of their coupling snaked down the inside of her thighs. Maud patted his cheek. “I am going to take a shower. You go and get us some food. This is going to be a long night.” In the shower, she placed trembling hands against the cold tile and let the tepid water wash over her. She exhaled slowly through pursed lips and took a personal inventory. Her back ached where the wall had rubbed and the throb between her thighs was unmistakable. The cool water eased the irritation and soon, she was ready to face Tridell again. Two trays of higher-protein rations were waiting for her. Tridell’s share was obvious in the triple portion. He was sitting on the one chair in the room and he patted his thigh in invitation. A panel in the door flicked as a guard watched her approach and settle on Tridell’s lap. With a slight nod to him, she sat wrapped in her drying cloth and took a few pieces of food in one hand, feeding herself slowly. She nibbled, wide eyed and 28
Intercept watched him at close range. His nose was more prominent than it had seemed when she was speaking to him in the vid chats. The dark slash of his brows gave him a serious demeanour and the clear cut of his lips, tight with tension, showed her a man who thought before he spoke. His jaw flexed as he ate his meal and she watched the cords of his neck contract and release with every move. She widened her eyes as he turned his head and grinned down at her. The sharp points of his canines gleamed in the moderate lighting. “You are staring.” Maud swallowed, “Just getting used to the physical you. You are very warm.” He winked, “As are you. Warm, soft and you smell like mine.” She didn’t need to ask what he meant. She felt the same. The first moment that she had gotten close enough to scent him, she had almost felt a click of rightness within. “I had to tell you, at first, I didn’t think that it would work.” She bit her lip and blushed at his amused smile. “I didn’t sense any hesitation.” “I am a firm believer in trying something first before denying a possibility. The alterations were not really obvious to me, but I suppose that you would have noticed at the same time that I did if things weren’t going to work.” 29
Viola Grace His chuckle sent a ripple of warmth through her again. “Yes, Maud, I would have known if it wasn’t going to work. Now, eat your dinner. You look a little weak.” With one meal per day, she was indeed a little weak. Maud slowly ate all of her rations and sipped at the water, frowning at the peculiar chemical tang. “There is something in this water.” Tridell took her cup from her and sniffed, jerking his head back in reaction. “Stop drinking that. They have added a medication to your water. I am not sure of the purpose, but it can’t be good.” Maud nodded and sat quietly, hoping that it was a sedative. When her pulse began to race and moisture collected at her entrance, she knew that the hope was futile. Back on Earth, aphrodisiacs were hit or miss, but in space, many races had a far-better grasp of the science of stimulation. Tridell’s nostrils flared as her heat translated through her scent. “I didn’t drink it all.” Her voice was soft, breathy. She curled her hands into fists and pressed them against her thighs to keep from touching all that warm skin so close to her own. “I know, but until it burns itself out of your system, I will put myself at your service. Whatever you need, simply ask.” She held her hands tightly together, bunching 30
Intercept the fabric of her drying wrap while her mind tried to come up with a way to avoid what her body was demanding. She wanted him. She just didn’t want to have to have him. If her body was going out of control, it was going to be on her terms. Deliberately, she untucked her wrap and let it fall. She shifted to straddle his thighs and cupped his jaw in her hands. With her lips less than an inch from his, she whispered, “Seduce me.” He didn’t have to be told twice.
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Chapter Five ridell leaned forward and licked slowly at her lips. His hands cupped her buttocks and back, rubbing in slow strokes. She shivered as her body woke under that casual touch. Some of her response was chemical, but most of it was the knowledge that this was her true match. He had allowed himself to be taken hostage to get close enough to watch her and keep her safe. That feat alone caused slick moisture to start inside. In a sudden move, Tridell stood and carried her to the firm surface of the bed. He lifted her hands over her head and she felt two distinct clicks as her wrists were manacled to the wall. Panic flared in her body. If she couldn’t pursue him, how was she supposed to get what she needed? Maud arched her back and writhed in place as he backed away to remove his clothing. “This isn’t what I had in mind.” “Patience.” His voice was so low, she could feel it more than hear it. When he rejoined her on the bed, his erection dipped invitingly and she tried to
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Intercept arch her hips up to him. He simply kept himself suspended on his arms and lowered his head to hers. The kiss was passionate and the slow, dexterous thrust of his tongue made her whimper in desperation. Her entire being was focused on that kiss, her nipples were taut, skin was rough and aching and a dark throbbing was starting deep in her belly in response to the slow thrust and retreat. When he moved from her lips to her jaw, she moaned, then hissed as he used those deadly teeth to scrape her skin down her neckline. He took his time, first her left side, then her right were treated to a gentle abrasion followed by the slow stroke of his tongue. She squeaked when he moved down to her collarbone and sighed when his jaw brushed her breasts. He used only his mouth on her breasts, left and right, waking the flesh, stroking slowly along the underside until her body was shaking with tension. When his tongue delved into her navel, her low moan raised his eyebrows and as the caress of his lips passed over the lowest point of her belly, she bucked at the sensation. Her feet were flat on the bed, her knees bent and thighs spread wide to allow him access. His breath between her thighs parted the curls that the groomers had simply tidied. He dragged 33
Viola Grace his tongue across her flesh, the wet heat that her body was producing easing the slide. When he fit his tongue to her opening and used it to probe inside, her arousal could not stand against his determined efforts. Maud hovered on the edge of release and held her breath, shrieking at the overload of sensation as Tridell slid his thumb into her ass. With his tongue deep inside her and his thumb slowly stroking her, she screamed loud and long as her body convulsed under him. He moved up her body slowly, leaving a trail of kisses and licks as he met her face to face. She saw his wings flare to cover her as he fit the head of his cock to her and slowly thrust inside her still-pulsing body. She met his gaze as he started to move inside her, the wide flare of his member dragging against her inner walls and keeping a slow stroke of constant movement on her sensitive flesh. The chemical rose and brought her body to a ferocious secondary arousal which met Tridell’s thrusts with arched hips and a twisting torso. With her arms above her head, her breasts bounced with each collision and she bucked as best as she was able to, trying to bring him into contact with her clit. The lack of control was frustrating, but when she felt a touch on her mind, it was immediately followed by a caress on her clit. She 34
Intercept gasped and locked in place, sighing and twitching with her body’s frantic attempt to milk Tridell dry. He kept up his pace until her orgasm faded and then he pounded into her with ferocity. His piston-like strokes raised her temperature again, but he groaned and spurted inside her before she could wind up for a third release. As he slumped against her, his head between her breasts, she tugged at her arms. “You can let me go now.” “No, but I will release your shackles.” He reached up without looking and unclasped her cuffs. She grunted as she pulled her arms down and rubbed at her wrists. The red skin was a testament to how hard she had been pulling. He hissed and slowly licked at her abraded skin and to her astonishment, the irritation fled after each lick. Maud looked at her right wrist while he worked on her left. I didn’t know that you could do that. It is a skill that I can only share with you. Because we are a perfect match, your body can be healed by mine. Oh, can you take care of my back? The wall was a little rough. My pleasure. He raised himself from her and flipped her over onto her belly. The irritated skin on her back was licked an inch at a time and when he reached her lower spine, she was twisting against him again. 35
Viola Grace Slowly, he edged her thighs apart and mounted her from behind, sliding into her and rubbing his chest against her back as he started a slow rock that moved her on the surface of the bed in a lazy beat. He reached under her and placed one hand under her breasts while the other nestled against her clit so that friction was inevitable. The warmth of his hand against her lower belly as he cupped her sent her mind into a spin while she raised herself on her elbows to increase contact by rocking against him. As he moved faster, she matched him and when he shouted, arching and slamming into her hard, she screamed into the pillow near her face. Sparks flew behind her eyes and as her breathing became less than effective, she laid still, her head angled to one side and the weight of a dragon on top of her. She really hoped that the Raiders had enough footage. If they drugged her again, the pace might kill her. **** “He is blocking the video at every opportunity. I don’t know if it is on purpose, but we only have their first coupling to offer.” The tech rubbed his face with his hand. No matter which angle he switched to, those wings got in the way. The administrator sighed. “Fine. Send the 36
Intercept footage you have. If folks want to see a Drai fucking, they will have to settle for what he lets us see.” “He looks exhausted, sir. Are you sure that it was correct to give her the stimulant?” “We had no guarantee of further activity after their first time. This guaranteed it.” “He might not be able to fight tomorrow, sir.” The tech frowned at the boneless slump of the Drai around his female. The administrator crossed his arms and looked smug. “If he doesn’t want his woman going to another, he will fight and he will win.” The tech nodded and refrained from mentioning a few details that he had seen. The administrator had no interest in knowing that it seemed that the Drai was having problems containing his shape as well as the communication between the male and female. It was a subtle communication, but the couple was definitely talking beyond the audible level. A small electromagnetic pulse flickered in the room periodically that didn’t come from any of the equipment. The administrator had a tendency to fire folks who gave him bad news and the means to the firing involved a trip to the arena. The tech would keep his suspicions to himself. He liked breathing. 37
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Chapter Six ridell had the guard against the wall by the throat and he was growling in a low vibration. Maud sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking at the surprised guards who were facing a naked and furious Drai. Two of the other guards were frantically trying to pull their stun rods, but when they got them unsheathed, the rods had no effect. “Tridell, let him down. Hurting him won’t accomplish anything.” She pulled a pillow in front of her and nodded at the guards. Tridell slowly lowered the man to his feet and the guard stumbled away, choking and gasping for air. “Never try and touch her without my permission.” Maud realized what had happened. The guard had tried to haul her off as he had the two days before, but this time, Tridell was on guard over her. The guards nodded. “We need to take her to the groomers and you need to get to the training hall.”
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Intercept He snarled but used his claws to tear the sheet on the bed into a makeshift toga for her. He then tore a belt to hold the fabric in place so that the sides of the fabric didn’t float free. “I know you have to go, but I don’t have to like it.” His kiss was possessive and she reached into his mind. Are we on a planet or a station? A planet. Highly volcanic, but they have a stabilization system here, it is stable enough but limited atmosphere. She smiled and nodded as he backed away, her lips swollen and knees weak. The strangled guard walked her out and down the hall, but he had gotten the hint not to touch her. The groomers took over her care and the guard couldn’t get away fast enough. While his tongue had healed most of the friction irritation, his teeth had left scrapes in some interesting places and the other women commented on it as she bathed. “So, you finally found a man who could deal with that pale flesh of yours.” The Selna floated close. Maud gave her a look through narrowed eyes. “Yes.” There must have been something in her eyes, because the other woman floated away as quickly as she had appeared. The groomers were swift and efficient, combing 39
Viola Grace her black hair into a shining mass and surprisingly, highlighting the scar that arced around her left eye. Her gown was a loose toga of metallic pewter and she was given heeled boots in lieu of the sandals she wore the day before. There were meals served, just enough to get the women to stand up on their own but not enough to give them added energy. A few of the women were discussing the fighters in blunt terms, but Maud kept to herself. Meeting her mate was surreal, even odder under the circumstances. She and Tridell had talked about her job, his home and the possibility for children in the future. The night before, he hadn’t sunk his teeth into her, which was the Drai version of birth control. When he did bite her, it would trigger her newly upgraded biology into ovulation. Facing the idea of having a child with a being that she had never imagined as existing in reality when she was back on Earth showed her that she was confident of one thing. She was getting out of here and Tridell was coming with her. The line up to receive the fighters was slightly different. A few of the women who had admired her marks were leaning forward and looking past Dihar and Lekar, toward Tridell. Maud stifled a smirk at his surprise, but she 40
Intercept reached up to caress his face while he stroked her hair before he moved along with the other fighters to take their positions. She bit her lip and led the women to their stations while the first of the fights began. Watching men pound on each other for the entertainment of a faceless audience still angered her, but she was not in a position to fight for anyone’s freedom. Don’t move. The voice was that of a woman, but it wasn’t any of the females in the arena. Why shouldn’t I move? Who are you and where are you? Oh, sorry. I am Counsel of the Sector Guard. I am the longest-range telepath that we have, so all communications of the biological kind come through me. Okay, why shouldn’t I move? Because we are about to do an emergency drop through your atmospheric bubble and Fury is going to be fostering a lack of oxygen. We will pick you up where you drop. Are you wearing anything in particular that will make you stand out? I am in silver down to all my nails. Excellent. We will be there in ten minutes. Hold tight. The connection was cut and Maud was left with a slight headache. The junior fighters and the surviving losers of the previous day battled in their rounds and Maud 41
Viola Grace started to breathe heavily. The air seemed to thin. When they called Tridell forward and announced his opponent, Maud knew that the Sector Guard would not arrive in time to avoid disaster. Lekar stepped forward and the two squared off. Tridell, that is my partner, don’t hurt him. How shall I prevent it, Maud? When you get in close, call him Lucky. He will know exactly what it means. From that point on, make it look good. Our rescue is coming. Whatever you command. She stifled a grin and bit her lip with worry for the watching camera. Lekar lunged in, his claws extended. Tridell moved aside and let the Kalordan pass, a hiss of air escaped him and Maud watched his lips shape the word. Lekar didn’t act as if he had heard the word, but he shifted into his lion form and took a swipe at Tridell as the Drai jumped toward him. With the huge cat in the ring, Tridell flapped his wings and glided to land on the other male’s back. He lifted Lekar in the air and dropped him to the ground, winding him. Maud was feeling a little winded herself as she watched them close, fight, turn and twist. Her head spun and her vision turned black along the edges. Most of the other women were kneeling 42
Intercept already, some prone on the ground. An alarm went off in the distance, but none of the guards could answer it. The ground came up to meet all of them as the oxygen fled. Maud kept her footing for as long as she could before she began to pitch toward the floor. A bloody but cheerful Tridell caught her in his arms as she collapsed. His stern face was the last thing that she saw as blackness swam up to claim her. Waking on an Alliance vessel was surreal. Having Tridell sitting on a bed next to her was less of a surprise than it should have been. He was holding her hand and when she opened her eyes, he pressed a kiss into her palm. “I was getting worried.” “How is it that you managed to stay awake while the rest of the station passed out?” He grinned and punctuated his sentence with another kiss. “I can hold my breath for a really long time.” When he flicked his tongue along her palm, she started to blush and it was only his standing up and pressing a kiss to her lips that made her think of all the ways she could get him to use that particular skill.
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Chapter Seven hen another Drai came into the room, they parted reluctantly. Tridell flared his wings out of reflex, but folded them when he looked at the man who came in dressed in the form-fitting uniform of the Sector Guard. A woman trailed in behind him and she waved cheerfully at Maud. “Hello, Maud. I am Livin. This is my husband, Vasu.” Livin surged forward and shook Maud’s hand. “Hello, Livin. You two are with the Guard?” “Yes, I am Fury, this is Beast.” She smiled with that same unfailing cheer. “Well, I am a simple analyst. But it is nice to meet you.” Tridell and Vasu were glaring at each other, but then Vasu broke the stalemate. “Maud, I am very glad that you were rescued in one piece. Tridell was becoming insufferable.” “That sounds plausible. Where is Lekar?” Tridell scowled. “He is in crew quarters. He was
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Intercept patched up and released from medical almost immediately. You are the one we worried about. You wouldn’t wake up.” Maud started laughing. She couldn’t stop. Then don’t keep me up all night. I needed some sleep. I knew I was safe, so I slept. Tridell blushed and the other couple moved to one side. Livin grinned, “We found your ship and retrieved your personal effects.” Maud eventually stopped giggling and Tridell lifted her up and took a seat in the bed with her in his lap. She cleared her throat. “There must have been something in that stimulant that they gave me that didn’t agree with me.” It was a plausible explanation for the visiting Drai couple. Livin nodded and smiled. “Well, it was nice meeting you. We will let you get on with your recovery and I hope to see you again soon.” Vasu nodded and left the room with his wife. Maud sighed and leaned her head against Tridell’s chest. “Are all Draikyn so grumpy?” He rubbed his chin against her head and cuddled her close. “Yes. It goes with the other shape we take. Few folks would take a cheerful dragon seriously.” She simply enjoyed the feeling of being with him until the physician came to her and gave her the all clear. Maud was given a loose ship suit and 45
Viola Grace some simple shoes and discharged from medical with Tridell at her side. She looked up at him. “Now what?” He took her hand and held it. “Now, we take a tour of the ship that will conclude at my shuttle. Then, we will adjourn to my world and begin our new life together.” “What about my work, my partnership with Lekar?” “He will be welcome in our home, but not quite yet. He feels very protective toward you and it is in conflict with my instincts, which could be dangerous. I am not quite myself with you yet.” She cleared her throat. “How so?” He turned her to look up at him. “Because I have little self-control where you are concerned. I don’t want to injure the next thing to a sibling that you have out here.” She nodded. “I want you two to get along.” “We will get along when he has his own mate.” She laughed. “He is waiting. She is a hunter on an undercover mission. The match has been approved by his government and hers. He just doesn’t like to talk about it.” “So, she is away from him like you were kept from me?” “Similar but different. I had a finite list of work to do. She is off and trying to pretend she is something else. Her job is a little more dangerous 46
Intercept than mine was.” She chuckled. “You ended up enslaved in a Raider stronghold and you don’t think your work is dangerous?” She tried to lead them down the hall to continue their tour. “That wasn’t the bad part. Hauling Lekar’s unconscious ass out of the dying ship was the bad part.” He made a low growling noise and she scuttled along as he came up behind her. “How did you lift him? He is close to three times your weight.” “I managed, but he got a little bashed up in the process.” “Good.” The satisfaction in his tone was unmistakable. He swept her up in his arms and started to move at a rapid pace through the halls. The arboretum was their first stop and Tridell picked a blooming rose for her. “To match the blush in your cheeks when I kiss you.” She smiled and inhaled deeply of the fragrant flower. It wasn’t quite a rose by Terran standards, but it was close enough. “Thank you.” He leaned down and she took the hint, wrapping her arms around him and pressing a kiss to his lips. Her tongue teased his, but his prehensile appendage far outstripped hers when it came to waking sensual awareness. The intensity of her reaction to something as simple as a kiss was surprising to her. This was heat without the excuse of chemical intervention, arousal simply because 47
Viola Grace she was with the right man. She kept that rose with her as they continued the slow walk to the shuttle bay. The equipment techs and refuellers nodded to them. The shuttle that they entered was huge height-wise. The compensation for his wings was obvious in the narrow-backed chairs that would allow for his spine to be supported while his appendages hung free. She took the navigator position and clutched the edges of the chair. There were no straps as in Alliance vessels. He went through pre-flight checks and she still couldn’t believe that she hadn’t insisted on speaking with her Representative. But, she hadn’t and she trusted Tridell to keep her in one large piece. Everything else could be worried about at a later date. There was plenty of time to figure out what she was going to do after she was officially mated to the Drai, but she knew that he had to complete a few very stringent courtship rituals. She decided to get the first ritual out of the way. “I dreamed of you.” He froze in the middle of a pressure check, “And I dreamed of you. Beside me, next to me, on top of me at times, but always with you as my partner.” “I dreamed of you beside me, watching me, helping me and letting me do what I must but 48
Intercept always with me.” The joining of their dreams and the similar images that had worked their way into both of their minds was a symptom of their minds resonating at the same frequency. It was the first point of comparison that the Alliance engaged in and the most telling. Their minds actually did think alike. He finished the pre-flight checks and got clearance from the warship to launch. As they floated free of the Alliance ship, she looked back to see the bulk of the craft that had entered Raider space and returned intact. “How did they manage to get that ship into Raider space?” “They didn’t. The Sector Guard ran a relay picking us up and delivering us to a secure place in space near Nodak Station. First, they took the prisoners and they separately removed the Raiders with Fury keeping the oxygen at the lowest tolerable level for hours.” “Wow. How long was I out?” “Eighteen hours. I was surprised when Livin came into medical. I was sure that Vasu would have made sure she rested.” The disapproving frown on his face was unmistakable. “I am sure that she didn’t want to take a nap or she would have. Are you going to try and boss me around, because I can tell you now that it won’t go over very well.” She crossed her arms before 49
Viola Grace clutching back at the edges of the chair while he triggered the jump engine. She caught her breath when they exited the jump and glared at him. “That was sneaky.” His wide-eyed, innocent grin didn’t fool her. “I apologize. I am so used to travelling alone that I forgot to announce it.” She read the displays and tried to orient herself. “Where are we?” “Gencarra 3. My home and yours if you wish it to be.” He aimed their shuttle for the large blue-green jewel in the darkness and applied the full force of the engines to get them home. She twisted her lips in a smirk and noted how he had avoided the insinuation of his being a bossy-boots. They would revisit that in the future and he wouldn’t be able to throw her off balance to distract her. She wondered how he would choose to avoid that discussion and looked forward to finding out.
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Chapter Eight he home was built of onyx and protruded from the side of a mountain. It took Maud’s breath away. Balconies of swirling crystals were designed for full panoramic view that would allow anyone on them to see both a bright dawn and a brilliant sunset. The shuttle landed under a covered overhang, neatly tucked against the side of the rock face, by its skilled pilot. Maud let out a blast of breath when they landed and he closed down the ship’s systems. “Tense, Maud?” “Well, you came in rather fast. I wasn’t quite positive that you were going to stop in time.” She got to her feet, feeling bruised and rather brittle as she straightened. The ride had been a tense one. She was used to wild pilots, but the harness in standard Alliance ships always gave her a measure of comfort. That comfort had been missing from Tridell’s shuttle.
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Viola Grace “Are you sure you are all right?” His concern was palpable and he wrapped an arm around her waist. “Just a little shaken up from the flight. I don’t suppose you would consider installing a safety harness on the navigator station? My muscles are a little tight from hanging on for dear life.” She tried to keep it light, but her entire body ached. “Of course. I have never thought of it before. The ship was designed for Drai males to pilot. Our wings give us the stability we need via the support bar on the seats.” He gave her a lot of support as they crossed the landing site. She winced as the tension kept her from keeping up with him and finally he simply lifted her off her feet. Her body was in full riot. The acrobatic sex from the previous day coupled with the harrowing flight was making itself known. Her body was not happy. Cradled in his arms, she was able to enjoy the view of his home. Despite being made of black volcanic glass, the pale marble flooring created a light and open atmosphere. Daylight streamed in through elaborate skylights making the interior as bright as the afternoon light outside. “It’s very pretty. Who cut the flowers?” Every corner table and end table had a graceful vase filled with brilliant flowers in gem-like hues. “I have a set of servant bots that prepared the 52
Intercept house for your arrival. They remain in storage until needed.” He rubbed his chin along the top of her head and she smiled. He was home and his very posture changed. A subtle whirring caught her attention and she saw one of the teeny bots scoot along the wall and into a small door that opened for it in the stone. “What was that one doing?” “Probably finishing up in the bedroom. I sent the commands when we left the warship.” She looked up at him and he was both walking and watching her intently. “Do you like the house?” It was not a house. It was a palace, a city occupied only by them. She smiled and hid her face so he could not see it. “I will tell you in the morning. Right now, I need a hot soak and a good meal. Can those things be arranged?” He sighed with enough energy to move her hair. “Yes. A meal should be waiting for us. You are really going to keep me wondering?” She chuckled. “These are Drai rules, not mine. I will tell you when and if I accept your home as soon as I am sure that I can build a life here.” He grunted. “Fine. I will accept that.” “Good, because that is the way it is.” She tried crossing her arms, but it wasn’t a very effective gesture with him carrying her. It made her look more like a pouting child than a woman putting 53
Viola Grace her foot down. The halls were expansive and wide, but the huge double doors to the bedroom were unmistakable. The sculpture of a dragon wrapped around a human woman a striking image embossed into the stone. When they got closer, Maud could see that the woman was herself, right down to the scar on her face. She reached out to touch the scar in stone with one hand and her face with the other. “How did you get this detail?” “I have been seeing you in my dreams for centuries. It was more than enough time to get everything just so.” His smile was soft and intimate. “Might I say that the reality far eclipses the dream.” Maud blushed as he held her with one arm while the sculpture swung open to reveal their room. The white floors accented with jewel-toned bedding, cushions and flowers took her breath away. A huge balcony was on display through clear quartz doors and she felt the tension in Tridell’s arms. She smiled. “You can go for a flight as soon as you put me down. I am not going anywhere, I promise.” There was a spring in his step as he opened another carved door to the bathing room. A cloud of fragrant steam wafted from the door and she 54
Intercept smiled as he deposited her on a chair in the bathing room, kissed her soundly and walked to open the huge balcony doors. From the edge of the tub, Maud could see him shift and flex as he threw himself into the sky. A few heavy beats from his human-formed wings and another greater shift took place, leaving a dragon flying where the man had been. Maud sighed and removed the ship suit, dropping it and the shoes to the floor. The hot water beckoned and with a groan, she simply rolled off the edge of the tub to splash completely under the surface. It was not the most dignified entrance to the tub, but it satisfied her urge to be immersed as quickly as she could. She sat under the water and embraced the heat that enveloped her. What are you doing? She almost spluttered to the surface, but kept herself under the water as long as she could. I am taking a long soak. You aren’t breathing. I am holding my breath under the water. It was the best way to get all of me warm in one shot. As fun as it had been, she raised her head from the water and sat against the edge of the enormous tub, her eyes closed and a peculiar breeze blowing across her face. When she opened her eyes, she was facing the large and wickedly sharp head of 55
Viola Grace her dragon and he was staring down at her through a door that was accessed from the outer wall of the chamber. She squeaked and stared at him in shock. Why are you peeping at me? Am not peeping, I am simply watching you to make sure that you are all right. I am fine. You had best move or you are going to get splashed. You wouldn’t dare. She couldn’t ignore the challenge in his mental tone. She stood up, hip deep in the water and flicked a handful of it into his face. There was a soft patter as the water struck his golden eye, but he merely blinked at her in astonishment. I can’t believe you did that. She ignored him, stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel. With a casual movement, she flipped it over his head and he jerked backward, taking all of his scaled toothiness out of the room. Smirking, she wrapped herself in another towel and walked into the bedroom. There were wardrobes full of clothing along the walls. Some for her, some for him. Wrapped in nothing but her towel, she walked out onto the balcony and watched Tridell fly in his other form. She braced her hands on the railing and watched him soar. Her heart skipped a beat as he turned mid-flight and came back to her, picking up speed as he dropped altitude. His form blurred and contracted 56
Intercept as he shifted and using his wings as brakes, she was scooped up into his arms and borne into the air, her towel fluttering down onto the stone as she clung to him in panic. What are you doing? Her mental shriek was loud even to her own ears. Showing you my world, just hold on tight. I won’t let you fall. She held on with her arms around his neck and his hands around her waist, holding her against him. The sun caressed her skin as they flew over the landscape and he showed her his world. When the wind chilled her skin, she heard a whisper, I promise to warm you up later.
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Chapter Nine atching him spit a spark to light a fire in their bedroom was amusing and having him close all the doors to keep her from getting a chill was endearing. “What did you wish for in a mate, Tridell?” She was warm from another bath, this time, one shared with her dragon and the large size of the tub now made much more sense. For him to get his wings wet involved the same full immersion that she had engaged in and the similarity made her laugh. She had scrubbed his back and he scrubbed hers, both of them studiously ignoring his erection and her hardened nipples. It was time for a bath and dinner. There was several lifetimes’ worth of sex that they could access whenever they wished. They didn’t have to hurry. After they ate, he took her hand and led her to the fireplace. He wore nothing but a short fabric wrap around his hips and as he started the flames, she took a seat on a romantically assembled pile of
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Intercept cushions with a backrest and waited in her own silk wrap. He scooted in behind her and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her against him. “I will be honest. I never gave it any thought. My people have always dreamed of their mates and even now, I don’t see anything but you.” She sighed and relaxed against him. “That is nice. Obviously, I have been much on your mind. Is that us carved into the headboard?” He stroked her from neck to hip. “I had to have something to do after I woke. The rest of the house was finished. I simply needed something to complete the collection. But after touching your curves and caressing the silk of your skin, the stone is a very poor mimic.” She smiled as the warmth of his muscles behind her mixed with the warmth of the fire and her body eased back to conform to his. He eased his hand down her hip to mid-thigh and slowly trailed it back up again. She sighed happily as the soothing touch unknotted tension in her very soul. Well, it loosened her tension until she realized that he was very slowly dragging her skirt up. Maud twisted to ask him what he thought he was doing, but her question was forestalled when his gaze met hers and glowed hot gold. She parted her lips and he leaned down and pressed kisses 59
Viola Grace across her forehead and nose before resting his mouth on hers. Just that point of connection started a stirring inside her. They shared breath and she raised one hand to his shoulder encouraging him to deepen the kiss. “Let’s see if we can’t give you some more inspiration.” Her words ended on a gasp as his hand moved swiftly under her skirt, parting her and sliding two fingers into her. Maud’s thoughts spun in a whirl as his tongue snaked into her mouth and his hand mimicked the motions. She twisted and writhed as the sensations built and he started to stroke her clit with his thumb. Her shriek echoed on the stone walls and his dark chuckle worked its way through her sensual haze. With a swift move, she was on her hands and knees and he was behind her, smoothing her skirt out of the way and lifting his own wrap. The floor under them was lightly padded, perfect for the moment when he rubbed the head of his cock against her, slicking his shaft with her moisture before he slid completely into her in one long stroke. Air whooshed out of her lungs at the feeling of being filled to the limit. When he started to move in her, she let every murmur, cry and whimper break free. In front of the fireplace, he thrust into her with a savage possession that took her by 60
Intercept surprise at the same time that it made her heart soar. This was the first night of the rest of their lives and as he rocked, thrust and slammed into her, the sound of their bodies impacting in the room, she could only imagine what they would get up to. The inner stroking worked against her G-spot and a buckling shiver ran through her limbs. It was a forerunner to her release and as he slid, pushed into her over and over again, his hands reached around her to caress her breasts and belly. He gripped her tightly and sat back on his heels, lifting and dropping her against him. She reached behind her and held him to her, flexing her thighs and circling her hips against him. The flat plane of his belly rubbed against her buttocks and spine until he stopped and turned her again. He sat on his heels, his wings spread for balance behind him and lifted her up to lower her slowly onto his shaft once again. Meeting his gaze before he pressed his lips to her neck and shoulder, she braced for what came next. His hands lifted and dropped her rapidly, building a heated tension inside her until she could feel the quivering of her inner muscles around the heated rod within. He bit down and she came, a gasping freeze that locked her in place as he thrust deep and growled low in his throat. She could feel the spurting inside her, more heat 61
Viola Grace to a molten welter of slick friction. Her body quivered tightly, shimmying in place. The feel of his teeth still in her flesh was not merely painful, it was also arousing and she was not up for another round. Tridell slowly released her neck and he licked the wounds closed. The blood on his lips was apparent when he delivered a kiss that curled her toes. “There is nothing like a first kiss.” She widened her eyes. “First?” “First kiss with you facing me and me still inside you. First kiss after I have bitten you. There are many firsts and I plan to discover every possible permutation.” The heat in his eyes was banked for now, but she knew it wasn’t too far beneath the surface. She chuckled. “This means another bath or shower before we go to bed. Solo, I think. I really need some rest.” He laughed and hugged her, rocking her against him. “Fine. A good night’s sleep it is. In the morning, you can tell me if you like the house.” Maud’s smile faltered as she stood on unsteady legs and took a few awkward steps. She held up her hand when Tridell attempted to help her. “I have to get my legs moving or you will be carrying me everywhere we go and that will get old really fast.” “I wouldn’t mind. I like holding you.” 62
Intercept “And yet, I have perfectly good legs that usually work fairly well.” Her old-man walk was easing up as she continued to pace across the room. The shower was the same black glass with a white tile floor as the rest of the building and she stepped eagerly under the hot spray and rinsed the sweat, cum and blood from her body. Tridell waited for her with a towel, his quick dip into the tepid bathing pool was obvious in his slicked-back hair. He dried her carefully, not missing an inch. “The bed is turned down. Which side do you like to sleep on?” “Um, I normally sleep on the right, but since this is the beginning of a new set of habits and you need more room for your wings, what side do you sleep on?” He grinned and towelled her hair dry. “I will take the right. I sleep on my side or stomach, so it will be easier for me to cover you with my wing if you are on the left.” She escaped from his relentless towelling and went to the dressing table, running a brush through her tangled hair. When it was smooth and unknotted, Maud smiled at his reflection in the mirror and headed for the left side of the bed. Tridell waited until she had tucked herself in and then slid in next to her. As he curled himself around her under the covers, she smiled and stared through the quartz panes of the balcony 63
Viola Grace doors while silent bots slid around the room picking up discarded clothing and remnants of food. It was a good first day, but I think I will need something else to do. I need to keep busy and waiting until I get pregnant will be quite boring unless I can keep myself occupied. His hand brushed her hair from her face and then rested on her abdomen. There is an office for you off the main entry hall. I was just too busy today to give you the complete tour. Too distracted, you mean. Whatever you wish to call it, my dear. I had another focus today. He settled her comfortably against him and pressed a kiss to her temple. She smiled, watching the moons come out one at a time. By the time the second moon was peeking out from behind the horizon, she was deep in the embrace of sleep and her dragon. Her dreams were filled with flying.
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Chapter Ten er office was wonderful, complete with a com unit that was sleeker than any she had seen before. “You got this for me?” “I did. You are not the kind of woman who can hang around and do nothing with her mind. You are able to engage in your work as an analyst for the Alliance or there is a consultant position open with the Sector Guard. They have an interest in population analysis for some of the outlying worlds.” “I used to analyze work that I witnessed firsthand so that I could act as a living backup for the data. This is a little beyond me.” She felt a little frustrated at the change in status that would come with life with her dragon. “No, it is not beyond you. I have been in your mind. This is right up your alley. Contact Relay, give it a try and see what you can come up with. Call me if you need me.” He patted her shoulder and left her alone in the huge, fully stocked office.
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Viola Grace Bemused and completely taken aback, she lifted her hands and started to type in communication codes on the unit. It took her three calls, but she managed to get the code for the Sector Guard base Morganti. “Hello, I am looking for Relay.” She blinked at the face of the com officer and then smiled brightly. “Just a moment, please.” The screen shifted and she was looking into the face of a Terran woman with a face-framing headpiece. “Hello, Maud. I am Relay. Or Allie. How are you doing?” Bemused, she inclined her head at the introduction. “I am doing well. I am recently in the company of a Drai and he mentioned that you might have some analyst work that you need done.” “Did you come out of the collision with the Raiders in one piece?” Relay leaned back in her chair and quirked one eyebrow. “I did. How are Vasu and Livin?” Apparently, it was time for polite chitchat. “They are well. Still working to return those captured to their homes. Unfortunately, some of the planets don’t want the captured beings back. They consider them contaminated.” Tridell, can we have the extra fighters and women 66
Intercept here on Gencarra 3? Maud, what are you talking about? Several of the folk are no longer acceptable by their worlds’ standards. They need a place to live and you have created a home with plenty of room. Will you agree to remain with me here? Do you approve of my home? She sighed and gave in. It made it easier that he was not in the room. Yes, I love your home, you have provided well for me and I will enjoy my life here. Now, can we have the folk here? Yes. Yes we can. I will create a clearing for them and if they can be sent with emergency shelters, they can be accepted here as settlers. Maud blinked and grinned. “If you can get them outfitted as settlers, they can come here to Gencarra 3.” Relay did a double take and leaned forward. “What?” “I just had a talk with Tridell and he agreed to allow settlers on his world. It’s a big deal, Drai don’t like to share.” She smiled, pleased with herself. “Can you also do the data analysis that we need? I get all of the data stream through my mind, but sometimes I miss the small connections that would give us a clue as to an outbreak of talents on any given world. The sudden appearance of talents can be shocking for a developing society and we are trying to create a branch that would stealthily 67
Viola Grace guide the population to acceptance before panic ensues.” Maud whistled. “That is quite the project. How much data will I be sifting through?” “One planet every six months or so. It should be enough to keep you occupied for the rest of your enhanced lifespan.” Relay grinned. Maud thought about it while Tridell came in to stand behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and she smiled at Relay. “Great, when do I start?” “Vasu and Livin will deliver a secure data pack and terminal to you in a week. The settlers will be ready in a month. You had better be prepared, Maud. Your life is about to get busy.” Maud grinned and laughed at Relay, “I look forward to it. Do you have any idea where I can send the information that I coded for my last assignment? My normal contacts seem to have dried up and blown away.” “Send it to me and I will have the data directed to the proper source in minutes.” “Okay, it will take me a few days to get them out of my mind and into a transferable format.” She grinned. “Great, so, talk to you soon?” “Call me if you need anything at all. I am always available unless my husband wants some alone time.” Relay giggled and blew her a kiss. “Talk to you later, Maud.” 68
Intercept “Bye, Allie.” Maud waved goodbye and disconnected the call. “So, our private retreat is now going to be a small colony?” “Well, how many men were in the fight quarters? There were only two dozen women in the women’s quarters.” “Close to a hundred males from a variety of species. Some were recovering from their wounds and so could not come out to the daily fights.” He shrugged and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She got out of her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing when he supported her weight and lifted her higher. “I believe that we need to celebrate my acceptance of your home. Shall we adjourn to the kitchen?” He was surprised. “Not the bedroom?” “That is for later. For now, I have some exploring of my new habitat to do and it will be more easily accessible if you are sitting on the kitchen counter.” She grinned and lazily kicked her legs. She leaned forward and laved her tongue across his lips, parting the seam before slipping inside. They both groaned in unison as they fenced and their bodies began to sing on a chemical level. When he put her on the floor, she grabbed his hand and hauled him through the halls to the kitchen. Her hands jerked at his trousers and he 69
Viola Grace quickly took over, removing his clothing rapidly and taking a seat on the counter. This put his chest, shoulders and groin all within easy reach and Maud didn’t hesitate to take him up on the invitation. The textures of his skin were explored with her hands first and her mouth slowly followed. She used her tongue on the bulging muscles of his chest, tasting the scent imbued in his flesh that was his alone. Her teeth grazed his nipples and the noise of his palms slamming onto the counter to hang on for dear life made her jump for an instant before she returned to her explorations. The ridges of his abdomen flexed and twisted as she pursued their distinct flavour. Her hands enjoyed caressing the expanse on the way to their more-detailed examination of his cock. The head was wide, flaring and had a set of scales that slid over the tip to cover the sensitive tissue. Her hand barely managed to circle around his shaft, so she added a second one. Working the scales against the skin to arouse him further. A bead of moisture welled from the head and she leaned forward to taste it. She blinked in surprise. It tasted of cinnamon. It was far nicer than anything she had encountered back on Earth and she returned for another taste. He groaned and she heard the scraping of his nails on the edge of the counter. With her hands 70
Intercept together and her mouth occupied, she quickly worked on him until his whole body shook. Maud took in his fixed muscles and intense concentration and swiftly grabbed a chair to boost herself onto the counter. With a few fumbles, she managed to straddle him. Her attentions to his cock had worked better on her than they had on him. She was hot, wet and she groaned in relief as she sank onto him in a slow, repetitive motion. Over and over, she rose and fell on him, each stroke inside her driving her lust higher and causing an echo in Tridell. Maud’s release hit her suddenly, freezing her in place, her forehead leaning against his chest. Tridell grabbed her hips and stroked her up and down on his cock until he blew apart with short, powerful jerks of his hands. They clung together, panting for air. He ran his hands through her hair and combed it into an even cloak down her spine. She dragged in a deep breath of their combined scent and looked up at him. “Yes, I accept your proposal, yes, I will stay with you, yes, I like your home, our home and yes, I do want, need and love you.” He got a stunned smile that ran across his features. “You love me?” She reached up to touch his face. “How could I not, I dreamed of you.” 71
Viola Grace The kiss that he gave her was intensely passionate and his hands slowly lifted and dropped her again as he regained his aroused state with alarming suddenness. Maud grinned as Tridell kissed her neck. She had seen the tear in his eye as he looked down at her. When he bit her this time, she knew that it was going to have some kind of reaction. She had never felt anything like the connection she felt through her dragon and that was the one thing that she would cling to no matter what happened in the future. She had dreamed of him and he had come to save her. He would always be there for her and she had no doubts that they would always circle back to that one admission. She had dreamed of him and he was real and he was hers.
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Epilogue ne year later Gencarra 3 had a thriving colony that was working in the field of experimental botany and animal husbandry. Maud looked off her balcony and smiled at the rising sun. When Tridell came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, she smiled and leaned back as she had hundreds of times before. This time was different. A slight snuffling came from her breast and her son looked up at her with her silver eyes under his father’s serious brows. She lifted him to her shoulder and burped him while Tridell made faces at his offspring. “Dryok is looking very alert today, isn’t he, Maud?” The pride in her husband’s voice as he crooned to their newborn was obvious. “He really is. He latched on tightly enough to turn my boob inside out. He’s a strong one.” Dryok let out a belch and she lifted him high. His soft wings flapped frantically the moment that they
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Viola Grace were exposed to air. He sucked his fist, but his expression gave her the inkling that he was focussing on his wings. “I can hardly wait until he can fly.” Tridell pressed soft kisses to the mating scars on her neck. “Well, I have some administration to do at the colony, so will you take him until he needs lunch?” She grinned. It had been an agreement that she would get time off to work with those who were now living in the lush valley near the coastline. Her belly was still not in her pre-pregnancy shape, but after a week, it was a lot to ask for. Tridell took his son and held him on his belly so that the baby’s wings flapped free. “Vasu and Livin are coming for a visit today as well. There was a message on the com.” Every spare minute that the Guardsmen had was spent with Tridell and his mate. It had taken some doing, but she had discovered that they had been acquaintances before they became sleepers. The closest thing to brothers in a race that could no longer shift, the males enjoyed flying high above the fields and mountains in a close formation. Today, they would no doubt worship at the tiny temple that was becoming Dryok’s room even though he slept in a cradle next to her all night. His room was a collection of toys and gifts that not even Tridell could figure out. Leaving the little one with his father, Maud 74
Intercept finished her breakfast and kissed both of her men farewell for the moment. Tridell promised to bring the child if he got hungry, but all other responsibilities were his. If this worked out well, Maud had indicated that she would be willing to get pregnant again and Tridell’s eyes had lit with hope. The very idea of a houseful of children was one she saw very frequently in his mind. Little girls with no wings and little boys trying to gain airtime filled his thoughts the moment that her pregnancy was confirmed. The Sector Guard had provided her with a skimmer to assist in the travel time between castle and colony and she loved it. It gave her a freedom that she had been missing. Tridell was always willing to drop what he was doing and bring her where she wanted to go, but sometimes, she wanted to go alone. The colony was a peculiar mix of captured fighters and females, some of whom had paired up and others who enjoyed life without social pressures. “Dihar! Shegha! How are things this morning?” The tusked male was standing next to his female, the Selna with the bad attitude. Life in a simple colony had caused her to blossom and now Shegha was enjoying a far-more productive life than what had been possible before. 75
Viola Grace Shegha groaned and rubbed her belly. She was not due for months, but Dihar was looking at her as if she would explode. “The grain pods are due for harvest today. And Shegha has some questions for you.” Dihar edged around his mate. “Where is the baby?” “With Tridell. He promised me that if I had a child right away, he would engage in most of the primary childcare. Dryok is in good hands.” She grinned and accompanied Dihar to the administration building. “Come along, Shegha. You can ask me on the way.” “It is rather personal.” “Well, it is you, me and your mate. You can simply tell both of us or do you not want Dihar to know?” Dihar took the matter out of their hands. “I will meet you in the building, Maud. Take as much time as you need.” Shegha sidled up to her and bent her head. They were close to the same size, so it let her whisper fall right Maud’s ear. “How long until I can have sex again?” Maud blinked. “What?” “Amongst Dihar’s people, they don’t have sex during the pregnancy, but I am going out of my mind.” The Selna’s tone was familiar. It was a desperate woman talking to her. “I will talk to him. This is a serious thing.” 76
Intercept Shegha grabbed her and planted a swift kiss on her cheek. “I will let you know how the chat works.” Sighing deeply and shaking her head, Maud entered the administration building to have the talk with an alien who looked more like living armour than flesh. “So, Dihar, we need to talk.” She grabbed his hand and hauled him into her office. She closed the door and crossed her arms. She thought about what she wanted to say and ordered him to sit with the flick of her fingers. Dihar was puzzled. “Is something wrong?” Maud nodded and started pacing as she spoke. “When a woman gets pregnant, there are a number of factors and complicated transformations that take place. One is the increased blood flow that increases her body temperature. Another is an increased sex drive.” “We don’t mate now that she is pregnant. It isn’t good for the baby.” “Um. You are wrong there. The hormones released when she has an orgasm are beneficial for the baby. As she is stressed due to a restricted ability to release her own sexual tension, the baby comes under stress. My people used to have a similar taboo, but I can tell you, it is complete bullshit. If a doctor says it’s safe, it’s safe.” A darkening of the scaled skin showed his 77
Viola Grace embarrassment. “When did you and Tridell stop having sex during your pregnancy?” She bit her lip. “When I went into labour. We had to adjust a few of the positions, but we managed to keep a full sex life throughout the pregnancy. Dryok is just fine.” “So, if I ask the colony physician and he say it isn’t safe…” “Find a way to please your wife with your mouth or hands. Selna are similar enough to my folk that it is necessary to keep those hormones under control. Are we clear?” Dihar stood up and gave her a hug. “Thank you. I have been jerking off so much for fear of hurting her that I may have worn myself out.” “Start with a nice romantic evening with just the two of you, have a lovely meal prepared for her and simply allow her to jump you if she has the urge.” Maud laughed and opened her office door. “Now, on to the business of the colony.” Three hours later, a distinct cry caused the front of her wrap shirt to get soaked. She nodded to the farmers and excused herself, lifting her arms to take Dryok from his father. He latched on immediately and she walked to a shady tree to give her a resting place while her baby ate. She watched a few of the farmers fidget and then they came toward her, sitting down so that she could continue their conversation of the 78
Intercept multi-world analysis of the crop performance. Tridell stood behind her and kept an arm around them both while she fed their son, switching from one breast to the other when Dryok was still hungry. When her son was done, Tridell flew off and she resumed business. By the end of the day, Maud was sure of one thing. She wanted to be with her family and not dealing with all of the colony paperwork. She left the skimmer in the courtyard and hiked up to see Tridell in a Drai rocking chair, murmuring softly to their baby. Dryok appeared to be asleep, so she move quietly, leaning in to kiss Tridell and stroke his hair. He looked exhausted, but he was determined to hold to his promise, but she didn’t want him to. She heard the landing of the shuttlecraft outside and smiled, knowing that Livin and Vasu would soon distract him. “I want to stay with you and the baby. Tomorrow, you can tell them that they have to come to me.” His grin was blinding and he lifted one arm to pull her tightly to him, their child squirming in between. “I think that would be wonderful. And as soon as we can get started on a new brother or sister for him, we can fill this house with tiny happy projects.” 79
Viola Grace She picked up her son so that he could go and greet the Drai at the door. The Sector Guard was family, the Terrans were family and the shifting Drai were family. She looked down at her little one and his serious face. “Kiddo, you have got a lot of family.” Livin came in waving a vid crystal. “Oh, Maud, you are not going to believe this.” She held out her baby and Livin cooed in an appropriately attentive manner for three minutes before handing over the crystal. “What is this?” “The baby present is in the shuttle, this is just the only Drai sex video that has ever been recorded. It took a while to get it freed from the Alliance-Raider investigation division, but here it is. I thought it would be nice for Dryok to see his parents’ first time.” Blushing at the memory of their heated tangle against the wall and the night that followed, Maud was a little afraid of the images, but when she put the crystal in her display unit, she started laughing. Aside from the scene where he took her against the wall, her body was completely covered by his flexed wings and all that was visible on him was wings and ass. Dryok burped and gurgled as his mother laughed. It seemed to her that he was attempting to imitate her and she smiled down into her own 80
Intercept eyes. “You are not watching any part of that until you are an adult, young man.” Livin laughed, “He won’t need it. There are enough friezes of you in this place to give anyone a thorough education. He will grow up knowing that his mother is worshiped by his father and that is all that a child can ask for.” Holding the next generation in her arms, she looked over at Tridell and smiled ruefully. What could she say, she had dreamed of him and gotten far more than her mind could have imagined and that was a very good thing.
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Author’s Note Intercept brought me back to Hael’s Fury and previewed a character from Seal the Deal. Both Sector Guard books and both at Devine Destinies. Every dragon needs a hobby and Tridell’s was obviously sculpture. Their home will be filled with erotic panels of Maud by the time their first child is an adult. Thanks for reading this Terran Times Tale, Viola Grace
[email protected] http://www.violagrace.com http://www.extasybooks.com
About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
