Chapter Eleven

Sletran left Medical and decided to walk his report to Erybet's office rather than send it via com channels. He hadn't seen his commanding officer since the night they'd spent with Conyod. After the morning he'd had…and the morning was only half done…he needed a lift. He hoped visiting the man he increasingly hoped would become his and Conyod's third would provide much needed encouragement.

"Idiots," he muttered as he stalked toward the offices of the base's three dozen group commanders. Two of his advanced trainee soldiers had been sloppy on the explosives range, leading to an incident. No one had been killed, thank the ancestors and sheer dumb luck, but a full half dozen of the company would be spending the rest of the day in the infirmary receiving skin grafts. Including the pair of morons who'd fucked up. Sletran had every intention of putting them right back in their medi-beds when they were cleared by the doctors.

"Squad leader Sletran," Erybet's head assistant Arima greeted when he came in. "I heard you had some excitement."

"I thought it best to report in person," Sletran growled. "Is the group commander available?"

"Group Commander Tox is with him—oh, here he is." Arima jumped up to bow as Sletran did to the Nobek who exited Erybet's office when the door opened.

"At ease, gentlemen." Tox didn't pause to say anything else. He departed, a slight smile creasing his face.

He left a familiar scent in his wake. Sletran suddenly had the feeling his day had just gotten worse.

"I'll ask if Group Commander Erybet can speak to you now." Arima knocked on the frame of the still-open door and went into the office.

Erybet and I aren't clanned. Hell, we aren't even promised. I have no reason to care if he and another Nobek are intimate.

Nonetheless, Sletran's stomach churned. Had Erybet decided he wasn't interested in him and Conyod after all?

"The commander will see you, Squad Leader Sletran." Arima returned to his post.

Sletran entered. Erybet sat behind his desk. He stood briefly to return the required bow. "Hello, Squad Leader. I heard sirens for a medical emergency go off an hour ago. The initial report said it was one of your trainee squads, but you had it in hand."

"Yes, sir." Briefly, Sletran explained the incident. He tried to set aside the mingled scents of Erybet and Tox and the distinctive aroma of intimacy.

If Erybet was concerned he'd picked up on the recent activity in his office, he showed none of it. He was all business. "You've had that pair on report in the past, if I remember correctly."

"A year ago. They'd seemed to correct their shortcomings, but here we are again."

"I trust you won't go easy on them."

"I won't. If there's an additional incident, they'll face charges."

"Are they lost causes?"

Sletran shrugged. "I continue to have hope for Nobek Gavia. He's smart enough, and when motivated, a good soldier. Toli tends to bring out the worst in him, however. I'd like to move Toli down to the basic skills squad and learn if Gavia can do better apart from his influence."

"Approved. Send me the transfer paperwork, and I'll sign off on it. Your incident report?"

"You'll have it before the end of the day. I believed it best to give you the story in person, however."

"I appreciate it. Thank you, Squad Leader."

Erybet turned to his computer, signaling the end of the conversation. Sletran started to bow, then hesitated. He swallowed.

"Sir, on a personal note?"

Erybet's gaze slid to meet Sletran's. "Yes?"

"Are you no longer interested in Conyod and myself? You appear to have begun relations with Group Commander Tox."

"I'm unclanned, Sletran." The tone was forbidding. "I'm allowed to keep my options open."

"Indeed. However, Conyod has enjoyed your company a great deal. He's…he's enthusiastic."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'm not entertaining other Imdikos, nor do I intend to."

Sletran's heart plunged. Erybet was interested in Conyod, and Conyod only. He bowed stiffly. "I understand. I'll return to my duties now."

Erybet afforded him a curt nod and focused on his computer again. Sletran wheeled and exited the office, keeping his thoughts and disappointment at bay.

* * * *

"Erybet isn't there?" Conyod asked in surprise as he gazed at Sletran's vid-com image.

"I'm on my own and missing you more than a Nobek should say."

Sletran's grin was strained. He strove to be light, but Conyod noted the tension in his voice. "What's going on, my Nobek?"

Perhaps hearing him claim him as his clanmate was why Sletran's smile closed in on the real thing. "I hate to upset you over what might be nothing. But…well, Erybet is seeing another Nobek. He's still attracted to you. I don't think I'm quite what he's looking for, however."

"That's…that's ridiculous. How can anyone compare to you?" Conyod wasn't trying to console or compliment Sletran. He was sincere.

No Nobek was Sletran's equal. There had to be a mistake.

"I've learned Erybet and this other guy have a history. Until he clans a Nobek, he can enjoy as many others as he wishes. Besides, this other guy has higher rank than I—"

"Screw rank. He isn't you."

Sletran chuckled. His whole demeanor had lightened under Conyod's heated protest. "It could be Erybet hopes to introduce you to him."

Conyod snorted. "No thanks. As far as I'm concerned, you and I are a package deal. If he doesn't have the sense to want you, then I don't want him."

Except he did. His attachment to Erybet was growing strong. Nonetheless, he couldn't imagine life without Sletran after waiting so long for the Nobek to realize they could have a relationship. The idea of losing Erybet as a potential Dramok hurt…Mother of All, it hurt like hell…but he'd never give up Sletran.

An hour of talking to Sletran had kept the depressed feelings minimal, but they woke in full after their com ended. Conyod stared into space, his mind not registering anything in his small common room. All he saw was Sletran and Erybet sitting next to him in the restaurant, laughing and talking of the many experiences they had in common.

He'd thought the pair had hit it off. Given what Sletran had said later, when Erybet wasn't present, he was certain his Nobek love had believed it as well. Hadn't they three been in perfect sync when it came to physical relations? It sure as hell had felt so. How had Sletran fallen short?

He didn't.

Conyod blew a heavy breath and gazed at the com unit in his hand. Erybet had left a message earlier, telling Conyod he was looking forward to his next visit and to please contact him. "I need to hear your voice, even if you can't com until late," the Dramok had said, feeling filling his voice.

Do you? Or am I just being na?ve in thinking we had a chance for the whole deal?

There was only one way to find out. Conyod wasn't sure he wished to know for certain, but it was better to learn the truth now before he invested anymore in Erybet.

"The trouble is, I'm uninterested in casual relationships," he breathed to the room. "Maybe I'm in the minority when affairs of heart are involved. Maybe I am na?ve to dream the first Dramok I became attached to would be the man to love. As I did Sletran."

He wondered if it was something he should bring up to Dr. Hupsan. Was he a hopeless romantic or too grasping when it came to relationships?

He was sure of one thing: if Erybet rejected Sletran as a potential clanmate, it was the same as rejecting Conyod. There was no question in his mind where his Nobek was concerned.

"Com Erybet," he told the unit. "Vid access."

As if he'd been waiting, Erybet shimmered into view a mere second later. "There you are! I was wondering if you'd com tonight."

Conyod swallowed at the sight of the beautiful man who appeared so glad to speak to him. "Hey. I was talking to Sletran for a while."

The Dramok's expression failed to change. "Oh. Yeah, he had a tough day in the field. Did he tell you about the morons who tried to blow up their squad?"

"He had a few choice words."

"I imagine he did. I do too, but there's no hope for a perfect trainee squad. The shallow end of the gene pool shows up in every place in some fashion."

"I suppose. He also mentioned you're less serious than we'd assumed when it comes to our potential relationship. I guess I read your intentions wrong?"

Erybet's gaze was intent. "You didn't, Conyod. I'm very interested in continuing to explore our relationship…yours and mine. Sletran is a great guy, an impressive soldier, and as good a Nobek as can be found…but as my future Nobek? I'm uncertain it would work."

"I promise you won't find a better member of the warrior caste. Sletran is definitely the best of his breed." Conyod decided to be as clear as possible. "I can't imagine anyone else for my Nobek."

Erybet smiled at him. Conyod thought he saw some condescension in his regard, a look he'd never gotten from the Dramok before. "I'm sure it feels that way. He's your first significant relationship, isn't he? The first is special, no doubt. But you're young. And please understand I mean no offense when I say this, you're also inexperienced when it comes to these matters."

"I won't argue those points, but the fact is, I've been in love with Sletran since I was fifteen. There's never been another Nobek. There never will be."

"Conyod, you can't mean it. You're a psychologist, and you understand how emotions work. You're infatuated, so it feels like you can't love anyone else of his breed. It fades when you get bored or someone better comes along. For instance, I have this friend who's a fellow group commander—"

"Excuse me for interrupting you, Erybet, but I need to be clear. Sletran isn't a mere crush. You are." Hurt and anger made Conyod sharp. "Sletran is my clanmate in all but name. We have a commitment that can't be broken. If you aren't willing to give my Nobek a real chance…then there's no point in us continuing to see you."

"Whoa, hold on, Conyod," Erybet broke in, a trace of alarm flitting across his face. "Okay, I realize this is upsetting you. I'm sorry if I said anything to make you feel I don't take you seriously. I do. Let's just slow down for a bit. Of course I'm happy to give Sletran a chance. I have every intention of doing so."

Relief settled over Conyod. "You do?"

"Like I said, he's terrific. I just need more time where he's concerned. I know and am friendly with several Nobeks. Maybe there's something I've missed to help him stand out from the rest."

"He's head and shoulders above any Nobek you've encountered." Conyod grinned. "You'll see."

"All right. Such a glowing recommendation deserves my full attention. When do you plan to visit us again?"

Reassured and relieved, Conyod spent nearly an hour chatting with the charming Dramok.

* * * *

One month later

It took all Conyod's self-control to keep from leaping in Sletran's open arms when he left his shuttle on the base's visitors pad at his next visit. The past week had felt like an eternity despite their nightly coms.

Sletran swallowed him in a hug and kissed his ear before whispering, "I've been counting the minutes."

"Me too." Conyod had to dampen a surge of emotion to hear his Nobek speak so sentimentally, though he'd done so quietly thanks to the man who'd approached a few steps behind him.

Conyod grinned at Erybet when Sletran released him. After an instant's hesitation and a quick glance at the Nobek, the Dramok also hugged him. "It's so good to finally have you back here."

"Thanks." Some of Conyod's enthusiasm was dimmed to note the tension between the two men he adored.

Erybet had been warmer to Sletran since his and Conyod's conversation about giving the Nobek fair consideration where a significant relationship was concerned. They'd had drinks a couple of times and dinner once. However, Erybet was also still seeing Group Commander Tox.

"He has every right to do so while evaluating me, and I'm trying not to be territorial…" Sletran had told Conyod during their last conversation.

"But it's tough when you've made even a slight commitment to him," the Imdiko finished for him.

"It's tough when I know he's serious about you. The urge to campaign for his affections feels both important and beneath me. It seems as if I'm begging him to like me, and I don't enjoy it."

"It is beneath you to jump through rings." Conyod had been firm. "Be yourself, my Nobek. Don't behave differently to impress him. You're perfect as you are."

If only Erybet would acknowledge Sletran's perfection Conyod thought now as he smiled up at the lovely features beaming at him.

"Do you mind an early lunch?" Erybet invited them. "It'll have to be mess hall chow, because Sletran and I are both due to be elsewhere in an hour, but it's ronka stew."

"Which is impossible to screw up badly," Sletran laughed.

"It sounds perfect." Conyod linked his arms in theirs. "Let's eat."

* * * *

"I can't believe they're making a case of this. It could be because he's a Dramok. Certain people have had it out for him simply because of his breed. I've always suspected it of High Commander Zyrf."

"Don't read too much into it. It was a major incident, though luckily no one was permanently hurt. Erybet's a big boy. He'll do fine." Conyod was confident.

He and Sletran were alone in the Nobek's quarters. Erybet had commed earlier, his tone disgusted as he'd apologized for having to attend an official meeting that had indications of going late.

"He's there because of those two ronkas' asses who almost blew up their squad. He shouldn't have to answer for it when I was in charge on the field." Sletran wasn't fretting, but he was angry. He paced the floor of his living space.

"He said he has your back. He read the reports from the witnesses and knows you aren't responsible."

"It's his ass the high commander will be kicking when it should be mine. It isn't right."

"He's your immediate superior. You told me he goes to bat for his guys when they deserve it, and this situation fits the bill. Even if you weren't on his radar as a potential clanmate, he'd jump to defend you."

"He might not be so thrilled with me by the time Zyrf is through." Sletran halted and gazed at Conyod. "I can't be sure if this is working between him and me."

Conyod wasn't sure either. Wishing for it wouldn't make a relationship happen between his lovers, and he ached to admit it to himself.

I have to come to terms with it, though.

For Sletran, he projected optimism. "He's angry his and his star squad leader's impeccable records are being challenged. Did you hear what he said? ‘No one's blaming the best men they've got for this bullshit.' He included you, Sletran."

The Nobek was silent for several seconds, continuing to look at Conyod, his stare evaluating. Finally, he said, "Erybet will go all the way, you realize. He has what it takes to become a high commander, right under the Imperial ruler."

"Sure he will. You'll be a success yourself. You'll earn as much rank as you wish."

"He'd be an excellent Dramok for you. I can see it so clearly."

Conyod scowled. "As long as he's your Dramok as well. Don't act noble and tell me to choose him over you if he forces the issue. It won't happen."

Sletran stepped close and gripped his shoulders. "He cares for you. I don't believe it's a matter of winning a rare Imdiko any longer, perfect as you are. I think he's falling in love."

"Sletran—"

"At lunch, he couldn't take his eyes off you. He hung on your every word. I've never heard of Erybet being as intent on anyone as he is for you."

Conyod stared at him. Was it true? Did Erybet regard him as more than merely a potential clanmate?

Sletran kissed his forehead. "I want you to have the best chance at a happy future. No matter what it means, I want you to have the life and clan you deserve."

Conyod stroked the Nobek's jaw. His heart felt it could burst. "I don't know what I deserve, but I know who my future must include. It's you. Maybe Erybet someday too if he comes to his senses where you're concerned. Whether he does or doesn't, you are my future, my Nobek. You might as well get it through your thick skull."

The warrior's tough exterior softened. He pulled Conyod in close. His kiss seared thought from the younger man's brain.

"Don't move," Sletran said when the kiss ended an eternity later. "I can't take this for granted. I need to show you what you mean to me."

Breathless, Conyod could only nod. The Nobek's longing gaze held him a silent prisoner.

Sletran undressed him in the middle of the living space, pulling his shoes and clothes off and tossing them aside. Then he examined him with the care of a surgeon, taking in every detail, walking around him to inspect Conyod's naked, eager body. A fine trembling ran through the Imdiko to be so minutely evaluated.

He ached for Sletran to touch him. Anywhere would do fine; it didn't have to be his cocks. They were engorged despite no contact having been made since his trousers had been stripped from him. His very skin seemed to tug toward his lover, starving for his mouth and hands.

At last, Sletran stood before him, his eyes dark as they peered into Conyod's. His rough fingertips stroked the Imdiko's cheeks. They traveled to his temples to draw his long hair from his face, baring him. Conyod strained forward, desperate for his kiss.

Sletran's grip tightened. "Remain still, my Imdiko. Let me appreciate all I can about you."

When Conyod reluctantly subsided, Sletran rewarded him by delivering another toe-curling kiss. Awash in desire, the younger man's fists clenched at his sides as he fought to obey his Nobek's wishes. He voiced a pleading whimper.

"I know," Sletran reassured him between nips to his lower lip and chin. "Your wanting me so much is a gift, my Conyod. I'm grateful, and I'll show you. But you must be patient."

His calloused palms slid to cup the back of Conyod's neck as he mouthed a warm, wet trail along his throat to his chest.

By the time he finished kissing, licking, and biting the Imdiko's nipples, Conyod was quaking. His pulse pounded in his slickened cocks, and he kept unconsciously rising on his toes. His brain swam in yearning from the slow, deliberate teasing Sletran subjected him to.

"Poor boy," the Nobek growled, his own arousal scent coming off him in waves despite the fact he was fully clothed. "So young and full of need, and I'm nowhere close to being done with you."

"My Nobek," Conyod groaned.

"My Imdiko. Come to the lounger. Sit." Sletran half-helped, half-pushed him to the large piece of furniture and lowered him to its surface. "There. Spread your legs wide enough for me to fit between."

The bigger man knelt on the floor, bracketed by Conyod's knees. The Imdiko's ass jerked clear off the lounger when his lover's fist circled the bases of his cocks. Chuckling, Sletran pushed his hips down.

"Hands at your sides. Keep them there."

Conyod's fists grasped the seat cushion as Sletran's head lowered. His hips tried to buck when the Nobek's tongue drew a slow circle around the tip of his secondary. His lover kept them from doing so, his grasp on Conyod's shafts careful but firm.

He lapped the Imdiko's smaller length lovingly, claiming the wetness beading from his pores. Sletran's eyes half-closed in pleasure as he claimed every emerging drop of excitement, his tongue deliciously rough as it licked and licked and licked. Conyod couldn't help but squirm. Sletran controlled him, keeping him in place and adding to his arousal.

His attention shifted to the younger man's primary. He eyed the drop of pre-cum glistening on its slit opening in proprietary satisfaction before slowly dragging his tongue over to claim it. Conyod's feet thumped the floor, able to move up only an inch or two thanks to Sletran's beefy arms weighing his legs down.

"Fuck," Conyod groaned.

"Eventually." Sletran licked the length of his larger cock, and Conyod stomped the floor again.

The Nobek's mouthings grew in passion as the minutes passed. His pace remained leisurely, however, and Conyod couldn't help but notice every nuance of his tongue's travels on his livid flesh. The lovemaking was excruciating in its detailed bliss, arousing him as much as a determined rhythm or demanding pace would have. His cocks jerked, and his heartbeat seemed to originate from his sexes rather than his chest. Spasms of sheer pleasure rocketed through Conyod's groin. Sletran's grip at the roots of his shafts had a secondary effect besides keeping the Imdiko's hips pinned to the lounger. It thwarted him from coming as he was growing more and more desperate to do.

It was the ingredient that drove him crazy with desire and agony: his lover controlling him utterly. Sletran forcing him to submit excited Conyod to no end, but until the Nobek allowed him release, he'd suffer. The exquisite torture had him begging his master to let him come, please let him come.

"Always so eager," Sletran chuckled. "I'm going to miss the fun when you gain better control. Keep those hands where I told you, or I'll do this to you all night."

Had he tormented Conyod before? He went to work on him with a will, his head fairly bouncing over the Imdiko's crotch as he sucked his primary hard. Conyod squalled. His feet pounded the floor. He fought to keep his hands where they clawed the cushion They twisted the fabric as he hung on for dear life. Sletran had picked up a few sadistic tendencies since their nights in Erybet's company. Conyod didn't put it past him to make good on his threat.

The Imdiko's cries were echoing off the walls of the small room when Sletran's hold eased and he swallowed the entirety of Conyod's primary. A roiling blast of heat shot through his cocks as he let go in shattering bursts down the Nobek's steadily pulling throat.

Conyod's body was heavy and unmoving when the pulses finally ceased. His head lolled, the brain in it empty of thought. His view of the ceiling and far wall was blurred. The man who stood tall in front of him and began to shed his uniform was an indistinct shape in the aftermath of the violent climax.

He offered no resistance when the muscled behemoth bent over him. He had a dim understanding of being draped across Sletran's shoulder, of the Nobek walking him around to the rear of the lounger. He was set on his feet facing the sturdy piece of furniture. His legs had no strength to hold him up, but it didn't matter. He was folded at the waist on the back of the lounger, where he lay limp.

Rough hands spread his ass cheeks apart. Legs pushed space between his. Something traced the rim of his entrance as a sigh filled the air. "Beautiful."

Awareness was just beginning to encroach on Conyod's consciousness when a slick intruder began to burrow in him. Sheer reflex encouraged him to relax and yield to it. Sletran slowly teased his way in, entering and retreating and entering deeper at each stroke. His hands kept Conyod's ass spread, and the Imdiko had the vision of his lover watching himself disappearing in his accepting flesh as he fucked him.

He groaned when his own cocks responded to the idea, warming despite the devastating orgasm he'd suffered. His youthful libido and quick recoveries were often a trial rather than a pleasure since he and Sletran had become lovers.

His shafts perked up when Sletran's thickness slid along his prostate, sending electric bliss through them. "Unfair," he moaned.

"Ah, you're awake. In all ways?" Sletran maintained his grip on one ass cheek. The other hand grasped Conyod's primary and found it erect. He laughed, but there was a growl in the mirth. "I knew I could count on you."

"Mercy," Conyod pleaded as Sletran masturbated him in rhythm to his steady thrusts. "I can't come again so soon."

"Good. Hold out for something better than my hand."

Conyod wasn't sure he could. Sletran had released his ass because his groin was now slapping it as he drove deep. His engorged shaft rubbed the Imdiko's hotspot continuously.

To make it worse, Sletran started talking. "Look at you, bent over for me to fuck, so sweet and submissive. Offering your ass to me to shove in deep. Ancestors, it feels so amazing how tight you're gripping my cock. Squeezing it, begging me to fill you with an ocean of hot cum."

The description added to the growing hunger in Conyod's ever enthusiastic sexes. Strength was slowly returning to his body, but for the moment, he could only shudder as Sletran continued to praise his ass' embracing grasp and describe how he'd soon shoot his seed in him.

Not so soon that Conyod wasn't writhing frantically against Sletran's hold on the nape of his neck, his feet beating the floor and his fists pounding the lounger when the Nobek's primary finally jolted, unleashing a flood of passion that escaped Conyod's ass to slide warmly down his thighs. By then, Sletran was riding him hard, making it so Conyod would know well into the next day he'd been thoroughly fucked.

Sletran sank onto Conyod as the final tremors shivered through him. He'd halted pumping the Imdiko's primary while he'd climaxed, but he began once more. Pinned under his lover's muscled weight, Conyod couldn't escape the tormenting thrill despite his frantic bucking.

"Problem, my Imdiko?" Sletran teased.

"Please. You're killing me."

"I doubt it, but I am being cruel when it's actually the last thing I intended."

Sletran's heavy pressure lifted, and he scooped Conyod in his arms like he was a child. Despite the desperate sexual haze driving him crazy, Conyod found the wherewithal to marvel at his lover's strength.

Sletran carried him to his sleeping mat and set him on his back. Before Conyod could reach for him, he swung a leg over his hips. He knelt straddling the younger man, his ass hovering above Conyod's eager need.

"Yes," the Imdiko implored.

"Sweet Conyod. I was ready to give you up so you could have the clanmates you deserve…but now all I want to say is don't ever leave me."

How could Sletran think he would? His Nobek was perfect. "Never."

He had a mere moment to bask in Sletran's smile. Then his beloved sank down, enclosing him in the most delightful of embraces.

Had he not come earlier, Conyod would have done so in an instant. However, he managed a few incredible minutes of anticipation as Sletran rose and fell on him, whispering words most Nobeks would consider diminishing of their warrior status while gently caressing his face, throat, and torso. Conyod was well aware of his Nobek's gaze on him as he writhed under him, as desire reached its peak, as he shouted his overwhelming pleasure.

Later, when Sletran spooned him from behind, Conyod drifted among scattered thoughts. Among them was a prayer to any entities who might be listening for Erybet to realize how perfect the three of them would be together.