Epilogue

EPILOGUE

S ix weeks later…

Erica hummed happily as she put the finishing touches on the table. A'rien was out hunting with Tarax today, and she wanted to surprise him when he returned. She loved the sturdy new home he had built for them, but she knew they both missed their island house.

After a long discussion, they had decided not to return to the shore but to build closer to Tarax and Jane. Since he didn't have an ocean to look out at, they had chosen a site on a bluff overlooking the wide river. He liked to sit on the veranda and watch the river rushing by below, but it wasn't the same.

With a little help from Jane and Tarax, she had done her best to recreate the island feel. Flowering vines draped the window openings, and a pot of heavily salted water simmered on the stove, mimicking the scent of the sea. Tarax had rigged up a paddle fan that turned slowly overhead to create a gentle breeze.

She lit the small oil lamps they had made, nervously tugged at her outfit, and sat down to wait for him.

"I think there's another storm coming," A'rien said as he walked through the door. "We'd better?—"

His words came to a halt as he looked around. As always, his eyes went to her first, flaring silver as he saw the silky vines draped across her body. They were only loosely woven, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her breasts and stomach and ass as she approached him.

"What is this?"

His voice sounded hoarse, and she smiled up at him, then twirled slowly, knowing the vines would reveal even more as they floated away from her body.

Peri rushed out of the bedroom to greet him, and A'rien bent down to pet him, his eyes never leaving her.

Fortunately, she was prepared. She pulled out one of Peri's favorite treats and handed it to him. He squeaked happily and dragged it off to his basket.

"Do you think that will work with a baby?" she asked, laughing.

"No," he said immediately. "But we will take advantage of every moment we can find."

"Will we?"

"What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath. "I know we've been busy building the house and everything, and of course the baby is going to change things, but I miss the way we were on the island."

It wasn't that he neglected her in any way, but he was so careful with her now…

"How were we?" he asked, but the heat in his eyes increased.

"Wild," she whispered.

He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He grabbed both of her wrists in one big hand and held them behind her back. The position thrust her increasingly large and sensitive breasts forward and he cupped one with his other hand, kneading the swelling flesh with a firm grasp before his mouth captured her nipple, sucking it deep into his mouth.

Oh, yes. This was what she had missed.

He tugged harder on the sensitive nipple, then switched to her other breast, still holding her helpless to his touch and adding to her excitement. Her body spiraled higher and she suspected she could come from this alone, but then he lifted his head.

"Don't stop!" she cried.

"I'm not going to stop. But I have other plans, zenska."

A'rien lifted A'reka into his arms, delighted in the way she writhed impatiently against him. Kissing every part of him she could reach. He had plans for that tempting little mouth, but they could wait. He had held himself firmly in check for the past two months, wary of her condition, but he had missed these times as much as she had.

Their big bed was the perfect height for what he had in mind, and he bent her over it. The vine parted, revealing the tempting white curves of her luscious ass.

He placed a pillow beneath her stomach and checked to make sure that she was comfortable.

"You will let me know if you are not comfortable," he ordered.

"I'm not comfortable. I ache for you."

She pushed her hips back impatiently and he laughed, then grabbed her hands again. He slid his free hand between her thighs, growling approvingly at the slickness that met his fingers. He circled the heated pearl of her desire, then thrust a finger into her channel. Her walls fluttered around him and he knew she was on the verge of climax.

"Not yet."

Normally he would have waited, stretched her gently, but this wasn't what either of them needed tonight. He released her wrists and grasped her hips instead, then slid inside in one long thrust. As eager as she was, her body wasn't quite ready and he had to work his way into the impossibly tight channel. His bayal moved inside her, and she shuddered and came, not once but twice, easing his way until at last he could move freely. He thrust blindly, faster, harder, losing himself in the pleasure of her body and the sound of her voice calling his name in a breathless whisper. White light flashed behind his eyes, and the blood thundered in his ears as he came in a torrent of helpless pleasure.

"I think you brought the storm, A'rien." Her voice was heavy with satisfaction despite the laughter.

"Storm?"

The room flared white again, and he finally realized that it was lightning. He had forgotten all about the storm.

"I have to go close the shutters."

She waved a limp hand. "Go ahead. I'll wait right here."

Her body quivered as he pulled out, and he paused long enough to lift her into the bed and press a quick kiss to the small swell of her stomach.

"Good. I still have plans for you."

Her answering smile was so seductive that he almost abandoned the shutters, but then a gust of windy rain swept through the room and his mate did not like to get wet. He kissed her again and went to protect his family.

A very long time later, long after A'reka had fallen into a contented sleep, A'rien lay awake listening to the storm. It howled round the outside, but the walls were strong and the roof would hold. He had provided her with a home that would not fail, just as he would not fail her.

"I won't fail you either, little one," he whispered as his hand cupped her stomach.

He had a mate, a home, a family. He was indeed the luckiest of males.

Once again, I was correct. Va'rik'at'char made no attempt to conceal his triumph as he sent a message to his fellow scientist through his neural network.

You cheated. You upgraded the male's translation implant. La'tok'at'bron did not sound pleased.

A harmless enough modification. It did not escape my notice that you engaged the translation function in the healing pools.

There was a noticeable hesitation before La'tok'at'bron responded. As you say, a harmless modification.

Va'rik'at'char wished he had the ability to smile.

But once again, the subjects did not complete the final test , La'tok'at'bron continued.

We agreed that it was not necessary. They chose to remain together.

I suppose.

And the male you chose for this test formed a mate bond, despite his somewhat reprehensible past.

I suppose, La'tok'at'bron repeated.

Va'rik'at'char did his best to control his frustration—a sensation he should not be experiencing. He was beginning to suspect that these experiments were altering his own thought processes. The sooner they were completed, the better.

It is time to take the next step. He sent the message with the full weight of his authority behind it.

There is one more test case to explore, La'tok'at'bron insisted.

Which is?

Although this male showed no inclination towards a mate bond, he had not actively rejected one.

And you wish to choose a male who has made that choice?

Yes.

And what of the human female if he rejects her?

Another perceptible hesitation.

I had not considered that , La'tok'at'bron finally admitted.

We might need to intervene, Va'rik'at'char warned.

La'tok'at'bron's response sounded almost shocked. It is against the parameters we have been set. We are to observe only.

La'tok'at'bron was correct, yet with each experiment it became more difficult to see the females in danger. So far, the males had always prevented damage, but if the male did not feel the bond, if he refused to care for the female…

If you will agree that we may bring the experiment to a conclusion if the female is in danger, then I will agree to this last trial.

Very well. La'tok'at'bron didn't hesitate.

As La'tok'at'bron began his preparations, Va'rik'at'char made a silent resolution.

This would be the last experiment. One way or the other, he would make sure of it.