Epilogue

EPILOGUE

O ne month later…

Draco squawked, and Myk-El looked up from his work.

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

Draco squawked again, and he laughed.

"I know. It's time to leave."

Even though he had agreed to take a job in the lab, neither he nor Mee-na liked the cold white building. As much as they enjoyed the mountain aerie, they had also decided to renovate one of the buildings in the ruined village where Sabrost and Janet lived. It was more suitable as a permanent home, and they both liked the open sea views. He worked from the house when he could, but it was an easy flight to the lab if he needed to use the equipment—as he had today.

"Where's Mee-na?" he asked Draco, and the avian took to the air, winging his way ahead of him.

Not that there was any great mystery about her location this time, but there was something comforting in knowing Draco could always find her.

His mate was exactly where he had known she would be, poring over one of the records in the vast library that Va'rik'at'char had opened to them. Mikel had rigged up a device that would translate the material into her language, and she was eagerly devouring as much information as she could.

"Time to go, little one," he said softly.

She blinked up at him, her focus gradually returning to the present, then smiled, the innocent, provocative smile that always sent a surge of longing through his body.

"I didn't realize it was so late."

"I didn't either, but Draco reminded me."

She laughed and scratched the base of the avian's head spikes. "He knows when it's mealtime. Don't you, sweetheart?"

"He always thinks it's mealtime," he said dryly.

"You know what I mean."

"You've been quite enthusiastic about meals yourself lately." He curved his hand over the small swell of her stomach and she smiled.

"She's almost as demanding as Draco."

"She?"

She shrugged. "Today it feels like we're having a girl."

"The medical lab could tell you for sure."

"I'd rather be surprised—unless you want to know?"

"It makes no difference to me, although I hope she has your eyes."

Those beautiful blue eyes darkened, and she tugged his head down so she could kiss him. As always, her sweet, succulent mouth sent a streak of heat straight to his zemka. He pulled her closer as the kiss intensified, but then Draco squawked again and she giggled.

"Maybe we had better continue this at home."

"I suppose you're right." He lifted her into his arms and called to Draco. "Come along, little nag."

The three of them took flight.

"I was reading about Letenja earlier this week," Mee-na said suddenly as they headed towards the ocean.

He tried not to flinch. He was happiest forgetting that it even existed.

"That's nice," he said as neutrally as possible.

"Did you know that it used to be the custom to take a mating flight to seal the mate bond?"

A bolt of lust roared through him.

"I did," he admitted.

"And you never thought to mention it?"

He could hear the trace of uncertainty in her voice and hugged her reassuringly. "I just didn't think you'd enjoy it."

"Why ever not?"

"I thought you would be afraid of falling."

"I know you would never let me fall."

His zemka throbbed eagerly. "Then you would like…"

"A mating flight with you? Oh, yes."

"When?" he demanded.

"How about tonight?" She gave him a mischievous grin. "I've already made a few preparations."

He started to fly faster, already anticipating their time together, but she pointed out that they were leaving Draco behind and he forced himself to slow down.

She patted his chest. "Don't worry, my angel. We have all the time in the world."

Mina nervously smoothed the brief gown down over her hips. One of the first things Mikel had developed was a way to set the replicator to create fabric, delighting all of the human women—although she suspected that none of the males were big fans of clothing, for their mates or themselves. None of the males wore more than brief shorts whenever they all got together.

Of course, even with the fabric, they still needed to make the actual clothes, and her sewing skills were decidedly limited. For this occasion, she had managed to put together a simple shift in a silky blue fabric. It fastened high on one shoulder, and she had tied a woven bark ribbon beneath her breasts.

The late afternoon sun slanted through the window opening, and she gave it an anxious glance as she waited for Mikel to return. He had decided to take Draco to spend the night with Tinkerbell. The two avians had formed a fast friendship, and Draco would be happier there than trying to accompany their mating flight.

She heard the sound of wings, and then Mikel was there in the courtyard. The setting sun lined the edge of his wings with gold, just as it had done the first time she saw him. Her angel.

Opal sparks gleamed in his pale eyes as she rushed out to meet him, a decidedly unangelic smile curving his lips.

"You look beautiful, little one."

She did a twirl, knowing the short dress would flutter out and reveal her naked pussy and bare ass.

He growled and stalked towards her. She loved it when he abandoned his control and gave in to his desire for her. The ridge concealing his cock was beginning to show, but his wide shaft was still tucked inside. As he lifted her into his arms, she rubbed her clit across the hard ring and they both groaned.

"If you keep that up, we won't make it into the air," he warned.

She deliberately wiggled against him, then laughed. "That would be a shame. I'm ready."

His muscles bunched and he leapt into the air. As frequently as they flew together, this moment always excited her. He soared high into the sky, already tinted rose and gold, then executed a few fast barrel rolls.

She squeaked and clung to him, even though she had no doubt at all that he would never let anything happen to her.

"Too much?" he asked, settling into a long glide.

"It's exciting," she admitted, "but hadn't you better save the athletic feats for our mating?"

He smiled down at her. "Don't worry. I always have enough strength for that."

"The record I found said that in a traditional mating flight, the male chases the female through the sky." She bit her lip. "Are you going to miss that?"

His arms tightened around her. "First of all, it's an ancient custom and very few Letenjans would even consider it. Second, I chased you into the darkness. That's enough chasing for any mate."

She felt him shudder and stroked his broad, velvety chest. He'd had nightmares the first few weeks after the events at the lab. When she woke him, he turned to her with a desperate hunger, burying himself in her body over and over until he was limp and at peace once more. He refused to discuss the dreams and she didn't push, content to know that her presence soothed him.

His muscles relaxed beneath her hand, and he smiled again. "And most importantly, I already know that you are my perfect mate. I don't need a ritual to confirm that."

Her lips twisted into a teasing pout as her hand came up to play with the small knot on her shoulder. "Well, if you don't want to do this…"

"I most definitely want?—"

His words came to an abrupt halt as she released the knot and the fabric slid down to reveal her naked breasts. His fascination with them never faded, and she could feel his ridge beginning to expand. He growled and tugged on a taut, pink bud as she leaned back to watch his cock spring free. The sight never failed to thrill her—or arouse her. The thick, spiraling length emerged in one rapid movement, already glistening and ready for her. Her breath caught as the pink hues of the sunset shimmered along the pearly length, and she was suddenly desperate to feel him inside her.

"I want you now," she demanded.

"Soon," he promised, lifting her higher so that he could draw a tight peak into his mouth.

His mouth closed around her, shockingly hot and wet on her increasingly sensitive flesh. His big hands gripped her ass, his thumb teasing her rosebud and adding to her excitement. She tangled her fingers in the long, soft strands of his hair, urging him on. He obliged, sucking harder, then scraping the tip of his fangs across the small bud.

A tiny shock rolled through her, a precursor to her climax. "Please, Mikel. I want to come with you inside me."

He growled and let her drop down over his cock. The wide length thrust up into her body, stretching her to her limits, and sending her straight into a dizzying climax. He held her close as she shuddered, her channel fluttering around the massive invader.

When her body finally softened, she could feel the tension in his arms. His face was taut with the effort to restrain himself, but he smiled down at her.

"I love you, little one. I choose you as my mate. For now. Forever."

"I choose you too, Mikel. For now. Forever."

He shuddered, and his control vanished. He plunged into her as they climbed through the fiery sky, over and over, until he cried out her name and exploded, the hot rush of his seed spurring another climax as she clung to him.

They floated on a warm current of air, still locked together. The sun was sinking below the horizon, creating a shimmering path across the deep purple sea and kissing the tops of the faraway mountains with gold. A faint sweetness from the distant jungle mingled with the salty tang of the sea.

"What are you thinking, Mee-na?" he asked, his voice heavy with satisfaction.

"Besides the fact that I love you?" As she said the words, she felt his barely diminished cock harden inside her. "I was thinking that this is a beautiful world. I'm glad our child will grow up here."

"It is beautiful," he agreed, but he was looking at her, not their surroundings. "But it wouldn't matter to me where we were. As long as we are together."

She tugged his head down, and his mouth met hers in a long, satisfying kiss. When he finally raised his head, she gave him a shaky smile, then deliberately brushed her nipples across his chest.

"But I was also thinking that we should repeat this mating flight. Frequently."

"I agree," he said solemnly, but opal sparks gleamed in his eyes. "However, this one isn't over yet."

He moved inside her, dragging the thick spirals over her sensitive flesh. She gasped and clutched his shoulders, and together they soared joyfully into the path of the setting sun.

Are you sure about this? La'tok'at'bron asked for the fifty-ninth time.

I'm sure , Va'rik'at'char said firmly, also for the fifty-ninth time. It is only logical for one of us to perform the first test.

But think about how much knowledge you will be losing.

I'm tired of knowledge , he admitted. I have been observing for thousands of years. It is time to experience.

You will be a great loss.

I have stored all of my memories in the storage banks.

But I… I will miss you.

And I you, my… friend.

La'tok'at'bron's tentacles waved softly, and then he turned to the controls.

The lights in Va'rik'at'char's tank dimmed, and he felt himself slipping into unconsciousness. If he could have smiled, he would have been grinning with excitement.

He could hardly wait for his adventure to begin.