Chapter 3

3

She was out of her mind. That had to be it. There was no other possible explanation for what she was doing. Why else would she be flying over the colony in the arms of an impossibly attractive stranger?

Maybe it was a dream? Jenna considered the possibility, but her dreams were never this vivid. From the wind rushing by her ears to the feel of his scales beneath her hands, everything screamed to her that this was real. And if that was the case, this was happening. She'd found her mate. No, she corrected herself. Mates. Plural.

That thought triggered a rush of increasingly graphic images. Her with two males. Naked. Friction. Hands stroking, mouths… whoa . It took more time and effort than she expected to tear her attention away from the rich fantasies filling her head. Despite the cool wind, she felt overheated, every part of her sizzling with the need to touch and be touched in turn.

She buried her face against his chest, using his body to stifle the low moan that tore from her throat as her clit began to throb in time to her pounding heart.

It took three deep breaths before she felt like she was in control again and three more before her higher brain functions kicked in and she could think with relative clarity. It wasn't ideal, but it was an improvement. Jenna kept a handle on her anxiety by ensuring she was always aware and in control of herself. Staying unobtrusive and unremarkable was the only real protection she'd had back on Earth. As one of the "staff," she'd been expected to enhance her employers' lives by managing to do her job and remain invisible as much as possible.

But that was on Earth. She wasn't there anymore, and the old rules didn't apply. Shadow, Skye, and the other females had prepared all the new colonists for this possibility. She knew what to expect. They all did. It was just that she'd never imagined it would happen to her .

Jenna went through what she knew about the sharhal . The mating fever was triggered by pheromones. It was unstoppable and irreversible, binding strangers together in a lifelong bond. It involved none of the courtship and complications of choice that came with human bonding. In theory, it sounded amazing. Who wouldn't want a relationship that guaranteed there'd be no interest in any other being? No cheating. No doubts.

Now that she was experiencing it in reality, though, she felt more than a little fear. What if her mates didn't like her? Or worse, what if they were somehow involved with the beings who had tried to recruit her as a spy?

Damn it to the stars. She needed to talk to Maggie and find out who they were and if she was safe with them. Why hadn't that occurred to her before she'd agreed to fly off with—what was his name again?—Torren. Yes. That was it. She had no idea who his anrik was, but he had to have one. Nearly every Vardarian male had a blood-brother.

What would he be like? Veth , what were either of them like? Saska didn't seem concerned about leaving her alone with Torren, so that had to mean he was a decent male. And he was a teacher. Species and cultural differences aside, no one wanted unpleasant or cruel beings around their offspring.

Once they could talk, she'd get to know him better. When would that be? And, for that matter, where were they going?

Raising her head, she shouted, "Where are you taking me?" But the wind tore her words away the moment they left her lips.

Determined, she tried again, this time tangling her fingers in the soft fabric of his vest and levering herself up close to his ear. Only, she didn't repeat her question. Instead, she traced the curve of his ear with her lips. Despite the wind, she caught a tantalizing whiff of his scent, something that reminded her of the first time she'd walked through the local woods. Whatever it was, she liked it. A fresh surge of desire made her want to laugh and kiss him at the same time. Never in her life had she felt like this, and she wanted to keep feeling this way.

Torren turned his head toward her and nuzzled her cheek. Instantly her stomach was full of butterflies, only these must have been mutants because they felt like small spacecraft buzzing around inside her.

They stayed like that for what might have been a few seconds or a few minutes. She had no way to tell. Being this close to him consumed all her attention.

It wasn't until he tapped her on the shoulder that she snapped out of whatever strange thrall she'd fallen into. Once he had her attention, he pointed down.

The colony stretched out beneath them, cream and white buildings laid out in perfectly ordered squares. Each one had at a park or open area in the center, every one of them different from the others. Tile mosaics decorated some of the buildings and made repeated patterns along the walkways while murals adorned the walls near street level, adding splashes of vibrant color and giving each neighborhood its own personality.

Beyond the colony was an impossibly wide expanse of green. In some places the land was cultivated for crops while in others it looked completely untouched. Fields gave way to forests that stretched all the way to the distant mountains in one direction while in the other…

She caught a glint of sunlight reflected off of water. So much water. Was that the ocean ? She'd seen maps, of course, and knew the colony was less than fifty kilometers from the sea, but knowing wasn't the same as actually seeing it for herself.

She twisted and turned, but try as she might, she couldn't see more than the distant gleam of sun on water, so she turned her attention back to the immediate area. She spotted the river that bisected the two halves of the colony along with the bridge that connected the two sides. It was wide enough to allow for buildings, mostly market stalls and other semipermanent structures, to line both sides and still have room for pedestrians and traffic down the middle.

Torren pointed again, and she recognized their destination immediately. They were going to the Bar None, a human-owned tavern. That made her feel better. She wasn't ready to be alone with her new mates yet. Though part of her was already wondering what that would be like… because she knew it would happen. Soon .

One thing she'd discovered during their flight was that Haven had more living space than she'd assumed. Almost every rooftop they'd flown over had at least a few pieces of furniture and other comforts. Many of them had gardens as well, adding even more color and perhaps even landmarks for those flying overhead.

Why hadn't she considered that before? A species capable of flight would see perspectives no human would consider. The thought reminded her how far away from Earth she was, and how lucky she was to be here.

She'd always wanted this, a life that allowed for different perspectives and the opportunity to experience them for herself.

He set down on the roof of the Bar None, the landing surprisingly gentle. Planters edged three sides of the area, all of them full of carefully tended plants, some of which she actually recognized. Basil. Oregano. Mint. It was a kitchen garden, though on a scale she'd never seen back on Earth.

Instead of bending over to set her back on her feet, Torren released her legs first and then let her slide down the front of his body. She gasped at the delicious friction of the movement.

When she looked up at Torren, he grinned down at her, utterly unrepentant.

"I was right. You are trouble," she said in Galactic Common.

His smile only widened. "You are an astute judge of character, my mahaya ," he replied in the same language. Unlike most of the others on the planet, Jenna didn't need a translator implant, which meant she heard every word as it was spoken with no electronic interference. Torren's voice was deep, confident, and lilted in a way she'd never heard during her studies of the main Vardarian languages.

"Ah, there he is. Late as always." Torren tipped his head and glanced up, drawing her attention to a rapidly approaching golden shape in the sky.

"He's your anrik ?" she asked, suddenly nervous.

"He is. Though I'm certain he'd prefer it if you called him your mahoyen ." The big male glanced down at her and took her hand in his. "As would I."

Jenna nodded and squeezed his hand. " My mahoyen ."

Torren made a low rumbling sound of satisfaction and tightened his hold on her hand. "Yes, we are. And now, I want to know your name."

The request surprised her. Hadn't anyone mentioned her name yet? A quick replay of the day's events revealed that she'd never introduced herself. Neither had Torren, but she'd learned his name from Saska before the sharhal had slammed into her plans like a runaway starship.

"I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself." She started to hold out her hand in greeting and then realized he was already holding it. "I'm Jenna."

"No apologies. I didn't introduce myself either." Torren glanced skyward and then raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers gently. "I am Torren Vex. And the golden blur headed our way is Zanyr Sallesh."

She tensed and glanced up at the sky again. "Zanyr? He's on the leadership council. Isn't he?"

Stars above and below. Was she mated to one of the colony's leaders? She was accustomed to dealing with beings of high rank and authority, but only a member of the staff. Would he be like them? Had she come all this way only to wind up in the same situation?

Torren snorted. "Yes, he was foolish enough to agree to serve as part of the council. You know the council has equal representation from all the species on Liberty with beings from diverse backgrounds. Someone managed to convince him to represent the agriculturists." Torren smirked. "So now he has to attend meetings and listen to long presentations while I enjoy quiet evenings at home."

Agriculturist? Jenna wanted to ask for more details, but Zanyr was only a few seconds away. Questions would have to wait.

Unlike Torren's earlier arrival, Zanyr's descent was controlled in both velocity and accuracy. He touched down lightly, the wind from his wings fanning her face and making the skirt of her dress flutter around her calves.

She hadn't had much time to envision what Zanyr might look like, but what she'd conjured in her mind had little in common with the reality. Instead of a well-dressed, refined male of power and influence, her mate was all rough edges and raw force of personality.

He wasn't quite as tall as Torren, but his build was broader across the chest and shoulders. His bare chest. She noted. Golden scales with a reddish cast gleamed brightly as he turned to face her. She knew what that meant. Either he was aroused, or he sensed danger. Her money was on the former.

She looked her fill, taking in the hard planes of his body and the way his stomach showed ridges of hard muscle. She could have wrapped both hands around one of his biceps and not made her fingers meet.

At first she thought his hair was blond but then quickly realized it was darker, with blond highlights that could only come from long hours spent outside. He had it cut short at the sides but with enough length on top for it to sweep across his forehead.

When her eyes met his, her heart did a little stutter step in her chest. His gaze was as bright as a laser, and the amber color of his eyes contrasted with the rim of black around irises and slightly oval pupils.

Torren broke the silence before it went on too long. "You took your time. Was there a headwind or are you getting old?" he asked, his tone as dry as moon dust.

"You barely beat me here," Zanyr argued. "And in case you forgot, I'm younger than you. Better looking, too." He folded back his wings and smoothed back his hair with one hand.

"Yes, but I was carrying the most precious of cargo. Zanyr, this is Jenna. Our mahaya ."

She reached out her hand, but Zanyr ignored it. Instead, he crossed the space between them and then dropped to one knee, his gaze locked on her face. " Mahaya . With the breath of my lungs, I welcome you into our lives."

She should have said something eloquent, or at least intelligent, but all Jenna managed was an incoherent squeak. Anxiety locked up her lungs and froze her brain. Part of her wanted to flee, to hide from all this attention. This was such an important moment, and she was screwing it up.

Stupid , she chided herself. Why am I always so stupid and useless?

She curled her fingers into fists and dug her nails into her palms. The pain pushed back the momentary panic, and she knew what to do.

"Hello, Zanyr," she greeted him in his language. "May the ancestors bless this meeting and grant all of us fair winds in our travels together."

Both males stared at her, frozen.

"You speak our language?" Torren asked a second before Zanyr asked the same question.

"I speak several dialects of Vardarian," she said, fighting to keep her voice calm and even. She would not, could not, screw this up any more than she already had.

"You speak it well," Zanyr added, his lips quirking into an approving smile as he rose to his feet. "Our mahaya is as smart as she is beautiful."

The unexpected compliment made her cheeks burn. He thought she was beautiful?

Torren shot the other male an amused look. "And here I thought you'd forgotten how to be charming. Have you been practicing on your plants?"

Zanyr made a rude gesture with one hand but never took his eyes off her. His nostrils flared, his next inward breath loud enough for her to hear it clearly. "You smell like raindrops on drought-stripped soil. Gentle, soothing, and full of promise. You are our mahaya ."

Torren made a noise somewhere between a snort and a growl. "You doubted me?"

Zanyr shot Torren a wicked grin that made her pulse quicken again. Damn it, they both had bad-boy vibes. She was doomed.

"Doubt you? Never. How could I when you keep telling me you're always right?"

Jenna giggled. She hadn't meant to, but her emotions were all over the place, and her nerves were shot.

Both males turned to her, fixing her with smoldering gazes that made what little of her brain still functioned start to melt away. "Sorry. The way you talk to each other is endearing."

"Endearing?" Zanyr looked horrified.

Torren scowled. "I don't believe anyone has ever described us that way before."

She bowed her head slightly, afraid that she'd offended them. "It's not bad. It's… well, cute." Veth . She was making this worse. "I mean, it's clear you are fond of each other. Like brothers. Teasing each other and pushing buttons."

Damn it, would they even understand what she meant? Colloquialisms rarely translated well. "Did that make sense to you?"

Zanyr nodded. "I take your meaning. He's my brother. Bound by blood and vow."

"I'm glad you see it for what it is. Our banter is just that. We don't mean anything by it." He paused before adding, "Most of the time."

She smiled at that, the next words coming out of her mouth before she thought them through. "You two are like the brothers I always wished I had."

Their good mood vanished immediately. "Oh no. He is my brother. Not yours, ana-thi. We are your mates," Zanyr growled. He took her by the hand and pulled her toward him.

Torren moved behind her, his hands on her hips as he pressed up against her, guiding her into Zanyr's embrace. "Allow us to demonstrate the difference."

Lust poured through her, as raw and real as anything she'd ever experienced. A small voice shouted at her to run and hide before the predators stalking her could pounce. For most of her life, that's what she'd done—hidden from threats and avoided the attentions of dangerous beings as much as possible.

Not this time. Something inside her whispered this time the dangerous predators belonged to her .

Fraxx it. She rose on her toes to kiss Zanyr's chin. She wasn't short, but he was big. Tall. Broad. Solid. She rested her hands on his bare chest as her lips brushed over his stubbled skin. "Not my brothers. Got it."

"I don't think you do because that was not nearly enough." Zanyr lowered his head, his mouth claiming hers in a kiss that seared her down to her soul.

"I doubt we'll ever get enough," Torren said, his hands tightening on her waist as he rocked his hips against her backside.

Both males were aroused. She could feel the hard lengths of their cocks pressed up against her, front and back. Zanyr's kiss went on and on, his mouth hot and lips firm as he laid claim to her.

Torren nuzzled at her ear, his breath fanning her skin and sending ripples of goose bumps chasing down her spine.

Hands stroked her shoulders, her face, and her neck. She had no idea who was touching her where. Something whispered that she should be ashamed of that, but she wasn't. How could she be when it all felt so right?

Breathless and giddy with desire, her knees nearly gave way as Torren pulled her from Zanyr's embrace and turned her to face him. The look in his eyes stole her breath away. He wanted her. She could see it. Feel it. They both did.

Something new blossomed in her chest, a feeling she'd never known before. Belonging. They wanted her. Shy, ordinary, her. The one her first employers had called the Mouse. She'd hated the name, but over time she'd embraced it. That way of living kept her safe, unseen and, therefore, uninteresting.

That wasn't true anymore. Not with Zanyr and Torren. They saw her.

It was the most wonderful, terrifying feeling in all the worlds.