Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

KHORAHN

"Khorahn, no."

The sound of my name on her lips usually filled my heart and my ambal. She could say it sweetly when she wanted something from me or demanding like when she coaxed my ambal to mark her from the inside. However, it carried neither sweetness nor demand now. Only concern.

Despite her tone, I couldn't detect any hint of fear in her scent. Only arousal. The intoxicating aroma had been testing my restraint nonstop since she first took my ambal into her breeding sheath.

"I am not leaving you, Vya. Never. Nothing holds more importance to me than you."

I reached out and brushed a finger over the blushed tip of her chest mound. Her lips parted, and her gaze became unfocused.

"To give you the penetration you've been demanding, we need to leave this ship."

Leaning in, I kissed her lightly. She moved closer, pressing against me as if I had a gravitational pull when it was she who called to me. I retreated before the scent of her arousal overrode my common sense.

She didn't resist again as I led her to the bay door and switched the system over to voice recognition.

"Defense sequence seven-two-one on my command," I said.

"Command acknowledged. Remote reentry enabled."

Although I trusted Mtinash, he had many males working for him. And once they…

I glanced at the female beside me. Her lips were parted, and her skin flushed. The scent of her arousal was strong enough that even those without a nose meant for tracking would smell it. Though I knew I didn't need to worry about an attack while on Mtinash's floating paradise, I didn't trust there wouldn't be one stowed away on my ship when I left, waiting for space, if I didn't lock it down.

The bay door slid open while she was still compliant, and I led her out.

A pleasure male dressed in a systems dress like Vya was waiting on the landing pad for us. His bright pink eyes flicked over Vya and her chains before resting on me.

"You should have warned Mtinash that you were arriving with such a treasure. He would have greeted you himself."

"That's why I didn't warn him," I said.

The pleasure male's plump lips curved in humor.

"You both reek of unfulfilled arousal. Breeding incompatibility? Perhaps I can help. My name is S'doifu. I am well versed in the art of pleasure."

"I have no doubt. Mtinash is known for having the best of everything."

S'doifu smiled again and nodded, his gaze going back to Vya's dress. "Perhaps not everything. I've never seen mineral waste used with a stimulation disc before. It appears to have a nice weight to it. I will need to ask Mtinash to supply some."

His hand went to the disc hanging from the chains circling his cock.

"The extra weight would feel delicious."

Vya, who'd been quietly watching our exchange, looked at me with a slight frown.

"I'm not sure if you wearing dick jewelry would be a good thing or not," she said. "I don't think I'd be able to leave you alone."

S'doifu laughed loudly. "Many would vie for his attention then."

Vya looked sharply at S'doifu. "Can you understand me?"

"Of course. My translator has the latest language files. Though I must admit, I have never seen your species before."

Vya tugged on my hand. "Khorahn, what's going on?"

I smoothed my hand down her arm.

S'doifu's expression turned apologetic. "Of course. This female is why you asked for Mtinash for a translator. What is she?"

"Mine," I said. "Where is Mtinash?"

S'doifu dipped his head. "Allow me to take you to him."

Vya glanced at me as S'doifu turned away. I nodded toward him, indicating we should follow. She wrapped her arm around mine so her chest mound pressed into my sleeve and walked beside me like that.

While I treasured her desire to touch me, I worried what might happen the next time I needed to leave her side. Though it wouldn't be often, there were times I would need to leave her on the ship while I went for supplies.

We reached a corridor with more males. S'doifu, walking in front of us, gained their attention first. However, once they spotted Vya, they stopped what they were doing to watch us pass.

Vya held onto me more tightly, and I patted her hand.

"All is well, my Vya. You are safe."

I didn't miss the way she shakily exhaled after we passed them or how she quickly glanced over her shoulder.

"The jewelry's pretty, but I sure wish you'd given me some underwear instead," she said softly. "They're all looking at my ass."

S'doifu chuckled in front of me.

"She is a treasure, Khorahn. Will you be staying with us long?"

"Not if it can be helped," I said. "I have bounties waiting."

"Of course."

S'doifu turned down yet another hall. I knew we were getting closer to Mtinash's main communications room. However, that wasn't the direction S'doifu went. He chose another corridor and stopped at a panel to request access to Mtinash's private gardens, a place very few ever went.

He caught my surprised glance.

"You know Mtinash well," S'doifu acknowledged.

"Well enough," I said. "How long have you been with Mtinash?"

"Like you, long enough to call him a friend. I only recently accepted his invitation to stay here for a while. He was hoping my presence would bring him luck." S'doifu glanced at Vya. "Perhaps it has."

"Vya is mine."

S'doifu shrugged gracefully. "Vya belongs to whoever she chooses for however long she chooses. You know this."

The access panel beeped.

"What is it?" I heard Mtinash ask.

"Khorahn brought a guest you will want to meet in your private garden."

The door immediately opened. Vya glanced from the opening to me then poked my side.

"You tensed. Why did you tense? I don't like it when you're nervous. That means I'm supposed to be nervous, and I can't, which is really frustrating, but it's not. Do you see the problem here? Let's not be nervous, m'kay?"

I smiled my reassurance and leaned in to kiss her temple.

She huffed a little breath but didn't hesitate to follow me through the door. The narrow hallway led to another access door, which was already open and waiting.

Vya made a small sound as we entered a vast domed space and looked up at the pink clouds floating in the violet-blue sky. The biosphere was protected by bromin. It had been reduced enough to let in a light breeze with the weak sunlight. The air was pure and a wonder to breathe after so much time on the ship.

I watched Vya release my arm and execute a slow turn. Trees and non-aggressive veg filled the space along with small peaceful varieties of flyers and creepers.

"This is beautiful," Vya breathed. Her attention snapped to me as she pointed up. "The sky is almost purple. The clouds are tinged pink. This is real, right?"

S'doifu chuckled. "She's already entranced, Khorahn. I believe you might lose your female this flare."

"I would say ‘fortune find you,' my friend. But it appears fortune already has," Mtinash said, emerging from the trees.

Vya turned to look at Mtinash.

"Precious female, allow me to introduce myself. I am Mtinash, the capable owner of this paradise. I see Khorahn has spared no chit on your dress, but I can give you so much more if you allow me the chance." He formally held his hand out to her.

"She can't understand you. That's why we need the translator," I said dryly.

Mtinash flashed me an annoyed glance. It was a look the ex-hunter had perfected to bring many to their knees. I simply grinned at him. My founder helped make Mtinash into who he was. I knew his secrets better than any other living soul. Just as he knew mine. He didn't intimidate me any more than I intimidated him.

I looked down at Vya and gave her an encouraging smile when I saw her small frown.

"He's a friend," I said with a nod toward him. "He's safe."

"Safe. Chit rich. Terra and veg richer. And ready to breed strong sons to take over for me. Take my hand and be mine, pretty female."

I chuckled. "Do you believe I would let her go so easily?"

"We'll see once she can understand me. The mineral waste that you added to her dress is interesting. I'm assuming it was her preference?"

"Do you think I'm going to give you ideas to help you win her from me?"

S'doifu chuckled and came to take Vya's arm.

"I think we've talked in front of her enough without understanding a word, don't you? Let's get that translator implanted."

Vya dug her nails into my arm and looked up at me. Her eyes were filling with water.

"Don't sell me as a sex slave, Khorahn. Please. I'll be better. I promise."