Chapter 6

Lavender

How did any woman,ever, from any planet, resist the charms of a devoted warlord? I doubted it was possible.

After blowing my mind with more hot sex and more orgasms, we showered, together, where he washed me from head to toe, healed my sore bits with one of their magic wands, then proceeded to turn into his beast and make sure I needed the same attention and healing all over again.

Not that I was complaining. The way he looked at me?

If I could figure out a way to bottle that look and sell it back home, I’d be a billionaire. He looked at me like I was the most important thing in the world, infinitely interesting, desirable, and beautiful, all at the same time. I kept thinking I would catch him, just once, with something other than absolute devotion in his eyes. So far, I had not. Not even close. In fact, the looks I caught him giving me as he escorted me to the governor’s office made me blush.

I’d had more orgasms in the last twelve hours than the last twelve years, and still, my body responded, melting into the hand he placed at the small of my back. The dress I wore had come from the strange S-Gen machine. The long name was Spontaneous Matter Generator and apparently, anything and everything one could think of could be created, from clothing to a varied and extensive menu of human dishes from every country and culture on Earth. He said the Coalition’s leader, a Prillon warrior who lived on Prillon Prime, had once been on The Colony and was mated to a human woman. Since these guys treated their mates like queens—and she literally was a queen—he made certain the human brides all over the Coalition had access to food and clothing they might miss from home.

Tazo and I shared a light meal and he showed me how to make myself clothes. I was normally a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl, but I’d asked him to make something an Atlan bride would wear. The gown reminded me of movies based on Greek gods, tight across my breasts with a golden tie settled just beneath my breasts. The fabric fell into a deep V-neck and wrapped up around, over my shoulders to repeat the V-shape between my shoulder blades. The soft boots I wore were ankle high and lined with some kind of fur that made me feel like I was walking on clouds. The dress was a vibrant blue and swirled around my ankles as I walked.

I felt beautiful. With my warlord walking beside me in matching blue trimmed with black, I felt like we belonged together, a matched, mated, cuffed pair. Holy shit. For all intents and purposes, I was married. To an alien.

So not on this year’s bingo card.

Tazo came to a stop outside a closed door and looked down at me. “Are you well? You have been very quiet.”

I traced the delicate bumps and swirls on one of my mating cuffs with my fingertip. It truly was stunning. Tazo informed me each family had their own design, kind of like medieval lords and their family crests. I wondered what my sister’s mating cuffs would look like. If she had them yet. If Warlord Kai was being as wonderful to her as Tazo was to me. “I’m just worried about my sister.”

Not knowing where she was, what she was doing, whether or not she was okay, created a restless ache I could not shake. With our mom dead, and our dad a non-participant in our lives, Larkspur was the only person in the universe I truly loved. Being with Tazo was amazing, and I had no doubt I’d learn to love him, but I couldn’t be happy until I knew my sister was safe.

“Perhaps the governor will have some answers for us.” Tazo placed gentle fingertips under my chin and angled my head up so he could kiss me.

One kiss became two. Two became…more. How could I be so on fire for him after what we’d done the last few hours. My body should be in shock, not hungry for more.

I barely noticed the sound of the door sliding open.

“You two going to make out in the hallway all day? Or are you coming in?”

I jumped at the woman’s voice, but Tazo simply grinned and pulled me into his arms, his large body a shield at my back. “Lady Rone. Forgive me. My mate is beautiful and nearly impossible to resist.”

His praise made me blush as the human woman smiled then winked at me. “Try harder, we need to talk to you both.”

Tazo’s soft chuckle was a gentle rumble at my back.

“I’m Rachel. I’m from Chicago.” The woman seemed friendly, her smile sincere. She was a few years older than me, probably in her mid-thirties, with dark brown hair and grey eyes that twinkled with mischief as she held out her hand. “I’m mated to Governor Maxim and Ryston. I was the first bride to come to The Colony.”

The first bride. Ever? Wow. That had to be a serious culture shock.

I shook her hand and smiled back. “Mated to those two? That would explain the copper collar.” I wondered what it must be like to have two huge alien warriors for mates. “Do the collars really let you all read each other’s minds?” I’d read something to that effect back on Earth, while looking over the Interstellar Brides’ Program recruitment material. I’d tossed the brochures in the trash as soon as I realized I’d have no choice about where I would go and would most likely be separated from Larkspur. Losing my sister just to get a man was not an option.

Rachel blushed, her fair skin turning a deeper shade of pink than I expected. “Not exactly thoughts. Usually feelings. Sometimes, if one of us is thinking really hard about something, a hint of it will come through. At least that’s how it is for me. Danika and her mates can communicate telepathically.”

“Wow. I don’t know if I’d like that or not.” Telepathy might be okay. Feelings. I’d be blushing, too. I’d be mortified if Tazo knew some of the naughty things running through my head while we were naked. Then again, what would it be like to have no secrets? To have your mate know exactly the way you wanted to be touched? What you longed for but did not dare ask? There would be no hiding, no uncertainty. No wondering if your mate’s feelings for you were sincere. Terrifying, and liberating.

Tazo was enough to handle without being able to read his mind. If his thoughts were a fraction as naughty as his actions, I’d never wear clothes again.

“Bring them in, love.” I recognized the governor’s voice from the hours I’d spent arguing with him in medical. I stiffened, my smile suddenly feeling stiff and forced as Rachel turned and we followed her inside her mate’s office. He looked much more relaxed than he had when Tazo and Kai had been throwing each other around in medical. His dark copper skin and dark hair proved a striking combination under the warmer lights of his office.

“Warlord. My lady. Please, come in. Sit.” Several chairs were scattered around his office, all large enough for a beast. I doubted my feet would touch the floor.

I sat in front of his desk as Rachel walked around to stand with her hand on Governor Maxim’s shoulder. He lifted a hand to cover hers, their deep connection obvious. Tazo chose to stand behind me. When his hand came down to rest on my shoulder, I did exactly what Maxim had, I placed my hand on top of my mate’s and held on tight, feet swinging under my chair like I was a four-year-old. “Any word on my sister?”

The governor cleared his throat. “Warlord Kai and Larkspur arrived safely about an hour ago.”

“What? Where is she? I need to see her. Is she okay?” I stopped just short of standing when the governor lifted his hand in a sign for me to stay put.

“They are in Warlord Kai’s private quarters, getting to know one another.”

Oh, boy. I knew what that meant. My sister was probably naked with a huge beast cock inside her right now. If I didn’t have a beast of my own, I’d probably be jealous. “But she’s okay? The Hive didn’t hurt her?”

Rachel’s smile was kind. “Your sister is fine. Kai found her just in time.”

“Just in time? What does that mean?”

“Larkspur will have to fill you in on the details.” The governor, apparently, wasn’t into gossip. “I asked you here to ease your mind and let you know she arrived safely. She is in her mate’s care. I’m sure, when she is ready, she will search you out.”

“All right.” Larkspur was safe. She was here. That’s all that mattered. I could be a big kid and wait to hear all the details. I fucking hated waiting, but I didn’t really have a choice. I sighed and transferred my attention to Rachel. “How many of us are there? Earth girls, I mean.”

“Less than a dozen, but everyone is great. You’ll love them. Kristin used to be in the FBI. Mikki’s from Hawai’i. Caroline is busy with her twins, but she’s lovely. Lindsey does all of our PR and came up with the idea for Bachelor Beast. Did you watch?”

“She did.” Tazo answered for me and he sounded pleased. “She understood much about the beast without needing explanation. I believe it made her transition easier.”

“Excellent. That’s what we were hoping for.” Rachel’s genuine smile made my heart feel lighter. “I’ll have to let Lindsey know. We’re gearing up for another season.”

I laughed. “Even though every other season has been a total disaster?” Not one of the Atlans chosen to be the eligible bachelor had ended up with a contestant. They’d all gone off script and chosen random women. “Not that I’m complaining. That Cinderella ball was pure genius. I think I watched that episode at least three times.”

“The crazier it gets, the more people love it.”

“That’s true.” At least it had been for me. “When Warlord Wulf stormed offstage and claimed the make-up artist on live TV?” I waved my hand in front of my face in a fanning motion. “So hot.”

Rachel laughed, her gaze darting from me to Tazo and back. “I guess it’s a good thing you like the beasts.”

I squeezed my mate’s hand. “I guess it is.”

The governor cleared his throat. “Back to the business at hand. Everyone here contributes in some way. I assume you would like to participate in our society as well.”

“You mean, like a job?”

“Yes.”

Thank god, because if all I had to do was eat, sleep and have sex with Tazo, I’d be crazy in a few weeks. Rest and relaxation were a fine idea, but boredom? No, thank you. “Back home I worked as a vet tech. I was taking classes at night so I could go to vet school someday. That was my goal, anyway.”

“How would you feel about taking your medical aptitude for animals and training with the medical team here?” Maxim asked. “We are always in need of additional medical staff. In rare instances, especially after large battles, the Coalition will transport injured fighters here.”

“And every ReCon mission transports directly to our medical team, as long as the fighters they rescue are stable enough to be moved,” Rachel added.

“I’d love that. Thank you.” Yes, I loved working with animals, but what I really loved was the idea of helping something—or someone—hurt to heal.

“Excellent. It’s decided. I’ll alert Doctor Surnen to expect you when you are ready.” He glanced from me to Tazo. “Let’s say, in a week?”

Tazo grunted. “Two weeks.”

The governor grinned. “Understood. Two-week honeymoon, then back to work.”

Did my beast just inform the governor of this place that he was going to keep me so busy in bed for the next two weeks that I wouldn’t be able to start a new job? Yes. Yes, he did. And I had to admit, I was very much looking forward to the next two weeks.

Rachel leaned into Maxim’s side and he wrapped an arm around her waist to pull her in close. “So, what are you two going to do now? I can take you to meet the other women. The dining room is open 24-7, but most of us have an S-Gen in our quarters, so it’s more a social thing. I could give you a tour?—”

Governor Maxim interrupted, his gaze locked on Tazo. “I believe the final round of the pit tournament has begun. You should check in as soon as possible.”

Pit tournament? What was that?

“I’ve been busy.” Tazo chuckled behind me. “Any particular reason I should make an appearance?”

“Fuck yes. You were in first place, and I placed a large wager on you to win it all. Now that Tyran is out of the fight, I expect you to continue your winning streak.”

They were talking about fighting? Like what? MMA? Boxing? I tilted my head to study the governor. He seemed in a playful mood, something I’d not seen from him before. “What did you bet on my mate?”

Rachel’s blush returned. “That’s private.” She giggled and looked at me. “But if you want to do your new best friend a favor, talk your mate into taking a fall.”

Tazo’s hand on my shoulder squeezed me gently. “Who is it you believe can best me, Lady Rone?”