Cathian Read online

  “What happened next?”

  “We contacted Dovis to let him know, and he rushed to your cabin. He allowed York to go shower, since he was freaked out about having your sperm smeared all over him, worried that anyone would think you’d tried to hump him.”

  “Damn it, One,” York yelled. “Stay out of my head. Rude!”

  One rolled his eyes. “You did not try to hump him, Captain. Don’t worry that you may have. You were in protective mode of your life-lock when they tried to take her from your arms. Your only thoughts were to keep her with you, to assure yourself she was safe. Part of you recognized York’s scent during the struggle, and your instincts are to trust him. That’s why you finally let her go. You understood she was safe with him. Then you went into a deeper sleep state. It’s harder for us to pick up thoughts from there. They were too murky.”

  Cathian glanced at Nara. She remained on the bed with the covers around her body, but her gaze met his. It didn’t appear as if she was alarmed.

  He flushed, staring back at the Pods. What next? And please don’t mention again that I consider Nara my life-lock. We haven’t talked about that yet.

  “Apologies,” One whispered. “Dovis refused to allow the caregivers to take her. He escorted them back to their shuttle once you were both bathed. He personally carried her to your bed and placed her next to you. He thought you’d want her there.” One paused and smiled. “He was right.

  “Rex was enraged and frightened when he realized Dovis wouldn’t give her up. He plans to return to Tryleskian and ask your father for a military transport, in order to return to us and take her by force. We warned Dovis. So he is on the bridge, ready to flee or battle with them, depending on how many transports they send, until you wake to give him orders. We informed him when you woke, and he’s expecting you to call once you’ve been updated on the situation and fed. You’re starving, and worried that Nara also needs food to recover.”

  “She is achy and sore, but thinks the sex and being with you were both worth it,” Two whispered softly, making sure his voice didn’t carry to the bed. “She loves you and is terrified you’ll send her away again. She wants to stay with you and have your babies.”

  Three murmured, “Lots of babies that look like you, because they would be adorable.” He paused. “Now she’s wondering how long it will take her to heal because she wants to have sex with you again.”

  “That’s enough,” Cathian chuckled. He felt happy though. Nara wanted him and his litters. He was going to make that happen. “I’m going to eat with her. Inform Dovis—”

  “We know.” One turned away. “Just think it, and we’ll tell him.”

  He backed into his room and nodded at York. “Thanks. You can go now.”

  His friend and crew member grinned. “I’m going.” He paused as he passed. “I like her. She’s a keeper.”

  “I know.”

  He sealed the door when he was alone with Nara. “Let’s eat.” He strode to the desk.

  “Your people want to arrest me?”

  He picked up the tray, carrying it to the bed. “It will be fine.” He placed it down near her. “Don’t be frightened.”

  She still looked at him with fear in her eyes. “Can they do that? I did break the law.”

  He shook his head. “I won’t allow it. No one is taking you from me.”

  “Can you do that? Does your ambassador ranking overrule this Rex guy’s authority?”

  “Do you remember how you said I’m yours?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re mine too, Nara. No one will take you from me. I’ll handle my father and Rex.”

  She nodded but still looked concerned.

  “Trust me.”

  Her gaze held his. “I do.”

  He pulled the lid off a place, his stomach rumbling from hunger at the scent of food. Midgel had prepared them a feast.

  He grinned, silently sending a message to the Pods to give her his thanks.

  He also told them to have Dovis notify him immediately if any military transports showed on the sensors.

  Chapter Nine

  Cathian stood on the bridge in front of the screen displaying his father. Rex stood next to Beltsen Vellar. Both Tryleskians were furious.

  He understood—and felt the same way. “You will not arrest Nara.”

  “She assaulted Vis. A female from the Nooton House.”

  He inwardly flinched. That family had some power, but not nearly enough to compare to the Vellars. “Nara could be carrying my litter. Did either of you consider that?”

  His father paled. “She’s human!” He curled his lip in disgust. “That isn’t acceptable. You are my firstborn, Cathian.”

  “The choice is mine. Not yours. Who I breed with won’t be decided by you.”

  “We demand the human!” Rex replied.

  Cathian glared at him. “You’re an assistant. Heed your place. This is a discussion between my father and me.”

  Rex’s face flushed and he dropped his gaze.

  It was a dick move, but Cathian didn’t care. Sometimes Rex overstepped his boundaries, and considering the man had tried to steal Nara away by arresting her, Cathian wasn’t feeling any guilt.

  He gave his full attention to his father. “Nara is mine.”

  “Cathian…” His father sat hard in the captain’s chair of the military vessel he was currently on. “What are you saying?”

  “I love her. She loves me.”

  His father snarled. “Love is a myth for fools.”

  “Are you happy, Father? Because I am.” Cathian sighed, letting his temper go. “Do you know how I spent my morning, Father?”

  His father glared at him.

  “Laughing and playing with my Nara. We enjoy spending time together. She’s still sore from getting me through my heat, and I’m unable to have sex with her for a few days. But it doesn’t matter. It was a wonderful morning for us both because we were together. I’ve invited her to stay on The Vorge with me. It’s done.”

  Beltsen Vellar growled. “But you’re my firstborn. Your litters will be tainted by her human blood!”

  Cathian’s anger returned. “You have plenty of sons who will breed with Tryleskian females. And I’m the ambassador for our planet. Have you considered that? What better way to convince other races I’m trustworthy and open to their cultures than to life-lock to an alien woman and breed with her?”

  His father seemed to consider that for long moments. He finally grinned. “That’s why you want to keep her? I’m impressed.”

  “Don’t be. I love Nara. That was my only motivation. But I knew you’d see the appeal of that argument.”

  That didn’t make his father happy. “You’re not returning to our planet with her?”

  “No, Father. Part of the trust issues we’ve always had are due to switching ambassadors every few years, and the bonds we’ve formed with other races have to start anew. I plan to remain on The Vorge for a very long time.”

  “You can’t raise children on a vessel.”

  “Lots of races do it.”

  “Not us!”

  “It’s time for change.”

  His father sighed and shook his head. “You were always difficult, never acting the way you should.”

  Cathian tensed, fearing another lecture on how he was such a disappointment. It wasn’t something he enjoyed but it happened occasionally.

  Beltsen stood, holding his gaze. “What if I continue to track The Vorge and take the female by force? She did break the law when she shot Vis and interfered with your heat. I’m sure I could persuade the medical staff to end any pregnancy under those circumstances. Don’t let this be about pride, son. I understand the protective instincts in regards to your young, but humans are a weak race. Think of the possible flaws in those children.”

  Cathian’s hands fisted, and he wanted to hit his father. “Try to take her. I’ll use every weapon on this ship to stop you.”

  “You’d threaten me?”

&n