Shield [New World Book 1] (9 page)

“Wow. I’ve heard of women synchronizing their periods when they live together, but an entire race? That’s amazing.”

“Just about every four hundred years our women would give birth to a boy to make certain there would be enough. Our males reach maturity at almost four hundred years then the cycle begins again with each of us mating with a female. Each warrior would find his warrior match when they begin training as a child of six. I was twelve of your earth years when Tosk and I joined.”

“All boys? The women had all boys?”

“Yes, all male, every four hundred years.”

“What about females, girls?”

Rask gazed at her thoughtfully. “I don’t know. My father didn’t think it important to talk about females since none would ever be born again. He only felt it my right to know why I needed a warrior mate. To speak of females would just be cruel.”

“So, let me get this straight. You are basically saying that even though you are four hundred years old, you are just reaching manhood?”

“I suppose that’s one way to look at it. Technically, I became a man at two hundred, but could not mate with a female until I reached almost four hundred,” Rask said. “I think it has to do with the hormones or the venom needed to age and strengthen. Also I’m not certain Castian females and human females are made the same way.”

“I guess you wouldn’t since you’ve never seen a Castian female,” Grace said. “When we were at the pool and I was hitting Tosk and you touched me, I felt odd. Calm all of a sudden and it’s happened before. I was still upset, but had no more urge to hit Tosk.”

“It appears my sweat also has a chemical that reacts to your fear. When it touches you, it penetrates your skin to calm you.”

“How do you know?”

“I didn’t until it happened after we mated. I’m not sure, but it could have happened when we first met. I sense your feelings. My body reacts to them. I have no control over it. I’m guessing the more fear you experience, the more secretions I will produce and the calmer you will become.”

Grace settled back. “Why are all you men here on this planet, if it isn’t your homeworld?”

Rask lay her head on his shoulder. “My father is, was, a very powerful leader. A young upstart, Aanon, decided to take him on. Aanon has many new ideas on how to handle the Tonans, and all of them are bad. My father has many followers, but many of our males died when their females did. With all of the younger males now coming into manhood, the younger ones wanted change. It is very difficult for Castian to fight Castian. There is no lying in our politics, but a great deal of feeling is involved. Aanon respected my father, but he was too full of himself. My age mates could feel Aanon’s passion. Our males are still young and I’m afraid passion overwhelmed the feeling of simple dedication. My father was voted out. There was no war or uprising. We were given a choice. Stay and join with Aanon on our home planet or be sent into exile until we change our minds.”

“You decided to support your father?”

“Yes, he is a good leader. Many of my friends were trained by him and support him, too. Aanon was cruel to separate families. I have no idea why he would do such a thing. We had no idea until it happened. If I could I would find a way to join with my father. He is all alone. His warrior mate died with his female almost four hundred years ago. My father has chosen not to find another warrior mate.”

“How old is he?”

“Three thousand years old.”

“Why did he never mate?”

“Even before the death of all our females, the ratio of females to males was low. Although, I don’t think that was the reason. My father has always been very political. Everyone was surprised my mother turned his head, because he was always so absorbed with other matters. He loved my mother. She felt he loved politics more and wanted more of a commitment because she too had fallen in love with him. It was the only reason she allowed him to plant his seed.”

“But I’ve seen how big you get. Wasn’t it painful for her?”

“I don’t know. I told you I’m not sure of the differences in human females and Castian females. The hormone isn’t supposed to drug a woman into compliance about having sex…only with mating and marking. A female has the right to choose her mate, too…normally. Remember, a Castian female can fight off a male. Perhaps they were bigger and stronger, or had their own defenses.”

“How did your father feel about her carrying his baby?”

“My father was thrilled to find out she was carrying his babe, me. But she wanted to wait to see how much he would be around. My father had always had females after him, but if he couldn’t have my mother, he wanted no one else. My father apparently became very attentive and won her over. Finally, to his joy, she said she would mate with him after I was born, but by then the women were dying. My mother decided not to mate with my father. She wanted him to raise me and live.”

“But she lived until you were four?”

“Yes.”

“And you don’t know why she just suddenly died?”

“No.”

“That’s a mystery.”

Grace snuggled in closer to Rask. She was feeling sleepy. She yawned and Rask pulled her closer. The room had a very dull light that Grace was grateful for. Rask had explained even though he could see in the dark as well as daylight, the lights were necessary to keep his skin healthy and his armor charged. She supposed that’s why the planet had two suns. The contraption that collected the sun was an odd type of metal that drew energy directly from the suns orbiting the planet. The sunlight was redirected into the limbed dome shelter with the branches adding nutrients. Grace had to admit it was the freshest, purest air she had ever smelt.

Rask was breathing steadily; he had fallen asleep and Grace took the time to really study his features. He was so incredibly handsome. His jaw was chiseled and well-defined. His hair was so thick but soft. His eyelashes were short and his eyebrows almost looked penciled on in a fine black perfect line. She snuggled against him feeling safe and warm. His body was rock-hard, but his skin was smooth as satin. She was happy their shuttle had crashed. It was hard to believe that after such a short time she was in love with him. Grace also knew the feeling was partially caused by him marking her. Rask had shown her his handiwork. The water had healed her and the symbol was stunning. It glowed green on her shoulder, pulsing darker then lighter. It was a beautiful tattoo. Rask had ripped her shirt to expose her shoulder and demanded from now on she must wear only a shirt that showed her marking to the other males. All were to know she was his.

Grace smiled and very tenderly kissed Rask’s cheek. Her mate. Rask smiled in his sleep. Grace closed her eyes. What an amazing day she’d had.

Chapter 4

The dream was the same every night. Grace sat all alone on the roof of her slowly sinking house. The muddy water was rising and she would drown in filth. To her left was the bloated body of a man that floated with the gentle waves. To her right, a woman floated face up, then down, rolling. The sky was gray to match her mood and added to her misery. It had been days since the sun had shone. She was desolate, hungry, thirsty, afraid. Everyone Grace had ever loved was gone. Everything she had ever known was destroyed. Nothing was left, nothing, no one. There were no tears left to cry and so she sat and waited for death. Her life had been dealt its lowest blow.

Grace heard a sound from behind her. She stood and turned, then cried out. A man-beast all in black with fangs stood before her. Grace slumped in defeat, apparently things could get worse.

“What is this place?” the creature asked.

Its voice was deep and somehow familiar.

“Hell,” she replied.

“You fear me.”

The creature seemed surprised.

The man-beast cocked its head. The black shield it wore came down and there stood Rask. Grace knew this man. He was her mate. When he moved forward and took her in his arms, she felt his sweat absorb into her cheek and she calmed instantly—she was safe. Rask looked around at their setting.

“Dismal is such a small word to describe this place,” he said. “Why do you dream of it?”

“I’m dreaming?” she said in confusion.

“Yes. Didn’t you know?”

“Not until you told me.”

“Interesting. Normally, when I dream I choose to dream of home.”

“You choose?”

“Yes,” he said. “Can’t you?”

“Would you choose to dream of this?”

“No.”

“Am I dreaming you?”

Rask looked thoughtful. “Yes and no. I’m here because your desolate emotions called me from my own dream. I was worried about you. You felt so sad. I’m dreaming, only now I’m dreaming your dream.”

“Sorry.”

“It’s what a mate is for,” he said.

His hand cupped her chin and tilted her head for a kiss. His lips were very tender. His nose touched hers and he smiled a gentle smile.

“Close your eyes. Keep them closed and trust me.”

Grace closed her eyes. Rask’s lips settled over her own once more. She felt herself floating and gripped him. His arms tightened around her. The ground beneath her feet began moving at a fast rate. She trusted him and kept her eyes closed. His body was still secreting a hormone calming her. After a moment they ceased to move. Their kiss ended.

“Now, Grace, open your eyes.”

Grace opened her eyes and blinked. She was in completely different surroundings. The waterfall before them was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It was a much larger version of the cleansing pool she had bathed in. Massive birds like dark blue-gray pterodactyls flew overhead. Red ferns grew waist high. The air was warmer. A slight mist rose from the water’s edge. Grace stepped away from Rask then gasped. She was nude.

“Rask, my clothes,” she yelped.

He gave her a predatory leer.

“This is my dream now.” He winked.

Rask took her hand and led her to the water. It was clear and cool and refreshing. Grace turned in his arms when they were almost completely submerged. His fangs were showing until he dipped his head for a kiss. Their tongues danced. Rask trailed his lips down her throat to her shoulder. He lifted her higher so she could wrap her legs around his waist and he suckled first one breast then the other. Grace let her head tilt back. When he settled her onto his penis, he was hard and thick. Grace welcomed his entry.

“Oh,” she groaned. “I’ve never dreamed of having sex. I can feel everything.”

Rask chuckled. “That’s because we’re having sex in our bed while we have it here.”

“We’re really doing it? On the bed?”

“Yes. But this is much more enjoyable.”

“I think you’d feel good anywhere,” Grace panted. “I’ve never been so connected to anyone before.”

“Don’t your males dream of their mates?”

Rask lifted her hips and gently pulled her down.

“Maybe some, but I’m guessing not like this,” she replied.

“Too bad for them,” Rask muttered.

Grace tossed her head back and cried out when she came. Rask sank his teeth into her neck. Grace went limp. Rask turned her over and bent her forward over the pool’s edge. He remained deeply buried within her. Grace could feel him grow inside her. She gasped. He wasn’t hurting her, but she felt every inch. He was always very tender when he became engorged. His rocking against her was rhythmic. Grace could actually feel his cock expanding as it filled with his seed. He worked his fingers to her clit and rubbed her. Grace could feel her climax building again. He pumped until every inch of him filled with his seed. It was surprising how long he was able to last. As relaxed as she was her orgasm was blissful. Rask roared loudly when he came and slumped over her.

Grace felt a chuckle build. “Same time tomorrow night, handsome?” she asked cheekily.

When he turned her in his arms, his look was sober.

“I will save you from your dreams from now on,” he said seriously. “Now that I know you have no dream control, I will wait until you fall asleep then follow you.”

“You are the most amazing male I have ever met,” Grace said.