Venomous: Erotic Science Fiction Romance (Alien Warrior Book 1) (64 page)

“Rä’Na,” Fiercely snapped. “What does a fictional production have to do with the discussion at hand?”

“I can’t believe this. I don’t know what to think.” She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead. She turned on them suddenly, expression alarmed. “This
shunning
decree scares me. What happens when I do something wrong? Will you turn your back on me too?”

“Never,” Fiercely vowed.

“You can’t say that. Shit. I don’t believe this.”

“You would not lift a finger to harm an innocent,” Cobra said deflated.

This was not going how he’d imagined.

Though what had he expected, her to
love
him?

The last female he’d spent over ten solars with loathed him, felt sick at his touch.

“Even I know this about you,” he finished.

Lumen dropped a hand to her hip then hung her head.

Dark spirals of hair covered her oval face until they could only see her shapely lips move. “I’m disappointed in you. This could have been handled different.”

Venomous felt gut punched. “Everything I have done, I have done for you. Everything
we have
done is to ensure you are safe.” Anger stirred. “It is not fair for you to make that judgement knowing how hard it was for us to endure the
shunning
.” His tone hardened. “And it was handled by the Senate. They arbitrated fairly, without bias.”

Sucking her lips into her mouth, she tried to avoid his gaze, but it slipped to him regardless, her stark emotions bared for him to see.

Venomous growled. “My Lumen, your eyes are unkind.”

“Because I feel that way.” She smacked her chest. “I have to
be
that way to process such cruelty. I feel like he
discarded
her.” She seemed unable to look at Cobra. “Like she was undeserving of a second chance. One I gave.”

“You forget yourself. It was not your chance to give alone. There are others in this clan affected by what you do.”

And if she knew how Singing Water threatened her life, I doubt she would sleep well, or try to make a friend again.

“You’re right. I apologise. But after Venin, Roam and Gently, I couldn’t bear it. I was worried you were too angry to show mercy. You confessed as much afterwards. I didn’t want to put any more strain on this clan. And I....” Lumen looked at Cobra that Strikes then, anguished. “I didn’t want that for you. Not if it could be avoided.” Her expression reflected her inner turmoil. “She did wrong, but it worked out in the end.”

“What of the next time she became jealous?” Fiercely demanded. “Would her heinous plans have escalated to such extremes there was no saving you the next time she struck?”

“I doubt she would have repeated her mistake.”

Without having to discuss it, the three of them said nothing of Singing Water’s declaration she would have continued in her quest of jealousy if not discovered.

“That ‘mistake’,” Fiercely bit out, “was a carefully planned and executed attack that might have cost you your life. The life of our offspring.”

“Beowyn didn’t hurt me.” She patted herself down then threw her hands up. “I’m fine.”

“That is of no importance,” Venomous grated.

Gaze twitching between them, Cobra remained silent, feeling somewhat out of place and unwanted.

“What if it had not been a mercurial warlord that had you?” Fiercely asked. “What if it had been a slaver like Sorkbhal, or the Zutki trader, or the Dei San raider whose blade almost cut you to pieces?” She paled, but he refused to be swayed. “
Think
, Lumen. You cannot act as if such people are your friends. They would see you gone rather than happy.”

Her chin wobbled. “Thanks for that, sweetheart. I now feel so safe and welcome here on this alien world.”

“This is our home,” Fiercely spat. “Here
you
are the alien.”

Whimpering, Lumen recoiled.

Venomous hissed.

He thumped his callous nest mate in the side. Hard. “Never say that again.”

Cobra fired the male a scary look. “It was cruel.”

“So?” Fiercely glowered even as remorse flickered across his brille. “She claims that is what we are, though we strive to keep her protected.” His gaze cut to his Rä’Na. “Despite her endeavours otherwise.”

Lumen held up her palm. “Well, I guess I’ll be going to nest now. Alone.”

After she fled, Venomous turned on Fiercely. “You hurt her badly. She fears being the only of her species. We are meant to make her feel secure. Welcome. If she does not feel she has us, what does that leave her?”

Subdued, Fiercely clasped the back of his neck. “I took it too far.” He cursed. “I want her safe. It makes me crazed when she acts impulsively.”

“There was nothing impulsive about keeping Singing Water’s involvement a secret,” Cobra said. “She did it to protect a great many people from pain, myself included. It was ill-advised, yesss, but I think we agree her actions were noble at heart.”

Venomous murmured, “Our nest mate speaks truth.”

Lumen stormed back into the living enclosure, her sleeping gown sweeping behind. “Why the hell haven’t you followed me?”

Fiercely’s chin lowered, befuddled. “You said–”

“I know what I said because I said it.” She glared. “I can’t sleep without you.” Her arm pointed over her opposite shoulder. “Now march your cute badonkadonk’s into that nest.” When they stared, she snapped her fingers, pointed, expression nonnegotiable. “Now.”

Wary, Cobra backed towards
the haze
. “I will return–”

Fiery eyes turned on him. “And where do you think you’re going?”

He stilled mid step, foot lifted. “Home?”

Lumen licked her upper row of teeth, eyes narrowing. “I don’t understand.”

Fiercely mumbled, “Neither do I?”

“You want in my nest?” Lumen asked Cobra.

His foot lowered and he straightened. “Yesss.”

“Then get the hell in there.” She spun on her heel and vanished under the archway, muttering, “Lucky I’m tired, or I’d ream you out, no matter how sexy you are.”

They plodded behind her, undressed, and then climbed onto the lake of plush, dense furs, bolsters, cushions and blankets.

They did not sleep side by side, but entwined in a warm tangle of limbs, their female in the centre.

With an ease that let Venomous know he belonged, Cobra slid into formation, even if his expression was astounded.

Lumen’s head was pillowed on Venomous’ chest, her thigh hooked over Fiercely’s, and, now her hand settled on Cobra’s stomach.

The male tensed, but then placed his palm over hers.

Venomous was the last to succumb to sleep.

His gaze wandered over what was once a cold, lonesome nest.

Warm air gushed over his scales as his Rä’Na breathed deep.

His alien wife, with her bold temper and big, single heart made his chest ache.

How did I think her anything but beautiful?

Her slender hand cupped her belly, rounded with the seed he planted there, and she smiled her secret smile as she slumbered.

Fiercely, scowling while at rest, had an arm flung out to the side, and twisted at his middle to face outwards.

He would move no further, even asleep, in case he lost contact with his mate.

His vivid green scales seemed darker in the dim light of the glister creep wreathing the ceiling.

And now Cobra, his sapphire scales a striking contrast with Lumen’s warm brown flesh, curled towards her, his expression relaxed into one of consummate peace.

He, Venomous One sighed in pleasure, lowered his head, and dreamed the dreams of a male contented.

V
enomous watched Cobra that Strikes and Fiercely Comes the Night crest the sand dune that abutted the picturesque land he desired for his Rä’Na’s lair.

He wanted to be furious by the encroachment, but experienced nothing but a niggle of irritation.

They wanted the favour of their female.

It was not their fault they lacked the knowledge to please her and dogged his every move seeking to learn from him.

“This will do?” Cobra asked his expression dubious. “She will be satisfied with so small a lair?”

Venomous glared.

“It
is
small,” Fiercely added his gaze sweeping the mountainous, bountiful vale. “It does not show consideration for her high standards. Perhaps we should find another–”

“Lumen is not like our females. She places value on genuine emotion and feeling, not on possessions. She finds this place soothing. The water. The seclusion.”

And he’d decided it was the best place for her to get her confidence back.

He knew being so exposed to the public eye when she was the only human on Rök made her uneasy.

The new lair would give her the peace of mind she needed to tend to her outdoor spaces without scurrying inside each time a stranger passed then stopped to stare.

She would feel comfortable enough to let their hatchling play, instead of curbing any exploratory exuberance, and hiding them away as if ostracised.

As the cycles passed, his Lumen ventured outside less and less.

He knew it was partly because she was increasing and nearing her laying time ... her labour, but it was also because she had had too many close calls with danger, and grown overly guarded.

Though loathed to admit it, he wanted her to again feel confident enough to roam the province as she wished.

“I do not think it is wise to allow her to segregate herself.” Cobra twisted his body to face Venomous head on. “It keeps her from accepting our ways.”

Venomous chuckled. “Keeps her from accepting
you
is what you truly mean. Do not think I cannot see to the heart of your desires.”

“I am her mate,” Cobra snarled more a venting of frustration than a noise of aggression. “Though she says she accepts me, she ignores me.”

“It is disrespectful,” Fiercely acknowledged.

“You know as well as I do it is not disrespect.” Venomous spoke with quiet menace, enraged they would say such things about their female. “She is frightened and troubled.”

“We have done nothing but protect her,” Fiercely protested.

Cobra looked worried. “I have not offended her. Have I?”

“You have done nothing wrong,” Venomous assured. “She is not frightened of you, but of what mating you means. Her culture is not our culture. What happened to Singing Water disturbed her. She feels guilt. Do you not see, she refrains from showing you her true feelings thinking it improper?”

“Thsst! It was not her fault. She was the victim. She
protected
Singing Water.”

“I know this. We know this but.... She is eccentric. There were many times during our captivity Lumen and I were not at peace. We assumed the other would understand meanings or actions when our customs are different. We agreed to be blunt with each other, and to be honest when we felt slighted or misused.”

“The way you are with her....” Cobra sighed. “I envy you the closeness. I long for it.”

Venomous wanted his nest mates contented, but in this he had little say.

Truth, a part of him revelled in the knowledge his Lumen loved him so deeply, she struggled to bestow her affections upon another.

“If you wish for there to be peace in our lair, you will accept the things she cannot change about herself,” he said, “as she has accepted the things we cannot change, like the lesser mating.” He jerked his chin at Fiercely. “Do not make his mistake. Be open about your feelings. Humans need to be told of affection, not just shown it by being given food and shelter. I learned this soon after meeting her.”

Venomous liked giving them advice.

He enjoyed the companionship, and it lessened his grief over losing the Yoni and Yofk.

Fiercely cringed. “You have not told her of He, is who Widowed, Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons, have you?”

Venomous blew out a breath, tongue flickering. “It took many cycles to convince her it was needed. She barely accepted Cobra.”

“Truth.” Cobra’s tone lowered. “I begin to understand why you reacted as you did at the bonding ceremony. I have not yet lain with her for her pleasure, and the thought of Nāga touching what is mine....”

All three growled.

“Perhaps this is why our species are the way we are.” Fiercely gazed out over the wild terrain. “Lumen is always within our view. Always touching and laughing and simply being with us. It rouses beastly instincts.”

“That is not her fault.” Cobra said.

“No,” Fiercely admitted. “No, it is not.” He tugged on his quills then huffed, “Do you ever feel as if the world is judging us?”

Cobra’s laugh lacked mirth. “I have always felt this way.”

“Yesss,” Venomous replied, “because it is. I pity the male who is not me. As you should pity those that are not you. We found a mate who cherishes us.” He looked at Cobra. “Once her love is bestowed, it burns brighter than our red sun.” He smiled more to himself than them. “Grandfather willing, we will be blessed with many sons and daughters. Trapped in that hell, my life was over before it began. Then she came. I am privileged. Let them judge me, I want for nothing.” Venomous growled then glared at them. “Now, I had to tell her last time. This time, it must be one of you.”

“You are primary,” Fiercely reminded, brow ridge climbing to his quill line as he grinned. “This is part of the burden you bear being first in her heart.”

“You know that is not true.” He grew bad-tempered as they tried to unload the dreaded task on him. “We are equal in her eyes.”

“Agreed, but we know without doubt you are primary. She would have it no other way.”

Cobra made a sound to agree with this.

Venomous dry washed his face. “She is going to kill me.”

Fiercely punched his arm. “She forgave you once. She will again.”

They returned to the lair to find their Rä’Na in the cookery with smears of food paste on her sweet, happy face.

Clumps of blanched kakt-mi grain matted the unruly mass of her hair, and stuck together folds of her modified softsuit, the hems loosened for her growing stomach.

Ironstone pots and hammered metal utensils were dirtied, abandoned with crusted foodstuff.