Venomous: Erotic Science Fiction Romance (Alien Warrior Book 1) (77 page)

There were more murmurs for me to speak, and I could hear shouts and calls from all the way outside.

The exuberant response and jubilant mood was good.

The rest was kind of radical.

I’m a rebel cosmonaut and this is my freaking party
.

“I want a job,” I blurted. Backing up a bit, I fanned my warm face then tried again. “I put it to the Great Senate that I, She, Lumen of the Stars, am uniquely qualified to represent the Rä people as their Ambassador of Intergalactic Relations.” I hesitated. “I want that job.”

All twelve Elders exchanged puzzled looks.

Calm as Thunder lowered her chin. “I fear you have lost us. Rök is a closed world. We do not have, nor need an Ambassador of Intergalactic Relations.”

“Respectfully, I disagree. Considering current events, the job is critical to our survival.”

Dare Viper to Bite straightened. “Enough. We have no time for this folly. We must respond to the L’Odo Chieftain, and prepare for war.”

“
Yes, we must
,” I shouted over the rising din before I lost control and was set aside. “My first act of business if granted the post of Ambassador will be to secure a military alliance with a powerful ally to stand with us against the L’Odo menace. This united front will intimidate them into withdrawing their forces. I think. I mean, I hope.”

Behind me, I heard Venomous mutter, “Now I want to know what the fuck she is doing.”

The half circle of Elders stared.

One a’Rä with snow-white quills and milky brille went so far as to stick a finger in his ear then rummage around.

It was Dare Viper to Bite who replied, mockingly at that. “Even if we considered opening our borders, it would take cycles to commence worthwhile communications with a world powerful enough to daunt the L’Odo, and then moontides, if not solars, to reach an agreement that was to our advantage. At the least, did not see us held to their mercy, a state of affairs we have avoided for countless generations. We need help
now
.” He pointed upward. “Battleships are in orbit above us as we speak. You are suggesting we negotiate an advantageous treaty of such complexity within the next span, as our deadline to respond to the Chieftain looms nigh?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe,” he echoed.

“Depends,” I added leadingly.

Exasperated, he slapped his thighs. “Depends on what?”

“If I have the job or not.” There was still a chance they would discriminate against me because I wasn’t like them, refusing to put me in a position of power. “If you like my suggestion, but turn
me
down to appoint someone else, it won’t work. As I said before, I am
uniquely
qualified.”

“Why do you think this will work?” Calm as Thunder asked, curious. “Not only is it known we do not ally with others, so an approach on our part will be seen as weakness, and, therefore, seen as an opportunity to prey upon us, the L’Odo are notorious in their stubbornness. A united front with another planet may not deter them. Why do you believe this strategy will succeed?”

“Because the L’Odo are predators who may have made the grave mistake of thinking we’re predictable prey. Now, I’m not a hunter, so if you don’t mind, I know of a Master who can explain this next bit far better than I.” I turned to Cobra and asked, “Honey, the other moon you told me the story of the razorbeasts you’d taken down. How do they hunt?”

Cobra cocked his head, unsure of what I was doing.

Let’s be honest, I sounded all over the place.

As he spoke of his trade, it was with confidence. “They are lazy animals. They sleep through most of the day to avoid the sun, and hunt before first moon, or after third when it is cooler. They stalk waterholes, lying in wait amongst the wild grasses, and strong smelling kakt-kakt to mask their scent. But they can be opportunists. If something tasty runs past at high heat, they will take it down.”

“So they hunt the weakest prey?”

“Oh, no. That is a misconception. Goodbeast, while predictable,” he frowned at the word, “are fast. They might escape back to the herd if lucky. A herd with a strong breeding male can kill a razorbeast by kicking out its hooves, and stomping it to death with help from the others. So razorbeasts most often pick out not the weakest of the herd, but the ones who have wandered far from the group. Who are,” his eyes were huge, “isolated.”

“Thanks, honey.” I turned back to face the Great Senate. “Earlier when Cobra explained to me what the L’Odo were doing, I pointed out
the Verak
complained, and got their trade privileges suspended
.
It
was
indirectly my doing, but there was no possible way for them to know I had a hand in it. Then I asked myself a question. Why isn’t the Chieftain hovering above Vayhalun demanding the Great Alpha? Why did the L’Odo choose to target Rök instead of Vayhalun? Yes, I aggravated a minor Tribal Chief related to the Chieftain, but the L’Odo are a selfish, grasping species. They need to invade a planet to survive. However, in their eyes, the Verak took away their power to trade with registered planets, not me. Surely losing credits hand over fist because of a King, trumps getting even with an alien female from an unknown planet. So why Rök?”

“Veraks are strong,” a voice from the crowd called.

“The might of Venomous was put against that of a Verak, and proved stronger,” I said. “Many L’Odo witnessed this. They know Rä are strong. They must consider the Veraks weaker in comparison. So again, I ask, why target Rök instead?”

“Because we are the goodbeast who has wandered from the herd,” Calm as Thunder whispered. “We are isolated. An opportunity to take down at high heat.”

“The Verak have eight political allies, and five military alliances with other warrior species. One of those is with the feared Azteka.”

I had no clue what an Azteka was, or looked like, or anything about them.

Strike that, I did know the species made potent wine.

Albeit, his enjoyment of their intoxicating beverage had been great, happy-go-lucky Beowyn had spoken of them in a subdued, dark manner that had my hair standing on end.

From the reaction of the conclave you’d think I told them Beowyn was allied with the Great Serpent itself.

“The L’Odo knew if they declared war on Vayhalun they would lose,” I carried on. “The Great Alpha would call on his legions, call on his allies and obliterate them. They can declare war on us because they reckon they have a shot at
winning
.” I drew myself up then extended my arm to point. “I am not willing to send my Rä’Veks off to war knowing they might never come home when there is a simple way to ensure nobody ever fucks, uh, messes with us again. I say we take away the notion we can be bested. We make it
impossible
for the L’Odo to win by
not
being predictable, isolated prey.”

“As stated,” Dare Viper to Bite began with far more respect in his tone, “the Great Alpha will see our coming to him as weakness, and take advantage. We may gain an ally today only for them to become an oppressor in future. It has happened before.”

“We’ll be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The Scholars will help me review what happened back then, and ensure–”

“
There is no time.
We have less than half a span to contact the L’Odo Chieftain, and try to salvage–”

“I’m well aware we’re running against the clock. If you’d jump off my back, and let me do my job, you’d see I have a plan as Ambassador to send those bullies running with their tails between their legs!”

A silence almost as prenatally bloated as I was.

“But, Lumen of the Stars, we have not yet offered you the position,” said Calm as Thunder.

“Right.” I tittered, eyes darting. “Sorry. Got a little ahead of myself there, didn’t I?” I put my hands behind my back. “May I have the job? I explained why I believe it’s critical to the security of home world. Do you not agree?”

I got nine yeses.

Turns out, I wasn’t a Scholar or a Warrior.

I wasn’t an Artisan, a Healer or an Elder.

Turns out, I was
all
of these things.

I learned, I fought, I created new life, I healed the wounds of three amazing males, and through those trials, I’d gathered wisdom enough to save my adopted planet from destruction.

I was not average, not anymore.

With heart-rending effort and bloody hard work, I’d
grown
into more.

I’ve become a leader, who knew?

My gaze lowered and unfocused as I experienced a flash of memory.

‘No fear. Lumen weak body. Venomous One born warrior. Am strong.’
A ghostly touch brushing my cheek.
‘Lumen warrior mind and heart. Know this. Light of the stars lead me do better. Speak.’

Venomous had known from the beginning.

Everything I had seen, heard, and suffered since being abducted from Earth led me to an awakening.

I’d survived off the strength of others.

Now I thrived on my own.

Dread the Darkness said to me, “Proceed with your plan,” as if saying, “Now sprinkle star dust and conjure fantastical dreams.”

“A nanosec, please.”

Pulling a palm-sized oval from my cloak pocket on a grand flourish, I fumbled with my personal communicator.

My fingers shook.

I near dropped the futuristic device.

“Stupid thing,” I muttered.

I smacked it on the side of my fist when it didn’t do what I wanted.

I got hot in the face and panicky because it had chosen the worst time to malfunction.

A wall of protective male surrounded me.

I looked up feeling wretchedly silly. “Hi.”

“What do you need?” Venomous asked with nothing but devotion in his voice, the poignant emotion reflected on Cobra and Fiercely’s expressions.

“A holocall to Wyn,” I rasped out a throat bone dry. “He’s expecting us.”

The cunning that stirred his dark brille when we’d first met whirled.

A fang-filled smile glinted in the sunlight. “As you wish.” He used his communicator to make the call.

He placed it on the floor before the Elders, so the device would enlarge the multidimensional images for those in the enclosure, and the spectators outside.

Blue light transformed into a life size hologram of Éorik. “Lady Lumen.” He bowed. “An honour as always.”

“High Commander Éorik.” Having rehearsed this mentally on the journey over, I inclined my head. “As Ambassador for the Rä, I request a conference with the Great Alpha to open talks for a mutually beneficial alliance between our people. Please and thank you.”

Éorik’s lips twitched. “Of course.” He stepped back, and the hologram widened to include an opulent throne room. “I present my liege.”

On a colossal throne of alien skulls gilded silver reclined King Beowyn ThunderClaw.

Brawny, darkly furred chest bare, he was clothed in his ancestral loincloth and thigh high boots, the splendiferous Crown of Bones perched upon his black and silver mane.

Head pillowed on large breasts, his sword lay across his muscled thighs, and he sipped from a jewel-encrusted goblet proffered to him by an oiled-up male of stunningly
erect
proportions.

Naked concubines lolled at his feet, waved giant leaves to cool him, and knelt holding heaped platters of exotic meats and fruits upon their heads.

Others flanked the throne in dramatic poses waiting to service their liege at the slightest crook of his claw.

He really took it there
.

During our hasty comm call back at the lair, he’d ever so nonchalantly mentioned he’d ‘titivate’ to impress the Great Senate.

Maybe I should have made him be a tad more specific.

“Great One.”

“Ambassador,” he drawled gaze twinkling mischief.

Only just keeping from rolling my eyes, I made introductions.

This duty took an outlandishly long time because Rä names were lengthy, complicated affairs due to the three genders and widowers.

Finished with that, I summarised the imminent threat then wrapped up with a brisk, “Will you ally with us against the L’Odo, who are a blight upon both Vayhalun and Rök?”

“Aye.”

I turned a sunny ‘ta-da-jazz-hands’ smile on the flabbergasted Elders.

Calm as Thunder’s voice was tentative, hopeful. “You offer aid?”

“I stand with the Rä against the L’Odo. I pledge the strength of my legions. I vow to call upon my allies and their vast armies until the deed is done.”

Taken aback, the Elders hissed agitatedly between themselves, pointing claws, flicking tongues.

“You offer much but have demanded no terms for such support,” Dare Viper to Bite noted with care waving his equals quiet. “I cannot help but look upon this grand gesture with suspicion.”

“I am aware the reputation of my species precedes me. We are known for pillaging those plentiful with the nubile. We are often in the mood to get frolicsome, and it takes countless hot, tight bodies to satisfy our passions.” He sighed lustily. “But my offer of aid is sincere, and devoid of hidden cost. I have no expectations. None but the hope, in the near future, we may use this short-term union as a bridge to build a lasting political and military bond between my people and yours. Such ties strengthen a realm.”

“Why offer this?” Dare Viper to Bite asked, perplexed. “We have never aided you in the past, never sought a connection.”

“Lady Lumen is my
best friend
,” Beowyn cried with a wave of his goblet. “Why I have bedded Empresses, Princes, and courtesans of incomparable beauty. I have crossed swords with the mightiest of warriors,” he grinned wickedly, “and debated with the keenest minds in the known galaxies. All wanted nothing but what my status gave. This human was the first to deny herself the awesome delight of my body.” He ran a hand down his brawny chest, chiselled abdominals, and then stopped over the shadowy crotch of his loincloth. He didn’t realise his sexual allure was lost on this crowd. “The first to deny herself the riches being mine would have rained upon her. Lumen of the Stars was the first to offer me a genuine hand of friendship.” His face turned serious. “How can I not repay this priceless gift by helping my friend and those she holds dear when in need?”