Wrapped in Fire Read online

  “What about those who are working through their bond?”

  Mrara smiled as the door to the clinic opened. “I believe there is room for negotiation.”

  “Is there someone who can help with negotiation? I was just highjacked from the station, and there was no release, no contract, nothing. I was pretty well kidnapped and dropped on Hrothan’s floor.”

  “Ah, yes. You are friends with my son.”

  “Sort of. He acts like an elder sibling more than anything else. What happened to Hrothan’s father?”

  “When our granddaughter passed, he decided that it was his time, and I could not hold him any longer, so I let him go.” She sighed as they walked past the stunned receptionist.

  The medical attendant was there and got the order of items that Mrara wanted installed as well as the genetic breakdown. It was time for a medical makeover.

  She flexed her fingers and practiced using the muscle attachment to move her teeth. Instead of the folding teeth, she had gotten extending teeth that descended when she was aroused. Her mouth drooled a bit when she lowered the teeth, so she was stuck swallowing and trying to calm herself down.

  “Lovely. Reciprocal action during sex adds to the reverberation.”

  Dorra paused. “The what?”

  “Oh, I forgot that your species doesn’t have that. It is pleasure that starts from where you are joined and moves around your body, getting stronger as it gains the full participation of your nervous system.”

  “Oh, no. I have that; I just didn’t know what it was called.”

  The medical attendant looked at her with wide eyes and nodded. “You are ready to go, Lady Dorra.”

  Mrara linked arms with her and smiled. “There. Now much more the Hmrain lady.”

  “You are very accepting, Mistress Mrara.”

  “I have been watching Hreon carefully since he tried that relationship with the Hellaz woman. She convinced him that she knew she was companion grade, and when he tried to have sex with her, she cried and demanded compensation. That doesn’t work with the Hmrain. The agreement had been made and paid before he touched her the first time, so she was returned to her family and allowed to remain on Hellaz. That was it. She was cut from society and blocked from any event that he was at. It turns out that she loved the idea of being a Hmrain companion without knowing that it was actually exhausting and taxing.”

  Dorra chuckled. “And that sums that up as well.”

  “You appear to have been dumping power into Hreon with reckless abandon.”

  “I didn’t really do it on purpose. His eyes just started glowing, and then, his chest took on your design.”

  Mrara blinked. “He wears my pattern?”

  “Yeah. It happened... geez... time flies when you are busy.” She laughed. Three days later and her life had changed from her cubicle and the salon. “How do you think your granddaughter will react to me?”

  “She will be delighted. Her mate may be a little more critical, but Hreon will manage him.”

  Dorra was a little nervous at that statement, but she continued back to the residence. It was almost time for dinner.

  Mrara and Sagar were amused by the tasting menu, but Liador helped her and set the micro portions on her plate without making a fuss. There was also plenty for everyone as this was a family dinner. Liador served everyone in turn, and by the time he finished, she was able to make her choices from what she had just tried.

  Sagar was watching her, and he suddenly stared wide-eyed. “Ration lock?”

  She paused as she was nibbling a sample. She nodded and went back to nibbling.

  “I haven’t seen a case of that in years. There was a crewman who had it once. The only man I ever had who avoided planetary leave. One piece of natural food, and he would hurl all over the sidewalk.”

  Dorra dropped her fork and breathed through her nose. She spit out her mouthful and excused herself.

  She looked to Ymara and jerked her head toward the kitchen. She went into the kitchen and shared her little revenge plan.

  * * * *

  Hreon smiled as every serving that Sagar ate had a single bite taken out of it. In some cases, the damp food had been spit back onto the plate.

  Mrara was laughing, and Hrothan chuckled. “Serves you right.”

  Sagar looked at Hreon and waved at his plate. “You won’t do something?”

  Hreon shrugged. “I am just relieved she’s eating. Thanks to Ymara’s and Liador’s help, she was able to eat lunch on her own, and if she is pregnant, I would prefer her to be getting nourishment reliably.”

  Mrara chuckled. “So that is what I am sensing. I was getting a feeling of something different, but I hadn’t locked on. Oh, by the way, can I see the design?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “She told you.”

  He peeled his shirt open, and the design was glowing softly against his skin. Sagar was staring.

  “You got that? From her?” Sagar blinked.

  “Well, I was an active and enthusiastic participant.” His mind played the soft sounds of her surrender in his head, and he closed his shirt with a few moves. He looked toward the kitchen and debated going in there.

  Mrara looked at Sagar. “Her people do have males that are inclined to male mates. She has offered her genome so that I can find those with a similar signature who may be related to one of the ancestors.”

  Sagar covered his eyes. “And she is related to a Hmrain. Aw shit. All my smugness just got flushed because I thought I rescued a rat that grandfather liked to play chess with.”

  Hrothan chuckled. “You did. Though I have yet to play P’cha with her.”

  Hreon smiled. “I played two games. The first time I cheated, and the next, she kicked my ass. It turns out that there is a certain charm in the acceptance of her intellect.”

  The dessert course came out, and there was a piece of Sagar’s dessert missing. Hreon chucked and asked Ymara, “Can you ask the kitchen raider to come out here, please?”

  Ymara nodded and went into the kitchen. Dorra came out with a pastry in her hand and half of the contents on her lips. He crooked his fingers toward her, and she offered him the pie. He smiled and shook his head.

  She glanced at the room and was about to speak when he threaded his hand into her hair and pulled her forward for a sticky kiss. He took the pie from her and set it to one side. He pulled her onto his lap and handed her a damp napkin to clean her mouth and hands. “Now, for the dessert course.”

  Her eyes went wide, and her amused horror was unmistakable. He grinned.

  * * * *

  Dorra had enjoyed sampling Sagar’s food. She had technically enjoyed the meal, but Sagar’s mention of vomiting had been a step too far. It was just what she needed to push her to the edge of control.

  Being hauled into Hreon’s lap for the fruit course was embarrassing, but when he murmured for her to make some selections into a small bowl, she shivered. The tongs quivered when he slid his hand up her inner thigh and quickly made her choices. He moved with his free hand and got a few of the fruits that exploded at first bite, and to her horror, he took the spoon from the pot and drizzled honey over the entire bowlful of sliced and whole fruit.

  He put the tongs down, and Liador carried the tray around the table.

  She looked up at Hreon, and he took one of the apples, tucking it between his teeth while honey dripped off it. Unfortunately, the honey found a target on her breast.

  He leaned forward, and she licked at the dripping honey before she took the fruit into her mouth. The kiss that followed was sweet and sticky. When they parted, he leaned down and cleaned the honey off her breast and the band that covered it.

  She heard Sagar’s voice murmur, “Hells.”

  She and Hreon turned and looked at him, and he jolted. Mrara stared in admiration, and Hrothan looked at her and sighed, “If I was ten years younger...”

  “I would still have chosen Hreon.” She smiled and turn
ed back to her partner and selected one of the exploding fruits. They met halfway, and she held onto him through the rush of enjoyment. They continued on, and by the time they had finished the bowl, they were both tense, sticky, and their skin was throbbing.

  Hreon stood up and carried her off.

  “So, they sat through the whole thing? Wow. One of my kind would have gone running after you drank the blue juice from my cleavage.”

  He grinned. “Protocol. They can’t rise from the table until I do.”

  “Oh god. Wait. I got up from the table.”

  “And your punishment was the public love play.” He chuckled. “You are right; the new garment doesn’t get in the way.”

  She shuddered. “That’s just mean-spirited.”

  “And yet, I regret nothing.” He shrugged. His eyes were glowing hot, and the mark on his chest was the same.

  “I just wonder one day what is going to happen when you have absorbed so much energy that you explode or something.”

  “I am sure that it will find somewhere to go.” He grinned.

  “I don’t want that particular energy back.” She mumbled. “It has been in you; I don’t need it back.”

  He chuckled. “Oh, but I want to give it back, and then, you will give it back to me, and it will get even stronger.”

  “And here I thought I would never see a good example of the laws of thermodynamics.”

  He glanced at her. “You are a fan of physics?”

  “Just because I am good with people does not mean I am not good with anything else.” She smiled smugly. “If we have a kid and it is true that a child gets their intelligence from their mom, this is going to be one smart hybrid.”

  “You still doubt that anything is going on?”

  “What still? It has only been a few hours since the semen made an appearance.” She muttered.

  “We had best be sure.”

  He opened his door, and when they were inside, he set her on the edge of the bed and knelt between her thighs. He rubbed at the silk still covering her sex, and he grinned when she exhaled and tried to back away. He gripped her thighs and pulled her toward him, flicking her minute underwear away. When his tongue started to work on her, she moaned and shuddered, curling around him and clutching his head.

  It was the start of a very long evening, and she didn’t know how she would face his family the next day.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Dorra shaped her hair as best she could without pins or ties.

  Hreon kissed her shoulder. “What are you doing?”

  She groaned. “Trying to make a good impression.” She gave up and put her tired arms down. “It’s no good. There is no part of me that doesn’t have a hickey on it.”

  “What is a hickey?” He wrapped his arms around her.

  She pointed in the mirror. “This and this and this and this one and this one back here.”

  “Ah, love bites. Though, this one was from me going after the remains of the honey.” He rubbed at the inside of her left breast with his thumb. The red mark was smaller than his thumb. “There is also one on your inner thigh.”

  She snorted. “That was a long night.”

  “Are you going to take a nap on me again today?” He rubbed his chin against the top of her head.

  “I feel fine right now. Hungry though. I might nap later.”

  “I stand ready to assist you.”

  She smiled, and they headed down to breakfast with her wearing a skirt similar to the day before, but today, she was wearing a top that was a solid piece of fabric that started behind her neck and was tied behind her back. The marks that were on her were on full display.

  Today, her feet were in sandals, and she kept up with Hreon as he entered the dining room, and she nearly came to a complete halt as she nearly ran into him.

  There were happy cries as a woman’s arms wrapped around Hreon and then a man who was a similar body type but much paler skin. Dark and gold eyes looked at her over his son’s shoulder. “Ah, hello. Who is this?”

  Hreon freed himself from his father’s grip. “Ah, Father. This is my companion, Dorra. Dorra, this is, Kormer, the overseer of the planet Thaluth. And this is my mother, Hradeen.”

  She bowed respectfully. “Master Kormer, Mistress Hradeen.”

  Kormer stepped toward her, and he raised her chin with his hand. “I would like to see those pretty eyes, companion.”

  She flicked a glance at him, and he inhaled sharply.

  Dorra was nervous, but she remained still. These two didn’t have the charm of Mrara.

  “You are part Hmrain.”

  “No. Any Hmrain in me would be over twenty generations back. This is part of the feedback from Master Hreon.”

  Kormer smiled. “My son is giving you energy?”

  He moved so fast, she felt the fingers peeling aside her top to look at her mark before she saw him and his huge wings move.

  There was another blur of movement, and Kormer and Hreon were gone. Hradeen looked at her, and she smiled. “Well, they are going to fight now. So, I will introduce myself properly. Companion Dorra, I am Hradeen. Hreon’s mother.”

  “Dorra of Terra or Urth. Pleased to meet you.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Oh, I have heard about your kind. You are a high-ratio people. Actual mates, not like my kind.”

  “Your kind?”

  “The Hellaz can do a passable job of being mates to a Hmrain, but our children won’t have wings or full power.”

  Dorra looked toward the balcony doors where the men had disappeared, and she saw an angry Hreon shouting at his father.

  She walked toward the closed doors, and Hradeen grabbed her arm. “Let them argue. They will be calmer when they return.”

  She saw Kormer’s face, and she could make out the words as he pointed to the dining room. That worthless little whore was pretty clear.

  She felt her blood heat, and Hreon paused for a moment before his back exploded in flames. She rushed forward, but he was off his feet, and the wings of fire were pulling him upward. Dorra flung open the doors and ran to the edge of the balcony, staring at Hreon as he did a lap of the village before landing on the balcony and pulling her to him.

  “I believe your assessment of her value is mistaken.” Hreon led her back inside, and he held her chair for her while a nervous Ymara brought out breakfast.

  Hrothan arrived with a cheerful expression until he caught the mood. “So, what happened?”

  Dorra gestured to Hreon. “He flew.”

  Hreon grimaced and nodded. “I did. Psychic fire is my wings.”

  Mrara came in. “What? You have wings?”

  She hugged Hreon from the side, and then she pulled Dorra to her feet and hugged her as well. “All your hard work paid off.”

  Dorra chuckled weakly. “It was a joint effort.”

  “Oh, and you two are going to make such cute babies!” Mrara laughed and clapped.

  Hradeen’s head snapped up. “Babies?”

  Hrothan laughed. “When Sagar brought her, she was receptive. Hreon caught on right away. And now the overseer has a companion.”

  Dorra lifted her glass in a salute to herself. “To worthless little whores everywhere!”

  Kormer froze. “You heard that?”

  “I can read lips.”

  Hreon frowned and growled. “My father is an ass.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I already know that. His behaviour speaks volumes. He could have just asked to look at my marking, but he decided to slide his fingers into my clothing. The whore thing is a little much. I am not actually getting paid here.” She looked at Hreon. “I mean, if I was charging by the coupling, I could have retired by now.”

  He smiled. “Not quite. We should take the day off and rack up your fees.”

  “Right. Oh, I still need a contract, by the way. Right now, I am with you free and clear, which is not good for the bond registration.” She frowned. “I could still be re
possessed by the floating station if there hasn’t been a transfer of bond. Though, I am sure that would delight your father.”

  Kormer jolted, and Mrara looked at him and growled, “I am not here much anymore, but if you try and remove my great-great grandchild, I will gut you with my wings and leave my granddaughter to heal the pieces.”

  “I wasn’t... I wouldn’t... I was just surprised that she was one of the Urthers. Hradeen had told me he was seeing someone, but I thought it was a courtship, not a companion. I certainly never thought he would sprout wings.”

  Mrara said, “I do need to see that.”

  “After breakfast, Great Grandmother.”

  Dorra forced herself to eat, but she knew that it wasn’t going to last. She bolted to her feet, and Hreon tried to stop her, but she bolted to the restroom on the main floor and lost her breakfast. She felt a wet compress on the back of her neck, and she groaned. She looked up and groaned when she saw Kormer.

  She got up, and he helped her as she washed her face. “Why are you here?”

  “I am a medical specialist.”

  “How are you fitting in here with those wings?”

  “They fold up.”

  “Ah.” She washed her mouth out and leaned forward on the counter. “Well, I am fine now. Thank you for your help.”

  “Does the vomiting happen often?” He stepped back but was actually looking at her with an analytical gaze.

  “When I eat food that I haven’t seen before, or when I tense up when I am eating.” She turned to him. “Well, this has been enchanting, but I am going to need to get back to the dining room, or Hreon will get worried.”

  He nodded but said, “Just allow me a moment of your time. I cannot say how sorry I am for what was said.”

  Dorra looked at him. “Try.”

  “What?”

  “Try to tell a woman who has no world and no family that you called her a piece of trash who sells her body to any comers. Please. Try it.”

  He blinked. “Mistress Dorra, I am sorry for my words and the pain it has obviously caused. From this moment forward, I will treat you with the utmost respect for your lineage and person. For your sake, my son’s sake, and my own sake.”