Finite Read online

  She looped her arms around his neck. “Feed me.”

  Renn chuckled and carried her to the table where he sat down with her tucked on his lap. “Looks like Orvi’s cooking. He is a one-pot fanatic.”

  There was a stew with chunks of flatbread arranged artfully around the bowl. The stew itself was enough for three people Cera’s size. Renn dipped a piece of bread in the stew and held it to her lips.

  She blushed. “I didn’t mean you actually had to feed me.”

  “I want to. You are still recovering from a draining process. As the physical result of that process, it behoves me to assist in your recuperation.” He nudged her lips with the bread until she took a dainty bite.

  She nibbled and then took a larger bite of the second dip. Cera supposed that double dipping lost its threat when the person you were sharing with had just had his tongue inside you.

  Her skin was warm, as if she had sunbathed for hours with a good sunscreen. She tingled and felt surprisingly strong with light on her skin and the orchestra back in her thoughts. She was fed in companionable silence until she couldn’t eat another bite. Renn finished it off.

  “No matter how many times it happens, hunger still takes me by surprise.” He laughed, and she watched him finish the food. “I am not a fan of having to stop work for it. It always seemed like something designed to slow me down.”

  She leaned against him and sighed. “Tell me how the brothers come to Haloth?”

  He finished and set the bowl aside, wiping his fingers on a napkin. “The world sends out a signal on the frequency that your mind operates on. It calls them, and if they answer back, a recruitment team comes and runs a quick interview before they are brought back here where the frequency, the signal, links them together.”

  “So, why am I needed?”

  “Twofold. You are needed to bind the frequency together into a solid, tangible state. You take it from a whisper to a shout. The second is that you are needed to bring me out of my sleep, to give me physical form so that I can defend Haloth.”

  “Why can’t the brotherhood do it?”

  “They are servants of the minds here. They are the conduits through which the energies flow. You are the commander of the pattern. You shape the waves of power and make them into a greater whole.”

  She liked the description but was fairly sure he was exaggerating. “I just listen and try to figure out what needs to be done.”

  “And you have amazing intuition.” He stroked the side of her face with his fingers, trailing down to her neck.

  She shivered. “What do the marks on the brotherhood mean?”

  “One arm is service, the other is harmony.”

  “Where do they get…everything?”

  “Fruits and vegetables are grown in the surrounding forest. Most of what you classify as meat is actually a fungus or mushroom. There have been attempts to domesticate animals here but few are able to survive the impact of new arrivals.”

  Cera relaxed as his trailing fingers stroked up and down her arm.

  Renn whispered, “Under has brought you some clothing. He says that Charm’s wife saw you wearing them, so it would be best not to mess with destiny.”

  She chuckled. “I have spoken with Rhoda. She claims to have a talent for drawing the destiny of the people she is focussing on, and I have to say, she is right.”

  “Good. He also included some of the portraits that Rhoda painted after your disappearance. They are rather interesting.”

  “I look forward to seeing them and the clothing.”

  He sighed, “I believe that the brothers have already filled your wardrobe with the clothing.”

  “Why the big sigh?”

  “If you are interested in clothing, then our time together is over.”

  She pressed a kiss to his neck. “Not over, it is just beginning, but I want to learn about the world I am on and some things have to be done on foot.”

  “You want to go for a walk?”

  “I do. Stretching my legs might just let them come back together again.” She shifted to leave his lap, and he held onto her for a moment before letting her go.

  She pattered to the wardrobe on bare feet and gasped at the riot of colour and fabric that greeted her when the doors swung open. Part of her inner princess squealed with delight. With an eye to taking a walk, she put on a pair of boots, yanked on a bright blue dress and then laced a tight leather vest over top to keep the flow of fabric under control.

  “That feels better. Do you want to come with me for a walk?” She smiled at the picture that Renn presented. He was already dressed in boots, trousers and a long white shirt.

  If he were a puppy, his tail would have been wagging.

  She extended her hand, and she hauled him out of their rooms and into the hall with a laugh. He tugged her hand and grinned as he swung her back into his arms. “Allow me.”

  He held her against his chest and jumped over the stair railing, levitating slowly to the main floor.

  Her heart was pounding heavily at the peculiar sensation of falling, and the moment they were on the ground, she punched him in the chest. “You could have warned me.”

  He grinned. “You have your skills, I have mine. This is the first incarnation where I could fly though. Your influence?”

  “I was a fan of comic books growing up. Flying men who could lift me as if I weighed nothing was a huge turn on.” She winked as he set her back on her feet.

  She turned when she heard chuckling. The Guardians were watching them.

  Pathway nudged Tailwind. “You could have been in there.”

  Cera blushed, and so did the shy bulk of Tailwind. His physique was similar to Renn’s, but his huge bat-like wings made for a marked difference.

  He ducked his head. “She’s too tiny for me. I need a woman I won’t crush.”

  Cera grinned. “Ask Charm’s wife to do a portrait.”

  Tailwind shook his head. “I am not ready to settle down yet, and if I know what she looks like, I won’t stop searching.”

  Renn kept an arm around her waist while she talked to the attractive Enjel and Diettie hybrid. His link to her was protective but wary of the other males in the room.

  She put her fingers over his on her waist, threading her digits through his grip. She felt him relax.

  The collection of Guardians was down to ten, but all of them were staring at Cera and Renn as if waiting for them to strip off and mount each other.

  “Okay, well, I want to see a bit of Haloth, so I will say good day to you and hope to see you when we get back.” She headed for the two large doors and hauled Renn with her.

  The brotherhood was going about their daily tasks, and as the doors opened, Cera was struck with the earthy scents of plants, loam, mulch and humidity. She looked up at Renn with excitement in every inch of her. “Which way to the gardens?”

  He pointed, and she ran off in the direction he had indicated.

  The pitch of the song in her head changed from static to welcome. She sprinted, her skirts flicking up around her thighs with every step.

  The gardens opened up in front of her, acre upon acre of trees, plants and members of the brotherhood.

  One of the brothers looked up, noticed her and came toward her. “Can I help you, lady?”

  “This is…this is huge.”

  He bowed his head. “It is, lady. We represent several different species, and we have different dietary needs.”

  “It makes sense, but wow. Can you give me a tour, or are you busy?”

  “I can give my tasks to another.” He cocked his head, and she heard singing along the lines of communication that bound her to the brotherhood and bound them to her.

  “Now, lady, where would you like to begin?”

  Renn followed at a distance but merely watched as she learned about the fruit, vegetables and the funguses that made up the diet of Haloth. It was a start.

  Chapter Eight

  Cera stood on top of the cliff and looked out over th
e span of Haloth. “This is really lovely. Like a patchwork quilt of colour and light.”

  Renn was standing next to her, and he nodded. “It is striking, there is no doubt about that.”

  Taking her courage into her hands, she turned, “Can you show me where you are? The real you, the stone or crystals or whatever.”

  “Are you sure? It doesn’t look very impressive.” He looked shy about her request.

  “It doesn’t matter. You have seen my secrets and didn’t flinch. Show me yours.”

  He smiled and lifted her in his arms, flying them back to the home of the brotherhood.

  “Why are we going here?”

  “This is where I am.” Renn took her hand and led her through the halls to the chamber that she had been locked in while he came into physical form.

  The door swung open at his touch, and she finally realized what the images were. They were forms he had taken over the years, called by women who had their idea of their perfect man fixed firmly in their minds. It was not a skill that Cera had been able to master. Her idea of perfect was far more fluid than most women she had met. It was probably why Renn’s preferences were starting to seep through.

  Her booted feet clicked on the stones as he walked them through the chamber, into a hallway behind the statues.

  “I didn’t see this when I was in here. What the hell?” Cera looked around at the separate hall that led down at a steady slope.

  “It wasn’t here. The building and everything in it is at my command. I can move doors, give you a larger tub, whatever you like.”

  She giggled at the mundane applications he was listing. “How about a harmonic cannon?”

  “We don’t really use weapons.”

  “I beg to differ. On that first day, I was held at blaster point by five of the brotherhood.”

  Renn grinned, his teeth white and sharp in the dimness. “Stone replicas with crystals as power cells.”

  Cera wanted to punch him. “So, I didn’t have to come all this way?”

  “Well, the brotherhood would have simply surrounded you and transported you here. You were going to be on Haloth whether you liked it or not.”

  She grabbed him from behind in a hug. “I don’t mind. I just have to question my instincts when I don’t fight something.”

  He was surprised at her voluntary contact and froze in place, wrapping one arm to cover hers. She stroked her hand upward and unfastened the first closure on his shirt then the next.

  “Cera, I thought you wanted to see where I am.”

  “I do, but there is time, isn’t there?”

  He laughed and turned in her arms, wrapping his arms around her. “We are only a few metres away. Don’t cool down.”

  She laughed and let him run with her down the hall toward a steady glow of light that pulsed and shifted as they approached. As they rounded a corner, her breath left her body in a rush as she stepped inside a geode a mile wide.

  “Oh wow.”

  He smiled bashfully, “So this is me.”

  She looked from the endless vista of crystals to the man standing next to her with a nervous expression as if terrified that she wouldn’t like what she saw.

  Cera reached up and pulled on his shoulders until she could meet his lips with hers. She licked, teased and bit at his lips, unfastening the rest of his shirt so it hung free.

  He gripped her waist and stood her on an elevated stone.

  She smiled against his mouth and let her hands roam over the heated ridges and planes of his chest.

  The musculature wasn’t human, the bands of muscle hinted at a tremendous capability for strength, and he had too many ribs, but it was enjoyable for her to caress his skin. Hot satin over a smooth rock.

  She moved her kiss to his neck and worked down with her hands preceding her. She heard him groan, and he flicked his head back, sending a cascade of crimson hair down his spine. She slid her hands under his shirt and caressed the deep curve of his back as she flicked one nipple with her tongue and then used her teeth on the other. She hopped off the rock and slid her fingers into the waistband of his trousers, unfastening it with a delicate touch and easing the other closure out of her way.

  The bulge of his erection didn’t require much coaxing, it sprang free of the fabric, and she restlessly stroked the length and breadth of him. She heard him groan again as she leaned down to embrace him in the heat of her mouth. His fingers slid through her hair and caressed her back as she flicked the narrow tip and swirled her tongue down the length of his shaft.

  “Please, Cera.” His voice was a harsh growl.

  She gently scraped him with her teeth. “Please what?”

  He groaned and pulled her away from her investigation of his responses.

  She quickly looked around and picked a likely spot.

  With one hand held out and beckoning to him, she climbed up on a raised, flat rock and stood with her feet apart. She turned her back to him and slowly lifted her skirt up until it was waist high and exposed her channel to him from behind.

  He caught on quickly, and his hands pushed the fabric the rest of the way until he tucked it in the bottom of the vest. “If I take you like this, it will be hard, it will be fast and I will use my teeth.”

  She shivered, the ache in her belly brought slick moisture to her channel, and in an effort to control herself, she pressed her palms to the rock wall in front of her. “I am still here, Renn.”

  He grunted and pressed the head of his cock to her heat. He hissed and groaned as her body welcomed his.

  Cera concentrated on keeping her balance as he did exactly what he had said he was going to do. He thrust deep, hard, fast, in pounding strokes that rubbed the interior of her sex until she was whimpering and hoping for the next inward slide.

  Her climb toward release was fast, and when she screamed her triumph, the crystals in the room vibrated with energy and a riotous pulse wasn’t just inside her but everywhere around her.

  Renn moved faster, and she gasped as he leaned forward, pulling her back against him and moving her hair aside. When he bit down, she screamed again, her channel clenching around him, holding him tight as he bucked against her.

  Endless shudders took her over as she waited for her body to finish its spasms. Dazed, with light around her, she sighed in disappointment when Renn slipped from her. He lifted her and the light played on her eyelids in a soothing repetition.

  Cera felt a surface under her and the warmth of Renn next to her. She rolled and moved until he was providing her with body heat.

  He lifted her hair and played with a few strands. “That was unexpected.”

  She chuckled. “Why?”

  “I have never brought anyone here, let alone had sex in the home of my life force.”

  She chuckled. “Afraid your parents are going to catch you?”

  “No, I am afraid that the other minds here will want some of the energy that you give so freely. If we have to have sex in every landing site on Haloth, we are going to be tired.” He smiled. “I am not saying that I am not willing to try, but it is quite a burden to lay on you. You may never walk in a straight line again.”

  Cera blushed and laughed. “Can we just keep it between ourselves?” She knew it was a stupid question. She could feel the multitude of minds that had grown stronger with just that little bit of feeding from her pleasure. “Maybe they didn’t notice.”

  Renn’s shoulders started to shake, and he burst out laughing. “Oh, I am fairly sure they noticed. I am fairly sure that the entire brotherhood noticed. When you cum, you light up all of Haloth on every spectrum, sound and light.”

  Mortified didn’t even cover it. “You mean that everyone on Haloth knows when I…”

  “Yes. The brotherhood is circumspect, but there is no record for a woman who does what you do, in or out of the bedroom.” He gently patted her backside. “Or crystal cavern for that matter.”

  She sighed. “Is there a chance that I can pretend that it didn’t happen?”
/>   Renn laughed, “No. I intend to persuade you into this sort of activity at every opportunity. I will even let you seduce me if you are so inclined. It is a sacrifice I make for the betterment of Haloth.”

  Cera’s eyes widened, and she slapped the bare plain of his stomach with as much force as she could muster in her limp and sated condition. “Sacrifice?”

  “Burden? Job requirement? Ah, I know. Duty.” He beamed at her, and she smacked him again before she got to her feet.

  She stalked back toward the entrance, but it disappeared in a shift of stone before she could exit. “You had better be kidding.”

  He caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I apologize. I am just giddy with delight. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  She let him turn her around, and he rubbed at her spine until she relaxed against him. He tugged sharply at her clothing, and she felt the cascade of fabric down her legs again. Her cheeks burned. “So, I was mooning you?”

  “It was a lovely view. Something about the combination of partial nudity and clothing is quite the turn on.” His voice was soothing but the bulge of his erection was pressed between them.

  “Turn on or not, I am not going to have sex in here again. Well, not today. The light, sound and heat are a little much.” She chuckled and bit his chest lightly. “Add you to the mix and I was a little over-stimulated.”

  He sighed. “I suppose we can pace ourselves. It isn’t like we don’t have time.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that we can record your imprint here over time, and when we are called, we can answer, together.” He caressed her cheek. “I will show you the archives. There has always been a theory that it could be done, but I have never met a woman that I wanted at my side and in my mind for eternity. Well, until now.”

  She shivered in his arms. “That is a discussion for another day. For now, you are enough and learning how to live on a planet full of men is what I will focus on dealing with.”

  He sighed. “Fine, but you only have two decades to make up your mind. After that, I am going to do it for you.”

  “I stand warned. Now, can we get a shower and a meal, not necessarily in that order? I think I missed dinner again.”