Lesser Read online

  The other two drew even with them, and as one unit, they walked down the low slope into the city.

  The Dexfort-liro stopped in their tracks when they approached. Balls that children had been playing with rolled loose, and Crokix gathered them up and formed a pile in the centre of the market area.

  The smoke-grey skin of the population was decorated with tattoos of every colour in the rainbow. Even the children wore marks in a collar around their necks, visible through their tunics.

  The gathered folk looked to each other for guidance until a member with the air of command stepped forward. “Hello.”

  Zanthan opened his mouth, but Iridia stepped forward. “Hello. We have been sent by Tharos Prime to introduce ourselves and our duty to you. We are the Guardians of Tharos Prime, now that he has something worth protecting once again.”

  The woman with the formally braided hair smiled. “In that case, I bid you welcome.”

  Iridia made the introductions, and when she took the old woman’s hands in hers, the crowd visibly relaxed. In a rush, the children came up to touch the men with skin stranger than their own. Their parents were right behind, shaking hands and smiling.

  In the background, in the centre of the square, a paving stone slid aside and an obelisk with an orb capping it raised to chest height. Iridia spoke to the elder. “I believe that Tharos has just given you means to contact us.”

  The children did as children everywhere did. They ran up and explored.

  “Tharos may not be speaking to us, but it seems that he has not stopped the reverse from happening. If you need us, touch the orb. It will call the necessary Guardian and we will be here within minutes.”

  “Thank you. May I ask what your species is? I have not seen something like you before.” Elder Tamyis reached out to touch Iridia’s cheek.

  Iridia held still and let the caress glide over her skin.

  The elder laughed, “Your skin is softer than an infant’s but lovely for its strange pallor. Do your people not mark themselves?”

  “Oh, they do, but it is not for everyone. I have never felt the urge to put a design on my body.” She shrugged.

  “If you do, come to us. All of our designs have meaning in our culture.” Tamyis put her fingers on her forehead. “This one means she who speaks first. I think it would look well on you.”

  The design was a spiral that swirled outward until it touched all edges of a circle. It was certainly evocative, silver on the grey smoke of her skin.

  “The pattern is lovely. I will give it some thought.”

  She smiled. The orb flashed and the children squealed. “Please excuse me. I believe that I am being paged.”

  Zanthan and the others made their slow way to the orb. Drawn by an instinct they didn’t know they had, they put their hands on the orb, and with a flash of light, they were gone.

  Chapter Eight

  The rest of their visits went in a similar manner. Each species was greeted and informed that they were there to keep the peace and then an obelisk rose in the centre of the square, and when it flashed, they were on to the next underground platform. Tharos was moving them right along.

  The Yitva were the final group and the most timid and aggressive at the same time. Cloned races were never sure of their welcome.

  Warriors lowered weapons at them as they walked down the steps of the ancient temple.

  “Why are you here?” One of the men shouted from the back. The liquid silver skin was the same as the Seth-Ari, but they had none of the shape shifting skills…yet.

  She tapped Zanthan’s arm. “We are here to greet you on behalf of Tharos Prime. We are here to tell you that if the need arises, we are here to help. We are the Guardians of Tharos.”

  “Why are you here? We need no greetings from the world beneath us. We will grow strong and independent here on this soil.”

  She walked toward the weapons line. “You are not standing on soil; you are standing in a city. It is one of several that is waiting for new inhabitants. Do you think that your neighbours over the ridge will never come for trade? Will you threaten them? Scare them off? If you call us, we can stand between you or at your side. Tharos wants you to be happy, to be productive and to enjoy your lives here, but if you wish to leave, I am sure there is another world who wishes to take you.”

  The leader made a small noise and the blasters and spears she was facing were raised into passive positions.

  He stepped out from amongst his men and asked her, “Will you bring us women?”

  She grinned. “No, but there are three species within a day’s travel who are compatible and have larger populations than you do. If we can set up a dialogue between your peoples, courtship may be an option.”

  He blinked. “I am Duran-El.”

  She extended her hand. “Hello, Duran-El. I am Iridia; this is Zanthan, Crokix and Orwip. If you have problems with your neighbours, or they have problems with you, a touch on that obelisk will bring us to you.”

  He clasped her hand, and when she tried to retract it, he gripped tightly. “Are you unmated?”

  Zanthan made a noise. “Remove your hand, Duran-El, or I will remove it for you.”

  The nearby Yitva aimed weapons at them again.

  Iridia felt a shock run down her arm into Duran-El. He let go and stepped back with a jerk.

  Zanthan looked at her, but he didn’t say anything.

  She casually pulled her sticks out. “Now, gentlemen. I know that there are sixteen women in your ranks, and I would like to meet them. When Tharos allowed you here, it was not to pursue your plans of global expansion; it was to make you safe. Tharos is looking for a new people, and if you do not wish to be part of them, we can arrange for you to leave.”

  Duran-El scowled. “Who are you to make such threats?”

  Something surged in her, but it calmed and retreated. “I am a chosen Guardian of Tharos. We are the first. As the population expands, those who develop talents and have an interest in serving are welcome to join, but you do not have enough people to ensure your own survival when your rations run out. You will need help, and we can bring it to you. You are no longer alone, Duran-El. You are on a world that desperately wants you to flourish.”

  She moved through the ranks of men and followed the scent of food to a home where sixteen women and four children were huddled. “Come on out. There is nothing to fear.”

  Duran-El followed her in. “Come out. They are here to guard us.”

  The women flinched.

  Iridia shook her head. “Not like that. We are Guardians. We will only come when you call or when your help is needed elsewhere. We are not guards. You are free to walk or do as you will. I just wanted to make sure that the women here know that they have the same rights as the men. If you call, we will come. My name is Iridia and my companions are outside. We came here today to make sure that your folk know us on sight. We do not wish for any issues to arise if we try to help you.”

  One of the women got up, her silvery skin gleaming. She came over and extended her hand to Iridia.

  Once again, she extended her hand. “Welcome to Tharos. Be safe and flourish here.”

  The woman took her hand, and the strong, cool fingers pressed against her own. Iridia also felt the pressure of a mind on hers and the woman smiled.

  “She is speaking the truth. They are here for protection and recovery from natural disasters and attack. They do not wish to control our actions, merely help us to make Tharos a growing world once again without irritating the mind under our feet. We can use the help, Duran-El. I extend to them the hospitality of Yitva-nest. They are welcome to come and go as they please.”

  Duran-El bowed. “Yes, Matriarch. I will tell the others.”

  The woman smiled. “I already have. Iridia, you will have no issues with our people once you have taken a mate. Until then, you are a tempting prize.”

  The women slowly got up and stood straight-backed with heads high. T
hey met Iridia’s gaze with calm amusement.

  She blinked and laughed as their timid behaviour was exposed as a ruse; the older woman released her hand. The ladies grinned in return.

  “Allow me to greet the mind of the Yitva.” Iridia bowed at the ladies.

  They bowed in return.

  Duran-El looked at her. “How could you know?”

  Iridia was still smiling as she looked at him. “A woman knows.”

  They all walked outside, and it became the same sort of friendly greeting that the Guardians had experienced at the other cities.

  As Grethan set, Iridia was only too happy to head home. She swayed as she placed her hand on the orb, and with relief, she waved farewell and was back on the pad in the central hub in seconds.

  Zanthan put his arm around her waist and helped her off the pad and across the bridge to her tower.

  “You did excellent today. I am sure that the Yitva encounter would not have gone well if you hadn’t been there.”

  She snorted and stumbled. “Let your mother know I am not just a pretty face.”

  The Masuo shifted into comfortable pajamas the moment she saw her bed.

  “You know? I don’t think I ate after breakfast.” She chuckled weakly. “I will have to do better tomorrow.”

  He sighed. “You should have eaten with us at the Wenshiak city.”

  She shuddered. “I am squeamish. The food was moving.”

  “It was good. Tasted rather nutty.”

  “It was my first real day on a world that was alien to me. Let me acclimatize at my own pace.” She headed for the bed and groaned as she landed face first into the pillow.

  “What is that creature on your clothing?”

  She mumbled into the fabric. “It’s a cat. A Terran feline.”

  “Did you want a pet?”

  She grinned that he could understand her. “I would like one. I was never allowed one as a child.”

  “I will see what I can do. If we have time tomorrow, I would like to introduce you to the local wildlife.” He rubbed at her back.

  She groaned under his touch, and when he got up to leave, she turned toward him. “Stay?”

  “I am not sure that my self-control could handle it.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

  He chuckled and came toward her. “Move over. That’s my side.”

  Giggling, she turned over until her head was on the second pillow. He removed his shoes and the scapular, setting it aside. He kept his skirt on for which she was thankful.

  She cuddled up against him, and he put his arms around her. His wings hung over the edge of the bed. She leaned up and pressed a kiss to his neck, sending a shiver through him.

  “Iridia…”

  She nibbled a little higher until she reached his jaw. “What?”

  “You shouldn’t…”

  Iridia scooted up in his embrace and met his ruby gaze with her own. “Do you want me to stop?”

  He smiled slowly. “No.”

  She kissed him with as much care as she could manage before he took over. It was a relief, because she had no idea what she was doing.

  He stroked his hands down her back, and her Masuo retreated until it was a band around her calf.

  His fingers were warm and ever so slightly rough, each caress caused a wake of heat in her body. She felt a surge of liquid between her thighs and felt her skin colour with mortification.

  His hand worked its way between her thighs and pressed through the tuft of hair to rock against her sex. She could feel his fingers get slick as the moisture worked its way free of her in invitation.

  Through his caresses, he kept kissing her, and the taste of him as intoxicating as his touch was stimulating. When he found her clit, she bit him.

  “I am so sorry. I just wasn’t expecting…”

  He grinned and kissed her again with his fingers caressing her with a gentler touch.

  She moaned and bent her knee, moving it up and caressing her inner thigh with his.

  Tension started to build while he skated his fingers along her skin. She breathed heavily and shuddered when the tension snapped. A low rattling moan left her lungs as her body clenched on an object that wasn’t there.

  He broke their kiss, and she could feel his smile against her neck. To her surprise, he began to move his hand slowly once again, this time dipping two fingertips inside her with every rotation of his hand.

  When he managed to get two digits inside her, she bit her lip, but he was already moving down her body, exploring with his mouth while his hand drove her wild.

  She groaned low at the tugging on her breasts and gasped when he slipped a third finger into her, turning until he moved easily if not comfortably. She clawed at his shoulder, and he rolled her to her back, looming over her.

  He looked at her cautiously.

  She smiled. “You can still back out. No obligation, no recriminations.”

  He grinned and kissed her again, moving his hand between them to move the fabric out of the way.

  When the width of him tried to gain entry, she was glad that he had used three fingers. As he pressed into her, his skin glowed softly, bringing light to the interior of her room.

  His wings stretched out and back for balance as he rocked against her until he began to slip inside. It took a lot of effort on both their parts and sweat covered them when he finally was fully seated.

  He panted and leaned in, resting his head against hers while they each regrouped.

  When she was ready for him to start moving again, she nipped at his jaw and licked his lips. He kissed her and extended his wings as he started to slowly thrust.

  She stroked his back, the flexing muscles of his buttocks and then worked upward toward his wings. Iridia stroked the edges where wings met body and ran her fingers along the deceptively soft feathers.

  He shuddered violently and increased his pace. His mouth bit at hers as he swept her along in his ferocity. His skin glowed more violently, and the hot friction of him pistoning inside her was building another release, only this one felt far more intense than the last.

  Her hands clawed at him as she got closer to the edge of control, and when she couldn’t hold on any longer, she tore her mouth from his and bit down on his shoulder while her body went berserk.

  She shook, moaned, twitched and spasmed under him, and he kept thrusting.

  Finally, she flung her head back into the bed with a keening wail, and he moved in and bit down on her exposed skin. A jet of something hot ran through the bite as the same sensation was felt inside.

  The fire between the two entry points flowed and combined into a wave of cellular inferno that caused the world to dissolve in bright sparks.

  Chapter Nine

  When she came back to herself, Zanthan was looming over her, her blood on his lips as he licked it away.

  He grinned. “I am very glad I did not take you up on your invitation to leave.”

  She smiled shyly. “Thanks for the foreplay.”

  He leaned in and slowly licked at her neck. “I read your file.”

  She blinked. “No one ever asked me about that.”

  “They didn’t need to. You had a medical scan. Those things are thorough.”

  He was smiling against her skin again.

  She felt energized. “Do you think it is a little weird that I got sleepy so suddenly?”

  “I am not familiar with your species, but I believe you should rest regularly.”

  She scowled. “It felt a little staged.”

  “It is not one of my talents, so if you are thinking it was me, it wasn’t.”

  “No, it felt like it came from outside and inside at the same time. Are you going to get off me anytime soon?” She grinned and sighed, moving her head so he could have full access to her neck.

  “I like it where I am. You are exceedingly soft.”

  “So I have been told. My
ancestors developed for frigid temperatures with harsh sunlight. I change colour when I have been exposed long enough.”

  “You change colour frequently, but not when I was inside you. You gained pink and you stayed pink.” He grinned down at her.

  She couldn’t really blush anymore, so she squirmed instead. “I am thinking a shower is in order.”

  “I am thinking you feel delightful.”

  “So, we are having a basic difference of opinion. Off, Zanthan. Now.”

  He remained fixed on her, so she pushed at his shoulders. To her shock and his, he went flying backward.

  “I leave you with my son for two days and you jump into bed with him?” Sivengea was blazing with fury.

  “Grethan, control your Avatar.” Iridia heard another voice exiting her mouth.

  Sivengea raised a hand with a ball of light in it.

  Iridia raised her hand and the voice sounded again, “Not on my world, Sivengea. You will never raise a hand to mine.”

  Sivengea staggered back as the force of the very angry world pushed her back and extinguished her fire.

  “Tharos? You swore you would never take another Avatar.”

  Zanthan got to his feet. “That is correct, Mother. He has two.”

  Iridia looked to Zanthan and he winked.

  The solar Avatar staggered.

  Iridia shrugged. “This is fascinating, but I am going to take a shower. Feel free to discuss what you have to, because, Zanthan, you and I are going to have the same damn conversation later.”

  She got up and forced her thighs together for the walk to her private bathing room. The solar shower worked on her body, but she was busy looking around for the energy that had used her voice.

  Where are you?

  I am in here as I will always be, Iridia. I had meant to keep my presence from you, but Sivengea forced my hand.

  Why hide?

  I know you are aware of my previous Avatar’s execution. She was delicate and unprepared for the riot that sprang up. With Zanthan at your side and part of me inside both of you, you will be defended. I was too greedy with Natalik, and she was unable to defend herself when the attack came.