~ Nick ~
Jax’s eyes bugged out of his head. “You have got to be joking with me, man. I’ve been all around and up in this place. Ain’t nobody said nothing about sticking your junk in a happy hole.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, hard enough to shove him over a couple of inches, Jake barked a laugh. “You’re thinking of a glory hole, nimrod. And it wasn’t anything like that.”
Sniggering, the former arms dealer shot back. “But it was a hole in the wall, and you had to stick your junk in there.”
Nick nodded enthusiastically. “Only it was all hole and no glory. I just moseyed right up, lifted the family jewels and shoved everything God gave me right into the hole. Only it really wasn’t a hole. It was more like an indentation in the cleansing unit.”
“Don’t tell me a little hand came out and cleaned your junk, cause I’m gonna be real jealous.”
“Hell no. This is where the whole situation got super strange. The metal started vibrating.”
“Now you’re talking.”
Laughing, Nick shook his head. “Not the fun type of vibrating. More like that kind that made me wonder if it was going to vibrate my dick right off.”
“Ouch. Are you dickless now? You can tell me. I won’t think you’re any less of a man.”
“Dickless? I think not. I am hairless though. No damn joke. The damn sonic device is just some alien hair removal system for your privates.”
Jax’s expression turned knowing. “Ah, a device to make alien women like us more. That makes sense, cause women sure don’t like pubes.”
“Well fuck that, I was actually quite partial to mine.”
Rolling his eyes, Jax responded teasingly. “Would you rather have hair on your ball sack or a beautiful alien bride? Make up your mind, man. Cause if you make the wrong decision, this guy standing here will shove his junk in a bizarre alien device designed to render him hairless in a hot minute to catch a little face time with Acacia.”
Frowning, Nick shook his head in disgust. “I don’t know why I even talk to you. I really don’t.”
Grinning like the madman he was, Jax shot back. “You talk to me because we’re the only two fuckers, crazy enough to think that shit’s funny.”
“Yeah well heads up buddy, that cute little bitch in near the end of the first row is staring at you.”
Glancing nervously around, he complained quietly. “Shit man, I didn’t do nothing. I swear.”
Cuffing him on the back of the head, Nick whispered. “Stop being a stupid paranoid fucker and pay attention. She’s looking at you like she’d like a ride on your little pink pony.”
“Fuck you, man. It’s a stallion.”
“Well, unless you’re looking for hairless balls and nice creepy robe like mine, I suggest you stay away from that one.”
Giving his new robe the once over, Jax grinned in that better you than me way, he was so fond of using for such moments. “What do you call that, anyway? You look like a Sith warrior with not enough material to make a full costume.”
“Always got something smart to say, don’t you?” Smoothing down the front of his robe, Jake explained proudly. “This means I’ve been officially accepted into the company of the Voltaire. They were the first world conquered by the Taron.”
“Yeah, I already heard all about how they are the ones who get the plum jobs and better everything than regular slaves. Congratulations, brother. You’re better off with them than sleeping on the metal floor in the human section.”
“I ain’t going nowhere without you, so you get that shit out of your head right now. It seems the Voltaire have a real fondness for humans. They’ve cleared out a cell for you in the hive, right next to me and Acacia.”
A grateful smile slid onto Jax’s face. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It wasn't me. Acacia told it to them straight. Let them know right up front that the three of us were a package deal. I was surprised when they jumped right on board with that idea.”
“Yeah?”
Nodding, Nick added, “Yes, they were enthusiastic enough to make me wonder about their motivation. Unless I miss my guess, they are particular about who they mingle bloodlines with. The priestess came right out and referred to us as preferred breeding partners.”
“I ain’t a breeder, man. I’m a person.”
“I’m hearing you loud and clear on that one. Watch your back. I don’t trust that priestess at all. She’s kind of creepy. If anyone tries to pressure you, Acacia already said we’ll just head back to our old space.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Jax seemed pensive. “I think they just really want you, cause you’re a soldier and trying to get everyone organized for a revolt. It wouldn’t make sense for them to value a drug addict with no formal education or job skills.”
“Keep talking about my friend like that and we are going to go a round or two. You got that?”
“Whatever, dude. I’m gonna go check out the chick makin’ googly eyes at me.”
“Don’t wander off. The priestess will be here soon.”
Throwing his hand up as he walked away, Jax strolled down the long line of Voltaire. Their reaction to his friend was nothing short of hysterical. The females all turned towards him wearing curious expressions. However, the males were openly hostile and some even made frustrated tilling noises in the backs of their throat as he passed.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, as Nick counted down the minutes until his mating ceremony was to start. Jax completed his circuit around the room and was back inside of twenty minutes with a huge grin eating up his face.
“You must have found something you like.”
Leaning close, he whispered. “I discovered two very important things about the Voltaire.” Holding up one finger, he stated. “Their women are expected to give potential husbands a little test drive or two, so they both have a clear understanding of what they are getting themselves into.” Adding another finger, he pulled down the sleeve of his shirt. As Nick stared at all the strange markings, Jax explained. “You were right. Human men are much preferred to other species. These are all housing designations. It’s their way of inviting me for a booty call.”
“You lucky dog.”
“It almost makes up for you snatching up the prettiest little alien of them all.” A chime sounded, and everyone turned to see Acacia enter with several priestesses at her back. “You brother, are the lucky one.” Jax’s voice held a note of awe.
Staring at the long virtually transparent gown hanging off Acacia’s lovely form, Nick had to agree. All her dark hair had been piled high on her head with one thin tendril hanging down over her shoulder. The sheer white fabric draped around her lovely body emphasized every slight curve.
Stepping in front of them, the priestess approached a box perched on a nearby stand. Drawing back a cloth, she withdrew a long thick ribbon. It must have been nearly five feet long and at least three inches thick. The luxurious fabric seemed out of place among the plainness of the home spun robes, and even the bride’s gown was more of a gauze than a fine silk.
The room grew quiet as brought their hands together and carefully wrapped the ribbon around their joined hands. Her formal voice rang out in the large space, as she spoke words meant to bind them together for all time. Nick allowed the words to whisper through his mind as he gazed at Acacia.
“The way of the Voltaire is both ancient and pure. Walking the path between honoring our heritage and embracing exciting new opportunities is filled with many dangers. The Voltaire are privileged to support the union of Acadia and Nick and in doing so support the cause for freedom or our people.”
Both Nick and Acacia turned happy faces to their priestess. Getting a positive response about joining the cause and a marriage blessing all in one day was enough to make everything he’d been through worth it. Acacia had made it possible by bringing him to meet her people. Between the Vampiere and the Voltaire, they were definitely making progress in carving out enough insurgents to make winning the coming war possible.
After the binding ceremony, Nick was confused about why the binding wasn’t removed. They moved through the room, meeting and greeting more people than he could hope to remember. Somehow, they Voltaire had gotten a hold of real honest to goodness drinking water. It was served in long slender drinking glasses that he suspected were the alien version of test tubes, nabbed from a lab at some point. Everyone was really careful to drink their allotment and place the glasses in a special holder designed to protect them.
When they stopped to catch their breath, he asked curiously. “Are they expecting us to stay tied together for all eternity or just throughout the reception?”
“We stay tied until our mating is consummated.”
“It’s going to be real hard to pleasure you the way I want with us being tied together.”
Taking a sip of her drink, she glanced up at him. “You plan to pleasure me?”
“I can’t wait. You seemed very responsive the last time I had my hands on you.”
“You have a nice touch. I am fortunate to have captured your notice.”
“Oh, you got my undivided attention.”
“For now.”
“Forever.”
“We will see how you respond to the dancers.”
“The what?” His question was accompanied by the sound of a strange electrified music beat.
“Come we must take our places.”
Leading him across the room, they had no sooner settled into place on the floor than a group of females came twirling into the room. They were moving quickly, and Nick was so focused on getting settled that he didn’t notice they were nearly naked, wearing only a cloth over their groin area.
“You must watch.”
Something about the tone of her voice caught his notice. Cupping her chin in the palm of one hand, he turned her face to his. “Can we not skip this part? I’d rather get started on our honeymoon.”
“I do not know what that is.”
“It’s the part of the mating ceremony where I take you somewhere private and pleasure you until you beg me to stop.”
One of the women stooped down beside him. “Why would you wish to pleasure a Zaphredinelyn when you could pleasure a real woman?”
Swiveling his head around to look at the woman, he responded harshly. “If you think I won’t knock you on your pretty little ass because you’re a woman, you better think again.”
The woman’s eyes got big. “You are a warrior.”
Placing one hand on her chest, he shoved her back with a bit of force. Before Nick could really blow his top, a female voice rang out.
“He has proven his worth. It is done.”
The woman moved forward sitting beside him as the dancing continued unabated. “Apologies, to be so unfamiliar with our ways, you did remarkably well.”
“I don’t care for your shitty little test because it involved Acacia being insulted.” Pulling her safely into his arms, he stated coldly. “The next time you or your people want to test me, you leave her out of it.”
Dipping her head in acknowledgment, she spoke softly to Acacia. “You have an honorable and strong protector, my friend. Take him and enjoy your unbinding, with my blessing for a long and happy life.”
“Thank you, Priestess.”
Looking down, Nick noticed Acadia was playing with her hair the way she did whenever she was hot for him. It made keeping his arousal from showing more difficult.
Rising gracefully to her feet the priestess spun around, almost bumping into Jax. Her eyes drifted over him for a brief moment before she scribbled something on his arm and wandered away.
Looking down, Nick thought for sure, he could not have seen what he just saw. “Jesus, could this day get any stranger?”
“Only if I end up visiting that priestess chick. She’s some kind of weird, but she…”
Cutting him off at the pass, Nick interjected. “She can kill you with her mind. That’s what she can do.”
“Are you joking? Man, I can never tell with you.”
Acacia shook her head slightly, giving him a clue. “That’s part of your problem, hero. You only date normal chicks. Strange ones need love too.”
“I thought we already decided that she was crazy bait.”
“Don’t make her forbidden fruit. You know I can’t resist that shit.”
“Hell, go do what you’re gonna do, you stubborn piece of shit.”
“That’s no way to talk to your bestie.”
“Go, bang the lot of them for all I care. Just stay away from the one who got in Acacia’s face. I do not like her.”
Tilting his head, Jax responded sharply. “You did not need to say that to me. The priestess has a giant question mark beside her name, but the other one is on my shit list.”
“We’ve got some unbinding to do. Hang tough and don’t get yourself killed while we’re down for the count.”
“Fuck you, man. They’ll be crowning me king by the time you two come up for air.”
“Believe it when I see it, bro.”