Chapter Sixteen
They bonded once during the rest cycle. The encounter was gentle and controlled, her barbarian sweetly concerned with her well-being.
Nayan fell asleep in his arms. His cock was inside her pussy. His warm breath blew over her bruised, blistered neck.
* * *
The scene before her was identical to the scenes in the other dreams. Saruk faced her. The girl’s face was twisted in hatred. Her claws were extended.
Chameles were gathered around them. All of them wanted to see Nayan punished for the crime of being born a freak. That hadn’t altered.
But she had changed.
Calmness and determination replaced her fear. She knew Qulpa was somewhere behind her. Running would put him in peril.
No one would harm her warrior. She balled her fingers into fists and raised her hands to defend him, to fight for him.
“You can’t stop claws with fists, freak.” Saruk mocked her.
Nayan’s goal wasn’t stopping her nemesis. It was to slow her, giving Qulpa time to escape.
The girl stalked toward her, her eyes glittering with malice. “You’re going to die.”
Nayan had accepted that fate, would willingly sacrifice her lifespan so the male she loved could live. She braced herself for pain, for the end.
Saruk’s claws sliced through the air.
Rough fingers covered Nayan’s fists. Warmth and muscles layered over her back. Claws connected with claws.
Nayan glanced upward.
“Let them take the rest.” Qulpa’s eyes glowed. “We don’t need it.”
When she looked back at Saruk, she was gone. Her nemesis had vanished.
The other Chameles had disappeared also. The pathway was devoid of life. The space was quiet.
The only beings left in the world were her and Qulpa.
And it was enough, more than enough. It was bliss, perfection, love realized.
Nayan smiled up at her warrior. “All we truly require is each other.”
* * *
Qulpa left their sleeping support at sunrise. Nayan watched without making a sound as he quietly gathered his weapons and stalked out of the laboratory.
She knew what he was planning to do. He was hunting their enemy Urus.
Unable to sleep while her warrior was in possible danger, she donned the new body- and hand-coverings. She wanted to be ready in case he needed her.
While she waited for him to return, she fully repaired Hitch. Tubby passed her tools. Hitch pointed out his malfunctions, the little bot overly dramatic with the gestures. She tried not to worry.
Qulpa was a skilled warrior. He had survived the Succession Wars.
He’d be fine…wouldn’t he?
Shit. He might not be.
She should have accompanied him.
Her gaze shifted toward the door. “Be safe. Please.” She whispered the word she’d vowed never to say again. “I wouldn’t survive your loss.”
Her creations must have heard the fear in her voice. Tubby handed her one of her most powerful guns. Hitch scrambled to his little feet, trilling a battle cry.
“That won’t be necessary, Tubby.” She placed the weapon on the horizontal support. “Calm down, Hitch. You’re not fighting anyone.”
The little bot raised his forelegs. His lights flashed.
Bots and drones gathered around them. All of them were armed. Velocity, the biggest drone, carried a missile launcher. Zap, a bot specialized in circuits, glowed with captured energy.
“The bad male isn’t coming to stomp on you.” She tried to ease their fears.
The doors opened. An awareness she only felt with one being swept over her and her shoulders lowered with relief. Her warrior was alive.
She focused on her creations. “There will be no battle with the bad male this planet rotation.”
“There will be a battle…if I can locate him.” Qulpa’s face was dark.
She surveyed her barbarian. He didn’t appear to have any injuries. She relaxed. “He must realize you’re looking for him.”
“My search isn’t over.” Her male drew her into his arms.
As soon as his skin touched hers, they both exhaled loudly. Her need for him was constant. She didn’t feel whole when they were apart.
“Our Warlord wants to see us.” Her warrior brushed his lips over hers.
Khan wanted to meet with them. Dread settled low in her stomach. “He’s found out about me.”
“Or he’s found out about me.” Qulpa kissed her forehead. “He might be seeking to officially reinstate me as Second’s main pilot.”
He could want to do that but she doubted it. “We’ll face whatever it is together.”
They weren’t alone, not anymore. They had each other.
“Bots, drones.” She addressed their mechanical family. “Your mission while we’re gone is to guard the laboratory. You will allow no one, and I mean no one, other than Qulpa and myself, to enter the space.” An invasion was unlikely. No one else had access to the laboratory. But she had to give them some task to perform or they would try to follow her. “I’m counting on you.”
That set off a flurry of movement. Some bots pushed chairs and horizontal supports toward the doors. Drones attached guns to the ceilings. Tubby handed out tools and issued commands.
Her lips twisted. “I might have made the situation worse.”
“Let’s leave before they barricade the doors.” Her barbarian scooped her into his arms and carefully stepped over the busy bots.
Once they entered the hallway, he didn’t set her down.
“I can walk.” She patted his chest.
“I’m not ready for that yet.” He avoided her gaze, his stride lengthening.
He wasn’t ready to let go of her, and she felt the same way. She linked her fingers at his nape.
Warriors watched them as they passed. Their lips moved. They could be talking about her, about her lack of claws and other deficiencies.
Her chin lifted. She no longer cared.
The male she adored was with her. He accepted her. He cared for her.
And he deserved the best of her, all of her courage, all of the words. “I love you, Qulpa.” She gazed up at him, allowing her emotions to show.
“Nayan.” He stopped but not soon enough.
The doors to the meeting chamber opened. There was no time for the declaration of a love she already felt from her warrior.
Their Warlord and the determination of their future awaited them.
“We do this together.” She touched Qulpa’s stark face.
Tiny metal feet touched her cheek. Hitch chirped.
She stifled a sigh. The blasted bot had escaped the laboratory again.
Qulpa’s lips twitched. “We do this together, all three of us.” He carried her and the bot into the chamber.
Their Warlord sat on the far side of the horizontal support. His presence was expected.
Second and Lead Medic were positioned on the near side. Their attendance also wasn’t a surprise. Qulpa reported to Second. He would be at any meeting concerning his subordinate.
The inclusion of the fourth being forecasted their doom. Urus smirked at them. His eyes were glassy, his hair greasy. He looked terrible yet smug.
Qulpa’s body stiffened against hers. His muscles flexed. A beast-like snarl escaped his lips.
She stroked his arms. “Not now.” She tried to calm her barbarian.
“Soon.” He pulled out a chair, lowered into the seat, settling her on his lap, his big form folded protectively around hers. “Enjoy your last moments, Urus. You harmed my gerel. It’s my right to kill you. That’s the Chamele way.”
The male’s face turned pale. “She’s not a real Chamele. She’s a freak.”
“What?” Qulpa raised out of the chair, taking her with him. His claws extended.
Hitch hopped out of his hiding place, rushing to her defense also. The little bot trilled at the enemy, shaking his forelegs.
“Sit down, warrior.” Their Warlord barked.
Hitch chirped and scurried up Qulpa’s right arm. He hid in her male’s hair, his bravery vanquished by their leader’s voice.
Qulpa, in contrast, hesitated for a moment before obeying Khan’s command. Nayan petted her warrior’s skin, seeking to soothe him with her touch.
“Head of Ship and Weapons Design.” Their Warlord addressed her. “Do you have information to share with us?”
Everyone looked at her. Except for Qulpa. His gaze remained fixed on Urus.
“He’s right.” She held her head high. “I’m a freak.”
“Nayan.” Qulpa rumbled his unhappiness. Her warrior didn’t like that word.
“You have Chamele Ancestritis, a birth defect.” Lead Medic corrected her.
“It doesn’t matter what you call it.” Nayan shrugged. “I was born without claws. I can’t blend into the background. I can’t sense Chameles…other than my warrior.”
“I’m the only being you need to sense.” Qulpa kissed the back of her head. “You’re perfect.”
“I’m not a real Chamele, will never fit in. Many believe I don’t deserve to reproduce, to live.” She relayed the words others had flung at her numerous times in the past. “That makes me unworthy of being your Head of Ship and Weapons Design, and I won’t force you to strip that honor from me, my lord. I respect you too much to do that.” She took a deep breath, counted to five, released it. “I resign.”
“Zondoo,” Second muttered.
“I would never follow a being who believed my gerel was unworthy.” Qulpa’s voice lowered, his tone dark. “I resign my role as Second’s main pilot.”
Nayan gaped at him, shocked by her barbarian’s decision. He loved his role.
That he would give it up for her meant only one thing. Tears pricked her eyes. He loved her more.
“And I—”
“Enough.” Their Warlord’s shout severed whatever Second had planned to say.
Silence fell in the chamber.
Would he banish them? Sentence them to death? Nayan’s heart beat hard against her chest as she mentally prepared herself for the worst.
“Head of Ship and Weapons Design.” Their Warlord continued to refer to her by her role. “Do you think I’m a fool?”
“No, my lord.” She wouldn’t follow a fool.
“Yet you believe I placed a being in a key role like Ship and Weapons Design without thoroughly investigating her first?” Their leader’s eyes blazed with anger. “Your devices played a huge part in winning the wars. What type of leader would assign that responsibility to just anyone?”
He had known about her condition? She stared at him. “Only a bad leader would do that, my lord.”
“Am I a bad leader?” Their Warlord leaned forward, bracing his fists on the horizontal support.
Qulpa shifted against her, growling softly, her warrior responding to the unspoken threat against her.
Nayan squeezed his forearms. Hard. Attacking their Warlord would get them both killed.
His growling stopped.
She turned her attention back to Khan. “No, my lord. You’re a great leader.”
Their Warlord’s rigid stance eased. “I knew exactly who you were when I assigned you your role. I wager I know more about your past than you do.” His gaze flicked to Urus. “I don’t need one of your enemies to tell me whom I have trusted with my warriors’ lifespans.”
Beads of sweat formed on the male’s forehead.
Qulpa relaxed against her. Nayan pressed her lips together, suppressing her relief. She and her warrior would live.
Urus had gambled and lost.
“I’m not accepting your resignations.” Their Warlord’s gaze shifted to Qulpa. “And you are confirmed as my Second’s main pilot. There is no one else more deserving of that role.”
Her barbarian’s back straightened.
“And you can go.” Khan waved his hands dismissively at Urus. “I want you out of my sight. Now.”
Their enemy scrambled out of his seat and rushed out of the chamber. The Warlord had earned his leadership in battle. No one challenged him and lived.
Which made Qulpa’s act of rebellion on her behalf even more moving.
The doors closed behind Urus.
“Did he cause the bruises and blisters on your neck?” Their Warlord asked her about the injuries.
“Yes, my lord.” She nodded.
“His mission was to transport you safely to the settlement.” Rage lit their leader’s eyes. “He deliberately disobeyed my orders. For that alone, he deserves to die.”
“I would like the honor of killing him, my lord.” Her barbarian jutted his jaw.
“She is your gerel. You will have that honor.” Their Warlord inclined his head. “It isn’t an easy decision to kill a rival. That I know.” The male had been forced to kill many of his rivals during the Succession Wars. Some of them had been family members, friends. “But it is often necessary. Do it soon before he spreads discontentment. Wars have been started over less.”
“Consider the matter dealt with, my lord.” Satisfaction edged her warrior’s voice.
“Chameles value strength.” Khan’s gaze returned to her. “They will grow to value differences also.”
“Thank you, my lord.” If he could achieve that feat, she might fit in.
“That’s a selfish goal.” Their Warlord shrugged away her gratitude as he stood. “My gerel, if I’m fortunate to have one.” Sadness flickered across his countenance. “Isn’t living within our sector.”
Nayan’s eyes widened. Khan hadn’t bonded. Neither had any of his brothers.
Every being within the Chamele sector must have heard their voices. Their speeches were broadcast everywhere. The females destined to bond with them would have stepped forward upon hearing them, would have been compelled to meet them.
Yet they hadn’t done that. That meant outsiders were their sole hopes for gerels and for children.
“If you seek to further serve your Warlord, don’t hide your differences.” Having issued that command, Khan stalked out of the chamber.
“I’ll stay current on treating other species.” Lead Medic’s eyes gleamed.
Nayan’s ambitious human friend would be the medic of choice to tend to the Warlords’ future gerels. She had experience healing numerous species.
“If Urus is intelligent, he has left the settlement already.” Second stood. “We’ll take our warship, track him down.”
“I’m coming with you.” Nayan jumped off Qulpa’s lap. She would protect him while he focused on their enemy.
Her barbarian rose to his booted feet, his expression grim. “I’m taking you back to the laboratory.” He grasped one of her hands.
They walked toward the doors. “I should remain by your side.”
His lips flattened. “I can’t risk losing you, gerel.”
He had lost everyone he loved. That was why he was seeking to protect her. She understood that. It would take time for him to trust her abilities, her designs.
Warriors were waiting for them outside the doors.
Ariq approached them. “You wanted to see us, Second?”
“Yes. Ummm…” Second looked at Lead Medic and then at Nayan. “It is a team matter.”
“That means we aren’t necessary for this discussion.” Lead Medic bumped her shoulders against Nayan’s. “We should step aside, give the males the illusion of privacy.”
“Nayan.” Qulpa rumbled, clearly unhappy about their separation.
“Look around us.” Lead Medic glanced to the left and to the right. Warriors filled the hallway. “We’re surrounded by members of our team. No one can harm us here.”
Qulpa didn’t release Nayan. “Urus—”
“Urus knows our Warlord is angry with him.” Second pointed that out to him. “He won’t linger in this hallway, where our Warlord can spot him.”
Qulpa’s hold on her eased.
Nayan didn’t want to part with him either. She couldn’t protect him if she was far from his side.
But she had to respect her warrior’s role. “I’ll be safe.” She slipped her hand out of his. “You’ll be able to see me.” And she would be able to see him. “I won’t be far from you.”
She moved to the other side of the hallway. Warriors parted, giving the two of them a clear view of each other.
Her barbarian watched her. She watched him.
“You should zap a few beings.” That was Lead Medic’s advice to her. “I did that and Oghul calmed down.”
“I’m incorporating the zapping technology into a new weapon.” Nayan kept her male in sight as she chattered to her new friend about that weapon design.
Lead Medic shared some ideas for medical devices she’d like developed. Nayan could do that for her friend. It would be satisfying to craft machines that cured rather than killed beings.
Time passed. No one attacked them.
Qulpa was drawn into a heated discussion with Second and the other warriors on the team. Nayan’s gaze returned to him again and again. He was the epitome of strength, big and broad and unbending. She—
The left shoulder of her body covering vibrated. The shuddering movement moved across her back.
Someone was approaching them. Quickly.
She spun around to face the threat, spotted a blurred figure in the crowd. It was Urus. She sucked in her breath. And he was rushing, with his claws drawn, toward an unsuspecting Qulpa.
She reacted without thinking, running faster than she’d ever run in a lifespan of fleeing attackers. Except this time, she dashed toward danger, not away from it.
Qulpa’s lifespan was in peril. She had to protect him.
Her fingers folded into fists and her mechanical claws extended. She blocked the male’s route. Urus’ natural weapons connected with her simulated version.
Sparks flew. The serrated edges of her manufactured claws locked his in place, not allowing him to withdraw.
Urus pushed toward her, her enemy taller and wider than she was. But she didn’t move. She was small for a Chamele, realized that, had built that weakness into her defenses. Her body covering supplemented her strength, alleviated the strain on her muscles.
“Leave my gerel out of this, Urus.” Qulpa’s tone held a scary darkness. “This fight is between you and me.”
His chest pressed against Nayan’s back. His body heat engulfed her.
She was no longer alone. Her warrior was with her.
“You’re freaks.” Urus’ eyes were wild, his insanity showing. “You don’t deserve to live.”
“You attacked a warrior behind his back.” Nayan shook, enraged that he would dare to threaten her male, call him a freak. “You have no honor. You don’t deserve to be called a Chamele.”
She might not have been born with natural claws, but she wasn’t without defenses. Urus would soon learn that. She pressed the buttons hidden in the palms of her hand coverings.
The serrated edges of her mechanical claws shuddered back and forth, pulsating quicker than her gaze could follow. The metal heated until it glowed.
“What the—” Urus tried to retreat.
He was too late. Her claws sliced through his. The pieces fell to the tiled floor, clattering against the hard surface.
“Zondoo.” Warriors stepped away from them.
“No.” Urus scrambled to gather the remnants of his natural weapons, attempting to reattach them.
That wasn’t possible. He whimpered.
Claws were a physical attribute Chameles prided themselves on having and he now lacked them, was a freak like her.
She almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
“No one attacks my warrior and escapes unscathed.” Nayan looked around her, delivering that message to everyone.
Qulpa stared at her, his eyes gleaming. There was a pronounced ridge in his ass coverings. Her barbarian had been turned on by her display.
The other Chameles looked at her with awe, not disgust.
“Does anyone else want to challenge us?” She lifted her chin. “Qulpa, my warrior and Second’s main pilot, hasn’t yet fought this planet rotation and I have more devices to test.”
She splayed her red-hot claws. War-seasoned warriors flinched. They feared her.
She preferred that reaction to pity.
“We’ll follow you anywhere, Head of Ship and Weapons Design.” One of the males yelled that declaration.
“Then you’ll follow Khan.” She hollered back at him. “He’s the Warlord my warrior and I fight for.”
“Khan.” The other warriors cheered, lifting their arms in victory.
They could follow their Warlord into battle. Her fighting for the planet rotation was over.
Retracting her claws, she turned away from their defeated enemy, a representation of her past, to face Qulpa, her future. He was the male she loved, the only being whose opinion now mattered to her.
“A gerel protects her warrior.” She smiled sheepishly at her barbarian. “Take me back to the laboratory.”
She needed to bond with him.