Page 26 of Devin (Warriors of Etlon #5)

“It’s great. I can’t wait to make it a home… without the lampshades,” Odette said. She gave Athen a kiss.

“Let’s go see Val’s new place,” Jane said.

“I- uh-” Val stammered.

She couldn’t think of a reason not to, so a moment later they were whizzing back through the elevator and once again, opened to another apartment, this one on the opposite end, but it was not part of one of the buildings.

It was actually carved back into the mountainside.

Despite that, it was not dark and gloomy, but filled with light, mainly because the whole front of the apartment was one large force wall, so it looked as if they could just step off the edge and fly over the city.

Running down the right side of the apartment was an actual waterfall, but it had been so cleverly placed, there was no sign of damp or the thunderous sound of pounding water.

“When everyone else sees that waterfall, they are going to be so jealous,” Odette said. She stuck her hand out and brought it back in, wet.

“And it’s the opposite side of the city from Kave's place,” Jane remarked as she pointed down below. “I mean it’s still a minute by lift, but if he changes the access codes, it’s pretty secure and isolated.”

Val could see the whole city below, drones still crawling over it, updating and completing it with ruthless efficiency. She could also see little bald green heads gathering around a center point.

Athen looked at his communicator. “It is time.”

A minute later they were stepping out of a lift that opened onto the plaza where the Mahdfel had begun to gather.

Their mates, all humans, stood beside them.

No one wore black, except for the warriors in their short shorts who always wore black.

Apparently that wasn’t a thing for space funerals.

Val didn’t recognize many of the people, but it was clear there was a space for her in the group up front, next to Devin, who stood staring at the center statue grimly.

Athen took his place next to Kave, and Odette actually winked at Jane as a procession came from the camp.

Supported by two women, and wearing a full black veil, no one could possibly deny who the widow was.

Charlette limped along, weeping under her outrageous hat and veil that came down to her knees.

Anyone else, and Val would have felt sorry for her, but knowing that Charlette really didn’t like her husband that much, and knowing she was going back to Earth a rich woman meant that her tears were probably more for effect than actual grief.

Athen nodded once everyone was in place, and the sculpture that they had all gathered around, split into two and folded into the pool at its base. From the center rose a pyre big enough for a whole body, but in this case, only held a white cloth big enough to cover the piece of him.

Kave stepped forward into the ankle deep water.

“Haxit, warrior of Etlon, mate of Charlette-” At this point he was interrupted by a loud wail and flutter of said mate.

“Slaughterer of Suhlik too many to count. We honor you now with this promise. There will be no rest until the golden devils are rooted from their dens and slayed to the last one.”

“To the last one!” The Mahdfel shouted together.

“You are at rest now, Haxit. Find your peace when we cannot.”

He waded across the pond to the pyre, and with a simple touch, the thing erupted in blue and green flames.

Even from here she could feel the heat of it.

For some reason she could not explain, she entwined her fingers with Devin and held his hand tightly as the flames devoured the small fragment left of the strong warrior that she’d known.

Three or four minutes later, and the flames died down, leaving nothing but an empty platform. A small jar popped out of the base. Kave presented it with solemnity to Charlette.

“That’s it?”

Kave seemed confused by the question. “It was only his arm,” he whispered loudly.

“I meant, no speeches? No funeral? No wake?”

“Well, we shall all go back to the camp and drink profusely, but we are done here.”

“Done? I didn’t get to talk!”

“What would you say?” That was definitely the wrong answer.

“You big green bastards!”

Odette put a hand on Charlette’s arm and Val recognized the glazed look. It seemed their only solution was drugging her into submission. It wasn’t the nicest thing to do, but it did stop her mid screech.

“When is the next boat back to Earth?” Meadow asked, unplugging her ears.

“I have it on good authority that a ship will be arriving posthaste,” Athen said. “Whether it goes to Terra or not, Charlette will be on it.” With a sharp nod, Athen dismissed his warriors.

Those with wives present took hold of their hands and departed with a speed that made Val a little suspicious.

“It is a biological urge after the rites,” Devin said, watching everyone else leave. “Especially when the Mahdfel died without a child.”

“Biological, eh? You realize our quarters are being used by guests right now?”

It was the only suggestion he needed to take her hand and lead her to the nearest lift.

He did not wait until they got to their destination.

He pulled Val into his arms and lifted her to meet his hot mouth.

Val met him with equal passion. Their tongues dueled as if they hadn’t just spent hours the night before fucking like rabbits.

For a hot minute, she thought he was going to press her up against the side of the lift and take her right there, but when the door slid open, Devin picked her up and carried her into their new apartment.

There was none of the caution of the previous two encounters. Devin knew her limits and knew that when he pulled down her shorts and her panties that she would be wet and waiting for him. Just like she knew that when he pulled down his own shorts, he would be rock hard and ready to impale her.

Devin put her down by the force wall, and quickly stripped off their clothing.

She could still see a few people milling about down there, and she was pretty sure that the Mahdfel tech would prevent them from seeing her in all her naked glory, but there was a secret thrill that flew through her at the thought of someone looking up and seeing her getting screwed like some porn vid actress.

Devin leaned her forward, pressing her hands against the force wall.

There was a slight tingling, electrified feeling, like one of those cheap massagers.

Eventually her hands would go numb, but it was solid, and Devin wouldn’t put her in any danger, so Val gave him the lead.

With the muscled ease of a Mahdfel, Devin lifted her hips and pressed into her from behind.

Val braced herself on the force wall, and watched the little ant people below as her green skinned alien entered her.

She looked down at the green arm with the glowing tattoos in contrast to her white skin.

Val felt impaled there, her toes just scraping the ground as Devin repeatedly thrust deep into her.

She delighted in feeling powerless, being fucked on display by a warrior alien, knowing that it was all an illusion, knowing that if she told Devin to stop, he would.

She bent her elbows even more, and her nipples scraped the force fence.

The electric sensation ripped a moan out of her throat that increased Devin’s pace and pressed her even further into that invisible wall.

Val saw stars as she climaxed, and Devin pumped only a few more times before pulling her close to him and shuddering in his own release.

There were no words spoken between them as he gently withdrew and carried her over to the gigantic bed. He lay down beside her and drew her up into his arms. Val was asleep within minutes.