Page 19

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T hraxar gladly obeyed, accepting Kara’s invitation with a low growl. His tail tightened around her waist, holding her against him as his hands roamed over her body and she murmured encouragement.

“Tell me what feels good,” he whispered against her skin, and she gasped as he nibbled on the sensitive spot just below her ear.

“That. Definitely that.”

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down her spine. “I can do better.”

He kissed his way down her neck, his tongue teasing the hollow of her throat. She clutched at his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin. When he reached the neckline of her nightwear, he paused, looking up at her with a question in his eyes.

“Take it off,” she said breathlessly, tugging at the fabric.

He growled in approval and helped her pull the garment over her head. The cool air of the ship’s cabin hit her skin, making her nipples harden and goosebumps rise on her flesh. He gazed at her exposed breasts, memorizing the sight. She was even more beautiful than she had been the night before.

“Beautiful,” he murmured before dipping his head to suck one stiff peak into his mouth.

She cried out, arching against him as his tongue swirled around her nipple. His tail slid up her leg, the tip slipping between her legs to brush against her core. She moaned at the contact, the scent of her arousal perfuming the air.

He switched to her other breast, giving it equal attention, his hand stroking down her belly to caress her hips. Then he drew back again to relish the sight of her naked body, but she was reaching for his belt.

“You’re wearing too many clothes. Take them off,” she demanded.

He chuckled, and obeyed, his clothing joining hers on the floor, and her eyes widened.

“You’re so big,” she whispered, extending a tentative hand to stroke his cock. They both groaned as she traced her fingers from broad head to wide base, exploring the raised texture of his skin. She started to pull back, but he closed his hand over hers.

“It is all right,” he reassured her, his voice thick with desire. “Touch me however you like.”

Emboldened by his words, she stroked him again.

Had anything ever felt as good as those delicate fingers caressing his cock?

He groaned, his hips bucking involuntarily as she stroked him.

The head was already slick with his arousal, and she used his natural lubrication to glide her hand up and down.

He shuddered, already on the verge of climax. “You will destroy me if you keep doing that.”

“But I’m not done exploring yet.”

“Then I am at your mercy, little human.”

He gently lowered her onto the bed platform and settled beside her, propping himself on one arm so he could continue touching her.

“Open for me,” he murmured, his free hand sliding down her belly to the curls at the juncture of her thighs.

She parted her legs, and his tail brushed against her inner thigh, the touch feather-light. She squirmed, trying to increase the pressure, but he kept his caresses teasingly soft. When he finally reached her center, she was panting with need, her hips rocking against his hand.

“So wet,” he growled approvingly as his fingers delved into her folds. “So hot.”

He found the small bundle of nerves at her core and stroked it gently. She immediately cried out, her back arching off the platform, and he growled his satisfaction.

He continued to tease her with his fingers, alternating between light, teasing touches and firm strokes, then let the tip of his tail circle her entrance before dipping inside.

The hot tight grasp of her body around his tail threatened to make him lose control, but he wanted her satisfaction first. He stroked harder and she shattered, coming undone beneath him.

As she came down from her climax, he pulled her into his arms, wrapping his body around hers. He was still hard and ready, his shaft pressing against her back, but he made no move to take things further. Instead, he held her close, his lips brushing against her shoulder.

“That was amazing,” she murmured, her voice slurred with pleasure.

“Good,” he said seriously. “I want to bring you nothing but pleasure.”

She turned in his embrace, seeking his lips. “What about you? Don’t you want to find pleasure as well?”

“I want to be inside you more than I have ever wanted anything in my life. But I do not wish to rush you.”

“I’m not feeling rushed,” she assured him. “I want you, Thraxar.”

He growled. “Say it again.”

“I want you, Thraxar. Just you.”

He claimed her mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue delving deep, and she moaned, her body already responding to his touch.

He slid his hand between her thighs, finding her still wet and ready for him.

He took a deep breath and positioned himself at her entrance, the tip of his shaft pressing against the small entrance.

“Breathe,” he whispered, not sure if he was reminding her or himself.

She nodded, inhaling deeply as he slowly began to push inside her.

He’d never known such an exquisite pleasure, her sweet little cunt clinging to him as he carefully worked his way deeper, allowing her time to adjust to his size.

Once he was fully seated inside her, he paused, waiting until she rocked up her hips up towards him before he moved.

He growled, withdrawing almost completely before thrusting back inside her. She gasped as he filled her again, and he began to move in earnest, his hips rocking against hers as he claimed her. His tail coiled around her waist, anchoring her to him as he drove deeper and deeper.

“You feel incredible,” he murmured, his voice strained. “So hot and tight and perfect. Mine.”

“Yours,” she agreed, the word escaping on a moan. “Only yours.”

He increased his pace, his thrusts becoming harder and faster as he drove them both towards completion.

Her nails dug into his back, urging him on, her cries mingling with his growls.

His tail slid between them to stroke her clit, and she came apart with a wordless cry, her entire body shaking with the force of her release.

He let out a roar, his hips slamming into hers as he knot expanded, locking them together as his seed erupted inside her in long, endless pulses.

He tightened his arms around her as the truth swept over him. She was his mate in every sense of the word, perfectly compatible in every way.

“What was that?’ she gasped a moment later.

“My knot.” His voice still sounded dazed. “It ensures that my seed cannot escape. I never thought…”

Her eyes widened.

“Is that what you meant by complete satisfaction?”

“Yes. It is not supposed to happen?—”

“With a non-Cire female?”

“Yes.” He gently caressed her cheek. “But I am so glad it was with you. My mate.”

“Mmm. If I wasn’t feeling so happy, I would tell you I told you so.”

He chuckled, and the vibration caused her to clench down on him again. They both groaned.

“Are you sore?” he asked immediately.

She shook her head and smiled up at him. “Just tender, but in a very good way.”

“I will take care of you,” he promised.

They curled together until his knot finally slipped free.

He gently bathed her delicate folds, then gathered her close, pulling the furs over their rapidly cooling bodies.

She snuggled against him, her head resting on his chest, his tail wrapping protectively around her waist. She fit perfectly in his arms, as if she’d been made to rest there.

“That was…” She trailed off, still sounding wonderfully breathless.

“Yes,” he agreed, nuzzling his face against her hair. “It was.”

She laughed softly. “Eloquent.”

“Words aren’t necessary,” he rumbled, stroking her back. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” She pressed a kiss to his chest, right over his heart. “I didn’t expect this when you rescued us.”

“Nor did I.” His voice softened. “I’ve been alone for so long, Kara. By choice. After my family… I couldn’t bear the thought of losing anyone else.”

She raised her head to look at him. “And now?”

He considered the question. The fear remained—how could it not? But alongside it grew something stronger, something that made the risk worthwhile.

“Now I think that perhaps the greater loss would be never having this at all.” He traced the curve of her cheek. “Never having you.”

Her eyes shimmered with emotion. She kissed him again, slower this time, before settling against his chest with a contented sigh.

He held her as her breathing deepened into sleep, marveling at the trust she placed in him. This small, fierce human had faced traffickers, survived a mining colony, protected her child against impossible odds—and now she slept peacefully in his arms.

The responsibility of that trust settled over him like a mantle. He would be worthy of it. He would protect her, protect the children, with everything he had.

The thought of the children brought a fresh wave of wonder. In the span of days, his solitary existence had transformed. His ship, once a refuge from connection, now held a family.

A family.

The word should have terrified him. Instead, it filled the hollow spaces inside him that had ached since Ciresia.

A soft sound from the doorway broke his reverie. He lifted his head to see Rory standing there, barefoot and tousled from sleep. The boy blinked at them, his expression curious but unalarmed.

He tensed, uncertain how to explain their situation to a child, but Rory simply padded across the room and climbed onto the sleeping platform. Without hesitation, he settled himself next to Kara, curling against her back.

She stirred briefly, her arm automatically moving to embrace her son. She didn’t wake, merely murmured something unintelligible before drifting deeper into sleep.

Rory’s eyes met his over her shoulder. The boy reached out one small hand and patted his arm, then closed his eyes.

The simple gesture of acceptance left him speechless. He’d expected confusion, perhaps even jealousy. Instead, Rory had simply included himself in their embrace, expanding their circle without disrupting it.

A second movement at the doorway caught his attention. Talia stood there, her translucent ears flickering with uncertainty. She clutched a small piece of cloth—one of the scraps Kara had used for sewing—against her chest.

Their eyes met across the room. He recognized the longing in her gaze, the fear of rejection that kept her rooted in the doorway. How many times had she reached for comfort only to have it denied?

Slowly, carefully, he extended his free arm toward her, palm up in invitation.

Talia hesitated, her ears shifting from blue to a hopeful lavender. Then, with the cautious steps of one accustomed to disappointment, she approached the sleeping platform.

When she reached his outstretched hand, she placed her much smaller one in his. He gently lifted her up onto the platform, making room for her small body between himself and Rory.

She curled into the space, her back pressed against his side, her hand still clutching his. Her ears settled into a contented pink as her eyes drifted closed.

He lay awake, surrounded by the three beings who had crashed into his life and changed everything. Their breathing created a gentle symphony in the quiet cabin—Kara’s deep and even, Rory’s slightly faster, Talia’s with the faintest whistle on each exhale.

He’d spent years avoiding attachment, convinced that loneliness was the price of survival. Now, with his mate in his arms and two children sleeping trustfully beside them, he understood how wrong he’d been.

This wasn’t weakness. This was strength.

His tail curved protectively around all three of them as the ship carried them through the stars. For the first time since leaving Ciresia, Thraxar felt truly, completely at home.

The universe was vast and often cruel. Tomorrow would bring new challenges—explaining their relationship to the children, figuring out their future, navigating the complexities of their different needs and backgrounds.

But tonight, in this moment, everything was as it should be. His family was safe. His family was here.

His family.

The thought accompanied him as he finally drifted to sleep, his body curled protectively around the three beings who had become his world.