Page 27 of No Strings Attached (Mated Fates #1)

Bahbi watched Vi, Caussus, Acken, and Mister Beastly walk down the ramp in their flowing, iridescent cloaks and onto the main hangar walkway before activating the ramp control that would retract it and close the doors. Then he ran back into the lounge area to sit with Trak and Friend, with Steev coiled up in a nearby corner, to listen. Acken was wearing a transmitting device under his cloak so that the crew could listen in to everything happening and be ready to either intervene or prepare for departure, as needed. There wasn’t any specific reason to expect trouble, but there wasn’t any specific reason to feel confident, either.

He heard Vi gasp and Acken say, “Don’t touch it!”

Bahbi felt his stomach starting to clench up already. Fuck, this was supposed to be the easy part. Trak groaned across the sofa from him.

Mister Beastly growled and Vi said, “No, I’m OK, Mister Beastly.”

The party went silent as the noise of the space station hangar activity grew louder, full of jostling people, public address announcements, and ship maintenance noises.

…

Acken: Through those doors. Check your weapons, everyone.

Vi: For the fifth fucking time, Acken, I’m strapped.

Caussus: Affirmative, Master Acken.

Mister Beastly: Yes.

Acken: It’s through this garden plaza, first building on the left.

…

Bahbi looked at Friend and the trawg met his gaze and whined, nervously. Bahbi stroked the top of his head as he had seen Vi do, and the trawg leaned into his touch and said, “Thanks, Bahbi. I’m really nervous for our friends.”

“I am, too, Friend. But I think they’ll be fine.”

…

Unknown Female: Can I help you?

Acken: We’re here to see Honorable Jarxtan Prag. He’s expecting us. This is the King and Queen of Oz. We are their guards.

Unknown Female: I’m afraid you’ll have to remove your face coverings and hoods. Honorable Jarxtan Prag will not meet with anyone he cannot see.

Vi: We’ll be happy to do so within his office, but we will not do so in this public area. Please lead us to him now, as this is the time we arranged.

Unknown Female: I’m sorry, but I must insist.

Vi: Then please give the Ophidians our regrets and let them know that the station manager has refused to receive us, so we will not be present for the royal reception this evening. We’ll speak to Ogobian Broadcasting ourselves, so you won’t need to trouble with that.

Steev said from the corner, “Oh, good play, Vi.”

Friend looked at him, wagging, then back up to Bahbi, “She’s angry! You can hear it in her voice.

Bahbi nodded in agreement. She was angry.

…

Unknown Female: This way please, your majesties.

Caussus: Thank you, my dear.

…

Unknown Female: Honorable Jarxtan Prag, may I present the King and Queen of Oz and their guards.

Jarxtan Prag: Thank you. Please bring refreshments for my guests. Your majesties, please have a seat.

…

Bahbi listened to the rustling of fabric, imagining Vi and Caussus seating themselves as everyone removed their face coverings.

…

Jarxtan Prag: Is that…is that…a Garoxian? Standing with an Estranian? As your…your…guards?

Vi: Yes.

….

Jarxtan Prag: Forgive me for staring. How…um…how did that come to be?

Vi: Diplomatic relations are a passion of mine. That’s why we’re here on your station, to forge strong relations with the Ophidians tonight. We’re here now, in your office, to see if you might be able to assist us with something else.

Jarxtan Prag: Yes, your majesty, how may I assist?

Unknown Female: Oh my…! Oh, excuse me, I was startled. Your refreshments, sir. May I pour you a cup, your majesty? Wonderful, here you are. And for you, your majesty. Oh, you’re sure? Very well.

…

Vi: Our planet, Oz, is rich in gemstones. We are looking for a broker who can facilitate high-value transactions for some of these gemstones. Do you know of such a person?

Jarxtan Prag: I’m sorry, your majesty, but I’m not familiar with your world. Can you tell me where it is?

Vi: I can, but I will not. For now, we’ll be keeping the location to ourselves. Our people do not wish to interact within the galactic community, and we are respectful of their wishes. The King and I, however, would like to continue to build diplomatic relations among certain worlds.

Caussus: We need a broker to help us monetize our vast resources into the galactic standard currency in order to fulfill that mission…Of course, if you can help connect us with a legitimate broker who has access to people who can fund immediate transactions, we will be most grateful. Say, a 1% commission on each transaction? Acken?

…

Jarxtan Prag: Is that…is that…a pink diamond? It’s as big as my fist!

Caussus: Yes, we only brought a few, small gems with us. Acken?

Jarxtan Prag: And a blue diamond…sapphire…ruby…

Vi: We’ll also need someone reputable from your station to set up our royal party with credit accounts that can be used throughout the galaxy. Do you have someone available?

Jarxtan Prag: Y…yes. That’s no problem.

Vi: Wonderful. So, the broker then?

Jarxtan Prag: I’ll have to make some connections; it may take me some time. Do you have quarters reserved within the station?

Vi: We were advised that it would be preferable to remain aboard our ship when travelling with a Garoxian. Is that not so? I understand his presence could be quite intimidating for your residents and visitors.

Jarxtan Prag: That’s…true. It is most considerate of you to think of the station’s best interests. I’m very sorry that you won’t have the opportunity to enjoy the station’s hospitality. May I send a meal to your ship while you relax before the reception tonight with the Ophidians?

Vi: My King?

Caussus: That would be delightful, Honorable Jarxtan Prag. We have a mixed crew of 20. The Garoxian prefers massive quantities of raw meat, on the bone. We are also traveling with an Ophidian. If you’ve already, perhaps, prepared to provide live fare for the King and Queen, and their party, I am sure he’d be pleased with something similar.

Jarxtan Prag: I’ll…see what I can do. An Estranian, Ophidian, and Garoxian in the royal entourage of Oz. Remarkable. Expect a delivery within the hour. May I speak with you tonight during the reception to let you know what I’ve found with regard to the broker?

Vi: Certainly, we’ll look forward to seeing you there. Thank you, Honorable Jarxtan Prag, you’ve been most gracious.

Jarxtan Prag: The pleasure has been mine, your majesties.

Vi: Acken, would you?

Jarxtan Prag: Ah yes, the gems. Forgive me. Until this evening, then.

…

Bahbi let out a whoop that startled everyone, kissed Friend on the top of the head, and fell back against the sofa in relief. They couldn’t declare the meeting a victory until they actually got some money, but Vi had survived the ridiculous plan, which was all he really cared about. He’d happily spend the rest of his life on the asteroid, eating kibble, if he could do it with Vi.

“Are you sure you want to go out there with two Trallians in the royal party?” Bahbi asked, as Vi looked him up and down. The two of them had separated from the rest for a few minutes, going back to the cargo hold, when Bahbi had recognized that Vi needed a minute to get herself ready. “It may negate the impact of Acken, Mister Beastly, and Steev.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Take off that belt and separate the daggers for a second.” She took the belt from him, looking at it thoughtfully. He couldn’t take his eyes off how amazing she looked in her crown, metalwork, and weapons. “You and Trak are as much part of the reason we’re free as any other one of us, and it’s exactly the kind of message we want to be sending around the galaxy. Trallians are worthy and should be treated equally. Which is your dominant arm?”

“The right one.” He watched as she started to wrap the belt around his left arm, crisscrossing it decoratively and fastening it. It crisscrossed his bicep from shoulder to elbow. “I just think it might be too soon for that type of message. We need to establish ourselves, first.”

She handed him the daggers back. “Put these on your arm just a little diagonally, enough so they don’t slide out.” He did so and she stood back to take him in. “Yes, that’s perfect.” She put her hands on her bare hips, then looked back up into his face. His gaze took a little longer to follow, as he was fixated on the way her gold-tipped breasts had bounced when she changed postures. “No. We need to come out swinging. Our message needs to be loud and proud from the first instant, and never let up.”

He nodded, not wanting to push the issue, and she smiled. “Now, shut up and kiss me, since we’re walking into what could very likely be our doom.”

He wrapped his arms around her and looked down into her face, “Everyone has to die, Vi. Only a few of us can be lucky enough to do it by your side. Why’d you change my belt?”

She snorted out a laugh before saying, “Because I need you to stand out so I can easily find you, even across a big room. Also, this way looks sexier.” She pointed to the daggers strapped to his bicep, waggled her eyebrows, and grinned.

“Only to you,” he grinned back. “You’re the only person in the universe who’ll ever use the term ‘sexy’ to refer to me, no matter how many daggers I’m wearing or what part of my body they’re strapped to.” Before she could protest, he leaned down and kissed her, briefly. “On the other hand, you’re going to draw the looks of every living male on the station walking out there like this, and I’m going to wish I had a hundred daggers strapped to me so I could take out all of their eyes.”

Everyone looked amazing in their gold and emerald Oz starbursts, belts, and daggers, but Bahbi felt himself bursting with pride at how Vi and Caussus looked as he turned on the light sources within the crowns’ emeralds. Then he surprised everyone by turning on a light source within each starburst’s emerald. They were all smaller than the ones in the crowns, but they looked magnificent together and provided another layer of visual unity to the group.

Caussus asked, “How did you come up with this idea of interior illumination, Master Bahbi?”

“I wanted to honor Malachite, since it’s him we’re wearing, and I thought of his method of communication with us. I thought it would make it feel like the gems were still a part of him. A living part. Or a part that lives on. I’m not sure which makes the most sense. Do you know what I mean?”

He had answered Caussus, but now saw that everyone was nodding and regarding him with a strange look. Admiration? Respect? He wasn’t sure. Vi wrapped her arms around his right bicep—the one without daggers—and rested her head on his shoulder.

She said, quietly, “I think it’s a wonderful way to honor him. I hope he sees us like this, somehow.”

Acken clapped his hands once, very loudly, and everyone jumped. “OK everyone, let’s practice our placement. Caussus, you stand there and Vi, you stand on his right. That’s right, Vi, take his arm. I will be forward of Caussus and to his left. Mister Beastly, you stand forward of Vi and to her right.” Mister Beastly took his place.

“Friend, you will walk in front of Caussus and Vi, in the middle.” Friend went to the front and sat down.

“Trak, directly behind Caussus. Bahbi, behind Vi. You will guard their asses.” Vi looked back at Bahbi and waggled her eyebrows again, before shaking her bare ass at him.

“Steev, I’d like your place to be slightly behind Bahbi and Trak, in the exact middle of the group, but higher above them. There, that’s the right place for your body, but raise up and loom forward, so that it seems you are guarding the entire party from that height.” Bahbi had to tilt his head all the way back to see Steev’s face.

“Perfect, Steev. Can you stay raised up that high until we reach your King and Queen?”

“Yes.”

Acken clapped again, causing his massive cock to swing. Bahbi thought that he should have made Acken’s daggers bigger, since they were dwarfed by his cock.

“Excellent. Now I will take my place in front of Caussus. Now, everyone look around you. Do you see any weak spots for protecting Vi and Caussus?” They didn’t.

Vi said, “I just…I just need to see how the group looks. Everyone hold still for a minute.”

She slipped her arm out of Caussus’s and skirted around Mister Beastly to stand before them. With her glowing crown floating above her head, her golden nipples, golden pussy, and curved daggers connected to the bands around her thighs, Bahbi thought she looked like the goddess of love and death. And though she had always been a goddess in his eyes, he was feeling a little regret at having played a primary role in transforming her into such an otherworldly beauty for the eyes of everyone else. He had joked about it with her in the hold, but he was starting to have some real anxiety about all of the males that might try to get close to her tonight. Would she find someone she thought sexier? It wouldn’t be difficult.

He watched her taking everyone in, admiring their glowing adornments and weapons, her green eyes shining with the reflection of everyone’s illuminated emeralds. Her voice didn’t sound steady when she spoke, and Bahbi could feel the weight of her emotion as strongly as if they were two halves of the same person.

“I just…I just want to thank each of you for joining with me in this fight. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but there have never been people I’ve been prouder to stand with than all of you. I love all of you—”

All of us?!

“—and I would proudly fight and die alongside any one of you.” She smiled, “But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. And let’s all thank Bahbi for making us look so…fucking…good!” She threw a hip out at an extreme angle and held her arms out, as if to show just how fucking good she looked. As if every male in front of her didn’t already know.

Bahbi was enveloped in praise and congratulations from all sides as Vi walked back to stand in front of him. She reached her right hand back, the one that wasn’t linked in Caussus’s arm, and took his, just holding it for a few moments while Acken stepped out of their formation and inspected the group’s coverage.

Unable to help himself, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “You love all of us?” He knew that he certainly loved her, completely and unequivocally. He had consulted Acken to figure out why he was experiencing pain—actual physical pain—when he was separated from Vi for any length of time. Acken had looked at him like he was a fool, at first, but then softened when he realized that Trallians didn’t form the type of bond that he had developed with Vi. It had been an awkward conversation, but Bahbi had left it with a better understanding of the emotions he was feeling.

She squeezed his hand and whispered, “Later,” as Acken passed by them in his review.

They made their way, in formation, down the ramp, and it began to retract as soon as they’d cleared it. Bahbi knew that the Trallian crew remaining behind would be listening in to the transmitter Acken still wore and ready to prepare for a hasty departure at a moment’s notice. They weren’t more than 20 feet away from the ship, door closed and ramp fully retracted, when Bahbi heard someone shout “Now!” and the party was surrounded by a Trallian guard force of at least 25. Bahbi felt something press into his temple and saw the same action being repeated with every member of their party except for Vi. Every male with Vi had a blaster pressed into the side of his head, except for Steev, who had one somewhere in his midsection. Another ring of Trallians surrounded them a few feet away, blasters drawn and aimed loosely at the group.

Vi looked around, taking in the Trallians and the sole non-Trallian male standing with them. She put her hands on her hips and said, “Honorable Jarxtan Prag, just what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

He sneered at her. Vi had described Jarxtan Prag to Bahbi earlier, and seeing him now, Bahbi thought he was an Olferian. His skin was grey-toned and a little scaly, and he had piercing red eyes and pointed ears. He wore a meticulously tailored, floor-length, blue robe that just showed the talons on his three, wide-spaced toes.

“I’m taking you into custody. Then I’ll confiscate your stolen ship.”

Vi met and held the gaze of each male with her: Acken, Caussus, then Mister Beastly, Friend, and Trak. She looked up at Steev, then turned to Bahbi and looked into his eyes. He wanted to pull her into his arms if this was going to be the end, but he knew she would prefer to go out fighting, so he resigned himself to taking in a last look at her beautiful face as she gave him a small smile.

Then she said to all of them, “Do not act. Yet.” She turned to Prag, “I hope whatever you think you’re doing here is important enough for you to risk your life and the lives of these Trallians. This isn’t going to end well, Prag.”

While he stared at her, open-mouthed, she looked around at the guard force and said, “Trallians, listen to me. Are you tired of being slaves? All the Trallians associated with us are free. We do not allow slavery. Ask either of these two,” and she indicated Bahbi and Trak, who were both nodding.

Prag spat out, “They are not slaves. They are paid in food and lodging.”

Vi looked at him, disgustedly, “So they can leave whenever they want? Oh, of course they can’t, because you don’t give them any money. We do. Our Trallians are employees. They are paid. They are free to make their own decisions about their lives. The only exception is these two.” Vi took Bahbi’s hand in front of everyone, linking her fingers in his, then reached for Trak’s hand. “They are not employees, but rather bound by love and loyalty to the House of Oz and are essential members of our royal family. Trakluved,” she raised the hand linked with Trak’s, “is third-in-command under the Estranian for all royal operations. He is an honored member of our house. Bahbi,” she did the same with their linked hands, “is the royal designer. He designed everything you see on this party in front of you.”

Bahbi watched the shock and dismay register on each of the Trallian’s faces surrounding them. Trallians, in positions of importance and honor? Valued for their loyalty and contributions? Paid employees, free to make their own decisions for themselves? It was unheard of.

Prag was turning a darker shade of grey and starting to raise his voice, “There is no House of Oz! You arrived here in a known slaver’s ship; a dreg of the universe named Qlu. I used my contacts to discover that he recently canceled an auction, abruptly. It was to feature a human,” his gazed pierced into Vi, “an Estranian,” he whipped his head around to Acken, “and a Garoxian!” He turned his head to Mister Beastly.

Bahbi stood next to Vi, fingers still linked. She gave him a reassuring squeeze, then released his hand and walked up to Prag. None of his guards moved to protect him. Bahbi found that very interesting.

Vi leaned into his face and said, “So what?”

“SO, THERE IS NO HOUSE OF OZ!” He screamed. He looked about ready to explode.

She smirked, “Wrong. There was no House of Oz. Now there is. And it is rich beyond measure and rapidly building critical alliances. You’re keeping us from building one with the Ophidians, as we speak, and I think Steev up there,” she glanced up, “is being remarkably patient about it. Don’t expect his patience to last. Or the Estranian’s. Or the Garoxian’s.”

While she was talking, Vi had started to sidle around the side of Prag. At that moment, she moved in a blur, reaching down to grab a dagger, place herself behind him, and bring the blade up to his throat. She leaned in toward his ear and said, “Or mine.”

The Trallian force had been totally mesmerized by what she was saying, and none of them had anticipated her movements. Almost in slow motion, those not holding weapons on anyone specifically turned to bring their weapons up at her. But Bahbi noticed that not one of them could bring himself to point the weapon at her head or face. She had gotten under their skin, rapidly. And he marveled at how males in power continued to overlook and underestimate her. Qlu had learned the hard way, and it looked like Prag was going to, as well.

A chorus of growling, snarling, and hissing filled the space. Bahbi was surprised to find himself growling along with all the others in Vi’s strange menagerie, and he saw the looks of fear in Prag’s and his guards’ eyes growing by the second.

Vi was pressed tightly against Prag’s backside and had her left arm wrapped around him to hold both of his arms down. She said, “Remember when I said this wasn’t going to end well? This is what I meant. How many of us, you and I included, do you think are going to walk away from this now?”

Prag just made an ung, ung, ung sound and said nothing.

Vi smiled, “Shall we call a truce, put our weapons away, and have a conversation? Mind you, many of the males I’m with are walking weapons, and I want to make sure you understand that they can’t be holstered. Be very careful about what you say and do.”

Prag nodded, shakily. He said, “Weapons down, holstered,” in a weak voice.

The Trallians slowly complied, those with weapons held directly on the party took a few steps backwards before lowering and holstering their weapons, seeming to need the safety of the rest of the guard force to feel confident in getting away from the absolute menace of Vi’s males. And , Bahbi thought, that’s just what we all are. Vi’s menagerie. Didn’t she own them all, heart and soul? She had professed her love for all of them before they left the ship, but he knew without a doubt that the love each of them felt for her was a thousand times greater then, and many thousand times greater, now.

Bahbi went to face Prag and held out his hand for Vi’s blade, “Give it to me, Vi, then move away. I’ll take it away from his throat when you’re safely behind me.”

Behind him, Acken said, “Mister Beastly.”

Bahbi watched as Mister Beastly came to stand behind Vi, then she allowed Bahbi to take the blade. Prag had become a sickly grey color now, all the charcoal coloring of his previous anger bled off. As Mister Beastly escorted Vi back within their group, Bahbi pulled the blade away from Prag’s throat and stepped backwards. He silently handed the blade back to Vi.

He watched her take her don’t fuck with me stance, arms crossed under her small breasts, feet planted in a wide stance.

“So, Prag, what exactly is the problem you have with us? Are we breaking a law of the galaxy or of your station?”

He stared at her, opened his mouth, closed it, looked down, then said, “Um…not really, no.”

“So, you’re just pissed that we presented ourselves to you as the House of Oz and asked for your help finding a broker?”

“I sent you a fucking feast!” He spat, petulantly.

“Yes, that was very gracious, and we all enjoyed it immensely.”

“I spent hours reaching out to find you a broker,” he sulked.

“Great!” She beamed at him. “And did you? Nothing has changed for us. We still need a broker. And we’re still willing to cut you in on the transactions. So, what’s the fucking problem?”

“You are not royalty.”

“Wrong again. We are absolutely King and Queen of a place called Oz. Right guys?” Everyone nodded their heads. “And we are committed to building diplomatic relations across the galaxy. Let’s take the Ophidians waiting on us. Did you ever dream that you would enjoy the prestige of hosting a royal reception for the Ophidians on your station? What is that going to do for the prominence of you and the station? The Ophidians chose this location for our meeting, but if you were our very good friend ,” she approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder, “then we might consider returning in the future with another high-profile meeting. As it is, your station has the honor of being the place where the whole galaxy was introduced to the House of Oz. And believe me, it’s a name everyone’s going to hear a lot more of.”

“What kind of friend?”

“Well, there’s the kindness we’ve already asked of you. Since you feel we mislead you, I’m prepared to increase our offer to 2% of all transactions handled through the broker you provide.” Bahbi saw Prag’s eyes flash. “Your feelings are hurt, I get it. However, my feelings are also hurt. You held guns on my boys, and I didn’t like that one fucking bit. So, I think you’re going to have to soothe my hurt feelings by setting us up with a very nice suite aboard your station, indefinitely, while we wait for our broker, transactions, and accounts to get lined up. And keep feeding us. Then, once the money has come in, we’re going to need an introduction to the best ship builder in the galaxy. What do you think? Are you interested in being our very good friend?”

A slow smile spread across Jarxtan Prag’s face as he looked into Vi’s eyes and said, “My Queen.”