Page 37 of Rescuing Mara (Warriors of Arracate #2)

CHAPTER 37

O’Rec

T he journey back to the Ring is grim and filled with sorrow. T’Rak does not speak much. He resides in his chair, his sole focus on getting us home. Worry clouds my mind, because Marra identified the cruiser that escaped as the High Commander’s ship. He might not be on it, but chances are high that fucker escaped.

At night, I hold my mate tight, and we talk about our future as King and Queen of the Arracate. Now, more than ever, I need to take my place to guide our people through the devastation of losing six warriors.

Our conversations are deep and intimate, moments so special I will cherish them forever. I tell her everything about our history, about the Ring, about my life on the Ring, and about what will be expected from us both when we return.

Today is the last day of travel. I talked to M’Ran, who was beside himself to hear that I was finally ready to claim my throne. He already started planning the ceremony, though I made him promise to keep it a sober one. We are honoring our fallen Warriors the day after we arrive. The crowning ceremony will come two days later. I was skeptical about having the ceremonies so close together, but M’Ran assured me our people are more than ready, and I need to show strength. Marra joked that he is probably afraid I will back out of it if it takes too long - and although she was joking, she might also be right.

Marra has taken on the task of cleaning the mess hall and the cargo bay, so L’Ren has a clean slate to work with when we get back. We have just come out of hyperspace, and the nebula appears before us in its full beauty.

“Marra, come join us. There is something you should really see.”

She does not reply, but I feel her getting closer, and when she walks in, she audibly gasps.

“Wow! This is… amazing!” Mesmerized, she walks towards the window, and I try to see our home from her eyes. Before us is the void: black as can be, devout of all color. Right in front of that void is a huge space nebula. Purple clouds in the center turn into pinks and blues at the edges.

I walk towards her and put my arms around her, pulling her close to me.

“It is beautiful. A couple of years ago, a crew on patrol stumbled upon it. The nebula is hidden by planets, and almost nobody ventures this close to the void. They were drawn to it somehow, and they felt it calling to them. I feel it now as well, it is like part of my heart is here.”

I can see her smile in the window. “Is that the spark you told me about? The one that used to be inside of your planet?”

“Yes. We believe the spark is what guides us, what makes sure that wherever we are in the universe, we always find our way back home. It gave our planet a very spiritual power, and when we thought we lost it, we were truly adrift after the destruction of the planet. Survivors found sanctuary on a lot of different planets.”

“Like Novarron!” she exclaims.

“Like Novarron. But now we have a home again. The spark led us to this nebula, and we have worked hard over the years to make this our permanent home.”

She smiles at me in the reflection of the window and leans into me.

We stay like this when we enter the Nebula, wonder pulsing through our bond. It feels like I see our home for the first time again, and it confirms what I already know: this is the perfect place for us.

The clouds around us thicken before they open up into the clearing that hides the Ring.

“Here we are.” My voice is thick with emotion. “Home.”

“O’Rec,” she whispers. “It’s amazing.”

I look at the Ring through her eyes and hope she can make it her home as well. The Ring. It all started out with only a couple of ships connected by tubes. The tubes got bigger and permanent, and the ships turned into docking stations. Now, it is a giant space station where broad hallways connect to different hubs, which lead to other hallways and so on. It is shaped like a giant ring, hence the nickname: the Ring. It stuck, and now everybody calls our home by that name.

“We have a designated docking station over there.” I point to the hub near the top. “We should strap in during this last part of the arrival.”

I guide her towards my chair and gently pull her into my lap. Silence hangs heavy in the air when T’Rak guides us towards the docking station.

We wait for T’Rak to leave his chair so we can show him our support. Then, we wait for the airlock to open so we can enter the Ring.

The doors slide open, and the sounds of the Ring grow louder. The minute we set foot on the Ring we hear L’Ren’s shrieks of joy as she launches herself at D’Var, Kepti standing a few feet away, smiling. I see M’Ran and the other advisors standing on the other side, but this time, there is no one to greet T’Rak.

I feel his grief, and D’Var and I walk towards him. We each grab hold of one shoulder.

“We are here for you.”

The words echo through our mental link, a wave of gratitude comes back.

“Be with your mates,” T’Rak says gruffly. “I have things to take care of and I plan on getting really stupidly drunk. I would rather do that alone, but I promise I will reach out if I need you.”

We both let him go and I step back. I understand his need to be alone, to drink the sorrow away until you forget.

Marra takes my hand and holds on tight. “Will he be alright?”

I nod. “In time. We are not done with the Sterotheri yet, but for now, let us focus on what needs to be done here.”

Before grief can take over, L’Ren is at our side, hugging Marra, and they both cry and talk about how happy they are to be together again.

L’Ren hugs me fiercely when she is done embracing Marra.

“I am so happy you are okay,” she whispers.

“Right back at you,” I reply, making her laugh and cry at the same time.

Next is M’Ran, who is eagerly awaiting his introduction to my mate.

“Marra,” I say gravely as I take her hand and pull her towards my trusted advisor. “I would like for you to meet M’Ran. He is one of my most trusted advisors, as he was my fathers before me. He has been taking care of our people so I had time to grieve.”

M’Ran looks like he is about to cry. He bows deeply then takes Marra’s hands in his. “It is my utmost pleasure to meet you, my Queen.”

Marra laughs. “Not yet, M’Ran, and no need for formalities. I am just Mara.” M’Ran’s frown is so deep she hastily corrects herself. “But you can also call me my lady if that pleases you.”

M’Ran beams at her. “That would please me greatly, my lady.”

“Great save,” I sent to my mate, and she snickers. Suddenly, I cannot wait any longer to have her alone, and I excuse us.

“We will meet with you tomorrow, M’Ran. Now it is time for me to take my mate to our new home.”

* * *

Mara

O’Rec pulls me through the crowd, barely giving me time to look around.

“O’Rec!” I protest. “What are you doing, rushing like that.”

“I need you, Marra. It was not right on the ship, but here, now that I can finally take you to my living quarters, see you in my bed. The need is overwhelming.”

He barely finishes his thoughts as a pulse of need hits me, shooting straight to my sex. I feel like my whole body is on fire, and suddenly, I don’t mind his haste. At all.

We’re both breathless by the time we reach a beautiful square with a big door on one side. Part of me wants to check out the wonders of this station because it’s spacious and beautifully decorated. Not at all like the dark, unsavory ones I’m used to visiting. But then O’Rec opens the door and pulls me inside. He spins me around, shoving me against the door, then his lips are on mine.

The kiss is hungry; his lips are firmly on mine, making them part instantly, and his tongue thrusts inside. He lets out a pained groan when he rips his mouth from mine.

“Bedroom,” he pants, then he lifts me into his arms and sets off on a determined path. We cross some sort of courtyard. Plants in every variety surround a tiled square, even more beautiful than what I saw on the outside. I raise my head to look around, but suddenly, images flood my mind, and I take in a sharp breath.

I see myself lying in a big bed with soft sheets. I am naked in this vision, and O’Rec is buried between my thighs, my hands locked on his horns, pulling him closer. His tail is wrapped around my upper thigh, and I can almost feel the tip tickle the sensitive skin of my sex, making me moan.

“I am going to make you see stars, my mate,” O’Rec says.

“Hurry up!” I croak, then I surprise myself by kissing him.

I lose awareness of our surroundings. I only feel O’Rec holding me, kissing me, until we stumble into a room, and with the sound of a door closing, we tumble onto a bed. His kisses turn from hungry to feverish, and I claw at his shoulders.

“I need you naked.” I pant as I push against his harness, his blades prodding my skin. He sits up cursing, quickly removing the offensive items. The sound of his harness falling to the ground comes from far away; all my attention is on my mate. He sits back on his knees and slowly pops open the first button of his trousers. I bite my lip, arousal shooting through my body at his deliberate movements.

“Hurry,” I beg, but he smirks as he proceeds at an even slower pace. I try to sit up to lend him a hand, but he pushes me back towards the bed with his tail.

“Patience, Marra,” he chides as he opens another button. The head of his cock is visible now, and I lick my lips. I can’t help the need that’s pouring through me, my hand slips under my pants. I arch my hips when I touch my aching flesh.

“Marra,” he groans. All of a sudden, he rips open his trousers and pulls his cock out. Pre-cum is leaking from the little slit, and I reach out with my other hand and swipe the drops away. My fingers are coated in his pre-cum, and I bring them to my mouth. Giving him a defiant look, I slide them in my mouth and lick them clean.

He groans again, stroking his cock with fire in his eyes. My fingers touch my clit, and I jolt. The sight of him pleasuring himself is the hottest thing I have ever seen, and I get wet just looking at him.

The image of me naked in this bed with his head between my thighs flashes through my mind, and when O’Rec smirks, I know I broadcasted my thoughts to him.

“Want me to make that fantasy happen, Marra? Want me to bury my face between those gorgeous thighs of yours and lick that wet cunt until your voice is hoarse from screaming my name? I will suck that little clit of yours while I pump my fingers into your channel. Would you like that, my star?”

I keep rubbing my clit, faster and faster, and with those final words, I fly over the edge, crying out his name.