Betrayal
Ti'aasaan and the prince had been ensconced in the suite for two days. Radittsu had carefully avoided *speaking* with Zha'haabron, although he had kept a low-level *awareness* operating - just in case anything went wrong and he was needed. He hadn't been. But Gh'heegonan was becoming anxious.
He frowned at the Saiyan over the evening meal. "He really should be drugged again. I don't want any harm coming to either of them."
Radittsu glared at the chief. "You rape him and let others rape him on a regular basis and you say you don't want any harm coming to him?"
The lizard shrugged. "He is valuable to me."
"And that's how you treat things you value?"
Gh'heegonan scowled irritably. "It is how zn'hre are treated. How they have always been treated."
"And that's a good reason for letting it continue?"
"Do not presume to criticise the customs of a race you know nothing about!"
Radittsu paused, and as Gh'heegonan's previous comment sank in he frowned, suddenly feeling cold despite the oppressive heat. "Are all zn'hre treated the same?"
Gh'heegonan nodded.
"Even... even the prince?"
The chief stared at him, eyes wide in surprise.
"Of course."
Radittsu fell silent, a tight knot of dismay coiling in his gut. His bondmate had been...? He shook his head. No. He was the prince. And he was so very strong, powerful, his fighting ability too well-developed. Surely...
Ti'aasaan gazed up at the prince, adoration shining from his eyes. Zha'haabron smiled tenderly down at the little zn'hre, his expression one usually reserved for his bondmate, and stroked the delicate pale face below him.
**All is well?**
Ti'aasaan wrapped slim arms around his waist and snuggled close.
**Oh yes. Better than I ever believed it could be. I did not know that was possible**
**None of us could know. None of us have ever been able to mate more than once, without the drugs...**
He'd known he was taking a risk, although even transformed Ti'aasaan wouldn't have been too much of a problem, and he could always *call* Radittsu to help if it proved necessary. And he was prepared for pain if it came to having to pull out in a hurry. But Zha'haabron was certain there had to be a way to overcome their brutally self-destructive mating urge and its attendant pain and death. It simply wasn't logical that something as basic as reproduction should result in lessening the population of zn'hre instead of continuing or increasing it. So after they'd mated the first time, and Ti'aasaan had conceived, he'd let them rest for a while for the narcotics to wear off then slowly and gently made love to the smaller zn'hre. And it had been free of that terrible overwhelming compulsion - instead, a sweet, fiery, leisurely joining as Ti'aasaan whimpered and trembled with pleasure under his hands and tongue. He wondered if conception itself stopped whatever it was that caused the destructive impulse. If that was the case, that particular set of narcotics should only prove necessary for the first mating, freeing the zn'hre from a great deal of pain and humiliation. Unless, of course, once the young were - removed - it reasserted itself...
He frowned. On second thoughts that was probably the case, since he himself had felt it on meeting Ti'aasaan. Then again... he bit his lip, pensively. The relentless urge to mate had been present, but he had taken the rôle of sire, and it was the host who was violent. And while it had apparently worked between zn'hre he had no idea what the effect it would be when mating with other types or genders. The fact that, to be on the safe side, zn'hre were drugged as a matter of course whenever they were required to host offspring meant that no-one had ever tried it any other way. His eyes narrowed for a moment: it was even possible that narcotics were unnecessary with any but other zn'hre. He shook his head in frustration. There were too many questions and no answers. He simply didn't know enough about his own physiology. He had a suspicion no-one did...
But it was a start. He had proved that natural mating was possible, at least between zn'hre. And that could, just possibly, change the world for his type.
He lay back and pulled Ti'aasaan close, stroking the pale green hair, now unbraided and feather-soft in his fingers, and sighed.
**It is very unlikely that Gh'heegonan will allow you to return to Vejiitasei with me - but I'm reluctant to leave you here**
**I will be fine. Gh'heegonan treats me well when I'm carrying** He smiled, wanly. **It's about the only time I am treated well**
Zha'haabron hugged him tightly. **I know, little one, I know. Be brave, and keep what we have learned to yourself. Vejiitasei is not so far away: *call* me if you need me**
The small zn'hre sighed and licked his neck.
**I suppose we ought to put in an appearance. Gh'heegonan will be concerned that we might hurt each other: even he will have worked out his drugs must have worn off by now**
Zha'haabron kissed his throat, making him shiver, and ran his hands downwards. Ti'aasaan moaned, eyes closing, as the prince ran strong fingers down his shaft and slid gently into him.
**Oh, I think we can make him wait a little longer...**
Radittsu at his side, Zha'haabron stood behind Ti'aasaan, holding him close, strong hands resting protectively over the smaller zn'hre's abdomen, with Zh'anah hovering at his back. The prince regarded the chief gravely. "What are your plans for them?"
Gh'heegonan looked surprised. "And since when have zn'hre taken any interest in their offspring?"
Radittsu sensed the sudden fury in his bondmate and stepped in fast.
"Since when have they been allowed to? As far as I understand it, the babies are taken from their host before birth - if they're lucky - and never meet him again."
Gh'heegonan shrugged. "What's so unusual about that? Hatchlings never meet their - parents - either."
Radittsu glared. "The difference is that zn'hre young are born, not hatched. It's personal."
Ti'aasaan's jaw had dropped, his eyes huge and stunned.
**Why is your bondmate speaking so?**
The prince hugged the smaller zn'hre closer, beaming at the Saiyan in sheer delight.
**He loves me**
**But... I am not you**
**You carry our offspring. That is enough for him. Oh, Ti'aasaan... Warmbloods have much to teach us**
Gh'heegonan was frowning, trying to make sense of Radittsu's attitude. "Why do you care?"
"They're half my bondmate's. That makes them part of me. Of course I want to know what's going to happen to them!"
Ti'aasaan and Gh'heegonan were now completely lost, and even Zha'haabron had a little difficulty making the mental connection. The Saiyan planted his hands on his hips and glowered at the chief - then shook his head despairingly. When he next spoke his voice was resigned.
"Just tell us what you have planned."
Gh'heegonan shrugged. "Normally only the strongest one, or at best two, would survive. However, given this - special mating, they'll be reared separately and safely. We will do all in our power to ensure that all survive."
Radittsu frowned. "How many are there likely to be?"
Gh'heegonan glanced at the zn'hre. Zha'haabron and Ti'aasaan both closed their eyes and focused on the new lives already forming within the smaller zn'hre's body.
"Five." They spoke in unison.
"And what types will they be?"
Ti'aasaan and Gh'heegonan looked blank. The prince smiled. "Zn'hre of course."
Radittsu flashed him a long-suffering look. "There's no 'of course' about it. Leteetza didn't know the details and you've never talked about it."
Zha'haabron looked abashed. "You're right. I'm sorry." He sighed. "When zn'hre mate together, the offspring are all pure zn'hre. That has always been half the problem. If allowed to reach full term, not only do they eat their way out of their host, they eat each other too."
Radittsu frowned, running a hand through his mane. "Oh. Well, I suppose that explains why there aren't very many of you." He glared at Gh'heegonan. "So we have your word they'll be properly cared for? Ti'aasaan too?"
The chief placed a hand over his stomach and bowed slightly. "You have my word."
Radittsu looked back to his bondmate. "Would you like to come back and see them when they're born?"
Zha'haabron stared for a moment, then smiled, shaking his head. "To my knowledge it's never been tried before - but I dare not risk it. Given the instinctive reaction between zn'hre it could be dangerous for them."
The Saiyan looked startled. "What, even for babies?"
The prince shrugged. "It's possible. I don't want them hurt in any way."
Radittsu scratched his head, then shook it, frowning dubiously at his bondmate. "Hai. If you say so." He glanced back at the chief. "Can you send us images of them?"
All three reptiles stared at the Saiyan. There was a moment's stunned silence, then Zha'haabron chuckled. "Why, Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu! I never knew you were sentimental!"
Radittsu flushed slightly and growled irritably under his breath, but kept his eyes on the chief. Who smiled and nodded.
"Of course. After your - compliance with our request, we could hardly refuse."
A bustle at the entrance distracted them, and a group of gn'ick'lehe - the small, sexless lizards that the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin used as aides and servants - approached. Ti'aasaan turned and slid his arms around the prince's broad shoulders.
**Thank you**
Zha'haabron hugged him gently. **Go safely**
Ti'aasaan smiled up at him. **You also, my Ssii'irin**
Zha'haabron watched him walk away, surrounded by the gn'ick'lehe. His face was expressionless, but Radittsu could *feel* the sadness in his mind. He moved quietly to stand at the prince's shoulder.
*Are you all right?*
The prince slid an arm around his waist, nodding - then turned to Gh'heegonan, glaring at the chief with narrowed eyes.
"You will care for him. You will allow no harm to come to him. Or you will answer to me."
Gh'heegonan stared at the prince as if suddenly remembering who he was dealing with, then dropped to one knee and pressed the backs of his hands to his forehead.
"Highness."
"And you will never, never use a zn'hre in such a way again."
The voice was harsh, and Gh'heegonan flinched, staring up into the beautiful cold golden eyes with a sudden presentiment of change. And danger. He nodded.
"I swear, highness."
Dismissing him with a shrug, Zha'haabron turned to his bondmate.
"We have lost enough time. Let us leave."
Chilek found me sitting at the console, listening with half an ear. He went down on one knee and laid his hand over mine.
"Lady?"
I grimaced, turning from him. "Don't call me that."
His fingers tightened very slightly over mine, than slackened. "Can I help?"
I sighed. "I don't think anyone can."
Vejiita hadn't returned to our rooms that night, nor the one after, nor the next. After six days I had a bed made up for myself in the monitoring room and spent all my time there. It was in any case easier than facing the various sympathetic, pitying or malicious faces of everyone around me: the whole palace knew what had happened.
I felt numb. After the initial shock had worn off, I tried to force down my entirely irrational feelings of betrayal. I had known this day would come, eventually: I'd just managed to conveniently forget it.
But... somehow, I'd thought my relationship with the King wouldn't change all that much. I'd thought that the sort of female suitable to give him heirs probably wouldn't have much in common with him, was unlikely to have any interest in his own concerns... But of course, that wasn't necessarily so. Maybe the twins were entirely en rapport with him. Gods, for all I knew they'd been groomed for this their entire lives, body and mind! I glanced at my reflection, feeling a swift spasm of jealousy. There was no way I could compete.
Absently, my hand stroked at the scar on my neck - and suddenly its full import hit me. If he didn't want me any more...
I'd briefly felt very, very angry - how could he be so bloody selfish?! - but it fizzled out quickly. And I'd wept as I contemplated a lonely future.
"You should get out, you know, my lady. You haven't left the room in three days. You need some exercise, some fresh air. Why don't you go for a workout?"
I nodded. I didn't exactly feel in the mood, but it would do me good. A call to the Elite Guard told me that Apyo was off duty and would be delighted to spar with me. Radittsu had always spoken favourably of him...
Radittsu.
I wish he was here...
On R'ren'nkh'ia things were - amazingly - progressing pretty much as planned. As Radittsu and the prince continued their journey more and more chiefs were persuaded to support Zha'geekaan. In the final analysis Zha'haabron was called on to sire offspring on eight chiefs or their mates: Radittsu wasn't at all happy about it, but the prince was so relieved to be back with his bondmate at the end of each mating - and, as the trip wore on, so tired and unsettled and disheartened and needful of reassurance - that any feelings of jealousy or insecurity the Saiyan might have felt simply faded away. And in fact he was able to help make things a little easier for Zha'haabron. Two of the chiefs - the female shr'en'an Ssh'stilla and the hermaphrodite ph'ti'pa La'aoin - had planned on mating with the prince, but changed their minds when they saw Radittsu...
*Are you sure you don't mind?*
Zha'haabron caught his face between strong blue hands, smiling into his eyes.
** Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu, as long as it does not bother you, I am 'fine' with it. Are you?**
The big male had shrugged. *I'd prefer not to. But anything that makes life easier for you...*
Zha'haabron kissed his neck and smiled into his face, golden eyes soft and loving. **I appreciate your sacrifice. Thank you**
And Radittsu hadn't exactly enjoyed himself, but it had certainly been an interesting experience.
And then they had met with all twenty-seven chiefs, twenty-five of whom were sworn to the king's support. It was, thought the prince, probably enough, although those extra two would have ensured it. However, they'd both had enough of R'ren'nkh'ia and were looking forward to returning home too much to be really concerned.
They were on their way back to Zha'geekaan when the message came through.
It was a very late change of plan, although Zha'haabron suspected that his sire had intended it all along. The prince had been apprehensive from the start, actually pacing in their vehicle the night the command was delivered. Radittsu had watched him, frowning, then pulled him into his arms, alarmed at the quivering tension in his bondmate's sleek, powerful body.
*Do we have to do this?*
Zha'haabron nodded and, much to Radittsu's dismay, pulled away from the Saiyan, resuming his pacing.
**Aside from my sire, Dhr'ovaanon is the most powerful ruler on R'ren'nkh'ia. With what we have already accomplished, and his support, Zha'geekaan's ascendancy would be assured**
*Why are you so worried? What's he like?*
Zha'haabron stopped pacing and turned to face his bondmate, his expression carefully neutral.
** Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu, I'm not worried. I'm afraid. Very afraid**
The Saiyan's eyes widened. For the prince to admit to something so extraordinary must mean something very nasty in store. He scowled and grabbed his bondmate to him. Zha'haabron resisted momentarily, then sighed and rested his head on the big male's shoulder.
**Even amongst our own people he is renowned for cruelty. I believe he is not entirely sane. And he is devious, and untrustworthy. I may be submitting myself to much pain for no purpose**
Radittsu buried his fingers in his prince's cold soft hair.
*There'll be pain?*
The answer was a distressed whisper. **Oh yes. That is certain**
*Can I do anything to stop it?*
The prince shook his head, then wrapped himself closer against the Saiyan, his embrace bruising. Radittsu felt him trembling and bit his own lip.
*There must be something I can do!*
**To take any direct action would result in more pain for me - and you could be hurt in the process. I could not bear that. Just - be there when I return. I will need help. And...** He pulled back slightly and gazed up into his bondmate's deep eyes, his own liquid gold in the fading sunlight. **let me make love to you tonight?**
Radittsu hugged him close, ignoring the tightness in his own throat.
Dhr'ovaanon was va'ha'da, the same type as Zha'geekaan, only mercifully not quite as big. Radittsu eyed him uncertainly, frowning.
*Is he male?*
**Hermaphrodite**
Well, that was something...
The chief watched them, deep blue eyes wary.
"You know what I require?"
Zha'haabron nodded curtly.
"But first we require your seal. On here." Radittsu held a parchment out to the big lizard, who stared at him disbelievingly. The Saiyan held his gaze, focussing on Zha'geekaan's persona, and finally Dhr'ovaanon pressed his palm to the document, the oil released from the glands in his skin imprinting his personal 'signature' onto it.
Then he gestured towards the door, ignoring Radittsu. Zha'haabron glanced back, eyes full of dread.
**It was well thought of, even if I do suffer for it. But whatever you do, don't interfere again**
I was training when they appeared. Vejiita, walking with the Southern Lord, Anzu, the twins trailing along behind. The King and Anzu continued walking: the females stopped to watch. Their voices very carefully pitched so that only I would be able to hear them clearly.
"That's her?"
"Uhuh."
A disdainful sniff. "Looks more like a male!"
"I know. Look at that dreadful hair! And fighting, too. In public. So - common..."
"Ugly little thing. Well, I don't think we have anything to worry about."
"Oh, no, certainly not! I mean, has he even mentioned her since we arrived? I know he hasn't spoken to her."
A giggle. "Well, we haven't exactly given him time to, have we?"
"True. We have kept him rather busy. And it's not like there was any real feeling there to start with. He's forgotten her already."
Giggling between themselves, they walked on, and in my distraction I failed to block Apyo's fist. Too angry and miserable to fight any longer, I let the force of the blow take me groundwards. Apyo dived down and supported me as I landed raggedly. He frowned.
"Are you all right?"
"I'll survive."
His eyes flickered towards the retreating pair. "You shouldn't take any notice of them. They're managing to make themselves quite unpopular with the Guard."
Not that that did me any good. Still, he meant well, and I smiled. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Will Jeruk do instead? I'm on duty."
"Surely."
"Later, then. And please don't worry."
Five hours... He could have howled.
Zha'haabron had *blocked* him! He had no idea what was happening. Hands clenched in his mane he paced with long, angry, frantic strides back and forth across the spacious chamber they'd been given...
Zh'anah slammed the door open with her tail, startling Radittsu. The big Saiyan glared - then caught sight of what the warrior carried...
Radittsu took the bleeding, unconscious prince gently into his arms. Zh'anah tenderly stroked a stray strand of emerald hair from the high forehead, glancing up into the Saiyan's eyes.
"I'm sorry. There was nothing I could do. I am ready to die if you wish to punish me."
Radittsu stared at her, blinking, realising suddenly that she really meant it. Her strange reptilian eyes gazed at Zha'haabron with regret and grief and what could only be love...
"What is he to you?"
Despite the urgency of the situation Radittsu had to know. The warrior glanced up at him.
"My host."
Raditzu blinked. Then frowned, a terrible suspicion forming.
"Who was your sire?"
"Zha'geekaan."
Radittsu stared down at his prince, paling. I think we need to have a long talk, you and I...
He shook himself. It would have to wait. For now he had to check his bondmate. He gently laid Zha'haabron down on the sleeping platform and glanced up at the lizard.
"Get water. And something soft to clean him with."
Waiting for the scurrying warrior's return, he bit his lip as he ran appraising eyes over the prince, grateful that he was unconscious. The blue skin was very pale, scored everywhere with deep clawmarks: there were large dark bruises on his ribs, hips and neck, and when Radittsu carefully rolled him over, his buttocks and the backs of his thighs as well. And his shoulders and arms were covered with bites.
The Saiyan rolled him back. Then took a deep breath, steeling himself, and gently parted the prince's legs...
He was bleeding. It was obvious, despite the prohibition restricting him to the male rôle, that Dhr'ovaanon had - used him. Brutally, too; tissue was torn and ragged. Biting down on the rage building within him, Radittsu ripped a piece from the sheet and gently swabbed the blood away - and then realised that the prince was also bleeding from further back...
For a moment Radittsu felt almost faint. Why? Why had he done that? The sheer, casual cruelty of such violation... Radittsu pressed his forehead to his bondmate's.
*Beloved? Can you hear me?*
There was the faintest whisper of response.
**... drugs...**
*He used drugs?* The big male snarled at himself. Of course he'd used drugs, baka! How else would he be able to reduce Zha'haabron to this state? *Hold on. I'll have you more comfortable soon...*
**... no... withdrawal...**
Radittsu frowned. What was that supposed to mean? He was spared from having to ask the prince as Zh'anah returned, a big bowl of cold water and a smaller one of hot in her hands, a pile of soft cloths over one arm. As the Saiyan relieved her of her burdens he asked if she knew what the prince had meant. She lowered her eyes, flinching.
"He will have used drugs to subdue the Ssii'irin. And the drugs he uses are very effective. And they cause great pain as their effects wear off."
Radittsu closed his eyes, shuddering. "Is there any antidote?"
She shrugged. "No."
"Well is there any way to make withdrawal more bearable?"
She frowned, thinking, then shook her head. "We should make sure he is restrained, though. Withdrawal often causes much violence. He will be unable to help himself, and he could cause both himself and us much damage." She glanced down, alarmed, as Zha'haabron moaned, then started trembling. She rose hurriedly and headed for the door.
Radittsu stared after her. "Where are you going?"
"To find restraints."
As she raced off, the prince began to shudder. Radittsu pulled him into his arms and held him tightly, trying to *reassure* him. But there was no response. And that wasn't the only thing to they had to worry about...
"Leteetza..." Radittsu's voice was grim as he spoke in Saiyago into the empty air. "I need you to find out as much as you can about zn'hre reproductive systems. We need to know how long pregnancy lasts, whether there's any safe way of getting rid of the unborn early, and if not, whether our own medics can cope with removing the young before their birth."
By the time the warrior returned Zha'haabron was whimpering, his body feverish and twisting, his slitted eyes that strange, green-shot gold that the Saiyan had seen just once before. Zh'anah hastily fitted chained cuffs to his wrists and ankles, and glanced at Radittsu.
"I do not know if that will be enough. It was all I could find."
"Then it'll have to be..."
Though to be honest, Zha'haabron's ki was so low the shackles probably wouldn't be needed. Radittsu manoeuvred the prince so that his back was resting against the Saiyan's chest and wrapped his arms tightly around the hot blue body. The warrior knelt at Zha'haabron's feet, strong clawed hands holding his ankles.
"How long does it last?"
"Impossible to say. With his natural strength, it may be that Dhr'ovaanon used a lot, in which case it could be hours - hopefully not days. Then again, if he wished for the Ssii'irin to be conscious and suffering, he may have used only enough to keep him from moving, in which case... maybe half an hour."
Zha'haabron was moaning, his body writhing as Radittsu increased his grip. The prince's temperature was fluctuating wildly: one moment he would be feverishly hot, the next much colder than normal. The Saiyan could only hope his ki was strong enough to cope with the strain on his system.
Then Zha'haabron started screaming.
Radittsu held him tightly as the prince's body went completely rigid, terror and agony manifest in the harsh screams. The *block* failed and the big male gritted his teeth as the echo of Zha'haabron's pain flooded his mind. He buried his face in emerald hair and wept.
I sat at the monitor, unable to tear myself away, tears streaming down my own face, listening to the receiver and unconsciously pounding at the edge of my desk until my fists bled. Chilek and Armut were a flurry of activity around me, trying to find the information Radittsu had requested, even though it was of no immediate use. I buried my face in my bleeding hands, feeling utterly helpless as Zha'haabron screamed himself hoarse.
Eventually the exhausted prince's voice gave out, his throat raw. He was still writhing, but his struggles were weakening, strength failing, ki lower and plummeting as his horrified bondmate held him. Then, suddenly, he became limp, unmoving...
Radittsu froze, terrified into immobility.
*B... Beloved?*
There was a long, long moment of silence. Then:
**... Rhoi'...**
It was faint, but the response was there. The prince took a gasping breath. And then his ki abruptly stabilised. Far too low, but still there, and enough to keep him alive.
Trembling, Radittsu cradled him, carefully, afraid of hurting him further, nodding to Zh'anah to let go.
*How... how are you?*
**... alive...**
The big male kissed his bondmate's hair, sobbing audibly.
*I'm never, ever letting anything like this happen again!*
Zha'haabron stirred minutely.
**... tell 'teetza...**
Radittsu stroked his face, stunned by his bondmate's consideration.
"Leteetza? It's all right. He's come through it." He paused for a second. "Sorry if I worried you. We'll be on our way back soon and we can talk properly."
He glanced at his bondmate. Zha'haabron was shaking: Radittsu hugged him close, scowling at Zh'anah.
"Where's the chief?"
Zha'haabron stirred in his arms.
**... Please... time for revenge later... Take me away from here... please...**
Zh'anah had raised her hands and was shaking her head. "You cannot... He is too strong for you."
Radittsu growled, but acquiesced. And half an hour later they were on their way back to Zha'geekaan.
Radittsu had settled the prince carefully into the bed on the ship, leaving Zh'anah to watch over him - to his surprise the warrior had elected to return to Vejiitasei with them. To his even greater surprise, Zha'geekaan had agreed - and made his way to the king. The big lizard was in a large and luxuriously appointed office, Ishn'is and Kk'leet and three other lizards - whose names he didn't bother to remember, so disgusted was he by the whole affair - with him. Radittsu flung the pile of parchments, documents and data chips down on the table, an expression of the utmost distaste on his face.
"Here's what you wanted."
Zha'geekaan gathered the pile to him and ran through it swiftly, passing the documents to his aides for verification, then gazed up at the Saiyan.
"How is he?"
Radittsu snorted. "What do you care?"
The big lizard regarded the big primate for a moment, then chuckled.
"You're right. I don't care. Not now he's changed his allegiance." He shrugged. "He's done what I wanted. Now he's your problem."
Radittsu leaned forward, his smile dangerous. "You forget your place."
A look of startlement - and reluctant fear - flashed across the king's face. He glowered at the Saiyan.
"Are you threatening me?"
"I don't need to." He paused, staring coldly into the lizard's eyes until Zha'geekaan lowered his gaze. "I expect you to give us any assistance we require - especially medical assistance - when we require it."
Zha'geekaan was all compliance.
"But of course! I'll have one of my own medical advisors return with you. The prince will need monitoring, in his condition." He frowned. "You will, of course, return here for the delivery."
It was a statement, not a question. Radittsu kept his expression neutral.
"If it proves necessary."
"Oh, it will. Believe me, it will..."
Refusing outright to trust to the king's choice of biotech, Radittsu had Zh'anah select one that she believed trustworthy - much to Zha'geekaan's loudly voiced displeasure. The Saiyan had fixed him with one of his own steely glares, and he'd backed down, still unhappy. Radittsu had smiled, coldly.
"I'm sure Vejiita would wish me to extend our thanks for your compliance."
Zha'geekaan shut up.
The biotech - a brood ko'ish'n named Zh'leet - was checking Zha'haabron when Radittsu entered the bedchamber. They'd just left R'ren'nkh'ian orbit. Not one second too soon, as far as the Saiyan was concerned. He sat on the bed beside his bondmate. The prince was only half-awake, bruised, battered, exhausted, and still the most beautiful thing Radittsu had ever seen. He clasped one cool blue hand in his warm grasp.
"How are you?"
"Wearied, angry, humiliated, in much pain, and unwillingly hosting unwanted offspring. But I have you, which more than balances the scales."
Radittsu kissed his palm. "You're amazing."
Tired golden eyes gazed at him, gently, lovingly. "You have only yourself to blame for that."
The big male moved closer, cradling his bondmate's aching body tenderly.
*I love you.*
**And I... 'love' sometimes seems too mild a word**
Radittsu kissed his temple. *I know. But it'll do us for now.* He pulled back slightly, watching as Zha'haabron's eyelids drooped. He smiled.
*Sleep, lover.*
The prince's eyes closed.
**...stay with me?**
*Always.*
© 2001 (March) Joules Taylor
