Moonlight pt 1

Lutra had stood on the balcony in the twilight every evening and watched the moon sliding from shadow into light, the first thin crescent rapidly growing into a semi-circle and day by day creeping towards fullness.
      Only two more days before FullMoon, 'lestrel had told her, early this morning as they both fell into an exhausted sleep. Two more days and the activity was going to become… well, if she'd thought things were hectic now, she was in for a shock…
      It had first occurred to her ten days ago that her hab'lan seemed to be growing unusually tense - even snappish, and short with the children, which she'd never seen before. Ti'aasaan had frowned and suggested A'lestrel avoid them if he couldn't cope with the family, and the prince had meekly done so, staying in their room when they were at home and flying out with her every day - to the mountains, or the plains, or, most often, down to the sea, to fuck, and hunt, and fuck, and sleep, and fuck again. The Zasshu was filled with a nervous energy that never seemed to run out, even worse than at shizun: he was hardly sleeping, and he felt too warm to the touch. She'd asked him - when they'd both got their breath back from the latest bout and were lying flat out on the sand in hot sunslight - what was the matter.
      He'd tensed and pulled himself up to sit, arms and tail wrapped around his knees, refusing to look at her. She'd frowned, then sighed resignedly.
      "You need Ry, don't you?"
      His voice was harsh, self-mocking, when he answered.
      "Not necessarily. Anyone would do. Anyone with an inkei and a little stamina, that is." He growled, spread his legs and cupped his hand over his groin, kneading, fingers pushing urgently into his chitsu. "I'm sorry, zk'vissin…"
      She bit her lip and reached to stroke his thigh.
      "It's not your fault. Let's get back and see if Ry is free - or if not him, who? 'reysu? Anyone else?"
      His head rolled back, his teeth gritted, thumb rubbing roughly over his mound.
      "Anyone in the family… Oh fuck, zk'vissin, I shouldn't have left it so long…"
      She scrambled to position herself between his legs, then pushed him onto his back. No time for subtlety - making a fist of her hand she twisted it back and forth into his chitsu, nipping and suckling at his mound as he cried out and grabbed for her hair, then sucked his inkei deeply into her mouth, other hand pinching and pulling roughly at the sensitive nub below…
      He screamed as he came, a sound she'd never heard before and one that came close to frightening her. As he collapsed, trembling, she crawled up his body and glared down into his face, one hand gripping his plait.
      "Don't you dare do this again!" She punched his shoulder, really angry now. "You thick-headed, stupid…" She growled and slapped him. "Do you think I want you to suffer?" She pulled herself upright and tried to drag him with her, yanking at his plait and kicking at his thigh. Shaking, he struggled to his feet.
       "Can you fly?"
      "Of course."
      She took his hand and tugged.
      "Home."

His flight was a little unsteady, but they made it back to the palace without incident, landing on their balcony. Lutra shoved A'lestrel inside and towards the bed, then stalked out into the common room. Ka'reysu glanced up from feeding his sirelings with a smile - then frowned at her expression.
      "Torii-chan…?"
      "He needs Ry."
      'reysu was silent for a moment, expression distracted, then sighed and shook his head.
      "Ry is… busy at the moment. With Ti'ani…" He beckoned to Br'yaan, who'd popped his head out of the cold-store to see what was happening. "Tend to the hostlings for a little while?"
      Lutra shook her head. "I can do that." And in fact it would calm her, and give her time to think… Ka'reysu smiled and rose to his feet.
      "Thank you…"

At least they were quiet about it… she thought to herself sourly, cuddling the yawning Le'ska in her arms. 'reysu had been in with her hab'lan for hours already; she had no idea how much longer they'd be.
      Perhaps it had given her too much time to think. Her thoughts kept coming back to the inescapable fact that there was simply no way she could fulfil all of her bondmate's needs. The realisation made her miserable. The realisation that 'lestrel kept… resisting his own needs because it upset her made her even more miserable. The notion that this bonding was a very bad idea was eating away very quietly in the back of her mind. She didn't want to face it, but it was there nonetheless…
      But it wasn't their fault! She hadn't known that being alone with the prince would have caused it - if the gods-damned elders had bothered to tell their children about the way bonding worked, she'd at least have been forewarned… Though whether she'd have managed to resist her attraction to 'lestrel was another matter entirely.
      She rubbed a hand across her eyes, tired and still annoyed and unhappy. She had a lifetime of this to endure. Could she do it?
      Br'yaan appeared at her side, making her jump; it was a constant surprise to her how silently the big lizard could move. He handed her a beaker of warmed chee and placed a bowl of minced meat and another of fruit slices nearby.
      "Is there anything I may do to help?"
      She sighed and looked up into dark golden eyes.
      "I don't think so, Br'yaan."
      He lowered himself to sit cross-legged beside her, allowing Ka'rayne to climb onto his lap.
      "I do understand that this is not easy for you. But it will become so in time."
      "I don't see how!"
      "No, I am sure you don't. But you are young, you will adapt to each other." He inclined his heavily-crested head. "It is a pity your species only mate-bonds: it will be harder on you than the Ssii'irin. On the other hand, you will always have the family for support."
      She knew he was trying to help, in his own way, but he was really only making matters worse. She didn't want the family's support, she wanted A'lestrel to herself!
      But that wasn't going to happen. She knew that. Now she had to come to terms with it.
      Endure it? Stupid question - of course she'd endure it! 'lestrel was her life, her love, she'd be less than nothing without him.

It was mid-afternoon before 'reysu stumbled from the room…
      Lutra bit her lip: he looked exhausted, and… were those bites? He grinned wearily at the tenshi.
      "That should help."
      Torn between offering to help Ka'reysu and rushing in to her bondmate, she hesitated for a moment, until 'reysu gestured towards the door.
      "Go on…"
      'lestrel was sprawled on his front on the bed, eyes half-closed, tail coiled limply beside him. He smiled up at Lutra tiredly.
      "… zk'aida…"
      Sighing with relief she slid onto the bed, kneeling beside him, one hand stroking his back under his unplaited mane. She frowned as he winced, then pushed aside the heavy fall of green to see long, bleeding scratches across his shoulders. As her head whipped round, eyes glaring at the door, A'lestrel rolled onto his back and gently caught both her wrists.
      "It's nothing. I will be healed - we will both be healed - by tomorrow."
      She would have protested, but he pulled her down, pressing a kiss to warm lips.
      *Thank you… *
      Her wings drooped.
      *What else was I to do?* She kissed him, tongue brushing along cool lips. *Hab'lan, you have to say - do - something before you get to that stage! What sort of bondmate would I be if I sat back and let you suffer?*
      He sighed and closed his eyes.
      *Let's not talk about it just now, ne? I'm tired…*
      Given how little rest he'd had just recently, that was hardly surprising. But she had to ask one thing.
      *How often are you going to need that? Over FullMoon, I mean.*
      He eyed her warily.
      *At least every other day. Maybe every day - it can vary.*
      She shuddered, eyes closing.
      *Well, it can't be helped… As long as I get some of your time…*
      He chuckled and cuddled her.
      *Most of it, zk'vissin. Thank you for being so understanding.*
      She sighed and snuggled into him.
      *Shall we sleep?*
      *… yes…* He was already drifting. She pulled up the light fur, and within moments both were asleep.

The next day Ry moved into the suite. Hijau had grinned and ushered him into one of the small guest rooms - not that he'd be spending a lot of time there, of course…
      Lutra couldn't decide if she was pleased to see him or not. Yes, she liked him, and knew she could trust him to… uh… do what was necessary with the minimum of fuss or damage - but the feeling of outrage, that someone else would fuck her mate, was still there…
      Then again, he wasn't here just for A'lestrel. Not all of the Zasshu were partnered, but they all had much the same needs, and while many were happy to spend most of their time at the harem, there were some who preferred to remain with the family - or what was left of it at the moment, with so many of them on R'ren'nkh'ia.
      Ti'vaasan and Ti'vien arrived in the suite at the same time as Ry, settling down on the sleeping platform with Ti'ani and Le'leen and playing with the hostlings. 'lestrel had greeted them courteously - then turned to his bondmate.
      "I… need to leave you for a few hours."
      She blinked, then frowned.
      *Hab'lan - if you need to… you don't have to go, you know. I can cope…*
      He smiled and kissed her.
      *No, zk'aida, it's not that. There's just a little - personal business I have to attend to.*
      Puzzled, she nodded and hugged him as he nuzzled his claim mark, then watched as he loped to the balcony and took off in the direction of the city…

She played with the children and talked to the Zasshu, spending a very pleasant few hours in the sunny common room. But as the evening approached and the remaining family returned, and there was no sign of the prince, she began to worry. As 'reysu landed and strode in to pull his bondmate into his arms, she laid a tentative hand on his arm.
      "Ka'reysu-sama? Do you know where 'lestrel's gone?"
      The big Zasshu looked up from fondling his mate and frowned slightly - then inclined his head.
      "He's down at the beach."
      She blinked.
      "Whatever has he gone there for?" She stepped away. "I'd better go to him…"
      "No, don't do that."
      "But… why not?"
      "He needs to be alone at the moment."
      "But…"
      With enormous restraint - Le'leen was squirming against him, obviously eager to make love, while Ry and Kiraz were happily fondling Ti'ani and Ti'vien (Ti'vaasan had disappeared into the bathing chamber with Ra'vahn) - 'reysu turned to Lutra.
      "No, torii-chan, he needs to be alone. You must stay here - he will return soon. There is nothing wrong, and nothing to worry about."
      But that was a lot more easily said than complied with: the activity in the common room was becoming… she felt various parts of her body tingling and gritted her teeth, returning to her room and silently begging her hab'lan to come home so she could fuck him…

He didn't return until the middle of the next morning, however, by which time, despite the laughing reassurances from his twin, she was nearly frantic. As he landed and loped slowly into the suite she flung herself at him, hugging him tightly and almost missing his flinch.
      Almost. She stepped back, growling.
      "Who's hurt you?"
      He chuckled wearily, and she took a proper look at him: pale, tired, but no obvious damage…
      "So…?"
      He kissed the corner of her mouth.
      "Come to bed and I'll… show you…"

She stared, then reached very tentatively to touch.
      "Didn't - don't they hurt?"
      "A little. I've mostly healed though, now - it's quite amazing the effect frequent and thorough immersion in cold salt water can do for Zasshu wounds…"
      "They're beautiful…"
      She very gently stroked her fingertips over the large skin-beads adorning his inkei. He'd had them inserted in elegant length-wise spirals from the base all the way up into the protective skin over the head: as he grew erect she saw a glint of gold underneath and ducked her head down to look - staring up at him with huge eyes.
      "Oooooohhhhh…"
      He shrugged.
      "I didn't know whether you would like them or not…"
      She touched the delicate golden rings - two pairs through each of his labia, twelve rings in all - grinning as he shivered at the sensation. She already knew how sensitive he was, there…
      "Oh, I like them, hab'lan…"
      He lay back with a sigh.
      "Peruro advised no love-play for a couple of days - but I think, if we're not too strenuous, it will be all right."
      She licked her lips, eyes fixed on the big, studded column of blue flesh, anticipating how it would feel to have the skin-beads ease over and against the extraordinarily sensitive band of muscle and nerves that encircled the entrance to her body - and very nearly came! Biting her lip to try to gain some sort of control, she scowled at his smirk.
      "I can't help it if I find you irresistible!"
      He stretched his arms above his head and rolled his hips: she caught her breath, then moved to straddle him, slowly - tormentingly slowly - lowering herself onto the solid shaft… Eyes closed, feeling every stud caressing her, shaking…. She pushed herself completely down and came, throbbing around him, gasping and collapsing forwards onto his chest.
      *Oh… hab… hab'lan…*
      *A wise investment, I gather?*
      She shivered.
      *It's like nothing I've ever felt before… It's…* She nuzzled him, then tugged at his plait, trying to pull him over.
      *Please, hab'lan… you haven't come, and I want to feel what it's like, when you… move…*
      Smirking, he rolled them over, tail pulling her legs, one by one, around his waist - then began to move. In long slow strokes that pulled completely out of her and rubbed over her nub before pushing inexorably back in… distantly she felt the lean muscle in his back and buttocks flexing as he moved, the beads teasing and stroking her inside and out… She moaned and sank her nails into his shoulders, hips pushing up to match his thrusts.
      *Hab… hab'lan… more…*
      He grinned and began to move a little faster, pulling almost all the way out then ramming in, nipping lightly at the claim mark as she shrieked and came, arms and legs rigidly tight around his body, the quivering of her internal muscles pulling him into his own climax deep within her…

It was some minutes before they could move. 'lestrel rolled to the side, still hard and inside her, and cuddled her close, twisting to wrap his tongue around a peaked nipple. She shivered and kissed his forehead.
    *Oh… that's… And FullMoon makes you want sex all the time? Even more than normal?*
      He nodded. She sighed happily.
      *Oh good…*
      They lay luxuriating for a little longer, then Lutra - very reluctantly and relishing every bead-caress - slowly pulled herself off his inkei.
      *Are you hungry?*
      He nodded.
      *I am afraid I'm tired too - I had no sleep last night…*
      She grinned and stood upright.
      *Then we'll eat and sleep - I don't want us to miss the first night of FullMoon!*

A'lestrel's restlessness woke Lutra, towards evening. She rubbed at her eyes and sat up, gazing at her bondmate: the prince was on his stomach, squirming, his tail lashing - and much… fluffier than she'd ever seen it. She grinned and reached to fondle the base, fingers slipping underneath to stroke the smooth skin…
      'lestrel hissed and jerked up to his knees, eyes wide and startled, then groaned, collapsing forwards onto elbows and knees, forehead on the bed, thighs spread, and tail raised and coiling lazily in the air. Lutra sighed and prepared to call in Ry, but the Saiyan beat her to it, tapping on the door and sticking his head into the room - and licking his lips at the sight of the prince in such a tempting position. He entered the room and closed the door, smiling at the tenshi.
      "If we get this over with now, torii-chan, he should be fine for at least a day, probably more."
      She nodded, resigned, and moved to leave, but A'lestrel wrapped his tail around her wrist, holding her still.
      *Please… stay, zk'vissin? I really want you here too… It's Ry, you know him - we've done this before…*
      Which was perfectly true, and she'd enjoyed it too… She sighed and bit lightly at a smooth buttock, making him shiver, then moved aside for Ry.
      Who'd pulled off his bodysuit and was waiting patiently, inkei hard and quivering, at the side of their bed - as soon as Lutra was out of the way he slid onto the bed and into the prince, grunting with surprise and pleasure to find the barbs already blunted. An effect of the moon on this Zasshu, perhaps? Not that he was going to quibble about it, not right now, with a double armful of sweetly-musky-scented, moaning, writhing 'lestrel deeply impaled on his penis…
      He frowned, and reached down to the prince's groin, eyebrows rising as his fingers brushed against the rings he'd felt against his inkei. Hn. Have to explore those further, later… Then his fingers found the skin beads, and he grinned at Lutra.
      "Lucky lucky torii-chan!"
      She smiled weakly, watching enviously as the Saiyan pounded viciously hard into her mate, bringing him to a fast double-climax that left him shaking. Ry pulled them both upright so he was kneeling with A'lestrel in his lap, stickily pearlescent-spattered groin presented to Lutra. The Zasshu was erect again.
      "Would you like to join in this time?"
      Her eyes brightened as she nodded, squirming over to straddle her bondmate's lap. It wasn't the easiest of positions, but Ry's long strong arms held her securely under her wings - and the look of complete rapture on 'lestrel's face made the minor discomfort entirely unimportant…
      And the beads of course, those wonderful, stimulating, tormenting studs… She came almost immediately, shuddering as 'lestrel jetted into her, then - her hands on Ry's shoulders for support, began to ride him, raising herself until he was just inside her then slamming down hard as Ry thrust up…
      It was a good hour before 'lestrel was sated, panting harshly and bonelessly limp between his bondmate and his aijin. Ry nuzzled his neck, nipping lightly.
      "Better?"
      "Fuck, yes…"
      The Saiyan chuckled, easing all three of them sideways down on to the bed. 'lestrel's language was always coarser at these times, a good indication that he was satisfied.
      "Good… Now I suggest you both bathe, and have something to eat." He grinned at Lutra over the prince's shoulder. "You don't want to miss Moonrise!"

'lestrel stood behind her on their balcony, both their eyes fixed on the horizon. There was an expectant hush over the palace, the city, a sense of breath held in anticipation.
The moon rose slowly from behind the hills, vast and golden and beautiful, and as it cleared the horizon Lutra felt her bondmate slide into her again from behind, fucking her hard, pushing her up onto tiptoe as she leaned on the balcony railing, rich blue and bright golden eyes fixed on the brilliant orb above. The tenshi was distantly aware of deep roaring bellows drifting on the air from outside the city, and the joyful sounds of sex from the rest of the suite, but right now all that mattered was the moon, and her hab'lan, and the glory of their bond…

By the third day the frenzy had died down a little, as it usually did, A'lestrel explained as he carried her into Vinas' treatment room. It was just as well: if things had continued at that pace the Saiya-jin would have fucked themselves to death ages back. He kissed her cheek remorsefully as he laid her on the examination couch and sat beside her, holding her hand.
      Vinas strode into the room, frowning.
      "What has happened?"
      'lestrel lowered his eyes.
      "I have been a little over-enthusiastic."
      The Feeodoreean scowled, then sighed.
      "Well, it's only to be expected I suppose." He glanced at the tenshi. "I will need to examine you, Lutra-sama."
      She nodded and offered a small smile, pulling up the loose skirt she'd taken to wearing when outside the suite (inside it no-one bothered dressing): it was a lot easier to pull the thing up or off than have 'lestrel rip off the trousers she usually wore, which he'd done several times the first day and a half, too aroused to spare the time to undress her properly, lifting her onto his inkei and taking her wherever they happened to be at the time. The first couple of occasions she'd struggled and objected - then realised everyone else was doing the same and paying absolutely no heed to them whatsoever. And there was, she had to admit, a certain sense of freedom in fucking anywhere they wanted…
      Vinas was very gentle, fingers light on her bruised and aching flesh, and also very quick. He frowned at the prince.
      "This is what I was afraid of…"
      'lestrel paled.
      "Have I injured her?"
      Vinas hastily shook his head.
      "It's nothing that won't heal easily - some abrasion, rawness, bruising, painful but hardly life-threatening. I'll give you a salve that will ease the external… wounds quickly, but I would recommend a day's rest from sexual activity to give Lutra-sama a chance to heal." He inclined his head to A'lestrel. "Am I right in thinking the first flux of FullMoon is now over?"
      'lestrel nodded. Vinas smiled faintly at the tenshi.
      "That will help. If you can abstain for a day, you should be perfectly fine to continue."
      Lutra sighed with relief and smiled gratefully at the biotech - who turned to A'lestrel.
      "Right - let me see to you."
      The Zasshu blinked, then frowned.
      "There is nothing wrong with me."
      "Of course not. That's why you're limping."
      Lutra blinked and pushed herself over onto one elbow. Limping? She hadn't noticed…
      'lestrel sighed and stripped out of the bodysuit lower half he wore. Vinas stared, then half-smirked.
      "Skin-beads. I see. No wonder Lutra-sama is… sore…" He gestured the prince onto another couch and had him lie back, pushing his thighs apart and lifting his inkei out of the way - which action had her hab'lan erect again, Lutra noticed. Vinas frowned.
      "Hn. Who's been tending to you?"
      "Ry. And 'reysu."
      Lutra sighed. She hadn't liked it, but after the first two days 'lestrel had needed Ry again, and the Saiyan had been very happy to oblige, roping in the prince's twin on one occasion, Lutra fondling her bondmate's erection as the others fucked him together. It had helped, however, and afterwards he'd said thank you with a protracted lovemaking session that had left her breathless and dizzy and in love with him all over again.
      Vinas nodded.
      "Again, no real damage. You Zasshu are tough, you'll survive."
      'lestrel laughed, wincing as Vinas tugged lightly on a ring.
      "Decorative, interesting, and completely useless."
      "I like the way they feel."
      The Feeodoreean nodded resignedly.
      "Just try not to rip any of them out, please."
      The bondmates winced, and 'lestrel chuckled wryly.
      "I certainly have no intention of attempting any such thing…"
      "I am very glad to hear it." Vinas stepped back, crossing his arms over his narrow chest. "Very well. Gtislin will provide you with the lotion on your way out. I would like to see Lutra-sama again in three days time, and yourself, your highness, if you are feeling any ill-effects from… well, anything. This is your first FullMoon, and so far each of the Zasshu has had a slightly different reaction to the season."
      A'lestrel nodded solemnly.
      "I understand. If I notice anything at all untoward, I will be here as soon as I can." He sighed and half-grinned dryly. "I really don't want to risk maazi and papa's displeasure, let alone Zyelenyi's. And as for Lutra…!"
      Vinas blinked in surprise, then smirked.
      "I am very pleased to hear you will be sensible." He glanced at the tenshi. "Whatever it is you are doing, Lutra-sama, might I request you continue to do it? It will certainly make my job that much easier…"

They'd eaten, and slept, Lutra's dreams chaotic and disturbing, though not quite actual nightmares. She'd woken well before evening with a sudden urge to fuck her bondmate, her *arousal* jerking him from sleep. He blinked at her, mind still slightly fuzzy, and she leapt on him, wriggling his erect inkei into her body before he was awake enough to protest and growling at him when he tried to object. She rode him hard and fast - 'lestrel gasping, hands cupping her breasts and roughly fondling her nipples as his tail wrapped her waist, the tip teasing and caressing her nub - finally crying out as she came, hard, and fell forwards onto the prince, nails sinking into his shoulders as she *growled*,

*MINE…*

'lestrel froze - then cuddled her close, nuzzling her hair, discreetly scenting her.
Fuck.
Yes, he knew that scent. The last time he'd smelt it was on Maurilla, just before his tenshi went into her breeding cycle…