Vengeance pt 1
The va'ha'da patted the prince's belly, leering into his anguished face.
"Five hostlings! Well, aren't we the lucky ones…"
'raadiin had lost track of time. As the va'ha'da had pounded into him for the - fifth? sixth? time, he'd been dimly aware of engine noise from outside, and his captors had stopped for a while, leaving him bleeding and in despair on the rack. He'd never known such pain: his whole body throbbed with the effects of the narcotic mix, his lower body felt flayed, inside and out, and he was sure several bones were broken, there was a shifting, grinding stab-like pain if he moved even a little. His mouth was full of blood from the spike, his tongue swollen, his vocal chords felt bruised and raw from screaming. But worse than all the pain was the awful sense of helplessness and humiliation. This should not be happening…
He tugged feebly on the wrist cuffs, the barbs digging more deeply into his skin, and tried to *call*, entirely in vain. It was like being deaf and dumb…
The vehicle lurched, then juddered a few times: he couldn't make out what was being said outside, but he'd guess, from the movement and the noise, help had already been on its way when he'd arrived on the scene. His capture had been purely coincidental, opportunistic on the part of his captors. They hadn't recognised him, he was sure of that, and he intended to keep it that way. Arrogant he may be, but he wasn't stupid. From things they'd said, they obviously hated his sire, and his type, with a vengeance - and there were far worse things they could do to him than this...
A shuddering vibration that jarred him against the rack indicated that whoever had arrived had got the transport working again. Which probably meant they'd be moving on very soon.
The door swung open, and seconds later the va'ha'da was standing leering down at him again.
"Got some new friends for you…"
He closed his eyes, trying desperately to distance himself from the pain, as the first of the three new shr'en'an rammed into him…
Hostlings. Of course there'd be hostlings. He was zn'hre. He *looked* inwards, panicked loathing a heavy weight in his gut. Four va'ha'da, one shr'en'an. His eyes closed. NO! He wouldn't carry them, couldn't… he'd rather die…
Though that might be a moot point; it was debateable whether they'd let him loose. Though he supposed they'd have to, at some point. Much depended on the narcotic mix they used. If it kept him helpless, he wouldn't have the means to cause his own death.
He laughed bitterly, silently. Here he was, thinking about escape. As if escape were possible… He supposed it was a distraction from the pain racking his body, the horror his violators had made of it…
The va'ha'da scratched lightly at his nub, one finger stroking along his limp inkei. He fought not to respond, but his body betrayed him, shivering, inkei growing erect, nub swelling. His tormentor grinned at him, pumping hard, bringing him to a fast, joyless climax then fucking him viciously again, ignoring the faint whimpers of pain that made their way around the faceplate. As he came, pumping into the zn'hre's body, he smirked down into suffering golden eyes.
"I think we'll keep you - at least until the hostlings are born." He swayed as the transport began moving. "Ah, homeward bound. You get to rest for a little while now. Make the most of it. There are fifteen of us back at our own enclave, and we share everything we have…"
"You must have some idea of where he is!"
'fallon shook his head, eyes huge with worry.
"Ssii'iir Gh'heegonan, I don't! I can't *reach* him."
"Is he still alive?"
"Y… yes… I'm sure of it…"
The Regent nodded his head, expression grim.
"If you *feel* anything - anything at all - tell me."
Leaving the frightened zn'hre to settle his brood, the big va'ha'da contacted Ye'vena, ordering him to send out warriors in all directions to search for the prince.
Five hours. It had been five hours - not a great amount of time, really, but Zha'raadiin had said he wouldn't be long… The Regent paced in the council chamber, growing more and more alarmed as the negative reports came in…
Kiraz leered broadly and prodded Ry hard in the ribs.
"So, papa…"
Ry scowled at the prince.
"You got a problem with that?"
"Nah - I think it's sweet…"
It was, of course, all over the barracks. Ry, fuck-buddy to princes, had finally got caught. By a half-lizard, no less. How humiliating could it get? He'd never live it down!
Though most of the joking was in good humour. There were a number of fellow warriors who were openly jealous - after all, this meant he was now effectively a member of one of the reigning families, and A'lestrel… well, everyone knew what A'lestrel was like. Fuck but Ry was lucky! Though maybe not so lucky, given the temperament of the prince's bondmate. Others were sympathetic, appreciating how awkward a situation the Elite now faced. But most of them simply accepted it. After all, Ry's brother had claimed one alien, bonded with another, and bred with both; it wasn't as if this was unusual in the family. And while Kiraz teased frequently, it wasn't malicious. After all, after what he'd got up to in the past, he couldn't exactly talk…
A'lestrel and Lutra arrived back from a check up with Vinas before the Saiyan prince could say anything more. Ry rose to greet them both, smile widening and eyes unconsciously brightening at the sight of his zk'iinan, to Kiraz' silent delight. The warrior was, it appeared, definitely enamoured of his lizard lover. Not that Kiraz blamed him, of course, but it certainly gave him plenty of material for poking fun.
Lutra's eyes narrowed infinitesimally at the look in Ry's eyes. She didn't care how much the warrior cared for her hab'lan, she was not sharing him. Not on a permanent basis anyway, the current arrangement was in place only because it was necessary. The sooner the Saiyan understood that the sooner she'd stop considering tearing his tail out...
The tenshi shook herself mentally. Enough! It was not going to help the situation if she couldn't control her emotions.
*Zk'aida?* 'lestrel queried, beautiful golden eyes concerned.
*I'm fine, hab'lan, just tired - * her stomach rumbled and she sighed, * - and hungry.*
Ry smiled at the pair, aching to hold the prince but not daring - Lutra's scent warned him of her likely reaction. He gestured them both to be seated on the platform and grinned at Zh'leet, who was just exiting the cold store, two large platters of seared meats in her hands.
"No doubt you two are hungry!" He eyed the zn'hre fondly. "Perhaps you can tell me how the check up went while torii-chan here fills her gut…"
At the sight of the food Lutra forgot about everything else and happily fell to, shovelling great chunks of meat into her mouth, barely chewing one lot before swallowing it to make way for the next. The tenshi beamed at the brood - this was so good!
A'lestrel settled himself cross-legged while his bondmate ate, stroking her hair gently, smiling at Ry.
"Everything is well. Vinas is happy to have a tenshi to monitor, of course, and is happy with her readings so far. He foresees no problems with our hostlings -" *although he thinks it's possibly that they will need more frequent a semen influx than normal, given my own needs.* He glanced at Lutra. *She isn't going to be happy about it. But she needs a lot of sleep at the moment. I suggest we take advantage of those times.*
Ry sighed silently. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, creeping around, trying not to upset his aijin's mate, not being able to show the prince how he felt when Lutra was around. He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed again, resignedly. Well, there was nothing he could do about it. At least he could see 'lestrel, watch as the hostlings developed…
Lutra finished off the last of the meat and, as expected, yawned sleepily.
The Zasshu smiled softly and brushed a kiss over her forehead.
*Sleep now, zk'aida.*
The tenshi nodded, curling up on the sleeping platform with a contented sigh.
A'lestrel eyed Ry and glanced towards one of the side rooms. The Saiyan nodded, rose and offered a hand to the Zasshu, pulling him upright and leading him to the chamber…
*I should return. Lutra will be waking soon.*
Ry's arms tightened around the prince, unwilling to let him go. It had been a strange hour, half blissful, half tense: he'd been fully aware that the time was limited, and had made love with some urgency, bringing his zk'iinan to orgasm twice and coming three times himself. It had been a joy to be with the Zasshu, scenting him, stroking and kissing his responsive body, revelling in their closeness... The Saiyan licked A'lestrel's neck, at the place where a claim mark would be should he ever allow anyone to claim him, then kissed along his jaw.
*I know… How do you feel?*
A'lestrel smiled and kissed the corner of his mouth.
*Well. Sated.* He pressed a hand to his abdomen. *Happy.*
Ry's tail stroked over the hand.
*So am I, aijin.*
Which, as A'lestrel was aware, was not entirely true… He sighed and gently squirmed out of the Saiyan's embrace.
*Later, aijin…*
Lutra awoke, wordlessly happy to find A'lestrel asleep beside her. She gazed at her hab'lan, drinking in the sight of him. The Zasshu was beautiful and strong, and hers - she was so lucky. They weren't alone in the suite but someone had pulled across the screens separating the sleeping platform from the rest of the common room and for the moment they had privacy.
Lutra gently caressed the noticeable bulge of her abdomen and smiled. Things were progressing well for her, the sac was forming without any problem and though her baby was still just a microscopic combination of cells at the moment, 'lestrel could sense their child's ki. He was happy and proud to be a sire, she knew that, but she was unsure of her own response to the children her hab'lan was hosting.
She reached out and gently placed her palm over the Zasshu's stomach. Two children, two babies, that had nothing to do with her. Would she be able to love them as much as she would her own child? Would 'lestrel love them more than hers? She couldn't imagine it would be so but...
The prince, still asleep, stirred into her touch, pushing himself hard against her hand, his tail sliding around her thigh. Lutra grinned and edged her palm down his smooth body, wrapping his half-erect inkei in her hand and stroking firmly. 'lestrel sighed contentedly and rolled over onto his back, tugging the tenshi into place over his hips. Golden eyes fluttered open as Lutra slid down onto him, and he smirked, his tail looping over her hip and up to tease tight nipples. She grinned down at her bondmate; it was probably just an indication of her own well-being but the tenshi was finding that sex with her hab'lan was somehow better, more satisfying now than ever before.
Gh'heegonan had assembled the council, along with 'haabron and Kobis, and 'fallon, who was wringing his hands, his anxiety palpable in the council chamber. The searchers had all returned empty-handed.
The Regent stood, expression grim, and eyed the heir apparent gravely.
"Ssii'irin'shi, can you *reach* him?"
'haabron, Kobis hovering protectively behind him, closed his eyes and *focussed* tightly, *seeking* his sibling - but in vain. He opened his eyes with a sense of failure, glancing at his bondmate over his shoulder.
**I can't find him, zkai'da…**
Kobis kissed his hair gently.
*We will. Somehow.*
Gh'heegonan was watching them anxiously: 'haabron shook his head.
"I have no sense of him, Ssii'iir Regent."
"Is he dead?"
'fallon whimpered very quietly: 'haabron took his hand, gazing at the big va'ha'da.
"No, I'm almost certain he is not."
"Almost certain?"
The zn'hre nodded.
"There is a deep-rooted sense of - loss - when a sibling dies. I do not feel it."
"But if you can't *contact* him, would you still be able to *know* that?"
"I believe so…"
Gh'heegonan had his doubts, but wasn't prepared to voice them, not with the warrior prince's little mate in the room.
"What should be our next move?"
'haabron grimaced.
"We have done all that we can. We had better tell the Ssii'iin…"
Zha'haabron frowned.
"No trace at all?"
"None, my Ssii'iin."
The king thought for a moment or two.
"You found no remains? No body? No trace of predators or scavengers?"
"No, Ssii'iin."
"And 'fallon cannot *feel* him?"
Gh'heegonan shook his heavy head, and the king sighed.
"Then we must assume R'ren'nkh'ian involvement."
The Regent scowled.
"Surely no one would dare!"
Zha'haabron hissed a short, humourless laugh.
"I would like to think so. Unfortunately it appears that is not the case."
"What shall we do?"
The king drummed his fingers on the comm.
"Kiraz and Ry are closest to him. And their tracking skills are good, better than ours. And I know that Ry has some sort of bond with the prince - understated as it is. Of all of us, I believe he has the best chance of finding 'raadiin."
Gh'heegonan nodded.
"How soon can they be here?"
"Within three hours - but there is a problem. Ry is the sire of A'lestrel's hostlings."
The va'ha'da grimaced.
"And is needed to provide the protein for them. I see."
Zha'haabron shook his head.
"And A'lestrel will… miss him. It's not usual, these days, for host and sire to be parted for any length of time, in the early stages at least."
"Could he not come here too?"
"His bondmate is also hosting, and would not be able to travel with them."
The Regent sighed.
"What will you do?"
Zha'haabron folded his arms.
"I will advise Ry that his assistance is needed. But I will not force him."
It was the most agonising decision. He didn't want to leave 'lestrel - gods, it was hard enough reporting in for duty every day! - but… 'raadiin…
He'd flown to the lake in the forest on the edge of the city, crouching down on the bank, head in his hands, staring blankly at the water.
He really didn't have a choice. Much as it hurt him, he knew 'lestrel would manage perfectly adequately without him for a while: one of the family could easily stand in to provide the protein. And his aijin had Lutra to occupy him: she needed so much care and attention right now, the Zasshu wouldn't have time to miss him!
The thought was painful.
But he focussed on 'raadiin. His warrior zn'hre. He'd adored the beautiful, foul-tempered little zk'vils almost from the first moment they'd met, and they'd been through so much together… He couldn't just sit back and ignore the plea for help.
A'lestrel would understand.
At the distress in the golden eyes he very nearly changed his mind - but 'lestrel shook his head.
*Of course you must go. You and Kiraz have the best chance of finding him.*
*But… what about you?*
A'lestrel lowered his eyes, hand pressed to his abdomen.
*We will miss you.*
Ry dragged him into a tight embrace, ignoring Lutra's scowl.
*I'll come back as soon as I can.*
*I know. We'll look forward to it. You will be careful, won't you? I won't be there to protect you, and we don't know what has happened.*
*I promise. I'm going to be here to see our brats born, after all! And you must do whatever's necessary to make sure they stay healthy!*
A'lestrel nodded.
*Of course… If possible, please contact me as often as you can.*
*Oh, yes. Every day, if I can.*
The prince nodded resignedly.
*You had better get ready.*
Ry hesitated for a moment.
*I have time while the cruiser is fuelled and checked… and it would be good for the hostlings… if Lutra won't mind too much…*
The Zasshu glanced at his bondmate, the *question* quickly asked and answered.
*She understands…*
Ry stared out of the viewport, watching as Vejiitasei shrank rapidly to an indistinguishable speck against the darkness, feeling weary and despondent. There'd been an unsettling urgency to their lovemaking that had left the Saiyan shaking… Kiraz wrapped strong arms around his shoulders.
"The quicker we find the baka, the quicker you can get back to him. Concentrate on that."
Ry sighed and nodded. Moping wasn't going to help anyone.
"Yes… Right. Any suggestions as to how we start searching?"
Kiraz moved to sit beside him, summoning up a hologram of the area surrounding the royal enclave on the display before them.
"Yevena's force are good: if there was anything obvious to find, they'd have found it. But they can't hunt like we can. I know the trail will be a day cold by now, but we should be able to pick up something. I suggest we try a low, fast survey of the surrounding area." He frowned. "Did he tell Gh'heegonan which way he was headed?"
Ry chuckled grimly.
"Yes. So I suggest we start searching in the opposite direction."
Kiraz grinned.
"Uhuh. Of course…"
For the first ten days 'raadiin had fought them - as best he could, given he was kept drugged, his hands fettered, and they locked a portable bridle over his mouth and face except when he was eating. They bathed him, scrubbing down his shaking body with fine sand, and hacked off his hair roughly, close to his head, seeing it an unnecessary and troublesome extravagance.
And at least three times every day he was strapped to the rack and raped.
By the eleventh day he couldn't summon the will to be angry any more, and simply lay still, letting them do whatever they wanted to him, pain now an ever-present companion. He'd hardly eaten, feeling himself becoming thinner as the developing hostlings drew on his resources. He slept on a thin pallet, chained to a wall, arms fettered so that, lying, he couldn't bring his hands below his forehead, ankles chained so at most he could just half-curl up on his side. And while these cuffs weren't barbed, they rubbed constantly, keeping the wounds in his wrists and ankles from healing properly.
The wish to kill himself grew more distant every day, as the wish to simply die grew stronger…
© 2003 November 2nd Joules, with Amanda
