Await

An agent of time with antlers and hooves, a dead Terran in need of a job and a timeline awry make walking for the dead seem easy.

Orphia has spent her life waiting for life to start. She ends up being a Walker for the Dead, and during a funeral reception, a dagger finds her. Waking in a bubble between time and space isn’t nearly as unsettling as the man who is holding her hands and helping her through the agony of reanimation. Xeric is a Hirn and one of the Nameless. He is doomed to see his people living and thriving at all points in time, knowing that their death and extinction is inevitable. He bonds to Orphia the moment that he sees her, and at the moment of her death, he is there to catch her and carry her off to a new world with new challenges. Who could resist a man who carries off their body to a world outside of time?

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Await Copyright © 2012 Viola Grace ISBN: 978-1-77111-232-1 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.extasyboioks.com

Await A Terran Times Tale By Viola Grace

Chapter One

O

rphia Kardin sat next to her charge and waited. Her life had turned into endless rounds of hurry up and wait for the last five years. She had been to fourteen new planets with her clients, and on each, she had walked, swam and shot them into the final rites to allow them into their afterlife. Today’s assignment would be a battle, her armour told her that. Her Alliance training had given her skills that life as a waitress on Earth had not prepared her for. A Walker for the Dead was the formal title that she had been granted. Death Escort, Corpse Runner and Body Tripper were the less formal tags that she had heard over the last five years. Her job was simple. When a high-ranking official died off world, a Walker was sent to escort their body back home if their culture decreed it. Orphia would stand in for the death rites and carry out any business that the deceased needed to have carried out. It was a right and a duty to take part in the end of a life, but some days Orphia wished that she 1

Viola Grace had something a little more active to engage in rather than simply waiting for someone to die. “Walker Kardin, we are making landfall. Are you ready?” She checked her weapons and placed her hand on the casket of the dead Teio Representative, Arcathan. She had four hours of meditation ahead of her while she walked Arcathan to the death pool of Teio. It was a lava swirl that would consume him and her duty was to defend him while she walked and guard him when he burned. Normally, family would have taken on this duty but Arcathan had no surviving children or spouses. The Alliance was paying her to risk her life, and she did it to give these folks the dignity in death that their cultures demanded. What one culture decreed to be appropriate, others deemed desecration. Learning the methods and reasons behind the rituals was her favourite part of the job. Physical training was her least favourite part of being a Walker, but bruises healed, skin sealed and muscle made most of her funeral uniforms look good. The shuttle she was on shuddered and her muscles tensed. It was time to guard her charge and earn her pay.

2

Await Monks greeted her, and she loosed her weapons, holding the two long knives at her sides as she floated the casket out of the shuttle. They began a long, droning chant, the metal embedded in their tusks created a soothing vibration. Orphia walked at the head of the procession, her body standing in for Arcathan’s. The monks carried him behind her and as she made herself the target, they took on the burden of carrying him. With the chant setting the pace for the walk from the tarmac to the lava pit, they passed the first mourners to one side of the road. Orphia was braced for the first attack when it came. The chant of the monks was calming her nerves, and her body was ready for action. When the battle howl reached her, she continued to walk but met the male’s blades with her own. She was being attacked by an angry boar-man with four arms who topped her by two feet. A Teio outweighed her by a hundred pounds, but the Teio gravity was one third Earth normal. It was a fair fight, and she met him blade for blade. Orphia kept in step as she defended Arcathan. The attacker engaged in three ritual strikes, and then it was her turn. She brought her knives down hard and strong on the left blade and grinned as she heard it snap. He broke ritual and sliced at her, cutting a red 3

Viola Grace stripe along her shoulder that sent the other onlookers into murmurs of disapproval, but by the time he had realized what he had done, she drove one of her knives into his wrist and disarmed his right hand. Two strikes and he was on his knees. She wiped the blades off on her long tunic and resumed her place at the head of the procession. It was her first blood of the day. Arcathan would be pleased. Her arms felt like lead and blood dripped from her clothing and weapons. Neatness had gone out the window after the fifth attempt on Arcathan’s body. The monks slid the body into the lava and she turned to face the crowd of mourners and enemies that Arcathan had earned in his lifetime. She smiled grimly as the body slowly burned away and the enemies faced her in a final attempt to destroy a little of Arcathan’s honour. The dark blue blood that covered her was not her own, and the scent was overpowering. She flicked the blades and the would-be attackers stayed back. A gong ran out, and everyone breathed a relaxed sigh. The monks ceased their chant, leaving with a slow and steady pace. Arcathan 4

Await was gone. A male with the tusks that bore the marks of an ambassador came toward her. “Welcome to Teio. I am Ambassador Catheth. Please, join the feast in honour of Arcathan. He was a great male and it was a tragedy that he did not carry on his line.” She inclined her head. “I would be honoured to participate in the celebration of Arcathan. May I bathe the blood off and change clothing?” “Of course, of course. You are now our honoured guest.” He gestured for her to precede him, but she took a place at his side instead. They walked to the great house and those gathered followed in their wake. Orphia noticed the trail of blood she was leaving, but there was nothing to be done about it. Drops of crimson mixed with the dark blue and the colouration caused ripples of comment behind her. She smiled grimly. She wasn’t one of them, but she managed to carry out their ritual all the same. Now, it was time for a shower and a bit of a party. Her bag from the shuttle was brought to her, and she took a quick gel cleanse that managed to remove the blood from her and leave her squeaky clean. The white gown that she slipped on was a mourning colour for the Teio, as it was for so many species around the Alliance, white for the purity of the soul when the body was dead, the 5

Viola Grace colour of the stars. Arm wraps covered the slices and gouges left by her battles. She wove her black locks into a braid and tucked it into a coronet. With a glance in the mirror, she lifted her head and stepped out to join the party to celebrate a man she never met but risked her life for. A ballroom was filled with Teio, the room grew quiet as she entered. Ambassador Catheth looked at her in shock. “I never expected you to be so…pink.” She laughed. “This is the way I was born and the way I will live my life.” She circulated with the guests, and a few thanked her for carrying out Arcathan’s wishes with such dignity and enthusiasm. Orphia took the thanks with polite grace and continued her path around the room. Some of the Teio were not as charmed by her battle skills. They moved aside as she passed, refusing introduction, when she had completed her circuit of the room she once again stood next to the ambassador. “How many folk have you represented, Walker Kardin?” The ambassador was tipsy. He swayed slightly as he spoke. “Over a dozen different clients. A dozen different races. I walk for any I am called to.” 6

Await “Duty or destiny?” He swayed again. “Can’t it be both?” She grinned and stepped out of his way. Orphia heard a battle growl behind her and shocked cries from the crowd. She didn’t feel the blade that entered her back, but she supposed that that is what happened when your spinal cord was severed. A howl of rage that was not natural to any Teio echoed through the ballroom. Screams of panic filled the room, Orphia heard them absently as her knees buckled, and she collapsed on the ground. Green, black and brown flashed in front of her eyes as darkness swam up to get her, or perhaps she fell into it, she didn’t know.

7

Viola Grace

Chapter Two

W

aking was unexpected. Her vision showed her flickers of blinding light with beings inside. They spoke quietly, but she could hear tension in their tones. Hands gripped hers and held them tight. She was lying on her belly and there was a horrible noise in the air. Fire ran through her, the hands held her immobile. After careful analysis, she had to admit that she was the origin of the horrible sound. With effort, she gritted her teeth and tried to shift. “Hold still, Orphia. You are undergoing surgery. We can’t give you anaesthetic, so simply breathe slowly, and I will do what I can to mitigate your pain.” She blinked rapidly, but with the position her head was in, she could not see the speaker. Heat ran up her arms, and the searing agony that pierced her torso receded. 8

Await Once the pain was no longer her primary concern, she was able to take in her surroundings. It felt peculiar to be held on what amounted to a chiropractic table. Her face was braced in a padded ring, her arms were free of her sides held down and out, her hands gripped by the man with a dark, honey voice. She could feel light touches on her back, but aside from the occasional whisper behind her, she was completely suspended in the heat generated by the large hands holding her own. She heard his low voice murmuring quietly to her, and his thumbs slowly stroked along her pulse points. Heat was replaced by tiny waves of pleasure. The ache in her back combined with the tendrils of pleasure confused the hell out of her. The hands on her back grew slightly rougher for a moment, and then, they disappeared. Orphia blinked, “What?” She tried to sit up, but he held her down. “Give yourself a moment. Move slowly. Your spine was severed and the healing needed was extensive. You are lucky that our healer was available. I would have had to take you to an Alliance facility if he hadn’t been.” She raised her head and blinked rapidly to verify her vision. The male sitting with her hands in his was a member of a species known to Terrans far back in history and known go be extinct in the 9

Viola Grace rest of the Alliance. She was staring into the black stellar eyes of a Hirn. His skin was a mix of forest greens and browns, his hair carried waves of the same deep green. The horns of a stag graced his head, and there was no doubt about it, he was a giant. Even his eyes carried the slanted grace of a deer, but there were galaxies in his gaze that she had never heard of. “You’re a…” He raised one eyebrow. “Yes?” “A Hirn?” He grinned, showing surprisingly sharp canine teeth. “Very good. Now, you have to rest for a moment, so I will give you the standard introduction.” She blinked as his thumbs began that slow circle on her pulse points once again. Shivers of pleasure ran up her arms through her shoulders, cascaded along her breasts and pebbled her nipples before it snaked between her thighs to generate slick moisture in her channel. Embarrassment heated her face, and she looked down. There was no way for her to hide her face. His grip caused a slight issue. “My name is Xeric, and I am one of the Nameless.” His voice rumbled over her, and it brought to mind the bellow that was her last memory of the wake. 10

Await He continued, and she listened with rapt attention. “The Nameless are a group of folk selected by a universe that no longer exists to watch history as it happens or to give it a helpful shove. We are chosen by seeds sewn in our ancestry that come to life within us at the moment that we die.” “Even for you?” “Even for me. I was pulled forward in time when I died fighting over a woman. I ended up six hundred years in the past of your timeline, and my people were long gone.” Part of her heart sank when he mentioned another woman. Men who were in love once rarely found it again. “Did you love her?” He shook his head. “It did not work that way. She was in heat. I was in rut. The men around me suffered from the same, and so, we fought. I was gored and I woke up here, at Home.” “What is this place?” “It is a place out of time and away from the current universe. When the old universe died, it pulled a piece of itself into this existence. This is where our Home was built and where we come when not doing the bidding of the Orb of Time.” His nostrils flared and his lips twitched. She had seen that look in some of the more predatory species she had visited, he had just scented her, and with the moisture her body was 11

Viola Grace generating, her musk was probably sending him clear signals as to her physical readiness to mate. Right now, she was thinking that five minutes of foreplay and she would be ready to go. He pulled his hands away from hers and got to his feet. Her vantage point gave her a good look at his body from mid-thigh to waist, and she had to admit that the view was riveting. Brown leather clung faithfully to every inch of him, and there were quite a few inches. Before she could continue her assessment, he walked away to return an instant later with something that he draped over her. He helped her slip her arms into sleeves, and when he helped her sit up she moved her aching limbs to close the robe that he had fetched. “Thank you, Xeric. I was getting a bit of a draft.” He chuckled and helped her tie the wide belt into a sash that lifted the edge of the robe slightly. She continued to sit on the table while he slipped leather slippers onto her feet. “Do you think you can stand?” She nodded and slipped from the table. Her back ached when she jarred herself on the floor, but she righted herself and stood looking up at him. She was right. Standing, the top of her head barely reached the start of his neck. He was a true forest lord in every sense of the word. 12

Await When he held his hand out to her, she took it, inhaling deeply of his musky scent. Pine needles, wind and male were the primary components. It was a heady blend, and it ratcheted up her arousal until she was regretting the lack of underwear under the robes. Her inner thighs were slick as they walked out of the medical area and out into the illumination of ten thousand stars. “Oh, wow.” “Come this way. We are walking to the council hall.” His hand was so large that she did not fear falling off the bridge despite the lack of safety rails. “Once you are a Nameless, you will be able to transport yourself wherever you or the Orb will. You only need to have the image in your mind.” She blinked, “So, what is the etiquette for visitations?” He chuckled, “You call before you visit, and you transport to the front of the council hall instead of popping up in front of the Council of Seven. Dropping in unexpectedly here is just as rude as anywhere else in the universe.” “Good to know. Manners are so important.” She chuckled as she walked and her chest ached. Pressing her free hand to her healing injury, she asked, “How well do we heal?” White light started in his hand and moved up her arm, circling and concentrating around what 13

Viola Grace had been a hole in her sternum. “We heal well, but I have no problem accelerating the process for you. How is that?” “Better.” She inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Much better. Thank you.” He inclined his horned head. “It is my honour.” As they walked in verbal silence, Orphia heard a peculiar clicking, so soft as to be almost inaudible. When she looked down, she noted that her companion had hooves. Xeric had wide deerstyle hooves that appeared out of leather wrapping on his legs, which mimicked boots. She blinked a little and kept walking. In the distance, she could make out small figures, all walking at a steady pace wherever they were going. Singles, couples, groups, they all walked as if they had all the time in the worlds, which, she supposed, they actually did. A huge building rose into the sky ahead of them, bringing a gasp from her. “That is the council hall?” He nodded. “The Council of Seven sit and hear our concerns as well as induct new Nameless.” She smiled, “Do I fall under concern or inductee?” He laughed, the noise echoing as they approached the stone structure. “Orphia, I believe you are a bit of both.” 14

Await

Chapter Three

T

here were indeed seven people waiting within the council hall. One man had a strip of cloth tying his eyes shut, but there was a glow emanating from under his lids. “Gwetho doubted the resolve of the Orb of Time. It is having a conversation with him.” A woman with braided hair and black cosmic eyes smiled at her. “I am getting the hint, Ravikka.” The man scowled and crossed his arms over his chest. The woman grinned, “Good. As soon as the Orb is convinced, it will let you go. Now, back to business.” Ravikka straightened. “Welcome, Orphia Kardin, Walker for the Dead, Volunteer of the Alliance Protectorate of Terra. We are the Nameless, the Avatars of the Orb of Time. You have been selected to join our ranks far before you were born. The seeds of the Orb were deep within you and all of your ancestors.” 15

Viola Grace Orphia nodded. “I understand. Xeric has filled me in on the majority of the theory. I am still working on the details, however.” “The details will come to you without difficulty, Orphia. Now, come with us and join our number.” Images of bad Earth horror movies that involved the heroine being led into the basement by a cult rang through her mind, but she straightened her spine, winced at the soreness and followed the seven men and women down the steps that curved against the wall. Even Gwetho was moving as if he could see, and he took a position along the wall next to an icon, as with the other members of the Council of Seven. Following an instinct she didn’t know she had, Orphia ignored the inner voice screaming it’s a trap and walked the stone spiral until she was standing in the centre of it. Space, glittering, full of stars and empty at the same time, was beneath her. At a silent signal, all of the seven pressed their icons, and in the distance, a glittering orb split from the rest of the stars and came toward her. When the light surged up and hovered in front of her, Orphia smiled and extended her hand. “I am glad you are done waiting too.” 16

Await A small piece of the Orb separated itself and snapped into her. The burn was far less than she had felt during the healing, but as it spread through her body, her knees buckled. She had never been this aroused in her entire life. The Orb spun back into the darkness so Orphia walked the spiral and exited up the stairs. Three of the men of the seven turned their heads, but she ignored them. The Orb had triggered what would have been heat in another species, and she was doing her best to pretend that nothing was happening. Ravikka touched her arm. “I will give you your knife, and then, I think it would be better if you could find some privacy. Even I am attracted to you right now, and I have to admit it is disconcerting.” They entered the council chamber where Xeric was waiting. He scented the air, and she could have sworn she saw him paw the ground. “We need to assign you a tutor, Orphia.” “I will take her.” Ravikka looked over at Xeric. “You will wait until she makes the first move, Xeric, or we will see how you like being trapped in the past of Barrothiaka, but yes, you can be her tutor.” To Orphia’s surprise, Xeric’s ears flicked back when Barrothiaka was mentioned, but he inclined his head. “It is acceptable. You know that I will 17

Viola Grace keep any others from coming near as well.” Ravikka nodded and opened a chest. As a few of the council members approached, Xeric stepped up behind Orphia and wrapped an arm around her waist. The shock of being backed into a rampant erection confined only by leather caused Orphia’s blood to heat another notch. She breathed in deeply, but it only served to press her more firmly against him. Ravikka handed her a belt with a dagger on it and inclined her head. “This is the badge of our office. Use the knife when you have need, it will be your last line of defense.” “I will take her to get her a meal.” Xeric’s voice rumbled through his body, and she could feel it on every point of contact. “Keep an eye on the others. You might want to stay on alert. If I can pick up on her pheromones, others may be all over her.” Orphia looked up, but there was a flash of light, and they were in another location. The scent of food was overpowering, and she realized that she hadn’t eaten since before the funeral. Her robe was still securely fastened, and the variety of clothing that she could see through the open archway made her feel moderately better. “Stay close to me, Orphia.” 18

Await The scent that he was suddenly putting out overwhelmed her, and she reeled against him, images of herself licking her way up his chest, caressing that column of a neck and taking those sensual lips with her own were suddenly the only things behind her eyes. Blinking rapidly, she noted his smile. Those sharp white teeth cooled her jets but only barely. “A meal I think.” He nodded and escorted her into the huge space that was a quarter filled with Nameless. A plethora of buffet tables waited for her selections, and she didn’t waste a moment. She filled a tray with mac and cheese, meatballs and vegetables that she recognized from her travels. There were a series of statues on one side of the refectory, and when she sat next to them, Orphia was a little surprised to see her own face looking back at her. Three other statues nearby also wore Terran characteristics, and she asked Xeric when he sat, “Where are the other Terrans?” He grinned and pointed to an object behind her. “They are in the tower. The rules of the Nameless have restricted them, but I believe it is simply to keep them out of the sight of the regular population. Most of us are assigned to witness history, but the Terrans have been called to intervene in differing ways.” 19

Viola Grace Orphia ate some of her food before asking, “So, what do you think I am in for?” He grinned, “Since your body is putting out pheromones that males are sensitive to, I believe that you might be some kind of bait.” She blinked, “Bait?” He inclined his head, his horns flashing in the bright illumination of the dining hall. “I know I would follow you into a trap. I expect that others might as well.” She raised a brow and he winked. It was peculiar to have it translate through the emotionless black eyes with swirling stars, but somehow, he made it seem the most natural thing in the world. “Flattering and frightening at the same time. Few men can manage it.” He laughed. “I was always an advanced student when it came to verbal sparring.” “Go to the head of the class.” He reached out and took her hand and wrist in his hand. His thumb caressed her pulse point over and over in a slow pattern, and she finally came to the realization that the reason that she wanted to be close to him was that his skin had the texture of suede. Each caress on her skin made her wish they were naked and alone but being in public suddenly seemed the safer option. 20

Await “Why do you keep touching me?” She bit her lip when the words were out. She really did not want him to stop. “It seems like the thing to do. Do you know why my people died out?” He raised a brow. “No. Was it war, disease?” “No. It was refusal to dilute our bloodlines. A few of our people broke free and ran to the stars, blending the Hirn with a dozen races. The rest of us stayed home and gradually dwindled to nothing. Each female in heat cause riots and a marked drop in the population.” “I would have thought a female in heat would have increased your population, not decreased it.” “That would have been the case if we didn’t fight to the death for the few available females.” She nodded. “That would tend to have an effect.” Based on what Orphia had heard, the Hirn were not monogamous. Any woman was fair game in every sense of the word. The peculiar thing was that this Hirn only seemed to have eyes for her.

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Viola Grace

Chapter Four

S

he was just finishing a cup of tea when the most peculiar thing happened. Her skin began to glow with a strange, translucent light. “It seems you have a call, Orphia. What do you see in your mind?” The image that she saw shocked her sensibilities. Even though she had attended a number of nude funerals, she had never had to put on clothing that made her look like a sex worker. “It is a seraglio. A number of women are lying around, nearly naked, and a man is sitting and having a conversation with what appears to be a Negotiator.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. “There is a woman glowing and looking miserable. She is the topic of the discussion. Someone is trying to buy her, and her owner is mulling over the plusses and minuses of the sale.” “What is our assignment?” 22

Await She looked up at him. “I don’t know. I just know I have to be there.” He nodded. “It goes that way sometimes. Come along. I will show you to the Acquisition Centre.” They got to their feet, and he wrapped her in his arms, inhaling deeply as he transported them. The Acquisition Centre was milling with people, but the line parted the moment that she stepped forward. Xeric filled her in, “All those on active assignment are given priority. You need to let the system scan you, then select the clothing you need for the assignment. From there, we will go to the change room and prepare yourself.” She shrugged and picked out the clothing that would have made most female sci-fi icons look like nuns. The box that the bots handed to her was heavy but that was simply the weight of the chain. Xeric led her to the change room, and she was surprised to see that it included a full bath. She supposed that if you had to wash up before getting dressed or undressed, it would be a good thing to have. Orphia removed the belt with the knife, stripped off the robe and tried to make heads or tails of the clothing in the box. A knock on the door got her attention. “Do you need help, Orphia?” She looked at the chain and tried to figure it 23

Viola Grace out. “I hate to say this, but yes.” Xeric laughed and came in, but his laughter caught in his throat when he saw her. She blushed but held the chain out to him. “I have no idea what goes where. They should have included directions.” He looked her over. “Well, there is one problem with this garment that we are going to have to deal with. It is not designed to be worn with this.” Without warning, his hand slid through the tuft of hair at the top of her sex, his long fingers curling under enough to graze the tips against her wet heat. “Seriously? I have to shave? I hate shaving.” Orphia had had to remove all body hair for assignments before, and the time afterward was always irritating. He snorted. “You will have to or this chain will tangle and rip out this small bit of fur for you.” With tremendous effort, she walked away from him and looked around in the bathing area for a depilation device. “Damn, no laser.” Xeric sighed and lifted her with one arm, perching her on the edge of the countertop. He reached into the cupboard and removed a small device. She had overlooked it, because she had no idea what it was. 24

Await A narrow device with a head as wide as one of her fingers was tiny in his hand. He spread her thighs, and with slow, even strokes, he removed her small landing strip, working his way down. When his horns lightly scraped her inner thighs, she winced. Her body reacted to the small irritation with another surge of moisture, and her scent peaked again. When he spread her ass cheeks and continued the trimming until she was completely denuded, Orphia was desperately trying to come up with another topic for discussion and coming up with nothing. She jumped with a yelp when his long tongue snaked between the lips of her sex and worked into her, drinking her honey with a distinct intensity. Orphia was so aroused, she began to climax the moment that he pressed those sharp teeth into the edge of her clit. Just the threat of pain spiked her pleasure, and her harsh cries filled the room. He sat back on his heels and licked his lips. “There, not one hair left, I have checked.” The focus in his eyes took in the deep pink of her nipples against the cream of her skin. She shivered as the weight of her breasts suddenly worked itself into her awareness. The flare of light that rippled from her skin distracted them both. Xeric got to his feet and sighed. “Later.” 25

Viola Grace She blinked up at him and knew that her expression was rather stunned. “Later?” He laughed and helped her to her feet. His gaze went over her from head to toe. “Definitely later.” She stood with her arms out as he wrapped her in the chains and minute scraps of fabric. One breast was covered, one exposed, the small scrap of fabric that she had identified as a top was, in fact, covering her sex by happenstance rather than design. “Now, we release your hair.” His hands worked at her braid, and when the heavy fall of black hair surrounded her, he growled in approval. Instead of covering her, her hair had the effect of making her look even more vulnerable and feminine. Standing next to the hulking form of Xeric, she looked like the standard slave girl from many a nerd’s fantasies. She breathed in, and his scent both calmed her and set her nerves on edge. “Where do we go next?” “I would love to say to bed, but we must do as the Orb commands. Put the image of the location in your thoughts.” Orphia swallowed. “Okay. What next?” “Call on the power of the Orb, and walk into the location. Just one step. Easy.” He placed his 26

Await hands on her shoulders, and she met his black gaze in the mirror. “What about my eyes?” “If the Orb demands you dress this way, it will hide your eyes and anything else you need hidden.” He smiled. “I will be with you the whole way, you may not be able to see me, but I will be there.” She nodded and swallowed. It was an assignment, just like walking for the dead. She simply needed to find out what she had to do and work through it. “Where do I put my knife in this outfit?” She bit her lip, stalling. “I will carry it. I will be near you at all times. Simply imagine where you need to be and go there.” His words were calm, measured and reassuring. She concentrated, pulled the power together and took that first step. In an instant, she was in the seraglio and the unhappy woman was sitting on the dais, looking at the ground. Orphia took a few steps toward the dais and was horribly nervous about being seen. A translucent glow covered her skin as she made her way to her target. When she caught a glimpse of herself in a polished tray, she realized that she didn’t see anything. She was invisible. Confident that no one would see her, she 27

Viola Grace drifted close to hear the conversation between the Negotiator and the man surrounded by recumbent women. “I cannot understand. Why that woman?” The Negotiator sighed. “He finds her scent appealing. He will not give any other reason.” “How much do you think we can get for her?” The Negotiator looked toward the unhappy slave and shrugged. “A small trade agreement, she isn’t worth more.” “Fine. Let him know he can have her for passage through his space and a replacement female of the same species. I don’t want to lose out on my collection.” The man smirked. The Negotiator stiffened, but he left the room. Orphia finally understood. This woman had to be sold to the purchaser. She had to find a replacement for whatever this woman was. Orphia sat next to the dais where the woman was sitting. “Good evening. Don’t look around, you won’t see me.” “Who are you?” “That does not matter. Who is trying to buy you, do you know?” The woman shook her head. “I was in my village and someone took me. The next thing I 28

Await know, all these strange creatures are pawing at me, and I ended up here.” “Where is your home world?” “Far away.” “Do you know what it is called?” Orphia kept her voice low, but some of the women were starting to look. “They call it Terra.” Orphia blinked in shock. “What was the biggest local news that you remember happening?” The woman frowned. “Leif just left to go exploring.” “Erickson?” “Indeed. I was told that we were taken on a raiding party. No one was left at home everyone was seeing him off, except those left to clean up.” “I will return.” “Thank you for speaking to me. None of these women have bothered to learn anything about me. It was good to know that I am not invisible.” Orphia chuckled. “I am for now. Remain calm. This will be seen to.” Knowing what had to be done now Orphia ran after the Negotiator and followed him out of the palace and into the streets. The bar where he found the prospective purchaser was quite elegant. The purchaser himself was a shock. The Negotiator stopped next to a male that was sharing a drink with a friend. 29

Viola Grace Xeric’s head turned toward her as she approached, and his smiled curled his lips. “I believe that the solution to your problem just entered the room.” The other Hirn male lifted his head and scented the air. “Wonderful. Yours?” “Yes. Orphia, please come here and show yourself.” Xeric held out his hand. She slipped her hand into his, and the moment she did, she became fully visible. The other Hirn and the Negotiator gasped. Xeric pulled her onto his lap, and he cuddled her close. “What did you learn?” “That I am to be sold in order to get her to him.” She jerked her head. “Orpheus, this is Orphia. She is a Terran and is willing to take part in your scheme to get Inga free.” The Hirn looked at her with hope in his dark brown gaze. “Are you sure? She was to be mine back on her world, but she was stolen.” Orphia blinked, “What do you mean, she was to be yours?” Xeric cleared his throat. “Like many of our people, Orpheus is a wood spirit. A maiden is given to him in return for his protection and generosity. Inga was to go to him three days after she was taken. He went looking for her, and he 30

Await found her village in ruins.” Orpheus looked miserable. Even his horns seemed unhappy. Orphia smiled and turned to the Negotiator. “What were the terms?” “Access to a local trade route and a woman of the same species. The prince doesn’t want to mix up his collection.” Orphia gave him a feral grin. “Tell him that the terms are accepted, and the exchange will occur at the palace at sundown. When he takes possession of me, the agreement is final. Will he abide by that?” The Negotiator nodded. “I will make sure of it. But, madam, are you sure?” She blinked, and he jerked back. She suspected that the Orb had let her eyes be visible for an instant. Orpheus was staring at her in shock as well. “As you wish, madam. We will see you at sunset.” The Negotiator bowed as low as his armour would allow, and he walked slowly out of the bar. “Xeric, does getting hammered impair our skills?” He wrapped his hand around the bare skin of her belly. “No. Why?” “Because I plan on getting plastered so that it will seem that Orpheus drugged me to make me 31

Viola Grace comply. The prince is that kind of egotist, he doesn’t want a woman to come willingly. He wants to make them submit.” Xeric held up his hand, and the bartender brought over liquors in small glasses. With deliberate focus, Orphia put her attention to the serious task of getting drunk.

32

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Chapter Five

O

rpheus was carrying her under one arm as casually as if she was a sack of potatoes. She was dizzy and giggling, but part of her mind was crystal clear. The reason that the Nameless weren’t affected by drinking was because the Orb of Time was a designated driver. The palace gates were open. She could feel Xeric nearby, but the Orb was making him invisible as it had her. Inga was standing straight, her blonde hair rippling to her knees. Her eyes were a bright, vivid blue, and when she saw Orpheus walking toward her, her face changed to an expression of hope. Orphia sighed happily as best as she was able. It was good to see Inga’s face happy. She reminded Orphia of her grandmother. They had the same cheekbones. The prince was blinking in astonishment. “That 33

Viola Grace was quick. I didn’t know there was another Terran nearby.” Orpheus grunted, “I always travel with a spare.” The prince didn’t know how to respond to that, but the Negotiator coughed through the speakers of his armour. “You have met the terms of the immediate agreement. Make your mark here, and the rest will be taken on contract.” The Negotiator held out a data pad where Orpheus made his mark. He set her on her feet and patted her on the back. “Go to your new master.” She wobbled and took a few steps before pausing to get her balance. Inga was unchained, and she didn’t waste time. She sprinted for Orpheus and fell to her knees. “Thank you for coming for me, my lord.” He lifted her carefully in his arms. “I will always come for you, Inga.” Orpheus started to move, and soon, he was a blur in the distance. Orphia wobbled toward the prince, and she had to laugh as guards surrounded her. The prince circled her, assessing. “You are a much better choice, stronger and more elegant. There is a confidence in you that I will enjoy breaking.” 34

Await She looked at him in the eyes, and his guards struck the backs of her knees. She felt the skin part on one knee but didn’t cry out. “I don’t break.” The prince came toward her and leaned in. “You will.” She couldn’t help herself. She struck out at him, breaking his nose and causing blood to spew in every direction. The deep purple colour grossed her out, but she took another swing. The guards struck her and forced her to the ground. “Cheater! Can’t even take a girl without backup. No wonder you have to break your women, they can all kick your ass otherwise.” Part of her was glad that she was drunk when the guards struck her again. A low rumble came to her, and she grimaced. “This isn’t going to be good for you, scooter.” Xeric appeared in mid-run. He was fearsome, deadly and hotter than she had ever seen him. The leather shirt was a thing of the past, and his torso was exposed to her drunken and fascinated gaze. Guards went flying, and the prince was pinned to the wall by Xeric’s antlers. “Do not touch my woman.” “She is mine, Hirn. I bought her.” It was said on a gasp, blood seeped from the contact points. “She is mine, Tival, she was promised to me.” Xeric’s hands slowly throttled the prince until he 35

Viola Grace drooped against the wall. Shaking his head, he freed his antlers from the prince. “Orpheus had better be on his way. I will not stand by while they hurt you.” He lifted her to her feet and slung her into his arms. She turned her head and spit out blood from the last kick of the guards. “I think they loosened a tooth.” A flash of light and they were back Home. Xeric sent warmth through her body and she felt the bruises recede. “That is a neat trick.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I cannot bear to see you injured. Why did you strike him?” She blinked and looked at him in surprise. “How drunk am I?” His smile became sheepish. “Ah, right. So, you like to pick fights when drunk?” She grinned. “Apparently.” “I believe you need a nap.” She belched, “It might be a good idea. A glass or three of water would be good too. What was I drinking?” “I have no idea. I only know that it smells horrid and seems to have killed your pheromones.” Orphia chuckled weakly. “So, that is the trick. I 36

Await wondered why my body went nuts when I first saw you. Or smelled you, I am not sure what came first.” His smile was triumphant. “I see.” “And when the Orb came inside, my body reacted even more violently.” “So, something within you woke.” Her grin was beatific, “Apparently.” She was going to continue her observations, but she was sleepy. It would keep. Xeric would watch over her while she slept. Waking surrounded by green and the scent of the forest felt right. The pounding in her head was very, very wrong. A glass of water was sitting on a table next to the bed, and she slugged it down without thinking. The moisture was welcome, but now that she was awake, she could have sworn that there should have been a Hirn nearby. “Xeric?” The disaster of chain and scraps of fabric was gone, but the marks were still in sensitive areas. “In the dining area. How are you feeling?” He poked his head around the corner and grinned. “That good, huh?” She was still naked, but he seemed far more amused than aroused. Sighing, she realized that she might have missed her chance with him. Mind 37

Viola Grace you, seducing a man while you were wasted on who-knows-what was never a good idea. The apartment that they were in was one large floor. A mirror was a centrepiece along one wall, and the view out the surrounding balcony took in all of the buildings that the Nameless called Home. “I don’t remember this view from the buildings that we were walking through.” Her voice was hoarse. He brought her a cup of hot tea. “That is because we are in the tower. The council objected to you interfering in your own bloodline.” She blinked and sat on a low chair, sipping at the tea with honey. “What do you mean?” “Inga and Orpheus are in your bloodline. It is probably why I respond so strongly to you, you have the marks of a Hirn within you.” She remained quiet as she sipped her tea. “Inga looks like my grandmother, or rather, my grandmother looked like Inga.” She frowned. “Tenses are hard.” “You have just found out that a race alien to your own runs through your veins, and you are worried about grammar? Ah, Orphia, you are one of a kind.” Orphia looked up at the man whose very nearness set her heart pounding in more places 38

Await than her chest. Her smile was slow, and she sipped at her tea, giving him a come-hither look over the rim of the cup. “Apparently, I am not.”

39

Viola Grace

Chapter Six

“A

s enchanting as that look in your eyes is, I believe that you should look into your own history. That mirror will connect you to any point in time and space that you wish to look at. I would suggest that you look into Orpheus and Inga. It should prove what the council has decided.” She crossed the room and pressed her hand to the mirror and sat back to watch what it showed her. She jerked her hand back when she saw a tangle of pale limbs mixed with Orpheus’s darker green body. “Okay, that one I believe.” “Look for their child.” Wincing, she looked and saw the young man striding confidently through the woods. His skin tone gave the indication of the Hirn who had fathered him, and he paused for a moment and cocked his head. Nodding, he changed his direction and moved with a stealthy grace toward 40

Await a pool where a woman was sobbing next to a horse that had fallen lame. He held the horse’s leg and stroked his hand down it repeatedly. When the animal got back to its feet, he spoke kindly to the woman, and she stared up at him, fascinated. His movement was abrupt as he leaned in, wrapped his hand around her neck and pulled her lips to his. She fought him for a moment to the point of digging her nails into his neck, but he persisted, and she began to return his kiss. Orphia stopped that image as well. “Okay, so courtship was not his strong suit. I guess he got the job done.” Xeric laughed, “Interesting perspective. That was the point at which your bloodline gained the touch of the Orb.” She nodded, “So, anyone she had a child with would have continued the line of the Orb.” “More or less.” “So, when I made sure that Inga and Orpheus got together…” Xeric wrapped his arms around her, “You assured yourself me as your partner.” She smiled and stroked his arm. “As pleased as I am that you are happy, I need some food. Let’s head to the refectory and get something to eat.” The mirror was now simply a mirror, and she 41

Viola Grace saw his wince. “I am afraid that you are now incarcerated here when you are not on a mission.” Orphia paused, “Then, how am I going to get food and clothing?” “We have a dispenser. You order what you want, and it arrives via a slot on the wall. From clothing to food to games, everything can be requisitioned.” “I suppose I should requisition some clothing then.” She bit her lip and looked at their reflection in the mirror. His hands were huge and the contrasts between their skins were fascinating. As she watched, his hand moved and cupped her bare sex, his fingers working in slow strokes while his gaze met hers in the mirror. His voice was low and hummed through her limbs when he said, “There is no hurry on the clothing. I prefer you like this.” Her body sent a surge of liquid out to greet his inquisitive fingers. His chuckle made her cheeks burn. “Apparently, you have no objection.” She gripped his hand and pulled it away, “I do right now. There is something about having sex while hung over that does not appeal to me. I would like to get some food that stays down and a lot more water, as well as some more clothing.” Her knees quivered when he lifted his fingers 42

Await to his lips and he licked her juices from his fingertips. She cleared her throat. “Yes, well, food?” He laughed and released her. “Of course. Let it never be said that a Hirn could not provide for his mate.” She blinked at the mention of mating and walked toward the area he had been in when he came out with a cup of tea. He disappeared into the bedroom for a moment, but by the time he came out, she had located the dining room. The selector was on the wall, so she ordered food, a kimono-style robe and some underwear. Xeric appeared, and he had an extra leather shirt in his hands. “This will help you and keep my mind on what you are saying.” She slipped it on, and the deep vee of the neckline fell to just below her navel. She enjoyed the warmth of the shirt, but his scent was heady. Her own hormones kicked into high gear, but she took a seat at the table and waited. He placed an order and sat across from her. “So, why did you pick a fight with the prince?” She touched her eye, but there was no remaining damage. Even her ribs felt fine. “Um. I needed to keep his attention on me. Orpheus and Inga needed to get to their ship.” He shook his head. “They were not travelling 43

Viola Grace by ship. He used an Admaryn gate. I believe they were gone before the first strike hit you.” She frowned. “That is bizarre. The Admaryn never had postings on Tival worlds.” Xeric smiled, “I did not say that they got to the gate alone. It was what delayed me from coming to your assistance. It is also the reason that I am here with you, aside from my unwillingness to leave you to your own devices. I helped one of my own kind and exposed myself as one of the Nameless. That is an unacceptable lapse.” “You did that for me?” “For you and for another of my kind. Orpheus was one of those who left our world to seek a mate of another species. He waited twelve generations for Inga to appear, and when she did, he synched his life to hers. They died on the same day, two hundred years after they first joined.” Tears pricked at the corners of Orphia’s eyes. “That is so sweet.” “Fortunately, that is not a fate we will face. The Nameless do not have children, but neither do they age.” “Convenient. I have been around enough aging and death to last me a lifetime or more.” She added the last with a twist to her lips. “So, why isn’t this place crawling with Nameless, if we all live so long?” 44

Await He shook his head, the antlers moving in the light streaming through the wide windows. “There is a regular turnaround. While we do not age, we can and do die. The Orb frequently puts us into dangerous situations…as you just found out.” She rubbed the spot where the guard had struck her. “Yeah, but how did I heal so fast?” Orphia was amazed as a telltale darkening of his cheeks showed his blush. “Hirn are healers. It is not commonly known, but it is the same skill that your ancestor showed with the horse.” She blinked. “I thought it was just a Nameless thing.” “Oh, we can heal using a concentrated burst of time, but it ages the tissue that we heal. The healing is a much gentler method of bringing you back to full health.” His bright, boyish smile was incongruous on a man so large. “Thank you. It was not a pleasant moment for me, so having you remove the aftermath meant more than I could say.” “Whatever I can do to help you along, it is my pleasure.” A slot in the wall opened, and a covered tray appeared. “And there is my breakfast. This should straighten out my nausea.” She uncovered her selections, oatmeal, eggs, 45

Viola Grace bacon, grapefruit juice and toast. If she could keep it down, this would set her up for the rest of her day. With the leather shirt keeping her warm, her body’s physical shock was somewhat mitigated. She added sugar to the oatmeal as well as some cream and began to eat. Xeric was looking at her food with interest. “May I try some? I am not familiar with Terran foods.” She smiled and mumbled, “Grab a spoon and dig in.” He did as she suggested, and soon, she was ordering another round of breakfast. Actually, she ordered two rounds. He had eaten most of hers, because he enjoyed the flavour better than the food of the Hirn. She grumbled at him, but secretly, she was glad that he liked the same foods that she did. Travelling and trying to find edible foods at funerals had been her biggest challenge, so having Xeric eat the same things she did meant her life had just gotten easier. She snorted mentally. Of course, for her life to get easier, she had to die. It wasn’t a career path that she normally would have selected.

46

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Chapter Seven

W

atching the mirror was the easiest form of entertainment available to her. She looked into and researched the other Terrans, and with some shock, she realized that they were probably above her in the tower. Xeric was in the wide recreation room engaging in a martial art that was fascinating to watch, but since Orphia had given up public masturbation, she decided to skip the show. Sex was constantly on her mind, even though she was now sporting Terran underwear, jeans and a t-shirt. Xeric had been disappointed that she didn’t want to wear his shirt as daily wear around the house, but when she explained that she needed to ease into having a male around all the time, he allowed her the minimal concealment that the cotton provided. Orphia knew that it was only Xeric’s good nature that kept him from becoming far more 47

Viola Grace insistent regarding physical intimacy. If her hormones spiked again, his self-control might snap and that would not end with her on top. He joined her as she watched the exploits of Aura, Idara, and Sky. Three Nameless who had come from the same world as she, but they were all in the tower for inappropriate behaviour. Something in their assignments took them outside the norm for the Nameless, and since a life sentence was out of the question, locking them up in the tower until the Orb called for them again was the solution. “How often does the Orb call you?” She was watching Sky help an old woman across the street an instant before an out-of-control carriage rolled through. “In the past, it has been about once every two months. It means that we may have to find another way to spend our time.” He reached out and caressed her shoulder. “Um, not that that isn’t a great idea, but you are glowing, Xeric. What do you see?” He sighed and closed his eyes. “You will need leather clothing in a dark green. It is time that you seen another aspect of the Hirn.” Shrugging, she dialled up the requested items, and when they arrived, she took the box into the bedroom and slipped into the leathers before 48

Await tugging on the soft, fitted boots and strapping on her knife. Head to toe in deep green leather, she walked up to him and smiled. “Let’s go.” He paused and loosened her hair from the ponytail she had it tied in. “It will blend better and hide your features from casual observation.” She smiled as his hands ran through her hair with far more than casual interest. “You like long hair.” “I do. It makes you easier to catch.” With that peculiar statement hanging in the air between them, they stepped into the world where the Orb of Time summoned them. “Let me carry you, this next part will take a few minutes.” They were standing on the edge of a road. A green meadow spread to either side. Xeric lifted her in his arms, and he began to grow. His antlers became branches, his body rounded and thickened into that of a tree. Green leaves bloomed and his arms lifted her high into the basket of branches, concealing her from casual observation. From the height, she could see an approaching dust cloud and her instincts told her that this is what they were waiting for. “So, I simply wait up here in the canopy, and you will do whatever is necessary?” 49

Viola Grace I will. As a tree, I will draw their attention, and they will have a moment to rest in their flight. Orphia sat up in shock. “How can I hear you?” All Hirn can hear all other Hirn, no matter how far the bloodlines have come. You can speak this way as well. You merely have to try. “I am supposed to just try telepathy?” Do you have anything better to do right now? He had a point. She sat in the small woven nest that supported her and took a meditative pose. “So how do I do this?” Cease talking and try thinking, Orphia. They are getting closer, and you should not be heard. She bit her lip and tried to send her thoughts to him. Stop trying so hard and simply think your words, Orphia. She grinned, Fine. I will just relax and think to you. So how long have you had wood? Very funny. I am aware of the Terran euphemism. Since the moment I saw you at the funeral. Fire rushed through my veins, and I was ready to fight or fuck. Unfortunately, fighting won out when your attacker made his move. She shivered at the image in his mind. Her body pierced and crimson flowing down the centre of her white gown. That is quite the image. It is burned into my thoughts. I was not sure that I 50

Await could bring you back enough to accept the healing. She was draped over his arms and her eyes were open and lifeless. As he lifted her, she started to glow, and then, they were at Home with medical personnel running toward them. He tried to change the subject. What did you think when you first saw me? Clearing her throat wouldn’t have done any good, so she simply thought to him, I smelled you first. She showed him the view of him that she had. His mental chuckle made her smile. I suppose that the view could have been worse. I suppose. Now, technically, I heard you first. At the funeral. Then scent, hearing and finally sight. It was a gradual progression of introduction, and it definitely had an impact on my senses. What do you see for our future? What do you mean? I mean, it is traditional for pairs who will have a bond to see their futures together at the moment that the Orb takes over. What did you see? She blinked, lost in thought. She hadn’t seen anything. She had heard a voice say, “I have waited for you,” then nothing, just the inner light that the Orb imparted. She thought she might have replied, but she wasn’t sure. If she concentrated, she could see a life with Xeric, laughter and bedroom scenes that made her cheeks crimson. 51

Viola Grace As she blinked at the images that she was presented with, she came to a peculiar conclusion. The chain costume she had been wearing was downright dowdy compared to some of the ones in her future. Xeric liked her dressed in bits of leather and little else. I have seen bits of our future, but it is only recent. I have seen bits of you, but I do want to see more. She winced. How much more could there be? You have already seen me naked, shaved and up close. Oh, my dearest, there is so much more. I will simply have to show you…later. I thought Ravikka said I had to make the first move. You already did, when you asked me to help wrap you in chain. It is a slippery slope, but one moment does lead to another, and you did not object. Hindsight is always 20/20. The leaves shook as he expressed his amusement. How is it that you are a tree, Xeric? The Hirn have been shapeshifters for generations. Any form found in nature is ours to call. Good to know. So, you can be anyone, any shape? I can. Do you have a shape you would like to see me in? She flashed him an image of him on top of her between her thighs. I would like to see you in me. The leaves trembled again, and she could see heated images of his mouth on her breasts and 52

Await neck and his hands on her thighs, digging in to the flesh. She lay back, panting as her body translated the images into arousal. Her thighs shivered, and when she felt a distinct stroke across her clit, she ran a hand over her leathers. A small tendril of vine had made its way into her trousers and was rubbing rhythmically against the heated bit of sensitized flesh. When she tried to tug at the vine, her hands were pulled to the side, and her neck was pinned in place with more twisting vegetation. A mask of sorts came over her mouth, and her moans were muffled and swallowed by tiny, soft leaves. More tendrils coursed over her breasts, abrading her nipples and surrounding the mounds with a massaging motion. A thicker, twisting vine worked between the lips of her sex and preformed a corkscrew motion that stroked every internal inch of her. The coil widened and spread her channel open while plunging and twisting within her. She gasped, shuddered and bit her lip as she was taken to the edge or orgasm, held there for what seemed like hours and then tipped over. Sparks ran along her skin in a rippling wave, and she felt wonderfully, desperately alive. When her body stopped twisting, the vines 53

Viola Grace slowly released her back to the woven nest that she had been sitting in. A peek through the leaves and she saw the back end of the caravan as it walked up the hill and beyond. I missed the whole thing? You were busy. It is understandable. The satisfaction in his mental voice was unmistakable. Why are we still here? They may look back, and they need to know that the tree that gave them shelter exists. Why did you do that? To prove a point. Orphia knew she would regret asking, What point? If I can make you cum while fully clothed and in complete silence, imagine what we will be able to engage in with unlimited privacy and no clothing between us. That thought was going to keep her up nights.

54

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Chapter Eight

X

eric returned to his Hirn form under her, and she ended up in his arms once again. Exposed to the bright light of the afternoon on the strange world with nine moons, she noted that she didn’t have a hair out of place. It was a good trick considering that the interior of her leathers was slick and damp. The flash of light didn’t startle her this time. Orphia remained in his arms as he returned them to their quarters. His hooves clicked on the floor as he carried her to the kitchen and set her on the counter. He parted her knees and stepped in the gap, leaning down to kiss her with a deliberate and arousing use of his lips. He didn’t touch her except for his lips on hers, his tongue tangling with hers in a slow dance, and his body surrounded her on every angle that was exposed to him. She could not define his taste, but she would 55

Viola Grace know it for the rest of her life and crave it whenever he was away from her. With her thighs spread, she leaned back on her hands for balance and let him do whatever he pleased, knowing that her pleasure was going to come first. His hands pulled her hips forward, and he rocked against the joint of her thighs while his tongue mimicked the thrusting that she wanted inside her. Orphia moaned and lifted herself against him, the frustration of two layers of leather was unbearable, but she didn’t want to break the contact of his mouth to hers. His finger trailed down the front of her tunic, and to her shock, the leather parted down the centre. That same finger repeated his action between her thighs, and she was suddenly wearing crotchless leggings. Xeric wrapped an arm around her and forced her crotch to his. He moved his hips in a slow circle against hers until the pressure mounted and she whimpered. Part of her was humiliated to be caught begging in every non-verbal and some base verbal methods. The rest of her was keen to do whatever it took to get him inside her. He moved his free hand between them, and a shock of heat struck her as the velvety head of his 56

Await cock pressed against her, parted the lips of her sex and nudged at the opening. He wove his hand through her hair and pulled her head back. “Look at me.” Her lips throbbed, and she met his gaze, her dark eyes were wide as she stared at him. He thrust against her, rocking her on the counter. Xeric adjusted his angle and thrust again. This time, he slid inside her, widening her channel to accept him as he shifted, twisted and pressed into her completely. When he made it into her all the way, she grunted, and when he withdrew and slid inside again, he altered his angle to make the transition easier. She reached out and draped one arm around his neck, the other around his ribs. Her ankles met as she wrapped her thighs around him. His horns flashed in the light, his sharp teeth exposed with his grimace, and he moved endlessly into her. A bright light within his eyes began to swirl, and he moved faster, thrusting harder and circling his hips with every motion. Her cries became plaintive, begging and insistent at the same time. Her nails scored his back, tearing at his shirt. His cry was bestial as he shoved into her and darted forward to bite. Orphia’s scream was part panic, part pain and 57

Viola Grace half pleasure. Her orgasm rode the edge of adrenaline, and she clutched at Xeric with all her might. Inside her, she felt the swell and spasm of his cock as his cum splashed inside her. He jerked against her and kept her tight to his chest as a groan came out of him with every twitch. When he pulled out of her, his expression was fierce and satisfied. “It is a good start, but I really want to taste you again.” She quivered. She was satiated, tired and hungry, but there was always time for a meal later. He carried her to the bed, which was a good thing as she was sure that her legs would not hold her. Xeric sat her on the edge of the bed and used the razor-sharp claw in his fingertip to cut away the remains of her clothing. She shivered when he laid her on her back and yelped when the bed shot tendrils out that pulled her arms out and away from her sides. “That is cheating.” He grinned and pulled his shirt off, examining the claw marks that she had left in the back. “It isn’t cheating unless there is a winner.” She tugged at the vines, grimacing when they stretched but took up the slack with every motion. Another vine wrapped lovingly around her neck, 58

Await pulling her chin up so she could not meet Xeric’s gaze or watch what he was doing. Orphia heard clattering and an off-key humming, but she didn’t see what was happening. A band snapped around each ankle, and they began to creep upward. The feeling of the band was of a thousand tiny tongues licking upward, and as the creeping continued, she started to squirm. “They are creeper bands. Each one is keyed to my pattern, so they go only as far as I wish them to.” She shuddered as they found the spot behind her knees that always drove her nuts. Her body twisted, but her legs stopped moving when more vines caught them and held them fast. “Very responsive. Your skin is really quite sensitive.” He seemed fascinated by her response to the light, licking touches on her legs, but he wrapped lighter-weight bands on her breasts and sat back. While the bands licking her legs were distracting, the feel of a ring of tongues working their way up her breasts to the nipple and back down again had her clenching her thighs together as best she could manage. “Ah, ah. None of that.” The vines widened her legs by wrapping around her legs just above the knees. 59

Viola Grace “Why won’t you let me see what is going on?” “I noticed during the assignment, that your imagination was enough to get you hot and bothered. I intend to see how much bother you can withstand.” He chuckled. Orphia felt the shift in weight on the bed as he moved between her thighs. His tongue joined the moving bands and trailed up first one inner thigh, then the other. Xeric’s hair rubbed the inside of her thighs and added to her stimulation. She twisted in place, held by the vines, her breath came in pants as she waited for his tongue to lick a little harder, trail the wet heat a little higher. A finger stroked her lower lips and parted her smoothly. Her mouth curved as she hoped it was not the razor-sharp finger when it slid into her. Xeric’s tongue was lapping at her clit while his finger worked into her, mimicking the coupling that was still sharp in her memory. When his hand lifted her slightly, she winced as a vine tapped at her rosebud, seeking entrance. It worked into her slowly and thickened when it gained entrance. Her senses rioted when it started to thrust in the same beat as Xeric’s finger and his tongue. Her orgasm was fast, hard and left her breathless. 60

Await He paused to let her catch her breath, and then, he began all over again.

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Viola Grace

Chapter Nine

S

ore didn’t begin to cover it. Groaning would have woken the sleeping giant in the bed, so she bit her lip and waddled to the bathroom. Bites, scratches, hickeys marked most visible skin. Her hair was tumbled wildly from his fingers, and her inner thighs were bright pink from friction. It had been quite an evening. She drew a bath and sighed as quietly as she could. The heat was helping the abrasions, and the water removed the bits of stickiness that his tongue hadn’t lapped up. Her hair floated around her in a puddle of dark inkiness. She leaned against one of the backrests in the tub built for four. The heat gave her muscles relief, and if she soaked for fourteen more hours, her thighs might touch again. “You left without waking me.” She didn’t open her eyes. “I was feeling a little tender. I didn’t want to take a chance.” 62

Await The water rose dramatically, but she kept her eyes shut and her arms extended to either side. “How can you stand this heat?” His tone was amused. She opened one eye and then the other when she saw his limbs mimicking hers. “It is an acquired practice. It relaxes the muscles like nothing else.” He snorted. “Come here.” “Xeric, seriously, I am too sore for more.” He sighed. “Trust me. Come here.” She floated through the water and took his hands. He positioned her straddling his lap, but he didn’t make any move to impale her on the thick cock pinned between them. His hands caressed her neck, her shoulders and her breasts, taking the aches and pains and leaving warmth in their wake. She jerked when he cupped her buttocks, but he merely stroked away the bruises left by his fingers. Sighing, Orphia leaned her head on his chest and tried to ignore his gentle caresses between her thighs. His healing seemed to have a penetration depth of about four inches, so he had to insert a finger to heal her ass completely. The vine had been insistent, and when he had replaced it with his fingers, she hadn’t known which was worse, or better depending on her point of view. 63

Viola Grace Her channel was far less irritated, but when he tried to fit a finger inside, it was a struggle. He patiently healed, inched, healed, inched, and finally, her aches and pains were taken care of. “Why were you talking with Orpheus?” She murmured it against his neck. He shifted her to sit across his thighs. “I had to confirm that Inga was worth the trouble. And to be honest, it was nice to see another Hirn.” Orphia chuckled, “I can definitely empathize with that. We may not be extinct, but there are few Terrans running loose up here. It is rare for two of us to run into each other. I miss my own kind.” “They are all around us. I will see what we can rig for communication between levels.” She blinked and laughed. “Right. I forgot about that. I was rather distracted, I suppose.” “It happens in the first days as a Nameless.” She yawned and nestled close to him, the warm water and warmer body under her made her sleepy. “What were you doing as the tree?” “I gave them a resting place. It slowed them down enough to miss the raiding party that was ravaging the village. A few minutes early and they would have all been killed.” “So, it actually was a hurry up and wait scenario.” “Yes, it was. But at least there were ways to 64

Await entertain ourselves that would not interfere with the destiny of those below.” She blushed, “You really know how to throw a bomb into a conversation.” He stroked her hair. “Did you not enjoy yourself?” “You know I did. I merely feel self-conscious about my reactions.” “Why? Your passion was lovely to behold.” “Because no one has been watching for quite some time. I am usually my only audience.” Speaking quietly into his shoulder made it less embarrassing, but when he lifted her chin to face him, there was no judgement in his features. His mild surprise was enough proof that he thought she was being silly. Orphia raised her hand to touch his cheek, but a light flared from her skin before she touched him. Images of a forest came to her and of a child who entered the glade where Orphia was to stand with Xeric at her side. The next image came, and the child was older, this pattern repeated until it became clear to Orphia that they were to be there every time she needed them. Orphia wanted to know whom this young girl was. “We have an assignment.” She got off his lap and stepped out of the tub with a whoosh of water 65

Viola Grace that was dwarfed by Xeric rising like a sea god from the deep. “We?” “Yes, we. Get into some leathers. We have to go and play forest god.” He chortled and smacked her ass lightly as she towelled off. “Good, I know how to do that.” She rolled her eyes and then flicked her towel at his backside, crowing with delight when the snap was successful. He gave her an astonished glare and stomped into the bedroom. Snickering, she skipped along behind him, ignoring the puddles and heading for the Acquisitions terminal. She selected the clothing that she saw in her memory of the future and once again smirked. Tenses were hard. She waited in the kitchen and nibbled on some crackers that she found in a cupboard. Tea seemed called for, so she prepared a pot while waiting for her clothing. Xeric swaggered in, and she held out a cup for him. “Acquisitions is running a little slow today.” She smiled happily. He was wearing darker brown leathers and black boot cuffs. His hooves were shiny, and his antlers had an oiled glow. She had to admit. “You look very nice.” “You said dress like a forest god, so I did.” He 66

Await preened, his head high and antlers endangering the walls. Her parcel slid through the chute, and she rubbed her hands gleefully. As annoying as parts of her job had been, she did love the dress-up part. Grabbing the box, she tiptoed past him and into the bedroom. “No peeking.” The leggings were wound leather. Open spirals showed a line of flesh from ankle to hip. Sandals, a leather coat with sleeves that matched the leggings and a bodice that lifted her breasts and cinched around her ribs, leaving her midriff exposed to all and sundry, all went on. The high collar added a lovely touch when she pinned her hair into a loose mass on top of her head. She walked out into the kitchen, and Xeric dropped his cup of tea. She looked like a dominatrix preparing for a tea party, and she loved every minute of it.

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Viola Grace

Chapter Ten

T

he little girl was a pastel pink, and she looked far too grown up for such a young child. They were standing in a group of ruins, and the little girl was stepping carefully but with head high. “Ancients, I need advice. Please, come to me and offer me help on this sacred day.” She spoke deliberately with words she had memorized. Orphia stepped forward, and Xeric walked next to her. “Yes, child? What do you need?” The little girl opened her mouth wide in surprise. “You are real.” Orphia looked to Xeric and back to the little girl. “Apparently. What help do you need, child?” “Sorrow. My name is Sorrow.” The girl’s stoic features buckled, and she started to sob. Orphia walked forward and took the young girl’s hands in her own. Her voice expressed her sympathy. “Hello, Sorrow.” “Oh, lady.” The little girl lunged into her arms 68

Await and sobbed. Orphia held the small body in her arms while the child spilled out her tale of woe. Sorrow was the new queen of Hammio. Her father died two months earlier, and she was now in charge of fifteen thousand souls. This girl of nine had no idea how to handle the demands that were being placed on her head. Xeric sat nearby, but he let Orphia take the lead. “Sorrow, what happened on the day your father’s body was brought to its resting place?” The girl sniffled and cuddled against Orphia. “We walked him to the lake, set him on the barge and let the beasts of the water take him.” “That is how you need to treat those who come to you for boons or requests. They are the beasts of the water, and you are the body of the queen. They will try and take pieces of you. Some will have genuine need, others will be gorging. You have to determine the difference between the two.” “How do I know what they want?” The girl was curious. “You will know, Sorrow. You will always know. Think of your father, and do what he would think was right. Listen to your heart, and if it tells you something is wrong, something is wrong.” Xeric stood, “It is time to go.” 69

Viola Grace Orphia pressed a kiss to Sorrow’s forehead and smiled. “You will do great things, Sorrow.” Orphia stepped to Xeric, and he transported them both one year into the future. They waited on the ruins, and Sorrow came to them again. She smiled with delight. A flat metal band adorned her head, and she bowed low, “Lady, I have come on this sacred day to gain wisdom from the ancients.” “Speak and tell me what you will.” Sorrow ran forward and hugged her tight around the waist. Orphia laughed, and they talked about the last year and how Sorrow was doing as queen until Xeric once again called time. Ten times later, Sorrow was a woman who was dealing with the hazards of being an attractive queen with no affianced husband. “The offers are coming from everywhere, Lady. I don’t know what to do.” Orphia sat down on a rock, and the elegant Sorrow sat next to her. “Well, I will give you the advice that I heard generations ago. Always look for the man you can like. Love is wonderful, it is the best feeling in the universe, but if you don’t like the person that you love, it will fade quickly. 70

Await “For me, I like him as well as love him.” She turned to smile at Xeric who was sitting in shock. “He offers me support when I must act and keeps me in mind when he must act. It is a good combination, and I trust him with my life, my soul and all that I am.” Sorrow looked over at Xeric and blushed. “He does seem like a lot to handle, Lady.” He was grinning. “I can manage him. The key to handling someone like him is to give him what he wants, but to make sure that you get what you want first.” Sorrow frowned. “I don’t understand.” Chuckling, Orphia wrapped her arm around the woman who was about to make a very nervewracking decision. “When it happens, you will know. Don’t fight fate, and let time take you where you need to be.” Orphia got to her feet and walked to Xeric. “Will I see you again, Lady?” Orphia inclined her head. “One more time, Sorrow. You will see us one more time.” Xeric wrapped his arms around Orphia, and they moved into the next year. A storm was brewing, and they waited for Sorrow. With a gown covered in crystals, Sorrow appeared out of the forest and walked up the steps 71

Viola Grace of the ruin, every inch a queen. Her husband followed her and stared in shock at the Nameless on the ruin. Orphia extended her hands, and Sorrow embraced her. When the queen released her, Orphia curtseyed gracefully. “Greetings, Queen Sorrow.” Sorrow smiled, “I have changed my name to Ayartha, an ancient word for laughter. It suits me much better to be Queen Ayartha, don’t you think?” Orphia kissed her pink forehead and brushed back her snow-white hair. “I am glad that the time of Sorrow is over. Laughter is always preferable when I am given a choice.” “Thank you, Lady. Thank you for coming to me when a lonely child called for wisdom. Your words have never steered me wrong, and my people are happy.” “You were to follow your heart, I only confirmed that it was the right course of action.” Orphia was blushing. Ayartha laughed. “Thank you, Nameless, for coming to a lonely child.” Orphia’s lips twisted, “How long have you known?” “Five years. Your hair never changes, and there is a tuft poking out like a fan in the back. It is 72

Await obvious that you were moving through time and around the normal progression. It simply took me some time to find the records that explained what you were and why you came to me.” Orphia smiled. “You are exceptional, and you needed a bit of help. Time provided it and sent me to carry it out. It was an honour.” Xeric took a few steps forward and wrapped his arms around her. “It is time.” “Thank you as well, Forest Lord. It has been three thousand years since a Hirn touched our soil. We are glad that you are not one of the lone gods. She is a good match for you.” Ayartha grinned and pressed a kiss to Orphia’s hand. “Thank you, Lady. I will treasure your words always.” Orphia opened her mouth, but Xeric took her away in a burst of light. She sighed and turned in his arms. “I will miss her.” “You knew her for six hours out of twelve years of her life.” “I know, but watching someone grow puts them into a special place in your heart. Don’t argue with me, just pat my back and say, there, there.” He stroked her back and rubbed her spine. “There, there.” She chuckled and looked up at him. “Thank you.” 73

Viola Grace “You are welcome. Now, where did you get the idea for that clothing? It has been driving me mad for the last twelve years.” She laughed as he flipped her up and over one shoulder, the tight leather kept his shoulder from digging into her too harshly, but his hand sliding up to cup her ass and then deliver a sharp smack that told her she was about to have an experiment of the discipline kind. Frankly, she had always been curious as to what all the fuss was about. It seemed it was time to find out.

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Await

Chapter Eleven

H

is hand was coming down for the ninth time when her skin started to glow again. “Damn it!” She had just started to turn from pain to pleasure, and her hands started to glow while her backside did the same in a very different way. Images of a carriage, a gemstone and a small cottage showed her that this was not her ordinary target. “Sorry to call off the fun and games, Xeric. This one is a solo mission.” She rolled off his lap and onto a sore backside, winced and got to her feet. She was fortunate that he had only flipped the back of her coat up and over her head. She was still dressed. “I will come with you.” She buckled on her belt and dagger while the Orb filled her and turned her translucent. “Fine, but you will have to catch up.” She heard his roar of protest as she was hurtled 75

Viola Grace through time and space to land on top of the carriage in question. The fabric called out for a knife, and so, she drew her dagger, slashed a hole and then dropped into the interior, stealing a bracelet with a huge gem from the startled male sitting inside. Bracelet in hand, Orphia kicked open the carriage door, jumped to the ground, fell on her sore ass, got up and ran for it. She heard a shout behind her, but her body was still see through, so it was not too likely that they would catch up to her. As she ran, she thought to herself that the Nameless needed a treadmill or a gym to keep their bodies capable of this type of exertion. Three blocks, two barking guard animals and a jumped fence later, and she was at her target, she casually flipped the bracelet over a fence and into a garden. Her duty discharged, the Orb switched her into watcher mode. Orphia leaned on a wall in a nearby alley and waited. Her victim came running through the street, and the young woman who lived in the cottage paused and lifted the bracelet from her garden. “Sir, oh, sir, this was lying in my garden. Is it yours?” He froze and looked her up and down. He must 76

Await have liked what he saw, because he bowed low and accepted the bracelet, but he offered the woman something in exchange. Orphia didn’t need to stay any longer. Her purpose was to bring these two people together. She had completed her mission, so she returned Home. She had barely gotten back into her living room when arms clasped her and lifted her from her feet. Her new coat and leggings were peeled from her in seconds, and she was turned to face a very irritated Xeric. “I had to do the whole thing invisible, Xeric. Don’t be mad.” He didn’t speak, but she was almost sure she could see steam shooting out of his nose. He carried her into the bedroom, took a seat on one of the comfortable chairs and pulled her over his knee. His hand fell with every word. “You. Will. Not. Go. On. Orb. Missions. Alone. Ever.” There was no sensuality in this. It was punishment and nothing else. She was furious at him, but when he slid two fingers into her, she was shocked. Despite her better judgement, her body had reacted with alacrity. His thumb stroked her clit and she was arching against his hand. He stopped a moment before her cries indicated her peak. 77

Viola Grace With cool deliberation, he lifted her from his lap and put her on the bed, on her back. Orphia was so close, she knew that only a little friction on her clit would put her over, but the moment her hand snaked between her thighs, vines whipped out and pulled her hands up over her head. “You have not eaten. I will remedy that.” Xeric left her alone, her body aching as he went to order food. Five minutes later, or five hours, she only knew she was miserable the whole time, he returned with a tray. Instead of freeing her, he placed the small morsels on her body, her breasts wearing tiny canapés, her belly holding fruit, he turned her into a cold buffet from neck to knees. Every portion of her body was decorated with some kind of food, and she found the cruel irony of being hungry and covered with food as being rather a sucky end to her day. She thought that being covered in food was part of her punishment, but when he started to eat the food off her skin, feeding her with his mouth every three bites or so, she knew the meaning of cruelty. His lips and tongue woke parts of her, inch by inch. He licked at her inner elbow, and she sighed. His teeth nibbled at her breast, and a high-pitched 78

Await whine came from her throat. He was studiously ignoring the tidbits he had placed around her thighs, but when he finished licking and sucking the last of the food from her neck, he worked his way down to where she wanted him the most. The capricious vines held her thighs tightly together, but when he moved up her body to give her a sample, she groaned. Her groin was covered by apple crumble, and her torment was going to get worse before it got better. He worked his way down to the skin at the top of her mons, and from there, to the upper thigh on either side of where she desperately wanted his tongue. He lapped, burrowed and sucked before he had the vines part her thighs to allow him full access. As he lapped upward and scraped her clit, Orphia arched her hips with every stroke, but on the down stroke, she ran afoul of the stinging pain left by the spanking. To her consternation, she was wetter than she had ever been in her life, and he continued to lick, stroke and slurp until her orgasm ran up her body to signal him by her harsh cries. He continued to lick and burrow into her, his thumb worked its way into her ass and she twisted as the ache in her buttocks added to the sensory overload that she now realized he was 79

Viola Grace counting on. Her next release struck her in a surprising wave. It swamped her and took her under, leaving her body shaking in endless ripples trying to escape the attentions that drove it once again. Xeric gave no signs of stopping, and when she finally surrendered and begged him to stop, he did. Without a word, he released her, lifted her, brought her to the lav and bathed her. She was exhausted, her eyes were puffy from crying, and her lower lip was swollen from her teeth. When he carried her back to the bed, which had been made in their absence by Acquisitions, she sniffled and curled against him before she slept. “Orphia, will you go on a mission without me again?” Pouting like a disappointed toddler, she shook her head. “No. You can come along and wait for me.” “Good. I do not like you being where I cannot help if you need me.” She nodded, yawned and wrapped her arm around him. When he stroked his hands down her back, she winced until he healed the marks from her punishment. Pain free, she let images of her day follow her 80

Await into her dreams, and when she woke up astride her partner, she grinned. Riding a Hirn was not a skill that she had ever seen on a resume, but it was definitely something that you needed a certain amount of focus for. Too deep and you were uncomfortable, too shallow and he was upset, wrong angle and you hurt him, so she finally surrendered and dismounted, posing for him on hands and knees. He did not resist but was on his knees behind her, lifting her to him and sliding back inside her before he set up a hard slapping rhythm. She whimpered as her release got closer, but when he roared as his cock pumped into her, she let him have this one to the multitude she had had earlier that day. It was only fair after all. With a smile on her face, she let him bear her to the bed. He rolled her to her back and started suckling at her breasts. The wet heat of his mouth got her entire focus as he sucked, drew and sucked again. His sharp teeth were a silent threat during the entire procedure, but it added a thrill to the feel of a mouth sucking her. She threaded her fingers through his hair, and when he moved lower, she gripped his antlers for support. Orphia had to admit that Xeric lived up to the Hirn reputation for being a bit sex mad, but she 81

Viola Grace also had to agree that she was not too far behind. It might be the Hirn genes in her bloodline or the Hirn in her bed, but one thing was certain, life as a Nameless had its perks, and while they may have all of time to spend together, every moment was precious. She was going to make sure that every second counted, and Xeric was going to be at her side the whole time. The worry she caused him was not worth the frisson of freedom, and the punishment was not something she wished to court either. Her ass just couldn’t take it.

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Author’s Note Await introduces the Hirn, forest lords who are long dead. It sounds bad until you realize that they can have mixed-blood children all over the universe and a recessive gene can be lurking anywhere. Awake is the next coming instalment of the Nameless portion of the Terran Times. We will learn a little bit more about why they do what they do and what is setting things wonky all over the universe. Thanks for reading, Viola Grace [email protected] www.extasybooks.com www.violagrace.com www.devinedestinies.com

About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.