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  Squeezing her legs tight together, she waited for a response. She didn’t expect either of them to approach her or try to touch her. There were too many guards for that. Her protectors would kill anyone who tried to harm her. Still, they both moved closer. Whether it was from a lack of intelligence or a lack of fear, she’d never know.

  Heart pounding in her chest, she threw herself against the closest guard as he drew and leveled his weapon at the taller man’s chest. “You will not approach the Princess Ariella, Halfling.” The man sneered. He tried to push her behind him, but she would have none of it.

  “They’re my mates, you moron,” she hissed. “Don’t kill them and sentence me to a half-life without them.” She didn’t tell him that was exactly what she expected anyway. How could she come between two men already so much in love with each other that their auras blended to the same lovely hues? No. She would rather die herself. What was there left to live for with her mates already involved?

  The taller man stepped closer and looked down into her eyes. “I’m glad you realize this. I am Xymus. Demit and I have been waiting for you for years.”

  How did he hear what I said? How could he possibly know I think they are my mates? Unless…are they telepathic like the Savari?

  The two men smiled and she swallowed thickly. Goddess, they were handsome. They may not be the aged Savari warriors she’d hoped to take to mate, but they were handsome. Both of them had the look of a golden god. The smaller of the two had a tattoo of a dragon in flight peeking beneath the right shoulder of the worked leather vest he wore. Another tattoo, this one of entwined dragons, covered the majority of his left arm. Of all the animal totems he could have chosen, why had he picked dragons as his familiar? Did it mean something or was it just a coincidence?

  We thank you, mate. It has long been our wish to please our mate’s eyes as well as her body.

  She swallowed thickly and tried not to react. The last thing she needed was for them to make another move and have her guards shoot them.

  As they glanced at her guards, the weapons were snatched from their grip from an unseen hand and she realized that they too had the telekinetic power the other two Halflings she knew possessed. Ryo and Viktor weren’t alone in this. Could that power be why the Banarts took advantage of the Hienial people?

  Maybe they’d find out the answer to that question, among others, once they were finally able to access the encrypted files. Knowing her guards would continue to view her mates as a threat to her, Ariella forced her way through the barrier their bodies created to separate her from the Hienial Halflings. All they needed was a fight to break out and someone’s blood shed to top off this day.

  “We would never harm your guards, love.” Xymus’s rumbling baritone stroked over her flesh like a lover’s hand.

  “It’s not them I’m worried about,” she muttered.

  We won’t allow them to harm us either. The three of us have too much to live for.

  I don’t want to interfere with the love you and Xymus share, Demit, no matter what the fates decided when they mated us. She looked between them, her heart breaking.

  Nonsense, woman. We merely bided our time loving each other as we waited for you. Though our feelings for each other are strong and true, there is more than enough room in our hearts to love you as well. A man to love is better than no mate at all when you are on a world with no available females.

  She could understand that. And if she were truthful, the whole idea kind of turned her on.

  Perhaps one day, when we have grown used to the feel of your flesh caressing ours, we will show you how we love each other.

  The words he spoke nearly drove her over the edge. If she didn’t get these two men alone—and soon—she may just go mad. Having them so near, their scent invading her system, was an aphrodisiac she never knew existed. She glanced back at the console, a disappointed frown on her face. They had work to do. The faster they did what she’d come to do, the faster they could be in her quarters on the ship making love.

  * * * *

  Xymus couldn’t take his eyes off the woman. She was everything beautiful and feminine, not to mention courageous and intelligent—a dream come true to a man that didn’t think he’d ever have a woman in his life.

  He approached her slowly, not wanting to alarm her guards. Demit was less than a step behind him. He could feel Demit’s anxiety, his fear that she would turn away from them in disgust because of both their heritage and their sexual practices. Xymus couldn’t help but worry that Demit had cause for concern, but he prayed to the Goddess that she would except them. Now that he met her, he couldn’t imagine Ariella not being a part of their lives.

  Maybe the best way to get her trust and ultimately her love would be to encourage her to delve into the Hienial computer systems. He wasn’t too proud to admit that they hadn’t had much luck in the year they’d been at work trying to hack into the navigational terminal. In fact, they hadn’t been able to get into any of the computer files on the ship—though not for lack of trying.

  With that in mind, he stopped right behind her chair to observe her actions. Perhaps, he could even learn something from her. His people, those on this planet, and those scattered across the galaxy, needed the information on these computers, and if he and Demit couldn’t get to it, then hopefully their new mate could. “So, what exactly are you doing?” Xymus asked. Her fingers were flying over the keyboard at a dizzying pace.

  “I’m rewriting the code. Instead of trying to discern the correct passcode, I’m writing a new program to get around it.”

  “You can do that?” Demit asked.

  Ariella snorted, shrugging her shoulders. “I hope so anyway. This language isn’t the easiest I’ve had to learn, that’s for sure.”

  For several minutes, Xymus watched in awe, amazed at the skill his new mate exhibited. Hell, he was a Hienial Halfling and he could barely read the language. Before he could tell her how impressive her actions were an alarm shrieked through the cabin. Seconds later, a countdown began.

  Ten…

  “Dammit… It looks like some sort of chemical is about to be released from the ship’s life support system.”

  Nine…

  “What can we do to stop it?” Demit asked, his gaze automatically shifting up toward the ventilation shaft above their heads.

  Eight…

  “I don’t know if there is anything we can do,” she muttered, typing furiously.

  Seven…

  Xymus wasn’t about to leave the ship, not when they needed the records so bad, but he didn’t want Demit or Ariella exposed to the likely hazardous chemicals about to be released. Still, even if he wanted them to run, there just wasn’t enough time.

  Six…

  Xymus grimaced then turned toward the Dragon Guards. “You might want to get out of here, if you can.”

  Five…

  “We will not leave the princess.”

  Four…

  Xymus nodded, not expecting anything less. Knowing that within the next few seconds their lives could be over, he reached forward, placing one hand on Ariella’s shoulder, and gripping Demit’s in the other.

  Three…

  “Warn the others outside the ship. We don’t know exactly what is going to happen,” Demit demanded. Xymus watched his mate, witnessed her intense concentration as she tried to stop the countdown.

  Two…

  Both guards reached for their wrist communicators. Before they could even get a word out, a loud explosion rocked the ship.

  “What the hell?” Demit shouted, “The countdown hasn’t run down yet.”

  One…

  Ariella looked up into his eyes, her fear and resignation evident in her gaze. If this is the way it was to end, at least they would leave this mortal plane together.

  A thick noxious smelling gas filled the compartment and sent them to their knees coughing.

  “Goddess, that reeks!” Xymus growled, his face buried in Demit’s neck as he pressed Ariella�
�s face into his chest. He could only hope his uniform would filter out some of the toxins and protect her. He’d just found his mate. He was in no hurry to lose her.

  They lay on the floor, coughing up the foul gas, until he was sure they would turn their lungs inside-out with the effort. When he was certain they were about to choke to death, the boarding ramp flopped open and fresh air circulated about them.

  “What—” Ariella coughed into her sleeve. “What was that? Do either of you have any ideas?” She looked between them. Like him, her eyes watered from the burning the noxious gas caused. “Oh, look.” She pointed to her guards. “They must have passed out. Lucky them. I wish I could have slept through that myself.”

  Demit reached over and checked their pulse. “No you don’t, mi zoyma. They’re dead.”

  Xymus paused. “Do you think…?”

  “Go look.”

  Xymus nodded toward the ramp. “I have a horrible feeling all of your friends are dead, my mate.” He wrapped his arm about her shoulders when she would have collapsed.

  “Why—how?” She looked between them as Demit walked toward the entrance and disappeared down the ramp. Her confusion at the reason behind it all showed on her face. “Why would it kill them and not us? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “I suspect your answer is in that database.” He pointed to the console. Xymus didn’t want to make things harder on her, but they needed the information in the computer now more than ever. He must find a way to get her back to her work.

  “Yes, of course. You’re right.” She nodded, taking the hint and sat back down in the seat. Tears slid silently down her face as she worked, pausing only a few times to wipe her eyes. It was the only indication that she’d lost men dear to her.

  Xymus wanted to reach out, pull her into his arms and take her with him to the caves where he and Demit could love her and make her forget her pain, if only for a little while. But he knew how important this information was to his people. To everyone. An hour or a day could mean the difference between life and death for them. The Goddess had visited his dreams and told him as much. Something was in the database that could turn the tide of another war. He only hoped they found it in time to avert one altogether.

  He spun around when Demit returned and frowned when the other man silently shook his head. They are all dead, old friend. I have no idea about the others in the camp we passed on the way here. I only checked those close to us, guarding the ship.

  It’s just as well. At least not knowing one way or another will give her something to hope for. As you know, even a little hope is better than none. How long do you think we have before her people decide to check on her?

  Demit answered his question with a shrug and knelt down beside their mate, their gift from the Great Goddess. She was so beautiful and intelligent that Xymus nearly wept with joy. He never thought to see his two mates together. He never dared to hope he would ever have the luck to meet a female to bond with. Neither of them did. That was why they’d decided to bond with each other. The three of them would find a way to make a life together. He did love Demit and he didn’t want to hurt him. He sighed. He didn’t want to hurt either of them.

  They both watched their mate with pride as her fingers flew over the console, unlocking various sections of the coded material.

  “Knew that,” she whispered to herself. “Grandmother already told us.”

  “You knew what?” He and Demit asked at the same time.

  “That Hienials weren’t inherently evil. It was the Banarts who made them that way. It had something to do with their DNA or genetic make up. Something they wanted or needed that your race possessed.” She frowned and bit her lip. “Your telekinetic abilities maybe?”

  Xymus nodded his agreement. “Perhaps. We also have another power. One we don’t usually tell others.”

  “You’re telepathic. I knew that.”

  “No.” He shook his head and paced to the ramp. “We can shift shape into anything.”

  Ariella stared at him, her eyes filled with shock. “You mean that you can become any animal you want, like the Savari?”

  He shook his head and decided to give her a demonstration. He only hoped she didn’t faint. He watched her eyes widen, then heard her gasp of surprise when he turned himself into an exact replica of the console where she worked.

  “Oh, my Goddess,” she breathed. “No wonder the Banart bastards wanted you all so bad. They tested your kind. They must have used Hienial DNA to mutate their own until they were able to do the same. That was how they infiltrated our ranks. They sent operatives in, taking the place of the people they’d captured and killed.”

  “How did you know this?” Demit asked, shocked.

  “Grandmother told us.” She said it as though the universe knew her grandmother and no one should question her wisdom.

  “How did she know?”

  Ariella smiled. Her face bloomed in a large grin and it took his breath away. If only he could keep that expression on her face. “Grandmother is a force to be reckoned with. It is her job to know everything.” She was almost laughing now, her blue eyes dancing with an inner light.

  “Hmm…” Demit didn’t comment and Xymus was afraid to. But ask he did. It was his responsibility to keep them all working toward the main goal and their feet on the ground. The last thing any of them needed were flights of fancy. He hated that he had to nip Ariella’s in the bud.

  “You don’t know, do you?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I thought everyone in the whole galaxy knew. Your world must be one of only a handful of worlds that doesn’t know.”

  He was becoming exasperated. The last thing he wanted was his first fight with his mate before they’d even had the chance to make love. “Knew what?” He tried to keep from gritting his teeth. He really did. But it was hard to keep his disbelief and ire from his voice.

  Since you seem at a lack of words to tell him, I shall, before he begins to think you mad, Granddaughter.

  Xy’s eyes widened as an older version of Ariella appeared before them and he knew that voice. It was the same voice as in his dreams.

  “I was just having a bit of fun with him, Grandmother.”

  There is a time for fun and a time for work, Ariella. Which do you think this is?

  “You’ve always taught us there is no time like the present. Two minutes ago, it was time for fun. Now it is a time for work.” She folded her hands in her lap and looked down, contrite.

  Xymus nearly swallowed his tongue. Ariella’s grandmother was the Lady Goddess?

  The woman looked over at him and smiled. “How do you think you all got here? It takes a male and a female to procreate.” She sighed, her expression a strange mixture of impatience and humor. “No matter. What’s important is that you finish your work here and get busy making babies.”

  “Just like a grandmother,” Ariella muttered not quite under her breath. “Embarrassing, demanding…”

  “Like you weren’t thinking the same thing, Granddaughter.”

  Xymus watched her face pinken and felt his heart clench inside his chest. She had such a mixture of courage, and innocence. He couldn’t wait to make her his—theirs.

  * * * *

  Demit watched the byplay between his mate and the Lady Goddess in awe, speechless at the thought that he and Xymus would be paired with someone with such a divine ancestor. What had they done to deserve such a prize? He could think of nothing, no act they had participated in that would merit such an honorable, intelligent and beautiful woman as mate.

  Are you questioning me, Demit d’Meir? Do you and Xymus not wish to mate with my granddaughter?

  Of course I do—we do—it’s just such an unexpected gift.

  Ahh, but will you still think that when I tell you what I’d like the three of you to do for me?

  We will do all that you ask. Nothing you ask of us will be enough to thank you for the gift of your granddaughter.

  I hope you continue to feel that way, young one.

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nbsp; Demit watched as the Lady Goddess approached her granddaughter, placing her hands on Ariella’s shoulders. A white glow spread from her hands to Ariella’s shoulders before slowly encompassing them completely. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as the bodies of Ariella’s guards disappeared in a flash of light.

  Xymus’s eyes widened in disbelief, while Demit himself watched them warily. What was she doing to Ariella?

  Relax, young Demit. I am but giving your mate the language skills and information she needs to access the records on this ship. Time is of the essence. Once you’ve accessed all the computer files the three of you must perform the mating ceremony. Only then, will I be able to give you the next step in your mission.

  Demit nodded, though he never dropped his gaze. I understand. When must we be ready for the next part of our mission?

  You have until midday tomorrow. Any later than that and things will unfold that should not be. We cannot risk a delay. The fates of your people as well as many other species are dependant upon what happens next.

  Then we shall not fail you. Not that mating with your granddaughter is any hardship, he thought to himself.

  The Lady Goddess’ throaty chuckle vibrated through his body. I should think not. She is a beautiful woman, not only in looks, but in spirit.

  As you say. We are honored that you chose us to mate with your granddaughter. You shall not regret the decision.

  Within seconds, the bright light surrounding the two women faded and Ariella swayed with the enormity of her gift. She raised a trembling hand to her head and groaned. “There are so many things running around inside my head.”

  “You will soon get used to it.” Her grandmother said, running a hand through her hair. “There was a lot of information there.

  Ariella nodded. “Yes. There is. Including the code I’ve been searching for.”

  A twinkle lit her grandmother’s eyes. “Some rules can be bent where a blood relative is concerned.”

  Demit looked on, worried. He wanted to take their mate in his arms and hold her safe until the tremors stopped. The fact that he didn’t know her well gave him pause. What if she didn’t appreciate his interference?