Narian Summer Read online

  Lania looked between them, her fright evident on her expressive face. How would they ever get past that fear? Nico scowled, vowing to find the so-called pleasurer who put that expression on her beautiful face and end its existence.

  Tell me which pleasurer caused this terrible dread of mating, and I will have it destroyed. He didn’t ask—he demanded. He wanted retribution for his mate. Nico’s resolve hardened. It surprised him that he meant what he said.

  “I would have had to visit one first.” She said the words so low he almost didn’t hear her. The words registered a few seconds before the lights were raised and the high chancellor and Council of Elders came into view.

  Nico stood stunned, surrounded by his fellow Narians. How could they mate with her now? How could they force her to disrobe in front of hundreds of witnesses and accept them as mates when she hadn’t yet been trained in the act of pleasuring?

  Frantic, his gaze darted about the room, seeing, yet not seeing the other triads ready to mate. In each grouping, the woman stood in the center of the circle, head bowed in the ritual submissive pose as their men held each arm outstretched.

  He turned his gaze to Lania and realized he didn’t want that from her. He rather liked her spirit and her outspokenness. He would not break that spirit he saw dancing in her eyes. How many other females had been forced into the ritual mating with no hope of ever being allowed their own opinion?

  Herodes stirred next to him. You might have told me you felt this way before now.

  I didn’t realize it until now. Nico gestured to Lania. Look at her. Do you really wish for the fire to leave those beautiful green eyes? Are you the one to wipe that proud expression from her face? Are you the one to see that she stands cowed in front of her people? He shook his head. I certainly am not the one to do so.

  A muscle jumped in Herodes jaw. “We have no choice but to take her now. The laws state that once in the ritual circle—”

  “I know what the laws state,” Nico snapped. “I just don’t—”

  “I will have your attention!” The bellowing voice brought their faces up. Their gazes locked with the high elder. The chancellor stood just to his left, a slight smile on his face. “I present to you, High Chancellor Domanus Carrain.” The high elder stepped aside, moving quietly to his seat as the chancellor addressed the people.

  “Citizens of Naria. As you well know, the three pilgrim ships will be loaded and leaving within the next few short days.” He paused to look at them.

  Nico squirmed a bit under his scrutiny. He fought the urge to cover his huge erection as it tented his robe. Gods, he tried to keep control, but the damn thing had a mind of its own. Gritting his teeth, he fisted his hands at his sides and fought for enough control to keep from spilling his seed outside his mate and shaming himself.

  “We are about to embark on a journey. To a new world. A new life. From this moment on, we shall build new traditions. We shall have new ways of thinking. I can envision no better way than to start right here and right now with our Triad Celebrations.” He paused just long enough for his words to stop echoing off the walls as they sank in.

  “Our Triad Celebrations will be just that. Celebrations. They shall be celebrations of life and hope for our people. This hope should extend to all, not just some. From this day forth, the old laws of triad will be broken and the new will commence.”

  He stopped again, looking out over the crowd with his dark eyes, almost daring someone to challenge his decision.

  “No longer will we subjugate our women, forcing them to a life of submissive servitude. From this day forward, we shall cherish them as the treasures we now know that they are and for all that they bring into our lives. We must never forget that it is they who are the bearers of life for our kind.” Domanus stopped, took a drink from the glass at his elbow, and waited for the shocked murmuring to cease.

  “Witnessing a mating is no longer a requirement. It is the conclusion of this council that the act of mating should be private if the participants so desire. There is no need for others to witness this beautiful act between mates. Still, if you wish the traditional bonding ritual, that is a choice to be made by each triad.” He smiled. “And in each triad, since the female has taken on two roles as mate, she shall have two voices in all matters. The males will not force her compliance by their numbers alone.” He clapped his hands. “Let the celebration begin!”

  Nico didn’t miss the way Lania’s shoulders slumped in relief at the chancellor’s declaration. He also didn’t miss the relieved sigh of his triad mate.

  “What do you say, Rod? Shall we take our celebration somewhere more private for the comfort of our virgin mate?” He looked at Lania. “What say you, mate?”

  Chapter Two

  Lania was stunned by this turn of events. Although still nervous about taking two virtual strangers to her bed, the fact that these two very dominant men would ask her opinion and value her need for privacy set her very much at ease.

  She looked at her two mates and licked her lips. Gods, she was nervous. Her heart seemed to want to pound its way from her chest, and her body trembled with apprehension. “I’d like that...very much.”

  Nico and Herodes each took one of her trembling hands and pulled her away from the ritual circle. Herodes was the first to break the silence. “Where would you feel most comfortable, Lania? Tonight is about your pleasure, your needs.”

  She looked to Nico for confirmation, hesitant to believe Herodes’ words. “Tonight, the choice of lovemaking is yours,” Nico said, “in a place of your choosing. We will not rush you into something you are not ready for. To even share your bed while we sleep will be enough for us.”

  Lania dropped her gaze to the front of their robes. Yes, they were aroused, and yet willing to let her set the pace. Had any Narian woman ever been given such a choice? She had arrived here this evening and been resolved to the night’s coming events. She could see no reason to make her mates suffer just because they’d given her a choice. She would allow her mates to love her this night and let them teach her the ways of pleasure.

  “I want to make love to you. To both of you,” she added, turning her gaze back to Herodes. He seemed so much more controlled than Nico. What would it take to strip his control from him, to make him beg her for release instead of the other way around? Tonight she vowed, experienced or not, she would find out.

  Nico cleared his throat and dropped his hands in front of his robe in an attempt to cover his groin. “Where would you like us to spend this night, mate?”

  “Can we go to my home?” she asked glancing between them, nervous. “It’s where I’m most comfortable.” She steeled herself for their rejection. Why would they want to spend the night at her house?

  Herodes squeezed her hand, and his lips tipped up in the corners in a small smile. “Anywhere you want. We are honored that you are willing to take us into your home, agapi.”

  Lania gave her mates a tremulous smile and bowed her head in acknowledgment. “Follow me.”

  After dropping her mates’ hands, she took a step back and turned toward the exit. It surprised her to see so many of the triads leaving the chamber, although many more remained behind. Perhaps, though their world would die, their people would once again grow strong.

  The walk back to her home took on a poignancy she hadn’t expected. This might be the last time she entered her home. Soon, their ship would leave Naria, never to return. With Nico and Herodes commanders of The Poseidon. She was certain their triad would be the first to board the starship.

  She had so much to do in so little time. She’d put off packing her things to finish the modifications to the communication terminals. She couldn’t chance something going terribly wrong, or the three ships leaving with faulty equipment, all because she wanted to pack a few meaningless trinkets. Even if, in the end, the ship left without her, a part of her would be content knowing she contributed to her people’s survival in some small way.

  The closer she got to her dwelli
ng, the more nervous and unsure she became. Her stomach had a perpetual knot. Her hands, hidden inside the folds of her robe, shook. At this rate, she’d be a mess of massive proportions by the time she reached her home.

  Calm yourself, Lania. These men are your mates, she told herself. They will want to get to know the woman they have linked their lives to. Listen to Rod. He may seem stiff and unbending at times, but every once in a while he does make sense. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Women have been breeched before. This should not be so upsetting to me.

  Lania hung her head in shame, her fingers clutched within the folds of her gown. “I am sorry I’m such a coward.”

  She felt sudden rage pour from both her mates at her statement. Why were they so angry? She admitted her cowardice. What more did they want?

  Nico reached for her arm and pulled her to a stop less than a handspan from her front door. “You are not a coward.”

  Herodes reached for her other hand, tugging her away from Nico and into his arms. “Never,” he whispered into her hair, “never do I want to hear such blatant lies fall from your lips again.”

  Lania swallowed and nodded. With her head pressed against Herodes’ chest, she could feel the rapid tat tat tat of his heart against her ear, the rhythm in perfect sync with her own hammering heartbeat.

  A hot breeze wafted across her back, sending a shiver of dread down her spine. Even in the late evening, with their first sun past the steaming horizon, it wasn’t safe to tarry outdoors. Nico must have had the same thought because she felt him press against her back to block the deadly rays of the second sun. He touched his lips to the top of her head then stepped back, before clearing his throat. “We should go inside.”

  She nodded and reluctantly withdrew from Rod’s arms. “Thank you,” she murmured to her mates then reached her hand out to the palm scanner on her door. The door hissed as it opened, evidence that her home’s life-support was still operational despite the strain the summer heat put on the system. “Come inside, please.”

  The refreshing cool air of her home washed over them, but no one made a move to shed their heavy robes. Liana was thankful. It was not that she planned on backing out of their mating night, but she didn’t quite know how to go about initiating anything between them. She wasn’t even sure that she should.

  Perhaps she shouldn’t have wasted so many summers scouring the planet for signs of the planet’s decay, hunting for proof of their dire situation. No. She’d done the right thing by devoting her free time into gathering proof for the scientists. Her mates—if they were experienced at all—would tell her what she needed to do. And she wouldn’t believe, couldn’t believe they hadn’t spent many hours at the pleasure palaces while off duty. It was as much their responsibility to bring her to pleasure as it was for her to bring them the same.

  Fishing for something to say to break the thick tension in the air, she reached for the old standby. “Can I get you something to drink? A snack, perhaps?”

  Both Nico and Rod shook their heads.

  Damn, what next? She looked around her small living quarters. What to do, what to do? She clasped her hands together in front of her to still their trembling.

  Herodes stepped up beside her and laid a hand on her shoulders.

  “As we said, agapi, tonight is yours. We will do as you wish. If you want to change your mind, we will still enjoy sleeping next to you.”

  Lania worried her bottom lip and turned toward Nico. “You feel the same way?”

  “Of course. Rod and I have known for many years we were triad mates and think alike on many things. Although our personalities may differ, in some things we are in total agreement. Chief among them is the knowledge that without you, we have no future. We will cherish you, agapi, always try to take your feelings into consideration and, when necessary, do our best to protect you.”

  Her heart tripped at his sincere words. She could feel his honesty, his belief in the words he’d spoken.

  Herodes reached for her hand and gave a slight tug to draw her into his embrace. She could feel the great strength in his arms, the steely muscles beneath the heavy weight of his ceremonial robe. Yet his touch remained restrained, almost careful. Reverent.

  “May I kiss you, mate?” His husky voice sent shivers of awareness down her spine. Her stomach flip-flopped. Her knees shook. Her woman’s parts tingled. How she wished she knew how to pleasure her mates. It didn’t seem right that she would be the only one to find her enjoyment this night.

  Do not worry, my mate. Nico and I will enjoy your every touch, every sigh, and every moan. Just sharing this night with you is more pleasurable for us than you can comprehend.

  I don’t know how it can be, Herodes. What if I do something wrong? She dropped her gaze to the floor. What if I disappoint you?

  Nico tipped her chin up and turned her head, forcing her to meet his gaze. That can never happen, Lania. Let us show you how very much we want you. Let us love you. His voice oozed seduction, and liquid warmth pooled between her legs.

  She couldn’t speak. Words were beyond her, so she nodded her agreement. As one, they reached for her hands.

  Herodes’ voice rumbled near her ear. “Where is your sleeping chamber, agapi?”

  “It’s… It’s just through that door there,” she murmured, her eyes locked on the door just behind his back.

  “Then take us to bed, mate.”

  Lania swallowed, her throat tight. The knot of nervousness settled in her stomach like a heavy weight. Without another word, she stepped away from her mates and headed toward her bedroom door. She felt the heat of her men at her back as they followed silently behind her.

  A mixture of anxiety and anticipation wound through her. Soon, she would know what it felt like to have a man inside her—two men, she mentally corrected. Would it hurt terribly or feel uncomfortable? Could a woman even find pleasure her first time with a man?

  She sighed in irritation. These irrational fears and questions weren’t helping. They were, in fact, making her more nervous rather than less. Why was she acting so neurotic? She needed to put all her worries and fears out of her mind and find out for herself what the night would bring. She needed to let her mates guide her tonight, to let herself enjoy this time with them.

  With that thought set firm in her mind, Lania pressed the control panel to her door’s locking mechanism. The door slid open with a slight hiss, and soft, glowing lights slowly brightened her sleeping chamber.

  With decorations sparse, the room had a clinical feel. She used it for nothing but sleep so, looking at it now, she grimaced with distaste. What would her mates think of it, of her? Would they think her less feminine, less a woman for not having the usual frilly female accoutrements?

  A single white coverlet and head cushion blanketed her raised sleeping pallet. At least it was large. Her utilitarian metal dresser had none of the frippery most females placed upon it. Not even a single looking glass or bottle of fragrance sat on its smooth, glassy surface. No pictures of her family graced her pale taupe walls, and no soft rugs covered her dull gray cement floors. The room looked as barren as her future had been just a few short hours ago.

  Had she known they would come here for their formal joining, she would have set a more sensual atmosphere–or at least, she would have tried. But what did she know of sensuality or of setting a scene for seduction?

  Strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. “You worry over nothing, agapi,” Nico murmured. His lips trailed down her neck, pausing briefly over her pulse point. Sharp incisors scraped along her throat, and she shivered in both fear and heady anticipation. Would he bite her? Would she want to do the same?

  She’d heard rumors that the exchange of blood during mating was normal for their kind. Even pleasurable. They might be vampyre, but they didn’t need blood to survive, thriving instead on the energy their strong emotions created. Only during lovemaking did the need to merge their very essence overwhelm them. At any other time, taking blood had dire conseq
uences. It led to blood-madness, and in time, if those who routinely indulged in the forbidden fluid couldn’t be cured, they were humanely put to death.

  Yes, Lania...Rod and I both will need to feed from you. We won’t be able to help ourselves. Not only with you but we may also feed on each other. The three of us will be bound together. Each of us a part of the other.

  Lania licked her lips. And I’ll want to feed from you both as well?

  Herodes pressed himself against her chest, sandwiching her between them. He reached up and gently took her face between his hands and lowered his head, inching toward her parted lips. With unbelievable gentleness, his lips brushed against hers. Once…twice…before he raised his head to look into her eyes, into her very soul.

  The heat in his cobalt gaze mesmerized her. The need on his handsome face sent a pulse of liquid warmth between her legs, and her stomach fluttered with anticipation.

  Herodes’ pupils expanded and his nostrils flared as he caught her scent. Nico’s arms tightened around her waist, and his breath grew heavy and rasping.

  “Kiss me, Herodes. Make love to me.” She turned her head toward Nico. “I want both of you to make love to me. Show me what it means to be your mate, your woman.”

  Nico dropped his arms from around her waist and joined Herodes, facing her. His gazed searched hers. What did he look for with such intensity?

  “Anything you want, agapi. Nico and I will give you anything you want, all that you desire.” Without breaking eye contact, Herodes took one hand while Nico grabbed the other. Together they led Lania to her bed and to the future that awaited her there.

  Chapter Three

  They stopped next to the bed and took her in their arms. Sandwiched between them, Lania felt warm, safe. Their excitement fed her own, giving her the revitalizing energy of their people. She had known this would be a by-product of their mating; she just hadn’t expected it to be so strong.