Page 50 of Queen Isabella

She held tighter to the mane of fur extending from his head and neck as they started walking again.

“This is a first,” Isa chuckled then sobered. “In fact, the last day has been full of a lot of firsts,” she added wistfully, staring out at the alien forest with its glimpses of the mountains and valley.

“I know some of what you mean. I too am experiencing many firsts, but I imagine it is magnified for you since you are so far from your hive. I would like to hear if you want to share.”

“I don’t even know where to begin.” But as soon as that came out of her mouth one big difference jumped to the forefront. “Well, for starters, no man back home would care if I had anything to share or not.”

Bellator, in his bear-cat form, snarled in objection.

She smiled as she patted his shoulder. “I’ve barely been here a day and yet I feel more treasured than I ever did back home. I worry that will somehow change.”

Bellator halted mid stride. “That will not change.” His adamant voice echoed in her mind. His big bear-cat eyes looked back at her imploringly. “The things I feel for you will never change. You are my queen!”

He didn’t give eloquent reasons for his conviction. Bellator wasn’t a poet or a scholar. But the emotion in his voice and swimming in his dark eyes said it all, speaking directly to her heart. Isa’s eyes misted. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Bellator’s furry neck.

“I love you, Bellator.” She squeezed him tight. “I am beginning to believe you. It’s very hard to reprogram how I think. I was raised to believe my only value was in having babies and keeping house. It’s hard to believe you don’t see me that way when you so desperately need me to help create a new generation.”

A woman’s worth amounted to what could be gained from between her legs or the sweat of her brow. The moment a woman showed any intelligence or bucked the norm, she was harshly silenced, sometimes violently so. Isa had rebelled against these notions her whole life, yet it was still ingrained in her brain. It would be a long time before her subconscious would trustthe Vorto were different. Some scars took time to heal, and the marks never went away.

As she clung to Bellator, he shifted into his humanoid form. She slid off his back and he rolled, then scooped her up as he stood.

“Queen Isa,” Bellator stroked her cheek, “I love my brethren deeply, but the love I feel for you is indescribable. It makes me want to whoop with joy and at the same time I feel like I’m bursting from the immensity of it. Yesterday, I wasn’t just checking with my betas. I had to go flying, to let all of these emotions free. Yet I couldn’t keep myscreoform, I was so overwhelmed. I shouldn’t say this, but I don’t care about the next generation, I care about you!”

“You are my big teddy bear.” Tears slipped down Isa’s cheeks as she leaned in and kissed Bellator.

She reveled in the kiss, and the way Bellator purred as they held on to each other. How had she gotten so lucky? Bellator gripped her ass, and she wasn’t the least bit ashamed to admit she liked it—a lot. Bellator deepened the kiss as he pressed her against a nearby tree.

“I told you this is what we’d find,” Phara’s laughing voice echoed in her mind.

The rest of the group had caught up with them on the path. Her heart leapt at being caught in a compromising position. Her reaction didn’t make sense since she’d had sex in front of the whole hive already. It was undoubtedly one of those taboos from back home, so it would probably always stun her. It was also titillating.

“Heh,” Isa snorted. Learning she had a voyeurism kink was yet another of those new experiences she’d been encountering since her arrival.

“I knew I should’ve run farther,” Bellator groaned as his lips retreated from hers. He then cast Phara and Artifex a bemused glance.

The Vorto were vastly different from humans. Amusement along with love danced in Bellator’s eyes as he gazed at his brethren. The affection was returned by her hive which was crowded on the path, happily ogling them. As she panned everyone, her heart swelled even more. At home, she’d wished she could share her true self and love honestly without boundaries, yet never saw it happening. Now she would get to spend her days loving and making connections with these beautiful, caring men. Isa’s eyes burned as tears began to form again.

“I get your necklace,” Phara said to Artifex, reaching for the beaded jewelry.

“I’m not giving you my favorite necklace. We weren’t wagering.” Artifex swatted Phara’s hand away. “I agreed with you. I knew what Bellator was up to.” Artifex made a face at Phara. He then focused on her and grinned as he added, “because that is what I’d be doing with our stunning queen.”

She barked out a laugh at their teasing banter and Artifex’s unapologetic flirting, her tears instantly halting.

Phara huffed in disappointment, but as he passed her on the path, he cast her a sly grin, making her laugh harder. He was apparently only tormenting Artifex.

“Come on. At this rate we’ll finish the loop past dark,” Phara teased, urging them forward.

“I don’t have a problem with that,” Bellator chuckled and followed, still happily cradling her in his strong arms.

“So, you said you can shift into many different animals. Can I see?” Isa asked.

“This was my favorite game as a hatchling,” Galis called out from behind Artifex, farther back in the entourage.

As she was glancing over Bellator’s shoulder at him, Galis morphed into a hawk and shot into the air. He perched on a branch several feet ahead.

“I’m ascreo!” his chipper voice rang in her mind.

“I see.” She grinned as she studied the raptor. “I notice theferoandscreoyou mimic are still shades of violet,” she commented.

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