Page 67 of Needed in the Night
“Then that is what we will seek.” He hummed. “Do you know of the planet Jakora?”
“I think so.” I frowned and thought. “I’ve never been there. It’s a resort planet, isn’t it?”
“Yes. By all accounts, it is breathtakingly beautiful, with lavender oceans, beaches with the softest sand, and endless resorts, clubs, and bars where a Fortusian bartender and humansinger might find work.” He caressed my arm. “It is also far from here, on the edge of Alliance space, but safe—or as safe as any world might be.”
He let go of my hand and tapped on his wristcomm. A hologram appeared above his arm of a purple planet swirled with lavender clouds, orbited by a half-dozen moons.
The hologram zoomed in past the moons and showed more details of Jakora while scrolling through images of the ocean, beaches, and resorts.
“It’s beautiful.” I tore my gaze away from the hologram and looked up at Mikas. “Are there plenty of insects so Brae stays plump and happy?”
“Very rich in insect life,” he confirmed after consulting his wristcomm screen. “A shadowbat’s paradise, as well as paradise for us. I have enough in savings to keep us comfortable until we find work someplace together.”
“I have some savings too—not a fortune, but you won’t have to pay for everything.” I pulled his head down so his forehead rested on mine and I could gaze into his beautiful yellow eyes. “Should we go to Jakora?”
“That is my vote.” He brushed his lips on mine. “What do you say?”
I searched my heart for any hesitation, or reason to suggest something else, or even any fears, and found none. Jakora’s beauty had already stolen my heart.
Ours were not the only votes that counted, though. The decision had to be unanimous.
Brae, I thought, reaching out for my best friend.Mikas and I are thinking about going to Jakora. Would you?—
Book passage, Brae said. His voice in my head was so excited it was nearly a squeak.I’ve always wanted to taste Jakoran crickets.
All right.I smiled, though he couldn’t see it.Anything to report?
Atlath’s shop is closed today,he said, with less cheer in hisvoice.I’m perched in a tree next to the shop. I’ve seen six people we know work for Nubo in the market, and Slug has been outside the shop doors since last night. Either Atolani don’t need much sleep or she’s highly motivated to find a way to get her talons into you. But everything’s quiet. Do you want me to go to Zaa’ga and try to see what Nubo is doing?
I bit my lip.Let me discuss that with Mikas.
I sensed a tingle of warmth through our bond.I’m very happy for you both, he said.
Mikas touched my face, drawing my attention. “Isla?”
“Yes.” I covered his hand with mine. “I was talking to Brae. That makes three votes for Jakora.”
The absolute joy in his smile made me pull him to me for a long kiss.
When his lower cock moved, I gasped against Mikas’s mouth. Hot cum that had been held inside me trickled down my thigh. His knot had begun to ease.
A twinge of something like sadness made my chest ache. I’d already become accustomed to the reassuring sensation of his knot—a connection I’d never shared with anyone else.
Mikas wrapped me in his arms and drew me close with my back against his chest once more. “The end of our first knotted mating is bittersweet, but I prefer to think of it as a beginning.”
I held his hand in both of mine as his knot eased. His cocks had softened only a little, though. How many times could Mikas come before he couldn’t come any more?
Someday I would endeavor to find out, but I suspected today was not that day. We had to book passage to Jakora and find a way to get to the port safely. But I did nothing but be held and comforted until Mikas’s knot had gone away.
When Mikas finally eased me free of him, I flinched. “I’m sore,” I said before he could ask. “It’s not bad.”
“You need to soak in a warm bath.” He gathered up the discarded robe, wrapped me in it, and carried me to thebathroom, where he sat on the side of the enormous tub with me on his lap. As it filled with fragrant pink water, he kissed my temple. “I will clean up after us and then join you.”
“Bathe with me first,” I countered, lacing our fingers together. “Then we can clean together after.”
“I am persuaded.” He chuckled. “I fear I am fated to lose every argument before it begins.”
I kissed his knuckles. “I promise to only occasionally take advantage of that fact.”
