Chapter 16
Havali
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Any of them. It was like the entire, wide universe had suddenly contracted down to no more than their table. Scarlet was the only thing here; she was the only thing that mattered.
And she was all his tonight.
They ordered their food – she got the fish and some steamed vegetables tossed in a sauce that was known to lower inhibitions without intoxicating the person eating it – and then they talked while they waited.
He hung onto her every word as she told him about her school to be a healer on Earth – she called it nursing – and how much fun she had despite it being exhausting.
She told him about her life on Calvitorum and how different healing was here in comparison.
She told him more about her family, her strange and disturbing mother and her father who apparently cared little for what his females did so long as he had a hot meal at the end of his day.
That prompted follow up questions from him. He just couldn’t fathom a male who had a mate and a daughter and simply didn't concern himself with them.
“Dad was… a simple guy,” Scarlet explained, clearly trying to find a way to phrase it nicely as he took their dishes off the platform that brought them.
“He did his job, he paid the bills, and he made sure we had what we needed. He just wasn’t really the emotional type.
He wanted to work then come home and get his dinner and watch TV – er, the holovid.
He didn't really care what mom did with me so long as she had food waiting for him when he got home.”
“I just do not understand,” Havali said, taking the crystal domes off the trays, sending the scent of their food into the air – the tantalizing, tangy, metallic scent of his blood and the fetid, nasty scent of her fish that, apparently, she appreciated because she took in a deep breath of it then let out a soft moan of excitement.
“My clan is numerous and loving and my sire was always eager to spend time with us and his mate. Why have a family if he did not want them?”
She shook her head. “I know my dad loved me. He just loved me in his own way.”
“Does he still treat you like this? Even now?”
“Well, he died from a heart attack a few years ago. But he didn't change until the day he died.” A nostalgic smile came over her face. “I bet he would still love me the exact same way now.”
Havali frowned. “I simply cannot imagine being so detached from my own pups. Hurtin isn’t even mine, and I am still part of his life.”
“Hurtin?”
“My previous pleasure mate’s son.”
Her eyes widened. “You have a son?”
“No. My pleasure mate birthed a son that I sired, but he is not mine. I cared for him only for a few years until she found her mate. I have still been involved with him, however. I cannot grasp the idea of not wanting to know about him or take an interest in his life, and he’s not my son.”
“Right,” she nodded slowly. “Kind of a weird concept to me. That a child you sired isn’t yours unless it comes from your mate. How old is Hurtin?”
“He turns five this year,” Havali beamed. “He is a smart youngling. His parents are proud of him. I make sure to see him at least once a turn of the lesser moon.”
“Is it weird?” She leaned in towards him. “Giving up a child?”
“I did not give him up.” Havali shook his head.
“I know this is not how it’s done among all species, but understand, I never bonded to him as a son.
Instinctively. My financial care was only provided because she had not found her mate yet.
I love him. Do not mistake me. But my bond to him is that of an uncle.
That is just how it feels. I never saw him as my son, though he came from my loins. ”
“Do you… want children?” She hesitated, a small hitch in her voice. Like she had hesitated finishing the question only after she had already started to ask.
He smirked, fangs glinting. “Naturally, I want younglings. I’m certain my mate shall give me many to spoil and worry over.”
A strange expression flitted over her face. Not like she was unhappy with the idea of younglings, but more like she wasn’t certain if she would be the one giving them to him. He hadn’t told her yet that he saw her as his mate.
But he also didn't know if she was ready to hear it. He needed to wait. To soften her towards him. When his Scarlet no longer raised mental barriers between them, he would tell her.
And then, he would breed her.
She chewed on her bottom lip. Adorable. He wanted to do that for her. To scrape his fangs across her lips and her tongue. To taste the sweet tang of her blood.
She seemed to make up her mind on something. She squared her shoulders, looked him in the face, and opened her mouth-
“Havali!”
The deep, booming, male voice had not come from Scarlet. The two of them turned as a lift came to rest near their table – not so close that the occupants could step off onto their platform, but just close enough that they were interrupting.
“Superior Crav,” Havali greeted, annoyed, saluting first to the representative and then to both of his well-dressed mates. “What a surprise.”
“A delightful one,” Crav chuckled, putting an arm around the waists of his females. “And Scarlet. Good to see you as well. I see you got the sea cream fish. Delicious, that.”
“Yeah,” she murmured, looking at her untouched food, a bit of surprise flashing across her face.
Havali couldn’t help but smirk. She had been so involved in speaking to him, she hadn’t paid any more attention to the food than he had.
“We just came to eat ourselves,” Crav continued, looking at his first and second mate in turn. “But we just couldn’t resist coming to greet you. Right, my darlings?”
“Hello again, Scarlet,” Danya said shyly, her voice sweet, as she smiled at her.
Svit just turned up her nose. She didn't even bother to greet them.
Havali smiled at them all. “Well, don’t let us keep you from your table.”
“Oh, it’s no problem,” Crav laughed. “We don’t mind chatting a bit. Especially not with such a lovely female.”
Scarlet wasn’t even looking at them. She was taking a bite of the sea cream. She scooped it off the plate with a rounded utensil, appearing confused at the soft, almost gelatinous consistency. But when she put it in her mouth, her eyes widened, sparkling as the flavor hit her tongue.
Havali would never understand fish eating species, but that moment of tasting something new and amazing for the first time was universal. And he smiled, happy to be able to share that moment with Scarlet as she quickly took a second bite.
Crav was still talking, but Havali didn't hear a word he said. He was focused on Scarlet enjoying three quick bites in a row, her eyes rolling back, a soft moan humming through her throat.
His cock ached. He wanted her to make that sound with his mouth between her thighs. He bet she tasted far better than that creature.
His desire must have shown, undisguised, on his face, because when her eyes came back from the stars, she looked at him and her entire face flushed. She put down the utensil as she chewed the remaining fish in her mouth then licked her lips.
He licked his as well. Wanting to suck her tongue into his mouth.
Was Crav still talking?
“That’s great, Superior,” he said abruptly, cutting off whatever he was saying, not at all concerned if his response made sense to the topic. “But you’re annoying. Go away.”
“Havali!” Scarlet cried, shocked.
Crav blinked at him before laughing. “Ah, forgive me, Havali. Of course. We’ll leave you to your meal. Come, my darlings. I think that sea cream fish looks just right for tonight.”
Scarlet waited until he gestured to the hostess down below to move their platform before she leaned in, hissing half amused, half scandalized, “Havali! You can’t just go around saying things like that to the few allies we have.”
“But he was being annoying.” Havali scoffed. “And he should know better than to disturb anyone when they are being romantic. That’s just discourteous. Why should it matter if I am discourteous to him in return?”
Scarlet was outright laughing now. “We’re not trying to alienate the few allies we have. We still want to get in contact with Earth.”
“Now more than ever,” he agreed, lifting his red blood filled cup to his lips and sniffing. It didn't have the telltale citrus scent he was used to on Turv from the fruit used to keep blood from coagulating. But the blood was still liquid and hot despite its absence.
“Why now more than ever?”
He took a sip, humming in appreciation. The rathban was a sweet animal with no natural predators on its planet and its blood was harvested ethically and without harm to the animal leaving absolutely no taste of fear or stress in the flavor.
And while he didn't mind those flavors – he enjoyed hunting the old-fashioned way sometimes – variety really did make everything taste better.
He set the glass down before focusing back on Scarlet and her question. “It’s more important now because I have to find the male who stalked and harmed you on Earth and drain his vessels dry for daring to be a threat to my female.”
She started in surprise before snickering. “No, Havali, you can’t.”
“You’re right. That’s technically Atem’s job as your guardian, but I’m sure he’d allow me to help.”
She laughed outright. “No, I mean, you can’t because attacking random humans would be very bad for human-domini relations. This whole venture is going to be a hard enough sell on our planet without adding the complication of alien-on-human violence.”
“But he deserves it.”
“My people won’t see it that way.” She smiled, reaching up and stroking his cheek before he could argue further. “But thank you for the offer. I don’t need it though, because I already know I’m safe here with you. He’s no threat to me now.”
“Nor will he ever be again,” Havali said, unable to keep the growl from his voice. “At least let us threaten him a bit.”
“No.”
He sighed. “You humans. Such a peaceful species. Can’t even tolerate threats.”
“We’re definitely not,” she chuckled. “For all the fighting you do, the domini are much more peaceful than we are.”
“I’ve seen you females live your lives. I highly doubt that,” he said, looking her up and down.
Not only were humans incredibly sexual, but they were also unbelievably soft and delicate.
He could see the blood vessels of her body right under the surface of her skin.
He couldn’t wait to see her planet. He imagined it was a delightful, safe, and peaceful place.