Chapter Five
K amau didn’t know whether to curse Wendy or bake her some of the special floribunda sugar biscuits she’d been craving.
She is a Queen carrying a cub.
There was never any doubt how that would go, was there, Kamau?
He got out the ground floribunda and swallowed the purr buzzing in his chest.
Wendy said Marcus should put her next to me. Can she tell that I am besotted with Nessa? I have no right to be. Does she think I’m simply the most flexible member of the crew? I don’t have to constantly scan for threats, steer the ship, or keep the credits flowing in by coordinating freight runs. Meals can be made with little fuss if need be.
He felt a little indignation, even though Wendy had never said any such thing. A fleet flies on its stomach, isn’t that what they say? I could feed everyone automatically prepped meals—bastardized one-pot dishes and tasteless soups for months. No! Every nutritional need is considered. Studied. I study the recipes from their cultures, source human ingredients... Kamau stopped gathering his ingredients and gave a longing look into the corridor. He could hear Layla and Marcus’ voices echoing along the metallic walls of the decks as they escorted Nessa to her new quarters. I did try to help with her care. Wendy just thought I would continue to do so, and after all, nutrition and rehydration are the most critical parts of her recovery.
The biscuits could wait. He would make his Queen a classic dish of noodle soup, making the pasta by paw with fresh millet flour and the last of the fresh marsh duck eggs. Savory. Hearty. Yet soft and probably easy to digest.
And I will take it to her in her quarters, of course, because she must be so fatigued.
Maybe she will be too tired to feed herself. Didn’t her hand tremble when she drank her custard?
Kamau’s mind went to a forbidden place where he would cup the brave Queen’s cheek, steadying her strong chin as his pads stole the luxury of touching her satiny skin. Her lips would part as he gazed into her eyes, feeding her. Watching her lips close softly around the spoon and suck the noodles from it...
“Snap out of it!” he scolded himself out loud, ashamed to find that he was having a physical reaction to something so necessary as nourishing a sickly human Queen.
Pervert. She will have nothing to do with you.
“TALOS IS GOING TO HANDLE all the initial calls and set up times when you can talk with the contacts we’ve already made regarding trafficking from Sapien-Three. We’re going to have Dane, a sheriff from Lynx-Nineteen, on with you. His wife is a human, and she already had to navigate this whole procedure of reporting trafficking. I know it’s horrible, but at least you have someone who knows the procedures.” Layla explained as she sat next to Nessa.
Nessa nodded, eyes roving around her borrowed room. “I got it. I’ve seen a hundred things at the MWIP. Bad things. This is... actually not the worst. I can’t say what those other women went through, but at least I wasn’t harmed—directly.”
“They threatened you, and you almost died because of them! As for the other two women, I hope their experience was something as mild as what I went through. Don’t get me wrong, it was horrible, but no one laid a hand on me. And compared to my life on Sapien-Three...” Layla gave an uneasy shrug. “I was just drugged one night when I let my guard down and accepted a date with some sleazy guy, then woke up here in quarantine, confused and scared. When I met Marcus, he tried to sell me on becoming a surrogate to see if his chromosomal compatibility serum and fertility protocols actually worked. Then he introduced me to Rupex, and I couldn’t volunteer fast enough.” Layla’s eyes went dreamy. “Um. Sorry. Yeah, it became so much more than business.” With flushed cheeks, she began to fiddle with a stray piece of hair falling over her twinkling blue eyes.
Nessa gave her an understanding smile. “I see.” Did she? Maybe she was getting a few hints. There was something masculine, rugged, and powerful about all the Felids she’d met, not to mention the Canid mechanic who filled out a uniform in a way that would surely make all the women on Sapien-Three chuck humans without much hesitation. There was also something imposing and authoritative about the Felid crew members, too.
Well, of course, Nessa. They’re captains, security officers, and doctors. This was a scary situation where someone needed to lead. Everyone was kind to you! Helpful. Caring.
But her thoughts kept coming back to Kamau. He had been kind, caring, and comforting . A magical blend of strength and service that she had never encountered.
Maybe that’s just his job. He has to serve food. Take care of guests and the crew. Wish I could find out a little more before I leave. “How long will I be here?” Nessa asked.
“Oh, you can come and go whenever you like. There’s a map of the ship by the door,” Layla explained.
“I meant, how long before we dock?”
“Oh, about two standard weeks. The Felix Orbus System uses thirty-day lunar cycles, too. As soon as you’re feeling up to it, you can roam all you like. Is the room suitable? I know it’s a little sterile.”
“It’s beautiful,” Nessa hushed her hostess. The Comet Stalker ’s interior was all red, black, and chrome, rich, ornate colors with hard, clean lines. The room felt impersonal—kind of like her tiny apartment. (Ha! If you could call it that. It was nothing like the apartments her father and mother talked about growing up in). Her three-room unit in MWIP staff housing at least had some personal touches around the bedroom-sitting room, familiar scents of home in the kitchenette, and comfortable privacy in her own bathroom. “It’s so big here,” she murmured.
“Built to accommodate Felids, who hit somewhere between six to seven feet in height and have double the shoulder width of most humans,” Layla gestured to the enormous bed. “If you need help reaching anything, Kamau is right next door—and he’s the sweetest guy.”
“Yes! I can tell,” Nessa seized the chance to dig a little deeper for curiosity's sake. “Does everyone on this ship have their family with them? Or do some people have their spouses tucked away planet-side?”
“As far as I know, what you see here is what you get. Kamau’s father and uncles are alive back on Servali-One, I think it is. Marcus lost his wife and their unborn cubs during Queen Fever. Rupex, Talos, and Ardol all have human Queens. Jaxson... He was married to Ru’s sister.”
“Oh,” Nessa whispered, wishing she hadn’t pushed. “That fever?”
“That fever. Hit hard. Took so much. I have to say, it makes the Felids I’ve met super appreciative and grateful to have women in their lives. I can’t rewind history and see what they were like before Queen Fever, but I know that women are respected in this society in a way I never encountered on Sapien- Three. And the credit exchange!” Layla slapped her hand on her leg. “Sorry, I’m making it sound like you got whisked away on some vacation, not kidnapped by default.”
“I’m happy your misadventures worked out,” Nessa struggled to contain a yawn, putting her hand up to her mouth—and noticing how smooth and soft her hand felt. “Someone made sure I had lotion.” She ran a hand through her curls, squeezing them and sighing in relief when they bounced back strong and soft. “And took care of my hair.”
“Kamau. He learned from Wendy and our friends in the Lynxian System.”
“But he’s a chef, not a nurse.”
“But he’s Kamau,” Layla rose with a smile. “If there’s something he can do to make someone feel welcome—he’ll do it. He’s the one who found you. In a way, you could even say he saved your life, since he made Ardol order all those things from Sapien-Three.”
“I guess I could,” Nessa mused.
“You look like you need another day of sleep! Tomorrow will be busy. Why don’t you rest in your quarters, and I’ll ask Kamau to bring your evening meal in here?”
Time alone with her new “hero”?
No. You need to show that you’re Nessa Kinney, the woman no one messes with, the toughest inspector the MWIP has ever seen, the woman who survived a shuttle hyperjump and nearly died—and maybe the woman worthy of being called Queen by one of these giant beings with their fierce, fangy smiles.
She pushed herself from the chair she was sitting in, voice loud and strong. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll—”
Layla rushed forward as Nessa’s knees gave out. “How about if I insist and say it’s an old Leonid custom?”
Nessa laughed and accepted the excuse. “Oh, well. I don’t want to mess with tradition.”
“YOU COULD TAKE IT TO her, Elio,” Kamau whispered, carefully arranging the last nest of millet noodles in an elegant swirl. “You are a human. She’d probably rather converse with you,” Kamau stammered, pushing the heavily laden tray towards the human who was assisting him in dishing out the various dishes he’d prepared.
“You’re the one who wants to know what humans from different cultures like to eat. Go investigate!” Elio shoved the tray back. “Wendy, Dax, and I were raised in poverty, then in Metro Labs, where we ate the blandest, yet nutritionally balanced, slop.” Elio dropped his hands. “I told Layla I’d feed Chance.”
Kamau’s lips thinned. His sudden shyness would never outweigh letting a nursing Queen rest or a Knight feed a cub. “I’ll be right back.”
“You should stay and make sure she can eat that without choking,” Dax said, suddenly behind him.
Kamau turned, frowning. “Why are you in my kitchen?”
“Huh? Oh, I was just going to tell you that you should stay with Nessa while she eats. She might be weak and need help—or her system might not be ready for that soup yet. The only way to know is to watch over her.”
“But... but shouldn’t you or Marcus do that? Or Skyla?” Kamau pleaded, ignoring the rush of satisfied heat working through his body. I get to see the Queen in her quarters. It’s necessary, not self-indulgent or lustful.
Bastet’s left ankle, it isn’t.
“Marcus and Skyla are with the other two women, trying to help them. They’re not coming out of hypersleep like the doc thought they would, so we ran another blood panel, and both of them tested positive for neurosuppressants. Skyla and Jaxson are going to go down to the shuttle they arrived in and see if those drugs were pumped in with the fluids in the hypersleep chamber, and I’ll be on duty in the med bay. So, you see?” Dax flashed him a brilliant smile. “It has to be you who takes care of Nessa.”
Kamau’s heart smacked against his ribs so hard that he had to clench his paw against his side to prevent himself from rubbing his chest. To have a Queen of my own to love and take care of... Humans don’t know how lucky they are, thousands of Queens in every city, so many they can “throw some away” like rubbish.
His blood boiled, with anger, not lust. Someone had almost killed Nessa. The tragedy of a universe that existed without her proud bearing or her bright smile was too much to bear.
“I’m going,” he grumbled, tail flicking angrily behind him.
When he arrived at Nessa’s room, he pressed the call button with a sweating palm and heard a drowsy voice tell him to come in. Kamau’s pawprint was recognized by the ship’s computer, sliding open when Kamau pressed against the panel outside the gleaming metallic doors.
“I’ve brought you something especially delicious and nourishing, my Queen. I mean, Miss Nessa, if I may be so bold,” Kamau stumbled into the room and over his words.
Nessa sat up, her plump, voluptuous body looking little and forlorn in the midst of the giant Felid-sized bed. “It smells amazing, even from here. What is it?”
“Homemade millet noodles with a rich and savory broth that is nutritious, yet easily digestible,” he blurted out, sounding like an ad for some wonder drug. “Soup.” He gulped.
Nessa beamed and scooted over to the edge of the bed, sliding partway before rolling over.
Don’t stare, don’t stare.
He stared. The low-cut blue dress she now wore revealed far too much skin when she shimmied and swayed into a sitting position.
And her hips! Her tailless rear made him think all sorts of lustful thoughts, wondering what humans looked like naked, and what did their lovers do without a tail to caress and use for pleasuring? If he were to be fortunate enough to be her lover, would he get to dig his paws into her wide rump and massage her until she purred?
“I will put this on the table,” he croaked, forcing himself to turn away.
“Um. You might not want to. I hate to admit it, but I don’t think I can walk over there right now. Phew.” Nessa sat on the edge of the bed, looking woozy. “I could fit half of my entire apartment on this bed—and the rest in the shower. You guys know how to spoil a guest.”
He couldn't let that comment slide by unremarked upon. “Nonsense. These are basic staff quarters—although they are beautiful ones and in excellent condition. May I help you to the table?”
“I mean, you can try, but—ooh!” Nessa stopped speaking as Kamau lifted her easily in his arms and carried her to a chair. “Thank you,” she said when he sat her down, staring at him with a look he couldn’t quite understand.
HE PICKED ME UP. LIKE ... nothing. Like it was nothing.
When was the last time someone held me? Hugged me? Picked me up?
Not since her father. Not since she was a little girl. When you lived and worked at the MWIP, you were careful who you made your friend, and even more careful who you let get close. You were stuck together in the staff housing, tripping over each other all day at work, avoiding the annoying people in the dozen or so MWIP-owned leisure and entertainment areas.
Anyone you didn’t come to despise or respect—was just traveling through.
Her touch-starved senses wanted to be picked up again, cradled, no, crushed in a tight embrace that was made up of the softest, silkiest fur and the rippling, lean muscles that made Kamau so complex.
Like the way he smiles with fangs that could bite my arm off—and ducks his head like he’s worried I’ll scold him.
“You just picked me up,” Nessa finally said when he sat beside her.
“Oh! Yes, I’m sorry. I should have asked.”
“I’m not mad, I just— No one picks me up.”
Kamau’s tail started whipping behind him, large nervous sweeps that matched the sudden tension on his face. “I’m so sorry, Miss Nessa. I should have known that someone as powerful as you, a warrior and an inspector of ships in an intergalactic port, would not tolerate such a liberty.”
“What? No! It’s not like that. I mean... I’m fat. And I’m tall. Human men would have to be part cybernetic to lift me without a lot of groaning and grunting,” she said drily. She stole a quick glance down at her uni-thigh, the single smooth tail her thick hips seemed to spawn whenever she sat down in a dress.
Did I lose weight? I didn’t eat for a week, I damn well better have lost some fucking weight!
But although the bulges were smaller, they were still there. God damn it.
“Well, my fat probably kept me alive.”
“You say fat like it’s bad,” Kamau cocked his head, big ears twitching.
Shit, he’s adorable. Those ears! I wonder if I’m allowed to pet them?
No! We do not “pet” seven-foot-tall Felids who can pick us up without thinking!
“It is bad. Most humans on Sapien-Three are either overweight or underweight. Only the rich are the right size,” she defended herself with something that had become an unspoken truth. The people in menial jobs who struggled and scraped to support themselves were thin to underweight, and the people in steady mid-range jobs ate well—but all the food was still pre-packaged, mass-produced, and full of flavorings and chemicals to hide the poor quality. Only the rich who had access to real food could afford to eat well and be “healthy.”
Still... Don’t have to spend my extra money on chocolate, but I do. “I’ve always been bigger. My mom was, too.” Nessa tried to make some sort of explanation for her shape, something she didn’t usually mind. Right now, in the company of the other humans on board and the muscular, lean Felids, she suddenly felt out of place.
Kamau was still staring at her, his head tilted, puzzlement hardening on his features as if her explanations were only confusing him more. “You don’t like the way you look, my Queen? I mean, Nessa?”
“I don’t mind it. The men I’ve been interested in? Not so much.”
“Oh. You have admirers back in the Sapien System. Of course.” Kamau nudged the soup bowl toward her. “Eat, before it gets cold.”
Nessa looked at the bowl, which still had steam floating from it, heavenly-scented curls that made her stomach grumble impatiently. “I don’t have admirers.” She picked up the spoon and paused. “This body isn’t the type to attract them—usually.”
Kamau nodded several times—then burst out, “I’m so irritated with the human males you must have met!” His tail was back to lashing, and his ears were slicked down, almost flat against his head, a scowl on his face. “You are so incredibly beautiful! Your face alone! To say nothing of your—”
Nessa smiled as a look of complete horror washed over Kamau and his words cut off.
“Oh, no. Oh, forgive me. I... I should go.” He rose and backed away, stammering.
“You should sit,” Nessa tapped the table, smiling.
“I keep making mistakes around you,” Kamau whispered miserably.
“I don’t know about that. So far, you’re saying everything just right. Tell me about Servali women. Queens. Tell me about you.”
“I’m just a cook.”
Nessa took a bite of her soup, curling the noodles around the spoon before she brought it to her lips. “Ohhhh. Ohhh, oh, my God.” She bit into the pillow-soft yet firm noodles, and the broth washed over her tongue. “I might actually have died, and this is heaven. Guess that makes you an angel.”
HE WAS NOT AN ANGEL . Not at all. He had picked up a Queen without her consent, commented on her looks, and then had an immediate, unbidden erection when she began moaning with his food in her mouth.
That sounds like a noise of pleasure. Orgasmic, erotic pleasure. Like she’s in heat...
Kamau swallowed and tried to think of unpleasant things. Rotten eggs. Razortusk steaks that had gone off.
“What kind of meat is this? I haven’t had it before. It’s like... beef and pork?”
“Razortusk steak, marinated and cut into strips. It’s like—” Kamau searched for the words he’d learned in his study of human foods. “Wild boar!”
“I could eat this every day,” Nessa moaned, chasing a strip of the steak with her spoon.
“Then I will make it for you every day. My study of human nutrition says you should have a wide variety of foods, though.” Kamau attempted to control the words bubbling out of his mouth, but they just streamed forth, a cork popped on sparkling wine. “Down on C Deck, there is an entire second shuttle bay. I ordered all sorts of plant and herb seeds and pods. With the right interior terraforming programs and equipment, this ship could have a garden! A small farm, even. I want to keep marsh ducks and wood hens for fresh eggs, even a goat or two for fresh milk and cheese. It could be done, as I’ve read most small farms on Sapien-Three are only two or three acres, and the empty bay on C Deck measures just about that. I could keep a steady supply of food that the human Queens like—and maybe that would even be a way to help my people recover.” Kamau clasped his paws, heart racing as he spilled the secret plans he hadn’t even asked Rupex about. Everyone was too busy with family and duties just now to listen to his crazy schemes—but Nessa was looking at him with glowing eyes, nodding. Smiling.
Smiling at me.
“There are already over a dozen Felid-human couples who we know hope to have families. One day, there could be more. There are only two doctors in the entire Felix Orbus Galaxy who can help them: Dr. Marcus on our ship and Dr. Weaver on Lynx-Nineteen. If I have a supply of food for humans here, and we have space to offer them medical care, this ship could be a traveling clinic to help couples across the galaxy. We have more medical staff being trained right now, with Dax and Skyla helping Marcus. Those two women who just arrived may not want to return to the harsh life of Sapien-Three. I know they would be welcome here, helping aboard the ship and in the little farm I could create.”
“Wow,” Nessa whispered.
Kamau stopped speaking, realizing he’d risen, and was leaning over the table, heart hammering. “I... I am sorry. I told you far too much of a silly dream.”
“It’s a wonderful dream!” Nessa patted his paw where it rested on the table. “But if there are only a dozen couples...”
“It would be worth it just to make Layla, Wendy, Elio, and Dax happy to fly with us,” Kamau said with a shrug.
“You have a big heart.”
“And you are very patient to listen to me ramble.”
“I’d be lonely without someone to talk to. Talk to me, not at me,” Nessa squinted at him. “You were the one who talked to me while I was in the med bay, weren’t you?”
“Yes,” Kamau admitted, fur on his neck and cheeks puffing up as he blushed, thankful that his fur hid the rush of blood—and hoping Nessa wouldn’t figure out that “fluffing” was the Servali equivalent of blushing. “I’m sorry if that was another liberty—”
“I liked it.”
“Really?” His fur slowly smoothed down.
“What does it mean when your fur puffs up like that? And when your ears go down? Why does your tail do a full swing sometimes, and other times it just taps?” Nessa leaned forward, speaking in a rush as if she’d been holding questions in for hours and they’d finally burst out.
Kamau chuckled, a gentle purr starting in his chest.
“You purr, too! Does that mean you’re happy?”
“Very happy.”
She makes me happy.
Nessa beamed at him.
She likes that. She wants to know all about me—or about Felids in general. She listens to my crazy ideas with a smile. She moans when she tastes my food.
As Kamau happily explained the functions of various Felid mannerisms, his heart twisted, half in enjoyment and half in fear.
I think I am falling in love with this Queen.