2. Arden
Chapter 2
Arden
A rden craved the males in her dreams with a hunger that blazed through her soul. Her need for them burned so hot it colored every waking moment, changing the simple life she lived.
Her small private berth on Lio Trade Valen was cozy. She was content working while traveling the Known Galaxies in the safe keeping of the Lio, staying in close contact with her PrideFamily.
But a whisper of knowledge ghosted through her awareness. She was content because her dream-loves traveled with her. Arden realized she was constantly searching, never still. Feeling trapped when not on the move because she was driven to find them . Only when she was progressing in her hunt, did she feel happy.
What a subtle, sneaky goad to search, that is.
A new Honored Nel arrived the next day. She recognized who he was to her immediately.
He ’ s the One.
The pearlescent aural glow surrounding him confirmed it. He was the Honored Nel destined to be hers. After she saw him, Arden stumbled and hid deep in the dark shadows of closely stacked crates before dropping to her knees, stuck in place with an arousal so overpowering she could only moan with the intensity of it.
Bergstrom, her grumpy, unsociable Lio Nel co-worker who she’d known all her life on SpacePort Bazzini, happened upon her as she panted, frozen. He took one look at her stiff, awkward position, and a big sniff of her arousal scent, and seemed quickly to understand what she was only coming to realize.
I ’ m locked into my Call to Mate.
She’d been warned that things would change fast when an Honored Nessa found her Honored Nel Mate, but she could never have prepared for how fast.
Bergstrom plunked down in front of her to peer into her eyes.
She regarded his lion-like, red-bearded face and piercing green eyes with desperation. Arden burned up, hurting with arousal.
“Ah, lass, you’re in a bind, aren’t ya? Old Bergstrom here will help ya. But you must consent.”
“What am I consenting to?”
“Pleasure. I’ll get you off quick-as-you-please, then I’ll protect ya until the MateBond is complete.”
Arden blinked. Fear in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, lass, our coveralls stay on. Everything over-the-clothes. It’s the only way to be released, lass. I know my way around a female’s body, sure enough. Been a long time, though.”
The shadow of loss colored his expression before he shook his head. Bergstrom didn’t look old, but Lio rarely did.
“It’s been since I lost my entire Harem in a Vessel collision many spans ago. Barely survived without them. Feels like my soul didn’t. Been living solely for my job and to keep a promise I made.”
Bergstrom sniffed looking down for a moment, then raised his gaze to her.
“Do you consent, lass?”
Arden liked Bergstrom despite his stand-offish nature. Now she understood why he was that way. Right now, he looked at her with compassion and care, and she needed his help.
“I consent.”
Bergstrom removed their tech-bags from their waists and their mag-boots, setting them aside.
He scooted in close behind her, straddling her onto one of his thick thighs, facing away. Grabbing a firm hold of her hips, he led her in a nasty, satisfying grind that had her quickly moaning her peak. She was left in a breathless heap, held loosely and soothingly while sitting comfortably in Bergstrom’s lap.
Arden laughed while catching her breath, shaking her head, relieved her muscles relaxed into bonelessness from being locked up tight.
“Abah-Sah. That was fast!”
“There now, you’re a good lass to go over so easy. That’s better. Yes?”
She looked over her shoulder at the Lio Nel, confusion and wonder warring within her. Taking a deep breath, she crawled from his lap to lean against the pallets and regard him. Her mind churned, back online, working fast.
She wouldn’t waste time with what-ifs. Bergstrom had seen her need and helped her. Arden respected that. She wasn’t a shy virgin, either. Plus, what happened hadn't aroused him. He was not a Mate. He was a friend.
Arden mentally moved forward.
“What now?”
“I’m officially your Shumal. We stick together, you and I.”
“Okay.”
“Do you see it?”
“The glow? Yep.”
He nodded.
“So, we do our work organizing the goods, preparing for the trade with Slarrah. You get to know that pretty Honored Nel fella that got you all locked-up, and I’ll protect you.”
“Not sure what the big danger is, but okay.”
“You and your Honored Nel need to get to your Lio Mates. You’d not be locked into your Call to Mate if it wasn’t time to MateBond.”
Arden narrowed her gaze at the scruffy, gruff Lio.
“I don’t have a Coalition.”
Bergstrom’s eyebrows raised high, his tone incredulous.
“That’s a bunch of nonsense. This doesn’t happen out of nowhere, my girl. Think again.”
As she did, many things became clear. Her Wicked Dreams were, without a doubt, her Lio Nel Mates, deserving of all of her. And the handsome golden-haired, golden-skinned Honored Nel she’d glimpsed was also hers .
Possessiveness filled her.
Mine.
Arden sighed as she accepted the truth.
“Okay, but they’re not here.”
Bergstrom’s eyebrows lowered low, looking stern. Arden sighed.
“Well, not here, here.”
He stared at her. Arden stared back for long moments before telling the secret only her closest family knew.
“I dream of them.”
Bergstrom’s expression cleared, settling into thoughtful lines.
“You have at least one Abassan Mate, then.”
Tingles swept through Arden. Abassan were the male priests of the Lio Creator, Abah-Sah, who guided them. It was Vai. The glimpses of what she’d sensed in him made sense now.
“How do you know?”
Bergstrom shrugged.
“It’s known that Abassani dream with their Mates. It’s all woo-woo stuff they steep themselves in.”
Amusement welled up in Arden as she tried to keep her tone even.
“Woo-woo?”
Bergstrom narrowed one eye at her, but Arden recognized his gruffness for rough affection.
“Yes, lass. Woo-woo. Ya got something to say about that?”
Arden laughed.
“As a supporter of the woo-woo, and probable Mate of someone who does the woo-woo… no. I’ve got nothing to say.”
Bergstrom gave her a fierce grin, then sobered.
“Try to find them soon, lass. You’re in a vulnerable place until the MateBond is Sealed.”
A rden introduced herself to the newly arrived Honored Nel later that day at Evening Meal, and he kept her attention.
Shane Davenport filled her days as fully as her dream-loves filled her nights. Handsome, friendly, golden Shane, who had a pearlescent aural glow around him only she could see.
Wild, wavy blond hair stacked high on the top and tight on the back and sides. Light, clear-blue eyes that sparkled with mirth were also penetrating and perceptive. Tall and lean. His smile charmed her. His intelligence and wit seduced her.
He’d been boosted, becoming Honored many year spans ago when he and his sister, Irene, left Earth for life among the stars. He was a Trade Negotiator, but did not say what Irene did for a living, and Arden didn’t ask. She thought it was probably Intelligence.
Shane’s job title did not fool Arden, either. Trade Negotiator often meant the keeper of secrets to trade. She had her own secrets. He could keep his.
H er Wicked Dreams would not tell Arden how to find them, frustrating her.
Vai understood, but did not relent.
“ I cannot, beauty. You must find us. You must Claim us. Then your commitment is clear on every plane of existence.”
Everything within her stilled. Vai caressed her chin.
“ You seem surprised. Are we not flesh and spirit?”
“ We are.”
“ There you have it. When the time is right, when we all dream-share, I can give you verses to direct your path.”
“ Verses?”
“ A poem.”
“ With clues in it, like a sneaky guide?”
Vai, Rally, and Kano laughed. Rally snuggled her close.
“ Yes! And you are the cleverest! You ’ ll figure it out and find us, won ’ t you?”
He gave her a tender kiss. Longing bleeding from his words.
“Won’t you?”
“ Yes.”
Kano licked below her ear and their touches became sensual.
“ Good pet.”
Arden shivered.
W ithin a week’s span, Shane met her for Morning Meal at the Level Two Dining Lounge with a deep blush, not quite meeting her eyes. She wondered at it, then had a flash of insight.
“Dreams?”
Shane’s eyes widened. She asked again, with innuendo and understanding.
“ Wicked Dreams?”
He blinked, then looked at her with piercing awareness.
Looks like my Dreams got wicked with my new guy. Can ’ t blame them, I want to get wicked with him, too!
“You know these dreams?”
Arden grinned back at him.
“Intimately, I think.”
He grinned with relief.
“Definitely intimate. They’re amazing! But there’s you .”
Shane sobered, rubbing his chest over his heart.
“I wasn’t sure what to do with my feelings. I didn’t want you upset, Arden.”
Oh, my dearest man, I want them, too.
She put her hand on his. She didn’t want his heart to ache.
What will ease him?
“Don’t worry, Shane. I’m not going anywhere.”
He turned his hand over to gently grasp hers.
“If we share them, I’m okay. I just… It’s so much!”
He shook his head, his gaze far-away. Arden understood.
“Yeah. They’re a lot.”
Shane looked at her, his eyes searching hers.
“You seem comfortable with it all.”
“I am. You will be, too. You’ll get comfortable with weird after a while.”
“If you’re good with it, then I am.”
She smiled at him, liking his answer. He smiled back, speaking distractedly.
“Irene has dreams. They’re not happy or sexy ones, though. She says the same thing. Unusual is the norm.”
His expression became full of wonder as his attention came back to her.
“You are so gorgeous. Your lovely, caramel-brown eyes match your beautiful caramel-colored hair perfectly.”
“You mean brown.”
“No.”
He reached forward, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear with a lingering touch.
“I mean caramel. It’s my favorite treat from Earth. And you are my favorite everything!”
Arden laughed.
“How do you know? I mean, you haven’t tasted me yet!”
“Let’s fix that.”
Arden focused on his lips, gasping as he leaned in close. Her lips throbbed, hungry for the press of his.
“May I taste you, Arden?”
She melted into a puddle.
“Yes. Please, Shane.”
He cupped her cheeks, pressing in with lush precision. Soft licks enticed her to open to him, and she moaned at his masculine flavor. He gasped, muttering.
“So sweet.”
Bergstrom’s deep interrupting cough broke them apart with a startle. He slid in to sit across from them, his expression amused. He snickered as they peered at him with muzzy confusion.
“Well, now. That’s a fine Morning Meal, but not a lot of fuel to burn through the workday.”
Shane spoke under his breath.
“Speak for yourself.”
Bergstrom narrowed his eyes at Shane, who promptly cleared his throat, giving him his most innocent look.
With a moment more of a stare, Bergstrom relented.
“Keep your lips to yourself for a while.”
They ate in a comfortable silence.
Shane turned to Arden as they finished up.
“I dreamed unusual dreams before I met you too, Arden.”
Her interest piqued.
“You did?”
“Yes. I dreamed a poem, actually.”
A poem? Huh.
Shane glanced over at Bergstrom, then back to her.
“You may think it’s silly, but I believe it’s part of how I found you. I’ve been restless ever since. Until now.”
Arden smiled.
“I take dreams seriously. I have them. All my sisters, like yours, have them. What did you dream?”
"Hidden among names that soar, Find the way with wings that explore. A flock of secrets they've unfurled, To fly and seek two souls imperiled.”
Arden’s mind whirled with connotations from the verses.
“Names that soar. Most of my family’s names are for birds!”
“I know.”
She looked at Shane, who gazed at her sheepishly.
“I researched you after we met.”
Arden grinned.
“I did the same.”
He leaned closer, chin propped up on his hand, looking at her curiously.
“Did you discover anything unexpected?”
“Two parents, three sisters, two brothers, two dogs, three cats, and a budgie. What the hell is a budgie?”
Shane laughed.
“It’s a bird!”
Arden laughed with him.
He took her hand in his, his eyebrows scrunching up in puzzlement.
“But you’re not named for a bird.”
“Actually, I am. Kinda.”
He looked confused.
“Me and my two sisters, Astor and Ava, were all adopted at the same time. We are close in age. Mom Janine wanted all our names to start with an ‘A.’ She named me Arden, which means Valley of the Eagle in some language on Earth, somewhere.”
Understanding dawned on Shane’s face.
“So your name soars, too.”
Arden nodded.
“Sure does.”
His eyes explored her as if he was discovering what she looked like anew. She felt like she was devouring him, too, leaning in for another kiss.
A smack on the table got their attention. Bergstrom’s ears were back, his tail agitated.
“No lips!”
“C’mon, Bergie!”
He blinked at her nickname, then ignored it, staying insistent.
“No. Lips.”
She sighed, turning back to Shane.
“I guess it’s time to get to work. See you at Evening Meal?”
“You know it.”
Bergstrom leaned close to Shane.
“I’ll meet you at your private quarters before Afternoon Meal today. Prime Myron is looking forward to an introduction. He has some things to explain.”
Shane hummed in surprise, but nodded.
“Sure, Bergstrom. My morning meetings will be over by then.”
“Good.”
Bergstrom stood up to leave, snatching his tray, looking at Arden meaningfully.
She stood with her tray, ready to leave, then paused. She looked back at Shane, who was watching her go with a smile.
“Maybe tonight we will all dream together .”
The flush that reddened his cheeks had everything to do with arousal, not embarrassment. She liked the look on him.
Bergstrom growled at her.
“C’mon, Ardie, lass. Let’s get on to work. You can torture the poor male later. He will need more than a minute to let that raging cock-stand go down. Might keel over if he stands up too soon. All his blood is below the waist!”
Arden giggled as they pushed their trays into the auto-wash.
“Wait. Ardie?”
“Thought you’d get away with that ‘Bergie’ business, did ya? Ha!”
Arden laughed as she followed Bergstrom to work. She hoped it was a good day, and perhaps an even better night.