The Starborn by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

meteor. It crashed and the shockwave spread across my surface, killing everything it touched. Only Rena was left standing and probably for the same reason that you are not dead. She is wrapped with the same energy that you are.
    Probably. Well, she can come out of stasis if you wish. If your power keeps her immune, she will be fine.
    I don’t think I want to risk her. She is very precious to me and was only with me for a week before the disaster struck. Do you know how long we have been here? She is asking.
    Based on the make and model of your stasis chamber, you have been here for less than three hundred years.
    Your mate is trying to hear what you are saying. You may want to talk to him.
    “Comet, Jesku does not want to risk Rena until a cure for the pathogen has been found. It came in on a meteor and swept across the planet on the shockwave. The only survivor is here in front of us.”
    “How long have they been in there?”
    “Three hundred years or less.”
    “How do you know that?”
    “The stasis unit. They have the Alliance year printed on the casing, and this one was manufactured three hundred years ago. Stasis units happen to be a fascination of mine.”
    He chuckled. “I guess they would be. So, what is our plan of attack?”
    “We lock the planet, send in a diagnostic team that uses robotic systems and deal with it from there. Is that possible?”
    Braenar nodded. “There will be no shortage of applicants to help. Is Jesku willing to entertain the idea of colonists?”
    “You know, you could ask her just as well as I can.”
    “I know, but you already have a rapport.”
    She snorted and returned to Jesku. Will you allow colonists when your surface is safe?
    Of course. Though Rena can self-reproduce, I will never have an indigenous population again, well, not one with any genetic variety.
    Fair enough. I will make that a condition of the search for a cure. Whoever does the best, fastest work will have the first crack at the surface.
    Rena-Jesku smiled again. You are turning me into a contest?
    Whatever it takes to motivate folks. I have found that things that are in a contest are considered more worth winning.
    A few minutes more of conversation and Comet touched her arm. “We need to get back to the shuttle.”
    She made her goodbyes to Jesku and yelped when Comet grabbed her, hauling her to the surface, using his foot to seal the entrance behind them.
    “What is it, Braenar?”
    He winced. “I am having a slight problem. Do you remember when I said that I was in rut?”
    She blinked. “I remember you said you were receptive.”
    “Well, if I don’t get some soon, I will be forced to find a temporary partner, and I do not believe that our growing relationship will withstand that.”
    Wiali didn’t reply, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his lips as he took them back to the Sector Guard shuttle in orbit above them.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    His caresses had her retracting her body suit five minutes after they left the pod from Udell back to Lowel.
    She kept her lips pressed to his as cool air embraced her shoulders and kept going. She returned the favour, and soon, their bodies were tumbling to the bed, and he was easing his urges by giving into his instincts.
    It was a long night, followed by a sore day and another tumultuous evening when he finally curled against her and stroked her hair. “I promise to return the favour when you are in season.”
    She chuckled. “It’s all right. In the reproductive arena, I am more Nyal than Hirn. You will know when it happens.”
    His horns had come and gone a dozen times during the last two days. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I will welcome the opportunity to be of service.”
    Wiali sighed. “Can we get some sleep now?”
    “What, you don’t want to have your wicked way with me again?” He chuckled.
    “My wicked wore out eight hours ago. I am mildly naughty at the most right now.”
    He laughed