Seven in the Sky

Skeeter needed sex and she would do whatever it took to get it. Seven Regen warriors are just what her hormones ordered. Blanca ‘Skeeter’ Snow has always known that this day would come. Her body’s pheromones cause disruptions on her ship and her captain banishes her until her cycle is over. She selects a moon as her haven of choice and a meteor field removes her options for landing. On the moon, seven Regens (the brothers of the new Consort of Priznik) rush to her crash and are swept into her situation and her arms as quickly as she can manage it. Her leave takes on a new urgency as she takes her lovers on one by one and several together.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Seven in the Sky Copyright © 2011 Viola Grace Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.eXtasybooks.com

Seven in the Sky A Trapezium Exclusive By Viola Grace

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he bridge was in an uproar. Three of the crewmembers were fighting and Officer Blanca Snow was watching with horror. “Skeeter! What the hell is going on in here?” Captain Darow came in, her tone hostile and frustrated. The crew had become more agitated over the last few days and there was one common denominator—Skeeter. She snapped to attention with a salute and addressed the captain. “The crewmen began fighting over me, Captain.” “Why is that, Skeeter?” She blushed, a visible mark on her chalk white skin. “I believe that I am going into heat, Captain. The men are being overwhelmed by pheromones.” The captain sighed and went to the fire suppression system, blasting the fighting men until they parted. “Skeeter, come with me.” Her would-be suitors were groaning on the ground and she quickly followed the captain, her boots skittering across the decking of the interstellar trading-class ship. The captain’s quarters were neat and tidy, but it looked as if the captain had something on her mind. Files were open and half a dozen coffee 1

Viola Grace cups were in the trash. “Skeeter. This medical issue of yours is causing me a huge problem. None of the men can be near you and they are all trading shifts just to get close enough to sniff you.” The blush started and stuck. “I—” “You can’t control it and you are an endangered species. You need to breed. I just don’t want you doing it on my ship. From this moment on, you are banished to the nearest inhabitable world or moon until your medical issue ceases. At that point, you will be welcome to return only if you agree to have your reproductive functions suspended indefinitely.” Skeeter stood at attention and took the sentence with tears in her eyes. “Dismissed, Officer. Your ship is prepped and ready. Your personal belongings have been transferred in case you choose not to return.” The captain paused and looked up, tears welling in her eyes. “Good luck finding what you need out there, Skeeter.” “Thank you, Captain.” With tears running down her face, Skeeter ran the length of the ship and barely nodded at the launch crew. She got into the ship she normally took on missions and noted her belongings tucked around the storage areas. Her voice shook as she asked for clearance, but 2

Seven in the Sky the moment it was given, she sailed out of the bay and into the vastness of space without a backward glance. A quick scan of the area showed her two small planets and a moon that were inhabitable. On instinct, she made for the moon. As she approached it, she had second thoughts. Tiny orbital bodies spun around the moon in a debris field that could cause her some problems. “Hells!” Just as she realized that she was flying into a shower of hypersonic rocks, the ship skewed sideways with the blaring of warnings that she was losing atmosphere. Skeeter strapped on a breather and gripped the controls. She needed to bring her shuttle down in one piece and that was becoming less likely by the second. She flipped the toggle that would seal the breech with foam and aimed for the moon with saving her life in her mind. The ship bucked and fought her on the way down, but she kept her grip on the shaking controls and aimed for the few life signs that she ship had picked up. The ground rushed up beneath her and her shuttle struck hard, skimming along the grassy surface before striking a tree and spinning her around. Her ship rotated in a quick horizontal spiral until slowly rocking to a halt. Unbuckling her harness and stumbling to her 3

Viola Grace lav while ripping off the breather, she threw up for ten minutes before her body gave up and she was able to douse her skin with cold water. She looked at her pale features in the mirror and scowled at her reflection. Her lips were surprisingly red for her illness. The unrelieved black in her eyes was highlighted by the Bascu markings that were the obvious sign of her species. The black hair completed her spectral look and she flicked damp strands back behind her shoulders. Her battle armour grated against the floor as she fought to get to her feet. The ship was hissing softly and she wasn’t sure how much atmosphere it would be able to give her. On automatic, she took her packs and rations as well as an emergency shelter with her and blew the door to expose her to the outer environment. “Oh, wow.” Huge trees, mushrooms, vines and rocks met her gaze and she walked out to examine the moon she was stuck on. **** The cluster of Regens watched the newcomer examine the hunting moon of the Overlord of Priznik. Their brother-in-law had insisted that they use it for some recreation while their sister, Hellara, adapted to her pregnancy. She had been 4

Seven in the Sky bordering on physically hostile for the last month and it was getting worse. Kai had politely offered them an out and now, they were here watching an unknown woman trespassing on their vacation. Kenner asked, “Do we invite her for dinner?” Razer commented, “She doesn’t look well. Perhaps she needs medical attention. That was not a good landing.” Lorik and Neer agreed. “She could be hurt or disoriented.” Josu watched his other brothers nod in agreement. Zeen and Maro were in complete agreement with Razer. Josu rubbed his forehead. “Fine, you want the pretty to come for dinner, you clean up after her. I am going for a swim.” Striding off to the wide pool near the hunting lodge, Josu stripped off his ship suit and jumped into the pool, hoping that his raging hard-on would fade in the cold water. From the moment that the atmosphere had vented out of her ship, he had been rock hard. Based on the eagerness of the rest of the Neering foundlings, he wasn’t the only one. As the water closed over his head, the crash replayed in his mind. He and his brothers had seen disasters and battles, but they had never before been forced to simply watch a crash 5

Viola Grace happen. He came up and started doing laps, considering the origins of his fellow Regens. They had all been designed for battle—flesh and metal in a form that mimicked the beings that commanded them. Hellara Neering had found him battered and abandoned on some nameless world. She had taken him to the Dust Up, convinced her father that he could be useful and promptly repaired his body, starting the healing in his soul. The rest of the collection of brothers had come after, but Josu had been the first and the most grateful for the hand extended to him in friendship when there was no reason for it to be offered. His loyalty had been bought in that moment. Under the water, his body relaxed. The fire that had coursed through him ebbed. Without a doubt, the furious arousal was tied to their guest and it would be a good idea for him to go and check on her before his brothers tore her to pieces or fucked her into oblivion. **** Being surrounded was unnerving. Six huge males, all different races but with something peculiar in common, they were Regens. Regenerated bodies of warriors who had been designed for nothing 6

Seven in the Sky but battle. Skeeter knew the stories. The men died in battle and were cloned into a cybernetically enhanced force. No records of the Regens remained. It was illegal to craft them in the first place, let alone use them to fight wars. To see six in one place with obviously different parent donors was amazing and to have them all looking at her with unrelieved hunger was rather unnerving. “Um, hello. Did I run over any plants that you favour?” A rumble so low that she could barely hear it asked, “Do you require any medical assistance?” “Um, no. I think I am fine. I just need to rest. It was not a good landing.” She stretched and jerked as the men took all of her bags and supplies from her. “I believe that you should be examined. Come this way.” She squeaked in shock as one lifted her in his arms and headed west. “Where are you taking me?” “To the hunting lodge. There is a medical facility there.” His voice thrummed through her and she could feel her heat spilling through her veins. Even through her armour, she could feel the hard planes of muscle pressed against her, it wasn’t 7

Viola Grace having a calming effect on her systems. For the last three months, she had fought her heat at every opportunity. The pheromone phase was her body’s desperation to get a man between her thighs. Now, six helpful strangers surrounded her and she couldn’t guess how long it would take before they fought each other to have her. Regens were said to have strange properties, but with their amount of biological material, she suspected that they were just as susceptible as any other males she had run across. It just might take a little longer for them to go insane with lust. “That is the hunting lodge?” She blinked in shock as the huge edifice rose from behind one of the many hills. “The hunting lodge of the Overlord of Priznik. He has ordered us to enjoy it for recreation.” She nodded as if it made sense, but soon, she was inside the luxuriously appointed building and sitting within the small medical centre. The men with her bags disappeared, leaving her with the one holding her. She got up the nerve to ask, “What is your name?” “Razer. I am the medical tech. Each of us has a speciality that made us useful on the Dust Up.” “What was the Dust Up?” “The ship that the Neerings owned. They rescued and repaired us and made us useful again.” He was preparing scanners and when he 8

Seven in the Sky was done, he turned to her. “I will need you to remove your clothing. This equipment does not work through armour.” She blushed and tried to scoot off the exam bed. “I am sure I am fine.” “I am sure that you suffered damage. I am the medical professional, so please disrobe.” Razer wasn’t going to let her ignore him, nor would she make it past the huge, muscled bulk while she was still dizzy. With shaking hands, she pulled off her armour. The plates made a clash of sound as they hit the floor and an audience was forming in the doorway. Drawing on the experience of changing clothing in the public quarters during her basic training, she buckled down her shyness and took off every metal plate and tab that she had on. Razer tried to run the scanner over her torso but it made an unpleasant sound. “Your clothing has metal components. Remove them all, please.” At least he was polite. She removed the tank top and tight pants as well as her panties. With nothing but bare skin on, she turned to him with hot cheeks. “How about now?” He was staring at her breasts and the neat thatch of hair at the top of her thighs. A pulse started inside her and she felt the telltale wetness of arousal seeping from her. She cleared her throat. “Razer?” 9

Viola Grace He helped her back to the exam table. This time, the scanners went over her from head to toe. She could see sweat beading on his brow as well as the clenching in his jaw. With all of her skin exposed, she was giving off signals that she was wet and ready. “You…” He cleared his throat and put away the scanner. “You have some bruised ribs and a sprained wrist. Minor bruising where your harness bit in during the crash, but otherwise, you are fine. Wait a moment.” He reached behind her and flipped out a long white shirt. “I will need to examine you again after I brace your wrist. So, since you don’t need your armour here, we will store it and you can wear this.” She didn’t hesitate, slipping the shirt on and blocking her body from the view of the men who gathered in the doorway. Her wrist twinged now that the adrenaline of the crash was gone. Razer took her hand in his and with expert moves, he wrapped it in immobilizing bio-friendly plastic. “There you go. Let me help you down.” He put his hands on her waist and breathed deeply. She shivered as his mouth traced between her neck and shoulder. “You are a Bascu.” She nodded as the feather-light touches sent 10

Seven in the Sky zings of sensation from her neck to nipples to the slicking folds between her thighs. A light whimper came from her throat and she leaned her head to one side. On the ship, she had propriety and rank to hold men at bay. Here, there was no need and she had very little inclination to stop his delicate exploration. Razer’s bright blue gaze met hers with some surprise. “You welcome my advances?” She heard a rustling at the doorway. With calm deliberation, she placed her palm against his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart beneath his skin. “I welcome an end to this biological torment. Sex is the only way to give my body what it needs so that it will stop its demands. If you are willing, I am.” A new voice from the doorway caused Razer to step back. “That is an interesting proposition, but it is cruel of you to torment us all and only reward one.” She whirled to see a male who had not been there with the others. “Who are you?” “I am Josu. Come with me, we need a group meeting.” She blinked and took the hand held out to her. Razer followed her closely and the others grouped around them as they moved through the opulent halls to a large living area in front of a fireplace. 11

Viola Grace Skeeter had no idea what was going on, but Josu seemed to have both an idea and a plan. He sat her in a solitary chair, her legs almost the same pale colour as the shirt that covered her. The men sat around her on couches and she could feel that all the attention was on her. “Who are you, lady?” Josu cut right to the quick of it. “I am Blanca Snow, but most folks call me Skeeter. I am the second-in-command of the Darkling Sorrow and have been sent here until my heat is over. That could be anywhere from days to weeks depending on my body. Not that I have any way to get back to my ship. I am sure that mine is trashed.” She sat up straight with her hands on her thighs. “Now, explain the matter of your heat and the offer you just made to Razer.” The group of gazes aimed at her suddenly went from warm to hot. “Um. I would like to be free of these constant demands of my body and the only way to get that is via sex. So, I offered to have sex with Razer.” Josu sat back, his gaze almost cruel. “We will take you up on that. We will help you end your heat and free ourselves from this wild lust at the same time. How many of us can you take at once?” Her jaw opened in surprise at the images that 12

Seven in the Sky flooded her mind. “Um. I don’t know. I have never gone through this before. What would you recommend?” If she thought the gazes were hot before, they turned downright feral as she asked her question. Josu swallowed and nodded, “In that case, to ease the tension immediately, three at a time should be fine and then one or two at a time as you choose after that. Is that acceptable?” It was every Bascu woman’s dream. She rubbed her suddenly sweaty palms against her thighs. “Who first and when do we start?” The men suddenly sprang into action, finally drawing lots from a bowl. Razer was given an automatic first and two named Kenner and Maro took her by the hand and led her from the room. Her knees were weak when she saw the huge bed, but she watched the men strip quickly before surrounding her on all sides. She was frozen in surprise, the metal bands, scars and ridges on their flesh confirmed her conclusion that they were Regens, but instead of cooling her ardour, her body started to shake with the need to take one or more of them inside her. Bascu women had a reputation for lewd behaviour, but with the strength of their biology behind them, they had no choice. Their bodies pushed them to mate with as many men as possible to assemble the largest collection of DNA 13

Viola Grace from which to build their children. Each child that her people bore contained genetic contributions from no less than three fathers. If the mother didn’t find enough donors, she simply did not bear a child. There was a reason that the Bascu were almost extinct. Three pairs of hands lifted the shirt from her, dragging it up and over her head. When the fabric whispered to the floor, she blushed, her chalky skin going pink all over. She didn’t have a chance to get nervous. Razer lifted her into his arms and deposited her on the bed. From three directions, they converged on her. Her muscles had tensed, anticipating the attack, but instead, lips and fingers set about waking her nerves and arousing her senses. She closed her eyes and moaned as the delicate touches pebbled her skin, hardened her nipples and caused her sex to clench in desperation. The first touch of a tongue lapping on her inner thigh brought her eyes wide open. She had heard of that sort of thing but had never tried it personally. “What are you doing?” Razer lifted his head and gave her a smouldering look with his deep blue eyes. “Making sure that you don’t regret your decision.” Maro leaned over her and lapped at her 14

Seven in the Sky nipples, sucking on first one, then the other, while Kenner held her arms over her head to keep her from pushing anyone away. Kenner’s lips trailed up her neck and across her cheek, settling on her lips in a slow kiss that had her shivering in his grip. Razer advanced his caresses and when his breath reached the mouth of her sex, she squealed into Kenner’s mouth and arched under them, almost throwing them off. The hot, flat press of his tongue parted her and let the slick honey of her arousal flow free. She dimly heard the growl that preceded him cupping her buttocks and pulling her firmly into his mouth. His tongue lapped, swirled and flicked at her clit, finally joined by two long fingers. She cried out against Kenner as she finally had something filling the void inside her. She shook, squealed and twisted as he thrust his fingers in a hard, fast beat. Razer pulled away from her and she found herself lifted against Kenner while Razer took a position between her thighs, the head of his cock rubbing against her in a repetitive motion before he slowly, deliberately pushed inside. She was leaning up against Kenner, his hands cupping her breasts, Maro was licking her neck and Razer started to thrust in earnest. She rocked with each hard push, Kenner’s strength keeping 15

Viola Grace her from sliding backward. Her muscles tightened around him, trying to hold him within and caressed him in the most basic of reflexes. The groan and increase in his speed made her look into Razer’s eyes and as his blue gaze met her black one, she shivered around him, her body milking him hard as a scream came from her throat. He was immediately following her with a grunt and a final hard shove of his hips. The jerk of his cock inside her sent a hot shiver through Skeeter. Her first male seed to build her child was in place. She could feel her body absorbing and redistributing it. No Bascu woman knew how many partners it would take before a pregnancy, it varied remarkably with each and every woman. The moment that Razer withdrew, Kenner turned her in his arms and lifted her onto his lap. Behind her, she felt Maro rubbing her rear entrance with something cold and slick. Kenner had deep mahogany skin offset by red eyes and shockingly white hair. She looked into those eyes as he lowered her onto his cock and watched his surprise when he didn’t feel the slickness of being her second lover in five minutes. It took a few jerks of his hips to get inside her. Her earlier arousal had cooled when she realized what Maro was up to. The moment that she had taken Kenner into her completely, Maro pushed 16

Seven in the Sky up against her ass and slipped inside. “Push against him, Skeeter.” She whimpered and followed directions, the foreign feeling of having something invading her ass shifted from a shocking burn to a subtle throb as he worked into her. Maro cupped her breasts and pulled her back against his chest while he knelt with his cock in her ass. She felt stuffed, Kenner in front and Maro in rear. When they started to move, her body began to shake. Every nerve inside was being stroked and caressed and she was loving every moment. The discomfort of Maro’s cock in her ass was rapidly becoming a peculiar pleasure that she was unfamiliar with. Kenner’s hands held her hips as he moved her on him with short, jerky movements culminating in his groan as he finished before she did. He remained inside her while Maro pulled her back against him, his hands kneading her breasts with his thumbs flicking her nipples in time to his thrusts. Kenner reached between them and stroked her clit with his thumb and that last bit of stimulation was all it took for her to cum. She squeaked as Maro pounded into her faster and harder, her body clasping and milking Kenner the whole time. 17

Viola Grace The orgasm ran through her like an electric shiver. It started where the two cocks rubbed together through her inner walls and ended with a choked cry that Kenner silenced with his own mouth. Maro bucked against her and she groaned as she felt the spurting deep inside. As Kenner removed his mouth from hers, she blinked up into his red eyes in surprise. “That was…wonderful.” Maro removed himself with a soft kiss on her shoulder. The peculiar feeling of emptiness was compounded when Kenner pulled free. His smile was heartfelt and he kissed the tip of her nose before he said, “A bath, I think, before the others enjoy you.” Razer agreed and lifted her off Kenner’s kneeling form. “The grotto will be suitable, I think.” She relaxed in Razer’s arms. Her body was humming from its activities, far from sated, but no longer threatening her sanity. As they passed through the area where the group had been introduced to her, three men followed them down the hall. Razer opened a huge glass door and it opened onto a stone path that led to a pool with a waterfall cascading down one side and a mossy bank on the other. Her next three lovers removed 18

Seven in the Sky their clothing when Razer put her on her own feet. She carefully walked into the pool with her thighs shaking. The water was surprisingly warm and went a long way to easing the ache in her limbs. The Bascu physiology did the rest. Her body wanted more and it would do whatever it took to assure that the three men watching her from the edge of the pool with hungry eyes would sate themselves within her. As they stared she asked, “What are your names?” “Lorik.” “Neer.” “Zeen.” Each one bowed as he introduced himself and the irony of the courtly manner while their cocks dripped with precum was not lost on her. She gestured to the towels and beckoned them to bring some over. “I think a three on one would work well, but I need something to cushion my knees as I straddle one of you.” No sooner were the words out of her mouth than a folded towel was place on top of a wide sheet towel and hands extended to lift her out of the grotto pool. Water left her body with a whoosh and immediately Lorik was under her, his eager cock pressing against her belly as she got situated on 19

Viola Grace him. Shyness and dignity flew far away from her. On this nameless moon with these seven willing men, she would gain the necessary cellular contributions for her child. No one would be injured and she would be on her way to rejoin her ship until her pregnancy was too advanced. Lorik reached between them and started to stroke her, Zeen suckled at her left breast and Neer was at her right. Her arousal went from tepid to raging in under two minutes, the tugging and pulling on her breasts a pale shadow to the sensation of Zeen running his blunt nails down her spine. Dimly, she felt herself lifted and Lorik slowly sliding into place. Zeen positioned himself behind her, sliding first one finger, then two into her ass, spreading her for him and applying a slick, cool substance to her. He rocked into her, the pop as her muscles clamped down on the head of his cock elicited a groan from him. He slowly forged into her and she used the restricted motion of her other impalement to coax him deeper. When he moved, he pushed her on to Lorik and he held her shoulders for her so that Neer could rub his member against her lips. The salty, sweet taste was scented with the musk of an aroused male and she didn’t hesitate 20

Seven in the Sky to open for him so that she could suck and swirl her tongue around him. As she relaxed and settled into working on Neer with her mouth, Zeen and Lorik started to move. Zeen was controlling the whole event. When he thrust into her ass, she rocked forward, taking Lorik deep and Neer deeper. They took on a rhythm of thrust, retreat, slide and thrust again. As the men grew closer to orgasm, the beat got faster. Zeen’s hands were cupping her ass as his balls slapped it with every inward shove. Lorik held her up with one arm while stroking her clit with his other hand and with Zeen forcing Lorik against her g-spot, she came hard. She screamed and bucked, feeling the cum shoot from Neer a split second before Lorik heaved upward and groaned under her. Zeen continued to spike in and out of her ass until he, too, growled and shoved into her while his cock spurted. They clung together and panted for air, Neer sitting back with his thighs spread and his member at half-mast. The cum that had spattered across her cheek and jaw was gone. Absorbed by her peculiar physiology and tucked away for safekeeping. Zeen removed himself from her ass with a slow 21

Viola Grace slide and she was able to lever herself off Lorik in no time, letting her body drop straight into the pool. She held her breath for over three minutes and when a splash struck the water and legs waded toward her, she wasn’t surprised. Lazily, she stood up and looked at Josu. “Hello.” “We were getting concerned. You were not coming up.” His scowl seemed a permanent fixture. “I can hold my breath for ten minutes. I was in no danger.” “Then come out of the pool. I have no liking for this environment.” They walked to the steps and she held his hand while she emerged. Her hair almost covered her breasts completely, but the rest of her was all naked and pale. She wondered idly if any of these men would have found her attractive under normal circumstances when her body was not in heat. Josu wrapped a towel around her before retaking her hand to lead her into the retreat. She cleared her throat and tried to make chitchat. “How long have you and the others been here?” “We have been here for two weeks at the behest of our new brother-in-law. Our sister was experiencing rather severe hormone fluctuations 22

Seven in the Sky due to pregnancy and she was getting…hostile.” His lips twisted as he said the last word. That really surprised her. She had never heard of female Regens. “You have a sister?” “Yes. She adopted us one by one, repaired us and made us useful again. We owe her our lives and our loyalty, but her constant attempts at matchmaking were getting on our nerves.” Swallowing as he opened the door to a private bedchamber, Skeeter said, “I would have thought that you would welcome female companionship.” “Only if it is a woman who would not make me choose between her and my brothers. All the women we were introduced to had very peculiar ideas of what a bonding should be.” He walked up to her and cupped her face in his, sliding a hand into her wet hair. “Your approach is most refreshing. Your body demands and you let us take.” “It won’t last forever.” She didn’t mention her reproductive agenda. He trailed his lips down her neck. “It is here now and that is enough. Stars, your skin is so soft.” She didn’t have a comment for him. His touch took her breath away. She stood in his grip and the towel fell to her feet in a soft slide. Each stroke of his hands increased her hunger and when he lifted her to place her on the bed, she squirmed 23

Viola Grace against the cool sheets. He started at her feet, trailing kisses and caresses up the interior of each thigh, always avoiding the core of her pulsing heat. While he stroked and caressed her skin, she reached up and cupped her breasts in her hands, pinching at the nipples and stroking the underside with light touches. Her arousal grew by leaps and bounds with the more delicate foreplay and when he moved to cover her, he still had not touched her slit or any of the silky heat generated by his caresses. His gaze bore into hers as he prodded at her entrance and she arched against him to take him deeper. She flung one leg over his thighs to open herself completely and she tried to pull him into her. He didn’t budge. “Please. Please, I want you inside me.” Her voice was a throaty whisper. “All you had to do was ask.” He slid forward an inch and stopped. “More.” Her hands ran down his torso, touching flesh and metal in equal measure, and with equal pleasure. Josu slid home inside her with a few rocking thrusts. She wrapped her legs around him and arched to meet him every time he moved. He sat back on his heels and pulled her hips to 24

Seven in the Sky him, running his hand over her breasts and belly as his other hand pulled her hips to him in a hard and fast beat. She could hear her own pleas, sobbing, begging for more and he gripped both of her hips, holding her tightly to him as she screamed and he jetted into her with short, hard jabs. Panting, he rolled to one side and held her tight. “Blanca, how long do you wish to stay here?” She was still dazed, her aftershocks pulsing with a distracting strength. “Um. I can’t go back to my ship. Not yet.” “Will you remain here with us? Any further copulation will be at your instigation.” He nuzzled her neck and she smiled. “Yes, I think this is a safe haven. If you do not mind my presence, I would be happy to stay.” Her smile was shy, but as she lifted her face for his kiss, it seemed the right thing to say. **** Days ran into weeks and she spent each day pursuing whatever pleasure took her fancy. She learned that aside from amazing bodies, each had a distinct personality that made sex with him a specific treat. Josu was always grumpy, his tone harsh, but 25

Viola Grace his hands and mouth showed an attention to her reactions that was gratifying. Kenner had an unflappable cheer that couldn’t be squelched, not even when she tripped in the shower and almost neutered him with her teeth. After prolonged exposure to her, Zeen showed his skill at detecting the tiniest shift in her arousal by using his sense of smell. It was a peculiar talent that spoke to one of his genetic donors having been one of the hunting races. Maro had an affable good mood and an endless capacity for questions. Lorik and Neer were still a mystery, but she was enjoying solving them one peeled article of clothing at a time. Razer was the one most concerned for her welfare. He examined her constantly and sometimes it was even in the medical offices. He was the one who ruined her announcement. At mealtimes, they all ate together and today Razer had spent the morning running his hands and scanners over her. “Blanca is pregnant.” “It’s Skeeter.” She didn’t answer the second half of the sentence. The men looked confused. Finally Maro blinked at her, “How can you be pregnant, we are sterile.” “I am Bascu. I don’t get pregnant via the standard egg and sperm combination.” Josu looked at her. “Do you know who the 26

Seven in the Sky father is?” She blinked in surprise. “You all are. Each time we coupled you left not only your cum, but epithelial cells and other traces within me. My body absorbed all of it and compiled it into nutrients for my child.” They stared at each other in confusion for a moment before leaving the table and exiting the dining room. Shrugging, Skeeter finished her lunch and stowed her dishes. It took the men over two hours to return and she calmly reheated their dinners so that they could have something to use as a prop when they talked to her. She was sure that they were going to send her back to her ship now. So sure, that she didn’t quite hear the question Josu put to her. “Will you marry us?” She blinked, eyes wide. “What?” They all asked her this time. “Will you marry us?” She almost said yes, but something occurred to her. “I don’t know of any planet or system that will allow such a biased mating.” They answered as one again, “Priznik. We have already had it signed into law. Any amount of Regens may wed a Bascu. As you are an endangered species, it is considered to be a move to assist your reproduction.” 27

Viola Grace To have seven voices speaking the exact same words made her blink. “How are you doing that?” “What?” “Speaking together.” “We are on a shared frequency. It is something that means we will never compete for your affections within our group. What one feels, all feel.” She sat amazed until they asked her again, “Will you marry us?” “Yes.” They nodded and cleared the dining room table. Josu disappeared for a moment and then reappeared with strips of silk hanging from his hand. “I believe that a celebration upon agreement of the engagement is customary.” He tied one of the silks across her eyes and used the other to tie her hands together, stretching her arms over her head as they lay her back on the table. Mouths, fingers, tongues and whispered encouragement ran over her as they brought her to orgasm again and again. Fourteen hands on her, touching, caressing and arousing, seven mouths whispering, licking and nipping as she twisted under their touch. She came again and again, her body wracked with pleasure. Now and again, someone would mount her and stroke rapidly until they came, but 28

Seven in the Sky she lost count as her body was awash in a golden glow of heat and satisfaction followed by hunger that was sated over and over. It was a lovely engagement night and when she woke the next morning in a puppy pile of masculine bodies, she knew that she was home. A week later, they received news of a shuttle on approach. Skeeter was wearing one of the gowns that had been packed with her things and Kenner was busy trying to talk to her belly. Curious, Skeeter took Kenner’s arm and with the others, she approached the landing craft. It was Coalition issue, but that was all that could be said for it. Whoever was responsible for it did not keep it in good repair. The male that exited gave Skeeter a jolt. Seeing a male Bascu was like watching for the birth of a black hole. You knew it happened, you just never expected to see it. “I am seeking Blanca Snow.” With her Regens around her, she stepped slightly forward. “I am Blanca Snow.” “I am Weelan Brachar. I am to be your mating partner.” He looked her over with a leer in his gaze and to her disgust, he licked his lips. His hair was as black as hers but was arranged in elaborate braids hung with tiny golden beads. His facial markings gave his eyes the appearance 29

Viola Grace of being heavy-lidded and his lips were far too full. The open shirt displayed more marks and an impressive set of abs, but the nipple and random piercing on his flesh made her queasy. “I decline your offer.” “What? Do you know how far I have come?” “I don’t care. I have my mates here and while not Bascu, they will produce strong children who will have more than a name to remember their fathers by.” She stepped back and her Regens closed ranks around her. “Regens? You reject one of your own kind in favour of Regens?” She smiled and wrapped one hand around Kenner’s arm and one around Josu’s. “Each of them has no less than four donor genes within. That makes twenty-eight fathers for my children and the strongest genetic line that any Bascu has seen in years. Go away.” He looked like he would argue, but her men took one step forward and he scrambled back onto his ship. Her prince of the Bascu had come and gone and she was very happy with her seven companions. **** Six months later… 30

Seven in the Sky Kai grinned at his brother-in-law. Josu looked exhausted. “What have you been up to?” Josu rubbed his hair, “Our wife requires additional genetic material, so we have been working around the clock to provide her with it.” It was code for the fact that Skeeter was hornier than hell. “Well, my son will be here within the week and I was wondering if you and yours would like to come for the naming ceremony.” “Our arrangement will not offend anyone?” “If they do, you have my authorization to punch them. How is Skeeter doing?” Since Hellara was almost due, Kai found that he had an inborn concern for any woman carrying a new life. “She is well, the twins are fine.” That was a shock. Bascu never had twins. After a few more pleasantries, Kai signed off. Giving his brothers-in-law the moon retreat had been a tactical decision. He wanted them near in case another issue came up within his realm, but he wanted them to have enough privacy to enjoy the lives that had been designed for the purpose of war. With Skeeter in their midst, they were going to have a lot of fun and when their daughters arrived, that bundle of Regens would evolve far beyond their original design. Fatherhood would 31

Viola Grace suit them, but Kai thought with a smile, he pitied any male who tried to court one of their Bascu daughters. Their lives were about to go from complacent to fascinating and he couldn’t wait until his son met his new cousins. His poor palace would never be the same.

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About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.