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“It’s because I’m worried about you.” “I… We will stop.” “Thank fuck,” Cole said from somewhere behind Ivy.
Ella would have still died. I’m glad you woke me, Ivy, Ella had said. I’m glad I got to see something so amazing before the end. I get…I get to be one of eight humans in the whole universe to have met the vrix.
Ahnset’s huge body shuddered violently, and she closed her eyes. That strength and determination was still in there somewhere, Ivy knew it, but none of it showed anymore. “You will always have a place with us, Ahnset,” Ivy said gently. Slowly, carefully, Ahnset bent down to lean her headcrest against Ivy’s head. “Thank you, little sister.”
She smiled to herself. Her mate. Her lover. Her very own sexy, insatiable spider man.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. At least when that woman had been cruel and vindictive to begin with.
“I am happy. I am full of pride. I am full of love. For Ivy Foster is my mate, and no one on any world can claim such fortune.”
Ketahn’s eyes widened. “No. No, you will stay with me, Ivy.” Ivy tilted her head and raised her brows. “You want the other males to see me naked?” His mandibles fell and drew together. With a growl, he placed his hands on her shoulders, spun her toward Ahnset, and pushed her forward. “Keep them safe, broodsister.”
“Say that scars were pain. She should not look upon them with shame. She does not have to feel pride, but when she sees them, she should take pride in herself. Because she survived whatever left them. Because she, like each of you, is strong.”
“We could have landed on some ice planet. Least the weather is nice enough here for skinny dipping.”
“The nausea, the spotting, the pelvic pain, the swelling in your belly, and tender breasts are…are signs of pregnancy, Ivy.”
“I weave my word into a bond, my nyleea. Nothing in this world shall harm you or our broodling. You are the heart that beats outside my chest.”
“I did not truly mean for you to swim, human,” Ketahn rasped. The human laughed, though it was weak. “A week ago... I swore you wanted to...kill me.” “We are tribe. Touch my Ivy, I kill.”
In that moment, Ivy felt more like she was part of a family than ever before, and she knew it was not only her bond with Ketahn that would last forever. This was her tribe, these were her people. And she would fight for them.
PERIODT
“No, Ketahn. You did not hurt it. My body is strong and is protecting the baby, and it was made for, well…this.” She grinned and wiggled upon his cock. “It can take a little pounding.”
“I think I might puke.” Ketahn tensed. “Do not do so upon me, human.”
But she had demanded a conqueror. “Beg me, Ivy,” he rasped, letting his breath flow over her sex again. “Beg me for pleasure.”
Something wet touched his hide and dripped down his back. Ivy sniffled, wracked by a shudder. He tightened his hold on her, moving a hand to her hair to comb his claws through it slowly. “Ah, my nyleea. No more fear. No more sadness.” “Promise you won’t let her take you from me,” she rasped. The fury he’d carried for so long sparked deep in his chest. The queen truly had left nothing untainted. “She will not take me,” he rumbled. “When next I encounter Zurvashi, she will meet her end. I weave my words into a bond, my heartsthread.”
We are as one. The other humans repeated the words in vrix as they left their marks, some more stumblingly than others, but each also spoke English words to him—words of encouragement, of belief. “Kill that bitch so we can relax a little, dude,” Cole said.
“You are mine.” She dipped a hand into the paint and pressed it over his hearts, which thumped harder beneath her touch. “Hearts.” She moved her hand down, placing it just over his slit and making his claspers stir. “Body.” Now she coated both hands in paint and lifted them, cupping each side of his face. “Spirit. You and I are as one, Ketahn.”
“You will come back to me,” she said firmly. “I will, my heartsthread. You have my word. My vow. My promise. For you, I would stand alone against the Eight. I would find a way to cross the blackness between the stars. Nothing will keep me from you.”
As she walked off, Ivy glanced back over her shoulder. Her eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, met Ketahn’s again. As clearly as though she’d spoken aloud, he heard the message in her gaze. I love you. Get back to me.
“Nalaki, lead your beasts home,” Zurvashi said without looking away from Ketahn. “You have no part in this.” “And you have no place here,” Nalaki replied. “If you do not wish for war, return to your dark, damp hole.”
She doesn’t get to win. Not ever again.
Sighing, Ivy lifted her eyes and frowned at the little stone memorial before her. Urkot had helped make the carvings, Cole had added some woodwork, and Ahmya and a few of the others made sure there were always flowers of all colors bunched around it. In Memory of Ella Lewis. May your dream be forever peaceful.
Ivy chuckled. “I also never thought my dream lover would be an arachnotaur.” “Vrix.” She grinned. “A sexy spider man.” “Female…”
