The Fractured World 5 Read online

  “There’s nothing stopping us from going to La Poda,” Akko said. “Then again, it’s not really a planet for land-dwellers… and it’s not like I’ve got anyone waiting for me to return. I bet they haven’t realized I’m missing…”

  And, just like that, an anvil-heavy atmosphere crushed down on the glade.

  It was cleared away by Vay’s laughter. “Then it looks like you’re all coming home with me!” she said as she wrapped an arm around Casella. “Sure, my apartment is a little small at the moment, but just wait until I get the championship I deserve. I’ll have us living in a suite fit for queens!”

  I grinned. “And I’m presuming that championship is in the bag?”

  “Of course! I’m Vay ‘The Indomitable’. That paper champion doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “You're still calling yourself that?” Faris said.

  “We’ve all seen ya in the bedroom, ya know,” Sylvetty added. “There’s nothing ‘indomitable’ about that performance.”

  Vay scoffed. “Just a little roleplay between royalty. Think nothing of it.”

  “We wouldn’t if your winning record outside the bedroom backed up your claims,” Faris replied.

  “Are you disputing my victory again?”

  “That last kill was mine.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I do.”

  “Oh, really?” Vay said as her mouth crept into a grin. “Shall we take this to the arena, little herix?”

  “Hang on a moment,” I said. “How did we get from discussing our future to this?!”

  “My Brandon’s right,” Casella said, pulling on Vay’s arm. “There’s no reason to fight, yes? You’re both ever so strong. Besides, you’re still ‘indomitable’ in my eyes.”

  Vay cooed and rubbed Casella under the jaw. “Sometimes, you are too sweet, little one. You make my heart flutter.”

  “Yeah, Cass is good at that sorta stuff,” Trez said. “If I didn’t like the D so much, she could swing me full lezzer.”

  “Do you always have to be so crass?” Akko said.

  “Says the chick who spends her days writing smut! Don’t think I ain’t seen those stories of yours. They’re fifty percent cliché, fifty perfect: ‘oooo, Randell. Fuck me deeper’.”

  Akko sputtered as her cheeks burned red. “T-t-that’s not true!”

  “I don’t know, they are awfully sex-heavy,” Casella said.

  “Very sex heavy,” Faris, an avid reader, added with a red tint highlighting her own complexion.

  Akko chewed her bottom lip.

  “It’s not like that’s a bad thing, yes?” Casella added. “I mean, they’re ever so entertaining. Whenever I hear one, it makes my face feel all steamy. Sometimes, I can’t help myself and rush off to find Brandon.”

  I grinned. “Yeah, it’s not hard to tell when you’ve just enjoyed ‘story time’.

  Casella tilted her head and fluttered her long lashes. “Was that a complaint, my Brandon?”

  “Of course not,” I said as I leaned down and pecked her lips.

  The kiss started as a cutesy smooch, but, before we knew it, the two of us were indulging in a bit of mouth-on-mouth action.

  “Oi!” Sylvetty said. “Ya cannae just start making out in front of us.”

  I chuckled as I pulled back. “Sorry, it just happened. Besides, I’m not the one who turned our perfectly civil conversation down this alley.”

  What happened to planning for the future?

  “Neither was I!” Akko protested as her eyes deflected the blame.

  “Hey, I didn’t start this either!” Trez complained.

  “But you helped,” Faris said.

  “It’s not my fault! I’m pregnant.”

  “So?”

  Trez scoffed and rolled her eyes. “So… everyone knows being pregnant makes your hormones go crazy. It makes your mind all sex-mad.”

  “But you were already like that,” Casella correctly pointed out.

  “Not to this extent! Being knocked up is like… double horny! You guys have no idea what I’m going through. My nipples… they’re unbelievable! If my outfit brushes them funny, I gotta sit down and wait for my knickers to dry.”

  “There, there,” I said as I rubbed her shoulders from behind.

  She leaned back into my touch. “This is all your fault. I demand compensation.”

  I chuckled. “Do you really?”

  “Totes. Call it standard common decency. You knock her up, you handle her sky-high libido.”

  “Well… I can’t say that’s a policy I disagree with.”

  “Says you!” Akko squeaked. “What about the rest of us? What about our needs?”

  “Aye,” Sylvetty said. “Only offering a hand to preggerz is total discrimination.”

  “Stop being so… babyist,” Trez spat back.

  “Girls, girls, girls,” I said. “There’s no need to fight. Don’t forget who I am. If you’re all looking for some attention, I’m more than happy to deliver.” I glanced at the sky, which had already lost its blue luster. “How about we retire for the evening and celebrate the good news?”

  Trez giggled. “I guess that’s fine with me. Eret’s already given me the clear and everything.” She wiggled her hips. “It’s time to make up for all the banging I’ve been missing out on.”

  ***

  Trez snored as she lounged in our bed furs.

  “So much for that unstoppable libido,” I said as I watched her from the entrance.

  “She has been working hard these last two days,” Akko pointed out.

  “I know.” A girl like Trez didn’t pass out before a scheduled night of action without a good reason.

  It’s just like Eret said.

  She might not be showing, but she’s still pregnant.

  It didn’t mean she was suddenly some useless liability—not by a long shot—but that didn’t mean it was right to expect so much of her.

  “I wish there was more I could to help,” I mumbled.

  “We all feel the same way,” Faris said. “We can only do what we can.”

  “I’m good for heavy lifting, fighting, and the occasional media appearance,” Vay said. “Tech work… not so much.”

  I sighed. “Not too different a list here.”

  That was no excuse. Trez was my mate, and it was my duty to look after her. Even if I couldn’t do much, it was still better than doing nothing.

  Not that she appeared to need much help when it came to catching Z’s. Trez was out like a light.

  I rubbed the back of my neck. “So much for celebrating.”

  Sylvetty grabbed my wrist from behind. “Oi! Ya ain’t thinking of canceling, are ya?”

  Casella gasped. “You are?”

  “Well… yeah.” It was hard to celebrate with Trez down for the count.

  Vay grabbed me from behind. “Oh, no, no, no. I don’t think so, stud. You can’t tease a group of ladies then leave them neglected. I expect better from my king.”

  “Better,” Faris said.

  “Much better,” Akko added.

  I wiggled in Vay’s hold. “But—”

  “No buts!” Vay said as she hoisted me up. “You’re coming with us!” She dragged me back, leaving Trez in peace.

  I tried to break her grip… but Vay was Vay. Even with my ludicrous strength, she wasn’t one to budge.

  Despite my struggles, she got me into the next bedroom along with ease. However, she still didn’t let go. “Come on, girls. Get him.”

  Casella and Faris were quick to remove my bottoms, exposing my hardness.

  “Looks like yer hammer is already ready,” Sylvetty said.

  Vay chuckled into my ear. “What’s this, stud? Is something getting you excited?”

  “I’ve got a harem of beautiful women lusting for my attention, and your breasts rubbing against my back. What do you think?”

  A small strip of fur did little to mask their huge shape.

  “Touché,” Vay said before judo slamming me
into the floor. She pushed a knee down on my middle while her hands pinned my arms in place. “Then I hope you won’t mind if I keep up the rough treatment for a little longer.”

  Before I could answer, her lips devoured mine.

  There was nothing gentle about her kiss. It possessed all of Vay’s usual aggression: more a battle than an act of romance. Yet I didn’t complain. I gave back with the same intensity.

  A surge in my loins put a dent in my armor.

  Casella giggled. “Did you see how much it twitched?”

  “You did lick it, sweetie,” Akko replied.

  “Aye… now gimme a taste,” Sylvetty said.

  I groaned into Vay’s mouth as electric sensations shot through the stiffness hidden from my eyes. There was no way I could witness the delight hiding behind Vay’s body… but it was hard to complain. I could still feel every touch and hear every wet moan.

  The sounds alone could have driven a weaker man wild.

  For a moment, Vay eased up on the assault. “Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself, stud.”

  “Show me a man who wouldn’t,” I replied, breathing hectic.

  She grinned. “Good. Very good! But… it could still be better.” She lifted her leg as she shifted positions. “After all, I’m sure a few greedy mouths can’t compete with your queen’s hot, dripping—”

  I bit down, stifling a moan, as a burst of pleasure coursed through me.

  Vay glanced back. Her expression shifted. “You!”

  “Is there a problem?” Faris said, words heated.

  “You stole my prize!”

  “I didn’t steal anything. Brandon is mine.” She squeaked that final word as she rocked her curvaceous hips.

  My next moan was one I couldn’t stop. Of course I couldn’t. This sort of pleasure wasn’t meant to be kept to oneself.

  Vay, however, didn’t look to be having the time of her life. She was pouting like the sulky princess I knew she could be.

  It was time to change that.

  I yanked her arms, taking advantage of the distraction.

  She yelped as she tripped forward.

  When she came to a stop, her mound was resting over my mouth—just where I wanted it.

  Before she had a chance to complain, I kissed.

  Vay moaned. “Hmph! You… devious stud! If you think—ah—I… I’ll be placated by a trick like this… you’re absolutely right!” She broke free of my hold and grabbed my hair. “Faster, stud. Pamper your queen!”

  Like she needed to tell me what to do. My tongue was eager to hear her squeal.

  And that she did.

  My every kiss, my every stroke, and my every lick caused more sweet sounds to escape from my squirming princess as she rode my mouth.

  Being able to bring her such satisfaction filled me with pleasure, a fine partner to the electricity surging through my body with every rock of Faris’s powerful hips.

  Her own heated breaths were coming fast as she used me as she pleased.

  Used me as we both did.

  “Hmph!” Vay said as she gripped my hair tighter. “Don’t stop. Keep… right there! Just like that!” Her body shook, thighs trembling around my head.

  I’d spent enough time between these powerful legs to know what that meant. However, for once, I was feeling it too. My groans were lost into her body as a molten sensation radiated through my loins, growing stronger by the second.

  Faris didn’t ease up. If anything, her speed increased. Her toned behind bounced off my lap, filling our soundproof chamber with the echo of skin on skin.

  I couldn’t resist; I was going to blow.

  All of a sudden, Vay’s moans hit a crescendo as she pulled me as tight as she could and released.

  It was the last straw. I pushed my hips into Faris and lost all control.

  An overwhelming, mind-whiting sensation washed over me.

  When it was all said and done, I fell back with Vay’s lust stained over my face, filling my senses with her exotic flavor.

  She slumped over my head, breathing heavily. “Stud… you really know how to treat your queen.”

  “No disagreements here,” Faris said, her voice just as slurred.

  I grinned like a goofball. “You know me: always happy to please.”

  Vay smirked back. “Is that so? Well then…” Clumsily, Vay clambered off my face, revealing a sight that got me excited all over again.

  Casella, Akko, and Sylvetty stood side by side by side, naked as the day they were born.

  “Then you’ll please us too, yes?” Casella said.

  My stiffness returned to full mast.

  Sylvetty licked her lips. “I think we’ve got our answer.”

  I tried to move, but Vay was quick to pin my arms down. “What are you ladies waiting for? He’s all yours.”

  With feverish need in their eyes, the trio approached, excitement already marking the inside of my thighs.

  My downstairs throbbed. Something told me I was in for one long night…

  Chapter 6

  A mechanical roar pierced the sky.

  One by one, trees fell to their untimely doom.

  I watched, speechless, as my hands fought to keep the rampaging metal beast still.

  Gradually, the wild bull stopped kicking, plunging the glade back into a silence I wasn’t going to be the one to break.

  That honor fell to Trez.

  “Ha,” she began before losing herself to a mad cackle. “Holy shit! It works! It totally works!”

  “That’s an understatement,” I said, wiping a large chunk of dirt from my cheek. “You almost split the planet in half.” Whether I meant horizontally or vertically was up to her. The drill had more than impressed on both fronts. “It’s hard to believe I only got you that extra battery a few days back.”

  Trez put her hands on her hips and flashed a triumphant smile. “Go on. You can say it. I’m incredible, I know.”

  “More than incredible,” I said as I pulled my mud-splattered lover closer and fed her ego with a lip-smothering embrace. “I’m so lucky having you as a mate.”

  She giggled as she nipped her bottom lip. “You’re not too bad yourself, buster. I doubt this would’ve gone so fast without your help.”

  “I didn’t do anything special. Anyone could have taken my place.” All I’d done was bring supplies, handle the heavy lifting, and occasionally nag like some overprotective father. “This is all you.”

  Trez squirmed on the spot, sizzling red color pumping into her cheeks.

  It was too damn adorable. I couldn’t resist going in for another—

  Faris, Vay, and Demi burst into the clearing, ready for action.

  Trez and I stared at them.

  After their eyes had met ours, and they’d scanned the clearing a few times, the group’s rigid posture started to fade.

  “We… thought we heard a monster,” Faris said.

  “Not quite,” I said, glancing at the brutal trench emerging at least fifty meters from the drill.

  Vay sighed, shoulders slumping. “How disappointing! And it sounded so strong…”

  Trez snickered. “Oh, it is. Wait until you see this baby in action.” She patted the engine. “That door doesn’t stand a chance!”

  It was a claim I was all too happy to second… but I was more interested in showing over telling. However, first we had to get the drill to its target.

  That called for a helping hand from a familiar ally.

  Rocket yipped without a care as she donned a rope harness connected to the same sledge we’d used to transport the metaleater carcasses. The drill fit on nicely, ready to make the long journey to the mysterious hatch.

  I stroked her mane. “You ready to move, girl?”

  She barked.

  “Good,” I said before glancing at the group who’d committed to this trip.

  Rocket’s back being off-limits on top of hours of travel time between Ulium and the door meant we didn’t have a turnout anywhere close to the mass gatheri
ng that had crowded into the glade. The only people committed to making the trek were my mates, Demi and a handful of herixes, and the increasingly reliable Joobee.

  “Alright, everyone. Let’s move out!”

  They responded with an energetic cheer.

  It was a zest I couldn’t see lasting long.

  ***

  “How deep is this fecking hole?!” Sylvetty snapped as she rode one of the many boar mounts—rashins, apparently—we’d brought to help make this adventure bearable.

  “Be patient,” Faris said as she went by foot.

  “Patient? My feet burn, my ass hurts, and my bleeding wings feel like they’re gonna come off!”

  “You should help with the drill; then you can complain about your arms as well.”

  The expedition to the remains of the ji’s base had been a long, tiring, yet simple journey, with not a metaleater in sight. However, it only marked the halfway point of our quest, and the stage where everything got more complicated.

  Traveling across flat grassland was easy enough for Rocket, but she couldn’t transport the drill safely down harsh slopes on her lonesome.

  Fortunately, I’d planned for such an event.

  I huffed and puffed as I shuffled down the curving underground path, holding a rope attached to the sledge.

  Gravity fought to take over, but my bulging arms battled back.

  It wasn’t a confrontation I entered alone. Vay handled a rope of her own while a third, located between us, was rotated between anyone willing to offer a hand.

  “I’m sure we’re almost there,” I said, swallowing any groans as my muscles burned.

  “Are you okay, sweetie?” Akko said as she rode with Trez, who was on strict limited-walking instructions.

  “Fine.” I looked to my side. “How about you, Vay? Holding up?”

  “Of course, stud!” she said, her jovial tune not quite as lively as usual. “We should do this more often.”

  “Yeah… no.” This was one workout I never wanted to repeat no matter how long I lived.

  After what felt like an eternity, the winding rock ramp gave way to an expansive metal carpet.

  Familiar blue lights shone beneath our feet.

  “So this is the fabled underground chamber,” Demi said as she stretched her well-used arms.

  “It feels like forever since I was last here,” Casella remarked while catching her breath.