The Nanny and the Alien Warrior by Honey Phillips

Epilogue

One year later…

Craxan strolledthrough the dark gardens of the compound. He liked doing this last check at night, liked knowing that everything was secure. A patrolling guard nodded respectfully and continued on his way, his eyes alert. The training program for the guards was coming along well, and he found a great deal of satisfaction in the job, although more and more of his time was occupied with managing the affairs of House Sodan.

The Tribunal had granted them legal guardianship of Sultavi and he was determined that her legacy would be preserved. Fortunately, he and Joanna divided the duties between them so they still had plenty of time with their family.

As he passed the kitchens, he could hear Rissta scolding an unfortunate assistant. From the tone of her voice, he could tell she liked the young male, but he doubted the male would believe that. Everyone had been shocked when Rissta announced that she was coming with them to take over the compound kitchens. He had ventured to suggest that they would be happy for her just to live with them.

She had smacked his shoulder, a surprisingly strong blow, and laughed. “You don’t want that. If I’m not cooking, I get a little grouchy.”

Now she ruled over the kitchens with an iron hand and seemed extremely satisfied. Merios had accepted her decision with a casual shrug, but given his frequent visits, Craxan suspected he missed the old woman. He was due to arrive tomorrow, along with the rest of the crew, including Yengik. The young male had somewhat surprisingly decided to remain on the ship, although he had worked out an agreement with Merios and was also developing a line of mechanical toys. Rafalo and Alicia were coming as well, and Tavi was eagerly anticipating a new dress from Auntie Alicia.

Pots clattered inside the kitchen, and he ducked his head through the door to find Rissta glaring at her assistant as he stacked dishes with a trembling hand.

“You are up late, Rissta.”

“Mating feasts don’t cook themselves,” she said tartly.

“You are supposed to be a guest,” he reminded her, but she only shrugged.

“So I’m both. Now let me get back to work.”

He accepted the inevitable and withdrew. Suzanna had finally consented to accept Jed as her mate, and they were having a ceremony the following day. Craxan had watched in bemusement as Jed had wooed her slowly and patiently over the past year. Thank Granthar his own mating had been accomplished in far less time.

Thinking of his mate made him hurry down the path and into the family quarters. He found Joanna in their bedroom, reading in the soft light. Their son Vani was asleep at her breast. He still couldn’t believe that he had both a daughter and a son. They had named him after Vanha, and the night he was born, Craxan had lifted a silent toast to his friend and mentor, sure that somewhere he was smiling.

As he drew closer to the bed, he could see Tavi curled up asleep on Joanna’s other side.

“I see you have company,” he said softly as he crossed to her side.

She looked up and smiled at him, beautiful in the lamplight. Her pregnancy had been difficult for her, and there would be no more children, but she was once more healthy and glowing. Very healthy, he thought appreciatively as his gaze traveled down over the lush breasts she had uncovered to feed their son.

“Tavi had a nightmare,” she said, immediately diverting his attention.

“Is she all right?” They had occurred several times after they returned to the compound, but it had been months since the last time, and he had hoped that they had finally ceased.

“She is now. Rouvi was here today, bringing ale for the mating feast, and I think it reminded her of when we were hiding.” Her face softened. “Waiting for you to come and save us.”

“I think the two of you are the ones who saved me.”

It was a familiar argument, and she only shook her head, her eyes warm.

“Why don’t you carry her back to bed? I’ll see if I can get Vani back in his crib without waking him.” He followed her gaze and saw that their son was still latched onto her nipple. He seemed to be asleep, but Craxan knew from experience that he didn’t like being removed from that position. He couldn’t blame his son; he was very fond of his mate’s nipples as well.

His tail curved around her other breast at the thought, gently circling the taut peak, and he heard her breath catch.

“Tavi, bed. Vani, crib,” she whispered. “Then it’s our turn.”

He pressed a quick kiss to his mouth, then picked up his sleeping daughter. Once they moved in, they had rearranged the rooms and her bedroom, while still grand, was only a short distance from theirs.

As he put her into her bed, her eyes opened.

“Papa.”

“Hello, princess.”

“I had a bad dream.”

“I know. Mama told me. Do you want to talk about it?”

She shook her head vehemently, dark purple locks flying. “No. But will you stay with me for a while?”

His mate was waiting, but his daughter needed him. He sat down next to her and she snuggled closer.

“Tell me about how you found us.”

It was her favorite story, retold so many times that it bore little resemblance to the actual events, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was the fundamental truth - he had found them and claimed them as his.

“It was a dark and stormy night,” he began.

By the time Tavi was asleep and he returned to their bedroom, the room was dark and quiet. He undressed and slid quietly into bed. As much as he wanted to wake his mate, she needed her sleep.

“You were gone a long time,” she murmured.

“Tavi wanted me to tell her our story.” He drew her into the curve of his body, his tail settling over her stomach. “She never gets tired of it.”

“Neither do I.” She began stroking his tail, lightly scratching her blunt little nails along the sensitive length, and he shuddered.

“You know what that does to me,” he warned.

“Of course. Why do you think I’m doing it?” She gave a teasing wiggle, the soft curves of her ass caressing his already rigid erection.

“You are not too tired?”

“Tired of waiting for you to take a hint. Is this better?”

She twisted around in his arms, and then the sweet warmth of her mouth closed over his cock and he lost the ability to speak. Fortunately, he did not lose the ability to move and his tail dipped between her legs, finding her already wet and ready for him. He pulled away from her mouth, despite her murmured protest, and placed his cock at her entrance. He pressed slowly against the tight opening until she gave that soft gasp he loved so much and flowered open around him.

Usually, he left a light on so that he could appreciate her lush beauty, but tonight the surrounding darkness let him concentrate on the other details of their joining. The way her breath hitched as he slid deeper into her silky cunt. The way her scent increased, making his head swim. The way her breasts pressed against his chest, the hard peaks damp with milk. The way her skin tasted as he buried his head in her neck.

They rocked together in the darkness, a long, slow slide into pleasure until she shivered and her channel fluttered wildly around him, and he could no longer resist the urgings of his body. His hips jerked forward, burying his cock deep inside as his knot expanded, locking them together.

Her legs and arms wrapped around him, holding him just as tightly, and she sighed happily.

“Have I ever told you how much I love it when we’re together like this?”

“You do seem to enjoy it,” he agreed. “But then you seem to enjoy all of the bases.”

She laughed, and the vibration made his cock jerk.

“I do, because we’re reaching them together.” Her lips brushed against his cheek as they had done the first night they met, and then her breathing deepened as she drifted off to sleep.

How well he remembered that day. He had been so empty—and now he was overflowing. He had a mate, a family, friends, more happiness than he had ever dared to hope for.

He held his mate as she slept and smiled into the darkness.