Kozantei, Fourth Quarter, Andromeda Galaxy.

Amaryah

Mya was heavy, it was as if she had gained a thousand pounds. She tried to move her hands and felt like she was cutting through a great mass of water. Her eyes protested as she tried to open them. She grunted, forcing them open. She jerked back, there was purple stuff all around her. Um... What? She shook her head thinking she was still dreaming. Her brain moved sluggishly, she looked down and saw that she was floating in some kind of tank. Down below a movement caught her eye, tiny metal hands working at her thigh. As she looked down memories came flooding back and she looked on in shock, there was only a long scar bisecting it where before there had been a gaping wound. The tiny hands seemed to be brushing it now, a faint tickle running up her leg at its movements.

She swished her hand down and realized she was in a thick liquid. Her mouth was covered with a mask, and she sucked in a breath. Cool. She could breathe under water... or something like it. She started swishing her hands up and down and kicked her leg, liking the feel of the liquid around her, it slid over her skin.

"Having fun there?" a voice came through the tank. Mya stopped, embarrassed her theatrics had been seen.

"Yavik?" she asked trying to peer through the liquid, but it was too thick.

"Yes..." His voice was cut off by a loud, "-AND NEZERRA!!"

"We're going to drain it now, just relax." said Yavik, his voice soothing. She followed his instruction and let her body droop. She was soon standing in a large cylindrical tank.

She felt like a fish at those aquarium things she'd seen in books on earth. Seeing her friends standing down before her, she made a goofy face and Yavik and Nezerra's grins lit up the room.

Stepping out into the room she shivered when the cool air touched her wet skin. Yavik wrapped a warm, pulsing sheet around her and squeezed her in a hug, Nezerra jumped in, both enveloping her in their arms. Warmth suffused her body and she hugged them back.

"We're so happy you're okay."

Mya smiled at her, "You can't get rid of me that easy."

"Yavik made sure of that, he saved your life!"

Yavik looked down, his fimbriae dancing.

Mya pulled his head down and kissed his cheek, "Thank you bestie." He smiled, fimbriae fluttering fiercely. "I knew you were the best medic on this planet."

His chest puffed out – almost involuntarily - and they laughed.

"I need a shower, this gunk feels sticky!" she felt at her hair which was now clumped together and walked forward, gingerly testing her foot. It felt strong, as if nothing had ever happened.

"How long was I in that tank?" she asked astonished at her leg.

Yavik who'd bent down to ensure it had healed well answered, "Five rotations."

"Five days!" she gasped, leaning on Nezerra for balance, as Yavik lifted her foot to get a closer look "Where's Zogan?"

"He's actually going to be really disappointed he missed you waking up, he's been here every waking moment but had to leave to answer an important comm from our parents." Nezerra stood, slowly rubbing Mya's back, "He'll be back soon."

"Well, I need to look presentable, pretty sure I look like shit." stated Mya, "Can I go to my room and clean up?"

Yavik nodded but added, "You need to let me check on your leg every solar, to make sure all of the healing was done correctly, our machines are not used to human genetics."

Mya nodded, "Dinner later when you finish work?"

Yavik grinned, box teeth fully exposed, "Maybe tomorrow, I don't think Zogan is going to let you out of his sights for a while."

She blushed.

Nezerra and Mya walked hand in hand through the hallways of the palace. They were just as beautiful as when they'd left. Mya still couldn't believe she'd come so close to never seeing them again. She was grateful for life, for whatever had brought her to this new world and led her to these incredible friends and family. Her heart felt full. She smiled at Nezerra and rested her head on her arm as they walked.

"You need to get mated already; I think we've waited long enough." said Nezerra.

Mya agreed, she'd almost died, no time like the present to get things done.

"Will you plan it for me? I have no idea what needs to be done."

Nezerra's gaze flicked down to her, "You are my sister already do you know this?"

Mya put her arm around her waist and squeezed, "And you are mine."

"Family always plans the mating, the female chooses who she wishes to carry out the task, I would be honored to do it for you."

"Nothing too crazy though." Mya cautioned, but Nezerra's mouth just tugged into a close-mouthed smile. She said, "No promises for the after celebration."

Mya just shook her head.

Nezerra tried to hide her teeth that were beginning to escape her close-lipped smile... too late. "All will be organized before the next rotation's sunset. I know Zogan will be in agreement."

In her room Mya sank to her knees and endured the rough licks and nudges from Artemisia who mewled like an overgrown baby.

"I know, I know, I missed you too." Mya cooed as she scratched under her jaw.

She trailed Mya into the cleansing room and plopped down next to the bathing area when Mya stepped in.

Choosing her favorite soaps, she lathered her skin and shampooed her hair thoroughly. She smelled of Groot Groot when she was finished, her mate's favorite fragrance. She choose a long peach colored dress. Its material was shiny and light, it slithered across her skin when she moved. It was held up by thin straps that crisscrossed before her throat, a low back that exposed her nicely. Formfitting around her breasts but flaring out slightly from her waist, a long slit ended mid-thigh exposing her newly acquired scar. The dress swept the floor.

She was feeling luxurious tonight, and besides, she wanted Zogan to see her looking her best. Adding oils to her hair and a conditioning fruit cream she styled it into small twists. They cascaded down her back when she was done, but she swept them up into a complicated twist of coils, pinning them into place at the crown of her head - exposing her neck and shoulders. She slipped her ring onto her finger. It winked up at her.

She was about to leave her room when the doors chimed and swiped open. Zogan stood before her, dressed in his black commander's uniform. He looked formidable, strapping, standing in the doorway; and best of all he was all hers. His eyes roamed over her and settled on her face. She looked up at him and a slow smile spread across her tanned face.

He moved forward swiftly and lifted her off the floor, she wrapped her legs around him, and her arms encircled his neck. She had no time for words as his lips found hers. It was a deep scorching kiss, no gentleness, a kiss that conveyed every emotion that he had felt at her near death. Fear. Anger. Lost. Mya sighed running her hand over his hair and neck repeatedly. She felt the wall come up behind her and Zogan's kisses trailed down her neck, one strap of her dress fell, and her breast was exposed, and he took it into his mouth. Teasing it until her nipples were peaks. His lips found hers again.

"I need you, now." She whispered the words against his mouth. He held her against the wall, undid his pants, sprung free and moved into her in one smooth motion.

It was all passion.

He took her hard against the wall and it ended with his name screamed from her lips as she lost herself to the pleasure rushing through her and with him whispering her name over and over like a prayer.

Mya woke up the next morning with Zogan wrapped around her. He shifted when she opened her eyes, "Were you staring at me again?"

Zogan chuckled, "Yes, and I plan to do it for all of eternity."

Mya smiled, "We're going to be mated today."

When no response came, she twisted in his embrace to look up at him, "Babe?"

"Mya, I'm sorry..." he began, and she stiffened, "I should never have put you in harm's way, I could never forgive myself for what almost happened to you."

Mya rolled her eyes, "And how would you have stopped me... since I made the decision, an informed one mind you, to go and retrieve the weapon."

"I don't know, pulled rank, maybe even use my status as regent." he replied, face serious, eyes glowing in the low lighting of the room. Heavy drapes around the room filtered the rising Suns' rays.

"Let us get something straight, Zogan." Mya sat up, pulling the covers around her, "You cannot control me and you for damned sure you cannot pull rank on me – your equal."

Zogan's gaze shuttered, "I didn't mean it like that, you know I would never do such a thing under normal circumstances but Mya, you almost died, what would I have done if you-if you-"

"I know what you meant, but a relationship is just that, there is no ownership, you either respect me enough to allow me to make my own decisions or you don't, but one of those options will not lead to us mating." she climbed off the bed.

"Mya, I am just scared, I cannot fathom a world, a universe without you in it... am I wrong for wanting to protect you?"

"You're wrong if you plan to undermine my decisions and my right to choose." Her hands were on her hips, "We did something great, we were successful, so many lives were saved by our actions... and you are filled with gloom and doom? Really?"

"We should have found another way, I find myself feeling very selfish when it comes to sharing you with anyone, even those of my world."

He sprang out of bed and started putting on his clothing.

"Zogan I'm fine, we have the Tyrhung, that's all that matters."

"You're wrong, you didn't feel what I felt Mya, you don't understand!"

I do know. She thought, realizing that she hadn't told him about her mother. She'd held the story close to her heart for so long.

Zogan looked at her, interpreting her silence as indifference and stalked angrily from the room.

She watched him leave.

"Okay so the ceremony is to take place in the secret grove within the sacred forest." said Ma 'Loupe, her guide was bubbling with excitement and had been prepping her on the subtle intricacies of the ceremony all morning.

"Why can't I see where it's happening again?" Mya asked.

Ma 'loupe laughed as if the suggestion were preposterous and waved her hand, "Come now! The female should not be stressed about such things!"

Mya sighed; she'd tried to find Zogan since their early morning argument but he'd been MIA. She wanted to resolve this squabble because, well – who the hell argued right before their mating ceremony?

She looked up and saw Mara coming towards her, her steps quick and sure, she hoped it was to rescue her from the excited chattering of Ma 'Loupe.

"Amaryah has to go now, she has to prepare for the ceremony." shouted Mara, speaking as if Ma 'Loupe were hard of hearing and cutting her off midsentence.

Mya smiled at Ma 'Loupe trying to convey regret that she had to leave. She loved Ma 'loupe's spirit but wow, she could talk a lot and got overly excited about anything that she lectured on. Which was practically everything.

"Thanks for rescuing me." Mya began, stalking up the grassy incline from the garden to the palace.

Mara's mouth twitched into a smile, it more resembled a grimace, "I know how she can be."

"Soooooo... question." began Mya, Mara turned an exasperated look on her at her tone, "Why'd you shoot Freharh when she was threatening me?"

Mara lowered her brow bone, "Because she talks too much."

"Not because you were protecting me?" said Mya blinking up at her, fluttering her eyelashes.

"What's wrong with your eyes?" she wrinkled her forehead as she studied Mya, "and yes - maybe it had something to do with that too."

"Awwwwwwww, Mara!!!" Mya exclaimed as she clapped her hands together.

Mara's tongue shot out in surprise, eyes widening to take in her actions. "I take it back; it was just to shut her up."

Mya shook her head, "Too late!!" she hugged Mara tightly as they walked through the halls, a snort escaping the warrior trainer as she looked down at Mya who crowed, "We're sistersssss!"

"I should've known to keep such things to myself." she said pushing Mya away, but doing so gently, "I regret this decision already."

Mya laughed, she was being led to her rooms, which were no doubt packed with the Queen, Nezerra and other kozan who would polish and pluck her to perfection for her ceremony later.

"You may begin your flying training whenever you wish, by the way." Mara ventured, "You are more than capable."

Mya sucked in her cheeks to hide her smile, but Mara snorted again not at all convinced by her attempt at nonchalance.

They turned a corner and entered the whirlwind that was Mya's room. Females moving back and forth, shouting out jokes to each other. The queen spotted her entrance and grinned, all of her fangs exposed, "Daughter!! Let us begin!"

Mya groaned and Mara shot her a sympathetic look.