Providence was ready to cry. Her men had made an oath to care for her, they'd rescued her from peril and worshiped her body. She believed they cared but hearing just how deep their emotions went touched her soul.
A dozen sentiments went through her mind. She'd crossed the whole of creation to find not just one but two men that loved her. When all this began she'd questioned and cursed fate. Now she knew what had been awaiting her. It made all that she suffered worth it and far surpassed her wildest dreams. Surely there was a divine hand directing all of this. Providence was so struck by the intensity of it all, she was speechless.
"I love you two." Providence sniffed. It was all she could stammer out.
"Then it is settled we will mate." Madhava grinned wide as he knelt in front of her.
"Where and when?" Dagaa asked happily.
"Here. We should get married up here." Providence beamed giddily.
"I would like that." Dagaa replied looking touched.
This place clearly meant a lot to him. Despite the incident with the metcor, Providence could think of no better place.
"I think this would be a great place. Let's arrange it before the season changes." Madhava suggested.
"We better eat before it gets cold." Dagaa mentioned as he handed her a plate from beside the fire.
They ate and watched the hypnotic flames as the stars twinkled overhead, then retired up in the treehouse for the night. Providence was disappointed her men refused to make love to her after seeing the bruise and scrapes along her side, even though she insisted she was fine. Instead the men stroked her body as they snuggled her from either side and kissed her till she was content. Providence smiled as she drifted into a blissful secure sleep wrapped in the arms of the men she loved.
10 So That Others May Live
Dagaa
"Dammit!" Dagaa snarled as he read the message on his communicator. He couldn't believe their trip was being cut short.
"What is it?" Madhava asked.
"Kagan sent a message. We have to return." Dagaa groused as he sat up and got out of bed.
"Ahh why?" Providence asked as she rolled sleepily in the bed.
"The Agurtzane reported that the Toufik's planet conditions are worse than we feared. Kagan is mounting an emergency rescue mission and needs as many teams as possible to man the star cruisers." Dagaa reported as he began collecting their belongings.
"Oh no." Providence frowned as she got up and started dressing. "We better get back then. Who all is going?"
"I'll be required since I'm one of the primary pilots." Dagaa replied.
He didn't relish the thought of leaving Providence so soon for such a dangerous mission, but he also couldn't bear the thought of the Toufik being decimated. The Cadi owed them much. Honor and his personal commitment demanded he do what he could. Dagaa took comfort that Madhava would be there to care for Providence while he was away, and if anything should happen...
"What's wrong?" Providence asked as she rested her palm against his chest.
"I don't want to leave you. I have no idea what we'll be facing and I might not make it back." Dagaa hesitantly admitted.
He didn't want to frighten Providence, but he couldn't keep her in the dark either.
"Who says you're going alone? This is what I'm trained to do." Providence stated defiantly placing her hands on her hips.
"Providence I have no idea what we are getting into." Dagaa reasoned. "There's no way."
The thought of Providence facing the dangers that likely awaited were enough to give Dagaa heart palpitations. In the last week she'd been threatened by a violent male and nearly torn to pieces by a metcor. That was more than enough to send him reeling. What kind of male would knowingly drag his female to a dying planet?
"Madhava?" Providence looked to his friend for support.
"I have to agree with Dagaa." Madhava replied looking just as disturbed by the prospect as Dagaa.
"Men!" Providence snarled as she stomped out of the treehouse and tromped down the stairs.
Providence was silent, well almost silent, the entire way back home, as she stared out the window, refusing to look at them. Occasionally she would grumble something that sounded rather uncomplimentary. Dagaa didn't like that she was angry with him, but there was no way he'd risk her life. From what they'd learned from Stone, their Toufik brethren, the Toufik planet was a mess. The planet was ripping itself apart with volcanic eruptions and cataclysmic storms. If the Agurtzane reported conditions were worse, then the Goddess only knew what would greet him.
When he landed at the manor, they left their bags in the cottage and headed towards the main house. Providence followed behind Dagaa and Madhava as they walked to the council room. Dagaa was about to protest but the angry look on her face silenced him.