Chapter 6.

Finn woke when long arms slid beneath him. Feeling disoriented, and barely awake, he was tucked against a male Nyacta's chest and carried down the familiar corridor lined with lights.

This time, the door revealed at the end of the tunnel was diamond shaped, and a glossed midnight blue, with gold handles.

The doors opened and a female, with turquoise hair falling in waves to her slim waist, and creamy yellow skin stood in the doorway.

"Finally!" She snapped and stretched her arms out towards the Nyacta. She seemed young, barely older than Finn himself, but much taller.

The Nyacta carefully deposited Finn into her arms and glowing eyes frowned down at him, from a lovely oval face.

"But it doesn't have any ears or fur! My brother asked for an Ytra." She stared imperiously up at the blue alien.

The Nyacta bowed lightly.

"Lord Ferrer chose this Human, along with two Ytra."

The young alien arched a turquoise brow and glanced down at Finn.

"I see. Good day." She promptly shut the door in the Nyacta's face and turned away. 

They stood in a large hall in dark blue stone, gold lanterns hung from the ceiling, and incense burners perfumed the air with a lightly spiced scent.

The female cradled Finn and examined him with a frown.

"Why would anyone want a smooth pet?" She grumbled and ran her long fingers over his abdomen. Finn felt a blush start to burn his cheeks and wiggled slightly.

"I think I can walk on my own." He said softly, unsure of the temperament of this young alien.

She stared at him, glowing eyes widening a fraction.

"You don't like me holding you?" She demanded sharply, slender arms tightening.

Finn looked down, unsure if staring was considered aggressive in this case, and shrugged.

"Well I want to hold you! So there! Even if you are hairless." Her fingers swept under his arms and Finn chuckled before he could stop himself.

"Does that tickle?" She did it again and Finn laughed outright.

She watched him with a small smile and started tickling in earnest. Finn writhed in her grip and, just as his recovering body was starting to ache, a sharp voice rung out.

"Acitu!"

The female stilled and turned towards another alien who could be her twin. He had the same turquoise hair, braided to his waist, and luminous eyes. The only distinction that this one was male, was the slight widening in his shoulders and deeper voice.

His straight nose wrinkled as he looked at Finn.

"What is that?" He demanded.

Acitu sniffed and tossed her long hair over her shoulder.

"It's a Human, of course. Haven't you read up on multi-galactic species yet?" She spoke haughtily and curled one of Finn's light brown locks around her finger.

The young male narrowed his eyes at her.

"I bet you only just discovered this species yourself. Where's my Ytra? Father said they'd be here by now." The male snapped.

Acitu shrugged, attention on Finn, as she traced his fingers.

"I don't know. Go bother someone else, Iadin." She said absently.

Iadin glared at her and cast another disdainful look at Finn.

"How can you even touch that? It's ruddy and bald!" The young male sneered and Finn flushed with shame.

"You're absolutely right!" Acitu said, but her eyes didn't stray from the Human. "It's completely disgusting. I'll take it off your hands." She hefted Finn up against her shoulder and he was forced to wrap his arms around her long throat.

Acitu marched smartly away on gold sandaled feet and Finn peered past her fall of shimmering hair. His eyes met Iadin's and the young male was frowning.

"Wait!" Iadin barked, but Acitu kept moving as if she hadn't heard.

Iadin scowled and strode after her on bare feet, gold painting each of his nails.

He zeroed in on his sister and grabbed her shoulder.

"Let me see it!" Iadin demanded and Acitu glared at him.

"You don't want it!" She countered fiercely and clutched Finn close. "It's bald and ugly, so just wait for the Ytra."

Iadin's eyes narrowed to burning slits.

"All orders arriving this day are addressed to me. You had your chance and you chose an experience instead of possessions." He hissed.

Acitu sneered back at him and dropped Finn to the ground. The Human yelped and sprawled at their feet. The action was completely unexpected and his knees and hands stung from the impact.

"I don't care about your useless pets! I'm going to Malovana and I'll be taught the sacred star ritual of the Zithan goddesses." Acitu said proudly.

Iadin scoffed and folded his gold cuffed arms.

"You'll sit and drink tea with a bunch of monks, while they ring a gong twenty times a day, for four weeks. Then you'll tumble around a lake and be covered in fish smelling clay. Remember to wash in Zova, before you return!" Iadin smirked viciously.

Acitu's mouth worked in outrage, as she stared at her brother.

"Have fun with your ugly pink lump!" She finally screeched and stormed out of the room in a swish of white skirts.

The young male's smirk darkened into a frown as he looked down at Finn. The Human had gotten to his feet and now watched the floor awkwardly. He only just reached the middle of Iadin's rib cage and he thought he counted more ribs on the alien than a Human possessed.

Iadin groaned, running a hand through his glossy hair, and a few strands slid free of the braid.

"Come here!" The young alien demanded and held out his arms.

Feeling ridiculous, Finn stepped forward and looked doubtfully up at the taller male. Was he expected to climb him like a tree?

Iadin huffed and stooped to sweep Finn into his arms.

Finn braced his hands against the young alien's arms and stared up at him, feeling more absurd by the second.

Iadin frowned and ran his hands over Finn, the way his sister had done.

"You really are completely hairless." The alien muttered sourly. His long fingers ran up Finn's neck and into his hair. "Except for this." Gold painted fingertips swept over his scalp and Finn felt his eyes begin to droop. He really loved having his hair played with. 

Iadin kept stroking and watched him with those glowing eyes.

Finn's head began to loll and the taller boy swept a hand down his buttocks and leg.

"I'm not sure I like you." Iadin finally spoke, eyes flicking back and forth across Finn's body. "I wanted something soft and regal. You're nothing of the kind." His eyes flicked back to Finn's, as if daring him to protest.

The Human watched him a little warily and said nothing.

"Not much of a talker are you?" Iadin shrugged and sat on a dark blue chaise. Finn ended up pressed against Iadin's chest and his hand inadvertently braced against one gold pierced nipple.

He hurriedly lifted his hand and felt a blush scorch through his cheeks.

Iadin snorted lightly and ran his fingers through Finn's curls.

"Are you shy?" The alien mused and sprawled back against the couch, until Finn straddled him. He ended up pressed intimately against the alien's white swathed crotch and he could feel several piercings poking against his thigh.

He drew in a sharp breath and struggled to shift away.

Iadin laughed and cupped Finn's waist, dragging him up that creamy chest until his head rested in the curve of the alien's neck. With his crotch more safely situated on Iadin's flat belly Finn was able to relax and close his eyes against the sensation of curious fingers running down his spine.

"I see our Human has recovered from his ordeal." A familiar voice drawled and Finn glanced up at lord Ferrer.

The adult alien was several heads taller than his son and in his home he wore only a pale blue fabric wrapped around his hips and shoulder. Gems glittered at his nipples and his long, slim feet were elegantly clad in gold sandals similar to his daughters.

In his arms Noni wriggled and his blue gaze was trained on Finn.

"My Ytra!" Iadin sat up swiftly, one hand absently holding Finn against him. "What do you mean ordeal?"

Lord Ferrer held Noni effortlessly against him and perched upon the chaise. He scratched the feline's ear absently as he considered Finn and his son.

"The second Ytra you've received proved aggressive. I'm afraid he put the Human in his place quite thoroughly." Lord Ferrer explained.

"In his place?" Iadin tipped up Finn's chin and stared into his eyes. "He doesn't seem the violent sort."

Ferrir chuckled and adjusted Noni firmer in his lap. The feline's tail was starting to swish with agitation and he stared anxiously at Finn.

"It seemed it was a hierarchical misunderstanding. The little Human was dominated." Ferrer said meaningfully.

Iadin's brow smoothed with understanding. He ran his hand down the Human's back and cupped his buttock.

"Are you still sore?" The young alien inquired bluntly and Finn thought he might die of shame. Father and son were both waiting for an answer and Finn had to clear his throat several times.

"I'm better." He finally whispered and averted his gaze from those glowing stares.

"Excellent." The lord commented and looked wryly down at the boy struggling in his arms.

"This Ytra is eager to greet his Human. I'm going to release him." He warned and Noni released a triumphant yowl, black ears perking.

Iadin watched them sourly.

"They're a bonded pair?" The young alien asked.

"Perhaps. Brace yourself." His father answered and released Noni. The feline launched himself at Finn and scurried up Iadin's chest to wrap the Human in his arms.

Finn received several mouthfuls of glossy black hair as Noni rubbed their faces together over and over. 

"I'm so sorry!" The feline whispered fervently. "I never meant for you to get hurt. I'm so sorry!" Noni's tail wrapped snugly around Finn's waist and every inch of the feline's body pressed silkily against him.

Finn felt a wave of emotion burst through him at the loving contact and suddenly he was crying. Choking hiccups as he clutched his arms around those slender shoulders.

Noni drew back and watched him with heartfelt dismay.

"Oh Finn." The feline whispered softly and rained kisses on Finn's tear stained face, carting his slim fingers through the Human's curls.

"It would seem," Finn vaguely heard a dry voice above him say, "they're bonded."

"Not necessarily." The lord countered. "The Ytra are passionate creatures. They can show such affection for a family member, or a friend, as well as a lover."

Noni purred deeply and tugged Finn's head beneath his delicate chin so the Human's nose was pressed against the smaller boy's sharp collarbones. Finn closed his eyes and drowned out all other sounds, apart from Noni's rumbling purr. 

His heart felt fragile and fluttering, as if the feline cupped it in his clawed hands.

A muffled voice sounded and Noni's purr abruptly cut off, slim arms tightening vice-like around Finn, and his tail started swishing dangerously.

"Don't separate them just yet. Give them a little time recuperate." The lord advised.

"But they're my pets! They should be paying attention to me, not each other!" Iadin whined and tugged at Noni's shoulder.

The feline yowled and dug his claws into Finn's skin, making the Human gasp with pain.

"Foolish boy! You don't tear an Ytra away in this state. Place them in your room until they're ready to separate." Ferrer barked and the young alien huffed.

"Fine! Where is my second Ytra?" Iadin cradled Noni and Finn roughly as he stood.

"It is in the spare room on the third floor. He will be difficult to tame." The lord's voice was laced with humor and something like a challenge.

Pressed between Noni's thundering heart and the young alien's warm chest, Finn felt the son square his shoulders.

"I'll see to him straight away!" Iadin announced and bounded swiftly up the stairs.

"I left a manual on Ytra in your room!" The lord called his voice heavy with amusement.

Iadin gave no reply as he kicked a door open and dropped Noni and Finn onto a nest of blankets.

Noni was growling, claws still digging into Finn's skin and body pressed tight against him.

"Oh calm down!" Iadin snapped and slammed the door shut.

For a while they lay in silence. Finn blinked his tear-stained eyes and kept perfectly still in Noni's lethal embrace. The feline's body looked fragile - but the promising strength in those slender limbs warned Finn not to struggle.

Gradually Noni's growl quieted and his claws softened, then released.

"Did I hurt you?" Noni whispered against Finn's temple and kissed his skin.

The Human's arms stung from the feline's claws, but Finn carefully shook his head.

Noni's fingers smoothed down Finn's back and his purr sounded again.

"I can feel my mind clearing." Noni whispered. "It's only been a few days out of Keafule, but I already feel more like my old self." He rubbed his face against Finn's cheek.

"I missed you so much! I was so worried about you! So hurt..." Noni's hand cupped Finn's jaw and tilted his head up. 

The feline watched him through sooty lashes - and the look was like nothing Finn was accustomed to seeing on Noni's dainty face.

"Do you still like me?" Noni asked in a soft voice.

Finn stared into those clear water eyes with the slit grey pupils and felt his breathing constrict and his chest warm. Slowly, he nodded.

Noni smiled softly, pink mouth curving to reveal a hint of fang.

"Do you know what I felt when I saw what Liler had done to you?" The feline whispered.

Finn licked his suddenly dry lips.

"No." He whispered, eyes stinging again from the reminder.

Noni's warm hand ran up Finn's side and down again, fingers massaging gently.

"I felt guilty," Noni murmured, "guilty that you paid the price for my moping. Devastated that you were hurting, but a small part of me," his leg folded over Finn's buttocks and pulled him closer, until their pelvises touched, "was jealous that he got you first."

Finn's mouth fell open in shock and Noni's lips crushed down on his.

A/N: Please like and comment, if you're enjoying this story ^^