Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday Teaser

**TUESDAY TEASER - BOUND BY LOVE  rest of Chapter 4**

Time for more Harvest Young! This has not been beta read or edited.

A unit hour had passed, and there was no trace of Hamza. He’d taken a quick shower and changed clothes. Neo paced. That expression in Hamza’s eyes when Keyno pledged to him worried Neo. The absolute loathing wasn’t something he was accustomed to seeing. 

Needing something to do, Neo opened the door to Jolak’s suite. Jolak still napped, so he shut it quietly. His stomach rumbled, so Neo wandered to the cramped kitchen area and ordered food. Standing at the modest dining table, he absently ate. Had Hamza eaten? He wished Hamza was here so he could ask, dammit.

There were a number of things he wanted to ask… like what was going above ground? There was so much damage, so many injuries, and his skills were needed, but he was, doing nothing. Okay, he was here because Hamza asked him to be, so he was doing something, but…. Hell, he didn’t know how Dayo and Szin or their young were. How were Raiden, Takeo, Ti, and Colt handling this? What of Dale and Chad? Or, shit, Kia and Laken? Outside of what Keyno had told them, Neo knew nothing. He hadn’t even seen his own dabba and dad.

He finished eating and collapsed on the couch. “Fuck,” he muttered to himself. “What am I doing? This isn’t about me. I didn’t lose my dabba. My whole life wasn’t just upended. I didn’t just become king because my dabba was murdered in cold blood.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, regretting that moment of selfishness. But dammit, someone could’ve at least commed him.

He barely finished that thought when a low tone echoed throughout the area. Elated that maybe he’d be told something finally, Neo jumped up, rushed to the door, and stabbed the wall plate granting permission for entrance. It slid open, and Neo’s breath caught. Low lighting from the hallway illuminated auburn hair threaded through with gray now and soft, big blue eyes bracketed by crow’s feet.

“Dad!” Relief flooded Neo. “Oh gods, dad!”

John wrapped his arms around Neo’s waist and hugged him. “My….” John’s voice broke. “My young.”

John hugged him as hard as he could, making Neo grunt. He closed his eyes, taking a moment to just… let go. His damn eyes started doing that burning thing again, and dammit, he was about to lose it there in front of the guards.

“Neo?” John rubbed his palms up and down Neo’s back. “I’m sorry. I wanted to be here sooner, but I also wanted to find—”

“Your dad’s turning red in the face, my friend. You, ah, might want to loosen your grip a bit.”

“Laken!” Neo gasped, opening his eyes. Giving his dad one last hug, he let go and reached for Laken. “How did I miss you standing there?” He demanded, pulling Laken into his embrace.

“I honestly have no idea. It’s not like you can’t hear when I’m around.” Laken smirked, the bells chiming sweetly in his hair as Neo lifted Laken off his feet.

“I am so glad to see you,” Neo whispered as he lowered Laken back to his feet. Neo’s heart yearned for Hamza, but if his mate couldn’t be here, then Laken was the next best thing. He truly was Neo’s best friend. More chimes caught his attention, and Neo glanced past Laken. Kia stood next to John. “Hey, Kai. Sorry, I seemed to have missed you too. I’m glad you’re here, though.”

“We came as fast as we could.” Kia glanced at the guards. “Shall we go inside?”

“Huh? Oh, sure. Okay.” Blushing, Neo squeezed Laken once more then ended the hug. “Sorry, I’m a little scattered.” Neo waved his hand, and the entrance reopened. “Please, come inside. Would anybody like a drink?”

“No thanks. We’ve all eaten,” John replied, perching on the couch. Kia sat next to him. Neo grabbed two of the kitchen chairs and carried them to the living area.

Laken settled onto one. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” Neo waved the question away. “Have either of you heard anything? Dad? Is dabba okay?”

“He is, I promise,” John said. “Things are in chaos, but we’re all okay.”

“More like controlled chaos,” Laken added. “There isn’t as much panic now, and a plan has been implemented.”

“I’ve been told there’s an emergency command center—I guess you’d call it—set up below ground for now. Szin and Dayo, along with Raiden and Takeo, are still in the temporary birthing suite,” John said. “They’ve been informed about what occurred. They asked about you and Hamza.”

“I’ll try to go see them as soon as I can.” Neo rolled his neck, trying to make it pop. Maybe then the tension would ease. Hoping up, he started pacing. His skin was too tight and, and….. “Gods. I want this day to be over.”

John tilted his head as he stared at Neo. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Okay, no. I’m not fine.” Neo collapsed into the other chair. That tilt of the head got him every time. He rested his elbows on his knees and buried his head in his hands. “Nothing is fine. Hamza lost his dabba. He’s grieving and pissed beyond anything I’ve ever seen, and he’s worried about Jolak, and… and now he’s king, and he has to deal with the fallout from these multiple attacks, holy shit, dad, the things I saw on the way here were the stuff of nightmares, and I have no idea where he is or what he’s doing, and—”

“Neo?”

At the soft voice, Neo’s head jerked up. Jolak stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. “Where’s… where’s Duran?” Jolak scrubbed at his face. “Is he…. I need to see him.”

“He’s ready now,” John said. “I came to tell Neo, and I wanted to check on you. Kia wanted to come as well.”

Jolak nodded. “Thank you both. I need my friends around me right now. Where’s Hamza? Why aren’t you with him, Neo?”

“He….” Neo had no idea what to say. “He asked me remain here with you. He, um, also wanted to spend some time with Duran. Alone.”

Jolak frowned. “Always so independent, that young of mine. Being alone is not what he needs right now.”

If only Jolak knew. Neo didn’t say anything, though. Now was not the time.

“I want to see my mate. I also need to see my young.” Jolak’s posture straightened. “Comm Hamza and tell him to make the necessary arrangements, please. Also alert the guards that we’ll be leaving momentarily. Give me ten unit minutes to wash my face and to get awake, then I’ll be ready.”

Neo watched as Jolak strode back his room. This was the Jolak he grew up with: respectful, but firm. Jolak asked nicely first, and if that didn’t work, then he’d take matters into his own hands. In other words, Jolak would damn well walk the halls until he found his mate, if necessary.

Neo commed Hamza, sincerely hoping he answered. Otherwise, matters might get a bit intense.

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.

Tuesday Teaser

**TUESDAY TEASER - BOUND BY LOVE Chapter 4**
Time for more Harvest Young! This has not been beta read or edited.



Chapter Four - Neo

Neo sat quietly as Keyno spoke to Hamza. He’d been at the hospital, so he’d missed what had transpired.

“At first we assumed they were hunting our king. Bold move on their part—beaming in during a strike, but it was logical. There was mass confusion. While Malk, Gibor, and I exchanged fire with the invaders, one managed to shoot Duran. It was nothing more than a lucky shot.” Pain flashed across Keyno’s face. “Then, abruptly, they transported out.”

“I wonder why,” Neo muttered.

“I believe the Onfre arrived,” Keyno said. “Which, at the time, we didn’t know why they left, just that they did. While Hamza took time to mourn privately, I started collecting data and conducted what debriefings I could. I found out they were actively searching for white headed males. Granted, they killed anyone male they found, but they were specifically looking for—”

“Oh gods,” Neo gasped. “They were hunting the royal family.”

“All males of the royal line have white hair.” Keyno growled, and his ears laid back against his head. “Yes, there are the tattoos on the neck, but only the white hair is inherited. Szin, of course, is the exception.”

Neo glanced at Hamza’s long white hair. Even though the tips are a soft lavender, there was no mistaking he was royalty.

“I truly believe the females were trying to wipe out the Royal family as revenge for not only taking what they consider their property, but for blowing up a battleship of theirs, which, by the way, fired on a starship of ours first.” Keyno met Hamza’s gaze. “And I must ask for your forgiveness. We were outnumbered, Hamza, and… and… when Duran was murdered, I momentarily froze. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Malk fired, killing the female who shot Duran. I learned later she was also targeting me, but… I failed my king, and I failed you.”

“Oh, bullshit,” Hamza raged. “That’s patently untrue, and you know it! I know you, and I know you would’ve given your life for him. As would Gibor and Malk! From what you said, we’re damn lucky they didn’t kill you.”

“It’s….” Stunned, Neo’s gaze bounded between Hamza and Keyno. “It’s a miracle we only lost one royal.”

Hamza pushed off the couch and kneeled next to Keyno. “I know how close you and my dabba were. To see what you did…. Keyno, I would’ve frozen too. They massacred our family in front of you. In cold blood. Please, do not, not for a unit second, think you failed. I don’t believe that, and neither would Dabba.”

Keyno tugged Hamza to his feet. Once Hamza stood, Keyno sank to his knees and bowed his head. “Thank you, my Highness, for your forgiveness. I’ll endeavor to do all I can to earn it.”

Hamza flinched. “Keyno—”

“No, Hamza. You are our king now. It’s time to take your rightful place.” Keyno raised his head, shaking his hair back, and stared up at Hamza. “I pledge myself to my new king, King Hamza!”

Hamza flinched.

Neo watched grief tighten Hamza’s features. But between one heart beat and the next, the sorrow fled. Nothing but fierce determination showed in Hamza’s stance and on his face now. And hatred. It gleamed in his eyes.

“You’re right. No more will I deny who I was born to be.” Hamza straightened. “Thank you, Captain Shou. I accept your pledge, gladly, and give one of my own: the Ne Rey will know my wrath. Now, stand.”

Neo’s world tilted. The cruelty shining in Hamza’s scared Neo to the very depths of his soul.

Keyno rose to his feet, bowed slightly at the waist, then straightened. “We stand with you, my king.”

“I would like to see my dabba, but I need to do it alone for now.” Hamza tuned to Neo. “Would you mind remaining here with Jolak, in case he wakes?”

Neo swallowed. “I… I guess. But Hamza, are you sure? That’s going to be….” Hard and emotional—devastatingly so.

“Just for now. We’ll go together later, but I need this. Please, stay with my dad?” Hamza crossed to Neo and sat next to him on the couch. He took Neo’s hand. “I can’t…. I trust you above all others and—”

Neo searched Hamza’s face. The coldness from a moment ago had retreated somewhat. It still worried Neo, but Hamza hadn’t totally shut himself off, thank all that was holy. “Love, you know every Tah’Narian would defend him with their very life.”

“I know, but… but it’s you here with him. You are my heart. My love. My everything, Neo. I need you to be here in case… in case I’m not and he wakes, that way he won’t be alone, and I don’t know how to explain how important this is to me, but—”

“Then I will be here with him.” Neo slid his other hand behind Hamza’s neck and gently tugged him closer until their foreheads met. He understood Jolak was Hamza’s dad and losing him was more than Hamza could stand. It wasn’t rational thinking, but Neo wasn’t sure just exactly how rational Hamza was right now. “I’ll take care of Jolak. I promise.”

“Thank you.” Hamza shuddered. “Thank you. I can’t lose him too, Neo. I know he’s safe, and there are guards outside, and maybe I’m being silly, but—”

“I get it. I do. I want to be there for you, but if this is where you need me, then this is where I’ll be. I love you.”

“And I love you.” Neo let his hand slide from behind Hamza’s neck.

Hamza leaned back. “I’ll be back soon.”

Pucker Up Monday

Welcome to Pucker Up Monday. It's not what you think, lol. Since Mondays do tend to suck, I though I'd try to start the week off right for y'all.