“So the orgasms aren’t incidental.”
“No,”Dr.Verityxsaid.“Theyare the mechanism by which the cure travels through your body.”Helooked atRavikandSeverin.“Whichis whyIurge you to pleasureCassandraas much as possible—and to give her your cream in every way.Herbody will tell her what she needs—it’s your job to supply it often and in abundance.”
Ravik looked like he wanted to punch the wall andSeverinlooked like he wanted to ask fifteen more questions.Cassiefelt like laughing, crying, and possibly climbing both of them right there in the laboratory, which was inconvenient but not surprising considering the bite wound on her arm had begun to pulse under her sleeve and the need was building inside her again.
She glanced down quickly at the arm, hidden under a long sleeve.Shedidn’t want to draw attention to it, butSeverinandRavikboth noticed her looking.
“Cassandra?”Severinasked, his voice going low and careful.“Isthe need coming back?”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, though the heat spreading through her body suggested that fine was doing a lot of work in that sentence.“Myarm is just…doing what it does.ProbablybecauseDr.Owlhere keeps talking about all the places your seed needs to go.”
Dr.Verityx’sfeathers fluffed slightly.
“Dr.Owl?”
“It’s not an insult,”Cassiesaid quickly.“You’revery distinguished but you remind me of a bird from my home planet renowned for its wisdom.”
The alien doctor seemed pleased.
“Well, thank you,” he said, his feathers puffing up proudly.“Andnever fear—soonIwill release the three of you to your own devices to help feed the urgent sexual hunger you are no doubt feeling due to theHungerVirus.”
Ravik made a low sound behind her, andCassiecould feel him struggling with himself.Hewanted to comfort her—she knew he did.Buttouching her in front ofSeverin—or worse, withSeverin—was still the thing he was fighting hardest.Thatknowledge made her heart ache in a way that had nothing to do with the virus.
Dr.Verityxtapped the display again and the model shifted to show her breasts glowing with golden lines.
“The medicationIwill give you today will stimulate mammary conversion,” he explained.“Atfirst, your breasts may ache or feel heavy as the glands begin producing nectar—this is expected.Thefirst samples will likely be weak, but as you receive more complete marker exposure from both males, the nectar should become stronger.”
Cassie swallowed.
“And how exactly amIsupposed to receive more complete marker exposure?”
Dr.Verityxtilted his feathered head.
“Through consensual treatment sessions withCommandersRavikandSeverin, of course.Youmust receive their cream orally and vaginally at first, and possibly rectally if the vaccine fails to stabilize.Ideally, you should also be saturated with their scents, their touch, and their emotional proximity, because your samples show that your endocrine response is strongest when you feel safe with both of them.”
The word “safe” madeCassie’sthroat tighten unexpectedly.Yes, that was what she needed—to feel safe between her guys.
Severin looked at her, his pale blue eyes full of concern and something gentler than concern.Ravikstood behind her, silent and tense, but when she glanced back, his golden eyes were fixed on her face rather than onDr.Verityxor the horrible medical milking table.
“We’ll give you what you need, baby,” he said, his voice rough.
“Yes,”Severinsaid quietly.“Anythingyou need, sweetheart.Justask.”
Their simple words made her eyes sting.
“Thank you—both of you,” she murmured.Shemight be in a lab about to undergo all kinds of weird experiments, but at least she had her guys with her.
Dr.Verityxlooked between them, his huge golden eyes bright with interest.
“Excellent.Consentreduces stress markers and improves nectar quality,” he said, nodding his feathered head.“Emotionalcoercion would damage the sample and, more importantly, damage the patient.”
Cassie let out a shaky laugh.
“I thinkIlike you,Dr.V.”
“Thank you,” he chirped.“Iam highly regarded in several fields.”
“Modest too,” she murmured.
