Michaela Read Online Free Page A

shook a little as he voiced his opinion. “It is good you managed to escape. I shudder to think of such an unearned fate had you been discovered.”
    Michaela’s smile astonished Korkla, given what she’d just divulged. She said, “Well, drinking leshella and dancing on Plasius is a hard thing too, but I keep reminding myself I’ve lived through worse.”
    They all laughed. Korkla was impressed that Michaela had the kind of strength that allowed her to find humor in her circumstances.
    He told her, “Being endlessly doted on by a clan on Kalquor is its own trial. Thank the ancestors you’re such a survivor. You might be able to withstand it.”
    Michaela bit her plump lower lip. “That’s assuming a clan would even want me.”
    Korkla’s brows rose. Here was the issue they’d been warned about, yet it still took him by surprise.
    It was wrong on so many levels that Michaela would think of herself as anything less than desirable. She was stunning. Curls as inky as any Kalquorian’s hair framed a soft, round face. Her skin was as brown as his, making her look like a miniature version of one of his race ... until one noted the dark eyes with their rounded pupils. Her wide eyes spoke of youth’s innocence one moment, but experienced wisdom the next.
    Her body was different from a Kalquorian’s too, in a wondrous way. She was toned, but not muscled like even the women of Korkla’s people tended to be. Michaela was not willowy like a Plasian either. Like her face, her physique possessed a pleasing softness. He could only imagine how tenderly her body would cradle his, how it would melt against him...
    Korkla brought himself out of the fantasy when warning heat trickled into his loins. He cleared his throat. “Of course a clan would want you. How could they not? You’re beautiful, talented, and strong. What a gift you are, Michaela.”
    “But I’m not a real woman.”
    She laid it out with blunt, almost angry force. Her shoulders slumped, as if she wished to hide their wider proportions. Those shoulders, along with her husky voice, were the only physical hints Korkla could see of Michaela’s masculine nature. They teased of the treasures he’d find later ... if his clan could convince Michaela that there was nothing wrong with her rarity.
    The Dramok had to quell the instant reassurances that rose to his lips. Israla had cautioned him that Michaela could twist such support so as to re-affirm that she was less than human.
    Govi took up the challenge, as they had agreed he would. “You say you feel female. We’ve been told by the doctor who saw you here that you have all the organs that make a female. You are even believed to be fertile. The presence of eggs has been confirmed.”
    Korkla did not miss the bitterness in Michaela’s tone as she responded. “Along with sperm. And a dick. I’m repulsive.”
    The Dramok saw Raxstad jerk. Momentary anger crossed the Nobek’s broad features before he recovered and snorted dismissively. “I have sperm and two dicks. Does that make me twice as repulsive?”
    Michaela scowled. “For heaven’s sake, you’re a Kalquorian man. You’re supposed to have that stuff. I’m meant to be one or the other. Not something in between.”
    Govi cupped her chin in his palm, forcing her to look at him. In a gentle but firm tone, he said, “You’re supposed to be what you are. Nothing else. Michaela, I like both men and women. My whole clan does. The three of us are intimate with each other.”
    Korkla had to weigh in as well because Michaela’s self-loathing concerned him like nothing else he’d ever faced. “I’ve also had sexual relations with a couple of species that are intersex, as you call it. None of that bothers me. In fact, the idea of being with someone who is so much like my species and is both male and female is exciting.”
    “You’ve just got more toys to play with, that’s all.” Raxstad grinned with mischief, and then leaned close to growl lecherously at